I wish I owned DBZ, but I don't. I own DVD's and tapes, but it just isn't the same. I also don't own the rights to any of the music pieces you see selected, just copies of merchandise, such a shame. The artists that created them are geniuses and we all must bow to them.
Chapter 31: Kain
It was a typical looking city. Tall buildings of various design, paved streets and various vehicles to fill them. The only thing was, there were no people. Unless you include one tall Saiyan, two hybrid children and the computer-generated enforcer they were facing. Vegeta wasn't faring well at all in this place, a fact that was indulged further when he was bashed into the ground. Kain dropped down and kicked Vegeta's head further into the concrete before backing off for a moment. Vegeta's head gushed blood that mixed in with what was coming from a broken nose, but he didn't stay down long. Neither Trunks nor Goten had jumped in to help, but only because Vegeta kept waving them off.
"Argh! Come on! It'll take more than a petty illusion to take me down!" Vegeta declared.
"True, if we were in the real world. You are inside my domain however, or at least your mind is. You have no power or strength here grand prince. You are just a weak man here!" Kain replied with a grin.
"When I get out of here, I'm going to slowly break every piece of technology you're connected to!" Vegeta growled.
"Just to make me suffer? Please, do not insult your own waning intelligence with your thoughtless threats. Computer programs do not feel real pain, especially not when disabled. Besides, I highly doubt you will be able to do anything about me when you do leave this place!" Kain said.
"And just what will stop me?" Vegeta asked. He had a different purpose in mind though once Kain started talking. I must distract him to give the boy more time. He may not be fully recovered yet!
"The fact that you will be brain-dead when I finish you off. I doubt that Doctor Cash will needlessly destroy this compound when and if he assumes control of your body!" Kain answered.
"What?"
"I will keep this simple for your primitive Saiyan mind. I will kill off your mind here, like I am programmed to do. Your body is to remain alive for both study and potentially for personal use for the good doctor. He is not long for this world and wants a strong, powerful body to transfer his mind into. Then he can fulfill his own wishes to dominate this planet. Once all of Earth is united, he will wage war against the alien species that threaten this world time and time again. Aliens like yourself for example!" Kain explained.
"You're lying; he won't be able to do half of that!" Vegeta claimed.
"Rest assured that I am not. I cannot bluff nor lie as it is not in my programming."
"Is that a fact? Then tell me how you got into Bulma's computer. Who put you here?" Vegeta asked.
"You did!" Kain said plainly. Both Trunks and Goten gasp at this, but Vegeta only smirked back.
"Sounds like you just lied," Vegeta suggested.
"Technically, Bulma installed me herself when she began running diagnostics. It was you who pulled my circuit board free. Luckily, it was undamaged from the acid that melted the biofighter Misokatsun. Have I sufficiently jogged your memory?" Kain asked. Vegeta only growled at him.
"Is there anything else you would like to know? Or can I get on with my work?"
"Where's Doctor Cash's lab?" Vegeta asked immediately.
"Which one?"
"Which one? Just how many are there?" Vegeta shouted.
"I only know of three," Kain replied.
"Fine, the main one!" Vegeta barked impatiently.
"Below North City."
"Last question. How long have we been in here?" Vegeta inquired.
"Long enough for me to become annoyed. Seventeen minutes and thirteen seconds!" Kain said.
Vegeta grimaced just a bit, "Boys, you remember your survival training?"
Goten and Trunks stared at him in question, "Yeah?"
"Then do it!" Vegeta yelled. Both boys jumped up and sprinted off into the city streets.
"No matter. I will catch up with them soon enough," Kain claimed. He suddenly split into two separate forms, with the new one flying in pursuit of the two demi-saiyans.
"Now then, shall we continue with your demise?" Kain asked.
"Do your worst! I won't be done in by a picture!" Vegeta dared. Kain rushed at him, though this time Vegeta was more than ready. Kain kicked hard towards Vegeta's head, but missed when Vegeta ducked. Kain had to spin around to face the Saiyan, and was struck by powerful uppercut square in the jaw. Kain stumbled backwards, stunned. Vegeta tackled him to the ground in a full mount position and started to hammer Kain with multiple shots to the head and upper body. Blood began to pour from Kain's head as his entire face started to swell up during the onslaught. Vegeta pulled back and let loose one more time as hard as he currently could, turning Kain's nose completely sideways. Vegeta jumped back and took a deep breath before grunting mildly.
"Don't tell me that's all you've got?" Vegeta grinned.
Kain started to laugh, "Oh you are certainly worth your reputation Vegeta!" Kain slowly got up and Vegeta gasped when his wounds instantly vanished.
"I always did like to test my opponent before engaging. Perhaps it is a side effect from taking on the holo-fighter Bullard as my appearance. But like I said, this is my world and I make the rules!" Before Vegeta could even blink again, Kain had buried his fist in Vegeta's abdomen. Vegeta doubled over in surprised agony before glaring back up at Kain. Kain's fist found Vegeta's face next, and thus put him flat on the ground. Kain walked up and kicked Vegeta in the side of the head before stepping back and observing. Vegeta barely got to his knees, and his face and hair were now a bloody mess.
"Is that it?" Vegeta growled viciously.
Kain smiled, "A glutton for punishment I see. I like that!"
-
The other copy of Kain hovered a few feet off the ground while moving through the city streets. His eyes darted in every direction, looking for his prey. He passed by several parked vehicles and darkened alleyways, scanning each one briefly. A few shadows moved about as he went by, neither one eager to jump out at him yet.
"How did he beat your dad already?" Goten asked.
"I don't think he did yet, I can still hear him back there! Maybe he can split into twins or something," Trunks rasped.
"What are we gonna do Trunks?" Goten asked.
"We gotta find a way to take him out and go help dad. Maybe if we…" Trunks suddenly paused when he eyed the nearest parked hovercraft,
"Goten, go get his attention. Distract him any way you can; I've got an idea!" Goten nodded and dashed out into the streets. He found Kain a block away and crept closer before tossing a pebble at him. Back behind, Trunks attempted to lift up the hover car with his hands, but it didn't budge. Trunks frowned at this before smacking his head in dismay, Duh, we're not as strong in a computer program! Trunks glanced up when he heard Goten shouting at Kain, both coming closer. Damnit Goten, I didn't want you to bring him this way! Goten was busy ducking behind other cars nearby, and Kain looked patient enough to let him continue for now. Trunks climbed in the car, staying as low as possible so not to be seen when Kain stalked by.
Goten stuck his tongue out at the hologram, "Naw naw naw! You can't catch me!"
Kain only grinned and continued following the fleeing half Saiyan. Once Kain was further away, Trunks finally dared to look up. His idea of throwing the vehicles was shot. As was any plan for him and Goten to tag team Kain. Trunks slapped the steering wheel in frustration, and a slight jingling noise drew his attention. That's when he spotted the dangling key, left in the ignition. Why are there car keys in a computer-generated car? He didn't bother trying to think up an answer though as it was a moot point. He decided that the keys were a good thing and promptly turned on the car. It beeped a few times and dinged randomly for him to fasten a seat belt. Trunks didn't bother and shifted the car into gear. The car jerked forward and Trunks panicked, slamming on the brake. He looked up in fear, but Kain was further up the road and didn't show any signs of hearing him. Trunks sighed with relief and slowly let off the brake, maneuvering out onto the road. Up ahead, Goten was still dashing and jumping around, keeping away from Kain, but also keeping his attention. Kain merely kept the grin on his face and slowly chased him at a walking speed. After ducking behind a truck, Goten stopped to catch a breather. When he popped back up, he couldn't see Kain where he expected him to be. Goten bravely stepped out and glanced around, not realizing that Kain was behind him.
"Looking for me?" Kain asked. Goten jumped in surprise and ran for the nearest spot to hide. Unfortunately for him, it was in a narrow alley, and Kain had him trapped. Goten shivered from behind a garbage dumpster as Kain laughed for a moment.
"You cannot hide from me!" he claimed.
"Hey jerk face!" Trunks shouted at the top of his lungs as he jumped out of the car. Kain turned to his right, only to be slammed by the car. Both car and Kain glided away at just a little over one hundred kilometers per hour. Trunks landed at the alley entrance and watched as the car crashed into a building and blew up. Goten came out to watch the flames once he saw Trunks standing there.
"That takes care of that one. Let's go find my dad!" Trunks suggested. He spun around and walked right into an unscathed Kain.
"Tricky little runts. As much as I would like to continue this game, I do have a bit of a deadline here!" Kain proclaimed. Goten jumped at him, but was smacked aside like a fly. Goten flew into the nearest wall and slumped down. Trunks stared up at the larger Kain and his lip quivered just a bit.
Kati smiled just slightly as she watched the display, injecting herself with a pale yellow fluid. Kain was throwing Vegeta around like a rag doll and the two boys weren't doing much better. She had imputed a command to Kain to toy with them a little bit, but to finish the boys first. She wanted to watch Vegeta suffer for awhile. The landline phone rang as Vegeta was being pulled from a simulated brick wall and thrown into another.
"Yes?" Kati answered.
"It's Ranso. Is everything in place?" Ranso asked.
"Had to make the move a little early. Somehow, Vegeta figured it out. But he and two of the hybrids are tucked away, waiting for pickup!" Kati reported, glancing at the mirror and rubbing a slight blemish from her copied brow.
"What about the other one?" Ranso pondered.
"Had to use the black formula on him to get Vegeta to cooperate. He flat lined right away. Looks like that stuff is really effective on hybrids! Maybe Saiyan blood isn't all its cracked up to be!" Kati chuckled.
"What black formula?" Ranso asked.
"That stuff you and Dad were talking about, in the black vial? Supposed to be some sort of instant coma stuff right?"
Kati heard Ranso's breath catch for a moment before she answered, "You grabbed the black vial? You were supposed to grab the gray one! What happened when you injected him?"
"He convulsed and then flat lined. Well his brain did anyway, his vitals dropped to comatose levels. Why, was it supposed to do something different?"
"Uh, no, I just didn't expect it to work that… effectively. Anyway, I'm running a little behind. I found the hybrid girl and took her back to the lab. She even managed to fight my control a little; I'm not sure how either. Maybe my ability only works best on humans. I'll have to ask your dad about that. Other than that though, wow. She is smoking hot for an alien. I seriously want her," Ranso declared.
"Can you save the bi-sexual libido for another day?" Kati grumbled.
"I didn't mean that, well not quite. I want to be transferred to her body like your dad wants to do to one of the other ones. I'd kill for a body like that!"
Kati frowned as she sipped some coffee, "You already have if I'm not mistaken. And I think I should get first dibs; this hasn't been easy! I've been awake for nearly three days, and putting up with Vegeta for an hour is tiring enough! Dad's anti-sleep formula works, but I'm seriously running out of sanity!"
"Oh shut up, you can copy anyone you want with your power. I'll let you copy me anytime you want after the switch!" Ranso offered.
"Thanks, but I'd prefer it to be permanent. I absolutely hate waking up to that old face every day!" Kati retorted.
"I dunno, a whole night as two versions of that chick going at it would make a really awesome video. Everyone would think we're twins!" Ranso suggested.
"I remember when we did the twins idea, or should I say you forced the twins idea when I tried copying you!" Kati growled.
"Not my fault. You touched me when I was in the mood. What did you think would happen?" Ranso countered.
Kati held her head down slightly, "Maybe that's why Dad wanted me to do this instead of you. Besides, it's less conspicuous with me posing as Bulma and not anyone else. How long will you be?"
"Still need to get the air boat prepped for the cargo, so probably about four to five hours!"
"That's fine. The only potential problem now is the baby, and only because she screams so loud! I'll see you later!" Kati replied as she hung up. Just as she did, the entire room went dark. All of the computer equipment shut down as well, with the exception of the platform that the Saiyans were strapped to. The back up generators kicked on quickly, restoring power to the room and allowing Kati to breathe easier. The hallways remained dark due to power demands as the main computer slowly booted back up. Once the screen reset, Kati instinctively opened the program that showed all of the cameras of the compound. She wasn't concerned with Kain's program, the VR system was set up to run off its own power supply for a limited amount of time. Several of the video feeds showed static for a few moments before nearly all black, signifying that the blackout was through the whole building. One of the feeds remained fuzzy and unclear however. Kati didn't think much of it, until she saw which room it was, Verto's room.
Relax, the kid is in a coma or dead, he won't be moving again. Kati sighed as she returned her display to the virtual server. Nothing had changed, except that Kain was beating Trunks around viciously and Goten wasn't moving much. A distant shatter of glass made her jump out of her chair. The sound had come from the lobby area, and only the windows down there had glass in them. Kati zoomed in on the lobby security camera, still showing nothing but dark. As she watched though, she could see a shadow moving about, holding a large bag by the look of it. Must be a burglar, hell of a time for it! Kati thought as she rose and pulled a small pistol from her lab coat.
The hallways remained dark as she slowly crept towards the lobby, hugging the walls as she did. She saw no one, but after a moment, she heard stumbling on the stairs. Swallowing uneasily, she climbed up in slow pursuit, gun at the ready. She heard a few doors creak open and paused until she heard no moment for over thirty seconds. She gave the supposed burglar a few minutes before moving forward, no sign of him. She stopped at the first room and peered in. The light had been turned on, but there was no burglar. It was Bulla's room, so there wasn't anything to steal. Kati felt surprised that the baby wasn't crying her tiny head off. Then she saw why, Bulla wasn't in her crib. A slight panic washed over Kati when she considered that the burglar might have taken the baby. Kati flipped the light off and peered out once her vision adjusted. There was only one more open door, and she tiptoed towards it before cautiously stepping inside. It was Verto's room, lit only by the streetlights outside. There didn't appear to be any burglar here either and Kati grimaced as she turned to leave. Her shoe bumped something hard on the floor, but she couldn't tell what it was in the dark. She thumbed the light switch and flicked it on. At her feet was the security camera, or what was left of it. Kati glanced up and saw it had been ripped from the wall. Kati's eyes darted to her left before she turned fully to the bed. It was still full by the look of it, though was completely still and concealed by the sheets and blankets that had been draped over the comatose boy. Kati sighed and turned just slightly to inspect the rest of the household. Her eyes widened when she spotted something dangling from the bedside. She stepped over nervously and grabbed the object. It was part of the leather straps that were wrapped around the bed. Only it was much too short now, because it had been broken off.
"No!" Kati cried out. She flung the covers off the bed, revealing only a few pillows underneath. A whole new level of fear went through her spine. Just as she dared to breathe, she heard a click behind her as cold metal tapped the back of her head.
"Don't move!" a low voice growled. Kati blinked sharply, in that moment, she had completely forgotten about the intruder. His timing was not only horrible, but he had picked the absolute worst place in the world to rob. The convenient condition of the Briefs family just happened to work out for him.
Kati shifted strategy and feigned defeat, "Oh, please don't hurt me!"
"Just tell me where the safe is you bitch!" the burglar shouted. Kati paused, mostly due to the fact that she wasn't aware of any safe.
"The safe Miss Briefs, now!" he ordered again. The intruder's gun suddenly went flying by Kati and clattered off the wall to the floor as he cried out in pain. Kati barely had time to notice it before the burglar himself went flying through the window. He screamed all the way down to a sure neck injury. Kati gulped and slowly turned around as a low humming sound filled the air. She found herself staring at a blue sword of light, and a very angry boy that was holding it. Her hand moved towards her coat pocket, but Verto already had a firm hold of her wrist before she could blink. She could even feel some of the sword's energy as he held it within inches of her face.
Kati attempted to play it cool, "Sweetie, you should get back to bed. You're not well enough to be playing these games!"
"Drop the act or I'll drop you! I've known for a while that you aren't Bulma. And don't bother trying to get one of your toys out; your hands will be broken before you can even twitch! If you think I can't do that, then go ahead and try!" Verto warned.
Kati cringed slightly, "Easy killer. I'll give up, if you can tell me how you woke up?"
"Whatever you injected into me was designed for something, probably death or something to keep me out of the picture, right?" Verto asked.
"It should have put you into a brain-dead coma and I thought it did. The reading said you flat lined!" Kati pointed out.
"It might have for a moment, but luckily I know ways around that. It involves a similar energy to the ki restrictor device you are using to keep everyone's power down," Verto explained.
Kati's eyes widened, "How could you tell?"
"You honestly think I wouldn't notice that? It's practically like sniffing the air once you learn how to sense energy," he replied.
"But you're supposed to be weak and exhausted! Even if you withstood that formula, you shouldn't be able to move!" Kati claimed.
"Guess I can thank you for that. All that sedative will help a guy rest his body, especially when he needs it. Not only am I full recovered, I also got a chance to work some mental issues out. Issues like morality when it comes to dealing with certain kinds of people, specifically your kind. Now it's your turn to answer questions. We can start with a simple one. Where's Doctor Cash's lab?" Verto shouted.
A/n: Heh, uh oh.
WDG: It is alive! I suppose 'pissed off' wouldn't do justice to his current mood, neh? And speaking of 'moods' … nah, just leave it. Let's just say that I didn't expect it after what went on during the first appearance.
VB: Yeah, I don't think there are words for how "upset" he is. And look at WDG, getting his ornery thoughts in order.