Yes, I am very late in updating. I know that. It's just that, well, I...
didn't really feel like writing. ^_^() Plus, I've been working on a pic of
my alter ego, Koneko, all weekend. Since my scanner's broken and I'm too
impatient to wait for a new one, I decided to draw it straight from my
brain to the computer screen. And I'm kinda cheap, what with using Windows
Paint and all. But I'm trying to make up for the bad pixelization with
shading. ^_^ Yep. I love to draw and color. Love to shade... Yep. I'm
rambling, aren't I? Sorry! Continue with the review responses and stories.
I still have your attention? Oh, I'm glad! ^_^
************
SSJ4 Goku: Yeah! Let's look to the future! ^_^ Aw, I'm even more touched that you should trust me. It just chokes me up... It's both. How's that? When you can't decide, go for the middle. ^_^() Oh, I love your comments and would like more(not to be vain...)! Ack! Compliments!=^_^= (That's my blushing face...) Yep. He's okay... We shall defeat evil... things! Yeah... That's good. Well, can't always get the best... Yep! Oh, don't be. Not all plushies are bad... Like my Giraffe, Twinky. He's very nice. I'll introduce you to him sometime. ^_^ *** Er... Yeah... I kinda went on the dramatic side. It came from a nightmare of mine! Phew, that relieves me. ^_^ I don't want to scare away any friends. =^_^= He is. It's a fact by now. No way do I mind if I agree with you. ^_^ Nah, I don't think that'll happen... Things would certainly be going a whole lot better than if I was in charge. O.o Yep, I do. They put me to sleep for a while... Sleep good for me... ^_^ Hey, I've survived this long! And if I died, then I wouldn't be able to continue this fic, would I? O.o Then I surely mustn't die! Can't leave my friends hanging! *** =^_^= Thanx... I feel all bubbly again... Yeah. It just wouldn't have made sense to have him in it. True, but life isn't a perfect dream... Thank you! ^_^
Masquerade: Thank you! ^_^ I've made this a sort of two-parter(I think) so your other questions will be answered eventually. Thanx, I'll try!
Lilmissgoten: Hey, good guess! But you'll just have to read to find out. You never know... It could actually be her... You might not be wrong... ^_~ Well, hyperness isn't bad! You should have seen me at school today... Birds flew away at the sound of my screeching voice! But I'm glad you reviewed. Yeah, I know what you mean. ^_^ Me neither! O.o
SSJSkaterTrunks: Oh! I'm so sorry! *hands you a tissue* I'll make it up to you somehow! Just don't be mad! I'm too sensitive to handle it... *starts to cry* Aw, I feel sad... *brightens up* Thankies! ^_^ I go through mood swings like that sometimes. *watches and blinks* O.o That's a big number...
kyro: Thanx and sorry! It's like a reflex sometimes. I just can't help it. Oh, I am. I'm not so cruel as to stop completely. That'd drive ME insane. O.o Most? Look what cliffhangers have done to me... ^_^()
Pen Dragon: Aw, man! That stinks! Stupid demon... Wow... But you saved your laptop! ^_^ Hang on tight! Let's see. If you fall up, then which way is down? 'Cause you're hanging from something and if you fall up, then wouldn't you be hanging up? So the ground would be up then and you'd be towards that. But then you'd be falling down and so the ground is up... And it's down... *gets confused* I... I don't know what I'm saying! I'm confused! *tries to figure out what she said*
Sailor Taichichi Vegeta: It is and it came from one of my regular nightmares! O.o Me, too, but don't get your hopes up... About that. I'm hoping to start that once Cell becomes perfect. Because, well, nobody could love him no matter what in his second form. Too stupid and ugly for a girl's taste... Maybe by chapter 20 or 21 I'm hoping! So sit tight! ^_^
ElysianAmazon: Thanx! Ooh, pretty and shiny... *marvels over the sticker* Thanx again! *continues to stare at the shiny sticker...*
LadyBuG: Welcome back! ^_^ Yep. And most definitely scarring and somewhat traumatizing. O.o All from my nightmares... Hey, that's okay! You'll find out next! ^_^
************
Disclaimer: DBZ isn't mine and that most likely will never change. Just Sekai, voices, her family, etc. are mine. You know that. ^_^
************
Cat and Mouse: Chapter Nineteen
"So what do you say, Vegeta?"
Cell had impatiently been waiting for Vegeta's response on letting him absorb Android 18. So far, his expression had remained blank and uninterested. Bad for Cell.
Vegeta calmly placed his hand under his chin and stroked it as if in deep thought. In reality, he was just stalling to annoy Cell further. His decision had actually been made a long time ago. But it was just so amusing to see the giant insect squirm in uneasiness.
Cell wasn't the only one getting caught in the suspense. Trunks floated between the two, also awaiting the verdict. He couldn't believe that the world's fate now rested in his father's hands. What he would decide would change the odds drastically. He knew that anything he would say would just go in one ear and out the other. So he kept quiet and waited.
Finally, Vegeta raised his head in gesture of his decision. "Very well, Cell. Do as you wish. It won't matter anyways. Just remember that you owe me a worthy challenge."
"No don't!" Trunks cried, but the warning was placed upon deaf ears.
Cell did his best to hide the gleeful grin on his face. Instead, he smirked. "Don't worry, Vegeta. This will be a battle that will never be forgotten. I guarantee you that you will get the challenge you wish for and much more."
"Hmph, words mean nothing unless acted upon," Vegeta crossed his arms.
Cell smiled. 'Yes. I will have to prove to you what a grave mistake you just made. And I'll do that by knocking whatever little brains you have in you,' he thought. With that done, he began to descend to the ground below. Eighteen, Sixteen, nor Krillin knew that he had spotted them.
'Ah, come to me now, Eighteen...' Cell thought, almost dreamily. But something shot forward and came in his path. He skidded in the air to a halt and faced his next opponent.
Trunks floated in front of him with arms outstretched. "Stop right there! I'm not letting you get away that easily."
Cell growled, clenching his fists. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to beat the boy from the future, he whipped his head around to Vegeta, who floated above and remained unmoving.
"Vegeta! I thought we had a deal!" Cell yelled.
"Trunks, let the bug have his way for now. Once he's complete, it'll be even more fun to kick his ass," Vegeta shouted demandingly.
Trunks's eyes never wavered from Cell. "No, father! Don't you see? He's trying to trick you! He knows that your weakness is the thirst for a challenge. Don't let him fool you!"
"Quiet! I have made my decision, and it is final. Now, let him pass and do whatever he wants in absorbing that android."
"No! I won't let him be complete!" Trunks powered up and prepared to knock Cell's lights out. Cell backed up a bit but didn't really have a chance in defending himself.
Before he could react, Trunks was knocked away by Vegeta. He was sent flying off into the horizon where the sun slowly sank from the power punch, courtesy of Vegeta.
Cell blinked and released the breath he had been holding. He had thought he would have been squashed had not the Saiya-jin prince intervened.
"Now go do your business and don't keep me waiting. Understand?" Vegeta said curtly with his back turned.
"Of course. And I thank you, Vegeta." Cell silently thought, 'I thank you for being so stupid.' He grinned and continued to the ground.
"Whatever." Vegeta shrugged and watched him go down. Things were slowly going into motion...
Meanwhile...
Sekai continued to dream.
At least she thought it was a dream.
It certainly felt like one.
The man in front of her slowly removed the hood of his cloak from his face, revealing himself. He turned out to be the one person whom Sekai had thought she'd known all her life.
All her life as long as she'd known him. But she was no longer sure.
Certainly it must be a hologram or something.
A hologram...
... Of her brother.
Nuko.
It couldn't be him.
He wouldn't reopen old wounds and show her their past.
And what was the purpose of showing her her power? It certainly didn't motivate her; it didn't make her stronger or more confident. It only hurt her and made her want to die.
'No. It's some cruel person disguising himself as Nuko. My brother's gone and won't come back. And besides, his voice is completely different from Nuko's,' she thought, feeling thoroughly convinced about the man.
He had read her thoughts.
He proved that when he contradicted her.
~There's no use in denying it. I am the brother you knew when you were so very young.~
'No, you're not! You can't be!'
~Why can't I? Because of my voice? That can be easily fixed.~
*How's that?*
Sekai's eyes widened and she could feel herself fall from her floating position. But then she was stopped. He was holding her hand. Not really grabbing it; he just held it. That was all that was seemingly needed to keep her from falling farther into the darkened abyss.
*Need some help?*
Sekai growled and yanked her hand away. She didn't care if she fell or not. She didn't want to touch the stranger in front of her.
'Go away! Stay the hell away from me!'
"Nuko" floated down to her level of ground calmly and faced her. *I'm afraid I can't do that. You see, you're the one who is keeping me confined in this pitiful void.*
'What?' she blinked.
*Ten years ago, our family was attacked by the political forces of the world for our land. You know, the land upon which we lived was rich with the various minerals and oil that most of the world takes for granted. Of course, since father owned the title deed to the forest land, they couldn't just take it from us. And when mother and father made it clear that they were not giving up our home, the forces, consumed by greed, took it the only way they could. Through assassination. They had no intention of killing us; you were only six and I, seventeen. We had no real power to stand up for ourselves. But they also had no intention of leaving behind witnesses. So, to protect their own lousy skins, they killed us all except for you. And if it weren't for your release of power, you would have been dead, too.*
Sekai took all the new information in thoughtfully. At the time, much had gone by her because of her young age and mind. But now that she could get a view of just what had happened-- no matter how false-- maybe, just maybe, she could piece things together and come up with her own conclusion.
'That's a lot of info, but it still doesn't explain how I could be confining you with me here,' she said skeptically.
*I was getting to that.* "Nuko" crossed his arms and continued. *When you went through your power surge at the assassination, you were consumed with not only rage but with one thought that seemed to have not only a physical but a mental impact. At your age, your innocence made you even more powerful because your thoughts were pure and created out of love. You were consumed with the one wish to save my life and protect me from harm. Over time, I came to conclude that that thought might have joined my soul with yours.*
'This is just too much. Why am I even listening to you?! You could be lying to me about everything for all I know!'
*You may believe whatever you wish. But who else have you got to turn to for answers to the questions you've been searching for for so long?*
He had her there. She kept silent. And he continued.
*I also believe that the silver dagger that father gave you had something to do with it. It somehow allowed your power out to the fullest and, once it did that, grasped a hold of my soul and transferred it to your body through it. My body faded away, and I was trapped in your body and mind.*
'But what does a dagger have to do with doing that to you? It's just a lifeless object,' she pointed out.
"Nuko" shook his head. *I know that, Sekai-chan. I--*
'Don't call me that.' She narrowed his eyes at him.
Momentarily, a look of hurt passed over his face, but he quickly composed himself. *Very well. But what I'm trying to tell you is that maybe the dagger was not the source of your power but the key to unlock it. And if it did so before, then it surely can do it again.*
'But before, why did you pretend to be someone else and cloak your real voice with the one you're using now? Why don't you talk with your own voice?' She pressed for answers.
*Would you have believed it to be me even with my own voice?*
Sekai was taken aback by the question. Of course she would believe it to be Nuko then! ... Wouldn't she? Then again, she probably would never have suspected anything of him having the ability to change his voice...
'So now that I do know who you are, why don't you change to your regular voice?' She didn't fully believe him to be her brother, but he didn't need to know that.
*I could. But it won't change anything.*
~*See? It's easy as that.*~
Sekai leaned forward slightly, hearing the voice so familiar to her. Even after all these years, she hadn't forgotten it. She could remember the things that voice said...
***
... Sekai-chan, be careful not to fall in. *splash* I warned you!...
... Relax, it's only a little cut...
... I can't right now, Sekai-chan. Mom wants me to do a few more chores. Maybe later we'll play...
... I found you!...
***
Sekai breathed sharply out of her nose, feeling her eyes tear up. She sniffed and wiped her nose a little, looking at him. With his voice back, everything about him finally seemed to fit into place.
'So... If you are who you say you are, and if you had that voice before, then you've been the one who's been pressing me to kill the humans. Why would you want the humans to die, "brother"?'
"Nuko" bristled. The sarcastic emphasis on the last word had really stung him, but he brushed it off. ~*You should know after all I have told you. The humans are a disgraceful race. Instead of helping each other and working together, we hurt and kill each other. Instead of fighting for a better and more peaceful world, we are consumed by greed and material wealth and destroy for it. I hate myself for being human, so helpless to change my fate. But you, you have a power within you that is unlike any other human being on the entire planet. You're the chosen one by God to save this world. Your very name means 'world.'*~
'Sure, some humans are bad, but they're human! They can't help their instincts. And not all humans are bad,' she defended. 'Like Ms. Bulma who aided me in my time of need,' she said.
~*That woman is the daughter of the president of Capsule Corporation. The source of most of the technology being invented that endangers Earth.*~
'But that's what makes humans so great! To be able to create great things! The world is continuously being revolutionalized and is advancing all the time. The world is getting stronger too.'
~*'Create great things'? Like Cell? He is a creation of one of the great scientists of the world. And the world is getting stronger because of him?*~
Sekai bit her lip. She hadn't wanted Cell to end up in this conversation. She still had many questions to ask and needed answers desperately. This would only complicate things further.
'Well, Cell was created by a lunatic. You can't expect all humans to be pure good.'
~*And the longer these humans live on, the more evil will grow and, one day, kill off the earth.*~
Sekai sighed, frustrated. There was just no way to get through to him! He was totally shut off in his one loathing.
'Now you're being greedy just like the humans. Wanting to wipe them all out.'
~*Greedy?! I want the planet to be safe. That's not greed; that's sacrifice!*~
Sekai floated over to him and light started to gather about her. 'No. Sacrifice is giving up what you crave, what you treasure, for someone or something else. No harm comes to anyone that way; it affects everyone for the better. Giving something up for the happiness of someone else is sacrifice. Hurting others for an excuse is greed.'
~*Oh! And what about my death? Is that considered a 'sacrifice' for the sake of mankind? What good use has it been put to if it is? You don't know what it's like to have your very life stolen from you!*~
Sekai closed her eyes and now knew for sure that this was her brother. No one else would be so open and honest with her this way. Opening her eyes, she walked to him and lightly hugged him. He froze.
'I know that. I could never feel the full effect of dying unless experiencing it myself. And I know I couldn't understand the feelings you're going through about it. But, if you would let me, then I would learn to understand. You could enlighten me on the feelings I have no way of experiencing except through death,' she spoke softly through her mind. 'Please?'
He couldn't answer her. He just stayed frozen in place, not responding. Sekai could only wait for what his next reaction would be...
************
Well, congratulations to Masquerade and ElysianAmazon for guessing correctly on the now not-so-mysterious voice. I only hope that it wasn't too obvious. I tend to spell things out sometimes... ^_^()
Yes, I know I totally left out the other fighters in the end. But I just couldn't find a place to fit them in. And it's hard to switch scenes when they're all supposed to be happening at the same time. ^_^() I'll just bring 'em out again in the next chappie. I hope this chapter wasn't too bad, but I liked it. It actually had me choked up a bit! Right when she hugged him. BAM! The waterworks began. ^_^() I'm very sensitive...*sniff* Excuse me, I have something in my eye. Next chapter will be out in another few days hopefully. Bye! *runs off to get a tissue*
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SSJ4 Goku: Yeah! Let's look to the future! ^_^ Aw, I'm even more touched that you should trust me. It just chokes me up... It's both. How's that? When you can't decide, go for the middle. ^_^() Oh, I love your comments and would like more(not to be vain...)! Ack! Compliments!=^_^= (That's my blushing face...) Yep. He's okay... We shall defeat evil... things! Yeah... That's good. Well, can't always get the best... Yep! Oh, don't be. Not all plushies are bad... Like my Giraffe, Twinky. He's very nice. I'll introduce you to him sometime. ^_^ *** Er... Yeah... I kinda went on the dramatic side. It came from a nightmare of mine! Phew, that relieves me. ^_^ I don't want to scare away any friends. =^_^= He is. It's a fact by now. No way do I mind if I agree with you. ^_^ Nah, I don't think that'll happen... Things would certainly be going a whole lot better than if I was in charge. O.o Yep, I do. They put me to sleep for a while... Sleep good for me... ^_^ Hey, I've survived this long! And if I died, then I wouldn't be able to continue this fic, would I? O.o Then I surely mustn't die! Can't leave my friends hanging! *** =^_^= Thanx... I feel all bubbly again... Yeah. It just wouldn't have made sense to have him in it. True, but life isn't a perfect dream... Thank you! ^_^
Masquerade: Thank you! ^_^ I've made this a sort of two-parter(I think) so your other questions will be answered eventually. Thanx, I'll try!
Lilmissgoten: Hey, good guess! But you'll just have to read to find out. You never know... It could actually be her... You might not be wrong... ^_~ Well, hyperness isn't bad! You should have seen me at school today... Birds flew away at the sound of my screeching voice! But I'm glad you reviewed. Yeah, I know what you mean. ^_^ Me neither! O.o
SSJSkaterTrunks: Oh! I'm so sorry! *hands you a tissue* I'll make it up to you somehow! Just don't be mad! I'm too sensitive to handle it... *starts to cry* Aw, I feel sad... *brightens up* Thankies! ^_^ I go through mood swings like that sometimes. *watches and blinks* O.o That's a big number...
kyro: Thanx and sorry! It's like a reflex sometimes. I just can't help it. Oh, I am. I'm not so cruel as to stop completely. That'd drive ME insane. O.o Most? Look what cliffhangers have done to me... ^_^()
Pen Dragon: Aw, man! That stinks! Stupid demon... Wow... But you saved your laptop! ^_^ Hang on tight! Let's see. If you fall up, then which way is down? 'Cause you're hanging from something and if you fall up, then wouldn't you be hanging up? So the ground would be up then and you'd be towards that. But then you'd be falling down and so the ground is up... And it's down... *gets confused* I... I don't know what I'm saying! I'm confused! *tries to figure out what she said*
Sailor Taichichi Vegeta: It is and it came from one of my regular nightmares! O.o Me, too, but don't get your hopes up... About that. I'm hoping to start that once Cell becomes perfect. Because, well, nobody could love him no matter what in his second form. Too stupid and ugly for a girl's taste... Maybe by chapter 20 or 21 I'm hoping! So sit tight! ^_^
ElysianAmazon: Thanx! Ooh, pretty and shiny... *marvels over the sticker* Thanx again! *continues to stare at the shiny sticker...*
LadyBuG: Welcome back! ^_^ Yep. And most definitely scarring and somewhat traumatizing. O.o All from my nightmares... Hey, that's okay! You'll find out next! ^_^
************
Disclaimer: DBZ isn't mine and that most likely will never change. Just Sekai, voices, her family, etc. are mine. You know that. ^_^
************
Cat and Mouse: Chapter Nineteen
"So what do you say, Vegeta?"
Cell had impatiently been waiting for Vegeta's response on letting him absorb Android 18. So far, his expression had remained blank and uninterested. Bad for Cell.
Vegeta calmly placed his hand under his chin and stroked it as if in deep thought. In reality, he was just stalling to annoy Cell further. His decision had actually been made a long time ago. But it was just so amusing to see the giant insect squirm in uneasiness.
Cell wasn't the only one getting caught in the suspense. Trunks floated between the two, also awaiting the verdict. He couldn't believe that the world's fate now rested in his father's hands. What he would decide would change the odds drastically. He knew that anything he would say would just go in one ear and out the other. So he kept quiet and waited.
Finally, Vegeta raised his head in gesture of his decision. "Very well, Cell. Do as you wish. It won't matter anyways. Just remember that you owe me a worthy challenge."
"No don't!" Trunks cried, but the warning was placed upon deaf ears.
Cell did his best to hide the gleeful grin on his face. Instead, he smirked. "Don't worry, Vegeta. This will be a battle that will never be forgotten. I guarantee you that you will get the challenge you wish for and much more."
"Hmph, words mean nothing unless acted upon," Vegeta crossed his arms.
Cell smiled. 'Yes. I will have to prove to you what a grave mistake you just made. And I'll do that by knocking whatever little brains you have in you,' he thought. With that done, he began to descend to the ground below. Eighteen, Sixteen, nor Krillin knew that he had spotted them.
'Ah, come to me now, Eighteen...' Cell thought, almost dreamily. But something shot forward and came in his path. He skidded in the air to a halt and faced his next opponent.
Trunks floated in front of him with arms outstretched. "Stop right there! I'm not letting you get away that easily."
Cell growled, clenching his fists. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to beat the boy from the future, he whipped his head around to Vegeta, who floated above and remained unmoving.
"Vegeta! I thought we had a deal!" Cell yelled.
"Trunks, let the bug have his way for now. Once he's complete, it'll be even more fun to kick his ass," Vegeta shouted demandingly.
Trunks's eyes never wavered from Cell. "No, father! Don't you see? He's trying to trick you! He knows that your weakness is the thirst for a challenge. Don't let him fool you!"
"Quiet! I have made my decision, and it is final. Now, let him pass and do whatever he wants in absorbing that android."
"No! I won't let him be complete!" Trunks powered up and prepared to knock Cell's lights out. Cell backed up a bit but didn't really have a chance in defending himself.
Before he could react, Trunks was knocked away by Vegeta. He was sent flying off into the horizon where the sun slowly sank from the power punch, courtesy of Vegeta.
Cell blinked and released the breath he had been holding. He had thought he would have been squashed had not the Saiya-jin prince intervened.
"Now go do your business and don't keep me waiting. Understand?" Vegeta said curtly with his back turned.
"Of course. And I thank you, Vegeta." Cell silently thought, 'I thank you for being so stupid.' He grinned and continued to the ground.
"Whatever." Vegeta shrugged and watched him go down. Things were slowly going into motion...
Meanwhile...
Sekai continued to dream.
At least she thought it was a dream.
It certainly felt like one.
The man in front of her slowly removed the hood of his cloak from his face, revealing himself. He turned out to be the one person whom Sekai had thought she'd known all her life.
All her life as long as she'd known him. But she was no longer sure.
Certainly it must be a hologram or something.
A hologram...
... Of her brother.
Nuko.
It couldn't be him.
He wouldn't reopen old wounds and show her their past.
And what was the purpose of showing her her power? It certainly didn't motivate her; it didn't make her stronger or more confident. It only hurt her and made her want to die.
'No. It's some cruel person disguising himself as Nuko. My brother's gone and won't come back. And besides, his voice is completely different from Nuko's,' she thought, feeling thoroughly convinced about the man.
He had read her thoughts.
He proved that when he contradicted her.
~There's no use in denying it. I am the brother you knew when you were so very young.~
'No, you're not! You can't be!'
~Why can't I? Because of my voice? That can be easily fixed.~
*How's that?*
Sekai's eyes widened and she could feel herself fall from her floating position. But then she was stopped. He was holding her hand. Not really grabbing it; he just held it. That was all that was seemingly needed to keep her from falling farther into the darkened abyss.
*Need some help?*
Sekai growled and yanked her hand away. She didn't care if she fell or not. She didn't want to touch the stranger in front of her.
'Go away! Stay the hell away from me!'
"Nuko" floated down to her level of ground calmly and faced her. *I'm afraid I can't do that. You see, you're the one who is keeping me confined in this pitiful void.*
'What?' she blinked.
*Ten years ago, our family was attacked by the political forces of the world for our land. You know, the land upon which we lived was rich with the various minerals and oil that most of the world takes for granted. Of course, since father owned the title deed to the forest land, they couldn't just take it from us. And when mother and father made it clear that they were not giving up our home, the forces, consumed by greed, took it the only way they could. Through assassination. They had no intention of killing us; you were only six and I, seventeen. We had no real power to stand up for ourselves. But they also had no intention of leaving behind witnesses. So, to protect their own lousy skins, they killed us all except for you. And if it weren't for your release of power, you would have been dead, too.*
Sekai took all the new information in thoughtfully. At the time, much had gone by her because of her young age and mind. But now that she could get a view of just what had happened-- no matter how false-- maybe, just maybe, she could piece things together and come up with her own conclusion.
'That's a lot of info, but it still doesn't explain how I could be confining you with me here,' she said skeptically.
*I was getting to that.* "Nuko" crossed his arms and continued. *When you went through your power surge at the assassination, you were consumed with not only rage but with one thought that seemed to have not only a physical but a mental impact. At your age, your innocence made you even more powerful because your thoughts were pure and created out of love. You were consumed with the one wish to save my life and protect me from harm. Over time, I came to conclude that that thought might have joined my soul with yours.*
'This is just too much. Why am I even listening to you?! You could be lying to me about everything for all I know!'
*You may believe whatever you wish. But who else have you got to turn to for answers to the questions you've been searching for for so long?*
He had her there. She kept silent. And he continued.
*I also believe that the silver dagger that father gave you had something to do with it. It somehow allowed your power out to the fullest and, once it did that, grasped a hold of my soul and transferred it to your body through it. My body faded away, and I was trapped in your body and mind.*
'But what does a dagger have to do with doing that to you? It's just a lifeless object,' she pointed out.
"Nuko" shook his head. *I know that, Sekai-chan. I--*
'Don't call me that.' She narrowed his eyes at him.
Momentarily, a look of hurt passed over his face, but he quickly composed himself. *Very well. But what I'm trying to tell you is that maybe the dagger was not the source of your power but the key to unlock it. And if it did so before, then it surely can do it again.*
'But before, why did you pretend to be someone else and cloak your real voice with the one you're using now? Why don't you talk with your own voice?' She pressed for answers.
*Would you have believed it to be me even with my own voice?*
Sekai was taken aback by the question. Of course she would believe it to be Nuko then! ... Wouldn't she? Then again, she probably would never have suspected anything of him having the ability to change his voice...
'So now that I do know who you are, why don't you change to your regular voice?' She didn't fully believe him to be her brother, but he didn't need to know that.
*I could. But it won't change anything.*
~*See? It's easy as that.*~
Sekai leaned forward slightly, hearing the voice so familiar to her. Even after all these years, she hadn't forgotten it. She could remember the things that voice said...
***
... Sekai-chan, be careful not to fall in. *splash* I warned you!...
... Relax, it's only a little cut...
... I can't right now, Sekai-chan. Mom wants me to do a few more chores. Maybe later we'll play...
... I found you!...
***
Sekai breathed sharply out of her nose, feeling her eyes tear up. She sniffed and wiped her nose a little, looking at him. With his voice back, everything about him finally seemed to fit into place.
'So... If you are who you say you are, and if you had that voice before, then you've been the one who's been pressing me to kill the humans. Why would you want the humans to die, "brother"?'
"Nuko" bristled. The sarcastic emphasis on the last word had really stung him, but he brushed it off. ~*You should know after all I have told you. The humans are a disgraceful race. Instead of helping each other and working together, we hurt and kill each other. Instead of fighting for a better and more peaceful world, we are consumed by greed and material wealth and destroy for it. I hate myself for being human, so helpless to change my fate. But you, you have a power within you that is unlike any other human being on the entire planet. You're the chosen one by God to save this world. Your very name means 'world.'*~
'Sure, some humans are bad, but they're human! They can't help their instincts. And not all humans are bad,' she defended. 'Like Ms. Bulma who aided me in my time of need,' she said.
~*That woman is the daughter of the president of Capsule Corporation. The source of most of the technology being invented that endangers Earth.*~
'But that's what makes humans so great! To be able to create great things! The world is continuously being revolutionalized and is advancing all the time. The world is getting stronger too.'
~*'Create great things'? Like Cell? He is a creation of one of the great scientists of the world. And the world is getting stronger because of him?*~
Sekai bit her lip. She hadn't wanted Cell to end up in this conversation. She still had many questions to ask and needed answers desperately. This would only complicate things further.
'Well, Cell was created by a lunatic. You can't expect all humans to be pure good.'
~*And the longer these humans live on, the more evil will grow and, one day, kill off the earth.*~
Sekai sighed, frustrated. There was just no way to get through to him! He was totally shut off in his one loathing.
'Now you're being greedy just like the humans. Wanting to wipe them all out.'
~*Greedy?! I want the planet to be safe. That's not greed; that's sacrifice!*~
Sekai floated over to him and light started to gather about her. 'No. Sacrifice is giving up what you crave, what you treasure, for someone or something else. No harm comes to anyone that way; it affects everyone for the better. Giving something up for the happiness of someone else is sacrifice. Hurting others for an excuse is greed.'
~*Oh! And what about my death? Is that considered a 'sacrifice' for the sake of mankind? What good use has it been put to if it is? You don't know what it's like to have your very life stolen from you!*~
Sekai closed her eyes and now knew for sure that this was her brother. No one else would be so open and honest with her this way. Opening her eyes, she walked to him and lightly hugged him. He froze.
'I know that. I could never feel the full effect of dying unless experiencing it myself. And I know I couldn't understand the feelings you're going through about it. But, if you would let me, then I would learn to understand. You could enlighten me on the feelings I have no way of experiencing except through death,' she spoke softly through her mind. 'Please?'
He couldn't answer her. He just stayed frozen in place, not responding. Sekai could only wait for what his next reaction would be...
************
Well, congratulations to Masquerade and ElysianAmazon for guessing correctly on the now not-so-mysterious voice. I only hope that it wasn't too obvious. I tend to spell things out sometimes... ^_^()
Yes, I know I totally left out the other fighters in the end. But I just couldn't find a place to fit them in. And it's hard to switch scenes when they're all supposed to be happening at the same time. ^_^() I'll just bring 'em out again in the next chappie. I hope this chapter wasn't too bad, but I liked it. It actually had me choked up a bit! Right when she hugged him. BAM! The waterworks began. ^_^() I'm very sensitive...*sniff* Excuse me, I have something in my eye. Next chapter will be out in another few days hopefully. Bye! *runs off to get a tissue*