Why Can't I
I'm getting desperate for reviews! I want to know how I'm doing with this! I need opinions! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!
Chapter 24: Crime, Containment, and Clouds
Camera's shined bright into King Furry's eyes. His head and heart pounding with fear as he stared into the camera lens. He hated what he was about to do but the lives of his people were at stake.
"Citizens I come before you today with great news of change." Every word tasted like venom. Sweat beaded down his forehead and he clenched his fists on his desk. "I have proudly handed my throne over to the great King Piccolo."
He couldn't take it anymore he looked up and stood shouting to the camera. "Citizen's it is all a lie! We cannot trust King Piccolo we must find a way to stop him before it's too late!" He suddenly gasped as his throat was clenched by Piccolo's hand and he is tossed aside. Piccolo took his place in front of the camera his face filled with laughter.
"People of Earth. I am King Piccolo and I am your new ruler! Many of you know my strength but some do not realize what a loving king I can be. I shall prove it now by helping those I love the most. That is the criminal kind. From this day forward nothing wil be illegal! Come out from the shadows my children and show your true selves to those that would call themselves right and just! So says I, King Piccolo."
The world was taken in by shock and horror at the words of their new king. The abolishment of Police and the release of Criminals began immediately and all over Chaos rang through the streets.
Thieves stole from stores and people, murderers and violent gangs walked through the streets waving their weapons proudly like batons and shot at anything that moved.
The good citizens barricaded themselves in their homes too afraid to go out into the world. Those who opposed the criminals were soon either killed or tossed away like trash.
Piccolos reign had begun.
Meanwhile in the depths of the Ice Labyrinth the chaos of the world remained oblivious to those inside. Yajirobe sick to his stomach as he watched his friend gulp down the water and collapse in agony.
Rikku wriggled on the ground crying out in pain her eyes clenched shut as her mind whirls with visions of her past.. Training under her grandfather and Master Roshi, living out in the wild amongst the animals and trees. Her mind began to form a picture of a great apelike beast that seemed all too familiar in her heart.
"Rikku…" Yajirobe knelt at her side his ears bleeding from the sound of her cries. "Come on don't die. You can fight this!"
Across the glacial path and back in Korin's Tower, the cat himself could sense the struggle undergoing inside Rikku's mind and body. His body shook and he found himself on the floor. He knew she was powerful but to undergo such extremes he could hardly believe that she had already lasted five minutes of the torture inside. "That power.. Could it be that she is the one? She will be the one to survive the trial of the Ultra Divine Water?"
Yajirobe had nearly given up hope on her survival when suddenly Rikku stopped screaming her body calmed and her eyes still opened and aware. She looked…. Confused… no mesmerized. "Rikku?"
"What happened?" Rikku asked sitting up and looking at her hands.
"You did it! You survived Rikku!"
Rikku stood her body feeling so different. Her skin felt like it had senses all its own and she was aware of everything around her. Had it worked?
"Well did it work? Are you stronger?"
"I don't know. I feel different but I just can't explain it."
"Well your outsides haven't changed. You're still a goofy girl with a tail."
Darkness moaned out in awe at the sight of Rikku. Rikku turned to the Darkness smiling. "Thank you for your help!" Darkness said nothing in return and sunk back into the depths of his pool.
"It's time for us to go." Rikku said her eyes changing from happy to serious.
"How? We don't know the way out of here."
"I do…" She said staring up at the ceiling. "It's so clear."
Taking her power pole she whirled it around and stuck it into the ground. "Grab hold tightly." Looking back to the sky she shouted as her pole began to elongate. "I'm coming Piccolo!"
It was a tedious journey back, the path of the Ice Labyrint slick and cold. Yajirobe had long been tired of feeling cold and numb to the wind and ice. However they made it and soon Rikku stood before Korin a changed person. "Welcome Back. So your survived after all… and your power is quite impressive."
"Thank you master. I couldn't have done this without your help."
"The power was in you this whole time I did little but put you in the right direction. However I think you should know what's been going on since you've been gone."
Tien Shinhan flew the airship steady on its course his eyes hard and determined as ever. Over the intercom he heard Yamcha's voice. "Tien? Tien Shinhan come in. This is Yamcha please come in!"
With a sigh Tien flipped the controls of the radio and responded. "This is Tien Shinhan."
"Hey I- oof!"
"Tien where are you?" Launch's voice interrupts Yamcha. The blonde gunslinger nearly distraught with worry. Tien nearly smiled.
"I'm off to present a special gift to our new king."
Oolong who was standing on the opposite side of the radio heard this and his eyes widened. "But that means…"
"Yes, I've mastered the Evil Containment Wave. It's time to put it to the test." Kame house filled with silence some were overcome with giref at the thought of loosing another friend. Launch's eyes filled with tears. She too was sick at the thought of losing the only man she ever wanted but also felt a sense of pride and joy for his accomplishment.
"I'm so proud of you Tien."
An awkward silence filled the frequency and Launch leaned into the box.
"Don't be." he responded. "I'm doing what I have to do. I must atone for the things I used to do that made me no better than King Piccolo. This is my redemption." Tien paused his voice threatening to waver. "Goodbye my friends." The frequency ended there and Launch bowed her head letting a tear fall down her cheek.
"Farewell Tien… You're the bravest."
"I sense it…" Rikku stood in front of Korin and Yajirobe trying to explain the new power that swelled inside her. Korin had explained to her of the crimes surrounding the streets of Earth and the fear amongst the good people. However she could sense it all.. She felt strength and peace with everything around her making her more susceptible to the powers surrounding her as well.
"You sure look the same to me." Yajirobe said watching as Rikku stood in the middle of Korin's tower tensing and flexing her muscles.
"I'm sure… and there's something else." She looked up walking to the balcony and staring into the distance. She felt a great evil. The distance to h er shining red and black with a dangerous aura. "I…I know here Piccolo is."
Korin smiled cocking his head to the side as he watched her. "How do you know that?"
"Well I'm not really sure… it's like I'm sensing his power level."
"That's exactly what you sense Rikku. I'm quite impressed." Korin cleaned his face a bit before speaking again. "Now it's gift time." Korin joined her at the balcony and shouted to the air. "Flying nimbus!"
Rikku gasped. Her own flying nimbus had been destroyed by Tambourine but looking in the distance now she smiled seeing a large yellow cluster of nimbus clouds. "Wow, I thought the nimbus cloud that Master Roshi gave me years ago was the only one in existence."
"Nah, that was just an old model I gave him years ago. Hop on in and choose one you like."
Rikku shouted with joy and leaped into the large pile of clouds/ Though they all looked the same Rikku could sense different spirits in each one of them. She grabbed one and immediately knew it belonged to her. "I want this one master Korin!"
"Then it's yours. Use it well Rikku."
"I will… wanna go for a ride Yajirobe?"
"NO thanks I like living too much!"
Rikku jumped onto her nimbus and stroked it happily. "Oh well suit yourself. Come on my new nimbus it's time to go."
"Where are you off to Rikku?" Korin inquired though already knowing.
"To Piccolo."
Miles away in the newly rebuilt Ox Kingdom the Ox King and his lovely daughter Chichi watched in horror as Piccolo announced the declaration of Piccolo Day. A day to commemorate his reign and by doing so every year 1 of 43 sectors will be annihilated.
"Oh Daddy I'm scared. Isn't there any way to defeat him?" Chichi clung to her father's side her wide onyx eyes looking up to her father with hope.
"I'm afraid not Chichi. I fear there is no one who can protect us." Ox king answered bluntly his head hung low. Ox King had felt the disturbance of Master Roshi's death and it hurt him deeply to know his master had fallen at the hands of that monster. It also left him to believe that no one could stand a chance. Chichi whimpered and pulled from her father pacing the room. Birds caught her attention outside and she looked out at the glorious kingdom they and the loyal townspeople had rebuilt with their blood sweat and tears.
"Oh wait," she suddenly paused her face brightening. "What about Rikku? I know Rikku could do it she's strong enough! She beat the whole Red Ribbon Army by herself after all!" Chichi remembered how she had protected the Ox King during a fierce assault against the Red Ribbon Army who had wanted the Dragon Ball that had been lodged inside a fish the Ox King made for the celebratory return. Her and Rikku had also declared themselves best friends and promised to never forget each other.
"No Chichi I don't think even she is strong enough." Chichi's heart throbbed and she shook her head in denial.
"You're wrong!" Chichi held her heart her eyes hard and trusting of her best friend. "Rikku can beat him! I know she can!" She then looked to the sky. "she has to."
The battle of Rikku and PIccolo draws closer and closer. Who will rise to the top? It's anybodies guess now. What about Tien's Evil Containment wave? Will he capture Piccolo before RIkku has a chance? Find out next time in "Long Live Human Kind"