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Chapter 20: First Steps

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Caliwone and Captain Yamamoto reappeared in a cloud of blowing smoke, in front of some kind of castle with words written near the entrance. Caliwone, unable to read any Earth affiliated language, merely glanced briefly at them, then all around. That was when he noticed that the cloud of dirt and dust that had been flung around upon their arrival actually were clouds. It was a thin layer of cloud that hid the solid path beneath their feet, turning the path to the large castle into quite a remarkable journey.

Yamamoto released Caliwone's shoulder, who promptly took half a step away, and strode forward, his staff clicking on the ground below the clouds as he walked right up to the exceptionally large gateway. Lifting one hand to a button on the side of the gate, he pressed it. From inside the castle walls, the sound of a doorbell echoed grandly.

"That seems oddly inappropriate," Caliwone commented, placing both hands on his hips and looking dubiously at the door.

"Yeah, who is it?" came a voice from a speaker.

"Captain Yamamoto, first seat of Squad One of the Gotei Thirteen," he announced himself. "I have delivered the last of the Saiyans to you as requested."

"Oh, I see," the speakerphone said, sounding intrigued. "Very well done, General. I will have a messenger sent to come and collect him from you. Thank you for your service."

"It is a pleasure to serve," Yamamoto said gravely, and bowed slightly.

The speakerphone went dead.

Yamamoto turned, his dark eyes boring into Caliwone's with an intensity that Caliwone did not know humanity was capable of. If this man was even human. "Understand one thing, youngling," he said, his voice heavy with age and wisdom. "Here, you are being given an opportunity the likes of which are rarer than a Hell Butterfly on a calm summer's day."

Caliwone snorted. "Hn. Whatever that means." He looked out over the vast sea of cloud layer that spanned miles in almost every direction. Curious, he took a few steps to one side of gate.

"I would not do that," Yamamoto said as Caliwone walked past him. "All of this place is not grounded."

Caliwone scowled back at Yamamoto, but cautiously inched forward. He had been right. Not five feet past the gate, the solid walkway simply ended, dropping off to a void. He shivered once, sensing nothing whatsoever. "I know that some humans believe heaven is in the clouds," he said, doing his best to see through the clouds down.

"In some sense," Yamamoto said. "It is not literal."

"Hmm," Caliwone said for a response, moving to the other side of the hidden path. "What's down below?"

Yamamoto glanced over at Caliwone for a moment and said nothing.

Caliwone returned to Yamamoto and crossed his arms. Without warning, there was another disruption of the clouds behind Caliwone and a powerful energy signature accompanied it. Caliwone froze, the energy caressing his mind and paralyzing his body. His eyes widened even as Captain Yamamoto turned slightly to look back at the newcomer, nodding respectfully.

"Wow, he really is a Saiyan," the newcomer said. "I can't believe it!" Caliwone narrowed his eyes, the voice not fitting at all with power still emanating from the being. It was too...cheery. He turned finally to see the speaker. He was a man, his hair completely unkempt and standing nearly straight up with a slight forward arc. His eyes, dark like Caliwone's, opened as wide as his smile and open hand that waited for Caliwone to take it. He wore a bright orange fighter's outfit with a wide dark blue belt that matched his blue undershirt, wristbands, and boots that were all of Earth design.

Despite the Earth attire, Caliwone recognized him instantly. "Bardock?"

The man looked a little confused. "Huh? No, I'm Goku. Pleasure to meet you."

Before Caliwone had a chance to respond, Captain Yamamoto stepped forward. "You seemed to have everything under control here. I must return to the Seritei."

The man called Goku nodded. "Hey, thanks for everything, Captain. We owe you big time!"

"I do what is required of me," Yamamoto said. "But you are welcome." He vanished.

"Bye!" Goku said and waved at the spot where Yamamoto had just been. "Alright," he said then, slapping a hand down onto Caliwone's shoulder. Caliwone reflexively tried to pull away from it. The man's hand was like a vice even when he wasn't trying. "Let's go."

"Where are we goi-" Caliwone started to say, before he was jerked away. The feeling was much like having a hook buried in his stomach and yanked hard. Caliwone very suddenly became aware of what the meaning of the phrase 'butterflies in the stomach' meant.

"-ng?" The last of the word came out as they reappeared in reality. Caliwone took a couple steps back, off balance, then looked around cautiously. The first thing he noticed was that the energy in the air had returned, the effects ideal for someone like him, who expended a great deal of energy in combat. Even the ground seemed suited for fighting, hard for perfect footing but soft enough at the same time.

"So what do ya think, Caliwone?" Goku asked, breathing in the energized air. "Feels great, doesn't it"

"Where are we?"

"This is Other World," Goku said. "Come on. Let me show you around." Caliwone followed Goku, for lack of any other ideas, into what seemed to be a training area. Hundreds of fighters went about their training, some human-looking, many not. Equipment here that was being used by the warriors spanned centuries of differences. Ancient traditions here were combined with modern technology that could be found on Earth today. Some looking as though they greatly surpassed anything Caliwone had ever seen.

As they walked through the training area, many shouted out greetings to Goku. "Hey, Goku!"

"When are we going to spar?"

"I'm still training to beat you!"

One human man paused in his intense training and walked over to Goku and Caliwone. Caliwone cocked a critical eye at the blonde 'Goldie-locks' hair that bounced down the back of his neck, longer than Caliwone's own. If the hair was a source of criticism, it was the only one. He was tall, which would give him incredible reach in battle, and his body was perfect. Every muscle was chiseled out, rigidly defined in a way that only long training in extreme intensities could produce. He wore a white outfit with gold lining and a gold belt that held the whole outfit together.

"Hey, Ulibu!" Goku shouted excitedly when he saw the other approaching. "Caliwone, this is Ulibu. He lived on Earth long before I did. He still has legends on Earth about him. Hercules is probably the most the most famous of them."

"Goku," Ulibu said, smiling pleasantly. "Is this your new friend?"

"Sure is," Goku said over Caliwone's snort.

"Well," Ulibu said, lifting a hand to shake. "Welcome to Other World, friend."

Caliwone gave Goku a strange look. "Who are you people?"

Goku looked down at Caliwone from his tall height. "I'm Goku," he said again, his voice filled with childlike innocence. "And this is Ulibu. Did I forget to introduce you? Sorry."

There was a snort behind Caliwone, dry and amused. "Don't pay too much attention to that clown, Kakorate." Caliwone turned to see another man approach down a set of slight steps that lead to the recreational food and drink area. He wore an outfit similar to Caliwone's own, only of a thicker style and lacking the 'Supernatural' on the upper back. His hair was spiked almost straight up and tall in the way of royalty. He, like Goku and Ulibu, was extremely well trained physically, and but stood nearly a full head shorter than Goku.

"Kakorate?" Caliwone frowned. "That is a Saiyan name."

"Indeed it is," the new man said, finishing the steps between them. "As much as he hates to admit it at times."

"I don't reject my Saiyan heritage," Goku said. "But I was raised as an Earthling since I was a kid, remember? I just kept the name I was given."

The man snorted again, smiling. "Like a true Earthling indeed."

"That's right, Vegeta," Goku said, resting both of his hands behind his head casually.

Caliwone whirled around to look at the new guy. It couldn't be. Caliwone dropped to his knee in front of Vegeta, his right hand crossed in front of his chest to his right shoulder and left hand fisted and pulled back as his head bowed. "My Prince!"

Vegeta paused, looking down in some surprise at Caliwone kneeling before him. Despite this, he could feel his body settling almost unwillingly into the old customs. He had not been a part of the Royal chain long before Frieza had snatched him up at near the age of six, collateral to keep the Saiyan race in check to do his bidding, and even that had been thousands of years ago now.

"Rise to your feet, Caliwone," Vegeta said. "It is true that I have the royal blood, but those days are far past now. And besides, I am technically dead, and there my rights rescinded."

Caliwone stood but shook his head, still holding the solute. "Dead or not, my Prince, you are still of royal decent. My life is yours to command."

From behind Vegeta, Goku walked up and threw his arm around Vegeta's shoulder. "Ah come on, you guys," he said, entirely inappropriately loud. "What's with all this serious stuff?"

"Back off, clown," both Caliwone and Vegeta said together. Caliwone stepped between Vegeta and Goku warningly. "You do not insult the Prince in that manner, or you will have me to deal with in the future."

Goku tried real hard. He did. The laugh that burst from him shook his whole body until he fell over on his side. Caliwone, not amused in the slightest at this mockery, bared his teeth.

"Perhaps, Kakorate, you could show him what he must accomplish here," Vegeta said, smiling in amusement at Caliwone's threat.

"Vegeta," Goku said, sitting up on the ground and crossing his legs. "That's hardly fair. He wouldn't be able to defend himself."

"That's it," Caliwone snarled, leaping forward to attack.

"See what I mean?" Goku said, standing next to Vegeta. Caliwone turned, doing his best to not show his shock. He hadn't even seen Goku flicker when he had moved.

"Just show him, Kakorate," Vegeta said. He crossed his arms and walked toward the seating spaced around the main training area.

"Alright," Goku said motioning Caliwone to follow. The people training paused and moved out of the way to see Goku spar it out with the newcomer. "This is just going to be a spar," Goku said, stretching one shoulder. "I'll try and go easy on you."

Caliwone narrowed his eyes. With an explosion of energy, Caliwone transformed, fully powered, into a Super Saiyan. His ice-blue eyes fixed on Goku. Around him, he could hear chuckles at the weak amount of energy he was producing. Caliwone gritted his teeth, anger boiling his blood now.

"Okay," Goku said nodding. "Now power up to your maximum."

"This is my maximum," Caliwone said through gritted teeth.

"Oh," Goku said, looking disappointed.

As Goku set his stance to transform himself, Vegeta spoke up. "You may still have not realized this, Caliwone, but it was I who spoke with you through that annoying mutant from Earth. As I said then, you are a weak imitation of the real thing. See for yourself what a true Super Saiyan looks like."

Goku's energy blew up, nearly sending Caliwone flying backwards from its sheer force. Caliwone's brain seemed to go numb as Goku's energy over ran his senses. After a few moments, the light faded, though the over-powering energy remained. Goku's hair had spiked straight up, folding itself neatly upwards in gold coloring just like Caliwone's. His eyes, normally black, were as icy blue as his, though calmer and less angry.

If Caliwone had been a lesser person, his jaw would have been hanging on the ground in awe. Fortunately, Caliwone was much more aware of himself and pride-conscious. He was astounded by what was being displayed in front of him. That amount of energy was simply impossible, Caliwone's own strength meager even to himself. He could see now why the onlookers had laughed at his power. If this was the true level of Super Saiyan...

"Let me assure you," Vegeta said, unfazed by this display of power. "This is only the first level."

Caliwone nearly bit his tongue. "Levels?"

"Yes. By the time I left Earth for the final time, I had achieved four levels, each with a gap difference equal to or more than what you have just witnessed." Vegeta gave Caliwone a superior look. "And Kakorate is nearly as strong as I." There was another chuckle from the group, much disguised, as Vegeta threw a dangerous look around.

Caliwone lowered his hands from their ready position, giving up before he could even begin. There was no point. Goku, Kakorate, was a true Super Saiyan, indeed. A Saiyan of legend. "Did you bring me here just to shove this into my face?" he asked, losing his transformation in defeat.

"Very wise," Vegeta said approvingly. "A warrior must know when he cannot win. No, I have brought you here for one reason." Vegeta walked over to Caliwone. "The Lord of Worlds, King Kaio, has the ability to see things happening all across the Northern Galaxy and has seen a dark future heading for Earth. So he says, anyway." Vegeta gave a soft snort. "I have brought you here because you are Earth's best chance to save it."

Caliwone eyed Vegeta skeptically. "Perhaps you are misinformed, my Prince, but if I am dead, how am I supposed to do that?"

"Oh, you're not dead," Kakorate said, reverting back to his normal state. He walked over to Caliwone and Vegeta, indicating the gold ring floating above his and Vegeta's head and the empty space above Caliwone's. "Your body is still on Earth right now."

"What?" Caliwone asked, not really sure how he could be in two places at once.

"This is Other World," Vegeta attempted to explain. "For lack of any other word, only your soul can usually exist here."

"Okay…" Caliwone answered, deciding to take their word for it. "So what now, then?"

"Simple," Vegeta said. "You train under me."

Caliwone saluted again, holding back a grin. "Yes, my Prince."

Xavier removed his hands from Caliwone's head as he lay on the table next to Ms. Marvel. Here was yet another person that he could not seem to help, although he couldn't tell if it was because he was too far gone or if was merely his alien mind that kept him out from reaching Caliwone.

Hank McCoy walked into the lab, a very grim expression on his face.

Xavier glanced up, rubbing his temples. "I can't get through to him, Hank," he said gravely. "I don't know what happened to him or how to reverse it."

"Charles-" Hank began.

"Perhaps with Cerebro's enhancing features, I may be able to break through the barrier."

"Charles," Beast said, the force of the word finally breaking through Xavier's fog. "I think you need to see this."

Charles took in Beast's serious face, then followed Beast out of the lab and into the elevator that would bring them upstairs. "What's the matter, Hank?" he asked, refusing the temptation to reach into his friend's mind.

"I'd say Slade is putting his plan into motion," Beast said. The doors chimed open and they headed off to the main area. "Unless this is an amazing chance at coincidence."

"From what the Justice League has told me about Slade, whatever this emergency is, it is most likely by his doing." Charles and Beast walked into the room to see what remained of his student body sitting silently in front of the TV. Scott had his arms wrapped around his wife as she huddled there. Xi'an and Cypher sat together, silent in horror as were Bobby, Ray, and most of the remaining girls were all huddled together. For once, Bobby was completely silent. Xavier took this in, then focused his attention on the television.

On the screen, a very familiar purple dome was clearly visible standing high above the tree line and encompassing the Mayan pyramid. At the bottom of the screen, the words "Yucatan, Mexico" and "Has Apocalypse returned?"

Xavier covered his mouth in horror. "It can't be." Even as the news annalist ran their live coverage of the domes, explaining that the three other domes have appeared as well all across the world, Charles Xavier reached out his mind. Despite the great distance that separated the two, Apocalypse's presence could vaguely be detected. He looked over at Hank, Ororo, and Logan, standing by the window. The distress in his face was enough to tell them that Apocalypse had indeed returned.

Charles gave the other three instructors a look and headed out of the room. "Gather the students," Xavier said as the four of them left earshot of the students. "I will not have more deaths on my conscience. Tell them they will be transported back to their families right away."

Hank started. "You can't be serious, Charles."

"Chuck, you know what Apocalypse is gonna do if we stand by an' do nothin'."

"I don't know what he is planning this time," Xavier said. "But I do know that I cannot allow any more of my students to die."

Ororo and Logan exchanged a look. "Listen, Charles," Logan said, sighing. "I know what you're goin' through right now and I understand your fear for the students, but this isn't just about them anymore. If we don't stop him again, more people than just the students will be at risk."

"The Justice League will be able to stop them," Xavier said, sounding as though he were grasping at straws. "They weren't together last time."

"Charles," Logan said. "They don't know Apocalypse like we do. They could be helpful, but they can't do it on their own."

"And do you think our students are simply going to stand by?" Beast asked with a soft smile. "We have trained them better than that. They will all want to fight whether you are there to lead them or not."

"In which case, we will be there to fill the role," Storm declared strongly.

Charles put his face in his hands, struggling with himself. "Very well," he said at last. "Gather the teams and meet in the planning room."

Ororo put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We will make it through this, Charles."

Charles didn't look at Storm. "I hope so, Ororo."

To be continued...

Here we go. The plan unfolds next time on Dragon Sagas!

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