Dragon Ball Next Generation
The Grey Saga
Part 2: The Sacrifice
Chapter 11
Perhaps, if it hadn't been for my Saiya-jin blood, I would have just kept running. But, some part of me was excited. Who could give a better fight then an immortal being? It was a strange mix of fear and excitement.
I flew back to the ruins of the castle, finding Garlic Jr. easily. The huge demon before me smiled when he saw me.
"Have you finally stopped running?" He asked in a mocking tone.
"I'm going to kill you." I said flatly. Garlic began to laugh.
"You're going to kill ME!" He managed to utter between laughs. The fit of laughter gave me time to size up my opponent. His ki was not that great, I would probably be stronger then him with three fourths of my full strength. His budging muscles and enormous stature would mean that he would be strong, but probably slow. He was incredibly cocky as well. Kargo once told me to make the enemy's weakness my strength, and I intended to do just that.
Pushing my ki to my fists, I charged. I reached Garlic before he realized I had moved. I leapt, and hit him in the face with a ki charged fist. He staggered backwards, clutching his face. I knew better then to give him time to recover, and followed up with a quick series of attacks to his exposed gut. I leapt again, slamming both my fists into his skull. Clutching his head, he fell to the ground, his enormous body causing the ground to shake on impact.
I took a few steps back, breathing deeply. All the battles I had been in were taking their toll. Before, I had been running on a mix of fear, anger, and adrenaline. But now I didn't even have enough energy to wipe Garlic's blood off my hands.
Garlic Jr. slowly got back to his feet. He didn't seem to be in pain anymore. I looked up, and saw that the bleeding had stopped. A cut I had given to him began to heal right before my eyes.
He really is immortal.
I was so shocked, I didn't read Garlic's movement, and was caught by surprise as he attacked. I managed to dodge him by millimeters. His fists were huge! One could completely cover my whole head.
I dodged another swing, another. I was right, he was slow. But, I was so tired I couldn't counter. I didn't have time to take a sensu before each attack.
So I was forced to dodge his attacks, hoping he'd make a mistake, or would trip, or anything to give me time. Garlic screamed in frustration after missing me over and over. His attacks became wild, as if he was more interested in venting his frustration then in hurting me.
Suddenly, I felt stone against my back. I realized he cornered me. Garlic smirked triumphantly and swung his huge fist. Without thinking, I pressed my body against the stone, and threw up my left arm to block. His fist hit my forearm, and for a moment I thought I blocked it. There was a sharp pain in my arm, and a loud crack. My left arm fell to my side, useless. I looked down, and saw the bone sticking through the skin.
I managed to stifle a scream; that would only give Garlic more pleasure, who had stepped back with the smirk still on his face. Tears streamed down my face as I grabbed my arm to my side and backed away slowly. Garlic stood still, watching me with glee. All was silent, other then the slow drip... drip... of the blood falling off my arm. I knew I only had one shot to buy some time. If I failed, Garlic would kill me easily.
Slowly, I gathered the ki I had left into my good hand. Garlic's eyes slowly moved towards my hand. In them, I saw the realization of what I was going to do. He smiled at me.
Before I realized what was happening, I felt a horrible pain in my gut. I screamed as I flew backwards, hit the ground, bounced, bounced, skidded, and stopped. Gagging, I coughed up blood. Garlic must have hit me in the gut. It felt like the impact had ruptured something. Some of my ribs were probably broken as well.
I felt the ground tremble as Garlic walk toward me. There was no way I could flee now; I doubted I could even stand. There was only one thing I could do. I pushed all my ki into my right hand.
Garlic loomed over me, enjoying the sight of me, broken, covered in blood. In an instant, my good hand was pointed at his face, and I released my ki.
Garlic screamed as the ki hit him. I was aiming for his eyes, hoping that it would keep him down for at least a moment.
The bag Xander gave me had sensu beans in it, but first I had to do something about my arm. If I left it as it was, the skin would heal around the bone, instead of repairing it. With a quick gasp, I grabbed my arm, and squeezed. A fresh outpour of blood muffled my scream, gagging me. I began to feel slow, stupid. My vision darkened.
I reached to my side, and fingered with the string holding the bag to my side. I finally got it undone, and fumbled inside it. My hands closed around a cylinder.
A sensu?
No, a capsule.
I dropped the capsule, and sunk my hand in the bag again. My hand closed around something, a bean!
I shoved it in my mouth, and chewed. Immediately, it began to take effect. The pain in my gut left me. I heard a snap as the bone in my are was knitted back together. And... something else...
Power.
My strength had returned in full, and much more! I leapt up, finding Garlic still on the ground. Slowly, he raised himself up. His eyes had reformed, and he was no longer happy.
"I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!" He screamed, swinging his giant fist. I smiled. I didn't move from where I was standing, only raised my arm to block. His fist hit my arm, and I it pushed away, wincing. It would probably leave a bruise. Garlic had only a moment to be surprised, before I began pummeling him.
My speed... my strength... it was amazing. I moved with ease I didn't know was possible. Garlic was vaguely aware of my attacks only after I had made two more. It was my Saiya-jin blood. I had nearly died, and my Saiya-jin blood increased my power. I felt like almost anything was possible, even killing an immortal.
I finished my assault, letting Garlic drop to the ground. He was gasping, visibly in pain. But, as his eyes met mine, I didn't see the pain I hoped to see. I saw a rage that rivaled my own.
Screaming incoherently, he attacked. I easily dodged it, and countered with a kick to his exposed back. He flew backwards, skidding on the ground. Before he had a chance to stand, I flew at him. Using the zanzoken technique, I created an image in front of him to attack, and I flew around him, hitting his exposed back with a ball of ki.
Garlic screamed in agony as the ball exploded, incinerating his flesh. He lay on the ground, unmoving. Of course, I knew it wasn't over. Moments later, the flesh on his back began to stretch, covering the wound, mending the damage.
Slowly, he stood up. I used that to my advantage, aiming a kick to his ribs. He saw it at the last moment, and pulled his arms up. He stayed on his feet, but the impact sent him skidding a few yards, leaving marks in the ground.
"Where... did you... get this power?" He asked between mouthfuls of air. I smiled. I decided not to give him a strait forward answer.
"I am Son Celic, descendant of Son Goku and Son Gohan." I said. I saw a slight change in his eyes. Fear. I smirked. It was good to see him afraid.
I decided to intimidate him some more, show him he had no way to win against me. I began zanzokening around him, creating multiple images. He turned slowly, trying to decipher which was me. He didn't have a prayer.
I poured ki into my palm, and threw. It hit the ground next to his feet, kicking up dust. Now, he was blinded, with no way to find me, and unable to guard against my attack.
Lowering my ki so he couldn't sense it, if he could at all, I attacked. I focused on speed, attacking, backing off, attacking from a different direction, backing of, and so on. My attacks continued to kick up the dust from my attack, keeping him blind. I finished up a kick to his legs, throwing him off balance, and jumped above him, hands cupped.
"Kamehameha!" I screamed, throwing my hands towards Garlic. The blue beam erupted from my palms, separating the dust, giving Garlic enough time to realize what was going to happen to him, but not enough time to dodge.
He screamed in pain as the beam encompassed his body, exploding seconds later. Garlic's body was thrown from the explosion, and landed, smoldering, on the ground. I landed, gazing at my opponent.
His body was charred all over, bleeding from numerous places. Before I had time to observe more, the bleeding stopped. Slowly, a slight breeze blew away the charred skin, revealing new, unbroken skin underneath. A feeling of inevitably and uselessness hung over me, until I noticed one difference in my opponent.
His ki was lower.
Yes! His ki had lower a little! If I could just lower it enough... maybe... I could kill him!
I realized I didn't have a lot of time to whittle down his ki. Through the course of the battle, I had forgotten about the Dark Army, but now the memory of John's ki signature's sharp drop came back in full. I needed to do something decisive, or my friends would die fighting an endless army of demons.
Garlic got to his feet, his rage greater then ever. He screamed threats at me, but I paid no attention. I was focusing my ki to my hands, which were cupped behind my head.
Flames... I saw the flames in my head, could feel their heat on my skin. I concentrated on putting those flames between my palms. Garlic slowly climbed out of the small crater my last attack created, his horrible ki rolling off his budging muscles. Just a little more...
Garlic charged.
"Flame Cyclone!" I screamed, throwing my arms in front of me. The comet- like red ball of ki flew from my hands moments before I was within Garlic's reach.
Garlic screamed as the ball exploded on his chest. Twin pillars of flame exploded from it, twisting around Garlic. He screamed in agony as the fire burned his flesh to the bone. I kept my concentration, trying to keep the pillars of flame in existence.
It's not enough! I thought. Flesh immediately reappeared as soon as it was burned off. I flew upwards; my aura surrounding me as I raised my ki to it's fullest. I stopped a hundred feet above Garlic, ki dancing in my hands. I threw both balls, focused my ki into two more, through, and repeated the process.
An explosion of ki is a strange thing. Instead of exploding in an instant like a bomb, the user can actually prolong the explosion of the attack, creating a dome of ki. I threw Hundreds of balls of ki into the center of the dome. It was huge; anything with Garlic's strength would have died a long time ago. But I knew that it still wasn't enough.
"Kamehame..." I stopped, gathering the ki to my palms. I poured all but the merest fraction of my strength into my palms. It had to work. The only alternative was death.
"HA!" I screamed, launching the blue beam foreword. It was enormous; far larger and more destructive then any attack I had used before. The beam reached the dome of ki, expanding it, turning it to a light blue color.
I no longer had enough strength to hold myself in the air. As I sunk back to the earth, I was amazed at my attack. I never realized I had so much power. I landed at the edge of the crater I had created, and peered down.
Garlic was lying in the center, unmoving. The little flesh left on his bones was charred black; organs and entrails were thrown out of his body, which was pooled in blood. As tired as I was, I managed a small laugh, not even a giggle. I had done it! I was still alive!
I heard a snap as one of Garlic's bones began to mend it's self.
"JUST DIE!" I screamed, hurling down the last bit of ki I had at the monster. It struck his neck with a loud splat. Garlic's head was now completely severed, with the exception of a few stringy pieces of flesh.
I collapsed. It was took all my energy just to take a breath. I didn't want to fight, or even think anymore. I just wanted to sleep.
I heard a soft squish as Garlic's arms reached up, grabbed his head, and pushed it back onto the neck.
No! It was impossible!
I tried to crawl away from the immortal, tried to escape what I knew was inevitable. I cursed myself for my own stupidity. If I had just taken a sensu after I attacked... but I knew I didn't have time now.
Suddenly, Garlic's foot was in front of me. The first thought that appeared was how disproportionate his foot and leg was. I was amazed that they weren't crushed under his bulk.
Before I had time to think anything else, I felt Garlic's hand grab the back of my gi and lift me up. He lifted me to his face, my feet dangling a good three feet above the ground. I made no struggle; I just didn't have any strength. I knew it was useless anyway. I only hoped the end would be quick. Of course, that was foolish hope.
Garlic grasped my head with a single hand, wrapping his long fingers around my skull, his palm in my face. Then he began to squeeze.
I clawed at his hand fruitlessly as my skull was slowly being crushed. I felt my nose break, tasted blood in my mouth, the pressure on my head was immense. The pain... nothing could possibly be worse. Then he began to punch my stomach with his free hand.
The pain was indescribable. I felt my ribs crack, and I coughed up blood. But I could not open my mouth, and it settled in my mouth. He tightened his grip on my head and punched me again.
This time, my stomach emptied its contents. Vomit rushed up my throat, into my mouth, up into my nose. I needed to take a breath! I was dieing of suffocation, choking, my head caving in, and internal damage all at once. It was truly horrible.
Then, it stopped. Garlic released me, and I collapsed on the ground at his feet. I coughed up blood and vomit, taking a huge gasping breath.
"Why didn't you kill me?" I tried to ask, but I could barely mange more then a hoarse whisper.
"You seem eager to die." Garlic said in a mocking tone. "With all the pain and frustration you've given to me, I see no reason to grant your wish for a very long time."
I was struck with a strong sense of familiarity. We are the same! I thought. Our mentality was exactly the same. If I had the chance, I would have put Turmeric though even more pain then I was in now. We deserved the same fate...
But I wouldn't let him kill me. I vowed to never give him that pleasure.
"I won't let you kill me..." I barely recognized my own voice; it was incredible weak, pathetic really.
"Pleading for death?" Garlic asked, leaning closer to hear.
"YOU WON'T KILL ME!" I screamed, twisting to face him. Before I knew what I was doing, I put my hand inches to his face, releasing all the ki I thought had left me. Garlic screamed and reeled back, clutching his face, which had been incinerated. At least we both feel pain. I though.
I turned and crawled away. I just needed a little room... just a little more... I could still hear Garlic scream in agony.
Deciding that I had enough room, I rolled on my back, yanking the sack from my belt. I emptied its contents onto my bloodstained gi. A sensu bean and a capsule. I popped the sensu into my mouth. I couldn't chew it, but I tried to mash it against the roof of my mouth with my tongue. Choking a little, I swallowed. Instantly, I was free of pain, and more powerful then ever. But that didn't matter.
I stood up, taking the capsule in my hand. Garlic's screams of agony were subsiding as new flesh replaced the part I had burned off.
"YOU BASTARD! I'LL RIP OFF YOUR ARMS! I PROMISE YOU WON'T DIE FOR A HUNDRED YEAR..."
'It's over." I said. Garlic stopped. The tone in my voice must have surprised him. It was as if what I had just said was absolute, as if there was no other truth.
"What do you mean it over? Don't you understand!? I WILL NEVER DIE!" He screamed. But I saw in his eyes an uncertainty of what he said.
"You should have killed me. Now I will use a weapon that will end your time on Earth." I said, keeping my tone steady. I brought up my hand, to show him the capsule. I pushed the top, and threw it between us. It exploded with a loud POOF, and the item inside was concealed by a cloud of dust.
I saw fear in his eyes. That made what I was doing a little easier. The cloud parted, and Garlic's eyes widened. Then he began to laugh. I hated his laugh. It was the exact opposite of what a laugh should sound like.
"That's your great weapon!" He exclaimed in joy. "A RICE COOKER!?"
"No. The denshi jar." I said. My heart began to beat rapidly. I was terrified.
I didn't want this to be my last moment. Anything but this, with this thing... I closed my eyes, trying to think of a happier moment, one I would be happy to call my last.
In my mind's eye, I saw Ann, her long brown hair hanging in her face, her kind eyes, her soft lips, always ready to smile... She truly was perfect. The exact opposite of the thing before me. The exact opposite of me.
I knew I wouldn't be going where she was.
I opened my eyes, and stared at Garlic. Taking a deep breath, I raised my hands over my head. A tear fell down my cheek.
For you, Ann.
"MAFUBA!" I screamed. The result was instantaneous.
It was as if I was separated. I was still in my body, but I was also outside, looking at both Garlic and me. Who I was had been pulled out; the essence of who I was... my soul had been yanked from my body. The outside me, my soul, became a strong wind. My body swung my arms downward, and I shot at Garlic, sweeping him upwards. He screamed as he was thrown into the denshi jar.
Suddenly, I was back in my body, but... I was so incredibly tired. I sunk to my knees, then collapsed. The night air was pungent with the smell of blood, but underneath that was the sweet smell of a cool night. With the last of my strength, I pushed myself on my back, and looked up at the bright stars.
A perfect night. I thought, as my vision went dark. I took a deep breath, savoring the air. I knew it would be my last.
COMING UP!
Dragon Ball Next Generation
The Grey Saga
Part 3: The Return
The river of blood shall overflow and flood the Earth.
The Grey Saga
Part 2: The Sacrifice
Chapter 11
Perhaps, if it hadn't been for my Saiya-jin blood, I would have just kept running. But, some part of me was excited. Who could give a better fight then an immortal being? It was a strange mix of fear and excitement.
I flew back to the ruins of the castle, finding Garlic Jr. easily. The huge demon before me smiled when he saw me.
"Have you finally stopped running?" He asked in a mocking tone.
"I'm going to kill you." I said flatly. Garlic began to laugh.
"You're going to kill ME!" He managed to utter between laughs. The fit of laughter gave me time to size up my opponent. His ki was not that great, I would probably be stronger then him with three fourths of my full strength. His budging muscles and enormous stature would mean that he would be strong, but probably slow. He was incredibly cocky as well. Kargo once told me to make the enemy's weakness my strength, and I intended to do just that.
Pushing my ki to my fists, I charged. I reached Garlic before he realized I had moved. I leapt, and hit him in the face with a ki charged fist. He staggered backwards, clutching his face. I knew better then to give him time to recover, and followed up with a quick series of attacks to his exposed gut. I leapt again, slamming both my fists into his skull. Clutching his head, he fell to the ground, his enormous body causing the ground to shake on impact.
I took a few steps back, breathing deeply. All the battles I had been in were taking their toll. Before, I had been running on a mix of fear, anger, and adrenaline. But now I didn't even have enough energy to wipe Garlic's blood off my hands.
Garlic Jr. slowly got back to his feet. He didn't seem to be in pain anymore. I looked up, and saw that the bleeding had stopped. A cut I had given to him began to heal right before my eyes.
He really is immortal.
I was so shocked, I didn't read Garlic's movement, and was caught by surprise as he attacked. I managed to dodge him by millimeters. His fists were huge! One could completely cover my whole head.
I dodged another swing, another. I was right, he was slow. But, I was so tired I couldn't counter. I didn't have time to take a sensu before each attack.
So I was forced to dodge his attacks, hoping he'd make a mistake, or would trip, or anything to give me time. Garlic screamed in frustration after missing me over and over. His attacks became wild, as if he was more interested in venting his frustration then in hurting me.
Suddenly, I felt stone against my back. I realized he cornered me. Garlic smirked triumphantly and swung his huge fist. Without thinking, I pressed my body against the stone, and threw up my left arm to block. His fist hit my forearm, and for a moment I thought I blocked it. There was a sharp pain in my arm, and a loud crack. My left arm fell to my side, useless. I looked down, and saw the bone sticking through the skin.
I managed to stifle a scream; that would only give Garlic more pleasure, who had stepped back with the smirk still on his face. Tears streamed down my face as I grabbed my arm to my side and backed away slowly. Garlic stood still, watching me with glee. All was silent, other then the slow drip... drip... of the blood falling off my arm. I knew I only had one shot to buy some time. If I failed, Garlic would kill me easily.
Slowly, I gathered the ki I had left into my good hand. Garlic's eyes slowly moved towards my hand. In them, I saw the realization of what I was going to do. He smiled at me.
Before I realized what was happening, I felt a horrible pain in my gut. I screamed as I flew backwards, hit the ground, bounced, bounced, skidded, and stopped. Gagging, I coughed up blood. Garlic must have hit me in the gut. It felt like the impact had ruptured something. Some of my ribs were probably broken as well.
I felt the ground tremble as Garlic walk toward me. There was no way I could flee now; I doubted I could even stand. There was only one thing I could do. I pushed all my ki into my right hand.
Garlic loomed over me, enjoying the sight of me, broken, covered in blood. In an instant, my good hand was pointed at his face, and I released my ki.
Garlic screamed as the ki hit him. I was aiming for his eyes, hoping that it would keep him down for at least a moment.
The bag Xander gave me had sensu beans in it, but first I had to do something about my arm. If I left it as it was, the skin would heal around the bone, instead of repairing it. With a quick gasp, I grabbed my arm, and squeezed. A fresh outpour of blood muffled my scream, gagging me. I began to feel slow, stupid. My vision darkened.
I reached to my side, and fingered with the string holding the bag to my side. I finally got it undone, and fumbled inside it. My hands closed around a cylinder.
A sensu?
No, a capsule.
I dropped the capsule, and sunk my hand in the bag again. My hand closed around something, a bean!
I shoved it in my mouth, and chewed. Immediately, it began to take effect. The pain in my gut left me. I heard a snap as the bone in my are was knitted back together. And... something else...
Power.
My strength had returned in full, and much more! I leapt up, finding Garlic still on the ground. Slowly, he raised himself up. His eyes had reformed, and he was no longer happy.
"I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!" He screamed, swinging his giant fist. I smiled. I didn't move from where I was standing, only raised my arm to block. His fist hit my arm, and I it pushed away, wincing. It would probably leave a bruise. Garlic had only a moment to be surprised, before I began pummeling him.
My speed... my strength... it was amazing. I moved with ease I didn't know was possible. Garlic was vaguely aware of my attacks only after I had made two more. It was my Saiya-jin blood. I had nearly died, and my Saiya-jin blood increased my power. I felt like almost anything was possible, even killing an immortal.
I finished my assault, letting Garlic drop to the ground. He was gasping, visibly in pain. But, as his eyes met mine, I didn't see the pain I hoped to see. I saw a rage that rivaled my own.
Screaming incoherently, he attacked. I easily dodged it, and countered with a kick to his exposed back. He flew backwards, skidding on the ground. Before he had a chance to stand, I flew at him. Using the zanzoken technique, I created an image in front of him to attack, and I flew around him, hitting his exposed back with a ball of ki.
Garlic screamed in agony as the ball exploded, incinerating his flesh. He lay on the ground, unmoving. Of course, I knew it wasn't over. Moments later, the flesh on his back began to stretch, covering the wound, mending the damage.
Slowly, he stood up. I used that to my advantage, aiming a kick to his ribs. He saw it at the last moment, and pulled his arms up. He stayed on his feet, but the impact sent him skidding a few yards, leaving marks in the ground.
"Where... did you... get this power?" He asked between mouthfuls of air. I smiled. I decided not to give him a strait forward answer.
"I am Son Celic, descendant of Son Goku and Son Gohan." I said. I saw a slight change in his eyes. Fear. I smirked. It was good to see him afraid.
I decided to intimidate him some more, show him he had no way to win against me. I began zanzokening around him, creating multiple images. He turned slowly, trying to decipher which was me. He didn't have a prayer.
I poured ki into my palm, and threw. It hit the ground next to his feet, kicking up dust. Now, he was blinded, with no way to find me, and unable to guard against my attack.
Lowering my ki so he couldn't sense it, if he could at all, I attacked. I focused on speed, attacking, backing off, attacking from a different direction, backing of, and so on. My attacks continued to kick up the dust from my attack, keeping him blind. I finished up a kick to his legs, throwing him off balance, and jumped above him, hands cupped.
"Kamehameha!" I screamed, throwing my hands towards Garlic. The blue beam erupted from my palms, separating the dust, giving Garlic enough time to realize what was going to happen to him, but not enough time to dodge.
He screamed in pain as the beam encompassed his body, exploding seconds later. Garlic's body was thrown from the explosion, and landed, smoldering, on the ground. I landed, gazing at my opponent.
His body was charred all over, bleeding from numerous places. Before I had time to observe more, the bleeding stopped. Slowly, a slight breeze blew away the charred skin, revealing new, unbroken skin underneath. A feeling of inevitably and uselessness hung over me, until I noticed one difference in my opponent.
His ki was lower.
Yes! His ki had lower a little! If I could just lower it enough... maybe... I could kill him!
I realized I didn't have a lot of time to whittle down his ki. Through the course of the battle, I had forgotten about the Dark Army, but now the memory of John's ki signature's sharp drop came back in full. I needed to do something decisive, or my friends would die fighting an endless army of demons.
Garlic got to his feet, his rage greater then ever. He screamed threats at me, but I paid no attention. I was focusing my ki to my hands, which were cupped behind my head.
Flames... I saw the flames in my head, could feel their heat on my skin. I concentrated on putting those flames between my palms. Garlic slowly climbed out of the small crater my last attack created, his horrible ki rolling off his budging muscles. Just a little more...
Garlic charged.
"Flame Cyclone!" I screamed, throwing my arms in front of me. The comet- like red ball of ki flew from my hands moments before I was within Garlic's reach.
Garlic screamed as the ball exploded on his chest. Twin pillars of flame exploded from it, twisting around Garlic. He screamed in agony as the fire burned his flesh to the bone. I kept my concentration, trying to keep the pillars of flame in existence.
It's not enough! I thought. Flesh immediately reappeared as soon as it was burned off. I flew upwards; my aura surrounding me as I raised my ki to it's fullest. I stopped a hundred feet above Garlic, ki dancing in my hands. I threw both balls, focused my ki into two more, through, and repeated the process.
An explosion of ki is a strange thing. Instead of exploding in an instant like a bomb, the user can actually prolong the explosion of the attack, creating a dome of ki. I threw Hundreds of balls of ki into the center of the dome. It was huge; anything with Garlic's strength would have died a long time ago. But I knew that it still wasn't enough.
"Kamehame..." I stopped, gathering the ki to my palms. I poured all but the merest fraction of my strength into my palms. It had to work. The only alternative was death.
"HA!" I screamed, launching the blue beam foreword. It was enormous; far larger and more destructive then any attack I had used before. The beam reached the dome of ki, expanding it, turning it to a light blue color.
I no longer had enough strength to hold myself in the air. As I sunk back to the earth, I was amazed at my attack. I never realized I had so much power. I landed at the edge of the crater I had created, and peered down.
Garlic was lying in the center, unmoving. The little flesh left on his bones was charred black; organs and entrails were thrown out of his body, which was pooled in blood. As tired as I was, I managed a small laugh, not even a giggle. I had done it! I was still alive!
I heard a snap as one of Garlic's bones began to mend it's self.
"JUST DIE!" I screamed, hurling down the last bit of ki I had at the monster. It struck his neck with a loud splat. Garlic's head was now completely severed, with the exception of a few stringy pieces of flesh.
I collapsed. It was took all my energy just to take a breath. I didn't want to fight, or even think anymore. I just wanted to sleep.
I heard a soft squish as Garlic's arms reached up, grabbed his head, and pushed it back onto the neck.
No! It was impossible!
I tried to crawl away from the immortal, tried to escape what I knew was inevitable. I cursed myself for my own stupidity. If I had just taken a sensu after I attacked... but I knew I didn't have time now.
Suddenly, Garlic's foot was in front of me. The first thought that appeared was how disproportionate his foot and leg was. I was amazed that they weren't crushed under his bulk.
Before I had time to think anything else, I felt Garlic's hand grab the back of my gi and lift me up. He lifted me to his face, my feet dangling a good three feet above the ground. I made no struggle; I just didn't have any strength. I knew it was useless anyway. I only hoped the end would be quick. Of course, that was foolish hope.
Garlic grasped my head with a single hand, wrapping his long fingers around my skull, his palm in my face. Then he began to squeeze.
I clawed at his hand fruitlessly as my skull was slowly being crushed. I felt my nose break, tasted blood in my mouth, the pressure on my head was immense. The pain... nothing could possibly be worse. Then he began to punch my stomach with his free hand.
The pain was indescribable. I felt my ribs crack, and I coughed up blood. But I could not open my mouth, and it settled in my mouth. He tightened his grip on my head and punched me again.
This time, my stomach emptied its contents. Vomit rushed up my throat, into my mouth, up into my nose. I needed to take a breath! I was dieing of suffocation, choking, my head caving in, and internal damage all at once. It was truly horrible.
Then, it stopped. Garlic released me, and I collapsed on the ground at his feet. I coughed up blood and vomit, taking a huge gasping breath.
"Why didn't you kill me?" I tried to ask, but I could barely mange more then a hoarse whisper.
"You seem eager to die." Garlic said in a mocking tone. "With all the pain and frustration you've given to me, I see no reason to grant your wish for a very long time."
I was struck with a strong sense of familiarity. We are the same! I thought. Our mentality was exactly the same. If I had the chance, I would have put Turmeric though even more pain then I was in now. We deserved the same fate...
But I wouldn't let him kill me. I vowed to never give him that pleasure.
"I won't let you kill me..." I barely recognized my own voice; it was incredible weak, pathetic really.
"Pleading for death?" Garlic asked, leaning closer to hear.
"YOU WON'T KILL ME!" I screamed, twisting to face him. Before I knew what I was doing, I put my hand inches to his face, releasing all the ki I thought had left me. Garlic screamed and reeled back, clutching his face, which had been incinerated. At least we both feel pain. I though.
I turned and crawled away. I just needed a little room... just a little more... I could still hear Garlic scream in agony.
Deciding that I had enough room, I rolled on my back, yanking the sack from my belt. I emptied its contents onto my bloodstained gi. A sensu bean and a capsule. I popped the sensu into my mouth. I couldn't chew it, but I tried to mash it against the roof of my mouth with my tongue. Choking a little, I swallowed. Instantly, I was free of pain, and more powerful then ever. But that didn't matter.
I stood up, taking the capsule in my hand. Garlic's screams of agony were subsiding as new flesh replaced the part I had burned off.
"YOU BASTARD! I'LL RIP OFF YOUR ARMS! I PROMISE YOU WON'T DIE FOR A HUNDRED YEAR..."
'It's over." I said. Garlic stopped. The tone in my voice must have surprised him. It was as if what I had just said was absolute, as if there was no other truth.
"What do you mean it over? Don't you understand!? I WILL NEVER DIE!" He screamed. But I saw in his eyes an uncertainty of what he said.
"You should have killed me. Now I will use a weapon that will end your time on Earth." I said, keeping my tone steady. I brought up my hand, to show him the capsule. I pushed the top, and threw it between us. It exploded with a loud POOF, and the item inside was concealed by a cloud of dust.
I saw fear in his eyes. That made what I was doing a little easier. The cloud parted, and Garlic's eyes widened. Then he began to laugh. I hated his laugh. It was the exact opposite of what a laugh should sound like.
"That's your great weapon!" He exclaimed in joy. "A RICE COOKER!?"
"No. The denshi jar." I said. My heart began to beat rapidly. I was terrified.
I didn't want this to be my last moment. Anything but this, with this thing... I closed my eyes, trying to think of a happier moment, one I would be happy to call my last.
In my mind's eye, I saw Ann, her long brown hair hanging in her face, her kind eyes, her soft lips, always ready to smile... She truly was perfect. The exact opposite of the thing before me. The exact opposite of me.
I knew I wouldn't be going where she was.
I opened my eyes, and stared at Garlic. Taking a deep breath, I raised my hands over my head. A tear fell down my cheek.
For you, Ann.
"MAFUBA!" I screamed. The result was instantaneous.
It was as if I was separated. I was still in my body, but I was also outside, looking at both Garlic and me. Who I was had been pulled out; the essence of who I was... my soul had been yanked from my body. The outside me, my soul, became a strong wind. My body swung my arms downward, and I shot at Garlic, sweeping him upwards. He screamed as he was thrown into the denshi jar.
Suddenly, I was back in my body, but... I was so incredibly tired. I sunk to my knees, then collapsed. The night air was pungent with the smell of blood, but underneath that was the sweet smell of a cool night. With the last of my strength, I pushed myself on my back, and looked up at the bright stars.
A perfect night. I thought, as my vision went dark. I took a deep breath, savoring the air. I knew it would be my last.
COMING UP!
Dragon Ball Next Generation
The Grey Saga
Part 3: The Return
The river of blood shall overflow and flood the Earth.