--- Disturbance, Book 2: Divergence ---
Chapter D06 - Coming Undone
Disclaimer: The fun about this sentence is that by the time you realise it doesn't say anything, it's too late to stop reading it. Also: See first chapter.
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-Keep holding on when my brain's ticking like a bomb-
The mood aboard the airbus the Z Fighters collectively sat was sombre. Everyone was pointedly avoiding the topic of Vegeta, for fear of how the known-to-be-unstable blue-haired genius in the front would take it, but the general consensus was that something had been done to him, changing him into what they'd seen, because the Vegeta they all knew was past that.
Trying to start some sort of conversation, Videl turned to the bag beside her, noticing the seven orange balls within pulsing. "I can't believe these small glass balls have the power to bring people back from the dead."
-Guess the black bots have come again to get me-
"Well, believe it Videl," Yamcha replied, from his position piloting the craft; normally, Bulma would steer, but she wasn't exactly in the right frame of mind right now. "We've used the Dragon Balls many times to revive people. I mean, even I've been killed and revived before."
"Oh no, don't get me wrong, I believe the Dragon Balls can revive people," Videl back-pedalled, deliberately choosing not to mention the incident a month ago that had required Dragon Balls to fix, though glad said incident hadn't used Earth's set; that might have been hard to explain. "I just can't believe the Dragon Balls look so... well, ordinary."
-Sweet bitter words, unlike nothing I have heard-
Chichi smiled. "Well, they always say you can't judge a book by its cover. Some times the tiniest things can have the most effect. If it's any conciliation, however, Gohan's told me the Namekian set, the original set of Dragon Balls, are each about the size of a basketball, if not larger."
Turning to her left to face the woman, Videl was about to reply when she saw a golden glow out the window. A glow that was steadily getting brighter, and approaching. "Hey guys, what's that?"
-Sing along mocking bird, you don't affect me-
His head whipping left, Yamcha took one look at the glow before realising exactly what it was. "Hang on everyone, this is going to get rough!" The airbus was rocked violently for a few minutes, as waves of golden light washed over the Capsule Corp craft, and just as they thought it couldn't get worse, it suddenly stopped, and the ship levelled out.
Sitting up in her seat again, Videl commented, "That got the old heart rate up."
As if the dark-haired teen's words had triggered something, Bulma suddenly felt a pang in her chest. Placing a hand over her left breast, she thought to herself, 'What's this horrible feeling in my heart?' Had Bulma talked with Chichi concerning how she dealt with Goku's death, she might have noticed the signs; then again, she might not have, as she hadn't heard Vegeta's voice since he'd entered the ship, and had been feeling depressed ever since she saw him kill those people. 'I think... I think something bad's happened to Vegeta...'
-That's right-
The prince opened his eyes, taking quick recon of the surrounding area. A massive ornate castle, yellow clouds covered much of what should be ground, and a line of small bluish-white clouds were being herded by a series of blue ogres; there was no mistaking what this place was. "So this is Otherworld huh?"
-Deliverance of my heart-
"Correct!" A voice boomed from behind him. Turning to face it, he noticed the giant red form of King Yemma behind him; Vegeta felt a certain sense of sick satisfaction at having been bumped to the head of the line. "Vegeta, in your life you have caused so much pain, to list your crimes would take more time than I can spare. And yet, you have tried to make amends for your actions. Do you have anything to say in your defence that might sway my verdict?"
-Please strike-
Vegeta smirked. "Yes I do. It doesn't really matter what you do to me, you can't really punish me. If you send me to Hell, I spend the rest of eternity with my people, beating the shit out of Frieza. If you don't, I spend the rest of eternity beating up Kakarott and the other powerful warriors. Either way, I get what I want."
-Be deliverance-
Yemma frowned. "Very well Vegeta. I hereby sentence you to an eternity in Hell. May you find remorse for your crimes there."
As the floor opened up beneath him, Vegeta used his ki to prevent his descent for now; he had one final comment he wished to make. "Good luck with that. I mean, honestly, has that ever worked?" Dropping into the hole before the now-angry demon could find somewhere worse to stick him, Vegeta cast his eyes about his new home. "Now then, to find my people..." He mused to himself, blasting off.
-Wait / I'm coming undone-
Bulma's dark musing was cut short when a panicked Yamcha shouted, "Guys, I think we're in trouble." He twisted the controls to either side. "The controls, they aren't responding!" There was an explosion. "We've just lost engine one!" A second explosion. "Engine two! We're going down!"
-Unlaced / I'm coming undone-
The crippled yellow airbus screamed down towards the desert wasteland below, while Bulma and Yamcha frantically worked to restore the system. In the back, Chichi shouted, "Do something! If you don't, we're all gonna die!"
"I'd like to Chichi," Yamcha shot back, "But what can I do without any engines?"
-Too late / I'm coming undone-
An idea forming, Videl raced over to the nearest side exit, shouting, "Hold on!" Satisfied her message was received, she twisted the handle, flinging the door open and taking to the skies. Focusing her energy, she sped forward to the front of the ship and began pushing, trying to slow it's forward momentum, with limited success. 'Damnit!' She screamed in her head. 'I'm just not strong enough...'
-What looks so strong so delicate-
Her own personal panic was halted when she noticed a second set of very feminine hands grasp the wheel axel below. Tracing the arms back to their source, she noticed the blonde form of Eighteen lending her own vast strength to the task. Said android, noticing the gratitude in Videl's eyes, replied to the unspoken statement with a cool, "Don't mention it. I just wish I'd thought of it first."
-Wait / I'm starting to suffocate-
Working together, the two managed to right and land the craft safely, to an excited shriek from Marron of "Mommy's flying the plane!" Carefully setting the airbus on the red dirt, the pair shared a relieved sigh and a smile before the rest of the group exited the vehicle to give their thanks.
Videl waved them off, giving an embarrassed, "I didn't really do anything; it was almost all Eighteen."
-And soon I anticipate-
"Maybe so," Eighteen herself argued, "But it was your idea."
Sliding off his yellow jacket, Yamcha fetched the toolkit out of the back. "Well, I better get to work fixing this thing if we're ever gonna get to Capsule Corp."
-I'm coming undone-
Bulma scowled to herself, shoving him aside. "Let me do it."
"But Bulma-"
-What looks so strong so delicate-
"Shut up Yamcha!" She snapped. "I'm the one who built this thing, so I'm the most qualified to fix it." He opened his mouth to protest. "I'm also in a very bad mood and need to do something, so if you get in my way, I'm going to stick this wrench someplace unpleasant." Said wrench was about the size of her forearm; Yamcha quickly backed off. Nodding, Bulma slipped on a pair of work overalls she kept in the back, and set to work.
-Choke, choke again / I thought my demons were my friends-
The four floating figures gazed out in the direction that had, until a few seconds ago, contained a massive dome of golden light. The sombre mood was broken when Oran commented softly, "Typical Vegeta. He died the way he lived; loud, violent, and impossible to miss." This remark got a slight smile from two of the three others.
The third, Piccolo, stated, "I'm going to go pay my respects."
"I'll go with you," Krillin offered.
-Getting me in the end, they're out to get me-
The Namek just shook his head. "I'd rather go alone."
Krillin hung his head. "Right. Buu might still be alive."
"I doubt it," Piccolo replied, "But we can't be too careful. I need you to ensure the kids get to safety." Krillin signalled his agreement, and the group started to drift apart before Piccolo added, "And Krillin, I need you to do something for me."
-Since I was young I've tasted sorrow on my tounge-
The former monk nodded. "Sure Piccolo, what is it?"
"I need you to tell everyone what happened here."
"What did happen here?"
-And this sweet chugga gun does not protect me-
Piccolo hung his head. "I don't know what happened to Goku, but... Gohan is dead. I heard Vegeta say that Majin Buu had killed Gohan." The green man took off without another word.
"Wait Piccolo! That's not fair!" Krillin shouted after him, collapsing inwards. Thinking back over what he'd seen of Gohan's life, Krillin wept inside. 'I can't believe he's dead...' "I'd rather fight Buu..."
-That's right-
Taking in the damage Vegeta's attack had done to the landscape, Piccolo had just one thing to say; "Whoa, what a blast!" The diameter of the crater formed from Vegeta's explosive attack would, from ground level, have stretched past the horizon. Landing in the centre, he observed that there wasn't a trace of Vegeta anywhere, but there were traces of Buu; thousands of pink pieces littered the ground.
'I never would have thought you the type to make such a noble sacrifice,' Piccolo thought silently to the deceased prince. 'Giving your life for another, it's not an easy choice to make; I know.' He was, of course, referring to when he had thrown himself in front of Nappa's blast and saved Gohan's life. 'I was once like you Vegeta, before Gohan's love changed me, as, it would seem, Bulma and Trunks' did you.'
-Trigger between my eyes-
Taking in the sight of Buu's remains, he continued, 'I can see now why you had to do it. Majin Buu would have regenerated from anything less than complete destruction, so you had to find a way to destroy him completely. Well you've done it Vegeta. Your sacrifice was not in vain.'
His sensitive ears picked up a dying voice amidst the carnage. Walking over, he noticed a slightly smaller inner crater, in which rested the bisected form of the wizard Babidi. Practically burning inside with rage, Piccolo spat, "How is it that good people like Vegeta and Gohan die, while you live on?"
-Please strike-
"Help me," Babidi cried weakly.
"Oh I'll help you alright!" Piccolo growled, raising both hands to his forehead and preparing his student's technique; it seemed the most appropriate. "Masen-" He cut off quickly when he noticed the little pink blobs twitching, and he gaped in horror when they each formed into a mini Buu, giggled creepily, and took to the sky, flying into a single mass in the sky; Majin Buu was rebuilding himself. Getting a running start, Piccolo shouted, "I better get out of here while I can!"
-Make it quick now-
No sooner had he left than the newly rebuilt Majin Buu landed heavily on the ground whence he'd stood, smirking evilly in the direction the green man had left. The pink thing turned to the side when it heard Babidi cry out, "Help me Majin Buu!" Buu put a hand to its head in a mockery of thinking, before sticking it's tongue out at him. "If you don't help me I'll seal you away again, and with me dead there will be no-one left to release you!" That got Buu's attention, and the pudgy pink monster quickly zapped Babidi with a green beam from its head tentacle, returning him to normal again.
Giving the bowing, mockingly apologetic Buu no more thought, Babidi growled to himself, "They'll all pay! The green man and those kids! All of them are going to rue the day they messed with the great wizard Babidi! We're not going to destroy this planet; we're going to turn it into a living Hell! By the time we're done, they will beg for a death I shall not grant them!"
-Wait / I'm coming undone-
At the speed he was going, it was no surprise to Piccolo that he caught up with Krillin and the kids quickly; the formerly bald ex-monk wasn't exactly in a hurry, as he knew that, upon reaching his destination, he would have to break the terrible news that both Vegeta and Gohan were dead. As such, he both simultaneously relieved and horrified when Piccolo raced up and shouted, "Change of plans; we've got to get to the Lookout."
"It's Buu isn't it?" Oran asked. "He's still alive."
-Unlaced / I'm coming undone-
Piccolo nodded grimly. "Yes. Vegeta's attack had blown him into a thousand pieces, but somehow, he was able to regenerate even from that."
Ignoring Krillin's startled squawk, Lime asked, "How are we meant to defeat an enemy like that?"
"I don't know." He replied. "But I do know that we need to get to safety and work out what we've got. Until we find out who else we still have, those two are our only hope." Clearly, he meant the unconscious Goten and Trunks. With a nod, the group changed directions for the Lookout; it wouldn't keep them safe forever, but hopefully, it would last long enough.
-Too late / I'm coming undone-
A beaten, broken, and bloodied body staggered painfully over the rough terrain, far west of the once battlefield. Though his body should have given out long ago, through sheer force of will the Supreme Kai forced himself to go onwards, with just one hope, one goal in mind. "Gohan... You have to be alive. You're our only hope..." Eventually, he could go no further, and collapsed to his knees, his strength gone. Forcing deep breaths, he gathered his strength; he would try again, and keep trying until he found Gohan.
-What looks so strong so delicate-
The sound of running footsteps heralded Piccolo, Krillin and the kids' arrival to the Lookout, as Dende and Popo raced out to greet them. Taking in the sight of the two unconscious boys, Dende exclaimed, "They're not hurt are they?"
Piccolo shook his head. "No. Vegeta just knocked them out so they wouldn't interfere. They just need time to rest."
The young Guardian breathed a sigh of relief. "Then we'd better get them to bed. Mister Popo, could you show the kids the way?" The twins followed the black genie, and once they'd gone, Dende turned back to Piccolo and Krillin, half asking, "I take it we haven't made any headway?"
-Wait / I'm starting to suffocate-
The elder Namek frowned. "No. We're really on the ropes here. Vegeta's attack had Buu into thousands of pieces, but he just regenerated. And now..."
"Vegeta's gone," Dende finished sadly. At Krillin's startled look, Dende explained, "I've been keeping my proverbial third eye on what's happening down there."
"Really?" Krillin exclaimed excitedly, "So you can tell us whether Goku's alright? And Gohan?"
-And soon I anticipate-
Half-smiling, Dende replied, "As for Goku, it's kind of hard to kill a man who's already dead. As for Gohan..." The smile fell. "His ki signal just... disappeared. I didn't see what happened, but I can only assume..." He trailed off.
"What about the Supreme Kai?" Piccolo interjected.
-I'm coming undone-
The young Namek looked startled at that name. "Ah, I forgot to keep an eye on him." Closing his eyes, he concentrated for a moment before shouting, "There! He's okay; the signal's weak, but he's still alive."
Piccolo nodded. "Good. It's hard to make a plan when you don't know who you've got to run it."
Looking around, Krillin asked defeatedly, "Yeah, but, what are we gonna do now?"
-What looks so strong so delicate-
Sitting up in the desert wasteland that had become a battleground a few hours ago, at most, Goku clutched a hand to his head. "Man, it feels like I've been run over. What happened?" A sudden memory flash filled him in. "Oh right, Vegeta clubbed me over the back of the head. What a cheap shot!" Forcing himself to his feet, he stretched out his senses. "Oh no. By the looks of things, both Gohan and Vegeta are gone, and Majin Buu is free. Oh hey, Piccolo and Krillin are back in action; they'll know what's going on." Putting two fingers to his forehead, he spared one final thought for his son. "Gohan, I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."
-I'm trying to hold it together-
"Hey Dende, can I bring my family up here?"
The young Guardian looked over at the ex-monk, replying, "Well, technically it's not allowed, but I'm more than willing to bend the rules."
"Thanks Dende," Krillin smiled. "I'd like to have them nearby, what with everything that's happening. I don't want to think negatively, but without Goku, what hope do we have?" As if summoned by his words, the group noticed a sudden ki appear on the Lookout. Racing towards it, they noticed a battered Goku waving at them. "Goku! You're alive!"
"As alive as a dead guy can be!" Goku replied cheerfully. "So, anyone care to explain to me what's going on?" As Dende healed him, the others began explaining the situation. Once they were done, Goku growled to himself, "Gohan, Supreme Kai, and even Vegeta... What kind of monster are we dealing with?"
-Head is lighter than a feather-
"Majin Buu's power level continues to increase at a rapid rate," Piccolo explained, "If we can't stop him here, then there will be nothing keeping him from destroying the entire universe."
"What are you worried about Piccolo?" Krillin asked. "Now that Goku's here everything's gonna be fine."
"No Krillin, it won't," Goku interrupted. "When Vegeta and I were fighting, we were evenly matched, and Vegeta threw everything he had at Buu, even his life, and it still wasn't enough." The impact of this statement weighed heavily on the group. "Darn it! If only Vegeta hadn't been so arrogant we could have worked together!"
"Goku, an army of Super Saiyans couldn't have stopped Buu," Piccolo started to say.
"No Piccolo, I mean we could have done a fusion," Goku explained. He was met by blank looks. "A fusion is where two warriors, through use of a special technique, combine their powers together temporarily."
-Looks like I'm not getting better-
"You mean, like a merger?" Dende asked.
"That's exactly it!" Goku exclaimed. "I learnt it from the Metamorise in Otherworld. It allows two people of similar build and power to combine, but unlike other mergers, including the Namekian version, instead of one body playing host, a new, hybrid body is created, with characteristics from both." Rubbing the back of his neck in traditional Son fashion, he added, "Admittedly, I've never actually been able to try it, as there was no-one in Otherworld similar enough to me, and now that both Gohan and Vegeta are dead, that kinda sinks that plan."
Popo blinked. "What about Goten and Trunks? Could they do a fusion?"
-Not getting better-
The gloom over the group exploded into joyful hope. "Yes! You're right Mister Popo, they could!" Turning to Piccolo, Goku explained, "I'm not gonna have enough time to teach them myself before my time is up, so do you think you'd be able to take over?"
Piccolo nodded. "I'll do my best." Without warning, the sky turned pitch black. "Someone's summoned the dragon!"
"It must be Bulma!" Dende exclaimed, "She must be trying to wish back the people Vegeta killed."
"Darn it! I've gotta stop her!" With that, Goku vanished.
-Wait / I'm coming undone-
"So how does this work exactly?" Videl asked curiously, casting her eyes over the seven pulsing orange balls scattered in a loose circle over the Capsule Corp lawn. "Does the dragon just pop out of them?"
"She may have a pretty face, but she's not very bright," Oolong muttered sourly.
"Shut up you!" Videl spat. "I'm not naive, I've just never seen a magical dragon before." Beside her, Chichi beamed in pride at how easily she managed to cow the talking pig.
"Do you remember the spell Bulma?" Yamcha asked.
"Don't worry Yamcha," the billionairess replied, "I'm not gonna screw it up."
"So there's a spell involved," Videl muttered, "Well, of course there'd be a spell to summon a magic dragon..."
-Unlaced / I'm coming undone-
Holding her hands before her, Bulma shouted, "Eternal dragon, by your name I summon you forth. Shenron!" The pulsing made way for a bright yellow glow, the sky growing dark, before a bolt of lightning blasted out of the balls and twisted through the sky, the tip of eventually shaped itself into a reptilian head as the golden light faded to reveal green scales.
"You who have disturbed me from my slumber, speak, and name your first wish," the booming voice of Shenron declared.
"I think that I... I'm going to have to faint now," Videl commented dazedly.
Chichi smiled. "That was my first thought when I first laid eyes on Shenron too."
"Shenron!" Bulma shouted, "I want you to return all the people who died today back to life, except the evil ones."
The dragon's eyes glowed red. "It has been set in motion. Name your second wish."
"Second wish!" A new voice exclaimed. "Oh no, I'm too late!"
-Too late / I'm coming undone-
"Goku?" Chichi asked curiously, "What's going on?"
"I'll explain once I get you guys to the Lookout, okay?" The deceased fighter replied, before turning to the dragon and shouting, "We don't have any more wishes for you to grant today, okay? We'll call you again some time!"
"As you wish. Farewell." The dragon intoned, before fading back into yellow light. As the light faded, the glowing balls rose into the sky, before blasting off in seven different directions.
"Well, that's that." Goku commented, before turning back to the group. "Alright then, everyone ready to leave? As long as you're connected to me, even vicariously, you'll be transported."
"Oh, so you know Instant Transmission too Goku?" Videl asked.
The man in question tilted his head to one side. "How do you know about instant Transmission Videl?"
Inside, she started to sweat; she didn't want to explain the incident a month ago. Outside, however... "Oh, Gohan told me about it. He just didn't tell me he learnt it from you."
"Oh, okay then." He looked around. "Everyone connected? Then off we go." With that, the group vanished.
-What looks so strong so delicate-
'How am I alive?' This was the main question running around Kibito's head. 'I remember Dabura attacking me, but my body feels like it's perfectly fine.' He looked around the area. 'The same can't be said for the battleground however. Where is the Supreme Kai?' A niggle at the back of his senses caught his attention. 'There!' He took to the sky, hoping he wasn't too late.
Shin staggered forward step by painful step, the beating sun causing streams of sweat to streak down his face, carving trenches through the dirt. 'I will need help in order to stop Majin Buu. As long as Gohan lives, there is hope that I will be able to put a stop to Majin Buu, and as long as there is hope he is alive, I must continue on.' The world began swimming before his eyes, and he could sense Gohan's life force, faint though it was, still continuing up ahead, but his body could go no further, and he collapsed to the hard rock.
-Wait / I'm starting to suffocate-
As his consciousness faded in and out, he could hear the soft taps he associated with someone landing, before he was being shaken lightly, and a voice belonging to a dead man stated, "I know that you're alive my master; I can feel it!" With a low roar and a bright light, Kibito healed the Supreme Kai of his injuries. "Master?" His eyes snapped open, and he slowly pushed himself upright. "Greetings master?"
"Kibito?" Shin exclaimed in shock. "What's going on here? I saw you die! Dabura killed you right before my eyes!"
"I don't understand it myself," Kibito explained. "I just woke up in the crater that once was the mountain range we landed on."
"You just awoke as if nothing had happened? How peculiar."
"Yes indeed," Kibito nodded. "I must admit I was quite surprised myself. I was certain I was dead."
-And soon I anticipate-
Shin's head snapped around as his newly recovered senses picked up his target. "Ah, it's Gohan." He started to run off. "Kibito, hurry. Gohan's life hangs in the balance. No matter what we absolutely cannot let him die!" He blasted off without another word, Kibito shooting off after him. As they flew through the air, Shin asked, "Do you feel that?"
Kibito frowned. "His negative energy is impossible for me to ignore. Even after all this time, Majin Buu is as unstoppable a force as ever."
"The situations not entirely hopeless," Shin smiled, "There's a possible beacon of light that has made itself known to me."
"Does this have anything to do with our search for Gohan?" Kibito asked. Shin just smiled cryptically.
-I'm coming undone-
Within minutes, the pair found themselves floating over a fairly large woodland, searching for where Gohan had landed. "He should be around here somewhere..." Shin mused to himself.
"There he is, right there!" Kibito exclaimed, pointing down to a clearing where, sure enough, Gohan's battered body lay peacefully. The two quickly landed on either side of him, and Kibito checked his vitals. "He's alive. However, he's in a critical state, just like you were before I revived you master."
A relieved expression spread across the Supreme Kai's face. "Ah, then there's hope." Kibito placed a hand over Gohan's heart, but Shin cut him off quickly. "No. Kibito, let's wait to restore Gohan's energy until we take him with us back to our world."
Kibito gaped at him. "But master, surely you don't suggest bringing a mere Earthling back to the world of the Kai's do you? Why even the Grand Kai himself is not permitted to set foot on such hallowed ground."
"You heard me," Shin stated forcefully. "Now let's go home."
"Yes master," Kibito replied begrudgingly. A green sphere of energy appeared around the group before, with a short whistle, they were gone.
-What looks so strong so delicate-
To be continued...
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Author's notes:
Bit of a late update I know, but I've been so busy recently with job interviews it completely slippd my mind. Oh well, better late than never.
A quick reply to SSJmusicfighter282: First, let me say 'thank you' for your review. It's nice to know there actually are people who have read the entire series thusfar. Now, in responce to your request, I think I can safely tell you that there's a remarkably good chance of Kai returning at some point without spoiling anything I have planned. He may not have a large role (i.e. longer than a chapter) but there is a very good chance he will appear.