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 113: Rift Battle 5: Goodbye
Both versions of Goku watched as the unstable rift between worlds pulsed violently, sending out variably sized bursts of lightning and wind that sheared the land. Boulders were ripped from the Earth and sent flying as loud claps of thunder echoed through the lands.
Verto shield his eyes a bit as he stood between the two Goku's, "Well shit, what do we do now?"
"I don't know, I sent the boys to get the Dragon Balls but they've been back for a little while now and they haven't summoned the dragon yet," Goku said.
Alt-Goku looked thoughtful, "Don't they have all seven?"
Verto scowled angrily, "If they don't, that means Leira must've hidden one again. God damn it!"
Etarb slowly walked over, "You shouldn't swear, a god might be listening. You also shouldn't be so sore with Leira, she is only doing what she has to for the good of all parties involved."
Verto pointed at the mass of unstable energy, "And what the hell is so good about that?"
Etarb shrugged, "Well not even fate can determine every outcome. For example, would you prefer to have stayed bound to the Zerg?"
Verto turned his back to Etarb, "Shut up."
"I see my point was made," Etarb replied. A new set of forms flew in, belonging to the Z fighters that had been on standby.
"That was so awesome Daddy…wait, I have two Daddies?!" Goten exclaimed as he stopped in his tracks.
"Don't be stupid, that's the other Goku from the alternate timeline," Trunks scolded.
"Goten…it's really great to see you," Alt-Goku said with hesitation.
"Ummm, you sound like you've missed me. Isn't there another me in that other place?" Goten asked.
Trunks bit his lip slightly in dread, "Uh, how do I put this?" Verto was tempted to answer, but Goku gave him a warning glance and shook his head.
"I'm sure the other Goten is just fine. Time moves differently here, so I really don't know," Alt-Goku replied.
Goten seemed satisfied with the half truth of an answer, "Okay."
Piccolo was first to step next to Verto, "Kid, your energy…"
"I'm fine, I'm just tired. Search for any signs of Vang, just in case," Verto requested.
"Can't you tell?" Gohan asked.
Verto looked away, "Not at the moment."
Gohan nodded, "I understand, I'll do it." He glanced around before locking onto something on his left, away from the rift. "There's something over there, but it's really faint."
"There's a chance that Vang was able to escape death, but even if he did, he isn't the main threat any longer. The rift is, and we don't have long," Etarb said.
"We can't just let that guy get away," Krillin argued.
"Oh I don't think we'll have to worry about that," Goku said as he put a hand over his eyes to help him see into the distance.
Deep in one of the impact craters, a figure stirred from his resting place on the ground. Vang had landed there after managing to escape certain death. However, the cost of survival was quite high. His body had now taken on the form of a small, black, imp-like creature, barely two feet tall with a single horn on top of his head. He had resorted to this form and broken out of his previously ruined body before the blast exploded, as if he were discarding a shell.
Damn those Saiyans! I can't believe they pushed me so far. Any additional use of Cosmic Energy and I might have faded away permanently. Still, having to resort to this form, I really should have anticipated their actions better, especially the Guardian. It was my own fault for being overconfident in my new form. No matter, I have to escape before the rift destabilizes any further. If I don't hurry and make a portal to anywhere other than here, I'll be killed in the blast. Vang's scrawny arms went to his sides as he began pulling in energy from the shadows around him. He appeared to be struggling to do what had been quite simple a short time before. Eventually his body glowed purple and he gathered sufficient energy for the task.
It's risky, but I'll have to return to the Deadzone for now. I haven't got the time nor the strength to reach my own Shadow Realm, and the Bikou would turn on me if I tried to enter. Oh well, I can lament the fact that this place will go up in smoke. Vang laughed slightly as he concentrated on the area right in front of him, revealing an almost gremlin-like voice.
A voice that likely gave him away to a passing object that landed right behind him, "Going somewhere?" Vang's eyes shot open in horror as he turned around and saw Vegeta standing there, barely ten feet away. The partial portal vanished behind Vang, and he knew he was in deep trouble. Because of the new size disparity, Vegeta might as well have been a mountain come to life.
"Now what do we have here? Is the big bad demon actually trying to run away?" Vegeta asked.
"Something like that," Vang admitted.
Vegeta smirked, "Oh, what's wrong? Were we too much for you? Not feeling so superior anymore? That's too bad." He took one step forward and Vang scampered backwards, tripping on a loose rock and landing on his behind.
"Oh, the little imp fell down. Maybe I should help him up," Vegeta offered.
Vang crawled back as Vegeta closed in,"Vegeta, I beg you, be reasonable!"
Vegeta's cocky grin vanished, "Don't be ridiculous, demon. You're not going to attack my home and just walk away. Oh no, that's not how this game works."
Vang piped up suddenly, "But you enjoy a good game, don't you, prince of all Saiyans? If I am allowed to leave and recharge my powers, not only would I fix this problem for you, but you'd also have another opportunity at a glorious battle. I know how you enjoy those."
Vegeta's expression didn't budge, "You'll have to do better than that, demon."
Vang grimaced slightly and changed tactics, "I didn't kill anyone, and the rift is only a minor problem. Those Guardian fools always blow things out of proportion, I doubt its detonation will do much other than leave another crater. Besides, Leira wanted me to eliminate you and I refrained from doing so. You owe me a chance I would think."
Vegeta appeared to think it over for a moment, "Interesting proposal, allow me to grant you ten seconds while I consider it." Vang cautiously got to his tiny feet while Vegeta closed his eyes.
Upon the time passing, Vegeta gave Vang a softer glare, "You have a point demon, I do owe you something."
Vang smiled as he turned around and began focusing his energy again, "You won't regret this."
Vegeta's eyes narrowed as he lifted his palm, "You're right, I won't." Vang never saw the blast coming, and his tiny body evaporated in the golden light of Vegeta's kill shot.
"Never, ever, turn your back on the prince of all Saiyans," Vegeta spat as he watched the remnant black dust fall to the ground.
The others watched Vegeta's parting gift to Vang, though the relief was short lived.
Verto turned to Etarb, "So what's the plan?"
"Now that the rift destabilization has advanced to Stage Two, we have less than ten minutes. The connection between timelines must be severed in order to spare both worlds the destruction. However, the rift must first be stabilized from the inside before it can be destroyed. Otherwise the resulting explosion would create a massive tear in the fabric of space-time and destroy not only the planets of both realms, but potentially their corresponding galaxies as well," Etarb explained.
"Come again? Can you explain that without all the science?" Krillin asked.
"It'll make a big fucking boom!" Verto summarized.
"Crude, but accurate," Etarb agreed.
"Why does Leira not want us to try and use the Dragon Balls, they could be the answer to this," Piccolo claimed.
"As you might know, it's doubtful that the eternal dragon Shenron could have helped given his power. Without my sword tool, I'm afraid I cannot do this either. Only a particular person with very strong Chi or Cosmic energy can both seal the rift and then destroy it from the inside. This person must also have outstanding technique and energy control, no common person would be able to do so," Etarb replied.
"That's me or Verto then," Gohan said in realization.
"Of the people present, maybe. Goku would have been able to before the fusion wore off, but that wouldn't have been much better. The explosion will destroy whoever attempts this from the inside, and in this case that would have been both of you. Even if you were able to survive, you'd be trapped between realms in limbo and death would swiftly follow anyway. I'm afraid that it is a suicide mission," Etarb claimed.
Verto gave him a stern glare before staring at the rift, "I don't suppose you have one of those candies handy?"
"No."
"Had to ask, any of you think you could loan me a little more power so I can take care of this?" Verto asked the others.
"Verto, he said it's a suicide mission!" Gohan pointed out.
Verto glanced at him, "Your point?"
"Do I need to have one? You'll die, or be trapped somewhere with no way out!"
"If I don't, then we're all dead anyway! It's my mess, let me clean it up!" Verto argued.
"It's not just your mess, not anymore. We share your burdens just like you share ours! That's what friends do, or did you forget already? No one should have to die! There has to be a better answer to this," Gohan declared. They all looked to Etarb for an answer.
He shifted his eyes between them all, "Well I'll put you at ease as best I can. Whether Verto could handle this problem or not is irrelevant given his current state, despite his odd enthusiasm. The amateur use of Cosmic Energy has burned him out and he couldn't even accept any donation or power, never mind use it right now. Another attempt and death would be…generous, compared to what could've and nearly happened already. Son Gohan is also far too exhausted."
"Cosmic energy? What is that?" Krillin asked.
"Explain it later. What are our options? There isn't enough time to evacuate the population," Piccolo said.
"No, there isn't. And don't bother just trying to blast away at it either. That would only hasten the rift's detonation. Luckily, Leira put in a contingency plan in place for this very scenario. She should be here any moment now," Etarb replied.
Verto snorted, "Great, can't wait to see what this is."
Etarb looked at him, "You may regret those words, sarcasm aside." From the skies, Vegeta flew in, still looking a bit beat up, but nothing that seemed too bad for him.
"So, did you get the demon?" Krillin asked.
Vegeta smirked, "What demon? I squashed a bug, nothing more."
"Right, I shouldn't have even asked," Krillin muttered.
Vegeta turned to Etarb, "You, is that woman coming here or not?"
Etarb nodded slightly, "Patience."
Vegeta scowled, "She could hurry it up then. I would prefer not to hunt her down in the afterlife. This is her doing after all, she should handle it!"
"I see you survived, lucky me," Leira said as she landed next to them, followed by Lenz.
"About time woman, now go fix your mistake!" Vegeta growled.
"Shut up for once. This is going to be hard enough without your bloody Saiyan pride eating away at my ears," Leira said spitefully. Lenz locked eyes with Verto, who couldn't help but wonder why she had come with Leira, the person she hated so much.
"It's time, girl," Leira said.
Lenz looked back sadly, "Can't I at least say goodbye?"
"Lenz, what's going on?" Verto asked as a sudden feeling of dread crawled up his spine.
"Make it quick, we don't have much time," Leira ordered.
Piccolo stepped next to Gohan, "Are you sensing that? Something is very different about the girl." Gohan nodded but didn't reply as he put up a hand to silence his mentor. All eyes went to Lenz as she stood about a dozen feet away from Verto, well past her normal distance.
I dreamed I was missing, you were so scared
But no one would listen, cause no one else cared.
After my dreaming, I woke with this fear
What am I leaving, when I'm done here?
So if you're asking me, I want you to know…
"What is it?" Verto asked again.
"Little brother, I want you to make me a promise," Lenz began.
Verto's eyebrow went up in question, "And what is that?"
"Never, ever, change. Stay true to yourself, even if it means you have to take drastic measures. I've always admired the way you can calmly take in every situation and make the best decision that you can. I also like when you don't take any crap from anyone, no matter who it is. And you always do the right thing, even when other people hate you for it. Promise me that you'll stay just like that, forever," Lenz pleaded.
"You're not making any sense, why are you talking this way. You're starting to sound like Leira when she's not at that time of the month, did she brainwash you or something?" Verto asked. Leira took exception to the insult but didn't say anything to it.
"I know it sounds strange, and the reason for that is…" Lenz tried to say.
"Girl! We had an agreement, I suggest you follow it!" Leira bellowed.
"Well excuse me, but how do you think I feel? You're not the one who has to go up and do the work!" Lenz shouted back.
"Stop stalling!"
Lenz shot her an evil glare, "Piss off bitch, I'll get to it!" The two females nearly created sparks between them as the others looked on silently.
"Well at least that part is normal so I'll rule out any brainwashing. Now stop beating around the bush and tell me what's suddenly gotten into you," Verto said.
Lenz frowned sadly and looked over at the pulsing rift ball as a few tears dropped down her face, "I have to go…and serve my purpose."
Verto's eyes widened in shock, "No, you can't mean that…" He turned towards Etarb and Leira, "She was your backup plan? Are you fucking kidding me?!"
When my time comes, forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some, reasons to be missed
And don't resent me, and when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory, leave out all the rest.
"Please don't be mad, I have to do this," Lenz claimed.
Verto's angry glare shifted towards her, "Why? Why is it suddenly your problem?"
"Because I'm…"
"Lenz…" Leira warned.
"I know, I know! It's because of Kaon, the demon inside me. She'll come back as long as I'm still alive. She'll kill everyone you care about and then some," Lenz explained.
"I thought she was sealed up by Vang, you told me yourself," Verto pointed out.
"I can feel her crawling her way out more and more every day. These outbursts I've had, they weren't because of Vang, they're because I'm becoming more like her every moment. Everyday I wake up, burning inside, wanting to go out and do something horrible to someone. The only thing stopping me was you. I have to do this so she can never hurt you or our friends ever again," Lenz claimed.
Verto shook his head, "I refuse to believe that's the only way. I don't care what Leira wants from you, it's your life, your decision! Just because someone tells you to do something doesn't mean you do it."
"I know, but as you said, it's my choice, and I'm making it. I see you jump into impossible situations head on without another thought, I'm sure you even tried to here. Please let me save you for once," Lenz said.
Verto stood rigidly still with an expression of half fear and half anger, "I won't let you."
Don't be afraid, I've taken my beating
I've shared what I made.
I'm strong on the surface, not all the way through
I've never been perfect, but neither have you.
Lenz stepped in closer and knelt down slightly as she embraced him, "Please don't ever change. And don't ever forget me!" She suddenly slammed her knee into his chest, sending him to the ground as the wind was knocked out of his lungs. Verto clawed for her feet as she stood over him and dropped her blue crystal necklace.
Verto finally realized that she was serious, "No…" Bright silver and white suddenly engulfed Lenz as her blue eyes brightened and her hair shifted to white and silver.
Verto was amazed, Super Mystic? Lenz took one last look at everyone before lifting off the ground and flying straight towards the rift.
Verto stumbled to his feet briefly before taking off into a dead sprint, "No Lenz! Come back!"
He was pulled to a sudden stop by Goku, "You can't change her mind, I'm sorry."
Lenz paused just before entering the unstable rift energy and looked back for a moment, "Goodbye."
Forgetting, all the hurt inside, you've learned to hide so well
Pretending, someone else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are.
Verto was held firmly in place by Goku as he forced himself to watch. Lenz gave him a slight wave before turning forward and entering the rift, vanishing from view. The rift ball shifted violently as it shot off the ground and crackled with lightning and thunder. Streams of white and velvet energy emerged and surrounded it like chains. Soon after, the ball turned completely purple and flashed bright while it spun in place. The wind generated increased, forcing everyone to shield themselves. Goku hoisted Verto over his shoulder and flew back to a safe distance. Verto watched on helplessly as he could hear Lenz's screams from inside, stinging him deep inside. The sound the rift ball produced resembled thousands of freight trains moving at once. Then, it suddenly stopped and the rift ball darkened to black. As it did, the bottom side began to crack and then crumble away. The debris also vanished into thin air from this. Verto pulled away from Goku and ran towards the underside of the crumbling ball, fully expecting Lenz to fall out of it. Instead, the inside was completely empty, and the rest of the black ball fell away around it. Verto stood still as he watched the remaining dust blow away, catching sight of a few, loose violet hairs that came down with it.
When my time comes, forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some, reasons to be missed
And don't resent me, and when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory, leave out all the rest.
The others approached from behind, mainly keeping a wide berth with one exception. Leira was the first to step within a dozen feet of the motionless Verto, who didn't even acknowledge her presence.
"Look, I know you're upset…" she began. Leira never got a chance to finish before Verto leveled her face with a strong right hook. Leira found herself on the ground with a shattered nose, looking straight up at a pair of crimson eyes. There was no indication of any excess energy coming out of him, but one didn't need that to know that he had snapped.
Verto's voice was almost an animalistic growl, "Give me the Dragon Ball."
Leira grimaced as blood ran out of her smashed nose, "I can't, there's a specific reason for…"
Verto dropped his fist into her face again, "I said give me the fucking Dragon Ball, NOW!"
Leira held her face painfully before looking him dead in the eye, "No, not until you calm down and think rationally." Verto pulled his fist back only to have Vegeta, of all people, stop him.
"Enough boy, you're not going to get anywhere with this. Pounding her to death, as much as I would enjoy that, won't do you any good," he said. Verto snarled as he yanked his arm away and stomped off opposite the group.
Leira was quick to get up and start after him, "Hold on! Let me explain, there is something you need to hear!"
Piccolo blocked her path, "Leave him alone, you've done enough for one day."
"I know he's hurt, but if he'll let me tell him why…" Leira argued.
"Does it look like he cares what you have to say? He'd much rather rip your heart out, if there even is one in there. Let the boy mourn before you bother him with your nonsense. Otherwise you will have much bigger problems to deal with," Vegeta warned.
Etarb put a hand on her shoulder, "Come Leira, this happened much too fast for all of us. You can plead your case after the air has cleared."
Leira finally gave in, "Fine."
"What about the one star Dragon Ball? Where have you hidden it?" Piccolo asked.
"I'll give it back after he hears what I have to say, I give my word on that. I shall return at high noon tomorrow, make sure he's ready by then," Leira ordered.
"You do realize that he will want to use them immediately," Piccolo pointed out.
"I'm well aware, Namek. I've already taken care of any chance that Shenron will complicate things. Also, whichever Goku is the one from the other timeline, you'll be taken back to your home tomorrow," Leira said.
Alt-Goku rubbed the back of his head, "Okay." Both Leira and Etarb then vanished into thin air without a trace.
"I find it really strange that they can just disappear and reappear at will, but it takes them so long to travel anywhere," Goku said.
Gohan gave his mentor a suspicious glance, "What did she mean by Shenron complicating things?"
Piccolo scowled, "It means that she has found a way to prevent Shenron's interference in life and death. In other words…"
Gohan came to the quick realization as he stared at Verto in the distance, "Lenz won't be coming back."
"Leave Out All The Rest" by Linkin Park
A/n: It feels very strange to be posting this particular chapter on Christmas eve.