CHAPTER TEN: We need a hero.
-Part 1. "Fear: Instilled."
Trunks' face was solemn and grave as Master Roshi filled him on the recent events, sitting on the edge of the couch beside Chasity. Two senzu beans had helped her condition greatly, her wounds had healed, and she was now snoozing lightly, resting.
"And you trust this Saiyan?" asked Trunks, running his fingers distractedly through his purple hair. "Just like that?"
"Tien vouched for him, and I trust Tien." replied the Hermit. "At any rate, we could use another fighter on our side."
"Especially since my father couldn't defeat them." Trunks was in two minds over Vegeta's defeat. He was darkly satisfied by the thought that arrogant bastard had been beaten, but the fact remained that he was his father.
The pair sat in silence for a few moments, when the door to the house was thrown open so hard that it rattled on it's hinges. Hurried footsteps raced down the hall, and Goten burst into the living room, wide-eyed and shocked. "Trunks, Master Roshi!" he said in an urgent whisper, gazing breifly at them. "Is Chasity... Is she okay?"
"She's just fine, sonny." Roshi replied, taking a seat and resting his walking stick against the wall. "She'll need some rest, but she'll be alright. Just relax."
Goten uttered a low, relieved sigh and sank into the nearest chair. "So, what next?" he asked, looking between Trunks and the Turtle Hermit.
"When Krillin and 18 arrive, you're all going to meet at the Lookout, and decide what to do from there. Perhaps Dende can get in touch with Goku, it seems we need him more than ever."
Sure enough, a short time later, an air-car could be heard approaching the island. The three men rose, walking outside just in time to see Krillin and 18 walking towards the house, wearing rather grim faces.
Far away, Cell and Frieza had stopped in a small gully by a stream. "We should have killed him, you know." Frieza said rather irritably, folding his arms and frowning at Cell. "That decision may come back to haunt you."
"Come now Frieza." Cell replied, kneeling by the stream and lifting a few handfuls of the cool water to his mouth. "I know Saiyans get stronger after every fight, but it won't matter with Vegeta."
"Oh?"
"Yes. You didn't notice at all that Vegeta's mind and energy was all over the place? He couldn't focus on anything. There's something wrong with him."
"You mean... Ah, we have company." Frieza smiled grimly and nodded above and behind Cell, towards the being standing on a slight rocky rise in the ground.
A tall, broad, bulky white creature gazed down at them, the huge black spikes on it's arms and back glinting in the sunlight. No smile, dark or otherwise, was apparent on it's face. Just wicked intelligence. A dark, cracked orb was set in it's forehead; the One-Star Dragonball.
"Can I help you, beast?" Cell asked imperiously, having no idea just who he was speaking to. If he knew, he probably would have been more cautious.
"No." the Dragon said in it's deep voice. "But perhaps I can help YOU, Cell."
"Oh, would you look at that. It knows my name. Should I be scared, Frieza?" he asked, looking towards Frieza. The Icejin tittered lightly in response. "I need no help, not from you. Now begone, before I decide that the world would be a better place without you."
"Indeed?" The creature disappeared in the blinking of an eye, and suddenly, his powerful hand was around Cell's throat. The Android was lifted off the ground gasping for breath, and finally, the dragon smiled a smile that was far more terrifying than any savage glare. "In answer to your first question, grasshopper, yes. You should be very scared. Scared of the Shadow Dragons."
Cell kicked futilely against the the Dragon's torso, chopping with no effect at it's muscular arm, feeling the grip tighten. "L-let... me... g-go!" Cell demanded in a raspy voice, his face going blue from lack of air. "I... can't..."
"Breathe? Good. That way you won't be able to speak, and you can focus fully on my words." The grip was tightened again, to the point that Cell felt his neck would snap, then relaxed somewhat. "I am Syn Shenron, leader of the Shadow Dragons. And I come with a message. I hope you're paying attention."
Cell's eyes darted to Frieza, who stood transfixed and frozen, horrified by the scene. No help would come from the Icejin. So, Cell did his best to nod.
"Excellent. My message is this; Blacksmoke has noticed your companion, and strongly suggests that neither of you begin having any thoughts of mutiny of treachery. It would end badly. For the both of you. Do you understand me?"
"I... I have..." Cell choked for speech, indignation swelling inside him. Syn released his grasp, dropping Cell to the ground, where the android massaged his throat, taking in deep gulping breaths. "I have done nothing to suggest that I would betray him!" Cell said in a raspy voice. "Nothing at all!"
"Not yet." Replied Syn calmly. "This little visit was to ensure that you never do. I hope I have made my point sufficiently."
The Dragon did not wait for a response. He simply lifted slowly into the air, and took off, knocking trees over in his flight. Cell, meanwhile, was fuming.
"You could have done something other than just STAND there you idiot!" He shouted at Frieza, still massaging his throat. "We're supposed to be watching out for each other here!"
As soon as Syn Shenron had departed, Frieza had composed himself. He smirked, tracing a thin finger along his lips. "But I was enjoying myself too much. You should have seen your face." He laughed lightly. "And besides, I've saved you twice today. I'm tired of getting my hands dirty."
"Saved me? Utter nonsense!" Cell replied, shaking his head. "Come on, let's get the hell out of here."
"After you, oh fearless leader." Frieza replied slyly, following Cell's lead into the air.
At the same time, Piccolo stood at the edge of Kami's Lookout, gazing down upon the Earth. He had a troubled look on his green, slightly pointed face, and his white cape fluttered behind him in the breeze. "There's something big going on down there." he muttered to Dende, who stood a few feet behind him.
"It's that bad, you think?" The guardian asked quietly.
"No." replied Piccolo, closing his eyes and bowing his head. "I think it's much worse."
-Part 2. "And so, it begins."
Tien and Vegeta were the first to arrive at the Lookout. Dende and Mr. Popo rushed over to help, then began half carrying, half dragging him towards the Temple. He would need a considerable amount of healing and rest before he was fit to fight again.
"The others haven't arrived yet?" Tien asked Piccolo, watching the Guardian and the Djinni move away with the Prince.
"No, but your Saiyan friend is with them now. No doubt they will be here in a few moments." Piccolo strode again to the edge of the floating palace, and gazed over the drop. "We need to get in touch with Goku. Without him, I'm afraid we don't really stand a chance."
A split second later, Cale, Gohan and Yamcha appeared in their midst. Gohan was wearing a relieved smile; Even after being a stronger fighter than Piccolo for so long, something about the Namekian's presence made Gohan feel as though everything would be fine. "I thought you'd be here, Piccolo."
"Where else would I be?" Piccolo replied with a small smile. The smile left his face when his eyes shifted to Cale, however. He merely looked at him, as though sizing him up, trying to read his face.
Cale's face became slightly frustrated with the continually unwelcoming introductions. Everyone he had met so far had treated him like a possible villain, and even though he completely understood their situation, he still didn't like it one bit.
"Oh, this is Cale, Piccolo." Gohan offered, trying to cut the tense moment. "He's agreed to help us out against Cell and Frieza."
Piccolo turned and stared out over the edge of the drop. "When Dende returns we'll get in touch with Goku. There's something bigger going on, something worse than Cell and Frieza combined."
"What do you mean?" Asked Yamcha, who looked more than just a little worried. "Worse than those two? What could be worse?"
Just then, a figure appeared nearby. "Heeey guys!" Goku called cheerily, waving and walking towards them. "What's going on? Odd place for a party."
"Dad!" Gohan spun around, looking perplexed, happy and exasperated all at once. Tien and Yamcha were wearing identical smiles as they turned. Cale simply looked stunned.
"Nice of you to drop by, Goku." Piccolo said tensely, although the small smirk could be heard in his voice. Goku's timing was impeccable as always. "Not sure if you've noticed, but we have something of a crisis on our hands."
"Crisis?" Goku's smile faltered, as did everyone else's. "What's happened? Is everyone alright?"
"Everyone is okay. But Cell and Frieza have turned up. They've already taken Chasity and Vegeta down, but that isn't the worst part." Piccolo finally turned around, his smile completely gone. "There's something else out there, I'm sure of it. Something greater than Cell, Frieza, even Majin Buu."
Everyone present stared intensely towards the Namek, hanging on every word. "What is it?" Cale asked the question on everybody's mind.
"That, I do not know. All I know is that I have this feeling that soon, a force greater than anything we could have ever imagined is going to present itself, and I'm not sure if we'll be able to stop it."
Piccolo's grim words hung on the air, seeming to spread like a chill breeze. They hoped that this wasn't the case, but the Namekian was usually right about such things.
Chasity, Trunks, Krillin and 18 arrived a few hours later when the young demi-saiyan was fit to travel, and they too were given Piccolo's unhappy prophecies. They were a silent, brooding bunch; Even Cale, with his strong desire to speak with Goku sat deep in thought about what would happen next, and what part he would have to play.
It was decided that all they could do was wait and see what would happen next. Cell and Frieza were yet to resurface, and this new presence Piccolo foretold hadn't presented itself. All they could do, was wait.
It would be a few weeks until anything began to happen, until the Shadow Dragons reared their heads and began to burn the world. But for now, all was silent. It was the calm before the storm, and this storm would shake the Earth at it's very foundations.
None of them at that moment had any idea just what was going to happen, even Piccolo's ideas about this new threat were vague at best. But they could all feel it approaching, like deadly beast barring their path, waiting for them to come close enough.
They were all very subdued that evening, even Chasity, who was usually the loudest and most talkative person in any group.
Cale felt specially isolated, sitting alone by himself, lost in his own thoughts. His search for his brother had gone from bad to worse. He hoped that he'd catch a break sooner or later.
Not long after sunset, the Prince strode out of the temple, ignoring Dende's insistence that he must rest and recover. "I need no such thing!" he growled, pushing the Guardian out of his way. He almost made it to the edge of the Lookout when he found his way barred by Goku.
"Don't be foolish, Vegeta, you're in no shape to fight." Goku said sternly. "Running off now won't do anyone any- Hey!"
The Prince pushed roughly past Goku. "Out of my way, Kakarot." He snarled, squaring his shoulders and striding past. "I have an appointment with Cell and Frieza."
"Vegeta! Listen!" Goku snapped, and to his surprise, Vegeta did indeed stop. "I know how you must be feeling, but charging off into a battle you're sure to lose isn't going to solve or accomplish anything."
"I am NOT a defenseless child!" Vegeta retorted angrily. Not only had Goku made him useless by outclassing him in battle, his WORDS were now accomplishing the same thing. "You'll see how 'sure to lose' I am when I mount Cell and Frieza's heads on my mantle piece!"
"You fool." said Goku quietly, shaking his head. "After all these years, you've learned nothing. Your arrogance is your biggest weakness."
Electricity crackled in the air around Vegeta, much as Goku's had done almost a year before. "And your stupidity is yours!" Vegeta retorted, shaking with rage. "I will defeat Cell and Frieza, ALONE, and then I am coming back for you!"
"Fine. You know what? Do what ever you like. I'm sick of trying with you." Goku threw his hands up and began walking away, half hoping Vegeta would strike him. If it came to a fight, maybe he could stop Vegeta from getting himself killed.
But the Prince didn't make any move against Goku. His aura blazed into life and he leaped over the edge of the lookout, hurtling towards the Earth. Part of him knew the truth in Goku's words. Another, much smaller part, also noticed that Goku was still looking out for him, as though they were friends.
Vegeta, however, didn't need friends. He relied on himself and his strength alone. And that was enough for him. But despite his boasting, Vegeta made no imminent move to track down Cell or Frieza. His hurt pride was paining him like a mortal wound.
He had left the Lookout and returned to his brooding place, far away from everyone and anyone. With the upcoming threat, nobody spared him a second thought. This didn't bother him in the slightest.
After Vegeta had left that night, everybody had gone home, deciding there was no point staying at the Lookout. And, it seemed, Cale would be the only one going alone.
Chasity saw him standing by himself, a little apart from the group, and felt rather annoyed that no one was speaking to this helpful newcomer. "Need a place to stay?" she asked brightly, walking over to him. "Cale, wasn't it?"
"Yes, and thank you, but I can stay in my ship. Are you feeling a better from your run in with Cell?" Cale asked.
"Oh, I'm just fine!" she said with a smile, winking and flipping him the peace sign. "It'll take more than that to keep this girl down!"
Cale laughed quietly, feeling the first real smile on his face since he'd arrived on this planet. "I can imagine, being Goku's daughter, right?"
"Yep, that's me!" she grinned. "Sure you don't want to stay with us for a while? Trunks and me, I mean. It must be pretty lonely out there by yourself."
The young Saiyan took one brief look at Trunks who was standing not too far away, scowling with his arms folded, before replying. "No, really, it's fine." he stated simply. "I wouldn't say no to a visit though, if you're ever out that way."
"Sure, I'll come say hi!" Chasity turned and walked, waving over her shoulder. "It was nice meeting you, Cale!"
"Yeah, you too." Cale said with a grin and a nod. But the grin faded away as his eyes met Trunks; The son of Vegeta seemed none too impressed with him.
That happy little bubble which had existed for a few minutes seemed to pop, and Cale left the Lookout in low spirits. He decided he'd stretch his legs and fly home tonight, rather than transmitting. Cale had his own thoughts bouncing around in his head, and he intended to tire himself out before bed.
The main question in his mind was 'Why do they hate me so much? It cannot simply be because of my Saiyan heritage, because most of the group are either full-blooded or half-blooded saiyans.' It troubled him to the point that he wanted to go and find Yamcha, and Trunks and give them a piece of his mind.
But that would do no good. It would reinforce the stereotype of an arrogant and hot-headed warrior; a title he had done his best to shed ever since childhood.
In the Capsule Corp building, Bulma sat awake by the window long after Goku had fallen asleep. She was deeply troubled by the news of Cell and Frieza's return, also fretting over Chasity's condition. And of course, she was worried about Vegeta.
She couldn't deny it, she missed him. Still cared about him. Of course, she knew that they were never going to be together again, but she still worried about him. "Please be okay." she whispered aloud, staring up at the stars one final time, her own mind full of conflicting and troubling thoughts.
