QUEST FOR POWER 2: CHALLENGE KINGDOM
By Konrad
PART 7
Annoying. Nautikaa thought as she watched Gohan and Tempest match glares.
"Now you see the woman you were defending?" Tempest argued.
"It's your fault, you pushed her over the edge. You never gave her a chance to begin with!" Gohan retorted, fists tightened into balls.
"You're just like her then! C'mon, you're gonna do what she did to Blok and kill me?! Go ahead, hit me if you want to, little boy!"
The young Saiyan stood his ground silently, fists clenched until they were red and eyes that would spew fire if they could. A slight shaking ran through his entire body but he didn't reply.
"Gohan, let's just get out of here. It's pointless. It was pointless from the start." Android 18 finally let out.
"Finally, even your friend says so!" Tempest boasted triumphantly.
"18, go get Aurora." Gohan said. "Make sure she's ok."
"She'll be fine. This isn't our business..."
"It is our business!" Gohan replied sharply, turning his head to the Android. 18 barely withheld a gasp at the glare he was now throwing at her. "Even if you don't do it for her... 18, go see her, talk to her, understand her. Then do whatever you want. But at least do that for now."
18 returned Gohan's look and opened her mouth to reply. But a moment passed by without a sound coming out as something occupied her mind. She finally relented and sighed.
"I-I see... I'll go find her then."
Gohan nodded thankfully and 18 raced out of the arena, homing on Aurora's ki. The Saiyan boy then turned to the remaining Kosajin.
Very annoying. "Before we continue to argue over our differences, there's something that we need to tend to right away. After all, you guys were too heated to notice and this is quite urgent." Nautikaa explained.
A perplexed look crossed the men's faces as the Water Kosajin raised her fist. She then punched into the frozen ground below, instantly shattering it with a loud boom and sending chunks of rock flying about. The males' eyes bulged in surprise and relief as a trembling Blok proceeded to wiggle himself free of the rubble. Gashes all over his body let out precious blood, he panted heavily and limped as he got up but otherwise he was well and alive.
"Blok! Thank goodness you're okay." Typhoon said.
"You might've noticed as well had you paid attention." Nautikaa chided nonchalantly.
"S-shit! I c-can't believe that girl did that." Blok started, his expression haggard. "She made the ground move against me!"
"What?" Typhoon and Tempest gasped almost simultaneously.
"Blok, you did seem to lose control of your Ground element. It seemed your powers went haywire. You're saying that was because of Aurora?" Nautikaa inquired.
"No! I didn't lose control. Rather... she controlled it herself."
"What?! That's ridiculous." Nautikaa stated simply with a deep frown.
"I'm telling you, the ground moved against my will! I was trying to use it but she was controling it herself."
"I don't get it. That's clearly a mistake." Typhoon interjected.
"I'm sorry I don't know these things but... how is that surprising?" Gohan piped in curiosity. "Aurora should have some Ground genes in her, right?"
"Certainly, she does." Nautikaa explained. "But that shouldn't make a difference. No Kosajin has ever had power over two or more elements, even with many genes. There's always just one gene that randomly dominates the others, that's all."
"Are you sure about that, Nautikaa?"
"Of course. But we'll see whatever it was about this fight that made Blok lose later. Now there's the matter of what to do with Aurora."
"She almost killed me." Blok spat out bluntly. "She's even more dangerous than any of us thought!"
"Like I said. She's one of them, she can't be trusted." Tempest argued in turn.
"Tempest, you have to stop putting everyone in the same basket." Typhoon replied, frowning.
"How can you say something like that, cousin? The apple never falls far from the tree."
"That's still no excuse to attribute the sins of her father and brothers to her just because of an accident of birth. She wasn't even with them all this time." Typhoon countered.
"So what?! She can do it, it's in her. You saw it too, she just tried to kill Blok!"
"That's because you keep freaking pushing her!" Gohan yelled, his face unusually crimson. "You keep pushing and pushing until she breaks, what the hell did you expect?! You never gave her a damn chance to prove herself, all you do is insult and make her feel small. You think that's fair?!"
"You think that's fair that every Kosajin man, woman and child suffered because of her damn family?!" Tempest cursed back.
"They're nothing but a bunch of murderous thieves." Blok added. "They only know violence and greed."
"Enough!" Nautikaa roared above the melee, forcibly cowering the males. "I wanted to keep this at least somewhat civilized. But it seems it won't be the case. Anyways, I know very well the case against allying again with the Cold Clan. You, Gohan, as a stranger who supposedly arrived here a few days ago and know almost nothing about us or the situation, what is your case for supporting Princess Aurora?"
"To be honest I guess I wouldn't have a case, really. I'm not good at this kind of stuff..." The boy sighed. "Well! You're right about a few things, the Cold family has hurt a lot of people. And there's no telling what might happen..."
"See? Now do you agree..." Tempest was about to jubilate.
"Tempest, let the boy talk." Typhoon growled.
"It just that it doesn't necessarily mean that she'll end up the same. At least just give her the chance, just don't pressure her like that." Gohan continued.
"So what are you saying, boy?" Nautikaa asked.
"Well, if you really want that kind of answer... I think she really wants to be accepted amongst you and help bring peace to your planet... I truly believe her."
"I see. So let's tally based on everything up until and including today, can Aurora can be a strong and reponsible figurehead for a unified Kosajin race? What do each of you say?"
"No." Blok said without hesitation.
"No." Tempest added just as quickly.
"Yes!" Gohan said.
"...Yes." Typhoon decided. Tempest eyed him sharply and the look was promptly returned more sternly.
"Stalemate then. And I don't even know myself." Nautikaa sighed. "Well, I'll consider this and let all of you, and Raikou as well, know of my thoughts and decision tomorrow."
"Nautikaa..." Tempest was about to protest.
"That is all. You are all free to return to your homes. Actually, I encourage you to do so now."
Catching on, the males decided not to test Nautikaa's patience. They started to part ways. Gohan was about to be the last to leave.
"Gohan." Nautikaa called, grabbing the Saiyan's attention. "Quite the speech. And mature of you. I'm guessing you grew up fast, maybe too much so."
"Eh? Maybe, I suppose. But I guess I had too!" Gohan put his hand behind his head and flashed a broad silly grin.
"I'm sure you're doing the best you can, whatever that may be, for everyone. I have a feeling you can change everything for the better... like Aurora."
"W-what? You...?"
"Quiet child, I'm merely making an observation. Anyways, like I said, I need the day to think this over. This is very important."
Gohan nodded with a bright smile. Saying goodbye to the Water Princess, he then darted off briskly.
The stone-faced Nautikaa wearily let out a deep breath. So very, very, very annoying...
- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -
Sulfus yawned as he got up. Well this isn't going to be bad at all. He thought to myself. The small quarters he was now holed in was nothing compared to what he'd been used to in the late Dudan's army as one of the Elites. But then again, it's much better to have a low profile here.
After briskly prepping himself, Sulfus stepped out into the main deck of the space station Orion. Immediately upon his entry, he was saluted by an older Kosajin male in a lab coat.
"Hi, you must be the new security chief." He greeted him with a smile. "I'm the head of research here. I'm sorry I couldn't greet you on your arrival yesterday."
"That's no problem." Sulfus reassured. "This is my first official day on the job anyways. I didn't know there were still specialized research stations with the pot simmering on the planet amongst the clans. I guess that's what I'm here for."
"On the other hand, harmless research can be done better here, no one would attack a place that merely looks into botanicals. And the staff here is pretty small as you've seen by now certainly. Seven scientists including myself and four security guards including yourself. Of course, precautions need to be taken anyways."
"Of course." Sulfus smiled back politely.
"Though he hardest part of being assigned to places like these is being away from family for days or even weeks."
"Hmmm, yeah..." That's right, how has my family been? Not getting in touch with them as soon as I arrived was necessary, but still... Well, it can wait a while. Maybe if Cerion stays...
"Well, time to start the day! I'll be going to the lab now." The scientist spoke and walked away.
Yes, a normal job! Sulfus jubilated in his head. And easy too!
"Good morning boss!" Sulfus turned around to see his three charges. Two of them were male, Cinder and Calcynon. The lone female, Volkanika, was the one that called out. "Ready for your first day? This is going to be fun!"
"Yes, I'm sure the boss's idea of fun is moving stuff around." Cinder noted drawing an indigant look from Volkanika.
"Well it's not like much excitement happens around here!" The woman countered. As it wasn't their first stint in a minor station, they knew what it meant and advised Sulfus that 'security' was really for the heavy duties the scientists coud barely do themselves.
"Either way, whatever we'll do will cut the boredom here, there's never anything bad happening..." Sulfus started when suddenly a massive explosion rocked the station, sending the four of them to the floor. Immediately a blinking red light, accompanied by a blaring siren, engulfed the whole structure. "What in blazes happened?"
"I-I don't know!" Cinder stuttered.
Before anything could be added, the siren was drowned out by a loud robotic voice crying out 'Intruder alert!'
"The intruder alert?" Calcynon said in shock. "This never happened before!"
"Well it looks like it's happening now!" Sulfus growled as he shot back up. "Come on, the explosion sounded like it came from the lab. Hopefully this is some sort of mistake." The others nodded and followed him promptly.
Ugh, already some excitement?! Why do I feel like this is going to be particularly annoying? Sulfus thought grimly.
- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -
"It is our business! It is our business! Nyaah nyaah nyaah!" 18 mimicked bitterly as she flew over a vast expanse. "Whatever! This is so annoy... ah?"
After following Aurora's ki, she could finally make out the Kosajin's form, sitting atop a ledge overlooking a vast empty plain. She certainly picked her spot. The Android thought. Aurora stiffened visibly at 18's arrival but didn't turn around to look at her.
"Hey, beautiful place." 18 spoke before chastising herself mentally. What a lame thing to say!
"Hey... Gohan's not here?"
"Nah, he's still talking with the others."
"Oh. So I guess you're here to tell me how they plan to get rid of me? Or you're here to make sure I don't endanger someone else while they talk?"
"Hey, not fair! Why the hell are you saying that?!" 18 fumed. Grabbing Aurora by the shoulders, she roughly turned her around only to stare into her moist eyes. The Android gasped and froze at the Kosajin's impassive but melancholic face.
"Well, what else would they be discussing while sending you here?" Aurora responded dejectedly. "No one was ever going to like me in the first place. And now everyone simply hates me. Nautikaa, Gohan, Blok, you..."
"I-It's not like that!" 18 blurted out. "I don't hate you... well I shouldn't. But it has nothing to do with you." She felt the warmth rise to her cheeks at the thought of Gohan. "And Gohan doesn't either. As a matter of fact... I see what he likes in you and you are a good person."
"Oh." Aurora stated. 18 mentally thanked Kami for Aurora's oblivious expression. "Still, I can't be that good. I owe you and Gohan and Raikou so much. But everyone else is against me."
"No, they're not! And if you think so, why do you bother? What're you trying to do here?"
"Well, I thought I could make a difference. Having someone all the Clans could rally around and stop all their rivalries." Aurora resumed staring into the distance. "But all everyone sees is the Cold family. I didn't know much about my family, I didn't know they were that bad. I should probably just crawl into a hole somewhere and live quietly. Maybe Raikou can find someone acceptable in the branch house of the Ice royal family, even if they're not likely to have all the legitimate bloodlines."
"Which is why you should be the one!" Android 18 insisted. "Look, I know Gohan is back there supporting you. And I maybe I haven't been completely right with you but I know you won't step over someone like that. Eventually everyone will see that too. I'm with you, Aurora, no matter what."
"Oh, thank you, 18!" Aurora almost choked on her words. Getting up, she let the Android embrace her and returned the hug.
"There, I think that's enough for today." 18 said as she let go of the younger girl. "Let's go back to Raikou's and wait..." She abruptly paused, jaw open and face contorted into a mask of fear.
"18, what's wrong?... Hey, you hear that? Sounds like a strong wind coming..." Aurora started.
"N-No, it's...!" 18 realised what it was but it was too late.
Arriving in a blinding flash of light, she stopped in front of the two girls, hovering almost hautingly above them. The raven hair, the golden armour and the purple cape were unmistakable.
"Cerion?!" 18 yelled out, her face livid.
"Nice to see you again, Android 18." Cerion responded, smirking. "And please, step away from the girl."
END OF PART SEVEN
