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Chapter 9
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Red eyes gleamed through the darkness. Taking in all that surrounds them. The battle had lasted long than expected, the prey more cunning. But here, on this world, victory was only a matter of time. The flicker of light in the distance was the only light on this planet and soon it too will be devoured. With a speed and swiftness granted to him by his master, Yakon closed in on the delicious morsel. The shiny treat had startled the terror of Dark Star with its strength, but Yakon had earnt his name and soon this being would know why.
"You can't hide." The spikey one proclaimed. "I can feel your movements."
Yakon launched himself at the Kai's warrior, the spikes in his arms shooting towards his meal. Strike after strike missed its target, barely. If the fight proceeds this way his victory was assured, eventually the bright one would tire. The small fool didn't even realise that the light he gave off only fuelled his power. Yakon almost howled in delight as he felt one of is strikes graze along his opponent's cheek. The elation was only momentary though, as pain exploded through his body. The little man had kicked the wind from his lungs, sending him crashing through pillars of stone scattered about. Once he had removed himself from rubble, Yakon cast his sight back to his target and began to salivate. No longer was the tiny man a subtle glow. He was radiating a delicious golden light. It danced across the monster's skin, teasing his taste buds and sending his senses wild. Yakon opened his mouth absentmindedly trying to get more of it within him.
"I have grown tired of these games. You cannot defeat me. You have slaughtered thousands and it is time you paid for your crimes." The glowing one proclaimed. "Tell me where they are and I shall make your end swift, and as painless as possible."
Licking his lips, the Terror of Dark Star walked slowly and purposefully forward. "Ha gwah. You think this power of yours will save you." The beast cackled. "Didn't the Supreme Kai tell you what happened to the sun here? I devoured it, all of it. Do you want to know how?" Without waiting for an answer, he opened his mouth wide and began to drink in the ambient energy. It infused him with power as he gorged, never in his life had he tasted energy this pure, this rich with life. It remined him of the last time he had sampled a Kai. Before he was ready the light was snuffed out. "No, I want more. Give me more." Yakon demanded, his hunger overpowering his master's orders to destroy the delicious one.
A smirk appeared on the small one's face. "I could." He flashed with light for only a second. "but only if you tell me where they are hiding." The voice within his mind was livid, but his master didn't know the pure light this being possessed. Yakon's head dipped on its own accord, and with this action he was rewarded with a treat. Again, the beast began to feed. "Where are they?" his meal demanded. His master attempted to exert control of his actions but with the influx of such pure energy the effect was easy shrugged off. Yakon however did not speak and his silence caused to food to stop.
"More." He roared.
"We had a deal. Where are they?" Light poured from him again. "Where are they hiding?"
"Not in this realm." Yakon responded, not pausing in his consumption but as the flow decreased he elaborated. "They are in the dark realm."
The source of his gluttony smiled broadly. "Thank you. I love to eat as well, so before I go I will give you your fill."
Go. Did the little fool think he was leaving, Yakon would drain every drop of energy from him then search the galaxy for others like him. His mind was pulled back from dreams of feasts to come when he realised that he was nearly full, and his quarry was still providing in ever increasing quantities. His eyes bulged as the Kai's warrior let out a guttural scream and a pulse of light so large that Yakon could barely swallow it. Once he had however, the reality of his situation dawned. This was too much; it was tearing him from the inside out. The mark on his chest burnt with the fury of his master and Yakon knew this was his death. As his body began to collapse the only silver lining seemed to be, that for the first time in his existence, he was full.
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King Kai stood at the edge of a grand pink lake, the scene was picturesque. His eyes however, were shut to the beauty around him. His mind was with his pupil, on the furthest side of the galaxy on a world which for much of time had been clothed in darkness. A small grin presented as he watched the outcome of the battle. Opening his eyes again the short deity knew that soon Goku would return. A wave a sadness flowed over him. Even the North Kai could not believe how long this conflict was taking. It had been five years since his planet had been destroyed, five years since Goku had been tasked with fixing this mistake and things only seemed to be getting worse, regardless of what they did. To make matters worse, two years previously he had been forced to close his mind to Earth guardian. Never before had this occurred, but Dende had been persistent in his defiance of the Kai's rules. The Namekian had waited for months at King Yemma's check-in station, demanding to get granted an audience.
While King Kai disagreed with his Supreme Kin. He understood all too well the fear associated with the enemy that they potentially faced, and the need to prevent his wrath from destroying everything. It didn't change the fact every conversation he had with the guardian tore his heart in half. He felt a kinship with the people of Earth, they were his friends and together they had rid the galaxy of the Freeza and his planet trading organisation. He had celebrated their victories with them and now he was complicity helping in keeping Goku from his friends and family. Another wave of guilt washed over him, and suddenly it was too much. Shifting his antenna, the North Kai closed his eyes and concentrated.
Opening his mind's eye, he was treated to a peaceful scene. One that could rival his physical location. A small house nestled in forest clearing beneath a grand mountain. It the front yard, two people were moving franticly but with purpose. North Kai nearly left the scene entirely as he looked at the smaller of the two. A boy, only four years old, was the spitting image of his father. He was current dodging attacks being thrown at him by his mother, giggling and laughing the entire time.
"He is so much like Goku, don't you agree?" A deep voice said softly. King Kai shifted his attention to its source. Piccolo sat meditating beneath tree a short distance from the house. "even without knowing him, that boy embodies father spirit. A shame that my friend has missed so much of his life."
"Yes, it is." The Kai agreed. "But for him to have a life at all, this is the way it must be."
Piccolo laughed. "It doesn't matter how many times you say that. It won't make it true." He stood and looked to the pair training. "Even the son Goku has never met, trains hard so that one day he can help bring his father home. To make his family complete. To stop his mother's tears. Once he grows up, I feel pity for the deity who has to tell him that he can't help and I fear for the safety of those who try to stand in his way when he ignores you."
In Otherworld, the Kai's face took on a disgruntled appearance. "Piccolo, the Kai's are not your enemies we both want the same thing, a return to peace and order and to achieve that the Supreme Kai requires his help."
"After four years, I think he needs more than Goku's help." The old Guardian said simply. "And his family require more than empty promises."
"Mr Piccolo." Goten's voice called out. "Who are you talking to?" The boy was briskly approaching.
Piccolo looked to the sky then down at the son of his former enemy. King Kai swore he saw the Namekian's mouth twitch into, well almost a smile. "Nothing kid. I take it it's time to eat?" Goten seemed to grow more excited.
"Yeah, mum said if you want to join us you need to bring some firewood. 'Cause she is not running a chattery!"
"Charity." Piccolo corrected. "I will get some now, you run along." Goten took off toward the house and Piccolo looked back up to the sky.
King Kai sighed. "I will do what I can." And with that the North Kai returned his focus to his surroundings, which suddenly didn't seem as picturesque as before. Shaking his head, he turned around and began his walk to the main complex. If he was sure of one thing, it was that Goku would eat before engaging in a debrief. As he passed through the training camp, he looked at the heroes of the ages. From countless planets, they had defeated countless evils to save their worlds, their families, their children. He stopped walking. A steely resolve filled him as he thought back to the happy look on Goten's face and the words that piccolo had said. His walk resumed with a greater purpose.
When he found the subject of his search he took a heavy breath and called out. "Kibito." The large red being turned and bowed respectfully. "Goku has completed his latest task and is returning as we speak. Please inform the Supreme Kai, and why you are talking, could you please tell him that I have another matter to attend to." The blue man turned to leave when Kibito spoke.
"What could you need to do that takes precedent over this?" Kibito asked indignantly.
"Have we shared company that long that you feel it necessary to lecture me or question me on what is important. I will remind you that I am the North Kai. The only North Kai, and the Universe doesn't stop because you have a problem." Kibito was taken back by the tone deity had taken. "I have put this off for far too long. I will return soon." Without another world, he stepped away from Kibito and used his own version of instant transmission to travel to his destination. He had a long way to travel and only a short time before he was discovered.
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Dende stood at the edge of the lookout, his gaze was cast to the earth blow. He watched his friend discussed math problems in Satan city, his mentor carry firewood to the Son household, members of the Z fighters training but his attention was soon usurped as a familiar power appeared in an unlikely place. An almost disbelieving laugh boiled out of him. "Y'know most people would call ahead before visiting, especially if they were unsure on how welcomed they would be." Dende could hear footsteps as the guest approached and took a spot next to him. "King Kai." He uttered in greeting without looking.
"I have not come to fight, nor argue." King Kai started. But before he could continue Dende cut him off.
"I hope you haven't come to deliver bad news either, I cannot guarantee that people here would take it well." The young Guardian faced his superior. "Vegeta was up here a few weeks ago after his latest trip into space. He delivered some whispers he had heard and spoke of 'retribution' should Kakarot fall."
"No, no nothing like that. Goku just returned from the Dark Star and I am sure is filling his stomach as we speak." King Kai said as he looked out over the clouds. Dende was giving the Kai a strange look. It was the first time that he had gotten any information from the Kai's since his visit three years ago. The deity turned to face him. "But time is short, once the Supreme Kai works out where I've gone… let us just say it is a conversation I am not looking forward to."
"How much time do we have?" Dende asked.
"Minutes." Was the simple response.
"Well then, no time to lose." Dende extended an arm inviting him to walk inside. "I believe we should take this conversation inside so we can speak at length." Before his guest could query his wording Dende called out. "Mr Popo. Could you please bring some tea for our guest? We will take it in the time chamber." He looked to King Kai who was smiling broadly at him. "Shall we?"
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The sound of a loud burp announced the end of Goku's meal. The Saiyan lent back and let out a contented sigh. "That hit the spot." He announced to the empty room. King Kai had outdone himself this time. At this thought Goku wondered where his friend was? Usually, they would share a meal before they spoke with the Supreme Kai. Getting to his feet, he figured that King Kai had simply gone ahead without him. Perhaps something else had happened while he was fighting, either way he should let the Supreme Kai know what he found out. Putting two fingers to his forehead, Goku searched for his friend's energy. He was surprised to discover that he couldn't sense him, though both Kabito and Shin were at the Grand Kai's manor. Their Ki seemed agitated, without a second thought he teleported to them.
He rematerialized in the middle of a shouting match. "…let him just go? I would have thought that he would go to them. The fact that I cannot see him troubles me greatly, Kibito. What if the darkness has claimed him or worse still that he was in league the entire time?" Shin was pacing back and forth, unaware that he now had an audience.
"Hey guys, where's King Kai?" Goku asked, his voice was light but his eyes held a serious focus.
The pair turned to look at him. "Ah Goku you've returned. Good, the others are waiting in the main chamber. Perhaps next time you could go there first." The Supreme Kai exclaimed, the last part carried a commanding quality. Goku raised his hand to rub the back of his head and let out a nervous laugh. Shin smiled back at him. "Come we shall join the others and pool the information we have learnt."
"Okay. But you didn't answer my question." Goku responded. His eyes never left shins though through his peripheral vision he could see Kibito looking angry.
"I know." The Supreme Kai replied walking past him. "Because that is a question which the other Kai's should hear the answer to as well." Goku followed the Supreme Kai, his mind whirling. Even Shin couldn't sense King Kai. Something must have happened, but for the life of him, Goku couldn't work out what. The degradation shouldn't have reached them here yet, as far as he was aware he had been stemming the tide. As the trio entered the main hall, the bickering voices of the three other Kai's echoed around them. "Thank you all for waiting." Shin's soft voice seemed to drown out the others. "Now that we are all here we can begin."
"But we're not all here." Goku reminded him.
"Yes, apparently North Kai has decided that there is another matter more deserving of his attention." Shin explained as he took a seat at the circular table positioned in the centre of the room. The rest of the group joined him. "Why he felt it necessary not to tell anyone where he was going or why. I do not know but I am sure that we would not have approved."
"You are correct, Supreme Kai." The party all looked to the source of the voice. North Kai was walking to the table toward his seat next to Goku. "You would not have approved. But we all know that I have never had a high approval rating." The diminutive lord said before snorting and laughing into his cupped hands. Groans were elicited from some of the seated. Goku let out an awkward laugh, King Kai's humour had always escaped the Saiyan. "I paid a visit to see an old friend."
"You mean you went to Earth." Kibito countered. Goku's attention was now locked on his teacher.
"That is where he lives. Yes." King Kai took his seat. "Seeing as I am still responsible for the northern quadrant. I paid the guardian of a planet within my area a visit, I fail to see how this requires your foreknowledge or your approval."
West Kai hopped onto the table. "How dare you speak to the Supreme Kai that way."
Shin raised a hand to silence the smallest of the group. "You know my thoughts on this."
"Yes I do, and I agreed with them. Three years ago." King Kai said plainly. "I went to see Dende at the lookout because he is my friend." King Kai looked to his student. "And Goku's friend, and if Goku were to fall in any of his battles, who would have to tell his friends. His family." He shifted his focus to West Kai. "You?" He scanned the rest of the table before settling on the Supreme Kai. "I would, and I do not want my friends dreading to see me because they think I'm bringing sad tidings."
Goku watched with a subdued air about him. Every day he felt the pang of homesickness, every battle he had to quash the fear that he would not see his family again. He had used the pain to focus himself but as the days turned to months and subsequent years the pain he felt had become a burden he was struggling to bare. Once and only once had he voiced this line of thought and Kibito had suggested that he erase his memory of them, since then he had kept it buried inside. The current tone and direction of the conversation was threatening to damage his calm. "That is fair, we do not wish to cause your friends any undue stress…" the Supreme Kai began to concede.
"Good, because I told Dende everything." King Kai said with a smile. Instantly the air grew tense, Goku couldn't help producing a smile of his own, it stretched from ear to ear. Just having the knowledge that his friends and family knew he was fine was a comfort he couldn't describe. His enthusiasm of this news was not shared by the rest of the group, as all but Shin began to voice their dissenting opinions. "For five years Goku has been the vanguard in our struggle against the darkness returning. For five years, his family and friends have waited patiently for him to return, and considering that two of them have more strength than any of the fighters in otherworld had in life. I feel that we at least owe them the truth." King Kai's eyes met Goku's. "And so do you." Extending his arm at lightning speed, King Kai touched his forehead and Images flooded through his mind. Piccolo meditating under a tree. His wife sparing in the clearing he called home. Goten. His son, Goten inviting piccolo to lunch. A tear rolled down his cheek. "You're welcome, my friend."
"What happens if the people of Earth decided to attempt to solve the problem by themselves?" Supreme Kai queried.
"I would feel a great wave of sorrow." King Kai replied. "As I would for anybody who had to face the full might of the planet Earth."
"Oh great, another bad joke from the comedian Kai." West Kai sarcastically quipped.
"Dende and Earth are the least of our worries." King Kai looked to Shin. "I know it is impossible, but Yakon told Goku that the enemy is hiding in the Dark Realm." The Supreme Kai raised his eyebrows in alarm. "As far as I was aware. There is nothing left of it. So, either Yakon was lying or I have been misinformed."
"You have not been misinformed. I witnessed its destruction, I sealed the passageway myself and only I know its location, only the souls of the dead can pass through on their way here. What he told you not possible." The Supreme Kai looked to Goku. The Saiyan had never seen Shin looked so rattled. "Goku, please, tell me everything he said." Hearing the nervous urgency, Goku began to tell them of his latest fight.
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The Dark Realm. Dende had heard of it, Guru had told him and the other children tales to frighten them. Thinking about it he couldn't imagine a scarier place. Standing at the edge of the lookout, the Namekian waited for Piccolo. The gravity of his conversation with King Kai was weighing on him, and was having an internal debate on how much he should tell the others. Hopefully Piccolo would be able to guide him here. He could feel him approaching, yet his eyes refused to move and him thoughts dwelt on what was troubling him. Even once Piccolo had landed and was walking over to him, Dende's focus was absolute. It was only when a large hand gently grasped his shoulder that he looked to his predecessor.
"What's wrong Dende?" Piccolo asked, the worry was unmistakable. Dende cast his sight back over the clouds. Where did he start?
"King Kai paid me a visit today." The hand on his shoulder quickly tensed and relaxed. "After his little check-in on the Son residence, he told me the situation." Dende looked to the ground. "What do you know of the Dark Realm?"
"I know that it doesn't exist." Piccolo replied bluntly. The younger Namekian's eyes shot back to his companions. "Well that it no longer exists. Kami once had a discussion with King Yemma about it. The entire thing was consumed and destroyed by and unimaginable calamity. Because of this, what survivors remained were granted passage to the afterlife through check-in stations like King Yemma's."
"But what of this calamity? What do you know of it?" Dende pressed.
"Not much is known. King Yemma only said that it ruined all that lay before it." Piccolo scoured his memories for any further detail.
"Piccolo, according to King Kai, it was not a natural force or disaster. It was a being. One that decimated the Kai's race and even destroyed their sacred birthing tree during their struggle to stop it's spread." Dende turned from the edge of the lookout and began to make his was inside, piccolo followed close behind. "This conflict." Dende shook his head as he corrected his own words. "This war, was only ended after four of the five Supreme Kai's had used their very life essence to trap and bind the evil. Fixing it to specially crafted worlds, and stretching it across the plain of this reality."
Piccolo stopped walking. "Until the cell games."
"Yes." Dende agreed, fear danced across his eyes. "It would seem that through our actions we have truly endangered all. When Cell destroyed King Kai's world he allowed the remaining followers of this evil some measure of access to it. Goku has been fighting these worshippers, attempting to locate where the leaders are." Dende could read the thoughts in Piccolo's mind, as loud as they were. He raised a hand to ask for silence. "I already offered our assistance, but King Kai said that the rest would not allow it. He feels that because of how personal the issue is for them that they would like as little outside influence as possible. Goku was conscripted because of convenience more than anything." As Dende expected this observation didn't sit well with the older Namekian, he could see it in his face. "King Kai however, believes that one day, they will require our help." Dende raised himself up and stood as tall as possible. "I intend for us to be ready. I mean for the Earth to prevail and we can only do this if we are ready. King Kai told me that if they were to fail, this darkness would sweep across and consume every world. I will not see it happen here."
Piccolo smiled at the unabashed hope and defiance that Dende was displaying. "So, shall I gather the others?"
"Yes, but Piccolo before you go…" Dende had suddenly lost his heroic zeal. "We need to work out what to tell them." Piccolo furrowed his brow. "I do not wish to lie to them, I just would like some assistance in finding that the right way to explain it to Vegeta and Gohan." Piccolo raised a brow now. "Yes, yes and Chichi."
Piccolo in a rare display, began to laugh heartily. "That would be smart idea."
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The Golden light filling the room dimmed, then vanished, leaving only darkness in its place. The source was a sphere, mounted atop a short pedestal. Two pairs of eyes continued to watch the darkness. "It would seem Yakon was defeated by his own gluttony, master." The rough deep voice of taller one exclaimed.
"Yes, but it matters not." Cackled the smaller one. His high pitch and stature in direct opposite of his companion. "Yakon's soul and strength will be used for our purposes regardless." The figure left the crystal ball and made his way over to the wall at the far end of the chamber. "While this wasn't unexpected, it has become a pattern I am becoming quite frustrated with. This fighter the Supreme Kai has found has delayed my plans for too long now." He reached out a tiny hand and placed it on the wall. It was different to the others of the room, it pulsed as if alive. "How am I meant to complete my father's work if I am denied the energy I require. How am I supposed to make the Kai's bow before me if every fighter I turn fails?"
"Please Master. Allow me to kill this cretin." The red one asked forcefully.
"No, I need you here Dabura. If the Kai's found out where we are the plan would fail." The demon lords master replied. "No I just need to find a stronger patsy. After all this golden freak, cannot be the only one of his strength in existence, and as long as we keep the Kai's running about our plan will succeed." His high-pitched laugh echoed around the spacious cavern. "I will retire to the mediation chamber and search for out next…. Comrade." He laughed louder as he made his way out of the room.
"Yes, as you wish, Master Babbidi." Dabura, the demon king said, bowing.
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A/N: Well this was difficult. I have a new appreciation for writers of suspense novels. Trying to advance the plot without revealing too much so that it becomes predictable is daunting. But seeing as I am planning on using as few OC's as possible, I am sure people can grasp the overall plot but this (I hope) will be a fresh take on the origin and scale of the Majin Buu DBZ arc. I have a week off work so I hope to have more chapters posted soon.
Thank you again for all those reviews/favs/follows.
SonRanma1: your review put a smile on my face that took hours to shift. Thank you.
Xicerz: The next chapter is back to Gohan/Videl, though with it being an AU Gohan's time there will be different to the cannon. I hope I am able to do justice to the dynamic they had there though, even if the situation/location changes…
