"...injuries are pretty bad. Trauma, burns, and bruises all over her body, it looks like she was hit by something ridiculously hard on her shoulder, its broken and cracked." said a man's voice.
Pan winced, momentarily half opening her eyes. She was in some kind of dimly lit room laying in a bed. She closed her eyes, unable to take in anything else, feeling exhaustion hit her. It was a struggle not to pass out.
"Is she going to be okay though?" asked a voice sounding like a girl.
"Well, she needs lots of rest. I've put medical ointment underneath all of her bandages, so it should invigorate and jump-start the healing process. Her shoulder will take longer to recover. Hopefully, she should regain consciousness within the week, and maybe be back on her feet in a month." said the man's voice.
"Thank you, friar, for tending to this girl," came another, older man's voice.
"It's my pleasure to serve the monastery," said the first man.
There was a soft patter of feet before a door opened and closed.
"I hope she'll be okay," came the girl's voice.
"I'm sure she will be, now, you should go and start your chores," came the older man's voice.
"Yes Abbot," came the girl's voice, "After I'm done, may I return to check in on her?"
"You may, but try not to disturb her," came the Abbot's voice.
There was an pattering of feet and closing of a door again. Pan weakly opened her eyes, shifting painfully in the bed. At least it was comfortable, the blanket felt nice on her skin... wait...
Pan struggled to bring a hand up and pull up her blanket. She felt a little mortified to see that she was naked except for huge bandages across most of her body. Where was her gi's?
She cringed and dropped the blanket back down, a surge of pain rocketing up her arm. "Oww..."
Everything was so sore. She groaned weakly, abusing the Kaio-Ken as she had in that last fight was finally catching up to her. Not to mention the beating she took from the Super Saiyan, and Odianna's attack...
"Odianna...," Pan whispered weakly, tears spilling down her face.
The memories of the end of the Saiyan invasion spilled over her, awful reminders of no longer being welcomed and treated like an enemy. She sniffled before a thought struck her. How in the world was she alive? Where was she? All she could remember was Odianna about to kill her, then nothing.
Pan sighed, she'd figure it out later. For now, she just felt grateful to be alive...
Pan awoke at the sound of a door cracking. She turned her head to see a girl in a brown robe, almost like a gi, enter the room. She looked about Pan's age, nine to ten. She had very short rigidly cut black hair. Her eyes were a soft brown. Her face seemed soft and cheerful.
The girl looked at Pan before giving a start when she noticed Pan was conscious. "Oh! You're awake already!"
She moved and sat down on a stool next to the bed. "How are you feeling?"
"Like... crap...," murmured Pan.
The girl smiled sadly. "I figured. You know, you gave me quite a scare when you dropped out of the sky right on top of me glowing with that weird green energy."
"Green... energy...?" asked Pan.
The girl shrugged. "I dunno, it disappeared after a few moments."
Pan turned her head to look up at the ceiling, trying to think. Green energy? What was that about?
She turned her head back to the girl. "Where... am I?"
The girl smiled. "You're at the great Lord Kojin's Monastery."
"Lord... Kojin...?" asked Pan.
The girl's eyes went wide, a confused look crossing her face. "You... don't know of Lord Kojin? How is that possible?"
She leaned forward, looking at Pan's head. "Well, your head's pretty banged up... maybe it's amnesia? Tell me, what do you remember?"
Pan frowned, she really didn't feel like going through the same thing as last time around, recalling the reactions she got. Maybe she ought to just play along with being an amnesiac.
"I... don't remember anything..." said Pan.
The girl's face fell. "Oh... I'm sorry."
Pan glanced down at her own naked arm for a moment. "Though... I do remember having... gis on... where are they...?"
"They were pretty trashed up, I think they were placed in the trash," the girl said.
Pan tried to sit up. "N-no!"
She cringed and fell back down, pain rocketing up her back. "Aghhhh!"
The girl stood up and placed a hand on Pan's shoulders. "Please don't move, you're in really bad shape!"
"Please... go get... my gi's for me... they mean... so much to me," said Pan tearfully.
The girl nodded. "Okay, the trash hasn't been taken out yet, I'll go get them for you."
Pan watched her go, giving a sigh of relief. She winced, her back hurting like crazy from her outburst, before she passed out...
Pan blinked, coming to and hearing a strange mechanical sound. She turned her head to see the girl from before sitting at a desk near her bed with a sowing machine. She was surprised to see her repairing Pan's damaged gi's.
"Thank you," whispered Pan.
The girl paused and stopped the machine, looking at Pan with relief. "Oh thank Lord Kojin you're awake again! I thought I had screwed up when I caused you to panic yesterday, you've been out cold since then."
"Sorry to worry you," murmured Pan.
The girl smiled. "Don't fret, I'm just glad you're okay, and it looks like you're feeling a bit better."
Pan nodded. "A little."
"Well, I talked to the Abbot, and he says he's having records checked by the tech guys over at the central database over in the capital city for anyone matching your description," the girl said.
Pan was silent, she knew nothing would be found. But, a different question had just been answered. A central city, people checking records, being in a monastery. She had started to regain some of her senses, and could clearly feel a lot of people in the vicinity. She wasn't on Terra anymore. She had somehow moved to a different dimension.
She remembered the girl mentioning a green energy. Maybe that energy had somehow moved her? But where did it come from?
"Do you remember your name?" asked the girl.
"It's Pan," she said, deciding not to give out her surname.
"Well, it's nice to meet you Pan, I'm Bata," said the girl.
"Nice to meet you too Bata," replied Pan warmly.
It felt good to be talking with someone her age, and someone friendly to boot. She could already feel that the atmosphere of this place, this monastery, was nothing like Haven, nothing like the world of Terra. It felt calm and peaceful. Whichever dimension she was in, she figured she had lucked out to land in a nice one.
Flick, brrr brr brrr
Pan glanced over, seeing Bata resume repairs on Pan's gis. She watched in silence, not wanting to disturb her. Some time later, she turned off the machine and held up Pan's fox gi.
She looked at Pan for approval. "Look good?"
Pan nodded. "Much better, but what about the other gi?"
Bata frowned. "Well, its in horrible shape. I'm going to need to find some fabric to help repair it. It will take some time."
A sad look crossed Pan's face. "Oh, okay..."
"They seem really important to you, do you remember where you got them?" asked Bata.
"I... think one was from a friend, and one was from my family, I'm not really sure," half-lied Pan.
Bata walked over and knelt down, sliding the fox gi under Pan's bed. "Were only supposed to wear the formal robes at the monastery, so we'll keep this hidden under here, our little secret."
Pan smiled at her. "Thanks."
rumble
Pan glanced down at her stomach. "Oh... um..."
Bata giggled. "I'll go get you some soup, be right back!"
Pan watched her go before deciding to take a risk. She hesitatingly tried to sit up, wincing, and immediately leaned back down. Nope, not yet. She might heal fast, being Saiyan, but even she'd need more time for this. Ugh... being bedridden sucked. It was like being back in the time chamber again after a rough training session or a big screw up.
Bata returned carrying a tray with a bowl of soup and sat it down on the desk next to Pan's bed. She moved the stool over, grabbed a spoon from the tray, and grabbed a spoonful before slowly moving it towards Pan.
Pan scowled. "I can feed myself."
Bata raised an eyebrow. "Really? Go ahead and lift that broken arm of yours."
Pan winced. "Er..."
"One of the first lessons of Kojin's Monastery is humility. Let go of pride, you're beaten and really banged up, just relax and let me help you out," said Bata.
Pan was surprised to hear a girl so young speak like that. "Well... okay."
For the next half an hour, Bata slowly and carefully fed Pan. Pan still felt hungry after it was finished, but she didn't want to be rude and ask for more.
"Thank you," mumbled Pan, feeling sleepy.
"Your welcome," said Bata, "Now get some more rest Pan."
Pan nodded, closed her eyes, and tried her best to sink into the nice, soft pillow...
"H-hey Pan?" came Bata's voice.
Pan opened her eyes, glancing over to see the girl standing next to her bed, looking anxious, an older man in the same clothes as her standing next to her. He was bald, with onyx eyes. He held himself well, and Pan felt an almost commanding presence from him, like when Grandpa was giving a strict lesson.
"I'd like to introduce you to Abbot Sawa, he's the head of Lord Kojin's Monastery," said Bata.
Sawa bowed his head curtly. "I am pleased to see you are awake and recovering."
Pan tilted her head curtly in return. "Thank you for taking me in and taking care of me."
Sawa briefly smiled before he frowned. "Pan, do you remember where you came from?"
Pan shook her head and lied. "No, why?"
Sawa rubbed his chin. "There is no record of anyone matching your description anywhere in the world. Everyone is recorded and tracked from birth to death, but you, have no record."
Pan frowned. "Tracked and recorded? Why?"
"It is Lord Kojin's law and it is to be obeyed," said Sawa firmly, "Only illegals and criminals disobey his divine word."
Pan said nothing, not sure what she could possibly come up with. She was however starting to wonder just who this Lord Kojin was. They were making him out to be some kind of god or something.
"Abbot Sawa, it might not be her fault!" said Bata, almost if she were begging.
Pan noticed her tone and began to wonder if she was in trouble. It seemed silly, being in trouble for not being in some crazy, borderline stalker-ish, database. she knew doctors kept some kinds of records, but, everything possible being recorded in a person's life seemed sketchy.
Sawa nodded. "I am aware, she was beaten, cast aside, and left for dead. I can not in good faith lay a penalty upon her. However, the law is the law and I have sent word to the magistrates explaining the situation, and will await their word. Considering your situation Pan, there is hope that the magistrates will find mercy for you. Until then though, you are to be confined to this room."
"Not like I can move anyway," murmured Pan.
Bata gave a small gasp of horror.
"You would be wise, little Pan, to show respect to your elders and superiors," warned Sawa before turning, "Come Bata, she should be left to rest. I think she should also skip dinner for her rudeness, unless of course she is willing to apologize."
Pan could have scowled. Was he really threatening to take dinner away from her for that little comment? Especially considering her condition?
"I'm sorry," murmured Pan.
"Very well, you will be forgiven, this time, but show more reverence in the future," said Sawa.
Pan came to a conclusion after they left, she really didn't like that Sawa guy.
"Is this the room?" came a loud shrill voice.
Pan winced at the sound and glanced at the door.
"Y-yes Lady Magistrate," came Abbot Sawa's voice.
The door opened, and in walked a lady clothed in a mix of black armor and a white dress. She had short hair like Bata's, her eyes were a hard, unfriendly blue, her face was calm, but not showing hints of being friendly either. She walked over, her chin up, looking down at Pan.
"So, this is her?" asked the Lady Magistrate.
"Y-yes Lady Magistrate," came Sawa's voice.
Pan glanced behind the Magistrate and saw both Saw and Bata standing at a firm, terrified, attention, not moving or budging a muscle. She didn't need to tap into her ki senses to detect how scared they were.
The Lady Magistrate crossed her arms. "Well well well, so you're the girl with the fancy bloodwork."
"Bloodwork?" asked Pan, feeling a little confused.
The Lady Magistrate nodded. "Indeed, when you were brought here, a bit of your blood was taken for testing purposes to check for illness or disease."
Pan frowned for a moment before it suddenly hit her. Ut oh... she remembered Bulma once telling her about something like this. If they had checked her blood, they could have looked at her DNA, which means they'd know she wasn't exactly human... Oh boy...
The Lady Magistrate studied her. "Tis such a shame you're an amnesiac. Lord Kojin would have preferred to know where a mutant had been born from."
Pan blinked a few times. "Mutant?"
The Lady Magistrate laughed. "You don't even know what you are, do you? Tsk. Tell me, even injured as you are, your suppressed right now, correct?"
Pan nodded.
"Unsupress your power," ordered the Lady Magistrate.
Pan felt unsure of what to do. She knew she had recovered a little bit of her strength, but she had a feeling she shouldn't show anything even remotely close to full. She decided to show a tenth of her weakened power and raised her strength to it.
Immediately the Lady Magistrate's eyes went wide, as did Sawa's and Bata's.
A huge grin spread across the Lady Magistrate's face. "Glorious, and she's not even recovered yet. So young, at full strength she will already be trumping lesser Magistrate's in power. Lord Kojin will be most pleased, most pleased indeed. Such potential, our Lord may favor you greatly."
The Lady Magistrate turned to Sawa. "She is where she belongs. Induct her into the monastery and begin her training once she has recovered. I name her of the elite class. Teach her what she lacks, and fill in what gaps her amnesia has plagued her with. I expect monthly updates on this one's progress, starting with word when she has fully recovered."
Sawa bowed. "Y-yes Lady Magistrate."
The Lady Magistrate glanced at Bata. "Hmm, this, 'low' class may serve as young Pan's attendant for now, see that her ever whim and desire is fulfilled so long as it does not breech Lord Kojin's will."
Bata bowed deeply. "Y-yes Lady Magistrate."
Pan felt a surge of anger at the Lady Magistrate words to Bata. Who the heck did she think she was talking down to people like that?
With that, the Lady Magistrate left, with Sawa following behind her, closing the door behind them.
Bata turned and bowed deeply to Pan. "I-is there anything you would like me to get you L-lady Pan?"
Pan looked at her in disbelief, shocked by the sudden change "Don't..."
Bata hesitated fearfully. "H-have I offended you somehow Lady Pan?"
Pan was starting to grow frustrated. She had thought this dimension seemed nice at first, but the few things she was starting to recognize about it made her uncomfortable and wary. That Lady Magistrate person had basically told Bata to be her slave, and Pan felt revolted by that.
"I don't want my friends talking to me like that," said Pan.
"F-friends?" said Bata with hesitation.
Pan couldn't believe she thought otherwise. "Yeah, were friends. You've been taking care of me, fixing my gis, and have been really nice to me. Your my friend."
Truthfully, she might be jumped ahead since she hadn't known Bata that long at all, but she didn't need to have. She was a good, caring, and nice person who had gone out of her way to help Pan out. She didn't need anymore of a reason to consider her a friend.
Bata blushed. "I-I'm unworthy of your friendship."
Pan scowled. "Don't say that, if anything, I'm unworthy of yours. I haven't done a nice thing for you."
Bata's face went from red, to beat red with embarrassment.
"And talk normally with me, please. I don't care about that elite class mumbo jumbo that lady was going on about," said Pan.
Bata hesitated. "Well... alright... but..."
Bata walked forward and sat down on the stool, speaking in a hushed tone. "Pan, I understand you have amnesia, but, you can't just refer to her as 'lady', she is the Lady Magistrate, the leader of them all. She is Lord Kojin's favored, only his word is greater than hers. To disrespect her is to invite ruin."
Pan frowned. "Oh."
"You must always show respect to those above your station, even though you..." Bata began.
She hesitated. "E-even though your power and potential are amazing Pan, you must always be respectful. Truth be told, I'm in awe of even being acknowledged by you. But, your young and being elite still holds no sway over being a Magistrate. You have to be careful in how you talk to people. You can easily become a Magistrate one day, maybe even, dare I say, replace the Lady Magistrate herself as Lord Kojin's favored, but not if you get yourself killed."
Killed? Pan was growing very wary of this dimension, she already felt like it had overstayed its welcome and novelty. She wanted nothing more than to leave and take Bata with her. The dimension Terra was in was one thing, but it was fairly straightforward, kill Saiyans or be killed, this place was going to be annoying.
Bata spoke sheepishly. "I can't help but wonder if you'd still remember me if you became our Lord's favored."
Pan scowled. "I never forget my friends."
Bata bowed her head. "T-thank you."
"I still don't like how she was talking down to you. What does 'low' class even mean here?" asked Pan.
Bata looked sad. "Everyone is measured at birth, anyone deemed to have above average potential is taken from their family's and placed within the monastery. As they grow, their strength and abilities determines their class. I didn't measure up well enough to even be average."
Pan looked at her in horror. "Taken from their families?!"
"Its an honor to be chosen and taken to Lord Kojin's Monastery, even if all I ended up as is low class," said Bata.
Pan was trying her hardest not to let her temper flare. This 'class' thing was starting to reminder of the Saiyans, and it was pissing her off. It sounded stupid as hell, especially taking babies from their families. Even ignoring that, in her opinion, Bata wasn't bad at all. Outside of the humans of her father's group, and the Kaio-Ken users of Terra, she was actually powerful for a human... wait... wait a second...
Pan blinked a few times, her ki sense probing the area, it suddenly hit her. Having finally unsupressed herself, Pan started to take note of how high the strength was, for humans, of the people around her scattered through this monastery. There were a few who were really strong for humans without the Kaio-Ken, like, Krillen or Tien levels of strength. Everyone in this monastery was far above normal humans that Pan had grown accustomed to on Earth.
Pan refocused on Bata. "As far as I'm concerned, you're elite enough for me."
Bata beamed at her praise. "You're too kind."
Bata fished a few small spools of orange thread out of her robe. "I found some material earlier before the Lady Magistrate arrived, I'll resume fixing your gi for you.
She reached under the bed and gently pulled it out. "I'll have to hand do it though, I'm afraid to try it with the machine lest I rip it."
Pan tested lifting a hand from her none-broken shoulder. "I can help now if you want."
Bata shook her head. "Things like this are a servants work, you need not..."
"You are NOT my servant," said Pan with frustration, "Now let me help!"
Bata hesitated for a moment before slowly draping the gi over Pan's blanket. "Okay."
For the next half an hour, they worked together, fixing the gi's arms. Bata left afterwords, having to resume chores, and promised to be back with dinner in a few hours. Pan laid back in her bed, brooding to herself.
"What I wouldn't give for a Sensu Bean," she muttered.
She wanted nothing more to get up, fly to wherever this Lord Kojin guy was, and pop a fist right into his face. Same with that Lady Magistrate person. Ah well...
"Hey Bata?" asked Pan.
"Yes Pan?" she replied.
"Can you tell me about this 'Lord Kojin'?" asked Pan, careful to keep her voice neutral as to not offend.
Bata beamed at her. "Ah! Its good you wish to get to know our Lord."
"Umm, sure, who is he and where did he come from?" asked Pan.
"I'm told Lord Kojin came to us over a hundred years ago during a devastating world war. The people and nations of the world were greedily fighting among themselves for land and power. Then, when the fighting reached its peak, Lord Kojin parted the clouds and descended from the heavens," said Bata with reverence.
Pan hid a frown. From the heavens? Sounds like he came from space and was probably an alien.
"In one swift motion, our Lord passed judgement on all those who fought with wickedness, smiting them from the land. He went to each land, smote the wicked, and brought them under his guidance, until most of the world had seen his righteous way and been saved from their greed," continued Bata.
Pan stared at her, feeling sickened. This Kojin was no savior, he was a conqueror, a tyrant. He was no better than the Saiyans.
"The last people so foolish to challenge him weren't so much evil, but misguided. They called themselves martial artists, and fought our Lord, frightened by his power. He saw such potential in them, but regretfully they would not see the light. But, he took their young children under his wing, and thus was born the tradition of this monastery," explained Bata.
Pan was shaking in fury. "And what... does this 'Lord Kojin' look like?"
"Well, he is a giant of a man. His skin, a heavenly teal color, his eyes, a majestic blue, his hair, a fiery orange. Upon his pointed ears he bears gold pointed earrings. He is strongly built, muscles beyond any mortal man. Around his neck he wears a red necklace with a piece of metal hanging from it similar to his earrings. His preferred clothing is the one he arrived in, he wears a long blue cape with a red inside, it wraps around his arms, has a big of bagginess over his shoulders, but leaves his chest bare. His wears a white, grayish baggy pants with a black cloth wrapped around the top. He wears yellow black boots," described Bata, her face looking faint and dreamy.
Pan thought briefly. Had she ever heard of an alien that looked like that? She wasn't really sure, either way, she dismissed him as a big bully she'd pound into the dirt soon enough. He didn't sound so tough...
Pan gave a yawn, stretching out her arms. She winced briefly, massaging her sore shoulder. She hesitated for a moment before pressing around the shoulder-blade with her fingers. She didn't feel any cracks, so, her own healing plus whatever that healing ointment that had been used on her had certainly done its work. The rest of her body felt damn near in tip top shape. She was more than ready to move around, though, Bata would probably throw a fit if she moved before she was fully recovered.
Oh well, to bad for her.
Pan got up out of bed, took off her bandages, and reached under the bed for her fox gi. The turtle hermit one wasn't nearly repaired enough yet.
The door opened behind her. "Good morning Pa... what are you doing up and moving?!"
Pan winced at Bata's voice. "Getting dressed."
"I told you that you cant wear those here, you have to wear the robes," scolded Bata.
"Well, where are the robes?" asked Pan.
Bata walked over to a small dresser at the other end of the bed and opened it. Oh, derp, guess she hadn't really looked around much. Bata took out a robe about her size and helped her put it on.
"You sure you're up for moving around Pan?" asked Bata.
Pan nodded. "More than ready."
"Well, okay, I guess I'll take you to Abbot Sawa," said Bata, "Just remember, once you say to him your ready, you'll be expected to do chores, training, and take classes like everyone else."
Pan shrugged. "That's fine."
"Well, okay then, let's go," said Bata.
Pan nodded, walked behind her, and left the room for the first time in days since she had first woken up there...