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!

8. A New Journey! Is this your Father’s min...

The Kakarrotto Saga

Chapter VII: A New Journey! Is this your Father's mind, Gohan?

By claudius

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The New Mutants (created by Chris Claremont and Bob McLeod), Magneto (by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby), Betsy/Psylocke (by Chris Claremont), and Luna (by John Byrne) are owned by Marvel Comics, Inc. Dragon Ball Z (by Akira Toriyama) is owned by Bird Studios. Tenchi Masaki (by Masaki Kajishima and Yosuke Kuroda) owned by AIC. 

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Dani Moonstar (Mirage)                                      Amara Aquilla (Magma)

Sam Guthrie (Cannonball)                                   Illyana Rasputin (Magik)

Shan Coy Manh (Karma)                                     Doug Ramsey (Cypher)

Roberto DaCosta (Sunspot)                                  Tenchi Masaki (Light-ken)

Rahne Sinclair (Wolfsbane)                                  Betsy Braddock (Psylocke)  

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   A few months ago, the mutant patriot Magneto made a promise with Charles Xavier to carry on his dream for a better world between homo sapiens and the homo superior. Part of this responsibility included taking the job of headmaster to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. There, he saw to the education and protection of the novice students, the New Mutants. It was a role he was most unsuited for; the administration was deeply affected by events beyond his power. The experience nearly broke him. And yet he continued on this responsibility. May the reason be optimism or madness, Magneto would not shirk his new role.

   The present events especially made that point clear. It took less than a minute for the Master of Magnetism to understand what had happened. The minds of Dani, Roberto, Rahne, Shan, along with Betsy and Gohan, had been sucked into the consciousness of the grim Saiya-jin warrior Kakarrotto. This was the aftermath of another outrageous plan from his students, one made without his knowledge, and performed with little sense. Still, who was truly the irresponsible one?

   For Magneto, only one solution could be found. It was an action he had not committed for a long time.

   Magneto quickly shut his battle-hardened eyelids, blocking out the real world. The blinding use of this ability lasted in seconds; Magneto could now see everything again, and more so. It was the Astral realm. His physical surroundings were dimmer, a sad comparison to the luscious colors and brightness of the astral ones. Greater concentration made the surroundings' inferiority even more conspicuous, for they blurred and faded into nothingness.

    Then Magneto's head felt enclosed in a familiar headgear. Taking this piece off proved a suspicion correct. It was a red helmet, trimmed with purple. Indeed, his clothes and cape were now of those two colors. The Headmaster merely blinked at this distinction. So the leopard cannot change his spots so easily, he thought. His past of supposed villainy remains a part of his present. The headmaster wondered if this was an omen.

   Placing the helmet upon his noble brow, Magneto peered for the one tangible object of this astral environment. In his focus was the Saiya-jin prisoner, his appearance as full and vibrant as his surroundings was blank. The prisoner sat neutralized and unconscious, save for a smile on his lips. This person then began to grow in Magneto's perspective. The Saiya-jin's head enlarged like a balloon. As this growth continued, the contact also became more apparent. His students were indeed within Kakarrotto's mind.

   His resolve to rescue them was ever strong, even as thick walls surrounded the giant metaphysical head. Even in an unconscious state, the Saiya-jin's inner subconscious posed a great defense. Now Magneto was not a polished telepath. He could sense thoughts and block his own, but those were the only areas that were not limited. Xavier could easily tear through these walls by a single thought. All Magneto had was will. It was the best offense he could unleash.

   And the offense meant pain. The physical ailments on Magneto's body, rendered from the battle with Kakarrotto, had followed him in this incarnation. To anyone else, Magneto's astral form was of magnificent stature. It was not so for the owner. He ached, but it was a familiar part of him. There was never a time in which he was free of such suffering.   

   His awareness made recognition of a familiar figure on approach.

    Magneto didn't flinch. The unexpected presence of the Namekian did not move him to make a great notice.

   And Piccolo made no word. He smirked in his floating majesty. 

===

     It was Dani's plan to attack Kakarrotto psychologically. Her theory of this Saiya-jin having some mental problem allowed her to find a tactic. It was first used a week ago, when the New Mutants fought Legion. Legion was a mutant with three different personalities, one of which harbored David, the son of Professor Xavier. The personality that dominated Legion, an aggressive being named Jack Wayne, was also a coward. Roberto attacked Jack's hold on David's body, showing him an image of Illyana in her Darkchylde form. The sheer horror of this sight scared Jack, causing David's mind to reassert control of his own body.

  A week's passing did not make Dani forget that strategy. An act of emotional stress was deemed possible to bring out the Goku personality from Kakarrotto. But what would scare the Saiya-jin?

  Dani revealed the answer: Gohan.

  Kakarrotto's rage over the son he has disowned might have a basis with fear. It was true that an illusion that proved to be the Saiya-jin's greatest fear pictured the kid (along with a different version of the Saiya-jin). Perhaps some enforced pressure of this effect might do something to Kakarrotto? At least, it was the best idea she could think of. Since Chichi had made it impossible for the team to see her son physically, Betsy had to form a telepathic rapport with Gohan. She would extend it to Kakarrotto, forcing the warrior to confront his fears, hopefully triggering some effect.

   It seemed a good plan at the time. Too bad it was as successful as Custer's defense at Little Big Horn.

   The failure was not due to poor execution. Much precaution was done to make this endeavor as safe as possible. Dani was not going to sacrifice Gohan's life if she had anything to do about it. It was cautioned that Wolfsbane would use her enhanced abilities to sense even the earliest sign of trouble. Then Karma would possess Psylocke's mind, breaking all her contacts.

   Dani had much to learn. What she expected to happen came true. Seeing Betsy stagger, the safety clause was triggered. But Karma's possession took a different path. She was the one to become enslaved. Her hollow eyes and powers turned to whomever she saw: Wolfsbane, Dani, and Roberto. Then came some strong pull, and the next thing she know, Dani was in this dark realm, and a very recognizable one at that.

   "Not again!" she whined.

   Studies were made of the environment. It was a big ruin, very dark in content and tone. Everything looked as if someone poured a huge drop of black ink on everything. It wasn't part of the scenery, but it was applied to it.

    Next to her was Roberto and Wolfsbane. Waking up, their amazed faces were directed at Dani. The Cheyenne checked herself. She was not in her uniform. Instead, she had a helmet with wings strutting from both sides. A large cape flew from her shoulders, held by clasps upon her chest plate. Only the suede boots gave a connection to her previous costume. She was dressed like a Valkyrie.

   Dani said nothing. To say she wanted more reminders of her being a chooser of the slain would be an injustice to her true thoughts. Making a reserved breath, she threw the attention upon the others. "Look who's talking!"

   This brought everyone to the realization that Dani was not the exception but the norm. The two mutants saw the other looking as good, as perfect as they could ever be! Even Wolfsbane's furry appearance signified strength.

   The three then met up with Shan, looking equally well. A few minutes later, they met the unconscious forms of Psylocke and Gohan. Once those two were awakened, some talk was made about their new appearances. Psylocke was about to explain, but Dani took rank. "Our ol' Prof told me how our astral selves gave us a vision of our best." 

   Only Roberto gave no indication of a change. "Are you joking?" he smugly grinned. "This was always me." 

   "Yeah, right." Dani spouted an extremely sarcastic tone. She turned to the new comer. "But you look good, Gohan."

   "You really think so?" asked Gohan, already aware of his new appearance.

   "Correct," growled Wolfsbane, her furry face employing honest expressions that did not belong to any wolf. "Ye're handsome!"

    Such a compliment sent Gohan blushing. "Thanks," he spoke, unable to look at anyone in the eye. "You all look good."

   "Okay!" Dani clapped her hands. "Enough with the flattery. Think where we are!"

   "So where are we?" asked Gohan.

   "In your dad's mind."

   "What!?" The boy's eyes widened, his body tensing in panic. Not that he was the only one. Roberto was no less unhappy about the truth. But at least he shared the idea of what the astral realm looked like. 

    Gaining control of his distress, the boy stared around at his surroundings. "This is my dad's mind? I thought it looked like a brain!"

    "This world is based on his very imagination," explained Betsy. "Save for us, everything is but a figment of his own belief."

  Dani was clearer. "Since this is Carrot Guy's mind, this place is what he thinks of."

   Gohan barely got that information, his attention already sapped by his surroundings. The sky was white. No clouds, no colors. Just white. It contrasted with the black forms and areas of the environment. Nothing beautiful was present. It was a vast ruin, a mix of wrecked buildings and ground, twisted-and-turned shapes and forms. It looked like a huge war had taken place. He never considered his father could think stuff like this.

   Explanations were needed for why they came here. Psylocke gave the best possibility from her experience. "I underestimated him," she sneered in affront. She told how Kakarrotto had some psychic abilities of his own. Rather untrained, but his will made for some strong power, power that the telepath did not notice in her previous attack. While she linked with his mind, this power took shape into a claw. Not making a defense in surprise, Betsy was grasped by it. Before she knew it, her astral self was overpowered. Immobilized with Gohan, the two of them were dragged into another domain. Dani's escape plan made things worse: Karma's possession got her dragged as well. In shock, the Vietnamese Mutant turned to those closest to her, possessing them as well. Wolfsbane and Dani's rapport made the strain of controlling three people much easier. When Karma herself joined Gohan and Betsy's forced migration, her mental chains on the three Mutants invited them with pressure.

   Psylocke was blunt. "Now we are in a most precarious situation," she spoke directly. "This is the enemy's mind. It is his world. His very-"

   "To make a long story short," once again Dani took the initiative. "We're playin' by Carrot Guy's rules."

    "Yes," coldly slurred Psylocke, restraining the forthcoming evil eye from her optical nerves. "We're already in great peril," she continued. "There is a certain limit to how long these forms of ours can exist unconnected to our physical bodies. Once that time is up, our physical bodies will die."

   Dani knew the reason, so did Wolfsbane. Unfortunately, the smirks of terror marked the uninformed faces of Roberto, Shan, and Gohan. The latter asked "Really?"

   "I do not jest in this matter," Betsy confirmed with no move of emotion.

    "Which is why we should get to the bottom of this as soon as possible," Dani pulled her rank, getting some stares. "This is probably the only chance we can get to understand Carrot Guy."

    The decision to remain here was not in agreement. "What is there to understand?!" shouted Roberto, trying hard not to let the inevitability of death to show on his face.

    "Furtop and I were inside Legion's mind, remember?" Dani stood proud and tall, her wolfen friend kneeling by her side, not out of groveling but by the bent position of her wolf legs. "By entering his cranium, we learned the problem and solved it as best we could." The Native American put a strong case of conviction; Gohan almost saw Piccolo in the way she moved. "There's something wrong with Carrot Guy."

    "Define wrong," glared Roberto.

    "I mean that a lot of what he's done doesn't make any sense. So far he's had a bunch of chances t' kill us all, but chickened out of it. Also, how could some guy who was supposed t' be this saint suddenly transform into a baddie in just a few months? It ain't normal. Personally, I want to find out the truth. I'm staying here."

   "Me too," Wolfsbane stood on top.

   Shan joined as well. "No one counted me a coward."

   Hearing the word coward, Roberto was not going to be made an example. "Why not? Sounds like fun."

   "This adventure was starting to get a trifle dull," Betsy added her consent.

   That left the addition, like it or not. "Gohan," said Dani, "Sorry for gettin' ya into this mess."

   "It's okay," Gohan accepted this part of the situation with little complaint. "I know why you're doing this for me. But you don't need to protect me anymore. I know there's the chance that I could die. I've trained for the last two years knowing that. But I'm not afraid." He gave convincing words, though there still existed a twinge of regret. "You've all been trying to help me and my world. Can't you let me do the same?"

    "Sure thing, kiddo." Dani suppressed the thought of how stupid her decision was. She forced herself to ignore it, getting ready to lead. "Okay, that settles things."

    Roberto kept silent about his hesitance. He tried to sustain hope for his leader; Dani had better be right about this. However, if that meltdown of hers an hour ago was any clue, they were heading for some big trouble.

  Dani turned to Betsy with flaunts of authority. "Betsy, I want you to screen for the core of this realm. If Legion could have one, so will Carrot Guy."      

    "Shan't be so bossy, missy," snapped Betsy. "I'm not a New Mutant!"

    "You ain't an X-Man either," Dani replied with wit. Under the cover of firm façade, Betsy was certainly miffed at that conspicuous sentence. A blink of the eye was the sole reaction she gave. Fine, her inner self gave voice. Be that way. Just be able to handle the consequences.

   As she thought about this, the others studied their new environment some more.

    "Why does every mind-place we go to look like someone dropped a bomb on it?" asked Dani.

    "It's a Saiya-jin battlefield," Gohan studied the area with a heavy thought. "When I was on the planet Namek, I saw a village…after what a Saiya-jin named Vejita did to it."

   "You aren't the only one to witness a place of destruction," said Shan in a dour mood. "I once lived in such a place."

   Such words did not appease the frustration in Gohan's feelings. "All my ancestors have done is destroy and hurt," he calmly spoke. His arms fell on each side, bearing strong fists. His still position did not sustain the shivers of anger for long. "Dammit! Why'd I have to be half-Saiya-jin!?"

   "Tis no fault o' yuirs," Wolfsbane burred those words, moving to the boy's side.

    But the compliment made him act the angrier. "But it could be! Someday..."

   "No!" Shan angrily replied to the boy. "That is not to be!"

   "You're a lot better than your father," added Roberto. "Stay that way."

   Gohan turned to face the doubting Mutants. "But what if I can't keep it that way?" he questioned almost desperately. "I have their powers."

   Dani strutted in front of Gohan. She beamed a sure smile. "Ya mean that y're afraid y'r powers'll make ya into a slimeball?"

   Gohan nodded.

   "That just 'coz y'r born different," Dani continued, "you've got a one-way ticket to becoming a monster?"

   Gohan's answer did not require a nod or a word. His somber eyes gave enough.

    But Dani laughed. "Happens to us all the time."

   Gohan's stern face broke in a harsh surprise; how could they laugh at this?

   "You're no different from us," Shan spoke her truth. "Our powers have the possibility to do both harm and good. The risk is very great. It needs responsibility and knowledge."

    Gohan's eyes looked away, his behavior cool. "That's what your school is for, right?"

   "Yes," Wolfsbane unintentionally growled (she couldn't help it with her wolf mouth). "An' ye have Piccolo teachin' you. Just like Magneto does us."

   The boy managed a half smile. This news didn't increase his spirits, but it removed one more reason to remain in his low point.

   "So don't try thinking of yourself in such a bad light," said Roberto. "If you persist in this, you will surely become as bad as your ancestors."

   "An' don't be too harsh about being from a warrior race," Dani spoke with sincerity. "My people once ruled the plains of my country. Nothin' t' write t' the bad guys about."

   The boy's expression did imply a victory of sorts for the team. That job done, Dani checked with Betsy for locating the source.

   Then a pulse came, one of such immense feeling that these astral selves thought they were actually hearing it.

   "About time trouble found us," Dani attempted some humor. Her arm got squeezed by Wolfsbane's feral grip.

    "Look!" cried the wolf-girl, her furry arm pointing a clawed finger at the direction her senses had realized. The thumping vibrations already gave a clue of what was approaching. The Leviathan was overwhelming. A giant gorilla the size of King Kong was hurrying to their position in large steps that made the ground quake.

  "What the hell?" cried Dani, who got a language comment from Wolfsbane.

  Of this group, only one acknowledged the threat. "It's a Saiya-jin Oozaru!" Gohan shouted his caution.

    Knowing what he meant by the word Oozaru, the mutants were puzzled by the signature. "It's a Saiya-jin?"

    Gohan quickly gave the explanation. "Saiya-jins have an ability to transform into giant beasts under the full moon!"

   "That's somethin' Kuririn didn't tell us," cried Dani.

   Roberto looked up at the weird skies. "Don't see a moon here!"

   "It's not real," Psylocke broke the rumor. "It is a figment of Kakarrotto's imagination."

   Knowing the power of the beast, Gohan hoped if the threat of this illusion was nonexistent.

  "Except this illusion can hurt us!" disclaimed Dani. (There went Gohan's relief!) She made a concentration that bore nothing. "No good!" the leader gave further negativity, "It doesn't have a mind for me t' scare!"

   "That makes my power useless as well," added Karma.

   "But not mine!" Psylocke spoke quickly, levitating into the air. Her control of this realm was marginal at best, but there were a few tricks this telepath still had in her bag. This small David went against the mammoth Goliath. The Butterfly-shaped glow flickered on Psylocke's eyes, reaching a great intensity. Suddenly, the Oozaru growled a roar; its last words before its head exploded.

    "Mind over matter," Dani found it surprisingly to give a joke. Betsy had guts, the Native American felt willing to compliment. Gohan was equally impressed. Betsy destroyed the creature's head without any sign of a blast! There was no end of amazing things these new friends of his could do!   

    But the body remained standing. Before the peculiar thought of being attacked by a headless gorilla arrived in the team's thoughts, a new head materialized on the creature.    

    "Oh bloody hell!" Psylocke swerved back to the danger. Her battle was more difficult this time. That last blast had taken a lot out of her; at present her powers were on limited supply, in need of her physical body's energy.

   Seeing possible danger for the telepath made Roberto shout to Gohan. "Can you become a beast as well?"

    "I don't have a tail anymore!" Gohan loudly replied.

    "Well, that explains things," Karma joked in acceptance to this madness. 

    But Gohan would not accept being helpless. He raised one arm, using the other to grab his wrist tightly. "Massenko!" a yell flushed from his mouth. A rush of energy ignited from this manacled hand, traveling straight for the creature. The beam certainly traveled with great brightness, only to vanish upon the monster as if it never existed. This had the boy gaping in shock.

   "Great trick," Roberto spoke seriously. "Too bad it wasn't effective."

   "Mebbe cause his powers 're o' physical nature," Wolfsbane darted past the two boys.

   "We're in the astral realm," Dani continued the explanation. "Physical power won't do a thing here. What we need is some mental power!"

    Gohan had to ask. "But didn't you say the oozaru doesn't have a mind?"

    "I still got mine!" replied Mirage. She handed out her arms, her head in concentration. Suddenly, a bow materialized into her hands. Her eyes opened and saw this fulfillment. There was no time for satisfaction. She grabbed the middle of the bow.

   "Carrot-top!" Mirage stated to Wolfsbane. "Let me on your back!"

   "Aye!" the wolf-girl gave her back. Mirage leapt upon the invitation. The furry hind legs of Wolfsbane darted forth with quickness that no ordinary human would imitate. On top of her, fully secured under strong furry arms, the Valkyrie mutant aimed her bow. The materialization of an arrow was created, pressed upon the string in great severity. Mirage released the arrow, sending it straight into the giant creature. It struck with accuracy. Darting away on the wolf-girl, Mirage flung her bow arm upwards. A cry of victory screamed from her lips.

   Gohan and Roberto looked on, and their faces did not carry any calm expectations.

   "How could she manage to shoot and hit when I can't do it?" Gohan cried with complaint.

    "You are asking me?" Roberto's reply was equal to the boy's perplexed behavior. The feeling of uselessness did not make them happy. Looking at each other presented a share of this unfair nature. It enforced their decision to do something about it. A nod gave their cooperation.

   Black energy ate up the human form of Roberto. His white irises and mouth gave a message to Gohan. "Here is a tactic I've done with Sam." Sunspot presented his folded black hands at the boy's stomach.

   Gohan followed the hand message. He stepped upon the hands, putting himself at the mercy of Sunspot's strength.

   "Here's a fastball special!" screamed the Brazilian. His strong arms flung the demi-Saiya-jin. Gohan added this inertia with his own ability to fly, taking on great speed (Shan looked on at this, feeling bad about her own inadequacy in this battle. All she could do was say Our fathers).

   Gohan thrust both his fists into destructive effect. A great collision was made. It did…nothing. The shock of another attack's futility left Gohan open; the Oozaru's hand grabbed him. Its surrounding fingers pressed firmly to keep the boy in his place.

   The sight of the boy's situation thrust Mirage into a warrior rage. The bow in her hand faded and grew long. It was now a spear, with a feather dangling from the blade. A combination of gestures was made: her arms held the spear in the air. Mirage's mouth screamed a battle cry, accentuated by the mask of violence on her face. The Cheyenne mutant threw the weapon upon the beast's foot with infallible accuracy. It cracked and broke, but its impact had done its damage well; the Oozaru evaporated.

   The emancipated Gohan landed before the riding duo. He saw Dani acting really strange. The girl was throwing her fists into the air, screaming a lot of indecipherable chants, her face rich with victory. It was a powerful performance. The actress than got back into character, giving the boy the usual complaints of risking his life, followed by questions on his health. Seeing Gohan quell any fears, Dani changed the subject. "That was too easy," was her answer. She pointed to the spot of the Oozaru, who failed to make a reappearance to the scene.

    "You're right," said Gohan. "The Oozaru I fought before was much stronger than that."

    "Not that your situation was any worse," Roberto made a comment.

    "So M'seiu Kakarrotto is not only aware of our presence," said a stoic Shan. "He's playing with us as well?"

    "Whether these big apes are easy or not," Psylocke hovered above them all, almost like an angelic messenger. "There will be more of them. We must bustle."

    "Right guys!" Dani called upon her authority. "We must get to the source while we still can!"

    "One question," spoke Roberto. "Where?"

    "Below us," Psylocke locked her head to the ground. Her eyes glowed again. The floor became her clay. It melted and poured, creating the shape of a funnel.

    "That makes things easier," said Dani.             

     Psylocke's eyes glowed, the light taking on the butterfly shape that was her signature. However, this effect grew large, spreading under the participants' feet. "Buckle your seatbelts," the telepath spoke, towering above the others in impressive effect. "It shall be a rather bumpy ride."

   At that, the butterfly hovered down the pit.

   Stationed at three of the 'aircraft's' sides, Betsy, Dani, and Wolfsbane looked at the directions given to them. Roberto's stance was as he always stood in a battle. Shan sat with one knee bent and one foot to the floor. Gohan sat in the middle, kneeling with each hand clutched to their opposing kneecaps.

    "So because your powers have something to do with telepathy, it can work here?" Gohan asked with some interest.

    "You got it," the back of Dani's head faced Gohan. It led to the boy thinking about the power's impressive state. If only he were really fired up about it. His depression loomed, though not because of boredom. This place was a first for him. Gohan had been to another planet. Now he was in his father's mind. It was his most unusual journey yet.

    But the meaning of this new world tempered the wonder. There festered a dark overtone. Was this what Dad really thinks of: destruction? It was blasphemous to believe such a different view of his father, but such shocks were becoming the norm. Any hope Gohan could latch onto was becoming small. Was the kind father he knew gone for good? Worse, did he ever truly exist?

   And it didn't matter if Dani's theory was correct. Even if there may be a chance his father could come back, would that really make things better for himself?

   Gohan looked to his friends. Roberto had to be the first in his priority. Of everyone, the brown-skinned mutant had the best idea of what he was going through.

   "Gohan?" asked Dani.

  "Hm?" the boy mumbled.

   "Did your father kill anyone?" she spoke the question in a disarming fashion.

   Despite the obvious reactions to such a plea, Gohan made an answer. "I don't know for sure," his face shied from this touchy subject. "He helped kill Raditz, but that was more Piccolo's job than his."

    "So, this Raditz…A bad guy?"

    Gohan nodded. "He was a Saiya-jin, my uncle," said Gohan. Shan tensed at the revelation of this sibling murder.

   "Anyone else?"

   "I don't know!" Gohan's tone was a warning, but it only served Dani to press on with these awful questions.

    "Stop this, Dani!" Shan made protest.  

   But still Dani continued. "Any animals? Did your father kill animals? "

   Gohan's lips trembled under this approach. "He's killed fish, dinosaurs, tigers, wolves. I've killed and eaten a few." He did his best to close the interview.

   Dani and Wolfsbane looked at each other at this line. Then the latter continued on, thinking the further she went, the clearer the mystery would be. "But no humanoids?"

    The uneasy boy did his best to convince for an end. "I don't know," he rudely spoke. "I don't think so."

    "Anyone who was askin' for it?"

   "Tha's enough, Dani!" Wolfsbane urged some modesty. "Tis' na' right to treat Gohan so."

    "Yeah, fearless leader," Roberto made his protest with an annoying voice. "Leave him alone."

   The restless nature within Dani refused to listen to these words. "Look guys, I'm trying to figure some things out! Since Gohan's the only one here who knows about Carrot Guy, he's got no choice but t' talk."

    Gohan increased his voice. He had to stop this. "From what I've seen, my dad hasn't killed anyone. He was merciful to them…back then. That's all I know. Can't you leave me alone?"

   Finally, did Dani yield her questions. "It's okay with me." She forced herself to be content with the information she got. From what it sounded, Carrot Guy never killed any human beings. He only killed animals, but to Gohan that was supposed to be normal. That was mixed feelings for her. True, she hunted animals for food. However, she never broke the head of a horse like Kakarrotto did to her Brightwind. No way would she sympathize with that, even if it made sense in her suspicions. A pattern was forming.    

===

    After Dani's questioning, Wolfsbane sat beside the boy to give aid. She wished her sensitive powers were not at work this moment. Gohan's pain was so close to her. She had to do something to help. This meant conversing with him head to head (which was in an almost equal level due to their heights). "Dani was a wee too harsh," she apologized. "But she means well."

    Gohan didn't look at his wolfen friend, instead gazing at his legs. "I know that," he raised his head with a sigh. "I appreciate it from you."

   "Ye said ye hunted and ate wolves," the wolf-girl nervously added. "When we fought, were ye gonna eat me?"

   A sweat fell on Gohan's temple. "Well…yeah," he shared the inadequacy slowly, then quickly apologized. "But when you transformed, I quickly changed my mind!"

    "I understand," Wolfsbane showed no bad feelings existed. "After all, ye did save me. Ye're a hero, Gohan. Ye're daft t' think yuirself 'n such a bad way."

   But the 'hero' only sighed. "If you're right," he spoke. "That means my dad is wrong. And my dad is wrong." His strong expression started to fade as he talked. "He's been wrong in so many ways to me."

   With a worried face, Wolfsbane spoke softly. "So, do ye hate 'im tha' much?"

   Gohan buried his head in his knees. "No. I…love him. It's just…it's so hard now."  

   His shoulder received a furry claw, and a voice of support. "Ye do na' deserve this, Gohan. Ye're a strong an' gentle lad."

   When Gohan's face emerged from his legs, he had no smile. But his cheeks were getting rosy. "You're no different," he replied.

   Wolfsbane blinked. It was a good thing no one could see the blush beneath her hirsute features!

   The warmth the two felt was the opposite of the tense atmosphere around them. The pit around them was as quiet as it was still. No sign of an attack. To most of the passengers, that was the sure prediction of one. They were so vulnerable now, thought Dani, her hawk-like eyes gazing in desperate search for the prediction to occur.

    Although the eyes of others would show a cool, well-postured leader, the opposite was the truth. A clear thought in Dani's head was this: what in the name of her ancestors was she doing here! She was in the mental designs of a guy who may or may not be a killer. Considering the last mind-trip she was in, getting deeper into this hornets' nest would be the last thing in her list of priorities (the really, really last thing). If only the Professor was here, Dani wished. That way, things would have worked out. But Xavier wasn't here: instead they had a novice telepath in his place, and her powers seemed to be ebbing. Dani felt equally drained.

   Returning back to present, Dani's thoughts created words: Rahne?

   Muh nose perceives nary a thing, the wolf-girl psi-spoke with caution.

    Considering who's domain this is, Betsy equally thought in telepathic communication, it is next to impossible to note anything. We are sitting ducks.

    Suddenly, Wolfsbane's ears were tickled by unseen factors. Her eyes twitched left and right. "I hear somethin'."

    It was a soft sound. Soon everyone heard it too. Betsy verified the direction. "I will take us there." Under her guiding psionic light, the team saw the environment warp around them. Barriers were being torn through by their trip. Finally, they came to their destination.

   The source was realized: it was a naked, crying child.

===

   Sam and Amara had the house to themselves- in the conscious sense of the word. The two did their best in giving hospitality to their fallen friends, though the Nova Roman performed most of the work. Somebody had to keep watch over baby Luna, and Sam was the only one of the two who had experience with young children. While Sam went through the unenviable task of changing the child's diapers (which was made especially difficult by the lack of material; Sam was forced to use some torn bedcovers to improvise), Amara applied pillows for the bodies of their friends. The hostess was placed on the bed next to her son. Though she was the only casualty still possessed of mind, Chichi's sleep was not comfortable.

    Comfort was also lacking for the two mutants. Despite their conscious states, it didn't relieve them from being troubled about the state of their comrades. Amara had her hopes that Magneto would snatch them from Pluto's grasp, but this couldn't persuade Sam. This was partly because Amara wasn't speaking to him. The reason was an added torture to him. Bobby, Dani, and his friends were all in great danger, and he had the stupidity to attack Amara about her feelings for Carrot Guy. Ol' Sam did it again.

   Once or twice did he try to apologize, only for Amara to shrug away in silence. Sam knew better, but he still wanted her attention. "Look'it me, 'mara! Ah'm an idiot!"

    Amara moaned, glaring at the speaker. That would have been a sure sign that conversation would continue to be withheld. Thus, Sam was very lucky that she spoke. "Correct you are in that attribute."

    Sam's gaunt face sagged a little, but he managed a sad smile. It went unnoticed, because Luna's wiggling head kept blocking his view. "Ah had no right t' bite off y'r head like that!"

   Amara's glare softened, though she proudly chose her words. "That was very cruel of you to speak such things, Samuel. I never said that I thought Kakarrotto was a god," she said the words, though unsure of their truth. "He just resembles one. Your religion is different from mine. You supposedly worship a god that is invisible from your eyes. I have spent my life seeing likenesses of my deities. I even met one! Thus, I consider it easy to find divine models in mortals."

   By the way Amara's eyes sparkled in this thought, Sam doubted her explanation as canon. With a begrudging smile, he decided to use the possible truth. "Love kinda makes ya do that. I think o' Lila 'n the same way."

    A stroke of pink came onto Amara's cheeks. She shrugged away.

    Sam stood confused at this action. He lived in a house with sisters, and is getting educated in a school with five girls in his class. He is the boyfriend of a rock star-outer space thief. It didn't matter. Sam couldn't understand girls!

   But that was only one part of the problem. The lad couldn't understand himself too. He knew he shouldn't be bothered by who Amara liked. After all, any chance he had of making nice with her ended when Lila entered his life. He should've been over Amara by now. Today's actions showed that he wasn't. Seeing that girl moon over that big creep made his blood boil. He resented Carrot Guy even more. It was not enough that Carrot Guy humiliated his own son, wanted to take over the world, and now had his best friends in the whole wide world stuck in his brain. No, the jerk had to attract Amara as well!

   Passing the window, Sam saw Brightwind. The horse was restless in spirit, though his body was restrained in metallic manacles. It was Magneto's way to keep Brightwind from running wild over the loss of his mistress. Sam didn't like the teach's method of calming the poor beast, but he complied that something had to be done. 

   Walking a little forward, Sam had the hardship of walking into the direction of some more unappealing sights. While everyone else lied in comas, only three figures refused such a stance. Carrot Guy sat on a sofa. Magneto sat upon a chair. And then Piccolo sat Indian-style. As far as Sam was concerned, he hoped Magneto returned from his body before the other two. He was the least creepy in a trio of uncomfortable statues. Strangely, their alien ally Piccolo was far scarier than Carrot Guy. Everything about him symbolized precaution. He looked like a devil, worse than anything from Illyana's place. Sam was wary; if Piccolo opened his eyes in front of him, it would be scary.

   However, a loud scream out of nowhere brought that emotion anyway. Sam jumped, only to realize Piccolo was not the culprit. Luna started acting up again, but her shrieks seemed to have been eclipsed by the screams Kakarrotto was making. The sign of this had Sam on his guard.

  "Sam!" arrived Amara, looking as defensive as ever.

   "I'm okay," said Sam, revealing the source. Kakarrotto was crying like a baby, his words garbled into mumbles and animal calls. His head bobbed back and forth, but his entire body remained inert. He appeared to be screaming in his sleep.

   "Ah take it our friends' hit a nerve," said Sam.

===  

    Yamucha was struck by the sight of Goku as a prisoner. The statuesque Piccolo seemed to share his defeated position as well. The scene was in defiance to everything Yamucha believed in about these two. Goku and Piccolo were the most powerful people he ever knew. This had to be some mistake in the crystal ball.

   "It certainly is not!" shouted the gnarled face of Uranai Baba. She didn't like the suspicion this scruffy bandit had on her clairvoyant abilities. If it wasn't for the money Yamucha had offered, No would have been her answer to his wish to find Goku. "I'm not some cheap fortune-teller!" she snapped with those beady eyes that belonged to a person in her prime.

    Unable to resist, Yamuch was hard pressed by the truth. He didn't want to rely on the witch's powers. But at present he could find no trace of Goku or Gohan. The Son House was missing from Mt. Paozu. No Ki's could be detected.

   "Lord Yamucha," spoke the shrill voice of his animal friend Pu'ar. "This is terrible!"

   Terrible didn't begin to define the awful scenes. In the crystal, Yamucha spotted that purple-clothed man he saw on TV. He was also in an equally unconscious state. The only ones who were standing up were a boy and girl, hardly older than kids. Was it they who defeated Goku and Piccolo? Yamucha's mind felt the lessons from Kame-Sen'nin: No matter how strong you are, there is always going to be someone stronger than you.

   The bandit's hands clenched into fists ready to inflict retribution. He now had his proof of Goku's dilemma. He must save him!

   Pu'ar shared in her master's resolve. It was so pleasing to see Yamucha act this way! After months of bored darkness, the noble face had once again regained its strength and beauty. Although she too was worried about her friend Goku's situation, she was happy that her beloved warrior was now in the mood to help him.

   Only Baba shared some misgivings. It was indeed true that her crystal revealed truth. But even truthful appearances also carried deceit. "I think it's best that you should-"

   But the witch saw her customers flee in ignorance of her warning. This reckless behavior added to her doubts that things were what they seemed. Whatever the future these events portrayed, Baba did not know. That happened a lot nowadays.

===

   Far off into the East, the ship carrying Kuririn, Tenchi, Illyana, Doug and Warlock sailed the sky. Tenchi sat shotgun while his friends sat in back. Between the two front seats was the Dragon Ball, the only one in their possession so far.

   Kuririn piloted the controls with a face of pessimism. His expression was understood by Tenchi, Illyana, Doug, and Warlock. It was a face of despair rather than fear. They did not see a guy afraid of fighting some powerful bad guy. Kuririn was a guy reluctant about fighting and probably destroying his best friend. Not even the team's comments that they were going to kill nobody could sway the monk's nihilistic expectations. In his world, said Kuririn, death was becoming the only end to a battle. Though touched, Doug and Illyana wished Kuririn had a better choice in friends. Oh, they heard ad nausea about Carrot Guy being originally this great hero. But the youth in their maturity made such truth unrealizable.

   More light came to the small room. This was due to the flash from Illyana's camera. She bought it through Kuririn's money. She wanted some mementos of this weird journey. Doug and Warlock were the first choices of her shutterbug eye. Then she practically pressed herself over the seated Tenchi, lunging her camera forward to get a good picture of the two of them. The photo would show Illyana smiling and Tenchi very surprised.

   This was one more reminder to Illyana. Despite their relationship, Tenchi had been a slow participant in their coupling. It was getting pretty annoying. She knew Tenchi loved her, but it seemed the boy needed to believe that himself. She hoped he could get to the program soon; she was thinking about some actions for the two of them to do. The stuff one doesn't speak openly about.

   However, these naughty thoughts were unbalanced by the room's own change.

 "EQUILIBRIUM- instability- COMMENCING!" shouted Warlock.

   The very room made a complete circle, causing chaotic situations for the ones without seat buckles. A couple bangs to the floor angered Doug, but that was the only strong emotion. He wasn't scared of falling out, not as long as he had Warlock here. Illyana wasn't frightened either. She almost enjoyed the tumbles and shakes.

   The Dragon Ball nearly tumbled out the window, if not for Tenchi's rescuing grasp.

    Kuririn pulled the controls in whatever fashion he saw fit. Only he was able to sense the giant pterodactyl swooping at them. Advantage was the animal's strength. Kuririn couldn't fight the creature and pilot the ship at the same time. Fortunately, the ground he passed over had a bunch of canyons and caves. Good for losing the beast.

   "Hold on!" He pushed the controls to the desired effect.

   Gritting his teeth in anticipation, Tenchi forced his arms upon the console. Small comfort for his stomach.

    Then the ship made a nosedive.

    Doug had the misfortune of embracing the front of Illyana. There was nothing she could do, for she and Doug fell backwards. Fortunately, a techno-organic belt winded around them, itself connected severely to handle bars on each side of the wall. This kept the two situated in the center, suspended in safety.

    Riding over the rocky ground, the ship entered through one passage and then another. This had the successful effect of avoiding the Pterodactyl. Then a jagged blade of rock collided with the ship's side. A great noise resulted. The console went off with sparks.

   "I'm losing control!" cried Kuririn.

   "Did you really have to say that!?" cried Tenchi.

   Intensely, the monk looked fiercely at the area approaching them. They were heading for the pit of a stone quarry. The ship made contact with the ground, sliding down this rocky floor, creating a bumpy ride for the passengers. It would stop soon, as that oncoming wall of solid stone gave any clue.

   Kuririn pulled himself out of the side window. He got to the front of the ship, throwing his very body as a support to halt the runaway vehicle. His feet dug and scrapped into the moving floor. His feet ripped through the ground, spraying rubble everywhere. Such an act would cripple an ordinary man, but for Kuririn it only hurt…a lot.

   His force slowed the ship, but movement was still in force. Its collision with the wall was still potent.

   Illyana and Doug opened the back door. The momentum showed that jumping out was not the choice. "Take cover," Illyana shouted. The two pressed themselves upon the backside of the front seat.

   Warlock had his/its job to do. "SELF-initiate-MOVEMENT-halt." The alien, still connected to the ship, lunged his/its body onto the ground outside. He/it grew large and thick, the shape of an anchor. Like Kuririn, Warlock made his/its successful connection with the ground. It wasn't enough, only adding noise to the motion. Then the ship slowed, went slower, than stopped.

===   

   An outside check of the craft revealed a torn wing and a broken engine. The ship seemed hopeless. On the bright side, the group's prize was discovered to be nearby. The Warlockian radar located the Dragon Ball. Kuririn found it amusing to see a Dragon Ball radar actually talk. Buruma would probably like that. On the other hand, Buruma would probably freak out that this type of radar was an alien lifeform. Not that he had any trouble with it…now.

   But the stone quarry limited the search's success, like a needle in a haystack. "This will be easy," Doug's dour sarcasm proved the point.

   "COORDINATES- at- PRESENT- unknown," said Warlock, his/its head winding around the area.

   But Kuririn had a different matter to attend. "Well, you go find it while I see about saving our plane." He pulled a toolbox out from the back.

   "No problem," said Illyana, winding an arm around Tenchi with a wicked smile.

   Tenchi made his reply. "Uh, Illyana," he asked nicely. "Can you stay here with Kuririn while Doug, Locke, and me find the ball?"

   Illyana's face moved like she was receiving a smack. She failed to be convinced, or unconvinced to what she thought Tenchi was trying to say. "Fine!" she groaned, ignorant of her nasty reply.

   While Tenchi felt guilt, Doug didn't care at all. "C'mon Tenchi!" he waved his Warlockian radar-grasped hand. And the two teenagers began to climb up the rocky hill.

    This suited Kuririn just fine. To say he felt okay with Illyana was an understatement. The shape of her very being persuaded the monk's heart. Of course, Kuririn wasn't the type of guy who would try stealing another guy's girlfriend.

    But getting a good look at her wouldn't hurt.

    A wrench held in his hand, Kuririn casually flung it away from his right. "Oh, Illyana?" he spoke innocently. "Can you pick that up for me?"

   Rubber squeezed in Illyana's clenched gloved fist. "Sure," she answered. She walked toward the object, exposing her back to Kuririn. Trying to play the role of an uninterested fellow, the monk nevertheless skillfully probed his eyes at the scene.

   Success! He saw her bend over. Oh, how the sight created sweat upon his brow! He looked away, hopeful that his vigil was unnoticed.

    Then his head fell victim to the flying projection of the wrench. Kuririn keeled over in pain. He rubbed the sore point, with some words of "Ouch."

   This pain was suddenly supplanted; a dark shadow chilled his senses. He looked for the source. It wasn't to his expectations. Sure, Illyana was standing there with a grimace of cold anger, screaming that if he ever tried a stupid thing like that to her again then he would be very sorry, but that didn't mean she was the dark source. Besides, this girl had nothing in the scare tactics of the gals he knew. He was probably being too excited.

===

  Atop the rocky quarry, Doug and Tenchi relied on Warlock's scanners to locate their prize. Doug couldn't help thinking of the 'three's a crowd' majority of this party. He enjoyed Tenchi's company, but the fact that the 'team supreme' could have handled this situation brought some nagging suspicion. "Am I the only one, Tenchi," he spoke nonchalantly, "to think you have some motive for being with me right now, instead of being with a dark-but-beautiful gal?

  That brought Tenchi to pause. It made him surrender to the accusation. "Well…"

   Hearing the whining, slow pronunciation of such a short word, Doug made a histrionic act of misery. "Oh dear! And I thought you wanted to be with me! I feel so betrayed!" He amplified his act with a few gestures of melodrama. "I'll never show my face in the world again!"

  Tenchi didn't see the joke, though he didn't take it seriously, unlike someone else. "TENCHIFRIEND'S- sudden- BEHAVIOR- unexpected." The graph of the radar morphed into Warlock's face. IS- Selfsouldougfriend- DISTRESSED?"

   "It's okay," Doug quickly got back into character. "It was just a joke."

   Warlock made a face of confusion before he/it became a scanner graph again.

   "But am I correct it's something else?" Doug returned to his soft accusation at his human friend. "Eh, Tenchi?"

   Tenchi was not in denial. "Yes," he spoke anxiously. 

   "And Illyana has something t' do with this?"

   Tenchi fell silent. That was what Doug needed.

   "Don't know why," the boy continued searching around the rocks. "Illyana's a sweet girl…except for the demonic evil soul that forever conflicts her life."

   Tenchi took the defensive. "No! I don't care about that!"

   He then saw a weird grin on Doug's face. "I knew it," he spoke.

   "Why are you smiling like that?" Tenchi got a little more anxious.

   "You and Illyana were caught in a really noticeable position last night," the boy chose his words playfully.

   Tenchi's mouth dropped. "I thought you said you and Warlock didn't share memories when you merged!"

   "I lied!" Doug was shameless.

  Now it was Tenchi's turn to feel like the injured party, despite the fair exchange.

  "Oh don't be a saint either," said Doug. "It's no lousy deal to be in love."

  "It isn't?" Tenchi made the wording full of doubt. Then he repeated the words with a stronger reinforcement. "It isn't." He sat down with somberness.

  Doug now realized that something was bothering his friend. "Trouble in paradise?"

  Tenchi moved closer to his friend, his movements as unsure as his feelings. "I know I shouldn't be thinking it, but I can't help feeling doubts about me and Illyana."

   Doug found a similarity in doubt. "Do you love her?"

   Tenchi looked at Doug. "I do." He looked glad in admitting it. "It feels good being with her." His cheeks blushed scarlet. "So why do I feel like it's wrong?"

   "Maybe you're making too much a thing about the problem. Isn't this your first time?"

   Tenchi made a slow nod. Suddenly, he thought about Ryoko and Ayeka. They were appearing a lot in his mind. That was what he needed: guilt. "I keep telling myself that I'm scared because of inexperience. That's why I got into the relationship. I couldn't deny Illyana because I was afraid of a relationship. But…I don't know."

  "Can you stop playing the martyr?" added Doug.

 Tenchi made a weak smile. "I seem to do a lot of it, right?"

  "Way too much," he lurched around the area, relying on his guide. "But what do I know? I'm not Ann Landers."

   "But you are the only person I can talk to about this."

   Once again did the black Dragon Ball radar reveal the face of Warlock. "QUERY: why- TENCHIFRIEND- considers- APPREHENSION- with- ILLYANAFRIEND? Are- NOT- both- SELFFRIENDS?"

   "Yes," Tenchi found it difficult speaking to Warlock on such a matter he/it might not understand. "But…"

   "It's a different version of friendship, Locke." Doug attempted a rescue.

   "DIFFERENCE- in- FRIENDSHIP- equals- ONCEFRIENDS." Warlock's emotional circuits grew unstable. "ARE- Tenchifriend- AND- Illyanafriend- ONCEFRIENDS?"

   "No!" Tenchi and Doug loudly disproved the notion with no anger. "There's a different type of friendship that doesn't mean enemies," Doug did his best to explain things. "Tenchi and Illyana's relationship is a different thing from our buddyship."

   "Explanation- INEFFICIENT."

   A tooth in Doug's mouth gnashed against the other. Tenchi's brow began to moisten.    "It's just…different," Doug nervously tried to find words. "Y'see 'Locke…Tenchi and Illyana's relationship requires them to do…something…that our friendship…doesn't."

   "Hold it!" Tenchi went into defensive mode. "I haven't done that yet!"

   "UNLIKE- merging?" spoke the radar innocently.

   Realizing the meaning, Doug's uncertainty increased. "Well…not in the way you an' me…merge."  His eyes really bulged with that last word.

    Remembering that incident, Tenchi spoke again about it. "I still think that was a scary thing the two of you did back in Gunsmoke."

  Doug was quick to reply. "You're changing the subject, aren't you?"

   Tenchi was silent, rolling his eyes in frustration.

   "Look, you're not the only one in this relationship," Doug pointed out with seriousness. "It's not fair to Illyana if you're having doubts about liking her."

   "I never said that," Tenchi snapped in secure belief. "I love Illyana. I never planned it to happen, but it happened. And I feel glad about it."

   "So what's the problem, Romeo?" Doug patted his friend's shoulder with support. "Quit worrying about it and do your job!"

   Tenchi nodded with contemplation. Doug was right. Illyana was really getting a bad deal because of his indecisiveness. That was the one certainty he could give to her for the moment. Tenchi stood up, and walked back to the pit.

   The performance of this was worth a chuckle for Doug. He wondered about his own hypocrisy; he hasn't been forward with Betsy.

   As Tenchi's new direction separated himself further from Doug and Warlock, the searchers looked on. Hardly a minute had passed when the search bore fruit, with the detection of the Dragon Ball lodged under a rock. Holding the orb in his gloved hand, Doug thought about their supply. So far the whole team had three Dragon Balls. It was hoped that the teach and the others had already found a bunch as well. Which means they'll be heading home soon.

   But Doug wasn't content with the idea. With Carrot Guy running amok on this planet, would it be right to leave Kuririn and Gohan to this problem? Was that the plan? If so, Doug wanted a rewrite.

   His thoughts changed when a frog leapt to his path.

   A curious expression carried Doug's face. Eyes popped out of the radar. Quickly did the duo lean toward the small creature. "So, Kermit, what are you doing here?" Doug playfully asked the amphibian.

     The frog noted Doug's presence as well, emphasizing it through croaks. Doug moved closer, noticing the weird antennae on this frog. Well, thought the boy in a sarcastic manner, such unusual things were commonplace on this world. Animal men, dinosaurs, green aliens from outer space, capsules that pop out ships, aliens built like Arnold Schwarzenegger, named after vegetables. What next?

   The frog went into a frenzy, croaking even further. Other people would find these muddled sounds indecipherable. To the boy, the words came out as clear as an episode of Sesame Street. He looked closer at the unusual creature, making croak sounds from his own mouth. There was meaningful speech inside these garbled noises. "What'd you say, Flip?" Doug spoke the language. "Switch?"

   The frog's face steered straight for Cypher, almost in surprise. It raised its arms out wide in opposite directions. It cried its native sounds again. This amused the translator enough to repeat its words again. "Switch?"

   A rush of light vomited out of the frog's mouth, directing into Cypher's own lips. The boy keeled over as a theft took place. Doug's views, his thoughts, his feelings, his being: everything was drained from his mortal shell.

    A second later, the boy called Doug Ramsey, code-named Cypher, made flamboyant gestures of victory. "I've done it!" his voice found cause to vocally make his triumph. An impossible ambition had come true: time and again did he try to escape from a humiliating persona. This was the first of success! So drunk were his thoughts of celebration that he ignored the possibility of how he did it: his body transference could only begin if both participants understood the same word. Somehow, this fool was able to understand his garbled speech. This fact was forgotten, as was the difficult transfer of minds (brought on by some interference within this boy's mind).

    Arrogance made him forget his humility and desperation. He would not think of those years ever again. Ginyu was now free.

   His body tensing, Ginyu-Doug strained to harness the energy inside of him. It was a lost cause. He tried to get a look of himself, viewing his stringy arms. It gave him little to hope that he had struck his luck well. He growled in disdain. But he quickly controlled himself. It didn't matter. All he had to do was find another person and inhabit his body.

   But he had to be careful. Ginyu-Doug knew he wasn't going to leave himself open for any setback. His eyes glared upon the frog. The creature understandably freaked out, just like Ginyu did years ago. However, it remained in its spot, croaking on. Ginyu-Doug found these chaotic sounds become decipherable. Realization moved its influence; so this body's power is to understand languages?

   This is what Ginyu-Doug heard. "Gimme back my body!"

   The new owner made a toothy grin, leaning his head upon the frog. The difference in sizes brought the Doug-Frog an overwhelmed feeling. Never had he seen his own face look so wicked, and yet so cool.

   "I'm sorry, froggy!" snickered the boy. "I think I'm going to keep this human shell for a while." His words were a lie; he couldn't stand being in such a miniscule body for long. It was a small speck compared to Freeza's. No, not even a speck. He had to find a new body soon, and a powerful one. Then the Dragon Balls will grant him immortality!

    Ginyu-Doug waved his arms into opposite directions, bending his legs. "Captain Ginyu is back!"

    The radar that dropped to the ground suddenly sprouted long legs that appeared unusual in reality. Then it talked. "CONTRADICTION- usurper!" Ginyu-Doug threw all attention at this weird appearance. "What madness is this?!"

    He watched as the new being jumped right over his blond head. In his previous humanoid body, Ginyu-Doug would have beat Warlock's landing with quick reflexes. Unfortunately, his new form was too slow for such an action. When he turned, a line of black matter wound around his body like a thread around a spool. This restraint halted his full turn.

   In frustrated rebellion, Ginyu-Doug's only weapon was to yell. "Let me go!" he growled. He then saw the being's ugly head elongate before him, giving the garbled sound of "SELFSOULFRIENDDOUGUSURPER! SELF-recorded- A- flux- OF- psionic- ENERGIES- based- ON- connection- OF- optical- NERVES," continued the creature. "CONCLUSION:- transformation- BASED- on- EXECUTION- of- ABILITIES."

    "Whatever you say, alien," Ginyu made Doug's face give a vengeful look. "You're a much better choice. Switch!"

     Once more did energy travel out of the mouth of the caller. But this led to an awesome backlash. The energy returned to Ginyu-Doug.

    "SELF- initiated- PSIONIC- shielding- SELFSOULFRIENDDOUGUSURPER!" Warlock pulled his/its most monstrous face. "Self- POSSESSES- immunity- TO- personality-TRANSFERENCE- powers!" He/it subsequently wrapped blinds around his captive's eyes. Warlock had indeed made a brave front, but his/its resolve did not mean a solution. Warlock had no choice but to receive help from Tenchifriend and Kuririnfriend. The latter might be knowledgeable on creatures of this habitat.

     The frog below Warlock jumped and jumped, crying with a desperate croak. It was therefore pleased to hear the words: "SELF- inability- OF- memory- AMNESIA, creature- HOLDING- selfsoulfrienddougfrog's- SOUL!"

      The amphibian addition to the title nearly made the Doug-Frog keel over. At any rate, Warlock's techno-organic leg grew a small balcony. This was an invitation the Doug-Frog could not turn down. The Dragon Ball had to wait.

===

  Illyana leaned next to the ship while Kuririn was underneath it for repairs. The girl was certainly pissed off. More pissed off than she was before. She was in a mood to blame everyone and everything. "Can'tcha get this stupid piece of junk to work?" she yelled at Kuririn.

   "It's gonna take a while."

   This sent a groan from Illyana; it almost resembled a growl. She wasn't in the mood for such excuses. She wasn't in the mood for anyone.

   Tenchi came, almost like a surprise, which was not to the girl's liking. "Having fun with the babies!" she spoke coldly.

   Tenchi paused. He than touched her arm. "I wish to talk."

   Illyana almost shrugged. She felt a steady descent of feeling colder. "Oh now you want t' talk!" she breathed every word.

  Tenchi didn't prefer the mood, but he called for it. Illyana had every reason to be mad at him. "This is all so new to me. Yesterday I was your friend, now we're…"

  Illyana noted the hesitance. "Lovers?" she drilled those words.

  "It's so complicated to me."

  "And I'm different?" She shrilled in what almost sounded like an outburst. But it was a guarded one. She was beginning to wonder if such restraint was necessary. She felt like not continuing. Her previous thoughts felt so mild, so weak.

    "I'm sorry. I didn't think for a moment." Tenchi apologized.

  "That's right!" Illyana shouted with more snap. "You don't think at all! You're weak."

   The cloud began to break from Tenchi's perspective. "Illyana, what's wrong?" He grabbed her shoulders, hoping to give support to whatever was hurting her.

  But the girl pulled away, shaking her head, attempting a nicer tone. "I…Get away from me!" Restraint was ripped off, unleashing great rage. Her strong arms threw Tenchi back. The force moved so fast that her foot caught against a rock. It destroyed her balance to stand. Tenchi grabbed her, his concern great.

   It only got greater when Illyana turned her face to him. Suddenly, Tenchi felt a knife plunge through his heart.

   "Oh no," his words were of a whisper. It was a good attempt at being stoic. Too bad the next thing he said was even louder.

     "No!"

   At this point Kuririn felt the dark influence again. Such an impressive Ki! He began to shiver. This Ki felt like Freeza's. Not in power, though, but in evil. This sense, with Tenchi's screams, brought the monk to action. With acrobatic skill, Kuririn was able to move out from under the vehicle and to his feet. He spotted Tenchi standing back in shock.

    "Tenchi!" Kuririn's reply wanted answers. His new position made the Ki almost touchable in contact. In convenience, he saw the cause.

   It was Illyana. She was like Goku now, only worse. She still had that beautiful face, but it expressed degraded intent. Two giant horns stuck from her forehead. Her legs were replaced with large goat legs, her sharp hooves scarring the ground with every stomp. A tail sprouted from her human torso, which was garbed in armor of bright silver.

    And she was full of great evil, a description that appeared in Kuririn's thoughts. This was no Buruma or Chichi. This was much worse. A stilling effect came upon the monk, his quivering mouth the only movement. "W-what's with Illyana?"

   Tenchi looked back up at the presence, his voice gritted in misery. "She's half-demon."

   "What!?" Kuririn didn't realize he was screaming.

    Tenchi tried to keep sane. "Part of her soul carries great evil," his mouth babbled. "She's the Darkchylde."

    Kuririn couldn't control himself. His brain frantically attempted to break his fear. This girl wasn't as powerful as Freeza. However, his heart failed to understand that. This evil was too much. He remembered what evil had done to him.

   Tenchi stood right up. He had seen Illyana like this before, though experience was no guard against pain. He also remembered how he stopped her in the past. Letting go of his fears, he started to walk to the danger.

   Kuririn had no clue whatsoever what Tenchi was thinking. "Kid, what are you doing!?"

   "I know what I'm doing. I can help her." He was now a foot away. Calling forth every power within him to make a decision, Tenchi held out his hand. "Illyana, it's me."

  Somehow, the Darkchylde appeared to hesitate in her sadistic role. Tenchi's fears began to fall. The trembling hand that she gave out made him happy.

   Then he saw the Soulsword lunged from her hand like a spring.

   In shocked reaction, Tenchi jumped backwards, but the blade had made its contact. His breast felt only a cruel tip of the Soulsword, but he felt pain from heart to mind anyway. Tenchi dropped to the ground, his face vibrating over the effects of his attack.

   Kuririn landed near Tenchi's head. His gasping hands pulled the boy away from the ground. The two were up in the air, nearly evading the Darkchylde's sword.

   Robbed of her target, the Darkchylde made a little dance. Her tongue made foreign words, in such speed as to be unnatural. At finger point, a pentagram of black flame formed around the ship. The aircraft came to life, twisted into a huge monster.  

   Tenchi and Kuririn were both shocked by this ridiculous feat of powers. "I thought her magical powers couldn't work on Earth!" groaned Tenchi.

    "Well, that's your Earth, kiddo," Kuririn tried to find order in this chaotic moment. "Not ours." He pinned his legs around Tenchi, hanging him from below. His freed hands pointed to his bald head.

    "Taiyo-Ken!" Kuririn's forehead created an explosion of light. His perspective threw this blinding flash upon the Darkchylde, forcing her to yield. Time now on his side, Kuririn thrust his hands together, speaking the word, "Kamehameha!"

   Not recognizing the words, Tenchi was able to learn more from the energy orb glowing between Kuririn's hands. "No!" he protested. "Don't…hurt her." The pause was not based on any weakness of his voice.

   The blast was unleashed anyway. Fortunately, Kuririn heard those words. The wielder threw his arms. The glowing blast of energy bent away from the Demon Sorceress. Its new target became the monster. It did not survive the blast.

   This change in action gave Kuririn some argument. "What's the matter with you, Tenchi? Can't you see she's evil now?!"

   Tenchi's head lowered deeper. "Does…that mean…you wish to kill Goku?"

   Kuririn's eyes hardened at that remark. Remaining in anger, he moved to an alternative. "So what do we do now!?"

   Tenchi tried to think against the pain. "We've…got to find Doug."

   Hovering out from the danger, they searched for their comrades. Their trek led them out of the pit. Instantly, they spotted Warlock, holding Doug in a very unfriendly way.

  The two met with the duo, surprised at Doug's restraints. "Don't tell us you've turned against us too!" Kuririn shouted at Warlock. To him, this was a day full of side changes! Tenchi, however, saw reason to trust the techno-organism. "What happened?"

   Before Warlock could speak, the redness on Tenchi's pectoral was caught in his/its detection, creating more of an emotional reaction. "ALARM-alarm-ALARM! Tenchifriend- WOUNDED! The fingers of Warlock's left hand created small heads that shared their master's distress.

   "It's okay, 'Locke," Tenchi gave his best smile under sad eyes. "So what's the matter with Doug?" He spotted a frog on the alien's leg.  

    "SELFSOULFRIENDDOUG- not- SELFSOULFRIENDDOUG!" Warlock's words had the power of a puzzle.

   "Can we have a little more information!?" Kuririn impatiently asked, his thoughts on something more important than Warlock playing a word game. But then he saw the antennae-headed frog, and everything clicked into place. "Warlock!" he quickly changed matters to give orders. "Keep the kid blindfolded!"

   Getting back to his feet, Tenchi did not understand Kuririn's tense wish. "What do you know, Kuririn?"

   "That's not Doug," Kuririn sternly gave information. "It's an old enemy of ours. Me, Goku, and Gohan met this guy before."

   "What?" Tenchi shouted. 

   "A warrior named Ginyu. He specializes in switching bodies." Kuririn noted Tenchi getting angrier. "Last time we saw him he was in a frog's body."

    Tenchi peered at the excited frog with worry. "Quickly," he impatiently asked, "how do we change him back?"

    Before an answer was made for this second problem, the first problem arrived. "You-hoo!" called a voice full of wicked glee. The Darkchylde was now after them again. Her goat legs blessed her with quick motion.

   "MAGIKFRIEND- bearing- EVIL- phase- AGAIN?" Warlock freaked out some more. The Doug-Frog took on excitement. Warlock then grabbed Tenchi and Kuririn, forming a wheeled jeep that sped away from the Sorceress. She too made speed, almost leaping in her movements.

   "Got any way to stop her?" cried Kuririn with urgency.

    The frog jumped up and down, his mouth made a variety of croaking sounds.

   "What is it, Doug?" Tenchi grabbed the Doug-Frog. It was like to Ryo-ohki. But he soon had an idea. "Warlock," he cried. "Have Ginyu listen to Doug's croaks."

   "But keep his eyes covered!" Kuririn urged his warning.

   An arm came out of the 'jeep', forming a horn upon his/its captive's ear.

   "Can you hear the frog?" Tenchi yelled to the captive. "What does he say?"

    "Why should I tell you?" said Ginyu-Doug. Never had Tenchi heard Doug's voice sound so cruel. Ending all patience, Tenchi reacted in kind by grabbing the captive's neck. "Do it now," the boy growled, "or you die here!"

    Despite a clench of teeth, Ginyu-Doug gave up. After a few chokes from his released neck, he spoke, "H-Hit her with the Soulsword!"

    "Ok-kay, that really makes sense!" Kuririn failed to listen to what he had heard.

    "MAGIKONCEFRIEND'S- sword- DISRUPTS- eldritch- FORMS," informed the 'jeep.'

   "Well, tell that to Tenchi!" said Kuririn in disbelief.

   "No, Warlock's right," Tenchi differed with a gasp. "I think I have magic in myself. None of you do." He hid the truth about the Soulsword being able to kill magical beings. He raised his hand, crushing his fingers together. A ring glowed from its hiding place upon his finger. The glow grew upon his entire body. The replacement of his uniform of Earth with one of Juriaian origin was made for Light-Ken.

   Slightly amazed by this transformation, Kuririn turned to the blindfolded boy in Warlock's control. "Thank you Ginyu," he smiled. The monk's fist then knocked into the boy's cheek, causing instant sleep. "That one's for Goku." He then turned to the present situation.

   "QUERY," asked the techno-organism. "PLAN- scheme- TO- initiate- CONTACT- between- ILLYANAFRIEND- with- SWORD?"

      "I can with mine," Light-ken clenched from his belt the Tenchi-ken, glowing a great blade.

      "An' I'll hold her in place," Kuririn forced those words. The two fighters got out of the 'jeep.' Light-Ken vanished in the rocks.

     The Doug-Frog leapt on the Warlockian vehicle. His Techno-organic friend recognized his wishes. In quick fashion, the alien's body covered up the frog in armor. The result left a lot to be desired. It was an armored frog, a tiny armored frog.

    "Uh…" Kuririn didn't know what to say. "How about you two stay here?" Then he faced the Darkchylde now, making his fighting stance. If he was always going to run away from evil, then what good would he be when the Androids come?

    The Darkchylde moved a few steps closer. Kuririn stood before her with offense. He jumped headlong into the devil, coming closer to the evil.

   The demon made an arm dance with her opponent. The Soulsword found physical prey in Kuririn, his stomach swallowing most of the blade. With a deep exhalation of relief, the unwounded monk unleashed his fist, only to see it stop by an invisible field. Kuririn somersaulted backwards. His foot gave leverage to jump back at the behemoth. He rammed the Darkchylde into an uncontrollable retreat. But the Sorceress' goat legs proved a good support when they hit ground. They bent together and sprung her back for an attack.

   At that, Light-ken made his surprise attack. The Tenchi-ken flaying wildly, its owner strangely found ease in what he did. His light sword whacked against the magical armor of the Sorceress' sword hand. The great impact separated the Soulsword from its unholy owner. Seeing the moment now his, Tenchi intercepted this blade with his own. The two swords' collision sent the Soulsword into the Darkchylde. Contact made her yell out screams of both pain and anger. The fierce wound she sustained glowed and rippled throughout her form. The evil trappings pealed off and vanished.

   Kuririn saw what remained. He had expected a pathetic villain bitter with defeat, or maybe a coward running away.

    All he saw was a girl in absolute despair. Her arms tightened together, Illyana buried her face by her hands. Tears seeped from these fingers. This was an expectation that the experienced monk had never predicted. Even Raunch never did that, Kuririn found no comparison.

    He felt Tenchi's grip upon his shoulder. "One thing at a time," his words coldly demanded.

   Kuririn was immune to the command. He proceeded to make another step to Illyana.

   "One thing at a time!" Tenchi's repeated wish was not loud, but it was crueler. Studying his face, Kuririn understood.     

===  

   Ginyu-Doug awoke with a slap on the face. He could see nothing; that stupid alien's blindfold was still on him.

   "We meet again, Captain Ginyu?" said a squeaky voice. Ginyu-Doug remembered that voice; it was that bald Earthling from Namek.

   Ginyu-Doug shook his body; he was heavily restrained. "Just wait until I can see again."

   "We'll make it easy for you," said the other voice, the one who choked him. Ginyu-Doug saw the blindfold come off. But there was no one to see, except for the frog. He couldn't turn his head away from the amphibian. It was as if his head was in a vise.

   "If you want to switch bodies," said the choker's voice in cold precision. "Go back to this frog."

   "No!" Ginyu-Doug voiced his rebellion to those who could hear him. "Why should I return to that prison?"

   "You have no choice," squeaked the bald Earthling.

   "Try me," Ginyu-Doug shook like an animal in chains. His behavior was a disservice to the body's real owner.

   "If you don't restore my friend to his body," said the choker. "I won't answer for the consequences."

    Ginyu-Doug gave a brave reply. "You are bluffing."

   "We'll see," hushed the voice in his ear. "Warlock, do your job."

   To his struggle, Ginyu's arm moved against his own ability, straight into his lonely view. It was wrapped by that thing's tentacle. The webbed skin of the tentacle then began to spread like water on his very arm! It was a scene that mixed confusion and fear into Ginyu-Doug.

   "Switch bodies," continued the choker's voice. "Or you'll be permanently joined to Warlock."

   "What?" said the bald one's voice.

   As this virus spread further and further. A small amount of resistance was ebbing away from the victim. "This is a trick," the strength in Ginyu made its last attempt. "You won't sacrifice your friend. You're too weak."

   "Actually," continued the choker. "Doug is the type of kid willing to make such a noble sacrifice. Can the same be said about you?" The frog in his view nodded.

   Ginyu-Doug's face trembled and wheezed. It grew as those webs got closer to his neck. It wasn't fair!

    "Tenchi! Let him go!" screamed the bald one.

    The choker was indifferent. "There's only one escape! Do it now!"

   Ginyu-Doug took it like the coward he was. "Free my arms!" Complying, everyone backed away from this possible danger. However, Ginyu-Doug just spread his arms wide. He stared straight at the little frog. "Switch!" A bright light spewed from his mouth, trailing into the animal's own voice piece.

    Tenchi remained at his spot. He then heard the captive cry out, "Kitty, Betsy, Tenchi, Locke!" Even before the boy wanted to give inescapable proof of his true identity, Warlock's sensors verified it. Quickly did he/it remove the transmode virus. Doug was now himself in mind and body. Restraints were also removed, though this action led to Doug falling to the floor rather painfully.

    Kuririn was relieved about the boy's safety. He had no idea about this tactic; the fate of Doug's body was a scary one in his view.

    Tenchi ran to his friend. "Are you okay?"

   "There goes my self-esteem," Doug angrily admitted through a joke. He quickly touched his cheek, embattled with an aching feeling.

   "How did you know about the Soulsword?"

   "Kitty told me about a similar occasion," explained Doug in an angry tone. "If you tell Bobby about this, I'll kill you!"

   "Don't feel too bad about it," Kuririn did his best to soothe the kid's bruised ego. "The same thing happened to Goku."

   "Great, that's what I needed," Doug complained. "Being compared to Carrot Guy." He grew angrier when he spotted the frog. He swung his foot at the animal, which leapt away for a major retreat. Doug gave pursuit.

     Doug's friends were totally unconcerned with his plan to wreak unholy vengeance. Tenchi tried to make a smile. His heart was not in it. It didn't beat for Illyana either.

   Tears continued on Illyana. Suddenly everything that had appeared hopeful and perfect was destroyed without mercy. Her heart and her soul had played a sudden war and the victor was merciless. At that moment, she could not think about the cause for this war. But she will. That reason would be even worse than what just happened. 

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TO BE CONTINUED

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WRITER'S NOTE: And that ends chapter 7. Sorry if it took two months for it to arrive. The proofreader took a while to send this back to me.

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ANNOTATIONS

1. Magneto's succession as Headmaster occurred in UNCANNY X-MEN#200.

2. Magneto possesses telepathic abilities like forming an astral self (X-MEN#4, 6, X-MEN: THE HIDDEN YEARS#2-4).

3. Dani's tactic was based on how Roberto/Sunspot stopped Legion in NEW MUTANTS#44.

4. Physical powers mostly don't work in the astral realm (Storm in UNCANNY X-MEN#243 and Jean Grey in UXM#274 found that out the hard way). However, Wolfsbane was able to keep her wolfen form in the astral realm in the Legion Saga of NM#26-28.

5. Dani was able to create solid weapons in her battle with Death in POWER PACK#20.

6. Shan's reaction to Goku's role in killing his brother Raditz is understandable; she killed her own twin brother in MARVEL TEAM-UP#100.

7.  Uranai Baba was unable to predict the outcome of the Saiya-jin Saga (as seen in the manga DRAGONBALL vol. 18). It's perfectly reasonable to assume that the Androids saga was beyond her premonitions as well.

8. The piece about Ginyu's body-switch powers working if two people could understand the same words is this author's idea, based on the evidence given.

9. What happened in Gunsmoke will be revealed in future chapters of MUTANTS IN GUNSMOKE. As for Illyana's demonic transformation, it has something to do with events occurring in RESCUE FROM LIMBO.

10. In NEW MUTANTS#30, Kitty Pryde was able to temporarily submerge Illyana's Darkchylde form by hitting her with the Soulsword. It is a possibility that either Kitty or Sam (who was present in that incident) told Doug about it.

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NEXT TIME: The mystery of Kakarrotto becomes clearer to Gohan and the New Mutants, but an unknown force threatens everything!