Surrounded by his ki aura, Gokuu ran. This wasn't at all like the
last time. This time he was having fun; in no time flat he'd gone
farther than it had taken him months to travel to where he'd just departed
from. The windings of Snake Way were nothing to him, he was running a straight
path. His body felt so light, his muscles so strong, and he was off to
fight three impossibly strong foes.
Life was good.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kyande could practically feel herself sinking further and further into despair. She wasn't even born yet, she shouldn't have to be dealing with this. But, she was the one whom had screwed things up. This was her 'experiment' as her mother had put it. She had to see it through.
She stood in a group with the surviving Earth's Defenders. Piccolo, who looked as dour as ever, and Gohan, who at this time was just a scared little kid trying to prove himself to Piccolo. There was Tenshinhan, who was terribly shaken by the death of Chaou-zu, and Yamcha, her future father, whom was supposed to have died all ready. But in a fit of foolishness and self-preservation, Kyande had saved his life. Not that it mattered anymore anyway.
Kuririn was dead, killed by Katera in one shot, and Chaou-zu had been blown apart by Vejiita just to prove a point.
" If only Gokuu were here, " Yamcha was saying, " then we'd show these Saiyan jerks. What's taking him so long? "
" I'm sure Gokuu is on his way, " Tenshinhan assured, though with a slight hint of uncertainty in his voice.
" He is, " Kyande confirmed, " He's just running a little late. "
" How do you know? " Yamcha demanded. " Just who are you anyway? "
" I'm... an ally. I can't tell you anything else, " Kyande stated, averting her eyes.
" What? " Yamcha stepped closer to her, demanding.
" Leave it alone, Yamcha, " Piccolo intervened. " Right now it's not important. We need to figure out what we're going to do about them. " He nodded in the direction of the three Saiyajin.
All eyes turned in Kyande's direction.
Kyande looked around at them all and felt suddenly queasy. Well, there can't be much more wrong that I can do... I hope. Wiping her sweaty palms on her pants she began. " They'll most likely send the big one, Nappa, first. He's tough, tougher than all of you. But he's weaker than Gokuu and dumb as a rock. If you can just hold him off until Gokuu gets here, you'll be fine. "
" What about the other two? " Yamcha asked.
" Their names are Katera and Vejiita. They are the most powerful of the Saiyan race. Vejiita was the prince, named after the bloody planet for Kami's sake. They're the ones you cannot beat. If it comes to that, I'll fight them. "
" You? " Piccolo scoffed.
" You'll fight them? " Gohan echoed.
Kyande nodded. " I have a sentu ryoku higher than them. I don't know about combined, but one on one I can take them. The one thing that must happen, " Kyande stressed with perfect sincerity, " is that Gokuu and Vejiita must face each other alone. "
" Why? "
" That's not important, " Kyande snapped, brushing off Yamcha's question.
" The hell it's not important! " Yamcha snapped back.
Kyande sighed, Even in the past we argue, and met Yamcha's gaze. Holding it with her eyes she stated severely, " I cannot tell you for reasons you cannot know. You just have to trust me. I know you have it in you to do so, Yamcha. "
" Well, " Vejiita called, " Discussion time is over. Are you going to be smart and hand over the Dragonballs? "
Kyande whirled around, her face clouded in irritation and anger. " How can we give you something now we cannot find for another year, you baka! " she demanded.
Vejiita pointed at Tenshinhan. " He dies now. "
" No! " Kyande stepped in front of Tenshinhan and spread her arms defensively. " This is blatant execution, Vejiita! This isn't your style! "
" She's right, " Nappa conceeded quietly.
" But how, I don't like how much she seems to know, " Katera muttered.
Vejiita chuckled. " Then what do you propose, little one? "
Kyande teardropped. He's calling me 'little one?' She raised her head and set her jaw. " We'll take him on. " She pointed at Nappa.
Nappa's face spread into a grin. " Hey! I like that plan! "
" Fine Nappa, but remember to leave the Namekuseijin alive. Let our friend there live as well. She can watch the rest die, " Vejiita said, " and then tell us where the Dragonballs are. "
" You have such a thick skull, " Kyande commented.
Nappa smacked his fists together and walked forward. When he was at the center of the battlefield he crouched and began to collect his ki energy.
Piccolo crouched into defensive position and growled, " Here it comes. You'd better be right, girl. "
Kyande said nothing.
Yamcha and Tenshinhan exchanged aprehensive looks.
Gohan began his quivering anew. Kyande noticed this out of the corner of her eye and gave the boy a kind smile. " Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you, Son Gohan. "
Gohan nodded shakily.
Just as Kyande turned back Nappa came at them. He went straight for
Kyande first, with which Kyande was just fine. She brought up her arms
and blocked the punch. Nappa feinted a follow-up blow, then rocketed straight
up into the air. Kyande followed with a burst of ki energy that cracked
Katera's scouter. Nappa paused his ascent, and Kyande appeared right above
him. She brought down a double fist towards the base of his neck, and was
genuinely surprised when Nappa turned and both her fists disappeared into
his massive hand. Grinning, he squeezed and Kyande screamed out as she
felt the fine bones in her hands crack. Tears streaming from her eyes she
tried to wrench back, but Nappa only tightened his grip and she caused
more
damage herself.
Suddenly Tenshinhan, Piccolo, and Yamcha were in the air with them. Tenshinhan slammed a fist into Nappa's cheekbone, while Piccolo buried his fist in Nappa's armor at the gut. Nappa flinched not, but released Kyande to backhand both warriors in the face.
Yamcha caught Kyande as she fell and helped her steady herself.
" You okay? " he inquired.
" Fine, " Kyande growled and flew at Nappa again. How could he have caught me by surprise like that? I'm much stronger! How could I have underestimated him?! Kyande put all her fury and indignation into a kick aimed at the back of Nappa's head, right where his neck met the base of his skull.
The blow hit home, and Nappa flew past Tenshinhan, catching the triclops as he went.
" Tenshinhan! " Yamcha shouted.
Nappa stopped midair and turned, holding Tenshinhan in a choke hold. He placed one hand on top of Tenshinhan's head and laughed slowly. Kyande, Piccolo, and Yamcha froze.
Gohan was long frozen on the ground.
" One down, " Nappa said cheerily and snapped Tenshinhan's neck.
As the large Saiyajin dropped Tenshinhan, Yamcha called the other warrior's
name to no avail.
Katera smirked as she watched the body hit the ground. " Nice prediction. "
" I thought so. "
Yamcha clenched his fists and called out in anguish, " Gokuu! Where
are you? We need you! "
" Who's this Gokuu, I wonder? " Vejiita voiced.
" Kakarrot, perhaps? " Katera surmised.
" Could be, " Vejiita's eyes lit up. " Yes, I believe I heard the Namekuseijin call Kakarrot 'Gokuu' during the battle with Radditz. "
" But can we be sure? " Katera said thoughtfully, " I don't see any
approaching ki signatures, and there could have been a third
party there. "
" Hmm, " Vejiita lit upon an idea, " Let's ask them. "
Katera grinned. She'd just noticed something of interest. " In a moment,
Ojisama. "
Under Katera's watchful gaze, Tenshinhan painfully worked his way onto his hands and knees.
Gohan gasped. " Tenshinhansan! "
Tenshinhan groaned and rolled onto his back. " Chaou-zu, " he murmured in a daze. Opening his eyes he watched the battle between Nappa, Yamcha, Kyande, and Piccolo. " Chaou-zu, " he said again, " I'll be with you in a moment. "
Still on his back, Tenshinhan raised a hand towards Nappa and began
to collect his ki energy.
Katera and Vejiita watched this with interest.
His ki energy, his very lifeforce, sufficiently collected, Tenshinhan commanded, " Kikouhou! "
The brilliant yellow energy flared and blasted upwards towards Nappa.
" Get back! " Yamcha ordered in a shout.
Kyande and Piccolo complied.
" That baka'd better survive, " Vejiita commented.
" If he doesn't I won't mind, " Katera smirked.
" Eh? " Nappa looked dumbly down at the Kikouhou attack. Turning to face it directly he raised an arm to meet it and was blotted out by smoke and light in the aftermath.
It seemed the whole world was holding it's breath as the smoke dissipated, and almost choked on it when Nappa was revealed to have survived.
" No, " was Tenshinhan's weakly uttered last word.
Gohan began to cry, " No, Tenshinhan! "
" Damn, " Kyande said with conviction. " I could have kept him alive if he'd not opted for that attack. "
" He can't even be wished back, " Yamcha said somberly.
Nappa started to laugh. " That almost got me! " he declared. " Too bad for you. "
" Yamcha, " Kyande crouched midair, " Think you can get on his right side? "
" Yeah, why? "
" I'll go left and we'll hit him with a double Rouga Fuufuu Ken. Piccolo, can you distract him? "
" You know the Wolf Wind Attack? " Yamcha asked, furrowing his brow.
" I can grab his tail, " Piccolo suggested.
" No good, " Kyande shook her head, " he's immune to that weakness. " She gave the Namekuseijin a wry grin, " All you have to do is keep him busy, while Ot-- Yamcha and I get into place. "
" Okay, " Piccolo nodded.
Yamcha just stared wordlessly at Kyande.
" Making plans are ya? " Nappa called out. " Well then, be my guest, I'll take care of the funeral arrangements! "
" Allright, " Kyande said slowly, " Go! "
Piccolo flew forward and managed one good blow to Nappa's cheekbone. Nappa cried out more out of rage than pain. He promptly began beating on Piccolo.
Kyande went left, wincing with every blow Nappa landed on Piccolo. Necessary evils, she reminded herself and looked past Nappa at Yamcha. He nodded in response to her nod, and they simultaniously commanded,
" Rouga Fuufuu Ken! "
Nappa pushed away a dazed Piccolo and spread his arms outward. With a loud battle cry that shook the heavens, Nappa used twin ki blasts to cancel out the two Wolf Wind Attacks.
Yamcha was carried by the backlash into the ground several meters away. Kyande just barely managed to catch herself. She shielded her face and blinked when it cleared. Her eyes were wider than usual with surprise.
No Way!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Sarro paused to take a slow sip of her tea. Over her teacup she looked around at her audience. In some cases, she was glad the cup hid her smile.
Vejiita looked as though his mind had clicked into high gear. Sarro could remember hearing him choke when she'd reached the revelation of the relationship between the Saiyajin prince and Katera in the other dimension. In truth, he still had a little bit of tea on his chin.
Yamcha, Bulma, Trunks, Gohan, Chichi, and Goten all looked vaguely disturbed, as though the story had induced some new thoughts in their minds. Sarro chuckled inwardly.
Gokuu looked to be the only one who was truely enjoying the story. Naturally, it was just that to him; a story.
Kyande. Kyande's reactions had to be the best of them all. She was sitting in the chair slumped down with her eyes closed and her cheeks red. Sarro couldn't blame her, it wasn't her most triumphant of moments. But the girl had done well enough in coping. She just had needed to learn to plan ahead and think things through better. That had come with age and a few more lessons.
Although, Sarro hadn't again sent Kyande into the past to 'experiment.'
With a small, noncommittal smile on her face, Sarro resumed her story,
" It was at this point in which Kyande began to realize that something
was wrong. Nappa was, indeed, a tough opponent to beat. But at her level
he would have been easy, " Sarro paused, " would have been that is, if
it were the Nappa from our timeline. Kyande failed to see the ramifications
of her actions on everybody. She focused mainly on Katera and Vejiita.
Even with them, she did not see all of the changes. Personalitywise, she
did fine. But the other aspects of them she missed completely. Katera and
Vejiita as sparring partners from that early in their lifetimes had increased
their powers to levels they reached in our timeline only at the time of
the androids. " She gave a faint smirk. " Basically because they beat each
other to bloody pulps every session. As trainer-- by title alone, of course--
Nappa would have had to spar with them every once in awhile. Katera and
Vejiita considered it fun, of course, beating Nappa
up for sport. Really makes one appreciate the Saiyajin doesn't it?
" Sarro allowed for the smattered laughter her sarcastic comment induced.
" But, it did have an effect, and Nappa too, was stronger. Not stronger
than Kyande granted, but strong enough: and she was gravely underestimating
him... "
------------------------------------------------------------------
This isn't fair, Kyande whimpered, I don't want to see this
experiment through. I've already screwed it up beyond
comprehension. Aloud she wailed, " I Wanna Go Home!! "
Nappa turned to face her. " How's about I send ya to your new home, " he raced towards her, " In Hell?! "
Kyande glared at him through tears that had erupted and ki blasted him point blank. " Why don't you housesit for me until I get there? " she fired back.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
" Hey hey! " Gokuu cheered, " It's Lord Enma's place! "
True enough, there amidst the glowing golden clouds sat the green roofed station where Lord Enma recieved dead souls. Several oni gaped as Gokuu blasted past the beginning (or end) of Snake Way and into the building.
Kamisama was waiting for him.
" Gokuu! Come on! " he shouted.
Gokuu gave a big smile and latched on to Kamisama's arm. In a brief flash and a wavering of air, they were gone.
Lord Enma stared in disbelief. " Gah, " he said, " He actually did it.
" He shrugged and returned to his paperwork. " Maybe Earth does have a
chance. "
" Hi Mr. Popo! " Gokuu greeted upon arriving at Kamisama's 'lookout' at the top of Karin Tower.
" Gokuu, " Kamisama said severely, " the three Saiyajin are here. Now. The others are already there fighting them. "
" Okay, " Gokuu turned to go. " Bye! "
Gokuu's face immediately turned serious and he ran at top speed right off the edge of the tiled yard. Holding his arms at his side to streamline his body, Gokuu shot towards the surface of the Earth.
When he was nearing the entrance to Karin Tower he shouted, " Senpyou! "
The wizened old cat appeared in the entrance way. " Gokuu! " he called back in greeting.
" I need some senzu seeds! You got any left? "
" Sure! " Senpyou tossed Gokuu two of the fabled seeds. " These are my last two! "
" Thanks! " Gokuu ate one of the seeds and pocketed the other. When he began to see the details of the land beneath him he cupped his hands at his mouth and shouted, " Kintoun! "
Immediately the candy cloud swooped out to catch him, and Gokuu rode it steadily in the direction of the battle.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
A new high ki signature hit Kyande like a tonne of bricks. She dodged Nappa's strike just in time and shook her head clear. It wasn't so much that it was high to her, but high for this time. That, and it had appeared so suddenly.
Gokuu! It had to be Gokuu! Kyande felt relief flood her, even as she ducked under a kick from Nappa.
Down on the ground, Piccolo was wigging out over Gokuu's high ki. Gohan was elated, and Yamcha was just picking himself off the ground.
Cool. If Yamcha replaced Kuririn, then things hadn't really changed all that much.
Nappa rose into the air and ki blasted Kyande to the ground.
Gohan gave a start and ran to her. " Hey! Miss? Are you all right? "
Kyande groaned. Half heartedly she joked, " Anyone get the number of that bus? "
Nappa laughed loudly from where he'd landed a short distance in front of Katera and Vejiita. " Yeah, " he answered her question, " one! Me! "
" I wasn't asking your IQ, " Kyande sneered as she got up.
As Kyande stood, she caught sight of Katera looking through her scouter at the horizon. She felt crazily elated at the small sign of aprehension on the other warrior's face.
" Katera, " Vejiita questioned, " what does it read. "
" That crack must have done more damage than I thought, " Katera answered, her voice taut, " I'm getting a reading of six thousand twenty. "
-----------------------------------------------------------------
" Six thousand twenty? " Vejiita repeated. " Kakarrot's power reading was only five thousand. "
Sarro spread her hands, " I'm only telling it as it is. I have no idea what changes were made to Gokuu's time on Kaiousei. "
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Nappa sputtered, " Six thousand twenty? You're damn right it's wrong! " He shook his head, " Kakarrot's just a low class brat. He can't possibly have a level that high. "
" I think he could, " Kyande stated, a small, cool smile of satisfaction on her face, " and he does. "
Nappa glared at her. " All right you little shitbrat, just who the hell are you? "
" Who indeed, " Kyande returned cryptically. She began stepping back. " I'll leave you now to Gokuu. "
" A reading of six thousand twenty, Ojisama, " Katera murmured, " Not much, but enough. He cannot be allowed to join these others. I say we incapacitate the Namekuseijin and kill the rest before he gets here. "
" Good idea, " Nappa agreed.
" Remember, I get the girl, " Katera reminded him.
" I have a better idea, " Vejiita spoke up, " why don't you kill all of them before Kakarrot gets here? "
Katera and Nappa both blinked in surprise.
" But, " Nappa looked back at the prince in utter disbelief, " the Dragonballs-- "
Vejiita's face spread into a slow, cruel grin, " I see it all now. I'd heard stories of Namekusei's magic balls that would grant wishes. I thought it just a myth, until coming here for the Dragonballs.
" We come for the Dragonballs to have a wish granted, and what do we find? A Namekuseijin. "
Katera grinned.
Nappa for once caught on. " I get it, if we go to Namekusei, we can just use those Dragonballs. " He turned back to Piccolo and the rest. " You hear that? You're all mine. "
" Except for the girl, " Katera corrected.
" Piccolosan! " Gohan piped up suddenly, " Go on! Get out of here! All of you! I'll hold them off until Otousan get's here! "
" Nani? " Piccolo looked back in disbelief.
Kyande shook her head. " I'm staying, but he's right. Piccolo, you leave. Yamcha, make sure he goes. If anything happens to you, we can't use the Dragonballs. I don't feel like a trip to Namekusei right now. " With an evil grin, Kyande thought, No Namekusei means no Dende... heheheh
[Kyande doesn't really care much for Mirai Dende]
" Don't worry about me, Gohan, " Piccolo assured, " or you... " he trailed off as he realized he lacked a name to put to Kyande's face. " I'll be fine. "
Kyande looked away. " I hope I can help you keep your promise, Piccolo. "
Nappa's attention, meanwhile, had switched to something else. That something else, of course, being Gohan.
" For your insolence, boy, you go first! " Nappa declared and ran for
Gohan.
" Otousan, huh? " Katera commented. " I suspected as much. That kid's the son of Kakarrot. " She smiled viciously, " That's Kakarrot's weakness. His death should bring us a good battle. "
Vejiita smiled as well.
Piccolo moved to rush to Gohan's defence, but Yamcha was closer. He blurred directly into Nappa's path and stood his ground.
Nappa had him out of the way, out of the battle in fact, with one punishing kick.
Kyande winced as Yamcha hit the ground and stayed there.
Nappa continued on towards Gohan. Piccolo continued chasing him, but he would never catch up in time. Gohan stayed put. Was he holding his ground bravely, or was he frozen there in fear?
Kyande couldn't remember. She'd taken one too many hits to the head, everything was a blur. Okaasan, she pleaded mentally, help me!
Gohan suddenly leaped into the air and kicked Nappa in the face with a force that sent him rocketing backwards into a rock outcropping. Kyande silently thanked Kamisama and her mother. He'd been holding his ground.
Nappa pushed his way out of the rubble and roared in anger. Glaring at Gohan with a viciousness that froze the boy again he shouted, " It Ends Here! " and began to gather his ki. Once it was all collected, Nappa threw the white hot blast with all his might at the little half Saiyajin.
Kyande groaned. Gohan was a goner, and it was all her fault!
With a speed powered by panic and fierce affection, Piccolo moved to intercept the blast. Gohan stared up at the back of his mentor's head as Piccolo spread his arms and took the blast meant for Gohan head on.
Yamcha gasped, his eyes widening as he observed the demon king's actions.
Kyande's mind clicked on what was happening and she cried, " iie! "
[iie = no. It can also be spelt iya... I think.]
The blast went on for eternity before dying out. Kyande tentatively opened her eyes and glanced upwards. She was immediately dismayed at the condition Piccolo was in.
So was Gohan. After a moment he was able to stutter,
" Pi-pi-piccolo? "
" Gohan, " Piccolo forced out the words, " R-run away. "
Kyande's eyes softened as she listened to Piccolo's dying words to Gohan. She looked to the horizon Gokuu was approaching from. He was not going to be happy.
Suddenly one ki died and one skyrocketed, and Kyande's attention was drawn fully once more to Gohan. Tears streaked the boy's face and angry fire in his eyes set them off.
" Twenty-eight hundred! " Katera declared.
" Twenty-eight hundred?! " Nappa repeated.
Gohan blasted with all his power, shouting, " Masen-kou! "
" Golly, " was all Kyande could think to say.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Goten burst out laughing. He, in fact, fell of the couch. Through gasps
of breath and insane laughter he forced out,
" 'Golly!' she says! " before falling prey to his laughter again.
Kyande flushed a deeper red in indignation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kyande almost felt like repeating herself as Nappa litterally punched
the blast away. With a little nervous laugh he commented,
" Pretty good, kid, that actually stung... a little... heheh. "
Katera made a disgusted noise and sneered, " Do you want me to handle the little kid for you, Nappa? "
Nappa glared at her over his shoulder. " I've got it, Katera. "
" Then prove it! Kakarrot's almost here! "
Grumbling the whole time, Nappa approached the now severely weakened Gohan and declared, " Almost here, huh? He'll be just in time to see his son reduced to a bloody pulp! " As Nappa spoke, he prepared to bring his foot, which was easily the size of Gohan's head, down upon the little warrior.
Kyande squeezed her eyes shut and moaned repeatedly, " Please let this happen as it should. Please let this happen as it should. Please please please let this happen as it should. "
Nappa's foot came down with a resounding crack...
----------------------------------------------------------------
" Now if you will excuse me, " Sarro said to her apalled audience, "
I'm afraid that I have to use the ladies' room. " She stood and with a
small apology headed out of the room.
¤¤
[Heheheh, that's so cruel... Anyway! This story still needs a name.
But, will Gohan survive the alternate battle with Nappa? Will
anyone?! If Nappa's powerful enough to give Kyande a decent battle,
imagine how Katera and Vejiita are going to be! Granted Kyande was grossly
overconfident, but it's still an interesting question. Will Gokuu's six
thousand twenty power reading be enough to take on both of the Saiyajin
super elite? This is one long spoiler, I am mean. Stick around for this
nameless story's part three; Double Trouble to a New Extent; Shall We Continue?]
[Written by Inseiko, 1999]
¤