Chapter Twelve – Day of Darkness
West City : Present 11:30am — Day 3
Both had touched down at the local mall not far from Capsule Corp. "So," Mirai Trunks began, "Where did you learn to fight like that?" Lita stopped walking for a minute which caused Mirai Trunks to stop as well. "My father held a bunch of fighting matches, similar to that of the World Martial Arts tournament. The only difference is that it includes weaponry." Lita paused for a moment then continued walking again with Mirai Trunks following along. "I learned to fight by training diligently everyday it seems. I guess being royal, you get the best trainers around the world. My dad wanted me to be a fighter, but my mom wanted me to learn dancing. So to please them both, I combined my dancing skills with my fighting skills. It does take a lot of discipline." "Yeah, I'd imagine. Well you have a very unique and mesmerizing fighting style." Lita couldn't help but smile, "So, you were mesmerized huh?" "Uhh…" This caused Lita to smile even more, "What about it was mesmerizing?" Mirai Trunks staggered a bit, "Umm, your movements…and the way they were executed… I think you looked, I mean were great, with the fighting that is…" Dammit, I should just shut up right now. Lita grinned, "Thanks." If I didn't know any better, I'd think he likes me. Don't want to jump to conclusions though, is probably just wishful thinking. Lita frowned at the last thought, I wish things were different and the world wasn't ending.
The two walked in awkward silence for a little while looking at the various stores. Mirai Trunks glanced at Lita briefly who was taking in all the sights. "So, what do you think of my family?" "I wish I knew everyone better." "Hmm," Mirai Trunks responded, "What do you want to know?" "Not exactly sure at the moment. Ah, how do I look in your time?" Lita stopped walking giving Mirai Trunks her full attention. "I'm not sure if I ever met you in my time. Seventeen and Eighteen were ruthless in my time and killed a lot of people, including the gang you saw at the tower today. I was too young at the time to know Goku and the gang, but I did know Gohan. He trained me…but he was killed when I was a teenager. Now, only me, my mom, and Chi-Chi are alive. And the Dragonballs don't exist there since Piccolo was killed, so we can't wish anyone back." Mirai Trunks wore a solemn expression after he finished talking. That must be why he's so sad all the time. Having to witness your friends die right before you is awful. "I'm sorry," Lita responded sadly. I didn't mean to bring up any ghost from his past…Maybe I can cheer him up some, but how?
Lita looked around and caught sight of a pet shop. "Oh, look!" she squealed. She unconsciously grabbed Mirai Trunks' hand and ran towards the store pulling him along. "They're so cute," Lita acknowledged with her face near the puppies' cage. Mirai Trunks had to smile at her actions, Cute…I wonder what she thinks of me…I mean I barely even know her yet it feels like she makes me complete. She makes me very happy. Mirai Trunks couldn't help but notice that she was still holding his hand in hers. Should I tell her of my feelings? What if she rejects me and wants nothing to do with me? Lita turned her head to meet Mirai Trunks and tilted her head, "Whatcha thinking?" "Oh, umm…I'm not thinking of anything," Mirai Trunks said rather quickly. Hmm… Lita thought to herself. I love when she tilts her head like that, and her smiles are infectious. I have to tell her what I feel. Mirai Trunks was about to speak but was interrupted, "Maybe we should do something fun. Is there anything fun to do around here?" "Uh," Mirai Trunks responded a bit off guard, "I don't know of anything fun to do at the mall, but I'm sure we can think of something." "Ck. Well lets leave and think of something to do in the meantime then." "Alright." Lita smiled and grabbed Mirai Trunks' arm, wrapping her arm around it and walking very close to him. I guess we have the entire day to talk serious. We should have fun while we can. With that, the two left the mall in search of excitement.
Otherworld : Now
She had finally finished her spell, and the various cloud like forms were gaining their bodies back. The cloud like forms were materializing to that of a humanistic form, unlike humans however, their bodies were short in stature. Each being only stood four feet tall. There was lots of chatter as the beings received their gift. In addition, each began to give off a black aura surrounding their form. Out of curiosity, one of them demonstrated his powers on the nearby fountain. Almost instantly, the fountain began to decay in black chunks to the ground. On the ground, those pieces formed a black puddle which slowly evaporated into nothing.
"Whoa!" a nearby Tuffle sounded. The woman smiled, "That is the extent of your abilities. By touching objects, including people, they will disintegrate right before your eyes. Just simply flex your fist and it should be done, you could choose not to use these abilities as well. If a shield is needed, hold out your hands in the direction of an attack and a shield should form there. Just remember not to over exert yourselves as it won't be affective if you're fatigued. I do suggest rest if this happens. You will know when a break is needed." There were lots of chatter in approval at the realization of their new found abilities.
The woman turned away creating the final procedure for the attack, a gateway that leads to Earth for the Tuffles to travel through.
Kami's Lookout : Present 12:12pm
The group had been in discussion for ten minutes trying to contemplate a plan against not only this impending doom, but also how to vanquish that evil woman. Goku, Gohan, Piccolo and Kibitoshin had to re-explain Lita's past and the recent events that have been taking place regarding her mental abilities.
"Say dad, we forgot to mention about the idea of attacking that woman mentally," Gohan mentioned just now remembering. "Ah, I almost forgot. Kibitoshin Gohan, King Kai and I were discussing possibly attacking that woman mentally. If you recall, Babidi was able to attack people using his mental abilities. And seeing as we might not be able to touch this person, then that might be our best bet." "You have an interesting idea Goku," Kibitoshin pointed out. "And, hopefully if we defeat this person, then that surge that's approaching may cease," Dende added. "So what you're saying is, if we defeat this person using mental attacks, then we can stop the surge?" Kibitoshin clarified. "Right," Gohan sounded. "And since Lita has great mental capabilities, she could be our only hope for existence," Goku included. "If you hadn't noticed Kakkarot, she can't control her abilities."
The group fell silent for a moment, trying to think further of the dilemma at hand. Suddenly Gohan had an epiphany, "The Elder Kai can awaken her abilities, like he did with me." "That's a great idea," Krillin sounded. "Great! We just have to make sure nothing happens to Lita while she's attacking," Goku concluded.
Before anyone could speak another word, there was a foreboding presence all over the planet. Everyone's attention was drawn to it, even those who were unable to sense Ki. "What is that?" Krillin asked aloud. Everyone remained silent for a few minutes not knowing what to expect from these various presences. Suddenly, Vegeta took off at full speed. "Where is he going?" Seventeen asked. Goku catching on realized his reaction, "He's heading to Capsule Corp. to get Bulma and the others and the Dragon radar." "It seems like there are lots of beings this time," Piccolo said using Kami's abilities to view the actions that were taking place. "Do you think they'll come here?" Videl asked a bit worried. "I don't think they would know about this place," Gohan explained. "So what do we do?" Eighteen asked. Everyone thought for a moment, "I think we should watch for a little bit to see the extent of these creature's abilities," Kibitoshin explained. The group did as they were told for now.
West City : Present 12:08pm
The two had settled on visiting the amusement park when a bunch of screams sounded. Both Mirai Trunks and Lita stood for a moment noticing the presence lurking. Mirai Trunks looked around trying to see if he could locate its source. He felt a presence a few yards away, so he grabbed Lita's hand and ran in that direction. "Usually people run away from screaming," Lita informed. "I know, but I'm no ordinary person." They rounded the corner and saw about seven short beings in the distance. Edging near them cautiously, Mirai Trunks witnessed a shocking discovery. A skyscraper turned black and was crumbling from the top down. He witnessed as what was a huge building became a puddle of blackness on the ground, slowly evaporating into nothing. What the hell! Mirai Trunks thought. "Unreal," Lita said astonished.
Mirai Trunks was going to say something when he felt another presence approaching their location, a presence he had felt once before. To his expectancy, Gotenks rushed towards the small beings posed to attack. He stopped a few feet from them. "What if what happened to that building happens to him?" Lita asked afraid. As if answering her question, an eighth figure a distance away, was grabbing hold of a bystander, turning them black as well. Not long afterwards, the bystander crumbled to the ground in the same manner that the building had. Both Mirai Trunks and Lita looked at one another briefly. Mirai Trunks wasted no time grabbing Lita, taking to the air, and rushing towards Gotenks.
Mirai Trunks got with in twenty feet and yelled in Gotenks' direction, "Don't touch them!" Gotenks looked back annoyed, "Psh, I can beat them all in less then ten seconds." Wanting to prove his point, Gotenks rushed towards the first one about to deliver a vicious kick. "No!" Lita screamed. Before Gotenks could reach his opponent, he stopped in midair about eight feet above the being unable to move. "Huh!" Gotenks sounded in confusion. Mirai Trunks also looked on puzzled, He stopped in midair… Gotenks tried to move any and every part of his body with no response. "What's going on!" he shouted. Mirai Trunks looked over to Lita who seemed fixed on Gotenks at the moment. "Don't attack them! If you touch them, your body will disintegrate!" she warned. Gotenks looked over to her, "What do you mean!" But before anyone could say anything more, a small being had caught hold of another bystander reducing them to nothing. Realization finally hit Gotenks, and he was able to back off and position himself next to Mirai Trunks and Lita.
"Was that you that stopped them?" Mirai Trunks questioned Lita. Mirai Trunks glanced at Lita for a minute noting that she was shaking uncontrollably and was very pale. Lita looked at Mirai Trunks, "I guess so…I didn't want him getting hurt." Gotenks over heard the conversation, "Thanks." The three looked on watching as four of the small beings were running around attacking people and only three were paying them any attention. "So now what?" Gotenks asked. "Maybe we can use blasts to attack them. Just whatever you do, don't touch them," Mirai Trunks warned. "Lita, find cover somewhere while we handle them." Lita nodded and looked around; she saw an over turned car from an apparent accident and made her way slowly towards it. Gotenks and Mirai Trunks took to the air and began a series of blasts on their opponents. Expecting the oncoming attacks, the three figures held out their hands just in time to shield themselves from the blasts.
"They have shields," Gotenks stated the obvious. Mirai Trunks noted that the figure's shield Gotenks attacked was fading it seems. Mirai Trunks wasted no time powering up and pushing through to the ascended Saiyan level. Not long afterwards, his transformation was complete, and Mirai Trunks let loose a powerful series of blasts. The figure raised his shield in an effort to protect himself. The other two nearby ran from the blast. Keeping up with the attack, Mirai Trunks saw as the figure's shield was fading. Gotenks was watching his attack and saw as the shield that was up broke as if it were glass. Mirai Trunks shot one last blast finishing off the being. Gotenks smiled and also began attacking relentlessly. With his combined strength, it took them a shorter period of time to kill the enemy. By now, three of the other four had made their way back in an effort to help the last remaining figure. This time, all four combined their shields against both Gotenks and Mirai Trunks' attack. While shooting a series of blasts, Mirai Trunks glanced towards Lita to make sure she was ok. What he saw made his heart sink, one of the figures was approaching Lita who seemed too afraid to move.
Lita stood there watching as the figure was closing in on her, His presence is too much. Move! Why can't I move! she screamed to herself. Lita stood there, her arms slightly raised, in shock and unable to breathe. She managed to open her mouth slightly wanting to scream, to move, to do anything but just remain there motionless. Just as the figure was three feet away, a thin blast was seen slicing through its neck. A small gasp escaped Lita's lips and she managed to step back from the figure that was now falling to the ground with a thud. His head rolled a short distance stopping about a foot from Lita. Lita stared transfixed as its body disintegrated like the building had and dissolved to nothing. She began to feel someone shaking her by the shoulders and wasn't able to hear the voice that was calling to her. She looked up slowly to find Mirai Trunks in front of her but couldn't make out what he was saying. Then, her breathing returned to her and she was able to hear Mirai Trunks, "Why didn't you move! You just stood there! You could've been killed, what were you thinking!" "I…I don't know…" she stammered. "The closer he got…I just couldn't move, I don't know why. I'm sorry…" Mirai Trunks stared at her for a moment seeing the terror in her eyes. He released his hold of her shoulders, Maybe she's very sensitive to their presence the closer they get.
"Yeah!" Mirai Trunks turned to see what Gotenks was exclaiming about. He had just finished off the beings that were left. Mirai Trunks didn't mean to leave him to finish them off alone, but he had to help Lita. He smiled, We can beat these things! He turned back towards Lita and his smile faded. Oh no… Lita remained still as before, transfixed and unable to move. Mirai Trunks was confused; he opened his mouth about to speak but jumped back slightly, shocked. His mouth hung open and he lost hold of his transformation as he saw a sharp pole sticking through Lita's chest. Lita inhaled sharply at the sudden realization of pain, the expression of shock on her face. Mirai Trunks could only manage a whisper at first, "Lita…" Lita whimpered as the pole was slowly being pulled out of her from behind. Blood began spilling from the wound as the pole was retracted. Lita squeezed her eyes shut as the pole was removed leaving nothing but pain, an unbearable pain. She lost all feeling in her legs and crumbled to the ground. "Lita!" Mirai Trunks stared in horror. He launched forward stopping just before the figure blasting him with a rather huge blast. Unable to shield himself, the figure was destroyed with the blast. Mirai Trunks turned back to Lita, watching as the ground around her was being stained with blood.
Gotenks landed next to her staring also, shocked. Mirai Trunks kneeled down and turned Lita on her back. "Lita! Stay with me!" he instructed. Lita could barely make out what Mirai Trunks was saying to her. Her vision was blurry and her breathing was irregular. She tried to speak, but only managed in coughing up blood. Her body convulsed in pain at the coughing, This is like my dream…Am I going to become nothing like that lady, Chi-Chi? Mirai Trunks clenched his jaw at the sight of blood trickling down her chin. Wait! "Gotenks, do you have a senzu bean!" Gotenks frowned, "No," he said sadly. Mirai Trunks looked around panicked, he began checking all of his pockets in search of a bean, but none was found. "I'm scared…" he heard Lita strain. He turned back to her, "Hang on! You hear me!" Wasting no time, Mirai Trunks picked Lita up carefully and took off towards the tower, with Gotenks following from behind.
Kami's Lookout : Present 12:17pm
"No! Lita's just been attacked! If she dies, then so does our chance at survival!" Goku heeding Kibitoshin's warning, teleported.
"Korin! I need a senzu bean!" Goku explained quickly. "Goku, they won't be ready until later tonight, Vegeta cleaned me out." "Dammit," Goku turned away and teleported again.
West City : Present 12:18pm
Mirai Trunks kept looking at Lita's face, coaching her to stay conscious. "It's cold…" she said slowly. Mirai Trunks was holding his breath, Will I make it in time? I have to… Lita began to feel her eye lids grow heavy, the visions of her dreams flooding her mind. Darkness began taking over her vision; Mirai Trunks could feel her Ki slipping, and fast.
Goku appeared from behind, "Mirai Trunks!" Mirai Trunks spun around and saw the one person he was hoping for. "Goku!" Goku wasted no time in grabbing the three of them and teleporting them.
Kami's Lookout : Present 12:18pm
Dende was already rushing to their location when Goku reappeared. Mirai Trunks set Lita down, allowing Dende to have access to heal her. Dende leaned over her and positioned his hands in the healing position. Mirai Trunks noticed that he was hesitating, "What are you doing, she doesn't have much time!" Dende looked up at him, "She's gone…" Mirai Trunks stood taken aback catching hold of his breath, She can't be… His arms went limp to his side as he watched Lita's unmoving form. "No!" Kibitoshin exclaimed. Silence fell upon the tower as everyone watched, hoping by some miracle that Lita would move.
After a few minutes, Gohan finally broke the silence, "We can still use the Namek Dragonballs can't we?" The statement seemed to revive everyone, "That's right," Yamcha answered. Goku walked away from everyone and teleported once more. The talking subsided for about three minutes.
Goku reappeared with Vegeta, Bulma, and Mr. and Mrs. Briefs. Everyone could see that Bulma was holding the Dragon radar in hand. And a weight was lifted from everyone. "We can't celebrate now," Goku informed. "We have to make sure Lita's ok in the Spirit World, seeing as that evil woman should still be there." "Just to make sure everyone's safe, we should all teleport to my planet." "Wait, what about Earth? We can't just abandon it," Tien noticed. "I know this may sound harsh, but there's nothing we can do that would help or stop the surge at this point. I don't want to risk anyone else's safety," Kibitoshin made clear. "But we could at least help," Chao-tzu tried. "I mean, we know how to defeat them right?" Kibitoshin hung his head for a moment, "You're right." "As long as that woman doesn't show up, then we should be fine handling the rest of them." "Yeah," Yamcha agreed, "I'll help out anyway I can too." "I'll go as well," Piccolo offered. "Yeah me too," came from Krillin. "Eighteen, can you stay here and watch Marron for me?" Eighteen nodded in agreement. She elbowed Seventeen, "What the hell was that for?" "Watch your mouth," Eighteen warned, "I want you to go with them," she said plainly. "I'm not helping…" but Seventeen noticed the glare that Eighteen was giving him. "Fine!"
"So it's settled then, the six of you will go to aid the people of Earth. While the rest of us will remain here just in case something were to happen. Goku, I want you to make sure Lita is fine in the Spirit Realm." Goku nodded slightly, "Alright. I guess everyone should return to the Lookout once they're finished. And Korin said a batch of the senzu won't be ready until tonight. I think we're going to be needing them." "Dad, I'm coming with you just in case," Gohan mentioned. "Me too Goku," I have to make sure Lita's safe.
"We also need a few volunteers to go to the Planet Namek and collect the Dragonballs there." "Of course I'm going," Bulma informed. "I'll go also. You're going to need someone who can summon and speak to the dragon in Namek," Dende explained. "I'm coming, cause you slow pokes will take all day just to find one," Vegeta bluntly told. "What wishes should we make?" Bulma asked directing her question at Kibitoshin who was calling the shots. "I guess try to find out any information you can about this new enemy and threat." "And wish mom back," Gotenks blurted out. Bulma smiled and nodded to Gotenks. "And bring Lita back too," Mirai Trunks added. "So it's settled, you three will go to Namek and gather the Dragonballs."
"Well, we should get going," urged Tien. He, Chao-tzu, Yamcha, Piccolo, Krillin and Seventeen powered up and took off towards Earth's surface. "Well we should get going before anything else happens," Bulma advised. Mirai Trunks made his way to Videl, "Hey, can you watch over Lita for me?" "Sure," she sounded. He then walked over to Goku, Bulma, Vegeta, Gohan, and Dende. The small group gathered around Goku vanished.
Planet Namek : Present 12:25pm
They appeared at the Elder's village. One of the Nameks working noticed the group, but most importantly he recognized the teenaged Dende amongst them. "Hey Everyone, Dende's back!" Many of them working around the area dropped what they were doing and came running to Goku and the group. Elder Mori emerged from the biggest building and was walking towards Dende. "Greetings my son and to you all, what brings you here? My Dende, how much you've grown?" Dende laughed a bit, "Hello sir." His expression quickly faded to that of a serious one, "Sir we have a problem. The universe is coming to an end and the Dragonballs are needed so that we can have a chance at survival." The Elder frowned and was a little confused by what he was saying.
"Time is of the essence, so we should really get moving. Dende, why don't you stay here and explain to everyone what's going on. There's no point in Vegeta carrying both of us to find the Dragonballs. Goku, you should get going as well and make sure Lita's ok." Goku nodded, "I'm sorry I can't stay longer you guys." Goku waved good bye to the Namekians as did Gohan and Mirai Trunks. He then teleported using the Instant Transmission.
"Sorry to have to run," Bulma apologized, "but we really should hurry. We'll return to drop off the Dragonballs as we recover them." Bulma wrapped her arms around Vegeta's neck, and the two shot through the air in search of the Dragonballs. Dende turned his attention back to the expecting Namekians and began the task of explaining everything.
Otherworld : Now
Goku teleported before King Yemma. "Goku!" he boomed, "What brings you here, besides bad news?" Goku rubbed the back of his head and chuckled nervously, "As sharp as ever King Yemma. We just came to find out if Lita Annatto checked in already and where she could be." King Yemma opened his drawer and pulled his judgment book from it, he closed it halfway expecting to replace the book afterwards. Things have been very slow being that the countless people who were dying would never show to be checked in; they were all being erased from existence. "Hmm…" he sounded while thumbing through his book. "I don't see anyone by that name," Yemma informed. "Wait," Mirai Trunks recognized, "her actual name is Anaya Cassia." "Ok," Yemma said looking for the new entry suggested. "Ah, here we go…" King Yemma frowned and was flipping back and forth between two pages. "What is it King Yemma?" Goku asked curiously. "This can't be right…" "What," Mirai Trunks asked a bit worried. "The entry I have for her doesn't list much." "What do you mean?" Gohan furthered. "It just lists her birthday, and some info on her description. It's supposed to have detailed information about her life." Mirai Trunks thought to himself, Please say that she's Ok. King Yemma finished reading the passage about Lita, "That's strange…it's also supposed to list how the person died. But all it's showing is ellipses. "So, what does that mean exactly?" Mirai Trunks wanted to know. "Beats me kid. All it's showing is a description of her appearance, when she was born, and that she lives on Earth. It's supposed to also list her family background and a summary of her life thus far. Most importantly, it's supposed to say how she died." Everyone grew worried by the news King Yemma told them. "The only thing I can determine from this, is that she's lost between life and death. And that no one knows where she can be, not even me."
"Does that mean that evil woman got to her!" Mirai Trunks said anxiously. "I doubt it, if she were erased from existence, then I wouldn't have information on her at all." "But how can someone be lost between life and death?" Gohan asked. King Yemma looked over the three briefly, "It's believed that there once existed a dimension where lost souls go to. Something like a limbo which is a void of darkness. The lost soul would remain there unless they could find a way out. It's also believed that another person could guide them to this check-in station by journeying to the dimension and find them." "Does that dimension actually exist?" "I can't say for sure Goku. No one has ever discovered it. And, if anyone were to venture there to help, they could also run the risk of becoming lost themselves." "So, you're saying that Lita could be lost in this dimension and there's nothing we can do to help her?" "I'm afraid so Goku," Yemma replied. Goku frowned, but immediately lifted his head to speak once more, "Could Chi-Chi also be in this dimension?" King Yemma began to think about the possibility of someone who doesn't exist in his book existing in limbo. "I don't know Goku. With everything that's been going on as of late, it's hard to be sure of anything." Goku was unsure about the answer he had received, Please let us be able to wish her back to life with the Dragonballs. Mirai Trunks refused to except that Lita was lost, "Could the Dragonballs bring Lita back if we made a wish?" "Like I said, I can't be sure of anything right now. I guess you would have to ask the Dragon yourselves." "I did remember the Dragon saying he isn't bound by dimensions. So I think it maybe possible." I truly hope so Gohan, Mirai Trunks thought.
"I guess this is a good thing that Lita's lost." "And why is that Goku?" Mirai Trunks asked hardly believing. "Cause she'll be safe from that woman at least." "That is considering that that woman can't travel through dimensions, which I believe she can dad." "I don't even think she knows about Lita. Well, we just better hope Bulma and Vegeta find those Dragonballs in time then." "What now?" Mirai Trunks asked rather disappointed. Goku folded his arms, "I guess now we report back home. There isn't much we can do at this point." "I guess." "Thanks King Yemma for the info." "No problem Goku. I just wish that your visiting here won't always be a devastating one." Goku smiled, "Yeah sorry about that. Well, gotta go." Goku teleported the three away.
There will be more chapters to come very soon.