The rewriting is finished (the task which absorbed the weeks in which I have not updated), and required slight modifications to the chapter breaks involved. However, there should be no further delays in the release of the four final chapters.
It is good to hear that someone enjoyed the reappearances of the villains of the series (which will continue and conclude within this chapter). I had very seriously considered eliminating the scene entirely, as it was one of the oldest and not high on my personal list. Instead I chose another route, and it appears to be a positive thing that I did so.
My pen name, to respond to a review, must be read as a single unit "uncreative pseudonym." One of the few positive adjectives I would attribute to myself is creative; my pen name is an aspect of that, not a contradiction. Though I do love paradoxes.
Someone predicted a death and I decided to be cryptic and actually address the issue. The truth of the given statement depends entirely upon what is meant by the word death. For a being to go to the Afterlife... well, everyone is already there and matters precious little in Dragonball Z. For a being to be terminated... another issue entirely. For a being to change irreversably so that the old is destroyed... quite different. That response was relatively lengthy for how little information it passed along.
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Episode LII: Final Saga
Just beneath the highest level of reality, placed on a plane that touched edges with Dai Kioshin's planet, the Great Temple of the Kioshins rested silently. Only the most holy of spirits were ever permitted to even touch the ground upon which the Great Temple was built. Even those spirits were ordered to remain away from the gigantic structure that was the Great Temple.
Certain Kioshins, those of the highest rank and lineage, were permitted to walk within the outer courtyard of the Temple, which expanded for kilometers. Once per year, the highest of the Kioshins of the Priestly Order was allowed to enter the Great Temple itself, though only for a time. That was where the four greatest Kioshins of the Godly order walked every day, and the very ground was said to be holy. Legend had it that even a stone from the Great Temple could cure any wound. Though many had tried to obtain such a stone, none had survived long enough to verify the claim.
The central building of the Great Temple was a massive, arching dome. Though the outside of the dome glittered white in the constant light of the Afterlife, the inside was more glorious still. Stained glass windows surrounded the podium that was at the center of the Great Temple, showing the deeds done by the greatest heros of the realms. There, a massive square of solid stone sat, taking up almost the entire Great Temple.
Carved onto each side of the square was a large throne, one pointing in each of the cardinal directions. Upon each a Kioshin sat, staring into the direction they were assigned to watch over. A level higher than all the other thrones, nearly brushing the ceiling, sat the largest throne of all. This throne was empty, and only on the sacred day of the year did Dai Kioshin preside upon it.
Energy crackled within the temple, disturbing the unnatural silence. All four Kioshins immediately turned their attention to the source, a dark point of light that sizzled with power near the center point of the entire dome. Before they could move to investigate, the power disbanded, instead flooding down all the walls. Swiftly a coat of black energy covered all of the stained glass windows and the entrance.
It could be seen through, like dark glass, but what was on the other side was terrible distorted. Each of the noble events in the windows became twisted, dark versions of the former images. Heros were slaughtered, became corrupted, planets were destroyed instantly. Horrified, the Kioshins could only stare at the altered walls.
Then the black light intensified, collecting in a point directly above the seat of the largest throne. It took shape, the mere form of a person, if a person could be made entirely of Darkness. The figure sat upon the throne and began to laugh. Disturbed in soul and horrified, all four Kioshins leapt into the air as one and blasted toward the central throne, but a sphere of dark energy deflected their attacks.
Light that did little to brighten the room poured in from above as the ceiling exploded. Buu descended from above, merging through the dark sphere and bringing his form where the dark figure sat. There was a light so dark that it was blinding, and when the Kioshins could see again only one figure sat on the throne.
He was vaguely like the Buu that had been, though there was something terrible about him, an ineffable aura. All his skin was smooth and dark grey, and his form had changed. Every hint of fat or joviality was gone without a trace, leaving only a terrible apathy. The figure that remained was lean and muscular, clad in black clothing. When the monster that had been Buu opened his eyes, they were pools of endless Darkness. Where there had been a Majin symbol there was absolutely nothing.
Stepping down from the gigantic throne, the new creation turned and blasted it into nothingness. Descending, he landed lightly on the ground. For a moment the Kioshins were overcome in shock at the sight of Darkness sitting upon the throne of the galaxy, and then destroying it like a toy. All four Kioshins moved to surround him, and he calmly looked at them with burning eyes.
"What are you, monster?" the East Kioshin stammered. Instantly dark eyes fixed upon him, and he quailed beneath the terrible evil that was within them.
"This is the ultimate physical form," the creation said, more to itself than in answer to the question. "This is what I intended ages ago, with the failed Buu transformation. It is still Buu, it is merely Dark Buu." Without an expression on his face, Dark Buu flew to his right, smashing a fist entirely through West Kioshin's chest. The blow did not draw blood, instead, strands of darkness exploded from it. They quickly covered the Kioshin, spreading through him and then burning away all that remained.
Turning from the wisps of Darkness that floated in the air, Dark Buu faced the others expressionlessly. East Kioshin realized for the first time that what he was facing was pure, raw destruction. Nothing could stand up to such power. Frantically he attacked, blasting wave after wave of ki into the air. Smoke rose around the area, and East Kioshin continued blasting.
Even as he continued to fire, Dark Buu appeared behind him, then grabbed his head with one black gloved hand. For a moment the Kioshin cried out, and then he dissolved into waves of shimmering Darkness as well. Instantly the South Kioshin was attacking, striking rapidly, but Dark Buu deflected his strikes with one hand easily.
"I find this... interesting," he commented, voice unmodulated and showing no effort. "Even without my doing, Darkness is released from within you. In a metaphorical way, it was the Darkness in your hearts. In fighting me, you battle only yourselves."
Abruptly Dark Buu raised a hand, and a black blast exploded from it, encompassing South Kioshin entirely. When it passed, only wavering Darkness remained where the Kioshin had floated. Striking the dark sphere that still coated the building, the dark energy blast merely rippled along it, expanding over the sphere, which again became unearthly still. The instant the blast had touched the pedestal in the center of the room the entire block had vanished like it had never existed.
A sword sliced through Dark Buu's torso, severing him in half. Calmly turning, Dark Buu looked expressionlessly at North Kioshin, who struck again, this time his blade splitting his head in half and driving through his body. When the blade was most of the way down Dark Buu's chest, the wound it had created swiftly healed up after it. Tugging at the sword, North Kioshin discovered it was lodged in Dark Buu's heart. The monster's torso healed easily, and for a long moment Dark Buu merely stared down at the shaking Kioshin.
"Fool," he rumbled. With that word, Darkness began to creep down North Kioshin's blade. As he tried to let go of the sword, the Darkness leapt the gap to him, overcoming him entirely and destroying his being. For a moment his form writhed in agony, then it was eaten away, leaving only the Darkness, which merged into the ground. Dark Buu turned and began to walk toward the entrance.
He was midway to the door when he stopped short. Slowly he turned, and brought his eyes up to focus on Goku, who stood at the opposite side of the chamber. His hair was still long and golden, but the energy crackling around him seemed muted within the dark dome.
"Instant Transmission," Dark Buu said softly. "Faster than I had anticipated."
"You transformed again," Goku observed, just as quietly.
"Yes. I have finally created a body that will be able to hold Darkness itself. But that time is not now."
For a long moment neither of them spoke, just staring at the other across the chamber. Eventually Buu spoke again.
"You are a fool to attack me in this place, my sanctuary. Do you think you can exist here?"
In response, Goku threw back his head and let out a roar that shook the ground. Above them, the dark dome began to crack, glorious light streaming in from the small cracks that soon covered the dome. It shattered in one massive, golden flame, leaving both of them standing on a circle of stone at the center of the Great Temple. Goku's eyes were glowing a hot white.
Impassively, Dark Buu observed him for a moment, then shifted down into a fighting position. Goku did the same, facing off with the shadowy monster. Darkness began to curl around Buu erratically, at the same moment that white lightning began to arc over Goku's body. Neither of them moved for some time, just facing each other, then both leapt off the ground, flying toward the point between them.
Now came the battle of all time.
.
Just above the supernatural ceiling, Dai Kioshin let a smirk appear on his face. Dark Buu had been an unexpected development, but it would not hinder his overall plans. This battle, he was certain, Goku could not possibly win. The saiyan had already delayed everything for quite some time by being so stubborn and refusing to be beaten. Now, at last, the issue could reach its inevitable conclusion.
Other points in the scheme were growing dangerously overbalanced. The Namek and the android were causing excessive damage at the gates of the Afterlife. As long as they were held off long enough, they could not interfere. Beyond this point, it was too late for Goku. Beyond the next point, nothing Piccolo or 18 could do would matter. Beyond that, he would be unstoppable.
.
Hissing in annoyance, the manifestation of Darkness further focused its power, collecting its limited influence. There were only six left. Of the dozens of warriors crafted to destroy the planet, now only six remained. Six of the best weapons, six of the most twisted. It was there that Darkness extended itself.
How fortunate that the universe continued on such a path. Slowly with the Darkness in the hearts of every being in the galaxy the sphere of destruction had begun to form. Faster and faster it had moved, over centuries, culminating now in a terrible Darkness that would soon spread through the souls of every being in existence. Even if these six failed... a semblance of a smile floated across the nebulous manifestation's being.
"You want the three on the right?" 18 asked Piccolo lowly. He nodded.
"I really wouldn't mind taking out Gohan. But something else is up, and it makes me nervous. Stay on your guard."
"Right."
Both of them turned to the warriors that were now rushing forward. The remaining six were growling slightly, eyes blazing in anger, faces twisted in hate. By contrast, both 18 and Piccolo seemed unnaturally serene, a calm from outside their surroundings descending upon them. For a long moment there was near silence, the slight hiss of aura, and then the battle began.
Frieza dove for Piccolo first, and the Namek slid around his attack. When the changeling landed, Piccolo noted he had returned to his organic final form. There was a new layer of muscle on his body. So apparently he had not been idle in the Afterlife.
"You may have gotten power beyond what I had ever imagined, but I've only learned from you. I have discovered power greater than any changeling before me! I am again the strongest warrior in the universe!" Frieza roared, charging him the instant his monologue was complete. Piccolo dodged back out of the way, tripping him up and sending him tumbling over the ground. For the briefest of moments his white eyes flickered with amusement.
"I hate to tell you this," Piccolo ducked Frieza's swipe and knocked him off his feet, "but this isn't even the main act. This is a sideshow to the battle Goku is having." His eyes glowed brighter. "In the scheme of reality, you are no more than a tongue of flame, bursting and then fading away into nothing."
"No!" Frieza gasped, a second before Piccolo slammed a knee into his face. Frieza recovered in the air and charged at him, but it didn't matter now. With a slight sigh Piccolo caught him by the face with one hand, lifting him into the air. For a moment the former Master of the Universe struggled, and then golden flame ripped him apart from within, leaving nothing left.
Raising a forearm behind his head, Piccolo deflected a strike from Vegita. Turning swiftly, he caught the saiyan's foot as he jerked it toward his stomach. Pulling the prince from the air, Piccolo smashed a fist into Vegita's stomach and took the blow all the way to the ground, where Vegita made a small crater. An explosion of Super Saiyan light surrounded him as he took his form to the next level. Only mildly surprised, Piccolo merely pulled his hand away.
Ducking Vegita's wild swipe as he rose to his feet, Piccolo caught his arm and hurled him into a large cluster of trees. Flexing a hand, Piccolo lifted into the air after him. Everything had come shattering down around them long ago... and now it was all coming down once more.
Across the battlefield, 18 deflected two strikes flying at her head and generated a spherical shield. The energy sent both of her attackers flying back, crashing heavily into the Afterlife soil. Letting the energy dissipate, 18 merely glanced down at them as they scrambled to their feet. Two people that should have been very close to her, yet now they seemed so far away.
Android 17 recovered first and attacked. Raising a hand, 18 calmly nudged his arm, making his punch miss her head. Continuing with the motion he sent a kick flying for her head, but 18 easily wove beneath it. Doctor Gero watched the battle in amazement, unable to speak or attack. The two of them had been created equals, so long ago, but something about 18's intrinsic being had changed. Her eyes had a different slant to them, and now glowed softly. Even while not attacking her brother, 18 was proving herself far superior.
"Why did you have to make that choice?" 18 asked softly, blocking a series of swift punches. "What difference was there between us? Why did you go to the Darkness and I to the Light?"
"Darkness?" 17 hissed, halting his futile attack. "You dare to call me dark? You slaughtered nearly as many as I did. You're the one who has blithely gone about your business, acting as if none of that matters!"
Briefly 18 sighed, and a circular ripple expanded from her as she did so. "So you think I don't remember?" Her voice was quiet, barely audible, forcing 17 to strain to hear. "You think I've put all that behind me as if it never happened? Every day memories come back: breaking spines, severing arteries, pulling off fingers, puncturing lungs, gouging eyes. Those things will never go away."
"Then why do you fight against us?" 17 demanded. "In all this time you've only seen that the humans truly are evil. They believe you are a monster. Who will accept you but us?"
"Goku did," 18 answered, her eyes glowing slightly less fiercely. "He knew everything I had done and accepted me anyway."
"Enough with this," her brother snapped. "There is no doubt in my mind. The humans are inferior. They deserved to die!"
"I no longer have a brother." One moment 18 was standing across the battlefield and the next her hand was fully through 17's chest, destroying the device that had replaced his heart. The movement happened so fast it took him some time to even feel the pain, and then he faded from reality.
Gasping at the sheer speed demonstrated, Gero took a step back... and bumped into 18. Somehow her expression gave the impression that she was looking down at him from somewhere high above. His creation had ascended beyond anything he could comprehend.
"You are just as responsible for billions of deaths as I am," 18 told him calmly. "Everywhere you went you left broken and destroyed lives. Mine should have been one of those, but it wasn't."
"They des-"
"You do not have that right," 18 interrupted him, eyes flashing. "This ends now. But I want you to understand that I'm not doing this for revenge. Ironically, without you I never would have found the life that I now have. I would not trade it for anything I had before you entered my life." Her eyes hardened, intense blaze focusing down upon him. "No, this is merely the consequence of your actions. Everyone builds their lives piece by piece... and this is what you have built yourself."
Invisibly 18's hands lashed out, tearing Gero apart. Moments after his artificial body crashed to the ground, shattering into cogs and springs and scrap metal. The entire mess faded away momentarily, but 18 continued to gaze where it had been. More wafting Darkness...
"You will die!" a voice roared from behind her. Sensing a figure rushing into the attack, 18 calmly turned to face him. Trunks was running toward her at high speed, a blow poised, when her eyes locked upon his own. There was something at once serene and terrible about her glowing white eyes, and he stumbled. Sliding back away from her, he sent a Super Saiyan aura bursting around him and attacked. Sadly 18 watched, contemplating how the destruction of a monster could make one the same thing.
Catching his wrist some distance from her body, 18 flipped him aside. He caught himself in midair and turned toward her.
"You look at such lowly things," 18 told him. "On any level that truly matters, you destroyed your own world."
Roaring in anger, unheeding of her worlds, Trunks charged at her. Tightening a hand, 18 did the same.
.
With a slight cry, Goku broke off the ground, whisking forward over the streets. His first blow barely missed Dark Buu's head. Immediately a grey hand swept up to snap his extended arm. Catching it with a foot, Goku pushed the limb away while smashing his elbow into Dark Buu's face. Barely the monster fell backward, and then both its legs were sweeping up at him, kicks barely deflected.
Blows flashed between them, each point of contact sending dark and light bolts of power crackling into the air. Shockwaves broke from each blow, tearing through the surrounding buildings, ripping them apart. Cosmic power smashed together, shuddering the spirit of the planet. Massive power dwarfed all of the realm of the gods, threatening to rend it apart by its mere presence.
Meeting one of Dark Buu's kicks with his own, Goku snapped both his hands together. Blue flame was already lighting up in his palms, his attacking blasting point blank. Too late did he see Buu's hands slam together as well, dark energy generating to blow him out of the sky. Both techniques collided, and raw power exploded from the foundations of reality.
A gigantic shockwave of unnatural energy vibrated over the entire planet. Where it passed everything living dried up and wilted, glass melted, stone shook. Both warriors were thrown back from the explosion, sending each crashing on far sides of the massive Temple compound. Immediately Goku flipped to his feet and dug into the ground. Dark Buu was so far away he could no longer see him, but he could sense the malevolent evil.
Pushing off the ground, Goku blasted into the air, toward the center of the city, toward where Dark Buu was flying. Behind him pavement was torn from the street, tumbling through the air. Buildings were ripped from their foundations and sent flipping as if they were no more than toys. Dark Buu carved a similar path of destruction, and both collided with a nigh cataclysmic explosion.
Green fingers bit into Vegita's stomach, seeming to fly from nowhere. Spit flying from his mouth as the blow drove the wind out of him, Vegita was helpless to move as Piccolo grabbed the front of his armor and pulled him up to eye level. White eyes met green ones, both burning with very different lights.
"You will never be the Legendary One," Piccolo said softly, "and you'll never have a heart. The universe no longer needs you." With the words, Piccolo completed his technique. The prince of the entire saiyan race crumbled to dust that was quickly born away on the winds of the Afterlife, fading into oblivion.
"Masenko!"
Turning just in time to see the massive beam fly toward him, Piccolo remained as still as a statue, letting the attack pour over him. In between the gates, Gohan lowered his his hands, grinning slightly. The beam could not have killed his former master, but it had to have hurt. Now to show him where his true loyalties lay.
"You evil Namek!" Gohan yelled, rage making his eyes glitter a brighter green. "I use your own tricks against you! All you aliens will pay!"
The front of Piccolo's robe was smoking faintly, but the Namek was otherwise exactly as he had been before. A very old part of Piccolo sighed... hadn't the taught the kid to use a better Masenko than that? Gohan flipped through the air- and abruptly a fist smashed into his torso. Gohan cried out slightly in pain; it felt as if his inner body organs had been pushed to his throat. Before he could even get past the pain, Piccolo brought a backhand across his face, sending him flying once more.
Silver blade flying through the air, Trunks attacked with his full power. Before his sword could strike 18, she vanished like a shadow. Narrowing his eyes, he glanced around quickly but failed to find her. Putting the sword up on his shoulder, he prepared to bring it down in a deadly strike the instant he saw even the slightest movement.
"Ah, I was wondering about that engraving." Gasping in shock, Trunks glanced up and discovered 18 standing on the edge of his sword, examining it carefully. Pulling it away with one hand, he sent a solid blast flying toward her with the other. Sliding to the ground, 18 easily evaded the attack. His sword had obviously been reforged, and now she had been able to see the name of the engraving: Dai Kioshin.
Her blow caught him on the side of the head like a sledgehammer, sending the young half saiyan flying through the air. Regaining his focus he flew out of the way of a lancing beam she fired at him, then glanced down and considered his next strike. The next moment he could do no more than cough bloodily as 18's beam flew in the opposite direction, slicing through his chest. It returned to her hand, and her opponent dropped to the ground. Before he could even strike 18's energy consumed his body completely.
"Almost amazing," Piccolo commented, sweeping his head just back from Gohan's blow. "You get angry," he quickly drew back a foot to evade a kick, "and your power," he raised a forearm to push another punch aside, "increases exponentially." The boy flung a hand forward at Piccolo, and the Namek caught the blow easily. Gripping Gohan's hand, Piccolo moved closer to the boy's face. "But it won't matter."
Already the Super Saiyan was attacking again, and Piccolo quickly took evasive action. Pulling his head back, he let go of Gohan's fist, then grabbed his collar. The young boy struggled uselessly, trying to hit him in midair. For a moment Piccolo felt a touch of nostalgia for a simpler time. So much had been lost, so much that would never be regained again.
Feeling a strangely ethereal power from 18, Piccolo decided to end the battle immediately. That time had passed. It was no more. Moments later, Gohan was the same. Turning, Piccolo looked to 18. Her eyes glowed as his did, but possessed a new calm, and intensity. They nodded to each other momentarily.
Then reality ripped apart around them as Darkness poured into the Afterlife. It quickly swirled and concentrated into a massive sphere of malevolent energy. Strands of Darkness whirled from it, slashing toward the two warriors who quickly dodged back and away. The air around them was thick with drifting mists of Darkness, so much that they could not see beyond the small battlefield. Abruptly the Darkness spoke.
"You've destroyed my little toys," the being rumbled. "It's time to find some new ones."
.
Golden light faded from Goku's body; his hair diminished to its former length. Involuntarily his body shuddered, as he lay back on the ground, trying even to move. Dark Buu leapt into the air from across the battlefield; Goku could sense the attack but realized he could do nothing to stop the impending attack. Then Dark Buu was suspended before him, leg flying, calculated to go entirely through his head...
Almost not of his own power, Goku's hand jerked into the air, catching the blow. Immediately pulling his leg back, Dark Buu dropped to the ground beside Goku, watching him carefully. Frozen in the air, Goku's hand was trembling. For a moment he ignored Dark Buu, ignored the destroyed planet around them, ignored the fate of humanity and just tried to make his hand stop trembling. He failed.
Darkness crackled through Dark Buu's eyes as he gazed down at Goku. Slowly the glowing light in Goku's eyes began to go out, and Goku knew that when it did Darkness would finish him. There would be no arrogant talking, no victory taken. There would be only destruction.
Red light opened up beneath Goku, and he abruptly fell away into the earth. Immediately Dark Buu smashed his foot toward the portal, aiming to destroy it, but it closed just before his foot annihilated the ground where it had rested. Nothing remained of the saiyan. There was a moment of silence as a dark breeze swept across the battlefield, and then Dark Buu uttered two words. Two words, and the sky darkened. Two words, and hundreds of souls in the Afterlife shivered. Two words, spoken without emotion but with pure malevolence.
"Dai Kioshin..."
.
Darkness crashed down toward the two warriors in a torrent. Both immediately leapt away, but found more tendrils of Darkness were already snaking out toward them. A burst caught Piccolo in the chest, sending him crashing backward. He saw that while 18 evaded the majority of the attack, hundreds of strands of darkness snapped around her arms, binding her in midair.
Dropping to one knee, Piccolo considered strategy while ducking another swipe of Darkness. It was nearly impossible to fight this manifestation. The very air was polluted by remnants of Darkness, and its reach was everywhere. An extremely heavy weight, a spiritual weight, bore down on Piccolo's shoulders, slowing him. For every blast he sent into the mass of Darkness, it barely seemed to diminish.
Putting a hand to the ground and pushing off it, Piccolo barely evaded another attack. He needed to end this quickly, or this pervading Darkness would consume him. Bashing aside a tendril of Darkness, he leapt through the air, toward the central mass. Immediately strands rushed to strike him, as he knew they would.
Spinning around his central axis in midair, Piccolo spun as fast as he could. The Darkness was thrown off as it touched him, and then Piccolo was overhead. Making his energy as focused as he could form it, Piccolo blasted off the top half of the bulbous mass of Darkness. At that moment 18 snapped the Darkness around her and sent another blast that barely avoided singing his feet.
The lower portion of Darkness was ripped away, leaving threads floating around the entire area. Both of them continued floating, panting just slightly. Narrowing his eyes, Piccolo realized too late that the battle was not truly over. Nebulous Darkness all about them abruptly contracted, snapping around 18 and enveloping her in a sphere of dark power.
Blue flame burst around her, and 18's hand emerged from the side of the Darkness. For a moment Piccolo dared hope, but then the flame was extinguished and her hand slipped back into the unnaturally still surface. Generating an aura around him, Piccolo prepared to attack, though he wasn't immediately sure how he was going to effectively-
Power tore through the ball of Darkness. A massive hole was completely gone from the sphere, and 18 floated in the center of it. Her head was thrown back, eyes closed, and there was a slight white glow around her entire body. The edges of the destroyed Darkness looked strangely red, as if they had been burned away. What could possible have done such a thing?
Then 18's eyes opened, and they burned with an intensity never before seen. Before the Darkness could move, she plunged her hands into it. Light began running all along the Darkness, consuming it, burning it away. All of it fell away, hissing slightly and eventually being completely consumed. A slight breeze swirled around 18 as she lightly touched down on the ashen ground. Piccolo dropped to the ground as well, unable to speak.
"What is this?" she asked. Slowly Piccolo shook his head.
"I do not know. Beyond this point, the galaxy has never experienced anything like this before." His eyes narrowed. "One thing is certain... you utterly destroyed that portion of Darkness."
"Perhaps," 18 mused, "if we fought the rest of Darkness we could destroy it as well?"
"Speaking of Darkness, it's coming," Piccolo responded, getting into a slightly defensive position. "Do you know what Buu was supposed to be? Whatever this is, it's far worse. It's coming directly toward us."
In response 18 merely smirked slightly, her eyes blazing with an incredible intensity. "Then let's go meet it."
.
Before anything else, he was aware of the cold stone floor. His shirt seemed to do nothing to stop the cold from creeping into his skin. But at least it was a natural cold, heat diffusing from a higher concentration to a lower. For a long moment Goku merely lay there panting, exhausted, taking refuge in the natural reaction. Slowly he forced his tired and beaten eyes open, and found himself staring at what appeared to be the inside of a cathedral.
Where was he? Immediately doubt crept into his mind, confusion swamping him. Dark Buu had been about to destroy him, and he had been helpless, and then he had found himself here. There had been a moment of dislocation and he had lost all sense of bearing, and then he was lying on the cold stone floor. A teleportation, he slowly realized, and not one he had done on his own.
Sitting up painfully, Goku glanced about the room. His eyes refused to focus, so everything was slightly bleary. There didn't appear to be anyone else in the room, however.
"I can help." The voice took Goku off guard, and he looked as quickly as possible toward the source. Dai Kioshin emerged from the shadows to face him.
"Why should I trust you?"
"Against a power as great as Darkness, sometimes enemies must become allies," Dai Kioshin explained. "I used every ounce of power in my arsenal to save your life, to take you here and shield your presence from him. But unless something slows him down, he will soon find us and destroy us both." It felt so terribly ironic that he had saved his greatest opponent. But that was why his plan was such incredible genius.
"How can you help me?" Goku asked, wincing and feeling a wound on his arm. That would sting for a long time.
"First, I can heal you." Dai Kioshin did so before Goku could protest. "But you would still fall before the wrath of the Evil. He is the greatest threat to the galaxy that has ever existed. To defeat him, you will have to unlock your full potential, make your body ascend to another level. I can do that for you. I can make you Mystic Goku."
"What choice do I have?" Goku muttered. He was too tired to resist. If this failed, it was all over. There was no other hope. At Dai Kioshin's instruction Goku lay down, folded his hands on his stomach and remained silent. Drawing an intricate design with his own blood on his hands, Dai Kioshin pressed his palms together and then lightly touched the sides of Goku's head. Immediately the saiyan's world spun into shadows.
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Three...