The Kakarrotto Saga

Chapter 2: A shocking visitor! Is that you, Son Goku?

By claudius

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        I do not own any of these properties. "Tenchi Muyo" (created by Masaki Kajishima and Yosuke Kuroda) is owned by AIC. "The New Mutants" (created by Chris Claremont and Bob McLeod), Magneto (by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby), Psylocke (by Alan Moore and Alan Davis), and Luna (by John Byrne), are owned by Marvel Comics. "Dragon Ball" (by Akira Toriyama) is owned by Bird Studios.

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Dani Moonstar (Mirage)                       Amara Aquilla (Magma)

Sam Guthrie (Cannonball)                 Illyana Rasputin (Magik)

Roberto DaCosta (Sunspot)                     Doug Ramsey (Cypher)

Rahne Sinclair (Wolfsbane)                 Tenchi Masaki (Light-Ken)

Shan Coy Manh (Karma)            

Betsy Braddock (Psylocke)

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   Now it must be said that there was great apprehension in the Mutants' hearts. Their unfortunately pressured departure from the planet Gunsmoke gave some resentment. Better they remained back there where they may be needed. However the only chance of getting home forced their choice. The fact that they had not returned to that destination gave a sense of betrayal because their contrived choices were not justified.

   However, that is not to say that the mutants were acting like a bunch of sour grapes today. Their present situation made some smiles. It was an exciting feeling for them to be levitating into the air. It felt like such a free experience, to float in the sky without the aid of a comrade was an impression. The degree of excitement was such that it made one of them- Doug Ramsey- give out his voice in celebration:

     "Believe it or not!

    I'm walking on air!

    I never thought I could feel so fre-e-e!

    Flying away, on a wing and a prayer,

    Who could it be?"

    Believe it or not, it's just meeeeeeeeeeeee!"

    "O-kay," Illyana looped her eyes at this performance. "Please excuse Doug," she gave apology to Kuririn and Gohan. "Too much air in the brain!"

    "Oh, c'mon Illyana," Tenchi encouraged acceptance by her side. "Let Doug enjoy his moment. It's not as if this happens everyday!"

    Doug beamed a smug smile. Betsy then bumped him with a mental note: Didn't know you could sing, Douglas. The boy's stature then leveled down with embarrassment, which made Betsy giggle.

     Illyana also laughed, her teeth closed with a smile. This cherubic face met with the face of Tenchi, also expressing pleasure in their situation and themselves. Both these kids gazed at the landscapes they were passing. Despite the chance of their minds wandering, it always returned to their present intimacy. To think things changed so much between them since their journey began; it was impossible to comprehend, and yet reality caused something to happen. Here they were in a relationship neither one had ever shared with another. The consequences and fears were at the moment forgotten, dulled by their feelings and this high position. Whether this was right or wrong, they didn't care.

    "Don't worry," Kuririn provided his voice to the gang. "I remember the day when I first learned how to fly. It's something you don't take lightly."

    "By the way," spoke the scarlet-faced Doug, "where did your powers come from?"

    "We learned them," answered Gohan, who decided to exchange his leading role by flying within the group.

     "Really?" smiled an astonished Doug. "I didn't know you could learn that stuff. Thought you'd be born with it. That's so cool!" The boy then wondered if he could really be taught how to fly and stuff.

      Kuririn was confused about that factor, not realizing that some of these kids thought this worked for him (due to his lack of a nasal structure). "Why'd you think we were born with our powers?"

     "'Cause we were," responded Sam with a shout. Rather than rely on the teacher's abilities, this mutant continued to use his rocket powers, making noise as a result.  

     "Really?" Kuririn's voice mixed a little disappointment, hoping this wasn't confirmed. "Are you kids aliens like Piccolo?"

     "Piccolo's an alien?" Doug asked ignorantly to the question. He then understood it might be possible; he originally thought Kuririn was one as well.

     "We are not aliens," answered Roberto. "We are Mutants."

     "To be precise," the leading Magneto joined in the conversation, "we are homo sapien superior. We are the next step in evolution. This class offers us the potential of displaying a certain power."

     Piccolo kept silent despite the valuable knowledge. It was Kuririn who did the questioning, though with some discomfort. "So you're saying that each of you has a different power that you were born with?"

     "Ya got it!" Doug gave the confirmation. This increased Kuririn's displeasure. He wanted to learn the powers these kids had; now that wish had become impossible.    

    "That's neat!" Gohan excitedly made note. "So what're you born to do?"

     Aboard Brightwind, Mirage soared under the boy. "I can make illusions of what a person fears or wishes." She said little else.

    Gohan turned to the rider with some complaint. "Then you're the one who brought that image of Raditz?"

    "I apologize for that," Dani coldly replied. She didn't want to look at Gohan.

    "Thanks," accepted Gohan.

    The horse then shook its long head. "Whoa, boy," Dani chuckled at the shakes her steed gave her. "I haven't forgotten 'bout you." She spoke louder. "My friend, Brightwind here belongs to a sacred herd of flying horses."

    "Wow," Gohan gratefully applauded. Roberto flew atop of him.     

    "With sunlight," Roberto continued, "I can become this." Instantly, his body turned dark black with particles spinning around him. "My strength is increased."

     "When I am in contact with the Earth," Amara followed Roberto's suit with her own energy form. "I am given full reign of the planet's surface."

     A large sound boomed from behind. Instantly, Gohan saw Sam making access, his legs exploding like a rocket. "Ah'm pretty invulnerable when ah do this," said the older kid with an easygoing respect.

     "I become a wolf," Rahne said quickly.       

     "I can possess people," Shan's answer was also brief and to the point.

     "Well, I'm not too certain about my powers," said Tenchi, "but I do know that I can control a sword of light." He took out the hilt of his Tenchi-Ken, its dormant power was sensed by Gohan, Kuririn, and Piccolo.   

     "Me, it's a little complicated," Illyana thumbed at herself. "My mutant power gives me the ability to teleport through dimensions. I also know a lotta sorcery." Suddenly, a blade conjured from her hand, complete with armor. "My Soulsword can harm magic. Any magic critter that messes with me…" Illyana then lunged her blade out at play.

     "It's a good thing I'm not magical," joked Kuririn. His companions did not share his mirth.

      The Warlockian rocket came zooming around. "SELF- pertains- META- morph- ABILITIES." To provide this, Warlock then transformed into a circuitry-embedded Kuririn, much to the distress of the model.

      Gohan, on the other hand, laughed at this display. These were such interesting people. "So Doug, what can you do?"

     Doug smiled proudly, the best to protect his dignity. "I read languages!"

     That caused some silence. The sky blew its sound as Kuririn and Gohan realized this was the complete and only truth.

     "Well…" Kuririn attempted some patronizing. "You could've been useful in Namek."

     "Yeah, I know," Doug admitted with a moan. "I have a pretty gay power."

     "Well, you helped us stop fighting," Gohan pointed that fact out.

     "DOUGFRIEND- and- SELF- are- BEST- together," replied Warlock. Flying onto Doug, he/it transformed and fitted the boy with the suit of armor that Kuririn recognized as the robot he fought before.

     "We make quite a team!" said Doug's voice within the techno-organic suit.

     "I'm not really a member of this group," said Betsy, "but I am a telepath."

     "And our professor," said Roberto, "can magnetically control any metal."

     "So I noticed," Gohan nodded.

    "Now enough about us," Doug's voice responded with a counterattack. "What can you do?"    

    Gohan shut his mouth with uncertainty; these kids presented a varied amount of abilities. It made his own seem little by comparison.

     "C'mon!" Roberto played with encouraging words. "It cannot be so bad. You can fly on your own; that is a power I don't possess."

     With ego, Kuririn flew a little closer to announce his skills. "Well, I can-"

    "We aren't talking to you," the now-unarmored Doug interrupted. "Besides, me and 'Locke know what you can do." His face went back to Gohan. "So kid, can you fire energy blasts and bend steel bars with your bare hands?"

     "He can probably do the second," shouted Mirage. "The kid packs quite a kick! Power Pack could use him."

     Gohan remained silent to that reply, but he nodded to Doug's question. This increased the fervor among the students.

     "Show us!" said Roberto.

     "What have you got to lose?" said Doug.

     "Oh, show them Gohan!" Kuririn joined in the encouragement. Gohan found his defenses dropping, though his doubts remained. With a sigh, he pointed his hand at a rocky peak to everyone's right. The hand glowed and exploded into a ray that scampered to the target. The peak exploded. Flying away, the gang departed to see the smoke rising.

     Instantly, everyone within Magneto's group stopped. They had already held their breaths to this feat. It was not so much the power, but the person who caused it, that astonished them.

     "What is the meaning of this?" Magneto hovered to the scene of the action, his face giving disapproval at this audacity. Luna was crying in his arms.

     Eyes bulging (like the rest of the team), it was Mirage who gave the words of explanation. "We're just seeing what Gohan can do."

    "Which is a lot!" continued Sam.

     Similar reactions captured the others. No one else spoke; it made Gohan feel awkward. He wondered if he disappointed these kids the same way he did with dad.

     "That's…awesome!" Roberto's face was one of amazement.

     "Way to go, squirt!" Doug was equally excited at this feat.

     The boy who caused it was also astounded, but only by the praise. He didn't expect this. Except for Kuririn (and once, his father), no one really reacted to his abilities with so much good enthusiasm. Even Piccolo never sounded any big acclaim in all their training together. "Really? You thought that was good?"

     "Kid," Dani answered with a righteous face, "that wasn't just good, that was great!" However, since this meant seeing Gohan face to face, her pleased expression dropped back to wariness. She forced her steed away. Not making notice of this, Gohan smiled.    

===

     Flying in a cape and turban he just created, the Namekian studied the black-haired Dani fly on her winged steed. With his keen eyes, he saw her face stilled with irritation. With sensitive ears, he listened to her words of concern.

     This woman, however, was but a small speck in the Namekian's interest, or so he claimed. He had picked up the words of all these kids, learning their powers. To his measured examination, none were truly that powerful. Only that girl with the sword harbored the ability to do him harm. What about that purple fool who was levitating this party of children? He was nothing, thought Piccolo. He would have wished to finalize their individual match, but the matter with Gohan was now present. The boy had become friendly with this man's children. Furthermore, little proof confirmed that the majority of these children posed any threat to the boy. Thus, Piccolo did nothing but watch. It was Gohan's civility to them that stopped his hand.

===

     She did not want to look at him. However, she did again and again, as if some unseen force caused her to do so. This was bad, because the more Dani looked at Gohan the more edgy she got. Flying on Brightwind's back, Dani kept seeing things on the child. It resembled a figure, a body with skin completely white, save for traces of purple on its head, chest, and shoulders. It also had a tail, and its face looked almost feminine despite the lack of any recognizable gender distinction. This was a new persona that Dani saw. Nevertheless, the message was the same, with dire consequences.

     "Oh, great ancestors," the Native American whispered in words. "Help me stop the sickness I see before me."        

===

     Due to Gohan's lax of his duty, Magneto had to be the leading member of this group. In one arm did he channel his students' levitation while keeping their blood systems in normal function. In the other arm did he grasp Luna. As usual, the child appeared wary of her grandfather; she cried with displeasure. Nevertheless, the Headmaster found it easier to withstand this child's baling then facing his failure to his students. This was much his fault, the Headmaster accepted with a displeasured taste. Due to separation, it took him long to reach this child and his students, preventing a near-disaster that concerned them; it was there that bigger problems might've occurred, trouble that he could have solved on his own by any means possible. But the role as teacher and its responsibility stopped him from that path. It forced him to abandon that world for the return to their home. It was a hope whose answer was found wanting. They were now in a parallel Earth that was in many ways different from their own (which may be an improvement). Presently, this world seemed to have a cleaner atmosphere, good enough for his demi-Inhuman granddaughter to survive. Added to the benefits was that all his students were at his side. Further, this child Gohan appeared trustworthy (the alien Piccolo was another matter, as different as night was to day).

     Bearing his voice, Magneto called off to the boy. "Are we nearing your home?"

     "Just over that mountain," Gohan zoomed passed the Headmaster. "How's the baby?"

    "She is well," addressed Magneto in a cold manner. Gohan went silent; he acted awkward toward this older man, who seemed aloof and yet noble.

===

     Leaning against the stove, Chichi awaited the end of the cooking. Soon Gohan will be home for lunch...with Piccolo. Of course, the table was set for two, for her son and herself. She knew full well that demon did not eat food; only water was his choice. Of course, that was considering if Piccolo actually entered the house, which he usually never did. That monster was a bad influence on her boy, decided Chichi.

     However, at least he was spending time with Gohan, something her husband was neglecting for a while. That was why there were only two chairs.

     Chichi checked the clock. The rice was now cooked. Donning mittens, she took the bowl out of the stove and placed it on the table to cool. As she transported the food, Chichi paused. It was not because of the bowl; although it was filled with enough rice to feed an army, the rice was lightweight in Chichi's strong arms. Rather, her attention was caught at a picture hanging in front of the wall facing her. It was a picture of her husband, Son Goku.

     Chichi placed the bowl back upon the kitchen stove. She then retrieved the picture frame off its hook. She gazed upon its contents forlornly. Although she was supposed to ready the lunch, her thoughts did not move back to this present. The picture's subject was gone for weeks. What happened?

     The last question riddled her mind with possible truths. Chichi remembered former peculiarities that now appeared to be warning signs she ignored. The first was his husband's detachment, first noticed in bed. Originally, Goku slept with both arms spread out, taking the whole space. Chichi had accepted this, using her husband's bicep as a pillow. That changed; Goku started huddling to the other end of the bed, away from her. To Chichi, the comfort of the pillow was a poor substitute to her husband's arm muscle. This was but one example to a sense of alienation Goku was giving her. It had been many months since they actually made love.

    And their son was included in this treatment. To be sure, Chichi had always resented Gohan's training to fight. He was supposed to be a scholar, not some dumb wrestler. She had no problem whatsoever about Goku's profession (if one can call fighting a profession), but she wanted Gohan's future to be different. Thus, one would have thought the day when Goku resigned being Gohan's trainer would be a day of celebration for the ambitious mother. That was not the case. For one thing, the mother was saddened to see Gohan's disappointment. However, what really ticked her off was how Goku treated their son, calling him a failure and a slow boy without any kind of remorse. No normal mother would stand to have her kid put through so much abuse and Chichi was no exception to that rule. Right after Gohan left the room, Chichi lambasted on how her husband could do such an awful thing. Goku just smugly said it was the truth; he then added that she was just as responsible for that kid's flaws. Bearing that insult, Chichi just shouted at her husband to get out of the house. Goku accepted this with a smile, saying that he could no longer stay one minute in this dump, with such lowlifes like Chichi and Gohan. The wife's response was throwing a frying pan. It helped make sure she never saw Goku again.

       It took a few minutes for Chichi's anger to cool down, resulting in the guilt that lay ahead. When she realized it, it was she who threw Goku out. He may have said those awful things about Gohan and her, but he didn't leave until she threw him out. Soon, however, she resigned herself to the reality. So be it, she cried out. That idiot had made a wreck of their marriage with his constant departures; she was better off without him. Trying to forget things, she tried to be nicer to Gohan, allowing him to continue sparring with Piccolo. She also continued other habits, like sewing. A week ago, she restored a damaged Gi. Piccolo had shown this costume to her in tatters. She had decided to make some changes to the cloth, removing the turtle sign and reorganizing the cummerbund. Even though her strong resolve refused to consider it, it was obvious that she was waiting for the return of this Gi's owner.

     A knock at the door broke Chichi off from her trance. Gohan was probably home for

lunch. She ran across the next room, placing the photograph on a cabinet. Opening the door, she was correct at seeing her son at the doorstep, with Kuririn and a group of strangers.

     "Mom," Gohan asked politely, "can you help these kids?"

    Chichi made an analysis on these strangers. They all appeared to be teenagers. Chichi then realized who these were: Juvenile delinquents! She had told Gohan not to hang around with such bad influences. However, as Piccolo suggested, old habits are hard to break.

     With a cold face, Chichi complied by her son's request. She stood at the door to get a better look at these punks. Like a soldier on guard, she was ready for anything.

     What she got (after her son's entry) was a red-haired little girl facing her with hands folded. She bowed her sad face. Her greeting, "Pleased t' meet you, my name is Sinclair Rahne," played with such courtesy that it made Chichi's eyes pop out. The handsome dark-skinned boy came next, his body moving with a smooth manner. Like a romantic, the boy touched Chichi's hand.

    "I did not know Gohan's mother was possessed of such beauty, mademoiselle." The boy's eyes peered at the woman, before veering to her hand, which he kissed. "I am DaCosta Roberto."

    Chichi's face blushed at this manner. Was she wrong to fall to her negative conclusion? Next was a whiskered kid with a ponytail. Clapping his palms together, he bowed his head. "My name is Masaki Tenchi." He then started to remove his yellow boots.

     A small faced, black-haired woman was also dignified in her manner to Chichi. "Enchante," she spoke. "I am Coy Manh Shan." The mother of the house found herself being struck off guard by these well-behaved kids. It was a definite contrast to the sort that befriended her husband. Kuririn just passed her without so much as a hello.

     "Ave, mother of Gohan," said the curly haired blonde. "I am Aquilla Amara." She shook hands with Chichi. Handshakes were also the product of the whiskered Guthrie Samuel (who acted in an awkward but nice reply of "Ah appreciate y'r hospitality, ma'am."), the long-faced Moonstar Danielle (who acted very straightforward), the well-mannered Ramsey Doug, and Warlock. Of the latter, Chichi didn't know what to make up this odd-looking creature who wished to shake hands, but the mother nonchalantly accepted it anyway.

    Only the second blonde girl named Rasputin Illyana acted rude. All she said was "Yo!" and walked on by. Two adults then entered. First was a woman with purple locks, Braddock Elizabeth, speaking her greetings with a ladylike grace. Then came this handsome, white-haired man. He was a towering presence to Chichi. With silver hair, a great frame of body, and dark features that barely gave emotion, he showed a fascinating aura to the mother, one she couldn't shake off. His name was Magneto.

     "I'm…I'm Son Chichi," said the bedazzled hostess. She then looked at the sobbing red-haired babe in this man's arms. "This is my granddaughter Luna," the man spoke frankly. This presence amazed the hostess on how young the grandfather looked. Wishing to make a good impression herself, Chichi offered to hold the baby. The sudden obligation (and Luna's lessening cries) stilled the mother. Her eyes broke with tears. It had been a while since she held a very young person in her arms. She shied these tears from her eyes, giving a firm loud voice. "The table is t' y'r left. I'm sure y'all must be hungry."

   "Thanks very much," said Doug.

    As the mutants entered, they noticed someone missing. "Where'd Piccolo go?" asked Sam.

     "He doesn't eat," explained Gohan. "He goes somewhere to meditate."

     "He scares me," remarked a pale Rahne.

     "Don't worry. You'll get to like him." smiled Gohan. By now the mutants knew there was a bond between the boy and Piccolo. First among these clues was that both of them were wearing the same purple costume! Of course, there was no real concern over this relationship. Magneto had other reasons to feel a rivalry with this alien.

     As noted before, the table was small. Gohan had his chair, but Chichi surrendered her seat for Magneto (setting some suspicion from the kids on whether Gohan's mother was trying to hit on their teacher). The hostess was busy caring for Luna in one arm while carrying a collapsible highchair. With a swift leg kick, she flipped the folded seat upright, planting the babe upon this now comfortable position. The speed and efficiency impressed the mutants; was Gohan taught by his mother? At any rate, the kids had to find seats, hastily taking out chairs brought out by the directions given by the hosts. Doug and Betsy, however, sat on two black chairs that came out of nowhere.

     Kuririn had his own space on the table. Of the students, only Tenchi, Illyana, Dani, and Sam sat with him (the others sat anyplace). Tenchi was courteous to Illyana, allowing her a seat first. "Did somethin' happen between you two?" asked Sam with interest. The couple smiled with blushing intent. "Something good, I hope," explained Tenchi.

     Doug made a wicked grin to this display of romantics. He knew about the real details; he and Tenchi were going to have a little talk.

    "Thinking of something?" Betsy whispered sweetly to his ear. Doug tensed up all of a sudden. "Uh…No, no." This short reply reminded him to how little word he had given to Betsy since their reunion. He wanted to say something dramatic, like how much he worried about her, how truly thankful he was that she was okay. He responded with, "Y'know, I missed you." Doug then kept a straight face, hiding his reprimanding thoughts: What kind of a response was that, kid!?

    "I'm flattered," Betsy breathed kindly. "I missed you as well."

   Surprised, Doug turned his face away to hide his flustered appearance.

   Roberto noted both these scenes with depth. Both Tenchi and Doug had made it well. Not him. At this rate, the Brazilian dreaded, he was going to become a monk!

===

     Gohan viewed those who shared his table. Under his cherub face hid some disapproval. These New Mutants were guests and hopefully, new friends, and as long as they were staying at his house, he would be courteous to them. Unfortunately, that meant being hospitable to that witch who was facing him. If the situation were different, he would give that girl no kindness for what she almost did to Piccolo.  

     As the mutants removed their gloves for the meal, Gohan announced excitedly that his mother was a great cook. Kuririn added that she had to be, considering her husband.    

     "By the way," asked Sam. "Where's your pop?"

     Gohan's smile dropped, an expression that was not lost from the nearby Roberto's glance.

     "My dad, Son Goku…" said Gohan with some pause, "he's away...for the moment."

     From her seat, Rahne noticed a picture on a cabinet. It showed a cheerful man who closely resembled Gohan, with large spiky hair. "Is that yuir pa?"

     When Gohan said yes, the gang asked for a handout to see this image. The girls were especially sharp in this notice. Tenchi, however, found interest in the name Son Goku. It had a resemblance to something he heard long ago.

     Just then, Chichi carried in a giant bowl of rice, astounding everyone. Shan went deathly pale at this large amount. She didn't feel like eating.

     The woman dropped the bowl on the table. "Can someone run into the kitchen and get me some bowls?"

     Tenchi, Rahne, and Amara got to their feet, getting the needed utensils.

     Sam's face squeezed at the result they had. Looked like chopsticks again.

     As the sticks and bowls were being handed out, Magneto made an exception. His fingers waved: Solid particles suddenly materialized, coming together to form a metal spoon.

     Chichi definitely noticed this. Not another fighter! She saw other things as well: the black chair zoomed out a black hand that grabbed one of the bowls handed out, bringing it to those seated on it. Then the curly blonde stood up from her normal seat and burst into flames. Her bowl instantly spouted steam. "Does anyone wish steamed rice?" Amara's question got some orders as well as some giggles. Conversing in the Japanese language, the word 'steamed rice' could be translated into 'Gohan.'

    "Alright!" Chichi took center stage with a face of suspicion. "What's the big deal?"

    Dani got up. She had given up on discretion. The friends Gohan had were no less weird for any worry. "Mrs. Son, we're mutants."

     Chichi repeated the word, without understanding it. Kuririn decided to be broader.

"From what they've told me, a mutant is a person who has powers."

     The hostess made a sigh. She just knew it was too good to be true. Can't she have any normal people come to her house? At least most of them looked ordinary- with the silver-haired man being a class of his own- tall, dark, and handsome. She could accept him for being attractive.

     "Don't tell me," the mother spoke with a dour prediction. "Y'all are trainin' for some Budokai?"

     "Tha's na true," answered Rahne. "We train at school."

     Chichi's eyes lit up on the mention of that magic word. It held such promise and ambition. "Did ya say…school?" she asked with strength to that word.

     "Yep," answered Doug. "The School for Gifted Youngsters."

     "I am their Headmaster," Magneto described himself.

     Chichi closed her hands together, praying for hope. "Does y'r school teach math?"

     "Yes," said Doug.

     The hostess' eyes bulged, her smile growing. "Science!?"

     "Yes."

     "History!?" Chichi's voice squeaked in ecstasy. This scared the mutants worse than the Demon Bear, but Doug still gave a nod.   

     The hostess threw her arms with excitement. "Well, why didn't ya say so?" She threw herself on Gohan, who acted a little nervous at this sudden embrace. "My son's gettin' an education as well. So good there are some kids who know the importance. Too bad Gohan also has t' train."

     "Didn't you just forget your question?" Illyana gave a prickling mention, getting Chichi's notice. "We said our school both teaches us the basics and trains us on how to use our powers to their best ability."

     "An' that means a lot o' trainin'." Sam added.

     "So, those clothes you're all wearing are your uniforms?" asked Kuririn rather belatedly. Everyone nodded.

     Chichi, temporarily delusional, suddenly grew disappointed at the reality. Kuririn didn't help matters by his comment, "That's my kind of school." Worse, Gohan asked if he could go there.   

     "Sorry kid," answered Doug. "I'm afraid it's a little too far from your home."

     "Presently closed because the main body is trapped here." Magneto grimly noted.

     "That's where I think I can help you," answered Kuririn enthusiastically. Putting his hand inside his Gi, he took out a small device. He then flaunted it around. "This is a radar."

     "And?" questioned Illyana.

     Kuririn's face turned scarlet. "Well...this radar can detect Dragon Balls."

     "Like Illyana said," quoted Dani, "And?"

     "Dragon Balls," repeated Kuririn. "They are seven magical balls which, if grouped together, can summon a magical dragon that can grant a wish."

     Gohan caught on. "I get it! The New Mutants can wish themselves home with the Dragon Balls."

     The newcomers grew intrigued at this outrageous news. They never heard about these things, but anything that can get them back home (with no stops) was okay with them. Everyone huddled over at Kuririn, making the short man a little antsy.

     "Do you think that'll work?" asked Tenchi.

     "The Dragon Shenlong can do anything!" answered Gohan with such optimism that there was no point to disbelieve him. The gang had been completely won over by this young boy. Unfortunately, this friendly affection made Dani all the more wary for the boy, especially what hovered over him.

     Warlock elongated an eye upon the radar, attempting to study its powers. Kuririn's forehead really started to sweat. From behind, Chichi asked a question. "Isn't that Buruma's radar?"

     The bald man's tense attitude increased. He had wanted to use the radar for an adventure with Gohan, Piccolo, and Goku, sort of a brief respite before the Androids came. Originally, he was going to get Buruma as well (after all, it was her radar). However, she wasn't at the Capsule Corporation. The robot servants said that the Briefs were all on vacation. However, the device was still there (and she must have millions of them by now).

     "Yes it is," smiled Kuririn. "I'm...borrowing it."

     "So what do these Dragon Balls look like?" asked Doug.

     As it so happened, Kuririn possessed one under his Gi. He was about to reveal it to all when a recognizable Ki hit him off guard. It would not have been so shocking if the owner did not emit something upsetting.

     Warlock, Magneto and Psylocke noticed it as well. Gohan was the most active about it.  

===

     From outside, Piccolo caught the Ki as well. Like the others, he noted difference. There was the potential of danger, the Namekian understood. He had been suspicious of this for a while. His instincts demanded a full aggression. His emotions, however, kept him in his place. This person was Gohan's sire, and an ally. The Namekian would be pacifist...for now.

     His pointy ears caught the shrieks of Brightwind. The creature felt upset.

===

     A man walked into the house. To many he had different interpretations. Rival, ally, friend, husband, and father.

     To most of the young girls, this man was one thing: Hot stuff!

     As the figure approached them, Dani, Illyana, and Amara were dazzled at such a perfect specimen of man. His muscled arms, his rounded shoulders, his large knees zapped them from doing anything but stare and speak raves.

      "By Jove," Amara whispered in a hypnotic spell. "He takes after a statue of Apollo come to life!"

    "Yum!" smiled Illyana. She wondered if the guy was wearing anything under that armored codpiece. It was an action that caused her to quickly cringe, as Tenchi was probably watching her! Good job, girl; embarrass yourself in front of your boyfriend! (Quite accurately, Tenchi was shocked at her vocal reply).

     Rahne tried very hard to keep a straight, moral view of this figure. But her vocal comment, "He's verra handsome," betrayed her true regard. She allowed it to blind a keen sense that something wasn't right.

     Dani didn't allow her senses to be so ignored. The weird suit of armor this parent was wearing enforced her intuition into full throttle. She remembered that Gohan's fear image wore those same trappings. In fact, except for the hairstyles, this Goku and the warrior of her illusions looked exactly alike. Biting on her ungloved thumb, Dani had a bad idea about this.

      The elder of the female New Mutants, Shan also kept a clear head. Betsy did as well, though she had telepathy to back her aversion. Though respective to not give a mind probe, her sensitive mind nevertheless picked up some wayward strong tones, bordering to the negative. Magneto too was becoming suspicious by his own study. He had to be, for the protection of his students might be insured on his own vigilance.

     The visitor took a good look at all in the room. With a sigh, he made a definition of these garishly dressed children: lowlifes! Moving his boorish glance around, his eyes stopped at the blonde at the table. There was something dark about her Ki that sent all around her to shame…including, to his displeasure, himself.

     Kuririn was puzzled. This man was Goku, his best friend. But here was a contrast to his memories of the man- a scary contrast. It started with the fact that Goku was wearing a suit of Saiya-jin armor and boots like the one Kuririn wore in Namek. The monk then realized a past memory. A week ago, the house where he lived with Kamesennin had been burgled. He, the Turtle master, and Umigame the turtle were away when this occurred. To their relief, nothing of value was taken, but looking at Goku now, Kuririn realized what was really stolen. Also noted was the Nyoi-Bo tied behind his back.

     Any cosmetics, however, were made a minimal concern by Goku's face. Gone were the eyes that looked with honesty. The pupils were so tense, that no matter the emotion directing them, they glared. His soft mouth, once of a well nature, had been replaced by an intense pursing of lips, hard and cold. By now the rest of the girls had gotten over their blindness to notice the dark expressions signaling forth. Along with the boys, they wondered if this was a bad sign. Only Gohan and Chichi possessed some experience, despite the fact that those earlier memories now looked dull in comparison to the present image. The hostess felt feelings of inadequacy mixed with concerned resolve. Goku looked at her with a flinch.

     "Uh...dad?" Gohan nervously smiled, looking at this person who seemed different from the man he loved. "We met these people."

      Goku said nothing. Even though Gohan faced him, the father's face looked away in refusal to the boy's appearance. Everyone took notice of this. Dani started to feel a warning was coming. Her ethical nature, however, calmed her down. This guy was Gohan's father, she reasoned. Nothing lethal. Right?

      Roberto glared on, slowly eating his rice. He used his own experiences as a source; He had a hunch on what this father-and-son reunion could mean.

     "Yeah, buddy." Kuririn continued Gohan's explanation. "You should have seen the battle we had with them."

     "I did," Goku snapped in a cold hush. "I lost all remaining respect from Piccolo after that."

     Kuririn and Gohan were shocked by this.

     Goku then viewed the group with a looked of sinister intention. "If I were him, and I'm not," he grinned. "I would have granted no mercy. All of you would be dead."

     As can be predicted, this line brought out some reactions. Chopsticks were dropped.

Chewed rice was spit out. Others looked on with new suspicion. "Well, there goes the conversation!" Doug ad-libbed.

     "How can you speak of Piccolo like that!" cried Gohan. "You asked him to spar with you weeks ago!"

     Goku's head remained steadfast, his voice became softer, but he did not reply to this question. "But Piccolo did not go all the way. I once respected that Namekian. Not anymore. He's inferior like everyone else in this world. He thought a piece of shit was a more suitable training partner."

      Rahne covered her mouth at this profanity. Chichi nearly dropped the bowl she was pouring rice on. Magneto, Dani, Roberto, Sam, and Illyana increased their vigilance.  Everyone knew whom Goku was speaking about...especially the intended target. Gohan felt a hard twist in his reacting emotions. His thoughts repeated: Did his own father call him that? Did his own father call him that?

     With lips squeezed together in rage, Chichi shoved the bowl of rice to her husband's direction, glaring daggers at him.

     Goku ignored this, although his smile dropped nevertheless. "Woman, this table's a mess, like the whole place. It's full of shit, like that!" He pointed straight at Gohan.

     Tension skyrocketed with shock. "He canna mean that t' his own child?" whispered Rahne. "How could he?" 

    "I wish I knew," Roberto strongly answered with knowledge on the situation. The knowledge made him angrier.

    Chichi, however, knew what she was doing. She didn't want her son hurt anymore. "Gohan, please go to your room," she quickly responded.

    Now, it must be known that since the battle with Vejita almost five years before, Gohan would disagree with his mother's orders. Today, however, he found his choices in synch with hers; he really didn't want to stay here. Bursting with depressive emotion, he forced them back with a courage that impressed many. Psylocke noticed the deep pain he was emitting. And yet her sensitive mind picked up pain in Goku as well. Pain…with a sharp explosion of anger. She didn't need to read his mind to know aggression was building. 

     As soon as Gohan left, the Saiya-jin sat down on the boy's seat, grabbing the bowl Chichi was about to throw away. He ate in the silence around him, his chewing the only sound. He failed to notice everyone staring at him. Chichi stood next to him, her eyes closed, but her mouth grimaced. Incredibly, Kuririn accepted this from Chichi. Goku had definitely acted outside of himself.

     Roberto broke the silence by standing up. "I am deeply sorry, mademoiselle," he addressed boorishly while putting the bowl on his chair, "but it appears I lost my appetite." He then walked straight to Gohan's room. Rahne, Doug, and Warlock closely followed. These last two exited by the alien-chair moving his/its buddy (Betsy remained in the room). Doug noted some shakiness, not from the movements.

      "GOHANFRIEND'S- sire- AFFECTING- self's- MEMORIES." Warlock whispered. "Goku- PARALLELS- lifeglow- TERMINATING- magus!"  

===

    Gohan ran to his room, shutting the door behind him. Leaning against it, the boy kept the mask of a straight face. It started to crack as the pain elevated.

     No, Gohan made a demand. He was not going to cry! Piccolo would be disappointed. He couldn't cry like a baby, no matter how hurt he was by the truth. Gohan's struggle was one where no fault could be found in surrender; no child should be hated by the parent. However, it was clear that Gohan's father hated him. He proved it today with that label. It hurt. It hurt so much. The wound was worse than those sustained from Reacoom, Vejita, or Freeza. It was worse because it came from someone whom Gohan loved. The one who played with him, who laughed with him, who carried him on his back or arm. The rich thoughts Gohan made soon faded with the present, where he saw that person change from a father who loved him, into a father who couldn't stand his son's presence. As said before, no one could guilt Gohan for crying over this. Yet, Gohan didn't cry. He just cringed on the floor, his face buried on his knees, his mouth slurring, "It's not supposed to be like this!" 

     A knock at the door came. Gohan sucked up his gut. He did not want anybody to see him like this. 

     Moving the door to a crack, he saw Roberto's face.

    "May I please come in?" the visitor spoke like a friend. Gohan opened the door all the way. He kept a strong face, but closed his eyes so not to expose any weakness.

     Roberto entered the room with Rahne, Doug, and that Warlock creature. Gohan did not want everybody to come in to his room at this moment, but he could not be rude.

    The four took a good look at the room: Full of maps, books, and a desk. It was like a classroom. "Nice pad," said Doug.

     Gohan looked down at himself. "Thank you," he choked. Roberto saw this and kneeled beside him.

     "Hey shorty," he spoke, "Don't think bad of yourself."

      Warlock agreed. "GOHANFRIEND'S- distress- SIMILAR- to- SELF. Feelings- OF- isolation- INADEQUATE- considering- EVIDENCE- of- SELFFRIEND'S- abilities-AND- courage!"

     Gohan's sad eyes blurted at the weird articulate language Warlock had given him. Still, he strongly thanked him for the kind gesture (whatever that meant).

     Doug continued this. "Yeah, you're a great kid."

     "You saved my life, ye wee lad," added Rahne, a firm posture with a fist to her chest.

     The sentiment did not effect Gohan's depression, but he was no longer in an isolated defense. He looked up to these kids. "You think so?"

      Suddenly, screaming came from the other room. One of the declarations was the word abomination. Doug and Roberto kept a grim resolve. Rahne pressed her fist to her mouth.

     "Sure you're great!" Roberto smiled right back at Gohan. "You're a lot better than that swine."

     That label gave Gohan a strong reaction. "Don't speak to my father that way!" the boy defended, surprising Roberto and Doug. Rahne looked at the boy, studying his attempts at stoicism, but sensing his inner turmoil. Her own turmoil also grew. Rahne felt so like Gohan: This boy was hated by the one who raised him, just like the Reverend who despised her. Gohan's father must think of him as an affront to God, a similar label Reverend Craig gave to Rahne. How could their own existences be so unpopular?

    Rahne's face started to twist and squeeze as the similarities continued. This child must be going through the worse, and yet trying hard to be strong, like her…

    The girl's face broke out into tears. For so long she tried to be strong, but that resolve was now failing her. The pressure and suppression of everything since Larry Bodine's death broke forth. She couldn't stop it, pressing her hands to her face. She cried and cried.

    Gohan didn't understand why Rahne was suddenly crying. She had no reason to feel awful. His father's hatred was only on himself. His new friends, however, understood. As Rahne kneeled with sobbing tears, they hovered around her, pressing hands of consolation. Gohan, his own plight suddenly forgotten (only for a second) by this girl's, wished he could do something to help.

   Suddenly, Rahne's face flinched into an animal's mask. "A scent! Somethin's bad 'bout t' happen!" she shrieked with a growl and eyes of piercing alarm.

===    

     "Dear!" Chichi spoke to her husband, in such a voice that any higher pitch would be screaming. "That wasn't...a nice thing...t'...say...t'...our...son!"

    "That's not my son!" Goku lashed out in a loud scream, a nerve having been pulled. The man stood right back up, upsetting his chair. "Saiya-jins are pure!" His finger pointed to Gohan's room. "That...thing's a shit! An abomination! Its breeding corrupts the purity of my race! It doesn't deserve to live!"

     Everyone witnessed this scene with great concern, but Magneto was the most effected. As he looked on, a degree of memory poured forth. He looked at Chichi; she was backing away, her face one of fright. It gave the Headmaster grim analysis: Here was a woman who probably spent years with this man she called husband. Now, as her face represented, that husband had changed from a comforting presence into something foul. Looking at Goku, Magneto's thoughts grew troubled at the fierce person before him; did he once look like that in the eyes of Magda, that night when fear took her away from him?

    The situation was turning somewhere. Tenchi knew what the destination was. He was angry at Goku's treatment on Gohan. His own father never treated him like that. However, Tenchi put aside his homesickness due to the expected dread; the boy knew enough from his experiences with Ryoko and Ayeka what might occur. It was his luck he was sitting right next to the chief. "Dani," he whispered to the girl's ear. "I think it's time to lea-"

      "What're you babbling 'bout!" The host's voice interrupted this conversation. "Speak up!"      

     Dani, Tenchi, and Illyana stood up (as did Sam, Amara, and Shan, with Magneto ordering discretion). "It's none of your business," Dani bellowed each word as if she had the ability to strike him down with such vocabulary.

     Magneto honored his student's courage, but not her hot-headedness. "Danielle, I believe-"

    "I wasn't speaking to you," cried Goku out loud, his glares locked on Dani.

    "That's funny," Dani kept her defiance. "The same goes for you!"

     Tenchi covered his face. He should have known better than to convince strong-willed females to leave quietly after being pressured!

    The man of the house started gritting his teeth; this girl had more spunk than that wimp she was talking to; he hated that. However, his resolve stilled on the blonde with the dark Ki. This girl's cold stare entered the Saiya-jin, providing a shock; this inferior human appeared more ruthless than he was. That was inexcusable, although… 

    Kuririn tried to calm his friend down. He liked that Goku had gotten his own back with Chichi, but these other acts were disturbing. "Now, now Goku, buddy-"

     "I'm not Goku!" hollered the Saiya-jin, silencing Kuririn.

     Magneto slowly moved to the remaining students. Danger was imminent. He knew well from the look of this man's face: he possessed such fiery zeal himself. With a magnetic pull, the high seat that carried Luna moved to Karma, who grabbed her out of it. Luna started squealing.

      The Saiya-jin continued in his harsh reprisal, his fists and arms shaking with fury.

"Son Goku?" he spoke in revulsion. "That name's so stupid! It's not who I really am. I'm not some lousy earthling! I'm a Saiya-jin! My name is Kakarrotto!"

     The last sentence was screamed with a long rhythm. It scared Kuririn. The declaration hit him into a freezing position of realization: one of the kindest, gentlest persons he knew had become a monster! His numb hand let go of the radar, which fell from its discreet place under the table into a noisy landing. Kakarrotto's eyes spotted it. His eyes went into surprise. In his own realization, that device was a gift from the heavens. It shall be his!

     Magneto also realized the machine's importance, as to the fact that the table was rimmed with metal. As the rims twisted, the furniture's wooden base snapped in segments as the table surrounded Kakarrotto. The frozen Kuririn fell over while the others moved away. The frame splintered with a huge fist. Another arm went from under the upset furniture, grasping for the object.

     Everyone grew defensive. Magma erupted her dormant powers, firing a plasma blast at the table. Light-Ken and Magik brandished their swords. Sam jumped for his cannonball position, but Magneto stopped him with an energy shield. Xavier had given him responsibility for these students. Psylocke and Mirage tried contacting the others from the other room. They informed them to get outside, with Mirage wishing firm action to Gohan's safety.

     Suddenly, the walls of the room shattered open. Behind the collapse of stone and plaster came Brightwind and Piccolo. The former contrasted behavior with the latter. The horse was frenzied. The Namekian was calm but resolute.

     Flying quickly, Piccolo threw a fist that almost impacted with Kakarrotto's face. The Namekian damned himself for ignoring the signs given to him in the past. Goku's sudden seriousness to Gohan brought no interest (he gave worse statements to Gohan). Goku's encouragement that Piccolo desert Gohan brought suspicion, but nothing was done about it. The tattered Gi and the suddenly high Ki detections were also clues, but he did nothing. Only the declaration of Goku's new title finally pushed Piccolo into the offensive. Meanwhile, Dani's mind-link brought the horse, who threw his bashing hooves on the Saiya-jin's back; it had no effect. The animal jumped upon him, but its weight failed to bring the fighter down.

     This battle had its witnesses. Mirage added Brightwind to her worries. Magik, however, was intrigued at the way the Pegasus was sitting on Kakarrotto. "Didn't Catherine the Great die that way?" she joked.

     "That's disgusting!" cried Psylocke, knowing what the girl meant. Not wishing to do nothing, she fired a psi-blast. This was when Kakarrotto was ready to throw an unavoidable fist on the Namekian. The blast stopped his arm enough for Piccolo to throw his, with more successful effect. It was all she could do for the moment; she had to devote her psychic senses to know Doug's safety.

     Magneto used his magnetic abilities, attracting Chichi and Kuririn by their iron blood cells. Then he created a shield that levitated himself, Chichi, Kuririn, and his students out of the house.

     "We got to help them!" cried Magma.

     "You will not have a chance!" warned Magneto.

     Chichi was insanely confused at this sudden change of events. However, her priority was on Gohan. Seeing no sign of her son caused her to overreact. Psylocke's revelation that he was okay fell on deaf ears. Chichi was about to rush it. Seeing this, both Dani and the normal Amara grabbed her.

     "Lemme go!" screamed Chichi. Her muscled arms flew up in excited alarm, lifting her surprised captors with them. They still held on, but with a lessening grip. Luckily Karma knew what to do. She triggered her powers, merging with the mother's mind, taking full possession. This ability enabled her to speak through Chichi's mouth and voice. "Whoa! What a will this gal has!"

     "We may need your power later," ordered Mirage. "Break contact now." In that instant, Dani pinched the woman's neck. Chichi then fainted.

    Kuririn was surprised at the ease this kid took down Chichi. He felt useless in doing nothing, but did he want to fight his best friend? 

     Looking from the outside, no one could see the fight under that dust, the crashing noises, and the rubble. Nearby was a large black shape that could only be Warlock. Psylocke stated that it held Doug and the others. That brought relief to Mirage, until she saw Gohan tear through that shape.

     Mirage freaked out. "That kid's gonna get killed!"

     Don't worry, said the psi-voice of Psylocke. As Gohan flew back into the house, he screamed. Grabbing his head, he fell to the elongated arms of Warlock.

     A pillar of fire erupted from the house's roof. From its fires, Kakarrotto flew out. He hovered in a dirty appearance. He then looked at the company surrounded by Warlock. With an enraged face, he threw his hands straight down upon the house. His hands shoved what was left of the roof straight down to its foundation. He paused at this. He did not understand why he bothered to come to this place, but the radar, which he now had in a sack on his belt, made it all worthwhile.

     Throwing a finger to his forehead, Kakarrotto vanished. Magneto then felt a turn in the magnetic fields in that area. He felt the Saiya-jin's body break up into molecules, then disappear.

    The roof exploded with a second burst of energy. This time Piccolo came out, equally in a battle-experienced shape. Brightwind also broke free from the roofing. Freed from Magneto's shield, Dani embraced her steed. "Good job, boy!" she gave the horse credit for holding his own.

     Piccolo asked grimly about Kakarrotto. Kuririn said he used Shunkan Idou.

     "What is that tactic?" asked Magneto.    

     "It is a technique where one can instantly teleport himself to another place by contact with another's Ki." Kuririn amounted sadly. "He might be at another part of the world with the radar."

     "Are you sure of that?" smiled Magneto. He stretched his arms. Suddenly, the radar went flying from the rubble and into his hand. Kuririn and Piccolo reacted with stunned surprise.

     "While Kakarrotto's attentions were devoted elsewhere," explained the Headmaster. "I magnetically switched the radar with some object. He never bothered to check what he was possessing."

     He expected gratitude, but Piccolo's enraged face surprised him. "You fool! That means he will be coming back once he gets a hold of our Ki!"

     Magneto just turned back to the ruined house. "Everyone inside!"

     This simple invitation shocked the Namekian. "Are you insane?!"

     The back of Magneto faced Piccolo while talking. "If this…Ki," he emphasized the new word, "is detected by one's senses, then we have no fear."

    Piccolo vibrated his rage at that smug answer. However, his attention was diverted when Warlock unwrapped his/its large package, revealing an unconscious Gohan in Roberto's arms.

     While Piccolo remained at his spot, Dani and Kuririn ran to the boy. "What's a matter with Gohan?" asked the latter.

     "Nothing." assured Psylocke. "I just used my telepathy on him."

     "I thought you could read minds," questioned a puzzled Kuririn.

     "A telepath can do a manner of things besides that. One is zapping one's mind to the point of knocking them unconscious."

     This gave the bald monk some major pondering. He never thought of telepathy being more than just reading a person's mind.

      Magneto raised his voice. "I repeat, everyone inside! This is an order!"

===

     A truck drove through a deserted region. Its driver moved his vehicle with little expectation of meeting anyone. Racing through his path in the required speed, he predicted no one to be on the road.

     Suddenly, a figure appeared on the upcoming road. The truck driver flinched in reaction, turning the steering wheel to the utmost left direction. This abrupt turn caused the vehicle to turn off the road. A quick stamp on the brakes slowed the truck down. Several deep breaths and sweat drops from the driver were the result of this stop. It blended quickly with an enraged idea over the idiot who caused this. Turning the rear-view mirror, the driver saw that the idiot was still standing at the middle of the road. That was good, thought the driver. Time to rearrange his face!

     "You asshole!" screamed the driver. He swiftly jumped out of the car, stomping his feet toward the man. This target remained like a statue. "Where were you when they handed out the brains?!"

      His words paid no effect to the person, who to the driver's notice, was dressed in some kind of bathing suit.

     The driver called again. "Aren't you listening to me, moron?"

     The effect was more successful, as the man's face turned with cold stares. The driver found himself taken aback by this expression- it was like he was facing a tiger ready for the kill. However, the guy refused to back down. "What the hell were you thinking, standing here on the road?"

     The idiot's arm magically appeared out of nowhere, grabbing the driver's shirt. The arm closed back, pulling the driver closer to the man's evil face. This brought a silence.

    This stranger then raised his other arm to the truck. The hand at the end of the limb glowed. A ray of light then flashed at this target. The vehicle exploded into a smoky mushroom, shrapnel and pieces flying everyplace.

    The driver squeaked a small weezing from his lips. He was going to die! This was further proved when the destroyer's face stared closer at him with those angry, seething eyes. The mouth opened. The driver wondered if fire was going to come out of it. It did not, but his word, Run, had enough firepower on its own to shudder him.

     The grip released its content. The man's legs gave way and dropped to the floor. With a scream, the driver crawled, than used his legs for his escape, hoping that he could escape from whatever this madman planned to do with him.

      Kakarrotto smiled at this escapade. He felt relieved. It must be good to see such fear performed by his power. This planet should get to know its new master with such tribute. It was the only good thing that happened in a day full of failures. He should have killed those lowlifes. Oh, how he wanted to prove his faith to his heritage! One giant explosion would have destroyed them, the house, everything. No remains. That was what Nappa did, and Kakarrotto was greater than him. But he did not. He also would have beaten Piccolo and that horse, but a scream took his attention elsewhere. It was that shit. He wanted to see what had happened to that obscenity. Maybe he died? That was something worth suspending his fight with the Namekian.

    But to his disappointment, Kakarrotto saw the shit unhurt, sensing its unconscious state. He was angry, and yet he ran away, locating this human's insignificant Ki to perform the Shunkan Idou. Why was this so? Maybe it was a disappointment that the shit looked unharmed. Yes, thought Kakarrotto, that was it. What else besides death would make that abomination be worth this warrior's notice?

     Then a clearer understanding was made. He realized that the explosion would have been an unworthy thing to do. All of them were weak. Not one of them was worthwhile for a battle that would end with the opponent's utter destruction and his own complete victory.

     There was promise of that in the future, when those Androids came. It was all foretold by that shit from the future (Seemed Vejita proved just as incapable in enforcing the purity of their race, seeing how that bitch Buruma tricked him). Anyway, those robots would be worth a battle.

     There was something else that freak told him. He was going to die soon. What a joke that was! Kakarrotto felt perfectly in health. It had to be some mistake. Vejita's shit must be stupid. Looked like incompetent retardation was yet another reason why one should not breed with inferior races. This Saiya-jin was sure he would not die, and just in case, those Dragon Balls would be his insurance. It was weird that he never thought of going into a search for those orbs until now. At any rate, he now had the power to get them.

    Kakarrotto pulled out the sack. His face happily looked for the contents inside. The smile fell when he saw a metal disc.

    His surroundings were about to suffer even more.

===

     Piccolo remained in his stature. What madness did that Magnetic fool think he was doing? It would be better for all of them to simply fly away before Kakarrotto returned. It was the best choice, except that one act of Ki would be enough for the Saiya-jin to summon Shunkan Idou to any path they took. The best tactic in Piccolo's mind was to play decoy for the migration, slowing down the Saiya-jin while the others escaped (a thought both intriguing and hopeless).        

     Piccolo looked at the house before him. All of a sudden, any sense of Ki auras dropped. The Namekian tensed at this unusual action. Was Ki-suppression within these strangers' ability after all?

    The ground started to rumble, sounds of rubbing squeaked through Piccolo's all-too sensitive ears. The house started levitating, ripping through the pipes and earth mounds connected to its foundation. Like an elevator, the house shot up into the air, increasing its vertical level. In quick seconds, the foundation that was larger than Piccolo shrunk into the sky before his very eyes.

===

    "So this is Mother Earth."

     Such words were spoken with awe in Amara's voice. Being raised in a place where aircrafts or photography did not exist, only a globe at her present school gave her the understanding of what her native planet really looked like. Now she saw it. Viewing the hemisphere and its vast waters and land, she felt a special connection. Not incredible for a mutant whose powers came from this planetary surface.

     Although her comrades lacked that power, their reactions were equal nonetheless. The original five mutants (with Illyana) had seen it all before, with little jadedness to affect their present view. Tenchi found to his interest that his constant space travels did not dim the wonders he saw. He was glad the team could see it with him, especially Illyana.

      Standing left to him, that name spoke his case. "Pretty, isn't it?"

      Tenchi nodded with a smile. His arm found its way around the girl's left shoulder. She touched it with her own hand. This moment was special for the both of them. They hoped there would be more of these.

      Unfortunately, the peace was broken by their teammates butting into business not their own. "Get a room you two," Dani joked with a smile. 

      Kuririn was full of gaping at the empty void of space outside of this house. Gohan remained on the couch near his mother. His brain felt so achy, despite Betsy's attempts to alleviate her damage to it. Some of the Mutants encouraged Gohan to join them in sight-seeing, but the boy turned them down. He did view Magneto, standing quite sound, with his hands behind his caped back. He seemed so much like Piccolo.

     Magneto looked out at the planet Earth before him, viewing differences in the continents' shapes and positions. Such was his power to move this foundation from its spot, and it was through this ability to contain the atmosphere, protecting all from the ravages of space.

     He gave much thought about his decisions. Angry and intense pondering was unavoidable. Would he be leaving again from danger? It appeared a habit of departure was always a choice in these situations. Departure meant retreating from dangerous problems. This weighed heavily on Magneto. He had left the planet Gunsmoke, despite its potential for genocide, for his students' sake. He was responsible for them, an authority he could not shirk as much as he wished. Now he arrived on this alternate planet to witness more foreshadows of the horrors that have haunted him since childhood. Kakarrotto's words made him ill. Those words, of race purity and inferiority were ugly definitions. Words like that, and the power that supported them, could not be trivialized into coincidence. This world had a future holocaust hanging on its destiny.

     So, should he leave this world to its own fate, just like Gunsmoke? To do so again would be evil, but to stay and fight would jeopardize the lives of his students. The two oaths he made- one to prevent a repetition of Hitler's dream, and the promise to protect the school- tilted against each other. The uncertainty was so frustrating, causing the Master of Magnetism's power to strengthen the shields around this domain.

     Peering out into space, Magneto saw an anomaly floating from the hemisphere. Had Kakarrotto located him? The Headmaster sensed closer, finding no iron blood. It gave recognition. With his concentration, the shield around the house grew a long funnel that grabbed its follower, transporting him to the abode. It was the Namekian, his hands forced to his ears.

     Opening his mouth, Piccolo breathed heavily after a long suppression. His hands released his ears (which popped out according to the force pressured upon them). His eyes presented anger at Magneto.

     The Headmaster faced him without fear. "I suggest no aggression be made upon me this moment," he coldly addressed the Namekian. "Since my power is protecting us from this stratosphere, any wrong move against me could end that safety."

     Everyone within earshot knew this well. "He's kidding," asked Kuririn. "Right?"

     "With our teacher, you're never too sure," said Dani. Tenchi also feared the possible consequences. He hoped this would trigger the Light Hawk Wings, which had solved a similar problem like this before.

    With fortunate relief, the Namekian did nothing to attack except by words.

"Kakarrotto's appearance will end that safety for us."

    "I doubt that," Magneto spoke reservedly. "I am altering the magnetic field around this house, screening out any Ki from within. Our friend will detect nothing but static. Under my power, we are safe."

    The Namekian's eyebrow lifted. His fingers pulsed with energy to fire.

    "Okay, you two!" Dani broke through the space between them. "There's somethin' called 'knowin' our enemy' that we should deal with!"

     Piccolo and Magneto kept on staring. "Your pupil is correct," Piccolo said with the implied target.

    "Of course," Magneto agreed. He was the first to break the eye-lock.

    Sam moved around so he could include Kuririn, Piccolo, and Gohan into his direction. "It's about time y'all tell us the big deal here!"

===

     In the main room, the company surrounded Piccolo like an audience before the speaker. Only one person wasn't in any conscious state: Chichi lay asleep on the sofa, making Kuririn give a whispered credit to Dani ("You're welcome," said Dani, "I think."). Mostly everyone was standing. Only Shan, cradling the sleeping Luna, sat down under the watchful eye of Magneto. Dani stood with an arm around her beloved steed, bearing witness to the news. Her team also took good attention. Quite a feat considering that one part of the wall and the ceiling were wide open, giving all a rare view of the planet's horizon that only an astronaut could see.  

      Piccolo and Kuririn gave everyone information on the Saiya-jins. They gave their explanation aloud. It was originally Magneto's intention to have Psylocke probe the minds and feed the info to everyone else. Piccolo flatly refused, giving his voice instead. Once again, the New Mutants were in store for a fantastic story. The Saiya-jins were a powerful alien race known for conquering and destroying planets. Goku, or Kakarrotto, his native name, was a member of the race.

     "That figures." added Roberto.

     "Great! Another psycho we have to deal with!" said Illyana.

     "An' y' call such a man yuir friend?" cried Rahne to Kuririn.

     Kuririn looked to all with seriousness. "You don't know the whole truth. Goku was sent to Earth as a baby to destroy it, but he hit his head and got amnesia. Having lost his memories, Goku grew up a different person. Really different."

     "Interesting," said Psylocke. "This sounds like a split personality. The amnesia submerged one in place of a new one. Of course, I could be mistaken."

     "Not 'nother Legion!" cried Doug.

     "Maybe the oaf was fooling everybody from the start," said Roberto.

     The result got Gohan on his face. "Take that back!"

     Roberto's gaunt face refused. "Why are you so neutral?"

     "My dad's a hero!"

     "Open your eyes, Gohan!" Roberto looked sincerely to the boy's face. "If what Piccolo says is true, then you're father is a monster! Just like mine is."

     Gohan's angry face turned softer at the strength of this truth, a truth he knew to well. "You're...wrong!" he denied. "That can't be my father. Something's forcing him to do these things." Karma tensed up at that remark.

     Kuririn looked with a straight but serious face. "Gohan's right. I've known Goku way back. He's fought bad guys and monsters. He even saved my life a couple of times. I've never seen a better hero in all my life."

     The chance of winning over the crowd with Goku's innocence then went into Piccolo's hands. He blew it deliberately. "We must think of the present now. Goku's gone. He has reconciled to his Saiya-jin nature."

     Kuririn sadly nodded. His hands entangled themselves before his chin. "An' it doesn't take much to know what he wants." He took out from his Gi a round orange orb, with two stars imbedded within it. This revealed to all newcomers the Dragon Ball. Concentrating upon it, Magneto sensed an electromagnetic pulse.

     Piccolo also understood too well. If Kakarrotto considered himself a Saiya-jin warrior, his needs would be similar to Nappa and Vejita when they came to Earth. "He wants immortality."

     The New Mutants, previously sitting still, started to move in surprise to this incredible plan. Some said this was crazy, but Sam gave out the best question. "Can the Dragon Balls do that?"

     "It would be within their power," Piccolo spoke with experience. "They restored me of my youth."

     Kuririn solemnly agreed. "Those Dragon Balls brought me back from the dead."

     Within this fascinated silence, Sam spoke aloud as his tall, gangly form took precedence. "So tell me Piccolo, sir. Is there any more of these Saiya-jins hangin' around?"

     "Fortunately," said Piccolo, "the Saiya-jin race was wiped out in a planetary explosion."

      His face exploding in shock, Kuririn gave his thought. "What about Vejita?! What if Kakarrotto meets him?"

    "Who's Vejita?" asked Roberto.

   "Another Saiya-jin," answered Piccolo, "and a powerful one. He was Goku's opposite...once."

   Doug also grew alarmed at this info…because of the corny puns these Saiya-jin names carried. Vejita-ble and Ka-Carrot were probably just the tip of the iceberg.

   "We're doomed if those two met!" Kuririn shuddered at the possibility.

   "The chance seems moot," Piccolo remained calm. "I haven't detected the prince for a long while."

   "That's good." Kuririn blew a sigh of relief. "To answer you're question Sam, there's only two and a half Saiya-jins left in this universe."

    "A half?" Sam questioned, before he realized it was Gohan. Tenchi had already put that answer together. He felt sorry for the kid. He remembered about Grandpa's plights in Jurai as well as his own.

    "So you're half-alien, huh?" asked Doug to the silent boy. "Cool."

   "Nothing cool about it," shouted Gohan with a stern glare. "I may be part of them, but I hate the Saiya-jins!"

===    

    The combat strategy quickly broke apart soon after. Piccolo silently alienated himself. Kuririn and Gohan quickly followed, although they remained open to the group. That left some of the Mutants to deal with the present situation in silence. Sam considered it a calm before the storm.   

    Pondering was the deputy leader's job. He found this situation resembling something from Star Wars (Sam was a science fiction fan). There was a father-son rivalry, and the boy with a light saber. His mind searched for other parallels: maybe Warlock could fill in for C3PO, Kuririn could be R2D2 (short, with a shiny head), and Rahne could be Chewbacca. Wonder if that made him Han Solo? No way, the boy realized, he was too geeky. So would that make Magneto into Obi Wan Kenobe?

     O-kay, the boy reconsidered, too much thinking on that. It was time for a return to reality. If Gohan's father meant anything, the New Mutants really needed the Force on their side. The X-Men must be having it easy back home, looking after Rachel and Wolverine.

     "Yo, Sam," Dani entered his circle, "Wanna speak leader-to-leader?"

    "Sure thing," Sam nodded with arms crossed.

    "How's your arm?"

    "It's healin' quite nicely," Sam rubbed his shoulder. "More than it should. Still, it'll probably do little good in this sorry deal we're havin' now."

     "Tell me about it," Dani breathed. "Trouble's found us, 'gain."

     "Very big trouble," Sam added the adjective with perspective. "Our best chance to get back home, and it means fighting some crazy nut." He failed to mention how this was like the time they faced the Beyonder. It was his presumption that Dani felt the same way about that adventure; some things were best left unsaid.

     A second of silence passed, then Dani asked, "How's Gohan?"

     Sam replied in kind. "He's acting like a trooper," the deputy's mouth turned with discomfort, "but he must be hurtin' like hell."

     "With good reason," Dani agreed with a dash of a pale face. "His dad's practically disowned him." 

     "An' he said it t' the kid's face, at his home."

     "That fact bugs me." Dani played the detective, eyeing what was left of the Son residence. "Kakarrotto obviously hates being here, so why did he come?"

     "He'd have no reason to," Sam thought about the matter. "Scratch out gettin' the Dragon Ball radar. It 'peared like he didn't know 'bout it 'till Kuririn dropped it."

     "There's somethin' fishy 'bout this," Dani rubbed her face.

     "That's not the only thing," Sam cut to the point. "You saw somethin' 'bout that boy!" His accusation got Dani shushing him.

     "I don't want him to know about it!" The leader took precedence, her hand gestures assuring her wish for discretion. 

     Sam lowered his voice, seeing that no one was listening. "Are ya sure it's y'r valkyrie sense 'gain?"

     "I was using my illusions on him. Then this white person with a tail and purple shoulders came out of nowhere."

     Sam viewed Gohan with the eyes of sympathy. Poor kid; didn't he already go through enough? With a sigh, he took to his resolve. "Ya know we can't leave him. Hell, we can't leave this planet like this! Not this time."

     "O' course not. I keep thinkin' 'bout what Doug once said about what the New Mutants stand for. We're supposed to help kids like Gohan."

     "But ya know what we're up 'gainst."

     "Yeah, I know!" Dani sharply gave her view. "This Kakarrotto looks like a real pro, with us just high school varsity! But what's the alternative? Get the Dragon Balls and high-tail it outta here?!"

      "Just bein' realistic, chief," Sam advised. He noticed that Dani was getting a little too tense since this trip began. As though she was trying to be the best, but freaking out over every mistake. He was about to talk about that matter when Tenchi, Illyana, Warlock, and Doug joined the group.

      "So, fearless leader," said Illyana. "What now?"

     Sam spoke for Dani. "We stay here 'till this mess' over."

     "Took the words outta my mouth," Doug said with glee.

     "I agree," smiled Tenchi. "Remember when you all helped me? Gohan needs our help."

      "What do the others say?" asked Sam.

      "You know Shan," described Doug. "She'll complain, but she'll join us anyway. No way Amara's cuttin' outta here without a fight. And Roberto and Rahne are making nice with Gohan, so they're in too."

     Tenchi, Illyana, Doug, Sam, and Dani each got a techno-organic hand courtesy of Warlock. "SELF'S- here- FOR- all- SELFFRIENDS!"  

===

     The reader has read what most of the mutants thought of this twist of fate. Thus, it is mandatory that one must be aware of the thoughts of this world's residents.

      Piccolo took the situation without any sense of doubt or shock. He did not go through his native allies' predicament of "This couldn't be!" or "Why?" The past was the past. No use questioning it, since the present is what was important. And here, the present had marked Goku as a menace. Whatever he did before had to be forgotten, for today he was the enemy. It was also the future that troubled the Namekian. Kakarrotto would surely repeat the carnage Vejita and Nappa inflicted on this planet, just as Freeza threw his damaging assault on Namek. Worse, according to those insulting labels, the father might endanger the life of the son in the process. That was what truly bothered Piccolo; for the first time in two years, the upcoming threat of the Androids was not his priority.

     Being of softer stuff, Kuririn and Gohan threw themselves into the doubts that Piccolo avoided. Kuririn's heart grew pained at what had occurred to his best friend. Was Goku gone for good? Throughout his life, the monk had always seen Goku as a pinnacle and model of what was right. The guy was amazing, a contrast Kuririn thought himself inferior to. It was a flattering thing that Goku could like him with such great regard, avenging his death twice. Thus, the sudden events gave a change to dread. If a battle comes (and the experienced fighter knew there was going to be one) would he die a third time, by the hands of the avenger? However, if there were a chance Goku could be stopped for good, would he really want to play a part in that?

     Gohan looked upon the many options given to him. His father's sudden change forced him to the idea that it wasn't his father at all. It was a different man who came here today. The possibility relieved the boy; perhaps this explained his dad's disappointment in him, making it all a lie. However, this relief was mixed with worry: his father was probably in trouble. There were many reasons to dread: was his dad being brainwashed? Could Ginyu have switched bodies with his father again? Maybe it was an impostor, with his dad a prisoner somewhere? The ideas worried him with their claim to truth. But it was the truth, Gohan considered. It had to be. Despite past evidence, the son refused to believe that his father would ever hurt him again.

===    

     Even if Gohan had not been in such an intense state of mind, his keen senses would be unable to see alien eyes creeping upon him. These eyes belonged to another dimension, one that belonged neither to Earth or Limbo. The link into the focus of the demi-Saiya-jin was a giant crystal. This 'eye' was itself watched by the sight of one person. Garbed in green, she was one whose very touch could bring anyone to her world and rule.

     This woman viewed Gohan with interest. "The chooser of the slain hath placed well this one," she spoke in a cold but delightful manner. She reveled in speaking aloud, for her voice was the only sound in her death-cold void. "The inquiry shows this child's roots to be full of death and destruction. In both sire and mother, Gohan holds roots to bringers of my cause. At present, I have one other person who deserves to be dealt with my curse, but I shalt share my visions with this child as well; he hath been deemed worthy of my attentions. His destiny will be me."

===

    The house landed near a beach. It was a soft landing, and hopefully a safe one. Magneto had to ensure that. He spoke with Gohan. "Can I be given your consent to what I must do to your television set?"

     The boy nodded with some confusion. "What are you gonna do?"

     Magneto said nothing as he walked over to the now disconnected apparatus. His face meditated into deep thought. The metallic sidings of the set broke off, causing the plastic sidings to crack and break apart. The inside of the set levitated into the air before the wielder. All contents started twisting off and flying around in a scene that dazzled everyone whose eyes peered upon it. Be they wires, bolts, circuitry, or transistors; all came apart. In a scramble, these parts flew around in ringed trails, almost like a nucleus. At first, there was no cohesion or pattern, but within minutes a form was created. A new machine was created, as different and contrasting from its earlier existence. It looked like a radio, but with several transistors and tubes peeking out of its major form.

     "What is it?" asked Kuririn.

     "It's a small generator that emits a magnetic field such as the one I am presently harnessing. I've made such devices before."

      Piccolo and some of the kids had an idea of why this was created. "This is to protect the house from Kakarrotto's senses?" asked Amara. "Am I correct?"

     Magneto nodded to her correct analysis. "I could subtly change the magnetic fields permanently, but that would take longer. If we are to return to our world, getting the Dragon Balls is the priority."

    "However," added Piccolo, "you're not the only ones in need of them. We have a competitive race for the prize. We at present have the advantage to their locations and possessing one of them."

     "So we'll go get them before he does!" Dani gave her plans, to Gohan's surprise. The New Mutants were going to help him?

     Magneto glared at the context of Dani's sentence. "What do you mean we?"

     Several of the mutants wanted to speak out, but Dani was the one who stood that ground. "This is our battle too, teach."

     Magneto halted all ambition. "Indeed, but you are all novices in that regard," his reply was cold and reprimanding. "As your Headmaster, I will not send you to your deaths!"

     "We can handle ourselves pretty well," flaunted Roberto with pride.

    "Against Kakarrotto," Piccolo interrupted with a smirk, "pretty well is not enough. You will be facing the greatest fighter in this planet. But I find no reason to keep you here. If you want to die, so be it."

    Magneto glared at the Namekian for the very audacity. "These are my students, alien. It is I who will give authority."

    "Yeah right," slurred Doug.

    "However, if I wish to include any of you in this search," ordered Magneto. "Sam and Amara will accompany me. Their powers allow them the most protection. Warlock, however, will remain."

    Doug smirked. The implications for that stood out like a sore thumb!

   "What a bunch o' crap!" cried Dani, with the gang taking her side.

   "My word is final!" Magneto raised his voice. The rest of the unmentioned members remained silent. Pissed, but silent.

    "No offense sir," said Sam, "But ah wanna stay with my team."

   "I too," added Amara.

   "Naw, you two go," Dani threw her hand. "No reason why we all should stay here."

     Sam and Amara noted Dani's abrupt surrender. They read her like a book. "Well, if ya don't have a problem with it…let's go, 'Mara."

     Betsy moved out. "Then let's go!"

     Magneto gave no acceptance to this. "You stay as well, Miss Braddock."

    Betsy's face matched Dani's in refusal. "Have you forgotten my assistance in Gunsmoke?"

   "A necessity," Magneto gave his views, which sounded like an insult. "You too are inexperienced. It is best you stay."

   Betsy smirked, then groaned. Can't she do anything!

   Piccolo then grabbed the radar and walked out of the hole. "Let's go!"

   Those words made Magneto realize the alien's accompaniment. He did not like taking authority from anyone, even though this search was his idea. "Keep the radar, Piccolo," Magneto gave his assured voice. "You might need it. I won't." The Namekian's head turned, revealing his quivering eyes.

    "If you don't mind," said Kuririn, "I'll stay. Right now, the idea of fighting my best friend doesn't feel good for me."

    "I'll go!" said Gohan.

     Dani gave a sharp No.

     "Right," said another voice. It was a conscious Chichi, jumping off the sofa. "My son's goin' over my dead body!"

     Piccolo, not wishing to confront what he considered Goku's weakness, bowed to pressure. "It's best you stay, Gohan."

     With a sad disappointment, Gohan nodded. But he looked at Piccolo's eyes. It presented a different message than what his words implied. "Alright."

 ===============================================================

Annotations:

In this story, I wish to be very truthful to the continuity and the accuracy of Tenchi, DBZ, and the New Mutants. I've hoped to be on target with the powers and abilities, but I understand that some people might have doubts on this. So, I wish to verify my portrayals with evidence.

From chapter 1: Training halted: Who are these people?

1. Piccolo's ability to duplicate himself is not in the manga, but has occurred in the anime. If the guy can regenerate limbs, increase his size, and stretch his limbs, he can certainly split into two like Tenshinhan.

2. Magneto manipulated the magnetic fields of his Earth to limit the range of Professor Xavier's telepathic powers in UNCANNY X-MEN#113.

3. Wolfsbane possesses a mind rapport with Mirage whenever she is in wolf form. She transforms into human when unconscious.

4. The Dragon Ball language. Since the language of the manga and anime are mostly in Japanese, then Japanese is their language.

4. Magneto's magnetic powers are such that he can manipulate people by the iron fibers within a person's red blood cells, which is how he was able to pull Kuririn and Gohan from their cliff (Piccolo, however, has green blood cells, which makes him immune). He can also manipulate electricity (UNCANNY X-MEN#104), and lift boulders by their iron ore (NEW MUTANTS#40). He can also rearranged his ferrous-material costume. He could do the same to Piccolo (his cape and turban, being weighted, would have to be made from some metallic substance).  

5. Warlock is able to become a power suit for Cypher, as first seen in NEW MUTANTS SPECIAL EDITION#1.

6. Mirage can enter a person's mind and create an illusion of that person's fears or desires. Also, as a Valkyrie (from NM SPECIAL EDITION#1), Mirage sees the death image of a person soon to die (the form of the image is based on what that victim considers to personify death).

6. Piccolo's antannaes can project energy. He did this feat in the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai (DRAGONBALL Manga Vol. 16).

7. Psylocke can telepathically manipulate a person's sense of perception. Now one can say that Piccolo, sharing a double psyche with Nail, would be immune to telepathy like the X-Man Rogue. However, it seems this immunity is only limited to mind probes. Psylocke was able to manipulate Rogue's sense of perception in UNCANNY X-MEN#217.

8. Magik's Soulsword can harm magical beings. Piccolo is the dark side of Kami-sama mystically removed and existing separately. Therefore, he is vulnerable to the Soulsword. The weapon is intangible to any nonmagical person or objects.

9. Magma can summon a volcano anywhere. She summoned one inside the school in NM#14. I would believe that Piccolo's invulnerable against a molten onslaught, but Magma doesn't know that.

10. Magneto's force field can protect itself against molten lava (UXM#112).

11. A telepath like Psylocke is able to give a person the ability to understand a language (Professor Xavier did the same for the second group of X-Men).

Chapter 2: A shocking visitor! Is that you, Son Goku?

1. The song Cypher was crooning was the theme to The Greatest American Hero, "Believe it or Not." Music and Lyrics by Mike Post and Stephen Geyer.

2. The Tenchi-Ken possesses two gems of immense power.

3. Power Pack is a group of kids possessing powers given to them by an alien. They are all younger than the New Mutants.

4. Luna, Magneto's granddaughter, is one part Inhuman. The Inhumans are vulnerable to the polluted air of their Earth. Although its not exactly known if Luna has an immunity, being a baby, I've decided to play it safe by saying the DB Earth has a cleaner atmosphere than our own.

5. Since the Mutants are speaking in Japanese, they're referring to their names in the Asian custom of their surnames first.

6. Magneto has the ability to create and change ferrous objects. He created a metal comb in SECRET WARS#4, and has restored massively damaged machines in UXM#150 and NM#36. This is similar to Turbo's ability to reconstruct a DB radar in DRAGONBALL Vol. 7.

7. Magneto was once much older than he is now. However, he was transformed into a baby (DEFENDERS#14), than rejuvenated into a younger man in his prime (UXM#104).

8. Note that I've kept Kuririn from seeing Buruma (who at this point of the story is probably seven months pregnant). This is to keep in faith to the DBZ continuity that no one but Goku, Yamucha, and Piccolo will know about her having a child before the day of the Androids' arrival. Also, I've decided to keep Vejita out of this story as well (Let's say he's in space somewhere- as the anime suggests- learning to become a SSJ). Goku, Kuririn, Gohan, and Piccolo aren't supposed to see him until the Androids Saga either.

9. The Saiya-jin armor Kakarrotto wears is indeed the one Kuririn wore on Namek. Like the New Mutants' uniforms, the armor can expand to fit anyone (also, I think the hole where Freeza stabbed through Kuririn was removed when the monk was resurrected).

10. Even when not in wolfen form, Rahne possesses a keen sense (NM#45).

11. Larry Bodine was a mutant the team met at a Spring mixer. Scared of being an outcast when his secret was revealed, Larry killed himself. The suicide affected Rahne A LOT (in my fanfics TENCHI THE NEW MUTANT and MUTANTS IN GUNSMOKE).

12. Brightwind is an Asgardian Horse. His hide and its strength would be tough enough to break through a wall.

13. Illyana's comment about Kakarrotto and Brightwind is based on the myth that Catherine the Great died while attempting intercourse with a horse.

14. Shunkan Idou (Goku's ability to teleport) can only work if he's able to detect a Ki in the destination.

15. Magneto has time and again been able to carry large houses into space. In UXM#112, he carried a circus wagon. In X-MEN#2 (Vol. 2), he lifted a bungalow larger than the Son House into the stratosphere. Also, if he's capable of screening out any telepathic sensors magnetically, he can easily block out the detection of his Ki from anyone.

16. I'm willing to believe that Piccolo can survive the ravages of space in a longer period than any normal human.

17. Tenchi was able to withstand the ravages of space through the power of the Light Hawk Wings in Tenchi Muyo OVA 2 Episode 2, "Zero Ryoko."   

18. At the same time of this storyline, the X-Men are undergoing one of their toughest battles as seen in UXM#207-209. Read my timelines in TENCHI THE NEW MUTANT.

NEXT TIME: Hey, this is Kuririn speaking! I can't believe my best friend's now a bad guy! Still, it's best that we find the Dragon Balls before he does. While Piccolo and Magneto search with their party, the other New Mutants do their own search, with me in tow. That girl Illyana's pretty hot! What does she see in Tenchi?