Chapter Forty-one - Unexpected Help
The smoke twister had turned into an energy twister and then vanished. In its place had stood a Maku who was changed from before, though not extensively. His red eyes, formerly just red irises, were now solid black. His white hair was longer and more of a light gray. His body had bulked up several pounds of muscle and his skin had taken on a faint blue tint.
Other than that, the only change had been a power boost. A fairly large and rather annoying one, as far as the two Sai-jins were concerned. With their current weakened states they were no match for his new power. They didn't think they could have matched him at full power either. It was obvious by his gloating that Maku didn't think so either.
"I don't know what I was so worried about." he laughed as he floated above the two downed Sai-jins. Immediately following his transformation he'd lunged at them and neither had been able to see, dodge, block, or counter any of his attacks. At the end of the assault they'd ended up on their backs inside a crater of about fifty feet in width.
Maku raised his arms and clenched his fists. "I am still me and my power is unmatched among Demons!" he called, cackling. "I don't think even Akuhei gained this much power from Lord Quietus!"
"I think this has gone far enough." Mikomi said softly from where she stood beside Kibito.
In the crater Goku groaned, holding his stomach. "Ugh. This isn't fun anymore."
"Agreed." Bardock replied arching his back a little where he lay and popping it. "What do you say we...." but his sentence was cut off as someone suddenly appeared in front of Maku, arm out stretched toward him. And then there was a bright flash of blue, a large wave of energy shot out and through Maku, and the Demon fell to the ground dead. "Uh... ok...."
"Is that... Mikomi?" Goku asked as he sat up, squinting up at the figure. "Amazing! Did you feel her power!? She's... she's stronger than us!"
"Well, she is the Supreme Kai." King Kai said as he walked over to the two Sai-jins who were now climbing to their feet. "You two did pretty good though. And look, the rest of them are scattering now that they know she is here." He then waved his hands in front of them real quick and their clothes glowed for a moment before being restored. "Now, if you'll excuse me." And with that he made his way over to where the Kai's were gathering.
The two Sai-jin's relaxed and their auras faded as their hair fell down and reverted to black once more. "So, now what?" Appla asked as she joined the pair.
Bardock shrugged. "I'm betting that's what they're figuring out." he replied. Turning toward the tear he frowned. "I just wish we knew how many got through, where they appeared, and how things were going on that side."
"Well, if the ones that attacked here are the best they've got Gohan and Prince, I mean King, Vegeta can take care of them should they be so unlucky as to find Planet Vegeta." Appla said.
"True...." Bardock began but stopped when Goku's voice suddenly cut him off.
"Oh no!" the younger Sai-jin cried. "In all the commotion I completely forgot!"
"What is it, Goku?" asked Appla.
"I saw some of those who went through the tear." Goku said, his expression turning serious.
Over away from the others the Kais were standing together talking. "So we have a Mazoku on our side this time." the East Kai said slowly.
"A lot of good that will do us." said the West Kai. "Kai blood is needed to create a Blood Crystal able to seal Quietus. None of us have the power to make a strong enough seal besides the Supreme Kai and she's the last one!"
"Fighting is, I believe, our only option." Mikomi said. "We will need to locate Dabura and this Supreme Mazoku, Nefaria, and do what we can with them to fight Quietus."
Zenryou frowned. "Even with Dabura, you and Shin were no match for Quietus two thousand years ago. I don't think exchanging Shin for a wet behind the ears Supreme Mazoku will improve matters."
Mikomi sighed. "Nor do I." she said. "But it is our only option."
"But how do you intend to fight Quietus?" asked the South Kai. "He's in Makai and doesn't seem interested in coming here this time, unlike before. You can't enter Hell which means you can't cross into the other Realm."
The Supreme Kai nodded. "That is a problem. One I'm hoping Dabura has a solution to. Perhaps he can draw the Demon out of Makai so that we can fight him the H.F.I.L. or he may have some means of allowing me to cross the Realms."
"I have another idea." King Kai said thoughtfully. "Why not send Goku and Bardock?"
The other Kais gazed down at the short Kai for a moment. It was the West Kai that finally spoke up. "What good would that do?" he nearly cried. "They couldn't even defeat that Demon! They have even less chance against Quietus than the Supreme Kai does!"
"Not necessarily." King Kai said, still running through his idea in his mind. "Both of them know my ultimate technique. The Spirit Bomb."
Mikomi furrowed her brow for a moment as she thought back in an attempt to recall the move. When she remembered she smiled a little. "I see what you're suggesting." she said after a moment. "If they go they can have Nefaria and Dabura keep Quietus busy while they create a Spirit Bomb powerful enough to destroy him."
"B-but... that's not... how could they...." stammered the West Kai.
"It's a long shot." Mikomi said. "But it is a possibility. The Spirit Bomb draws on the energy of others. Given enough time an attack of any magnitude is possible. Even one able to kill Quietus."
"And the energy is pure." King Kai added. "The opposite of Quietus, so it will have a greater effect on him."
Mikomi nodded. "Yes, I think this is our best...." she trailed off there. She'd turned to look for the pair of Sai-jins and had just spotted them charging for the tear at full speed. "What are they...?" she wondered. /They're going to go through!/ she realized with a start. "No!" she cried, flying after them quickly. "You must not....!" her protest was cut short as the two reached the tear and passed through.
"What are they doing!?" King Kai cried. "They can't just go off and...."
"Kibito!" Mikomi called down to him. "Come, we have to go get them."
"Yes, at once."
ZZZ
Planet Vegeta, Galactic Games Arena
Tatamo slipped under a claw swipe, just barely, and then rose up slamming an uppercut into Angel's jaw. The blow barely phased her but her eyes narrowed and she growled.
"This is getting us nowhere!" Vegeta cried as he slammed an equally ineffective foot into the back of her oddly shaped head.
"Keep her occupied!" Tatamo said as he quickly pulled back, her most recent swipe slicing him across the arm. "I can try and...." his words trailed off as the tear suddenly flashed and expanded.
"Oh, terrific." Videl muttered as two figures surged out. "Now who...."
"DAD!? GRANDPA!?" Gohan cried in shock.
"Gohan!?" Goku asked wide eyed as he spotted his son. "And Videl and Vegeta too!? Wow, so the tear came out here on Planet Vegeta?"
"Goku!" Mijima called. "There's something wrong in Saiya City... I can... I can feel it...." She shook her head. "Krillin and the others are there."
The two Sai-jins glanced at each other than looked off toward the city. "Oh man..." Goku said softly. "It's him! I knew I wasn't seeing things!"
Bardock nodded. "Let's go, we have some unfinished business to settle."
"Right." Goku responded before both Sai-jins vanished. No sooner had they gone the tear flared up and opened again, two more figures emerging.
"I don't see them." Kibito said, glancing around. "What the?" he cried, his eyes locking onto the transformed Angel.
Mikomi floated down to the Demon's level and held out an arm. "Away with you!" she called, blasting a beam of energy through its chest. Turning she quickly fired another shot behind her that took out the retreating Ciferlu.
"How... who are you?" Vegeta demanded.
"What's going on?" a voice called from above and behind them. Turning they saw Piccolo and Tien coming down to land, eyes locked on the new arrivals. "I thought I felt Goku and Bardock...."
"You did." Mikomi said with a sigh. "Where did they go?"
Vegeta snorted. "My question first."
The Supreme Kai nodded. "Very well then." she said. "I am Mikomi, currently the last remaining Supreme Kai. This is Kibito, a future Supreme Kai."
"Supreme... Kai...." Hotaru said slowly, then her eyes turned to Kibito. "So it's... true...." she said softly.
Mikomi turned her way and then nodded slightly. "Yes. We already know of the question you asked of the North Kai. It is true." she said. As she spoke she felt the energies of those around her and recognized the one she sought quickly. She walked forward to where the kids were gathered and knelt down and gazed at Akemi for a moment. "You're a brave group of kids, standing to fight here."
"Well, we can't just let them wreck my home." Trunks said, grinning.
"No, I guess you can't." Mikomi said with a small laugh. As she stood she turned to the others again. "Now, where have Goku and Bardock gone?" she asked. "They no longer belong here, this is no longer their world."
ZZZ
Planet Vegeta, Saiya City, Orange Drive
Goku and Bardock appeared just a few feet above street level and gazed about them at the damage. "This is... horrible...." Bardock said slowly. He knew the city well and to see it in such a state was....
"KRILLIN!" Goku yelled, snapping Bardock out of his thoughts. He turned and saw his son now on the ground beside his long time friend. The Human wasn't in very good shape at all, to say the least. He had a sizable hole through his stomach as did the, dead, Sai-jin woman beside him.
"G-Goku?" Krillin managed, eyes opening a little. "I-if I'm d-dead already wh-why does it still h-hurt?" he asked. And then his eyes closed and his ki vanished.
He couldn't come back this time..... He'd already been wished back once by both Dragons..... "Krillin...." Goku said softly.
"His power is gone." Bardock said, scowling.
Goku knew what his father meant. The power they had tracked into the city, to Krillin's location, had moved on already. "I can't find him either." he said after a moment. "He's suppressing his power too low to track."
The elder Sai-jin nodded. "Yeah. But I can sense two powers I know well flying toward a third I know. They're almost to each other."
Goku turned the way his father was looking and nodded. He could only recognize the third power, Raditz. "Wait... I feel something...."
Bardock's eyes narrowed a little. He felt it too. "Damn it!" he cried. "He's right on top of them!" And then, once again, the pair vanished.
ZZZ
Planet Vegeta, Saiya City, intersection of Berry Avenue and Corn Street
Senator Vegeta and Pug pulled to a stop as they reached Raditz and Nova's group. It was quite the ragtag collection. An orange man with wings and fifteen Changelings, all in their second forms, with powers ranging from 104,256 to 423,882. Nova's elites.
"I see your elites made it." Vegeta said.
Nova nodded. "Just landed not more than a minute ago." she said.
"Who is he?" asked Pug. "Is he with you as well?"
Raditz snorted. "Not exactly. Doro here is probably the only intelligent person from the entire would-be attack force." he explained. "Didn't even want to come here in the first place and surrendered after Nova took out Cold. Meanwhile the other two tried to attack me." He shook his head in pity.
"We need to be on our guard." Vegeta said. "We've been tailing someone who's...."
Suddenly two figures appeared in their midst startling everyone. None more-so than Raditz. "F-father? Goku?" he asked, completely shocked.
"Good, you guys are still ok." Bardock said, gazing at the city around them. "Damn, I can't find him, he's pushed his energy down again."
Goku nodded. "Yeah, we must have spooked him."
"But... how... how are you....?" Raditz continued. "I mean, you should be dead...."
Doro snorted. "Them and everyone else." he said.
The Sai-jin blinked. The alien had a point. He was just... surprised. Until now he'd only seen resurrected enemies. The thought of any of their friends or allies coming back hadn't even occurred to him.
"What's going on?" Senator Vegeta asked. "Do you know who Pug and I have been chasing?"
Bardock nodded. "Cell."
"CELL!?" Raditz cried, eyes going wide. "Are you sure?"
"I saw him going for the tear earlier." Goku said.
"But then we got sidetracked fighting a few Demon's in Otherworld." Bardock explained. "Mijima told us about the city and we sensed him on top of Krillin and...." he looked over to Raditz. "And Mango."
Raditz growled and clenched his hands into fists. He'd been so focused on Cold and then the approach of Vegeta he'd not even noticed his mate was in the city. He didn't have to ask, he could tell from his father's voice, they were both dead. "Damn it!" he cried, punching a fist into his hand.
"Two more added to the growing death toll." Vegeta said with a shake of his head. "Not even Cooler did this much damage."
"Death toll?" Goku asked. "Who else?"
Pug sighed. "Everyone. Everyone who came to the city."
"You can't be serious!" Raditz cried.
"I'm afraid he is." replied the Senator. "We recognized Yamcha, Sango, Toma, Tangerie, Bulma, Chaotzu, Kavar, and Akira before passing up Krillin and Mango's location to catch up with you guys."
"You guys should go." Goku said evenly. "Before Cell surfaces again, get out of here. Bardock and I will handle him."
"Big words for someone I've already killed once." a voice called from a near-by rooftop. Everyone turned and saw Cell, in his Perfect Form, standing at the edge of the roof, one leg up on the small wall there, leaning forward and resting his arms on his raised leg. "I must say, I wasn't expecting to see the two of you alive and well again. I thought you couldn't be brought back again, Goku."
"Alive and...." Bardock started as he turned toward Goku. That's when he finally noticed it. "G-Goku, your halo!"
"Huh?" Goku wondered, reaching up above his head. His hand reached around for a moment but found nothing. "Hey, what? It's gone?" He said in surprise as he turned to face his father. "Hey! Yours is gone too!"
Bardock reached up as well and felt around above his head but didn't find anything. "Hey... are we... alive again?" he asked, blinking.
"You guys come through the tear?" Doro asked.
"Huh? Yeah, why?" replied Goku.
The orange man snorted. "There's your answer. The tears are laced with restorative energies that revive those who pass through them."
"Well, now that that conundrum is solved." Cell began. "I think it's time I finish up here and kill the lot of you."
The two Sai-jins were about to turn to face Cell again when they felt a power churning between and behind them and turned to look. Raditz had his hands clenched into fists so tight blood was dripping from his fingers. His eyes were narrowed into thin slits and locked on Cell. There was a sudden burst of white as his aura flared to life and his power climbed quickly.
"Don't even think about it, Raditz." Bardock said. "Believe me, I know how you feel but...." The elder Sai-jin's words were cut short as a powerful burst of energy pushed him and Goku away from the long haired Sai-jin. A burst of energy accompanied by a flash of gold as Raditz transformed and then charged Cell.
"Wha-!? No way, when did he...." Bardock's cry trailed off as the shock passed and realized his son was heading right toward his death. He flashed gold himself and then vanished re-appearing an instant later beside Raditz with a hand firmly gripping his son's arm and holding him back. "You have to keep your head." Bardock said sternly. "Charging in blindly wont get you anywhere."
The other Sai-jin began to calm down and relax, his aura becoming more stable as he did. "I can't just...."
"You can and you will." Bardock said, letting go of the other's arm. "Believe me, I know how you feel." he glanced back at Goku for a moment before continuing. "We both do. But you have to keep a clear head."
Raditz sighed and then nodded.
"It doesn't matter if he's first or last." Cell said, smirking. "Either way he'll die. Then I'll kill all of you while Angel finishes off that brat and the others."
"Not likely." Goku said as he floated forward. "I've gotten a lot stronger since last time."
Cell smirked. "As have I." And then he charged at Goku.
The Sai-jin quickly transformed and slipped around Cell's punch before slamming a fist down into the back of his head and knocking him into the street below. "Not by enough." Goku called down.
Before Cell could start to stand Bardock pointed an arm down at him and shot off a stream of golden energy. It hit right on top of him and then exploded completely vaporizing everything in a half block radius. "And that is the end of him." he said, lowering his arm and turning back toward the others again. "...Changelings?!"