Chapter 9: Different Perspectives
My dearest apologies to all. Problems everywhere. Finals, family, carrer, NY regents, (and that's just to start). I hope that over the summer, I, and all of us fanfic writers, will be free to have time to ourselves, so we can do things we enjoy, LIKE WRITE!!! YEAH ALBANY, I'M TALKING TO YOU! (Take deep breath to prevent heart attack).
Sorry, sorry. Anyway, set yourself some time to write, and don't let anyone stop you, siblings, bosses, or otherwise. NO ONE CAN STOP THE FANFICS!
Also, sorry if parts in the story seem a little slow. I'm really working to make it exciting. I have the major parts in my head, but I have trouble stringing them together. Just review and let me know what you think. Thanks.
The rhythmic beating of metal could be heard all the way down the corridor. The sound reflected off the walls, which in turn were gathering with dust from neglect. It danced across the light of several dim light bulbs, the only source of light in the hallway. As the beating became louder, the form of a person could be seen making their way through, oblivious to the conditions around him/her.
The figure making its way down the hall was a woman, her high-heeled boots clinking along the cold floor. She had long, wavy black hair, falling to her shoulders, just above her cape. Her dark purple body armor contrasted her pale skin. The odd thing was, her armor fit perfectly, as if made exactly to her form.
A purple crystal hung down from a chain around her neck.
The woman reached the end of the corridor, a sealed door and keypad before her. In one fluid movement, she raised her hand to the keypad, and gently ticked away at the keys, written in a strange numerical dialect. After a moment, a green light illuminated above the door, and opened. With just an opening the size of a crack, air already began to rush by her, as a result of the sudden change in pressure. The woman's long hair whipped behind her while the air was sucked down the corridor. As the pressure stabilized, she steeped inside.
The control room of the saiyjin cruiser "Jargal" was encased with a large plastic dome. Above the floor the room appeared completely open to the stars and darkness looming over the ship like a blanket. Along the rim of the dome were computer consoles, and people at each one, typing away. They were monitoring the current progress on the planet under invasion. The woman heard different species relaying commands and reports to each other.
"Kahji base destroyed. Ground troops in pursuit of survivors."
"Thirty captives contained, preparing to be sent back for extraction."
The woman swayed as she walked around the rim of the room, looking on at each console and fighter in the room. All the different creatures could easily be seen as fighters. Occasionally, she would run her hand along the face or shoulder of a soldier, like a mother would a child. She smiled.
These were her children. Her precious works of art. It was with her efforts that each one came to her. She hand-picked each one, as the elite of their race. She chose only the best, and they all had proven this, ironically, in their efforts against her. Sure she kept many weakling ones, but those she sent to battle; only during more difficult or more significant battles would her elite be involved.
She quietly walked into the center of the room, toward the main control chair, and sat down. She began ticking away at the various controls around her. Several windows illuminated in front of her, as if generated in thin air. As she observed the activities on the monitors, the sound of another door opening rang clear throughout the dome.
"Master Mori, you're needed at the docking bay for the prison-" he woman in the chair turned her head to see-herself. The woman who walked in gave a look of irritation. "My lord, you know it is very frustrating when you copy my form."
Mori grinned and rose from the chair, closing his eyes. In a single moment, Mori's pale skin turned green and hardened. Her face bulged forward and her eyes slid to the sides of her head. The black armor stretched to the new requirements of the body. In a matter of seconds, the original woman was faced with a Makap, and humanoid lizard from East Galaxy.
"Jara, excellent. How goessss the work at the Lappar basssse?" The reptilian tongue carried the s's and c's in his speech. The woman Jara knew he had ignored her, but found it better off; she was glad she was here at all. Jara brought back her long hair. "Very well sir. I just received word; you are needed at the docking bay. The prisoners will be here soon."
Stretching his arms, Mori turned and headed out of the control dome toward the docks; he gave no proof of hearing her last statement. In the same way, she tried to ignore how Mori licked his lips, and the dazed look in his eyes as he passed her. At the door, he stopped and inquired, "And Earth?"
Jara inwardly groaned. What is his fascination with such a dismal little mud ball? The dominant species rates as a Level 7 race. Even these weaklings rate at a Level 4. So why the interest? Still, can't argue… "Several scouts have already been sent ahead. We should have an evaluation before this invasion is done."
Mori narrowed his eyes. "Speed up operations. We're heading to Earth after this planet has 'lost its significance.' He turned and left. Jara seemed the only one to flinch as the hard clang of the steel door rang through the dome.
Jara glanced up to the black abyss above. The planet they were invading was now coming into view, rising over the side of the ship like the sun. Explosions could be seen on the planet surface. I have never seen the master so determined for one particular planet. I wonder…
"Goku! Move your feet!"
The saiyin, on hands and knees, looked up as Brian began charging at him, a large stone suspended in front of him. Goku jumped up as the stone was thrown, and collided right where he has been. Agitated, Brian jumped up and formed another rock, which Goku blocked, and retaliated with a kick. As he landed, he lifted his hand to Brian (still in midair) and-
"Stone Spear!" -and a long rock fired from his hand. As it neared Brian, he grabbed in, hoped over, and stood on the end. Goku gave a look of shock as Brian ran down the spear and rammed his fist into Goku's face. The saiyin was knocked back, as Brian regained his bearings.
As they paused to rest, Brian didn't look pleased. "Goku, I've said this over and over. Being an earth elemental does not equal being slow and bulky. As a earth elemental, speed may be your weak point, but that's why you should practice that most."
One week had passed since the guardians' training sessions began. At their request, the students had promised not to tell the other Z-senchi about the training: they wouldn't be able to learn their powers, so the guardians saw no point. After the others brought out their auras, the guardians branched off; Chirs worked with Gohan, Piccolo with Andre, etc.
The first thing everyone learned was adaptation to each person's attribute. Chi-Chi had to practice rising higher and higher into the air, to accommodate to the thinning air. In contrast, Goku and Piccolo worked to stand extreme pressures by going further underground/underwater.
Currently, the focus was close range combat; quick-thinking, sharp senses, and combining one's attribute to their own natural capabilities. With Goku, however, the quick-thinking didn't seem to sink in.
"Aw, c'mon Brian. Can't I just use my own power? That would make things much easier."
So immature. I swear he acts like an twelve-year old. Remind me to practice meditation next. "Because when the dampers are in place, all aid provided by your own energy will be null and void. You must learn how to handle your attribute completely solo." Brian groaned. "Well, we've been out here for a while. Why don't we see what the others are up too?" With a nod from Goku, they left the mountain area to the temple.
Inside the main hall, Danielle was tending to Chi-Chi's wounds near the fireplace. She was having some trouble mastering flying with wind, and received a bunch of bruises. Danielle had made Chi-Chi her very own fighting gi, since she couldn't fight in everyday clothes. She wore a sky blue vest and pants, with a green line up the front of the vest, and two green rings, one around each ankle. Her hair was tied back with a light green band. Purple boots and a green heel finish the job.
"The others aren't back yet?" Brian asked.
Chi-Chi shook her head. "Not yet. Andre and Piccolo dropped by for a moment, but then left." Everyone noticed the irritation still in her voice over the namekian.
Danielle spoke. "Well, they'll be back sooner or later. We agreed to meet up before nig-"
//Hey guys, you turning in already?// Danielle's eyes went wide with surprise. Turning to Brian, she knew he heard it too: Chris. With a flick of her eyelids, the green triangle gem appeared on her forehead. //Chris, are you guys done with training?//
//Not really. Gohan just has something to show everyone. Piccolo and Andre are coming in with us.//
//What?// However, before Danielle could question further (and before Goku/Chi-Chi could question her for spacing out), the rest of the group came in. Andre came in appearing satisfied, showing the day's training went well for him. Gohan walked in with, for a change, with a big grin on his face.
"Mom! Dad! Look at what Chris taught me!" He turned to Chris, who nodded. Gohan closed his eyes and raised one hand. A red orb formed in his hand. As Gohan closed his hand, red light came out from both sides of his hand. The light faded, revealing a long red sword, with a brown hilt.
"It's the Flame sword. An elemental weapon. With this, Gohan's close-range combat power is increased, and when anyone else uses it, they are enabled to use a minute amount of the fire aura." As Gohan's parents congratulated him, the guardians turned to Chris, who grinned.
//True, we agreed to no competition between students, but there's no problem with that between the guardians' training methods.// He received a heated look from his fellow guardians, and they in turn received an odd look from their students.
"You guys alright?" Goku asked. Danielle blushed.
"Yes. Sorry. Anyway, we've all had a rough practice. What do you say we end for today?" Of course, she knew that everyone was in pretty good shape; except for Chi-Chi. As her teacher, Danielle didn't want to endanger her student; after all, she hadn't fought in a while.
She agreed. "Sure. How's about I make dinner for everybody?" The starry look in Goku's eyes showed he was in favor of her suggestion. As they all left the temple, the guardians couldn't help but ask each other one thing.
//Dinner?//
Back at the Son household, Chi-Chi and Danielle began putting the meal on the stove, while the others waited outside. Piccolo was meditating near the house, glowing a dark blue. Chris and Gohan were sparing, both blazing like they'd caught fire. As Chris went on the offensive, Gohan retaliated with some newly developed fire tricks.
Brian and Andre had a much less enjoyable time, restraining Goku from going into the kitchen.
"CHI-CHI, I'M HUNGRY!! ARE WE EATING YET?" Goku had been kicked out for trying to take a snack before dinner, and though he succeeded, it was no match for his saiyin metabolism.
Chi-Chi walked out with the pot of rice, Danielle behind her. "Be patient Goku. I just need to boil the rice, and then we can eat."
Suddenly, Chirs stopped fighting. He signaled for Gohan to wait. Walking up to Chi-Chi, he placed his hand on the pot. In an instant, his eyes flashed red, and the rice burst with steam.
Shocked, Chi-Chi looked into the pot. "Um… dinner's ready."
Chris smiled and turned around, only to get caught in a bear grip by Goku. "Oh thank you! We should have you guys over to eat more often!"
"Goku…can't…breathe…" Brian pulled off Goku as Chi-Chi and Danielle brought out the food. Everyone sat down except Piccolo, who simply had some water. Goku began to see how much fish could fit in his mouth, and Gohan started to eat, still not back at his old pace, but a little faster at least.
Gohan noticed that the guardians hadn't touched their plates. "What's wrong? Aren't you hungry?"
Andre shook his head. "No, it's not that. It's just… we don't eat." Goku stopped in mid-bite. With a piece of fish hanging in his mouth, looking at them with a mix of sadness and pity.
The water guardian sweatdropped. "No Goku, you misunderstand. We are able to eat; we just have no need to. Like we've said, we draw energy from our own element. To us, food is unnecessary."
"Well, you guys should try it anyway," Gohan persisted. Looking from one another, the four shrugged, and tried it. They appeared to really enjoy the meal.
Piccolo grunted. Hunger is a weakness. Guardians shouldn't grow into such a habit.
As dinner continued, the sun started to touch the horizon, shining its light on the group.
Meanwhile, the sun had just started to set on the residence of the president of Capsule Corporation's home. Bulma was relaxing in her lawnchair, in the garden. She enjoyed watching the sunset from the garden. As she took a sip from her chilled drink, she pulled back her long, blue hair. She knew her parents would call her in soon, so after one more look, Bulma gathered her things and headed inside.
As she entered the building, the young scientist was met with an explosion. Trying to keep her balance, Bulma wondered why it hadn't started earlier. Usually, her "husband", Vegeta, would train all day and stop only to eat and sleep. She supposed that h had been training on the outskirts of the city, and probably see the damage on the news (classified as a mysterious phenomenon, no doubt).
Her mind on what the news report would be like, she accidentally collided with someone. The person scattered his papers, and worked quickly to clean them up. As Bulma tried to help pick up the papers, she looked up. "Oh, I'm sorry Naki. I wasn't watching where I was going."
"That's quite alright, Mrs. Briefs". Naki was Bulma's new assistant; from his resume, he was an eighteen year-old college student from New York. His parents had moved there from Japan. He was tall, somewhat lanky, with curly yet short brown hair and light blue eyes. They could be seen easily through his thin-frammed glasses.
Bulma smiled. He's cute. "Have you seen my parents around anywhere?"
"Yes. Your father is working in his laboratory, while your mother is preparing dinner. She wanted me to call you to eat before I left."
"Oh, why don't you eat with us Naki?" Bulma decided to ask this because: 1, as coworkers, it is important to make sure the ones you work with will be willing to work with you, and 2, Bulma's parents had taking a liking to Naki as well. Besides, he lived in an apartment on the other side of town; it was a kind gesture.
"Thank you very much. Do you think your husband will mind?" He knew Vegeta had taken an immediate disliking to him; wither it was because Vegeta was Vegeta, or because he thought Naki would 'steal' his 'woman' was beyond him.
Bulma laughed. "Don't worry about him. He won't leave that room of his all night. Besides, I'd like to discuss some ideas for the new line of capsules. C'mon." So, she led Naki back into the Capsule Corp. building, talking all the way. "First, I believe we should attempt for developing more capsules based on modern-day fads, to make an effort of appealing to younger generations…"