The Kakarrotto Saga

by claudius

Finally, a new chapter! Looks like the New Mutants are leaving the DB Universe. But are they going home, and will everyone go? The New MutantsTenchiDBZ Xover continues! Please review!

7. A Great many Schemes! Magik's trick, Can...

The Kakarrotto Saga

Chapter 6: A great many schemes! Magik's trick, Cannonball's gambit, and Mirage's plan!

By Claudius

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I do not own anything. Dragon Ball (by Akira Toriyama) owned by Toei Studios. Tenchi Muyo (by Masaki Kajishima and Yosuke Kuroda) owned by AIC. The New Mutants (created by Chris Claremont and Bob McLoed), Magneto (by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby), Psylocke (by CC and Alan Davis), and Luna (by John Byrne) are copyrighted by Marvel Comics.

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Sam (Cannonball) Illyana (Magik)

Dani (Mirage) Doug (Cypher)

Rahne (Wolfsbane) Tenchi (Light-ken)

Roberto (Sunspot) Amara (Magma)

Shan (Karma) Betsy (Psylocke)

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Not to be left out from all the other cities of this world, the city of Butternut had to be introduced to visitors of eccentric nature. However, the Mutants that walked on the sidewalk found very little to feel alien to their surroundings. The place already had its share of weirdness. Everywhere they looked they saw animals in clothes acting like people. "What's this," asked Doug. "Planet of the Wind in the Willow?" When Tenchi noted this detail to Kuririn, his reply was "And?" This answer, born of sincerity, comforted the Mutants in having the monk as a friend (though Illyana kept on with her little jokes about Kuririn's lack of height, hair, and a nose).

"Why should I not like you for having powers and stuff?" Kuririn's words proved himself to be contradictive to the type of mutant-hating people who inhabited the gang's world. "I wish I was special enough to have your powers."

"You don't have to be anybody special to become a mutant," Doug rejected the monk's perspective. Although he was busy leading the gang, himself guided by the Warlockian Dragon Ball Radar, he was able to give his thoughts. "It just happens to anybody. Rich kid, poor kid. Becoming a mutant just happens."

"I think it has something to do with the genes that you're born with." Added Illyana. "Don't know how one gets the mutation, though it might have something to do with your parents being exposed to some radiation. Anyhoo, the gene usually stays dormant when you're little. Then once puberty sets in…poof! Instant powers!"

"That instantly?" asked Kuririn.

"It comes with no warning," says Illyana. "A day before, you're a normal guy or gal. Next day, you find yourself looking weird, or able to do something you or anybody else definitely weren't able to do before."

"You don't ask for your powers," Doug said with a bit of a hush, "Unfortunately."

"From what I heard, Roberto and Rahne's first transformations really made a mess," said Illyana.

"Yeah," Doug agreed. "I was lucky in my coming out. I originally thought I was talented in computers. Nothing special. Then one day Sam came and got me out of bed one night, telling me that I'm a mutant whose powers involved languages. This was also the night Warlock came, and the team needed somebody who could speak his language. That's how me an' Locke joined the New Mutants."

"DESIGNATING- into- THE- union- LABELED- team- SUPREME," continued the radar, making Doug smile.

"I was already mired in weirdness before I came to my power," Tenchi gave his opinion. "I was a simple shrinekeeper's apprentice, when several girls from outer space came living at my home. Then I learned that I was related to some of them. My 'normal' grandfather turns out to be a prince of a planet called Jurai. Then I met the New Mutants."

"Well, my best friend had a tail once." Kuririn couldn't help saying.

"Really?" Doug was convinced. "Carrot Guy had a tail?"

"Yes," Kuririn decided to make a correction in names. "Goku had a tail. So did Gohan. Both of them being Saiya-jins, they were born with them."

Tenchi remained silent. His mind was onto something. The additional mention of this appendage Kakarrotto predicted the resolution of a mystery.

Illyana was unconvinced. "So what happened to them?"

"Had to get rid of them," Kuririn explained. "The tails were a problem under the full moon. It caused Goku and Gohan to transform into giant apes."

"Like a werewolf," Doug signaled the reference.

"Bigger and nastier," Kuririn added to the serious intent. "You wouldn't believe the trouble those tails gave Goku and his son, and me."

"So being a nasty, violent world-beater makes no difference whatsoever?" Doug gave his dry humor. Kuririn rolled his eyes.

The stage that was Tenchi's thoughts created a description of the giant ape. It connected with the scattered pieces: An ape, a monkey…a monkey, the Nyoi-Bo, Son Goku! Instantaneously, those fragments became one unit. It made perfect sense!

Before Tenchi could speak his discovery, he had followed his friends to a large crowd on the street. All their faces were pointed to the giant screen presented high upon a building. There was a news anchor speaking about a commotion at a City up north.

The announcement made its influence on everyone, but Kuririn was the most affected. He made a silent prayer, hoping it wasn't what he feared. Then bad luck showed the images of Kakarrotto involved in battle with Piccolo and Magneto!

The Mutants shared Kuririn's concern, but not on the same person. It looked like things had just gotten worse, with Sam, Amara, and Magneto caught in the middle of it. Tenchi and Illyana wished to take action to help their friends. Doug was different. "If he gets the Dragon Balls," he pointed out, "we'll really get something to complain about."

"You're right," Begrudged Illyana. "An' my power's shot anyway. Demon shards!"

Comments were being made in the crowd. First they were in whispers, then in shouts. One person standing close to the team took the latter tone. "Not another stupid villain!" This guy's remark resulted in him getting pulled by the strong grasp of Kuririn. The monk now faced the guy, brandishing his free fist as a weapon. "Watch your mouth!" he frowned, ready to bop the jerk for his cruel words. Tenchi attempted to make sure such a fight didn't happen.

Doug, Illyana, and Warlock decided not to waste any more time on their search. The sooner they get these orbs the better. Throughout, no thought was made about their original purpose of finding the Dragon Balls. The black alien device forced them to move farther away from the crowd, and from Tenchi and Kuririn. Finally, they reached a dock. The frequency of the radar intensified on a luxurious yacht to their left. Unfortunately, this boat had already separated itself from the dock. Illyana and Doug screamed for the boat to stop. Their cries got the angry words of someone standing near the ship's leaving spot. This was a giant with the head of a boar.

"Beat it kids!" The boar was not nice. "The boat's out."

The kids studied this goon, suspecting some connections. "Can't you stop the ship for us?" Doug cried.

The boar grinned. "Sure I can…but I won't."

"But his ship got a Dragon Ball!"

"A what?" The Boar's attitude was seething.

Illyana made a description, each word pealing a layer off her patience. "It's orange with stars on it."

The boar rubbed his chin in thought (what little he had). "Now that ya mention it," he made a toothy grin. "My boss has one."

"We want it!" cried Illyana in frank sincerity.

"Too bad," the boar threw his coldest shoulder, treating the kids like a non-entity. "Sides, my boss is rather close to that ball. He ain't gonna be too happy giving it up t' ya snot-nosed brats."

Glares appeared upon the eyes of Doug and Illyana (though the girl definitely eclipsed the boy's conviction with no contest). Their ears heard footsteps. Tenchi and Kuririn had now reached them. Getting an idea, Illyana's face morphed into pathetic innocence. "Oh please, please, kind sir," She grappled her hands together. "Please help us. We are a poor family, trying to make ends meet."

The boar snorted, his back still to their view.

Illyana threw a dark look, than went back to her mask. "But we have a sick little brother," she cried out loud, pointing straight at Kuririn. "He was being treated with chemotherapy before the money ran out. That's why all his hair fell out."

The monk kept a stoic face to this remark, except for the vein-pop on his temple.

"Then go to a doctor," the swank tilted his nose. "No way I'm gonna bring that ship back."

"What ship?" said Tenchi.

"The Dragon Ball's in that yacht over there," Doug pointed out their cause to his friend.

"I got no time for this," The boar forced his tone. "I told you t' get outta here!"

"Fine!" Illyana surrendered. "No point getting' help from Porky Pig."

Insulted, the boar threw all morals out the window. He flung a clenched hand at Illyana. He got Tenchi swift hand stopping the fist. "Don't hurt my friend." Kuririn helped further that warning by grabbing the fist's furry wrist, securing it from moving.

"Yeah, back off, piggy!" Doug moved closer, doing his best to help out. Unfortunately, it appeared that Tenchi and Kuririn had already done the job without any his aid.

"I admire the chivalry, boys," Illyana stood back up. "But it looks like our ball's got away."

Kuririn and Tenchi simply let go of their opponent. They looked at each other, than turned to Illyana, their faces wondering what to do now. The boar, forgotten from their minds, wasn't too happy about this ignorance. He instantly clutched a garbage can, raising it with murderous intent. His first victim would be baldy. He heaved the metal canister, trash flying out in the descent.

Fortunately, Kuririn's upraised arm caught the can. It kept the can in this suspended level, much to the chagrin of the boar. He attempted pressing his own weight on the can, but the dwarf's support remained solid and unyielding.

"So what d'you think we should do now?" the monk spoke to the Mutants, displaying a nonchalant attitude to the object over his head. As much as this display of strength was interesting to the New Mutants who looked on, Kuririn was right that it wasn't the important matter.

"Well, we could just barge in, kick the guy's ass and take the Dragon Ball by force," Illyana gave her idea.

Doug, Tenchi, and Kuririn looked at each other, then went, "Nah."

"Or we could sneak in and steal the Dragon Ball," said Doug.

"And get caught," Tenchi gave the drawback. "We could tell him how really important this Dragon Ball means to us."

"Been there, done that," Illyana turned that down. "Let's go with Doug's plan."

Kuririn stretched his arm. Inertia did the rest, throwing the boar off the dock.

===

Aboard their friend, Tenchi and Illyana gazed upon the lake that surrounded them. Their eyes spotted the yacht coming into view. This was the sign.

"Well, here goes nothing." Illyana officially started the plan with a look at Tenchi.

Her boyfriend's face was marked with misgiving. "I still wish you didn't have to do it this way."

"I'm not cool about it either, love." She moved her face closer to his. "Here's for good luck." Seeing her lips, Tenchi knew enough to react the same way. A kiss of confidence was met by their two faces. It was strongly felt by both. Tenchi denied nothing of the significance of the rapport, despite the doubts that still existed within him.

===

On the front of his luxurious yacht lay the owner Bulges. He bathed his body before the bright sun for a tan. He was proud of his physique, never mind if it can't actually be called that. His bulging fat stomach practically covered up the speed-o, with more hair on his body than his head. But he was content. Having a lot of money helped convey the illusion of this contented state.

That contented state was then broken by a female cry. He didn't groan about this interruption. He would do it for any lady.

One of his goons pointed the way for his master. In their direction was a black ship in the middle of the watery floor. Black was an unusual color for that ship, looking very shiny. Of course, what did the swank care about that? All possible thought on the matter was stripped once he caught a glimpse of that hot blonde sitting on the vessel. This girl was performing a dance of attention. Increasing the success of her act- in Bulges' view- was the fact that she was scantily clad (and what was left did not look like a real bikini), which made the vision even more mesmerizing. To his interest, the girl boomed a great big smile, waving her arms for attention.

Bulges ran to the edge of the yacht. The lunging of his arm gave the effect of command without words. In the bridge, the captain acted upon his employer's advice, directing the ship to the girl's vessel.

Getting closer made the babe's words more legible. It also revealed that she was not alone. Next to the babe was this very short guy. His dress was only under the waist, baggy orange pants. Except for his baldness and small stature, this servant bore a body that left Bulges' own physique in a distance. The owner ignored this. The girl's figure made this ignorance much easier.

"Hiya!" screamed the hot babe, in a voice that suggested naive innocence. That added to the rescuer's pleasure. A sweet girl to take perfect advantage, thought Bulges' wolfish side. "Hi yourself!" He spoke in a perfectly gentlemanly manner. It was a complete contrast to who he really was, but the girl wasn't going to find out that just yet…

The girl swooned. "Oh, you're cute!" she squeaked. "Can you help little old me? My ship's motor's gone kaput."

This was what Bulges wanted. "Why not get on mine?" he offered a hand for invitation.

"Can I?" The girl was full of happy surprise. "Oh that would be so cool!" Her face gave the impression that she meant it. If anyone noticed the adult way her eyes contradicted this innocent expression, Bulges was definitely not one of them. He barely noticed her face, only looking to the movements of her fine skin crossing a bridge created by his goons.

The movements stopped. The girl spoke again. "Do you mind if I bring my eunuch along?" The servant stilled at this word, as well as the cry, "Come along, eunuch!" His body in tense vibration, his happy face was very strained. "Yes, ma'am," he complied, with his teeth shut together.

Bulges came over for an embrace to touch that skin. But the girl suddenly swerved away. Her eyes were more attracted to the giant stereo. She jumped toward it, hovering over the machine as if it was an idol of worship. "Can I turn this all the way up?"

"Well…" Bulges wasn't sure.

"Oh thank you!" The girl didn't wait for an answer. Her hand clawed the volume control, twisting it upward. The aftershock sent Bulges, the servant, and the crew backwards. She grinned in delight. "I love my music this way!" she shouted.

"What?" shouted the ear-muffling owner, getting to his feet.

"I hate your music this way, el bloato!"

"What?" Bulges tried to make order of the garbled communications. The girl giggled.

===

The music and the girl's wavy curls grabbed at the crew's state of mind. All eyes and ears were attended to her actions. Most of the yacht's members were with their employer and the girl, enjoying the close intimacy. Only two men were not there. The skipper stood in the bridge room above them all. Below him was the second mate, ordered to stay his ground at the back of the boat. However, he couldn't help attempting a peek.

The mate felt a pinch on his shoulder. All consciousness escaping him, he began to fall. Moist arms embraced the unconscious figure, keeping him standing. Another set of arms hugged the legs, pulling them up. Two teenagers carried the mate by their combined strength (one doing better than the other). Slowly did they walk down the steps leading to the cabin. It was a movement that was very discreet. Trying to be slow and quiet despite tense fears of discovery, Tenchi and Doug lifted their man down the stairs into the room.

Safely inside, the two boys lay the mate upon the couch. It was a very comfy piece of furniture. It was but one ingredient to what was a very beautiful room. This yacht was also equipped with a big screen TV, a computer, a large waterbed, and naked statues. This confirmed one thought in Doug's mind: no way could this jerk be legit.

Tenchi lacked his friend's foresight. He did give notice to the sudden lack of moisture on his suit. The uniform's insulation was a great asset, considering that he wore it sans boots and gloves when he and Doug swam secretly to the yacht.

Feeling secure to talk, Doug's first words were congratulatory. "You gotta teach me some of those moves, Tenchi."

"Sure, sometime," Tenchi's words were rather superficial. His thoughts were more on stripping the mate of his coat.

Doug was fast in realization. "Are you gonna do what I think you're gonna do?"

Tenchi ignored this one completely, garbing himself with the coat. "Eh, you just do your job, Doug," he nervously complied. "I'll keep watch outside."

Doug bore no hard feelings, understanding Tenchi's reason. Oh, young love! The thought vanished as the boy looked for the possible location of the Dragon Ball. Warlock, their 'vessel,' had made a scan of this yacht, revealing the orb to be inside the cabin. As it so happened, there was a safe on the wall. Better, the lock was a combination of four sets of numbers. How convenient, Doug made a toothy grin.

The laptop computer on a table proved to be a distraction. The boy's knowledge of films gave a fact that guys usually hid their secrets in software. A thought of risk marked his mind. Would he be able to find out this guy's possibly notorious secrets in so little time? Doug decided to find out.

===

Illyana sat down with Bulges, acting friendly and seductive. A credit must be made to her performance. Nothing was shown of the nausea she felt for the hairy, stay-puff marshmallow man. It didn't help matters that Bulges kept making attempts to paw her, attempts she spurned with naïve dodges. Moving in front of him, she spotted Tenchi standing alone through the bridge window. Seeing that as a cue of success, Illyana decided to give this bloat what was coming to him.

"Y'know, I feel really erotic." She rubbed her body, throwing vibrations of lustful attraction to everyone who saw her. Tenchi's nose started to bleed. Kuririn had to find some way to cover the front of his pants. The reaction of certain body parts threatened to blow his disguise.

Bulges felt excited about the future with this girl. He got closer.

Giggling, Illyana threw her trump card. "Too bad I have this disease."

Bulges smile fell. "What disease?"

Illyana grinned, grabbing the man. "Nevermind, let's make love!"

To her delight, Bulges started to move away. "Uh, could you tell me about this disease?"

"Oh, it's nothin' sugah," Illyana got carried away. "Just a bubonic plague. One that starts by a simple exhalation of the breath, or the touch of a hand."

Bulges nervously laughed, retreating.

"Come back, honey!" the girl certainly hammed it up. "Let's not think of tomorrow's skin ravaged by boils and blisters, bowels leaking uncontrollably, with lots and lots of seizures and spasms. Let's just think of how this beautiful body will satisfy you with love in its most primal, violent form."

At that Bulges' caution vanished. So he'll die! At least it's for good reasons. He got closer.

Illyana lost her composure. Seems she overdid it.

Fortunately, the lard's face met a platter. One held by Kuririn. This honorable act, however, exposed himself to the crew. He was doing something that showed that he was not a eunuch.

By this time, Tenchi had seen enough. He got to the roof of the bridge (whose captain was indisposed), sliding down the outer wall that led to his girlfriend. He pulled the Tenchi-ken from the back of his belt, brandishing its bright light.

Seeing the rescue, Illyana's face lost its sweet mask. "Do you have the Dragon Ball?"

Tenchi started to sweat. "Eh…"

"Forget it, love. You came just in time."

It was now that the bloat realized what kind of girl this was, and what a trick this was played on him. They would pay for their crimes. He angrily called for back up. Sure enough, the crew surrounded the pair with daggers and guns.

Illyana stood with Tenchi, ready to fight. "Okay, gang," she made an excited smile. "Let's have some fun!"

Then Kuririn vanished. Suddenly all the goons collapsed with unconscious feelings.

Illyana and Tenchi made eyes of confusion. Kuririn reappeared rather smugly, completing his role in dispatching all of the crew. "Okay, gang," Illyana repeated with amazement. "Let's do nothing."

Abandoned, Bulges did his best to reassert himself. "I'll convict for robbery and sue your ass to the sky."

"I don't thinnnnkkkk ssssoooo!" Doug stuck his head out of the bridge window. "Not once the authorities convict you first."

"Oh, Doug," cried Illyana in a casual manner. "Nice to see you join us."

"Thanks," greeted Doug. "And look what I also got!" He revealed the Dragon Ball in his hand, a presentation that was well received by the gang.

"Impossible!" The bloat doubted this reality. "That safe is solid metal, and only I know the code." His claim was met with laughter.

===

The Police station of Butternut City received an unusual present. Facing their department, on the street, was a giant yacht. On the top were six unconscious men tied to the handrail. On the dangling anchor was a folder with a note on it:

Dear Police,

The owner of this ship broke the law. This folder features the proof. Please do your job.

X

Witnesses said that a tall man covered from head to toe lowered the vessel gently to the street.

===

For the first time, Kuririn was as tall as everyone else. Too bad this was because he was wearing a suit made out of Warlock, complete with long stilts. The idea of wearing a living being who was still living was an experience the monk would never forget. It tickled as Warlock first enshrouded him/itself on him, than removed him/itself from him.

Returning to the plane, Kuririn met up with the fully dressed Tenchi, Doug, and Illyana to inform them about the success of their plan.

"Funny fatso turned out to be a crook," said Kuririn, pulling his shirt on.

"Well," Doug beamed with a naughty grin. "When I looked into his personal files, I found a lot of stuff. When you flew the yacht, I copied it upon some disks."

"Great thinking," Kuririn patted the boy's shoulder. "It took you that quick to learn all that while we fought the crew?"

Doug was modest. "Well, it's not as great as taking down goons in one second or lifting up heavy ships."

"Are you kidding?" Tenchi saw nothing to overrate his friend's work. "That was very smart! None of us could do it."

"Don't be innocent, kiddo," Illyana jubilantly shouted, giving Doug's back a slap. "You normally don't get much reason to get proud."

"Much reason?" Doug's face made a smirk. "Who the hell saved you guys from that scary-eyed weirdo from Gunsmoke?"

"Now that's the Doug we know and love," Tenchi laughed.

Doug's modesty faded as if it never existed. "You're right! I was just trying to see how much praise I could get from you."

"Yep," Illyana dourly made her comment. "That's the Doug we know and love."

"So, is there any chance we might get recognized?" asked Kuririn.

"Nope," assured Illyana. "One of the few magicks I could wield on this plane is a spell to erase one's memories. Neither the bloat or his crew will remember what happened."

Tenchi turned to Kuririn, "What you did was also cool."

"Thanks for knocking that lecher," Illyana gave further praise, the first from her.

Despite the affection, Kuririn was unable to smile to his friends' credit. The fact that they got a Dragon Ball so easily could only mean that things were going to get harder.

===

There was one final Dragon Ball still without anyone's possession. This remaining orb of magic lay within a rocky terrain. It was guarded, though not to the best in protection. The 'guard' was a small frog with antennae on its ears. It was a creature not of this world, from a place that no longer existed. Its mind was not of the normal species. Long ago, it had power over a unique few. Once it possessed the greatest body ever given to a warrior. Now, those rights long gone by an error of fate, this exceptionally minded creature waited for a chance. The Dragon Ball would be the bait.

===

In a room that was almost a mess, Yamucha woke up from his sleep. It was a belated awakening; the clock spoke five o'clock. The ex-bandit didn't care for his schedule. Sitting up on the mattress, he waited for the time his headaches would stop. If last night was fun, there were no remains of it save for the hangover.

The pain didn't stop, forcing him to get up just the same. Despite a few month of non-training, Yamucha still managed to cut quite the figure with his muscular physique. Still, the strongest of bodies didn't do much for the injury given to his heart. He walked along to the bathroom for a freshening up. Taking off his bedclothes, which only amounted to boxer shorts, Yamcha stepped into the shower. The sprinkle of water splashed upon his face helped him wake up some more, but it did little to accentuate the feeling of exhaustion in his heart.

He then got out with a towel, passing by picture frames that were without photographs. It was Yamcha's decision that they were remained stripped. Buruma didn't belong in this room anymore. Too bad she wasn't absent from his mind. Many times would Yamucha think about certain questions about his past: How long did they have together? Sixteen years? Couples for that long would have been married by now.

Sometimes Yamucha wondered how such a break happened. Most of the time he thought about it, blame was not on himself. So he strayed a few times, catching the eye of some beautiful chick, maybe flirting with one, maybe ending up in a one-night stand. It didn't mean he no longer loved Buruma. Even in the many times they put their relationship on hold, Yamucha could always wait for his girl's temper to cool down for them to be reunited. A few months ago, Yamucha thought he was waiting through another one of these phases. He decided that this one would end differently: he had bought a ring, rehearsing a certain speech a dozen times with Pu'ar. If in the unlikely event those Androids killed him, it was better if he could share the remainder of his life with Buruma before it was too late. Time was too short.

During one of these rehearsals, Yamucha got a phone call. Buruma was on the line, telling Yamucha to meet her some place. What a moment to be had! Dressed up nicely, the former bandit went to the rendezvous. At a café, Buruma sat on the table with a worried face. She told him some news, asking how he was doing and the like. Yamcha was about to take out the ring, ready to chance the fates for what was going to be the most important decision of both their lives.

Then Buruma revealed that something had happened to her. She was pregnant. The stunned feeling Yamucha got quickly became happiness. A child? He was going to be a father?

The prediction of parenthood fell dramatically with another revelation. To Yamucha, it was worse than when the Saibaman killed him. With a considerate but unrepentant voice, Buruma said that the child wasn't his. It seemed that one night at the Capsule Corporation, she and that Saiya-jin Vejita…

Yamucha made a facefault. In this rattled situation, he tried to make out the best reason for this. "Did he rape you!?"

His face received a slap for that remark. Buruma didn't think herself as being used. If there was any force given by the Saiya-jin, she accepted it with no refusal. Yamucha couldn't believe it; Buruma actually looked proud of her adulterous actions. Her face glowed when she thought about it, a shine that once was for Yamucha. The days after that were in a haze, due to a loss of self-esteem and confidence that hit the former bandit. Pu'ar was the only stable person in his life, but she was unable to make Yamucha feel better.

If Yamucha couldn't find a greater reason to hate that alien prince, today of all day's was that time. It was now over for the two of them. Over. Never to be ever again. Sixteen years of a relationship was ruined by one night with a stupid alien. Why didn't that Saiya-jin from the future warn him about this? He should have informed him of this incident so he could have changed it like he and his friends were planning to change that future.

Yamucha leaned his body heavily upon the chair. He needed some distraction. The remote served as a means to this. With a click, the television set blared some great noise. Yamucha turned the volume down. The sound lessened, though the message was still audible. "ZTV News has present coverage on the attack at Jelly City."

The watcher moaned at the wrong distraction. Did the world get attacked again? He sunk back into his depression. As if those Androids weren't bad enough.

"We have exclusive footage of the disaster," the announcer spoke, the scene of the screen switching from his own person to the footage. Yamucha peered at the scenes. Although the images appeared small, the watcher had made it a habit to understand even the smallest of movements. He saw Piccolo, then someone else that kinda looked like Goku, in a different costume. This was a weird sequence. It got worse when Goku was being bound or manacled, by a man in purple and white.

By now, Yamucha was at the TV. The face that was haggard and bored lifted with great concern. It pressed upon the screen, attempting to get some visual information despite the electronic pixels. The shaky close up had moved away from Goku and Piccolo; it centered on that man in purple. This man stared at the camera's perspective of him. There was a menace in him, Yamucha noted. The screen broke up into complete static, restoring back to the announcer. "For some reason, the cameraman was propelled away from the scene of the action. At present, no confirmed information has been made on the participants, though the green one has been identified to be the Piccolo Daimou, the monster who conquered this world back in 753."

Yamucha contradicted the anchorman's news. Piccolo didn't seem to be the real menace (at least he thought he wasn't). Nor could Goku be one. The thought never approached his mind. But that purple man? Definitely.

Before he even realized it, Yamucha's soul was renewed. It was as if for the first time in months, he was truly awake! All self-pity was gone. It wouldn't do for him to be depressed; Goku needed his help!

The former bandit ran into his closet, readying himself for action.

===

For the group who faced Kakarrotto, the trip back home was rather uneventful, if not with ease. The first problem dealt with the number of people. There were only two forms of transportation- the car and the winged stallion Brightwind. There were thirteen people (including an unconscious Saiya-jin warrior). The Son Family car was built to hold only four people. Piccolo unfortunately had the size to make up two. Luckily he minimized the problem. After a minute in the car seat, Piccolo had enough. He wouldn't stand sitting in such a compact vehicle. Weary and injured, which accentuated his grouchy demeanor, these traits all combined to enforce the Namekian's decision. He escaped the car with a struggle, not heeding Gohan's pleas for care. Piccolo started a very slow levitation, departing in a very shaky flight.

Sam and Dani offered to take passengers. Amara and Rahne volunteered. Magneto said he would fly as well, but a sudden jerk of his body convinced him that such ability was presently not his. The realization did not make him happy. At least Chichi gave him the courtesy of the front seat. Chichi was going to drive, and she demanded that Gohan sit between her and Magneto. Gohan obliged. Shan, who had the purpose to care for Luna, sat in the backseat with Roberto and Betsy.

This all came down to one last passenger- Kakarrotto. The idea of placing him in the back seat brought complete rejection by the co-passengers. They had a different idea. Kakarrotto was placed on the roof of the car, like luggage being packed for a vacation. The trunk of the vehicle had some ropes to bind the already neutralized warrior, and a blanket to cover him. He had to be hidden from any bystanders.

Kakarrotto's trip to the roof got some disdaining reactions, from mutant and animal (the only adult human, Chichi was adamant about looking at her husband). Brightwind, for one, wasn't going to be respectful to his mistress' wishes. The stallion rammed his hind legs into the ground, its hooves thrusting piles of dirt at Kakarrotto. Sunspot would've gladly laughed at this display if he hadn't been carrying the Saiya-jin at this moment. He shared some of the horse's earthy reply. Wolfsbane, aiding in the carrying, managed to dodge most of it.

And so the migration began. Except for those in the car, Cannonball had Amara, while Dani and Rahne boarded flight with Brightwind. At the front seat of the car, Gohan sat awkwardly in his middle position. It gave him the chance to ask Magneto on how he was able to defeat his father.

"I noted that Kakarrotto's ability to teleport breaks him up into molecules," Magneto explained in heavy breaths, though he managed to keep a respectful profile. "When he teleported again, I placed a magnetic shield around him. This field enabled me to magnetically separate his molecular structure during the teleportation sequence. I inhibited him to solidify."

Gohan caught all this information with awe. What Magneto had done was incredible; it wasn't so much the method of defeat (though it was pretty incredible) but one fact that encircled the boy's mind as endlessly as a record: His father was defeated! He found it impossible to completely realize. Gohan was a child who once…still worshipped his father, and he had seen enough evidence of Goku's power to support this praise. It felt so wrong. Many times would the boy forget the present situation; his father was no longer the bad guy. Instead, it was Magneto who fit the part, becoming Vejita or Raditz, or Freeza, performing the unforgivable sin of hurting his father. Then Gohan would return to the present reality. That his father was now evil, and thus had to be stopped. So, Magneto had done a good deed.

Magneto's explanation wasn't without critics. Roberto tried to find some holes to this tactic. "But wouldn't your magnetic field keep him from teleporting? Carrot Guy needed to sense a Ki in order to move, and no doubt you were hindering any detection with your powers."

"I was able to manipulate the magnetic fields so I could expose my power signature to his senses," Magneto revealed. "It was a gamble that had every chance of failing, for Kakarrotto might have reacted differently. But my revealed Ki was a prize he could not turn down. He would not be cautious toward a being he perceived as inferior; his pride wouldn't accept it. That was his error; that was his downfall."

"That's stupid," Roberto couldn't resist the ad-lib.

"One person's supposed sense of superiority leaves him arrogant," said Magneto. "It leaves him clumsy. You, of all people, Roberto, should know that."

Criteria thrown back at him, Roberto made a boorish shrug.

Betsy did not like the way Roberto made his smirk, or rather the strong mental reactions that bloomed from his mind. "Could you please calm your temper," Betsy rubbed her head. "I have a terrific headache." Through the mirror, Chichi's eyes locked with Betsy's.

"So now Kakarrotto is safely neutralized?" Shan repeated this information for confirmation.

"Quite so. The harness I created around him has nullified his motor skills. Although he can think normally, his abilities would be no more than an infant." Magneto kept silent about the basis for this device. He had used it upon the X-Men as a scheme of poetic justice; he wished to distribute to others the humiliation he received from his rebellious creation Alpha. He doubted Kakarrotto would escape; he wasn't Storm.

Hearing the word 'infant', Shan peered over Luna. The little child had appeared none the worse for the experiences. Luna's parents must be worried sick about their lost child, just like Shan's own siblings must be feeling for her.

"So what did Piccolo do?" Gohan wanted to know his mentor's actions.

Magneto's face grew a darker color. "He helped me harness the power needed to encase Kakarrotto."

"He didn't appear happy with the alliance," Shan noted.

"He never looks happy," added Roberto.

"That's because he's a grim warrior," Gohan defended with no apologies.

"As I've noticed." Informed Magneto. "Piccolo was at odds with my treatment to your father. I fortunately won out."

Psylocke heard Roberto's mental note: As if you are different from him, sir.

Shan was pleased at Magneto's mercy, but she wondered about his green accomplice. She looked out the window, seeing nothing as yet. But there was the possibility that Piccolo might return with some fiendish intent. She had to tell Dani about this.

Within an hour, they returned to the island. Chichi and Gohan looked somberly at the damages of their home. The Mutants entered it, touching the walls along the way.

"Oh well," Chichi became optimistic. "We'll just have to repair it with dried cow dung."

That certainly made a reaction. Dani was among the triple-takes. "Ya mean-"

"Y'r house," cried Sam, "is made of?"

"Cowshit!" said Roberto.

"Roberto!" shouted Rahne, though she was just as effected by this news. This led to an immediate need for the New Mutants and Betsy to rub their arms and legs of the contamination. Magma's reaction was to incinerate any impure pieces from her body.

"Actually," Gohan brought an appealing answer. "This house is made from wood and plaster."

When Sam, Dani, Betsy, Roberto, Rahne, Shan, and Magma heard this, they all sighed. Their combined sounds of relief made quite a sound. Magma reverted back to human form.

Dani yawned with needed desire. "Since the danger's over for now. I'm gonna hit the sack."

Chichi took a motherly respect to the tired Dani. "The bedroom's t' y'r left, girl," she assured, wiping some loose hairs from her face.

"Thanks a lot," she walked of to the direction, unaware of Shan's disappointment. This meant she had to go to the next best person.

"Um, Sam?"

"Yes, Shan?"

"May I have a word with you?"

===

The sign of a lake proved suitable for Piccolo. He submerged within the waters. It was not dangerous to him. While normal humans would have drowned, the Namekian remained undisturbed by the lack of oxygen. His race didn't eat. Water was their sustenance. Even before he found out the truth about his alien heritage, Piccolo knew this fact. The water caressed his sore body. The fatigue lessened. His strength was revived.

Piccolo emerged from the surface. The wounds on his body were still present and sharp with pain, but his stamina had returned. He needed this rejuvenation for to perform the action he couldn't commit before.

====

With some drapes, Chichi, Gohan, Betsy, and the New Mutants were able to cover up the large holes of the house. It was the best they could do for now. The setback was that they were sharing the house with a Saiya-jin who tried to kill them.

Those who are reading this story should be given a description to Magneto's intricate device, which had the responsibility of holding the most powerful warrior on this planet. The basic outline of the suit was a series of rings. The smallest rings wrapped around Kakarrotto's elbows, knees, and neck. The larger rings were implanted upon his pelvis and his waist. The longest of these rings went from one bicep to the other, passing the chest and shoulder blades. In front of this one ring was a small battery that was recharged to full capacity. Cables from this battery connected one ring to the other, running its energy through the different outlets. Kakarrotto's fists and feet were the only parts free of these rings. Solid metal covered those parts, bound together.

Each ring and manacle possessed small sensors that pressed onto the skin. They channeled an electrical energy that polarized each nerve, shutting them off. Magneto knew this man was an alien, and thus would have different physiology. He made it certain that every possible part of Kakarrotto that had a nerve point was enforced with a sensor. His movements were hindered. His powers neutralized.

The apparatus was quite flexible, allowing Kakarrotto to sit down on a chair. It was a good thing he was still unconscious, for his appearance made him a statue of amusement. He was especially beautiful to one- Amara. Seated upon a stool, the girl's sight was entirely hooked upon the Saiya-jin. Her sparkling eyes showed the looks of worship. This was not a strange case for a girl of her upbringing. In her native Nova Roman, Amara prayed to statues of the deities. The shrines all possessed remarkable statues of the gods. As faithful was she toward the Goddesses, she was more attracted to the Gods like Apollo, Jupiter, Hercules, Ares. They signified the perfection of the male being, their immortal forms humbling the mortals that worshipped them.

Although she believed in the gods' existence with a strong faith, Amara was the type of person who wanted to see physical evidence. Thus, Kakarrotto fulfilled that wish. The exo-skeleton failed to cover his physical attributes, showing his remarkable prowess. His handsome face glistened with a proud strength. The Saiya-jin was sitting in front of a window, the light of the sun enshrouding him with a divine effect. He was a god to her.

Did Amara's heart beat so fast! She almost felt embarrassed by it. It was if this Saiya-jin was Cupid, choosing her as a victim of his arrow of love. It made her deaf to a mumbling noise.

"mra?"

Amara's gaze enveloped her action.

"Amara?"

She swooned.

"Amara!"

Amara broke her gaze, feeling quite dumbfounded. "Wha?" she mumbled, then saying the word more competently. She saw Sam, Shan, and Roberto.

"Excuse me for cutting in," said Sam with a smirk.

"Oh, that?" Amara spoke confusedly. "No excuse is needed."

"Did we interrupt your train of thought?" Roberto smiled shamelessly. Amara perfectly found the reason.

"I see no wrongness in my actions. And you are the one to talk, Roberto, if you wish to preach some immorality in them."

"Never mind that Carrot Guy is married?" Sam rudely spoke.

"I am not making a match my friends," she emphasized that last noun with a vindictive slant. "I just admire Kakarrotto, as I admire the gods I obey."

"Another difference," corrected Sam. "Carrot Guy's not a god."

"Pity," Amara returned her gaze to the prisoner; it was a soulful one.

The attention made Sam crush his own mouth a little. "Calm down," said Roberto, locking his arm around his friend.

Wishing to make the point, Shan kneeled before the Nova Roman teammate, blocking Amara's view. "Well, mind if you can put the crush on hold? Might you assist us?"

Moaning, Amara resigned herself to the task, hoping it would be quick enough to return her to her previous actions. "What shall it be?"

"Follow me," Shan asked, leaving the room with Amara in pursuit. Remaining to see his best friend speechless, Roberto felt reason to laugh.

"It ain't funny!" shouted Sam. "Ah had t' hear all that when we searched f'r the Dragon Balls."

Roberto made a calm exhale. "And I thought the company of Magneto and Piccolo would be enough for you two."

Sam absorbed his friend's calm behavior, moving to another point. "Y'know, it actually was! Gawd, what a scene!"

"Of course," Roberto rolled her eyes.

Sam could agree to that in less subtler words. "Those two guys 're so alike, an' ah don't think they like that fact one bit!"

"Opposites attract, they say," Roberto remarked. "So similarities repel."

"Don't know what Gohan sees 'n Piccolo."

"Children are always swayed by the powerful," Roberto dryly believed. "Besides, I do think Gohan perceives Piccolo as a father-figure. He could probably do worse, considering his real father."

Sam threw eyes on that remark. He knew his friend always had some hidden meanings in his views. "If ah didn't know better, ah'd say y'r hate for Gohan's pa sounds a bit like y'r problem with y'rs."

With the sting of that sensitive question, Roberto would have simply hollered at Sam to be silent. Instead, he was casual. "Perhaps it does. I tell you Sam: is it wrong for me to hate such people? Should I not try to spare Gohan the sorrow I received from my own father?"

"Don't forbid it," Sam gave his view. "But Gohan has t' deal wit' this problem on his own. It's a part o' growin' up."

"Unfortunately," said Roberto. His face sagged to a grim demeanor once he faced the Saiya-jin, ready to perform his job on him.

===

Gohan tensed up to what happen. His bruised cheeks caressed a bag of ice applied by his mother. It hurt like hell, but the boy didn't complain. This stoic expression irritated Chichi somewhat. To her, Gohan wasn't acting his young age. Would it be too much to ask for her son to act like a normal kid, and cry about bruises like this? On the other hand, it was still something to admire. There was no fear from this mother that her son would grow up a coward. She just wished her kid didn't grow up so fast.

"Don't fuss," Chichi demanded. Gohan didn't protest. His mother was back to her usual self, complaining about this and that. However, the son noted a different side to her complaints; feelings for his plight. It was one more thing he didn't realize. He had been around his father and Piccolo so much that he had almost forgotten about his mother's love for him.

"Oh, your poor face," Chichi's sympathy was sincere. It was true that some of the swelling had dropped, but Gohan's head still presented some discolors and bumps. It was heartbreaking in two ways for Chichi: to see her child so hurt, and knowing who caused it. She didn't mention anything of the latter. Using a bandage, she attached the bags around her son's cheeks.

Gohan remained where he was on the stool. His sadness didn't make help his present features. "I'm pretty much to blame for that." His hands, grasping the seat, trembled. "I thought I could find out that my dad was really in trouble, that Kakarrotto was just some impostor or dad being mind-controlled. I found out the truth," his head lowered. "Worse, I accidentally led him to the New Mutants. They almost got killed because of me." The seat began to break by the strain of his grip. "I was so stupid."

Chichi said nothing, but her expressions showed that silence was not because of nonchalance. She got a question from her son: "Did dad hurt you?" The mother didn't know what to say. The truth wouldn't make her son any happier. That Goku spared his wife from pain while beating up his son would make Gohan's spirits fall lower.

"I'm not sure," Chichi did her best. "Magneto came to my rescue before anything could happen."

Speaking of which, Chichi was aware that Magneto was nearby nursing his own wounds. Chichi felt sorry for him, but it appeared that was the full amount she could muster in terms of true feeling. That was indeed a change. Before the fight, Chichi had made her decision; she was over Goku, with Magneto being a possible replacement. She thought she was sure of that decision. The next events had brought doubt. After facing Kakarrotto again, the foundation broke. Her mind kept repeating two moments: her husband screaming in pain and her husband's hesitation to hurt her. The first moment revealed the depth of her feelings for him by her rescue, the second showed her justification for loving him.

Seeing Gohan okay, she went over to see how the Headmaster was faring. Magneto duplicated Gohan's example of endurance. However, he was more problematic in receiving help. Although Rahne was holding the first aid kit, Magneto did the treatments by himself. The bandages were wrapped with tight discipline. The headmaster had a problem in letting people see him in such a weak condition. He was one the strongest mutants in the world; to have him dependent on other's care was a refutation of that ideal. However, his protest was quiet. In a previous life, he would have refused aid and alienated himself from people.

Today, he accepted his present actions, or tried to accept. Some decisions were less firm than this one. He had stopped Kakarrotto, but it was only a delay. His memory of the Namekian's warrant of death was apparent in his thoughts. Making it more problematic was Magneto's stance: he agreed with Piccolo. Like Legato, Magneto saw Kakarrotto as a monster that deserved death, not mercy. Magneto had a life in his hands, but he withheld the deserving punishment, just like before. The inhibition was beginning to prove less reasonable. If he was to be redeemed, should it not be for performing acts that were for the good of all the races, no matter the extremity of the punishment? Unfortunately, despite the easy answers, killing him would mean he had not redeemed. But not killing him was just as difficult. More and more, the ideals of Xavier were proving more of a fantasy against stark reality.

"How are ya doin?" Chichi asked the other patient.

"I am fine," Magneto finished wrapping the bandages around his naked waist. Despite her lack of strong feelings, the woman did note that the Headmaster had an attractive figure (though his had nothing on Goku). She also noted markings on his left arm. Nothing was noted aloud, however.

By then the matter had passed its importance. Molecules of metal floated upon Magneto's torso, coming together to form a purple shirt. The manipulator's face sweated in the exertion. "It is about time I considered Kakarrotto's future."

"Any ideas?" Gohan spoke from afar.

"Not at present," Magneto found the strength to admit this shortcoming.

"I have an idea!" said Rahne. She ran to the table, which held a bowl with the five Dragon Balls. "I admit that it's na' a good one, but a wee bit better than the alternative."

"Why not?" Magneto decided to hear his student's plan.

"Can we use the Dragon Balls t' imprison him, or nullify his powers?"

"I'm not sure about that," Gohan added his view. "My father may be more powerful than the Dragon Shenlong."

Magneto said nothing. The more insane this excursion became, the more he was starting to believe in these Dragon Balls' vaunted power.

A moment's concentration had Rahne revise her idea. "How about we put 'im t' sleep f'r mebbe a thousand years, like Sleeping Beauty? Until maybe someone powerful enough comes along to stop him." It was the best she could think of. Already Rahne found it too harsh, considering what she sensed from the Saiya-jin.

"You are forgetting that we need the Dragon Balls to return us home!" Magneto made his criticism.

"I know that. But we still have Illyana's power to teleport us. On this world, we were able to find another way t' get us home. Are we so sure that 'nother way c'n be found 'n the next world we head for?"

"Are you certain that there will be another way?" Magneto wished for proof of his student's theory. "This could be it."

Rahne found her theory breaking apart. "Tis possible," she mumbled.

"I also have a responsibility for your welfare," Magneto stated this. "Should I dispense with that!?"

"An what 'bout Goku?" Chichi charged into this conversation, interrupting in what she thought was best. Gohan remained silent, seeping all that was being said like a sponge.

"Tis the best, most merciful way t' deal wit' 'im," Rahne tried to persuade the wife.

But the woman's anger only grew. "I don't care if it gets ya the Nobel Peace prize," Chichi threw her argument forward. "Ya ain't gonna do a thing t' my husband!" Her resolve was unyielding.

Then Gohan jumped off the stool, portraying as unyielding a posture himself. "It's worth a try."

"Gohan!" Chichi was struck with disbelief. Her son was as supportive to Rahne's idea as she was against it. The boy continued his words without pleasure. "It's wrong that Tenchi and the team should ruin their chances of getting home. But there isn't any other choice."

"I'm not hearing this!" Chichi acted up, attempting to sway the vote. "How c'n ya let them do this t' y'r father!"

"An' how c'n ya let the world get destroyed!" shouted Gohan about the greater priority. It stopped Chichi in her tracks. The last time her son did this was when he wanted to go to Namek. Time had failed to dull this impact for the mother...and the son. Gohan pulled restraint, rubbing his face in frustration. Unable to cope anymore, the boy ran away. Chichi shouted for her son to come back. Rahne interceded with advice.

"Ya should na' be too hard on the lad," Rahne's face shown with pity. "He's 'n a verra bad way."

Chichi was the next to make a gesture of frustration. "Ya think I don't know it?" Her nerves were acting up again. Her body was shaking. Everything else was shaking as well. "What now!" cried Chichi. The three walked out of the house. Outside, they saw Amara in molten form. Before her, a statue was forming from the ground as if by her command.

"Amara?" Chichi shouted. "Can'tcha do that later?"

Shan was also there, holding Luna. "She is trying to better the understanding of her powers," she spoke for her comrade. "You wouldn't wish to intrude on our curriculum, would you?"

The obvious corner around her, Chichi surrendered. "Sure. Go ahead!" she spoke with defeat. She returned to the house, with a mental note inscribed within her mind: Gohan is not going to these kids' school.

An influence of suspicion fell upon Magneto. Something was amiss.

===

Twenty minutes later, a head exploded. A head with a pointy-mane shattered with the touch of a massive blast of energy. It left a stump on the top of the body.

The assassin dived to the scene, tearing through the drapes. His green hand carried the remaining sparks of the energy it once harnessed. He had delivered a blast as carefully directed as it was powerful. Its target was fixed, but the method was limited. The projection had to be in a distance. This caused problems for the assassin. He couldn't capture the Ki signature that would make the direction precise. Magneto's cursed machine still operated to render all Ki energy around the house undetectable. It didn't help matters that the only opening that gave him his target was a window that bore the Saiya-jin's silhouette. In every way, it would have been better to attack in close range. But that would mean performing in front of Gohan. He had to face the boy after the act was done, not before. Someday, Gohan will understand what he had to do.

So Piccolo approached the remains of this dead warrior, the boy's father. He saw the Mutants, Chichi, and Gohan already in the room. No matter the consequences, thought Piccolo, the deed was met.

But he saw that the deed was not met. This was not a dead body. It was a disguised statue! The shattered skull was made of stone.

"Gotcha!" Sam called his bluff. Piccolo threw his vengeful face upon the man who fooled him. By now a very disoriented Dani had entered. She had slept through the quakes, but not the explosion. She yelled for information.

Although Sam faced Piccolo, he spoke his reasons aloud. "Shan told me some suspicions 'bout ya doin' somethin' like this. Not being ignorant, ah had Amara create a statue o' Carrot Guy, hoping it would fool ya. We also kept Magneto's machine on just in case you had a li'l problem fallin' for the trick."

"What?" Dani's eyes hardened into anger at this separate plan, as well as her ignorance of it.

Piccolo had no time to praise or reprimand the boy's insolence. "Where's Kakarrotto!?"

"No t' that," Sam was steadfast. "An' no t' y'r plans!"

Piccolo embodied rage in his movements. "You're a weakling," he sniveled. "Don't you know what Kakarrotto will do to you?"

"We already got what from another guy bigger 'n even ya," said Sam. "But ah'm still willin' t' give the other cheek."

At this point, Magneto threw a field of protection to his students. His cape covered the way his knees buckled over the strain.

Piccolo was at wrath's peak. "I demand you tell me the whereabouts of the Saiya-jin!" His eyes pulsed with energy, destroying Magneto's Ki-masking machine.

Now the Mutants wanted to do something, but Magneto's shield blocked them. Dani knew that her illusions wouldn't convince Piccolo. "If ya kill 'im," said Sam. "Y'll be no better 'n him."

"I am no better than him!" Piccolo screamed. His face then stuck like a grim mask, his eyes lacking pupils. It was by this that Karma was using her powers, but Piccolo was proving more difficult in controlling than Kakarrotto.

"Let him go, Shan," screamed Gohan, deducing the attack.

Dani wasn't happy about this one bit. "Gohan, stay back!" Chichi was equally commanding. The boy ignored both orders. "Please release him."

Karma obeyed, hopeful her act didn't prove fatal.

The Namekian regained his independence. He made ready to get what he wanted. Then he saw and heard Gohan. The boy's face had lost some of its cheerful nature, strained and withdrawn. His voice nevertheless was in a pleading tone. "Don't do this, Piccolo!" He made each word in a loud tone.

The Namekian didn't need the greater sound to listen. "Gohan, understand this-"

"I do understand," Gohan seriously corrected. There was no doubt about this realization upon his face, despite the many bruises that still marred it. "My father's now a villain, and we can't handle that with the Androids coming soon. I know."

"Is that all?" Piccolo gave some ambiguity. Dani was startled when the Namekian said these words with eyes on her. He knew!

Gohan looked onto the direction. What he saw made him produce a question. "What does he mean, Dani?"

Dani exhaled in the inevitable conclusion. "Gohan. I have another power," she revealed with a grim stance. "I see premonitions on a person who is going to die. You've been chosen."

Gohan's eyes widened at the truth that was impossible not to decipher. Chichi's reactions were more florid. Every part of her body shivered, her face held the mask of apprehension.

"Do you understand, now?" Piccolo's mouth breathed a final confirmation.

Gohan lowered his face, his eyes closed in contemplation on what his mentor might do next. "Please, Piccolo," he made a final attempt. "Not you too!"

Piccolo saw fear come from Gohan's face. It was the fear of another betrayal. The acknowledgment slowed Piccolo's morale. He had warned himself against this moment. Sure enough, this made the grim task grow heavy, too heavy for him to complete. He relaxed his eyes, restoring his face to a stoic one. "So be it, brat!" he hissed. He leapt into the air, out of sight.

All attention went to Gohan, except for Magneto. "Where is Kakarrotto?" asked the headmaster.

Roberto stood at the closet, opening it like a host presenting a show. Kakarrotto was sitting peacefully under the coats and wardrobe.

Sam was all praise. "Mighty brave thing ya did, kiddo."

Gohan didn't want the credit. He headed for his room, followed by his mother. Chichi gave one last look to Sam: a cold one.

"What did ah say?" a confused Sam asked for answers. The boy had now changed; no longer was Gohan the happy, determined kid with a love for daddy.

But this reflection had to wait. Sam now had to face two formidable opponents: Magneto and Dani. To his surprise, Magneto said nothing. It was Dani who was more emotional in the accusations. "Why the hell wasn't I told 'bout y'r plan?"

"Ya wanted t' sleep."

Dani's face paused, followed by a greater burst of anger. "I wouldn't' have if I knew 'bout this!"

"Lay off Sam," cried Sunspot, busy lifting Kakarrotto out of the closet.

"I was going to inform you," said Shan.

Dani's head turned in an inhuman pace to the speaker. "Then why didn't you?! I'm the leader!"

"Don't forget ah'm the deputy," Sam spoke calmly, hoping Dani would absorb it. "Ah handled it."

Dani's haggard face grew more edgy, almost if her head was about to explode. She stuck out her index finger with sincere action. "Next time," she growled. "Any misgivings, suspicions, actions, ecetera, will be discussed by me, and passed only by me."

Sam would have reacted, but it was Magneto who did it for him. "Danielle…Control yourself!"

Dani's nose expanded with air release. But the edginess slowed. She covered her face. "I'm sorry…" she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Looks like y'r chief's losin' it."

Keeping a serious face, Sam firmly spoke otherwise. "Ya're puttin' everythin' under y'r shoulders. Give me some o' the weight."

"You're right," Dani mumbled, "You're right, you're right. I'll do it."

"Don't promise," said Magneto, finally making a word. "Do it." He walked away, hiding his pleased nature at Sam's cleverness.

===

A half-hour later, Betsy, Roberto, Sam, Rahne, Amara, and Shan sat on the shore. The atmosphere in the house was too much. Chichi was certainly on the warpath. She angrily enforced distance between them and her son. They were still allowed to be in the house, as long as Gohan would stay in his room.

The team wasn't too happy about the rules. Betsy didn't like being included with the kids while Magneto was seemingly left off the hook. Going outside was an escape from Chichi's regime. No fears of Piccolo's return pressed their thoughts. He wouldn't complete his task, not if he wanted to hurt Gohan.

Some things were discussed. Betsy revealed that she had been unable to contact Doug, Tenchi, Illyana and the others. She was sure that this silence wasn't because they had already faced Kakarrotto. She knew nothing of them in her encounter with the Saiya-jin.

Rahne then told them her idea of using the Dragon Balls on Kakarrotto. She got a majority of disagreements. Shan wanted to go home. Roberto and Betsy thought the punishment too good for Carrot Guy. Amara didn't want to have anything bad happen to Carrot Guy. Sam was the only one who thought Rahne had something there.

Just then, Dani called to them. "Guys, look at what I found!"

"In a better mood?" said Roberto.

"Drop it," Dani blocked the remark as she sat down. She dropped a book called Hope. The eyes of Sam, Betsy, Amara, Roberto, Shan, and Rahne swarmed over it. "It's a photo album." Dani gave a further persuasion. "An' it's very interesting," Dani gave a further persuasion. She kneeled to the ground, spreading the album on her knees. The gang moved closer to get a look.

The first pages, marked '740- 753', were worth a look. Chichi was quite a looker as a little girl, what with that bikini suit and that large helmet. Her father was huge, looking monstrous in that size. "Guess that's where the attitude came from," said Betsy.

The next pages increased the interest. They were all of Carrot Guy as a boy. The grainy quality of the papers showed them to be newspaper articles. She turned the page again. More pictures of Carrot Guy as a kid. And there was more on the next page.

Dani couldn't resist thinking one word: Stalker.

"Chichi did say she held a torch for her husband for quite a many years," revealed Betsy.

"Well that's for certain," Sam bore the obvious.

"But check out what he's wearing!" Dani centered the pictures on a specific detail. Every picture had Carrot Guy wearing a sleeveless red shirt and pants with Japanese symbols on it. Kuririn wore the same clothes.

"When I showed Carrot Guy's fear-image, it was an illusion of himself in that garb!"

This was the first time Dani revealed the truth of her fear-image on the Saiya-jin. It was a puzzling revelation. "So he's afraid of himself?" asked Shan. Dani replied to continue looking.

The next page, marked '756', showed an adult Kakarrotto. It was conspicuous that in all the pictures, Carrot Guy always had a happy face on. It was no different on his wedding picture with Chichi. Then, on a page signified with the year '757', came a picture that brought a strong feeling of emotion in their hearts: It was of Chichi on a chair. Her arms held a baby- Gohan. Hovering over the new mother and baby was Carrot Guy, leaning his head forward with his expression. The type of face a new father would have.

The next picture was even more startling: baby Gohan was being lifted in the air courtesy of Carrot Guy, whose mouth opened with a hearty laugh.

"Don't you guys see this?" Dani's loud voice was full of interest.

"He could be faking it," Roberto explained.

One quick stare upon the Brazilian later, the rest of the gang returned to Dani.

"Kuririn did say he was once a hero," Sam gave some evidence.

"Sam's right, Bobby," Dani continued flipping pages, each one showing a happy Carrot Guy. "He looks too convincing to be an act. An' look, the pictures of the happy phase stopped at 766. This place's year!"

Sam intelligently followed her idea. "So if Carrot Guy was an okay guy, his change t' sleazeball must've been instantaneous."

At that possibility, Dani wasn't too sure. Shan and Rahne both looked at her, their eyes giving a share of memories of their own encounters with Carrot Guy. They witnessed clues that showed that maybe the jerk wasn't so bad. Dani knew this. On the other hand, the jerk almost killed her horse, the memories of which gave her a bad feeling.

"Well, the theory still needs work," Dani admitted. "In any case, it's safe t' say that Kakarrotto wasn't bad all the time."

"Now that ah remember," Sam remembered, "Kuririn did say tha' Carrot Guy was born t' be bad, but a knock on the head gave him amnesia."

Dani caught on. "So it might be a split-personality. Just like Legion."

"So there's the solution!" Roberto clapped his hands with sarcasm. "All we have to do is bang him on the head, and our problems solved!"

Dani moaned. "I don't think that'll work," she responded with attitude. She stood right back up. "But you've given me an idea. Remember how you defeated Legion? What we need is something psychological."

Rahne gave a pleased smile. As ever, her friend found a better way.

"I'll help," Betsy gave her support. "But if Kakarrotto's problem is natural, leave me out of this. I will not use my powers to brainwash him."

"Deal." said Dani. "If we play the cards right, Carrot Guy might do most of the job for us. As much as I'm against it, we have no choice but t' get Gohan."

===

After learning about Dani's Valkyrie powers, Chichi decided to put her motherly skills to the task. Gohan was ordered to remain in his room. It was the best she could do. No way was her flesh and blood going to get killed if she had anything to say about it! Her rules were strict. No association with the guests from now on. Of course, the New Mutants were allowed to stay in the house (or what was left of it). Chichi couldn't be that cruel.

As usual, her son did not approve. But his present mood sapped his will to make that much of a complaint. This weakness was not physical, but mental. So much had happened, so much to think about. Dani's words were scary, but they weren't staggering. True, Gohan wasn't looking for a death wish right now, but he wasn't going to be afraid of it either. He knew what to expect from that dark future the time-traveler told him. Besides, if it were possible to stop that future fate, wouldn't Dani's vision be changeable as well?

Surprisingly, this information was more positive. It changed Gohan's view of Dani. Before, he thought of her as a mean girl who had no trust in his abilities. That she thought he was too young to fight. However, it turned out she had a better reason for her caution.

Gohan continued this barrage of thoughts by lying on the bed. He really didn't want to study right now. Now more and more, Gohan's thoughts were devoted toward his father. A lot of it had turned negative. He wanted to hate him so much, with every reason to do so. But his defiance of Piccolo gave some truth to his feelings. His heart contradicted his wish to hate. The contradiction didn't relieve him of pain, though.

This was enough for the boy to consider, but he had more things to consider. There was one idea that Gohan had thought about for a long time. Like his views of his father, today's experience had twisted the idea into a dark cruelty. All Saiya-jins were evil. Raditz kidnapped him. Nappa killed Piccolo. Vejita hurt dad, himself, Kuririn, and some Namekians. Now his father had joined that list. Maybe that traveler would become bad too. Being a Saiya-jin meant a future of being evil.

And Gohan shared blood with those monsters. He was a half-Saiya-jin.

The boy studied his hand. It appeared soft and harmless, but it had the potential to be a weapon. But he wasn't evil. He didn't feel evil. However, the same case was said for his father. Once upon a time, Gohan was so proud of becoming like Goku someday. Now that hope would become a reality.

Gohan continued thinking, only to get words that were not his own.

"Betsy?" he rose from the bed. His reply was a mistake. The words had to be mentally applied. Betsy? Is that you?

Danielle has a plan, spoke the brain-pulsing words of Psylocke. She needs you.

Sure, Gohan made words in his head. Does mom know?

Would we be performing this if she were aware?

The boy tipped his head. Got a point there. So what do I have to do?

Just try to think of thoughts of yourself and your father. Allow me to take care of the rest.

Psylocke noted a pause stemming from the boy's mind. Are you all right with this idea?

Still the anomaly continued. Then came a mental reply: Yes.

The room became darker. In defense, Gohan jumped from the bed. He turned around to witness something incredible. The bed he had been on had an owner- himself!

Gohan was stunned. There he was, lying asleep. From this weird perspective, Gohan noted that he didn't look too good. And it wasn't just for the sores that still marked his face.

"Do not be afraid," said Psylocke's voice. This contact differed from the previous rapport. It felt so close to the boy, as if the woman was right next to him. He turned to the voice's source, thinking that a close encounter was possible. And it was: Betsy stood before him. But she looked different. She looked beautiful, like a shining star. The surroundings paled, as if everything colorful was sucked away to alight Betsy even more. Gohan couldn't help but give a bedazzled look at the woman.

"Impressed?" Psylocke was now speaking. Seeing the kid nod, the telepath's eyes beamed with interest, as if she saw something beautiful. "Look at yourself!"

Gohan looked at himself. He also shone like a star. Moreover, he looked perfect. He never looked this good. He rubbed his face, only to find it bore no wounds or cuts.

"You and I are in our astral bodies," Betsy spoke with a knowing face. "Our self-images. They represent what we imagine ourselves to be."

"Wow," Gohan couldn't think of any other word.

Betsy turned to the door. "Follow me." She went through the door.

Gohan approached the door with a drop of hesitance. Overthrowing that with great breath, he moved on. He lunged his arm. It felt nothing as it passed through the door. Surprised, Gohan pulled his arm away. Crushing his lips together for determination, the boy charged his way through.

He was now the hall. He saw Sam, Dani, Rahne, Amara, Roberto, and Shan, and another Betsy. This version of the woman was just like the others: they were drained of the beauty that his present form possessed. As he noted further, the gang didn't notice his presence. "Hi guys!" Gohan spoke out. They ignored him. Only Rahne, now in her wolf form, and Dani registered his presence.

"Our astral forms render us invisible," explained Betsy. At this point, she had ended her walk. It stopped before the grim form of his chained father. Even though he knew what was expected, the boy still felt wary.

"Gohan," buzzed Betsy's mind-voice, "I must be frank with you. I am to create a mind-link between you and your father." She paused at seeing Gohan tense up. "This is a very important task for you. It is also very dangerous. Do you wish to do this?"

The boy found no reason for an alternative. Dani's premonition was forgotten. "Yes."

Psylocke accepted it. "Then we shall begin. Welcome to the Astral Plane."

===

Piccolo had left a strained atmosphere along the house. The New Mutants' mood contrasted with the tense fears of Magneto and Chichi. In the kitchen where the two of them were, the latter tried to devote her mind to feeding Luna. It was a futile action, considering the news that her son had a one-way ticket to joining her own mother in heaven. It didn't make her feel warmer to the students, especially the girl who declared the grim prediction. Well, she would make sure Gohan stayed away from those punks! It was the best that she could do under all these immense situations. Her nerves were getting shot. A weaker woman would be in a madhouse by now.

Magneto summoned all his strength to be ready for a return visit from the Namekian. The Headmaster knew that time was being numbered. Kakarrotto had to be dealt with by him before Piccolo took a chance. Despite the consequences of never returning to their own Earth, Magneto realized Rahne's idea was the only choice they had that didn't involve execution (it seemed to Magneto that he was now delaying problems, rather than facing them). The problem was that the Dragon Balls were not all together. He was in no shape to look for the remaining two, nor would he allow the students here to make such a dangerous journey again. Even now, he could feel their electromagnetic pulses in the other room. They would remain. In a thought sounding hypocritical, he had to rely on Illyana and the others to find the last two.

"Sit down, Magneto," Chichi strained for a good mood.

Magneto ignored the courtesy, giving nothing but a grim profile. He did make a comment. "A great trouble we have brought to your house."

"Don't think o' it that way," Chichi fought against some certain details. "My husband's problem happened before y'all came."

"And we may have to add to it."

Chichi walked back to the sink. "I should be fixing dinner right now."

Magneto was perceptive. "You're evading the subject."

"Ya know where I stand on this," Chichi spoke loud as she lifted a plate. "No way."

"I will not go by your decisions," replied Magneto. "Guest that I am."

The dishes came crashing into the sink. Chichi's attentions were straight for Magneto. "So y're gonna kill my husband?" she shrieked.

"If that was my plan," Magneto's eyes narrowed with serious effect. "I would have enacted it when he was in my control."

"What the hell," Chichi grew emotional. "Whatever ya do won't be right for Goku."

"Chichi," Magneto demanded his word to be accepted. "All I am doing now is delaying the inevitable. If Kakarrotto is released, he will become a horrible adversary to this world."

"How d'ya know that!?"

"I know!" Magneto found the moment to lash out his words. It was accentuated by a look that could shatter stone. The percussion hit Chichi. Why was everybody in such a mood today?!

Magneto then calmed himself. It was a relief for Chichi as well, for her morale was at breaking point. "But don'tcha know how I feel 'bout this?" she kept a resilient attitude. "Despite what he's done, I know that somewhere 'n that jerk is my husband. He could've killed me and your granddaughter, but he didn't." Her eyes, her face, her voice showed where her loyalties lay. "Somethin's wrong with my husband! We gotta do something t' help him!"

Magneto's eyebrow grew tall at the message. He remembered when the Saiya-jin scared this woman. Now she was determined to stand by him. It was worth a word from him. "Kakarrotto is ignorant."

Chichi exhaled. As much a torture this crisis was to her, she saw that it was no less for Magneto. She decided to head for a new subject. "Don'tcha have a wife?"

Magneto turned away, the memories not happy. "I've been married."

"An' what 'bout Luna? An' her folks?"

Magneto was realistic. "My children and I are not on civil terms. Much of that fault lies on my part." He walked over to Luna, touching her cheek. "I never knew them as children. When they were young adults, I ignored their significance because of my own plans. In many cases, I am like your husband."

"Yeah," Chichi replied, though her ideas of positive similarity differed greatly with Magneto's negative comparison.

It was a quiet moment, one devoid of chaos. It certainly couldn't last, for Magneto flinched. He was sensing some mental energies being harnessed. This detection became overwhelming. What followed were screams in the other room.

Despite his injuries, Magneto moved like one free of such flaws. Chichi was equally on the move. It was a good thing that there wasn't a door; it would have been broken through by the assault from these two formidable forces.

Magneto and Chichi saw it. They paused. The room was sprawling with bodies lying on the floor as if dead. Among these included Betsy, Dani, Wolfsbane, Roberto, and Shan. Amara was a fortunate exception in living. Sam too was alive, strangling the unconscious Kakarrotto.

Chichi then separated from Magneto, heading to her son's room. She practically ripped the door off of its hinges. Such effort was left unfulfilled by what she saw: Piccolo was in the room, coming from the huge hole that was made earlier that day. The Namekian was clutching Gohan, a lifeless Gohan. He roared the boy's name in frantic repetition.

This fear sent her mad. "Whatcha doin'!" she screamed at the alien warrior. She dove toward the person in his arms, ready to break him free from those scaly green appendages. But it appeared no exchange would awake the immobile child, if the look of his drained face gave any evidence.

At that, enough had been done to poor Chichi. The woman who faced down the Namekian, the Darkchylde and the violent Saiya-jin, was unable to oppose this new powerful force. She fainted.

===

Magneto fought against the resolve to remain still over the apparent loss of his students. He stomped toward Sam, who was throttling the Saiya-jin with words like, "Let 'em go, asshole!"

Amara was trying to restrain him, to no avail. "Release him, Sam!" cried the Nova Roman.

"Can y'r stupid worship, 'Mara!" Sam gave a venomous protest. "Kakarrotto's hurt our friends!"

Amara would have been angered by the last reply, if she hadn't been so rattled by that first remark. The ground's sudden shaking demonstrated her reaction to that insult. Her pride wouldn't let her keep restraint. A cruel frown, followed by a slap in the face, gave Sam the understanding of her harmed feelings.

"Enough with this behavior!" Magneto reprimanded the two blond students. "What has happened?" The form of his eyes demanded no excuses. Piccolo, coming out of the passage, had that same view. His demonic eyes were glued upon the sight of Magneto, fueled by hatred for the man. The Headmaster looked like a perfect target to deal with the pain within him.

His insulting tongue was about to turn, but its speed was a disappointment to his regular form. Sam outpaced the Namekian. "Carrot Guy has our friends!"

"Don't be stupid, kid!" Piccolo lashed out his tongue. "They're dead!"

Magneto failed to be convinced. Wolfsbane was the clue to this.

Sam proved it aloud. "No, sir! They ain't. See Rahne? They're all alive. Just got their minds' lost."

"Don't play with me, boy!" screamed Piccolo.

"Sam is correct!" Magneto turned the tide of the grieving attack. "I do not sense their minds. They have been stripped from their bodies."

"Do you wish me to believe that!?" Piccolo snapped at this news.

"If you care for Gohan," Magneto's stare was unyielding. "I would believe so."

Sam continued with his truth. "An if ah'm not mistaken," his eyes made a suspicious turn to a certain person. "It don't take much t' know where they all went."

Magneto, Piccolo, and Amara followed Sam's lead. In his comatose state, Kakarrotto was smiling.

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

TO BE CONTINUED

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- Roberto/Sunspot's first transformation happened during a public soccer game. Rahne/Wolfsbane's transformation led her to being chased by a torch-wielding mob.

- Doug's power works on any code.

- Illyana used a memory spell on Stevie Hunter in NM#14.

- Magneto's creation Alpha transformed its creator into a baby.

- Magneto's comment of Kakarrotto not being Storm is based on the fact that it was through the African-American Mutant's lock-pick abilities that the X-Men were freed from the device that Magneto is presently using on the Saiya-jin.

- Dende once said that the only sustenance for Namekians is water. The scene of Piccolo replenishing himself in a lake is based on that idea.

- Fans of the New Mutants may know what exactly the terrible 'what' Sam had experienced. For the Dragon Ball fan reading this, the author will explain it later.

- I'm sure that some of you might be uncomfortable with the way I've portrayed Piccolo. I think this portrayal of Piccolo as a no-nonsense warrior who is willing to kill a former ally is within character. This is a guy who was created from the dark side of a Namekian after all.

- Legion, a mutant with three separate personalities, fought the New Mutants in NM#26-28 and NM#44.

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

NEXT TIME: Gohan enters his strangest journey yet, as he and the New Mutants get to the bottom of this crisis. Meanwhile, an old enemy comes, giving a New Mutant a problem with identity. Also, a dramatic change brings Tenchi's relationship with Illyana into a shattering situation!