Hikari No Will Power

Act One, Chapter Three
Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures! Know When To Walk Away And Know When To Run!


"My lord, he escaped."

Kanryu's lime-colored eyes narrowed into slits at his right-hand's report, but he forced the irritation away and smiled crookedly as he pushed his bifocals closer to look at the screen of Ten-Thirteen's laptop. "Ah..." he whispered as Trunks' transformation into his super saiyajin state danced on the monitor. "I should have asked someone else to deal with him, instead of Gashakura. That brat's a slimy one, you know."

"Nothing I can't handle," she replied in an ever-so-sure tone before she pressed a couple more keys in some particular sequence. A few moments later, the photoplay-covered screen was replaced by a grid of criss-crossing lines, and a tiny neon green dot was blinking steadily on the western corner against the Cimmerian background. "He's at Capsule Corporation; and if he was a normal human, he probably went back to snag a couple of bills and flee the country or something. But the thing is... he isn't completely human. So he probably went back to try to find a clue or two, and perhaps help himself with enough money to do what he wants to."

"Unfortunately, he won't find any. Not a single zenny left in his account --- in any of his accounts, for that matter --- and he's going to discover that he no longer owns the enterprise after Moriya bought majority of the shares, outdoing the percentage left under his ownership..." the man's voice trailed off before the corners of his mouth gave way to a smile that was a mixture of bitterness and maliciousness. "... if he still has a slice of it left."

Glassy azure eyes met his green ones. "Shall I deal with him, my lord?"

"That will not be necessary. I will be sending Kutori's crew to put an end to that waif once and for all." He then waved his hand to silence her, as she opened her mouth to interrupt and voice out her doubts. "If they fail, then the brat will be all yours to deal with. You have succeeded when everyone else failed, and that's precisely the reason why I won't send you out until I feel the need to. Besides, we have more pressing matters to attend to. At the moment, I am confident in Kutori's skills, as well as that of his crew, thus he will go play the game with the boy. You will remain here, by my side, until further notice. Understood?"

"Yes, my lord," Ten-Thirteen replied with a curt nod before she shut down her laptop. After putting the computer on one of the limousine's secret compartments, she turned to her master and smiled. "I will be keeping an eye on him, though. Daichi might lose in that game he will be playing, and I might have to take his place in the hunt. I have to know where to look, if that is going to be the case. We can't afford to take any more chances when that time comes, can we?"

The sharp look on the other's eyes that seemed to be present all the time faded into that of admiration and pride. "That is what I like of you. You are always one step ahead of the situation. You are flexible and ready for anything," he said. Then, he dug his hand into the pocket of his jet-black trousers and pulled out a small, velvet box. Opening it, he looked deep into her eyes, attempting to break the solid barrier she shielded them with, and whispered, "Nothing would make a ruler happier than to have a queen. A queen to rule by his side. My dear, I would like you to accept this... and my offer to be the queen of my empire."

The ring was the best and most expensive one she had ever seen, and she was certain Kanryu spent a fortune to purchase that one just for her. She found the idea awkward, however. Tempting, with all the wealth and power she would be able to wield once she would be in that such position, but awkward. She hated the idea of being a mother, so much the idea of being the mother of an 18-year-old spoiled brat. "What would Yumi say, though?" she asked, not wanting to make it obvious that she did not like the offer one bit. "You know that she has this intense dislike for me... well, that would even be an understatement."

He reached out for her, tilting her chin so he would be staring down at her. "You managed to live with it."

A wry smile formed on her pale features after those words were uttered, but she immediately hid it underneath her always-nonchalant facade as she thought of the consequences of her answer, whatever it will be. At the moment, they didn't look too good, and she had to stop herself from grimacing at the thought. Putting the sweetest smile she could muster to match her teasing expression, she countered with a giggle, "I'll think about it."

The expression on Trunks' handsome features was a grim one as he prepared to leave the area. It was useless to hang out in Capsule Corporation, not when dozens of police officers were outside waiting to close on him and then crush him. It was even surprising for the young man that they had not stormed in the complex yet when they were more than ready to do some damage. He knew he had to leave immediately, but he didn't know where to go. He had no family left, not one by blood, anyway---

He blinked.

Before he could fly out of the window pane and escape, the door of his office slammed open and a man only a few years older than him barged in as if he owned the place. He was tall --- a foot taller than the demi-saiyajin, give or take a few inches --- with neatly gelled auburn hair and blue eyes that always seemed to twinkle mischievously. He wore a crisp suit that made him look superior and utterly dignified, and a thin gold plate attached to his overcoat had the name Iori Moriya etched on it.

"Moriya," Trunks immediately identified, not even glancing at the insignia. He had seen the other young man a handful of times enough to implant the scrawny-boned face in his memory bank, and the other's intimidating eyes were enough for confirmation.

Iori smiled --- a warm yet fraudulent one --- at his rival, before he stepped aside and motioned to the door which remained half-open. "Briefs-Vegeta," he muttered in response before the smile turned evidently into a smirk. "We're good friends, you know that, but I'm afraid I have to ask you to leave. This isn't your office now; it's mine."

"You're kidding."

"Now, now, Trunks... stop going into denial. You know I'm not joking, as I'm not the humor-inclined kind of man. I'm utterly serious about this matter. Capsule Corporation now belongs to me, as I now own the greater percentage of the shares. Didn't you check the reports? The transfer was made a while back... oh, forgive me, I forgot that you were under arrest when that happened," he sneered before took out his cellphone. "I should call the police now. It is disgusting to see a criminal in my office, especially when he's standing in front of me---"

Briefs-Vegeta growled incoherently.

"---with this expression on his face which makes me feel like I'm going to be the next victim of the lethal virus he developed."

The word virus caused the demi-saiyajin's enraged expression to soften a bit, as confusion was added into the mix. He did not remember working on viruses or anything close to those midgets, and here was Moriya, practically accusing him of murdering the employees of Capsule Corporation with a microbiological entity. So that was the story, then. The story that escaped the police station and was spreading all over Japan --- and even to the rest of the world --- like wildfire.

And he did not like it at all.

The scowl that was already on his handsome features deepened, and he snarled, "Stop acting as if I don't know what's going on, Moriya! You think I don't know what's up?! The police are just outside, and they sent you up here to force me into walking out of this place and end up back at their hands without trouble! And if you won't be able to convince me to do so, you'll call them up and have them barge in here with their fancy weapons and all!" He then glared at the other, and Iori could feel the anger that continued to build up inside of the former CEO of the corporation. "Think you're brilliant, Moriya? You may want to think again. I'm doing neither."

With a yell heavily strained with anger, he powered up with a force that was enough to send Iori flying towards the concrete wall. Flames danced within his sharp, cerulean eyes, and without a word, he ripped off the window pane and flew off towards the east.

Prying Eyes was a television program that delivered news and all the rumors that accompanied it. There were two reporters, who were obviously fond of gossiping, from the tone of their voices and the way they projected the news; the stubby man on his late 30's by the name of Takiko Muruku and the ditzy Ritzuki Tsukino, a blonde-haired young woman who talked in a high-pitched, prissy voice.

After holding up as Prime Minister of Japan for three consecutive terms, Fuiuchi Zakihiro has finally gone down --- and everyone's happy. I suppose it was his heroicly stupid antics during the androids' reign of terror that plummeted his popularity rating to nearly... nothing. I mean, where was he during those times when we needed him? Locked up in his room, tongue-tied and his tail between his legs! Heck, he must have had wet pants during the entire robotic regime!

Yumi looked up from the book she was reading, her eyes narrowing significantly as Muruku's voice exploded as if he was commentating a game in the World Cup. She had never been a fan of the show, but all the other channels were apparently showing sleep-inducing soap operas that bored her to death, so she decided to have Prying Eyes up just to have a little noise in her apartment. She wasn't the kind who was used to silence, especially of the deafening kind.

She was about to resume reading when Tsukino's annoying voice boomed for a statement of agreement, and the more she could not take her eyes off the screen when the female reporter mentioned her father's name. I'd have to agree, very much, and I presume that is exactly the reason why Hyouko Kaname won without having to exert much effort during the campaign period.

But how effective would Kaname be as our Prime Minister? True, he has a sweet-smelling political record that no one could seem to match, but sources tell us that he has dark secrets hidden underneath those intelligent-looking green eyes and his cool front, in general. For one, the quiet yet charming Yumi is rumored to be his daughter with a prostitute; and second, his secretary Kasumi Valkyrie --- who's a total babe, oh yes! --- is said to be the woman he would be marrying!

The unbelievably thick hardbound book Yumi was reading snapped shut upon hearing the reporter's words. Her eyes flew wide in furious disbelief, and then, she yelled, "MY MOTHER'S NOT A PROSTITUTE!" even though she knew it would not change anything. Her hands were then clamped into fists. How dare they?!

Talking about issues and noted personalities, today's second biggest issue is the escape of Trunks Briefs-Vegeta, former CEO of Capsule Corporation. He is believed to be the one responsible for the death of 13 employees of the said company, thanks to the lethal virus he developed. The head of Capitol's stronghold, Officer Gashakura, did not mention anything about him recently, though.

A virus, eh? That's a pretty neat method of killing people, and I must say he really has the brains! Now that we're talking about the purple-haired hunk of burning love... Tsukino blurted out in a love-sick tone oozing with drama before she burst into a fit of giggles, ... I wouldn't mind if he would be the one who would take me away from this wretched world and to the world after this one. I mean, if he'd be after me, I'd pretty much lure him to come and kill me! That would be the best thing ever! Come and get me, huuuuuuuunnnnny!

A hint of recognition crossed Yumi's furious features, which softened them a bit, as a picture of the demi-saiyajin flashed on the television screen. She blinked, then said softly, "Wait a minute... He's the one... The one who defeated the androids, and who I saw in my vision!" Then, she shook her head, picking up the remote control and turning the thing off. "They just don't know how much we owe that young man. Those reporters have such horrible manners..."

She put the remote and the book aside as she stood up to get herself something to drink. The place had gone extremely quiet by then, and she didn't like it one bit. She felt the urge to go back to the living room and turn on the radio, full blast, but quenching her thirst was her first priority at that time. After helping herself to an ice-cold glass of water, she smiled, as if she had forgotten all the horrible things she heard over the news. "Water has just got to be the best drink ever," she told herself as she put the glass down. "And most probably Mother Nature's masterpiece."

Yumi giggled, and then she trudged back to the living room to resume reading. She took the route near the radio to switch it on before she propped back into the couch, took the book she had been reading a while back, and continued at where she left off, reading out loud, which she did not often do. "Parvati was gazing at Hermione in unflattering disbelief. She wasn't the only one either; when the doors to the Great Hall opened, Krum's fan club from the library stalked past, throwing Hermione looks of deepest loathing. Pansy Parkinson gaped at her as she walked by with Malfoy, and even he didn't seem to be able to find an insult to throw at her. Ron, however, walked right past Hermione without---"

Blue.

He limped, taking small, body-straining steps. One, two, three... he fell, his half-open eyes the color of faded sapphire-blue silk. He forced himself to rise, despite of his severe injuries, his cerulean orbs which appeared like cracked glass darting around, desperate to get help. Behind him, the sun had begun to crawl from the depths of the horizon, the sky becoming a carpet of light blue.

White.

Blood drained from his insides, his face was then as white as sheet --- so pale, in fact, that the blue curtains of his features stood out despite of their near-white hue. The rising sun's rays fell on him, illuminating the young man in a bright aura that made him appear like a fallen angel. Too radiant to look at, too fragile to touch, bruised and scarred yet still too beautiful and seemingly beyond perfection.

Red.

Pools of sickening crimson liquid formed at every step, at every fall. The same substance flowed uncontrollably out of every cut, staining almost every body part, including his pale, pretty face, and its dark color clashed magnificently against his bright form that it was frightening. In his eyes fire blazed, yet it appeared locked up and stranded amidst a barrier of ice that its power could not be used.

Black.

Despite the rise of the burning ball of fire at the horizon, darkness began to take an abstract form, like mist in a chilly morning. It crept towards the heavily wounded young man, who was struggling to hang on at what he had left and get help. His speed, however, was hopeless. In no time, the darkness caught up with him, and the whitish aura that surrounded his frail form faded away as death itself advanced...

Then the vision ended, after all four colors danced in front of the young woman's eyes in a ritual-like manner. When everything faded away, Yumi looked down to find the pages of her book drenched in sweat, which greatly surprised her. The vision could not have lasted for more than a few seconds, it's impossible for me to sweat this much at such a short span of time, enough to drench a page or two of a book... she thought, but it immediately flew away as something else hit her hard.

The vision.

Yumi Kaname did a run-through on her vision --- she had the ability to memorize it at one glance --- and she paled evidently upon watching the sequence of events unfold the second time before her very eyes. Sweat began to once again trickle from her trembling hands, soaking her book even more. And she had the reason to feel that way, for the message it brought was as clear as day.

Someone was going to die.

Her hand trembled as she held a slender knife against her wrist, and tears were streaming down from her beautiful onyx orbs. She saw no reason to remain alive as her loved ones were sent to the Afterlife so many years back --- her husband by a virus, her son by the androids. She never got the courage to do what she was about to do, but after getting haunted by nightmares even during the day, she decided that it was for the best.

Chichi Son squeezed her eyes shut as she channeled her energy towards her hand, praying that she would get past the hardest part of the situation as swiftly as possible. Then, she opened her eyes, looked at the blade that bore her reflection...

... and threw it away before falling on both knees and bursting into tears. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have done that, I shouldn't have even tried..." Chichi sobbed, before she looked up at the ceiling and let out an anguished wail. "Goku! Gohan! Why?! Why did you have to leave me like this?! How could you leave me like this?! Why do I have to go through this life alone?! Why can't I be with you like everyone else?! This life isn't worth living anymore, it's definitely not worth---"

"CHICHI-SAN! I NEED YOUR HELP!"