"The Unlikely Team"

X-over

Sephiroth: Leader (Final Fantasy VII)—After Advent Children—Height: 6'1 Age: 32

Vegeta: Foil/Ego (Dragon Ball Z)—After Omega Shenron—Height: 5'6 Age: 67

Lang: Arbiter (Legaia 2 Duel Saga)—After End of Game—Height: 5'4 Age: 16

Ziggy: Order (Xenosaga)—After End of Xenosaga III—Height: 6'3 Age: 128

Chapter 12: The Man Who Saw

A sense of weightlessness enveloped me in strange almost welcoming arms. I was falling and falling and I could not say when I would finally reach the bottom. I was only half conscious, only half aware of what was going on around me. Where was I? Where was Sharon? Was she alive or dead?

Admittedly, it was foolish of me to jump from such a height, but there was nothing else I could do or maybe I simply hadn't gotten it through my thick skull that I actually could not fly. Such limitations continually frustrated me. I felt less of a person. A part of me was always missing. All that power flowing through my veins that I'd grown used to had been snatched away with relative ease and now here I was—hanging on to life by a single thread.

Had I expected to live through that little stunt of mine? I suppose my vision had become tunnel in that pivotal moment. I saw someone who needed to be saved—an innocent who had not asked to be in that situation and was now forced to die along with me. I honestly couldn't say if Bulma would be proud of me or not. She was one part practical and two parts crazy so I suppose it would depend on the time of day.

A voice asked me a question in the midst of my musings.

"You wish to protect this Sharon?"

When I started to answer, I found my voice oddly silent. Words couldn't come forth from my mouth that could barely move. It was as if I was somehow disconnected physically from myself. My body did not respond to my own thoughts. It was quite disconcerting.

"We will make sure no harm will come to her then. We have spared you from the pain which now assaults your body. You mind has been badly injured, we shall repair it."

Who knows how much time passed between…well, it's difficult to tell what happened to me before and what might happen in the future. I simply do not know about time. It was as if I was caught in limbo. I heard them, whoever they were, whispering in my ears with words I could not comprehend and eventually I stopped trying. All the while, I continued to fall. If one was to ask me what was happening to me, I would be at a loss. It wasn't until I opened my eyes again that I felt as if I was a live, physical being. Before I had been…something else…

Sharon was the first person I beheld, unscathed and even happy. It took a moment for my eyes to readjust as if I'd been in some bright place for too long.

"You must be famished," she said to me while I was still trying to figure out the surroundings or even what might have happened since that moment at the cliff.

I hadn't quite put it all together, but those were the magical words it seemed that gave way to thoughts that trumped all others no matter if they may have been important. Hunger was an all-consuming thing that at times, annoyed me with its persistence. Oh, but I was ravenous. Why did you remind me, Sharon? Her next sentence had better be one telling me of an exorbitant amount of food somewhere. That was wishful thinking, however. She knew almost nothing about Saiyans and—Now, she was pulling me somewhere as if I was moving too slow for her taste. She also seemed a bit chipper, a mood that seemed rare for her. Before we even got there, the smell of food hit my nose so hard that I actually started drooling—unsightly, I know. I didn't need to be led any longer. I knew where that scent was coming from and it was driving me a bit insane. Oh sweet, edible, unpoisoned food. Could care less what exactly it was, it was obviously made to be eaten. I apologize for any who won't be able to eat this day because I shoved all of the food down my throat…But I'm sure hunger wouldn't be as devastating to you as it is to me. Geez, I can hardly even think straight.

Sharon announced to me that what was on the table was all for me. It needed no introduction before I plunged into everything much to everyone's amusement…or horror. I do try to keep some semblance of manners, but it becomes difficult after fasting for days. This was not bark at all. Some of it slid past my tongue so quickly that I could not rightly make out the taste, not that it mattered at this point. Imagine me turning down food due to the taste. Please, that might only happen in times of plenty and even then, I was still not above eating it. But then everything tasted great.

After gorging myself on that wonderful table, my one-track mind was able to think on other things. Stares from the villagers came as no surprise or concern from me. I was sated which was a near euphoric feeling. Not many things in my life could make me feel this way, but this was certainly one of them and only after extreme hunger.

"You weren't lying when you said you were hungry," Sharon said, the amazement clear in her tone, "I mean, I thought she was crazy when she asked for so much food to be made."

"She?" I asked latching on to that word. For some reason, I had thought of Bulma, but, of course she wouldn't be here.

"One of the gods who 'oversees' this place, Angela. I thought she was out of her mind, but I guess she is all-knowing. I certainly didn't know about your appetite—that kind of makes me feel a bit bad when I wasn't taking you seriously before."

As she was talking an odd feeling came over me—the kind of feeling one might get when knowing something, but it being on the tip of the tongue and then you waste precious minutes of your life trying to recall what it was. It was that feeling, but then the words came about almost unbidden. I cut across whatever Sharon was saying at the moment.

"Arcangela, Celeste, Nevaeh, Theia, Angela—they are the five angels that oversee this world, each with their own area. We have been in Angela's domain."

There that was it, but…I could not recall ever learning of such a thing. Where…? A whispering voice came to mind, one that was at once indecipherable now made perfect sense. I'd heard their voices for quite some time and though this was revealed to me the rest remained a mystery. I wondered if this would continue to happen. Things only revealed to me when someone mentioned a word or name. It was stuck in my mind somewhere.

Sharon was looking at me with an odd expression, but she had some explaining to do before I could even begin to understand what might have happened to me.

"Tell me what happened since that time on the cliff," I told her.

She nodded, giving in, sensing that it was probably best that she started first. She told me of how I was brought to this village and how the healers had beseeched the gods for help. I had been in their hands for some time. Sharon had been there at the place in which I was being cared for and she'd been in the presence of Angela. The gods could apparently be seen and had some sort of physical body, but it could not be looked upon by anyone as it would be harmful to one's eyes.

"How was it," she asked, "Being under their care? Did you see them?"

"No," I said shaking my head, "If I did, I don't remember it. There seems to be quite a few things I don't remember."

"That's to be expected with the brain injury you had. In fact, it's quite amazing that you're functioning this well after that sort of thing. One might even call it a miracle," she said with a grin.

"I honestly thought…Well, I suppose it wouldn't do to dwell on 'what-ifs'."

"There's one thing that bothers me," Sharon said as she stepped closer to me, "Why did you do it—why did you try to save me?"

I looked away from her inquisitive eyes. "Anyone would have done the same," I replied.

"No," she said confidently, "Not at all. Perhaps it is true what Angela said about this destiny of yours."

"Destiny," I said with a grimace, "I've always hated that word. But there is something I was brought here to do and I must see to it. Although, the likelihood of success lessens every passing day. I can't even keep myself alive without the help of some deity. I'll probably die of starvation before anything else."

"Don't say that," she said with a determined tone, "You've been given another chance and you should take it."

"Of course I will—it's not in my nature to give up so easily. But not having any concrete plans or even much knowledge about who I'm up against is making things quite difficult. To top it off, I know for certain that I could not do it alone and I've been separated from the ones who share in this mission."

"We're lost as well. If we just go out there like we were before, that same bird will come after us. I'm not sure what to do next, but I definitely don't want to live here for the rest of my life."

We were at a standstill for now, but for some reason I could not bring myself to feeling completely at a loss. It was only a feeling, but somehow I knew that I would find my way back to the others. I relied on my senses and gut feelings; for the most part, they had never steered me on the wrong path.

Deciding that there was no need to linger in the hut, I began to make my way outside. Before I left, I wanted to give my thanks to the cooks, but as I approached one denizen and then another they all bowed their heads as if in submission. I looked at Sharon questioningly who could only shrug. I suppose there was a sufficient reason for someone to be intimidated by me, but I'd not done anything here to incite such a thing. Even now, despite feeling well enough to move around and my hunger mostly sated, I felt much weaker than what was normal. No, I certainly wouldn't be razing down villages anytime soon. There was nothing to fear really. Come to think of it, Sephiroth probably would have made quick work of me at this point. Strength wise, I was a shell of my former self. Whatever healing technique had been performed on me had also robbed me somewhat of my vitality. Hopefully, it would come back with time.

I didn't feel much for exploring. All I wanted to do was rest. But when I stepped outside I saw quite an impressive crowd standing about. I don't know why I keep thinking Sharon might be able to shed light on things, but I still hold out a candle and look at her questioningly only for her to shrug once again. That was when a young elven looking man approached us. Sharon greeted him as if he knew the man.

"And who's this?" I asked Sharon when it looked like I would not be introduced.

"I'm Nehemiah," the elven looking man said. "It's an honor to meet you."

"An honor?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. It felt as if I was asking question after question—I hated feeling so clueless.

"You were in the hands of the gods and they saw to your healing personally. It is a rare event. Do you remember any of it?" Nehemiah asked.

I shook my head. A few bright flashes of light came to me, but that was it. Nothing substantial.

"I see," he said, "Maybe you will in time as it is with all Seers."

I felt as if there was something I was missing or that perhaps the man was mistaken as to who I was. "Nehemiah, I have no idea what you're going on about, but I'm Vegeta, Prince of all Saiyans—not a Seer."

"A Prince as well? You must come from very far away. Here, everyone is equal. Come, you look as if you need rest."

Nehemiah began to lead us and slowly the crowd parted. I noticed that there was one large central hut—it stood out from the rest. This was the one that Nehemiah took us to. Inside were comfortable looking beds that were raised with stone and furnished with many sheets, a window that looked towards the setting sun and a stone floor—a far cry from the dirt ground of the other hut. This was obviously a place for someone important. For some reason, these villagers thought me 'important'. Sure, I feel quite important on my own, but it was quite odd for others to agree so readily. It wasn't as if I'd made a case for it. But I was not one to turn down hospitality (at least not anymore). Aside from that, the tiredness was just now becoming something I needed to address quickly or else risk collapsing outright—perhaps it was the sight of the beds. I didn't need much provocation to make myself comfortable.

I should have wrangled a bit more information out of Nehemiah, but at the moment I did not feel like it. I fell into bed, slid under the covers, and began to dream.

A woman appeared before me. She seemed to be made purely of light. She wore what appeared to be in the shape of a sleeveless dress which revealed a slim bodice and draped down to her feet. Her hands seemed adorned with a lacey fingerless gloves and she wore her hair freely, some she wore over her shoulders and the rest flowed down to her tailbone. I could make out a nose and a mouth, but her eyes were a mystery.

"Tell me what you want, Vegeta. Ask and you will receive."

"Who are you?" I asked at once.

"You know who I am," she said steadily.

"Angela?" I said in questioning tones.

She nodded and then smiled. "I have chosen you to 'See' me. You live by your instincts and it allows you to be decisive. Only a decisive person can make the best of such a broad question."

I knew who this woman was, but I could not pinpoint why this was the case. "You would really give me anything I ask for?" I was testing the waters before blurting things out. It was a bit like being in the presence of Shenron, but without any beforehand decisions. I had to be careful—I knew that much. 'Anything' could be just as much a trap as a viable solution to my problems.

"I would give, do, anything that you request."

"What if," I began slowly, "I asked for my abilities back?"

"Of course you would start there. That is something that goes against the natural law of the land. To go against it would require much of my strength and I would require something in return."

"And what would that be?"

"It would require that you take a life, many lives. I have determined that this is a fair trade for my troubles. You understand that the death of a person is just as frowned upon as cheating the natural law."

"Kill someone…" I wondered if I'd be able to do such a thing. Perhaps not at this moment, but if I was desperate enough…

"It would be no problem for a Saiyan. Even in your weakened state, you are far more powerful than those who reside on this planet. But your conscience stays your hand."

"This, what is happening now—you do this to others as well? Ask them what they want?"

"Yes, these people are called Seers. You can make more than one request; you can make as many as you would like. I come to most in dreams."

"That time before when I was able to use my powers again, but briefly—what was the price for her?"

"She asked for five minutes—a far more doable request. It was only one life I required, but, as you know, more than one was taken. She needed you to kill at least one person to keep her side of the trade and you went above and beyond."

I nodded slowly to this. "And for an indefinite time?"

"Let's say that quite a few villages would not exist anymore."

"I've been managing well enough on my own," I said finally after a pause, "That isn't a necessity at the moment."

Having my powers back was one thing I wanted, but I realized that it should be considered a luxury for now. There was something else I wanted that would strategically be a better call.

"This land changes a lot. It's impossible to make a map of it. What would it cost to always have detailed knowledge about the land, when it changes, where everything is?"

"Ah, I see you are learning and far quicker than the others. Knowledge is a powerful thing whose cost is not steep. This I can give you effortlessly—in fact, it is something that you already have, but it is hidden in your subconscious. I will bring it to the forefront of your mind and it would be as if it has always been there."

She still hadn't told me what the price was. She was purposefully withholding it at the moment. The entity stepped closer to me, but I stood my ground. Despite not knowing her completely, she did not evoke any fear from me.

"We oversee the living of this world and yet we remain woefully separate from it. Our only contact is through the chosen Seers and only in environments such as these since true, physical eyes cannot behold us. I desire physical contact from one such as you."

"Is that the price then?" I asked a bit confused. It seemed deceptively simple.

She stepped even closer still. I could make out the shape of her eyes, but that was all. "Awake," she whispered, "Follow my voice."

Just like that I was awake in a darkened hut. I didn't wait to see if Sharon was there as well instead I was more concerned about a minute sound—Angela's voice. I climbed out of bed and followed it out of the hut, out of the village and into the surrounding woods. My eyes were beginning to fully readjust to the pitch blackness of the night, but then they were bombarded with the stinging rays of light. It was as if I was too close to the sun.

I strained to see what I suspected was Angela. Only her outlines could be discerned. She approached me steadily. One of her hands reached out to me and then she was holding my shoulder. Her touch felt warm and steadily becoming warmer similar to a light bulb.

"S-Saiyan," she said in a wavering voice.

Was she crying? Her features were clearer now. I could not discern color, but everything else had structure now—her almond shaped eyes, her small, straight nose, and small, but plump lips.

"When you look me in the eyes like this…"

Her face was closer to mine and her other hand ran slowly down the side of my face leaving almost a searing trail behind. I might have stopped her if I wasn't so much in a daze. The hand on my shoulder was just becoming unbearable. Finally, she stepped away. My eyes were watering—no matter how hard I blinked my eyes, I could not dry them. I wanted to turn away, but she was too…captivating.

"Thank you, Vegeta…thank you. Only one of such strength can gaze upon me. I have not met another who could do the same. I shall return you to your hut. You may need some time to regain your sight."

In a snap, the brightness turned to darkness. I knew that I was in darkness, but for the longest time all I could see was white. I was in my bed again. I sat up and continued to look about waiting for my normal sight to return. Slowly, very slowly, the edges of my vision began to come back. Since my bed was against the wall, I leaned up against this as I patiently waited. The stinging sensation in my eyes intensified before beginning to ease off in an agonizingly slow fashion. At the very least, my eyes had stopped watering.

I'm not sure if I fell asleep or not, but I was startled nonetheless many hours later by a shrill scream from Sharon. I could only make out the edges of her form. It wasn't dark anymore, I could tell. It was day time and the world was bright again. The stinging sensation came back with a vengeance when I tried to focus a bit more on her.

"Vegeta, your eyes are bleeding! Why are your eyes bleeding?!" cried an astonished Sharon.

Blood? Had it been blood the whole time instead of water? I touched my face and felt dry, peeling substance—that was definitely blood. Tears of any kind didn't end up like that.

"Calm down, Sharon, everything will be alright."

Normally, I hated saying such things if I didn't know if everything would be fine, but I did not want to deal with an anxious Sharon.

"What happened? Is it from the previous injuries? Did they forget to fix something?" Sharon asked.

"No," I said shaking his head. "Something happened last night—it's a long story," he said taking a deep breath.

"Tell me," Sharon practically demanded.

I decided I would and quickly went over the events of last night.

"You looked upon Angela?" a new voice said.

"Nehemiah," Sharon said a little startled. Obviously, he'd just walked in though I missed his quiet footsteps.

"I came when I heard the scream. Vegeta, if what you say was true, I cannot believe you are sitting here. Even a moment's gaze upon one of them will destroy someone's eyesight and you say you looked at her for much longer and within very close vicinity—most would have disintegrated from the heat. And yet…"

I heard his footsteps come a little closer and I felt the wind generated from his hand palm waving in my face. I resisted the urge to deflect or otherwise break his wrist in response. I could make out his hand only faintly.

"How well can you see?" Nehemiah asked in subtle amazed tones.

"Everything is…very hazy."

"Vegeta…" Sharon squeaked.

"But it's slowly coming back, don't worry."

"Who says you'll regain your eyesight?" Sharon asked.

"Angela herself," Vegeta reassured her.

"Oh—Angela, herself," Sharon said haughtily, "The same person who left you in this condition to begin with."

"Look, Sharon, I know my way around here—we don't ever have to be lost again. I think it's a small price to pay." I closed my eyes. The stinging pain was becoming unbearable the more I tried to focus in on things—and it was almost impossible to not try to do when everything was so unclear. "Just give me some time."

"Fine," she said with a huff. "I suppose there's nothing more we can do."

She went back and plopped herself on her bed. Nehemiah was still standing there, probably looking at me. I sensed that he had a burning question.

"What is it?" I asked.

"You really looked at her," he said in amazement. "What did she look like?"

"Like a woman, like a normal woman." I knew he wanted more details even before he asked. "I couldn't see colors—it was all too bright."

"Was she short, tall, medium?"

I sighed exasperatedly. One of the things I found most annoying was describing a person's physical appearance to another especially if that person was a woman. It felt a bit…demeaning. "Tall," I bit out. In fact, she was nearly a head taller than me.

"What kind of a hair?" he pressed.

"Nehemiah," Sharon said. I was grateful for the intrusion. "Leave him be, alright?

"Alright," he said relenting. "I see the experience was somewhat personal."

Personal? I wanted to correct him, but I realized that I did not have a better description for it. I simply did not feel as if it was my place to describe in detail what had taken place upon seeing her. The worrisome man left and I was left with only Sharon for company.

"Do you really know where everything is?" Sharon finally asked after a few silent minutes passed.

"I do."

"But how does that even work?"

I was really in no mood for explaining things, but I decided I'd do it anyway if it gave her some peace of mind. Something told me she was still anxious. "Think of your hometown. Think of all the streets, places, landmarks. If you were to go there, you would know where everything is in an instant, like second nature. This world now is my 'hometown'. It's as if I've grown up here. It is knowledge that I've felt I've known for so long that it is impossible to forget. I simply know."

"I think I understand. That must feel so weird. Having it dropped into your mind like that."

"It feels natural."

"But at the same time, it isn't. I mean, just a few hours ago, we were completely clueless about where we were and now…"

"That is strange to think about," I admitted, "but now that I know, it feels as if I always have."

I knew that she had more questions and it was becoming harder and harder to curb my growing annoyance. I didn't want to snap at her so I took another deep breath.

"So you can ask for anything as long as you're willing to pay the price. Does she come to you every time you sleep now?"

"I have no idea."

"Is that the only way you can get in contact with her?"

"She made it seem as if there were other ways. As long as it's in an environment in which I am not physically there," I said successfully willing my tone to remain even.

"And you don't really know the price of things until she tells you?"

"Seemed as if she came up with some of them on the spot—probably according to the person at least for the smaller requests." It was amazing how much more patience I had these days.

"Does—

"No more questions," I said simply.

"You can't really be cutting me off now—I have so much more to ask and we're not doing anything! It's the perfect time."

I said nothing more to her, hoping she would get the message. Oh the days when people were actually afraid of me…it was at moments like these when I missed them the most. Humoring people was a rare event for me and she was just beginning to push it.

"Alright, we'll just sit here and do nothing."

The time passed slowly, but I was glad when Sharon finally left. I could breathe a sigh of relief. There was only one person I could spend an extended amount of time with without struggling to calm my temper and Sharon did not remind me at all of that person. For her, I would save the world ten times over just to keep her safe.

I was glad that she was not part of this. It was one less thing to worry about. In fact, it was comforting thinking about how safe she was on Earth. I planned to keep it that way. With the knowledge I had now, that goal seemed even more plausible.

Around midday, I deemed my sight good enough. I didn't want our leaving to be some big grand thing which I feared it might be. I sought out Sharon and whisked her away from the village. After a brief goodbye to Nehemiah, we were on our way once again.

We hadn't gotten far before running into Veil. She was exactly as I remembered her to be; long, vibrant red hair and faded green eyes. Hadn't seen her in a long while. Not after I threatened to kill her.

"The goddesses really are a hard bunch to read. Making you of all people a Seer? Ziggurat would have been a better choice, don't you think?"

"There isn't much that gets past you," I commented with crossed arms. "It's as if you've been watching me the whole time."

"Watching you? I have better things to do with my time. In fact, I'm very short on time, but I could not sit by and watch you idiots get further and further into danger. I suppose I won't have to waste my precious powers making the way easy for you Seer. Go to the City of Oddities. Sephiroth and his companion has already there."

"His companion?"

Veil began to smirk. There was obviously something she was not telling me…again. "You'll see when you get there."

Before I could wring her neck, she disappeared. Sharon was already looking at me questioningly.

"That was Veil Publius. The asshat who brought me and the others here. I wouldn't be surprised if she brought you here too. Who knows what that woman is thinking all the time? We have our heading, though. Let's get moving."


It took around two days of walking to get there. I had taken the quickest route deciding that food and water could wait until we got to the city which would have it in abundance. We presented ourselves at the gate and eventually they let us in after a thorough search of our persons—we had nothing to hide anyway though I could not resist glaring at them the whole time for the intrusion of space. I had to take a very deep breath before I bashed them both in the head. The guards struggled to keep their authoritative composure the more they met my gaze. In the end, they shrank away like little ants as we entered.

A stooped old lady greeted us proclaiming that we'd reached the before mentioned city. Her smile seemed a bit forced however, when it came to Sharon.

"Another one," the old woman gaped.

It took me a moment to realize she was referring to Sharon. I shrugged nonchalantly, unconcerned with the woman's apparent disapproval. "Just show us the way, woman."

It was probably my tone which sent the woman scurrying off down the sidewalk. Sharon and I followed along until we came to some grand looking condominiums. The old woman passed me the key, but something stopped me in my tracks as I stood before the door. Bulma. I could sense her straight away. I pushed and twisted the key in quickly so that I could see what was behind the door. It couldn't be her…

As soon as I walked in and closed the door behind me after Sharon followed in suit, I saw Bulma emerge from the kitchen along with the distinct smell of burning. I didn't care about the acrid smell. My vision became tunnel as I beheld her after what felt like a lifetime in some other unknown land. I hadn't realized how much I missed her until that moment. I didn't know it was possible for my heart to be aching in anticipation of touching her once again, kissing her once again. Was it possible for me to have become this soft, this ruled by my emotions?—I didn't feel like chiding myself or somehow regaining some semblance of composure. Besides, it was only Sharon there to see.

Wordlessly, we came together and I was kissing her deeply as if it was the first time I'd seen such a beautiful woman in my life. She had her arms carelessly wrapped around me and my arms firmly around her petite waist; she was enraptured—lust and love seeping into one.

I half-acknowledged the door opening again. It hadn't so much as registered in my mind. I subconsciously knew it was Sephiroth—he was easy enough to sense. But I didn't care in the end. It was far too late for privacy anyhow.