I do not own Dragonball Z, Batman Beyond, Justice League, X-Men Evolution, Bleach, Yu Yu Hakusho, or Ghost in the Shell

Prologue

Koenma, the newly appointed ruler of Other World, sat in the throne his father had occupied for thousands of year with his chin resting on his interlaced fingers and his eyes starring off into nothing. With the promotion to king, Koenma's child-like form had been shed for the last time into his older body although his mafuukan in the form of a pacifier still remained but even so, the chair he sat in still seemed like so much to fill both literally and figuratively. Beside him, Kurama stood with his arms crossed neatly in front of his chest, waiting patiently for his new king to come to terms with his new rule and issue the first command that many new he would.

Koenma closed his eyes and let his head droop slightly. "You know, this is going to sound strange coming from me," he said to Kurama. "But I keep hoping that Yusuke would show up and tell me how I finally put on my big boy pants."

"Yusuke certainly did have a way with words," Kurama agreed, smiling slightly. "Especially when he had the opportunity to be insulting with them."

Koenma snorted once, amused. "One of the few things he ever truly mastered."

"Yes," Kurama said. "But we all have our parts to play now. Speaking of which…"

Koenma sighed. "Yes, alright. I guess I cannot put this off any longer. Send him in."

Koenma nodded and walked forward to the large elaborate doors. With a pull entirely out of proportion to what should have been needed to open such heavy doors, Kurama opened them. Kyoraku Shunsui waited patiently, his straw hat ever present even after his promotion to Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 after Yamamoto had been killed.

"My king," Shunsui said, bowing respectfully. "It is my honor to serve."

"Thank you, Captain-Commander," Koenma said gravely. "I have a new directive for you, one that will be counter to your current order from the former king; my father. I will understand if you have reservations."

"My lord," Shunsui said, tipping his hat down just slightly and giving Koenma an encouraging smile. "The Gotei 13 follows the orders of the King without question."

"I am pleased to hear that." Koenma lifted his chin in the way his father had taught him years ago. "Kyoraku Shunsui, you are hereby ordered to track down the rogue Saiyan Caliwone and bring him to me so that I may rescind the death mark my father placed on him."

Shunsui smiled and tipped his hat once more. "It will be done, your excellency." With that, Shunsui turned on his heel and left the room to the sound of the enormous doors thundering closed.

Chapter 01: Reform

-Four months later-

Caliwone sat in the deepest cave he could find of the Soul Society. His back rested lightly on the solid feeling wall and his eyes closed in deep meditation in the darkness afforded. Of course, with the entirety of the cave being made up entirely of energy, there was always a somewhat diffuse glow that backlit the mighty Saiyan's form as he rested with one hand on a propped up leg. His right hand rested palm down on the ground, keeping his body in its relaxed posture upright.

His mind, of course, was far afield. He could sense the going-ons in Living World, especially on the turn of events surrounding Kitty of late. However, whatever it was that had happened, Caliwone had had no ability to intervene. Even his occasional forays with his readings of Earth had to be light and infrequent less those who pursue him be able to lock onto his position. The humans had a word for it; triangulating.

The Soul Society's military force, the Gotei 13, were already hard on his tail. Orders given from Central 46, and to them from King Yama directly, were to capture him or annihilate him on sight. Although Caliwone had no doubt that he would be able to defend himself adequately against any who did find him since Yamamoto himself was no longer alive after the battle of Aizen and the war with the Quincy's Invisible Empire, he could eventually be run down even in this place. Or else, King Yama would eventually be able to convince either Goku or Vegeta to come get him…

Caliwone shook his head hard, pushing that thought out of his mind. He had seen their power, the power of Gods, once before. He could never match them but he knew that neither would follow that order. After all, Vegeta had been the one to set him free him in the first place. The rest was up to him; whatever that may be.

The hand on the ground clenched tightly for a moment before relaxing. What was he doing here, anyway? Hiding? He was dead so his existence was now eternal. He couldn't train and get stronger as to challenge all of Other World. Being on the run like this also prevented him from doing any good on Earth, either. Hiding here was nothing but a holding pattern; a temporary stay of execution. He grimaced at that, the pun rather morbid.

Caliwone opened his eyes and looked upward to where a moon would usually hang on Earth. It was something of a comfort for him, a sign of change. But here, there was no moon. Just an empty cavern filled with regret and shame. It was a shame, really. What he had done on Earth, against all laws in Other World, was the right thing. Yet here he was, a criminal, to be condemned. He had saved Earth, potentially the entire galaxy because of an oversight in the justice system. A justice system so blinded by pride and tradition that they could not see they were in the wrong, themselves. Or did not care.

Caliwone's teeth clenched but he forced his rising anger down with brute force less it give him away. It was so unfair that he had to pay the price. But, perhaps, that was what being the hero really meant. Sometimes, it wasn't the flashy victories or might that won the day. Maybe it was the small innocuous gestures that made the difference. And as such, perhaps returning to the castle and simply accepting his punishment was the right thing to do. After all, his actions are what saved Kitty and the Earth and that was what is important. Sacrifice, he supposed. He had done it before. Even so, it was not an easy decision to make and, more than likely, if he started down that path, he was sure he would find himself unable to alter the tide.

His body tensed suddenly, his eyes snapping into sharp focus at where the tunnel that lead to his dead end curved out of sight. Something was there, shimmering and waving like smoke. Caliwone remained unmoved, refusing to shift his focus as the smoke grew gradually more solid although it was difficult to tell as it glowed in the same manner as the cave. Caliwone squinted, trying vainly to make out its shadowy shape. Being dead himself, he hesitated to describe it as a ghost, but it was the only thing to come to mind. Whatever it was, it was larger than any man by at least a foot and not an ounce of it touched the ground.

Finally Caliwone stood as the mist creature lifted one skeletal hand with overly long fingers and pointed at Caliwone himself. And with a suddenness that would make normal men flinch all over, the creature snapped its head forward, becoming fully recognizable in its blueish glow and screamed something incoherent at him.

Caliwone didn't flinch or even move a muscle as the creature made its way forward. He looked at it dead in its face, lowering his own chin aggressively and narrowing his eyes at the corpse. Its face, if you could call it that, was a mangled mess. Chunks were missing from its skull including that of one eye socket and the lower portion of its jaw. Its breathing, if that is what it was, was rattling and strained as if it was having severe difficulty doing so.

Caliwone had seen much in his time on Earth, everything from Hollows and their numerous forms to demons, from the good souls to those found in Hell, but this was something very unlike any he had seen before. It was as if this creature was trying its hardest to create fear in him, and whether by design or its true nature, was playing the role of horror movie for his benefit.

"Speak, creature," Caliwone said, unmoving. "Come now, use your words and tell me what business you have with me." For an answer, the creature pointed more insistently, reaching up its other ghostly hand, its one good eye wide and bleeding.

Caliwone smirked. "You are trying to scare the wrong person, friend. There are only two ways that this is going to end. Either this will be the shortest horror show ever created when I blast you into oblivion or else I will be the first death in a very tragic arc for Other World." The creature kept coming, it's breathing more rattling.

"Very well," Caliwone said and lifted his hands.

From behind him, black skeletal hands jutted forward, trying to grab at Caliwone. He took a long step forward toward the first creature and out of reach of the hands initial attack and let his blue aura explode around him. The hands that reached out from the wall behind him vanished like ash under the sudden pressure and rocking the cave to its foundation.

He swore vehemently as he realized that this creature had just forced him to reveal his position to everyone who was looking for him. He snarled viciously at the creature who had approached him as it glided slowly backwards away from him. And through its disappearing self, the Shinigami came, Zanpakutou's brandished and swinging.

Biting back a curse, Caliwone focused his energy into his fingers in a trick that Kakorate had taught him, and blocked and deflected the sword edges, neatly defending himself before, with a burst of speed, knocked his attackers unconscious, carefully and precisely.

He looked down at them for a long moment, confusion creasing his features. Everyone in the Soul Society knew who he was and how powerful he was. Why would Yama send such weaklings after him? He looked up suddenly as another approached, one that Caliwone knew instantly.

"Shunsui Kyōraku," Caliwone said, eyeing the man carefully but refusing to let down his guard. "I am pleased to see you come in person for me. It makes up somewhat for this drivel you sent in first." Lightly, Caliwone kicked one of the downed Shinigami aside and to the wall.

Shunsui Kyōraku smiled slightly as he glanced down at his men and women lying on the ground with his one good eye. An eye patch covered his right eye these days, although whether by necessity caused by battle or like the energy eating eye patch Zaraki tended to use Caliwone was unsure. Judging by the scar that ran along the right side of his face that lined up with the loss of the top part of that same side ear would indicate to Caliwone the former. He still wore his flowered pink kimono but his large straw hat that he use to wear had been abandoned for some time.

Shunsui lifted a hand gently, indicating peace for a moment. "I have to say that I am grateful to you for not killing them off handedly," he said, returning his attention back to Caliwone. "We were all looking for you but this group managed to beat me here. Clearly, someone did not get the memo to alert me before making any brash moves."

"I am aware," Caliwone said, ignoring the excuse. "Why do you think I have been hiding in such a remote location?"

"Out here," Shunsui said, indicating the cave, "you have had much time to reflect on decisions you have made. Do you still believe you did the right thing by ignoring your orders and betraying King Yama to save the Living World?"

And here it was; his moment to make his choice. Funny how he was being asked basically outright how he wanted to proceed, either willingly or not. Caliwone hesitated for another moment before lowering his arms back down to his side and letting his aura fade from around him.

"I have thought a lot about it," Caliwone said at last. "And I would make the same decision again. It was the right thing to do and I will accept whatever punishment is deemed justified."

"Interesting," Shunsui said, rubbing one hand along his short beard. "I will be honest, Caliwone, that is not the decision I would have expected of you. You are far more like Vegeta on so many things but this, I must say, is quite the grown up attitude."

Caliwone turned his head away slightly and spat. "Say what you will. I did what I had set out to do and that is all that matters."

"Do you the difference between loss and sacrifice, Caliwone?" Shunsui asked, lowering his hand from his face as Caliwone's lips twisted slightly. "Loss is when something is taken from you without you being able to do anything about it. It is not your choice no matter how much of a fight you put up against it. A sacrifice is when you choose to give up something willingly; a choice that you make."

"I am familiar," Caliwone grumbled.

"You are," Shunsui agreed. "You have made a very grown up decision, and I am proud of you, for whatever that is worth." Caliwone sneered again, but still would not look Shunsui in the eye. "May I ask you a question, Caliwone?"

"You are the Captain-Commander," Caliwone answered. "You may do as you please here."

"If this is your decision, to come willingly back, why were you powered up and ready to fight us when you sensed our approach?"

Caliwone frowned and finally met his gaze. "I didn't," he said. "Some creature attacked me here and I defended myself. That's when you all showed up."

Shunsui frowned. "Interesting. Could you describe it to me?"

Caliwone eyed him a moment before nodding. "A skeletal ghost tried to get all creepy and grabbed at me from behind and through the wall," he said, indicating the dead end with a jab of his thumb over his shoulder.

"I see," Shunsui said, walking past Caliwone and resting a hand lightly on the wall. "Like that of a Hollow?"

"No," Caliwone said. "It was nothing quite like that. Much more like the videos the Earthlings have for scaring one another."

"Well, if there had been anything here that could give us a clue as to the identity of this creature, it will have been destroyed by your power up but I can feel nothing else out of the ordinary."

"Hn," Caliwone said, annoyed at the light jab. "Whatever the case, your men burst through what remained of the first ghost as they attacked me."

"Unfortunately there is nothing to be done at this moment, seeing as how they are all unconscious," Shunsui said, dryly amused as he looked down at them. "What do you say to us returning to the Check In station?"

Caliwone turned his back to Shunsui so he could not see the pain that flashed across Caliwone's face. "Very well," Caliwone said. "I am tired of running."

"Running, you say?" Shunsui said, walking up behind Caliwone and resting a hand on his shoulder. "My friend, you really have been out of touch; your mind too focused on the Living World and not enough here."

Caliwone glanced down briefly at the hand on his shoulder, then up at Shunsui who smiled at him and left his hand where it was. "Explain."

"King Yama has resigned his position after the fiasco with you," Shunsui said. "King Koenma has taken the throne as ruler of Other World and has immediately cancelled the death mark against you. The Gotei 13 were tasked to find you and bring you to him."

"What?" Caliwone stuttered. "You must be joking."

Shunsui shrugged. "Why would I lie? You had already accepted your fate to be sentenced to limbo for the rest of eternity. I cannot imagine a worse punishment or a tougher choice to accept."

Caliwone narrowed his eyes at Shunsui, not yet able to determine if the man was telling the truth or not but his point was valid. There would be no purpose. "Fine," Caliwone said after a moment. "Bring me to toddle breath. What of this place?"

Shunsui raised his eyebrows slightly before turning and looking back at the wall as suddenly remembering where they were. "Oh, the ghost creatures you mentioned. Well, there is not much that can be done. Any clues as to what caused the disturbance are likely gone now. In either case, my job is to bring you to Lord Koenma." He glanced around briefly at all of his fallen men and sighed, resting a hand on one hip. "Would you be willing to help me carry them all back? After all, their condition is technically your fault."

Caliwone snorted and reached down for the nearest of the Shinigami.

Lord Koenma, King of Other World, stood next to his elaborate desk and equally elaborate chair that had taken up position where his father's throne use to be. The shrouded vail and dim lights that his father had preferred here were also gone. In the last thousand years before his stepping down, his father had gained much more of an authoritative, verging on totalitarian rule whenever he chose to step in. The darkened room and vail added to that effect, creating a far more sinister atmosphere than Koenma had ever preferred. Now, under his rule, he would work to undo that reputation and help bring balance to the realms.

He ran a hand along the wood desk as he walked behind it, admiring the craftsmanship and elegance. Although he was eager to shape the new order, the manner in which it had come was rather humbling. Custom or not, Koenma never imagined the sight of his own father bowing before him as he ascended the throne. It did no less than to hammer in the gravity of the position he now held and the weight it brought.

There was a soft knock on the large ornate doors. Koenma looked up, surprised. "Ogre," Koenma said to his blue skinned assistant standing just off to one side. "Was there an appointment that I missed seeing?"

"No, sir," Jorge answered, sounding equally confused. "Today has all been about finishing the alterations to your throne room."

"Interesting," Koenma said. "Go ahead and let them in." With a bow, Jorge walked over and pulled the lever to open the doors and allowed the two men to enter. Koenma stiffened abruptly, recognizing Shunsui's iconic robe and the more subtle clothed form of Caliwone, the equally iconic outlawed Saiyan. Koenma locked eyes with him, the sheer presence and reputation proceeding him completely burying that of the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13. Koenma swallowed hard, masking the motion by adjusting his scarf. He threw a look over at Jorge briefly before addressing the two in front of him.

"Captain-Commander," Koenma said, squaring himself to the arrivals. "It is good to see you. I was not aware that you requested an audience with me."

"I apologize, my lord," Shunsui said, bowing. "I thought that you would not want to wait on this."

Koenma glanced over at Caliwone, standing just behind Shunsui with arms crossed and a scowl on his face. "Indeed not. It is nice to see you again, Caliwone. I assume Shunsui has told you about the changes here in Other World?"

"Yes," Caliwone said. "King Yama has been succeeded by you and my death mark has been rescinded."

"Correct," Koenma said, deciding to take a gamble. "On the condition that you will once again work with me to maintain balance in the realms."

"Do not even try, pacifier face," Caliwone snarled. "I am not a tool to be manipulated like Urameshi nor would I ever work with the drivel that is the SDF again. I came here prepared to take my punishment for doing the right thing. You have no power to hold over me as leverage."

"The Special Defense Force has been disbanded completely," Koenma said, wincing slightly at his misplay. "And I apologize for how that sounded. Your freedom is guaranteed and you can remain in Other World indefinitely regardless of whether you choose to work with me or not."

Caliwone eyed him for a long moment, his eyes boring into Koenma's as if to seek out the deception that he expected. Koenma maintained eye contact with him, trying subtly to project innocence and sincerity.

"Explain," Caliwone ordered. "And do your best to get it right the first time." Shunsui twitched slightly and glanced out of the corner of his eye at Caliwone with a slight frown on his face at the condescending tone to the Lord of Other World.

Koenma caught the look. "Captain, for this meeting, please allow for any personality deficiencies from Caliwone. He does not mean any direct disrespect."

"Watch it, toddler breath," Caliwone snarled.

"I understand," Shunsui said, letting out a sigh.

Turning back to Caliwone, Koenma said, "And just for the record, my toddler form has been permanently shed since taking this position. You will never see it again. Perhaps you can think of a better object for me to store my energy in that would be better suited to this form some time."

Caliwone snorted and turned his head away.

"At any rate," Koenma said. "As to my proposition to you, I am offering you a role to lead a team of protectors in guarding the realms from not only Other World and Demon World incursions, but to help guide Living World as well. You and your team would be Guardians under my direct supervision."

"That sounds exactly like the SDF to me, Koenma," Caliwone said. "I thought I had just made it clear that I would not work for you in that capacity."

Koenma shook his head. "You misunderstand, Caliwone. You will have direct authority to intervene when and where you chose in all realms, unless I specifically prevent it. You will be able to travel freely from one end of the universe to the other completely independently. That means you will have direct access to my information sources as well."

Caliwone rocked back subtly in surprise and suspicion. "Stop leading me on, Koenma," he said after a short pause. "Neither Kakorate nor Prince Vegeta were ever granted that amount of freedom and they are considered the greatest warriors of all time."

"You are correct," Koenma said. "They are great warriors. They thrive on battle and battle alone. They are limited in that capacity. You have shown restraint here during your time in Other World. During the Wars on Earth that have popped up since your death you have showed wisdom in how you wished to deal with them. You were able to keep a clear head during the business with Slade and Nathan, stepping forward when you were certain that the Earth was no longer able to procure its own victory. You have just enough of a disconnect with worldly affairs, yet enough attachment to them that you are perfect for the role."

Caliwone paused again, considering. Koenma had never seen him do that so many times before. "And what team would I be getting to lead this task?"

Koenma bowed his head slightly at him. "I leave that your judgement," he said. "Assuming they are not already attached to another unit and they are willing to work under your command, I give you free reign. I may of course have a few suggestions for you but whether or not you accept them is up to you."

Caliwone frowned over at Koenma. "Very well," Caliwone said, his voice a strange mix of suspicion and excitement. "I accept your offer. Although you may wish that you had not given it to me. I will not be like the Gotei 13 or your father."

Koenma met his gaze again. "You may be surprised by how that attitude changes once you actually have the power, Caliwone. None the less, you have great guides and wisdom to draw on from your friends and teachers. Use them. That includes me."

"Hn," Caliwone snorted. "Interesting."

"I will be in touch with you shortly to supply you with the details of your position," Koenma said. "In the meantime, think long and hard about your team that you wish to assemble."

"Do not presume to tell a warrior his job, Koenma," Caliwone said. "I have always assembled an efficient team."

"But you are not assembling a team of warriors, Caliwone," Koenma warned. "Or conquerors. You are maintaining balance."

Caliwone sneered again, turned, and walked out of the throne room. The giant doors slammed closed.

"My lord," Shunsui started, but silenced himself.

"You believe I am wrong in opening this position to Caliwone, no?" Koenma asked, sitting down hard for the first time on the chair behind his desk.

"Is it wise to have that position at all?" Shunsui asked. "You are splintering your control over the realms. What is worse, you are splintering it to someone who is a very powerful wild card. He has been known to make some impulsive choices."

"There is a great risk in opening this position to him," Koenma said, resting his elbows on the desk and his chin on his hands. "And yes, this opportunity may not be entirely necessary but I believe that this payout could prove quite worth it for the long run. As undying as the Soul Society and its citizens are, you people still have a habit of thinking more short term. Besides, once Caliwone realizes that Earth cannot be a focal point for his attention, he may begin to realize how complex things can become."

"I understand," Shunsui said, only half lying. "Speaking of complications."

Koenma lifted his head and peered curiously over at him. "Go on."

"The location where I found him was out in the Spirit Wilds, an uninhabited stretch of the Soul Society. Dense spiritual energy but otherwise void of any other use. A team stumbled upon him by accident as he raised his energy. He says that he was fighting a ghost before we burst in on him."

Koenma cocked an eyebrow at the interesting wording. "Captain, there are a lot of ghosts in Other World. What makes this a unique phenomenon?"

"The way Caliwone described it," Shunsui said. "Although I did not leave this impression to Caliwone, I believe he may have stumbled onto a crypt of the Antecedents."

Koenma sat bolt upright in his seat, a fresh bead of sweat suddenly running down his face. "The Antecedents," Koenma murmured. "Interesting."

"If you will allow it," Shunsui said, "I will take personal charge of discovering the truth."

"No," Koenma said. "You and I will do this together. Perhaps it was good fortune that I have tasked Caliwone with safeguarding the realms. If this really is the beginning of uncovering the secrets to the Antecedents, I may be very busy indeed."

To be continued…

Welcome back, Dragon Sagas fans! Been a long time coming, right?

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of Series 2 Book 2 and understand that this will be a very different book than those that have preceded it. Things should get very interesting. ;-)

Shout out to my friend Kobez2.0 for helping me focus my thoughts and putting the plot together as well as to MewLover9000. Your reviews of late have helped me feel energized enough to put things to paper once again.

Read you soon!

The Dark Prince