See part I for disclaimers, etc. First part below in the Deamonwrai Realm may be a little confusing, but remember it is not known whether these evils being(s)are one or many….. Suffice it to say they can be either - there that should make it as clear as mud….
THE TWO PRINCES
By Katreve
Part IV DEAMONWRAI REALM
Space in this dimension was vast and cold but it was starless also. It consisted of an emptiness that was more than a vacuum, it was a void so deep, so black that no light could ever survive there. It was not a black hole, it was heavier and deeper than a black hole. It was the domain of the Deamonwrai.
"I/We have decided to launch an offensive attack against one of those who is destined to be my/our curse. The attack will be an assault in their own realm, which is totally unexpected and not predicted by those irritating K'tareen." Basilisko murmured, but his/their voice/voices echoed throughout the void hollowly.
"Is that wise? I/We should all be putting forth my/our efforts here in strengthening myself/ourselves to meet their attack. If you/all of you attack now, you/all of you must fight in their dimension. You/all of you will not be able to hurt by breath or gaze, for you/all of you will have to maintain corporeal presence in order to do battle in that realm," responded Jatayu.
"If you/all of you will lend me the corporeal form you/all of you can present, I will cross it with mine/ours to make a creature/creatures doubly malevolent and dangerous. And I/We know which humanoid being to seek out and destroy. I/We need only destroy this tiny creature and thereby destroy two beings, the first, the child; the second, one of the Princes which is fated to lead in the battle against me/us."
"And how do you/all of you know this?"
"I/We have our ways. Will you/all of you lend me/us the form which belongs to you/all of you?"
"Perhaps….what will be my/our compensation?"
"You/all of you will be my/our second in command for when victory is mine/ours, will not the Council name me/us ruler/rulers of my/our domain."
"If you/all of you are victorious…"
"I/We will be…."
EARTH REALM//It has been a trying day to put it mildly, but finally everyone has settled down for the night// thought future Bulma as she lay back in the bed and tried to rest. Fortunately the Capsule Corporation mansion was fairly large and they had been able to accommodate the guests with a little doubling up.
Chibi Quatre had finally went to sleep after being fed and spoiled totally by both Chi Chi and Videl. Bulma smiled as she recalled Gohan's wondering look as he followed Videl's mothering efforts with the tiny blond prince. There had been some trouble about removing his clothes for a bath and then bed time and the older version of Quatre had to explain that he recalled that that outfit was a favorite and he hated to wear anything else. They had finally gotten him to accept wearing cute little bunny pj's formerly belonging to Chibi Trunks, but the little boy insisted on clutching his blue surcoat with attached little gold bells like a security blanket. He had fallen asleep in Videl's lap in the large den most of them had retreated to in the evening. Piccolo, Dende, Korin, Yamcha, Krillin, 18 and their Marron had already left for the night.
The five pilots from the future alternate reality were using the largest guest room with two beds and a sitting area with sofa and chairs. She supposed they had hassled over who had to sleep where or perhaps not, these boys had worked together before, and Quatre and Heero seemed to be able to keep them all in line, though that Duo was a stitch. Bulma smiled to herself at the thought of the braided boy and how he had teased Quatre about how "kawaii" his chibi self was, and no wonder he was so cute now. And look how the ladies just fell all over themselves to take care of his tiny counterpart. …and on and on until Quatre had actually glared at him and he shut up. Quatre hardly ever glared, that was Heero's forte, but apparently with a little help from K'tree, Quatre's glare had been quite effective on Duo.
And she remembered how well Marai Trunks had handled Chibi Trunks' initial reluctance to "baby-sit" as he called it, Chibi Quatre.
"Now you and he are the Chibi Princes. You are the older Prince, the Chibi Warrior Prince and along with Goten as your aide, you can watch over Chibi Quatre because he does not know how to fight or protect himself. So, he can stay with you and Goten in your room if you will be his safeguard, ne?"
Chibi Trunks had considered that thoughtfully. At that moment Goten had been sitting in his father's lap and Goku whispered something in Goten's ear. Goten grinned and said, "I will help out of course Trunks. My dad says the two of us can be the best bodyguards for the chibi ichi."
Chibi Trunks had acquired a proud, almost haughty look, "Well yes, sure. But I am the Warrior Prince, don't forget. But you are my first officer, ne?"
Goten had giggled and nodded enthusiastically.
Vegeta had of course grumbled and scowled all evening, but almost everyone ignored him. Bulma sighed as sleep began to overtake her, how would Vegeta ever accept what they were going to reveal tomorrow?
2:00 A.M.
A swirling vortex began to appear immediately over the Capsule Corporation buildings. It formed quickly and just as rapidly creatures flew from its center. These creatures hesitated only for an instant. They resembled a cross between vultures and lizards, with razor sharp claws/talons, snapping teeth/beaks and blood red eyes. They swirled together forming one single huge entity in the same fantastic chimera parts. It's wings rose and fell soundlessly in the still air as it eyed its prey…..
Quatre Winner awoke with a terrible feeling of dread. He rose from the sofa where he was sleeping and hurried out of the room the five pilots were sharing, starting down the hall to the young ones' room…//Something is wrong//….K'tree was on his heels but suddenly she screamed in anger and bolted ahead of him. Quatre started to run, following her….
Marai Trunks sat up suddenly as K'tarai jumped into the air with a howl of rage and turning in mid-air, streaked to the door and then moved through it as if it was not solid matter at all. Trunks grabbed his sword and followed. He knew where she was going and he cursed the fact that this room was clear across the complex from the small ones' room. He should have placed himself and Gohan closer but the larger guest room nearer his parents' living quarters had been given to the five pilots. He wished he could move through walls as K'tarai did….
Gohan sat up at the racket just in time to see Trunks pulling open the door and hurrying out, still in pj's. Gohan had no idea what the hell was going on, but instinct told him to follow.
Chibi Trunks turned over in his bed and mumbled in his sleep when suddenly in his mind he heard a cry of rage **Trunks…chibi ichi…fight…danger…protect Chibi Quatre**
Chibi Trunks felt as if he was lifted from his bed and set on his feet in a split second and in that split second he saw a huge shadow, darker than the darkness of deepest night. He powered up to SSJ instantly and leaped with a warrior cry to the foot of the small bed Chibi Quatre occupied just as the blacker than black shadow took on the solid form of a creature unlike any other Chibi Trunks had ever seen. It slashed with one talon reaching over him for the small blonde child behind him, but Chibi Trunks was quick too and knocked the limb aside. The creature's strength was huge and it squealed with rage. Chibi Trunks pulled all his energy together and threw out a blast with both hands. Vaguely Chibi Trunks heard Goten's cry as joined the fight. The chimera was halted temporarily by the energy blasts of the two small warriors, but then it slashed out again and a red line of blood flowed from Chibi Trunks' arm as he stumbled back.
The two white feline furies launched themselves at the Chimera creature's throat as Quatre right behind them leaped up into the air and grabbed one of the creature's legs and using his momentum swung across and grabbed the other leg also. His weight pulled the creature down and he felt more than saw it's vicious head lowering toward him. He dodged swiftly still holding the legs of the creature so that it could not use them to attack again. The creature barely missed its assault with is beak-like jaws. Both felines were buried in the massive feathers/leather-like skin at the creature's throat. They were making progress, but not enough yet to slow the creature. The Chimera lifted its wings and with one downward swing it jolted Quatre's grip on it's legs and he fell to the floor.
Chibi Trunks fell back feeling faint…his power waned suddenly. //How?// he thought and then Goten was there trying to steady his friend. Chibi Quatre was awake, sitting up, his eyes huge…but he made not a sound.
The creature swung it's head menacingly trying to loose the two white feline furies tearing at it's throat. It planted one of its freed feet over Quatre's body, one talon tearing into his side. Quatre saw the evil razor-like beak dive toward the three boys on the bed once more. "NO…you abomination from hell, don't touch them…" he yelled as he freed one arm and threw the knife which suddenly had materialized in his hand. It flew true and it struck the brute in the eye. The creature jerked its head back with a shriek of pain.
A cry and a huge energy blast from Vegeta crackled across the room and hit the chimera in its breast just below the two felines. Marai Trunks was right behind him and leaping into the air himself, slashed with his sword….the head of the creature began to topple from its body and the felines leapt clear. Two more energy blasts from Vegeta and Gohan who was now there assured that the creature was truly vanquished. It's body sank to the floor, smoldering slightly from the energy blasts and it's head fell in the far corner. Black blood sprayed from the slashed neck.
Vegeta was at Chibi Trunks' side instantly. Goten was holding him as he swayed a little, "I saved Chibi Quatre…." Mumbled Chibi Trunks as Vegeta caught his swaying body to himself. "And Goten helped…then big Quatre came and saved me. He stopped the thing from striking us with it's claws and beak, Dad, because I got so weak and couldn't fight anymore."
"It's alright son," soothed Vegeta.
Marai Trunks and Gohan shoved the creature's body aside as the four pilots crowded into the room. Goku and Bulma squeezed into the room behind them. Quatre was unconscious still pinned beneath the splayed talons of one of the creature's clawed feet. Trunks cursed and lifted the leg effortlessly as Gohan slid the still form out and away. Gohan felt a hand on his arm suddenly and looked up at Heero.
"We'll take care of him." Heero said tonelessly.
Gohan nodded and moved aside. Duo and Heero knelt to examine their fellow pilot, while Trowa and Wufei closed ranks behind them.
Bulma moved to comfort Chibi Quatre as tears began to flow down his face, but he still didn't make a sound.
Vegeta growled, "Something is wrong with my son…this is just a scratch on his arm."
Marai Trunks moved forward and picked up his chibi self's arm. The K'tareen were there and mewed softly.
Marai Trunks sighed, "Poisoned talons…"
"NANI?" Roared Vegeta.
"Give him to me, father." Said Marai Trunks.
Vegeta glanced down at his small son who was semi-conscious now and mumbling still about fighting…saving Chibi Quatre. He reluctantly handed him to his grown son, "What can you do?"
"Not me," said Marai Trunks as he sank to the floor to sit cross-legged holding his smaller self in his arms, "The K'tareen…."
The two white felines each put their front paws on one of Marai Trunks' knees and stared down intently at Chibi Trunks. Their copper eyes began to glow, softly at first and then with a brilliant light. An aura seemed to settle over the small form of Chibi Trunks.
"He's stopped breathing…" Marai Trunks' head turned suddenly to the sound of Duo's voice where he and Heero were attending Quatre. He gritted his teeth,
"Hurry…K'tarai….K'tree…." he said quietly but Vegeta heard him.
Vegeta leaned back, saying nothing as he realized that the K'tareen were saving his son first, letting Quatre wait. And his son had said that Quatre had saved them….perhaps the scrawny kid was not so bad after all. And what in Kami's name was that thing…was it one of these Deamonwrai they had been told about. If so, Vegeta decided he no longer had any doubts about helping in this battle…it was just that he didn't know how he could work with anyone else, except his son or maybe Kakarot, and a part of him cringed at the thought of even that.
Chibi Trunks took a deep breath and sat up in Marai Trunks' arms suddenly. He grinned at the two cats as they stepped back, their eyes their normal copper color again.
Marai Trunks handed his chibi self to Vegeta and jumped up to move over to the pilots. Heero and Trowa were performing CPR and Duo had pressed a towel against the blonde prince's side to stem the flow of blood from the wound inflicted by the sharp talon of the foot that had imprisoned the Arabian.
Soft almost sad mewing sounded and Marai Trunks looked at the two white K'tareen…**You are not sure you have enough strength for Quatre…but…**
**We believe we do and will try of course. However, he is injured worse than Chibi Trunks and we have lost some of our power from that healing session…you must help.**
**How?**
**You will know…**
Wufei growled, "What's the holdup…are those damn cats going to help Quatre or not?"
"Calm down, Wufei," said Trowa quietly.
Wufei started to say something else, then thought better of it as he saw the cats moving to Quatre's side. K'tree crawled up on the blond pilot's stomach and curled there while K'tarai moved to sit next to Duo. Both felines now stared at the wound beneath Duo's hands. Again the glow and then the brilliance from their eyes. The aura grew and engulfed the injured pilot.
Marai Trunks knelt down and watched….then….
**Quatre…it's me, Trunks. The K'tareen said I could help and I don't know how except to talk to you. I wanted to thank you for saving the chibi ichis…of course I am pretty proud of my chibi self. He protected your little one. I guess we are all linked somehow and I was wondering if the link is broken…if you don't wake up…will we still be able to defeat the Deamonwrai? I am trying to say you're needed. But then you know that. And I guess your friends will be pretty upset with me if you don't make it. And with K'tree and K'tarai if they fail and we need them too. I know I'm rambling but ….am I getting through at all?**
**Yes…but it's pretty easy here…easy to stay here…no fighting and no pain…just …..**
"Come back, you damn Arabian," Wufei's angry voice cut through the exchanged thoughts.
"Don't cuss at him," Duo said. "You think he will want to come back with you cussing at him like that."
"Yeah Maxwell, as if you never cuss or swear at him."
"I don't….well hardly ever, not at Quatre. Now you, Wu-Wu, I have no problem cussing at."
"Don't call me that, or I'll…"
"Stop cussing at Quatre then," said Duo.
"Shut up both of you," growled Heero as he sat back from CPR.
Wufei looked at Heero, "Are you giving up?"
"No…he's starting to laugh…probably at you two."
"Shit…he was faking."
"No…just seems like the cats are doing their thing."
"And Trunks made a lot of sense.…" mumbled Quatre as his eyes opened.
"Nani?" asked Duo as he pulled the towel back from the wound. It was blood stained but the wound itself was just a fading scar.
Quatre took a deep breath and started to sit up. Trowa helped him as he got to his feet. The cats had moved away when he first opened his eyes and now K'tree mewed happily and leaped onto his shoulder.
"You too," Quatre said as he stroked her head and she purred loudly.
Marai Trunks rose to his feet with a grin as K'tarai found her accustomed place on his shoulder.
Quatre moved over to where Chibi Trunks sat cross-legged on his bed, with his father next to him. Quatre held out his hand to Chibi Trunks,
"Thanks for protecting me…huh…my chibi self. If he had been killed, I would have died too. Unlike you Chibi Trunks and Marai Trunks, my little one is from the same time line, if he dies, then I do not exist at my age now. I believe this creature knew this and made an offensive strike hoping to stop us before we could even launch our attack on them." Quatre turned to Goten, who sat on Trunks other side and shook his hand also. "And thank you too, Goten. You both were very brave."
Quatre glanced over at the now sleeping Chibi Quatre in Bulma's arms and smiled at her. Bulma winked at him and then looked pointedly at Vegeta.
Vegeta cleared his throat, "Well…I understand you saved my son and Goten's life too."
Goku stepped forward interrupting Vegeta and threw his arm around Quatre's shoulder, "Hey I owe you my thanks then…..you're a good kid, ne?"
"Kakarot," growled Vegeta, "I was speaking first…"
"Oh, gomen…." Goku stepped away but was still grinning.
Vegeta took a deep breath and said, "Well…huh…thanks."
"And now that you've see how well you can work together, " added Bulma, "tomorrow you will all hear of the teams that the K'tareen have decided must fight, one Gundam pilot/one Z Warrior."
"I don't think I will be able to work with anyone but my son or …Kakarot." insisted Vegeta.
Bulma shrugged her shoulders slightly and said, "Boys, let's leave this mess for your dads to clean up and let's go camp out in the den."
"Yippee…" yelled Chibi Trunks as he jumped to his feet.
Chibi Quatre woke up at that and clutched his blue surcoat closer to himself.
Chibi Trunks stopped and then held out his hand, "Come on little Quatre, we're going to camp out in the den. Goten and you and I."
Chibi Quatre hesitated and looked up at Bulma and then over to his older self. Both smiled back at him encouragingly. He then slid off Bulma's lap and took Chibi Trunks' hand with his free one. Goten hopped down off the bed and walked on the other side of Chibi Quatre as the boys moved out of the room with Chibi Trunks chattering away, "You were brave…you didn't even hardly cry Chibi Quatre. Want me to teach you how to fight…I bet you could…." His voice trailed away.
Bulma followed to settle the little ones into the den. Outside in the hall she met her future self, Chi Chi and Videl who all went with her to help with the chibi ichis.
"WELL…" said Duo as he wrinkled his nose at the ugly body parts scattered around the room. "What the hell are we supposed to do with this mess?"
"Just watch…" said Goku still grinning. He powered up and within seconds, bolts of energy from his hands had dissolved the creature completely. Even the black blood stains disappeared.
"Pretty handy, huh?" laughed Goku.
"Can you teach me how to do that?" asked Duo.
"We'll see what the K'tareen decide. But one of us can teach you, if not me. I think…." Goku then frowned uncertainly.
"Well….I do not need to be taught how to pilot anything…I…." Vegeta started but then noticed the others were more or less ignoring him and moving out of the room to return to their own rooms for what little remained of the night…..
MORNING
The K'tareen ran through the doorway into the conference room, their princes followed on their heels. Both felines chirruped and jumped onto the large conference room table. The seemed to smile at the others who already were seated.
The two Bulmas and Dende stood up. Future Bulma cleared her throat….
"Have they decided then?" she looked at Marai Trunks.
He shrugged a little and replied, "I guess you might say they have decided something."
Dende sighed and raised one eyebrow watching the K'tareen.
Marai Trunks took a deep breath, "They want the pilots and the chosen Z warriors to decide among themselves who they will partner with….at least to try to decide, then they will say if it will work. I guess they want everyone to have their input."
Future Bulma glanced at her younger self and both thought //This should really be interesting.//
"Well obviously you two are already a team." Offered Goku looking at Marai Trunks and Quatre.
"And you'll have the advantage of the K'tareen and their powers with you." Added Bulma.
"No…." Quatre said, "and everyone looked at him. It was his turn to shrug, "They are not going with us to the Deamonwrai Realm, they are staying with the Chibi Princes. Their choice and they should know what's right."
"Well that's just great isn't it," growled Vegeta, "what if we need some of their weird powers…"
"I thought they were just bothersome furballs, father," grinned Marai Trunks.
"Well that was until they ….helped my son." Admitted Vegeta with gritted teeth. This was hard, admitting that others had helped and being grateful.
Goku grinned at Vegeta, "It surprises me that you, Vegeta, think we will need the help of anyone or anything else…"
"Shut up Kakarot…" growled Vegeta, feeling he had revealed too much of what he was thinking already.
"All right," said Duo cheerily, "it's obvious Vegeta is a grouch…so I really would not work well with him. I'd drive him crazy."
"You would…." Agreed Heero. Then he sighed, "I'll work with Vegeta, if he will give me a chance."
Vegeta growled, "I don't need any training…."
K'tarai growled just as heartily as Vegeta and he looked at her and winced….
"Well, I will work with Goku," said Duo, "I like him….well you are all OK, of course, but… anyway…."
"Enough Duo," Quatre chastened gently, "The K'tareen think you two are perhaps too much alike."
"How's that?" frowned Goku.
"You're both too outrageous at times," said Piccolo, "Neither of you take anything seriously enough."
"I…." Duo stood up and spoke haughtily, "can be serious as death. After all I am considered the God of Death…"
"Really?" said Goku.
"Yeah….just call me Shinigami," Duo responded.
"See what I mean," muttered Piccolo.
K'tree meowed and Quatre looked at her in surprise, then said, "Well….OK…it's fine with me of course." Then he grinned at Duo, "K'tree says 'what the hell, give them a shot' so I guess it's a go for you two."
Duo whooped and started to do a little dance.
Heero snapped, "Settle down…."
Duo sighed and sat back down.
Piccolo looked at the five pilots, then said, "Trowa …would you mind working with me. At least you are silent…." And he looked pointedly at Goku and Duo.
Trowa looked at Quatre and then at K'tree who seemed to grin at him. "I suppose that's fine," Trowa said with just a shade of a smile.
"I guess that leaves me with you Wufei," said Gohan.
Wufei looked Gohan over and then said, "I agree with Vegeta on one thing. I don't think you can train me either, I …."
K'tarai growled again….
"On the other hand," said Wufei, "you seem sensible enough. Fine."
Marai Trunks looked somewhat dumbfounded, "That's it…it's that easy…."
"After last night," said Gohan, "I think all of us agree the sooner we get this going, the better."
Marai Trunks grinned, "Yeah, you're right. But agreeing on the teams is just the beginning….perhaps that was the easy part. Now it gets a little more difficult, ne, Quatre?"
Quatre just smiled…..
TBC
