It's been a semi-bumpy ride but we've come to the final chapter of this story! However, I know you all have several questions, ones I hope to answer in the next installment which I'm working on right this minute! It might take time but I really like the idea of continuing this story!
Until next time readers!
Disclaimer: DragonballZ, it's characters, settings, incarnations, etc., belong to its awesome creator, Akira Toriyama. All original characters, settings, etc., belong to me!
Chapter 20: Apprentice
"Why the hell do I have to serve tea!?"
Anya was masking her absolute fear of Beerus with her anger. It was a good mask but Kibito could see right through it.
"Because you are the apprentice. I am but a mere servant." Kibito explained. "It is how things are done."
"I am NOT serving that sonofa—"
"Anya-san!" Kibito gave her a glare. "You must remember…Beerus-sama can and will destroy you without a thought! You are also representing the Kaioshin! Your attitude will ultimately bring shame or respect towards your master!"
She paused, sighed.
"Sorry I—"
Kibito handed her the tray.
"It is better to serve your enemies with kindness than with fear and anger, Anya-san. It makes you the better person. Prove to Beerus-sama that you deserve the apprenticeship." He gave her a light smirk. "It will serve your ego well to show the kamis that you are not as they assume you to be."
She frowned. "Okay but…" Raising an eyebrow, she gestured to her horrible clothes. "Can I PLEASE change?"
"You cannot give back a gift from an angel, Anya-san…Now come, we must not keep them waiting." He gave her a mindful eye. "And watch your language!"
Sighing again she followed the guy out into the brightly lit courtyard of the main building. There the two kamis sat at a table, face to face with Elder Kai between them. Whis stood behind Beerus, ever the silent one.
"Finally…" Beerus yawned, leaning back in his chair. "Oi, Whis…food!"
"Hai, Beerus-sama." A tap of the staff and food appeared on the table.
Kibito gave Anya a light shove.
I guess this is kinda like serving at a bar…Anya had never truly been a server before. She always had a sturdy counter between her and drunk guests. Remembering it was just like serving one of those…difficult patrons, she kept her mouth shut.
Thankfully she was completely ignored, apparently having past the stupid test to begin with. She stood behind Shin as the kamis discussed well…her fate.
A burst of food came flying out of Beerus' mouth.
"Nani!? What!? How in the HELL did you let a mortal get some of your blood!? You freaking idiot!"
Shin was undeterred by Beerus' outburst, used to it apparently. Anya could clearly tell the two had a…strained relationship of sorts.
"Well…If you had of dealt with Majin Buu as you should have…None of this would have happened." Shin retorted. "It isn't MY job to deal with your messes."
Beerus growled.
"He has a point, Beerus-sama." Whis interjected. "You have been sleeping quite a long time…Events would not have occurred if you had personally dealt with that pink monster."
Beerus stood, pointed at Anya. "That doesn't excuse the fact that this BRAT of a mortal got a hold of kami blood!"
Anya tried to not glare, but it was hard. This son of a bitch is blaming ME!?
"Kaioshin-sama…" Whis stated. "Does anyone else know of these developments?"
Shin frowned. "Unfortunately, quite a bit…However…Once Anya-san takes her oath, no one would remember."
Beerus' jaw dropped. "She hasn't done even that!?" He smacked his head. "Why the hell am I stuck with a useless idiot!?"
"Because you tend to sleep more than do your job." Elder Kai berated, granting him a glare from the destruction god. "Anyway, we were just about to discuss Anya's options when you decided to show up."
A snort. A growl.
"Anya-san…" Whis regarded her directly. "Have you been informed of what will occur?"
"Yes…" Though she wanted to say every curse word in the book, Anya reminded herself to hold them back. "I can accept, Shin-er…Kaioshin-sama's offer…or be destroyed for the good of universal balance."
Whis stared right at her, instantly impressed. "And what have you decided?"
Beerus crossed his arms.
"She ain't—"
"I'll do it." Eyes were on her. "I'll take the Oath…"
Beerus had a look of utter defeat. It was obvious he hated Anya and frankly she didn't care.
"Then we have come at a most auspicious time, haven't we Beerus-sama?" Whis smiled. "It isn't everyday a Kaioshin takes on an apprentice."
The purple kami just crossed his arms, snorted.
"Oi, get on with it already…" In an instant he had become bored. Then he sported a smirk. "The minute you back down, I'm gonna-"
"I get the point." Anya eyed him back.
"Very well…" Elder Kai stated then produced the viewing orb. "Anya-san might need your help, Shin…Many people know of her…She is not ready to enact such a huge sweep." He looked at Anya. "Simply hold the orb and concentrate on Earth."
The orb floated towards Anya, who took it in her hands.
"Such an occasion deserves better scenery, ne?" Whis stated.
Now Anya found herself sitting underneath a tree in the vast peaceful space outside of the main building, the small crowd of gods and angels looking on. Sitting in front of her was Shin, waiting for her response.
She stared into the orb in silence, Earth visible in the small object.
"Anya-san, are you ready?" Shin asked.
She didn't speak, just nodded.
He understood her silence completely.
"It will be okay…I promise." He swore then placed his own hands atop hers. "Close your eyes…And say goodbye the life you once knew."
Anya closed her eyes; like a movie her memories flash by…Everyone she knew, cared for…She envisioned them and in her mind…she said goodbye to each and everyone one of them.
The orb glowed lightly, the pact between Kaioshin and apprentice complete. The glow soon dimmed.
"It is done." Elder Kai stated.
"Feh…I'm bored…" Beerus snorted. "Oi, Whis…"
"Hai, Beerus-sama." Whis gave a light bow towards Elder Kai. "Until next time…" Then he and the god of destruction were gone.
The moment they were gone, Anya opened her eyes, the orb dropping from her hands.
She didn't say a word, just stood and walked away towards her room in the main building. Entering, she collapsed onto the bed.
Anya cried herself to sleep.
As she dreamed, completely dead to the world around her, a shadowed form crept towards her. Hands covered her in the warmth of blankets, a hand resting on her head.
Well done…
Life on Earth ran its course, the populace enjoying their daily existence. Nightlife was as always a hustle and bustle of happy times and some broken dreams. In a bar in West City, patrons drank their fill, the bartender making quick work of their orders.
A patron entered said bar…his life in shambles. He had buried his wife not but two days ago. There was nothing else to do but drink the pain away.
He found a seat at the bar itself and waved for the bartender.
A drink was presented to him.
"I didn't order yet…" He frowned.
"I had a feeling you would like this one." The bartender gave a light smile, her bobble earrings giving off a light sparkle underneath the lights above. "Something tells me you've got a story to tell…"
"Doesn't everybody." He downed the drink in one gulp. "Just what I wanted…You're good…" The glass was filled again. "Life is so hard sometimes…"
"That's true…" She said, as she wiped the counter clean. "However, sometimes we need to let go of things before we grow." She leaned against the table top. "What's your name?"
The patron paused. He gave her his name, she smiled and held out a hand for him to shake.
"Name's Anya…I'll be your bartender for the night but…I'll also be the ear you need…" The two shook hands.
The patron couldn't understand it, but the moment their hands touched, he got a sense of peace…his heartache was practically gone; though it still lingered a bit the pain was much more bearable.
"Let me give you a piece of advice someone once told me…" Anya stared at him and he could swear her green eyes had an…otherworldly feel to them…almost as if…she was seeing through to his very soul.
"Don't cry because it ended…Smile…because it happened…"
The End…
Or…
Is it…?
Deep in the recesses of an unknown place, a forbidden place, a lone figure touched the orb in front of him. From day one he had watched her progress…
"You have done well…" He spoke to the image of Anya through the orb.
"She has, hasn't she?" Another voice was above him, this one smaller in height. The being hovered in the air, also glancing into the orb.
They watched as Anya returned to her home, the Kami plane…She was staring into the orb that showed the Earth. The Kaioshin approached her, she smiled.
My sister turned one today…She's pretty smart…
"Still a bit rough on her speech though…" The cherub being above the immortal retorted.
His companion nodded. "That can easily be rectified."
Shin…There's…Something I want to know…I don't know if you could help me but…
A smile from her master. What is it, Anya-san?
A pause.
For as long as I can remember, it's always been my mother and I…I've…never really known my father…
I see…It is very possible he doesn't remember you, Anya-san…
I know but…I would like to, at least…know his name…
That we can most certainly do…There is a being who knows everything. I am sure he will be able to guide you in the right direction. We will make a stop there before heading for the tournament.
Anya frowned. What tournament?
A groan from Kaioshin. Beerus and his brother, Champa, have decided to hold a tournament between our two universes…I have no doubt that Goku had something to do with this. It might be hard for you, but I believe it will be a good idea. You must remember...none of them will know who you are...to them, you are my apprentice.
I know...I guess it was going to happen some time or another...At least my mother won't be there. A frown. I...Don't think I'm ready for that yet...
"I've begun to tire of that particular Sayajin…" The being sighed. "He is quite the…irritating mortal…"
"You're just mad because he pummeled Anya to the ground that one time." His cherub counterpart stated.
A snort. "In her full strength she would have killed that insufferable mortal with a wave of her elegant hand…the other one too…"
It would be a good idea to locate your father…It will help bring closer. Shin stated. It might also answer questions you have.
Yeah…I'm certain it would…
"Well…what're you gonna do?" Cherub floated in front of the being's face. "It isn't time yet is it?"
"Trivial matters…" The being waved him off. "The time is approaching…" He smirked. "I would not be a good father if I were to not reward my daughter for completing such a hard task as becoming a kami…I suppose a hint or two would suffice…"
"You're such a good papa!" Cherub chuckled.
"I would think so…" A tanned hand lovingly touched the face of Anya on the orb. "Though I rather do despise her mortal appearance…I await the day her kami form is revealed…It will be glorious, of that I am certain." The orb dimmed and the being stood. "Come…We have much to accomplish in such a short time."
"Hai!" The winged cherub happily followed his master. "I can't wait to meet the little mistress!"
A smile. "I am sure you are bursting with excitement, aibou…however we must be patient…My daughter has yet to realize her true lineage…She will be the absolute representation of perfection…Then…I can finally, truly, rest in peace."
"What sort of title are you going to give her?" Cherub Aibou jumped up and down in the air. "Come on! I wanna know!"
A chuckle. "My friend…She is glorious light…Therefore…I shall give her a proper title and name…"
Doors creaked open and close.
"We must prepare…for the rise of fate…of the golden aura of light, of creation…My daughter…The Golden Kami…shall restore everything to what it once was…what it should be…"
He chuckled darkly.
"Those pathetic kamis…including Zen…have no idea what is coming…"