QUEST FOR POWER 2:
CHALLENGE KINGDOM
By Konrad
PART 10
Hold on, please! I'm almost there. Cerion thought frantically as she soared through space. She strained and pushed her powers to their limits, distorting the space around herself to create a portal for almost instant travel while restricting the flow of time for the briefest of moments. All this to ensure that she'll arrive at her intended destination less than a few miliseconds after she left Tenshinhan and his group. But somewhere in the back of her mind, the Goddess knew she wouldn't make it in time.
Cerion emerged onboard a flaming wreckage of a space vessel. Immediately her eyes fell on a masked figure she hadn't seen in decades... and at its feet, Sulfus lay unmoving, a large slash across his body diagonally. She didn't need to see the blood coating the other figure's weapon to figure out what happened.
"Cerion, it's been so long since I've seen you! I..." Reaper started.
"Get away from him!" Cerion screamed hysterically as she lunged at Reaper. Surprised, the latter leapt back. Cerion hastily knelt down besides Sulfus to feel for a pulse. There was none. "Sulfus! Sulfus!" She cried out but to no avail.
"It's no use, he's dead." Reaper stated as he tried to regain his composure.
"You did this?! Why?"
"By orders, to protect you from the influence of being among mortals too long..."
"Orders?! To protect me?! You piece of trash! I'll kill you! I'll kill you!" The Goddess yelled.
She leapt at Reaper and threw a thunderous punch, instantly shattering his jaw. Reaper was sent sprawling to the floor, shocked by the ferocity of the attack, and quickly looked at her. She was lunging again at him, her eyes ablaze in crackling energy. Frightened, Reaper disappeared, teleporting away just as Cerion was about to reach him.
"You bastard, I'll kill you!" Cerion screamed once more to the empty spaceship. "Damn you... damn you all..." She said as her voice became more hoarse.
A terrible shaking startled the Goddess out of her cries. Understanding immediately, she lept at Sulfus' corpse and picked it up before teleporting out of the vicinity. As she jumped through the space distortion of her teleportation, she felt the ripples of the Orion finally exploding behind. Moments later, Cerion was back on Motu. Laying Sulfus down as gently yet as quickly as she could. She searched her mind for any and all reanimation techniques she knew, physical, mystical or otherwise, but none worked on the fallen Kosajin.
"Sulfus, come on, wake up!" She cried. "Please, just wake up... please?! Damnit, I never should've got you involved. This is all my fault, I'm so sorry."
Tears streaming down her eyes, Cerion leaned down to quietly steal her first and last kiss from Sulfus' cold lips.
- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -
Android 18 opened her eyes only to shut them immediately, shielding them from light that hadn't entered them in almost a day.
"Ugh." She groaned softly. "What...?"
"18?!" Aurora yelped from beside her, causing the Android's ears to be in at least as much pain as her eyes were. "Thank goodness, you're awake! Oh, I was so worried..."
"Shhh, quiet..." 18 demanded harshly. In quick realisation, Aurora mercifully covered her mouth with her hands. Opening her eyes more slowly, 18 struggled to lift herself from the bed she found herself in. She quickly recognized the surroundings as the insides of Raikou's home. "What happened? How'd I get here?"
"The others found us just as you fell unconscious." Aurora started much more quietly. "Luckily, that woman that attacked us left and we took that opportunity to get back here."
"Well, I guess that's a good thing. What about me? How come I feel like I have burns all over or something?" 18 winced as she tried to turn and move her limbs.
"Probably a combination of exhaustion and muscle tear."
"Muscle tear?"
"Yeah. That woman, Cerion if I remember, tried to control your body but it didn't work completely. That meant your body was responding to her orders and your brain at the same time, which conflicted and so made some damage. But the doctors said it isn't a lot and you should be fine, just a little sore for a while."
"I see."
"I'm so glad you're okay! I can't believe you'd risk yourself like that for me."
"Why would you think that? I'd always help you, no matter what."
"Well, it's just that..." Aurora shifted her gaze downwards. "I-I thought that you hated me... but that's just so silly of me, that's so childish!" She added with a blushing.
"Actually, you were right." 18 responded softly. Aurora's face immediately dropped.
"Oh."
"It isn't your fault. Or rather, it wasn't. It had nothing to do with you, it was me, rather, acting selfish... jealous..." The Android admitted slowly.
"J-Jealous?"
"Like I said, it was all my fault. I didn't appreciate you for no good reason. Then I got to know you better over time, I saw how much Gohan believed in you and especially I saw you fight for what you felt what right for your people. I misjudged you so much and I'm really sorry."
"I-It's ok." The younger girl replied, smiling nervously. "I'm just so glad, I didn't mean to do anything wrong. So we can be friends?"
"Yes!" 18 rejoiced. "And I'm definitely gonna help you in becoming the Kosajin leader."
"Eh, about that..." Aurora's said softly, her smile dropping along with her gaze. "I'm not sure I want to do that anymore."
"Huh?! Why not?" 18 responded, frowning.
"Well I don't know what to do." The Kosajin sighed. "Everyone has this or that plan for me. Father and big brother... Cooler... wanted to raise me in totally different ways. They even argued about it, with Father insisting me joining them in outer space. But Cooler got me to stay here most of the time instead. Then, when they were gone, Raikou took me in. She wanted to train me to convince the Kosajin people to unite once and for all and stop all the wars. And now, that strange woman tried to get me to do something for her too... It's like everyone is pulling in whatever direction they have in mind for me. I just feel like being left alone!"
"Ok..." 18 thought for a moment. "So what is it that you most want to do? Where do you think you're needed the most."
"I-I don't know! I... I want to help out as much people as I can. That's all I ever wanted to do. Just to make a positive difference."
"Well, to me, it sounds a lot like what you were already trying to do, no?" The Android reasoned. "It must feel like the weight of the world, or more, is on you. People like us get a lot of that. But you know what, we have to make the most of what we have, that's our responsibility. And just hope we do the right thing."
"Yeah, I guess so..." Aurora responded meekly as she trembled slightly. She could only fidget on the spot and avoided 18's gaze.
"Hey, kid!" 18 smiled softly as she gently cupped Aurora's chin in her hand to force her to meet her eyes. "It's alright, you can do this."
"Thank you so much." The two girls stayed there for a while, chatting as Aurora tended to the Android's wounds, until a soft knock came to the door. "Yes?"
"Ah, so that's where you ran off to." Tenshinhan's voice came from the other side of the door and the Triclops almost immediately entered. Following him was Raikou and Gohan but also, to the girls' surprise, Nautikaa of the Water clan, Blok the Ground Kosajin, Typhoon and Tempest from the Wind, as well as two others. One of the new additions was a green, diminutive Kosajin woman, almost childlike in facial expressions and not reaching higher than the average humanoid waist but with an otherwise adult-like body. The other was a male of a completely different race, unfamiliar to Android 18 and the Z Squad. He was thin but tall, with pale-yellow skin and long hair in thick locks. Aurora immediately took note of Tempest's deep frown as he gave her a nasty glare, but her eyes turned to his cousin who, instead, gave her a warm, reassuring smile.
"What's going on?" Aurora asked.
"These people are here for you. So I'll leave all of you, and I'm going to check on our other 'patient'." The Triclops responded before leaving.
"Good day, Princess Cold." Nautikaa greeted. "After much deliberation, we've decided we've seen enough... and we're ready to begin negotiations over, hopefully, a long-lasting peace for our race and our planet."
"Really?!"
"Of course." The Water Kosajin said incredulously, somewhat taken aback at by Aurora's bewildered reaction. She then nodded in Gohan's direction. "You have friends who are both convinced and convincing."
"Like I remarked, I'm just as much an enemy of your father and brothers." Gohan added. "They hurt a lot of people, including my friends and my dad. But you're not them so you should at least be given a chance."
"It should be noted that some of us disagree!" Blok interjected.
"Indeed." Typhoon remarked and he scowled at his cousin Tempest just as the latter was glaring again at Aurora.
"All in all, my mind is made up for now. I think it is worthwhile to talk." Nautikaa concluded. She then designated the two new people with them. "I thought it was necessary that all the clans be represented so I asked a representative from the Wood, as well as one from the Native Motukians who always stayed neutral from Kosajin affairs. Unfortunately, no one from the Fire would be available. But anyway, this will certainly entail big responsibilities on us all for this to work. Especially you, Princess. What do you say?"
Aurora stood speechless for a few moments, not sure how to respond while the entire room remained silent, waiting awkwardly for what they thought would've been a quick positive answer. Tempest barely bothered to conceal a smirk creeping over his face at her hesitation, while Gohan, Typhoon and 18 looked uncertain. Even Nautikaa frowned slightly in incomprehension. Raikou sighed and went over to the younger girl.
"Aurora, do only what you want to do and what you feel is right." She said as she put a hand on Aurora's shoulder. "I never meant to put pressure on or anything since the beginning, I can sense that's what was bothering you. Even now you don't have to do all this if you're uncomfortable."
"It's ok." The young Kosajin replied. "I always wanted to do all I can to help, and if I can do that by getting these negotiations started soon, then that's good. It's just... well, it's always been kinda scary. It's so much to deal with." She then turned, smiling, to Nautikaa and the others gathered. "And it's such a surprise and I'm grateful that you want to work with me. I'm ready."
"Good, I'm very glad to hear that." Nautikaa spoke, visibly relieved. Gohan and Typhoon also relaxed, while Android 18 gave a thumbs' up. Even Blok nodded silently, along with the Wood and the Native representatives. But Tempest, on the other hand, gritted his teeth then abruptly stormed out of the room.
"What's wrong with him?" Raikou inquired.
"Don't worry, it doesn't matter." Typhoon sighed.
"Well, in either case, we have ourselves a truce." Nautikaa proclaimed to everyone's satisfaction.
- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -
Tenshinhan, meanwhile, went to another room much further in the compound. When he entered, there was Vegeta strewn miserably across a bed and being attended to by a private nurse. The Saiyan groaned in his mind, awaiting a reprimand.
"Hey, you're less ugly like this than when you're healthy!" The Triclops exclaimed. Unable to throw himself at Tenshinhan, Vegeta merely responded with a dignified 'Hmpf!'
"What do you want?" Vegeta sighed.
"Just wanted to check up on you." Tenshinhan replied. He silently signalled the nurse for some alone time and waited until she was gone to take a seat by the Prince. He glanced at the medical report nearby. "Mild hypothermia, unusual internal gas buildup... Yoshuro found you in quite the shape yesterday."
"You could say I had some fun these last couple of days." Vegeta smirked. Tenshinhan rolled his eyes.
"So I figured."
"And how were things here?"
"The short or the long answer?" Tenshinhan sighed. "We had one hell of a time trying to convince the leaders of the other clans to start discussions on uniting. But they've opened up at least, representatives from almost all the clans are meeting with Raikou and Aurora right now..."
"Almost all...?"
"Yeah. The Water, the Ground, the Wind, the Wood and the Native Motukians, because believe it or not the Kosajin are actually alien to this planet. The only ones we haven't heard from are the Fire. It would seem like there's a big commotion there..."
"What kind of commotion?" Vegeta asked nonchalantly.
"A funeral." The Saiyan raised an eyebrow but Tenshinhan, not thinking much of the reaction, continued. "Apparently, a big name noble that disappeared years ago has just turned up dead. We didn't get more details."
"I see..." Vegeta responded with a curious expression on his face.
"Oh, and another thing. We ran into that woman, Cerion."
"What?!" Vegeta's eyes widened. This time, the Triclops didn't miss the reaction.
"I don't know how but she tracked us down all the way here. Not only did she want Gohan again, but she said Aurora was also like them and she was here to capture her too. She was putting a number on 18 and Aurora and could've probably done the same to me and Raikou. But then she left in a panic, it was weird."
"I see..."
"I wanted to warn you but it seems she didn't get to you after all. What were you up to anyways? I felt your presence way above the planet, up in space."
"None of your concern." The Saiyan responded more sharply than he intended to. Tenshinhan frowned and glared intensely at Vegeta.
"Vegeta, I understand that this concerns mostly you. Which was exactly why the rest of us came along in the first place too. We're your teammates. Remember that." Tehsnhihan admonished sternly. Vegeta rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Nothing very important. Except that supposedly my sister and the rest of my race are on another planet somewhere. Which I guess is fine for now."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean..." Vegeta took an uncharacteristic pensive look and gave a small smile. "I mean they don't need me... and I'm fine with that. I still want to meet them someday and I know that will happen. But for now, they're doing alright and that's all I need." Tenshinhan smiled back.
"Well, that's good enough for me, because it's about time we really head on home anyways."
"What do you mean?"
"What do you mean 'What do I mean'?!" The Triclops shot back. "If something happens to anyone one of us, the women back home are gonna kill someone. Me being the weakest and most obvious target, I'd rather that not happen. Besides, we've done a lot and we've been out for so long. I think it's just time we got back to our normal lives, as normal as they can get. I didn't get any objections from the others. I don't imagine you should have a problem with that either, right?"
"If you say so, I guess." Vegeta retorted with a chuckle.
"Good, I'll take that as a 'yes' then. I expect that we should be off tomorrow. Get yourself some sleep, Vegeta, we all deserve it." Tenshinhan half suggested, half ordered as he got up to leave the room.
"Hmpf! Fine, whatever..."
Tenshinhan had made it to the doorframe when he heard Vegeta mutter something else under his breath, surprising the Triclops into stopping. He turned his head but the Saiyan had already closed his eyes, ready to doze off and seemingly oblivious.
Tenshinhan shrugged it off and continued out of the room. He could've sworn that Vegeta had uttered something like "... though you're better at this than Kakalotto or the Namek...". My ears playing tricks on me... Tenshinhan commented to himself and he quickly forgot the incident.
- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -
The next morning, with Vegeta and Android 18 no longer needing extensive medical attention, the Z Squad remnants were ready to head back to Earth. Aurora and Raikou accompanied them to the local spaceport from where Yoshuro's ship would launch.
"So everything's going to go well, you think?" Tesnhinhan asked.
"I sure hope so." Raikou sighed but with a content smile. "Maybe this will be our first step to becoming one again... At the very least I just hope we can bring some sort of peace."
"I hope you can too, the both of you."
"Thank you for helping us so much." Aurora said, then turned to Gohan. "Especially you, Gohan, for believing in me. Can we stay in touch?"
"Of course, we'll always be there for each other!" The joyous Saiyan beamed and took Aurora's hands in his one last time.
As the Kosajin waived their guests goodbye, the Z Squad entered their ride.
"So, where to, fearless one?!" Android 18 said mischievously to Tenshinhan.
"What?" The Triclops responded incredulously.
"Nothing."
"You're damn weird."
"Then don't pay attention to her." Vegeta laughed. "So, think they'll be happy to see us back home?"
"Well, if all hell has broken loose there, yeah." Tenshinhan shrugged.
- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -
The Skylight had barely entered the new star system that Cerion screamed in anger and slammed her fists into her dashboard. Even though this was the last place she had felt Reaper's energy signature, she knew he was no longer even within a few systems of her location. By now, he was more likely in another galaxy altogether. Panting in frustration, Cerion took a moment to calm herself and think. That Reaper wasn't able to immediately teleport himself out of this dimension meant that he was, for the time being, somewhat drained of power. Cerion allowed herself a slight smile of satisfaction: at least Sulfus went down with a strong fight.
Sulfus...
Her thoughts drifted back to her long time companion. Her comrade-in-arms. And, she realised too late, the man she loved. It was his association with her, a Goddess, that condemned him. The least she could do was give him a proper resting place. The previous day, she had taken his body in the Fire domain and put it near a public market, where it would be sure to be found. Surely enough, the finding of a famous Fire Clan noble dead, after decades spent with the Planet Traders, created an uproar, not least among his closest kin. From the safety of her ship, through one of her concealed cameras, Cerion saw the inconsolable mother. For a moment, she allowed herself to think how apt it was for someone so beautiful to birth an equally remarkable son. But she quickly shook it off. Sulfus' funeral was in three more days now but Cerion won't look at it then. She first wanted to get back on track to finding his murderer.
"That's more important." She kept telling herself frustratingly, almost like a mantra. "Besides, I'll look at the recording of the funeral and it won't hurt as much..."
Sighing, Cerion closed her eyes and reached out with her senses as far she could, pushing to the limits of the galaxy and beyond. She could feel every familiar aura and energy type she had ever encountered and could pinpoint each one. Reaper could be tracked if he stayed too long in one place and she would resume her pursuit. The Goddess paused for a moment but then abruptly opened her eyes, her jaw dropping.
"No way..." She murmured to herself.
Cerion shook her head and focused her senses again but to the same result. She couldn't be wrong. She reflected briefly on what to do. Her desire for revenge still burned uncontrollably. But Reaper could be hunted another time. And this was definitely something that couldn't wait and had to be investigated immediately. The Goddess knew too well the dangers of this new development, and the particular complications in this case were seemed strange at best. Reluctantly, she punched in new coordinates to the Skylight's system and prepared for another destination.
"I can't believe this." Cerion growled to herself. "Those two Earthlings, Piccolo and Trunks, are still alive... and they're with an activated Power Stone?!"
CONCLUSION
Thank you for your patience, all those who have followed this for so long! This concludes Quest for Power 2: Challenge Kingdom. Sulfus is no more but Cerion has no time to grieve that she has to investigate the true fate of Piccolo and Trunks while looking deeper into the mystery of the Power Stones. Follow their deep space adventures in Quest for Power 3: Emerald Ender, coming next. Also, death is not the end for Cooler and his allies in Quest for Power 4: Uprising. And will the Z Squad make it back home in time? What has been going on in their absence? I hope you've enjoyed this so far and catch you soon for more!
Konrad
