Chapter Thirty-Six: Declaration
"We will not return to the countless mistakes of the past
I will not relive the failures of the man I once was
Only through dedication will I destroy all preconception
No longer will I let myself be truly satisfied with the standard
We will not return to the countless mistakes of the past
Only through dedication will I destroy all preconception."
Declaration – Killswitch Engage
DBZ
Seripa looked around at the strange circular room that she, Bardock, Amotto, and Seluri were currently standing in. Mejai was leaning against the wall by the door watching them silently with a passive expression. The room wasn't really anything special, but it was big. From wall to wall it was probably 500 feet in diameter, as well as from floor to ceiling. And the color didn't really appeal to her, being an odd shade of green.
She grimaced and glanced to Amotto, who was standing beside Seluri in her normal form. One aspect of the strange "training room," and the rest of the complex it turned out, was that it had a powerful machine built into the walls that altered the gravity. It had been set to 10 times the Galactic Standard throughout the complex to match what they were accustomed to on Vegeta.
It was, admittedly, mostly for Amotto's benefit. Though she was easily the most powerful of the group while transformed, her base power was far lower than Seripa's and Bardock's, and even Seluri's, power levels.
Seripa often wondered what a scouter would read against herself. She liked to think that she'd at least matched Tettuce's power by this point. She felt like she'd progressed to his level, but to be fair her power was ever growing into realms that had been unimaginable to her before.
Seluri suddenly glanced dubiously at Amotto and Seripa smirked to herself. Her mother was having a hard time accepting that Amotto had been named, by Ka'bijj of all people, the Arch-Cleric of Super Saiyans. Though she'd protested initially, even she had to admit that having renounced her title years before she really had no say in the matter. She was coming around to the idea now that Amotto had settled her anger issues.
Aside from a darker look in her eyes that told of her deep-seated pain and sadness, Amotto seemed to be her old self again. She was no longer the timid woman Seripa had first met more than a year ago, either. She carried herself more confidently than before and stood taller and with more pride than ever before.
Seluri stifled a sigh, which drew a glance from Amotto, and turned to Seripa and Bardock. "Turpin told me the secret to becoming a Super Saiyan. It is, or was, recorded in the ancient scrolls, and Turpin and Ka'bijj were the last remaining Clerics that had the scrolls memorized in their entirety. In all honesty I became a Cleric out of necessity, and on the field of battle. I was unable to fully complete my training as they had, so I was never able to learn the secret.
"But I digress. The secret to transforming is rooted in intense concentration. You must concentrate on your power, and you must become determined to increase it."
Amotto arched an eyebrow. "With all due respect, Seluri, I don't think we have time for them to do it the old fashioned way."
"Well," Seluri demanded as she turned to face the younger Saiyan, "what do you have in mind?"
Amotto grinned. "Anger. I plan to thoroughly piss you two off," she said to Seripa and Bardock with a wink. "Anger is the quickest route to transforming, though it is also the most dangerous."
Seluri was visibly disturbed by this idea. "I do not like that. The Clerics had strict guidelines regarding eligibility. Short tempers and insanity were two of the most restricted qualities. The scrolls told of a Saiyan who, millennia ago, transformed into a Super Saiyan out of rage. He suffered from a form of mental illness and was overcome with rage, becoming a monster the likes of which have not been seen since. He ravaged the universe for years before he finally pushed his limits too far and self-destructed, taking an entire star system with him."
Seripa quirked an eyebrow as she saw Mejai visibly tense at the mention of the destroyed star system.
Amotto frowned in confusion. "Just how powerful was he?"
"She," Mejai interjected smoothly, "was many times more powerful than you. Cold, Frieza, and Coola could have faced her as one, and they all would have fallen before her all-too easily."
Seluri frowned as she turned to face Mejai. "How do you know this?"
"This complex is a compendium of knowledge. More specifically, the history of Saiyans. You've never been here before, have you?" he asked, suddenly amused.
Seluri frowned. "No, I have not. I was never able to truly begin my training. The war with the Ice-jins began before I could. Even though as a Cleric I was allowed access to the knowledge house on the training planets, due to extenuating circumstances I was never able to enjoy the privileges of my rank."
"Hm, I see. Well, now that you're here, I believe it's high time you boned up on your heritage."
"I renounced my title. It was witnessed." She shook her head slowly. "I cannot desecrate the memories of my former brethren by treading where I have no place."
"Your witnesses are dead. So there is no one around to challenge your claim that you still hold your Cleric title." Mejai arched an eyebrow coyly, his eyes sparkling mischievously.
Seluri scowled and put her hands on her hips. "I am still around, thank you very much. My pride will not allow such for such duplicity."
"Savta," Mejai muttered under his breath, his amusement plaintive on his features. "You Saiyans sure are a prideful lot and it's downright foolish. Pride doesn't matter once you're dead, you know."
"Maybe it matters to me what is thought of me once I'm gone. We are playing important roles in an historical event that will be recorded for future generations. I want to act honorably and be remembered accordingly."
"I think you're more likely to be remembered as a stuck-up bitch," Bardock mumbled a little too loudly.
Seripa grimaced and glanced at her mate sourly. "You lack tact."
"I lack a lot of things, but am I wrong?" he asked as he glanced at her.
She grimaced again and met her mother's gaze evenly. "No, you're not." She didn't like admitting it, but he had a point.
Seluri scowled between them. "Well excuse me for being a 'stuck-up bitch,' as you so eloquently put it. I am trying to take this situation seriously and handle it responsibly. That is all I have ever done since day one of this quagmire. Unlike you three," she said with a heated gesture towards Amotto, Seripa, and Bardock, "I have been fighting this war for over a century! So forgive me if I seem a little grouchy. Time has a way of doing that."
She took a breath and cast a sour glare around at them. "I have told you the secret to transforming, but seeing as how Amotto is the Arch-Cleric of Super Saiyans," she said the title with a grimace, as if it were dirty. "I think that I should leave your ascension up to her." And with that she turned on her heel and stormed away in a huff.
Seripa sighed as she watched her mother leave the room. She suddenly rounded on Bardock. "Now why the hell did you say that?"
"Why did you agree with me?"
"Eh…!" Seripa faltered and scowled at him. Trust him to be tactful when it's most convenient for him. "That's not the point. Seluri has her reasons, and she's obviously touchy as a result. She doesn't need you hassling her about it. Same goes for you," she added tersely as she turned her stern gaze on Mejai, who merely arched an eyebrow.
His amused expression never faltered. He was obviously enjoying this and that was actually beginning to anger Seripa. She narrowed her eyes and growled low in her throat.
Mejai's other eyebrow came up to join its twin and he flashed a lop-sided grin. "Oi'ne. I like an angry woman."
Seripa bristled as her eyes widened. "Excuse me?" she demanded tartly.
"Alright, that's enough!" Amotto yelled, her aura exploding to life as she immediately, and violently, transformed. Her power escalated rapidly, sending powerful shockwaves outwards that forced all three of them from their feet, and to the ground.
As sudden as the torrent came, it vanished. Amotto walked towards them calmly, her figure bathed in golden flames. Her green eyes fell sternly upon Mejai as she came to stand over him.
"You really aren't happy unless you piss someone off, are you?" she demanded crisply.
Seripa climbed to her feet and frowned at the two of them as Mejai smiled sheepishly.
"It's a reflex, sorry." He chuckled as he climbed to his feet. "But then again, some things need to be pointed out to relieve tension."
Amotto frowned and shook her head with a sigh. "Could you at least work on your timing? Having Seluri around could really help us out."
"Not if she's got some pent up frustrations. The woman has serious issues with you holding your new title."
"Well, what do you want me to do about it?"
Seripa blinked as a thought struck her. "As the Arch-Cleric you have the authority to name whomever you want a Cleric."
Amotto and Mejai looked at her; Amotto in confusion and Mejai in approval.
"Hey, now there's an idea!" he exclaimed enthusiastically. "Ka'bijj and ol' Turpin would've approved, I think. They used to lament tirelessly over Seluri's leaving the Order."
Bardock glanced at Mejai and frowned. "Wouldn't that have happened decades ago? Long before Ka'bijj left the Order?"
"Yeah, that was ages ago." Mejai smiled in reminiscence. "Good times, good times. Back before this place was completely deserted."
Amotto arched a golden eyebrow. "How old are you?"
"Hm, I suppose I could tell you. But you wouldn't believe me, so let's just say I'm ancient." He grinned fiercely. "You'll have to take me at my word here."
"I'd rather not," Bardock growled with a scowl. "I can't think of one good reason why we should trust you. We don't know anythin' about you."
Seripa groaned. "Oh, come on, Bardock. Just drop it. We're not getting anything done by arguing!"
Amotto regarded Seripa with a smirk before glancing at Mejai and Bardock. "She's right. Let's get down to business," she said before inhaling, and then immediately exhaling as she reverted to normal. Her eyes turned black as her hair darkened to green, dropping back to its normal position as her aura vanished.
"Our goal here is to make you two transform, so let's get to work on that."
Bardock hesitated but then relented, murmuring his agreement.
"Now, you two have to get angry."
DBZ
Amotto set to work, but the training was largely uneventful for the first few days. Aside from training and sparring, they spent a lot of time discussing things that made them angry and trying to get angry enough to trigger a transformation.
The results were dismal. Though Seripa, Bardock, and Amotto steadily grew stronger as they trained, Seripa and Bardock showed no signs of transforming. In the beginning it was to be expected, but by the end of the second week Amotto was getting frustrated. She wracked her brain trying to devise ways of pushing the two of them to the brink. She thought about beating them half to death, but then decided against it. She didn't want to overdo it and lose time with one or both of them in recovery for several days.
No, she had to think of something different. Or seek advice from someone who had a good idea. So she sought out Seluri, which proved more difficult than she imagined. The woman made herself scarce after her outburst in the Training Room.
Amotto searched for her for days, only managing to catch glimpses of her as the woman vanished into one room or another. It grew exceedingly exasperating until Amotto finally cornered her in the mess hall.
Seluri saw her coming and rose to dispose of her half-finished tray of food, but Amotto quickly cut her off.
"Don't leave on my account," she said with as much good humor as she could muster. "I've wanted to talk to you anyway."
Seluri eyed her warily as she returned to her seat and half-heartedly picked through her food. "What about?" she asked after a tense moment.
"I need your advice on something," Amotto began cautiously, slowly easing herself down into the seat across from Seluri.
The older woman popped an odd-looking vegetable into her mouth and motioned for Amotto to continue.
"Well, Seripa and Bardock haven't transformed. Not yet, anyway."
Seluri swallowed her food before snorting. "Not surprising, to be honest."
"Yeah, unfortunately." Amotto paused as she watched Seluri pick through her food, taking great care to avoid meeting Amotto's gaze. "So I figured I'd come see if you had any ideas."
The elder Saiyan kept her gaze firmly on her food as she chewed silently. After a moment she swallowed and lifted her eyes to Amotto's. "I may have a few. Why?" she asked bluntly.
"Do you think you could give us a hand?"
"I do not think so, no."
Amotto sighed. "Seluri, please. Do you really disagree with my title?"
"Yes, I do."
"Why?"
"Why?" Seluri demanded with sudden heat. "Why?! You are an inexperienced child is why! I do not know what Ka'bijj could have possibly been thinking to have named you the leader of the Clerics!"
Amotto stared at her sympathetically. "If it'll make you feel any better, I could name you the Arch-Cleric and renounce my status."
Seluri looked at her sharply. "What?"
"Truth is," Amotto started slowly, frowning pensively. "I don't want this weight. I don't know what he was thinking, either." She smiled slightly. "Maybe he wasn't thinking, or maybe he acted out of desperation. Maybe it was punishment to get back at me for making him sacrifice himself. I don't know. What I do know is that I can't, in good conscience, turn my back on such a responsibility. If no one else will take up the mantle, then I have no choice but to retain the title. I can't let the Order die out. Not after nearly causing its extinction, and especially not after learning as much as I have of its history."
Seluri frowned as she regarded Amotto in silence. After a moment her frown deepened, her brow furrowing with thick wrinkles as she began to chew on her bottom lip.
"It's also occurred to me," Amotto added, "that I have the authority to grant you your title back. If you want, that is," she said quickly as Seluri looked at her sharply.
"You would do that?" Seluri demanded tersely, her gaze stern. "Even after I treated you with animosity?"
Amotto smiled and gave a little shrug. "Everyone has their moments, I think. Maybe that's why Ka'bijj did it. Maybe he recognized that I was capable of rising above my anger, or suspected that I could. Or maybe he just knew that no one's perfect."
Seluri blinked in surprise and then frowned, glancing down at her food in thought. After a moment she spoke softly and slowly, "Turpin realized it first, I think. With Tettuce, that is." She smiled slightly and shook her head. "The frustrating bastard that he was, I assumed then that he was just being stubborn by taking the boy on."
She lifted her gaze to meet Amotto's. "As I said before the Clerics had strict guidelines regarding who was to be ordained. Those with anger management issues and those who showed signs of insanity were two of the most enforced of the guidelines. That's why Tettuce immediately frightened me. You have to understand what I saw that day, though," she said quickly. "Tettuce was just a small child and he had single-handedly staved off…no, he massacred Frieza's men. And his own people," she added quietly.
Amotto blinked in surprise at the revelation. She had always heard the stories, and aside from witnessing his rage in a limited first-hand way, she really hadn't an idea of what he was truly capable of.
"He was…four, maybe five, I think. And his colony was relatively small, one of the last remaining groups that had survived Saintya's destruction." She sighed as she shook her head. "Hundreds of them…So yes, the boy had frightened me. I was afraid of what he might become, so I wanted to destroy him then and there. As we had been told to do should we find one like him."
"And Turpin didn't want to?" Amotto asked slowly.
Seluri smiled sadly and shook her head. "The buffoon. You would never have guessed it to speak with him, but Turpin was actually rather intelligent. He tested off the charts while he was in the Training Academy if you can believe that!" She laughed as she lifted a hand to wipe at her eyes. "I should have realized then that he had weighed the risks and knew what he was getting himself into. But no, I merely believed him to be acting in desperation. Maybe it was desperate, but he did not go into it blindly."
A silence fell and the two women stared down at the table. After a while Amotto looked up and asked softly, "Do you miss him?"
Seluri sighed and smiled again as she looked up. "Every single day. Despite my better judgment," she added with a soft laugh.
Amotto smiled. "I understand. I…Well," she glanced down. "I lost someone close, too. Very recently."
Seluri peered at Amotto in sudden comprehension. "I see. That is what triggered your transformation?"
Amotto was silent as she nodded once.
"Ah." The older woman nodded slowly. "I see. Yes, I see. If Ka'bijj had known that…Perhaps he suspected something traumatic had occurred to push you over the edge. It is the only explanation for one that is untrained transforming as you did." She smiled gently as Amotto looked at her sharply. "In my experience, that is."
Amotto grinned sheepishly. "Maybe so. So do you accept my title? You're more than welcome to have it."
Seluri laughed. "Oh, no. That is your title. However, I would not object to retaking my title, if you so choose to grant it."
Amotto's grin broadened as she jumped to her feet. "Well in that case! I, Amotto, Arch-Cleric of Super Saiyans, do hereby name you Seluri, Cleric of the First Class, of the New Age Clerics. It is your responsibility to assist me in training any and all future prospects for the Order of the New Age Clerics. How does that sound?" she asked, almost smugly. She'd obviously rehearsed it.
Seluri mirrored Amotto's grin as she stood and bowed her head, laying her arm across her chest. "I, Seluri, humbly accept my new title, and all the responsibilities that lie in wait as a result."
"Good!" Amotto declared, clapping her hands together. "Just in time for today's training session!"
Seluri gave Amotto a long look. "I see how it is. You planned this carefully."
Amotto flashed a coy grin. "Oh no, I could never have planned anything this carefully. This was all just serendipitous happenstance."
"If you say so." The older woman laughed and shook her head. "Let us go to the training room. It is time we made some progress," she said as she took her tray to dispose of the half-eaten meal.
Amotto smiled and nodded. "Agreed."
DBZ
Zether cart-wheeled out of the way of his brother's ki-blast, mud flying as his hands struck the ground, splattering his face and battle jacket. He scowled as he landed on his feet and turned to face Falmer.
"Hey! That was a cheap-shot!" Zether bellowed.
Falmer dropped into the mud across from him and smiled thinly. "Is that not the point of training? To prepare for such tactics in actual battle?"
"No! This was supposed to be a friendly spar! When did you become so battle-thirsty?" the golden-haired man said as he stuck his fists to his hips.
"You know, Zether, that is an excellent question," Falmer said sincerely. "I have been pondering that question for some time myself. I have come to believe that it is due to my dark ascension. It has awoken something primal within me and I now grapple with these…new urges." He laughed and glanced up at the sky through the ever-falling rain.
"And you're enjoyin' them, ain't ya?" Zether asked with a snide grin.
"Very much so, yes," Falmer laughed. "It has awoken a desire to stand with the Saiyans and face the Ice-jins head on."
"Ah-ha! I knew it!" Zether declared. "You are definitely my brother!"
Falmer arched an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"Well, there were rumors that maybe you weren't actually my brother. I mean, really, you're nothing like Spark or me. You've always been a ninny compared to us."
Falmer narrowed his eyes as he smiled. "Careful, little brother. The Beast may make a return should you continue that vein of conversation."
"Oh, I'd like to see that." Zether suddenly grinned and clenched his fists tight. "I've been itching for a second chance at that form of yours. I call a mulligan on the last one considering I had to deal with interference."
"A fight to the death has no rules, dear brother."
"Oh whatever! I had that fight won and you know it!" Zether jabbed his finger in Falmer's direction as he glared at him through the rain.
Falmer laughed as he put his hands to his hips. "If you say so." He suddenly blinked and he and Zether both turned to look in the same direction.
Zether frowned. "I get chills every time she transforms," he murmured as Amotto's Super Saiyan power washed over him. "My Kin-Slayer form is powerful, but Amotto is on a whole other level. It's a good thing she's on our side," he finished with a grim smile.
Falmer nodded absently as he analyzed the power. "It is quite amazing. I vaguely remember her power from our fight together. To know that same woman is generating this power seems to be impossibility. And yet here we are." He smiled slightly as his eyes narrowed, the rain coursing down his dull silver cheeks. "And here I stand basking in the glow of her awesome ki, yearning to attain such power for myself." He chuckled and glanced at Zether.
Zether smirked. "I feel the same, brother. But we've a long way to go."
Falmer flashed a feral grin as he crouched into a stance. "Then what are we just milling about for?"
"My thoughts exactly!" Zether crowed as his golden aura burst to life. He lunged at his brother swinging his fist around like lightning.
DBZ
"WOMAN!"
Leta cringed as she easily recognized the young, yet boisterous, voice. "Oh gods, not again," she groaned as she turned to see Vegeta storming into her room in the People's Palace.
"Woman!" he repeated, standing before her with his diminutive arms crossed belligerently over the front of his dark blue uniform.
"What is it now, Vegeta?" she asked with no small amount of exasperation in her tone. She continued folding her Earthling clothing and putting them away in her dresser beside her canopy bed.
"Have you seen this grotesque…outfit," he spat the word as it were dirty, "that I, Prince Vegeta, am expected to wear to this school thing?"
Leta paused and looked him over. After a moment she frowned in confusion. "What's wrong with it? I think it looks rather handsome on you."
Vegeta flushed as he scowled. "A prince is supposed to look regal and commanding! Not handsame," he said with a sneer.
"It's handsome, and there's nothing wrong with looking handsome now and again, little prince." Leta resumed her folding as Vegeta stood there fuming.
After a few silent moments she paused again and looked at him. "If you continue standing there, you are going to be late for school."
Vegeta turned his head away in a huff. "Why must I, Prince Vegeta, lower myself among the common folk of this little mudball of a planet? It's unbecoming of a prince, I tell you!"
Leta sighed and gripped the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger. "Vegeta, what is unbecoming of a prince is this stuck-up attitude you have." She lowered her hand and looked at him sternly. "Now that we are to live among the Earthlings, we should become familiar with their culture and history. It is only proper that we learn what we can so that we may adjust to this new society."
"New? More like primitive." Vegeta snorted as he glanced at her.
She smiled. "Yes, it is primitive. But it is a good planet and the Earthlings are good people. They have allowed us to live here, after all."
"'Allowed us?' Really?" Vegeta demanded. "You mean to say that we've allowed them to live. You know as well as I that we could crush this planet with ease!" He emphasized his passion by shaking a clenched fist.
Leta rolled her eyes and went back to folding her clothes. "Yes, yes. I am well aware, but that would not exactly relay trust to our hosts. We are here with intentions of peace, not conquest. Understand?" she finished with a stern glance cast his way.
The little prince snorted as he folded his arms again. "I don't like it."
"You don't have to like it, but you will abide by what Surah and I say. Got it?" she queried heatedly.
"Why should I?"
Leta dropped the gown she'd been folding and stormed over to tower over him. She glared down at him as she clenched her fists into the folds of the yellow sundress she had decided to wear to keep from strangling the little brat. "You should do it as a gesture of good faith from the Saiyan Royal Family to the people of Earth! More so for the simple fact that it is common courtesy and respectful to do so!"
Vegeta frowned as he looked up at her. "Respectful to whom? I owe these creatures nothing."
Leta bent down, narrowing her eyes as she glared at Vegeta. "Respectful to Surah and I, and the rest of your Saiyan brethren if nothing else!"
Vegeta stared at her in silence. After a moment he shrugged. "Oh, whatever. I've nothing better to do, I suppose."
Leta rolled her eyes as she stood up straight. "Go before you're late. And don't fly full speed this time! Fixing the windows of your school building is expensive enough just once."
Vegeta grinned mischievously. "No promises!" he crowed as he dashed out of the room at supersonic speeds, his backwash sending Leta's pile of folded clothes scattering.
She sighed and shook her head. "I hate kids…"
She stooped to pick up her clothes and smiled sadly. She actually enjoyed her daily disputes with Vegeta, She imagined she'd have such arguments with her own children, if she ever had any. She carried the clothes to her bed and sat down with a heavy sigh.
Tettuce and Aurah had tried to have children for several years, without any luck. Eventually it was discovered that Saiyans and Gylderians could not produce offspring together. But Leta remembered that Aurah had hoped against hope that her Saiyan half would offset the obstacle. Unfortunately, it never did. In the end Aurah had been unable to conceive, and she and Tettuce had been forced to accept that fact.
Leta hadn't thought of Tettuce much in the time since she and Surah returned to being two separate entities. She'd been too preoccupied with keeping her small group of survivors alive to give much thought to her own grief. Being a Saiyan it was easy to distract herself from her grief, unlike Surah as a Gylderian.
But even Saiyans felt grief and Leta was overcome with it for the first time since Tettuce had died. Her very heart ached and she clutched her chest as tears began to spill from her eyes, her breathing hitched as she choked back her sobs.
Though she still loved and pined for Tettuce, she could just vaguely remember what it was like with him while she was Aurah. The whole time she spent as Aurah seemed like a distant memory now that she was herself once more. So she couldn't even fondly remember the love she shared with Tettuce.
It left her feeling hollow. If she'd known she'd lose the best part of being Aurah, she might have stayed fused with Surah. But then again, maybe she had known. Maybe that was why Aurah removed her locket. She didn't want to be held back by her painful memories. Aurah knew that defusing would erase most of their memories of being fused.
She sniffled as she wiped her eyes and looked towards her balcony. She slowly stood and made her way out into the cool, brisk morning air. She sighed as she laid her hands on the bannister and looked out over the bustling courtyard.
The most Leta could admit to remembering at all was that she loved Tettuce. That was a fact that could not change. She also could not change the fact that she had no choice but to look to the future, as she had been doing since her "rebirth."
DBZ
Bardock awoke to the sounds of screaming and explosions. Forcing himself to full alertness he jumped to his feet, his body tense and ready for action. It took a few seconds for him to realize that he was obviously experiencing the future, as he suddenly found himself standing in the middle of a post-apocalyptic nightmare.
The streets were wrecked, its surface marred with the craters of a battle. The lifeless bodies of innocent bystanders were strewn about, some lying relatively unscathed while others looked like the victims of a mad tornado. No one had been safe from whatever had torn through this unfortunate city. Bodies were imbedded into the walls of burning buildings; impaled on street signs and lamp posts; violently splattered against solid, unyielding surfaces. Motorized vehicles had been reduced to scrap, either individually or by being used as a projectile. The evidence of such attacks remained as vehicles that belonged on the street could be seen jutting from buildings high overhead.
Bardock frowned as he took in the devastation, his gaze gravitating toward the source of the screams. He couldn't see anyone, but he could easily hear the screams even against the thundering roar of repetitive explosions.
"Hey, Kanassan. What's goin' on here?"
For the first time ever, Bardock was answered with silence. He frowned. "Kanassan! Answer me. What's goin' on?" Still he was greeted with silence. "Dammit, Kanassan. Why won't you answer me?"
Bardock felt a swell of panic as he looked all around him. Was this a vision? Or was it actually happening? No, it had to be a vision. His last memory before this was of sparring with Seripa and Amotto. He had to have been knocked out. He did tend to have more visions when he was unconscious. But then again, the Kanassan had always accompanied every vision. So where was he now?
A bloodied figure dashed by, startling him into a defensive posture. He was stunned to recognize the figure as a badly injured Turles, his armor and underarmor barely clinging to his all-but mauled body. Bardock watched as Turles turned around, his body rising into the air as he fired ki blasts in his direction.
The twin blue orbs flew past him and he looked around just in time to see them deflected by Recoome and Burter. His eyes narrowed as he watched them swoop overhead and towards Turles. Recoome charged in after him, moving around behind to knock him back towards Burter.
Burter flipped around and kicked Turles back into the ground at Bardock's feet; chunks of metal and concrete exploded out, rushing by him as the force of the hit cratered the ground.
Turles groaned and struggled to climb out of the crater. He lifted his head with tremendous effort, his eyes falling on Bardock. He froze and Bardock tensed.
"B-Bardock…?" Turles' eyes widened, his expression relaying shock, confusion, and outrage. "Wh-wha…why are you just standing there? Why are you lettin' them kill me?"
Recoome and Burter hovered over the two of them and laughed.
"Look who joined the party, Burter," Recoome positively crowed.
"Well I'll be damned. If it ain't Bardock himself!" Burter arched a hairless blue brow. "Wait a second. Didn't he have longer hair last time?"
His red-haired comrade waved a hand dismissively. "Details, details."
Bardock looked away from the ridiculous pair and back to his brother.
"Are you going to answer my question?" Turles demanded angrily, painstakingly rising to his feet to confront his older brother. "What the hell's your problem?!"
Bardock blinked. "You shouldn't even be able to see me…This is just a vision."
"Just a vision?!" Turles staggered forward, drawing his fist back. "Everyone's dead!"
Before Bardock could respond, Turles' blood and organs were splattered across his face and front. He blinked, stunned into silence as he stared at the blood-stained ground where his brother had just been standing.
"Ooh, nice shot." Recoome began to clap.
"Yeah, nice one!" agreed Burter.
Bardock turned his gaze skyward to see a silver and purple figure descending towards him.
"Frieza." Bardock knew it was him; he'd seen the lizard in the same form in his previous visions of Kakarrot's future.
The tyrant grinned as he drew closer, obviously pleased that Bardock had recognized him.
Before he could say anything, however, Bardock was standing over a beautiful blue and green planet suspended in a sea of stars as a single moon slowly sank beyond its uppermost curvature. Directly before him Frieza's ship floated serenely hundreds of miles away from him and the surface of the planet.
Bardock was beyond confusion and frustration. "Kanassan! What the hell is goin' on here?!" He waited, expecting an answer. When, after a few seconds too long for Bardock, no answer came, he cursed and bellowed at the top of his lungs, "ANSWER ME!"
But still no answer came. His frustration mounted, morphing into rage. What was going on? This was obviously a vision, as well was what had just happened with his brother. But Turles had seen him. The last time anyone had seen him in one of his visions was when Seripa had spoken to him, telling him his name so long ago. But this was different. Recoome, Burter, and Frieza had seen him, too.
Bardock was startled to suddenly realize he was standing before a small, demolished house surrounded by odd hill-like mountains. He blinked and glanced around to see that the surrounding landscape bore the scars of a recent battle.
"Well, what do we have here?" a curious voice asked from behind him.
Bardock spun around to find a green monster unlike anything he'd ever seen before standing before him. It had twin concave horns that sprouted from its eyebrows, stretching about a foot to surround the purple-bauble dome of its head. Its gray and purple face was framed by yellow ears that bore a striking resemblance to an ice-jin's. It had long black protrusions from its back that resembled wings, and was covered with black spots.
"What the hell are you?" Bardock demanded, clenching his fists at his sides. He was more than annoyed at the sudden direction his visions had taken, and he was in no mood to deal with this thing.
The creature smirked, obviously amused, as it folded its arms across its black and green chest. "I am the perfect creation, a being born of science. And you are Bardock, the father of Kakarrot."
Bardock's eyes widened, an image of a green monster with a long tail appearing before his eyes. He frowned and looked the monster over carefully. "You know me."
"Yes, I do. I know the lengths you've gone to trying to change future outcomes. And yet, the more you try the worse the future begins to look to you." The creature approached him, circling around him slowly. His eyes watched Bardock, taunting him with the truth of the creature's words.
Bardock turned in place, keeping his gaze glued to the creature lest he lose sight of it. He didn't trust it, after all.
But that wasn't going to stop him from responding. "Yeah, it looks like crap right now. But then again, you're still there."
The creature stopped and threw its head back as it laughed. "And here I shall remain, Bardock. Some details you may alter, but others yet remain beyond your control." The creature turned to face him, its face splitting into a grin.
Bardock growled and raised his fist in a threatening gesture. "How about I wipe that smug look right off your face?!"
"You are welcome to try, but be warned," the creature chuckled, "better warriors than you have fallen before me."
"Well they ain't me!"
"No, they sure weren't." The creature smiled reminiscently. "Such power they had. Nothing compared to mine, of course, but wonderful nonetheless."
Bardock snarled and started towards the creature. "Don't go countin' me out so soon!"
The creature narrowed its eyes and Bardock was swept from his feet to be thrown violently to the ground; it cratered under the force of the hit.
"I advise staying down."
But Bardock wasn't having any of that. He was too angry at this point. He had no idea what was going on. This was nothing like his previous visions, or the ones he'd been able to manipulate. Those were few in number, but even the ones he couldn't trigger he'd learned to influence subtly. But this was way different. And it pissed him off.
With a roar of feral rage, he leapt from the ground and towards the creature.
Before he could comprehend what had transpired, the creature's iron fingers were crushing his windpipe. Its magenta eyes looked upon with amused murderous intent.
"I warned you, Bardock. You're nothing against the likes of me."
Bardock ignored him as his face began to turn red and grasped at the fingers on his throat, trying desperately to break their grip.
"It's futile, you know. You'd have to at least be a Super Saiyan to challenge me, and even then that's pushing it." The creature laughed. "I've yet to meet an opponent that can stand against the mighty Cell."
Onyx eyes locked onto magenta eyes, narrowing slowly. Bardock's face was beginning to turn blue, but he was relentless. He hadn't managed to even budge Cell's grip, but he wasn't thinking clearly anymore. All he wanted was to get free and escape this too-vivid nightmare; he wanted to free himself and get the answers this vision posed.
Cell froze mid-laugh, his gaze hardening as he glared at the struggling saiyan. "Your power is rising…"
Golden flames engulfed Bardock's body, energy surging through his muscles, and he broke free of Cell's grip. He jumped back, his ki-charged feet cratering the ground on take-off and landing. He glared at the monster, the flames pulsing and surging violently.
Cell's eyes were wide as he regarded the saiyan, Bardock's black hair whipping over his head from the force of his rising energy. As he watched, Bardock's black eyes suddenly vanished into the sea of white sclera.
The gold flames raged on as Bardock suddenly threw his head back and roared, an Oozaru level of sound that made Cell clap his hands to his ears in surprise.
"Bardock!"
Bardock turned to the sight of a golden ball of ki set against a rain-soaked, craggy backdrop. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Seripa, her red aura raging as she made a futile, desperate dash to intercept it.
His thoughts clouded by the primal energy surging throughout his body, Bardock roared again and spread his arms and legs wide as he braced for impact. The blast slammed into the palms of his hands, pushing him backwards along the jagged landscape of S.S.T.G. 5. But he didn't go far, his feet digging trenches into the ground as he forced the blast to a jarring halt. Energy surged all around him, his hair whipping madly in the gale.
His body trembled under the force of the Super Saiyan attack, but he held it in place. His face was screwed up, his eyes closed tight with the effort he was putting forth. He remained poised, paused in a shuddering equilibrium, as the ball of super-condensed energy swirled in his grasp.
Then, with another roar of raw primal rage, he spun around and threw the ball away from him. It flashed away into the distance, vanishing over the horizon to be followed by a blinding flash of light. The force and sound of the explosion reached them seconds later, barely causing them to stagger.
Bardock remained poised as if he were about to sprint away, with his arms still extended in the direction he'd thrown the attack. His chest heaved with every heavy breath he took as his eyes faded back into view, while his aura hummed a melodic tune.
His mind cleared and everything came back to him in a flurry of flashing images. He remembered that he'd been training with Seripa and Amotto when the latter had launched an attack at him. He'd had plenty of time to evade, but then his visions had taken him over.
And now he was standing shrouded in a golden aura. He looked at his hands as he became aware of crushing weight. His aura faded from existence.
As Seripa and Amotto came rushing over, his eyes rolled into his skull and he collapsed.
DBZ
