"What do you want?" Piccolo growled, glaring at the three women who stood before him.
"To restore the natural order to this world," the middle-aged woman answered. She was beautiful with long, raven hair that fell in waves to her waist. She wore a long, simple red dress that flowed in the gentle breeze.
Piccolo narrowed his eyes. "More of that nonsense. We heard enough of that from Sigourney's minions."
The woman shook her head slowly, her dark eyes warm and understanding. "No. Sigourney tried to destroy this world and its people, to force them back to the Old Ways. She upset the natural balance and took life from those who were not ready to leave this world." Her eyes fell on Gohan's body and she frowned slightly. "The people must return to us of their own choosing."
"Return to you? Who are you?" Leelee asked.
The woman smiled. "We are the Fates. We go by many names, but most commonly I am referred to as Verdandi."
"You may call me Urdh," the young woman added. Her hair was the same as Verdandi's, but it was a shimmering blonde and her dress was white instead of red.
"I am Skuld," said the old woman, whose hair and dress also matched the other women, but her hair was silver and her dress was black. She slid her boney, wrinkled hand into a pocket and withdrew a long, golden thread and handed it to Urdh. "This came to me far too soon," she said sadly. "Perhaps you would like to give it back?"
Urdh smiled and accepted the thread from the crone and ran it through her fingers. Her bare feet carried her soundlessly across the grass. Piccolo and Vegeta tensed as she passed them, but her eyes were on someone else. She stopped and knelt next to Lindsey and Goku, both of whom looked up at her with blood-shot eyes.
"This thread was not cut by our hands," Urdh said softly, displaying it on the palm of her hand.
"C-Cut?" Lindsey hiccupped, wiping her eyes.
Urdh shook her head. "This was not his destiny." She looked down at Gohan and brushed a few stray pieces of hair from his forehead. "Such a handsome young man."
"Don't touch him," Goku growled, still uncertain of this strange new woman.
Urdh met Goku's eyes with her deep blue ones. "I know you're hurting," she said. "I do not come to cause you any more grief." She lifted the golden thread with her fingers and laid it across Gohan's chest. For a moment, it sat on the front of his shirt, then it began to fade as though it was absorbing into his chest. "Wake up, dear," she said softly.
Gohan's shoulders lifted suddenly from the ground as he sucked in a lungful of air. His eyes snapped open and he looked around, bewildered.
"GOHAN!" Goku exclaimed, grabbing his son and pulling him into a bone-crushing hug.
Gohan coughed and squeezed his dad for a second. "Ow, my neck."
Lindsey was staring in shock, her brilliant green eyes dancing. "Oh, Gohan!" she cried and shoved Goku away to throw herself into Gohan's arms.
"Have you been crying again?" Gohan asked. "Jeez, Lins, you big cry baby."
She was sobbing again, hugging him as tightly as she could, feeling the warmth coming back into his body and relishing the feel of his chest rising and falling against hers as he breathed.
Urdh stood again and smiled down at them. Goku got to his feet and took the young woman's hands in his own. "Thank you," he said earnestly. "Thank you for giving me back my son."
She continued to smile. "We did not take him. We are simply setting things right."
"Thank you anyway," Goku answered. He couldn't express enough to her how much it meant to him.
"You are most welcome," she finally said kindly. Her soft fingers slipped from his grip and she turned to walk back to the cliff.
Lindsey suddenly launched herself away from Gohan, running towards the Fate, and dropped to her knees in front of the young woman. "Thank you. Thank you so much. A million times over, thank you."
Urdh smiled again and nodded.
"How can I ever repay you?" Lindsey asked, staring up at the beautiful Fate.
Urdh took Lindsey's chin in her hand and looked deep into her eyes. "Keep the Old Ways, just as your grandmother did. Honor nature. Attune yourself with the cycles of the Moon and Earth. Kiss your right hand to us and we will watch over you always."
Lindsey nodded and Urdh let her chin slip from her hand as she continued to walk slowly back to the cliff.
Lindsey stood and Gohan stepped beside her. "You done crying yet?" he teased.
"Well excuse me if I thought my whole world was ending," she sniffled.
Gohan smiled at her. "I love you, you silly girl."
She threw herself against his chest again and buried her face in his shirt.
Verdandi had approached Leelee, who was still eyeing the Fate warily.
"You have nothing to fear from me," Verdandi said and reached out to touch Leelee's head lightly.
Leelee felt the pain in her head fade and the blood on the back of her head vanished. But Verdandi didn't remove her hand. She studied Leelee for a moment. "You have a great talent in you. Always trust your instincts. You are a true Seer. You were right when you had your vision. Don't waste yourself, my dear."
Leelee nodded, staring in awe at the woman. "Yes, ma'am."
Verdandi threw her head back and laughed. "Ma'am. Oh, this young generation."
Leelee was puzzled, but kept her lips shut. She thought she was being polite, but she was afraid of offending the Fate now.
Verdandi walked amongst the group, holding their hands briefly or touching their shoulders, their wounds healing instantly at her soft touch.
"I'm fine," Vegeta said when she approached him.
"Oh young Prince," she smiled. "There is no need for pride here. I have seen your heart and I know your story." She lowered her voice and spoke softly, "You are doing well, building a new life for yourself. But not everything that has been done here today can be undone. You must remain strong to keep that which you have worked so hard to attain."
Vegeta cocked an eyebrow questioningly.
She fixed him with dark, knowing eyes. "You will see in due time and you will remember my words." She touched his shoulder softly and a warmth spread from her fingertips throughout his whole body, healing the bruises the fight with Piccolo had left.
Urdh had stepped to the very edge of the cliff, her back to the group of fighters, and spread her arms wide to the sky above. She spoke in a big, commanding voice in a language they didn't recognize. As she spoke, the waters from the flooding began to recede and the ground firmed beneath their feet.
"What's she doing?" Seventeen asked as he watched.
"She's fixing the damage Sigourney did," Leelee answered as she watched the Fate work.
Soon she lowered her arms and turned to face them again, smiling. "It's done."
Verdandi nodded. "Now, there is one more matter to attend to." She paused and scanned her eyes over the group. "Jennifer, Piccolo, I need to speak to you for a moment." Jenny started forward, but Verdandi held up her hand. "JUST the two of you."
Jenny hesitantly handed Paige to Vegeta, then took Piccolo's hand and walked cautiously up to the Fates.
Verdandi smiled warmly at them again. Wordlessly, she took Jenny's left hand and placed it into Piccolo's left hand. She withdrew a long, silver cord from her pocket and wrapped one end three times around Jenny's wrist and the other end three times around Piccolo's wrist.
Urdh stepped a little closer and tied the two ends together in a knot. "Past," she said.
Verdandi tied a second knot. "Present."
Skuld, the old crone who thus far had simply watched the goings on, tied a third knot. "Future."
"Your lives are too entwined to be separated now," Verdandi spoke quietly. "Your hearts, your souls, are bound together now and forever. It was believed in ancient times that the elements bring with them special gifts. Today we bless this marriage with those gifts."
Jenny's eyes snapped wide. Marriage? Did she just say marriage? But Piccolo hadn't even asked her! They hadn't talked about it at all. She had always dreamed of a big, fancy wedding as a child, but with Piccolo, she wasn't sure how he felt about marriage and had never really pictured him wanting the big, traditional weddings she was accustomed to. She looked up at him and he smiled at her, a calming look in his eyes. They were already bonded for life as far as he was concerned. If the Fates were going to bless that bond, far be it from him to protest.
"From the North comes earth, a solid foundation to build your love upon. From the East comes air, the gift of communication and wisdom. From the South comes fire, the spark of passion and a warm, welcoming hearth. From the West comes water, the sharing of emotions that flow as the river of life. Always remember these gifts that we have bestowed upon you and your union. Blessed be."
As Jenny and Piccolo watched, the silver cord around their wrists began to glow, then seemed to melt into their arms, disappearing. As the last of the cord faded, silver rings appeared on each of their hands – Piccolo's a wide band with thin, slanting script. Jenny's had two rings – one had raised, Celtic knot work that encapsulated a perfect, white pearl inside. The second band looked like Piccolo's, only with a thinner band. She looked at the inscription and read aloud, "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine." A quick glance at Piccolo's revealed his said the same.
She looked up at him, butterflies erupting in her stomach for some unknown reason. She wasn't sure what to expect, but he suddenly smiled at her and grabbed her face with both hands and covered her mouth with a kiss so passionate it made her knees go weak.
"Oh my god, Piccolo's married," Gohan breathed.
"Never thought I'd see the day," Goku laughed.
Catie was standing off to the side, wanting to be happy for Jenny, but so miserable with herself that all she could do was force a smile and look uncomfortable.
Skuld looked at her and carefully walked across the grass to look into the young woman's face. Her silver eyes bored deep into Catie's dark green ones. She reached out and took Catie's hand in her own wrinkled, old hand. "Change is coming for you, my dear," she said softly. "But know this – only you can decide your future. Everything you know and love will be questioned, the things you thought were solid will be tested and challenged. It is up to you how you will weather this storm."
Catie's eyes watered with tears as she looked up and glanced at Trunks, who was looking as miserable as she felt. She blinked slowly, then looked to Lindsey who narrowed her eyes and turned away. Catie's mouth felt dry as she asked, "Why?"
"Life grows stagnant without change," Skuld answered simply. "This is but your turn to be put through the fire, to grow and learn." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "That is the reason you are here. That is the secret of life – to learn the lessons this lifetime gives you and to grow from them. The soul cannot be complete without learning these lessons. If you do not learn the lesson of this life, you shall have to repeat them in the next. Watch your words and actions carefully. Your great test is coming."
"What lesson am I supposed to learn?" Catie asked, her voice quiet like the old woman's.
Skuld smiled sadly. "That is for you to find out on your own."
Catie was confused. She didn't believe in the "Old Ways." It made her think of Paganism, something she'd been taught was wrong, evil even. She'd always been strong in her Christian faith. Yet she couldn't deny that the Fates were here; she could see them, touch them. And she used magick herself, even if she hadn't realized it until this point. Her mind was already full to bursting, and now she felt like it could absolutely explode.
"All paths lead to the Divine," Skuld answered, as if reading Catie's thoughts. "Everyone must simply choose the path that is right for them. Do not question your faith. It will lead you to the same ends."
Catie swallowed and nodded, letting the old woman's hand slip from her own. She watched the old woman walk back to the cliff and wrapped her arms around herself, rolling the Fate's words around in her head. Her stomach twisted into knots. She didn't like the sounds of this at all.
"You all have a great challenge coming for you," Skuld announced, drawing everyone's attention to the old crone.
"What do you mean?" Goku asked.
"This battle is won, but the war is still not over," Skuld said. "Do not forget, not everyone Sigourney commanded has been defeated. They will return to this world and will want revenge once they learn of Sigourney's fall."
"Can't you stop them?" Trunks asked.
Urdh shook her head. "That is not how we work. Normally, we wouldn't even get involved, much less interfere, with the wars of mortals. But Sigourney upset the balance so drastically, we had to step in."
Sabriena seemed to be warring with herself, wanting to speak up, but afraid at the same time. Finally she blurted out, "Can you save Tumbler the way you did Gohan?"
A small smile crossed Urdh's features again. "It has already been done. Your home is restored and all those who died before their time have been returned."
Sabriena let out a quivering breath and said, "Thank you."
Urdh seemed amused by the thanks she was receiving.
"How much time do we have before they return?" Piccolo asked.
Urdh and Verdandi looked at Skuld, who was considering the tall Namek before her. "One to three years, I would say," she answered. "The future is a very tricky thing, you see. You can be heading down one path and all it takes is one tiny pebble to trip you up, and you can find yourself on a completely different course. The future is ever changing, it is not set in stone. That is why you have free will and that is why you must face challenges. You set the course for your future, you determine what you will learn in the tests you face in this life."
"That is why we cannot undo everything that has been done here today," Urdh said, fixing Trunks with a knowing eye. "We only came to restore balance."
"We must leave you now," Verdandi said. "We bid you farewell."
"Wait!" Catie said, but the Fates simply faded from view.
Jenny took Paige from Vegeta. "Thanks, for everything today."
Vegeta nodded. "Don't mention it."
Leelee squealed and threw her arms around Jenny. "I'm so happy for you!"
Jenny blushed. She turned and looked up at Piccolo. "Are you… I mean… Is this what you wanted?"
"Ever since the moment I realized I love you," he answered.
Jenny beamed.
"Notice he didn't say 'met you'," Sabriena teased.
Jenny giggled. Piccolo hadn't liked her much when they first met.
"Ruin the moment, Subbie," Lindsey chastised.
Sabriena shrugged and stretched. "I am soooo tired."
"You're not the only one," Gohan agreed. He yawned so deeply it made his eyes water. "You going straight home or you gonna hang out here for awhile?"
"I'd like to get some sleep first," Sabriena admitted.
"You can crash at our house for the night… or day… whatever it is," Gohan laughed. He looked to Lindsey. "Right?"
She nodded. "You haven't seen the house yet!"
"Sweeeeeet," Sabriena drawled. "You got a guest room, right? Sleeping on a couch sucks."
Gohan laughed again. "Yeah, there's a room for you."
"Catie, I…" Trunks started.
She met him with a fierce gaze.
"I'm so sorry," he said.
She pressed her lips together in a firm line, Skuld's warning echoing in her brain. "Look, we're both worn out and tired. Let's get some rest before we talk about this."
Trunks nodded, thinking that he wouldn't be able to sleep at all with the thoughts he had in his head. The worry of Catie's reaction, how she would handle just the part she knew about, was enough to make him stay awake for days on end. But he couldn't see the sense in arguing with her about it now.
"I'm just glad I don't have to give bad news to your mother!" Goku laughed, clapping Gohan on the back.
Gohan's eyes went wide. "Can't say I blame you."
"Gohan?"
Gohan turned at the sound of his name and blinked at Catie who was looking incredibly nervous.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"I'm so sorry," she sniffled.
"You don't have to be sorry," he answered. "I'm okay."
"But if the Fates hadn't intervened…"
"But they did," he said.
"But what if they hadn't? I would've ruined everything."
"But they did," he repeated. "Don't worry about what-if. I'm here. I'm fine! Although my neck is a little sore." He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, wincing.
Relief was washing over Catie. "So you forgive me?"
"Of course!" he laughed.
"Lindsey?" Catie asked.
Lindsey pressed her lips together and turned away from Catie.
"Lins!" Gohan scolded.
She ignored him.
Catie's stomach dropped again and her shoulders slumped. "Okay," she said quietly and turned to walk away.
Gohan was looking back and forth between the two. He rounded on Lindsey. "What's the matter with you?"
"She killed you," Lindsey hissed back. "I'm with her – what if the Fates hadn't shown up? I'd be burying you today."
"But that's NOT how it turned out!" he insisted.
"But it could have," she argued. "And she didn't even consider that." Lindsey stopped to shake her head. "No. I will not forgive her that easily. Not for her trying to take you away from me."
"You make it sound like she did it on purpose," he accused.
Lindsey shrugged.
"Lindsey!"
She looked away from him and said nothing more.
"Let's get going," Vegeta said. "I'm ready to get out of here."
Catie nodded and walked towards Vegeta, Trunks dragging his feet behind her.
"Wait! Shouldn't we celebrate?" Goku asked.
"Not today," Piccolo answered. "Maybe in a few days we can get together."
"I'll barbeque for you all, if you want," Lindsey offered.
"Awesome!" Goku cried enthusiastically.
"Sounds like a plan," Jenny grinned, snuggling Paige again, who was staring bright-eyed at her mommy.
"Where are you all going?" Lindsey asked Leelee and Seventeen.
"I still have my apartment in West City," Seventeen answered. "We'll stay there." He turned to Jenny. "Is it okay if we wait and come get our clothes and stuff from the Lookout tomorrow? I really just want to go to bed."
She nodded. "Sure."
"You're keeping that corset, right?" Seventeen asked, grinning mischeviously.
"Oh yeah," Leelee answered sarcastically. "I'm gonna get a riding crop to match."
Seventeen's eyes lit up. "You promise?"
"Oh my GOD, Seventeen," she hissed.
They all said their goodbyes and took to the air, thinking of nothing but hot showers and soft beds.
Author's Note: Inspiration and references for the Fates came from Z. Budapest's "Summoning the Fates." Excellent book. I highly recommend it. I hope I did the Fates justice here and that they are happy with my interpretation of them.
I also referenced the book "Handfasting" by Rev. Dr. Kendra Vaughan Hovey.
Just a few more chapters left! Then perhaps a new story? What do you all think?