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 62: The Release
Before leaving the room again, Verto noticed that Lenz's necklace charm was lying on the bed. She must have been so flustered that she forgot it here. Hopefully nothing happens, but then again, she would have lost it immediately just a moment ago. Still, I should find and inform her about her people before something does happen. But before I do that…I wonder if I can use it to help one of the crazed Rotians. It couldn't hurt to try. With that thought, Verto took the necklace and left the area. Upon entering the hallway, he could hear two raised voices nearby. Neither one was Lenz, but he still felt the need to investigate. At the entrance to the main corridor to the living quarters, he spotted the two guards he was accustomed to seeing. What he wasn't used to seeing was they were actually moving rather than standing at attention. In this case, they were beating the holy hell out of each other.
Verto stepped in quickly and pulled the larger orange skinned humanoid off the other purple one, "Knock it off!"
"Get out of my way kid!" Orange shouted. He stopped abruptly when Verto's Psi sword nearly impaled him.
"I don't care what the problem is here. You're soldiers, so act like it!" Verto suggested.
"He started it!" Orange claimed.
"I did no such thing! Wait, what were we fighting about?" Purple asked.
"Actually, I don't know. One minute we're standing here, and the next I was trying to kill you?" Both guards seemed confused by the whole chain of events.
Verto rolled his eyes slightly as he allowed his sword to fade, "Whatever, just don't start any more fights. I imagine it would reflect poorly if Frost learned you two were having…issues."
The purple guard saluted him, "Understood sir!"
"And don't salute me," Verto grumbled as he walked away. He marched off to the labs where the Rotians were being kept. Upon arrival, he noticed that only one of them was even awake. None looked very healthy though, as the three others looked on the brink of starvation. The fourth and active Rotian wasn't much better by the look of things, but he could at least move around a bit. Verto glanced over at the nearest scientist, an average humanoid with a light golden hue to his skin, along with an oddly shaped head.
"What the hell is wrong with them?" Verto asked.
The scientist was startled, but quickly ran over and bowed, "Greatest apologies sir! We didn't expect you on this fine day!" Verto scowled at the lack of depth in the alien's voice, but tried to ignore it.
"What's your name?" Verto asked, as he barely had to look down at the larger alien.
"Doctor Mellon, sir!" A fruity name, how fitting.
"Well Mellon, I don't like people who kiss my ass. So get off your knees and answer the damn question," Verto said sternly. Mellon jumped nearly three feet once he heard this, but gathered himself and turned to the cages.
"We believe they suffer from extreme hunger. Being a Saiyan, I'm sure you understand," Mellon pointed out.
Verto's scowl deepened, "You haven't been feeding them?"
"We have, but they refuse to eat anything, not even meat," Mellon claimed.
"They're on nothing but instinct now, how can that be the case?" Verto asked.
"I don't know sir, I assume that their condition has something to do with it. Much like a savage animal."
Verto's glare shifted, "I know that. What I am saying is that instinct would force them to eat. So why aren't they? I don't see any discarded food in there."
"Most of the food doesn't make it into their cages before they attempt to tear an arm off," Mellon said nervously.
"Well, I doubt they're in any condition now to refuse any food. Feed them immediately," Verto ordered.
"Of course sir."
Mellon didn't move right away though, making Verto raise his voice, "Is there something wrong with that?"
"No sir, we just have to wait another hour before the prescribed mealtime," Mellon replied.
Verto's eyes flickered to a slightly brighter blue, "When I say now, I mean now. Otherwise I'll chop off one of your limbs for each Rotian and then let them fight over the leftovers. Now get a fucking move on!" Mellon ran towards the nearest console and called for a food delivery while Verto turned back to study each demi-Saiyan for several minutes a piece. He stepped up to the cage of the lone awake male and locked eyes with him for quite awhile. Long enough to have the Rotian get into a crouched position, as if ready to pounce if Verto got within range. The meal arrived soon after, and was safely delivered to the three sleeping Rotians without incident. They didn't sleep for long though, and quickly scampered up to the door and gorged the food on the spot.
Just as the feeders approached the last cage, Verto stopped them, "I'll take it in. Lock the door behind me."
"But sir!" Mellon protested.
"Just do it, he isn't going to hurt me."
Mellon sighed, "Very well." Verto took a platter of meat and proceeded inside. The strange growling and snarling began almost instantly as the crazed half Saiyan bore his teeth. Verto dared to step within a dozen feet before he set the plate down and backed off. The Rotian's snarling stopped as he stepped up to examine the meat. Within a few moments, he grabbed the plate and ran backwards before devouring the meat.
"Incredible, we haven't even been able to get it into the cage!" Mellon said though an intercom.
"That's because you've gone about it the wrong way. He probably identifies you as a threat, just by experience. He isn't sure about me yet, and I left him the food and moved away. One step at a time, he might know he's too weak to do much," Verto explained. Once the Rotian had his meal, it locked eyes with Verto again, but didn't make anymore threatening sounds. Verto pulled Lenz's necklace out and held it up, letting the Rotian get a good eyeful. He stepped forward again and laid it on the ground before backing off. The Rotian ran towards it, picked it up and then examined it, slightly mesmerized. Okay, that's progress. He clearly knows what it is, or at least recognizes it. Now let's see if it has any noticeable effect. Verto waited patiently for a very long time as the Rotian stared at the gem and held it like a coveted prize. Nearly an hour went by and the only thing that changed was the Rotian's sitting position. Maybe he's just too far gone, or he just needs that negative energy to leave his body. Verto stood up and stepped forward quickly. The reaction was immediate as the Rotian snarled at him again, holding the necklace behind him. His red eyes brightened with intensity and he charged forward. Verto already had a bright white energy ball waiting and fired at point blank range. The Rotian tumbled to the ground when his body became overwhelmed by lightning bursts from the Feedback Wave. He rolled along the ground, trying to shake the random shocks with no luck. This continued for a few minutes, with some other alien doctors lining up to take notice. The Rotian howled in pain a few times during this, but Verto didn't let him have a reprieve. Fairly soon, most of the negative energy had faded, and random grunts and snarls started to shift into words.
"S-s-stop! It b-b-burns!" the Rotian cried out.
"If you can understand me, listen up," Verto said. The Rotian stopped groaning long enough to nod his head.
"Calm yourself down, think positively. If you can control any of your energy, then suppress it as well. The pain will subside if you can do that, but it will get worse if you don't," Verto said. Another thirty seconds passed and at first, it appeared that the Rotian didn't understand or wasn't cooperating. Soon though, the lightning bursts began to dissipate and he sat up, mildly surprised. Verto held up his hand and pulled his Feedback orb from the Rotian, allowing him the freedom of movement completely. While he stared at it in wonder, he didn't appear to be changing back and Verto had reason to relax as he tossed the energy ball aside.
"You feel alright?" Verto asked.
The Rotian looked himself up and down, "I think so. What happened?"
"You tell me. Your energy was making you behave like a wild animal."
"You mean the curse? Where am I?"
Verto sighed, "We'll get to that in a moment. This curse, or whatever you want to call it, is a dormant power that has shown itself in your people. Since none of you can control it, it literally controlled you. Well, sort of."
The Rotian still looked amazed to be conscious, "Who are you?"
"My name is Verto, I'm also a Saiyan. What's yours?"
The Rotian was glancing around carefully, "Frelin."
"Can you remember anything?" Verto asked.
"I was running for cover with the others on a planet. We had crash landed, running from the Empire elites. We didn't know how they found us, but they did. We took shelter in a cave and waited. They bombarded the planet, we could hear it even a kilometer down. My sister Zaala, wait, where is she?" Frelin asked.
Verto glanced to his left at the female Rotian, "Is that her over there?" Frelin turned and spotted her, before running to the glass-like wall that separated the cages.
"Zaala!" he shouted and pounded on the glass. The female, Zaala, lit up with rage as she bared her teeth at him, but made no other movement. Frelin continued to pound on the clear wall, drawing her attention further. She approached the wall and tilted her head in slight wonder.
Frelin smiled, "Zaala, you remember me!" Zaala seemed content, before lunging at Frelin, trying to bite his head off. She bounced off the wall and snarled in anger. Frelin's moderate excitement dropped along with his shoulders and he backed away in defeat.
"I'm sorry, but now isn't the time for sulking," Verto pointed out.
"Yes, I suppose you're right. It started as an argument about what we were going to do. There were twelve of us, and none of us agreed on anything. Next thing I knew, we were at each other's throats. Everyone's eyes had turned a bright red, and no one was behaving rationally. After that, just images of a forest," Frelin claimed, shaking his head as if to clear some cobwebs.
"I figured on memory loss, but it's fortunate that this curse didn't completely erode your brain. I take it that no one had any of those gems with them?" Verto asked as he pointed to the necklace.
"No, we had left them behind for the mission. Every Rotian has one, passed down by our Rotarian ancestors. They are sacred tears of Kholo," Frelin said as he held the gem up.
"Who's that, the god you worship or something?" Verto asked.
"It's said that Kholo was a great beast that soared through the heavens and underworlds, defying every god, every angel and every dark demon. He was considered a troublemaker by every deity, but was also a grand pursuer of justice. He chose to protect the Rotarians and their descendents when a great war nearly destroyed all of creation. The most powerful gods punished him by transforming the beast into a great mountain, from which these crystals formed. He died vowing to protect our ancestors from evil," Frelin rattled off.
"Or from yourselves," Verto added.
"So you believe me?" Frelin asked in slight hope.
"I'm not saying I do or don't. But I don't rule out divine intervention, they've certainly stuck their noses in my business enough times. And there's a lone Rotarian still alive around here that confirms your mythology," Verto replied.
"It's not a myth! I've seen the great Kholo in my dreams!" Frelin argued.
"Look, believe what you want to. That gem does have an affect on you though, and with it I think I can help your people," Verto claimed.
"Wherever did you get it?" Frelin asked in slight wonder.
"A Rotian girl that literally fell into my care, though she hasn't needed it yet. If I can reverse this, I can also teach you how to control the energy the right way, so you don't turn crazy again," Verto offered.
Frelin's reaction wasn't what Verto expected, "No, you mustn't! That power is evil!"
"If misused, yes. It doesn't have to be though," Verto reminded.
Frelin suddenly threw the gem back at Verto, "We don't want your help. Go back to wherever you came from and leave us be!"
"Don't be an idiot, I can help you!" Verto shouted back. Frelin started to answer, but no words came out. Instead, an intense growl came from his throat, followed quickly by his eyes filling with blood rage. Frelin charged at Verto with both arms extended like claws. He bounced off Verto's Psi shield and fell backwards. Verto stared at the ground in dismay before walking towards the door and leaving the cage, saddened that he couldn't convince Frelin.
"Awful savages, aren't they sir?" Dr. Mellon asked. Mellon choked on his next breath as Verto had him up against the wall by his neck, eyes ablaze with blue fire.
"Say it again and I'll snap this twig you call a neck! Now shut the hell up!" Verto snarled.
"M-My apologies!" Mellon choked. Verto's eyes shifted suddenly with concern as he let the doctor go and stormed off. At the same time, he found himself staring at his own hands. He winced slightly when his right hand had a very brief pain pulse run through it. If the gem works, then how come my rage just took control so easily? I've dealt with insults from these bastards enough for it not to bother me. Maybe Chal was right, my edge is slipping.
While Verto was at the lab, Lenz had elected to ignore his suggestion once again. She wanted to know everything about the Renegade, Chal. She was able to sneak into the area relatively unnoticed before discovering where the security cameras were placed. When no one was watching, she snuck into the prison cell and quickly ripped it out of the wall.
"Well, you're a brave one, though I wouldn't say you're the most covert," Chal said from his place at the center of the cell, chained down.
"I'm sure I'm going to catch hell for it too. Can you tell me about yourself and the others?" Lenz asked straight away.
"You're Rotian aren't you? I'm surprised that you can even stand there and dictate your own movements."
Lenz stared back at him, "What do you mean?"
"Oh, you don't know about that do you? Still too young to be affected, or preventive measures have been taken. You do seem rather strong, physically," Chal pointed out.
"Well duh! I am a Super Saiyan after all!" Lenz replied nonchalantly.
"Are you now? I find that fascinating. I sense a great dormant power in you as well. Much greater than your current level of ki," Chal said.
"You mean my Psi potential don't you?" she asked.
"Oh yes. Can't you feel it?"
Lenz looked down, "No, not yet. Little brother hasn't taught me how to use it yet. I felt his a few times, but he's got to be powered up or something before I can sense anything."
"Little brother…oh you mean the kid that defeated me. Strange, he didn't seem Rotian to me, and he clearly stated that he wasn't," Chal mused.
"Oh he's not, I only call him that. Just a silly pet name that he probably hates anyway…" Lenz mumbled.
"What is his name anyway? We never exchanged formal pleasantries," Chal admitted.
Lenz glanced up, "Oh, well that was rude of him. It's Verto."
Chal raised his eyebrows slightly, "Is that right? Interesting."
"Does that name mean something to you?" Lenz asked.
"Not as much as his abilities do. I've never seen anyone combine the two energies like that and be successful. What he has achieved is astounding," Chal said with admiration.
Lenz seemed puzzled, "So…you guys can't do that? You can't transform?"
Chal chuckled, "Not like that, but there are other ways to increase one's power. I sense you are more like us than you know."
"I don't see how that could be," Lenz said.
"Let me ask you this: how long has he been able to use these powers?" Chal asked.
Lenz grimaced slightly, "I'm not sure actually. I know it was before I met him and his friends. But he's always telling me that he hasn't quite figured everything out yet, and it does seem like he's new at it."
"You wouldn't think that a power like his would manifest itself so early," Chal said.
"Well he is older than he looks, and technically he didn't do it on his own. One of those afterlife rulers had something to do with it and…" Lenz suddenly stopped herself.
Chal turned his head slightly, "And, what?"
"And I shouldn't be telling you this," Lenz said as she covered her own mouth.
"Wise, though a bit late. Don't worry about it girl, what would I do with that information chained up down here? Besides, I would rather talk about your potential at the moment," Chal said.
Lenz sighed slightly, though unrelieved, "So, what about me?"
"I sense that you doubt yourself girl. If you've become a Super Saiyan as you are now, then your potential could be limitless!"
"Don't try to flatter me just so I'll say something else. I need to go before someone shows up," Lenz claimed as she turned around.
"I wouldn't worry about that yet. I imagine you'd be better off down here at the moment, no one will notice since you cut the security feed," Chal pointed out.
"How can you be so sure?" Lenz asked.
"Just a hunch. So tell me, has the boy at least started teaching you how to control your deepest powers?"
Lenz stared at the ground again, "Not really. He was starting to before we got dragged out here, but his methods are so slow that it makes me wonder if he really wants me to learn. It was the same when he trained me to be a Super Saiyan, but this is a little different."
"So it's a slow progression, which means two possibilities. One, he may indeed still be learning himself and wants you to take it slowly. Two, the most likely, is that he fears that you'll be far more powerful than him. And I can sense that you definitely can be," Chal said with a wicked grin.
"No, he's not like that," Lenz said in denial.
"Don't fool yourself girl, he may only train you in a basic way so that he can increase his own power with you as a tool. You are strong enough that you don't need a leash. He will only hold you back, am I wrong?"
Lenz was clearly becoming tilted and confused, "He has held me back before, telling me that I wasn't ready for something when I've proven that I was. He never gives me many chances to show him I can handle it."
"And he won't if he can hold you down. Don't let him, you can be what he refuses to be! Just trust your feelings!" Chal urged.
Lenz couldn't help but nod her head slightly, "How?"
"Someone is coming. Concentrate your rage, focus your anger. Let your passion and desire out for the world to see. Do not be afraid of it, embrace it. Only then can you gain mastery over your power and surpass those stronger than you!" Chal suggested.
"So, it's almost like becoming a Super Saiyan for the first time, thanks!" Lenz said as she waved and ducked out of the cell. Chal nodded his head as she quickly dashed deeper into the dungeon to hide. A few minutes later, the large brute Bido strutted in, looking anxious to continue his work.
"So scum, how are we feeling today? Think you can withstand me again?" Bido asked.
Chal grinned as he saw Lenz run past the open door, "I feel fabulous. I can already tell that today is a good day." Chal laughed slightly as his eyes glowed a faint red before shifting back to a dim violet. This should be a good show, don't disappoint me, Verto.
Verto headed to the bar for a bite to eat in order to clear his head. He didn't exactly expect to have the food fly at him when the doors slid open. Within its walls, dozens of soldiers were brawling with each other in a massive bar fight. There were fists, food, drinks and even a few ki blasts flying around. Security was trying to stop the riot, but were only getting pulled into it instead. Verto stood by and watched for the time being. Unlike the fight between two guards earlier, this one presented a mild portion of entertainment; though it did nothing to improve his mood. It wasn't long before someone with a bit more of a presence and authority came by to join him.
"You know, there is something about watching weak grunts slugging it out that is very enjoyable," Bojack said.
"Even though it's meaningless," Verto muttered.
"Every battle has meaning, that's what makes things interesting. If it has no discernable meaning, the warriors create their own meaning with their pride. Surely you, as a Saiyan, understand pride," Bojack pointed out.
Verto shrugged, "Guess I can't argue with that."
Bojack beamed down at him, "Shall we discuss something that has meaning then? No names of course."
"If you mean your hostile takeover, then you'll have to give me more time, if I even decide to go through with it."
"You've had your chances several times by now," Bojack declared.
"Your, target, is more paranoid than you think. He's on guard at all times," Verto countered.
"I suspected that, figure out a way, boy," Bojack ordered.
Verto scowled, "Or what? Apparently your minions were deaf, I never agreed to anything!"
"Yes, they told me that, but you are not a complete fool. You know it's necessary and it's the right thing to do. You have my personal guarantee that your home will not be touched," Bojack claimed.
"I don't believe you," Verto stated.
Bojack grinned, "You could just kill me instead then, if you feel up to trying. You win either way." Verto shifted his eyes away from Bojack, He does have a point…oh hell. They're both trying to talk me into it.
"I'll consider it, after this Renegade business is finished," Verto replied.
"Of course, that does take priority, though you should also consider the timing. He would likely decide to terminate the agreement when it is a convenient time to do so. I suggest you keep both eyes open at all times. You wouldn't want something to happen and not be prepared for it," Bojack suggested. Verto watched Bojack step into the bar, feeling a brief trickle of cold fear from his cryptic words. Bojack walked right in and ended the entire brawl with one punch. The unfortunate soldier died immediately, but everyone else took notice and stopped.
"The next soldier I see fighting will not only forfeit his life, but also everyone else's in this room!" Bojack shouted. The elites scampered back to their activities as they rushed out the door, leaving only the injured, Bojack and the bartender.
Bojack laughed a bit, "Now that is how you maintain order!" Verto scowled as Bojack tossed the dead soldier aside and silently made up his mind. Bojack ordered one drink and promptly downed it before departing, grinning at Verto the entire time as he left. Verto tensed slightly as his fists balled up, That's it. I'm just gonna kill them both.
Lenz left Chal to his torture, unsure on how to proceed. She found herself walking by the arena that was carved out of a cave and decided to go in. Her intention was to train, fueled by motivation from Chal's speech. Seeing Zangya in there by herself only added to it. Zangya appeared to be practicing some sort of dance-like movement that was related to her fighting style. It actually reminded Lenz a bit of her older movements. She was gracefully swinging her arms in a carefree manner as she kept her eyes closed, though she was lifting her legs up at the point of attack and then pausing, representing kicking patterns. Zangya paused mid-form though when she spotted Lenz gliding to the ground level.
Zangya grinned, "I was wondering what that stench was."
Lenz scowled back, "I'm sure it's just yourself you're smelling. All that green crap on you must be horrible. Oh, that's your natural state." Zangya's demeanor didn't appear to change, though Lenz could sense otherwise when her ki level rose.
"Are there any fighting techniques to back that mouth up? Or do I get to walk all over you like Bido did?" Zangya asked.
Lenz stifled a laugh, "Walked all over me? You must have seen something else that day."
"Alright then girl, show me how you aren't just some dumb luck amateur!" Zangya challenged.
"Gladly!" Both women shook the cave with their powering up, Zangya's blue aura and Lenz's golden. It was apparent that neither would holding back, as several small rocks and pebbles randomly lifted up and scattered. The cave brightened considerably when Lenz turned Super Saiyan and charged in first, fist drawn back. Zangya smirked and aligned her fingertips to fire out small energy strands. Lenz cringed and slowed down before firing a quick ki blast to her left. It worked, and Lenz snuck by the Barrier strings by just a few hair lengths. She landed carefully as Zangya frowned.
"That trick won't work on me twice!" Lenz boasted. Zangya fired a regular ki blast from short range and Lenz took off running as fast as she could. Zangya fired again, missing by several feet when it exploded just behind Lenz. She continued to launch ki blasts as Lenz circled around before closing on her, phasing in and out depending on the next shot. Zangya stopped long enough to decipher a pattern and spun around to catch Lenz off guard. She fired a massive blast at point blank range, losing sight of Lenz in the bright green light. Once it cleared, Zangya glanced down to see a boot heading for her chin. Lenz used her hands to push off the ground as Zangya staggered backwards. Lenz didn't waste a moment a rushed at her opponent, unloading with rapid punches and kicks that beat up Zangya like no one had before. Zangya threw a desperation punch in the midst of it all, but missed when Lenz easily dodged it before hammering her down with a double over-arm smash. Zangya groaned as she hit the ground face first and blood trickled down the side of her head.
"Get up! I'm not done with you yet!" Lenz shouted. Zangya glanced up in slight fear before rolling out of the way of Lenz's next kick. She crawled to her feet and tried to get some distance. She was just a few steps into her sprint when Lenz flashed past her and then came back, landing a harsh roundhouse kick into Zangya's torso. Zangya flew backwards before skidding across the ground and landing in a crumpled pile. Lenz snorted and crossed her arms, waiting for Zangya to get up. She slowly did as a generous amount of blood dripped from her mouth and head.
"You lousy little whore!" Zangya roared.
"Give it up, or the next one kills you!" Lenz declared.
"Give up to a weakling like you? Never!" Zangya charged a potent blast behind her with one hand, the strongest one yet. Lenz resumed her guarding stance and prepared to dodge it.
"Trap Shooter!" Zangya cried out as she appeared to lazily toss the energy forward. Instead, a spray of small but powerful ki blasts came racing towards Lenz, who glided left to avoid them. To her surprise, the ki balls followed her like heat-seeking missiles. Lenz backed away at a quick pace to avoid them.
Zangya laughed despite the pain she was in, "You can't get away!" She fired another barrage of ki bolts, making at least a few dozen following Lenz around the cave. Lenz saw Zangya standing still and rushed towards her instead. Zangya grinned and prepared another batch, causing Lenz to change directions. Once she was clear enough to face Zangya, the cave was filled with small but potent ki balls. Damnit! I can't avoid all of those! Lenz crossed her arms in front to protect her vitals while powering up. One by one, each ki bolt struck her general vicinity in rapid fashion. Smoke and dust filled the arena as they did, creating a larger cloud with each impact.
Zangya snickered at this while the last few shots made apparent contact, "Stupid little slut! It serves you right!" As the thick dust cloud swirled around, a portion of it suddenly broke away and surged towards her. Zangya scowled and blindly fired another blast into it. It suddenly bounced right back at her, and she narrowly avoided it by jumping to the side, watching it go by.
"What the hell was that supposed to be?" Zangya asked as she slowly turned back. Lenz shot out of the cloud like a cannon as she flew at Zangya very quickly. Zangya's eyes lit up in terror just before the hit from Lenz's forearm. Zangya was clothes-lined so hard that she flipped completely around a few times before landing on the back of her head. Lenz's boots dug into the ground as she stopped and walked back. Zangya wasn't moving aside from a mere twitch, but she was still alive. Her ki level plummeted to near zero, and there was a quick response coming their way. Lenz's eyes shifted when she felt it and considered running for it, but they were already in the room and surrounding her within seconds. It was the rest of Bojack's crew, including Bojack himself, looking none too happy.
"Looks like you overstepped your bounds again girl," Bojack said.
"She challenged me! I didn't kill her," Lenz pointed out.
"That doesn't matter at this point. Any attack on my team is a death sentence unless I say otherwise. Bujin, Bido!" Lenz leapt into the air and made for the upper exit. She was nearly there before a net of pink light engulfed her, binding her arms and legs together. Bujin and Bido were slowly dragging her to the ground with the Barrier technique. Lenz felt her ki dropping rapidly and struggled to escape. She was able to turn enough to see Gokua below, testing the sharpness of his metal sword. Oh crap! Lenz lunged forward with a desperation surge of energy, but didn't make it far before she lost the Super Saiyan form. She could hear their laughter as she was slowly drawn to the ground. Shit! This is where little brother always steps in, but I can't sense him. Where are you? I don't want to die like this!
"Then do something about it!" a voice said. Lenz's head jerked up as she glanced around, though she saw no one else nearby. Gokua came up from behind while she continued to struggle against the bonds.
"Who's there?" Lenz thought out.
"That isn't important girl. You don't want to die, so don't allow it to happen. Use your anger, use your rage. Show these fools your true power! Don't fight yourself, let it happen!"
"All right Gokua, you've stalled long enough. I wouldn't want to take away your sword privileges!" Bojack called out.
"It'll be my pleasure to slice and dice her into tiny little cubes my lord. Then we'll deal with that runt!" Gokua said as he took aim.
Lenz gasped, "Like hell you will!"
"Maybe I'll keep part of your hair to improve my sword's hilt. It does have a certain style!" Gokua laughed as he swung down. He plunged his sword down towards Lenz's neck, a lethal cut, if it had hit that is. It did hit something, but it was not flesh. A thick red swirl of energy had blocked Gokua's sword, preventing any damage to Lenz. He pulled back and glanced at the others, unsure of what was happening. Soon the red surrounded Lenz, coming off her in flame-like wave. Gokua sweated both from heat and nervousness as he stepped backwards. Lenz's teeth were clenched so hard that her gums bled, and her eyes were flashing with red power.
"Use your anger. They want you dead. They want your brother dead. They want Verto dead. They're all going to die!" The Barrier's energy strands melted off of Lenz as and she stood up, seething in raw rage. The cave shook violently as Bojack's crew looked on in pure surprise and even fear. Lenz screamed abruptly as her deepest power poured out for the world to see. The bright red Psi formed a column and shot into the ceiling, through the base and into space. Gokua was forced away from the power release, as were Bujin and Bido. Bojack remained calmly determined as Lenz stood up and turned around with a very threatening glare. She no longer even breathed like an adolescent female, but like a raging beast. At the same time though, she managed to stay completely still as her deadly energy swirled around her. Bojack had seen this behavior before out of Rotians, but never had felt even remotely threatened by it. This time would be different, and Bojack locked eyes with Lenz as he removed his bandana.
A/n: Cliffhanger of doom, ready to serve!
WDG: Screw you.
VB: Muhahahaha