Chapter 13

When Zamasu comes too the first thing he smells is a disgustingly overwhelming scent of medicine and herbs. The kai groans and opens his eyes, only to instantly close them again when he is hit by the bright intensity of white walls. He didn't need any other signs to know he was in a hospital.

Zamasu slowly opens his eyes, letting them get adjusted to the brightness of the room. He then looks around, taking in his situation. It seemed the room was empty and little was in it. Beyond the machines that the mortals seemed to use for recovery, there was little else.

Then, he sees him. Zamasu turns to his left and his eyes widen in surprise. Lying in a bed only a few feet away was Goku. The naive saiyan was snoring softly, his whole body covered in bandages.

Zamasu then looks down to his own body and notices that he was wearing nothing but his underwear. He was covered by the blanket though, and his body had bandages in various places.

The kai-saiyan looks back to the kind-hearted saiyan and frowns. He could feel hatred within his body at the very sight of Goku. However, it felt like his rage was a low simmer instead of the writhing fury it once was. Zamasu sighs. "I must be growing soft. These Earthlings are diluting my sense of justice. I need to reestablish it once more."

Zamasu glances out the window that was next to his bed, eager to search for the wilderness he adored so much. What met him, however, was something he wasn't prepared for.

Zamasu's seen cities before. He thought of them as ugly, mechanical stains upon a world filled with beautiful nature. He's never even taken a moment to take them in, being too busy destroying mortals as he was. Now though, confined to his room and with the morning sun shining upon the buildings, he could finally admire something he thought he hated.

The buildings gleamed with light that shone from the bright star overhead. People milled about, all going about their business, only small specks from the vantage point high above. And beyond that was the wilderness. Sprawling emerald green hills filled with trees and creatures as far as the eye could see. An ocean glittered in the background.

Zamasu was in shock, and in awe. He believed cities to be horrid creations of the primitive mortals. But what he was seeing now, it was no ugly stain. It was a beauty of creation, mortal creation.

He should be irked. It should make him feel enraged that mortals believed they could hold the power of creation like gods do. But one thought, one small doubt, was gaining strength. "If only the gods can create, then what is a mortal allowed to do?"

The thought gives him pause. What does he believe mortals should do? Before he wanted to wipe them out from the universe, what did he think their purpose was? Reverence of the gods? That didn't seem right. Destruction? That was the God of Destruction's job. But then again, who's to say it wasn't theirs too?

Zamasu didn't know how to react to this. Was he doubting his own plans, his own beliefs? Once again, he should feel rage. And yet, nothing but a solemn silence held onto his mind. A silence that made him believe, for once, that he might've been the one in the wrong.

"Mmmm. Hm?" The hybrid turns around, gazing at Goku's slowly rising form. It seems the saiyan was finally awake. Zamasu sighs, knowing his peace was going to be disrupted.

Goku grips his head, sitting up slightly in bed. He tries to sit up completely, but the sharp pains shooting across his body tells him otherwise. He lowers his head and hand with a sigh, knowing that he'll have to be still for a while.

The earth-raised saiyan glances over and notices Zamasu sitting up, staring out of the window. Goku grins and says, "Heya Zamasu! How are you feeling?"

Zamasu turns his head slightly, just enough to acknowledge Goku's statement. "I'm fine."

Goku frowns at the distant tone to Zamasu's voice. "Hey, what's wrong Zamasu? You seem upset."

The kai-saiyan just continues looking out the window, still trying to come to terms with his conflicting thoughts. "Nothing. I'm fine."

Goku turns his head more, looking out the window, same as Zamasu. He smiles and says, "Really is beautiful, isn't it?"

Zamasu turns to Goku, a soft sound of confusion coming from his mouth. Goku smiles wider and says, "The city. It really does look nice at this time, huh?"

Zamasu turns back, watching the sunlight glint off of the metal buildings. Despite himself, the tiniest smile works its way onto his face. "Yes. I guess it does."

Goku grins widely. Then, he frowns as something else pops into his mind. "Hey Zamasu. Vegeta, even Raditz, they both questioned if you are really a saiyan. So, are you a saiyan?"

Zamasu sighs. He knew this would be something he'd have to confront. He should be more cautious, more inclined to keep his secret. However, the morning sun, along with these new, confusing ideas, were taking their toll. He was feeling solemn, and a lot more open than before. "They are correct. I am not a saiyan. Or, at least, I shouldn't be. I am physically a saiyan, but mentally, I am something else entirely."

Goku doesn't say a word, allowing Zamasu to continue speaking. "I am actually a kai, something that you would consider a god. You see, I was… punished. I acted out of line, and as such, I was given this body and told I need to repent."

At this, Goku speaks. "So, you did something really bad, huh?" Zamasu glances back, wondering where this was going. Goku looks up, smiling. "I guess I can't be too surprised. Piccolo said you had a strange aura, and Master Roshi sensed the evil inside of you when you first arrived."

Goku's expression turns solemn at the mention of Piccolo. "Piccolo finally was turning good. Now look. He's dead. There's nothing we can do about it. Kami is gone, and because of that, so are the Dragon Balls."

Zamasu frowns once more at the thought of the Dragon Balls. It seems that once again the mortals were using tools of the gods. However, these Dragon Balls, unlike the Super Dragon Balls, held a limit. They would stop at a certain point and could not cause major universal issues. It seems they were more so a ticket out of the afterlife, and even that had restrictions.

Goku looks back to Zamasu with a small, solemn smile. "I wish we could bring him back, but I guess we have to live with it. There aren't any other Dragon Balls, and we don't even know how Kami made them in the first place."

Zamasu looks out the window, his mind swirling with thoughts. He knew of one place. It was somewhere he kept his eyes on ever since he began his Zero Mortals plan. A place filled with mortals that, despite having Dragon Balls, refused to use them unless absolutely necessary.

Zamasu sighs, already feeling Chronoa poking around in his head, urging him to say the idea. "There is one place I know of." Goku turns to Zamasu with curiosity. "Planet Namek. I believe it is Piccolo and 'Kami's' homeworld."

Goku's eyes widen in surprise. "W-What? Their homeworld?"

The kai nods. "Yes. A place on the far reaches of this universe, filled with the race of Piccolo called the Namekians. They have their own set of Dragon Balls."

Goku pauses. Then, a massive grin spreads across his face. "Wow! Really?! Then we can bring back Piccolo!"

Zamasu frowns, then states, "It will not be that easy. The Namekians hold a tight grip on their Dragon Balls, only using them when absolutely necessary. They also only work if you speak in the language of the Namekians."

"Namekians?" Zamasu and Goku turn to the door and notice some people walking in. Gohan and Chichi, Master Roshi, Krillin, and even Yajirobe. Bulma follows behind the group, alongside a doctor and nurse.

Krillin raises a hand in greeting and grins. "Hey Goku! Thought I'd stop by and see how you and Zamasu are holding up!"

Goku grins back and exclaims, "Wow! All off you guys? Thanks a lot!"

Gohan runs over to Goku and gingerly hugs him, that way he doesn't aggravate his father's wounds. "Daddy! I'm so glad you're safe!"

Goku laughs and returns the hug. "Of course I am! Did you think your daddy would really go down that easily?"

Gohan laughs as Goku lifts Gohan up with his good arm, resting him on the bed. Goku looks up to Chichi and smiles warmly. He gestures for her to come closer, and she does so with a smile. The family all hug and laughter breaks out. The sound of pure relief, of happiness in their quest being complete.

Zamasu watches with a blank expression adorning his face. It was a joyous sight, one that would warm anyone's heart. However, Zamasu simply turns away. It was not for him, and it was not something he would join.

"Hey now. You may be punished, but don't remove the fun out of it." Zamasu sighs, expecting contact from the Supreme Kai of Time sooner or later. He just didn't expect it to be now.

"It is not my place. I am an outsider. And as much as I loathe to admit it, I do not deserve such joy." Zamasu knew, oh how he knew, that he was wrong. He just couldn't believe it anymore. His time here, even if only one year, and most spent with King Kai, changed him. Not all mortals were bad. Even Goku, whom he thought was the worst of them all, seemed to want nothing more than to protect his loved ones.

"I'm surprised Zamasu. I never thought you'd come this far so quickly." Despite himself, Zamasu feels a little pride at that statement. "I was a prodigy in the making. I nearly usurped the entire universe. I think I deserve a little credit, correct?"

A laugh resonates through his mind, soft and uplifted. It makes Zamasu smile a little wider. "Ah, I have to give you that! Either way, you're making good progress. I'm proud of you." And with that, Chronoa departs. Zamasu smiles softly, his eyes closed. Even if just for a moment, he felt he had someone he could fall onto. Someone who understood him, even just a little.

"Hey Zamasu!" The hybrid turns around, pulled from his thoughts. He sees Bulma walk up to him, a bean in her hand. "I thought you'd want this. Nobody likes being in pain, or cooped up in a hospital."

Zamasu stares at the bean in her hand, then looks back up to the woman. He goes to take the bean, when suddenly, his head burns.

"TRUNKS! YOU HAVE TO GO!"
"LET GO OF HER!"

Zamasu grips his head, his teeth grit in pain. "What was…?" He shakes his head, removing the images from his mind. Fire, and the very woman in front of him, terrified of him.

"Zamasu! Are you ok?!" He looks up and sees Bulma looking at him with concern. His eyes widen when she seems to age right in front of him, turning into the woman from his thoughts. The woman frowns and screams, "You killed them! You killed them all!"

Zamasu's eyes widen and he leans back. He blinks, and the image is gone. Only Bulma, concerned, along with the rest of the room. Zamasu blinks a bit, trying to gain his bearings. Then, he sighs. "I'm… fine. Still injured, so I must've hit my head."

Bulma frowns and says, "Well, all the more reason to eat this Senzu bean." Zamasu looks at the bean, then nods. He takes it and quickly chews it up. With a soft gulp, he feels his energy return.

The kai stands up, no longer feeling pain, and begins taking off his bandages. Left only in his undergarments, he goes over to a cabinet and finds his black gi. He pulls it out and quickly puts it on. Once that is done, he sits down once more, staring out the window again.

Bulma stares at Zamasu a bit more, her wind whirling with thoughts. Zamasu seemed almost scared of her. It was strange, as if he shouldn't have that expression on his face. She sighs, putting it on a long list of things she found strange about Zamasu. Bulma turns to Goku just in time to see him break out of his bandages with pure strength. A lot less tact than Zamasu, she thinks.

The scientist begins speaking to her life-long as he changes. "So Goku. What are these 'Namekians' you guys were talking about?"

Goku tightens the belt of his gi, then turns to Bulma with a massive grin. "Well, this is going to be great news!" He turns around so he is facing everyone. He was standing next to Zamasu, the only one not facing him. "Zamasu said that Namekians have Dragon Balls! We can go there and bring back Piccolo and Kami!"

The group all gasp or make a noise of surprise. Krillin, still shocked, exclaims, "Is that really true?!" Goku just nods, laughing through his grin.

Gohan smiles widely and begins jumping up and down. "Yay! We can bring back Mr. Piccolo!" Chichi laughs alongside her son, alongside most of the others present.

Then, Master Roshi speaks up. "Sorry to burst your bubbles, but how will we get to Namek? It is a planet, yes?"

The question is directed at Zamasu. The kai turns his head slightly. "Yes. A very distant planet. Based on one of the Namekians' ships, it would take a little over a month, or 34 days, to arrive. In a saiyan pod, it would take 6 days."

Bulma blinks in surprise. "Wow. Those are some accurate measurements. How'd you come across this information?" Zamasu doesn't respond, simply turning away once more.

The scientist sighs in exasperation. "Ok then. Well, we don't have Namekian ships, OR Saiyan pods! Vegeta took his, and Nappa's blew up when the city tried salvaging it!"

"Ah! I believe I have half of that solution." The group all turn to the window in surprise. Zamasu stares with half-lidded eyes, his mind still swirling with thoughts he can't quite place together. Mr. Popo then smiles and says, "I do know where the ship Kami took to Earth is located."

Goku grins and says, "Really?!" Mr. Popo nods. "Yes. The ship is located in Yunzabit Heights, where Piccolo and Kami's fused whole landed long ago."

Bulma thinks a bit. "Yunzabit Heights? That's quite far from civilization. I guess if I landed on a random planet with nothing but a ship, I'd stay away from civilization too."

Mr. Popo nods. "That is correct. He wished to be hidden, and as such, he stayed there. However, it is time we retrieve the ship and make it useful once more."

The group all begin speaking, each coming up with plans for this trip and retrieving the ship. Mr. Popo gives his farewells and flies off, telling the group to go to the Lookout when they are ready. Goku nods and gives him a wave off. Zamasu simply stares, slowly piecing together his thoughts.

After some time, a plan was made. Bulma would go check out the ship and determine how many people can fit on board. Then, Gohan, Bulma, and Krillin would get on the ship and head to Namek. As per Goku's request, they would find his old pod he was sent in as a baby and make a second ship, one built for training and more speed. Finally, Goku and Zamasu would train and catch up with the others on Namek.

With a plan set out, and a bag of Senzu beans for the first group, the group all disperses. However, when Zamasu doesn't leave immediately, Goku turns back to him. "Hey Zamasu! We can go now! Why aren't you leaving?"

The doctor nods. "Yes. This is a hospital. If you don't have any more injuries, then I'd like to ask you to leave." Zamasu turns his head slightly, acknowledging the doctor's words. Then, he stands and steps out of the open window. He floats upwards, which causes the doctor to gape in surprise. Goku quickly follows the kai, flying up to the roof of the building.

"Hey! Zamasu! Wait up!" Zamasu lowers himself slowly onto the roof, staring out over the city. Goku lands next to him, turning and watching the city as well.

Goku grins and says, "Wow! You must love the sight of the city! You've been staring at it this whole time!"

Zamasu smiles ever so slightly. "Yes. It is a beautiful sight. One that I did not appreciate before my punishment."

Goku looks down at the kai, then back out across the city. The lights shining off the tall buildings, the wilderness surrounding it, alongside the ocean beyond, made for a sight that was so beautiful, and yet so rarely appreciated.

The saiyan nods. "Yeah. It is quite hard to appreciate it. But if you look at it just right, you'll have yourself something that few things can top."

Zamasu nods. He loved nature, but this new aspect of it, this new perspective, it made him wonder how much he missed. How much did he not look at right during his time of single-minded justice? How much did he label falsely simply because he didn't give it the time of day?

"Hey. I'm going to head out now, alright? Chichi and Gohan are waiting for me, and I can't keep them waiting!" Goku laughs softly, but doesn't say anything else. Receiving nothing more than a nod in farewell, Goku takes off.

Zamasu is then left there, alone to ponder his thoughts some more. How much did he mislabel? What was true? What was false? Could he ever fully understand the world, or was he destined to make the wrong choices? He didn't know, couldn't know, unless he observed. And for once, in his few millennia of living, Zamasu begins to understand.

The book is shut slowly. Chronoa smiles, obvious pride in her expression. "He gets it. Not fully, but he's getting there." She looks up at the circles floating overhead. One of them, a circle glowing bright yellow with sparks flying off, was cracked slightly.

Then, out of nowhere, a man appears. He has brown hair, shades over his eyes, and a mischievous smirk. He is wearing a black trench coat with green flames on the bottom, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

He waves to Chronoa and says, "Hey! I made it!"

Chronoa smiles and says, "Hello Spectre! And yes, you made it just in time!" She gestures to you and says, "These viewers need to hear the news you were talking about with me."

Spectre nods, then turns to you. "Well hey there. Name's Spectre, Daniel Terres, or whatever else you find. I'm the author of this series, and I'll be giving out the Author Notes from now on."

Spectre pulls out a paper and hits it, as if trying to add emphasis to it. "Now, it says here that, "I will be slowing down in chapter making. The length between this chapter's release and the previous will most likely be the norm. College takes a lot of time, and as such, I won't have as much time to make chapters. However, I will not stop writing and chapters WILL be released! I just can't say when.'"

Spectre sighs. "Yeah, that's the gist of it. Chapter releases will be slowing down, especially since I am working on another story right now. Oh, and my own! My own original story, Origins, is in the works too! It follows myself (Spectre) and my family as we are kidnapped and sent to a planet filled with magic. We have to survive and learn to accept our own magic, or else we'll die."

Chronoa nods. "Yeah, there certainly is a lot on the author's plate right now. But he promises he'll keep going." Spectre nods. Then, the two of them smile and wave. "Thanks for reading!" Spectre smirks and yells, "And leave a review too! Thanks!"