The Kakarrotto Saga
Chapter 8: A Mystery discovered! Mirage confronts Kakarrotto again!
By Claudius
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I do not own the copyright to any of these characters.
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Dani /Mirage Amara/Magma
Sam/Cannonball Illyana/Magik
Rahne/Wolfsbane Doug/Cypher
Shan/Karma Tenchi/Light-Ken
Roberto/Sunspot Betsy/Psylocke
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The only members of the New Mutants who still maintained their DB search were now crossing the ocean, under the reddish glow of the setting sun. Transportation came from within the group. Since the contributions of both Magik and ally Kuririn took care of their capsule craft, Warlock had to fly the team again. At least he/it managed to make a more stable form of aircraft: now he/it was a small dirigible carrying a small boat-shaped carrier for the passengers (his/its face was at the front, displaying headlights for the darkening sky). Kuririn sat on front. Doug was right behind, gazing upon the Dragon Ball Radar affixed to his friend.
While Doug checked for clues, Kuririn was busy understanding the events of before. He now learned a new aspect of Warlock's powers. The alien could infect people with a virus that transformed any person or thing into organic circuitry like himself/itself. Kuririn had already witnessed this power on his first encounter with Warlock, when he/it took down that Tyrannosaurus Rex. Warlock went further in that situation; he/it removed the entire life-glow from the creature, stripping it of life.
It gave Kuririn a chilly feeling, although he knew that the virus could be reversed only during a limited time. He noticed Tenchi was equally uncomfortable about it as well. But Doug was happy about it, which made Warlock all the more concerned.
"REASON- for- TRANSMODE- virus- PROHIBITION- more- REVERED," the Radar spoke cautiously to Doug. "INITIATED- four- ACTIONS- of- TRANSMODE- viral- INFECTION- on- SELFSOULFRIENDDOUG- self- HAS- in- PAST. Permanent- TECHNARCH- condition- PROBABLE- if- CONTINUED."
But Doug shrugged off the warning; his argument was that merging with Warlock enabled him to make a difference in battle. His normal, linguist-power self couldn't compare to that, as his experience with Ginyu had shown.
"Who said?" Kuririn argued. The monk's defense was that if it were not for Doug's language power, they would not have been able to know how to defeat Illyana.
"Thanks a lot," Illyana darkly replied. Tenchi was anxious to her voice.
"Oops! Sorry!" the monk nervously apologized.
"Anyway," Doug leaned back. "I kinda like the feeling of seeing things through Warlock's perspective."
"DANGER- in- THAT," Warlock's head spoke his/its warning clearly. Kuririn agreed. He didn't want to go there. He already had other parts of the previous incident to swallow. That is why he gazed upon Illyana. Despite putting on a strong front, the girl looked drained. What happened must have been very hard for her.
Very hard for her? Kuririn found his sympathy amazing. After all, Illyana tried to kill him and her friends! But the aftermath of that incident held a secure hold to the monk. The scene of Illyana weeping was too solid to forget. As experienced as he was in fighting foes of evil, Kuririn couldn't help being convinced of the girl's remorse for her actions. He wondered if Freeza or Vejita ever felt bad for being bad (as way off as it sounds). At any rate, Kuririn latched onto that possibility with hope. If someone as evil as Illyana could actually have a conscience, then that meant Goku wasn't a lost case.
After Doug sat Tenchi, with Illyana at the back. The arrangement was not to the middle one's liking. Tenchi found it difficult to look at Illyana. She had become an anathema that he wanted to forget. This wariness was as confusing as it was enforced. It was true that he of all people knew about Illyana's dark side. That night at Gunsmoke he said that it didn't affect his feelings for her.
But seeing her dark side again made that indifference a lie.
She almost killed him. Tenchi was unable to get that fact out of his head. He tried comparing it to his first encounter with Ryoko. No understanding worked in this situation. Compared to Illyana, Ryoko seemed a saint. She never betrayed Tenchi. Illyana did.
And he felt that revelation. Felt it within. A sickness trembled upon his body, warping his vitality. He could still talk and walk, but it seemed more like he was going on auto-control.
He didn't care to know that Illyana was feeling the same way. Tenchi kept his back to her, not once turning his head, or having a word to her. She couldn't take this ignorance. She wanted to do something: Put her hand on Tenchi's shoulder, lay her head upon his back, and speak words of sincere apology. But she resisted them all; what if Tenchi should react badly? She couldn't bear that. So she remained alienated, thinking about how her dark soul had ruined her life again.
And Limbo was probably the cause for that. For a while Illyana pondered on the reason for her inability to enter Limbo. It was probably not coincidence that this inability and her mood swing might be related. Limbo was a part of her. A change in her could have something to do with a change there. As if she needed more trouble…
"Where do we go now, Doug?" Kuririn asked in front.
Viewing the techno-organic scanner, Doug made a half smile. "Well, according to Locke, there's a full bushel of Dragon Balls together in one place. About five of 'em. Which could mean the rest of the gang has got em all."
"Or Carrot Guy," Illyana contradicted his theory with her possible truth. It left some chills.
But Kuririn ignored it. "I hope not. Once we get the Dragon Balls, we can send you kids home."
The news did not wash well with his foreign passengers. "Yeeaah," Doug was slow in word. "I was just thinking about that." He looked behind at his teammates with a determined look. "Okay, gang! Is there anyone here who wishes to make a quick getaway, leaving this world and its inhabitants to the mercy of some reject from Wrestlemania?"
Warlock just simply spoke up. "PROSPECT- cowardly- SELF- considers."
Illyana's eyes touched Tenchi. He didn't reciprocate, looking bored. Nevertheless, his decision was similar to Illyana. "I'm staying with you, the team, and Gohan."
"I'm in," Illyana gave a simple answer.
"All-right…" Doug made his disappointment known. "Not the 'let's-go-get-him!' rally I hoped for, but okay."
"Not okay," Kuririn set himself as a deterrent (leading to Doug to moan "Not again!"). "You can't get yourselves into this mess. I've said this over and over, but it's dangerous to fight Goku."
"And I've told you over and over," Doug replied with resolve. "We're staying."
"Got any plans on how to fight Goku?"
Doug made up for that. "We'll think about that when we get to it."
"You kids don't know what you're getting into."
"Are you sure of that?" Doug's eyes hardened into glares. "Me, Tenchi, Illyana, and Warlock have seen a lot of stuff we weren't ready for."
Kuririn remained unconvinced. This forced him to say something to turn the tide. "Did you ever die before?"
The question kept Doug in silence. He looked uneasy at that question.
Mistaking this for inexperience, Kuririn grimly pressed on his supposed experience. "Well? Have you?"
Doug's face grew morose.
Kuririn was about to finish his argument. "See, that's my point. You-"
Doug interrupted with a Yes.
Kuririn paused from that unlikely attack. At first he thought the kid was joking, but Doug showed that he wasn't. Tenchi's somber eyes lit up at this revelation.
Doug spoke calmly, looking an ill color. "The New Mutants fought a god. Me, Locke, Illyana, most of the team. We all died."
Kuririn's mouth symbolized distaste. The idea of children getting killed was unthinkable. He wasn't the only one. "What?" Tenchi stood up, almost losing his balance. Reasserting himself, he spoke up with a strength he had been presently lacking. "When did this happen?"
Tenchi then heard Illyana's voice from behind. "A month ago," Tenchi almost turned to her. He stopped himself. This let Illyana to not continue.
Doug was equally slow to speak. But since a foot in the mouth didn't help a moment ago, such a restraint wouldn't happen now. "There was some god named the Beyonder. We fought him. He killed us all. Then he wiped us all out of existence and memory. Our friends, our family…even Magneto. Nobody remembered us."
Tenchi found the reason why he didn't visit the group earlier.
"And then," Doug struggled with the words, "he brought us back to life..." he stopped at that, the memories too strong for him to speak anymore.
Tenchi was in total silence. He almost reacted with a reply, but guilt kept his mouth shut. So this was the secret the New Mutants he had long suspected! It was a discovery that filled him with remorse. How much he wanted to learn about this secret, intrigued with the times when the team would pause over mentions of death! Now, he regretted that curiosity. So much for being a friend. As if he needed more reasons to be depressed.
"I'm sorry about that," Kuririn tried to apologize. "After all, I died t-"
"Can we stop talkin' 'bout death!" shouted Illyana.
Kuririn did it again. He clammed up. With that, any interest in the matter was lost. No further talking happened either. Tenchi especially wasn't in the mood. That was unfortunate, because he had made an interesting discovery about their foe. He had heard of Son Goku before; he was the name of the Monkey King, a character he read in childhood. The new enemy shared some similarities with this storybook character, not least being that both had a magic Bo.
The gang would have liked to hear such news. Kuririn might have felt flattered. If only Tenchi felt interested in telling them. But the morose situation left this interesting tidbit in the abyss within his mind.
Kuririn and Warlock noted three glum members in the group. All three believed it would have been better if he or she was with Dani's group. That team must be having an easy time.
===
Two figures fought against a great many. One mutant. One Namekian. Despite the obvious difference in appearance, it must be known that both persons were formerly the great menaces to their individual Earths. Now they had forsaken such ambition, portraying roles their previous lives would consider miscast.
Their opponents were of a deranged appearance. They hovered above them like a swarm. They were all beasts in humanoid form. Fur covered their arms and legs. Their faces were squashed and grotesque. They wore the armor of Saiya-jin warriors. Another factor was these fighters were strong and vital, unlike their targets.
Their psychic garments in tatters, Magneto and Piccolo's stamina were just as battered. Fatigue was the obvious result of fighting these warriors. Quite a startling entrance, thought the two strangers. The ruler of this realm knew about defense. He probably knew about victory as well. Kakarrotto was merely toying with them, perhaps as revenge for his defeat at their hands.
This feeling of being a puppet was not a happy thing for the Namekian warrior. A series of frustrations were leveled upon him. He was in an environment that was unknown to him. This astral form of his neutralized any physical abilities. He could fire as many energy blasts at his attackers, only to witness no change in the battle for his benefit. Not that the forces around him were that threatening. The wounds he sustained from them were major irritations, but only for this moment.
One warrior got closer. His eyes captured on him, Piccolo flexed his mental muscles. The warrior exploded in dissipation. Psychic power appeared to be the only effective way of combat in this world. A lack of training did not deter Piccolo's achievement to siphon his telepathy into a weapon.
"Do not be so indulgent," said Magneto.
"And who are you to judge me!" Piccolo's tongue lashed its disdain, even though his sagging stamina showed his opponent's warning was truth.
"My mind is as strong as yours, Namekian," Magneto received strong reply with his own strong reply. He failed to share knowledge of his own waning abilities.
A quick stare down later, Piccolo and Magneto returned to greater priorities. Piccolo didn't like it at any rate. The worst part of this trip was not the limitation of powers. Most unforgiving was that he had to co-depend on this Earthling upstart!
All in all, Piccolo was in great error for committing this journey. It was beneath him to make mistakes, but he kept on doing them. Gohan was responsible for that.
"We would not be in this situation if your students hadn't trapped Gohan here," growled the Namekian.
Magneto gave no reply. The narrow face revealed from the helmet was sullen.
"Your weakness, coddling your students," Piccolo continued.
"Belay your hypocrisy," said Magneto. "You would not have abandoned Gohan."
"I did not come here for that child's sake," Piccolo denied the accusation with fanged mouth. "Remaining in the real world would be dull for me."
"Then you shall get the excitement you crave!" Magneto then turned to another warrior, blasting him with his mental power.
Despite taking casualties, no tide was turned. The inevitability of their defeat increased. The warriors all pointed their arms to the target. They showered blasts that rained upon the duo in ferocity. The damage unleashed was mainly cosmetic: a hole in the cape here, a wound in the shoulder there. It was an overture to the final performance.
This limited time was the least they needed. Their quest had hardly begun. No mention of Gohan or the New Mutants' whereabouts was made. However, this had much to do with Magneto and Piccolo's unwillingness to speak seriously to each other as their inability to trace their psychic signatures.
But one thing was for certain to the both of these travelers: they were mere ants to the microscope of this world's god. It was something that the great pride possessed equally in both Magneto and Piccolo found hard to accept. But they knew they would fall under this pressure soon.
Suddenly, it was over.
===
Gohan, Betsy, and this group of the New Mutants met an unlikely person in this violent world of the mind. Perched upon a rock was a child. He was crying, forever whimpering.
No clothes were on him, but his bare legs were closed. His hands buried his face. His spiky jet-black hair on his head gave feelings of recognition to the group, including Gohan.
The boy's seat was a huge rock. At the bottom was a small crack, which looked like a hole. It featured a hallow space inside, concluded the telepathic checking of Psylocke.
Walking around this sad monument led to a morbid discovery. Shan was the first to see a dead body. It looked like the crushed form of an old man. The boy was facing this corpse, the possible source of his lamentation.
Such scenes were too strong for the soft heart. Wolfsbane attempted to console the crying child, only to have her hands pass through him like a ghost.
Gohan too was affected by this sad monument. He had an idea of its basis.
"What does this mean?" said Roberto.
"It's a circuit breaker," Psylocke gave a straight reply.
Puzzled by those words, Gohan turned to the speaker. "Isn't that for computers?"
"A figure of speech," breathed Betsy, with perspiration marking her face. "Sometimes the brain creates a psychic block. It prohibits access, just like a real circuit breaker. Only these psychic ones can be used to minimize an immense power, or hide a troubled memory. This apparition was used to block something."
"Whatever that something was," said Roberto, pointing at the rock. "It got out."
Ever the studier, Dani reviewed this monument. She then noted a sign of knowledge on Gohan. "Recognize the guy, kiddo?"
As Wolfsbane kneeled behind him, Gohan nodded with a grim demeanor. "I do," was his brief answer.
The pause in words called for rudeness from Dani. "Well, tell us!"
"Ye should na' be so harsh," the wolf-girl growled.
"It's all right, Rahne," Gohan interceded. "I was named after my great-grandpa Gohan. He wasn't really my great-grandpa, but he found my dad when he first came to Earth. He taught him how to fight. He died when dad was little."
"Poor kid," replied Roberto, before realizing the identity of his source of sympathy.
With answers about the corpse, Dani saw questions sprout out on the cause of death. And it didn't take too much to wonder who might be responsible. "What happened t' the old man?"
Gohan sat down with one knee on the ground. "My dad said a monster stepped on him." He had a tight face. "A monster that comes out in the full moon."
The audience made no words, except for the gasps from their mouths. Their expressions carried the obvious reaction.
"Blessed Madonna," Roberto's voice was a whisper.
Gohan came to the point. "My dad…was killed my great-grandpa."
His shoulders were received by furry hands. "How dreadful." Never was Wolfsbane's reply more sincere than here.
Shan kept a strong resolve. These facts mirrored her own life. Dani was reminded of the time she created a premonition of her own grandfather's death. But she maintained her morale.
"From the look of it," said Dani. "Carrot Guy regretted what he did- big time."
"You can't control yourself as an Oozaru," Gohan protested. "I couldn't."
"At any rate, this explains the block," Dani kept a cool watch.
"How c'n ye be so cruel?" whimpered Wolfsbane, placing her furry head upon Gohan's back.
"This ain't a situation to be polite, furtop," said Dani. With discipline, she turned to Psylocke. "Betsy, can't a psychic block be created through sheer emotional distress?"
"Yes," breathed Betsy. "In this case, to suppress a harsh memory."
Or a personality, thought Dani. She spoke further. "If it's possible," she said with doubt. "Can the same thing break a psychic block?"
The telepath nodded.
Roberto, despite his disdain for this mad quest, couldn't help picking up clues as well. "The crack look pretty old. It was probably a long time ago when this breaker broke."
"Which meant whatever was inside it got out a long time ago," deduced Dani. She pondered on this factor. "Kakarrotto was around for a lot longer than a few months. Only, why did he take his time in getting control?" It was one more piece of a puzzle, one that was coming together.
As they spoke, Gohan was lost in thought. He pondered much as he looked at this monument. He summoned up a label in his thoughts- Poor father. Such sympathy was beginning to ebb away.
His ears become affected by the repetition of a word that became his name. "Gohan?"
The cold complexion was broken, restoring a warm surprise. "Wha?"
"Did you hear what I said?" Dani's voice was louder. "Was there any time recently when you're father was hurt emotionally?"
Gohan was finding it difficult to consider a time when his father had hurt feelings instead of giving it to others. But he gave an answer. "Three years ago, when Freeza killed Kuririn, my dad got so mad that he turned into a Super Saiya-jin for the first time."
"That would work," Dani made one of her pondering looks. "The stress could have been strong enough to break this block."
"What are you talking about?" Gohan was unknown to what Dani and Betsy discussed.
Changing the subject, Dani instead gave some orders. "We're leavin' this place."
Gohan agreed. This sad scene was harmful for his state of mind. He had to be strong, or else how could he help his friends? He joined his friends enthusiastically, though he did look back at the weeping child once or twice.
While this happened, Roberto felt something should be noted to Dani. "Might I ask you something, chief?"
"Would it help if I said no?" Dani put up her defenses.
But Roberto only continued. "When we fought Legion, the plan was to restore the original owner's mind. Jack Wayne was a transgressor who had no right to take control of David's body."
"Make your point, 'berto."
"Well, if this is the same situation, then would that mean we should be on Carrot Guy's side?"
"Sacre bleu," snapped Shan. "He's correct, Dani. This was originally Carrot Guy's mind. If this Goku exists, he is as much an intruder as Jack Wayne was to David."
That stopped Dani right at the spot. She had completely missed over this one fact. Hopefully it would be the only one. She tried to find the best conclusion. "Well, I guess the question here is not who originally owned the body, but who did the best work with it. Jack Wayne would have done a lot of damage with David's body. Goku, however, has done a lot of good with Carrot Guy's body."
Shan agreed. Since Carrot Guy was a bad guy, he lost every right to his body. Roberto didn't care either way about bodily rights. To him, Goku and Carrot Guy were one and the same. But he changed the subject, moving toward Gohan. "No doubt, mes brave, that scene we just witnessed must have affected you greatly."
Gohan said nothing.
"Are you still on your father's side, Gohan?"
Still did Gohan fail to give an answer. Instead, he went to Wolfsbane.
Roberto studied this carefully. He felt bothered by this hesitance in the boy. Despite everything, Gohan was still supportive of his father. Roberto felt an obligation to keep convincing him of the truth, but he now didn't want to try it. In fact, he felt intrigued by Gohan's devotion; it was really touching. Too bad he was leaving himself open for future heartbreak.
Meanwhile, Dani kept to her own thoughts. Doubt had been eating away at her theory of Carrot Guy having a split-personality disorder. Evidence of the growing differences she found between this mind and Legion's harmed her theory. So far, the team hadn't yet met any human embodiments of Kakarrotto's mind, as Legion had Cyndi or Jack Wayne. There was also the fact that Kakarrotto recognized Gohan. Two personalities don't share the same memories, or at least she thought they didn't.
Nevertheless, if the example proved faulty, the core of her theory still remained: Goku's change to Carrot Guy wasn't normal. If that was so, then a reversal was possible.
But that was going to be a hard thing. So far, no second move had been made by the big brain. It was given that he would try his hardest to stop them from their destination; he could succeed in it. At least one of them had to get there.
She concentrated. Betsy?
===
Once again did the group take flight, thanks to the ability of Psylocke. Dani asked the pilot about finding the mental source.
"I don't know for sure, but we may reach it soon." The telepath rubbed her forehead. She was supposed to do so much, carrying the team, shielding Gohan and her own thoughts from Kakarrotto, searching for the source of his mind, and the powers needed for these were ebbing. Betsy needed the strength of her physical body to re-energize. She wanted to take a rest, but such an action would mean she was not up to this fight with the novices. She wanted to prove them wrong.
The area they went through was as wide and vast as the top area. In fact, there was no evidence that this place was a cavern. It resembled the upper area in that it looked like a battlefield, full of debris and ruins. It was an obvious clue of what this mind liked.
Gohan spied this area with forlorn eyes.
"So, Gohan," asked Dani, "Y'r pop likes fighting a lot?"
"Always have," he said. "I think he likes fighting more than anything." Gohan included himself in that category.
"I take it you had a problem with that," said Roberto.
"Well…I like fighting too," said Gohan rather mournfully. "I really like sparring with dad, but…sometimes he trains without me."
"So you wish your father spent more time with you?" Roberto followed Gohan's thinking exactly. "I have the same trouble myself. My mother is always away on archaeological trips."
The two boys stood together, hearing a familiar voice. "So, Gohan…"
Roberto deflected the plea. "That's enough, Dani!"
"I'm asking Gohan a question," Dani was in support of her role.
"Another personal one," Roberto picked his words and spoke them skillfully. "Am I correct, senorita?"
"Uh, guys?" Gohan attempted to interfere. It fell on deaf ears. Shan and Wolfsbane were equally unsuccessful in stopping the argument, which grew more heated.
"You have been taking this job too seriously!" Roberto shouted at Dani's face.
"Hullo, Bobby!" Dani mixed sarcasm with anger in her reply. "This caper is serious!"
"Yes, but you are even surpassing that!" Roberto matched determination with determination. "Remember when you freaked out at Sam for saving Carrot Guy without your knowledge? You have been trying too hard to act like Professor Xavier. Now you're trying to surpass him. Blessed Madonna! I never even liked it when you just acted like him!"
"Look, Bobby!" Dani pointed her finger like a dagger ready to strike. "We're in dangerous territory. The odds against us are a whole lot. The only way we can fix this mess lies with what we know about Carrot Guy. And Gohan is presently the only one we can turn to. If I have to be nasty about, then let be me nasty about it!"
Roberto glared his eyes at the leader, though he lowered his voice. "Just be careful, Dani."
Dani failed to follow her friend's tone of voice. "I will be," she shouted even louder. "If you quit buggin' me 'bout it!"
Suddenly, their brains trembled by the sound of an even louder voice. Will you two please be still! Dani and Roberto found that Psylocke could match them in fire.
However, what truly stopped them was a flash of energy blast that flew past them. Forgetting their previous situation, the gang took safety.
From their butterfly aircraft, the passengers looked on at the approaching threat. There were no giants this time. Instead, they were about their size. Unfortunately, there were a whole lot of them, heading to their direction! Their forms were ape-like, with furry bodies and animal faces, but they all wore armor like Carrot Guy's.
The blasts all stopped a few feet away from the passengers, barely missing them. In her excitement, Dani noticed this. She looked to Psylocke, who seemed ready to fall. The butterfly aircraft shared her fatigue. It was beginning to flicker like a dying light bulb.
Gohan moved around the aircraft, always looking back at their pursuers. However, that was all he could do, considering his physical powers were totally useless in this realm. "I wish I could do something!"
"Join the club!" cried Shan. Once more did the threat lack minds for her own power to possess.
Roberto transformed into Sunspot, even though he knew it was little good.
Soon the aircraft was hovering past a series of ruins. Seeing the advantageous moment, Dani concentrated her thoughts to another. Now!
Wolfsbane dashed off the aircraft, landing in front of a passing wall.
Concern came to Gohan. "Rahne-" He then stopped talking, as well as thinking and moving. His mind was no longer his own.
Psylocke then threw a great spark of psionic energy. It was strictly for effect. This succeeded in drawing the creatures- all of them- to continue their pursuit.
So Dani saw that her plan was successful. But jumping for joy and making cartwheels was not in preference. Nor was risking best friends.
"I hope you know what you are doing," Sunspot glared his resentment to this scheme he learned from telepathy. Karma was equally disagreeable, especially to her role in possessing Gohan. Looking at the boy's trance, she wished for his forgiveness.
Not to be overwhelmed, Dani stared everyone in the eye. Her inner emotions lacked such fortitude. Fortunately, she felt the warm chaotic thoughts of Wolfsbane through the rapport they shared. That was the only solace for her present actions. She hoped Rahne would do her job.
Suddenly, Darkness surrounded them all.
===
Nearby, a wolf in human shape walked along the ruins. Cringing against a small wall, the wolf-girl saw those beasts fly past her with no attention to her. The aftermath had her growl a huge breath, thanking God for her success. But she had to get to work.
Her rapport with Dani remained for a few minutes, until it stopped quickly. Her senses picked up nothing of her friend. Death was the wolf-girl's first idea. She quickly forced that out of her mind. She should never think such thoughts.
Because of the invisibility of her friends, Wolfsbane's senses had no choice but to detect something else. It was a faint detection, but it couldn't escape her notice. Taking this as a heavenly sign, Wolfsbane followed her nose.
She leapt over rocks and ruins before she came to an oriental-styled shed.
It was strange that such a small house would remain in this desolate area, in much better quality than the ruins everywhere else. Interestingly, the wolf-girl's thoughts found familiarity with this small building. Gohan's house also had a small shed just like this one.
But this replica of the shed had chains and locks around its door. It was not the type of place for the uninvited. Yet even someone as respectful as Wolfsbane felt drawn to this forbidden place. Compared to the forbidding nature of this whole mind-world, the house looked welcoming.
As Wolfsbane moved closer, she wondered if this shed was the source Dani wanted her to find. It looked rather pathetic to house such importance. The lupine's human-shaped form lost its humanoid appearance, submerging into an actual wolf. She had already pondered transforming the other way around. It would mean breaking her rapport, sending her back to the real world. No way would she leave her friends.
The wolf moved a few steps to the wall, sniffing for danger. None appeared. Her paws felt the foundation's solid and thick structure. A need for human intelligence resulted in her reversal back to lupine form. Ideas were made on the subconscious reasons for this house's isolation, even though Wolfsbane had little knowledge on psychology. This shed was like the weeping boy.
How could she get in? Wolfsbane then remembered a possible key to this form of lock. The doors would remain inaccessible as long as one believes it as such. Immediately, the wolf-girl's mind concentrated on a single sentence: Let me through. She repeated this line with a keen sense for imagination.
Without opening the doors, Wolfsbane stepped through the shack without feeling anything. Was this what Kitty felt when she phased?
But as she came through, an ambush came. It was a huge rush of thought and emotion. It touched her brain like torpedoes would touch a submarine. For one who possessed greater senses than others, it was a harrowing experience.
The wolf-girl fell to her knees by order of this overwhelming attack. It was like a small dam fighting against a tidal wave. Alien thoughts came crashing through her defenses. She roared for assistance, but it went unheeded. Discipline was called for. She used psychic methods from Professor Xavier and Miss Frost. Soon she was able to block most of these thoughts out of her mind.
In as better a form of mind as she could be, the wolf-girl made a study of the room. The background looked like a wrestling stadium. She never liked such games (all that shame bared!), although Doug and Roberto did. This surrounding fit Gohan's words about his father's love of fighting.
But the major feature of this room was that it was packed with thousands of tiny crystals. Wolfsbane knew what these were. Each crystal signified a thought or memory. She remembered such a place from the mind of Xavier's son, David. This was supposed to be the core of a person's being, the seat of memory and awareness, perhaps the soul.
But this core was stuffed and full of crystals, whereas David's core had only a few. However, David was catatonic for a long time, explaining his lack. According to the amount here, Carrot Guy lived a long conscious life.
Everywhere she turned meant a contact with a thought crystal. These multi-colored particles would knit together despite their jagged and different shapes. When this happened, a picture would be formed. Emotions also radiated from these images, giving the looker an extreme knowledge of their meaning.
And what images! They kept forming to the wolf-girl's benefit. From just one picture, Wolfsbane could find as much deep meaning and value than reading an entire photo album. Chichi and Kuririn were among those pictured in these crystals. They were filled with a strong collection of warmth, familiarity, and respect.
And then she saw a portrait of Carrot Guy and Gohan. It was such a surprising picture, given what she had witnessed; the way father and son were portrayed here made Wolfsbane's furry cheeks wet. She embraced the image. The crystal's sharp edges cut her arms. Fortunately, Wolfsbane failed to feel much from these injuries; the positive emotional surges she received from this picture proved the perfect anesthesia.
And there were also portraits of dark emotion. But they were of a justified hate. She saw pictures of evil-looking men. One was a white-covered being with a woman's smile. His name somehow came to her mind: Freeza. Wolfsbane remembered with shock Kuririn's description of this monster. The images shown gave a more unsettling view. She saw this Freeza point a finger at Kuririn, here dressed in an armor similar to Kakarrotto's. The dwarf was thrown in the air against his will. He exploded.
This dropped Wolfsbane to her knees. Her heart was ripped in two by this sight. She didn't know if this was because she saw an acquaintance die, or because she was sharing the pain this image portrayed. No doubt Carrot Guy was strongly affected by this evil deed.
Limping away from the powerful projection, Wolfsbane looked for better moments. She was beginning to like Carrot Guy, or at least the person he once was.
She wasn't alone. In the very middle of this large room was a sleeping figure. Like Kuririn, he was dressed in blue and orange. When Wolfsbane came to the face, she almost freaked. It was Carrot Guy's! However, he looked different. The brow and lips were wider, looking very ape-like. But it failed to match the villain they fought. This was not an evil face. It was beautiful.
"Excuse me sir?" she spoke. The figure didn't stir. He continued sleeping, scratching his buttocks in a rude manner. Wolfsbane then pressed her clawed hands forward. Her fingers found him as ephemeral as the child.
Curiouser and curiouser, the wolf-girl wondered. If only Dani or Roberto were here; this would make more sense to them. But it was up to her. She sat down, waiting for something: the figure awakening, an idea to come, it made no difference. She gazed around for inspiration. Her eyes spotted a hole on the wall. After a scent of safety came up, Wolfsbane walked closer to this crack.
Every part of her fur stood on end. Before any thought could be made to understand what just happened, Wolfsbane was now in a different room. She must have entered some portal. It brought her to this new place.
This place made her feel like a stranger. The new area was darker, looking as forbidding and desolate as the mindscape she and her friends traveled through. It was also emptier. Only a few crystals floated in this immense abode. It matched David's own subconscious in that regard. There was also no sleeping figure.
And Wolfsbane would find no tender moments from these crystals. Images of the most petty character bombarded her eyes. An old man being knocked to the ground. A man running away in fear. Wolfsbane was surprised to see herself and her friends given great display in this man's mind. Illyana especially was given vivid portrayal; guess evil attracts evil, thought the wolf-girl.
Gohan also made an appearance. But to Wolfsbane's dismay, the crystals were negative to him. There was an image of him being smashed in the face by a great number of blows given by Carrot Guy. The wolf independently felt awful at this cruel moment. But she did not feel any repulsion to the emotions emitted from this portrait. Not a hint of depraved glee was embedded into the fabric of these mind images. There was hate, but it was a superficial kind of hate, the kind that was short and not deep (She remembered hating Dani and Shan like that, back at Gunsmoke). Carrot Guy was not happy with his actions. Who would?
However, her animal senses did note a linking influence in all these patterns. There was a strong emotion of pride inside each picture. Wolfsbane felt the intensity of this instinct, embedded so firmly in the patterns like the thread of a quilt. It was very…overwhelming. As she recalled from Sam and that monster Piccolo, the Saiya-jins that Carrot Guy was part of were full of such pride. No explanation was needed, considering that they were supposedly the most powerful race in the universe. Her own teammates kept similar heritages: Dani and her Cheyenne tribe, Amara and her Roman world, Magneto and his mutant race. Perhaps she was a little prideful herself.
Then Wolfsbane noticed another strange link: None of these crystals showed a single human death. True, there were scenes of wolves getting slaughtered, which repulsed the wolf-girl. But no killing of the two-legged variety was present.
But if he shied away from killing, questioned Wolfsbane, why does he act like a killer?
This meant greater thinking. Wolfsbane considered everything she knew about Carrot Guy. He possessed great pride for his race, constantly upholding its evil ideals. It would be hard for him to give them up…
Just like her, in a manner of speaking. The wolf-girl's own beginnings as a student to the School of Gifted Youngsters was hard. She saw her beliefs and foundations threatened by new ideas. Her religion called her powers the stigma of the devil; science called them natural. These differences were a two-edged sword. Keeping to her views would feel wrong. Accepting the scientific truth would make her life a lie.
Could this be true for Carrot Guy?
She had to get out of here and tell Dani of this.
Pressing all thought of determined emancipation, Wolfsbane leapt to the wall. It vanished in her pursuit. Her feet landed to the outside ground. Then she swiftly turned around. The place she had left was not a shack, but some sort of circular dome, almost resembling a pod from a science fiction movie.
Consideration was made about the connection between the small shed she entered and the large space pod she left. One held good, while the other contained the bad. Both were linked. These were two aspects of the same being. Dani was right, just as her own senses on Carrot Guy were correct. Things were not right about the Saiya-jin.
===
The team now saw themselves in some sort of dark prison. A black backdrop surrounded them from head to foot to side. No escape was successful. That pretty much signified the danger of their position. In retrospect, Wolfsbane was better off.
Not that it made anyone feel better about Dani's leadership abilities. Although Roberto and Shan agreed to Dani's plan, they didn't like what it risked. Gohan had not been informed. Thus, he was very upset once Karma relaxed her hold upon him. Dani experienced this resentment firsthand. The boy had pushed her to the floor, sitting on top of her. In his rage, Gohan's resemblance to his father was keenly recognized.
"How could you do that to Rahne!" Gohan repeated this line, grabbing at Dani's shirt.
Dani made a good poker-face. "Let me explain…"
"So Shan could control me again!?" lashed Gohan.
"No," Dani replied in strength. "By my words."
But Gohan proceeded to press Dani further. "Enough talking with you!"
"I did not send Rahne to her death!"
"Yes you did! Rahne's gone, thanks to you!"
"No…she…isn't!" Dani's voice fought back.
Hearing that, Gohan hesitated his rage...a little. "She isn't?"
"I'm a Valkyrie remember? I saw nothin' that'd convince me that Rahne was gonna die soon. Besides, she's a tough girl. She'll survive, an' we'll find her once this is over."
Gohan was not be pleased. "Then why did you leave her out there?"
"So she can have a better chance to get t' the source of y'r old man's problem. All of us together are a sitting duck. If Carrot Guy's got us, he'd miss Rahne."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Would you have let it happen?"
Gohan clenched his teeth.
"Your protest would have ruined everything."
The plan failed to soothe Gohan. "You should have sent me instead!"
"You don't have any powers here. An' I still see Freeza on you. Look, I know ya think what I did was wrong. I might not like it, but I hafta do it anyway. Didn't you hafta train to fight the Saiya-jins even though ya didn't want to?"
Gohan made a whisper. "Yes."
"So either you show me how immature you really are, or let me find a way t' get outta here. Y'r choice."
Gohan kept his anger, but Dani felt his clenched fists release from her shirt. Once the demi-Saiya-jin removed himself, she got back up.
"I have a right to know these things," shouted Gohan. "Or else how can I trust you?"
"Alright, alright," Dani brushed herself off. "Next time will be different. Promise."
One problem was solved. The big one was still here.
She rechecked the situation. The prison looked formidable. Her rapport with Rahne was blocked. It seemed this prison cut off all communications (or that was her best hope; she couldn't consider the alternative). Psylocke looked exhausted. It was uncertain if her inability to see through this prison was due to her fatigue or the strength of the walls.
So it seemed that Dani's plan to link up with Rahne had bombed, just like most of her plans. If only Professor Xavier was here…
Suddenly, the space before them shifted, like a painted canvas being torn open. The New Mutants and Gohan combined their feelings of defense with curiosity.
Appearing were the bedraggled form of their teacher, and Piccolo.
Gohan excitedly charged to the latter, shouting his name in respect. "You came after us!" His recognition didn't go to the helmeted figure in red and purple near him. "Who are you?"
"That's our teach," Dani stared in surprise.
Magneto too, thought much at the sight of Dani's new wardrobe. "Your trappings?"
"You don't look bad y'rself," Dani deflected the question. "Our inner being chose our clothes."
Roberto gave a suspicious eye to Magneto's clothes. "Is that your original costume?"
"Yes, Roberto," Magneto traded a cold question with a cold answer.
Gohan walked over to Magneto for a better check. He remembered what the Mutants said about their teacher being a former bad guy. The garb he was in definitely showed some menacing overtones, especially the way Magneto's face was covered and shaded by the headgear. Nevertheless, the boy thought the helmet, plus the colorful suit and cape, created a cool-looking figure. Almost like a costumed crime fighter.
However, Magneto paled in comparison to the presence of Piccolo. From the moment Gohan first set his eyes upon him, Piccolo had always been a figure of awesome proportions. But he never saw him like this! Impressive feelings emanated in Gohan, from the sight of his mentor's body movements, his gestures of authority, his expressions. If Piccolo reciprocated the feeling to Gohan's own appearance in this realm, he did not show it. Then again, he never showed much expression to anything except in forms of rage and anger. Gohan didn't care. He was glad Piccolo was here.
Meanwhile, his Mutant friends were less optimistic of this arrival. Since the faces of Piccolo and Magneto were of abrupt surprise, it was not hard to figure their arrival was not by choice. Carrot Guy had added them to this prison.
"Where's Rahne?" Magneto spoke to the exception of the party.
"Somewhere else," Dani quickly answered.
Although no one fibbed, Magneto fell on Dani as the one responsible. He said no word about his students' reckless endeavor of late, but his irritated face carried the message enough for them to understand.
Suddenly, there was the materialization of this pulsing effect into their minds. This feeling was of awareness. Betsy slowly stood up, taking the full knowledge of this event. He's here!
It was a weak telepathic message, almost unnoticed to all. Despite this, the gang already was aware of his presence.
Suddenly, the wall peeled off brick by brick. Open space was now there for escape. No one took the advantage. This reluctance was proven by the appearance of this prison's warden.
A great face materialized in the background. It resembled the Great Oz from that Wizard movie. Its size probably eclipsed the prison.
Despite the campy intentions, the presence was awesome. "Blessed Madonna!" Roberto cried in religious understanding.
"By my ancestors!" Dani was similar in response. The face before them was akin to the face of a god, a very angry god. It did not help that this supreme being was one of the most grotesque forms ever witnessed. The face was a mixture of man and beast, with a heavy brow that sagged to near exaggeration. Shade covered his eyes, though one could see his pupils glow eerily in green. The mouth was irregular, cold and strong. Only the hair was recognizable, belonging to the warrior they had fought in the physical plane.
"Dad?" Gohan trembled his words, a sign of his own feelings.
I am Kakarrotto, the face spoke, his mouth brandishing a series of pointed teeth.
The group found no way to ignore this being. Even covering their eyes was impotent. Their very thoughts portrayed his image.
No time was lost for an attack. Again did Psylocke unleash her psionic power upon Kakarrotto. Karma joined in the attack with her own mental energies. This combined attack pressed off Legato Bluesummers. However, they had the strength of their physical bodies back then.
At first, a halo of possession encircled the head, his face frozen like a TV screen put on pause. Then the halo shattered. This sent the two Mutants to their knees, using each other like a crutch. Only Shan was able to sit up. Psylocke was done.
Except for Piccolo and Magneto, everyone in the group stepped to their aid. Roberto, Gohan, and Dani presented the warmest of aid to Betsy. She was out cold.
The elder members of this party took the front. Their minds were the next to unleash the power of thought upon the Saiya-jin God. Their success was equal to the two women. Beams of energy flashed from Kakarrotto's eyes. This backlash caused Piccolo and Magneto to unintentionally create distance to each other. Both collided against opposite walls.
Is that the best you could do? Kakarrotto smiled.
Gohan scampered to his emerald mentor. In terms of health, Piccolo looked better than Betsy. It was not relieving. Anger again filled the boy's emotions, this time upon his father. "How dare you!" He screamed. "Why are you doing this?!"
"It's no use!" Roberto spoke to the boy. "You're father's gone now!"
But Gohan did not yield. "You were once a hero! What have you done to yourself!?" This boy had housed too much pain and resentment for the last six years, never really exposing them to the cause. But now he had had enough. Enough of Father.
Kakarrotto made another roar. It felt so terrible. Your time is now!
"We'll see 'bout that!" Dani made her voice of declaration. She began to walk toward Kakarrotto. This was probably her best chance, she reasoned. This was the only way to get the information she wanted. Only, why did she have to do it? Couldn't Magneto or Roberto do it for her? Maybe someone who never experienced confronting a god and got killed for it? A prayer to the spirits of the earth and sky was whispered in her mouth. She had to soothe her fears, not let it hurt her resolve. She was going to face a god again.
This was not without notice. "Dani, are you insane?" Roberto shouted.
Coincidentally, Magneto shared his views. "Dani, come back here!"
But Dani was closest to Kakarrotto now. She stood alone. "Let me get this straight," asked Dani to this almighty. "You're Goku's dark side, right?"
I am his true self.
"Ok-kay." Dani threw a good performance on nonchalance. "Took a long time to get y'r act together, huh?"
Kakarrotto paused at this insolence. A stupid accident restrained my greatness. Temporary.
The Valkyrie nodded. "Quite a payback." Dani calmly replied with peering eyes. "Killin' that old man…"
Kakarrotto's eyes became a deeper green. This was completed by a groan that rippled forth like an earthquake.
"What madness is your student enacting?" Piccolo asked Magneto. The Namekian was now back to his feet. Hardly a miracle, he thought. The hit he sustained was lacking. Even that clod Magneto was shrugging off the blow.
As Piccolo moved closer, Shan intervened. "Let her talk, m'sieu," wished Shan. But it took a trusting look from Gohan to make sure Piccolo bided his time.
Magneto didn't. Despite his slow recovery, he was waddling to Dani, yelling for her to stop.
But Dani only walked closer to the enemy. "Hit a nerve, did I? Just like the time your gramps died?"
Gohan wasn't my grandfather! Snapped Kakarrotto. My grandfather was a pure Saiya-jin!
"Right 'n that. But your gramps took care of your good half," Dani counterattacked with a toothy grin. "When you got out, what you did must've been awful for Goku. Killin' the man who raised him."
I did not care!
Dani noticed the tone, as well as the annoyed look upon his face. Did Carrot Guy really feel bad about it? Suddenly, everything clicked. Every clue and idea her mind had picked up was now a tapestry. Dani had the solution she needed.
She went along with it. "But you disappeared, giving Goku full reign of this body." Perhaps you too were hurt by your actions."
Whatever!
"Enough to be suppressed for the last twenty-five years."
The head spoke out. It didn't last! He returned to a grin. A Saiya-jin's love for battle can never be restrained. It kept me strong until I regained my birthright.
A burning flame glowed upon the top of the beast's head. My destiny was formed the day I became the Super Saiya-jin, the end all, be all, of my race's evolution. I tasted the great power, the beast shuddered with those words. It was evidence that I had to restore my heritage. I realized that I made mistakes. Big ones.
Gohan got the sense that he was most looked upon by those green eyes.
I restrained my weaker nature. I will continue suppressing it. Once the Dragon Balls grant me immortality, I will restore the Saiya-jin race to its rightful glory, as conqueror of the universe!"
"But what about the people of this planet?" shouted Gohan. No reply was given, although Kakarrotto kept his watch over him.
"So what'll happen?!" Dani repeated the question.
The face became omnipotent. They will serve or die, though the latter seems more justifiable.
"Never," Magneto protested.
"You will not!" smirked Roberto. He hid his fear well, convinced that Carrot Guy must not see it.
"I've lived through enough," Shan spoke with dagger eyes, even as she played comfort to Betsy, "to never allow such submission again, m'sieu."
"This is my world," Gohan fortified himself. "I won't let anyone take it over. Not even you!"
Kakarrotto heard that.
Dani resumed this faceoff with a smug expression. "Looks like your new order's got a few opponents."
Silence, child! At that the giant face had a close encounter with Dani- separated from her by one foot! Intimidation made its appearance inside the girl. She hoped no one else noticed it.
You should do what you're told, the mouth of the Saiya-jin slowly made each word clear.
Dani leaned her head toward the Saiya-jin's face, her daring face glaring. "Or…what?"
Eyebeams found their target upon Dani. This sent the young woman backwards to everyone's concern. As the occupied Shan screamed her friend's name, Roberto and Gohan came to her side. Magneto got there first. It was his viewpoint that saw his student in good condition despite a few bruises. And Dani was asking for more. "Is that…the best you can do?" She shouted.
Now Magneto could have done everything to keep Dani from continuing her endangerment. But he saw that she was very determined with her belief. She seemed to have had an idea. The Headmaster felt influenced by this strength. Also, the words of that overbearing green-skinned alien bothered him. He must let his student risk some injuries. So Magneto gave up his chance. He remained silent as Dani walked by him for Kakarrotto.
"Well, Carrot Guy? Is that y'r best?"
The beast slanted its green eyes to this returning confronter. That…was a warning.
"Sure it was," Dani grew more courageous, topping her stance with a smile. "Problem is, you've given us nothing but warnings. When's the big payoff?"
A shrill sound surrounded the atmosphere. Dani knew what it meant. "Oh! Did I hit another nerve? I'm so sorry!"
Don't be presumptive, girl!
"Or what? You gonna kill me?" Dani's friends wondered if she was wanted a death wish. "I don't think you have the guts t' do that t' me, or anyone else."
Flames increased upon the crown of Kakarotto's head. I am no coward!
"Bravery's got nothin' t' do with it. It's more t' do with morality. You really don't want t' kill me or my friends. There's no little reason to."
The mood of Kakarrotto swung to delight. Why should I give you mercy? He spoke in laughter. I'm a Saiya-jin!
"You tell me! You had every chance to kill us at the house, the cave, an' here. Blew every chance. Why didn't you?"
You…were too pathetic for death.
Dani stepped on that. "Or mebbe you didn't want t' hurt us! Mebbe because you knew it would be wrong, or at least, the part that's Goku thought it was!"
The laughter stopped. Don't speak that insulting name to me!
"What's your problem? D'you hate that part o' yourself so much…or are ya afraid of it?"
I fear nothing!
"My fear-image showed otherwise. I think I know why. Deep down you really are like that!"
"What?" said Roberto. Gohan was equally perplexed.
Kakarotto's brow grew heavier in irritation. You're wrong! Why should I want to degrade myself?
"That's what ya want t' believe, but you're foolin' yourself!" Dani gave her most humiliating tone of voice. "Can't blame you for denyin' it. You lived for the moment to be free, to be a true Saiya-jin. Only, you find out that it's not what it's all cracked up t' be! Mebbe when you got out of that prison," Dani resumed her fiery voice in this battle. "You began to feel what Goku felt. You didn't expect having friends, creating a family, did you? That wasn't the Saiya-jin way, but you liked it nevertheless!"
Piccolo's glare grew in respect, at least to what this girl was saying.
The laughter stopped. Kakarrotto spoke again. Why should I care! Saiya-jins are above that!
"Of course, 'cept you ain't sure anymore! But you don't want to admit it! That's the reason for your fear! You don't want to betray your race!"
Nonsense!
"I don't believe you, just as I don't believe ya care nothin' about him!" At that, the Valkyrie gave a pointed finger at Gohan.
Kakarrotto mouth grinded with annoyance.
"You saw Gohan in your fear image too, right?" Dani was the prosecuting attorney. "That was probably the greater fear- that despite Gohan being a half-breed Saiya-jin, despite the fact that he wasn't a pure Saiya-jin, you still love him!"
Dani's words broke Gohan's battle stance. The boy's entire thoughts considered the meaning of this theory: his father still loved him? But…that didn't matter. Not anymore. Gohan took control of himself.
Kakarrotto's face pondered this. His eyes popped when he reached a conclusion. No…
"Yes! It's not a bad thing for a father to care. It's un-Saiya-jin, but you didn't care about that before, and I bet you don't care now!"
Lies!
"If you have feelings for Gohan," Dani used the evidence to best use, "Then you also care about this planet and its inhabitants. You can't kill us because you don't want to!"
Kakarrotto's face reeled back. A sign of confusion was growing upon his monstrous face. It subsided, as the brow grew heavy with rage. Can't kill you? I-I will kill you! Now!
"Like last time?" Dani smugly addressed.
Enough! The beast roared, his words insane. Enough! Enough! Enough! You will all die!
Dani presented herself like a target. "Than do it! Kill us now!" She waved her hands for invitation.
The Mutants looked at her, not knowing whether to praise her courage or damn her stupidity.
Despite having no restraints, Magneto wrestled within himself; was his passive actions were right or wrong? Nevertheless, her words were reaching a meaning.
Dani's friends felt infected by her impudence. Shan came to her friend's side. "So do it, Carrot Guy! Kill us!"
Roberto joined them. "I'm not afraid to die!" He transformed into his Sunspot form. It was useless in this realm, but good for masking any weakness.
With a quick step, Gohan was in front of them all. He too was unafraid. "No one's going to die if I have anything to do with it!"
"Hear that, Great Carrot?" Dani grew more proud. "We're not afraid o' you! But can you say the same for us?" Seeing that her theory was working (by the simple fact that no one was dead yet), she continued. "See! You…can't!" she made her smile of victory. "Don't bother tryin' to convince yourself. Ya ain't a Saiya-jin."
The giant face that was so close to them shrank back. Its face twisted in confusion. The words of Dani had made their effect on him. Only Dani wasn't quite finished. "An' since ya can't hack it as Carrot Guy, you're better off at bein' Gok-"
No! No! No! Kakarrotto made his insane shouts, drowning out the alternative given to him. Again did the area quake by its master's anger. Gohan remained on his feet, in contrast to the balance-disturbed Dani, Shan, and Sunspot.
The head grew even larger, continuing its vocal spout of rage. Some of these words could not be registered. How dare you presume to know what I think! You are not me! You're not a Saiya-jin! I am! You think yourself so smart? I'll kill you! I'll kill you all!
The towering size of Kakarrotto's face equaled his rage. His words generated a wind that began to press the group back to the wall behind them. If there was a moment for final prayers, the chance was there. It went unheeded.
So too, it seemed, was the final punishment. The monstrous face of Kakarrotto remained in pique, but remained inactive. I will see you again, after I get the Dragon Balls! He vanished from all.
A feeling of surprise washed upon the team. Gohan, Roberto, and Shan thought they had won a victory.
Their leader didn't share the tribulations. The disappearance wasn't in her plan. "Quickly, we've gotta make him come back. We've gotta make him realize his life is a lie!"
However, a new wall replaced the opening, trapping them once again.
Magneto and Piccolo had a bad feeling about this.
===
By luck, Luna had fallen asleep. With contented relief, Sam lay the child in the cradle Chichi had placed out. The silence he wanted proved disappointing. Sam wished he could talk to someone. Amara wasn't in the speaking mood. Everyone else was away. But those who weren't stuck in Carrot Guy's noggin were out there searching for Dragon Balls. They must have been having a good time, the blond teenager felt envious. Doug and Warlock were probably having an adventure, with Tenchi and Illyana doing some fun, all the while looking for some Dragon Balls.
The thought coincidentally met with the basket holding the orange orbs. With nothing better to do, Sam quietly studied the Dragon Balls. With a childish nature, he made sounds by contacting two of them together. It was amazing to consider these Dragon Balls could grant wishes. Though getting back home would be his obvious choice, Sam thought about alternatives; it was a shame that the Dragon Balls could only resurrect people who died within a year. He wanted to see his father again.
Unfortunately, his father had been dead for more than a year. Of course, such a wish was probably a long shot. If this world's year was correct (766), he and the New Mutants were probably seventeen centuries before their actual time, or millions of years after! If Carrot Guy got his chance for immortality, he could live that long.
When he thought of that, Sam wondered if that wish was such a bad thing. It would be nice if people lived forever. That way, his pappy would be still around. This optimism soon dropped to a point of disapproval in Sam's mind. Wouldn't living forever be a little boring? His head, full of science fiction references, remembered characters that thought long life was a curse. But death wasn't a good thing either. Sam definitely knew that by experience.
The silence came to a halt with the cries of Brightwind. This was much to Sam's chagrin, for it awoke Luna. He had a right mind to shoot that horse (as impossible as that was), even though his worry for Dani was legitimate.
===
A near mistake was made when Yamucha passed the restrained winged horse. The horse's notice of him sent Yamucha charging into the air. Pu'al took the chance to resemble a rock.
Fortunately, cover was not blown. The boy at the window made a few glances, then went away. Yamucha discovered that this person had no Ki-detecting abilities, or else he would have noticed him up here. That was odd that somebody who was able to take out Goku and Piccolo would have to possess some ability like that.
Soon the cat and ex-bandit were spread upon the wall of the house, or what was left of it. The wrecked house was no surprise to Yamucha; he knew that anything that could restrain Goku would not have been a peaceful. Nimble legs and careful movements by the two presented no problems of being discovered. They came to a window, where Yamucha peeked into it. The images he saw were accurate to Baba's magical broadcast. There was poor Goku, chained up like an animal. And there was Piccolo, sitting as still as a statue. For some reason he was not shackled like Goku.
Yamucha turned his head away from the window. The blond girl had walked into the room.
That gave him an idea. And it included Pu'al. One whispered message later, the cat vanished in a silent puff of smoke. In its place was the perfect simile of the blonde girl. Sure, the coal-black pupils without irises and a lack of a nose left much to be desired, but Yamucha didn't consider himself a perfectionist.
"Now sneak into the other room," Yamucha ordered his beloved sidekick. This role left the ex-bandit to deal with the girl keeping guard over Goku.
===
Sam had to find some way to entertain Luna. He got it from a red pole.
"Nyoi-bo 'xtend!" cried Sam.
The Bo his hands held grew longer, almost sticking between the ceiling and floor. This caused some trouble, as Sam didn't quite know how to turn this off.
At least two good things happened of this. First, Luna had settled down. Also, this act kept Sam's mind off the real problem. Having friends in danger was no good thing for edgy feelings. He should enjoy himself before disaster returned its face. This weapon seemed the right choice. When they brought Carrot Guy back here, Gohan had removed a staff that was on his father's back. He said it was a magical pole that could elongate at command. Due to other priorities, the gang didn't get to see if his word was true.
Sam then came with a solution. Grasping the pole again, he commanded the word "Nyoi-Bo, shrink!" That worked, resulting in a victorious smile on his lips.
Holding the staff behind him, Sam positioned himself like one of those ninja fighters he saw on TV. With a cry he learned from those shows, Sam swung the Bo. Unfortunately, his illusions of grandeur were hit by rude reality when the staff hit Chichi's lamp.
Sam stood there shamefaced. The Bo dropped from his frozen hand. To his disappointment, Luna was crying again. He then heard someone enter the room. Sam hid his face, dreading the repercussions. Quickly resuming his responsibility, he slowly met the person he thought was Amara face-to-face.
In that instant, Pu'al believed her guise had succeeded. The boy had his mouth opened to a great degree, with eyes blinking several times. But this changed as the boy took an aggressive posture. "Who are ya!" he demanded. Pu'al saw that Yamucha's plan had failed. The boy was about to leap, than he hesitated.
The boy spoke caution. "C'n we please move outta here?"
With a nod, the shape-shifting cat in human female form and the boy left the house.
Then the boy did his leap again. This time he became like a rocket, ready for a great collision.
Horrified, the girl transformed into a blue cat.
Sometimes a memory is triggered during the most unlikely of moments. For Cannonball, it happened when he blasted for the blue cat. This creature resembled another blue cat from the Son family's photo album. Not wishing to harm the cat, Cannonball lunged hands instead of fists. They grabbed the animal with relatively little harm.
The two crashed into the sand. They tumbled and rolled, and it was until that movement was over when Sam spoke. "'Scuse me, kitty…" he paused at the coincidence, "but are ya nice with Gohan an' Kuririn?"
The cat, slightly winded but unhurt, responded. "Why certainly!" the cat made her best impression of defiance and courage. Too bad to Cannonball's eyes she looked like a cartoon cat in heat. To make things better, Sam continued. "Ah think ya got me wrong."
"Why are you holding Goku prisoner?" shouted the cat.
"He don't call himself that no more," Sam corrected. "We're keepin' im from hurtin' people!" At that he squirmed, grabbing his arm without yelling. Even his invulnerability couldn't protect his injury.
At first, Pu'al disbelieved Sam's words. However, the sincerity on his face, plus his injuries, brought sympathy to her. "Are you alright?" asked the cat.
"A'hm okay," Sam mouthed his words. Fortunately for him, Pu'al saw the truth about his injuries. She started to wonder if Yamucha was wrong about all this. At any rate, she was going to help the boy. A puff of smoke later, she became a sling with a face on it.
Deciding to avoid questions about this strange thing, the young man accepted the cat's offer.
The two felt vibrations and heat. It came from the house.
===
The prisoner was unpredictable. He had bawled like a child a while ago. Then he became still and tranquil. After that, he was yelling again in languages no translator could decipher (Sam said that since the restraints Magneto created blocked off all of Kakarrotto's motor skills, he would not have the ability to speak normally). Now he was quiet again.
This affected the female warden. She believed the captive was in such a sorry position, unworthy of the majesty he displayed. He was Prometheus chained to the rock. At least no vultures were around to increase his torture.
As unnerving as this sight was, Amara was as ever transfixed upon Kakarrotto as she had the moment she first saw him. The worshipper carried the usual feelings toward the source of worship: admiration at a distance.
Never had so great adoration come from little evidence. Amara had never seen Kakarrotto enact the power of a god. She only had the verdicts of Magneto and Piccolo to know that glory. But she didn't need it. She could see power in this man, from his strong features, to the perfectly round muscles upon his arms and legs. To her knowledge, this man was after divinity itself. That would make him a god!
Amara turned away, as if in rebellion to thoughts that were evil instead of good. Roberto was correct: Kakarrotto was not a god. Amara had seen a being from the divine pantheon, worthy of her people's respect and devotion. He was divine. This prisoner was mortal. He had to be so. The Gods could punish her.
But this fear subsided, as Amara once more gazed at this man. In fact, once her eyes touched the sight of Kakarrotto again, the fear almost vanished completely.
In the shrines and temples at home, Amara was forbidden to touch the statues. Here was different. She peeled off her glove as her heart thumped in longer periods. The bare fingers pressed upon Kakarrotto's cheek. The skin was smooth; Amara's feelings were not so lucky. Her heart beat faster; her breaths grew heavier. It was a strong emotion, making her weak. It was scary; it was wonderful.
Amara turned her head, feeling renewed guilt. Why did she feel this way? She was committing no wrong. Why did it seem to be the opposite? If the earth was her servant, should not her own heart be her slave as well?
No word of guidance was around. That included Sam. He did not understand. Jealousy had carved his actions. It is true that Amara thought dearly of Sam. They are close, but it was limited as most friendships are. She did not feel for him the emotions of love. She now knew this; it was confirmed by the feelings for this Saiya-jin.
Amara was in a free posture when she thought this. It became lost to her. Her arms were pulled and restrained. Her voice silenced by a hand on her mouth.
"Gotcha!" Yamucha whispered to the girl's ear. He didn't want to hurt the girl, just gently knock her unconscious. His hands began to burn, forcing a quick release. The girl had become a human fire, too hot to touch. Yamucha's shirt suffered the most effect, charred into uselessness. He bore upon his stupidity, underestimating an opponent who seemed able to defeat Goku and Piccolo. He was getting so sloppy lately.
"Fool be to you!" shouted the fire-girl's face, lacking much expression save for a monstrous demeanor. "I am not one so easily contained!" Her hand struck the space between her and Yamucha, emitting a strong burst of glowing plasma. She was amazed to see her opponent outpace the excruciating attack.
Yamucha darted behind Magma's position. He had moments to act, relying on his hands. A beam of energy zapped from them. The girl was struck with successful effect. She fell to the floor, restored to her normal self.
The victor made a careful look to check the girl's immobility, then turned away for his prize. The manacled Goku became his one priority in emotional anger. It convinced him even more of the evil these enemies possessed. He and Goku were going to make them pay!
Just when the ex-bandit was about to give freedom, his feet felt a great quake. A giant wall sprung from the ground, red hot in motion, cool when it stopped. But it moved once again, becoming fragments from Yamucha's punch.
Yamucha knew the fire-girl was still active. This was a formidable opponent!
But he had no time to lose. Quickly, the bandit placed his chained friend upon his shoulders. With a bent arm in front, he broke through the wall. He then heard a loud sound. That boy was heading toward him, flying fast like a comet. Yamucha leapt away from it, though the attempt led to separation with his friend. Seeing the comet turn to him, Yamucha's feet let go of the floor. They went with bent knees over the comet. Coming back down, his limbs now as straight as an arrow, he kicked the comet to the floor. The flurry of energy, the loud sound that came from it, all this ebbed as a boy came out of this ignited aura. The boy cringed to himself, clutching his arm with fierce devotion, his face perspiring.
The fire-girl ran to the boy's side. Yamucha saw this as the time to free Goku. A glowing ball formed upon his hand.
His ears picking up the fire-girl's cry, "Desist you fool!" The area before him grew giant monoliths of rock, removing Goku's appearance from his sight.
Not that Yamucha needed it when he released the energy orb. He threw his hands into a dozen gestures. The energy ball took on a life of its own, changing its straight direction by turning straight up, leaping over the rocky wall.
The battery on the prisoner met this spirit ball. It didn't survive.
The fierce expressions of Magma changed to reactions of apprehension and expectation. Excitement was also there.
Yamucha's senses could feel Goku's strong Ki amplify. He could hear the squeaking sound of metallic manacles being torn. The wall's destruction was the final evidence. "Now you're really in trouble!" Yamucha cried to the opponents.
"Git outta there!" shouted Sam, standing up. His sling transformed into Pu'al who was about to scream something.
Then Yamucha felt his neck getting squeezed by a strong grip.
===
Dani restlessly beat upon the walls. She really didn't want to hear Magneto state how they were in greater danger!
Dani shook that off as best she could. "Don't ya see? I've already made Kakarrotto question his beliefs. Mebbe if we push him t' the breaking point, we can stop him for good! What's there to worry 'bout? Carrot Guy won't kill anybody. His hesitance proved that!"
"Your teacher has taught you to be a fool," Piccolo counteracted. "Saiya-jins are not ones to let their pride be so easily harmed."
Magneto agreed, realizing the awful consequences. "Sometimes one will act too much in order to prove his beliefs, no matter if they are in question."
"Wait," Shan interrupted, comforting the fallen Psylocke. "Betsy is trying to say something."
The British telepath looked haggard in her fight for consciousness. Her eyes slit, the mouth mumbled a few words.
Gohan kneeled in front of her. "Keep your strength," he hastily advised.
But Betsy kept on with her words, though in separate pieces. "A-A mind flash…felt…Kakarrotto…"
"What?" Shan became a rest for the telepath's head.
Psylocke's lips spoke one word before fatigue took her. "Free…"
A couple of different expressions hovered above the sleeping telepath. Alarm had its part in all of them.
"We must return immediately!" Magneto took authority.
Dani tried to reassert herself. "But Kakarrotto!"
"We leave now!" Piccolo shouted. He began to fly. He hit the wall, making no effect.
"Magneto," cried Gohan. "We can't leave without Rahne!"
"I shall remain here to get her," declared Magneto, wishing no more rebellion, be it by compromise or force.
"Uh, pardon?" asked Shan.
"What is it?" said Dani.
"If Madame Betsy is unconscious, would not her astral self vanish?"
The only one with true experience in astral projection, Magneto noted the factor. It was at this point that he realized no contact with the real world had entered his senses since they confronted Kakarrotto. This prison was interfering with their psychic links!
Piccolo didn't need any foresight to know their situation. "It appears that Kakarrotto has entrapped us here!"
And the solid foundation of Dani's plan began to crumble.
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TO BE CONTINUED
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- The first two times Doug assimilated with Warlock were in NEW MUTANTS ANNUAL 2 and UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL 10. My fanfic MUTANTS IN GUNSMOKE will feature a third time.
-. The New Mutants' fatal encounter with the Beyonder occurred in NEW MUTANTS#37, continuing in SECRET WARS II#9.
- Yes, Akira Toriyama based Son Goku and DRAGONBALL on an ancient Chinese story called JOURNEY TO THE WEST.
-Dani made her premonition of her grandfather's death in the NEW MUTANTS GN.
- The Shack near the Son residence was the home of Son Gohan (the grandfather) and the childhood place of Goku before he met Buruma. The dome that Wolfsbane came out of resembles a Saiya-jin Pod.
- The key Wolfsbane used to enter the dome was from Doug and Xavier in NEW MUTANTS#28. The inner consciousness of Goku and Kakarrotto's mind are based on what Bill Senkiewicz portrayed in NM#28.
- I don't think one should take Sam's theory that this world is in the distant past/future seriously (though it's okay if Sam and the Mutants thought so).
-The god Amara met was Hercules, in NM#80 (a flashback story).
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NEXT TIME: With some of the New Mutants trapped within the mind of Kakarrotto, the rest must face the Saiya-jin himself!