Potara resisted the urge to sigh loudly. Great... just great... she had been hoping to get in and out undetected. She tilted her head up, noting that Cress and Mato were standing behind him, completely blocking the portal with their bodies in case she were to try and run. She resisted the urge to smirk. If it came down to it, she'd blow through them easily enough. They had no idea just who they were up against. They thought she was Pan, they'd find out the hard way she was Potara.

"Well well well, what do we have here?" mused Kale, "Come to pledge yourself to the Empire?"

Potara rose to her feet and dusted herself off before glaring at him. "I'd sooner die."

Kale smirked. "That could be arranged."

"I'd like to see you try," taunted Potara.

Kale chuckled. "Your defiance is refreshing, if but misplaced."

Kale clasped his hands behind his back, frowned, and studied her. "Considering you did not approach anyone to announce yourself, I can only assume you are trespassing. I don't take kindly to those stepping foot on my new Capital World unannounced."

Capital World?

Potara frowned. "You mean like all you Saiyans kept trespassing on Terra when humanity lived here?"

Kale seemed amused. "We won this world fairly, child. We gave humanity the chance to fight for it, rather than obliterating them from space. They lost, we won, we take the spoils. It is the way of things."

"It's an ass backwards outlook," muttered Potara.

"Why are you here?" inquired Kale.

"If you must know, I was visiting... a friend," Potara forced out.

Kale raised an eyebrow. "The humans of this world are dead."

"I'm aware. I went to Otherworld," she answered.

Kale's eyebrows furrowed. "..."

Behind him, Cress scoffed. "She takes us for fools."

"Strangely, I don't think she's lying," murmured Kale, a curious look crossing his face.

He studied her clothing. "You bear the garbs of a Kai. Why?"

"None of your business," answered Potara.

"You are here on my world, thus, you are my 'business'," replied Kale, "You are fortunate that you have not been killed as of the moment for your trespassing. I suggest you mind your words."

Potara smirked at him smugly. "Should I?"

An eager gleam slowly entered Kale's eyes. "You reek of complete and utter confidence, despite having lost to me before, despite knowing that I am an immortal god."

"Lesser immortal," corrected Potara, "You can be knocked out and temporarily beaten."

"You think you are capable of it then?" asked Kale, a battle-lusted grin on his face.

Potara was about to answer before she thought better of it. She'd fight if she had to, but, that look on his face said that it was exactly what he wanted.

"If it comes down to it," answered Potara evenly.

Kale's grin changed into a smug smile. "Why back down? It wasn't false bravado on your face, was it? Are you a coward, child, or do I need to make you mad first before you'll fight. Shall I tell you how I killed your friend, Odianna?"

Potara shrugged. "Go ahead, I don't care. She doesn't mean as much to me as you think she does."

Kale blinked a few times before frowning, re-studying her with his eyes. "Hmm."

Potara crossed her arms. "As much as I'd love to punch your face in, I'm not here to fight. I'll be leaving now."

Kale held up a hand. "Why so soon? After all, you've just arrived."

Potara narrowed her eyes. "..."

Kale walked forward, down the steps, and strode passed her. "Come."

Potara blinked a few times. "What?"

"You may freely leave after I show you our new Capital World," said Kale.

Potara glared at his back. "I've seen enough of what you Saiyans did to this world, leaving it in utter ruin."

Kale paused to turn his head back to her. "It is in the process of being, remade. Are you not curious?"

"Not really," answered Potara.

Kale chuckled. "Amusing. Still, I will not take no for an answer. Unless you wish this to reflect poorly on future relations between our two dimensions, I suggest you come along."

Potara clenched her fists furiously. That bastard...

"Fine," she answered crossly.

Potara followed behind Kale, Cress and Mato taking spots behind her to either side, as if to prevent her from fleeing. She resisted the urge to snort at the thought. It was taking a lot of effort to not go on a killing spree right now...

Kale led her into the partially constructed complex building. "Here will be our Center Hub for all arrival and departures from and to other dimensions. It will house a portion of our Capital World's standing army to repel any potential aggressors and maintain order. Anyone wishing to transverse our world, our dimension, will need to check in and attain permission first."

Potara rolled her eyes and dripped sarcasm, "Right, because genocidal Saiyans just love other race's tourists."

Kale laughed. "You are a constant source of amusement, child. Come, I have something to show you that may change your opinion."

Kale led her deeper into the building, to a set of stairs leading underground. "Prior to you and your family, we believed that all Hybrids were worthless, contemptible trash that plagued the purity of the Saiyan race. We have since... changed... our views on the matter."

An ill feeling started forming in Potara's gut.

"You showed us the raw potential of a hybrid. While you lack in some areas, in others, you excel," continued Kale, "I firmly believe that the power of the hybrid can be harness to further the goals of the Saiyan race, you showed me that."

Potara narrowed her eyes. "Then why kill off the human race?"

Kale shrugged. "A matter of principle for the damage they did to us. Besides, there are humans in other dimensions. Which reminds me..."

He stopped walking and turned his head to gaze at her. "You may be pleased to hear that I did not allow Coli to follow through with her threat to slaughter that human girl's world."

It took Potara a moment to remember what he was talking about, when Coli had been pissed at one of the other dimension's fighters and made a threat.

"Nor, is she allowed to touch your world without my permission, she's been reprimanded for potentially damaging diplomacy between our dimensions," continued Kale, "Consider that a gift, and an apology for her behavior."

Potara was caught off-guard. "Uh... umm... thanks?"

Kale nodded curtly and faced forward. "Come, were almost there. Let me show you what your existence wrought."

They continued down the stars and into a fully furnished large central room, kind of like a lounge. There were several different species co-mingling with one another. There were many different hallways leading off into the distance. She saw signs written in what she assumed was 'Saiyan' on the walls before every hallway.

"We finished the underground portion first. It was fortunate there was an underground cavern system to use as its base. It sped up the process by months," said Kale.

He led her down a hallway, pointing to rooms one by one as they passed them. "It is here that we gauge the worth of any new species we come across, or that comes to us. We test them in many ways. Power, intelligence, speed, unique traits, trade skills, personality, and the like. If they are found worthy, and are found to be compatible, we invite them the opportunity to be... integrated... into the Saiyan race."

Potara looked at him, utterly baffled. "You're... letting other species join your Empire?"

Kale smirked. "The Empire? Yes, but, not entirely what I meant. I'm allowing them the chance to join our race."

Potara frowned, the ill feeling from earlier rising in full force. "Wait... what did you mean by compatible? By integrated?"

Kale led her back to the center lounge. "Tell me, what do you see? What do you note?"

Potara hesitated. "A bunch of Saiyans and other races talking with one another?"

Kale slowly shook his head. "You are not paying attention. Look closer..."

Potara searched, not understanding what he wanted her to see. "...?"

Kale waited patiently before sighing. "Apparently 'vision' is not a trait Human-Saiyan hybrids share. Look at the females."

Potara saw it a second later, and was sickened and slightly horrified; Every Saiyan and humanoid alien female was pregnant, visible bumps on their stomachs. This... this is what he meant?! He had seen Pan's power, fought it for himself, was impressed, and now wanted to mass produce people like her?

This was insanity. "You're... breeding hybrids..."

Kale nodded. "Anyone who is found worthy is allowed to become one with our race, to join in our journey to absolute perfection and power. If they wish it, they are brought here to swear fealty to the Empire and join us. If not, we send them on their way."

"I'm sickened that anyone would subjugate themselves to this," growled Potara.

"Subjugate? Have I not said that those here are here by choice?" said Kale, annoyed, "I told you before, I am not one to force myself upon a female, or have a female force themselves upon a man. Those who consummate here, do so willingly."

"I'm done here," said Potara furiously.

"No, not yet you are not, I've only just begun to show you the future of the Saiyan race," said Kale, "Come."

Every instinct Potara had was screaming at her to get the hell out of there. She didn't believe she was in any physical danger, but she was about ready to freak the hell out. This was borderline terrifying to think about what the Saiyans were doing here, and extremely gross and disgusting too. She slowly forced herself to follow behind Kale when Cress nudged her shoulder.

Kale led her down another hallway, into what looked like some weird daycare center with hundreds of empty beds. "We already have facilities in place to carefully raise and judge our soon-to-be born hybrid races. We shall discover which combination of races show the most promise, and favor them greatly in status. You should be pleased to know that humans and human-Saiyan hybrids are already marked as a higher class of citizens, second only to full blooded Saiyans themselves."

Potara narrowed her eyes. Class class class. It was always about rankings and classes of people and power with Saiyans. It really, REALLY pissed her off.

Kale paused. "You seem agitated."

"The whole class thing is stupid," said Potara crossly, "Let a being show their own worth as a person without being judged based stupidly on just the power and ability of their race."

Kale raised an eyebrow. "I'd think that it would be obvious that those who show promise will ascend in ranks and stature. To use you as an example since you have already shown me your power, were you to bend a knee and pledge yourself to the Empire this very moment, I would make you a 'Hand of the Emperor'. An honor that every Saiyan in this dimension would kill for."

"Not. Interested." said Potara thinly.

Kale smirked. "For now, one day though, you will join us, of that I am certain little one. Once you see what we become, you will come around."

Potara stared at him. Was that it? Was he trying to, gods forbid, impress her with all of this? Get her to want to join his Empire? Screw that. He was out of his fricken mind. Especially if as a woman she'd be required to get knocked up at some point like those idiot bimbos in the lounge. No. Fucking. Thank you. She was way to young to even think about that kind of thing right now. Ideally she thought she'd at least be mid-twenties in a steady relationship with a solid job before the thought even crossed her mind. Her face fell. Not that she'd be capable of having kids anyway... stuck in this child body forever...

She shook her head and refocused. "I suppose we'll have to see then, won't we?"

Kale studied her for a moment. "Something troubled you for a moment, what was it child?"

"None. Of. Your. Business," she said with extreme hostility.

Kale merely faced forward and continued walking. "Let us continue then."

He showed her every inch of the underground portion of the complex. Living quarters already full of people. Training rooms where the Saiyans were testing out potential additions, and... the laboratories...

He showed her that with a simple bloodtest, they could easily detect species compatibility, and check for genetic defects or abnormalities with cross species breeding. It sent chills down Potara's spine. To Kale, it seemed like one giant experiment to try and see which species mixed well. What he showed her didn't draw her interest, not in the way he desired...

No...

It reminded her of the stories of Cell. Of trying to mix and match different species together to create the ultimate warrior. It forced Potara to seriously consider risking retaliation on her home dimension to destroy everything she saw here. What she saw now might not be a threat for the near future... but... in a generation or two... it could be an army born and raised loyal to Kale...

She didn't want to... but... maybe she should blow up Terra? No... even if she destroyed the planet, it wouldn't get rid of the portal. Kale would eventually re-locate it, bring armies from in the dimension, and retaliate. Dammit... what was she supposed to do? Just walk away from it? Kale had implied diplomacy with her home dimension, but, could she really potentially sacrifice other dimensions and just sit safely at home? Kale 'acted' all well and good for the time being with his whole 'you're welcome to join us' and other races being 'offered the chance to join us', but, when he had consolidated his power, she doubted he would sit still. It wouldn't matter if it was in five years, fifty, five hundred, five thousand, five million, he wouldn't age. He could wait as long as he wanted to.

He led her out of the basement part of the complex a few minutes later and took off into the air. "Come, there is still much more yet to see."

She flew after him across the planet. Cities were being built from the ground up. Land was being converted into farmland. Large fields were set aside and turned into training areas. The ruins of humanity had all but been wiped away in the half a year since the Saiyans had won Terra. Potara hadn't seen a single land-mark she recognized from Pan's memories. Off in the distance, Potara saw what looked like a palace of sorts being built into a mountainside. The inner keep seemed finished, with only the outer layer and walls needing to be finished. Figures the Emperor would want his castle... wait a minute that mountain... kind of looked like the one that Terra's lookout had crashed into... had they REALLY built on Haven's corpse like that? Gods it turned her stomach...

She slowly shook her head. In a year or two at the rate the Saiyans were going, Terra would be completely converted. She wondered if Odianna and the others in the Otherworld knew what was happening to their beloved planet...

"Tell me, child, what do you think?" called back Kale.

"Crass," was her answer.

"Oh?" said Kale, slowing do to stop midair.

Potara scowled at him full force. "What exactly did you expect me to say? 'Good job wiping out humanity'? 'I like what you've done with the place'? Or do you seriously just want to lord it over me that you 'won' here and at the tournament?"

A cross look appeared on his face. "I have been patient with you child, far more than I should have been. If I wanted to 'lord over you' about my victories, I'd have you face first in the dirt, my foot on the back of your head, laughing and taunting you about them. Would you like me to?"

Potara narrowed her eyes. "I'd like to see you try."

The instant Kale made to grab her neck, she reached up to grab his wrist, both of them turning Super Saiyan Blue at the same time. Cress and Mato gave small gasps of surprise, but Kale showed none of that.

He had a shit eating grin on his face. "As I suspected, that bravado earlier wasn't for show."

Potara spun and threw him away from her. "Keep your hands to your own damn self!"

Kale recovered and righted himself, turning to face her, his grin seeming to grow wider and wider. "Son Pan, you are an extraordinary being. To have become a Saiyan God at that age, and with that power... I don't know how but in less than a year you went from being far weaker than me, to dwarfing me in power. Truly remarkable."

"My name," Potara said thinly, "Is Potara! Not Son Pan!"

Kale gave her a curious look. "You abandon both your birth and your clan name for another?"

"They're not my names," she hissed.

Kale raised an eyebrow. "Dare I ask what event made you decide to do so, Son Pan?"

Potara glared at him. "I'm about ready to throttle you."

"So touchy, Son Pan, you seem so angered by the mere mention of your name," he mocked.

"That is not MY name! It belonged to a weak and idiotic little girl, not me!" she yelled at him, growing more pissed by the second.

"Calling yourself weak and idiotic are we? Hmm... I wonder... what is it that you did? Why are you here instead of at your home?" he inquired.

Alright, that was enough, she was sick of this asshole. Fuck the consequences. She cupped her hands together, readying herself to kamehameha the hell out of him.

"Tell me... Son Pan... are you no longer welcomed at home?" he inquired, a glint in his eye.

Potara couldn't help but freeze up at that question. Freeze up at her own uncertainty of the answer.

He looked her over. "Tell me... what did you do to achieve that power? What was it that made you throw your old life away?"

Potara clenched her fists tightly, blood dripping down her wrists. "I... had no choice in that matter!"

"Is that so?" he questioned curiously, starting to levitate towards her, "I find that hard to believe, Son Pan. Tell me, what was it? Did you turn on your family in the chase for that power and were banished...?"

Potara began shaking in rage.

"Or did they turn on your while you chased for it, shunning you for your desire? I watched you at the tournament, I saw how they foolishly rebuked you for your fight against myself and Coli. You called me crass when they are the ones who stunted such worthwhile desires," he mused.

Potara lost it, she flew at him in a rage and put an arm clean through his chest before he could react. "YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE!"

She pulled her arm out and began to beat him down, punching and kicking in a blind fury. "I had NO choice in what happened! I WASN'T EVEN BORN YET!"

She two-handed smashed him, sending him flying to the ground where he impacted and left a huge crater. "What is it that you want to hear? Huh? That you're right on both accounts? Pan threw her life away chasing power because she felt like her family turned on her! She gave her life to create me like an idiot and left me to clean up her mess! Left me with her family that probably doesn't want anything to do with me!"

She glared down at Kale, whose wounds were already starting to heal, as he looked up at her, baffled and highly curious. "Perhaps I misheard, but, are you... not actually Son Pan? Forgive me if the resemblance between you two is... uncanny."

Dammit! How she wished the Doll had been made differently so the fusion between Pan and the Doll had made her look different. "I am a fusion between her and a god construct. I am NOT Pan!"

She knew it was childish, but she couldn't help herself. "I'm not, I'm not, I'm NOT!"

Kale dusted himself off, wiping away some of the blood coating him and floated upward, not appearing to care about the beating he just took. "Interesting. Care to explain what exactly a fusion is?"

"A mix of body, mind, and soul between two beings that amplifies their power together," she answered bitterly.

Kale contemplated it for a moment before he threw his head back and laughed. "Glorious, simply glorious. To go so far as to sacrifice her own being for the sake of attaining power, I admit, I underestimated Pan, and am impressed."

Of course he would be...

Kale studied Potara with new, rapt interest. "How fascinating. I'm curious, if she merged with another being, did you assume this form because Pan was the stronger than this 'god construct'? What even is that by the way?"

Potara glared at him. "It was an artificial being created by an angel, it was made in Pan's image, that's why I look the way I am. Trust me, if I could have been born different, I would."

Kale's grin resurface. "Pan had a 'god construct' made in her image to fuse with? I find myself becoming more and more impressed by the moment."

Potara started shaking in anger again. "You... you... it... the Doll was NOT made to fuse with! It was made to steal Pan's power! The Doll was the one to force the fusion! Pan only caved in at the end to get her full power back and grow stronger!"

Kale's grin faded and a confused and wary look crossed his face. "..."

He studied her again. "Hmm. I believe I'm missing quite a few details in the events relating to your birth, Potara. It sounds to be a... complicated thing."

He levitated up to her and met her gaze. "But, for the moment, it doesn't matter. Do you know why, child?"

Potara narrowed her eyes, she had it up to here with this crap. "No, why don't you enlighten me before I spread your body over the countryside over and over again?"

Potara tensed as he slowly reached an arm forward and put it on her shoulder, leaning over to whisper into her ear, "The offer I gave to Pan to kneel and join the Empire, now extends to you. Unlike your family, we would welcome you here, you would have a place and a purpose here with the rest of us, and would be cherished as an important, powerful, and potentially influential member of our race."

"You are free to go, think on what I've said," finished Kale before letting go, turning, and flying away with Cress and Mato on his heels.

Potara floated there, stupefied, frustrated, and... feeling betrayed by herself for a sudden desire to accept his offer when she should have been smashing his face in.

...we would welcome you here, you would have a place and a purpose here with the rest of us...

A place and a purpose...

Potara blinked and violently shook her head. Hell no. No matter how... how much she desired to have her own place to call home, her own purpose, she couldn't even think on accepting what he was offering. His Empire had finished off the humans of Terra. Was home to power hungry monsters that would kill anyone in their way...

Like Pan was and would have?

Potara bowed her head at the thought. "And as much as I wish she wasn't, she is a part of me. Am I like them then? Deep down?"

She shivered. "No... I..."

She turned and bolted, flying for the portal out of Terra as fast as she could. She had to get out, get away from this damn world, away from that man and the memories of a life she herself never lived.

The words haunted her thoughts, gnawed at her. How she wished she could suddenly rush to Earth to find out the answer. Would Pan's family welcome her? Or would they shun and banish her? Was Bata right? Or was herself and Kale right? Dammit... she wanted to go home, to have a home... but it was to soon to go back... it hadn't even been a full day yet since she had been born. Potara reached the portal, energized it, and bolted through. She didn't stop there, she flew in a daze, trying to get away from anything in her sensing range, to just be alone. Finally, she found a portal room where no one was in or near, plopped herself down in a corner, powered down, pulled her knees up against her chest, wrapped her arms around them, and finally let out her grief, frustration, and sorrow in one high pitched scream...