Chapter 15; Conflict
"All natural disasters in the world are caused by us," Brian replied. "Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and such; we are the ones responsible." He sadly lowered his head.
Stunned, Gohan ran these revelations through his head. "Why?" He just didn't understand; if they had such power, why did they deliberately use it to take lives, if at all?
"Andre threw a small rock into the pond. "It was never our decision. Sometimes it was done to release the element's pent up energies. Other times, it was to keep a balance; a drought in one place can cause extreme rain in another, saving it from failing crops and such. Still, there are those occasions where we must do show to prove we can." Realizing how malice the comment appeared, he continued. "It's the same reason we agreed to bouts with the other Z-fighters. Points in history come along where humans believe they have power over everything; not just the planet, but over the other species they coexist with. So, we must act to show humans-not all, mind you-that they are not all what they seem."
Nodding, Gohan appeared to understand. Chris stretched his back, laying on the ground; he continued. "Lives begin and end everyday; that is how life is. By accepting this fact, we have been able to continue our duties as guardians. We don't like it, but we learn to live with it." Despite Chris' point, a wavering in his voice was quite distinct.
Opening old wounds. I know that all to well. Gohan gave a bittersweet smile, and stood up. "You're all right; I apologize." He wiped his eyes. "I have been selfish, and made you relive past events as a result. I realize now that I cannot continue to blame myself for taking lives at this point; it won't help anyway. All I can do is fight to save those who remain. Right?"
Piccolo was astonished; such a growth in acceptance seemed not like him, and for the better. The other guardians all smiled back, Danielle wiped a tear from her eye. "Yes, well, I suppose we should meet up with Goku and Chi-Chi; they're probably waiting for us with your friends."
"Alright." Gohan gathered his energy and lifted himself from the ground in a fiery propulsion. Taking Brian's hand, they shot into the sky; Danielle (Andre in tow) followed suite. Chris was about to take off, but was stopped when a hand fell onto his shoulder.
"Chris," Piccolo said. He seemed at a loss for what to say. "I…have to commend you four. I have never seen Gohan more comfortable around others before, and you seem to be able to reach Gohan in ways the rest of us never have."
Chris turned to him. "We've watched him for a long time, so we know how he thinks and feels. As I'm sure you know." In response to Piccolo's surprise, Chris said, "The others told me how you overheard them talking, back when we started training. Yes, it's true we have been concealing some of Gohan's worse moments. But please understand; we only wanted to protect his privacy, and we knew he'd never admit to you how he felt. So, we saw no point in worrying you."
Piccolo nodded. "I suppose you're right. Anyway…thank you all." With that he began to lift off, before-
"However, there is something you should know. About the souls of Mori's victims."
Chris unfurled his wings and flapped up to eye level, with the namekian. His face was down. "You see, what you told Gohan was not…entirely true. Typically, yes, the souls of the deceased go to Other World." He raised his head, the guardian's face with a look of worry. "However, those whose souls are taken by the kami Mori…they don't go to Other World. They are not on the spiritual or physical plain."
Piccolo gasped.
"That is why we are more concerned for those taken by Mori. That is why feel Mori's name fits him, and why we never could revive them, even after attempting to use the Eternal Dragon ourselves. The word "Mori" is Latin, from the phrase "Memento Mori"; "remember you are destined to die." Roughly translated, Mori means "Death." That's why the name works so well; he is a god of death. Not death of the flesh…" Chris' eyes began to mist.
"But death of the soul."
"I still don't trust the four of them."
The cat-like Puar glanced at her companion, Yamcha, from his shoulder. He continued to rant about the four guardians who had made their appearance and departure, almost an hour ago. Everyone had re-gathered at Bulma's home, back in the same living room as before. Still with a few scrapes and scars (as well as some damp clothes), the former desert bandit had not taken kindly to his defeat.
Puar had been with Yamcha long enough to know where his pride started and ended. He had long accepted the fact that he would never rival the power of the saiyins; this truly struck him during the Cell Games, as one of the Cell juniors broke his arm. In this case, however, the fact that these four (in a way) were humans as well, yet were still stronger than the Z-fighters, made him and the others a little uneasy. In the metamorph's opinion, it wouldn't be surprising if some of the fighters found their own significance as Earth's protectors in question.
He thinks the problem's with him, and wants to pass the blame onto others before they think the same, she thought. She gazed with worry at Yamcha as he griped.
"For people who claim to want to help us, these four sure didn't fell inclined to help us during all our other escapades. Why did they decide to help us now? I say, there's too much we don't know about them."
"Oh, suck it up, Yamcha." Bulma had taken to the guardians' defense after her rescue. "You're just mad because that Andrew kid beat you in your match. If you're so inquisitive, you should just ask the four of them what you want to know."
"Why thank you, Ms. Bulma; but my name is Andre."
The six reentered the house, Gohan brining up the rear with a meditative look on his face; apparently, whatever the guardians had said to help the demi-saiyin also gave him a lot to think about. Tien patted the boy on the back as he sat down next to him.
"Alright then. We have a bone to pick to pick with you guardians. If you four are this powerful, why haven't you participated in any of our previous conflicts?"
The guardians looked among each other in puzzled expressions. They looked like that should be an obvious question. "That's simple," Danielle spoke up. "We're not allowed to." Seeing the confusion among the Z-fighters, she continued. As she spoke next, she sounded like a student who memorized a textbook phrase for a teacher.
"Code of the Guardian, Article 2, sub-article 5; elemental guardians are not to interfere in the defense of the planet from foreign invasion or in situations which can be resolved by the sentient species." Even though we are guardians, our original purpose was to maintain the four forces of the planet; not protect it for you. This was crucial, as it has on most planets, in the planet's species' development. Especially concerning you all; if we took care of Raditz and Frieza for you, you'd never work to become as strong or experienced as you have."
Tien looked to the floor. "That's true. The threat of a foreign planetary attack has served as our drive and motivation to become stronger."
"Right," Brian continued. "To be honest, we're not supposed to be helping you against Mori. However, we guardians have agreed that because he is a universal threat, and would simply spread from planet to planet, we may assist in this case."
After which, the entire room was once again thrown into an awkward silence, just like before. The guardians had gotten the message; no support would be coming from the Earth's special forces. Though it wasn't favorable, the guardians couldn't force them either; this was their choice.
The fire guardian threw up his hands. "Fine. If you don't believe us, you don't have to. But when the fighting starts, just stay out of our way, alright?" Evidently, Chris had lost his patience. "Goku, Chi-Chi, we'll be returning to the temple. We'll see you there." With that, the four guardians up and left (Andre giving a light wave to little Trunks).
As though conflicting with who to turn to, Gohan eventually decided and left to follow the guardians.
"Hmph." Vegeta continued to glare at the doorway as the the rest of the room exploded into conflict. He was…content…that the guardians had left. Especially those two, What were they're names? Ah, Chris and Brian. These two had made a direct attack on his pride; Chris through battle, and Brian through his heritage. What would be more surprising, if not shocking, to any who knew, was that Vegeta contained more contempt toward the earth guardian than the fiery one.
They're nothing but children, he assured himself, turning his attention to the window. A view of West City before him, his mind slipped into meditation. Nothing but children…
"How long until detonation?"
Kain checked the computer readout before him. "I think about ten minutes. But it might not; I can't make heads or tails o' these readings." Stary is the computer whiz anyway, he thought.
He and Jara were stationed at a newly (and crudely) constructed planetary base, a massive structure ten feet underground. Sensors in the soil would detect any approaching trespasser, either overhead or through tunnels. Master Mori and Stary had left to see the results of the operation currently underway.
Much to Kain's annoyance, Jara had been placed in command of the base, meaning he had to listen to her bickering behind his shoulder. "And your sure the recorded fighters will be inactive by that time?"
The green-clad general sighed. "Yes. The energy negation system was activated already. But you know it takes awhile to take effect." He turned back to the monitor. "Don't worry; it'll be in effect before detonation."
Jara nodded. "Excellent. I will go check on the reports from our orbiting systems." She turned and left Kain to the monitor.
He swivled his chair back and forth. The structure had been a evacuated covert government building; aside from electronics (which were restocked to fit the army's qualifications), many of the articles that had been here originally were still in their place. Desks, chairs, even water coolers; it made things easier for organization, as Jara couldn't have been more pleased for.
Kain leaned back in his chair, propping his feet on the desk before him. "Kani's pet." And so, making sure noone was around, the third most powerful general in Mori's fleet took a quick nap.
Christopher and Danielle sliced through the air, Brian and Andre in tow. The wind mistress was concerned if they had made a wise decision. They had tried to diminish tensions between them and the Earth's special forces, at least for Gohan's sake; she didn't want the others to think he was taking side, which (after seeing a few looks from them to Gohan) they already had.
Speaking of whom…
"Chris, guys! Wait up!"
The others turned to see Gohan fly up to them, his red fire aura keeping him afloat. "I hope you all aren't mad with the others. They just took you guys as a bit of a shock. Plus, I think they were a bit jealous after you beating them."
Brian smiled. "We know, Gohan. We were just a little impatient. Time is of the essence, and we want to resolve this matter as soon a-"
Suddenly, the earth guardian's voice caught in his throat. The others looked in concern as his eyes began to cloud, and his body started to shake.
"Danielle, who was supporting him in the air with her power, placed her hand on his forehead. "Brian? Are you alright? Brian?"
"Bring me to the ground." His voice barely passes his lips, yet held a tone of determination. When nothing happened, he regained more of his composure. "I said lower me to the ground!" Startled, Danielle decreased her power, and they all landed on burning sand; a desert still in faint view of West City.
Once on land, the guardian fell to his knees, and placed both of his palms to the ground. After a moment or two, He vented a burst of air through his teeth.
"The soil," he cried; his eyes were welling up. "It's crying out in pain. Something has just torn itself through the Earth. It's…" Brian took another breath, his body overwhelmed.
"Yes, something is not right." Chris had gone into meditation, looking to his own power for more insight on the unusual event. "I've just detected a surge of fire energy nearby. Chances are, it was an explosion; artificially made."
Gohan looked to the guardians. He too was becoming overcome with nerves. "Where?"
"There," Andre called, pointing behind the boy. They all looked in horror to the source of the pain and power.
The newly burning West City.
A/N: I don't know how I can apologize to all of you readers and reviewers who have been waiting for my updates. I'm not trying to blame others for my problems, but my life has been very hectic this year, throwing all my writing (not just fanfiction) into the backseat.
My sincerest apologies to all my reviewers. I hope I still have those who will read and comment on my work. I will try to speed up posting, and work on revision; but sorry, I can't make guarantees.
I wanted to stop at a cliffhanger. Problems in plot, grammar, anything? Please let me know.
Also, one more note. In an attempt to alleviate tension while people wait for the next part of the series and I'm in a writer's block, I plan to start the "Omake"; one-shot interludes in the story, which act as a side-story to my epic. They will serve to account for events which can/might occur in my series, but can't really be worked into it effectively.
Examples; Events before the series, holiday editions, alternate scenes, etc.
If there are any who like/oppose the idea, let me know.
Sorry again, And I hope you've enjoyed my fic thus far. Rest Assured, I have not turned my back to the world of fanfiction; just forced away, and will now attempt to return.