[Author's Note] Alas, I have to go back to school tomorrow, so I'm afraid updates won't be that frequent anymore. This week is our chapter test week, and the next is our semi-final week. Then we start off with our final quarter, then we get finals on the first week of March, and... it's over! Academics-wise, I mean, cuz the last three weeks of March will be spent for practices for our school play. PLEASE pray for me that I'll get the lead female role! I'm dying to get it! *grins*

Well, now back to the fanfic. Act One, Chikyuu no Fukkatsu (Earth's Rebirth), is almost over. It lacks two chapters more after this one --- the tenth, and the finale. Act Two, Ryuu no Densetsu (Legend of the Dragon) will follow shortly. Whee, I'm excited! I hope you are too, and believe me, things will get even more interesting! I spent many nights staying up late, thinking of the plot, details, twists, and all! I'm really into this fic, you see. ^___^;;

I guess I shouldn't hold you back anymore, so I now bring you the new chapter! And I have the feeling you're going to be happy at the end of this one... sort of... so please review? You know I love you! *waves virtual chocolate bars around*




Hikari No Will Power

Act One, Chapter Nine
Suicide Missions And Unfavorable Proceedings! Briefs-Vegeta and Kanames' Perceptions of Sacrifice!


"This Prime Minister of yours gives me the creeps," Goten commented with a shudder as he looked up from the newspaper he was reading --- one of the latest issues of The Western Eye. "Mass cleansing? Banning the use of weapons, eliminating all those who have committed crimes, putting to stop all forms of violence while those in power get to do them? What in the world is he thinking?! Killing criminals does not make one less a murderer!"

Dumping the edition with his death on the front page on the other's lap, Trunks nodded in agreement before he sat down beside his guest. "Yeah, he sure has a crazy way of making the world a better place. Unfortunately, almost everyone else thinks he's doing a great job, and that it's the most successful crime-extinguishing attempt so far in history."

The younger demi-saiyajin shook his head, then grimaced as he saw the bold, flashy headline of the issue he was given. "Looks like he got you too, huh?"

"Yeah, that scum," the other spat, his deep blue eyes glistening in anger. "His men murdered thirteen of my employees, then had me arrested for their crime. A really disgusting frame-up, I must say. It turned out that Mr. Prime Minister wanted me dead because I was powerful, and I could stop him from taking over the world. He then ordered his hotshot secretary to dispose of me, and she thought she did, just like everyone else except you and Yumi. She can't sense ki, you know."

"Ah." Goten then turned to look at him, shifting to another topic. "You're nice."

Trunks blinked. "Come again?"

"I said, You're nice. Didn't think you were, as my best friend never thought you were. He said you were too soft, and too caught up with your own wretched life. An overintellectual bleeding heart, those were his precise words. But now that I've actually met you, I think he's just somewhat... insecure. I mean, he's living in your shadow, when you're supposed to be one and the same." He sighed, putting the newspapers away and leaning back against the wall. "You can't blame him, though. He finds himself compared to you by his parents many, many times, telling him to follow your footsteps or something. It gets sickening, believe me. I, too, know the feeling."

"If he'll follow my footsteps, he'll end up dead, that's for sure," the older demi-saiyajin said, frowning. He knew who Goten was referring to, of course, and despite the fact that he was flattered to know that his parents in that timeline insisted that his counterpart follow him, he did not want the Trunks of that world to suffer as much as he had. Which was downright possible. "I'm dying every single day. Dying of loneliness, pain, suffering... I just haven't gotten around to lying down yet."

Silence.

"Is he really... living in my shadow?" he inquired as his curiousity took over. He could not believe how his counterpart, who lived happily in an android-free world with his family and circle of friends intact, ended up jealous of him.

At that, Goten nodded. "The Trunks I know is... well... different. Different from you, I mean. He's playful, always smiling, always up to something mischievous, and well..." his smile turned sheepish. "... very arrogant."

Trunks chuckled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Very arrogant, huh? Allow me to tell you, my friend, that you haven't seen how cocky I can become." He then turned towards his visitor and smiled. "My counterpart in your time must be very lucky to have a friend like you. I mean, we just met and I already feel at ease with you, how much more him, when he has known you for years?"

"Yeah, he sure is going to miss me. I have the bad feeling I'm going to be stuck here for a long time."

"The important components of the time machine that need fixing are only available at Capsule Corporation, which I don't own anymore, and that means I won't be able to get the new parts to repair the thing," the older warrior blurted out, shutting his eyes as if to rest up. However, the cocky smile so familiar to the newcomer leaked in. "Unless of course, we sneak in and grab them."

The other's raven eyes didn't appear too hopeful. "If you must know, the reason why I got zapped here was because I screwed up big time. My task was to sneak into the laboratory, conceal the time machine in a capsule so Trunks and I can take it to our school fair, but I caused havoc in the darkness. One thing came tumbling after the other, and I had to hide in the closet where the machine was supposed to be. What I didn't know was that I was standing right under it, as it was in a portal form, and it didn't take long for me to accidentally press the activation button. I'm guess I'm simply accident-prone."

"Nonsense," Trunks countered, his full attention now on his counterpart's best friend. "You say you're supposed to be my best friend in that timeline, right? Then that means you've been in and around Capsule Corporation countless times, and you must probably know the ins and outs of that place like the back of your head! We can then sneak in and out without trouble! What do you say, buddy?"

"I'd say we have more pressing matters at hand."

As if by reflex, both warriors bolted up and turned towards the owner of the voice, straightening themselves as they did so. Goten, to the lavender-haired saiyajin's surprise, was immediately worried about how he looked. He was twisting and turning, checking if his clothes were soiled, if his trousers had creases that weren't supposed to be there, and the like.

Yumi, on the other hand, forced a smile, but it was evident that something was bothering her. However, upon seeing the startled reaction from her partner, she advised, "Don't panic. Not yet, that is." She then moved towards them, waving yet another newspaper in her hand and ignoring the way Goten stared at her. "This is today's issue of The Western Eye. Read it and tell me what we should do."

Their guest said nothing, but he threw his gaze towards the young man who stood next to him, the person who was obviously in charge. Trunks acknowledged the look with a curt nod, and raising an eyebrow, he took what he was offered. It didn't take long for his eyes to find their landing spot, for to describe the headline as catchy was an understatement.

Kaname Brings Forth A New 'World Order'

Executive Order 666, the 'Mass Cleansing Order' implemented by Prime Minister Hyouko Kaname shortly after he was sworn into office, had been implemented on other countries as of yesterday. Most leaders were impressed by the change that Japan went through in a very short span of time, and thus they decided to follow Kaname's footsteps, with the shared dream to "make the world a better place," quoted from the Prime Minister himself.

President Peter Huntington of the United States of America sent an invitation to all the nation leaders for a conference that would be taking place at the White House in Washington, District of Columbia, on the 21st day of this month. "This matter must be discussed thoroughly with the other nation leaders, regardless of the danger that looms over us. I am willing to take the risk of being assassinated; I hope the others are, too. After all, this Executive Order might just be the key to unlocking the World Unification Act, the key we've been searching for a long time," Huntington said.

Kaname's secretary, Kasumi Valkyrie, confirmed to the press last night that the Prime Minister will be leaving for the World Unification Conference tomorrow, with the promise that he "will bring glory to Japan and transform it into the heart of the planet."

"Well?" she prompted, eyeing the two closely.

Trunks sighed heavily at that, before turning to their visitor. "Well, Goten, I'm afraid that your time machine will have to wait. There's someone we have to stop from leaving," he said grimly. "If Kaname gets to that World Unification Conference, the whole world will be put under that crazy scheme of his, and eventually, he'll manage to take over the other political systems! It'll be disastrous, his dream come true! And that means... we'll have to infiltrate the mansion tonight. We've got no other choice. We have to sacrifice."

"Tonight, Trunks?" Yumi interrupted skeptically. "But we need more time to prepare! We can't barge in there just like that! What if... what if Kasumi's there, when she's not supposed to be? What if she won't fall for the leads we've planted, and she decides to remain by my father's side? We don't stand a chance against her, you know that!"

"I don't really know what you're up to, but I have to agree with Trunks," Goten voiced out, looking at the young woman intently. "If that Kaname person is leaving tomorrow, then your only opportunity is tonight. At least you still have the rest of the afternoon to finalize things and get some last-minute measures done."

The Prime Minister's daughter spared a worried glance at Trunks. "Even if Kasumi's in the mansion?"

"You're the one who can see the future, you tell me."

The statement, however, which was supposed to be a light joke on Trunks' part, had a disastrous effect. It infuriated the young woman as soon as it came out of the demi-saiyajin's mouth. "Do I look like a television to you?!" she snapped, pointing a finger to herself in emphasis. "You can't just turn me on and check the news!"

She walked out.


"I am pleased to note that Prroject Chikyuuu is attaining completion soonerr than expected. Verry good, Kanrryuu. I knew I couuld couunt on youu," the man in the holograph said in a heavily accented English. He was tall, slender in build, and extraordinarily handsome, and he looked almost exactly like an ordinary human being except for the rune-like tattoo on his sallow, pointed face and his eccentrically-shaped eyes.

Hyouko bowed. "This planet will be cleansed in your name, Most High."

The so-called Most High looked extremely elated with it. "Youu have indeed grrown uup, Kanrryuu," he commented with a proud smile. "The lessons of the Exalted Orrderr of the Cosmos youu have alrready masterred. That, howeverr, is not the rreason why I contacted youu. In thirrty-six houurrs I want youu to be at the Arrcadia Obserrvatorry; I have an imporrtant message forr all the prroject leaderrs that cannot be rrelayed thrrouugh merre hologrraphic trransmissions. And imporrtant matterrs to discuuss as well."

The Prime Minister's forehead creased noticeably. "Most High," he began in a slightly nervous tone, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. "I am supposed to leave tomorrow morning for the United States of America to attend the Chikyuujins' World Unification Conference. The meeting you are calling for is very important, yes, but Project Chikyuu will fail if I do not make it to the said conference."

"Then send yourr rright-hand warrrriorr in youurr place," the other retorted with an amused grin, his golden eyes flashing knowingly. "If this Ten-Thirrteen is indeed the all-arrouund warrrriorr so many of ouur frriends speak of with fearr and rrespect, then she will be able to handle the matterr that will be discussed, and stand on youurr behalf as if youu arre trruuly prresent. Thirrty-six houurrs, Kanrryuu. Do not fail me."

"I hear and obey, Most High."

"Historry is on the move, Kanrryuu. Those who cannot keep uup will be left behind, to watch frrom a distance. Helpless, uunable to do anything buut mouurrn forr what they have lost. And those who stand in the way... will not watch at all."

The transmission ended.

Azure eyes narrowed in a dangerous manner, Kasumi stepped up from behind him, pushing away the cloak of darkness that concealed her from the eyes of the Most High. She folded her arms in front of her chest indignantly. "I am not in favor of that plan of his, my lord. Not because I doubt him, or I have suspicions in his actions, but I simply cannot afford to leave you here alone --- with these idiots who can barely defend themselves."

"Kasumi, dear, there is no need for you to worry. I will be safe here. The members of the Special Defense Unit have been stationed many hours back, and they know what to do in case some assassination attempt will take place," Hyouko assured as he sat down on his reclining chair. "You have to go to him, dear. To disobey the Most High would be to wish for our death."

She snorted quietly, disbelief carefully concealed in her features. She had the feeling that she was stronger and more powerful than the warrior who claimed to be the Supreme Overlord of the Exalted Order of the Cosmos on which the Ryuujins firmly believe in. She decided to put her thoughts on that matter aside, however, and focus on the situation at hand. "What about Briefs-Vegeta, my lord? I am the only one who can stop him."

"We are the one after him, dear. Not the other way around."

"Or so you think," she snapped. At that, she looked out of the window, and into the mass accumulation of buildings that distinguished Capitol --- or Tokyo, as it was known to the rest of the world --- from the other cities of their nation. "I know how the brat thinks, my lord. The leads Gashakura and his men found are false, planted by Briefs-Vegeta himself to lure us away from where he truly is... or where he is planning to strike."

She paused, turned around, and sat down on Hyouko's desk, pulling out a piece of paper from the pocket of her blazer and setting it down on the smooth wooden surface. "They found four leads, the last of which is the one they firmly believe him to be hiding. However, it, too, is the area furthest away from your residence. Don't you see it, my lord? That's what he wants us to believe in. That he's there in that secluded mountain town, with Yumi, and that you'll have to send me out to get them, leaving you alone and vulnerable to his attack."

"Nonsense, dear. I believe you are overestimating the kid," he blurted out, shaking his head. He then smiled. "There is nothing for you to worry about, nothing at all. Now that I'm Prime Minister, I am in charge of this country's military force --- they are for my use, and for my disposal. All of them, from the Special Defense Unit to the Air Force. I will use them for my advantage, and for the fulfillment of our cause. Their focus is to protect me, my focus is to put the World Unification Act into action, and your focus is to attend the conference the Most High has called you for."

"Can't we just switch?" Kasumi asked, still skeptical about the idea. She stood up and began pacing in front of the Prime Minister worriedly. "I attend the World Unification Conference, and you go to the meeting the Most High called for? It's safer for you that way, at least we won't have to worry about Briefs-Vegeta. You will leave tonight, on my personal starfighter, and I will stay here to confront the brat when he comes."

"It's not that I don't trust your instincts, dear, but I have to attend the World Unification Conference, whether you like it or not. Sacrifice, dear, sacrifice," Hyouko said as if he was talking to a six-year-old who had no idea about how the world works. He then stood up, a stubbornly determined look in his eyes. "I'm going to the White House, you're going to the Arcadia Observatory. And that's final."