Author: "AUTHOR NOTE TIME! I can guarantee that you won't see the beginning of this chapter coming. I guara-freakin'-tee it. But it's important. Quite. Otherwise, you may notice that, like the previous chapter, this chapter, save for the Bonus Skit, has little to no comedy. These two chapters are meant to be serious, BUT not to worry. I can assure you that all the jokes, comedic remarks, and references you're used to will return in the next chapters! A'ight, I'm done. Read, review, follow, fave, do whatchu wanna do."

Lost Origin: A Saiyan's Quest

Mrs. Ikeda: "Hitomiiii! Can you come help me for a minute?"

Hitomi Ikeda: "Alright, mom, I'm coming! I'll be right... dad? Hey, dad, you look worried... is anything the matter?"

Mr. Ikeda: "... I have a strange feeling... a bad feeling, in fact..."

Hitomi: "What? What's going on, dad?"

Mr. Ikeda: "I'm not sure... but I think it has to do with Ninomiya..."

Hitomi: "Ninomiya... that's right, we haven't seen him in... god, so long... but, what do you think happened?"

Mr. Ikeda: "I hope not the worst..."

Chapter 37: All Hope's Never Lost

Magma flowed over Frostbitter's corpse, who had finally been defeated by Sakura on her Super Saiyan state. But Frostbitter did not go without leaving a scar, as he mercilessly murdered Ninomiya, while he tried to save Sakura. Not only that, but Sakura discovered that it was that same monster that took some of her family and friends away from her before she could even understand death. And to top it off, Frostbitter enjoyed pain, so there was no room for satisfaction from his defeat. Devastated by everything that was going on, Sakura stood on her knees, crying her heart out. As Sakura fought, Scorzette was aided by the lake's electric eels, healing her and making her conscious again through electrical shocks. Now healed, Scorzette and Andromeda ran towards their friend in need, knowing that Sakura was dying for a shoulder to cry on, as well as sustaining severe injuries.

Scorzette: *running towards Sakura* "Litua! Litua, you did it! You killed that monster!"

Andromeda: *running too* "Sakura! We're coming to help you!"

Sakura: *crying* "No... I can't... this is too much... help... please... help me..." *falls to the ground, still crying*

Scorzette: "Oh, no, Litua! Snap out of it!"

Sakura curled herself up on the spot, bringing her knees to her chest, and tightly hugging her tail with both arms just below her chin. Her eyes were wide open, with her pupils greatly contracted and shrunk, with occasional twitching. Her entire body was shaking, even jerking constantly, Sakura unable to control these motions. She was holding her teeth together, with her mouth giving an expression of absolute desperation. With these signs, there was no doubt about it - Sakura was going insane.

Andromeda: "SAKURA! Sakura, come on, don't do this to us!"

Sakura: "Ninomi-" *hyperventilates* "Nino-Ni-Ni-Ninomiya..." *hyperventilates* "He's dead... he's d-d-d-d-d-dead..." *hyperventilates* "My f-f-fam-f-family... they're dea-de-d-d-dead, t-t-t-to-t-too!" *still crying*

Scorzette: "Litua! LITUA! Pull yourself together!"

Sakura: "S-S-S-Scorz-Sc-Scorzette...? I'm-I'm-I'm con-c-confu-confused... help... help... I'm..." *hyperventilates* *begins weeping painfully* "It hu-hu-hurts... it al-all hur-h-h-h-hurts... I'm... I'm scared... I'm scared..." *weeps more*

Scorzette: "No, Litua... LITUA!" *lifts Sakura up by holding her shoulders* "Look at me, and listen. You're gonna make it. You are going to make it, Litua! You won the fight, it's over, there's no one else that's going to harm you now! Just..." *hugs Sakura tightly* "Just stay with me, OK?! We're gonna take you back, and everything's gonna be alright! I won't lose you, you hear me?! I won't allow it!"

Sakura: "S... Scorzette...? I..." *hugs back* *cries on Scorzette's shoulders*

Scorzette: "I'm sorry Ninomiya had to die like that, but it's not the end for you. I've lost my family, too, but look at me! I'm still standing here, as alive as I've ever been! You're a Saiyan, Litua, you're strong! I'll be here... just like you were there for me back on Earth."

Even though she was breaking down on Scorzette's shoulders, Sakura managed to regain her sanity, though her happiness was completely destroyed still. Scorzette's words gave the sorrowed Saiyan a sense of security, but all Sakura was able to do was cry until she could cry no more. Scorzette picked Sakura up and brought her back to Andromeda's ship, where she could have a bed to rest at.

Scorzette: "... how long is it going to take to repair the ship?"

Andromeda: "I set the ship in auto-repair mode. We should be able to get out of here in about five hours."

Scorzette: "Five hours... and then, what, 31 hours until we get back to Earth? Man... this is gonna be a long trip..."

Andromeda: "I'm sorry, you two, but there's nothing I can do to make it faster... While the ship repairs itself, I'll go ahead and fix the damage that has been done to the planet, as well as rebuilding both moons. Scorzette, whatever you do, don't leave Sakura alone. She needs a friend more than ever right now."

Scorzette: "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere." *looks back at Sakura, still crying* "Litua... be strong."

Andromeda went out of the ship and began fixing the colossal damage that the two outrageous warriors had caused. The air was filled with an aura of emptiness and depression. No one, not even the animals, could even fake a smile at the situation. Silence tormented our heroes, only able to hear the sound of rocks flying back and forth, plugging the holes of a haunting and unforgettable battle. Three hours passed, and Scorzette was still sitting on the bed Sakura laid down, giving company to the only Saiyan that she knew was still alive.

Sakura: "... he was such a good friend... he was the one that found me when I landed on Earth... he was always there for me when I felt down... he taught me how to deal with society, despite the fact that I was considered a weirdo... I miss you, Ninomiya..."

Scorzette: "..." *being there to listen to Sakura*

Sakura: "Scorzette... you probably don't care for this, right? I remember you hated him, because he cut your tail off that time... you two never got along... guess you don't have to worry about that now..."

Scorzette: "..." *sigh* "He wasn't the brightest... everything that he did, he did on impulse, never stopping to think about the consequences for a second. And yes, you could... kind of say that I hated him... but there's one thing even I have to admit. He dared cut my tail off, knowing that I could have killed him without even trying. He could have run back home when bad things started happening on your way to West City, but he stuck with you. Against all odds, he attacked Frostbitter, trying to save you... and got himself killed. Ninomiya might have been an air-head, but he had two things most humans don't have: courage and loyalty."

Sakura: *tears flow down from eyes* "... how... how am I going to explain this to the family...? I don't know if they'll be able to take it..."

Scorzette: "It has to be done... It's best that they find out from a sister, than if they find out from a stranger."

Two more hours passed, and just like Andromeda said, the ship was back on and ready for lift off. Just in time, too, as Andromeda had just finished rebuilding the second moon of the planet. She went directly to the ship's cockpit, set the destination to Earth, and turned on the auto-pilot mode. Exhausted from all that tough work, Andromeda went to the ship's dormitory, where everyone else was at. She told the Saiyans goodnight, and went off to sleep.

Sakura's (physical) wounds still bothered her, though not as much since Scorzette had covered them with bandages and similar items. Also exhausted from the battle that day, Sakura fell asleep, followed by Scorzette on the bed beside it. Finally, Ninomiya laid on the far-left bed, his chest completely covered in bloody cloths, now forever asleep.

For the next 30 hours, silence ruled over Andromeda's space ship. Not a word was heard, only the sounds of footsteps, occasional chewing of food, and continuous weeping. Finally, merely a few minutes from Earth, a voice was heard, which was Andromeda's notice of their proximity to their home planet. Scorzette looked over the window, and so did Sakura, though she was laying on her bed still. They could see the Earth, as blue and slightly green as they remembered it, getting ever so closer as each second passed. But just then, a vision was seen.

For a split second, Scorzette saw a planet behind the Earth, at least ten times bigger than it! It seemed to be much more colorful, ranging from light blue to dark red in some areas, but the vision was far too quick for the Saiyan to go into deep details. Scorzette rubbed her eyes and looked again, thinking she could re-vision the planet, but with no results. She became confused at this, but thought it was just a hallucination... until Sakura spoke.

Scorzette: "Whoa! What the..."

Sakura: "... you saw it, too..."

Scorzette: "What? Uh... yes...?"

Sakura: "Good... I'm not the only one, then..."

Scorzette: "... wait... what was... huh?!"

Far too confused by this, Scorzette thought it was best to ignore it. Soon after, Andromeda's ship entered the Earth's atmosphere, heading straight for Starflow Kingdom. Everyone in the kingdom was joyfully waiting for our heroes, unknowledgeable of the grim news that they were about to receive. As the ship landed and the engines turned off, the gate doors opened, and Andromeda walked out. She was greeted by her parents, as well as several of the castle's servants.

King Alfred: "Oh ho ho, Andromeda! It feels like we haven't seen you in weeks!"

But when she ACTUALLY leaves for weeks, it doesn't? Dat monarch logic...

Queen Margaret: "Welcome back, darling! How was the trip?"

Andromeda: *looking down* "Hey, dad... mom..."

King Alfred: "What's wrong, dear? You seem very upset..."

Andromeda: *sigh* *faces ship* "Guys, come on out."

From the gate doors came Sakura, who, thanks to her Saiyan biology and medical supplies, had been almost completely healed from her wounds. She was followed by Scorzette, who carried Ninomiya's corpse on her arms. At the simple sight of Ninomiya, everyone's mood changed from joyful to grim and silent.

Queen Margaret: "Oh... my... god... wh-what happened?!"

Andromeda: "We were attacked by this... Frostbitter guy. He didn't give us a warning of any sorts, he just came into the planet, talked to Sakura and Scorzette, and began fighting. Sakura managed to kill him, but... he didn't die at no cost."

King Alfred: "WHAT?! B-B-But are you OK, Andromeda?!"

Andromeda: "I'm fine, and so are Sakura and Scorzette... but we need to take Ninomiya back to Waterleaf Village. Now."

Without any hesitations, the king and queen ordered one of the servants to bring a high-speed vehicle. As soon as the servant came with the vehicle, Sakura, Scorzette, and Andromeda got on, with Ninomiya's corpse carefully put on the back seat. In half an hour, our heroes arrived Waterleaf Village, nervous of what the Ikedas' reactions would be.

Hitomi: "Is that... Sakura! Mom, dad, Sakura's back!"

Mrs. Ikeda: "Sakura?!" *rushes out* "Oh, Sakura! How we've missed you!"

Mr. Ikeda: "It's wonderful to have you back, Sakura."

Sakura: "Hey, everyone..."

Mr. Ikeda: "Hmmm... is anything the matter?"

Sakura: "... Scorzette, Andromeda..." *Scorzette and Andromeda walk in, with Ninomiya's body*

Mr. Ikeda: "Is that... no..."

Mrs. Ikeda: "NI-NI-NI-NINOMIYA?! HE'S... NO... NO... aaahhh..." *faints*

Hitomi: "This can't be... Sakura, what happened?!"

Everyone walked in the Ikeda residence, Scorzette carrying Ninomiya and Mr. Ikeda carrying his unconscious wife. Once everyone sat down, Sakura, with the help of Andromeda and Scorzette, told the Ikedas everything that happened on their trip to Planet Vegeta. As Sakura finished the story, there was a moment of silence - a long, nerve-wrecking silence. It all seemed lost, Andromeda was even about to tell everyone that she would give them all the money they needed for a great funeral. And then, an idea sparked in Hitomi's head.

Hitomi: "... wait... the Dragon Balls... the Dragon Balls!"

About damn time someone mentions the Dragon Balls on a Dragon Ball fan fiction...

Mr. Ikeda: "YES! How could I have forgotten about them?"

Sakura: "The... Dragon Balls? What're those?"

Mr. Ikeda: "Our salvation, Sakura. The Dragon Balls are a set of seven mystical balls, all containing a different number of stars inside them. Once all seven of them are gathered up, the Eternal Dragon can be summoned, and he will grant you one wish, regardless of what it is."

Hitomi: "If we gather all the Dragon Balls, we can wish Ninomiya back to life!"

Sakura: "We can..." *gasp* "So, Ninomiya isn't lost forever?! YES!" *bear hugs Hitomi* "HITOMI, YOU'RE A GENIUS!"

Scorzette: "There's such a thing in this planet? And to think I was going to sell it to a bunch of ugly space pirates..."

Andromeda: "Man, I can't believe we forgot about the Dragon Balls... I feel so foolish!"

Hitomi: "Thanks, Sakura... but... could you... please... let go... I can't... breathe...!"

Sakura: "Oh!" *lets go* "Sorry, I got carried away there for a sec. Tee-hee!"

Scorzette: "So, where do we find these 'Dragon Balls?'"

Mr. Ikeda: "The Dragon Balls are scattered all throughout the planet, completely at random. It is almost impossible to find them... unless with the help of a special device. I've heard that, when Goku and the Z-Fighters had to go looking for the Dragon Balls, they used a weird radar, called the Dragon Radar. Unfortunately, I do not know where you can get one..."

Andromeda: "Hmmm... isn't Bulma a friend of the Z-Fighters? Maybe she can help us!"

Sakura: "You're right! Guys, let's go to West City! Again!"

After the extreme emotional distress Sakura went through, things were finally starting to look up! It was time to begin a new journey, in search of the Dragon Balls to revive their fallen friend. What new adventures await our heroes in their new journey? What kind of obstacles await on their path? Find out next time on Lost Origin: A Saiyan's Quest!

To be continued...

Bonus Skit

After our heroes finished talking about the Dragon Balls, Mr. Ikedas couldn't help but notice Sakura's new friend, Scorzette.

Mr. Ikeda: "Excuse me, young lady."

Scorzette: "Hm? Yes?"

Mr. Ikeda: "I noticed that you posses a very similar monkey tail to Sakura's."

Scorzette: *wiggling tail* "Oh. This is a Saiyan tail. Just like Litua, I'm a Saiyan."

Mr. Ikeda: "Ah, I see. It's great to know that Sakura isn't alone in this universe."

Hitomi: "So, uh, Scorzette was it? How does that actually feel, to have a tail?"

Scorzette: "Well, it's kinda, like, if you had three arms. Just imagine that that third arm was on your waist. It comes in handy a lot, actually. Like, when your hands are full, and you need to grab something, you just wrap your tail around it. If your hands and legs were tied up, you could use your tail to free yourself. You also have to take care of it, though. If your tail gets injured, it's a little bit tricky to heal it. There's also the considerably rare, but existing, Tail Cancer. When you're taking a bath, it's very important to wash your tail thoroughly, because some bacteria could get stuck to the fur an-"

Villager #4: *slams face on window from outside* "GIVE ME YOUR FURRY BABIES!"

Scorzette: "... w... wh... what is... I-I don't even..."

Hitomi: "WELL... that escalated quickly."