Warning!: if you thought Heaven to Hell was depressing, this one will only get worse. There will be many twists and turns along the way so bear with me. I just hope that whoever reads this one read the first part.

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ

Chapter 1: Summon

Her fall had been more of a blessing than a curse. Though her legs were severely mangled, she had landed in the one place that could restore her strength and provide the needed salve for her burns.

She had fallen into a nest of moquites; glossy blue serpentine reptiles that held the key to her survival in their flesh. They were an annoyingly noisy species, hissing and enlarging their eyes to make themselves look like a larger predator. But she knew better. She had dealt with them before and knew their sound and the shape of their eyes.

Now she sat in the dark pit, the scorching rays of the red sun highlighting the settling dust several feet above her. The blood of at least fifteen moquites covered the scars on her legs, numbing the pain and filling the gaps in her skin. A pile of their dead sat beside her. Other wispy skeletons were scattered about her feet. She heard a rumble in her stomach and flopped her hand on the top of the pile. She hesitated as she looked at its scaley side. I wish these damn things tasted better. Before her mind made her have second thoughts she sunk her teeth into its side and ripped off a chunk of flesh. The acidic taste flooded her mouth and overwhelmed her tongue. Her face twisted in disgust but she swallowed nonetheless. Spitting out the fragile rib bones she dug her hand into the gut and scooped out its innards and smeared them over her legs. This is sick but I'd rather eat intestines than die, especially now. I'm the last of the two. If Desdelona kills me or if I keel over... she wins. Wait a minute! There's more than two now. How could I have forgotten him?! Shin of all people!.... Shin.... Kalilo.... Sadness made her spirits sink, if there had been any farther for them to sink to. She closed her eyes, trying to remember his face. Everything was blurred. His eyes, the shape of his mouth, the line of his jaw, everything. I can't forget... I can't forget his face! Her eyebrows furrowed and she bent her mind on reconstructing the image. It blurred more. She buried her face in her hands and let out dry, heart wrenching sobs. I need to hear his voice... anyone's voice! I don't care if this hiss were to become words. If that was all the conversation I could get I'd take it in a heartbeat! She wrapped her arms around herself and rocked slightly. I need someone to talk to... wait... WAIT I can summon a guide! Of course! Why didn't I think of that before?! I've already tried to find where I am -no luck but that's okay. She'd know! A hopeful smile lit up her face. "She'd know! SHE'D KNOW!" She let her head fly back and for the first time in centuries she laughed until her sides hurt. Her throat burned but she laughed nonetheless. A coughing fit finally brought it to an end but when that was over she let out another quieter laugh. Looking at the pile of moquites she took one off the top and bit into its side ravenously. I still need to get some of my strength back before I'm ready. But damn! It's great to finally have a direction!

The elder sat down on an upraised boulder and rested his chin on his knuckles and his elbow on his knee. There has to be someone who could talk some sense into the kid. Perhaps one of his former mentors? Let's see... Well! He let his hand drop as he let out a sigh. Guess that means I have to go talk to that loudmouthed gatekeeper... King Yama. And that lazy Kai's not going to give me a ride there either! No matter...

He stood up as straight as possible and whispered an incantation. His body began to glow and break apart into tiny golden sparks. The winds came and gently pushed him down to the realm of the lower Kais.

King Yama raised his head sharply. What is this?

Golden sparks floated in through the archway over the line of shapeless spirits. They hovered in a cluster before King Yama's gargantuan desk then swirled into a short column.

A woman with long ghostly pale lavender hair watched curiously from the archway leading to the realm beyond. She rolled down her pink sleeves and fixed her overcoat, buttoning the single button next to her shoulder.

King Yama looked at her. "Do you know who this is?" he asked.

"No," she said, still watching the light. "This signature is not familiar to me.... there are two of them."

"Two?"

She nodded, "Junid may know more than me."

"Well would you please take him to him then?! I don't have time to deal with him."

Her eye twitched. I wish he'd try to be more polite. I understand why he's frustrated. I can't blame him but still... She closed her eyes and drew a long breath through her nose then let it out slowly. She opened her eyes to see an old man in a uniform identical to Shin's. She swallowed hard. Not that much time could have passed could it?

"Are you King Yama?" the elder asked.

King Yama nodded.

She sighed. There is no way Shin could sound like that. Thank Ledena it's not him...

"I'm the East Kaioshin-"

Her eyes grew wide and she held her breath.

"From fifteen generations ago."

She let out a loud sigh of relief.

His ear twitched but he paid her no mind. "I've come seeking information."

"And what help can I be to a Kai as high as you?" King Yama asked.

This blundering buffoon is just as he used to be. He cleared his throat. "I'm looking for the current Kaioshins. I was told two of them were killed seven thousand years ago so I've come to find them."

"Why?" she called from the archway. She crossed her arms, "Who seeks to find the Kai of the North and West? And for what purpose?"

"Hold your tongue!" the elder ordered. "I'm not asking you! I'm asking King Yama."

She clenched her jaw. He calls himself a Kai?! She watched the old man turn back to King Yama who watched her cautiously, ready to jump and run. "Very well then," she said cooly. "May Ledena speed you on your quest for the Lord North Kai. For you shall find that I, West Kai, am no longer devoting myself to talks." She turned swiftly on her heel and walked down the open hallway, leaving the elder watching her with his mouth agape.

"She's not really...?"

King Yama nodded, "She was the guardian of the Western Border, commonly known as West Kai."

He mentally slapped himself in the forehead.

What a creep! The scowl had yet to leave her face. Thank Ledena Shin is nothing like him.

"Is that his name?"

She turned sharply to see the elder behind her. "How did you?"

"I never really knew his name. Shin is it?"

She nodded, eyes still cold. "It is."

"Well then, speaking of Shin, I need your help."

"Oh so now you need my help?"

"I need you to talk to him. He won't do anything."

"Hey! If you mean he won't put the wall back together that's not my problem. And if he wants a rest you give it to him! If there is a Kai within the entire history of the position who deserves a rest, it's him!"

"And why him?" he retorted. "He's done nothing to deserve a rest."

"You ass!" she spat. "If you claim to be who you are then you would know there is more than one type of fatigue. I have seen him from afar, I know of his condition if you want to call it that. I've heard your thoughts as well. You think there is no redeeming quality in him? Well take notes 'cause I'm about to give you a list. Shin has worked harder than any man any of the five Kais at the time knew. He always volunteered himself for the seemingly impossible tasks. He has taken on Majin Buu three times, twice in his dragon days. He was the one who tricked Buu into attacking Bibi-Dee, forcing him to seal Buu back inside his shell. Had it not been for Shin, Buu would have destroyed the universe seven thousand years ago. And now, not more than a month ago he lead the front line against Babi-Dee."

"So?! It's his job to do-"

"You don't get it! He didn't have to do a damn thing! Have you even stopped to look at his eyes? Do you even see him? Do you?!"

"Will you talk to him or not?"

"Talk to Junid," she said dryly. "He was Shin's teacher, mentor, and best friend before Zari."

"Who?"

She just stared at him. "You badger him and you don't know his pain?"

"Pain? What the hell are you talking about?"

She turned on her heel, walked a few yards, and disappeared.

"Huh! Disrespectful wench!"

"If I was you," a voice said from behind. The elder turned to see a middle aged man with a hairstyle like Shin's, just a little thinner, and a short white mustache. "I would mind how I spoke to Talme."

"Are you North Kai?"

He nodded, "my name is Junid. Is the lad in some sort of trouble?"

"He's about as obedient as a mule," the elder grumbled.

Junid shook his head. "Take me to him and I'll see what I can do."


"Junid," Talme called. "Junid! Huh, now where's he off to?" She looked down at the edge of the stream. Left his fishing rod and everything. "If you get a bite I'm not bringing it in for you this time!" Nothing. Hm... that old man must be with him then. Oh well.

She sat down on the grass with her back to a nearby tree and listened to the wind making the leaves rustle. She sighed and looked up at the sunlit leaves of the trees. That old fool was probably wondering why we didn't help Shin. Wonder what his face would look like if I told him Shin told us he didn't want any help. She closed her eyes.

She drew a deep breath then suddenly lurched forward and broke out in a coughing fit. She covered her mouth. The fit died down slightly. Her whole body trembled as she pulled her hand back into her line of sight. Her palm and fingers were speckled with blood. "What the-?" Another fit hit with twice the ferocity of the first. She rolled on her side and wrapped her arms around her side. Her legs burned then went numb. She felt a clean cut off line as the pain made a diagonal line across her chest. Her left arm stung and cramped up. Junid! Help me! She coughed on the ground and looked back at her hand. What's -happening to me?

Everything was dark, even when she finally opened her eyes. Where am I? Junid?

"Shh... it's okay," a voice said softly.

Her eyes bolted wide and she tried to sit up. Fire ignited in her brain. She felt something holding her in its grasp. She swung with the only limb she was conscious of and hit nothing but air. Thin, boney extension wrapped around her wrist.

"It's okay Talme," the voice said quickly. "It's me Zari!"

She quieted slightly.

"It's me. It's me. You're safe. It's okay."

Zari...? She suddenly felt sleepy. Where am... where are we?

A quiet sniff answered her question instead of a normal reply. "I'm sorry about this. I just had to hear someone."

Have you been alone all this time?

Zari buried her face in the curve of Talme's neck and shoulder and nodded.

Talme reached around her and let her arm flop across her back. It's okay. I'm here. Huh? What is that awful noise?! Her eyes narrowed. Moquites? Is that what's making that racket?

Zari nodded again.

Then we're... somewhere in the Nataki sector, around the moons of Myra. Should be... yes, I'm almost certain. Wait tell me, do these moquites have a black diamond on their scales? ...Zari? Feeling vaguely returned to her hand and she felt the bones in Zari's back and shoulders. Zari... you should have waited until you were stronger. She held onto Zari and slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position. You can't exhaust yourself or you'll kill us both at this point. Come on Zari wake up! She feebly squeezed Zari's shoulder.

Zari's eyes screwed shut slightly and she groaned softly.

Talme braced Zari against her shoulder as she pulled her knee up then braced Zari's back against it. She glared down at her left hand; lying motionless at her side. Dammit move. Nothing happened. Move... Still nothing. Okay fine, if you won't move yourself, I'll make you by other means.

Fire erupted in her brain again as her mind raised her limp hand to Zari's abdomen. Orange ripples radiated out from her limp hand. Just a little something to keep you on your feet. You need it more than I do.

Keep it...

You're in no position to argue with me right now. So just shut up.

A small smile graced her lips. I didn't think I'd bring you back just to have you order me around.

Just making up for lost time. Remember? Those errands you used to run?

How could I forget? She lost her smile. I can't remember...

You went to-

No, I can't remember his face. I can't remember Shin's face!

Sadness darkened Talme's eyes as she watched tears well up in Zari's eyes.

Please, tell me about him... What does he look like now?

Not like he did that's for sure. He fused with Kibito. He's tall now. Long white hair, no bangs. Black eyes darker than yours, same smile, rare as it is. He still has that round nose. His face hasn't changed much, he just looks older... sadder. She pulled Zari in close to her. "He misses you," she whispered. "He needs you... and your love." The sooner you're back on your feet the better.

Wait for me Kalilo... I'll be there soon.

Remember the mark-

I remember all too well...

Sleep then, we'll worry about this later.



Agi's head shot up. She cocked her head, as if trying to hear some far off sound. "Shut up!" she snapped at the two girls. "Go elsewhere! Leave me!"

They got up, dirty looks on their faces. "What's up with her?" one muttered.

"Not like I care," the other mumbled back.

She's alive...? Her eyes brightened. She's still alive! She bolted to her dragon feet and snatched the demonic sword Zari had returned so long ago. And not a moment too soon!



"So..." she growled as her hand stopped in mid stroke over her blade. Erie lantern lights flashed behind her as each shadow silently communicating to the other. "She has finally surfaced." She turned her attention back to the cold metal of her gleaming blade. "About damn time Amethyst..." Her head snapped up. "What's this?" she hissed. Her emerald green eyes glowed then faded back. "Agi..." she growled as she glared at the mirror in her mind's eye, showing the dragon halfling fastening a sword to her belt. "You will not stand in my way this time old dragoness. This time I'll send you to your people." Before the mirror faded from her mind she saw the passing of a shadow on the tree behind Agi. "Now what... A hatchling?!"

Agi looked up and smiled as a tall, young man landed beside her. He folded his red leathery wings behind him. He had matching scale patterns as Agi; an exact match. His eyes were a grayish and glacial blue mix. His hair was a soft wavy sea of lavender. Traces of lavender ran through the grain of his scales. His skin was two shades paler than Agi's; fair and clean.

"Hm... seems the dragoness has had offspring due to her former link with Amethyst." She laughed. "A cross between Agi and the Supreme Kai how amusing." Her smile suddenly fell flat. "Now I have a male on my hands... perfect. Then again, he may come in handy..."