This chapter is very, involved. So I hope everyone can keep up with what's going on. Enjoy.
Chapter Twenty – The Aftermath part 1
Unknown : Unknown
After what seemed like another hour of walking, the group was finally nearing the structure they saw in the distance. The now in focus castle was made of stone brick, the outside seemed to sparkle like it were glistening like a diamond. There was a massive fence that emanated a visible force field around the castle. The force field had a soft blue aura that seemed to shimmer like the stone brick.
"Well, it seems like this is the place, whatever this place is. How do you think we get inside?" Everyone directed their gaze to Lita whom was at the front of the group along with Goku, Gohan, Mirai Trunks, Bulma and Vegeta. "Well woman, you seem to be running the show, what now?" Lita walked a little closer and examined the fence's detailed design, it looked as if there were ironwork vines intertwined with each other. Each of the vines seemed to be leading towards the center of the design which was about twenty feet above everyone. The center of the design seemed to be empty though, like something was supposed to rest there, but what? I've never been here before in my life. Why does this fence look familiar? "Hey, Gohan spoke up, "If this is where Terra is, shouldn't we be preparing to fight?" "Well, I don't think Terra is actually 'here'," Lita had a feeling that this place was something different then the stronghold of their enemy.
"Greetings!" a seemingly familiar female's voice greeted. Goku responded, "Hi umm, are we allowed to enter! If so, then how!" Where have I seen this before? How is it so…famil…iar? Lita turned around, a shocked expression on her face. "Li, what's…" Mirai Trunks' words were lost when he saw one of the vines move and in the blink of an eye impaled Lita through the chest, more accurately around the heart area. Everyone jumped backed abruptly with their mouth's hung open as three more vines impaled her, one in her right shoulder, and another in her abdomen, and the last in her upper left thigh. She let out an ear-piercing scream as five more vines wrapped around both of her ankles, two around her wrists and one around her neck swiftly and pulled her to the center of the design on the fence.
Everyone was too shocked to respond at first, but Mirai Trunks followed by Gohan and Goku flew towards her trying to help her break free. Vegeta took flight checking their surroundings in case of an attack. Eighteen shielded Marron so she couldn't see anything more.
"Lita!" Mirai Trunks tried with all his might to pull the vines apart with no luck, as did Gohan and Goku. "They won't budge!" The vines only gripped tighter slicing deep into Lita's skin. She began to lose blood with each movement of the vines, I...remember…from my dream. Everyone who could fly up to help, pulled and shot various small blasts at the fence, the others watched on in horror. "Lita!" Mirai Trunks could only watch as his strength was no match. Goku attempted to transform into Super Saiyan three, with Gohan following.
I'm going to die…again… Lita was afraid that this would be the last she saw of anyone, of Mirai Trunks. She felt her body grow numb as her life's blood seeped from her. She felt tears form and her eyes grow heavy. She coughed up blood, "I'm sorry Mirai Trunks," she whispered. There was a look of horror that shown on Mirai Trunks face at the déjà vu moment he was having. "No, Lita!" I think this is what happened in her dream! She said we all died! Her eyes closed one last time as the darkness behind her eyelids silenced her life.
Lita's body began to glow that same white aura from before, the vines had finally stopped moving. Gohan and the others backed away and observed the glowing which was increasing with intensity. They remained silent as the glowing faded revealing a petrified stone Lita entangled in vines. She looked like a nude stone female entangled with stone vines, her arms were apart perpendicular with her body. Both legs were slightly bent while her feet pointed straight towards the ground. Her head looked as if she were looking up slightly.
Marron managed to break free of Eighteen's grasp, "What happened mommy?" Eighteen glanced at the child before looking at the gate again, "I don't know Marron."
A moment later, the force field surrounding the castle regressed and the gate that Lita rested on swung open slowly from the right. No one knew what to expect from the event that just unfolded. The gate finally finished opening, bidding everyone to enter. What the fuck! What just happened! Is she dead! Mirai Trunks was beyond confused. Silence hung for a minute before Piccolo spoke, "I think whoever greeted us wants us to enter." Goku remained in his current Super Saiyan two form and landed with the rest of the group. "Guys listen up, stay on guard no matter what. If this is Terra we're dealing with, then we have to be very careful." Goten was afraid, "But, I thought we needed Lita to help us fight Terra? What do we do now?" Everyone looked at one another, "I don't know son, but we have to proceed." "Wait…" Mirai Trunks wasn't sure of what to do, if Lita was actually dead or not. Goku turned his attention to Mirai Trunks, "I know what you must be feeling right now, but whoever's responsible is inside. We can ask them questions later." Mirai Trunks nodded in agreement. Keeping Goku's warning in mind, the group proceeded inside of the castle. Everyone walked around the only physical remains of Lita, the pool of blood from when she was stabbed.
The group walked along inside of the castle cautiously, unsure of what to expect next. About ten feet away, a figure began materializing into view. Everyone was on edge as the now white wolf figure stood before them. It wore a metal shackle with three chain links around its neck. It had pale blue eyes and a crescent moon tattoo over its right eye. The wolf walked in a circle then faced in a specific direction. "I think it wants us to follow it," Videl pointed out. The wolf began walking in the direction it was facing and the group decided to follow it keeping on guard for anything.
"Is it just me," Oolong voiced, "Or does anyone think that we could be walking into a trap?" "This does have me on edge," Yamcha confessed. Mirai Trunks had to speak up, "The other night before we summoned the dragon, Lita said she had a dream where she ended up killing us." "What! You wait 'til now to tell us something like that!" Yamcha was fearful, as was most of the gang. "I'm sorry, I just didn't think it was relevant until that incident just now." "So we are walking into a trap?" Chi-Chi couldn't help but feel cheated, she was just brought back to life and had to risk dying again. "Well," Mirai Trunks continued, "When she told me of her dream, I thought we all died as a result of the surge. She said she killed us but she didn't die, she was brought to another dimension. She did say that she died later though…" "Well, maybe the order in which we died in her dream was different, maybe she dies first then we die later while fighting Terra?" Videl tried to make sense of her dream. "Ya know, this really isn't helping." Mr. Satan had a point, Mirai Trunks was only making matters worst by mentioning the dream. The freaky incident of Lita's demise didn't sink in until just now. Mirai Trunks was in disbelief and was tempted to head back to the gate to see if Lita was ok, but the growing feeling of anger urged him on. Whoever's responsible will pay.
After walking down a long corridor, the group found themselves in a very large room. The windows to the castle were very tall and did not have glass within them. The entry way consisted of a grand circular deck surrounded by circular stairs leading down into a large ball room type room. There were various enigmatic hanging structures that served as lighting similar to a chandelier. The wolf walked on top of a symbol on the floor causing it to illuminate raising several white chair like forms. The wolf walked off of the symbol and nodded in the direction of the various chairs. "I guess it wants us to have a seat," Chi-Chi concluded. "This is starting to piss me off! Where the Hell is the person that invited us in?"
"If you would please have a seat everything will be explained shortly," the female voice echoed throughout the room causing everyone to look around. "That voice sounded like it was close by," Bulma noticed. "Yeah," Gohan confirmed. He looked at the wolf who was patiently seated on a short circular platform that it created. "Hey guys, lets have a seat." Everyone did as Gohan asked choosing a seated structure. "Hey," Mr. Satan was astonished, "These seats look like porcelain or sumpthin but they feel very soft." "Yeah, very strange," Tien poked at his chair.
The wolf stepped down from its pedestal and walked to what would be the front of the group. It faced the group and started to glow. Everyone stood up halfway not sure of what to make of the scene. The glowing figure seemed to transform into a taller figure. When the glowing subsided, a female figure was staring back at them. She still wore the crescent moon tattoo over her right eye and the shackle around her neck. The female figure stood about 4'9" and was dressed in a gray two-piece kimono that fell off of her shoulders, the skirt portion stopped at her ankles. She wore thigh high black stockings that were open at the feet. She was barefoot with and anklet on her left foot. She had white hair that was wild that came to her mid back. Her ears were a little long and pointy with furry hair at the tips keeping her wolf like qualities.
"Please be seated. I am of no harm to any of you." Everyone looked at one another before being seated again. "So, that was you who spoke to us before?" "Yes, that was I." "Who are you?" Trunks was curious. "We have met before briefly if you would recall. My name is Adala. My master refers to me as Da." "Wait a minute…" Gohan realized, "You're the white dragon that we summoned to help save the universe!" "Yes, that was I." "So, if you were the Dragon, how come you're part wolf now?" Goten was a little confused. "I by nature am wolf like in appearance. My master can fashion me into whatever she sees fit." "Who and where is your master? She brought us here for a reason, is she Terra?" Vegeta wanted to get to the point of all of the weirdness that's been going on. "My master will be here soon enough. I assume the one whom you are referring to is my master's twin sister." "Huh?" "What?"
"Allow me to explain everything to each of you. This will take a while so please keep the interruptions to a minimum. This world is known as Origin. There is a Physical and Spiritual Realm. Origin is a realm of no existence. No time or space exists in this realm. The Physical realm is the largest, then the Spiritual and lastly is Origin. The Realm of Origin is where time and space are intertwined. The essence of various time, space and life flows freely about; it is the gold dust that you see around you." Everyone was looking about at the dust like flakes around them. "Essence is the creation and destruction of all things good and evil, born and unborn, animate or inanimate. In Origin the essence is nothing but dust. But when it makes its way through a time gate, then the essence is created into something, whether it be a creature or a planet. However, when something is destroyed, it is here in Origin that it returns. Thus being the subject of creation again. This is the precipice of all existence and we are but arbiters of it…. Beyond this domain exists the passageway of time, they are seen as various events occurring in a plate like fashion along the roads of time."
"So you're saying that beyond this planet or so is a roadway with all the time in existence along it?" "Yes Son Gohan, I will explain it further in a moment."
"There exists 7 main timelines. There is the normal timeline in which has been manipulated by Amalya's magic; this would be your timeline. Even though each timeline had their respective Dragonballs, it is the normal one in which the Dragonballs are still in existence. There are 3 future timelines which exist, the Near Future, the Future, and the Distant Future. The Near Future is measured in a few years, the most being a decade, from that of the normal timeline. The Future is measured in a decade plus years, 2 decades being the most. The Future is where Mirai Trunks has traveled from. And the Distant Future is measured in a decade plus years or decades, which is where Cell has traveled from. There are 3 past timelines which are, the Near Past, Past, and Distant Past. Time travel has yet to exist amongst these however they do still exist. As mentioned before, I'm sure you can gather the difference between the various Past timelines based on the Future ones."
"So, I'm from the Future and Cell was from the Distant Future. So the Past that we went to was the Near Past?" "Yes Mirai Trunks that is correct. Just think of it this way, a white strand of yarn represents your timeline, the Normal timeline. There are three different threads of yarn that are red, orange and yellow which represent the various Futures. And there are three more threads green, blue, and violet that represent the Pasts. Since my master manipulated your timeline giving rise to the Dragonballs, this made your timeline the 'main' timeline. However, the Distant Future events and the Distant Past events are altered. In the Distant Past timeline, Goku remained as Kakkarot and multiple wars raged because of it. In the Distant Future, most sequences followed that of the Normal timeline, yet the being know as Chaos took refuge there. The Past timeline is also altered in that the main events that took place within them had different outcomes. For example, the incident where Raditz visited Earth, Chi-Chi also died along with Goku after the fight."
"But why, how?" "Son Goku, the timelines other then your own are mere echoes of yours. Most events still occurred but by different means." "I never knew that each one was different from ours." "So, something happened in each timeline to cause the Dragonballs to disappear?" "Yes Gohan, only the Dragonballs of your timeline exists."
"With all good there must be evil; Amalya, my master also known as Order has a twin, Mara or Chaos. Mara exists in a similar manner to that of Amalya, confined to the realm Origin. Origin is the center of time and space; where all the roads of time reside in a dimension other then that of normalcy. For example a black hole would be a gateway to Origin, but no manor of organism from the Physical or Spiritual Realm can enter without being erased from existence, thus becoming essence. No manor of organism residing within Origin can leave. Origin consists of 2 domains, the Axis of Creation / Creia and the Axis of Destruction / Demia. Both Axes create an hour glass like fashion within the realm, being polar opposites of each other. As you can already guess, Amalya resides in Creia while Mara resides in Demia.
As you would know, things have to be created before they can be destroyed. There is a delicate balance in which the essence has to be used for both creation and destruction. Each is given half of the essence to create, enhance, and destroy various organisms. Amalya having the greater power to create things had to create things within the universe. She created everything that makes up the cosmos like planets and stars as well as all living organisms by utilizing the essence to form organisms. She would later utilize her lesser ability to enhance things using the essence. But it is Mara who sets things in motion and stirs up chaos. Mara, having a greater power to enhance things, would give various beings their characteristics. It is Mara, the great schemer, who would also manipulate things so that destruction may be ensued by using the essence. Overall, Amalya uses the essence to create and mildly enhance things where as, Mara uses the essence to enhance and mildly destroy things. Order and Chaos create The Balance known as good and evil."
"Whoa, so you're saying where sitting in the home of our creator…?" "You said it Yamcha, this is so deep…" Tien agreed.
"The majority of the essence was used to create and enhance life as we know it. However, if this new found life is not destroyed, there cannot be any creation of newly formed life. With life there must be death; thus creating the never ending cycle. After the cosmos and the Supreme Kais were long since created, Amalya began the task of creating various species of organisms. But with the creation of everything, Mara grew more and more impatient with the need for chaos and destruction. So Mara set forth a plan for the destruction of everything, in hopes that Amalya would fall and Mara would gain all of the essence. Both have the power of insight; Mara's plan not only causes the destruction of those within the Physical and Spiritual realm, but also aims to affect that of time and space itself. To do so would challenge 'Him,' the great creator. There is a higher being than that of Mara and Amalya who decrees that only the things in which they have created can be destroyed. This decree forbids Order and Chaos to affect that of 'His' creation, which would be the Physical, Spiritual and Origin Realms, as well as The Balance. 'He' made one last decree so that The Balance would not be disturbed; that would be for Mara and Amalya to never be able to leave and use their powers outside of Origin. With that, 'He' gave The Balance, Mara and Amalya, half of his powers known as the essence. With this, Mara craved the destruction of all creation and wishes to become 'The Ruler.'"
"Mara set her plans in motion and found a way to escape from Origin with her powers in tact. This occurred right after the creation and enhancement of everything was finished. Amalya didn't learn of her disappearance until afterwards. Yes both do have the gift of insight, but that only pertains to anything involving their creations. Amalya nor Mara can read each other's mind nor can they predict what the other plans. However, they can see what effect may befall their creations. In a series of dreams, Amalya found out what Mara's actions would have upon the universe and saw that it was a devastating one. She was then contacted by 'Him' telling her that Mara needed to be stopped, given that she intended to destroy everything. But even though she was told this, she still was not granted the right to leave Origin with her powers. So Amalya had to devise a plan to enhance life in the Physical and Spiritual Realms. In order to be able to leave without breaking the decree, Amalya had to sacrifice her powers and divide them so that they can be used in the Realms. After doing this, she found she was only capable of visiting the Spiritual Realm and so searched for one individual which she could trust. A small portion of her powers would be granted to the living beings of her creation. She entrusted this power of hers to the Elder Supreme Kai, to be given to a race of beings that Mara made noble. Those beings were later known as the Namekians. She also sacrificed all of her powers to be used when all was being engulfed by darkness. She also gave this power to the Elder Kai to be kept safely until she returns to use it. She told the Elder Kai to try to use it once the end is near; although the Elder Kai was very confused by her words, he trusted her and hid it within the Kai's planet. As part of Amalya's final act, she sacrificed herself so that she could be born amongst the living so that she could use her powers when needed. She chose a place that would be guarded and the inhabitants were fairly intelligent and for the most part noble, she chose, Earth."
"Oh, I got it now," Bulma grasped. Almost everyone in the group seemed lost by what Da was explaining. Bulma felt the need to clear things up for everyone, "So, 'The Ruler' created the Physical, Spiritual and Origin Realms as well as The Balance known as Order and Chaos, Amalya and Mara. While Amalya was creating everything in the Physical and Spiritual Realms, Mara grew impatient and wanted to create chaos and destroy everything. She wanted all of the essence that 'The Ruler' gave them to manipulate in order to challenge him and become 'The Ruler'. So she went beyond the decree and aimed to destroy everything including the Physical, Spiritual and Origin Realms as well as Amalya, part of 'The Balance'. Then Mara unknowingly found a way to escape Origin with her powers intact, a big no no, and hid in the Distant Future. Amalya found out in a dream she had later what Mara's intentions were. But in order to stop her, she sacrificed her powers known as the Dragonballs to the Elder Kai. The reason she sacrificed her powers were because she couldn't break the decree that 'The Ruler' made which I'm guessing is to keep them both in check. So after leaving the Elder Kai with her powers, she sacrificed herself to be born on Earth. And I'm assuming she waited 'til the surge was about to begin to be born. And when the surge started she would in turn use her own abilities to summon Da, her trustful servant to grant one wish, to save the universe. I think that about clears everything up right?"
"That is correct Mrs. Bulma." "So," Mirai Trunks began, "That means that Lita was..." "I."
Everyone turned towards the door to see a woman standing there. She was about 5'8" and human like in appearance. She had white long hair which reached just below her butt and ruby colored eyes. She had the same physique as Lita, curvy yet petite. She had a long staff in her left hand. The outfit she wore was a maroon skirt with splits that came to her upper thighs on the side and flowed down to her knee level in the front and back. Her top was a halter top that was also maroon which tied at the neck in front, covered her breast and stopped a little below her breast. She wore a sleeveless skin tight black turtle neck under the maroon top. She wore maroon thin boots with black wraps underneath as socks. On her arms were gauntlets with cloth flowing where it met her wrists. To top it off was a gold head dress with green emeralds on it. The sheer white cloak she wore seemed to encircle her which came to her ankles.
"M' lady, you have returned." Da kneeled in respect to her master Order. The gang wasn't sure what to do so they bowed to her. "You may rise." Everyone did as such. "So, you're Lita?" "Goten," Chi-Chi whispered.
"My name is Amalya. My counterpart was Anaya Cassia, her middle name was Lita. She found it best that no one knew of her proper name. Anaya served as my living vessel to help me complete my mission. Once everything were to be saved, part of Da's actions as a Dragon was to make sure I found my way here again. That was the reason for the mystical white flame she was engulfed in. That white flame triggered my own memories leading me here. Yes I was the one inhabiting Lita's body, she and I shared her body. While in control, I used my powers so that each of you could exist in the Realm of Origin. Were I not to use it, each of you would be just as the essence you see among you. And when we approached the castle, her body had to be destroyed so that I could become myself again."
"So, we would be erased from existence had you not used your powers to protect us?" "That is correct Gohan. Even now I am using my powers to protect you." Mirai Trunks stepped forward, "So what happens to Lita?" "My counterpart should have never existed. Since she was created, the Normal Timeline was altered because of it. Have you ever wondered why such enemies have always found there way to you? The Red Ribbon Army, the Saiyans, Frieza…each of them desired the Dragonballs, a thing that only exists because of my influence. Had I not have influenced things, these threats would not have occurred."
Goku frowned, "I always thought that they all wanted to challenge me?" "Son Goku, you are one of most prized creations, as of you all, but the thing anyone ever wanted was a wish from the Dragonballs." "That's true," Bulma confirmed. Mirai Trunks was angry, "You still haven't answered my question! What happens to Lita!" "Mirai Trunks…" Bulma pleaded. "It is simple, Lita will cease to exist." "So you'll willingly destroy your greatest creation? What about me? Am I supposed to forget about her? Or are my dreams and feelings beneath your notice!"
The gang was at a loss of words as they watched Mirai Trunks explode at their Maker. Amalya stepped down from the altar and approached Mirai Trunks. "Do you love this creature Mirai Trunks?" "Yes," he answered truthfully. "How sad that she'll never know your true feelings." Mirai Trunks frowned, "I never imagined my creator to be such a cold hearted bitch!" Amalya glared at Mirai Trunks, "I am not cold hearted, but merely void of feelings that may dissuade my duties here. If I were to love or hate discriminately, then my judgment will be impaired. My 'Rulers' arbiter would be tainted, and would thus cease to exist." "And what's one more thing that you create? Why can't you grant Lita life again?" "To do so would mean I would have to return. That would be unacceptable, The Balance would be disturbed. There is no reason for me to leave again, once the surge ended I am expected to return and restore order to The Balance once again." Mirai Trunks turned away from her.
Bulma looked at him a moment before speaking, "So, what do we do now?" Amalya turned her attention to the group, "I must ask of each of you one last task, to help me defeat Mara. I know she has returned to Origin." "Can't you use your powers against her?" "I cannot Yamcha, it would only end in a stalemate. To defeat her I'd have to think like her and that means allow each of you to fight her. I will be protecting you and try to provide an opening for you."
"Ah, so we finally get to the point of all of this!" "I must apologize for leading you astray Vegeta." "What happens if we beat her?" "Bulma I would then return you to your peaceful life. However, I cannot allow you to keep your memories of this place." "Tch, figures. So you plan on erasing our memories when we leave." "Mirai Trunks I am sorry. I will fore warn everyone that Mara will not die, she must be beaten into submission." "What! Why?" "Goku, only 'He' can destroy her. While we remain in this realm, we cannot die. I think the worst that can happen is that she'll be stripped of her powers." "What the fuck! So you're telling me that this is some kind of sibling rivalry and the parent, your creator will just put her in time out for being disobedient!" "To put it as simply as you did, yes." "Gah! Send me home then." "Vegeta, she will simply slip away again and try a different method of destroying everything." "What's to stop her now huh!" "I will 'not' sit here and debate. If I may receive your help then fine, if not then I will gladly abide by your request."
Goku spoke up, "We don't have a choice you guys, we have to do this. We owe her our lives and more, the least we can do is help her." Mirai Trunks turned back around and approached Amalya, "I will fight for the one person who had to endure and sacrifice everything even her very existence so that we and even her creator could go on living." "Watch what you say!" Amalya raised one hand dismissing Da's protest, "It's Ok Da." Mirai Trunks turned away and walked to the far end of the room.
"So what now?" "Gohan, I must take you to the passageway of time, there everything will make sense. Also, I have no doubt that Mara will reveal herself. I will use my magic to protect each of you and distract her while each redeemer tries to defeat her. I would imagine that a spirit bomb drawn from not only every living thing but a small portion of the essence itself would be a devastating blow to Mara." "Hmm, now that sounds like a plan," Goku had to admit that a spirit bomb in this realm would obliterate anything. I should try it as Super Saiyan three, Goku smirked to himself. "It would not matter whether you are in your normal state or Super Saiyan three, it just depends on whether you will be able to finish it." The smirk on Goku's face fell, I forgot she can read our minds. "Yes Goku I can read your minds and so can Mara. I will try to block her from it for as long as I can, but it would help if none of you thinks about the spirit bomb attack." "Wouldn't Mara be expecting the attack, I'm sure since she helped create us and all, that she knows our every move?" "I understand your concern Piccolo, but since Mara has been absent from this domain, she knows nothing of your capabilities. I imagine she's been hiding in the Spirit Realm in the Distant Future for quite some time, a future where each of you have an alternate self. Since she could only use her magic to sustain herself in that realm, the short answer to your question is no. She only knows that each of you is very strong and could upset The Balance." "So," Bulma surmised, "Since she wasn't able to spy on us from Origin, she doesn't know the details about us. I take it you enhanced or altered each of us after she left Origin?" "That is correct. She only knew Goku as he was Kakkarot. She does not know his personalities changed drastically and in turn brought about a change to each of you. I'm sure she managed to find out some general information about Goku, but I believe it's nothing to worry about."
"So we keep our minds clear, got it." "Let's get this blasted thing over with." Amalya nodded her head, a soft aura began to surround her and with a wave of her staff, the group teleported.
Very deep, I know. Stay tuned for more drama.