Disclaimer: don't own DBZ

CHAPTER 3: THE CURSE

A few years ago (just before Frieza destroyed Vegeta-sei)

"There really is no reason to worry, Kabito." The tone of the voice sound rather unsure, as if the speaker tried to convince himself of his statement.

"But, Supreme Kai, the thousand years have almost passed! He won't let this chance go like that... I know, he has already tried so many times and ..."

"... failed every time. It's not sure that he succeeded to even be reborn now. Maybe his new body has died already. There is such a small chance for us to come to a real confrontation, Kabito... and when we did, he was always defeated." His voice still betrayed his inner doubt, but summing up all these arguments seemed to have relaxed him a bit.

"I don't know about it, Supreme Kai... I have a ominous feeling about it; I fear that he has finally found a strong enough body."

"What have I just said... He has never succeeded! Why would he do so now? And besides, not only his body has to survive, the ones of his minions as well... the curse placed on them, aeons ago, was indeed strong enough. His chance of ever winning is too slim..."

"I can't say I share your confidence. In any case, we should find out if he's reborn..."

"How are we going to find that out?"

"There are ways to recognise the true reincarnation of the 'Fallen One'. The only trouble is to find out which of all the races in the universe..."

"It sound like rather impossible task."

"Not that impossible. We can find information about the previous reincarnations in the archives and books of our ancestors."
Kaioshin, the Supreme Kai, nodded and Kabito left the room.

"I hope it's not too late yet..." he muttered to himself as he walked through the long and dark corridors of the palace.

(A/N: I never saw the Majin/Buu Saga, except for two or three episodes, so I'm not really sure on this Kaio's part. It's still an A/U so it doesn't really matter, I guess. Kaioshin is by the way the name of the Supreme Kai used in the game DBZ Ultimate Battle 22 (yeah, I got the French version) It's shorter to write sometimes)


Some time later...

A knocking sounded on the large, wooden door. "Come in..."

A tall figure entered. "Ah, Kabito, what news do you bring?"

"I'm afraid rather bad news, your Highness. Do you remember our conversation a few years ago? ... about the prophecy and the reincarnation of..."

"Yes. What about it?"

"I did some research...It seems the reincarnations in past times were within the one and the same race. The archives also mentioned about a great fight, ten thousand years ago and a curse, made in the aftermath."

"Is that all you found?"

"Our ancestors should have don' a bit of a better job on writing everything down... It's really hard to find what you exactly need, especially on this subject, it seems, as if it's taboo..."

"Who was the one to make this... curse? The victor?"

"Strangely, he isn't. The old text states clearly that the curse was made by the 'Fallen One'."

"Hmm... and what about this race? At least you found that, didn't you?"

"Yes I did, Supreme Kai."

"... Well?"

"Oh... er, the text spoke of a brutal warrior race... they probably must have been to 'his' liking. They are called the Saiya-jin."

"The Saiyans?" Kaioshin immediately jumped up from his chair. He knew well enough of these creatures and their reputation. King Yenma hasn't had this much work for centuries mostly thanks to these cruel killers.

"If one of them would gain the power of the reincarnation of the 'Fallen One'..."

"The Universe would be in grave danger." Kabito finished his sentence, "We already had much trouble a thousand years ago... Luckily, the reincarnation couldn't handle the power and destroyed the planet he was on and himself along. But his power was enormous..."

Kaioshin looked up to his friend and bodyguard "What have you found about the contents of this 'curse'?"

"Only that it was more some kind of ... threat. Legend states that the Beast has screamed with his last breath that he would be victorious within ten thousand years. This was... exactly ten thousand years ago."

"It was a threat of an enraged and dying creature? That's all?"

"I'll have to disagree on that, young one."

Kaioshin and Kabito looked surprised aside to see the Elder Kai who apparently had been standing in the corner of the large room for quite some time, having entered without them noticing.

"It wasn't just a hollow threat made by a desperate man, but a powerful spell. This cures made each following reincarnation more and more stronger... making him now more powerful than ever."

Kaioshin swallowed nervously "But... what happens when he fails?"

"Good question... You see, the Beast of Chaos, as is one of his many names, has only limited power in this world. He has to channel it through indirect ways, as through likewise spells. He had to gather a lot of strength for this one. If he would fail however, he won't be able to manifest himself, through reincarnation, for a very long time in this world. It could even be that it means that we're rid of him for all eternity... but also that he will go all out this time. This would be his last chance..."

"How do you know all this, Master Kai? I went to the library and ..."

The Elder Kai raised his hand to silence Kabito "Some legends aren't written down, but told orally from generation to generation..."

"I ... see ... I had better talked to you instead of reading all those books."

The Elder Kai chuckled "Indeed, young one."

Kaioshin spoke up again "And this reincarnation...has he been reborn now?..."

"Probably... most certainly actually. Several people, under which myself, have already sensed the sudden appearance of a dark and strong presence... which is without any doubt him."

"But... wait a minute, wasn't the entire Saiyan race annihilated by that Ice-jin, Frieza? That means he has died!"

The troubled-looking face of the Supreme Kai lightened up visibly.

"I am afraid not. These 'senses' have still happened, even AFTER Frieza destroyed the Saiyans' home planet. A few have survived it, it seems..."

"That would mean... one of them is... ? ..." The Elder Kai nodded. Kaioshin slumped back down in his seat. Kabito merely sighed.

Kaioshin rubbed his temples slowly as he felt a great headache coming, before speaking up again "Is he already that strong?"

"No," the Elder Kai replied, "the true essence of his soul lies dormant within his own body. Only when that spirit awakens, then he gains his full power and becomes the real Beast of Chaos, and a serious threat."

"But he doesn't know about it yet, right? So as long as he doesn't know, we are..."

"He can't stay ignorant forever about his destiny, Supreme Kai."

"Kabito is right... they are already starting to find out something ... our time is slowly, but steady running out."

"But... but what should ... what can we do?"

"There's nothing we can do. We can only wait and see for now..."