Teagan prowled out a door and onto one of her second-story balconies, her powerful shoulders lowered in an unconscious display of aggression as tension rippled through her stocky, muscular frame. Gripping the rail in front of her with enough strength to snap a human's neck like a twig, she closed her eyes, grinding her teeth as a low snarl of annoyance and uneasiness rumbled out of her chest.
She didn't like what was happening. At all. She knew that Goku had been startled by how violently she had reacted to his presence in the bathroom. It was certainly not the first time the silly fellow had unthinkingly walked in while she was showering; most of the time, she sent him scurrying with a series of threats that were enough to chill the blood of even the most evil of souls. Even she didn't understand the sudden burst of vicious rage that had ripped through her mind, causing her to leap at him and hit him the way she had. She was only relieved that she hadn't done anything worse. She could have easily killed him where he stood with one well-placed ki blast, and it frightened her when she realized just how dangerous her reaction had been.
Opening her eyes, she looked up at the sky, her eyes tracing a dozen different constellations she remembered as a small sliver of moon peeked out from behind an errant cloud. Teagan's eyes were drawn to that tiny sliver, her tail twitching slightly in response before tightening around her waist. There…is something wrong with me…something very, very wrong…
Most Saiyans have trouble controlling their tempers, and their power. Goku and Teagan were a rare pair when it came right down to it. Losing all control was so infrequent with the two of them that when it did happen, it was enough to scare everyone, even their enemies. But now…that control that I normally have…it's gone. All barriers between my mind and even my most latent power reserves are gone…and yet…
The female Saiyan closed her eyes, reaching out and attempting to tap in to her first level of power, which was simply the power she displayed when she was powered up in her base form. She felt nothing, not even a mild increase in her power. I can't even access my lowest levels of power. So if the barriers are gone…why can't I power up?
Opening her eyes again, she huffed out a heavy sigh, raising one battle-scarred hand and staring at it as she calmed her mind and focused, attempting to form a small ki ball in her palm. Normally a task that took no thought, Teagan struggled for over a minute to gather enough energy to form a ball the size of a half-dollar coin. Even with complete focus, it took her a full five minutes to form a baseball-sized ki blast. She was panting with effort, and the moment she stopped focusing, the ball dissipated into thin air, leaving her staring at her hand in stunned silence.
Lady Teagan… The voice in her mind made her twitch in surprise but she remained calm as she replied.
"Yes, King Kai?" Her voice held an edge of strain from the effort she had placed into focusing for long enough to form the ki ball, as well as the energy she had drained to form it.
I see that you have begun to realize just how serious your situation is. His voice was tired as she focused her attention on the stars once more.
"I already knew, King Kai. I guess you could say that I was in denial. I can still fly, but…" Her voice drifted off as a sobering thought rippled through her mind. King Kai caught it, of course, and finished her sentence for her.
You cannot fight. You can no longer access your power reserves and can only fire a ki blast in the most dire of situations, but it will be a steep price to pay if you do. Do you understand why this is happening, Lady Teagan? His voice was sad, but held that undeniable sense of wisdom that all Kais possess.
Turning her attention to the particular spot in the sky where King Kai's planet was, she nodded slightly in silent affirmation, knowing he could sense the thought in her mind.
Then you also know what it is you need to do. King Kai stated quietly.
The deep sigh that left Teagan's chest held enough emotion in and of itself to make the god lower his head and sigh as well. Her reply was soft and held undeniable sorrow, but it also had an edge of ironic humor to it.
"I have always known. Now…it's just a matter of doing it. No matter the cost."
What the hell did all that mean? Piccolo wondered to himself as he focused half his attention on scanning for foreign ki signatures and the other half on what he had just heard. The Namek was rather infamous for overhearing conversations King Kai was having with others. Big ears and all, he had a knack for it. But the conversation he had just heard disturbed him in more ways than he cared to count.
Teagan, what are you hiding? King Kai knows, but only because he's a god. Goku doesn't know…he can't. Stupid Saiyan can't keep a secret to save his life. Gohan doesn't know; he would have told me. Vegeta…ha! No way in hell…Goten, Trunks? No. A true sensei does not burden their students with their pain. No one knows…except Teagan and King Kai. Getting whatever it is out of that stupid Kai would be harder than making Vegeta admit Goku is better than him…and Teagan doesn't have enough trust in me to tell me. So that only leaves one option…
The Namek lofted himself into the air, abandoning his spot on top of Gohan's house before blasting in the direction of Teagan's ki, which was unusually low. Goku…you better not screw this up. If I'm right…Teagan's life rests in the balance. One slip and she's gone forever.
Goku had finished drying himself off and was in the process of getting into a clean gi. He couldn't help but smile when he realized how much better he smelled. Nothing like a good, hot shower to get me all fired up. He thought happily as he pulled on his top, tied his waist sash, and finished his ensemble with his boots and his wristbands.
Scanning for ki signatures was a habit that was second nature to Goku; his head snapped up in surprise when he sensed Piccolo's approach. Turning his attention to Teagan, he noted a very, very slight flare in her ki that indicated that she had sensed the Namek as well. Why would Piccolo be coming here? The male Saiyan couldn't help but wonder as he made a beeline for Teagan's ki, joining her on the balcony as the green fighter came into sight in the distance.
"You call for him?" The female Saiyan asked, her sharp cobalt blue eyes watching the approaching Namek with mild curiosity as the male Saiyan shook his head and shrugged.
"Nope. Maybe he's just coming to check and see how you're feeling." Goku started slightly when Teagan laughed aloud, her eyes darkening slightly as she responded cynically.
"He's never given two shits about me in the past, Goku. Why would he begin to care now?" Goku opened his mouth to issue a rebuttal, then he saw her logic. But he still felt it necessary to defend the Namek.
"He cares, Teagan. Just in his own unique way." The female Saiyan snorted as Piccolo came to a halt and hovered in front of them.
"Goku. Teagan." The green fighter growled gruffly in greeting. Both Saiyans nodded at him before Piccolo's dark eyes landed on Goku. "I need to speak with you, Goku. Something interesting came up and I'm wondering what you can make of it."
Teagan's eyebrows shot up and Goku scratched his head in confusion. "Sure, Piccolo, but wouldn't Teagan be the better person to ask? Everyone knows she's smarter than me."
Despite his childish idiocy at times, Goku didn't miss the look that passed between the Namek and the female Saiyan before Piccolo spoke again.
"This…is one thing Teagan cannot be of assistance on. Trust me." The soft snarl that rumbled from Goku's left made both fighters swallow nervously before Goku lofted into the air and blasted off with the Namek at his side.
Teagan watched them both disappear into the distance before a low growl rippled from her chest. "He knows. Somehow, that damned Namek knows."
King Kai's voice echoed from the heavens as the female Saiyan turned to head back inside. You are right, Teagan. But there is nothing to be done about that now. Perhaps…perhaps they will find a way to help you. The future is still not clear. Be patient, Teagan. All will work out the way it is supposed to in the end.
Once Goku and Piccolo had flown far enough to be out of sight, the Namek dropped from the sky like a rock, landing in a clearing with Goku following quickly. Turning to face the male Saiyan, Piccolo could see his confusion clearly.
"I don't think we have much time, so I'm going to make this brief. Something is seriously wrong with Teagan. And whatever it is could very well get her killed." The Namek stated flatly, his dark eyes locked onto Goku's onyx eyes. He watched the emotions play across the Saiyan's face and through his eyes before he spoke again.
"I was meditating and checking for foreign ki signatures when I overheard a conversation between Teagan and King Kai. Apparently, she can't tap into her power anymore, and focusing her ki to do anything but fly takes a massive amount of effort. From what King Kai said, she will still be able to fire a ki blast, but only under the most extreme circumstances, however…the effort could very well cost her her life. I don't know what is wrong with her, nor did I really understand what they were referring to when Teagan said she knew what she needed to do now. All I know is that she needs some serious help…and you're the only one who can get through to her now. Tread carefully, Goku. She needs you now, more than ever. And I fear the consequences for us all if you can't help her."
With his intervention done, the Namek stepped back before shooting into the sky once more, heading for Gohan's house as he continued puzzling over everything he had heard. Go to her now, Goku. You're all she has left now…
Alone now, a very confused Goku stood scratching his head as he pondered over everything Piccolo had said. She can't access her power? How is that possible? He couldn't help but wonder as he leaped into the air and flew back toward Teagan's house. None of this makes any sense. All of us have been beaten pretty badly before…what is it about this attack that was so different? What did Nightshade say to her?
Reaching the house, Goku landed lightly on the balcony where Teagan had been standing, using his nose to follow the faint remnants of her scent back inside. His nose led him to a dark room on the second floor with no windows and only one door leading in. The door was open, but he paused outside, not wanting to intrude as he watched the female Saiyan critically.
Just by the design, Goku knew that Teagan had built the room specifically for meditation and for peace when she needed to think through something. She was sitting on a cushion in the middle of the floor, her back ramrod straight with her arms lying on her thighs and her legs crossed at the ankles, Indian-style. Her back was to him, and he took a moment to study the room a little more.
The walls were a deep, mellow brown with silver symbols drawn in never-ending patterns across all four walls. Even the ceiling was brown with the same patterns painted across it. The hardwood floor gleamed softly in the light from hundreds of candles spread along the walls, small incense sticks scattered randomly in the mix to give the room a pleasing scent for the meditating warrior to focus on and calm her thoughts. Extra cushions were piled next to the door, for the times when someone was allowed to join Teagan in her quiet reflection.
Moving silently, but still knowing that Teagan knew he was there, Goku entered the room, picking up a cushion and softly closing the door before making his way to the spot in front of Teagan. He set the cushion down and seated himself comfortably, sitting with a mere six inches from his knees to hers as he faced her quietly. His powerful frame was relaxed and his thoughts were calm as he watched the female Saiyan in front of him quietly.
"He's big, Goku." Teagan's quiet voice shocked Goku into alertness, but he didn't reply as he stared at her. Her cobalt blue eyes slowly opened, focusing on his dark eyes as she continued speaking softly.
"Nightshade. He's nearly as tall as Broly was…not as heavily muscled, but infinitely more dangerous. He's so controlled…so calm…so cold. If you listen, you can hear the voices of the souls he's stolen, still suffering even after he has taken their humanity, and stolen their lives. He looks a lot like Janemba did in his demon form, but instead of straight horns, he has a curled set like a ram's. They curl around next to his ears, giving him a natural helmet of sorts. Basically, you have to punch him right in the face or in the back of the head to do any sort of damage whatsoever."
Goku looked into her eyes as she spoke, taking note of everything he saw before focusing on her words once again.
"His skin is a deep, dark purple, and he wears this gleaming black armor that just reeks of death and suffering. He has these huge claws on his fingers and his toes, pure black and sharp, really sharp. His claws are what left me with this…" Reaching up, Teagan touched the scar on her face before lowering her hand and continuing.
"But his eyes…they're scary, Goku. I mean, I've gone toe-to-toe with some evil sonsabitches before…but his eyes…there's just no emotion. Nothing. They're blood red, and just flat. They reflect no light, hell, there's not even any evil emotions in his eyes. They're completely lifeless. I'd take Frieza, Broly, and Cell over him any day." She paused, shuddering at the memory, before taking a deep breath and continuing her tale.
"Nightshade is strong, and he's fast. You can't sense his ki because he doesn't have any…what you can sense is the fear of the souls he stole. He uses their negative energy instead of any real power when he attacks. That's why you couldn't sense him…it's why I couldn't sense him until he was too close for me to do anything. What he lacks in destructive power, he makes up for in sheer trickery and mind games. He plays with his victims, like cat and mouse…but by far, the cat has much more humanity in one claw than he has in his entire body. He's a cruel, evil, merciless piece of work, Goku. The only reason I'm still here is because you came when you did."
Goku's jaw dropped with a crack and he looked at her in utter disbelief. "You mean…if I hadn't flown over here…he would have killed you?"
Teagan nodded, her eyes dark with memories she hated as she said softly, "He sensed you coming and knew he couldn't stun you the way he had me. You would have been able to call the rest, and there is a pretty good chance he would have lost that fight. He's off somewhere, stealing a bunch more souls to increase his power so he can come back here and finish what he started. He wants all of our souls now. We're all so powerful…if he could beat us, he'd be unstoppable."
The two fighters sat in silence for a few seconds before she sighed and spoke again. "I may…be able to help prepare everyone for what they can expect when he comes back. I think…it is time…for me to tell my story."
Raising her eyes, Teagan met Goku's gaze, and she took a moment to just sit and stare into his dark eyes. She searched for his strength, his belief, and his love for everything on the Earth, drawing it out to the front of his eyes and allowing his emotions to enter her mind, calming her and steeling her against the pain and fear that was soon to come.
Bolstered by her oldest friend's strength and belief, Teagan took in one more deep, calming breath, allowed her eyes to lose focus, and delved deep into her mind, to the darkest, coldest set of memories she had.
"I was tending to the horses. One of my mares recently had a new colt, and I was introducing myself to him so he'd learn to trust me. I was out in the middle of the south pasture, down on the other side of the barn, when I felt the air go cold all around me. I had just enough time to turn before a clawed hand slashed across my face, my own blood blinding me as I fell to my knees. I didn't even have a chance to reach inside for my power before Nightshade smashed a knee into the back of my head, right at the base of my skull. The blow temporarily paralyzed me and left my vision swimming. There were four demons floating in front of me, barely visible through a haze of red as blood poured down my face. I could taste all this blood, I could smell the copper scent of it…and I knew I was in trouble."
Pausing to take in another deep breath, Teagan plunged on, continuing the tale as Goku gritted his teeth in an effort to keep from interrupting.
"I attempted to flare my ki, but then I realized…I couldn't feel my power anymore. I started to panic; I didn't understand what was happening. Then I felt the mind numbing, paralyzing fear that is his signature attack, and I realized far too late that he was draining my ki, playing off my panic, using my instincts against me. So I tried to calm my mind and focus, and the second I did, he'd land another kick or punch. He started slashing at me with his claws, spilling more of my blood and draining my strength as he started taunting me. Somehow, and I don't know how, he knew what my deepest, innermost fears were…and he used them against me. He laughed as I bled, and taunted me as I grew weaker and weaker. And he told me…that I would die alone, and that my death would give him the power he needed to kill you all. And he said he'd enjoy turning me against you and that he'd benefit from my suffering as you all died. He was lining up for another kick when I sensed you coming. I'm not sure if he did too, or if it was because I sensed you that he knew you were coming, but he knew. He threw me down, stepped on my neck and promised he'd be back to finish what he started. Then he was gone…I had just managed to get to my feet when you found me."
With a sigh, she lowered her head, pondering for a moment before musing aloud, "Nightshade destroyed all the barriers between my mind and all levels of my power. I can feel it, but I can't…reach it. Every time I try…I see this image of him in my mind, and I just freeze. It's like he still has that ability to paralyze me, even when he isn't near me. I know what it is I have to do…but I don't believe I'll be able to do it. I…I can't. I just…I can't do it. I'm not strong enough, not tough enough…"
Her voice trailed off as a few tears rolled down her face. Goku leaned down slightly, meeting her gaze as he asked, "Can't do what, Teagan?"
The female Saiyan slowly raised her head, her eyes dull with fear and pain as she replied softly, "I have…to fight him. I have to fight Nightshade if I'm ever going to get over this…but he nearly killed me, Goku! He made an absolute fool of me! I was nothing to him! How can I beat that when I can't even control my ki anymore? How can I win…when I can't even fight?"
They looked at each other, onyx to cobalt, as the male Saiyan thought hard for a few seconds before he replied. "You can, Teagan. You can fight him, and you can kill him. And you know what? You will. You know why? Because I believe in you, Teagan. I believe in you."
Teagan couldn't help it; she sprang to her feet, her eyes blazing as she snarled at him, "How can you? There is nothing left for you to believe in!"
Goku was on his feet just as fast, both his powerful hands landing on her shoulders as he got right in her face, his voice calm as he rebuked her softly, "That's not true, Teagan, and you know it. I know, somewhere deep inside your soul, the Teagan that I grew up with, that little monkey-tailed girl who loved to watch me fight and that came over to play with me every chance she got, is still there. That girl that grew up into a woman of incredible power and undying loyalty, the woman who was there for both my sons when I was in the Other World, she's there. I know she is, because I can see her now. She's a little lost and a little afraid, but she's there. The Teagan that I know and love is still there. And I know, that when push comes to shove, she'll come back and banish this fear and she'll fight. She'll fight to protect us all, and she'll win. I know she will, because she's never lost when the life of someone she loves is on the line."
The female Saiyan's jaw dropped in utter shock as Goku continued speaking, completely undaunted by the look on her face as he delivered a coup d'état that Teagan would never forget.
"You won't lose, Teagan, because you'll be fighting for me. Took me long enough to realize it, but if I'm there…you won't lose. You won't because you can't, not when a life that you cherish is in jeopardy. And unless I misread years worth of memories and adventures between us…you feel something for me, something very strong. And as for me, well…I won't let you die, Teagan. I can't lose you. You mean too much to me. You were my first friend, my best friend…the only other Saiyan I knew for the first twenty or so years of my life. The bond I hold with you, our friendship…it's built off of years of friendly sparring, companionship, and understanding. I will not let that go so easily."
Teagan stared at him, completely astounded. Where in the hell did he come up with this? Shaking her head slightly, she thought back to all the days of fun she had had with him when they were growing up. She remembered all the sparring sessions, all the Tournament fights, all the bad guys they had battled, and won against. She remembered the long days and longer nights, when two monkey-tailed kids lay side by side under a starry, moonlit sky, tails curled together in the gesture that their friendship was born from.
Deep within her soul, something stirred, a beast of enormous power that had been dormant for many years. Red eyes blinked open, reflecting in the darkness as the massive creature came to its feet and shambled into the light, deep in her mind's eye. Teagan and her Oozaru counterpart stood staring at one another, eye to eye for the first time in twenty years. The mighty ape reached out a huge, brown-furred hand, Teagan hesitating for a moment before responding in kind. The moment their hands touched, palm-to-palm, Teagan felt her base form power flooding back into her body, deep within the power reserves hidden in her powerful frame.
Goku felt the shift; his dark eyes searched her cobalt gaze for the answer to her power surge. Teagan ignored him, still staring at the beast in her mind. To unlock my true potential…I must make peace with the things that I fear. The first step has been accomplished…I have always feared the Oozaru, a mighty transformation for any Saiyan, but an almost uncontrollable one. By making peace with this beast and fearing it no more, some of my power has been restored. But my work is not yet done…I have a lot of work to do yet.
Focusing back on Goku's eyes and remembering the last thing he said, a long, slow smile crossed Teagan's face, and she responded quietly to his statement.
"Neither will I, old friend. Neither will I."
A/N: Well. This one is a bit of an oddball. Finally got Teagan's story...Nightshade, you are such a dirtbag. Next chapter should be a bit more fluffy. Had to throw a serious one in here.
To all my reviewers, thanks so much! Ya'll are great!
Remember, stop by and check out faded colors story called Unspoken. It's a great fic! Really!
Oh yeah, faded colors, that pic of your cat wearing glasses and a beanie...HILARIOUS! I love it! :)
