CHAPTER 12 – Free Will is Anything but Free
"What's the matter with Sen and where is Vegeta?!"
Rushing up to the doorway, Reese gathered up Sen with the help of the cloud like souls. He pulled Sen's arm up over his shoulder and wrapped his arm around the back of her waist. Her eyes fluttered and she moaned a little. "King Yama. Something terrible has happened…(to the souls) thank you, thanks for your help…(over his shoulder) all of you!" Murmuring among the souls heightened in appreciation but hushed when Yama spoke.
"I can see that, Reese, care to explain?"
"Well I'm not quite sure how it happened, but I'm afraid Vegeta took a trip south."
"SOUTH? WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?!"
"He's in HFIL, Sir."
The King rose out of his chair and slammed both his hands down on the desk. "WHAT?!...But I didn't send him there, damn his audacity!"
"I sent him to HFIL."
Yama opened his mouth but froze for a moment to grasp what Sen just said. His red face became even redder and everyone in the room braced themselves for his wrath. Shutting his mouth and straightening his stance, the King planted his hand on his hips, and eyed Sen suspiciously. He started to shake and a rumble which began in his chest worked its way up and out.
"HA HA HA AHAHAAHAHAHA….HAHAHAHAHAHA….
UNBEEEELIEEEVABLE!….HAHAHA…"
Everyone was stunned. Reese was shocked and disturbed by King Yama's reaction. He thought maybe his boss finally snapped. Letting go of Sen, he rushed to the King's aid. Realizing her crutch was gone; Sen frantically swung her arms for balance only to end up on her backside which made Yama laugh even harder. He continued to roar, bringing tears to his eyes.
"HA HA HA…Oh, this is too rich! HA HA HA AH. Sen, do you realize what you've done? HA HA HA…"
There was no one that doubted the King's sanity now. King Yama has definitely lost it.
"Sire, please…calm yourself…it will be alright. We'll work through this!" In front of the desk, Reese waved his hands in a settling motion at the giant orge.ogre. "Maybe you should take a break…we can take over for you. Why don't you get yourself a nice hot cup of tea?"
Yama's laughing ended abruptly. "SILENCE!!...I don't need a BREAK!" The orgeogre walked around his desk. The ground shook with each step but stopped when he stood in front of Sen. Leaning down, he pinched the back of the startled warrior and picked her up. Yama stood up and furlowed his eyes at Sen. "So, you sent the great and mighty Prince to HFIL? And he went willingly?"
Sen's strength was beginning to return along with her pride and honor. Incensed by the King's assumption, she jerked herself from his hold. She continued to hover in front of the ogre's face glaring with her arms folded. "I blasted him there and I'd do it again! That miserable excuse for a person has no business being anywhere else."
"I agree with you, Sen. But who is the Judge here?" King Yama sighed and returned to his seat behind the desk. He rubbed his beard a few times and stared at the countless souls waiting for judgment. Directing his attention to Sen again, "Humph. Sen whethereither you have not grasped what is happening in the Living World, or you don't care. From what I have gathered from your records you must care…somewhat." Sen's face paled. "Yes, we've found them, Sen, and I reviewed them briefly. Your acts of selflessness, protecting other worlds from destruction and tyranny are commendable. Many a race are eternally in you debt. However…you have forsaken your own people if it be Saiyan or Tsufuru. Vengeance is not a prerequisite to paradise."
"I cannot forgive what the Saiyans have done and their race must not rise again. As for the Tsufuru; I am loyal to them."
"What of the Cyborgs…Reese, what was his name?"
"Hamod, sir."
"Yes, Hamod and his mate…he was Tsufuru."
"An atrocity that abandoned his people…his heritage."
"Not quite unlike yourself, aye Sen?"
"I'm sorry for the female but Hamod did not deserve to live."
"Who are you to say?! He was not the enemy and neither is Vegeta! The ones you seek for retribution have long past! Get over it."
Sen rushed forward, landed on Yama's desk and shook her fist at him. "So what are you waiting for? Send me to HFIL and be done with me."
"If only it was that simple. You see, it seems you have made my decision for me…now remove yourself from my desk."
Backwards, Sen stepped off his desk and jumped to the floor then backed up until she could see Yama's face again. Her arms crossed, Sen remained silent as her thoughts turned to her next encounter with the Prince. She was sure it wouldn't be pretty. Then again, he probably wouldn't recognize her without her physical body.
"Reese! Prepare this one for transport to Grand Kia's World."
Wide eyed, Reese didn't move or say a word.
"REESE! What are you waiting for?"
"But…but…yes, yes Boss…right away!" He rushed over to Sen and grabbed her by the arm and tried to lead her away.
But Sen stood firm. "King Yama, what's going on, did I miss something?"
"Planet Earth is under siege by a menace so terrible, if not stopped, I fear the whole Universe will be at stake. No one is excluded from this fight…including you. You have proved yourself as a formable force. You might be joining the cause, like it or not. Goku will be back soon. I take it you have no qualms with him?"
A bit bewildered, Sen shook her head and allowed her self to be lead away.
"Good. Then go train, Sen. We need you at your best!"
Reese and Sen headed for an exit to the left. The grunt lead Sen out onto a huge stone circler platform. In the middle there were two sets of roped rails that lead to the edge. A set of stairs on wheels stood to the side. Over to their right were benches lined up along the palace's wall. Though this platform was empty, there were others full of spirits waiting to board transports.
"Reese, I…I still don't understand. Am I going back to the living?"
"Look Sen. You and Vegeta were able to keep your bodies because Goku…the Earth, no the Universe will need all the help it can get to defeat Majin Buu." He stopped a minute and regarded the warrior. "But you are still dead Sen." He pointed at her halo. "No one here can change that. Anyway, Vegeta is not an option at this point and you are." He continued to lead her past the benches to a small building with three doors. They stopped in front of the one that had the universal sign for "female" on it. "Now you can't go to the Grand Kia's looking like you do. Get yourself cleaned up and I will try to get back here to see you off. Ok?"
"But…who is this Grand Kia?"
"The Grand Kia resides over the 4 King Kia's…North, South East and West, who oversee the four corners of the Universe. His world is a training ground for all Heros." He smiled warmly at Sen. "Welcome to Hero status, Sen."
Sen could only watch the subordinate go, as she came to terms with what was bestowed on her.
For the first time Sen, began to question her motives toward Vegeta. Had she not put him out of the picture he probably would be the 'Hero'. Did King Yama believe the cold hearted, ruthless, Saiyan Prince deserve such a title? Did she, for that matter? Sen turned and entered the lavatory contemplating what her chances were against this Majin Buu.
Reese went back inside and rushed over to King Yama. The King was busy again judging souls. His pace was incredible but his efforts did little to shorten the lines. The souls were appearing faster than the Afterworld could process them. The grunt hesitated and he stood patiently for an opportunity to interrupt.
Aware of Reese's return, Yama addressed the subordinate without skipping a beat from his work. "Why aren't you at the front directing the spirits? PASS……PASS…..PASS"
"Well, it's just…I mean, I was wondering…"
"What, WHAT?!"
"Wwwhat about Vegeta?"
"What about him?.....you pass…..PASS…..PASS"
"Don't you think he should be training too?"
"Humph, leave the blasted Saiyan where he is, he's out of our hair now…..ok, pass…..PASS"
"But…"
"But who's Boss here, anyway?!" Yama smiled to himself and murmered, "Hehe, I suspect the Prince will get plenty of training…NOW, GET BACK TO WORK!.....PASS…..Close"
"YES SIR!" Reese trotted to the front arch, shaking his head. "This is definitely one for the history books."
Before King Yama gave into the pressure of his work load, he reevaluated his game plan of interfering with the Universe's fate. He's suppose to remain neutral in all matters of life. But with no Living World, what of the Afterworld? No, this was too big to ignore. And what of the Gods of the Worlds? Surely, they wouldn't let matters get out of hand.
"Listen up everyone! I don't want a word spoken of what went on here. No one is to get involved. GOT IT?!" All the workers replied with a "Yes, sir." and went back to their jobs. Yama overheard some of the spirits muttering their concerns and glared at them. "That goes for you souls, too...Now who's NEXT?!"
"What's the matter with Sen and where is Vegeta?!"
Rushing up to the doorway, Reese gathered up Sen with the help of the cloud like souls. He pulled Sen's arm up over his shoulder and wrapped his arm around the back of her waist. Her eyes fluttered and she moaned a little. "King Yama. Something terrible has happened…(to the souls) thank you, thanks for your help…(over his shoulder) all of you!" Murmuring among the souls heightened in appreciation but hushed when Yama spoke.
"I can see that, Reese, care to explain?"
"Well I'm not quite sure how it happened, but I'm afraid Vegeta took a trip south."
"SOUTH? WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?!"
"He's in HFIL, Sir."
The King rose out of his chair and slammed both his hands down on the desk. "WHAT?!...But I didn't send him there, damn his audacity!"
"I sent him to HFIL."
Yama opened his mouth but froze for a moment to grasp what Sen just said. His red face became even redder and everyone in the room braced themselves for his wrath. Shutting his mouth and straightening his stance, the King planted his hand on his hips, and eyed Sen suspiciously. He started to shake and a rumble which began in his chest worked its way up and out.
"HA HA HA AHAHAAHAHAHA….HAHAHAHAHAHA….
UNBEEEELIEEEVABLE!….HAHAHA…"
Everyone was stunned. Reese was shocked and disturbed by King Yama's reaction. He thought maybe his boss finally snapped. Letting go of Sen, he rushed to the King's aid. Realizing her crutch was gone; Sen frantically swung her arms for balance only to end up on her backside which made Yama laugh even harder. He continued to roar, bringing tears to his eyes.
"HA HA HA…Oh, this is too rich! HA HA HA AH. Sen, do you realize what you've done? HA HA HA…"
There was no one that doubted the King's sanity now. King Yama has definitely lost it.
"Sire, please…calm yourself…it will be alright. We'll work through this!" In front of the desk, Reese waved his hands in a settling motion at the giant orge.ogre. "Maybe you should take a break…we can take over for you. Why don't you get yourself a nice hot cup of tea?"
Yama's laughing ended abruptly. "SILENCE!!...I don't need a BREAK!" The orgeogre walked around his desk. The ground shook with each step but stopped when he stood in front of Sen. Leaning down, he pinched the back of the startled warrior and picked her up. Yama stood up and furlowed his eyes at Sen. "So, you sent the great and mighty Prince to HFIL? And he went willingly?"
Sen's strength was beginning to return along with her pride and honor. Incensed by the King's assumption, she jerked herself from his hold. She continued to hover in front of the ogre's face glaring with her arms folded. "I blasted him there and I'd do it again! That miserable excuse for a person has no business being anywhere else."
"I agree with you, Sen. But who is the Judge here?" King Yama sighed and returned to his seat behind the desk. He rubbed his beard a few times and stared at the countless souls waiting for judgment. Directing his attention to Sen again, "Humph. Sen whethereither you have not grasped what is happening in the Living World, or you don't care. From what I have gathered from your records you must care…somewhat." Sen's face paled. "Yes, we've found them, Sen, and I reviewed them briefly. Your acts of selflessness, protecting other worlds from destruction and tyranny are commendable. Many a race are eternally in you debt. However…you have forsaken your own people if it be Saiyan or Tsufuru. Vengeance is not a prerequisite to paradise."
"I cannot forgive what the Saiyans have done and their race must not rise again. As for the Tsufuru; I am loyal to them."
"What of the Cyborgs…Reese, what was his name?"
"Hamod, sir."
"Yes, Hamod and his mate…he was Tsufuru."
"An atrocity that abandoned his people…his heritage."
"Not quite unlike yourself, aye Sen?"
"I'm sorry for the female but Hamod did not deserve to live."
"Who are you to say?! He was not the enemy and neither is Vegeta! The ones you seek for retribution have long past! Get over it."
Sen rushed forward, landed on Yama's desk and shook her fist at him. "So what are you waiting for? Send me to HFIL and be done with me."
"If only it was that simple. You see, it seems you have made my decision for me…now remove yourself from my desk."
Backwards, Sen stepped off his desk and jumped to the floor then backed up until she could see Yama's face again. Her arms crossed, Sen remained silent as her thoughts turned to her next encounter with the Prince. She was sure it wouldn't be pretty. Then again, he probably wouldn't recognize her without her physical body.
"Reese! Prepare this one for transport to Grand Kia's World."
Wide eyed, Reese didn't move or say a word.
"REESE! What are you waiting for?"
"But…but…yes, yes Boss…right away!" He rushed over to Sen and grabbed her by the arm and tried to lead her away.
But Sen stood firm. "King Yama, what's going on, did I miss something?"
"Planet Earth is under siege by a menace so terrible, if not stopped, I fear the whole Universe will be at stake. No one is excluded from this fight…including you. You have proved yourself as a formable force. You might be joining the cause, like it or not. Goku will be back soon. I take it you have no qualms with him?"
A bit bewildered, Sen shook her head and allowed her self to be lead away.
"Good. Then go train, Sen. We need you at your best!"
Reese and Sen headed for an exit to the left. The grunt lead Sen out onto a huge stone circler platform. In the middle there were two sets of roped rails that lead to the edge. A set of stairs on wheels stood to the side. Over to their right were benches lined up along the palace's wall. Though this platform was empty, there were others full of spirits waiting to board transports.
"Reese, I…I still don't understand. Am I going back to the living?"
"Look Sen. You and Vegeta were able to keep your bodies because Goku…the Earth, no the Universe will need all the help it can get to defeat Majin Buu." He stopped a minute and regarded the warrior. "But you are still dead Sen." He pointed at her halo. "No one here can change that. Anyway, Vegeta is not an option at this point and you are." He continued to lead her past the benches to a small building with three doors. They stopped in front of the one that had the universal sign for "female" on it. "Now you can't go to the Grand Kia's looking like you do. Get yourself cleaned up and I will try to get back here to see you off. Ok?"
"But…who is this Grand Kia?"
"The Grand Kia resides over the 4 King Kia's…North, South East and West, who oversee the four corners of the Universe. His world is a training ground for all Heros." He smiled warmly at Sen. "Welcome to Hero status, Sen."
Sen could only watch the subordinate go, as she came to terms with what was bestowed on her.
For the first time Sen, began to question her motives toward Vegeta. Had she not put him out of the picture he probably would be the 'Hero'. Did King Yama believe the cold hearted, ruthless, Saiyan Prince deserve such a title? Did she, for that matter? Sen turned and entered the lavatory contemplating what her chances were against this Majin Buu.
Reese went back inside and rushed over to King Yama. The King was busy again judging souls. His pace was incredible but his efforts did little to shorten the lines. The souls were appearing faster than the Afterworld could process them. The grunt hesitated and he stood patiently for an opportunity to interrupt.
Aware of Reese's return, Yama addressed the subordinate without skipping a beat from his work. "Why aren't you at the front directing the spirits? PASS……PASS…..PASS"
"Well, it's just…I mean, I was wondering…"
"What, WHAT?!"
"Wwwhat about Vegeta?"
"What about him?.....you pass…..PASS…..PASS"
"Don't you think he should be training too?"
"Humph, leave the blasted Saiyan where he is, he's out of our hair now…..ok, pass…..PASS"
"But…"
"But who's Boss here, anyway?!" Yama smiled to himself and murmered, "Hehe, I suspect the Prince will get plenty of training…NOW, GET BACK TO WORK!.....PASS…..Close"
"YES SIR!" Reese trotted to the front arch, shaking his head. "This is definitely one for the history books."
Before King Yama gave into the pressure of his work load, he reevaluated his game plan of interfering with the Universe's fate. He's suppose to remain neutral in all matters of life. But with no Living World, what of the Afterworld? No, this was too big to ignore. And what of the Gods of the Worlds? Surely, they wouldn't let matters get out of hand.
"Listen up everyone! I don't want a word spoken of what went on here. No one is to get involved. GOT IT?!" All the workers replied with a "Yes, sir." and went back to their jobs. Yama overheard some of the spirits muttering their concerns and glared at them. "That goes for you souls, too...Now who's NEXT?!"