Chapter 19: Origin of Darkness

Another Universe – Planet Kaku – 30 Years Ago

Planet Kaku, a geographically similar planet to that of the earth save for its bright red sky and oceans and the crystallized ground that made up the majority of the landmasses. Three people, Isol, Celes, and a third man as two beings descended from the sky. The man next to Isol and Celes had a height and hairstyle similar to that of Goku's, however, his hair was comprised of a ruby red crystal-like material. He wore an open red jacket with a black shirt The two beings descending from the sky were Chronoa and a man, just slightly taller than Chronoa with light blue skin, white slick-backed hair, and a large blue halo behind his head. He wore a dark blue long-sleeved shirt with baggy shoulder pads that ran beneath a red-colored belt with the Kanji symbol for Great on it, as well dark baggy pants, and white boots that ran beneath his shins.

"Grand Minister, Chr...Supreme Kai of Time." The man with Tuse and Celes greeted.

"Trian, Isol, Celes. Nice to see you all again." Chronoa replied.

"It is an honor that you grace us with your presence." Isol stated.

"We have heard persistent rumors that despite our warnings you still continue with your plans to harness ether." The Grand Minister replied

"As you can see we've abandoned the project altogether." Trian replied. "We've demolished the building and dismantled the accelerator."

"So it appears." The Grand Minister replied.

"Come Mini, you can clearly see they've heeded our warnings and have given up." Chronoa replied.

"Please don't call me that." The Grand Minister replied.

"And besides I've been sending weekly reports to you so I don't see why we had to come down here."

"I guess you're right but I will give you one final warning regardless. Ether is the very essence of the universe and only one being can harness it safely. If we find out that you are somehow continuing your work on the accelerator we will have no choice but to obliterate your universe."

"Rest assured we'll be on our best behavior." Trian replied.

The Grand Minister nodded began to take to the sky.

"Are you coming?" The Grand Minister asked Chronoa.

"I'm just gonna kick back here for a bit. Take in the scenery."

"As you wish." The Grand Minister replied before ascending into the sky and disappearing.

"Alright, he's gone." Chronoa declared after a few moments of silence.

Trian took out a small device and with a single button on it and pressed it causing a large triangular shaped building to seemingly appear out of nowhere in the center of the plain.

"Phew, I thought for sure he was going to figure us out." Celes stated as she let out a sigh of relief.

"I never had a doubt." Isol replied.

"Sure you didn't, honey. Just keep telling yourself that."

"That was pretty nerve-racking." Trian stated as he winked at Chronoa.

"You have a pretty good poker face." Chronoa replied.

"Right back at you."

"Trian, can I talk to you alone for a bit?" Chronoa inquired to Trian

"Sure." Trian replied as he and Chronoa walked over to an isolated area.

"Are you absolutely sure about this?" Chrona inquired.

"Positive."

"But what if they're right what if..."

Trian interrupted Chronoa's words as he leaned down and planted a kiss on her lips. A few moments of silence passed before they broke their kiss.

"You trust me right?" Trian inquired.

"Of course I do but it's..."

"Forbidden? Just like what we're doing. A relationship between a mortal and a godly being."

"Sigh. I've never been one to stick to the rules."

"We need to do this. Our world, our universes resources are dwindling. It's bad enough that's caused infighting among our own people but it's put a strain on the relationships with other worlds. I thought the interdimensional ships could have been the key to a new world but if it means having to take over another universe than I'd rather die but The Sankakukankei Project this is the key. It's brought everyone together. The goal of an infinite power source. It's given us a purpose...A light in the growing darkness."

"You're my light."

"Ah come on don't get all cheesy on me now."

"What can I say you bring out the romantic in me. I...What? Oh, come really now..."

"What is it?"

"Some asshole built a time machine out of a Delorean and is trying to go back to the past and bang his mom or something. I hate this. We never get to spend enough time together."

"We will one day I'm sure of it. The success of our project will show the gods that there need to be changes made."

"I hope so. I love you, Trian."

"Right back at ya." Chronoa replied before teleporting away.

Inside the building, thousands of people of several races, including one that resembled a humanoid jellyfish and that resembled a humanoid block of cheese, filled a room with several familiar faces among them as they worked as what resembled a large particle accelerator in the center of the room emitted a low hum that filled the room.

"Readings are looking good." Quil stated.

"Hell yeah, infinite energy here we come!" Tuse exclaimed

"Tuse, You need to lay off the caffeine, man."

"What are you talking about I haven't had anything caffeinated today? You just need to liven up a little. Ooh heads up the boss people are coming."

"What's the status of the Z Capacitors?" Trian inquired as he, Celes, and Isol approached.

"Readings are solid. The grid is holding." Quil replied.

"Sir, the way things are looking we may be able to activate the accelerator today." Isol stated.

"Come on how many times do I have to tell you not to call me sir."

"But sir, You are our..."

"Eh eh eh. Look you guys may have elected me leader but that doesn't mean I'm above you. I just simply want to be called by my name."

"As you wish."

"You know he's going to go back to calling you sir in like a week right?" Celes inquired.

"I know but it was worth a shot. Your husband's stubbornness is greater than mine. I kinda admire him for it."

"It's part of why I married him."

"But Isol's right. If the Flox capacitors are stable then I see we boot up the accelerator today."

Trian, Isol, and Celes walked around to the other side of the accelerator to check the readings.

"How's everything looking Phil?" Trian inquired.

"The Flox Capacitors are stable. There seemed to have been a slight spike in the energy output at one point but after a couple of adjustments it appears to have evened out."

"Alright, you the man, Phil. I think it's time."

"Are you absolutely sure?" Celes inquired.

"I am. I just wish Chronoa was here for this."

"Once we succeed I am sure she will be down to congratulate you as soon as possible."

"Shall I make the announcement?" Celes inquired.

"Please."

"Alright! Listen up, everyone! Make your way to the designated safety area now! That's the glass wall behind the blue line over there for those who weren't paying attention during the briefing! You know who you are!"

Everyone collectively turned their heads towards Tuse.

"What's everyone lookin at me for?"

Everyone did as they were instructed in made their way behind the glass wall. Trian walked up to a console behind the glass and began pressing a few buttons.

"Alright, even this is it. This is the moment we've all been waiting for. After ten years and we're finally here. Countdown please."

"Ten!" Everyone exclaimed. "Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! One!"

Trian pressed one more button on the console causing the accelerator to began to roar to life. A loud whirring sound emanated from the accelerator as it bright white light to surround it.

"Looking good so far." Trian said with bated breath.

"How long do you think it will take to produce ether?" Isol wondered.

"Not sure." Trian replied. "Could be any minute now. Could be a day."

"Awe man I hope it's not a day!" Tuse exclaimed. "I got a hot date tonight."

"Who in their right mind would go out with you?" Quil jokingly inquired.

"Your mom."

"Shh quiet something's happening." Celes stated as small strands of a white vapor like substance began to string off from the light around the accelerator. "Is that..."

"Yes. Yes, it is." Trian replied.

"Hell yeah!" Tuse exclaimed.

"Man, that was right in my ear." Quil replied.

"Alright. Prepping the containment vessels now." Trian stated as he typed a few commands into the console.

Several mechanical arms descended from the ceiling above each containing a barrel made from stone.

"Alright, that's one container filled." Trian declared as a top was placed on the container.

Joy and excitement filled the room but the happiness was quickly replaced with a sense of dread as the white ether began to darken until it became the darkest shade of black imaginable.

"What is happening?" Isol wondered.

"I don't know this isn't supposed to happen."

"Do you guys feel that..." Celes inquired.

"It feels wrong..." Isol stated.

"I'm shutting it down." Trian stated.

Trian pressed a few buttons and entered a command into the console only for the accelerator to remain on.

"It's not shutting down..." Trian worryingly declared before the accelerator began to shake violently.

Trian flipped up a small glass panel on the console and pressed a button labeled killswitch. However, the accelerator still did not shut down.

"Oh come on work you stupid piece of junk!" Trian exclaimed.

The shaking of the accelerator increased dramatically before it exploded blasting shrapnel towards the glass. The impact of the shrapnel caused a few cracks to form in the glass but it otherwise held firm.

"No..." Trian muttered as he dropped to his knees. "I was wrong...I failed...I failed everyone."

"Trian! Trian! Get up! Something's happening!" Celes exclaimed.

Trian stood up and saw the glass being slowly eaten away by the now liquid like black ether that filled the room of the accelerator.

"Everyone head to the docking bay now!" Trian exclaimed.

Several holes already formed in the protective glass before anyone could attempt to make it out of the building. The large emergency doors failed to open causing the already immense panic to increase. A secondary explosion occurred sending more shrapnel towards the already compromised glass barrier, shattering it completely. The room quickly filled with the dark ether but rather than float or see nothing but black everyone moved and saw as if there was nothing surrounding them by the very air they breathed. Whatever brief feeling of relief this offered turned to panic as their clothes began to be slowly eaten away.

"Look the doors are opening!" Tuse exclaimed.

Everyone began to flee except for Isol and Celes who noticed Trian lying on the ground having been wounded by shrapnel from the last explosion.

"Trian!" Celes exclaimed.

"This wound's pretty bad...Don't worry about me...just go." Trian replied.

"Nonsense, Sir." Isol replied as Celes picked Trian up.

The three began to make their way towards the ship when Isol stopped suddenly as the container filled with the dark ether rolled by them. Isol thought for a second before picking it up.

"Why bother bringing that?" Celes inquired.

"I thought maybe we could study what's inside. Figure out what this is exactly."

"...Not a bad idea" Trian replied.

Isol and Celes with Trian in her arms caught up to everyone at docking bay which housed a dozen interdimensional ships.

"Over here!" Tuse exclaimed as waved them over to the IDS Ba-Myu.

The dark ether slowly crept behind the moving like a large encroaching shadow swallowing everything in its path as Isol, and Celes still carrying Trian rushed towards the ship but as they did a large light shown from above.

Celes, Isol, and Trian looked up to see a small child-like being with a blue and purple oval-like head wearing magenta and yellow lined coat, with yellow pants, magenta shoes, and a black and white shirt underneath, with the kanji for all written on it.

"It's the Omni-King!" Celes exclaimed

"He must be here to stop the darkness." Isol stated.

"Guys...I don't think he's here to help." Trian replied.

"Oh, this won't do. This is very bad." Zen-Oh said to himself as he extended his arms to the side as a bright energy began pulsating from his hands.

Time Nest

'Ah that was exhausting' Chronoa thought as she teleported in. "Toki-Toki! I'm back! Can't stay for long though. I'm going to drop by planet Kanku again and see how..."

Chronoa cut her words short as a feeling of despair and loss came over her. Chronoa closed her eyes and felt for the presence of Trian but she couldn't feel him. She couldn't feel anything.

"It's...It's all gone..."

"Yes. I'm afraid it is." The Grand Minister's voice rang out from above as he descended to the ground.

"What happened..."

"They meddled with forces beyond their control. There were consequences. A darkness encroached on their world if left unchecked it would have engulfed and eroded their entire universe before spreading to others. Zen-Oh had no choice but to eliminate their universe."

"No..."

"You seem troubled by this? Were this mortal's something more to you?"

"No...I...Are you sure they're all gone? Maybe some managed to escape."

"I assure you there were no survivors."

"But they had ships that could travel between dimensions maybe they could have..."

"Even if there somehow were survivors. The Omni-King has declared if they're found they are to be destroyed immediately."

"But..."

"They broke very sacred laws. They nearly destroyed the multiverse."

"That's only because you refused to help them! Their universe was dying! They begged for your help but you refused to listen!"

"It was the will of their Supreme Kai's that their universes mortals fend for themselves."

"I..."

"Chronoa, Do not pursue this matter any further. Attend to your duties as The Supreme Kai of Time and only your duties as the Supreme Kai of Time. Are we clear?"

"Yes..."

"Good...I'm sorry Chronoa. I truly am." The Grand Minister stated with a slight bit of remorse in his voice before disappearing.

Planet Kanku

"Get to the ship now..." Trian commanded as Zen-Oh extended his arms.

Isol and Celes with Trian made a mad dash for the IDS Ba-Myu as its entrance ramp began to close. Celes tossed Trian to Tuse and Quil who waited by at the end of the ramp before she and Isol flew in just as it closed.

"Auto-Pilot...Leader Trian requesting activation dimensional warp on all ships now!"

"Order received." An automated voice replied. "Initiating warp to the world of void now."

As the dark surrounded the ships, all ships except for two who failed to launch disappeared a mere moment before the erasure of their universe.

World of Void

The dozen remaining ships reappeared somewhere in the endless emptiness of the void.

IDS BA-MYU

"We made it." Celes stated with a sigh of relief.

"Not all of us." Isol replied. "There were a couple of ships that failed to launch and..."

Isol looked at Trian who was still alive but inches away from death.

"How...many..." Trian began to ask. "How many...left?"

"Each ship holds about one hundred people." Isol replied before walking over to a nearby control panel. "According to the logs, each ship is filled to capacity."

"So that means there are about twelve hundred people."

"Twelve hundred...Twelve hundred out of our entire universe...Twelve hundred...This all my fault..."

"Trian, please save your breath." Celes pleaded.

"I don't think saving my breath...is gonna help. I'm pretty sure both my lungs have been pierced...Listen...Celes...Isol...You guys take things from here."

"Do not say that si...Trian. You will be just fine."

"You're a terrible liar, Isol." Trian replied managing a slight laugh through the pain. "I don't know how but you'll find a way. Please tell Chronoa...I love her and...I'm sorry."

Everyone held there heads low as Trian closed his eyes and let out his final breath. Their time of mourning was cut short as swirling black auras surrounded everyone on board.

"Aaaaah what is happening!" Isol exclaimed as he and everyone else cried out an agony.

"I don't know!" Celes exclaimed.

Celes and Isol held each other tight as the auras intensified while before eventually shrouding all in an impenetrable darkness. As the aura cloaked everyone in darkness a vision appeared to everyone throughout all twelve ships. A silhouette of what appeared to be Trian and a voice that whispered find the pure one. He will lead you. He will save you. The vision abruptly ended and after a few moments, the dark auras cleared. Silence every inch of the ship as everyone stood stunned at what had just taken place. The silence lingered for a few moments before being broken by Tuse who let out a crazed laughter.

"Hahahahaahahahhahahahahahahaahhaahaha! I feel! I feel!"

"Different..." The nearby Quil stated.

"Celes? Celes, where are you!?" A panicked Isol exclaimed as Celes seemingly vanished.

'I'm here.' Celes replied from inside Isol's mind.

"How?"

'I don't know but...do you feel...'

"Yes. I feel freed."

'And did you see what I saw?'

"I believe so."

'Was that Trian?'

"I do not believe so, no. It was someone else...Someone we need to find."

"Yo yo yo!" Tuse exclaimed. "Who the hell are ya talking to?"

"That is not important right now. Contact the other ships and have them transfer our strongest fighters to the Ba-Myu."

"Ya got it, boss!"

"...What are we going to do about, Trians body?" Quil inquired.

"He deserves a proper send-off." Isol replied. "As proper a one as we can give him."

Trian's body was wrapped in a fine cloth and put into a cargo launcher. Everyone said their goodbyes before launching him into the endless abyss of the void.

10 years later

"What is the situation?" Isol inquired to Quil as a loud alarm blared loudly throughout.

"Sir, there appears to be an intruder on board..." Quil replied.

"Who?"

"Don't know can't find the bitch!" Tuse replied. "Or bastard, don't wanna assume gender!"

"I found the intruder..." Tuse stated.

"Where?" Isol inquired just before the door to the command room opened and in walked "Supreme Kai of Time?"

"Man, it took me forever to find you guys. Your cloaking technology sure is something."

"What are you doing here?" Isol replied.

"What do you mean what am I doing here? Of course, I'd try to find you guys. Where's Trian?"

"Trian is dead." Isol bluntly replied. "He perished during the incident."

"...No. He can't be..."

Chronoa tried to deny it to herself but she knew it was true.

"I will give you a minute to grieve before having you escorted out."

"What? Escort me out? I came here to help you."

"And what help could you possibly provide?"

"I can talk to The Grand Minister I can talk to Zen-Oh I can convince them to help you. To find you a new place."

"I very much doubt that and besides, We already have a plan."

"You do?"

"Yes. We will take a universe as our own. With our forces. It should be quite easy."

"You're kidding, right? There's no way Trian would ever want something like that to happen."

"Trust me. If Trian felt the way we do right now he would be leading the way."

"I don't believe you."

"You don't have too."

"I can't let you do this. I'll stop you right here if I have to."

"Maybe you could have stood a chance ten years ago before the incident but now... We the Sankakukankei are nigh unstoppable. Tuse, Quil!"

"Got it!" Quil replied.

Quil and Tuse stared at each other before blasting each other in the gut.

"What...Why..."

"Just watch." Isol replied.

Swirling black auras slowly surrounded Tuse and Quil as their wounds began to heal.

"Neat little trick ain't it!" Quil exclaimed as he hopped to his feet while Tuse slowly stood up.

"What is this..." Chronoa wondered with fear in her voice as she felt the ominous energy coming from Tuse and Quil.

"We call it the blackout state." Isol replied. "It is something we discovered one day during a training session that went a bit too far. Whenever one of us is brought to a state of severe injury we gain access to new power."

"Like being really really really really really fast!" Quil exclaimed as he and Tuse moved behind Chronoa each grabbing her wrists.

"I won't let you do this!" Chronoa exclaimed as she attempted to use her time manipulation powers however before she could she was chopped in the back of the neck by Quil knocking her unconscious.

"Prepare to launch a time nexus field."

Twenty Years Later

"Sir, we've found him..." Tuse stated.

"At long last. Our wait is over."

A/N

I hope you enjoyed this prequel chapter of Strained Bond. I wasn't expecting this chapter to go on as long as it did but my fingers just kept typing and typing away lol. Anyway please let me know your thoughts and as always have a great day ~TheUltimateMystic