Chapter Eight – Reflection

West City : Present 11:50am

She had arrived at her destination just moments ago but stopped just before reaching the door. Her breathing became irregular as she felt a twinge in her head. Its evil presence was far away right now but she could feel it. What or who is that? She waited there unable to move for twenty-five minutes, concentrating her every sense on the approaching evil. It's getting closer…and I can't stop shaking. She looked up to the sky acknowledging a figure's presence that was unseen to her.

She closed her eyes and was able to see a dark figure, an evil emanating there. Her eyes flew open quickly as she also saw a flash of a woman she had never seen before. But whoever this woman was, she was in danger. She grew sick in anticipation of this woman's impending demise. I wish I could stop this from happening. She closed her eyes once again and saw the figure attacking the woman with a blast forming in her hand. The energy and presence of the being became even stronger. Suddenly, a shocking pain shot its way through her head. "Ahhhh!" she started and fell to her knees. She gripped her pounding head and let out a scream. With her eyes closed she was watching as the woman in her mind was also screaming in pain. With the pain being too much, her body felt heavy and fell to the ground unmoving.

A bystander walking her small dog saw the girl collapse to the ground, "Oh my gosh!" She picked up her dog, rushed to where the girls form was and checked her vitals. She was aware that the girl was somewhat conscious and was groaning in pain. She began shaking the girl gently trying to wake her, but it was no use. Not knowing what else to do, the lady reached in her purse and pulled out her cell phone to contact help.

Kami's Lookout : Present 12:40pm

Four figures formed about fifty feet away from the group at the Lookout, Vegeta, Mirai Trunks, Gohan and Goku. Seemingly in a daze, Goku walked off towards the building and sat on top of the roof. Gohan looking devastated walked away also towards a tree. He turned his back to it and slumped to the ground. Vegeta and Mirai Trunks stared as the two left to be alone and grieve. "Great, now we have to wait even more…" Vegeta was growing sick of waiting by now. He too walked off heading towards the edge of the Lookout tower. Mirai Trunks sighed not knowing what to say. Was it a good idea to go back in time? I suppose so. We did get to see how this person looks, but to what cost… Whoever this new enemy is we have to find them and learn more about them. Mirai Trunks looked at the three other Saiyans then glanced at his watch; we have about two hours until we return back to normal. He then looked to Goku and then Gohan, I wonder what they're gonna tell the others, especially Goku's youngest son. He never met the small Saiyan and knew he would soon, he looked so much like Goku, so the relationship was unmistakable. Mirai Trunks sighed and walked towards the edge of the Lookout where Vegeta was standing. Maybe Father can help me come up with a plan.

Otherworld : Now

"Dammit, I still haven't seen Son Goku, but at least my main objective is complete. I need to make preparations to return to my domain, wouldn't want to be here within the next week." The figure smiled wickedly. "I have to get rid of Goku; he has to be the key to all of this. I need to find a stronger host this time if I'm to deal with him." The figure looked around and decided to search the depths of hell for her next candidate. Walking to the edge of Snake way, she hopped into the thick clouds allowing the gravity to take hold of her.

West City : Present 12:45pm

Ugh, what's that noise… The guy seated next to her noticed that she was stirring, "Hey Miss, take it easy. We're almost to the hospital." Did he just say hospital? The girls eyes flew open and the jarring noise didn't help her head very much. Am I in an ambulance? She was able to move her arms and guided them to her face. She struggled to take off the oxygen mask being that she was still dazed. "Hey! Don't do that." Ignoring the guy who was now trying to place the mask back over her mouth, she managed to pull off the mask completely. Unable to sit up she looked around hurriedly. "Let me go I feel fine." "Nonsense Miss, you will be released when we discharge you." No! I want to go now!" Before the guy could respond again the van came to a halt. The men from the front of the van flung open the back doors. The blinding light only intensified the headache the girl was having. The guy beside her made sure the straps to the cart were secured and she was pulled out of the van and being carried into the hospital. The girl tried to struggle to get free but it was no use. She began to grow sick to her stomach with each passing minute. "Miss once we do a thorough check of your vitals and make sure everything's ok, we will then let you go. What's your name Miss?" The girl looked to the guy deciding whether she should give him her name. She looked away, "The name is Lita, Lita Annatto." "Well Ms. Annatto a bystander saw you fall unconscious and called us. We will try to get you out of here as soon as possible." Lita frowned and hoped to leave as quickly as possible. She wasn't very fond of hospitals.

Kami's Lookout : Present 2:28pm

Mirai Trunks was watching as their alternate versions were preparing to leave. He made his way over to Gohan with Vegeta following, "Hey, it looks like we'll be back soon." Gohan just nodded silently not wanting to look up. Goku also made his way over to Gohan and Mirai Trunks quietly. "I hate to ask, but what are you guys planning on saying to the kid?" Gohan finally looked up knowing who Mirai Trunks was referring to. He looked to Goku to ask with unspoken words if he had an answer. What he saw however was his father with red eyes and a distant expression on his face. He stared at the ground for a moment, "I don't think it's a good idea to tell Goten about mom, at least not yet anyway." Goku glanced at Gohan and nodded in agreement to his suggestion. "I've been thinking dad, we should find this person and make them pay." Not knowing what to say Goku looked down at the ground thinking.

"Maybe vengeance isn't a good idea just yet. I mean, we don't even know who or what we're dealing with," Mirai Trunks tried to reason. "I don't know, it could really help me focus right now," Goku said dryly. Vegeta became angry, "Look here Kakkarot, you of all people should be above vengeance." "Well I'm not going to sit here and do nothing Vegeta. That witch is going to pay for what she did." "Goku, I understand that you're angry but…" "You have no idea how angry I am right now!" Mirai Trunks flinched a little at Goku's interruption. Gohan too was eying him with caution. Vegeta walked up to Goku and gave him a right hook to the head. Goku's head hung to the side for a moment, and then he brought his attention to Vegeta again distressed. He responded quietly, "Thanks Vegeta…" Vegeta backed off a couple of feet, "Listen Kakkarot, it seems to me that there's a great chance that this person's returned to the Spirit World. I think that's a good place to start looking. Not to mention that the Namek Dragonballs will be ready soon. So you should look for that person then return to find the Dragonballs." Mirai Trunks could only look on stunned, 'My' father with the cool head…what's been happening here while I was gone?

"That's a good idea Vegeta," Gohan added. "Dad I'm going with you." Goku started to open his mouth to protest but stopped when he saw the look in Gohan's eyes. He sighed, "Ok Gohan, I am going to need backup anyway. Vegeta I need you and Mirai Trunks to remain here just in case, and please look after Goten while we're gone." "I don't do babysitting Kakkarot." "We will Goku."

By now the training that the others had started had come to a halt. The rest of the Z-gang were looking in their direction. Gohan looked around at the expecting faces and scratched his head, "I guess we're back." The four made their way over to the others.

"Well that was fast," Tien mentioned. "Yeah we came back after our other selves left for the Past," Mirai Trunks responded. Goten ran towards Gohan and Goku, "So did you find her? Is mom ok?" Vegeta stepped forward knowing how terrible of a liar Goku and Gohan were, "You're mom's fine. Kakkarot and Gohan are going to follow the new lead and bring her back." Goku smiled at Vegeta for stepping forward, "Yeah Goten, we're going to find mom ok." "I wanna come with you dad." Goku crossed his arms, "Goten I need you to stay here with Trunks and protect everyone." Goten looked down to the ground and frowned, "Ok daddy."

"So, what happened on your trip?" Bulma inquired. Mirai Trunks looked at the other three to see if they would answer. When none of them came forward he spoke up, "We went back to the past and found out that this time line was completely different from the one we visited. Needless to say we wasted our time there." He hesitated as if waiting for someone to jump in. To his relief Vegeta spoke again, "We decided to come back to this time line before Kakkarot's mate was attacked. We saw the person who we're up against." Gohan added his input, "There was a woman in black that had a black aura around her; she and the aura were engulfing a smaller person. We couldn't make out who or what this person was cause they looked pitch black. It seemed like the smaller one was possessed or being controlled by the woman. But what was weird was that she had a halo above her head." "Hmm, so she's dead but has returned to this world huh?" "That's right Krillin," Gohan confirmed.

"So, you guys weren't able to help Chi-Chi?" Yamcha asked. Gohan started to answer the question, but didn't know what to say. Mainly it was because the answer was too painful to think of. "That woman's attack made Chi-Chi disappear," Goku answered. It's half true; I'm not entirely lying... "What do you mean dad? Why didn't you help mom?" Goten asked. "Goten, if we go back to a different time line we're able to help people. But if you go back to the time line that we were still in, then we appear invisible to everyone. Meaning, since we were still here in this time line, there can't be two of the same people in the same time line," Mirai Trunks tried to explain. Bulma tried to clarify, "So since you guys hadn't left for the Past yet, you were invisible to everyone when you came back to the Present…" "That's right mom," Mirai Trunks answered. Trunks seemed a little upset with his counterpart calling 'his' mom, mom. "That's very interesting," Bulma added.

"What's interesting is the fact that when we finished watching that woman attack Chi-Chi, she heard me when I said Chi-Chi's name," Goku responded with an intense gaze. "What!" Krillin, Bulma, Yamcha and Tien exclaimed at once. "Please explain Goku," Piccolo urged. "After she finished attacking Chi-Chi she started walking away vowing that me and her will meet. I was too stunned with Chi-Chi's disappearance and said her name. That woman stopped and looked around asking if it was me." "As it turns out," Gohan furthered, "She was only able to hear us and not see us. Dad asked what she wanted with him and she seemed to know of our plans. She knew we went back in time and that we were invisible to her. She knew that she couldn't harm us and we couldn't harm her. She was intent on killing dad, that much we know." "Oh, don't forget the fact that she said she wasn't able to go through time any more and kill us," Mirai Trunks reminded. "Wait, this woman can travel through time," Yamcha asked a little terrified. "She used to," Mirai Trunks corrected. "So we're dealing with a formidable foe," Piccolo acknowledged.

"Videl, can you take the kids inside to get a drink or something?" Goku asked suddenly. "Uhh, sure Goku. Come on you guys this way." "But why?" Trunks wined. "Do as you're told boy." Trunks gave up and went with Goten, Videl and Marron inside.

"What was that about Goku?" came from Yamcha. "When Chi-Chi was attacked, all that remained of her was a pile of dust." "What do you mean Goku," Oolong asked nervously. "I mean that that woman has the ability to erase someone from existence." "I'm sure the Dragonballs will bring her back," Bulma commented. Goku's expression grew dark, "Right after Chi-Chi was attacked the first time, I asked King Yemma to check if Chi-Chi checked in. He said she didn't and that her name was erased from his book." "What! No one can erase people's names from his book," Piccolo said shockingly. "I know…both King Kai and King Yemma say that it's as if Chi-Chi doesn't exist." Everyone was shocked at the news of Chi-Chi's death and feared that this was only the beginning. "How do you beat someone like that?" Tien asked in wonder. "Don't know, but me and Gohan are going to the Otherworld to investigate. But I need you guys to stay here and protect the Earth if she returns." Everyone looked around at each other and all agreed.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Vegeta motioned. "The smaller figure possessed by that woman is a Tuffle." "What's a Tuffle?" Gohan asked. "Long ago there was a race that lived on the Planet Vegeta called the Tuffles. But back then the Planet Vegeta was known as Planet Plant. The Tuffles were many in number and had developed high tech technology. We Saiyans lived outside of their cities and were small in number. The Saiyans waited until a full moon appeared and wiped them all out and took their technology. I guess they might be a little bitter about that." "Barbaric Saiyans," Yamcha commented. "What was that!" "Would you two cool it!" said Bulma. "Anyway," Vegeta continued, "The Tuffles look like you pathetic humans but are the size of that clown over there." "Hey!" Chao-tzu complained. "Watch it Vegeta," Tien warned. Before Vegeta had time to counter Goku spoke, "So, the Tuffles have a grudge against the Saiyans…it still doesn't explain why she's using them."

"Don't know, but you two should go before the kids get back," Piccolo warned. "Yeah," Gohan replied. "I don't think that that woman will be returning anytime soon to Earth." "Why Piccolo?" Oolong asked a little relieved. "Because if my theory's correct and she's using the Tuffles as host to come back here, it might take her a while to find another one. Besides, she knew where Goku lived, so I'm sure she'll know where to find him in the Otherworld." "Wow, that's very reassuring Piccolo," Goku teased. "Well we better be on our way Gohan."

Before Goku and Gohan left however, a figure appeared towards the edge of the Lookout. Everyone's gaze fell upon him. He looked to each of them preparing to defend himself when he spotted the one person he's been searching for all this time. She stood there amongst them as if she were one of them. Her shocked expression was read easily upon seeing him… Eighteen called to him in disbelief, "Seventeen!?"