Author's Note One: This chapter was of course scheduled to be out almost a week ago, but the recent events that have occurred in the world have made me unable to keep on the schedule I set for myself. I give my deepest sympathies to any who were effected by the tragedy and encourage those who read this to donate anything they can to help the rescuers and victims.
Author's Note Two: I've started a second work, Dragonball: A Lonely Place of Dying. I'm trying to work on both of the stories at once but I may slow down on getting chapters out. I'll still try to get two a month out for After Earth though.
Standard disclaimer, I do not own Dragonball Z/GT or any of its related characters. This is purely a non-profit work, for the enjoyment of those that are kind enough to read my work.
Language: This chapter had a bit harsher language then previously, there isn't large amounts of it, but please keep this in mind before reading. Rating is still PG-13.
Dragonball: After Earth
By Blood Wraith
Chapter 7: Lost Souls
Dende was thrown from his feet as the shockwave rocked across the surface of New Namek. Son Goku had teleported into the center of the village close to five minutes before with Pan. The Sayai-jin had said very little, only looking into the sky with an almost forlorn look on his face. Pan had been almost paralyzed upon arrival, her fingers gripping onto her grandfather's arm hard enough to leave them white. Bra had just been approaching the two to find out what had happened when Pan had lost her composure completely. Her slender arms jerked suddenly pushing the surprised Goku away from her as she let loose a scream. Her ki shot up, sending a ripple across the ground around her and causing the entire area to shake, as she let loose the full force of the loss of her brother and the Earth upon the surface of New Namek.
"Medon! Noooooooooooo!"
She most likely would have inadvertently destroyed the small Namekian village if left to vent her grief. Her ki had caused the ground around her to buckle more, chunks of rock and dirt breaking free and taking flight. God was just rising to his feet again when the distortion stopped as suddenly as it had begun. Brushing his robes off Dende looked to where the demi-Sayai-jin had been standing. She had fallen to her knees, breaking down into sobs. The healed Trunks besides her, a strong hand softly patting her on the back while he tried to calm her, not really talking of anything in particular, but just giving her something to focus on. Goku had also regained his footing and was looking at his granddaughter with sad eyes. The Sayai-jin didn't really know what to do or say to her. It had been his choice to teleport off Earth. He really hadn't had much choice, if they hadn't left at that moment they would both be dead. It still hadn't made the choice any easier.
Medon had still been on the planet. At the moment the elemental cannon of the Behemoth had impacted on Earth, the teenager had still been fighting one of the assassins that had attacked Goku. It had been impossible to reach him in time; Goku had tried, and thus barely been able to save Pan or himself. Despite all his planning and all their training, they had lost. Medon, billions of people, and the Earth itself, they had all been destroyed.
Bra had joined the small group around Pan, taking Trunks spot in attempting to soothe the pain of her friend. She hugged the smaller woman tight, smoothing her dark hair and rocking her softly. Pan just cried, she had lost the last person she utterly and completely loved. It was true her grandfather had returned, and they still shared a bond. This was her brother though, and after the loss of her mother and father, it had managed to finally break her. Trunks watched the two of them a moment longer before giving his sister a pat on the shoulder and telling her to take care of Pan. Then he went to join Goku who had moved off to the side with Dende and was retelling him of the events that had occurred.
"We didn't have any chance once the battlecruisers arrived. The ki's on them were completely mind-boggling. All three of us together probably wouldn't have been able to beat the weakest one. When they opened fire on the planet, all we could try to do was escape."
The Sayai-jin let out a sigh, glancing briefly at Trunks as the middle-aged man joined them. Trunks had discarded his shattered armor. The fight with Kale had cracked his chestplate and rendered it just useless weight. He still wore the black bodysuit, boots, and gloves. Bra having abducted his coat when she had gone to console Pan, draping it over her.
"You would have been proud of him if you had seen it Trunks. The three of you did an amazing job in training him. The daemons didn't have a chance against him."
Goku would have continued but he felt a lump form in his throat. He hadn't shed tears for years, even as he lost friends in various battles. He would not do so now either. He just needed to rest.
"What now Son Goku?"
God's words brought Goku back to the present. It was a good question. He was sure the daemons would come after them. He just didn't know when or any other details. After they had lost Earth, all his thoughts on the situation had crumbled. He was totally unaware of Mephiston's desire for the Namek Dragonballs and their power.
"I don't know Kamisama."
Then without another word, Goku turned and walked away from his two stunned friends. For the first time in his life, he knew he had let them all down, when it counted the most. For his failure, most of his friends, family, and many others, were all dead.
Trunks watched the older man head away from them, his path taking him towards the edge of the civilization. Then he turned to Dende besides him.
"I hope he comes up with something and quick. Or else we're all as good as dead."
The last thing Goku heard, as his feet left the ground to take him outside of the village, were the sobs of his granddaughter.
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Mephiston waited in the audience chamber of his flagship. Abbadon and Azazel would be arriving soon. The magistrate was not in any hurry to deal with either of them. He had been embarrassed today and lost the planet he had chosen to make use of. His only real hope of salvaging this entire operation was to obtain the Namek Dragonballs before the rest of the forces reached the planet. Thankfully there were hundreds of other planets with advanced life they could set upon, and New Namek was a good bit out of the way. Plus there were other concerns that would divert at least Azazel. Abbadon would be a bit more challenging. The Lord Magi was always competing with the Black Knight and Mephiston for praise and seeking to gain more attention from the Emperor Asmodius.
Despite his desire for the two to not show for sometime, the magistrate did not have to wait long. Azazel, the Black Knight was the first to arrive. While Mephiston commanded the whole of all the assault legions that expanded their territory, Azazel was the Supreme Commander of the armies. He was in charge of who received what troops, and the defense of the capital of the Empire, the planet, Dis. He was also a spectacular combatant, and carried out the Emperor's will without question, a warrior with honor in a race that had none. Thus he was as much a hindrance as an asset at time. Most especially in times like this when he had a mission and no path to follow to the end, he would take the route his morals guided him though. Usually it tended to be the most direct route, not the easiest, or the one that brought the most profit.
Mephiston had to admit though he did look the part he fulfilled in the magistrate's opinion, a pasty. That was not the opinion of the Emperor however unfortunately. Azazel had served upon Mephiston many years ago, and had not changed since then, even as his exploits brought him to a position of power. The daemon lord stood at seven feet tall and probably weighed close to five hundred pounds of dense muscle and bone. His skin was pure white, though red and black tattoo's of power were visible tracing patterns across his face and baldhead. His pupil-less eyes were a deep blue, and would glow when he unleashed the full of his power onto an unfortunate opponent. Mephiston felt bit of disgust at the sight of his former sub-commander. Azazel appeared quite human now that he thought about it, and most likely would be considered a handsome specimen at that. It couldn't be helped though; pure blood daemons were quite rare in this age, the interbreeding having diluted the race as the ages past. Azazel entered the room with an air of quiet dignity, his pure black plate armor not making more then a whisper as he assumed a seat on the opposite end of the table as Mephiston. They did not exchange greetings; none were needed, as they existed to complete a mission at this point, nothing more.
The two sat in silence for nearly an hour before the Lord Magi, Abbadon finally arrived on the Leviathan and made his way to the meeting room. Where Azazel had an almost human look, Abbadon was quite the opposite. He was completely horrid in his natural form. His basic shape was indeed humanoid, though he stood at eight foot tall hunched over. His skin was a sickly gray shade, covered with small bumps and spikes that served to protect him better then any daemon-made armor. His face resembled a skull more then anything else, glowing red eyes set beneath a cluster of horns, which resembled a crown. A number of barbed and razor tipped tentacles extended from his shoulders and the sides of his torso, seeming to be in constant motion as they writhed about his body. His great wings were folded behind him, the cramped corridors of the cruiser not suited to his large body.
He gave a snort as he entered into the room and saw the two sitting in silence. Abbadon didn't like either the Knight of the Magistrate, and knowing his delay had left them in an uncomfortable position pleased him greatly. Still a bit of social grace was needed with ones peers.
"Forgive my lateness, I had several tasks that required my direct attention. The firing of the main battery tends to be quite a strain on the Behemoth. She is not as new as your glorious ships."
The remark was aimed at Mephiston, Abbadon was aware of his desires to use Earth as a base to stage attacks on the rest of the system. The scowl of disgust that passed on his rivals face proved that the other daemon was indeed quite displeased with its' loss.
Azazel rose from his seat then, stopping any more comments from either of the two. He was without a question stronger then Abbadon, and Mephiston though his power was awesome in every respect, had serious questions regarding the current strength of his former lackey, he was only seen Azazel in battle twice. The first time had been under his command, and a sight to behold, the second had been in defense of the capital. Neither had reached the Black Knight's limits, and Mephiston did not want to be the one to test them in a fair fight.
"Both of you silence. This is not a meeting for bickering. We are here to discuss the current plans to finish the complete subjugation of this dimension. Lord Mephiston, please report on what you know and the plans you have formed at present."
"You both know my initial plan upon the assault on this realm. Baal was expected to be all it would take. With Vecna and the force at his command he should have been able to defeat the resistance we expected. The arrival of the Sayai-jin Son Goku, and the sheer power that some of the others that survived the initial assault have demonstrated was completely unexpected."
Abbadon had doubted the strength of the resistance up until this point. That was until he saw the injuries Mephiston's assassins had suffered in battle. He did still want a better classification of their abilities though.
"How strong would you estimate they are? Would they pose any threat at all if one of us was to take the field of battle, instead of sending mere soldiers?"
"No I do not believe so. I cannot be sure of it though. They should not have been able to defeat Laele and Zilvra either, yet somehow the boy Son Medon managed to do so. In her debriefing Zilvra stated he used some sort of technique that increased his power and speed dramatically.
We also have a problem in the fact all four of the surviving Sayai-jin were injured but not killed. When badly wounded and restored to health Sayai-jin's battle prowess and physical power actually increases. Thus any estimates of strength we had on them previously would be completely inaccurate.
Still to appease your curiosity. In his ultimate transformation Son Goku would be about twenty-five percent stronger then Zilvra. Son Pan seems to be equal to Irruit at the peak of her ability. Trunks Briefs is slightly stronger then Ranaghar from what I saw of his battle with Kale and Irruit. Son Medon had a highly changing power during his power, he ranged from anywhere from ten percent stronger then Zilvra up to nearly three times her ability near battles end when he crippled Kale and wounded her."
Azazel said nothing as the magistrate spoke; Abbadon on the other hand only gave a snort and a chuckle, his clawed hand waving in the air, completely dismissing the other daemons words.
"So they're stronger then your little bunch of killers? That will make very little difference if we bring all our resources to bear on them. All Azazel needs to do his bring the Knights into his dimension. Belial and Andariel, both only of the Second Order, should be more then capable of destroying them with ease."
Mephiston was about to interject on the suggestion. He did not need the Knighthood coming into this dimension. Upon doing so they would take control of almost all aspects of the operations, and that would mean getting in his way. As he opened his mouth to speak though, Azazel rose from his seat.
"Your suggestion is noted Lord Abbadon. I shall take it into consideration while issuing my orders. We, of the Knighthood were ordered into this dimension by the Emperor just before I arrived upon the Leviathan. The first order of business shall be to locate Lord Mephiston's missing warrior. We do not abandon a valuable asset such as Laele without a second though. After that we shall begin to move outward from the Sol System, conquering as we progress.
Lord Mephiston you shall locate the remaining Sayai-jin and do what you can to learn their capabilities. I shall assign Ahriman of the First Order to your command and to assist you in your task.
Lord Abbadon, you will return to the homeworld and concentrate on the rituals to bring the capital through a portal once we have secured this area. Prince Duriel shall be there to aid you, as well as bring the word of the Emperor when needed.
I shall secure this region where the portal shall be opened, as well as attempt to find a way to open a portal to the realm where the gods of this universe reside. Belial and Andariel will be dispatched to seek out your missing warrior and the young Sayai-jin she was seen in battle with. If she managed to use her teleportation power they should be within a few light-years and locatable."
Without another word, the Black Knight turned upon his heel and left the meeting chamber, leaving the two Lord Commanders staring after him. Abbadon simply blinked out a minute later returning to his own ship to carry out the commands he had been issued. Mephiston sat for many minutes in thought after the two had left. The knight at his side would present some trouble to his plans but without knowing it Azazel had helped him with his operation. He could set his sighs and attentions fully onto New Namek and acquiring its' Dragonballs.
The Black Knight had also once again revealed his weakness. He had made a good show of saying they should recover a valuable solider, but Mephiston knew the truth. When Azazel had been just a warrior under his command he had used the powerful knight as a breeder with the lesser species they captured to produce powerful hybrids. Laele and Zilvra were both his daughters, and though Mephiston had raised them since their birth, their father had kept an eye on them. Weakness like that could be manipulated; perhaps the invincible knight was not as strong as he appeared. He also had quite a plan in mind for the Sayai-jin, and with the present Irruit had brought back with her from Earth, it would be all that much more effective.
The laughter of the Magistrate echoed through the corridors of the Leviathan, startling the crewmen who were still trying to repair the torn hull where the Sayai-jin's triple Kamehameha had struck the ship.
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Bra gave a loud yawn in the confines of the small house she had been given upon New Namek. The action actually served to wake her up, the young woman having just about reached the point of dozing off. The demi-Sayai-jin gave a sigh and looked to the bed upon the floor just off to her side. Pan was sound asleep, the bit of noise from Bra's yawn and her shifting to get more comfortable not enough to rouse the sleeping woman. Pan had been both physically and emotionally exhausted when she and Goku had arrived on New Namek, it hadn't take her long after her fit within the village center to fall asleep once Bra had brought her inside and gotten her to relax.
Reaching out a slender hand Bra smoothed the hair off her friend's face, Pan's pert nose wrinkling up as the brief contact on her cheek, stirring in her sleep, but not waking. She had been talking every so often, usually something in regards to her parents or her brother. Most were mumbled and hard for Bra to make out though.
The young woman was just getting ready to crawl into the other bed and get herself some sleep when the two figures entered into the house. One was Trunks, he apparently hadn't slept either, and the bags under his eyes were a testament to his exhaustion. The other was one of the few people of the Namek that still followed the path of the warrior. Bra had only met him a short while ago, if she remembered correctly; she thought Murri had called him Hammer. The ki coming off him was quite impressive, not to the level of her father, or really any of the Sayai-jin but probably a bit higher then Tenshinhan was at.
Their conversation had ceased as they entered into the house, Trunks slumping into a sitting position on the floor against the opposite wall. Hammer gave Bra a nod of his head in greeting then turned and exited the house again, taking up a position besides the door. Bra shifted her glance to her brother as the Namek left.
"What's he doing out there?"
"Something about not letting anyone disturb our rest. He reminds me a lot of Piccolo actually, he has a bit of a rough exterior but a powerful and honorable fighter is in there. The speed you've managed to learn how to heal impressed him, plus he said Pan and I would probably help to save his planet, so he wants us to sleep in peace."
"Oh, well that's nice. I guess. In any case, what happened on Earth exactly?"
"I don't know all the details honestly. All I can really tell you is these creatures, the daemons or whatever you want to call them. They're powerful beyond imagination. Even with all our extra training, Pan and I were only able to fight the weaker ones we encountered that weren't rank and file troops. Even Goku hit a stalemate against some of the stronger ones. I don't know how Medon did, I only felt his ki, and I didn't get to see any of his fight. I do know this though, we're in trouble."
"It can't be that bad. We have the Namek Dragonballs as soon as they're recharged. Murri said they used them to help with some rampant weather patterns over five months ago; they should be ready for usage again any week now. We can wish back the Earth and all our friends can't we?"
Trunks closed his eyes as he continued to speak to his sister, he needed some sleep but wanted to make sure she understood the situation fully. Bra had been sheltered most of her life, to call their father overprotective of her would have been an understatement. Vegeta's motto on things when it came to Bra was, if he didn't think they were good for her to vaporize them. She had never seen anything like this, even the corrupted Shenron's hadn't been this bad.
"That's not what I meant Bra. What good is it to bring everything back if we can't stop these things? We could bring everyone back to life a dozen times, but if everyone keeps dying it does no good. We need to find a way to win, and from the attitude Goku had when he left for the mountains to meditate, I'm not sure if that option is there."
The demi-Sayai-jin's eyes snapped open a split second after he finished speaking as a strong hand grabbed the front of his bodysuit and yanked him forward. Pan was awake. The young woman's beautiful face was twisted into an image of grief and rage as he dragged Trunks down level with her visage.
"Don't you ever say that again! Do you understand me? My parents and brother didn't die for something we can't win. We will find a way to beat these damn creatures. I don't care if you give up, I'm going to fight them with every beat of my heart and breath in my body."
Trunks gently disconnected her grip in the front of his black bodysuit, she had twisted enough it had become hard to breath. He didn't let go of her hand though once he had done so, giving a short glance at the surprised Bra to the side before he focused on Pan before him.
"I'm sorry Pan. I didn't mean to say that. It's just none of this is going to be easy. I'm scared, just like all of us are. We have to be realists. We don't know how this is going to turn out. I am with you though, we will give this our all."
"Pan he's right, Dende even said that the people of Namek are now ready to fight with us to the very end no matter what. Let's all just get some rest ok? Morning will be here soon enough and then we'll have to figure out what to do."
With a sigh Pan let the anger she had been feeling go. She hadn't meant to snap at Trunks, it was just all the pressure had built to the point she had to yell at someone, that or hit something. The former option had seemed the best, offering the two a small smile in the way of an apology she rolled back onto her side, closing her eyes and seeking the sanctity of sleep once again. Despite what she had said though the nagging doubts they couldn't win chased her into her dreams, where the daemons waited.
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Mephiston entered into the inner sanctuary he had constructed within the depths of the Leviathan for his magical and scientific experiments. Within the chamber waited his most loyal minion and the only one he completely trusted. Charon, the Death Knight, had served Mephiston for over five millennia without question and without mercy. Where Charon had originated from was unknown, he had simply appeared at the daemon capital those many years ago and devoted himself in service to the magistrate. His power and limits were still a mystery even to Mephiston himself, but so far Charon had been able to complete every task sent his way, he was Mephiston and the Emperor's executioner. When a Minion of the Empire was found to have failed to betray their post, Charon was sent to eliminate them.
The daemon skull helm the Death Knight wore shifted slightly at his master's appearance. The two yellow pinpoints within the eye slits shifting to follow his passage, the knight did not move from his post though, or speak a word. As he crossed the room Mephiston's form twisted and bulged, the slender humanoid form he had been holding melting away. The daemon stopped before a number of glass tubes that had been placed upon the wall, his long clawed fingers brushing across the surface of one. Inside the green ooze that filled the tube, the unconscious Ubuu floated. His wounds had been healed by the daemon lords magic, and now he had other plans. Red eyes passed over the other tubes and the occupants within, it had taken time for the collection, but it was worth it, and this new warrior was a fine addition.
Turning away from the tubes Mephiston moved over to the scrying orb within the center of the room, his clawed hand gesturing for Charon to approach. He had to point out the Knight's next target after all. They were going to head for New Namek after all, and for his interference Son Goku would not be allowed to live.
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A shooting star passed across the black sky of New Namek, a chunk of rock or such burning up on its' path into the planet's atmosphere. Goku wasn't sure whether to consider it an omen of ill or good fortune. With the way things had gone as of late he seriously hoped it was the latter. The Sayai-jin had known things were bleak when he returned to Earth, but there was no way he could have expected they would take the turn they did. His friends, family, and even the planet he had loved, were gone. They had the ability to bring it all back, but it wouldn't serve them well at all to do so at this point, it'd only be gone again.
If the daemons keep pushing on and reached New Namek, they would fare even worse in the confrontation. They had all increased in power a bit since the battle upon Earth, and Tenshinhan was present, as well as the warriors of New Namek, Hammer and Anvil being the most powerful of those, but it wouldn't be enough. On Earth they had given all they had and still failed, if the daemons sent even more powerful forces to this planet, they would stand no chance at all.
He was so tired he couldn't even think of a viable plan to try to win the coming fight. Dawn was fast approaching and he hadn't rested even a second. After he had left the village he had flown far across the surface of New Namek to a secluded region, there he had meditated and trained further in solitude. He was exhausted. With a sigh the Sayai-jin took to the air to fly back to the village and get some sleep and some food, he was starving. That was when it hit him, he could barely feel the ki, so far away was it, but it was defiantly there, along with one other. Somewhere and somehow, they had gotten off Earth. Goku didn't know how and didn't care, but they had to find a way to get to him, the ki was to weak to lock on for a teleportation. White ki flared up around the Sayai-jin as he rocketed back to the village, he had to tell Pan. Medon was alive.
Author's Note Two: I've started a second work, Dragonball: A Lonely Place of Dying. I'm trying to work on both of the stories at once but I may slow down on getting chapters out. I'll still try to get two a month out for After Earth though.
Standard disclaimer, I do not own Dragonball Z/GT or any of its related characters. This is purely a non-profit work, for the enjoyment of those that are kind enough to read my work.
Language: This chapter had a bit harsher language then previously, there isn't large amounts of it, but please keep this in mind before reading. Rating is still PG-13.
Dragonball: After Earth
By Blood Wraith
Chapter 7: Lost Souls
Dende was thrown from his feet as the shockwave rocked across the surface of New Namek. Son Goku had teleported into the center of the village close to five minutes before with Pan. The Sayai-jin had said very little, only looking into the sky with an almost forlorn look on his face. Pan had been almost paralyzed upon arrival, her fingers gripping onto her grandfather's arm hard enough to leave them white. Bra had just been approaching the two to find out what had happened when Pan had lost her composure completely. Her slender arms jerked suddenly pushing the surprised Goku away from her as she let loose a scream. Her ki shot up, sending a ripple across the ground around her and causing the entire area to shake, as she let loose the full force of the loss of her brother and the Earth upon the surface of New Namek.
"Medon! Noooooooooooo!"
She most likely would have inadvertently destroyed the small Namekian village if left to vent her grief. Her ki had caused the ground around her to buckle more, chunks of rock and dirt breaking free and taking flight. God was just rising to his feet again when the distortion stopped as suddenly as it had begun. Brushing his robes off Dende looked to where the demi-Sayai-jin had been standing. She had fallen to her knees, breaking down into sobs. The healed Trunks besides her, a strong hand softly patting her on the back while he tried to calm her, not really talking of anything in particular, but just giving her something to focus on. Goku had also regained his footing and was looking at his granddaughter with sad eyes. The Sayai-jin didn't really know what to do or say to her. It had been his choice to teleport off Earth. He really hadn't had much choice, if they hadn't left at that moment they would both be dead. It still hadn't made the choice any easier.
Medon had still been on the planet. At the moment the elemental cannon of the Behemoth had impacted on Earth, the teenager had still been fighting one of the assassins that had attacked Goku. It had been impossible to reach him in time; Goku had tried, and thus barely been able to save Pan or himself. Despite all his planning and all their training, they had lost. Medon, billions of people, and the Earth itself, they had all been destroyed.
Bra had joined the small group around Pan, taking Trunks spot in attempting to soothe the pain of her friend. She hugged the smaller woman tight, smoothing her dark hair and rocking her softly. Pan just cried, she had lost the last person she utterly and completely loved. It was true her grandfather had returned, and they still shared a bond. This was her brother though, and after the loss of her mother and father, it had managed to finally break her. Trunks watched the two of them a moment longer before giving his sister a pat on the shoulder and telling her to take care of Pan. Then he went to join Goku who had moved off to the side with Dende and was retelling him of the events that had occurred.
"We didn't have any chance once the battlecruisers arrived. The ki's on them were completely mind-boggling. All three of us together probably wouldn't have been able to beat the weakest one. When they opened fire on the planet, all we could try to do was escape."
The Sayai-jin let out a sigh, glancing briefly at Trunks as the middle-aged man joined them. Trunks had discarded his shattered armor. The fight with Kale had cracked his chestplate and rendered it just useless weight. He still wore the black bodysuit, boots, and gloves. Bra having abducted his coat when she had gone to console Pan, draping it over her.
"You would have been proud of him if you had seen it Trunks. The three of you did an amazing job in training him. The daemons didn't have a chance against him."
Goku would have continued but he felt a lump form in his throat. He hadn't shed tears for years, even as he lost friends in various battles. He would not do so now either. He just needed to rest.
"What now Son Goku?"
God's words brought Goku back to the present. It was a good question. He was sure the daemons would come after them. He just didn't know when or any other details. After they had lost Earth, all his thoughts on the situation had crumbled. He was totally unaware of Mephiston's desire for the Namek Dragonballs and their power.
"I don't know Kamisama."
Then without another word, Goku turned and walked away from his two stunned friends. For the first time in his life, he knew he had let them all down, when it counted the most. For his failure, most of his friends, family, and many others, were all dead.
Trunks watched the older man head away from them, his path taking him towards the edge of the civilization. Then he turned to Dende besides him.
"I hope he comes up with something and quick. Or else we're all as good as dead."
The last thing Goku heard, as his feet left the ground to take him outside of the village, were the sobs of his granddaughter.
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Mephiston waited in the audience chamber of his flagship. Abbadon and Azazel would be arriving soon. The magistrate was not in any hurry to deal with either of them. He had been embarrassed today and lost the planet he had chosen to make use of. His only real hope of salvaging this entire operation was to obtain the Namek Dragonballs before the rest of the forces reached the planet. Thankfully there were hundreds of other planets with advanced life they could set upon, and New Namek was a good bit out of the way. Plus there were other concerns that would divert at least Azazel. Abbadon would be a bit more challenging. The Lord Magi was always competing with the Black Knight and Mephiston for praise and seeking to gain more attention from the Emperor Asmodius.
Despite his desire for the two to not show for sometime, the magistrate did not have to wait long. Azazel, the Black Knight was the first to arrive. While Mephiston commanded the whole of all the assault legions that expanded their territory, Azazel was the Supreme Commander of the armies. He was in charge of who received what troops, and the defense of the capital of the Empire, the planet, Dis. He was also a spectacular combatant, and carried out the Emperor's will without question, a warrior with honor in a race that had none. Thus he was as much a hindrance as an asset at time. Most especially in times like this when he had a mission and no path to follow to the end, he would take the route his morals guided him though. Usually it tended to be the most direct route, not the easiest, or the one that brought the most profit.
Mephiston had to admit though he did look the part he fulfilled in the magistrate's opinion, a pasty. That was not the opinion of the Emperor however unfortunately. Azazel had served upon Mephiston many years ago, and had not changed since then, even as his exploits brought him to a position of power. The daemon lord stood at seven feet tall and probably weighed close to five hundred pounds of dense muscle and bone. His skin was pure white, though red and black tattoo's of power were visible tracing patterns across his face and baldhead. His pupil-less eyes were a deep blue, and would glow when he unleashed the full of his power onto an unfortunate opponent. Mephiston felt bit of disgust at the sight of his former sub-commander. Azazel appeared quite human now that he thought about it, and most likely would be considered a handsome specimen at that. It couldn't be helped though; pure blood daemons were quite rare in this age, the interbreeding having diluted the race as the ages past. Azazel entered the room with an air of quiet dignity, his pure black plate armor not making more then a whisper as he assumed a seat on the opposite end of the table as Mephiston. They did not exchange greetings; none were needed, as they existed to complete a mission at this point, nothing more.
The two sat in silence for nearly an hour before the Lord Magi, Abbadon finally arrived on the Leviathan and made his way to the meeting room. Where Azazel had an almost human look, Abbadon was quite the opposite. He was completely horrid in his natural form. His basic shape was indeed humanoid, though he stood at eight foot tall hunched over. His skin was a sickly gray shade, covered with small bumps and spikes that served to protect him better then any daemon-made armor. His face resembled a skull more then anything else, glowing red eyes set beneath a cluster of horns, which resembled a crown. A number of barbed and razor tipped tentacles extended from his shoulders and the sides of his torso, seeming to be in constant motion as they writhed about his body. His great wings were folded behind him, the cramped corridors of the cruiser not suited to his large body.
He gave a snort as he entered into the room and saw the two sitting in silence. Abbadon didn't like either the Knight of the Magistrate, and knowing his delay had left them in an uncomfortable position pleased him greatly. Still a bit of social grace was needed with ones peers.
"Forgive my lateness, I had several tasks that required my direct attention. The firing of the main battery tends to be quite a strain on the Behemoth. She is not as new as your glorious ships."
The remark was aimed at Mephiston, Abbadon was aware of his desires to use Earth as a base to stage attacks on the rest of the system. The scowl of disgust that passed on his rivals face proved that the other daemon was indeed quite displeased with its' loss.
Azazel rose from his seat then, stopping any more comments from either of the two. He was without a question stronger then Abbadon, and Mephiston though his power was awesome in every respect, had serious questions regarding the current strength of his former lackey, he was only seen Azazel in battle twice. The first time had been under his command, and a sight to behold, the second had been in defense of the capital. Neither had reached the Black Knight's limits, and Mephiston did not want to be the one to test them in a fair fight.
"Both of you silence. This is not a meeting for bickering. We are here to discuss the current plans to finish the complete subjugation of this dimension. Lord Mephiston, please report on what you know and the plans you have formed at present."
"You both know my initial plan upon the assault on this realm. Baal was expected to be all it would take. With Vecna and the force at his command he should have been able to defeat the resistance we expected. The arrival of the Sayai-jin Son Goku, and the sheer power that some of the others that survived the initial assault have demonstrated was completely unexpected."
Abbadon had doubted the strength of the resistance up until this point. That was until he saw the injuries Mephiston's assassins had suffered in battle. He did still want a better classification of their abilities though.
"How strong would you estimate they are? Would they pose any threat at all if one of us was to take the field of battle, instead of sending mere soldiers?"
"No I do not believe so. I cannot be sure of it though. They should not have been able to defeat Laele and Zilvra either, yet somehow the boy Son Medon managed to do so. In her debriefing Zilvra stated he used some sort of technique that increased his power and speed dramatically.
We also have a problem in the fact all four of the surviving Sayai-jin were injured but not killed. When badly wounded and restored to health Sayai-jin's battle prowess and physical power actually increases. Thus any estimates of strength we had on them previously would be completely inaccurate.
Still to appease your curiosity. In his ultimate transformation Son Goku would be about twenty-five percent stronger then Zilvra. Son Pan seems to be equal to Irruit at the peak of her ability. Trunks Briefs is slightly stronger then Ranaghar from what I saw of his battle with Kale and Irruit. Son Medon had a highly changing power during his power, he ranged from anywhere from ten percent stronger then Zilvra up to nearly three times her ability near battles end when he crippled Kale and wounded her."
Azazel said nothing as the magistrate spoke; Abbadon on the other hand only gave a snort and a chuckle, his clawed hand waving in the air, completely dismissing the other daemons words.
"So they're stronger then your little bunch of killers? That will make very little difference if we bring all our resources to bear on them. All Azazel needs to do his bring the Knights into his dimension. Belial and Andariel, both only of the Second Order, should be more then capable of destroying them with ease."
Mephiston was about to interject on the suggestion. He did not need the Knighthood coming into this dimension. Upon doing so they would take control of almost all aspects of the operations, and that would mean getting in his way. As he opened his mouth to speak though, Azazel rose from his seat.
"Your suggestion is noted Lord Abbadon. I shall take it into consideration while issuing my orders. We, of the Knighthood were ordered into this dimension by the Emperor just before I arrived upon the Leviathan. The first order of business shall be to locate Lord Mephiston's missing warrior. We do not abandon a valuable asset such as Laele without a second though. After that we shall begin to move outward from the Sol System, conquering as we progress.
Lord Mephiston you shall locate the remaining Sayai-jin and do what you can to learn their capabilities. I shall assign Ahriman of the First Order to your command and to assist you in your task.
Lord Abbadon, you will return to the homeworld and concentrate on the rituals to bring the capital through a portal once we have secured this area. Prince Duriel shall be there to aid you, as well as bring the word of the Emperor when needed.
I shall secure this region where the portal shall be opened, as well as attempt to find a way to open a portal to the realm where the gods of this universe reside. Belial and Andariel will be dispatched to seek out your missing warrior and the young Sayai-jin she was seen in battle with. If she managed to use her teleportation power they should be within a few light-years and locatable."
Without another word, the Black Knight turned upon his heel and left the meeting chamber, leaving the two Lord Commanders staring after him. Abbadon simply blinked out a minute later returning to his own ship to carry out the commands he had been issued. Mephiston sat for many minutes in thought after the two had left. The knight at his side would present some trouble to his plans but without knowing it Azazel had helped him with his operation. He could set his sighs and attentions fully onto New Namek and acquiring its' Dragonballs.
The Black Knight had also once again revealed his weakness. He had made a good show of saying they should recover a valuable solider, but Mephiston knew the truth. When Azazel had been just a warrior under his command he had used the powerful knight as a breeder with the lesser species they captured to produce powerful hybrids. Laele and Zilvra were both his daughters, and though Mephiston had raised them since their birth, their father had kept an eye on them. Weakness like that could be manipulated; perhaps the invincible knight was not as strong as he appeared. He also had quite a plan in mind for the Sayai-jin, and with the present Irruit had brought back with her from Earth, it would be all that much more effective.
The laughter of the Magistrate echoed through the corridors of the Leviathan, startling the crewmen who were still trying to repair the torn hull where the Sayai-jin's triple Kamehameha had struck the ship.
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Bra gave a loud yawn in the confines of the small house she had been given upon New Namek. The action actually served to wake her up, the young woman having just about reached the point of dozing off. The demi-Sayai-jin gave a sigh and looked to the bed upon the floor just off to her side. Pan was sound asleep, the bit of noise from Bra's yawn and her shifting to get more comfortable not enough to rouse the sleeping woman. Pan had been both physically and emotionally exhausted when she and Goku had arrived on New Namek, it hadn't take her long after her fit within the village center to fall asleep once Bra had brought her inside and gotten her to relax.
Reaching out a slender hand Bra smoothed the hair off her friend's face, Pan's pert nose wrinkling up as the brief contact on her cheek, stirring in her sleep, but not waking. She had been talking every so often, usually something in regards to her parents or her brother. Most were mumbled and hard for Bra to make out though.
The young woman was just getting ready to crawl into the other bed and get herself some sleep when the two figures entered into the house. One was Trunks, he apparently hadn't slept either, and the bags under his eyes were a testament to his exhaustion. The other was one of the few people of the Namek that still followed the path of the warrior. Bra had only met him a short while ago, if she remembered correctly; she thought Murri had called him Hammer. The ki coming off him was quite impressive, not to the level of her father, or really any of the Sayai-jin but probably a bit higher then Tenshinhan was at.
Their conversation had ceased as they entered into the house, Trunks slumping into a sitting position on the floor against the opposite wall. Hammer gave Bra a nod of his head in greeting then turned and exited the house again, taking up a position besides the door. Bra shifted her glance to her brother as the Namek left.
"What's he doing out there?"
"Something about not letting anyone disturb our rest. He reminds me a lot of Piccolo actually, he has a bit of a rough exterior but a powerful and honorable fighter is in there. The speed you've managed to learn how to heal impressed him, plus he said Pan and I would probably help to save his planet, so he wants us to sleep in peace."
"Oh, well that's nice. I guess. In any case, what happened on Earth exactly?"
"I don't know all the details honestly. All I can really tell you is these creatures, the daemons or whatever you want to call them. They're powerful beyond imagination. Even with all our extra training, Pan and I were only able to fight the weaker ones we encountered that weren't rank and file troops. Even Goku hit a stalemate against some of the stronger ones. I don't know how Medon did, I only felt his ki, and I didn't get to see any of his fight. I do know this though, we're in trouble."
"It can't be that bad. We have the Namek Dragonballs as soon as they're recharged. Murri said they used them to help with some rampant weather patterns over five months ago; they should be ready for usage again any week now. We can wish back the Earth and all our friends can't we?"
Trunks closed his eyes as he continued to speak to his sister, he needed some sleep but wanted to make sure she understood the situation fully. Bra had been sheltered most of her life, to call their father overprotective of her would have been an understatement. Vegeta's motto on things when it came to Bra was, if he didn't think they were good for her to vaporize them. She had never seen anything like this, even the corrupted Shenron's hadn't been this bad.
"That's not what I meant Bra. What good is it to bring everything back if we can't stop these things? We could bring everyone back to life a dozen times, but if everyone keeps dying it does no good. We need to find a way to win, and from the attitude Goku had when he left for the mountains to meditate, I'm not sure if that option is there."
The demi-Sayai-jin's eyes snapped open a split second after he finished speaking as a strong hand grabbed the front of his bodysuit and yanked him forward. Pan was awake. The young woman's beautiful face was twisted into an image of grief and rage as he dragged Trunks down level with her visage.
"Don't you ever say that again! Do you understand me? My parents and brother didn't die for something we can't win. We will find a way to beat these damn creatures. I don't care if you give up, I'm going to fight them with every beat of my heart and breath in my body."
Trunks gently disconnected her grip in the front of his black bodysuit, she had twisted enough it had become hard to breath. He didn't let go of her hand though once he had done so, giving a short glance at the surprised Bra to the side before he focused on Pan before him.
"I'm sorry Pan. I didn't mean to say that. It's just none of this is going to be easy. I'm scared, just like all of us are. We have to be realists. We don't know how this is going to turn out. I am with you though, we will give this our all."
"Pan he's right, Dende even said that the people of Namek are now ready to fight with us to the very end no matter what. Let's all just get some rest ok? Morning will be here soon enough and then we'll have to figure out what to do."
With a sigh Pan let the anger she had been feeling go. She hadn't meant to snap at Trunks, it was just all the pressure had built to the point she had to yell at someone, that or hit something. The former option had seemed the best, offering the two a small smile in the way of an apology she rolled back onto her side, closing her eyes and seeking the sanctity of sleep once again. Despite what she had said though the nagging doubts they couldn't win chased her into her dreams, where the daemons waited.
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Mephiston entered into the inner sanctuary he had constructed within the depths of the Leviathan for his magical and scientific experiments. Within the chamber waited his most loyal minion and the only one he completely trusted. Charon, the Death Knight, had served Mephiston for over five millennia without question and without mercy. Where Charon had originated from was unknown, he had simply appeared at the daemon capital those many years ago and devoted himself in service to the magistrate. His power and limits were still a mystery even to Mephiston himself, but so far Charon had been able to complete every task sent his way, he was Mephiston and the Emperor's executioner. When a Minion of the Empire was found to have failed to betray their post, Charon was sent to eliminate them.
The daemon skull helm the Death Knight wore shifted slightly at his master's appearance. The two yellow pinpoints within the eye slits shifting to follow his passage, the knight did not move from his post though, or speak a word. As he crossed the room Mephiston's form twisted and bulged, the slender humanoid form he had been holding melting away. The daemon stopped before a number of glass tubes that had been placed upon the wall, his long clawed fingers brushing across the surface of one. Inside the green ooze that filled the tube, the unconscious Ubuu floated. His wounds had been healed by the daemon lords magic, and now he had other plans. Red eyes passed over the other tubes and the occupants within, it had taken time for the collection, but it was worth it, and this new warrior was a fine addition.
Turning away from the tubes Mephiston moved over to the scrying orb within the center of the room, his clawed hand gesturing for Charon to approach. He had to point out the Knight's next target after all. They were going to head for New Namek after all, and for his interference Son Goku would not be allowed to live.
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A shooting star passed across the black sky of New Namek, a chunk of rock or such burning up on its' path into the planet's atmosphere. Goku wasn't sure whether to consider it an omen of ill or good fortune. With the way things had gone as of late he seriously hoped it was the latter. The Sayai-jin had known things were bleak when he returned to Earth, but there was no way he could have expected they would take the turn they did. His friends, family, and even the planet he had loved, were gone. They had the ability to bring it all back, but it wouldn't serve them well at all to do so at this point, it'd only be gone again.
If the daemons keep pushing on and reached New Namek, they would fare even worse in the confrontation. They had all increased in power a bit since the battle upon Earth, and Tenshinhan was present, as well as the warriors of New Namek, Hammer and Anvil being the most powerful of those, but it wouldn't be enough. On Earth they had given all they had and still failed, if the daemons sent even more powerful forces to this planet, they would stand no chance at all.
He was so tired he couldn't even think of a viable plan to try to win the coming fight. Dawn was fast approaching and he hadn't rested even a second. After he had left the village he had flown far across the surface of New Namek to a secluded region, there he had meditated and trained further in solitude. He was exhausted. With a sigh the Sayai-jin took to the air to fly back to the village and get some sleep and some food, he was starving. That was when it hit him, he could barely feel the ki, so far away was it, but it was defiantly there, along with one other. Somewhere and somehow, they had gotten off Earth. Goku didn't know how and didn't care, but they had to find a way to get to him, the ki was to weak to lock on for a teleportation. White ki flared up around the Sayai-jin as he rocketed back to the village, he had to tell Pan. Medon was alive.