Greetings and salutations. It's me again. Thank you to all the reviewers of Slayer's Knight. There is more coming. I'm glad people like the team up.
This is the continuation of Phoenix Rising, as promised. Pleas review, I beg of you. I'd say review or I won't post anymore, but I'd be lying (hahahahaha).
See chapter two for disclaimers.
Thank you for the reviews so far. I'm glad everyone's enjoying the show. Next up, Buu and an old foe returns.
Melody was walking down the street. It was dark and lonely. Three guys were following her; they had been for a couple of blocks. Finally she had had enough.
"Look," She said as she turned around. "are you guys actually going to do anything, or are you just going to follow me around all night?" The three 'guys' put on vamp faces. Melody grinned. "I was hoping you'd do that." She reached into the bag she had been carrying and pulled her kitana out. The three vamps stared at her. "What, didn't realize you were following a potential Slayer? You guys really have to do your homework a little better." The three vamps roared and charged. "Come on!" She said, counter charging. Two vamps went down in the first few seconds. "Bloody fledglings." She said. The remaining vamp charged again. She let her self fall backwards, taking the vamp with her. She flipped, landing on top of the vamp, both swords against his throat. "Guess what, chum?" She said, her English accent still thick. "It's time for Twenty questions. Now, whose the grave yard reject leading your sorry little band?" The vamp stared up at her.
"It's a human, he owns at the book shop."
"Thanks." She said, removing his head. "Moron." She got up, and put her swords back in their bag. She checked her watch. Half past ten. She started towards home. She'd check the lead out later.
The book shop.
He watched the video. She was good, better than he had expected. Now all he had to do was break her. He picked the phone, and dialled an overseas number.
"Get me Mr Travers."
Faith felt her heart breaking. Her training was over, and Goku and herself were heading back for the World Martial Arts Tournament and the coming of Buu. Their parents, however…
"It's not fair! I finally find you and now I have to leave you again?" Tears were welling in her eyes. She blinked them back.
"Faith, you knew we were dead." Her mother said. "You knew we wouldn't be able to return. There is no need for this." Faith threw herself into her mother's arms.
"Just tell me one thing. What happened?" Her mother sighed. She was afraid of this.
"I was shot. From behind, or else the bullet would never have even gotten close. The shooters spoke about you. Something about no one to keep you from them."
"The Watchers." Bardok said. "The ones who tricked the vamp that attacked your home." Faith pulled back. There was a look in her eyes, one that hadn't been there since that night in the alley, when she had broken down in Angel's arms.
"I guess I'll just have to have a talk with them when I get back, won't I?" She said icily. Goku looked alarmed. He was glad he was no part of this 'Council'. Bardok nodded grimly. Her mother looked at her little girl.
"If you need anything…" She said. "I will be there."
"We both will." Bardok said. "There are some things…even death cannot prevent. If we're needed, we'll be there." He wiped away her tears with his hand. "Promise." Faith nodded.
"Okay." She turned to Goku. "Guess we better move then. Don't wanna be late for my own funeral." Goku looked at her determinately.
"That won't happen." He promised. Their parents and King Kai watched as they disappeared.
"It's going to be quieter without those two around." King Kai remarked. Bardok just nodded. He had done what had done could for them. Now, all he could do was wait.
Cole walked into the book shop. It was small, not really anything to get excited about. Except that the dimensions on the blueprints he had (ahem) borrowed from the local council chambers didn't match the actual shop. The back room was bigger than it was supposed to be (he had checked it last night after the owner had left). Then there were the video monitors and occult tomes in the back room, plus a few books labelled 'Watchers' Chronicals'. Yeah, just your average run of the mill book shop. He walked up to the counter.
"Can I help you?" The owner asked. Cole looked at him.
"Not bad. A bit edgy, though." The owner began to sweat.
"I don't know…"
"Cut the crap!" Cole said evenly. "You know who I am, and I have a pretty good idea on what you are, Mr high and mighty Watcher. And if I know, then you can be sure Mel knows. So, listen carefully." He pulled a little closer in. "I don't know why you've brought your little parasite friends into town, but I suggest leave and take them with you. 'Cause if you don't, we might have to do something drastic." He pulled back. "Now, you have good day." With that, he walked away.
He watched the man leave. This was going to be a problem. He would have to report this to the Council. But first, a change of pants.
Faith sat at the top of the hill. It had taken her the better half of the day to climb up, and she still had to get back down. She could fly back to Goku's place, but it wouldn't be the same. She liked the chance to push the envelope. Besides, she needed to burn off some energy. After what she had found out about the Council, she had a whole lot to burn. She stood up and focused.
Chunks of earth floated in front of her as she powered to Super Saiyan. She yelled as the power rushed out of her. The mountain began to crumble beneath her as she pushed her limits. Her golden aura flared brightly as she tried to brake through the barrier, trying to achieve that elusive second level. She had to be ready, for Buu, for whatever awaited her back home. She…had…to…
She let her power fade as another power came towards her.
"Can I help you Vegeta?" She said, as the prince came towards her. He landed next to her.
"Calm down, girl." He said. "I felt an enormous power out here. Since you're a pathetic weakling, I thought you were in trouble." Faith grinned to herself. Only Chi Chi and Master Roshi had been told about her relation to Goku, and her ability to go Super Saiyan. Not even Piccolo knew.
"Yeah, sorry. You missed Goku. I think he went that way." She pointed in a random direction. Vegeta chuckled.
"Oh very funny." He said. "You should be training, not…" He looked passed her at the pile of rubble behind her. "Ye Gods! What happened?" Faith shrugged.
"You know some of these mountains. As stable as your mental state. See ya!" Vegeta watched as she took off. He looked at the rubble again. He thought of the power he felt, and realized that there had been know second power. He stared back in the direction Faith had flown. What was she?
Melody looked out her window as her father walked in. "What's wrong, sweets?" He asked. Melody looked over at him, then down at Faith's locket.
"It's been a year. She should be here." Dr Carson took his daughter in a hug. In the time since she had knocked on his door, he had tried to be there for her as much as possible.
"Don't worry. I'm sure your friend will be back." Melody nodded.
"I know. She promised." Melody leaned back into her father's arms. "You'd like her. She' a good person."
"I'm sure I would." He said. "Don't worry, kiddo. She's probably just a bit held up."
"How right you are, Dr Carson." The two looked around. They had both heard the voice, but there was no one else int the room.
"Who's there?" Melody asked. She looked around, ready for action. She wished her father hadn't insisted on her leaving her swords in the training room. She reached for the stake taped to the bottom of her bedside table.
"There is no need for alarm." The voice said. "My name is King Kai. I helped train Faith." Melody perked up.
"Faith? Is she on her way?"
"I'm afraid your father was right. There is something else that needs her attention."
"Buu." Melody said. Roger Carson looked down at her.
"Yes. She got your warning. She has trained hard, and even managed to unlock a power form deep within her." King Kai explained. "She will return, I promise." He cut the contact before she could say anything else. She turned to her father.
"She's going to die. Buu's going to…" He placed a finger against her lips.
"Now, quiet with that talk." Her father said. "You heard the man. I'm sure she'll be fine."
"How?" His daughter asked desperately. He grinned, and pointed to the locket.
"She still has to pick this up."
Faith stood across from the creature known as Buu. Both Gohan and Vegeta had fallen to this monster. Goku and the others had gone to Dende's Lookout to prepare the last hope: Goten and Trunks. She just hoped they were on time. "Come on, puss wad, let's see how you deal with me." She said. Light glowed around her.
"Ooh." The pink blob thing said. "Pretty glowing lady. Buu like that." Faith was about to release an attack when something stopped her. This was Melody's dream, exactly the way her father had described it. Her attack would be ineffective, and if two Level Two Super Saiyans hadn't even been able to scratch this thing, what chance would she have.
"Glowing girl want to play?" Buu asked. Then Faith noticed something. He was talking like a child. A child?
It took all Faith had not to hit herself on the head. Of course!
"Buu." She said. I hope this works. "Do you understand what you've been doing?" Buu looked at her confused.
"Buu been playing. What glowing girl mean?" Faith almost fainted. He didn't understand! He had no clue!
"Buu, you've hurt people today."
"Buu has?" The creature looked at her. He hadn't realized.
"You killed Gohan, and Vegeta, and the Supreme Kai." Buu scowled.
"They bad men. Tried to hurt Buu. Buu stop them. Won't hurt Buu anymore." It was self-defense! Damn. Why hadn't she seen this before, why hadn't any of them seen this before?
"Buu, you don't understand. They attacked you because they were told you were bad."
"Buu not bad." He said, horrified. He hadn't meant to hurt people. "Buu just wanted to play."
"She's right." Faith turned around.
"Goku? But I thought…"
"They've got the basics." Her brother said. "They just need practice. Besides, I think you're on to something." He turned to Buu. "Buu, we were all under the impression that you were an evil thing, that you were created to destroy. If we knew that you just wanted someone to play with, there was no way we would have attacked you." Buu stared at him. "Buu, one of the people you killed today was my son. He fought because he thought you were a danger to this planet." Tears welled in the creature's eyes. "He was fighting to protect from a threat he didn't realize was nothing more than a child." Buu started to sob.
"Buu didn't know." It sniffled. "Buu thought he wanted to hurt Buu. Buu thought…" Faith moved up next to it. She put her hand on it's shoulder. "Buu ddin't mean to."
"I know big guy." She said. "I understand. You don't want to hurt anyone, but it seems like, sometimes, you have to." Buu nodded. Goku grinned. She had done well.
"It's time for me to go." Faith looked over at him. "Day's up. That was the deal. I already said my goodbyes at the Lookout. I wanted to see you before I left." He walked over to her. "You did good, sis. I'm proud of you, and I know mom and dad would be, too." They hugged quickly. "Don't give up. You're capable of a lot more that you think." He pulled back and turned away. As he did, wings sprouted from his back.
"Ooh." Buu whispered. "An angel." Faith nodded.
"Yeah, that's one way to put it." They both watched as he flew away. "Come on. You got appologies to make." They started to walk away.
A ki blast fired in front of them. "I'm afraid I can't allow that." Faith turned around to see what seem to be some kind of human cricket mix.
"What insect farm'd you escape from?" Faith asked. The new creature chuckled.
"How amusing. The girl thinks she's intimidating." He stared directly at her. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Cell, and with Goku, Gohan and Vegeta gone, this world is mine to destroy at will."
