Chapter II: The Darkest Shadows, The Brightest Lights

Birth of a new warrior!  Disturbance in the heavens and hells!!


The white, slender tower which supported the very home of the god of the earth stood firmly as the sun, painting the sky of pink and red pigments, arose westward, hitting with its vast ultra-violet rays upon the tower.

Karin-sennin hadn't gotten a wink of sleep last night, as Yajirobe snored and belched all nightlong, like always.

But Karin didn't need sleep, though he would have wanted to.

"Ah, what a beautiful morning…what nice weather we're having," It was unusually warm (according to Karin's stifled standards). But he didn't complain.

Karin opened his mouth and yawned as he took his stick and scratched his back. The white cat peered yonder over the majestic horizon and took a deep, humble sigh as he listen to the music of birds chirping and singing.

Yajirobe, as usual, grumbled and drooled over dreams of women and food.

Karin's susceptible ears manage to move forward as he picked up a high frequency. The vigil Karin could sense trouble up ahead, but he didn't know what. Karin had always had a very good sense of hearing, but today was one of those days in which even a blessing can even become a curse.

Karin's concentration had been abruptly interrupted that he wanted to wake Yajirobe.

"Hey, wake u-"

"YAHHHOOOO!!!! YES!! I'M A DADDY AGAIN!!!! WAHOOO!!!" A sudden burst of noise had sent multiple jolts up Karin's nerves and he quickly lost his balance and fell to he marble floor.

Karin rose up and tried desperately to recuperate. He looked back and forth to see what had just happened.

Kuririn flew rapidly past Karin's tower. The emanated wind of the sonic bukujutsu caused the trees, below, to wave back and forth.

"What the heck was that?! Just when I was having a good dream, until that stupid yelling woke me up!" complained Yajirobe.

Then Kuririn automatically stopped and flew back toward Karin's tower.

"Karin! Yajirobe! Wake up!"

"I am awake," Karin interrupted as he caressed the bump on his noggin.

"Guess what?!"

"What!!?" They both asked simultaneously.

"I'm a DADDY! He-he-he-he-he-he-he-he-he…I'm a daddy, I'm a daddy, I'm a daddy," Kuririn danced and jumped up and down for joy and grasped onto Karin's paws, which Karin was not, obviously, enjoying himself.

"You-yo-hey-stop-your…a…father…again?" Karin desperately tried to make a sentence.
.
Kuririn ceased and placed his hand behind his head.

"Yup? Can you believe it?" Karin noticed Kuririn's absent nasal guffaw and cleared his throat.

Yajirobe, true to his form, didn't bother to get up, moved and placed his elbow on the
floor and placed his knuckles on his chin.

"Heh. Kuririn, you old dog…you…a daddy? Again? Ha! I never thought you, out of all
the people in the world, would be a father. Let alone two! I still can't believe #18 let you
knock her up like that. I always thought you two were enemies. Did you get her loaded or
something?"

Kuririn ignored Yajirobe's derisive remark.

"I can't wait to tell the other guys! Especially Gokuu! He'll flip!" Kuririn roared into laughter, as both Yajirobe and Karin stared back at each other. They both, as they can tell, had never seen Kuririn look so happy. Large drops of sweat had formed on the sides of their heads.

"Hey so is it a boy or a girl?" asked Yajirobe.

"It's a girl! I don't know what her name is yet but I'm pretty sure Juuhachi-gou knows what her name will be," Kuririn continued, "Oh look at the time! I got to go! See you guys later!" Kuririn quickly flew off as he waved toward the two. They both waved simultaneously back in return.

"Whoa, maybe I should wed a robot and have kids and have a house in the country, just like Kuririn-san. That would be cool, huh?" said the stubby, vagabond monk.

Karin exchanged an awkward look.

"What?"

***

Gokuu had awaken quiet early, so early in fact, Chi-Chi was still sound a sleep. Through all the years they have been married, this was the first time he had waken before his wife.

He sat up and submissively got up from the bed and went to the closet and put on his favorite orange gi. His hair was pompous as ever, typical saiyan. Then he performed his routine morning workout, starting out with his "thumb" push-ups.

After he was finished, he went downstairs toward the kitchen expecting food to be laid on the table. Unfortunately for Gokuu, none was there. An expression of disappointment painted across his half-witted face.

His stomach started to make ungodly noises loud enough to make anyone go Nappa. All he could think was about food and nothing was going to stop him from doing so. Not even if Chi-Chi barged in with various machine guns and weaponry. Well except for that.

Gokuu made a deep sigh and mumbled, "Boy. I'm sure am hungry. I wonder if Chi-Chi has some leftovers from last night…" He busily went through the refrigerator, looking for anything to consume.

Nope, no leftovers.

He started caressing his empty belly, wishing that he would consume a feasts' worth of food. And then it came to him. "Maybe I can cook! I can cook for Chi-Chi! Wow, I haven't cooked since I was a boy."

"Hmmm…I wonder how Chi-Chi does it…" He thought to himself.

"I know!" Gokuu unconsciously took out some pots and pans and right in that moment, he heard a voice calling his name. It was then he lost his grip. The loud constant noise of pans crashing on the floor had awakened both Chi-Chi and Goten, indefinitely.

Gokuu, Gokuu. Are you there? The voice called.

"Kaiou-sama? Is that you?"

No… The voice replied.

"Then who is it?"

This is Kaioushin. Forgive my intrusion, but there is something needing of attention, I'm afraid.

"Kaioushin! Long time no see! What's wrong?"

I really wouldn't know where to begin… Gokuu raised an eyebrow and replied, "Then why did you call me?"

Gokuu…I would have contacted you sooner, but strangely I've been having trouble communicating by telepathy, as if something is blocking any communiqué. The very celestial planes of the heavens are trembling, the hells are becoming far more tumultuous and morose…I am racing ahead of myself…

Son Gokuu! Are you there? Another voice called in Gokuu's mindset.

"Wha…? Kaiou-sama!?"

Who were you talking to previously?

"Eh, Kaioushin was. What's wrong? Is Bubbles flinging poo at you again?"

The northern Kaiou looked about as agitated as a hungry hyena. He scram GOKUU! THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR JOKES! IF HE WERE, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF HIM BY NOW!

"Sheesh…Kaioushin said something about heavens trembling…what is he talking about?"

Well Kaioushin is correct. There seems to be a source of ether greater expanding far beyond the reaches of heavens of the spirit realm. It seems very beautiful in a yet strange, twisted fashion. Normally, under these circumstances I wouldn't call you like this as many have been sent in to investigate the strange occurrences happening. They never came back. I cannot see what this ether or light source is coming from. Very cloudy and distorted my vision is.  So you can see why I am very troubled.

Then, unexpectedly, his stomach began to make growling noises not found in nature.

"Ah man, I'm hungry. Kaiou-sama, Kaioushin, can we talk about this later?" He spoke to the empty air.

 GOK—Immediately, the northern Kaiou was cut off by the tranquil voice of the small, purple deity. Kaiou-Sama, stop. Gokuu, I am not very sure how serious this may be. Yet this seems very familiar to me. We do not have much time. Come to the afterlife to see it for yourself then come to the Kaioushin Kai haven."

Gokuu found himself frowning at the revelation. "Ok, I'll be right there, Kaioushin."

Listen to my words. It is imperative that you come. I shall cook you feasts upon feasts, but just come! Yelled the agitated and jaded Kaiou-Sama.

"Ok. I'll be right there." Gokuu placed his two index fingers toward his head and concentrated on his destined position. Thoughts of an angry Chi-Chi broke his concentration like glass.

"Yikes. I hope Chi-Chi doesn't wake up too soon…"

Then some soft footsteps caught his attention.

"Gokuu-Sa…what are you doing?" said the exasperated, raspy voice.

"Huh? Chi-Chi!! I mean…Chi-Chi. I…"

"Gokuu…why are you up this early? I heard some noises and…"

"Um Chi-Chi…Kaiou-Sama and Rou spoke to me telepathically. There's something going on in the spirit realm. From the sound of it seems pretty bad."

Then that means you have to go?"

"Yeah…"

Chi-Chi's face changed to an unhealthy blue as she lost consciousness.

"Chi-Chi!" Gokuu immediately scurried toward her. "Chi-Chi, speak to me! Say something!" Gokuu shook the unconscious woman, repeatedly, in attempt to rouse her.

"Go-Gokuu…"

"You're back!" Yapped the happy to see the alive but not knowing anything that had happened Chi-Chi, Gokuu.

"What happened? Where am I?"

"You fell and lost consciousness. Have you eaten enough lately? He, he…" Gokuu smiled sheepishly with his hand behind his head, while blushing.

Chi-Chi was not amused.

***

I can't wait until Gokuu and the others find out! They're going to freak! But what name should I give her...? Hmmm… Kuririn thought to himself as he touched down on the grass painted ground.

He blew his unruly but graying hair from his face, facing Gokuu and Chi-Chi's humble little hut.

"Ok. Here I go…" Kuririn murmured to himself.

Some loud rambling had caught Kuririn's attention coming out of the small hut where Gokuu and Chi-Chi called home, but yet couldn't quite make of it. He then shifted his attention to the two flying figures above in the sky and shifted right back.

The yelling began to increase in volume. Kuririn frowned as he took a step closer toward the house.

Without warning, Gokuu literally busted through the door, pushed onto the curbside.

"But Chi-Chi, I have to. Why are acting like this? Is it because you are getting old and cranky?"

Chi-Chi narrowed her eyes and grunted. She grabbed a nearby frying pan and ran after her life mate.


Chi-Chi had trouble running after Gokuu in circles, but still had a slight edge with her iron frying pan. Gokuu was busily trying his best dodging the blows of Chi-Chi's fearsome frying pan.

Kuririn could quite make of this little ordeal. He couldn't decide whether to howl in laughter or to perceive in awe or help Gokuu. He decided option number two as he saw the most powerful fighter in the universe getting unmercifully punished by his own wife in awe.

Then Chi-Chi automatically stopped and noticed Kuririn. "Huh? Kuririn-san?"

By the time Chi-Chi got distracted, Gokuu took this opportunity to escape his spouse' wrath by running and leaping towards Kuririn and nestling a restricting spot behind him.

"Huh? Gokuu?"

Chi-Chi abruptly ran towards the two, like she was chasing after her prey. Then held out her frying pan and accidentally whacked Kuririn on he head (which was meant for Gokuu), forming a deep depression on her favorite pan.

"YOUUUCH!!!" Kuririn started to run in circles, clenching to his injured head.

"I-I'm so sorry Kuririn-san. I didn't know you were there and Gokuu would hide behind you…" Chi-Chi turned her attention to her now deformed frying pan, knelt down and wept.

Gokuu ran towards the small, injured man dipping his head into a nearby pond.

"Kuririn are you alright?" Kuririn shook his head, still in the shallow pond, with bubbles seeping out.

"What did you say?" Gokuu asked.

Kuririn began to gasp for air as soon as he lifted his head out of the pond, "Of course I'm not!"

Kuririn began to rub his injury as Chi-Chi rose and ran for the house.

"Huh? Chi-Chi wait!" Gokuu exclaimed.

Then Chi-Chi stopped. "Don't-don't you dare come back until-until dinner time!" Chi-Chi quickly slammed and locked the door.

"What did you do to deserve such treatment?" Kuririn asked as he chafed his injury.

Gokuu cleared his throat and sighed.

*

"WHAT? You mean something is invading the afterlife? How can that be?" Kuririn blinked in astonishment.

"I don't know. Kaiou-Sama barely escaped the ether."

"But he's dead. And what's this about the hells being more horrible? I mean it IS hell."

"Again…I don't know. But I have a feeling that there right. I can barely feel it too." Gokuu shook his head.


Chi-Chi overheard Gokuu and Kuririn's conversation and sighed. Abandoning every thought of not letting them in until dinnertime, she rapidly opened the door and quickly dragged Kuririn inside and slammed the door.

"Hey, that's not fair at all." protested Gokuu.

"Chi-Chi. Forgive me for calling you old, but I really need to go to the afterlife." Gokuu caressed his empty stomach as he hoped to find any sympathy left inside the woman's tired soul.

Chi-Chi ignoring Gokuu's every puerile plea for forgiveness, she placed a cold, wet clothe on Kuririn's noggin.

Kuririn then turned his attention toward the big mess Gokuu left.

Whoa…No wonder Chi-Chi is so angry. Kuririn thought to himself.

Chi-Chi folded her arms as she stood beside Kuririn and began to ask, "So Kuririn, tell me…why are you here so early in the morning?"

"Well to tell you the truth, I came here to tell you guys something."

"Tell us what?"

Kuririn began to re-innervate all his thoughts together and let out a big, "Well I'm a DADDY AGAIN!"

Chi-Chi quickly unfolded her arms and began to drop her mouth in pleasant surprise.

"KURIRIN!! My goodness…we have to CELEBRATE!"

She proceeded into dancing around with Kuririn. "Now I know how Karin feels like." he mumbled. Chi-Chi stopped.

"What did you say Kuririn-san?" He merely shook his head.

Gokuu scratched his head wondering how possibly Chi-Chi could be so happy.

"Chi-Chi. Kuririn. What's going on?"

"So is it a boy or a girl?" Chi-Chi asked. "Well it's a girl. She looks just like Juuhachi-gou. But She and I don't know what to call her…"

"Call her Ayla! That's the name I would have chosen to name my child if it were a girl, of course."

"Eh…tell that to Juuhachi-gou."

"Oh I'm so happy for you Kuririn! We have to have a party! I know! I'll invite everyone we know and I'll cook an army sized worth of food!" Chi-Chi gave a big bear hug to Kuririn.

"Ok then, if you won't open it, I'll have to be going then." Then without question Chi-Chi opened the door with Kuririn standing beside her.

"Tell him Kuririn-san!"

"Tell me what?"

"Well, um Gokuu…I'm a father. Again!"

"…Wha…? You're a father…again? Wow, that is surprising! Is it a girl or a boy?"

"It's a girl!"

"Chi-Chi…I'm hungry!" Gokuu cried, totally discarding of what Kuririn told him.

Yeah, he's surprised… Kuririn thought sarcastically.

"Well I'll go tell the others!" yelled out Kuririn.

"Ok then! Tell Juuhachi-gou congratulations for me!"

"Ok! Bye!" Kuririn yelled as he blasted off. Gokuu began to tiptoe in a servile manner away from Chi-Chi.

"As for you mister!" yelled Chi-Chi in a disapproving parental tone of voice.

Gokuu stuttered, flinched, lost his balance and fell on his rear end.

***

Anyone who had visited Kame-sennin Muten Roshi's isle several times always knew what to expect. With its occupants and especially a nose bleeding, perverted old man, a pig with a slight fetish with girls' panties (to say the least) and a talking slow-witted turtle could always throw off anyone who had never been to the isle before or anyone who had been living under a rock, that is. But when holding a party or some type of festivity on the trivial isle would probably lead to anything, especially when all of the Z-Senshi would attend.

There was plenty of food for everyone, everyone that is, a size of an army. Chi-Chi set the tables ready as Gokuu gauged himself with anything that smelled the least bit appetizing. Chi-Chi had been yelling at Gokuu and looked she would have a nervous breakdown anytime soon.

Vejiita was absent of course.

Bulma pleasantly greeted everyone at the door in an utmost polite manner.

"Konnichiwa, Gyuu Mao! What's with all the presents?"

"Oh hello Bulma. There all for Kuririn and Juuhachi-gou's baby girl. I hope she enjoys them as much as Gohan did when he was a child," He came roaring inside as Pan and Bra ran towards the big lug asking to keep the gifts for themselves.

Kuririn dressed in his best suit, Juuhachi-gou and their eldest daughter had finally arrived with the newborn babe.

"Huh? Wow everyone's here!" gasped Kuririn. His last statement caught everyone's attention. Everyone rushed to see the newborn babe.

"She's so beautiful, Kuririn! Oh let me hold her!" gasped Bulma.

"My goodness Kuririn, she's an angel!" Chi-Chi exclaimed with astonishment.

"Sure. Just try not to drop her," said Juuhachi-gou in a half-jokingly and a half don't screw around tone of voice.

Then the baby began to cry very, very loud as Bulma's futile attempts to comfort her became fruitless. Then Muten Roshi scurried toward Bulma with the stench of tequila (which Oolong spiked the punch earlier).

"Ah, who's the babe holding the babe? Ah-he-he-he…" Gokuu began to chuckle with his mouth filled with fried rice.

Bulma squinted at the old man. "You don't have to go and traumatize the kid with your perverted little flaunts! It wasn't my idea to hold the party here in the first place you know! I should have never listened to Yamucha!" Bulma eyed Yamucha with an evil glance. Yamucha proceeded to swallow.

Kuririn whispered to Goten and Trunks, "She never quite actually gets it when old men try to molest her…" Goten chuckled silently as Trunks raised an eyebrow.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY!?!" yelled Bulma.

"Uhhh…I didn't say anything!"

"Aw, come now Bulma. I'm good with babies! You're a cute one aren't you? Ku-chi-ku-chi-ku!"

Had Vegeta been there at the party, the old, dirty man's thoughts wouldn't have even crossed his mind. Meager attempts to nab breasts were something Roshi never tired from. Too bad Vegeta wasn't there to stop the fun.

Bulma merely slapped Roshi before he could do anything.

"Don't even try it old man..." Bulma's glare stabbed away at Roshi's equilibrium.

"Eehh…Ok, Bulma!" Roshi responded.

"You know, I would knock your lights out but I'm holding a baby, so if you don't mind, you can go and harass someone else!"

Muten Roshi ignored every threat of Bulma's and started to beam his usual quirky expressions toward the baby.

"Eh, Muten Roshi, I think the baby is a little scarred of you." Goten added.

"Awe come little one…smile!"

Half-digested formula had met with Roshi's face a lot faster than anyone could have predicted.

"Gotcha." uttered Bulma.

Everyone at the Kame house had began an uproar of laughter.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ahhm a living joke." Roshi muttered under his breath.

"Heh, you're a machine Kuririn-san!" Yamucha grinned as he slapped Kuririn on the back, almost losing his balance in the process.

"Heh…yeah…" he placed his hand behind his head Kuririn style.

Then a tall figure had caught Kuririn's attention. "Huh? Piccolo-san! What are you doing here? I never would have expected you to be here!"

"Gohan insisted I come. How many progeny do you plan to have?" Piccolo answered and asked, dryly.

"Ahhh…." Kuririn mumbled to himself.

"Who wants grilled shish kebabs!!?" Roshi yelled out, cooking at the grill. Goten, Trunks and Yajirobe raced each other towards the barbeque. (Earlier Trunks won their little race) Goten won this time. Trunks stuffed all the shish kebabs he could fit in his mouth in an eating contest with the others.

"So what are we going to name her?" asked Kuririn. Juuhachi-gou replied, "Mayone'."

"Mayone'? Is that going to be her name?"

"It came first to mind."

"Heh, come to think of it, I liked Ayla better…"

"Ayla?"

"Never mind…"

"Never mind what?"

"Its just a name…forget about it…"

"I'll go check on the baby." Juuhachi-gou walked away in frustration.

Gokuu whispered, "Women trouble, eh Kuririn-san?"

"Yeah…you're an expert on that aren't you, eh Gokuu?" Gokuu smiled in accord.

Hey! Tousan! Kuririn! Congratulations!" said the low tone of voice from behind.

"Eh? Gohan!" Kuririn was pleasantly surprised to find Gohan with his wife, Videl, holding hands.

"Here's a little present for little Mayone'." Gohan handed Kuririn a little box wrapped with glossy white paper.

"Wow, thanks! You heard…right?"

"Yeah, we couldn't help over hearing…" Then Videl unexpectedly gave a big hug and gave a small kiss on Kuririn's blushed cheek.

"Maybe we should have another baby, eh Gohan?" voluptuously suggested Videl as she
nudged him with her right elbow.

"Videl-san? Another? But don't you think Pan is enough? Not that I'm complaining." Videl gave a wink and puckered her lips.

From the chants and noise of conversation had slowly drowned out as a voice called Gokuu's name.

"Kaiou-Sama? Did something happen in the afterlife?" Gokuu spoke to empty air.

"Hey, who's dad talking too?" Goten asked, puzzled.

"It's Kaiou-Sama. Hold on a sec…"

Gokuu! Where the hell where you!?! HUH?

Gokuu nervously replied, "Eh, I was sort of caught up with Chi-Chi. What's happening now?"

Well as you know, this strange force is devouring the essence and the very fabric of the afterlife! It's as if, it is crying out in pain! It even destroyed my home as well as snake way!!"

"NANI? How?" Gokuu cringed with an unhealthy mix of surprise and fear.

This strange ether is destroying everything in its path! I don't know where this came from, but it is likely it won't leave anytime soon. I have also sensed another disturbance in the hells. But it seems too hazy to decipher.

"This is bad…"

"Tousan, what is he saying?" Gohan asked.

"There's been an incident in the afterlife. Apparently, an evil force is invading both the heavens and the hells."

This was met with a collective gasp. "Something is invading both sides of the afterlife?" Piccolo asked, with disbelief in his voice.

"How long has this been going on?" Tenshinhan stepped into the conversation.

"I'm not sure. I'm not sure how it'll hang around for much longer," Gokuu paused for a brief moment and let the atmosphere with suspense and continued, "But there's more…"

Gokuu, I…

"Huh? Kaiou-Sama? The telepathic link must have dissipated."

"Gokuu, what did he say?" Piccolo forcefully asked.

"He was about to say something big, but the esp. link just went out."

"You don't think the souls and demons from the hells have escaped, have you?" Gohan thought aloud.

"No. If they have, we would have felt it by now," Piccolo replied and continued, "Listen Son, use your instant movement technique to get to the afterlife and see what's going on while Gohan and I will go to Dende's lookout, while the rest keep watch. I think it'll be wise if you go now."

"Hey, why can't we go? We'll bring barrels of rum!" Oolong protested, drunk no less.

"Trrr…Don't say another word, you drunken piglet or you'll be crying for death!" Piccolo hissed.

"Alright you guys. Quit it. Piccolo take as many of them to Dende's lookout, while the rest look out for any signs." Gokuu placed his two fingers towards his forehead, concentrated on his destination and materialized from the mortal realm.

"This is quite odd…" Bulma raised an eyebrow towards Pan embracing, Videl as she duly nodded.

***

Son Gokuu flew past of what was the remains of the near endless serpentine bridge and frowned with disbelief. 

"I can't believe this…who could have done this?" He asked the flowing winds. All the saiya-jin could see was countless streaks of yellow clouds, painting the bright horizon.

"SON!!" A deep, gargly voice called out, from the distance. Gokuu immediately yielded to the voice and turned his head. 

"Paikuhan?" Gokuu smiled, thinly. The green, amphibious warrior looked as if he was ready to fight a thousand armies. He grinned with his oversized mouth, with two slits as nostrils. His white gi and sash billowed from the gale, sweet winds of the afterlife.

"Hello Son. Fate has brought us together again I see."

"What are you doing here in the afterlife?"

"Well I am dead you know," Paikuhan smiled and continued, "I heard that something was causing much confusion in the heavens. Do you know what's going on?"

"Snake way has been destroyed as far I know. Kaiou-sama and Kaioushin told me something about a bright light or an ether taking over the afterlife. Do you know what they're talking about?

 "No, as I have not seen it with my own eyes, yet I faintly can sense it. Several other beings are searching for this force, I hear."

"Well what are we waiting for? Lets go!" Gokuu replied with meaning.

 "Wait. Are you positively sure that Kaiou-Sama and Kaioushin had spoken too you?" Curiously, Paikuhan asked.

"Well yeah. Why?"

"I'm not sure myself if this is in fact true, but there are rumors that someone or something is taking over minds of anyone who dare encounter any telepathic voice."

"What? How can that be?" Gokuu blinked.

"Like I've said, I do not know. Come." The champion of the afterlife flew off into the distance as Gokuu quickly followed with relative ease.

Through the random, golden debris of the shattered road, an eerie sense of despair. As if the afterlife itself was crying out in pain.

"Paikuhan, did you feel that?"

"Yes, I can sense something, but vaguely."

"Gokuu!" A voice interrupted.

"Huh? Kaiou-Sama!" The pompous northern deity of the afterlife cleared his throat as his bright hallow glistened against the ever-approaching ether and replied, "I see that you've made it, Gokuu. Paikuhan? Has that short little scoundrel of a god sent you here?"

"No. In fact I have not seen him for some time. Is it true that something is invading the afterlife?"

Kaiou-Sama's attendee quivered about and a look of disparity had painted over his face. His sunglasses flashed with light as he addressed his former student and acquaintance, the old god nodded. "I'm afraid so. I sensed unfathomable evil in my day….but never like this. As you know Gokuu, something has invaded afterlife. It is bar none, an incredible force I have never previously felt. Yet evil is just a word when comparing it to likes of this incredible force. It was prophesied even before my time, that these occurrences would come to be. It is said that a fallen god had spoken a dreaded curse on those who betrayed him. The curse would usher in a new paradise…this ether is growing stronger by each passing moment. As strange as it sounds, if this is happening in the heavens, I also sense that something ill omen is ensuing in the hells as well, at this very moment."

Paikuhan closed his eyes and cringed with anger. "I knew it."

Gokuu frowned and replied, "Who is this fallen god?"

The northern Kaiou shook his head. "I simply do not know."

"We have to warn the others...if this force is in fact taking over the afterlife, then what will happen to all the entities and souls?" Paikuhan asked.

"I can only fear the worst for them and for us, for the cycle of the afterlife will be disrupted to a point of beyond mending. The repercussions I could only think would be so great that it would also affect the multiverse of the living. Unless we find the source of this ether, I'm afraid there is little that can be done to stop this."

The tail-less Saiyajin hands gripped tightly and felt helpless to the grim situation. "Why was snake way attacked and destroyed?" Paikuhan asked.

"That I do not know. The only thing I do know is that it is imminent that you go and warn the others. By now though, most of them should know about this."

"…We have to figure this mess out soon…" Gokuu muttered.

Paikuhan placed his hand on Gokuu's shoulder and suggested, "Son, I will warn the others in the afterlife as you warn the others in your world. We must hurry."

"Good idea. See you, Kaiou-Sama. I'll be back!" Gokuu waved as he placed both fingers toward his forehead. Right when he was about to inexplicably disappear, the same painful feeling took over their consciousness. Although it was deep into the distance, they cold see the dim lights becoming more evident by each passing moment until they became blindingly strong. From the edged of the ether, what it seemed like thousands of figures declaring war and battle cries echoed across the afterlife. Kaiou-Sama seemed near puzzled and almost shocked to see it; the foul beauty it grew as it slowly consumed multitudes of assaulting beings from all around. Gokuu could scarcely believe what his eyes and mind were letting him to comprehend.

"Gokuu! You must hurry!" Yelled Kaiou-Sama.

"But what about you? And Paikuhan?" Gokuu asked wearily.

"Do not worry yourself. We can take care of ourselves. Just go!" Paikuhan hastily replied.

"Alright. I'll be back to tell everyone." Gokuu then disappeared into thin air from the consuming reality that was the afterlife.

"Paikuhan, you must do the same."

"Do not worry, I will warn Enma Daiou and the other Kaious. Good luck." Paikuhan nodded and flew off into the yellow horizon.

"Hurry Gokuu. Or else everything shall fall all around." Kaiou-Sama muttered to himself in muzzled urgency.

***

"So in essence, the ether is advancing?" Piccolo asked, wearily with both arms crossed, standing resolute. It was unusually windy along Dende's lookout, and the Namek's cape and turban billowed unruly.

"Yeah. There were a bunch of fighters attacking this force of light. I couldn't see the source; it was like someone was trying to hide itself behind a barrier or a screen of ether. I hope Kaiou-Sama and Paikuhan can hold out long enough." Gokuu beamed.

Uubu looked worried for his sensei. He could barely grasp all the confusion about, but he knew something was terribly wrong. Gohan stood beside Ubuu and looked to Dende's direct as Dende contemplated a loud, "This isn't good, this isn't good at all." He held his staff in place and worried like an appointed Kami would do. For near two decades, the namek had watched over the earth in light of past events of the likes of the rampage of Cell as well as Majin Buu, yet he always maintained a relative composure, even in times of trouble. Deep inside he knew this was quite different then previous dealings with beings of ridiculous power simply blowing up planets.

"I wonder if this would affect the hells too…" Gokuu pondered.

Piccolo answered, a bit annoyed, "The real pressing matter is that we need to find out is where this force is coming from and how we'll prevent it from reaching any further."

"I'm afraid it's not that simple," Dende replied with worry, "the boundaries of the afterlife are so myriad in their complexity that there are no boundaries."

Gokuu began to scratch as his head and beamed a blank stare. Gohan broke his silence and spoke, "Is there any way to stop this force? Maybe we could use the dragon balls to wish it away…?"

"Perhaps, but this type of wish seems a bit far from Shenron's capacity."

"Why's that?" Piccolo asked.

"First of all, this force is in the afterlife. Shenron has more or less a better chance of fulfilling a wish within the material or mortal realm, rather than fulfilling a wish that is centered on a higher plane it cannot reach. As you know, it can bring the souls of the dead back to life, but that is far its power goes into the realm of the afterlife."

"Damn. There must be a way…" Piccolo beamed.

"So what now?" Gohan asked, frustrated, turning to his father.

"Well, I really don't think we can do anything for now, until we know who were exactly dealing with."

Dende shuttered at the thought of his reoccurring nightmares of his brethren, screaming in anguish, out in the dead air of the cold, coming to reality.

***

It had been traveling for ages.

The ship that wasn't a ship had graced the heavens had been traveling for what it seemed like an eternity had crossed galaxy from galaxy, timeline to timeline.

Invisible to reality, invulnerable to time; it had shot across space, aimlessly. Solar winds blew from the ship as it breached toward the western galaxy, left in absolute chaos.

But if one would peer inside the ship (and posses sheer power and the audacity to do such a thing) would discover someone had been in there for centuries looked very feminine. From the various, unruly braids to the undeniably female aspects of the body itself, the figure were blanketed by the very shadows of space.

Through all the hazardous condition her ship has been through; whether it be meteorite fields, magnetic storms, black holes, the extreme hellish temperatures of local stars to even an occasional shoot out with another battleship, the ship still managed to attain its original, untarnished state. Even what is more miraculous is that, she had managed to reach the edges of the northern galaxy in such an amazing short amount of time, thanks to Kanjieka-jin technological advances.

Thirty-six days, not that bad from traveling from one galaxy to another. Before, the very thought of traveling in such long distances was roughly improbable. But the ship still had suffered quite enough damage, but luckily its self-stabilization had been initialized.

It is said that if you stare long enough into the cold, desolate space, you can actually reflect on your very soul, the very foundation of your being. But she never did such a thing. She would rather think of survival; what would happen when she finally closes in on her yet finalized destination.

/Now entering the boundaries of the eastern quadrant of the northern galaxy/ the artificial voice spoke within the main computer of the vessel, in an entirely alien language.

The vessel quickly passed of what it looked like; the remains of the old Nameksei, not to mention the not to far off small purple rock, Yardratsei.

But what seems foremost troublesome, the vessel seemed to be heading straight toward its yet final destination of which Gokuu and co. call home.

Earth.

***