Chapter 14: All Hallow's Eve, Part 1.
/~/
The calendar on my wall stated October 31st boldly against the white paper it was printed on.
So many things had happened in the last two years…
Cell's defeat, the space pirate (Bojack) and his crew… and Goku's second-born, Goten, who I had taken one look at and practically ran for the hills… All the while playing guard dog to Bulma and her father's company. And, through those times, I had battled with the emotional losses of Paragus and Broly. Coming to Earth, facing a new adversary, and losing... Goku... had both delayed and started my healing process. I healed the wounds that each of them had created over the years and with time mourned for the man and boy I grew up with. Goku on the other hand...
I smiled, remembering his smile.
Sigh…
Also, I'd recently turned thirty two, and a couple weeks since then I was going to partake on my very first "Halloween" with Trunks, who had turned three.
I would be having company as well…
Smiling softly, I peeled off my stretchy sparring apparel, several areas of my body red courtesy of Vegeta.
'How long has it been?'
Just a couple months…
'And how in the world did I get myself sucked into this situation? Oh yeah… heh, I remember…'
…
The color scheme is what had caught the attention of her hawk eyes. She'd never seen a human with such contrasting skin and hair; a complexion like caramel and hair like sweet orange peppers—a girl.
As the female onlooker sat at a small café table, a thought passed her mind. 'Maybe she just dyes like Bulma.' After all, Bulma's natural hair color was purple.
But the humanoid alien's intrigue did not wane there. She continued to stare with her sharp eyes, analyzing the passing stranger, her mind formulating scenarios in the span of seconds.
What was the context behind a simple walk?
It was near midnight.
Her feet were dragging. Backpack over one shoulder.
Occasional flick of the wrist, glance at the clock. Clothing was perfectly normal.
She was student… or a traveler… and late for something; exhausted.
'And… she's being followed.'
Steely, dark eyes slid from the lone redhead to two suspect looking men in biker fashion following at half a block's berth. 'I guess I've found today's victim…' Pulling the hood of her baggy sweatshirt on, the onlooker pursued the stalkers at an inconspicuous distance.
Why was she doing this? It all started when she'd sat down to keep an eye on her nephew as they watched Saturday morning cartoons. Lots of the animations featured "super heroes"; select individuals with strength and abilities far greater than those around them, who used their powers for good and frequented saving the poor or defenseless.
"I should try that," she had decided.
And that was how Midori found herself taking midnight strolls through West City every Friday night since.
The saiyan could hear the derogatory remarks they were making under their breath, causing her eyes to narrow and fists to form. 'This girl is going to be spared a very traumatic experience… But these men?' She could feel her blood boil in response.
Midori had learned of the physical disadvantages human women had and how their men repeatedly exploited them. Earth was not an exception by any rate, but was one on a very small list.
Before long, Midori found herself facing a situation that was sadly predictable. The girl had wandered down an alley (whether she knew she was being followed or not) and was cornered, staring down a couple of men with far from chivalrous intent.
The saiyan approached both males from behind casually, her hooded figure giving her the advantage of situational camouflage.
A few feeble pleads were exchanged with perverted comments.
Midori's eyes flashed in the dark as she stood erect, barely a forearm's distance from the would-be attackers, matching both of their heights. "I don't suppose this is just a friendly rendezvous?" Before she knew it, a switch blade was pointed at her face from one side and a revolver from the other. She didn't restrain from chuckling. "Please." Both of her arms shot forward, the backs of her hands smacking each weapon out of the men's grasps, and then the wind out of their lungs with well placed jabs to their diaphragms.
As the lechers fell to their knees gasping, Midori's eyes trailed over to the shaken redhead who was backed against the wall, clutching herself with wide, horrified and shimmering eyes.
Midori regarded the fallen men once more with a tight-lipped expression before locking eyes with the girl. "I mean no harm." She held up a single hand in a non-offensive way.
"C-coulda… fooled me…"
Midori caught the girl's tiny voice that most wouldn't have and glanced down at the movement by her feet. With some fast footwork, she stepped on one man's back (easily pinning him down) and 'tapped' the other in the gut with her toes, causing him to double over again. "These men won't be bothering you anymore," the saiyan replied gruffly, her patience starting to wane. "You are free to go." She gestured towards the alley opening behind her.
One slow step at a time, the young redhead advanced, cautious, heart thumping loud enough for the unknown alien to hear. Both females were eye-locked, (albeit Midori's were shaded over by a large gray hood) until the younger of the two stopped just feet from the saiyan.
The human girl visibly gulped as she gazed upon the pinned man alongside his fetal-positioned partner. "What are you… gonna do to them?" She was still clutching herself as if exposed to freezing temperatures.
Midori quirked an eyebrow at the question. This was the first person that hadn't high-tailed it for their lives after being nearly attacked and witnessing their attackers being embarrassingly overthrown by a lone stranger.
The older female shrugged a shoulder. "If I see fit, they will disappear."
If there was ever a time Midori should have lied, it should have been then. And she should have told the girl to go home. To stop following her. To tell her not to look so damn enamored…
But there the girl was a day later, parked hesitantly at the front doorstep of Capsule Corporation, doe-eyed and blushing, bowing and sputtering words of gratitude.
…
Scoffing quietly (though not without a smile), I abandoned my bath towel for some more archaic costume attire. I was going to be a pirate that evening, equipped with my sash and baggy, shredded clothing, boots and bandana.
Though, I wasn't in it for the candy. Really, if it wasn't baked fresh, fancy chocolate, or frozen then I wasn't too big on sweets; just ice cream, chocolate and pastries, thank you.
After clothing myself in a tank top and the puffy Highlander-type shirt, there was a faint knock at my door. I knew right away that it wasn't Gohan (who would also be joining us) or Bulma, or anyone that lived in Capsule Corp. for that matter. This energy signal was always so faint and wavering, worrying me at times.
I made my way to the door, opening it with a light smirk that was returned by a heavy blush and timid smile.
"Hiii…"
That's right; I was still in my underwear…
"Welcome, welcome." I ushered her in.
She was always a little loopy when we met up. It took her a few minutes to come back down to Earth so-to-speak. I wondered about her sometimes…
"There she is! My mommy!" Lattice rushed ecstatically to the older female, and for a moment it seemed as if the two made solid contact when he hugged her thigh—that is until Midori moved, fazing right through the boy's arms as she complained of it being cold while making a grab for her pants.
Goku smiled sympathetically, though the child did not seem too bothered and continued to tail his mother with a grin. It dawned on the older saiyan just then that indeed, they must have been in West City! Bulma, and Vegeta, and Trunks! What if...
"CAN YOU HEAR MEEE?" he decided to shout.
All in vain.
As Midori moved around the room to gather and inspect her pirate clothing, Goku exhaled deeply, surprised. There she was, right in front of him and she had no idea...
A rough cough interrupted his train of thought as he glanced at the redheaded girl who was hunched over at the edge of Midori's bed, coughing into the red sleeve of her sweater.
Midori regarded her with a lowered stare. "Sam… Are you sure you're alright?"
It must have been a frequent occurrence.
"Mmhm," replied Sam as she sat up fully, though obviously weak.
Midori sat down next to the girl and draped an arm over her shoulder, pulling her in close. "We need to get you healthier. Don't those people take care of you over there?" It was a light inquiry, albeit serious as Midori allowed Sam to rest her head on her shoulder.
Goku watched on idly as Lattice sat beside the two, kicking his dangling feet, and for a moment Sam seemed depressed.
"They don't care…" But she looked up, locking eyes with Midori who stared back with a knowing expression, and then giggled, "You're such a mom."
Midori straightened at the accusation, both brows raised as she replied, "Well now, I don't mind that. I was a mother after all."
When Sam let out a small gasp, the female saiyan spoke softly of Lattice and a censored version of his passing as a small child. Ironically, he sat beside her with a thumb in his mouth. There was a faraway look in Midori's eyes as she smiled softly at times and frowned at others, occasionally rubbing the girl's arm.
Goku listened somberly, memories coming back to him of their fight with Broly when he'd first heard of Lattice. The day of Cell's defeat, when she pleaded with him not to send Gohan out against the android. She was showing that motherly side again. He wanted to lay a hand on her shoulder, but with his current form it would be a lost attempt.
"I care about you, Samantha," Midori finally stated with the calm smile that Goku was familiar with. "Like a daughter," she added, with a brief, yet tight hug as she rested her chin on top of Sam's head.
"Now come on," Midori continued with a smirk. "I've got that witch costume waiting for you."
As the female saiyan strode to her closet, Sam fell back onto Midori's pillows, her top incisors working on her bottom lip as a bright cherry tint caught her face. Slowly, the girl began to smile as she stared at the ceiling.
Goku scratched his cheek. 'She's a bit odd…'
For the next half hour or so, the two females conversed lightly while preparing themselves, Midori's husky tones contrasting with Samantha's young, girlish voice.
"Say cheese!"
My eyebrows furrowed, though I managed a grin. "Cheese?" Such an odd use of the word…
"Cheeeese!" three higher pitched voices exclaimed from my left, right, and around my knees.
Bulma lowered her camera to reveal fresh and glowing skin after her bath and facial routine. "And doesn't my little man just look adorable?!"
Her three-year old son smirked, his chubby cheeks pronounced. Trunks had already learned that he could have his way with just about any woman by flashing a charming smile. The fake whiskers only contributed to his cause.
And I was already shaking my head at what the next decade might bring.
"Yeah," I replied, scooping the three year old up with one arm and holding him like small livestock against my hip. "Careful, I can tell it's already getting to his head."
Bulma laughed as she fanned out the Polaroid picture, and I regarded the young teens to my left and right with a light smirk of my own. "Are we ready to ravage this city of its candy?"
Samantha in her dark purple witch attire and Gohan in his Street Fighter "Ryu" costume both exclaimed excitedly, "Yeah!" as they held up their pillow cases in a victorious manner. Trunks copied them with his pumpkin basket, pulling giggles and swoons from the group.
"Okay, okay." I closed my eyes with a chuckle. "Let's go, guys."
And so we finally made our way to the streets, bidding Bulma a farewell. I made sure to keep a safe grip on my nephew's hand as I lead the trio into the City.
When we entered the downtown district, I smiled as I heard the familiar Halloween classic, "Monster Mash". The buildings were progressively more festive and other Trick-or-treaters were making their way out; mostly kids but quite a few teens, and college students even. In just a few minutes we saw a couple of old movie-style vampires, a werewolf, a "sexy" cat (at which Samantha scoffed at for the skimpiness) and a… toilet?
What?
Gohan duly noted the walking commode with a surprised laugh. "Wow, people sure are getting creative these days, righ…"
I cast the thirteen year old a sideways glance, still somewhat laughing at the costume though waiting for Gohan to finish. I stopped in my tracks, causing Trunks to bump into my thigh and Samantha to hum in question. "Gohan… what are you doing?" I asked cautiously, my smile fading.
It wasn't like the boy to space out. He was sharp and intuitive… and currently staring off into space, several steps behind us.
"Hey, guys…" He faced us looking rather disconcerted. "Did you feel that?"
My heart sank as I locked eyes with Gohan. Could there have been a new enemy?
People walking on the sidewalk passed us by, some giving us rude looks for blocking the way.
I continued to stare at Gohan evenly as I felt out for any odd energy source. "...No." I finally replied, blinking slowly.
Samantha's dark blue eyes enlarged as she gasped dramatically. "Were you guys using your super powers just then?! OMIGOSHTHAWASOCOOL—"
I slapped a hand over the girl's mouth (which didn't stop more muffled exclamations) as I narrowed my eyes at the mixed saiyan. "What did you feel?" My grip on Trunks' hand unconsciously tightened in a protective manner.
Gohan seemed distressed for a moment. "Something just feels… really evil."
Ugh, Kais…
Samantha piped up, "It is All Hallow's Eve, you know…" She then began gesticulating in a spooky manner. "The spirits of the dead are roooaming amongst the liviiing."
I sighed and glanced off to the side, attempting to feel out anything abnormal again…
Nothing.
My eyebrows furrowed a bit. "Everyone, let's not get paranoid yet. If it's a real threat, they'll make themselves known. We can't do anything about it right now." I glanced down at Trunks who shared my exact facial expression. "And I'm not worried about ghosts right now either." I quirked a smile for the two teens and they finally acquiesced into continuing.
"I SAID GET BACK!"
Goku swung once more at the shadowy figure trying to latch onto his son. Just as his fist was about to make contact, the being dispersed into the twilight sun with a low, sinister, and garbled laugh.
"Darn it!" Goku looked back to Gohan and the others as they entered a shopping center, his stomach churning uncomfortably. Lattice whimpered quietly from behind his legs.
There was something on the loose in West City with its sights set on Gohan…
"And I can't do anything but slow it down…" Goku's fists were shaking. 'Hang on, Gohan…' He sprinted after the four familiar faces, phasing through human bodies and cars, Midori's son in tow.
The thought of his son, the world's young savior, being possessed by a monster…
'It doesn't make sense how I was able to fend off Bojack back then, but not this thing now!'
The two saiyans found their way into a large concourse with fake bats and spiders hanging from the ceiling, and small vendors passing out candy. People of all ages swarmed the area in spooky costumes, but nothing instilled pure, unadulterated terror in Goku more than the sexy nurse walking straight towards him with her giant—
"NEEDLE!" Goku shot into the air before the scantily-clad woman and her three-foot prop could walk through him.
Lattice blinked with large eyes at his mentor's dramatic behavior, a single sweat drop manifesting and sliding down his temple. "Goku!" The boy raised his hands up to the ceiling, leaning his head back to better see the older saiyan latched around a web-covered chandelier. "Whaaat are you doiiiing?"
Goku looked down and made a few uneasy noises before laughing nervously. Despite being dead, his heart was racing and body jittery. "Ehehe… don't mind me, kiddo!" he called to Lattice before dropping down lightly to the floor. A few passing humans complained of a draft as Goku frowned in confusion. "I lost them… shoot."
His keen eyes filtered through the crowds of disguised civilians. A moon bounce here, a demented jack-in-the-box there, but no Gohan, Midori, or Trunks. Not being able to feel the power levels of two of the strongest people he knew truly frustrated Goku.
'Man…'
Cheap-looking corpses lined the walls with cobwebs and other "scary" props. Audio of rattling chains and loud thunder claps, with painfully fake screaming accented them like an overly cliché horror film.
Like a parody, one might have said.
And in that blackened corridor, with a furrowed brow and straightened lips, I brought both hands up to cup my mouth. "BO-RIIIIING."
The slapstick-outfitted skeleton and zombie waving their arms and making embarrassing noises in front of me suddenly ceased their behavior, staring back in shock.
There was a high-pitched laugh to my right before Samantha took the liberty to slap her own hand over her mouth whilst Gohan blushed.
And then all of a sudden my pint-sized nephew spoke up: "Bo-riiing!"
I couldn't control what bubbled up and consequently let out a hearty laugh, my head slightly falling back as I grabbed my stomach. "You said it, Trunks!"
The costumed haunted housemen suddenly took up offended stances. "Oh yeah?!" One of them pointed their finger right in my face. "If you're so bored then why don't you guys try doin' the job for us?!"
During this short-lived rant, several other people venturing the poorly decorated maze piled up behind us, as we were blocking the so-called flow of traffic.
I casually pushed the man's hand away with a chuckle as I proceeded to wipe my other hand over my jaw. "Alright…" The four of us were far from scary; a cute witch, a pirate, a small tiger, and a martial arts video game character. 'But I can manage just fine…'
There was a moment of silence filled with curious stares as I gazed past the men in concentration.
Gohan's hands shot up immediately. "Wait, that's not a good idea—"
"HAAAA!" My energy flooded the cramped hallway, causing the surrounding area to light up and electrical wires to pop in protest to the overwhelming force. Each person fell to the floor from energy gusts, a few of them screaming about 'a monster like Cell'.
The skeleton and zombie before me were stuck like two deer in front of headlights as I grinned impishly, baring my naturally sharpened canines.
Stepping forward with my left foot, I stomped the floor hard, causing the ground to noticeably shake as if a minor earthquake was occurring.
I could see their pupils contracting as my smirk disappeared.
My voice then came out unnaturally loud and echo-ey as my energy caused the room to flash again—
"BOO!"
—and no sooner the two men to shoot to their feet and off into the darkened maze.
I snorted in amusement as the hallway we were in cleared out with shrieks and candy flying.
Trunks clapped loudly, jumping up and down on his small, tiger onesie-clad feet. "Yeah! Mimi did it!"
Gohan seemed a bit exasperated, though. "Why do you always do that?" he asked through his hand.
"Haha, lighten up, kid," I said in response to his face-palming action. I then tried not to smile as I quirked an eyebrow.
I knew the boy wasn't angry, but earnest. I had proven to be a bit naughty in the last couple years. There were my vigilante activities by night, and just plain showing off my alien capabilities. If a man hit on Bulma, I'd quite literally kick his ass up the block. I also had no problem flying away from authorities for a few minor discrepancies with the law here and there.
Oh well.
"Because it's funny." I finally smirked as Gohan nearly fell over from shock.
Samantha, who had been pushed against the wall and down to a squat, was attempting to stand.
'Ah, shit…'
I grimaced, remembering how frail she was. "Here, let me help you…" I took the girl's hands lightly in my own and pulled her up; her legs were shaking. "Do you need me to carry you?"
Her eyes widened for a moment before she looked away, her face noticeably flushed. "I'll be fine." I could see her trying to fight a smile too.
…
My eyelids lowered and bottom lip inched forward as I contemplated the dark road ahead. It was about nine o' clock. The wind blew down the street in a tunnel-like effect, causing a low whistle amongst the scarcely-leaved trees. And there was not a soul but the four of ours on that deserted avenue…
…Leading straight into the cemetery.
"Let's do it," I decided, folding my arms over my chest confidently.
Trunks was oblivious as he skipped in time with my long strides down the deserted path, his filled pumpkin basket swinging back and forth. Gohan was silent to my right, scrutinizing the contents of his candy bag. Meanwhile, Samantha, to his right, seemed just a taaad nervous.
"Why are we walking through this scary old place again?" the redhead grumbled, bringing her pillow case full of sweets up to her face, hiding everything from her eyes down.
I inquired back with a teasing note, "I thought Halloween was supposed to be scary? We're eating candy here tonight!"
Gohan added brightly—"Don't worry! I'll protect you from the monsters!"—and gave a cheesy, familiar grin that made me smile as well.
Samantha grumbled some more and then silence fell. Barely any noise littered the air with the exception of our own footsteps, breathing, and rustling of plastic-wrapped candies. Even the trees seemed to be holding their breath, as if trying not to draw our attention while we passed a series of gravestones.
"…Dori…"
"Hmm?" My eyebrows rose as I glanced over at Gohan. "You've never called me that before," I said, remembering the one person that had.
"Call you what?"
"Dori." My eyebrows then furrowed as I looked over at him fully. "I heard you."
Gohan blinked, waving his hands in defense. "I swear I didn't open my mouth!"
I chuckled, although feeling slightly confused. "So I'm just hearing things then… alright." I smirked at the thought of ghosts trying to communicate with me. 'Waiiit, what was that..?'
I paused, holding my arm out to stop the two to my right while pulling my nephew closer on the other side.
Gohan leaned forward curiously, throwing me a questioning look.
"Something's following us…"
I didn't believe in the human's notion of ghosts, but I did know that those who passed usually left behind a residual type of energy… if they were powerful enough.
'Which is why I don't think a ghoul is what's stalking us…'
"TRICK OR TREAT, MOTHERFUCKERS, GIVE US YOUR CASH!"
Three handguns were pointed at us from several teens wearing ski masks and I couldn't help but draw back at their audacity, my eyebrows high. Gohan immediately moved to shield Samantha, who was whimpering as she held onto his shoulder.
What the hell?
"Uuuh." I momentarily let go of Trunks' hand to hold mine up incredulously. "Does it look like we have any cash?" I stepped forward, causing the middle man to falter.
"Hey, bitch! Don't come any closer!"
Heh…
"Fine." I held my hand up, palm facing them, then clutched my fist around the air.
All three gun barrels suddenly curved upwards, bending to my will.
The teens in the background (male, judging by their distressed noises) dropped their weapons as the one in front stared, dumbfounded. His knees were knocking together.
"Are we finished here?" I asked, glaring at the young men.
The trio immediately turned tail, screaming about monsters (sigh) as they hauled ass across the graveyard.
Shaking my head at their antics, I placed my hands on my hips. "I never…"
Well, yes, I had.
"My hero~!" Samantha practically skipped from around Gohan (who seemed a bit disappointed to have her leave) and into my arms as she squeezed my waist, nuzzling her face into my chest.
I laughed lightly at her reaction; it was always like that every time I did something out of the 'usual'.
When she removed her face from my partly exposed bosom, Samantha looked down at my side and asked, "Where's Trunks?"
I whipped around, remembering that I'd let go of his hand. "For goodness sake!" I threw my hands up. "That boy!" There was a reason I had kept a good grip on Trunks and it sure as hell wasn't to coddle him.
Gohan, always being on top of things, sensed the child out during my brief rant. "He's right over here, guys," he pointed out, amused.
I craned my neck in the direction Gohan was pointing to and proceeded to walk past the teen and over to a large gravestone. I immediately spotted the tiger suit. "There you are… Trunks?" I folded my arms, planting my feet firmly in a wide stance. "What's so interesting?"
My brother's son was squatting at the side of the grave marker, peaking around the back of it. At what, I had no clue. He then pointed around the backside and shot a look at me that meant the answer should have been obvious. "Him!"
Instead of walking around I opted to simply lean over the stone to look for myself.
And… nothing...
I then stood abruptly, my breath bated. "Let's go, Trunks." I tried not to stare at any particular thing in general.
"I'm seriously!" he insisted with his slightly imperfect toddler speech.
"Yes, and I believe you, but it's time to go, now." I held my hand out to him with a stern look, in which I received a glare as he finally stood, giving in to my command.
I sighed heavily as I strode back over to the others. "Okay, we're going home." I stated in a finalizing tone despite the 'awws' I got in return. "Grab on everyone." I held out my free arm for Gohan and Samantha to grab hold of.
Once each person had a firm grasp, I tried concentrating on transmitting back to Capsule Corporation. It felt odd not being able to place my fingers on my forehead while executing the technique, but it wouldn't be a difficult task.
The graveyard disappeared as the familiar Capsule Corp. lawn appeared underneath us.
"Close enough," I murmured, noticing Bulma, my target, smoking on a nearby balcony.
Samantha suddenly poked my side, and when I turned to the girl she appeared ready to burst with excitement.
"You know what they say about kids being able to see ghosts, don't you~?"
"Oh please." I rolled my eyes as I lead the three inside without another word.
"We should have a séance!"
I allowed Trunks, followed by Samantha and Gohan to enter first. "No." I closed the door after myself.
"Pleeease?"
"No."
Gohan snickered in amusement as Samantha and I went back and forth.
I shook my head. "I thought you were scared of that kind of stuff."
"And I thought you didn't believe in that kinda stuff!" Samantha had her hands at her waist, trying to look serious but losing miserably to her excited grin. "Besides, it's zombies I'm afraid of, not ghosts," she replied, removing her pointy witch hat and momentarily covering her face with it.
I paused on the staircase we'd arrived at and stared at the redhead with the same expression I'd initially worn in the haunted attraction. "Fine. Fine! Alright." I gave in as she cheered and Gohan laughed again. "And for the record, I do not believe in that kind of stuff."
But that still hadn't explained what had happened at the cemetery moments before…
Trunks was squatting at the side of a grave marker, peaking around the back of it. At what, Midori had no clue. He then pointed around the backside and shot a look at her that meant the answer should have been obvious. "Him!"
Instead of walking around, the older saiyan opted to simply lean over the stone to see for herself…
Midori blinked, seeing nothing. So she looked back at her nephew…
And her heart stopped.
'No… no… I see nothing.' Midori looked away, completely betraying her fear with a look of indifference. 'No long black hair… not those eyes…'
"Let's go, Trunks."
"I'm seriously!" he insisted with his slightly imperfect toddler speech.
"Yes, and I believe you, but it's time to go, now." She held her hand out to him with a stern look, willing herself not to start shaking.
Goku hunched over from exhaustion, panting heavily. How many times had he hollered Midori's name? If he'd been alive, Goku would have ascended past an ascended Super Saiyan!
'But she did here me!' The halo-baring hero sighed, looking down at Lattice who'd begun to tug at his pant-leg.
"I don't want that monster to get my mommy…"
"I know," Goku replied softly. "I'll make sure it doesn't happen, I promise."
Since Midori's display at the mall, its attention had turned to her and Goku made sure to stay on her heels from there on out.
So, he eventually relocated the group, minus Gohan and Trunks (to his relief), setting up a card table in an unused room. The redheaded girl was carrying some kind of strange box.
'Ooo-ee-ja?' Goku scratched his cheek with an index finger, trying to sound out what the item read.
Midori plopped down in a picnic chair, folding one leg over the other. "So how do we go about a séance ritual?" she asked while removing her pirate bandana and flinging it aside. The lack of amusement on the saiyaness' face was noted by Goku.
"Uuuhmm~ well you just kinda talk to spirits I guess?" Samantha smiled in embarrassment, but continued on as if there were no problem, positioning the board in the center of the table along with some kind of wooden pointer.
Midori turned her head to the side, keeping eye contact as she arched an eyebrow. "If I actually gave a damn about these kinds of things I'd be worried."
Goku hummed thoughtfully as he folded his arms and walked to the far side of the table so that each female was on either side of him. "I wonder if this will actually work…"
Lattice scampered to his left, at the corner of the table so that he was in between the two older saiyans. His eyes were just a few inches higher than the table top, so he stood in his tippy toes for a better view. "I wanna talk to my mommy, too!" he exclaimed.
Goku laughed. "Yeah, me too, kiddo."
He was secretly surprised at how well the boy could comprehend the differences between the living and dead; communication, ability, the senses, energy… Goku had just barely been able to get Midori's attention while Lattice had practically had a conversation with Trunks and succeeded in showing himself to his mother!
Thoughts of Bojack's attack on Earth two years prior riddled Goku's mind once more. 'I was able to knock him clear off of Gohan… why can't I touch anything now?'
The only difference he could think of was that back then he'd used instant transmission to return to the living plane, which was against the rules…
"GOKU! WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE YOU?!"
Lattice slapped his hands over his eyes as Goku looked up casually with a thoughtful expression.
"Oh, it's King Kai!" Goku smiled sheepishly at the ceiling. "Well, we're on Earth… but—there's a big problem!"
"You're darn right there is! What's with you and breaking the rules?!"
The deceased saiyans grimaced at their mentor's tone.
"You two aren't supposed to be in the living world and you know it!"
"Gosh King Kai, it was an accident!" Goku rubbed the back of his head as he addressed the voice echoing from above. "I just jumped into a lake in The Other World and wound up in a bath tub here, I swear!"
It was the truth…
"But King Kai, listen! There's this evil spirit type thing following around strong warriors!" He clenched both fists at waist level as he continued to gaze upwards. "It was after my son and now it's After Midori!" Goku heard the king sigh before falling quiet.
"…Yes, I see this is true now. Goku, you're not supposed to know this, but…"
Goku glanced down briefly, watching as Midori and Samantha placed their fingertips on the wooden pointer together, before he looked back up.
King Kai explained that around that time of the year, Halloween, many Earthlings liked to call on the dead by means of rituals. The spirits traveled through nearby portals in high energy locations. Most of the summoners had no idea that their efforts worked!
Lattice jumped up and down in excitement, causing Midori's right leg to twitch as her gaze shifted nervously around the room.
"The wandering spirit you speak of is very old… it must have taken a true psychic—someone of Baba's caliber—to summon it!"
Goku sighed hard, looking down at Lattice with a troubled expression. "A witch, aye?" He recalled Baba, Master Roshi's tiny sister, floating on her crystal ball. "How do I get rid of it, King Kai?"
"You don't!" he exclaimed. "Either the person performing the ritual does, or we'll have to call on Baba!
"Uuuhm… oh!" Samantha straightened up a bit. "So you just ask around to see if anyone's home!"
My left brow had been arched for some time and never ceased to move as I sat, listening to all of Samantha's half-assed explanations. Our finger tips were on the pointer, which was the indicator to what spirits were saying. It would apparently slide on its own without us moving our hands and point to letters on the board (all twenty-six English letters were written there).
"Spirits from The Other World, we call on you..." Sam started out softly. "Join us tonight on this Halloween." Her eyes then slid shut.
There was a moment of silence in which I blinked slowly, my eyes trained on the Yes and No occupying the top corners of the Ouija board.
The young teen cracked open one eye curiously. "Is there anyone here?"
I tried not to smirk. "Come out come out wherever you a—" The planchette underneath our fingers suddenly ripped away from us and over to my right, leaving us both with our hands on the thin board. I then shot up from my seat, heart thumping. "What the hell?!"
The heart-shaped pointer… had moved right under the Yes.
I looked back up at Samantha. The redhead sat slack-jawed, hands up as if under arrest, eyes wide. I then inquired gruffly, "Did you do this?" while pointing at the table.
The response I received was the pointer sliding over to the No.
"Ooooh shit!" I turned around, covering my mouth with one fist and grabbing the back of the chair with my other hand. "Hooo-my gosh. You're kidding me…" I swiveled back around and down into my seat with one swift movement, my heart drumming beneath my chest.
This was ACTUALY happening!
"Who is it?!" I asked loudly, forgetting the rules.
"Wait! Oh my god, we need to get our hands back on!" Samantha exclaimed, fanning her face in an attempt to calm down.
I laughed, scooting my chair in quickly and reaching out simultaneously to the planchette with her.
Samantha cleared her throat lightly. "Erm… may I ask who we are speaking with?"
The ground beneath us began trembling, causing the young teen to gasp.
I rolled my eyes. "It's just my brother, probably getting frustrated at the new droids Bulma's father designed." I chuckled at the thought. They must have been giving him a workout.
The pointer suddenly jerked, drawing us back in. It slowly inched lower down the board (up for me) and across the alphabetical list.
L
Okay…
A
Alright…
T
…Oh… O-okay…
"I ferget the letters!"
Goku, who was holding Lattice over the table by the boy's waist, was at a loss for words. "…Eeeeh, what do you mean? You can't spell your own name?" He craned his neck to the side to view Midori, who was starting to look uneasy. "Well… you're only three… and it's not like your mother was Chi-Chi…"
"Goku, help me!" The boy kicked his feet a bit in midair.
"Uuuuh…" The older saiyan glanced upward as he tried to exercise his common spelling knowledge. "Just add an I and an S, I guess."
Lattice seemed to contemplate the incorrect spelling as he was held over the board, arms outstretched to the pointer. "Mmkay." He finally decided.
But before Lattice could move the wooden piece, the ground began rumbling once more. Both of them looked over to the wall that was behind the human as it glowed for a split second.
'Uh-oh—'
The dry wall exploded, and the entire room (and more) was swept away. In that same breath Goku pulled Lattice into him and spun around, holding the boy against his chest despite Lattice's cries for his mother. Earth's hero was forced to take a knee to protect both of their heads, regardless of the debris going straight through their ghostly forms; he wouldn't take the chance. He knew it was no ordinary explosion.
Goku squinted through the smoke. 'Oh no, Midori!'
Lattice, being much stronger than the average three year-old, managed to push himself away from his teacher and run into the obscuring dust. "MOMMY!" he cried.
"LATTICE, WAIT!" Goku reached behind him, but Lattice was just far enough that his small arm slipped through Goku's fingers, resulting in the older warrior falling awkwardly on his butt.
The smoke dissipated as Goku immediately righted his body. Steeling himself for the worst, the saiyan suddenly breathed out a sigh of relief as he saw Lattice standing next to his mother.
Where Midori stood with murderous intent on her face, a barrier surrounded both a disheveled (but safe) Samantha and herself. "I don't know what you were just thinking…" she spoke up, addressing someone Goku had yet to notice. "But I SWEAR you won't be able to walk tomorrow, Vegeta!"
Goku's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when he saw, indeed, VEGETA of all people! 'But why?' Goku felt a bout of queasiness brewing in his stomach at the unexpected event, wondering how many people Vegeta had potentially endangered, and wondering if the prince was even thinking along those lines. 'And Bulma..!'
That's when he saw it: Behind Vegeta, like a large, looming shadow, was the same dark apparition from before…