Chapter 31:
Earth had its brief moment of peace, but for how long could that last? Six warriors gathered atop Korin's tower, going over their plan of training once more. They appeared to have come to an agreement as Vejin assured the group. "This training isn't just to continue to refine Super Saiyan…" Vejin's fist would clench. "That bastard was too strong, even if we all got stronger..The warriors we are now won't cut it. We need to find a way…to break our limits." Vejin spoke from the heart, the others saw that this wasn't just a desire. For Vejin, it was a need. There's no way for any of them to compete with Bruzzell as they were now, and it was still uncertain if any amount of training would help that fact. But they had to find a way. "Oritsu's our best bet. We've all seen it with our own eyes before! His power is well beyond the capacity of the average Saiyan. If he..No. Oritsu, you need to control this power. If you don't, your sister, Ryuko, this planet.." Vejin drifted off.
The air was quiet. Everyone knew what was at stake here, but their confidence had wavered. Bruzzell had proven to be too powerful for them. Oritsu would be the one to break the silence. "He's right. We can't just sit here moping around thinking that we're all going to end up dead because of Bruzzell. My power.. is terrifying to me, not because of how strong it is, but because of how uncontrollable it is." Oritsu's fists would clench. He'd look from his fists up to the others, as he straightened his posture and stood firm. "But that won't stop me from continuing my training…I want to be strong enough to hold that power and control it myself! I've made some progress with my power, so far I can tap into a portion of it without going Super Saiyan. But when I went Super Saiyan in my battle against Bruzzell it was insanely hard to control my power then. Hell, I can't even hold Super Saiyan too long either. But the Time Chamber can help us improve! Even if it won't amount to anything, it'll at least buy time. This may be our only chance at defeating Bruzzell, and I won't let it slip between our fingers!"
Vejin would nod. "Yes, yes. You've made your point. Let's get this started already." Oritsu would look at Vejin and sigh, on the other side of the tower, B'az would stand up. "Considering that my group is going in second, I actually have some of my own business to attend to."
"Business? With who?" Ryuko asked. "With Dende, I've had a question stuck in my mind that I wanted to ask." He'd reply. As he spoke, he'd have already made his way to the edge of the tower. As B'az waved goodbye to the others, he'd depart upwards. "Alright, we'll be out in 2 days. Just make sure to meet up with us at the lookout by then, okay?" Ryuko told Oritsu and Letuce. They'd both nod as Ryuko would give them a small smile. "Let's go guys." Ryuko would say as he turned to the others. Vejin would nod energetically, though Saito still seemed unenthusiastic about the notion. They'd also head up to the lookout, just behind B'az. "Yeah well thanks for nothing kids!" A voice would yell out at them. As Oritsu and Letuce turned to see who it was. "Bunch of louts I tell ya, they never even so much as said hi to begin with!" The voice would go on, being none other than Korin himself. The old cat was agitated, waving his staff around in the air as he stepped out from under the tower. Leaving Oritsu and Letuce laughing as they tried to apologize to Korin for their rudeness.
After a brief flight, the trio had made it up onto the Lookout. Vejin and Ryuko hadn't been up here since Leech staged his attack and plan to bring chaos into the world sixteen months ago. Since then, Dende had plenty of time to clean the place up, and of course, it looked good as new. Dende, who had been expecting their arrival, stood at the entrance of his home alongside Popo. He'd smile upon seeing the Saiyans, giving them a wave. "Hello again boys! It seems like you've all gotten stronger since Leech." He'd remark, as his gaze went from Ryuko to Vejin, then onto Saito. "And made new friends I see." Dende would smile as he extended his hand to Saito.
"You're Saito then. Excellent! I'm Dende, guardian and overseer of this planet." Saito shook his hand. "Nice to meet you too." After getting acquainted, Vejin would nod his head at Dende. "You know why we're here then old man?" Dende would cough over Vejin upon hearing the phrase. "Yes yes, I know why you're here. But you ought to treat me with some respect lest you want that privilege to be revoked." He'd smile in an almost threatening way. "Don't forget this is my lookout, and my chamber that I am so graciously granting you access to." A nervous bead of sweat would drip down Vejin's face. "R-Right… Thank you for granting us permission to use the Time Chamber, L-Lord Dende..sir?" He'd say in a rather flustered manner.
Though the notion was well-mannered, Dende couldn't help but burst out laughing. "HAH! Forgive me, that is just too funny!" He'd say as he wiped a tear from his eye. "Popo here said you reminded him of Vegeta in terms of mannerism and the way you carry yourself, but that display was something you'd die before seeing him do!" Ryuko would scratch his head, laughing along with him. "Hahah! The Old Gramps Vegeta? Really?" Dende shook his head. "No no, not that one. Forgive me, I can't help but be stuck in the past sometimes." Vejin would be extra flustered due to this display. "Oh shut up! The lot of you! Let's just get to the damn chamber!" He'd exclaim as he tried to put back on his rough persona. This little exchange was a vast contrast to the mood of everyone, earlier on Korin's Tower. Even Saito was smiling a little bit.
Once everyone had calmed down, Dende would escort them to the large brown door that connected this realm to the room of Spirit and Time. "Well this is different." Saito would comment under his breath. As Dende went to open the door, the 3 would be hit by this immense pressure. Peering inside was like looking into a white void, pure nothingness. "Remember the rules, be mindful of how much time passes. I'll stop by in 24 hours to replenish food and supplies of course. I've set the time for you boys to two days." Dende would state. "Well? Go on. You're wasting time!"
"I'm ready." Ryuko would say, looking at Vejin, who'd nod. Saito remained silent and looked at Dende, who'd fully open the door, allowing the trio to walk inside. Vejin and Ryuko would enter first, followed by Saito a couple seconds afterwards.
Upon crossing into this new dimension, Ryuko would find himself in exactly what they saw. A vast empty white void, the pressure was intense for Ryuko. He could hardly breathe right. What he had heard from Dende and B'az was true, this room was certainly not for the weak-willed. He could definitely see how one could be driven mad in a room such as this. "This is..insane." He'd barely be able to speak. "Yeah well, get used to it. We need to make the most of this time." Vejin would remark, though he tried to sound tough, he too was clearly struggling to adjust to this atmosphere. "Let's at least look around a bit." Ryuko would say, carefully walking over to the rest of the room. Next to the door was a bathroom and across from that, a kitchen and bedding for basic needs.
For Ryuko and Vejin, this experience, accompanied by the emptiness inside the Time Chamber, had undoubtedly left them shaken at this new atmosphere. It was as if the air itself inside the chamber was weighing them down. However, interestingly enough, Saito remained unaffected by the void and completely disregarded the new climate. He'd wander off, walking into the void without so much as saying a word. Disappearing into the vast emptiness until he was no longer in sight. "Seems somebody is eager to train." Vejin told Ryuko. "Seems like it. We should probably get to it as well, he's clearly got a head start on us in terms of training." Ryuko and Vejin would step out into the white void, breathing in the air. Not so much as a breeze, as the air itself was dense and hard to take in. They'd enter Super Saiyan and ready themselves for the next 2 years.
Once the three had entered, B'az would step out from the shade. He'd walk out, standing directly in front of Dende. "I think it's time we have a talk. You and I." B'az said to Dende. Dende would take a deep breath, as he looked up at B'az. "I should have known that this day would come, just like Piccolo-sama."
"The Forbidden Technique…" B'az said to Dende. "My father once told me of it. A technique that combines the power of two Namekians." Dende nodded as he assured B'az. "Correct, this technique, Assimilation, was outlawed by those on Namek. It was deemed taboo for Namekians to use it. Its abuse would drive a being mad. It'd dwindle our numbers even further than they were after events like the Great Drought and Frieza's invasion." B'az would nod along, though he knew nothing of such events and had never heard of Frieza before. "As you could guess, Assimilation is the combination between two Namekians, it combines the power of two Namekians, merging them into one being born anew. The result can change who you are fundamentally as it fully creates a new being. The best result of this technique was shown by Piccolo-sama himself. He merged with two other beings, managing to retain not only his being but his power had greatly strengthened." B'az would appear confused."Piccolo-sama? Wait you said born anew. Are you implying.." Dende would look down. "Once merged, the resulting being will be stronger than the two individuals. Though this may also potentially change who you once were. Assimilation combines every aspect of a being, not just their strength. Their personality, their memories, their hobbies, motivations, even appearance. You will obtain a strength far greater than yours, yes. But you will also be forever changed, you may not even be B'az anymore. You will experience all my memories as if they were your own, and I, yours. I will no longer exist in the physical plane, and neither will you. Earth will be left without a guardian to oversee it. So if you have the guts to go through with this. Promise me when this is all over, you will take my place. This planet needs a guardian, so if you think you can so selfishly take a shortcut to power without consequence don't take this so lightly."
B'az's eyes would widen as the caveat was very drastic, considering Dende would no longer exist. Could he really go through with this? What other consequences will there be? "I need some time to think.. This information is too sudden. I-I hadn't considered any of this.." B'az would ask nervously. "Yes. Take as much time as you need. Considering, you were the one to ask this of me after all." Dende replied. B'az nodded back to Dende and left the lookout.
By now, a few weeks had passed within the Time Chamber. The warriors have proven able to adapt to the more harsh environment. Granted, the chamber's behavior was quite unpredictable, presenting all sorts of phenomena from scorching hot to freezing cold in just a matter of hours or days. Amidst the extreme climates, Vejin, Saito and Ryuko appear to be engaged in a sparring match. The icy winds blew ferociously as their battle intensified. The winds and air around them could be seen, as a frigid vapor emitted from each of their movements as they clashed. Vejin fired off two energy waves, pointed at both Saito and Ryuko. The pair successfully dodged the attack and Ryuko punched Vejin square in the jaw. As Saito came in with a roundhouse kick at Ryuko, he'd successfully block it. Using his quick thinking, Saito spun in the opposite direction, using his other leg to kick Ryuko in the chest. This sent Ryuko crashing into the ground, as he made contact, Vejin immediately chased after Ryuko with a downward punch. Vejin stood over Ryuko with his back turned as he now faced Saito, who engaged him.
Exchanging blow after blow with the man, Saito would use the same combo on Vejin. As he came in with a roundhouse kick for Vejin to block. However, Vejin already knew Saito's next move. "You think that because Ryuko fell for it, I will too?! Think again!" Vejin shouted, as quickly grabbed Saito's leg after blocking and threw him over to Ryuko. Vejin, seeing his victory at hand, charged in to finish the job. But, the two of them were both caught by surprise, as Ryuko who had been charging a Kamehameha during the brief fight between Saito and Vejin, fired it toward the two of them. "This round is mine! KAMEHAMEHAAAAAAAAAAA!" Ryuko shouted as he fired off the attack. It'd engulf them both, sending Vejin and Saito tumbling across the ground, before ending up back to the central area of the chamber.
Ryuko chuckled, as he looked down at the pair. "Alright, I think that's enough for now. Let's take five." Ryuko offered a hand to both Saito and Vejin as they went over to the fridge. Saito remained behind, continuing to train. Ryuko paid this no mind as he continued to grab food along with Vejin. They'd each take large portions of food for themselves, grabbing anything from bowls of noodles to plates of meat along with multiple side dishes. In typical Saiyan fashion, the food would be gone in a matter of minutes. Vejin would pat his stomach. "Man, that hit the spot!" He'd say as he looked over to Ryuko, then to Saito.
Saito had been training the entire time, he'd yell out as he powered up into Super Saiyan. The Time Chamber's frigid air from earlier had rapidly changed to a heat storm, as raging flames engulfed him. It'd almost appear to consume him, but a bright yellow light shines from within the flames. This blazing fury would be encapsulated, swirling in a rhythmic flow as it centered around Saito. Allowing himself to be taken, his Super Saiyan aura would change to match this blazing fury as he continued to train. He's done this before. And it shows.
Vejin took a seat next to Ryuko, who'd be stuffing his face with leftovers. Ryuko would glance up at him. "Sumfing you meed, Bebim?" With Ryuko's mouth full, he clearly couldn't speak properly. Vejin would sigh as he pressed two of his fingers to his forehead. "Can you at least swallow your food first?" He'd say through exasperation. Ryuko would do so and then repeat himself. "Is there something you need?"
"Something's been aching me about him." Vejin would say with his eyes fixed on Saito. Ryuko looked questioningly at Vejin. "What exactly is his deal? Not to be rude, but he just kind of…appeared out of nowhere in our battle against Kobra. Hell, you even went away with the guy for eight months without so much as an explanation. It just feels like the guy is kinda shrouded in mystery. He refused to train here, yet, look at him." He'd nod over to Saito as he trained. "That takes skill, first timers like us can't acclimate to something like this, that fast. Either he's a prodigy or he's been here before. He hasn't even said so much as a word today, or hell, even held a proper conversation with either of us since entering. It's not that he's a bad influence, I'm just saying if I'm spending two years with this guy I've gotta know... just who is Saito?"
Ryuko would lean back a little. "Y'know Vejin, you were the exact same way when you arrived on Earth." He'd remark. "How did you think we felt once you awoke from your daze back at the tournament? You took a while to properly open up. Just give him some time, he hasn't exactly had the best time. Especially since his arrival here he's had almost no time to really relax."
Ryuko would sigh. "But you're right, if we're gonna be in here for the next two years, you should probably know. He-" "Ryuko." A voice would cut him off. Ryuko would look up, as would Vejin. He'd see Saito scorched by his own flames, covered in marks and tears in his clothing. His gaze would be fierce, with a hint of a red glow in his eyes. "Sorry Saito!" Ryuko would begin to apologize, only for Saito to raise his hand to Ryuko. "It's alright. But this is my story to tell." He'd crouch down to eye level with the two of them as he met their gaze.
"I'll tell you who I really am…"
Chapter: END