CHAPTER 12: Focal Points

Forrest of the Alpha Kai

Sounds of various different creatures filled the air as Piccolo and Chronoa continued their trek through the dense forest.

"How much longer?" Piccolo wondered.

"Well judging by that tree formation and tree length and that...I have no clue." Chronoa replied. " But we've got to be at least a quarter of the way through by now. Just remember to keep your power level as low as you can. The creatures of this world especially the ones in this forest are highly perceptible to sensing ki."

"I got it." Piccolo replied. "Since we have time, could you please elaborate more on this whole situation."

"I suppose I could." Chronoa replied. "This whole situation started when the inhabitants of another dimension began messing with forces beyond their understanding."

"Forces beyond their understanding?" Piccolo replied.

"They attempted to harness the ether." Chronoa stated. "The very essence of the multiverse. Despite several warnings, they persisted in their goals until one day they went too far and the ether became corrupted. It began to spread throughout their universe and would have spread throughout every other universe as well if not for the intervention of the omni-king. "

"Omni-King?" Piccolo replied.

"Zen-Oh, King of the multiverse but he's not important right now." Chronoa replied. "It was thought that all the inhabitants of that universe perished along with it but there were survivors. Those survivors branded themselves as the san...kaku...kan...kei. Ha, nailed it. And for years they hid in the world of void. A place in between dimensions. All the while plotting to take over a new dimension. I eventually caught wind of their plan but they caught me off guard and trapped me in a pocket dimension."

...That is a lot to take in." Piccolo replied.

"Tell me about it." Chronoa replied.

West City

"...I believe you're curious." Tuse stated as he brushed the last piece of rubble off his shoulder. "About this ability we of the Sankakukankei share."

"Not gonna lie, I am." 18 replied

Gingertown

"Iiiiit's called the blackout state!" Quil exclaimed as the ominous black aura of the blackout state surged around him "And it's super super super super super super awesome."

West City

"When someone who is corrupted by the dark ether comes close to a state of near death..."

Gingertown

"They enter this bady bady bad ass form!"

West City

"All damage we've previously suffered is healed and..."

Gingertown

"Our strength..."

West City

"Speed!"

Gingertown

"Stamina!"

West City

"And agility..."

Gingertown

"Are all increased a shit ton!" Quil exclaimed. "We also get this kickity ass black aura."

"Then it looks like I've got my work cut out for me." Tien replied as he took his fighting stance.

West City

"To be honest I prefer to get things done before reaching this point..." Tuse stated. "Unfortunately my body's normal state is a bit more fragile than most..."

"I'm shedding a tear." 18 replied sarcastically as she took her fighting stance.

Gingertown

Quil launched himself at Tien striking at him with intense speed as Tien did his best to defend himself. Unfortunately, Tien was quickly overpowered as Quil laid several strikes to Tien's face and gut. After nearly a minute of being pummeled, Tien managed to catch one of Quil's fists squeezing it hard causing Quil to cry out in pain.

"Awwww!" Quil exclaimed. "You're gonna break it! You're gonna break it! You're gonna...Psych!"

Tien cried out in pain as a blue crystal spike extended from the back of Quil's hand piercing right through Tien's hand.

"Ouchies! That's gotta smart!" Quil exclaimed. "You wanna a matching set? I can pierce the other one get some double penetration action goin."

"No thanks." Tien replied as he clenched his hand tight.

"Maaaaan, You're no fun." Quil replied. "And ya don't seem too shaken up bout your hand either."

"I can always get a couple more." Tien replied as he took off his green one-shouldered tunic.

"Ooooh, ominous." Quil replied. "Watcha gonna do? I wanna see I wanna see I wanna see!"

Tien's muscles tightened as two extra arms sprouted from his sides underneath his original arms.

"Oooooooh sick!" Quil exclaimed. "Whataya call that bit o' badassery?"

"Four Witches Modified" Tien replied.

"That has a nice ring to it." Quil replied. "But no matter how many eyes or arms you have Imma still wreck yoooooo ass!"

West City

Android 18 found herself surprisingly on the offensive as Tuse seemingly struggled to avoid her series of offense maneuvers even get hit with the odd punch or two.

'Somethings not right...' 18 thought as she continued to put Tuse on the defensive. 'He's holding back a lot of his power...What is he up to...'

As Android 18 continued with her offense, unbeknownst to her, 18's shadow slowly began standing vertically as she was about to land a hard strike to Tuse's head, the shadow's limbs wrapped around her own completely immobilizing them.

"What the hell!?" 18 exclaimed.

"I forgot to mention mention another aspect of the blackout state." Tuse stated. "It gives us each a unique ability. For example, I can manipulate shadows."

"Didn't think you were the type to use such cowardly tactics." 18 replied.

"I do what I must..." Tuse replied.

Android 18's arms began moving on their own as her right hand balled into a fist. 18 tried her best resist and regain control but ultimately failed as she was hit hard in the stomach by her own right hand quickly which was quickly followed by her left hand straight to the face. Android 18 soon found herself being pummeled her own hands.

'Damn it!' 18 thought. 'This thing's also messing with my energy...Need to do something fast...'

Android closed her eyes as her fist continued to hit her face and torso. A brief glimmer of pink energy flickered from her stomach.

'Almost...'

Android 18 clenched every muscle she could in her body as the energy began to flicker once again this time from a wider area before bursting forward in the form a small barrier.

"It worked." 18 stated as she looked at her now free hands before the barrier slowly dissipated.

"Impressive..." Tuse stated. "Guess I'll have to use shadow technique B then..."

Android 18's shadow began to raise up once again from behind her this time taking a fully three-dimensional shape.

Gingertown

Tien grabbed Quil by the throat with his upper left arm but a spike quickly extended from Quil's neck however before the spike could penetrate Tien's hand Tien punched Quil several away with his lower right hand.

"Maaaan, You gotta helluva left hook!" Quil exclaimed before a bunch of crystal spikes began to protrude from his body. "But I gotta shit ton a spikes!"

Quil put the tip of his thumb in his mouth and blew before several spikes jettisoned from his chest which quickly regenerated.

Tien swiftly dodged most of the spikes with the exception of a few which he batted away with his lower left hand.

"Oooooh ho ho ho ho!" Quil exclaimed. "You're so so so so so so badass! Guess I gotta blow harder!"

Quil put the tip of his thumb in his mouth and blew hard even harder causing all the spikes on his torso and arms to shoot out towards Tien even faster than before.

Tien quickly realized he wouldn't be able to dodge or bat away all the spikes so he attempted to deflect them with a kiai but the speed of the spikes proved too great as they kept going and bombarded Tien as he received several deep cuts to his face arms and chest.

"Ka ka ka ka karma!" Quil exclaimed. "Damn, you still standing?"

"And still fighting." Tien, damaged but with still plenty left in the tank, replied as he pointed all four of his arms with his index finger extended at Quil.

"Oooooooh whatcha gonna do?" Quil inquired.

Each index finger began to glow with a bright yellow energy before Tien exclaimed "Dodan Ray times four!"

"Minus points for originalit...oh shit, those things are coming in fast!" Tuse exclaimed as he attempted to dodge the four dodan rays but failed as they made contact with his body only for the rays to get reflected back at Tien by the crystals on Quil's body. "Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha I almost forgot I could do that!"

Tien took to the air avoiding all but one of the Dodon Ray's as it pierced his left ankle causing him to drop right back down to the ground.

"I think Imma take my time hurtin you." Quil stated as he casually walked over Tien who was down on one knee as he struggled to stand.

IDS BA-MYU – Command Room

Goku sat with a massive grin on his face while Gohan' face remained stern not wanting to give his father the satisfaction of a reaction as they continued to watch 18 and Tien's battles.

"Oh, this isn't looking good." Goku stated as he watched cruelly smiling at the thought of his former comrades perishing at the hands of Tuse and Quil. "Can our plucky heroes make a comeback and triumph over these evil doers? Well, whataya think, Gohan?"

Whether Gohan would've responded or not was rendered moot by the interruption of Isol.

"Sire, Squadron 12 has located the first focal point."

"Ooh, awesome." Goku replied. "Where is it?"

"It is on a small island in the middle of the sea." Isol replied.

Goku's eyes lit up upon hearing Isol's reply.

"Does this Island have only one house on it with an old man and a turtle?"

"Yes, Sire." Isol replied.

Goku let out a loud gut busting laugh as Isol confirmed his suspicions.

"...Sire."

"I'm sorry I'm sorry just give me a minute." Goku replied as he collected himself. "It's just man what are the chances. Squadron 12's one of our smaller squadron's right?"

"Correct." Isol replied.

"You may want to send some reinforcements." Goku stated.

"Why, Sire? I doubt we'd face much opposition." Isol replied.

"Trust me, that old man is plenty of opposition," Goku replied.

A/N

As Tien and 18's battles near their conclusions, will they be able to turn the tide? And what are these mysterious focal points? Find out in the next chapter of Strained Bond. Hope you enjoyed it. Let me know your thoughts and as always have a great day. ~TheUltimateMystic.