The Last Battle
Every part of her body was in agony, sheer agony. She curled her fingers, luckily they responded to her command. She tried to sit up, but to no avail. Every little movement sent ripples of pains down her body. Instead she just laid there, willing herself to get up, but she couldn't.
A rumble caught her attention, and she glanced over to where she heard the sound. She flinched, that hurt. Her neck now throbbed along with the rest of her body. She couldn't make anything out from the black haze of dust and dirt that clouded her eyes. All she knew was she was as good as dead. Maybe death would relieve the pain she felt.
Suddenly the smoke billowed out as she made out a movement coming from her left. She squinted, trying to see more of this mysterious thing. She felt pure panic consume her. What if it was one of them? Her heart quickened, and she started hyperventilating. The shape moved closer. She whimpered, and the thing turned to face her. She recognized the shape; it was the shape of a man. A slender frame outlined against the dust met her eyes. It moved closer and closer. She tried to get up and run, but her body refused. The pain was unbearable and she faded into the blackness. Her last thought was "This is it."
Sunlight burned her lids, waking the battered girl. She groaned and rolled over, instantly regretting the move. Shock rushed through her spine, and she cringed. The pain was now more bearable, an improvement over yesterday. She could now sit up, and as her head stopped spinning, she examined her surroundings. She was in a white room, similar to that of a hospital. It would be identical if hospitals had huge holes in the walls, and cracked glass shelves with their contents spread on the floor. It was obvious this room had seen what the rest of the world had too. Not even this small place was spared, she thought in despair. Looking to the undamaged part of the room, she saw a mirror and sink.
Flinging her legs over the bed, she made her way to what she hoped was the source of clean water. Every step shot more pain down her legs, but she pushed on a little bit at a time. Finally, she collapsed on the sink, only her elbows supporting her fragile frame. Looking in the mirror, she noticed she looked awful. Brushing her raven hair out of her face, she noted the various bruises littering her forehead and cheeks. Cuts and scratches covered her arms and legs. Her short sleeved t-shirt was torn and dirty and her capris were in similar condition.
Suddenly a noise altered her to another presence in the room. Looking behind her, she saw a man in the shadows, but on closer inspection, he looked younger than a man. Maybe my age, she thought to herself. He stepped out of the shadows, and she stifled a gasp. He had spikey hair that covered his head, and a muscular but slender frame. She recognized his silhouette from the previous night. She couldn't help but thinking, even at a time like this, that he was beautiful. His face had an air of maturity, but also with boyish features blending in. He stood like he had confidence, but a soft smile graced his lips. He was wearing a worn GI, made of an orange material, and a midnight blue undershirt. This was accompanied by a tie that wrapped around his waist and boots made of what looked like armor. He suddenly looked her in the eyes and gave a genuine smile, one that made her heart flutter and knees weaken. She could have sworn she was blushing, but the man didn't seem to notice.
"Wh…Where am I, and how d…did I get here?" She asked him softly, her throat hurt and her voice was raspy. He scratched the back of his head and sheepishly grinned, not meeting her eyes.
"My new house, it is a family friend's and I live here cause my home was destroyed. And I was out looking for food when I found you, and I took you here after I realized you were alive, but hurt. I hope you don't mind, I was just trying to be nice…" His voice faded out.
"Does anyone else live here?" She asked him, with a sense of urgency in her voice, for some odd reason she felt vulnerable alone with this man.
"Yes, my brother, mom and some family friends." He told her, but sadness was in his eyes. She guessed he must have lost his dad or something.
"Is there anywhere I could get clean clothes," She asked him.
"Yes, follow me," He started walking out what looked like a doorway, just with no door. He led her down a maze of halls. She took in her surroundings. This seemed like a nice place, just damaged, but what place wasn't. Ever since they had come, nothing was the same.
"Are you a fighter," The man asked her. "Because you have a decent Ki, and that could be a problem because they could find you easier."
"Yes, I am a fighter, what does that have to do with anything, and what is Ki?" She asked the stranger.
"It is the power every living thing has. The aliens use scouters to discover it, and if it's high they find you and try to destroy you, because you could be a possible threat. I lower my Ki, and so do my friends so we can't be found. But you might need a temporary Ki bracelet then maybe can teach you to lower it." He explained. She understood, kind of.
"Who's Krillen?" She asked him.
"He lives here too; he was one of my father's closest friends. Until my father was forced to join them," He let his words hang in the air. His face was twisted in agony and rage. She felt his sorrow, her father had begged like a baby to be spared, before they had eradicated him. She put her hand on his clothed shoulder.
"I understand," She tried to comfort the boy.
"No you don't," He said harshly. "They zapped him with some kind of beam, and his eyes turned red and he suddenly thought he was some guy called Kakarott. He didn't remember us, only his heritage. They did that to my father's rival/friend too, but he forgot his memories from the last few years, and turned into a ruthless killer. Now they are just like those monsters." The man's eyes filled with tears, but Videl knew it wasn't sorrow, it was rage.
"They killed my father, but he begged for his life, instead of dying with honor. He may have been the supposed Champion, but really he was just a scared man who fought with his ego, and lost." The man stopped suddenly, and she noticed they were outside a room with a closed door.
"Go in here, Bulma will tell you what to do." He told her with compassion in his voice. "I will see you at dinner."
"Thanks…?" She paused.
"Gohan, its Gohan,"
"Well thanks Gohan, and by the way, it's Videl." She told him and opened the door.
Yep, I am mean. This a preview of my newest story! The complete story will be out August-ish. Hope you liked the beginning. Remember, Reviewing is loving.
