The Kakarrotto Saga
Chapter 5: Confrontation with Kakarrotto! Magneto and Piccolo's struggling battle!
By claudius
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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.
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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)
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Kakarrotto intended his enemies to drown a watery death. The blow he punched to the wall would weaken the barrier between ocean and cave, having the latter flow into the former. No one was supposed to survive. That was what he intended to happen.
But Dani saw things differently. There was no threat in her mind, for no threat existed. She had conjured within the Saiya-jin's mind the illusion of what was presently his great desire. Thus, while Kakarrotto had believed his powerful fist had shattered solid rock, in fact no wall had been actually touched. No cracks. No water. No threat.
After the ignorant warrior vanished, Dani had only a moment to gather her thoughts. She required more time than that. Her nerves were so unstable that the Native American almost chose sitting down and crying. Instead, she clapped her hands and went to her unconscious friends. Of her group, Rahne, Roberto, and Shan lied on the ground with practically no mark of injury. That was a very curious thing considering whom they just fought. For someone who was supposed to be this really violent warrior, Carrot Guy's actions didn't live up to the job. No broken bodies, no bleeding faces, no charred remains. Certainly Dani knew Carrot Guy had the ability to do all that. He just didn't do it now.
It was when she saw Gohan that Dani saw evidence of Kakarrotto's wrath. Lifting Gohan's body to his back, Dani was sickened with what she saw: The boy's face was one big blimp of sores, cuts, black eyes, and goose eggs. He was also breathing, which made the young woman all the more pitiful about the boy's plight. Poor kid had finally realized that his old man and Carrot Guy were one and the same, and got pounded for his troubles. Now he was going to live with the fact that Daddy Dearest clearly hated his guts.
Or did he? Dani had seen a reason for doubt it. Her fear-visions registered a different version of Carrot Guy: nice, friendly, and clearly crazy about his son. There was a mystery to that experience which had an answer. The clues were all there, the leader reasoned. She had to put them together.
Just then, Dani heard something behind her. She turned around for the big surprise.
Kakarrotto had returned!
Now the Native American found that her gambit had blown up big time. Her physical actions were for defense, as usual hiding what was truly weakness. She saw Kakarrotto look around the place. His expression was on target: only one who was made a fool of could have such a face. He looked straight at the one conscious person with glares and gnashed teeth. A great number of possible consequences to this sight were heavily thought within the Mutant's mind.
What actually happened was not among them. Once again, Kakarrotto just touched his forehead and vanished in thin air.
Dani's response was a frozen stare upon the warrior's spot. The shock of an inevitable death, and the sudden reprieve from it, mixed together to form a reaction that was neither applause nor a nervous breakdown. Her mouth gaped open while her legs bent to the ground.
"Are you kidding me!?" she spoke aloud to herself.
===
With some cajoling, Rahne, Roberto, and Shan woke up. They gave different gestures to their conditions. Rahne grappled her stomach. Shan grasped her head. Roberto did nothing. Now that was not to say he felt perfect. He just didn't want to show it. All priorities were dropped, however, when the team ran to Gohan. Rahne gave a "Poor dear," while Roberto cursed the cause of the boy's affliction.
Shan stood over the child, pressing her hand to his swelling cheek. She knew a lot about broken children. Thoughts about Nga and Leong were not far from her mind. Slowly, Gohan's eyes opened. He sat up, greatly concerned about what happened while he was asleep. Then he reacted to his injuries with an "Ouch!"
"It's alright kiddo," Dani made the best of it. "We're all safe."
Gohan pressed his sore cheeks. He didn't feel this hurt since fighting the Ginyu Force from Namek. However, his pain changed from the physical into the emotional. "Dad…" he slowly spoke, his eyes full of truth. "That was him, right?"
Small breaths of reservations flowed within the Mutants. Telling lies would be too cruel. "Yes, Gohan," Shan was the one who responded. "I'm afraid we were mistaken."
The boy let out a sigh. "Where is he?"
"Gone," Roberto dramatically answered. "He also has the Dragon Ball and the radar with him."
"Tis nothin' t' be ashamed of," Rahne gave her view. "We did our best."
Roberto gave his back to this positive remark. "Only it wasn't good enough."
Dani stood her ground. "It was beyond our power to prevent. At least look at the bright side! We survived." Waving her hand, she led her team back to the opening. Gohan followed at a distance. Despite some advice from Rahne to come closer, he didn't know if he had the right to do so.
==
The first time Gohan saw Dani looking actually happy was when she embraced Brightwind. Reaching the opening, the Native American's arms wound around the creature's neck with no restraint. Her face pressed firmly upon the furry skin of her steed. This moment lasted only for half a minute, but sometimes that was enough.
"You poor boy," the mistress looked straight at her horse's face. "That meanie Carrot Guy was very nasty, wasn't he?"
Rahne moved closer to the horse, full of confusion. "I do na' understand. Dinna he get his neck broken?"
"Brightwind's a horse of the Gods," Dani studied her pet's injuries. "Guess he's a li'l too tough t' kill." As she spoke this, her finger detected a long wrinkle around the beast's neck, emphasizing the line of a crack.
"A horse from the Gods?" Gohan repeated the answer. Though his face was strained and puffy, there was wonder in his eyes.
"Got that right." Dani responded.
With Brightwind's help, the group managed to get to the top of the cliff. It was about time to talk about their recent adventure. Dani gave her condensed review of the situation, editing out certain notes like the actual fear-image Kakarrotto saw. Gohan kept silent throughout. This disaster's fault was his.
"We were nothing but ants to him," Shan declared. Gohan began to hide his face, feeling already worse.
"Well, we did survive," Rahne made an argument.
"Only because Carrot Guy let us do so," Roberto caught his own fist. "Worse, he's got the Dragon Ball and the radar!"
As he stood, Gohan started to shake a bit.
"What'll happen if the others find orbs of their own?" Rahne responded her question.
Dani assured that confrontation would be impossible. "The Dragon Ball at Gohan's house is protected by that machine Magneto made. Anyway, our Teach's protecting Sam an' Amara, an' I'm sure Warlock can protect his cargo from detection."
"But one Dragon Ball's gone from us!" Gohan interrupted, looking straight at everyone. "You don't have to say it," his crushed face squeezed even more. "It's all my fault! My…father was right! I'm a piece of shit!"
The team looked back, bearing no agreement to this description. Nevertheless, Gohan ran down the hill, refusing to hear their cries of "Wait!" and "Come back!" Dani raised her arm like a prophet halting his followers. "Leave him be. Kid's got a lot t' think about."
Shan accepted this, but Rahne was in protest to her friend. "We canna do this! Gohan's miserable!"
Dani looked over her teary-eyed companion. "Don't think we'll be much help for what he might be goin' through."
"I can," spoke Roberto, acting very straight in his expression.
"Like ye can!" snapped Rahne. "Ye always hurt Gohan wit' yuir silly views!"
The leader didn't share those suspicions. "Go do it, Bobby."
The Brazilian made his way.
===
Sitting on the grassy knoll of this cliff would give anyone the view of the mid-day sun lifted above the ocean. Unfortunately, the sitter was Gohan, and he really felt no beauty could lift his spirits right now.
He caressed his bruised cheeks, a dark gift of his father's love. The evidence of a promise broken, a disappointment restored. He realized that he was now stuck in a wheel. One where his father would always give him pain again, and again, and again...
The boy didn't feel like crying this time. Instead, he landed his foot at a rock about the size of his head. The boulder went flying into the ocean. It's altitude continued for some time after that. The kicker gave no heed to his achievement. With a startling belief unbecoming of him, he actually wished the rock had been his father's head.
"Bravo, hombre!" said Roberto, clapping his hands in compliment. "You would do wonders for soccer!"
Gohan did not reply, instead sitting down to sulk. He wasn't in the mood to see Roberto's smug face. "Please go away," he growled. "I'm sorry for what happened."
Roberto walked beside the boy, sharing his directional perspective. "I've given you enough sorrow," he spoke politely. "Don't see why I should give you any more. Now, I can't help sympathizing with you."
Gohan didn't respond. This pressed Roberto to reveal something he only shared with his best friend. "Didn't I ever tell you about my father?"
The demi-Saiya-jin lifted his head at the unpredictable answer. He heard Roberto talk about his father before, in the same way about his own. The boy realized that this story was going to be more negative. But Roberto surprised him. "He was a fine man." His voice spoke in the way one remembers a fond memory. "My mother was absent a lot. Being an archeologist, she went on a lot of digs. I saw more of my dad than her. He was so great to me. We were more like best friends than father and son."
Gohan decided to look at the Brazilian. Roberto was not doing the same, just staring out into the ocean. His face no longer had that grimness that appeared to be his only expression (like Piccolo and Dani). He just stared into the sky with eyes of mourning, as if he remembered a departed loved one. Gohan found that he could understand with that (incredible as that seemed; this being Roberto).
The eyes grew intense, angered at an end to innocence. "But one day, I found out that my father did evil things." He paused in that sentence, his face growing tenser. Gohan was affected. He somehow knew what was going to happen next, but it didn't keep him from feeling sorry about the truth. "My view of father had now changed. The kind, decent man of my childhood had become this cruel, ambitious monster."
Gohan's eyes descended with understanding. "Do you…still love your father?" He stammered. Hearing no answer, he returned to Roberto's face; he was treating this question like a struggle.
"I-I…do. I would give anything for my father to return to the man I believed in." That answer was a battle not easily won. He looked miserable, as though it was some ordeal. "But I know that may no longer be possible. What I can do now is make sure I never become like him."
Gohan wasn't sure if he could do likewise. Did his father's path await him as well?
A charming smile returned to Roberto's mouth. He showed a move to leave. "Are you strong enough to fly, hombre?" He graciously asked Gohan like a gentleman. "If not, you can ride with us on Brightwind."
Gohan stood up with confusion. "You really want me to come with you?"
"Of course. We're here to help you. That's what the New Mutants was created for." Roberto gave out his hand as a welcome.
Still possessing feelings of hurt, Gohan found somewhat okay to be welcomed by the team. "I can fly by myself."
The two kids then walked back to their friends. Roberto and Gohan were unaware of a revealing conversation Dani had with Rahne and Shan, one that had now ended. The three female Mutants had separate perspectives on Kakarrotto that pretty much shared the same conclusion: he left much to be desired. From Rahne, Dani learned that there was something about the guy that was, in her friend's words, "na' right." Shan gave a similar recollection. Her possession found a disappointing amount of evil within Kakarrotto. This puzzled Dani. "Disappointing?" She repeated, "How could it be disappointing?"
"His soul was not awash with darkness," Shan tried to explain. "Our comrade Illyana could best him in that respect."
"That's something," Dani commented. All this info was sinking deep into the workings of her consciousness. The puzzle was coming together thanks to these new pieces. When Gohan returned to the group, she decided against any admittance to this evidence. The kid had clearly gone through a lot of disappointment. No sense bringing his hopes up.
She stood by and did nothing while Rahne and Shan asked Gohan about his present health. The boy, rubbing his gnarled face, acted like a real trooper. "I'll be okay."
The team felt very sorry, looking at the bruises the kid's face had received. These pink sores grew pinker, almost glowing.
Gohan, are you there?
Hearing this voice, Dani, Roberto, Rahne, and Shan realized that this shining affliction was not physical. It was shaped like a butterfly. Opening their own sealed minds, they all made individual contact with Psylocke.
Danielle! The voice sounded alert, speaking out the names of the others she now sensed. Is Douglas there?
Rahne's emotions piqued with that. No. He is wit' Locke, Illyana, an' the others.
Are you all safe? I sensed Kakarrotto's presence in Gohan's coordinates.
Don't worry, Dani thought frankly. We met him. Lost one radar and a Dragon Ball. Score one for Carrot Guy.
That's unfortunate.
Shan asked one question in her mind. How are you able to contact us under that field le Profuessur created?
I can answer that. At present I'm away from the island, with Gohan's mother and Luna. Are you heading back?"
Yep, Dani replied.
Fine. We shall meet you there.
Kay, Dani reasoned, we shall meet you there. At that, transmission ended.
"So we're returning back?" Rahne asked Dani, who was approaching her horse.
"Don't see much we can do now," Shan followed the order, "considering that we have no radar to find any more."
Gohan's face began to pull with intensity. Drops of sweat ran upon his temple. This was noticed by his new friends. They all continued giving their concern. "What is wrong, Gohan?" cried Shan.
"Carrot Guy coming?" Roberto went into the defensive.
With grave eyes, Gohan shook his head. "No."
"Then what?" they asked.
"My mom's gonna kill me!"
That really ended the concern, even though Gohan said that he left without her notice.
Dani placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "That's nothing. Our Headmaster's gonna annihilate us."
"You don't know my Mom!" Gohan didn't think this a laughing matter.
"Well, you're mom doesn't have a past for being a killer, a terrorist, and a would-be world conqueror." Roberto added with no respect.
Gohan wasn't convinced. "Piccolo's all that," he assured. "Mom's worse."
Dani, Rahne, Shan, and Roberto all locked eyes with that remark.
===
He left them surviving.
In a village far into the west, there was a Dragon Ball. It became Kakarrotto's destination. Within minutes, the Saiya-jin's arrival left a variety of people fallen and the retreated. Their bodies moved with groans from their mouths. Kakarrotto ignored that, his thoughts elsewhere.
He had let them survive.
Connected to his belt was a bag. It contained two of the seven treasures he needed for his goal. The latest one was obtained easy, or rather it was fought easily. How it was done was something in Kakarrotto's specialty. The orb was discovered in a den of wolves. The feral animals outmatched the Saiya-jin two to one…at least in numbers. To their fatal surprise, their prey fought as swiftly and savagely as them. Then it was over. The time it took could hardly be called long. It left the warrior with a Dragon Ball in his blood stained hand.
Now he was dealing with the higher species of animal on this dirtball of a planet. Kakarrotto expected these humans weren't much either. The radar had detected the Dragon Ball to be in some temple. Kakarrotto didn't think much on why the Dragon Ball ended up there. He was busy trying to submerge the memory of a previous action. Neither the fight with the wolves, nor this present rout did much to keep his attention away from it. The conspicuous failure of that encounter bared itself upon his thoughts, too strong to forget. He had let them escape death.
He damned that girl with the long black hair. He was insulted by her insolence. Why couldn't she act like her species and beg forgiveness? He was even more raddled by that image she presented to him. That was a humiliating experience. So, he thought to punish her and those other brats (not to mention that shit) by drowning them. Using the Shunkan Idou, the Saiya-jin teleported to the other side of the world. He could have left them to their watery fate. Instead, he came back. Why, he didn't know. Then he found out that the danger was all a trick, probably perpetrated by that girl. She had insulted him again. In that case, what punishment did he instill for this two-fold insult?
He left, leaving them to survive. He left, making a fool of himself even more.
By the time he was thinking this, Kakarrotto was now walking toward the temple. Before him were gates that towered above his own height. A strong shove made the doors break from their hinges, collapsing them to the floor. A loud noise echoed. Walking from the light, Kakarrotto saw the dim room, enlightened by a dozen rays of light from windows.
Kakarrotto took out from his armor the radar. The frequency of which the machine operated increased. This meant the direction was before him. The Saiya-jin spied around. His eyes spotted a large statue at the end of the room. There was only one person inside the empty house. He was kneeling in prayer.
The Saiya-jin walked closer, bearing no manners to the praying priest. "Give me the Dragon Ball," he asked sharply to the man, who was an old one with lots of hair stemming throughout all his face. The priest continued his chant, calling for Kami-Sama.
"I've seen Kami-Sama," Kakarrotto commented seriously. "Believe me. He won't help you."
This ticked off the old man. Anger brought him to his feet. "Blasphemer!" He threw his walking stick at the enemy. The pace of which this weapon went gave Kakarrotto enough time to take out his Nyoi-Bo. He whacked the attacking staff straight down.
The Saiya-jin
resumed staring at the priest. "Now for the last time…" the tone of his voice
increased with each word. "Give me the Dragon Ball!"
The old man still kept a defense. He
blocked the path with the last protection he possessed: His body.
This sign of courage was the least thing Kakarrotto needed. It reminded him of that girl. One act of insolence was enough. With a groan, he shoved the old man away. The priest rolled off the stairway, hitting the floor with an impact that left his body rather still.
Kakarrotto took a moment to stare at this body. He found a Ki still registered within the old priest's persona. That attention now gone, he returned to the object. Surrounded by a large statue, there lay a small box. Huge hands grasped the box, its secure lock easily opened by their strength. There was a Dragon Ball inside of it. It had four stars. This sight brought him to a pause. A word came from his lips, one that had become an anathema. "Gohan."
The result of this word made Kakarrotto react in a strong way; he annihilated the statue with but one blast from his finger.
He instantly shook his head, as if he was restoring his common sense. He was now in acceptance. Of course, he let those brats escape! Somehow he knew it was wrong to kill them so soon. He would deal with them later. That had to be the only conclusion.
He dropped the box, now separated of its jewel. This ball was now added to the bag. These treasures would make him immortal. Then he would deal with them the right way.
With quick precision, he brought out the Dragon Ball Radar. With a keen study, his eyes viewed the beeps that showed the next orb. It was up north. Dropping his arm, Kakarrotto looked to the direction. His face turned a grim color, one of analysis. He felt a score of inhabitants in that quadrant. It was possible that this place was a City.
He pressed his forehead again and vanished.
===
"You really look up to that un-jolly green giant!" Dani asked Gohan while riding Brightwind.
Flying with them, Gohan's malleable face blossomed in thought about his mentor. "He's one of the greatest fighter ever! He taught me how to fight. I know you guys might think he may look like a mean guy, but I know he's really good. I know it."
"I c'n understand tha," Rahne gave her evidence. "Our two teachers, Professor Xavier and Magneto, dinna look like happy ones, but I ken they care 'bout me an' my friends."
"I beg to differ on the latter," Roberto argued in whisper.
Giving a glare to that comment, Shan asked a different question, "So how did you meet Piccolo?"
Gohan faced the sky before him, giving a story about how Piccolo was once this evil monster who had nearly conquered the world. However, when the Saiya-jins first came, Piccolo allied himself with his father to protect the Earth. Gohan admitted that he was just a little boy then, one who had never fought in his life. Piccolo gave him those skills, and was further increasing them. "I train everyday."
This made Shan note with curiosity, "Is this for the betterment of learning your powers responsibly, or is there a greater reason?"
"Both." Gohan kindly admitted. His rough face grew rougher. "I don't want to scare you, but something bad is gonna happen a year from now. Something me, Piccolo, Kuririn, and everybody else'll have to be ready for."
Studying the dire look of his eyes, Dani couldn't help but pry. "Well, since there's a good chance we might not survive this adventure," she attempted a joke, though her gaunt face didn't convince anybody, "what difference does it make?"
With a solemn character, Gohan told his new friends about how two Androids were coming within the end of this year. They were to wage destruction on the world. In a revelation that brought strong reactions to everyone, the boy revealed that Piccolo and Kuririn were supposed to die in this battle.
"How do you know this?" asked Shan.
"Some Saiya-jin from the future came in a time machine two years ago. A good Saiya-jin. He warned us about what's gonna happen. I know you might think this story is impossible, but we all believe it enough to get ourselves ready and hopefully stop the Androids."
"Don't think that," Dani's words hid her own experiences. She slowly asked the inevitable answer. "So…did ya survive?"
Gohan looked solemnly at the fateful destination before him. "The Saiya-jin said I'm the only survivor of that first encounter…but the Androids get me years later."
Her comrades looking at her, Dani pondered well this new story. If Gohan was supposed to die much later, why was death still hovering over him? "You don't appear that much scared about dying."
Gohan returned his eyes to Dani. "Yes, I'm scared. But I can't be a coward about it. That's what Piccolo told me."
"My type of fellow," Roberto couldn't resist.
Dani turned away. She wondered if now was a good time to tell him about her visions.
"What happened to your father in this future?" asked Roberto.
"Roberto!" Rahne slapped the boy's shoulders.
But Gohan wasn't afraid to talk some more, though it was difficult. "The Saiya-jin said my dad died a year before the Androids arrived," he continued with a sad voice. "It was some heart virus. The Saiya-jin gave him medicine to save him…"
Gohan lost the words to continue. Roberto felt bad about forcing a touchy subject to the boy. Shan felt bad as well for different reasons. If what Gohan said was true, his childhood was going to be one that could hardly be called that: Just like hers. "I hope you are successful in stopping this disaster."
"Thanks," Gohan smiled again. "Y'know, I really was forced into fighting. But someone has to do it. Even if I didn't like it, I can't let people get hurt if I'm able to stop it."
"Is that what you wish to do with your life?" Shan made a remark that presented her own views.
"Well, my mom wants me to be a scholar."
"And do you?" asked Roberto.
"I do," Gohan expressed certainty. "But after the Androids are beaten. Until then, I have no choice but to train and to fight."
This brought a smile from Rahne's lips. "Ye're a noble lad." Gohan's pink cheeks grew pinker. It wasn't by Psylocke this time.
===
Gohan's mentor had at that moment returned to the island with the others.
The ruined Son residence was slightly cleaner, but empty. In separate directions, Magneto, Sam, Amara, and Piccolo walked along the ruins. Magneto saw that his device to block out their inner energies was still operational.
Not getting a better check of the place before, Sam and Amara looked around, viewing what was once a home. Sam felt reason to lament these ruins. It appeared that everywhere they went, disaster followed. Amara felt guilty as well, though she was equally interested searching for pictures of Kakarrotto, especially the ones that showed more skin. At any rate, the empty house was proof to the two of them that their teammates had made good on their advantages. "It appears that they took Elizabeth, Kuririn, Gohan, and his mother with them." Said Amara.
"Unfortunately for them," Magneto coldly added, letting out a small ounce of the emotions within him.
Piccolo made casual steps out of the house, staring into the far horizon. Hi eyes spotted a disturbance in the horizon. He said nothing, planning to see how fast it would take for Magneto to learn their presence as well.
Magneto gathered Sam and Amara together. "I shall search for your classmates." His next words were strongly made clear. "Stay here!" It was his hope that unlike their friends, Sam and Amara would give respect to his wishes (these students felt otherwise, if their friends were indeed in trouble). The Headmaster began to hover over the ground, climbing onto the magnetic waves that surrounded him.
Sam walked a few steps at this remarkable feat. His eyes then looked toward Piccolo. This led to him sharing the Namekian's viewpoint. "Hold it, sir," he declared to his teacher. "Somebody's comin' o'r there!"
Still above them all, Magneto quickly turned to the direction given by his student. Giving careful analysis on the scene before him, his sense of the magnetic aura revealed to him several persons disturbing it. The Headmaster quickly traveled these magnetic waves to rendezvous with the arriving visitors. Sam followed in rocket form. Amara ran along the ground, though grievously in a slower pace. Piccolo just remained where he was.
With a little magnetic manipulation, the Headmaster gave discretion to his students, rendering them invisible from the threat. On the whole, the arriving New Mutants appeared relatively unharmed. However, they still possessed the signs of a confrontation; Magneto noted bruises around the horse Brightwind, and he really looked at the gnarled face of Gohan. The New Mutants definitely had much to answer for.
Once everyone was settled to the ground, and after the Mutants gave their greetings to each other, explanations were made. Sam showed the new people his group's acquired gift. "We got a Dragon Ball."
"So did we," Shan revealed with a stoic expression on her face, "and lost it."
Roberto continued. "With the radar to Carrot Guy."
Amara strongly reacted to this. "You saw him?" Dani, Shan, Roberto, and Rahne were all puzzled about this. Sam just rubbed his face. "Ah'll explain it later." Roberto had an idea, much to the wounding of his ego.
Magneto made his entrance into the conversation, not very amused. "I do not see the rest of you," noting the absence of Illyana, Doug, Warlock, and Tenchi.
"Probably still with Kuririn," answered Dani, "looking for the Dragon Balls."
Magneto's eyes toughened into a solid glare. "What was the meaning of this, Danielle?" he spoke strictly to the one responsible. "You were told not to search on your own."
Of the gang, only Dani and Roberto gave no sign of remorse.
"And you also endangered Gohan." Magneto revealed his knowledge, "In that you would know better…"
"Hey!" Dani faced off the teach in that sore point, "Gohan came after us! The kid didn't listen."
This mention of Gohan's stubbornness resulted in a small smile from Piccolo's lips.
Magneto failed to break. "He would have listened," he continued, "if given the right models."
Dani fought back. "Look, I thought we could make a difference finding the Dragon Balls. I admit that I screwed up in facing Kakarrotto, letting him get the Dragon Radar, but I'm not sorry for searching. I feel we did the right thing."
"Words of an X-Man," said Magneto. "Which you are not."
Roberto broke in with an accusatory look. "We're closer than you'll ever be!"
As much as he liked seeing Magneto's quarrel, Piccolo went to Gohan. "You appear to have been through a battle." His words coming from a poker face.
Gohan made the best of it. "Reminds me of the training you give me."
Making a small smile, Piccolo quickly turned a disapproving gaze to the New Mutants. "I see you've all experienced little. Evidence of your strength no doubt."
As much as Dani felt like the failure, she wasn't happy about the disrespect given to her teammates by this green giant. Gumby he wasn't.
Roberto snapped as usual to any insult given to him. "You did no better against us or Kakarrotto," the boy's body charged into Sunspot.
Piccolo grinned, folding his arms. "I could teach you a few things, strapling."
"Delay your frustration, DaCosta," Magneto waved his hand in prohibition. It did nothing to calm Roberto. In fact, it wasn't expected. Sam proved more useful in restraining his best friend through words. Magneto had other questions. "Does anyone know where my granddaughter is?" His voice demanded an answer.
"We had contact with Betsy, le Professeur," Shan answered. "She is someplace with Chichi and Luna. They will come back here soon."
Much to the unhappiness to everyone, Magneto grew less amused. "And did you not realize the dangers they could be summoning?"
"Psylocke's a capable telepath," Dani strongly argued. "She could render herself and the others invisible to Carrot Guy."
"By the way," noted Amara, "where's the Dragon Ball that was here?"
"We left it here…" Rahne looked around. One startling transformation later, the wolf began searching for the ball. Changing into lupine form, she cried out, "Chichi's got it!"
There was no answer. Instead, the mixture of evidence was enough for a shocking realization to come onto the group. The New Mutants stared at each other with this horrible meaning. They looked for Magneto. Guessing a moment faster than anyone, he was already gone from their sight. Piccolo had left his turban and cape behind.
===
Wishing to see her beloved son, Chichi directed Psylocke to a short cut. This passage went through a city. The aircar they used for transportation moved along the crowded area. Fortunately, little problem was made in the trip. Betsy felt somewhat pleased getting the hang of flying this thing. It gave her time to see the futuristic buildings and bridges this world had. Then she sensed a blue-garbed policeman. This man's physical form stepped in front of the vehicle, his hands waving for a stop.
He walked over to the driver's window. Betsy opened the glass for her interview.
"Oh, it's a woman driver."
"I beg your pardon!" cried Chichi.
Feeling defensive, the policeman paid his attention on the driver. "Your first time?"
"I am afraid so," answered Betsy rather awkwardly, "with this car."
The policeman made a sigh, than asked. "Can I look at your license?"
That question called for some drastic measures. "Yes, I have a license," Psylocke made her next answer with both voice and mind.
"Check," said the officer, as though he was given some evidence.
"Go on," Psylocke responded, almost like a command.
The officer waved his hand. "Go on," he repeated her command.
The aircar was now off, the driver getting some amazement from her passenger. "Thatta girl!" Chichi commented, "Wish I could do that t' Gohan."
"I shan't encourage it," Psylocke advised. "Playing with a person's mind is a very nasty thing."
"Look who's talkin'!"
Psylocke tried her best to convince otherwise. "I only did that by necessary factors. If I hadn't used my powers on the officer, we would have been arrested…" Her cautions suddenly went to a halt. To Betsy's silence, Chichi still continued with her protest, saying that if Betsy had her family, every moment was necessary. However, the woman realized the sudden darkness on Betsy's face. By the way she was staring at empty space, Chichi knew it was something in her mind.
"He's coming!" Betsy snapped with urgency.
Although she clearly had an idea of this 'he', Chichi couldn't help saying "Goku?"
Psylocke's eyes glowed with a butterfly effect. Her expressions could never be mistaken for anything but deep concentration. "The radar he has is leading him here."
The mention of 'radar,' which Betsy had not previously disclosed before, sent Chichi into a pause. "There's one 'n here!"
"Oh no," she grew angry. "Don't tell me..."
"I did," Chichi spoke shamelessly.
Betsy touched her own face in frustration. "You took the one we had with us?" She angrily questioned.
Not one who wanted to be shouted at, Chichi responded with similar loudness. "How'd I know Goku'd get the radar?"
"You silly woman! You've endangered us and this city!"
Despite the strength of her voice, Betsy found that her opponent was more able in this type of battle. "Who're ya callin' silly?" Chichi's voice almost became a growl. The two ladies' next move was to look away from each other with a snub. To herself, Psylocke pondered on how best to counter this problem. She had seen thoughts of grim pillage from Kakarrotto's mind; his search was not going to be a peaceful one. She couldn't leave the Dragon Ball in the city. There could only be one decision: get out of the city with the Dragon Ball.
While she was realizing this idea, Psylocke's aircar was moving slowly. She stepped on the gas pedal. Though no accident was caused, it received a lot of shouts and horns.
Chichi stuck her head out of the window, roaring a big response for the other drivers to clam up! Then there was silence.
"Thatta girl!" Psylocke returned the compliment. Locking to other people's thoughts gave the telepath the directions she needed to leave the city. She was now about to cross the bridge that led to their escape. Unfortunately, her vaunted telepathy could do nothing against the traffic jam that packed the bridge.
This was not what she needed. The atmosphere of serious jeopardy was so apparent as to be almost touchable. If Kakarrotto found them here, surrounded by innocent people, a massacre may be an apparent conclusion. Too bad the cars before them gave little notice to this plight. Not even the loud words of Chichi could end the jam, even though her cries could be heard all the way to the front.
Stuck in her path, Psylocke bit her thumb nail. She cursed all the cars, almost letting her thoughts ram into all the drivers' minds. It would be a lie to say that the telepath was thinking only of herself. She was more worried about everyone else around her. She couldn't mask her presence at this point from Kakarrotto. For one thing, that would make her invisible to everyone's thoughts, maybe worsening the traffic. Besides, she couldn't screen out the Dragon Ball's signature from the radar.
Stuck in her decision to save lives, Betsy looked out for any visual signs of the Saiya-jin. She then spotted the river beneath them. Now she had an inspiration. The girl looked back to Chichi. "Where did you put the Dragon Ball? I got to drop it in the river!"
"It's under the seat!" Psylocke attempted a search. That was easier said than done. The controls that separated the two seats proved a barrier for Psylocke to move closer. Chichi, unable to physically help due to holding Luna, aided in the best way she could.
Psylocke's mind received a flash. Her ears heard a boom.
She looked up. People were passing by her car, the distress of their thoughts all too clear. He was here.
To her credit, Chichi showed no fear to their situation.
"Hold on you two!" ordered Betsy as she turned the wheel. The car rammed into another vehicle, now abandoned by its driver. Pressing on, Psylocke succeeded in tipping the car over. With a full sense of what was going on, Psylocke was intending to flee from the opposite direction that the enemy was positioned at.
However, the enemy had landed, on their car! This more or less surprised the passengers, if not scaring them. It was quite courageous, especially since Kakarrotto was now bearing his angry face upon the windshield glass.
"Goku?" cried Chichi. She could never refer him by any other name.
Meanwhile, Psylocke tried shaking the warrior off the car by turning it. Like an ape, he lunged to her side of the vehicle, projecting a long, muscled arm through the window.
"Back off ass!" the telepath screamed. A release of mental energy rushed out of her mind. The contact threw the Saiya-jin off the car. This mid-air pull placed him straight before a charging lamp post. There followed a huge "PUH" and a "CRACK" when man and object connected. Chichi looked back, "You hurt Goku!"
"Aren't you supposed to be over him?" Psylocke looked forward. She knew that the post would be the real one to suffer from that collision.
"'Course I'm over 'im!" the woman angrily replied.
Psylocke ignored it. She had other things to think about. Already she sensed the warrior's recovery. Her clairvoyance found a strong indication for an energy blast coming to her left. Betsy turned the wheel all the way to the right. Her dodging wasn't enough to protect her vehicle from feeling the explosion, its sudden heat made her face shrug.
Sensing a blast coming to block her way, the driver instantly stopped the car. Then she made swerved away from it. The guy was just playing with them, like cat and mouse.
"Chichi, are you alright?" Betsy asked her passenger. Such advice was unheeded, as the mother kept a string vigil throughout this bumpy ride. Luna, on the other hand, was very upset, revealing it by balling.
"Watch out!" Chichi screamed.
Before Betsy could react, she saw another energy blast coming right before them. Again, she stepped on the brakes, making another stop that saved them from danger, but in a very rough matter. Banging her head on the steering wheel by choice, Betsy had now had enough playing this bullocks' game. She turned to Chichi, an attention that filled her with concern. While Luna was perfectly all right, screaming at being so disturbed from her sleep, her self-appointed baby-sitter wasn't moving. Her unconscious head leaned against the wall near the side window. A psi-scan revealed positive signs that Chichi was still of this world.
Looking at herself from the rear-view mirror, the mutant also spied a figure walking slowly to their car. This was it. The final decision was now set on stone. She was going to show that bastard the tiger within this doll. With a desperate choice, she telepathically coaxed the baby into sleep. Psylocke hoped she would be safe. Kakarrotto wasn't going to be, she remarked as she unfastened her seatbelt. Opening the door, she walked out in a dignified manner. She gave Kakarrotto a glare that could freeze men in their tracks.
The Saiya-jin continued his walk, highlighted by flame. He ignored this woman's stance, though it did increase his rage. Not another stupid woman! "Give me the Dragon Ball."
Psylocke made an expression of pondering, then quickly replied, "No."
Kakarrotto's twisted his mouth into a smirk. "Woman, I'm in no mood."
I'm in no mood either. That message paused Kakarrotto. He saw that the woman said nothing, but he heard her voice just the same. Telepathy, he gathered. A power similar to Tenshinhan and Chaozu: two more worthless fighters! He now felt assured. If that power was all she had, Kakarrotto had nothing to fear.
You will.
Kakarrotto's smirk shrank into surprise. He realized that she was reading his thoughts right now! He didn't like that. My thoughts are my business, he gave the woman a piece of his mind.
Really? Smiled Psylocke.
This goaded the Saiya-jin to answer back in his own mouth. "So what are you going to do?"
"No," Psylocke switched from mouth to mind. This!
Her eyes sparkled with pink light. At that very instant, a fire ignited within Kakarrotto's brain. It was a ferocious flame, full of intense destructive fury. His very mind was burning! It threw him to his knees, his face batting eyes that opened wide and closed tightly. No thoughts could be made easily under this inferno. The ideas only served to fan the flames hotter and stronger.
His bulging eyes found no evidence of the woman projecting any blasts of energy. This fact did not make the woman a respectful foe in his view. She was a cheat, he thought in intense pain. The cause just looked on with firm attention. Kakarrotto began to beat his face again.
"Uh, uh, uh," Psylocke playfully explained. "That may have worked with Karma, but my psychic defenses are stronger than hers. I think you should stop doing that."
Kakarrotto felt his fist open against his will. The arm that wielded it fell limply. All his body parts were no longer of his control.
A new explosion of flame ignited in the Saiya-jin's cranium blaze.
===
Her head lying against the wall that knocked her out, Chichi began to stir. Lost in her unconsciousness, her chaotic slumber was being put into order. A scream was the cause.
The woman's eyes dimly opened, then widened at the previous thoughts. She moved her head. It hurt a lot. Remembering that Luna was in her arms, Chichi carefully secured the babe's safety to her arms, apologizing for her stupidity. She heard the scream again. She could almost recognize it. Turning to the source, Chichi saw Goku cringing in deep pain, with Betsy standing over him. Her husband was in trouble.
And what did that mean? Chichi had good reason. It was over for the two of them.
There was more screaming. It made her angrier. Goku had pretty much ruined her life. Chichi refused to listen. She didn't care if that screaming lug was dying or something. She didn't care. She didn't love him…
===
Psylocke received a hit on the head. Her thoughts suddenly disarrayed by the new pain, she was only able to sense the assailant who threw the object. Making a psi-scan, she knew why. Love can be so stupid.
Although she began to fall, Psylocke didn't hit the ground. A strong hand kept her up. A very strong hand. Kakarrotto saw the Dragon Ball that hit her head. He dragged the telepath with him to get it. Adding this orb to his collection, he was now free to devote his attention to the telepath. It was a vengeful attention at that. "Think you're so hot with that power of yours?" he shouted with spit flying onto his victim's face. "Wonder if you need your eyes!"
The possible intentions almost broke Psylocke's cool. Though tears fell from her eyes, she kept a strong face.
One couldn't understand the extent of Kakarrotto's rage. He wanted to hurt this woman. Then he heard a cry. "Goku!"
The Saiya-jin turned his head to the source of that accursed name. His body did so as well, rotating with an aggressive twist that was almost beastly. He was especially bestial by the recognition of the caller.
Chichi stood where she was, with a baby in her arms. Kakarrotto reacted to the child with his usual spite. "Don't even think you can call that brat mine." He angrily declared, his mouth tense and ugly with each word. "One shit is enough."
Chichi's face was of a protesting expression. No fear came from it. In meeting Kakarrotto again, she would not surrender to weakness this time around. "Let her go!" she spoke a plea made with a strong voice. The next word was equally loud, if not demanding. "Please."
Kakarrotto just stared, still holding Betsy. To Chichi's advantage, he obeyed by dropping his captive. Much to Chichi's distress, her husband had decided to throw his vengeful attentions upon her. "You're the real problem." He decided.
Grasping Luna tightly, the wife was frozen with too many choices, none of which appeared to be workable: Fighting him would be dangerous, with the girl and all. Running away would be hopeless due to Goku's speed. All she could do was talk. If that was the only way, it was the only way.
"Goku…"
"Don't call me that!" Kakarrotto's rage made his mouth sputter quickly with effect. Chichi held her tongue, but did not waver anyway else. She held her strength. By now, the frenzy on the Saiya-jin's lips had reached the point of spitting. "Of all these lowlifes, you're the most worthy of my hatred!" His hard, unbreakable eyes glared to the point that Chichi thought they were piercing through her. "You…bitch! You tried to steal my purity with your dirty relations. You shat that freak."
"Gohan's no freak," Chichi declared. "He's our son!"
"He's not mine!" Kakarrotto screamed some more.
Chichi screamed back. "Yes he is!"
It was now Kakarrotto's turn to be silent.
Chichi only continued with sincere eyes. "Don't matter how much ya deny it, he's a part o' ya!"
"That pollution?" The Saiya-jin responded. "That shit, a part of me? That's a laugh."
His grim expression gave Chichi reason to doubt. "I don't hear ya laughin'!" her words were almost an insult.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!" Kakarrotto fulfilled her question, though there was no mirth or joy in the way he made that chuckle. No conviction either.
Aware of the shouting, Luna started to cry. Chichi, however, moved closer to the behemoth. Her face was not soft or begging, although her words were. "Ya can't really be this," she spoke as her chin touched the upset babe's hair. "Y'r still Goku!"
"I've heard enough of these lies!" the Saiya-jin screamed through his teeth. His arms were raised with menacing fists that could tear steel.
Chichi moved her head over the babe, still watching her attacker. This was her final act of defense. Unyielding, she waited for the raised fists to fly into her. She felt nothing. Kakarrotto posed like a statue. His fists stayed levitated in the air. His face smirked at her with a shaking fury. He was still angry, but he remained in a pause. Then Chichi looked at his black eyes. For a moment, there was a softness in them.
It was a temporary moment, as the eyes hardened back to their present glare. The arms slid on both sides of his body; no hit having taken place. Kakarrotto remained staring at her, with an unhappy face. "Get away," he growled through his teeth.
Surprised, Chichi moved a step. "Goku?"
"You're not worth killing, bitch!" he exclaimed. "I said get away!" He turned away, repulsed at what he was now doing. He noticed something pulling his foot. It was stuck in something. Metal grew like weeds upon his leg. In seconds, he saw his entire body covered within this metallic rash. It pushed him away.
Then Chichi saw Magneto.
===
"C'mon!" cried Gohan. He could have sped to the scene in time much shorter than this trek. Unfortunately, he had to rely on the gadget Dani had on her wrist. This device was called a 'mini-cerebro.' It was like the DB radar, except it detected Mutants like Dani instead of Dragon Balls. The owner was flying her horse Brightwind in great pace, but Gohan couldn't help thinking the possibility that he could reach the scene much sooner than them. His mother was going to need some help. There was no longer any reassurance that Dad would be merciful. After what happened, the guy was capable of doing any wrong.
"Hurry!" The boy zoomed around the group that followed him.
"Be patient, hombre!" Roberto shouted. "Not all of us were trained to fly."
"Then give me the radar!"
"No way, jose!" shouted Dani, protecting her device. "This time you're gonna do what I say. You're stayin' with us!"
Gohan groaned, ready to disregard that order.
Dani strengthened her order. "You get your flying butt back here!"
The boy slowed down, wondering what was the matter with Dani. It seemed he was always in the wrong in her view. What was eating her?
Driving out those thoughts with an exhalation of breath, Gohan forcibly took on the hope that Piccolo had reached the coordinates in time.
===
Magneto dropped into the space between the warrior and his wife. Chichi felt impressed by the way Magneto made his entrance. He almost looked like a wizard casting a spell. His cape blew in the wind, connected to arms that conjured with striking gestures. It appeared that he was the cause for that substance on Goku. Magneto stared before the woman, his face hardened for the battle that was to begin. "Is Luna safe?"
Chichi looked at the child, seeing no danger. She nodded.
"Leave us," Magneto spoke, his stare making such an intolerance to stubbornness. Chichi would have normally defied this, but she unpredictably agreed. While bearing the headmaster's granddaughter in one arm, she then lifted Psylocke upon her free shoulder. With one last look, she gave a plea. "Please don't kill him!" She was then off, charging with remarkable speed to the aircar.
At that, the Saiya-jin ripped through this metallic harness with an outburst of power. As much as this was due to the desire to be free, the warrior had seen something to really set him off. The bitch was standing next to the lowlife in purple. He didn't like the way she looked at the guy.
Both opponents threw their eyes of anger. It was the Master of Magnetism who made the first word. "You have made an enemy of Magneto. You will live to regret that mistake, I promise."
Sensing practically nothing, Kakarrotto put his best foot forward for attack. "You think you're so clever, blocking my senses! Well, no human makes a fool of me!"
"For the record, Saiya-jin…" Magneto stated, "I am no human. I'm a Mutant."
"What's that?" Kakarrotto asked without flinching. "Some alien?"
"No. Your racial superior." The Headmaster raised a hand as if to command. To Kakarrotto's view no servant or kinsman heeded this call- at least not the human variety. Every piece of damaged metal was raised by the magnetic lord's word. By his will, these pieces came together, stringing into a long, spiky tentacle. This giant worm flew straight for its target like a drill. Kakarrotto stood with firm posture at this attack, which rammed his chest with such contact as to make large noises of squeaks and bends. This strain broke the confederation, with failure its result; the Saiya-jin remained where he was, his chest plate had formed a hole, but his skin showed nothing of scars.
Kakarrotto just looked at his opponent with a smug resolution. "Is that the best you can do?"
Most opponents would have been at a loss to see such endurance, but Magneto gave no expression of fear. His intentions had readied him for this. He knew well from his earlier battle with Piccolo that such an attack would not have worked. Nor did he intend to kill Kakarrotto. That was a definite prohibition. Thus, he could only imprison him. With quick concentration, he caused particles of iron to once again float around the Saiya-jin's arms and legs. The warrior tried swatting them away, but they were persistent. The particles clung to his hands and feet, joining together into fabrics that grew thicker and thicker. There was now four huge spheres of metal, each one holding a limb of the warrior. Sure enough, the prisoner was not accepting this, pulling with all his strength like an animal attempting to break free. Magneto knew it; it took great concentration to hold him in place. He had to defeat him quickly. As Magneto moved closer, the Saiya-jin's chest became the target for his white-gloved palm, crackling with great amounts of electricity.
His chance was disrupted by a rival- Piccolo. The Namekian thrust his surprise attack, replacing Magneto's hand with his own fist upon the Saiya-jin's face. Jerking his head back, Kakarrotto grew angry. Calling upon his reserves, the warrior determined his freedom. One arm ripped from the ball that restrained it. It grabbed his other arm, swinging its own restraints with it. The strength of this force tore the sphere free from his hand. This caused the ball to fly as well, straight for the two opponents.
Dodging it, the two did not give any sympathy for the other. "You fool!" Magneto's eyes crackled energy. "Leave this to me!"
"You've had your play," Piccolo explained his absence. "Now let me work!" He quickly zoomed for the emancipating Kakarrotto, who was now ripping his legs free.
Magneto would have followed, if he hadn't spotted someone. On a ledge was a man with a camera. Magneto frowned his thoughts at this evidence of man's shame. But he had to play the hero. A generating of magnetic power disabled the reporter's camera, than threw him to a long distance…safely.
===
By now the New Mutants were about ready to reach the outskirts of the city. They witnessed the huge migration of the crowd below them. This intense moment gave the two leaders cause to speak about their next move.
Dani had her questions. "The mini-Cerebro's a little fuzzy right now."
Sitting behind her, Roberto peered his eyes over Dani's speculation. "Our teacher must be damaging the sensors with his blasted powers."
"Gee, I didn't know that," Dani gave sarcasm to Roberto's theory. However, she quieted down. No time for a quarrel.
Wolfsbane, seating her lupine self behind Roberto, gave her careful stares upon the crowd below. She didn't like this panic. The possibility of a lot of innocent people getting hurt wasn't something she could handle. Suddenly, her spotted a familiar scent.
Gohan saw this as well. At the end of the migration, a small vehicle followed the large group like a wolf-cub followed a pack. "It's the family car!"
Cannonball flew down to get the driver's attention, with Gohan. Sure enough, Chichi's attention to her only son stopped her drive. She shivered, unable to contain the impressionable emotions within her. She got out of the car with Luna. She stopped again, stunned by the injuries that marked her son's beautiful face.
Getting off Brightwind, Shan was the first to speak with her. "Chichi," she asked. "Is Luna all right?"
Chichi remained silent. In a hypnotic trance, she comfortably handed the baby to the Vietnamese Mutant. She walked to her new target. This person felt nervous in a meeting that was probably going to be another reprimand from his mother. "Mom…" he pleaded. "I'm sorry for leaving…"
"Gohan!" Chichi wrecked her son's fears. She quickly embraced the youth, tears leaking from her eyes. "You're alright! Your momma was so worried! Oh, your poor face! Don't it hurt?"
His head squeezed into her breasts, Gohan couldn't say anything. He didn't know if he wanted to say anything. It was overwhelming to learn his mother wasn't angry with him, surprised instead to see her concern for him. But she was always like that, wasn't she? Mother never hated him, never disappointed him, and was always there when he needed her. The boy closed his eyes, trying not to respond to his mother's weeping in kind.
Sam decided to break this family moment by asking about Magneto.
Chichi squealed with a small 'yes', unable to speak normally. "He's fighting Goku right now!"
"What about Piccolo?" Gohan found his voice.
Chichi remembered her experience. "I didn't see him."
That gave everyone the sign to continue. Breaking from his mother's hug, Gohan continued his trek to see Piccolo. Chichi wasn't too happy to see her son decide to head to such a disaster area. But she accepted it, as long as she went with him. To some of the group, this appeared to be a great idea. The car appeared to be a good substitute instead over Brightwind.
While Rahne remained with her best friend, the other passengers of Dani's ride made a crowded passage into the car.
===
"So the Daimon Piccolo joins the battle!" Kakarrotto smugly announced, his eyes carrying a bored glare. "You didn't show much when we fought last time."
"You didn't give me a chance," Piccolo gave his smugness, "Considering that you ran away."
Kakarrotto's face grew interested. "I heard that shit cry out!" he protested. "I wanted to see if it was killed!"
Piccolo's smile fell at the label 'shit.' "Are you certain? Could there be another reason…"
"Shut up!" Kakarrotto refused to hear any more. He threw his hands together. A blast of energy ignited from his palms. This funnel of power streamed right through Piccolo. It was only an after-image. The real one was behind the Saiya-jin, ready to throw a major haymaker. It was only through the great speed he possessed that Kakarrotto was saved from getting hit full force. Moving with the punch, the Saiya-jin realized that his keen senses were no longer working; that mutant, or whatever he called himself, was interfering with them. It didn't matter; this was no setback.
The Saiya-jin threw a fist at the Namekian, only to touch a ghost. Piccolo appeared from behind, slugging what he realized was an after-image of Kakarrotto. This was how the duel continued. Each fighter was skillful and fast enough to keep this illusionary conflict to a remarkable amount of time. Unfortunately, unlike his Saiya-jin opponent, the Namekian's limits were near. A good thing he had a plan for this eventuality.
Clearly, Kakarrotto was playing the more aggressive part of the fisticuffs. Piccolo moved and attacked at certain positions, be it a building, a rock next to the building, an arch near the rock, and so on. Kakarrotto was not stupid to the pattern of these attacks, but he was amused to see how this manipulation would pay off. His pride would not allow him to be cautious against inferior beings.
They were now passing between two buildings. These monuments led to an open square. Kakarrotto ran another fist at what was another after-image of Piccolo. This movement sent him into the open area, where he saw a massive sight surrounding him: thousands of small orbs of energy. They all fluttered around him, glowing brightly.
The Saiya-jin's attention then turned the voice of Piccolo, floating before the area. He heard the Namekian say, "Die."
The orbs suddenly swirled and pulled from their places, all hurtling to one source of attraction.
There was a huge explosion.
===
The New Mutants were now through the worst of it. The aircar that carried most of them passed through the abandoned vehicles, dodging each as if they were going through an asteroid belt.
Then they saw a huge light, followed by the sound of a loud wind. The latter was approaching them.
Amara jumped out of the car. Flashing into her Magma form, she drew from the Earth a large barrier that blocked the vehicle's path. Brightwind landed her mistress to this wall as the strong winds hit. Dust and debris flew above them all. Magma kept to her spot, maintaining the rock's strength in this onslaught, with Gohan and Sunspot leaned against it for added support. They remained until the winds and the dust died to the will of silence and vision.
It was evident that this zone was a message to what lay ahead. Cannonball versed the warning. "Anybody who don't wish t' go ahead, say so," Cannonball gave a serious comment. No one spoke. Going farther wasn't really a firm choice in anyone's heart, but neither was turning back. The Mutants who had already faced Kakarrotto showed their decision by silence. Gohan and Sunspot backed a foot away from the makeshift rampart. They each raised one arm. The barrier was instantly destroyed. Although Gohan's fist hit the rock first, the two decided to think that the shattering was a team effort.
Watching them return to the car, Rahne cried to Chichi. "Ye must be very proud o' yuir son,"
"Damn right!" the mother replied with no doubt.
===
Magneto too felt the vibrations of a greater chain reaction. He protected himself by a shield. He flew through the damaged buildings, noting a possibility for a loss of life. He couldn't deal with that now. Whether that was indifference or devotion to the greater priority, he did not have time. His mutant self zoomed through the misty fog, spotting Piccolo. The Namekian's grim face presented a wish for victory that was fulfilled. Sure enough, another argument was about to be made between the two. Then their senses went wild.
The mist cloud quickly dispersed, in a greater speed than it should. In the center of this, Piccolo and Magneto saw it. Kakarrotto stood suspended in the air. He was not only unbeaten, but now increased in power. His hair shined golden locks that stood up. His fierce eyes radiated in a greenish color.
Magneto noticed Piccolo gape for the first time. "He-e's done it! He's risen to his Super Saiya-jin level!" Piccolo quickly recovered his resolve, now more angry than scared. He had hoped to defeat Kakarrotto before he reached this default form. Now that case was forever ruined. His own strength, never an equal to the Saiya-jin's present level, had already diminished in the failed gambit.
The Headmaster kept a poker face to the intensity their situation had become. The electromagnetic fields that flowed around the warrior flashed in a chaotic fashion. Such a feat could exemplify a degree of extreme power. Surprisingly, Magneto was more disturbed by the fact that Kakarrotto resembled an Aryan.
The Super Saiya-jin remained at his spot in the center of the air. He was smiling. "You both have given me your best," he ranted. "Now it's my turn."
He clapped his hands. The aftershock made Piccolo and Magneto retreat into the buildings behind them. Fortunately, the walls they hit broke more.
"Such…power," Magneto's voice sounded from his gritted teeth. He sensed a disturbance of the magnetic fields around him. He placed a shield of protection. It received one Super Saiya-jin punch from one side of the shield. Then another blow fell upon another side. This attack went on, adding no strength to the shield. To Magneto, the company of attacks appeared as if he was fighting a team instead of one man. He had once pressed off the destructive power of the Planet devourer Galactus. But that was just one blast. Here he was receiving more than that. This siege of fists brought enough strain to break through the shield.
And Magneto knew he had to find a means to stop this. He had found one, based on the evidence of how Kakarrotto teleported. But although such a move had the chance of neutralizing the threat, it shared the risk of being fatal as well.
The field was broken. Magneto sensed it, ready to counteract it. Kakarrotto acted first, throwing a free blow that knocked into his chest. Only the steel fibers of his suit gave the Master of Magnetism the mercy of just broken ribs. He didn't scream, much to the assailant's disappointment. He punched again, forcing Magneto's torso to curve in one direction, with his arms, legs, and head flying to another direction. A kick sent the headmaster away from his present direction. He hurtled straight into the destination Kakarrotto's foot had sent him. He crashed with such impact that a lesser man would be unable to move again.
Kakarrotto stared at that fallen foe. Unfortunately, he didn't kill him. Although the Saiya-jin had only met this mutant for a brief time, he was yet another person who earned his hatred. That image of him and the bitch were the fuel of his animosity. His senses now restored, he was ready for Piccolo. "Thanks for taking down that dolt," the Namekian grinned as he attacked. "Saved me the trouble." His clawed hands thrust and stabbed like snakes ready to inflict venomous bites.
"I didn't know I was doing you a favor!" Kakarrotto spoke, catching one of these 'snakes', then the other. Now the warrior was pressing arms with his green opponent. His pressure twisted them into a possible breaking point. Piccolo just glared on without sign of distress. "You're the Super Saiya-jin, the greatest warrior in the world," Piccolo spoke a tongue of sarcasm. "Destroying me would be so easy for one of such egotistical appointing. Yet I'm still here."
Kakarrotto's mouth swung open with a cruel explanation. "It's for the Dragon Balls' sake that I let you live." He had begun to hear the arms snap.
As painful Piccolo's weakened standoff was, he still chose his words. "Is it?" To his pleasure, he picked up a groan from Kakarrotto. A frustrated groan.
"You know nothing!" Kakarrotto cried. "At least I'm not a person who teaches shits how to fight."
Piccolo remained smiling, despite the cruelty of those words. "Nor am I one who agrees to laud the ego of a pathetic warrior."
That did it. "I'll teach you for saying that!" A minute later, the four limb of Piccolo were severed. The Namekian's torso crashed into the ground, armless and legless. Only his head remained affixed from this amputation job, courtesy of Kakarrotto. Despite this situation, Piccolo felt some satisfaction. He had always wanted to know the extent of Goku's Super Saiya-jin powers. Now he knew.
That job done, the Namekian got down to business. Arms and legs suddenly erupted from the wounds in splatters of green slime. This miraculous regeneration wasn't to Piccolo's advantage, however. It taxed his strength considerably; to re-grow one limb was hardly a problem. Recreating all four was.
He looked up at Kakarrotto, biding his time in a game that was surely his. Piccolo wondered what exactly was the warrior waiting for. Why did he bother putting himself through this minor exercise, knowing full well about his recovery abilities? Piccolo looked at the equally bruised and beaten Magneto. No limbs were removed from him.
Magneto found himself unable to get up. Now he had time to think. It seemed impossible that the Master of Magnetism would be so beaten. Did his decision to follow Xavier's path make him weak? He could do nothing but hear Kakarrotto's ravings.
"Mutants, Earthlings, Namekians. What weak opponents you all are!" the Super Saiya-jin joked. "If this is the best your races can offer, it would be better if I wiped out your kinds from the face of this universe. All for the betterment of my race!"
For the betterment of my race. That sentence stabbed into Magneto's mind. Memories were struck from the Headmaster's thoughts. These remembrances stung agony upon him. This wound rendered his more physical ailments trivial and pointless. His neutralized body, frozen to the point of paralysis, began to move again.
"For the betterment of your race?" he quoted those words, his mouth spitting out blood.
He was now at his feet, though he had to clutch stacks of rubble for support. Despite his precarious condition, one could see this was a man unwilling to let any force put him down. One who was determined never to let certain actions be ever committed again.
This man threw his glare straight for the Saiya-jin, the target of his rage. "For the betterment of your race!?" he hollered those words as if they were heresy. "Do you know the terrible cost of such an ideal!?"
Kakarrotto gave no response. Magneto didn't need one to continue. "I've heard people more vile than you spout such words." He limped with a rigid balance that suddenly grew in strength, creating a correct equilibrium. "I was unable to stop them…" he looked down. But he returned back to his objective, restored of strength. "But by the eternal, I will stop you!"
Getting to his own feet, Piccolo studied his ally's stance. The man was strict in emotion, with no fear. Only sheer hatred. It was a good guess that he had a solution. For some reason, Piccolo found himself believing that this man had a way to stop the Saiya-jin. At least, he thought in egotism, it would be interesting to watch. However, Piccolo clearly sensed that while Magneto had the will, his exhausted powers were hardly a support.
This understanding tempted him to assist in Magneto's solution. It meant using a power he had been adamant about ever using. On the other hand, it would be the kind of assistance a superior being like himself would give to a mortal like him. What did he have to lose in this venture?
===
Suddenly, Magneto felt his waning energies increase considerably. His confidence, in any case, didn't need such affirmation. He was going to commit this act no matter what.
Kakarrotto felt a field surround him. His Super-Saiya-jin abilities would break through this prison with ease. However, why do something so predictable? The fool before him had failed to cover his energy signature. If this was a trap, he ignored it. His mind brimming with creativity, the warrior pressed his fingers upon his forehead. As before, the conjuring of Shunkan Idou broke his being into a countless multitude of molecules, ready to travel in great speed.
Unfortunately, these molecules needed to travel through fields of energy, like the magnetic strain. The field that Magneto had erected prohibited movement for the traveler. This prison set Kakarrotto to the mercy of Magneto's plan. The structure of the field warped and twisted at the molecules contained. Like a sword cutting through a sheet, these strains stabbed deep into the particles. They divided the atoms, cornered them into separate positions, and contained them into groups of segregation. In other words, Kakarrotto was being torn to pieces literally! Such a grisly act would make the victim scream, if the Saiya-jin still had a mouth to scream from.
The sculptor now concentrated on his skill. His eyes were shut, capturing the intense concentration it took for the number of jobs: the manipulation to keep these molecules divided, the memory to know where each molecule originally belonged to, and how to put them back together.
The electromagnetic assault had its effects around the area. Its pulsing aftershocks made the atmosphere intolerable to any electrical device. Televisions, lights, radios, or appliances, they were all neutralized. One particular victim of this onslaught was a microscopic insect of artificial production. It had followed Magneto and the Mutants since they arrived, gathering considerable information. The terrible pulse rendered it inoperative; the precious knowledge it had accumulated from this day was irretrievably erased.
"You are indeed lucky that you were not facing the person I once was," the Headmaster growled. His glance fell upon a damaged car. This vehicle suddenly tore to pieces like string being pulled from a quilt. The pieces and parts moved together, its fabric melding into some sort of skeletal armor.
The particles under his power filled this empty skeleton. With skill that could only belong to one like this mutant, Magneto restored the molecules into their original grouping. Kakarrotto was now solid again, fully harnessed upon this armor that now was a prison. No act of vengeance was played on the Saiya-jin's face. He just looked on dazed, his mouth producing drool. The experience was too taxing on his senses, leaving him comatose. His golden locks blackened into its original color. His jade eyes did the same.
"Survival of the fittest, eh?" Magneto smiled a grin that looked almost unholy. "You have lost, Kakarrotto. Therefore, that makes you weak." The smile dropped as a rebellion occurred within the Headmaster. He returned to the ground, breathing heavily at the sudden change of his condition. He felt very weak. The pulse around him also vanished.
"You fool!" Piccolo rematerialized in anger. He had enough of the limits this possession had surprisingly given him; Magneto was able to keep his mind and will independent from the Namekian's influence. It appeared that dispatching Kakarrotto had to be his own job. Unfortunately, Piccolo also proved unable to stand. He matched his ally in strain and exhaustion. "Curse you, Magneto."
No response was said, just some groans. This made the area around them more silent, which left it open for a loud, rocketing noise. A recognizable noise at that. "Hey teach!" Cannonball gave his salute. Magneto and Piccolo saw him with Gohan.
Sure enough, a car appeared into the scene, moving very recklessly. Sunspot, Magma, Karma, Luna, Psylocke, and Chichi were all included in this carpool, with the first playing driver. None of the passengers were happy with this crowded condition. Maybe it was better if they remained on Brightwind.
Gohan ran to his mentor, asking about his health. "I…am…well," Piccolo reassured his pupil.
Sam and Wolfsbane helped up their own headmaster. He gave no word of assurance. Just one command: "Lift Kakarrotto upon the car."
The shock of seeing the defeated Saiya-jin rose gasps among the arrivals. Some were amazed at seeing the warrior actually defeated. On the other hand, some were relieved. Gohan didn't know which side to take.
At any case, Roberto charged up into his sun-powered form. With both arms he hoisted the encased Kakarrotto into his arms. He relieved a bag from the prisoner's belt. "Somebody catch this!"
Wolfsbane did so, revealing its contents to all. "Tis four Dragon Balls!"
"Carrot Guy must have been busy!" commented Dani.
As Sunspot carried Kakarrotto, others went to the injured mentors. Magneto was not so happy to receive help. He was about to protest. Piccolo beat him to it. As Sam tried to give his assistance, the Namekian threw his arm out. "I don't need help." However, Gohan's cry of his name brought the green alien to a feeling of remorse. "I am…well, Gohan."
"Uh, don't want to be nosy," asked Dani. "But what's gonna keep Carrot Guy here from acting up?"
By now, Piccolo and Magneto were both helped into the vehicle…unfortunately, next to each other. Magneto gave his explanation in bloody coughs. "That harness…cancels out…his motor skills. He's no powerful than a baby in that suit."
With Wolfsbane's help, Sunspot lifted the manacled opponent upon the top of the car. While others tried their best to get a clear view of this new addition, Chichi didn't join them. Gohan tried not to notice.
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TO BE CONTINUED
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ANNOTATIONS
1. Mirage can create illusions out of a person's great desire.
2. Leong and Nga are Shan's little brother and sister.
3. Brightwind is a horse of Asgard, whose inhabitants are very long-lived and hard to kill.
4. Gohan doesn't know Trunk's real identity or name.
5. Shan has had a pretty awful childhood. Lost her parents, was probably raped, and survived a harsh existence to raise her siblings.
6. Psylocke lost her eyes in a battle with Slaymaster in CAPTAIN BRITAIN (British series). The dimensional slavemaster Mojo restored the telepath's sight through bionic eyes in NEW MUTANT ANNUAL#2.
7. Magneto has been able to summon spots of iron and putting them together (UXM#104, 112, VISION AND THE SCARLET WITCH VOL.1, #4).
8. The 'scattered-energy-orbs-returning-to-one-spot' tactic of Piccolo's was used later in his battle with Android 17 in the Cell Saga.
9. Magneto defended himself and the X-Men from the power of Galactus in MARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS#5.
10. Magneto is able to block teleportation (UXM ANNUAL 10).
11. The robotic insect is a device by Dr. Gero created to pick up knowledge and DNA for his creations (culminating in the creation of Cell). Its malfunctioning here is the author's way of explaining why Cell didn't possess any powers belonging to Magneto and the New Mutants.
12. True, Piccolo has never displayed possession abilities, but if Kami-sama could possess Shen at the 23rd Tenka-ichi Budokai (look up Vols. 15-16 of DRAGONBALL), why couldn't Piccolo have the same powers?
13. The exo-skeleton created by Magneto to manacle Kakarrotto is based on a device he used to neutralize the X-Men in UNCANNY X-MEN#112-113.
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NEXT TIME: It appears that the Super Saiya-jin has been neutralized…but for how long? Dani's new tactic leads to what truly can be called a state of mind. Meanwhile, Tenchi, Illyana, Doug, Warlock, and Kuririn locate one Dragon Ball through extravagant means!