Disclaimer-I own nothing

Chapter 4

Shin seemed to sag in relief at their acceptance of the post. In his time, he had seen the Multiverse go from perfect symmetry to a ghastly-disfigured shadow of what could have been. Gohan and Piccolo were his last hope, everyone's last hope.

"Thank you, you have no idea how grateful I am to you both." To Kibito's absolute shock, Shin bowed to the mortals in his gratitude. "Kibito, your assistance please." Walking up to the Earth raised warriors, Shin explained. "You must take the mark of the Guardian. It will grant you safe passage through the Fold and into the different realities. It needs to be placed over your heart on the skin, your bare skin."

Gohan and Piccolo both removed their gi tops. 'Geesh,' Gohan joked, trying to lighten the tense atmosphere, 'he didn't even buy us dinner before demanding to see some skin.'

Piccolo inwardly chuckled, 'You Saiyans and your stomachs.'

Shin placed his hand over Gohan's heart, touching his bare skin. Kibito mirrored the action with Piccolo. "There is no going back after this. Do you understand?" He waited until both had nodded. "Now, I am going to mark you as a Guardian of Light. You and I will relive all of the battles and trials you have endured that have made you worthy of the mark, infusing it with power and augmenting your own. Are you ready?"

Gohan nodded nervously, not sure he wanted to relive all of that. Shin pressed his hand firmly into the demi-Saiyan's chest, a bright light seeped from between his fingers. Suddenly Gohan's life flashed through their minds, taking them from his first encounter with Garlic Junior, to Raditz, Frieza, Cell, Mavoy, and every battle in between. All of the mental, physical, and emotional pain Gohan had endured each time accompanied the memories.

Shin groaned, his hand shaking. He had never imagined that anyone could have gone through this much! How had the child been able to stand it? How was it he remained so pure and innocent with all he had done, all he had witnessed? The light built into a blinding climax as they reached the completion of Gohan's last battle. With a final concussion of power, the Guardian's mark was burned into Gohan's flesh.

Simultaneously, Kibito worked with Piccolo. His dark pink hand rested upon the Namekian's jade skin, glowing as he began. The violent images of Piccolo's early life slammed through them, bringing Kibito to his knees. They moved through the cleansing of his heart through his sacrifice to Gohan, the transition of protecting instead of destroying, the battle with Frieza, Garlic Junior, Cell, and Mavoy. Next came the centuries of service to the Earth as Kami, including training the few worthy warriors and watching over his charges. As Kami's life ended, Kibito was sent reeling from the force, leaving behind a brand on Piccolo's chest.

'That was fun,' Gohan said sarcastically as he gathered his stray emotions and thoughts, tucking them back where they belonged.

Piccolo grunted quietly in agreement, as he struggled against the onslaught from his early life. Gohan's bright energy suddenly blanketed his mind, a healing balm. Sighing silently in relief, Piccolo let his friend smooth over the raw sensations left behind from the marking.

Shin and Kibito sat on the floor, overwhelmed by what they had witnessed, what they had felt. Trembling in the aftermath, Shin looked up at his new Guardians as they put their tops back on. They stood tall and stoic, even though they had both just relived the most painful and traumatic moments of their lives. Moments that had brought him to his knees.

"How," Shin croaked, his voice breaking, gulping he tried again. "What is it about you two that you can just stand there, that you can handle all of that?"

"Shouldn't you be happy about that? You almost sound disappointed." Gohan cocked a brow at the fallen Kai. He was not quite stable yet and going over it was not an option.

Shin looked like a grounded fish for a moment. That was true; their ability to handle the dregs of the universe and come through it whole was what he needed. But that kind of pain had to come at a price.

"What now?" Piccolo asked evenly.

"You mentioned two passing through the boundaries between realities. How do we find them and what do we do with them once we do?" Gohan expounded.

"Of course," Shin visibly shook himself as he stood. "Kibito will teach you how to traverse the fold. Your mark allows you to feel the imbalances within the Multiverse. Once you find the largest source, simply focus on it and transport yourselves to it. From there, do what you have to."

Kibito stood and gestured to them, "This way." Leading them back through the maze of corridors, he brought them to a courtyard in the center of the palace. "This place will allow you to grasp the concept of Instantaneous Movement much faster than you would on your own. Let us begin."

Over the next two weeks, Gohan and Piccolo worked on mastering the difficult technique. All the while listening to Kibito's disparaging remarks.

'You know, I liked him better when he was just It.' Gohan sent, exasperated with the Assistant Kai's latest rant.

Piccolo clenched his jaw in irritation, looking blankly ahead. Even when he had been evil, he had not been so arrogant, he was sure of it. 'A simple ki blast would knock him out for the day.' Piccolo offered, driven past the point of patience.

'Don't tempt me Piccolo.' Gohan groaned. A sudden thought had him smirking.

As it leaked into Piccolo's mind, his eyes lightened. Imperceptibly nodding, he waited for the kid to try it out.

Keeping his energy low, Gohan slowly built a net around Kibito. Anchoring it to both Kibito and the ground, he pulled it tight, cinching the Kai inside the sphere. The constant stream of annoyed energy was cut off instantly. Smiling in relief, Gohan turned to Piccolo. 'Shall we go practice elsewhere?' Rising into the air, the companions sought the peace that they had lusted after since being turned over to Kibito.

Kibito stopped mid-rant. The air around him felt strange, thicker than it usually did. Shocked he watched his charges rise silently into the air. He was the assistant to the Supreme Kai! How dare they presume to leave without his permission! Growling irritably, he started after them, only to be knocked back. Raising his hands, he pressed outwards, encountering what felt to be a solid wall. Concentrating, Kibito went to teleport out of his temporary prison, he felt the movement fizzle out. He was trapped.

Sitting down he flushed in embarrassment. He had done nothing but accuse the Earthlings of being unable and unworthy of the honors bestowed upon them. The Supreme Kai had even warned him not to underestimate them. Unwilling to call to his master, Kibito waited for Gohan and Piccolo to return.

xxxxxxxxxxx

Gohan stretched his arms overhead, reveling in how good he felt, as they flew away. Somehow, Kibito had gotten it into his head that if left unattended he and Piccolo would waste away, doing nothing but meditate. While they enjoyed the activity and practiced daily, it was hardly their entire existence. However, attempting to convince that man otherwise had been futile.

In the last two weeks, he had been attempting to teach them discipline. He insisted that they forego their usual schedule and devote their time to more productive endeavors. Learning the Instantaneous Movement technique was essential, but working on it every waking minute was counterproductive. He had left them no time to spar or truly connect, causing a detrimental effect on their overall focus. However, out of respect for his position, they had complied. Today had been the breaking point.

'Spar first, and then we meditate. Don't let him out until we are done.' Piccolo demanded.

'Agreed.' As Piccolo dropped his weights to the ground, Gohan formed a ki sphere around them. It had become second nature to do so during a spar, saving their surroundings from the ravages of their training.

'We never did get to test the limits and control of that transformation kid.'

Gohan nodded, grinning ferally and ready to play.

xxxxxxxxxxx

Shin looked up in confusion as the quiet surrounding the palace occurred to him. There were no crashes from teleports gone awry, no murmur of voices, nothing. The silence was deafening. Curious he made his way to the courtyard. Sitting at the far edge was a dejected Kibito.

"Where are Gohan and Piccolo?" Shin asked, approaching the still figure of his friend.

"I do not know sir." Kibito's voice was muffled. "I didn't listen to you, even when you warned me and now I'm stuck."

Shaking his head, Shin stepped forward, only to encounter an invisible wall. Holding his hands out, he pressed against the barrier. It was hot and the air directly beside it was hard to breathe. Focusing his considerable mental abilities, he attempted to lower barrier. It remained regardless of his efforts.

Tired from his exertions, Shin rested his hands on his knees. "Still think they are too weak to be true Guardians?" Shin asked. Kibito's lowered gaze was the only answer he needed. "I'll go find them."

Rising into the air, Shin looked over the massive fields surrounding the palace. After about an hour, he finally stumbled across them. Landing he watched, what he could see, in awe. He could not feel any ki from the Guardians, but the power and force was palpable.

"Gohan! Piccolo!" Shin shouted, walking forward until an invisible barrier once again halted him.

Gohan raised his hands, charging a Masenko. Piccolo had just hammered him with a Hellzone Grenade and he wanted a little payback. Just as he prepared to launch the attack, he felt someone hit the sphere. Groaning in exasperation, he met the eyes of the Supreme Kai.

'Can't we ignore him, just this once?' Gohan asked, practically begging his friend to agree. Piccolo's sharp regret was the only answer he needed. Letting the blast fade away, he dropped the sphere, not bothering to power down into his base form first.

The heat in front of Shin suddenly dissipated, allowing him to continue forward. As he prepared to step rise to meet the two in the air, he was once again knocked back. The power being emitted from the Guardians was tremendous, like nothing he had ever felt. He had accepted that they were strong, but he had not realized the depth of power at their disposal. Swallowing nervously, he flew up to meet them.

"I just spoke with Kibito." Shin raised a thin brow, waiting to see what they would do.

"I imagine you did. You do talk to him daily don't you?" Gohan deadpanned.

"Please let him loose you two. He apologizes for his attitude and promises to show you more respect." Shin vowed on behalf of his servant.

Frowning, Gohan sought out the miniature sphere. Unraveling it, he let the ki fade away, releasing Kibito. "All done, oh, and just so you know, I think we have Instantaneous Movement down Shin. We have not botched a transport in several days." Piccolo gave a slight nod of agreement.

"Excellent. Do you feel prepared to leave in the morning?"

As Piccolo prepared to answer, Kibito came charging to field. Stopping abruptly, he looked the Guardians over, his eyes wide in shock. "I-I thought someone had…I didn't realize…the power…" Kibito stumbled.

Ignoring the man, Piccolo turned to the Supreme Kai. "Yes, we are ready."

The next morning, Gohan and Piccolo prepared to leave. After refusing Kibito's fifth offer to have them wear the traditional Kai uniform, Shin walked in with a small pouch.

"Here, you may need this. These are leaves from the sano plant. I believe you'll find their effect similar to your sensu beans." Holding the bag out to Piccolo, Shin waited until he had tied it to his sash. "I have learned that the two you are after go by the names Papula and Maculo. From what I can ascertain, individually they are a little weaker than Mavoy, but together…" Shin did not continue, he didn't have to. "Finding the boundary jumpers and stopping them is vital to the stability of the Multiverse. If you are seen, use your own discretion. Good luck."

Gohan and Piccolo stepped back. Reaching out a taloned hand, Piccolo rested it on his companion's shoulder. Locking onto the imbalanced energy, they chased it across the void.

xxxxxxxx

A/N—Just in case anyone is curious about the meaning behind the names:

Papula- pimple

Maculo-blemish

Sano-heal