[12] Reijin and Bardock

[Burter Jr]

23. Reijin
19. Bardock

Reijin could see something in the distance. A familar teal-skinned warrior. Battered, beaten, and pretty pissed off. "Kao." He stated.

Apparantly he wasn't the only one who noticed him. The angels literally made an isle for Kao to walk through, moving as far out of the way as possible. Bardock had noticed him immediately, and his senses flared with the chance of combat.

"No more hiding, huh?" Bardock grinned, getting ready. "You're really going to do this?"

"It's not you I want," Kao grunted. "But you and your friends have ruined everything I worked for...so I will end you first."

Reijin watched this from the very top of the tower. Would he fight with Bardock...or leave to do his own work? The war was still waiting to start.

[Bra]

The black speckled artificial warrior said something, but everything was happening so fast that although Bra could hear his voice, she was unable to make out what it was he said. The corrupted namek had fallen, decapitated, and the flaming, zombie lion remained, it?s eyes throwing a piercing scarlet light upon the three mortals. In an instant, the creature?s twisted, decomposing body rippled unnaturally, and then finally burst into flame. A veritable tidal wave of flames washed over the trio who scrambled to the defensive. The golden haired girl covered her face with her arms, but the searing heat ripped and tore at her nonetheless. Bra fought against the ruthless inferno, falling to one knee as her body threatened to give out on her. Finally, with a ghastly moan, the fires subsided, casting what remained of the hospital in darkness.

?...Fucker,? the princess breathed, ignoring the blood that poured from the open wound on her lip. She wore an expression of anger, but in an instant her entire constitution grew rigid and she locked up, unable to move. Her visage faded to deadpan for a moment before making the transition to stone cold fear. ?Dad??

Bra quickly scanned the area, no longer able to detect his energy. The girl feared the worst as she scrambled to her feet, finally locating her father, who had collapsed from the fearsome attack of desperation. ?Dad!??

Her teal eyes grew misty as she sprinted over to the prince, collapsing onto her knees in mid-dash, causing her to slide across the dusty, broken tiles until she stopped just short of Vegeta. She placed a hand on the warrior?s chest, hoping against logic for a heartbeat, but received no such consolation.

?Dad...? her breaths became irregular; she gasped for air and fought back her emotion as the realization set in. ?Dad, you, can?t-!!?

?Bra-? Cell?s voice. The heiress interrupted uncontrollably as she finally gave into the overwhelming grief that crashed down upon her. Still in her ascended state, the girl was completely helpless - yet again - given the opportunity to lament Vegeta?s death, but never to actually prevent it. Waves of crippling vexation consumed her thoughts, betraying her hard-fought ?tough? attitude. She was just a little girl, crying because her daddy left her, and she couldn?t figure out why.

?Dad... h-how... how come?? Bra stammered, wrapping her arms around her father?s bloody torso. ?You couldn?t die! You couldn?t!! What... what the fuck am I supposed to do now, dad!??

She hugged him tighter. Vegeta was already growing cold. The sensation bit into Bra?s flesh like a dagger. The hybrid?s fervent wailing actually caused her pain as she trembled violently under each labored sob.

?This is all Gabriel?s fault, isn?t it!? If that fucking coward woulda fought his own fight, you wouldn?t be dead! Dad, you wouldn?t be dead!! That piece of shit-!! He killed you!!? the twisted idea raced wildly about in the powerful child?s head, becoming more and more believable to the weeping halfling. She heard footsteps from behind, but chose to ignore them. She would not let her father go; he?d given his life for her. Why did people do that!? Why couldn?t it ever be her who was the hero, instead of the one who had to lose somebody!?

?Bra...? a hand fell upon her shoulder, eliciting a sharp twitch from the bereaved 12-year-old. ?There?s nothing-? the android never had a chance to finish. A primal shriek escaped the golden haired youth, who whirled about and struck Cell as hard as she could across the jaw, catapulting him straight through the wall and into the parking lot outside. Plaster and wiring was thrown haphazardly in all directions.

?Don?t you fucking tell me your opinions, Cell!!? Bra raved through her tears, storming out through the hole the bio-android had created in his impact. ?This... this fucking hellhole! I?ve had enough with it!! I?m gonna flush all of these fuckers out! Nobody else is gonna die because of this stupid fucking pissing contest! I?m tired Cell! Tired of everything!?

With a radiant explosion of ki, the enraged demi saiyan rocketed upward, until the hospital could hardly be seen. Her face screwed into one of hate, and she leveled her palm at the building below.

?I?m gonna kill every single fucker in there,? she spoke with a dark quiet as energy was drawn into her hand. Several moments passed, and Bra began to growl, her savage voice growing louder as the ki intensified. Soon, an incredibly powerful ball of condensed destruction was rotating just millimeters from the deranged hybrid?s skin. Flashes of electricity danced off the attack as it began to destabilize under the swell of energy. ?Big Bang Attack!!?

Even someone as stalwart as Cell couldn?t help but gasp in surprise. A gargantuan source of power was now streaking directly for him, threatening to annihilate him along with the building. Gero?s creation leapt into the air away from the encroaching attack, propelling himself as fast as he could, leaving behind a brilliant wake of energy.

The big bang attack punched straight through the side of the hospital, hurling glass and concrete into the air. The entire region began to rumble furiously, and in moments, the windows of the complex lit up before shattering under the pressure. Finally, the building was consumed by a vast, blue dome of effulgent ki. Winds surged about the destructive orb, which emitted a blinding flash before ultimately detonating, unleashing a shockwave robust enough to send the two warriors careening out of control in opposite directions.

The golden haired princess didn?t even glance at the result of her attack. No, this rock still begged for her retribution. Her LENS unit activated, though it was extremely difficult to see through her tears long enough to read the text. A group of powers were at the watchtower.

?That?s where everything is, huh!? We do all the fucking dirty work and they just lay back and wait for us to die!?? the child?s eyes grew wild, alive with an agonizing mixture of fury and hurt. ?I?m gonna kill you, Gabriel. I?m gonna put everyone on this fucking rock in a box.?

With newly-lit fervor, Bra launched herself further skyward, her golden trail stretching behind her. Cell was of no consequence; he would follow if he wanted. The wind tore at her cuts and bruises, assaulting the tender skin on her face. Bra didn?t care. The tempest that raged inside her was far more urgent than anything the outside world could throw at her. What hurt most was the shock. He was taken away from her so fast, she hadn?t even the chance to give him a sideways glance before his death. It wasn?t supposed to be like that! They were supposed to fight! Together! To avenge her brother and derail this stupid campaign once and for all, and now she was alone. Burter was gone, Uub was gone, dad was gone. Everyone.

Everyone.

Bra couldn?t bring herself to press on. Instead, she crashed painfully into the earth below, succumbing once again to her loss as she began to wail her torment. It always ended this way! It wasn?t fair! It wasn?t fair!

A fierce growl escaped her as she resumed her trek, shredding through the air as fast as her continually battered constitution would allow. The tower appeared in the distance, a light black rectangle against a darker black backdrop. The princess wiped her eyes, trying to maintain her focus, but her efforts continually failed her and her vision fogged every time.

As Bra grew near, she could spot someone on the rooftop. He would tell her where Gabriel was. Or die. Bra didn?t care. At top speed, the girl smashed into the tower, sending a shockwave throughout the mighty building. She looked up as her countenance degenerated into a look of raw, lunatic hate.

?Where?s Gabriel!?? the princess roared, raising her fists and flaring her aura about her fiercely. The man shifted his weight into a stance of preparedness himself. Bra recognized him from somewhere, but it didn?t matter.

?Why?? came the even, emotionless response. The hybrid clenched her teeth and narrowed her emerald eyes, absolutely seething at the arrogant pile of filth before her.

?I?m going to kill him,? she stated venomously. ?And if you don?t give me some fucking information, I?m gonna kill you, too.?

?I don?t think s-?

The golden haired youth screamed forward, knowing what Reijin was going to say. Her fist hurdled forth with incalculable velocity, but somehow the dark haired saiyan managed to evade it, slapping her arm away just far enough to escape impact. His efforts were futile, however, as Bra retaliated with a vicious right hook, sending her new opponent straight into the floor. Without a moment?s hesitation, the young warrior capitalized; using her momentum to flip forward and savagely plant her heel into the fallen saiyan pure-blood?s throat.

?You fucking retard!? she screamed, pressing her foot harder and harder into Reijin. ?Where is he!??

OOC: Er... decided to post here 'cause that's where I am now. =\

[Reijin]

As if summoned by the loner?s keen anticipation, a noise suddenly attracted his attention from the nearby mountains. Reijin turned and slowly walked down the tower a bit, hoping to catch a better glimpse of the new visitor when he began to notice the entourage of seraphim marching dramatically out of the front door to congregate beneath the moon. His jaw tightened a bit as his eyes locked upon the gladiatorial goliath that called himself Gabriel, general of the heavenly armies before him. Gabriel strolled to the front of the group speaking softly to them in a language that Reijin had never heard before. He touched his earring softly, activating his LENS unit to attempt to relay this new tongue, but he found that there was no data regarding it within. Not surprising.

Hearing the door shut angrily, Bardock stormed out of the building behind the general, as if some form of angry decision had taken place. A slight smile crossed the youthful jaw of the observant warrior, taking in what could possibly bring him about his next fate. The strange rustle of leaves within the forest once more caught his attention, and with impeccable timing a figure emerged from the canopy.

Every angel?s head flung itself to the new occupant, locking their cold raging eyes upon the form of Kao, son of Brim. He found himself tasting the creature?s name within his mouth as the rush of adrenaline began to overtake him. Reijin felt the fire begin to flow through his veins as his gloved hands once more clasped the railing, digging in tightly enough to leave a small imprint within the otherwise flawless design. Kao was going to die before he left here this time.

As if by furthered cowardice, the angels once more stepped away from their adversary. Reijin glowered at them from his perch, struggling with the urge to trigger their deaths within the fight as well. ?Cowards?? he muttered under his breath. ?Should I have bothered to waste my time? They fucking spread out and invite him in for a cup of tea.? Possibly hearing him, Kao glanced up from the sidestepping Gabriel to give the Saiyan a firm nod, until the battle hardened rough neck from below attracted his attention. His eyes shifted back down to Bardock as the Saiyan suddenly taunted him.

?I see that you are back for round two,? he spoke casually, not even bothering to smile outwardly. He slowly held up his fist, clasping it tightly as the sound of popping joints echoed throughout the overgrowth. He followed by popping his neck in place and then finally yawning. ?I have begun to grow very tired of these angels, and I?ve been aching for a good fight.? His eyes seemed to reach out invitingly to the creature before him, imploring him to attempt to strike him down.

The green adolescent smiled a wide and sharp grin. ?I saw to it that a few more of you were dead. Now that I have finished with them, I will be killing you.? His expression rapidly shifted from his apathetic glare to an emotional tirade. ?I?m going to kill you for destroying everything! For every rating lost, I will crush one bone in your body before you die!? His eyes moved up to lock on the younger Saiyan?s form above the group. ?Don?t go anywhere. You are-? Next?

He never had the chance to release the oxygen required to form these words before the he found himself flanked by the fighter that he had ignored. As Bardock?s colossal fist slammed penetratingly into the underbelly of Kao, Reijin chuckled. ?Never close your eyes to your enemy, fool.? Before Bardock could throw another punch, however, Kao suddenly sidestepped him, clasping a quick claw around his arm and pushing him off balance, using his momentum to move to the other side of the newly formed ring of angels.

Bardock simply turned and gave a smile to the spawn of Brim. "No more hiding, huh? You're really going to do this?" He gingerly clasped his fists once more in anticipation. The teal being was still gasping raggedly for breath as he struggled to form the words.

"It's not you I want," he gasped. "But you and your friends have ruined everything I worked for...so I will end you first." He spat at the ground before Bardock and gave him a suicidal glare, as if nothing would calm the frenzied heir of Brim?s studio. Reijin could not see any form of expression upon Bardock?s features, but he knew well the Saiyan enthusiasm that ran throughout their bodies before a fight.

His LENS suddenly whirred to life as its scanners picked up something that his own senses had already noticed, although he had been too caught up in the moment to pay direct attention to it. He turned as a small circle suddenly locked around a glowing yellow comet hurtling towards the tower. His retinas had enough time to expand before he flung himself back into a rolling dive across the surface of the watchtower roof. He heard a massive impact from where he had been standing and an enraged scream met him as he rose to his feet.

The aquamarine colored hair of Vejita?s daughter had acquired the golden furious tone of a Saiyan Ascended, while her teal eyes matched the color of her natural hair. A mere child of twelve, his LENS told him, and yet a Super Saiyan of extraordinary power. He was nearly impressed. Only a child of Vejita could achieve such a goal, he was sure of it. Without even noticing him before her, she raged openly at the entire watchtower, having not even seen the mass below. ?Where?s Gabriel!?? she screamed, openly casting them all into her own private Hell.

Already moving his figure slightly into a better prepared stance, he gave her his full attention as he spoke cautiously. ?Why?? he asked simply. Two could pass along the inquisition, and he had questions of his own, such as the fate of Vejita. She noticeably ground her teeth together as she gave him a spiteful glare.

?I?m going to kill him,? she spat. ?And if you don?t give me some fucking information, I?m gonna kill you, too.?

She was obviously in no state to be reasoned with. The male Saiyan?s words did nothing to change her feelings, but he did not take kindly to threats upon his life from anyone, even a mere child of the Prince. ?I don?t think so-? She was upon him in an instant, her golden aura seeming to move a fair bit ahead of her actual fist. Reijin?s eyes caught focus of her previously blurred form quickly, as he mimicked the movement that Kao had done to Bardock, quickly batting her arm away from its target and allowing her own momentum to throw her from harm?s reach. He turned around to give her a verbal assault when she suddenly flared out her energy in the opposite direction, ceasing her tumble instantly and thrusting her backwards with a direct defiance of the rules of inertia. Reijin?s eyes had enough time to widen before the seismic waves rippled across his visage from her amassed velocity.

His view was rocketed with imagery of the child?s fist colliding with his face, clearing up only to find himself locked beneath the hard boot of the Saiyan Princess. He struggled to speak, but the words would not escape the blocked passage of his throat. Seemingly oblivious to his attempts at pushing her leg from his airway, she gave him a tongue lashing that could directly follow such pain. ?You fucking retard!? she screamed angrily. She placed all of her weight upon her offensive leg, causing the Saiyan to begin to lose focus with the world around him. ?Where is he!??

There was a moment where his mind reeled in conflict, unable to decide exactly what to do. Exactly how he should take care of this situation. She glared into his eyes directly, opening her mouth to speak another word when she suddenly found herself flung backwards as the full Saiyan?s eyes seemed to flash for a moment. As if hitting an invisible wall suddenly, she reversed directions, flying back over him while spinning in the air. Her words caught within her throat and she suddenly clamped her hands over her mouth, overcome with her morning breakfast. He didn?t so much as allow her the moment to right herself as she suddenly backflipped before seeming to strike another wall, bouncing off harmlessly into the air and finally landing on her back nearby.

Reijin, his breath finally returned with the permission of his Gravity Well technique, rolled over to his side, pushing himself feebly to his feet. He looked at the girl as she rolled over, spilling her insides across the surface angrily, yet she maintained her Super Saiyan form. Reijin heard noises from below him that he assumed were from the fight between Kao and Bardock, but he paid them no heed as he extended an arm to the girl?s sickened body, telekinetically flinging it into the railing and hanging her limply over the edge. He walked over to her as she screamed, unable to overcome the motion sickness that plagued her structure. Her screams were filled with even more rage, and yet her voice was nothing more than faint gasps at air, attempting to draw oxygen into her lungs as she dry heaved.

?I would not suggest striking me again, bitch,? he lashed out at her. ?You may be the daughter of Vejita, but believe me when I say that having Vejita as your father will not stop me from purging you from this life. Ask your brother.? She seemed as if she were too busy struggling with her situation to hear his words, so he pulled her back to the precipice mentally, and allowed her to drop weakly to the floor once more. He walked over to her, and suddenly slammed his boot down into her back, flooring her instantly as a gasp of pain reeled throughout her immature body.

Managing words, she cursed him from underneath his foot. ?I?ll kill you, you pathetic fucking piece of sh-? His foot pressed her harder into the ground and her words were interrupted. Reijin?s eyes narrowed as he dropped down on her back, pulling back her arm with enough force that a large crack was heard. Her eyes widened and she screamed loudly with anguish as the pain reverberated throughout every inch over her being. Her scream, however, betrayed that this pain could not even begin to compare to the injury upon her heart that had sent her into her state of insanity.

Cold and without any semblance of mercy, the killer released her arm as she began to cry in frustration. Her hair began to give up its attempt to defy gravity as it began to rapidly shift back to its original tint, slowly falling around her as her aura gave way. Her tears struck the surface of the rooftop, and Reijin?s eyes twitched. What exactly had she gone through that had sent her into such a state of mindless anger? ?Dad?? she sobbed, unable to contain herself. She seemed completely numb to the pain of her broken arm as if another deeper pain had overtaken it in this moment of ineptitude.

Finally allowing a sigh to part his lips, he released her, kneeling to the ground before his ally?s creation. ?What happened to you?? he finally spoke, allowing no emotion into his voice other than a slight touch of unexpected concern. She opened her mouth repeatedly, but no words would form and he finally placed two fingers to her arm, inspecting the wound. He grimaced slightly as he nodded, finding exactly what he had expected. He had given her a miniscule fracture, only of the slightest kind, but the pain that accompanied it was mind numbing.

He clasped his hand softly around her arm, slowly removing a glove from his hand as a soft cool glow began to appear around his palm. Touching his milky killing hand to her arm, imagery began to flash through his mind of her cellular structure, and beyond that untouched form, her flowing vascular trails. He allowed himself to bypass completely the slightly bruised and damaged bloodlines until he felt himself reach the hard white enamel of her bone. He heard nothing from the outside world as his own energy moved into her, seeping deeply into the tiny river delta that had formed inside of her body. Her body relented with only the smallest amount of resistance before he found himself completely aligned with her energy flow, able to completely move around within the inner workings of her frail form.

Moments later, his eyes opened, adjusting to the overhead moon as he released her arm, having returned it to its former strength with no wounding at all. He held his own hand before him as he slipped the glove over the ghostly glow of his palm. It seemed that this day he could play the part of both the destroyer and the healer. ?I?m sorry Dad?? He heard another faint cry beneath him, and he kneeled once more beside her, his fingers gently moving to her back comfortingly.

?What happened to Vejita? Your father?? he whispered, hoping that his assumption was not correct. She seemed to tense up slightly in recognition of his words, and she growled angrily. His voice hardened as he warned her ?Try it and I?ll break your arm again. Maybe even your neck.? She collapsed into a fit of tears once more and he exhaled. Her spirit had already been broken by the damned asteroid.

He lifted the girl up into his arms and began to walk down to the stairway, hearing an eerie quiet beneath him. He could see noone as he slowly descended, and he found it a bit strange. Where had Akira and Katel disappeared to? Had they gone out to assist in the battle with Kao? Or were they cowardly hiding behind the angel? He glowered as he laid the heiress into a bed that seemed to have endured a rough time days before. His eyes scanned the mattress, seeing nothing from the activity that Raditzu had performed, and shook his head irritably.

As she found herself lying on the soft comforter, her lips fluttered to life. ?He killed Dad.? Snapping to attention, Reijin?s eyes met the closed lids of the girl. As if knowing his question, she whispered again weakly. ?Gabriel killed him.? Her eyes slowly spread, blue irises having paled as they met her adversary?s own.

Shocked, Reijin shook his head slowly. ?What are you talking about? Gabriel has been below with his angels the entire time. I would know, because that piece of shit had me training his army for him since he wouldn?t go out there himself.? He forced himself to calm as her words echoed his own thoughts.

She slowly nodded as she spoke, as if she had not completely come to yet. ?Gabriel killed him through his inaction. My dad is dead,? she sobbed, anger reentering her voice. Her features studied him without betraying her thoughts, other than the painfully obvious wishes of death to everyone near. Yet now, those thoughts seemed to have been replaced by the grievance of her father.

The male fighter looked to the door, feeling an explosion that seemed to shake the door on its hinges. He only slightly reacted to the explosion, trusting well in the sturdiness of the watchtower. Bardock was going to have to deal with Kao until he could help Bra. He had found the ability to heal the physical wounds and injuries of those in battle, but only now would he be able to help repair the broken heart of a little girl.

A smile crept across his face understandingly. ?Your father is not truly dead,? he whispered to her. She seemed to focus on him a bit more, as if trying to understand his words. He continued on. ?Kao forgot to deactivate his collar to actually kill him. You remember what Brim had said before? Anyone who died while here would find themselves awakening where they were taken from, completely alive. I don?t know how that technology works, but something tells me that he wasn?t lying.? He scoffed indignantly. ?He had no reason to lie.?

She watched him move without another word, and he wasn?t quite sure of what he should say to her. He allowed the words to answer for themselves. ?Vejita is a strong warrior, and I?m sure he?s on Earth right now at our alliance HeadQuarters. Your father?s alliance is very strong, and I have the pleasure of fighting daily at his side. He would love to fight with you if you would let him, but I?m sure that you already have friends elsewhere. All kids do.? What the hell was he talking about? He had never endured the burden of a childhood. He winced a bit as he attempted to bond with her on a level that he really could not understand, and he faintly thanked Vejita and Videl for attempting to teach him how to relate to others a bit more than simply destroying them. If this did not work though, he would have to destroy her. His lips twisted up sadly in an ironic smile. He hoped she would get better. She?d need his help in her vengeance against Kao.

[Bra]

The violent, sharp snap of bone released an incredible rush of suffering which rent it?s way through Bra?s entire nervous system. Though she cried out, this new pain was almost... alleviating. The girl?s continuously tortured and taunted mind was forced to turn it?s focus from her father to this new, very real threat. She felt her arm fall limply across her back, already numb and tingling from the intense pressure placed upon it. The princess felt her ki slipping away from her, leaving her weak and defenseless against her new foe, who failed to capitalize upon her impairment. ?Dad,? Bra barely managed to choke out, her tears forming trails along her cheeks before making the short leap from her flesh to the stone she laid upon.

?What happened to you?? Reijin demanded, his voice cold and even, save for the merest hint of concern. Bra did her best to make a reply, but each time her mind relayed the words to her mouth, a fit of sobbing would rob her of the opportunity to speak. The ebony haired saiyan placed his index and middle fingers upon the heiress? arm, pressing into the fracture and eliciting a shrill gasp from the defeated girl.

Something happened; he wrapped a hand around her broken appendage, and soon the dull, constant pain vanished without a trace, and feeling was restored to her fingertips, as though her arm had never actually been damaged. Had Reijin tricked her? It didn?t matter, he was still gone. Dead.

?I?m sorry dad...? the cyan haired youth hoarsely apologized, biting down on her knuckle in order to muffle her weeping. A soft, careful pressure formed on her back. This saiyan, who had just dispatched her as though she were nothing, was looking after her, despite nearly having had his windpipe crushed under the girl?s heel.

?What happened to Vegeta?? Reijin spoke softly. ?Your father?? he pressed. The words nearly sparked another cataclysm of emotion, causing Bra?s body to sharply stiffen, despite the immense fatigue she was still feeling from her opponent?s rapid flogging. A chilling growl escaped the child?s lips, but this time it was the pure-blood who gave the threat. ?Try it and I?ll break your arm again. Maybe even your neck.? the princess? eyes narrowed into venomous, piercing slits, but she couldn?t find the words to argue. Reijin could have killed her long ago; he wasn?t her enemy. But, then, who wasn?t anymore? Bra broke down once more, this time collapsing completely, and fading out of consciousness.

The sensation of falling awoke the hybrid, and she found herself atop a bed, which was far more inviting than the chilled slate she had been thrown against by the warrior who now gazed into her eyes, expecting an explanation.

?He killed dad.? she finally offered, her resolve thoroughly and repeatedly crushed. Her eyes fell closed, heavy under the burden she was inexplicably revealing to this stranger. ?Gabriel killed him.? her eyes snapped open, filled with sorrow, and with fear.

?What are you talking about? Gabriel has been below with his angels the entire time. I would know, because that piece of shit had me training his army for him since he wouldn?t go out there himself.? Reijin?s own voice grew steely as he formed his commentary on the archangel.

Bra lethargically nodded. ?Gabriel killed him ?cause he didn?t do anything. My dad is dead.? the words were flat and rough, overtaken by sadness as her sparkling blue eyes snapped shut once again.

?Your father is not truly dead,? the whisper came. The demi saiyan opened her eyes, tracing over the raven haired man?s features, stricken with confusion and longing for an answer to her questions. ?Kao forgot to deactivate his collar to actually kill him. You remember what Brim said before? Anyone who died while here would find themselves awakening where they were taken from, completely alive. I don?t know how that technology works, but something tells me he wasn?t lying. He had no reason to.? he spat the last sentence out, disgusted with the executive.

The cyan haired princess? thoughts reached into her memory, back into the last tournament. What this ?Reijin? was saying did make sense, even to the grieving young child. She had experienced the abilities of those collars first-hand, after succumbing to a painful demise at the hands of Brim. She suffered a humiliating defeat and had been obliterated without a second thought, but she hadn?t died. But still, Brim was one of the most vile, horrid people the girl had ever met. He could have truly murdered her father in some twisted scheme to push her to whatever sick outcome he wished. ?Vegeta is a strong warrior,? the fighter began. ?And I?m sure he?s on Earth right now at our alliance headquarters. Your father?s alliance is very strong, and I have the pleasure of fighting daily at his side.?

Dad did spend a lot of time with this guy... Are they... are they really friends?

?He would love to fight with you if you would let him, but I?m sure you already have friends elsewhere. All kids do.? he finished, wrapping his arms across his chest uncomfortably. Bra offered him the weakest of smiles, trying to put him at ease, and also trying to somehow convey to him that his efforts did help.

An awful sinking feeling pressed forcefully upon her mind, and upon her heart, but even so, Reijin had managed to ease her paroxysm of suffering, ever so slightly. The half-blood heaved a sigh, her eyes falling into her unlikely companion?s own.

?I...? she began. A lump formed in her throat, and her body had chosen to shut down, pinning her upon the warm comforter she laid upon. ?I, ...Reijin??

?Yes?? he replied, his voice neither curt nor compassionate. Bra studied him for a moment, overwhelmed simply by how awkward this conversation had become. She took in a deep breath, and tried once again.

?I...? another pause. ?Thank you. I... I really apprecia-? the prince?s daughter burst into tears, rolling over and burying her face into the pillow in some vain attempt to hide from Reijin?s gaze. Her arms tightly wrapped around the fluffy pillow as she soaked it with her bitter remorse, pressing further into the fabric.

?Kao?s outside. Brim?s son.? Reijin stated, grasping at whatever he could to get the girl?s mind off the loss of her father. As he had hoped, the painful sobbing became infrequent, and slowly, Bra turned over, her tear-streaked visage met his. ?Bardock?s going to fight him.?

He spoke with such certainty, that the princess couldn?t help but take heed in his words. ?What?s he doing here?? she inquired, still sniffling as she dried her eyes with her hands.

?I?m not sure. But he and Brim were responsible for bringing us all here. If it wasn?t for him...? the young saiyan paused, unwilling to risk upsetting the child once again. ?Well, he and his father have blood on their hands. As long as he?s here, you have the chance to avenge Vegeta.?

?What?s the point!?? Bra snapped upright, her voice suddenly overtaken by a rage so vehement that even Reijin was forced to take a step back in surprise. ?He?s still dead. I... I just don?t fucking care anymore. I can?t-?

?You can?t??? the dark haired warrior suddenly went on the offensive, this time startling the girl who hadn?t moved from the bed. ?Is that what your father would say if it happened the other way around? If you died, and he was still here, do you think he would just be lying around and moping about you!? No! He would hunt down anyone and everyone responsible and take off their heads, and he?d do it for you.?

?Maybe, but-?

?There isn?t a ?maybe?. Your death wouldn?t go unpunished. I know your father, and I know how he operates. It?s obvious that he... cares for you. He would be very, very upset if someone was to kill you.? Reijin?s tone once again grew calm near the end of his words, but his speech had made an impression. Bra sat, mouth partially agape, with quizzical eyes.

?Really??

?I don?t lie.? he snorted. The princess watched him, her eyes still misted over with unshed tears. It wouldn?t be so easy, so cut-and-dried, to simply go off and fight with Kao, not even if half the things Reijin said were true. Bra truly wanted vengeance, but she couldn?t fight. Not now, it hurt too much. Her body was numb and she was seeing through a fog. The youth?s head was light and her companion seemed distant, and she hadn?t even detected the energy on the other side of the bedroom door, which caused her to jump with a start when it swung open unexpectedly.

Cell strode into the room, wearing a contemptuous frown as his eyes pierced into the semi-prone Bra. ?Well?? his voice dripped with annoyance. ?Is your little tantrum over with? You know your father isn?t really dead, right??

?We just went over that.? the cyan haired halfling coldly shot back. Cell wouldn?t be somebody she broke down in front of. Not again. The black speckled android shifted his focus from the girl to Reijin, ignoring Bra?s arrogant tone.

?So what?s the news from the watchtower?? he questioned. ?The girl here, her father, and I just emerged from the outer steppes of Hell and these ?all-powerful? angels are here still sitting on their haunches? Don?t they want to put all of this to an end??

?Outside.? Reijin brushed past Cell, heading for the door. His hand fell upon the knob as he looked back to Bra over his shoulder. ?I?ll come back for you. Remember... your father would fight for you.?

The door opened with a creak, and he led the genetic amalgamation outside of the room before softly clicking it shut, leaving the bereaved and confused hybrid to her thoughts, and perhaps to a bit of rest.

Remember... your father would fight for you.

She turned the words over in her head as a solitary tear slid from her azure eyes, it?s crystalline purity forming a line in her soft skin. Vegeta would fight for her, and he had. It was impossible to even question. Moreover, he had died for her. Not for pride or duty, but for her. It wasn?t deliberate, but he didn?t have to follow her if he hadn?t wished to, and he certainly didn?t need to defend her against Maleficus had he decided not to. No, Vegeta chose to do all those things, and to ultimately sacrifice himself, because of her. Some would call the prince a poor father, but in that instant, that moment of clarity, Bra saw past all of that. No poor father would have given up so much for his child. Not ever.

The cyan haired girl fell back into the pillow, hiding her irises behind her eyelids as she began to cry once more. She had lost a father, but in the same instance, she finally had a father to lose. A shaky hand reached down to pull the covers up and over herself, and, wrapping herself in the blanket, she turned over onto her side, allowing the world to fade away, at least until Reijin came to wake her up.

I don?t know why you did what you did... but... dad, I know I never say it, and I know you probably don?t want to hear it... but... Daddy, I love you. I?m gonna avenge you like Reijin said, I promise. I know I probably only have a few minutes, but I will find Satan, and I?m gonna rip his throat out when I do. Everything I do on this stupid fucking rock... from now on, dad... it?s all dedicated to you. I won?t forget what you did, and I won?t let them get away with it. Starting with Kao, if he?s not already dead when I get him. He better be. For his sake.

Though Bra?s mind had undergone some desperately needed sorting, she still had a painful wound to nurse, and couldn?t find herself able to yet get up. Reijin had promised to get her when he was ready, that was good enough. The princess decided it was best that way; keep herself at as little risk as possible, so she could extract as much revenge as possible.

She murmured a small prayer for her father as she set sail into her dreams, knowing she would be awoken against her will in minutes.

[Android 17]

The watchtower was visible on the horizon?it may have just been a tall black shape, but for the weak, burned, and battered machine-hybrid it represented safety and hope. Plus, now he could inform the others about the army. Yet, before the cybernetic warrior could take to the sky, a sound very familiar to bubbling water caught his ear.

In the moment before he planned to fly away, the abrupt, noisy bubbling noises struck a nervous chord, causing the android to stagger and almost fall on his face. Scolding his anxiety, Seventeen slowly turned around to face the source of the sounds. As he looked forward, however, he saw nothing but the never-ending stretches of nothingness that comprised the wastelands of Kala. As if angered at the stupidity of the cybernetic warrior, the source of the sounds intensified, giving away its exact location. Android Seventeen?s gaze dropped to the ground a few feet in front of his feet. A diminutive puddle, composed of some type of black water, was churning and boiling on the lifeless earth. The machine-hybrid stooped down, cocking his head as he studied the viscous liquid.

Large bubbles escaped the surface of the pool, swelling up to the size of a baseball before exploding wetly. Suddenly, the puddle started to expand exponentially right before the android?s eyes. Startled, Android Seventeen started to back away as the syrupy fluid started to bulge upwards. From the center of the pool rose what seemed to be a human head composed of whatever solution that the puddle was. The cybernetic warrior continued to back away as some type of human form continued to emerge from the black liquid. Ebony arms, with the odd fluid still perpetually cascading around them, emerged from the pool and dropped onto the dirt with a wet smack. Now with limbs, the aqueous creature pulled the rest of its body away from its own primordial origins. The being?s feet tugged away the last remains of the diminished pool, leaving behind nothing but dirt and dust. As it stood, Seventeen noticed how its pseudo-flesh continued to pour and churn over itself like water.

Seventeen continued to stare as the nebulous construct started to shrink and take on some more human characteristics. Clothes, comprised of the same solution as the figure, covered its formerly ill-defined chest. Although the jeans, boots, and combination of tee-shirt and long-sleeved shirt was the wrong color and fighting to remain at least partially solid, the android could tell whose outfit they were intending to emulate. The creature?s cranium mutated so that it could complement the attire it wore. Android Seventeen gritted his teeth, taken aback by the new appearance of the aqueous being. When it opened its black eyes, smiled, and brushed a watery bang away from its eyes, the cybernetic warrior prepared for whatever was going to happen next. It wasn?t as if he never had to combat a doppelganger before; however, this was the first time one of his clones was composed of some bizarre, mutating liquid.

The strange creature darted forward and buried a watery fist into the android?s gut with speed that no one could have predicted. Seventeen cried out in pain?he didn?t expect the nebulous makeup of his attacker to feel so solid. Unable to deal with the sudden turn of events, the cybernetic warrior lashed out before the aqueous monstrosity could execute another attack; however, just as the android?s fist was about to impact the construct?s sternum, an opening in its thoracic cavity appeared! The high-powered strike of machine-hybrid passed completely through the new hole in his target?s chest. Before he could utter a declaration of his shock, Android Seventeen?s opponent attacked with overwhelming brute force. It was the creature?s knee that struck first, driving the air from Seventeen?s damaged lungs, yet the first attack dulled in comparison to the multitude of punches that bloodied the android?s already charred, battered face. When the onslaught of the aqueous doppelganger came to an end, the android collapsed to the ground, fighting to maintain his consciousness.

As he lay on the cold earth, fighting both his fading physical and mental condition, the wrecked machine-hybrid endeavored to formulate an effective offensive. With his strangely composed assailant quickly approaching, Android Seventeen kicked off the ground, taking to the sky before the liquid construct could capitalize on his decreased fighting capacity. The cybernetic warrior darted through the sky with his eyes set on the small tower in the distance. If he could just make it to the watchtower, he would be able to get some assistance from the divine forces stationed there. Seventeen had only traveled around a quarter mile when he noticed his liquid-based twin was quickly gaining on him. The aqueous creation was flowing across the wastelands like a colossal flood. Although its torso still resembled the android, the monstrosity?s lower body was rolling and gushing forward with astonishing velocity.

Before he knew it, Android Seventeen felt part of the creature dart upwards and close around his ankles. The liquid flesh of the doppelganger was cold and clammy, yet for as shapeless as it appeared, it contained enough strength to yank the fleeing machine-hybrid back to the ground. Upon impact with the ground, the android vomited up a mixture of blood and saliva as he reviled in the immense pain. After regaining his bearing, Seventeen looked up to see the angelic outpost was still over a mile away. He knew that the wrath of the construct could not be allowed to engulf him before he could warn everyone stationed at the watchtower. Cold enveloped Android Seventeen as an extension of the fluid creature wrapped itself around his waist. With unnatural power, the liquid doppelganger lifted his solid prey off the ground with relative ease.

Realizing that his tenure on the mortal coil was going to be cut drastically short if he failed to react, the android started firing blast after blast of energy at his oppressor. The liquid structure of the monstrosity began to break apart under the constant barrage of ki; however, Android Seventeen was starting to run out of strength. Within seconds, the machine-hybrid, completely drained, let his hands fall to his sides. He was waiting for the monstrosity to end his life, but instead, the pressure crushing his sides loosened and then released him. When he landed on his black-and-blue knees, Seventeen immediately glanced up at his opponent. He watched the torn, disfigured body of the fluid construct sink into a steaming, obsidian pool. The cybernetic warrior started to cough hoarsely?one of the side-effects of his nearly fatal encounter with the demon general Azrael. Still, he managed to recollect himself and was just about to start towards the watchtower when he heard the heavy boots approaching.

?Are you alright!? the voice was that of a member of the celestial army stationed on Kala. Seventeen take a quick look over his shoulder and saw one of the seraphs jogging towards him. Even though the outpost was still roughly a mile, the cybernetic warrior must have luckily garnered the attention of a sentry. The angel arrived just in time to catch the android as he started to teeter, ?what has happened to you, friend?? the divine soldier asked to his weary acquaintance.

?I got into a scrap with a demon general by the name of Azrael,? Seventeen rasped weakly as he closed his eyes to the world, wondering if the seraph could even understand him under all the problems he had communicating nowadays, ?and then this thing attacked me,? the machine-hybrid added, pointing a charred digit accusingly in the direction of the pool of simmering liquid.

?What attacked you?? the angel asked inquisitively, but all the android did was groan an unintelligible reply, ?do not fret my injured friend, you have fought valiantly and I will see to it that you do depart from this world today.? Android Seventeen felt a familiar feeling of warmth flood over him seconds later. All across his body, he could feel the pain slowly start to leave him, but then the situation suddenly made a turn for the worst. The seraph?s unexpected screams were quickly drowned by the sounds of what seemed to be a roaring river. Seventeen opened his eyes and what he saw mortified him to all ends. What had once emulated him in combat, was now forcing itself down the angel?s gullet. Enough of the android?s strength had been restored for him to quickly crawl away from the wide-eyed divinity.

When the last vestiges of the amorphous creature vanished between the lips of the angel, it took only a few seconds for the host to react to his parasitic invader. The winged warrior screamed wildly and scratched at his throat, trying to prevent the trespasser from entering his system. Seventeen jumped up to standing position, torn between fleeing the scene and staying to see what was going to happen. It seemed the android?s intrigue (or perhaps?his idiocy) won out in the end, because even as the celestial being started to convulse and grunt, the machine-hybrid failed to abandon the scene. The skin of the immortal soured?darkening from its usual snowy white to the color of ash. Android Seventeen watched as the beautiful feathers on the angel?s wings started to fall away. What remained after all the unnatural molting were the seraph?s gray wing bones, still twitching sporadically.

Having finally seen enough, Seventeen turned to run away, but the infested seraph decided to use that same moment to attack. Before he could progress more then three feet, the corrupted divinity leaped from the ground and tackled him. The two rolled across the ground for a few feet before the slightly renewed android managed to kick the angel away from him. The celestial was back on his feet in a matter of seconds, but that short span of time was all the machine-hybrid had needed to regain his own vertical position. Coming together, the force the two warriors exerted upon locking up their hands caused the ground beneath them to buckle. Overpowering the cybernetic warrior, the defiled angel pushed his foe down to his knees, bending back the android?s hands in an effort to shatter his wrist bones. Still unwilling to accept his mortality, Seventeen used his burned, scarred cranium as a weapon?bashing it against the knee of his angelic adversary like a hammer. Bone could be heard smashing underneath the impact, and as a result, the infected seraph quickly released his iron grip.

Free from whatever his opponent was intending to do and ignoring a possible concussion, Android Seventeen leaped from his knees, head butting the divinity in the chin. Letting out a horrendous scream, which sounded oddly reminiscent of a person gurgling water, the angel stumbled backwards a few times before collapsing. Tired and wanting to get someplace safe, Seventeen once again manifested his ki in the form of a saber. Spinning the sapphire weapon for unnecessary flair, the android plunged the deadly weapon into the gut of the polluted divinity. The angel twitched a few times, and then the black fluid that had contaminated him started to gush out of the wound.

The cybernetic warrior took a few steps back, his arms immediately stretching out to the side, and an influx of golden energy assimilating in his palms. In front of him, the nebulous creature was starting to reform itself outside its former host, and Android Seventeen doubted that he was capable of lasting another round. The machine-hybrid clapped his palms together, the two meager orbs of ki unifying to create a single, awe-inspiring sphere of energy.

?Final Flash!? Seventeen screamed, unleashing the wrath of the shimmering beam upon his still-reassembling opponent. The aqueous construct was consumed in an intense flash of heat and energy. The android could barely make out the crumbling form of his opponent amid the yellow light, but when the light finally dimmed, victory was quite apparent. All that remained of the strange, parasitic water monstrosity was a few piles of ash?each giving off small towers of smoke. Android Seventeen stared at the remnants of his dead attacker for a few more moments before reality set in. With a forward glance, the machine-hybrid exploded off the ground, leaving behind a tiny crater as he blazed through the sky towards his final destination.

As both the horizon and watchtower drew closer, Seventeen noticed that the angels were still standing around outside as they had been for the last day or so. With no knowledge of Satan?s encroaching army, they would be sitting ducks. A new question formed in Seventeen?s mind?why the hell had no action been taken? Were this almighty divinities on this asteroid for a picnic? The android paused above the heavenly soldiers for a few seconds to remove his battle visor from his pouch. Sliding the steel and glass machination over his head, the android ignored the congregation beneath him. Gabriel was probably down there with his brethren, staring up aimlessly at him, but Seventeen knew that if the archangel had done nothing with his men in the past day, he wasn?t going to start anytime soon. The machine-hybrid knew he had to locate the other surviving contestants if he wanted to do anything about the approaching army of hell spawn. With a hearty beep, the visor alerted Seventeen to the presence of two warriors battling around the other side of the watchtower?the saiya-jin Bardock and Brim?s spawn, Kao.

Not wanting to interrupt the bought between the two titans, the cybernetic warrior scanned the interior of the watchtower and found exactly what he wanted. Inside the confines of the tower was another very powerful source of energy. Although he only faintly recognized the name the apparatus gave him from the CIA invasion, Android Seventeen ignored it, his attention moving to the two signatures that had just exited the watchtower. Both were contestants in the game as well, and the android hoped that they wouldn?t be as indolent as Gabriel. Seventeen quickly located the pair of warriors?both were complete strangers to him, but the cybernetic warrior had to inform someone of the army of hellish crusaders approaching. Android Seventeen dropped from the sky, landing on his feet a few feet in front of the two powerful sources of energy. The android instinctively pulled back from the two, half-expecting them to blast him into oblivion for literally dropping in on them.

?Listen,? the machine-hybrid rasped, hoping his damaged respiratory track wouldn?t rob him of the ability to speak before he could tell someone what he knew, ?a massive army of demons led by Satan is rapidly nearing our current position. I don?t want to go to Gabriel because his inaction is what created this entire mess, but we need to do something or this battle will be over before it ever began.? Seventeen dropped to his knees, the burns and scars that heavily covered his body were taking their toll on him. Looking back up at the two warriors as he strained to stay conscious, the android awaited some form of response?hoping that these two warriors wouldn?t be as apathetic as the angels had been so recently.

[Bardock]

It was him. It was Kao. Right at his very fingertips. His presence was unmistakable. Bardock was aware of it the instant he became perceptible to both sense and sight. His heart began to beat faster with the anticipation, the floodgates of adrenaline and energy opening up to let their contents pour throughout his eager body. Kao?s eyes flickered with intense hatred as he locked onto the saiyan?s shining coal pupils.

?I see that you are back for round two,? the elder fighter said, completely laid back. As a gesture, he held up his fist, tightening it until the reverberations of cracking echoed out. He followed suit with his neck, and finished by yawning, an unmistakable sign of contempt. ?I have begun to grow very tired of these angels, and I?ve been aching for a good fight.?

?I saw to it that a few more of you were dead. Now that I have finished with them, I will be killing you,? Kao stated matter-of-factly. Then his fa?ade of calmness broke, giving way to the emotions that burned hotly within. ?I?m going to kill you for destroying everything! For every rating lost, I will crush one bone in your body before you die!?

For a single moment, the adolescent took his eyes off of Bardock, adjusting his gaze to Reijin. Don?t go anywhere. You are??

Don?t take your eyes off me! the saiyan?s inner voice screamed. In the blink of an eye, Bardock?s figure flashed. He gripped his fingers into a fist and bared his knuckles, rearing back with amazing force, and flung it forward. He felt his hammer of flesh and bone connect with soft belly, and Bardock drove in hard. A rush of air escaped Kao?s throat, cutting off his vocalization in mid-sentence. Above, Reijin laughed, chiding the son of Brim for his rookie mistake.

?Never close your eyes to your enemy, fool.?

Bardock was already going through the motions for a follow-up combo, but Kao regained his composure and clawed the saiya-jin, sidestepping and executing a maneuver that allowed him to regain lost ground. The bronze bruiser whirled on Kao, keeping the slimy little mutant in his sights.

?No more hiding, huh?? Bardock spoke in a tone of stone, not letting the son of Brim forget his cowardice. ?You?re really going to do this??

?It?s not you I want,? Kao grunted in reply, trying catch his breath. ?But you and your friends have ruined everything I worked for?so I will end you first.?

Bardock?s face was emotionless, although it was a mere act of stoicism. His head was buzzing with the pure thrill of the insanity, but he refused to forget why he was fighting. Initially, it had been for himself, but now it was personal?it was for Kakarotto, and Goten, and Burter Junior, and Raditzu, and all of those who had fallen before him. The world around the fighter faded, and it became just the two of them. He had waited a long time for this moment, and now it was his for the taking. This was why he was here. This was his fight.

The saiyan readied himself for the next bout, Kao also taking his position. They were both ringed around by scores of angels, all staring, mouths agape. They were well to be in awe, for the honor of watching a saiyan fight. Bardock had already claimed the first strike, been the one to throw his gauntlet first. Kao was a tricky fighter, one who relied on speed and surprise in his particular style. Bardock needed to familiarize himself before he attempted anything that would leave him vulnerable. Whirring to life, his battle visor quickly began to pull up data on the Friend or Foe heir. The saiyan was going to be hard-pressed to outmatch his opponent in terms of agility, thus he was going to have rely on his instinct and calculations to pre-empt his foe. A cunning warrior knew to play to his strengths?at least, if he didn?t have time to improve upon his weaknesses.

There were no pretenses. No flashy power-ups. It was simply win big, or go home.

[Reijin]

The door had shut with eerie silence, leaving Bra to rest and hopefully attain peace with herself. Reijin struggled with newly implanted thoughts of concern for the daughter of one of the greatest individuals that he ever met. On a personal level, he didn?t even know the child, and yet from a duty standpoint and a slight bit more, he felt obligated to help her. He continued around the corner into the main room of the watchtower, completely disregarding the creature that had interrupted the two during their talk. Making his way up the stairs, he contemplated on exactly what they could expect to happen soon. Gabriel had done them no favors in this fight, and he had left the Saiyan to question the reasoning behind this struggle.

As he reached the apex of the stairway once more, he heard a loud commotion from over the railing. His legs hastened into a run, and he flung himself over the railing, landing gracefully upon the grass at the ground floor of the watchtower. The angels were murmuring loudly amongst themselves as the creature that had followed Reijin landed shortly behind him, rising immediately. Reijin turned to the fight and found that Bardock was still in a standoff with Kao, looking no worse for the wear it seemed. Reijin slowly shook his head as his eyes deadlocked on Gabriel, the general of these heavenly armies.

He turned those words over in his mouth distastefully, and walked around the circle of angels, disgusted with them. They had Kao here within their grasp, and once more they were doing nothing. He found Seraph standing uneasily in the back, and he approached him. ?Just what the hell are you doing?? he growled.

The goliath looked at him as if he were caught in a struggle internally and then shrugged. ?Gabriel said that none of us should move. It is not our way to interrupt a struggle that is meant as a personal grudge. We can only assure you that Kao will not leave here alive, but to attack him now would be dishonorab-?

The Saiyan?s anger cut through his words cleanly. ?To hell with that!? He came to silence as a couple of the other angels turned to him. ?I trained you to fight for more than just honor! If Kao survives the fight with Bardock, he?s going to then challenge another of us. The only reason I?m not interrupting them is because Bardock is a Saiyan, and I know exactly what he?s going through right now. A Saiyan is capable of handling themselves, but let?s not get stupid.?

He eyes caught the image of another figure landing a short distance away and he just turned, completely ending the conversation before it had begun. He walked up towards the new arrival, hearing him speak to the green insect creature as he did so. The newcomer had no Ki signature, so Reijin assumed that he was an Android. His clothing was sheared in multiple places, having nearly reverted into rags along his youthful body. He spoke hastily, taking multiple unneeded breaths as he did so. ?A massive army of demons led by Satan is rapidly nearing our current position. I don?t want to go to Gabriel because his inaction is what created this entire mess, but we need to do something or this battle will be over before it ever began.?

The words began turning over in Reijin?s head like gears, working like a machine to take in exactly what this could mean. The green creature finally spoke up lividly. ?Gabriel is a sniveling coward!? he spat. ?How he achieved such high position within the angels? ranks is beyond my comprehension. Any of us here outmatch that fool in spirit? if not outright power.? Reijin could have scoffed at these words. He could sense that the angel was holding back a large amount of power, and these fools could not even tell that. The warrior himself had no wish to engage himself with these angels to find out what they were capable of, although from what he?d seen they?d always choose the honorable dueling method over true warfare.

The emerald warrior?s eyes twitched as he fought to control his emotions, and finally he achieved a look of complacence, offering his services to the Android. ?I?ll help you, but what do you ask of me??

A Saiyan would never take anything at face value. Doing so would leave you open to possible death with no chance blame withheld information. ?Guard Bra,? he ordered them. He knew that the moss colored warrior was not asking him what to do, but he demanded him regardless. Someone had to take control of this situation. ?Make sure that this shit doesn?t get to her. I?m going to go survey the situation.? He didn?t allow any of them to argue as his ears had already shut their words out.

Leaping quickly into the air, he saw a few figures below shoot him a look of surprise, which he quickly disregarded. If they cared, they would assist him. His white aura surrounded the dark haired youth, and he felt the massive burst of energy expel from behind him as he ascended into the skyway. Streaking through the wind like a torpedo, he extended out with his senses, hoping to find the individuals that the Android had warned them of. He could feel nothing. Yet there was a slight sense of urgency that began to fill him, as if he wanted to go? That way.

A sonic boom echoed from around him as he simply burst into a sudden speed and began to jet quickly across the horizon. The sky was still dark, and the moon had fallen into cloud. The Saiyan reached down to his belt and activated his Cloaking Device, seeing his form quickly recede into shadow. He did not want to stand out as a beacon from his fiery mantle, especially near demons and undead.

He began to see a flickering in the distance, almost something like torchlight, but as he grew closer his eyes glazed over a bit as he realized that a large fire had spread into the trees of Kala. Reijin still found himself struggling, trying to understand why they were fighting so resolutely to save a barren asteroid, one that had had its occupants exterminated through a terrifying experiment. From the Saiyan?s point of view, the most efficient way to destroy these creatures would be to find a way off of the asteroid, and then to destroy the floating orb of rock from the vacuum of space, leaving no one on the rock to survive.

Even if there were other survivors, Reijin was willing to sacrifice them. To not do so would condemn them all to a fate worse then death. He rushed forward and began to see a large mass of blood stricken devils crossing the landmass, burning everything in their wake as they neared the watchtower and training grounds. ?Fuck me?? he found himself mumbling, realizing that the overly placid angels were going to have to fight these things whether they were ready or not. A dark shadow fell into his mind as he entertained the thought of the angels attempting to flee the scene as cowards. He hoped his training for them would be enough to help them grow as fighters. They were expertly trained in the use of their arms; the just needed to be trained in the use of their minds.

As if to mock him, Reijin felt a slight surge of power begin to course through his body. He looked down quickly and saw his form flickering into sight, and his hands fumbled across his belt to see his Cloaking Device. ?Shit!? he cursed, realizing that from his time on Kala, he had not had the opportunity to charge his equipment. They had been here for an era, and they had been taken without a chance to ready themselves. His image slowly faded into view, and Reijin ceased his flight, attempting to fade his aura as much as possible.

Sardonically, the creatures immediately sensed him, as a large flaming rock immediately ignited the sky near him, exploding and showering him in fiery ash. Profanities escaped his mouth once more as he spun around, flying straight down for the ground. These things must have been able to sense his Ki signature, but he?d give them more credit than that. If he tried to fly as quickly as he could back to the watchtower, he would be exhausted when they arrived. He would have teleported only to find the same result. He struck the canopy in the darkness and felt his fall break, slamming roughly into the ground.

Leaping to his feet professionally, his boots dug into the ground attempting to help him in his escape. He saw a faint liquid amassing in the air before him, and he rushed through it, slamming into it with an explosion that sent the thing in multiple directions, a loud screech emanating around it. He had no clue what the thing was, as he found himself once more near the area that he and Akira had been. Realizing their proximity to the watchtower itself, he came across the fallen bodies of burned corpses from their previous fight.

Almost immediately, something struck him across the back. He hit the ground hard, and rolled immediately to his feet. He came face to face with himself. His eyes lost their typical calm and widened. ?What the hell?? he gasped. The other Reijin smiled a twisted grin as he suddenly reached out a gloved hand, clasping the true Saiyan by the throat. Reijin quickly activated his Gravity Well attack, but the creature seemed completely unaffected by the attack. The assumption that the creature had no true sense of balance was his only thought as the blackness began to already overtake him.

His foot slammed into the creatures gut, and it lost its grasp on his throat. He quickly grabbed at the arm once more, and tried to snap it at the wrist. To his surprise, the arm completely fell away, splashing into the ground as if made of nothing more than water. Reijin struck the ground, bruising the side of his shoulder and he rolled back, climbing to his feet once more. The false Reijin before him was still smiling at him with that same sick look as it extended a nub towards him. Sprinkles of water seemed to rise from the ground and slowly gathered together into another arm for him.

Reijin turned, quickly throwing back a large branch at the creature as he attempted to escape. He wasn?t quite sure to do with this situation, not with all of the other demons so close. If he were to fight the creature without the impending swarm, he was sure that he could destroy the imposter, but here had had to face the fact that he was racing against time itself. The creature shifted in front of him, completely blocking his path and Reijin slammed into him hard, taking him to the ground. The moment before the true Saiyan had struck him, the creature seemed to shift forms, as if overlaying another form on top of him, changing into a form of liquid once more. It shrieked at him with a spectral mouth, and the crystals of water spiraled into a blob in the air as Reijin continued running through it. He was almost there! He felt the blob strike him in the back, and the ground rushed up to meet him.

Rolling over to his back, he struggled to get back to his feet as his hands felt forced to the ground by to massive rocks that seemed to have formed from the creature. He looked up widely as the blob began to force its way into his open mouth, attempting to move down into his body. He screamed as a presence began to assert itself over his own, trying to squelch him from existence.

The image of Bra lying on the bed at the watchtower pervaded his thoughts, and simple words filled his ears. ?Remember? Your father would fight for you.?

He couldn?t give in now. Not to some identity stealing blob of piss. Anger boiled within him and he felt the fire begin to course through his veins. He heard an angry his from within as he fought to make a sound. He was Saiyan, and he had to take care of Bra for Vejita. He wouldn?t go down like this! The fire inside seemed to take an almost true form, and Reijin could feel hatred trying to mask over his identity, as if the creature were unable to handle the flames. The creature suddenly left through the pores of Reijin?s body, as if being sweated out and he screamed excruciatingly.

The creature began to reform into another form before him, and the Saiyan climbed to his feet as a large cat struck him, opening a gash across his shoulder beneath his armor. He openly howled in anger as he tried to realize how to get away from the creature. His eyes met a squirrel on a tree as it scurried away from the predator, and for a moment, he found himself cynically admiring the luck of a creature as small and innocent as to be overlooked by this shape shifting prowler.

It was that thought that triggered something that the morphling had implanted within him. As soon as he imagined the squirrel?s own viewpoint, he felt a sudden rush of air around him, and the world suddenly changed in ways that he could not quite understand. The cat grew larger, and he spun around, sprinting off as the creature slammed into the tree, exploding into a shower of water. Reijin scurried as quickly as he could up a tree before reaching the top of the canopy, seeing the tower in the far distance. He could do this? He ran as fast as his tiny legs could carry him before he leapt from tree to tree, swinging as his claws nearly missed a branch.

After what seemed to take hours of running, he leapt from the thicket and scurried over the grass, ignoring the gargantuan forms that were in every direction. None of them seemed to pay him any attention as he climbed up the side of the watchtower and then over the railing, the metal feeling quite strange beneath his padded feet. He really wanted to bust a nut in his mouth about now, or crack a nut inside of a hole, but he realized that his sack was empty. Realization crept over him as he felt the alien presence of such thoughts. Why did he have these urges? The doppelganger was not inside of him. He scurried down the stairway and across the carpeted floor of the main room until he reached the doorway.

He wanted the door to open right now! He needed to get to Bra! Almost as if by telepathic message, the door weakly crept open, a large aquamarine haired girl peering out of it curiously. ?Reijin?? she whispered deafeningly as he burst through the crack into the room. Reijin? Who was? He was Reijin! He looked down as she turned around and suddenly took in a gasp of shock. She had turned to see the image of a squirrel suddenly exploding into a cloud of air. She coughed, fanning at the air until the image of a tall Saiyan stood before her, arms crossed. ?What the hell? Were you just a chipmunk?? she asked him.

He shrugged. ?We need to get ready. That damn Satan army is on its way here, and it?s not far. I barely made it here, so we need to be ready. Some shit is about to hit the fan.? He turned, opening the nightstand drawer and pulling out some bandages. He winced realizing that he was going to be hurting after this was over. He looked over at her. ?I?m going to try to heal this gash on my chest. I need you to help me out of this armor. I?d do it myself, but I can?t really move that arm to well. Help me bandage this, and then I can will try to heal it.?

[Burter Jr]

END OF ROUND

Hours passed.

Cell watched from the tower balcony. Seventeen, tired, laid in wait in one of the cots behind him. He could feel the gaze of the wise old Watchman behind him, as if studying the back of the perfect android.

"They are coming," he heard the old man whisper. "Any moment now, we will see them."

Cell only nodded. He was watching the fight below him. Hours passed and still the battle raged on. Bardock and Kao had pushed themselves beyond their normal limits, to the very brink of pain and death.

"Your time here is up, Android 21," the Watchman continued. "I have one final task for you."

The android remained calm. He surely did not understand what was being told, but something about the old man made him agree, for no other reason but for the sake of it. "Tell me," he said.

"The fight down there must end. Bardock will not win. Kao must not be permitted the victory."

Cell turned around suddenly, realizing the rash decision the Watchman was making. "What?!" Even though the old man had been very vague, Cell knew immediately what was being said.

"I know what I am doing. All I can ask if that you have faith that it is the right move."

Cell took a few moments. His decision wasn't made until a few minutes later, when he could see a reddish brown figure atop the hill in the distance. Behind it, an army of tortured bodies. War was finally here.

The Android lept off the balcony, and the Watchman smiled.

Down below, Kao had Bardock in a headlock. The two would wrestle for all entertity if nessecary, but Cell was on a mission. A plan to end the fight before the real one would begin.

When Cell hit the two fighters, he self destructed into oblivion. He had faith that the Watchman knew exactly what he was doing.

9. Cell - DEAD
16. Bra - Wins Refined Ore Processing
19. Bardock - DEAD

Kao - DEAD

(Apologies for not going more into the Kao-Bardock fight. I felt it would take away from the planned ending. If Bardock wishes to write more of it up, I'll happily edit it in)