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Chapter Thirteen – More Darkness to Come
West City Ruin : Present 12:52pm — Day 3
Yamcha and the rest had finally caught up with the Tuffles that were wreaking havoc on the city. When they flew over the city from what they could tell, they had demolished the entire city, no buildings remained or people for that matter.
And now, a large group of them were gathered seemingly plotting a plan of attack. This group noticed the newly arrived one and changed their plans. One of the small figures balled up his fist, reached back, and thrust his arm forward sending a black wave of seemingly Ki Tien's way. Shocked at first of the figures ability, Tien barely had time to dodge the blast heading his way. "What, they can shoot blast…" The others were just as shocked, "Did their powers develop?" "I don't know Krillin," Piccolo answered. "But if my theory is correct, then those blasts are projectiles of their power. Meaning, if we get hit with it, there's a good chance that we can be erased from existence." "Man," Yamcha was very worried, "I was hoping this would be easy." "Hey man, we still have the upper hand here. I'm sure we can get the jump on them." "I guess you're right Krillin." "Just to be safe, we should all pair up so that we can watch each others back. Tien, you and Chao-tzu should work together. Krillin, you are with Yamcha." "So that just leaves you and me green man," Seventeen noticed. Piccolo gave Seventeen a stern look from the comment. "If we relentlessly attack them, then they won't be able to attack us. And our attacks will force them to have to use their shields."
Everyone began powering up keeping Piccolo's plans in mind. The three groups positioned themselves on three different sides of the Tuffles. "They going to try and kill us," one said. "Yeah, boss lady warned us that there were some stronger ones. But how do we beat them?" "If they're as strong as the other two I saw when I was hiding, then we're in trouble." "Shit! They're attacking us!" Each of the Tuffles raised their shields to block the numerous attacks they were receiving. "There's no way we'll survive this."
Otherworld : Now
The woman sighed to herself, "They're gonna get themselves killed at this rate. Not like I care, but they need to take some of the stronger people with them." She moved closer to the fountain that was displaying the events taking place on Earth and closed her eyes to concentrate.
West City Ruin : Present 12:58pm
"Listen up everyone!" The group of Tuffles looked around trying to find who was speaking to them. "You can't see me, I'm still in Hell watching everything." "Ah, it's boss lady." "At this rate, you're all going to die." "Well tell us something we don't know." "There is no way I can help you all from here. But, there is a final attack you can use to destroy everything, even the planet." The Tuffles were confused, "So, what do we do then?" "Focus your blasts into your shield, you'll know it's working when your shield gets bigger." They did just that. Within a matter of seconds, their shields grew into one shell of complete blackness.
"Whoa!" Yamcha noted. "Yeah their shields are growing, are we helping it grow?" Krillin wondered. "Everyone, stop firing!" Piccolo instructed. Everyone did as they were told and regrouped to meet up in one group again. "What are they doing?" "Don't know Tien, but it looks like they're preparing for some huge blast or something. Let's back off some." Piccolo wasn't sure what to make of the Tuffles actions. He just hoped that they weren't preparing a huge blast to kill everyone in the immediate area.
The blasts radius had grown to about twenty feet now. "Now what?" "Now, you all have to attack as you normally would using the blast. I'm sorry to say, but I'll be meeting you all shortly." "That's fine by me," one of the Tuffles smiled, as did the rest. Each of them pulled their arms back. This caused the blast radius to shrink to about five feet of them. With a push forward, the blast was released. A huge explosion occurred in the center of the blast, creating a black puddle which was slowing moving outwards. The shockwave from the blast hurled towards the Z-gang. "Everyone, shield!" Piccolo yelled at the last minute.
The black blast dissolved before it reached the gang, but an inner blast of bright energy came hurling in their direction. A shield was barely raised in time to deflect from the on coming attack. Yamcha who had looked at the attack first, raised his shield just as the shockwave had hit him, sending him tumbling to the ground. "Yamcha!" Krillin screamed as he watched his friend falling. There was little he could do to help him at the moment, given that the shockwave hadn't ended yet. After about fifteen seconds of waiting, the blast had subsided and everyone was free to move again.
Krillin immediately dashed towards Yamcha's location. The rest followed suit wanting to help their friend. Krillin landed a few feet from Yamcha and ran over to him. He could see that Yamcha was curled up in a fetal position. "Yamcha!" he yelled trying to get his friend to move. Krillin turned him over and saw a haunted look on Yamcha's face. He looked ok at the moment. With a shake, Krillin managed to bring Yamcha back. Without warning, he stood up holding his left arm screaming. The gang backed off a couple of steps, "What's wrong bro?" Krillin called. Everyone began taking a step closer to Yamcha who had finally stopped screaming but was still holding his arm in pain. Looking to the arm, Krillin could see that it looked like, stone. What the hell! Krillin thought. Everyone too saw what Krillin had and were in shock. "What happened?" Tien wondered. "I think he didn't raise a shield in time," Piccolo noticed. Everyone still stared at the arm not sure about what to expect.
Yamcha began shaking the petrified arm in a panic. Miraculously, everyone looked on as the petrification was slowly receding. "Look at that," Chao-tzu pointed. Everyone was in awe at the stone's presence disappearing. A minute later, Yamcha's arm was returned to normal. He began flexing the arm and his hands to test whether it was normal again. To his delight, his arm had returned to normal and seemed to be working properly again. "You ok man?" "I think so Krillin," Yamcha responded in a huff. "That was one wicked blast," Yamcha admitted. "Wow, if we didn't shield ourselves, we would have all been petrified," Chao-tzu noticed. "It isn't over yet," Seventeen responded. He directed everyone's attention to the black void that was slowly growing where the blast had occurred. Piccolo immediately frowned, "I think they've created a mini version of the void that's erasing everything from existence." "How'd the Hell did they manage to get that kind of power?" "Not sure Tien, but I think that evil woman has something to do with it," Krillin observed. Everyone backed off from the ever growing void heading their way. "By the rate that this is going," Piccolo began, "The Earth doesn't have much time left. We have to get out of here."
Otherworld : Now
She sighed, "Fools. They didn't even manage to hurt a single one of them." The woman smirked to herself, "I guess I lied about seeing them soon," she laughed wickedly. "Well in any case, that planet's history. Soon I will have great power and no one can stop me. Now it's just a patient game of waiting for complete destruction." The woman walked away and vanished.
Unknown : Present ?
Darkness was surrounding Lita. There was no way up or down, no floors existed neither did a ceiling. "Where am I?" Lita's voice echoed eerily throughout the void. "Is anyone there?" she called. What happened to me, how did I get here? Lita tried to remember the last thing that happened to her. I remember Mirai Trunks, and the city…What happened in the city? Lita thought back to the events that seemed to have happened months ago from now. We went to the mall, then to the amusement park. Why don't I remember the amusement park? Her brow furrowed, "Ah! Those small figures were attacking the city!" Realization suddenly hit her, I was killed… Lita looked around trying to locate anything within the void. But she was greeted by nothing. Is this what death looks like, nothing but darkness? I've been here before though. Lita tried to think back to how she was brought here in the past. Her concentration was broken however when she heard voices.
She immediately perked up, "Hello! Is anyone there?" No one responded to her in particular, but the voices still continued. I have to pin point where those voices are coming from. Lita began drifting in one direction of the void. She was glad to hear the voices getting closer. She soon was able to make out who one of the voices belonged to, "Mirai Trunks?" she called.
*"This can't be right…" *"What?" *"The entry I have for her doesn't list much." *"What do you mean?" *"It just lists her birthday, and some info on her description. It's supposed to have detailed information about her life." Lita listened intently on the voices, I don't recognize the one with the loud voice, but I recognize Mirai Trunks' voice. Maybe if I continue heading towards their voices I can find a way out of here.
Lita continued to move closer to the conversation. She stopped briefly, "Is that a light up there?" Straining, Lita could see that there was a slither of light in the distance. She started to float as quickly as possible towards it. As she did so, her feet became heavy, as if gravity was claiming her. Soon afterwards, her feet met a floor. The void was still as dark as ever, but now Lita was overjoyed at the fact that she could use her feet to run. She sprinted towards the light hoping that it was the way out from the dark void. Not long afterwards, Lita pushed through the light that she desperately sought. The light was blinding and it took her a few seconds for her eyes to adjust.
Her vision returned to her and Lita found herself on the desk of a giant ogre. He was the booming voice that she didn't recognize. *"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." Curious, Lita walked to the edge of the desk and saw Mirai Trunks, Goku and Gohan.
Lita squealed, "Hey you guys, I'm back!" She waited on the others to respond to her. They continued to speak as if they hadn't even heard Lita or seen her. Lita jumped down from the desk, "Hey you guys, I'm right here," she tried again. To her dismay, they still had not noticed her. What's going on? She stared for a bit as they continued talking. *"I guess this is a good thing that Lita's lost." *"And why is that Goku?" *"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." Lita waved her hands in front of Mirai Trunks' face, "Hello?" she called anxiously. *"What now?" *"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." *"Yeah sorry about that. Well, gotta go."
Lita was very worried now, They can't hear me or see me. Lita inhaled slightly, realizing that they were leaving, "Wait, don't go!" But she was too late, Goku had already used his Instant Transmission to teleport away. "No!" She looked around very worried, "Where am I? How do I get back home?" Lita felt defeated, They came here to find me, but why? She looked back to the giant ogre and climbed back on top of his desk. She skimmed over the contents of the book he was still musing over. Her eyes landed on an entry, That's me, she noticed as she read the entry. After she finished reading she thought back to the conversation that just took place. They were saying that it was weird that it doesn't list how I died. She glanced over the ogre's appearance, I guess this guy passes judgment over people. She began thinking again, what if… She tried to touch the ogre with her hand. Her hand however passed through King Yemma's arm. Nothing… There has to be a way back to Earth.
Lita jumped down from the desk once more and made her way through the rather large side door to King Yemma's right. She opened the door and stepped through it, not noticing the nearby attendant in shock. She walked forward about four feet and fell to the ground on her hands and knees. It felt as if someone had sucked the air from around her, she couldn't breathe…her body felt like it was on fire. Lita tried to focus, but her vision became blurry, Am I dying again…? Oh, it hurts… Her lungs were on fire and she was in dire pain. She looked down to her hands in disbelief. She raised her right hand, I can see through my hands. Lita looked over her body and saw as it too was becoming more and more translucent. Panic gripped Lita, I have to get out of here… She gathered what little strength remained and was walking slowly back to the door. Her vision becoming ever more distorted and blurred, Have to…get…back… She staggered in her steps, but finally managed to pass through the doors again.
Lita stumbled and fell on her hands and knees once more, gasping for air. I can….breathe… she noted. Her vision was slowly returning to her, I'm returning to normal. She looked over herself one last time, I think I'm safe now… She turned her attention back to the door and gazed at the stone snake head in the distance, What is this place? She turned her attention to the small ogre attendant who was eyeing the door suspiciously, "Just close the door already," King Yemma ordered. The attendant jumped a little and began walking in Lita's direction. Lita gasped a bit and fell backwards onto her rear. She then raised her arm over her face to brace herself from the attendant. The attendant walked through Lita, immediately afterwards he felt a chill pass through him and he cringed a bit. Lita caught his reaction and looked over herself. Did he just feel me passing through him? Interesting… Lita stood up and approached the large door, she slammed it shut. The attendant cowered from the door slamming, "Did you see that?" he asked the other attendant. "Oh, quit being scared. It was just the wind. Now get back to work!" King Yemma scolded. "Y, yes sir…" the attendant scrambled back to his post.
Lita began thinking to herself, So, I can move inanimate objects…but I can't touch the living. I guess that means I'm a ghost, Lita concluded. She looked around her surroundings and saw another rather large opened double door. That must be the main entrance… Lita approached the doors skeptically, It looks just like the other door. Lita took a deep breath and stepped one foot through the doors. She squinted her eyes shut expecting another wave of pain to come, but none came. She opened her eyes and looked around briefly before taking another few steps. She waited for a few minutes, I guess I wasn't supposed to go the other way… She continued walking forward towards the edge of the complex.
She looked in the distance and saw a long expanse of yellow clouds. As she reached the edge, she began to formulate an idea. I wonder what would happen? Lita gathered her nerve and jumped into the clouds. She could feel herself falling, Oh no! What did I do! She fell for a few more seconds, then was greeted by blue skies and a fast approaching ground. She gasp, I'm back on Earth! I need to get to the tower again. Lita looked around still plummeting to the Earth's surface, Am I gonna die again? I'm still falling! Lita tried to slow herself from falling but to no avail. She soon was able to make out various vegetation. Lita looked at the ground with horror, I'm going to die! She shut her eyes closed thinking of Mirai Trunks and being in the safety of the tower. A few more seconds passed and Lita could feel the ground under her. What? she asked herself slowly.
Lita opened one eye and saw a tile like patterned ground. Confused, she opened both eyes and looked around the place. The tower! But how! Lita stood up and found a group of people in the distance. Hey, there's Mirai Trunks' friends! Lita ran over to the bunch approaching the girl her age, "Videl right? Boy am I glad to see you." Lita had noticed that the girl didn't pay her any attention and still had her back turned to her. Did she hear me? Lita wondered. There was no indication from Videl given that she heard Lita. But I'm back on Earth. Why can't she hear me? Lita noticed that Videl was looking down occasionally at something. Lita stepped around towards the front of Videl and gasped. Lita stared blankly in shock, That's me… She noticed the gaping bloody chest wound, I'm still dead… Lita finally regained herself but was still unnerved of the weird feeling it is to see her body lying there. I must be a ghost, would explain some things.
Kami's Lookout : Present 12:50pm
Goku, Gohan and Mirai Trunks appeared. Kibitoshin greeted them, "You've returned. So, is she safe?" "I guess so," Goku responded. "What do you mean Goku?" "Well, King Yemma said she didn't check in. And he doesn't know where she could be. So he thinks that she's lost in a dimension between life and death. But he doesn't know for sure and wants us to ask the Dragon about it." "Ok…" Kibitoshin said slowly. "So…?" "So we think she'll be ok for the time being," Gohan explained.
Lita had already made her way over to Mirai Trunks and the gang and was taking in everything that was said. Well, I was stuck in that black void for a while. Is that what they're talking about? All Lita could do was watch and listen as she was unable to do anything else.
Planet Namek : Present 1:12pm
Bulma and Vegeta were returning to the village. They had managed to locate two Dragonballs. Bulma glanced down between the two Dragonballs in her arms, Well, these two were very easy to find. Let's just hope the others are just as easy to get. They approached Dende with the Dragonballs, "Wow, that was fast." "Yeah, I know. Just five more to go. So, did you tell the others what's going on?" "Yeah. I can tell they're still a bit unnerved, but there isn't much they can do. But anyway, you two should get going." Bulma nodded and tightened her grip around Vegeta's neck again. Vegeta grabbed hold around Bulma's waist and shot off into the air.
Kami's Lookout : Present 1:02pm
"There's something I've been meaning to tell you," Kibitoshin directed his question towards Goku and the others. By now, everyone at the tower was gathered around in a circle a few feet from Lita's body. "What is it?" Goku asked. "Just wait a few more seconds," Kibitoshin instructed. Goku could feel the presence of Piccolo and the others approaching. He must be waiting on the guys to report back.
Piccolo, Tien, Chao-tzu, Yamcha, Seventeen and Krillin touched down. "We don't have much time," Piccolo began. "I know," Kibitoshin responded. "That battle that took place on Earth has ended in a catastrophe. It seems that the Tuffles sacrificed themselves in an attempt to kill us. If Piccolo and the rest hadn't have shielded themselves, they indeed would have been stone statues right now." "What?" Eighteen asked worriedly. "It's ok, we're fine," Krillin comforted. "They created a big explosion similar to that of the void that's going through space at this moment. And like that void, they have created a smaller version of it here on Earth." "Whaaa," Hercule said in disbelief. "I'm sorry, but now the Earth will be devoured within a few hours." "How long?" Videl wondered. "The Earth will be gone in twenty hours." "Well, this day just keeps getting better," Seventeen said sarcastically. "We should all teleport out of here." "Yes Goku, like I mentioned before, everyone can stay on my planet." "So we wait 'til our demise, great…" "We can leave you here Seventeen," Piccolo scowled. "Hmph," was all Seventeen managed.
"So, what happened on your end Goku?" Yamcha asked glancing at Lita's body. "We found out that she maybe stuck in a dimension between life and death." "Ok…" Yamcha said blinking a few times. "So, do we have to look for her?" "We should," Mirai Trunks spoke up. "But first, we have to ask the Dragon where she could be and how to get there." "Does such a dimension even exist?" "Chao-tzu, with the way stuffs been going lately, I don't doubt anything right now," Krillin answered. Goten frowned at the news, "But finding Lita is our only hope…" "I know son," Goku informed.
Lita stood there, a frown grazing her face, How am I their only hope? Wait, maybe I can communicate to them. Lita looked around, Ah.
"We should really get going." "But what about Earth Krillin?" "Uhh," Krillin thought.
I have to hurry, Lita told herself. She reached a row of small potted plants surrounding the building's perimeter. This should do… Lita bent down to grab one of the potted plants, but was shocked that her hands went through it. No, no, no… she panicked. Calm down girl and concentrate, she told herself. Lita took a deep breath and managed to pick up the plant. Yes, now to take it over to the group… Lita was running back to the gang with the plant in hands.
Goku lowered his gaze, "There's nothing more we can do here. Our only chance at survival is to wish Lita back and hope we can find a way to stop this." Everyone nodded in agreement. "Well Goku, if you will," Kibitoshin guided. Goku brought his fingers to his forehead.
"No!" She lost her concentration for a moment, and the pot fell from her hands and broke on the ground. Everyone turned around to see what had just happened. "Hey, how'd that pot get there you guys?" "Hmm…don't know Krillin." Goku made his way to the broken pot and the soil that had spread along the ground. He kneeled down curiously scanning the area around it. Lita took a deep breath, Here goes nothing.
Concentrating, Lita began to write in the dark soil, "Wait!" "Whaa!" Goku sounded. He fell back on his rear watching as the words were being formed. "Huh!" came from just about everyone. "Ahhh! It's the boogey man or sumpthin." Videl gave an embarrassed look, Some World Champ you are dad. Mirai Trunks stood next to Goku eyeing the message. "Wait?" he responded. "Words just started to form!" Goku exclaimed in disbelief. Mirai Trunks looked around suspiciously. Lita smiled, Yes! I got their attention. She began writing some more. Goku and Mirai Trunks who were the closest flinched a bit as more words were forming. Being brave, Mirai Trunks read them out loud, "Don't go….it's me Lita." Mirai Trunks stiffened at the last word. He held his breath for a moment, staring in disbelief. "Lita?" Goku asked. Lita began smiling broadly now, she scattered the dirt and began writing again. "Yes…it's me." "But, how?" Mirai Trunks asked still stunned. She began writing some more, "I saw you guys when you were talking to that big ogre." Goku stood up quickly, "It's Lita you guys!"
Goten and Trunks came running closer to the plant, and soon everyone was surrounding it being sure to keep some distance from it. "Lita?" many of the group began to ask out loud. "But, how?" Mirai Trunks repeated. Lita covered the previous message with dirt and began writing again, "I was stuck in this black dimension or something when I heard you guys talking. I headed towards a light and ended up coming out of a drawer." "Ah, I came out of King Yemma's desk also." Everyone looked at Goku a minute before turning their attention back to the ground. "How'd you get there dad?" Gohan asked. "I had fallen off of Snake Way and ended up in Hell. The guys there told me of a way out, so I took it. It was pitch black and there were some stairs and a bright light in the distance, so I ran towards it. Next thing I knew, I was coming out of King Yemma's desk drawer." "Interesting..." "So, that must be the dimension between life and death," Mirai Trunks concluded. "I guess so, I didn't really try to leave the path though."
Lita began writing again, "That's where I was. When I got closer there was a staircase too." "So, how'd you get here?" Mirai Trunks wondered. "I jumped through the yellow clouds at the entrance and fell to Earth. I somehow teleported to the tower though." "So, why can't we see you?" Goten asked. "I don't know. But I can touch non-living things." Piccolo frowned, "This reminds me of when you guys went back in time. You said you couldn't be heard or seen by anyone. Do you know if ya'll were able to touch anything?" Goku thought for a moment, "As far as I know, the only thing we could touch was the ground and floors. I recall going through the door when I was following Chi-Chi." "So, how is it that Lita can touch stuff?" Silence was the only answer Piccolo received. "Goku, do you think she's working with that woman?" Goku frowned, "Don't know Piccolo…I don't think Lita's evil though." Piccolo concentrated and proceeded to warn everyone telepathically, "Listen up everyone. It's very strange that Lita is walking amongst the living and is dead. So keep your guard up, she is not to be trusted." Mirai Trunks frowned at the warning and refused to believe it. Everyone else who weren't use to telepathy, shook their heads from the awkward events that took place.
"So, now what?" Lita spelled out. "Now we must leave this planet before we are erased from existence," Kibitoshin answered. Lita thought for a minute, "But, how will I go with you guys?" "Uhh…" Yamcha was fairly unnerved about the eerie presence of Lita talking to them. Everyone began thinking of some way to help. "So, what happens when you touch someone?" Kibitoshin asked. Lita stood from her crouched position and walked towards Mirai Trunks. She stood there a moment then dashed through him. Mirai Trunks immediately flinched from a coldness passing through his body. Everyone eyed him suspiciously. Lita returned to her position and began writing again, "I go through people, and they feel a chill when I do." She could have warned me first…
Yamcha backed away, as did Hercule. "Just don't walk through me," Hercule warned. "Well, I don't know what to tell you, except that you aren't safe here," Kibitoshin informed. "Well, you said you teleported here? Did you think of what you were doing? Did you imagine this tower?" Goku asked. Lita thought for a bit, "I did have the tower in mind…" Goku read thoughtfully, "That's a good start. Are you able to feel Ki?" Lita frowned, "I don't know how." "Well, it seems that you're able to teleport to a place that you've visited before. I can do it sensing Ki. It's hard to give you a mental picture of a place you haven't seen yet." "Wait Goku," Kibitoshin interrupted. "Maybe she shouldn't come with us." "What do you mean?" Lita too was a bit confused as to why. "Because I believe she'd be safer where she was. I think you should return to that dimension again. Earth is being slowly erased from existence and you need to be far away from any danger, whether it be that woman or this void."
Lita looked at the ground and frowned. She kneeled down and began writing, "Ok." She thought for a moment wanting to know one thing, "One last question, how am I the last hope?" "You have the ability to attack someone's mind mentally. That ability is needed if we are to fight that woman." Lita was very worried, The thoughts and actions of that guy I…killed haunted me for months. And they want me to use that on that evil woman? She looked at everyone, If I don't do it, we're all doomed. Lita was very scared of the thought of facing a being so powerful and evil, What if I fail…? Lita exhaled and began writing once more, "I'll do whatever it takes." Kibitoshin smiled, many of the others also were happy that she accepted such an enormous task and responsibility. She wrote one last message, "I should get going then, goodbye all."
Lita walked away from the group and began concentrating on the black void she had escaped earlier. With great concentration, she vanished unknowingly.
"Lita?" Videl asked aloud. After an entire minute of waiting with no response, she knew that she was gone. "It's hard to think of her as evil when she's willing to fight that woman." "Yeah," Mirai Trunks agreed. "We still have to keep our guard up when around her, there are still too many unanswered questions about Lita's abilities and who she is." A few audible agreements were heard here and there from Piccolo's suggestion. "Well we should get going," Kibitoshin urged. "Wait," Mirai Trunks sounded. He ran over to Lita's still form and picked her up, I wonder how weird it was for her to see her body lying there? But I swear we'll bring you back. Mirai Trunks made his way back to the group and saw the saddened expression in various faces. "Wait here one sec everyone, I'll be right back." Goku vanished for a few minutes and returned with Korin and Yajirobi. "Now that's everyone," Goku brought his fingers to his forehead and the large group vanished.