The Kakarrotto Saga
Chapter 4: Gohan discovers his Father! The Shocking Realization!
By claudius
Edited by Di-Gi-Em.
===============================================================
I own nothing here. The New Mutants (by Chris Claremont & Bob McLeod), Magneto (by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby), Psylocke (by Alan Moore and Alan Davis), Luna (by John Byrne) are owned by Marvel Comics. Characters of Dragon Ball (by Akira Toriyama) are owned by Toei Studios. Tenchi Masaki (by Masaki Kajishima and Yosuke Kuroda) owned by AIC.
===============================================================
Dani Moonstar (Mirage) Tenchi Masaki (Light-Ken)
Rahne Sinclair (Wolfsbane) Illyana Rasputin (Magik)
Shan Coy Manh (Karma) Amara Aquilla (Magma)
Roberto DaCosta (Sunspot) Doug Ramsey (Cypher)
Sam Guthrie (Cannonball) Betsy Braddock (Psylocke)
===============================================================
Magma's body flashed with incandescent molten energy. By a direction of her glowing finger below her, a giant formation of rock surfaced from the waters. As miraculous an achievement this was, it was also tremendously draining, and it drained the mutant of her energy. However, once her friend Cannonball planted the two of them onto this formation, the restored contact with Mother Earth rejuvenated the blond mutant. Settling themselves upon the cooled rock, Amara and Sam watched nervously at the argument their Headmaster was having with Piccolo.
These two figures were separated from each other; although no physical action was taken, there was more than enough action in words. This discord, already heated, concerned the fact that the radar device that could detect Dragon Balls was no longer in Piccolo's possession. In fact, the Namekian never had the detector since they left the island.
These two New Mutants could foresee the consequences; so did Magneto. If Dani had discovered this advantageous object, she would have certainly used it, meaning a dangerous confrontation with the aggressive Saiya-jin Kakarrotto. With a firm expression to enforce his stance, Magneto reprimanded the green alien for endangering the children. Not one to accept any reprimand whatsoever, Piccolo became defensive. The Namekian frankly stated that he meant for Gohan to find and use the device. Whatever Magneto's students did with it wasn't any matter to him. Sam tensed at the implications.
Magneto stated that it did matter, saying that Gohan shouldn't be included in this battle. After all, it was noted that Piccolo was a mentor to the boy. With that responsibility, accused Magneto, the Namekian should know better. Piccolo smiled with words that contradicted the Headmaster; his pupil had a lot more strength than any stranger could guess, and the New Mutants seemed to possess the same spirit, only their teacher was blind to it. Magneto kept silent. Then he exploded with a furious edict that his students were not meant for battle. Piccolo lost his smile, but still he revealed his problems about this treatment. Being adolescents, the Namekian's lips spit out, the New Mutants would someday have to get their noses bloodied; Life, in his view, was a struggle. Therefore, Magneto's coddling was an incompetent act that could only lead to more danger for his students.
Sam and Amara heard all of this. Although they could each find some intelligent points in each side's argument, their eyes painted a different story. From their viewpoint, it looked like Piccolo and Magneto both wanted an excuse to fight, whether the point was trivial or strong. Piccolo's demonic appearance made the two young Mutants all the more nervous.
"Excuse me…?" cried Sam the peacemaker. His words, spoken in Japanese, fell on deaf ears (or in Piccolo's case, ignored), as seen by their Headmaster's hovering dramatically with the Namekian.
"Can both of you stop this pointless quarrel!?" declared Amara with a more fiery voice. It matched her temper, as evidenced by the shaking ground she and Sam stood upon. "What has been done is done. Should we not continue our search?"
This succeeded in making an effect, much to Sam's hurt pride (though he maturely held back any grievance). Both of the argument makers looked at them with glares and silent mouths. They seemed to relent. Ignoring his rival, Magneto focused his attention on Sam.
"Mr. Guthrie," he coldly commanded, "Are you in possession of any knowledge I've not been aware of? About Dani?"
Sam paused his breath. He was amazed that Magneto could reach the conclusion so soon. "Sir," he spoke frankly, "ya know the gang like ah do. T'tell ya the truth, she an' the others' are as much willing to head out as me an' 'Mara."
Magneto's mouth crushed together like a frown. He opened it with a sentence, "I thought as much." He silently hovered ten feet from the party.
"Sir," Sam yelled, "Shouldn't we find the Dragon Balls?"
Magneto remained silent. The purple figure quickly moved to a certain spot over the ocean, then stopped. His presence keenly felt the electromagnetic pulses of the Dragon Ball below him. With a wave of his hand, Magneto would've opened the waters with a magnetic shield tunnel that would drill down until it reached the orb.
That is, he was planning to. The waters below him did erupt and tear with a funnel that showed empty space inside of it. But that was Piccolo's doing; the Namekian posed mid-air. One arm lunged downward, emitting his powerful control. His body twisted and curved, his mouth opened to expose his fang-like roar.
Then his arm stretched beyond the natural limit, or rather what the three other witnesses had believed to be a conventional limit. Piccolo's limb quickly threw straight down the funnel, his claws ready to grasp the orb below. Such a feat was reminiscent of the hero Mr. Fantastic, a thought that definitely crossed the minds of Magneto and Sam.
However, Piccolo's feats had passed their usefulness, in his rival's view. With a twitch of the mind, Magneto directed all concentration to the Dragon Ball, whose location was conspicuous in his senses. His sense reached the orb long before the green hand of taloned fingers. It rolled away from its pursuer, quickly levitating through the vortex of force, crossing the boundary line of the ocean and air. Ready to be grasped into the hands of the master of the magnetic forces that controlled its ascent.
But Piccolo was not finished yet. He hurled his massive body straight before the union. He then found his cape revolting again, bundling him up, changing his direction. As before, the Namekian released himself in only seconds, but they were precious seconds wasted.
The Headmaster now grasped the treasure in his hand. He saw that this particular orb was now studded with seven stars. In truth, the Headmaster had little belief in the magic this ball supposedly possessed. He questioned the wonders that Kuririn and Piccolo entailed. This was due to character; Magneto was too old for such imagination, and what he had was long since stripped from him. However, he knew that Kakarrotto might believe in this orb's power to give him immortality, possibly amplifying his delusions to cause future genocide.
"We return to the island," Magneto coldly exclaimed with the authority of a general.
This did not sit well with Piccolo. "What about the Dragon Balls?" his words were of rebellion.
"My students take greater priority," Magneto flew away with an air of arrogance. "Besides, we have no other way to detect these orbs."
Erecting an energy shield behind himself protected the headmaster from a powerful energy blast. Magneto decided not to retaliate, keeping well his ambition to be a better man than he once was.
Amara and Sam said nothing; they just looked anxiously at one example caused by the tension apparent in both Magneto and Piccolo. It was hoped that another case wouldn't be demonstrated so soon. "Get on, Amara," Cannonball casually made his invitation, trying hard to ignore what happened. The guest's acceptance premeditated his blasting into the air.
"I pray the Gods are fortunate with our friends," Amara shouted so her voice could rise above the loud blasting.
"Me too," Sam gestured. "Ah hope Dani's already started searchin' f'r the Dragon Balls."
"I hope they do not confront Kakarrotto," said Amara, her voice marking the Saiya-jin's name in a colorful tone.
To Sam, that had implications. "Don't tell me y'r fallin' for that fella?" his question was not a little angry.
"Of course not," Amara defended herself. "I just admire him. From what I have seen of him, he emits a presence that is almost divine."
"Sorta like that Hercules fella ya told us 'bout? That bad actor turnin' out t' be the real mccoy?" Sam was unable to see Amara's face due to his attention on flying. A good thing too, since the girl wasn't too happy about hearing her deities given such ridicule.
Nevertheless, she made no note of it in her response. "I cannot help but find some similarities between Kakarrotto and Hercules…and myself. I admit to finding understanding with Kakarrotto. We both are outsiders, descendants of a prolific unity, now active in worlds that are very strange to our ideals."
Cannonball felt queasy about how deep the similarities were. "Hate t' differ with ya, 'Mara, but y'r people and Kakarrotto's were violent conquerors. The Roman Empire ah read 'bout killed many people, an' from what ah c'n tell, these Saiya-jin folk probably did even worse."
Cannonball felt Amara's hands squeeze upon his shoulders. His invulnerability protected him from any pain, but he now knew her distress.
"I admit that my people have done ill to others," Amara's voice shrilled, "but you shall be mistaken if you use those miniscule facts to completely define Rome."
"An' ah suppose ya think those Saiya-jins belong 'n the same boat?"
"Perhaps," Amara insisted, seeing Sam's head twitch. "We are so far ignorant to what that race might have been. The stories given to us are based on the opposition. Would not the same case be given to us Mutants? Are we, as society points out, threats to mankind?"
"Yeah, ah know you're right 'bout that, 'Mara," shouted Sam. "But all ah know is that this Kakarrotto means some big trouble t' this planet. Didn't ya f'rget what he said t' his own kid?"
"Of course not," Amara showed her remembrance. In that instance the Saiya-jin was truly grotesque in her view. He was certainly not like her most revered father, Lucius Aquilla.
"So," Sam questioned, "D'we say that Kakarrotto's 'got the right t' destroy this world because it's the Saiya-jin way t' do it?"
Amara took silence as her defense. The length of this quiet stance affected Sam in a place he had long thought vanished. He had insulted Amara, and it hurt him. The fact that he was in the right was not a warm comfort. Guess he never got over this girl.
Sad as he was, it didn't help matters to see Magneto floating beside him. "Sam, is there anything else you wish to inform me of?" he asked, his grim face presenting a man who would not be trifled with. Sam clearly saw that the Headmaster was presently in no mood for anymore student discretion. Seeing no way out (or rather, little reason to resist), Sam revealed Dani's death vision on Gohan.
Magneto's face barely changed in reaction to this horrifying discovery (Piccolo just blinked his eyes in reaction to hearing the news). The strength of his stance was only increased by Amara's fearful expression that Pluto may have interest in the Herculean boy. Instead, Magneto spoke rather calmly. "I am very disappointed in you."
No words came from Piccolo. His stoic personality did not match his inner thoughts, which were in a great chaos, as if the boy's revealing words were a bomb that just ignited. He had cause to doubt it, but Sam's innocence proved there was no reason to lie; his study of the girl Dani- the source of this terminal prophecy- convinced him even further of the truth.
Refusing to consider any chance of doubt, Piccolo just accepted the reality. Gohan's death was presumably going to be sooner than what the words of Trunks had prophesized. Lately, a grim revisionism was contradicting the time traveler's visions, as already evident by Goku's change in personality and the arrival of these visitors. However, that did not mean Piccolo was going to accept his acolyte's fate, whatever date it might occur.
===
"Daddy, are we there yet? I'm hungry!"
Doug performed this line to the best style of whining. He couldn't help it. The scene called for it. Here they were, on a small ship, flying straight up along this very long totem pole. The altitude was really that high. This called for Illyana to rib the pilot some more.
"Daddio, are we there yet?"
"No," said Kuririn.
"Are we their yet?" Illyana repeated her line.
"No," Kuririn's raised his voice.
"Are we there yet?"
"Yes!" screamed Kuririn, at the end of his patience. These kids were driving him nuts! They were immediately forcing the monk to reconsider ever becoming a parent (that is considering he found a girl, providing he survived this upcoming battle, as well as that fateful holocaust coming very soon).
"NEXUS- of- DESTINATION- affirmed!" said the black and gold Dragon Ball Radar in Doug's hands. Elevating further, Doug was able to see the top of the tower. It looked like a giant Christmas ornament. "Bet no one goes up here often," said Doug.
"Well, me and Goku managed to climb the tower by our own hands." Kuririn boasted. Doug turned around to see what Tenchi and Illyana thought of this. His friends gave similar expressions of amazement.
The back of the ship hovered to a stairway erected next to the tower keep's wall. With a press of the button, the backdoor of the ship flipped open. A huge gust of wind flung right into the area. Luckily, the morphing Warlock threw tentacles upon his/its selffriends. He/it morphed these tentacles into a pole that extended from tower to ship. Magik, Light-Ken, and Cypher proceeded to swing from spot to spot.
While Cypher roared a Tarzan yell, Light-Ken warned Magik. "Watch out below!"
"Like we have a choice?" spoke Magik.
Safely on the stairway, the four watched for their remaining ally to join them. They found it remarkable that while they needed assistance to keep from flying off, Kuririn kept a strong position that couldn't be broken. The monk flew out the plane and pressed a button situated on its side. Within seconds, the ship vanished into a small capsule, quickly grasped by the pilot.
Kuririn landed to the platform quite easily. Warlock loomed closer to him, with spyglass eyes focused upon the capsule in his hand. "GREETINGS- capsule- ENNAMED- "capsule- CORPORATION!" The techno-organism spoke to the capsule as if it was a living being. "SELF- notes- ABILITY- to- MORPH. Is- THERE- other- FORMS- of- TRANSFORMATION- within- CAPSULE- being's- POWER?"
Despite the sweat dropping from their heads, and the silence at first, there was no way any of Warlock's teammates could keep a straight face for this humorous moment. Even Kuririn got a case of laughter. Warlock's actions had really cheered him up. Since meeting the alien, Kuririn warmed up to him (or it). One reason was that Warlock was definitely unlike any of the rude, grim, violent aliens he had previously encountered. This space person was good natured, innocent, and very friendly. He/it reminded the monk of his best friend.
Snickering and laughing (though Warlock kept a naïve ignorance to the reason for this), the five travelers walked up the stairs, walking into a passage. "Karin!" Kuririn called out, his word echoing into the corridors. He shouted the word again. The name was familiar to his guests- they were told that Karin was the tower keeper of the tower, a master of martial arts.
The second call drew a response. "I'm coming!" said a voice, "I'm coming!" And sure enough, the caller emerged from a stairwell. A furry white cat approached (prompting Doug to make a Monty Python reference, "Is Karin behind the cat?"). It walked on two feet, using a staff as a crutch. That was undeniable, as the cat was wrapped with bandages.
Seeing this ailment caused Kuririn to come closer. "Karin! What happened to you?"
"I'll tell ya what happened," cried another voice, popping up from a stairwell in the room. The owner of this voice also revealed himself. This time it was a human, albeit a short and stout black-haired guy in a sleeveless, brown tunic. He too was bandaged, with a visage even more grim then his furry friend. "Goku happened!"
"This must be Yajirobe," Doug spoke to his friends, who were all at the entrance. They were all still amazed about learning the martial arts master was a cat.
"Well, I have a furry animal who can become a spaceship," Tenchi accepted the peculiarity.
Meanwhile, Kuririn heard the furious Yajirobe's story with still breath. It appeared that Goku came to Karin's tower in some ridiculous outfit. He then proceeded to shout, threaten, and then force the two inhabitants to surrender what was left of this month's batch of Senzu Seeds. "Geez, ya think ya know a guy!" griped the short bandit with his pudgy face.
"Wait a minute?" said Illyana as she walked to the scene. "Carrot Guy just took some beans?"
Kuririn, however, was more worried about the loss of what may have been an advantage. Seeing these casualties only served to give him more concern of what his best friend might now be doing.
"He also took the Nyoi-bo from the tower," Karin answered Illyana's remark.
"Guess we can add 'breaking an entering' and 'stealing' to Carrot Guy's rap," the approaching Doug added.
"The Nyoi-bo was Goku's," the monk attempted to give some clear explanations. "Son Gohan, the guy who raised him and our Gohan's namesake, left him that weapon."
These words had a good effect on Karin, who massaged his chin with curiosity. "Something tells me you know more of this than we do, Kuririn," deduced the cat. After a brief second, the feline master nodded with acknowledgement. "Good thing you're thoughts are open to me, Kuririn. You too, Tenchi."
Amid Yajirobe's complaining "Care t' clue me in?" the only New Mutant who didn't possess psychic defenses went on the defensive. "How dare you read my thoughts!" Tenchi snapped at this breach of privacy.
"Yeah," Illyana raised her voice tone in her love's defense. "What gives you the right to go reading without asking?" She was about to create her Soulsword, when Tenchi blocked her hand, his face in disapproval. He decided to let things slide.
Kuririn decided to ignore the voices behind him, and explained things to Yajirobe. "To make a long story short," he did the honor with a heavy brow. "Goku's now acting like Vejita. He's now after the Dragon Balls, probably to give him immortality."
Karin glared suspiciously. "And these kids?"
"We're the New Mutants, Garfield!" Illyana introduced her friends and herself.
"We're here to stop Carrot Guy's plans!" added Doug.
"Carrot Guy?" repeated Yajirobe.
Kuririn breathed again at the sad news. "Goku's calling himself by his Saiya-jin name Kakarrotto."
Karin nodded in understanding. "Guess you all have your work cut out for you."
Kuririn pressed his lips together, his eyes looping. "You can say that."
Yajirobe, sensing where this conversation was going, decided to have his word. "No way 're ya getting' me t' fight!"
"Like we'ed ask you," Kuririn gave his own.
Nevertheless, Yajirobe's words did get an effect from Warlock. Hidden behind his/its selffriends, the alien stretched its head at the offer. "SYMPATHETIC- allowance- IN- explaining- ABILITIES- important- IN- situation?" The techno-organism faced the hermit with a head full of sensor dishes and telescopes. Like everyone before him, Yajirobe reacted to Warlock in a similar way. With a terror-stricken face, he flung his sword left and right. "What the hell's this demon!?"
"He's no demon," Doug snapped like a crocodile, putting the record straight. "Warlock's my best friend."
"I can vouch for that," Kuririn gave his support. "He's as much a kid as the rest of them."
===
Boarding the ship again, Kuririn lowered it down the tower with a heavy heart.
"So these Senzu seeds are some kind of medicine?" asked Doug from the back (which meant Tenchi was taking the front seat, much to Illyana's dismay…and Doug's).
"Eating a Senzu is like eating a full dinner, ten days straight!" confirmed Kuririn. "If you're exhausted, take a bean an' you're back to full strength! It also can completely heal broken bones or wounds."
Doug puckered his lips in understanding. "Hearing that," he spoke straight. "Now I can understand why you think we're screwed."
"All in a day's work I guess," Tenchi casually responded.
"Why are you guys so calm about this?" Kuririn protested the behavior all around him. "Kakarrotto means big business, an' you all are treating it like a picnic."
"I know it's not," Doug frankly spoke. "But we've been through these situations before. We've gotten through them."
"SELF- confirms- EVIDENCE- of- SELFSOULFRIENDDOUG'S- assurance," said the black-and-gold Dragon Ball radar.
Kuririn was unconvinced. Tenchi was too. However, where the bald monk's opinion was based on the guilt and reluctance of seeing these kids sacrifice their lives on a dangerous adventure, Tenchi's views were different. Since he had arrived at the school, he suspected the existence of some dark secret that the New Mutants knew about. He had at first decided to respect their discretion, but now the hidden truth had become an attraction that he could no longer ignore. He had to find out, hoping he wouldn't hurt his friends' feelings along the way.
"I hope you're right," said Kuririn to Doug and Locke's optimistic response.
"Ditto," said Doug, "or we might be staying here for a long time."
That line especially didn't bode well with Kuririn. These kids really had no idea about what was going to happen next year. Wishing to change the grim subject, Kuririn gave a question on why the New Mutants came to his planet.
Tenchi, Doug, and Warlock simultaneously revealed the answer in one word: "Illyana," the techno-organism continuing the word with the noun "friend." Illyana recouped her dignity in this accusation. "No point denying it," the sorceress admitted her guilt. "It's yours truly who got us here."
"I see," said Kuririn. "You said you're a teleporter."
"Actually," Illyana truthfully revealed. "I don't 'port by myself. I just summon 'stepping discs'- inter-dimensional portals. It's through these discs that I'm able to travel from place to place."
"So it's not like Goku's Shunkan Idou," Kuririn made a comparison. "All he does is sense a person's Ki and just teleports to that guy's presence."
"Carrot Guy's probably got more control than I do." Illyana sadly made the analysis. "Although I can summon discs, that's a long way from saying I can control them. It matters with the distance. If I 'port a long distance, my control of time gets screwed up. I could end up in the future, or the past."
"So," theorized Kuririn, "traveling a hundred miles…"
"Could mean ending up a hundred years later."
Kuririn pondered about the possibility. If Illyana teleported from here, she might be able to see if he survived to next year. "So why do you need the Dragon Balls to get home?"
"Because my power's really screwed up this time," answered Illyana. "When this all started, I was 'porting my friends and teacher for only a short distance. Wasn't expecting anything to go wrong, but it did- big time. Y'see Kuririn, when I teleport, I have to go through Limbo."
"A very scary dimension that Illyana rules." Doug said it as if he was describing a boring school.
"Oo-kay," Kuririn was beginning to have trouble following this weird tale.
"The place isn't a laughing matter," Doug dropped the humor. "Believe me, ya wouldn't want to see the place, let alone pass by it."
Tenchi was going to vouch for his friend's claim, but he instantly overrode the idea, feeling it might insult Illyana.
"Nothing to deny there, either," Illyana nonchalantly continued with a mixed sense of embarrassment and pride, "it's my realm. My reflection. In order to 'port, I have to go through it. However, something's been blocking my access there, shooting whatever control I have left. We first ended up in one world, then when I 'ported again, we ended up here."
"CONFIRMED- conclusion:" the Warlockian Radar sounded. "ABANDONMENT- of- USE- in- ILLYANAFRIEND'S- powers. POSSIBILITY- of- CORRECT- dimensional- TIMESLIP- seen- IN- dragon- BALLS."
Kuririn smirked in understanding. He had problems considering that such a nice-looking girl would have a dark place (Piccolo would always be his vote for that honor). "Then why don't use the Dragon Balls to take you to this Limbo?"
There was some silence. Doug and Tenchi looked at Illyana, their faces accepting the possibility of Kuririn's idea. Illyana already had thoughts about it. She had already come to the conclusion that her inability to get through to her dimension might not be accidental. However, the fact that there might be a cause gave her a very ill (but somewhat comforting) feeling. Maybe something worse than Carrot Guy…or better, in her mixed point-of view.
===
Brightwind the horse glided his giant feathery wings through the winds, its huge flaps making huge sounds. Already covering miles, no feeling of fatigue had yet strained the animal's flight, much to the relief of his Mutant passengers.
Although Dani, Rahne, Roberto, and Shan shared an exciting feeling of darting through the sky, it was trivialized by the fact of them being in a very precarious situation: they were above the ocean, vulnerable. Carrot Guy could appear at any instant, easily rendering everything asunder.
Thus it was very fortunate that nothing from the Saiya-jin was discovered. Dani reasoned that Carrot Guy's detection had to be through psychic means, and since the team was trained to counteract this field of attack, it was hoped that they would be as conspicuous as a black glove in a dark room.
With people stacked all the way to the horse's neck, Dani found that she never flown this many before. Shan, sitting all the way in the back, was the extra passenger in a horse that had so far been able to fly only three. To her credit, the eldest New Mutant hadn't complained once about being forced into another adventure. Dani recognized the separation of Luna could have been a cause for this. Accompanying her friends with a passive acceptance could be Karma's way of getting her mind off it.
Rahne, who was the closest passenger to her, held on with a warming embrace. Dani saw a regression within her friend's personality. From someone who coldly accepted death, to a wild girl in Gunsmoke, to a girl who wanted to save Gohan's life, Rahne had gone through a lot of personality changes. Presently, the leader was very pleased that her friend was now acting like her old self again. She wished she shared the same feeling.
Behind her was Roberto, looking around with his usually cavalier attitude of things. Dani knew this Kakarrotto business really bugged him. Gohan's 'broken home' problem clearly resembled Bobby's own situation. When she really thought about it, the little soap opera they witnessed at the Son house was almost a remake of a dinner she, Rahne, and Sam had with the DaCosta's. True, Emmanuel DaCosta didn't end supper by blowing up the house. But there was a similarity of how the children of both places suffered because of their parents.
And what of Dani's own problems? Did she ponder the frightening Valkyrie vision over Gohan? Was she thinking about what direction she should take: a normal girl, a New Mutant, a Cheyenne, or a Chooser of the Slain? Could she have been remembering her present failings as group leader? The fears of facing Carrot Guy, who could be bigger foe than the Beyonder? The unlikely answer was that she just looked at the Dragon Ball radar for direction. The above questions were indeed important, but they were too many for her to think about, and this wasn't the right time to think about them. Right now, Dani devoted her energies to finding the Dragon Balls. That was all that mattered.
===
Psylocke parked the car in the middle of the wilderness. Her passenger, Chichi sat by and stared at the driver. The girl appeared to be in a trance, as her eyes were vacant like a statue. No word escaped her mouth, nor any shift of expressions marked her face. From what Chichi had now learned, Betsy Braddock was a telepath. The mother knew that name had something to do with mind reading. Both her father and (ex) husband had given her some info about how people like Karin and Kamesennin could look into a person's mind as if they were reading a book. As little as she knew about the technique, Chichi knew enough to feel disturbed about it. Some people should mind their own business.
However, she understood that Betsy had no choice. Gohan had to be found, and this was the only way. Besides, Betsy had assured Chichi that she didn't pry into people's thoughts unless it was absolutely necessary. That definitely made her a good girl in Chichi's view. Betsy seemed to be a refined woman, full of good manners and grace. This wasn't difficult for the mother to imagine, considering the purple-haired lady's background. She was born and raised in a mansion and taught perfect etiquette (really a departure from all the rude and unruly friends Chichi's family hung around with). And yet Chichi realized that Betsy wasn't a snob; she treated her as an equal, giving advice and taking it.
Since Betsy was not presently in the position to talk, Chichi devoted her attention to Luna. Held in her arms, the red-haired baby girl behaved like a baby. She alternately cried, mumbled words, and shook her hands in a playful manner. And the maternal babysitter received this attention and gave it in return. She took out from her pocket the Dragon Ball that Kuririn had left behind. She teased the babe with this orb, getting some pleased responses from her. As usual, a sense of emotional déjà vu overwhelmed Chichi's thoughts. When Gohan was very little, he had a cap with the four-star Dragon Ball affixed upon it. Chichi wished that her child was that age again, where he could be protected from all these dangers.
Remembrance of the lost past wasn't the only thing on the mother's mind. In fact, Chichi felt a string of stressful emotions; worry for her only son, anger at Goku, and impatience at Psylocke.
Why did Gohan always have to go, the mother pondered (not for the first time), and get himself into danger? Can't there be an end to all this pointless fighting, where her son could devote his time on more important (not to mention, safe) activities, like being a scholar?
Oh how she cursed Goku now. That man had ruined her life. Oh, she could've forgiven the constant absences, the reckless abandonment of her baby to Piccolo, etc. But what he did to her son today ended any possibility of reconciliation. That jerk had cruelly and unremorsefully humiliated their son. How dare he say such a thing to Gohan; their boy was sure a lot better than him!
This made the neglected wife reflect on Goku's bad points: he was unemployed (though she understood that a Goku without training was like a bird without wings), and rather stupid (even though there was something cute in that). She then thought about Goku's good points: his honesty, his good-natured friendliness, his kindness to everyone (minus some insensitivity), his ability to cause Chichi's anger to fade away into happiness, his optimism, his strength, his beautiful body, his handsome face. The fact that he helped give Chichi a very special boy (who sometimes acted like the father) was also something that couldn't be forgotten, nor the fact that Goku appeared to love Gohan as much as she did...
Forget it, Chichi enforced her present views. Goku now was acting like a real jerk, adopting that nasty Piccolo's bad habits and all. Chichi had made it her decision to forget the past. Her relationship with Goku belonged in that regard. There were other men in the sea…like that Magneto for instance (Betsy told Chichi that the Headmaster went by another name: Michael Xavier; According to her, the name came from his friend, Professor Charles Xavier, the previous Headmaster of the School). He was almost everything Goku wasn't- responsible, intelligent, and employed. True, Michael didn't seem to possess any of Goku's good aspects, but perhaps he'll have those as well, the woman convinced herself.
===
At her seat, Psylocke meditated in perfect stillness. She broke off the restraints of her mind's eye, setting it free to wander for an aim to search. Her surroundings changed. What was conventionally defined as reality vanished in her telepathic perspective. The astral plane took its place. Within this vantage, the telepath left her physical shell.
But just like in Gunsmoke, responsibility forced her to be realistic; Betsy saw all the astral minds around the domain, none of whom she recognized. It was apparent that Gohan was miles away. She had to continue on her search for the boy, despite the hindrance of covering very long distances.
But Gohan's psychic signature, which Psylocke had first identified when she mind-shocked him, was all-too recognizable. She found him. He was above the ocean, looking very confused at her.
Betsy gave the news vocally to the boy's mother. There followed a sharp pain on her shoulder. "Kindly release your hand, Chichi? You're hurting me."
"Oh, sorry," the excited Chichi let go.
"Thank you," the telepath coldly gave her gratitude. She then concentrated her thoughts, wandering speedily through the astral plane.
===
The demi-Saiya-jin's reaction to these words was rather conspicuous: he freaked out when he saw the glowing butterfly with eyes painted on its wings.
Calm down, child! These words, loud but reassuring, calmed Gohan's fears. Once he came to the realization that they were not his own, he had some hunch of whose voice it belonged to. He stared at the butterfly with amazement. It looked so real, and yet it was not; almost like a ghost. "Betsy? Is that you?"
My telepathic effect, the words continued as the glowing butterfly floated and flapped its wings. It is how I see one's mind. I sense fear in you.
Gohan definitively confirmed that analysis with a nod.
There's no need for it, Betsy's voice attempted to soothe the boy's restless perspective. Your thoughts are safe from me.
"That's not what I'm scared of," corrected Gohan.
The butterfly's eyes blinked. Let's cut to the quick. I don't see any of the New Mutants with you.
Gohan submerged- or in truth, tried to submerge- his apprehension about this weird conversation. "They left me behind. Dani was very strict about me not going with them to find the Dragon Balls. Right now, I'm trying to find the New Mutants."
Any luck?
"I know one group went this way," Gohan's voice reached a calmer level. "But they're hiding their Ki's."
I was afraid of this. The butterfly's words buzzed within the boy's mind. Its owner came to the conclusion about the New Mutants' psychic defenses. Before Gohan's eyes, the butterfly made a moan that really rattled his mind. The next word was a surrendering Fine! It was followed by: You're mother has asked me to talk with you.
As much as the butterfly bothered him, Gohan found his mother to be even worse. Despite a protest in thought, he suddenly heard her alien thoughts within his mind. Gohan, get back home this instant!
"But Mom…"
No buts! The voice shrilled with a tone Gohan knew to be his mother's. You let Mr. Magneto and Piccolo handle this mess!
To his credit, Gohan's devotion overwhelmed his fears. "Sorry, mother." He spoke with determination. "I gotta help the Mutants and my Dad." He resumed his flight, abandoning the butterfly. In his head, he heard his mother screaming his name. Then all of a sudden, it stopped. Insubordination made him feel ill at ease; he disliked disobeying his mother.
===
What Gohan didn't know was that the communication breakdown was due to his mother. She was shaking Psylocke as if she was a broken radio. "Chi-Chi-Chi!" Betsy stammered in her ordeal. "Re-re-re-release me-me-me-me!"
Chichi halted her shaking arm (incredibly, she used one arm, though it meant dropping the Dragon Ball to the bottom of her seat) but not her emotions. "Do Something!"
"Do what?" Betsy glared at her attacker for the first time since she started her mind trip. "I can't do anything with this distance. Also, Gohan is above the ocean, so even if I could fry his mind, which I cannot, he'd simply drop into the waters."
Luna began crying, needing attention. Chichi reluctantly turned to the upset child, softly speaking to her with vocal gibberish. Her calm nature didn't prohibit the woman from throwing an accusing stare at Psylocke. The telepath was beginning to lose her well-mannered attitude. She started blaming the New Mutants for her situation: she let them abandon her for this?!
Swallowing her anger- reluctantly- Psylocke retraced her steps. With the boy gone away further, restoring the rapport was going to be more difficult. Her mind's eye flowed to the spot where it last existed.
She saw a new psychic figure. It wasn't Gohan. But Betsy knew this signature as well…unfortunately.
Betsy tensed up as she probed the new thoughts. The mind showed a spying action premeditated with a dark resolve- all for the boy he was discreetly following.
Unable to affect this dark pursuer aggressively, the telepath reflexively pressed her thoughts full force. She spread her consciousness throughout the area within her range, emitting messages of danger and discretion.
===
Gohan continued his search. His only clues for finding the New Mutants were their direction, and the wind that must be carrying the winged horse they flew on. Not much to go on, but it was all Gohan had. He wanted to find the New Mutants. They were good kids (most of them at least), up against what looked like a powerful villain. The kids were being so kind to him and were willing to save his world; there was no reason not to help them!
This was part of his resolve; as true and strong it was, it wasn't the only reason for this journey. The deeper, more personal reason involved his father; Gohan knew that something bad had happened to Son Goku. He hadn't seen him in a long time, instead meeting this impostor who made his life miserable; he was wrong to think that evil man was really Dad; he should have known that his father would never hurt him again. Although there was no evidence that his father ever made that promise, Gohan was as devoted to such a pact as if it actually existed. He had gone through too much not to believe otherwise. He deeply loved his father, looking up to him as the kindest man and the greatest fighter in the universe.
Not that it was easy being the greatest fighter's child. Gohan, ever the loving son, would never admit the problems he has had due to his father, despite the sad truth. Gohan's problems began when he was four years old. He was just a baby, studying to be a scholar, no planet saving in his desired future. The people in his world were his grandpa and his parents. It especially concerned his father, who was always kind to Gohan, playing fun games with the boy, making him very happy. The son reciprocated the feeling. Like most little kids, Gohan believed that his father's world revolved only around him.
That was his life…until an evil Saiya-jin named Raditz kidnapped him. Before the boy could comprehend things into an understanding perspective, he found his kidnapper was dead- and his father with him. Gohan had never known death before. Thus, the entry of this dark nature into his life was devastating; Dad was always with him. Now this kind and playful man was gone. This fact hurt; it hurt very much.
It was only the beginning of the ordeal. His father's death seemed to symbolize to Gohan that the fun and safe world he was living in was gone. He was forced to carve an existence in a harsh wilderness he had never before known. With help from Piccolo, the boy learned to toughen himself. He became a fighter. However, the strength of the body did not heal the old wound. Even though he learned to survive, Gohan hated the process. He wished desperately to see his father again, but that was not to be. It was almost as if his father had deliberately left him to his fate. But how could a nice man like Dad do that to him? Didn't he love him? Not even the time-span of a year could help Gohan find that answer.
But Goku then returned. It almost seemed to Gohan to be the happiest day of his life. His dad was back from the dead. Gohan forgot about his earlier problems, convinced they would never happen again. Not even the truth that his father had purposely prolonged his own terminal existence for a year without informing him could wreck his happiness.
Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to spend on a long reunion. The fun and safe world refused to return to Gohan. Despite a few days together in the hospital, Gohan had decided to go to the planet Namek without Goku. He needed the planet's own batch of Dragon Balls to resurrect the slain Piccolo, the alien who helped him through his hardships, and had become a second father to him. Many scenes were witnessed by Gohan; most were unpleasant for a child his age. He saw Namekians slaughtered, his new friends Kuririn and Dende murdered by the tyrant Freeza, and the resurrected Piccolo dangerously wounded. He then saw his father join him on the planet, transforming into the Super Saiya-jin. His proceeding words were a loud command for Gohan to leave this battle. The boy was astounded by his father's angry wishes, the first time he ever did such a thing. His shouts almost sounded like his dad hated him.
Despite the possibilities, the boy complied the wishes with acceptance. Returned to Earth, the boy accepted Namek's destruction, and the possibility of his father's death for a second time. It wasn't a problem; Gohan knew that the Namekian Dragon Balls would certainly resurrect his father just as they would resurrect Kuririn. As the day of the Namekian Dragon God Porunga arrived, Gohan waited anxiously for the happy outcome of his father's return. Once that happened, Gohan convinced himself, there would be no more battles promising death, no more lonely journeys, no more death for a very long time. From then on, wherever Gohan went, he knew it would be with his beloved father. So much fun was to be had by the two of them!
Four months after Namek exploded, the wish for his father's resurrection was made. The response was surprising: His father was actually alive! To Gohan, that was even better! The wish was changed to return Dad to Earth.
Then a message came: Dad didn't want to go home just yet. He would return, someday.
Gohan didn't complain…from the outside. But inside him, he was hurt. The child sorely thought about the realization: his father didn't want to come back? How was this possible? Didn't father miss Earth, his friends…him? Didn't Goku love him anymore?
Six more months passed. Gohan waited and waited. The beginning of every month brought optimism, hope for his father's return. However, each month passed by without fulfillment, instead bringing disappointment. The kid, growing more sad with each month, forced himself to wait for another, only to see the expectation fizzle out like the others. Again and again he asked himself: why did his father do this to him? Twice, Goku had left his son with nothing but pain. It appeared to be on purpose.
However, Gohan put aside that problem when his father came back. Once again, the loving son decided to forget the earlier pain and celebrate his dad's return to his life. There was much hope for the future; his father was back and had no intention of leaving again. True, there was that prophecy from an unnamed Saiya-jin, promising that in the future, his father would die of a heart virus, and Androids would wreck the world. But the Z senshi was ready for that. Dad was given medicine for his ailment, and they would train for the future battle. This was a great thing for Gohan, because it meant that he would train with his father! Now, how could anything bad come from that?
He should have seen the writing on the wall, considering what was happening right now. Only Gohan refused to accept it. As far as he was concerned, this could never happen again! His father was a good man. This man, who wore Saiya-jin armor and treated him cruelly, was evil. Therefore, this Kakarrotto who looked and sounded like Goku was not Goku. It had to be an impostor, maybe a duplicate, or Captain Ginyu.
One can believe this resolve was a defense mechanism; the boy didn't want to acknowledge the possible truth that his father had hurt him again. He denied his thoughts with determination. His dad was good. His dad loved him. His dad wouldn't hurt him. These thoughts were what Gohan closely concentrated upon.
He would show his new friends his real father. The New Mutants thought the worst things possible of the hero he loved. They never knew the good man he knew.
Reaching land, Gohan stopped his soliloquy. Under a huge cliff by the shore, there was a cave. There was no trace of any New Mutant in the cavern, but Gohan had a suspicion: couldn't it hide a Dragon Ball?
===
It was a cavern where the Dragon-Ball-searching-New Mutants located its object. Landing within it, the four Mutants got off Brightwind and explored further. By a strange twist of fate, the grouping of this quartet was made up of the four original members of the New Mutants. Such a fact did not escape the thoughts of any of the comrades here.
But there were changes. When the first group was made, Shan was the leader based on seniority. Now it was Dani who took the reins, a job she didn't want, but a responsibility she would undertake…perhaps too seriously. She held the beeping Radar in her gloved hand. Rahne had offered to transform into Wolfsbane, but she turned the offer down. As Dani was discovering for herself, this idea of inner energy, or 'Ki' could be too noticeable for those using his or her powers. They certainly didn't want to alert Carrot Guy to their presence. They were after the Dragon Balls the Saiya-jin pursued, not the Saiya-jin himself.
The cavern was dark, desolate, and long, as most caverns are. With skill, Dani was able to strike a torch through the aid of a stick and some rocks. It was a job that would have been easier had Amara been among the group. However, Magneto was already using her talents. It was an unfortunate loss in the leader's point-of-view. Magma was among the most powerful member on the team. Though Dani clearly respected the strength of Sunspot, the wolfen skills of Wolfsbane, and the possessing abilities of Karma, as well as her own illusion abilities, she had great doubt about how well they would fare against Carrot Guy.
As usual, the radar in her hand beeped as it detected. Clicking it a few times for better accuracy, Dani was fully convinced the orb was in this cave.
The present area summoned the joker within Roberto's soul. He puckered his lips for a jesting 'ooo' sound. Too bad his companions didn't share such humor. "Can it, Bobby," commanded Dani, as she began to climb down a hill of boulders. Dropping the torch below gave light to the descent. Now having a device in one hand would hamper any climber's abilities, but Dani's mountain skills helped her down, skills lacking in Roberto, Shan, and Rahne. Fortunately, they seemed able to competently follow their leader down. True, Rahne accidentally applied pressure on a loose rock, causing a domino effect that threw some larger ones down. But it was a good thing that none of her friends were under this. Nor was Rahne hurt, changing into Wolfsbane to aid in her descent. Dani accepted the mistake, saying it couldn't be helped. Hopefully, they weren't spotted.
Reaching level ground (avoiding the torch underneath them), the four Mutants wandered on for the coordinates. To their displeasure, another hill was discovered, which had to be scaled down. These obstacles couldn't help but bring doubt into the searchers.
"Any reason why a Dragon Ball would be here?" asked Roberto.
"I cannot answer that, Bobby," Shan frankly spoke, "I would have to be an inhabitant of this world in order to know so."
Suddenly, Wolfsbane freaked out. "I hear somethin'!"
"Okay, guys," Mirage commanded. "Stay your ground. As soon as the guy comes, Karma'll possess him while we all attack and make a getaway." She threw the torch to the ground, extinguishing it with a stomp. Darkness was cast on all. Dani then threw her thoughts: Carrot top, you know what t' do, her mind contacted her wolfen friend.
Wolfsbane complied. Where her friends saw darkness, she could see. Her amplified senses sensed the heat aura emitted from the approaching visitor. In an instant, the wolf was able to establish the signature as young and strong. The aura was too strong for her to be mistaken, much to the lupine's delight and Dani's displeasure. They held their individual opinions as their eyes saw a light coming from the caverns before them, presenting Gohan with a torch.
Once the light shone upon the New Mutants, the gang gave their separate greetings. Dani, however, gave her disapproval.
"Gohan, what the hell are ya doin' here?" Dani's Japanese delivery held back her anger, just barely.
"I wanted to help you," Gohan answered innocently.
"You could be more help back home!" Dani's voice increased in angry tone.
"I won't be in the way," Gohan pleaded, hoping to be accepted. "I'm probably stronger than all of you." He looked at Roberto when he said this.
"It's not tha' we think yuir 'n the way," Wolfsbane growled, her appearance to Gohan made all the more eerie by the way the shadows played upon her furry body.
"It is just that we do not wish you to be harmed," Shan sympathetically assured.
"I can take care of myself," Gohan fired back in an attempt to quell their fears.
Dani massaged her eyes with one hand. "Gohan," her mouth opened, quickly and angrily, "I cannot tell ya how really screwed y'r being here is. All I can say is that ya fly out of this cave, an' go back home."
"But I can't!" protested Gohan. "My dad's in trouble. This concerns me just as much as you. I can't just stay away."
"Still pro-Carrot Guy I see," Roberto moaned his opinion.
"If you're talking about my dad," Gohan glared dagger eyes at the Brazilian, "call him Goku."
Roberto snorted, his face sullen. "Too bad Carrot Guy doesn't share the same regard."
Shan covered her face in frustration. "Look Roberto!" she snapped. "We have no real proof that Gohan's father is really a threat here, so be silent on the subject until we know for sure!"
Gohan smiled at Shan. He just knew that her support shall be rewarded with the truth.
"That's enough, guys!" Dani heightened her voice, getting their attention. She then looked straight at Gohan. "Okay, squirt. Here's the deal. As soon as we find the Dragon Ball in here, you head straight home! Okay?" she sprung the line with fervor.
"But…"
"Okay!?" Dani made an emotional face that conveyed the full effect of her command. This forced Gohan to agree, albeit a little grumpily.
Dani nodded in victory. "That's a good boy," she patronized. Looking at the DB Radar, her face grew delighted. "I think we found it!"
Gohan just grumbled some more. Surrendering, he followed the group as they neared a pile of rocks. All five dwellers began pulling out the debris for the prize. It was Shan who found it first. "Voila!" she cried, holding the ball. It looked like the other one, except for the addition of three more stars, making it five.
Dani smiled. But the smile did not remain for long.
===
At the entrance of the cave, Brightwind remained at his spot. Gohan did not escape his view, but the horse accepted the kid's entry with little aggression. Alone upon this balcony of rock, Brightwind just stood at its post, spending the time kicking his hooves to upset several rocks. Bored by his mistress' absence, the horse reacted to the surroundings with boredom.
The serenity was then broken. Brightwind sensed something that only animals of his breed can. His body grew stern at the approaching disturbance. His long head flinched, hardening up for a furious confrontation. The steed knew who it was. It was the human who menaced his mistress. The bruises he had received from their previous engagement only served to aggravate the animal's temperament.
The enemy figure jumped swiftly with a speed that Brightwind couldn't match. Huge arms of muscled strength grappled around the steed's neck. Brightwind shook his own head like a caught fish. He shrieked, shaking the rest of his body to upset the attacker. It failed.
"Stupid beast!" Kakarrotto's cursed his fierce words in the steed's ear. His palm pressed upon the horse's head, pushing it farther and farther beyond the limits of his neck. There followed a quick shove. With a crack, Brightwind fell to the ground, lifeless.
===
Sharp pain flashed within Dani's skull. It felt like she had just been killed. "Brightwind!" she screamed, realizing that her beloved steed was dead. Instantly, the pain became grief, threatening to bring her down. But she held on, transmitting her grief into anger.
Sharing her grief, Wolfsbane held on to her friend to nurse her broken heart.
"What's wrong!" said Roberto.
"He's here!" the tear-eyed Mirage growled. She rid herself of any vengeful feelings, a difficult thing since she wanted to make Kakarrotto pay. As leader she had to control herself.
Roberto exclaimed a "what!?" His eyes pointed straight at Gohan. "You fool!" he addressed with anger. "You've brought him to us!"
The boy sneered at Roberto. As much as he was angry at the Brazilian's accusations, however, his emotions were directed at the stupidity of his own actions. He was so obsessed with trying to convince his new friends (and Roberto) the error of their ways that he ignored his common sense. His quick flight required a large amount of Ki energy. It might have served as a beacon for the impostor to follow. "I'm sorry!"
'Na' yuir fault," Wolfsbane growled.
"Save apologies for later," Dani got herself into a commanding mood. "We've got real trouble!" Instantly, she psi-spoke to Wolfsbane to sense the attacker's presence. Shan was then given the order to be on her guard for when she was needed. She repeated her previous plan with one addition: as soon as Karma possessed Kakarrotto, Sunspot, Wolfsbane, and Gohan would jump on him (Gohan especially agreed to that, though Mirage ordered that he make an escape soon after). Mirage knew very well that the probability of that plan actually succeeding in overpowering Carrot Guy was a million to one, but there was no other way. The best it might do is serve as a distraction.
Viewing the Mutants, Gohan felt their readiness. He himself was now ready for the big moment. He would unmask this impostor, hopefully learning the truth of his real father's whereabouts.
Sparking up into the dark form of Sunspot, Roberto DaCosta shared Gohan's anxious fervor. He was going to give Kakarrotto a lesson for shamefully denying his own flesh and blood.
A particle flux appeared in the empty air, forming and solidifying into a solid figure. Kakarrotto stood before them in such a quick fashion that it couldn't help but amaze all who watched. There was little difference between the creep they met before and the creep they were confronting now.
Here was the moment that Gohan had waited for! He could now convince the New Mutants that this evil figure was an impostor who took his father's appearance. He looked for any difference to prove his point. Opportunity lay in the eyes. He remembered when Ginyu possessed his father's body, but Gohan could tell by the eyes that it truly wasn't his father.
So Gohan searched for any distinction with his gaze. He looked hard for a difference. He saw no change. True, this monster's eyes were mean and full of aggression…but those were also his father's eyes! There was no lie. It was Son Goku who stared at him. It was Son Goku planning to do unfathomably cruel deeds to him and his friends. Doubting the possibilities before, it was now plain to Gohan: that was truly his father, and he hated him.
The boy didn't know how to take this. The beliefs he had so reverently followed were now proven nonexistent. This conclusion, as horrible as it appeared, was the only possible answer. Confused, disillusioned, guilty, not to mention shocked, the boy froze, unable to think or react normally to the dire situation he was at fault for throwing his friends into. The torch in his hand fell to the ground.
"Hello," Kakarrotto smiled with expectation as he saw the group. Sure enough, it was those kids with the ridiculous costumes. Unfortunately, that blond girl wasn't anywhere here (much to his distaste, he felt disappointed). In her place was this black boy, the girl wolf, and two girls. One of them, to his disdain, was that headband-wearing, raven-haired girl who insulted him before. However, his eyes gazed colder when he spotted Gohan. "I see you've brought the shit with you," he groaned with ingratitude toward his guide. "Shouldn't hang around with inferior beings, though you all are nothing much either."
Wolfsbane lupine form shivered, trying hard to control the animal within. Her eyes viewed the body heat and sounds of all around her. She noted Gohan's panic. The wolf felt all the more sorry for him, though she didn't present any outer sympathy on the surface, growling her teeth and staring ferociously cold eyes at the father. And there was no doubt in her mind that this man was Gohan's father; she had noted this man's odor fill the Son House for a long time.
The wolf gave a close look at the character. Everything the man was, she could tell by his smells and movements. She knew his anger, determination, and arrogance. But Wolfsbane also noticed something else. There was an anomaly within Kakarrotto; it contradicted the monster he was portraying.
Before a further check could be made, her leader wasted no time in taking into action the plan. Kakarrotto suddenly went stiff, his anomalous self made even greater as the scent of Karma materialized upon him. Wolfsbane and Sunspot saw their sign to attack, she leaping to his charge. Sunspot ran and threw a punch with all his might. Although his powers no longer possessed the super-charge he had received from Gunsmoke, the boy's emotional state made him ignore his inferiority. He hated Kakarrotto with intense passion; to the boy, the Saiya-jin embodied his evil father: the father who tried to have his own wife and son killed, the father who had joined the evil people who murdered his son's beloved Juliana. Sunspot prayed to the Madonna that his power be enough, as if he believed destroying Kakarrotto would destroy the evil that had infected the man Roberto was once proud of…and still loved.
He punched the warrior while Wolfsbane perched her furry person on his shoulders. Their joint attack succeeded in pushing their opponent to the ground.
However, they only staggered him, and it soon appeared that it was only due to Karma's attempt to possess him. The mind-controller broke her telepathic hold before physical contact was made. A major mistake, for in mere seconds, Kakarrotto reacted. He quickly recovered. One arm grabbed the sun-charged Brazilian, while the other clutched the Scottish Werewolf. Raising them into the air, he banged them together into a painful collision. Karma and Mirage could only stare (and in the latter's case, sense) as Sunspot and Wolfsbane reverted to their human forms, a sure sign that both of them were no longer part of the fight.
The warrior abandoned the children. "Interesting powers you have," he laughed. "If that girl wasn't a wolf, I'd have made her my…"
A halo of energy emerged upon the Saiya-jin's head, a mark that was conspicuous only to Karma. She had to halt her first attack to avoid the sympathetic pain her friends would undoubtedly inflict upon the being (and her). As a result, she didn't have enough time to fully understand her foe. Not this time, as she threw her powers full force. The strain from their rapport manifested itself in two ways on Karma.
The first was the perspiration in her grunting face.
"Do you have him, Karma?" asked Mirage.
The mind possessor wasn't so sure. Although this new opponent had no mental skill, he refused to be conquered. Several times it appeared that the Saiya-jin's mind would shut off, leaving Karma in control. But then that consciousness would erupt, shaking off her foothold to his mind. It was a serious moment, one she might not win.
But Karma was not an easy opponent to fight off. The grin in her mouth was a symbol of her resolve. Her concentration hammered forth into the battle, holding her own against Kakarrotto. There resulted a linking of minds, a link that was surprising to the possessor. In her battles with the Brood-Xavier, Farouk, and Legato, Karma could always feel their negative aura, the very essence of evil that could make lesser hearts pale and withdraw. The evil this warrior had was strangely lacking. True, Shan could feel negative senses from Kakarrotto, but it paled in comparison to the other foes she had confronted. Even her teammate Illyana was clearly more evil.
A chance of victory emerged and she grabbed it. This was proven when Karma spoke through Kakarrotto's mouth and voice, "Mirage, I have him!"
But the contorting Saiya-jin slowly created a fist, free from the Vietnamese Mutant's consent. He smashed it against his own head.
Karma squinted her eyes in that punch. Her paused figure quivered from the pain that man felt, the pain she also shared.
Kakarrotto punched himself again. Karma cringed a great deal this time. "Stop it!" she screamed.
With the third punch, Karma grabbed her head. It felt like her own brain, and not her victim, was breaking apart. "Run mes amis!" she stuttered in agony. "I can't hold him much longer."
The fourth punch brought the Vietnamese mutant to her knees. Mirage saw it time to get the real priority out of the place. Unfortunately, her priority was in la-la land, standing like a statue. His mumblings, "My…dad, my…dad," were the only sign of life.
Mirage tugged the kid's arm, shouting with urgency. "Gohan, we really don't need this right now!"
Despite the shaking, Gohan continued to mumble. "My…Dad."
Feeling all the more tense, though her cool body language revealed nothing of her fears, Mirage looked back at Shan. Her comrade's fall to the ground increased the dire urgency of the situation. "Snap out of it, kiddo!" shouted Dani, whacking Gohan's face. It felt like hitting a brick wall.
Fortunately it had its effect: Gohan started turning his head in realization.
"Finally!" yelled Mirage. "Now look: while I handle Carrot Guy, ya carry the-"
Gohan's subsequent cry interrupted the sentence. He saw Kakarrotto coming closer. With an insane attempt at redemption, the boy jumped straight into the leviathan, turning for a huge kick.
"That's not what I had in mind, kid!" Mirage shouted. She then proceeded to consider that Gohan was just plain nuts; that really wasn't going to do much for his future.
Nevertheless, Mirage saw that Gohan's actions succeeded where her friends had failed. The kick made Carrot Guy's head turn away. It really looked as if the slimeball didn't expect it coming.
Unfortunately, Gohan followed his initial attack with a punch to his father's gut. His forced pressure threw the both of them straight into an area of space separate from the Mutants. The impact shook the cave, causing an avalanche of dust to pour forth. This blocked Mirage's view of the oedipal struggle. Her concern amplified with her sense of uselessness, the leader walked into the blinding dust, hoping her death vision wouldn't yet be fulfilled.
===
Kakarrotto felt those hits. He was caught off-guard by the attack. It was incredible to think this inferior being had actually hurt him.
Gohan continued to fly full throttle at the behemoth. In his rage, in his hurt, his fists flew, his knees kicked, his speed increased. However, even though Kakarrotto parried all these blows with sufficient skill, the combat made a dramatic effect on the Saiya-jin. It was a peculiar felling; the shit was truly no match for his own strength…but, as hard as it was to be believed, there was a skill in this offense; the shit did not appear to be wet behind the ears. It knew how to fight, and fight well. This revelation brought something within the Saiya-jin tight and cruel emotions. Pride?
"NO!" Kakarrotto screamed in protest, his mind suppressing the very idea as if to make it nonexistent. No way would he respect this inferior being! Blinding rage, exploding from the audacity, quickly empowered the Saiya-jin's fist straight into the shit's stomach. Then he kicked him far away.
===
Walking through the dusty fog by moving against the wall, Dani saw something fly right passed her. It caused her to fall to the floor, upon the sharp pieces of stone. Feeling sore all over, Mirage cursed her fate. Gonna be black and blue for months, the Native American whined about her pain.
Hearing the crash, Mirage looked behind her; there sat Gohan slightly shaken against a cracked wall. The sight freaked her out. Then she saw Kakarrotto jump right passed her in a second-long pace. He landed a close distance to his son.
===
Kakarrotto fell upon his opponent. "NO half-breed is superior to my pure blood!" he preached those words as if he needed to believe it. "No one is equal to my blood, period!"
After a flurry of blows, the abomination attempted to rise, as if to present his face for comparison to the Saiya-jin. This was yet another insult to the warrior's eyes. It always bothered him this shit shared his features. The Saiya-jin knew he had to remedy that.
Although in his mind, enough justification had been provided, the Saiya-jin got a new one when the abomination squeaked, "Dad…?"
"Shut your stinking mouth!" Kakarrotto's ramming fist silenced the boy. "You're no son of mine!" he landed another punch. "You're shit! Shit! You should've been killed the day that bitch dumped you from her ass!"
He stopped talking, letting his fists communicate for him. The shit was only able to block the first blows, but failed to dodge the rest. The assault was relentless and unyielding. It was so quick that the naked eye might believe that Gohan's beating was some sort of seizure.
In a matter of a minute, little existed of a child's face. What was left was a bloated, swelling mass of flesh, finished with blood. Gohan lost consciousness, feeling a newly unearthed emotion for his father: Hate.
Kakarrotto stood before the fallen. The warrior breathed hard with exhaustion; he felt so drained. He felt nothing; no anger, no pleasure. All emotion was gone from his being, leaving only a raw fatigue that riddled his entire body.
He heard the shit's breathing. The freak was still alive. It should not be, but at that moment, the Saiya-jin felt no recourse to remedy the situation. He wasn't in the mood.
It didn't help matters when someone jumped on his back, screaming "You turd!" Irritated by these squeals, Kakarrotto coldly shoved his elbow backwards. Instantly, the arms fell off him, followed by a thumping sound. The Saiya-jin turned around to see that it was that girl again. She sat on the ground, embracing her sore stomach. However, her face glared at Kakarrotto, bereft of fear.
This didn't make him any happier. He wanted panic and cowards; none of these children exhibited any of those surrendering emotions. "Aren't you afraid of me?" Kakarrotto gazed in disapproval. "You should be!"
"The same t' you!" The girl shouted her words, voice stern and insulting.
Kakarrotto's cold lips crushed at the insolence. He walked closer, only to see someone materialize to block his path. The new visitor made the Saiya-jin feel uneasy. This awkward feeling began to grow in intensity, affecting him in a way his Saiya-jin instincts would never have considered conventional. He knew what the image was…and he really didn't like it.
It was the shit. It stood before him, smiling with an unblemished face. In confusion, Kakarrotto realized there were now two of these abominations, the other remaining bruised and beaten on the floor behind him. However, the Saiya-jin felt nervous about the double standing in front of him. It somehow scared him.
The fear got worse. Kakarrotto saw something materialize behind the standing shit. He saw hands appear on both of the shit's shoulders. A new figure was materializing from behind this half-breed double, growing a body, a head…
Kakarrotto backed away. Somehow, he knew what was going to appear. "Get Away!" he screamed, his voice registering like a madman.
He finally saw the head of this larger figure. It was a face that resembled the Saiya-jin's own likeness. But this resemblance carried nothing of the strength of a Saiya-jin warrior. The eyes were free of malice, instead being soft and warm. The mouth smiled happily. This was a face that was pure and friendly, much to Kakarrotto's hate…and fear.
The face of the Saiya-jin's doppelganger looked at the shit's double beneath him. His eyes blossomed, full of affection. The smile grew fuller, content with pleasure. This was a proud and happy expression, the true embodiment of fatherly love.
Once Kakarrotto realized this, he panicked. He grappled his own face. "You're dead!" The meaning of this image exemplified a former life, a sacrilege that no Saiya-jin could abide. Kakarrotto would not abide it! For the sake of his beliefs- and for his own survival- that life must never return.
His hands stabbed straight for the images, thrusting a ray of energy. It shot through the two doppelgangers as if they were ghosts. The wall behind it turned and caved with rocks and dust. The frightening abominations vanished.
The warrior quivered like one who barely survived a deadly battle. His nerves shot, Kakarrotto covered his face, trying hard not to exhibit any un-Saiya-jin emotions. He attempted to soothe his rattled mind. "Everything's fine now," he mumbled. "Everything's fine now."
He looked to his side. There was the girl. That made his anger peak. She was the cause. He lacked proof to justify such an accusation, but the Saiya-jin needed a victim for his rage. It was this victim who had affronted him, humiliated him with her stupid magic. The witch was going to pay for that.
In his view, the girl groveled on the ground, but her head was still upright, still resistant as ever. The warrior threw his hand on her chin, pulling her up in the air. Still the girl showed no fear.
"You're going to pay for that!" Kakarrotto stammered his threat. He hoped this would make the girl sob and cry for mercy.
Instead, he got the slightly muffled words "Fuck you!" Like an animal, she rammed her teeth straight into the warrior's hand, biting hard. It did harm to nothing but Kakarrotto's pride. This girl wasn't afraid of him. He couldn't tell if it was a front, as something blocked his senses into her thoughts. Disappointed, he unhanded the girl. She thumped to the ground, the impact causing one item to drop away from her. The sound of its contact caused Kakarrotto to spot the treasure: the Radar. Like a snake, his hands pranced upon the object. His eye also fell on the Dragon Ball in the other girl's hand. He took that as well. These items were the only satisfaction he got from this battle.
Slipping the radar under his chestplate, with the DB in his hand, Kakarrotto acted with arrogance. He had to belittle the way this inferior being had hurt him. "For that…humiliation," he spoke gently, "your death isn't going to be quick. It'll be slow." He hoped those words would finally bring out the girl's truly weak nature.
"Whatever…!" she said.
This unpredictable response insulted Kakarrotto, strengthening his aggressive emotion. "Your death…" he shouted in anger, before he restrained the tone to a calmer voice, "will be the deed worthy of a true Saiya-jin." He walked toward a wall. His free hand caressed the cool moisture upon the stone surface. He sensed the ocean behind it.
With this belief, Kakarrotto threw his fist straight into what he believed was the weak spot. A large web of cracks now formed. Small drops of water leaked upon this web. This small amount increased into gushes and squirts.
"Good bye!" Kakarrotto spoke in empty space. With a touch of his forehead, he was gone.
===============================================================
TO BE CONTINUED
===============================================================
Annotations
1. Amara's meeting with Hercules occurred in a flashback story in NEW MUTANTS#80, set before this adventure.
2. With exception to Goku/Kakarrotto, Piccolo is the only one who knows Trunks' name and paternity.
3. Doug's question about Karin being behind the cat is based on a joke from the 1975 movie MONTY PYTHON & THE HOLY GRAIL, about the beast that the knights mistake as being behind the killer rabbit.
4. The dark future that Kuririn is thinking about is indeed the Androids-Cell Saga. This fanfic is set a few months before that arc.
5. Look out for my published fanfic, "Rescue in Limbo" for reasons why Illyana's been unable to reach Limbo.
6. Read "Tenchi the New Mutant" and the upcoming chapters to "Mutants in Gunsmoke" to understand Rahne's emotional phases.
7. Psylocke's astral self comes in the form of a butterfly.
8. The DaCosta dinner of Dani/Mirage's knowledge was portrayed in NEW MUTANTS#7.
9. Dani/Mirage possesses mind-links with animals (Rahne in wolfen form, Brightwind, etc.)
10. As one has no doubt noticed, I've left a lot of story gaps that haven't been explained or recorded (Tenchi and Illyana's sudden coupling, Karma's battle with Legato, etc.). I wish to confirm that I will write the stories behind these with upcoming chapters of 'Mutants in Gunsmoke,' which is set before this fanfic.
===============================================================
NEXT TIME: With the Dragon Ball Radar in his grasp, Kakarrotto's search for divinity begins, bringing him closer to two certain ladies. The stage is set as two former villains confront the former hero!