Chapter 18- Darkness

"4 days. 4 days and I still can't find her!" Piccolo said, utterly frustrated. "Not even a trace!" He slammed his fist into a tree and as it exploded into splinters. Sighing, he took out Trista's transformation pen. He had found it long ago, but unable to unlock its secret, he had forgotten about it. It had never even occurred to him that it could belong to Trista. Now, after that fateful night, the small token held so much meaning. As he gazed at it, his heart was almost overcome with sorrow.

"I've been such a fool. I ignored all the warning signs, let myself get distracted and side tracked. I thought it could wait 'till tomorrow. I thought it could all wait until tomorrow. I and forgotten that tomorrow is promised to none. Why? Why did you give yourself for me? My life was never that important. Kolana..."

Get a hold of yourself!

Oh great. Thought Piccolo. Another lecture from Kami. After Trista left, Piccolo had no choice but to tell Kami of her presence and position. He had gotten a good lecture for keeping her a secret, but he didn't care. He was glad he did it. He wouldn't have gotten to know her... To love her if he had.

This isn't your entire fault. She knew they were here. She knew they were dangerous. Yet, she told no one. She ignored her duties as the Time Guardian. The least she could do was give her life for someone from this time.

SILENCE! I WON'T STAND FOR YOU BAD MOUTHING HER OLD MAN! Piccolo said, his callous nature returning. Have you found anything?

Yes. I've been looking through the records of the former guardians and I think I found a technique that just mat negate the cloaking spell and reveal their location.

Did you perform it yet?

No.

Then why Are You TALKING TO ME?!

Such impatience. This will take a few hours.

*****

"Let's rest here." Hoium said. The group set down their provisions and began to set up camp. Due to Cush's injury, Trista had become an extra set of hands that the group was grateful for. Since she was there on her own accord, and bound by her word, she had no ropes or chains.

Cush felt so useless. He was once the strong house, the corner stone of the group. He kept Hoium from killing Satyr for his repetitive questions. He helped Satyr with his studies and Hoium with any problems that arose. And HE was the 1 to set up camp, but not anymore. Though he was getting use to his private realm of darkness, he still felt useless. He never realized how much he cherished his sight. Now that it was gone...

At 1st, he just wanted to die. He found it hard to do anything. Walk, study, even eat. But when he was learning how to fight, his teacher taught him how to use his other senses when 1 was unavailable. He had almost forgotten that training, and though he did not wish to learn it at the time, he was glad he had learned it now. It had greatly helped him in this time of life. His fighting abilities had not only been up to par in the last 2 days; he had actually exceeded his former abilities. Since he no longer had his sight, his other senses were heightened. No longer reliant on his sight, Cush was able to focus better on more subtle elements of fighting.

Still, he angry and wanted revenge on the demon. The last thing he had seen was those eyes, so cocky and glowing red with sadistic cruelty. Of course, due to Hoium's deal with the time witch, he could do nothing to avenge his sight. But once their task was done, he planned on destroying the demon the witch called Piccolo.

Satyr was setting up the rest of their campsite; Hoium handed Trista a drink.

"Can I ask you something?" He said, handing her the cup.

"What?"

"Why did you do it? That demon would sooner kill you than return the favor."

"Because he's different." Trista said calmly.

Hoium let out a hearty laugh. "He's a demon, the worst of evil's minions. See what he did to Cush? Only a demon could do it. He's no different from any other."

"No, you're wrong." Trista said defiantly. "That's not how he really is. His true self is kind and sweet. All the makings of a prince."

"That's only what you perceive as his true self."

"What do you mean?" Trista asked, a hint of anger in her voice.

"Exactly what I said." Hioum retorted, also getting angry. "When you look at him, you see what you want to see. Some anti-hero, or some hope for him. But he's a demon, his destiny is to kill and rot in Hell. Not even you can change that."

Trista felt her delicate heart shattering at his words. Hoium caught the look on her face and suddenly it was all clear to him.

"You love him don't you? Ha! A woman of light loves a creature of the darkness!"

"IT'S NOT FUNNY!" Trista screamed. It was true, she did love him. He was the only person she had ever loved. She could not deny it, nor would she stand for her love to be taunted so. But still, Hoium laughed.

"Don't you see?" Hoium said, once he stopped laughing. "You've opened his eyes to a world he cannot have. He's a demon, and no one can love him, especially not a witch like you."

What was left of Trista's composure was gone. His words were too painful, and seemingly too true to except. Tears unwillingly made their way down her face as he talked.

"Your purpose is to protect while his s to destroy. Such a love would never work. It's illogical."

"Illogical? I've seen the illogical work everyday of my life! And I Will Make This Work. You Hear Me?! I WILL MAKE THIS WORK!" She screamed before storming off.

"Not if you're dead." Hoium said sadly.

"Master! Master!" Satyr said, running down a nearby hill. "I found a suitable place for the ritual."

"Excellent. Do we have all that's required?"

"All except the Time Staff."

"Good. We'll do it tonight."

***********************

As darkness covered the earth, Piccolo finally got the answer he was waiting for.

Piccolo. Come to the Lookout. I may have found her.

Due to his sire's memories, Piccolo easily found the Lookout.

"Where is she old man?"

"There." Kami said, pointing to a spot on the planet. " If you fly your fastest, you should get there in about 4 minutes."

"I'll make it 2." Piccolo said as he started to leave.

"Wait." Kami said. "Take this with you." He placed a senzu bean in his hand. "It's my only 1. Now-"

"I know what it does old man." Piccolo said.

"Save her child. You don't have much time."

Piccolo nodded in agreement. He once again started to leave, but before he did he said the 2 words Kami never thought he'd hear:

"....Thank you."

Kami fainted on the spot.

*****

As darkness covered the earth, the magicians began their ritual. Trista lay on a stone slab; her melancholy yet dutiful expression was a mirror of her heart.

Oh Great Tarj

god of Darkness...

She did not run.

She felt no fear.

In these shadows

Give us your blessing...

This was her duty, and always had been.

With the offering of this life...

It was so clear to her now.

Give us her power...

As she approached the veil between life and death.

He mind came to realize.

Give us he strength...

That one of the silhouetted figures from her dream...

As we imbibe her life...

Her inspiration.

Was Piccolo.

As you feats on her soul.

I do this for you....Piccolo. The dagger plunged through her heart. She let out a gasp of pain as her blood gushed over the stone. The magicians quickly gathered it and consumed it. (A/N: EWWW!)

As they felt power coursing through them, Trista's world was covered in darkness. As the visions of the dying passed her only 1 word resounded in her mind: Piccolo...

A/N: I didn't see the Piccolo saga on DB. So if there is anything wrong in this chap (or story for that matter) please forgive me and tell me in your review.

I'm SOOOO SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG! PLZ FORGIVE ME! T_T