Author's Note: This chapter is dedicated to Scopa-sama. Happy Birthday! My apologies for just missing you! =)
****
Goku jolted to his feet. The others looked up in surprise. The look of horror that filled his eyes stunned them into silence.
"ChiChi..." He barely whispered. Gohan stood up as well.
"Dad, what's wrong? Is it mom?" His eyebrow's were furrowed in worry. Goku's face held nothing back.
"She's..." He turned to them quickly. "I have to go! I'll be back as soon as I can!"
"But," Gohan began. He never finished. Goku had already teleported away. Goten looked up.
"Well," he offered. "It seems like everyone's leaving tonight!" Then, without another word, he went back to his food. Oblivious to the conflicts at hand, he savored every bite.
Gohan sat back down at his chair numbly. Bulma's outburst, Vegeta's following, Trunk's disappearance and Goku's exit. Something was just wrong with tonight! There was also another factor that was bothering him. A slight ki signal had flared a few minutes ago. It didn't seem large, but instead, just... odd. Gohan shook his head and smiled. Everything would be ok, it always was.
Even though his food now resembled cardboard, he shoveled it into his mouth, and tried to remember happier times.
****
Galvan growled and strode to the main deck. How could she? Saliya, the pathetic servant girl, had dismissed him like she was a queen. He should have hit her. Yes, he should have struck her hard. That would have taught her! But, somehow, the idea of touching her that way was impossible.
He shrugged off the thought upon entrance and squared his shoulders. Galvan had other things to consider. The battle on Remina had been postponed for too long. He desired nothing but the fight as of now. A chance to prove his master power and take control of Chikyuu. He smirked happily and sat down in the command seat.
"Sir!" A middle-aged Effian walked up to him and saluted. Galvan acknowledged the general with a casual nod of his head.
"What news, Brogan?" The Effian frowned and looked down at the floor.
"There have been...problems," he managed. Galvan leaned forward.
"What problems?" He asked, snarling with disgust. Brogan took a well deserved step back.
"It seems, there is a challenger on Earth."
"A challenger?" Galvan smiled and leaned back. "Challenging whom?" Brogan looked up.
"You, sir." Galvan laughed aloud in delight. The very idea was hilarious.
"He thinks he can take me?" Brogan shook his head.
"No sir, she thinks she can take Chikyuu." Galvan raised an eyebrow.
"She?" He queried with interest. Brogan nodded gravely.
"She arrived upon Chikyuu last night. In fact, she landed a few feet short of the Son house. Her name is Arwen, she's a Nem." Galvan smiled.
"Nems are extinct, and those who lived had no power at all."
"Yes, I know sir," Brogan began. "But, she is definitely a Nem, our reports said as much. And her power is enormous. It might even rival your own." Galvan stood up in anger.
"That's impossible!" He shouted. "If she was a real Nem she wouldn't be going to Chikyuu, she'd be finding Chimera! Everyone knows that they existed on the same planet!" Brogan nodded.
"Sir, when we were ordered to capture Chimera, you told us by any means. However, you never asked how, or where, only that he had to be taken. We captured him quite easily but only because he was alone. However, after further evaluation, we found he did have a companion."
"So, she was divided from him?"
"Yes," Brogan asserted. "She was gone when he was captured, apparently hunting. The planet Brash is considerably primitive. It's amazing they survived it so easily. With the stone's strength we contained him."
"Ah, so once they were separated by the stone's power..."
"They forgot each other." Brogan finished for him. Galvan ran a hand through his short hair.
"And both went insane."
"They say in insanity one finds himself."
"So Chimera found Bulma, and Arwen found a desire for power?"
"But of course... With her bond ki still intact, how could she resist?" Galvan grinned grimly.
"What tangled webs we weave, Brogan! I'm afraid that by capturing Chimera, my life has become far too complicated!" Brogan smiled upon his Lord and Emperior. "If that damn stone we had used to take Chimera was still working, I could use it again! However, wishful thinking will get me no where! So, Arwen is on Chikyuu, is she?"
"Yes sir."
"Well then, I guess I'll have to go there and tell her to leave. I don't want Chikyuu to be destroyed in battle, I like it too much. If I have to, I'll draw her somewhere else. I still have the war on Remina that must be dealt with as well."
"There's another thing sir," Brogan added. Galvan raised an eyebrow.
"Another thing?" He asked.
"The Saiyan, Goku, has teleported to Chikyuu. It seems his wife was affected by Arwen's arrival. I believe he will confront her." Galvan shook his head.
"I won't have that! My beautiful Chikyuu will not be destroyed! I will be going there at once!" Brogan nodded and turned aside.
"Prepare the transport! His Lord and Emperior is going to Chikyuu!"
****
She observed the small house with some enthusiasm. This place would work as a beginning. She stretched, allowing her stiff limbs to loosen. That trip had been a long one. Next time she stole a space ship, she'd get better quality.
Her raven black hair tumbled behind her, traveling in long wavy locks to her waist. The diamond crest between her eyebrows gleamed silver in the moonlight. Emerald eyes peered out from underneath long lashes framed by honey-colored skin. She wore a tight suit of green that trailed down her body tightly, leaving very little to the imagination. She smiled in the darkness and her lips gleamed with pleasure.
She was perfect.
Taking slow strides to the small hut, she savored the night. A calm breeze licked at her hair, and the chirp of crickets serenaded her flowing movement. She liked Chikyuu quite a lot.
How grand that it would be her's.
The door was unlocked and she entered. The human was upstairs, she could sense it, just barely. Something was wrong, it's ki was too vague. Quickly, Arwen mounted the stairs and eased up them with graceful accuracy. She threw open the door in time to see the small body crumpled in the corner, and the enormous Saiyan that towered over it in worry.
****
It was a whirlpool. Her mind was jumbled with mixed emotion. Sadness and bliss melted into one another to create an endless conflict of feelings. Vegeta firmed himself and fought against the tide.
There was a center to this insanity. He could sense it, just ahead. Pushing forward with determination, Vegeta inched forward towards the core of her madness. He passed by pain, misery, agony, elation, satisfaction, and so on. Each feeling was more strong, more draining and Vegeta felt he was loosing his grip on his own mind.
He couldn't lose himself within her. For then, he too would go insane. The center was closer now, and it shone brightly like a beacon of hope. He reached for it desperately, searching for a hand hold. His mind could not grasp it and he fell back. Vegeta growled and threw the swirling emotions aside that continued to grab at him. He would not be beat. With a mighty effort he pulled himself back up and flew forward against the storm. This time he reached the core.
His thoughts suddenly became contained again and he was steady. No longer were the scattered feelings throwing him to and fro. He sighed and looked around. So now he was at the very center of Bulma's mind. Like the eye of a tornado, all was calm, but he could still feel the blurring thoughts that encircled the core. He moved himself forward and realized he had a body. So he was in her mind's image. Looking down he saw his feet in the gold-tipped boots he always wore. The blue body suit and the simple armor. He smirked, it reminded him of battle. He would have to battle her now.
In the distance he saw a figure. He walked forward to get a better look.
Bulma was sitting on the ground. As he neared her, his surroundings became definitive. Lush green grass protruded from underneath his feet and blue skies towered over his head. Bulma was not sitting, no she was in the water.
It was the waterfall where he had confronted her the day before. Once again, she was swimming in the water nude. Vegeta stepped forth and stood by the edge of the brook.
She was floating across the water top on her back, her smooth body cutting through the water. It lapped upon her creamy skin as she leisurely bathed within it. Her blue hair thrived above her head, the water playing with it and dancing it about her. Long legs flowed with the liquid as it kissed her stomach and teased her breasts. For a moment, Vegeta's face softened as he witnessed her splendor once again. He watched her in silence, immersed in the moment with no thought of breaking the stillness.
Suddenly, the crunch of footsteps ended the peace and Bulma stood up in the water. She looked up to the shoreline and smiled at the intruder. Vegeta gasped and fell back. He landed hard on the ground beneath.
"Hello," she offered. The man that stood above her smiled down. Vegeta grimaced.
"Well, woman, just what are you doing?" An exact copy of Vegeta stood before her. However, unlike the real Vegeta, this one was smiling softly. His arms were not crossed, but instead by his sides. He crouched down to come closer to her and she swam up to the shoreline.
"What are you doing?" She asked teasingly. Vegeta raised an eyebrow. So, this fake Vegeta had her fooled?
The impostor laughed at her query and the real Vegeta shuddered. He never laughed like that, did he?
"Watching you," he said. "You're beautiful." Bulma frowned and looked down.
"You lie so easily," she said. The fake shook his head and reached out. With one gloved hand he cupped her chin and raised her face to his own.
"I'd never lie to you." For a moment she looked up to him it utter bliss. Her face was filled with a softness that made her more beautiful then he had thought possible. Then, a shadow darkened her countenance. She narrowed her eyes and a quick hand grasped his wrist. The impostor looked down upon her in shock.
"You just did," she said coldly.
****
Chimera clenched his fists. Summoning forth the power of the body he was in, he growled his cold fury forth with all the strength he could muster. It did him much good. A great deal of ki encased him and he controlled it well.
He brought the body up to Super Saiyan and then to Super Saiyan 2. There he stopped and slowed his power. He needed to keep some of the ki in reserve, lest he need it later. He wanted to laugh. Vegeta had far more power then even he could imagine. He was just going about getting it the wrong way. Chimera shook the head in frustration. Thoughts like that could be contemplated at another time.
She looked at him and smiled. Slowly she brought her fists together. So she would attack. Chimera would have to try and block it, though that alone was going to be hard. Finally her fists connected and they drew forth the power of the energy ball. Her eyes were now completely red and Chimera could tell that she was fully inhabited now by the Blood Rage. He hoped that bastard Vegeta was talking to her.
"Crimson..." She began, declaring her attack to the world. Chimera braced his body. "Absolution!" With that, the red ki flew forth. Chimera watched it come, knowing that he would not be able to withstand this blast and live. He summoned more strength and created a ki shield. It seemed pathetic in comparison to her destructive blast.
Chimera saw the red flame approaching and it was then that he realized he would not be able to take it at all. There was no time to flee and no more strength to use. The time was up and he would perish. If only Vegeta had learned to harness the potential ki within him! He watched his doom snake forth and realized this attack was true to its title. A crimson absolution. Chimera sighed and supported his shield, at the same time, trying to maintain his faith.
He would die tonight.
****
With a flick of her wrist, the fake Vegeta was sent flying. He disappeared into the air as if he'd never been there at all. Bulma smirked and got out of the water. She sat at the edge and allowed her feet to stir it up leisurely as she stared forward.
"That's how it always is!" She declared aloud. "The only person I can trust is me." A tear fell down her cheek easily enough but she wiped it away angrily. Bending forward she stared at her reflection in the water. She shook her head in disgust. "Just look at that," she said examining her facial features on the water's surface. "That's hideous!"
With her words the water faded. It turned black and thick like tar. She removed her feet and stood. With a sigh, she was clothed. However, it was not in her red body suit. Instead she wore a black dress that flowed about her in a new born wind. Surveying her surroundings, she turned her icy stare to the lush greenery that encircled her. With a spiteful laugh, it all disappeared. The thick trees became twigs, the blue sky a gray encasing. Nothing survived her angry eyes. Finally when all was done, she smiled. The bleak environment she had created was a baron wasteland. It seemed to suit her well.
Vegeta finally stood. After witnessing enough he found it was time to confront her. Stepping forward, he allowed himself to be seen.
She stopped and gazed upon him with comfortable indifference.
"Bulma," he began. She did not let him finish.
"What are you doing here?" She demanded. "I already sent you away, why are you back?" He took a slow step forward.
"That wasn't me, Bulma." She raised an eyebrow. "I swear it wasn't me! Would I smile and laugh? You know me well enough, woman. I'd never do that!" She laughed softly and nodded.
"I guess you're right. So, Vegeta, what brings you to my world?"
"Why are you doing this Bulma?"
"Whatever do you mean?" She pondered.
"You've gone into the Blood Rage." She smiled.
"Indeed I have! It's been inside me for quite some time now. I'm really quite proud of myself for suppressing it for so long. You know, it actually started when you hit me!" She grinned and walked over to a dead tree. Laying a hand upon the trunk, she pushed easily and the carcass branch fell forward, crumbling to the ground. "That's when the first spark of insanity ignited. I dismissed it as depression! You'd be astonished at how fast it grows. In two short years, it consumed me! Oddly enough, it exploded tonight." She cocked her head to the side and her eyes unfocused. "The funny thing, is that I was actually becoming happy. I got back my son, and you were talking to me again." She shrugged her shoulders and looked up. "I guess I realized that it wouldn't last!"
"What do you mean?" He offered softly, not wanting to upset her.
"I mean what I said!" She replied angrily. "Whenever something seems like it might work, it all goes to Hell! I don't deserve any of it anyway." She looked down at the ground. Vegeta stopped himself from moving. He held his breath and clenched his fists. He would not be drowned by her misery. Keep asking questions, he told himself. Make her talk. Finally, he drudged up a question from the back of his mind.
"Why are you wearing black?" At first she made no gesture of comfirmation that she had heard him at all. It took a while for her to come out of her unhappy reverie. Finally, she stirred. Looking back up she smiled ruefully.
"Because," she replied. Her eyes were cold as ice. Her lips had become thin and they smirked with finality. "I'm dead now."
****
Author's Note: Alrighty, I know, I know.. Arwen who? Why am I bringing in another character? Answer: Because I am the author and I want to!! LOL Actually, I'm feeling much like Galvan now! Another character, more complications... but I'm having so much FUN!! Aren't we all!? =) Ohh... Bulma's mind, pretty creepy!! What did y'all think of the Crimson Absolution? Did that work as a good attack? I hope so... I also want to apologize for alternating between Earth and Chikyuu... I just noticed that flaw.. WOOPSY!! =) ... Anyhoo, I think that's all for now! Wow, what a long chapter, I'm proud of myself! Hope it wasn't too boring!
Special Note: This is to SarahStarFlower: Thank you so much for your beautiful reviews and your continued efforts on creating such a beautiful webpage. My heart goes out to you! Please forgive me for not reviewing your Angels From Hell yet, I promise I shall oh so soon! =)
Extra Special Note: Alrighty, H_A, I delivered... But I'm having POL withdrawal and I need it SOON!!! =)
Final Special Note: Wow, Amber, that pic was awesome!! I'm still loving my Chimera too, heheh!! Much luv to ya as well!
Much luv to everyone, including those that leave nice long, explanatory reviews! =)
That is all
~JZero