Sorry for the delay, this has been the first time I have been able to log onto ff.net since it went down. But I'm glad its finally up and running.
Well, here's the ending, I hope you like it....
Mr. PoPo dropped the watering can as he felt the matter around him bend. It was the same feeling he got whenever anyone used instant transmission around him, only this time, somehow, it felt different. Turning around, he could only gasp in a mixed state of horror and shock at the sight before him. There stood Jim, multiple cuts, lacerations, broken bones, and shattered armor adorning his injured body. A woman in his arms, no doubt Aisha, looking like she had just fallen in a peaceful sleep, but devoid of life none the less. Mr. PoPo had seen many warriors after battles, so Jim's physical condition was of little concern. It was his eyes that worried him, the windows into his soul that gave the impression that God himself had reached down from the heavens and slapped him across the face. Eyes that wondered "why?", but that would no doubt change, into eyes that would seek revenge no matter what the cost.
Dende stepped out of his temple when he felt Jim's energy arrive. He had felt what had happened, but nothing could prepare him for the sight before his eyes. Jim slowly walking towards him, almost like he was in a trance, with Aisha in his arms. The Old Namik knew what he was here for, but Jim spoke before he had a chance to offer.
"Dende, please, I need the Dragon Balls."
Dende nodded and rushed back into the inner chambers. The Dragon Balls had long since been locked away in a shielded chamber where no one could detect them. Dende himself had determined that they caused more harm than good. With the invention of the Munchausen drive, every scumbag in the galaxy was coming to Old Earth to "make their wish." Call them the Leyline of their time if you will. One day, before their deaths, Dende had gotten Trunks and Goten to collect them all and bring them here to be locked away. He then told Trunks to announce that he had died, and that the Dragon Balls had died with him. Like rats leaving a sinking ship, they left, going out into space looking for another conquest, leaving the fragile Earth to recover.
Jim's mussels twitched ever so slightly as Goken appeared next to him. He had felt the tremendous burst of energy coming from Jim all the way here on Earth. However, it was not until he felt his presence at the lookout, that he knew something was wrong. Goken's usual carefree, almost moronic, attitude left him as he took in the situation.
"My God. Jim, what happened? What did this?" Goken asked as he saw Aisha in his arms. He had only met her once, at the wedding. It was hard to comprehend that this was the same woman who was so full of life just yesterday.
"The MacDougall brothers, Harry's strong, maybe as strong as you." Jim replied in short strained breaths, spitting blood to the tiled floor. Goken's attention was then averted to Jim's present physical condition. He was injured, badly. Goken didn't know if Mr. PoPo could sense it, but the cuts and obvious abrasions covering him was just the tip of the iceberg. What frightened him most was the slow, steady stream of fresh blood that seeped from the cracks in Jim's chest plate. The blood was dark, almost black, which could only mean one thing; one of his broken ribs must have punctured his liver. Goken knew that it was too late for a Sensu bean, the only thing that could save him now was a re-gen tank, but even that would be something short of a miracle. As if on cue, Jim's eyes rolled back into his head as he stumbled to find his balance.
"Jim!" Goken yelled surprised as he helped him stand.
"Please, Give her to me." Mr. PoPo cautiously said taking Aisha from him. Jim didn't want to let her go, but in his present state, it was all he could do to remain standing.
"Jim, listen to me. We have to get you to Capsule Corp they have a re-gen tank." Goken pleaded to Jim who only staggered away from him, carefully watching Mr. PoPo lay Aisha down in the shade under one of the golden canopies.
"No! Not until she is ok."
"Jim," Goken said whispering into Jim's ear. "...I know how bad your hurt, what good are you to her if your dead?"
"I'm not leaving." Jim said turning to Goken, his face etched like stone.
Goken knew he should just take Jim to the tanks, but something stopped him. Jim would have hated him for the rest of his life if he did, but that was not it. He knew it would be dishonorable to go against his friend's wishes, but that was not it either. It was fear. The look in Jim's eyes when he said he was not leaving was a look of pure evil. Dende had described Vegeta to him one day. He had said that Vegeta was, when you got down to it, actually a good soul. However, it was when he got pushed too far that his humanity left him. Dende described how Vegeta had struck him one day when he was only a child. Dende had just finished healing him with the hopes that his sudden surge of power would be enough to defeat Freeza. Vegeta had not wanted to strike him, actually he was thankful for what Dende had done. But when Dende looked into his eyes he saw why, Freeza had turned Vegeta into the evil monster that he was, and nothing could take that back. His eyes had looked exactly like Jim's, like the gates of Hell themselves had opened up unleashing an infinite tidal wave of pure determination that could only be halted by two things, revenge or death.
Dende emerged from the inner chambers a few moments later with the Dragon Balls floating before him. The seven pulsating spheres gave off a distinct power signature that Jim had never felt before, but could care less about at this point. Dende closed his eyes and raised his arms, silently chanting the password that called forth Shenlong.
In a burst of power the eternal dragon was awoken from his slumber and sprang forth into Earth's realm once more. Goken marveled at the sight of the huge beast that seemed to engulf the entire lookout with its presence.
"You have summoned me from my sleep and I will grant you two wishes that are within my power." Shenlog said in a deep voice that crackled with power.
"Go ahead." Dende said looking at Jim. Before Jim could step forward to make his wish, an odd power surge range through his body. An unmistakable sound, something like multiple blasts forming into one ecocide around him, before Jim had a chance to piece the two together, a small black sphere, no larger than a tennis ball floated towards Goken.
"GOKEN GET AWAY FROM THAT!!" Jim yelled at his friend who had just noticed the object. Goken didn't even get a chance to react. The small object cracked with energy as Goken found himself being pulled towards it. The black hole fully opened and drew him into itself as Goken desperately increased his power to turn into a Super Saiyan in one last vein attempt to escape. Instantly after he disappeared, a black bolt of lightning crossed through the sky arching behind Jim and finding its target. Jim slowly turned around; knowing whom it was before his eyes had even seen them.
"You alright Ron?" Harry asked as his brother slowly raised himself from the ground.
"Yea, I'm fine. It was worth it to get rid of the Super Saiyan." Ron smirked as he ejected the number four's shell and replaced it with one of lesser power. "Remember Harry don't kill the Namik, if he dies the Dragon Balls are gone."
"Don't worry. Nothings going to stop me from getting my wish." Harry said as the red plates on his body began to brighten with his increasing power.
"You knew I would come here!" Jim yelled clinching his fists as he realized what they were up to.
"Jim, ever the genius." Ron smirked. "You know, I spent a long time recovering from what Gene did to me in the Layline. I think we will pay him a visit once we are through here. I'm sure Harry would love to see Melphina again." Harry's eyes seemed to brighten at the mere mention of Mel's name.
"You leave them out of this! What do you want with the Dragon Balls anyway, immortality?" Jim shot back, constantly trying to think of a way to stop them.
"Originally yes, but after studying you, and especially your late friend, I've got a new wish, ...I want the powers of a Super Saiyan." Jim flinched. Without Goken, no one would be able to stop him. *I don't know if I'm even able to become a Super Saiyan, not that I will be living long enough to find out.* Jim thought overwhelmed by his current situation.
"But what about your second wish?"
"Oh, that ones not for me." Ron said looking at his brother. "And I think even you can figure out what Harry wants."
"Melphina, soon we will be together again." Harry murmured as he continued to slowly raise his power.
"Yea, Gwen Kahn sure did fix old Harry up. It's a shame though, even someone with all the knowledge of the universe couldn't avoid a bullet in the head." Ron said returning his gaze to Jim.
"You killed him?"
"Of course, we couldn't have the good doctor warning you now could we?"
Without warning Harry unleashed an energy blast that plowed into Jim, throwing him back into one on the lookouts buildings.
*Jim.*
*Dende?* Jim thought as he stood up amongst the rubble of the now demolished building. Dende was standing calmly beside Mr. PoPo, and seemed to be in a state of meditation.
*I'm going to make this quick, you cannot let them make their wishes, at any cost. Harry is a machine, eventually someone will be able to figure out Kahn's design and stop him. But if Ron becomes a Saiyan, and without you or Goken to stop him, the universe will fall.*
Jim silently listened to the guardian's words as he moved back out in front of the two brothers.
*Jim, unless you can think of any other way to stop them, ...you must kill me.*
*I can't do that.*
*You have to!*
*I'll think of something, but I'm not going to kill you, I'm not going to lose anyone else.*
"Sorry about that Jim. Harry, I think we need to work on your people skills." Ron said as he looked at his younger brother. Harry looked more like an attack dog than anything that was once human. His body seemed eager to attack at any moment, while his eyes watched every movement that Jim made.
"Harry, why are you doing this. Gene told me what happened at the Layline. How you freed Melphina from the construct's program. He said that you wanted him to hear her song." Harry looked shaken, apparently Dr. Kahn hadn't made him all machine, as a tear rolled down his cheek.
"Don't listen to him Harry." Ron said, obviously nervous that he might lose his guard dog.
"I... I was damaged. My processors were malfunctioning."
"Harry, you wanted her to be happy, you gave your life for her."
"Shut up shut up SHUT UP!!!" Harry screamed launching himself at Jim and connecting his right fist to his jaw. Jim fell and skidded backwards across the polished floor. Lying on his back, the young Saiyan struggled to stay conscious. As the world stopped spinning around him, he discovered he was lying right next to Aisha's body.
*I promised that I would protect you.* Jim thought looking at his wife. *I'm sorry, I couldn't do it. I need help, I need to be stronger...*
Then it snapped. Jim felt like a great weight was lifted off him as he unknowingly stood. All the pain left his body, all his senses seemed to be heightened; it was like he was on some wonderful drug. He could feel his body healing itself, his broken ribs moving back into place. His mussels jerked as a wave of power washed through his body. He jerked again, as his hair seemed to flash in a golden light and stand up, only to return to brown. Suddenly, the area around him erupted like a volcano, raw; unchaneled energy flowing and engulfing him like a cocoon. Dende and Mr. PoPo were thrown back by the wind generated by the transformation.
"Shit!" Ron muttered as he struggled against the wind. "HARRY GET HIM BEFORE HE CHANGES!!!"
Harry snapped out of his trance and leapt to attack. The red plates on his body glowing brighter than ever before. With all his might he unleashed an energy charged fist at Jim. The blow, which would have been more that enough to destroy any mountain, or planet for that matter, was stopped dead in its tracks by the wall of energy that surrounded the transforming being. Jim stared directly into Harry's eyes as his own turned from dark blue to an emerald green unleashing a wave of energy that forced Harry to bound backwards.
"Damnit." Ron struggled with his caster, releasing the now worthless #16 and replacing it with another four. *Better off in a coma than dead.* He thought as the shell slid into the chamber. As Ron extended his caster a final explosion consumed the area where Jim stood. Ron waited patiently for the dust to clear with his caster drawn. He had to hit him; he couldn't risk firing blindly into the cloud of smoke. At that moment, a breeze crossed over the lookout, as the dust was pushed aside Ron readied himself for the Super Saiyan. However, there was nothing to be found only the distinct sound of pure, flowing energy that seemed to surround him.
"What the he..." were the only words he was able to mutter before an ice-cold hand grabbed him around the back of his neck. Jim lifted Ron off the ground like a dog by its collar. He said nothing, just slowly rotated his thumb and index finger snapping the vertebrae in the outlaw's neck. Ron's now paralyzed body went limp as his legs stopped kicking and the caster thudded to the ground. Jim slowly turned him to look in his face, but more importantly, his ice-cold green eyes. For the first time in his life, Ron was powerless. He had always been the protector, the mussel, now he was just a hunk of meat, waiting to die.
Jim, iron hand still clutched around Ron's broken neck, reared back tossing the limp form high into the air to fall to his death.
"RON!!!" Harry screamed flying right past the motionless Jim to catch his brother. Without even looking their way, Jim raised the palm of his hand unleashing a yellow bolt of energy that flew past Harry like he was standing still. The beam completely engulfed Ron, desintergrating his body into millions of particles before his brother could ever reach him.
"Now you know how it feels." Jim said, no louder than a whisper, to the android floating motionless in the sky. "Now you know how it feels to have the one that has looked after you since you were a child taken away. But you can never feel the pain you have caused me, because she was not just my friend, she was my wife."
"Ron...." Harry remained floating. *You're really dead this time.* Harry clinched his fists powering himself up higher than ever before. Kahn had warned him not to go this high, and it would melt his circuits after about ten minutes. But he didn't care, his brother was dead, the dragon balls would bring him back, and he had to kill Jim to get them.
Harry disappeared out of the sky. Jim remained still on the tiled floor, seemingly uninterested; however, with his newfound strength he could tell every move Harry was making. The android suddenly appeared behind Jim unleashing a deadly punch towards the back of his neck. All Harry hit was air as the Saiyan joined the fight. Both warriors disappeared, movements too fast for any human eye to follow. Dende and Mr. PoPo could only lay and watch the sky that erupted with explosions each time the fighters connected. The numerous sonic booms generated by the warriors flying at speeds faster than sound shook the entire lookout causing more rubble to fall from the already damaged buildings. Several minutes passed, neither fighter seeming to have a distinct advantage, until a huge explosion sounded and Harry was driven hard to the lookout's base.
As Harry struggled to stand, Jim slowly floated down from the sky. Dende, for the first time in thousands of years, was too scared to move. Jim, the once cheerful young boy that Goken had trained, had changed. During the battle, he had conducted himself just like Vegeta. Precise, careful, cunning, letting his opponent make the first move to gauge his capabilities. But like Trunks, he had not let his pride, or temper for that matter, impair his judgment. Golden hair pulsating with power, he crossed his arms over his chest, an action seemingly inherited from generation to generation. This was the place every warrior had to go in their life, a place of no return. A place where they would truly see what they were capable of.
"It's over Harry..."
"IT'S NOT OVER!!!" Harry screamed charging at Jim. He lunged at the Super Saiyan, right fist charged with energy. At the last second, Jim grabbed Harry's right arm and planted hit elbow deep into Harry's chest. With one hard pull, Jim ripped Harry's arm completely off his body and spun around breaking it across his head, sending the android to the floor. Before Harry could stand, Jim grabbed his face with the palm of his hand and lifted him off the ground. In one last vein attempt for victory, harry raised his left arm and blindly shot an energy bolt striking Jim's head, which did not even phase him.
The energy blast left Jim's hand ripping through Harry's head quicker than it had formed. The lifeless bundle of metal, plastic, and flesh was thrown backwards, and over the edge of the lookout where it fell out of sight.
"Sorry Harry." Jim said as he lowered his arm and closed his eyes.
"Jim?" Dende asked cautiously while righting himself from a pile of rubble.
"It'll be ok." Jim said, his face still cold and emotionless. "It'll be ok when we get them back."
"Make your wish." Shenlong's voice boomed once again over the lookout.
"I want all of those killed by Ron Macdougall brought back to life." Jim yelled up at the dragon.
"It is granted." Shenlong's eyes burned a bright red signifying that the wish was complete. Almost instantly, Goken reappeared out of nowhere, looking very confused.
"Uh, Jim, what just happened, I was just at King Yama's and..." Goken stopped his sentence as he noticed Jim's golden hair that shot out and up just like Trunks' once had. Jim himself paid Goken little attention, only kneeled motionless besides Aisha.
"You can wake up now." Jim whispered as he caressed her cheek. Slowly Aisha's eyes fluttered open.
"Jim... wa.. what happened?" Aisha asked groggily trying to set up.
"Its ok, I took care of it." Jim said fighting back tears and picking up Aisha in his arms.
"Your hair." Aisha said slowly reaching up and pulling a few golden strands down across Jim's face, which sprung back to their original position as she let them slip through her fingers. "I like it." She said closing her eyes as her hand slid down to Jim's neck for support.
"You need to rest, don't worry, we will be home soon."
"You have one wish remaining." The impatient voice of Shenlong sounded once more.
"Jim, you still have one wish." Dende said as Jim started walking to the edge of the lookout with Aisha in his arms.
"You use it, I have everything I want right here." Jim said kissing Aisha's forehead as she snuggled herself to his chest. A golden aura formed around the couple as they took off into the horizon.
The couple flew off into the sunset to begin a new chapter in their lives. Although no one can predict the future. It is safe to say they will be together, for all the rest of time.
... I really had a lot of fun writing this. I do have several ideas for a sequel/continuation but I am eager to hear what you all think. Please review, or e-mail me at eixid_@hotmail.com ,maybe we can brainstorm, lord knows I need the motivation. I do have two other stories running around in my head, one is a Gundam Wing set after Endless Waltz. And the other is a Tenchi/Ryoko set after the Tenchi Forever movie. Tell me which one you want me to start on first, right now I need a little break from OLS. Well anyway, thanks to every one who read this, and a big thanks to everyone who reviewed. Until next time...
Well, here's the ending, I hope you like it....
Mr. PoPo dropped the watering can as he felt the matter around him bend. It was the same feeling he got whenever anyone used instant transmission around him, only this time, somehow, it felt different. Turning around, he could only gasp in a mixed state of horror and shock at the sight before him. There stood Jim, multiple cuts, lacerations, broken bones, and shattered armor adorning his injured body. A woman in his arms, no doubt Aisha, looking like she had just fallen in a peaceful sleep, but devoid of life none the less. Mr. PoPo had seen many warriors after battles, so Jim's physical condition was of little concern. It was his eyes that worried him, the windows into his soul that gave the impression that God himself had reached down from the heavens and slapped him across the face. Eyes that wondered "why?", but that would no doubt change, into eyes that would seek revenge no matter what the cost.
Dende stepped out of his temple when he felt Jim's energy arrive. He had felt what had happened, but nothing could prepare him for the sight before his eyes. Jim slowly walking towards him, almost like he was in a trance, with Aisha in his arms. The Old Namik knew what he was here for, but Jim spoke before he had a chance to offer.
"Dende, please, I need the Dragon Balls."
Dende nodded and rushed back into the inner chambers. The Dragon Balls had long since been locked away in a shielded chamber where no one could detect them. Dende himself had determined that they caused more harm than good. With the invention of the Munchausen drive, every scumbag in the galaxy was coming to Old Earth to "make their wish." Call them the Leyline of their time if you will. One day, before their deaths, Dende had gotten Trunks and Goten to collect them all and bring them here to be locked away. He then told Trunks to announce that he had died, and that the Dragon Balls had died with him. Like rats leaving a sinking ship, they left, going out into space looking for another conquest, leaving the fragile Earth to recover.
Jim's mussels twitched ever so slightly as Goken appeared next to him. He had felt the tremendous burst of energy coming from Jim all the way here on Earth. However, it was not until he felt his presence at the lookout, that he knew something was wrong. Goken's usual carefree, almost moronic, attitude left him as he took in the situation.
"My God. Jim, what happened? What did this?" Goken asked as he saw Aisha in his arms. He had only met her once, at the wedding. It was hard to comprehend that this was the same woman who was so full of life just yesterday.
"The MacDougall brothers, Harry's strong, maybe as strong as you." Jim replied in short strained breaths, spitting blood to the tiled floor. Goken's attention was then averted to Jim's present physical condition. He was injured, badly. Goken didn't know if Mr. PoPo could sense it, but the cuts and obvious abrasions covering him was just the tip of the iceberg. What frightened him most was the slow, steady stream of fresh blood that seeped from the cracks in Jim's chest plate. The blood was dark, almost black, which could only mean one thing; one of his broken ribs must have punctured his liver. Goken knew that it was too late for a Sensu bean, the only thing that could save him now was a re-gen tank, but even that would be something short of a miracle. As if on cue, Jim's eyes rolled back into his head as he stumbled to find his balance.
"Jim!" Goken yelled surprised as he helped him stand.
"Please, Give her to me." Mr. PoPo cautiously said taking Aisha from him. Jim didn't want to let her go, but in his present state, it was all he could do to remain standing.
"Jim, listen to me. We have to get you to Capsule Corp they have a re-gen tank." Goken pleaded to Jim who only staggered away from him, carefully watching Mr. PoPo lay Aisha down in the shade under one of the golden canopies.
"No! Not until she is ok."
"Jim," Goken said whispering into Jim's ear. "...I know how bad your hurt, what good are you to her if your dead?"
"I'm not leaving." Jim said turning to Goken, his face etched like stone.
Goken knew he should just take Jim to the tanks, but something stopped him. Jim would have hated him for the rest of his life if he did, but that was not it. He knew it would be dishonorable to go against his friend's wishes, but that was not it either. It was fear. The look in Jim's eyes when he said he was not leaving was a look of pure evil. Dende had described Vegeta to him one day. He had said that Vegeta was, when you got down to it, actually a good soul. However, it was when he got pushed too far that his humanity left him. Dende described how Vegeta had struck him one day when he was only a child. Dende had just finished healing him with the hopes that his sudden surge of power would be enough to defeat Freeza. Vegeta had not wanted to strike him, actually he was thankful for what Dende had done. But when Dende looked into his eyes he saw why, Freeza had turned Vegeta into the evil monster that he was, and nothing could take that back. His eyes had looked exactly like Jim's, like the gates of Hell themselves had opened up unleashing an infinite tidal wave of pure determination that could only be halted by two things, revenge or death.
Dende emerged from the inner chambers a few moments later with the Dragon Balls floating before him. The seven pulsating spheres gave off a distinct power signature that Jim had never felt before, but could care less about at this point. Dende closed his eyes and raised his arms, silently chanting the password that called forth Shenlong.
In a burst of power the eternal dragon was awoken from his slumber and sprang forth into Earth's realm once more. Goken marveled at the sight of the huge beast that seemed to engulf the entire lookout with its presence.
"You have summoned me from my sleep and I will grant you two wishes that are within my power." Shenlog said in a deep voice that crackled with power.
"Go ahead." Dende said looking at Jim. Before Jim could step forward to make his wish, an odd power surge range through his body. An unmistakable sound, something like multiple blasts forming into one ecocide around him, before Jim had a chance to piece the two together, a small black sphere, no larger than a tennis ball floated towards Goken.
"GOKEN GET AWAY FROM THAT!!" Jim yelled at his friend who had just noticed the object. Goken didn't even get a chance to react. The small object cracked with energy as Goken found himself being pulled towards it. The black hole fully opened and drew him into itself as Goken desperately increased his power to turn into a Super Saiyan in one last vein attempt to escape. Instantly after he disappeared, a black bolt of lightning crossed through the sky arching behind Jim and finding its target. Jim slowly turned around; knowing whom it was before his eyes had even seen them.
"You alright Ron?" Harry asked as his brother slowly raised himself from the ground.
"Yea, I'm fine. It was worth it to get rid of the Super Saiyan." Ron smirked as he ejected the number four's shell and replaced it with one of lesser power. "Remember Harry don't kill the Namik, if he dies the Dragon Balls are gone."
"Don't worry. Nothings going to stop me from getting my wish." Harry said as the red plates on his body began to brighten with his increasing power.
"You knew I would come here!" Jim yelled clinching his fists as he realized what they were up to.
"Jim, ever the genius." Ron smirked. "You know, I spent a long time recovering from what Gene did to me in the Layline. I think we will pay him a visit once we are through here. I'm sure Harry would love to see Melphina again." Harry's eyes seemed to brighten at the mere mention of Mel's name.
"You leave them out of this! What do you want with the Dragon Balls anyway, immortality?" Jim shot back, constantly trying to think of a way to stop them.
"Originally yes, but after studying you, and especially your late friend, I've got a new wish, ...I want the powers of a Super Saiyan." Jim flinched. Without Goken, no one would be able to stop him. *I don't know if I'm even able to become a Super Saiyan, not that I will be living long enough to find out.* Jim thought overwhelmed by his current situation.
"But what about your second wish?"
"Oh, that ones not for me." Ron said looking at his brother. "And I think even you can figure out what Harry wants."
"Melphina, soon we will be together again." Harry murmured as he continued to slowly raise his power.
"Yea, Gwen Kahn sure did fix old Harry up. It's a shame though, even someone with all the knowledge of the universe couldn't avoid a bullet in the head." Ron said returning his gaze to Jim.
"You killed him?"
"Of course, we couldn't have the good doctor warning you now could we?"
Without warning Harry unleashed an energy blast that plowed into Jim, throwing him back into one on the lookouts buildings.
*Jim.*
*Dende?* Jim thought as he stood up amongst the rubble of the now demolished building. Dende was standing calmly beside Mr. PoPo, and seemed to be in a state of meditation.
*I'm going to make this quick, you cannot let them make their wishes, at any cost. Harry is a machine, eventually someone will be able to figure out Kahn's design and stop him. But if Ron becomes a Saiyan, and without you or Goken to stop him, the universe will fall.*
Jim silently listened to the guardian's words as he moved back out in front of the two brothers.
*Jim, unless you can think of any other way to stop them, ...you must kill me.*
*I can't do that.*
*You have to!*
*I'll think of something, but I'm not going to kill you, I'm not going to lose anyone else.*
"Sorry about that Jim. Harry, I think we need to work on your people skills." Ron said as he looked at his younger brother. Harry looked more like an attack dog than anything that was once human. His body seemed eager to attack at any moment, while his eyes watched every movement that Jim made.
"Harry, why are you doing this. Gene told me what happened at the Layline. How you freed Melphina from the construct's program. He said that you wanted him to hear her song." Harry looked shaken, apparently Dr. Kahn hadn't made him all machine, as a tear rolled down his cheek.
"Don't listen to him Harry." Ron said, obviously nervous that he might lose his guard dog.
"I... I was damaged. My processors were malfunctioning."
"Harry, you wanted her to be happy, you gave your life for her."
"Shut up shut up SHUT UP!!!" Harry screamed launching himself at Jim and connecting his right fist to his jaw. Jim fell and skidded backwards across the polished floor. Lying on his back, the young Saiyan struggled to stay conscious. As the world stopped spinning around him, he discovered he was lying right next to Aisha's body.
*I promised that I would protect you.* Jim thought looking at his wife. *I'm sorry, I couldn't do it. I need help, I need to be stronger...*
Then it snapped. Jim felt like a great weight was lifted off him as he unknowingly stood. All the pain left his body, all his senses seemed to be heightened; it was like he was on some wonderful drug. He could feel his body healing itself, his broken ribs moving back into place. His mussels jerked as a wave of power washed through his body. He jerked again, as his hair seemed to flash in a golden light and stand up, only to return to brown. Suddenly, the area around him erupted like a volcano, raw; unchaneled energy flowing and engulfing him like a cocoon. Dende and Mr. PoPo were thrown back by the wind generated by the transformation.
"Shit!" Ron muttered as he struggled against the wind. "HARRY GET HIM BEFORE HE CHANGES!!!"
Harry snapped out of his trance and leapt to attack. The red plates on his body glowing brighter than ever before. With all his might he unleashed an energy charged fist at Jim. The blow, which would have been more that enough to destroy any mountain, or planet for that matter, was stopped dead in its tracks by the wall of energy that surrounded the transforming being. Jim stared directly into Harry's eyes as his own turned from dark blue to an emerald green unleashing a wave of energy that forced Harry to bound backwards.
"Damnit." Ron struggled with his caster, releasing the now worthless #16 and replacing it with another four. *Better off in a coma than dead.* He thought as the shell slid into the chamber. As Ron extended his caster a final explosion consumed the area where Jim stood. Ron waited patiently for the dust to clear with his caster drawn. He had to hit him; he couldn't risk firing blindly into the cloud of smoke. At that moment, a breeze crossed over the lookout, as the dust was pushed aside Ron readied himself for the Super Saiyan. However, there was nothing to be found only the distinct sound of pure, flowing energy that seemed to surround him.
"What the he..." were the only words he was able to mutter before an ice-cold hand grabbed him around the back of his neck. Jim lifted Ron off the ground like a dog by its collar. He said nothing, just slowly rotated his thumb and index finger snapping the vertebrae in the outlaw's neck. Ron's now paralyzed body went limp as his legs stopped kicking and the caster thudded to the ground. Jim slowly turned him to look in his face, but more importantly, his ice-cold green eyes. For the first time in his life, Ron was powerless. He had always been the protector, the mussel, now he was just a hunk of meat, waiting to die.
Jim, iron hand still clutched around Ron's broken neck, reared back tossing the limp form high into the air to fall to his death.
"RON!!!" Harry screamed flying right past the motionless Jim to catch his brother. Without even looking their way, Jim raised the palm of his hand unleashing a yellow bolt of energy that flew past Harry like he was standing still. The beam completely engulfed Ron, desintergrating his body into millions of particles before his brother could ever reach him.
"Now you know how it feels." Jim said, no louder than a whisper, to the android floating motionless in the sky. "Now you know how it feels to have the one that has looked after you since you were a child taken away. But you can never feel the pain you have caused me, because she was not just my friend, she was my wife."
"Ron...." Harry remained floating. *You're really dead this time.* Harry clinched his fists powering himself up higher than ever before. Kahn had warned him not to go this high, and it would melt his circuits after about ten minutes. But he didn't care, his brother was dead, the dragon balls would bring him back, and he had to kill Jim to get them.
Harry disappeared out of the sky. Jim remained still on the tiled floor, seemingly uninterested; however, with his newfound strength he could tell every move Harry was making. The android suddenly appeared behind Jim unleashing a deadly punch towards the back of his neck. All Harry hit was air as the Saiyan joined the fight. Both warriors disappeared, movements too fast for any human eye to follow. Dende and Mr. PoPo could only lay and watch the sky that erupted with explosions each time the fighters connected. The numerous sonic booms generated by the warriors flying at speeds faster than sound shook the entire lookout causing more rubble to fall from the already damaged buildings. Several minutes passed, neither fighter seeming to have a distinct advantage, until a huge explosion sounded and Harry was driven hard to the lookout's base.
As Harry struggled to stand, Jim slowly floated down from the sky. Dende, for the first time in thousands of years, was too scared to move. Jim, the once cheerful young boy that Goken had trained, had changed. During the battle, he had conducted himself just like Vegeta. Precise, careful, cunning, letting his opponent make the first move to gauge his capabilities. But like Trunks, he had not let his pride, or temper for that matter, impair his judgment. Golden hair pulsating with power, he crossed his arms over his chest, an action seemingly inherited from generation to generation. This was the place every warrior had to go in their life, a place of no return. A place where they would truly see what they were capable of.
"It's over Harry..."
"IT'S NOT OVER!!!" Harry screamed charging at Jim. He lunged at the Super Saiyan, right fist charged with energy. At the last second, Jim grabbed Harry's right arm and planted hit elbow deep into Harry's chest. With one hard pull, Jim ripped Harry's arm completely off his body and spun around breaking it across his head, sending the android to the floor. Before Harry could stand, Jim grabbed his face with the palm of his hand and lifted him off the ground. In one last vein attempt for victory, harry raised his left arm and blindly shot an energy bolt striking Jim's head, which did not even phase him.
The energy blast left Jim's hand ripping through Harry's head quicker than it had formed. The lifeless bundle of metal, plastic, and flesh was thrown backwards, and over the edge of the lookout where it fell out of sight.
"Sorry Harry." Jim said as he lowered his arm and closed his eyes.
"Jim?" Dende asked cautiously while righting himself from a pile of rubble.
"It'll be ok." Jim said, his face still cold and emotionless. "It'll be ok when we get them back."
"Make your wish." Shenlong's voice boomed once again over the lookout.
"I want all of those killed by Ron Macdougall brought back to life." Jim yelled up at the dragon.
"It is granted." Shenlong's eyes burned a bright red signifying that the wish was complete. Almost instantly, Goken reappeared out of nowhere, looking very confused.
"Uh, Jim, what just happened, I was just at King Yama's and..." Goken stopped his sentence as he noticed Jim's golden hair that shot out and up just like Trunks' once had. Jim himself paid Goken little attention, only kneeled motionless besides Aisha.
"You can wake up now." Jim whispered as he caressed her cheek. Slowly Aisha's eyes fluttered open.
"Jim... wa.. what happened?" Aisha asked groggily trying to set up.
"Its ok, I took care of it." Jim said fighting back tears and picking up Aisha in his arms.
"Your hair." Aisha said slowly reaching up and pulling a few golden strands down across Jim's face, which sprung back to their original position as she let them slip through her fingers. "I like it." She said closing her eyes as her hand slid down to Jim's neck for support.
"You need to rest, don't worry, we will be home soon."
"You have one wish remaining." The impatient voice of Shenlong sounded once more.
"Jim, you still have one wish." Dende said as Jim started walking to the edge of the lookout with Aisha in his arms.
"You use it, I have everything I want right here." Jim said kissing Aisha's forehead as she snuggled herself to his chest. A golden aura formed around the couple as they took off into the horizon.
The couple flew off into the sunset to begin a new chapter in their lives. Although no one can predict the future. It is safe to say they will be together, for all the rest of time.
... I really had a lot of fun writing this. I do have several ideas for a sequel/continuation but I am eager to hear what you all think. Please review, or e-mail me at eixid_@hotmail.com ,maybe we can brainstorm, lord knows I need the motivation. I do have two other stories running around in my head, one is a Gundam Wing set after Endless Waltz. And the other is a Tenchi/Ryoko set after the Tenchi Forever movie. Tell me which one you want me to start on first, right now I need a little break from OLS. Well anyway, thanks to every one who read this, and a big thanks to everyone who reviewed. Until next time...