Ancestors

By EEQ

Chapter 3

Zarek and his friends flew to the location Raidon had been given.

I hope it doesn't upset her to see us flying.

Hye must have seen her with us. I'm so stupid. I should have known better than to talk to someone new in the open, especially one incapable of defending herself.

If she can't defend herself, how did she get away from Hye?

"There!" Zarek touched his feet to the ground and knocked on the payphone booth.

"Pyralis, we're here."

She stumbled out. "Glad to see you. You guys looked really funny floating in the air," she said. She did not look very steady on her feet.

Raidon put his arm around her waist. "Allow me to help you stand up."

She laughed. It sounded strained.

"What happened?" Makoto asked, "And where's Hye?"

"I left her unconscious back there." Pyralis waved her arm vaguely.

"Unconscious?" Hoshiko looked shocked.

"I hit her with my book bag...I lost it..." Pyralis was in a state of shock.

"Better take her home," Raidon said.

"She won't be safe at home," Zarek said.

"Then we will take her with us."

"What?" Hoshiko demanded. "What...What about her parents?"

"My parents?" Pyralis giggled. "They don't care where I am."

"There you have it," Raidon said. "She comes with us."

Pyralis chose that moment to pass out.

"Poor thing," Raidon said.

"I will take her," said Zarek. Carrying Pyralis would be difficult while flying, but he was the strongest one. He picked her up, and found that she was not very heavy.

They went back to the apartment all of them shared.

It was in a rundown building, and between them they had enough money to keep it up. Zarek's parents helped out when they could (knowing what was going on but not the strength to help) but they were quite poor. Hoshiko's parents were dead; Zarek had found her on the streets. Makoto had left his home and his parents, telling them they would be safer without him but not why. They trusted him completely and did not try to follow. Raidon was eighteen and had been living on his own anyway; this apartment was his.

Zarek wished he could find more of the descendants because their group was not very powerful.

I wish that the power had remained more pure in our bloodlines, especially Hoshiko's and mine, so that we could become Super Saiya-Jin. I know that Hye was close...She has probably already achieved it. Her blood is more pure than mine...I don't even know how I can be stronger than my parents.

Zarek laid Pyralis on his bed, deciding to take the couch. She looked so peaceful...

Zarek went into the living area, the former bedroom. Each had their own 'room', they had divided the living room up into sections with makeshift walls. The bedroom was now the living area with TV and couch, where they tried to relax. Raidon had every right to use this room as his own, considering he was the one providing most of the money for the apartment, but he wanted to be fair to the others.

"She's fast asleep," Zarek said upon entering the room.

"Where is she?"

"In my bed. I will sleep on the couch."

Hoshiko looked angry. "Why not give her the couch?"

"That would not be very hospitable, now would it?" Radon's patience with Hoshiko ran short these days. All of them had been together for six months now; after Raidon had joined them. He was the last to join; the first had been Makoto, then Hoshiko. They had trained together and lived together, and for the entire time Hoshiko had been acting a right brat. At first Raidon had accepted it because her life had been hard; now he was just angry. She needed to learn to deal with it. His life hadn't been all roses either. "You act more like Vegeta than Goku, I swear."

Zarek shook his head. Raidon regretted saying that. Zarek decided to change the subject.

"Vegeta wasn't that bad," Zarek said, "but his logic was twisted. Hye's logic is completely gone. We have to stop her...We have to help her. We might be able to save her yet."

"There are no more dragon balls," Makoto said, "and we do not have near as much power as Hye."

"I am still going to try," Zarek said with clenched fists.

"So will we all," Raidon said. "At least I will."

"Thank you."

Hoshiko left the room for her bed.

"What is with her?" Raidon asked, unable to suppress his irritation any longer. "Her attitude..."

"Hoshiko still can't accept that she is part of a team." Zarek sighed. "I had hoped she would have adjusted by now."

"She will come around eventually," Makoto said. "We just need patience." He shot a pointed look at Raidon.

Raidon snorted. "I can take a hint, Makoto. What are we going to do about Pyralis?"

"I don't know," Zarek said. "Let's figure it out in the morning. I am far too tired right now."

"I hear you. Good night." Raidon went out, and Makoto followed.

Zarek's sleep was troubled that night.

*****

Pyralis awoke quite suddenly and she did not know where she was.

She rose, and stumbled a few steps until she saw a doorway. It was open, so she peeked in. Zarek was sleeping on a couch in the room. That must have been his bed I was in, she realized. She finally remembered what had happened the previous night.

They saved me...How did I manage to get away from Hye? That thing inside of me...Is it that power that Zarek was talking about? She was so confused.

Zarek stirred. He saw her standing there. "Pyralis!"

"I'm so sorry...Did I wake you?" she started to back away.

"No, I was awake," he lied. He had been startled by her presence. She may not know how to fight but her energy level was very high, and he could sense that. He rose, and went over to her.

"Is there something the matter?" he asked. It was still very early and they could both use a few hours more of sleep.

"I woke up and I was confused," Pyralis said. "Since you're awake...I would like to thank you for coming for me. All of you. I will thank the others when they are awake...And now I will leave you so you can go to sleep."

"Wait." Zarek put a hand on her arm. "I am sorry. It was my fault Hye saw you and recognized you in the first place. I shouldn't have talked to you in the open...I shouldn't have talked to you at all."

Pyralis shook her head. "You were only doing what you thought was right. It's not your fault Hye saw. It's not your fault that Hye came after me. If anything, I am glad I caught your attention." Pyralis sighed. "I have been so lonely for such a long time that I didn't even realize what that feeling was until now." A tear fell from her eyes. She must look like such a small child. She was embarrassed. "In any case, I would like to join you. I don't really know what I could possibly do to help, but if it matters I am on your side."

"Of course it matters! We will train you if you want, and if you don't...You can stay here, if it's all right with Raidon, which I'm sure it will be. We'll protect you."

Even Hoshiko? Pyralis suppressed a snicker. "I don't want to be a burden on anyone," she said.

"You won't be." I got her in trouble, so I will watch over her. I know that Raidon and Makoto like her, even if Hoshiko doesn't.

"Thank you," Pyralis said. She still looked so sad. He had a sudden urge to hug her...so he did.

"I won't let Hye hurt you," he whispered. Pyralis hoped so... "Now go back to bed."

"Is it your bed that I was sleeping in?"

"Yes, but you can sleep there for tonight. In the morning we will set up a place for you."

"Thank you," she said again. "I sound like I'm on repeat." She grinned. "I have never thanked anyone so much in my life."

This isn't how Vegeta acted, as far as I have heard, Zarek thought, as she left. I can see some small similarities, but for the most part, she is quite different.

*****

Hye was angry.

She should have joined me! She is one of Vegeta's and she should have respect for our bloodline! This is an outrage!

I will get what I deserve. No matter what it takes. If I have to wipe out the human race, even if I have to destroy the entire planet...Whatever the cost, I will achieve my goals.

Hye laughed, and the insanity in that laughed was evident as it echoed throughout.

*****

*****