CHAPTER 15 – No Pain, No Gain
Sen studied her reflection in the mirror. Her face was scuffed and her hair was a mess. The sight drew Sen's thoughts away from her current predicament. Placing both hands on the basin, she leaned forward to get a better look. By Tsufuru standards she was aging extremely well...a credit which could only be given to her Saiyan half. Sen chuckled at the vain thought after she noticed the halo hovering above. Standing again, she removed her arm plates, and placed them on the floor behind her. Then she removed a few articles from behind her chest plate and placed them next to the washbowl. After Sen unraveled her tail from her waist, she removed the final piece of armor and placed it next to the others. Frowning at her hair, Sen worked on removing the tie that held the unruly hair back. The warrior could never get used to caring for her mane. Looking down at her personal items, Sen lightly touched the grooming sphere. She could easily recall the time her father gave it to her after her short rebellion.
Sen hated her hair combed...something her Tsufuru father insisted on. Deciding to make a stand, for many days she fought and resisted her father's attempts to brush her hair. One day he handed her the sphere. His daughter smiled gratefully for the new toy and thanked him.
"Oh, don't be too quick to thank me child. This is not a toy... ehl dullus zanea Sen!"
The orb rose out of her hand and came to life. Instinctively, Sen dodged the object, making a game of it. But as the orb persisted, the youngster became impatient. She began to swat at it, punch it, kick it; anything that would bring it to a halt. "Make it stop, father!"
"Calm down Sen. It's programmed to comb your hair and tail. Just let it finish."
"NO!" Breathless, Sen beseeched, "How do I defeat it?!"
"I could tell you the end code...but then I would have to continue looking at that mess on your head." Then trying to appeal to his little warrior, "Think of it as a challenge...an opponent...a victory to be had!" Dr. Raichi turned to leave but was shoved aside by Sen dashing outside before him. She was closely followed by her new grooming device. He laughed and called after her, "Don't worry Sen. You'll find a way, you always do." Then she heard him murmur, "I must say, one of my best inventions."
Sen opened her eyes when she realized she was daydreaming again. She looked down to find the washbowl mysteriously filling with water. First, she dipped a hand in the warm water and felt instant relief. Putting both hands in, she brought cupped hands up to her face and allowed the water to slowly wash away her pain. Stopping to glance at her reflection, Sen noticed her face was refreshed and dry. She looked down at her hands and found them to be dry also. "Odd." Sen turned her attention to the basin. The water was gone. She had hoped to ease her sore body too.
Looking around, Sen noticed a stall in the back of the room and walked over to it. There was no door, no fixtures or control panel. The walls, ceiling and floor were completely smooth. Leaning in, she tried to feel some impression on either side. Taking a step inside, she reached for the back wall. Suddenly, water sprayed down on her head. "Kuso!" She jumped back holding her arms away and looking at the floor. "What!?" No water, no dripping. Touching where the water hit her, Sen realized it was dry. "Huh." Not worried about getting wet, she stepped in, clothes and all. The shower began. She closed her eyes and put her head back. The soothing droplets literally washed her aches and pains away. Turning, she backed up to the far wall to rest against it. The shower's soothing effect caused the warrior to relax and her body slid down into a crouching position. Fleeting memories came and went. They were all of happier times. Sen smiled and relished the rare serenity that came over her. But her turbulent life afforded little joy and she soon stirred from her trance like state. The warrior felt Goku's surge of power. It was the same as she sensed before challenging Vegeta. It lasted long enough for reality to settle back within familiar confines of her soul. "Why me?"
Rising, Sen hesitated a moment then left the stall. The heavenly shower stopped. The stall appeared unchanged, dry and clean. Sen also was dry and clean...almost. She walked back over the basin to get her grooming device. The warrior caught her reflection and stared at the wet streak that ran down her cheek to her chin. At the end was single tear poised to fall. Quickly, she wiped it way.
Sen put the armor back on and placed the personal items she had back in the confines of her chest plate. One remained in her hand and she causally tossed it up a couple of times before activating the device. "Ehl dullus zanea Sen." Watching the sphere do its work in the mirror, "What kind of help could I be against this Majin Buu? Should I care? I'm dead. Now they ask me to help...a Saiyan!" The warrior growled when the orb found a knot. After the grooming device was done, Sen tied her hair back and went outside.
Walking over to the edge of the platform, with arms crossed, Sen watched the other transports come and go. There were so many souls. One of Yama's subordinates caught sight of her and waived from the other platform. "Good Luck, Sen! We're all rooting for you!..huh?" One of the cloud like souls nudged at Tirps and asked a question. He looked down at the souls gathered around him and explained who Sen was. When he had finished, several of the fluffy clouds jumped up and down, and many of them shouted, expressing their gratitude. Tirps smiling, called over again, "Seems you've got yourself a fan club, Sen!"
Shocked and embarrassed, the blushed warrior looked all around then half smiled and waved at the excited souls. Sighing, Sen turned away and walked back over to one of the benches to sit down. She continued to hear more praise coming from the other platforms as news of the hero spread. She mumbled, "Foolish Earthlings," then decided to find a more discreet place to wait.
Sen jumped onto the roof of the lavatories and in the shadow of the palace, sat down against the wall. Bringing her knees up, she rested her arms and head. Although the pain was gone, she still felt fatigued from her battle with Vegeta. It took everything she had to contain the Prince's power...and he wasn't even Super Saiyan. What remaining confidence she had in being of some use began to slip away. The Saiyan warriors were way out of her league. Sen's strength and cunning was no match for Goku or Vegeta. Her strength could increase with the right training. Her last battle would surely increase her power, once she recovers. 'Who am I kidding? I'm no Super Saiyan, I can't even go Oozaro. This is a mistake. I'm doomed.' Sen's thoughts slowly became jumbled and mixed with memories as her weariness over came her.
Sen was running from shadow to shadow. Their city was under siege by giant monkey like Oozaros. Dr. Raichi had gone ahead to secure the ship and Sen was to wait for the sound of ignition to board and join her father.
Turning a corner she ran into two frightened children. They cowered and clung to each other when they saw her. "Pleaaase...don't kill us."
Sen was alarmed that they would think she could hurt a fellow Tsufuru but then realized how she looked. "No...I...I wouldn't."
The children gasped, but remained huddled. From above, came a loud roar. An Oozaro was right over them, its next footstep, coming down on the building they were against. Quickly, Sen grabbed the hand of the older one who held the young one and dashed across the street. She blasted a door and ran inside with the screaming children in tow. She didn't stop until she was at the other end of the building, blasting anything that was in her way. Before going out, she looked at the two. One was about her height. The smaller one couldn't be more than 80 centimeters. Both were in shock and stared back at Sen with wide eyes.
"Listen carefully, when we leave this building, you must run for the outlands. Do you know which way that is?" A hesitant nod from the older one was all she got. "Good, you'll find others that have already made refuge there." Sen peaked through the exit door then looked back, "Now hurry!" Sen pushed the two out and stepped out behind them. Pushing them to move, she called after them over the sound of demolition, "Be strong!" Getting her own bearing, she headed north, working her way towards the launching pad.
The quickest route was crossing the open ground behind the launch pad. To the right of her, the buildings circled around the perimeter, and were untouched. But Sen had no choice now. Oozaros had surrounded the front of the structure that housed the ship and engines were firing up.
"Father." Jumping the barrier to the field, Sen ran like the wind, her father's life depending on it. She knew in her heart, he would not leave without her. Mustering all the energy she had, pushing harder and harder. Sights and Sounds of War surrounded her but she could only see her designation and hear the air whistling in her ears.
Only meters away, it looked like Sen was going to make it. Suddenly, there was a loud thud and the ground shook causing Sen to lose her footing. She reached out in front of her to break the fall but ended eating dirt and skidded to a halt on her stomach. Before she could move, she was roughly snatched up by a huge hairy hand.
With a thundering laugh the Oozaro that held her brought the youngster up to his face to get a better look. "What do we have here? A little warrior wanting in on the action? Ha ha, you're not much good in your normal state." He extended his arm up to the sky and had Sen face the glowing lunar orb above. "You need to transform Saiyan! Look at it!" Sen kept her eyes closed, she wouldn't give herself away. Besides, they were full of dirt anyway. "Do it, do it NOW!"
"Nappa! Put the tike down. Orders from the top; No juveniles are to fight." Sen felt herself being lowered then dropped a meter from the ground. The other Oozaro slapped Nappa on the back. "Hey, let's move it, King Vegeta is heading this way so we better get busy."
"Hahaha. In our Oozaro forms, this coup will be over in no time...sorry you're going miss it kid...Rrraaaahhhh!" Stepping over Sen, the two Oozaros headed in the direction of the lab.
Able to see again, Sen got her bearings and made a dash, avoiding the large footprint holes left by the monsters. Stealing along the circular building's wall, she worked her way to the front entrance and then froze. The two Oozaros were there peering down at the launch pad. Swiftly, one reached down and swatted. Sen heard her father's scream then something slamming into metal. Without caution, the youngster ran in to see what happened. With his last breath she heard her father call her name. "Sen..." This command prompted the ship to take-off.
Dr. Raichi lay inside the Hatchhyack ship, his lifeless body crushed against its core. The entrance hatch lifted and sealed shut. Blinded by pain and anger, Sen stood there, balled her fists and screamed to the sky.
"Ha ha...look Nappa, your little warrior just won't give up."
Sen's raging yell brought other Oozaros who came up and surrounded the launch pad. They all took up the battle cries, raising there arms and shaking there fists.
With Hatchhyack's initiation sequence complete, the take-off rockets ignited sending the ship through the ring of Oozaros and into space...leaving Sen. She was now on her own, and surrounded by wild giants. Dropping to her knees, Sen continued her agonizing cry and repeatedly slammed her fists down which produced fissures in every direction. The Oozaros followed suite, striking everything within reach. Then they turned and continued there assault on the remaining Tsufuru population.
Whether by fate or design, Sen was left unharmed. She had stopped screaming and was staring at her bloodied hands. Every muscle ached from the surge of ki; her breathing labored and painful. She remained in that state for some time. But finally, Sen came back to her senses. The child stood up and wiped her eyes. What would she do now? "Plan C." But first, there was something she had to do. It might mean her life but under the circumstances she had little else to look forward to. With steely resolve, Sen made her way through what was left of her father's compound. A voice in her head was telling her something.
"So, I see you've joined the cause...Sen?...Ahhh, reliving your past can be a dangerous thing ...especially when you may return to the living. Wounds could be healed or made bigger. Sen?..Hel-lo? Sen!"
Sen studied her reflection in the mirror. Her face was scuffed and her hair was a mess. The sight drew Sen's thoughts away from her current predicament. Placing both hands on the basin, she leaned forward to get a better look. By Tsufuru standards she was aging extremely well...a credit which could only be given to her Saiyan half. Sen chuckled at the vain thought after she noticed the halo hovering above. Standing again, she removed her arm plates, and placed them on the floor behind her. Then she removed a few articles from behind her chest plate and placed them next to the washbowl. After Sen unraveled her tail from her waist, she removed the final piece of armor and placed it next to the others. Frowning at her hair, Sen worked on removing the tie that held the unruly hair back. The warrior could never get used to caring for her mane. Looking down at her personal items, Sen lightly touched the grooming sphere. She could easily recall the time her father gave it to her after her short rebellion.
Sen hated her hair combed...something her Tsufuru father insisted on. Deciding to make a stand, for many days she fought and resisted her father's attempts to brush her hair. One day he handed her the sphere. His daughter smiled gratefully for the new toy and thanked him.
"Oh, don't be too quick to thank me child. This is not a toy... ehl dullus zanea Sen!"
The orb rose out of her hand and came to life. Instinctively, Sen dodged the object, making a game of it. But as the orb persisted, the youngster became impatient. She began to swat at it, punch it, kick it; anything that would bring it to a halt. "Make it stop, father!"
"Calm down Sen. It's programmed to comb your hair and tail. Just let it finish."
"NO!" Breathless, Sen beseeched, "How do I defeat it?!"
"I could tell you the end code...but then I would have to continue looking at that mess on your head." Then trying to appeal to his little warrior, "Think of it as a challenge...an opponent...a victory to be had!" Dr. Raichi turned to leave but was shoved aside by Sen dashing outside before him. She was closely followed by her new grooming device. He laughed and called after her, "Don't worry Sen. You'll find a way, you always do." Then she heard him murmur, "I must say, one of my best inventions."
Sen opened her eyes when she realized she was daydreaming again. She looked down to find the washbowl mysteriously filling with water. First, she dipped a hand in the warm water and felt instant relief. Putting both hands in, she brought cupped hands up to her face and allowed the water to slowly wash away her pain. Stopping to glance at her reflection, Sen noticed her face was refreshed and dry. She looked down at her hands and found them to be dry also. "Odd." Sen turned her attention to the basin. The water was gone. She had hoped to ease her sore body too.
Looking around, Sen noticed a stall in the back of the room and walked over to it. There was no door, no fixtures or control panel. The walls, ceiling and floor were completely smooth. Leaning in, she tried to feel some impression on either side. Taking a step inside, she reached for the back wall. Suddenly, water sprayed down on her head. "Kuso!" She jumped back holding her arms away and looking at the floor. "What!?" No water, no dripping. Touching where the water hit her, Sen realized it was dry. "Huh." Not worried about getting wet, she stepped in, clothes and all. The shower began. She closed her eyes and put her head back. The soothing droplets literally washed her aches and pains away. Turning, she backed up to the far wall to rest against it. The shower's soothing effect caused the warrior to relax and her body slid down into a crouching position. Fleeting memories came and went. They were all of happier times. Sen smiled and relished the rare serenity that came over her. But her turbulent life afforded little joy and she soon stirred from her trance like state. The warrior felt Goku's surge of power. It was the same as she sensed before challenging Vegeta. It lasted long enough for reality to settle back within familiar confines of her soul. "Why me?"
Rising, Sen hesitated a moment then left the stall. The heavenly shower stopped. The stall appeared unchanged, dry and clean. Sen also was dry and clean...almost. She walked back over the basin to get her grooming device. The warrior caught her reflection and stared at the wet streak that ran down her cheek to her chin. At the end was single tear poised to fall. Quickly, she wiped it way.
Sen put the armor back on and placed the personal items she had back in the confines of her chest plate. One remained in her hand and she causally tossed it up a couple of times before activating the device. "Ehl dullus zanea Sen." Watching the sphere do its work in the mirror, "What kind of help could I be against this Majin Buu? Should I care? I'm dead. Now they ask me to help...a Saiyan!" The warrior growled when the orb found a knot. After the grooming device was done, Sen tied her hair back and went outside.
Walking over to the edge of the platform, with arms crossed, Sen watched the other transports come and go. There were so many souls. One of Yama's subordinates caught sight of her and waived from the other platform. "Good Luck, Sen! We're all rooting for you!..huh?" One of the cloud like souls nudged at Tirps and asked a question. He looked down at the souls gathered around him and explained who Sen was. When he had finished, several of the fluffy clouds jumped up and down, and many of them shouted, expressing their gratitude. Tirps smiling, called over again, "Seems you've got yourself a fan club, Sen!"
Shocked and embarrassed, the blushed warrior looked all around then half smiled and waved at the excited souls. Sighing, Sen turned away and walked back over to one of the benches to sit down. She continued to hear more praise coming from the other platforms as news of the hero spread. She mumbled, "Foolish Earthlings," then decided to find a more discreet place to wait.
Sen jumped onto the roof of the lavatories and in the shadow of the palace, sat down against the wall. Bringing her knees up, she rested her arms and head. Although the pain was gone, she still felt fatigued from her battle with Vegeta. It took everything she had to contain the Prince's power...and he wasn't even Super Saiyan. What remaining confidence she had in being of some use began to slip away. The Saiyan warriors were way out of her league. Sen's strength and cunning was no match for Goku or Vegeta. Her strength could increase with the right training. Her last battle would surely increase her power, once she recovers. 'Who am I kidding? I'm no Super Saiyan, I can't even go Oozaro. This is a mistake. I'm doomed.' Sen's thoughts slowly became jumbled and mixed with memories as her weariness over came her.
Sen was running from shadow to shadow. Their city was under siege by giant monkey like Oozaros. Dr. Raichi had gone ahead to secure the ship and Sen was to wait for the sound of ignition to board and join her father.
Turning a corner she ran into two frightened children. They cowered and clung to each other when they saw her. "Pleaaase...don't kill us."
Sen was alarmed that they would think she could hurt a fellow Tsufuru but then realized how she looked. "No...I...I wouldn't."
The children gasped, but remained huddled. From above, came a loud roar. An Oozaro was right over them, its next footstep, coming down on the building they were against. Quickly, Sen grabbed the hand of the older one who held the young one and dashed across the street. She blasted a door and ran inside with the screaming children in tow. She didn't stop until she was at the other end of the building, blasting anything that was in her way. Before going out, she looked at the two. One was about her height. The smaller one couldn't be more than 80 centimeters. Both were in shock and stared back at Sen with wide eyes.
"Listen carefully, when we leave this building, you must run for the outlands. Do you know which way that is?" A hesitant nod from the older one was all she got. "Good, you'll find others that have already made refuge there." Sen peaked through the exit door then looked back, "Now hurry!" Sen pushed the two out and stepped out behind them. Pushing them to move, she called after them over the sound of demolition, "Be strong!" Getting her own bearing, she headed north, working her way towards the launching pad.
The quickest route was crossing the open ground behind the launch pad. To the right of her, the buildings circled around the perimeter, and were untouched. But Sen had no choice now. Oozaros had surrounded the front of the structure that housed the ship and engines were firing up.
"Father." Jumping the barrier to the field, Sen ran like the wind, her father's life depending on it. She knew in her heart, he would not leave without her. Mustering all the energy she had, pushing harder and harder. Sights and Sounds of War surrounded her but she could only see her designation and hear the air whistling in her ears.
Only meters away, it looked like Sen was going to make it. Suddenly, there was a loud thud and the ground shook causing Sen to lose her footing. She reached out in front of her to break the fall but ended eating dirt and skidded to a halt on her stomach. Before she could move, she was roughly snatched up by a huge hairy hand.
With a thundering laugh the Oozaro that held her brought the youngster up to his face to get a better look. "What do we have here? A little warrior wanting in on the action? Ha ha, you're not much good in your normal state." He extended his arm up to the sky and had Sen face the glowing lunar orb above. "You need to transform Saiyan! Look at it!" Sen kept her eyes closed, she wouldn't give herself away. Besides, they were full of dirt anyway. "Do it, do it NOW!"
"Nappa! Put the tike down. Orders from the top; No juveniles are to fight." Sen felt herself being lowered then dropped a meter from the ground. The other Oozaro slapped Nappa on the back. "Hey, let's move it, King Vegeta is heading this way so we better get busy."
"Hahaha. In our Oozaro forms, this coup will be over in no time...sorry you're going miss it kid...Rrraaaahhhh!" Stepping over Sen, the two Oozaros headed in the direction of the lab.
Able to see again, Sen got her bearings and made a dash, avoiding the large footprint holes left by the monsters. Stealing along the circular building's wall, she worked her way to the front entrance and then froze. The two Oozaros were there peering down at the launch pad. Swiftly, one reached down and swatted. Sen heard her father's scream then something slamming into metal. Without caution, the youngster ran in to see what happened. With his last breath she heard her father call her name. "Sen..." This command prompted the ship to take-off.
Dr. Raichi lay inside the Hatchhyack ship, his lifeless body crushed against its core. The entrance hatch lifted and sealed shut. Blinded by pain and anger, Sen stood there, balled her fists and screamed to the sky.
"Ha ha...look Nappa, your little warrior just won't give up."
Sen's raging yell brought other Oozaros who came up and surrounded the launch pad. They all took up the battle cries, raising there arms and shaking there fists.
With Hatchhyack's initiation sequence complete, the take-off rockets ignited sending the ship through the ring of Oozaros and into space...leaving Sen. She was now on her own, and surrounded by wild giants. Dropping to her knees, Sen continued her agonizing cry and repeatedly slammed her fists down which produced fissures in every direction. The Oozaros followed suite, striking everything within reach. Then they turned and continued there assault on the remaining Tsufuru population.
Whether by fate or design, Sen was left unharmed. She had stopped screaming and was staring at her bloodied hands. Every muscle ached from the surge of ki; her breathing labored and painful. She remained in that state for some time. But finally, Sen came back to her senses. The child stood up and wiped her eyes. What would she do now? "Plan C." But first, there was something she had to do. It might mean her life but under the circumstances she had little else to look forward to. With steely resolve, Sen made her way through what was left of her father's compound. A voice in her head was telling her something.
"So, I see you've joined the cause...Sen?...Ahhh, reliving your past can be a dangerous thing ...especially when you may return to the living. Wounds could be healed or made bigger. Sen?..Hel-lo? Sen!"