Chapter 10: The Pendulum Room

Well, cleaning up this night was welcomed, and the way I was cleaned was even better. A nice, hot, hot spring was just a few miles away from the Lookout, and by flying it was only a few minutes.

The hot water seemed to melt away the mud and my stress. Of course, it didn't seem very relaxing when Krillen was suddenly face-to-face with me. Before I realized it, I had screamed and slapped him.

"Krillen! Sorry! What- argh!"

"Hey! It wasn't my fault! Yamcha threw me!"

"Then I'll slap him too!"

The guys started to laugh as I chased after Yamcha, the both of us in towels. Yamcha kept screaming apologies as I chased him.

XxX

"Hey Katie!"

The sudden call of my name abruptly threw me out of my slumber, and also out of my tree. It was a good thing Tien was already up, or I would have landed on him. I rubbed the forming lump on my head as I stood up.

"Krillen… what?" I growled.

"It's time to get up! Come on, sleepy head." He said, grabbing my arm.

"Huh? What time is it?"

"I dunno, but the sun rose about three hours ago."

"Really? Wow, I did over sleep."

"After breakfast we're going to do some special training, so come on, this is exciting!" Krillen said, catching up with Yamcha. He still had a handprint from when I finally caught and slapped him. He saw me and looked away sheepishly.

Breakfast was uneventful and then we followed Kami deeper into the Lookout. I already knew what was to come, but that didn't help me feel any better.

Will those two even give me a chance? Probably not, if Raditz… but it's my only hope… if I lose control again… I could hurt-

"Here we are, Lady and Gentlemen." Kami pushed open a large door and we all filed in, "This is the Pendulum room. This will give you a chance to test yourself against a real threat. If anyone wants to back down, that is fine. If not, please step onto the pentagram and close your eyes."

I filed on, right behind Tien and Choazu.

"Katie, don't tell them it is an illusion."

I nodded to Kami as I closed my eyes.

Time seemed to act weird. First it felt like I was aging, then I felt like I was fading, and then it felt as though I was rejuvenating. Whatever it was, when I opened my eyes it was upon a hellish scene.

The sky was black and red and the streets were barren but for rubble. The air smelled thick of smoke.

"Where are we?" Yamcha said, taking a step forward.

"I'm not sure… but wherever we are… I smell Saiyans." I said. It was true, I picked up the scent very similar to Goku's and Raditz's. You can't smell your own scent, or else that would be all you could ever smell.

"Saiyans… were… here?" Krillen asked.

"No…" I looked around, but I couldn't see anything, "They're still here." I growled, looking around. The hackles on my tail were noticed by the others.

"Katie… calm down… we can fight them." Tien said, daring enough to put a hand on my shoulder.

"Fighting is one thing… surviving is another." I said, heading in a direction, "You guys stick together, I'll scout ahead." I said, heading toward the scent.

I don't like leaving them, but I have to see the Saiyans by myself first. I can always shoot up a Ki flare or something if I need help.

I followed the scent and soon enough I heard voices. A short balding Saiyan and a bigger one were by a fire.

What do I do? Just walk up to them? Act like a Saiyan…

I got up and walked down the hill and called out to them. Our power levels were about equal by the feel of it. Since I was Saiyan they didn't attack right away.

"Hey, I didn't know any females were here." One said, elbowing the other with a smirk.

"Or that they let females grow out their hair." The other laughed.

Shit, my hair! Think!

"Don't you guys know anything?" I asked.

"Sometimes. He doesn't." the smaller one said, pointing to his buddy.

"Sheesh… King Vegeta sent me here to scout out the planet a while back. I called and reported that my ship had malfunctioned. He said pillagers were due soon… but I had to disguise myself to survive. This hair is a wig, and these clothes are the local style."

"Boy, females sure do talk a lot." The short guy said.

"Is there a way I can get home with you guys?" I asked, trying to flirt a little, "I won't take up too much room, and I'm sure my elite friends would pay you for your trouble." I said.

"You've got elite friends?" the tall one asked.

"With this body I'm surprised I'm not King Vegeta's friend." I said, winking.

Messing with boys is fun…

"S-s-sure." They both replied.

"Good, I promise I won't take up too much room."

So we sat by the fire as I played nice. So far their Scouters hadn't gone off yet. They had taken them off too.

"So, what's your name?" the big guy asked.

"My name? I'm… Cactus." I replied, thinking not so clearly.

"Isn't that a boy's name?"

No! I'm busted!

"No, it's one of those boy and girl names." The short one said.

"So, you guys did all this, huh? I'm impressed; I thought for sure there were at least two more guys with you."

"Nope, just us."

"Well, you two must be pretty strong." I said.

"Yeah, you could say that."

"So, I guess you two never have any trouble controlling your instincts, do you?" I asked as I leaned back.

"What, you mean like being feral?" they laughed, "Yeah, right! Only Saiyans born from cross classes have that happen!"

"Huh?"

"You know, like if an elite and a third class had a kid. And even then, not very many feral Saiyans have been born."

"So… how many?"

"Not many, only about every 1 in 5000 Saiyans. Why, you're not feral, are you?" suddenly they both got very serious.

"Well, w-what if I was?"

"Then you'd be dead already. As soon as a Saiyan is found to be feral, they're killed."

"Hmm… guess that's why I've never heard of a feral Saiyan." I said, thinking aloud.

The Scouters started to beep. The big guy took his and put it on. I read it, and it had four power levels to the left, though I couldn't read the foreign numbers. It had to be the guys.

"Looks like we missed a few." They laughed.

"Really? You guys messed up?" I asked sarcastically.

"Hey, what's with the tone, female?" the short guy asked.

"This… Solar Flare!" I was amazed that it worked. I practiced with it when I was in the wilderness, but never got to use it. I took off toward the guys as fast as I could while I could.

When I caught up with them they looked happy to see me. I was out of breath though, and they knew that wasn't good.

"Katie? Was that a Solar Flare?" Tien asked. I nodded as I caught my breath.

"Two Saiyans… I blinded them… but they'll recover soon. They have Scouters… so we have to move it now…" I said, catching my breath.

"What? Well, come on, let's get out of here." Tien said, taking my arm.

"We have to lower our Ki as low as possible. Those Scouters… Raditz had one… they detect Ki, but if it's low enough they may not find us." I said.

"Right." Yamcha said.

So together we walked slowly and cautiously away from the direction I had just come from. We jumped down ledges and crawled under fallen bridges, but I knew it was only a matter of time before we were found.

Suddenly Choazu screamed, and when we all looked back we saw him being pulled down, under the water in the street.

I hate being right all the time!

Tien ran to his friend's side and they locked wrists. The rest of us couldn't do anything, part from fear, part from the shock and not knowing what to do.

Tien's grip was slipping, and I was so shocked and lost that I fell to my butt.

"Tien, please help me!"

"Choazu!"

It's just an illusion… it's just an illusion!

It didn't matter how many time I said it, it still was too real. Choazu's head went under, and then Tien fell back.

I roared in frustration as Tien hit the pavement. The sound from my roar caused them all to jump.

"Damn them… damn them both!" I growled, "Choazu…"

"Guys, we can't just sit here. We gotta keep moving." Krillen said. I got up and put a hand on Tien's shoulder. He was shaking as he got up.

I stared at the water. I couldn't take my eyes off of it.

"Is this the first time you've seen someone get killed?" Yamcha asked, directed at me. He didn't look at me, he was looking at the water too.

"I was there when Goku was killed… but I didn't actually see him die."

"You never get use to it. And you know, that's a good thing. It shows you're better than the animals." Yamcha headed to catch up with Tien and Krillen. I hung my head as I followed.

Am I better than the animals? I'm just like those two… and if I don't watch it, I may get to the point where I like it…

My ears picked up on a small sound. I jolted my head and stopped. I growled and the hair on my tail stiffened. I got in front of the others.

"They're near." I said, sniffing the air.

"Where?"

"I'm not sure… Krillen, I really need you to use a Kamehameha Wave when I tell you to attack. After I see you do it then I'll be able to do it. And believe me, we'll need it. These guys are tough."

Krillen nodded as we stood on guard. Laughter caught our attention as the Saiyans let us know they were ready. They stood on the top of a broken street. One had Choazu's hat, and he threw it to our feet.

"Sorry, was he a friend of yours?" they asked. The short one spotted me.

"Hey, look, she found them for us!"

"I didn't find them for you, you bastards! I'm with them! I'd never agree to do the type of job you do!"

"Oh, really? Too bad, guess you have to die too!"

And the onslaught began. Yamcha charged in, but was knocked back. The Saiyans vanished, moving at incredible speeds, and then one of them hit me hard in the stomach. I fell over, screaming in pain.

The pain… I've never hurt so badly before… oh, god…

I looked up, tears from the pain clouding my vision. I saw a bright light go right through Yamcha. He fell backwards and down onto the ground. I knew he was dead, but I couldn't believe just one blast could do that.

I have to stand, no questions. I have to fight too… I won't be pathetic… I won't stop because it hurts…

I stood, but just breathing hurt on its own. I pushed the pain away as I prepared to fight.

Tien started firing his Tri-beam at the Saiyans, keeping them busy.

"Krillen, now! Kamehameha, now!" I called.

"Right, watch closely… Ka… Me… Ha… Me… HA!"

Krillen let loose the powerful attack at the Saiyans. I watched, and I had always played with the movements when I was home, so I figured it out.

"Right, here I go… Ka… Me… Ha… Me… HA!" I let loose the attack perfectly, and the three of us pushed our energy beams at the enemy.

But being the greenhorn, I didn't last very long. Tien and Krillen had a jump start on me as well, so together we all ran out of the reserved amount of energy.

"Whoa… that was… intense…" I said. I was sweating and panting. I had never used so much energy before to do anything.

"That's why it took master Roshi 50 years to master it." Krillen replied.

"50 years for that?" the Saiyans weren't dead, not by a long shot.

"Holy shit!" I said.

"Did you really think it would be so easy?" the short one responded.

I got up and backed away. I had never been so scared in my life. I've been in a car accident, and I witnessed terrorism on television, but this was totally different. I was in real, immediate danger.

"Argh! Dodon Ray!" Tien shot his blast, but the Saiyans countered with a much more powerful attack, and blew Tien away. It was only Krillen and me now.

I have to think… think… use my instincts… I have to… I have to use my instincts!

I dug down deep to the power I had been resisting and latched on. I felt my mind give way to primal fears and desires, but I kept my focus. If this had been the show, you would have probably seen my eyes flash red or something so the viewers would know something was happening, but in real life it was just an urge to kill, to fight, to destroy the enemy. If I lost focus for just a moment I could kill Krillen along with the enemy.

I growled at the two males and made a sound I can only classify as a bark. They looked over to me, not worried. I'd make them worry.

I leapt and tackled the big guy, then used him to jump back and hit his partner. I landed on all fours like an animal and growled.

"Katie?" Krillen said. I turned and growled, but then I recognized him.

"Krillen… would you be willing to kill me?" I hissed.

"What? Katie-"

"Promise me you will, just in case I can't regain control… promise me!"

"Okay! I will… if it comes to that." Krillen replied.

"Good." I jumped back at the two Saiyans, but one shot off a blast while I was in mid-air. It cut through my torso and I fell to the ground. It was a long, deep gash, bleeding rapidly from my right side as I fell. I regained control on my senses as they started to fade. I felt the pain.

"Katie! You animals!" Krillen screamed.

"No, Krillen…!" I gasped. I started crying from the pain, just like a little kid.

I closed my eyes as the searing pain cut into me deeper than the wound had. My crying didn't help and actually made me hurt worse, but I couldn't stop. A bright flash of light caught my attention, even with my eyes closed.

"Katie, hold on. I got ya!" I opened my eyes through the pain and saw Krillen attempting to lift me.

"Krillen… just leave me… save yourself and get the hell outta here."

"No way kid, you're one of us now. The Z Senshi don't leave their friends behind." Krillen threw my arm over his shoulder and lifted us into the air, carrying me. I winced as the burning intensified and looked to Krillen.

"We're gonna die…"

"That's my line, but no, we aren't. At least you're not. I'll get you somewhere safe." He said, looking back.

He cares? They all really care? A few months ago this was TV… now I'm being saved by the monk and fighting Saiyans…

I sighed heavily and lowered my head for a moment. The sigh hurt and once more I winced. I felt tired, weak, and I just wanted to sleep.

"Don't do that kid. You go to sleep now and you might not wake up." Krillen said, positioning me closer to him.

I opened my eyes and felt something behind me. I glanced back and saw the two Saiyans just sitting there in mid air. I felt a lump in my throat as they each made a Ki blast, and then they moved their attacks together and combined the Ki.

The attack shot off.

"Krillen, look out!" I screamed in fear.

AS22: wow, a cliffy! XD well, if you want to see what happens, R&R