Archive of Our Own

- Chapter 16: A brewing fury finally boils over! "I will compel you!" -

Surely, now they can see it.

Shin has shown their prince exactly what he demanded of him. It's almost a surreal sight to see the Saiyan so full of dread, and even more for him to have gone silent. Since Vegeta regained enough composure to speak coherent sentences, not a single warrior questioned Shin anymore, although the curiosity he can sense in the front of their minds tells them they are tempted. In truth, he holds very little desire to feed any more of their curiosities. Far too many undesirable alterations within the timeline already happened. He can't risk forging another one.

He glances at Ice. Hundreds of questions are swarming in the front of her mind, but none of them are comprehensive enough for Shin to sort out. Tarble is in no better shape.

Piccolo has been watching Vegeta closely ever since he collapsed. Among every warrior present, he carries the most sense. Of course, Shin knows not to say that aloud. The pride and ego the Saiyans carry are oftentimes far more fragile than a sheet of ice.

Vegeta's mind is the most restless. For him to be so troubled and agitated means something must have sparked in there. He had seen the vastness of the universe, and what will become of it if he continues to stray. Shin can only hope the prince will keep his wits about him.

But overall, everyone knows. They know what is bound to happen. The biggest priority is for Gohan to be found and stopped quickly before what was seen in the future becomes the present.

But first, Shin needs to remove the liabilities.

Goten will naturally want to rescue Gohan, or perhaps try to speak with his brother in hopes to reason with him. There is no reasoning with anyone under Babidi's mind manipulation, but the child won't understand that. His mind is still in the development stage. It is for that reason he and the other children are the biggest liabilities.

"You shouldn't be here," Shin tells them.

They first didn't understand what he meant. Goten is the first to pick up the details, and he stands tall and determined as expected. "But…we want to help—"

"Depart at once." Shin interrupts. "Return home."

"We can fight, too!" Rime protests. "We are not weak!"

And now, the headache has started to set in. Shin lowers his head as he rubs circles against his temples. He can sense a panicked thought from Ice, but to channel into her mind is something that requires far too much effort at the moment. He doesn't want to add another voice within his own head at the moment. Not when he needs to think.

That Saiyan pride. It's prominent even in the children. Rime will not relent from how things are starting to look.

"Did you hear me, Mr. God?" Rime asks. Her mother's panic spikes. "I said we are not weak—"

"I never suggested you are." Shin interrupts again.

"So why send us away?" Goten stubbornly asks. "I want to save my big brother! I have to! I—"

"You cannot."

"But Serene G—"

Ice interjects before Shin can retort. "All of you should go. Right now. Do as he says and return to the ship. We will be alright."

Rime pouts. "But Mama…"

In a swift and practiced motion, Ice reaches her daughter and drops to one knee to lower herself to her height. She takes the child's hands and lowers her voice almost to a whisper. "You've sensed how powerful Gohan is, right?"

"Yes…" Rime softly answers. She already decided she can't stand against it.

"Do you think you can do anything against that?" Ice asks her anyway. "The wizard made that power even worse. Tell me, what do you think you can do to stop him?"

Rime has no answer.

"Go home."

Rime hangs her head, but she argues no more. Slowly, she floats from the ground with Goten and Trunks behind her. Goten is the most hurt, seemingly at the brink of tears.

"Supreme Guy…?"

Shin is too exhausted to correct him. Close enough.

"Please bring my big brother back," Goten begs.

Shin can't make that promise. The realization makes him turn his gaze away. He doesn't dare to break the child's heart, lest Goten will cave into his despair as well.

"Come on, Goten." Trunks takes his cousin's arm. "Let's go see your Mom. I'm sure she's worried about you."

"Yeah…" Goten nods, dejected. "Yeah, okay."

The three of them leave to the skies. All who remains are the adults. Still, there remains another liability.

Shin only has to look at him.

Krillin jerks back as if he had seen a ghost. "Uh…right. I'll uh… I'll be looking for Yamcha and see what's happening…" He rises from the ground and takes off.

Now there are the three Saiyans and a Namekian. Shin almost feels tempted to send Piccolo away. His strength doesn't compare to the Saiyans, but at the same time, he isn't foolish enough to try to engage in a fight so recklessly. Perhaps an extra pair of hands will be needed in case things do go awry.

As if they haven't gone awry enough.

So, so much has gone wrong in the span of a few hours. Shin thought he had everything planned. He thought he understood the Saiyans and their tendencies well enough. He thought he covered for every possible mishap. What he didn't account for was that some memories are better buried. Some memories are not to be trifled with.

With Gohan's past presented before him, his guilt weighed him down. The heavy guilt grew into anger, and that anger evolved into hatred. Shin can't tell if the demon of hatred intensified those feelings or not, but it didn't matter to Babidi. Babidi saw an anguished soul and claimed it. Now, their best chance of surviving has turned over to their enemy's side.

'And part of it was my doing.' Shin feels himself tremble. 'A foolish mistake. I did not account for how deep his trauma seeps. He has embraced the evil that nurtured him. The poor child… I should…have been more careful with how I presented it to him. I should… I should have been…'

He catches a sight of movement from the corner of his eye. He looks up. A swallow perches on a window. The birds are watching him a lot more closely today. One of them stares right into his tired eyes.

'What is it that you are trying to tell me, North?'

The birds aren't singing. They aren't preening. They all stare, watching, completely still.

Shin realizes he can think. The nausea…it mostly vanished. It's easier to breathe. No longer does he feel dizzy whenever his feet touch a solid surface. He's not hundreds of feet underground anymore, where the fog is thicker than clouds. He can think. He can think. He can think.

The surface, while not so suffocating, has undoubtedly grown worse. The fog swirling on the ground across the city has reached Shin's knees. It's repulsive. How far it expands…it has already cloaked a quarter of the globe.

It's all due to the potent hatred that stirs and simmers within the Earthling's hearts. Arinsu saw it long before Shin did, and she exploited it when she created the demon of hatred.

'I…did not do enough.' Shin bitterly thinks. 'She's mocking me for it— Both of them are. What is it that they are trying to prove…? That this will always be bound to happen? That evil will always perpetuate no matter how much we try to deter it?'

He blinks, and the ruined city he stands in has changed. It is ablaze. Fires roar and consume every structure imaginable. Embers and ash swirl in the air. A thick cloud of smoke begins to block out the sky— The sky that is a crimson red—

With a violent shake of his head, he buries the memory before it can surface any further.

'To stand idle as evil brings ruin across the cosmos… I cannot allow it to happen!

'The best recourse— What is the best recourse? How do I negate this? The Saiyans…?

'These Saiyans were not the solution to my cause.

'…What is the best course of action…?'

Out of habit, Kibito's name reaches his lips. Then, he remembers.

It hurts. It hurts so much.

'Kibito… I am… Forgive me…'

He always considered Kibito's counsel. Even when he disagreed with it, he always took note of Kibito's words to understand his perspective.

Right now, it feels so wrong to have no one to voice his misgivings to.

'I should have paid more attention. Perhaps, you would still be alive if I had.'

When Gohan faced Kibito in the clearing of Mount Paozu, the moment the child transformed into the form that exceeded a Super Saiyan, Shin believed he found a solution. But, those dark blue eyes were filled with bloodlust. Kibito was right to worry.

'You were right to question these Saiyans. They are too dangerous. They are too dangerous, and my confidence in them was excessive.'

The signs started to show seven years ago, when the child first unleashed that terrible power. Small wonder Babidi was able to claim him.

The height of mortal potential previously belonged to Frieza. Frieza was a being with a black heart and sadistic ambition. His cruel empire would have overtaken the universe if allowed. It took for a malicious species that was once under his rule to crush his reign.

The height of mortal potential went to them, the Saiyans, creatures who live and breathe in combat and thrive on nothing else. Surely, North never intended for such a species to become so dangerous, so ruthless, but they are. Even the kind-hearted ones among them turned to savagery. They simply couldn't help it—

Shin feels a ping of fear.

How did he let his mind trail to that as the answer?

'Do not think these thoughts.'

He squeezes his eyes shut. His fingers brush against a Potara. He rolls it between them, focusing on the smooth texture. A distraction. A quick distraction.

'Do not think these thoughts.'

Because the nausea is gone, because Shin can finally think, he already wishes his mind is still clouded.

Now that he can think straight…it is suddenly all the more clear.

Everything makes perfect sense.

The Saiyan race made up the majority of Frieza's military force. With every planet that was plundered, with every civilization that was destroyed, a Saiyan was mostly behind it. It was thought to be over when their very ruler destroyed them.

But no. A handful of them thrive.

A handful, who left the Earth in crises. A handful, who brought Planet Namek to ruin. A handful, who gave the demon of hatred a leverage. A handful, who are the perfect tools for the wizard to use.

These Saiyans…

These Saiyans…

They represent the height of mortal potential. And…the height of mortal potential is bloodshed.

'Do NOT think these thoughts. They cannot be true.' Shin squeezes his eyes tighter. He squeezes the Potara in his hand. 'They cannot be. They simply cannot be.

'Every living being in the lower realm is not evil by nature. We've made certain that was the case. We've made certain. If they are sullied by evil, it is merely a stepping stone of their development.

'But if that is the case, why is it that the strongest of these beings are always the most malevolent?

'Why is it that every time they fight their way into the light, darkness lures them back so easily…?

'This realm is meant to be a paradise! It's not meant to falter like this! So why? Why is this happening?

'I need to understand why.

'I need to…understand… Take time to understand these creatures.

'I must understand them… Understand them… Understand…'

… …

The Supreme Kai isn't looking his best, to say the least.

He stands a good distance away from everyone else, fiddling with that strange earring of his. His eyes would sometimes dart as if he is being haunted…haunted by his thoughts, most likely.

But Vegeta understands why.

What Vegeta saw was nothing like he had seen before.

The Supreme Kai wasn't overreacting.

It's not just the Mortal Realm that will be destroyed. The realm of the gods will be destroyed. Otherworld will be destroyed. Death won't save anyone, because their very souls will be hunted and consumed by gluttonous demons invading Otherworld. They will cease to exist. There will be nothing left.

The countless screams of the dying, the laughter of demons and monsters, the sensation of dying over and over and over and…

The Supreme Kai perceived all of that and more? Was that why he fainted? Just thinking about it makes Vegeta stumble in a daze.

The Supreme Kai was trying to deviate everything that may cause that future to come true. As infuriating as it is, Vegeta understands.

"If you continue down this path, it will only end in darkness."

The Supreme Kai wasn't speaking figuratively, his words were literal. In the end, there will be nothing. No sights. No sounds. No feeling. Nothing.

It all started when Karot killed them all. He will kill them all. It's set to happen before the day is over— They are all going to die if nothing is changed. Vegeta knows for sure, because he witnessed what Karot was like when he had a taste for blood. He never forgot about the Cell Games. How could he ever forget? The kid never liked fighting. Whenever he was pushed to fight, it was almost always to kill, just as…he was taught. It was why he always found it so aversive. Despite all of his potential, all of his power, he never wanted to use it. Any other Saiyan would do anything to achieve such potential.

But…Karot isn't a pure-blooded Saiyan.

'I underestimated how fickle Human emotions are.' Vegeta frowns as he glares at the sky. 'Combined with Saiyan blood, and the boy is practically a walking bomb.'

Vegeta thought he finally got a grasp. The tournament with Cell made him realize training the half-Saiyans like Saiyans was a disaster of a concept. No longer did he try to push them through the hard regime. No longer did he see them as cowards simply because they don't want to fight. It was just a personality flaw, a consequence of their humanity. He saw how Future Seleriak was at the brink of madness because he had his compassion constantly beaten out of him.

He's aware, acutely aware, that the future kid lost his mind because of what the Tarble in the future did. It was because of what Future Vegeta did to Future Tarble, according to him.

So Vegeta left his brother alone too, just so he wouldn't become that monster.

He thought that he was doing something. He didn't micromanage Karot's training. He left Adaikon and Seleriak alone. Their training was handled by their own family. Zukkia is a pure-blooded Saiyan herself, so she can handle the training the others can't.

Vegeta thought he did something.

'I thought the boy would have gotten over it by now.' Vegeta frowns. 'Seems I was wrong. He has just been getting better at hiding it…'

Something has to be done, but what can they do?

The swallows are watching. It's an eerie sight, almost as if they are judging him. Perhaps they can see the future too.

He glances at the Supreme Kai again: His eyes are squeezed shut. He's muttering the same mantra again; "Understand… Understand… Understand…" Over and over in his desperation, searching for answers in an endless loop.

What Shin is trying to understand, Vegeta knows not to prod. But he also knows there is no easy solution anymore.

"Tch…so be it," Vegeta grumbles. "Looks like I have to clean this up."

"Clean this up…?"

Shin's voice was so quiet, if it weren't for the silence in the city, it would have been missed.

"How do you intend…on 'cleaning' this up? What does it involve? You've already shown me your 'methods' of correction, and frankly, I am not on board with it."

Vegeta bites down the frustration that tries to spike. "I understand you don't trust me."

"You saw the dreadful future that hangs over our shoulders." It's clear Shin is trying to keep his voice even, but he failed miserably. The sharp edge in his voice is almost palpable. "If today is not changed, then what is yet to happen will happen. You understand that. You understand…that we can't afford another mistake. Not one. Or—" He vigorously shakes his head. "No. No… Never again. I don't…wish to face that monster again. I can't…I…"

He's trembling.

'Just how horrible was that monster to make a god react like this…?' Vegeta only caught glimpses of the monster. Its red eyes and black scleras, its deranged laughter; it was an unhinged thing.

"I…have a question," Kauli announces.

Shin takes a deep breath. It's evident he has grown tired of questions. Despite it, he doesn't object to it.

Kauli noticed his reaction. Her voice is carefully measured. "Is it possible Gohan's stolen energy will fade away if Majin Buu doesn't wake up?"

Shin only glances at her, but he seems to consider the thought. "I…suppose so. Whenever Bibidi sealed Majin Buu away, the monster always carried tremendous power. His slumber causes it to lie dormant, because after a period of time, it does burn out."

"So we just have to make sure he doesn't wake up."

Vegeta doesn't understand why she bothered to state the obvious…until he sees the change in Shin's face. Was that something he didn't consider to be possible?

For a second, Shin looks hopeful.

"I want to believe so," Shin says with a hint of cautious optimism. "Truly, truly I do. It's plausible. It's highly plausible. If we prevent him from waking up, the energy he absorbed will have nowhere to go, so it will leak out—"

He stops.

It was so sudden and abrupt, as if someone had pressed a button. The warriors find themselves unnerved. The Supreme Kai has gone completely still.

"Supreme Kai?" Tarble calls. "Are you…?"

Kauli grabs his shoulder to silence him. She looks up, and so does everyone else.

The flock of swallows surround them by the hundreds.

"What the hell…is going on?" Vegeta tried to ignore them before, but their increasing numbers are only making him wary. Not that he has any reason to be afraid of birds, it's the fact they are usually skittish and would flee at the first sight of people. For them to not be the slightest bit intimidated, with their many beady eyes staring right at them…

"This…is not normal," Shin says. "The animals…they defy their instincts. They…"

His eyes grow wide, and he turns his eyes towards the sky.

"North. This is North's doing. He is…trying to tell me something."

Vegeta blinks. A message from beyond the grave?

"Something…has changed."

Kauli balks. "Huh? Really?"

Shin looks far past the road as he takes a long moment to think. Finally, he slips a hand underneath his tunic, and he pulls out a small, silver object held between his fingers: A shimmering silver ring. The only design it has on its otherwise bare base are a pair of intersecting lines forming a cross…a loop. No, an infinity.

Shin turns the ring around, his eyes transfixed on it, almost as if he is in a trance.

"What is that?" Piccolo wonders. A thought crosses his mind, and he gasps. "Wait a moment— That's the time ring, isn't it?"

Everyone else shares a collective gasp.

"That ring is exactly why you passed out before! You can't just travel to the future again!" Piccolo shouts.

"But I must," Shin says hastily. "I must. It's imperative for me to see what has changed— If any of our actions had some sort of impact. If at least one corner of the universe survived…I can repair it. I can repair it. I just…need to see."

"You— In all due respect, you are not well enough to do this again," Piccolo warns him. His words are ignored as Shin slips the ring through his right index finger. The animals are watching. Piccolo grits his teeth. Just as Shin steps away, he gently grabs the Supreme Kai's arm.

"Your hand," Shin simply says.

But Piccolo doesn't budge. "Supreme Kai, I'm sorry, but I can't let you go through with this—"

He doesn't finish his sentence.

The Supreme Kai is looking right at him with the most dangerous glare. It's as if they were never allies…as if Piccolo was a demon himself— A demon who had the audacity to soil the Supreme Kai's arm with a single touch.

"You will unhand me, Namekian."

The sharp edge in the Supreme Kai's voice was not an order, but a warning.

Piccolo immediately recoils his hand. Shin shakes his arm and walks ahead.

Everyone else watches with morbid curiosity as Shin stands in the middle of the road. His feet lift off the surface as he begins to float, higher and higher until he is 20 feet in the air. He levels his arms and points his elbows out. His fingers curl into fists, and he bumps them together.

He takes a deep breath, and closes his eyes.

"One-hundred."

A ripple escapes Shin's body. Streaks of light shoot out from the glowing ring and arch over his head, around and under his body, until the clusters of light spiral into a rotating sphere. They cluster closer and closer until they can see him no longer. The rotation becomes a blur. Everyone takes a cautious step away as the light brightens to a blinding glare.

The warriors are stunned to see the sphere shrink out of sight.

"He's…he's gone…" Kauli whispers.

"Pardon?" Tarble jerks his head up. "Gone?"

Piccolo stiffens. "I don't know how the afterlife works for the Kais, but the Supreme Kai mentioned something about the North Supreme Kai communicating with him just now."

"Are you sure he's not delusional?" Vegeta isn't even trying to be insulting. He's genuinely confused.

"Take a look around you and tell me if any of this is normal."

Vegeta glances at the birds. He huffs and returns his glare towards the spot the Supreme Kai had vanished. "So what? We just have to stand here and wait? For how long? We don't even know if Raditz and Nappa are—"

The air ripples. Everyone steps back as a ball of white light grows and rotates before them.

It wisps away. Shin hovers in place exactly as he left. His limbs drop. His head slumps. He drops to the ground on his hands and knees. He is sweating bullets, and his eyes are bloodshot.

Kauli rushes in. "Supreme Kai! What happened?! Hey! Hey!"

Piccolo is far more fearful now. "What did he see…?"

Shin's lips tremble. He speaks, his voice almost too quiet. "It's…it's all gone…"

"What…?" Piccolo pulls back. "You mean…everything is swallowed up like before—"

"No…no. It's all gone," Shin whispers. "I couldn't even travel a hundred years…! I was…only able to go as far as ten!"

1) A speechless horror takes hold of the crowd.

"The flow of time…it doesn't exist beyond then…! Nothing exists. No darkness. No Babidi. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I…I didn't think it was possible. For nothing to exceed nothing…but it did. It…it did!"

His shoulders twitch as a low, desperate chuckle rises. It grows into a bitter laugh thickening with despair.

"There is no existence…! It's as if its very concept has been erased!"

Dread floods in everyone's hearts.

The future did change…

But far…far worse….

It's far worse…

"I don't understand…how that is possible…!" Shin staggers to his feet. He holds out his trembling hands in front of him. His bitter and ironic smile quivers and falters as his breathing becomes more jagged. "I…I thought if I… I thought…"

He grips his head. His glassy eyes are fixed on nothing as his mind seems to race with a thousand thoughts at once.

"First it's Gohan…" he whispers. "Then the cities. This planet…it spreads. It spreads… It spreads across the galaxy…the universe…! It keeps growing…"

"Supreme Kai—" Piccolo cuts in.

"It's all I see." Shin looks at him, distraught. "It's all I can hear. All I can feel. This universe…it cries out to me, and I can't help it. I can't…I can't help it… All life across the cosmos will be brought to extinction within the next few months! In the next decade, all of existence will cease…and I can't…!"

He's panicking again. Piccolo takes a step back, unsure of what to do.

"Majin Buu wakes up. I… I saw the ball hatch. He wakes up. And…Gohan was… Gohan… He will slay every single one of you."

Horrid silence fell upon the warriors.

"What… What about you?" Kauli warily asks.

Shin grips his chest, sickened. He shakes his head.

"How soon does Gohan kill everyone?!" Kauli presses, almost panicking herself.

"It happens today."

He looks at Kauli, his voice at the verge of breaking.

"Your lives will come to an end within the next hour."

Kauli's mouth hangs open. Her tail drops as she forgets how to breathe.

Vegeta would snap, but he can't. He can't, because he knows the Supreme Kai's words are true. Each and every one of them are essentially dead people walking…including the Supreme Kai.

"The assailment…" Shin turns his eyes towards the ground, muttering to himself again. "Arrived here… I arrived in the lower realm to prevent the next assailment… Too late. We only have an hour. One hour… One hour… One hour… One hour…"

As Shin repeats the words in loops, it seeps deep into Vegeta's mind. He stands fixed in place.

One hour.

Every time Vegeta blinks, he can see it: The destruction of worlds. One hour. The dying sun. One hour. The entire Earth is ablaze. One hour. Karot hovering high above the destruction, his bloodlusted face illuminated by the light. One hour. He can see the monster's eyes, and its rubbery body coiling and twisting through the wall of fire. It cackles mad.

Vegeta tears his mind free from the looping images. He gasps and nearly falls over. He didn't realize he was sweating. A chill creeps down his neck.

He glances at the Supreme Kai. He's muttering now, tapping the center of his forehead with a single finger, as if he is searching for a flaw in the pattern…searching for a way out.

In one hour, everyone will die.

In one hour…

One hour…

Kauli grips her head and sharply turns. "What the actual fu—"

"Do not let your fear blind you." Tarble is unmistakably shaken. From the way he plays with his fingers, he's undoubtedly sorting through hundreds of options in his head. "We've faced death before. This is nothing new."

"We will cease to exist!" Kauli snaps.

"I-I know! I know! Just let me… There must be something. Anything. I need time— Ah, we don't have any time! What is Raditz doing?! I know for certain he hasn't been killed because I still sense his energy but—"

"The boy will kill everyone. You heard what he said," Piccolo angrily points out. He's unmistakably shaken himself.

"None of us are powerful enough to stop him," Tarble whispers.

Again, the anger is absent. Vegeta knows. He knows the boy is too strong. He will effortlessly tear through them all. That is what Vegeta saw. If Shin's new vision of the future has changed just now, then it's guaranteed to happen no matter what they do.

What to do? What to do?

Think. He has to think. There must be something, something that can be done. Something that can—

Vegeta stops at once.

An idea.

An idea crosses his mind. Just one. Just one. If he knows how the boy's mind works…it is the only thing that may just…

"I know what needs to be done." Vegeta announces.

Tarble, Kauli, and Piccolo give Vegeta their undivided attention. The Supreme Kai on the other hand…he's far too distracted to hear him. It makes Vegeta feel all the more cautious.

"The problem is, the Supreme Kai won't like it very much," he reluctantly admits. "Tch. He'll most certainly try to stop me."

"Vegeta…" Tarble grows wary, and so does everyone else. "What madness are you about to do?"

Instead of answering, Vegeta steps forward and raises his voice. "Supreme Kai."

Shin immediately looks at him. Even though his bloodshot eyes express all the horror and exhaustion he carries, there's evidence he hasn't gone mad. On the other hand, he is sick with paranoia.

It will not be easy doing this.

"Do you think you have the energy to take us there?" Vegeta asks. "Right to where that boy fled to? We could use this Instantaneous Movement of yours."

Shin stares, somewhat shocked. He turns his gaze towards his feet. "Kibito…told you what it's called."

Vegeta would ask what any of that has to do with anything, but the Supreme Kai's mind is in a state of grief. He decides not to press him about it. "He used it to get us out of an unfavorable position before. Just as you did."

"Why… Do you want me to transport you?" Shin must have read the prince's intention, because the horror on his face grows. "To Gohan?!"

Vegeta waves a hand. "Sure, we could fly, but Karot will sense our movement and likely make an unfavorable move. If we jump there, he'll be less prepared for our arrival."

"You're mad! Why go towards the danger?!"

"He will hunt us down regardless. And if we hide, Babidi will surely send the boy after us without a problem. Back when we first arrived on that ship, that wizard said he tagged us, so it's not like we can hide anyway."

Shin takes a few seconds to think, and he stiffly nods. "You…you are right. I— What is it that you intend to do when we get there?"

Vegeta keeps the idea he conjured buried. He knows Shin is prodding his thoughts for the answer. He can almost feel the Kai's spiraling panic in the front of his mind. "Raditz or Nappa will be the first to die, right?"

Shin bites his lip. He nods again.

"The group is much smaller now. We will be as still as we need to be. Will it be enough?"

For a moment, Shin looks confused. He scrutinizes the prince's face, and there is a layer of frustration behind his panic. This confirms it: Vegeta finally figured out how to bypass the Kai's mind-reading. If the situation were different, Shin trying to pull answers would be almost comical.

All Shin knows is that Vegeta has something planned. The details elude him. After wrestling with his mind for another moment, the Supreme Kai finally gives up. "I…will only be able to do this once. So you must hold on to me. If I leave you behind, I won't be able to bring you."

"Hardly a problem. We'll remain still." Vegeta glares at everyone else. They all stare back at him, confused or frightened.

"Vegeta…" Tarble begins.

"Trust me. I know what I am doing."

Shin takes a deep breath. "Alright… Alright. Everyone link together."

Vegeta and Piccolo grab each side of Shin's shoulders. Kauli takes Piccolo's arm, and Tarble grabs Vegeta's.

"Kai-Kai!"

They are swallowed by the white light, and vanish in a hiss.

… … …

In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the other end of the city. Shin presses his hands on his knees as he leans forward. He releases a heavy breath.

"Everyone's here…" Piccolo nods. "We are all in one piece. Thanks, Supreme Kai."

"Look!" Kauli calls, and she points ahead.

Shin's body locks in place. "Dear me…"

Raditz and Nappa are there, standing just down the road in their Super Saiyan forms. Karot stands at the other end. He doesn't seem to be paying them any attention. His cold gaze is towards the open double doors that were hidden under the road. His aura is still flowing with wild energy, kicking up clouds of dirt and gravel.

"They aren't here." Karot's words are a plain fact. He doesn't seem disappointed, just the slightest bit annoyed. "Videl told me about this underground shelter, but I didn't think it would be empty. They must've gone somewhere else. Such a shame. I was just about ready to put an end to this nightmare…oh well."

He turns to address everyone else.

"So I see you caught up with me. Took you long enough."

"You were… You were going to kill them all?" Kauli asks, horrified.

"Why not?" Karot chuckles. "It's because we left a few stragglers that my father is trapped in The Demon Realm to begin with. But does it really matter? He's gone. This planet is dead. I'm just speeding up the process."

Kauli turns to Raditz.

"We tried to stop him from opening that door," Raditz admits, his voice shaken. He begins to move towards the group, his eyes locked on Karot as if he will attack at any second. "But… I couldn't get as much as a few feet close to him before every nerve in my body screamed at me to stop."

"He wouldn't hesitate to kill us if we took another step," Nappa adds, just as shaken. "But he won't go out of his way to make the first move to do it. He…has a preference. He told us—"

"I see. So that's what this is about…" Vegeta grumbles. He takes his first few steps forward. "Move aside Nappa. It's me he wants to deal with first."

Shin gasps along with everyone else. "What?! No! No! You mustn't!"

"There's no other choice," Vegeta plainly says.

"What madness is this?! 'There's no other choice?!' Do you not hear yourself, Vegeta?!"

"The boy wants to kill everyone. I know." Vegeta narrows his eyes. "But more than that, he wants to humiliate me first."

"And you want to engage in battle because of that?!"

"Our deaths won't be instantaneous then," Vegeta says. "There will still be a chance."

"No, no, no! There won't be a chance!" Shin shouts at him. "All you are doing is encouraging Gohan to destroy us!"

'Come on, Vegeta. Don't be stupid,' Raditz pleads in his thoughts. 'You see the Supreme Kai. He can't TAKE anymore of this. Help us out a little!'

Tarble's tail nervously flicks as he listens to his brother's footsteps. Raditz looks at him expectantly, but he doesn't grow angry as predicted. "I believe…I understand what Vegeta intends to do," he bitterly says. "He's trying to buy us a little more time so that Majin Buu's collected energy will burn out. But if they fight…surely it's impossible for Vegeta to avoid Karot's attacks forever." His eyes grow wide. "A fight between them will be…catastrophic! I'll only make that monster stronger!"

"See?" Shin frantically waves a hand around. "See? See?! Even your brother agrees!" He glances at Karot, intimidated by his cold glare. "I know you can hear me, Gohan! This fight…is not worth throwing your life away over! Can't you see?! The state of the universe is far more important! This quarrel is nonsense, and you are feeding into it!"

Karot narrows his eyes. "You call it nonsense…? Hah…what do you know about that, Supreme Kai? Try being kidnapped when your life barely started. Being abandoned in the wilderness against beasts that could eat you. Being forced to fight just to live another day? Being torn from the reluctant security you had to serve under a galactic tyrant? Witnessing your father become a twisted creature that spills blood for fun?! Being pit against a mutated insect created by the very Humans we should have never toyed with in the first place?! I've been fighting ever since I was FOUR years old! I don't even remember what my life was like before then! But what am I doing trying to make you understand? You already proved you don't understand shit! There's nothing left for me! I don't care if Majin Buu wakes up! I don't care if the entire universe dies! I'm already dead!"

Shin is left speechless. Gohan begins to laugh.

"I'm already dead! All I am doing…is bringing everyone to Hell with me." Karot slaps his forehead, his grin stretching wider. "But Hell isn't a near-good enough sentence for us, is it, Supreme Kai? You would know. Of course you would know…! Hahaha… Hahahaha—"

Vegeta's energy flares gold, and he transforms into a Super Saiyan. Karot's laughter dies in an instant.

Nappa immediately moves away. Everyone else stares at the prince in shock. Karot himself is somewhat surprised, slowly closing his mouth as he waits.

As soon as Vegeta stands a respectful distance from Karot, he speaks. "I will give you what you want, boy, but you will leave everyone else out of this."

Shin let out a frightened sound.

Karot blinks. Then, he laughs again. "You act as if you won't die in the next minute."

"Ooh, I know you. You won't just outright kill me." Vegeta clenches his fists. "But you should know me better. I am not just some weakling you can cast away."

Shin's entire body becomes rigid as he grits his teeth.

"Alright." Karot chuckles, and he flares his energy. The powerful flow sends dust rippling down the road. "Alright. Fine. Show me just how strong you think you are. This is about to be hilarious. Within the next five minutes, you'll be screaming. Screaming and begging for me to put you out of your misery!"

"NO! I forbid it!"

Shin vanishes in a flash of light. In the same instance, he appears between them both, his sudden arrival making them both lean back. He holds out a single hand towards each warrior, with every intention of breaking up the conflict.

"If you two engage in a fight, you'll only give Babidi exactly what he wants! This is how he intends to feed Majin Buu! This is what we are trying to prevent!"

Karot growls. "Vegeta doesn't give a shit."

Shin tenses. "But I've shown him— He promised—"

"It wouldn't be the first time he breaks a promise," Karot scoffs. "All because he's trying to prove a point whenever his brittle pride gets wounded."

"You best watch yourself, boy," Vegeta growls.

"Then come and make me shut up…" Karot steps closer, a menacing grin forming on his face. "Come on. Make me. I dare you. I know you've been wanting to, prince."

Shin's head swivels as he looks at them both, panicked. They step closer, as if he doesn't exist.

"Do you not understand the enormity of destruction this will bring?" Shin shouts, trying not to shrink. "It's not just Majin Buu who will awaken! The demon of hatred will feed off of your negative emotions! Goku will be reduced to nothing! I won't be able to save him!"

His short frame is overshadowed by the two angry warriors. His hands are just mere inches away from touching them both.

"If you refuse to stop this madness, I will Compel you!" Shin frantically threatens them both. "Both of you will stand down this instant!"

For a second, they both do stop.

"You see the boy. He will not listen to you." Vegeta points it out quickly, trying to stifle the unease that almost claims him, trying to distract the Supreme Kai from carrying out his word.

Shin whips his head to the prince, almost desperate. "Vegeta! You see that Gohan is not in his right mind! You know engaging with him will solve nothing!"

Vegeta frowns.

"You've seen how Babidi treats his pawns. You've seen the pain they are all in… I can't save them from their strife. But you…you can save Gohan right now if you step away from this. Put aside your pride this once… You must. For the sake of what's left of your race… For the sake of this world…this future…this universe—"

"You honestly believe I'm going to let a stupid ring decide my fate?" Vegeta asks him.

Shin almost gawks. His words stammer as he speaks. "B-but you've seen it, Vegeta… Y-you've seen it with your very own eyes— I've shown you! You—you can't deny it! You know this universe is wilting. It will perish— It will cease to exist! If you do this, you will only escalate its deterioration! There has to be another way…! There must be!"

Vegeta stares at the Supreme Kai's horrified face—the face of someone who experienced the end of time. Karot stands at the other end, quickly, quicky losing patience. He's a moment away from striking the Supreme Kai himself. His crackling energy is practically popping.

"Do you know the outcome of what would happen if I were to step aside?" Vegeta finally asks him.

Shin blinks. He doesn't answer.

"So you only know one future. Shame." Vegeta looks back at Karot. "Suppose the universe is fated to die either way?"

Shin looks as if he got stabbed in the chest.

"Vegeta!" Tarble snaps.

"We don't know the other outcome," Vegeta says. "And the future he speaks of…if we know how it plays out, then it can still change. If I defeat this brat and—"

"You won't be able to!" Shin desperately shouts at him. "You'll be locked in a battle you can't win! Your life will come to an end, and Gohan will…!"

"Clearly if I was killed, then I got careless. Underestimated him. That can still change."

Shin's mouth drops. "No, no! That doesn't change anything! What you need to do is not fight him! It doesn't matter how you approach it—"

Vegeta steps forward.

"Your end will be guaranteed—"

Karot steps forward.

"LISTEN TO ME! PLEEEEASE!"

Shin's scream cuts through the atmosphere. Both warriors go completely still.

His shoulders sink. His voice softens, almost a meek whisper.

"…Please…"

Everyone stands in stunned silence. Even Karot's glare had vanished, replaced with disbelief.

"Please…!" Shin looks right at the Saiyan prince, almost sinking.

The desperation in his voice is one thing…

"Please, Vegeta… Please! Don't do this! I beg of you… I beseech you…!"

…but for a god to beg?

It just…didn't seem right.

Shin looks at the prince with desperation in his tired eyes. He looks absolutely heartbroken, his face twisted in agonizing pain. Vegeta almost scolds him for it, for how ridiculous it looks. Then, he remembers; a planet suffering is like a small wound. But here, the entire universe is suffering… He almost forgot. Shin's connection with the universe is on a level far deeper than one can comprehend. Whatever it was that he saw that changed, it wounded him.

But even so…

'I understand you are terrified of that Majin Buu,' Vegeta thinks. 'I'm well aware of Youzi's growing influence. You certainly have no desire to see the universe fall apart again. But what difference does it make if I walk away from this?'

Shin's face floods with horror.

"He will just attack me regardless," Vegeta adds, knowing Shin was listening. "Babidi has his new toy. He will dispatch the boy to bring ruin to this entire world, to fight and kill every single one of us. To stand around and let myself die just to preserve the universe a little longer? You've got to be joking."

"Please, Vegeta—"

"Stop it. Stop begging," Vegeta tells him. "Don't look any more pathetic than you already do. You already screwed things up. As of right now, you are nothing more than a liability. If you die, then there is no way to repair the universe even if we stop the Majin. Just step aside, and let me handle this."

Shin takes a single step back. He glances at Karot, who is losing patience. He looks back at Vegeta, whose gaze is still locked on the corrupted teenager. "Don't make me do this…"

Vegeta almost snaps. "Make you do what?! What?! You're going to stop me?! With your feeble power?! If you somehow stop me from doing anything, Karot kills you!"

Shin flinches, but he doesn't move back.

"We are screwed either way, so I pick a lesser evil!" Vegeta flares his energy to prove a point. Shin is almost blown away by its powerful flow.

"I'm through with waiting," Karot growls, directing his glare towards Shin. "You aren't immortal, Shin. Either move, or I will kill you first!"

Shin remains in place. Despite his fear and distraught, he stands firm. He swallows down his nerves and stares Karot in the eyes.

"If you kill me…then your demise is inevitable," Shin warily warns him. "You will never see your father again. And your mother…your little brother, they will be slain as well. Is that what you want, Gohan…?"

"…" Karot lazily lifts his arm in response. He spreads out his fingers and aims the palm of his hand towards Shin. There is a buzz, a flicker, and a sphere of condensed energy is formed.

Shin anchors his feet, staring down the sphere of energy that illuminates the nervous wreck painting his face. Behind him, Piccolo and Raditz prepare to lunge. He knows they will jump in if necessary.

"Vegeta…" Shin almost whispers, his voice shaken. He doesn't take his eyes off Karot. "He needs you. You…must help him…make the right choice…"

Karot's eyes flick over to Vegeta, who silently watches him.

"You must help him…" Shin pleads, his voice heavy and desperate. "Help me…"

For a long moment, the silence hanging in the air is almost crushing.

Hardening his glare, Vegeta lifts his hand as well. Shin catches the motion, turning his head around.

The palm flattens in front of Shin. A sphere of energy grows.

2) The Supreme Kai's ears drop halfway. Shock steals his breath away.

Everyone else is too stunned to scream.

Shin looks at Karot, then Vegeta, then Karot again. He stands between two charging blasts…aimed for his head at point-blank range. The pressure behind them…the amount of condensed energy…

…He will be vaporized in an instant.

Shin looks right into Vegeta's eyes, studying his concentrated face, reading his thoughts. Vegeta's set in his actions…his mind won't change. He will fire.

That resolve transforms Shin's shock into horror, draining the color from his face. His horror transforms into grief, into the look on one's face when they feel heartbroken…

Disillusioned…

His ears sink towards his weakened shoulders, and he finally averts his eyes. Any words that try to surface are constricted and stifled. His throat can only burn. The spheres of energy grow bigger. The unmistakable humming is a telltale sound that they are on the verge of firing.

His head drops as he lowers his arms in defeat.

He moves his foot around, then the other, and turns his back on them both. He almost drags his feet as he walks away, as if his legs are weighed down. It's a slow, painful walk…

"Supreme Kai…" Kauli doesn't know what to do…

Vegeta shrinks his charged blast to nothing, and he crosses his arms. "I see that you made the right choice."

"What other choice was there?!" Piccolo snaps.

"Quiet, Namekian. You know this was the best option we have." Vegeta glares at Karot, who still has his attack aimed. "Kill that blast now. It's me you are after, remember?"

Karot watches as the Supreme Kai comes to a complete stop. Once he is certain Shin makes no attempt to prevent the fight any further, he finally shrinks his own gathered energy. He returns his attention to Vegeta as he slips into a fighting stance.

Vegeta braces himself, adapting his own. Loose leaves flutter and twirl in the air around them with wild and frantic motions. Everyone else steps back, nervous and angry. As much as they despise the situation…what other solution is there?

'Is this truly it? Majin Buu…was destined to awaken from the very start?' Piccolo thinks, balling his hands into fists.

'There's nothing we can do!' Kauli hisses at her thoughts. 'I hate being this powerless!'

Tarble is the most angry, his tail lashing. 'What was the point of all of this?! What was the point…in trying to prevent this?!'

All everyone can do is stand by and drown in their anticipation. They can only wait. Wait for the first fighter to make their move—

The air shifts.

A strong flurry of wings and panicked squabbling brings everyone's attention towards the sky. A large flock of swallows have scattered from their formation, flying in blind directions like a chaotic wave. Nearby street rodents turn tail, scrambling, squeaking. There is a distant barking of a dog. The breeze strengthens with every heartbeat; a sudden gust roars past ears.

Everyone stands frozen stiff, exchanging confused glances. Piccolo breaks out his trance as he gasps and snaps his head to a single direction. Pure panic rises in his shaken voice. "Oh, no—!"

One by one, the warriors turn in the same direction.

The Supreme Kai.

First, it begins as a few blue wisps…then it clusters. A translucent flame-like aura shrouds Shin's body, tucked and flowing close against the shape of his straightening form. His ears rise and flatten against his skull.

He looks over his shoulder, his angry eyes brimming with tears.

"Wait…!" Raditz gasps. The air is suddenly harder to breathe. "Wait, wait, wait, wait—"

Shin's words seethe through clenched teeth:

"Imprudent mortals…"

A brief blue glow flashes from The Supreme Kai's eyes. The air pulses once, and everyone feels the pressure sink in their skulls.

A soft buzz in the air evolves into a deep, reverberating hum…then a pulsing high-pitched ring.

The volume skyrockets.

Lighting flashes through Vegeta's vision as a sharp, searing pain stabs through his temples. Vegeta cries out and slams his hands against the sides of his throbbing skull. His legs buckle, and he falls to his knees.

"GAAA-AAAAGH!"

Across from him, Karot has fallen. He kicks the earth, rolling, screaming, clawing at his ears.

The other warriors lower their hands from their ears, realizing they have been spared. As another scream pierces the air, the Supreme Kai turns around, silently and callously watching. The aura cloaking his body persists. The ground is illuminated a cold blue beneath his feet.

Vegeta plants his hands on the surface. Heavy buzzing hums through his skull. The deafening ringing layered on top of it throbs through his ears, pulsing deep in his mind. Biting through his pain, his body trembles. Inch by inch, he begins to rise. He's on his knees. He props one leg up. He strains his aching body against the gust that tires to knock him down.

"Let go of me…!" he rasps against the pressure. "Can't you see…what I am trying to do—"

His weight is thrown down, and his chin bounces off the solid ground. He gasps as he pulls his head off the earth, but an unseen force slams it back down. The sound of footsteps approaches, and all he can do is move his eyes. He sends the Supreme Kai the most heated glare he can muster. A single pointed finger. He is being pinned by a single, pointed—

The second Vegeta meets the Supreme Kai's teary glare, it was a mistake. His anger is overpowered…overpowered by a vast range of clashing emotions. He almost can't sort them out.

These emotions…aren't his.

3) The Supreme Kai stands over him, the strong gust of wind rippling through his clothes, whipping his hair. Nothing but furious repugnance is painted all over his face.

His eyes pulse blue again. The ringing sharpens.

Another piercing scream from Vegeta sends chills through everyone's spines.

'Feckless strife and bloodshed…for over five-million years…'

The Supreme Kai's telepathic voice is slow, low, and heavy with heartbreak. His piercing glare is locked on the Saiyan prince, then it shifts to Karot, who manages to rise to a crouch.

'I see now the evidence is irrefutable; you mortals are hopeless.'

His eyes pulse blue again.

A scream explodes from Karot's mouth. It's cut short as he is slammed back into the earth.

'Several times I gave you my warnings, but you did not care to hear it. I have shown you what is yet to happen, but you did not care to see it. You instead persist to pursue this destructive path. Why? I do not understand. I do not understand this pattern you mortals have paved for yourselves. What's the appeal of it all? What benefit does it grant you? I have made efforts to understand. I wanted to understand.'

Vegeta can only squint open his eyes as all surrounding sounds have ceased. There is only the relentless humming, the grueling ringing, and the venomous voice pulsing through his mind. His fingers dig into the earth as he begins to push his weight off the ground. His muscles burn as he fights to resist the strain.

'For so long, I have wanted to hold on to faith that even the most wicked can change. And, by doing so, Majin Buu and the demon of hatred…they are both on the brink of awakening. Kibito's warnings held the truth; it was foolish to trust you. I was a fool to believe that such sanguinary creatures could ever hope to atone for anything. What is more repulsive…is how I have to agree with the Saiyan prince.'

For a second, Vegeta stops struggling. Amidst his panicking mind, for a split second, he feels confused.

'Your words hold truth. The fault is also mine,' the Supreme Kai seethes. 'I failed to do enough. I took action far too late. In my blind haste, the first-born son of Son Goku has caved into his anguish, and soon, every single lifeform on this mourning planet will follow.'

He stops, as if a great wave of epiphany slammed into him at once.

'The wizard's words…hold truth…'

The Supreme Kai glares down at Karot, who has managed to rise to his knees again. He is disgusted at the very sight of it.

'The most optimal solution…is to put the both of you down.'

The Supreme Kai's eyes pulse blue once more. Both Saiyans are brought back down to the ground. Screaming, writhing in agony.

'Resist all you like. It is true you far surpass me in strength…but nonetheless…

'…the mortal mind can only endure so much…'

The Supreme Kai's burning eyes glow blue, and the glow is retained within the irises. His tears are at the brink of spilling.

Vegeta's vision flashes white as a pain like a heated blade stabs deep into his skull and splits it apart. The ringing drowns out his own screams, his thoughts, ravaging his eardrums.

Up…down… No direction makes any sense anymore. Vegeta doesn't know where he is. The deafening ringing blares in volumes far beyond what he can comprehend. The blisters…the stabbing in his splitting skull… He's half convinced his brain is being turned into jelly.

He can still rise. He has to rise…get off the ground. Get off the ground… Get off the…

Dark splotches. His vision is rapidly fading. The feeling of the earth beneath him…where is it…? Where is the ground…?

Oh… That's not good…

… …

Raditz is nearly petrified. Vegeta's eyes are no longer focused. Karot is trembling on the ground in the same shape.

The Supreme Kai has no intention in stopping.

"Supreme Kai!" Raditz shouts, his voice cracking over the wind. "Stop!"

"Please!" Kauli pleads. "This is too much! They can't take any more!"

"Please, Supreme Kai! Have mercy!" Tarble shouts.

Their pleas fall to deaf ears. Vegeta and Karot are no longer screaming. The Supreme Kai's icy glare only intensifies as the glow of his eyes brighten, as if their pleading was only effective in infuriating him further.

"Damn! He's not listening to us!" Nappa shouts.

Raditz freezes. He can see Kibito's scowl before his eyes:

"The moment he decides that there is no saving you, is the moment you will find yourself pleading to him…but he will no longer listen."

"No…!" Raditz's voice trembles. "Kibito warned us about this…!"

And as much as he wanted to deny it as true, he can't. The Supreme Kai called himself a fool.

A god called himself a fool.

Raditz didn't imagine it would be the most terrifying thing to have crossed his ears. How could he have not noticed? Shin's growing anxiety wasn't just in response to the chaos surrounding Kibito's death… He was spiraling deeper into his doubts. And Vegeta… Vegeta just had to…!

"Damn it, Vegeta! Why did you go and piss-off a GOD out of all things?!"

"The Supreme Kai is angry because he feels betrayed…!" Piccolo squints his eyes as another gust roars by. "He's convinced that they'll let the universe fall into ruin!"

"Wait…" Kauli blinks. "You're saying that's not true?!"

"Maybe… Maybe Gohan is determined to let it happen, but Vegeta…? As selfish as he can be sometimes, I don't think he's insane enough to want to throw away his entire existence! But the Supreme Kai doesn't see that!"

"Then, we have to make him see!" Tarble shouts.

"It's not possible! You can't reason with an angry god!"

"But Gohan and Vegeta will go braindead at this rate!" Kauli panics.

Nappa clenches his teeth as Vegeta's scream pierces the air. The prince is fighting…he's fighting so hard, but his cries grow weaker. "Forget it! I'm not going to watch this go on!"

Tarble winces. "That is unwise!"

"You're asking for trouble if you intervene!" Piccolo snaps.

"We are asking for trouble if we don't!" Nappa narrows his eyes. He flares his energy. "That's enough, Supreme Kai!"

Raditz and Kauli do the same.

"No, you idiots!" Piccolo screams at them.

Truly, every nerve in their bodies is against it. The thick wall of pressure shrouding the Supreme Kai is almost suffocating. But against their better judgement, the Saiyans spring from the ground, their determined eyes fixed on the infuriated Kai.

The Supreme Kai looks to their direction, and he lifts a flattened palm towards them. Everyone finds themselves frozen against their will.

A giant blue shockwave pulses from the palm, slicing the air. The warriors are blown back. A collection of shouts flood the air.

Raditz hits the ground, tumbling across the rough surface before falling flat on his stomach. He tries to lift his head, but his entire weight is slammed to the ground. He wheezes against the unseen pressure, feeling the air being squeezed out of his lungs. His trembling fingers dig into the earth, but he can't move his arms.

'Damn it…! No…!'

He braces himself just as the slightest buzz begins to hum in his skull…but it ebbs away. It didn't matter. Nothing had to be said. Raditz feels the most terrible chill shoot through his spine as he meets the Supreme Kai's glowing eyes.

The message was clear:

"Interfere again, and I won't be as merciful."

- oooooo -

Babidi's hands hover over the crystal ball as he watches everything unfold. His usual smile is wiped clean as his curiosity draws him closer to the sight.

"Hooo. He's pissed off," Babidi notes, somewhat nervous. "It's been quite a while since I've seen him like that."

"He's desperate," Dabura corrects him, crossing his arms. "They refuse to submit to his will, so he breaks them. I didn't think he would actually go through with such a visceral reaction."

"All because he's afraid of Majin Buu. Eheheheh… I can't say I blame him. I was wondering how long it would take for him to snap."

"Is this what you planned, master?" Dabura asks.

"I knew his paranoia would get the best of him eventually. Working with battle-hungry Saiyans…it was a recipe for disaster. I told you. The moment Kibito died, everything started to fall apart for that idiot, and he knows it." There is a pause. A realization crosses the wizard's mind. "You know…speaking of Kibito, I don't think even he would let the Supreme Kai punish these Saiyans so harshly. It's just too bad he's not here to stop him."

"The Supreme Kai has Gohan at his mercy," Dabura points out, worry in his voice.

"So he does," Babidi dismissively says with a wave of a hand. "That can easily be fixed."

Babidi circles his hands around the crystal ball.

"Oh…Gohan. Gohaaaan. Gooooohaaaaaan…"

For several seconds, the silence lingers.

There is a ring…and a broken thought.

'What…'

"Ah, good. So I can still reach you. You aren't looking so good," Babidi chuckles. "I have a proposition for you. Your brain is currently being turned into jelly, I'm sure. That infernal Supreme Kai isn't going to let you go until you are a mindless thing…so how about I relieve you from his torture?"

'What…?'

"I am immune to his psychokinetic attacks, you see. I can share some of that power too. In return, all you have to do is kill him. Then you can break and torture Vegeta aaaaaall you like. How does that sound?"

For several seconds, there is no response. From the crystal ball, Babidi can see Raditz shouting at Shin, who continues to ignore him.

What a wonderful sight.

'Deal…'

A wicked grin forms on Babidi's face. "Good…."

- oooooo -

Raditz never realized how much he took his natural strength for granted. With his body turned against him, the winds he otherwise can easily fly through are now an adversary. It's a different kind of wind. It's not the sort that is unleashed from a warrior who unleashes their power at full strength. There are no cracks around the Supreme Kai's feet. Nothing has been damaged. The winds are the sort Raditz has flown through before, winds that spawn from hurricanes. A part of him wonders if it is something the Humans have to struggle through. It is almost pitiful, but all the more frightening.

He curses the Supreme Kai's weather manipulation.

He lets out a strained shout as he tries to move his muscles. They burn, as if he is caught between two walls. Raditz has to break free from the Supreme Kai's telekinesis somehow. If he can do that, he can zip right through the wind. He can reach him. And if he can reach him…

What can he do once he reaches him? Sure, Raditz can easily overpower the god without trying, but then what? If he knocks the Supreme Kai out, what will happen to Karot and Vegeta? The Supreme Kai is currently twisting their minds. What will be the repercussions if it is abruptly interrupted?

Tarble next to him has managed to get to his knees. The prince grunts through his teeth as he fights to stand. He collapses back to his knees. He decides to crawl instead.

"Tarble…" Raditz grunts against the pressure trying to keep him pinned. He watches as the prince pushes his leg forward. Progress. "What…what are you doing…?"

Tarble lifts and moves his other leg, then his trembling arm, using his elbows as an anchor. "I…am going…to speak with…the Supreme Kai…"

"Are you insane…?!" Kauli overheard. She struggles to lift her head enough to properly face him. "You're talking about…trying to have a conversation with a pissed-off god!"

"I am well aware…!" Tarble moves an arm.

Piccolo grunts against the ground. "Did you miss what I said before? You can't…hope to change his mind. There's no…negotiation…!"

"I…" Tarble gasps, bracing himself against a strong gust of wind. "I have to try…!"

Nappa grits his teeth as he manages to get to his knees. "How are you even…. going to reach him…when you can't sense him…?"

"Easy…" Tarble wheezes, crawling another step. "Go towards the air flow. It's stronger…the closer you are to him!"

They watch as Tarble continues his difficult crawl. Several times the prince almost loses his balance, but he remains upright, staining his body with every move he makes. With every inch the prince gains, he struggles more to crawl another, squinting and gasping, as if he is fighting through monstrous hurricane winds.

It's how Tarble knows how close he is. He squints his eyes against the tempest that fights to reject him. Every nerve in his body screams for him to stop. As he inches closer, and closer, several times he almost caves. His eyes are stinging.

Another strong gust nearly blows Tarble away. He grunts as he sinks his fingers into the earth.

Meanwhile, Vegeta is on his knees again. No longer can he see, or perceive anything. In a last fit of desperation, his golden aura flickers, struggling to hold its form. He screams.

His aura flares the strongest it ever did, ripping cracks through the asphalt. He screams his fury towards his agony, towards his body, towards the Supreme Kai torturing him.

The Supreme Kai recoils back in surprise as Vegeta climbs to his feet by sheer will. The glow in his eyes intensifies as he raises a hand.

"Supreme Kai!"

A hand grips his wrist, stopping him.

The Supreme Kai snaps his head down, meeting Tarble on his knees. Had the prince been able to see the burning blue glare, he likely would have shrunk to the ground.

The pressure pressing down on Tarble doubles. He gasps as he fights against it. He tries to resist the urge to move his hand. The divine aura rippling past it is uncomfortably hot to the touch, like sticking his hand inside a blazing stove just inches away from the flames. So badly, so badly he wants to move his hand before it burns. From how the aura twists and flows around it, he is convinced his hand is cloaked by flames.

"Supreme Kai…! Listen to me! Please!"

Tarble tightens his grip and bites his lip. The stinging heat becomes hotter. He fights to keep his body upright against the pressure pressing down on his body. He fights the strong gust of wind that does everything in its power to blow him away. He has to stop this…

…just as Future Trunks stopped him.

"I know you're angry…" he rasps. "You've been angry…for a very long time. But I also know you are hurting…and terrified…of what's to come. Trust me…I know. We all feel it too…!"

The Supreme Kai says nothing. His hair flows along the persisting tempest.

Tarble squints against it. It's growing too difficult to keep his eyes open. He decides to fight it, feeling that the angry god is peering deep into them. "It's not fair…what happened to you… How that monster killed everyone before your eyes…how he brought so much ruin and despair. I understand you…don't want…that to happen again. I…know…I am just a mere mortal. I have…no place…no say in this. But…I know what that fear feels like…when everything slips from your control… You begin grabbing straws…your world begins to spiral…and anger comes so easily… You were young when everything…fell apart. You had…no time to grieve…or anything… It's just…not fair—ACK!"

A heavy force shoves him to the ground. His hand slips, and he snags the Supreme Kai's leg. It burns.

Bad idea. Comparing a Kai's anger to a mortal's was a bad idea.

Tarble takes a deep breath. He strains his body against the pressure again, and pushes himself back to his knees. "You're right…! We can't hope to fully understand how you feel…but we still want to help you! Kibito told us…that you don't want to give up on us… Don't…don't give up now…not when we haven't…!"

The Supreme Kai's face changes, just slightly. The most subtle hint of pain, but it's immediately masked over by his anger again.

4) Tarble gasps as he feels the powerful force slamming his weight back to the ground. His hand slips free, and he feels his body being pulled by the tempest. He snags the Supreme Kai's ankle before he can be blown away. It burns, it burns, but he holds on.

"I know…! I know! I sound ridiculous…!" Tarble shouts, almost gasping against the increased pressure. "I have no right…to use Kibito's name! I know…! It's just Vegeta, he's—"

The Supreme Kai's cold and disgusted voice rings in his head: 'I will not grant any absolution, mortal.'

It stings. A cold dagger to the heart.

He couldn't mean those words. Tarble knows deep down, the Supreme Kai couldn't have meant it. But it sounded too authentic, and Tarble fights his rising panic. His instincts scream at him to back down and submit to the angry deity…but he can't do that.

Tarble knows what it is, why those words were projected from the Supreme Kai's mind. He knows this anger. He has to quell it, and quickly. The pressure sinking deep into his bones is beginning to squeeze the air out of his lungs.

He can't speak to him like he is Shin anymore. He has to speak to him…like he is a god.

"I…humbly ask you to hear me…Supreme Kai…" It's getting harder to speak, but he has to keep speaking while he can squeeze the words out. "Vegeta…my brother…he's an impulsive idiot. We all are. That…makes up a lot of us mortals… But…we can still fight…! We can…still fight Majin Buu! That's why…you called us here…! And Vegeta! Vegeta decided to fight Karot…that's true! But it's…not to fuel his own ego…or to mend some old wounds…! Please…! Please hear me, Supreme Kai…!"

The pressure lifts…just slightly. The Supreme Kai is listening, but he's impatient. Tarble has to be quicker.

"Vegeta knows…he's responsible for Youzi. He knows…he was responsible for Kakarot's torture…for Cell…all of this…!" Tarble struggles to wave a hand. "But, it's not just him! We…all have some blame…! Vegeta knows this fight will revive Majin Buu…but he also knows it's the only way he can keep you alive…! He knew you were…steadfast with your resolve…so he tried to scare you off. Obviously…it backfired…but there was never any ill intent…!"

The Supreme Kai looks down at Tarble, curling his lips. 'How is it you defend him…after all he has done to you?'

Tarble gasps as he feels his mind being prodded.

Memories…

From Planet Namek….to when Vegeta abandoned him in the gravity chamber.

All the times he beat him senseless.

All the times he…

'Not too long ago…you were determined to end his life.'

"I know." Tarble doesn't deny it. "It seems pointless…to want to help someone who seems to only know how to hurt others. Someone who had…times in the past, hurt those around him for his own benefit. And now…it looks like he's doing it again, that he will never learn. You…ask yourself why he is so persistent to fight Karot…despite knowing the consequences… It's not because of his stupid pride…! He's fighting him…to protect you! He's fighting him because…for the first time…he feels guilty…!"

The Supreme Kai's eyes stop glowing at once, and his aura vanishes.

The air stills. Quiet.

Tarble gulps in a large breath of air as the pressure leaves his body. He can… breathe normally again. He can move freely, but he dares not to. He keeps his head down, still wary.

"Kibito asked us if mortals can change…" Tarble breathes. "I'll tell you…Vegeta is the most pridefully stubborn mortal you will ever meet. For him to do this as a way to face the consequences for all he's done, don't you think that says enough…?

"Majin Buu will awaken because of this. That's a fact. But there are many of us against one terrifying force. I'll say this…as many times as I need to: This…won't be the first battle we've fought when we faced impossible odds. There is always a way. We always found a way…so please. Have faith…"

Tarble is slow to his knees. Although his hand is stinging and his head throbs painfully, he lowers his forehead against the ground. The cool earth presses against the beads of sweat he didn't realize had gathered there. He thought he heard the Supreme Kai make a sound—a startled gasp of some sort.

A prince who bows before a god…somehow frightened him.

"I beg for your forgiveness…on behalf of my brother," Tarble whispers. "I beg of you, Supreme Kai, let them go. Have faith in me…in the rest of us…that we can protect the universe you cherish beyond our feeble comprehension…."

For a long moment, the entire world is at a standstill. Overwhelmed with guilt, the Supreme Kai lowers his hand and relaxes the other. A collection of gasps tells Tarble everyone has been released.

The shifting of feet tells Tarble that the Supreme Kai has turned around.

Slow and steady, the prince lifts his head. He feels his burnt hand, only to find that the gloves have not melted, that they aren't the slightest bit charred. His hand is…unscathed.

He stands, speechless, listening to the Supreme Kai's slowing footsteps.

… …

"How did he…" Kauli slowly climbs to her feet, unable to find any more words.

Raditz has to agree with her shock. He doesn't know how Tarble did it. He can't process the sight happening before his eyes. The anger in the Supreme Kai's eyes has extinguished, unveiling the raw pain that was hidden behind it. The tears that welled there do not fall. The Supreme Kai makes no effort to clear them.

"This usually isn't…possible…" Piccolo whispers in utter disbelief. "From what I— What Kami has heard…once a god becomes angry, there is nothing in the universe that can quell it…"

"But Tarble did it…" Nappa rises, watching as Tarble struggles to his feet. "He…actually did it."

Vegeta stands, half-dazed. He looks at his hands, as if to process everything that happened. He turns to his brother, his mouth hanging open. He looks behind him, then to his left, then right. His motions become more confused, then frantic.

"Something's wrong," Piccolo quickly says.

"What?" Raditz is alarmed. "What is it?"

"Where's the boy?"

Karot is nowhere to be seen. Many heads twist and turn in many directions, but any sign of Karot has vanished. The frantic motions are recognized by the Supreme Kai, who stops in place and turns around.

Karot appears right in front of him.

A hand clamps around his throat, and the Supreme Kai is lifted from the ground.

"KAROT!" Tarble cries.

"GOHAN!" Raditz screams.

The Supreme Kai flails his legs as the hand squeezes tighter. He sputters, his ears pressed against his skull.

"Just for that…I'm going to kill you slowly," Karot seethes. He applies more pressure, holding his arm further back to avoid the frantic kicks.

The Supreme Kai leans his head back, his mouth hanging open as he desperately tries to speak. The bright, blue glow returns to his eyes. A powerful ring pierces the air.

Everyone felt it tear through their minds.

A collection of screams swell the air. Hands claw against ears as bodies fall back to the ground, but Karot stares the Supreme Kai right in the eye, completely unfazed.

'Impossible…!' the Supreme Kai's telepathic voice rings his disbelief. 'You shouldn't be standing!'

A dark and twisted grin forms on Karot's face.

'You let… You let Babidi take full reign of your mind…?!'

"He said…it was to help me with that annoying power of yours. I've grown sick of it." Karot squeezes harder. The Supreme Kai's gasps are cut short. "Now I'm going to end you for good."

The Supreme Kai's fingers claw at the hand squeezing his windpipe. He kicks his legs, spitting, his hanging mouth quivering.

Sunlight retreats at a rapid rate. Karot looks up. An overcast of clouds cloaks the sky within seconds. The gust of wind returns at full force, strengthening and strengthening until it grows into a whistling tempestuous gale that nearly blows the vulnerable warriors off the ground. Karot remains grounded, a question on his lips, but it's silenced as he looks at the Supreme Kai's face.

'If this is where I'll die…' The powerful glow in the Supreme Kai's eyes spreads from the irises and swallows the scleras whole. His hands slip from Karot's fingers and tightly grip around his arms. 'Then you will falter with me!'

- oooooo -

"Oh, no! Don't tell me he's—" Babidi grips his whiskers. "Aaa-aaAAAH!"

"Do you think he'll survive that?!" Dabura asks.

"Of course he'll survive, but his brain might get fried! Gohan, you idiot! Stop playing with your food and break his neck already!"

- oooooo -

The glow in the Supreme Kai's eyes brightens, and his irises vanish behind the blinding pool of light. Karot is forced to squint and look away from the glare. He feels the hairs on the back of his neck rising, his skin prickling. The air smells charged. He looks up again as a flash of white light flickers within the curtain right above his head—

"KAROT!"

Karot freezes. The Supreme Kai freezes.

The source of the scream…

By some miracle…despite the torment his mind is under…Vegeta is on one knee, glaring up at the teenager.

"You're forgetting something!" Vegeta shouts through his pain. His strained voice pierces through the roaring wind. "You're supposed to be trying to kill me first! Or are you too much of a coward to fight a real opponent?!"

"Oh, I'm going to deal with you soon, Vegeta!" Karot maliciously shouts back. He turns his attention back to the Supreme Kai, squeezing his neck tighter. "Right after I dispose of this garbage!"

"Don't tell me you're…going to let a wizard dictate what you do, when you already…decided my fate from the beginning!" Vegeta winces, as if the mere action of speaking is adding on to the blaring in his head. The mere action of speaking takes too much effort. "You went through a whole spiel…about how I ruined your life, how…I am the reason for all the hell you find yourself living through! Tell me, what does the Kai have to do with that? You claim…that he stood by and did nothing, and maybe that's true to some extent. However, the fact he came down here now is…because of the state this sad planet is in, the very thing…that I started, according to you! If you want to kill me, then come and try! The Kai…has no involvement between us! Let him go!"

Karot squints at the glowing pool of eyes, almost as if he is trying to make eye contact with his resolve. Then, he scoffs. He relaxes his hand, and tosses the Supreme Kai aside like garbage.

The ringing stops in an instant. The powerful winds reduce to a weaker gust. The Supreme Kai swallows a harsh lungful of air, clawing at his neck, coughing mad. Karot turns and walks away.

'Hey! Hey! What the hell are you doing?!' Babidi's telepathic voice scolds Karot. 'We had a deal! I told you to kill him! Kill him, damn it!'

"Oh, I'll kill him, along with everyone else," Karot says to him. "But the prince comes first, and he's really asking for it."

'What?! But you—'

"You want the stupid energy, don't you?" Karot's eyes burn as they lock on the Saiyan prince who climbs to his feet. "I'll make sure he feels every single blow before he dies. That should suffice."

'You fool! I want that Supreme Kai dead! DEAD! You are going to kill him first! I order you to kill him right now!'

Karot prepares to protest, but a sharp wave of pain strikes his head. He staggers back and slams his hands on the sides of his skull. He squeezes his eyes shut with a groan, his teeth clenched in pain.

'Kill him! Kill him now!'

Karot opens one eye, his fingers digging into his scalp. His flowing energy crackles and hisses. He drops to one knee, gasping and spitting. The Majin's Mark on his head glows an eerie red.

The Supreme Kai lies limp on the ground. His chest still heaves. His eyes remain squeezed shut. Karot feels a force pushing him towards him. His feet dig into the earth.

'Kill him! Kill him! Kill him! KILL HIM! That's an ORDER!'

"Nggnh…! I am through…with following stupid orders…from anyone…!" Karot staggers to his feet. His nails tear through his scalp, hissing. His feet begin to move on his own. "My entire life… I did what everyone else wanted me to do! It's my turn now, and you will not interfere with me!"

'I will not ask you again! You will KILL the Supreme Kai!'

Karot fights against the next step, but a painful spark shoots through his consciousness. His muscles ache the more he tries to move in the opposite direction. To follow the flow of the force…it's painless. Rewarding.

The force pulling him tugs harder. Karot's foot almost slips. They turn towards the Supreme Kai. He takes a heavy step forward, followed by another.

'Yes… That's it. Good boy… Good boy…'

A memory. Karot sees his father—he can see Youzi, grinning and cooing, puppeting his father's body. All at once, he remembers the things his father did when he returned from his exile. How, even when he fought against it, the demon always won.

None of this would have ever happened…had Raditz never arrived on Earth in the first place. None of this would have ever happened, had Vegeta never sent Kakarot away.

Vegeta… Vegeta… Vegeta…!

Karot plants his feet. His muscles burn. A terrible pain tugs at his skull, urging him forward, like a puppet on a string.

"I…will not…follow my father's fate…!" Karot's nails dig deeper into his skull. "I am no one's puppet! Not to a demon, not to a god, and especially not you! I've already decided what…I wanted to do…! This is my choice! MY CHOICE! And you will NOT tell me what to DO! I listen to NO OOOOOOOOOONE!"

Karot's energy explodes, and its raw strength rips cracks through the asphalt. He howls towards the sky, his power unleashing a gust that nearly blows everyone off their feet.

- oooooo -

The crystal ball hisses and screams. Small bolts leap across the surface, zapping Babidi's hovering hands. He recoils back with a startled shout, his eyes locked on Karot's glare.

"No way…how did… No one…has ever resisted my control before…"

Dabura's stunned expression morphs into a frown. "Why does it matter? The boy is a tool no matter if he obeys you or not. We will have what we want."

Babidi shuffles his feet. "Eh… I suppose you…have a point, Dabura. Aaagh! But how can a creature be so tenacious as to resist my magic?! This is infuriating!"

"The Supreme Kai will still die as you wish, master. Perhaps it won't be by the boy's hand." Dabura glances towards the door. "But by something far more entertaining."

Babidi looks in the same direction, and his frustration melts away as he smiles. "Well… Yes, you are right. That would be a lot more fun, wouldn't it? In that case…fine. Fine!"

- oooooo -

Raditz glances at the Supreme Kai, who is still on the ground. Karot and Vegeta stand at opposing sides, with Karot still flaring his energy. The unrestrained power tells Raditz that Vegeta will not survive a moment against it, and yet, the prince stands completely composed.

Karot's energy pulls closer to his body, and he takes a deep breath. He looks Vegeta right in the eye.

"Are you finished now?" Vegeta asks him.

Karot's lips twist into a bloodthirsty grin as he chuckles.

"If so, then I won't keep you waiting." Vegeta glares at the sky. "Babidi! You will take us somewhere far. We don't need our fight to be…interrupted again. I'm sure that's not something you want, right?"

For a long moment, there is no response.

In the next, without warning, Karot and Vegeta blip out of sight.

The flow of energy fizzles like a dying breeze in an instant. Raditz gasps. Tarble remains frozen, startled that their energy signals had vanished instantly. They don't ask questions. Kauli, Piccolo, and Nappa struggle to lift their weight from their knees.

A terrible headache like a thousand blades lingers—a reminder of what was just endured. The Supreme Kai is still collapsed on the ground, his breathing ragged.

Raditz bites his lip, trying to distract himself with a different kind of pain. He props one leg up, followed by the other, and he begins to rise again. A painful wave of vertigo almost sends him back to the ground. He presses a hand against the side of his throbbing skull, squinting his eyes. The headache ebbs to a more tolerable pain. Annoying, but tolerable. He can function at last.

Everyone else behind him manages to find their footing. The Supreme Kai moves at last, and everyone moves to assist him. He is soon on his hands and knees, trembling like a leaf. He turns his head towards the ground, and they can see his face.

His eyes are still blinding pools of light.

They stop moving all at once, frozen mid-step. The glow makes it impossible to know where the Supreme Kai is looking. The strong and persistent gust tells Raditz that getting any closer isn't so wise.

"Tarble…" Raditz wearily whispers. "You want to try again…?"

Tarble immediately sinks. "It's…it's different. Everything about the air is…it's like a solid shield."

Kauli takes a step forward, but Piccolo snatches her arm and pulls her back. "You see his eyes," he tells her.

Kauli remembers seeing the terrifying glow cloaking Kibito's eyes just a moment before Dabura overpowered him. "I…I know, but I can't just—"

"He's at his most powerful state right now," Piccolo mutters his warning, almost frightened. "And that also goes for his Compulsion."

With the implication in mind, no one dares to take a step closer.

The Supreme Kai doesn't do as much as blink. His lips remain still. The wind shrouding him grows stronger. His hair and earrings are at the brink of ripping from his body. The crowd waits for the familiar telepathic ring, but there is nothing. Nothing at all.

"Uh…guys…?" Kauli's meek voice snaps a few from their trace. Her horrified eyes are fixed to the sky. They look up.

The clouds have turned into an ugly gray.

… …

The tightness in Shin's chest refuses to settle. It only grows worse, along with the sickening dread sinking deep into his bones.

"How do you like your inevitable future…?"

Babidi's mocking words echo in his mind. He can see the twisted grin on Karot's face…the Majin mark on his head.

Karot and Vegeta were both at his mercy. Their anger. Their fear. Their dread. All muddled and distorted with Shin's own emotions, until it was a ball of anguish. The only way to stop it…was to make them stop thinking. The moment they stopped thinking…

The throbbing pain around his neck is a reminder. Karot was moments away from crushing his neck like a twig…

That wizard…

That wizard…

That…wizard…!

Shin can feel the strong tempest of wind ripping through his hair. His throat tightens, and the ground is spinning beneath him.

He's aware of it. He tries to stifle it. But the feelings of dread persisted. He can hear the wizard's laughter. Kibito's lifeless and bloody body…

The overcast transforms overhead, the gray curtain darkening. The warm winds bring no relief to the weight deep in his chest.

"How do you like your inevitable future…?"

First it was an everlasting darkness devoid of all life…

Then it was nothing. Nothing. Existence was no longer a concept. Silence beyond silence. The dullness he felt in his core…

"How do you like your inevitable future…?"

A faint voice called out his title—a frightened voice. It's muffled by the tempest. Another voice joins it, then a third.

"How do you like your inevitable future…?"

"Do you like your inevitable future…?"

"…YOUR inevitable future…!"

He shakes his head. His trembling fingers grip his skull. He holds his breath, but it doesn't do anything to quell the strengthening gust. Every breath he takes, his lungs fill with less air…until he can no longer breathe.

A hand falls on his shoulder.

Shin jerks up, his eyes open, normal.

There is no tempest. No barren wasteland. No ship. The mortals had vanished.

He stands in a vibrant field, where perfect blades of grass reach his chest. They ripple as far as the eye can see. It is as if he stands in the middle of a vast ocean, how even the most gentle of breezes creates beautiful waves…

The Sacred World of The Kais. The field of flowers, its such a warm and beautiful day…

He turns to the hand on his shoulder, and he meets West's warm smile. His body jerks back as his stutters nonsense. In his clumsy stumble, he falls back into the flowerbed, vanishing in the overgrowth. Petals fly and flutter high above him as a vibrant pink flurry.

West's laughter rings in the air, and it's just as graceful as Shin remembers. He sits up, his head still buried in the sea of flowers. A hand hovers in front of his face. He meets West's eyes—eyes that are vibrant and real. They are filled with so much life.

Without thinking, he takes it, and he is hoisted to his feet. For a long moment, he stands stupidly. West laughs again, and Shin feels his face growing hot in embarrassment.

Wordlessly, West reaches past him and plucks a pink flower to add to the bundle tucked in her arm…a perfect color that reflects the lavender sky above.

Motion to his right. There is North carrying an armful of blue flowers…how they reflected the sunlight like glass. South stands several paces away, his back turned to them. His towering form makes him stand out from the rippling sea. The blades can only reach below his waist as he turns to face them with a confident smile. He carries a handful of vibrant red flowers. They almost look like fire…

They are all waiting on him.

Shin at first, doesn't know what he is supposed to be looking for. He brushes his hand through the tall blades of grass, and his eyes become fixed to a striking golden glow… Golden flowers, a rich color that he finds himself drawn to. Gently, carefully, mindful of the roots, he plucks them one by one until ten and more are held between his hands.

West grabs his arm and tugs him along with a bright smile. North and South follow close behind. They meet at the top of the hill…where Kibito greets them with a revered bow. Standing next to him is The Grand Supreme Kai. He wears his signature jolly smile that swells Shin's being with a sense of security.

North is the first to offer his flowers. Then it's South. West soon follows…and it is Shin's turn.

He walks past them all, aware of every step he takes, aware of how the grass almost swallows him, aware of how awkward his gait is…how small he is.

But the Grand Supreme Kai smiles once he stands before him. He takes the flowers with a gentle hand and a warm smile. Shin takes a step back, words at the tip of his tongue, but they do not break the surface.

The Grand Supreme Kai put the flowers together with delicate hands, until they form a banquet. It is the most beautiful assortment Shin had ever seen.

It…was the most beautiful assortment.

And as the Grand Supreme Kai speaks, his strong and gentle voice almost steals Shin's breath away. It sounds so true…so real… Just as he remembers it.

"This banquet represents the beauty of the universe the four of you can create. The variety of colors, how unique each of you think…you see how perfectly it blends. It's not uniformed…because the universe is vast and forever changing."

West smiles at their master's words. North nods once, taking them in. South stands tall and proud.

Stood tall and proud…

It's a memory.

All of this is a memory…

Shin brings a trembling fist close to his chest. His late master's words continue to speak through him.

"All of you are forever changing. That is why when it comes to our Creations…we mustn't expect them to follow a single-file line. We can't expect them to remain stagnant.

We nurture them. We guide them.

Of course, some will fall into despair. Others will fall to evil. However, these are all steps mortals must take. It's just like how a wildfire consumes the forest. Destructive. Lethal. Terrible. However, those flames do not last forever. They eventually perish. The forest may be blackened to ash…but it will rejuvenate into something far more beautiful. Far stronger.

Take your time to understand mortals. They aren't so different from us, after all. Let yourself forget that…and you will lose sight of what being a Supreme Kai means."

Shin closes his eyes and takes a long, deep breath. The memory fades, and he's back to the real world, where every muscle in his body is locked in place. He can feel the cloak of gale that shrouds him, protecting him.

There's no need for it anymore.

The pressure…begins to dwindle.

Opening his eyes, the blue glow shrinks back into his irises, sharp and bright. Slowly, the wind relaxes…brushing through his ears. Its roar quiets to a mere whisper. A brush of soft and gentle words…

Another deep breath…and he feels the pressure leave his body. The colorful banquet…the field of flowers…

His old master's smiling face….

Shin climbs to his feet, a hand softly gripping the ache in his neck. He staggers, almost falling, but he catches himself. With the very little dignity he seems to have left, he brushes off his unfallen tears. He stands, and walks away from the crowd. Once he is several places away, he stops.

Even during an overcast, his earrings shimmer…they always did.

"Supreme Kai…?" Kauli calls.

He remains still, his glowing eyes dimming back to their natural dark color as he watches the parting clouds. Rays of sunlight spill through the gaps, basking the Earth once more.

5) Everyone's attention is towards the sky. The clouds shrink away, revealing the vast blue canvas that was hidden a moment before. They look back at Shin just as he turns around, dropping his arms. Slowly, he approaches. Their nervous tension slows him to a stop, and he meets their eyes.

"You have…no cause to be alarmed." He drops his head to a bow. "I give you my most sincere apologies."

The warriors stare at him, speechless.

"The moment I saw Karot consumed by his darkness, and the moment Vegeta seemingly turned on me, I was convinced…that all mortals would let themselves be consumed by selfish ambition. Between the likes of Frieza, the likes of Chille…and Youzi's growing influence…it seemed as if mortals were incorrigible. I had convinced myself…that nothing was going to change. For a moment, I let myself lose hope."

He turns to Tarble and bows again.

"Prince Tarble, you stood against me even as my fury flared. I ought to call you foolish, but had you not reached me, I dread to think of what could have been. The words you said…they reminded me…of something my late master once told me."

"Uh…of course…" Tarble awkwardly dips his head.

Shin stands tall. The warriors just stare. Their clusters of confused thoughts bounce around in Shin's mind. He can't blame them…especially after all that just transpired.

"And for the record…I do not hold any desire to destroy you," Shin says, looking directly at Kauli. "You can put that thought to rest."

He brushes past them, ignoring their stunned eyes. As his boots scrape past the ravaged road, as he passes a collapsed building, he takes one solemn look at the ruins of what was once a bustling city.

For a moment, the skies turn red, the white clouds violet, and the ruins he stands within are made up of a different structure. Small embers flutter around him as he stands alone in the desolated city.

It's a sight he thought he buried to the very back of his mind—a memory he wished to forget. He knows it will never be possible, for it significantly contributed to where he currently stands.

He closes his eyes, and recites his master's words.

"Mortals aren't flawless…and neither are Kais. After all…they are a reflection of their Creators. Let us reject it, and we will forget where we came from. We will forget the paradise we've aspired to give, and we would have already failed."

Shin opens his eyes and stands within Orange City again. He turns his gaze back towards the isolated fluffy clouds drifting across the deep blue.

He can see the jolly face of his master watching over him.

He can see the others…over the field of flowers. West, North, and South…they surround a younger Shin, smiling and laughing.

- Meanwhile… -

Within the bowels of The Demon Realm…

"Aw…just when things were becoming so interesting. I actually enjoyed seeing that look on your face…"

Arinsu swipes her hand, and the giant monitor on her wall rewinds footage. Kakarot can't see what it is from where he is angled. He can make out shapes and colors, but he can't see what has intrigued her so much.

"You felt it too, didn't you, sister?" a voice intoned.

Did it just say "sister"?

There is no one else in the room other than a few armored demonic creatures standing guard. Then, there is the sound of boots clicking against the marbled floor behind him. As if Arinsu sensed his curiosity, Kakarot finds he can move and look around within his prison. So he turns around.

He can't believe it.

There's another one.

The first thing Kakarot sees is a piercing pair of dark-violet eyes.

The humanoid creature approaches with crossed arms. As he steps into the red light bleeding from the window, it's unmistakable that he shares a resemblance with Arinsu; from his complexion and pointy ears and the color of his hair, down to the haughty way he carries himself. The main difference is that he only has hair growing in the middle of his head. It's significantly shorter and styled into a bristled mohawk. Worn over his body is an olive-green tunic—more like a coat actually. It is secured by a few golden buttons, and there is a yellow sash around his waist. His gray pants are tucked in his white boots. A large white cape hangs from his shoulders, making him appear more important than the other one.

Is he perhaps her boss…?

Arinsu scoffs at this. "The audacity this one has—my boss? Please, the fool can't even manage himself if left with a project as grand as this."

The newcomer sends her a glare before he shifts his attention towards Kakarot. His violet eyes burn more the longer they stare, as if Kakarot is the most disgusting creature that can ever exist.

"Who are you?" Kakarot finally asks, annoyed with his staring.

The newcomer clicks his teeth.

"At least be courteous enough to answer his question," Arinsu says.

"Why should I entertain this lowly creature?" the newcomer bitterly asks. "He will be nothing more than an energy source soon."

"Which is precisely why you should at least introduce yourself." A mocking smile forms on Arinsu's lips. "Or…would you rather him call you 'The Vigilante'?"

He rolls his eyes with a scoff. "I didn't give myself that title. Not like you did with yours, Forerunner. Self-important much?"

Arinsu playfully settles a hand on her chest. "You wound me. Do you claim that you are any different?"

The newcomer turns away without a comment, glaring down at Kakarot again. "Hm. Fine. My name is Degesu. I am The Demon King Dabura's attendant."

He scoffs, and chuckles.

"Well, he's not so much of a king anymore for falling into the hands of a frail wizard, now is he? But we've been…looking after the kingdom for him in his stead. Perhaps you think that doesn't matter to you, but it does." He turns his gaze towards the giant monitor. "It really does."

Kakarot glares back at the screen, trying to see what has transfixed their attention. Arinsu smiles his way. She waves a hand in a particular pattern, and the monitor dislodges itself from the wall—a hologram. As it turns over, Kakarot can finally have a good look at it, and he feels his confusion double.

Nearby guards gasp in shock and horror. Whispers of the name "Nahare" bounce across the room.

The stranger displayed on the screen looks just like—

"Who…who is that…?" Kakarot glares at the monitor. "Another one of you?!"

"Obviously," Arinsu confirms.

Degesu scoffs. "How keen of you."

Wether or not that is sarcasm is hard for Kakarot to determine.

Arinsu hums and turns to her brother. "What brings you here? Drawn by his fury, were you?"

"Can't help but be drawn to it," Degesu says. "I felt it all the way here. I was reading a good book too—in the middle of a very great scene, mind you—and the jolt broke my concentration."

He uncrosses his arms as his eyes turn towards the hologram. A twisted smile forms on his face.

"But now, I don't mind having my story so rudely interrupted. It's been well over a million years since I've felt him get that angry. Makes me curious about just what it was that set him off, because Nahare was never the irascible sort."

Kakarot can see the footage play out before him. The sight of Vegeta and Karot collapsing, the way they roll and scream on the ground…it's all too familiar. For a moment, he is almost convinced it can happen to him again. He can almost feel the crown around his head, just waiting for it to trigger.

Standing before Vegeta and Karot, wearing eyes of cold fury, is the very creature responsible for their torment. His own mohawk has far more volume compared to Degesu, longer and feathery, but it's unmistakable that they look alike. The key difference is that he's short. If anything, he seems to match Tarble's height.

But something about him is eerie. Kakarot can sense this one is the most threatening somehow—of course he is. If he has Vegeta and Karot at his mercy, then surely…surely he is.

But what is he doing on Earth, while the other two are here?

"Oh, you've noticed it?" Arinsu asks. "Hm. Yes. I guess I should tell you. That one there is your Supreme Kai."

"Huh?!" Kakarot jolts, feeling completely disillusioned. "That's The Supreme Kai everyone keeps talking about?! But he… He…"

"He's a runt?" Degesu raises an eyebrow. "Yes. We know."

If Kakarot had a body, he would give him a deadpan look. "I was going to say he looks just like you."

Arinsu and Degesu scoff at the same time.

"Yes, we know," Degesu grumbles. "Using your non-existent brain now, aren't you, Saiyan?"

"I don't understand."

"I'll tell you. That little upstart thinks he's far better than us simply because he's a Supreme Kai. He has the complete rule of The Outside World from which you came, and that power has gone straight into his head."

"To shape and mend an entire plane of existence from your fingertips, how can it not?" Arinsu smiles. "The potential is endless. The universe is a vast canvas that can never be finished, forever expanding. Just thinking about it makes my heart race!"

"Then why… Why are you here?" Kakarot asks. It earns him a nasty glare from Degesu.

Arinsu chuckles. "Because I see a potential that the others have turned a blind eye to. There is so much that can be done, so much that could far exceed what already exists! Creation can go only as far as imagination allows, and the vision I have in mind…yes. It is something that far surpasses The Demon Realm!"

Her laughter grows, but it settles before it can take complete hold of her.

"But as fascinating as The Outside World is, the placed restrictions made everything so awfully limiting. They are not…fond of my vision. We've been sealed down here because we refused to play the game of pretend."

Kakarot feels confused.

"My brilliant sister as always, doesn't allow such a setback to hinder her," Degesu adds. "You, Saiyan, are evidence that darkness can never be negated. It is something that Youzi is presenting to those Kais as we speak. They can run away from it, but it will always exist. And my, do they react with such volatility each and every time they encounter it."

All that explanation does is confuse Kakarot more. "What?"

Arinsu shrugs. "Oh, but I don't expect you to understand. Why does it matter if you do anyway? It's not like you would remember. Although, I'll have you know what the Supreme Kai did to your prince is nothing. It was five-million years ago when he killed Bibidi. Have I ever told you about Bibidi? Considering dear Nahare was so heavy with grief at the time, it's understandable why it wasn't exactly graceful."

"He would have killed your son, you know," Degesu says, a smile creeping on his face. "If it meant stopping Majin Buu."

"The Supreme Kai wouldn't," Kakarot almost snaps.

"Because he's a Creation God? Please, you don't know him like we do," Arinsu says. "He reacted that way because his grand canvas was about to be torn right out of his control. The only reason your son remains cognitive, is because that little Saiyan prince of yours managed to prevent your god from twisting his temporal lobe. I'm sure poor Nahare is racked with guilt now."

"…What?"

Degesu sighs. "This one is an idiot."

"So he is," Arinsu hums. "Does it matter? I've answered his questions."

"Be that as it may…" Degesu glances at the monitor again. "Imagine if this prince wasn't successful?"

"That kernel of curiosity is exactly why I wish to see what happens when Nahare is pushed to his limitations," Arinsu says with a wicked smile. She nods her head towards Kakarot. "He has forgotten who he is, so would it hurt to remind him? It is dear Degesu here who wants Nahare to suffer the consequences of his renunciation. So I suppose…Majin Buu will grant us a compromise."

They can't be serious…

"You're trying to kill him," Kakarot realizes in shock.

While Degesu bares his teeth at the statement, Arinsu's smile falters to a deep frown. "You offend me. What will I gain from taking his life?"

"But you just said—"

"I said the monster might kill him. I never suggested doing it myself." Arinsu narrows her eyes. "Perhaps I would prefer it for him to stay alive."

"It would be all the more fun to strip him of everything. And when he has nothing…what do you suppose he will do?" Degesu crosses his arms, and he tilts his head back. "It's a little game we've decided to play."

A…game?

All of this is a game to them?

Kakarot can't believe it.

They are far more sophisticated than Youzi…but at the same time…they aren't much different…

Just as sadistic, toying with the lives of others…

…seeking a higher power that would make everyone else submit to their feet.

"Well, well. Now you understand. Good." Degesu pats Kakarot's glass prison, a sinister smile forming on his face. "It's so much easier to be true to yourself than to pretend to be something you're not…don't you agree, Saiyan? You're the one who dropped your Humanity not long after you learned of your true origins."

Kakarot can only stare. Degesu's smile parts into a grin.

"It's so freeing, isn't it?"

"Leave the soul be, Degesu," Arinsu calls. "His comprehension is limited. He has enough to process as is."

Degesu frowns. "It's not like he will remember."

Arinsu's eyes turn cold, and her voice colder. "Do not use my own words against me."

Degesu jolts, and he takes a quick step back. He forces a smile on his face, but it quivers as he struggles to hold its shape. "Ah… I never implied that you were unwise, dear Arinsu…"

"If we lose all of our progress, then it would take another million years until we can come this close again— And that's if we make it a million years." Arinsu glares at the monitor for only a second. As soon as her eyes lock on Degesu again, she approaches. Degesu almost trips over his feet. "I am not exactly keen on seeing that monster have its way like it did before."

"There is no need to remind me." Degesu meekly replies. "I am aware."

"Then you will stop touching the glass. Move back. Go on. Move back."

Degesu takes immediate notice of Arinsu's shooing gesture, and he takes several, several steps back. He doesn't stop moving until Arinsu turns her gaze away. His tense shoulders immediately relax.

'He's afraid of her,' Kakarot realizes. 'I thought that since they are siblings, they would feel comfortable around each other. I guess I'm wrong…'

Although, it's not like he's unfamiliar with it. He shouldn't be surprised. Raditz wasn't exactly friendly when they first met, and Turles was far worse. The way Vegeta and Tarble treated each other also wasn't very pretty from all that he had seen.

And, considering Arinsu is the one who created Youzi in the first place, Kakarot already decided a long time ago that he doesn't want to know what twisted ideas go through her brain. He's beginning to understand why she is blocked-off from stepping foot into the universe in the first place—

Movement.

Kakarot catches the sight of something moving in the shadows. At least, he thought he saw a figure. When he blinks, it's gone.

"Ah, don't feel so chagrined, Degesu." Arinsu speaks as if she wasn't angry a second ago. Her smile has returned, but her eyes still carry the weight of her unspoken threat. "As pleased as I am with your efforts, there are simply some things only designed for me to manage—but I digress; preparations are in order. Have you gathered everything I've asked you?"

"Yes." Degesu looks displeased. "It wasn't too difficult."

"Wonderful. We can begin by opening the portals again. Well?"

Degesu sighs. He takes his first reluctant steps towards the monitor until his feet leave the ground. Slowly, he drifts across the room, rising several feet high until he hovers in front of the monitor. He swipes his hand, and windows on the screen begin to shift around. "If you wish for me to burn my hand 76 more times, I'm afraid I am no longer interested."

"That won't be necessary. The seal is weak enough that a swarm of demons flying through will snap the final threads. The ones we are sending will be too hungry to care about the injuries they will sustain. All that matters is that the seal will falter, and my little Youzi will have nothing to stop him from returning to Earth."

Kakarot jerks up, the motion violent enough for Arinsu to notice.

She playfully clicks her teeth before she speaks in a mawkish drawl. "Aw, not so fond of the thought, are you now, Saiyan? But I fear you are too late. It has already begun."

Meanwhile, within the shadows, a pair of boots silently shift across the floor. The shadow sneaks around the wall, listening.

"Don't you think the Supreme Kai already knows what you two are doing?" Kakarot challenges them both. "And you plan to face him?"

Degesu continues to drag several windows across the screen. "That implies confrontation. I said I can't stand him. I never said anything about wanting to fight him. I'll be kind enough to answer your curiosity since you will forget in time: A fight between us is pointless. Only because there's no telling who will rise victorious."

"But he's a—"

"In The Outside World, yes. He will absolutely humiliate me in a heartbeat. But here? He's no god here." Degesu glances back at Kakarot with a sinister smile. "Which is precisely why he refuses to step foot in this realm."

He takes a moment to study his work before he steps away.

"The coordinates have been set." Degesu descends back to the floor, his cape following his trail. "And now, for the next step." He raises a single hand, and a large figure rises from somewhere in the room.

There is a startled shout. A frightened yelp. A boar-like creature floats high above his head. It is unable to do as much as twitch a finger as it begins to hyperventilate.

"Now, now. There is no need to fear." Degesu curls his finger, and the creature is pulled closer to him. "What you are doing for us is something most esteemed. Calm yourself."

The creature can only stare, its horrified eyes locked on the smiling man. It's not until Degesu gently touches its chin that its frantic breathing begins to slow.

"There you go. Not so bad now, is it…?"

Degesu twirls a dagger in his hand and swings his arm. The demon's throat splits open, and it sprays dark blood before its desperate hands clamp around its throat.

The demon is rudely dropped to the floor, choking. It spits out a mouthful of its own blood. Degesu watches its struggle with cold eyes as life leaves the demon's own.

Arinsu releases a sigh of exasperation. "Did you have to make such a mess?" she asks him.

Degesu points at the lifeless creature. "The spell needs demon blood."

Arinsu huffs. "You dull idiot. The blood evaporates with the body when it dies. You practically wasted your time."

Almost abashed, Degesu looks back at the demon he has slain. Its body is already deteriorating into wisps of fog. "So what will you have me do?"

"Find me another! And make sure it stays alive!"

"That's simple enough." Degesu snatches the guard closest to him. Before the demon could get a panicked word out, he stabs the dagger into its stomach and slits it open. He shoves the demon face-down on the ground. "There. Is that better?"

Arinsu jerks her heels back just as the thick purple liquid spills across the floor. She stomps with a sigh. "Honestly… I feel as if you do this on purpose."

The remaining guards stand in stunned and frightened silence, watching as the pool of blood grows beneath their convulsing ally. Movement in the shadows jerk back, as if it were startled by the sight.

"Why…" Kakarot is almost too stunned to speak. He watches as the purple liquid trickles into diverting paths across the floor, as if they are being pulled by something. It is siphoned through a tube, filling a large beaker at a rapid rate. "Why would you… Weren't they one of your own?"

"Hnn…" A wicked and sadistic grin stretches across Degesu's face. He twirls the blood-coated blade between his fingers. "Didn't my sister's creation teach you a thing or two?"

Kakarot can almost hear Youzi's laughter. He resists it, but the terrible heavy weight of exhaustion doesn't leave him.

The demon's body becomes still. Completely drained of life, it dulls to a gray color and wisps away into fog. The blood that was collected into the glass container doesn't evaporate, as if some sort of magical force is preventing it.

"How can anyone stay loyal to someone like you?" Kakarot wonders.

"Because, this isn't The Outside World, you cretin," Degesu answers. "All the affection and embraces you are used to is something that was implemented there. Here, only the most ruthless survive. They stay with me because they know they cannot survive without me. One sacrifice is far more favorable than dying in the masses. They know if they have a thought in turning against me, they will stand absolutely no chance. You've seen how quickly I've put this frail creature to the ground. It could have been any of them."

He said it so casually, all with a smile on his face.

Kakarot is certain that if he still has his body, he would be completely frozen. Was that what he was like? When Youzi possessed him and whispered false promises in his head?

Was all the bloodthirsty things Youzi made him do the norm in The Demon Realm?

"Now that you understand. So, I'll ask you this: Are you aware…of what you will become?" Degesu mocks. "Your soul is so powerful, I'm convinced Youzi won't need a vessel once he consumes you. But that's for my sister to determine. If it does come to it, it won't be too difficult to borrow a body from one of your kin."

Kakarot feels his anger flare.

Degesu didn't miss it. He cocks his head, all while squinting his eyes and wearing a smug smile. "What's the matter? Does that bother you?"

Oh. They are definitely related. Kakarot has grown sick of that question.

"You do realize I can sense your defiance, and we can't have that." Degesu slowly shakes his head. "Oh, no, no, no. It's quite intolerable. Are you certain you wish to trade your soul for another? Because that is exactly what you are implying by defying my dear sister with such bold behavior."

Kakarot is familiar with that threat too. Usually, he would back down, but this time, he feels a lot bolder. "You know, the fact that you have to borrow a mortal soul to achieve a fraction of a god's power says a lot. You want to pretend to be something you know you will never be. Who's the upstart now?"

In truth, Kakarot has no idea what an "upstart" is. He just assumed it was an insult, and used it against the cocky creature. It has the very reaction he was expecting, because Degesu's eyes begin to burn. And as they burn, the pupils of his eyes hold a dangerous purple glow.

"Relax your temper, Degesu," Arinsu sharply calls, making him jump. "Don't let the soul provoke you."

Degesu's lips curl back. "But he—"

"Is a soul. What is he going to do? Flicker you to death? Take a moment to think." Arinsu lazily flips a hand around as if to ward off a buzzing fly. "It's crucial for you to focus on the mission, yes? The next phase is about to begin."

Degesu closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "Yes. You are right." As he opens them, they return to their dark color. "Let us begin."

Arinsu steps right in front of Kakarot. "You've done us a great service, Kakarot. Now, you may have the rest you deserve."

Kakarot begins to protest, but as Arinsu waves a hand, he feels a terrible weight doubling down on him. His surroundings become a blur, until he can see no more. Suddenly, he can no longer find his voice. A sensation of warmth floods his being, like warm water being poured from his head to toe. It is…oddly comforting…soothing in fact. He feels himself sinking.

"Shhhhh… There you go… Relax…" Arinsu whispers, her voice as lulling as a gentle breeze. "Relax…"

He knows what she is trying to do. He fights it. He fights it the hardest he ever did.

But this…it feels different. The harder he struggles, the more he feels as if he is snuggled into something…something soft and gentle that ebbs away aches he didn't know he had.

"Relax… Relax…"

Her voice also begins to fade. All the surrounding sounds…everything…

Kakarot feels himself sink, and he can't pull himself out anymore.

He feels himself sink…into the comforting silence he never realized he so desperately needed.

It was…so quiet…

… …

… …. …

"Hm. That was easier than I anticipated." Arinsu steps away from the retort glass resting on the tabletop. The white wisp flickering inside has gone completely idle. It no longer drifts with the vitality she had witnessed for several years.

"So, is it done?" Degesu impatiently asks.

"Shhhh. Quiet now, Degesu. He's sleeping." Arinsu smiles as she turns her eyes down at the three-legged metal stand holding the beaker up. She turns a knob, and a flame flares to life underneath. "Now we have to let the soul simmer for a bit. It won't be very long now."

"Hm…" Degesu squints his eyes at the soul, but he makes no comment.

"I trust that you will see your part is done." Arinsu says. "I won't be able to monitor you anymore. If anything goes wrong, then you'll only prove to me you can't function on your own."

One of Degesu's ears flicks as he narrows his eyes. "I have not been a child for many millennia."

"One final jest before I leave you." Arinsu smiles again. "Take care."

She hovers several feet from the ground, crossing his legs over each other. She lowers her elbows to her lap, her fingers curled out near her knees. After closing her eyes, within seconds, her body is surrounded by an aura of many colors. A subtle hum radiates from her body as her cape flows behind her despite the lack of wind. The surrounding guards shuffle with nervous energy.

"So it begins. This outrageous plan of yours." Degesu chuckles as he makes his way to the door. The guards follow him closely behind as he heads down the hall. He stops at once, and he glances over his shoulder. "Ensure that Dr. Arinsu is not disturbed during her meditation."

Guards nod and station themselves in front of the door, leaving Degesu to march down the long hall on his own.

"She will be in quite a stupor for a few hours. But by the time she's done, that backwater planet the Saiyan came from will be nothing but a wasteland of despair."

He grins.

"I will admit. This is the most fun I've had in a millennia. Wouldn't you agree, dear Nahare?"

Unbeknownst to them, the shadowy figure too, had slipped out of the chamber. It sneaks around a pillar, and it darts through the parted double doors of The Demon King's throne room. Within the darkness, they sprint. They sprint as if their life depends on it, because it does.

They stop at once. A dead end.

There is a clack, followed by another. The wall before them begins to part. A golden light spills between the growing gap, flickering and dying. The shadow, by pure instinct, takes a frightened step away from it.

What was once a circular net has been reduced to nothing more than a few threads. Another tendril crumbles to nothing. Behind the deteriorating seal is the vast and gaping portal. It is just within reach, but every inch of the shadow's body screams at him to stay back. For as long as the divine magic lives, it will still burn.

A few burns… He can shake off a few ugly burns.

"Arinsu will be out of commission for sometime, which means Degesu has full reign of The Demon Realm's forces. It's about to get interesting…especially now that The Seal of Retribution has crumbled to dust."

The shadow spins a handgun in his hand before slipping it inside the belt's holster.

"It's time to set this plan into motion."

His golden eyes glance back into The Demon Realm one last time before he makes his lunge through the portal.

OTES Character Trivia Fact of The "Day":

-Degesu (A.K.A, "The Vigilante")

Degesu is Arinsu's younger brother, and the Supreme Demon King Assistant. For the last 300 years while King Dabura has been away, Degesu along with his sister ruled over The Demon Realm in his stead.

Ambitious and ruthless, Degesu will do anything to achieve his goals. There is almost no line he won't cross.

Possible Questions: (Again, this is more of a "behind the scenes" kinda thing for this chapter.)

PQ1: "What exactly is "Synchronic Pendulum"?

A: This fanfic's fancier name for alternative timelines.

Okay the real answer is that it references every single DBZ fanfiction out there.

"For every change that happens, something must remain unchanged." Is basically the many stories that explore the what-ifs or every AU under the sun, including this one.

Some things majorly change, but some things remain the same. Such as this story when Goten is still born, for example.

In this story at least, the Supreme Kai of Time watches over every existing timeline. (I know she's not a canon character, but neither is Turles.)

Shin becoming self-aware then he's not in the canon timeline is hilarious and terrifying at the same time.

PQ2: "What exactly did Shin see in the future this time?"

A: Zeno said "ew" and made everything go bye-bye.

PQ3: "Supreme Kai angry?"

A: Oh yeah. He was pissed. What? Did you think the chapter title referred to Gohan?

Actually this chapter title has multiple meanings:

"A brewing fury finally boils over!" Refers to Gohan finally snapping at the life he had since book 1. It also refers to the final straw snapping the camel's back for Shin. Each chapter after 12, he just got angrier, and angrier, and yeah.

"I will Compel you!" Refers to both Babidi and Shin. The both of them are trying to force their will on the Saiyans in this chapter. Aren't parallels fun? :)

The scene of Tarble crawling towards the very angry Shin is actually inspired by the Pokémon movie: "Arceus and the Jewel of Life". It's actually one of my favorite Pokémon movies. See how Damos struggles to reach the enraged Arceus.

I want y'all to know when I first created this document, it was back in March, and I slowly tweaked it as previous chapters got published. I've always worked on the OTES chapters this way.

The first scene I've written was Shin trying to break up the fight between Vegeta and Gohan. That was easy.

The HARD part was the scene when Shin's fury finally boiled over. This dude does NOT get angry easily. He was perhaps the most difficult character I've ever written to be angry. You should see how many drafts of his speech I've scrapped. (Well, you can't because I deleted them all. Sorry.)

What I knew I had to do: Shin's anger is the opposite from Beerus'. If Beerus is explosive and destructive, then Shin's would be chilling and controlled.

This also made me realize this is the first time I've written a "rage scene" that isn't explosive. Having a large cast of Saiyan characters does that.

Here's a fun visual for you: When Shin became livid and his aura was exposed, it's exactly the way Zamasu's radiated when Bulma tried to flirt with him in the anime. Only, it's a light blue instead of purple.

How far did the Supreme Kai climb when he used Compulsion (The "Compel") on Vegeta and Gohan? Well…on the Crown of Restraint scale, Shin started with 5 (Wǔ). Every time his eyes flashed blue, the scale climbed up a number.

Just as Babidi said, had Kibito been around, even he would be appalled by Shin's reaction. Kibito would have surely intervened. He would try to talk him out of it, and he would be successful.

But there was no Kibito to stop him.

Shin reached level 9 (Jiǔ). He was going to go to 10, but Tarble managed to talk him down.

PQ4: "How did Shin manage to keep everyone down?"

A: Remember PQ6 in chapter 13? Here's the extended answer:

Really, the ONE thing that kept everyone back was his divine abilities. It's all designed to protect him: His teleportation, the forcefield, the weather, the Compulsion, no normal mortal should be able to do as much as touch Shin if they even get lucky enough to get close to him.

But the Saiyans are not average mortals. The first sign of Vegeta's willpower being stronger than Shin's Compulsion was hinted back in chapter 6. When Shin initially pinned Vegeta down, he kept resisting, forcing Shin to add more pressure than he was prepared for. I had this planned for a very long time.

The Buu saga introduced the concept of "Raw power isn't everything." Like Babidi is weaker than an average HUMAN. Like you and me can kick him to the ground. It's his magic that makes him so dangerous. A wave of a finger and we are confetti.

The Kais are also similar. Shin being able to hold a Super Saiyan 2 Gohan in place, and Dabura in the Future Trunks story, is pretty darn impressive. It's a concept explored here, but alas, the moment Karot gained immunity to Shin's psychokinesis, that was a wrap. The Supreme Kai was absolutely powerless against him.

I had so much fun with Shin and Babidi realizing they have zero control over the Saiyans. "What are these mortals made of?!" That's the alternate name of this chapter tbh.

PQ5: "Why DID Tarble defend Vegeta from the Supreme Kai?"

A: Does Tarble forgive Vegeta for how he treated him? No. Mid-book 4 Tarble would NEVER save Vegeta. Hence why Shin basically asked him "Why are you even helping him when you felt that he deserved to die before?" Like, he was genuinely confused.

As mentioned before, Tarble has mellowed out. I can confirm that seeing Vegeta get absolutely punished by a god would make his day years ago, but here in the present he's like "Wait, wait, wait I see what Vegeta is trying to do—"

But, Shin was absolutely NOT going to listen to Vegeta's reasoning. He's already paranoid. He's sick with grief. Everything went to crap. The moment Vegeta threatened his life, that was it.

The entire scene was basically Tarble saying "Hey, my brother is an idiot, but he actually does want to clean this up? So please let him do that."

Vegeta Character Development is kinda a joke in the Wattpad comments (reasonably so. This dude had almost no reason to change for a WHILE.) But hey! Shin absolutely hijacking his brain did something? Maybe?

PQ6: "Degesu too?!"

A: It's getting more and more interesting.

Let me tell you, the second I saw him and Arinsu appear in Daima, I was like: "Oh, I know EXACTLY what I want to do with them in this book."

Like it was instantaneous. The first episode was just out and I already decided to make those two twisted antagonists in this book.

I was also giggling like an idiot because I had evil ideas. I can never treat characters nicely. I am so sorry.

And thanks to Book 3, The Demon Realm has been established to be a lot more ruthless in this timeline compared to canon. So do with that information as you will.

Next Time:

*Insert DBZ Kai "Episode preview theme" here*

Vegeta: This is Vegeta, the Prince of all Saiyans!

Vegeta: (Angry) Tch! I can't believe this! The boy really let himself go. Kakarot really left me with a nuisance of a burden to deal with!

Karot: (Chuckles darkly) Burden? Everything that ever stood in your way was perceived as a burden. But I can promise you this, Vegeta. This will be the last obstacle you will ever see…

Vegeta: (Annoyed) Go ahead and keep talking! If I had to kill you to put an end to this, then that is just what I'll do!

Vegeta: Next time on, "The Bewitchment of The Earthling Saiyan"! Chapter 17: "A village shall burn! The Wrath of The Earthling Saiyan!"

Karot: (Laughs evilly) More than just a village will burn, Vegeta. Say your prayers…if you still believe in gods.