1 Chapter 13
THE NEXT DAY…
Vegeta stretched to get the soreness out of his body. He didn't sleep well the night before, and combined with his injuries, made him surlier this morning than usual. Piccolo, Gohan and Gokuu were already up and were doing warm-up exercises in anticipation for the coming fight. Vegeta joined them silently. It felt good to focus on today's work. Getting Bulma back was the main priority and to do that meant killing the mad godling Valgav. Again, this was something Vegeta looked forward to. Mr. Popo and Dende had breakfast ready for the warriors after they completed their warm-up session. Lina and Zel were eating away when the z warriors joined them. "Where's Trunks?" Vegeta asked looking around.
"I don't know," Gokuu replied, "he didn't show up this morning for the warm-up."
"He's probably still asleep," Dende commented. "His injuries were a little more severe than yours were, Vegeta."
"I'll wake him," Vegeta stated between a mouthful of noodles. He got up from the table and went to his son's bedroom.
When he arrived at his son's room he was a bit surprised to see the room open slightly. Curious, he opened the door further. Trunks was indeed awake. Sweat glistened off his muscled body, as he drew his sword and slashed at some invisible foe. He was wearing only his jeans, and the furniture in the room was pushed over to one side of the room, giving Trunks more room to train. Vegeta watched there silently, taking in every masterful stroke of his son. The blade blurred it was moving so fast. Trunks was fast, faster than even Gokuu! Vegeta looked at his son's eyes and noted the look of grim determination that he used to have before he and Kakarot settled their differences. It was as if he was staring at a younger version of himself! His eyes were exactly like his! Vegeta paused, unwilling to interrupt his son's dazzling display of swordplay. Eventually, Trunks whirled around and came down with a downward swing of his sword, screaming as his sliced in half his invisible foe. Trunks' breath was slow and measured, but deep. ***His injuries aren't fully healed. He'll need to be careful.***
Trunks came out of his daze and saw Vegeta standing there at the doorway. "Oh, good morning father," he huffed. He tossed his sword up in the air, and he leaned over his right side as it came down blade-first into the scabbard worn on his back.
"Humph. You still aren't fully healed from your injuries," Vegeta admonished with a scour.
"Just a little sore," he replied as he grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat off him. "I'd imagine you'd be too."
"How I feel right now is not your concern, boy. I don't need you dropping out of the fight because you're too weak."
Trunk's hard stare came back and bored right through Vegeta, "I'll be fine father. I won't be hindering anyone." His confidence reminded Vegeta of himself. Truly his son had grown to become a great warrior!
"Just don't get in my way," Vegeta declared, "Valgav is mine."
Trunks finished wiping himself down and took off his scabbard. He picked up a black, muscle T-shirt and put it on. His blue Capsule Corporation jacket was put on next, then the scabbard again. "We'll see who gets the first crack at him, father."
Vegeta smiled, "You think you can take him?"
"Trunks flexed the soreness out of his arms, "I don't know if I can, but I'll sure as hell try." He smiled back at his father.
"Good," Vegeta said approvingly. "Whenever that Xellos arrives, we'll head out. Its…"
Trunks looked at his father. "What is it?"
"…It's good to be fighting alongside you again, son."
Trunks eyes were wide. It was as if a Mack truck hit him! His father? He never complemented people before. This was a first! It amazed him how much his father had grown as a person. "Father…" Trunks started.
"Get over it boy!" Vegeta said scowling again. "I said what I said, and I meant it! Don't start by getting all mushy on me!"
"Yes, sir!" Trunks replied with a wry smile.
Father and son returned to the kitchen and resumed eating. Piccolo, who didn't need to eat, went back to training in the courtyard. Lina and Zelgadis joined him, leaving the saiyans behind their stacks and stacks of plates. Gohan and Gokuu were going over strategy, amidst mouthfuls of food. Trunks and Vegeta ate in silence.
Lina and Zel, arm in arm, walked toward the courtyard. "Looks like we'll be wrapping this up soon," Zel said.
Lina smiled, "Yep. Then we can figure out a way to get back. I miss the others, I wonder what they're up to?"
"Knowing those two," Zel laughed, "probably getting into trouble. You know how Amelia is! Wait till Gourry gets himself another sword. There'll be no stopping them!"
It was nice to hear Zel's voice, so calm and happy! She never heard him tell a joke before, and she liked it. Maybe this whole mishap wasn't so bad after all. In fact, it served to draw Zel and her closer. Her musings were interrupted by Piccolo's voice. He was already at the courtyard practicing. They noticed that he wore a simple training outfit, minus his headgear and cape. His movements were faster and they could feel the shockwave from his fists as he performed his routine.
Tien, Yaumcha and Krillin were training also. They knew they weren't up to the level of the saiyans or Piccolo but they trained anyway. It was their job to defend the Palace if the rest failed, their training seemed more determined than the others.
Zelgadis drew his sword and went through his routine, as did Lina. Zel and Lina were no slouches in swordplay, but they weren't nearly as fast as the others. Eventually Vegeta, Trunks, Gokuu and Gohan returned to the courtyard.
"You'd think we were training for a World Tournament," Gokuu exclaimed with a smile.
"Keep focused," Vegeta retorted. "We've got a mission."
Gokuu's smile didn't disappear, but his eyes grew serious, "Right!" He looked over at Gohan who smiled and nodded. They started their routines and Vegeta and Trunks did the same.
One hour passed…
Xellos blinked into existence in the courtyard. He immediately got kicked in the face by Vegeta! He landed hard on the ground. "Hey!" he complained.
The others stopped their training. Vegeta smiled evilly, "That'll teach you to appear in the middle of our training! Perhaps next time you'll pick a better spot?"
"Perhaps," Xellos grumbled as he rubbed the side of his face.
Lina smiled as she looked at the fallen figure. "So, how nice to see you! We've been waiting for you, Xellos!" she said cheerfully.
A large sweatdrop formed on Xellos's head, "Uhh…thanks." He got up and dusted himself off. "I'm ready to take you when you are ready."
"Just a minute, Xellos," Lina said acidly. "Before we go I have a few questions I want to ask you first."
Xellos cringed and tried to back away from Lina as she got in his face. He didn't have far to go as Piccolo blocked him. Reluctantly he turned to Lina and tried to smile. "Heh. Yes Lina? What would you like to know?"
"First of all, how long have we been FRIENDS?" she placed heavy emphasis on the last word.
"Uhh…" Xellos stammered, "It's been years, Lina. Why?"
She ignored him. "And in those wonderful years that we've known each other, how many times have you led us astray?"
"Lina! I never…"
Lina was full in his face, which was uncomfortable enough! Piccolo didn't help matters much as he drew closer to Xellos's back, making him feel very claustrophobic. "No time for games, Xellos! What are you hiding!" She brought her fist up to Xellos's chin to accentuate her point. Xellos's sweatdrop grew larger as he tried to act casual in front of the enraged Lina Inverse.
"I'm not hiding anything, Lina! Honest!"
"Really," she said as her eyes narrowed. "Then why didn't you come forward sooner? You could've teleported us back home anytime! Why did you wait?"
Xellos felt very uncomfortable. He backed away from Lina and only made about a foot before he bumped into the powerful presence of Piccolo. "I…I needed to be sure!"
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I needed to be sure that my magic would be able to work on this world. Crossing worlds brings an unpredictable effect on spellcasters."
"So," she continued. "Knowing you, you would've brought insurance with you."
"What do you mean?"
"Something…something that you knew would work regardless of other- worldly boundaries. You have the Dark Heart, don't you?"
"What…" Xellos began, but he didn't have time to do anything else. Lina punched him squarely in the stomach causing him to tumble forward. In that instant, she searched through his robes and found what she was looking for.
"I knew it!"
"What the…?" Piccolo asked, eyebrow raised.
Xellos coughed and hung his head in defeat. "How did you know, Lina?"
"The Dark Heart is the only magical device I know from our world that creates stable teleportation gates. Did you forget that I'm Lina Inverse, Sorceress Extrordinare?"
"Hmph. It appears that I underestimated you once again." His smile returned and he bowed in defeat.
"With this we can go home!" Her eyes glittered and her smile widened. "Plus, this would give us some much needed gold when we get back!"
The others, Xellos included, fell down with their legs standing up in the air! "Lina," Zel exclaimed getting up. "That magical device is too powerful to just sell off! What if it fell into the wrong hands?"
"I'm confused," Gokuu complained, scratching his head.
"Don't worry about it Zel," she said dismissively as she looked at Xellos. "You don't mind if I hold on to it, do you?"
"Oh, no! Go ahead, Lina." Xellos said dejectedly.
"If there's anything else…?" Vegeta spoke up impatiently.
"Right!" Xellos said. He was all smiles now. He regained his composure and dusted himself off again. "Ready?"
The others nodded.
"Very well then. Follow me!" He took off. The others followed. ***Indeed, I did underestimate you, Lina Inverse! It doesn't matter. Soon, you and the others will be dead, and Vegeta will be mine! Or Valgav will be destroyed, whichever. One way or the other Vegeta, you fate belongs to me now!***
Next: The Climactic battle! Valgav vs. Everybody!
THE NEXT DAY…
Vegeta stretched to get the soreness out of his body. He didn't sleep well the night before, and combined with his injuries, made him surlier this morning than usual. Piccolo, Gohan and Gokuu were already up and were doing warm-up exercises in anticipation for the coming fight. Vegeta joined them silently. It felt good to focus on today's work. Getting Bulma back was the main priority and to do that meant killing the mad godling Valgav. Again, this was something Vegeta looked forward to. Mr. Popo and Dende had breakfast ready for the warriors after they completed their warm-up session. Lina and Zel were eating away when the z warriors joined them. "Where's Trunks?" Vegeta asked looking around.
"I don't know," Gokuu replied, "he didn't show up this morning for the warm-up."
"He's probably still asleep," Dende commented. "His injuries were a little more severe than yours were, Vegeta."
"I'll wake him," Vegeta stated between a mouthful of noodles. He got up from the table and went to his son's bedroom.
When he arrived at his son's room he was a bit surprised to see the room open slightly. Curious, he opened the door further. Trunks was indeed awake. Sweat glistened off his muscled body, as he drew his sword and slashed at some invisible foe. He was wearing only his jeans, and the furniture in the room was pushed over to one side of the room, giving Trunks more room to train. Vegeta watched there silently, taking in every masterful stroke of his son. The blade blurred it was moving so fast. Trunks was fast, faster than even Gokuu! Vegeta looked at his son's eyes and noted the look of grim determination that he used to have before he and Kakarot settled their differences. It was as if he was staring at a younger version of himself! His eyes were exactly like his! Vegeta paused, unwilling to interrupt his son's dazzling display of swordplay. Eventually, Trunks whirled around and came down with a downward swing of his sword, screaming as his sliced in half his invisible foe. Trunks' breath was slow and measured, but deep. ***His injuries aren't fully healed. He'll need to be careful.***
Trunks came out of his daze and saw Vegeta standing there at the doorway. "Oh, good morning father," he huffed. He tossed his sword up in the air, and he leaned over his right side as it came down blade-first into the scabbard worn on his back.
"Humph. You still aren't fully healed from your injuries," Vegeta admonished with a scour.
"Just a little sore," he replied as he grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat off him. "I'd imagine you'd be too."
"How I feel right now is not your concern, boy. I don't need you dropping out of the fight because you're too weak."
Trunk's hard stare came back and bored right through Vegeta, "I'll be fine father. I won't be hindering anyone." His confidence reminded Vegeta of himself. Truly his son had grown to become a great warrior!
"Just don't get in my way," Vegeta declared, "Valgav is mine."
Trunks finished wiping himself down and took off his scabbard. He picked up a black, muscle T-shirt and put it on. His blue Capsule Corporation jacket was put on next, then the scabbard again. "We'll see who gets the first crack at him, father."
Vegeta smiled, "You think you can take him?"
"Trunks flexed the soreness out of his arms, "I don't know if I can, but I'll sure as hell try." He smiled back at his father.
"Good," Vegeta said approvingly. "Whenever that Xellos arrives, we'll head out. Its…"
Trunks looked at his father. "What is it?"
"…It's good to be fighting alongside you again, son."
Trunks eyes were wide. It was as if a Mack truck hit him! His father? He never complemented people before. This was a first! It amazed him how much his father had grown as a person. "Father…" Trunks started.
"Get over it boy!" Vegeta said scowling again. "I said what I said, and I meant it! Don't start by getting all mushy on me!"
"Yes, sir!" Trunks replied with a wry smile.
Father and son returned to the kitchen and resumed eating. Piccolo, who didn't need to eat, went back to training in the courtyard. Lina and Zelgadis joined him, leaving the saiyans behind their stacks and stacks of plates. Gohan and Gokuu were going over strategy, amidst mouthfuls of food. Trunks and Vegeta ate in silence.
Lina and Zel, arm in arm, walked toward the courtyard. "Looks like we'll be wrapping this up soon," Zel said.
Lina smiled, "Yep. Then we can figure out a way to get back. I miss the others, I wonder what they're up to?"
"Knowing those two," Zel laughed, "probably getting into trouble. You know how Amelia is! Wait till Gourry gets himself another sword. There'll be no stopping them!"
It was nice to hear Zel's voice, so calm and happy! She never heard him tell a joke before, and she liked it. Maybe this whole mishap wasn't so bad after all. In fact, it served to draw Zel and her closer. Her musings were interrupted by Piccolo's voice. He was already at the courtyard practicing. They noticed that he wore a simple training outfit, minus his headgear and cape. His movements were faster and they could feel the shockwave from his fists as he performed his routine.
Tien, Yaumcha and Krillin were training also. They knew they weren't up to the level of the saiyans or Piccolo but they trained anyway. It was their job to defend the Palace if the rest failed, their training seemed more determined than the others.
Zelgadis drew his sword and went through his routine, as did Lina. Zel and Lina were no slouches in swordplay, but they weren't nearly as fast as the others. Eventually Vegeta, Trunks, Gokuu and Gohan returned to the courtyard.
"You'd think we were training for a World Tournament," Gokuu exclaimed with a smile.
"Keep focused," Vegeta retorted. "We've got a mission."
Gokuu's smile didn't disappear, but his eyes grew serious, "Right!" He looked over at Gohan who smiled and nodded. They started their routines and Vegeta and Trunks did the same.
One hour passed…
Xellos blinked into existence in the courtyard. He immediately got kicked in the face by Vegeta! He landed hard on the ground. "Hey!" he complained.
The others stopped their training. Vegeta smiled evilly, "That'll teach you to appear in the middle of our training! Perhaps next time you'll pick a better spot?"
"Perhaps," Xellos grumbled as he rubbed the side of his face.
Lina smiled as she looked at the fallen figure. "So, how nice to see you! We've been waiting for you, Xellos!" she said cheerfully.
A large sweatdrop formed on Xellos's head, "Uhh…thanks." He got up and dusted himself off. "I'm ready to take you when you are ready."
"Just a minute, Xellos," Lina said acidly. "Before we go I have a few questions I want to ask you first."
Xellos cringed and tried to back away from Lina as she got in his face. He didn't have far to go as Piccolo blocked him. Reluctantly he turned to Lina and tried to smile. "Heh. Yes Lina? What would you like to know?"
"First of all, how long have we been FRIENDS?" she placed heavy emphasis on the last word.
"Uhh…" Xellos stammered, "It's been years, Lina. Why?"
She ignored him. "And in those wonderful years that we've known each other, how many times have you led us astray?"
"Lina! I never…"
Lina was full in his face, which was uncomfortable enough! Piccolo didn't help matters much as he drew closer to Xellos's back, making him feel very claustrophobic. "No time for games, Xellos! What are you hiding!" She brought her fist up to Xellos's chin to accentuate her point. Xellos's sweatdrop grew larger as he tried to act casual in front of the enraged Lina Inverse.
"I'm not hiding anything, Lina! Honest!"
"Really," she said as her eyes narrowed. "Then why didn't you come forward sooner? You could've teleported us back home anytime! Why did you wait?"
Xellos felt very uncomfortable. He backed away from Lina and only made about a foot before he bumped into the powerful presence of Piccolo. "I…I needed to be sure!"
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I needed to be sure that my magic would be able to work on this world. Crossing worlds brings an unpredictable effect on spellcasters."
"So," she continued. "Knowing you, you would've brought insurance with you."
"What do you mean?"
"Something…something that you knew would work regardless of other- worldly boundaries. You have the Dark Heart, don't you?"
"What…" Xellos began, but he didn't have time to do anything else. Lina punched him squarely in the stomach causing him to tumble forward. In that instant, she searched through his robes and found what she was looking for.
"I knew it!"
"What the…?" Piccolo asked, eyebrow raised.
Xellos coughed and hung his head in defeat. "How did you know, Lina?"
"The Dark Heart is the only magical device I know from our world that creates stable teleportation gates. Did you forget that I'm Lina Inverse, Sorceress Extrordinare?"
"Hmph. It appears that I underestimated you once again." His smile returned and he bowed in defeat.
"With this we can go home!" Her eyes glittered and her smile widened. "Plus, this would give us some much needed gold when we get back!"
The others, Xellos included, fell down with their legs standing up in the air! "Lina," Zel exclaimed getting up. "That magical device is too powerful to just sell off! What if it fell into the wrong hands?"
"I'm confused," Gokuu complained, scratching his head.
"Don't worry about it Zel," she said dismissively as she looked at Xellos. "You don't mind if I hold on to it, do you?"
"Oh, no! Go ahead, Lina." Xellos said dejectedly.
"If there's anything else…?" Vegeta spoke up impatiently.
"Right!" Xellos said. He was all smiles now. He regained his composure and dusted himself off again. "Ready?"
The others nodded.
"Very well then. Follow me!" He took off. The others followed. ***Indeed, I did underestimate you, Lina Inverse! It doesn't matter. Soon, you and the others will be dead, and Vegeta will be mine! Or Valgav will be destroyed, whichever. One way or the other Vegeta, you fate belongs to me now!***
Next: The Climactic battle! Valgav vs. Everybody!
