Chapter 15: All Hallow's Eve Part II. Fighting and poorly explained supernatural phenomenons!
/
"It's just… it seems so magical… being able to do what you do… I wish I could…"
I remembered her big, blue eyes gazing up at me that night as if I were the world's source of all things wonderful, and it made my heart swell in a way I couldn't describe.
I hadn't felt so… moved… since…
Goku shifted slightly, his incredibly aquamarine eyes glittering in the dark. "Hey Dori… Are you a Super Saiyan, too..?"
'I do have the power of any Super Saiyan.' My gaze became steely as I clenched a fist in anger. A crackling energy shield surrounded Samantha and me as smoke was swept away with the invading autumn breeze.
There was a small whimper from beside me. "Midori…" Samantha seemed to choke back as sob as she grabbed my right arm with unsteady hands.
"Don't worry, Sam… I'll handle this." I was beyond confused, and chest-deep in anger. I felt betrayed and was ready to beat his ass. 'And I won't let anything harm this child… not even Vegeta…'
My brother was baring his teeth in a nasty snarl and breathing heavily, when suddenly he began powering up, causing nearby trees to lean and any un-anchored items to roll away.
Gohan ran up behind us a moment later, retying his belt. "What's wrong with Vegeta?!"
Good to know his upset stomach hadn't kept him too long…
My brother's energy suddenly sky rocketed, the ground began shaking, and I stared incredulously as he became a Super Saiyan.
Why was he doing that?! There was absolutely no need, unless he was about to take down something with a huge power level.
As Vegeta raised his fists high and opened his mouth, it was not my brother's voice that came out, but some loud, demonic roar.
The kids and I stared back in horror as his eyes turned red.
'That's not my brother…' For a moment I was paralyzed with fear until I felt Gohan raise his power level as well. I looked back— "No!"
The Super Saiyan teen seemed confused as I suddenly grabbed Samantha and threw her into his arms.
"Go! Get Bulma and the others!" I turned back to Vegeta and, with a loud exclamation, unleashed my own energy. "I can handle this!"
"Yeah, but—"
"GO!"
He gave a disapproving grunt but complied anyway. "C'mon!" I could hear Samantha whimper again as their hurried footsteps faded into the background.
I frowned deeply. 'Now then…' I lifted my left arm up and blasted Vegeta right in his crazed face.
And he didn't even attempt to dodge…
His body went flying across the back yard and into the lit-up city, crashing into the nearest office building. The length of my flashy attack left two blocks of destroyed road and several flipped cars in its wake.
I flitted over to him in seconds, landing next to the prince as he attempted to sit up, rubble still covering him. "I didn't hit you that hard… you know that, right?" I inquired in annoyance. "…What are you doing?!" I finally yelled as he glared up at me, eyes seemingly normal again.
The next moment took me by surprise as he lunged up at me—I tried to jump back—
"AAGGHHH!" His teeth were lodged deeply into my outer thigh. I punched the side of his head repeatedly as he grabbed onto my leg and began shaking his head like a rabid animal. All I could really do was scream in pain as he attacked me in such a way, before I blasted my brother again, that time without caution.
I could hear his outcry through the explosion I created, as well as the shrieks of those unlucky enough to be nearby.
Dust clouds surrounded the immediate area as I hunched over, trembling, grasping my left thigh with both hands. "Ugh…" The pain caused me to shudder as I questioned raggedly, "What the fuck was that for..?"
Blood was dripping down my leg…
Wasting no more time I removed my pirate sash and tied it tightly around my thigh, cursing through the pain.
About a good football field's length away, a building collapsed and Vegeta's energy sparked, drawing in my wary gaze. People were running for their lives. 'Ugh, Bulma's going to have my head… I really don't care about his, though.' My eyes narrowed.
Surprisingly steadily, I took up a proper bow and arrow stance, ignoring my throbbing flesh wound and holding my arms up, hands alighting with electricity. And sure enough, Vegeta came charging in recklessly, straight into my right fist, the electricity surging loudly. It didn't take much force to knock him back with my charged punch, and he was once again planted into the side of some structure, twitching from the shock as I stood erect.
Not intending to keep him waiting, I met the prince where he was stuck and grabbed the collar of his jump suit. "You know I've always wanted to do this," I told him honestly, earning a snarl in response.
Reaching back, I struck his face hard enough for him to rip away from my grasp and slam into the asphalt. But I didn't stop there, oh no.
Straddling my brother, I continued where I left off, beating his face into the ground with my fist. "What the—hell is—" The floor was becoming more concave with each punch. "—wrong with—YOU?!" And he just laid there, letting me punch him, over and over. I wondered why he was letting me get in so many easy hits. This train of thought eventually lead me to cease my assault, and soon I was just sitting on top of Vegeta, breathing heavily as he lay almost motionless, fingers and closed eyelids twitching.
So I swiveled my butt to sit sideways on his abdomen, as if he were a low sofa of sorts. "The things I have to put up with sometimes…" I sighed, folding my arms over my chest as I stared out at the wreckage we'd created. "Well…" Pushing against my knees (with a grimace), I stood and looked down at Vegeta.
"I'm going home. I'm needed there, no thanks to you." So I chose to walk away instead of teleporting back, hoping that I might still be close enough to see the prince sit up and be of mind.
But, as I limped my way down the shredded avenue, I felt his energy jump again, and suddenly it looked as if it were daytime. I spun around, my heart skipping a beat as a wall of yellow energy came straight for me.
"MOMMYYYY!"
Goku's jaw dropped in time with his heart as he skidded to a halt in the streets, Lattice crashing into the back of his thigh a second later. A humongous energy wave raced past them. He then gasped as his hair and clothes were actually whipped around. And he felt the heat of the attack!
'But that means—' Pained cries stopped his train of thought. 'Oh no!'
It became dark again, more so than before with the power knocked out on that block, but the deceased saiyans could clearly make out the newly-carved tunnel in the street, and a body laying off to the side. The two leaped over the small gorge and over to Midori, one almost crying, the other clenching his fists.
Midori was writhing in pain as Goku kneeled next to her. The entirety of her left side was raw and bleeding, clothes shredded half off; she was laying on her right side with her left knee drawn up to her chest, hands clutching her thigh.
"Mommy, no!" Lattice grabbed near the wounded area and Midori promptly jolted from pain, her eyes squeezed shut tight, teeth gritted.
"URRRGH." Her face was practically buried in the dirt.
Goku reached out to touch the top of Midori's head with a troubled look on his face. "Hang in there, Dori!"
The female saiyan suddenly froze, brow still furrowed and mouth falling open as she opened her eyes.
Goku inhaled sharply with realization. "I know you can hear me… you have to!"
She sat up slowly, wheezing, head turning left and right as she used her better arm to push herself backwards (and away from them). "I'm hearing things..." Midori croaked, her gaze wide.
Vegeta appeared before them in an instant, his Super Saiyan glow lighting up the area as if he were a human torch. "I've got you now…" His palm was facing Midori, aimed right at her head. She stared back, paralyzed.
Goku jumped up with fire in his eyes. "THAT'S ENOUGH!" And before his rival could concentrate any energy, Goku swung his arm, smashing his fist into the prince's face with a hard right.
Vegeta promptly rocketed a block away from them (not as far as Goku had hoped) and crashed into a car, its blaring alarm activating on impact.
Goku faced Midori again with a softer demeanor. He knelt again next to her frozen, bewildered form, and, trying to avoid her wounds, placed a gentle hand on the nape of her neck. She responded to the touch by gasping. "Hey, Dori! It's me, Goku! Can you hear me?"
She took on a tight-lipped expression, but her eyes, still glued to where Vegeta was previously standing, were wide, reflecting her fear. After what seemed like forever, Midori gave a shaky nod. "I… do."
Lattice then spoke quietly, "Mommy, me too… I'm here too." As he gazed upon her face with large, watery eyes.
Goku glanced at the boy, but looked back to Midori as she let out another gasp, her hand latching over her mouth as she stared ahead, wide-eyed once more. She didn't seem to be able to see him, but—
"MA! I'M RIGHT HERE!" Lattice stamped his small feet into the ground and his mother seemed to stop breathing.
Midori turned her head slowly, gaze sliding down until her sights were settled perfectly on his young, pouting face.
I could feel my eyes watering. He stared up at me with almost as much emotion as I was feeling… and all I could do… was breath. I felt so weak and my mind was going blank…
"Dori can you see him?" Goku's voice called out to me, sounding as if through a tunnel.
In my earlier daze I had remembered when Goku spoke telepathically with us after his death… that was much easier to digest than what was happening to me, but… "Yes…" I murmured meekly.
My son was supposed to be dead, and here he was… again.
Lattice smiled sweetly and cuddled up to my less wounded side, sitting beside me and laying his head atop my right breast. I inhaled slowly, my breath shaky as my teeth clenched beneath straight lips.
'How is this even possible..?' My lips were starting to tremble as I placed a hand softly on the back of his head.
How could I feel him, see him, and hear him like this? How—
My eyebrows rose abruptly when I noticed the large halo floating above his head.
Then, all of a sudden, "Lattice, how is she able to see you, but not me?"
"WHAT?" I turned my head side-to-side in search of Goku. "You're… here?!"
"I'm right beside you, please don't panic. But I need to know how he's become completely physical to you when I can't!"
Lattice lifted his face up and looked to whatever was on my left. "You have to get the energy!"
What?
"What?"
"What energy, Lattice?" I asked breathlessly. My head was beginning to spin.
"From him!" The boy pointed down the street, where Vegeta was shaking bits of metal from his blond hair.
I slowly shook my own head, a hand finding its way up to my cheek. I could barely comprehend what was happening when out of nowhere bits and pieces of information I deemed useless—Halloween programs—so called ghost hunters—high energy spots—intelligent spirits—they were all coming back to me.
ENERGY.
I gasped again, my brow knitting up in alarm. "Goku, you have to take energy from the living to be able to manifest physically!" I spat out to my general surroundings.
And with the amount of energy put out by my brother alone…
I looked down at my seemingly whole son, sighing softly. 'Alright…' I stood slowly, the left side of my body hurting to a much lesser degree than minutes before.
"Hey Dori, did you hear me? I said I'm not really sure how to do this!"
I faced my brother, who was stalking slowly towards me. His face… 'Huh… if looks could kill…'
"Dori!"
"Yes," I answered. "You'll figure it out… As for me, I'm going to weaken Vegeta the old fashioned way." I cracked my knuckles with a sneer.
For whatever reason, my brother wasn't fighting me to his fullest. Vegeta had gotten a lucky shot in, blasting me in the back like that… As things stood with my wounds and his restraint, we were still even… as far as I could tell.
'Now it's time to pick up the pace…' I glanced around the darkened street. 'Good, everybody's cleared out… I'll try to keep this in one area'
I turned to meet my adversary and it wasn't long before Vegeta and I were exchanging blows, his attacks having more finesse than the previous round—as if I were actually fighting my brother.
Still…
The slightly more refined attacks weren't enough to give him the upper hand; the real Vegeta would have had me kneeling already if he'd truly been after blood.
He swung a leg towards my head and I easily ducked; he'd left his abdomen wide open—I gladly returned a fist to his gut a second later.
But Vegeta reacted a bit quicker than I'd expected, grabbing my opposite arm and slamming me through the wall of some building.
I toppled across (and through) several desks and chairs, all of them breaking. The pain was immediate—glass and jagged cement, as well as sharp wood, brutally reminded me of my wounds. I held steadfast this time though, growling angrily instead of curling up in pain as I stood unsteadily in the dark room.
My brother then made the mistake of trying to come in after me.
I raised my arm. "HAAAA!" Everything in my path leading up to Vegeta disintegrated in bright energy.
He had nowhere to jump from my blast but back out into the street. Through the brief fluorescent lighting I just barely made out the sight of his shoulder being clipped.
Racing towards my brother, we soon met again in hand-to-hand combat. He caught my right fist in his left hand and I grabbed his other wrist. We were soon struggling to get free of each other's grasp. He pushed against me and I pushed back. Suddenly we were both powering up, the asphalt beneath us quaking and giving way to our crackling energy.
Vegeta then bared his teeth at me in a large, gum-revealing, crazy smirk.
I bared mine back aggressively, sucking in sharp breaths. "Vegeta—just you wait—" But I couldn't push him away without leaving myself open to attack.
I know!
An idea came to me; something I'd never tried, and felt I knew the answer to, but hoped I would be wrong about…
Electricity sparked around my tense knuckles and I forced my energy higher; the charge traveled from my hands up Vegeta's arms, causing him to cry out in pain. I grinned in spite of his agonized screams, managing to push the possessed prince down onto his knees.
But as I'd imagined—"AH!" What felt like a sharp pain and an incredibly large, blunt blow sent me flying backwards just as my electrical attack seemed to explode.
"Agh—shiiiit!" As I sat up, my clothes were smoking and my arms throbbed with stabbing pain like I'd never felt in my life. I sucked in several more sharp breaths as I attempted to bend my arms.
With no place for the current of my attack to exit, I had electrocuted myself...
"Hey! It—it's working!" I heard Goku's voice behind me without registering how clear it suddenly sounded.
But there was something… something growing behind me… I turned with wide eyes as whatever it was began glowing golden, slightly illuminating the background.
He… was there—really there!
Goku looked down at himself. His hair began flowing upwards as if aided by an invisible force—the energy he had absorbed from us, no doubt.
"Yeah! Now we're back in action!" He cheered before powering up, Super Saiyan ki circulating around his body as he smirked. But his hair remained black...
Something out of the corner of my eye caused me to glance back in Vegeta's direction. He was sitting up slowly, groaning from the pain of my attack. His eyes glowed red dimly in the partially lit surroundings.
I gulped, willing the slight numbness and hot, radiating pain to subside from my limbs.
"Hey, Dori! Duck!"
I whipped back around just in time to witness Goku's cupped palms alighting with a familiar, white energy.
"KAME-HAME-HAAA!" He launched his attack and I threw my upper half back onto the floor just in time as I felt the energy nearly pass over my head a second later.
Goku could see his rival's face brightening under the light of his approaching energy wave. The prince's expression was of shock—fear. Vegeta was still too stunned, literally, to jump out of the way.
Moments after the deceased saiyan launched his Kamehameha, Vegeta cried out in pain and his body was sent flying further into the city.
Goku gradually lowered his heated hands to his sides, his eyes set in steely concentration. Vegeta was still alive, as planned, but Goku could sense that the prince's energy had dropped a bit.
"Mommy, are you okay?" It was Lattice's worried voice that caused Goku's expression to soften. The older saiyan watched as his pupil bent over Midori with hesitant, outreached hands.
Goku joined them a moment later, hands resting on his hips as he leaned forward. "You're pretty banged up," he said lightly. "You gonna be okay?"
But Midori failed to reply as she sat up again. She simply stared up at him from beneath shadowing bangs, breathing in a slightly strained manner through parted lips. In the dark her gaze pierced Earth's hero, causing him to blink in surprise.
Her expression was… dark. Goku couldn't fully interpret it, and soon felt uncomfortable under the scrutiny. His eyes moved from hers, roaming to the scratches on her cheek, to her bloodied arm, to her almost fully exposed chest— cleavage rising and falling with each breath—then back up to her half-lidded eyes.
Goku's eyebrows rose. 'Why is she staring at me like that?'
"D-dad?!"
Goku's body started turning towards the familiar voice, but his head and eyes were slow to move, delayed by his female comrade's intense gaze. It was when he laid eyes on his son running towards him did Goku break into a large grin, his heart suddenly feeling light. "Gohan!"
"HEY!" When Gohan skidded to a halt in front of his father, Goku caught the ecstatic teen by the shoulders with a laugh.
"Hey yourself, son! Gosh, you look so much bigger in person!" He had reached Goku's shoulders in height.
Gohan's smile dropped though, when he noticed Midori behind Goku. "Uh—what happened?!" He brought his fists up in alarm. "Where's Vegeta?!"
Before Goku could answer, Midori replied tersely, "Probably knocked out somewhere." She then stood slowly, holding her left shoulder.
Gohan blinked in surprise and his father hummed softly in thought.
Silence fell on the group, the young teen unconsciously watching the starry sky whilst feeling out Vegeta's energy signal, Goku and Midori exchanging another, more normal look.
Although her low-lidded stare and half smile was nothing compared to what he'd received a few minutes prior, Goku still wondered why she was staring at him in such a way.
'Well… I am sort of back from the dead.' He found himself returning her slight smile. 'She's probably happy or grateful…'
"Hello." A child's voice snagged the other three saiyans' attention to where Lattice was peeking out from behind Midori's legs. He was looking at Gohan, who was gazing wide-eyed at the boy's dully glowing halo.
"Erm… hi." The mixed saiyan then slowly turned to look at his father with large, questioning eyes. "Is he with you, dad?"
"Oh—" Goku held an index finger up. "Gohan, you're not going to believe this, but this is Midori's son!" He continued to explain how the two met, meanwhile watching as Midori caressed the top of Lattice's head with a soft, loving smile.
Needless to say, Gohan was shocked.
"Goku," yet another voice interrupted, "There you are!" It was Baba, Master Roshi's older sister. She came floating in on her Crystal ball, a stern look in her wrinkled features.
… ...
The old witch let out a deep hum at the sight of Vegeta's unconscious form laying before her.
Standing in a circle around the rest of the prince's body were the other saiyans, somber in waiting.
"You can't see it," she began, "But the spirit is struggling to leave his body. Any longer and it would have escaped.
Goku curled a fist at the fortune teller's worrying words. "What do we do now, Baba?" Both Gohan and Midori's resolve hardened alongside his.
But the old woman merely held her hands out, as if about to catch something from the sky. "Relax, old Baba's been around the park once or twice, you know." A sort of copper vase suddenly appeared in midair, which then fell into her outstretched hands. It was sealed with a large cork. "Now stand aside, everyone."
As Goku shuffled back, he felt something light touch the skin of his left bicep; he looked down. Midori's hand was ever-so-lightly placed there as she watched her brother with a troubled expression.
A sudden POP of the cork drew his attention away as the wind around them began to pick up—or rather, stir around them akin to a whirlwind. It was enough for Goku to bend his knees slightly in an attempt to keep a sturdy stance. In the back of his mind he acknowledged the tightening grasp around his arm and found it comforting.
Suddenly, the dark figure he'd seen before began rising from Vegeta's body like an inflating balloon. It released a loud, ghoulish groan that caused the hair on the back of his neck to stand on end.
Lattice buried his face into Midori's thigh, clutching her tarnished pirate pants tightly; aside from Baba, only he and Goku could see the apparition.
And in just a handful of seconds the dark matter was sucked into the fortune teller's vase with a dreadful squeal. One last gust of wind pushed against the group, causing the saiyans to stumble from the force. Then, all too abruptly the atmosphere was unnaturally still…
Goku allowed his squinted eyes to relax and survey their surroundings. He then let out a deep breath. "Phew… Thanks a lot, Baba!" Who needed an exorcist?
The old witch tucked the vase (that was coincidentally the same length as her body) discretely into her robes. Somehow.
Midori took a step forward. "Is it absolutely gone?" She was almost glaring.
"Yes, of course," Baba replied in a bored manner.
The female saiyan limped towards her brother without hesitation, and kneeled down beside him. "Hey—Vegeta—it's time to get up." Midori grabbed the prince's jaw, turning his face to the side.
Vegeta's eyebrows suddenly lowered, followed by a low moan that escaped his lips, but he made no other movements.
Midori's grip loosened as she sighed in relief. Still cupping the side of his face, she looked back to Goku, Lattice, Gohan, and Baba. "Thank you… I-I don't even know what else to say." She let out a short laugh. "This evening was not supposed to end up like…" She removed her hand from Vegeta's face and held it up to express her lack of words.
Goku smiled at the ironic turn of events as well. "This?" he finished for her.
"Yeah…" she began laughing softly, briefly covering part of her face with one hand. When she moved the hand, Goku could see a sudden shine in her eyes. "Come here, baby." Midori's voice wavered as she held both of her arms out for Lattice.
Their embrace caused Goku's heart to warm, and when he made eye contact with his own son he couldn't help pulling Gohan into an affectionate side hug.
The two laughed together.
"We're not done here," Baba interrupted. "There's still someone out there conjuring spirits."
Goku rested his hand on Gohan's shoulder, a serious look taking his face. "Right— you want me to take care of them?"
"No, I'm taking you and the boy back to the Other World," she replied. "I'll tell you all where they're located, but someone else here will have to take care of it." She then announced that it was time to say their farewells.
Although Goku didn't find saying goodbye to his family and friends nice, it seemed he was the least disheartened to leave. Gohan was staring at him somberly.
Midori stood up, holding Lattice, while resting her head against his.
Squeezing his son's shoulder, Goku nodded once, a calm smile gracing his features.
Gohan returned the nod, forcing a weak smile of his own. "It was nice seeing you again, dad…" He then corrected himself by saying, "Incredible… seeing you again… I'll miss you."
"You too, son. Take care," the older saiyan responded softly.
But the mother and child weren't so ready to part ways.
"I don't wanna go back, mommy…" Lattice whispered into her neck. Goku could see the boy's defeated expression from where he stood.
"I know, baby…" Midori's eyes were closed as she stroked the back of his head. Her brow furrowed slightly as a single tear cascaded down her face and she sniffled once before pulling back. "But… you don't belong here… and I'm sure wherever you came from is much more peaceful than here…" With those last words, her gaze fell on Goku. Her feet then brought her within arm's reach of the deceased male.
Goku noted that the look in her eyes from before was back. Why? What was it? Something about them—slightly reddened from tears—froze the Super Saiyan in his spot.
"Group hug?" somebody suggested with a feeble laugh. It could have been Gohan. Hell, even Lattice. Goku wasn't sure, his eyes were locked with Midori's. Like before.
Like… their first handshake.
He didn't move when something latched onto his side, no, not until she had moved close enough to kiss him did he blink his enlarged eyes and inhale sharply.
She had wrapped her right arm over his left shoulder, head bowed into his neck and clavicle. Lattice had maneuvered to his right, where Gohan was.
A nervous laugh escaped Goku's lips. "Gee, you guys…" a drop of sweat ran down the side of his face. One hand found its way to Gohan but the other just barely brushed against Midori's side. He had to ask. "Are you… alright?" He could feel the warmth of his own breath from the close proximity of his murmur against her ear.
She let out a dry, breathful laugh. "Of course not…"
Well… that much was obvious, but—
"Just promise me you'll take care of my son…" And as Gohan was removing himself from his father's person, Midori turned and pressed her lips against Goku's cheek.
The saiyan froze once more. It only lasted a second; soft—and soundless when she pulled away—completely away from him.
Gohan may not have even noticed.
But Goku touched a hand to his cheek, eyes wide like saucers. He barely even registered that he was holding Lattice against his waist. "Of… course…"
What was that about?
"If you all are done—" Baba spoke, catching everyone's attention. She began waving her hands around, reciting some sort of chant underneath her breath.
Soft, golden auras appeared around Midori and Gohan, as if they'd both become dulled Super Saiyans.
Without other obvious changes, of course.
"This spell will protect you both for an hour," Baba informed. "The culprit is close, within the city. Here—" Still seated atop her floating crystal ball, an image appeared within the object; a building. The number of an apartment floor… And finally… room 607.
"Got it!" Gohan seemed ready for battle.
Midori sighed, but nodded.
"We're off now," the elderly woman stated as she floated upwards.
As if being pulled by some unseen force, Goku's body levitated up as well, even as he still faced them. "Alright. Goodbye you guys! See ya later!" He held one hand up as Lattice waved his own with fervor.
It was too sudden for the two Earth-bound saiyans.
"Uh—DAD! BYYYYYE~" Gohan waved both hands frantically.
Midori covered her mouth with one hand and waved hesitantly with the other as she tried her hardest to hold back tears. When they faded from view, her raised hand fell to her side, curling into a fist.
They were gone. Back to Other World.
I dumped my brother's body on the front lawn of Capsule Corporation.
"Alright, Gohan… Let's get this over with." I sniffled a couple more times, facing away from the boy.
There were no words for my pain. Maybe it wasn't the most physical or emotional pain I'd experienced, but damnit it was awful. Pain from physical wounds. Pain from having someone you love taken away again. Pain from… wanting…
Damn… it…
"I'm ready," he replied.
Nodding, I bent my left leg slightly before taking to the air. "It's this way," I stated, leaning my body towards the right before flying in that direction. Gohan followed suit a moment later.
The golden glow was distracting. I was used to my own energy, fluctuating between white and grey. I wondered if any of the other Super Saiyans—Goku, Vegeta, or Gohan—had that adjustment issue.
Soon we reached a part of West City where the power was still operating, and our glowing bodies seemed to be less noticeable in the surrounding, artificial lights.
'Ah, the building is in view…'
…
BAM
The wooden door flew into the apartment easily with a well-placed swat. I narrowed my eyes at the sight before me.
It was dark. But I could make out a woman—wiry-haired but young—sitting in front of some sort of star-shaped diagram… surrounded by candles… and all sorts of odd paraphernalia I knew nothing about.
"You coulda knocked…" My companion mumbled behind me. He was probably shaking his head, too.
Sigh. Gohan… please.
"You!" I exclaimed roughly.
She was staring wide-eyed, hands up as if under arrest.
Walking a few steps into the room, I pointed an accusing finger at her. "My brother was possessed by some shit YOU LET LOOSE ONTO THIS CITY!" I stopped to take a calming breath, but couldn't prevent a sneer. "And now a good part of town is demolished, thanks to you."
The woman gasped dramatically at my words. "It worked?!"
Kais…
"Yes, it worked…" My glare must have been sharper than shrapnel.
Then something unexpected happened: "SPIRITS ATTACK! THERE ARE INTRUDERS HERE!"
My heart skipped a beat as Gohan took on a defensive stance.
But after almost ten seconds… nothing happened.
I shared a dubious glance with the teen. "Yeah…" My gaze narrowed once more. "Move the hell out of the way." I was about the kick the woman and disassemble her summoning supplies when the room suddenly chilled… unnaturally so.
When Gohan let out a distressed noise I whipped around in his direction.
'Oh my—'
A noticeable, black mist was hovering in front of Gohan—it was about to engulf him!
I raised my energized hand despite knowing it would do no good, and at the same time it covered him. But like a bug zapper, the offensive mass seemed to be shocked by Gohan's protective aura, which was now shining very brightly. I felt the temperature in the room rise again and I suddenly felt… safe.
The mass had dissipated.
Gohan looked over to me, rapidly blinking as he exhaled through his mouth. "I'm… okay!"
'That old woman's spell really worked…'
I turned back to the young woman responsible with a nasty look. My pirate boots thunked loudly against the wooden floor as I stalked up to her. I could tell this person wasn't right in the head. Grabbing her collar (she was too shocked to move) I hoisted her up with ease and slammed her body against the nearest wall. This finally earned me a shriek.
"Show's over," I growled threateningly. I then allowed her body to drop to the floor. She immediately tried to scramble away, but I stomped on the tail of her outdated dress, preventing her escape.
Lifting up my right arm, I cast out the light of the candles with a simple wave and the slightest use of energy. Most of the remaining light was being provided by Gohan and myself.
My teen comrade then appeared in front of me with a broom. He had that look on his face again. "Why don't I do the honors?" The exasperated you're going too far look.
I shrugged. "By all means." I didn't feel like admitting that I had no desire to touch any of those things.
The design on the floor was made by some sort of powder or grain, so Gohan merely swept it away.
Glowering at the cowering woman again, I leaned in. Her eyes shined pathetically in the dull glow. "As I was saying: The show's over. If I catch you again, I'll blow your dam—"
"Midori, I think the lady gets it."
I clenched my jaw, closing my eyes as I had to restrain myself from shaking my head. "Gohan… you have to let people know that you mean business…"
But the boy simply responded by placing a gentle hand on my unwounded shoulder. When I looked back at him he had this easy smile… that faltered my anger in a heartbeat.
Not enough to improve my mood, but enough to clear the figurative red from my sight.
I grunted, finally shaking my head. "Yeah… you're right."
This woman didn't know that I had just fought my own brother, or that I had to give my son up so soon after reuniting with him…
And Goku… Again, Goku…
My lower eyelids rose as I stared at nothing in particular. "Let's get out of here…"
…
An hour later, after graciously receiving healing from Dende and taking Gohan home, I had to sit through much angry ranting from Bulma. On the bright side, my brother was waking up; he'd share the hot seat with me. And, as luck would have it, Bulma was much calmer due to Vegeta's weakened state.
My brother rasped out, "What in the world happened?" He then sat up sluggishly, his pain evident. "There's no way one of those robots did this to me…"
So the last thing he remembered was training in the ship's gravity room…
Vegeta suddenly gasped. "Kakarot?!" He looked side-to-side. "He was here!"
From my spot at the foot of the bed (Bulma was at his side) I leaned onto the soft, comforting mattress. "He's gone now. Some very strange things happened… lots of ghosts… You were possessed."
His eyes narrowed. "Preposterous."
Resting my head over my crossed arms, I shrugged, closing my sore eyes. I really didn't feel like recounting the evening's events again…
Vegeta suddenly shoved my arm with his foot.
With lightning-fast reflexes, I slammed by fist into the mattress where his leg had been a millisecond before. "WHAT?!"
"EXPLAIN YOURSELF!" He shouted back.
"I TOLD YOU WHAT HAPPENED—"
Bulma stood from her chair so quickly that it toppled over. "YOU TWO DON'T GET TO SCREAM RIGHT NOW! A CHUNK OF MY HOUSE IS DESTROYED AND PART OF THE DAMN CITY THANKS TO YOU TWO!"
And so the whole room lit up with loud, angry yelling. Back and forth we all went, each with our own reasons to be aggravated and upset.
Yeah…
My first celebrated Halloween…