Dragon Ball Z: The Forgotten (on one page)

Please Note: This story contains occasional swearing and graphically gruesome deaths.

Dragon Ball Z: The Forgotten is a Bildungsroman fan fiction/manga created by KidVegeta. The story is about a Saiyan child named Ledas and his journey in life after his planet was destroyed by Frieza and he was left alone.

Theme Songs
These are the themes for each saga, as well as the final theme that plays at the end of each saga. Neither special has a theme.

Prince Vegeta Saga Dragon Rider (Two Steps From Hell) pKv_wua6kFE

Lauto Saga

One Truth (Globus)

AmN5pGFNEMk

Stomping Grounds Saga

Final Hour (X-Ray Dog)

ild8_ZOjFYo

Planet Earth Saga

Don't Worry Be Happy (Bobby McFerrin)

d-diB65scQU

Reunion Saga

The Stars Are Projectors (Modest Mouse)

duYqlrgC17Q

Fulfillment Saga

Let Down (Radiohead)

NkE1SH5Llxk

Final Theme

Great Spirits (Two Steps From Hell)

ZN7Qp9bZ3ZE

Other Songs Used
These are other songs which I have used in each saga or special. Sagas and specials omitted do not have additional music in them. Unlike most of the above themes, these pieces are given written cues within the chapter of each saga or special they appear in.

Outbreak: Paved In Blood: Part 2 - Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2 (Frédéric Chopin) YGRO05WcNDk

Part 3 - Monday (Ludovico Einaudi)

GbcsItHtjyA

Stomping Grounds Saga:

Chapter 5 - The Soul That Must Awaken (Two Steps From Hell) jhRLdwxH2vQ

Chapter 6 - You And Whose Army? (Radiohead) gAUMgureA6o

Planet Earth Saga:

Chapter 12 - Falling Awake (Gary Jules) OONuoEHxlsQ

Reunion Saga:

Chapter 1 - Hurt (Johnny Cash) 4ahHWROn8M0

Chapter 11 - Solitude (Two Steps From Hell) Cn0dyjxDUuM

Chapter 12 - Strength of a Thousand Men (Two Steps From Hell) jIxas0a-KgM

Fulfillment Saga:

Chapter 1 - Perfect Disguise (Modest Mouse) CkFdbdQLaNk

Chapter 5 - I Might Be Wrong (Radiohead) <youtube width="207" height="25">SP0xPpvV6Fs

Chapter 9 - Exodus (Two Steps From Hell) <youtube width="207" height="25">b9l0eiKaJGA

Chapter 9 - To Glory (Two Steps From Hell) <youtube width="207" height="25">d2hRTLdvdnk

Chapter 12 - El Scorcho (Weezer)

<youtube width="207" height="25">qMhlORsBk2k

Canon
''' Dragon Ball is canon. '''

''' Dragon Ball Z is canon. '''

Dragon Ball GT is not canon.

Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies is not canon.

Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle is not canon.

Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventures is not canon.

Dragon Ball: The Path to Power is not canon.

Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins is not canon.

Dragon Ball: Ssawora Son Goku, Igyeora Son Goku is not canon.

Dragonball Evolution is not canon.

''' Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone is canon. '''

Dragon Ball Z: The World's Strongest is not canon.

Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might is not canon.

Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug is not canon.

''' Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge is canon. '''

Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler is not canon.

''[http://dragonballencyclopedia.com/wiki/Dragon_Ball_Z:_Super_Android_13! Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13!] is not canon.''

''' Dragon Ball Z: Broly: The Legendary Super Saiyan is canon. '''

''' Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound is canon. '''

Dragon Ball Z: Broly: Second Coming is not canon.

Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly is not canon.

Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn is not canon.

''' Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon is canon. '''

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods is not canon.

Goku's Traffic Safety is not canon.

Goku's Fire Brigade is not canon.

''' Dragon Ball Z: Bardock: The Father of Goku is canon. '''

Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks is not canon.

Dragon Ball Z: Movie Overview Special is not canon.

Looking Back at it All: The Dragon Ball Z Year-End Show! is not canon.

Dream 9 Toriko & One Piece & Dragon Ball Z Super Collaboration Special is not canon.

Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans is not canon.

Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans is not canon.

The World of Dragon Ball Z is not canon.

''' [http://www.dragonballencyclopedia.com/wiki/Dragon_Ball:_Yo!_Son_Goku_and_His_Friends_Return!! Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!] is canon. '''

Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock (manga) is not canon.

Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock (anime) is not canon.

Dragon Ball Kai: Super Battle Stage is not canon.

Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy is not canon.

Dragon Ball SD is not canon.

All Characters
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name: Ledas

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  4-12

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race: Saiyan

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color: Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color: Grey-black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position: Super Elite

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment: Loyal to King Vegeta & Prince Vegeta

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics: Skinny, short. He has tall, curved hair. He is impulsive and often times stubborn. Later in the series he grows a greater sense of justice, though this is not always in line with Vegeta’s or even Goku’s. Like all other Saiyans, Ledas enjoys fighting. However, as one of the super elites, he tries to fight in a more refined, calm, and personal way. He has a general disdain for lower-class, and weaker Saiyans, but has a positive view on life, seeing super elites, such as himself, as purest of the Saiyans. He has an extreme confidence about him, which only goes away after his home planet is destroyed. Ledas is good friends with Prince Vegeta, and the two often train/fight together. (note: physically, Ledas is never shown older than 12 years old)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Ledas was born in 733 (one year after Vegeta), into the upper class. Because his father was one of the king’s personal soldiers, and he was close to the age, strength, and size of Prince Vegeta, the two became training partners. Ledas hopes that, once they both get older, he and Vegeta can serve together under Frieza. By the end of the Prince Vegeta Saga, both he and Vegeta had surpassed their fathers in power levels.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' No.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Layeeck

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  1

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  37-38

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Saiyan

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Grey

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Super Elite

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to King Vegeta

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Average height, average weight. Like all other Saiyans in the upper-class, Layeeck views middle, and lower-class Saiyans to be inferior. However, he fights in a calm manner, not typical of most Saiyans, but he still relishes in destruction. Acts serious, does not have time for play.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Layeeck is the father of Ledas. Being a super elite let his son train as an equal with Prince Vegeta. He serves under General Nappa, being one of the more proficient fighters. While Layeeck enjoys the prestige of being in the super elite, he is often worried that he may appear not powerful enough, or that his son is too powerful for his age. This is particularly evident after he learns of a powerful Saiyan child who was executed for fear of being uncontrollable. Before his death, he begins to suspect of Ledas’ fighting superiority to his own. He accompanies King Vegeta to Frieza’s ship in order to kill the tyrant. He is the last Saiyan killed out of those who attack Frieza. In a flashback in the fifth saga, it is shown that Layeeck teaches his son how to become conscious in his Great Ape form. Later in that same flashback, he becomes aware of his own father’s death, and along with Ledas, honors him by giving him a funeral pyre.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Vegeta

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  1, 4, 5, 6

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  5-60

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Saiyan

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Super Elite, Prince of the Saiyans

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment: Loyal to King Vegeta,

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Short, skinny. Cocky and arrogant, yet a tactical fighter. Vegeta is cold hearted, and unforgiving during a fight. If he is the superior fighter, he prefers to toy around and not take the battle as seriously. He enjoys fighting, and to an extent more than most other Saiyans, destruction and killing. Sees his life as worth more than all others, and has contempt for Saiyans (including upper-class) who are much weaker than him. He will kill fellow Saiyans, without hesitation, who disgrace their species. Vegeta is also obsessed with the legend of the Super Saiyan.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:   Prince Vegeta was born in the 732 Age, and at the start of the 1st Saga, is 5 years old. Already, he has proven himself to being an elite fighter, surpassing the powerful Nappa, and even his own father at such a young age. Both Ledas and Prince Vegeta do not show their fathers how strong they are, so as to not disgrace them. Vegeta openly tells fellow Saiyans of his plans to kill Frieza, and end the Saiyans' enslavement. He is sent on a mission by Frieza just before the genocide of the Saiyans, and is one of the only Saiyans that Frieza allows to live. Vegeta is later seen in the fourth saga, attacking Ledas for stealing a gravity training unit. He is beaten by Ledas, after the young Saiyan suddenly powers up and hits Vegeta with a powerful blast. After Buu, he is met by Guva, though he laughs at the Governor’s weak power. As the rest of the Z Fighters fight off Guva and then The Benefactor, Vegeta does not. Instead, he is reunited with Ledas. At first Vegeta doesn’t believe it’s Ledas. But after the boy Saiyan saves his life, Vegeta goes Super Saiyan 3 and fights The Benefactor in order to protect his old friend.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes, but is revived.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Nappa

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  1

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  37-62

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Saiyan

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color: Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Super Elite, General of the Saiyan Army

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to King Vegeta

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Tall, fatter than normal. Strong and powerful, but not very smart. Nappa often gets angry and attacks opponents without thinking. This causes him to be significantly weaker than if he would calm down and attack with focus. He sees lower-class Saiyans as jokes, and does not even take them seriously when he fights them. He is cruel and takes pleasure in killing. He hungers for fighting, and will often get bored if he cannot go on missions.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Nappa was the general of the entire Saiyan army at the start of the 1st Saga. This effectively made him the most powerful (politically speaking) Saiyan behind the royal family. He was a personal soldier to Prince Vegeta, and would often watch him and Ledas fight. He also tries to be a mentor to Vegeta, but is not very skilled at being one.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes, but it is not shown.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  King Vegeta

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  1

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  47-52

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Saiyan

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  King of the Saiyans

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to Frieza

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Tall, average. King Vegeta is a brutal and unforgiving leader. He tries to lead his people, even though Frieza is their true ruler, his powerful leadership qualities have so far calmed his people. While a tactical genius, he is not very strong, when compared other Saiyans (considering he is their leader). King Vegeta charisma is one of his most powerful qualities.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  King Vegeta was king over Planet Vegeta up until Frieza’s annexation of it. This greatly hurt king Vegeta’s pride over not being stronger than Frieza, and his inability to do anything about it. He would often teach prince Vegeta and Ledas tactical fighting, and was a defining inspiration for how the two children would fight for the rest of their lives. He was fiercely protective of his son, and when Frieza decided that he wanted prince Vegeta to become one of his personal soldiers, King Vegeta’s anger rose to the boiling point. The 1st Saga ends with King Vegeta’s challenge and death at the hands of Frieza, leading to the destruction of his planet.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Saibamen

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  1, 2, 4, 6

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  Varies

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Saibamen

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  None

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Black, red eyelids

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Low, used as training tools

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to whoever grows them

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Short, skinny. Brainless monsters grown similar to plants. They will attack whoever they are ordered to, ferociously. They enjoy cruelty and torture. Can fly and use energy based attacks.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Saibamen are used to train with, or as foot soldiers on many planets, including Planet Vegeta. They usually have a power level of 1500 (2-3000 for experienced ones) the equivalent power level of Raditz at the start of DBZ, or most lower class Saiyans. Ledas acquires a host of them during his stay on Planet Cooler 92, and a few of them survive long enough for him to bring them with him to Earth.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Frieza

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  1, Special 1

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  Unknown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race: Unknown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color: None

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  (Joint) Ruler of the Galaxy

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to father King Cold

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Short, average weight. Frieza, being one the most powerful beings in the Galaxy is, understandably, very arrogant. He is cruel and merciless, and will kill just for the fun of it. Like his brother and father, Frieza is rather elegant, and polite. Frieza does not believe that there is a stronger fighter than him, but is constantly worried about the Saiyan race, which has quickly become very strong. He tries to show himself as a sophisticated fighter., but he cannot get along with his brother Cooler, who is stronger than Frieza.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Frieza is one of the leaders of the World Trade Organization. He has control over many planets, including Planet Vegeta. At the start of the 1st Saga, Frieza is starting to get worried of the Saiyans alarming power level increases, and learns of the legend of the Super Saiyan. He decides that he will not let such a legend come to pass.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes, but it is not shown.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  The Benefactor

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  1, 2, 3, 5, 6, Special 1

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  129-166

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Iyxan

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  None

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Green

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Senior Commander under Lord Frieza

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to Frieza

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Extremely cold, heartless. Does not care about much of anything it seems, besides killing. His techniques for fighting are highly psychological, and even so, when actually killing his opponents. He has a “horror” about him that is hard to place.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  The Benefactor works under Frieza during the Genocide of the Saiyans. He is personally responsible for deciding which planets needed to be conquered in Frieza’s name, and personally gives each planet a difficulty rating. The manner in which he kills people eventually leads Frieza to attempt to execute him. In a special about his origins, The Benefactor is shown to be a bloodthirsty killer, ravaging his planet and killing every other being in his species before Frieza finds him. Frieza, being impressed by the alien’s power, allows him to join the Planet Trade Organization. The Benefactor is later shown to survive his attempted execution and flees. He crash-lands on the planet of an exiled Kai, Lauto. There, Lauto attempts a body-switch with the alien, because his own body is dying. He is unsuccessful and The Benefactor is able to kill him. However, during the struggle, the Plantains are drawn to the planet, and Ledas accidentally absorbs a large amount of The Benefactor’s ki. While The Benefactor doesn’t know who has stolen his power, he sets out to find him. He later comes across Guva, and Guva tells him what happened. The Benefactor then goes to Earth and uses Guva as bait to lure out the Z Fighters. Once they are lured out, he kills Guva and defeats all of the Z Fighters sans Vegeta. He then beats Ledas and prepares to rip the energy from the boy’s body when Vegeta challenges him in his Super Saiyan 3 form.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' No.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Lascon

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  1, (flashback) 5

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  61

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Saiyan

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Black-silver

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Retired Elite

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to King Vegeta

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Lascon is much like Layeeck in his manner, but is more relaxed and suave. He is an expert trainer, and is able to teach even his son, Layeeck, how to make a Saiyan conscious in Great Ape form very easily. He is very nice to his grandchild Ledas.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Shown only a few times in the story, once as giving Ledas advice in the first saga and once in a flashback teaching Ledas and Vegeta how to control their Great Ape forms. He is killed by The Benefactor shortly thereafter, as he was getting suspicious at The Benefactor watching his son spar with him. Ledas never has any inclination that his grandfather’s death was a murder.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Cooler

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  2, 3

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  Unknown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Unknown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  None

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  (Joint) Ruler of the Galaxy

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to father King Cold

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Short, average weight. Like Frieza, Cooler kills millions only for the fun of it. He is also a rather elegant, yet arrogant. Being stronger than Frieza, but not as strong as his father, Cooler is the most powerful, active, fighter in the Galaxy. Unlike his brother, however, Cooler is not afraid of the Saiyan race, and he considers them to be rather weak, when compared to his other enslaved races.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Cooler is present when Frieza destroyed planet Vegeta, and watches as the baby Kakarot was able to escape, noting that Frieza’s carelessness would be his downfall. Later on, when Ledas crash lands on one of Cooler’s conquered planets, Cooler is informed. He never cared about the Saiyan until Banas fakes a report which stated Ledas was a rebel spy. Enraged by this treachery, Cooler sets out to personally kill Ledas, leading to their confrontation on the Stomping Grounds. Later, after hearing of Frieza’s death at the hands of a Saiyan, Cooler departs for earth to seek vengeance. He never returns.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes, but it is not shown.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''Note: Cooler’s soldier’s battle armor is slightly different than that of Frieza’s, with the armor only having a shoulder pad over the left side. ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Guva

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  2, 3, 4, 5

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  65-100

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race: Unspecified Alien

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color: White

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Purple

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Governor of Planet Coola 92

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to Cooler

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Tall, average weight. Ruthless, arrogant, elitist, and sophisticated. He acts as if he is royalty, and the rest of the soldiers are peasants. Constantly gets into arguments with Banas. While he is elitist and arrogant, he is usually well tempered, and it takes a lot to get him angry. Banas is good at chipping away at his patience.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Guva worked on Cooler’s 92nd conquered (and intact) planet. He ruled over the native species, and trained soldiers to enforce the planet. His high power level left him unchallenged until Ledas’ arrival on the planet. While, power level wise, he is slightly stronger than Banas, when the two fight, they are nearly even. He kills Banas in their final fight. He is later put under the control of The Benefactor and used as bait to lure out the Z Fighters on Earth. After he lures them out, he is killed by The Benefactor, as he is of no more use to the alien.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Banas

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  2, 3, 4

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  47-75

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Unspecified Alien

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color: Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Yellow

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Captain of Planet Coola 92

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to Cooler

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Tall, average weight. Banas was a veteran fighter on Planet Coola 92. Unlike many of the other fighters, he is sporadic, and random. His fighting relies more on an unsystematic approaches, and tries to confuse and dizzy opponents. He rarely listens to Guva, and has developed a somewhat sarcastically elegant persona when around the governor, as a sort of way to mock him.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Strongest of Guva’s soldiers, and therefore the Captain. He is second in command at the outpost, only answering to Guva. He thinks little of the Saiyan race, but is impressed by Ledas’ skill growth. He commands the strike force, The Plantains. He is suspended after it comes out that he didn’t tell Guva about a rebel force he encountered. He narrowly escapes death at one point by saying that Ledas was a rebel spy – when he was the true suspect in the matter. He later fights Guva after Ledas’ departure and dies.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Meloon

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  2, 3

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age: 49-76

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Unspecified Alien

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  None

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color: Pink

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Veteran fighter on Planet Coola 92

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to Cooler

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  A bit taller than is average, fat. Meloon is very fat, slow, and has very little personality to him. Uses brute force with little tactical thought. He is messy and often chastised for such.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  One of the Plantains. Like the others, considers the Saiyan race to be weak. He is the first one to challenge Ledas, and defeats him. This starts to bring out a cockiness in him. He refuses to believe, that after just a small amount of training, Ledas can so easily match him. He is later killed by Ledas after the boy transforms into a Super Saiyan.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Lieme

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  2, 3

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  30-57

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Unspecified Alien

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Silver

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Green

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Veteran fighter on Planet Coola 92

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to Cooler

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Tall, skinny. The tactical fighter of the veterans. He is methodological in his technique, and emotionally hard to read. He is rather intelligent and while inferior to Banas, his power level may be deceiving, as much of his fight his psychological. Can sense ki and suppress his power level. He rarely takes part in conversations, as the vast amount of them bore him.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  One of the Plantains on Planet Coola 92. He is the only Veteran who will train with Ledas, but is no ally. His “rank” so to speak is higher than Payar or Meloon, but lower than Banas. He leads the Plantains while Banas is on suspension. He is later killed by Ledas after the boy transforms into a Super Saiyan.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Payar

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  2, 3

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  34-61

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Unknown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  None.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Red.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Veteran fighter on Planet Coola 92.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to Cooler

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:   Short, average weight. A strong, if single-talented fighter. He is particularly skilled in hand-to-hand combat, and trains in that form exclusively. While he can fly, he has a hard time using energy based attacks, and this makes him secretly fearful and jealous of enemies that can. He gets angry easily, but is very loyal to his governor, Guva. He is extremely bloodthirsty, and delights in torturing and killing the natives.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  One of the Plantains. He will spend much of his time terrorizing and killing natives. As mentioned above, Payar cannot use energy based attacks. This does not really take away from his power; his hand to hand combat is second to none on the outpost. His torturing of the natives spurs Ledas’ Super Saiyan transformation. He is later severely injured by Ledas and left for the natives – and they waste little time in killing him.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? '''Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Aprido

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  2, 3

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  19-46

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Appule

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color: None

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Regular soldier on Planet Coola 92.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to Cooler

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Short, skinny. Not very powerful. He often tries to gain an advantage, fighting or otherwise, through trickery or handicaps.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Aprido is present when Ledas’ ship crashes on the outpost. He gets embarrassed that the child Saiyan is stronger than him. He tries to kill Ledas several, but is never able to succeed. After Ledas returns from the Stomping Grounds, he becomes intensely jealous. Eventually, is killed by Ledas for attempting to drown the boy.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Lauto

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  2, 3

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  6,699,440-6,669,446

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Kai

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  White

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Green

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Exile

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  None

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Lauto looks like the standard Kai. He has purple hair and a white mohawk. He has green eyes. He is tall for a Kai, being about six feet tall. He has a large burn across much of the left side of his face. The rest of his features are wrinkled, implying he is very old. Lauto does not wear standard Kai clothes, and instead has robes of brown, black, and grey that look as old as he. Lauto is a very smart, deliberate being. While he is mostly patient, he is also very aware of how things work; for example, he knows that he doesn't have much time left in his body, and so acts quickly to find someone to replace bodies with. He appeared slightly impatient when his life-force was taking a long time to align with The Benefactor's because of his body's rapid deterioration. He lacks morality, and does not hesitate to torture The Benefactor with hallucinations of his past. When he explains his past, he notes that he killed entire species which could be potentially harmful to the galaxy. While this can be seen as noble in some contexts, it shows how serious Lauto is. He values order, safety, and power above all else. Anything that can endanger those must be dealt with, in his eyes. His other Kais apparently didn't agree with him, though their opposing opinions doesn't seem to matter much to him.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Lauto was once the Supreme Kai of the universe before being deposed and exiled for purging races he didn’t like. He later finds The Benefactor and attempts to switch bodies with the creature, but his plan is interrupted by The Plantains and Ledas. Ledas accidentally absorbed a large amout of power because of Lauto, and stopped aging because of the Kai. He was later killed by The Benefactor.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name: Ses

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas: 2, 4, 6

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age: Unknown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race: Saibaman

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color: None

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color: Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position: Canon Fodder

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment: Ledas

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics: Short, skinny. Brainless monsters grown similar to plants. They will attack whoever they are ordered to, ferociously. They enjoy cruelty and torture. Can fly and use energy based attacks.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History: Ses is one of Ledas’ five green Saibamen to survive the attack against the rebel forces. He fights primarily alongside his friend, Ame. He was accidentally let loose on Earth and ravaged a town before being brought in check by Wilde.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Dies? No.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name: Ame

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas: 2, 4, 6

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age: Unknown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race: Saibaman

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color: None

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color: Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position: Canon Fodder

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment: Ledas

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics: Short, skinny. Brainless monsters grown similar to plants. They will attack whoever they are ordered to, ferociously. They enjoy cruelty and torture. Can fly and use energy based attacks.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History: Ame is one of Ledas’ five green Saibamen to survive the attack against the rebel forces. He fights primarily alongside his friend, Ses. He was accidentally let loose on Earth and ravaged a town before being brought in check by Wilde.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Dies? No.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name: Poy

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas: 2, 4

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age: Unknown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race: Saibaman

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color: None

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color: Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position: Canon Fodder

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment: Ledas

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics: Short, skinny. Brainless monsters grown similar to plants. They will attack whoever they are ordered to, ferociously. They enjoy cruelty and torture. Can fly and use energy based attacks.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History: Poy is one of Ledas’ five green Saibamen to survive the attack against the rebel forces. He fights primarily alongside his friend, Oppa. He was accidentally let loose on Earth and ravaged a town. He was unable to be tamed by Wilde, and was killed by Carawa.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Dies? No.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name: Oppa

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas: 2, 4

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age: Unknown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race: Saibaman

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color: None

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color: Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position: Canon Fodder

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment: Ledas

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics: Short, skinny. Brainless monsters grown similar to plants. They will attack whoever they are ordered to, ferociously. They enjoy cruelty and torture. Can fly and use energy based attacks.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History: Oppa is one of Ledas’ five green Saibamen to survive the attack against the rebel forces. He fights primarily alongside his friend, Poy. He was accidentally let loose on Earth and ravaged a town. He was unable to be tamed by Wilde, and was killed by that very same Saibaman.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Dies? No.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name: Carawa

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas: 2, 4, 6

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age: Unknown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race: Saibaman

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color: None

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color: Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position: Canon Fodder

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment: Ledas

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics: Short, skinny. Brainless monsters grown similar to plants. They will attack whoever they are ordered to, ferociously. They enjoy cruelty and torture. Can fly and use energy based attacks. Has matured to the red form.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History: Carawa is one of Ledas’ two red Saibamen to survive the attack against the rebel forces. He was the vanguard commander, leading the smaller force of Saibamen. He was accidentally let loose on Earth and ravaged a town before being brought in check by Wilde.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Dies? No.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name: Sonfla

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas: 2, 4

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age: Unknown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race: Saibaman

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color: None

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color: Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position: Canon Fodder

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment: Ledas

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics: Short, skinny. Brainless monsters grown similar to plants. They will attack whoever they are ordered to, ferociously. They enjoy cruelty and torture. Can fly and use energy based attacks.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History: Sonfla is one of Ledas’ five green Saibamen to survive the attack against the rebel forces. He is the only Saibaman not to kill anyone during the mission. He was accidentally let loose on Earth and ravaged a town. He was unable to be tamed by Wilde, and was shot by that Saibaman. However, he wasn’t killed; instead, he was taken as a prisoner of the new Red Ribbon Army. He eventually self destructed in order to free himself.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Dies? No.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name: Wilde

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas: 2, 4, 6

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age: Unknown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race: Saibaman

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color: None

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color: Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position: Canon Fodder

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment: Ledas

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics: Short, skinny. Brainless monsters grown similar to plants. They will attack whoever they are ordered to, ferociously. They enjoy cruelty and torture. Can fly and use energy based attacks. Has matured to the red form.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History: Wilde is one of Ledas’ two red Saibamen to survive the attack against the rebel forces. He was the strongest of the Saibamen and led their forces under Ledas. He was the only level-headed Saibaman during his brothers’ rampage on Earth. He was able to get Ses, Ame, and Carawa under control, but had to execute the other three Saibamen before fleeing.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Dies? No.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name: Lenomi

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas: 2

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age: 29

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race: Jolea

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color: White

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color: Yellow

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position: Rebel Commander

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment: Rebel Cause

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics: Tall, green-skinned and with white hair. Wears standard combat harness. She is talkative and witty, and very devoted to the rebellion. She lacks remorse over attacking a child like Ledas.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History: Lenomi is the base commander of a small contingent of rebels that attempt retribution on Banas. After that fails, the Plantains are able to find the mining facility that Lenomi is stationed on and siege it. Ledas is the one to find her, and he kills her in a duel.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Dies? Yes.'''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Grif

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  3

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  18-38

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Space-badger

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Orange

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Gold

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Foot Soldier

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to Cooler

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Grif is a small orange creature, with a very round head and long ears. He wears the full standard Cooler armor, consisting of a chest harness, crotch guard, side guards, helmet, scouter, and blaster. Like his skin color, his armor is orange, with black overlay. He is sarcastic and rude, lacking respect for authority. However, he is devious and can be a threat if not dealt with quickly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  In the first outpost, Grif meets Ledas and puts him into stasis. Later, Grif is killed during intense training exercises. This occurrs almost twenty-one years later. His death is the indirect impetus for the destruction of the Stomping Grounds.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Mullpy

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  3

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  70

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Pubbo

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  None

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Purple

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Field Commander

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to Cooler

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Mullpy is an excitable little bugger. He is tentacle-y and gelatinous, making him a weird choice for a commander. His demeanor is mostly lackadaisical. He treats his opponents as playthings, not as adversaries. He has a very naïve way of fighting, as he does not use his scouter.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Mullpy is the first commander Ledas faces. He is killed very quickly, with little effort. At the time of his death, he is the highest ranking Planet Trade Officer Ledas had ever killed.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Digranite

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  3

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  173-194

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Cyren

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Crimson

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Yellow

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Commanding General

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to Cooler

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Digranite is a tall, skinny being. His skin color is grey with lines of red. He has sharp talons for feet, and his hands have five fingers, all of which are deadly sharp. His head is long and narrow, and he has a snout which protrudes outward. From it, he has several rows of sharp teeth which can be shot forward at will. The back of his head is feathered with crimson colors. His eyes are yellow slits. The back of his arms have small fleshy extended parts, which could be like wings, but they are too small. His armor is silver and black, laced with bits of green. Unlike most Cooler soldiers, his armor does not have either shoulder guard. Instead, he has rows of spikes that may spring up from the front and back of his armor, going all the way down his legs to his boots. The spikes rest downward, but may be brought up rigid at any moment. For example, were he to do an evading roll, his spikes would activate to not only provide a protective shield around him, but to also butcher any being he comes in contact with. Digranite wears a protective helmet which is also spiked. He has two gauntlets as well.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Digranite is one steely-eyed motherfucker. His proud demeanor coupled with his cool, calculating approach offers up a deadly combination of power and wit. Not only is Digranite the most powerful on the planet (and he knows it), but he is also one of the smartest. His awareness is second to none, and he has the ability to pick up on his opponent's tactics and techniques almost immediately. His affinity for intuition is a huge factor in him being number one. However, his overconfidence may betray him at times.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Digranite is the highest ranking soldier aside from Salza. He personally oversees the Stomping Grounds. When Ledas attacks, he is the last line of defense before Lord Cooler. He is killed by Ledas with the help of Guva.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Konatsu

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  3

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  92

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Heolik

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  White

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Blue

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Locations Commander

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to Cooler

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Volatile, reckless, impatient. Will destroy his allies to get to his goal. Air of confidence hides average intelligence. Power level is among the highest on the outpost, however. Body is mostly white and covered in fur. Blue face has a protruding flat horn which comes from the back of the skull.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Among the first commanders Ledas finds, and certainly is the first challenge the boy faces. After Ledas breaks lose, Konatsu enlists the help of Anango to hunt him down. As it proves fruitless, with half of the soldiers and Anango killed, Konatsu takes the remaining soldiers, under Digranite’s orders, and puts a line in the sand at the Capitol. Ledas, however, is able to outmaneuver Konatsu and kill him in the city.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Anango

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  3

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  78

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Torrn

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Yellow

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Commander

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to Cooler

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Cool, determined, deliberate. One of the more level headed Commanders. He is very obedient and quiet which makes him a good sub-commander. As such, he usually is with Konatsu. For looks, he is yellow with tusks. He has two tails and his knees are backwards, making his legs bend inward, causing him to bounce while walking.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Anango is called to help Konatsu kill Ledas. While split away from Konatsu, he engages Ledas, only to die easily to the boy.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Nepar

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  3

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  341-361

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Maraenytiolian

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Tan

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Guard Dog

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to Digranite/Cooler

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Quiet and obedient, Nepar shows little initiative, itself. It has great restraint, and is content to beating opponents. It has little care about actually killing his opponents. For its appearance, it is tan and black, and appears very smoky. It has wings, long arms, and long legs, as well as tails. Think of it as a mix between a dragon and a man o’ war, made completely of smoke.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Originally seen by Ledas wandering the plains of the Stomping Grounds, it is not shown to be an actual fighter until several chapters later. Nepar is called to fight Ledas before he could scale Digranite’s tower. After several hard fought battles, Ledas is able to kill it by severing its wings and making it fall to the ground. There, it suffocates from not being able to fly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Sarpack

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  3

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  21

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Zar-degar

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Blue

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Personal Bodyguard to Digranite

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to Cooler

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Brash, impulsive, destructive, uncouth. Sarpack delights in torture. She is a purple alien, with a prominent crescent appendage coming out of the back of her head. Slender, tall, unarmored otherwise.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Because of her age, she is not even a soldier when Ledas first lands on the planet. 21 years later, when he is brought out of stasis, Sarpack and her sister are instructed by Digranite to hold the tower and capture Ledas while he leaves Cooler to come back to the planet. The two sisters working together are able to capture Ledas after Nepar fails, and they bring him to Digranite. However, they are killed moments later by Guva as he comes to collect the boy for himself.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Sika

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  3

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  21

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Zar-degar

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Blue

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Personal Bodyguard to Digranite

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Loyal to Cooler

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Destructive, merciless, cold, but pragmatic. Sika is much like her sister, but she is more wary and will kill opponents instead of torturing them. She is more dominant than her sister. She is a purple alien, with a prominent crescent appendage coming out of the back of her head. Slender, tall, unarmored otherwise.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Because of her age, she is not even a soldier when Ledas first lands on the planet. 21 years later, when he is brought out of stasis, Sika and her sister are instructed by Digranite to hold the tower and capture Ledas while he leaves Cooler to come back to the planet. The two sisters working together are able to capture Ledas after Nepar fails, and they bring him to Digranite. However, they are killed moments later by Guva as he comes to collect the boy for himself.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Mrs. Fanshi

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas: 4

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  56

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Human

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Grey Brown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Brown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Postal Worker

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  n/a

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Average height, slightly overweight. Caring, if cold. She is strict, old fashioned, believes in physical abuse as a way of punishment. She does not have many activities outside of her work, so when she is at home, she is constantly watching Ledas.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Mrs. Fanshi works at the post office. She runs into Ledas on the street one day, and afterr hearing the tragic story of his parents (and not realizing what it really means), she decides to take him under her wing and have him live with her. She sets him up to go to school, which Ledas thinks is earth “warrior training”. She is later killed, accidentally, by Dewberry, a member of Cardinal’s team.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Mr. Kyokatshi

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  4

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  44

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Human

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Brown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Brown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Teacher at the local middle school

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  n/a

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Taller than average, average weight. Hair is very short. Very strict, arrogant teacher. He can be loud, and scream at times. He is a good teacher, and rarely will teach something that is false, but does not tolerate wrong answers.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Mr. Kyokatshi is Ledas’ teacher for middle school. He gets angry at Ledas a lot, because the Saiyan is not interested in book work, because he does not understand what school is. Mr. Kyokatshi will also hit Ledas, though this has no effect. Eventually is killed by Ledas for being a big meanie.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Ryori

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  4, 5, 6

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  12

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Human

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Grey

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Student

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  n/a

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Tall, with average weight. Smart, if somewhat lazy. A leader of sorts; doesn’t like to follow rules. He will speak his mind and be harsh at those who do not meet his standards. His sexual orientation is questionable. Gets intensely excited at things that interests him.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Student at the local middle school. He is friends with Ledas. The two remain as friends throughout the remainder of the story, where they go on many adventures together. Cardinal uses this to his advantage later, when he kidnaps both children. After learning that Cardinal’s men killed his brother, Ryori hunts them down. Most of the soldiers are destroyed by Ledas’ Lightning Strike when they attempt to shoot him with poisonous bullets. General Silver, however, survives. Ryori gets revenge for his brother by putting a bullet through Silver’s skull.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' No.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Shoekki

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  4

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  18

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Human

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Blonde

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Grey

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  n/a

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  n/a

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Subdued; lethargic; however, fiercely protective of his brother, Ryori. He has a weak will.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Shoekki’s main role in The Forgotten is as a supporting character. He remains largely out of the spotlight until he begins dating a woman named File. Unbeknownst to him, several other, more dangerous people connected to his girlfriend are pursuing Ledas… and it would be fatal to get caught up in the middle of that.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Police Chief Nagamo

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  4, 6

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  60

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Human

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Silver-black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:   Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Police Chief

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Allied with Cardinal, works as leader of the police

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  An aging man, past his prime. Shorter than Cardinal, but also fatter. While Nagamo is a good police chief in his own town, overall he can be considered to be below average, when compared to others nationwide. He has very strong beliefs, which are sometimes in conflict with Cardinal’s. Nagamo fiercely believes in the “perfection of the law”. Thus, although working toward the same goal, he is in conflict with Cardinal often. He thinks only of his work as an officer, something that has won him much respect by the people. He, in turn, does all he can to keep the public safe.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Police Chief Nagamo, at the time of Ledas’ crash into the town, is a veteran police officer, and the highest ranking non-political figure in the town. Though he is wary of Cardinal at first, he later yields to him, letting Cardinal do whatever is necessary to get rid of the alien threat. Later, in the Fulfillment Saga, he confronts The Benefactor, with the rest of police force, and is swiftly killed. Because this takes place after the restoration of Earth, Nagamo is not revived from this death.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Cardinal

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  4, 5, 6

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  77

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Human

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  White

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Blue

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Activist/Genius/UN Associate

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  None

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Cardinal is an extremely smart, arrogant man. He is widely considered to be the smartest person alive, and he enjoys this title. He is also very selfish and brutal; he does not respect human life. His status has fed his ego; but his tact represses it showing itself.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Upon Mr. Kyokatshi’s death and the finding of the alien pod, Cardinal personally interests himself into solving the case. This leads him into contact with Ledas. He takes initiative to kidnap Ledas and Ryori, at the same time as Majin Buu’s extermination of the human race. This causes, Cardinal to be one of the few humans to, by the end of The Forgotten, have never died (the only others are Hercule and Ryori). After returning to Earth, he goes to King Furry to get an explanation for why there are so many aliens on Earth. He later comes to the realization that he cannot combat them, and attempts to call up Silver and tell his son to stop pursuing Ledas, but it is far too late.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' No.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Kindler

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  4, 5

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  31

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Human

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Brown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Green

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Associate of Cardinal

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Cardinal

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Arrogant, elitist, vain. He is highly intolerant of people on a whole, except for Cardinal. He is also firmly anti-gun.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Kindler works as a member of Cardinal’s team in their hunt for Ledas. He accompanies Cardinal off planet earth in the space ship that they used to Majin Buu. In a struggle a bit later, he is killed by Ledas.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Dewberry

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  4, 5

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  31

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Human

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Blonde

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Brown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Associate of Cardinal

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Cardinal

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Slow, dimwitted, stupid. Has very little personality. Can fly anything, though. Likes SyFy.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Dewberry works as a member of Cardinal’s team in their hunt for Ledas. He accidentally kills Mrs. Fanshi while stealing Ledas’ space ship. He accompanies Cardinal off planet earth in the space ship that they used to escape Majin Buu. In a struggle a bit later, he is killed by Ledas.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  File

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  4

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  19

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Human

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Brown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Brown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Associate of Cardinal

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Cardinal

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Cool, quiet, obsessive. She has a father’s complex for Cardinal and would do anything for him.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  File works as a member of Cardinal’s team in their hunt for Ledas. She dates Shoekki, as well. Shoekki later kills her in a drug induced rage, after he finds out she is a trap. This causes Cardinal make Shoekki kill himself, in penance for File’s death.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Miki

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  4

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  16

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Human

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Brown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Amber

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Student

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  n/a

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Miki’s personality is similar to that of any normal school girl. She was offended that Ledas stole her panties, but after seeing what happened when he saw her naked, her personality became quite different. Miki was flattered by what Ledas did upon seeing her naked, she was flattered, and much more friendly to him.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Miki has one scene, and that is when Ledas returned her stolen panties to her.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Silver

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  4, 5

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  Around 55

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Human

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Orange

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Supreme General of the Red Ribbon Army

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Cardinal

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Silver is a tall man with red hair and green eyes. He is very muscular. His face looks quite a bit like his father Cardinal's. General Silver tends to wear heavy military garb at all times, though he refrains from wearing a helmet. Silver is quite loyal to his father, and though he sometimes questions Cardinal's decisions, he always abides by them. The same cannot be said about Cardinal's political associates, as Silver doesn't care about them in the slightest. He has far more respect for the soldiers he hand-picked to be in the army. Silver also has confidence issues, which probably stem from his failure against Goku so many years ago.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Silver is Cardinal’s son. He has reformed the Red Ribbon Army since its disbanding years ago. He is the militaristic commander who enforces his father’s political agendas. He assists Cardinal in tracking down Ledas, and is part of the group who leaves Earth in Ledas’ gravity training unit in order to escape Majin Buu. After returning to Earth, he leads the remainder of the army to Ledas’ location and attempts to kill the boy with poisoned bullets. This is unsuccessful and all of his soldiers are killed. Silver himself is only wounded, though he is later killed by Ryori (who was getting revenge for his brother’s death).

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Green

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  4, 5

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  47

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Human

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Green

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Emerald

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Captain

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Supreme General Silver

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Hardline, rage-filled, impulsive. He prefers to act before thinking. He is very loyal to Silver, and would give his life for his commander.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Being the second in command of the militaristic arm of the new Red Ribbon Army, Captain Green holds power over almost all of the soldiers. He protects Silver against Sonfla’s self destruction and accompanied his commander onto Ledas’ gravity training unit in order to escape Majin Buu. After returning to Earth, he accompanied General Silver to the spot where Ledas was battling The Benefactor. He set up numerous sniper teams to shoot the boy with poisoned bullets, but was soon killed by Ledas’ Lightning Strike attack.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Wisconsin

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  6

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  23

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Human

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  Brown

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Private

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  Supreme Commander Silver

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Servant-like, unassuming, quiet. He never offers his own opinion, instead doing exactly what he is told. He is a competent soldier, but is new. He has yet to get experience in combat.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  Private Wisconsin serves General Silver directly. When Silver goes to kill Ledas, he drives the General personally on a motorcycle. He later is the only soldier to help the General fire directly at Ledas (the other soldiers fire at the other Z Fighters). When the Lightning Strike goes off, Wisconsin is pinned under the motocycle, either dead or unconscious.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' No.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Name:  Verlate

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Sagas:  6, Special 2

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Age:  184,839,543-365,907,875

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Race:  Daman

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Hair Color:  None

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Eye Color:  Black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Position:  Legate (former), Prisoner

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Alignment:  To herself

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Characteristics:  Intelligent, quick, perceptive. She has a quirky attitude and a thirst for riddles. She is respectable, as well.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> History:  In the special about her origins, Verlate is shown to be the fallen Legate of the mortal gods, the Daman. Verlate accidentally lets her power be absorbed by a primitive Kai, allowing the alien to wreak havoc on his planet, which eventually causes it to be destroyed. While another Damani saves a few Kais and creates a new planet for them, Verlate is sentenced to eternity in a mind prison for her failures as the emissary of her race. While she is visited by a few aliens during her time in the mind prison, only Korin is notable amongst them. He teaches her riddles and about how to break free from her prison. She uses his advice later in the Fulfillment Saga. In that saga, Verlate is the character that Ledas and The Benefactor find in Korin’s box.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">''' Dies? ''' Yes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Note: Sagas 4 and 5 also have many of the Z fighters cast, but their roles are not enough to constitute a bio here.

Timeline Events
(canon timeline)

365,907,101 Before Age:

-January 2nd: Verlate is born.

181,067,558 Before Age:

-October 19th: Verlate makes contact with the early Kais. She is assaulted by one and some of her power is stolen. She is knocked unconscious, and while she remains so, the Kais fight over her power and almost destroy their own species. Verlate wakes up and tries to fix things, but is instead called back to her homeworld to await trial for her failures. Judge Sertung safely transports all of the surviving Kais to a new planet before the Kais blow up their original homeworld. Only a handful of Kaiju Trees and Kais are rescued in the process.

-October 20th: In the early hours of the morning, Verlate is sentenced to imprisonment within a mind prison. Before she is placed inside it, she requests Judge Sertung to look into training the Kais to be the successors to their dying race. Verlate is sealed within her mind prison.

181,067,549 Before Age:

-March 15th: Sertung visits the Kais on their new planet and begins training them into being the new caretakers of the universe. Less than ten Damani are living by the time Sertung decides to do this, and he is the only one still in good health.

6,698,701 Before Age

-April 11th: Lauto is born.

50 Before Age

-Korin is born sometime around this date.

35 Age:

-July 28th: Korin briefly visits Verlate in her mind prison before escaping.

404 Age:

-April 3rd: Nepar is born.

572 Age:

-March 11th: Digranite is born.

608 Age:

-May 24th: The Benefactor is born.

612 Age:

-September 4th: The Benefactor goes hunting with Master Loriphim for the first time. He finds his mother's knife and becomes fascinated by blood.

-September 5th: The Benefactor kills Nico.

-September 6th: The Benefactor kills Igear.

-September 9th: The Benefactor's mother is enslaved for the planet-wide war effort. The Benefactor is forced to stay with Master Loriphim.

-September 11th: The Benefactor returns home to retrieve things and fights two soldiers, killing them. The Benefactor tries to make energy for the first time and is unsuccessful.

-September 12th - 27th: The Benefactor continues practicing making energy. He is eventually successful. He uses telekinesis to make Master Loriphim kill his daughter and then himself. The Benefactor escapes and travels the planet, searching for his mother. He wages genocide on his own race. As much of his race is already ravaged by ongoing wars, they fall easily.

-September 30th: Frieza's soldiers get power readings from Planet Iyxia and travel there.

-October 3rd: The Benefactor reaches the last city at the same Frieza's ships touch down. Frieza's soldiers massacre the last city. The Benefactor briefly fights some of Frieza's soldiers before the tyrant offers him a position on his ship. The Benefactor accepts, killing all of Frieza's remaining soldiers as his rite of passage. He is given his name by Frieza and Zarbon. He then leaves behind a Planet Buster as their ship leaves, which destroys Planet Iyxia.

673 Age:

-August 1st: Guva is born.

674 Age:

-February 6th: Konatsu is born.

675 Age:

-February 18th: Mullpy is born.

676 Age:

-June 10th: Lascon is born.

684 Age:

-September 22nd: King Vegeta is born.

687 Age:

-December 29th: Anango is born.

689 Age:

-October 30th: Meloon is born. .

691 Age:

-November 2nd: Banas is born.

697 Age:

-January 27th: Cardinal is born.

699 Age:

-August 13th: Layeeck is born.

700 Age:

-February 13th: Zarbon is born.

-October 12th: Nappa is born.

705 Age:

-January 21st: Payar is born.

708 Age:

-December 14th: Lieme is born.

713 Age:

-November 24th: Lenomi is born.

714 Age:

-April 18th: Nagamo is born.

717 Age:

-May 12th: Mrs. Fanshi is born.

718 Age:

June 4th: The Plantains are officially formed.

719 Age:

-May 31st: Aprido is born.

720 Age:

-August 15th: Silver is born.

727 Age:

-January 7th: Green is born.

-April 1st: Grif is born.

729 Age:

-October 23rd: Mr. Kyokatoshi is born.

732 Age:

-March 31st: Prince Vegeta is born.

733 Age: 

-June 7th: Ledas is born.

737 Age:

-February 28th: Prince Vegeta and Ledas meet for the first time.

-June 13th: Ledas and Vegeta start going on missions for Frieza with Nappa.

-September 16th: Ledas and Vegeta become sentient in their Great Ape forms. Lascon is killed by The Benefactor after the former becomes suspicious of the latter's motives.

-September 21st: Planet Vegeta, along with nearly all of the Saiyans, is destroyed. Ledas is put into an unconscious state.

-September 29th: The Benefactor is executed by Frieza. His body is taken away on a garbage ferry.

739 Age:

-January 26th: Ledas arrives on Planet Cooler 92.

-January 27th: Ledas is officially promoted to the Plantains; he is still not as strong as them. Guva’s reasoning for this is to have a soldier under his command to kill Banas.

-February 2nd: Meloon/Ledas fight. Ledas is nearly killed. Banas has an encounter with some rebel soldiers looking to recruit him. He kills them.

-June 15th: The Benefactor wakes up in Lauto's cave.

-December 16th: Ledas transforms to Great Ape and nearly kills the Plantains.

742 Age: 

-July 16th: Dewberry is born.

-August 5th: Ledas’ power continues to grow. He learns how to sense ki.

-September 6th: Kindler is born.

743 Age: 

-July 5th: The rebels send a small force to seek vengeance on Banas. This fails. However, Banas is suspended after Guva learns about him not reporting the rebel offer years ago.

-July 17th: The Plantains, sans Banas, raid a rebel mining facility. They are successful in destroying the garrison, though no high ranking rebel leader is found.

744 Age:

-September 15th: Sarpack is born.

-September 15th: Sika is born.

745 Age: 

-August 22nd: The Plantains go to Lauto's planet to investigate power spikes. Ledas encounters Lauto and accidentally absorbs a large amount of The Benefactor's and Lauto's powers. He stops aging because of this. He begins to suspect he is a Super Saiyan, but cannot transform.

-August 24th: The Benefactor and Lauto fight for the final time. Lauto is killed. The Benefactor sets out to find who stole his energy.

-August 25th: The Plantains return from Lauto's planet.

-August 26th: Banas knocks Ledas unconscious and takes him to the Stomping Grounds. Banas does this because he thinks the High Council wants to publicly execute a suspected rebel, and he doesn't want to die himself.

-August 29th: The Benefactor searches Planet Cooler 54 for any sign of the soldier who stole his power.

-August 30th: Banas and Ledas arrive on Cooler’s Capitol planet, The Stomping Grounds. Ledas is tried as a rebel, though he escapes before sentencing. Ledas encounters Mullpy and kills him. Ledas then fights Cooler in his Semi-Super Saiyan state and loses. He hides his power level to make it look like he is killed. Then Ledas encounters Grif and is put into a coma-stasis.

751 Age:

-February 27th: Wisconsin is born.

754 Age:

-October 2nd: File is born.

755 Age:

-September 20th: Shoekki is born.

758 Age:

-May 2nd: Miki is born.

762 Age:

-February 17th: Ryori is born.

766 Age:

-March 19th: Cooler orders all soldiers on the Stomping Grounds to begin training. Grif is killed during his training, causing Ledas’ stasis to end after 21 years.

-March 20th: Ledas encounters Konatsu and Anango, as well as the entire army. He destroys all of them. Digranite and all of Cooler's governors are called to conference with the emperor on one of the moons of the Stomping Grounds. They are told about Frieza's death at the hands of a Saiyan named Goku. Ledas has his first fight with Nepar and is badly wounded.

-March 21st: Ledas once again engages Nepar, trying to get into the tower, and is successful this time. He meets Digranite's bodyguards, who take him prisoner. Digranite returns and fights Ledas. Cooler learns of Ledas' presence on the planet and prepares to blow it up. He sends a willing governor - Guva - to go pick up Digranite before he does so. Guva, instead, engages Digranite in battle along with Semi-Super Saiyan Ledas, as he wants the Saiyan boy back. Ledas kills Digranite.

-March 25th: Guva and Ledas return to Planet Cooler 92. Guva reminds Ledas of his promise to kill Banas, now that he is easily strong enough. Aprido is jealous of Ledas' return, and attempts to drown the boy at night after finding him passed out from training.

-March 26th: Ledas figures out that Aprido tried to drown him and kills the Appule. Banas becomes irate at the Saiyan killing one of his soldiers and requests a duel. Guva allows it, but only after giving Ledas several hours to prepare. Lieme later comes to collect Ledas, and the two battle. Ledas is victorious. He then finds Payar torturing some natives. Ledas becomes emotional upon realizing that he's no better than the natives and becomes a Super Saiyan over realizing he is nothing but a slave who can't control his destiny. He attacks Payar, though he does not kill the alien. Ledas then fights Banas, who uses Lieme and Meloon to help him in battle. Guva reveals his treachery and begins fighting Banas. Ledas kills Meloon and Lieme. He mortally wounds Payar, though he lets the natives kill the alien. Ledas then defeats Banas and forces Guva to give him information on where Vegeta is. Guva, who learned about Goku's and Vegeta's location from Cooler, obliges. Ledas is too overcome with excitement and longing to reunite with his friend to kill Guva and the rest of the Planet Trade Soldiers on the planet. He leaves at once.

-June 23rd: Banas returns, revealing that he was never killed. He convinces Guva to go with him to another planet in order to end their rivalry. The Natives begin multiple rebellions, and without the Plantains or the the governor to stop them, they are quite successful.

-August 4th: Guva and Banas fight for the final time on Lauto's planet. Banas is killed. Guva is overwhelmed by an unknown dark energy.

772 Age: 

-January 1st: Guva returns to his planet, only to find it in ruins. Under The Benefactor’s threats, he returns to his pod and goes to Earth, where he assumes Ledas is.

-December 1st: Ledas gets lost, but continues searching for Vegeta. He trains more and more, trying to master his new Super Saiyan 1 form. Ledas' Saibamen continue training alongside him. Ses transforms into a red Saibaman, and is the sixth of his seven to reach the mature Saiba-state. Ledas senses large amounts of ki coming from a distant planet. He finishes his training, then heads to it.

774 Age: 

-March 30th: Ledas arrives on Earth and runs into Mrs. Fanshi.

-March 31st: Ledas is enrolled in school and meets Ryori. Under the goading of Ryori, he steals the panties of several girls.

-April 1st: Ledas acquires a Model 14 gravity unit from Dr. Briefs. He reunites with Vegeta and fights him, though Ledas keeps his identity a secret thoughout the fight. Cardinal, the leader of the new Red Ribbon Army, officially enters the town in search of a mysterious alien whose pod was recently found.

-April 2nd: Ledas returns the only pair of panties he kept to their rightful owner, Miki. He and Miki get to know each other.

-April 18th: Ledas and Piccolo fight. Ledas wins. Ledas' Saibamen are accidentally set free and wreak havoc on a town. Two of them are killed, and one is captured by Cardinal's new Red Ribbon Army.

-April 20th - May 1st: Ledas and Ryori, along with a few other friends, do various activities together. Ledas continues to train; his power grows exponentially.

-May 2nd: Ledas reaches his breaking point with Kyokatoshi, and by the goading of The Benefactor's hallucination, kills his teacher.

-May 5th: Cardinal and his men change Ledas into Great Ape and identify him as the alien. Yajirobe meets Ledas. Cardinal learns Ledas is the alien and kidnaps Ryori, in order to bring Ledas to him. The Saibaman that Cardinal's son, General Silver, is interrogating self-destructs and kills a large portion of their army.

-May 6th: Ledas returns Yajirobe to Korin Tower in the day and stays there the night.

-May 7th: Shoekki kills File upon finding out she is really a man. Dewberry kills Mrs. Fanshi after he and Kindler find Ledas' space ship. Shoekki kills himself by orders of Cardinal in order to save his brother. Cardinal takes Ryori and Ledas along with the remaining members of the New Red Ribbon Army inside Ledas' gravity unit. The group goes into space to escape Majin Buu.

-May 9th: The New Red Ribbon Army, along with Ryori and Ledas, returns to Earth. Kindler shoots Ledas in the head, but the boy survives by eating two senzu beans. Kindler, Dewberry, and the majority of the soldiers are killed by Ledas moments after they land. Ryori learns of his brother's death. Guva comes to Earth and is challenged by the Z fighters. He defeats Yamcha and Chiaotzu but is defeated by Tien. The Benefactor shows up suddenly, alive, and kills Guva. He is challenged by Tien and wins. He creates a Locke’s Ruse attack, which sucks out all the power of the remaining Z fighters, though they are not aware of it. All remaining Z fighters, sans Vegeta, are weakened and easily disposed of by the alien. Ledas is consumed by the corrupting influence that The Benefactor's power inside him has created. He attacks Vegeta and the two duel until The Benefactor comes in and stabs Vegeta. The remaining New Red Ribbon Army soldiers track Ledas and shoot him with poisonous bullets, causing him to use the last of his senzu beans to heal himself as well as Vegeta. Ledas eliminates the New Red Ribbon Army easily with a quick Lightning Strike. He tries, in vain, to attack The Benefactor, but loses. After being saved by Ledas, Vegeta ascends to Super Saiyan 3 and duels with the monster. Ryori tracks the New Red Ribbon Army to their place of defeat and kills the only surviving member of Ledas' Lightning Strike, Supreme General Silver, to gain revenge for his brother's death.

-May 10th: Vegeta and The Benefactor continue their duel. Cardinal is in the city as this is happening. He find Police Chief Nagamo and tries to get the man's police helicopter to go and see what happened to General Silver. As he is talking to Nagamo, one of his soldiers, Private Wisconsin, appears and kills Police Chief Nagamo. He tells Cardinal that everyone else is dead; however, he has also captured Ryori. Vegeta's and The Benefactor's duel forces them to leave, as more and more explosions go off nearby. Eventually, Ryori is able to escape. In pursuit, Wisconsin is hit by a blast and nearly killed. Cardinal kills the dying man. A building then collapses on top of him. Elsewhere, Vegeta cannot maintain his power, so he reverts to his base form and is unable to continue fighting The Benefactor. Vegeta tries to find Dende in order to get his power restored to him. Instead, he runs into Yajirobe and Krillin. When the two try to give him a senzu bean, The Benefactor comes and knocks Vegeta unconscious. Ledas follows Vegeta and The Benefactor to this point. He tries to help, but as he gets near The Benefactor, he is unable to control his energy, and the monster easily knocks him unconscious. The Benefactor attempts to destroy Krillin and Yajirobe, but he simply blows up their car. The Benefactor then tries to extract the stolen energy from Ledas. As he absorbs it, it hurts him greatly, and the monster's power is drastically lowered in his wounded state. Both Ryori and Cardinal are recovered by medical personal, including Nurse Yorokobi. As they are preparing to treat the two, Ryori attacks Cardinal with a piece of broken glass, causing the nurses to have to tranquilize him. Back with the warriors, Krillin creates a solar flare so he can escape and go heal all of the Z Fighters who The Beneactor had already defeated, as he had acquired many senzu beans from Yajirobe. Ledas is able to eat a senzu bean and properly battle The Benefactor. He eventually succeeds with blinding The Benefactor with an energy attack. Yajirobe starts throwing things at The Benefactor when the monster insults him; this includes debris and whatnot from his ruined car. Included in this is the mind prison. when he throws it, the mind prison opens and sucks in The Benefactor and Ledas. While Yajirobe tries to help Ledas (with trying to pull him out with his sheathed katana), this is unsuccessful. Cardinal wakes up in the hospital in great pain and takes a lot of painkillers. He learns that Ryori is being held by the police for attacking him. Krillin is able to heal all of the Z Fighters. Once inside the mind prison, Ledas meets The Shrouded Being and its minions, Screechers. These routinely attack Ledas until he meets up with The Benefactor again. The two duel again until The Shrouded Being separates them in order to test them properly. Ledas is forced to fight multiple Screechers while The Benefactor fights against a massive creature called a Lurker. The Benefactor is able to overcome the Lurker, but not before being damaged. Afterwards, The Shrouded Being brings the two to it and reveals that it is a female Damani called Verlate. Verlate wants to get out of the mind prison, and the only way to do so is to damn someone else to the prison. Neither Ledas nor The Benefactor wants to have that happen to them, so they both agree to answer a riddle to get freed. These riddles, however, are just a decoy for Verlate to try to escape through other means. While they are attempting to answer their riddles, Verlate tries to switch her energy signature with Ledas so as to escape early. This proves a failure and Verlate realizes that she cannot escape the prison through any means. She commits suicide, instead leaving the prison to the other two. Ledas and The Benefactor engage in a desperate duel for freedom. At first, The Benefactor overcomes Ledas. He mocks the boy and calls him the son of a coward and goads him about his father's death and how Ledas will never be able to see his friends again. This causes Ledas to ascend to Super Saiyan 2. He then swiftly beats down The Benefactor and escapes the mind prison. Once outside, he sees that Yajirobe is still nearby and offers to bring the samurai back to Korin Tower. Upon doing that, Ledas runs into Korin. Korin gives Ledas possession of the mind prison, though he refuses to train Ledas. Ledas then returns to his gravity training unit, which is still where Dewberry landed it – on top of a mountain. He does not find Ryori there.

-May 11th: Ledas goes to the town's hospital and finds Cardinal. He threatens Cardinal in order to learn where Ryori is. Cardinal is forced to bribe the police department to drop the charges against Ryori. Ledas also forces Cardinal to buy Ryori a new house (near Capsule Corp. in West City) and pay for all of Ryori's expenses. Afterwards, Ledas is reunited with his friend and meets Nurse Yorokobi. This is where the second deleted scene takes place.

-May 12th: Ledas and Ryori go to see the whale who can jump out of its tail. Ledas continues training in gravity training unit in order to get strong enough to properly reunite with Vegeta. Vegeta gets his invitation to Cardinal's tournament. Ledas gets his as well, and resolves to go to the tournament. He has a few days to train before it will take place, so he plans to use those days to get strong enough to fight Vegeta.

-May 19th: Ledas and Ryori arrive at Cardinal's tournament. After eating, Ledas sleeps. Ryori stays up the night.

-May 20th: Ledas takes part in a tournament battle against Trunks, which he easily wins. The Tournament Announcer enthusiastically commentates this. Afterwards, once the tournament is winding down and many spectators are leaving, Ledas is reunited with Vegeta, and the two have a long fight. The Tournament Announcer again tries to commentate, but he doesn't have his mic, so no one can hear him. The other Z Fighters also watch and commentate. Piccolo realizes that Ledas is the one he fought a few days back. Most of the other Z Fighters realize that Ledas was around when they fought Guva and The Benefactor. Vegeta beats Ledas. Then, Ledas introduces Ryori to Vegeta and tells the Saiyan Prince that he's starving. Vegeta takes the two boys back to Capsule Corp., where they feast together.

-May 21st - 24th: Ledas and Vegeta train together some more. This is seen during the closing montage of The Forgotten.

-May 25th: Yajirobe destroys Korin's cat bed after the two have an argument. Ledas and Ryori play video games late at night. This is seen during the closing montage of The Forgotten.

-May 27th: Ledas returns from a training sessions with Vegeta and continues training in his own gravity training unit with his Saibamen. He does quickly look at the mind prison, which he is keeping in his gravity training unit, to make sure that it is still sealed. This is seen during the closing montage of The Forgotten.

End of timeline.

Story Overview
Pink text - X rated, deleted scenes (described in detail, in the “regarding the deleted scenes” document)

1st : Prince Vegeta Saga:

First Saga is about the friendship of the Saiyan children Ledas and Vegeta. Frieza becomes interested in the two, even as his personal confliction over their race begins to develop. A strange and enigmatic character named The Benefactor is also briefly shown, though Frieza later attempts to execute him for disrespecting the tyrant. Frieza begins the Genocide of the Saiyans; Ledas barely survives this, but is cut off from Vegeta and is left to his own path.

Special: Outbreak: Paved In Blood

This special is about The Benefactor and his origins. It shows his first kill, how he learns to use a knife, how he loses any semblance of emotion, and how he comes to start a genocide of his own people. When Frieza’s scouters begin to pick up The Benefactor’s massive energy output, the tyrant visits the planet. Shortly after seeing The Benefactor easily obliterate his entire second legion, Frieza offers The Benefactor employment as a soldier on his ship. The Benefactor agrees, but not before he destroys his own planet, and all evidence of him therein.

2nd: Lauto Saga:

Second Saga is about the aftermath of what happened in the saga before; planet Vegeta’s destruction and the Saiyan race’s near extinction. Barely surviving this, Ledas lands unconscious on a Cooler outpost, known as Planet Cooler 92. Here he is thrust into the politics of the station, mainly that of its captain and governor; both of whom are trying to kill each other. While Ledas stays and works along with them, he encounters a being named Lauto who accidentally gives him a lot of power. Lauto finds The Benefactor and is planning a body switch with the alien. After Captain Banas gets himself into a sticky situation by not reporting a rebel group – and looking like one of their spies -he blames it all on Ledas, leading him to take the Saiyan boy to Cooler’s Stomping Grounds to face trial.

3rd: Stomping Grounds Saga:

Third Saga is about Ledas’ escape from Planet Cooler 92, following his (erroneous) charging with destroying another Cooler outpost. Cooler comes to personally execute the boy. Ledas flees, off planet, and is shot down not long after onto Cooler’s stomping grounds. Alone, he works to find a way off that planet too before Cooler or anyone else can kill him.

4th: Planet Earth Saga:

Fourth Saga is about Ledas’ journey to earth after his destruction of Governor Guva’s outpost. Here, he lands in search of Vegeta but is quickly swept up by fellow earthlings. This includes being enrolled into school, wherein he gains some new friends that make even him question his resolve to pursue Vegeta over them. Ledas’ damaged psyche spirals out of control as his visions of past horrors and of his father’s presence continue to grow. Elsewhere, Governor Guva and Captain Banas finally finish their long lasted feud.

Note: There is one X rated scene in this saga. It will not be present in the release of the saga, but will be part of the “deleted scenes” collection.

5th: Reunion Saga:

Fifth Saga is about Ledas’ and Vegeta’s reunion. Guva returns to earth to exact his revenge. He battles several Z fighters. However, midway through the fight, the Benefactor resurfaces and enters into the fray, causing new catastrophic implications. The Benefactor has come to take Ledas.

Special: Forever Alone

This special is about Verlate, and her imprisonment. It shows of her disastrous trip to the world of the Kais, which resulted in the near-extinction of the species. Being sentenced to a life forever in her mind, Verlate is put into the prison. However, her last wish was to have her species (the current gods of the universe) relinquish their mantle and let the Kais take over. Eventually, her prison reaches earth, where she encounters Korin, and learns an important lesson about riddles.

6th: Fulfillment Saga:

Sixth Saga is about The Benefactor and Ledas, and their struggles together. Upon the Z Fighters' defeat, Ledas not only tackles a newly resurgent Red Ribbon Army, but he also finds a way to eliminate The Benefactor as a threat to the universe. In the aftermath, several Z fighters take part in a tournament, and Ledas and Vegeta finally are able to reunite for real. Note: There is one X rated scene in this saga. It will not be present in the release of the saga, but will be part of the “deleted scenes” collection.

Cover Arts:
 Prince Vegeta Saga: 

Front: Upside down shot of Vegeta and Ledas lying down. Vegeta has his head on a dead creature and his arms folded, his eyes closed, with a small smirk on his face. Vegeta is on the left, Ledas is on the right. Ledas is on the ground, with several dead aliens around him. He has his arms behind his head and is smiling, content to his destruction. They are in a desert, on cracked mud earth. It is bright out. Aerial shot.

Back: Frieza is sitting on a throne with King Vegeta, Nappa, and Layeeck bowing before him. They are on Planet Vegeta, in the throne room. Out a window can be seen the sprawling empire of the Saiyans.

 Lauto Saga: 

Front: Guva is standing at the center of the page. Banas and Payar are directly behind him. Meloon and Lieme are behind them. Ledas and Aprido are behind them. The seven characters are spread out in a pyramid formation, and all of them are striking battle poses. Behind them, slightly above their heads are the silhouettes of Lauto and The Benefactor. Lauto is on the left side of the cover and The Benefactor is on the right.

Back: A simple aerial shot of Planet Cooler 92’s outpost, which features buildings and some soldiers milling about.

 Stomping Grounds Saga: 

Front: Ledas has white hair and is looking down, his mouth open in a scream. He has his arm outstretched and is sending off a blast, covering his entire body in a blue color. Digranite is looking up, in all his ferociousness, shooting a red beam up to Ledas. In the background is the planet of the Stomping Grounds, with Digranite’s tower and the other buildings. A lightly colored, subtle picture of Cooler’s head is the outer layer, so that this entire picture is shown inside his head.

Back: A picture of the plains of Planet Cooler 92. Nepar is seen drifting in the background on the left. Grif is seen snoozing in a guard tower on the right side.

 Planet Earth Saga: 

Front: Ledas is standing with his left shoulder thrown forward. He is wearing Earth clothes. He is looking forward with a frown. He has blue energy forming in both of his hands. At his feet are his Saibamen. Behind him, on the left, is Piccolo and Vegeta. Piccolo is in an attack stance. Vegeta is in Super Saiyan and is also in an attack stance. On Ledas’ right is Cardinal, Kindler, and Supreme General Silver. Silver and Kindler are holding guns. Cardinal’s arms are crossed. They are all, collectively, standing in a ruined town.

Back: Yajirobe in his hovercar can be seen departing from Korin Tower in the background. Off in the far distance are buildings and cities.

 Reunion Saga: 

Front: Ledas is kneeling, in his Full Powered Super Saiyan form, staring at the camera. He looks wounded. There is blood around his face and his clothes are slightly tattered. He is looking off at some unseen thing, preparing an energy attack for it. Vegeta is standing to the right, just behind Ledas. He is also readying an attack and he looks damaged. Both of them are screaming. They are in the countryside.

Back: The Z Fighters are all standing looking at Guva. The perspective is from behind Guva’s back.

 Fulfillment Saga: 

Front: The Benefactor is holding Ledas by the neck. The Benefactor is on the right side of the page; Ledas is on the left. Ledas is struggling against The Benefactor. Verlate’s mind prison is at their feet.

Back: Ledas is inside the mind prison, in the desert area. He is wearing his father’s ceremonial armor and holding Yajirobe’s katana.

Prince Vegeta Saga
<p style="text-align:center">When I was four years old,

<p style="text-align:center">my brother took me to the store.

<p style="text-align:center">Needless to say, it didn't take long

<p style="text-align:center">for me to fall down and cut my head

<p style="text-align:center">on one of the metal racks.

<p style="text-align:center">Yeah. <p style="text-align:center">-KidVegeta

Prologue
<SCREEN IS BLACK, WITH VOICES TALKING>

King Vegeta: <IN A WHISPER> Yes… you can have it. The whole planet. I will not stop you.

Frieza: A wise choice.

<TWO HEADS COME OUT OF THE DARK; OBVIOUSLY, THEY ARE FRIEZA AND KING VEGETA’S, LOOKING AT ONE ANOTHER>

Frieza: I will spare your race, Vegeta. The Saiyans will be a necessary asset to my empire.

King Vegeta: T-t-thank… you.

Frieza: You must work for me. Use your strength to conquer other planets, in my name, so that I, the Great Frieza, can rule over this galaxy.

King Vegeta: Whatever you wish…<LONG PAUSE> my lord.

Frieza: Good. That attitude will keep you alive for a long time, Vegeta. But it can be so easily reversed. Don’t forget that, my good Saiyan.

King Vegeta: No, I-I-I would never go against you, lord Frieza. I swear!

<FRIEZA SMILES; FADE AWAY>

<PLANET VEGETA>

<736 AGE>

<KING VEGETA’S PALACE>

<KING VEGETA IS SHOWN, WALKING DOWN A HALLWAY; IT IS DARK AND DESERTED; KING VEGETA TURNS A CORNER; HE APPROACHES ANOTHER SAIYAN, WHO IS STANDING, WAITING>

King Vegeta: Layeeck, my friend, how are you?

Layeeck: My King. <KNEELS> You wouldn’t believe the week I had.

King Vegeta: I can imagine. A new child is always hard to get used to.

Layeeck: Ledas is growing so fast. I don’t mean in just the normal way… but his powers too. I hate to admit it, but he’s wearing me out. I don’t know how much longer I can keep up with him like this!

King Vegeta: Heh. I know what you mean. Little Vegeta is quite a handful.

Layeeck: You have started training him, milord?

King Vegeta: Yes, I have. And from what I’ve seen, there is no doubt he will honor my bloodline when he comes of age. <BOTH START WALKING> Have you started your training yet?

Layeeck: <LAUGHS> My son is only three years old.

King Vegeta: Vegeta’s only four. But his power level is incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it before.

Layeeck: What is his power level?

King Vegeta: Our last reading was at slightly over 1400. I am proud to say he’s growing into his royalty quite well.

Layeeck: <IN HIS HEAD> 1400?! Unbelievable!

King Vegeta: I wonder… have you read your son’s power level recently?

Layeeck: You probably won’t believe me… he’s at 1200.

King Vegeta: <STOPS WALKING, NEXT TO A FULL-WALLED WINDOW> Are you joking?

Layeeck: Nope. <SHAKES HIS HEAD> I guess both our sons were born with this raw ability.

King Vegeta: <STARING OUT OF THE WINDOW> You know, I’ve been looking for a training partner for Vegeta. If what you say is true, Ledas would be perfect for that.

Layeeck: What? Do you really mean that?

King Vegeta: You are one of my most trusted soldiers and one of my greatest friends, Layeeck. It makes sense, given the similarities that our sons would train together.

Layeeck: Yes, milord. <BOWS AND NODS> But if you would allow it, my king, I would like some time to at least teach my son the basics. I don’t want him to start without any foundation.

King Vegeta: <NODS> Yes, I was thinking it would be better in a few months anyways. By that time, Vegeta will be five… and I presume Ledas will be four?

Layeeck: Yes. That should be enough time. I will get right on it. <BOWS, TAKING LEAVE; WALKS AWAY FROM KING VEGETA, BACK TURNED> Forgive me sire… but I must ask you something… from one friend to another.

King Vegeta: <NOT MOVING, STILL STARING OUT THE WINDOW> I’m listening.

Layeeck: <TURNING BACK AROUND> I have heard whispers. Plans involving you… and Lord Frieza, in some hatched scheme I can barely comprehend. Please tell me they aren’t true.

King Vegeta: <STILL NOT MOVING> Layeeck! Do not speak of such things in my presence!

Layeeck: <CONFUSED> I–

<KING VEGETA RAISES HIS HAND, STOPPING LAYEECK’S SPEECH>

King Vegeta: Lord Frieza and I are on the best of terms. We serve him loyally. I will lead no rebellion.

Layeeck: <HOARSELY> Then… your son… he… do you think he will fulfill the prophecy? Become a Super Saiyan? Take on Lord Fri–

King Vegeta: <CHUCKLES> Would you believe a few rumors over what I have said? I have no idea where you got that from. I want my son to have a decent training partner. Unless you would rather I find him another?

Layeeck: <BOWS HEAD> No, I wouldn’t…

King Vegeta: <TURNING, WALKING UP TO LAYEECK, GRASPS HIS SHOULDERS> Come now my friend, we have talked long. Let us not think too heavily into what could happen. Let us instead focus on what we will make happen. Besides, if we continue much longer, you will be late for your duties. The captain of my guard should set an example.

Layeeck: <STILL TROUBLED; NERVOUSLY LAUGHS> Yeah, you’re right. I’ll get going.

<BOTH PART WAYS, LAYEECK WALKING BACK ONE WAY AND KING VEGETA THE OTHER>

Lest I Forget…
<PLANET VEGETA>

<737 AGE>

<POD TAKEOFF AREA>

<FLATLINE SHOT OF THE LANDING PAD AREA FOR SPACE PODS; IT IS EVENING, AND THE SUN IS SETTING; THE SKY IS A DARK ORANGE>

<LAYEECK AND HIS SQUAD APPROACH THEIR PODS; A FEW LESSER RACES (SUCH AS APPULES) SCURRY ABOUT READYING THEIR PODS; A SMALL FIGURE COMES RACING AFTER THEM>

Ledas: <COMES RUNNING TO THE LAUNCH AREA> Dad! Dad!

<LEDAS IS A SHORT BOY, BEING ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD; HE HAS WILD, SEMI-SPIKY, TALL HAIR AND LARGE EYES; HIS TAIL IS NOT WRAPPED AROUND HIS WAIST; HE IS NOT WEARING ANY ARMOR, JUST A NICE SET OF CRIMSON, UPPER-CLASS CLOTHES>

Saiyan 1: Hey Layeeck, isn’t that your kid?

Layeeck: <SOMEWHAT DISTRACTED, TURNING AROUND> Huh… what was that?

Ledas: <RUNS UP TO LAYEECK> Dad! Can I come with you, dad?

Saiyan 2: Yeah, dad. Whaddya think? <LAUGHS>

Layeeck: Ledas?! What are you doing here?

Ledas: I wanna go with you!

Layeeck: Son… <KNEELS, NEXT TO LEDAS, PUTS HIS ARM ON LEDAS’ SHOULDER> Do you even know where I’m going?

Ledas: <LOOKING DOWN> Well… no.

<LAYEECK GLANCES AT THE OTHER SAIYANS IN HIS SQUAD, THEY ARE ALL LAUGHING>

Layeeck: <IN HEAD> Well, I am supposed to train him soon… <OUT LOUD> Sure, Ledas. You can come. <THE OTHER SAIYANS STOP LAUGHING> Come on, let’s go. <TURNS HIS HEAD> You! <GRABS THE SHIRT OF A NEARBY WORKER AND SHOVES HIM FORWARD> Get my son a new pod ready, and some armor too. Now.

Pod Worker: Yes sir! <RUNS OFF>

Layeeck: Now, son, if you come with us, you must promise to do whatever I tell you… even if it seems weird, or stupid.

Ledas: <LEDAS’ POD IS READY, HE JUMPS IN IT> <SMILES> Okay dad.

Layeeck: Good… <TO OTHER SAIYANS> Look… I don’t want another scene like last time. Especially in front of my kid.

Saiyan 1: Come on, Layeeck it was just a little fun!

Layeeck: Then, next time, it will be you explaining why a perfectly good planet was wasted. All because you couldn’t control yourself. And I doubt King Vegeta’ll show mercy this time. Let’s go.

<LAYEECK GETS INTO HIS OWN POD; LAYEECK AND HIS ENTIRE TEAM LEAVE FOR THEIR DESTINATION>

<ALL PODS LAND ON A PLANET, IT IS A MOUNTAINOUS AND SNOWY, YET SUNNY AND BRIGHT OUT; THE GROUP GET OUT OF THEIR PODS AND FORM UP>

Layeeck: Ledas! What did I tell you on our way over?

Ledas: Right… keep my fists up… don’t underestimate my opponent… and…

Layeeck: <REACHES FOR SOMETHING> And, don’t forget your scouter. <LAYEECK THROWS LEDAS A NEW SCOUTER> This device will show you where your enemy is at all times. Lose it, and you become blind to their movements.

Ledas: <LOOKING IT OVER> Wow… thanks dad!

Layeeck: Now, use your scouter to find the inhabitants.

<LEDAS PUTS THE SCOUTER ON, LOOKS AROUND, BUT NOTHING HAPPENS>

Layeeck: Heh… you need to turn it on first. Here, it’s the button on the top.

<A SAIYAN ELITE BEHIND THEM RAISES HIS HEAD AND GROANS; LAYEECK GIVES HIM A QUICK GLANCE, TELLING HIM TO BE QUIET>

<LEDAS PRESSES THE BUTTON ON HIS SCOUTER; STRANGE CHARACTERS FLASH ACROSS THE SCREEN>

Ledas: <LOOKING> There! Whoa, there’s a lot of them.

Layeeck: Yes, <TO HIS TEAM; LOW VOICE> it’ll only be a few more minutes. <TO LEDAS> Follow me, son. And remember your promise.

<ALL FLY TO ONE OF THE CITIES, THEY ARE STANDING ON A CLIFF LOOKING DOWN ONTO IT>

Saiyan 1: <CROUCHING, LOOKING UP TO THE SKY> Full moon won’t be here for two days, Layeeck.

Layeeck: <IGNORES HIM; TO LEDAS> Now get ready, we’re going to take out that city.

Saiyan 2: We…?

Layeeck: You stay back. I’m teaching today. <RISING INTO THE AIR> Just my son and me for this one.

<THE SAIYANS ALL SIT DOWN AND WATCH; LAYEECK AND LEDAS FLY OVER TO THE CITY>

Layeeck: <NODS TO LEDAS> Remember, son, even though they are weak, any one of these creatures could kill you if you lose concentration. Do not underestimate them. <CREATES A BALL OF ENERGY> You remember how we worked on concentration? How, if you concentrate your energy into a single, focused point, you can release it as a beam? Like this… <LAYEECK SHOOTS THE BALL OF ENERGY, DETONATING A NEARBY BUILDING; THE NATIVE ALIENS SCREAM AND RUN ABOUT, SOME ARE ON FIRE>

Ledas: Yeah… a little.

Layeeck: <CROSSES HIS ARMS> Show me.

Ledas: <GATHERING UP ENERGY> AHHHHHHH!!!!! <HE SHOOTS OF A BEAM OF ENERGY, CREATING A HUGE EXPLOSION; BODIES FLY EVERYWHERE, THERE IS A GENERAL PANIC; THERE IS NO RESISTANCE>

Layeeck: <EYES WIDE> Was that… all of your energy, Ledas?

Ledas: <UNCONCERNED; SMILING> No, I can do that again. Was that not very good, dad?

Layeeck: <SLOWLY, A BIT SHAKEN> No, it was fine, son. Just use all of your energy this time. Destroy the entire city.

Ledas: <CHEERFULLY> Okay! <LEDAS SHOOTS SEVERAL POWERFUL BLASTS, LIKE THE PREVIOUS ONE; BUILDINGS CRUMBLE AND PEOPLE ARE THROWN ABOUT; WITHIN A FEW SHORT MINUTES, THE AREA IS REDUCED TO A BLOOD-SOAKED CRATER>

<BEHIND, THE OTHER SAIYANS ARE STILL WATCHING>

Saiyan 1: Look at his power level!

Saiyan 2: 1200… 1300… 1400… I’ve never seen a kid with one that high.

Saiyan 3: Look at that little guy go.

Ledas: <FLIES BACK, UPSIDE DOWN> How was that, dad?

Layeeck: <SMILES, TRIES TO HIDE HIS SHOCK> That was good. It looks like you are going to grow up to be as strong as me. <HE NOTICES LEDAS IS UPSIDE DOWN> As long as you stop flying upside down.

Ledas: <HONESTLY> Oh, sorry. <HE RIGHTS HIMSELF>

<BOTH RETURN, LAYEECK IS STILL SHAKEN>

Saiyan 2: You nearly done teaching? I want to kill me some aliens.

Layeeck: Yeah, we’re done. Let’s finish up and get out of here. <PUSHES A BUTTON ON HIS SCOUTER> There’s a large concentration of them over there <POINTS EAST>. Probably another city.

Ledas: But… is that all I get to do?

Layeeck: <HAND ON LEDAS’ HAIR> There’ll be more next time, Ledas.

Ledas: But dad–

Layeeck: No more back-talk. Stay back and watch how we do it. Focus and memorize our methods. We’re going to transform.

Saiyan 2: How? The full moon doesn’t get here for two more days!

Layeeck: The king showed me a new technique. I no longer need to wait for the moon.

Saiyan 1: What?

Layeeck: I can make one myself.

Saiyan 2: An artificial moon?

Saiyan 3: That’s not possible, Layeeck.

Layeeck: <TOOTHY SMILE> Isn’t it? Just stand back and watch this. Oh, and Ledas…

Ledas: Huh?

Layeeck: I’m sorry, but there is no other way.

<LAYEECK SHOOTS A BEAM THAT SEVERS LEDAS’ TAIL; LEDAS FALLS TO THE GROUND, IN SHOCK; LAYEECK TURNS HIS BACK TO LEDAS, GATHERS HIS ENERGY AND THROWS THE BALL OF ENERGY INTO THE SKY; THE SAIYANS TRANSFORM, AND GO ONTO RAVAGE THE PLANET; AS THE SUN SETS, AND SMOKE RISES IN THE DISTANCE, LEDAS WATCHES, IN MIDAIR, CRYING AND BLEEDING FROM WHERE HIS TAIL SHOULD BE, WITH BLOOD RUNNING DOWN HIS LEGS>

Just Saibamen?
<LEDAS, LAYEECK, AND THE SAIYANS RETURN TO PLANET VEGETA, THE POD LANDING AREA IS BUSY, BUT THIS IS NOT ABNORMAL>

Layeeck: <GETTING OUT OF HIS POD, NOT LOOKING AT HIS SON, PODS ARE TAKING OFF ALL AROUND, MAKING LOTS OF NOISE> Ledas, go home! I’ll be back shortly. <HE WALKS OFF, SWIFTLY UP TO KING VEGETA’S PALACE IN THE DISTANCE>

Ledas: <STANDS, ARMS CROSSED, OBVIOUSLY PISSED OFF> Fine.

<LAYEECK GLANCES BACK BEFORE CONTINUING ON; LAYEECK’S TEAM CONTINUES UNLOADING THEIR PODS, AND TAKE OFF THEIR ARMOR; ONE OF THEM, A TALL FIERY SAIYAN WITH LONG HAIR SEES LEDAS>

Saiyan 1: How’d you like your first mission?

Ledas: <FROWN> It was all right.

Saiyan 1: <LOOKING OFF, PICKING UP HIS ARMOR IN HIS HAND> Your dad’s a helluva warrior, kid. You should be glad he’s teaching you.

<LEDAS DOES NOT RESPOND; HE IS FROWNING; THE OTHER SAIYANS WALK OFF; HE WALKS OFF IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION; LEDAS HAS A HARD TIME BALANCING WITHOUT HIS TAIL>

<AHEAD, LAYEECK ENTERS KING VEGETA’S CHAMBERS>

Layeeck: King Vegeta! <KNEELS>

King Vegeta: <ON HIS THRONE> Stand up Layeeck. You know you don’t need to do that. <PAUSE> What do you need?

Layeeck: <BREATHLESS> My son is ready.

King Vegeta: <STANDS UP> Where is he?

Layeeck: At home, resting.

King Vegeta: Did you train him in transformation?

Layeeck: I didn’t. He was so strong in his base form, I don’t know if he could have been controlled like that.

King Vegeta: But you used the power ball? I’m sure your squad was impressed. And your son? Did he not transform with you?

Layeeck: Yeah, I used it. But I needed Ledas to watch us, <SLOWS DOWN, AS IF NOT WANTING TO TELL THIS PART OF THE TALE> so… I had to… I had to cut off his tail.

King Vegeta: <SHAKES HIS HEAD> That won’t do. I want your son to show his powers as a whole Saiyan when he begins. Fix that before you return.

Layeeck: <SIGHS> Okay. <STARTS WALKING OUT, STOPS, TURNS BACK AROUND> Hang on… what do you mean, “he begins”? I thought they were to start training together? Isn’t my word enough for you, sire?

King Vegeta: Consider this a formality. For what it’s worth, I did believe you. <LAUGHS> It was my son who didn’t.

<CUTS TO LAYEECK’S HOUSE>

<LAYEECK WALKS THROUGH THE DOORS; THE HOUSE IS A SMALL PLACE, WITH A DIRT FLOOR; ITS WALLS ARE STONE, OF THE SAME MATERIAL AS THE PALACE; THERE ARE NOT MANY HOUSES AROUND IT; SINCE LAYEECK IS AN ELITE, HE HAS AMPLE TRAINING GROUNDS AROUND HIS HOUSE>

Layeeck: Ledas? Where are you? We have to get–

<A SMALL CYAN BLAST HITS LAYEECK IN THE BACK, CAUSING HIM TO FALL FORWARD; LEDAS COMES THROUGH THE DUST, KICKING HIS FATHER WITH A BOOT TO THE SIDE; HE GOES FOR ANOTHER KICK; LAYEECK ROLLS OVER, GRABS HIS SON’S FOOT AND STOPS HIS ATTACK>

Layeeck: Ledas! Hey! Stop! What are you doing?!

Ledas: <FURIOUSLY TRYING TO BREAK FREE> You cut off my tail!!

Layeeck: Ledas, stop! Stop!! <LEDAS DOES NOT> Enough! <LAYEECK POWERS UP ENOUGH TO OVERPOWER LEDAS; HE THROWS HIS SON INTO THE WALL; LEDAS STOPS>

<LEDAS IS STILL WEARING HIS ARMOR, THE CHEST AND SIDE PARTS; LAYEECK PICKS UP HIS SON BY THE SHOULDER PAULDRONS AND SITS HIM DOWN ON THE BED>

Layeeck: Listen, son. I… I had to remove your tail because I couldn’t let you transform with us.

Ledas: <LOOKING AWAY> Why?

Layeeck: You’re strong. You’re very strong, Ledas. <LEDAS TURNS HIS HEAD FINALLY, LOOKING AT HIS DAD WITH WIDE EYES> I couldn’t let you transform so quickly without any training. You could have killed all of us.

Ledas: Really?

Layeeck: Don’t worry, son. King Vegeta has heard of your power and he wants to train you himself – he wants you to be the training partner of the Prince. And <HE SMILES, RAISING HIS HAND; HE CREATES A POWER BALL IN IT; LEDAS’ TAIL REGROWS IN MOMENTS FROM THE BLUTZ WAVES; ONCE IT DOES, LAYEECK EXTINGUISHES THE BLAST> once you’ve been trained enough with them, I can take you back out and you can show me how strong you’ve gotten.

Ledas: <SMILING, SLIGHTLY, INNOCENTLY> Just the two of us?

Layeeck: Yes, the two of us.

<CUTS TO THE NEXT SCENE>

<LAYEECK, KING VEGETA, AND PRINCE VEGETA ARE ALL STANDING IN A SMALL ROOM, WATCHING THROUGH A WINDOW; INSIDE IS LEDAS, STANDING ALONE, IN FULL ARMOR>

Prince Vegeta: Come on, hurry up. I’m getting bored.

King Vegeta: <NODS; TO THE NEARBY TECHNICIAN> Open the doors.

<THE FAR DOOR OPENS, 3 SAIBAMEN COME IN>

Ledas: So these are Saibamen? <HE WALKS FORWARD A LITTLE, AS IF CURIOUS; HE IS NOT IN AN ATTACK STANCE>

Layeeck: Saibamen… <IN A WHISPER> What are you doing? Attack!

<THE FIRST SAIBAMAN SHOOTS A KI BLAST AT LEDAS, WHO IS CAUGHT OFF GUARD; IT HITS HIM, BUT DOES RELATIVELY LITTLE DAMAGE>

Ledas: Ow!! <ANGER SURGES>

<LEDAS SHOOTS A BLAST AT THE SAIBAMEN, IT IS INJURED, BUT NOT KILLED; THE OTHER TWO JUMP FORWARD AND ATTACK WITH PUNCHES AND KICKS; LEDAS DEFENDS AGAINST BOTH AT THE SAME TIME>

King Vegeta: Impressive.

<AFTER A SOMEWHAT BRIEF FIGHT, LEDAS HITS ONE INTO A WALL, IT IS KILLED, BLOOD RUSHING DOWN THE LEFT SIDE OF ITS HEAD; THE OTHER ATTACKS MORE VIGOROUSLY; LEDAS DISPOSES OF IT AS WELL WITH A PUNCH TO THE GUT; THE THIRD, FORGOTTEN BY LEDAS HAS BEEN CHARGING UP A KI BLAST; JUST AS LEDAS TURNS AROUND TO FACE THE MONSTER, HE IS HIT WITH IT>

Layeeck: Damn it.

<PRINCE VEGETA LOOKS UP TO KING VEGETA WITH A CURIOUS GLANCE>

<THE DUST CLEARS; THE SAIBAMAN IS THE ONLY BEING SEEN; SUDDENLY LEDAS DROPS FROM ABOVE, COMING DOWN, KICKING IT IN IT’S HEAD, CRUSHING THE SKULL AND SPILLING BLOOD AND BRAIN MATTER OVER THE WALL; LEDAS’ ARMOR IS DESTROYED ON HIS RIGHT SIDE, BUT HE IS STILL STANDING>

Layeeck: <UNCONTAINABLE SMILE> Well?

King Vegeta: What do you think, my son? <PUTS HIS HAND ON PRINCE VEGETA’S SHOULDER> Was he good enough for you?

Prince Vegeta: <LOOKS AWAY> Whatever.

King Vegeta: <TO SAIYAN TECHNICIAN> Bring him in.

<PRINCE VEGETA, ALMOST UNNOTICEABLY, WALKS BACKWARD A PACE>

<LEDAS ENTERS, WALKING CAREFULLY>

King Vegeta: <WALKS UP TO LEDAS> Bravo, young warrior.

Ledas: Sire! <BOWS HIS HEAD AND KNEELS>

King Vegeta: Has your father told you why you are here?

Ledas: <LOOKING DOWN> Yes, sire.

King Vegeta: And he has made it clear how difficult this will be?

Ledas: Um, I don’t know.

King Vegeta: <MOTIONS TO THE SLINKING AWAY PRINCE> Vegeta, do you have anything to say?

Prince Vegeta: Hmph… I don’t want to work with someone so weak.

Ledas: <LOOKS AT VEGETA FOR A MOMENT, STARING AND VERY STILL> Fight me.

Prince Vegeta: <WITH MUCH ARROGANCE> Ha! You’re not worth my time.

King Vegeta: <LAUGHS; AMUSED> A true Saiyan defends his honor! Go, Vegeta! Show him your strength.

Prince Vegeta: <ANNOYED, RAISES HAND, WALKS OUT> Fine.

<LEDAS RUNS OUT AFTER HIM; THEY GO BACK INTO THE ROOM; THE SAIBAMEN BODIES ARE STILL THERE>

Prince Vegeta: <EXTENDS ARMS> Prepare to be amazed.

Ledas: <GRINS> I’m gonna hit you so hard…

Prince Vegeta: Ah!!! <PRINCE VEGETA CHARGES, ATTACKS WITH A KICK, IT CONNECTS; AGAIN HE HITS LEDAS; STARTS RAPIDLY MOVING AROUND LEDAS, KICKING HIM; IT IS APPARENT THAT LEDAS WAS DRAINED OF POWER FROM HIS FIGHT WITH THE SAIBAMEN; BOTH CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR A WHILE; VEGETA GETS TOO COCKY, AND LEDAS FINDS A WEAK POINT TO HIT HIM; VEGETA FALLS TO THE GROUND>

Prince Vegeta: <STILL ON THE GROUND, FEELS HIS FACE> No way… <LEDAS APPROACHES VEGETA, OFFERS A HAND TO HELP HIM UP; INSTEAD, VEGETA PUNCHES LEDAS> Ha ha ha! You idiot.

King Vegeta: <THROUGH THE SPEAKER> Enough.

<PRINCE VEGETA IMMEDIATELY FREEZES>

King Vegeta: You two are closer in power than either of you think. You need to see this, son. <SLAMS DOOR SHUT, LOCKING TO TWO CHILDREN INSIDE; MORE SAIBAMEN COME OUT, 7 IN ALL>

Prince Vegeta: What is this, are you joking?! Seven of them?!

Ledas: It looks like more of those green guys…

Prince Vegeta: <ANGRILY> I know what they are!!! <PRINCE VEGETA RUSHES UP AND ATTACKS, AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, LEDAS DOES AS WELL, THEY ARE FIGHTING THE SAIBAMEN INDIVIDUALLY, NOT TOGETHER; NEITHER CAN BEST THE SAIBAMEN; PRINCE VEGETA IS THROWN INTO A WALL, AND LEDAS IS HIT WITH A BEAM OF ENERGY; VEGETA GETS BACK UP, BUT IS BEATEN BACK AGAIN>

Prince Vegeta: You! <COUGHING> Whatever your name is! Get over here!

Ledas: <UNNATURALLY LOUD> My name is Ledas!

Prince Vegeta: Get over here, FOOL! <IS HIT AGAIN>

Ledas: Say my name!

Prince Vegeta: Never mind then. <ATTACKS AGAIN, BUT IS GANGED UP ON, AND IS POUNDED TO THE GROUND, SCOUTER BREAKS> Alright! Alright! <SENDS OUT A WAVE OF ENERGY, PUSHING THE SAIBAMEN BACK, BUT NOT HURTING THEM MUCH> I need your heh… I need your hehlehlehlehl…

Ledas: Help?

Prince Vegeta: That, yes. Now get over here, Ledas.

Ledas: <RUNS AND JUMPS OVER TO VEGETA, KICKS AWAY A SAIBAMAN, VEGETA GETS UP AND THE TWO PUSH ALL OF THE REMAINING SAIBAMEN BACK, BUT THEY ARE NOT DEFEATED> See? That’s all ya had to say.

Prince Vegeta: Hmph… <THE SAIBAMEN START PACING, VEGETA NOTICES THIS, AND SEES AN OPPORTUNITY, HIS EYES WIDEN> Quickly <GESTURES WITH HIS HAND> come here. <LEDAS APPROACHES>

Prince Vegeta: <WHISPERING> Here’s what we’re gonna do. <WHISPERS FOR A SHORT WHILE, THE SAIBAMEN CONTINUE PACING>

Ledas: <EXCITED> I can do that. <JUMPS INTO THE AIR, GOES LEFT>

<PRINCE VEGETA JUMPS INTO THE AIR AND GOES RIGHT; BOTH DISAPPEAR; THE SAIBAMAMEN ARE CONFUSED; PRINCE VEGETA REAPPEARS BEHIND, SHOOTING A LARGE ENERGY BLAST UPWARD; LEDAS APPEARS ABOVE THE SAIBAMEN, SHOOTING A LARGE ENERGY BLAST DOWNWARD; THE ENERGY FROM EACH SIDES CAUSES THE SAIBAMEN TO BE PUSHED INWARD; WHEN THE TWO BLASTS MEET, THEY DETONATE, DESTROYING MUCH OF THE TRAINING AREA, BUT ALSO ALL THE SAIBAMEN; BITS AND PIECES OF THE SAIBAMEN LITTER THE AREA, THE TWO SAIYANS ARE COVERED IN THE STUFF; PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS DESCEND TO THE GROUND>

Ledas: Hey, we did it!

Prince Vegeta: <FACIAL EXPRESSION IS ANNOYED; PICKING A PIECE OF SAIBAMAN OFF OF HIMSELF> They weren’t as strong as I thought.

King Vegeta: <INSIDE THE OBSERVING ROOM TO LAYEECK> When the time comes, we can tell them more, but for now, they are just training. They don’t need to know anything else.

Explosions, Vegeta… Lots Of ‘Em!
<A FEW DAYS LATER>

<VEGETA AND LEDAS ARE IN A TRAINING AREA, ALONE, BUT NEITHER OF THEM ARE DOING MUCH OF ANYTHING>

Ledas: Vegetaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

Prince Vegeta: <OBVIOUSLY IMPATIENT> What?!

Ledas: <FLYING UPSIDE DOWN> Whatcha doin’?

Prince Vegeta: <SHOULDERS UP, HEAD DOWN, ANNOYED> Shut up.

Ledas: <NOT LISTENING, WANDERING OFF A BIT, POKES AT SOMETHING ON THE WALL, IT FALLS OFF> When are we gonna start doing something?

Prince Vegeta: Nappa should be here any minute… <LIES DOWN, KNEES UP> Stop talking until he gets here.

Ledas: <WANDERS BACK OVER TO VEGETA; PEERS DOWNWARD AT HIM> Do you hate me, Vegeta?

Prince Vegeta: <UNMOVING> Hate you? I think you’re weak.

Ledas: But you needed my help a few days ago.

Prince Vegeta: So what?

Ledas: Andya picked me to train with. Why’d you pick me if I’m so weak, huh?

Prince Vegeta: Hmph, cuz everyone else is weaker.

Ledas: Bu–

Prince Vegeta: Where is Nappa?! <EXACERBATED>

<NAPPA ENTERS (FOR THE FIRST TIME); HE IS IN HIS FULL, YELLOW ARMOR>

Nappa: <POKING HEAD AROUND THE CORNER> Prince Vegeta and, uh… other kid… let’s go. It’s time to turn you babies into real Saiyans. Heh heh heh.

Prince Vegeta: Finally! <GETS UP, FOLLOWS NAPPA>

Ledas: <INNOCENTLY> Sounds like that’ll hurt.

Nappa: <EVILLY> Heh heh heh. That’s the plan, kiddo.

<THEY GO DOWN THE HALL, ON ONE OF THOSE COOL MOVING SIDEWALKS>

Prince Vegeta: <AFTER SOME WAYS> What are we doing today, Nappa?

Nappa: Ha ha ha ha!

Prince Vegeta: What’s so funny?

Nappa: Ha ha ha ha ha!

Prince Vegeta: Well? Tell me.

Nappa: We… ha ha ha… we are….

Prince Vegeta: Out with it!

Nappa: <UNCONTAINABLE GRIN> Explosions, Vegeta!

Prince Vegeta & Ledas: <TOGETHER> What?

Nappa: Lots of explosions! Ha ha ha ha ha!

Prince Vegeta: <SIGHS> What a waste of time, I’d rather go on a combat assignment.

<THEY ROUND A CORNER, NAPPA IS POSITIVELY GIDDY WITH EXCITEMENT; THEY STOP AT A HEAVY STEEL DOOR, WHICH IS UNGUARDED; THEY STEP OFF THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF IT>

Nappa: Here we are!

Prince Vegeta: <UNCONVINCED> The gravity room? What gives?

Ledas: But we were here yesterday.

Nappa: I already told ya. <FIDDLING WITH THE CONTROLS> Now how high do you kids train at?

Prince Vegeta: (note: while Planet Vegeta’s gravity is 10 times that of earth, earth gravity will be used whenever gravity training is mentioned to prevent confusion) Twenty…

Nappa: <IN COMMAND> Then I’ll put it at thirty.

Prince Vegeta: Wait… wha–

Nappa: Now get in there, ya little brats. <NAPPA KICKS PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS INTO THE GRAVITY ROOM AND CLOSES THE DOOR; THIS ROOM IS LARGER THAN THE ONE WITH THE SAIBAMEN; IT IS BRIGHT AND VAST>

Ledas: <SPRAWLED ON THE GROUND> Owwwie! That guy is mean.

Prince Vegeta: <SCANNING THE AREA> Get up. Nappa said explosions… where is he…?

<GRAVITY GETS TURNED TO 30G, BOTH LEDAS AND VEGETA FALL TO THE FLOOR>

Prince Vegeta: >FOCUSED> Aah! I… can… barely… move. <A LITTLE PANICKY> N-nappa! What’s going on?

Nappa: <OVER THE INTERCOM> Explosions, Vegeta! Lots of explosions! Ya gotta to the other side without getting hit. Ha ha ha.

<BLOCKS AND VARIOUS ITEMS LITTER THE GRAVITY ROOM, IT IS LIKE A MAZE, OF SORTS; SUDDENLY ENERGY BLASTS START FALLING ALL OVER THE PLACE, PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS ARE HIT IMMEDIATELY; BECAUSE OF THE GRAVITY, THEY ARE UNABLE TO DODGE>

Nappa: <OVER THE INTERCOM, MOCKINGLY> What’s going on, Prince? My grandma could do this faster than you!

<WITH MUCH RAGE, PRINCE VEGETA IS ABLE TO GET UP THROUGH THE GRAVITY; HE STARTS TO WEAVE THROUGH THE ENERGY BLASTS AND MAZE WALLS; HIS AGILITY IS SURPRISING, AS HE SCALES WALLS AND JUMPS OVER OBSTACLES>

<LEDAS SEES HIM AND IS AWESTRUCK; HE JUMPS UP AS WELL AND STARTS MOVING, BUT IS HIT AGAIN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY; HE GETS UP AGAIN, AND HIDES BEHIND A WALL; BOTH START RUNNING OUT OF ENERGY FAST; VEGETA DROPS TO THE GROUND, EXHAUSTED; HE IS STILL BEING PUMMELED BY THE ENERGY BLASTS; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, THE EXPLOSIONS STOP; NAPPA COMES ON THE INTERCOM AGAIN>

Nappa: Ha ha! How’d you do, Prince?

Prince Vegeta: <CLOTHES DESTROYED, BLOODIED; LONG PAUSE, VEGETA IS JUST LYING THERE; ALMOST WHISPERING> Start it again.

Nappa: Whaaa?!?!? Are you crazy? You can’t even move.

Prince Vegeta: <GETS UP, WITH MUCH PAIN> I’m not useless… I’m not… START IT UP AGAIN!!!!

Nappa: Heh… If you wanna die, I’m not gonna stop you.

<NAPPA TURNS THE GRAVITY BACK ONE; HE STARTS SHOOTING OFF ENERGY BLASTS AGAIN>

Prince Vegeta: <WALKING FORWARD, WITH MUCH TROUBLE; TO LEDAS> G-g-get up… you weakling!!

Ledas: <BREATHING HEAVILY, ON KNEES IN PAIN> Vegeta…! Wait up…

Prince Vegeta: <IGNORING HIM, TRIES TO GET THROUGH THE OBSTACLES; STUMBLING> I’ll do this. I have to…

<THE GRAVITY WEARS THEM DOWN AGAIN, BUT THE TWO COME UP WITH A STRATEGY OF RUNNING UNDER THE OBSTACLES TO SHIELD THEM FROM THE ENERGY>

<VEGETA RUNS FORWARD, DUCK-ROLLS UNDER A BEAM, AND DOWN INTO A HOLE; AS THE BLASTS MOVE AWAY, HE RUNS AGAIN; LEDAS FOLLOWS HIM AS MUCH AS HE CAN, BUT HE IS WEAKER, SO IS SLOWER>

<VEGETA GOES AGAIN, BUT A SUDDEN ENERGY BLAST THROWS HIM BACKWARD INTO LEDAS; THEY BOTH GET UP; VEGETA BACKHANDS LEDAS IN THE FACE TO MAKE THE OTHER BOY FALL AWAY FROM HIM; NOT LOOKING AT LEDAS, HE RUNS FORWARD AGAIN; LEDAS DOES NOT PUT UP RESISTANCE, BUT HE FOLLOWS VEGETA ANYWAY>

<BOTH ARE HIT AGAIN WITH MANY ENERGY BLASTS, VEGETA IS INJURED, BUT STILL STANDING; LEDAS IS THROWN, BY THE BLAST, INTO A NEARBY WALL>

<SUDDENLY A LARGE ENERGY BLAST IS SHOT RIGHT AT VEGETA, AND HE IS UNABLE TO DEFEND IT; HE HOLDS ONTO HIS COLLARBONE, AND IS ON ONE KNEE; RIGHT BEFORE IT HITS HIM, LEDAS SHOOTS, WITH ALL HIS ENERGY ANOTHER BLAST RIGHT AT IT AND KNOCKS IT OFF COURSE; LEDAS FALLS, UNCONSCIOUS>

Prince Vegeta: <SOMEWHAT AMAZED AND TIRED AT THE SAME TIME> …Just a weakling…

<HE FALLS TO THE GROUND AS WELL, ASLEEP; MOMENTS LATER, THE ENERGY BLASTS STOP>

<CUTS TO NAPPA, IN THE CONTROL ROOM, KING VEGETA IS THERE ALSO>

King Vegeta: That’s enough, General. We’re done for today.

<KING VEGETA, TAKING ONE LAST LOOK AT HIS SLEEPING SON TURNS AND SWIFTLY WALKS OUT, HIS CAPE BILLOWING BEHIND HIM>

A Little Paranoia Never Hurt Anyone
<VOICEOVER>

King Vegeta: I was right. <VEGETA AND LEDAS ARE TRAINING, DOING HANDSTAND PUSH-UPS, THE CAMERA MOVES BACK, IT SHOWS THE GRAVITY AT 50G> They were indeed the ones. The legend foretold of it.

King Vegeta: Their ability to adapt so quickly… <SHOWS THEM DOING THE VERY SAME EXPLOSION EXERCISE THAT THEY FAILED EARLIER AND DOING IT WELL> is unlike anything I have ever seen before.

King Vegeta: They are extraordinary… <SCENE OF VEGETA AND LEDAS BEING “TAIL TRAINED”, WHERE THEY ARE HAVING THEIR TAILS DESENSITIZED> for just two children. But they are just that – children.

King Vegeta: I cannot shake the fact that if they don’t fulfill the Legend <SHOWS LEDAS ACTING CHILDISH, ANNOYING VEGETA; VEGETA IS STILL BEING COLD TOWARD HIM>… then I’ve forfeited our entire race. Layeeck guessed it a year ago, and I can’t lie to him much longer.

<CUTS TO THE NEXT SCENE>

<PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS EXIT A DOOR, TO OUTSIDE; AROUND THEM ARE BUILDINGS AND STREETS; THEY ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY; BOTH ARE WEARING THEIR FULL ARMOR; VEGETA’S IS WHITE AND YELLOW, AND LEDAS’ IS THAT OF THE SUPER ELITE, BLACK AND RED; LEDAS’ HAS HIS FAMILY CREST ON IT, ABOVE THE LEFT BREAST PLATE>

<BOTH ARE HOLDING THEIR TAILS, AFTER A PAINFUL SESSION OF DESENSITIZING>

<VEGETA LEADS LEDAS (WHO HE IS ONLY ON SLIGHTLY BETTER TERMS FOR SAVING HIM IN THE LAST CHAPTER) DOWN THE STREET, WITHOUT A WORD; THEY WALK PAST MANY SAIYAN ADULTS WHO ARE ALSO IN FULL ARMOR; WHEN THEY SEE THE PRINCE, THEY ALL STOP AND SALUTE, BUT HE PAYS THEM NO NOTICE>

<THEY WALK DOWN THE STREET, AND SNAG A RIGHT TURN AT THE END OF IT; PRINCE VEGETA STOPS, IN FRONT OF THE GATES OF THE LARGE TRAINING COMPLEX; AHEAD, THERE IS AN OCTAGONAL FORMATION OF BUILDINGS; ALL OF THESE ARE THE RESERVED SOLELY FOR SUPER ELITES TO TRAIN IN, AS IS SEEN BY THE SIGN OVER THE GATE; AND HALF OF THE GROUNDS ARE RESERVED FOR LEDAS AND PRINCE VEGETA ALONE>

<BEFORE THEY ENTER, THE TWO HEAR A BUNCH OF NOISE COMING FROM THEIR RIGHT; A GROUP OF CHILDREN ARE PLAYING ON A FIGHT SIMULATOR, WHICH SIMULATES A MISSION (LIKE A VIDEO GAME), BUT DOES NOTHING TO INCREASE POWER LEVEL; BASICALLY, IT’S A WASTE OF TIME; VEGETA STOPS, STARING AT THEM>

Ledas: Vegeta, what is that?

Prince Vegeta: <SQUINTS AND FROWNS> Man, that’s lame. They can’t even train for real? What a bunch of losers.

<VEGETA PUTS HIS PALM OUT, CREATES AN ENERGY BLAST AND FIRES IT AT THE GROUP OF SAIYAN CHILDREN; THE BLAST BLOWS UP THE SIMULATOR, SENDING THE CHILDREN FALLING OFF; THEY QUICKLY GET UP AND RUN OVER TO VEGETA, YELLING AND ANGRY>

Prince Vegeta: Well, well. Look what we have here. A bunch of slackers.

Ledas: <SLYLY, QUIETLY> Who’re they?!

Prince Vegeta: <NOT LOOKING AT HIM, EYES LOCKED> The ones my father didn’t pick to train with me.

Saiyan Child 1: Yeah?! Who are you?

Saiyan Child 2: Why’d you destroy the game?!

Saiyan Child 3: Oh, I know who he is. Fancy Prince Vegeta playing dress up with his daddy’s armor.

Saiyan Child 1: <AWKWARDLY, AFTER A PAUSE> You aren’t any better than us!

Prince Vegeta: <CONFIDENTLY> I’m not, am I? What’s your power level? <HE CLICKS HIS SCOUTER> 300? Bah, I’ve faced stronger worms.

<LEDAS CLICKS HIS OWN SCOUTER AND CONFIRMS THIS; NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THE CHILDREN HAS A POWER LEVEL ABOVE 300>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> That coulda been me?! They’re so weak…

Saiyan Child 4: Yeah right, Vegeta. You don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.

Ledas: <SUDDENLY> He’s your Prince, and he’s much stronger than you so you better watch what you say!

<VEGETA IS TAKEN ABACK BY THIS, HE LOOKS AT LEDAS>

Saiyan Child 3: I don’t care if he’s our Prince or somethin’, that mouth of his is too big for his little head!

<THE OTHERS MURMER IN AGREEMENT>

Saiyan Child 2: So what if he’s the Prince? Get him!

<THE OTHER SAIYANS ECHO “GET HIM!”; THEY CHARGE FORWARD, SOME CREATING SMALL BALLS OF ENERGY IN THEIR HANDS>

<BEFORE PRINCE VEGETA CAN REACT, LEDAS JUMPS FORWARD AND BLOCKS THE VIEW; HE LEAPS, WITH AGILITY, TO THE FIRST SAIYAN; LEDAS HITS HIM WITH AN OPEN-PALMED ATTACK ON THE CHIN, SENDING THE BOY FLYING STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR; HE RUNS TO THE SECOND BOY, SIDE SWEEPING HIS LEG AND THEN LEDAS ELBOWS HIM IN THE GUT; HE LAUNCHES HIMSELF WITH FLIGHT TO THE THIRD SAIYAN, CONNECTING HIS FIST WITH THE BOY’S NOSE>

<WITH HIS RIGHT HAND STILL PUNCHING THE BOY, LEDAS USES HIS LEFT HAND TO CREATE A SMALL BALL OF KI, WHICH TAKES OUT THE NEXT TWO BOYS IN AN INSTANT>

<THIS HAS HAPPENED SO QUICKLY THAT THE LAST BOY HAS BARELY REGISTERED ALL HIS FRIEND’S BEING KNOCKED OUT BEFORE LEDAS IS IN FRONT OF HIM; HE STOPS, PLACING BOTH HIS HANDS OUTWARD, THEN SHOOTS OFF A CONTINUOUS ENERGY BARRAGE; LEDAS RUNS FORWARD, DEFLECTING THE BLASTS WITH HIS HANDS; WHEN HE REACHES THE BOY, HE UNDERHAND PUNCHES THE BOY IN THE RIBS, CAUSING HIM TO FALL OVER>

<AS HE FALLS OVER, THE FIRST BOY, SENT HIGH UP IN THE AIR LANDS; THIS HAS TAKEN NO MORE THAN FIVE SECONDS>

<LEDAS LANDS NEXT TO VEGETA>

Prince Vegeta: Why did you do that?

Ledas: They were weak, and they shouldn’t have said anything to you.

<PRINCE VEGETA STANDS THERE, LOOKING AT LEDAS; AT LAST COMING TO HIS SENSES, HE SPEAKS; NOTICING THE SMOKE AND COMMOTION OF THE FIGHT IS DRAWING THE ATTENTION OF ADULTS, HE MAKES HIS WAY TO THE GATE; A DATAPAD LOWERS, SCANS HIS FACE, AND UNLOCKS THE GATE>

Prince Vegeta: <COOLY> Nappa’s waiting for us.

<HE WALKS FORWARD, BRISKLY; LEDAS FOLLOWS; THEY GET TO THE TRAINING AREA; ONCE INSIDE, VEGETA CRACKS HIS NECK, AND THEN WALKS FORWARD, RELAXED; THERE ARE A DOZEN SAIBAMEN WAITING FOR HIM AND LEDAS>

<LATER, AT THE CONCLUSION OF A TRAINING EXERCISE>

Prince Vegeta: <EXITING THE TRAINING AREA, IT IS IN RUINS BEHIND HIM> Guard!

Saiyan Soldier 1: Sir?

Prince Vegeta: Tell Nappa we want stronger ones.

Ledas: <RUNS OUT AFTER VEGETA> And more of them!

Technician 1: Uh, yes sirs. I will see to it at once. <HE SALUTES AND HIGH-TAILS IT OUTTA THERE>

<THE TWO START TO LEAVE, WHEN LAYEECK ENTERS; HE IS WEARING HIS BEST ARMOR, CAPE, AND HELMET, MEANING HE MUST HAVE JUST BEEN ON GUARD DUTY; HE DOES NOT SO MUCH AS STATE HIS ARRIVAL, WHICH SURPRISES HIS SON; THE GUARDS AT THE DOOR, HOWEVER, SALUTE THEIR CAPTAIN UPON HIS ENTRANCE>

Layeeck: Ledas, I need to have a word with you.

Ledas: What i–

Layeeck: Now!

<LAYEECK GRABS LEDAS BY THE ARM AND YANKS HIM AROUND THE CORNER; HE TAKES HIS SON DOWN THE HALL, AND INTO A SMALL ROOM; LEDAS IS PERPLEXED>

Layeeck: <KNEELS, IN A WHISPER, VERY JITTERY> Ledas, you’re getting too strong. Much too strong. And I fear what the royal family will do, what they are capable of.

Ledas: I’m too strong? <SMIRKS> So what? This can’t be a bad thing.

Layeeck: <BECOMING INCREASINGLY HYSTERICAL> Are you not listening to me? If you become stronger than Prince Vegeta, they will kill you!

Ledas: <GENUINELY CONFUSED> Why would they kill me?

Layeeck: It doesn’t matter. Listen, my son, you must be careful.

Ledas: But I can’t help it…

Layeeck: Do as I say! If you get stronger than him, you must hold back your power. Keep it even, or maybe a little less than his. That way you won’t draw suspicion.

Ledas: <A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED> Oh-kay…

Layeeck: Now, remember our maxim?

Ledas: <LOOKS DOWN, UNCOMFORTABLY> Wewll, yeah…

Layeeck: There is no glory in death…

Ledas: <SIGHS>… only in conquest everlasting.

Layeeck: Good, remember that as you continue your training. I do want you to live, Ledas… I really do. That’s the only reason I bring this up. <HE LOOKS AWAY, THEN STANDS UP> Now get back to your training.

Ledas: Yeah, yeah. Okay… <RUNS OFF>

<LEDAS RETURNS TO THE TRAINING AREA>

<PRINCE VEGETA IS IN THE CORNER, WORKING WITH A PUNCHING BAG; HE HARDLY NOTICES LEDAS ENTER>

Ledas: <PAUSES FOR SEVERAL SECONDS> Um, Vegeta, your dad won’t kill me, will he?

Prince Vegeta: <HE GRIMACES IN ANNOYANCE> Oh, what do you want?

Ledas: If I get too powerful, will your dad kill me?

Prince Vegeta:<CONTEMPT> No, of course not. My father wouldn’t do something so foolish. You’re the strongest training partner I can use.

Ledas: <BRIGHTENING UP> Aw, do you really mean that Vegeta?

Prince Vegeta: <CLOSES HIS EYES, BOWS HIS HEAD IN EMBARRASSMENT> Don’t push it.

Ledas: <JUMPING AROUND> He he he! Vegeta said I’m strong! Vegeta said I’m str–

Prince Vegeta: <TURNS AROUND> Wait, who told you that!

Ledas: <STOPS JUMPING> Huh?

Prince Vegeta: Who told you my father would kill you? Answer me!

Ledas: <CHILDISHLY> Well… I guess it was my dad… He said I should hold back my power so I don’t get as strong as you.

Prince Vegeta: That’s stupid. We need to stay close in power to train. <SMILE CREEPS ONTO HIS FACE> I’ll always be the strongest, anyways. <FOLDS ARMS> But… maybe we should both hold back our power a little bit. I don’t want to embarrass my father too soon. I’ll be stronger than him, soon.

Ledas: <EAGERLY> How strong do think we can get, Vegeta?

Prince Vegeta: I’m going to be a Super Saiyan. I have to be… nobody else is even close. And when I do, I can finally get rid of Frieza for good. <HE CLOSES HIS EYES, SAVORING THE MOMENT> I’ll kill him.

Ledas: <CURIOUSLY> Who’s Frieza?

<PRINCE VEGETA LOOKS AT LEDAS WITH ONE EYE SQUINTED, MOUTH OPEN, SHAKING HIS HEAD AS IT FADES TO BLACK>

<THE NEXT MORNING>

<NAPPA’S CONTROL ROOM; GRAVITY CHAMBER 3>

Saiyan Soldier 1: Are… are you seeing this?!?!

Saiyan Soldier 2: This is insane.

Nappa: <WALKING OVER, SLIGHTLY BEMUSED> Yeaaah, what is it?

Saiyan Soldier 1: Uh general… It’s their power levels.

Nappa: <UNCONCERNED> Yeah, I know. They’re both strong.

Saiyan Soldier 2: Look there it goes again! Even higher than before!

Saiyan Soldier 1: General Nappa, you have to see this. Prince Vegeta’s power level has just passed 5000.

Nappa:<IN GASP> What?!

Saiyan Soldier 1: And the other, Ledas, his power level is just slightly lower.

Nappa: <STARES IN DISBELIEF> They haven’t been training any differently than before? How did they suddenly get so powerful?

<HE STARES, STRICKEN, UNTIL THE TWO FINISH THEIR EXERCISE>

<CUTS TO PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS ENDING THEIR TRAINING SESSION>

Ledas: I bet they were watching us again.

Prince Vegeta: Of course they were. That’s why we powered up.

Ledas: <INNOCENTLY> But… not all the way.

Prince Vegeta: It was enough for Nappa. And those low-class workers enjoy a show every now and then. <SITS DOWN> Besides, your dad was right. We don’t need to show them our full power. That way Frieza won’t know what to expect.

<NAPPA ENTERS>

Nappa: You’re getting strong, Prince.

Prince Vegeta: Shut up Nappa. I’ve already surpassed you.

Nappa: Well… uh, I don’t know about that, Vegeta.

Ledas: Me too!

Prince Vegeta: Yeah, we’re both stronger than you.

Nappa: <GETTING ANGRY> Grrr… Enough… Your dad wants to see you. He’s agreed to give you a mission. Let’s go.

Prince Vegeta: <RUNS OUT, REMARKABLY QUICKLY> Ah, finally!

<LEDAS STAYS IN PLACE, WITH NAPPA; THE GIANT BRUTE LOOKS DOWN AT HIM>

Ledas: Mr. Nappa sir… where are we going?

Nappa: King Vegeta’s prepared somethin’ special for ya. Don’t worry, kid; it’ll only hurt a little. <LAUGHS>

Always Remember Your First
<CUTS, RATHER SHARPLY TO LEDAS AND LAYEECK TRAINING, ON A NORMAL DESERT AREA ON PLANET VEGETA; IT IS BRIGHT AND HOT OUT>

<LAYEECK PUNCHES LEDAS, HARD; BLOOD IS RUNNING FROM HIS NOSE>

<THEY CONTINUE TO SPAR FOR A WHILE; LAYEECK STOPS, PUNCHING HIS SON TO THE GROUND>

Layeeck: Once more.

Ledas: I-I-I can’t…

Layeeck: You will. <PUNCHES LEDAS AGAIN>

<LAYEECK ATTACKS, LEDAS DOESN’T BLOCK; HE FALLS TO THE GROUND>

Layeeck: Get up! I know you can take more than that!

Ledas: <ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES, BREATHING HEAVILY; LOOKS UP> Dad, we’re going on a mission today! I can’t do this!

Layeeck: <VERY ANGRILY, KICKS LEDAS> Show me your full power!!

Ledas: <AGHAST> Bu-but… dad, you said the other day I should conceal it.

Layeeck: <FORCEFUL, NOT ANGRY> To the others. Not to me. I am your father; I need to know. <LAYEECK PICKS UP LEDAS, HOLDING HIM BY HIS SHIRT; LEDAS DOES NOT STRUGGLE> I’ve seen you train, I know what you can do… hell, you’ve been taking on more Saibamen than a group of ten Saiyans could at once! <SLOWS DOWN A BIT> Now, POWER UP! <THROWS LEDAS TO THE AWAY FROM HIM>

<LAYEECK CHARGES AT LEDAS AGAIN, WHO THIS TIME MOVES OUT OF THE WAY, LAYEECK TRIES THIS A FEW MORE TIMES, BUT CAN NOT LAND A HIT>

Ledas: <UNWILLINGLY> I don’t want to humiliate you, father. Please…

<LAYEECK, FRUSTRATED ATTACKS LEDAS. LEDAS DODGES AND HITS HIS FATHER IN THE BACK, SENDING HIM FLYING INTO THE GROUND>

Layeeck: Enough. <POUNDS HIS FISTS ON THE GROUND; LEDAS FREEZES> No one else is around here. Show me your power level!

Ledas: <VERY MUCH AS THE CHILD HE IS> Fine! I’m stronger than you! But, I don’t need to power up to show you that. <TO HIMSELF> We agreed not to… <DESCENDS AGAIN TO THE GROUND AND WALKS AWAY, DEFIANTLY, THOUGH LIMPING>

Layeeck: <WATCHES LEDAS WALK AWAY, LAYEECK IS SOMEWHAT TIRED AS HE TAKES OFF HIS ARMOR> So stubborn… <A SMALL SMILE CREEPS ONTO HIS FACE, IF BUT FOR AN INSTANCE> I wonder who he gets that from…

<LAYEECK’S SMILE QUICKLY FADES; REMEMBERING WHAT LEDAS SAID, HE POWERS UP TO HIS MAXIMUM, AND MEASURES HIS POWER LEVEL>

Layeeck: <IN HIS HEAD> 3600… <HE BOWS HIS HEAD> Ledas is right. He is stronger than me.

<LATER THAT DAY>

<LEDAS IS IN A REJUVENATION TANK; PRINCE VEGETA COMES IN WITH NAPPA; BOTH ARE IN FULL ARMOR>

Prince Vegeta: What’s he doing in there? Really, we’re going to be late!

<A TECHNICIAN OF MALAKA’S RACE WALKS BY>

Technician: Oh yes, he checked in earlier today. He was pretty beat up, if I remember. <STOPS AND LOOKS IN ON THE TANK> He’s looking better now.

Prince Vegeta: So? Is he ready to go? This is my first mission, I won’t wait for him!

Technician: I… <SIGHS> he’s close enough. <THE TECHNICIAN PRESSES A BUTTON, LETTING LEDAS OUT>

<LEDAS IMMEDIATELY WAKES UP; HE IS WEARING NOTHING BUT HIS UNDERCLOTHES; HIS ARMOR IS ON A HANGER NEARBY>

<WITHOUT TALKING, NAPPA MOVES FORWARD, GRABS LEDAS BY THE HAIR AND DRAGS HIM OUT, HIS ARMOR IN HIS HANDS; PRINCE VEGETA FOLLOWS THEM OUT>

<ALL THREE OF THEM ENTER SPECIALIZED PODS IN A RESERVED HANGER, AND TAKE OFF; IT DOES NOT TAKE THEM LONG TO GET TO THE PLANET>

<NAPPA, PRINCE VEGETA, AND LEDAS HAVE LANDED ON A PLANET, NAPPA IS SCANNING THE HORIZON, THE OTHER TWO ARE PREPARING FOR THE ONSLAUGHT; AS LEDAS GETS OUT OF HIS POD, HE SLIDES HIS CHEST-PIECE ARMOR OVER HIS HEAD, AND PUTS ON HIS SIDE PIECES TOO>

Nappa: Yeah, this shouldn’t be too much trouble or fun either… no one here has a power level above 150. You won’t needta transform this time.

Prince Vegeta: <LOOSENING UP HIS SHOULDERS> Let’s do this. Remember Nappa, we don’t need your help. <HE LOOKS TO LEDAS> And you, just do what I tell you. If you don’t, Nappa and I’ll leave you here. Understand?

Nappa: Right, prince.

Ledas: <STRETCHING OUT HIS LEGS> Yeah, okay Vegeta!

Nappa: Hey Vegeta, you’re forgetting something. Ahhhhhh… catch! <THROWS AN ENERGY BEAM AT VEGETA AND LEDAS, IT BINDS THEIR TAILS TOGETHER> Don’t wander off now, heh heh.

<PRINCE VEGETA LOOKS PERPLEXED>

Prince Vegeta: What’s this for, Nappa?! <HE PULLS ON THE ENERGY> Take it off!

Nappa: <GRINNING> Heh, your father wants to see how well ya two work together, that’s all! And, you-know-who is watching. So don’t try any funny business. <NAPPA WAVES THEM AWAY> See ya!

Ledas: Who’s you-know-who?

Prince Vegeta: <LIP TREMBLING> Quiet. I’ll tell you later… <HE LOOKS OVER TO NAPPA, WHILE TUGGING ON THE ENERGY> Fine, but just because he’s watching. <VEGETA IS MORE THAN ANGRY AS HE TURNS AWAY; LEDAS DOES NOT QUESTION WHAT THIS COULD MEAN>

<THE TWO TAKE OFF, USING THEIR SCOUTERS TO FIND POPULATION CENTERS>

<FOR SOME REASON, THE PLANET’S ARMIES ARE EXPECTING THEM; TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ALIENS ARE LINED UP, GUARDING THE ENTRANCE TO THE CITIES BEYOND; THEY HAVE WEAPONS IN THEIR HANDS, WHICH THEY START SHOOTING>

Prince Vegeta: <ABOUT A HUNDRED FEET OFF THE GROUND, STILL> What’s the deal? How’d they know we’d be here?

Ledas: Maybe they were expecting somebody else…? <SHOTS START RAINING DOWN AROUND THE TWO SAIYANS>

Prince Vegeta: We better get out of here. Follow me. Come on! <VEGETA STARTS WEAVING THROUGH THE BLASTS, SHOOTING OUT HIS OWN IN THE PROCESS, LEDAS FOLLOWS SUIT>

<THEY ARRIVE INTO THE CITY>

Ledas: Ah!!! <SHOOTS A LARGE ENERGY BLAST, DESTROYS A HUGE BUILDING> Hey Vegeta, I bet I can blow up more buildings than you.

Prince Vegeta: <TRIES TO HIDE A SMIRK BUT HAS A HARD TIME> You’re on!

<THEY BOTH START ATTACKING THE BUILDINGS, AS A KIND OF GAME>

<NAPPA IS STANDING ON A CLIFF-FACE WATCHING THE CARNAGE>

Nappa: Heh, they ain’t half bad… <SUDDENLY, HIS SCOUTER GOES OFF; HE SWINGS HIS HEAD AROUND JUST IN TIME TO GET A KICK IN THE FACE; HE FLIES BACKWARD, OFF THE CLIFF, AND TUMBLES DOWN THE SLOPE>

<BACK IN THE CITY; PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS ARE IN THE HEART OF THE CITY NOW, BUT THE ARMIES ARE STILL PURSUING THEM; DEBRIS IS EVERYWHERE>

Ledas: <ROLLS OUT THE WAY OF AN INCOMING BLAST, RETURNS TO ONE KNEE, THEN SHOOTS AN UNREFINED WAVE INTO THE FACE OF A NEARBY SOLDIER> Hey Vegeta… how many do you think there are?

Prince Vegeta: <DETONATES A BUILDING, IT FALLS OVER ONTO SOME CIVILIANS/SOLDIERS; LAUGHS; VEGETA IS STILL BRIMMING WITH EXCITEMENT, SOMETHING THAT HE HAS A HARD TIME CONCEALING> Not enough for the both of us. Now be quiet and help me!

<MORE SOLDIERS POUR IN, VEGETA AND LEDAS TAKE THEIR TIME BLASTING THEM AWAY; THE CITY IS IN RUINS, THEY MOVE ONTO ANOTHER, WITH THE SAME RESULT>

<AS THEY REACH A FLAT, PRINCE VEGETA FIRES OFF AN ENERGY BEAM, DESTROYING A HUGE AREA; PREPARING ANOTHER ONE, HE IS SUDDENLY HIT IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD, DESTROYING HIS SCOUTER; HE FALLS, AND IS UNCONSCIOUS>

Ledas: Vegeta! <DUE TO THEM BEING TIED TOGETHER, VEGETA IS UPSIDE DOWN, DANGLING IN MID AIR, LEDAS HAS TO READJUST HIMSELF TO CARRY VEGETA’S WEIGHT ON HIS SORE TAIL> Vegeta! Wake up! <THE MYSTERIOUS ATTACKERS GROUP IN ONTO LEDAS, THERE ARE FIVE OF THEM> Who are y– <ONE OF THEM UPPERCUT PUNCHES LEDAS, SENDING THE TWO SAIYANS FLYING INTO A NEARBY BUILDING> <WITH LETHARGY> Vegeta… wake up… Crap!

<TWO OF THE ATTACKERS JUMP AT LEDAS, HE DODGES OUT OF THE WAY, AND HITS ONE IN THE GUT, IT DOUBLES OVER, BUT BEFORE HE CAN KILL IT, THE OTHER ONE HITS HIM WITH A BEAM>

<LEDAS IS CAREFUL NOT TO MOVE AROUND AS FAST, AS DOING SO WOULD WHIPLASH VEGETA, DUE TO VEGETA BEING “DEAD WEIGHT” ON HIM, NOT TO MENTION THROWING OFF LEDAS’ BALANCE; HE LANDS A HIT ON ONE OF THEM, BUT IS ROUGHLY SLAMMED INTO THE GROUND FOR IT>

<NOW LEDAS GETS A CLEAR PICTURE AT THE ALIENS; THEY ARE ALL OF VARIOUS SPECIES, SOME OF WHICH HE IS VAGUELY FAMILIAR WITH; BUT ALL OF THEM ARE WEARING THE SAME STANDARD ARMOR AS HIM; HE LOOKS BACK DOWN AT VEGETA, WHO IS STILL ASLEEP>

Ledas: <PANTING> Vegeta… <STANDS UP, LOOKING AT HIS ATTACKERS> Well?! Come and get me, ya big jerks! <HE STANDS DEFIANTLY AGAINST THEM>

<TWO OF THE ALIENS START A DIVEBOMB TOWARD LEDAS, AT THE LAST SECOND, BEFORE THE FIRST ONE HITS HIM, LEDAS SHOOTS A BLAST INTO HIS FACE, KILLING THE ALIEN (note: Ledas did not charge his attack up); THE OTHER HITS LEDAS, WHO IS UNABLE TO REACT FAST ENOUGH; IT PUSHES LEDAS TO THE GROUND>

<THE ALIEN STANDS OVER LEDAS, WITH HIS BOOT ON THE BOY’S FACE; HE KICKS LEDAS, HARD>

<LEDAS ATTEMPTS TO SHOOT AN ENERGY BLAST, BUT THE ALIEN SIDESTEPS IT>

Alien 3: So, ya thought you could play dirty, huh? <RAISES HIS HAND TO THE AIR, AN ENERGY BLAST STARTS TO FORM> Well, kid, let me give you your first lesson. <LAUGHS, IN A PROLONGED WAY> The first rule of war… <ALL OF THE SUDDEN, A SMALL BEAM OF ENERGY SHOOTS THROUGH THE BACK OF HIS HEAD, AND OUT OF HIS FOREHEAD, HE FALLS>

Prince Vegeta: <STANDING, BEHIND THE FALLEN ALIEN, HAND STILL OUTREACHED, ARROGANTLY SMILING>… is that there are no rules.

Ledas: <SMILING, LAUGHING HAPPILY> You’re awake!

Prince Vegeta: <WALKS UP TO LEDAS, HELPS HIM UP; STRETCHING NECK> I wouldn’t miss this. <BOTH ARE GRINNING, VERY EAGER FOR THE FIGHT>

<THE OTHER THREE ALIENS CHARGE, AND ATTACK THE CHILDREN, THEY ALL ENGAGE IN HAND TO HAND COMBAT; VEGETA TAKES ON ONE, BUT LEDAS IS ABLE TO HOLD HIS OWN WITH TWO AT ONCE>

<EVENTUALLY, VEGETA AND LEDAS CROSS EACH OTHER, FIRE OFF SIMULTANEOUS GALICKS, AND TAKE THEIR ENERGY BINDING UP THE MIDDLE, (BURNING) KNOCKING THE THREE ALIENS OVER; TURNING AROUND IN MIDAIR, THE TWO SEND OFF A FLURRY OF BLASTS, WHICH COMPLETELY DECIMATES THE GROUND AND KILLS THE THREE ELITES>

<VEGETA AND LEDAS RETURN TO THEIR PODS; BOTH ARE EXHAUSTED, AND HAVE CHIPPED ARMOR; VEGETA HAS A BLOODY BRUISE ON HIS FOREHEAD>

<NAPPA IS SITTING ON A ROCK, ARMOR OFF, DIRTY AND BRUISED>

Prince Vegeta: <LANDS, BACK FACING NAPPA> What happened to you?

Nappa: <PRETENDING TO BE ASLEEP> …Oh, uh… what’s that Vegeta? I was just taking a nap.

Prince Vegeta: Hmph… <CLIMBING INTO HIS POD> Well, while you were getting your beauty sleep, we went and cleared this whole planet.

Ledas: See! We didn’t even need your help.

Nappa: <MIXTURE OF DISTRACTION, EMBARRASSMENT, AND ANGER> Yeah, yeah. Let’s just go home.

<LEDAS, PRINCE VEGETA, AND NAPPA ENTER THEIR PODS, TAKE OFF, AND RETURN TO PLANET VEGETA; THEY LAND>

<SCENE CUTS TO THE THREE AT KING VEGETA’S CHAMBERS>

<THEY WALK INTO THE ROOM WHERE KING VEGETA IS SITTING ON HIS THRONE; LAYEECK AND TWO OTHER SAIYANS ARE AGAINST THE WALLS, ON GUARD DUTY; THERE IS A MALAKA ALIEN IN FRONT OF THRONE, WHO THE KING IS SPEAKING WITH>

King Vegeta: <TO THE ALIEN> Excuse me. <WALKS OVER TO THE THREE THAT JUST ENTERED; WEARILY> Nappa, tell me the news. I expect it’s good.

Nappa: <GLANCES AT PRINCE VEGETA> All went according to plan, King Vegeta.

King Vegeta: <SIGH OF RELIEF> As I hoped.

<KING VEGETA TURNS TO LEDAS AND PRINCE VEGETA, KNEELS DOWN, PRESSES HIS HANDS TOGETHER; BEFORE HE MAY SPEAK, HOWEVER, A DOOR OPENS ON THE FAR SIDE; OUT FROM IT COMES THAT DREADFUL CREATURE; FRIEZA ENTERS, ALONE>

<ALL, SLOWLY, TURN TO LOOK AT HIM>

Frieza: <IN SEMI-SLOWMO, WALKS RIGHT UP TO THE SAIYANS; COOLY> King… Ve-ge-ta.

Lord Frieza
King Vegeta: Lord Frieza! What are you doing here? <PANICKING; KNEELS>

Frieza: Oh? Can’t I ever visit? I was under the impression this is Planet Vegeta? The very same Planet Vegeta I preside over.

King Vegeta: <ALMOST PAINFULLY> Yes, lord Frieza, of course.

Frieza: Now… <WALKS PAST KING VEGETA AND NAPPA> Prince Vegeta… and…

Ledas: …Ledas, sire! <HE AND PRINCE KNEEL>

Frieza: <NODS> Yes. <PAUSES> Your father speaks highly of the both of you. <SQUINTING, LOOKING AT THE KING> Our king isn’t one to lie, after all.

Prince Vegeta: <PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS STAY KNEELED> Thank you, lord Frieza.

Frieza: <TO KING VEGETA, LAYEECK, NAPPA, AND OTHER SAIYANS; COLDLY AND ABRUPTLY> Leave us.

King Vegeta: O-of course, lord Frieza. <KING VEGETA LAYEECK, NAPPA, AND THE OTHER SAIYANS LEAVE IN AN ANXIOUS MANNER>

Frieza: <WATCHING, WAITING FOR THE DOOR TO CLOSE; FINALLY IT DOES, FRIEZA WALKS A BIT FORWARD> That was impressive, today, taking out that squad like that. Tell me, Vegeta, do you think you could take on anything? Any planet at all?

Prince Vegeta: <WITHOUT PAUSE> Yes, sire. We can beat anybody.

Frieza: <SARCASTICALLY, BUT STILL SOMEWHAT CURIOUS> My my, Vegeta. You are confident.

Ledas: Uh… lord Frieza… we are really strong.

Frieza: Ho ho ho! Is that so? <STARTS PACING> You are bold, the two of you. I like that. But at the same time, overconfident. And we wouldn’t want that to be your downfall, now would we?

Prince Vegeta: Sire?

Frieza: <TILTS HIS HEAD, PRESSES A BUTTON ON HIS SCOUTER> Vegeta, I’ve ordered a soldier, my… benefactor to have a planet assigned to you. You will clear all life from it immediately, then report back to my ship. Don’t count on this being as easy as before.

Prince Vegeta & Ledas: <TOGETHER> Yes, lord Frieza.

Frieza: Oh, and one more thing, my dear Saiyans.

Prince Vegeta & Ledas: Yes, sire?

Frieza: <SMILES> Be back by three days’ time, or don’t come back at all. <FRIEZA STEPS BACK, GESTURES TO THE DOOR HE CAME THROUGH PREVIOUSLY; VEGETA AND LEDAS WALK OUT; THE DOOR CLOSES>

<BOTH CALMLY WALK OUT OF THE ROOM; WHEN OUT OF SIGHT OF FRIEZA, BOTH START RUNNING>

Ledas: This is awesome!

Prince Vegeta: Three days, huh?

Ledas: Do think we can do it that fast, Vegeta?

Prince Vegeta: We can do it in two. We have to.

<BOTH RUN TO THE AREA WHERE FRIEZA SAID; THIS IS MARKEDLY DIFFERENT FROM THE REST OF THE PALACE; IT IS FRIEZA’S PERSONAL LANDING PAD; HIS OWN SOLDIERS STAND GUARD AROUND; NEXT TO HIS HUGE SAUCER SHIP, TWO PODS ARE WAITING IN A DOCKING ZONE; STANDING IN FRONT OF THEM, OVER MONITOR ON A PILLAR IS ONE OF FRIEZA’S SOLDIERS; THE BENEFACTOR HE MENTIONED BEFORE>

<THIS CREATURE IS NOT DRESSED AS THE OTHER SOLDIERS; IT DOES NOT WEAR ANY ARMOR OR A SCOUTER; INSTEAD, IT HAS A LONG BLACK HOOD COVERING MOST OF ITS BODY>

The Benefactor: <STILL> They’re dead; get over it, Zarbon. <VEGETA AND LEDAS RUN UP TO HIM; HE PRESSES A BUTTON AND CUTS THE CONNECTION>

Ledas: <STARING AT THE BENEFACTOR> Who are you?

The Benefactor: <UNMOVING, CONTINUES TO TYPE AWAY ON HIS TERMINAL> You ever hear of someone who’s too dangerous to let live? Consider me that someone.

Prince Vegeta: Just get our pods ready. <LEDAS CONTINUES TO STARE AT THE BENEFACTOR>

The Benefactor: <PRESSES A BUTTON, THE POD DOORS OPEN; TURNS TO LEDAS, GETS REALLY CLOSE TO HIM> Careful, kiddo. You stare at death for too long, and one day it just might stare back.

Ledas: <WITH FEAR> R-right…

<LEDAS STEPS BACK, TRIPPING OVER HIMSELF; THE BENEFACTOR GOES BACK TO HIS DUTIES>

<LEDAS AND VEGETA GET INTO THEIR PODS, LEDAS STILL SEEMS TROUBLED ABOUT THE BENEFACTOR, BUT HE IS TRYING NOT TO STARE>

The Benefactor: <BORED> Has Lord Frieza made it clear you have three days?

Prince Vegeta: Yeah.

<LEDAS REMAINS QUIET, JUST LOOKING AT THE BENEFACTOR>

The Benefactor: <ALMOST A WHISPER> Then, <PRESSES A BUTTON> get going. <BOTH PODS SHOOT OFF INTO SPACE>

<FROM A WINDOW IN THE NEXT ROOM, KING VEGETA, LAYEECK, AND NAPPA WATCH AS THE CHILDREN TAKE OFF DOWN THE HALL TOWARD THEIR MISSION>

King Vegeta: Frieza must have given them a mission.

Layeeck: <SHAKES HIS HEAD> They aren’t ready.

Nappa: Why? This way we get to see if the two little… <KING VEGETA GIVES HIM A LOOK> …kids… really can play with the big boys.

King Vegeta: Layeeck’s right. If they fail, I can’t even begin to think what Frieza would do.

Nappa: Whaddya mean?

King Vegeta: I don’t have any other options. Nappa, follow them. Try to–

<FRIEZA ENTERS; KING VEGETA STOPS TALKING>

Frieza: It’s been a while, Vegeta. I was almost thinking you had forgotten me.

King Vegeta: Sire, we’ve continued conquering as many planets as we can. We are doing all we can to serve your empire.

Frieza: I am well aware, Vegeta. Now, let’s not talk business. Show me the Royal Palace. I want to see it all.

King Vegeta: Very well.

<FRIEZA WALKS FORWARD, AND VEGETA TAKES STRIDE WITH HIM; KING VEGETA TURNS HIS HEAD AROUND, MOTIONS TO NAPPA WITH HIS HANDS, AND NAPPA EXITS; KING VEGETA AND FRIEZA WALK OFF, WITH THE KING MOTIONING THIS WAY AND THAT, SHOWING FRIEZA HIS HOME>

<CUTS TO THE NEXT SCENE>

<PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS’ PODS LAND ON A PLANET>

<PRINCE VEGETA EXITS HIS POD, LEDAS FOLLOWS>

Prince Vegeta: So this is it, huh? <CLICKS HIS SCOUTER> Ha, look at this! There’s barely anybody here. We can do this!

Ledas: Yeah, but they’re strong…

<VEGETA LAUGHS AT THIS, THEN TAKES OFF; LEDAS FOLLOWS>

<BOTH ARE FLYING, SEE ANOTHER POD SHOOT INTO THE ATMOSPHERE AND HIT THE GROUND>

Prince Vegeta: What? Who could that be?

Ledas: Maybe they’re here to help us.

<PRINCE VEGETA PAUSES, THEN TURNS TO WHERE THE POD LANDED, HE STARTS FLYING TOWARD IT>

Prince Vegeta: Hmph, we don’t need it.

<BOTH ARRIVE AT THE POD; THEY WALK UP TO THE DOOR, IT IS OPEN; THEY PEER IN>

Prince Vegeta: I wonder who it was…

Ledas: Whoever it was… they stink! Ewwww….

Nappa: <STANDING ON A ROCK BEHIND THEM, SMILING> Ya little brats shouldn’t be talkin’ about me like that.

Ledas: What are you doing here?

Nappa: Ol’ kingy sent me to help. Come on, I’ll show ya–

Prince Vegeta: Hmph. We don’t need your help! I know how to get a planet ready for Frieza, I’ve done it before. Besides, how can someone weaker than me teach me anything?

Nappa: Thanks for sharing, Vegeta. Now… <IGNORING THEM, HE LOOKS OFF> There we go. A nice big city for you two to blow up. <WAVES HIS HAND> Heh heh, go on!

<THERE IS A FOREST IMMEDIATELY AHEAD; LEDAS AND VEGETA RUN INTO IT, SCANNING FOR THE LARGE POWER LEVELS; LEDAS RUNS WITH HIS ARMS BEHIND HIM>

<AS THEY RUN, A BUNCH OF DIRT SPEWS UP IN FRONT OF THEM; A LINE IN THE SAND, FILLED WITH A RANK OF TURRETS COME UP; THEY SHOOT OFF ENERGY AT THE BOYS>

<LEDAS DUCKS BEHIND A TREE, BUT IT SOON EXPLODES; HE DIVES AWAY AGAIN; VEGETA TRIES A CONTINUOUS ENERGY BULLET ATTACK ON THEM, BUT THE ENERGY JUST BOUNCES OFF THE ARMOR OF THE TURRETS>

<VEGETA DODGES BACK, AND LANDS IN A GULLY WITH LEDAS; THE ATTACKS KEEP HAMMERING AWAY AT THEM, BUT THEIR POSITION IS SUFFICIENT TO ALLOW THEM A FEW MOMENTS STRATEGIZING>

Prince Vegeta: What do we do?

Ledas: We could try our strongest attacks at the same time.

Prince Vegeta: No, you fool, they shoot too fast. We wouldn’t be able to charge anything up.

Ledas: Um, how about we distract them with an afterimage?

Prince: <LOOKS AT LEDAS, THINKING> Fine, you create it. <HE CRANES HIS NECK UP, THE TURRETS ARE STILL FIRING OFF ON THEIR POSITION> Come on, do it!

<LEDAS NODS; HE OPENS HIS FISTS, THROWING HIS ARMS BEHIND HIM AND SHOOTS STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR; THE TURRETS IMMEDIATELY TRACK HIM; AS THEY FIRE ON HIM, VEGETA SHOOTS OUT OF THE HOLE, PAST THE TURRETS>

<LEDAS SEPARATES HIMSELF FROM THE AFTERIMAGE, LETTING IT SHOOT UP STILL; HE FALLS DOWNWARD, GOING AS FAST AS HE CAN; THE TURRETS CANNOT TRACK HIS SPEED AT THIS, AND BY THE TIME HIS AFTERIMAGE BURNS OUT, HE SPIRALS DOWN, LANDING ON HIS FEET, BEHIND THE LINE OF TURRETS>

<NOW BEYOND THEM, IS A CITY; IT IS FILLED THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF ALIENS; HAVING GOTTEN PAST THE DEFENSES, AND NOT ALERTING ANY OTHER MILITARY FORCES, LEDAS AND VEGETA STROLL INTO THE CITY>

<VEGETA DROPS TO ONE KNEE; HE SHOOTS OFF HUGE PURPLE BEAMS FROM EACH HAND, DECIMATING ALL BUILDINGS IN FRONT OF HIM; LEDAS IS IN THE AIR, RAINING DOWN LARGE ENERGY BALLS>

<THE CITY IS TAKEN COMPLETELY OFF GUARD; BEFORE THEY CAN MOBILIZE ANY SORT OF RESISTANCE, THEY ARE WIPED OFF THE FACE OF THE PLANET; LEDAS LANDS NEXT TO VEGETA; THEY USE THEIR SCOUTERS, AND SEE THERE ARE A FEW MORE CITIES BEYOND>

<THEY TAKE OFF AFTER THE NEAREST ONE, FASTER THAN THE WINDS>

Wittles And A File
<TWO DAYS LATER>

<DOOR OPENS, VEGETA ENTERS, HEAD HELD HIGH>

Frieza: Vegeta. What are you doing back so soon?

Prince Vegeta: <HE HAS BATTLE SCARS, HIS ARMOR IS CRACKED AND BROKEN; KNEELS> We’re done, sire. The planet is yours.

Frieza: Oh? <SOMEWHAT CONCERNED> You’re even a day early.

Prince Vegeta: Me and Ledas cleared the whole planet… <ARROGANTLY> it was easy.

Frieza: My, my Vegeta. You are getting powerful. Your father should be proud, <PAUSES; LOOKS DIRECTLY AT VEGETA> or worried.

Prince Vegeta: <SMIRKS> My father wouldn’t of been able to defeat that planet so fast. I’ve grown much stronger than him.

Frieza: <LAUGHS> You should keep that to yourself, my young Saiyan. <GETS UP; TALKS INTO HIS SCOUTER TO ZARBON> Zarbon, young Vegeta here has finished his mission. Assign him another.

Zarbon: <OVER THE INTERCOM> Yes, lord Frieza.

Prince Vegeta: Thank you sir.

Frieza: <SMILING> Be careful out there, Prince. I wouldn’t know what I would do without my little Vegeta, if something were to happen.

<VEGETA EXITS>

<LATER THAT DAY>

<VEGETA AND LEDAS ARE SITTING OUTSIDE, ON PLANET VEGETA; THEY ARE TAKING A BREAK FROM THEIR MISSIONS; NEITHER IS WEARING ARMOR, AND VEGETA HAS HIS TAIL HANGING LOOSELY (LEDAS HAS HIS LIKE THIS AT ALL TIMES); THEY ARE IN A SLIGHTLY FORESTED AREA, HILLY AS WELL; THE PLACE LOOKS LIKE IT IS NEAR LEDAS’ HOUSE>

Prince Vegeta: <MANIPULATING THE WATER IN A NEARBY POND> Ledas, how strong are you?

Ledas: <CHEERFULLY, NOT REALLY PAYING ATTENTION> I <HELD LONG> dunno <SAID QUICKLY, SHORTLY>.

Prince Vegeta: Power up. I want to see how close we are.

Ledas: Okay!

<LEDAS STANDS UP, LOCKS HIS KNEES DOWN; HE PUTS HIS ARMS OUTWARD, LETS OUT A NECESSARY GRUNT, BRINGS HIS AURA UP AROUND HIM, AND POWERS UP TO HIS MAXIMUM; PRINCE VEGETA IS AMAZED AT HOW HIGH IT IS>

Prince Vegeta: Nice, 7000!

Ledas: <FLIES UP TO PRINCE VEGETA, UPSIDE DOWN> Your turn Vegeta.

Prince Vegeta: <SMIRKS> Stand back, I wouldn’t wanna singe your hair. <HE POWERS UP TO HIS MAXIMUM, MUCH IN THE SAME WAY LEDAS DID>

Ledas: Whoooaa! Your power level is 7200. I wish I could be that strong.

Prince Vegeta: <NOT ANGRILY> You’re not much weaker. We’re pretty close, actually.

Ledas: Vegeta… are we the strongest Saiyans yet?

Prince Vegeta: Not yet. <HOLDS ONTO WRIST, LOOKS BACK AT LEDAS> Long ago there was one, the fabled Super Saiyan. He was the strongest in the whole universe, before he died.

Ledas: Super Saiyan? What’s that?

Prince Vegeta: It’s what we’re going to become, if our power levels keep going up like this. But I won’t make the same mistake that he did.

Ledas: <MESSING AROUND WITH SOME GRASS> Huh? What’s that?

Prince Vegeta: The last Super Saiyan was killed because he couldn’t control his own power.

Ledas: <IN A CHILD-LIKE TONE, NOT DONE ON PURPOSE> He was so strong he couldn’t control it?! Wow, he must have really been the strongest ever!

Prince Vegeta: Records are meant to be broken. This one will be soon.

Ledas: But… how do we know when we become Super Saiyans?

Prince Vegeta: We just will. More importantly, Frieza will know. And he’ll pay. I’ll kill him myself if I have to.

Ledas: What?! Why do we want to kill him?

Prince Vegeta: You don’t know very much about Frieza, Ledas. He keeps us as a bunch of slaves to do his dirty work. We should be conquering planets for ourselves, not him! <STOPS AND FACES LEDAS> He may be the strongest now, but when I become a Super Saiyan, I’ll beat him, so we’ll all be free.

Ledas: Do I get to help?

Prince Vegeta: <BIG BROTHER TONE> Yeah Ledas. When we become Super Saiyans, you can help me kill Frieza.

Ledas: Aw, thanks.

<PRINCE VEGETA’S SCOUTER RINGS; HE CLICKS TO TURN IT OFF>

Prince Vegeta: Man, that boring presentation’s today.

Ledas: What presentation?

Prince Vegeta: Father’s holding a big feast to honor me being a warrior. Bah, it’s waste of time. I’d rather be on our mission for Frieza.

<PRINCE VEGETA’S SCOUTER RINGS AGAIN; HE GRUMBLES, BUT THEN SAYS GOODBYE TO LEDAS AND FLIES OFF TO THE PALACE>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> Dad’s still on duty… I wonder if grandpa is home…

<HE TAKES TO THE SKIES, AND FLIES A VERY SHORT DISTANCE TO A NEAR HILL; ON IT IS A LONE HOUSE, WITH A LONE TREE; HE LANDS AND KNOCKS ON THE ENTRANCE; AN ELDER MAN, WITH SIMILAR HAIR TO LEDAS, BUT GREYER ANSWER IT; HE STEPS OUTSIDE>

Lascon: Ah, Ledas! It’s been a while.

Ledas: Hiya grandpa!

Lascon: What have you been up to these days? Following your father into the Elite, eh?

Ledas: Wewll, me an’ Prince Vegeta have been going on missions for Frieza.

Lascon: Frieza? You must be pretty strong to have gotten his attention!

Ledas: <BOLDLY> Yep! We are the strongest Saiyans ever… cept for that Super Saiyan a long time ago…

Lascon: Ah, you’ve gotten arrogant too, my boy. How about you and I spar? We’ve never had the proper chance.

Ledas: That’s cuz you’re old, grandpa.

Lascon: You have a point, Ledas. But, don’t be so quick to judge. I was the one of the King’s finest warriors in the Tuffle war. I’m not fully done yet.

<LASCON SUDDENLY JUMPS FORWARD AND GRABS LEDAS AROUND THE NECK; PUTTING LEDAS INTO A FULL ON HOLD, LASCON RISES INTO THE AIR; HE RELEASES LEDAS, LETTING HIM FALL; THEN HE TELEPORTS TO LEDAS’ SIDE, AS HE FALLS, AND ELBOWS HIM DOWNWARD>

<LEDAS IS SHOCKED BY HIS GRANDFATHER’S ATTACK>

Lascon: <LAUGHS> I thought you were strong, Ledas!

Ledas: <EXACERBATED> I am! My power level is 7000!

Lascon: <IN HIS HEAD> 7000? And I’m only 2700… I better be careful. <OUT LOUD> Good, attack me!

<LEDAS SENDS A ONE HANDED KYORRA FLASH UP TO HIS GRANDFATHER; LASCON DEFLECTS IT DOWN; AS SOON AS IT HITS THE GROUND, CREATING A LOAD OF HELL, HE TELEPORTS BEHIND LEDAS, BUT LEDAS SEES HIM; LEDAS DODGES, FLIPPING OVER HIS GRANDFATHER AND PUNCHING DOWN AT THE FIGURE; HOWEVER, THIS WAS SIMPLY AN AFTERIMAGE; LASCON REAPPEARS FROM ABOVE AND KICKS HIM SQUARE IN THE BACK; LEDAS DROPS TO HIS KNEES AND FALLS FORWARD; LASCON LUNGES AT HIM, BUT HE TELEPORTS AWAY; LEDAS IS CAREFUL TO TRACK HIM WITH HIS SCOUTER AS BEST AS HE CAN>

<LEDAS TRIES A MIMICK OF VEGETA’S SIGNATURE ATTACK, A GALICK GUN; HIS VARIANT IS A LIGHTER BLUE, AND MUCH SHORTER; THIS ATTACK CATCHES LASCON OFF GUARD; THE EXPLOSION PUSHES HIM AWAY, RIGHT INTO THE TREE; WHEN LASCON RECOVERS, LEDAS IS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN>

<HE LOOKS AROUND, BUT TO NO AVAIL; HE WALKS FORWARD FROM THE TREE, THEN NOTICES SOMETHING COMING STRAIGHT AT HIM; IT APPEARS TO BE LEDAS; LASCON SHOOTS A BEAM AT HIM, BUT IT GOES RIGHT THROUGH; REALIZING IT IS AN AFTERIMAGE, LASCON SWIRLS AROUND, AND PUNCHES WILDLY; HIS FIST CONNECTS WITH LEDAS, WHO WAS MAKING A SURPRISE ATTACK FROM BEHIND; THE BOY FALLS BACKWARD ONTO THE GROUND; HIS LIP IS BLEEDING, HOWEVER HE IS NOT DAMAGED VERY MUCH>

Ledas: Ow, how’d ya see me?!

Lascon: You’re going to have to try something more elaborate than that to catch me off guard, Ledas.

<LEDAS CHARGES UP HIS AURA QUICKLY, THEN SHOOTS ACROSS THE GROUND, AS HE REMAINS LYING DOWN; HE SENDS HIMSELF, LIKE A BULLET CRASHING INTO LASCON’S LEGS; LASCON FALLS OVER; LEDAS JUMPS UP, TAKING THE DOMINANT POSITION OVER HIS GRANDFATHER; HE PUNCHES HIS GRANDFATHER REPEATEDLY, IN A VERY QUICK FLURRY>

<LASCON MAKES AN EFFORT TO ONLY BLOCK EVERY FIFTH PUNCH (NOT THAT HE COULD DO MUCH BETTER IF HE TRIED); HE GRABS LEDAS’ HANDS, LOCKING THEM DOWN ON THE BOY’S; LASCON EASILY OVERPOWER’S LEDAS IN THIS POSITION, DUE TO THE BOY’S CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING; A MOMENT LATER, LASCON HAS GOTTEN UP FROM THE GROUND, AND THROWN LEDAS A FEW FEET AWAY>

<LEDAS ATTEMPTS TO REBOUND IMMEDIATELY; HE BOUNCHES OFF THE GROUND, BACKFLIPS BACKWARD, AND THEN EXTENDS BOTH OF HIS HANDS; HE CHARGES UP ANOTHER KYORRA FLASH; AS HE IS CHARGING IT, LASCON GETS AN EASY READ ON HIS BEARING; LEDAS CHARGES UP THE ATTACK TO ITS FULLEST, THEN AIMS HIS HANDS AT LASCON; LASCON DOES NOT MOVE>

<LEDAS FIRES THE BLAST; IT MAKES A HUGE GASH IN THE GROUND, AND BRIGHTENS THE AREA SO MUCH, NOT EVEN LEDAS CAN SEE; LASCON USES THIS TO HIS ADVANTAGE; AS SOON AS LEDAS FIRED THE BLAST, HE SIDESTEPPED, AND USED HIS SPEED TO RUN AROUND BEHIND LEDAS; HE CHOPS LEDAS IN THE BACK OF THE NECK; LEDAS TRIES TO TWIRL AROUND, BUT LASCON WILL HAVE NONE OF THAT; HE PUNCHES LEDAS TO THE GROUND>

<TAKING NO TIME TO SPARE, LASCON JUMPS FORWARD, AND KNEES LEDAS IN THE FACE; THE BOY FALLS TO THE GROUND; HE PICKS UP LEDAS BY THE BACK OF THE SHIRT, AND AS HE SWINGS HIM BACK, LASCON ELBOWS HIM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD; LEDAS LETS OUT A SHARP CRY OF PAIN; HIS GRANDFATHER DROPS HIM>

Ledas: <SQUINTING UP AT LASCON, IN PAIN; HE IS HOLDING ONTO HIS HEAD> You gave me a headache, grandpa!

Lascon: Get up, you’re not hurt.

<LEDAS STANDS UP UNDER ORDERS, BUT STILL LOOKS TO BE IN PAIN>

Ledas: <PITIABLY> I’m sorry I didn’t do very good…

Lascon: Ledas, you are young. You have time to improve. You are powerful… much more so than your father or I. But you lack proper technique. Everything you do is predictable. I could see within your first set, you make every fifth punch the hard hitter – so I only had to block those. I could see you charging up your father’s signature move; and you gave me plenty of time to dodge it. My power is not half of your own, but I beat you. Raw strength means nothing if you are not tactically smart about your moves. Remember that.

Ledas: <STILL HOLDING HIS HEAD> Okay…

Lascon: You don’t understand a thing I just said, did you?

<LEDAS SHAKES HIS HEAD; LASCON LAUGHS AT THIS AND GRABS HIS GRANDSON AROUND THE NECK, BUT NOT IN AN ATTACK MOVE>

Lascon: Maybe we can fix that! You’re training with the Prince these days?

Ledas: <POLITELY> Yes sir.

Lascon: Have you gotten much experience in your transformed state?

Ledas: Well, no.

Lascon: I should be able to help with that! How about I teach you a little about that next week?

Ledas: Okay, me and Vegeta can – <LEDAS REALIZES> wait, I’ve gotta go! I forgot Vegeta’s presentation today!

<LASCON NODS AT HIS GRANDSON, AND LEDAS HURRIEDLY JUMPS INTO THE AIR AND FLIES OFF; LASCON WATCHES HIM, AS HE LAUGHS TO HIMSELF, AND THEN RETURNS INSIDE, MUMBLING TO HIMSELF ABOUT HOW HE’S STILL GOT IT>

<LEDAS REACHES THE PALACE; HE LANDS, SKIDS ON THE GROUND, BUT RUNS FORWARD ANYWAY; PRINCE VEGETA IS STILL FAR UP AHEAD IN THE GREAT HALL, LEDAS RUNS INTO THE CROWD OF SAIYANS WATCHING; HE CANNOT POSSIBLY GET THROUGH ALL OF THEM; HE DECIDES TO LEVITATE AND WATCH>

<VEGETA IS IN HIS BEST ARMOR, WHITE ON GOLD, AND HIGHLY ORNATE; IT IS SHINING BRIGHT AGAINST HIS MAGENTA CAPE; ON ONE SIDE OF HIM IS THE KING; ON THE OTHER IS, WATCHING WITH AN INTENT FACE IS FRIEZA>

<PRINCE VEGETA DESCENDS THE STEPS AND BEGINS HIS SHOWCASE FIGHTING AGAINST SEVERAL ADULT SAIYANS, ALL AT ONCE; HE EASILY DOMINATES THEM; LEDAS TURNS HIS ATTENTION BACK TO FRIEZA, AND THE TWO FIGURES BEHIND HIM; ONE IS IN FULL ARMOR, LOOKING BORED WITH GREEN SKIN; THE OTHER IS THE CREATURE LEDAS HAD MET BEFORE ON HIS FIRST MISSION FOR FRIEZA; THAT BENEFACTOR; AS LEDAS STARES AT IT, HE GETS THE SAME FREEZING, COLD, HOPELESS FEELING AS BEFORE>

<THE CREATURE IS HOLDING ITSELF HIGH, STANDING AGAINST THE WALL; IT DOES NOT MOVE, BUT LEDAS PERCEIVES IT LOOKING BACK AT HIM>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> I think he’s looking at me.

<LEDAS SHIVERS AT THE THOUGHT>

The Boy Doesn’t Mean Any Harm
<LEDAS IS ON ANOTHER PLANET; WITH HIM ARE HIS FATHER AND GRANDFATHER; LAYEECK AND LASCON>

<NO ONE SAYS A WORD; INSTEAD, LAYEECK AND LEDAS BEGIN SPARRING, EXCHANGING PUNCHES WITH ONE ANOTHER; LEDAS IS IN THE AIR TO BE ABLE TO ATTACK PROPERLY; HE BREAKS OFF FROM HIS DAD, BUT LAYEECK SHOOTS A QUICK BEAM AT HIM; LEDAS DUCKS>

<WHEN HE BRINGS HIS HEAD BACK UP, LEDAS PUTS HIS ARMS OUT, TO CREATE A BLAST; HOWEVER, LASCON IMMEDIATELY COMES UP BEHIND HIM, TAKES HIM AROUND THE NECK AND RISES HIGH INTO THE AIR; LEDAS FIGHTS HIM, BUT CANNOT BREAK OFF>

<AS LIKE IN THEIR SPARRING BEFORE, LASCON DROPS LEDAS, LETTING HIM FALL; HE THEN TELEPORTS AROUND THE BOY, AND PREPARES AN ELBOW FOR LEDAS’ FACE; LEDAS PUTS HIS HANDS UP IN DEFENSE; AS HE DOES SO, LASCON CHANGES INTO A DARK FIGURE; IT PASSES RIGHT THROUGH LEDAS TOO QUICKLY FOR HIM TO SEE IT PROPERLY>

<LEDAS LANDS ON THE GROUND AND LOOKS AROUND; EVERYTHING IS IN RUINS; HE IS SURPRISED AND DID NOT CAUSE IT; HE WALKS UP TO ONE OF THE BUILDINGS; BODIES ARE EVERYWHERE>

Ledas: Whoa… who did this? It’s kinda creepy… <THERE IS A GRAVE SILENCE> V-vegeta?! <TURNS AROUND, VEGETA IS NOT THERE> Vegeta? It wasn’t me! I swear! I didn’t do it!

<A NOISE IS HEARD, LEDAS TURNS BACK AROUND; IT IS THE BENEFACTOR; HE JUMPS DOWN FROM A LEDGE>

<THAT BENEFACTOR CREATURE DOES NOT MOVE; LEDAS BACKS AWAY FROM IT>

Ledas: Y-you! <WITH FEAR, STEPS BACK>

<THE CAMERA PANS AROUND THEM, THEY ARE ALONE, AND IT IS QUIET>

<THE CREATURE LEVITATES SLIGHTLY AND FOLLOWS LEDAS AS THE BOY BACKPEDALS; HE REACHES OUT AND GRABS LEDAS BY THE NECK; WITH HIS ARM EXTENDED, THE CREATURE TURNS LEDAS ONTO HIS SIDE; HE BRINGS THE BOY UP TO HIS FACE>

<THOUGH LEDAS IS FIGHTING, AND THOUGH LEDAS CANNOT SEE THE CREATURE’S EYES, LEDAS CANNOT MOVE, AND TWO SMALL ENERGY BEAMS, DARK RED, BEGIN FORMING WHERE THE CREATURE’S EYES SHOULD BE; LEDAS STRUGGLES, BUT IT IS NO USE; THE BEAMS SHOOT OUT, AND OVERCOME HIS VISION>

<LEDAS WAKES UP, IT WAS ALL A DREAM, HE SITS UP IN HIS BED, BREATHING HEAVILY>

<HE IS STILL BRUISED FROM HIS TRAINING WITH HIS GRANDFATHER THE DAY BEFORE; BUT, NEVERTHELESS, HE GETS UP, OUT OF BED AND WALKS OUTSIDE, IT IS THE EARLY MORNING, BUT HIS FATHER IS OUTSIDE TRAINING ALONE; IT IS FOGGY IN THE CITY; HE AND HIS FATHER LIVE JUST OUTSIDE THE PALACE IN A RATHER LARGE, TALL HOUSE; LAYEECK’S TRAINING SESSION IS LITERALLY ON A LANDING PAD HUNDREDS OF FEET ABOVE THE STREETS>

<LEDAS WATCHES, AFTER A SHORT WHILE, LAYEECK STOPS; HE LANDS ONTO THE GROUND WITH HIS BACK FACING LEDAS; THE ENTIRE ATMOSPHERE IS RATHER MUTED>

Layeeck: You’re up early, son.

<LEDAS DOES NOT ANSWER, BUT WALKS OUTSIDE; HE LOOKS BACK FOR A BRIEF SECOND, BUT THEN TAKES OFF>

Layeeck: Good morning to you too. <SIGHS, SHAKING HIS HEAD>

<CUTS TO MID DAY, KING VEGETA AND LAYEECK ARE TALKING, THEY ARE OUTSIDE, STANDING NEXT TO A BUILDING IN THE CITY>

King Vegeta: … So the real question is have you gotten any closer to an answer?

Layeeck: <DIRECT> If by that, you mean getting my pride destroyed, then yes. He is much stronger than me.

King Vegeta: <A RARE SENSE OF EXCITEMENT IN HIS VOICE> But a reading? Did you get an actual reading?

Layeeck: He wouldn’t power up for me. I could tell though, that while he wasn’t even trying, he could outdo me with ease. Maybe six thousand… I’m not sure though. It could be higher or lower.

King Vegeta: <SIGHS, SITS DOWN> Vegeta refuses to power up as well. I don’t know why…

Layeeck:<LOOKS AWAY> That may have been my fault, sire.

King Vegeta: What?! What do you mean?

Layeeck: A… a few months ago, I told Ledas to conceal his power from you. I thought you would have killed him if he surpassed your son.

King Vegeta: Layeeck! You know me! I would have never done such a thing.

Layeeck: <APOLOGETICALLY> I was being too paranoid… I listened to the rumors. I know it’s not true, now… but the damage has probably been done.

King Vegeta: It doesn’t make a difference. They need to obey my orders. <FINGERS ON TEMPLE> I have not even told you why we are training them so hard.

Layeeck: I can make a guess. <KING VEGETA NODS; LAYEECK LOWERS HIS VOICE TO A WHISPER> They’re training… to free us. But you said it was wrong.

<KING VEGETA TAKES HIS TIME TO PACE FROM THE WALL AND BACK; WHEN HE ANSWERS, HE DOES SO IN A VERY STEADFAST WAY>

King Vegeta: That is exactly what they will do. It is humiliating to be the king of an enslaved people. I can’t pretend anymore I don’t want Frieza dead.

<CUTS TO PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS; THEY ARE INSIDE, MAYBE AROUND THE PRINCE’S QUARTERS; THEY ARE SITTING; VEGETA IS IN HIS ARMOR FROM THE DAY BEFORE>

Ledas: Come on Vegeta! Why can’t we power up?

Prince Vegeta: I already told you. I don’t want anyone to know how strong we are. If my father finds out, he’ll tell Frieza. Frieza doesn’t need to know.

Ledas: <CURIOUS, CHILD-LIKE> Why?

Prince Vegeta: Frieza knows about the Super Saiyan. My father told him about it.

Ledas: But then how do we become Super Saiyans if we don’t get stronger?

Prince Vegeta: We’ll get stronger. But Frieza won’t see us coming. <HE ROLLS OFF HIS STOMACH> Man, this is so boring. Frieza better have a mission ready for us. Let’s go do one. <HE STANDS UP, AND WALKS OUT>

<CUTS TO FRIEZA’S SHIP, IT IS IN SPACE, UNKNOWN LOCATION>

Zarbon: Lord Frieza… have you considered my request?

Frieza: What, Zarbon? You mean the one where I kill the Benefactor?

Zarbon: My lord, he cannot work with anyone… he’s scaring the other soldiers. It’s just a bad fit for us.

Frieza: Is it my problem that the grunts are good for naught but manual labor? It has always been so, Zarbon.

Zarbon: <IN AN ELEGANT WHINE> But lord Frieza, you know as well as I do that he’s dangerous. His power level was over 50,000 when we met him… and that was such a long time ago. He might be as strong as your first form by now!

Frieza: That is no cause for concern.

Zarbon: Bu–

Frieza: Zarbon, the Benefactor is not as foolish as you may think. He knows my power, and he wouldn’t dare forfeit his life over such a vain pursuit. <THERE IS A LONG PAUSE> I know you only brought this up because he used your squad to attack little Vegeta. And they died so tragically.

Zarbon: They were good soldiers, lord Frieza! They should be alive.

Frieza: Then go find new recruits. If two Saiyan boys can kill the best of your men, Zarbon, those soldiers aren’t worth much. <ZARBON GOES TO OPEN HIS MOUTH, BUT FRIEZA RAISES HIS HAND> That will be all, Zarbon.

Zarbon: As you wish, lord Frieza. <ZARBON EXITS>

<ZARBON WALKS DOWN A HALL TO THE CONTROL ROOM, HE BUMPS INTO THE BENEFACTOR>

Zarbon: Oh, it’s you. What do you want?

The Benefactor: Has Frieza given you a new squad yet, Zarbon? You remember the ones you sent against the boys. The ones they murdered.

Zarbon: I tried going over this before. Lord Frieza is preparing something. I need a new team for it by tomorrow. He told me you would had some men for me.

The Benefactor: I remember. Just what you like.

Zarbon: <ANNOYED> Just get me a new squad by tomorrow. I don’t want to wait. <ZARBON BRINGS HIS CAPE AROUND HIM AND WALKS OFF>

The Benefactor: Neither do I.

<CUTS BACK TO PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS>

<THEY SEND A MESSAGE TO FRIEZA, WHO GIVES THEM ANOTHER MISSION; THEY LEAVE THE PLANET, AND HAVE A NICE TIME PLAYING AROUND WITH KILLING ANOTHER PLANET; THIS IS FOLLOWED UP BY SEVERAL OTHER MISSIONS, RIGHT IN A ROW>

<NONE OF THESE ARE SHOWN IN MUCH DETAIL; ONLY A FEW PANELS ARE DEVOTED TO EACH ONE; THIS TAKES PLACE OVER A WEEK OR SO>

<IN THIS SAME TIME FRAME, ZARBON IS GIVEN A NEW TEAM OF ELITES; ON FRIEZA’S SHIP, IN THE HANGER BAY, ZARBON GOES UP AND DOWN THE LINE OF HIS FOUR TROOPS; HE MEASURES THEIR POWER LEVELS, WHICH ARE SHOWN TO BE ABOUT 3000-4500 APIECE; SATISFIED, HE LEAVES; THE BENEFACTOR IS SHOWN TO HAVE WATCHED THIS ALL BY HIS COMPUTER MONITOR>

<OVER THE LAST WEEK OF CONSTANT FIGHTING, LEDAS’ AND PRINCE VEGETA RETURN HOME; THEY ARE MET BY THEIR FATHERS>

<NAPPA, KING VEGETA, AND LAYEECK ARE WAITING, BY THE DOORS OF A GRAVITY CHAMBER FOR THE TWO BOYS TO REACH THEM>

King Vegeta: I have no other plans… it does have to be them.

Layeeck: What can we do if they don’t get there in time?

King Vegeta: I’d rather die than let Frieza continue to rule over us. I think you and many others agree with me.

Layeeck: <CONFIDENTLY> I do, my king.

<NAPPA DOESN’T ANSWER>

King Vegeta: <STILL WITH MUCH AUTHORITY ABOUT HIM> It still hasn’t come to that. I have come up with a test to make them show us their true powers.

Layeeck: If that fails?

King Vegeta: Then we’ve run out of time. We will have to take matters into our own hands. Either way, Frieza will have to deal with the Saiyan race soon.

Because It’s My Birthday
<BACK ON PLANET VEGETA, LEDAS AND PRINCE VEGETA ARE IN THE GRAVITY ROOM; LAYEECK, NAPPA, AND KING VEGETA, AS WELL AS SOME OTHER SCIENTISTS ARE IN THE CONTROL ROOM>

Saiyan Scientist 1: No one other than King Vegeta has been able to withstand (Earth equivalent) 70 times gravity.

King Vegeta: <TO THE OTHERS> It’s true.

Nappa: But aren’t ya the strongest, king Vegeta? How are the kids supposed to train in it?

King Vegeta: That’s the test, Nappa. We don’t know their true power levels, we don’t know what their capable of. <TO THE SCIENTISTS> Very well, I think we’re ready. Turn it on.

<THE GRAVITY IS TURNED ON, LEDAS AND VEGETA HIT THE FLOOR, UNABLE TO MOVE>

Ledas: <WHISPERING> Vegeta… I think if I power up I can get out of this.

Prince Vegeta: <SURPRISINGLY CALM> Stay where you are, Ledas. That’s what they want us to do.

Ledas: But Vegeta! We should show them that we can!

Prince Vegeta: For all we know, Frieza could be right there with them watching everything.

<BACK IN THE CONTROL ROOM>

Saiyan Scientist 1: Sir, they’re not moving. I don’t think they can get up.

Saiyan Scientist 2: Output power for both is under eight thousand. That is far below what is needed for the gravity. Sire, I think it wou–

King Vegeta: <ARMS CROSSED> They know what they’re doing. It’s on purpose that they’re not powering up. Now as to why, I have no clue.

<A FEW MINUTES PASS, STILL NOTHING>

King Vegeta: <LOSING PATIENCE> Lower the gravity to 50, and send in the Elites.

<THE FAR DOOR OPENS, INSIDE THE ROOM, AND A DOZEN SOLDIERS COME IN; NONE OF THEM ARE ARMORED; SEEING THIS, THE BOYS JUMP UP>

Ledas: Can we power up now?

Prince Vegeta: Dang, all right. Go as fast as you can.

<LEDAS NODS, AND JUMPS LEFT; VEGETA STEPS BACKWARD; HE CREATES A GALICK GUN, THEN SHOOTS IT AT THE GROUP; STUTTERING BACK, THEY CANNOT DEFEND AGAINST LEDAS, WHO COMES OUT OF NOWHERE, AND GIVES THEM ALL A NICE GUT CHECK; THEY COLLAPSE ONTO THE FLOOR>

<THEIR SPEED IN TAKING OUT THE ELITES IMPRESSES KING VEGETA, BUT HIS ENTHUSIASM GOES AWAY WHEN HE SEES THEIR POWER LEVELS>

<THE SCIENTISTS GET READINGS OFF OF THE BOYS FROM THIS ATTACK; 12,000 APIECE>

Layeeck: 12,000… that is incredible.

King Vegeta: That’s only at my level. Not good enough. <TO THE SCIENTISTS> Raise the gravity to 100G.

Saiyan Scientist 1: Sire, they couldn’t even move at 70.

King Vegeta: <ANGRY> Just do it!

<THE SCIENTISTS DO>

<A SAIYAN SOLDIER ENTERS>

Saiyan Soldier 1: King Vegeta?

King Vegeta: <DOES NOT TURN TO FACE THE SOLDIER> What is it?

Saiyan Soldier 1: A visitor is here to see you. He says it’s urgent.

King Vegeta: I’m busy, tell him to wait–

Saiyan Soldier 1: Sire, it’s lord Frieza.

King Vegeta: Frieza? What could he want?

Saiyan Soldier 1: Sire, he wants to meet with you in private. He said it was urgent.

King Vegeta: <TO SCIENTISTS> Keep the gravity as it is. Do not lower it until they show you their power.

<KING VEGETA EXITS, AND WALKS TO FRIEZA, WHO IS WAITING FOR HIM IN A PRIVATE ROOM; FRIEZA IS STANDING, WITH ONE FOOT ON A SEAT>

Frieza: Ah, King Vegeta. Just the Saiyan I was looking for.

King Vegeta: <KNEELS> Lord Frieza… what brings you back here so soon?

Frieza: Your son, Vegeta. He and his little friend are conquering some of my hardest planets. They are making all of my other teams look bad.

King Vegeta: That is good to hear.

Frieza: Yes, yes it is. He will make a fine warrior when he grows up. That is, if he has the proper training.

King Vegeta: Lord Frieza, I assure you that will happen. I have all our best warriors training my son.

Frieza: I have no doubt. <LONG PAUSE> But, I will take Vegeta to train, myself. He needs proper company if we want him to succeed.

King Vegeta: What? Take my son from me? I will not agree to that! <ANGER IS CLEARLY EVIDENT>

Frieza: Don’t lose your temper, Vegeta. We wouldn’t want to have an incident here today.

King Vegeta: No, Frieza, this is unacceptable!

Frieza: This training is not for me. I do this to help your son. I thought that would be something you’d like. Of course, I could take him by force, if need be…

King Vegeta: <FUMING> No!! Just take him! I can’t stop you!

Frieza: <GETS UP, WALKS OUT> Not now, Vegeta. <LAUGHS> I’m much too busy. I’ll be back for him soon. Do be ready.

<FRIEZA LEAVES, LAUGHING TO HIMSELF>

<CUTS TO GRAVITY ROOM>

Saiyan Scientist 1: Nothing will change. They’re not strong enough to do this.

Ledas: Come on, Vegeta… I’m getting hungry! Can’t we just stop?

Prince Vegeta: Fine, this is getting boring. Wait until I distract them.

<VEGETA ROLLS OVER AND SHOOTS A BLINDING FLASH OF LIGHT INTO THE AIR; WHEN THE LIGHT AND SMOKE CLEAR, VEGETA AND LEDAS ARE NOWHERE TO BE SEEN>

Nappa: Hey, what happened?

Saiyan Scientist 2: <TYPING> It seems there was a spike… but I don’t know where the two went. It could have been a malfunction.

Layeeck: How do you not know? It should be a simple test.

Saiyan Scientist 1: <TYPING AND WORKING ON THE GRAVITY ROOM’S CONTROL PANELS, THEY SEEMED TO HAVE SHORT-CIRCUITED> It’s not as simple as you may think. The two kids did get up and leave. However, before they left, it seems there was a spike in energy, this could have caused the gravity machine to malfunction. We are unsure.

Layeeck: Well, find out! That was the whole point of the test!

<KING VEGETA RETURNS, NOW, TO THE GRAVITY CONTROL ROOM; KING VEGETA LOOKS STRICKEN>

Layeeck: Sire? What happened? What did Frieza say?

King Vegeta: <SLOWLY, IN SHOCK, WHICH RISES TO IMMENSE ANGER> Frieza… he’s going to take my son!!

Layeeck: What?!

Nappa: No way!

Saiyan Scientist 1: S-sire, the spikes were at 12,000. It appears that is their maximum power.

<KING VEGETA PUTS HIS CHIN UP, SEEING THAT LEDAS AND PRINCE VEGETA HAVE ESCAPED; HE FIRES A ROYAL GALICK AT THE SCIENTISTS, BLOWING THEM, AND THE ENTIRE ROOM UP>

King Vegeta: Nappa, call on the army. I want them in front of my palace in three hours’ time. <NAPPA NODS AND WALKS OFF> Layeeck, we were wrong. <HE KICKS DEBRIS OFF OF HIMSELF IN COMPLETE ANGER> They aren’t Super Saiyans after all.

<CUTS TO SPACE, OVER THE PLANET; FRIEZA’S SHIP IS STATIONED OVER PLANET VEGETA>

<CUTS TO THE INSIDE OF THE SHIP>

<THE BENEFACTOR IS STANDING NEXT TO FRIEZA, THEY ARE TALKING>

Frieza: Those two <JUMPS OFF THE EDGE OF HIS CHAIR> … those two are quite something.

The Benefactor: I have watched them as you commanded.

Frieza: <WALKS UP TO THEM> And how did they do?

The Benefactor: Every planet took no more than a day. Neither transformed, ever.

Frieza: What are their power levels?

The Benefactor: 12,500 for the Prince; 12,390 for… the other.

Frieza: They are as powerful as their King, but no threat to me. Ho ho ho. In that case, Benefactor, prepare them a room.

The Benefactor: They will be stationed here?

Frieza: They will be stationed on my ship. That will be all for today. <HE WAVES THE BENEFACTOR OFF, AND POURS HIMSELF SOME WINE>

The Benefactor: As you wish, lord Frieza.

<THE BENEFACTOR EXITS; HE RETURNS TO HIS OWN QUARTERS, AND OPENS UP THE TWO BEDS, OUT OF THE WALL, ABOVE HIS OWN (FOR, UNLIKE EVERYONE ELSE, HE HAD A ROOM TO HIMSELF); THE BENEFACTOR THINKS THIS TO BE ADEQUATE FOR THEIR ACCOMMODATION, BLESS HIS HEART>

No More Monkeys! (season finale part 1)
<PLANET VEGETA>

<737 AGE>

<CAMERA MOVES TO DOWNTOWN IN THE ROYAL CITY; LEDAS AND PRINCE VEGETA ARE THERE>

Ledas: Come on Vegeta! Tell me what happened! Did he give us another mission?!

Prince Vegeta: Yeah. Zarbon wasn’t too happy, though. I guess he’s just jealous.

Ledas: <EXCITED> Well, come on tell me… is it a hard one?!

Prince Vegeta: Frieza gave me his hardest mission.

Ledas: Wow! I get to go too, right?

Prince Vegeta: Fine, but we can’t screw this up. He didn’t give me very long to complete it.

<PRINCE VEGETA, WHO IS IN HIS ROYAL ARMOR, IS DRAWING STARES AGAIN; HOWEVER, THE CITY IS MUCH EMPTIER THAN IT WAS PREVIOUSLY; MOST OF THE ADULT SAIYANS ARE IN REGIMENTED LINES, MOVING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION>

<THE TWO REACH THE KING’S PALACE, DOCKING BAY 3>

<KING VEGETA AND NAPPA ARE THERE>

King Vegeta: <WATCHING THE TWO BOYS APPROACH> I need you to watch over my son on this mission, Nappa. Of all your duties, consider this the most important.

Nappa: What’s goin’ on, King?

King Vegeta: I will be leaving for a while. While I’m gone, you must watch over him and train him. Push him beyond his limits. You must do this. Can you promise that?

Nappa: <STILL CONFUSED> Yeah, I guess… but won’t ya need me to command the army?

King Vegeta: <SIGHS> No, my son’s security is more important.

<THE BOYS GET TO THE POD AREA>

King Vegeta: <CURTLY> Has Frieza given you a mission?

Prince Vegeta: Yeah, Ledas is coming too.

King Vegeta: <NODS> Yes, Nappa will go as well.

Ledas: Aw, we don’t need him.

Prince Vegeta: Yeah, he doesn’t even do anything.

King Vegeta: He’s not supposed to. I simply want him to watch over you on the battlefield. <KNEELS DOWN> Now, children, you know the importance of this mission?

Prince Vegeta: Yeah. It’s Frieza’s hardest planet…

King Vegeta: Ah, that planet. I didn’t expect him to give it to you. <PAUSES, LOOKING DOWN> None of our other teams could handle it. None of Frieza’s could, either. It’s a deathpool.

Ledas: <LOOKS AT THE KING> But, we are much stronger than any other team.

King Vegeta: <SIGHS> Yes, you are. However, this mission is more important than being a test of strength.

Prince Vegeta: I know, I know… Frieza’ll see that our race is the best.

King Vegeta: <STANDS UP> Exactly! Good luck, you two.

Prince Vegeta: <WITH ARROGANCE> It’ll be easy. We’ll be done with it before tomorrow.

King Vegeta: <HE LOOKS TO NAPPA> Nappa! <NODS>

<NAPPA LEADS THE BOYS OUT; BEHIND THEM, LAYEECK ARRIVES, WITH ELITE GUARD; BEHIND THEM IS THE REGULAR ARMY, WHICH SHOULD BE UNDER NAPPA’S COMMAND; THERE IS A DIFFERENT COMMANDER OVER THAT RIGHT NOW, AS NAPPA IS WITH LEDAS AND VEGETA>

<WHEN LAYEECK ARRIVES, HE NOTICES HIS SON WALKING OFF; HE CALLS OUT TO LEDAS BEFORE THE BOY IS OUT OF RANGE; LEDAS, ALONE RETURNS TO HIS FATHER, IN FRONT OF THE GUARD AND THE KING>

Ledas: What is it, dad?

Layeeck: <TO LEDAS> I want to tell you good luck on your mission, my son.

Ledas: <IMPATIENT> Okay.

Layeeck: Listen, I know you’re mad at me right now… I haven’t been around much, and we haven’t been able to go on another mission together.

Ledas: Yeah…

Layeeck: Well, how about we go on one when you get back?

Ledas: You promised before, but we never went anywhere…

Layeeck: You know I would like to, I’ve just been too busy. I promise, this time. Please, Ledas, I am trying to do this for you… I just need a little–

Ledas: Okay. But I wanna go as soon as we get back.

<LAYEECK LAUGHS AT THIS, BUT ACCEPTS IT; HE WAVES GOODBYE, AND LEDAS DOES TOO>

<LEDAS EXITS>

King Vegeta: <WATCHING THEM WALK OFF> Layeeck, my friend, you have raised a fine boy. I am sure he will bring honor to you.

Layeeck: They will both bring honor to us all.

King Vegeta: It’s a shame they didn’t fulfill the Legend. I would have liked Frieza’s death to be a certainty.

Layeeck: <GRAVELY> So, it is us who have to kill Frieza?

King Vegeta: We will try. We must try. With the entire army behind us, Frieza will be no match.

Layeeck: Is it worth our lives? I’d rather live if even if it was under a tyranny.

King Vegeta: Layeeck, what is this?! Not too long ago, you swore to help me fight Frieza, if it came to that. What happened?

Layeeck: I can’t be of any help… I’m nothing compared to my son. You want to kill Frieza, and you’re sending away our best warriors to help make that happen.

King Vegeta: Do not think that! It will take all us to kill Frieza. These are our sons we are fighting for! I can’t risk them being killed. If we do not act today, he will take them from us. Tell me you will at least fight for that?!

<LAYEECK, MUTED, NODS; HE SHIFTS, ALONG WITH THE KING, TO FACE THEIR SOLDIERS; SCREEN FADES>

<CUTS TO PRINCE VEGETA, LEDAS, AND NAPPA, WHO HAVE ARRIVED AT THE SPACE POD LAUNCH ZONE>

Saiyan Pod Commander: Here are your pods. As soon as you’re ready, we can begin the launch. <THE PODS, ESPECIALLY LEDAS’ LOOK DAMAGED>

Prince Vegeta: <INSPECTING HIS> These don’t look safe.

Saiyan Pod Commander: We weren’t expecting you today, Prince Vegeta. If I had more time to prepare…

<PRINCE VEGETA, LEDAS, NAPPA CLIMB INTO THEIR PODS, AND PREPARE TO TAKE OFF>

Saiyan Pod Commander: I’ve input the coordinates, you should arrive at the planet in roughly 6 hours.

Prince Vegeta: <CONFIDENTLY SMILES> Remember Nappa, this one is for us, not you. Because we don’t need you.

Nappa: <STRANGELY UNCONCERNED> Yeah, yeah, I know.

Saiyan Pod Commander: Ready to launch in 3… 2… 1…

<THE PODS START UP, PRINCE VEGETA’S AND NAPPA’S TAKE OFF, LEDAS’ DOES NOT; IT JERKS FORWARD A FEW FEET, BANGING LEDAS’ HEAD ON THE FRONT PANEL, BUT THEN COMES BACK DOWN>

Ledas: <ON HIS SCOUTER> Ahh… I have a problem.

Prince Vegeta: What is it?

Ledas: My pod won’t start. It never took off.

Saiyan Pod Commander: Uh, roger. We see the problem, sir. I am getting my technicians on it right now.

Ledas: How long?

Saiyan Pod Commander: I would guess no more than an hour, but…

Prince Vegeta: Stupid junker.

Nappa: Hey, one hour won’t make a difference, Vegeta. We’ll wait once we get there.

Prince Vegeta: Fine. I’ll see you there, Ledas.

Ledas: See you there.

<LEDAS GETS OUT OF HIS POD, TECHNICIANS MOVE IN AND START WORKING ON IT; THE OTHER TWO PODS LEAVE OUT OF SIGHT>

Saiyan Pod Commander: I’m sorry sir. This should only take an hour.

Ledas: <VERY ANGRY> One second more, and it’s your life.

Saiyan Pod Commander: <UNCONVINCINGLY> I’m sure we can fix it by then.

<CUTS TO KING VEGETA, WHO HAS GATHERED ALL THE SUPER ELITES AVAILABLE, LAYEECK IS THERE; THEY HAVE ALL ARRIVED ONTO FRIEZA’S SHIP WITHOUT ANY RESISTANCE; ALMOST AS IF FRIEZA WANTED THEM TO COME ABOARD>

King Vegeta: Today we take back what Frieza has stolen from us. Too long have we sat and let him do what he wants. But no more! If Frieza wants the prince, he will have to get through us first! <CAMERA SHOWS THE MANY SAIYANS GATHERED AROUND HIM> You are the greatest fighters on our planet. You are the elite! Together you will fight, and together you will conquer. <NODS IN RESPECT; THE SOLDIERS RETURN THE GESTURE>

<KING VEGETA AND THE OTHER SOLDIERS RUN OFF, DOWN THE HALLS BLASTING AWAY ALL THE SOLDIERS WHO GET IN THEIR WAY; LAYEECK FOLLOWS, SIMPLY WALKING, NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE CARNAGE>

<LAYEECK WALKS DOWN THE HALLS, HEARING CURIOUS WHISPERS AS HE GOES; BODIES OF FRIEZA’S SOLDIERS LITTER THE GROUND, KING VEGETA HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THEM; LAYEECK SEES UP AHEAD, THE GROUP HAS GATHERED AROUND A DOOR; LAYEECK COMES UP ON IT; FRIEZA AND KING VEGETA ARE INSIDE>

King Vegeta: It’s over Frieza! We’ve come to put an end to your reign of terror!

Frieza: <SARCASTICALLY> We? You and who else, Vegeta? Your army is so petrified that they are actually turning blue in the face! <SHOWS THE SUPER ELITES, WHO ARE ALL TOO SCARED TO MOVE FORWARD>

King Vegeta: Fools! <KING VEGETA RUSHES TO ATTACK FRIEZA, FRIEZA DODGES THE PUNCHES, AND THEN EFFORTLESSLY KILLS KING VEGETA WITH A SINGLE PUNCH TO THE JAW; THE KING FALLS, HIS FAMILY CREST FALLS OFF AND ROLLS UP TO FRIEZA>

Super Elite 1: The King! No! <ALL RUSH OVER TO THE KING’S BODY>

Frieza: My, my, what a pity. <FRIEZA STEPS ON IT AND CRUSHES IT> Don’t be so glum, guys, you haven’t lost your king for good… wherever he is, you’re about to join him! <TAKES OFF HIS SCOUTER AND SHOOTS AN EYE BEAM AT THE REMAINING SUPER ELITES, THEY ARE ALL VAPORIZED>

Layeeck: No… he can’t have killed them all so fast!

<LAYEECK, BEING SO FAR BACK IS NOT KILLED BY THE BLAST, INSTEAD HE IS THROWN INTO A WALL BEHIND; ANOTHER PLATOON OF SOLDIERS COMES OUT; THEY SWARM AROUND LAYEECK; IN FULL CONCENTRATION, HE MAKES AN ENERGY WAVE, WHICH KILLS MOST OF THEM; THE OTHERS REGROUP AND FLING THEMSELVES AT HIM ONCE AGAIN>

<HE SIDE-CHOPS EVERY ONE OF THEM, KILLING THEM>

Layeeck: <IN HIS HEAD> No… is this what we are compared to Frieza? <HE RUNS UP TO THE HALL> He took out the king and all the others like they were nothing…

<TWO MORE SOLDIERS COME OUT; LAYEECK READS THEIR POWER LEVELS TO BE 3000 EACH; LAYEECK IS STILL SO FAR BACK THAT FRIEZA WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO HEAR HIM; NEVERTHELESS, THE TWO SOLDIERS FIRE ENERGY BLASTS AT HIM, HE DODGES THEM, AND READIES A KYORRA FLASH; AS IT CHARGES UP, HE DODGES BACK AND FORTH OFF THE WALLS; THE TWO ALIENS CONTINUE A BARRAGE OF ENERGY>

<LAYEECK CANNOT DODGE EVERY BLAST; SEVERAL HIT HIM, CHIP AWAY HIS ARMOR, AND ONE ULTIMATELY LANDS RIGHT ON HIS FACE; HIS SCOUTER SHATTERS, AND HE FALLS TO ONE KNEE; THE TWO STOP THEIR ATTACK AND RUN FORWARD; SEEING THIS TO BE HIS CHANCE, LAYEECK SHOOTS HIS HANDS UPWARD, INTERLOCKED IN A TRIANGLE SHAPE, AND SENDS OFF HIS KYORRA FLASH>

<THE TWO ALIENS ARE INCINERATED; LAYEECK FALLS ONTO THE FLOOR, HURT AND DIZZY; AS HE ROLLS INTO UNCONSCIOUSNESS, THE WHISPERING BECOMES DEAFENING>

<IN THE DISTANCE, FRIEZA CAN BE SEEN RISING INTO SPACE, PREPARING HIS DESTRUCTION OF PLANET VEGETA>

Serenity In Atonement (season finale part 2)
<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS ON THE POD AREA; IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 30 MINUTES, IT SEEMS THE TECHNICIANS ARE TAKING A BREAK>

Ledas: <GETS UP, RUNS OVER TO THEM> Done?

Alien Technician 1: Naw, we’re taking a break, kid.

Ledas: <ANXIOUS> I am supposed to be on an important mission for Frieza right now. Get back to work!

Alien Technician 1: Cool it kid, a few minutes won’t hurt.

(AT THIS TIME, KING VEGETA IS GETTING READY TO ASSAULT FRIEZA’S SHIP)

Ledas: <JUMPS AND KICKS THE TECHNICIAN IN THE FACE, KNOCKING HIM OUT> Get back to work!

Alien Technician 3: Ok, ok we’re on it. <TO OTHER TECHNICIANS> I’ll tell ya, these Saiyans are nuts.

<THE TECHNICIANS GET BACK TO WORK; LEDAS WATCHES THEM WITH HIS ARMS CROSSED, IN HIS BEST VEGETA IMPERSONATION>

<A FEW MOMENTS LATER>

Saiyan Pod Commander: Uh, sir, it seems I was a bit optimistic with my analysis. I think we will need a few more hours to repair the pod.

Ledas: No! I don’t have that much time. Get another one over here if you can’t fix this one!

Saiyan Pod Commander: I can see if there are any available…

Ledas: Now!!

Saiyan Pod Commander: Sir, be reasonable. I can only do what I can do.

(AT THIS TIME, FRIEZA HAS JUST KILLED KING VEGETA, AND IS PREPARING HIS DESTRUCTION OF PLANET VEGETA)

Ledas: <MEGA FROWN> That’s enough. Get out of my way, I’m going.

Saiyan Pod Commander: We’re not ready. There’s no way you’ll survive the trip.

Ledas: It doesn’t matter. I’m leaving.

<LEDAS WALKS UP TO THE COMMANDER AND, CASUALLY, SHOOTS AN ENERGY BEAM IN HIS FACE, KILLING HIM; THE COMMANDER FALLS TO THE GROUND, AND BLOOD STARTS POOLING; LEDAS DOES NOT STOP WALKING TO HIS POD; THE TECHNICIANS GET OUT OF HIS WAY AS HE CLIMBS IN>

Ledas: It is a stupid junker.

<LEDAS CLOSES THE RUSTY HATCH AND SITS DOWN; HE TAKES OFF, JUST AS FRIEZA IS GETTING READY TO DESTROY THE PLANET>

(NOTE: COOLER’S SHIP DOES NOT SEE LEDAS, BECAUSE LEDAS TAKES OFF ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PLANET)

<FRIEZA THROWS HIS HUGE BALL OF ENERGY AT PLANET VEGETA AND DESTROYS IT; THE SHOCK WAVE HITS LEDAS’ SHIP, JUST AS HE’S ABOUT TO LEAVE THE SOLAR SYSTEM AND KNOCKS HIM OUT, PUSHING HIM OFF COURSE; HIS HEAD HITS THE CONTROL PAD AGAIN, AND HE ROLLS INTO UNCONSCIOUSNESS; HIS FOREHEAD GASHES AND BLEEDS FROM THE UNEXPECTED BLOW>

<CUTS TO THE INSIDE OF FRIEZA’S SHIP, HE HAS COME BACK DOWN FROM SPACE AFTER DESTROYING PLANET VEGETA, HE IS DRINKING AND TALKING TO ZARBON, AROUND THE CORNER IN ANOTHER ROOM; MAYBE DODORIA IS THERE, BUT HE CANNOT BE SEEN>

Zarbon: Shall I send a team to take out Prince Vegeta, like you did with the Saiyan Bardock?

Frieza: I’ll keep Vegeta alive. With his father gone, he’s no longer any trouble to me. And he will make a fine soldier, with the proper training, of course.

Zarbon: What of his companion? Shall we let him live as well?

<LAYEECK’S EYES OPEN; AFTER SOME TROUBLE, HE STANDS UP, HIS WHOLE FACE IS BLOODIED, AND HE IS WALKING WITH A LIMP; HIS RIGHT HAND IS HOLDING HIS STOMACH, WHICH IS WOUNDED; IN HIS LEFT HAND HE READIES AN ENERGY BLAST>

Frieza: Why not? The two get along so well. I wouldn’t want to interfere in that. <FRIEZA TAKES A DRINK>

<LAYEECK ARRIVES AT FRIEZA’S ROOM>

Layeeck: <PANTING> My king… Vegeta… <HE ENTERS, SEEING VEGETA’S BODY, ON ITS BACK, IN FRONT OF HIM; HE LOOKS UP AT WHO IS BEFORE HIM> No! Y-you couldn’t have…! Frieza?!? <LAYEECK THROWS HIS BLAST A FRIEZA, FRIEZA MAKES NO ATTEMPT TO DODGE IT, AND IT HITS HIM, MAKING HIM SPILL HIS DRINK>

Frieza: <THE SMOKE CLEARS, FRIEZA IS IN THE SAME POSITION, UNDAMAGED; QUIETLY> You’ve gone and made me spill my drink… <TURNING, READYING A FINGER BEAM> you dirty little monkey.

Layeeck: I’ll kill you! I have to–

<SUDDENLY, AS LAYEECK IS READYING ANOTHER BLAST, A TAIL COMES OUT OF NOWHERE AND IMPALES HIM THROUGH HIS BACK, ALL THE WAY TO HIS CHEST; THE TAIL RISES OFF THE GROUND A BIT, BRINGING LAYEECK INTO THE AIR; FRIEZA AND ZARBON FLINCH, AS THEY ARE NOT EXPECTING THAT>

The Benefactor: <COMING UP TO LAYEECK’S EAR, IN A WHISPER> Can’t let you do that, boss.

Layeeck: <BLOODIED, IN TEARS> N-n-noooooo!!!!! Get offa me!!

<LAYEECK RAISES HIS RIGHT ARM WITH AN ENERGY BLAST, AIMED AT THE BENEFACTOR; WITH LIGHTNING PRECISION, THE BENEFACTOR TAKES OUT A KNIFE AND SEVERS LAYEECK’S ARM IN ONE MOTION; LAYEECK SCREAMS AGAIN, BLOOD IS NOW EVERYWHERE>

Frieza: <COMPOSED> Put him down, Benefactor.

<THE BENEFACTOR RISES INTO THE AIR A FEW FEET, THEN DOES A FRONT FLIP, PROPELLING LAYEECK OFF HIS TAIL, AND INTO A NEARBY WALL; THE BENEFACTOR DESCENDS TO THE GROUND AGAIN, HE GOES ON ALL FOURS, AND CRAWLS UP TO LAYEECK; HE HAS HIS KNIFE IN HAND>

Layeeck: Gahhh… <IN INCREDIBLE PAIN> FRIEZAAAAAAAAA!!!!! <THROWS ANOTHER ENERGY BLAST AT FRIEZA, FRIEZA DISSIPATES IT BEFORE IT REACHES HIM>

<THE BENEFACTOR REACHES LAYEECK; HE PICKS HIM UP BY HIS RIB CAGE, PUNCTURING HIS CLAWS THROUGH LAYEECK’S ARMOR; THE BENEFACTOR TAKES HIS KNIFE AND CUTS LAYEECK’S NECK; WITH HIS FREE HAND, HE CLAWS AT LAYEECK’S NECK>

Frieza: <WITH AUTHORITY> Benefactor, you will stop! You are dirtying my ship!

<HE DOES NOT LISTEN TO FRIEZA; INSTEAD, HE CONTINUES TORTURING LAYEECK; LAYEECK FIGHTS BACK, SENDING A BEAM OF ENERGY INTO THE CREATURE’S FACE; IT DOES NO DAMAGE; THE BENEFACTOR PUTS HIS CLAW UP INTO LAYEECK’S OPEN NECK, AND SHOVES IT UPWARD, INSTANTLY KILLING THE SAIYAN>

<LAYEECK GOES LIMP; THE BENEFACTOR, WITHOUT REMORSE, THROWS HIM TO THE SIDE INTO A WALL>

Frieza: <ANGRY NOW> That will be all, Benefactor!

The Benefactor: <STANDS UP, PUTS HIS KNIFE AWAY> Lord Frieza, the traitor must be dealt with.

<THE ROBED ALIEN MOVES OVER TO LAYEECK’S CARCASS, AND BEGINS DIGGING HIS CLAWS INTO IT, RIPPING IT APART; HE GOES TO EAT SOME OF THE GUTS WHEN FRIEZA STANDS UP; HE HAS HAD QUITE ENOUGH OF THE DISOBEDIENCE AND RAISES A FINGER; A PURPLE, SLENDER DEATH BEAM SHOOTS OUT, AND HITS THE BENEFACTOR IN THE BACK OF THE NECK; THE CREATURE GOES LIMP AS WELL, FALLING ONTO LAYEECK’S DESECRATED BODY>

<FRIEZA SCANS THE CREATURE FOR A POWER LEVEL, AND FINDS NONE>

Frieza: <LOOKING AT WHAT JUST HAPPENED> Zarbon, what was that?

Zarbon: Lord Frieza, this is what I was talking about earlier. He was dangerous to us all. He couldn’t control his bloodlust.

Frieza: Get someone to clean this room, Zarbon. And dump the bodies. I don’t want to look at these worms any longer.

Zarbon: Yes, lord Frieza.

Frieza: <STANDING RIGHT OVER THE BENEFACTOR’S BODY> And tell Dodoria that he’s getting a promotion.

<SEVERAL HOURS LATER, ON A DISTANT PLANET>

Prince Vegeta: What is taking him so long? I’ve been waiting for 3 hours. <PACES IMPATIENTLY FOR A FEW MORE MOMENTS> Man, what’s going on? We’re gonna run out of time if I don’t start now.

Nappa: Yeah okay, go ahead. <WAVES HIS HAND, OBVIOUSLY BORED>

<VEGETA GOES ON TO DESTOY ALL INHABITANTS ON THE PLANET, AFTER SEVERAL HOURS AS HE IS SITTING ON CORPSES OF HIS CONQUERED AND EATING A SNACK, A SOLDIER CALLS HIM UP ON HIS SCOUTER>

Soldier: Prince Vegeta, do you copy, sir?

Prince Vegeta: I’m here.

Soldier: Sir, unfortunate news from Lord Frieza. Planet Vegeta was struck by a large asteroid today, a-and destroyed.

Prince Vegeta: And… you’re sure?

Soldier: Affirmative sir. Lord Frieza sends his sympathies and regrets. As of now, you’re the only known survivor.

Prince Vegeta: <DETACHED> Oh… really?

Soldier: Would you like to send a reply, sir?

Prince Vegeta: No, no reply.

Soldier: Very well sir. Over and out.

<SCENE PANS OUT SHOWING PRINCE VEGETA SITTING ON A HUGE PILE OF CORPSES MUCH BIGGER THAN PREVIOUSLY HINTED AT, HE FINISHES HIS SNACK>

Prince Vegeta: Did you hear that, Nappa? <NO RESPONSE; PRINCE VEGETA STANDS UP> Nappa!

Nappa: <SEEMS TO BE WAKING UP> Oh…what is it, Vegeta?

Prince Vegeta: I just got a transmission from Frieza. They said our planet was destroyed by an asteroid right after we left. <HE LOOKS OVER AT THE TWO PODS; THERE IS A NOTICEABLE SPACE MISSING WHERE LEDAS’ POD SHOULD BE> There were no survivors.

Nappa: <SUDDENLY PANICKY; HE JUMPS RIGHT UP> What? Are you sure?! There’s no way!

Prince Vegeta: <DIRECTLY, LOW> Pull yourself together, Nappa! You’re a Saiyan, so start acting like it.

Nappa: Uh, right.

Prince Vegeta: <HE WALKS OVER TO HIS POD AND OPENS IT; HE CLIMBS INSIDE> We’re the strongest race in the universe. Frieza doesn’t know it yet. I don’t care. When I’m a Super Saiyan, he’ll be sorry. <NAPPA GETS IN HIS POD AT THIS TIME, AND CLOSES IT; PRINCE VEGETA LOOKS OUT OF HIS DOOR> He’ll take us seriously then. <HE CLOSES THE DOOR; TO HIMSELF> I’ll kill him. I promise I’ll kill him.

<CUTS TO FRIEZA’S SHIP, IN THE LOWER HANGERS>

<ZARBON IS WATCHING SEVERAL GRUNTS CARRY OUT THE BODIES OF KING VEGETA, THE BENEFACTOR, LAYEECK, AND THE OTHERS WHO WERE NOT INCINERATED; HE PRESSES A BUTTON, OPENING A DOOR; THEN, WALKING ALONGSIDE THE REST OF THE GRUNTS, HE LEADS THEM TO A SMALLER SHIP PARKED INSIDE>

<THIS SHIP IS NOTHING MORE THAN A GARBAGE CARRIER, AND SUCH THINGS ARE USED TO GET RID OF THE ACCUMULATED GARBAGE OF A TYRANT’S FLAGSHIP EVERY FEW WEEKS; AS IT WAS, TODAY WAS PERFECT TIME FOR IT TO GET RID OF SOME OF THAT GARBAGE; ZARBON WATCHES CLOSELY AS EACH BODY IS THROWN WITH THE REST OF THE SHIP’S GARBAGE INTO AN OPEN HATCH>

Frieza Solder 1: So the Saiyans actually rebelled? The monkeys sure were stupid.

Frieza: Soldier 2: <CARRYING A BODY> I think this is their king. He tried to kill Lord Frieza himself! Can you believe it?

Zarbon: <MOTHERLY TONE> Quiet.

Frieza Soldier 2: Captain Zarbon, weren’t you there? Did Frieza really destroy all the Saiyans?

Zarbon: That was the price of rebellion. The galaxy is better off without that group of apes anyway.

<AS ZARBON WATCHES OVER THEM THROWING IN THE BODY OF THE BENEFACTOR, HE SWEARS HE HEARS SOMETHING; ZARBON STOPS HIS TROOPS AND LOOKS IN AT THE CRUMPLED CORPSE OF HIS EQUAL; NOT SURE IF THE BENEFACTOR COULD STILL BE ALIVE, ZARBON CHECKS WITH HIS SCOUTER>

Zarbon: <SCANNING FOR ANY SIGNS OF LIFE> Nothing. Strange, I must be hearing things.

<STILL, ZARBON CREATES A SMALL, GREEN BALL OF ENERGY, AND SHOOTS IT INTO THE BENEFACTOR’S BODY, CAUSING THE BODY TO FLY BACK, DEEPER INTO THE GARBAGE SHIP; HE IS SATISFIED WITH HOW LIFELESSLY IT WAS THROWN; ONCE THE REST OF THE BODIES ARE PUT INSIDE, HE AND HIS SOLDIERS STEP BACK>

<THE PILOT BEGINS TAKING OFF>

Zarbon: <WATCHING THE SHIP EXIT FRIEZA’S FLAGSHIP, TO HIMSELF> What a pity.

<THE SHIP FLIES FOR SOME TIME THROUGH SPACE UNTIL IT IS NO LONGER IN RANGE OF FRIEZA’S SHIP; THE DRIVER IS LISTENING TO VARIOUS SPACE JAMS, AND IS HUMMING ALONG TO THEM>

<AND WHILE HE IS DOING THIS, SUDDENLY, TWO CLAWED, GREEN HANDS COME FROM THE DARKNESS BEHIND AND LATCH ONTO HIS HEAD; BEFORE HE CAN SCREAM, BEFORE HE CAN EVEN PANIC, THE HANDS RIP HIS HEAD APART, KILLING HIM>

<THROWING THE BODY OUT OF THE WAY, COMES THE BENEFACTOR, THE HOODED CAPTAIN OF FRIEZA, UP INTO THE DRIVERS SEAT; HE PLACES HIS HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL, AND TAKES CONTROL OF THE SHIP; THOUGH HE IS BLOODIED AND WOUNDED, HE APPEARS CALM; AS HE IS FLYING, A SIGNAL BEEPS IN HIS POCKET; WITH A CLAWED HAND, HE TAKES OUT THE TRACKING DEVICE FRIEZA HAD GIVEN HIM; THE VERY SAME DEVICE THAT TRACKED VEGETA AND LEDAS; HE LOOKS AT IT>

The Benefactor: They’re both still alive… But apart… The prince, flying back to good lord Frieza… <HE RUNS HIS FINGER OVER VEGETA’S DOT> The other <HE POINTS TO THE TAG SAYING “LEDAS”> flying away… as far as he can. <HE SWERVES THE GARBAGE TRUCK AROUND, TO ALIGN WITH LEDAS’ VECTOR> Not that he’ll get far.

<THE SHIP FLIES INTO THE CAMERA, WITH THE CAMERA GOING BLACK JUST BEFORE THE SHIP HITS>


 * <END PRINCE VEGETA SAGA>

Cue Great Spirits. Credits roll during this time.

Outbreak: Paved In Blood
<p style="text-align:center">When I sat down to write today

<p style="text-align:center">it was raining really bad.

<p style="text-align:center">That got me in the mood to listen to some piano music.

<p style="text-align:center">Chopin, mostly.

<p style="text-align:center">I suppose by night

<p style="text-align:center">I'll be trying to learn them all. <p style="text-align:center">-KidVegeta

Imaginary Place
<UNDOCUMENTED PLANET IN THE UNKNOWN REGION>

<612 AGE>

<RIVER’S GORGE>

<START CUE; INSERTION TITLE VER. 3>

<THE FIGURES OF FOUR SMALL CREATURES, RUNNING ON ALL FOURS, APPROACH THE RIVERBANK; ON IT IS THE DOWNED FIGURE OF A LARGER BEAST, AND ON THAT ARE MANY OF THE SMALLER ONES, OF THE SAME LIKENESS AS THOSE APPROACHING; THE SMALLER ONES ARE REPTILIAN>

<THEIR SPECIES IS NOT HUMAN; THEY ARE REPTILIAN; THEIR SKIN IS A DARK GREEN (A LIGHTER GREEN FOR CHILDREN OF THE SPECIES), SCALED AND FLAT; THEY HAVE FIVE FINGERS AND THREE TOES, WITH SHARP CLAWS ON EACH DIGIT; THEY ALSO HAVE TAILS; THEIR FACES ARE LONG AND SHARP, THOUGH THEY HAVE NO SNOUT; FROM THE TOP OF THEIR HEADS, THERE ARE SEVERAL THIN NEEDLE-LIKE APPENDAGES JUTTING OUT FROM THE SKULL; THEIR EYES ARE PUSHED FORWARD AND THEY ARE HAIRLESS; THEY WEAR SIMPLE CLOTHES>

<THE CREATURE THEY ARE STANDING OVER IS STILL ALIVE, BUT BADLY WOUNDED; IT CAN BE INFERRED THAT THIS WAS A HUNT; AS THE OTHERS GATHER AROUND HIM, THE SINGULAR ADULT AMONG THE MANY SMALL ONES MOTIONS FOR THEM TO GET CLOSER TO WATCH THE GASPING CREATURE, IN ITS DEATH THROWS>

<THE LIZARD-LIKE CREATURES ALL STAND UP ON TWO LEGS NOW, AS THEY WATCH; WITHOUT A WORD, THE LEADER OF THE REPTILES REACHES DOWN WITH HIS CLAW, EXTENDING ONLY HIS FOREFINGERS, AND RIPS AT THE CREATURE’S THROAT; BLOOD SPLATTERS EVERYWHERE; THE GROUP STANDS BACK IN AWE>

<THE DOWNED CREATURE BEGINS CONVULSING; THE LEADER MOTIONS FOR EVERYONE TO JOIN IN; AND GLADLY, MOST DO; THEY JUMP ONTO THE THING, FRENZIED AND HUNGRY, RIPPING IT TO PIECES; ALL SAVE FOR ONE>

<THIS ONE IS THE SMALLEST OF THE BUNCH; HIS SKIN IS ALSO THE LIGHTEST SHADE OF GREEN (A SIGN THAT HE IS THE YOUNGEST); HE REACHES OUT HIS HAND TO TOUCH AT THE FLOWING BLOOD, BUT HE DOES NOT TAKE PART IN THE FRENZY; HE STARES IN AWE AT THE KILLING, UNABLE TO EVEN MOVE BECAUSE IT ENTRANCES HIM SO MUCH>

<NO ONE NOTICES; AS THE SUN SETS, THE GROUP HAS FINISHED THEIR KILL, AND LEAVES; THEY ALL DROP ONTO ALL FOURS AGAIN AND THEN RUN OFF TOGETHER, BACK TO A CLUSTER OF A SIMPLE, DIRT FLOORED HOMES; BEFORE HE DROPS ONTO ALL FOURS, THE SMALLEST LOOKS ONE LAST TIME AT HIS OWN CLAW, WITH THE DROP OF BLOOD ON IT>

<THESE CREATURES ALL DROP OFF INTO THEIR OWN HOMES; THE SMALLEST GOES INTO HIS; HE ENTERS IT IN DARKNESS; ASIDE FROM A FEW CANDLES BURNING, THERE IS NO LIGHT>

<HE WALKS DOWN THE HALL, AND NOTICES A DOOR SLIGHTLY AJAR; HE CRAWLS UP TO IT CAREFULLY AND QUIETLY; HE BARELY PEEKS HIS HEAD AROUND, BUT EVEN AS HE DOES, AN IMMEDIATE HISS COMES FROM INSIDE – A STARTLED, FRIGHTENED ONE; THE SMALL BOY BACKS UP AS THE DOOR SWINGS OUT; STARTLED, A LARGER ALIEN – HIS MOTHER – EXITS; SHE HAS HER CLOTHES DRAPED AROUND HER ARMS, AS IF SHE WAS COLD>

Mother: <STILL IN A LOW HISS> Back early? Why so early?

Boy: <INDIFFERENT> They finished.

Mother: What did you learn from Master Loriphim today?

Boy: <SIMPLY> Master Loriphim took us to hunt.

Mother: <OBVIOUSLY NOT WANTING TO ASK AGAIN> And you helped him?

Boy: Yes, Mother.

Mother: <SAID IN A QUESTIONING MANNER, BUT WITH MORE OF AN OBSERVATIONAL INTENT> You are well fed and tired.

Boy: <NO HESITATION NOR CHANGE IN DEMEANOR> Yes, Mother.

<FOR FOOD WAS A WASTE AND NOT SOMETHING THAT HE EVER GAVE THOUGHT TO; OFTEN NIGHTS HE WOULD GO WITHOUT ANY FOOD, AND IT BOTHERED HIM NOT, THOUGH HIS MOTHER NEVER KNEW A WORD ABOUT IT>

Mother: Off to bed, then.

<THE BOY TURNS AND WALKS AWAY; ON HIS FACE IS A SLY SMILE; FOR, HE NOTICED EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS THAT HIS MOTHER WAS DOING ALL ALONE WHEN SHE THOUGHT NOBODY ELSE WAS HOME; HE SAW HER SMALL KNIFE; THE BLOOD ON IT (MUCH LIKE THE BLOOD HE HAD HELD ON HIS HAND EARLIER); AND HE KNEW IT TO BE HER OWN BLOOD>

<THERE WERE NO BEDS NOR PILLOWS NOR BLANKETS THAT THIS SPECIES USED AT NIGHT; INSTEAD, ALL SLEPT ON THE FLOOR, THE DIRT FLOOR AND THEY THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT; THERE WAS NO WARMTH BETWEEN FAMILIES (THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR), AS THE MOTHER AND THE BOY DID NOT SLEEP ANYWHERE NEAR ONE ANOTHER; THIS WAS PERFECT FOR HIS PLAN>

<IN THE EARLY MORNING, BEFORE HIS MOTHER WOKE, THE SMALL BOY GETS UP, DRAGGING HIS TAIL IN THE THICK EARTH AT HIS FEET; WITHOUT MAKING A NOISE, HE WALKS THROUGH SEVERAL ROOMS, INCLUDING THE ONE HIS MOTHER IS IN; HE DOES NOT WAKE HER; HE SLIPS INTO THE ROOM SHOWN BEFORE, WHERE HIS MOTHER WAS CURIOUSLY HIDING OUT; STILL IN THERE IS THE KNIFE; STILL ON IT IS THE DRIED PURPLE BLOOD OF HIS MOTHER>

<THE BOY PICKS UP THE KNIFE AND WIPES THE BLOOD OFF; HE THEN PROCEEDS TO HOLD THE BLADE AND INSPECT IT; THE BLADE IS LONGER THAN IT SHOULD BE; IT IS ALMOST A FOOT LONG (WHICH IS MUCH TOO LONG FOR A COOKING KNIFE); AS THE BOY TURNS OVER THE CAREFULLY WOVEN HANDLE, HE CAN CLEARLY SEE THAT THIS IS NO COOKING KNIFE; WHERE HIS MOTHER ACQUIRED SUCH A MYSTERIOUS DEVICE, HE COULD NOT GUESS; PERHAPS IT WAS HIS FATHER’S>

<AS THE BOY SPINS THE BLADE AROUND, A MOMENT’S CARELESSNESS CAUSES HIM TO PRICK HIS FINGER; HE LETS OUT A SMALL GASP AS THE BLOOD STARTS POURING OUT IN SMALL DROPLETS; YET AGAIN, IT FASCINATES HIM; HE FALLS TO HIS KNEES, AND HOLDS HIS HAND UP, CRADLING HIS PALM, WHEREIN A POOLING OF HIS BLOOD IS NOW RUNNING TO>

<THE MORNING GOES BY; THE BOY DOES NOT ATTEND HIS HUNTING CLASS; AROUND MIDDAY HIS OTHER CLASSMATES LEAVE MASTER LORIPHIM’S HUT>

<ONE STUDENT HEADS WEST; HE RUNS ON ALL FOURS UNTIL HE SEES THE SMALL BOY; THE BOY IS WANDERING THE HILLSIDE ALONE; THIS OTHER STUDENT, RECOGNIZING THAT THIS BOY IS THE ONE THAT SKIPPED CLASS TODAY, STOPS AND CONFRONTS HIM>

Student: ‘ey! You! I seen you in class before. Huntin’, right? I’m Nico, remember me? I ’idn’t see ya today? Where were ya?

<THE BOY TURNS TO FACE THIS STUDENT; HE WALKS TOWARD HIM, STILL APPEARING ALOOF AND AIMLESS>

Nico: <SHOOTS HIS TAIL UP, LOWERS HIS SHOULDERS> Oh… what happened to your arms? Wha… <THE BOY STILL WALKS FORWARD> uh, your arms?!

<ON THE BOYS ARMS ARE MANY DEEP CUTS AND LACERATIONS; SOME OF THEM ARE STILL FRESH>

<THE BOY REACHES NICO; HE TAKES HIS HAND AND STICKS OUT HIS CLAWS; HE REACHES FORWARD AND CUTS INTO THE SKIN OF NICO WITH HIS CLAWS>

<THE STUDENT JUMPS BACK, IN A DEFENSIVE WAY>

Nico: ‘ey you! Ow! Stop it!

<THE YOUNG BOY, HOWEVER, IS STILL MOVING FORWARD; NICO LETS OUT A WARNING HISS, BUT IT DOES NOT STAVE OFF THE BOY; AS HE CONTINUES TO WALK FORWARD, THE STUDENT HAS NO OTHER CHOICE; HE LEAPS AT THE BOY, ATTACKING HIM>

<AT FIRST, THE BOY DOES NOT DEFEND, AND LETS NICO GET SEVERAL PUNCHES AND SHOVES IN; HOWEVER, WHEN NICO LETS UP FOR A MOMENT, THE BOY TAKES HIS CHANCE>

<HE ROLLS OVER ONTO THE STUDENT, BRINGING FORTH BOTH OF HIS HANDS (WITH CLAWS EXTENDED) ONTO NICO’S FOREARMS; BLOOD FLIES EVERYWHERE; NICO TRIES PUNCHING AGAIN, BUT IS NOT VERY SUCCESSFUL; THE BOY IS NOW IN HIS FRENZY – JUST LIKE THEY ALL WERE YESTERDAY AT THE HUNT – BUT HE IS FRENZIED AT NICO; NICO CAN DO NOTHING>

<THE BOY RIPS THE STUDENT’S ARMS AWAY, THE BLOODY MESSES THAT THEY ARE, AND BEGINS WORKING ON THE NECK; AS HE HAD LEARNED YESTERDAY IN THE HUNT, THE NECK WAS THE PLACE TO LAND THE KILLING BLOW; HE DIGS HIS CLAWS INTO THE STUDENT’S NECK>

<BEING THAT THIS IS ONLY PARTLY EFFECTIVE, HE RESORTS TO USING HIS TEETH – AND WHAT SHARP TEETH HE DOES HAVE; IN MOMENTS, NICO IS DEAD, HIS ENTIRE THROAT RIPPED OUT; BLOOD IS EVERYWHERE, ALONG WITH THE FLESH AND GORE FROM THE WOUND>

<NOW THAT THE SCREAMS HAVE STOPPED, THE BOY FALLS OFF OF HIS KILL; HE LIES THERE, BREATHING FOR A WHILE>

<AS IT IS NEARLY TIME FOR HIM TO RETURN HOME – AND TO NOT WORRY HIS MOTHER – THE BOY GETS UP, TAKING A QUICK STOP AT THE LAKE TO GET WASHED OFF BEFORE HE GOES HIM>

<AGAIN, HE SLEEPS SOUNDLY, WAKING ONLY IN THE EARLY MORNING TO PLAY WITH THE KNIFE AND CUT HIMSELF SOME MORE; HE IS NOT CUTTING HIMSELF BECAUSE HE IS SOME EMO OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT; INSTEAD HE DOES SO BECAUSE THE BLOOD RELEASED FROM SUCH WOUNDS FASCINATES HIM GREATLY>

<THE NEXT MORNING HE GOES TO CLASS; NOBODY MENTIONS THE MISSING STUDENT, NOR THE BOY’S OWN ABSENCE THE DAY BEFORE>

<MASTER LORIPHIM RAMBLES ON ABOUT THE PREFERRED KILLING METHODS; CITING KNIFE AND STONE AND WIT TO BE INTEGRAL; THINGS SUCH AS STEALTH, AND USING ROPE ARE ALL THINGS NEW TO THE BOY; HE LISTENS WITH HIS FULL ATTENTION>

<HE GOES INTO A DEMONSTRATION WITH A KNIFE BY THE RIVER, TO CATCH SOMETHING; THE BOY DOES NOT WATCH THIS; HE STAYS PUT, THINKING TO HIMSELF>

Boy: <IN HIS MIND> I never thought of using it as a weapon…

<AFTER CLASS, THE BOY LEAVES WITH THE REST>

<BUT THIS NIGHT, HE SNEAKS OUTSIDE, AND INTO THE HOUSES OF ONE OF HIS FELLOW STUDENTS; IGEAR>

<THE BOY HAS A STONE IN HIS HAND (BEING NOT READY TO TRY OUT THE KNIFE YET) AND HITS HIS FELLOW ON THE HEAD WITH IT, SO THERE WOULD BE NO NOISE; TAKING THE MASTER’S ADVICE, THE BOY HAS SOME ROPE, WHICH HE TIES THE STUDENT UP WITH TO A TREE>

<STILL WITH THE STONE IN HIS HAND, THE BOY WAKES THE STUDENT>

Igear: Oooohhh…

<HE IS STILL WAKING UP>

Boy: <IN AN INNOCENT WAY> That hurts.

Igear: <LOOKING AROUND IN BEWILDERMENT> What is this?! Who are you!?

Boy: <NOW ASKING> Does it hurt?

Igear: <SOMEWHAT INCOHERENT> I told you already!!! He put me up here, take me down!

Boy: <MATTER OF FACT> That was me.

Igear: What? Why–

<AS SOON AS THE LAST WORD ESCAPES IGEAR’S MOUTH, THE BOY TAKES HIS STONE AND HITS IGEAR ACROSS THE FACE WITH IT; IGEAR SCREAMS OUT IN A SHRILL WAY (PROBABLY WAKING UP MANY OF THE NEIGHBORS); THE BOY GOES ON TO HIT HIM SEVERAL MORE TIMES>

Boy: Master Loriphim is a good teacher, dontcha think?

Igear: Mohhh… mohhh…

<AFTER THE FIFTH TIME, IGEAR STOPS SCREAMING; HIS BREATHS LESSEN TO NOTHING MORE THAN SHALLOW GASPS; HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT MAKE THE BOY STOP; HE PUMMELS THE STUDENT AGAIN WITH THE ROCK; BLOOD IS RUNNING DOWN IGEAR’S FOREHEAD; BUT IT NOT ENOUGH>

<THE BOY RAMS THE ROCK INTO IGEAR’S FACE AGAIN; THIS TIME IT SHATTERS THE TEMPORAL LINE OF IGEAR’S SKULL; HIS RIGHT EYE FALLS OUT, IN A BLOODY PULP, THE FORCE OF THE HIT CAUSING IT TO SEVER ITSELF FROM ITS HOLE>

<THE BOY POUNDS AGAIN WANTING MORE AND MORE BLOOD; THIS TIME, THE SIDE OF THE SKULL CRACKS, AND IGEAR’S BRAIN BEGINS TO OOZE OUT; AT THIS POINT, HIS BREATHING AND CONVULSING STOPPING, IGEAR MUST BE DEAD>

<SEEING THIS, THE BOY DROPS HIS STONE AND RUNS OFF>

<SCENE CHANGE>

Master Loriphim: Come here, boy!

<THE BOY, THE ONE WHO MURDERED HIS FELLOW STUDENTS BEFORE, COMES FORWARD; IT IS AFTER ANOTHER GROUP HUNT; THE SPOILS OF THEIR VICTORY ARE COOKING IN THE BACKGROUND, WHERE EVERY OTHER STUDENT IS SITTING>

Master Loriphim: Boy!?

Boy: <CAREFUL> Master?

Master Loriphim: Ah, there you are. <HE REACHES WITH A LARGE, DARK HAND AND CLASPS IT ON THE BOY’S SHOULDER; HE SINKS UNDER THE WEIGHT OF IT> There is some thing we have to talk about.

<HE PULLS THE BOY AROUND THE CORNER; THE BOY GETS NERVOUS, THINKING ABOUT WHAT HE COULD BE IN TROUBLE FOR>

Master Loriphim: <NOW IN THE OTHER ROOM, HE SITS> Now, sit. <THE BOY SITS, OBEDIENTLY> I’m not going to ask what happened to your arms there <HE MOTIONS TO THEM>, heh heh. I’ve had my share of scars on the hunt! It’s nothing to be ashamed of!

Boy: Why are we here, master?

Master Loriphim: <PAUSE BEFORE STARTING> Your mother has been shipped off to the City.

Boy: <IMMEDIATELY> Will my mother be there for long?

Master Loriphim: Yes, she will be. Until the great war is finished.

Boy: When will that be over?

Master Loriphim: The machinations of war are not something to be trifled with, boy. Keep your head out of their business if you wish to keep it on your neck. Heh. <STRAIGHTENING UP> But, do not worry. You will stay with me until her time is served. You will live under my roof, my rules and you will be grateful, boy, will you not?!

Boy: <OBEDIENTLY> Yes, master.

Master Loriphim: <SMILES> Good, good. Come with me now. <HE GETS UP TO WALK OUT>

<FADE OUT/SCENE CHANGE>

<IT IS EARLY IN THE MORNING AGAIN>

<THE BOY IS CROUCHING BEHIND A DOOR, WITH HIS EAR UP AGAINST IT; LIKE THE LIZARD HE IS, HE IS ON ALL FOURS, WITH HIS TAIL IN THE AIR>

Boy: <IN HIS MIND> That drunk never sleeps. I can’t even go back home to get my things.

<HE MOVES UP, GRASPING ONTO THE DOORKNOB AND OPENING IT SLIGHTLY; BUT EVEN THIS NOISE IS ENOUGH TO ROUSE THE MASTER>

Master Loriphim: <IN A ROAR> What’s that?!

Boy: <ENTERS CAREFULLY, PLACING HIS FEET DOWN ONLY WHEN NEEDED> Uh, master, I need to go.

Master Loriphim: You need not go anywhere in these waking hours of the morn’!

Boy: I need to go home and get my things…

Master Loriphim: The land is reclaimed. You cannot go back.

Boy: If–

Master Loriphim: You go there, and they will take you like they took your mother. You’ll be put in the war to be used as a meat shield against the wills of those greater than you. <HE ROLLS OVER> That is enough! Get back in your room and sleep! Leave me to my peace!

<HE THROWS A PILLOW, OF WHICH HE HAS AS A CASTLE AROUND HIM, AT THE BOY, AS THE BOY CLOSES BACK THE DOOR>

Boy: <IN HIS MIND> He never acts like this at school with all the others around.

<BUT THE BOY DOES NOT SLEEP – INDEED, HE RARELY DOES; INSTEAD, IN HIS ROOM, HE PACES BACK AND FORTH, UNTIL HE NOTICES A SMALL HOLE IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM, UNDER HIS BED; HE CRAWLS UNDER THERE AND APPROACHES IT>

<THE HOLE IS ONE THAT THE MASTER WOULD NOT NOTICE; IF HE WERE TO OPEN IT BIGGER, HE COULD EVEN FIT THROUGH; THE BOY TAKES HIS CLAWS, UNRETRACTED, AND CUTS THROUGH THE ROTTING WOOD, CREATING A HOLE BIG ENOUGH FOR HIM TO STRUGGLE OUT OF>

<IT IS 5AM, AND STILL DARK OUT; NO BEING IS AROUND, SAVE FOR THE SCURRYING INSECTS THAT FLOOD THE NIGHT>

<THE BOY SPRINTS BACK HOME>

<THE HOUSE OF HIS CHILDHOOD IS FENCED OFF, ALONG WITH MOST OF THE ENCOMPASSED REGION; A FEW SIGNS (MOSTLY “GET OUT”S) ARE RANK ALONG THE FENCE>

<HE CLIMBS OVER IT EASILY, AND RUNS TO THE HOUSE; IT IS DARK INSIDE, AS USUAL, BUT HE CANNOT SENSE HIS MOTHER ANYWHERE NEARBY>

<THAT IS NOT HIS CONCERN; IMMEDIATELY UPON ENTERING HE RUNS TO THE BATHROOM, AND FEELS AROUND FOR THE KNIFE HE KNOWS STILL SITS THERE>

<HE REACHES AROUND THROUGH ALL THE REFUSE UNTIL FINDING THE HANDLE; HE GRIPS IT, PULLS IT OUT; THEN, HE LEAVES THE HOUSE>

<ON HIS WAY OUT, THE EXPECTED OCCURS; HE IS CONFRONTED BY GUARDS; HEARING HIS RUMMAGING INDOORS, THEY HAD COME AROUND BACK TO INVESTIGATE; THERE ARE TWO OF THEM>

<THEY ARE OF THE SAME SPECIES AS HIM, BUT MATURED; THEIR SKIN IS DARK, AND THEY HAVE COATS OF ARMOR ON; IN THEIR HANDS ARE SHORT BLADES, BLUNTED AND FLAT>

Guard 1: Whassat? A kid? What is a little one doing here?

Boy: This is my house. I’ll come here if I want.

Guard 1: <TALKING IN A LOW, DRAWN OUT WAY> It’s not yours any more. We’ve got it now. See the fence? Keep out.

Guard 2: <HISS> Breaking the rules… that’s grounds for incarceration!

Guard 1: Why go through all the trouble? It’s just a boy. If we had a little fun with him, no one would notice. <SPITS> Or care!

<THE BOY IGNORES THEM, AND ATTEMPTS TO SCALE THE FENCE AGAIN; GUARD 1 RUSHES HIM, GRABBING HIS TAIL; HE RIPS THE BOY DOWNWARD, ONTO THE GROUND>

Guard 1: <WITH GLEE> You’re not going anywhere!

<THE GUARD TAKES HIS SWORD AND SWINGS IT AT THE BOY; THE BOY DUCKS BENEATH IT, AND SHOVES THE GUARD IN THE GUT, CAUSING HIM TO DROP HIS SWORD>

<THE GUARD STUMBLES BACK, AND BRINGS UP HIS CLAW; THE BOY ISN’T PREPARED FOR THIS AND GETS SWIPED ACROSS THE FACE; PURPLE BLOOD SHOOTS OUT, AND HE GROANS>

<THE BOY FALLS BACKWARD; THE GUARD JUMPS ON HIS AS HE GOES DOWN; HE PLACES BOTH CLAWS ON THE BOY’S CHEST, SCRATCHING HIM; THE BOY STRUGGLES FOR A MOMENT; HE MAKES NO SOUND>

<THEN, WITHOUT WARNING, THE BOY SWINGS HIS ARM UP TO THE GUARD’S HEAD, SIDEWAYS; IN HIS HAND IS THE KNIFE; THE KNIFE GOES RIGHT THROUGH THE GUARD’S SKULL, INTO HIS EAR; BLOOD SPLATTERS AS THE GUARD LETS OUT A SCREAM; HE FALLS OFF OF THE BOY, WHO STEPS UP IMMEDIATELY>

<BUT THERE IS A SECOND GUARD; HE THROWS HIS OWN SWORD AT THE BOY; THE BOY STUMBLES TO SIDESTEP IT>

<THIS SECOND GUARD HAS NO MORE WORDS FOR THE BOY; HE PLACES HIS HANDS BEFORE HIM AND MERELY HISSES; THE BOY HAS NO IDEA WHAT THIS MEANS, AND HE SIMPLY STARES BACK>

<AT ONCE, AN ENERGY ATTACK FORMS IN THE GUARDS HANDS; IT IS A DARK GREEN BLAST, TEARDROP SHAPED; IT SHOOTS INTO THE BOY’S PATH, HITTING HIM SQUARE IN THE CHEST; HE FALLS>

<GUARD 2 FORMS ANOTHER ENERGY BLAST; AS HE IS CHARGING IT, THE BOY, COUGHING, CRAWLS FORWARD TO THE FIRST GUARD; HE REACHES HIM JUST IN TIME TO PULL THE KNIFE OUT FROM THE EAR (AND CAUSE A HUGE SPIRE OF BLOOD TO ERUPT OUT)>

<THE FIRST GUARD IS SCREAMING AND DELIRIOUS FROM THE GRIZZLY WOUND; HE DOES NOT DEFEND AGAINST THE BOY PUSHING HIM UPWARD TO USE AS A BLOCKING SHIELD AGAINST THE OTHER GUARD>

<AS SOON AS THE BOY ANGLES HIMSELF CLOSE THE FENCE, HE PUSHES GUARD 1 INTO GUARD 2’S DIRECTION AND THEN SCALES THE WALL; THE FIRST GUARD SLAMS INTO THE SECOND, CAUSING THE ENERGY BLAST TO GO OFF, INCINERATION BOTH OF THEM>

<IN THE MORNING, AT THE HUNT, THE BOY IS EXTREMELY TIRED; ONCE AGAIN, NO ONE COMMENTS ON HIS NEW SET OF SCARS>

<THE MASTER LEADS AN AMBUSH, LINING UP HIS YOUNG HUNTERS ON EACH SIDE OF AN OVERPASS; HE HAS ROPE IN HIS HANDS BUT IS NOT USING IT>

<HE INSTRUCTS EACH CHILD TO PUSH A BOULDER DOWN INTO THE OVERPASS, WHEN A GROUP OF ANIMALS COME THROUGH>

Master Loriphim: Steady. Quiet now. <HE HOLDS UP HIS HAND, AND COUNTS DOWN FROM 3 TO 0 WITH IT>

<WHEN HE REACHES ZERO, EVERY CHILD JUMPS FORWARD AND PUSHES THEIR ROCK DOWNWARD>

<EVERY CHILD DOES THIS EXCEPT FOR THE BOY; HE HAS FALLEN ASLEEP, EXHAUSTED FROM HIS WOUNDS>

<ONCE AGAIN, NOBODY NOTICES HIM, AND THEY ALL DESCEND INTO THE FRENZY BELOW, EATING AND KILLING THE REMAINING ANIMALS CAUGHT IN THIS PLOY>

<SCENE CHANGE>

<BACK AT LORIPHIM’S HOUSE, HE IS BEATING UP THE BOY; HE SLAPS HIM AND KICKS HIM AND THROWS MANY A PILLOW AT HIM; ALL OF THIS RAGE IS DIRECTED AT THE BOY’S INEFFECTIVENESS DURING THE HUNT, AND HIS GENERAL LACK OF RESPECT TO THE MASTER>

<WHEN HE IS DONE, THE MASTER SIMPLY LEAVES THE BOY IN HIS PLACE, WALKING INTO ANOTHER ROOM; THE BOY FALLS ONTO HIS BED; NOW TREMBLING, THE BOY LIES DOWN>

<HE CAN HEAR NOISES COMING FROM THE OTHER ROOM; THE MASTER IS DRINKING (STILL ACTING SO MUCH DIFFERENTLY THAN HE DOES AROUND THE OTHERS) AND HE CAN HEAR THE MASTER’S DAUGHTER IN HER ROOM, MAKING NOISES DOING WHO KNOWS WHAT>

<THE BOY CHANGES OVER TO HIS STOMACH AND SLIDES UNDERNEATH THE BED TO THE HOLE HE MADE; HE REACHES OUT HIS HANDS, ATTEMPTING TO DO WHAT THAT GUARD DID THE NIGHT BEFORE; THE ENERGY ATTACK; DESPITE BEING SO WEARY, IF HE COULD ONLY REPLICATE THAT ATTACK, HE WOULD BE BETTER THAN ANY OF HIS PEERS, AND BETTER THAN THE MASTER>

<THE BOY AGONIZES OVER TRYING TO GET SOMETHING TO FORM IN HIS MIND WITH HIS FINGERS OUTSTRETCHED; NOTHING HAPPENS; MOMENTS LATER, HE COLLAPSES ON THE FLOOR, ASLEEP AGAIN>

If It Bleeds…
<CIRCA BACKDROP HAIL; PAN/STYLE 1 AND 2>

<IT IS COLD AND RAINING OUTSIDE; IT IS DAY>

<IN THE MASTER’S HOUSE, THERE ARE THREE PEOPLE; THE MASTER HIMSELF IS SITTING ON HIS MOUNTAIN OF CUSHIONS AND PILLOWS BY THE FIRE; HIS DAUGHTER, A TALL SLENDER LIZARD, IS SITTING NEAR HIM, ALSO BY THE FIRE; THE BOY IS NOT BY EITHER OF THEM; HE IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ROOM, LYING ON HIS STOMACH, WITH HIS CHIN RESTING ON HIS HANDS AND HIS TAIL IN THE AIR>

Master Loriphim: <TO THE BOY> There’s no reason to glare.

<THE BOY ADJUSTS HIS STATE>

Ayale: <TO THE BOY> Why don’t you come over by the fire? Aren’t you cold?

Boy: I’m not cold.

Ayale: <TRYING AGAIN, EVER SO POLITE; SHOWS A PLATE> I have some lemons I picked today. Would you like some? There’s half a dozen. <THE BOY SQUINTS AT HER IN AN UNPLEASANT WAY> I… <SHE SEES HIS STARE> couldn’t let them rot away.

Boy: <INDIGNANTLY> Ew.

Master Loriphim: Watch yourself, boy.

<THE BOY SAYS NOTHING; HE STARES OFF AWAY FROM THE TWO>

Master Loriphim: <AS IF THE BOY WAS NOT THERE; ARMS OUTSTRETCHED> What cheek he has! To even think, I allow him to stay here!

Ayale: <SLIGHT FROWN AT THE DISOBEDIENCE> He should respect you, father.

Master Loriphim: Exactly! The boy simply gives no respect. Just how he is on the hunt, too!

<THE BOY LOOKS BACK AT LORIPHIM, WHO’S ANIMATED MANNER IS QUITE THE SPECTACLE>

Master Loriphim: <STILL FLAILING HIS ARMS> Not a single kill! Not a one! Contemptible!

Ayale: <SLOWLY> Perhaps he cannot hunt.

Master Loriphim: He cannot! Nothing I do can get through his stubborn head! What does he hope, that I will always be here to care for him?

Ayale: He does not realize how fortunate you are to take him in, father. No one else would do so. Especially to one who cannot hunt.

Master Loriphim: He was lucky I was here for him after his mother was shipped off, but he won’t be so lucky–

<THE TWO CONTINUE ON AS THE BOY TURNS AND LOOKS AWAY FROM THEM>

<THE BOY LOOKS OVER THROUGH THE WINDOW, TRYING TO FIND ANYTHING THAT COULD BE MORE INTERESTING THAN THE BLABBER GOING ON BEHIND HIM>

<HE NOTICES THE WALL WINDOWS (THESE ARE WINDOWS THAT TAKE UP THE ENTIRE WALL, FLOOR TO CEILING) TO THE LEFT, NEAR THE DOOR; LOOKING OUT, INTO THE MUD AND POURING RAIN, HE SEES A SINGLE BIRD>

<IT IS STANDING OUT IN THE MUD, UNAWARE OF THE RAIN FALLING ABOUT IT; IT IS A BLUEISH BIRD>

<THOUGH HE HAS DONE NOTHING OUTWARDLY AGAINST THE MASTER OR HIS DAUGHTER, THE BOY HEARD EVERY WORD OF THEIR CRITICISM OF HIM; AND, ON THE INSIDE, HE IS FUMING ANGRILY>

<HE PLACES HIS LEFT HAND OUTWARD TO THE BIRD, TO TRY AND GET ITS ATTENTION; IT SURE LOOKS TASTY (MUCH MORE THAN THOSE HIDEOUS LEMONS BEHIND HIM); HIS ARM IS SHOWN TO HAVE BEEN HEALED FROM HIS WOUNDS PRIOR, BUT THEY ARE STILL SCARRED>

<THE BOY GETS OFF HIS STOMACH AND ONTO ALL FOURS, HE CROUCH-WALKS SULLENLY TOWARD THE WINDOW, HUNTING NOW; BUT BEFORE HE CAN GET CLOSE TO THE BIRD, IT MOVES BACKWARD, PROBABLY DUE TO THE MASTER’S NOISE>

Boy: <IN HIS MIND> Stupid old windbag won’t quiet down.

<HEARING THE TWO CALLING HIS NAME IN COMPANY OF OTHER FOUL WORDS MAKES THE BOY EVEN MORE ANGRY, BUT ALSO, IT MAKES HIM MORE DETERMINED IN HIS TASK; HE GRINDS DOWN HIS HEELS, AND LOWERS HIS HEAD>

<ENERGY BEGINS FORMING ON HIS BODY AS HIS ANGER SWELLS; IT IS COLORLESS AND NOT VISIBLE, BUT HE CAN FEEL IT, LIKE A GREAT HEATED BLANKET OVER HIS SHOULDERS; AS HE CRAWLS FORWARD, THE ENERGY FLOWS OUTWARD, OFF OF HIM AND ONTO THE GROUND; IT CONTINUES OUTWARD, UNDER THE WINDOW, INTO THE MUD, AND ONTO THE BIRD>

<THE BOY STOPS, BRINGING HIS HEAD BACK UP AGAIN, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO; AFTER QUICKLY LOOKING AROUND, HE NOTICES THE BIRD STANDING OUT IN THE RAIN IS UNMOVED BY THIS ENERGY; HE TAKES HIS RIGHT HAND AND PLACES IT BACK ON THE GROUND, TO WALK FORWARD>

<HOWEVER, WHEN HE DOES SO, THE BIRD IS INSTANTLY SHOVED TO THE GROUND; HE STOPS, CONFUSED BY THIS; HE RAISES HIS ARM AGAIN AND THE BIRD FLIES UPWARD, HE LOWERS IT AND THE BIRD FALLS DOWNWARD; REALIZING THAT THIS ENERGY MANIFESTING AROUND HIM ALLOWS HIM TO PHYSICALLY CONTROL BEINGS, HE STOPS>

Boy: <IN HIS MIND> It’s doing what I make it do… <HE STARES DOWN AT HIS HAND> I wonder how that happened… <LOOKS BACK UP; STILL IN HIS MIND> I wonder if it can hear me. <AS A COMMAND> Go jump in the puddle ahead.

<THE BIRD DOES NOTHING; OF COURSE IT DOESN’T UNDERSTAND HIS LANGUAGE>

Boy: <IN HIS HEAD; COMMAND> Put your head under the water.

<NOTHING HAPPENS; THE BOY, FRUSTRATED, FORCES IT DOWN INTO THE PUDDLE, SIMPLY BY USING HIS MIND’S GUIDANCE>

Boy: <IN HIS HEAD> The master could understand me more than that bird.

<THE TWO BEHIND HIM ARE STILL GOING ON; THEY HEAR NOR SEE ANY PART OF THIS>

<SATISFIED WITH HIS SUCCESSFUL HUNT, THE BOY GETS UP AND WALKS BACK TO HIS ROOM; HE GOES IN AND SITS DOWN ON THE BED; HE LOWERS HIS HEAD AND BRINGS HIS HANDS UP; AT THIS TIME, HE PRACTICES TRYING TO BRING BACK THAT ENERGY AGAIN>

<SCENE CHANGE>

<IT IS DINNER, ABOUT FOUR HOURS LATER; SINCE IT IS STILL RAINING OUT, AYALE HAS PREPARED A MEAL INSTEAD OF THE CUSTOMARY HUNT THE MASTER WOULD GO ON>

<AS WAS EXPECTED, THE LEMONS, UNEATEN, ARE PLACED ON THE TABLE FOR THE MAIN COURSE>

<THE BOY SITS DOWN ACROSS FROM THE OTHER TWO; HE PICKS UP A LEMON; HE SNIFFS IT, THEN HISSES AND THROWS IT ASIDE>

<LORIPHIM SLAMS HIS HANDS DOWN ON THE TABLE>

Master Loriphim: Pick it up!! How dare you cast aside my daughter’s food!

Boy: <UNMOVED> It’s poison.

Master Loriphim: Poison, you say? <DEFIANTLY, HE PICKS UP ONE AND BITES IT> See, I am alive! Now pick it up!

Boy: <LOW, FORCEFUL WHISPER> It’s poison!

<LITTLE DOES LORIPHIM REALIZE THAT FRUIT, ON A WHOLE, IS INDEED POISONOUS TO HIS SPECIES – AT LEAST TO THOSE NOT FULLY MATURED; AND SINCE THE BOY IS STILL, WELL, A BOY, HE COULD NOT DARE EAT ONE>

Master Loriphim: This temper of yours has grown unchecked in recent days. I say it again, pick it up! <GRATED WHISPER> Or I will throw you out of this house.

<AYALE MOVES HERSELF AND PICKS IT UP, SLAMMING IT DOWN IN FRONT OF THE BOY>

Ayale: <SCOFFING> You ungrateful brat. I’d like to see you make something better.

<THE BOY CONCEALS A HISS AT HER>

<HE TURNS TO THE MASTER; THE MASTER IS EATING HIS FOOD, BUT IS KEENLY WATCHING THE BOY, NONETHELESS>

Boy: <AS IF NONE OF THIS JUST HAPPENED> Master, may I ask a question?

Master Loriphim: <TRYING TO “DE-FUME”> Go on with it.

Boy: Well, I should like to know what you would do with… <HE BOWS HIS HEAD, REACHING DOWN FOR SOMETHING> this?

<HE COMES UP WITH HIS OWN KNIFE; THE ONE THAT HE WENT HOME TO GET; THE ONE THAT HE CAUGHT HIS MOTHER CUTTING UP HER ARMS WITH>

Master Loriphim: Where did you get that? Stolen from the school?

Boy: <CONFIDENTLY> It’s mine.

Master Loriphim: <TRANSFIXED, FORGETTING THE PREVIOUS ARGUMENT> Give it here.

Boy: <WITH HIS FIRST, SMALL SMIRK OF THE STORY> Yes, Master.

<THE BOY, HANDLE FIRST, HANDS THE MASTER HIS KNIFE; THE MASTER TAKES IT IN HIS HAND, AND LOOKS IT OVER>

<CUE Nocturne in Eb Minor (Op.9 No.2)>

<THE MASTER’S EYES GLAZE OVER AS HE CAREFULLY INSPECTS THE KNIFE>

<THE MASTER SUDDENLY STANDS UP, KNIFE STILL IN HAND, AND WALKS OVER TO HIS DAUGHTER; LORIPHIM PULLS UP HIS REGAL HOOD, OVER HIS HEAD>

Ayale: Father, what are you doing?

<NO ANSWER>

<MASTER LORIPHIM STEPS UP TO HER AND PLUNGES THE KNIFE INTO HER ABDOMEN; SHE LETS OUT A MIXTURE OF A HISS AND A SHRIEK; PURPLE BLOOD SPRAYS OUT>

<IN THE BACKGROUND, STILL SEATED, THE BOY IS STARING DOWN AT HIS LEMON; HE PICKS IT UP AND LOOKS OVER IT CAREFULLY, VERY CLOSELY SO THAT HE WILL NOT SEE WHAT LORIPHIM IS DOING>

<THE MASTER GIVES HIS DAUGHTER A FEW GOOD SLASHES AROUND THE CHEST, FOLLOWED UP BY SEVERAL STABS>

<THE BOY TAKES HIS CLAW AND STABS THE FRUIT A FEW TIMES IN UNISON, SLASHING IT TOO; HE IS NOT DOING THIS IN AN ANGRY MANNER; HE HAS HIS HEAD BOWED JUST BEING BORED>

Boy: <IN HIS HEAD> … and take her and throw her on the table and rip out all her insides. Make sure she dies.

<THE BOY PUTS HIS LEMON DOWN ON THE TABLE AGAIN, AND LOOKS UP>

<LORIPHIM TAKES HIS LEFT HAND AND PLACES IT OVER HIS DAUGHTER’S MOUTH, COVERING HER SCREAMING; HE TAKES HIS TAIL AND GRIPS HER LEG, PICKING HER UP WITH IT AND SWINGING HER UP OVER HIS HEAD, LANDING HER CLEAN ON THE TABLE>

<THE BACK OF HER HEAD LANDS RIGHT ON THE BOY’S LEMON; HE LOOKS UP INTO HER EYES; HE IS EMOTIONLESS, WHILE SHE IS FRANTIC, SCARED, IN PAIN>

<HE STARES FOR A MOMENT MORE, AND THEN STANDS UP FROM HIS CHAIR AND WALKS BACK INTO THE OTHER ROOM>

<LORIPHIM NOW MOVES, HIS HOOD STILL DOWN, COVERING HIS FACE; HE STABS HIS DAUGHTER MANY, MANY TIMES; HE BREAKS A LARGE HOLE THROUGH THE SKIN AND PULLS OUT HER GUTS, WHILE SHE TRIES TO FIGHT HIM AND SCREAM OUT; AS SOON AS HE BEGINS SLASHING THEM AND RIPPING THEM OUT, SHE GOES INTO A SPASM, ELONGATING HER NECK, AND LETTING HER ARMS FALL LIMP; A MOMENT LATER, AND SHE IS UNMOVING; LORIPHIM CONTINUES SLASHING AND RIPPING HER UP UNTIL HER FIGURE IS BARELY DISCERNIBLE IN THE HEAP OF GORE; THE ONLY FEATURE STILL CLEARLY SEEN IS HER TAIL; AT ONCE, HE STOPS>

<HE STARES AT THE BODY; SUDDENLY, HE BEGINS CRYING AND ROARING IN ANGER AT THE SAME TIME; HE POUNDS THE TABLE UNTIL IT COLLAPSES IN ON ITSELF; HE TURNS AROUND, PEERING AT SOMETHING BEHIND THE CAMERA>

<HE WALKS FORWARD STILL CRYING AND RAGING, UP TO A DOOR; IT IS SLIGHTLY CRACKED>

Master Loriphim: <IN A ROAR> Come out! <MUCH, MUCH LOUDER> Come out ya little bastard!!! What did ya make me do!?!?! WHAT DID YOU MAKE ME DO?!!

<THE DOOR OPENS FULLY, UNWILLINGLY; IT REVEALS THE BOY STANDING IN THE DOORWAY>

<AT THIS, LORIPHIM LETS OUT ANOTHER WHIMPER, FOLLOWED BY A BELLOW; HE RUSHES FORWARD, ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS, WITH HIS KNIFE RAISED>

<BUT A FEW STEPS INTO IT LORIPHIM STOPS, THEN SUDDENLY PLUNGES THE KNIFE INTO HIS OWN CHEST, NEAR HIS HEART; HE GURGLES AND SPUTTERS FOR A MOMENT, THEN FALLS SIDEWAYS ONTO THE DIRT, DEAD>

<HIS BODY CONVULSES FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE HE FINALLY GOES RIDGED; THE BOY LOWERS HIS SHOULDERS IN VICTORY AND WALKS UP TO THE BODY, KNEELS DOWN NEXT TO IT>

<HE IS EMOTIONLESS AND HIS EYES ARE DARK; HE SPOTS THE KNIFE, AND AFTER A HESITANT SECOND, HE RIPS IT OUT, SENDING A SPIRE OF PURPLE BLOOD POURING OUT WITH IT>

<HE WIPES THE KNIFE OFF ON LORIPHIM’S SHIRT; HE BRINGS THE KNIFE UP TO HIS FACE AND LOOKS AT HIS REFLECTION WITH WIDE EYES OFF ITS SHINING BLADE>

<THE BOY GETS UP; HE OPENS THE FRONT DOOR, EVEN AS IT IS STILL RAINING AND WALKS OUTSIDE; HE RUNS FORWARD, PAST ALL THE OTHER HOUSES, AND PAST THE SCHOOL, UNTIL HE COMES TO A HIGH HILL; FROM ITS VANTAGE POINT, HE CAN SEE FAR OFF VAST PLUMES OF SMOKE RISING FROM TALL TOWERS; THE GREAT CITIES OF HIS PEOPLE>

<WHERE HIS MOTHER, IN ONE OF THESE, WAS SLAVING AWAY TO DRIVE THEIR WAR MACHINE AHEAD>

Boy: She could be in any one of them.

<WITH HIS KNIFE AND HIS NEW UNDERSTANDING OF ENERGY, THE BOY RUNS FORWARD, DOWN FROM THE HILL AND TOWARD THE CITY>

<SCENE CHANGE>

<ON THE GATE FENCE A SIGN SITS; SCRAWLED IN DEEP RED, BLOCK TEXT IS A NOTICE STATING THE AREA IS A WARZONE (AND THAT ANY BODY SHOULD SIMPLY TURN AND FLEE); SCRAPPED OUT OVER THAT IS A CRUDE REMARK, OBVIOUSLY FROM A REBEL TAUNTING THE CITY’S DECREE>

<THE BOY CREATES AN ENERGY BALL AND BLASTS THE SIGN AND FENCE AWAY; HE WALKS INTO THE CITY>

<THE SKYSCRAPERS ON THIS PLANET ARE DIFFERENT THAN THOSE ON EARTH; INSTEAD OF BEING BLOCK SHAPED, MOST ARE IRREGULAR AND AMBIGUOUS (MOST, IF NOT ALL HAVE VAST HIVE NETWORKS BELOW GROUND); ALL COME TO A POINT SLOPING INWARD; OTHERS DO NOT GO UPWARD, BUT INSTEAD OUTWARD, AND HANG LIKE VAST TREES WITH MANY BRANCHES>

<THE STREETS ARE LARGE AND PAVED, ALSO EMPTY; IN THE CLOSE VICINITY, SEVERAL BUILDINGS HAVE CRUMBLED, THEIR REFUSE BLOCKING THE STREETS>

<SMOKE IS RISING FROM FAR OFF, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CITY; THE BOY SEES IT, TAKING OFF AFTER IT; FOR (MAYBE) 10 PANELS, HE LEAPS AROUND PAST THE ABANDONED SPIRES>

<HE SKIDS AROUND THE CORNER INTO A PACK OF ADULTS; THEY ARE DRESSED SIMILARLY TO THE GUARDS HE FACED AT HIS HOUSE, AND HE IMMEDIATELY SEES THEM TO BE OF THE SAME DEMEANOR>

<THINKING HIM TO BE A SOLDIER ON THE OPPOSING SIDE, THEY FIRE THEIR WEAPONS AT THE BOY; HE LEAPS ASIDE, BARELY DODGING THEIR WILD SHOTS; SEVERAL SHOTS GO INTO THE SIDE OF A WALL, DESTROYING IT, AND BRINGING UP A DUST CLOUD>

<THE BOY ROLLS OVER, AND LANDS ON HIS BOTTOM TWO FEET; BALANCING ON THEM, WITH HIS TAIL UPRIGHT, HE RAISES BOTH HIS HANDS, AND COMBINES THEM IN A TRIANGLE SHAPE; A MOMENT LATER, A KI BLAST, RED, FORMS IN HIS HAND; HE RELEASES IT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SOLDIERS>

<THE BLAST IS MASSIVE, FAR BIGGER THAN WAS INTENDED; IT NOT ONLY BLOWS AWAY THE SOLDIERS, BUT TAKES OUT THE STREET, THE SPIRES AHEAD, AND HALF THE TOWN ALONG WITH IT>

<IN THE TRAIL OF THE DEEP GASH, NOTHING MOVES>

<THE BOY STANDS UP, BREATHING WITH HIS MOUTH OPEN>

<BACKSHOT, PAN OF THE DESTRUCTION; RED HUE FROM BLAST RESIDUE>

Boy: <TO HIMSELF, HEAD SLIGHT-COCK> I didn’t mean to do that…

<HE RUNS OUT OF THERE; THE SCENES CHANGE SPORADICALLY AS HE IS MOVING AROUND THE VARIOUS TOWNS, ALWAYS DESTROYING THEM WITHOUT FINDING ANYTHING; SO FAR AS CAN BE SEEN, HE HAS NOT FOUND ANY SIGN OF HIS MOTHER>

<WITH REMARKABLE EFFICIENCY, HE MOVES THROUGH MOST TOWNS, ANNIHILATING THEM WITH LITTLE EFFORT; ONE TOWN IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED (THE BLAST SEEN FROM SPACE), VAPORIZING EVERY BEING IN IT IN AN INSTANT>

<THE UPPER SPHERE OF THE PLANET WAS WAR-RAVAGED ALREADY; THERE ARE NO CITIES OR TOWNS IN IT; THE WHOLE PLACE IS ABANDONED; SO, IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE, WHERE THE WAR IS STILL RAGING, AND WHERE THE BOY HAS BEGUN HIS OWN RAMPAGE, THERE ARE VERY FEW TOWNS>

<THE BOY HAS BEEN TO MOST OF THEM WITH NO SIGN OF HIS MOTHER; WITHOUT FINDING HER, HE DEMOLISHES THEM; THIS SPANS SEVERAL DAYS; THE BOY DOES NOT SLEEP DURING THIS TIME AT ALL>

<AS THIS HAPPENS, THE BOY’S DESTRUCTION FINALLY CATCHES UP WITH THAT OF THE TWO ARMIES’; AS HE REACHES THE EMBANKMENT OF THE LOWER HILL, OTHER TOWNS ARE SEEN SMOLDERING AND BURNING MERE MILES AWAY>

<THE WARS GOING ON ARE SHOWN; THE TWO SIDES ARE FIGHTING (IN ONE OF THE BATTLES), IN HAND TO HAND COMBAT; THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF THEM, AND IT IS QUITE BLOODY>

<THE BOY STEPS FROM THE EMBANKMENT UP ONTO THE TOP OF A ROCK, STANDING OVER THE TWO WARRING ARMIES; REMORSELESSLY, HE PUTS HIS ARMS OUT, IN THE SAME MANNER HE DID BEFORE, TO DESTROY THEM WITH AN ENERGY BLAST>

<SCENE CHANGE>

<PLANET FRIEZA>

<HUB CITY>

<SANCTUM>

<FRIEZA IS WITH TWO ALIENS; HE IS ON A THRONE, CROUCHING OVER ONE OF THE ARM RESTS, NOT SITTING; THE WALLS ARE PURPLE AND HIGHLY ORNATE; ASIDE FROM THE THREE, THERE ARE DOORS IN A SEMI-CIRCLE IN FRONT OF FRIEZA’S THRONE>

Frieza: Report.

Soldier: Six, all with standard atmospheres. None will pose a threat, sire.

Frieza: <COLDLY> And you, Zarbon? What have you brought me?

Zarbon: <IN A BOW, NOT LOOKING> One planet, milord, in the unknown region.

Soldier: <CACKLE> One planet?! You can’t be–

Frieza: <TO THE SOLDIER> Silence. <TO ZARBON> Continue, Zarbon.

Zarbon: Milord there are… anomalies coming from it.

Frieza: Oh? What kind of anomalies?

Zarbon: <STILL NOT LOOKING UP> Power levels.

Frieza: <SUDDEN FROWN> You are testing my patience, captain. Out with it!

Zarbon: <TAKEN ABACK BY THIS QUESTION> L-lord Frieza, there were multiple power level spikes of over one hundred thousand that we recorded. We’ve known about it for a week–

Frieza: <INCREDULOUSLY> Zarbon, do you think it wise to withhold this information from me? Do you deem it too much a threat for me?!

Zarbon: No… Lord Frieza. It’s not–

Frieza: <HAND RAISED> There is no power in this universe that can match my own.

Soldier: <JEALOUS OF THE ATTENTION> Sire!

<FRIEZA SENDS A DEATH BEAM THROUGH THE SOLDIER’S HEART, KILLING IT; IT FALLS DEAD AT ZARBON’S FEET; ZARBON DOES NOT DARE LOOK AT IT, AND FRIEZA SEEMS NOT CONCERNED BY KILLING THE BEING>

Frieza: <GETS UP> Ready my ship, Captain. We go there today. <COLDLY STARING> I don’t want to be kept waiting.

Zarbon: <GETTING UP FROM HIS KNEEL TO FOLLOW FRIEZA> Of course, milord.

Frieza: <WALKS ALL THE WAY TO THE DOOR; STOPS> Oh and Zarbon, gather the second legion. They’ll be needed.

<FRIEZA EXITS THROUGH A DOOR, FLEXING HIS TAIL BEFORE IT CLOSES>

Zarbon: <IN PLACE; NOW TO NO ONE BUT THE CORPSE> The second legion?! That’s 12,000 men.

<FADE OUT>

<BACK TO THE BOY’S PLANET>

<HE IS RUNNING ON ALL FOURS; HE SHOOTS OFF A SINGLE KI BLAST, DESTROYING MUCH OF THE LANDSCAPE AROUND; AS IT WERE, THE WHOLE PLANET SEEMS TO BE SMOKE AN ASH NOW>

<THERE IS A SOLDIER RUNNING FROM THE BOY, ONE THAT LOOKED THE SAME AS THE ENTIRE ARMY SHOWN IN THE PREVIOUS SCENE; A BLAST CONTACTS WITH HIM, SENDING HIM TO THE GROUND; THE BOY STOPS THE FLURRY>

<HE BENDS DOWN NEXT TO THE CRAWLING SOLDIER; GRIPPING ITS BACK, FORCING IT TO STOP, HE JUMPS ON TOP OF IT; THE BOY DIGS HIS CLAWS INTO IT, CAUSING IT TO HISS IN PAIN AS PURPLE BLOOD BEGINS POOLING ON HIS BACK>

<WITH A SNARL, THE BOY TAKES HIS TAIL, AND SENDS IT RIGIDLY INTO THE LOWER SPINE OF THE SOLDIER; THE SOLDIER SCREAMS AS IT PUNCTURES HIM; WHEN IT IS IN, THE BOY FLIPS BACK, SENDING THE SOLDIER FLYING UP IN THE AIR>

<THE SOLDIER IS STILL IMPALED, SO HE DOES NOT GO VERY HIGH UP; THE BOY BRINGS HIM BACK DOWN, SLAMMING THE SOLDIER INTO THE SOIL; AT ONCE, THE BOY WALKS UP TO HIM AND LIFTS HIS FOOT; WITH HIS HEEL’S CLAW, HE QUICKLY KICKS IT INTO THE CHEEK OF THE SOLDIER, KILLING HIM>

<NOW, WITH ALL SOLDIERS DEFEATED, THERE IS NO MORE TO DO>

<THE BOY LOOKS UP; AHEAD IS THE LAST CITY ON THE PLANET, RESTING ON A HIGH PLATEAU, STILL UNTOUCHED; HE FALLS TO HIS KNEES, PRESSING HIS CLAWS INTO THE DIRT; HIS LONG SPAWNED FRENZY, WHICH WAS TRIGGERED BY LORIPHIM AND HIS DAUGHTER IS NOW OVER; THE BOY IS WEARY, UNABLE, AND UNWILLING TO CONQUER THAT LAST CITY JUST YET>

Boy: <HEAD HITS THE TURF; OUT LOUD> Mom must be there…

<THE BOY CLOSES HIS EYES AND FALLS ASLEEP>

<CAMERA GOES DOWN HIS BODY; FROM HIS FACE, TO THE TIPS OF HIS FINGERS, SHOWING EVERY INCH OF HIS SCARRED (MOST OF IT SELF INFLICTED) FLESH>

<THE SMOKE OF THE DYING PLANET CONTINUES TO RISE, UNTIL IT ALL OBSCURES THE SCREEN>

Apocryphal
<CUE Monday>

<FIVE DARK SHAPES SCURRY PAST THE CAMERA AND FORM INTO A BROKEN LINE FORMATION; THEY SPEAK, YET NONE OF IT IS INTELLIGIBLE>

<THE BOY, LYING ON THE GROUND, SLEEPING, WAKES AND STANDS UP AT THE SIGHT OF THEM>

<THEY ARE ARMORED, CARRYING WEAPONS IN THEIR HANDS AND ARE NOT OF HIS SPECIES; THE BOY DOES NOT ATTACK OR GO DEFENSIVE; HE LOOKS AT THEM, EYES AS SLITS, AND SURVEYS HIS IMMEDIATE GROUND>

<FROM HIS PRIOR DESTRUCTION, THERE ARE MANY CRATERS, AND A FEW BODIES NEARBY OF THE ARMIES HE DESTROYED; THE GROUND IS ALL ASH, THE SKY IS GREY, COVERED IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE BATTLE; THE AIR IS FOGGY>

<THE MIDDLE SOLDIER SEEMS TO BE TALKING THROUGH SOMETHING HE IS HOLDING ON HIS EAR; SINCE THE GROUP IS NOT ATTEMPTING TO DO ANYTHING TO THE BOY, HE WANDERS HIS EYES OFF AGAIN>

<THE CITY, THE LAST CITY OF THE PLANET, IS SITUATED AHEAD OF HIM; ONLY, UNLIKE YESTERDAY, IT IS NO LONGER UNTOUCHED; ALL OF THE SPIRES ARE DEMOLISHED, LEVELED; THERE ARE ALSO FIRES STILL RAGING INSIDE; IT APPEARS TO BE THOROUGHLY DESTROYED; A SPIRE TOPPLES OVER AS HE WATCHES, CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT THIS DESTRUCTION WAS RECENT>

<THE BOY WAS CAREFUL TO SEARCH EVERY CITY’S INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX – IF THE CITY HAD ONE – FOR SIGNS OF HIS MOTHER BEFORE DESTROYING THEM; LORIPHIM HAD TOLD HIM THAT WAS WHERE SHE WOULD BE, AND HE HAD NO REASON TO DOUBT THE LATE MASTER>

<HE HAD NOT FOUND HER IN ANY OF THEM; THIS CITY WAS HIS LAST HOPE, OF SORTS AND NOW IT WAS DESTROYED>

<HE LOOKS BACK TO THE GROUP OF SOLDIERS; FIVE OF THEM, ALL HEAVILY ARMED AND ARMORED; HIS RACE IS QUITE STRONG IN ITS OWN RIGHT, BUT HE IS ONLY A BOY; HE HAS LITTLE PHYSICAL STRENGTH OF HIS OWN; ALL OF HIS PROWESS HAS COME FROM HIS SUDDENLY TAPPED INTO ENERGY POWERS; HE IS NO LONGER IN THE FRENZY (THE STATE OF WHICH POWERED HIS DESTRUCTION EARLIER), SO IT WOULD TAKE HIM TOO LONG TO CHARGE UP AN ATTACK AGAINST THEM; THE BOY DOES NOT GO TO ATTACK; THEY ARE NOT EVEN LOOKING AT HIM, SO HE TURNS TO LEAVE OFF TO THE CITY, TO MAKE SURE HIS MOTHER WAS NOT THERE>

<NOTE: MONDAY 2:31 STARTS NOW>

<THE BOY GETS ON ALL FOURS AND LEAPS AWAY FROM THE SOLDIERS; THE LEADER NOTICES, ROARS OUT A CRY, AND BEGINS SHOOTING A WRIST MOUNTED GUN AT THE BOY; HIS UNDERLINGS FOLLOW IN>

<THE BOY IS TOO FAR AWAY FOR THE SHOTS TO BE ACCURATE; HE EASILY DODGES THEM; NEVERTHELESS, THE TROOPS CONTINUE SHOOTING AS WELL AS RUNNING AFTER HIM; OFF TO HIS RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES ARE DOZENS, PERHAPS HUNDREDS OF SHIPS, ALL LINED UP; EVEN MORE SOLDIERS MILL ABOUT THEM; MANY ARE LOOTING THE OUTLYING BUILDINGS; DESPITE SEEING THIS, THE BOY RUNS THROUGH THEM, NOT STOPPING>

<THE CITY IS ABOUT 2 MILES FROM THE BOY’S STARTING POINT; IT TAKES HIM NO MORE THAN SEVEN MINUTES TO GET TO THE GATE>

<THE METAL AND STONE OF THE ENTRANCE IS TWISTED AND BURNED; EVEN THE STREETS ARE GASHED AND CUT OFF>

<THE BOY STOPS RIGHT AT THE GATE; HE HAS OUTPACED THE TROOPS BEHIND HIM QUITE A BIT; HE LOOKS OVER HIS SHOULDER TO SEE THEY ARE BUT SPECKS BEHIND HIM>

<HE LOOKS BACK AT THE GATE; THE SENTRY-POST NEXT TO THE GATE FALLS OVER, SENDING BRICKS AND GARBAGE FLYING THIS WAY AND THAT; DUST POURS OUT, COATING HIS VISION FULLY; HE TRIES TO FIX HIS VISION>

<A LOUD BEEPING COMES FROM AHEAD; WITHIN SECONDS, A FIGURE, MORPHED AND AMBIGUOUS APPEARS SILHOUETTED IN THE DUST CLOUD>

<OUT FROM THE DUST COMES A SMALL BEING, UNLIKE THE GROUP; IT HAS TWO HORNS AND IS RELATIVELY PALE, IF PURPLE; IT WEARS THE SAME ARMOR AS THEY DO; BUT UNLIKE THEM, IT HAS NO WEAPON, AND APPEARS QUITE CALM AND CONFIDENT IN ITSELF; IT WALKS FORWARD TO THE BOY>

<ACCOMPANYING THIS SHORT FIGURE IS ANOTHER, TALLER ONE; IT IS GREEN LIKE THE BOY, BUT DARKER; IT WALKS BEHIND THE SMALLER ONE, ON THE RIGHT SIDE; THIS CREATURE IS THE SOURCE OF THE BEEPING; IT IS HIS EAR DEVICE>

<AS THEY REACH THE BOY, THE TWO STOP; THE SHORTER ONE MOTIONS TO THE TALLER ONE, WHO CALLS DOWN SOMETHING ON THE SAME EAR PIECE THAT THE BOY HAD SEEN USED BEFORE>

<THE BOY LOOKS BEHIND HIM; THE VARIOUS BATTALIONS BEGIN MOVING INTO LINES AND FORMATION; THEY CLUSTER UP IN NEAT ROWS ON EACH SIDE; THEY PACE FORWARD AND COME TOGETHER, THE TWO SIDES JOINING, TURNING TO FACE THE BOY; THEY BEGIN MARCHING FORWARD UNTIL THEY ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO FULLY BOX HIM IN>

<IT IS AT THIS TIME THE PATROL FROM BEFORE REACHES THE BOY; THEY CHARGE UP THEIR WEAPONS AND SHOOT; THE BOY SIDESTEPS THE SHOTS; HISSING, HE LOWERS TO ALL FOURS AND LUNGES AT THEM, BUT THE LEADER, THE CAPTAIN, KICKS THE BOY AWAY; TWO MORE OF THE SOLDIERS RUN AT THE BOY, THEIR WEAPONS LOWERED IN A RAMMING MOVE>

<THE FIRST ONE HITS THE BOY HARD IN THE CHEST; BLOOD DRIPS OUT FROM HIS SHIRT; THE FORCE OF THE ATTACK PUSHES THE BOY BACK; AS HE FALLS, HE THROWS HIS HANDS FORWARD AND TRIES TO SHOOT AN ENERGY BLAST; WHAT COMES OUT INSTEAD IS MORE OF A MIST THAN A BLAST; NEVERTHELESS, THE TWO SOLDIERS GET CAUGHT IN IT; THEY DROP THEIR WEAPONS AND COVER THEIR FACES; AS WELL, THEY BEGIN SCREAMING>

<NOBODY ELSE MAKES A MOVE; THEY SIMPLY WATCH WHAT HAPPENS TO THE TWO SOLDIERS; THE TWO SOLDIERS START DISINTEGRATING BEFORE EVERYONE’S EYES; THIS HAPPENS SLOWLY; AS THE SOLDIERS SKIN COMES OFF, THEY FALL TO THE GROUND, WRITHING AND WRIGGLING; THE CAPTAIN MOTIONS TO HIS LAST TWO SOLDIERS AND THEY SHOOT AT THE BOY>

<THE BOY IS STILL ON THE GROUND, BUT THE CAPTAIN’S POOR AIM PREVENTS HIM FROM MAKING CONTACT; (THE TWO SOLDIERS ARE STILL DISINTEGRATING; NOW THEY ARE SKINLESS AND LOSING MUSLES AND ORGANS FAST; THEY CONTINUE SHRIEKING)>

<THE BOY JUMPS AWAY FROM THE FIRING, WAY OFF TO THE LEFT>

<WITH A GAP IN FRONT OF THEM THEY HADN’T SEEN BEFORE, THE TROOPS NOTICES THE SMALLER BEING; THEY STOP ATTACKING IN SIGHT OF IT, BOWING INSTEAD; THE SMALL CREATURE HAD NOT MOVED OR MADE ANY SOUND DURING THIS ATTACK>

Captain: <OUT OF BREATH; TO THE SMALLER CREATURE> L-lord Frieza, we found him! <PAUSE, LOOKING AROUND; POINTS HIS GUN AT THE BOY> Led him right to you, sir. A-all part of the plan, right?

Frieza: <COLDLY> Thank you… Captain.

<FRIEZA CLOSES HIS FIST AND AS HE DOES SO, THE CAPTAIN AND HIS TROOP DISINTEGRATE JUST LIKE THE OTHER TWO SOLDIERS BEFORE (WHO ARE NOW BUT BONES) EXCEPT FASTER; HE CHANGES ATTENTION TO THE BOY; THE BOY LOWERS HIS GUARD AGAIN NOW THE SOLDIERS ARE DEAD>

<FRIEZA STEPS FORWARD, CAUSING THE BOY TO WALK BACK, UNTIL ALL THREE OF THEM ARE OFF OF THE SLOPE OF THE CITY’S ENTRANCE AND BACK ONTO THE FLAT GROUND; THE LEGION BEHIND IS QUITE STILL>

<THE BOY CLENCHES HIS LEFT FIST, BEGINNING TO FORM AN ENERGY BALL; AS HE IS NOT IN THE FRENZY, THIS WILL TAKE MUCH LONGER THAN NORMAL; THIS ATTACK IS FOR FRIEZA; FRIEZA DOES NOT NOTICE ANYTHING>

<THEY ALL STOP>

Frieza: My name is Lord Frieza, ruler of this Galaxy; ruler of your planet. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. <HE BOWS, CORDIALLY>

<THE BOY SAYS NOTHING>

Frieza: <CONTINUING; HE WALKS A CIRCLE AROUND THE TWO> Normally, I’d have Zarbon <MOTIONS TO THE CREATURE BEHIND HIM> or one of my other Captains eradicate the beings of a planet such as this. But you did a well enough job on your own. Isn’t that right?

<THE BOY SAYS NOTHING>

Boy: <IN HIS MIND> How does he know?! Was he watching us? <HE LOWERS HIS EYES TO HIS LEFT HAND TO SEE IF HIS ENERGY BLAST IS READY; IT IS NOT> It’s not ready yet. <HE HOLDS HIMSELF FROM PANICKING>

Frieza: <STILL GOING> Your race is powerful… <SMILE> yet you destroyed them in an instant. Just a child and you’ve done what many of my best soldiers could never do. You’ve been a third-party benefactor to Zarbon and I. And for that I can only say <SUBTLE> ‘thank you’. <HE BOWS AGAIN> What is your name, dear boy?

<THE BOY DOES NOT ANSWER>

Frieza: <USES HIS TELEKINESIS TO THROW THE BOY BACKWARD, HAVING HIM FALL OVER> Do not be so impolite. Answer Lord Frieza.

<THE BOY STANDS UP, SQUINTING>

Boy: <LIE; BELLY UP> I don’t have one.

Frieza: Oho! So he can speak! <SS> But he has no name; what a shame. <TURNS> Zarbon, what do you think we shall call our new friend here?

<THE BOY QUICKLY PEEKS DOWN AT HIS BLAST; IT IS NOT READY>

Zarbon: Lord Frieza, you did say he was a benefactor to us. Perhaps, we should call him–

Frieza: <SLOW SYLLABLES> Benefactor. It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? <TO THE BOY> How about it, dear boy? Would you like to be my Benefactor?

<THE BOY BEGINS TO FORM AN ANSWER BUT IS CUT OF>

Frieza: <DEVIOUSLY; FINGER UP> And remember, if you say no, <BACK TO BEING SERIOUS> I will kill you.

Boy: <QUIETLY> All right.

Frieza: Good. As your first act as a soldier under my command, <HE POINTS TO HIS RIGHT> I order you to eliminate the second legion.

Zarbon <QUIETLY> Lord Frieza, that’s 12,000 of our finest men!

Frieza: I am well aware of strength of my armies, Zarbon. It is no matter.

<ZARBON DECIDES NOT TO ARGUE AND SETTLES BACK; FRIEZA PRESSES A BUTTON ON HIS SCOUTER, WHICH ALERTS THE SECOND LEGION TO ATTACK THE BOY>

<THE SECOND LEGION, ALSO ORDERED TO KILL THE BOY MOVES FORWARD, CHARGING UP THEIR OWN WEAPONS; THEY GET RIGHT UP BEHIND HIM, AND AIM>

<THE BOY SQUINTS BACK INTO FRIEZA’S FACE; THERE IS NOT FEAR IN HIS EYES; HE IS LOOKING YET AGAIN FOR ANY SIGN OF WHAT THIS COULD MEAN; NOT GETTING ANYTHING FROM THE TYRANT, THE BOY STRAIGHTENS HIS SPINE; HIS BLAST IS READY; HOWEVER, JUDGING BY THE SIZE OF THE ARMY BEHIND HIM, THEY ARE A HIGHER PRIORITY THAN THIS FRIEZA IN FRONT OF HIM>

<THE BOY SLOWLY FLICKS HIS ARM UP TO THE AIR; HIS BACK IS FACING THE LEGION; THEY SETTLE THEIR AIM ON HIM>

<THE BOY SNAPS HIS ARM DOWN QUICKLY, POINTING IT BEHIND HIM; HE SHOOTS, STILL LOOKING AT FRIEZA, INTO THE LEGION, VAPORIZING ALL 12,000 SOLDIERS IN AN INSTANT; THE ATTACK IS MASSIVE; IT GOES WELL BEYOND THEIR RANKS, DESTROYING ALL THEIR SHIPS; AS WELL, THE GROUND IS ONCE AGAIN SENT UP INTO THE AIR, CREATING A CLOUD OF DUST AROUND THE THREE REMAINING BEINGS ON THE PLANET>

<THE BOY LOWERS HIS HAND>

<ZARBON’S SCOUTER HAS SHATTERED>

Zarbon: Im-impossible! Those were our best troops! There’s no way anyone could destroy them all so quickly!

Frieza: Don’t believe your eyes, Zarbon? <HE FLICKS HIS TAIL AND LEVITATES OFF THE GROUND FORWARD; HE SPREADS HIS HANDS, PARTING THE DUST IN HIS WAY; HE LOOKS DOWN TO THE BOY; THEY BOTH START WALKING> You have proven yourself to be stronger than I could have imagined, my little benefactor. <FRIEZA’S OWN SCOUTER IS STILL IMPRINTED WITH THE POWER OF THE BLAST, REVEALING IT TO BE 256,000> Amazing, really.

<FRIEZA LANDS IN FRONT OF THE BOY, WHO IS NOW AGAIN LOOKING OFF TO THE CITY WITH A FORLORN LOOK; IN THE BACKGROUND, ZARBON IS CALLING DOWN FRIEZA’S FLAGSHIP>

Frieza: Don’t look so glum. We’re leaving the planet.

The Benefactor: <STILL STARING BACK; HAND ON HIS WOUNDED CHEST> Are we never coming back?

Frieza: <COLDLY> You and I have more important places to be, young Benefactor.

<THE BOY DOES NOT RESPOND, STILL STARING; HE HAS A FROWN UPON HIS FACE>

Frieza: Ho ho ho, little benefactor. There’s no reason to sulk. Be a good soldier and behave.

<FRIEZA WALKS PAST HIM; THE SHIP IS LANDING NOW>

The Benefactor: <CAMERA LOOKING UP> I try to behave…

Frieza: <NOT LOOKING BACK> Then come with us.

<THE DOOR OF THE SHIP LOWERS, ZARBON ESCORTS FRIEZA IN, AND THE BOY LOOKS UP AT THEM; THEY BOTH ENTER; AS THEIR FIGURES LEAVE HIS VIEW, HE DROPS TO HIS KNEES>

<HE LOWERS HIS CLAWS AND SCOOPS UP SOME DIRT, FEELING IT THROUGH EACH OF HIS FINGERS BEFORE LETTING IT GO; HE REMAINS KNEELED FOR A FEW MINUTES; THEN, HE GETS UP AND HURRIES TO THE SHIP>

<AS HE BOARDS THE RAMP, THE BOY FORMS A SMALL BLACK DISC OF ENERGY BETWEEN HIS FIRST TWO FINGERS; HE LETS IT FALL ONTO THE GROUND AND THEN ENTERS THE SHIP>

Boy: <IN HIS MIND> But it eats me alive.

<HE DOES NOT LOOK BACK; THE RAMP CLOSES AND NOT LONG AFTER, FRIEZA’S SPACE SHIP TAKES FLIGHT>

<AS IT LEAVES THE PLANET, AND JUST BEFORE THE PLANET IS OUT OF SIGHT, THE PLANET IMPLODES ITSELF, FORCEFULLY, QUICKLY, QUIETLY; IT TAKES NO MORE THAN A MOMENT FOR IT ALL TO BE DESTROYED>

<THE SHIP EXITS OFF SCREEN>


 * <END SPECIAL>

Lauto Saga
<p style="text-align:center">When I was born

<p style="text-align:center">I had bright blue eyes.

<p style="text-align:center">Over the years, they mysteriously turned

<p style="text-align:center">more and more green.

<p style="text-align:center">And now

<p style="text-align:center">my eyes are going back

<p style="text-align:center">to a darker teal.

<p style="text-align:center">I wonder if this is normal... <p style="text-align:center">-KidVegeta

Lyin’ And Laughin’
<PLANET COOLER 92>

<EARLY 739 AGE>

<SPACE TRAFFIC CONTROL>

<A POD IS SHOWN IN SPACE; IT IS APPROACHING A PLANET>

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 1: <IN A ROOM FILLED WITH COMPUTERS AND SUCH, WORKING AT ONE OF THEM> We have some type of object incoming, matching the standard space pod classification. Can anyone confirm?

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 2: Roger that. It’s definitely a pod.

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 3: Strange, We don’t have any due for return today…

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 1: <CONTINUES TYPING> Look, there’s now a clear visual. The verification number is definitely not one of ours. <BRIEF PAUSE, WHILE HE CONTINUES TYPING> I’m pinging the pod for a response.

<HE PRESSES A BUTTON AND WAITS; NOTHING HAPPENS>

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 2: No response…

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 3: What should we do?

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 1: I’ll contact the Captain. <LEANS OVER AND PRESSES A BUTTON> Captain Banas, we have an unknown pod approaching base, no responses received… please advise.

Payar: <THERE IS A BRIEF PAUSE> Say again, soldier? The captain’s out. This is Payar. Go ahead, and I’ll see if I can help.

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 1: Sir, we have a space pod incoming. It’s not one of ours, so we tried pinging it for response, but got none. We need someone to check it out when it lands.

Payar: Where’s it headed to?

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 1: It is projected to land in the southern quadrant. A visible smoke trail should lead you to it.

Payar: <CURTLY> Send first platoon to my location. We’ll investigate.

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 1: <PAUSES> Affirmative sir. They are on their way. And, sir… should I inform the governor?

Payar: No, soldier. I will tell Guva myself.

<CAMERA CHANGES TO THE SOUTHERN QUADRANT; MANY REGULAR SOLDIERS, APRIDO, MELOON, AND PAYAR AMONG THEM, MOVE TO THE LOCATION OF THE POD; THERE IS A VISIBLE SMOKE TRAIL ABOVE THEM, TO THE LEFT, DESCENDING TO RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM>

<EACH SOLDIER WEARS COOLER’S STANDARD ARMOR; THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM FRIEZA’S SOLDIERS’ IN THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE SHOULDER PAD OVER THE LEFT SHOULDER>

<MELOON IS A LARGE ALIEN; HE IS PINK AND SPIKY LIKE DODORIA; APRIDO IS A SMALL CREATURE, OF APPULE’S RACE; PAYAR IS A SHORT-FACED, RED ALIEN; HE IS THE CLEAR LEADER AMONGST THE TROUPE>

Soldier 1: <THE SOLDIERS APPROACH THE POD> It hasn’t opened yet.

Soldier 3: Maybe they’re dead?

Soldier 4: Or maybe it’s a trap. <A FEW TAKE A STEP BACK>

Payar: <MOVING FORWARD THROUGH THE CONGREGATION OF TROOPS AROUND THE POD> Get back! <PRESSES BUTTON ON SCOUTER> There’s a faint reading coming from inside, so whoever it is, they’re not dead.

<PAYAR WALKS UP TO THE POD AND HITS IT, IT OPENS; UNCONSCIOUS, LEDAS FALLS OUT, DRIED BLOOD IS ON HIS FOREHEAD>

Soldier 2: Ah, he is dead!

Soldier 1: No, only unconscious.

Payar: <KNEELS DOWN TO INSPECT THE STRANGER, HE PICKS LEDAS UP BY THE TAIL> Well, this is interesting. It’s a Saiyan. A child.

Meloon: I thought Frieza killed them all.

Payar: Evidently not. But that was a long time ago… over a year, I think. Why did he just get here now?

Meloon: <PEERING IN> May’e he got lost?

Payar: <CAUGHT UP IN HIS OWN GLORY; DROPS LEDAS> Imagine the reward we will get for delivering such a prize to Lord Cooler!

<PAYAR STANDS UP; MELOON SHOOTS AN EAVESDROPPING SOLDIER, WHO FALLS OFF THE HILL THEY ARE ON INTO A CREEK BELOW; PAYAR THEN TURNS TO MELOON>

Payar: <IN A STRICT WHISPER> We go straight to the Captain with this, not Guva. <TURNING BACK TO THE SOLDIERS> Two of you, grab the kid. We’re taking him back to base.

<2 SOLDIERS CARRY LEDAS BACK TO CAMP WITH THE REST OF THE GROUP; LEDAS WAKES UP>

Soldier 1: Uh sir, he’s waking up.

<LEDAS SENDS OUT A POWERFUL ENERGY WAVE THAT KILLS THE TWO SOLDIERS CARRYING HIM, HE DOES A ROLL TO THE RIGHT, INTO THE FOLIAGE; THE GROUP OF SOLDIERS PURSUE HIM>

Payar: <READING HIS SCOUTER> This one has some fight in him. Look at his power level. I’ve never seen a Saiyan with one so high.

Meloon: <STILL CONFIDENT, NOT WORRIED> He is still much weaker than us.

Aprido: <WITH A FEW OTHER SOLDIERS, THEY RUN AT LEDAS> Come back here you runt!

Payar: You are not to kill him.

Meloon: Heh heh, Payar, ya think he could?

<LEDAS BACKS INTO A TREE; HAVING KILLED SEVERAL SOLDIERS, THE REST HAVE BACKED OFF A BIT; PAYAR AND MELOON MOVE TOWARDS HIM>

Payar: <SHOUTING> Give it up, Saiyan! We don’t want to kill you!

Ledas: <CORNERED; PANICKY> I’m super elite! You don’t know who you’re dealing with.

Meloon: That don’t mean shit out here.

Payar: Even the best of you Saiyans are nothing compared to us. We don’t want to kill you…

Meloon: …yet….

Payar: <CLOSES EYES> I am losing patience.

Ledas: No! <LEDAS SHOOTS A POWERFUL ENERGY BLAST AT THE TWO; IT DOES NOTHING>

Meloon: Ha ha ha! That all you got?

<IMPATIENT, PAYAR RUNS AND TRY TO HIT LEDAS, BUT THE SAIYAN DODGES IT; LEDAS THEN MOVES AROUND PAYAR, AND SHOOTS A BURST OF ENERGY AT HIM, BUT IT IS EASILY DEFECTED; PAYAR JUMPS AGAIN, AND THIS TIME HE IS TOO FAST FOR LEDAS, PUNCHING THE SAIYAN CHILD IN THE FACE, KNOCKING HIM OUT; PAYAR PICKS HIM UP AND STARTS CARRYING HIM>

Meloon: <IN A GOOD MOOD> This better be worth it.

Payar: <CALMING DOWN> It could get us off this rock. That’s worth it to me.

<SCENE CHANGE>

<LEDAS WAKES UP FROM A DAZE, HE IS INSIDE, IN A ROOM WITH PAYAR, WHO IS SITTING ACROSS FROM LEDAS, WITH HIS KNEES UP>

Ledas: <SITTING UP> What happened? Where am I?

Payar: <UNCONCERNED, FIDDLING WITH SOMETHING IN HIS HANDS> I knocked you out.

Ledas: <ANGRY, TRIES TO GET UP> You idiot!

Payar: <RAISES HAND> Save it.

Ledas: <IS TOO WEAK TO GET UP, SO STAYS SITTING> At least tell me where I am.

Payar: Planet Cooler 92, in the main outpost. And it’s a shithole.

<BANAS, LIEME, MELOON ENTER THROUGH A DOOR ON THE RIGHT; BANAS IS A TALL ALIEN WITH A FLAT FACE AND BLACK HAIR; HIS SKIN IS YELLOW; LIEME IS A TALL ALIEN, TOO; HE HAS A SMALL, LONG FACE AND TALL HAIR; HIS SKIN IS GREEN>

Banas: <WALKS UP TO PAYAR AND LEDAS; BANAS SHOOTS OUT ENERGY BEAMS, WHICH BIND AROUND LEDAS’ WRISTS AND ANKLES, CAUSING THE SAIYAN TO RISE INTO THE AIR; THE SAIYAN HOVERS IN FRONT OF THE CAPTAIN WITH HIS ARMS AND LEGS OUTSTRETCHED> So tell me, Saiyan… what are you doing on my planet?

Ledas: <FIGHTING AGAINST THE ENERGY BINDS> I don’t know. This wasn’t where I was going!

Banas: Still, you landed here, and that’s all that matters now. <STARTS TO PACE A BIT> But entertain me… where was it that you were headed?

Ledas: <VERY CHILD-LIKE, STILL FIGHTING AGAINST THE ENERGY> That’s none of your business!!

<BANAS, QUICKLY MOVES AND HITS LEDAS, SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES; HE GRABS LEDAS’ NECK AND PREPARES AN ENERGY BLAST>

Banas: Talk, or die. I don’t have time to play games with you all day.

Ledas: <FEARFULLY> I w-was headed to a planet. I don’t remember the name… me and Vegeta were gonna clear it out. P-please… just let me go…

Banas: <EXTINGUISHES HIS BALL OF ENERGY; HE LETS GO OF LEDAS, AND WALKS BACK, IGNORING HIM> Vegeta? <TURNS TO OTHERS> That name sounds familiar. Who is it?

Lieme: <WITHOUT PAUSE> That’s the name of the Saiyan king and his son.

Banas: <TURNS BACK TO LEDAS> You liar. <HITS HIM> Now, tell me where you were really going.

Ledas: <HEAD KNOCKED TO THE SIDE> I did! Me and Vegeta were going to conquer a planet for lord Frieza.

Banas: You must think I’m stupid. Frieza destroyed your home planet and killed all of the other Saiyans over a year ago. I know there’s none of your kind left.

Ledas: <IN TEARS> What? <CRYING> You’re lying!!

Payar: He he he, betda the kid didn’t know what happened. How long have you been out of touch?

Ledas: <WITH MUCH ANGER AND HATRED> I ALREADY TOLD YOU! <LEDAS BREAKS FREE OF HIS ENERGY BINDING, BUT IS QUICKLY SUBDUED AGAIN BY MELOON AND PAYAR>

Banas: Come on now, why would I lie about something like that? It’s true. But judging by your reaction, I would guess you didn’t know.

Ledas: <HEAD BOWED, STILL CRYING BUT MORE SUBDUED> I didn’t know…

Payar: <FAKE ENTHUSIASM> But don’t worry, you’re safe with us. After all we’re all soldiers under Cooler, Frieza’s brother. And I don’t think he’ll try to kill you like Frieza did.

Meloon: <CHEWING ON SOMETHING> Wewll den, can I?

<NO ONE ANSWERS>

Ledas: <QUIETLY> Come on. Lemme go.

Payar: Yeah, right. Let you get away when we were just getting to know each other? You killed a lot of my men. Someday, somehow, I will make you pay for that.

<LEDAS CAN SEE WHAT HE IS PLAYING WITH; IT LOOKS LIKE A NECKLACE>

Ledas: I promise I won’t tell anyone.

Lieme: <ARMS FOLDED> Never trust a monkey. <MELOON LAUGHS>

Banas: <BANAS HAD WALKED OVER TO A DESK, AND GATHERED SOME PAPERS, HE COME BACK TO THE GROUP> Payar and Meloon tell me that your power level is high for a Saiyan.

<LEDAS DOES NOT ANSWER>

Banas: <HINT OF SARCASM> We’ve already gone through this lesson. You answer me or you die. So, what is your power level?

Ledas: <TRYING TO STOP CRYING> I don’t know… it was like 12,000…

Banas: Good, he’s not dangerous. <TURNS BACK TO HIS TROOPS> Now we need to figure out some kind of plan to keep this out of Guva’s sight.

<THE OTHERS NOD IN AGREEMENT AS THE SCREEN FADES TO BLACK>

To Cooler, With Love
<THE CAMERA IS LOOKING DOWN FROM THE SKY ONTO ONE OF THE BUILDINGS; VOICES ARE HEARD COMING FROM INSIDE, AND THE CAMERA SLOWLY ZOOMS FORWARD>

Payar: <STILL UNSEEN, THE CAMERA IS MOVING FORWARD TO THE BUILDING> No, I told him not to say anything. I think we still have time.

Lieme: I do not think this will be something that you can hide for much longer, Captain. If you want to move, you need to do it now.

Banas: <CAMERA FINALLY REACHES THE BUILDING, IT GOES INSIDE, BANAS, PAYAR, AND LIEME ARE TALKING; MELOON HAS LEDAS SUBDUED IN A CORNER> Very well. Payar, Meloon, take this Saiyan to my quarters. Guva won’t be able to get in there, even if he does suspect us. We will keep the child there until I fig–

<GUVA, FLANKED BY SEVERAL SOLDIERS, ENTERS>

<UNLIKE THE OTHERS, GUVA DOES NOT WEAR ARMOR; AND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS STATED HE WAS THE GOVERNOR IN THE LAST CHAPTER, I SHOULD MENTION GUVA IS THE GOVERNOR SO NOBODY IS CONFUSED>

<GUVA IS A TALL ALIEN; HE HAS A REGAL STATURE AND PURPLE SKIN; HIS HAIR IS WHITE>

Guva: Captain Banas. <LOWERS HIS HEAD AS HE STEPS THROUGH THE DOOR; LOOKS AROUND> Conspiring, are we?

<GUVA WALKS INTO THE ROOM, LEAVING HIS GUARDS AT THE DOOR>

Banas: <WALKING FORWARD TO BLOCK THE VIEW OF LEDAS> Governor… you’re here early. I didn’t even put out the tea yet–

Guva: <WALKS PAST HIM> Spare me the theatrics, captain. <SPOTS LEDAS, IN THE CORNER; GESTURES TOWARDS HIM> Who is this?

Banas: He’s just one of our grunts.

Guva: <SEES LEDAS’ TAIL; SMILES> We have no Saiyans on this installation, Captain. And, if I may be so bold, I would say he was the one who recently crash-landed in the southern quadrant.

Banas: That is a bold accusation.

Guva: Bold? Perhaps. Incorrect? I think not. <WITH AUTHORITY> Hand him over.

<BANAS STARES DEFIANTLY STARES AT GUVA>

Guva: Believe it or not, I am still much stronger than you, Banas. Just like I always have been.

Banas: I hope you are not implying you wish to kill me? <LAUGHS> That would set such a bad example.

Guva: <WALKS PAST BANAS> Payar, give me the child.

Payar: <SITTING, KNEES UP AGAIN, ON THE EDGE OF THE DESK; SEEMS UNCONCERNED AS HE PAUSES FOR A SECOND> Yeah, take him.

Lieme: <IN A WHISPER TO BANAS> All of us together could take him.

Banas: <WHISPERS OUT OF THE SIDE OF HIS MOUTH; STILL EYEING GUVA> Now is not the time, Lieme. <GUVA GRABS LEDAS AND STARTS WALKING OUT; BANAS WAVES TO HIM> Until next time, governor. It’s always nice having you over. <GUVA WALKS OUT WITHOUT ANOTHER LOOK AT BANAS> Don’t worry boys, we’ll get the last laugh out of this. I’m sure we will.

<SCENE CHANGE>

<ONBOARD COOLER’S SHIP, UNKNOWN LOCATION>

Cooler Soldier 1: My lord, we have an incoming transmission from Planet 92.

Cooler: <IN HIS CHAIR; HE IS LOOKING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, OUT A WINDOW> Very well.

<SOLDIERS TURN ON THE SCREEN, GUVA IS STANDING, LOOKING THROUGH HIS SCREEN>

Cooler: <AS IF BORED> What is it, governor?

Guva: Yes, my lord. <PAUSES> We recently had an intruder land at our base.

<COOLER’S TAIL MOVES, AS IF IRRITATED>

Guva: This intruder was a Saiyan. He killed several of our men, and his power level is quite high.

Cooler: <TURNS AROUND TO LOOK AT GUVA> Now why, governor, would you go out of your way to call me up over such a pedestrian tale?

Guva: It was only a child, milord.

Cooler: Ah. Just a child… that nearly managed to topple your little regime? And it benefits you to tell me this, how?

Guva: No sir, we were able to contain him, very quickly actually. But we thought since Lord Frieza’s destruction of the Saiyan planet so long ago, this could be one of the last… so we kept him alive…

Cooler: Even my dear brother couldn’t get rid of all the rats. It’s just like him to be careless and arrogant. No, even he has several onboard his ship right now.

Guva: Oh… well, since this one looks like he could have a lot of potential… maybe you would like to take him, milord?

Cooler: You <EXPRESSION REMAINS UNREADABLE> wish to give me a gift.

Guva: Yes… sir.

Cooler: You know, governor, I remember 92. And I must say… I am surprised.

Guva: Sir?

Cooler: Planet 92 is a rather easy one to manage. Quite different from the trials it took to promote a governor to there, but an easy rule nonetheless. The local species are weak, but they are also useful workers. I assumed that you would like that. But, perhaps, you would prefer more excitement? More adrenaline? Tell me, governor, was I wrong for putting you in charge of that planet?

Guva: N-no, sir. Of course not.

Cooler: Planet Vegeta was in Frieza’s quadrant. They are his mess. I do not care about his drama, governor. Such things are beneath me, and should be beneath you. <TURNS BACK TO FACE THE WINDOW> Though I must say, if only a child was able to kill so many of your soldiers, he will be an interesting, if not impressive project, should you decide to keep him.

Guva: Yes, my lord.

Cooler: Perhaps, with enough guidance, he could outmatch you one day.

Guva: <GUVA TRIES TO HIDE HIS RAGE, LIP TREMBLING> Yes, of course, lord Cooler.

Cooler: Oh, one more thing, Guva. I know what you were trying to pull. If I wanted to reassign you to my ship, I would have done so by now. Good day, governor.

<TRANSMISSION ENDS, STAYS ON GUVA IN HIS OFFICE; BANAS, WHO WAS OFF SCREEN, ENTERS>

Guva: <SHOOTS A POWERFUL BEAM OF ENERGY THROUGH HIS WINDOW, MELTING A LARGE CIRCLE THROUGH IT> What am I supposed to do?!?!?!

Banas: Backfired, did it? <LAUGHS>

Guva: <FURIOUSLY> Brilliant deduction, shithead. <TRYING TO COMPOSE HIMSELF> Br-bring in the child.

Banas: Why?

Guva: <CALMING DOWN> That wordy little bastard gave me an idea. Go on, bring him in!

<BANAS GOES OUTSIDE, RETURNS WITH LEDAS>

Guva: <REGALLY; COMPOSED> Good news, Saiyan. I will spare your life.

Banas: <MOCKINGLY> Now that you’re safe, I think we should–

Guva: You will join the Plantains. That’s the team led by Captain Banas.

Banas <EYES WIDEN> What?

Guva: That’s right. You will train him. It will be your job to make him into a competent soldier.

Banas: <STEPING FORWARD, TRYING TO ELIMINATE LEDAS FROM THE CONVERSATION; HE GETS RIGHT UP TO GUVA’S FACE; HEAD COCKED> We did not discuss this.

Guva: <MENTALLY PUSHING HIM BACK>We don’t have to. I am in charge here. I am the governor.

Banas: Gah!! <TURNS TO LEDAS> Don’t count on this being a cakewalk, kid. <WALKS OUT ANGRILY>

Guva: Now, Saiyan, let’s talk for a moment.

Ledas: Sir?

Guva: You know who that was… Banas? My captain?

Ledas: <FEARFULLY, LOOKING AT THE GROUND> Yeah…

Guva: I get the feeling you don’t like him.

Ledas: <OBVIOUSLY SCARED> I don’t know him…

Guva: You don’t need to lie to me. As it so happens, I don’t like him either. So, I ask again; do you like my captain?

Ledas: <A BIT MORE CONFIDENTLY> Wewll, no.

Guva: <SMILES> That’s more like it. Now, let us discuss what I want to do to him.

Ledas: But he’s right outside! He could hear you!

Guva: Then, <KNEELING DOWN> let us whisper now, together, you and I.

Ledas: <INNOCENTLY; WHISPERING> Do you want me to kill him or something?

Guva: <STILL IN A WHISPER> For now, I want you to train under him and grow strong. And I have a feeling that won’t take long. Your power level is already extraordinary for your age.

Ledas: But… what’s in it for me?

Guva: How about I don’t kill you.

<LEDAS STARES AT GUVA, CURIOUS>

Guva: Is that not enough for you? How would some information about your fellow Saiyans do, then?

Ledas: <EAGERLY> There are other Saiyans alive? Who? When can we see them?

<GUVA PUTS ONE FINGER OVER HIS LIPS>

Guva: <GESTURES TO THE DOOR> Until next time.

<CUTS TO BANAS, HE IS ANGRILY WALKING OUT OF GUVA’S OFFICE, AND IS DOWN ONTO THE GROUND LEVEL NOW; AS HE WALKS, HE, IN TANTRUM, KICKS UP THE DIRT AS HE WALKS>

<BANAS ENTERS THE BARRACKS, AMONG OTHER SOLDIERS, PAYAR IS THERE>

Banas: <AGITATED> Payar, we’re going.

Payar: <SITS UP> Where to, captain?

Banas: We’re going to a safe place, away from prying eyes.

<BANAS WALKS PAST PAYAR; PAYAR HOPS OFF HIS CHAIR, GRABS HIS SCOUTER AND FOLLOWS>

Wind Swept
<SPACE SHOT OF A PLANET, IT IS NOT 92>

<THE CAMERA DISSOLVES INTO FOCUS ON PLANET; IT IS FLAT, WITH SOME HILLS, BUT THERE ARE VERY FEW TREES, THE GROUND IS COVERED IN LIGHT YELLOW/GREEN TALL GRASS; THERE ARE FIVE SPACE PODS LINED UP IN A ROW, EMPTY; DOWN A TRAIL, BANAS AND HIS ‘TAINS, AS WELL AS LEDAS ARE ALL IN A FLAT AREA>

<ALL ARE WALKING, BANAS SEEMS A BIT PREOCCUPIED>

Payar: Yeah, you should’ve seen the look on their faces… ha ha ha!

Meloon: You let ‘em keep their faces? I tell ya, I wouldn’t have done that.

Payar: That’s the difference between you and me, Meloon. I keep them around for the pain; you just kill them before they know what happens. It’s no fun like that.

Banas: Stop. This is it.

Meloon: This is what?

Banas: <TO LEDAS> I want you to show me your full power.

Ledas: <AS IF UNABLE TO, DUE TO VEGETA’S INFLUENCE> I can’t…

Banas: That is no matter. I have other ways to force my will.

<THE WIND PICKS UP A LITTLE>

Banas: Meloon?

Meloon: Yeah, boss?

Banas: Make him bleed.

Meloon: <A WIDE SMILE ON HIS FACE> No probl’m.

<MELOON MOVES FORWARD, LEDAS MOVES BACK>

Meloon: Aw, come back. I ain’t gonna hurt ya! <CRACKING HIS KNUCKLES> Heh heh heh!!! <LEDAS STOPS; MELOON DISAPPEARS, AND REAPPEARS BEHIND LEDAS; HE PUNCHES LEDAS INTO THE GROUND; MELOON WALKS PICKS THE CHILD UP BY HIS TAIL> Come on, kid. Ya aren’t even tryin’! <THROWS LEDAS AWAY, HE LANDS ON HIS FEET>

Banas: You know, kid, it must be hard having to deal with the thought that all you cared about, everyone you knew is now dead. It’s only you left… all alone, out here in space.

Ledas: Shut up!!

Banas: Your parents, your friends, all gone.

Ledas: SHUT UP!!

<BANAS NODS TO MELOON, WHO ATTACKS AGAIN; THIS TIME LEDAS DODGES, AND FIGHTS BACK, HE STARTS RAINING ENERGY BLASTS DOWN ON MELOON>

Meloon: Heh, that tickles. <HE RISES INTO THE AIR AND KICKS LEDAS, SENDING HIM FLYING; MELOON FIRES A BEAM OF ENERGY AFTER HIM, WHICH DETONATES ON LEDAS AND CAUSES A HUGE BURST OF SMOKE; THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF IT, LEDAS DROPS TO THE GROUND; MELOON PURSUES HIM; WHEN MELOON REACHES LEDAS, HE STEPS ON THE UNMOVING CHILD, PRESSING DOWN; LEDAS STARTS SCREAMING, AND SPITTING UP BLOOD>

Meloon: Ha ha ha!

<LEDAS SENDS OUT A WAVE OF ENERGY AND PUSHES MELOON OFF OF HIM; HE THEN, GETS UP AND CHARGES AT MELOON, PUNCHING AT HIM>

Lieme: <WATCHING FROM AFAR> 13,000, captain.

Banas: That’s high, for a Saiyan, and a child at that. But still, I wonder why he is putting up so much of a fight with Meloon…

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS, WHO IS VIGOROUSLY ATTACKING MELOON; MELOON, GETTING ANNOYED, BATS HIM AWAY, LEDAS FALLS TO THE GROUND AGAIN>

Meloon: <THERE IS A SMALL BRUISE ON HIS FACE, HE IS AWARE OF IT> You can’t beat me, you’re just a stupid monkey! <WALKS UP TO LEDAS, STARTS STOMPING DOWN ON HIM>

Ledas: Ahhhhhh!!!!!

Lieme: <SHOUTING, FROM AFAR> Meloon! You’re going to kill him.

Meloon: So?

Lieme: Do you remember nothing?! We are to keep him alive! Governor’s orders!

Meloon: <STEPS OFF OF LEDAS> Uh, I knew that.

<BANAS, LIEME, AND PAYAR WALK UP TO MELOON; LEDAS IS ON THE GROUND, COVERED IN BLOOD, GASPING AND COUGHING>

Lieme: <KNEELING DOWN TO LEDAS, INSPECTING THE CHILD> Cap’n, he’s going to die if we don’t do anything soon. He has massive internal bleeding.

<BANAS IS STARING AT A DISTANT TREE WHEN HIS SCOUTER BEEPS, PICKING UP A POWER LEVEL; HIS EYES WIDEN IN SURPRISE UPON SEEING THE READING; THIS CAUSES HIM TO BRIEFLY FORGET ABOUT THE SITUATION AT HAND>

Lieme: Cap’n?!

Banas: <COMING BACK TO REALITY; PAUSE BEFORE SPEAKING> Idiot, Meloon! Payar, you have a kit on you?

Payar: Yeah, I’ll save him… <QUIETLY> this time. <PAYAR TAKES OUT A MEDICAL KIT AND STARTS TREATING LEDAS; LEDAS IS WRITHING IN PAIN> Stop squirming!

Banas: <LOOKING OFF INTO THE DISTANCE> Fix him up, and let me know when you’re done. I’m going to check something out.

<BANAS TAKES OFF, AND STARTS FLYING LOW TO GROUND; HIS SCOUTER IS SHOWING STRANGE CHARACTERS; HE GETS FAR AWAY FROM HIS TEAM, OVER A LOT OF HILLS; AFTER A WHILE, BANAS LANDS>

Banas: What are you doing here? As you can see, I already cleared this planet of life. It’s my haul. There’s no real purpose for you to be here… unless you’re following me.

<THREE ALIENS COME OUT FROM BEHIND SOME FOLIAGE; THEY WEAR STANDARD ARMOR>

Alien 1: <SMILING SINISTERLY> Captain Banas! What an honor it is!

Banas: <FACES THEM> Do I know you?

Alien 2: <SEEING HIM> Nah, you don’t. But we know you.

Banas: How’d you find me? What do you want? Make it fast, whatever it is. I’m busy with my team.

Alien 3: <NODDING WAY TOO MUCH> Oh, sure, sure, Captain. We’ll just cut to the chase. We found you in the databases. Your record and strength is impressive. We’re here to ask–

Banas: You hacked into the Planet Trade Organization databases? Bravo! <MOCK CLAPS> I’ve never seen a couple of guys with such a massive death wish. But I’m flattered you found my life so interesting to come and pay me a visit. Thanks for the ego boost, guys! <HE LAUGHS AND TURNS TO LEAVE>

Alien 1: Wait, Captain! We ain’t in the Planet Trade no more. We wanted you to join us.

Banas: Join you in what?

Alien 2: Killing lord Cooler and freeing ourselves from his tyranny!

Banas: That’s a great plan. But Cooler’s pretty strong. You’ll need hundreds of soldiers.

Alien 2: <EYES WIDE> We already have thousands! Join us, Captain! Your strength will guarantee you better riches! After Cooler is dead, you can rule entire systems with captains to serve under you!

Banas: <SIGHING, LOOKING DOWN AT HIS BOOTS> Now… that’s a compelling offer. You know how to bargain, I’ll give you that. But you three have mistaken me for a rebel; and I’m as loyal as they get. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to kill you now.

<BANAS, WITHOUT ANY MORE WARNING, LOOKS UP AT THE THREE AND SHOOTS OFF SEVERAL ENERGY BLASTS AT EACH OF THE THREE; THIS CAUSES THEM TO ROAR IN ANGER AND CHARGE HIM>

<BEFORE THEY REACH BANAS, HE JUMPS TO THE AIR, NOT FACING THEM; THEY CHARGE, AND HE DOES A BACKFLIP OVER THEM, LANDING RIGHT BEHIND THE SECOND ALIEN, HE BLASTS IT, KILLING IT; THE OTHER TWO TURN AROUND AND ATTACK HIM, SENDING TONS OF BLASTS TOWARD BANAS, WHO EFFORTLESSLY HITS THEM AWAY, HE WORKS HIS WAY THROUGH THE BLASTS ALL THE WAY TO ALIEN 3, AND WITH A SINGLE SWIPE, DECAPITATES THE ALIEN; THE FIRST ALIEN IS HIT WITH A BLAST, AND FALLS TO THE GROUND>

Banas: <DESCENDS TO THE GROUND, NEXT TO SINGED ALIEN> I’m surprised at you. Shouldn’t my profile have told you that I’m just so much better than all of you in every possible way? No? Well, that’s your loss.

<THE ALIEN GETS UP, AND TRIES TO RUN OFF; BANAS WATCHES HIM FOR A MOMENT, THEN SHOOTS A FINAL BLAST, WHICH HITS THE ALIEN, AND SENDS HIS LIFELESS CORPSE SPRAWLING FORWARD INTO THE GRASS>

<THEN, BANAS RETURNS TO HIS SQUAD>

Payar: <LOOKING DOWN, STILL WORKING ON LEDAS> What was that all about?

Banas: Sometimes I get the urge to shake the beehive, to see if the bees will actually come out to sting me.

Lieme: <STANDING, LOOKING AT BANAS> Did they?

Banas: Not yet. <SIGHS> There’s always tomorrow.

<LEDAS IS QUIET; WITH PAYAR DISTRACTED BY THE CAPTAIN, HE VENTURES FOR AN ATTACK ON MELOON AGAIN; THE BIG BEAST DOESN’T SEE THE TEARDROP SHAPED BLAST UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE; IT KNOCKS HIM OVER>

<MELOON GETS UP; HE GROWLS, GETTING READY TO POUND LEDAS INTO THE DUST AGAIN; BANAS THROWS OUT HIS ARM>

Banas: No, leave him alone. He’s persistent, I like that. When he gets older, he’ll be as dangerous as any of you. None of Cooler’s other teams will be able to touch us.

<LEDAS IS WRITHING AGAIN, FLAILING HIS ARMS ABOUT; BUT PAYAR SNAPS HIS ARM DOWN QUICKLY AND BANDAGES HIM UP>

Dread Lord
<SCREEN IS BLACK>

Voice: Where am I?

<THERE IS NO RESPONSE; THE CAMERA SLOWLY FADES TO LIGHT; THE SURROUNDINGS ARE REVEALED; THE ENTIRE AREA IS A ROCKY CAVE, DIMLY LIT; IN THE CENTER OF THE SCREEN IS AN OBSCURED FIGURE; HE IS LYING ON THE GROUND>

Voice: <LOOKING UP; HIS FACE IS COVERED IN A BLACK HOOD> Who’s there!?

<AFTER HEARING NO RESPONSE, THE BEING BEGINS CRAWLING ACROSS THE GROUND; AS HE GOES, THE FIGURE OF ANOTHER CAN BE SEEN BEHIND HIM, STANDING QUITE STILL AND WATCHING; THE FIGURE’S FEATURES ARE DARK AND INDISCERNIBLE; HOWEVER, A TALL MOHAWK CAN BE SEEN>

<THE CRAWLING FIGURE REACHES A ROCK AND USES IT TO TRY TO STAND UP; AS HE DOES, HE NOTICES A GROUP OF FIGURES HAS MATERIALIZED AROUND HIM; EACH OF THEM IS STARING HIM DOWN WITH SNARLING FACES AND THEIR ARMS CROSSED; HE QUICKLY NOTICES THEM TO BE ZARBON>

Zarbons: <IN UNISON> My, my. What a pity. Lord Frieza will be so disappointed by what you’ve done.

Voice: <WEARY> Fool…!

<THE CLOAKED FIGURE RAISES HIS ARM AND SHOOTS OFF A YELLOW BLAST AT THE ZARBON IN FRONT OF HIM; THE BLAST GOES THROUGH ZARBON AND EXPLODES ON THE FAR WALL; AFTER THE SMOKE CLEARS, THE ZARBONS ARE GONE>

<THE CREATURE STUMBLES UP AND STARTS LIMPING FORWARD, HOLDING ONTO HIS SHOULDER>

Voice 2: <LIKE THE ZARBONS, THIS IS A COLLECTION OF MANY OF THE SAME VOICE SPEAKING AT ONCE; ECHOES THROUGHOUT THE CAVE> Heheheheheheh.

<THE ROBED CREATURE MOVES AROUND AN OUTCROPPING OF ROCK; ON THE OTHER SIDE, HE SEES FRIEZA HOVERING IN THE AIR, ABOUT 2 FEET OFF THE GROUND; AT ONCE, THE ROBED FIGURE STOPS AND FALLS TO HIS KNEES>

Frieza: That will be all, Benefactor!

<FRIEZA LIFTS HIS FINGER UP AND STARTS TO CHARGE UP A DEATH BEAM>

The Benefactor: Not this time…

<HE RAISES BOTH OF HIS ARMS AND READIES HIS OWN BLAST; THE BENEFACTOR FIRES A JAGGED CRIMSON BLAST OF ENERGY TOWARDS THE FLOATING TYRANT; THE BLAST CONNECTS AND SENDS SMOKE FLYING; THE BENEFACTOR STAYS ON HIS KNEES BREATHING HEAVILY AS THE SMOKE CLEARS; AS IT DOES, A DIFFERENT FIGURE IS IN FRIEZA’S PLACE; THEIR FEATURES ARE SHROUDED IN BLACK; THE FIGURE DESCENDS TO THE GROUND>

<WHILE THE FIGURE IS MOSTLY COVERED IN DARKNESS, THE BENEFACTOR CAN SEE THAT IT POSSESSES A TALL MOHAWK; AS SOON AS THE FIGURE TOUCHES THE GROUND, IT THROWS BOTH OF ITS HANDS FORWARD; THIS IMMEDIATELY SENDS THE BENEFACTOR FLYING BACK UNTIL HE HITS THE CAVE WALL; AS HE DOES, HE FINDS HIMSELF STUCK TO THE WALL BY SOME UNSEEN FORCE; THE FIGURE APPROACHES HIM>

Mysterious Figure: Welcome. I suppose we haven’t been acquainted yet. Please, call me Lauto. <REACHES THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR LOOKS DOWN AT LAUTO> I am the one who saved you, if you are curious. Yes, it’s true; you crashed here dying of blood loss, and I brought you back from death’s embrace. And as you’ve been resting, I’ve had… wonderful access to your memories.

The Benefactor: <LOW GROWL; TUGGING AGAINST THE FORCE THAT IS PINNING HIM TO THE WALL> Let me go. You don’t want to mess with me.

Lauto: <RAISES HAND, CAUSING THE BENEFACTOR’S HEAD TO SLAM AGAINST THE WALL AND REMAIN THERE> You’re strong, but you are not that strong. You’re evil, but you are not that evil. <RISES IN THE AIR TO MEET THE BENEFACTOR EYE TO EYE; PLACES A HAND ON THE BENEFACTOR’S HOOD, PULLING IT DOWN, REVEALING THE BENEFACTOR’S SCARRED REPTILIAN FACE> I look through your memories, and all I see is death; a monster feeding off of the fear and blood of his victims; and you grow stronger with each kill. Perhaps it’s the predatory frenzy built into your species’ veins that drives you to act like this. But know this: everything you have done, I have done ten times over. All those you have ravaged are but a speck of sand on the beach of those I’ve killed. <PAUSE> Your self-love of your own savagery will end soon enough.

The Benefactor: <QUICKLY, BREATHING THROUGH HIS TEETH> You speak too much and you don’t know anything. Let me go before I rip your throat from your flesh.

Lauto: <RAISES HAND> Enough empty threats. Let’s talk about where you were going. <THE BENEFACTOR STRUGGLES AGAIN AND GROWLS MIGHTILY; LAUTO IGNORES THIS> I know you were fleeing from a galactic lord who tried to kill you. I know you were chasing down a child to murder. But your memories have been poor as to explaining their connection.

The Benefactor: <IN QUIET RAGE> First him, then the Prince – once he’s away from the safety of that ship – and then Zarbon. Then Frieza’s precious pets will be dead. He’ll have nothing left… After that, I’ll take his worlds, one by one, feeding on their power until I can challenge him myself.

Lauto: You are seeking revenge, I see. And hurting those your enemy loves the most is a clever move. But know this, Benefactor. When you let your emotions rule you, you will inevitably make a critical mistake. And with the weight of your crimes, you will not escape with mercy… should you be caught.

The Benefactor: Frieza will never find me –

Lauto: You mistake me, Iyxan.

The Benefactor: <SHOCK> How do you know the name of my species?!

Lauto: <IGNORING THE BENEFACTOR’S PREVIOUS STATEMENT> But you’ve already made your critical mistake. You landed here. In time, you’ll realize who you’re up against.

<LAUTO LOOKS AT THE BENEFACTOR FOR A FEW MORE SECONDS, THEN DISAPPEARS; AS HE GOES, THE LIGHTS GO OUT TOO>

<SCENE CHANGE>

<BACK ON PLANET COOLER 92, THE PLANTAINS HAVE RETURNED; THE SCREEN PANS FROM THE GARAGE TO THE NEARBY BARRACKS; THERE, PAYAR AND LEDAS ARE WALKING; LEDAS IS LIMPING FROM HIS WOUNDS SUSTAINED FROM HIS FIGHT AGAINST MELOON; HIS FACE AND ARMS ARE BANDAGED; HE STILL WEARS HIS FRIEZA ARMOR>

<THE TWO ENTER INTO THE BARRACKS AND WALK PAST NUMEROUS REGULAR SOLDIERS; MANY OF THEM ARE NOT WEARING ARMOR; SOME ARE WORKING OUT WITH WEIGHTS; SOME ARE LOUNGING; SOME ARE EATING; ALL LOOK UP AS PAYAR ENTERS; HOWEVER, THEY START LAUGHING AND POINTING AT LEDAS AND HIS WRETCHED CONDITION>

<PAYAR STEERS LEDAS THROUGH THE GROUP AND MOVES TO THE BACK OF THE BARRACKS; THEY STOP AT THE LAST ROOM, AND PAYAR GESTURES THE SAIYAN BOY INSIDE>

<THE ROOM IS SMALL, WITH BARELY ANY ROOM OUTSIDE OF THE BUNK BED; IT ALSO HAS A SMALL BATHROOM (WITH ITS OWN DOOR) ON THE LEFT SIDE; ON THE RIGHT, A SMALL CLOSET IS ALL THERE IS; AND MUCH OF THE CLOSET IS ALREADY FILLED; THERE IS A SUIT OF PLANET TRADE ORGANIZATION ARMOR IN IT>

Payar: All right, Saiyan. This is your new home. Unpack your stuff and get cozy.

Ledas: <LIMPING IN> I don’t have any stuff.

Payar: Watch your tone.

Ledas: <LOOKING UP AT PAYAR> But this place is so small… don’t I get a better place with the rest of you?

Payar: <LOOKS INCREDULOUSLY AT LEDAS> Be lucky you get a room at all. You aren’t a Plantain yet, despite what Guva might tell you. This is more than you deserve.

<LEDAS SITS DOWN ON THE BOTTOM BUNK AND WINCES FROM HIS INJURIES>

Ledas: <IMPATIENTLY, WITH A SCOWL> How long until I’m healed?

Payar: Watch it, kid. I saved your life earlier today. You should be grateful. <LEDAS IS STILL SCOWLING AT HIM> But you can go visit the rejuvenation tanks if you need to. They’re just outside. <LEDAS PUTS HIS HANDS BEHIND HIS HEAD THEN LIES DOWN ON THE BED AND SIGHS; HE CLOSES HIS EYES; PAYAR TAKES THIS AS HIS MOMENT TO LEAVE, BUT BEFORE HE DOES, HE REACHES INTO THE CLOSET> Oh, and Saiyan, Captain Banas wanted me to give you these… <HE THROWS SOMETHING AT LEDAS, WHICH LANDS ON THE SAIYAN’S STOMACH, CAUSING THE BOY TO SIT UP IN A JOLT> … so you’ll fit in better.

<PAYAR EXITS>

<LEDAS LOOKS AT WHAT PAYAR THREW HIM; IT IS A SET OF ARMOR JUST LIKE LIEME’S; IT IS BLACK ON GREEN WITH ONLY THE LEFT SHOULDER PAULDRON; THERE ARE NEW GLOVES AND BOOTS, REPAINTED WHITE AND GREEN, AND A BLACK JUMPSUIT FOR UNDERNEATH>

<AS LEDAS STARTS GETTING CHANGED, ANOTHER PERSON ENTERS>

Aprido: Hey, get off my bed!

Ledas: <TEMPER FLARING> Well, no one told me it was yours!

<APRIDO SHAKES HIS HEAD AS LEDAS STANDS UP; HE WALKS FORWARD, TO HIS BED, AND ELBOWS THE SAIYAN IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD AS HE WALKS PAST>

Aprido: You’ve got the top bed, punk. Just stay up there and stay out of my business.

Ledas: Whatever.

Aprido: Yeah, whatever.

<LEDAS THEN GETS CHANGED INTO HIS NEW ARMOR; AFTER HE IS DONE, HE WALKS OUT TO THE MAIN ROOM OF THE BARRACKS WITH MORE CONFIDENCE; LOW SHOT FROM BETWEEN LEDAS’ LEG AT FLOOR LEVEL POINTING TOWARDS THE GROUP OF SOLDIERS TRAINING AND EATING IN FRONT OF HIM; LEDAS HAS HIS HANDS ON HIS HIPS>

Ledas: <WEARILY> Now, where’s that rejuvenation tank?

<HE WALKS OUT OF THE BARRACKS AS THE CAMERA SLOWLY ZOOMS OUT>

<SCENE CUTS BACK TO LEDAS; THE DAY HAS TURNED TO NIGHT; HE HAS RETURNED FROM THE REJUVENATION TANKS, AND IS SITTING UP ON THE TOP BUNK; HE IS ONLY WEARING TRAINING PANTS; HE CAN HEAR SNORING AROUND HIM FROM APRIDO AND THE OTHERS IN THE OTHER ROOMS; AFTER A FEW SECONDS, HE LIES DOWN AND WRAPS BLANKETS AROUND HIMSELF>

<LEDAS LOOKS OUT THE SMALL WINDOW NEXT TO HIS PILLOW; OUTSIDE, HE CAN SEE THE FORESTS OF PLANET 92; THE NEAREST MOON SHINES QUITE BRIGHTLY OVER THEM; HE LOOKS OUT AT THE STARS ABOVE>

Ledas: <IN A WHISPER TO NO ONE IN PARTICULAR> Please… please let Vegeta be out there somewhere.

<HE CLOSES HIS TEAR-FILLED EYES>

Two One Eyed Dogs
<THE NEXT DAY>

<IN GUVA’S PERSONAL BUILDING; IT IS THE LARGEST AND TALLEST BUILDING, AND IS AT THE CENTER OF THE OUTPOST; ON THE THIRD FLOOR; HE AND BANAS ARE LOOKING AT THE WINDOW THAT GUVA SHOT A GIANT HOLE THROUGH EARLIER>

Guva: You took the Saiyan with you last time. How was it?

Banas: <LYING> Nothing you need to be worried about. He’s just an inconvenience.

Guva: Good.

Banas: <MAD> Why is that good?!

Guva: Captain, you always seem to learn best from inconvenience.

Banas: Thanks for telling me.

Guva: <GETS UP OUT OF CHAIR; LYING> You see Banas, Lord Cooler wants us to train the Saiyan. And I will follow his orders. If you’ve got a problem with that, then you can take it up him yourself.

Banas: I don’t remember Cooler saying that.

Guva: Call him up and ask for yourself.

Banas: <OBVIOUSLY WILL NOT DO THAT, COOLER IS TOO DANGEROUS TO BRING INTO THE DRAMA> Gah, you’re smarter than you look.

Guva: Just wait ‘til you get to know me.

Banas: But about your new idea… I would like to hear your inspiration.

Guva: <STARING OUT THE WINDOW> These native species are like animals. So unskilled and uncivilized, and I must confess boredom.

Banas: I’ll put them up against the lower class grunts then. They could use some fun.

Guva: Yes, I agree. We need the morale boost. A content army is not likely to rebel. <HE LOOKS AT BANAS> Right, Captain?

Banas: Ha! You should go out and fight them.

Guva: They’re not worth my time.

Banas: <NODS, LAUGHS> Always the same elitist crap with you.

<CUTS TO PAYAR AND LEDAS, WHO ARE WALKING ON A TRAIL THROUGH A FORESTED AREA; BOTH ARE IN FULL ARMOR>

Payar: No funny business kid. Normally Lieme does this, but the captain thought it would be better for you to try.

Ledas: <CHILD TONE> But what am I doing? You haven’t even told me.

Payar: <CONFESSING, BUT EMBARRASSED THAT HE HAS TO> I can’t do the energy binds.

Ledas: <IN AWE> You can’t use energy?

Payar: <THEY COME UP TO CLEARING, BELOW IN A VALLEY, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF NATIVES WORKING, IN A QUARRY TYPE SETTING> Shut up. Look, see those down there? Use your energy to bind their hands and legs together; we’re going to bring them back to the outpost without incident. <PAUSES, LEDAS DOESN’T SEEM LIKE HE WANTS TO DO IT> Do it, or you get beaten again. And I’m stronger than Meloon.

<LEDAS, SCARED BY THAT, JUMPS DOWN INTO THE QUARRY AND CREATES ENERGY BINDS; HE SHOOTS THEM AT THE NATIVES; THEY OFFER NO RESISTANCE>

Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> Why don’t they fight back? They must be scared of me.

<AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, LEDAS HAS THE WHOLE GROUP LINED UP, BOUND TOGETHER; THEY, WITHOUT A NOISE, MOVE FORWARD, BACK TO THE OUTPOST>

Payar: <THERE IS A HUNGER IN HIS EYES> Good, good. <TO THE NATIVES> Come on, pick it up! <HE HITS ONE OF THE NATIVES; IT SLUMPS OVER DEAD, THE REST START MOVING FASTER, CARRYING THE DEAD ONE ALONG WITH THEM>

<LEDAS IS WATCHING THIS ALL, CURIOUS; AS A FEMALE NATIVE PASSES HIM, IT GIVES HIM A CHILLING LOOK; NOT ONE OF SADNESS OR DESPAIR, BUT OF PITY; AS SHE WALKS BY, LEDAS STAYS STILL, WATCHING HER>

Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> What’s wrong with them? They look like they’ve given up…

<THEY ALL RETURN TO THE OUTPOST; SOLDIERS, CURIOUS AT THE COMMOTION, LINE THE STREETS, LOOKING IN ON THE PROCESSION; PAYAR IS AT ITS HEAD, AND LEDAS IS FOLLOWING BEHIND, HE NOW IS WALKING AS IF WITH A WEIGHT ON HIS SHOULDERS; HE SEEMS TO BE SHAKEN; THEY REACH GUVA’S OFFICE, THE GOVERNOR IS STANDING OUT IN FRONT>

Guva: Ah, <TO PAYAR AND LEDAS> good job, you two. We are in for an interesting night. Payar, take them to the ring.

<PAYAR GRABS THE FIRST IN THE LINE; HE DRAGS THE NATIVE AWAY, CAUSING THE REST TO BE PULLED ALONG WITH HIM>

<CUTS TO THE EVENING, GUVA IS STANDING ON A BALCONY; BELOW HIM, THERE IS A GLADIATOR RING; DOZENS OF NATIVES ARE IN IT, PACING NERVOUSLY>

Guva: <SITTING, BUT THEN STANDS UP; RAISES HIS ARMS DRAMATICALLY; IN A BELLOW> Let us begin!! <THE DOORS OPEN ON THE FAR SIDE, DOZENS OF LOW CLASS SOLDIERS ENTER AND START SHOOTING BLASTS FROM THEIR WRIST MOUNTED GUNS AT THE NATIVES>

Guva: <BANAS AND HIS ‘TAINS, INCLUDING LEDAS, ARE WITH HIM> See, captain, isn’t this entertaining? <THE SCREAMS OF NATIVES, AND THE LAUGHS OF SOLDIERS RISE TO A DEAFENING LEVEL>

Payar: <WATCHING IT ALL, HIS EYES ARE TWINKLING> It’s amazing.

<THE YELLING STOPS; ALL OF THE NATIVES ARE DEAD>

Guva: <STANDS UP AGAIN; PRESSES A BUTTON, THE DOORS REOPEN AND THE SOLDIERS LEAVE; A NEW GROUP OF SOLDIERS AND NATIVES COME OUT> Round two!!! <ROUND TWO STARTS, AND GOES MUCH LIKE ROUND ONE>

Banas: What does everyone think of putting our new acquisition into the mix?

Guva: <SITTING, DOES NOT LOOK BACK AT BANAS> Yes.

Banas: Meloon, take our little Saiyan down there.

Ledas: But, I don’t wanna g– <MELOON GRABS LEDAS BY THE ARM AND PULLS HIM DOWN, CARRYING HIM ALL THE WAY TO THE RING; HE THROWS THE KID INTO THE GROUP OF SOLDIERS GOING FOR ROUND 3> Hey! Stop it!

Meloon: Shut up and do what the guv’na wants, kid. <WALKING OFF, BACK TO GUVA’S LEDGE; TURNS BACK AROUND> And don’t think about running off! You know what’ll happen to ya if you do.

<THE GROUP FOR ROUND THREE IS SMALLER, WITH ONLY 6 OTHER SOLDIERS BESIDES LEDAS, APRIDO IS AMONG THEM>

Aprido: Ah, it’s you! What are you doing in our group!?

Ledas: Mr. Meloon made me come. But, um, what I am supposed to do?

Aprido: <SINISTER> Haven’t you been watching? We get kill them all. As many as we want!

Ledas: I bet you do this a lot. The others really like it, especially Payar… <QUIETLY> but I don’t want to do it. I don’t want to be their stupid pet…

Aprido: <WITH MALICE ON HIS FACE> Ah, Payar! He can’t help himself. He goes down to the quarries every now and then and when he returns, there’s a load of them dead. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. We haven’t had many of these organized events, though.

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF> They can’t be very strong if Payar can kill them. He doesn’t even use energy. <HE LOOKS AT APRIDO> I know I’m stronger than those guys, too…

<THE DOORS OPEN AGAIN, UP ABOVE GUVA CAN BE HEARD>

Guva: <IN A SHOUT> Round three!!!

<ALL, INCLUDING LEDAS, ENTER THE RING; THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF NATIVES, CROWDING LITERALLY EVERY AVAILABLE SPACE IN THE RING, AS SOON AS THE DOOR CLOSES, THEY ALL CHARGE; LEDAS DOES NOT ENTER ENTHUSIASTICALLY>

<THE FIVE LESSER SOLDIERS START FIRING BLASTS IMMEDIATELY, SHOOTING DOWN DOZENS OF NATIVES, BUT THERE ARE TOO MANY AND THE SOLDIERS ARE OVERWHELMED AND KILLED; JUST LEDAS AND APRIDO ARE LEFT>

Aprido: Aren’t you gonna attack? Come on, they’re running right at us!

Ledas: I don’t want to be like Payar. <HE DROPS TO HIS KNEE> I’m not killing them. I’m sick of all the tests.

Aprido: <TO HIMSELF> He thinks he better than me? Well just wait, that little ape won’t see what I have in store!

<APRIDO CHARGES UP A BLAST, AND TAKES OUT A LOT OF NATIVES, THE MAJORITY OF THEM FOCUS ON HIM, BUT A FEW, CAUTIOUSLY RUN UP TO LEDAS, AND START CIRCLING HIM, ALMOST SCARED TO ATTACK HIM; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, A BOLD NATIVE JUMPS ON HIM, ALL THE OTHERS QUICKLY FOLLOW; LEDAS OFFERS NO RESISTANCE, AND FALLS TO THE GROUND, AS THEY PUNCH AND KICK HIM>

<THE NATIVES CONTINUE TO PUNCH AND KICK LEDAS, HE STARES OFF INTO THE SKY ABOVE, AS IF UNAFFECTED>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> I wonder what would Vegeta do? <A BRIEF FLASHBACK IS SHOWN OF THE TWO BLOWING UP A CITY FILLED WITH THOUSANDS OF CIVILIANS; THEY ARE LAUGHING AND HAVING A GREAT TIME; A TEAR COMES TO LEDAS’ EYE> Vegeta wouldn’t be so weak. <OUT LOUD, DETERMINED> He wouldn’t be so weak!! <LEDAS SENDS OUT A WAVE OF ENERGY, DESTROYING THE NATIVES UPON HIM; HE GETS UP AND SENDS OUT ONE MORE BLAST, DETONATING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING, CAUSING A HUGE WHIRLWIND, KICKING UP DIRT AND SMOKE; WHEN ALL THAT CLEARS, ONLY APRIDO AND LEDAS ARE LEFT STANDING> I bet Payar liked that. <LOOKS UP AT GUVA> But they won’t force me to do what they want forever…

Guva: <FROM ABOVE> So captain, you think this Saiyan is going to slow you down, do you?

Banas: <IN HIS MIND> I never did. But you don’t need to know that, Guva. <OUT LOUD> Oh, govvie, you know me. I’m always wrong and you’re always right.

<DOWN BELOW, LEDAS HAS LEFT THE COMPLEX AND IS WALKING BACK TO THE BARRACKS>

Ledas: Wherever Vegeta is, it can’t be as bad as this place. <HE STOPS; HE LOOKS AT THE SKY> I hafta get out of here.

Big Mistake
<SOME TIME LATER>

<IT IS RAINING SLIGHTLY, THE GROUND OUTSIDE IS MUDDY; BANAS, PAYAR, LIEME, MELOON, AND LEDAS ARE OUTSIDE, IN A FLAT, TRAINING AREA; LEDAS HAS AGED SOMEWHAT; HE IS TALLER>

Banas: Lieme, Payar, begin your rounds. I’ll work with the kid and Meloon today.

Lieme: <NODS> Boss. <LIEME AND PAYAR RISE INTO THE AIR, AND START SPARRING>

Banas: <WALKS OVER TO MELOON AND LEDAS, THE RAIN PICKS UP> Now Saiyan, I know you’re stronger than you let on. You’ve proved that on our last few missions. But my team, the Plantains, is a legendary force; and we are feared by all. If you’re weak, you’ll bring down our reputation. And I won’t have that. <TURNS TO MELOON> Meloon, it’s time to test the kid again. Let’s see if he’s ready to become a member!

Meloon: <CRACKING HIS KNUCKLES> Heh, can’t wait.

Banas: Show this kid what’s expected of a member of my team. Don’t try to kill him this time, either.

Ledas: <AS MELOON IS APPROACHING HIM, HE HOLDS HIS GROUND; IN HIS HEAD> Vegeta wouldn’t run from this guy… he would laugh at him! And then beat him! <MELOON REACHES LEDAS> Heh he heh.

Meloon: What’s so funny?!

Ledas: Aha ha ha!! Grandpa always said strength isn’t everything! You idiot! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!

Meloon: Why, you lit– <IN MID SENTENCE, MELOON IS HIT IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD BY LEDAS, WHO HAD MOVED TOO FAST FOR THE ELITE TO SEE; MELOON HITS THE GROUND, AND HIS HEAD IS COVERED IN MUD>

Lieme: <SEES MELOON FALL, STOPS> Hey, Payar. <NODS TO MELOON> Check it out. <BOTH STOP SPARRING; THEY WATCH MELOON AND LEDAS’ FIGHT>

<MELOON GETS UP; HE IS ANGRY; HE CHARGES LEDAS, WHO DODGES OUT OF THE WAY AND SHOOTS A BLAST AT MELOON>

Lieme: It’s amazing. Look, Meloon is obviously the stronger one, yet he’s losing. The child is playing on Meloon’s weaknesses, and he’s winning now, when he shouldn’t be.

Payar: How do you know?

Lieme: That’s what I would do.

<CUTS BACK TO MELOON AND LEDAS, LEDAS AND HIM ARE SPARRING, LEDAS DODGING EVERY PUNCH AND KICK MELOON IS THROWING AT HIM; LEDAS IS LAUGHING YET AGAIN, AND THIS CAUSES MELOON TO BE RECKLESS; LEDAS DODGES HIM EASILY; MELOON IS HIT TO THE GROUND AGAIN, LEDAS SHOOTS A HUGE BEAM OF ENERGY AT MELOON ON THE GROUND, MELOON IS BLOWN INTO A HUGE CRATER>

Banas: Thank you, Meloon, for single handedly destroying my reputation for me. His power level didn’t even go above 40,000. You’re significantly stronger than that. So why is it you who’s on the ground?

Meloon: <GETS UP> Little brat confused me…

Banas: Lieme! Get over here!

<LIEME DESCENDS TO THE GROUND, SENDING MUD FLYING>

Banas: You and the kid. Go.

Lieme: Boss.

<HE MOVES FORWARD AND ATTACKS LEDAS; THIS TIME LIEME IS EASILY THE BETTER, AND UNLIKE MELOON OR PAYAR, HE DOES NOT TOY WITH LEDAS; HE HITS THE CHILD INTO THE GROUND, AND EFFORTLESSLY MOVES AROUND HIM, CONTINUING TO CONFUSE HIM; LEDAS, FRUSTRATED, SENDS OUT SEVERAL KI BLASTS; LIEME CATCHES ONE AND THROWS IT BACK AT HIM; LEDAS, BREATHING HARD, GETS UP AGAIN>

Banas: Thank you, Lieme. As you can see, kid, we–

Ledas: <STANDING DEFIANTLY> Why didya stop? I wasn’t done.

<WITHOUT A WORD, LIEME HITS LEDAS AGAIN, WHO BLOCKS IT, BUT CAN’T HOLD IT, HE IS THROWN INTO THE AIR; LIEME SHOOTS A KI BARRAGE AT HIM AND THEN DISAPPEARS TO A SPOT BEHIND HIM; HE HITS THE CHILD INTO THE BARRAGE; LEDAS FALLS TO THE GROUND, YET AGAIN; HE IS UNCONSCIOUS>

<FLASHBACK>

<LAYEECK AND LEDAS ARE TRAINING IN A SLIGHTLY FORESTED AREA>

Layeeck: What do you do when the opponent is stronger than you?

Ledas: <WANDERING OFF, NOT PAYING ATTENTION> I dunno…

Layeeck: <WITH CONTEMPT> If you were a coward you would run, but we are Saiyans. We never retreat from battle.

<LEDAS STILL ISN’T LOOKING AT HIS FATHER>

Layeeck: Think! What is your opponent dependent on?

Ledas: <FLOATING> A scouter?

Layeeck: Very good. That is the first thing that you should always go for, assuming they have one. <PAUSES> But what if they don’t need a scouter?

Ledas: <FLYING UPSIDE DOWN, STILL NOT PAYING ATTENTION> Then I have to use the power ball.

Layeeck: It will drain your energy to even use it. It’s a gamble. But if you have to…

<LEDAS COMES BACK INTO CONSCIOUSNESS; HE LOOKS UP AT LIEME WHO IS FAST APPROACHING HIM; HE SEES LIEME DOES NOT WEAR A SCOUTER; LEDAS ROLLS OVER AND GATHERS HIS ENERGY AND SHOOTS A POWER BALL INTO THE AIR; LIEME STOPS, ABOUT TEN YARDS AWAY FROM LEDAS>

Lieme: <EYES WIDEN> Oh, well this is going to be interesting.

<CLOSE UP OF THE POWER BALL, IT IS SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET IN THE AIR AND IS SHINING BRIGHTLY; THE RAIN HAS STOPPED>

Ledas: <ROLLS OVER ONTO HIS BACK, IS LAUGHING> Ha ha ha. You guys don’t know what I’m about to do, huh? <STANDS UP, ARMS OUTSTRETCHED> Well watch this!

Lieme: Boss, we have a situation here.

Banas: Yeah, what is that thing?

Lieme: It’s–

<LEDAS STARTS TRANSFORMING INTO HIS GREAT APE FORM, HE GROWS VERY TALL, AND GAINS HAIR ALL OVER HIS BODY; IN JUST A FEW SECONDS, LEDAS IS FULLY TRANSFORMED>

Lieme: …an artificial moon.

Banas: Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me…

<LEDAS JUMPS FORWARD, AND BATS LIEME AWAY, INTO A NEARBY MOUNTAIN, PAYAR MOVES FORWARD, BUT LEDAS GRABS HIM IN HIS HAND; LEDAS LAUGHS AGAIN; HE THEN THROWS PAYAR TO THE GROUND, COVERING HIM IN RUBBLE; BANAS RISES INTO THE AIR TO FACE THE APE AS HE TURNS TO AROUND TO APPROACH THE CAPTAIN>

Banas: There’s not many people alive who could single-handedly take out my entire team… with such ease. I applaud you, Saiyan.

<HE CLAPS TWICE, AND ON THE SECOND CLAP DISAPPEARS; LEDAS LOOKS AROUND, BUT DOES NOT SEE HIM; BANAS REAPPEARS ABOVE THE APE’S HEAD, AND HANDS INTERLOCKED, BRINGS DOWN A POWERFUL PUNCH ONTO HIS CRANIUM; LEDAS, IN A ROAR OF RAGE, JUMPS INTO THE AIR, MUCH HIGHER THAN BANAS EXPECTS, AND HITS HIM AWAY; BANAS IS ABLE TO RECOVER, MIDAIR, AND IMMEDIATELY SHOOTS A POWERFUL BEAM OF ENERGY AT LEDAS; LEDAS, AS WELL, WITHOUT HESITATION SHOOTS A BEAM OF ENERGY OUT OF HIS MOUTH, CAUSING A BEAM STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE TWO; BANAS, BEING STRONGER THAN LEDAS IN HIS GREAT APE FORM, EASILY OVERPOWERS IN THE STRUGGLE; A HUGE EXPLOSION SENDS LEDAS FLYING WAY BACK INTO THE FOREST; HE IS LYING DOWN, NOT MOVING>

Banas: <MOVING OVER TO PAYAR> Hey, <BREATHING HEAVILY> Payar, you there?

Payar: <ROLLS OVER; DAZED AND IN PAIN> Hey, cap’n. Did ya get him?

Banas: <GLANCES OVER AT LEDAS, WHO STILL IS NOT MOVING> Not yet. You know how to get him back to normal?

Payar: Naw, cap’n. <COUGHS> Try Lieme, he’ll prolly know… He knows everything…

Banas: <RISES INTO THE AIR, AND FLIES OVER TO LIEME> Lieme! You awake!?

Lieme: <COMES FROM AROUND A CORNER OF THE RUBBLE; HE IS DISHEVELED AND LIMPING> Yeah, boss, I’m here.

Banas: I need to know how to get him <NODS TO LEDAS> to go back to normal.

Lieme: <PAUSE> You have to cut off his tail. <COUGHS> It won’t be easy, though.

Banas: Are you okay to fight? Can you help?

Lieme: Sorry, boss. <SLIDES DOWN TO A SITTING POSITION UP AGAINST THE ROCK> I can’t.

Banas: Alright. Meloon won’t be of any use either. I’ll try to get to his tail before he wakes up. Stay here, I’ll be back.

Lieme: Heh, <COUGHS AGAIN> were else would I go, boss?

<BANAS RISES INTO THE AIR, AND FLIES OFF TO LEDAS; UNFORTUNATELY, LEDAS IS LYING ON HIS BACK, AND BANAS CAN’T GET TO HIS TAIL; HE TRIES TO ROLL THE SAIYAN OVER>

Banas: <IN AGONY> C-c-c-ome on!!!! Roll over, you stupid ape!

<BANAS GETS LEDAS ROLLED OVER HALFWAY, WITH HIS LEFT HAND, HE KEEPS LEDAS PINNED UP, WITH HIS OTHER, HE READIES A RAZOR BLAST TO SEVER THE SAIYAN’S TAIL>

<LEDAS’ EYES OPEN, WITH A GROWL, HE TAKES HIS HAND REACHES BEHIND TO HIS BACK TO HIT BANAS; BANAS DODGES IT; LEDAS GETS UP AGAIN AND GRABS A TREE, HE THROWS IT AT BANAS, WHO DUCKS>

Banas: You even in there, Saiyan? Or am I just staring at a beast?

Ledas: <LAUGHS> Captain Banas.

<BANAS IS TAKEN ABACK BY THIS AND LETS HIS GUARD DOWN, LEDAS CHARGES AND GRABS HIM, THE RAISES HIM TO THE AIR, AND SLAMS HIM INTO THE GROUND>

<LEDAS TRIES TO STEP ON HIM, BUT BANAS MOVES OUT OF THE WAY, ROLLING THROUGH LEDAS’ LEGS; HE SEES AN OPENING AND SHOOTS A RAZOR BLAST UP AT LEDAS’ TAIL, IT SEVERS IT AND THE SAIYAN QUICKLY REGRESSES, FALLING TO THE GROUND, HARD, INTO A POOL OF HIS OWN BLOOD>

Banas: <STANDS UP, FIXES HIS HAIR, AND LOOKS AT THE SAIYAN> All this destruction from such a little kid. <WALKS OVER TO LEDAS, HE IS SLEEPING; BANAS IS NOT MAD> You see that, Lieme?! Amazing!

<CUTS TO THE MEDICAL BUILDING>

<BANAS IS WALKING DOWN THE HALLS, WHERE LESSER ALIENS ARE WORKING ON SEVERAL REJUVENATION PODS; IN THE PODS, LIEME, PAYAR, AND MELOON ARE HEALING; STRANGELY, THOUGH HE IS INJURED HIMSELF, BANAS IS NOT GETTING HEALED>

<GUVA ENTERS>

Guva: <SERIOUS> This Saiyan gave your team quite a shellacking, I hear. I’m lucky to have you as my captain, Banas. Were you not as strong and smart as you were, he would have probably destroyed half the outpost before I could respond.

Banas: <SERIOUS AS WELL, BUT STILL LOOKING AT HIS TEAM> Maybe, but the real question is, what do we do with him now? Do we kill him? <BOTH START WALKING>

Guva: No, I think he’s tamed now. He wouldn’t try the same trick twice. That form’s main power, after all, is its unexpectedness. And now that that’s no longer a problem, the form itself is no longer a problem. <BOTH ARRIVE AT LEDAS’ TANK, THEY LOOK AT HIM; LEDAS IS BRUISED, AND WITHOUT A TAIL>

Banas: Look at him sleeping. So peaceful. <PUTS HIS HAND ON THE TANK> Well, enjoy your rest while you can, kid. You’re gonna need it.

<CAMERA ZOOMS INTO BANAS’ EYES; THERE IS A BRIEF MONTAGE OF LEDAS BEING PUNISHED AND TORTURED ALL AROUND; HE IS THROWN ABOUT, BLOODIED, AND PHYSICALLY WORN OUT; THE CAMERA ZOOMS BACK OUT TO BANAS’ FACE; HE CHUCKLES>

New Tricks
<A MONTAGE PASSES, MUCH LIKE AT THE ENDING OF THE LAST CHAPTER, WHERE LEDAS IS GETTING BEAT UP; AGAINST LIEME, PAYAR, BANAS, HE CANNOT WIN; HE DOES NOT FIGHT MELOON AGAIN, BECAUSE TWICE IS ENOUGH; ON MISSIONS, LEDAS IS FORCED TO DO A MAJORITY OF THE WORK, BUT THE CAPTAIN AND THE OTHERS NEVER SHOW GRATITUDE TOWARD HIM; THIS MONTAGE SPANS A GOOD DEAL OF TIME, MAYBE A YEAR>

<THE MONTAGE STOPS BACK ON THE PLANET>

<FLASHBACK>

Layeeck: What else is the power ball good for?

Ledas: It can re-grow my tail, but–

Layeeck: But what?

Ledas: <CHILD-LIKE> Power balls are hard to make.

Layeeck: You have to practice the technique. Whenever you have a free moment… try and make one.

Ledas: But what happens if I transform… I’d have to cut off my tail again.

Layeeck: If you feel you are about to transform, just destroy the power ball. You won’t transform that way. Don’t let yourself go without a tail. A good amount of our power is in our tails, son and so is our identity. Our tails make us Saiyans, they make us who we are. Without one, you are not a true Saiyan.

Ledas: But you cut off my tail…

Layeeck: <LOOKS ANGRY> Circumstances dictate responses.

Ledas: <INNOCENTLY, PLAYFULLY> I don’t know what you’re talking about…

<SCREEN FADES TO LEDAS, WHO IS WALKING OUTSIDE, HE IS HAVING A HARD TIME, AND FALLS OVER, BUT THEN GETS BACK UP; HE RETURNS TO HIS ROOM; AS HE WALKS PAST THE TROOPS, HE STILL STRUGGLES WITH BEING ABLE TO BALANCE; THEY LAUGH AT HIM; HE GOES INTO HIS ROOM AND FINDS THAT APRIDO IS NOT IN THERE; HE CLIMBS ON THE TOP BUNK, AND SITS ON THE EDGE, WITH HIS FEET HANGING OVER THE CORNER>

Ledas: <LOOKING DOWN AT HIS HAND, HE CREATES A POWER BALL> Can’t let the others see…

<THE POWER BALL STARTS TO FORM, AND GETS BIGGER; LEDAS’ WHOLE ROOM IS COVERED IN A BRIGHT LIGHT; HE IS HOLDING IT IN HIS PALM, BENT OVER IT, STARING>

<HIS TAIL GROWS BACK, INSTANTLY; FEELING IT, LEDAS QUICKLY DISSIPATES THE POWER BALL; HE STANDS BACK UP AND WALKS OUTSIDE; HE GOES DOWN THE DIRT PATH UNTIL HE NOTICES SOMETHING>

<LIEME IS TRAINING ALONE, IN A LARGE, CIRCULAR ROOM; IT IS LIKE A STADIUM; THE ROOF IS MADE OF ROCK, AND HAS MANY NATURAL HOLES, AND SUCH IN IT, THUS, THE GROUND IS LITTERED WITH POCKETS OF LIGHT; THE GROUND IS SAND; IT IS HOT OUT>

<LEDAS IS STANDING BACK, WATCHING LIEME TRAIN>

Ledas: Mr. Lieme… why don’t you use a scouter?

Lieme: <LANDING, BREATHING HARD> Because I don’t need one.

Ledas: <CURIOUS KID TONE> You mean you have a scouter in your brain?

Lieme: If that helps you understand it, then yes. I can see things you couldn’t even begin to comprehend.

Ledas: <RUNS UP TO LIEME; AT THE BARRIER> Teach me how to do that!

Lieme: <CURTLY> It’s not something you can learn, I was born with it.

Ledas: Then you can show me!

Lieme: <LOOKING AT LEDAS; IN HIS MIND> The kid has potential. Maybe training with him could help me figure out how he’s gotten so powerful… and use that secret, myself… <OUT LOUD> As long as you don’t get in my way–

Ledas: Great!! <LEDAS JUMPS OVER THE BARRIER, INTO THE TRAINING ZONE>

Lieme: <QUICKLY, AND TO THE ASTONISHMENT OF LEDAS, RIPS OFF THE CHILD’S SCOUTER, AND THROWS IT INTO THE STANDS ABOVE> If you want to learn, there will be no more scouters. You must learn to get rid your reliance on such archaic machines. Because, anything that is made artificially will fail you eventually.

Ledas: Mr. Lieme… do you think I can learn to sense people just like you?

<LIEME DISAPPEARS, THEN REAPPEARS BEHIND LEDAS, HITS HIM TO THE GROUND>

Ledas: <GETS UP> No fair… you gotta teach me.

Lieme: I don’t have to do anything. If you can’t adapt, then there’s no point to continuing this! <LIEME DISAPPEARS AGAIN AND HITS LEDAS>

<LEDAS DODGES, BUT DOES SO, RIGHT INTO LIEME, CAUSING BOTH OF THEM TO FALL OVER; LIEME IS GETTING A LITTLE AGITATED; LIEME STARTS DISAPPEARING AND REAPPEARING ALL AROUND LEDAS; THERE ARE ABOUT HALF A DOZEN AFTERIMAGES SURROUNDING AND CONFUSING THE CHILD; LEDAS PUNCHES AT EACH OF THEM, BUT NONE ARE THE REAL LIEME, COMING FROM RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM, LIEME JUMPS FORWARD AND KICKS LEDAS IN THE FACE>

<LEDAS FALLS TO THE GROUND, BUT BEFORE HE HITS IT, HE DISAPPEARS, AND REAPPEARS BEHIND LIEME; LIEME SENSES HIM AND BACKFLIPS OVER THE CHILD AND BRINGS A CRUSHING BLOW DOWN UPON LEDAS’ HEAD>

Ledas: <DESCENDS TO THE GROUND, HOLDING HIS HEAD; WITH LETHARGY> Owwwwie… you don’t need to hit me so hard…

Lieme: Stop your whining.

Ledas: <STILL IN PAIN> I’m just a kid. You’re going too hard on me.

<LIEME IS STILL A BIT AGITATED, HE ATTACKS AGAIN>

Lieme: <IN HIS MIND> He’s a Saiyan, so he’ll get stronger after every fight… even this one. I have to watch myself.

<LEDAS PUNCHES AT HIM, AND HE DODGES UP INTO THE AIR>

<UP IN HIS OFFICE, GUVA IS SEEN WATCHING LEDAS AND LIEME TRAIN; HE IS CONTENT>

<CUTS BACK TO LIEME AND LEDAS, IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL DAYS, AND THEY ARE TRAINING AGAIN>

Lieme: You’re getting quick. <DODGES OUT OF THE WAY, ACTUALLY HAS TO PUT EFFORT INTO TRYING NOT TO GET HIT> But you still are not focused enough.

Ledas: <STOPS ATTACKING> Whoa….

Lieme: <STOPS AS WELL> What is it, now?

Ledas: <SUDDENLY GRINS> I can feel you.

Lieme: <UNCONVINCED> Really? You think you can back that up? <HE RUSHES AROUND LEDAS, CREATING A CONFUSING MESS OF AFTERIMAGES AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME, LEDAS IS EASILY ABLE TO PICK UP UPON THE REAL LIEME, AND HITS HIM; LIEME STOPS THE CONFUSION, AND SLOWLY DESCENDS BACK TO THE GROUND> So, you weren’t lying…

Ledas: <GIDDY WITH EXCITEMENT> Ha ha! I did it… I did it!

Lieme: Don’t get too cocky. You’re just beginning… and I’m still much better than you. <IN HIS HEAD> How the hell is he learning all this so fast? I’m watching him with my own eyes, and I can’t even believe it! What is his secret?

Ledas: I’m gonna attack again, Mr. Lieme… <LEDAS ATTACKS AGAIN, AND LIEME DEFENDS, BUT THEN LEDAS DISAPPEARS; LIEME CANNOT SENSE HIM>

Lieme: What the… where’d he go? <AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OF LOOKING AROUND, LEDAS COMES DOWN ON LIEME’S NECK, FROM BEHIND, SHOCKING THE ELITE; HE GETS BACK UP> And where did you go?

Ledas: I learned a new trick…

Lieme: <SPUTTERING> Yeah? And what was that?

Ledas: <PLAYFUL ARROGANCE> Hmph… I’m not gonna tell you!

Lieme: <IN HIS MIND> He must be raising and dropping his power level at will. Clever.

<LIEME AND LEDAS SPAR AGAIN; THEY GO ON FOR THE DAY, UNTIL THE SUN SETS>

<CUTS TO BANAS AND GUVA, WHO ARE WATCHING AGAIN>

Banas: He’s over 100,000. Can you believe it?

Guva: At such a young age? Were you that powerful when you were young?

Banas: No…

Guva: Don’t you think it strange this Saiyan is so powerful? All the other ones I’ve met have been worthless. This one’s different… <LAUGHS> but I’m not worried.

Banas: <SARCASTICALLY> No, of course not… until he gets stronger than you.

Guva: I have a plan in place if something like that was to happen. Seriously, Banas, you need to stop worrying so much. Stress is so bad for your health.

Banas: And what happens when he grows up? Hmm? He’ll certainly be even stronger!

Guva: I am fully aware of what we have on our hands. I would rather use it for our advantage than squander it. He’s nowhere near our capabilities, Banas, and he never will be.

<BACK AT THE TRAINING AREA, LIEME HAS LEFT AND LEDAS IS SITTING ON A HILL OVERLOOKING THE NATIVES’ MINING POST; THE SUN IS SETTING BEHIND HIM; HE WATCHES AS PAYAR PATROLS THE NATIVES’ WORK AND KILLS A FEW>

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF> They’re just slaves here… just like me.

<HE SHAKES HIS HEAD AND STANDS UP TO LEAVE WHEN HE NOTICES SOMETHING UP IN THE STANDS OF THE STADIUM BEHIND HIM; HE FLIES OVER TO IT, AND SEES THAT IT WAS HIS SCOUTER, WHICH LIEME THREW SO MANY WEEKS AGO; HE PICKS IT UP, REMEMBERING THE DAY THAT HIS FATHER GAVE IT TO HIM, THE FIRST MISSION THAT THEY WENT ON TOGETHER; HE STARES AT IT, WITH SADNESS; WITHOUT ANOTHER THOUGHT, HE WALKS OUT, WITH THE SCOUTER STILL IN HIS HAND>

<THE CAMERA PANS BACK OUT, OVER THE OUTPOST COMPLEX, IN THE DISTANCE, APRIDO CAN BE SEEN, IN THE FAR LEFT CORNER, WATCHING LEDAS; THERE IS MUCH JEALOUSY ON HIS FACE>

<SCENE CHANGE>

<BACK INSIDE THE CAVE WITH THE BENEFACTOR; HE IS STILL BOUND TO A CAVE WALL; HE LOOKS TO BE IN POOR HEALTH>

The Benefactor: <TIREDNESS IN HIS VOICE> What do you want with me?

Lauto: <FLOATING NEARBY, BUT NOT LOOKING AT THE BENEFACTOR> You’re awake? I suppose we can get started now. Your body has proved to be remarkably durable.

<HE TURNS AROUND TO FACE THE BENEFACTOR AND YELLS, CREATING A KI AURA AROUND HIM; AS HE DOES, HE PLACES BOTH OF HIS HANDS ON THE BENEFACTOR’S BODY; WHEN HE DOES, HIS KI ENVELOPS THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR STRUGGLES AGAINST IT, IN PAIN, BUT IS UNABLE TO MOVE; WITHIN SECONDS, LAUTO HAS STOPPED AND MOVES BACK; THE BENEFACTOR’S HEAD HAS DROOPED AND HE IS BREATHING HEAVILY; HOWEVER, IN BETWEEN LAUTO AND THE BENEFACTOR IS NOW A BLACK MIST>

The Benefactor: <STRUGGLING TO LOOK UP> What… what have you done to me?!

Lauto: <GESTURES IN FRONT OF HIMSELF> This is your energy; your ki; your life-force. It’s relatively high for a regular being such as yourself. I will enjoy the boost it gives me.

The Benefactor: What?

Lauto: I should explain. I was once a god – the Grand Supreme Kai of this universe. But my fellow Kais thought I was a poor ruler and had me replaced. They were my friends once. <HE STEPS INTO THE LIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME; THE BENEFACTOR SEES HIS FACE; IT IS LIGHT PURPLE WITH A WHITE MOHAWK; HIS FACE IS WRINKLED AND LOOKS OLD; ACROSS HALF OF HIS FACE, HE HAS AN INJURY THAT LOOKS LIKE HIS SKIN WAS BURNED> But not anymore. I was born to watch over all life in this universe! Without that, I am nothing. And should I die, I’ll have to go back to my people… but that won’t be happening. <HE FLIES RIGHT UP TO WITHIN A FEW INCHES OF THE BENEFACTOR’S FACE> I will taking your body. I was planning on finding an ideal candidate – someone like Frieza or his brother Cooler – but you happening on my door has been most fortunate. You’ll do for now.

The Benefactor: <DETERMINED> I’ll slit your throat.

Lauto: Then you’ll be slitting your own. <HE MOVES BACK> Now stay quiet. I must attune my life-force to yours. <HE MOVES INTO THE CLOUD OF THE BENEFACTOR’S ENERGY AND RAISES HIS ARMS OVER HIS HEAD>

<THE BENEFACTOR STRUGGLES AGAIN, BUT IT’S NO USE; HE SLUMPS FORWARD AND BOWS HIS HEAD IN SHEER EXHAUSTION>

You’re So Lucky
<SOME TIME LATER>

<LEDAS IS LYING ON HIS BED, DAYDREAMING; HE IS NOT WEARING ARMOR, BUT IS DIRTY, AS IF HE HAS JUST GOTTEN DONE WITH SOME TRAINING; ON THE SIDE OF HIM IS HIS SCOUTER>

<HE HAS HIS HANDS IN THE AIR WHEN PAYAR ENTERS; PAYAR DOESN’T EVEN KNOCK; AS THE SCREEN PANS BACK, APRIDO CAN BE SEEN NAPPING ON HIS BED>

Payar: Saiyan. Cap’n has a new shipment in. We’re picking it up.

Ledas: <PICKS UP HIS SCOUTER AND LOOKS THROUGH THE LENS, HOLDING IT AWAY FROM HIS FACE> Can’t you get Lieme to help you? I’m tired.

Payar: Nope, you’re helping me today.

Ledas: Fine.

<LEDAS FOLLOWS, BUT DRAGS HIS FEET; HE BRINGS HIS SCOUTER WITH HIM>

<THE TWO LEAVE AND TAKE THE SECONDARY ROAD DOWN FROM THE OUTPOST TO THE CLOSEST NATIVE ENCAMPMENT; AS THEY GO, THEY NOTICE MELOON SITTING OUTSIDE BEHIND A TABLE EATING A LARGE AMOUNT OF FOOD; HE IS SURROUNDED BY A FEW LESSER SOLDIERS, WHO ARE CHEERING HIM ON; LEDAS SMIRKS WHEN HE SEES IT>

Ledas: <LOOKING AT THE TREES AS THEY GO INTO THE WILD COUNTRY> Payar, why do you kill the natives so much?

Payar: Because I want to. <WALKS FOR A WHILE BEFORE CONTINUING> You’re one to complain. You kill just as many.

Ledas: Because you and Guva make me do it.

Payar: Well? You don’t like it? You can’t be serious. It’s the most entertaining thing we can do on this rock!

Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> Yeah, but you force me to do it! <OUT LOUD> You don’t have to kill so many of them. When you do, I have to go clean up the bodies. Besides, the way you do it is really gross.

Payar: Have you ever, for once, entertained the thought that I just don’t care? Because I don’t. So save your petty complaints.

Ledas: I wasn’t being–

<PAYAR HOLDS UP HIS HAND; THEY BOTH STOP>

<AHEAD OF THEM, THE NATIVES ARE ALL DEAD; THEIR HOUSES ARE SMOLDERING AND BURNT; THE LANDING AREA, WHICH CONSISTS OF A LANDING PAD AND A TOWER, IS ALSO DESTROYED; THE SOLDIERS WHO WORK THE TOWER ARE STREWN ABOUT, DEAD; THE CAPTAIN’S SHIPMENTS ARE NOWHERE TO BE SEEN>

Ledas: Whoa, who did this?!

Payar: What the hell…?

<PAYAR SUDDENLY KICKS LEDAS TO THE RIGHT, SENDING THE BOY FLYING INTO THE BUSHES; HE LEAPS LEFT, BEHIND A TREE; BEFORE LEDAS REALIZES WHAT IS GOING ON, OR HAS A CHANCE TO YELL OUT, PAYAR BUZZES HIM>

Payar: <OVER HIS SCOUTER> Don’t say a word, Saiyan. There’s someone up there.

<LEDAS GETS DOWN ON HIS STOMACH; HE PEERS THROUGH THE BUSHES; HE CAN SEE A FEW BEINGS AHEAD; BUT HE CANNOT MAKE THEM OUT>

Payar: <OVER HIS SCOUTER> Go around right. I’ll go around left. Give some suppressing fire to lead them my way. Then, I’ll deal with them.

Ledas: <BREAKING THE SILENCE; OVER HIS SCOUTER> Um, what if it’s Lieme or someone?

Payar: <OVER HIS SCOUTER> It’s not them. They wouldn’t destroy this place. Wait for my signal. <HE PEERS OUT AGAIN; WE GET TWO PANELS OF HIM LOOKING; THEN HE SPEAKS> Hurry up, go!

<LEDAS BOLTS OUT AND RUNS RIGHT; HE JUMPS OVER THE BUSHES AND FOLIAGE, AND COMES CRASHING DOWN INTO THE MUD IN FRONT OF THE CREATURES; THERE ARE TWO OF THEM; CLEARLY, NEITHER IS A MEMBER OF THIS PLANET; HOWEVER, THEY WEAR COOLER’S ARMOR; THIS MAKES LEDAS HESITATE>

<THE FIRST ALIEN LUNGE-PUNCHES LEDAS BACK; LEDAS ROLLS FORWARD; HE CREATES A PLAYFUL GALICK; WHEN HE STEPS UP FROM HIS ROLL, LEDAS FIRES IT OFF; THE TWO CREATURES BLOCK IT, BUT ARE PUSHED BACK; SEEING HIS OPPORTUNITY, LEDAS FIRES OFF AN UNRELENTING ENERGY BURST; THE DOZENS OF SMALL KI BLASTS ENGULF THE TWO CREATURES; THEY ARE PUSHED BACK>

<PAYAR COMES OUT FROM BEHIND HIS TREE; LEDAS STOPS FIRING THE BLASTS, SO HE DOESN’T HIT HIS ALLY; PAYAR LEAPS FORWARD, ATTEMPTING TO GRAB THE TWO ALIENS; HE MISSES, FALLING TO THE GROUND; THE TWO CREATURES RISE INTO THE AIR; THEY WORK TOGETHER TO ATTACK PAYAR>

Ledas: <PRESSES HIS SCOUTER> Captain Banas! We need your help! <LEDAS RUNS FORWARD TO HELP PAYAR; PAYAR CANNOT USE ENERGY, SO HE IS ABSOLUTELY OUTMATCHED NOW THAT THE ALIENS ARE OUT OF HIS PUNCHING RANGE> Someone’s attacking us down on the landing pad!

<LEDAS REACHES THEM; HE SHOOTS AWAY THEIR ENERGY BLASTS BEFORE THEY REACH PAYAR; THE TWO FACE HIM AGAIN; THEY COMBINE BLASTS; LEDAS ROLLS AWAY, DUCKING AND WEAVING AROUND; HE SHOOTS OFF SEVERAL SMALL KI BLASTS, BUT CANNOT GET A GOOD POSITION TO AIM; HIS KI MISSES THE MARK>

<JUST AT THIS TIME, A HAIL OF YELLOW ENERGY COMES FLYING FROM BEHIND THE TWO CREATURES; THE BLASTS HIT THEM, BUT DO NOT EXPLODE; INSTEAD, THEY CUT INTO THE CREATURES, THROUGH THEIR ARMOR AND INTO THEIR SKIN; THEY YELL OUT>

<BEHIND THEM IS BANAS; HE IS ALONE, BUT IN FULL ARMOR; THEY FACE HIM>

Banas: <IN ALL HIS FURY> Who are you?!

Alien 1: <THROUGH PAIN> Captain Banas! We were wondering when you’d show up! <BANAS CHARGES UP A LARGER BLAST AND FLINGS IT AT THE CLOSER ALIEN; IT IMPALES THE ALIEN THROUGH THE NECK AND HE FALLS TO THE GROUND DEAD> Okay, okay! Let’s just calm down a bit! Come here, let’s talk.

<THE ALIEN DESCENDS TO THE GROUND AND NEAREST ONE BECKONS LEDAS AND BANAS TO DO LIKEWISE>

Banas: <AS HE REACHES THE GROUND> What are you doing on my planet?!

Alien 1: Just returning the favor for killing our friends. <HE SMILES AND PRESSES A BUTTON ON HIS ARMPAD>

Banas: The hell? You can’t be talking about those rebels that came to me years ago…!?

Alien 1: <SMILING> Ah, you remember us! Well, we’re stronger now! And we can afford to dish out some payback! <HE LAUGHS WHILE RAISING HIS HEAD AND ARMS INTO THE AIR; WITHIN A MOMENT, HE IS COATED IN A WHITE LIGHT> This is for those you’ve killed, Captain!

<THE BLAST ENGULFS THE THREE PLANTAINS; BANAS RECOVERS BEFORE THE OTHERS AND DASHES UP TO THE ALIEN; WITHOUT ANOTHER THOUGHT, HE MERCILESSLY PUNCHES THE ALIEN THROUGH THE STOMACH; AS HIS FIST COMES OUT THE OTHER SIDE, THE CAPTAIN FLINGS THE ALIEN OFF OF HIS ARM AND DOWN TO THE GROUND>

Banas: <WITH UTTER DISGUST> Get off my planet.

<JUST AS BANAS KILLS THE ALIEN, LIEME AND MELOON ARRIVE>

Lieme: Boss, what is this?

Meloon: We’re under attack?!

Banas: I don’t know… keep your eyes sharp.

Lieme: Boss… that guy <NODS TO THE DEAD ALIEN AT BANAS’ FEET> wasn’t the only power level I felt coming over here.

<JUST AS BANAS GOES TO ANSWER, A LOUD NOISE CAN BE HEARD; ALL FIVE OF THE SOLDIERS LOOK UP AND SEE TWO MASSIVE GUNBOATS DESCENDING FROM THE CLOUDS; A SLEW OF CREW MEMBERS COAT THE NEAREST SIDE OF EACH SHIP, AND THEY ARE ALL READYING UP ENERGY BLAST>

Banas: Ah, hell. Get to cover!

<THE PLANTAINS DODGE AS THE BLASTS START RAINING DOWN, BOMBARDING THE ENTIRE LANDSCAPE; LEDAS DROPS TO A KNEE AND SHOOTS OFF A GALICK GUN, BRIEFLY ENGAGING IN A BEAM STRUGGLE WITH ONE OF THE CREW MEMBERS ABOVE BEFORE DESTROYING THE ALIEN; THE OTHER PLANTAINS TRY SIMILAR MANEUVERS; MELOON, HOWEVER, JUST SHOOTS A BUNCH OF RANDOM BLASTS UPWARD, HOPING TO DAMAGE THE SHIP; CLEARLY, HOWEVER, THE PLANTAINS ARE BARELY HOLDING THEIR GROUND, AS THE COMBINED FIREPOWER OF DOZENS OF ENEMIES STARTS TO PUSH THEM BACK>

<PAYAR, WHO IS FLINGING TREES AT THE BOATS LIKE GULDO ON STEROIDS, IS HIT WITH SEVERAL BLASTS AND FALLS TO HIS KNEES; WITHIN MOMENTS, THE COMBINED ENERGY IS FOCUSED ON MELOON, AND HE HAS TO TAKE COVER; THE BLASTS THEN TURN TO LEDAS>

Ledas: <HE ROLLS BACK AND ATTEMPTS TO FIND COVER WHEN A CONCENTRATED ENERGY BLAST HITS HIM IN THE FACE, DESTROYING HIS SCOUTER; HE FALLS DOWN, FACE FIRST, INTO THE MUD> No! Dad gave me that scouter!

<THEN, AS THE REMAINING PLANTAINS START GETTING MORE AND MORE OVERWHELMED, THEY NOTICE A NEW AURA LIGHT UP THE SKY, COMING FROM DUE NORTH, TO THEIR RIGHT; IT IS PURPLE>

Meloon: Captain! Looks like the governor’s come to play! Ha ha! <HE IMMEDIATELY GETS HIT WITH A BLAST AND IS FLUNG AWAY LIKE A RAGDOLL>

Banas: <TO HIMSELF> Shit.

<THE CAMERA FOCUSES ON GUVA, WHO IS FLYING AT HIS FASTEST SPEEDS; HE IS WEARING EXTREMELY ORNATE PURPLE AND GOLD ARMOR, AS WELL AS A CAPE; WHEN HE REACHES THE NEAREST GUNBOAT, HE CREATES TWO ENERGY SWORDS IN HIS HANDS; HE FLIES THROUGH THE GROUPS OF REBELS AND CUTS THEM TO PIECES, MOSTLY DECAPITATING AND CUTTING THEM IN HALF; THEIR LIMBS AND CORPSES FALL FROM THE BOAT TO THE GROUND; AFTER GUVA KILLS THEM ALL, HE LANDS ON TOP OF THE GUNBOAT AND POINTS HIS HANDS DOWN TO THE FLOOR; HE THEN CREATES AN ELEGANT FINISHER AND SHOOTS IT; WITHIN SECONDS, THE FIRST GUNBOAT IS DESTROYED>

<AS GUVA MOVES TO THE SECOND GUNBOAT, THE REBEL CREW NOTICES HIM AND TURN THEIR FIRE ON HIM; HE GOES ON THE DEFENSIVE, WEAVING AND DODGING UP INTO THE SKY; AS HE DOES, HE NOTICES THE AURA OF BANAS COME UP AND LAND ON THE DECK BEHIND THE CREW; WITHIN A SINGLE BLAST, HE ENGULFS THEM AND INCINERATES THEM; THEN, HE SHOOTS AN ENERGY BARRAGE ONTO THE SHIP ITSELF; THIS IS JOINED BY THE BLASTS OF LIEME, MELOON, AND LEDAS FROM BELOW; AS WELL, GUVA, FROM ABOVE, SHOOTS ANOTHER ENERGY BLAST DOWN AT THE GUNBOAT; WHEN ALL OF THEIR ATTACKS HIT, THE SHIP BLOWS UP>

<THEN, AS THE SMOLDERING RUINS FALL TO THE GROUND, BANAS AND GUVA RETURN TO THE REST OF THE GROUP>

Guva: <ALL BUSINESS; BEFORE HE HAS EVEN LANDED> Who were they?

Banas: Just some rebels.

Guva: And why were they attacking us, Captain?

Banas: <STEADFAST; STARTS WALKING AWAY AS HE LANDS> I don’t know, guvvy.

Guva: <TELEPORTS IN FRONT OF BANAS> I am not in the mood for games, Banas. I can interrogate your team if I have to.

Banas: <SIGHS> Nah, you don’t have to. Those guys were here because I didn’t join them a few years back. Actually killed two or three of them, I think. They were coming back for revenge.

Guva: <ANGER SURGING> What?! You were approached by a rebel group and didn’t report it to me?!

Banas: I didn’t think it was important at–

Guva: <RAISES HIS HAND; HIS FACE IS STILL LIVID> Shut up. I don’t want to hear it. As of now, you are removed as Captain of my installation.

Banas: <SHOCK> What?! Guva, you can’t–

Guva: I’m your governor; I can do what I please. Now follow me to my office; I’m going to need to report this to lord Cooler. No more backtalk, either. Come on, let’s go.

<GUVA AND BANAS THEN LEAVE, THE LATTER STILL IN SHOCK; HIS PLANTAINS JUST STAND THERE, RECOVERING FROM THEIR WOUNDS, WATCHING THE TWO GO; NO ONE SPEAKS; AFTER SOME TIME, MELOON AND LIEME LEAVE; BOTH ARE IN ALMOST AS MUCH SHOCK AS BANAS WAS; PAYAR, HOWEVER REMAINS BEHIND>

<LEDAS WATCHES AS PAYAR KICKS THE GROUND; CLEARLY, THE ALIEN IS ANGRY; HE THEN WATCHES PAYAR TAKE THE FAMILIAR PATH DOWN TO ANOTHER CAMP OF NATIVES>

<LEDAS SINKS TO THE GROUND AND LOOKS AT THE BROKEN PIECES OF HIS TEAL SCOUTER; HE CROUCHES ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES>

Ledas: Dad gave that to me on the first mission he ever took me on… <HE SIGHS AND SITS UP AGAINST A NEARBY TREE; AROUND HIM ARE THE BURNING PIECES OF THE GUNBOATS> Guess a lot has changed since then.

The Day I Had 60 Pokémon
<GUVA AND LEDAS ARE STANDING, FACING ONE ANOTHER, OUTSIDE OF GUVA’S OFFICE ON THE THIRD FLOOR; BEHIND THEM IS A WALL-WINDOW; THE SUN IS SETTING BEHIND THEM, PARTIALLY SILHOUETTING THEIR FIGURES>

Guva: What’s your power level?

Ledas: <SHRUGGING> About half of their’s, I guess…

Guva: That won’t do. With Banas on suspension, I can see him making a move on me soon. I need you to be stronger, Ledas. I’m hoping Payar will side with us should Banas try something, but I can’t guarantee his loyalty.

Ledas: I’m training as hard as I can, sir.

Guva: <KNEELS DOWN, PLACES HANDS ON LEDAS’ SHOULDERS> I’ll find any remaining Saiyans if you help me with this. You know that. <STANDS BACK UP> So don’t take too long. I’m not sure either of us can afford it. Now give this to Lieme. It’s the flight plan from the gunboats. He’ll be able to find where they came from with this. <HE HANDS LEDAS A SMALL INFORMATION CHIP>

<GUVA EXITS RIGHT, LEDAS EXITS LEFT>

<LEDAS LEAVES THE BUILDING AND WALKS TO THE SECONDARY POD LAUNCH STATION; THERE, THE PLANTAINS ARE WAITING FOR HIM; LIEME IS LEANING UP AGAINST A WALL WITH HIS ARMS CROSSED AND HEAD BOWED; MELOON IS SITTING AT A TABLE NAPPING, AND PAYAR IS SITTING ON A LEDGE NEAREST THE ENTRANCE; WITHOUT SPEAKING, LEDAS ENTERS AND THROWS THE CHIP AT LIEME, WHO LOOKS UP AND CATCHES IT AT THE LAST SECOND; HE NODS TO LEDAS AND STANDS UP, MOVING TO HIS POD; HE MOTIONS FOR MELOON TO JOIN HIM>

<LEDAS FINDS HIS ARMOR NEARBY AND STARTS PUTTING IT ON; PAYAR WATCHES HIM>

Payar: Saw you talking to the governor. Why’d he talk to you and not Lieme?

Ledas: <BARELY PAYING ATTENTION; SLIPS CHEST HARNESS OVER HIS HEAD> I dunno.

Payar: It’s fucking bullshit, you know.

Ledas: <STOPS AND LOOKS UP> What?

Payar: <SUDDENLY FUMING> Guva. Making Lieme the temporary captain. I should be captain. I’m a better leader.

Ledas: <GOES TO PUT ON HIS GLOVES AND BOOTS> Yeah, but Lieme’s stronger than you. Plus, he can use ki.

Payar: Watch it, kid. I ain’t in the fucking mood.

Ledas: Does it really matter? I bet being captain is boring.

Payar: <JUMPS OFF THE LEDGE> Yeah. Well, it’s Guva’s mistake. If he thinks letting me kill the natives is enough, then he’s in for a shock.

Ledas: Enough for what?

Payar: Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on, kid. I know why you’re still here. Guva wants you as protection in case Banas tries to take over the outpost. He probably thought up that plan the day we found you. And he’s been bribing me with the gladiator matches so I’d help him too. But he messed up. I should be captain. That’s all there is to it.

<PAYAR WALKS PAST HIM, TO THE PODS; ONCE LEDAS’ GEAR IS ON, HE JOGS OVER TO THE REST OF THE GROUP; AS HE GETS THERE, HE NOTICES LIEME IS HOLDING A BOX>

Lieme: Governor gave me enough for all of us. 60 apiece. <HE TAKES OUT SMALL POUCHES FROM THE BOX AND TOSSES THEM TO ALL THREE OF HIS SUBORDINATES> Don’t let them out until we’re on board. These are the latest models. They don’t need to be planted. Just warm them up a bit with your ki, okay?

<PAYAR AND MELOON NOD>

Ledas: But what are these, Mr. Lieme sir?

Lieme: Saibamen.

Ledas: Saibamen? I used to train with those. They’re so weak!

Lieme: Not in large numbers. Besides, governor thinks it’s better than using regular soldiers. Something to do with morale. Now, keep them close, and don’t let them out until I give you the word. All right, let’s move.

<THE FOUR PLANTAINS GET INTO THEIR PODS AND FLY OFF>

<CUTS TO IN SPACE, AS THE PLANTAINS REACH THEIR TARGET; IT IS A LARGE, ICE-COVERED PLANET; HOVERING ABOVE THE PLANET IS A LARGE ARMORED RIG; IT IS COVERED IN WEAPONRY; THEY LAND ON THE PLANET AND ALL EXIT; SINCE LEDAS CAN SENSE KI, AND HIS SCOUTER WAS DESTROYED IN THE LAST CHAPTER, HE NOW USES A WRIST-PAD TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE OTHERS; THIS IS THE SAME WAY THAT LIEME COMMUNICATES WITH EVERYONE; THE FOUR PODS ALL LAND ON DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE PLANET; LEDAS LANDS NEAR THE NORTHERN POLE>

<AS HE EXITS HIS POD, HE STARTS SHIVERING FROM THE COLD; HOWEVER, THERE ARE NO WINDS; HE CAN SEE MANY TALL TOWERS AROUND HIM>

Lieme: <OVER THE COM> All right. Their base is too heavily fortified to go in normally. Everyone get to the nearest tower as quietly as you can. Once you’re inside, use the teleportation grid; that will put you on board their base. <LEDAS LOOKS UP AND NOTICES THE LARGE FLOATING INSTALLATION FAR ABOVE THE TOWERS; IT IS LINED WITH GUNS> And go slowly. We don’t know how many there are. They could overwhelm us if we aren’t careful.

<LEDAS CREEPS FORWARD TO THE NEAREST TOWER; IT IS INCREDIBLY TALL; AT THE TOP OF THE TOWER IS A CIRCULAR OBSERVATORY WITH DUAL FINS ROTATING AROUND IT; FROM THE OBSERVATORY DOWNWARD IS A THIN CABLE WHICH DESCENDS ALL THE WAY TO WITHIN A FEW METERS OF THE ICY SURFACE; AS LEDAS LOOKS AT IT, THE END OF THE OF CABLE LIGHTS UP, AND SUDDENLY A BOLT OF ENERGY FLIES FROM IT, SLAMMING INTO THE GROUND; THE ICY ROCK BREAKS APART AS THE AREA IS COATED IN A PINK-YELLOW HAZE WHICH DEMATERIALIZES MUCH OF THE LOOSE ROCK>

<AS LEDAS WATCHES, A GUNBOAT, LIKE THE ONE THAT ATTACKED PLANET 92, COMES BY THE SPIRE AND UNLOADS A FEW TROOPS; THEY ARE WEARING VACUUM-SEALED PLANET TRADE ORGANIZATION ARMOR; AS THEY GET OUT, THE TWO SOLDIERS MAKE THEIR WAY TO A METAL POST NEARBY THE TOWER AND PRESS A BUTTON; WITHIN MOMENTS, THEY ARE DEMATERIALIZED LIKE THE ROCKS; LEDAS WAITS FOR THE GUNBOAT TO LEAVE BEFORE RUSHING UP TO THE POST AND DOES LIKEWISE>

<LEDAS RE-MATERIALIZES INSIDE THE OBSERVATORY OF THE TOWER; HE MOVES FORWARD; HE NOTICES THE TWO SOLDIERS HAVE MOVED FORWARD TO THE CENTER OF THE LARGE ROOM, WHERE A COMPUTER CENTER IS; THOUGH LEDAS IS SNEAKING, HE TRIPS ON SOMETHING ON THE GROUND WHICH ALERTS THEM TO HIS PRESENCE; THE TWO TURN AROUND AND SEE HIM>

Rebel 1: Hey! What are you up to?

Ledas: <TAKEN ABACK BY THEIR NON-AGGRESSION> I, uh, was just going to the main place. You know… <HE POINTS TO THE CEILING>

Rebel 1: <NARROWS HIS EYES> Command isn’t allowing anyone on the rig right now…

Rebel 2: Hey, why aren’t you wearing sealed armor?

<LEDAS FROWNS AND LEANS FORWARD; HE THEN CHARGES STRAIGHT INTO THE SOLDIERS BEFORE THEY CAN SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING; HE HEADBUTTS THE NEAREST ONE SO HARD THAT IT SHATTERS THE ALIEN’S HELMET; HE FALLS BACK, DEAD; THE SECOND SOLDIER CHARGES LEDAS, BUT THE SAIYAN DODGES AROUND HIM, AND ELBOWS HIM IN THE BACK; THEN, HE KICKS OUT THE ALIEN’S FEET AND TELEPORTS ABOVE THE FALLING CREATURE; HE SLAMS DOWN ON IT WITH BOTH OF HIS FEET, CAUSING IT TO COUGH UP BLOOD AND SPLATTER IT ON THE INSIDE OF ITS HELMET BEFORE DYING; THE COMMOTION, HOWEVER, ALERTS THE REST OF THE GARRISON>

<ABOUT FIVE OTHER SOLDIERS COME AROUND THE CORNER BEHIND LEDAS; THEY READY THEIR WRIST-BLASTERS AND SHOOT AT HIM; AS THE CLOUD ENGULFS HIM, THE ALIENS THINK THEY HAVE WON AND START CHEERING; THEN, LEDAS APPEARS BEHIND THEM>

Ledas: <GETTING THEIR ATTENTION> Hey! <THE GROUP TURNS AROUND> Here you go!

<LEDAS SHOOTS HIS SIGNATURE CYAN BLAST AT THE ALIENS AND DESTROYS THEM COMPLETELY; HE NOTICES, OUT THE OBSERVATORY, THE OTHER FLOATING TOWERS AND THE MASSIVE BLUE STAR IN THE SKY; THEN, HE TURNS BACK AND GOES OVER TO THE COMPUTERS>

<LEDAS STARTS PRESSING ALL SORTS OF BUTTONS WHICH DON’T DO ANYTHING; AFTER A FEW MORE BUTTONS, THE TOWER STARTS SHAKING; HE BARES HIS TEETH IN SURPRISE; FINALLY FINDING BUTTON THAT LOOKS JUST LIKE THE ONE HE PRESSED ON TO MATERIALIZE UP TO THE TOWER, HE PRESSES THAT AND DISAPPEARS>

<LEDAS REAPPEARS INSIDE A DIMLY LIT ROOM; THE CAMERA PANS BACK, SHOWING IT TO BE A LARGE HANGER THAT LOOKS QUITE AGED AND RUSTED; PLANET TRADE ORGANIZATION SHIPS, INCLUDING GUNBOATS AND PODS, SPARSELY POPULATE THE HANGERS; THERE ARE A FEW REBELS PATROLLING ABOUT AS WELL; AS SOON AS LEDAS FINDS HIS FEET, HE RUNS BEHIND A BUNCH OF CRATE AND PULLS OUT THE POUCH THAT LIEME HAD GIVEN TO HIM; HE RAISES HIS LEFT ARM AND TURNS ON THE COMMUNICATOR WITH HIS RIGHT HAND>

Ledas: <CROUCHING, LOOKING OFF-SCREEN; WHISPERING> Mr. Lieme, I’m on the ship.

Lieme: <OVER THE COM> Find a hole and stay put. We are still waiting on Meloon and Payar.

Ledas: Okay, but sir, what am I supposed to do with the Saibamen?

Lieme: <OVER THE COM> Let them do as much damage as possible. Try to find a power source if you can. We’ll try to get the rig’s defensive system offline. Then we won’t have to sneak around.

Ledas: <STANDS UP UPON SEEING SOME SOLDIERS APPROACHING HIS AREA> Okay sir.

<THE SOLDIERS GET CLOSER, PROMPTING LEDAS TO DISAPPEAR>

Rebel 3: Did you hear that? <HE NUDGES HIS PARTNER>

Rebel 4: Probably some space rats, man. They’re all over these old rigs.

Rebel 3: <PICKS UP A CRATE WITH THE OTHER REBEL; THEY START CARRYING IT AWAY> That’s gross. You’d think they would have cleared the place out before bringing us on board…

<BACK BEHIND CRATES FURTHER BACK, LEDAS IS WATCHING THE TWO LEAVE; HE SIGHS AS THEY GET OUT OF RANGE>

Rebel 5: Hey kid, what are you doing back here?

<LEDAS LOOKS BEHIND HIM, SEEING ANOTHER REBEL HAS SPOTTED HIM; AS THE TALL ALIEN REACHES FOR HIM, LEDAS WILD SENSES BEHIND HIM AND KICKS THE ALIEN IN THE NECK; THIS CAUSES THE ALIEN TO FALL FORWARD, DEAD; LEDAS NOTICES THE ALIEN IS THE SAME RACE AS LIEME>

<HOWEVER, THE ALIEN’S DEATH SCREAM ALERTS SOME OTHER SOLDIERS, AND THEY IMMEDIATELY RUN OVER; THEY SPOT LEDAS AND START SHOOTING AT HIM; HE DODGES, ROLLING BEHIND A PARKED GUNBOAT; HE CALLS UP LIEME AGAIN>

Ledas: <YELLING OVER THE SOUND OF ENERGY BLASTERS SHOOTING AT HIM> Sir, they found me! What am I supposed to do?

Lieme: <OVER THE COM> Damnit, Saiyan! Didn’t I tell you to hide–

Ledas: <RETREATS FURTHER BACK> I tried to hide, but they were everywhere!

Lieme: <OVER THE COM; CLEARLY ANGRY> Stupid monkey! I can’t help you. You’re on your own.

Ledas: Come on! <LIEME CUTS THE CONNECTION>

<LEDAS RISES INTO THE AIR AND SHOOTS HOMING FINGER BEAMS AT THE SOLDIERS, IMMEDIATELY INCAPACITATING THEM; THEN, HE LANDS AND BRINGS THE POUCH BACK IN HIS HAND; HE YELLS, CAUSING HIS AURA TO FLARE AROUND HIM; THEN, HE THROWS THE POUCH TO THE METAL FLOOR, WHILE IT IS STILL ENCASED IN HIS AURA, AND STEPS BACK>

<A SUDDEN ENERGY ATTACK HITS HIM ACROSS THE FACE, CAUSING HIM TO TURN AROUND; THERE, A GUNBOAT IS FLYING STRAIGHT AT HIM; LEDAS TAKES TO THE AIR AND FLIES RIGHT AT IT, FLARING UP HIS AURA; HE FLIES RIGHT INTO THE GUNBOAT, DESTROYING IT; AS HE EMERGES THE RUINS, HE TURNS AROUND, AND NOTICES A SEA OF GREEN BEHIND HIM; WHERE THE POUCH ONCE WAS IS NOW A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SAIBAMEN; THEY ARE CRAWLING OVER EVERY SURFACE, SHOOTING KI BLASTS RANDOMLY AND SCRATCHING AT THE METAL WALLS>

Ledas: Hey! All of you! <LEDAS POINTS TO THE FAR DOOR> Go that way!

<THE SAIBAMEN BREAK OUT INTO CACKLES OF LAUGHTER AND RUSH TOWARDS THE FAR DOOR; LEDAS FLIES ABOVE THEM; AS THEY ALL REACH THE DOORS, THE DOORS PREMATURELY OPEN AND SEVERAL SOLDIERS COME OUT; THE SAIBAMEN JUMP ON THEM AND RIP THEM TO PIECES; AS THEY STEP THROUGH THE DOORS, LEDAS SEES THAT THIS PART OF THE RIG IS IN BETTER CONDITION THAN THE HANGER; THE WALLS AND FLOOR ARE ALL WHITE; THERE ARE DOORS LINING THE HALLWAY, AND THE HALLWAY ITSELF SPLITS OFF INTO A THREE-WAY FORK JUST A LITTLE BIT AHEAD OF THEM>

<LEDAS LANDS IN FRONT OF HIS POSSE; HE NOTICES TWO RED SAIBAMEN AMONGST THE OTHERS>

Ledas: <SENSING THEIR POWER> Whoa, I’ve never seen a red one before. You guys are stronger, too. I can feel it. <POINTING AT THE NEAREST RED SAIBAMAN> You!

Red Saibaman 1: Gruhh?

Ledas: Take a few Saibamen up ahead and see how many rebels there are! <THE RED SAIBAMEN NODS AND RUSHES FORWARD WITH ABOUT 8 OTHERS; LEDAS LOOKS AT THE OTHER RED ONE> And you! <HE POINTS AT IT> You’ll lead the main force! Keep everyone under control, okay?

<RED SAIBAMAN 2 GRUNTS AND NODS>

<WITHIN A FEW MORE SECONDS, RED SAIBAMAN 1 COMES RUNNING BACK AT GREAT SPEED; HE ONLY HAS A FEW SAIBAMEN WITH HIM; AS THEY TURN THE CORNER TO THE MAIN HALLWAY, LEDAS SEES A BUNCH OF ENERGY ATTACKS FOLLOW THEM; EVIDENTLY A LARGE FORCE IS PURSUING THEM>

Ledas: Ready! <HE POINTS FORWARD AND WAITS FOR THE SAIBAMEN SCOUTS TO DIVE BACK INTO THE RANKS> Fire!

<AS THE ALIEN FORCES COME AROUND THE CORNER, THEY ARE BLASTED WITH A WALL OF KI; ALL ARE INCINERATED IMMEDIATELY; UPON SENSING THE LAST SOLDIER’S DEATH, LEDAS ORDERS HIS ARMY FORWARD; HE LEADS THEM, RUNNING AHEAD; THE SAIBAMEN FOLLOW HIM LOYALLY>

<THE SAIBAMEN CLOG THE HALL AND RIP OPEN ANY DOOR THEY COME ACROSS; SPILLING INSIDE, THEY TEAR APART THE ROOMS, AND KILL ANY SOLDIERS THEY FIND; HOWEVER, SOME SOLDIERS ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO TAKE ON THE SAIBAMEN AND FIGHT BACK; LEDAS KILLS THE STRONGER REBELS, HOWEVER; MANY OF HIS SAIBAMEN START SELF-DESTRUCTING AS WELL>

<A HOST OF SOLDIERS COMES FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE; LEDAS WATCHES AS THEY ENGAGE HIS ARMY; RED SAIBAMAN 2 LEADS THE MAIN FORCE AND ORDERS HIS UNDERLINGS TO ATTACK; MANY JUMP ON THE SOLDIERS AND RIP THEIR LIMBS OFF; FOR THE STRONGER REBELS, WHO SIMPLY KILL ANY SAIBAMAN WHO IS FOOLISH ENOUGH TO ATTACK, THE SAIBAMEN FOCUS ENERGY ATTACKS ON THEM UNTIL THEY HAVE FALLEN; THE GROUP MOVES FORWARD AS THEY CONTINUE TO TEAR THE AREA APART>

<AS THEY RUN, LEDAS SEES EXPLOSIONS GOING OFF ALL AROUND; THIS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE OTHER PLANTAINS; FINALLY, THE HALLWAY COMES TO A LARGE DOOR; IN FRONT OF THE DOOR IS A HOST OF SOLDIERS; WHEN THEY SEE LEDAS, THEY ACTIVATE THEIR DEFENSES; TURRETS DROP FROM THE CEILING AND THE ALIENS TAKE POSITION BEHIND COVER>

<AS LEDAS’ GROUP RUNS FORWARD, MANY ARE ANNIHILATED; LEDAS FIRES SEVERAL PLAYFUL GALICKS AS HE TRIES TO DESTROY THE DEFENSES; HOWEVER, MORE SOLDIERS START POURING IN AROUND THEM UNTIL LEDAS AND HIS GROUP ARE SURROUNDED; LEDAS ATTACKS AS BEST HE CAN, BUT MORE AND MORE OF HIS GREEN BUDDIES ARE DYING; THE SOLDIERS COME AROUND AND THE SAIBAMEN ATTACK; DUE TO THE CLOSE QUARTERS, THIS IS VERY BLOODY; THE SAIBAMEN OFTEN RESORT TO USING THEIR CLAWS AND TEETH TO ATTACK; MANY OF THEM LATCH ONTO THE ALIENS AND SELF-DESTRUCT, INCINERATING ENTIRE GROUPS OF THE REBELS>

<HE NOTICES AS THE TWO RED SAIBAMEN START CREATING MASSIVE KI BLASTS; THEY ARE JOINED IN BY THE REST OF THE SAIBAMEN AND DESTROY AN ENTIRE SECTION OF THE TROOPS; THEN, THE SAIBAMEN LINE UP AND CREATE A ROW OF KI; SOME OF THE SAIBAMEN ARE HIT WITH ATTACKS AND DROP TO THE GROUND, DEAD, BUT MOST REMAIN INTACT AND START PUSHING THE SOLDIERS BACK; LEDAS CLEARS THE REST OF THE SOLDIERS COVERING THE DOOR, AND DESTROYS ALL TURRETS; WITHIN A FEW MOMENTS, THE SAIBAMEN HAVE CLEARED OUT THE HALLWAY BEHIND>

Ledas: <BREATHLESS> Good job. <HE LOOKS AT THE SMALL GROUP THAT REMAINS> How many of you are left? <HE STARTS COUNTING, POINTING AT THEM AS HE DOES> One, two, three, four, five…

<WHILE HE IS SPEAKING, THE LIGHTS GO OUT; THEN, THEY COME BACK ON WITH BACKUP POWER; THE BACKUP POWER IS MUCH DIMMER, AND CAUSES SIRENS TO START UP>

Lieme: <OVER THE COM, OPEN CHANNEL> We’ve deactivated the security. Now find me this rig’s commander.

Meloon: <OVER THE COM> Nothing over here, Lieme. Everyone’s dead, heheh.

Ledas: <LOOKING AT THE DOOR> Oh, wait! There’s a pretty strong power level near me. I just sensed it.

Lieme: <OVER THE COM> Is it stronger than you?

Ledas: No, but it’s close…

Lieme: <OVER THE COM> Then go and kill it! Must I walk you through everything?!

Ledas: Okay, okay. You don’t need to yell.

<LIEME CUTS THE COM AND LEDAS STEPS FORWARD TO THE DOOR>

Ledas: <OPENS THE DOOR, BUT BEFORE HE STEPS INSIDE, LOOKS BACK AT THE REMAINING SAIBAMEN> Uh, just guard this door, okay? Kill anyone you see, ‘cept me, of course! <HE LAUGHS AT THIS; THE SAIBAMEN ALL GRUNT IN APPROVAL> All right. <HE STEPS INTO THE ROOM INSIDE> Now to find who’s behind this.

A Mess Of Politics
<SCREEN FADES FROM BLACK>

<LEDAS ENTERS THE ROOM BEHIND THE DOOR; HE NOTICES THIS NEW ROOM TO BE UNLIKE ANYTHING HE’S EVER SEEN; MASSIVE COILS AND WIRES HANG EVERYWHERE; THE WALLS ARE COVERED IN COMPUTERS AND BLUE LIGHTS; THE FLOOR ITSELF SEEMS TO BE MADE OF CLEAR GLASS, WITH A LIQUID SEA OF BLUE COOLANT UNDERNEATH>

<HE MAKES HIS WAY TOWARD THE POWER LEVEL HE CAN FEEL; TURNING A CORNER, HE COMES UPON ONE BEING; IT IS DRESSED IN ARMOR; IT IS HUDDLED OVER A COMPUTER PANEL; AS LEDAS REACHES IT, THE BEING TURNS AROUND>

<THE BEING IS A FEMALE; SHE IS OF THE SAME RACE AS LIEME; HER SKIN IS GREEN, BUT IT IS DARKER GREEN THAN LIEME’S SKIN; HER HAIR IS SHORT; FOR THE SAKE OF NOT TRYING TO FORCE HER NAME IN DIALOGUE, THIS ALIEN’S NAME WILL BE REVEALED HERE AS LENOMI>

Lenomi: So you’ve found me. I was wondering when the little menace I felt outside my door would come in.

Ledas: <STEPPING FORWARD, CAREFULLY> You can sense too, huh?

Lenomi: All of my people can.

Ledas: You know I’m here to kill you, right?

Lenomi: <UNCONCERNED> Yes, I know. Cooler sent you. You’re here to eradicate the filthy rebel scum.

Ledas: <SNARL> No, Cooler didn’t send us. We’re here because you sent your people to attack us.

Lenomi: Oh, you’re here on behalf of Banas. That’s odd. I would have expected the captain to come, himself, if he felt wronged.

Ledas: Well, he can’t. I guess I’m going to have to kill you.

Lenomi: <GETTING INTO A FIGHTING STANCE> Walk away. You have no hope of winning this.

Ledas: <RAISING HIS OWN FISTS> My grandfather always told me to never underestimate my opponents and you shouldn’t underestimate me.

<LEDAS GOES TO ATTACK, BUT LENOMI SPEAKS, CAUSING HIM TO PAUSE IN MID-LUNGE>

Lenomi: But why do you fight for this captain? Why are you so content with being his slave?

Ledas: I’m not–

Lenomi: Did he force you to come here? Did he force you to swear loyalty to him? Did he force you to become what you are? <LEDAS DOESN’T SPEAK> Then you’re his slave.

Ledas: <LOWERING HIS FISTS; MORE TO HIMSELF THAN TO HER> I’m not anybody’s slave…

Lenomi: <PIERCING GAZE> Yes, you are. Just like every other one serving Cooler. It’s obedience or death.

Ledas: <UNNERVED> Who are you?! What are you talking about?

Lenomi: I am one of many who thinks it is our duty to finally step up and stop that rogue tyrant. And if you try to kill me, I will be defending not only my life, but the lives of all those we hope to save.

Ledas: <SKEPTICAL> How would you do that?

Lenomi: <GESTURES TO COMPUTER SCREEN> By using that. We’ve hacked into the Organization’s network and have been using its records to recruit the strongest and brightest fighters.

Ledas: Everyone is on there?

Lenomi: Everyone who’s ever served.

<LEDAS RUNS OVER TO THE SCREEN, FORGETTING TO FIGHT LENOMI; HE SCROLLS THROUGH THE COMPUTER>

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF; FORGETTING LENOMI IS THERE> I can see if my parents and Vegeta are still alive…

<HE SCROLLS THROUGH THE SAIYAN TAB; A PANEL SHOWS THE FOLLOWING:

Dogom – Deceased

Aubere – Deceased

Cuber – Deceased

Speonitch – Deceased

Kailon – Deceased LEDAS CONTINUES TO SCROLL THROUGH THE PAGE UNTIL LANDING ON HIS PARENTS’ NAMES: Layeeck – Deceased

Cyleria – Deceased

Ledas – Deceased UPON SEEING THIS, LEDAS BOWS FORWARD OVER THE SCREEN; HE IS CLEARLY CRYING; HE IS HOLDING ON VERY TIGHTLY TO THE PANEL; HE THEN SCROLLS DOWN FURTHER WHILE STILL CRYING, AND FINDS VEGETA’S NAME:

Prince Vegeta – Active SEEING THIS, LEDAS TOUCHES HIS FINGER TO THE SCREEN, RIGHT ON VEGETA’S NAME>

Ledas: Ve-vegeta?! N-no way! H-he’s alive! <HE TURNS TO LENOMI; HE IS STILL CRYING>

Lenomi: <SHE MOVES FORWARD> If you join us, we can reunite you with your family. You will be free to–

Ledas: <THROUGH GRITTED TEETH> My family’s dead. <HE POINTS TO THE COMPUTER AND STARTS YELLING> Tell me where Vegeta is and I’ll help you!

Lenomi: <SNEER> Who’s that?

Ledas: He’s my friend. We used to work for Frieza.

Lenomi: Sorry, kid. Frieza’s empire is too far away. We’re focusing our energy on freeing our own planets first.

Ledas: <SNIFFLING> You won’t help?

Lenomi: Look, if you join us, I’m sure we can work something out. We can send you over there in a few years after Cooler’s–

Ledas: No!!

<HE SCREAMS, COVERING HIMSELF IN HIS AURA; HOWEVER, HE KEEPS SCREAMING PAST CHARGING UP TO HIS MAXIMUM; THIS SHATTERS HIS AURA; HE IS SEETHING; LEDAS LUNGES AT LENOMI AND STARTS ATTACKING; DUE TO HIS RAGE, LEDAS HAS LOST CONTROL OF HIS EMOTIONS AND GONE COMPLETELY FERAL; BECAUSE OF THIS, SMALL AMOUNTS OF KI ARE SPARKING OFF OF HIS BODY, AND FLOWING FROM HIS FISTS AS HE ATTACKS; WHILE IT DOESN’T DO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO LENOMI, IT DOES SOME>

<LENOMI DODGES LEDAS’ ATTACK AND JUMPS OVER HIM; AS SHE DOES, SHE SHOOTS A YELLOW DISK DOWN ON LEDAS; IT HITS HIM, AND SENDS HIM TO THE FLOOR; BEFORE HE CAN RECOVER, SHE PICKS HIM UP BY THE TAIL AND PUNTS HIM UP INTO THE AIR; THEN, SHE TELEPORTS TO WHERE HE IS FLYING TO; JUST BEFORE SHE HITS HIM, LEDAS RECOVERS, AND TELEPORTS BEHIND HER; HE CLUBS HER DOWNWARD WITH INTERLOCKED HANDS AND THEN SHOOTS AN ENERGY BARRAGE AT HER; HE FOLLOWS THIS UP WITH A STREAM OF RAZOR BLASTS; THIS DESTROYS MUCH OF HER ARMOR>

<LENOMI SITS UP AND FIRES A ONE-HANDED GREEN BLAST AT LEDAS; THE SAIYAN BOY SWATS IT ASIDE; YET, AFTER HE DOES, HE SEES LENOMI IS GONE; SENSING HER SUDDENLY, HE TURNS AROUND AND SEES HER CHARGING A MUCH LARGER GREEN BLAST; SHE HITS HIM RIGHT IN THE CHEST WITH IT, CAUSING HIM TO FALL; THEN, SHE PURSUES HIM AND KICKS HIM DOWN TO THE GROUND; LENOMI LANDS NEXT TO LEDAS AS HE SITS UP; SHE IMMEDIATELY SHOOTS A FINGER BEAM AT HIS FACE, CUTTING HIM UNDER HIS LEFT EYE; HE FALLS BACK, AND SHE MOVES FORWARD>

<BUT AS SHE DOES, LEDAS RELEASES AN EXPLOSIVE WAVE; THIS STUNS HER; HE THEN TELEPORTS TO HER SIDE, AND KICKS HER IN THE RIBS; SHE KEELS OVER; LEDAS CHARGES AND STARTS ATTACKING AGAIN, KI SPARKS FLYING; IN HIS RAGE, HE PUMMELS HER TO THE FLOOR AND CONTINUES TO ATTACK; SHE TRIES TO HIT HIM WITH ANOTHER KI ATTACK, BUT LEDAS FLIPS OVER IT, AND LANDS, WITH BOTH OF HIS BOOTS, ON HER NECK; THIS WEAKENS HER SIGNIFICANTLY AND KNOCKS THE WIND OUT OF HER, BUT SHE CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE>

<LEDAS SHOOTS ANOTHER BLAST AT HER, BUT SHE ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY, AND THE BLAST JUST TEARS A HOLE THROUGH THE GLASS AND EXPOSES THE BLUE COOLANT; LENOMI ATTEMPTS TO STAND UP, BUT LEDAS RUSHES HER; AS SHE FIGHTS HIM, HE PUNCHES HER INTO SUBMISSION AND HOLDS HER OVER THE NOW EXPOSED COOLANT; THOUGH SHE FIGHTS HIM, HE SLOWLY PUSHES HER DOWN, UNTIL HER HEAD TOUCHES IT, BURNING IT AWAY; BY THE TIME HALF OF HER HEAD IS INCINERATED, LENOMI IS LIFELESS AND LEDAS LETS HER BODY FALL IN>

<LEDAS STANDS THERE FOR A SECOND, BREATHING HEAVILY; HE FEELS THE CUT ON HIS FACE AND THEN WALKS OUT; OUTSIDE THE DOOR, HIS SAIBAMEN ARE LOYALLY DEFENDING HIM; SOME MORE OF HIS PETS HAVE DIED, HOWEVER BECAUSE MORE SOLDIERS HAVE COME TO ATTACK; THE SAIBAMEN ARE HOLDING THEM OFF, HIDING BEHIND THE COVER THAT THE PREVIOUS REBEL GUARDS HAD BEEN USING; AS LEDAS EXITS THE DOOR, HE TAKES OUT ALL OF THE SOLDIERS WITH A SINGLE, ONE-HANDED KYORRA FLASH; HE IS FROWNING AS HE LOOKS AT HOW MANY SAIBAMEN HAVE SURVIVED; AT THIS TIME, LIEME COMES AROUND THE CORNER>

Lieme: <HE IS BATTLE-DAMAGED, WITH SOME PIECES OF HIS ARMOR CHIPPED AWAY> Did you kill him, Saiyan?

Ledas: <NUMB> I killed her.

Lieme: Her?

Ledas: And she looked like you. <HE WALKS PAST LIEME>

<SCENE CUTS BACK TO PLANET COOLER 92; IT IS A FEW DAYS LATER, THOUGH THE PLANTAINS HAVE JUST RETURNED>

<LEDAS, PAYAR, MELOON, AND LIEME ARE ALL OUTSIDE; GUVA WALKS UP TO THEM; BANAS IS THERE AS WELL, BUT HE IS IN THE BACKGROUND; HE IS NOT WEARING ARMOR>

Ledas: <SITTING ON THE FLOOR; MELOON AND PAYAR ARE WATCHING HIM; HE HAS ALL OF HIS SURVIVING SAIBAMEN OUT; THERE ARE SEVEN, INCLUDING BOTH RED ONES> And that’s Ses, and that’s Ame, and that’s Poy, and that’s Oppa, and that’s Carawa, and that’s Sonfla. Oh, and that one’s Wilde. He’s my favorite.

Meloon: Heheh, they’re just Saibamen. No need to name them.

Ledas: Did you have any survive?

Meloon: Nah. I ain’t needin’ any, either.

Payar: Put them away, Saiyan.

Ledas: But why?

Payar: I’ll have some fun with them if you don’t.

<THIS CAUSES LEDAS TO QUICKLY PUT THEM AWAY; GUVA REACHES THE GROUP>

Lieme: <NOT EVEN SAYING HELLO> I am telling you, governor, none of them were that powerful. That couldn’t have been all of them. They must have a larger base somewhere else.

Guva: <STANDING TALL> Lord Cooler won’t be pleased. This means there are more rebels than we had thought. Did you destroy their base?

Meloon: Yeah we did! Whole place lit up like fireworks!

Lieme: Aye, governor. We were forced to destroy the entire facility.

Guva: What type was it?

Lieme: Vanadium mining. You know, forging alloy for the ships.

Guva: <SIGHS> Cooler won’t be pleased that that mine was destroyed.

Banas: <WAVES HIM OFF> Bah, don’t worry about that. If he even does suspect us, we can just say the insurrectionists blew it up themselves. That or a rabid bunch of space ducks swarmed the place. You know how dangerous those are.

Meloon: But the space duck is a majestic creature…

Payar: That’s it, I’m outta here. <HE GETS UP AND STARTS WALKING OFF>

Guva: Where are you going?! We aren’t done here.

Payar: Whatever, guvvy. All this talk bores me. All I care about is seeing some blood. <HE HAS SOMETHING IN HIS HANDS THAT HE’S MESSING WITH> You know where I’m going.

Banas: <CHIPPER> I’ll come with you, Payar. It’s been a while since I’ve helped wrangle up some natives!

<THE TWO EXIT>

Meloon: Boss, does this mean we’re gonna go blow up some more places?

Guva: <PINCHING THE BRIDGE OF HIS NOSE; SHAKING HIS HEAD> No. I have enough bad news to tell him as it is. We’ll just say that was all of them. If some more rebels pop up in the future, it won’t be our problem. <HE LOOKS UP> You two can be excused now. I’ll gather the team up later to fully debrief you.

<LIEME NODS AND LEAVES WITH MELOON; GUVA GOES TO LEAVE, BUT LEDAS STANDS STILL, JUST LOOKING AT HIM; HE IS STILL QUITE INJURED>

Ledas: Sir?

Guva: <TURNS BACK AROUND TO SEE HIM> What do you want?

Ledas: Sir, I… well, I found something on the last mission.

Guva: Out with it.

Ledas: <MUSTERS HIMSELF UP> Well… my friend Vegeta is still alive.

Guva: And?

Ledas: I want to go see him.

Guva: And where is he?

Ledas: I think he still works for Frieza.

Guva: <AT ONCE> No. Out of the question.

Ledas: <SHOCK> What?

Guva: I’m not getting involved with Frieza. Do you have any idea the political fallout that would come if I were to–

Ledas: <PLEADING> He’s my friend! Please!

Guva: <STEPS FORWARD, GRABS LEDAS AROUND THE NECK AND PICKS HIM UP; STARING INTO LEDAS’ EYES> Do you think this is a game? You are here for one purpose and one purpose only; to be my aid. I don’t give a fuck if you’ve found your long lost friend. As far as I’m concerned, as long as Banas lives, you stay. And you can’t run away; I have the entire Planet Trade Organization behind me to hunt you down if you do. Now get to a rejuvenation tank. You need it.

<HE THROWS LEDAS TO THE GROUND, TURNS AROUND, AND FLIES OFF>

Ledas: <GRASPING HIS NECK; BREATHING HARD> Then I’ll kill you too. <HE STANDS UP AND LOOKS AROUND AT THE PLANET; TO HIS RIGHT IS THE FOREST, WHERE PAYAR AND BANAS WENT TO GET SOME NATIVES; TO HIS LEFT IS THE OUTPOST> I’ll kill all of them if I have to. <HE LOOKS UP TO THE SKY> I’ll find Vegeta. I promise I will. <HE SIGHS AND STARTS WALKING BACK TO THE OUTPOST> Maybe that girl Lieme was right.

My Hour Of Darkness (season finale part 1)
<SOME TIME HAS PASSED; LEDAS IS NOW 12 YEARS OLD; BANAS IS STILL ON SUSPENSION>

<LIEME AND PAYAR ARE ON A PLANET, IT IS DARK OUT AND ROCKY; THE ENTIRE AREA IS FILLED WITH NOTHING BUT ROCKS AND CAVES>

Lieme: Keep your eyes peeled.

Payar: No readings on my scouter. This place is empty.

Lieme: Soldiers, form up.

<SIX SOLDIERS, INCLUDING LEDAS, ALL FLY INTO THE AREA WHERE LIEME AND PAYAR ARE>

Payar: Did the governor tell you why we’re here?

Lieme: There were massive power readings coming from here a few weeks ago. Four other teams were assigned to this rock before us. None of them have been heard from since. Who know? It could be another rebel hideout or it could be a trap. But I want us to be extra careful either way.

<THE PLANET SHIFTS SLIGHTLY, THE SOLDIERS TAKE SOME EFFORT TO KEEP THEIR BALANCE>

Lieme: And did I mention the planet’s unstable?

<THEY WALK FOR A WHILE, AND COME UPON SOME DEAD SOLDIERS; THEY ARE NOTHING BUT SKELETONS IN ARMOR>

Payar: <KNEELING DOWN TO INSPECT> No energy burn… and no blunt trauma <TRAILS OFF> evident…

Soldier 2: What killed them?

Payar: No idea… <ROLLS OVER ONE OF THE SKELETONS; IT HAS AN INSIGNIA ON IT> Planet 71, by the looks of it.

Lieme: That was the last planet to send a squad here. But that was only a week ago. I wonder why they they have fully decomposed already…

Payar: <STANDS BACK UP, DROPPING THE SKELETON> Alright, let’s just do this and get out of here…

Lieme: <THEY CONTINUE WALKING FOR A FEW MOMENTS> Now, I need two of you to g– <PAYAR GETS A READING ON HIS SCOUTER>

Payar: <STANDS UP STRAIGHT, LOOKING AROUND> Got a power spike. It’s faint, but it’s definitely there. I can’t tell how large… there’s massive interference.

Lieme: You got a direction of origin? <PAYAR NODS, AND POINTS SOUTH> Then let’s go.

<ALL EIGHT OF THEM FLY SOUTH FOR THE WINTER UNTIL THEY FIND A CAVE; THEY STOP; LIEME ASSUMES THAT IS WHERE THE POWER LEVEL SPIKE WAS SEEN>

Lieme: Payar, take 3 soldiers and go into the cave. Contact me once you cleared out the inhabitants.

Payar: You two, come on. And you too, Saiyan.

<PAYAR GATHERS HIS THREE SOLDIERS, AND THEY ALL GO INSIDE THE CAVE, AS THEY DO, PAYAR LOOKS BACK ONE MORE TIME, AND LIEME LOOKS RIGHT BACK AT HIM, TAPPING HIS WRIST-COM>

Lieme: Any trouble at all, and I’m here. <PAYAR NODS, AND GOES CONTINUES INSIDE>

<THE FIRST SOLDIER LIGHTS AN ENERGY BALL TO GUIDE THEIR WAY, AS THEY WALK THROUGH THE TUNNEL>

Ledas: Sir, what are we looking for?

Payar: Quiet.

<THEY WALK INTO AN AREA OF THE TUNNEL THAT WIDENS OUT CONSIDERABLY, IT IS NATURALLY LIT; AS THEY ENTER, SUDDENLY THERE IS AN EARTHQUAKE; THE ENTRANCE THAT THEY JUST CAME THROUGH IS BLOCKED OFF. SEVERAL LARGE ROCKS FALL ON SOLDIER 2, WHEN IT ALL SETTLES, THERE IS NO MOVEMENT UNDERNEATH THEM>

Ledas: Aw, crap! Watch out! <THE EARTHQUAKE SUDDENLY STOPS>

Soldier 1: Is he dead?

Payar: What do you think? Shut up and stay close. Saiyan, take point.

Ledas: Okay, sir.

<HE LEADS PAYAR AND THE SOLDIER OVER THE DEBRIS AND FURTHER INTO THE CAVE; AS THEY MOVE, THE CAVE STARTS TO TREMBLE AGAIN>

<CUTS TO THE BENEFACTOR>

<THE BLACK MIST THAT IS HIS LIFE-FORCE IS OUTSIDE OF HIS BODY; LAUTO, THE KAI, IS MEDITATING JUST OUTSIDE IT; FROM HIS BODY PURPLE ENERGY IS FLOWING INTO THE CLOUD; AS HE IS DOING THIS, THE ENTIRE AREA IS RUMBLING; THE BENEFACTOR’S HEAD IS BOWED, AND HE IS BREATHING HEAVILY; BEFORE HIM HAS MATERIALIZED ANOTHER HALLUCINATION; THIS ONE IS OF HIS MOTHER; HER FACE IS BARE AND SHE WEARS PLAIN CLOTHES; SHE IS MATERIALIZED BUT A FEW FEET FROM THE BENEFACTOR’S BODY>

Mother: Look at mommy, dear.

The Benefactor: <LOOKS UP> Not her… Make her go away…

Lauto: <STILL IN MEDITATION POSE> It’s strange that in all of your memories, I can’t find what happened to her. It’s a pity you didn’t find out.

Mother: Come on, dear. I won’t hurt you. I’ve been looking for you all day!

The Benefactor: <BREATHING HEAVILY> You aren’t real… You died… a long time ago…

Mother: Died? Oh, my dear, you must be tired. I’m right here.

The Benefactor: <BOWS HIS HEAD AGAIN; TO LAUTO> I… I won’t let you play me any longer… When I’m free… you will be sorry… to have brought her back.

<MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF ENERGY ARE RADIATING FROM LAUTO’S HOVERING BODY; LAUTO SUDDENLY OPENS HIS EYES AND FLIES AWAY FROM THE CLOUD; THE BENEFACTOR’S MOTHER DISAPPEARS>

Lauto: <LANDING IN HER PLACE; IGNORING THE BENEFACTOR’S PREVIOUS COMMENT> Perhaps this is ill-suited. Our energies are taking far too long to align.

The Benefactor: <RAISES HIS HEAD TO FACE LAUTO> I’ll… kill…

Lauto: Not with your energy at my fingertips.

The Benefactor: I can… feel… you… becoming weak…

Lauto: That’s because my energy is in there too. But it doesn’t matter. I can’t wait much longer.

The Benefactor: Then… you’ll die.

Lauto: No. I may be hurt greatly by our clashing life-forces. But the pain should not kill me. I had hoped to avoid torturing myself, but if it’s the alternative to death, then so be it. You, however, will die. For all your insolence and threatening, I won’t make it painless. <THE BENEFACTOR SNARLS> Don’t worry, it will soon be over.

<LAUTO DESCENDS TO THE GROUND AND LOOKS UP AT THE CLOUD OF ENERGY; WITHIN IT, THE BLACK ENERGY OF THE BENEFACTOR AND THE PURPLE ENERGY OF LAUTO ARE STARTING TO FUSE TOGETHER; ALTHOUGH, MANY EXPLOSIONS AND BRIGHT FLASHES ARE OCCURRING>

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS>

<THE PLACE IS STILL RUMBLING, AND PARTS OF THE CAVE ARE COLLAPSING; BOTH PAYAR’S AND THE SOLDIER’S SCOUTERS SUDDENLY EXPLODE>

Soldier 2: What the hell is going on?

Ledas: <TURNS TO FACE THE SOLDIER> I don’t know. Maybe it’s a trap?

<LEDAS LOOKS UP AND SEES A FIGURE>

The Benefactor: Ya know kid, I never thought you’d make it all the way here.

Ledas: <IN HORROR, FALLS BACK ONTO THE GROUND, HE BLINKS, THE BENEFACTOR IS NO LONGER THERE; IT MUST HAVE JUST BEEN A HALLUCINATION> D-did you see that?

Payar: See what?

Ledas: <ERRATIC> That guy! With the hood! He was standing right there. <POINTS NEXT TO THE SOLDIER; NO ONE IS THERE>

Payar: <STEPS BACK> You must be seeing things, kid. There was no–

<A LARGE EARTHQUAKE OCCURS; LEDAS STANDS BACK UP AND HE SEES ANOTHER FIGURE IN FRONT OF HIM; THIS TIME, IT’S FRIEZA>

Frieza: You Saiyans are all the same. Bold and stupid.

<AT THIS, LEDAS BOLTS OFF; PAYAR CHASES HIM>

Payar: Get back here, Saiyan!

<HE CHASES AFTER LEDAS; AS HE DOES, THE EARTHQUAKE CAUSES MASSIVE ROCK SLIDES BEHIND HIM; THIS BURIES THE UNFORTUNATE SOLDIER; PAYAR, HOWEVER, ESCAPES, AND CHASES LEDAS THROUGH THE CAVE>

<AS LEDAS IS RUNNING, FRIEZA CONTINUOUSLY APPEARS AROUND HIM>

Frieza: My, my. You really are something.

<LEDAS COMES TO A WIDE ROOM, SKIDDING AROUND THE CORNER; AS HE DOES, HE STOPS AND LOOKS UP; IN FRONT OF HIM IS A SWIRLING CLOUD OF BLACK AND PURPLE>

Ledas: What the…?

<AT ONCE, PAYAR COMES AROUND THE CORNER AND TACKLES LEDAS FORWARD; THE TWO TUMBLE INTO THE CLOUD; PAYAR PINS LEDAS AND PUNCHES HIM; LEDAS BLOCKS HIS ATTACKS, BUT IS STILL PUMMELED>

Payar: You fucking deserter! You think you can just run away?! After all we’ve done for you?! <HE PUNCHES LEDAS RUTHLESSLY> Ain’t happenin’, kid. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. Now you’re mine.

<PAYAR PUMMELS HIM; LEDAS SHOVES PAYAR BACK WITH HIS CROSSED ARMS AND THEN KICKS THE ALIEN AWAY; HE STANDS UP TO FACE PAYAR; AS PAYAR TURNS BACK TO ATTACK AGAIN, LEDAS DROPS TO HIS HANDS AND KNEES AND STARTS SCREAMING; HE POUNDS THE GROUND IN AGONY; AS HE SCREAMS, HIS AURA MATERIALIZES AROUND HIM AND BLOOD STARTS DRIPPING FROM HIS NOSE; HE COUGHS AND SPITS UP BLOOD ONTO THE GROUND>

<PAYAR IS STANDING IN THE CLOUD TOO; HE IS TAKEN ABACK BY LEDAS’ SUDDEN ACTIONS; HE CAUTIOUSLY STARTS TO APPROACH THE SAIYAN; AS HE DOES, LEDAS SITS UP ON HIS KNEES AND THROWS HIS HEAD BACK, SCREAMING EVEN LOUDER; PAYAR CAN SEE THE SAIYAN’S HAIR HAS TURNED WHITE>

<AS PAYAR STEPS UP TO THE SAIYAN, LEDAS CREATES AN ENERGY WAVE; PAYAR IS FLUNG BACK AND THE CAMERA IS OVERTAKEN BY WHITE LIGHT; AS THE LIGHT AND SMOKE CLEARS, THE ENTIRE AREA IS SEEN TO BE IN RUIN; PAYAR IS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN>

<LEDAS IS NO LONGER SCREAMING; HE IS STILL SITTING, BUT NOW HE’S IN A CRATER FROM HIS RECENT ATTACK; HE LOOKS AROUND AT WHAT HE HAS DONE; HIS EYES HAVE TURNED GREEN; THERE ARE BLOODSTREAMS RUNNING FROM HIS EYES AND EARS AS WELL AS HIS AFOREMENTIONED NOSE AND MOUTH>

<LEDAS RAISES HIS HAND AND NOTICES THAT HE HAS KI FORMING AROUND HIS ENTIRE BODY; IT IS IN HIS AURA’S COLOR; FROM THE RIGHT TO LEDAS COMES LAUTO, HOLDING ONE OF HIS ELBOWS WITH HIS HAND>

Lauto: <BREATHING HARD> What have you done? <THE SAIYAN IS SPOOKED BY THE SUDDEN FIGURE AND SHOOTS A KI BLAST AT HIM; LAUTO IS HIT WITH THE BLAST AND DROPS TO HIS KNEES, STILL HOLDING HIS INJURED ELBOW; DEFEATED TONE> You’ve stolen all of my energy…

Ledas: <SPITTING AWAY BLOOD> Who are you!? What did you do to me?!

<LAUTO CLOSES HIS EYES AND RAISES A HAND TO LEDAS’ DIRECTION; HE BEGINS READING LEDAS’ MEMORY TO FIGURE OUT WHO HE IS>

Lauto: <AFTER A FEW MOMENTS; IN A WHISPER, WHICH SEEMS TO COME FROM RIGHT BEHIND LEDAS’ EAR> You have suffered much loss, Ledas. That much can be seen.

Ledas: <ON EDGE AND IN PAIN> Who are you? How do you know my name?

Lauto: <WEARILY> Who am I?

<LAUTO DISAPPEARS AND THE LIGHTS GO OUT, EXCEPT FOR A SMALL CIRCULAR AREA AROUND LEDAS>

Ledas: <STILL ON EDGE, SCARED> Y-yeah… what the heck are you?! I can’t see you anymore.

<IN FRONT OF LEDAS NOW APPEARS HIS GRANDFATHER, LASCON>

Lascon: Open your eyes. Show them to me, Ledas.

Ledas: G-grandpa?! Where’d you come from?

<FRIEZA MATERIALIZES>

Frieza: <THE LIGHT BRIGHTENS EVEN MORE> Look, a Saiyan.

Ledas: I know what I am, you murderer!

<PRINCE VEGETA MATERIALIZES>

Prince Vegeta: Yeah. Just a stupid weakling.

Ledas: <THIS AFFECTS HIM GREATLY; TEARS COME TO HIS EYES> I’m not weak… you told me I wasn’t, Vegeta…

<THE BENEFACTOR MATERIALIZES>

The Benefactor: Your death is near. <RIFE WITH HUNGER> Can’t you feel it? It will be so… satisfying.

Ledas: I-I’m not going to die! My father always said there will be no glory in death, in my death… <HE LOOKS UP>

<LAYEECK MATERIALIZES>

Layeeck: No, only in conquest everlasting.

Ledas: <HIS EYES WIDEN, AND HE REACHES OUT TO TOUCH LAYEECK, BUT LAYEECK IS ONLY A HALLUCINATION; STRICKEN; CHILD-LIKE FRIGHT> What are you doing to me?!!

Frieza: Nothing, my dear Saiyan, that you haven’t already thought of doing yourself.

Ledas: Shut up! You killed everyone! I hate you! <SHOOTS AN ENERGY BLAST AT FRIEZA>

<A NOISE COMES FROM BEHIND>

Soldier 1: <CRAWLING OUT FROM AROUND THE ROCK PILE FROM AROUND THE CORNER; IN PAIN AND BORDERLINE SHOCK> K-kid… get outta the way.

<LEDAS DOESN’T REGISTER THE COMMAND FAST ENOUGH; THE SOLDIER SHOOTS HIS BLASTER AT THE SEMI-CIRCLE OF HALLUCINATIONS AROUND LEDAS; IT DOES NOTHING BUT GO THROUGH THEM AND HIT HIM; SUDDENLY, THE SOLDIER STARTS TO DISSOLVE, SLOWLY AND IN AGONY; HE SCREAMS UNTIL HE DIES; LEDAS’ ANGER AT FRIEZA EVAPORATES; HIS MOUTH IS OPENED IN SHOCK>

Ledas: <SURPRISING SHIFT TO CALMNESS> Are you gonna kill me too?

Lauto: <SOUNDS SLIGHTLY TIRED, BUT IT IS ALMOST UNNOTICEABLE> Every person assumes much. Children, especially.

Ledas: Just, please, tell me… what do you want with me?

<KING VEGETA MATERIALIZES>

King Vegeta: It’s a pity they weren’t the ones to fulfill the legend.

Prince Vegeta: The last Super Saiyan died because he couldn’t control his power.

Ledas: <WATCHES THE KING, UNTIL HE DISAPPEARS, GRADUALLY, LEDAS HAS A HUGE ANGER SURGE> N-n-no!! It’s not t-true! I will become a Super Saiyan!!

Lauto: <HIS SPEECH IS STILL COMING FROM RIGHT BEHIND LEDAS> What guarantees are there after everything that’s happened to you? What can you say is certain?

Ledas: My father is dead. <LOWERS HIS FISTS TO THE GROUND, RELAXING HIS POSTURE> Most everyone I know is dead. Vegeta’s out there somewhere, but there’s no way I can get to him… <REGRESSING TO CHILD-LIKE TENDENCIES, TEARFUL> I don’t know what to do…

Lauto: Your masters have kept you as a slave.

Ledas: <SNIFFLING> H-huh? How’d you know?

Lauto: Your memories say much. But now, I’m afraid, it’s time for this to end.

Ledas: I-I don’t understand.

Prince Vegeta: <HALLUCINATION, WALKS RIGHT UP TO LEDAS> You could’ve helped me kill Frieza, Ledas… if you weren’t gone. Oh well, I’ll find somebody else.

Ledas: <REACHES OUT TO THE HALLUCINATION; BUT IT DISAPPEARS; TEARFULLY ANGRY> No, stop it!!! Stop twisting my memories!!!

<HE GRABS ONTO THE SIDES OF HIS HEAD WITH BOTH HANDS; HIS AURA FLARES UP EVEN MORE AROUND HIM, BURNING AWAY ALL OF HIS HALLUCINATIONS>

<THE CAMERA PANS BACK SLIGHTLY, AND IT SHOWS THAT, IN THE DARKNESS, LAUTO HAS STUMBLED UP AND STARTED WALKING TOWARDS THE UNSUSPECTING LEDAS; HE COMES UP RIGHT BEHIND THE KID AND THRUSTS HIS ARMS OUT>

Lauto: <IN HIS MIND> Just a minor setback. No… it’s fortunate. I can use this Saiyan’s body instead.

Greatest Expectations (season finale part 2)
<SHOT OF THE DARK, ROCKY PLANET; CAMERA SHOOTS ACROSS TO THE CAVE; LIEME AND HIS SOLDIERS ARE STILL WAITING OUTSIDE, PACING; THE WIND IS BLOWING, AND LIEME’S HAIR FLYING AROUND BECAUSE OF IT>

<ZOOMS INTO THE CAVE AGAIN, THE LIGHT IS STILL DIMMED; LEDAS’ EYES ARE STILL GREEN AND HIS HAIR IS STILL WHITE; HE IS LOOKING AT HIS HAND, WHICH IS RADIATING WITH KI>

Ledas: <IN AWE> W-what’s happening? It hurts. This can’t be Super Saiyan… can it? <HE GRIMACES> My entire body hurts. <HE STANDS UP> H-hey, Mister? Where’d you go?!

<AHEAD, THE HALLUCINATION OF FRIEZA MATERIALIZES AND WALKS UP TO LEDAS>

Frieza: <SMILES> A worthless Legend, from a desperate race. Saiyans turn into monkeys, nothing else. Just a bunch of stupid monkeys.

Ledas: <TREMBLING WITH ANGER> Me and Vegeta will become Super Saiyans and beat you! You should be afraid of us!

Frieza: Why should I be afraid of a stupid brat?

<LEDAS SHOUTS AND SHOOTS A ONE-HANDED KYORRA FLASH AT FRIEZA; SINCE FRIEZA IS A HALLUCINATION, THE ENERGY GOES RIGHT THROUGH HIM AND EXPLODES ON THE FAR WALL; AS THE CAMERA LOOKS BACK TO LEDAS AFTER HE SHOOTS THE BLAST, IT IS SEEN THAT HIS EYES AND HAIR HAVE RETURNED TO NORMAL, THOUGH HE IS STILL COVERED IN MUCH DRIED BLOOD>

<THE LIGHT FROM THE ATTACK ILLUMINATES THE DARK CAVE FOR A FEW MOMENTS; LEDAS NOTICES LAUTO IS STANDING TO HIS RIGHT; THE KAI’S ARMS ARE THROWN FORWARD, ONE INTERLOCKED BEHIND THE OTHER, AND A BALL OF PURPLE KI IS FORMING IN FRONT OF THEM; AS LEDAS LOOKS AT THE KAI, HE NOTICES ENERGY BEING PULLED FROM HIS BODY TO THE BALL>

Ledas: <SLOWLY; HE LOWERS HIS ARMS AND TURNS TO FACE LAUTO> What are you–

<A BLACK FIGURE SUDDENLY JUMPS UP AND LATCHES ON TO LAUTO; THE TWO WRESTLE TO THE FLOOR AND LAUTO DROPS THE ENERGY; ONCE HITTING THE FLOOR, IT DETONATES, CAUSING A MASSIVE EXPLOSION TO GO OFF; ONE PANEL IS SHOWN OF LEDAS’ SMALL FORM SILHOUETTED BEHIND THE MASSIVE BLAST; LEDAS SHIELDS HIS FACE FROM THE LIGHT AND DEBRIS>

<THE LIGHT DIMS BACK DOWN, BUT THE SMOKE DOES NOT; AS LEDAS LOOKS AT WHERE LAUTO ONCE STOOD AND WHERE SMOKE NOW BILLOWS, THE EARTHQUAKES START UP AGAIN; THE ROOF STARTS COLLAPSING, CAUSING LEDAS TO DODGE OUT OF THE WAY; HE RUNS OUT OF THE PLACE, DECIDING NOT TO STAY AND FIND OUT WHAT JUST HAPPENED>

<SUDDENLY, A FIST PUNCHES THROUGH THE RUBBLE AHEAD; IT IS PAYAR, WHO IS BADLY INJURED; HIS ARMOR IS HEAVILY CRACKED>

Payar: <WEAKLY, GASPING> Saiyan… help me.

<DODGING THE FALLING ROCKS, LEDAS RUNS OVER AND STANDS OVER PAYAR>

Ledas: Why should I?! You attacked me!

Payar: Please… just help me up. We’ll forget what happened here.

Ledas: Fine, but only because Lieme can prolly sense you’re still alive.

<LEDAS HELPS HIM UP, AND THE TWO RUN OUT; LEDAS HAS ONE ARM AROUND PAYAR’S NECK, AS THE TWO LIMP OUTSIDE>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> I bet he wouldn’t save me if I was the one down there.

<LIEME AND THE THREE OTHER SOLDIERS ARE STANDING RIGHT OUTSIDE, COMPLETELY UNAWARE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING INSIDE; AT THE SIGHT OF PAYAR AND THE BLOODY LEDAS, THEY ALL RUSH OVER>

Lieme: What going on?! What happened to you two?

Ledas: <THE EARTHQUAKES START TO RISE OUT OF THE CAVE, THE ENTIRE PLANET IS SHAKING> We have to go, now!

Lieme: <ALL ARE RUNNING TO THE PODS> I’m going to torch this place, leave nothing behind.

Ledas: No!!! Don’t do that! Didn’t you see the power levels from in that cave? How high were they?

Lieme: Yes. It was large, but I couldn’t get an exact number. There was massive interference. I assumed it was you two.

Ledas: Wewll, we just gotta leave this place alone!! We’re no match for what’s in there! We have go!

<LIEME HAS A CURIOUS LOOK ON HIS FACE, WATCHING LEDAS, AS THEY ALL RUN>

<ALL SIX REMAINING SOLDIERS SCRAMBLE TO THEIR PODS, THEY BARELY MAKE IT; THE REST OF THE JOURNEY GOES WITHOUT INCIDENT>

<THEY RETURN TO PLANET COOLER 92; THEY LAND>

Lieme: <GETTING OUT OF HIS POD, RUNNING OVER TO PAYAR’S; SHOUTING TO THE MANY SOLDIERS GATHERING AROUND THEM> Is the medical tank ready?

Technician 1: Yes sir, we’ve prepped it according to your directions.

<THE DOOR OPENS, PAYAR FALLS OUT, SEVERAL SOLDIERS GRAB AND TAKE PAYAR TO THE MEDICAL TANK; SOME RUSH TO LEDAS, WHO IS BLOODY, BUT HE WAVES THEM AWAY>

<THE COMMOTION LESSENS FOR A BIT; GUVA AND BANAS ENTER>

Guva: What happened this time?

Banas: <HE IS RATHER MUTED, DEPRESSED, AND NOT IN ARMOR; HE WALKS UP TO PAYAR’S TANK> Is he going to live?

Technician 1: At this point, sir, his status is critical… we’re doing all we can, but I can’t guarantee anything.

<BANAS BOWS HIS HEAD BUT DOES NOT MOVE>

Guva: I’ll ask again… what happened here? Why are two of my men dead, and another, right there, in critical condition?

Ledas: I…

Lieme: Not out here. <LOOKING AT THE MULTITUDE OF REGULARS STANDING AROUND> I think we should discuss this in private.

<ALL BEGIN WALKING TO GUVA’S OFFICE, LIEME PUTS HIS HAND OUT TO STOP LEDAS>

Lieme: Not you, kid.

Ledas: But… <EVEN GUVA AND BANAS LOOK CONFUSED>

Lieme: <TO THE OTHERS> I’ll explain, <DIRECT> in private.

Guva: Fine.

<THE REST LEAVE FOR GUVA’S OFFICE, LEDAS WALKS OFF, IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, TO THE FOREST>

<THE SUN IS SETTING, LEDAS IS STANDING ON THE EDGE OF THE FOREST-CLIFF, LOOKING DOWN AT THE NATIVES WORKING; HE REMEMBERS THE FACE OF THE ONE THAT HE BOUND UP SO LONG AGO; HE PULLS A SMALL POUCH FROM HIS POCKET AND PLUCKS TWO LITTLE SEEDS FROM INSIDE IT; HE THROWS THEM TO THE GROUND; WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, HIS TWO RED SAIBAMEN, WILDE AND CARAWA, HAVE SPAWNED AND START FIGHTING; LEDAS SMILES AS HE WATCHES THEM; HE STRETCHES HIS ARM OUT, FEELING THE AIR>

<FLASHBACK>

Layeeck: <SIGHS> It’s actually simple. Frieza’s the strongest. He’s our leader.

Ledas: But if he’s so strong, then why does he need us to do all the work?

Layeeck: Doesn’t want to get his precious hands dirty. But listen to me, Ledas. If you ever meet Frieza, you must treat him with the utmost respect. While he’s around, think of him as our king. Because, he could kill you, if you even look at him the wrong way…

<END FLASHBACK>

Ledas: Guva, Banas, the others… I’m just their slave <HE LOOKS BACK AT THE WORKERS; OBVIOUSLY TIRED> Just like them. <HE LOOKS TO HIS TWO SAIBAMEN AND SMILES AGAIN> At least I’ve got you guys.

<CUTS TO INSIDE GUVA’S OFFICE; GUVA, BANAS, AND LIEME ARE IN THERE, TALKING>

Lieme: The spike was massive, governor. Who else could it be, besides the kid?

Guva: But you say you already had a reading coming from that cave, before any of you even got there.

Lieme: Payar said it was faint. Nowhere near the power I felt later.

Banas: But the kid was injured, too. Didn’t you see him?

Lieme: I don’t know how the kid could’ve survived going in there if it wasn’t him. Anyone with a power level that high could kill us in an instant, without any trouble… and Payar was heavily injured…

Banas: <STILL WITHOUT THE AUTHORITY THAT HE HAD WHEN HE WAS CAPTAIN> So then, why didn’t he kill Payar and the rest of you? It would have been easy for him to kill all of you and run off if he was that strong.

Guva: He’s right, Lieme. If it was the kid, you wouldn’t be here telling us about it.

Lieme: Then I want to send another team to investigate.

Guva: No. After all of the other teams who died there, you were lucky enough to get out alive. <HE SIGHS> But I’ll contact Lord Cooler. Maybe he’ll send someone stronger than us to see what’s going on there. Now you can be excused, Lieme.

Lieme: Governor <NODS>… boss. <HE LEAVES>

Guva: They still see you as their captain.

Banas: <WATCHING LIEME FLY OFF IN THE DISTANCE> Old habits are hard to break…

Guva: <WALKS UP TO HIS WALL-WINDOW> I know you want to kill me for suspending you.

Banas: Nah, guvvy. I’ve never wanted to kill you. Hey, how about this? I’ll fight you, and if I win, I get to be captain again.

Guva: Banas–

<BANAS LUNGES AT GUVA AND STARTS PUNCHING HIM; BANAS IS LAUGHING AND NOT TAKING IT VERY SERIOUSLY; GUVA BLOCKS HIM AND KICKS OUT HIS FEET; BEFORE BANAS LANDS, HE FLIPS OVER AND SHOOTS A SMALL BLAST INTO GUVA’S BACK, CAUSING THE GOVERNOR TO STUMBLE FORWARD; BANAS RUSHES FORWARD, BUT GUVA TURNS AROUND AND CATCHES THE CAPTAIN BY THE THROAT, SLAMMING HIM INTO THE WALL; HE CREATES A KI SWORD AND PUTS IT TO BANAS’ THROAT; AFTER A MOMENT, HE DISSIPATES THE SWORD AND LETS IT GO>

Banas: Ah, c’mon, guvvy!

Guva: <BREATHING HARD, GOING BACK TO THE WINDOW> You’re faster than I remember, at least.

Banas: <WALKING UP BEHIND HIM> That’s funny; I was thinking the opposite of you.

Guva: Watch yourself. I could have you executed for attacking me just now.

Banas: <STILL CHIPPER> You know it was all in good fun–

Guva: It doesn’t matter. I can’t make you captain again even if I wanted to. Lord Cooler’s High Council has asked me to send you to them. They want to question you about your involvement with the rebels.

Banas: <ALL HAPPINESS IS GONE; HE GOES PALE> W-what?!

Guva: I couldn’t stop them. Digranite himself asked for you. He’s Cooler’s Supreme General. I couldn’t say no, Banas. I’m sorry.

Banas: <EXTREME ANXIETY> They’ll kill me, Guva. They’ll kill me!

Guva: Not if you don’t have anything to hide.

Banas: You don’t get it. They haven’t found the rebel leaders. They’ll want to have a public execution of someone important to boost morale. I’m that someone, guvvy!

Guva: You can’t be sure. Besides, there’s nothing I can do, even if it is.

Banas: <COMES TO RESOLUTION> Give me the kid.

Guva: Why?

Banas: I’ll tell them it was him – that the rebels came for him. I’ll bring him with me and they’ll make an example of him, instead.

Guva: Banas, he’s just a kid.

Banas: So what? He’s a soldier they could have targeted. Besides, don’t I matter more to you? I thought we were friends.

Guva: <STUMBLING THROUGH SPEECH> I…

Banas: Oh, come on! Don’t tell me you want to replace me with him.

<THE TWO ARE SILENT FOR A SECOND AND THEN BOTH BURST INTO LAUGHTER>

Guva: All right take him. You’re right; he’s just another soldier. If giving him to them keeps you alive, then it’s worth it.

<BANAS NODS AND EXITS>

<GUVA SITS DOWN AND SINKS INTO HIS CHAIR; HIS FAKE SMILE IS GONE; HE PUTS HIS HEAD INTO HIS HEAD>

Guva: What am I supposed to fucking do? Without the kid, Banas and his team can kill me with no problem. <GUVA LOOKS UP AND WATCHES AS BANAS WALKS OUT OF THE BUILDING, DOWN THE ROAD, AND OUT OF THE OUTPOST> I’ve run out of luck.

<SCENE FADES OUT>

<THE NEXT SCENE FADES IN; IT IS EARLY IN THE MORNING; LEDAS IS SITTING OUTSIDE OF THE BARRACKS; HE WATCHES AS MELOON INJECTS HIMSELF WITH A SYRINGE AND OTHER SOLDIERS SPAR; HE’S EATING A PIECE OF BREAD; BANAS, UNARMORED, WALKS UP TO HIM FROM DOWN THE LANE>

Banas: Hey kid.

Ledas: Did Mr. Guva make you captain again, sir?

Banas: Nope. That’s not why I’m here. Wanna go for a ride? <HE JINGLES HIS KEYS IN FRONT OF LEDAS’ FACE>

Ledas: <NARROWS HIS EYES> Where?

Banas: Oh, just to go see Cooler at the Capitol. Nothing important.

Ledas: But why?

Banas: The weather there is lovely this time of year.

Ledas: Seriously, sir, why?

Banas: <SIGHS> Because somebody needs to die. And it sure as hell won’t be me.

<BEFORE LEDAS CAN REACT, BANAS KICKS HIM IN THE FACE; LEDAS SLUMPS FORWARD, UNCONSCIOUS; NONE OF THE SOLDIERS AROUND CARE AT ALL AND CONTINUE WITH THEIR LIVES; BANAS PICKS LEDAS UP, SLINGING HIM OVER HIS SHOULDER, AND WALKS DOWN TO WHERE THE PODS ARE>

<SCREEN PANS BACK FROM BANAS WALKING UNTIL HE IS BUT A SMALL DOT; THE CAMERA THEN LOOKS UP TO THE RISING SUN>


 * <END LAUTO SAGA>

Cue Great Spirits. Credits roll during this time.

Stomping Grounds Saga
<p style="text-align: center;">Much like In Requiem,

<p style="text-align: center;">this saga was inspired

<p style="text-align: center;">by a single picture.

<p style="text-align: center;">I find it weird that

<p style="text-align: center;">I found both inspirational pictures

<p style="text-align: center;">on gelbooru.

<p style="text-align: center;">Considering what that site specializes in,

<p style="text-align: center;">I was crazy lucky to come across them. <p style="text-align: center;">-KidVegeta

The Stomping Grounds
<THE STOMPING GROUNDS>

<745 AGE>

<COUNCIL CHAMBERS>

<SCREEN FADES IN; BANAS IS WALKING THROUGH A CORRIDOR THAT IS DIMLY LIT; HE IS WHISTLING; AS THE CAMERA PANS BACK, IT SHOWS LEDAS WALKING BEHIND BANAS; HIS HANDS ARE BOUND WITH YELLOW ENERGY; AS HE IS LAGGING, BANAS TURNS AROUND AND LOOKS AT HIM>

Banas: Hey kid, why don’t we pick up the pace? We’ve got places to be. <LEDAS MUMBLES TO HIMSELF> I’ll take that as a ‘Yes, Captain Banas! Anything you want!’.

<HE LAUGHS TO HIMSELF; HOWEVER, HEARING NOTHING FROM LEDAS, HE THEN TURNS AROUND AGAIN AND SEES THE SAIYAN IS RUNNING OFF; BANAS GRUMBLES TO HIMSELF AND PURSUES HIM, TACKLING THE BOY TO THE GROUND WITHIN SECONDS>

Ledas: <FACE UP AGAINST THE FLOOR> Get off me!

Banas: No chance. <HE PICKS LEDAS UP BY THE HAIR AND PUSHES HIM FORWARD; LEDAS STUMBLES, THOUGH HE STARTS WALKING FORWARD> We’ve have somewhere to be, kid. No use fighting me. I’m not letting you get away.

Ledas: <AS HE IS WALKING; HE HAS HIS HEAD TURNED TO SPEAK TO THE ALIEN BEHIND HIM> Why’d you tie me up, anyway?! I didn’t do anything!

Banas: You and me both. Come on.

<THEY REACH A HUGE DOOR; IN FRONT OF IT ARE SEVERAL GUARDS IN FULL ARMOR; WHEN THEY SEE BANAS AND LEDAS, THEY OPEN THE DOOR AND LET THE TWO IN; THE ROOM INSIDE IS FAR BRIGHTER THAN OUTSIDE>

<AS THE TWO COME ON, LEDAS IS DIRECTED TO A PLATFORM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM; BANAS MOVES OFF TO A CORNER, WHERE MORE GUARDS ARE; LEDAS LOOKS AROUND; IN A SEMI-CIRCLE IN FRONT OF HIM ARE ELEVATED, TIERED ROWS OF SEATS; ON THEM SIT NUMEROUS INDIVIDUALS; THE GRAND THRONE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEATS IS EMPTY; MANY OF THE ONLOOKERS ARE OF GUVA’S RACE; VERY FEW OF THEM ARE WEARING ARMOR, HOWEVER; ONE WHO IS IS TO LEDAS’ RIGHT; HE IS A REPTILIAN-AVIAN TYPE ALIEN WITH FULL ARMOR; ALL ACROSS HIS ARMOR ARE DARK SPIKES; UPON SEEING LEDAS, HE FLEXES HIS ARMS, AND THIS CAUSES THE SPIKES TO MOVE>

<A LIGHT TURNS ON AND IS FOCUSED ON LEDAS’ POSITION>

Councilor 1: <TO LEDAS> We will start now. <HE GLANCES TO THE EMPTY THRONE> Lord Cooler will be joining us shortly.

Ledas: <LOOKS TERRIFIED> Lo-lord Cooler?!

Councilor 1: <IGNORING LEDAS’ OUTBURST> Now, we have gotten word from the governor of installation 92 that you had found a suspected spy for the pathetic rebellion that’s going on right now.

Banas: <FROM THE CORNER; POINTING TO LEDAS> Yeah, he’s right here.

Councilor 2: Captain Banas, is it? This report states that you were the one who knew about the rebels years ago.

Banas: <SHRUGGING THEIR WORDS OFF> Ah, that’s Guva for ya! He’s remarkably unspecific when he wants to be. <STEPS FORWARD> It’s true the rebels approached someone on my team – and I’m the captain of that team – but I never talked to them. They were after this kid.

Ledas: <TUGGING ON HIS BINDS> That’s not true! You’re lying!

Councilor 3: <RAISING VOICE OVER LEDAS’ YELLS> And why would they want a child for their ranks? Shouldn’t they have tried to recruit stronger, older members?

Banas: <UNFAZED; REHEARSED SPEECH> Well, you see, this kid’s a Saiyan. They were one of the strongest warrior races out there. And there’s not many of them left. I mean, we all know what Frieza did to their planet. He’s probably the only one in all of Cooler’s territory. Properly trained, he could be the strongest out of any of us.

<THE ARMORED AVIAN ALIEN SCOFFS>

Councilor 1: Be that as it may, how were you made aware of his traitorous ways?

Banas: He sent a platoon of rebels to come kill us.

Ledas: What?! I didn’t do that!

Councilor 2: Quiet. <HE CREATES A BIT OF PINK ENERGY AND PLACES IT OVER LEDAS’ MOUTH TO PREVENT HIM FROM SCREAMING OUT> Captain, continue.

Banas: That’s pretty much it. We realized at that point the kid had been feeding them information. Guva sent the letter right after the battle.

Councilor 3: But it says here that you were suspended, captain.

Banas: Yeah, that was a simple misunderstanding. It’s worked out now. I’m just wondering why you guys are worried about this now… I mean, this happened two years ago.

Councilor 1: <GRAVELY> As you may or may not know, our war against these rebels is going poorly. We haven’t found much, and no leaders have been captured. Yet still, they wreak havoc, even as we speak! Lord Cooler thinks it’s prudent to interrogate every potential lead.

Councilor 3: <REMOVES THE PINK ENERGY OVER LEDAS’ MOUTH> We will make this quick. You will give us all the information you have or face execution.

Ledas: Wh-what?! I don’t know what you’re talking about…!

Councilor 1: <NODS TO THE AVIAN ALIEN> General Digranite here will tell what happens to those who disobey us.

Digranite: <LEANS FORWARD IN HIS SEAT, GRIPPING THE RAILING IN FRONT OF HIM> Let’s just say these teeth <HE POINTS TO HIS MOUTH> aren’t for eating plants.

Ledas: <POSITIVELY SHAKING> I-I d-don’t know a-a-anything! I swear it! <HE DROPS TO HIS KNEES>

<A SOLDIER NEAR THE COUNCILORS SPEAKS>

Soldier 1: Sir, Lord Cooler has landed. He’ll be here soon.

Ledas: <NOTICES DROPS OF BLOOD HIT HIS HAND; THEY ARE COMING FROM HIS NOSE; TO HIMSELF> No…! It’s just like in that cave!

Councilor 2: Do you hear that, Saiyan? Lord Cooler will be far less forgiving than our General. All you have to do is tell us what you know–

<LEDAS LOOKS UP; HIS EYES ARE GREEN; SUDDENLY, LEDAS CREATES TWO GALICK GUNS; HE FIRES THEM TO EACH SIDE; EACH BLAST TEARS A HOLE THROUGH THE BUILDING AND BLOWS APART THE SOLDIERS STANDING IN THE WAY; BEFORE ANYONE CAN REACT, HE SHOOTS A SECOND ENERGY BEAM TOWARDS THE COUNCILORS; THE ENTIRE AREA IS COVERED IN SMOKE; LEDAS TAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RUN TO THE NEAREST HOLE AND JUMPS THROUGH IT; DIGRANITE AND BANAS BOTH RUN UP TO THE HOLE AND LOOK OUT; THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ARE IN A HIGH BUILDING, OVERLOOKING THE REST OF THE PLANET; IN THE DISTANCE, THERE ARE MORE BUILDINGS AND TOWERS, BUT THERE IS ALSO A GOOD DEAL OF PLAINS AND HILLS; IT IS EVENING OUT, WITH THE SUN BEGINNING TO SET>

<AT THIS TIME, COOLER ENTERS THE CHAMBERS>

Cooler: Report.

Councilor 3: <COUGHING> He escaped, sir!

<COOLER SNARLS AND SHOOTS A FINGER BEAM AT THE COUNCILOR; HE WALKS PAST THE SMOLDERING SEATS, TO DIGRANITE AND BANAS>

Digranite: Lord Cooler, he’s not far. I can track him if you want. Bring him back to you, if you desire.

Cooler: No. I’ll get him myself. He won’t be able to hide. He doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. Unlike my brother, I won’t put up with such defiance! <HE LOOKS AT DIGRANITE> While I’m gone, interrogate the rest of our prisoners. That will be all.

Digranite: Of course.

Cooler: <LOOKING OUT OF THE HOLE, PERCHED RIGHT ON THE EDGE> I will find this Saiyan spy and bring him back. He’s more valuable to me alive than dead.

Banas: Lord Cooler, it’s an honor to–

<WITH THAT, COOLER STEPS FORWARD AND JUMPS OUT OF THE HOLE; HE DIVES OUT OF THERE LIKE A PROFESSIONAL DIVER OR SOMETHING; HE SHOOTS OFF LIKE MEWTWO DURING THE BEGINNING OF THE CREDITS IN POKÉMON SEASON 1>

Banas: <WATCHING HIM GO> Well, there’s nothing to worry about, then! I can go, right? <HE PATS DIGRANITE’S BACK IN A FRIENDLY MANNER; HOWEVER, HE HITS ONE OF THE SPIKES AND CUTS HIS HAND> Ouch! Man, what the hell?!

<DIGRANITE LOOKS AT BANAS FOR A MOMENT, THEN TURNS AROUND AND WALKS OUT; HIS CAPE BILLOWS BEHIND HIM>

Banas: <CALLING AFTER HIM> Hey! Can I go now?! Hey?! <THE OTHERS IGNORE HIM> Fine, I’ll take that as a yes.

<THE SCREEN PANS BACK A BIT; COUNCILOR 3 IS DEAD, HANGING OVER THE RAILING; THE OTHER TWO MAIN COUNCILORS ARE LEAVING; SOME SOLDIERS ARE DEAD, THOUGH NOT ALL OF THEM; EVERYONE LEAVES THE ROOM, SAVE FOR BANAS; HE LOOKS OUT OF THE HOLE ONE LAST TIME AND SIGHS>

Banas: Well, kid. It was a helluva journey. But everything has to end.

<SCREEN FADES TO BLACK AS BANAS WALKS OUT>

Haunting Memory
<HIGH SHOT FROM ABOVE AN ENCAMPMENT; IT IS FILLED WITH COOLER’S SOLDIERS; THE SCREEN PANS OUT OVER THE PLAINS BEHIND>

<A LARGE CREATURE, SUSPENDED IN AIR, IS FLYING SLOWLY; ITS LONG ARMS AND WINGS DANGLING BELOW IT; WE GET TO SEE THE EDGE OF HAIR, NEAR POINT-OF-VIEW FROM THE PANEL>

<THE CREATURE JUST SEEMS LIKE IT’S A NATIVE ANIMAL; THE CAMERA TURNS AWAY FROM IT, BACK TO THE ENCAMPMENT>

<THE CAMERA SNEAKS AROUND THE GUARD TOWER, UP ONTO AN OVERLOOK>

<ON THAT OVERLOOK IS STANDING A BOY; WELL, HE’S LEDAS; HIS EYES ARE NO LONGER GREEN; ANYWAY, HE LOOKS DOWN INTO THE GROUP OF SOLDIERS BELOW; MOST OF THEM ARE PATROLLING, AND ASIDE FROM THE GUARD TOWER, NONE OF THEM ARE FACING HIS WAY>

Ledas: I’ve gotta get outta here. Maybe they have a ship.

<HE JUMPS OVER THE CLIFF, SKIDDING DOWN ITS SIDE; SPEEDING QUICKLY BY, HE MANAGES TO GET PAST THE SLEEPING GATE GUARD – WHO IS LOUNGING ON AN ELEVATED ANTI-GRAVITY TOWER – WITHOUT ALERTING ANYONE; LEDAS RUNS FORWARD, SEARCHING FOR ANY SORT OF SPACE POD TO GET HIM OFF THE PLANET>

<INSIDE A BUILDING HE FINDS SOLDIERS, NOT A POD; REALIZING HIS MISTAKE, LEDAS JUMPS; IN REFLEX, HE BLOWS THEM AWAY WITH ENERGY; HE GOES BACK OUTSIDE; HOWEVER, THE NOISE HAS CAUSED MORE SOLDIERS TO COME OUT>

<LEDAS SPOTS THEM FIRST; THERE ARE A FEW DOZEN; THE BATTLE IS SHORT LIVED; EACH SOLDIER IS BLOWN AWAY BY A SINGLE FINGER BEAM EACH; ONCE THEY FALL DEAD, THE OTHER SOLDIERS IN THE COMPLEX ARE ALERTED>

<A SIREN GOES OFF, AND THEY RUN OUT; ALL THAT HE CAN SEE ARE MERE GRUNTS>

Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> 1000. 2000. Nobody’s a threat. <HE LOOKS OVER HIS SHOULDER> But I can feel someone much stronger coming. I gotta go fast!

<THE GROUPS LINE UP AROUND HIM, READYING THEIR BLASTERS ON HIS POSITION; LEDAS DOES NOT MOVE; ONCE THEY ARE ALL IN POSITION, A FAT ONE FLOATS OUT IN FRONT; HE IS PURPLE, COVERED IN TENTACLES, SHORT, AND STOUT; HE DOES NOT LOOK VERY MENACING, BUT HE WEARS THE ARMOR TOO>

Mullpy: Soldiers, wait! Who do we have here, hmm?

Ledas: <TALKING QUICKLY> I just want a space pod. I’ll let you live if you give me one.

Mullpy: Oho! Let us live, will you?! Well, it looks like you’re in for a shock, brat! <HE WAGS A TENTACLE> You’re in no position to demand things from me! I’m a Captain! <TO HIS MEN; POSITIVELY SCREECHING> Now shoot him! Shoot the brat!

<LEDAS POSITIONS HIS RIGHT HAND OUTWARD, IN A HALF FIST, CAUSING THE TROOPS TO WAIT; HOWEVER, AS NO BLAST COMES, THEY FIRE; LEDAS IS ENVELOPED IN THEIR ATTACK; THE DUST CLEARS QUICKLY; HE IS UNMOVED, HIS ARMOR AND BODY UNDAMAGED>

<MULLPY WADDLES UP TO HIM, GRINNING; WHEN HE SEES THAT LEDAS IS ALIVE, HIS GRIN SUBSIDES SLIGHTLY>

Ledas: You shouldn’t really be smiling.

<THE ENTIRE CITY EXPLODES; LEDAS HAD PREVIOUSLY USED A LIGHTNING STRIKE ATTACK, WHICH IS A HUGE INVISIBLE BLAST; NOW IT GOES OFF AND IT INCINERATES ALL AROUND HIM; THE BUILDINGS AND TROOPS ARE DESTROYED; FARTHER OFF, WHERE THE OUTPOST IS, THE SLEEPING SOLDIER IS KNOCKED AWAY TO THE GROUND; HE WAKES UP, SCOWLING>

<WHEN THE DUST CLEARS, THE CRATER AROUND LEDAS IS QUITE DEVOID OF LIFE; HE LOOKS AROUND, SCANNING FOR ANY SIGN OF A SPACE SHIP; NOT SEEING ANY, HE RISES INTO THE AIR>

<FROM BEHIND LEDAS, A SHOT IS FIRED; HE DODGES IT EASILY BUT SEVERAL MORE COME; HE DODGES THEM TOO, FALLING TO THE GROUND IN A ROLL; HE RAISES HIS HEAD LOOKING FOR THE SOURCE OF THE ATTACK, WHEN HE SEES MULLPY COME OUT OF THE RUBBLE TO HIS LEFT>

<MULLPY FIRES ANOTHER SHOT, WHICH LEDAS ROLLS RIGHT TO DODGE>

Mullpy: Ooh, ooh! He’s a fast one, isn’t he?! I can see how he killed all those soldiers!

Ledas: Stop shooting me! I’ll let you live if you give me a pod.

Mullpy: Oh, a space pod? You want to run away? Aw, that’s too bad!

Ledas: Why?

Mullpy: <GRINNING> Can’t you see?! You blew up everything! <HE WAVES HIS TENTACLES AROUND MADLY> All the pods are gone now! You destroyed them, you little fool!

Ledas: <BACKSTEP> N-no…

Mullpy: Don’t worry! I’ll arrest you! Hahh!

<MULLPY JUMPS AT LEDAS, SWINGING HIS TENTACLES WILDLY AND LAUGHING, AS IF HE IS PLAYING A GAME; MULLPY IS VERY UNAWARE OF HIS POWER LEVEL COMPARED TO LEDAS’; SINCE HIS IS LOWER, LEDAS HAS LITTLE TROUBLE COUNTERING HIS ATTACK>

<MULLPY FLIES AROUND BEHIND LEDAS, STILL LAUGHING AND LATCHES ONTO THE BOY’S BACK WITH HIS TENTACLES; HE BEGINS SUCKING LEDAS’ ENERGY OUT; LEDAS GRIMACES, AS THIS IS BASICALLY BURNING HIM, AND WEAKENING HIM; HE TRIES TO ROLL OFF, BUT MULLPY IS ABLE TO STAY LATCHED ON, AND HE IS STILL TAKING LEDAS’ ENERGY>

<LEDAS SPINS, ELBOWING THE ALIEN IN THE FACE; MULLPY’S TENTACLES ARE SNAPPED OFF; HE FIRES A SMALL COLLECTION OF BLASTS, WHICH HIT LEDAS; THIS GIVES MULLPY THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTACK AGAIN>

<MULLPY SLAPS LEDAS WITH HIS TENTACLE, BUT LEDAS GRABS AHOLD; RIPPING IT UPWARD WITH ONE HAND, LEDAS TAKES MULLPY FULLY INTO THE AIR; WITH HIS OTHER HAND, LEDAS CREATES A SMALL CUTTING BEAM TO SEVER THE TENTACLE>

<MULLPY RAGES HARD, KICKING AT LEDAS WITH ALL HIS MIGHT; HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOTHING; LEDAS SLAMS HIM TO THE GROUND, FOLLOWED UP BY A RAZOR BLAST, WHICH KILLS MULLPY>

<LEDAS LANDS>

Grif: <INDIFFERENCE> Yeah, yeah, you killed the army. I bet you think you’re a big shot now.

<LEDAS WHEELS AROUND, FACING THIS NEW FOE; IT IS THE SLEEPING GUARD, THE ONE THAT LEDAS SNUCK PAST ABOUT THREE MINUTES PRIOR; HE IS STANDING IN A SLOUCH>

Ledas: Aren’t you part of that army?

Grif: No, not me. I’m just a traveling paper salesman, who just so happened to, uh, be selling paper to lieutenant Mullpy and his guys.

Ledas: You’re wearing the same armor as them.

Grif: Yeah, well, so are you. And I could tell when you destroyed the whole base that you weren’t with them. I’m not either. That’s why you shouldn’t judge a paper salesman by his armor.

Ledas: You’re just lying. You don’t have any paper.

Grif: <MELODRAMA> Not any more, thanks to someone. <LEDAS FROWNS AGAIN> Look around us, you’ve blown it all up! <FAKE SADNESS> It’s all gone! All, all gone…

Ledas: Um, look, do you know where I can find a space pod?

Grif: Yeeah, well the lieutenant used to keep them in that building right there… but you blew it up up. Great job, buddy.

Ledas: I thought he wasn’t your lieutenant.

Grif: <FLUSTERED> You tricked me!

<HE RAISES HIS WRIST MOUNTED BLASTER AT LEDAS; LEDAS PRODUCES A SMALL BALL OF KI IN HIS HAND AS HIS COUNTER, BUT GRIF DECIDES THAT IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA TO ACTUALLY ATTACK; GRIF RUNS AWAY>

<LEDAS, INTENT ON GETTING MORE INFORMATION OUT OF HIM, PURSUES; GRIF HECKLES HIM AS HE GOES>

Grif: <AS LEDAS REACHES HIM> Hey! You suck!

Ledas: That wasn’t a very good one.

Grif: Your mom wasn’t a very good one. Oh yeah! <GRIF LOOKS MIGHTY PLEASED>

Ledas: Look, take me to another base that has some pods, or I’m just going to kill you. <HE SHOWS THE BLAST TO GRIF>

Grif: That is a… pretty convincing argument.

Ledas: All right, so let’s go. Show me the place.

Grif: <POINTS TO A TOWER IN THE DISTANCE> They’ve got some over there.

<AS LEDAS IS DISTRACTED WITH LOOKING AT THE TOWER, GRIF COMES UP TO LEDAS; HE STARTS MOANING; HE IS TRYING TO BE QUIET, BUT LEDAS HEARS HIM; HOWEVER, AS LEDAS TURNS, HE SEES THAT GRIF IS ACTUALLY MAKING ENERGY FORM; HE HAS AN AURA, AND HIS HANDS ARE OUT ON HIS SIDES; REALIZING THIS WAS CAREFULLY PLANNED TREACHERY, LEDAS GOES TO KILL GRIF; HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME SOMETHING HAPPENS>

<LEDAS’ EYES ARE GREEN AGAIN; HE DROPS TO HIS KNEES; SUDDENLY, FLASHES OF MEMORY COME BACK TO HIM; OF LAUTO’S CAVE; OF THE BENEFACTOR, HIS HALLUCINATION IN THERE AND OTHERWISE; OF VEGETA, HIS FRIEND; THIS CAUSES A GREAT PAIN TO COME TO HIS HEAD, AND HE SCREAMS OUT, POUNDING AT THE DIRT AS IT HURTS HIM A LOT>

Grif: Wait, did I do that?!

<LEDAS’ HAIR HAS TURNED WHITE; HE SHAKES IN PAIN>

Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> Nooo!! I can sense Cooler getting closer. I-I can’t… move…

Grif: Hey, uh, kid, are you okay? You look terrible. Just terrible. <LEDAS LOOKS UP AT HIM, WHITE HAIR AND GREEN EYES> Eeaah!!

<LEDAS DOESN’T HEAR GRIF; HE IS HUDDLED OVER THE GROUND, COUGHING UP BLOOD>

Grif: Hey, bitch! Stop ignoring me! I’m not done owning you!

<GRIF WALKS RIGHT UP TO LEDAS, QUITE CONFIDENTLY; LEDAS, WHO ISN’T LOOKING AT THE FURRY ALIEN, SWINGS HIS FIST AND HITS GRIF IN THE CHEST; GRIF GOES FLYING INTO A NEARBY MOUNTAIN; LEDAS ATTEMPTS TO STAND UP, BUT HE STUMBLES; HE’S IN CLEAR PAIN>

<JUST AS HE’S TRYING TO STAND UP, HE HEARS A THUD BEHIND HIM; THE CAMERA PANS BACK AND SHOWS COOLER BEHIND THE SAIYAN BOY; LEDAS TURNS TO FACE HIM>

Cooler: <CALMLY, ELEGANTLY> So, Saiyan, we finally meet. <LEDAS ATTEMPTS TO RUN AWAY, BUT TRIPS OVER HIS FEET AND FALLS TO THE GROUND; COOLER WALKS RIGHT UP TO LEDAS> Did you really think you could get away from the strongest being in the universe?

<COOLER PICKS LEDAS UP BY THE NECK; CAMERA ZOOMS OUT>

<SCENE CHANGE>

<IN LAUTO’S CAVE, MUCH OF THE PLACE HAS BEEN DESTROYED; THE CAMERA MOVES ACROSS THE PATH, SHOWING MANY CRATERS, BURN STREAKS, AND QUITE A BIT OF BLOOD; FINALLY, THE CAMERA REACHES TWO BODIES; THEY ARE BOTH ON THE GROUND, THOUGH THEY ARE SEVERAL FEET APART; THE ONE FURTHER BACK FROM THE CAMERA IS ACTIVELY BLEEDING>

Lauto: <SITS UP, REVEALING HIMSELF TO BE THE FIGURE FURTHER BACK> Enough of this! <HE CRAWLS UP AGAINST THE ROCK WALL> We can both get out of here. <THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT RESPOND> Listen to me… you will need me to get your energy back. Only I know the technique…

The Benefactor: <SUDDENLY SITS UP; FULL OF MALICE> I told you… what would happen… to you.

<HE LUNGES AT LAUTO, DIGGING HE CLAWS INTO THE KAI’S CHEST; LAUTO KICKS THE BENEFACTOR OFF OF HIM AND ROLLS FORWARD; HE STANDS UP AND DOES A FRONT FLIP KICK, LANDING DIRECTLY HIS FOE’S BACK; THE BENEFACTOR SHRUGS HIM OFF AND STANDS UP; HE RUSHES AT LAUTO AGAIN, BUT LAUTO PARRIES HIM AWAY; THE TWO TRADE BLOWS UNTIL THEY BOTH FALL TO THE GROUND AGAIN, EXHAUSTED>

The Benefactor: You’ll die tonight. <HE TRIES TO STAND, BUT STUMBLES AND FALLS AGAIN>

Lauto: This is no use… with our energies gone. We’ll die of exhaustion before we can kill one another. Look… we can get out of here. I’ll show you!

<LAUTO STARTS CRAWLING AWAY; THE BENEFACTOR FOLLOWS HIM; AS THEY ROUND THE CORNER, THE BENEFACTOR’S SHIP IS SEEN PARKED IN THE CAVE; WHILE IT IS SLIGHTLY DAMAGED FROM THE CRASH LANDING, IT IS STILL OPERATIONAL>

Lauto: We can take that and find the kid who stole our energy. You will need my help…

The Benefactor: <HE GETS CLOSER, AND SITS UP AGAINST A ROCK> Why would I?

Lauto: Because I’m a Kai. I know this universe… inside and out. I can find him, and get back our energy. Then I’ll find someone else to switch bodies with… not you. I give you my word! <THE BENEFACTOR SHAKES HIS HEAD> You can’t leave me to die! No being would dare kill a god!

The Benefactor: <NOTICES HIS CLAWS ARE COVERED IN PURPLE BLOOD; IT IS LAUTO’S BLOOD> There’s a first time for everything. <THE BENEFACTOR STARES AT THE BLOOD ON HIS HAND AND STARTS BREATHING RAPIDLY; HE LOOKS UP AT LAUTO; RESOLUTE, NO MORE PANTING> Your time is almost up. Your body decays as we speak. But I won’t let you live long enough to double-cross me again.

<WITH HIS OTHER HAND, THE BENEFACTOR TAKES OUT A KNIFE; HE STARES INTO THE BLADE AS THE CAMERA FADES TO BLACK>

To Kill A God
<SCENE OPENS IN LAUTO’S CAVE; LAUTO AND THE BENEFACTOR ARE NEAR THE BENEFACTOR’S SHIP (WHICH IS A GARBAGE SHIP); LAUTO IS SITTING UP AGAINST THE WALL TO THE RIGHT OF THE SHIP; THE BENEFACTOR IS JUST IN FRONT OF HIM, SITTING ON HIS KNEES WITH HIS FACE BOWED>

Lauto: I was the ruler of this universe. Everything I did was for the betterment of the species living here. And now this is what I get? A rogue member of an otherwise extinct species trying to kill me? I won’t have it. If you wish to kill me, you will be subjected to everything I have been!

<LAUTO SUDDENLY YELLS AND CREATES A PURPLE BEAM OF ENERGY WITH HIS LEFT HAND; HE FIRES IT AT THE SPACE SHIP; AT THIS, THE BENEFACTOR LOOKS UP; HE QUICKLY FIRES A GREEN ENERGY BLAST WITH HIS RIGHT HAND, INTERCEPTING LAUTO’S ATTACK, AND SENDING THEM BOTH INTO THE FAR WALL TO EXPLODE>

The Benefactor: Not happening, boss.

Lauto: <SCREAMING NOW; SPITTING VENOM> I was there when your species began! I allowed them to live! But had I known the genetic <DISGUST> mutation you possess existed, I surely would have killed you all!

The Benefactor: <STANDING UP, FLUIDLY> What are you talking about?

Lauto: You aren’t like your species. The rest would expend energy to catch their prey. But you – you bottle that energy up inside you, like adrenaline. Only, it’s power that doesn’t go away. That’s why you get stronger with each kill, with each dead body you see. And I should have seen it! I should have killed your species long ago!

<THE BENEFACTOR DOESN’T RESPOND; HE LOOKS DOWN AT HIS HANDS; ONE IS COVERED IN LAUTO’S BLOOD; THE OTHER IS HOLDING A KNIFE; THEN HE LOOKS UP AT LAUTO; LAUTO SEES THAT THE BENEFACTOR’S HAND IS COVERED IN BLOOD>

Lauto: <REALIZING THE BENEFACTOR IS BUILDING UP ENERGY AGAIN> No!

<HE ATTEMPTS TO SLIDE FURTHER AGAINST THE WALL, BUT THE BENEFACTOR RUNS AT HIM; AS THE CREATURE REACHES THE KAI, LAUTO KICKS HIM BACK WITH BOTH FEET; THE BENEFACTOR STUMBLES; THIS GIVES LAUTO TIME TO STAND UP AND LAUNCH HIMSELF AT THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR GOES ON THE DEFENSIVE, PARRYING AND DODGING THE BLOCKS; AS THE TWO MOVE, THEY ARE HITTING ROCKS IN THE WALLS AND FLOOR CAUSING A GREAT AMOUNT OF DEBRIS TO FLY UP AROUND THEM>

<THE BENEFACTOR DODGES AROUND A CORNER, LETTING LAUTO PUNCH INTO A WALL; AS LAUTO GOES AROUND THE CORNER TO SEE WHERE HE WENT, THE BENEFACTOR APPEARS BEHIND HIM, AND PUNCHES HIM FORWARD; LAUTO TRIPS TO THE FLOOR AND ROLLS OVER JUST IN TIME TO SEE THE BENEFACTOR JUMP ON TOP OF HIM; THE BENEFACTOR BEATS HIM, PUNCHING THE KAI’S HEAD DIRECTLY INTO THE ROCK BENEATH; AS THE CRATER GETS LARGER AND LAUTO MORE DELIRIOUS, THE BENEFACTOR SHOWS HIS KNIFE AND ATTEMPTS TO STAB LAUTO WITH IT>

<THE TWO STRUGGLE; LAUTO TRIES HIS HARDEST TO HOLD THE BLADE FROM HIS THROAT; HIS HAND IS CUT DURING THE STRUGGLE; AS THE BLADE GETS CLOSER AND CLOSER, LAUTO STARTS SCREAMING; THE TIP OF THE BLADE TOUCHES HIS NECK WHEN LAUTO FINALLY CREATES AN EXPLOSIVE WAVE, KNOCKING THE BENEFACTOR OFF OF HIM, AND SENDING THE KNIFE FLYING OFF INTO THE DARKNESS>

<LAUTO IS ALMOST COMPLETELY OUT OF ENERGY AT THIS POINT; WHAT LITTLE HE HAD LEFT WENT WITH THAT EXPLOSIVE WAVE; AT THIS POINT, HE JUST STAYS WHERE HE IS ON THE GROUND, BREATHING HEAVILY>

Lauto: It was my job… I protected the universe from species… which could harm it. I saved all of them… and this is my thanks…

<AROUND LAUTO ARE THE HALLUCINATIONS FROM HIS OWN MEMORY; HE APPEARS SO DELIRIOUS THAT HE CANNOT EVEN CONTROL HIS POWER TO VIEW OTHERS’ MEMORIES; THE BENEFACTOR WATCHES AS THE HALLUCINATION GROUP OF KAIS HUDDLE AROUND LAUTO AND COVER HIM IN YELLOW ENERGY>

<LAUTO SCREAMS OUT AGAIN, POUNDING THE GROUND>

Lauto: Fools! I was their leader! They betrayed me! I was only eliminating the dangerous species! <LAUTO ATTEMPTS TO STAND UP; HE DOESN’T SEE THE BENEFACTOR; HE BALANCES HIMSELF AGAINST A ROCK, THOUGH HIS BALANCE IS SHAKY REGARDLESS; SPEAKING TO THE BENEFACTOR, WHO IS NOT SHOWN ON SCREEN; POINTING THE INDEX FINGER OF HIS RIGHT HAND ABOUT> And you! You are nothing! What have you done that compares to what–

<SUDDENLY, THE BENEFACTOR MATERIALIZES IN FRONT OF LAUTO; HE STABS LAUTO JUST BELOW THE COLLARBONE WITH HIS KNIFE; THIS CAUSES THE KAI TO LET HIS HAND FALL TO HIS SIDE AND HIS SPEECH STOP; HE HAS A LOOK OF HORROR UPON HIS FACE; THE BENEFACTOR RIPS THE BLADE OUT OF LAUTO’S BODY, CAUSING THE KAI TO LURCH FORWARD; BLOOD SPURTS OUT FROM HIS WOUND; THEN, THE BENEFACTOR SLICES THE BLADE ACROSS LAUTO’S THROAT; LAUTO FALLS TO THE GROUND; HE GRABS HIS BLEEDING NECK>

The Benefactor: <STANDING OVER THE KAI, WHO IS WRITHING IN QUIET PAIN> You had to bring her back. I told you I didn’t want to remember her. <HE KICKS LAUTO; KNEELS DOWN TO LAUTO> How does that feel? <HE SLAPS LAUTO ACROSS THE FACE, CAUSING LAUTO TO COUGH UP BLOOD; HE WATCHES LAUTO STRUGGLE FOR A WHILE> You know, if you really were a god, you would save yourself.

<WITH THAT, THE BENEFACTOR GRABS LAUTO BY THE NECK, HOLDING HIM DOWN TO THE GROUND; WITH HIS FREE HAND, HE CREATES A GREEN ENERGY BLAST AND SHOOTS IT AT LAUTO’S FACE; HIS BLAST FILLS THE ENTIRE SCREEN; IN THE NEXT PANEL, THE BENEFACTOR LETS GO OF LAUTO’S LIMP BODY AND STANDS UP; LAUTO’S FACE CAN BE SEEN; FROM HIS CHIN UP TO JUST UNDER HIS EYES, HIS SKIN HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED, LEAVING ONLY BONES; HIS EYES REMAIN OPEN, STARING UPWARDS>

<WITHOUT SO MUCH AS LOOKING AT LAUTO AGAIN, THE BENEFACTOR POCKETS HIS KNIFE, AND WALKS AWAY>

<CUTS TO THE STOMPING GROUNDS>

<COOLER IS HOLDING LEDAS BY THE NECK; LEDAS IS FIGHTING HIM, TO NO AVAIL>

Cooler: What’s that? Can’t breathe? <HE LAUGHS>

<LEDAS, WHOSE EYES ARE GREEN AND HAIR IS WHITE, OPENS HIS MOUTH AND SENDS A MOUTH BEAM DIRECTLY TO COOLER’S FACE; THIS CAUSES COOLER TO DROP THE BOY; LEDAS LANDS ON HIS FEET AND BACKPEDALS A FEW METERS>

Ledas: <HOLDING HIS THROAT> Please sir… I’m not a rebel!

Cooler: <FEELING HIS FACE> Impressive energy. I actually felt that.

Ledas: Mr. Cooler, sir, you have to let me go! I haven’t done anything!

Cooler: Why?

Ledas: Because I’m the one who killed the leader of the rebels on that rig.

Cooler: <DROPPING HIS HANDS> Ah, I remember that. The vanadium mining facility. I’m surprised you say that was you.

Ledas: <AGITATED> I killed the person in charge! How can I be rebel?

Cooler: <SHAKING HIS HEAD> Would you play me as a fool, monkey? I know the team that performed that mission didn’t have a Saiyan with them.

Ledas: What…?

Cooler: It was three members. The Plantains, I think. There was no Saiyan.

Ledas: <ANGER RISING> I’m on that team!

Cooler: I don’t care for your lies, you filthy ape. Now, we’re going back to have you interrogated. You can come nicely, or I can make you. But you aren’t getting away. Nothing escapes my grasp!

Ledas: You aren’t taking me anywhere!

<LEDAS’ AURA FLARES UP AROUND HIM, AND HE CHARGES AT COOLER; COOLER BLOCKS LEDAS’ ATTACK RATHER EASILY; LEDAS IS RELENTLESS, HOWEVER, ENDLESSLY PUNCHING, KICKING, AND TELEPORTING AROUND THE TYRANT; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, LEDAS BREAKS AWAY AND CREATES A SLEW OF AFTERIMAGES; THEY ALL CHARGE COOLER>

<AS THE AFTERIMAGES GET TO COOLER, HE DOUBLE KICKS THE ONE TO HIS LEFT; THIS IS THE REAL LEDAS; LEDAS IS SENT CRASHING BACK TO THE TURF IN A MODERATE CRATER>

Ledas: <STANDING UP> What?! How did you see me?

Cooler: <CONFIDENTLY, BECKONING LEDAS TO ATTACK AGAIN> I can sense energy. It’s a little trick I’ve picked up over the years.

Ledas: <OUTRAGED> No!!

<LEDAS STANDS UP AND SHOOTS A BARRAGE OF ENERGY AT COOLER; THEN, HE SHOOTS MULTIPLE GALICK GUNS AND FINGER BEAMS; FINALLY, HE FOLLOWS THIS UP WITH A FULL-POWERED KYORRA FLASH IN EACH HAND; THROUGHOUT HIS KI ASSAULT, COOLER HASN’T MOVED FROM PLACE; ONCE THE FINAL BLAST HITS COOLER, HE STEPS FORWARD FROM THE SMOKE>

Cooler: Your power is impressive for someone of your age. But you can’t damage me. I’m not even at 1% power.

Ledas: <FATIGUED> No way! You hafta be lying!

Cooler: Am I? <HE LEANS FORWARD> Then let me show you.

<HIS AURA SHOOTS UP AROUND HIM, AND COOLER RUSHES AT LEDAS>

<SCENE CHANGES BACK TO LAUTO’S CAVE>

<WITHIN IT, THE BENEFACTOR HAS LINED UP THE DEAD SKELETAL BODIES OF FOUR SOLDIERS; THEY ARE ALL WEARING COOLER STYLE ARMOR; HE LOOKS OVER THEIR BODIES>

The Benefactor: Planets 54… 71… 76… 92… <HE STANDS BACK UP> Whoever stole my energy is from one of these. It won’t take me long to find him, and when I do… he will pay for his crimes against me.

<THE BENEFACTOR WALKS OFF TO HIS SHIP AS THE SCREEN FADES TO BLACK>

A Blue Moon In His Eyes
<THE SCREEN ABRUPTLY OPENS WITH A SHOT OF LEDAS SLAMMING INTO THE GROUND; HE GROANS BEFORE STANDING UP; SHAKING HIS HEAD, HE LOOKS UP, FLARES HIS AURA AROUND HIM AND FLIES FORWARD; AHEAD OF HIM IS STANDING COOLER, WHO IS SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER THAN LEDAS; HIS AURA IS MASSIVE>

<LEDAS ATTACKS WITH A SINGLE FIST, YELLING AS HE PUNCHES AT COOLER; COOLER BLOCKS THIS EASILY AND KICKS LEDAS ACROSS THE FACE; THEN, COOLER TELEPORTS ABOVE LEDAS AND KICKS DOWN ONTO LEDAS’ BACK WITH ONE FOOT; THIS SENDS THE SAIYAN BOY CRASHING INTO THE GROUND YET AGAIN>

<AS LEDAS STRUGGLES TO STAND UP, COOLER GRABS HIS TAIL AND PICKS HIM UP BY THAT; THEN, HE BEGINS PUNCHING LEDAS IN THE GUT; LEDAS RETALIATES BY SHOOTING A FLURRY OF KI BLASTS INTO COOLER’S STOMACH, THOUGH THIS DOESN’T DAMAGE HIM MUCH; COOLER SWINGS LEDAS UP OVER HIS HEAD, THEN SLAMS HIM DOWN INTO THE GROUND; THIS TIME, LEDAS IS LEFT IN THE CRATER>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> I… have to fight…

<HE SITS UP AND LOOKS AT COOLER; WITH ANOTHER YELL, HE CONJURES UP A RAZOR BLAST AND SHOOTS IT AT COOLER; COOLER SIMPLY BATS IT TO THE SIDE; SEEING THIS, LEDAS FALLS TO HIS HANDS AND KNEES AND BOWS HIS HEAD, BREATHING HARD>

Cooler: Are you ready to talk now, Saiyan?

Ledas: <STILL LOOKING DOWN> I already told you. I don’t know anything.

<LEDAS LOOKS UP TO SEE COOLER RUSHING AT HIM AGAIN; BEFORE HE CAN REACT, COOLER KICKS HIM UNDER THE CHIN; THIS FLIPS LEDAS UP INTO THE AIR; AS HE ATTEMPTS TO REGAIN HIS BALANCE, HE NOTICES THAT COOLER IS GONE; RIGHTING HIMSELF IN MIDAIR, HE LOOKS AROUND, ONLY TO BE HIT, FROM BEHIND, BY A LARGE PURPLE BLAST; ONCE AGAIN, HE FALLS TO THE GROUND; MUCH OF HIS ARMOR IS DESTROYED FROM THIS AND HIS JUMPSUIT IS TORN; COOLER DESCENDS TO THE GROUND NEAR HIM>

Cooler: Tell me what you know… <HE PRESSES HIS FOOT OVER LEDAS’ NECK, CAUSING THE SAIYAN TO GROAN IN PAIN> and the pain will stop. It’s useless to continue resisting me.

<LEDAS ALLOWS COOLER TO PRESS DOWN ON HIS NECK FOR A MOMENT; AS COOLER PRESSES DOWN, THIS CAUSES THE GROUND BENEATH TO CRACK AND SPLIT; AS IT BREAKS APART, HE SLIPS OUT FROM COOLER’S GRASP, AND ROLLS TO THE SIDE; HE QUICKLY SHOOTS MORE KI INTO COOLER’S SIDE, THEN TELEPORTS BEHIND THE TYRANT AND CLUBS HIM OVER THE HEAD; COOLER STAGGERS FORWARD A BIT; LEDAS LANDS>

<LEDAS THEN FLARES UP HIS AURA TO ITS MAXIMUM; HE STARTS SCREAMING, AS HE CREATES A KI EXPLOSION; BEFORE THE BLAST CAN GO OFF, HOWEVER, COOLER REAPPEARS AND KNEES HIM EXTREMELY HARD IN THE RIBS; THIS CRACKS LEDAS’ CHEST PIECE; THE BOY LOSES CONCENTRATION OF HIS ATTACK AND IN AN INSTANT, HIS AURA AND KI VANISH; HE STAGGERS BACK, HOLDING HIS CHEST; HE IS SLIGHTLY BENT OVER AND SPITTING UP BLOOD>

Cooler: <LOSING COMPOSURE> Tell me now!

Ledas: <BETWEEN SPITTING BLOOD> I don’t have anything to say.

Cooler: Then you are no more use to me.

Ledas: <COUGHING IN PAIN> I don’t care!

Cooler: I rule this universe! Everything is mine. Everyone is my slave. Your life belongs to me. And so does your obedience! <HE WALKS RIGHT UP TO LEDAS> I can destroy entire planets without any effort. <HE SUDDENLY CREATES A LARGE SUPERNOVA AT THE TIP OF HIS FINGER> Behold my power!

Ledas: <SEETHING BOTH IN PAIN AND FRUSTRATION> I told you I’m not a rebel!

Cooler: You lie!

Ledas: <FALLS TO HIS KNEES, THROWS HIS HEAD BACK AND CLOSES HIS EYES; HE SIGHS> Then kill me.

Cooler: <SURPRISED YET ANGRY> You dare defy me?! The strongest being in the universe? <HE BREATHES HARD AS ANGER COURSES THROUGH HIS VEINS; FINALLY, HE LOOKS AT HIS ATTACK, AND MAKES IT SIGNIFICANTLY SMALLER> Very well. At this size, the planet won’t be in danger. But it’s a pity. I have only a few soldiers stronger than you in my ranks. And now you have to die… such wasted potential.

<WITH THAT, COOLER THROWS THE BALL OF ENERGY AT LEDAS; AS THE RED AND YELLOW BALL OF ENERGY NEARS THE SAIYAN, HE SUDDENLY OPENS HIS EYES AND JUMPS BACK, ATTEMPTING TO DODGE IT; THE BALL SLAMS INTO THE GROUND, CREATING A MASSIVE EXPLOSION; LEDAS IS CAUGHT BY THE IMPACT EXPLOSION, MISCALCULATING HOW LARGE IT WOULD BE; THE BLAST FLINGS HIM BACK; MORE OF HIS ARMOR IS BURNED AWAY AS HE SLAMS INTO THE BOULDERS AT THE BASE OF THE MOUNTAIN THAT HE HIT GRIF INTO EARLIER>

<LEDAS LANDS ON TOP OF A BUNCH OF ROCKS, THOUGH HE ROLLS OFF OF THEM ALMOST IMMEDIATELY; HE FALLS TO THE GROUND ON HIS BACK; THERE ARE QUITE A FEW ROCKS BETWEEN HIM AND COOLER, SO THE TYRANT CANNOT ACTUALLY SEE HIM ANY MORE>

Ledas: <EYES CLOSED AGAIN, GRITTING HIS TEETH; HIS HANDS ARE IN FISTS AT HIS SIDES> Just gotta… lower my power level…

<LEDAS LETS OUT SHARP BREATHS AS HE DOES SO, AND UPON SATISFYING HIMSELF WITH HIS LOWERED POWER LEVEL, HE FLIPS TO HIS SIDE AND CRAWLS FORWARD; HE REACHES THE EDGE OF THE ROCKS AND PEERS AROUND THEM TO GET A LOOK AT COOLER; COOLER IS STANDING, LOOKING AT THE CARNAGE; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, COOLER TURNS AND FLIES AWAY>

Ledas: <STILL IN PAIN> He’s just like Lieme… doesn’t know about lowering power levels… he can’t sense me…

<LEDAS ROLLS BACK ONTO HIS BACK AND LAUGHS QUIETLY; HOWEVER, HE QUICKLY NOTICES HE’S NOT ALONE>

Grif: What are you laughing at, you little bitch?

Ledas: <INCREDULOUS, IF TIRED> How are you still alive?!

<SCENE CUTS TO A DISTANT WORLD>

<THE BENEFACTOR IS SITTING IN A TREE OVERLOOKING A PLANET TRADE ORGANIZATION OUTPOST; HE WATCHES SOLDIERS MOVE ABOUT; THEY ARE COMPLETELY UNAWARE OF HIS PRESENCE; A NEARBY BUILDING CAN BE SEEN WITH THE NUMBER 54 ON IT, IMPLYING THIS IS THE FIRST PLANET HE HAS SEARCHED>

The Benefactor: <IN HIS MIND> None of these are right. <HE LOOKS AWAY> I don’t feel it anywhere. <HE RAISES HIS HAND, CREATING A BLAST, BUT THEN DISSIPATES THE BLAST> No, it will draw too much attention.

<THE BENEFACTOR ANGRILY PUNCHES THE TREE HE’S SITTING ON, BREAKING OFF THE TOP HALF OF IT; HE JUMPS OFF OF IT AND MOVES THROUGH THE JUNGLE; HE FINDS A NATIVE, FOUR-LEGGED BEAST AND POUNCES ON IT, TEARING IT TO SHREDS WITH HIS CLAWS; HE BEGINS EATING IT AS THE SCREEN SLOWLY PANS BACK AND DISSOLVES INTO THE NEXT SCENE>

<BACK WITH LEDAS AND GRIF, GRIF HAS MOVED CLOSER TO LEDAS; HE IS STANDING OVER THE SAIYAN; LEDAS IS ABSOLUTELY EXHAUSTED; HE HAS REVERTED BACK TO HIS BASE FORM; HIS ARMOR IS WRECKED, AND HE IS COVERED IN BRUISES AND CUTS; GRIF’S ARMOR IS DAMAGED AS WELL, BUT IT IS NOT AS BAD AS LEDAS’; THEY ARE BOTH RIGHT NEXT TO A LARGE MOUNTAIN, OF WHICH A SIGNIFICANT PORTION HAS COLLAPSED SINCE BOTH LEDAS AND GRIF WERE HURLED INTO IT>

Grif: You hit me into this mountain, jerk!

Ledas: <SHAKING HIS HEAD> You were charging up a sneak attack.

Grif: Well, uh, I was just getting revenge for my paper! That was a travesty. <HE LOOKS PROUD AT HIS DECLARATION>

Ledas: Really? That again?

Grif: <SO CLEARLY SARCASTIC> It was my life!

Ledas: Look, just tell me where the pods are. I don’t want to have to listen to you talk anymore.

Grif: Oh yeah? Well, you’re not the boss of me now! I’m a great warrior too! It’s time Private Grif shows his worth. Aha! <HE THRUSTS HIS HANDS INTO LEDAS’ FACE, CREATING PURPLE ENERGY> Take this, ape!

<LEDAS ATTEMPT TO CHARGE UP HIS KI AGAIN, BUT GRIF’S ATTACK COMES RATHER SUDDENLY; AS LEDAS IS IN MID-CHARGE, GRIF RELEASES HIS BLAST, AND IT COVERS LEDAS; IT COVERS HIS BODY ENTIRELY; THE ENERGY DOES NOT DISSIPATE OR EXPLODES UPON CONTACT; IT SIMPLY COVERS HIM IN PURPLE; IT IS A STASIS ATTACK, WHICH HAS NOT ONLY IMMOBILIZED LEDAS, BUT PUT HIM INTO AN INSTANT COMA>

<GRIF WALKS UP TO LEDAS’ FROZEN FORM>

Grif: Oh yeah, you care to say that to my face…? Yeah didn’t think so. Punk.

<GRIF PLACES HIS BLASTER TO LEDAS’ FACE, SHOOTING IT SEVERAL TIMES; LEDAS IS LEFT DEFENSELESS AGAINST GRIF’S ATTACK; GRIF APPEARS QUITE GLEEFUL AT HIS VICTORY AND PRANCES ABOUT AS HE SHOOTS THE STASIS’D SAIYAN>

<GRIF STANDS RIGHT OVER LEDAS’ BODY AND CHARGES UP ONE LARGE BLAST; HITTING LEDAS WITH THIS SENDS THE BOY’S BODY FLYING LIKE A RAGDOLL FURTHER INTO THE ROCKY DEBRIS; GRIF SHOUTS AND PUNCHES THE AIR; HIS TAIL GOES MENTAL>

<GRIF BACKS UP, OUT OF THE CRACK IN THE MOUNTAIN, AND SENDS ANOTHER HAIL OF BLASTS DOWN AT LEDAS; THE AREA EXPLODES>

<HE IS SUPREMELY SATISFIED WITH HIS DEEDS; GRIF TROTS AWAY HUMMING THE BLOOD GULCH THEME TO HIMSELF>

I’m So Devious
<CUE The Soul That Must Awaken>

<THE PLAINS, MOSTLY DESOLATE, BUT GREEN WITH GRASS, ARE SHOWN; THE MOUNTAIN WHERE COOLER AND LEDAS FOUGHT IS SHOWN; THE CRATERS, ESPECIALLY THE ONE FROM HIS SUPERNOVA ARE STILL EVIDENT, THOUGH THERE MUCH GRASS GROWING IN THEM; THE MOUNTAIN ITSELF IS PARTIALLY CAVED IN; NEARBY, THE FLOATING CREATURE SEEN IN THE BEGINNING OF CHAPTER 2 IS SEEN LAZILY MOVING ACROSS THE SCREEN>

<A BASE WITH THE TWO HIGH TOWERS IS BROUGHT INTO VIEW; IT IS SURROUNDED BY A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMALLER BUILDINGS, AND SMALL FIGURES OF SOLDIERS CAN BE SEEN MOVING ABOUT; AT THE TOPMOST TOWER, IN THE UPPERMOST ROOM ARE TWO BEINGS; COOLER, AND ANOTHER; HE IS ARMORED; HIS SKIN BLACK, HIS FEATHERS RED; HE IS BIRDLIKE, WITH A VERY VICIOUS FACE; HIS ARMOR IS THAT OF THE OFFICERS, ONLY MORE ORNATE; HE DOES NOT HAVE EITHER SHOULDER PAD; THIS IS DIGRANITE>

<COOLER IS STANDING OVER A MONITOR; IDLY ROLLING HIS FINGERS>

<END OF The Soul That Must Awaken AT 50 SECONDS>

Cooler: These stomping grounds have been quiet. My men sit around doing nothing all day. They are wasting away.

Digranite: There aren’t any new planets. We have no reason for a new governor.

Cooler: These grounds are not only for appointing governors, General. I want them re-opened. Put the regular troops back on practice. If they can’t handle the training, so be it. Let them die.

Digranite: <GRINNING> Very well.

Cooler: Two weeks. I want everyone at 12,000 by then. These soldiers are supposed to be the best in my army. Make them so, General.

<COOLER HITS A BUTTON HALFWAY UP THE WALL, TURNING ON THE WALL COMPUTER; IT SHOWS THE MOONS OF THE STOMPING GROUNDS; ONE IS MAGNIFIED>

Digranite: They’ll be ready. I will make sure of it.

Cooler: I will be convening with my governors on the moon if you need me.

<DIGRANITE NODS; COOLER IS VERY BORED; HE FLEXES HIS ARMS BEFORE WALKING OUT>

<CUTS TO NEXT SCENE; DIGRANITE OVERSEES, WITH HIS OTHER COMMANDERS, THE FOOT SOLDIERS’ TRAINING>

<THERE ARE SEVERAL THOUSAND OF THEM ON THE PLANET; DIGRANITE HAS THEM RUNNING OBSTACLE COURSES, TRAINING IN GRAVITY UNITS, AND EVERYTHING; HE LOOKS MIGHTY PLEASED>

<DOWN ON A TRAINING MAT, IN THE FIRST ENCLOSURE OF TRAINING, GRIF AND ONE OTHER SOLDIER ARE SPARRING; THEY HAVE AN INSTRUCTOR OVERSEEING THEM; GRIF LOOKS OLDER; HE HAS A LONG WHITE BEARD COMING OUT OF HIS HELMET, AS IF HE HAS AGED QUITE A BIT SINCE THE LAST CHAPTER>

Instructor: <TO GRIF> You check in at 400. <TO THE OTHER> You are 1600. Grif, you are severely under the average level. Explain to me why.

Grif: <NOT CARING> Can’t tell ya, man. I train just as hard as everybody!

Soldier: It’s not true! He just lies around eating all day.

Grif: Hey, shut up. Nobody asked you.

Soldier: I swear I see him just lying around all day. He sleeps on duty, for crying out loud!

Grif: Oh yeah? How about I blow a hole through that ugly face of yours. Shut up.

Soldier: I’d like to see you try.

Grif: Jerk-off.

<BEFORE THE INSTRUCTOR CAN SAY ANYTHING, GRIF RAISES HIS BLASTER, FIRES IT, THEN LUNGES AT THE SOLDIER>

<THE SOLDIER SIDESTEPS GRIF; AS GRIF COMES FLYING BY, THE SOLDIER SHOOTS HIS BLASTER INTO GRIF’S BACK; GRIF TURNS AROUND, SWINGING A WILD PUNCH; THE SOLDIER JUMPS BACK, THEN HOPS FORWARD, SLAMMING HIS BLASTER INTO GRIF’S FACE>

<GRIF FALLS TO THE GROUND, BLOOD POOLING AROUND HIS HEAD; HE IS DEAD>

Soldier: <LOOKING DOWN> I… didn’t think that would kill him… Damn. <HE LOOKS UP TO THE INSTRUCTOR>

Instructor: <HE VAPORIZES GRIF’S BODY> Don’t say anything about this. He was weak and lazy; a disgrace to everyone else here. He won’t be missed. Just get back to your training. Find a new partner.

<THE SOLDIER SCURRIES OFF; THE SCREEN FADES>

<THE SCENE CHANGES; THERE IS A DARK, UNDERGROUND HOLE; IT IS BEING LIT ONLY BY A FAINT PURPLE LIGHT; SUDDENLY, THE LIGHT GOES OUT AND ALL IS DARK; THEN A SECOND LIGHT COMES; THIS ONE IS CYAN IN COLOR; IT IS AN OBVIOUS ENERGY BEAM; IT TEARS UP THE DARK GROUND BEING SEEN, ALLOWING THE DAYLIGHT ABOVE TO COME IN>

<A SMALL CHILD, LEDAS, CAN BE SEEN CRAWLING OUT; HE IS BREATHING HARD, TREMBLING, AND HAVING A HARD TIME MOVING AT ALL; HE MANAGES TO GET OUT OF THE HOLE; HE LIES DOWN AS SOON AS HE GETS OUT; HE IS NEARBY A BUNCH OF LOOSE ROCKS>

<IT IS THE 766 AGE>

<THE SAIYAN BOY LIES THERE ALL DAY, UNTIL IT TURNS TO EVENING; WITH THE SUN SETTING, AND COLDNESS COMING DOWN ALL AROUND HIM; LEDAS STANDS UP, AND STAGGERS OUT; HE DOES NOT FLY, AS HE DOESN’T HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO; BEING IN STASIS FOR 21 YEARS HAS MADE IT INCREDIBLY PAINFUL FOR HIM TO POWER UP AT ALL; WHILE THE STASIS DID PREVENT ATROPHY, IT ALSO MADE IT VERY HARD FOR LEDAS TO RAISE HIS POWER LEVEL AGAIN>

<HE REACHES THE A NEARBY CITY IN NO TIME; IT IS NOT THE ONE WITH THE TWO TOWERS; THIS ONE HAS ONLY A SINGLE TOWER, AND SMALLER BUILDINGS>

<LEDAS RUNS INTO THE STREET, LOOKING AROUND FOR A PLACE TO STAY; HE FINDS A BARRACKS THAT IS EMPTY; HE GOES INSIDE>

<LEDAS SITS DOWN AGAINST A WALL; HE PUTS HIS ARMS OUT, TRYING TO POWER UP; THIS CAUSES HIM CONSIDERABLE PAIN; HE BITES HIS LIP TO PREVENT HIMSELF FROM SCREAMING OUT, CLOSING HIS EYES AND RAISING HIS HEAD BECAUSE IT HURTS SO MUCH; AS WE CAN SEE, HIS HAIR IS NOT WHITE, AND HIS EYES ARE NOT GREEN, SO HE IS NOT IN A SEMI SUPER SAIYAN STATE; HIS ARMOR AND CLOTHES ARE STILL QUITE DAMAGED>

<HE FALLS ASLEEP AGAINST THE WALL>

<IN THE EARLY MORNING, IT IS FOGGY OUT; HE WAKES UP TO FIND HIMSELF ALONE; CAREFUL TO NOT GET CAUGHT, HE LEAVES>

<AS HE WALKS OUTSIDE, HE NOTICES A PATROLLING GUARD; LEDAS DUCKS BEHIND AN ALLEY SO AS TO NOT BE SEEN>

<ONCE AGAIN, HE TESTS HIS POWER; IT PAINS HIM GREATLY, CAUSING HIM TO DROP TO ONE KNEE; HOWEVER, HE IS ABLE TO RAISE IT A BIT EVEN IN THIS PAIN>

<IT IS ENOUGH, HE THINKS, TO TAKE OUT THE GUARD>

<MAKING SURE THE GUARD STILL HAS HIS BACK TO LEDAS (BY STICKING HIS HEAD OUT), LEDAS RUNS OUT BEHIND HIM; WHEN HE GETS BEHIND THE GUARD, HE SHOOTS A FINGER BEAM THROUGH THE BACK OF HIS HEAD; THE GUARD FALLS, DEAD; LEDAS WINCES IN PAIN AT USING THIS ENERGY SO SUDDENLY>

<UP AHEAD, HE SEES ANOTHER GUARD WHO IS PACING BACK AND FORTH; ZIG ZAGGING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN BUILDINGS, LEDAS MAKES HIS WAY TO THE GUARD; WHEN HE TURNS, LEDAS SHOOTS A FINGER BEAM FROM TWO BUILDINGS BACK AND TAKES HIM OUT; THEN, HE RUNS INTO THE BUILDING THE GUARD WAS, WELL, GUARDING>

<INSIDE, LEDAS WAS HOPING TO FIND A SPACE POD TO GET AWAY; HOWEVER, HE JUST FINDS A BUNCH OF SLEEPING SOLDIERS; CAREFULLY, HE GOES UP TO EACH AND KILLS THEM WITH A SILENT FINGER BEAM TO THE FACE; SURE THAT THEY ARE ALL DEAD, WITH NOBODY LEFT TO WARN COOLER HE WAS HERE, LEDAS MOVES OUT TO ANOTHER BUILDING>

<HE GOES THROUGH QUITE A FEW BUILDINGS, NOT FINDING PODS, BUT SOLDIERS; HE KILLS THEM ALL IN THEIR SLEEP; AFTER TAKING OUT ANOTHER PACING GUARD, LEDAS COMES TO A BUILDING AT THE CENTER; HE ENTERS, ONLY TO FIND ABOUT SIX OR SEVEN PEOPLE AWAKE AND VERY MUCH ALIVE>

<MOST OF THEM LOOK TO BE GRUNTS, BUT ONE WEARS THE SAME COLOR ARMOR AS BANAS DID; LEDAS KNOWS THIS TO MEAN IT IS AN OFFICER; HE CAN SENSE THE ALIEN HAS A PRETTY HIGH POWER LEVEL, TOO>

<NO ONE SEES HIM ENTER, SO HE GOES AROUND LEFT, HUGGING THE WALL; THE FIRST TWO GUARDS ARE AWAY FROM THE OTHERS, AND LEDAS TAKES THEM OUT EASILY; BY NOW, HIS POWERS ARE COMING BACK TO HIM LESS PAINFULLY>

<HE DODGES AROUND A PILLAR TO THE RIGHT, AND FINDS ANOTHER GUARD; HE GOES TO KILL IT, WHEN IT TURNS AROUND AND SEES HIM; IT LETS OUT A HOLLER; LEDAS IMMEDIATELY DIVES AT HIM, PUNCHING HIM >

<THE OTHER SOLDIERS NOTICE HIM AND RUN OVER; SURROUNDED, LEDAS CREATES A QUICK EXPLOSIVE WAVE, WHICH KILLS THEM>

<THE CAPTAIN, A TALL CREATURE WITH WHITE HAIR, A BLUE FACE, AND FOUR ARMS, DID NOT RUN WITH THE REST OF THE TROOPS; NOW HE COMES TO LEDAS, WHO IS ON THE FLOOR TRYING TO REGAIN ENOUGH STAMINA TO GET UP>

<THE CAPTAIN COMES UP TO LEDAS, BUT STOPS, FINDING A SOLDIER STILL ALIVE; HE BENDS DOWN, AS IT REACHES TOWARD HIM FOR SUPPORT; HE PRESSES HIS CLAW TO ITS NECK, DRAWING BLOOD AND KILLNG IT; HE LOOKS UP TO LEDAS, SLOWLY>

Konatsu: You’re a young one. What did you do? Run away from mommy to join the army?

Ledas: I didn’t join anything. I’m not with you.

Konatsu: Oh, a rebel with stolen armor. In that case, I will kill you myself.

<KONATSU ROLLS TO LEDAS, AND HEADBUTTS HIM, SMACKING THE BOY WITH HIS HORN>

<LEDAS PUSHES HIM AWAY, GETS UP AND RUNS OUTSIDE; KONATSU PURSUES; ONCE OUTSIDE, LEDAS TURNS; KONATSU CALLS HIS SOLDIERS, BUT GETS NO RESPONSE; LEDAS USES THIS TIME TO POWER UP, AS MUCH AS IT PAINS HIM>

Ledas: It won’t work! I killed them all already!

Konatsu: That’s devious. You killed them all before coming for me. Planning it all out. But you won’t have me!

<KONATSU BLASTS LEDAS; LEDAS SHOOTS A PLAYFUL GALICK BACK; THEY TRADE BLASTS FOR A FEW MOMENTS; THEN, LEDAS GETS WEARY AGAIN FROM USING SO MUCH ENERGY; KONATSU USES THIS TIME TO ATTACK LEDAS HEAD ON; HE KICKS LEDAS HEAD, THROWING HIM TO THE GROUND; KONATSU ROLLS LEDAS ONTO HIS STOMACH, THEN GRABS HIS ARMS, BRINGING THEM BEHIND HIS BACK; HE RAISES LEDAS’ ARMS UP, WHILE PULLING DOWN WITH HIS LEG; BEFORE HE CAN RIP OFF THE SAIYAN’S ARM, LEDAS KICKS KONATSU IN THE STOMACH, THEN PUSHES OFF THE GROUND, DOING A FRONT FLIP AND KICKING KONATSU AGAIN>

<KONATSU IS WAITING, HOWEVER; HE PUNCHES LEDAS DEEP IN THE GUT, THEN GRABS HIM; HE THROWS THE BOY UP INTO THE AIR; KONATSU FOLLOWS THIS UP WITH AN AERIAL KICK, SENDING LEDAS FURTHER UPWARD; HE FIRES A BEAM TO FINISH OFF THE BOY; LEDAS LEVELS HIMSELF OFF BEFORE THE BLAST REACHES HIM; HE SLICES THE BLAST IN HALF, DOWN THE MIDDLE; THEN, HE AIR DASHES DOWN THAT SPACE THROUGH THE MIDDLE; KONATSU DOES NOT SEE HIM COMING, AND LEDAS SLAMS HIS FIST INTO THE ALIEN’S FACE; KONATSU FALLS BACK>

<LEDAS JUMPS ON HIS CHEST, AND QUICKLY JABS HIM SEVERAL TIMES, KNOCKING THE WIND OUT OF KONATSU; LEDAS THEN KICKS KONATSU ACROSS THE FACE WITH HIS BOOT; HOWEVER, LEDAS JUMPS OFF OF HIM AND TAKES A BREAK, RESTING TO REGAIN HIS ENERGY; AT THIS MOMENT, KONATSU CALLS FOR REINFORCEMENTS FROM THE NEAREST OUTPOST>

Konatsu: <PRESSES A BUTTON ON HIS WRIST-PAD> Heh… you’re not bad. Guess I’ll have to get some help. <TO THE RADIO> Anango! Get over here now. I need your assistance. This is very important.

Ledas: <STAGGERING IN PLACE> Wha… what?

Konatsu: Well kid, you may as well run away. You’re dead here. Anango and I are unstoppable together.

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF, LOOKING AROUND> Dang it!

<SUDDENLY, A FLASH OF LIGHT COMES ACROSS THE SCREEN; IT GOES STRAIGHT THROUGH LEDAS; HOWEVER, LEDAS HAD EXPECTED THIS; THE FIGURE, STILL OBSCURED, ATTACKS NOTHING BUT AN IMAGE PROJECTION>

<LEDAS COMES FROM BEHIND, SIDE SWEEPS THE FIGURE AND KICKS HIM AWAY INTO A BUILDING; HOWEVER, THE CREATURE GETS UP REALLY QUICKLY; IT DOES NOT ATTACK AGAIN; IT GOES TO HELP KONATSU UP>

<ANANGO IS A YELLOW CREATURE, WITH TUSKS AND BACKWARDS KNEES, WHICH CAUSE HIM TO BOUNCE WHILE WALKING; LEDAS SENSES THAT HIS POWER LEVEL IS ONLY SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN KONATSU’S; NOW WITH KONATSU UP, BOTH OF THEM CLEARLY ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN HIM>

<LEDAS DECIDES TO NOT ATTACK ANY MORE>

Ledas: <TO KONATSU, IN ANSWER> I guess I’ll start running now…

Agoraphobia
<LEDAS HAS FLOWN OFF>

<KONATSU AND ANANGO REACH AN OUTPOST; THIS IS THE LAST PLACE THEY HAD READ LEDAS’ POWER LEVEL>

<EVERY SOLDIER IS OUT, BECAUSE THEY ARE TRAINING FOR DIGRANITE>

<KONATSU’S ARMOR IS CRACKED FROM THE PREVIOUS FIGHT>

<THE TWO SPLIT UP, EACH GOING DOWN A SEPARATE PATH; KONATSU TAKES THE LEFT, ANANGO TAKES THE RIGHT; THEY BOTH WEAR SCOUTERS AND FROM HERE ON OUT, THAT IS HOW THEY WILL COMMUNICATE WHEN THEY ARE NOT TOGETHER>

<KONATSU HAS A PICTURE OF LEDAS ON HIS SCOUTER, WHICH HE TOOK BEFORE WHEN THEY WERE FIGHTING; HE FORWARDS THE PICTURE TO DIGRANITE>

<DIGRANITE, IN HIS TOWER, RECEIVES THE MESSAGE>

Digranite: Impossible… that’s the Saiyan boy Cooler killed years ago. I can’t let Cooler know he’s alive. <ON HIS SCOUTER TO KONATSU; HE PRESSES SOME BUTTONS ON A WALL MOUNTED COMPUTER> All soldiers have been alerted. You have the entire army at your command, Commander. I need him dead as soon as possible.

<CUTS TO LEDAS; HE IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CITY>

<HE HAS LOWERED HIS POWER LEVEL TO STALL THE TWO COMMANDERS FROM FINDING HIM; HE MAKES HIS WAY THROUGH THE CITY UNTIL HE COMES TO THE EDGE, WHICH HAS THE ARMIES TRAINING FOR COOLER>

<THE ENTIRE ARMY ON THIS PLANET CONSISTS OF TWELVE THOUSAND GRUNTS AND INSTRUCTORS, WITH ABOUT TEN OFFICERS OF POWER LEVELS ABOVE 2000; STANDING BEFORE LEDAS IS HALF OF THE ARMY; HE DOES NOT PAY THEM MUCH ATTENTION AS HE DOES NOT THINK THEY WILL ATTACK; THEY ARE TRAINING TOGETHER>

<A KEEN EYED SOLDIER SPOTS LEDAS; IT DOESN’T TAKE LONG FOR THE OTHERS TO COME OUT AND SEE HIM; THE COMMANDING OFFICER HALTS THEIR TRAINING AND ORDERS HIS SOLDIERS TO POUR OUT AND ATTACK; LEDAS OBVIOUSLY MATCHES ALL OF THEIR SCOUTERS; DIGRANITE HAD SENT A PICTURE OF LEDAS TO EVERY SOLDIER’S SCOUTER, TELLING THEM TO KILL HIM ON SIGHT; NOW THEY’VE SEEN HIM AND THEY FORM UP TO KILL HIM>

<KONATSU, IN ONE FRAME, BECOMES AWARE OF SOMETHING HAPPENING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CITY; HE RACES TO IT>

<LEDAS LOOKS OVER AND SEES THE ARMY RACING TOWARD HIM; ASTONISHED BY THIS, HE QUICKLY POWERS UP TO HIS MAXIMUM; THE THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS RUN AT HIM, FIRING THEIR BLASTERS OR NATURAL ENERGY ATTACKS; LEDAS SHRUGS IT OFF; HE ATTACKS THEM WITH AN UNRELENTING ENERGY BURST; IT MOWS DOWN HUNDREDS OF SOLDIERS; STILL, MANY MORE APPROACH HIM; HE FLIES THROUGH THEM, ATTACKING THEM WITH PUNCHES, KICKS, AND SMALL ENERGY BLASTS; UPON BLOWING THROUGH THE GROUP, HE LOOKS BACK AT THE SURVIVORS; THEY ARE IN UTTER CHAOS, AS MANY ARE DEAD, AND MANY MORE ARE WOUNDED; THE COMMANDERS ATTEMPT TO RESTORE ORDER AND GET EVERYONE LINED UP TO ATTACK LEDAS AGAIN; THIS GIVES THE SAIYAN A BRIEF MOMENT TO PAUSE; HE CHARGES UP A KYORRA FLASH IN THIS TIME>

<THE SOLDIERS REGROUP AND SHOOT AGAIN; LEDAS DUCKS, DROPPING TO HIS KNEES AS HE CHARGES THE ATTACK; BEFORE THEY REACH HIM, RAISES HIS ARMS, INTERLOCKED IN A TRIANGLE, AND RELEASES THE BEAM; IT CREATES A HUGE EXPLOSION, TAKING UP THE ENTIRE SCREEN; IT KILLS EVERY LAST ONE OF THE SOLDIERS AND OFFICERS PRESENT>

<LEDAS SPINS AROUND>

Ledas: That commander is coming. I can feel him… Better get out of here.

<LEDAS LOWERS HIS POWER LEVEL, THEN RUNS OFF>

<LEDAS TAKES TO THE AIR; AS HE IS FLYING, HE IS INTERCEPTED WITHIN THREE PANELS>

<A KICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD SENDS THE BOY FALLING DOWN; HE LANDS ON HIS BACK, BOUNCING PAINFULLY; WHEN HE LOOKS UP, HE FINDS ANANGO>

Anango: <TURNS ON HIS SCOUTER> Hey, Konatsu, I fou–

<LEDAS SHOOTS A FINGER BEAM, DESTROYING ANANGO’S SCOUTER; SEEING LEDAS HAS SOME FIGHT IN HIM, ANANGO QUICKLY ATTACKS, SCOOPING LEDAS UNDER HIS HOOF AND KICKING HIM INTO THE AIR; HE AIR DASHES UP TO LEDAS, PUNCHING HIM IN THE GUT; LEDAS KICKS HIM AWAY>

Anango: Command says you’re a high priority target. And now, I get to bring your body in. Lord Cooler will be most pleased. There’s a promotion in my future; I’m sure!

Ledas: You might’ve won with that other guy here, but I can beat you alone. I am much stronger than you.

Anango: I read your power level; you’re only at 100,000 max. <STRAIGHTENS FINGERS> Mine is over 120,000.

<ANANGO DISAPPEARS, REAPPEARING BEHIND LEDAS; HE SMACKS THE BOY TO THE GROUND; HE FLIES DOWN AFTER LEDAS, SHOOTING AN ENERGY BARRAGE; ANANGO LANDS; HE WATCHES AND WAITS FOR THE SMOKE TO CLEAR; WHEN IT DOES, HE IS SURPRISED; LEDAS IS STANDING INSIDE A ROUND, PURPLE BARRIER; HE IS UNTOUCHED, STILL AT MAXIMUM POWER>

<ANANGO CREATES A BEAM IN HIS HAND; HE DRAGS IT, SO THAT IT CUTS THROUGH THE GROUND AS HE WALKS; WHEN HE REACHES LEDAS, HE RAISES IT, FOCUSING THE ENERGY ON THE BARRIER; THE BARRIER GETS LIGHTER AS MORE ENERGY IS PUT ON IT>

Anango: Nice attack. Too bad it only prolongs your death.

<LEDAS SAYS NOTHING; THE ENERGY OVERLOADS HIS BARRIER, WHICH EXPLODES; HOWEVER, UNLIKE MOST BARRIERS, THIS ONE DOES NOT SIMPLY GO OUT; WHEN IT BLOWS UP, IT CREATES AN ENERGY WAVE; ANANGO IS CAUGHT IN IT; IT DAMAGES HIM, SENDING HIM BACK>

<LEDAS JUMPS UP IN AN ARC; HE COMES DOWN ON ANANGO HEAD WITH HIS FOOT, PARTIALLY CRACKING THE ALIEN’S SKULL>

<ANANGO REACHES UP WITH BOTH ARMS TO GRAB LEDAS; LEDAS SHOOTS A SINGLE GALICK OUT OF EACH HAND, WHICH BLASTS ANANGO’S ARM DOWN; THE ALIEN COLLAPSES; LEDAS PUSHES OFF HIS HEAD AND LANDS>

Ledas: If you still had your scouter, you’d know you’re no match for me.

<ANANGO STANDS UP; HE IS NOT MAD; HE GETS BACK INTO A FIGHTING STANCE>

Anango: I don’t believe it. The numbers don’t lie. You weren’t above 100,000 against Konatsu.

<LEDAS ATTACKS AGAIN; HE PUNCHES ANANGO IN A FLURRY; ANANGO CANNOT DEFEND; HE IS PUMMELED INTO A BLOODY PULP; HE ATTEMPTS TO SHOOT A BLAST AT LEDAS, BUT THE SAIYAN SWIPES IT AWAY; HE PUNCHES ANANGO IN THE FACE, CAUSING THE ALIEN TO DROP TO ONE KNEE; LEDAS RISES INTO THE AIR AND SLAMS HIS LEG INTO ANANGO’S NECK FROM THE SIDE; ANANGO COUGHS UP BLOOD>

<ANANGO REACHES OUT, BUT LEDAS EASILY DODGES IT; HE KICKS ANANGO SQUARE IN THE CHEST; ANANGO STANDS UP FROM THE BLOW, BUT HE IS TOO SLOW FOR LEDAS>

Anango: You can’t be… this powerful…

<ANANGO SENDS UP A SHARP BLAST TO THE SKY, TO TRY TO ALERT KONATSU TO HIS POSITION; HE COVERS THE AREA AROUND HIM IN A BURNING ATTACK SO THAT LEDAS CANNOT GET TO HIM AS HE WAITS; NEVERTHELESS, LEDAS JUMPS THROUGH THE RING OF FIRE AND RUSHES FORWARD; ANANGO IS ABLE TO SIDESTEP AND GRAB ONTO LEDAS’ TAIL, KNOWING THAT THIS IS HOW TO DEFEAT A SAIYAN; HE PULLS LEDAS UP BY IT>

Anango: Your tails are your weakness. Now I have the advantage.

Ledas: <HANGING UPSIDE DOWN; GRINNING DEVIOUSLY> You idiot, I’m super elite. My tail isn’t sensitive at all.

<LEDAS SHOOTS A SMALL KI BLAST INTO ANANGO’S FACE, MAKING HIM DROP LEDAS>

<LEDAS RUNS AROUND BEHIND ANANGO; HE SWEEPS ANANGO’S LEGS, CAUSING ANANGO TO FALL; LEDAS DISAPPEARS AND REAPPEARS IN FRONT OF HIM, PUTTING HIS LEG ON ANANGO’S CHEST, PINNING HIM TO THE GROUND; HE TAKES HIS HAND PLACES IT UNDER THE ALIEN’S CHIN, PALM OPEN; THIS IS FOLLOWED UP BY A QUICK ONE HANDED KYORRA BLAST; THIS DECAPITATES ANANGO IMMEDIATELY; HIS WOUND IS CAUTERIZED, SO NO BLOOD COMES OUT>

<LEDAS STANDS UP PROUDLY, HAVING DEFEATED YET ANOTHER DIFFICULT OPPONENT>

<CUTS TO KONATSU>

<KONATSU IS AT THE TRAINING AREA WITH ALL THE DEAD SOLDIERS; DIGRANITE CALLS HIM>

Digranite: <OVER THE SCOUTER> Status update. Now.

Konatsu: <SNEER> I’ve lost him, General. He took out the first garrison. Anango’s disappeared, too. I can’t find him on the scouter.

Digranite: Gather the second garrison and head to the Capitol. That’ll bait him.

Konatsu: <IN A HISS> I’m going.

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS; HE IS HOVERING IN THE AIR; HE LOOKS AROUND TRYING TO FIND ANOTHER CITY; HE SUDDENLY FEELS THE CONCENTRATED POWER LEVELS TO THE NORTH; HE TURNS TO IT; HE SEES THE CAPITOL, THE CITY WITH THE TWO INCREDIBLY HIGH TOWERS; HE MAKES HIS WAY TO THAT>

Ledas: I bet they’ll have some ships.

<HE FLIES OVER TO OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY; HE DROPS TO THE GROUND AND RUNS DOWN THE STREETS, CAREFULLY AVOIDING THE MAIN ROADS SO NO ONE SEES HIM>

<LEDAS DOES NOT FIND ANYTHING OR SEE ANYONE; HE COMES TO THE BASE OF THE TWO TOWERS; HE LOOKS UP BUT HE CANNOT EVEN SEE THE TOP>

Konatsu: There you are.

<KONATSU IS BEHIND LEDAS, ALONE; LEDAS TURNS AROUND TO FACE HIM; KONATSU SHOOTS A ONE HANDED BLAST AT LEDAS; HE DUCKS FROM IT AND TAKES OFF; KONATSU JUMPS AFTER HIM, CLIMBING OVER THE BUILDINGS TO FOLLOW HIM; SIX THOUSAND SOLDIERS, WHO WERE LYING IN WAIT, NOW COME OUT; THEY ARE IN THE BUILDINGS AND THE STREETS, SPREAD OUT THROUGH THE CITY; THEY TAKE SHOTS AT LEDAS>

<KONATSU JUMPS AND OVERTAKES LEDAS; HE LANDS ON THE BOY, CAUSING THEM TO FALL INTO A BUILDING; KONATSU LANDS ON TOP (OBVIOUSLY) AND GETS SEVERAL GOOD HARD PUNCHES ONTO LEDAS; LEDAS STARTS BLEEDING PROFUSELY; HIS NOSE IS BROKEN; KONATSU RAISES HIS LEG AND JABS IT AT LEDAS’ CHEST, CUTTING THE ARMOR AND GETTING TO HIS STOMACH; THIS CUTS LEDAS REAL BAD; HE BLEEDS EVEN MORE>

Konatsu: <IN JEER; HIS FACE IS INCHES FROM LEDAS’> Look at all that blood. You aren’t surviving much longer bleeding like that.

<LEDAS HEADBUTTS HIM, AND MANAGES TO GET FREE; HE RUNS AROUND A CORNER; KONATSU SHOOTS AFTER HIM, DESTROYING THE BUILDINGS AROUND, ELIMINATING HIS COVER; KONATSU HAS NO CARE FOR THE SOLDIERS IN THESE BUILDINGS>

<AS KONATSU KEEPS DESTROYING BUILDINGS; HIS SOLDIERS FLEE OUT AND FORM RANKS BEHIND HIM; HE CONTINUES TO ELIMINATE THE COVER>

<CUE You and Whose Army?>

<LEDAS IS BEHIND SOME RUBBLE SPITTING UP BLOOD; HIS INJURIES ARE MODERATE, MAKING HIS POWER LEVEL DROP TO RIGHT AROUND KONATSU’S; HE ALSO DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO RECOVER>

<KONATSU DESTROYS HIS COVER; LEDAS STANDS BEFORE THE ARMY AND ITS COMMANDER WITH HIS HEAD BENT AND SHOULDERS THROWN FORWARD; THE ALIENS LAUGH; KONATSU SMILES>

Konatsu: Perfect. He’s given up.

Ledas: No… <TURNS HIS HEAD> Don’t underestimate me.

<KONATSU AND THE OTHERS CREATE ENERGY TO KILL LEDAS, WHEN THE BOY SUDDENLY LOOKS UP; HE LETS OUT A DEAFENING SCREAM, MORE LIKE A HOWL; IT SHATTERS THE GLASS AND SCOUTERS ALL AROUND; KONATSU AND HIS TROOPS COVER THEIR EARS IN PAIN, WHICH STOPS THEM FROM ATTACKING>

<MOMENTARILY BOOSTED BY THIS HOWL, LEDAS HAS ENOUGH ENERGY TO QUICKLY RISE INTO THE AIR; HE GOES ABOUT HALF A MILE UP; NO ONE WAS ABLE TO SEE HIM DO THIS, AS THEY WERE IN TOO MUCH PAIN; BY THE TIME KONATSU RECOVERS, HE IS SCANNING THE HORIZON FOR LEDAS, NOT THE SPACE ABOVE HIM>

<LEDAS IS STILL BLEEDING; HE LOOKS DOWN AT KONATSU FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE CONTINUING>

<HE FREE FALLS DOWN OVER THE ARMY; AS HE DOES SO, HE THROWS HIS RIGHT HAND FORWARD AS IF CREATING A BLAST, BUT NOTHING APPEARS TO COME OUT; HE KEEPS HIS HAND OUT, KEEPING IT IN A HALF FIST; BEFORE HE TOUCHES DOWN, HE SLOWS HIMSELF SO THAT HE LANDS ON HIS FEET RIGHT BEHIND KONATSU>

<You and Whose Army? REACHES 1:48 NOW>

<A DROP OF BLOOD LANDS ON KONATSU’S SHOULDER; HE NOTICES IT AND TURNS, ONLY TO SEE LEDAS JUMPING AT HIM, AN ENERGY SLASH IN HIS HAND; BEFORE KONATSU CAN SO MUCH AS BLINK, LEDAS HAS JAMMED THE ENERGY THROUGH KONATSU’S SKULL, INSTANTLY KILLING HIM; KONATSU SLUMPS, FALLING OFF THE ENERGY SWORD; LEDAS DISSIPATES THE SWORD; THE OTHER SOLDIERS BEGIN TO REACT, RAISING THEIR WEAPONS; LEDAS DOES NOT MOVE>

<CLOSE SHOT OF LEDAS’ FACE; HE LOOKS LEFT, TURNING HIS HEAD SLIGHTLY; A HUGE BLAST GOES OFF, KILLING ALL OF THE SOLDIERS; IT IS ANOTHER LIGHTNING STRIKE ATTACK; THE ENTIRE AREA IS FILLED WITH FIRE AND SMOKE; AFTER IT CLEARS, NOTHING REMAINS STANDING ASIDE FROM THE TWO LARGE TOWERS DIRECTLY BEHIND LEDAS; ALL SOLDIERS ARE DEAD>

<THE CAMERA IS STILL CLOSE TO LEDAS’ FACE; HE HAS A SMALL SMILE ON HIS FACE>

Echo Tango
<LEDAS IS STANDING IN FRONT OF TWO LARGE TOWERS; AROUND HIM AND THE TOWERS IS NOTHING BUT A CRATER; HIS FACE IS BLANK>

<HE WALKS UP TO THE DOOR TO THE RIGHT TOWER; IT IS LOCKED; HE TRIES TO GET THROUGH IT, BUT TO NO AVAIL; HE STEPS BACK, PREPARING TO BLOW DOWN THE DOOR WHEN HE CATCHES SOMETHING OUT OF THE CORNER OF HIS EYE>

<THE LARGE BONY CREATURE, THE ONE THAT WAS VERY DULL COLORED AND SMOKEY LOOKING THAT LEDAS HAD SEEN BEFORE SIMPLY TRAVERSING THE PLAINS IS COMING HIS WAY>

<BEFORE, LEDAS HAD THOUGHT THIS CREATURE WAS A LOCAL SPECIES; HOWEVER, NOW WITH IT BEARING DOWN ON HIM, HE CAN READ ITS ENERGY>

Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> 400,000?! How can that thing be so powerful?

<SINCE ITS POWER LEVEL IS HIGHER THAN HIS CURRENT MAXIMUM, HE IS QUITE TERRIFIED; LEDAS DOES NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO POWER UP AT ALL; HE HOLDS HIS CHEST, WHERE HE STILL HAS AN OPEN WOUND>

<THE CREATURE IS TALL; OVER FORTY FEET; IT HAS LONG LEGS AND ARMS, BUT IT CANNOT BE DISCERNED HOW MANY IT HAS OF EACH; ITS BODY LOOKS SMOKEY, ALMOST AS IF IT IS A MIRAGE; IT HAS TWO BONY WINGS ON ITS BACK; ITS LONG HEAD IS DEVOID OF ANY LIFE, HAVING ONLY TWO BLACK DOTS FOR EYES AND A RATHER SHARP LINE FOR A MOUTH; IT IS SOMEWHAT HUMANOID IN APPEARANCE>

<THE CREATURE MOVES TO WITHIN 100 METERS OF LEDAS>

Ledas: <THROWS HIS HANDS UP IN THE AIR; SHOOTS A FEW CAUTIONARY ENERGY BLASTS AT IT> Get away from me! Go! Go away! <THE CREATURE CONTINUES FORWARD> Eeaah! I said get out of here!

<THE CREATURE DOES NOT ANSWER; IT DOES NOT EVEN MAKE A SOUND; IT FLIES FORWARD TO LEDAS; TWO ARMS EXTEND OUT, REACHING FOR HIM; SEVERAL OTHERS EXTEND OUT ABOVE AND TO THE CREATURE’S SIDES>

Ledas: N-no…!!

<BY NOW, LEDAS IS TOO DAMAGED FROM KONATSU’S PREVIOUS ATTACK TO MUSTER A POWER OF MORE THAN 200,000; STILL, HE LOCKS DOWN INTO A FIGHTING POSE TO ATTACK THE CREATURE; LET’S CALL THE CREATURE NEPAR>

<LEDAS JUMPS HIGH INTO THE AIR TO REACH NEPAR’S FACE; HE KICKS AT NEPAR’S FACE, BUT THE CREATURE GRABS HIM WITH HIS LONG FINGERS; THE LETHARGIC BEAST SUDDENLY COMES ALIVE AS HE THROWS LEDAS FORWARD AND VORACIOUSLY SWIPES AT HIM; NEPAR CATCHES LEDAS’ LIMP BODY, AND PASSES IT DOWN THROUGH HIS OTHER HANDS, AS IF SENDING HIM THROUGH A SLICER; WHEN THE SAIYAN GETS TO THE BOTTOM, NEPAR TAKES ONE OF HIS LEGS, IMPALES LEDAS THROUGH LOWER TORSO; LEDAS SCREAMS OUT IN PAIN>

<NEPAR RAISES LEDAS TO HIS FACE; HE OPENS HIS MOUTH, REVEALING NOTHING BUT BLACK, AND CREATES A LARGE BLACK MOUTH BEAM; LEDAS TRIES TO ATTACK BACK, BUT HIS ENERGY DOES VERY LITTLE; NEPAR FIRES HIS MOUTH BLAST AT LEDAS, CAUSING LEDAS TO BE BLOWN BACKWARD, UN-IMPALING HIM AND SLAMMING HIM INTO THE LEFT TOWER; HE FALLS IN A BLOODY MESS AND DOES NOT GET BACK UP>

<NEPAR TURNS AWAY FROM LEDAS, PUTTING HIS ARMS BACK INTO POSITION; HE FLIES BACK AND FORTH, SLOWLY, IN A PATROLLING LINE IN FRONT OF THE TOWERS, AS IF GUARDING THEM; LEDAS SEES THAT HE IS NOT GOING TO BE ATTACKED AGAIN, SO HE TRIES TO GET UP; ONLY HE CAN’T; THE IMPALEMENT HAS NOT ONLY CAUSED HIM TO BLEED AGAIN (OPENING HIS OLD WOUNDS TOO) BUT HAS ALSO MADE HIM UNABLE TO WALK; COMPLETELY DESPERATE, HE CRAWLS TO THE DOOR OF THE LEFT TOWER>

<IT OPENS, THANK KAMI; HE CRAWLS IN BEFORE NEPAR CAN SPOT HIM AGAIN; INSIDE, THERE IS NO ONE; IT IS A COMPUTER ROOM; HE CAN SEE REJUVENATION TANKS LINING THE WALLS>

Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> They had these back home… if I can just get to the computer…

<HE CRAWLS FORWARD, FINDING A WALL-MOUNTED COMPUTER; HOWEVER, IT’S TOO HIGH AND HE CANNOT STAND; HAVING NO OTHER OPTIONS, HE CREATES A SMALL BEAM TO PROPEL HIM UP TO IT; HE PUNCHES A BUTTON (NOT TOO HARD) BEFORE FALLING BACK TO THE GROUND; THE BUTTON HAD A SMALL CHARACTER ABOVE IT WHICH SAID "VOICE ACTIVATOR">

Ledas: <QUIVERING ON THE GROUND, HIS HEAD ON THE FLOOR> I-I… need me-medical help… r-r-right away… please…

<WITH THAT, LEDAS FALLS UNCONSCIOUS>

<TWO DAYS LATER>

<LEDAS WAKES UP; HE IS INSIDE A REJUVENATION TANK; MOST OF HIS WOUNDS ARE HEALED; HE LOOKS AROUND AT THE ROOM AND HIS BODY>

Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> The computer must’ve sent someone to put me here. But I don’t see anyone around. Weird. <HE NOTICES THE MONITOR NEXT TO HIM SAYING HIS VITALS ARE AT 100%> No use staying in here.

<LEDAS BLASTS OUT OF THE TANK, HAVING NO OTHER WAY TO GET OUT; WHEN HE GETS OUT, HE FALLS OVER, NOT FROM SLIPPING ON THE LIQUID, BUT BECAUSE HE HAS NO TAIL; HE DOESN’T NOTICE THE ROBOTIC ARMS MOVING ABOUT – CLEARLY THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE BUILDING USED THOSE TO PUT LEDAS INTO THE TANK>

Ledas: That thing must’ve cut off my tail. I didn’t even feel it come off…

<HE LOOKS AWAY, PEERING OUTWARD; AS HE DOES SO, HE CREATES A POWER BALL IN HIS RIGHT HAND; IT IS A SMALL ONE AND HE KEEPS IN HIS HAND AS HE WALKS; HIS TAIL REGROWS AT ONCE>

<LEDAS WANDERS DOWN A CORRIDOR; HE FINDS NO ONE; AS HE MAKES HIS WAY THROUGH A DARK PASSAGE, HE IS HIT WITH A SUDDEN PAIN IN HIS HEAD; NO MEMORIES COME WITH IT, HOWEVER>

<LEDAS’ HEAD HURTS REALLY BAD, CAUSING HIM TO FALL OVER BACKWARDS; HE DROPS THE POWER BALL, WHICH ROLLS AWAY; THE PAIN IS BLINDING, LITERALLY, AND HE HAS TO JUST SIT THERE AND WAIT IT OUT INSTEAD OF TRYING TO MOVE; HIS HAIR IS WHITE NOW AND HIS EYES ARE GREEN; HE IS LYING ON HIS BACK, ARMS AND LEGS SPREAD OUT>

<LEDAS SCREAMS; HIS AURA GROWS AROUND HIM; THE PAIN BECOMES SO UNBEARABLE THAT HE BEGINS POUNDING THE GROUND IN AGONY; NOT A MOMENT LATER, HE ACCIDENTALLY RELEASES A VERY POWERFUL EXPLOSIVE WAVE; SEEING HOW HE IS STILL BLIND, LEDAS DOES NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON>

<AFTER RELEASING THE ENERGY WAVE, THE PAIN SUBSIDES; LEDAS’ VISION COMES BACK, AND HE SITS UP ON HIS KNEES; HIS HAIR AND EYES HAVE RETURNED TO NORMAL; HE SUDDENLY HEARS A RASPY BREATHING NOISE COMING FROM DIRECTLY BEHIND HIM; HE SITS UP STRAIGHT, REALIZING, THROUGH SENSING THE ENERGY AROUND HIM, THAT IT IS NEPAR>

<NEPAR GRABS LEDAS, PULLING HIM OUT OF THE BUILDING; THE BUILDING IS SHOWN TO HAVE A LARGE HOLE FROM LEDAS’ EXPLOSIVE WAVE; NEPAR WAS ALERTED TO THIS AND FOUND THE BOY STILL ALIVE>

<LEDAS BREAKS FREE OF HIS GRIP; HE FLIES OVER NEPAR’S HEAD, SHOOTING AN UNRELENTING ENERGY BURST; THE BLASTS CONNECT; BUT NEPAR USES HIS WING TO SWAT LEDAS DOWN, AS LEDAS FLIES DOWN THE CREATURE’S SPINE; LEDAS FALLS DOWN FROM NEPAR’S BACK AND GETS TANGLED IN HIS LEGS; HE CANNOT MAKE OUT ANYTHING; NEPAR SPINS HIM OVER, DISORIENTING THE SAIYAN IN THE MESS OF HANGING LEGS>

<LEDAS IS CUT BY THIS, BUT NOT BADLY; HE TRIES SEVERAL SEVERING BEAMS, AND THIS HELPS HIM CLEAR OUT SOME OF THE LEGS; STILL, HE CANNOT MOVE; AT ONCE, NEPAR SENDS OUT A SHOCK WAVE, RUNNING DOWN HIS ENTIRE BODY; IT GETS LEDAS PRETTY GOOD; THE CREATURE DROPS LEDAS, RISING IN THE AIR TO GAIN A VANTAGE POINT>

<LEDAS STANDS UP SLOWLY, CRANING HIS NECK TO FIND NEPAR AGAINST THE BRIGHT SUN IN THE SKY>

<SUDDENLY, NEPAR COMES ROARING DOWN, HIS SHARP LEGS EXTENDED TO SLICE LEDAS; LEDAS DUCKS, BARELY MISSING THE ATTACK; AS NEPAR FLIES PAST HIM, HE TAKES A FEW POT SHOTS AT THE CREATURE, THOUGH THEY HAVE LITTLE EFFECT>

<NEPAR COMES FOR ANOTHER ROUND; LEDAS ANTICIPATES IT, DUCKING, THEN ROLLING TO HE LEFT; HE GRABS ONTO NEPAR’S TORSO AS THE CREATURE COMES BY; AS HE GETS ON NEPAR, HE SHOOTS A COLLECTION OF FOCUSED FINGER BEAMS INTO NEPAR’S BACK, CAUSING A HOLE TO TEAR OPEN; HE STICKS HIS HAND INSIDE, CREATING A KYORRA FLASH; HOWEVER, NEPAR DOES A ROLL, FLINGING LEDAS OFF OF HIM; THE KYORRA FLASH SHOOTS WILDLY INTO THE AIR; LEDAS LANDS ON THE GROUND, ON HIS FEET; HE FINDS HIMSELF COVERED IN MANY CUTS AGAIN>

<FROM THE RECENT SHOCK WAVE AND OTHER ATTACKS, LEDAS IS DAMAGED AGAIN; HIS POWER LEVEL HAS LOWERED QUITE DRASTICALLY; HE DROPS TO ONE KNEE, BREATHING HARD; HE WATCHES AS NEPAR CIRCLES IN THE AIR; AT ONCE, HE NOTICES THE POWER BALL HE LEFT; IT HAS RISEN OUT OF THE DESTROYED BUILDING AND IS NOW HOVERING IN THE AIR>

Ledas: <SEEING THE POWER BALL> Perfect.

<WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, LEDAS BEGINS TRANSFORMING INTO A GREAT APE; NEPAR SEES THIS AND RAMS HIM, CAUSING LEDAS TO HOWL OUT IN PAIN; THE SAIYAN STILL TRANSFORMS, HOWEVER; ONCE HE’S FINISHED TRANSFORMING, HE TURNS TO FACE NEPAR AND RUSHES THE CREATURE HEAD ON>

<NEPAR CREATES ENERGY WITH HIS HANDS FOR THE FIRST TIME; HE SENDS A HAIL OF SMALL BLASTS AT LEDAS; LEDAS JUMPS OVER THEM; AS HE IS VULNERABLE DURING HIS JUMP, NEPAR CREATES A MOUTH BEAM AND SHOOTS IT AT LEDAS>

<LEDAS CREATES A BARRIER AT THE LAST SECOND, BUT IT IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH; THE MOUTH BEAM EXPLODES THROUGH IT AND HITS LEDAS; THIS CAUSES THE GREAT APE TO FALL TO THE GROUND>

<NEPAR CONTINUES HIS ASSAULT; LEDAS DEFENDS AGAINST THE BLASTS AS HE TRIES TO STAND BACK UP, BUT THEY DO HURT HIM; MANY OF THEM KNICK HIS ARMS AND LEGS AND FACE; LEDAS RETALIATES BY SHOOTING SEVERAL DOZEN RAZOR BLASTS AND TWO GALICKS; BOTH HIT NEPAR AND DO HIM ENOUGH DAMAGE TO MAKE HIM STOP HIS ATTACK>

<LEDAS RUNS UP TO NEPAR, THIS TIME GOING FOR HIS FACE; NEPAR PUTS HIS ARMS TO BLOCK, BUT LEDAS IS TOO FAST, HE SLAMS THROUGH, ELBOWING NEPAR IN THE NOSE AREA; NEPAR DOES NOT REACT; LEDAS ROARS AND SLAMS DOWN ON THE CREATURE WITH BOTH FISTS>

Ledas: <IN HIS BEAST VOICE> Is that thing even alive?! Come on! How come he didn’t feel that?!

<NEPAR DOES NOT ANSWER; HE GRABS LEDAS WITH HIS TWO DOMINANT HANDS, SQUEEZING VERY HARD; NEPAR SENDS THE SHOCK WAVE AGAIN, ZAPPING LEDAS; LEDAS TRIES AN EXPLOSIVE WAVE; IT IS POWERFUL ENOUGH FOR HIM TO GET FREE OF NEPAR’S GRIP AND DESTROY MORE OF NEPAR’S ARMS; THIS CAUSES NEPAR TO FALTER, AND STAGGER IN MIDAIR>

<LEDAS RISES ABOVE THE ALIEN’S HEAD, CREATING A BALL OF ENERGY; HE THROWS IT INTO NEPAR’S FACE; AS IT EXPLODES, HE FOLLOWS UP WITH A SPAM OF FINGER BEAMS; THIS HURTS NEPAR, WHO FALTERS AGAIN, THOUGH HE MAKES NO NOISE>

<NEPAR USES A GREAT BIT OF ENERGY TO SHOOT ENERGY BEAMS OUT OF EVERY ARM AND LEG, AS WELL AS HIS MOUTH; LEDAS DODGES AND DEFLECTS THEM EASILY AND THEN JUMPS ONTO NEPAR; NEPAR, SHRUGS UNDER THE GREAT APE’S WEIGHT AND RISES IN THE AIR; HE PREPARES A MANEUVER TO MAKE LEDAS FALL OFF; HAVING NOT MUCH TIME, LEDAS GOES TO MAKE ANOTHER HOLE IN NEPAR WHEN HE NOTICES THE CREATURE’S WINGS; INSTEAD OF CONTINUING WITH HIS ORIGINAL PLAN, HE ATTACKS THE WINGS>

<LEDAS LOBS SEVERAL KI BALLS AT EACH WING AND CLAWS AT THEM; THEY ARE NOT LIKE THE REST OF THE BODY; THEY ARE MUCH SOFTER; AS THEY ARE HIT BY THE BLASTS, THEY BEGIN CRACKING; LEDAS LETS GO OF NEPAR; AS HE FALLS OFF, HE LETS OFF ONE BEAM IN EACH HAND; THEY CONNECT WITH THE WINGS, DESTROYING THEM; BLACK LIQUID SHOOTS OUT FROM THE HOLES CREATED>

<AS LEDAS LETS GO, NEPAR STOPS GOING UP; WHEN LEDAS RIGHTS HIMSELF, HE SEES NEPAR COME PLUMMETING DOWN; HE IS CAREFUL TO GET OUT OF THE WAY>

<NEPAR HITS THE GROUND AND DOES NOT GET UP; LEDAS SEES HIS ADVANTAGE; HE COVERS NEPAR’S BODY IN WAVE AFTER WAVE OF ENERGY BLASTS UNTIL HE IS SURE NEPAR IS DEAD; THEN HE DESCENDS TO THE GROUND, AT THE CREATURE’S HEAD>

<NEPAR IS NOT DEAD NOR DOES HE LOOK CRITICALLY WOUNDED (ONLY MODERATELY WOUNDED); HOWEVER, HE IS CONVULSING; NEPAR’S HEAD AND ARMS ARE BOBBING UP AND DOWN AS HE TRIES TO GET UP; HE SEES LEDAS AND SHOOTS A BEAM OF ENERGY OUT OF HIS MOUTH, BUT LEDAS HITS THAT AWAY>

<THE CREATURE USES HIS ARMS TO TRY TO STAND UP, BUT HE IS TOO WEAK; HE FALLS BACK ON HIS SIDE; HE CREATES ENERGY AND SHOOTS SEVERAL BLASTS FROM HIS MOUTH AND ARMS; THEN HE GOES QUIET, AND STOPS MOVING>

<AFTER TWO MORE PANELS, NEPAR GIVES ONE LAST FINAL CONVULSING MOVEMENT, HIS RASPY BREATHING HEIGHTENED TO ITS FULLEST; THEN, THE CREATURE FALLS OVER, GOES LIMP AND IS DEAD; LIKE A SHARK UNABLE TO SWIM, NEPAR WAS KILLED BY NOT FLYING – SUFFOCATING FROM NOT LETTING ITS BODY FLY>

<LEDAS TURNS FROM THE DEAD CREATURE TOWARD THE TOWERS; HE LOOKS AT THE POWER BALL AND SHOOTS AN ENERGY BLAST AT IT; THE POWER BALL QUICKLY BLOWS UP AND LEDAS REVERTS TO HIS BASE FORM; HE IS BREATHING HARD, AND SITS DOWN, LEANING UP AGAINST NEPAR’S BODY>

Ledas: The only energy I feel on the entire planet is coming from that tower. <HE LOOKS AT THE RIGHT ONE> They’re the only ones left… and they are pretty strong. <LEDAS LOOKS ONCE AT NEPAR’S CORPSE> Not as bad as him. <LEDAS TURNS BACK TO THE TOWER> I bet Vegeta doesn’t have it this hard if he’s alive.

<LEDAS STANDS UP>

Ledas: There’s no point in staying here. Those people up there <HE LOOKS TOWARDS THE TOP OF THE RIGHT TOWER> will have a way to get out of here. I just have to take what they have so I can find Vegeta myself. No more Frieza, no more Cooler, no more Guva. Just me and him. We’ll become Super Saiyans and no one will touch us.

<LEDAS WALKS FORWARD; HE CREATES A SMALL ENERGY BLAST AND BLASTS DOWN THE DOOR TO THE RIGHT TOWER WITHOUT STOPPING>

<LEDAS ENTERS THE TOWER>

Final Run
<TWO DAYS PRIOR>

<FROM THE RIGHT TOWER’S POINT OF VIEW, THREE BEINGS ARE WATCHING A CAMERA FEED; AS IT IS, IT SHOWS THE SCENE OF LEDAS FIGHTING KONATSU’S FORCES>

<THE THREE BEINGS WATCH AS LEDAS DECIMATES THE FORCES; THE LIGHTNING STRIKE GOES OFF, DESTROYING EVERYTHING ASIDE FROM THEIR TOWERS; THEY BRACE AGAINST ITS IMPACT>

<THE MAN AT THEIR HELM IS DIGRANITE; THE CREATURE SHOWN BEFORE; HE IS WEARING HIS ORNATE SILVER/BLACK ARMOR; THE OTHER TWO ARE SKINNIER, BUT ABOUT AS TALL AS HIM; THEY ARE BLUE-SKINNED AND HAVE LARGE CRESCENT MASSES BEHIND THEIR SKULLS; THEY DO NOT WEAR THE CHEST ARMOR THAT ALL OTHER SHOULDERS WEAR, BUT THEY DO WEAR THE CROTCH AND SIDE GUARDS, AS WELL AS ANKLE AND WRIST GUARDS; THEY CAN BE SEEN TO BE FEMALE, AS THEY HAVE BARE BREASTS>

<THE THREE ARE STANDING ALONE IN A DIMLY LIT ROOM, LOOKING DOWN IN ON THE TABLE, WHICH HAS THE FEED ON IT; SEEING LEDAS’ ATTACK TO BE OVER, DIGRANITE SWIFTLY TURNS AND STARTS WALKING OUT>

Digranite: Don’t let him in. Call Nepar to guard the door if you two cannot handle it.

Sika: <FIRST BODYGUARD; RUNS UP TO HIM AND PULLS ON HIS SHOULDER SEDUCTIVELY> Where are you going, general?

Sarpack: <SECOND BODYGUARD; ATTEMPTING THE SAME SEDUCTION> Come on, stay a while. You’re so busy… let’s help you unwind.

Digranite: <BRUSHING THEM OFF> Lord Cooler is requesting my presence on the nearest moon, where he has convened the governors. Apparently something has happened to his brother that he wants to tell us. <GESTURES TO LEDAS> I expect this threat to be dealt with before I get back. <MORE SHARPLY> Now do what I said, and don’t call me unless it’s important.

<DIGRANITE EXITS FORCEFULLY>

Sika: <TO HER SISTER> I don’t want to fight that kid.

Sarpack: Nepar will kill him. Or maybe he’ll just wound him so badly that we can have our fun with him.

Sika: Ah, he’s just a little baby. Nepar will tear him to pieces. We don’t need to go down there.

Sarpack: Fine, we can just watch.

<IT IS BACK TO TWO DAYS LATER>

<THEY WATCH THE ENTIRE BATTLE OF GREAT APE LEDAS VERSUS NEPAR; THIS IS SHOWN IN QUICK TIME; AT FIRST THEY ARE CONTENT WITH NEPAR’S WINNING, BUT SOON THEY BECOME WORRIED AND THEN OUTRIGHT HORRIFIED AS NEPAR IS KILLED; WHEN THEY SEE HIS BODY GO LIMP, THEY LOCK DOWN EVERYTHING>

<SARPACK RUNS OVER TO THEIR COMMUNICATOR AND HASTILY PRESSES THE BUTTONS; SIKA IS SCREAMING AND PACING>

Sarpack: <INTO THE COMMUNICATOR> General, he’s killed Nepar! You need to come back! He could kill us!

Digranite: <CUTS TO HIM SITTING IN A ROOM WITH A BUNCH OF OTHER ALIENS; COOLER IS DOWN IN THE CENTER, SPEAKING; HE IS LEANING BACK, WITH HIS ARMS CROSSED; HE SIGHS; HE IS SPEAKING THROUGH THE COMMUNICATOR ON HIS WRIST> I’ll be there within the hour. <LESS CIVIL> I better not catch you two hiding when I get back. If he’s just killed Nepar, he will be tired. Now is your best chance to strike. The both of you should be able to stall him, at the very least. Prevent more damage to the planet. If you can, though, capture him alive. It’ll be easier to explain to Lord Cooler that way.

Sika: <CUTS BACK TO HER; SHE SPEAKS THROUGH THE COMMUNICATOR> We’ll try, sir. Please, come back soon…

<THE CALL ENDS>

Sarpack: The general’s right. The little brat must be tired. We shouldn’t be in danger.

Sika: <SHE SHAKES HER HEAD AND WALKS THROUGH THE DOOR> He gave us our orders. Even if the kid’s stronger, we have to go.

<CUTS TO LEDAS>

<HE IS CLIMBING THE TOWER BY MANY FLIGHTS OF STAIRS; HE FINDS NO ONE; THE PLACE IS DIMLY LIT AT BEST; HE GETS A SUDDEN POWER READING THAT SOMEONE IS NEAR HIM; HE STOPS RUNNING>

<LOOKING OVER HIS SHOULDER, LEDAS SPOTS A SHADOW; HE SPRING PUNCHES AT IT, BUT THERE IS NOTHING THERE; HE HEARS A LAUGH; LEDAS LOOKS UP, AND SEES A CREATURE HANGING FROM THE WALL; IT IS FEMALE, ONE OF DIGRANITE’S BODYGUARDS>

<LEDAS GREETS IT WITH A FACE FULL OF ENERGY BLASTS; IT DROPS DOWN, DIVING UNDER HIS BLASTS, AND LANDS A FEW STEPS ABOVE HIM; LEDAS RUNS UP TO HER AND PUNCHES, BUT IT GOES THROUGH; SHE WAS ONLY AN AFTERIMAGE; THE REAL BODYGUARD DROPS DOWN FROM THE CEILING, UNHURT FROM THE ENERGY, AND BICYCLE KICKS LEDAS; HE IS PUSHED UP INTO THE AIR; BUT HE FLIPS OVER; HE KICKS OFF FROM THE WALL, CHARGING INTO THE BODYGUARD; SHE CATCHES HIM, BUT HE SWIPES HER ARMS AWAY; AS HE GOES TO PUNCH HER, HE IS KICKED IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD; AS HE FALLS, THE SECOND BODYGUARD SHOWS HERSELF; SHE PURSUES HIS BODY AND CLOBBERS HIM EVEN FURTHER>

<LEDAS SPINS AWAY FROM THE TWO, SENDING ENERGY AFTER THEM; HE STOPS HIMSELF JUST IN TIME FOR THE TWO OF THEM TO CATCH UP TO HIM; THIS WAS A MISTAKE ON LEDAS’ PART, AS HE IS UNABLE TO MATCH THEM WHEN THEY FIGHT TOGETHER; THEY POUND HIM IN THE FACE; SARPACK GRABS ONTO HIS LEGS AND PULLS HIM DOWN; SIKA CREATES A BURNING ATTACK, WHICH DOES A GOOD BIT OF DAMAGE TO LEDAS; HIS ARMOR IS NOW ALMOST COMPLETELY SHATTERED>

<THE TWO FEMALE BODYGUARDS COME TOGETHER ONE LAST TIME AND SIMULTANEOUSLY FLY INTO LEDAS, PUNCHING HIM AS THEY DO; THIS CAUSES LEDAS TO FALL>

<WHEN HE HITS THE GROUND, SIKA LANDS AND PLACES HER FOOT ON HIS HEAD; SHE CREATES ENERGY BINDS AROUND HIM; HER SISTER LANDS NEXT TO HER>

Sarpack: Looks like the general was right. <TO LEDAS> You must be so, so tired after that fight with Nepar. Is the poor the baby mad that he’s lost the fight?

<LEDAS LOOKS UP AT THEM WITH A SNARL>

Sika: <TO LEDAS> You’re lucky you’re even alive. You’re a lot more useful to us dead. But we have our orders.

Sarpack: Aw, I think he wants to be punched in the face.

<SARPACK DOES SO, THEN PLACES HER HAND OVER LEDAS’ FACE, CREATING AN ENERGY BLAST; IT BURNS HIM GOOD ENOUGH TO MAKE HIM FALL UNCONSCIOUS, SLUMPING OVER AGAINST THE WALL>

Sika: <SMIRK> If you kill him, you’re explaining it to Cooler, not me.

Sarpack: Oh, if he could kill Nepar, he can survive that. I have a lot more when he wakes up. He’s too dangerous this healthy. But let’s take him outside.

<THE TWO TAKE HIM DOWNSTAIRS AND GO OUTSIDE; THEY WAIT FOR A FEW HOURS UNTIL THEY NOTICE DIGRANITE’S SHIP DESCENDING FROM THE SKY>

<A SHIP, SMALLER THAN COOLER’S AND POINTED – NOT ROUND – IN APPEARANCE, LANDS; DIGRANITE EXITS; HE IS WEARING AN ORANGE SCOUTER; HE USES IT TO TRACK AROUND; THE ONLY READINGS ARE OF HIS TWO BODYGUARDS AND LEDAS, ALL AT THE BASE OF THE TOWER; HE IS NEITHER SURPRISED NOR MAD AT NEPAR’S DEATH AND LEDAS BREAKING INTO HIS BASE>

<DIGRANITE APPROACHES THE THREE; HE LOOKS ONLY AT THE UNCONSCIOUS BOY, NOT AT HIS GUARDS; HE IS CURT>

Digranite: Wake him.

<SIKA KICKS HIM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD; LEDAS STIRS AWAKE>

Sika: Wake up. General Digranite wants to speak to you.

<LEDAS LOOKS UP AT HIM>

Digranite: Saiyan. <DIGRANITE PICKS LEDAS UP BY THE NECK> Now you’re mine.

Ledas: Who’re you?

Digranite: Me? I rule over this planet. <HE UNLEASHES SPIKES OUT OF HIS GAUNTLETS WHICH PIERCE LEDAS’ SKIN> Which you disrespected. That creature you just killed <HE LOOKS AT NEPAR> was Cooler’s loyal pet. The Emperor will be most displeased with you.

<LEDAS IS NOT LOOKING AT DIGRANITE; INSTEAD, HE NOTICES DIGRANITE’S SHIP; EVEN IN PAIN, THIS IS HIS FOCAL POINT>

Ledas: So?

Digranite: So… I’ve got you now. You will be dead soon, Saiyan.

Ledas: You didn’t capture me. You haven’t done anything.

Digranite: <HISSES> Is that right?

Ledas: <GLANCES TO DIGRANITE’S BODYGUARDS> I bet they’re stronger than you…

<DIGRANITE THROWS LEDAS ONTO THE GROUND; HE UNDOES LEDAS’ BINDS>

Digranite: You have made an incredible mistake goading me. <HE PUTS HIS HANDS OUT, CHARGING UP HIS KI>

Ledas: Not this time.

<LEDAS ROLLS FORWARD; HE SCREAMS AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS, CREATING ANOTHER DIRE HOWL; DIGRANITE AND HIS GUARDS ARE DROPPED TO THEIR KNEES, THE PAIN BEING SO UNBEARABLE; LEDAS CREATES A BUNCH OF AFTERIMAGES TO DISTRACT THEM; HE RUNS TO THE SHIP>

<DIGRANITE IS THE FIRST TO GET UP; HE WALKS THROUGH THE AFTERIMAGES, NOT IMPRESSED BY THEM; WITH ONE HAND, HE SENDS A TRACKING BLAST TO LEDAS, THE REAL LEDAS; THE BOY TRIPS UP, BUT MANAGES TO STUMBLE INTO THE SHIP; LEDAS RUNS TO THE FRONT AND PUNCHES ITS TAKEOFF BUTTON; THE DOORS CLOSE AND IT TAKES OFF>

<LEDAS LOOKS OUT THE WINDOW WHEN HE IS KICKED RIGHT INTO THE CONTROL SETUP; DIGRANITE IS BEHIND HIM>

Digranite: There’s nowhere to go. I’ve told Cooler what you have done. He’s watching us from up in space. He’ll have your head if I don’t first!

<HE AND LEDAS INTERLOCK HANDS AS THEY FIGHT FOR CONTROL; DIGRANITE SNAPS LEDAS BACK; HE BACKHANDS LEDAS WITH HIS SPIKES; THAT CUTS THE BOY; LEDAS FALLS TO HIS KNEES AND JUMPS BETWEEN DIGRANITE’S LEGS; NOW BEHIND HIM, LEDAS CREATES A POINT-BLANK ENERGY BEAM; BUT IT DOES NOTHING; DIGRANITE MOVES BACKWARD, PINNING LEDAS BETWEEN HIM AND THE WALL>

<LEDAS SPRINGS HIS LEGS UP AND BOUNCES OFF OF DIGRANITE’S BACK; DIGRANITE DOES NOT ATTACK; HE SEES THAT THEY ARE GAINING ALTITUDE FAST, AND SOON THEY WILL BE IN SPACE>

<DIGRANITE CREATES TWO BLASTS AROUND HIM THAT DESTROYS THE VEHICLE; LEDAS LUNGES AT HIM AND KICKS, BUT IT DOES NOTHING; DIGRANITE, IN ONE MOVEMENT, GRABS THE BACK OF LEDAS’ HEAD WITH HIS LEFT HAND SWINGS IT FORWARD INTO HIS RIGHT FIST; HE LOWERS HIS FIST AND PUNCHES LEDAS IN THE GUT; THE SHIP IS TEARING APART NOW; DIGRANITE KICKS LEDAS OUT OF IT AND JUMPS AFTER HIM>

<IN FREEFALL, THE TWO TRADE BLOWS AND BLASTS; DIGRANITE SPINS OVER ON TOP OF LEDAS; HE PUNCHES HIM RELENTLESSLY UNTIL THEY BREAK OFF; LEDAS SPINS AROUND, WRAPPING HIS LEGS AROUND DIGRANITE’S HEAD, TRYING TO CHOKE HIM; DIGRANITE ELBOWS HIM OFF; THE TWO FIRE BEAMS AT EACH OTHER; THEY EXPLODE, THE SHOCK WAVE SENDING THE TWO FAR APART; THEY LAND, BOTH ON THEIR FEET>

<THEY BEGIN FIGHTING IMMEDIATELY; DIGRANITE, WHO IS MUCH STRONGER, IS OUTCLASSING LEDAS IN EVERY AREA; HIS SPEED IS INCREDIBLE; LEDAS CANNOT BLOCK ANYTHING; AS WELL, LEDAS CANNOT GET TOO CLOSE OR HE WILL BE CUT BY DIGRANITE’S BLADES>

<DIGRANITE SPREADS HIS KNEES; FROM HIS GAUNTLETS, KNEES, AND BACK, SPIKES COME OUT>

Digranite: Don’t run now.

<HE ROLLS AT LEDAS, HIS SPIKES ELONGATED OUTWARD; LEDAS SIDESTEPS, BUT HIS ENERGY BLASTS ARE DOING NOTHING; DIGRANITE’S ARMOR IS TOO STRONG; DIGRANITE JUMPS UP AND IS ABLE TO KNEE LEDAS IN THE GUT; LEDAS THROWS HIM OFF>

<LEDAS BACKS OFF, THINKING UP WHAT TO DO WHEN IT HITS HIM; ANOTHER HEADACHE, ONLY THIS TIME IT IS MUCH WORSE; HE FALLS, SCREAMING OUT IN PAIN>

Ledas: No!! Not now!!

<HIS HAIR IS WHITE, HIS EYES GREEN; DIGRANITE STOPS, PUZZLED>

Digranite: Transformation? <HE CLICKS HIS SCOUTER> No power increase? What’s happening?

<LEDAS LOOKS UP AT HIM, HIS EYES ARE BLEEDING; HE THROWS A BALL OF ENERGY, BUT DIGRANITE SWATS IT AWAY; HE BRINGS OUT HIS SPIKES AGAIN AND WALKS UP TO LEDAS; HE PICKS UP THE BOY, SLOWLY AND SILHOUETTED, AND BRINGS HIM DOWN ONTO THEIR SHARP HEADS>

<BACK DOWN ON THE GROUND, SIKA AND SARPACK ARE STANDING WATCHING>

Sarpack: Aw, General’s having all the fun! I wanted to make him bleed!

Sika: Just be glad we got the kid when he wasn’t at full power. You wouldn’t even be here if he had been.

Sarpack: <LOOKS AT HER SISTER, ANGRILY> You don’t have to be such a bitch all the time. Can’t we just enjoy this?

<THE TWO GROWL AT ONE ANOTHER AND CREATE ENERGY, POINTING IT AT ONE ANOTHER; HOWEVER, THEY STOP WHEN THEY HEAR A SUDDEN VOICE SPEAK FROM BEHIND THEM>

Voice: He’s alive?

Sika: Yeah, we just– <SHE TURNS HER HEAD AND SEES WHO IT IS>

Sarpack: What are you doing here?!

<THE TWO POINT THEIR ENERGY AT THE BEING OFF-SCREEN, BUT IT IS TOO LATE>

<A FLASH OF PURPLE LIGHT TAKES OVER THE SCREEN; THE TWO BODYGUARDS HAVE BEEN INCINERATED BY A QUICK ENERGY BEAM>

That Makes Him The Guv’nor
<ABOVE THE STOMPING GROUNDS IS COOLER; HE IS IN SPACE; HIS SPACE SHIP IS IN THE BACKGROUND; COOLER HAS HIS ARMS FOLDED AND HIS SCOUTER ON (FOR COMMUNICATION); HIS IS PURPLE>

Cooler: I have had enough of this. <HE CREATES A SUDDEN SUPERNOVA; HE CLICKS HIS SCOUTER> Digranite. Get off the planet. I’ve sent someone to pick you up, if you have no way of getting off. <TO HIMSELF> This Saiyan’s power is impressive. I will have to use thirty percent of my power. If he’s the one I fought so many years ago, then he’s too dangerous to let live. I’ll make sure he doesn’t get away again.

<HIS POWER BALL GROWS TREMENDOUSLY; HE HOLDS IT WITH TWO FINGERS>

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS AND DIGRANITE; DIGRANITE IS CUTTING HIM WITH HIS RAZOR SPINES; HIS SCOUTER, HOWEVER, IS ON THE GROUND, SEVERAL FEET AWAY; IT WAS KNOCKED OFF OF HIM IN THEIR SCUFFLE; HE DOES NOT HEAR COOLER’S WARNING>

<AS DIGRANITE LOWERS LEDAS FARTHER DOWN ONTO HIS SPIKES, LEDAS SCREAMS OUT MORE; HE CREATES AN ENERGY WAVE, BUT DIGRANITE IS UNHARMED; LEDAS IS STILL TRANSFORMING INTO HIS SEMI SUPER SAIYAN FORM; HOWEVER, SINCE HE IS STILL TRANSFORMING, HE HAS NOT HAD A STRENGTH INCREASE QUITE YET>

<JUST AT THIS TIME, A PURPLE BALL OF KI SLAMS INTO DIGRANITE, CAUSING HIM TO ALMOST FALL OVER, DROPPING LEDAS; HE TURNS AROUND FURIOUSLY, READYING A BLAST, WHEN HE SEES WHO IT IS; HE STAYS HIS BLAST>

Digranite: <HISS-STATEMENT> Military Governor Guva.

<SCREEN PANS AROUND, SHOWING GUVA IN HIS BEST ARMOR; IT IS PURPLE AND SHOULDER-LESS; GUVA DOES NOT LOOK MUCH OLDER, BUT HIS WHITE HAIR IS MORE PRONOUNCED THAN IT WAS 21 YEARS AGO>

Guva: Supreme General Digranite.

Digranite: I haven’t seen you since you won your planet.

Guva: <EYES LOCKED> No doubt.

Digranite: Why are you here?

Guva: Cooler’s sent me to retrieve you.

Digranite: Why? Where is he? I want to speak to him!

Guva: <NONCHALANT> In space. As far as I know, he’s preparing to blow up the planet as we speak.

Digranite: What?! This is my planet! He cannot–

Guva: He was quite mad at your failings. Really, losing an entire garrison of the most elite troops… But that’s between you and him.

Digranite: <ANGER EVIDENT> I ask again, Governor. Let me speak to him!

Guva: I don’t think so. I’m not here for you.

Digranite: <ANGER SWELLING> Then why are you here?

Guva: The boy, he’s mine. I’m leaving with him. I volunteered to come rescue you, but really, I was only here for Ledas.

Digranite: But… Cooler…

Guva: He will not know.

Digranite: No. <QUIETLY> You will not take him. I assure you. You know, Military Governor, that I am your superior.

<HE FLEXES HIS SPIKED GAUNTLETS>

Guva: I am aware of your strength. Do you think I would be so foolish to challenge you alone? <TO LEDAS> Ledas, get up. You want out? You want to live? Help me kill Digranite. Come now, I know our strengths together eclipse his by a good deal.

Digranite: <WHISPER> Treason! Lord Cooler will–

Guva: <STEPS ON DIGRANITE’S SCOUTER, WHICH WAS ON THE GROUND; THEN, HE TAKES OFF HIS OWN SCOUTER AND CRUSHES IT> Never know.

<DIGRANITE YELLS OUT AND ATTACKS GUVA; AS THEY ARE BOTH POWERED UP TO THEIR FULLEST, DIGRANITE IS SUPERIOR; GUVA IS ABLE TO BLOCK BETTER THAN LEDAS WAS, BUT HE IS STILL LOSING>

<DIGRANITE KICKS GUVA TO ONE KNEE THEN CREATES A BEAM OF ENERGY; IT IS NEARLY POINT-BLANK; GUVA CREATES AN ELEGANT FINISHER TO STALL IT; THE BEAM STRUGGLE DOES NOT LAST, HOWEVER; THE TWO ARE TOO CLOSE AND THE ENERGY EXPLODE INSTANTLY, SENDING BOTH ALIENS FLYING>

<LEDAS SITS UP; HE IS IN COMPLETE DISBELIEF AT GUVA BEING HERE; HIS HEADACHE HAS MOSTLY GONE AWAY, AND HE IS ABLE TO STAND; HE CHARGES UP HIS KI AS MUCH AS HE CAN WITHOUT SPLITTING HIS HEAD AND RUNS TO DIGRANITE>

<DIGRANITE FLIPS UP FROM THE GROUND, KICKING LEDAS; BUT LEDAS IS ABLE TO CATCH HIS FEET; HE SLAMS DIGRANITE BACK DOWN ON THE GROUND; DIGRANITE PUNCHES HIM HARD IN THE SIDE OF THE LEG; HOWEVER, BEFORE HE CAN FINISH LEDAS, GUVA COMES BACK; HE LANDS WITH HIS TOE ON DIGRANITE’S FACE, PUSHING HIS RED FEATHERS INTO THE GROUND>

<DIGRANITE MAKES AN EXPLOSIVE WAVE; IN THE DUST, HE COMES ROLLING OUT, HIS SPIKES FLYING; GUVA PUTS UP HIS HANDS IN AN "X" POSITION TO BLOCK, BUT HE IS CUT BY THEM; LEDAS JUMPS OUT OF THE WAY; DIGRANITE HEADBUTTS GUVA; GUVA FLIES BACK AND SENDS A LARGE ARCING BLAST AT DIGRANITE, BUT DIGRANITE TELEPORTS THROUGH IT; GUVA STOPS HIMSELF FROM FALLING; HE CREATES AN IMAGE SLASH AND RUSHES FORWARD, SLAMMING HIS ENERGY SWORD RIGHT INTO DIGRANITE’S CHEST; DIGRANITE’S ARMOR IS TOO POWERFUL AND IT SHATTERS THE BLAST>

<AT THIS TIME, COOLER SENDS DOWN HIS BLAST, HAVING NOT HEARD FROM DIGRANITE; DIGRANITE HAD HIS HANDS ON GUVA’S HEAD, AS GUVA HAD LAIN, AND WAS SQUEEZING HIS HEAD PAINFULLY; HOWEVER, WHEN COOLER’S BALL HITS THE PLANET, EVERYTHING SHAKES SO SEVERELY THAT DIGRANITE IS THROWN OFF>

<GUVA STANDS UP AND ENGAGES HIM IN HAND TO HAND COMBAT; THE TWO ARE RELATIVELY EVEN NOW, AS DIGRANITE HAS BEEN WORN DOWN; GUVA SIDE-CHOPS DIGRANITE ACROSS THE FACE; DIGRANITE HISSES AND TRIES AN EYE BEAM; GUVA PUTS HIS HANDS UP TO STOP IT, AND DIGRANITE PUNCHES HIM REALLY HARD IN THE GUT; GUVA FALLS OVER, AND DIGRANITE KICKS HIM AWAY>

<HE TURNS AROUND TO SEE LEDAS STANDING THERE, WHITE HAIR AND ALL; LEDAS IS LOOKING AT GUVA, NOT DIGRANITE>

Ledas: We have to go now.

Guva: Kill him first! <DIGRANITE LOOKS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THEM> Help me!

Ledas: He destroyed his own ship. We just have to stall him long enough to get away.

Digranite: <INTERRUPTING> Great story. Too bad it won’t work!

<HE LUNGES AT LEDAS AND PUNCHES HIM ACROSS THE FACE; LEDAS STUMBLES BACK, BUT GRABS ONTO DIGRANITE’S ARM; HE BENDS IT BACK, SO THAT THE SPIKES PUNCTURE IN ON DIGRANITE’S SKIN>

Ledas: I know why it hurt so much before.

<DIGRANITE UNSNAPS HIS ARM AND JUMPS BACK>

Ledas: That thing in the cave gave me all this power and my body couldn’t handle it… that’s why I kept getting headaches when this happened. <HE LOOKS STRAIGHT INTO DIGRANITE’S EYES> But now… I guess I’ve been in it long enough or my power’s gone up enough that it doesn’t hurt any more. And I can sense your power compared to mine. You can’t win.

Digranite: I don’t have to win. Even if you are stronger than me now, I can hold you until the planet goes. Lord Cooler was right. I failed him. But I can regain my honor.

<HE SENDS A SWEEPING GROUP OF ENERGY BLASTS AROUND LEDAS; LEDAS RUNS RIGHT THROUGH THEM INTO DIGRANITE; WITH THIS BOOSTED POWER, HE IS STRONGER THAN DIGRANITE, BUT NOT MORE EXPERIENCED; DIGRANITE IS ABLE TO SIDESTEP HIM AND TAKE TO THE SKY; HE SENDS A BUNCH OF ENERGY DOWN; LEDAS PURSUES HIM, BUT DIGRANITE TELEPORTS BEHIND HIM, HE GETS LEDAS INTO AN ARM LOCK AND BRINGS HIM TO THE GROUND; HE PREPARES AN ENERGY BLAST, WHEN GUVA COMES AGAIN>

<GUVA INTERLOCKS HIS HANDS AND SWINGS THEM INTO DIGRANITE’S SIDE; DIGRANITE LETS GO OF LEDAS AND FALLS OVER>

<LEDAS TURNS AROUND, PUTS HIS BOOT ON DIGRANITE’S NECK AND THEN FIRES A KYORRA FLASH; DIGRANITE MAKES NO SOUND TO EITHER OF THESE BUT HE DOES NOT MOVE AFTER THAT BLAST; SEEING HIS OPPORTUNITY, LEDAS LOOKS AT GUVA>

Ledas: Get the ship.

Guva: <STANDING OVER DIGRANITE WITH HIS SHOULDERS RAISED; GRUFFLY> Very well. Follow me, Ledas.

<CUE Final Hour>

<GUVA TAKES TO THE AIR; LEDAS FOLLOWS HIM; IT DOES NOT TAKE LONG FOR THEM TO REACH GUVA’S SHIP; IT IS LIKE DIGRANITE’S IN THAT IT IS NOT A POD AND CAN HOLD MORE THAN ONE PERSON; THEY ENTER IT; THE PLANET IS ABOUT TO BLOW UP NOW; IT HAS BEEN THREE MINUTES (IN REAL TIME) SINCE COOLER SENT OFF HIS BLAST>

<AS LEDAS IS RUNNING UP THE RAMP, HE GETS A SUDDEN PING IN ENERGY; OF COURSE IT IS DIGRANITE COMING AFTER HIM; HE SEES THE FEATHERY, SPIKED, ARMORED CREATURE COMING TO HIM; LEDAS GATHERS UP HIS ENERGY AS FAST AS HE CAN>

Ledas: <CRANES HIS NECK BACK TO GUVA> Just get it started, I’ll hold him off.

<DIGRANITE IS ALSO CHARGING UP ENERGY AS HE FLIES; LEDAS BUYS AS MUCH TIME AS HE CAN, BUT WHEN DIGRANITE GETS TOO CLOSE, HE RELEASES HIS BLAST; IT IS A SPHERE, AN ICE CANNON; DIGRANITE SENDS OUT HIS BLAST AS WELL; IT IS A LONG CRIMSON ENERGY BEAM; THE TWO CONNECT; NATURALLY, THIS IS WHEN A BEAM STRUGGLE OCCURS>

<GUVA TAKES OFF, LEAVING THE BACK RAMP OPEN; LEDAS STANDS ON IT AND DIGRANITE FLIES UP WITH THEM; THE TWO ARE LOCKED IN A BEAM STRUGGLE OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE>

<THE BEAM IS CLOSER TO DIGRANITE, OF COURSE; HE SCREAMS OUT TO LEDAS>

Digranite: Your annihilation is inevitable; my victory guaranteed! You will not get away this time!

<LEDAS SAVES HIS BREATH AND PUTS ALL OF HIS ENERGY INTO THE BLAST>

Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> I can feel my power dropping fast… this form uses up so much energy. I can’t hold it much longer.

Digranite: Come on. Come on! A Saiyan is not stronger than me! I am Cooler’s right hand man! No one is above me! No one!

<THE SHIP REACHES THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE; THE COLD WIND COMES INTO PLAY IMMEDIATELY; IT HITS DIGRANITE AND HIS ARMOR, ALL OF WHICH IS MADE OF HEAVY METAL; NOT ONLY DOES THE METAL FREEZE UP, BUT IT BECOMES UNBEARABLY UNMOVABLE; DIGRANITE’S ARM FREEZES; HE TUGS AGAINST IT, AS SURELY HIS OWN POWER COULD FORCE THE METAL TO HIS WILL; HOWEVER, AS HE DOES, HE EXPENDS TOO MUCH ENERGY; HE LOSES CONTROL OF HIS BEAM AND LEDAS’ ICE CANNON OVERTAKES HIM; HE PUTS UP HIS ARMS IN DEFENSE, BUT IT IS TOO LATE; THE ICE CANNON OVERTAKES HIM>

<DIGRANITE FALLS BACKWARD, BACK TO THE PLANET; THE BLAST ITSELF PREVENTS HIM FROM TAKING ANY MORE SHOTS AT THEIR SHIP>

Digranite: You are no better than me!

<END OF Final Hour>

<LEDAS WATCHES AS DIGRANITE FALLS OUT OF SIGHT, THEN IS JARRED OUT OF THOUGHT WHEN GUVA SPEAKS>

Guva: <FROM THE COMMAND> Shut that back door! Unlike you, I cannot breathe in space. And lower your power level. Cooler can’t know you’re here.

<LEDAS PUNCHES THE CLOSE BUTTON AND THE TWO ENTER INTO SPACE; IT IS NOT MORE THAN THREE SECONDS LATER THAT THE PLANET EXPLODES; THE TWO FEEL THE SHOCK WAVE AND IT BUMPS THEM AROUND FOR A GOOD DEAL; IT STOPS, AFTER SOME TIME; LEDAS GOES TO SPEAK, BUT GUVA SILENCES HIM>

Guva: We’ve been hailed by Cooler. I must go speak to him. Hide back here. Keep your power level as low as possible. I know you can do it; Lieme told me.

Ledas: <LOOKING AT GUVA AS AN EQUAL, EVEN AS HE BREATHES HARD> Okay.

<GUVA STANDS UP AND OPENS A SMALL CONTAINER; OF COURSE LEDAS CAN FIT IN IT; HE CLOSES IT AND LEDAS LOOKS OUT FROM THE GRATE WALL>

<GUVA AND COOLER’S SHIPS COME TOGETHER AFTER A FEW MINUTES; COOLER, ALONE, BOARDS GUVA’S SHIP>

Cooler: You did not find him.

Guva: N-no, milord. I looked all over, but he was gone.

Cooler: You look like you’ve been in a battle, governor. Were you?

Guva: No, no, milord. I was careless after you shot your supernova. But these are just scratches; they’ll be gone soon.

Cooler: Very well. I assume Digranite stayed behind to keep the boy. But I cannot imagine the boy being near his level.

Guva: Maybe he was already dead, milord.

Cooler: It does not matter. I’ve done a power sweep of the system. No power levels other than yours came out of that planet.

Guva: <FAKE SURPRISE> Of course, milord.

Cooler: <MOVING ON, PACING AROUND A BIT; HE LOOKS OVER AT LEDAS’ CONTAINER FOR A SECOND AS HE SCANS THE ROOM> I’ve allowed the rest of the governors to return to their planets. You are free to do so as well. But you will have no reason to tell anyone about what happened here today. Do I make myself clear?

Guva: Thank you, sir. <HE KNEELS> I won’t say anything about this.

Cooler: <TURNS AWAY FROM GUVA> I will set course for Earth now. This Goku… this rat who killed my brother and disgraced my family’s name… he must be dealt with. I won’t have another rebellion on my hands. <GUVA NODS, AND COOLER BEGINS TO LEAVE> Continue to run your planet until I get back. I don’t expect any complications while I’m gone.

Guva: I’ll keep everything in order. You have nothing to worry about, milord.

Cooler: Then we have nothing more to discuss.

Guva: Very well, Lord Cooler.

<FADES TO BLACK>

<RE-FADES TO WHITE>

<LEDAS AND GUVA LAND ON PLANET COOLER 92. THEY EXIT>

Guva: Is it like you remember it?

Ledas: It looks the same. Wewll, is everyone still here?

Guva: Everyone. <HE STOPS LEDAS, AND LOWERS HIS VOICE> Now, Ledas. I know for a fact that if you can take on Digranite, a General even stronger than me, you can kill Banas.

Ledas: I can also kill you.

Guva: Have I not saved you? Have I not promised you answers about your race, if but for the simple request of killing one captain? The injustice of my position is positively aggravating.

Ledas: But I heard Cooler say that Frieza was dead? Is that true?

Guva: Yes. He was killed by someone named Goku. That’s all I know about that.

Ledas: Well, where’s Vegeta, then? He was working with Frieza!

Guva: Don’t worry, Ledas. <PATS LEDAS’ SHOULDER> I have a good idea of where he is. All you have to do is kill Banas and any troops who try to avenge his honor. Then I’ll tell you.

Ledas: <SLUMPS HIS SHOULDERS AND SIGHS> Fine, I’ll do it. <INNOCENT> But, um, can I do it tomorrow? I’m pretty tired right now.

<GUVA NODS AND LEDAS WALKS BACK TO THE BARRACKS; NONE OF THE PLANTAINS ARE THERE, BUT APRIDO IS; APRIDO WAS SITTING ON HIS BED WHEN HE SEES LEDAS; STRICKEN AND HORRIFIED THAT LEDAS IS ALIVE AND IN HIS VICINITY, HE DOES NOT MOVE; LEDAS DOES NOT NOTICE HIM AND GOES TO LIE ON THE TOP BUNK>

<HE FINDS IT OCCUPIED BY AN ALIEN, AND AFTER A HASTY APOLOGY, LEDAS LEAVES AND GOES OUT TO THE AREA NEAR THE FOREST; HE FINDS A NICE HILL AND LIES DOWN ON IT; SOON HE IS FAST ASLEEP>

<APRIDO IS SEETHING, LOOKING INCREDIBLY MAD; HE FINDS HIS LEGS AND GETS UP, RUNNING AFTER LEDAS>

Finding Aprido
<CUTS TO THE OUTPOST; IT IS LATE AT NIGHT ON THE SAME DAY THAT LEDAS RETURNED TO PLANET COOLER 92>

Aprido: <WALKING DOWN THE CENTRAL ROAD AREA OF THE OUTPOST; IT IS QUIET, WITH NO ONE ELSE AROUND> Now where did that monkey go? <APRIDO SEES A BUILDING UP AHEAD WITH LIGHTS ON>

<APRIDO MOVES TO THE FACILITY, WHICH IS A GRAVITY ROOM; HE NOTICES LEDAS INSIDE THE ROOM; HE IS IN FULL ARMOR>

Aprido: What is he doing?

<LEDAS IS SITTING INSIDE WITH HIS HEAD ON HIS KNEES; HE IS TAKING A BREAK FROM HIS TRAINING>

<APRIDO NOTICES THAT THE GRAVITY IS UP TO (earth equivalent) 180G; APRIDO CAN’T MOVE IN THAT, SO HE CAREFULLY SNEAKS AROUND THE BACK OF THE BUILDING, TO THE CONTROL ROOM (WHERE THERE IS NO EXTRA GRAVITY) AND ENTERS IT; SUDDENLY LEDAS JUMPS UP AND STARTS TO VIGOROUSLY TRAIN>

Aprido: <IN SHOCK> How can he even move in that?! <QUICKLY BECOMES VENGEFUL> He’s trying to show off! Well, that little brat isn’t better than me! He’s been gone for years! It’s my turn to be a Plantain!

<LEDAS CONTINUES TO TRAIN, FORCEFULLY JUMPING AROUND THE ENTIRE FACILITY>

Aprido: I’ll show him who he’s dealing with!

<APRIDO REACHES FOR THE GRAVITY CONTROL PANEL; HE INCREASES THE GRAVITY TO 300G; LEDAS, WHO IS IN MIDAIR, FALLS TO THE GROUND, HARD, BOUNCING SLIGHTLY, HE CANNOT GET UP; APRIDO, GLEEFULLY MOVES BACK OUT OF SIGHT, PEEKING AROUND THROUGH THE WINDOW; THE GRAVITY HAS OTHER EFFECTS ON THE ROOM AS WELL, SOME WEIGHTS FALL OFF THEIR STANDS, AND START ROLLING TOWARD LEDAS>

<LEDAS ROLLS OVER AND SEES THE WEIGHTS ROLLING RIGHT AT HIM, HIS EYES WIDEN, AND WHEN THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON THEM, THEY ARE GREEN; HIS HAIR PULSATES, TURNING STARK WHITE, THEN BACK TO BLACK; LEDAS NOW IN A SEMI SUPER SAIYAN STATE, IS EASILY ABLE TO DODGE OUT OF THE WAY OF THE INCOMING WEIGHTS; APRIDO SEES HIS POWER LEVEL IS GOING UP EXPONENTIALLY>

Aprido: 50,000… 100,000… 300,000… 500,000…! <HIS SCOUTER BREAKS AND HIS EYES WIDEN IN HORROR> This is ridiculous, I’m getting outta here! <APRIDO TURNS OFF THE GRAVITY AND RUNS OUT; LEDAS DROPS TO THE FLOOR STILL AS A SEMI SUPER SAIYAN; IN A BIT OF A DAZE, HE STUMBLES OUT OF THE FACILITY TO THE OUTSIDE, THIS FORM IS STARTING TO WEAR ON HIM PHYSICALLY>

<AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, HE USES UP ALL HIS ENERGY, REVERTS TO HIS NORMAL STATE, AND COLLAPSES ON THE GROUND, ASLEEP>

<APRIDO WAS RUNNING OUT, BUT HE SEES LEDAS FALL DOWN; HE TURNS BACK AND CREEPS UP TO THE SLEEPING SAIYAN>

Aprido: Huh? What’s he doing? <HE THROWS A ROCK AT LEDAS, THOUGH THE BOY DOESN’T MOVE> Did he fall asleep? <HE RUNS UP TO THE BOY AND KICKS HIM IN THE HEAD, SOFTLY; LEDAS DOES NOT WAKE> Aeheh? Just sleeping! I’ll have a little fun with him now!

<CUTS TO THE NEXT DAY>

<IT IS MORNING, AND MISTY; LEDAS IS LYING FACE DOWN AT THE FOREST’S EDGE, ON THE BEACH OF A LARGE OCEAN; HE IS QUITE NEAR A NATIVE CAMP; SOME OF THEM ARE ABOUT BUT NONE OF THEM GET NEAR HIM>

Ledas: <STANDS UP; SLOWLY> Where am I? <HE STEPS FORWARD, AND THE NATIVES STEP BACK; OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE AFRAID OF HIM; HE COCKS HIS HEAD TO ONE SIDE> O-oh… how’d I get here? <HE STARTS TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT THE NATIVES BACK AWAY> Slaves, just like me. I feel sorry for them. <WHEN THEY DON’T RESPOND, LEDAS BEGINS TO GET IMPATIENT; HE WAITS A FEW MINUTES, BUT WHEN NOTHING CHANGES, HE SIGHS AND WALKS OFF> Whatever.

Aprido: <FROM OFF-SCREEN> Aaack!

Ledas: <UPON HEARING APRIDO, HE TURNS AROUND> What was that?

Aprido: <HE COMES INTO VIEW; HE IS LYING ON THE BEACH RIGHT NEXT TO LEDAS; HE IS DIRTY AND BRUISED; HIS ARMOR IS DAMAGED> You stupid monkey! Look what you did to me!

Ledas: <NOT UNDERSTANDING> Why are you out here too?

Aprido: <SEETHING> You attacked me in your sleep! Look at my armor!

Ledas: I still don’t get why we’re out here.

Aprido: I… you idiot! Stop changing the subject! You’ll pay for doing this to me! I’m telling the governor! <APRIDO GETS UP AND STARTS WALKING OFF>

Ledas: <EYES NARROW; HE LOOKS AT THE OCEAN TO HIS LEFT; HE NOTICES ONLY ONE SET OF FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND; THEY ARE CLEARLY NOT HIS> Hey! You carried me out here!

Aprido: <PUSHING HIS WAY THROUGH THE NATIVES> Yeah, and you punched me in your sleep!

Ledas: <NOW QUITE ANGRY, REALIZING WHAT APRIDO DID TO HIM> If I was awake, you wouldn’t have lived. <APRIDO STOPS IN HIS TRACKS AND STARES AT LEDAS> You were trying to drown me, weren’t you? <APRIDO IS SILENT, BUT HIS FACE IS STILL BURNING WITH HATRED> What did I ever do to you?!

Aprido: <SHOUTS, PUSHING NATIVES AWAY> You were supposed to be dead! It’s my time now! I’m going to be the new Plantain!

Ledas: That’s what you’re on about? <PERPLEXED> Listen, I’m not even staying here for very long… I don’t care if you join–

Aprido: Go! Get away from me you disgusting animals! <SPITS AT THE NATIVES, BUT THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND; SCREAMING> Help! Captain! Somebody help me!

<APRIDO YELLS AND STARTS SHOOTING ALL OF THE NATIVES AROUND HIM WITH HIS BLASTER; NONE WERE TOUCHING HIM, BUT HE SEEMS VERY TRIGGER-HAPPY; HE ANNIHILATES SCORES OF THEM>

Ledas: Hey, stop it. <HE STEPS FORWARD TO APRIDO> You don’t have to kill them. They’re just like me and you. We’re all slaves here.

Aprido: So?! There’s nothing they can do about it!

Ledas: I’m tired of people saying that.

<APRIDO SHOOTS MORE OF THEM; LEDAS SEEMS ANGRY NOW; APRIDO SEES THIS, GETS TERRIFIED AND BOLTS; BEFORE LEDAS CAN SAY ANYTHING ELSE, APRIDO HAS RUN OFF INTO THE FOREST>

<A QUICK SCENE IS SHOWN OF GUVA, MELOON, PAYAR, AND LIEME ALL ENJOYING THEMSELVES AROUND CAMP; BANAS, HOWEVER IS NOT WITH THEM; THE SCENE CUTS TO THE EDGE OF THE FOREST, WHERE BANAS IS STANDING, ARMS CROSSED, LOOKING OFF INTO IT; THE LOOK ON HIS FACE IS OF SLIGHT ANXIETY; BANAS LOOKS OLDER THAN HE HAD BEFORE; HE IS OBVIOUS WRINKLES NOW, AND SEEMS TO HAVE HEAVY GRAVITY AROUND HIM; HE HAS HIS ARMOR BACK, IMPLYING HE IS NOW OFF OF SUSPENSION>

<GUVA AND PAYAR WALK OVER THE DEAD BODIES OF ALL THE ALIENS AND SOLDIERS KILLED DURING THE GLADIATOR MATCHES OF THE NIGHT BEFORE; WHILE THIS MATCH WAS NOT SHOWN, IT IS IMPLIED THAT THESE HAD BEEN GOING ON REGULARLY IN LEDAS’ ABSENCE>

Guva: <STEPPING OVER SOME BODIES> So many of them. You had a good haul yesterday, Payar. They put up quite a fight.

Payar: <PICKING UP A SCOUTER FROM A DEAD SOLDIER> Yeah, in big numbers, they can be quite… destructive. Moreso than I thought was possible. Sir, what are we going to do with them? Kill them all?

Guva: No, not all of them. Not unless you want to mine this planet’s resources yourself.

<A FEW NATIVES ARE STILL ALIVE AND THEY COME RUSHING OUT FROM UNDER SOME BODIES; THEY RUN AT PAYAR, WHO EASILY KILLS THEM>

Payar: And what do you plan on doing with them? The fun’s running out… we need something new to do with them.

Guva: Long have I thought of this. What to do with the natives? But then, it came to me. I realized I alone have the fortitude, the unyielding will to bring our high culture to these worthless beings. To show them how to act, how not to rebel. And when they comprehend it, they will love me for it.

Payar: <GRINS> That won’t stop me.

Guva: I don’t plan on stopping you. Fear is a powerful motivator. It has, thus far, kept them in check. There has not been a single, major insurrection under my rule.

Payar: I’ll keep it that way, guv’nor.

Guva: Good. I think your captain could stand to use the same mindset, Payar.

<CUTS TO BANAS, WHO IS SITTING ON A ROCK; AS THE CAMERA PANS BACK, IT IS SHOWN TO BE NEAR THE NATIVES’ WORKING AREA, THE SUN IS SHINING BRIGHT, OFF HIS ARMOR>

<IN THE DISTANCE, A BIRD TAKES OFF, BANAS SHOOTS IT WITH A KI BLAST>

Ledas: <LEDAS IS WALKING UP TO APRIDO, WHO HAS RETREATED FARTHER INTO THE FOREST; AS HE’S WALKING, A SMOKING BIRD FALLS RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM; IT SPOOKS LEDAS> Whoa… what was that? <HE BEGINS TO INVESTIGATE IT, BUT THEN HEARS A SCREAM UP AHEAD> What’s wrong with him? <HE STARTS RUNNING THROUGH THE TREES TO APRIDO’S VOICE>

Aprido: <APRIDO IS STANDING, AGITATED; THE FEW NATIVES MILLING AROUND HAVE LOST INTEREST, ONLY ONE OR TWO OF THEM REMAIN IN TOWN> Help! Captain! The Saiyan’s trying to kill me! Help!

<LEDAS COMES SKIDDING INTO VIEW, RIGHT INTO THE LINE OF SIGHT OF APRIDO, THE TWO LOCK EYES>

Ledas: Stop running from me! What’s wrong with you?

Aprido: <TURNING BACK TO LEDAS, SATISFIED> You can’t tell me what to do! <HE SHOOTS THE REMAINING NATIVES>

Ledas: <ANGRY YELL> Idiot! <LEDAS SHOOTS A BLAST AT APRIDO, WHO SCREAMS AND IS THROWN; THE EXPLOSION CAUSES A HUGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE; BANAS SEES THIS AND GETS UP QUICK, THEN TAKES OFF TO THE SMOKE> You tried to kill me – just like you think you can kill all of the natives. You think you can get away with this?

Aprido: No, I’m going to blame all of this on you! You killed them! You attacked me!

Ledas: <STEPS FORWARD> That’s it. You’re dead.

Banas: <LANDS BEHIND LEDAS> Saiyan! Stop that, <WITH AUTHORITY> now!

Ledas: <EXTINGUISHES HIS BLAST, AND TURNS HIS HEAD TO FACE BANAS; DURING THIS, APRIDO, FEARFUL, SLIDES DOWN THE HILL HE IS STANDING ON AND RUNS OFF> Why?

Banas: That’s one of my soldiers you’re going to kill. You know I don’t take kindly to someone who kills my soldiers. Especially when they are one of my own elites. Guva may have brought you back here on a shining pedestal, but I’m still your captain. You owe me your loyalty. It seems you’ve forgotten to respect me!

Ledas: Maybe you forgot about lying to the council about me being a rebel!

Banas: <IGNORING LEDAS> Let’s go.

<LEDAS SHAKES HIS HEAD, THEN TAKES OFF TO PURSUE APRIDO>

Banas: <IN HYSTERIA, SPITTING> Fool! <HE TAKES OFF AFTER LEDAS>

<CUTS TO LIEME AND MELOON, WHO ARE TRAINING>

Lieme: <DODGING A PUNCH BY MELOON, EASILY> No, you must anticipate where I go. You won’t be able to see me, anyway.

Meloon: Well come at me again, eh? I’ll get ya this time!

Lieme: <CHARGES AT MELOON, THE TWO CONTINUE TO SPAR, LIEME IS SLIGHTLY BETTER, BUT HE IS NOT PUTTING FORTH AS MUCH EFFORT AS MELOON; THEY BOTH GET HIT A FEW TIMES, BUT THEN LIEME STOPS, CAUSING MELOON TO HIT HIM, ALMOST TO THE SURPRISE OF BOTH; GETTING UP> Did you feel that?

Meloon: Feel what? My fist on your face? Har har. O’ course I did!!

Lieme: No, you fool. But of course, you wouldn’t sense that. You can hardly keep track of me.

Meloon: Well, what was it?

Lieme: It’s the Captain. He’s raised his power level to battle ready. He must be fighting someone. <RAISES INTO THE AIR, AND SHOOTS OFF> Come on!

<CUTS TO BANAS, WHO IS PURSUING LEDAS IN MIDAIR>

Banas: Don’t you dare kill him, Saiyan!

Ledas: <REMAINS SILENT, THEN SHOOTS A BLAST AT APRIDO> Ahhhh!

Banas: Stop! <SHOOTS A CLUSTER OF RAZOR BLASTS AT LEDAS, SOME HIT HIM AND CUT HIM>

<LEDAS, IN PAIN AND ANGER, SHOOTS ANOTHER BLAST BEHIND HIM AT BANAS, BUT THE CAPTAIN DODGES IT>

<APRIDO COMES TO A CLEARING, LEDAS GETS A CLEAN SHOT ON HIM, CAUSING THE APPULE TO FALL TO THE GROUND; LEDAS ABRUPTLY STOPS TO STAY WITH APRIDO; BANAS, UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME, OVERSHOOTS THEM BOTH; LEDAS DESCENDS TO THE GROUND, AND APPROACHES APRIDO; APRIDO CRAWLS AWAY IN PANIC>

Ledas: Get back here, coward.

Aprido: Okay man!! Okay! Just don’t kill me! <RAISES HIS HANDS TO SHIELD HIS FACE; BUT LEDAS BATS THEM AWAY, HE GRABS APRIDO’S NECK, WITH HIS LEFT HAND, AND READIES AN ENERGY BLAST WITH HIS RIGHT; BEFORE HE CAN KILL APRIDO, BANAS LANDS>

Banas: Put him down!

Ledas: Hmph… this place is better off without any of you.

<LEDAS FIRES HIS ENERGY BLAST, COMPLETELY INCINERATING THE APPULE>

Banas: <QUIET RAGE> Oh, you little fucker.

<CUTS BACK TO GUVA AND PAYAR WALKING; THEY HAVE REACHED THE FOREST’S EDGE>

Guva: <WALKING WITH PAYAR, LOOKING UP AT THE SKY> My my, it’s such a lovely day. So calm, so… <OUT OF THE JUNGLE COMES BANAS, CHASING LEDAS; BOTH STOP IN SIGHT OF GUVA> peaceful… thank you, gentlemen.

Banas: <SHOOTS AN ENERGY BLAST AT LEDAS; IT CAUSES AN UPROAR OF SAND AND DIRT AT GUVA’S FEET> Get back here!

<LIEME AND MELOON ARRIVE>

Lieme: Governor, boss… <PAYAR NODS TO LIEME AND MELOON; WHO RETURN THE GESTURE>

Banas: <IGNORING ALL> Get back here, Saiyan! <SHOOTS ANOTHER BLAST>

Ledas: Shut up! <SHOOTS A BLAST BACK AT BANAS>

Guva: Both of you, calm down! Now, what happened?

Banas: <DRAWING HIMSELF UP> The kid disobeyed me.

Guva: <TO LEDAS> Is that true?

Ledas: <LOOKS UP TO GUVA; BREATHING HARD> I’m tired, sir. I need more time.

Banas: What was that, kid?

<LEDAS RUNS BACK INTO THE FOREST; BANAS GOES TO PURSUE, BUT GUVA STOPS HIM>

Guva: <UNDERSTANDING WHAT LEDAS MEANT; HE THROWS OUT HIS ARM> Wait.

Banas: He killed one of my men. One of my better soldiers.

Guva: And now what do you want, Captain?

Banas: I want to kill him. <MELOON’S EYES WIDEN IN EXCITEMENT; LIEME LOOKS CURIOUS>

Guva: <WIDE, ALMOST UNCHARACTERISTICALLY WIDE, SMILE> Oh? Well I see no problem in that, Banas. I’m sure Ledas will be an easy kill. He’s just a kid, after all.

Banas: <TAKEN ABACK> Really?

Guva: Lieme, wait a few hours, then go get the boy. I want the rest of you on standby. Meloon, prepare the coliseum for the captain’s fight.

<LIEME AND MELOON NOD AND WALK OFF; PAYAR AND BANAS REMAIN>

Banas: <A BIT OF IMPATIENT ANGER> Why are we waiting so long? I want to kill him now!

Guva: Captain, I’m giving you this opportunity. This singular opportunity. Take it or leave it. But do not whine to me about your impatience.

Banas: Yeah, whatever. I just don’t see why you’d give him a few hours.

Guva: It’s for your own benefit, Banas. You’re too angry. It’ll affect your ability to fight properly. <BANAS ROLLS HIS EYES> I’m watching out for you, Captain.

<THE TWO PREPARE TO RETURN TO CAMP; GUVA BOWS, SHOWING THAT HE IS BREAKING OFF; PAYAR REMAINS ON THE EDGE OF THE FOREST, WATCHING THEM>

Guva: Banas.

Banas: <NOT FRIENDLY> Guvvy.

Guva: <WALKS BY, CHUCKLES> Give us a good fight when he comes back. <PAUSES AND STOPS> Strength and honor, Captain. <WALKS OFF>

Banas: <ANGRY> Yeah… to hell with you too.

<PAYAR WATCHES BANAS LEAVE; HE IS MESSING WITH SOMETHING IN HIS HANDS THAT CANNOT BE SEEN; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, HE ENTERS THE FOREST>

Ascendancy (season finale part 1)
<LEDAS RUNS BACK TO WHERE HE FOUND APRIDO WITH THE NATIVES; HE REALLY HAS NOWHERE ELSE TO GO; THE PLACE IS MOSTLY DESTROYED; THERE ARE SMALL FIRES AROUND AND DEAD NATIVES EVERYWHERE; LEDAS LOOKS AT THE LARGE OCEAN AHEAD>

Ledas: <STOMACH RUMBLES> Dang, I’m hungry… <HE LOOKS AROUND AND SPOTS A NEARBY TREE COVERED IN FRUIT> I’ve got to eat something and rest a little. What does Guva expect… that I’m going to kill all four of them?! <HE REACHES THE TREE AND SHOOTS DOWN A FRUIT WITH A KI BLAST; THE FRUIT LOOKS LIKE A SPIKED BALL> I’ve seen the captain eat these before… hopefully it tastes all right.

<LEDAS LOOKS AT THE SPIKED BALL THEN RIPS IT OPEN AND EATS THE PINK FRUIT INSIDE THEN DRINKS THE JUICE FROM IT; AT THIS TIME, A FEW CAUTIOUS NATIVES PEER OUT AROUND BURNING HUTS AND TREES; THEY WATCH LEDAS INTENTLY, THOUGH HE DOES NOT NOTICE THEM>

Ledas: Whoa… <A GRIN COMES TO HIS FACE; HE LOSES HIS BALANCE, AND FALLS INTO SOME BUSHES; HE BURSTS OUT INTO LAUGHTER; A FEW OF THE NATIVES LAUGH, HESITANTLY; LEDAS REEMERGES QUICKLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY; HE LOOKS AT HIS FINGERTIPS AND TRIES HARD TO STAY STANDING> Issawl tingly!

<MORE NATIVES COME OUT AND WATCH HIM; THEY ARE NOT AS FRIGHTENED OF HIM AS THEY WERE OF APRIDO>

Ledas: <SLURRED SPEECH> Wwhhasss indis stuff nenywaaay… <WALKING FORWARD, NEARLY LOSING HIS BALANCE; THE NATIVES TAKE A COLLECTIVE STEP BACKWARD, BUT IT IS NOT AS BIG AS BEFORE, THEY SEEM TO HAVE LESSENED THEIR FEAR; LEDAS ENTERS INTO THE CAMP AND WALKS ALL THE WAY TO THE TOWN CENTER> Heeeey guys… y’know… youuuguysarr great… <SINCE HE’S GOTTEN SO CLOSE, MOST OF THEM REMAIN HIDING BEHIND TREES OR BUILDINGS> Issok… I’m good. <HE LAUGHS ONE MORE TIME, AND THEN FALLS, FACE FIRST ONTO THE GROUND, ASLEEP AS THE CAMERA FADES TO BLACK>

<THE SCREEN RE-FADES FROM BLACK; IT IS SEVERAL HOURS LATER; FROM A NEARBY TREE, LIEME CAN BE SEEN CROUCHING AND WATCHING>

Lieme: Boss… <LONG PAUSE, WHERE THE CAMERA MOVES AROUND HIM, SHOWING HIS LOCATION IN GREATER DETAIL> I’m in place.

Banas: <OVER THE SCOUTER> Bring him to me. I want to end this right now.

Lieme: I’ll be there soon, captain. Over and out.

<LIEME JUMPS OFF THE TREE AND FLIES OVER TO THE UNCONSCIOUS LEDAS>

<CUTS TO PAYAR; HE IS GATHERING UP NATIVES IN ANOTHER AREA; HE LINES THEM UP MUCH LIKE LEDAS HAD DONE WITH HIM SO LONG AGO (SANS THE ENERGY BINDING) AND MARCHES THEM AWAY>

<JUMP CUT TO LEDAS BEING HELD UPSIDE DOWN BY HIS TAIL; HE IS PUNCHED IN THE GUT BY LIEME; THIS WAKES THE BOY>

Ledas: Uaaaahhh…! <HE THRASHES ABOUT, CAUSING LIEME TO DROP HIM; HE YAWNS AND SITS UP; HE LAUGHS AGAIN> Whas inat stuff…? Issat sominkinpoisssin?! <HE PICKS UP THE MOSTLY EATEN FRUIT AND WAVES IT AROUND; WHILE DOING THIS, HE ACCIDENTALLY SENDS A HUGE KI BLAST TO THE SKY> Ha ha… oops! <LEDAS LOOKS UP INTO THE SKY, AND SEES LIEME > Oh… crap! <HIS EYES WIDEN IN HORROR>

<LIEME DESCENDS TO THE GROUND, A FEW DOZEN FEET AWAY; HIS ARMS ARE CROSSED AND HE IS LAUGHING; AT THE SIGHT OF LIEME, THE NATIVES THAT WERE CURIOUSLY PEERING OUT AT LEDAS RUN BACK INTO THEIR HOUSES; LEDAS GETS UP TO FACE THE ELITE>

Ledas: Whaddyou want?

Lieme: Before I take you to the captain, I would like you to answer me something I’ve been pondering: why haven’t you aged these past twenty-one years? It doesn’t make much sense to me.

Ledas: Twenty-one years? What are you talking about?

Lieme: You left with the captain twenty-one years ago. And now Guva’s brought you back – and you’re exactly the same.

Ledas: What?! What are you talking about? <HE LOOKS AROUND IN DISBELIEF> No, you’re lying!

Lieme: Whatever. Then I’m taking you to the captain now. He’s going to kill you, I think.

Ledas: <SAID CLEARLY AND WITH PURPOSE> I’ll kill you first.

Lieme: Do you know who I am, kid? Do you know what I can do?

Ledas: <WOBBLES> I-I-I-I’ve surpasssssed you-ou-ou…

Lieme: You’re tired, drunk off your ass, and extremely cocky. I say I like my chances…

<LIEME MOVES FORWARD, GIVING OFF A DIZZYING DISPLAY OF AFTERIMAGES; LEDAS, WHO IS STILL INTOXICATED, CANNOT COMPREHEND LIEME’S ATTACK; HE IS HIT STRAIGHT INTO THE GROUND>

<LIEME HITS LEDAS THROUGH SEVERAL TREES, AND GOES FOR ANOTHER PUNCH, BUT ONLY HITS AN AFTERIMAGE; SEEING HIS OPPORTUNITY, LEDAS KICKS LIEME AWAY AND QUICKLY POWERS UP; THEY BOTH KNOW WHO IS STRONGER NOW>

<LIEME, IN VAIN, SHOOTS OFF A VOLLEY OF ENERGY, LEDAS SHOOTS A VOLLEY BACK; IN THE EXPLOSION AND SMOKE, LIEME IS BRIEFLY CONFUSED; LEDAS COMES OUT OF NOWHERE AND HITS HIM TO THE GROUND>

Lieme: <GETTING UP, IN PAIN> W-what are you doing? Why can’t I sense you?!

Ledas: <COMES DOWN ON LIEME AND KNEES HIM IN THE GUT; HE IS STILL HAVING A HARD TIME WITH HIS BALANCE> I have better control over my power than you do! <HE HICCUPS>

Lieme: <COUGHING AND BLOCKING, HE STUMBLES BACK A FEW STEPS> You can lower your power level to nothing? <SUDDENLY LAUGHS> Don’t fool yourself, kid, I can do that.

Ledas: <LAUGHING AS WELL> I can do it so fast you can’t sense me.

Lieme: <EYES WIDEN> No… <LEDAS RUNS FORWARD AND HITS HIM; LIEME, SEEING HE HAS LOST, RETREATS; LEDAS, TOO INCAPACITATED HIMSELF, DOES NOT PURSUE; HE COLLAPSES AND QUICKLY FALLS ASLEEP>

<SCREEN RE-FADES INTO GUVA’S OFFICE; HE AND BANAS ARE TALKING; BANAS LOOKS LIKE HE IS FORCED TO BE THERE AND THAT HE DOES NOT WANT TO BE THERE>

Guva: Why yes, I did. Four times, actually. Try to beat that. <HE TAKES ANOTHER DRINK FROM THE SAME SPIKED FRUIT THAT LEDAS TRIED EARLIER; HE IS DRINKING FROM ITS CONTENTS WITH A STRAW>

Banas: <GETS A CALL ON HIS SCOUTER, PUTS ONE FINGER TO HIS OTHER EAR> This is Banas… Oh… Oh really? Yeah. Yeah, I’ll do that. Hold on, I’ll be there in a few. <CUTS OFF THE CONVERSATION> Sorry I can’t stay, governor. I’ve got business to attend to. <HE GETS UP AND WALKS ALL THE WAY TO THE DOOR, HE OPENS THE DOOR>

Guva: It didn’t work, did it?

Banas: You say something, governor?

Guva: Lieme didn’t get the boy.

Banas: <STOPS, OPENS HIS MOUTH TO SAY SOMETHING, BUT NO WORDS COME OUT> Well…

Guva: That’s okay, Banas. You’ll get him next time.

Banas: <SIGHS AND LOOKS AT HIS CLOTHES; HE IS NOT IN ARMOR> I’ll go get him myself… after I armor up. Sometimes you just gotta do things yourself. You know?

<GUVA NODS AND BANAS EXITS>

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS>

<IN THE DISTANCE, A LONG, HIGH PITCHED SCREAM IS HEARD; CHILLINGLY, IT GOES UNINTERRUPTED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, AND THEN IT CUTS OFF, SHARPLY>

<LEDAS WAKES UP; HE LOOKS AROUND; THE NATIVES ARE RUNNING ABOUT IN A PANIC; THERE IS PANDEMONIUM EVERYWHERE; IN THE DISTANCE, SOME SMOKE RISES; IT IS SURELY AN ATTACK>

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF> They’re being attacked again… <TO THE NATIVES, THOUGH THEY COMPREHEND HIM NOT> I’ve had it! I’m no different from the natives. Guva and Payar and the others just use and hurt us and do terrible things… Well, not any more! I’m not putting up with this again!

<LEDAS RISES INTO THE AIR, ENVELOPING HIS KI AROUND HIM, AND FLIES TO THE SMOKE; IT DOESN’T TAKE LONG FOR LEDAS TO FIND IT; BODIES STREWN EVERYWHERE, BLOOD EVERYWHERE; AND UP AHEAD, PAYAR, WITH THE FEW REMAINING NATIVES LINED IN A ROW; PAYAR HAS A FEW REGULAR SOLDIERS WITH HIM>

Payar: <TURNS, WITH A NATIVE IN HIS HAND; WHEN HE SEES LEDAS, HE GRINS AND SNAPS ITS NECK; LEDAS’ ANGER IS NOTICEABLE> So kid… what took ya so long?

Ledas: Don’t you touch another one! <HE READIES AN ENERGY BLAST AT PAYAR>

Payar: Go ahead, do it. But you’ll be killing them too. <SMILES AGAIN, AND TAKES ANOTHER NATIVE; HE SNAPS ITS NECK, BRUTALLY> Oh? Did I do that?

Ledas: I told you! Stop it!

<PAYAR KILLS ANOTHER ONE>

Ledas: Enough! <WITH BLINDING RAGE, HE CHARGES PAYAR; PAYAR EASILY KICKS HIM OUT OF THE WAY WITHOUT EVEN MOVING; HE KILLS ANOTHER NATIVE, AS IF PUSHING LEDAS’ ANGER>

Payar: Doesn’t matter how strong you are kid. If you act stupid, I’ll still kick ya.

Ledas: <ROLLS OVER IN ANGER> I’ll kill you!

<PAYAR TAKES SOMETHING OUT OF HIS CARRY POUCH, IT IS A FLARE; HE SHOOTS IT UP, INTO THE SKY>

Payar: Maybe. How’d you like to take us all on?

Ledas: No!

<PAYAR LAUGHS AND KICKS LEDAS IN THE FACE>

<CUTS TO GUVA’S OFFICE; HE SEES THE FLARE>

Guva: Captain, it’s begun.

Banas: <CRACKLING OVER THE SPEAKERS> I’m not blind Guva. I saw the flare. I’m about to–

Guva: No, stay put. Gather the Plantains, but do nothing else. Wait until I call you again.

Banas: Yeah, yeah. I know. <CHANGE IN TONE TO THAT OF NOSTALGIA> Say, governor… when was the last time you and I fought together? Side by side?

Guva: I’m sure you remember it as well as I do, Captain. It was the day I became governor.

Banas: I try not to remember stuff like that…

Guva: That’s a good choice. We wouldn’t want you so upset on the eve of your glory.

Banas: Ha ha. Of course not. I’m ready to get this kid out of our lives once and for all.

Guva: Then stay put. With my next signal to you, it will be time.

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS AND PAYAR>

Payar: Oh, bummer. Only one left. Too bad, I hate it when a good thing is over.

Ledas: <STILL ON THE GROUND> No… don’t.

Payar: What are you gonna do about it? <SNAPS THE NATIVE’S NECK> Huh?

<LEDAS DROPS HIS HEAD TO THE GROUND, EXTREMELY UPSET>

Payar: What are you so sad about? Huh?! Where did this love of the natives come from?

Ledas: <LOOKS UP> Please… stop. They’re alive. They aren’t something for you to play with!

Payar: And how many billions of people have you killed? I bet it’s a lot. Why don’t you give a fuck about what you have done? I’m not the one you should be angry at.

Ledas: I was forced to do it… but look at them, Payar. What if you were one of them?

Payar: Oh, I get it. You think you’re just like them. <HE LAUGHS> That’s great. But this is survival of the fittest. We’ll always be a slave to Planet Trade; it’s just how it works. There’s always someone stronger out there and if you want to stay alive, you better stop caring about others.

Ledas: <GETTING EMOTIONAL> I just want to be free. We all do. <HE POINTS TO THE DEAD NATIVES> None of us wanted this! Especially not them!

Payar: I don’t want to be free. I want to be entertained. <HE LOOKS AT HIS OTHER SOLDIERS AND NODS FOR THEM TO LEAVE; HE STARTS TO LEAVE AS WELL> And I know what you’re going to do. Guva brought you back to kill Banas. I don’t want any part of that. Just go do your thing, and I’ll do mine.

<PAYAR IS MESSING AROUND WITH SOMETHING IN HIS HANDS AGAIN AS HE LEAVES>

<LEDAS LOOKS UP, RIGHT INTO THE LIFELESS EYES OF THE NATIVE IN FRONT OF HIM>

<A FLURRY OF MEMORIES ARE BROUGHT BACK TO LEDAS; SCENES OF HIM AND VEGETA, HIM AND HIS DAD; TEARS COME TO HIS EYES, AND HE POUNDS THE GROUND WITH HIS FISTS>

Ledas: <STANDS UP, QUIVERING WITH FEAR> None… none of you deserved this! I’ll make him pay.

The Benefactor: <VISION, WALKS UP TO LEDAS> There are… so many who deserve to die.

Ledas: <IN TEARFUL ANGER> How come I keep seeing you? I don’t want to! Just leave me alone!

The Benefactor: How can you sit idly and let them continue their path? It’s easy to pretend nothing is happening. But you are only fooling yourself.

Ledas: They didn’t deserve this! I didn’t deserve this! <SCREAMING, CRYING> Everyone I know is dead because of Frieza. And everyone here has wanted to kill me since the beginning! I’ve just been their slave the whole time! I’m sick of it! My life isn’t something for them to mess around with! I need to get out of here!

The Benefactor: Were it so easy.

Ledas: NNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

<THE VISION OF THE BENEFACTOR SHATTERS IN A BRILLIANT FLASH OF LIGHT; LEDAS IS ENGULFED; HE LETS OUT ANOTHER SCREAM, SENDING BIRDS FLYING OUT OF THE TREES; THE CAMERA FOLLOWS THE BIRDS TO THE SKY, AND THEN DROPS BACK DOWN, THROUGH THE TREES INTO THE CLEARING, LEDAS’ HAIR IS NOW GOLDEN; HIS ENTIRE AURA IS BLINDING; HE STEPS FORWARD WITH A SCOWL ON HIS FACE>

<CUTS BACK TO REAL TIME; GUVA IS STANDING WITH TWO HELPERS; THE ROOM IS ALL MARBLE, BUT OPEN; THERE IS NO FURNITURE; THERE IS SLIGHT DUST IN THE AIR; THE TONE IS VERY GRAVE; THIS ENTIRE SEGMENT IS DONE IN PARTIAL SLOW MOTION>

Guva: <SLOWLY> Banas, his entire team? Is there word yet?

Soldier 1: Uhh… no sir. <SWIFTLY CLAMPS ON GUVA’S LEFT WRIST GUARD>

Guva: <TO HIMSELF, DISTANT> No word… <THE SOLDIER PUTS ON GUVA’S OTHER WRIST GUARD>

Guva: I will go. I must see it… Banas and the child. <HE EXTENDS HIS ARMS, TO MAKE A “T” POSITION OF HIS BODY, HE PUTS HIS HEAD BACK; THE TWO SOLDIERS SLIP HIS CHEST ARMOR OVER HIS HEAD, FITTING AND ADJUSTING IT ONTO HIS BODY>

<THE SOLDIERS MOVE AROUND AND CLAMP KNEE ARMOR TO GUVA’S BOOTS>

<THEY GET UP, AND BRING OUT GUVA’S CAPE, IT IS A DEEP RED; THEY UNFOLD IT AND PLACE IT ONTO HIS CEREMONIAL ARMOR, PATTING IT INTO PLACE; ONE SOLDIER COMES AROUND FRONT TO FACE GUVA, STILL PATTING DOWN THE ARMOR; HE NODS TO GUVA, AND THE DOOR IN FRONT OPENS; LIGHT EXPLODES ONTO GUVA’S FACE, COMING FROM THE DOORS AHEAD; GUVA’S HEAD RECOILS SLIGHTLY, AND HE SQUINTS, UNTIL HIS EYES ADJUST; HE WALKS OUTSIDE, AND LOOKS TO THE SKY>

Guva: It will happen today. I’ll be set free.

<END SLOW MOTION>

<GUVA MAKES HIS WAY TO THE EDGE OF THE OUTPOST; HE IS WALKING TO THE COLISEUM; PAYAR WALKS OUT OF THE FOREST, ARMS EXTENDED IN RELAXED CONFIDENCE; HIS THREE SOLDIERS ARE RIGHT BEHIND HIM>

Payar: Hey, guv’nor… How’s it going–

<OUT OF NOWHERE, LEDAS COMES FLYING OUT OF FOREST IN A HIGH JUMP; PAYAR DOESN’T EVEN SEE HIM, BUT GUVA DOES; GUVA, IN SHOCK, EYES WIDE AND MOUTH OPEN, TAKES A STEP BACK; LEDAS, AS HE COMES DOWN TO THE GROUND, HITS PAYAR IN THE HEAD, SENDING THE ELITE FLYING SEVERAL FEET AHEAD, INTO THE MUD; LEDAS LANDS ON ONE KNEE; BLOOD IS POOLING AROUND PAYAR’S HEAD, BY THE TIME LEDAS GETS UP TO FACE GUVA; THE SAIYAN BOY QUICKLY INCINERATES THE THREE SOLDIERS WITH QUICK KI BLASTS>

Ledas: <SUPER SAIYAN> Where is he? Where’s Banas?

<GUVA FALTERS, UNABLE TO SPEAK; HIS MOUTH IS AGAPE>

To Each, According To His Sins (season finale part 2)
<THE CAMERA MOVES AROUND THE OUTPOST; IT IS EMPTY, BARREN; A SLIGHT WIND BLOWS THROUGH; RATTLING THE SILENCE, GUVA SPEAKS; THE CAMERA TAKES ITS TIME TO COME AROUND AND FOCUS ONTO HIM>

Guva: <TO LEDAS> Follow me.

<THEY LEAVE PAYAR AND WALK TO THE COLISEUM; ONCE INSIDE, GUVA PRESSES A BUTTON ON HIS WRIST TO CALL BANAS; QUICKLY BANAS AND HIS TEAM ARRIVE>

Guva: <TO LEDAS> I’ve already called Banas here.

<LEDAS LOOKS AROUND, HIS AURA OVERFLOWING IN ITS BRIGHTNESS; IT TAKES NO MORE THAN A MOMENT FOR THE THREE PLANTAINS TO REACH GUVA AND THE BOY>

Banas: Ah, look who it is. <CONFIDENTLY WALKS UP TO GUVA> Can’t deal with him yourself?

Guva: Captain, I think you misunderstand. This is your fight. I’m just here to watch.

Banas: Oh, of course. <HE PATS GUVA ON THE SHOULDER AND WALKS FORWARD>

Guva: The kid wants to kill you. A most ridiculous request, yes. But, nevertheless, I think you should give him a fair fight. No help from your lackeys.

Banas: Where’s Payar?

Guva: <WITHOUT HESITATION> Incapacitated. I can give you more details once you’ve killed the boy.

Banas: <TO GUVA> So, you really don’t want to fight him? What happened, did you read his power? <LAUGHS>

Guva: Not at all. I’m fine watching.

Banas: Well, unlike you, I plan on fighting today. And I will.

Ledas: Enough talking!

Banas: <TO LEDAS> Nice hair, kid. You look better in yellow. <TO HIS TEAM> Now let’s go!

<LEDAS JUMPS AT BANAS BUT THE THREE PLANTAINS GET IN HIS WAY; THEY PREVENT HIM FROM GETTING AT BANAS>

Meloon: You’re not beatin’ us.

Ledas: Guva! You didn’t say I had to kill them too!

Guva: Meloon, Lieme, stand down!

Lieme: Not a chance, governor.

<LEDAS RUNS AT ALL THREE OF THEM; HE EASILY TAKES THEM ALL ON; GUVA WATCHES>

<ALL THREE PLANTAINS ARE ABOUT EVEN WITH LEDAS; BUT LEDAS ISN’T TRYING; HE IS WEARING THEM DOWN, FROM LANDING CRITICAL HITS, TIME AND TIME AGAIN, NONE OF THEM CAN DAMAGE HIM; HE ISN’T ABLE TO ATTACK BANAS MUCH, HOWEVER, AS THE CAPTAIN IS STAYING BACK>

Ledas: I’m going to have to kill them, Guva! They won’t get out of my way!

Banas: <STOPS FIGHTING> What?! <HE LOOKS AT GUVA WITH WIDE EYES> You and the boy are working together? That must be why you’ve kept him alive! Why you went out to go rescue him… you wanted him to kill me!

Guva: <PUNCHES BANAS IN THE FACE, SENDS HIM FLYING, GUVA CASUALLY WALKS UP TO BANAS, WHERE HE LIES> I’ve grown bored of it all. The planet, the outpost, the constant, insanity inducing monotony. But, most of all Captain, <GUVA CREATES AN ENERGY BALL, PALM UP; QUIETS TO A WHISPER> I’ve grown bored of you. There’s no point in hiding from that any longer.

<AT THIS TIME, PAYAR STAGGERS INTO THE COLISEUM>

Payar: Uuuhhh… cap’n. I’m here. <HE GETS UP, ONTO HIS OWN FEET, PANTING, BUT STILL A THREAT>

<HIS FACE IS COVERED IN BLOOD FROM LEDAS’ EARLIER ATTACK; STILL, HE RUSHES AT THE BOY AND STARTS FIGHTING HIM>

<GUVA THROWS HIS BLAST; IN THE LIGHT OF THE EXPLOSION, LEDAS CONTINUES FIGHTING ALL THREE PLANTAINS BEHIND>

Banas: <RISES; SARCASTICALLY> My dear governor, I didn’t think you still had it in you. You almost chipped my armor.

Guva: Imagine that.

<BOTH GUVA AND BANAS POWER UP; THEY ARE THE SAME STRENGTH>

Guva: <SMILING> You see, captain, I’ve indeed still got it.

Banas: <ENRAGED; TO HIS TEAM> Kill that monkey, then help me with Guva.

Guva: I am just here to hold you off. The kid’s going to kill you. <SLOWLY WALKS TOWARDS BANAS, THEN DISAPPEARS, AND REAPPEARS BEHIND BANAS AND KICKS HIM> Surely you can do better? <BANAS JUMPS UP AND PUNCHES GUVA IN THE GUT, THEN SHOOTS AN ENERGY BLAST INTO HIS FACE>

Banas: You maggot!

<GUVA PUNCHES BANAS IN THE FACE; BOTH ARE AT FULL POWER, AND THE ENTIRE OUTPOST IS SHAKING FROM THEIR BATTLE>

<GUVA’S STYLE OF REFINED AND DETERMINED PUNCHES VERSUS BANAS’ STYLE OF RANDOM, UNDETERMINED ATTACKS ARE IN SHARP CONTRAST HERE; NEITHER CAN GAIN AN EDGE>

<GUVA AND BANAS’ FIGHT IS HEATING UP, GETTING INCREDIBLY FAST, BEYOND WHAT ANYONE, EVEN LIEME CAN SEE; REGULAR SOLDIERS COME OUT OF THE BARRACKS TO WATCH; BUT THEY DARE NOT GET INVOLVED>

<BANAS HITS GUVA THROUGH A TREE; THEN THE GOVERNOR SWIFTLY ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY OF A SHATTERING KICK; HE GETS UP AND THROWS A BLAST AT BANAS’ FACE TO STALL HIM; IT WORKS, AND GUVA RISES INTO THE AIR AGAIN, WITH THE HIGH GROUND; HE SPREADS HIS ARMS IN VICTORY>

<LEDAS HITS LIEME OUT OF THE WAY, AND RIGHT WHEN THE ELITE IS ABOUT TO GET UP, PAYAR IS SENT FLYING RIGHT INTO HIM; THAT LEAVES LEDAS AND MELOON ALONE; IT IS NO CONTEST, MELOON IS BEATEN THE GROUND, CRITICALLY WOUNDED, QUICKLY>

Ledas: <DESCENDS TO THE GROUND, OVER MELOON’S BODY> I never got to finish what I started when we first met. This time I won’t let anyone save you.

Meloon: Oh yeah? I’ll kill you first!

<LEDAS PUNCHES HIM SQUARE IN THE FACE, WITHOUT TRYING OR MOVING>

Meloon: <GRABS HIS FACE, TAKES A FEW STEPS BACK> Ow!

Ledas: That’s for my father.

Meloon: So, <WITH MUCH RAGE> you wanna play?! <MELOON PUNCHES AT LEDAS, BUT HE MISSES>

Ledas: <PUNCHES MELOON IN THE GUT, VOICE RISING TO A SCREAM> That’s for my planet!

<MELOON DOUBLES OVER AND SPITS OUT SOME BLOOD; HE LOOKS UP AND RUSHES AT LEDAS, WHO SIDESTEPS AND GRABS HIS ARM, HE PULLS IT AROUND, BEHIND THE FAT SOLDIER, AND BREAKS IT; LEDAS READIES A GREAT ENERGY BEAM>

Ledas: And this… this is for Vegeta! <HE SHOOTS THE GALICK BEAM AT MELOON, KILLING THE ELITE>

Lieme: You’ll pay for that!

<LIEME GETS UP AND RUSHES, SENDING OUT ALL HIS TRICKS, OF AFTERIMAGES AND WHATNOT; LEDAS CAN SENSE THROUGH, THOUGH AND FIND THE REAL LIEME; HE, IN A BRIEF, BUT VICIOUS FIGHT, DISARMS LIEME, AND SENDS HIM FLYING AGAIN; JUST AS LIEME IS GETTING UP, WITH BLOOD DRIPPING FROM HIS FOREHEAD AND ON HIS KNEES, LEDAS SENDS OUT A QUICK FINGER BEAM, HITTING LIEME IN THE JUGULAR; LIEME FALLS, GASPING AND BLEEDING OUT – A SLOW AND IRONIC DEATH FOR SOMEONE WHO FOCUSED ON THE QUICK KILL FOR SO MUCH IN HIS LIFE>

<PAYAR, GROGGILY, GETS UP AND STUMBLES OVER TO LEDAS>

Payar: So kid… <PANTING, BECOMING DELIRIOUS> ya beat us. Bravo…

<LIEME IS STILL FLOPPING AROUND IN THE CORNER OF THE SCREEN; HE GOES LIMP AS PAYAR CONTINUES TO TALK>

Payar: But the guv’nor… the cap’n… <STILL PANTING> they’ll get you. And it’ll probably be in a way you never thought… <PAYAR COLLAPSES IN AGONY; LEDAS APPROACHES HIM, HITTING THE ALIEN WITH SEVERAL CRITICAL PUNCHES; PAYAR IS NOW CRITICALLY WOUNDED, AND HE KNOWS IT> H-h-hey… kid… <COUGHS UP BLOOD> just give me a good death… a warrior’s death.

Ledas: <NOT SMILING> Goodbye, Payar.

Payar: <NOT UNDERSTANDING, HE HAS ONE EYE CLOSED IN PAIN> Wai… wha…?

<LEDAS PICKS UP PAYAR, WITH ONE HAND, AND THROWS HIM PRECISELY INTO THE FOREST; PAYAR FLIES AND LANDS IN THE CENTER OF A NATIVE TOWN>

Payar: <IN SLOW PAIN> Aaaauuuhhhh… whadda hell? Where the hell am I?

<SEVERAL NATIVES CROWD AROUND HIM, BUT HE TRIES TO PUSH THEM AWAY>

Payar: <IN PAIN, SAID SLOWLY> Go on. Get away! <HE COUGHS UP BLOOD>

<PAYAR LOOKS UP, OVER HIM ARE STANDING SEVERAL MORE NATIVES, NOW SOME ARE ARMED WITH BLUNT KNIVES AND ROCKS>

Payar: <PAYAR TAKES WHAT HE HAD FIDDLING AROUND WITH HIS HANDS FOR THE PAST TWO SAGAS AND SHOWS IT TO THE NATIVES; IT IS A SMALL NECKLACE OF SORTS, WITH A LONG LINE OF TEETH ON IT> Ya see that? <COUGHS> Ah… I’ll add all your… all of you to my trophy–

<A NATIVE STEPS ON PAYAR’S ARM, SHATTERING IT, BUT ALSO DESTROYING THE GRIZZLY NECKLACE; PAYAR TRIES TO RAISE HIS HAND, BUT CAN’T; HE SEES WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN>

Payar: <THE NATIVES RAISE THEIR WEAPONS; PAYAR LETS HIS HEAD FALL BACK AGAINST THE EARTH; HE SIGHS> Aw, fuck.

<THE CAMERA PANS BACKWARD, BACK THROUGH THE TREES AS PAYAR’S SCREAMS FADE INTO BANAS AND GUVA’S FIGHT>

<THEY CONTINUE THEIR FIGHT FOR A SHORT WHILE; THEN BANAS AND GUVA STOP, BOTH JUST FEET AWAY FROM EACH OTHER>

Banas: Give it up, Guva! You can’t beat me!

Guva: Just like old times, huh?

<HE WALKS RIGHT UP TO BANAS, AND WITHOUT BEING CHALLENGED, RAISES HIS HAND TO RIGHT IN FRONT OF BANAS’ FACE; HE PREPARES ENERGY; BANAS, QUICKLY REACTING TO THIS, PUTS HIS OWN HAND UP, MERE INCHES FROM GUVA’S; WHAT BEGINS IS PERHAPS THE SMALLEST BEAM STRUGGLE EVER, WITH THE TWO STANDING, LOOKING IN EACH OTHER’S EYES; BUT AS THE POWER PUT INTO THE STRUGGLE GETS LARGER, SO DO THEIR BEAMS, AND THE MOVE APART; BY THE TIME LEDAS HAS KILLED THE PLANTAINS, THEY ARE WORKING UP A STORM BEHIND HIM>

<LEDAS IS SIMPLY SITTING ON HIS KNEES LOOKING ABOUT>

Ledas: They died so easily… I-I can’t believe it… <HE LOOKS AT HIS HAND AND NOTICES THE AURA> This is unreal. I must be a Super Saiyan…! <HE LOOKS UP WITH A GLINT IN HIS EYES> I’m invincible! <HE STANDS UP AND HOWLS WITH DELIGHT>

<LEDAS MOVES TOWARD THE TWO; HE WALKS SLOWLY, ALL THE WAY UP TO THE MIDDLE OF THE STRUGGLE>

Guva: Kill him, Ledas! Kill him now!

Banas: <SHOUTING BACK> Governor, you shouldn’t have. I’m blushing now.

<GUVA PUTS ALL HIS ENERGY INTO THE STRUGGLE; BANAS DOES THE SAME; UNDERSTANDABLY, NEITHER OF THEM CAN WIN LIKE THIS>

Ledas: <CALMLY, WITH CONFIDENCE HE HAS NEVER HAD BEFORE> Neither of you will win.

Guva: What?! Ledas?!

Ledas: Heh…

<HE CREATES A SMALL BALL OF ENERGY, VERY SMALL; AND AFTER A FEW LOOKS TO EACH OF HIS VICTIMS, HE THROWS IT INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE BEAM STRUGGLE, CAUSING THE WHOLE THING TO DETONATE>

<BOTH BANAS AND GUVA ARE THROWN FAR AWAY FROM EACH OTHER; BOTH ARE SEVERELY WOUNDED, BUT BOTH ARE STILL ALIVE>

<LEDAS WALKS OVER TO BANAS, IN ORDER TO DISPOSE OF HIM>

Guva: <IN PAIN> Now! Do it!

<LEDAS CONTINUES WALKING, IGNORING HIM>

Banas: Go ahead, do it. But you will have a hard time explaining this to Cooler.

Ledas: I don’t care about Cooler. He means nothing to me.

Banas: <LETS HIS HEAD FALL ONTO THE GROUND; LAUGHS> Foolish words from someone who has no idea what he’s talking about. <IN PAIN, BUT STILL TALKATIVE, HIS PAIN IS NOT EFFECTING HIS SPEECH> You may be strong, kid, but you’re nothing to him.

<LEDAS DOES NOT RESPOND>

Banas: <TURNS TO GUVA, WHO HAS REACHED THEM BY MEANS OF CRAWLING> Kind of you to join us, governor. As for you, you better hope you die tonight. Facing Cooler will be much worse than this. He’ll find out what happened here, and know that you can’t govern for shit. You’ll be gone before they can get a me a body bag. <LAUGHS, COUGHING UP BLOOD>

<LEDAS STANDS BANAS UP; BANAS IS HOLDING ONTO HIS SHOULDERS AND IS SITTING ON ONE KNEE; LEDAS PUTS OUT HIS HAND, THEN CREATES A KYORRA FLASH; BANAS DOES NOT DEFEND; LEDAS SHOOTS THE BLAST>

<WHEN THE BLAST CLEARS, BANAS IS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN; GUVA LOOKS SATISFIED; HE FALLS TO THE GROUND, SIGHING HEAVILY>

Guva: Finally…

<LEDAS JUMPS ON TOP OF GUVA>

Ledas: Now tell me.

Guva: <BREATHING HARD; EYES CLOSED> As you wish.

<VOICEOVER>

Guva: It surprised me later just how lucky the kid was. <THE SCENE HAS NOT CHANGED, IT IS STILL WITH GUVA AND LEDAS; SHOWS LEDAS CONTINUING TO PUSH GUVA FOR INFORMATION>

Guva: Especially when he heard where his one friend in the universe was. Of course, I didn’t tell the kid that Vegeta was living on the same planet Cooler was headed to at this very moment. <GUVA, A BLOODY MESS, CRACKS A SMILE AS HE TELLS LEDAS OF VEGETA’S LOCATION>

<GUVA STANDS UP WITH LEDAS, HE HANDS LEDAS HIS LEFT WRIST GUARD AS SOMETHING TO REMEMBER HIM BY, AND THEN WALKS OFF; LEDAS IS SHOWN PUTTING HIS THINGS INTO HIS POD; HE PACKS UP MUCH OF HIS OLD ARMOR; STANDING OVER THE POD FOR A SECOND, HE TAKES OUT A SMALL BROWN POUCH; HE LOOKS IT OVER BEFORE JUMPING IN HIS POD AND LEAVING PLANET COOLER 92 FOR THE FIRST TIME AS A FREE SAIYAN; THOUGH HE HAS NOTICEABLY LEFT THE NATIVES IN GUVA’S HANDS AS SLAVES>

Guva: <CUTS BACK TO GUVA’S ROOM, HE IS STARING OUT THE WINDOW; THE SKY IS A LIGHT YELLOW> It’s amazing how certain events change a person. How someone else’s death can make you whole… and at the same time empty.

Guva: <TAKES OUT A DRINK, AND POURS IT> It’s the 766 age. Frieza died not too long ago and the entire galaxy is spinning out control. Cooler will naturally try some damage control… but even if he kills the person – that other Saiyan who bested Frieza – I fear the damage is already done. Just as here, on 92, it’s hard to hide a successful revolt. The soldiers know their captain is gone. They know three of their betters are killed. Will these revelations bring about a greater boldness in them? Will it amplify their fears? And what of my pet project? The natives of 92.

<SCREEN CUTS TO THE NATIVES, WHO ARE STILL WORKING FOR GUVA BUT ARE MUCH HAPPIER>

Guva: The murder of Payar will give them confidence. It will also give them rebellious thoughts, the likes of which I fear we have not yet witnessed. And without my captain, without my team… who will stop them? And should I kill them, who will I have left to rule over?

Guva: <STANDS, DRINKING FROM A SPIKED FRUIT IN FRONT OF A WINDOW THAT COVERS AN ENTIRE WALL; IT IS EVENING> And the kid. He’s gone. Chasing ghosts, just like Cooler. Both off to that pathetic planet, Earth. Why it’s so special, I’ll never know. And who knows, maybe they’ll meet up and kill each other. Wishful thinking… but at least I don’t have to deal with either of them right now.

Guva:<SCREEN SHOWS THE NATIVES AGAIN> But as for me, I’m happy enough. Banas is gone and I can live comfortably. By my firm hand will this planet’s natives remain loyal. I will make them civilized; I will make them respectable. And they will thank me for it. After all <CAMERA PANS AROUND, TO FACE GUVA> a true leader, a successful leader will keep the order. He will be the one truly in charge. And I am the true leader here. The storms, they will all pass in time. They will become but a distant memory for those who remain. But <CUTS TO SPACE, IT IS LEDAS’ SPACE POD; INSIDE HE IS SLEEPING, DREAMING HAPPILY, HEADED OFF TO EARTH> it is foolish to let any one of your enemies live… because, who knows? Maybe I’ll just decide to dro–

<GUVA’S GLASS SHATTERS AND HE FALLS BACK, SPILLING HIS DRINK; AS HE SITS UP AND LOOKS AROUND, A FIGURE, SILHOUETTED BY THE SETTING SUN BEHIND, IS STANDING OVER HIM>

Banas: <PUTS OUT HIS HAND, FOR GUVA TO GRASP> Governor, <NODS> how’ve you been?


 * <END STOMPING GROUNDS SAGA>

Cue Great Spirits. Credits roll during this time.

Planet Earth Saga
<p style="text-align:center">I promise the events

<p style="text-align:center">that take place

<p style="text-align:center">in the Hazing chapter

<p style="text-align:center">are not based off

<p style="text-align:center">personal experience.

<p style="text-align:center">Promise. <p style="text-align:center">-KidVegeta

A Chemical Reaction
<UNKNOWN PLANET>

<LATE 772 AGE>

<CLIFF-FACE>

<IT IS DARK AND WINDY; THE LANDSCAPE IS NOTHING BUT ROCKS; UP AHEAD IS A SMALL SPHERICAL ODDITY, STRANGELY OUT OF PLACE>

<THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN CLOSER; THE ROUND OBJECT IS MAGNIFIED TO ITS REGULAR SIZE; IT IS A SPACE POD>

<THE FRONT LATCH IS OPEN, AND THERE IS NO SIGN OF A SENTIENT OCCUPANT>

<SUDDENLY, FROM UP AHEAD, AN EXPLOSION GOES OFF, SMOKE BILLOWS; THE CAMERA TURNS TO FACE THIS; THERE ARE SIX SAIBAMEN FIGHTING ONE ANOTHER; MOST OF THEM ARE RED; THE CAMERA STAYS ON THEM FOR A FEW MOMENTS AS THEY CONTINUE TO SPAR; THEN, THE CAMERA TURNS AROUND TO REVEAL, SITTING ALONE IN A VALLEY OF JAGGED ROCKS, A SMALL CHILD>

<THE CHILD IS SITTING ON A LARGE ROCK, HANDS ON KNEES; HIS HEAD IS BOWED; HE IS NOT WEARING HIS CHEST ARMOR, THOUGH HE IS WEARING HIS BOOTS, FINGERLESS GLOVES, AND GUVA’S LEFT WRIST GUARD>

<ALMOST CASUALLY, THE CHILD PICKS UP A PEBBLE NEXT TO HIM, AND FLINGS IT AS IF TO SKIP A STONE ON WATER; THE ROCK ACCELERATES AND SMASHES INTO A CLIFF WALL; THE FORCE OF IMPACT CAUSES A SERIES OF CRACKS TO SUDDENLY JUMP OUT; BUT THE WALL REMAINS STANDING>

<ANGRY, THE CHILD STANDS UP, HIS TAIL HANGING FREE IN IRRITATION>

<HE OUTSTRETCHES HIS ARMS AND GIVES OFF A YELL; THE AIR AROUND EXPLODES INTO A BRIGHT LIGHT; THE CHILD’S HAIR HAS SUDDENLY TURNED GOLDEN>

<HE LETS OFF ANOTHER YELL AND AT THE SAME TIME PUSHES HIS HANDS OUT, CREATING A BEAM OF ENERGY; THE LIGHT BLUE BEAM HITS INTO THE WALL BEFORE, THIS TIME OBLITERATING THE LONG UNYIELDED BASTION>

<THE CHILD STARES AT THE BLAST, SMOKE AND FIRE BILLOWING; WITH HIS FACE BLANK, HE SITS BACK DOWN>

Unknown Voice: Now, is that any way to treat me… <LONG PAUSE> Ledas? My son?

<A FIGURE APPEARS, WALKING THROUGH THE SMOKE AHEAD; AS IT COMES INTO FOCUS, IT IS CLEARLY LAYEECK; HE LOOKS THE SAME AS HE DID THE LAST TIME THE TWO WERE TOGETHER AND IS IN HIS ARMOR>

<UPON SEEING HIM, LEDAS GETS UP; HE STAYS IN PLACE THOUGH, ON GUARD>

Ledas: <IN A SHOUT> What the heck?! How’d you get here?!

Layeeck: <WALKS OUT, TO THE OPEN; HE PAUSES> Has it been so long that you do not remember your own father’s face?

Ledas: <WITH QUIET WIT> My father is dead.

<SUDDENLY, LEDAS RUNS FORWARD, THRUSTING HIS ARM OUT, WITH ANOTHER BEAM OF ENERGY; IT HITS LAYEECK, WHO OFFERS NO RESISTANCE, SQUARE IN THE CHEST>

<WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS, LAYEECK IS STILL IN PLACE, UNDAMAGED>

Ledas: <INCREDULOUSLY> You’re another vision!

Layeeck: <CROUCHES, INSPECTING THE DAMAGE DONE; HE LOOKS UP AT LEDAS, WHO IS STILL IN SUPER SAIYAN> My own son did this. What incredible power…

Ledas: You’re a vision…

Layeeck: <CHUCKLES, TO HIMSELF> I’m whatever you want me to be.

Ledas: A vision… well at least you’re better than the other one. <LOOKS BEHIND, THERE IS NOTHING THERE> But I haven’t seen him in a while… <TURNS BACK TO HIS FATHER> But why can I see you now?

Layeeck: <STILL DISTRACTED> You are looking for Vegeta… and you’ve given up.

Ledas: <EYES GLAZE OVER, REMEMBERING THE PAST> No. I promised him… we would meet again. I promised. I’m not gonna stop until I find Vegeta! <LAYEECK DOES NOT ANSWER, BUT SIMPLY STARES AT HIS SON> I’ve traveled to every planet around… and there’s not even a trace of him. I can’t sense anything… <HE YELLS AGAIN AND SHOOTS ANOTHER KI BLAST> Stupid Guva! His directions were terrible! He didn’t know where Earth was!

<LAYEECK’S FORM CHANGES TO ANOTHER BEING; THAT OF THE BENEFACTOR>

The Benefactor: You should have killed him.

<LEDAS GASPS AND BLINKS; HE NOTICES HIS FATHER HAS RETURNED>

Layeeck: <STRANGELY FATHER-LIKE> Stop. When you focus, you can feel. And when you feel, you will be able to find him.

Ledas: <CHILD’S TONE> But I don’t know how to–

Layeeck: Put your arms out! Focus your energy; feel the pulse of the galaxy.

<LEDAS LOOKS TO HIS RIGHT IN CHILD-LIKE WONDER; HE REACHES HIS HAND OUT, AS IF TO FEEL THE ENERGY COMING FROM THAT DIRECTION>

<SEVERAL MOMENTS PASS, WITH NOTHING HAPPENING; LEDAS’ EYES ARE NOW CLOSED, IN CONCENTRATION>

Ledas: <MOMENTS PASS BEFORE HE MOVES; WHEN HE DOES, HE LETS IN A SHARP GASP, AND IN HIS SHOCK, RETURNS TO HIS NORMAL STATE; HIS HAIR REGRESSING TO ITS COMMON BLACK COLOR> I-I… felt something. <HE REACHES HIS HAND BACK OUT, TO TRY AGAIN> Vegeta?

<LAYEECK HAS DISAPPEARED, THOUGH LEDAS DOESN’T SEEM TO NOTICE>

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF> I have to go check that out… it felt like him. I know it did.

<HE TURNS BACK TO HIS PRACTICING SAIBAMEN; HE WALKS UP TO THEM, WATCHING THEM AS THEY TRAIN TOGETHER; AS HE REACHES THEM, THE NEAREST GREEN ONE IS SUDDENLY ENCAPSULATED IN BRIGHT LIGHT; IT YELLS OUT; THEN, THE LIGHT FADES AND A SMALL ENERGY WAVE IS RELEASED; LEDAS SEES THE SAIBAMAN HAS TURNED RED; IT JUMPS FOR JOY AND PUFFS OUT ITS CHEST AS THE OTHERS HOWL IN APPROVAL>

Ledas: <PATS SES ON THE HEAD> Nice job, Ses. But we have to go now. I think I found Vegeta. <HE LOOKS AT HIS OTHER SAIBAMEN> Come on, everyone. Back in the bag.

<LEDAS TAKES OUT HIS BROWN POUCH THAT HE STORES THE SAIBAMEN IN; THE SCREEN PANS BACK AS HE DOES THIS>

<LEDAS TURNS AND RUNS BACK TO HIS POD; HE JUMPS INSIDE AND QUICKLY TAKES OFF; WITHIN SECONDS, THE POD SHOOTS OFF AND OUT OF SIGHT>

<THE CAMERA SHIFTS TO ANOTHER PLACE, FAMILIAR IN SCENERY; IT IS SUNSET ON PLANET COOLER 92>

(note: this scene picks up mere seconds from the conclusion of the Stomping Grounds Saga, and it should be noted that the Guva/Banas storyline of this saga does not take place at the same time as the main story with Ledas does; however, by the end of the saga, the two timelines will have caught up with each other)

Guva: <IS SPRAWLED ON THE FLOOR, COVERED IN GLASS AND WINE AND HATE> Banas? <IN SHOCK> What… the hell?

<GUVA GETS UP, SURVEYING HIS SURROUNDINGS; HE IS IN HIS OFFICE, ON THE THIRD FLOOR; HIS WALL-WINDOW IS SHATTERED, LETTING IN THE COLD OF THE WILD>

Guva: <LOOKS AROUND, CONFUSED> Banas?! Come out! I know you’re in here!

<THERE IS NO ANSWER; FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS, GUVA CONTINUES TO WALK AROUND, LOOKING FOR HIS FORMER CAPTAIN; BUT IT IS TO NO AVAIL>

<A DEVICE ON GUVA’S DESK BEHIND LIGHTS UP WITH NOISE; GUVA TURNS SUDDENLY, EXPECTING BANAS; BUT IT IS ONLY A WORKER CALLING HIM>

Guva: <WALKS OVER TO THE DEVICE AND PRESSES DOWN ON IT; WITH IMPATIENCE> What?

Soldier 1: <CRACKLING IN OVER THE SPEAKERS> Sir, the natives are acting up again. Would you like to come down?

Guva: No. Deal with it yourself. Send only first and second platoon.

Soldier 1: <PAUSE> Uh… yes sir. We won’t let you down. Over and out.

<GUVA TURNS BACK AROUND TO THE BROKEN WINDOW>

<IN PLAYFUL REPOSE, THERE SITS A NEW ITEM; A SPIKED AND ALCOHOLIC FRUIT>

Guva: <HE WALKS UP TO IT, AND CRUSHES IT WITH HIS BOOT> Banas! You think this to be all a game? I do not want your gifts! Our old memories! Come out, so I may kill you!

Banas: <DROPPING DOWN FROM THE CEILING ABOVE> But governor, that would set such a… bad example. <HE KICKS GUVA, IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD, SENDING THE GOVERNOR FLYING INTO A WALL>

Guva: <WITH GRIT; SPUTTERING> Banas?!

Banas: <WALKS FORWARD, ARMS SPREAD> Yes, my dear?

<GUVA SNARLS AND ROLLS OVER, FIRING OFF A ENERGY BLAST AT BANAS’ FACE; IT HITS HIM>

<GUVA JUMPS UP AND GRABS BANAS’ SHOULDERS, THROWING HIM DOWN ONTO THE DESK; WOOD SHARDS AND PAPERS FLY EVERYWHERE; BANAS’ FACE IS BLEEDING>

Banas: <GETS UP, STILL BLEEDING; HE IS LAUGHING> Just like old times, guvvy. Aren’t ya feeling nostalgic?

Guva: <BREATHLESS> The past? I won; you lost. That’s how it was last time; that’s how it’ll be this time.

Banas: You know, <PULLS A SHARD OF WOOD OUT OF HIS NECK, GINGERLY> when Cooler made you governor, that elitist shit really started coming out, didn’t it Guva? I remember when you were just another lovable captain. Like me. <SMILES, TOOTHILY AND SINCERELY>

Guva: <MOVES FORWARD, BRUSHING DEBRIS OUT OF THE WAY> I’m not a captain any more. I’m a governor. Your governor, Banas.

Banas: Empty words from an empty man. <CHUCKLES> Cooler only gave you that position because you were a fucking teacher’s pet. Someone he could control. And you played right into that… thinking he gave it to you because you were so talented.

Guva: <UNMOVED> After all these years, I thought you had moved on. But I see you’re still jealous as ever. Is that why you returned?

Banas: <A WRY SMILE COMES TO HIS FACE; HE STEPS TOWARD GUVA, COMING WITHIN INCHES> You’ve got me all wrong, brotha. I don’t want this planet anymore. No, I came back for you, for old time’s sake. So we could finally end it. No kid. No team. Just you and me.

<GUVA’S EYES WIDEN, BUT AT THE SAME TIME HE PUSHES BANAS AWAY; HE FIRES AN ENERGY VOLLEY AT HIM, AND THE WHOLE ROOM GOES UP IN SMOKE; WHEN IT CLEARS, GUVA’S BUILDING IS DEMOLISHED; GUVA AND BANAS ARE THE ONLY TWO THINGS LEFT STANDING (HOVERING, ACTUALLY)>

<BELOW THEM, GUVA’S REMAINING GRUNTS ARE FIGHTING OFF A HORDE OF THE NATIVES; THE GROUND IS SOAKED HEAVILY IN BLOOD>

The Orphan
<LEDAS’ SPACE POD IS SHOWN; THE CAMERA MOVES UP AND OVER TO BEHIND IT AS IT PASSES BY, REVEALING ITS TARGET; A PLANET CALLED EARTH>

<THE SPACE POD LANDS HARD; IT CREATES A HUGE CRATER; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, THE DOOR OPENS AND LEDAS EXITS>

<HE IS NOT WEARING HIS CHEST ARMOR, ONLY HIS UNDERCLOTHES, FINGERLESS GLOVES, BOOTS, AND GUVA’S WRIST GUARD; OTHERWISE, HIS CLOTHES ARE SIMPLE AND WORN>

<HE STEPS OUT OF THE POD AND SCANS THE AREA, HEAD HELD HIGH; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, LEDAS MOVES FORWARD UP AND OUT OF THE CRATER; HE LEAVES HIS POD BEHIND; SOON HE COMES UP ON A CLIFF OVERLOOK; BELOW IS A CITY, HUGE AND BUSY>

<LEDAS PEERS DOWN INTO THE CITY, WITH WONDER; HE LAYS DOWN ON HIS STOMACH TO SURVEY; HE IS A BIT HESITANT TO GO INTO THE TOWN>

Layeeck: <SITTING ON A ROCK NEARBY> And you’re sure Vegeta’s here?

Ledas: <STILL PEERING DOWN AT THE TOWN AND THE PEOPLE WALKING AROUND> Yeah.

Layeeck: What will you do when you finally meet him?

Ledas: Iono… <IN REGARDS TO THE HUMANS BELOW> Hey these guys look just like us. Are they Saiyans too?

Layeeck: <UNMOVING> If they were Saiyans, don’t you think you could sense it? And they are also missing a… necessary appendage.

Ledas: <CHILD’S AWE> Whoa… they don’t have tails…

Layeeck: <STERNLY> So what would happen if you just flaunted yourself into town as you are?

Ledas: <FINALLY LOOKS OVER AT HIS FATHER> What do you mean?

Layeeck: Do you really think you need to be drawing unwanted attention, my son? You don’t know a thing about these creatures, other than Vegeta is living with them. Any unnecessary entanglements could lead to–

Ledas: <INNOCENTLY> If Vegeta’s gotten along with them, then they can’t be that bad.

<LEDAS GETS UP, IGNORING HIS FATHER, AND SLIDES DOWN THE ROUNDED CLIFF INTO THE CITY; NOTICEABLY, THOUGH, HE WRAPS HIS TAIL AROUND HIS WAIST TO HIDE IT; THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN THE SERIES THAT LEDAS HAS WILLINGLY DONE THIS>

<HE STARTS WANDERING DOWN A STREET GAINING SOME STARES FROM VARIOUS PEDESTRIANS; HE ROUNDS A CORNER AND BUMPS INTO TWO YOUNG MEN>

Man 1: Hey kid! Watch where yer goin’!

Ledas: Get outta my way. <WALKS BY THE TWO>

<MAN 2 GRABS LEDAS’ SHOULDER AND SPINS HIM AROUND>

Man 2: Hey! We were talkin’ to you, kid!

Ledas: <QUIETLY> Don’t touch me.

Man 1: What was dat, ya little punk?!

Ledas: Get off of me!

<LEDAS BARES HIS TEETH IN ANGER; HE BRUSHES THE TWO MEN INTO A SIDE ALLEY; THEY ARE CRUMPLED AND BLOODIED, BUT ALSO DEAD; WHILE HE DID NOT INTEND TO KILL THEM, HIS POWER IS SO GREAT THAT HE DID SO WITHOUT EVEN TRYING OR KNOWING HE DID>

<LEDAS CONTINUES ON WITHOUT MUCH CARE>

<UP AHEAD, AN OLDER WOMAN COMES QUIETLY OUT OF A SIDE SHOP; IN HER HANDS ARE MANY PARCELS; LEDAS DOES NOT SEE HER AND BUMPS INTO HER, SPILLING ALL SORTS OF PRESENTS AND GROCERIES ABOUT>

<LEDAS WALKS BY HER, NOT BOTHERING TO HELP HER PICK ANYTHING UP>

Mrs. Fanshi: You! Boy! What do you think you’re doing?!

Ledas: <HE CONTINUES WALKING FOR A FEW FEET THEN TURNS HIS HEAD; HE SEEMS SURPRISED THAT SHE IS TALKING TO HIM> What do you care?

Mrs. Fanshi: <STERNLY> Boy! Don’t you have any manners?!

Ledas: I dunno what you’re talking about.

Mrs. Fanshi: Here, come help me pick them up.

<LEDAS SIGHS THEN WALKS BACK OVER AND KNEELS DOWN; MRS. FANSHI DOES AS WELL; HE QUIETLY HELPS HER PICK EVERYTHING BACK UP>

<UPON FINISHING, LEDAS BEGINS TO WALK OFF AGAIN, STILL PREOCCUPIED WITH VEGETA>

Mrs. Fanshi: <WATCHES HIM FOR A FEW MOMENTS, THEN RAISES HER RIGHT HAND> Hang on there, dear. Come back!

Ledas: <ANNOYED> What do you want now?

Mrs. Fanshi: <NOTICES LEDAS IS ALL DIRTY AND WHATNOT> Why are you all alone, dear? Do you not have parents?

Ledas: <NO TONE> They’re dead.

Mrs. Fanshi: <DROPS WHAT SHE IS CARRYING AGAIN> Oh good heavens! That’s terrible!

Ledas: I got over it a long time ago.

Mrs. Fanshi: <KNEELS DOWN TO PICK UP HER THINGS> Be a good boy and help me pick these up again.

<LEDAS SIGHS AND HELPS AGAIN>

Mrs. Fanshi: So, are you an orphan?

Ledas: Sure.

Mrs. Fanshi: And you live around here?

Ledas: <OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT WANT TO TALK TO HER> No.

Mrs. Fanshi: <TALKING TO HERSELF> What a pity, he’s homeless. <TURNS TO LEDAS> Do you have a place to stay?

Ledas: No, but I don’t ne–

Mrs. Fanshi: <STANDS UP ONCE AGAIN, WITH HER PARCELS> Well then, you can stay with me until we get things sorted out.

Ledas: But…

Mrs. Fanshi: No “buts”. Come on, honey, let’s go. <STARTS WALKING> Have you ever been to school, dear?

Ledas: <STILL SLIGHTLY PEEVED AT HER FOR DRAGGING HIM AWAY> What’s school?

Mrs. Fanshi: <EYES WIDEN> My, my. <TAKES A DEEP BREATH> School, my dear, is where a child goes to learn all the things necessary to survive and be successful in life. I hadn’t thought of taking in a boy, myself, but seeing how ignorant you are, I can’t let you go!

Ledas: It’s training?

Mrs. Fanshi: Yes, my dear. It will prepare you for the real world.

Ledas: <TURNS TO LAYEECK WHO HAD, DURING THE CONVERSATION, MATERIALIZED OVER LEDAS’ RIGHT SHOULDER> A little training couldn’t hurt… <TO FANSHI> Okay, I’m ready for that.

Layeeck: <FOLD HIS ARMS> Hmph… you don’t want to get caught up with these creatures, Ledas. It’ll only prolong your search.

Mrs. Fanshi: Splendid. Let’s get going then. Tomorrow morning I’ll take you down to the school to get registered… and get you some new clothes.

Ledas: <DRAGGING HIS FEET AFTER HER> Hey! What’s wrong with my clothes?!

Mrs. Fanshi: <NOT HEARING HIM; THINKING OUT LOUD> Then, I can apply you for the orphanage… but you can stay with me until that is worked out. Come on, honey, my house isn’t far away.

<IN THE BACKGROUND, SOME POLICE ARE INSPECTING THE CORPSES OF THE TWO THUGS LEDAS KILLED; LEDAS DOES NOT NOTICE THIS>

<CUTS TO PLANET COOLER 92; GUVA AND BANAS ARE HOVERING OVER A SMOLDERING BUILDING; BANAS’ ARMOR IS STILL CRACKED AND BROKEN; GUVA IS MOSTLY UNTOUCHED>

Banas: <LOOKS DOWN AT THE SOLDIERS AND NATIVES FIGHTING; HE LAUGHS AND SHOOTS A BLAST AT IT ALL, KILLING A VAST MAJORITY OF BOTH> Looks like it’s all falling apart without me!

Guva: <SHOUTING OVER THE COMMOTION> Don’t touch my soldiers! This is between you and me, Captain! No one else!

Banas: <FLIES UP TO GUVA, ON HIS BACK, ARMS FOLDED> Heh heh heh. You want to take this to another planet, guvvy? Cuz I’ve got the perfect one. <RIGHTS HIMSELF UP, HIS TONE BECOMES MUCH MORE SERIOUS; REPEATS> I’ve got the perfect one. The one you never let me go to, guvvy.

<BANAS LAUGHS AGAIN; GUVA’S FACE IS HESITANT>

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS AND FANSHI>

Mrs. Fanshi: Dinner’s ready!

Ledas: Awright, I’m starving.

<LEDAS SITS DOWN AND HURRIEDLY SCARFS UP THE FOOD WITH HIS HANDS; MRS. FANSHI IS APPALLED>

Mrs. Fanshi: My dear, don’t you have any manners?

Ledas: <LOOKS UP FOR A SECOND> No. <THEN GOES BACK TO EATING>

Mrs. Fanshi: <LOOKS REPULSED BUT DOES NOT STOP HIM> Well, then, I do believe that we have not properly introduced ourselves. My name is Mrs. Fanshi… what’s yours, child?

Ledas: <EATING> Oh, I’m Ledas.

Mrs. Fanshi: <SUPER SURPRISED> Ledas? Now that’s an exotic name…

Ledas: <INNOCENTLY> Well your name is weirder…

<THEY FINISH DINNER IN SILENCE; AFTER A BRIEF AWKWARDNESS, LEDAS SPEAKS UP>

Ledas: Uh, Mrs. Fanshi… when do I get to start the training?

Mrs. Fanshi: You mean school?

Ledas: <SLOWLY, TIRED> Yeeah.

Mrs. Fanshi: Tomorrow, I will take you to town, and see if I can get you enrolled. But, we will also need to get you new clothes. I don’t know where you got that dreadful outfit, but it certainly won’t do for a new student.

Ledas: But I always train in this…

Mrs. Fanshi: No, it won’t do. We don’t want people to be thinking you’re different.

<LEDAS DOES HIS PUPPY EYES; BUT FANSHI CAN SEE THAT HE IS EXTREMELY TIRED>

Mrs. Fanshi: Now, Ledas, it’s time for bed. Your room is down the hall, first one on the left. There should be plenty of blankets in there for you. <SHE WATCHES HIM LEAVE, STILL TWIRLING A BIT OF WINE IN HER GLASS AS SHE DOES; TO HERSELF> He’s too tired today, poor thing. I’ll have to teach him real manners tomorrow. <SHE LOOKS AT HIS PLATE> I’ve got a little savage on my hands.

<LEDAS WANDERS DOWN INTO HIS ROOM; HE TURNS ON THE LIGHT AND NOTICES THE BED>

Ledas: <HE WALKS UP TO IT AND POKES AT IT> Wow, this is soft! I can see why Vegeta’s staying here. <HE JUMPS ON IT AND IMMEDIATELY FALLS INTO A DEEP SLEEP>

<THE CAMERA PULLS BACK, AND LAYEECK’S VISION IS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN; WATCHING OVER LEDAS AS HE SLEEPS IS THE HALLUCINATION OF THE BENEFACTOR>

<JUMP CUT TO BLACK>

Hazing
<IN THE MORNING, FANSHI AND LEDAS GO TO A CLOTHES STORE AND PICK SOME GOODIES OUT; LEDAS SPECIFICALLY PICKS OUT AN HOODIE ONE SIZE LARGER THAN THE REST OF HIS CLOTHES TO HIDE HIS TAIL; HIS CLOTHES CONSIST OF A RED HOODIE, A WHITE SHIRT, AND JEANS>

<AFTER THIS, THE TWO WALK STRAIGHT TO A LARGE AREA; THERE ARE MANY MULTI-FLOORED BUILDINGS AND COURTYARDS CONNECTING THEM; VARIOUS HUMANS ARE WALKING ABOUT ON THEIR OWN BUSINESS; SOME ARE NO OLDER THAN LEDAS>

Ledas: <WATCHING THE PEOPLE WALKING AROUND> Um… Mrs. Fanshi, is this the training place?

Mrs. Fanshi: <DISTRACTED> Yes dear, this is school…

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF (OR LAYEECK, WHO IS THERE IN VISION FORM)> Then why can’t I feel any of their powers?

<THE TWO REACH A BUILDING AND GO INSIDE; IT IS THE FRONT OFFICE OF THE SCHOOL>

Mrs. Fanshi: <APPROACHES THE FRONT DESK> Hello, I called earlier about enrolling a…

<LEDAS STEPS BACK AND SITS DOWN ON A BENCH BEHIND HER; LAYEECK’S VISION DOES THE SAME>

Layeeck : <WRYLY> So what is this? Your best idea of how to find Vegeta?

Ledas: <BOWS HEAD IN BOREDOM; WHISPERING> I thought it was training…

Layeeck: Use your mind! Are any of these creatures around you even the smallest of a threat?

Ledas: I don’t feel anything from them…

Layeeck: <CONTINUES> So then why are you training with those that are beneath you?

Ledas: <SHUFFLES HIS FEET ON THE GROUND> Wewll… there were some other big powers I felt earlier… and they were way stronger than me. I think one of them was Vegeta… <PAUSES, CHILDISHLY> I-I can’t go visit him if I’m so much weaker–

Mrs. Fanshi: Ledas, dear? Let’s go on to your class now.

<FANSHI SHOWS HIM HIS ROOM, #4 ON THE LEFT; SHE THEN LEAVES>

<LEDAS MAKES IT TO ROOM 104; CLASS HASN’T STARTED YET SO MANY STUDENTS ARE SCATTERED ABOUT THE ROOM; THE TEACHER IS AT HIS DESK IN THE FRONT>

Mr. Kyokatoshi: <IS WORKING ON PAPERWORK, ETC; LOOKS UP AS LEDAS APPROACHES> Ah, you must be the new addition to my class. What is your name?

Ledas: Uh… <LOOKS AROUND> I’m Ledas.

Mr. Kyokatoshi: <HIGH ARROGANCE> Perhaps they did it differently at your old school, Ledas. But here, in my room, you will address me as Mr. Kyokatoshi. At all times. Do you understand?

Ledas: Uh, sure… Mr. Kyokatoshi.

Mr. Kyokatoshi: <STARES BACK AT LEDAS> Good, now take a seat in the back. <POINTS TO AN EMPTY DESK; TURNS TO GRAB SOMETHING OFF HIS DESK> Oh, and here. Take your books.

<HE UNLOADS A HUGE STACK OF BOOKS INTO LEDAS’ ARMS; THE WEIGHT HAS NO EFFECT ON HIM>

<LEDAS GOES AND SITS DOWN AT HIS DESK; HE NOTICES A BOY TO HIS LEFT STARING AT HIM>

Mr. Kyokatoshi: Now then, students, as you no doubt remember, yesterday we started exploring the vast history of our early ancestors… <CONTINUES TALKING IN THE BACKGROUND>

<THE BOY TO LEDAS’ LEFT IS STILL STARING AT LEDAS; HE IS ABOUT THE SAME HEIGHT; MUCH SKINNIER THOUGH; HIS HAIR IS BROWN AND SHORT>

Ryori: So, you the new kid?

Ledas: I guess.

Ryori: What’s your name?

Ledas: Ledas. <THERE IS A LONG AWKWARD PAUSE WHERE RYORI SIMPLY STARES, WAITING FOR LEDAS TO ASK HIM WHAT HIS NAME IS> Who are you?

Ryori: <PROUDLY> I’m Ryori. <CHUCKLES> I’m the best one here.

Ledas: <PIQUE OF INTEREST> You’re the strongest one?

Ryori: Everyone listens to me, so I’m the one in charge. Hey! You haven’t had your initiation yet!

Ledas: My what?

Ryori: <A VAST GRIN COMES TO HIS FACE> Your first test. You gotta do it to join us.

Ledas: <CURIOUSLY> Oh… when do I get to start?!

<MR. KYOKATOSHI LOOKS OVER AT THEM>

Ryori: Shh… later.

<AFTER CLASS, THE STUDENTS EXIT; RYORI MEETS UP WITH LEDAS OUTSIDE; IT IS SUNNY AND BRIGHT OUTSIDE>

Ryori: <FLANKED BY A FEW FRIENDS; BEMUSED> You made it!

Ledas: What do I have to do?

Ryori: <LAUGHS, LONG AND HARD; PAUSES> Hmm… alright I got one for you.

<THE OTHER BOYS LAUGH RIOTOUSLY>

Ryori: <TURNS TO A BUILDING BEHIND THEM> Ok, you need to climb up into that window up there <POINTS UP TO THE SECOND STORY>. That’s the girls’ locker room. <LAUGHS AGAIN> Climb into there and get us a pair of their underwear. <HE TAKES A PAIR OUT OF HIS BACK POCKET AND SHOWS LEDAS> Just like these. Do that and you’re in.

Ledas: <EMPTY-HEADED> Oh… that’s it?

<BY THIS TIME, MOST OF THE OTHER STUDENTS HAVE DISPERSED; LEDAS CLIMBS CAREFULLY UP THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING, AND JUMPS INTO THE OPEN SECOND STORY WINDOW THAT RYORI POINTED TO EARLIER; AS SOON AS HE DISAPPEARS, THE CROWD BELOW ERUPTS INTO LAUGHTER>

<LEDAS MOVES INTO THE GIRLS LOCKER ROOM; HE DOESN’T SEE ANYONE, NOR ANY OF WHAT HE IS LOOKING FOR>

<LEDAS ROUNDS A CORNER; LAUGHTER AND WHATNOT IS POURING OUT FROM UP AHEAD; SUDDENLY A SMALL GROUP OF GIRLS ROUND THE CORNER; NONE ARE IN MUCH MORE THAN UNDERWEAR>

Girl 1: <JUMPS BACK, SCREAMS; THE OTHERS FOLLOW SUIT> Hey you?! What are you doing in here, you pervert!

Ledas: <STEPS BACK, BUT IS GRINNING; TO HIMSELF> I get it. I gotta get it off of them… that’s the challenge. <HE SMILES, AND HIS AURA ERUPTS AROUND HIM>

<CUTS TO PICCOLO, WHO IS MEDITATING; SUDDENLY, HE OPENS HIS EYES; HE SENSES LEDAS’ BRIEF POWER UP>

<CUTS TO VEGETA, WHO IS TRAINING WITH A VERY YOUNG TRUNKS>

Vegeta: <LOOKS UP TO THE SKY; STOPS FIGHTING; TRUNKS STILL ATTACKS HIS FATHER AT THIS TIME, BUT VEGETA DOESN’T EVEN NOTICE> What was that?!

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS; HE RUNS OUT OF THE LOCKER ROOM AND JUMPS THROUGH THE SECOND STORY WINDOW, ARMS FULL OF VARIOUS CLOTHES; THE SCREAMING VOICES OF GIRLS CAN BE HEARD BEHIND HIM, AND THEY ARE THROWING DEBRIS AFTER HIM>

<HE LANDS RIGHT IN FRONT OF RYORI, WITH ARMS STILL FULL OF THEIR UNDERWEAR>

Ledas: <DROPS THE CLOTHES IN FRONT OF RYORI; UPBEAT> Is this enough?

Ryori: <LAUGHING UNCONTROLLABLY> W-where… where did y-y-you get all those?!?!

<HE CONTINUES LAUGHING>

Ledas: <NOT LAUGHING; STEADFAST> There were a lot of girls.

Ryori: You took them off the girls?!

Ledas: Wasn’t I supposed to–

Ryori: <LAUGHING AGAIN> Oh… dude you are so in.

<LEDAS JOINS IN THEIR LAUGHTER; IT IS NOTICEABLE THAT LAYEECK’S VISION HAS BEEN ABSENT THIS WHOLE TIME>

<LATER THAT NIGHT, LEDAS FLIES BACK TO MRS. FANSHI’S HOUSE, BOOKS IN HAND; NO ONE SEES HIM>

<CUTS DINNER TIME AT MRS. FANSHI’S HOUSE>

Mrs. Fanshi: So, how was your first day of school?

<LEDAS SMILES TO HIMSELF, FINALLY A BIT OF TRUE HAPPINESS ESCAPING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME>

Ledas: Yeah… I had a really good day.

<LATER ON, LEDAS GOES TO BED; HE IS LYING IN HIS BED>

Ledas: He’s a lot stronger than me. I can feel it.

Layeeck: <VISION FORM> You can’t know that.

Ledas: Yes I can.

Layeeck: You have never felt Vegeta before. How can you be sure of it, my son?

Ledas: Because I know Vegeta. I know what his power would feel like. <AGITATED> And I can feel him right now. He’s right over there. <HE POINTS OUT HIS WINDOW> Not that far away. He’s training at a higher level than my maximum power is!

Layeeck: We will have to find a way to make you stronger.

Ledas: <STARTS YELLING> Like I don’t know that!

Layeeck: That starts out with you abandoning this school. There’s no point in going if there is no possibility of getting stronger.

Ledas: I like them. Ryori is nice and so are the others.

Layeeck: You do not need to be making friends, my son.

Ledas: Shut up! <HE LOOKS PAINED> Since Vegeta I haven’t had any friends. Everyone I know was either using me or trying to kill me. I need that to change… I’m still going whether you like it or not. <LAYEECK DOES NOT RESPOND; LEDAS FORMS ENERGY AND POINTS IT AT THE HALLUCINATION; FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, HE JUST SITS THERE, BREATHING HARD; THEN, HE DISSIPATES THE BLAST; LEDAS TURNS OVER AND PUTS HIS HEAD ON HIS PILLOW; TO HIMSELF> No, can’t do that. Gotta stay in control… <HE CLOSES HIS EYES AND SETTLES IN TO SLEEP> I can’t visit Vegeta yet. I can’t let him know I’m so weak.

Capsule Corp.
<CUTS TO A PLANET THAT IS ROCKY AND DARK; IT IS NEAR PITCH BLACK, SAVE FOR THE LIGHT OF TWO PODS; ONE OPEN AND ABANDONED, THE OTHER JUST OPENING>

Guva: <GETS OUT OF HIS POD> What the hell is this place? <HE JUMPS OUT AND FLIES OFF, WITH CONTEMPT>

<HE FLIES FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS, SCANNING ABOUT WITH HIS SCOUTER UNTIL PICKING UP A HUGE READING AHEAD>

<GUVA FOLLOWS HIS READING UNTIL COMING UPON A HUGE CAVE; IT IS DARK AND THERE IS NO SIGNS OF LIFE>

<GUVA DESCENDS AND WALKS INSIDE, WARILY; THE CAMERA STAYS IN PLACE UNTIL HIS FIGURE DISAPPEARS INTO THE DARKNESS>

<CUTS TO FANSHI’S HOUSE; IT IS EARLY IN THE MORNING, PROBABLY ABOUT 5 AM OR SO; LEDAS IS ASLEEP, SPLAYED ABOUT ON HIS BED WITH BLANKETS AND PILLOWS ALL IN A MESS; THE CAMERA MOVES DOWN THE HALL, SLOWLY; MRS. FANSHI’S VOICE IS COMING OUT OF HER DESK-SPACE NOOK>

Mrs. Fanshi: <ON THE PHONE> Are you sure? All of them? Well… that is absolutely unacceptable. I’ll send him down, immediately. <MRS. FANSHI GETS UP AND WALKS TO LEDAS’ ROOM; SNAPPY> Ledas! Wake up! Ledas!

<LEDAS ROLLS OVER AND GROANS, BUT DOES NOT WAKE>

<MRS. FANSHI, WITHOUT PATIENCE, RIPS HIS BLANKETS OFF; THIS CAUSES LEDAS TO OPEN HIS EYES>

Ledas: <GROGGILY> What you do want now?!

Mrs. Fanshi: <STILL SNAPPY> Get up! You have to get to school.

Ledas: It’s too early…

Mrs. Fanshi: You have detention. You have to go in early today.

Ledas: <STILL HALF ASLEEP; YAWNING> Detention? What’s that?

Mrs. Fanshi: It’s your punishment for stealing all those girls’ clothes yesterday. I can’t believe you would do something so stupid, Ledas. And on your first day!

Ledas: <BECOMES ALERT> What?! Why was that bad?!

Mrs. Fanshi: <IGNORING HIM> Put on your clothes and get going. Hurry up, dear.

<LEDAS GETS DRESSED AND EXITS FANSHI’S HOUSE, STILL GRUMBLING; AT THIS TIME LAYEECK’S VISION REAPPEARS AND FOLLOWS HIM AS HE WALKS THE DIRT PATH INTO TOWN>

Layeeck: <WITH WORRY IN HIS VOICE> Ledas?! What are you doing? None of this playing around will get you stronger, and it certainly won’t help you find Vegeta.

Ledas: <AGITATED> I know this isn’t helping! You don’t have to tell me that! But I can’t just go see Vegeta when he’s stronger than me! I just can’t!

Layeeck: And now you’re all caught up in this school… where you don’t do anything. Listen to me son, you need to find a place to train.

Ledas: <CONTINUES WALKING BUT TURNS TO HIS HALLUCINATION> Yeah, and if I do that, Vegeta will be able to find me!

Layeeck: You don’t even know if he can sense you.

Ledas: <PICKS UP HIS PACE IN HIS ANGER> He’s stronger than me! Of course he’ll know how to do that! Besides he probably sensed me yesterday when I did that challe–

Layeeck: <WRYLY> You mean when you got yourself a punishment.

<UPON HEARING THIS, LEDAS’ FACE CONTORTS IN ANGER AND HE TURNS TO FACE HIS FATHER; BY THIS TIME, THEY HAVE WALKED INTO THE TOWN AND THERE ARE HOUSES ON EACH SIDE OF THEM; LEDAS, IN HIS ANGER, TAKES HIS RIGHT HAND AND EXTENDS IT, PALM OUTWARD, AT HIS FATHER; HE SHOOTS OFF A SINGLE-HAND KYORRA FLASH; IT GOES RIGHT THROUGH LAYEECK AND HITS SEVERAL HOUSES BEHIND, CAUSING THEM TO EXPLODE IN A HUGE BURST OF FLAMES>

<LEDAS’ EYES WIDEN AT THE SIGHT OF THIS, AND HE TAKES OFF, RUNNING SUPER FAST>

<LEDAS ARRIVES AT SCHOOL AND TAKES PART IN HIS DETENTION UNTIL SCHOOL STARTS; HE IS SITTING IN HIS DESK WHEN ALL THE OTHER STUDENTS COME IN, INCLUDING RYORI>

<RYORI DOES NOT SEEM SURPRISED TO SEE LEDAS THERE>

<LEDAS AND RYORI DO NOT TALK AGAIN FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS>

<AFTER CLASS THOUGH A LARGE GROUP CONGREGATES AROUND RYORI; LEDAS IS DRAWN IN WITH CURIOSITY>

Ryori: <PROUDLY> Yep, it’s my brother’s. He lets me use his stuff all the time.

Ledas: <SEES RYORI IS HOLDING A SMALL DEVICE, BUT DOESN’T KNOW WHAT IT IS> Hey Ryori… what is that thing?

Ryori: <TURNS TO FACE LEDAS> <LAUGHS> Hey Ledas! You’ve never seen a capsule before?

Ledas: What’s a capsule?

Ryori: Here, I’ll show ya. <RYORI GESTURES HIS HAND AND THROWS THE SMALL CAPSULE INTO THE GROUND; THE CROWD JUMPS BACK A BIT; SMOKE AND DUST JUMP UP AND WHEN THEY SETTLE, A SHINING RED MOTORCYCLE IS STANDING THERE>

<THE STUDENTS AROUND ALL LET OUT A COLLECTIVE “OOOOH”>

<AFTER A FEW MORE MINUTES OF FAWNING, THE CROWD DISPERSES AND ONLY LEDAS AND RYORI ARE LEFT>

Ledas: Those capsules can hold anything?

Ryori: <SHORTLY> Yep. Cars, houses, anything.

Ledas: <REALIZES SOMETHING; BECOMES VERY EXCITED> Anything?!

Ryori: Like what?

Ledas: <STOPS, NOT WANTING TO REVEAL HIS PLAN> Well… nothing. I guess.

Ryori: Why? Do you want one?

<LEDAS NOTICES THE FIGURE OF THE BENEFACTOR BEHIND HIM; HE TRIES TO KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE IN FRONT OF RYORI>

The Benefactor: Kill him.

Ledas: <EAGER; IGNORING THE BENEFACTOR> Yeah! Where can I get them?

Ryori: There’re shops in every town… But if you want the best stuff, go to West City. That’s where the main store is. <HE CARESSES THE MOTORCYCLE, PROUDLY> That’s where we got this one.

Ledas: <INNOCENTLY> But where is that?

<THE BENEFACTOR TAKES OUT A KNIFE AND STARTS POINTING IT AT RYORI>

The Benefactor: No one will see. It will be quick, quiet. And the blood… will be everywhere.

Ryori: <LAUGHS, KIND OF IN DISBELIEF> West City is… <POINTS LEFT> that way.

<SUDDENLY, SOMEONE YELLS, BREAKING LEDAS’ FOCUS ON THE BENEFACTOR (WHO ALSO DISAPPEARS); A TALL, SLENDER TEENAGER APPEARS WALKING TOWARD LEDAS AND RYORI>

Ryori: <TURNS TO FACE THE FIGURE; HE STEPS BACK, ALMOST IN FEAR> Oh shit…

Shoekki: <WALKS UP TO HIM; HE IS DRUNK, AND SPUTTERING ABOUT> Yeah, that’s right, little bro. It’s me. Why the hell did you steal my bike? <SHOVES RYORI ASIDE, MAKING HIM FALL> Don’t touch my stuff.

<SHOEKKI PRESSES A BUTTON ON THE BIKE AND IT TURNS BACK INTO A CAPSULE; WITHOUT ANOTHER LOOK AT THE TWO, HE WALKS OFF, STILL WALKING AROUND LIKE THE DRUNKARD HE IS>

Ryori: <EMBARRASSED> I-I… I gotta go. <HE GETS UP; HIS EMOTIONALITY HAS CHANGED TO BEING MUCH MORE DEJECTED IN THIS SHORT TIME> Shoekki! Wait up!

<RYORI RUNS OFF AFTER SHOEKKI, LEAVING LEDAS ALONE>

<AFTER A FEW SECONDS, LEDAS TURNS BACK TO FACE WHERE THE BENEFACTOR WAS>

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF> Why am I seeing that thing?! I don’t want to listen to it…

<SHAKING HIS HEAD, LEDAS IS SURE HE IS NO LONGER SEEING ANYTHING; HE RUNS OFF; WHEN OUT OF SIGHT, HE TAKES TO THE AIR AND TO WEST CITY>

<HE FLIES EXTREMELY HIGH, SO NO ONE CAN SEE HIM>

<EVENTUALLY, LEDAS SPOTS SOMETHING; IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE, HE DESCENDS, LANDING HARD INTO THE GRASS>

<HE GATHERS HIMSELF UP AND LOOKS UP AT THE GATE ABOVE HIM; IN FANCIED AND COLORED LETTERING, THERE IS A SIGN UPON THE GATE; IT READS “CAPSULE CORPORATION”; LEDAS CANNOT READ THAT, BUT HE SEES THE PICTURE OF A CAPSULE UNDER IT>

<HE OPENS – REALLY, BREAKS DOWN – THE GATE AND WALKS IN; UP AHEAD, HE SEES AN OLD MAN WITH A CAT ON HIS SHOULDER WORKING AT AN OPEN WORKBENCH; HE IS TALKING TO A MAN WITH ORANGE HAIR, AND CLAD IN DARK MILITARY FATIGUES; LEDAS NOTICES A RED ARM BAND ON THE SOLDIER, BUT HE CAN’T MAKE OUT WHAT IT MEANS; HE WAITS UNTIL THE ORANGE-HAIRED MAN LEAVES; SEEING THE OLDER MAN NOW ALONE, LEDAS WALKS TO HIM>

My Friend Vegeta
<CAMERA COMES INTO FOCUS; LEDAS AND DR. BRIEFS ARE WALKING TOGETHER, OUTSIDE ON THE GRASS; IT IS STILL PRETTY BRIGHT OUT>

<LEDAS HAS HIS HOOD UP OVER HIS FACE TO KEEP HIS IDENTITY SUPER SECRET>

Dr. Briefs: A gravity chamber? Now why would you need that, my boy?

Ledas: <MUMBLING> I just do. You have one, right? You have to know what they are.

Dr. Briefs: Why yes, I have several different models. All more exciting than the last. However, I can’t see why a young boy like you would need one.

Ledas: <STILL MUMBLING> What’s the best one?

Dr. Briefs: The model 14, but I’m not selling–

Ledas: <EMOTIONLESS> I’ll take it.

Dr. Briefs: <STOPS WALKING> That would be rather expensive…

Ledas: Hmphh… <EXTENDS HIS LEFT ARM BEHIND HIM AND SHOOTS AN INVISIBLE BLAST THAT DETONATES IN A CLEAN LINE ACROSS THE GRASS> I never said I was paying.

Dr. Briefs: <CLEARLY FRIGHTENED> Oh… I see. Look, there’s really no need–

Ledas: Shut up and get one already.

<DR. BRIEFS NODS; HE TAKES THE LEAD AS LEDAS FOLLOWS HIM INTO AN OPEN HANGER; IT HAS VARIOUS VEHICLES AND DEVICES SCATTERED ABOUT; IN THE BACK, BEHIND A GLASS WALL ARE THREE SPHERICAL DEVICES, LOOKING QUITE SIMILAR TO GOKU’S/VEGETA’S GRAVITY ROOMS OF BEFORE>

<WRITTEN IN DARK LETTERING, ACROSS THE FRONT OF EACH OF THEM IS THE SIGN “MODEL 14.”; LEDAS CANNOT READ IT, BUT HE REALIZES THEY ARE THE GOOD ONES SINCE THEY ARE BEHIND THE GLASS>

Ledas: <POINTS TO THEM; HIS TAIL IS NOW OUT, FREE-FORM, SWINGING AROUND IN IRRITATION> Get me one of those… now!

<DR. BRIEFS WALKS DOWN THE HANGER; AS HE DOES, BULMA ENTERS>

Bulma: Hi daddy!

Dr. Briefs: <NERVOUS; BULMA DOES NOT PICK UP ON IT> Yes, hello dear. <HE JUMPS AS HE REMEMBERS WHAT HE IS DOING> Ah, where are my manners? <HE GESTURES TO LEDAS> This boy here is purchasing one of our Model 14s. An excellent choice, wouldn’t you say?

Bulma: <TURNS TO LEDAS AS THEY CONTINUE WALKING; SMUGLY> He must’ve brought a lot of… of… of…

<LEDAS IS LEANING UP AGAINST A WALL, NOT LOOKING AT THEM; BULMA CAN THEREFORE SEE HIS TAIL; SHE STOPS WALKING AND GOES ALL WHITE>

Bulma: <SLOWLY> Da-daddy… who is that boy?

Dr. Briefs: Come dear, he promised not to destroy my laboratory if we give him a 14.

Bulma: <ANXIOUS; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, SHE SPLITS OFF FROM DR. BRIEFS; SUDDEN TURN TO MATTER OF FACT> I’ll go get Vegeta.

Dr. Briefs: <EXACERBATED> No, no sweetie! It’s quite alright… <BULMA LEAVES WITHOUT HEARING HIM; QUIETLY, TO HIMSELF> It’s quite alright.

<SOME TIME PASSES, AND DR. BRIEFS RETURNS WITH A CAPSULE IN HIS HAND; HE GIVES IT TO LEDAS>

Dr. Briefs: There you go, my boy. One gravity suppression unit, as requested.

Ledas: <TAKES IT IN HIS HAND, BRINGS IT UP CLOSE TO HIS FACE, INSPECTING IT> Gravity… suppression? What does that mean?

Dr. Briefs: <SUDDENLY EXCITED TO EXPLAIN AWAY> Well as you see, the MCP of previous models would constantly overheat, or run out of power. Invariably, I decided add several groups of suppression modules so as to allow a… person such as yourself to power the device indefinitely. As a consequence, it seems that very little energy is able to escape from the device.

Ledas: <EYES WIDEN> You mean… no one can sense me while I’m in there?!

Dr. Briefs: Well, I…

Ledas: Thanks! <TURNS AROUND, RUNS OFF AND TAKES TO THE SKY>

<DR. BRIEFS WATCHES HIM GO AS THE SUN STARTS TO SET>

<JUST THEN, BULMA ENTERS WITH A SMILE ON HER FACE>

Bulma: <ENTHUSIASTICALLY> Well daddy, it’s all been settled. Vegeta seemed real interested in this kid with the tail. He’s going to get your capsule back for you! <WATCHING THE SKY> Come on, Vegeta! What are you waiting for?

Dr. Briefs: <SIGHS> Oh, Bulma you didn’t have get Vegeta involved. I didn’t want half the city destroyed over this…

<BULMA DOESN’T LISTEN TO HIM; SUDDENLY, OUT OF A CORNER OF THEIR COMPLEX, AN LIGHT BLUE AURA SHOOTS OFF; BULMA NOTICES>

Bulma: Huh, that’s Vegeta for you; waiting until the last second just to put on a show.

<LEDAS FLIES SUPER HIGH AGAIN; HE DOES NOT NOTICE VEGETA TAILING HIM>

<SUDDENLY, VEGETA CATCHES UP WITH LEDAS IN MIDAIR; HE IS ABOVE LEDAS AND HITS DOWNWARD ON THE BACK OF THE LATTER>

<LEDAS IS SENT FLYING DOWNWARD, IN PAIN AND PERPLEXED>

Ledas: What the?! Who are you?! <HE TURNS UPWARD, TO FACE HIS PURSUER; HE RECOGNIZES IT AS VEGETA, IMMEDIATELY; INSTINCTIVELY, HE MOVES BACKWARDS> No!

Vegeta: So, thief, wondering who I am?! Well, your luck’s run out. I bet you didn’t count on having to face me, the strongest warrior in the universe!

Ledas: <LAUGHS TO HIMSELF, EVEN AS HE IS INTERNALLY IN PANIC> Some things never change.

Vegeta: Find something funny, punk?

Ledas: Just the fact that you haven’t changed. <WITH THAT, LEDAS, STILL WITH HIS FACE COVERED BY HIS HOOD, LAUNCHES HIMSELF AT VEGETA AND BEGINS TO ATTACK.>

<THEY FIGHT FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS IN A BLOW EXCHANGE; NEITHER HOLDS AN EDGE OVER THE OTHER, HOWEVER>

<VEGETA FIRES OFF A GALICK GUN, AND LEDAS COUNTERS IT WITH HIS OWN VARIATION OF THE BLAST, A PLAYFUL GALICK>

<VEGETA IS SURPRISED BY THIS AND OVERPOWERED; HOWEVER WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS, HE LAUNCHES HIMSELF AT LEDAS AND BATS HIM AWAY; LEDAS DROPS THE CAPSULE AND VEGETA CATCHES IT>

Vegeta: So thief! Who are you? Kakarot’s son? I never thought you would try to steal from me. You don’t even deserve to be a Saiyan!

Ledas: <VOICE RISES IN ANGER AS WELL AS DISBELIEF> I don’t know what you’re talking about!

Vegeta: Yeah, that’s right. <LAUGHS> Your good for nothing father died before you even met him.

<LEDAS, MISINTERPRETING THIS, RUSHES AND ELBOWS VEGETA IN THE RIBS; VEGETA DOUBLES OVER AND LEDAS TAKES THE CAPSULE BACK>

Vegeta: <GETTING IMPATIENT> Enough! <ATTACKS MORE FORCEFULLY, NOW LEDAS CAN NOT KEEP UP; VEGETA PUNCHES HIM AWAY>

Ledas: <LOOKING DOWN> I didn’t want to have to do this. It’s too early… but you leave me no choice, Vegeta.

Vegeta: What? How do you know who I– <LEDAS GOES SUPER SAIYAN; HIS HOOD IS PUSHED BACK; HE PUNCHES VEGETA, MID-SENTENCE> No! Impossible! How can he be a Super Saiyan?!

<LEDAS TURNS TO FACE VEGETA, HIS EYES AGLOW; VEGETA IS SHOCKED BY THIS BUT DOES LIKEWISE, GOING SUPER SAIYAN AS WELL>

Ledas: Watch me.

Vegeta: <CALMS DOWN UPON TRANSFORMING> Even if you are a Super Saiyan, you don’t have nearly as much power or experience as I do! <LAUGHS> But don’t think that means I’ll go easy on you… little man.

<BOTH JUMP AT EACH OTHER AND ATTACK WITH A GREAT FLURRY OF BLOWS; THROUGHOUT THIS, THE TOWNSPEOPLE BELOW REMAIN COMPLETELY UNAWARE AND UNKNOWING OF THE STRUGGLE GOING ON ABOVE THEM>

Mist
<BLACK SCREEN; A WILD DIN OF VOICES CAN BE HEARD>

Reporter 1: Police Chief Nagamo! Police Chief Nagamo! Is there any word yet on how many casualties?

Reporter 2: What about how it was done? Was it a gas leak? Or arson? Or–

Reporter 3: Chief! What can you say about the reports coming in from the countryside? Could this be an attack?!

<THE SCREEN FADES TO COLOR; A MAN, OBVIOUSLY POLICE CHIEF NAGAMO, IS STANDING BEHIND A PODIUM, ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS OF A LARGE GROUP OF FRENZIED REPORTERS; HIS FACE IS GRAVE>

Police Chief Nagamo: We have no word yet on the number of casualties that occurred in several homes earlier today. We do know that it was a fire that started this – yes, it was a mere accident. There is no evidence, nor should there be any concern, that what occurred today was deliberate or part of some kind of crime. <HE SIGHS AND TURNS AWAY FROM THEM FOR A MOMENT BEFORE LOOKING BACK> That is all I can say for today. <WITH THE NOD OF HIS HEAD, NAGAMO LEAVES, WITH THE RAUCOUS VOICES BEHIND HIM GROWING IN VOLUME WITH EACH STEP HE TAKES>

<NAGAMO WALKS DOWN A HALLWAY; THE WALLS ARE WOODED AND THE LIGHTS ARE DIM; UP AHEAD HE COMES UPON A DOOR, WHICH IS THE ENTRANCE TO HIS OFFICE; HE ENTERS>

<INSIDE, A WELL DRESSED ELDERLY MAN HAS HIS BACK TO NAGAMO; HE IS FIDDLING WITH SOMETHING IN HIS HANDS>

Police Chief Nagamo: <SURPRISED AND SOMEWHAT IRRITATED> Can I help you?

Unknown Man: <STILL WITH HIS BACK TURNED, PLEASANTLY> Ah, Mr. Nagamo, how have you been? <HE TURNS AROUND WITH TWO GLASSES OF SOME KIND OF ALCOHOL IN HIS HANDS; HE OFFERS ONE TO NAGAMO>

Police Chief Nagamo: <TAKES THE GLASS; STILL SUSPICIOUS> I’m sorry… do I know you?

Unknown Man: <TAKES A DRINK> Perhaps not, but I do know you. You’re quite the <PAUSES FOR A MOMENT> charismatic leader, Nagamo. But moreover, you are just the man I need for my operation.

Police Chief Nagamo: <DOESN’T DRINK, SETS DOWN HIS GLASS> What operation? What are you talking about?

<THE DOOR BEHIND NAGAMO SUDDENLY SHUTS; TWO GUARDS, WHO ARE CLOTHED IN DARK MILITARY DRAB ARE STANDING BEHIND HIM; THEY HAVE THE INSIGNIA OF THE RED RIBBON ARMY ON THEIR ARMS; ONE WEARS A HELMET; THE OTHER DOES NOT, AND HAS ORANGE HAIR; NAGAMO BECOMES AGITATED WHEN HE SEES THEM; BUT HE TURNS BACK TO CARDINAL, SEEKING EXPLANATION>

Unknown Man: <TAKES SOMETHING OUT OF HIS SUIT POCKET; IT IS A SMALL PHOTOGRAPH; HE HANDS IT TO NAGAMO> My name is Cardinal. I am here because of that.

Police Chief Nagamo: <STARING AT THE PICTURE; HIS KNUCKLES GO WHITE> A-and you were authorized?

Cardinal: By the UN, yes. They’ve given me full control of all assets in the area. I am sure you know who I am. <NAGAMO NODS> Good. This can go smoothly if you choose to help the Red Ribbon Army with its task. This is a matter which I cannot leave to chance. If we do not act with perfect harmony, I fear many lives may be lost.

Police Chief Nagamo: <SLOWLY> There are reports… coming in from the countryside. I did not think them to be so close to the mark. If this is true–

Cardinal: <HOLDS UP HIS HAND> We can discuss specifics later, Chief. For now, I’d like you to meet my team… they have many theories for how to tackle this issue.

<CARDINAL AND NAGAMO EXIT, WITH THE TWO GUARDS FLANKING THEM; NAGAMO DROPS THE PICTURE AS HE GOES; AFTER THE DOOR CLOSES, THE CAMERA FOCUSES IN ON THE PICTURE; IT IS A PICTURE OF LEDAS’ SPACE POD, WHICH HE HAD FORGOTTEN>

<CAMERA CUTS TO LEDAS AND VEGETA’S FIGHT; LEDAS ATTACKS BUT IS COUNTERED; THE FIGHT IS NOT EVEN; VEGETA IS BEATING UP ON HIM, WITH RELATIVE EASE; LEDAS IS BLEEDING FROM HIS LOWER LIP>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> No, I can’t let him know it’s me yet… I need to get away, and fast.

<THE FIGHT CONTINUES AND VEGETA HAS NEARLY BEATEN LEDAS>

Vegeta: So, fool, given up yet? <HE PUSHES LEDAS BACK, WHO IS HUNCHED OVER IN MIDAIR, BREATHING HARD> Did you really think you could beat the Prince of all Saiyans?

Ledas: <BREATHLESS> No… Vegeta. I didn’t mean to fight you…

<VEGETA LAUGHS; LEDAS DISAPPEARS, THE QUICKLY REAPPEARS ABOVE VEGETA, HE FIRES A HUGE ENERGY BLAST POINT BLANK INTO THE PRINCE; VEGETA FALLS TO THE GROUND, UNCONSCIOUS>

Ledas: <BREATHING HARD STILL; WIPES BLOOD OFF OF HIS FACE> But you shouldn’t let your guard down, Vegeta. <COUGHS>

<LEDAS SLOWLY TURNS AROUND TO LEAVE, BUT QUICKLY GLANCES ONCE MORE AT THE UNCONSCIOUS VEGETA; A DISTRESSED EXPRESSION CROSSES HIS FACE, BUT AFTER A MOMENT, IT IS GONE>

<LEDAS FLIES HOME AND GOES TO HIS ROOM; HE PLACES THE CAPSULE IN A DRAWER ON HIS NIGHTSTAND NEXT TO HIS POUCH OF SAIBAMEN; INSIDE THAT NIGHTSTAND IS A PAIR OF PANTIES THAT HE SAVED; HE LOOKS THEM OVER FOR A MOMENT>

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF> Well, I don’t have any reason to keep them anymore. I guess I should return them.

<HE SETS HIS BACKPACK DOWN ON HIS BED AND EMPTIES IT; A MESS OF BOOKS AND PAPERS FALL OUT ONTO HIS BED>

<HE PICKS UP A PENCIL AND TRIES WRITING, TRYING TO MIMIC THE LETTERS HE SEES, BUT HE IS TERRIBLE AT IT; HE CAN NEITHER READ NOR WRITE, OBVIOUSLY>

Ledas: I dunno what I’m supposed to do with this stuff…

Mrs. Fanshi: <FROM THE OTHER ROOM> Ledas, dinner is ready!

Ledas: <HALF RESPONSE> Okay.

<HE LOOKS ONE MORE TIME AT THE CAPSULE, SAIBAMAN POUCH, AND PANTIES THAT HE STOLE IN THE DRAWER BEFORE CLOSING IT AND WALKING OUT; HE IS IN HIS BLACK SHORTS, WHITE SHIRT, AND SOCKS ONLY>

<LEDAS ARRIVES AT THE DINNER TABLE TO FIND THE FOOD LAID OUT FOR THEM WITH FANSHI ALREADY HAVING SET THE TABLE; SHE IS SITTING DOWN; LEDAS SITS DOWN>

<NOT WAITING, HE PLOWS INTO HIS FOOD USING HIS HANDS>

Mrs. Fanshi: Dear, slow down. That is no way to act while eating! Here, I will show you proper manners at the dinner table.

Ledas: ‘asanners?!

Mrs. Fanshi: The first thing you must learn is to never talk with your mouth full.

<LEDAS SWALLOWS>

Ledas: But why?

Mrs. Fanshi: It is rude.

Ledas: How?

Mrs. Fanshi: Don’t backtalk me, Ledas. Now, do you know how use chopsticks?

Ledas: W-what’s chopsticks?

Mrs. Fanshi: Those there. <SHE POINTS TO WHAT IS NEXT TO HIM; THE CAMERA SHOWS IT UP CLOSE>

<LEDAS PICKS THE TWO STICKS UP, DUMBFOUNDED AT HOW TO USE THEM; FANSHI GETS UP AND HELPS HIM USE IT, GUIDING HIS HAND; HE SUBMITS; AS CAN BE SEEN, HE IS TERRIBLE WITH THEM, AND HE SPILLS HIS FOOD EVERYWHERE; AT ONE PANEL, HE GETS AGITATED, AND PUNCTURES HIS MEAT WITH ONE OF THEM, BUT FANSHI UNDOES THAT>

<THE PANELS MOVE BY QUICKLY; LEDAS DOES NOT GET HOW TO USE THE CHOPSTICKS FOR A FEW PANELS, BUT HE GRADUALLY BECOMES SEMI-COMPETENT; FANSHI CAREFULLY AND COMPASSIONATELY SHOWS HIM HOW TO EAT SLOWER, AND EAT SMALLER PORTIONS>

<THEY GO INTO THE NIGHT LIKE THIS, WITH FANSHI REALLY ACTING LIKE A MOTHER FIGURE TO LEDAS; LEDAS ACTUALLY TRIES TO LEARN FROM IT>

Mrs. Fanshi: <AS THEY CONTINUE> Your mother never taught you how to use these?

Ledas: No.

Mrs. Fanshi: Poor thing, you must have had a hard life. How long have you been living on your own?

Ledas: I don’t know. But it has been a long time.

<SHE SHAKES HER HEAD AND HELPS HIM, AGAIN, WITH HIS CHOPSTICKS>

Mrs. Fanshi: Well, you’re safe with me now, dear.

<HE NODS BUT DOES NOT SMILE, AS HE IS FOCUSED ON HIS FOOD ONCE AGAIN>

Ledas: Yeah, safe.

<THE NEXT DAY GOES BY, WITHOUT MUCH HAPPENING; AFTER SCHOOL, LEDAS STAYS WITH RYORI AS THE LATTER WAITS FOR HIS BROTHER TO COME AND PICK HIM UP>

<THE BOTH OF THEM ARE THE ONLY TWO LEFT AT SCHOOL AND ARE SITTING ON THE CURB OF A STREET>

Ryori: He’s my older brother. He’s really nice and all… just a little messed up.

<LEDAS JUST SITS THERE LISTENING, HE IS SOMEWHAT DISTRACTED; THE WOUND ON HIS LIP HAS HEALED SLIGHTLY BUT NO ONE HAS NOTICED IT YET>

Ryori: It’s not really his fault. He drinks a lot and does a lot of drugs…

Ledas: Drinking? What does that mean?

Ryori: You don’t know? Well… I guess it’s better if you don’t. But I can tell when he gets like that. I can see it in his eyes. When he gets like that… <RUBS HIS ARMS WHICH ARE SLIGHTLY BRUISED; LEDAS NOTICES> I’m just another fucked up kid to him.

Shoekki: <PULLS UP TO THE SIDE OF THE CURB, ON HIS MOTORCYCLE; IT IS RED; IN MOCKING SPIRIT, LAUGHING> He was close… because all I saw was a kid fucking everyone he could get his little hands on.

Ryori: <GETS UP> Nuh-uh! I don’t do that!

Shoekki: Like hell you don’t. What? You think I don’t know what my little bro’s up to? I know a lot more than you think.

Ryori: <GOES SCARLET> I’m not doing anything!

<BOTH SILENTLY FUME AT ONE ANOTHER FOR A FEW SECONDS>

Ryori: <BREAKING THE SILENCE> Why are you so happy, Shoekki?

Shoekki: <GRINS> I got a new girl today. Picked her up right before I came over here. And the best part of it all… she’s just like me! <HIS BALANCES STARTS TO WANE> Likes all the stuff I do.

Ryori: <BOWS HEAD, QUIETLY> Oh great.

Shoekki: <GRABS RYORI AND HELPS HIM UP ONTO THE BIKE> Come on, Ryori! It’ll be great… I promise.

<THE TWO GET ON THE MOTORCYCLE AND SPEED OFF; RYORI LOOKS EXTREMELY WORRIED AND DEJECTED; STRIKING WHEN COMPARED TO HIS ALPHA MALE PERSONALITY THAT NORMALLY WAS PRESENT AT SCHOOL>

<THE CAMERA SHIFTS TO ANOTHER PLACE, A ROOM HIGHLY ORNATE AND WOODED; IN IT ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE CONVERSING; AMONG THEM ARE CARDINAL AND NAGAMO; THE WALLS ARE LINED WITH RED RIBBON ARMY GUARDS; THE GUARD WITH THE ORANGE HAIR IS WITH CARDINAL AND NAGAMO>

Cardinal: So, <GESTURES AROUND TO THE FOUR OTHERS STANDING NEXT TO HIM> these are my operatives – Kindler, Dewberry, File, and my son, General Silver. We have, together, worked up several methods which can be employed to capture this being. Our only problem as of now is we do not have an identity for the creature.

Police Chief Nagamo: What do you mean?

Cardinal: As you may recall, Nagamo, two of these very same creatures, in the very same space ships came to this planet years back. Should I bring up the recordings?

Police Chief Nagamo: No, I remember it.

Cardinal: Good, good. <CONTINUES> A great deal of time and effort was spent tracking down several tapes of these creatures in action. From such tapes, we have gained three critical pieces of evidence. <PAUSES, TURNS TO ONE OF HIS ASSOCIATES, THE MOST WELL DRESSED> Kindler, would you mind showing our gracious host what we have uncovered.

Kindler: Of course, sir. <MOVES FORWARD, AND POINTS TO A SCREEN THAT WAS OFF-SCREEN UNTIL NOW; IT HAS SEVERAL STILL PICTURES OF VEGETA AND NAPPA AS THEY WERE WHEN THEY FIRST ARRIVED ON EARTH> From what we have deduced, these creatures look much like you and me… even if there are several minor differences.

Police Chief Nagamo: So you’re saying there could be any number of these things on earth?

Kindler: <LOOKS UP AT NAGAMO, WITH CONTEMPT> No, that’s utterly preposterous. These creatures are highly destructive and I doubt any could possibly live here in peace. For one, they are far more powerful than any normal human. And also, every one of them has a tail. <WRYLY> There have been no reports about any men with tails, recently.

Police Chief Nagamo: Oh, right. I guess that makes sense. <CURIOSITY OVERWHELMING> So what is the third piece of evidence?

Kindler: <CHANGES THE SCREEN TO PICTURES OF VEGETA TRANSFORMED INTO A GREAT APE> They turn into big monkeys when exposed to the moon. <PAUSES AS NAGAMO TAKES THIS IN> Yeah, I’m not even making that up.

Police Chief Nagamo: Yes, that’s interesting as well… but how will this help us catch the beast?

File: <FEMALE ASSOCIATE; REACHES FOR SOMETHING BELOW THE TABLE AND BRINGS IT UP; IT IS A WEIRD MECHANICAL DEVICE> With this. <GESTURES TO THE DEVICE> This is a blutz wave generator. It’s one of the few models produced by a… <SEARCHES FOR THE WORD> trusted manufacturer. The device will simulate our moon.

<NAGAMO TRIES TO RESPOND, CLEARLY NOT WANTING THEM TO TRANSFORM THE ALREADY DANGEROUS SUPPOSED ALIEN; BUT CARDINAL MOVES FORWARD>

Cardinal: <MOVES FORWARD> The reason we have told you this, Nagamo is that I will shortly be placing this device into the entire town. I would appreciate some kind of help in determining the most populated areas for exposure.

<NAGAMO SHIFTS HIS FEET, MOUTH AGAPE IN HORROR OF WHAT HE IS WITNESSING; HE LOOKS ONE MORE TIME AT THE PICTURE OF VEGETA TRANSFORMED AND THEN BACK OUT THE WINDOW TO HIS QUIET, AND PEACEFUL TOWN>

<PERMANENTLY REDACTED SCENE 1, NOT POSTED>

The Monster Inside Me…
<A FEW DAYS PASS, WEEKS EVEN; BY THIS TIME LEDAS HAS GROWN A LITTLE MORE COMFORTABLE AROUND RYORI AND THE OTHER HUMANS; SEVERAL SCENES PASS OF HIM TRAINING IN HIS GRAVITY SUPPRESSION UNIT, IN SUPER SAIYAN, AT OVER 250G; HIS SAIBAMEN ARE SHOWN TO BE TRAINING ALONG WITH HIM IN THERE>

<A SCENE COMES UP WHERE LEDAS, RYORI, AND SEVERAL OTHER BOYS ARE ALL ENJOYING THEMSELVES AT AN ARCADE, COMPLETELY OBLIVIOUS TO ANYTHING BAD GOING ON AROUND THEM; THE GROUP OF THEM ARE LAUGHING AND PLAYING AROUND; THE SCENE CHANGES TO THEM IN CLASS, SHOWING HOW RYORI LEADS THEM ALL, WHILE KYOKATOSHI ATTEMPTS TO HOLD THE ORDER; NOBODY RESPECTS HIM>

<RYORI IS SUCH AN ALPHA MALE; HE AND LEDAS DO NOT EVER PAY ATTENTION TO CLASS AND LEARN NOTHING; AT THE END, RYORI LEADS THE KIDS HE LIKES OUT OF THE CLASS WHEN IT IS OVER; THEY GO OUT TO A PLAYGROUND AND SIT AROUND, TALKING TO ONE ANOTHER INTO THE EVENING; LEDAS IS WITH THEM>

<AS THEY ARE WALKING BACK, LEDAS RUNS INTO A GIRL; IT IS MIKI, THE GIRL HE GAVE BACK THE PANTIES TO; THEY TALK, BUT IT IS UNSEEN WHAT THEY SAY; SHE SHOWS HIM SOMETHING BEFORE PARTING WAYS; THEN, THE TWO SAY GOODBYE AND PART WAYS>

<THE DAY TURNS TO NIGHT, AND LEDAS AND MRS. FANSHI SAY GOOD NIGHT TO EACH OTHER; BEFORE GOING TO HIS ROOM, HE GRABS AN APPLE AND WANDERS BACK TO HIS ROOM; HE CLOSES THE DOOR AND JUMPS INTO BED>

Ledas: <TAKES A BITE FROM HIS APPLE> I wonder where dad is? <LOOKS AROUND> Haven’t seen him for a while. <SUDDENLY LEDAS SHIVERS AND NOTICES HIS WINDOW IS OPEN> So cold…! <HE STARTS TO MOVE TO GET UP TO CLOSE IT, BUT THEN NOTICES A DARK FIGURE LYING ACROSS THE OUTSIDE OF HIS WINDOWSILL>

Ledas: Who’s there?!

<THE BEING LOOKS UP AT HIM, HIS FACE IS HOODED AND UNRECOGNIZABLE; INDEED HIS ENTIRE BODY IS COVERED IN DARK ROBES; SAVE FOR HIS CLAWED AND SCALED HANDS; THE BEING DOES NOT ANSWER LEDAS>

Ledas: <SHIVERS AGAIN> O-oh it’s you. I know you’re not real… stop bothering me! <WITH ANNOYANCE, LEDAS THROWS HIS HALF EATEN APPLE AT THE CREATURE, HITTING IT SQUARELY IN THE HEAD>

Creature: <SURPRISED SARCASM> Ow…

<LEDAS LETS IN A SHARP GASP, THINKING THE CREATURE MUST BE REAL; HE FALLS OFF THE EDGE OF HIS BED, ON THE FAR SIDE FROM THE WINDOW; WHEN HE GETS BACK UP, THE CREATURE IS GONE; LEDAS RETURNS TO BED, BUT DOES NOT SLEEP, HE IS VERY SHAKEN>

<CUTS TO A CARDINAL’S HEADQUARTERS, WHICH IS IN THE POLICE STATION; SOME TIME HAS PASSED SINCE THE LAST MEETING; THE WALLS ARE COVERED IN PICTURES OF VEGETA AND NAPPA; AS WELL, THERE ARE PAPERS COVERED IN WRITING AND TYPING LITTERING THE TABLES AND DESKS; THE BLUTZ WAVE GENERATOR IS SITTING UNTOUCHED IN A CORNER; THERE ARE STILL RED RIBBON GUARDS LINING THE WALLS>

<CARDINAL, KINDLER, DEWBERRY, AND GENERAL SILVER ARE PRESENT (FILE IS NOT); POLICE CHIEF NAGAMO IS THERE AS WELL; BOTH CARDINAL AND KINDLER HAVE THEIR SUIT TOPS OFF, IN CLEAR FRUSTRATION AND IMPATIENCE; SILVER IS PACING AROUND, PLAYING WITH A KNIFE; DEWBERRY IS SITTING DOWN BECAUSE STANDING IS HARD FOR A FAT PERSON SUCH AS HIMSELF>

Police Chief Nagamo: No, I will not allow it! Absolutely not! If this thing actually is here, transforming it will only make it harder to capture!

Cardinal: We have no leads and no idea who it could be. The idea of shooting out the blutz wave over the city is to make sure that it is even here, not to actually capture it. No, that plan will come in due time.

Police Chief Nagamo: <WITH ANGER> And what happens when it transforms? Who’s to say it won’t go on a rampage and kill us all?

Kindler: <LAUGHS QUIETLY, TO HIMSELF; ARMS FOLDED> Seriously? Have you not been paying attention to what Mr. Cardinal and I have been telling you? When he transforms, we can easily regress him by removing the tail. And if he’s still feisty, we’ve got this. <HOLDS UP A STRANGE HELMET DEVICE>

Silver: <NOT LOOKING AT THEM; BORED> We’ve got plenty of soldiers for this. I can guarantee they can handle the alien. They know to go for his tail.

Police Chief Nagamo: But–

Cardinal: <FATHER’S TONE, ELEGANT> No “buts”, Nagamo. We are doing this, with your help or not. You can make this easier on us both by finding the most populated areas for us to release the waves upon. But if you refuse, we’ll just do the whole town anyways. It’s your choice. <HE SMILES> The UN placed me in charge for a reason. We have a situation that must be dealt with. And simply stalling us is helping no one. It is making no one safer. <GENTLER> Nagamo, these are your people, this is your town. If you co-operate and help us, we can bring the peace back. It won’t happen idly.

Police Chief Nagamo: <SIGHS> I can’t stop you then. Give me a few days, and I’ll see what I can pull together. I want you to know that I don’t approve of what you are doing, Cardinal. But we have no choice. I will let you use the device.

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS, IN THE MORNING; HE WALKS TO SCHOOL, STUMBLING AND WHATNOT DUE TO HIM NOT GETTING ANY SLEEP THE NIGHT BEFORE; ON HIS WAY, HE PASSES BY THE HOUSES HE BLEW UP WEEKS BEFORE; THEY ARE JUST PILES OF ASH NOW; A STRANGE HOODED CHARACTER IS FOLLOWING HIM BUT HE HAS YET TO NOTICE IT>

<UPON GETTING TO SCHOOL, HE SLUMPS INTO HIS DESK, NOT EVEN SAYING HELLO TO RYORI; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, HE IS FAST ASLEEP>

<MR. KYOKATOSHI CONTINUES TALKING AHEAD, AND DOES NOT NOTICE LEDAS; RYORI REACHES OVER TO LEDAS>

Ryori: <POKES LEDAS; WHISPERING> Psst! Ledas! Wake up, dude!

Mr. Kyokatoshi: <IN THE BACKGROUND WHILE THIS IS GOING ON> So can I get a volunteer to do the problem?

Ledas: <SUDDENLY WAKES UP, SHOOTS BACK IN HIS CHAIR; HE NOTICES THE BENEFACTOR HALLUCINATION WHICH IS SITTING ON THE TEACHER’S DESK, OR RATHER LYING ACROSS IT LIKE LAST NIGHT; HE SCREAMS> What?!?! Who is it?! I don’t have any!

<RYORI SHOOTS BACK TO HIS DESK AT THIS AND KYOKATOSHI LOOKS OVER AT HIM>

Mr. Kyokatoshi: <STRANGELY; WITHOUT ENTHUSIASM> Ah, Ledas. Come on up.

<LEDAS SHUFFLES UP TO THE FRONT OF THE CLASS, MR. KYOKATOSHI HANDS HIM A PIECE OF CHALK>

Mr. Kyokatoshi: Now, write out the answer for number 6.

Ledas: <VERY EMBARRASSED, TALKING QUIETLY> Oh, uh sir… I… dunno how to…

Mr. Kyokatoshi: <YELLS> Speak up, boy!

Ledas: <DOES, A LITTLE> I-I can’t… write or read.

Mr. Kyokatoshi <INCREDULOUSLY> You can’t read or write? <THE CLASS COLLECTIVELY LAUGHS, SAVE FOR RYORI> What, do you take me as some kind of fool? <HE BACKHANDS LEDAS ACROSS THE FACE>

Ledas: <DOES NOT MOVE AFTER BEING HIT, HE STARES BACK UP AT KYOKATOSHI> I can’t, sir.

Mr. Kyokatoshi: If you don’t know the answer, simply say so. <HIS VOICE AND TEMPER ARE RISING> But do not stand here and lie to my face that you have been doing nothing, nor gaining anything from my teachings these past months!

The Benefactor: <LOOKING AT HIS FINGERS, INSPECTING; NONCHALANTLY> Kill him, kid.

<LEDAS IS ABOUT TO RESPOND, BUT INSTEAD TURNS TO THE BENEFACTOR AS HE HEARS THIS>

Ledas: I’m not lying.

Mr. Kyokatoshi: You can’t read or write? Do you really think that’s believable?

Ledas: <STARING MR. KYOKATOSHI DOWN; NOT AFRAID> It doesn’t matter if you believe it.

Mr. Kyokatoshi: Don’t you speak to me like that! <HE SLAPS LEDAS AGAIN> You can’t read or write? Are you that stupid? Really?!

The Benefactor: Let them watch. Kill him and let them watch. Show them what you are.

<LEDAS LOOKS AT THE BENEFACTOR AND THEN LOOKS AT RYORI AND THE OTHERS>

Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> I’d kill this human in a second if they weren’t watching. But I can’t do it here.

Mr. Kyokatoshi: Return to your desk, Ledas. After class you have detention. Do not backtalk about it. Now go.

<WITH HIS CONTEMPT, HE TURNS BACK AWAY FROM LEDAS AND CONTINUES THE LECTURE; LEDAS STAYS WITH HIS HEAD DOWN FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS, TO HIDE HIS TEARS>

<AFTER SCHOOL IS OVER, LEDAS GETS UP AND WALKS OUT, IGNORING KYOKATOSHI YELLING AT HIM TO STAY FOR DETENTION>

<RYORI CHASES HIM OUT>

Ryori: Ledas! Come back… you can come over my place if you want to! Ledas!

<LEDAS RUNS OUT, TOO FAST AND IS SOON TOO FAR AWAY; RYORI STANDS ALONE IN THE EMPTY HALL>

<RYORI TURNS BACK AROUND, DISAPPOINTED, TO A RED MOTORCYCLE WAITING FOR HIM; ON IT ARE HIS BROTHER SHOEKKI, AS WELL AS HIS NEW GIRLFRIEND; THE VERY SAME WOMAN THAT WAS ON CARDINAL’S TEAM – FILE; RYORI GETS ON, THOUGH HE IS NOT VERY HAPPY>

<UP AHEAD, LEDAS TAKES OFF, AWAY FROM FANSHI’S HOME AND FLIES FOR SOME TIME; HE IS CLEARLY ANGRY>

<AFTER SOME TIME, HE STOPS OVER A TOWN AND TURNS TO THE BENEFACTOR HALLUCINATION FOLLOWING HIM>

Ledas: <IN A SHOUT> Why are you following me?!

The Benefactor: <STILL CLEANING HIS FINGERNAILS, NOT LOOKING AT LEDAS> I’m just along for the ride.

Ledas: <SHOOTS A SMALL KI BLAST AT HIM> Leave me alone!

The Benefactor: <LOOKS UP AND SMILES, THEN GOES BACK TO HIS WORK> You should have killed your teacher. I know you hate him.

Ledas: He doesn’t even do proper training! It was all just a big scam! That stupid human! He doesn’t know who I am!

The Benefactor: You still did not kill him. A coward’s move, I think. Teuaheahueah. <AFTER HE LAUGHS, THE BENEFACTOR BREAKS INTO NOTHINGNESS, LIKE THE SHATTERING OF GLASS>

<AT THIS, LEDAS GETS MAD AND TURNS AROUND AND SHOOTS A FLURRY OF HIS ENERGY BLASTS INTO THE TOWN BELOW HIM, DESTROYING THE ENTIRE THING; HE SCREAMS AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS WHILE DOING THIS>

<AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS, LEDAS STOPS, HE IS PANTING HARD AND PERHAPS TEARY EYED; HE TAKES OUT HIS POUCH OF SAIBAMEN, WHICH HE HAD BEEN CARRYING WITH HIM; HE BRIEFLY TOYS WITH THE IDEA OF SETTING THEM LOOSE>

<HE NOTICES THERE IS STILL SOME MOVEMENT BELOW, HE TURNS AND READIES AN ENERGY BLAST TO DECIMATE THE REMAINS; BEFORE HE CAN THROW IT, A BLUR, QUICK AS LIGHTNING, COMES BY AND HITS HIM ACROSS THE FACE; LEDAS STOPS, AND CLUTCHES AT HIS FACE, WHERE A HUGE CUT HAS MATERIALIZED; HE DROPS HIS POUCH OF SAIBAMEN; HE WIPES THE BLOOD AWAY AND TURNS TO HIS NEW FOE>

Piccolo: So you’re the one I sensed fighting with Vegeta. <HIS ARMS ARE FOLDED SO HE NODS TO LEDAS’ FREE HANGING TAIL> You’re not any of Goku’s children, and you’re certainly not Trunks. So who are you? <LEDAS DOESN’T ANSWER; ANGER RISING> Fine, be that way. But by destroying that city down there, by ending all those innocent lives, I have no choice but to kill you. Are you ready? Let’s go!

<PICCOLO TAKES OFF HIS WEIGHTED CLOTHES AND THROWS THEM AWAY; HE BEGINS POWERING UP>

<LEDAS PULLS BACK HIS HOOD AND IN A DEAFENING SCREAM TURNS TO SUPER SAIYAN; HE LAUNCHES HIMSELF AT PICCOLO>

Like An Apple
<THIS CHAPTER PICKS UP IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LAST; LEDAS, IN SUPER SAIYAN, LAUNCHES HIMSELF AT PICCOLO WITH ALL HIS FURY; PICCOLO IS UNREADY, STILL TRYING TO POWER UP AND THUS GETS SMACKED IN THE HEAD, HARD; HE FLIES BACK SEVERAL FEET, BUT NOT BEFORE SENDING OFF AN ENERGY BLAST IN RETALIATION; LEDAS BRUSHES IT ASIDE>

<PICCOLO JUMPS BACK AND SHOOTS DOWN INTO THE GROUND AND THE RUBBLE; LEDAS FOLLOWS HIM; BUT IT IS A TRAP AND PICCOLO EMERGES FROM BEHIND LEDAS, SWIPING HIM, FROM THE LEFT SIDE>

<LEDAS IS THROWN TO THE SIDE, BUT TWISTS AS HE FALLS, SENDING A FLURRY OF RAZOR BLASTS INTO PICCOLO’S FACE; PICCOLO RETREATS AGAIN INTO THE RUBBLE>

<LEDAS STANDS UP AND LOOKS AROUND; HE SENDS OFF SEVERAL SMALL INVISIBLE BLASTS WITH HIS RIGHT HAND EXTENDED IN A SEMI-CIRCLE AROUND HIM; AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE HALF BROKEN HOMES AND WHATNOT AROUND ALL EXPLODE; A BRIEF SHOT IS SHOWN OF A KI BLAST HITTING RIGHT NEAR THE POUCH OF SAIBAMEN, CAUSING ALL OF THEIR SEEDS TO FALL OUT>

<LEDAS TURNS AROUND, JUST IN TIME TO SEE PICCOLO STANDING BEHIND HIM, READYING A SPECIAL BEAM CANON>

<PICCOLO SHOOTS OFF THE BEAM; LEDAS BARELY MOVES OUT OF THE WAY; THE BEAM HITS HIM SQUARE IN THE LEFT SHOULDER>

<IN PAIN, LEDAS DROPS TO HIS KNEES SCREAMING, AND GRASPS AT HIS SHOULDER WITH HIS OTHER ARM; AT THE SAME TIME HOWEVER, PICCOLO STARTS WEAVING AROUND, CIRCLING HIM; LEDAS SHOOTS A BUNCH OF SMALL BLASTS AT HIM WITH HIS LEFT ARM>

<PICCOLO AFTERIMAGES AROUND, CONFUSING LEDAS; HE RUNS FORWARD AND KICKS LEDAS IN THE CHIN, SENDING HIM FLYING INTO A BUILDING>

<PICCOLO RELAXES FOR A MOMENT, CATCHING HIS BREATH; BUT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, LEDAS COMES FLYING BACK OUT, PUNCHING PICCOLO IN FACE>

<THEY BOTH TUMBLE INTO ANOTHER BUILDING, HALF DESTROYED; LEDAS LANDS ON TOP OF PICCOLO BUT IS PUSHED OFF ALMOST IMMEDIATELY>

<BOTH ROLL AROUND, CHANGING DOMINANCE SEVERAL TIMES; EVENTUALLY PICCOLO PINS LEDAS DOWN AND GRABS HIS THROAT WITH HIS ARMS; PICCOLO BEGINS TO SUFFOCATE HIM>

Piccolo: <IN THE STRUGGLE, HIS NAILS ARE DIGGING DEEP INTO LEDAS NECK, CAUSING MUCH BLOOD TO SPILL ABOUT; LEDAS STARTS CONVULSING, NEARLY UNCONSCIOUS; FOR SEVERAL SECONDS THIS CONTINUES, IN AN ALMOST EERIE QUIET, SAVE FOR THE FUMBLING AROUND OF LEDAS’ BODY ON THE FLOOR; AT THIS TIME, PICCOLO LETS UP A BIT AND BRINGS HIS FACE WITHIN AN INCH OF THE SAIYAN’S> Who are you?!

<LEDAS DOES NOT ANSWER, BUT STARES BACK WITH ANGER AND PAIN; AFTER A SECOND OR SO, HE HEADBUTTS PICCOLO, CAUSING THE NAMEKIAN TO REEL BACK; HE UNPINS HIS RIGHT HAND AND USES IT TO PUNCH, WITH ALL HIS FORCE, PICCOLO’S LEFT ARM, BREAKING IT>

<PICCOLO, HOWLING IN PAIN, FALLS OFF OF LEDAS>

<LEDAS GASPS, CLUTCHING AT HIS NECK FOR SEVERAL SECONDS; AS PICCOLO RECOVERS, HE GETS UP TOO>

<BOTH READY BLASTS AND SHOOT THEM AT ONE ANOTHER; A BEAM STRUGGLE BEGINS, BUT THEY ARE ONLY MERE FEET AWAY FROM EACH OTHER; PICCOLO AND LEDAS START CIRCLING IN THE ROOM, EACH WITH ONE ARM EXTENDED, FOR THEIR PART OF THE BEAM STRUGGLE>

<THEY GET CLOSER, NOW ONLY ABOUT SIX FEET APART; EACH ONE IS PUTTING ALL OF THEIR ENERGY INTO THE STRUGGLE; A GREAT WIND IS BEING LET OFF FROM THE STRUGGLE AND THE WINDOWS OF THE BUILDING ALL SHATTER; THE WALLS GET BLOWN AWAY AS WELL>

<SUDDENLY, LEDAS LETS UP; HE DISSIPATES HIS BEAM AND TELEPORTS TO BEHIND PICCOLO AT THE SAME TIME; PICCOLO CANNOT REACT FAST ENOUGH, AS THE FORCE OF HIS OWN BEAM CAUSES HIM TO TRIP FORWARD>

<LEDAS JUMPS UP INTO THE AIR AND FALLS DOWN ON THE BACK OF PICCOLO, ELBOWING HIM HIGH IN THE NECK>

<HE FLIPS OVER PICCOLO AND PINS HIM HARD TO THE FLOOR>

Ledas: <TAKES HIS RIGHT AND PUTS IT OVER PICCOLO’S FACE; BREATHING HARD> You know… Vegeta was a lot stronger than you. <WITH THAT, HE SENDS OFF A KYORRA FLASH, DETONATING IT IN PICCOLO’S FACE; DUST AND DEBRIS FILL THE AIR, AND WHEN THEY SETTLE, PICCOLO IS GONE>

<LEDAS SIGHS AND LOOKS AROUND AT ALL THE CARNAGE; WITH A SMIRK AND ONE MORE FEELING OF HIS BLOODY SHOULDER, LEDAS JUMPS INTO THE AIR AND DASHES OFF, BACK HOME>

<BEYOND, MAYBE 50 METERS AHEAD, PICCOLO EMERGES FROM THE RUBBLE, AND COLLAPSES ON THE GROUND; WITHOUT ANOTHER THOUGHT, HE SLIPS INTO UNCONSCIOUSNESS>

<NEARBY, THE SAIBAMEN HAVE TRANSFORMED DUE TO THE ENERGY OUTPUT FROM PICCOLO’S AND LEDAS’ FIGHT; THEY ARE CRAWLING AROUND THE MOSTLY DESTROYED CITY, CACKLING AWAY; ALL BUT ONE OF THEM ARE RED>

<THEY SHOOT KI BLASTS, DESTROYING MORE AND MORE OF THE CITY; SOME SURVIVORS ATTEMPT TO FLEE AND ARE QUICKLY SHOT WITH KI; THE SAIBAMEN ALL REACH A PLAYGROUND WHICH ISN’T DAMAGED TOO MUCH; THEY QUICKLY START PLAYING ON IT; WELL, MOST OF THEM, ANYWAY; WILDE, THEIR LEADER, IS NONE TO PLEASED WITH THEIR ACTIONS>

Wilde: <SAIBA-SPEAK> Get back in the pouch. Master won’t like this!

Oppa: <SAIBA-SPEAK; JUMPS PAST WILDE, SHOOTING MORE FLEEING HUMANS> No! I won’t! Master hasn’t let us kill meatbags in too long!

Poy: <SAIBA-SPEAK> Kill them!

Ame: <SAIBA-SPEAK> I call dibs on these ones! <HE SHOOTS A BIG KI BALL AT A GROUP OF HUMANS, KILLING THEM ALL>

<WILDE ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE OTHER SIX, BUT IS UNSUCCESSFUL; AS HE IS TRYING TO GET THEM TO STOP, A FORCE OF HUMANS APPEARS BEFORE THEM>

Silver: <INTO HIS RADIO> This looks like the work of the alien. There’s still explosions going off, father. He must be here.

Cardinal: <OVER SILVER’S RADIO> Activate the Blutz Wave Generator.

Silver: <RUNS FORWARD WITH HIS GARRISON OF SOLDIERS; THEY SEE THE SEVEN SAIBAMEN AHEAD AT THE PLAYGROUND> Wait… there’s seven of them. And they don’t look human.

Cardinal: <OVER SILVER’S RADIO> Very well, Silver. Kill them or come back. Your call. Either way, I want that generator kept safe.

<CARDINAL CUTS THE COMMUNICATION>

Silver: I’m no coward. <TO HIS MEN> Focus your fire on one creature at a time! Come on, let’s kill some alien scum!

<HE LEADS THE CHARGE AGAINST THE SAIBAMEN>

<CUTS TO LEDAS, WHO HAS LANDED AT A CLEARING IN THE WOODS NEAR FANSHI’S HOUSE; THIS IS WHERE HE KEEPS HIS GRAVITY SUPPRESSION UNIT; HE OPENS ITS DOOR AND WALKS UP THE RAMP INSIDE; AS HE REACHES INSIDE, HE PUTS A HAND IN HIS POCKET TO GET HIS SAIBAMEN>

Ledas: Where’d my Saibamen go? <SUDDENLY, HE REMEMBERS DROPPING THEM WHEN PICCOLO ATTACKED; HE TURNS AROUND, SENSING THEM WREAKING HAVOC IN THE DISTANCE> Oh no…

<CUTS BACK TO THE SAIBAMEN; THE RED RIBBON ARMY IS ATTACKING THEM, BUT THEY ARE COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE; ANY SOLDIERS WHO ATTACK ARE MOWED DOWN BY KI BLASTS; WILDE IS STILL ATTEMPTING TO GET THEM UNDER CONTROL>

Wilde: <SAIBA-SPEAK> Master will kill us for this! Carawa listen to me!

Carawa: <SAIBA-SPEAK; SHOOTS A RED RIBBON ARMY SOLDIER, THEN TURNS AROUND> Fine, I’ll go.

<OPPA IS STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF A GROUP OF SOLDIERS; HE RIPS THEM TO PIECES AND LAUGHS AS HE DOES IT; HE APPEARS TO FRENZIED TO WORK WITH>

Wilde: <SAIBA-SPEAK> Oppa, come on!

Oppa: Never!

<WILDE GROWLS THEN SHOOTS OPPA THROUGH THE NECK, KILLING HIM; SES, AME, SONFLA, AND POY ALL TURN AROUND IN SHOCK; POY GETS EXTREMELY MAD AND CHARGES UP AN ATTACK TO SHOOT AT WILDE>

Poy: <SAIBA-SPEAK> He was my brother!

<POY JUMPS AT WILDE, BUT IS BLOWN IN HALF BEFORE HE REACHES THE COMMANDER; FROM THE SIDE, CARAWA HAS FIRED A BLAST AND KILLED POY; SES AND AME ARE SHOCKED>

Sonfla: <SAIBA-SPEAK; HE IS THE ONLY GREEN SAIBAMAN> Why would you kill our brothers?!

Wilde: Shut up, runt. No one disobeys master! We must go before he gets angry at us.

Sonfla: You aren’t master! You don’t tell me what to do!

Wilde: Then you die too! <WILDE SHOOTS A BLAST AT SONFLA, SENDING THE GREEN SAIBAMAN FLYING BACK> Now we go!

<HE AND CARAWA IMMEDIATELY RUN; SES AND AME DON’T RESIST AND FOLLOW AS WELL; BEFORE TOO LONG, THEY ARE OUT OF SIGHT OF THE RED RIBBON ARMY; AS THEY CONTINUE RUNNING, THEY HEAR A SOUND BEHIND THEM; LEDAS LANDS ON THE GROUND; HE LOOKS ANGRY AS HE APPROACHES THEM>

Ledas: <YELLING> What happened?!

Wilde: Grahh!

Ledas: <COUNTING ONLY FOUR SAIBAMEN> Where are the other three? I don’t sense them anywhere.

<AME SHAKES HIS HEAD AND DRAWS HIS FINGER ACROSS HIS THROAT; LEDAS REALIZES WHAT THIS MEANS; HE IS SUDDENLY OVERCOME WITH EMOTION AND FALLS TO THE GROUND; HE CRIES, REALIZING THAT THREE OF HIS CHERISHED PETS HAVE DIED>

<CUTS TO LATER IN THE DAY; BACK AT CARDINAL’S HEADQUARTERS; DEWBERRY AND FILE ARE WITH CARDINAL; THEY WALK DOWN A HALL INTO ANOTHER ROOM; THIS ONE IS PACKED FULL OF SOLDIERS; AT THEIR HELM IS SILVER>

Silver: It took a lot of my men, but we’ve got one, father.

Cardinal: Show me.

<SILVER SMIRKS AND PRESSES A BUTTON; A BLAST SHIELD IN FRONT OF THEM RETRACTS BACK, REVEALING A CREATURE BEHIND A SEE-THROUGH WINDOW; IT IS SONFLA, LEDAS’ GREEN SAIBAMAN, AND HE LOOKS BADLY WOUNDED; HE IS SUSPENDED IN THE AIR, HELD UP BY CABLES>

Cardinal: You’ve done well, my son. Making you the Supreme General of the new Red Ribbon Army is certainly paying off. Now, <HE GESTURES TO SOME SCIENTISTS NEAR HIM> interrogate this creature. I want to know everything it knows about the alien with the tail.

<SEVERAL DAYS HAVE PASSED, MAYBE EVEN A WEEK>

<LEDAS IS IN RYORI’S HOUSE; IT IS SOMEWHAT MESSY AND FILTHY>

<MOST OF HIS WOUNDS HAVE HEALED, BUT HE IS STILL RECOVERING FROM THE SLICE ON HIS LEFT CHEEKBONE; HE HAS A SWOLLEN LIP>

<RYORI AND HIM ARE PLAYING VIDEO GAMES, HAVING A GRAND TIME WITH IT ALL; IN A ROOM TO THEIR RIGHT, BEHIND A COUCH; THEY CAN HEAR SHOEKKI AND HIS GIRLFRIEND MAKING A TON OF NOISE; RYORI KNOWS WHAT IT IS AND IGNORES IT; LEDAS DOES NOT>

Ledas: What are they doing back there? It sounds like they’re in pain.

Ryori: <LOW VOICE> It’s not pain. They just can’t control themselves. Well at least they’re not doing drugs… or at least I hope not.

<THE TWO PLAY FOR SEVERAL MORE SECONDS>

Ryori: <STARING AT THE SCREEN, PLAYING> What did Mr. Kyokatoshi give you for skipping out on detention last week?

Ledas: Well… I have personal detention with him for the rest of the month.

Ryori: Man, that sucks.

Ledas: Yeah, I guess…

Ryori: I hate detention with him. There’s never any other teachers around so he always hits us. Has he done that with you yet? <GETTING REALLY DRAWN IN BY THE VIDEO GAME>

Ledas: <NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THAT> A few times. He mostly does that in class, though.

Ryori: Yeah, I remember… <BRINGS HIS CONTROLLER UP TO HIS FACE, PLAYIN’ HARD> I wish he would just drop dead.

<LEDAS LOOKS AT RYORI WHEN HE SAYS THIS BUT AT THIS EXACT MOMENT, SHOEKKI AND HIS GIRLFRIEND COME OUT; SHOEKKI IS IN NOTHING BUT BOXERS; HIS GIRLFRIEND HAS A LITTLE MORE ON>

Shoekki: <STUMBLES OUT, LAUGHING> Oh, hi! How are ya guys? You met my new girlfriend yet? Her name is–

Ryori: <WAVES ONE HAND, THE OTHER STILL CLUTCHING HIS CONTROLLER> Yeah, yeah that’s nice.

Shoekki: <JUMPS FORWARD; THERE IS ALCOHOL AND OTHER UNMENTIONABLE THINGS ON HIS BREATH> Jeez… ya both still playing? You’ve been doing that all day… <SLURRED SLIGHTLY> whadontcha go ousside..? Get some exercise…

Ryori: <PUSHES AT HIS BROTHER> Come on, Shoekki, leave us alone.

Shoekki: <WOBBLES OVER TO THEM; SUPER CALM, SUDDENLY> You know Ryori, you’re my little bro… and I’ve gotta take care of ya.

Ryori: Why don’t you take care of yourself first?

<SHOEKKI LAUGHS AT THIS, WAVING HIS HAND AT BOTH OF THE KIDS; BUT AFTER A FEW SECONDS HE GOES BACK INTO HIS ROOM WITH FILE; THE TWO CONTINUE THEIR PREVIOUS ENDEAVOR>

<LATER THAT NIGHT, LEDAS GOES, ALONE, TO THE SCHOOL; IT IS ABANDONED AND QUIET; HE MAKES HIS WAY TO MR. KYOKATOSHI’S OFFICE; HE ENTERS>

Mr. Kyokatoshi: <LOOKS UP FROM HIS DESK, BEHIND A STACK OF PAPERS> Ledas. Good, I was beginning to think you wouldn’t come.

Ledas: <SOMEWHAT ANGRY> How much longer do I have to do this?

Mr. Kyokatoshi: What, you don’t like your punishment?

Ledas: <SLIPS INTO A DESK, STILL MASSAGING HIS HURTING SHOULDER> It’s a waste of time. I have better things to do.

Mr. Kyokatoshi: I am your teacher. Your duty is to me and your studies. Everything, <MORE FORCEFULLY> everything I have you do is important.

Ledas: <GETTING ANGRY> Yeah, ‘cept this.

The Benefactor: <MATERIALIZES, LYING ACROSS A DESK NEXT TO LEDAS; MESSING WITH HIS FINGERNAILS> Some people don’t deserve to live.

Mr. Kyokatoshi: Fine then! I will take more drastic measures. You will submit to my authority! <HE REACHES FOR SOMETHING>

Ledas: <DIRECTED AT THE BENEFACTOR; KYOKATOSHI INTERPRETS IT TO BE AT HIM> I don’t think that’s a good idea…

Mr. Kyokatoshi: What you think doesn’t matter, I am your superior.

The Benefactor: <FORCEFULLY> Kill him.

Ledas: <BOWS HIS HEAD, TRYING TO IGNORE THE BENEFACTOR> Don’t say that!

Mr. Kyokatoshi: <WALKS RIGHT UP TO LEDAS, GETS CLOSE TO HIS FACE; HE HAS A RULER IN HIS HAND> I AM YOUR SUPERIOR!

The Benefactor: Would you submit to such a weak animal? Have you days in slavery taught you nothing? <LAUGHS> End this little game, now.

Ledas: Shut uuuup!! <YELLS, OUT OF SHEER FRUSTRATION AND ANGER; HIS EYES TURN GREEN, HIS HAIR YELLOW; BUT THIS TIME IT’S NOT LIKE BEFORE; HE HAS TURNED FULL POWERED SUPER SAIYAN, A STATE WHICH HE RECENTLY ACQUIRED THROUGH TRAINING; LEDAS’ AURA PUSHES MR. KYOKATOSHI AWAY; HE HITS THE WALL; HIS NOSE STARTS BLEEDING; HE DROPS HIS RULER>

Mr. Kyokatoshi: You insolent bastard! You dare strike at your teacher? <GETS UP, AND WALKS TOWARD LEDAS WITH PURPOSE>

<WHEN GETTING THERE HE TRIES TO SMACK LEDAS ACROSS THE FACE, BUT LEDAS DODGES IT>

Ledas: I told you to leave me alone!

Mr. Kyokatoshi: <SHAKING; HE SEES LEDAS’ CHANGED APPEARANCE, CAUSING HIM TO RUN BACK TO HIS DESK> Y-y-you monster. <KNEELS, BLEEDING; SUDDENLY REACHES TO HIS DESK, TAKING A HAND GUN FROM ONE OF THE DRAWERS> Ah! H-how… dare… you!

<HE SHOOTS THE GUN AT LEDAS, BUT LEDAS EASILY MOVES OUT OF THE WAY; MR. KYOKATOSHI’S EYES WIDEN; LEDAS SHOOTS HIM WITH AN ENERGY BLAST, POINT BLANK, DECAPITATING HIM>

<LEDAS RUNS OUT OF THE ROOM, LEAVING NOTHING BUT A CORPSE AND A BENEFACTOR BEHIND>

Blutz Wave
<IT IS SUNSET; THE CAMERA PANS ACROSS A VAST TERRAIN, COMING UP UPON KORIN’S MYTHICAL TOWER>

<UP ON THE TOWER, VOICES ARE COMING OUT, SOMEWHAT LOUDLY AND WITH ANNOYANCE>

Korin: <PERCHED ATOP A RAILING; BACK TURNED TO THE TOWER> What is it now?

Yajirobe: <RUMMAGING THROUGH SOMETHING BEHIND> Argh, there’s no food here. I’m starving!

Korin: <WRYLY, BACK TURNED TO YAJIROBE> You look like it too.

Yajirobe: You stupid old cat, maybe you don’t have to eat, but I do. My stomach’s on empty, man.

Korin: <STILL STARING OUT AT THE SUNSET, THROWS SOME SENZU BEANS BACK AT YAJIROBE> Here, have some of these.

Yajirobe: <SWATS THEM ASIDE> Enough with those stupid beans. I want some real food.

Korin: Heh heh heh. Why don’t you go into town and get some? And pick up a girl and get married…

Yajirobe: Whatever man. <GRUMBLING> But I’m not getting you any catnip.

<YAJIROBE TAKES OUT, WITH INDIGNATION, A CAPSULE AND TURNS IT INTO A HOVER CAR; HE HOPS IN IT AND FLIES OFF>

Korin: Heh heh heh. <WATCHING HIM GO> Maybe he won’t come back.

<CUTS TO CARDINAL AND NAGAMO; THEY ARE ALONE, OUTSIDE; IT IS DARK NOW AND THEY ARE SITTING IN FRONT OF A VAST EXPANSE OF GRASS AND WHATNOT>

Cardinal: <SOFTLY, SIPPING ON SOME ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE> We’ve identified all members of his detention schedule. They’ll all be present at the ballet tonight. <TAKES ANOTHER DRINK> I’ve already sent Dewberry and Kindler there to set up the equipment.

Police Chief Nagamo: <STARING OUT, STONY FACED> And you need my resources? I can send all the cars if you need them.

Cardinal: It’s not just that. We will you to work some damage control… obviously whoever killed that teacher is the alien. And obviously the alien will be in that theater. When he or she transforms, I doubt anyone will know what is going on. You need to be there to assure the public that it was nothing. That they are safe. And they will be. I have plenty of soldiers lying in wait. They will cut the alien’s tail when the transformation takes place.

Police Chief Nagamo: I can exaggerate, yes. That’s part of my job. But how can I possibly tell the people that what they will witness with their own eyes didn’t happen?

Cardinal: <REACHES OVER AND PATS NAGAMO ON THE SHOULDER> Well I’m sure you’ll think of something, Nagamo.

<SCREEN FADES, THEN REFOCUSES ON A BUILDING; THERE ARE PEOPLE AROUND IT, MOSTLY STUDENTS; THEY ARE ALL TALKING AND LOLLYGAGGING ABOUT; THE NOISE CAN BE HEARD ALL THROUGH TOWN; INSIDE ARE MORE STUDENTS>

<LEDAS AND RYORI, AFTER WADING THROUGH A GREAT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE REACH THEIR SEATS, WITHIN A HIGH THEATER; THEY SIT DOWN AND BEGIN TO TALK AS OTHERS POUR IN, AND THE STAGE GETS PREPARED>

Ryori: <LEANS OVER TO LEDAS, WHO IS ON HIS RIGHT; HE IS WHISPERING> Hey Ledas, did you hear about Mr. Kyokatoshi?

Ledas: <UNCOMFORTABLY> Uh… no.

Ryori: Well I heard he went insane and ran off into the countryside. Nobody’s seen him all weekend.

<SOME OTHER STUDENTS COME IN AND SIT NEXT TO THEM, THEY ARE ALSO TALKING ABOUT MR. KYOKATOSHI>

Student 1: Yeah, I’m not kidding. I saw them myself!

Student 2: But who could have done that to Mr. Kyokatoshi?

<RYORI’S ATTENTION SUDDENLY BECOMES FOCUSED ON THEIR CONVERSATION>

Ryori: Wait, what happened to Kyokatoshi?

Student 1: Oh, Ryori… you didn’t hear? He’s dead. There were police all over the school! Ya should have seen it.

Ryori: <EYES WIDEN, BUT NOT IN SADNESS> What? He’s dead? Who did it?!

Student 1: No one knows… it just happened.

Ryori: <SITS BACK IN HIS CHAIR, LOOKS LIKE HIS IS DEEP IN THOUGHT; QUIETLY> Isn’t that weird, Ledas? A few days ago, I said I wanted him to drop dead.

Ledas: <SLIPS LOWER INTO HIS SEAT> Yeah, that’s weird.

Ryori: <SUPER CHILDISH> Bu-but… I didn’t mean it. You know that, right?!

<BEFORE LEDAS CAN ANSWER, THE LIGHTS DIM, AND THE SCHOOL PLAY BELOW BEGINS; THERE IS NO MORE MENTION OF KYOKATOSHI BETWEEN THEM>

<AS THE PLAY BEGINS, BEHIND THE SCENES, UP ON SOME RAFTERS ARE KINDLER AND HIS ASSISTANT DEWBERRY; DEWBERRY IS QUITE FAT AND MESSY COMPARED TO KINDLER WHO IS ELEGANTLY DRESSED>

Kindler: <ON HIS PHONE> It’s begun. I can start the machine up now… if you want… okay, right. I’ll do that. Bye. <TURNS TO DEWBERRY> Goddamnit, I can’t believe File is on a date tonight. We really could have used her for this. <TO DEWBERRY> As soon as I leave, press <POINTS> this button. Only this button, Dewberry. After that… just go sit in a corner or something. But don’t touch anything else? Got it? Is that easy enough for you?

Dewberry: Yeah, I got it Kindler. Don’t worry, I won’t mess it up.

Kindler: <AS HE EXITS; TO HIMSELF IN A WHISPER> Like hell you won’t.

<CUTS TO THE POLICE STATION; SUPREME GENERAL SILVER AND A STAFF OF SCIENTISTS ARE WATCHING THEIR CAPTIVE SAIBAMAN, SONFLA; HE IS SLEEPING>

Silver: We have given that thing plenty of time. Wake it up and question it again.

Scientist 1: Sir, I’m not even sure we can communicate with it. We don’t know what it is.

Scientist 2: He’s right, General. All attempts to contact it have been met with indifference.

<A SOLDIER COMES UP FROM BEHIND; HE IS NOT WEARING A HELMET EITHER, THOUGH HIS HAIR IS BLACK>

Captain Green: Just do what General Silver wants. I bet if you show that thing the space ship we captured, he’ll know what we want.

Silver: <NODS> Good idea, captain. Show it the space ship.

<THE SCIENTISTS WAKE SONFLA, WHO CRIES OUT IN PAIN, AS HE WATCHES LEDAS’ POD BECOME VISIBLE IN THE HOLDING CELL TO HIS RIGHT; HE REALIZES THAT IT’S LEDAS’ POD AND SCREAMS OUT; THE SCIENTISTS OPEN A MIC TO HIM>

Scientist 1: <INTO THE MIC> Greetings, uh, little guy. How are you?

Silver: <QUICK INTERJECTION> Enough! Ask him about the ship.

Scientist 1: <TO SILVER> Of course, sir. <INTO THE MIC> We are looking for the owner of that space ship. Do you know who it is?

Sonfla: Gruh!

Scientist 1: Sorry, I didn’t catch that.

Sonfla: <ANGRILY> Ienack!

<SONFLA STARTS THRASHING ABOUT, TRYING TO BREAK FREE>

Captain Green: Sedate him!

<THE SCIENTIST PRESS A BUTTON, WHICH LOWERS A NEEDLE INTO SONFLA’S CAGE; UPON SEEING THE NEEDLE, HE BECOMES ENRAGED; HE HOWLS; AS THE NEEDLE GETS CLOSER, SONFLA LOOKS RIGHT AT SILVER (WHO STARES BACK); THEN, HE STOPS YELLING, CLOSES HIS EYES, AND CONCENTRATES; BEFORE ANYONE CAN SEE WHAT HE’S DOING, THE ROOM IS LIT UP WITH A GREAT LIGHT; THEN, THE ENTIRE ROOM EXPLODES>

<MANY SOLDIERS AND SCIENTISTS ARE INCINERATED ON IMPACT; CAPTAIN GREEN DIVES AT SILVER AND PROTECTS HIS GENERAL AS THE EXPLOSION REACHES THEM; WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, IT’S OVER; THE SURVIVING SOLDIERS AND SCIENTISTS ARE LYING ABOUT, COUGHING AND CRYING OUT IN PAIN; SILVER, HOWEVER, IS UNTOUCHED, THANKS TO CAPTAIN GREEN; HE AND THE CAPTAIN STAND UP AND LOOK AROUND AT THE DAMAGE; BODIES ARE EVERYWHERE; THEY LOOK AHEAD AT WHERE SONFLA USED TO BE; HANGING BY A CABLE IS AN ARM; THAT IS ALL THAT IS LEFT OF SONFLA; SILVER COUGHS AND THEN SHAKES HIS HEAD; NOTICEABLY, LEDAS’ POD ISN’T DESTROYED>

<CUTS BACK TO THE THEATER>

<A FEW MOMENTS PASS, THEN DEWBERRY PRESSES THE BUTTON HE WAS INSTRUCTED TO; THE BLUTZ WAVES CARRY OFF INTO THE HUGE THEATER, HITTING EVERY PERSON>

<ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, LEDAS JOLTS, NOT REALIZING WHY; A FEW MORE SECONDS GO BY AND HE FEELS A TINGLY FEELING ALL DOWN HIS BODY>

<LEDAS INHALES SHARPLY, SUDDENLY REALIZING THAT THIS IS FEELING THAT COMES OVER HIM WHEN HE TRANSFORMS; HE IS WEARING A LONG SLEEVED SHIRT, BUT CAN FEEL HAIR SPRINGING UP UNDER IT>

<LEDAS SUDDENLY STANDS UP, AWKWARDLY, AND QUICKLY WALKS OUT; RYORI NOTICES IT BUT BEFORE HE CAN SAY ANYTHING, LEDAS IS GONE>

<AS SOON AS LEDAS GETS OUTSIDE OF THE THEATER ROOM, WHERE THERE IS NOBODY ELSE, HE TAKES OFF INTO A FULL ON SPRINT>

<AS HE IS RUNNING, HE BEGINS TO TRANSFORM; AS GETS OUTSIDE, HE FALLS TO HIS KNEES AND FULLY TRANSFORMS; GROWING TO AN UNGODLY SIZE>

<AT THIS, LEDAS PANICS AND JUMPS INTO THE AIR, AWAY FROM THE CITY; HE LANDS INTO THE FOREST AREA ON THE EDGE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE; HE TUMBLES, TRIPPING OVER HIMSELF FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET>

<JUST AT THIS MOMENT, STILL GRUMBLING, YAJIROBE COMES RIDING BY IN HIS HOVERCAR, THROUGH A DIRT ROAD>

<OUT OF PRACTICALLY NOWHERE, LEDAS COMES FLYING AND TUMBLING OUT FROM THE TREES INTO THE ROAD, LANDING SQUARELY IN THE MIDDLE OF IT; YAJIROBE, ONLY SEEING HIM AT THE LAST SECOND HITS HIM FULL ON, SMASHING THE FRONT OF HIS CAR INTO LEDAS’ UNCONSCIOUS BODY>

Yajirobe: <DAZED FROM THE CRASH, HE GETS OUT, SLIGHTLY STUMBLING> Hey… Vegeta you idiot. You wrecked my car! <SEES THAT LEDAS IS ASLEEP> Huh? Asleep? <GETS A LITTLE ANGRY AT THIS> You stupid Saiyan! <HE TAKES OUT HIS SWORD AND CUTS OFF LEDAS’ TAIL IN ONE FELL SWOOP> That’ll teach ya for messing with the great Yajirobe again. <CONFIDENTLY, BECAUSE LEDAS IS STILL SLEEPING> Didn’t I tell ya last time that you were no match for my awesome–

<LEDAS HAS REGRESSED TO HIS BASE, NAKED FORM; HE STIRS AWAKE; YAJIROBE SEES THIS AND RUNS OFF, SCARED, TO BEHIND HIS CAR>

Yajirobe: <TALKING FAST IN A PANICKED FEAR> Oh, please Mr. Vegeta it wasn’t me! I swear… I was just driving along and… and…

Ledas: <HAS WALKED UP TO YAJIROBE, HE IS NAKED> Hi… <RUBS HIS LEFT SHOULDER> uh… you wouldn’t happen to have any clothes, would you, sir?

<YAJIROBE IMMEDIATELY DROPS HIS FEAR AND REPLACES IT WITH HIS AIR OF IMPORTANCE>

Yajirobe: <RUMMAGING AROUND IN THE TRUNK OF HIS CAR, SUPER BOSS FACE> What happened to your clothes, kid?

Ledas: Oh, I dunno… I guessed they uh… <HE TURNS AROUND AND NOTICES HIS TAIL IS MISSING> Hey?! What happened to my tail?! I know I transformed, but I don’t remember cutting it off.

Yajirobe: <LOOKS BACK AT LEDAS, WITH HIS ‘I DON’T CARE’ ATTITUDE> Maybe it ran away. <HE THROWS SOMETHING INTO LEDAS’ ARMS> Those are my only spares; you can give them back when you take me home.

Ledas: <TAKE THE CLOTHES, THEY ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ONES YAJIROBE IS WEARING; AND ARE SEVERAL SIZES TOO BIG FOR HIM; NEVERTHELESS HE PUTS THEM ON> Take you home? Why’m I doing that?

Yajirobe: <LOUDER; BUT STILL IN HIS SAME ATTITUDE> Because you idiot, you smashed my car!

Ledas: <NOT LISTENING> Hey… I’m starving. Want to get something to eat first?

Yajirobe: <SQUINTS AT LEDAS WITH SUSPICION BUT THEN DROPS IT> Maybe you’re not that bad after all. As long as you’re payin’.

<LEDAS GOES TO TAKE OFF; HE NOTICES THAT YAJIROBE ISN’T FLYING WITH HIM>

Ledas: Hey come on.

Yajirobe: I can’t fly. You have to carry me.

Ledas: <SQUEAK> What?!

<YAJIROBE GRUMBLES BUT DOES NOT RESPOND; LEDAS SHRUGS AND LOWERS HIS BACK, ALLOWING YAJIROBE ON; HE GETS ON LEDAS, WHO ASCENDS INTO THE AIR>

<THE TWO FLY OFF, YAJIROBE RIDING ON LEDAS, BACK TO TOWN; AS THEY DO, THE CAMERA TURNS TO FOCUS ON THE AREA BEHIND THEM>

Kindler: < ON A MOTORCYCLE, PEERING THROUGH THE TREES DOWN ON IT ALL; ON HIS PHONE> Yes, that’s right, Cardinal. I got a visual on the alien; he’s regressed. I’ve got a positive ID on him. I’ll transfer his data to you as soon as I get back.

Korin Tower
<THE NEXT MORNING IS SUNNY AND BRIGHT, IF WET; THE CAMERA CLOSES IN ON A TRIO OF PEOPLE WALKING UP TO A HOUSE, WHICH IS ILL-KEPT; ITS GRASS IS BROWN, THE ROOF HAS HOLES, AND MUCH OF THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF; STRIKING, COMPARED TO THE THREE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE QUITE WELL DRESSED>

<THEY ALL CONVENE OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE BEFORE APPROACHING THE DOOR>

File: How do you want me to handle this, Mr. Cardinal?

Cardinal: Act like his brother’s missing, that’s all.

Silver: <RUBBING A NEWLY FORMED SCAR ON HIS CHEEK> Lucky that Kindler ID’d the alien last night. We lost almost everything in that explosion. And we don’t have many men left, father. I realize that you want the Red Ribbon Army to be more focused on politics than military operations, but if we want to catch the alien, we’ll need new recruits.

Cardinal: <NOT WORRIED> No, we’re fine as is. We have one distinct advantage over the alien; we know that he was integrated into our society. As such, he has friends and people he cares about. We’ve taken one captive.

File: I have, Mr. Cardinal.

Cardinal: <SMILES> That you have. Now let’s go tell his brother that he’s missing. No mention of where he really is.

Silver: And how will this help us?

Cardinal: The quickest way to defeat a strong opponent is by attacking those he loves. Once we find out where the alien is living, we will capture his caretakers as well. Now let’s go inside.

<CARDINAL KNOCKS ON THE DOOR; QUICKLY, IT OPENS, REVEALING A COMPLETELY WASTED SHOEKKI>

Cardinal: <OUTSTRETCHES HIS ARMS, SMILES BROADLY> Ah, Mr. Shoekki. Just the man I wanted to speak to.

Shoekki: <WASTED> Whadyawan…?

File: Hello, Shoekki.

Shoekki: Hey, babe.

Cardinal: <TURNS HIS FACE, HAS A SPARKLE IN HIS EYE> I think <GESTURES TO THE OTHER WHO NOW COMES INTO VIEW AS FILE, CLEARLY; SHOEKKI DOES NOT SEE SILVER> we have things to discuss. Are you up for a project, Mr. Shoekki? <SMILES AGAIN>

<CUTS TO THE SAME MORNING, MANY MILES AWAY; LEDAS AND YAJIROBE ARE FLYING, YAJIROBE SITTING SQUARELY, LEGS CROSSED ON LEDAS’ BACK; IN HIS HAND IS A HUGE (AND I DO MEAN HUGE) BAG OF FOOD AND OTHER GOODIES; LEDAS HAS CHANGED HIS CLOTHES BACK TO HIS OWN BY NOW>

Ledas: <AS THEY ARE FLYING> Hey Yajirobe, why haven’t you learned how to fly?

Yajirobe: <INDIGNATION> I have no need to fly.

Ledas: My dad taught me how to fly when I was two years old. Besides, if you could fly then you wouldn’t have had to use that car.

Yajirobe: <THROUGH A MOUTHFUL OF FOOD> So are you, uh… a Saiyan?

Ledas: <PROUDLY> Yeah.

Yajirobe: Huh, that Vegeta guy sure has a lot of kids.

Ledas: Vegeta’s not my dad <LAUGHS>… but you know him?

Yajirobe: <SCARED BUT PLAYING IT OFF COOL> Oh yeah. Vegeta and I are… great friends. Yeah.

Ledas: Hahaha… have you’ve ever sparred with him? I could sense you were strong… for a human.

<THEY STOP IN FRONT OF KORIN’S TOWER, BUT LOWER THAN THE ACTUAL TOWER, SO LEDAS DOESN’T NOTICE THE LONG POLE GOING UP>

Ledas: <LOOKS UP> Whoa… you live all the way up there?

Yajirobe: With that old cat.

Ledas: <IN KID FORM> Haven’t you ever fallen off?

Yajirobe: <KINDA MAD> Why would I fall off?!

Ledas: Well you can’t fly…

Yajirobe: Hmph.

<LEDAS FLIES YAJIROBE UP INTO THE TOWER; HE GOES UP TO THE RAILING AND PEERS OUT; KORIN POPS UP BEHIND THEM BOTH, VERY WISELY>

Korin: I thought you would bring back a girl…

Ledas: <TURNS AROUND, IN HIGH SPIRITS> Oh you must be the old kitty!

Korin: So that’s what he told ya, huh? <JUMPS FORWARD TO LEDAS AND YAJIROBE; YAJIROBE IS DIGGING INTO HIS FOOD RIGHT NOW> Well Yajirobe can be pretty disrespectful. Eh, he always is. Unless he’s begging for food.

Yajirobe: <EATING> Hey I heard that.

Korin: <TO LEDAS> Who are you, anyways?

Ledas: Oh, I’m Ledas, mister.

Korin: <WRYLY> That’s great. <HE MOVES OVER TO YAJIROBE>

<LEDAS FINDS A LITTLE TRINKET ON A NEARBY TABLE; IT IS A MEDIUM SIZED, TRIANGULAR SHAPED BOX, WITH STRANGE LETTERING AND PATTERNS ALL OVER IT; HE PICKS IT UP, INSPECTING IT>

Korin: <JUMPS FORWARD, SWATS THE THING OUT OF LEDAS’ HAND WITH HIS CANE> Hey don’t touch that!

Ledas: <SUPER CURIOUS> What is it?

Korin: I don’t know, but it’s probably important.

Ledas: <BACKS UP, SLIGHTLY LAUGHING> You’re weird…

<CUTS BACK TO SHOEKKI’S HOUSE; HIM, CARDINAL AND FILE ARE ALL SITTING AROUND A TABLE; SILVER IS OUTSIDE>

Cardinal: Basically, I need your help in a little problem. An annoying thorn in my side, as it were.

Shoekki: <HE IS NOTHING BUT BOXERS, UNSHAVED AND HAS A CIGARETTE IN HIS MOUTH> Why do you need my help?

Cardinal: <GESTURES TO FILE> Your… girlfriend said that you are quite astute and would be perfect for this. And I put a lot of faith in my associates, Mr. Shoekki.

Shoekki: <CONFIDENCE BUILDING> Yeah I am pretty smart.

Cardinal: Excellent. So let’s get right down to it. You are of course aware of the death of your son’s teacher?

Shoekki: <SMOKING> Yeah… but the police aren’t saying anything about it. Why? You want me to look into it?

Cardinal: No, not at all Mr. Shoekki. <HE GESTURES TO FILE>

File: Shoekki, where is your little brother? Shouldn’t he be at school?

Shoekki: <DEFENSIVE> Yeah… I take care of him… he should be at school…

File: You didn’t notice he never returned last night?

Shoekki: What?! No… I think… I…

Cardinal: Mr. Shoekki, I am asking you to do this job, specifically because of the personal investment that you have staked in it.

Shoekki: <RISING WORRY> What – what are you talking about?

Cardinal: Your brother had a friend, do you remember him?

Shoekki: Yeah… weird looking kid with the big hair. Bu–

Cardinal: Exactly. He is missing as well. We think he and your brother have run off somewhere. We need you to help us find them both, though we are specifically interested in his friend.

Shoekki: <WORRY> What?! Ryori’s missing? How did this happen?!

File: Don’t worry, Mr. Cardinal has a plan.

Cardinal: Do they have any places they go? Secret… boy stuff they go and do?

Shoekki: <HEAD IN HIS HANDS> No, they’re always here. I-I… I dunno <HE GETS UP> I’ve got to go find my brother… I didn’t even… even…

Cardinal: Naturally. But first, Mr. Shoekki I must give you some things. <THROWS A CELL PHONE AT SHOEKKI> Use this to contact me when you’ve found them. And… <REACHES BEHIND AND PULLS SOMETHING OUT OF HIS THE BACK OF HIS PANTS; IT IS A GUN> And take this…

Shoekki: <STEPS BACK BUT TAKES THE GUN NONETHELESS> A gun? What am I supposed to do with this?!

Cardinal: It’s not a gun; it’s a specially augmented tranquilizer. Use this on your brother’s friend when you find them.

Shoekki: <IN A BREATH> Why?

Cardinal: We fear that he is unstable… he may even be holding your brother captive.

File: That tranquilizer is the best way to get rid of his friend and save your brother, Shoekki. If you find them, be sure to use it. Otherwise, your brother may be killed.

Shoekki: <ANGER RISING> Are you sure?

Cardinal: Yes, but don’t use that pistol on anyone besides your brother’s friend. It will kill any normal human. We must be going now, Mr. Shoekki. I hope you’ll get right on it. <HE NODS AND SHAKES SHOEKKI’S HAND>

<CARDINAL AND FILE EXIT, FILE KISSING SHOEKKI BEFORE THEY GO>

File: Mr. Cardinal, what do you want me to do with the kid? How do we bring him back?

Cardinal: Don’t worry about it, my dear. When Shoekki gets us the alien, we’ll give him his brother back. Until then, keep him blindfolded and isolated at all times. We’ll see how much your boyfriend is motivated by that.

<FILE SMILES, GIDDY AS A SCHOOLGIRL, FOLLOWING BEHIND CARDINAL; SILVER FOLLOWS THEM, SHAKING HIS HEAD, AS HE OBVIOUSLY DOESN’T LIKE THEIR PLAN>

<CUTS TO GUVA; HE IS INSIDE A ROCKY CAVE, WHICH IS DARK AND DANK>

<HE WALKS DOWN THE CAVERN TUNNEL, HIS STEPS ECHOING LOUDLY; A FAINT WHISPERING CAN BE HEARD, BUT IT STOPS EVERY TIME HE STOPS TO LISTEN TO IT>

<GUVA COMES TO AN AREA WHICH WIDENS OUT INTO A GREAT OVAL SHAPE; IT IS NATURALLY LIT, IN A GREEN LIGHT; UP AHEAD HE SEES BANAS STANDING WITH HIS HEAD DOWN, FACING HIM>

Guva: Banas? What are you doing? What is this place? <BANAS DOES NOT ANSWER; GUVA KEEPS WALKING TOWARD HIM> Banas?! Answer me, damnit!

<GUVA LUNGES FORWARD AND PUNCHES AT BANAS; BUT IT IS JUST AN APPARITION; HE FALLS THROUGH AND LANDS IN A PUDDLE OF WATER>

<SUDDENLY A LAUGHING STARTS ECHOING THROUGHOUT THE CAVE>

<GUVA TURNS OVER TO SEE BANAS PERCHED ATOP A ROCK OUTCROP; THE CAPTAIN JUMPS DOWN ONTO THE GROUND NEXT TO GUVA>

Banas: So, guvvy? How’dya like the place? Personally, I think it needs more furniture.

Chasing Ghosts (season finale part 1)
<THIS CHAPTER PICKS UP IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LAST>

<GUVA STANDS UP, DUSTING OFF HIS ARMOR; HE LOOKS BACK AT BANAS>

Guva: Why here?

Banas: Aw, Guva don’t ya remember? <HE STANDS UP> Back when the kid was around? And I still had a team?

Guva: <STERNLY> No.

Banas: This <GESTURES ABOUT> is the place I was never allowed to visit. It’s in that ‘eyes only’ file of yours. But being you, you never pursued it. Haven’t you ever wondered why he stopped aging? Well I have. And I think it’s because of this place.

Guva: What are you talking about?

Banas: Can’t you feel it, brotha? <WIGGLES HIS FINGERS AROUND WITH SARCASM; GRINS> There’s magic in the air.

Guva: <STEPS BACK> I don’t have time for your endless talk. Let’s just do this.

Banas: <STILL LAUGHING; JUMPS BACK TOO; HE READIES AN ENERGY BLAST> As you wish, guvvy. But if I beat you, you’re going to tell me what happened here.

Guva: <READIES HIS OWN BLAST, JUST AS HE’S ABOUT TO FIRE IT, HE HEARS WHISPERING, COMING FROM ALL AROUND HIM; HE LOSES FOCUS ON BANAS AND TURNS HIS HEAD> What the…

<JUST THEN, BANAS’ BLAST HITS HIM, SENDING HIM FLYING BACK SEVERAL FEET AND LANDING, ONCE AGAIN, IN A PUDDLE OF WATER>

<BANAS SHOOTS OFF A SCATTERSHOT BEAM, BUT GUVA DODGES IT; HE TELEPORTS BEHIND BANAS AND PUNCHES HIM DEEP IN THE GUT; BUT BEFORE HE CAN DO ANY MORE, BANAS TRIPS HIM WITH THE BACK OF HIS HEEL; BEFORE GUVA HITS THE WALL, BANAS PUNCHES HIM INTO THE AIR>

<HIS DIZZYING STYLE IS CLEARLY SEEN AND HE DARTS ALL AROUND GUVA’S UNMOVING BODY, HITTING HIM THIS WAY AND THAT>

<GUVA REGAINS CONTROL OF HIS MOMENTUM AND STOPS BANAS IN HIS TRACKS, KICKING HIM JUST UNDER THE CHIN, AND AWAY FROM GOVERNOR>

<BANAS, TO BUY HIMSELF TIME, SHOOTS A FLURRY OF ENERGY SCATTERSHOT AROUND, CAUSING THE CAVE TO COLLAPSE IN ON ITSELF AND DUST TO SHOOT UP EVERYWHERE>

<WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS, BANAS HAS PREPARED A CLUSTER OF RAZOR BLASTS, READY TO SHOOT; BUT GUVA HAS ALSO DONE THIS>

<EACH SENDS OFF RAZOR BLASTS, HUNDREDS BY THE LOOKS OF IT, AT ONE ANOTHER; NEITHER CAN DODGE THE OTHER’S BLASTS AND THEY ARE HIT, CRACKING THEIR ARMOR>

<GUVA DESCENDS AND JUMPS AT BANAS; THEY PUNCH AND KICK EACH OTHER, ROLLING ABOUT INTO THE NEXT GREAT CHAMBER OF THE CAVE>

<GUVA TAKES THE SHARP EDGE OF HIS RIGHT WRIST GUARD (AS HE ISN’T WEARING HIS LEFT ONE) AND STICKS IT IN THE CHEST OF BANAS’ ARMOR, CRACKING THROUGH IT AND INTO HIS SKIN; BANAS SCREAMS AND ELBOWS HIM AWAY>

<BANAS TRIES TO JUMP BACK AT GUVA, BUT GUVA PUTS UP A BARRIER OF ENERGY, BLOCKING OFF THE TWO FROM EACH OTHER; GUVA USES THIS TIME TO RECOVER HIS ENERGY; BANAS USES THIS TO POWER UP TO HIS MAXIMUM>

<WHEN THE BARRIER DISSIPATES, IT RELEASES AN ENERGY WAVE, WHICH BANAS DODGES WITH EASE; THE TWO ATTACK EACH OTHER; BANAS QUICKLY GAINS THE UPPER HAND; HE KICKS GUVA, BREAKING HIS SHIN; GUVA DROPS TO ONE KNEE, LETTING BANAS GRAB HIM AND THROW HIM IN THE AIR, BEFORE REAPPEARING ABOVE AND PUNCHING HIM DOWN INTO A DEEP CRATER IN THE GROUND; AFTER DOING THIS SWIFT IMPACT, BANAS CHARGES AT HIS OPPONENT AGAIN>

<BANAS PICKS GUVA UP ONCE AGAIN AND SLAMS HIM INTO THE CAVE WALL, STICKING HIM THERE; HE SENDS A STREAMING OF RAIN OF RAZOR BLASTS INTO GUVA’S BODY, CUTTING UP EVERY PART OF THE GOVERNOR’S BODY; HE THEN READIES A BLAST>

<AS HE FIRES IT, GUVA TELEPORTS AWAY TO BEHIND BANAS AGAIN; BANAS EXPECTS THAT AND PUNCHES AT HIM, BUT IT IS JUST AN AFTERIMAGE; HE PUNCHES SEVERAL MORE TIMES AT GUVA BUT THOSE ARE ALL AFTERIMAGES TOO>

<THE REAL GUVA COMES DOWN FROM ABOVE, HITTING BANAS HARD ON THE HEAD>

<THE CAPTAIN SHOOTS OFF A FLURRY OF BLASTS, BLINDLY, BUT NONE HIT HIM; THE HIT ON BANAS SEEMS TO HAVE MADE HIM LOSE MUCH OF HIS CONSCIOUSNESS, HE BEGINS TO SHOOT AROUND IN RANDOM DIRECTIONS AND AT RANDOM TIMES>

<GUVA EXPERTLY DODGES THESE UNTIL BANAS RUNS OUT OF ENERGY; BANAS, RECOVERING A BIT ON AWARENESS, STOPS FIRING>

<GUVA CREATES AN IMAGE SLASH AND CHARGES AT BANAS; BANAS SHOOTS A BUNCH OF KI BLASTS AT THE GOVERNOR, BUT THEY JUST BOUNCE OF THE KI SWORD; GUVA SWINGS THE SWORD AT BANAS, THOUGH BANAS DODGES, AND SHOOTS MUCH KI AT GUVA AS HE DOES; GUVA TRIES TO IMPALE BANAS, THOUGH THE CAPTAIN DODGES AND THE IMAGE SLASH JUST GOES INTO THE WALL; BANAS USES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HIT GUVA VERY HARD IN THE BACK, CAUSING GUVA TO LET GO AND DISSIPATE HIS SWORD; BANAS KICKS HIM INTO THE DIRT AND COVERS HIM IN SCATTERSHOTS UNTIL HE CAN NO LONGER SEE THE GOVERNOR; THEN, HE STEPS BACK AND WAITS FOR GUVA TO EMERGE>

<AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, HE SEES GUVA COME OUT FROM THE CRATER AND THE TWO ONCE AGAIN ENGAGE IN A HEATED BLOW EXCHANGE; THE TWO FIGHT FIERCELY, AND EACH LANDS MANY PUNCHES; BOTH OF THEIR NOSES ARE BROKEN, AND BRUISES BEGIN MATERIALIZING ON EACH OF THEIR BODIES; THEY GO ON FOR SOME TIME, BUT THIS TIME IT IS GUVA WHO WINS; HE PUNCHES BANAS BACK, WHO IS BLOODIED AND BATTERED; MOST OF HIS ARMOR IS EITHER GONE OR REMAINS IN SHAMBLES>

<GUVA IS ALSO BLOODIED AND HIS ARMOR IS DAMAGED; HIS SHIN IS STILL BROKEN TOO, BUT HE IS ABLE TO CONTROL HIMSELF MUCH MORE THAN BANAS>

Banas: <STUMBLES BACK> That was… unexpected.

<BANAS STUMBLES, STARING DOWNWARD, HE DOESN’T SEE GUVA’S ELEGANT FINISHER SHOOTING RIGHT AT HIM; IT HITS HIM FULL ON, BLOWING OFF WHAT REMAINS OF HIS ARMOR; HE FALLS>

<GUVA JUMPS FORWARD AND LANDS ON BANAS, PUSHING HIS BOOTS DEEP INTO THE CAPTAIN’S CHEST, SHATTERING MOST OF HIS RIBS; BANAS COUGHS UP BLOOD>

Guva: That’s it, Captain. You’re done.

Banas: <COUGHING> Jus… jus like old times, huh? Heh heh.

Guva: Last time, I saved your life and made you my captain because you still had use. But look at you now…

Banas: <ACTUALLY SERIOUS> I thought we were friends, Guva.

Guva: You thought many things, Captain. But now it’s time for you to go. <READIES A BLAST>

Banas: Aha, even in death I’m still under your command, it seems. <LAUGHS, COUGHS> Even if I wasn’t yours, Guva, you have been and always shall be my friend. <TILTS HIS HEAD BACK, IN ACCEPTANCE> I’ll see ya in another life, brotha…

Guva: <WAITS A MOMENT WITH HIS BACK TURNED, THEN HE TURNS BACK TOWARD BANAS SUDDENLY; COLDLY> Don’t wait up.

<GUVA SHOOTS A FINAL BLAST AT BANAS, THIS TIME KILLING THE CAPTAIN AND INCINERATING HIS BODY; ALL THAT IS LEFT OF HIM IS A SMALL BLACK BURN MARK ON THE ROCKS>

<GUVA SIGHS DEEPLY AND SLIDES DOWN TO SIT UP AGAINST A ROCK>

<AS HE BOWS HIS HEAD AND CLOSES HIS EYES FOR A LITTLE BIT OF REST, HIS PERIPHERAL VISION PICKS UP A SPREADING DARKNESS, DESCENDING UPON HIM AND FINALLY ENVELOPING HIM; THE WHISPERING FILLS THE CHAMBER ONCE AGAIN AND HE IS ENTRANCED BY IT>

<CUTS BACK TO EARTH, ON KORIN TOWER; KORIN AND LEDAS ARE STARING OFF ON THE NEW DAY>

<IT IS PAST NOON; APPARENTLY LEDAS SPENT THE NIGHT THERE WITH YAJIROBE AND KORIN>

Ledas: Mr. Korin sir… who are all those big powers out there?

Korin: Mainly Goku and his friends.

Ledas: But there’s one that I just started feeling and it’s way more powerful than the others.

Korin: Oho, so you felt it. The evil power.

Ledas: How can you tell that it’s evil?

Korin: I’ve been doing this for a long time, kid. I can tell who the good guys are.

Ledas: <CLENCHES HIS FISTS> Well if it’s evil I gotta help Vegeta…

Korin: Don’t be stupid. You’d only get yourself killed, kid.

Ledas: <BOWS HIS HEAD> Yeah you’re right. There’s no way I could help. I guess I’ll just go home. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Korin sir. <HE ASCENDS INTO THE AIR AND BEGINS TO LEAVE; IN HIS MIND> My power is so much lower than that one. But… I have to try. If Vegeta is out there, I have to.

Korin: Hey kid, take these! <KORIN THROWS A SMALL POUCH OF SOMETHING AT LEDAS>

Ledas: <OPENS IT UP AND LOOKS INSIDE> What are these?

Korin: Senzu beans. Just in case you decide to fight anyways. If ya get injured out there, kid, just eat one. It will heal ya.

Ledas: How’d you know I was going to help them anyway?

Korin: You’re just like someone I used to know.

<LEDAS SMILES AND SAYS GOODBYE; THEN HE SHOOTS OFF HOME, TO VISIT RYORI AND FANSHI ONE LAST TIME BEFORE CHALLENGING THE FAR OFF EVIL POWER>

Thine Actions Vindicated (season finale part 2)
<SHOEKKI AND FILE ARE TOGETHER IN BED DOING STUFF>

File: You never called to tell Mr. Cardinal about your situation yesterday. <WITH AFFECTION> I was getting worried.

Shoekki: <STILL SULLEN AND PREOCCUPIED WITH HIS BROTHER> Mr. Cardinal can wait… but you seem to like him a lot. Why is that?

File: <A SPARKLE IN HER EYE> Mr. Cardinal is my boss. I’d do anything for him.

Shoekki: <TAKES A DRINK OF SOMETHING> Anything?

File: <SUDDENLY SERIOUS BUT SHOEKKI DOESN’T NOTICE> I’d put a bullet in your head right now if Mr. Cardinal wanted it. <SHOEKKI LAUGHS; FILE ROLLS OVER TO FACE HIM> So… you think we can… you know? We haven’t done it yet.

Shoekki: I… I don’t feel like it. My brother’s still missing.

File: <ANGER OUTBURST> We spent all day yesterday looking for him! Come on Shoekki, I need a little break. <SHE PLACES HER FINGER ON HIS CHEST> Just an hour or so…

Shoekki: <NOT ALTOGETHER HAPPY> All right… just this once.

<SHOEKKI WATCHES HER WITH SULLEN, DRUNKEN EYES; AS SHE CONTINUES TALKING HE NOTICES HER CLOTHES AND PISTOL LYING ON THEM; CURIOUSLY HE WATCHES UNTIL FILE PULLS SHOEKKI UNDER THE BLANKETS, LAUGHING; HE JOINS IN WITH HER, AT LEAST AT FIRST>

<OUTSIDE, LEDAS LANDS WITH A HEAVY THUD; HE APPROACHES SHOEKKI’S HOUSE AND KNOCKS ON THE DOOR>

<HE CAN HEAR A WILD DIN OF NOISE COMING FROM INSIDE BUT CAN’T MAKE OUT SPECIFIC VOICES>

<THE CAMERA CUTS BACK TO SHOEKKI; HE STANDING IN NOTHING BUT BOXERS, A NEEDLE IN HIS ARM AND FILE’S PISTOL IN HIS HAND>

Shoekki: <ANGRY, PARANOID> What the hell is this?! You fucking tricked me… <HE SPITS> what do you think I am?! <HE WAVES THE GUN AROUND> A freak, like you?

File: <IN A CORNER VERY FRIGHTENED; SHE IS TOPLESS> Shoekki?! What’s the matter? What are you doing with that gun? <PLEADING>

Shoekki: <WOBBLES, STILL WAVING THE GUN AROUND> You know what <RISES TO A SCREAM> I’m fucking talking about!! You think I wanna be with you now… after that?! <HE SLOWLY RAISES THE GUN AND POINTS IT AT HER> No chance, <SARCASTIC> babe.

File: <STILL PLEADING> Shoekki, please! I didn’t know! I-I can help you! Don’t do this.

Shoekki: <DRUG SIDE EFFECTS SHOWING> I can find my brother by myself. I don’t need a… freak to help me with that. What were you thinking?! <HE YELLS AND PUNCHES THE LAMP NEXT TO HIM, THEN HE TAKES A PILLOW AND THROWS IT ACROSS THE ROOM> You’re a fucking man! Why did you think I was into that, you stupid bitch?! <BREATHES HARD> Huh? Answer me, bitch.

File: <CRAWLS BACK AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO THE WALL; IN DESPERATION> Shoekki… stop! I know where your brother is. Please just let me–

Shoekki: What?!

File: Mr. Cardinal has him… if you just come with–

<SHOEKKI SUDDENLY SNAPS THE PISTOL UP AND SHOOTS, HITTING FILE SQUARE ON THE FOREHEAD; SHE FALLS OVER DEAD; BLOOD STARTS POOLING RAPIDLY>

<SHOEKKI HEARS LEDAS KNOCKING ON THE DOOR; HE DROPS THE PISTOL AND QUICKLY GETS DRESSED; A FEW MOMENTS LATER HE OPENS THE DOOR>

Shoekki: <INCREDULOUSLY> You?!

Ledas: <SUBTLE HAPPINESS> Hey Shoekki! Is Ryori home?

<CUTS TO KINDLER AND DEWBERRY WHO ARE RIDING ON MOTORCYCLES; WELL DEWBERRY IS IN A SIDECAR>

Kindler: <ON HIS PHONE> Yeah that’s what he said. He didn’t have any left. But he did say he had given his last to a kid… a kid with big hair and who could fly. Yes, that’s what I thought too. Dewberry and I have found his house. We’re on our way right now to confiscate the capsule. <PAUSES; THEN SMILES> I’ll have the ship for you within the hour, sir.

<THE TWO RIDE FOR A WHILE THEN COME UP UPON MRS. FANSHI’S HOUSE; BOTH GET OUT OF THE BIKE AND GO ON APPROACH>

Dewberry: <TAKES OUT A SMALL KIT; IT IS FILLED WITH A COUPLE OF PISTOLS; HE THROWS ONE TO KINDLER> Hey Kindy, take one of these.

Kindler: <CATCHES THE PISTOL> What is this, Dewberry? We don’t need guns.

Dewberry: <MATTER OF FACT> It’s for our protection…

Kindler: <HOLSTERS HIS GUN; WITHOUT ANOTHER LOOK AT DEWBERRY> Guns don’t protect; they only kill. I wouldn’t stoop so low as to ever use one.

Dewberry: <DOESN’T CARE> Suit yourself.

<BOTH BREAK INTO THE HOUSE, IT APPEARS DESERTED; THEY SEARCH AROUND>

Dewberry: <TOO LOUDLY> Hey Kindy, why are we getting the boss a space ship?

Kindler: <SPEAKING AS HE’S SEARCHING THROUGH EVERYTHING> Haven’t you been following the news, you dunce? That big monster thing? The one destroying all the towns and killing all the people? You haven’t heard about it? <IT SHOWS A DUEL PANEL FOR EVERY PANEL OF HIS DISCUSSION; IT IS MAJIN BUU RAVAGING THE COUNTRYSIDE>

Dewberry: <THOUGHTLESSLY> No…

Kindler: Well Mr. Cardinal doesn’t think it’s safe to stay on planet right now, until things get sorted out.

<RUMMAGING THROUGH THINGS, PAUSES IN TALKING FOR A FEW MOMENTS> But I didn’t think it would be this tedious to get him a space ship…

<THEY MOVE INTO LEDAS’ ROOM, SEARCHING THROUGH IT; AFTER SOME TIME, DEWBERRY OPENS A DRAWER AND PICKS UP A CAPSULE; HE TOSSES IT TO KINDLER; NOTICEABLY, THE PANTIES ARE NO LONGER IN THE DRAWER>

Dewberry: <THICKLY> Hey Kindy, I found sommat… see if that’s it.

<KINDLER TAKES ONE LOOK THEN POCKETS IT, KNOWING IT TO BE THE SPACE CAPSULE; HE TURNS TO LEAVE; SUDDENLY, THE ROOM’S DOOR OPENS, FROM THE OUTSIDE; IT IS MRS. FANSHI>

Mrs. Fanshi: Oh, Ledas I didn’t hear you come in. You had me so worried… where have you been for the past…?

<AND ANOTHER GUNSHOT GOES OFF; THIS TIME IT IS DEWBERRY WHO HAS SHOT AND KILLED MRS. FANSHI; IT WAS REFLEXIVE, ALMOST DONE BECAUSE HE WAS SCARED AT HER SUDDEN APPEARANCE; NEVERTHELESS KINDLER PUSHES HIM OUT OF THE WAY TO CHECK FANSHI>

Kindler: <CHECKS FOR A PULSE, THERE IS BLOOD EVERYWHERE; TEN SECONDS PASS AND HE DOESN’T FIND ONE> She’s dead. <HE LOOKS UP AT DEWBERRY; HE IS VERY MAD> That’s why we don’t use guns, you idiot. If the world wasn’t being destroyed right now, we’d be in big trouble.

<CUTS BACK TO SHOEKKI; HE IS PUTTING AWAY THE CELL PHONE CARDINAL HAD GIVEN; EVIDENTLY HE WAS JUST TALKING WITH HIM>

Shoekki: <TURNS TO LEDAS WHO IS SITTING QUIETLY AT A TABLE> That was Ryori… I’m gonna go pick him up, you wanna come along?

Ledas: <HIS EYES WIDEN AND HE GRINS> Sure!

<THEY TRAVEL FOR A WHILE, AS CARDINAL HAD APPARENTLY COMMANDED SHOEKKI TO A REMOTE PLACE; IT IS A GRASSY AREA ABOVE THE OCEAN, ON THE EDGE OF A CLIFF>

<SHOEKKI WALKS FORWARD; HE SEEMS NERVOUS>

Shoekki: <TURNS BACK TO LEDAS; HE IS REALLY TRYING TO HOLD IN HIS FEAR AND ANXIETY> This is the place.

Ledas: <PEERING, EYES WIDE> Whoa… <HE LOOKS OVER THE CLIFF> I’ve never been here before.

Shoekki: <SHRUGS> Ryori and I use to come here all the time when we were younger. <CHUCKLES A BIT AS HE REMEMBERS> But I guess times have changed.

Ledas: <LOOKS AROUND; HIS CURIOSITY CHANGES SLIGHTLY TO SUSPICION> Where’s Ryori?

Shoekki: Wait here. <HE TAKES OUT THE TRANQUILIZER GUN AND THROWS IT INTO THE GRASS BEHIND HIM; SHOUTING> I’ve done it, I’ve got you the kid!

<LEDAS STARES AT HIM, BUT SHOEKKI TURNS AROUND TO FACE THE WAVES; HE PULLS OUT A PISTOL, CONCEALED IN HIS ARMS; LEDAS DOES NOT NOTICE IT>

Shoekki: <TURNS BACK AROUND; AS IT IS WINDY, HE IS SCREAMING> Cardinal, you sick fuck! I did it! I brought him here for you! Now let Ryori go! <WHIMPERING> Please… just let him go.

<THERE IS SILENCE, SAVE FOR THE NOISES OF THE WAVES>

Ledas: <ON ALERT NOW> Wha… ? Who’s Cardinal? <TAKES A STEP BACK; HIS HAIR IS BLOWING AROUND VIOLENTLY FROM THE WIND> Why are we here, Shoekki?! What’s wrong with you?!

Shoekki: <SCOWLS, BUT IGNORES LEDAS; HE IS STILL SCREAMING WHEN HE TALKS> A deal’s a deal, man!

Ledas: <STEPS BACK AGAIN> You’re… you’re acting weird, Shoekki. I think I’m leaving.

Shoekki: <DESPERATE SCREAM> Nooo!! <BRINGS HIS PISTOL UP FULL SWING AND POINTS IT AT LEDAS> You stay.

<LEDAS TENSES UP; BUT NOT FOR THE NORMAL REASON; HE REACHES BACK AND FEELS THE BACK OF HIS NECK; THERE IS A SMALL BUMP IN IT; HE FEELS THE BULLET HOLE; BLOOD STARTS TO RUN DOWN THE BACK OF HIS NECK; SUDDENLY, HE FALLS TO HIS KNEES, SLIPPING INTO UNCONSCIOUSNESS>

Cardinal: <FROM BEHIND LEDAS, UNSEEN> I am a man of my word, Mr. Shoekki. Your brother will not be touched…

<LEDAS DOUBLES OVER, ONTO HANDS AND KNEES; HE LOOKS UP AND SEES SHOEKKI STEP BACK, OBVIOUS FRIGHT ON HIS FACE>

Shoekki: No, you bastard! <IRRATIONAL; TALKING FAST> Let me see him. Let me know he’s safe!

Cardinal: <WITH ALL HIS AUTHORITY> You are in a position to demand nothing, Mr. Shoekki. I, on the other hand, am in a position to grant nothing.

Shoekki: <POINTS THE PISTOL AT CARDINAL> You bastard.

Cardinal: <CALMLY> Shoot me and more than just your fate will be sealed.

<SHOEKKI TAKES A STEP BACK AND LOWERS HIS GUN; HE REALIZES WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN>

Cardinal: You shot File. Yes, I saw her transponder go dark – something that could only happen if her neural processes stopped; if she died. And she has. For killing my associate, my beloved, you have given up your life. But it’s not too late to save your brother. <WITH FORCE> End it now, while you still can. End your torment and my own, <OUTSTRETCHES HIS HAND> would you kindly?

Shoekki: <TO CARDINAL, THROUGH HIS TEETH> Fuck. You. <HE PULLS THE PISTOL UP TO HIS CHIN; TO LEDAS> Ledas… wherever he’s taking you, he’s got Ryori too. Please, just save him… for me. <TEARS START TO ROLL DOWN HIS FACE> Please… tell my brother I love him. Please…

<SHOEKKI TURNS HIS FACE BACK TO THE UNKNOWN FIGURE STANDING BEHIND LEDAS; HE SPEAKS AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME LEDAS CAN NOT HEAR; HE IS LOSING CONSCIOUSNESS TOO FAST>

<CUE Falling Awake>

<IT ALLS GOES DARK FOR LEDAS; THE LAST THING HE HEARS IS A LOUD BURST, LIKE A GUNSHOT; THEN ALL GOES QUIET, AS ALL IS DARK; SHOEKKI FALLS, AND ONLY HIS ARM ON THE GROUND IS SHOWN>

<LEDAS FALLS BACK AS CARDINAL SHOOTS HIM WITH THE TRANQUILIZER AT POINT BLANK RANGE IN THE BACK OF THE NECK; LEDAS, WHO IS STILL ON HIS KNEES, FALLS INTO CARDINAL’S ARM, WHICH IS HOLDING A STRANGE DEVICE>

<HE PLACES THE THING, SORT OF LIKE A HEAD BAND ON LEDAS’ HEAD>

<CARDINAL TURNS AROUND AND STANDING BEHIND HIM ARE TWO MEN; KINDLER AND DEWBERRY; THE WIND HAS PICKED UP AND THEIR HAIR IS FLYING ABOUT; KINDLER OUTSTRETCHES HIS HAND, SHOWING OFF THE CAPSULE HE HAD TAKEN FROM LEDAS’ ROOM; DEWBERRY IS HOLDING AN UNCONSCIOUS AND BLINDFOLDED RYORI>

Kindler: <YELLING OVER THE WIND> I’ve got it, sir!

Cardinal: Excellent work, <WALKING UP TO HIM; HE TAKES THE CAPSULE AND THROWS IT, ACTIVATING IT> Kindler. Take the boys aboard, I will be along shortly.

Kindler: <PICKS UP LEDAS> Where’s File? Wasn’t she with you?

Cardinal: <WITH A HEAVY SIGH> File… didn’t make it. <HE WALKS OVER TO SHOEKKI’S BODY; KNEELING DOWN, HE TAKES SOMETHING FROM THE BODY>

<THE CAMERA PANS BACK AND SHOWS SILVER RUNNING UP TO THE GROUP WITH SOLDIERS AND SCIENTISTS; THEY HAVE WEAPONS AND SMALL BAGS IN THEIR HANDS>

Silver: Don’t take long, father. Majin Buu will be here soon. We have to leave. <HE RUNS UP AND GRABS THE UNCONSCIOUS LEDAS>

<Falling Awake REACHES 1:52>

<AS KINDLER OPENS UP LEDAS’ GRAVITY SUPPRESSION UNIT, HE IS THE FIRST ONE TO STEP INSIDE; CAPTAIN GREEN, GENERAL SILVER AND DEWBERRY FOLLOW; THEIR REMAINING FORCE OF SOLDIERS AND SCIENTISTS FOLLOW AS WELL; THERE ARE STILL QUITE A FEW OF THEM, AND INSIDE OF THE GRAVITY SUPPRESSION UNIT, IT BECOMES QUITE CRAMPED>

<CARDINAL RETURNS TO LEDAS’ GRAVITY SUPPRESSION UNIT; HE STEPS INSIDE, REVEALING DEWBERRY SITTING AT THE CONTROLS AND KINDLER WATCHING OVER THE TWO UNCONSCIOUS BOYS IN THE CORNER; KINDLER IS STARING AT HIS PISTOL, AS IF TROUBLED BY IT; SILVER AND CAPTAIN GREEN ARE TALKING AMONGST EACH OTHER, AND MANY OF THE OTHER SOLDIERS ARE JUST SITTING QUIETLY>

Cardinal: <SITS IN A CHAIR, WATCHING OVER IT ALL WITH A SORT OF TIRED SATISFACTION> Dewberry, take us out.

<THE SPACE POD TAKES TO THE AIR AND FLIES OFF; THEY LEAVE THE ATMOSPHERE AND ENTER INTO SPACE; CARDINAL WATCHES OUT THE WINDOW AS THEY GO UP, AND HE SEES THE MANY EXPLOSIONS COATING THE PLANET AS BUU RAVAGES EARTH; MANY PANELS SHOW THE DESTRUCTION BEING SEEN FROM HIS POSITION>

<Falling Awake REACHES 3:33>

<IN THE DISTANCE, MANY MILES AWAY, VEGETA IN HIS POWERFUL SUPER SAIYAN 2 FORM, COVERED IN BLOOD FIGHTS WITH MAJIN BUU; AFTER A FEW ATTACKS, HE RISES INTO THE AIR AND LETS OUT ONE FINAL, DEAFENING SCREAM, IN HIS LAST ACT; SELF DESTRUCTING AND KILLING HIMSELF TO SAVE THE WORLD>

<Falling Awake REACHES 4:18>

<THE CAMERA TURNS BACK TO THE SPACE SHIP; CARDINAL SEES THAT EXPLOSION FROM VEGETA; HE RECOILS SLIGHTLY; CARDINAL TURNS AWAY FROM THE WINDOW AND GOES BACK TO THE TWO SLEEPING BOYS; HE KNEELS DOWN BY THEM AND LOOKS INTO THEIR SLEEPING FACES; HE PATS THEM ON THE SHOULDERS BEFORE LOOKING AT KINDLER ONE LAST TIME>


 * <END PLANET EARTH SAGA>

Cue Great Spirits. Credits roll during this time.

Reunion Saga
<p style="text-align:center">I don't remember where

<p style="text-align:center">the name for this story came from.

<p style="text-align:center">I think it was always

<p style="text-align:center">The Forgotten,

<p style="text-align:center">in my head.

<p style="text-align:center">I can't see it as anything else. <p style="text-align:center">-KidVegeta

Last Of A Dying Breed
<ON PLANET>

<772 AGE>

<NORTH QUADRANT>

<CAMERA FADES FROM WHITE>

<CUE Hurt>

<THE AREA IS QUIET; ONLY THE WIND IS BLOWING; THE CAMERA MOVES UP THROUGH THE FOLIAGE AND TREES; AT LONG LAST, IT COMES TO A CLEARING; THE CAMERA SHOWS THE OUTPOST OF PLANET COOLER 92>

<JUST AS THIS OCCURS, A POD, WORN AND DIRTY, SLAMS INTO THE GROUND TO THE FAR LEFT, BREAKING THE STILLNESS>

<THE OUTPOST ITSELF IS IN SHAMBLES; GUVA’S MAIN OFFICE IS MOSTLY OBLITERATED ON ONE SIDE; THE ENTIRE THIRD FLOOR IS DESTROYED AS IS MUCH OF THE SECOND; THE BARRACKS AND HOUSING AREAS ARE ALSO BROKEN AND ASHEN AS IF PREVIOUSLY ON FIRE; THE BODIES OF MANY SOLDIERS AND NATIVES LITTER THE GROUND; SOME BODIES ARE HANGING THROUGH WINDOWS; QUITE A FEW OF THE BODIES ARE DECOMPOSED QUITE A BIT, SHOWING THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DEAD FOR A LONG TIME; OTHERS ARE IMPALED ON VARIOUS THINGS; THERE IS NOT A SINGLE LIVING BEING AROUND>

<GUVA STEPS OUT OF HIS POD, IN HIS ROBUSTLY ELEGANT ARMOR; HOWEVER, IT IS CHIPPED AND CRACKED FROM HIS FIGHT WITH BANAS LAST SAGA; HE LOOKS AROUND AND SEES HIS PLANET IN RUIN>

Guva: <PRESSING A BUTTON ON THE COMPUTER PAD ON HIS LEFT GAUNTLET> Is anyone alive? Anyone? Respond! <THE COMM REMAINS SILENT; GUVA REALIZES THAT ALL HIS SOLDIERS ARE DEAD; HE KICKS THE DIRT WITH HIS BOOT> Damnit.

<HE WALKS QUIETLY TO HIS OFFICE; HE CREATES AN IMAGE SLASH SWORD, CAUTIOUSLY HOLDING IT AS HE ENTERS; HE ENTERS INTO THE COMPLEX AND FINDS THE LIGHTS TO BE OFF; HE HOLDS THE ENERGY SWORD OVER HIS HEAD AND USES ITS LIGHT TO NAVIGATE THE RUINED BUILDING; HE WALKS THROUGH, NOT FINDING ANYBODY AND MOVES UP TO A COMPUTER TERMINAL; HE CALLS UP LORD COOLER’S INSTALLATION; HE GETS NO RESPONSE>

<FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS, GUVA STANDS THERE, SPARKS AND DUST FALLING FROM THE ROOFTOP, THE DOOR TO THE OUTSIDE OPEN BEHIND HIM; BUT AS HE GETS NO RESPONSE, HE TURNS BACK AROUND AND WALKS INTO HIS OFFICE; THERE, HE OPENS A CLOSET AND LOOKS ON A NEW SET OF ARMOR; HE GOES TO PUT IT ON>

<THE CAMERA CUTS TO BACK OUTSIDE>

<GUVA WALKS OUT IN UNDAMAGED ARMOR AND SURVEYS THE INSTALLATION; HE NOTICES SEVERAL NATIVES MOVING ABOUT TO HIS LEFT; THEY DO NOT NOTICE HIM, AS THEY ARE JUST SCAVENGING; GUVA WALKS OVER TO THEM>

Guva: <ARMS SPREAD, QUIET ANGER> So, I leave my post for one day and this is how you repay me? I, your governor, let each and every one of you filthy animals live in peace on my planet. I fed you. I gave you shelter and protection. <POINTS TO HIS CHEST> I alone saved you from certain annihilation. And this… this is the thanks I get? All of my soldiers dead and my city in shambles?!

<THE CREATURES STARE BACK WITH FRIGHT BUT DO NOT RUN; THIS ANGERS GUVA GREATLY; HE RUSHES THEM; BEFORE THEY CAN REACT, HE GRABS THE NEAREST ONE AND RIPS IT IN HALF; HE ELBOWS ANOTHER IN THE SKULL, CAVING IN ITS HEAD; TWO OTHERS TRY TO FLEE, BUT HE GRABS THEM BY THEIR SHOULDERS AND THROWS THEM TO THE GROUND BEFORE STOMPING ON THEIR NECKS; HE SEES THE LAST ONE RUNNING AWAY AND DOES A JUMP-KICK TOWARDS IT, KNOCKING IT OVER; HE ROLLS IT OVER AND PUNCHES THE ALIEN MERCILESSLY, YELLING WITH EACH BOW; LONG AFTER IT IS DEAD, HE CONTINUES PUNCHING AND HE GETS MUCH BLOOD ON HIS NEW ARMOR; BUT GUVA DOESN’T CARE>

<BREATHING HARD WITH ANGER, GUVA JUMPS TO THE SKY; HE EXTENDS HIS PALM AND CREATES A BALL OF ENERGY; AT GREAT LAST, HE THROWS IT ABOVE HIM BUT ON A CURVED TRAJECTORY TO THE FOREST>

<AS THE BALL REACHES THE AREA ABOVE THE TREETOPS, IT EXPLODES AND SENDS OFF THOUSANDS AND THEN MILLIONS OF SKINNY, ELONGATED BLASTS OF ENERGY; THEY SHOOT ABOUT, ALMOST RANDOMLY DOWN TO THE GROUND BELOW; GUVA WAITS FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS>

<AFTER DOING SO, HE DESCENDS BACK TO THE GROUND AND FINDS A DEAD SOLDIER; RIPPING THE YELLOW SCOUTER FROM ITS DEAD BODY (WHICH IS STILL SPARKING SLIGHTLY), HE SURVEYS THE PLANET FOR ANY NOTICEABLE POWER LEVELS; AFTER A GOOD SEARCH, HE IS CONFIDENT THAT HE KILLED ALL OF THE NATIVES>

<GUVA RETURNS TO HIS POD AND SITS DOWN IN IT; THE DOOR REMAINS OPEN>

<WITH A SIGH, GUVA BEGINS TO SCROLL THROUGH A COMPUTER SCREEN ON THE LEFT; HE DOES SO SOMEWHAT CARELESSLY AND WITH ONLY ONE FINGER; HE IS LOOKING FOR VARIOUS DESTINATIONS>

<SUDDENLY HE PAUSES AND RECHECKS HIS SCREEN; UPON IT IS EARTH; HE STARES AT IT FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, REMEMBERING THAT THAT WAS WHERE BOTH COOLER AND LEDAS WENT; HAVING NO OTHER THING TO DO; GUVA SHIFTS HIS JAW AND BRINGS HIS FINGER BACK INTO HIS HAND IN A SORT OF FIST; HE CLOSES HIS POD DOOR AND SETS COURSE FOR EARTH>

<AS HE SETS OFF, THE BLACKNESS HE HAD BE ENVELOPED IN, IN LAUTO’S CAVE, IS SEEN FORMING AROUND A NEARBY ROCKY OVERLOOK, AS IF WATCHING HIM>

<END OF Hurt>

<CUTS TO NEXT SCENE; IN SPACE; IT IS MAY 8TH, IN THE 774 AGE>

<NEAR PLANET EARTH; VERY SUDDEN PULL UP>

Kindler: You know kid, you really look like a Gary. Has anyone ever told you that?

<LEDAS, WHO IS ONLY HALF CONSCIOUS, JUST LOOKS UP AT HIM WITH ONE EYE; HE DOES NOT RESPOND>

<THE SCREEN RE-FADES IN, STILL OUT OF FOCUS TO THE INSIDE OF LEDAS’ GRAVITY ROOM; SINCE IT IS ALSO A SPACESHIP, THIS IS THE DEVICE THAT CARDINAL AND HIS CREW TOOK AT THE END OF THE LAST SAGA TO ESCAPE BUU; RYORI AND LEDAS ARE BOTH LYING AT KINDLER’S FEET; THE FORMER IS STILL UNCONSCIOUS; AROUND THEM ARE PACKED ALL THAT REMAINS OF THE NEW RED RIBBON ARMY; 80 SOLDIERS AND 10 SCIENTISTS, NOT TO MENTION GENERAL SILVER AND CAPTAIN GREEN>

<KINDLER HIMSELF IS WELL DRESSED; STILL, HIS EYES LOOK A BIT MORE SULLEN, AS IF HE HASN’T GOTTEN MUCH SLEEP; IN HIS HANDS IS A PIECE OF ROPE>

<DEWBERRY IS SITTING ACROSS FROM HIM, FACING THE CONTROLS OF THE SHIP, AND SITTING IN A CHAIR; IT IS ASSUMED HE IS PILOTING IT; THERE IS NO SIGN OF CARDINAL AT FIRST>

Kindler: Hey, Dewberry! What do you think? Doesn’t he look like a Gary?

Dewberry: <LOOKS OVER> The kid? Naw way, man. That little alien looks just like this guy Trey I knew in high school… we would always–

<CARDINAL ENTERS WITH SILVER THROUGH A DOOR ON THE RIGHT; KINDLER AND DEWBERRY IMMEDIATELY TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO HIM>

Cardinal: <STERNLY WALKS OVER TO DEWBERRY> Is there any update on our situation?

Dewberry: <AT HIS STATION> Naw, Mr. Cardinal. It’s still gone. It was the same an hour ago.

Cardinal: <TURNS TO HIMSELF> Perhaps this is only a prolonging of the inevitable. <BACK TO KINDLER> Kindler, how are our supplies?

Kindler: Boss, we’ve got enough for another month or so, if we ration properly, but with Earth being gone and all… <NODS TO THE GLASS WALL AHEAD; CLEARLY THERE IS NO PLANET IN THE VIEW> I don’t think it much matters either way.

Cardinal: Be that as it may, we’ve only been up here for 20 hours. And–

Kindler: And you think the Earth is gonna come back? No offense sir, but that don’t make sense.

Cardinal: But what are our alternatives? Honestly, with everything we’ve witnessed these past few days, I can’t say I know what’s possible anymore.

Kindler: It’s a fool’s hope, sir. That’s all I can say. <BOWS HIS HEAD AGAIN, WATCHING THE SLIGHTLY CONSCIOUS LEDAS> But I’m always right. We’re dead out here. And there’s not a thing I can do about it.

Ryori: <ONLY PARTIALLY AWAKE; HIS HEAD IS COVERED IN DRY BLOOD ON ONE SIDE> Le-Ledas? W-where are we?

Cardinal: <WALKS OVER; SEES THAT THE BOYS HAVE WAKEN> Ah, awakened at last! I had thought my concoction of M99 was too strong for both of you.

<IN THE BACKGROUND, SUPREME GENERAL SILVER CAN BE SEEN STICKING A SYRINGE INTO HIS ARM>

Ledas: <TURNS TO CARDINAL; TALKING SLOWLY, FOR HE HAS JUST WOKEN UP> Who are you? What did you do to me?

Cardinal: <TO LEDAS> My name is Cardinal. And I am many things, my boy. But in this instance, I am only here to keep you from doing any more harm.

Ledas: <NOT UNDERSTANDING> Me?

Cardinal: You are the alien. The menace to my society. It was my duty to remove you before something… catastrophic occurred. As it were, something catastrophic occurred anyway. <GESTURES TO THE WINDOW AGAIN>

Silver: Are we killing them yet? The kids are dead weight. And if Earth is really gone, they’ll just eat up our resources.

Cardinal: <BURIES HIS FACE IN HIS HANDS> No. We can’t risk anything happening up here. We could all die if some–

Ledas: Aah!!

<LEDAS SUDDENLY STANDS UP; HIS BODY AURA IS SHOWN TO BE BLACK; HE STUMBLES FORWARD, TRYING TO GET TO CARDINAL; HE THROWS HIS FISTS FORWARD, BUT THE DEVICE ON HIS HEAD KEEPS HIS POWER LEVEL DOWN AND THE TRANQUILIZER IN HIS BLOOD PREVENTS HIM FROM MOVING QUICKLY; TWO SOLDIERS CATCH HIM IMMEDIATELY, AND HIS FISTS POUND USELESSLY AGAINST THEIR ARMOR; FROM BEHIND LEDAS, SILVER APPEARS; HE TAKES OUT A LONG SYRINGE HE WAS KEEPING IN HIS POCKET AND STICKS IT INTO LEDAS’ NECK; LEDAS RESISTS FOR ABOUT A SECOND BEFORE FALLING ASLEEP>

Silver: We’re going to have to deal with him sooner or later.

Cardinal: <SHAKES HIS HEAD> Not yet. Not until we need to. I can’t risk damaging this ship.

Dewberry: Uh… Mr. Cardinal! I got a reading! There’s ship comin’ right at us! <BEFORE CARDINAL CAN ANSWER, EVERYONE FEELS A JOLT AND THE GRAVITY TRAINING UNIT ROCKS VIOLENTLY; CARDINAL IS AN OLD MAN AND THEREFORE ALMOST FALLS OVER> Uhhmm… they’ve docked wit’ us.

Cardinal: <WITH MUCH AUTHORITY> Mr. Kindler, would you kindly take our passengers into the other room? General, line the soldiers up here. Dewberry, open the hatch. Welcome our new guest for me. <HE SMILES, VERY MUCH FAKING IT> If he’s violent, just call us. But I don’t want to use any weaponry unless absolutely needed. It could damage this ship, after all.

<WITH THAT, KINDLER TAKES RYORI AND LEDAS AND MOVES THEM INTO A ROOM IN THE BACK; HE TAKES ONLY A FEW GUARDS WITH HIM, AS WELL AS ALL OF THE SCIENTISTS; SILVER AND GREEN LINE UP THE REMAINING SOLDIERS IN FRONT OF CARDINAL; THEY ARE ALL AROUND A CORNER, SO WHOEVER IS IN THE OTHER SHIP WON’T SEE THEM>

<DEWBERRY GETS UP, COCKS HIS PISTOL, AND MOVES FORWARD TO OPEN THE DOCKING DOOR; THE CAMERA PANS BACK AND SHOWS HE IS ALONE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SHIP>

The Cruelest Of Atrocities
<A LATCH OPENS; THE CAMERA COMES AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE OUTSIDE INTO CARDINAL’S SHIP; IT FOLLOWS GUVA, WHO IS IN HIS ARMOR, DOWN A SHORT HALLWAY TO THE DOOR>

<AS HE REACHES THE INNER DOOR, IT OPENS FOR HIM; REVEALING ONLY DEWBERRY BEHIND IT; DEWBERRY ISN’T EXACTLY FRIGHTENED, ESPECIALLY AFTER HE SEES GUVA; HE IS STRANGELY UNCHANGED>

Dewberry: <WITH A GOOD OL’ ACCENT> Oh, hey.

<GUVA IS SLIGHTLY WARY AT THIS NONCHALANT GREETING AND HE ENTERS WITH SLIGHT CAUTION; AND HIS EYES SQUINTING>

Dewberry: So uh… whatcha doin’ here, man? Are ya lost?

Guva: <PEERING ABOUT THE MAIN ROOM; IT IS MOSTLY BARREN ASIDE FROM A FEW CRATES AND TRAINING WEIGHTS IN THE CORNER> Do you even know who I am?

Dewberry: Oh yeah totally man. You’re one of those space aliens.

Guva: <SLOWLY> Space… aliens…?

Dewberry: Oh yeah.

Guva: Are you fully conscious?

<THERE IS AN AWKWARD SILENCE FOR A WHILE>

Dewberry: Of course! Why’d you come to visit me?

Guva: <SUDDENLY BUSINESS-LIKE> I am looking for a planet called Earth. My directions seemed to be faulty; it’s not where I thought it was. You wouldn’t happen to know of its location, would you?

Dewberry: Ohhh I get it. You’re going to Earth to harvest some of us up for experiments. <PUSHES GLASSES BACK UP>

Guva: I-I’m what?

Dewberry: I saw it on Syfy, what yar gonna do with us. It’s cool man, I won’t tell anybody. <STANDS UP AND GETS REAL CLOSE TO GUVA’S FACE> I’m on your side!

Guva: <A BIT ANNOYED> You must be one of the intellectuals of your race. But Earth. Do you know of its location? Or am I wasting my time? <HE PULLS DOWN HIS HAND AND SHAKES IT; SPARKS SHOW UP, BUT HE DOES NOT FULLY FORM AN ENERGY BLAST> I don’t appreciate wasted time.

<GUVA GETS ANNOYED AND KICKS DEWBERRY BACK INTO HIS CHAIR; THE HUMAN ROLLS ACROSS THE VAST METAL FLOOR TO A WINDOW, FEET IN AIR; HE SLAMS INTO THE WALL, HARD; HE MOANS>

Dewberry: Oh please don’t kill me! You can take on board your beautiful ship! Please just don’t harvest my brain–

Guva: <STARING OUT THE WINDOW, TRANSFIXED UPON SOMETHING JUST OUT OF SIGHT> Shut up, you useless ingrate. <HE POINTS OUT THE WINDOW> There! There it is! Why did I not see it on my scanners?

<DEWBERRY SITS UP AND LOOKS OUT OF THE WINDOW; SURE ENOUGH, THE CAMERA SHOWS EARTH OUTSIDE IN SPACE; HE IS IN AWE>

Dewberry: Whoa… when did that happen?

Guva: Out of my way. <HE KICKS DEWBERRY OUT OF THE WAY> I have business on that planet. And if I see you there, you will end up like my quarry.

Dewberry: <EXTREMELY LOUD SCREAM; FROM THE FLOOR> Wait! How many are ya takin’?

Guva: <TURNS TO DEWBERRY> What?

Dewberry: How many are ya gonna take for your ‘speriments?

Guva: <GATHERS UP HIS CAPE AND WALKS OUT> Only one.

<GUVA THEN DEPARTS; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS HIS POD RACES BY IN FRONT OF THE WINDOW>

<AT THIS TIME CARDINAL COMES OUT, WITH KINDLER; KINDLER IS HOLDING LEDAS AND RYORI IN EACH HAND; THEY ARE GROGGY>

Cardinal: <TO DEWBERRY> It all went smoothly?

Dewberry: Oh yeah. <RUBBING HIS SORE STOMACH> The alien guy didn’t wan’ anything. <DEWBERRY POINTS BACK TO THE WINDOW WITH GLEE> And look, sir, the Earth is back!

Cardinal: What? How?

Kindler: Impossible!

Dewberry: Aw, don’t question it, Kindy. There’s lotsa things goin’ on we don’t know about.

Cardinal: There shouldn’t be.

Kindler: <DEFEATIST> He’s right, sir. No use questioning it. We don’t know what the hell’s going on.

Cardinal: I cannot be so complacent! I must know what is happening! <REGAINS HIS COMPOSURE> But regardless, Dewberry, set us a course back home. I need to make a call.

Silver: <LOOKING SINISTER; GRUFFLY> And once we’re on the ground?

Cardinal: <QUICKLY> Kindler will deal with our guests.

<SILVER NODS, SATISFIED; HE INJECTS HIMSELF WITH ANOTHER SYRINGE; KINDLER LOOKS TROUBLED AT THE RESPONSIBILITY>

<THE SHIP FLIES BACK TO EARTH AND LANDS IN A ROCKY AREA WITHOUT ANY FOLIAGE; IT IS HIGH ON A MOUNTAIN; THERE IS NO SIGN OF LIFE AROUND>

<WHEN THEY LAND, CARDINAL IMMEDIATELY OPENS THE FRONT HATCH AND STANDS AT ITS ENTRANCE, STARING OUT>

Cardinal: So nice to be back. But there is much to be done.

Kindler: <MOVES FORWARD; HE IS TIRED FROM HIS LACK OF SLEEP, BUT IS HIDING THAT> Mr. Cardinal… now what will we do with them?

Cardinal: Dispose of them, Kindler. I don’t want to see either of them again.

Kindler: <INCREDULOUSLY> Kill them?! They’re just children, sir.

Cardinal: Children who have seen too much. <HE TAKES SOMETHING OUT OF HIS SUIT INNER POCKET; IT IS A CAPSULE AND HE THROWS IT ONTO THE GROUND> Even so, we were called in to eliminate the alien. There he is <CARDINAL GESTURES TO LEDAS> Mr. Kindler. Do your job. Eliminate him.

Kindler: But si–

<THE CAPSULE TURNS INTO A LARGE MILITARY-STYLE BUS; CARDINAL MOTIONS TO SILVER AND CAPTAIN GREEN TO GET ON BOARD; ABOUT 30 OF THE 80 SOLDIERS GET ON AS WELL, AND ALL 10 SCIENTISTS ALSO DO; CARDINAL GETS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE AND LOOKS BACK TO KINDLER>

Cardinal: After you are done, go find Mr. Shoekki’s body. It should be where we left the planet from. I’ll leave you plenty of security to get it done, in case the police get involved. I put my full trust in you, Kindler. Clean up these messes and return to me when you are done. That’ll be all.

<WITH THAT, CARDINAL WAVES HIM OFF AND THE BUS LEAVES; KINDLER IS LEFT WITH DEWBERRY, ABOUT 50 SOLDIERS, AND TWO CHILDREN; HE RETURNS INSIDE; HE TAKES THE GUN OUT OF THE BACK OF HIS BELT AND LOOKS AT IT; HE SEEMS TROUBLED BY IT>

<NONETHELESS, HE FINDS LEDAS AND DRAGS THE BOY WITH ONE HAND INTO THE BACK ROOM; HE IS STILL HOLDING THE PISTOL IN HIS OTHER HAND AS HE DOES SO>

Kindler: I don’t know… I can’t do this! I can’t kill a kid, even if he is an alien. I don’t know, man! I-I…

<AS HE IS WALKING; KINDLER TRIPS SLIGHTLY AND THE GUN IN HIS RIGHT HAND GOES OFF; HE GASPS AS HE SEES IT ALL UNFOLD; IT IS A CHIEFLY UNWANTED ACCIDENT>

<THE BULLET HITS LEDAS IN THE HEAD, CAUSING KINDLER TO DROP HIM>

<KINDLER STEPS BACK, WITH A STOIC FACE; HE LOOKS UPON LEDAS’ STILL BODY; BLOOD IS RAPIDLY POOLING AROUND THE CHILD’S HEAD; LEDAS DOES NOT MAKE A SOUND, BUT FALLS SILENTLY>

<LEDAS’ EYES ARE CLOSED AND HIS BODY IS MOTIONLESS>

<WITHOUT ANOTHER LOOK, DESPITE IT BEING AN ACCIDENT, KINDLER TURNS SWIFTLY AROUND AND EXITS; HE IS SHAKING, SWEATING, AND IS GHOSTLY WHITE; HE LOOKS LIKE HE REALLY WANTS TO GET OUT OF THERE>

<CUTS TO ANOTHER PLACE ON EARTH>

<IT IS VERY MORNING; THERE IS A GREAT MIST AROUND THE ROLLING HILLS; THERE ARE FEW TREES BUT THE GRASS IS VERY GREEN AND LIVELY>

<VEGETA IS PRACTICING IN THIS WEATHER; HIS POWER LEVEL IS ONLY ABOUT 300,000 OR SO AND HE IS NOT IN SUPER SAIYAN>

<A FIGURE, CLAD IN HEAVY PURPLED AND BLUED ARMOR, AND A DARK CAPE BILLOWING ABOUT HIM, LANDS WITH A THUD INTO THE GROUND BEHIND VEGETA>

Vegeta: <NOT LOOKING AROUND> Whose there?

<THE CREATURE LANDS AND FEELS HIS HAIR, RUNNING HIS HANDS THROUGH THE STARK WHITE STRANDS OF IT; BUT HIS FACE IS STILL YOUTHFUL AND HIS BODY SPRY>

Unknown: A Saiyan? It seems Lord Cooler wasn’t lying when he said the some of the rats had escaped that sinking ship.

<HE TURNS TO FACE VEGETA; HIS FACE IS CLEARLY SHOWN NOW TO BE GUVA’S>

Vegeta: Saiyan? <INDIGNATION> How do you know who I am?

Guva: <CHUCKLES TO HIMSELF AS HE KNEELS AND FEELS THE WET GRASS UNDER THEIR FEET> I’ve seen that type of hair before, believe me. <HE EXHALES AND CLOSES HIS EYES, STANDING BACK UP AND POINTING HIS FACE TO THE SKY> It’s been a while since I’ve been able to enjoy the relaxing scenery of such a temperate planet.

<GUVA SUDDENLY OPENS HIS EYES AND FORMS A SMALL BALL OF ENERGY, HE THROWS IT INTO THE AIR WITH SURPRISING QUICKNESS; AS THE SCATTERSHOT BALL REACHES A CERTAIN ALTITUDE, IT DETONATES AND SENDS SEVERAL SMALL, ELONGATED BEAMS FLYING IN ALL DIRECTIONS>

<THEY DETONATE AROUND, ON THE COUNTRYSIDE; SMOKE WEAKLY POURS OUT FROM EACH OF THE BLAST’S HOLES; VEGETA STANDS WITH HIS FACE TOWARD GUVA, ARMS CROSSED; HE IS NOT IMPRESSED>

Vegeta: Done playing around, old man?

Guva: <STRETCHES OUT HIS ARMS AND LEGS; STRAINED IN SPEECH A BIT BECAUSE OF THIS> I am not fooling around. I’m on a mission. Tracking down a rogue soldier; a deserter of my installation. He is a Saiyan, much like you. But the Saiyan I’m searching for is just a child… or something like that. I’m not quite sure, actually.

Vegeta: <BAITED WHISPER> Oh yeah? What’s his name?

Guva: Maybe you know him? The little devil went by Ledas. Does that name strike a chord? <VEGETA’S EYES WIDEN; HE STEPS BACK> What, you’re scared of me now?

Vegeta: <CALMING HIMSELF READILY; BREATHING HARD> No chance.

Guva: Good. You are not the one I wish to fight anyway.

Vegeta: Hmph. I wouldn’t waste my energy on you.

Guva: <SCANS VEGETA’S POWER, WITH HIS SCOUTER; IT’S ONLY IN THE LOW HUNDRED THOUSANDS> Oh, naturally. You can’t actually run from a fight if you never do fight after all.

Vegeta: Yeah right.

Guva: I’ve raised my power level high enough. If he is here, he will come to me. Well, go on then. <HE GESTURES FOR VEGETA TO LEAVE WHEN HE HEARS A SHARP BUZZING SOUND THAT NEARLY BRINGS HIM TO HIS KNEES; VEGETA DOESN’T NOTICE; NOW HE IS THE ONE BREATHING HARD> Actually… stay. Yes… I have a proposition for you… once he arrives.

<VEGETA IGNORES GUVA, SIMPLY GOING BACK TO HIS TRAINING; GUVA SMILES>

Blink
<KINDLER WALKS DOWN THE HALL BACK TO THE MAIN ROOM; IN IT, DEWBERRY AND RYORI ARE TALKING>

Kindler: <AS HE IS WALKING, VERY QUIETLY> Darn diddly do dat…

<KINDLER PAUSES FOR A MOMENT AND THROWS HIS PISTOL INTO A SIDE CLOSET; HE CONTINUES WALKING, NOW WHISTLING… OR TRYING TO; HE CAN’T ACTUALLY DO IT YET>

<HE ROUNDS THE CORNER TO DEWBERRY; DEWBERRY HAS RYORI STANDING NEAR HIM AND THEY ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A CONVERSATION; AHEAD OF THEM, THE 50 RED RIBBON SOLDIERS ARE SLOWLY WALKING OUT OF THE SHIP, CARRYING CRATES OF THEIR SUPPLIES WITH THEM; JUST AS KINDLER SEES THEM, DEWBERRY PREPARES TO WALK DOWN THE RAMP WITH THE LAST FEW SOLDIERS>

Dewberry: Yeah, he’s cool. <SIGHS> If Kindler was a girl, I would so date him.

Ryori: <GROGGILY STILL> That’s a weird thing to say.

Dewberry: Hey, shut up!

Ryori: You brought it up.

Kindler: <ENTERS; WALKS UP TO THE KID; HE DOES NOT HAVE THE PISTOL WITH HIM> Dewberry, the kid.

Dewberry: What? You gonna kill him?

Kindler: Just give him to me.

Dewberry: <WHINE> Tell me, Kindy. I wanna know!

Kindler: <STRAINED, PERSONALLY> Dewberry, you’re just another one of Cardinal’s underlings. It’s not my place to reveal to you every little aspect of our plans.

Dewberry: <GRUMBLES> Whatever…

<DEWBERRY BEGRUDGINGLY PUSHES RYORI, WHO IS STILL TIED UP, ACROSS THE FLOOR>

<KINDLER TURNS RYORI, WHO IS KNEELING, AROUND AND TAKES HIS HAND TO THE BACK OF RYORI’S HEAD>

<BEYOND IN THE BACK ROOM, LEDAS STIRS>

<AS IS EVIDENT NOW, WHEN THE BULLET ENTERED INTO HIS HEAD IT DESTROYED THE KI SUPPRESSOR THAT WAS KEEPING HIM FROM KILLING EVERYBODY BEFORE>

<IN ADDITION, LANDING AS HARD AS HE DID ON THE METAL FLOOR CRACKED THE SUPPRESSOR AND CAUSED IT TO FALL OFF HIS HEAD>

<AT THIS, LEDAS LOOKS UP, EYES GLAZED OVER; ABOVE HIM IS STANDING A HALLUCINATION OF HIS FATHER>

Layeeck: <HE IS LEANING DOWN OVER LEDAS, HIS FACE INCHES AWAY FROM HIS SON’S; HIS VOICE IS SHAKING> There is no honor in death.

<LEDAS TURNS OVER WITH MUCH PAIN; HE WINCES>

<HIS FACE IS ABSOLUTELY COVERED IN BLOOD, SOME OF IT DRIED; THE SIDE OF HIS HEAD HAS A SMALL BULLET HOLE IN IT>

<HE DOES NOT ANSWER HIS FATHER>

Layeeck: Everything you need is right before your eyes!

<LEDAS BREATHES HARD OUT OF HIS NOSE, HE CRAWLS A BIT MORE AND SLIPS ON HIS BLOOD, WHICH IS NOW IN A HUGE POOL ON THE METAL FLOOR>

<HE STOPS MOVING AND ROLLS OVER, BREATHING HARD, EYES AFLUTTER; HE IS CONVULSING SLIGHTLY>

Layeeck: Think! What do you have, Ledas?! What can you use to save yourself?

<LEDAS RAISES HIS HAND AND MOVES HIS FINGERS IN FRONT OF HIS FACE; AFTER A SECOND, HE LOWERS IT AGAIN>

Layeeck: Do not let yourself be killed by these creatures. Fight! Be a Saiyan!

<LEDAS GASPS AND A FLURRY OF MEMORIES OF KORIN TOWER RETURN TO HIM; THE SMALL WHITE CAT EXPLAINING TO HIM THE VARIOUS MAGICS OF HIS PLACE AND THEN GIVING HIM THE POUCH; THE POUCH TO USE IN CASE OF INJURY>

<WITH THAT, LEDAS SLOWLY REACHES INSIDE HIS SHIRT AND PULLS OUT THE POUCH; HE AGAIN SLOWLY TAKES OUT A SINGLE BEAN AND EATS IT>

<HE LAYS THERE FOR A SECOND, CHEWING AND THEN SWALLOWING>

<NOTHING HAPPENS FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS, THEN LEDAS LETS OUT A LOW, HOARSE SCREAM AND CLUTCHES AT HIS HEAD; HE SCREAMS AGAIN; OBVIOUSLY THE PAIN HAS NOT GONE FROM THE SINGLE BEAN>

<LEDAS TAKES ANOTHER BEAN, THIS TIME ALMOST CONVULSING AS HE DOES SO>

<HE EATS IT AND STOPS SCREAMING ALMOST IMMEDIATELY>

<LEDAS STANDS UP, WIPING THE BLOOD FROM HIS FACE; HE LOOKS AROUND; THE VISIONS OF HIS FATHER ARE GONE NOW; HE IS BREATHING HEAVILY>

Ledas: Dad? <MORE ANXIOUS> Dad?!

<HE LOOKS AROUND AND THERE IS NOTHING THERE>

<LEDAS GOES TO ASK AGAIN, BUT THEN HE HEARS HURRIED TALKING COMING FROM UP AHEAD; HE REALIZES THAT KINDLER IS STILL ALIVE AND THAT RYORI IS IN THE OTHER ROOM>

Ledas: Those humans are still alive!

<WITH A SUDDEN JOLT, LEDAS JUMPS OUT AND DOWN THE CORNER>

<BACK UP AHEAD, KINDLER HAS RYORI IN AN EXECUTION POSE FROM LEDAS’ VANTAGE>

Kindler: <TO DEWBERRY> I took care of the other one. But this kid’s no harm to us or Mr. Cardinal. I think we can…

<AT THIS MOMENT, LEDAS SKIDS INTO VIEW; KINDLER TURNS TO FACE HIM>

<IN A SUDDEN MOVE, LEDAS SHOOTS A KI BLAST AT KINDLER; IT STRIKES HIM IN THE SIDE OF THE FACE, SPLURGING OUT BLOOD AND FLESH; HALF OF HIS NECK IS RIPPED OFF, ALMOST ENOUGH TO SNAP THE ACTUAL BONE FROM THE FLESH>

<KINDLER FALLS SLOWLY; HE IS DEAD>

<DEWBERRY FALLS BACKWARDS, OUT OF THE SHIP AND ONTO THE RAMP; HE TAKES OUT HIS PISTOL AND SCREAMS FOR THE SOLDIERS; HE POINTS HIS GUN AT RYORI (WHO IS JUST AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE SHIP) HOLDING HIM ONCE AGAIN AS A SORT OF HOSTAGE; AS SOON AS THEY HEAR HIM SCREAM, THE SOLDIERS DROP WHAT THEY ARE CARRYING AND TURN BACK TO LOOK AT DEWBERRY>

Dewberry: <AGITATED AS HE HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE> Get back or I’ll shoot! <LOOKS OVER HIS SHOULDER> Men, get over here! Kindler’s down! Help me!

<DEWBERRY CRAWLS TOWARD RYORI AND GRABS HIM AROUND THE BACK OF THE NECK, PULLING THE PISTOL UP TO HIS HEAD>

<LEDAS COCKS HIS HEAD AND UNWINDS HIS BODY; ONCE AGAIN, HIS AURA IS BLACK, INSTEAD OF ITS USUAL CYAN>

Ledas: You’re next. <WITHOUT A WORD OR SOUND OR CHANGE OF HIS BODY, LEDAS GOES SUPER SAIYAN> Don’t blink.

<DEWBERRY DOESN’T FLINCH BECAUSE HE DID NOT SEE THE TRANSFORMATION TAKE PLACE; HE KEEPS THE GUN ON RYORI; BEHIND HIM, THE LINES OF SOLDIERS HAVE FORMED, AND THEY LIKEWISE AIM THEIR WEAPONRY AT LEDAS>

<LEDAS SMIRKS AND CREATES AN AFTERIMAGES WHICH STAYS IN HIS PREVIOUS PLACE; HIS REAL FORM MOVES AROUND BEHIND DEWBERRY, TOO QUICKLY FOR THE LATTER TO SEE>

<LEDAS PUNCHES HIM, CAUSING THE PISTOL TO BE THROWN AWAY>

<DEWBERRY FALLS OVER DEAD; HIS SKULL CAVED IN>

<THE SOLDIERS IMMEDIATELY FIRE ON THE SAIYAN BOY; HE ELBOWS RYORI OUT OF THE WAY AND TURNS TO FACE THE SOLDIERS; THE BULLETS JUST BOUNCE OFF OF HIM; NO LONGER SMIRKING, LEDAS WALKS DOWN THE REST OF THE RAMP AND STOPS JUST IN FRONT OF THE SOLDIERS; THEY STOP FIRING AS THEY CANNOT BELIEVE THE BULLETS ARE JUST BOUNCING OFF OF HIM; LEDAS KNEELS DOWN AND SNEERS, HIS SHARP TEETH SHOWING; HE CREATES A RED ICE CANNON IN EITHER HAND AND SHOOTS THEM AT THE SOLDIERS; THE BLASTS CONNECT AND DISINTEGRATE EVERY ONE OF THEM>

<LEDAS RETURNS TO RYORI AND UNTIES HIM; RYORI IS IN WONDER AT LEDAS’ SHOW OF POWER; UP TO THIS POINT HE DID NOT KNOW LEDAS WAS AN ALIEN>

Ryori: <ALMOST WITH A BIT OF CAUTION> Ledas… what are you?

Ledas: <REGRESSES TO HIS NORMAL STATE; HIS FACE IS STILL SERIOUS> I’m a Saiyan, like my father before me. I guess I never told you, huh?

Ryori: A Saiyan? What’s that?

Ledas: Well, it’s my species. Y’know, I look just like you, but I have a tail and stuff. <HE SHOWS RYORI HIS TAIL> See?

Ryori: Whoa, a tail. I-I didn’t know! That’s awesome… but what else can you do?

<LEDAS GOES TO ANSWER, BUT SUDDENLY SNAPS HIS NECK AROUND, FEELING GUVA’S SHOW OF POWER; THIS IS NOT SO MUCH BECAUSE OF HOW POWERFUL GUVA IS, BUT BECAUSE LEDAS CAN FEEL HIM AT ALL>

Ryori: Ledas?! What is it?

Ledas: <STANDS UP> I-I’ve gotta go, Ryori. There’s something I have to fix.

Ryori: But what is it?

Ledas: There’s a someone out there I’ve got to deal with. You can’t help, I swear…

Ryori: <STARES AFTER HIM> Are you gonna kill him too?

Ledas: If I need to. <STILL GRAVE; LOOKS AT THE BODIES OF KINDLER AND DEWBERRY; HE SOMEWHAT REALIZES THAT SEEING PEOPLE DIE IS NOT SOMETHING RYORI IS USED TO> Just like these people. They were gonna… I mean he was gonna shoot you!

Ryori: <DROPS TO HIS KNEES> It’s okay, I guess. My brother would have done the same thing. <LOOKS UP> I guess I’ll just go home and see what he’s up to.

Ledas: Oh. <UNCOMFORTABLY; AFTER A PAUSE> Ryori… I think he’s gone… like those two. <GESTURES AGAIN TO THE DEAD> I think one of these guys did it.

Ryori: <TEARY> What?!

Ledas: <STEPS BACK, STILL UNCOMFORTABLY> I-I… I gotta go…

Ryori: <SINKS BACK DOWN, TEARS WELLING AGAIN; TO HIMSELF> He’s dead?! He… <VOICE BREAKS> can’t be.

<WITH THAT, LEDAS RUNS FORWARD ON THE DIRT PATH FOR A LITTLE WHILE, THEN HE KICKS OFF FROM THE GROUND; AS SOON AS HE ENTERS THE AIR, HIS AURA FLARES UP AROUND HIM; HE SHOOTS OFF ACROSS THE SKY; THE SUN IS JUST BEGINNING TO BUD UP OVER THE MOUNTAINTOP IN THE EARLY MORNING>

<RYORI SLINKS TO THE FLOOR, AND REACHES OUT FOR DEWBERRY’S PISTOL; HE GRABS IT AND IN ONE FELL SWOOP BRINGS IT UP, IN HUGGING NATURE, TO HIS CHEST>

<FAR AWAY, BETWEEN ROLLING HILLS, GUVA AND VEGETA ARE STANDING NEAR EACH OTHER; VEGETA IS STEADILY POWERING UP MORE AS HE IS TRAINING; HIS POWER LEVEL IS NOT AT ABOUT ONE MILLION; HE IS STILL IGNORING GUVA>

<WITH GREAT HASTE, GUVA RISES INTO THE AIR, LOOKING OVER THE TOWN WHICH IS CLOSEST BY; IT IS, OF COURSE, WEST CITY, WHERE CAPSULE CORP. IS>

Guva: <TO HIMSELF; HEAD THROWN BACK IN SLIGHT AMUSEMENT> Come out, Ledas, before I torch the entire countryside.

They Call Me Yamcha
<THE SCREEN FADES FROM GREEN>

<THE CAMERA ZOOMS OUT, SLOWLY, FOCUSED ON A SINGLE BLADE OF GRASS; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OF THIS, THE GRASS IS COVERED BY A DARK SHAPE>

<THE CAMERA PICKS UP ITS ZOOM OUT AND THE SCREEN SHOWS GUVA, NOW BACK ON THE GROUND; HE HAS HIS BACK TO VEGETA, AS HE IS SURVEYING THE SMOKE FROM HIS RUINOUS AFFAIR A FEW MOMENTS AGO>

<AS HE SURVEYS, SEVERAL LOUD THUDS BREAK THE SILENCE BETWEEN THE TWO>

<GUVA LOOKS OVER HIS SHOULDER, AT LONG LAST; AS HE TURNS TO FACE THE NEW SOUNDS, THE THUDS CONTINUE>

<LANDING AROUND THEM ARE THE Z FIGHTERS; NAMELY, GOKU, GOTEN, TRUNKS, PICCOLO, KRILLIN, AND ANDROID 18>

<GUVA TURNS WITH A WIDE SMILE AND WITH A BROAD GESTURE; AS HE DOES SO, MORE Z FIGHTERS CONTINUE LANDING AROUND THEM>

<TIEN, CLAD IN HIS HEAVY CLOTHES FROM THE BUU SAGA, AS WELL AS CHIAOTZU LAND; GOHAN LANDS TOO; HE IS WEARING A SUIT, WHITE ON BLACK>

Goku: <TO VEGETA, WHO HAS HIS OWN BACK TO GOKU, ARMS FOLDED> Hey Vegeta… who is this guy?

Guva: <PUSHES FORWARD, TO GOKU> Who am I? I think the more important question is who you are. And why you all have landed here, disturbing my peace. <HE THROWS HIS HEAD BACK AGAIN, HIS HAIR SLIGHTLY WET>

Goku: My name is Goku.

Guva: <SEEING THAT GOKU IS WAITING FOR HIM TO RESPOND> And?

Goku: My friends and I protect this planet. It’s our job to deal with people like you… who hurt the innocent.

Guva: Oh I see. That’s so cheesy. But carry on if you have more.

Goten: <OUTBURSTING> Hey mister… are you a bad guy?

Gohan: <STEPS TO GOTEN> Quiet, Goten.

Piccolo: <EVER COOL> Hmph. <AT GUVA> So what do you want with us?

Guva: With you? Nothing. As I’ve already explained to this <GESTURES TO VEGETA> Saiyan, my business is with someone else. Someone… <HE SCANS THE SKIES> who is mysteriously hiding. Maybe that’s one of your doings.

Tien: What’s this guy talking about?

Guva: I have no qualms with you; I merely seek to bring enough attention to myself to allow him the awareness of my presence. <SCANS ALL OF THEIR POWER LEVELS, FINDING THEM TO BE DISMALLY LOW> Perhaps he’ll come out on his own. Until then, how about a friendly sparring match? That is of course if any of you are up to it… I am in no hurry. <TO HIMSELF> Keep them all in one place, right.

<SUDDENLY ANOTHER THUD, MUCH LOUDER THAN ALL THE OTHERS BEFORE, SOUNDS OFF BEHIND GUVA; HE TURNS ALONG WITH ALL THE Z FIGHTERS TO SEE A FIGURE, SILHOUETTED BY SMOKE>

<THE SMOKE SLOWLY CLEARS AND IT REVEALS YAMCHA, HEAD DOWN, TURNED; HE IS WEARING A SHIRT, PROBABLY TOO TIGHT, TO SHOW OFF HIS MUSCLES; EVER THE BADASS, YAMCHA ALSO HAS A BASEBALL CAP ON HIS HEAD, BACKWARDS OF COURSE; HE LOOKS UP AND SMILES, SHOWING OFF HIS PEARLY WHITES>

Yamcha: Sure, I’ll fight ya. <HE LAUGHS AND JUMPS FORWARD AT GUVA> Whaddya say?

Guva: <WATCHES THIS> Confident, eh? Very well. <HE TURNS BACK TO GOKU> I hope you have at least a class three medical tank for your friend over here. He seems rather oblivious to what I’m about to do to him.

Piccolo: <TO GOKU AS WELL> Hey Goku, maybe you should pick up some senzu beans before we start. There’s no telling what this one has in store.

Goku: Oh yeah, that’s a great idea, Piccolo!

<HE PUTS HIS FINGER TO HIS HEAD, ABOUT TO INSTANT TRANSMISSION AWAY, BUT BEFORE HE CAN, GUVA STEPS FORWARD>

Guva: Now what is this? I don’t want any funny business. Wherever you’re going, I’m sure you can take me along. After all, what do you have to hide?

Goku: Well… I don’t know…

Guva: <GRABS ONTO GOKU> I know that technique. Lord Cooler has used it before. So wherever you’re going, I know you can take me along with you.

Goku: Cooler, huh? You knew him? <SPLIT PANELS; SIGHS> Alright, fine.

<GOKU AND GUVA INSTANT TRANSMISSION AWAY>

Yamcha: <WALKS OVER TO THE OTHER Z FIGHTERS, GREETS THEM; HE ENDS UP FACE TO FACE WITH VEGETA> Hey Vegeta, if I were you, I wouldn’t let Bulma see me fight today. <HE FLEXES HIS MUSCLES, ALMOST RIPPING HIS SHIRT> Yeah, she had a thing for me back in the day… and now that I’m as ripped <FLEXES AGAIN> as ever, you better watch out. <HE LAUGHS>

Vegeta: <STONY FACE THEN SUDDENLY ERUPTION INTO LAUGHTER> Oh, is that right, little man? <HE OPENS HIS MOUTH AGAIN TO TALK BUT PICCOLO STEPS IN>

Piccolo: <STERNLY> Enough, you two.

<CAMERA SWITCHES TO KORIN TOWER; GOKU AND GUVA SUDDENLY COME INTO VIEW, HAVING INSTANT TRANSMISSION’D TO THE MAIN FLOOR>

<AS SOON AS THIS HAPPENS, GOKU LETS GO OF GUVA AND STARTS WANDERING AROUND CALLING FOR THE KITTY KITTY>

<AT THIS TIME, GUVA MOVES UP TO A LONG WOODEN TABLE UP AGAINST ONE OF THE RAILINGS; THERE ARE VARIOUS, WEIRD CONTRIVANCES LITTERED ACROSS IT>

<BEHIND, KORIN COMES INTO VIEW>

Korin: What’s that, senzu beans? You need some, Goku?

Goku: <CHIPPER> Yeah, just a few if you can spare them. That would be awesome.

Korin: <JUMPS UP ONTO THE FAR RAILING> Well that’s nice. But I don’t have any beans for you. Somebody <HE EMPHASIZES THAT WORD AND TURNS TO YAJIROBE> had to go and eat them all!

Yajirobe: <IN THE CORNER, SITTING IN THE SHADOWS> Hey! I was hungry! Stupid old cat…

Goku: What?! You don’t have any?

Korin: <STRAIGHT> Doesn’t look like it, champ.

<BEHIND THEIR CONVERSATION, GUVA PICKS UP A STRANGE DEVICE; IT IS LIKE A PYRAMID, COVERED IN STRANGE LETTERINGS AND WHATNOT; HE MESSES AROUND WITH IT>

<SEEING THIS, KORIN, WITH SUDDEN AGILITY, JUMPS UP TO GUVA AND SWATS THE DEVICE AWAY; IT LANDS ON THE FLOOR AND OPENS>

<WHILE IT IS NOT POINTING AT ANYONE, THE TOP OF THE DEVICE OPENS AND STARTS SETTING OFF A HIGH WIND, SUCKING THE AIR IN; SEVERAL NEARBY TRINKETS ARE SUCKED INTO IT>

<KORIN, WITH INDIGNATION, PICKS UP HIS STICK AND WALKS AROUND BEHIND THE DEVICE, POKING AT THE BACK OF IT; IT IMMEDIATELY CLOSES; HE PICKS IT UP AND GINGERLY SETS IT BACK DOWN ON THE TABLE; HE TURNS TO GUVA>

Korin: <WRYLY> Any of my other priceless artifacts you want to play with? This isn’t a museum, your highness.

Guva: Very well. <WALKS BACK UP TO GOKU AND TAKES HIS ARM, AS IF WANTING TO TAKE A NICE EVENING STROLL IN THE PARK> If that’s all, take me back.

Goku: Oh… right, yeah. Well I’ll see you around, Korin! <HE INSTANT TRANSMISSIONS BACK TO THE AREA WITH THE OTHER Z FIGHTERS>

<GUVA WALKS BACK AWAY, AND YAMCHA MOVES FORWARD INTO A FIGHTING STANCE>

Guva: <CIRCLING; HIS SCOUTER IS FLASHING> I’ve known plants with higher power levels than you.

Yamcha: <UNWINDS HIS SHOULDERS> Don’t underestimate me; I can bite hard. Yeah, you don’t know who you’re up against.

Piccolo: <WATCHING> Looks like Yamcha is stronger…

Gohan: Are you sure, Piccolo? Couldn’t the new guy be concealing his power level?

Piccolo: <GRUFFLY> If he is, then we’re in trouble.

<GUVA DOESN’T EVEN POWER UP; HE STRIDES FORWARD TO YAMCHA>

<YAMCHA DODGES HIM, AFTERIMAGES, AND SHOOTS UP INTO THE AIR, VERY HIGH AND FAST; GUVA LOOKS UP, SURPRISED, AND DOES THE SAME>

Vegeta: <LOOKS AWAY AND WALKS OFF TO SIT DOWN ON THE GRASS BEHIND> Hmph… show off.

<THE TWO SHOOT UP INTO THE CLOUDS; AS SOON AS GUVA STOPS, YAMCHA LAUNCHES HIMSELF FROM A CLOUD COVERING FROM BEHIND AND HITS GUVA; GUVA TURNS AROUND, TRYING TO PARRY BUT IT’S NOT THAT MUCH USE>

<YAMCHA BACKFLIPS, KICKING GUVA IN FACE AS HE DOES; HE JUMPS BACK AND THEN SUDDENLY PUSHES FORWARD; AGAIN, GUVA DOES NOT ANTICIPATE THIS AND IS HIT IN THE FACE; HIS LONG TRUSTED SCOUTER FALLS OFF, BROKEN>

<GUVA GROWLS; HE LOOKS AROUND AND CANNOT FIND YAMCHA ANYWHERE; THE CLOUDS ARE TOO MISTY AND HE CANNOT SENSE POWER WITHOUT HIS SCOUTER>

<AS HE MOVES FORWARD, QUIETLY, A DARK FLASH JUMPS AND SKIDS ACROSS BEHIND HIM; GUVA PICKS UP ON IT AND TURNS; HE SHOOTS A FEW SMALL BLASTS IN A SEMI-CIRCLE IN THAT DIRECTION; HE TURNS AROUND JUST IN TIME TO BE HIT IN THE CHEST BY BOTH OF YAMCHA’S FEET>

<YAMCHA HITS GUVA SIDEWAYS, LIKE IN A “T” SHAPE; AS GUVA HUNCHES OVER IN PAIN, YAMCHA RIGHTS HIMSELF BACK UP AND GATHERS HIS ENERGY>

<AFTER A COUPLE SECONDS OR SO, YAMCHA SHOWS HIS ENERGY, A HUGE SPIRIT BALL, AND THROWS IT RIGHT INTO GUVA’S WIDE EYES>

<IT CONNECTS AND EXPLODES; BEFORE THE DUST CAN CLEAR, YAMCHA APPROACHES AND SENSES GUVA’S PRESENCE; HE LAUNCHES HIS INTERLOCKED HANDS DOWN UPON THE GOVERNOR’S HEAD, CRACKING IT AND SENDING THE LATTER SHOOTING DOWNWARDS; GUVA HITS THE GROUND HARD>

<YAMCHA DESCENDS TO THE GROUND, GRINNING AND CONFIDENT; AT LONG LAST, GUVA STIRS, STUMBLING OUT FROM HIS CRATER>

<HIS ARMOR IS ALL CRACKED AND HIS CAPE IS TORN AND HAS HOLES IN IT; HIS BODY IS SLIGHTLY DIRTIED AND BLOODIED; HE IS A GREAT SHINER UPON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD>

Guva: Impressive. Very much so, my friend. I did not expect you to be able to damage me so easily. But that’s enough from you. <HE RIPS OFF HIS CAPE AND THROWS IT BACKWARD, WITH THE WIND>

<AT THIS MOMENT, YAMCHA LAUGHS AGAIN AND SPRINTS FORWARD, ARMS OUTSTRETCHED YELLING “WOLF FANG FIST” TO NOBODY IN PARTICULAR; HE HITS GUVA, WHO IS CHARGING UP; YAMCHA’S WOLF FANG FIST IS SUCCESSFUL, AND IT KNOCKS THE WIND OUT OF GUVA>

<GUVA, IN INDIGNATION, RISES AFTER A FEW BATED BREATHS AND BACK-KICKS YAMCHA AWAY>

Guva: <WIPES DUST OFF OF HIS FACE; THEN BEGINS TO CHARGE UP> Gah! What was that?

Yamcha: Heh heh, it’s not my fault you let your guard down.

Guva: It’s just common courtesy… I let you charge up and you let me. Now, let’s go!

<GUVA CHARGES TO HIS FULL POWER AND PUMPS UP HIS MUSCLES; THE Z FIGHTERS WATCHING ARE ONLY SLIGHTLY IMPRESSED AS HIS LEVEL IS STILL FAR, FAR BELOW THEIRS>

Piccolo: Hmm… this may be trouble.

Gohan: <TURNS TO PICCOLO> What do you mean, Piccolo?

Piccolo: <ALWAYS COOL> That alien is now far stronger than Yamcha. Even when they were even, Yamcha couldn’t hurt him too much. Now if he’s not careful… he could get himself killed. One of us may need to step in.

<THE LAMER Z FIGHTERS ALL GASP AT THIS>

<AT THIS MOMENT, GUVA TURNS BACK TO YAMCHA, SMILING>

Guva: Are you up for round two?

Yamcha: <BARK> You know it!

<YAMCHA AGAIN RUNS AT GUVA IN WOLF FANG FIST FASHION, BUT THIS TIME GUVA SIDESTEPS HIM AND SWIPES AT THE BACK OF YAMCHA’S HEAD, PARALYZING HIM>

<GUVA TAKES THE WARRIOR BY THE BACK WITH HIS LEFT HAND, AND WITH HIS RIGHT HE READIES HIS BLAST; THE Z FIGHTERS CAN ONLY LOOK ON IN HORROR AT THIS SUDDEN CHANGE OF EVENTS>

<THE CAMERA SLOWLY ZOOMS OUT BACK PAST THE FIGHT AND UP INTO THE SKY>

<STREAKING ACROSS THE DEEP BLUE IS THE SMALL FIGURE OF A CHILD, TRYING HIS BEST TO GET TO GUVA’S POWER OFFPUT BELOW; AT THIS POINT, HE HAS ABANDONED CONCEALING HIS POWER LEVEL>

<THE SCENE CHANGES BACK TO THE MOUNTAIN LEDAS LEFT; THE BODY OF DEWBERRY IS AT THE BASE OF THE SHIP, WHICH IS STILL SITTING IN THE SAME SPACE; RYORI IS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN; HOWEVER, THE CAMERA FOCUSES IN TOWARDS THE CRATER, WHERE THE 50 SOLDIERS ONCE FOUGHT LEDAS; THERE NOW IS BUT A SINGLE SOLDIER, BADLY WOUNDED, CRAWLING ACROSS THE GROUND; AS HE GOES, HE PRESSES A BUTTON ON HIS CHESTPIECE>

Soldier 1: G-g-general… S-silver…

Silver: <OVER THE COMM> What is it, Sergeant?

Soldier 1: The alien… he g-g-ot aw-way… no… survivors… I-I’m sorry, s-sir…

<WITH THAT, THE CONNECTION GOES DEAD>

<THE SCREEN CHANGES TO SILVER’S PERSPECTIVE; HE IS INSIDE A DARK ROOM, WITH A FEW GUARDS AROUND HIM; CARDINAL IS UP AHEAD WITH HIS REMAINING SCIENTISTS; SILVER LOOKS AT HIS FATHER AND SIGHS>

Silver: Father! <CARDINAL TURNS AROUND AND LOOKS AT HIM> We’ve got a problem.

Blackwater
<THE SCREEN COMES UP SUDDENLY, AS A GASP CAN BE HEARD>

<YAMCHA HAS CHARGED AT GUVA, BUT THE LATTER HAS EASILY BRUSHED HIM ASIDE, TAKING OVER DOMINANCE>

<GUVA TAKES HIS LEFT ARM AND PUTS IT AROUND YAMCHA’S NECK AND ALMOST CASUALLY DROPS TO HIS OWN KNEES AS HE STARTS TO SUFFOCATE THE Z FIGHTER>

<THE GOVERNOR TURNS HIS HEAD TO FACE THE OTHERS; HE MOCKINGLY SMILES TO THEM>

Chiaotzu: <IMMEDIATELY> Let him go!

Yamcha: <CHOKING; CLENCHED TEETH; TO CHIAOTZU IN PARTICULAR> I… don’t need any… help…

<YAMCHA STRUGGLES, BUT CANNOT BREAK FREE OF GUVA’S GRIP; MANY OF THE Z FIGHTERS ARE QUIVERING WITH ANGER, MOST NOTABLY TIEN AND CHIAOTZU; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OF THIS, CHIAOTZU IGNORES YAMCHA’S REQUEST, GETS UP, AND SHOOTS FORWARD>

Chiaotzu: <JUMPING FORWARD TO CHALLENGE GUVA> Stop that, you big meanie!

Tien: <MOVES FORWARD TO BRING HIM BACK> Chiaotzu! No!

Piccolo: <HOLDS OUT HIS ARM TO STOP TIEN> No Tien. If he wants to fight, let him.

Tien: But… he’s not strong enough! He’ll just get beaten.

Piccolo: <GRUFFLY> Maybe. But he’s stronger than before. They may be able to pull it off, especially if Yamcha is still able to fight. If he can’t, then I’ll step in and put a stop to this.

<AT THIS, TIEN SETTLES DOWN A BIT AND MOVES BACK; HE AND THE REST OF THE Z FIGHTERS CONTINUE TO STAND STILL AND WATCH THE FIGHT>

Guva: <TO CHIAOTZU> What’s this? Another one here challenge me? Why, I haven’t finished this one off yet! <HE TIGHTENS HIS STRANGLEHOLD ON YAMCHA; YAMCHA SPUTTERS AT THIS>

<WITH A YELL, NOT WAITING FOR ANYTHING, CHIAOTZU FLIES FORWARD AND KICKS GUVA ACROSS THE FACE; GUVA DROPS YAMCHA AND STANDS UP; HE IS STILL IS CALM>

Yamcha: <COUGHING; HOARSELY; TO CHIAOTZU> I-I told you not to help me!

Chiaotzu: You weren’t going to make it without some help, Yamcha! I couldn’t stand watching him do that to you. Come on, let’s get rid of this bad guy!

<YAMCHA SIGHS>

Guva: So… you both want to fight me… at the same time?! Do you have no honor, no sense of the perfect tranquility of this duel? I only fight one at a time. That is the ultimate skill.

Yamcha: <COUGHING; HOARSELY> May’e… may’e you’re just scared, huh? You don’t want to lose. <STANDS UP> Well let me tell you something, buddy, if you can’t take on me and him together, there’s no way you’d stand a chance against Goku or Vegeta. They’re way stronger than us.

Guva: <GROWLS> Uuaah… <HE RIGHTS HIMSELF BACK UP> Silence!

<GUVA SENDS OUT A BLINDING DISPLAY OF KI, WHICH SENDS HIS TWO OPPONENTS BACKWARDS>

<GUVA SENDS OUT SEVERAL KI BLASTS, BUT YAMCHA AND CHIAOTZU DODGE THEM; THE TWO SPLIT OFF AND GO IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS; THIS GREATLY CONFUSES GUVA WHO HAS TO STOP SHOOTING OFF KI BLASTS AND LOOK FOR THEM; AS HE DOES SO, HE DOESN’T THINK TO PUT UP HIS GUARD; BOTH YAMCHA AND CHIAOTZU HIT HIM, CRACKING HIS ARMOR EVEN MORE>

<GUVA DROPS TO A KNEE, IN PAIN, AND SHOOTS AWAY YAMCHA>

<GUVA AND CHIAOTZU BEGIN DUELING AGAIN AND GUVA QUICKLY REGAINS HIS ADVANTAGE; HIS STYLE OF PUNCHES AND KICKS ARE HIGHLY ORNATE AND SOPHISTICATED AND DESPITE CHIAOTZU’S SMALL SIZE, MOST ARE LANDING>

<YAMCHA RECOVERS AND SHOOTS INTO THE AIR, LANDING, WITH A PUNCH, ON GUVA’S BACKSIDE; GUVA DID NOT SEE, HEAR, NOR EVEN ANTICIPATE SUCH A MOVE AND AS SUCH IS HIT HEAD ON; HE FALLS FACE FIRST INTO THE GRASS, SPITTING UP BLOOD>

<ONCE AGAIN, THE TWO ATTACK GUVA; HE CAN BARELY HOLD THEM AND HE IS BATTED AROUND; HE SOMEWHAT LOSES CONSCIOUSNESS>

<AT THIS TIME, YAMCHA TAKES TO THE AIR AND CHIAOTZU TURNS GUVA AROUND; HE HIMSELF CONTINUES TO PUNCH AT THE GOVERNOR; ABOVE, YAMCHA READIES HIS EXTRA LARGE SPIRIT BALL>

<GUVA QUICKLY REALIZES THIS FATAL MISTAKE AND TAKES CHIAOTZU OUT WITH A SINGLE KICK; HE THEN SHOOTS INTO THE SKY AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME FAR HIGHER THAN YAMCHA IS POSITIONED>

<HE CONTINUES FLYING UPWARD, BUT AS HE DOES, HE SENDS ONE SMALL BALL OF SCATTERSHOT DOWN TO YAMCHA; THIS CAUSES YAMCHA TO GET HIT BY THE KI BLASTS AND DISSIPATE HIS SPIRIT BALL>

<BUT ONCE AGAIN, GUVA DOES NOT ANTICIPATE A SECOND FIGHTER AS HE COMES TO A STOP; BEING AS HE CAN ALSO NOT SENSE KI, GUVA DOES NOT SEE THAT CHIAOTZU HAS TAILED HIM THE WHOLE WAY UP, RIGHT BEHIND THE GOVERNOR>

<CHIAOTZU SENDS OFF AN ENERGY TELEKINESIS SHOT AND IT HITS GUVA, PARALYZING HIM>

<HE COMES AROUND TO FACE GUVA AND SHOOTS A DODON RAY AT THE GOVERNOR; WHILE IT’S NOT SUPER ACCURATE, IT SILL HITS GUVA IN THE FACE AND RIPS APART HIS RIGHT CHEEK; BLOOD POURS OUT AND HE SCREAMS; BEING PARALYZED, GUVA CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT>

Guva: I-is… that the best you’ve got? <IN HIS MIND> The little clown thing is weak; much weaker than me. If I can only get him alone for a few moments… <HE GLANCES DOWNWARD, SEEING YAMCHA SHOOTING UP AT THEM> damnit! Don’t they ever stay down?! Individually I could so easily kill them. But together, they’re unbeatable. <BACK TO CHIAOTZU> You! Clown… thingy… uh… if that’s your most powerful attack, you may as well give up!

Chiaotzu: What?

<AT THIS, CHIAOTZU LOSES CONCENTRATION FOR A MOMENT AND GUVA BREAKS FREE OF HIS PARALYSIS>

<HE SHOOTS STRAIGHT AT CHIAOTZU AND HITS HIM AWAY; AT THE SAME TIME, YAMCHA REACHES THEM AND GRABS ONTO GUVA’S LEG; HE RIPS THE GOVERNOR DOWN AND THROWS HIM BELOW; BUT GUVA TELEPORTS BEHIND YAMCHA>

<HE HITS YAMCHA AWAY, BLOWING OFF HIS SHIRT AND SENDING HIM INTO THE GROUND; INSTEAD OF PURSUING YAMCHA HOWEVER, GUVA INSTEAD TURNS BACK TO CHIAOTZU>

<WITH ONE SWIPE, GUVA HITS CHIAOTZU AWAY INTO THE HILLS>

<HE DESCENDS AND JUMPS ONTO YAMCHA’S LYING BODY>

<GUVA TURNS YAMCHA OVER AND HITS HIM, OPEN PALMED IN THE MOUTH; YAMCHA SCREAMS AND SPITS UP BLOOD; GUVA THEN ELBOWS HIM IN THE CHEST AND BREAKS HIS RIB CAGE; WITH THAT, YAMCHA IS DEFEATED>

Tien: Chiaotzu!! <HIS ANGER SURGES; HE JUMPS FORWARD> I’ll avenge you, my friend. <HE GIVES A DIRTY LOOK TO PICCOLO> I told you this would happen, Piccolo! <TO GUVA> You’re facing me now.

Guva: <PANTING; FIGURE IN SHAMBLES; HE WIPES AWAY BLOOD FROM HIS TORN CHEEK> I’m not here to play games with every little maggot that crawls out of the ground. My quarry is a Saiyan, not a freak with three eyes! You want to die, that’s your problem. Leave me out of it…

Tien: <CALMLY, AS HE TALKS HE TAKES OFF HIS HEAVY CLOTHING; WELL HE TAKES OFF HIS SHIRT CLOTHING> I’m not a freak. But you just hurt my friend, Chiaotzu. That’s unforgivable. <AT THIS, HE READIES A WHITE, LIGHTNING-ISH BLAST IN EACH HAND AND THROWS THEM AT GUVA>

<GUVA HOWEVER HAS ALREADY FALLEN TO HIS KNEES, HIS HANDS CLASPED AROUND HIS ARMS; HE DOESN’T SEEM TO NOTICE WHEN THE BLASTS HIT HIM, NOR WHEN HE FALLS BACK SEVERAL DOZEN FEET FROM THE FORCE OF THEM>

<GUVA’S EYES ARE WIDE AND HIS LIP IS TREMBLING; ABOUT HIM, SOMETHING WHICH NO ONE ELSE CAN HEAR, IS A FLURRY OF QUIET WHISPERING, CONSUMING HIS THOUGHTS>

<AT JUST THIS TIME, ABOVE THE Z FIGHTERS, LEDAS COMES COMES INTO VIEW; HE STOPS JUST ABOVE THEM, EVAPORATING HIS KI AS HE STARES DOWN AT WHAT HAS HAPPENED; THE Z FIGHTERS SENSE HIM AND LOOK UP AT THE FIGURE IN THE SKY; MANY ARE POINTING AT HIM>

Trunks: Hey, look! There’s someone up there!

Goten: I see him! I see him!

<LEDAS NOTICES THAT EVERYONE SEES HIM, SO HE DESCENDS TO THE GROUND; HE LANDS CLOSER TO GUVA THAN THE Z FIGHTERS>

Piccolo: <NOTICING WHO IT IS; WITH FURY> No way! I knew that wasn’t Trunks or Goten!

Ledas: <TURNS HIS FOCUS TO GUVA> What are you doing here? <GUVA DOES NOT RESPOND; HE IS COVERING HIS EARS> Answer me, Guva!

<LEDAS RAISES HIS ARM, FORMING ENOUGH KI TO KILL THE WRETCHED GOVERNOR WHEN TIEN COMES RUSHING IN AND PUSHES LEDAS ASIDE>

Tien: No, he’s mine!

Ledas: What?

Tien: He hurt my friend. I’ll make him pay!

<TIEN GRABS GUVA AND STARTS ATTACKING HIM; LEDAS WATCHES THIS WITH HIS MOUTH SLIGHTLY AGAPE; HE BACKPEDALS AWAY FROM THE SCENE AND TURNS TO FACE THE Z FIGHTERS, WHO ARE ALL LOOKING AT HIM; HE LOOKS THEM OVER WITHOUT TALKING UNTIL HE LANDS ON VEGETA; VEGETA IS STARING BACK AT HIM; AND WHILE THERE IS DRIED BLOOD ACROSS HIS FACE AND HE HAS AGED SOMEWHAT SINCE THEIR LAST MEETING, VEGETA RECOGNIZES HIM; THEY MEET EACH OTHERS’ EYES>

Ledas: Hi… Vegeta.

Paid In Blood
Vegeta: <BORED> Who are you?

Ledas: <BREATHLESS, NERVOUS> Ve-vegeta…? That’s you, right?

Vegeta: <IRRITATED> What do you want?

Ledas: <TREMBLING STILL> Vegeta? <HE WALKS UP CLOSER> It’s… it’s me, Ledas.

Vegeta: <YAWNS> Who?

Ledas: <A BIT LOUDER; A MIXTURE OF DISTRESS AND ANGER IS IN HIS VOICE> Don’t you remember me?!?!

Vegeta: Hmph. <TILTS HIS HEAD AWAY>

Goku: <DESPITE THE ACTION AROUND, HE WALKS OVER TO VEGETA AND LEDAS; GOHAN, GOTEN, AND TRUNKS COME WITH HIM> Whoa Vegeta… who’s this guy?

Vegeta: <STILL SOMEWHAT IRRITATED> Bah… <HE OBVIOUSLY DOESN’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT AND LIES DOWN ON THE GRASS, ARMS BEHIND HIS HEAD; HE CLOSES HIS EYES AND PRETENDS TO SLEEP>

Ledas: <STANDING OVER VEGETA; BLACK AURA FLARING UP AROUND HIM; HIS EYES ARE SHINING> Come on! Look at me! Remember!

<THE CAMERA CUTS TO A TOWN; IT IS BRIGHT, SPARKLING SOMEWHAT, NEAR THE SEA; AS THE CAMERA PANS BACK A BIT IT SHOWS OFF RYORI, SULLEN AND DIRTY; HIS HANDS ARE FREE BUT HE IS STUMBLING DOWN THE ROAD>

<AS HE WALKS BY HIS COAT BILLOWS AND IT CAN BE SEEN THAT HE HAS A PISTOL IN IT; IN RYORI’S HAND HOWEVER IS A SMALL PIECE OF RED CLOTH WITH THE NEW RED RIBBON ARMY INSIGNIA; HE GOT THIS OFF OF DEWBERRY>

<AFTER SOME TIME, BREATHING HARD AND IN SOME KIND OF ANGUISH, RYORI STEPS INTO A SIDE BUILDING; THE PLACE IS A FANCY ONE, WITH ELEGANTLY CARPETTED FLOORS AND WALLS, THERE IS EXPENSIVE (OR AT LEAST WHAT LOOKS LIKE EXPENSIVE) ARCHITECTURE AND FURNITURE ADORNING THE PLACE; THE MAIN WALKWAY TO THE DESK IS CLEAR OF ANYTHING, INCLUDING PEOPLE; HE TAKES OUT THE PISTOL AND MOVES FORWARD; HIS FACE IS TEAR-DRENCHED AND PALE>

<THE CAMERA RETREATS BACK OUT THE DOOR AND SHOWS THE BUILDING; OVER THE ENTRANCE IS A SIGN THAT READS "NEW RED RIBBON ARMY LOCAL HEADQUARTERS" WITH ITS INSIGNIA JUST BELOW IT>

<THE CAMERA CUTS BACK TO GUVA AND TIEN>

<GUVA HAS SLIGHTLY RECOVERED FROM HIS WEIRD FIT EARLIER AND NO WHISPERING CAN BE HEARD>

<TIEN, WHO IS OBVIOUSLY ANGRY, RUNS AT GUVA AND ELBOWS HIM; AS GUVA DOUBLES OVER, TIEN SWIPES HIS LEGS FROM BEHIND, CAUSING THE GOVERNOR TO FALL UP; THEN, TIEN CHOPS HIM IN THE CHEST AND SENDS GUVA FLYING AWAY>

<HE PURSUES AND BEGINS TO BEAT UP ON GUVA>

<BUT AS THIS IS HAPPENING, THE CAMERA MOVES LEFT AND BACK TO THE Z FIGHTERS>

Ledas: Aw, Vegeta, don’t you remember me? We used to play together all the time… like remember that time in the snow? <VEGETA DOESN’T ANSWER; LEDAS GETS ANGRY AND SCREAMS AS HIS AURA GETS LARGER; HIS TEETH ARE SHOWN TO BE QUITE SHARP> I grew up with you!! Look at me!

Goku: <TO LEDAS; HE NOTICES LEDAS’ TAIL; ENTHUSIASTICALLY> Whoa, are you a Saiyan too?

Ledas: <BACK TO GOKU, SCRATCHES THE BACK OF HIS HEAD; AURA DIES DOWN> Oh, yeah… you must’ve seen my tail… <HE HIMSELF TURNS AROUND TO LOOK AT IT> It’s always falling off <LAUGHS> but I can always grow a new one! <LOOKS AT VEGETA AND GOKU> Hey… where are your tails?

Goku: <MATTER O’ FACT; A LITTLE PROUDLY> I had mine removed a long time ago.

Ledas: That’s stupid. You’re not a true Saiyan without a tail.

Goku: <IN HIS GOKU VOICE; LIKE WHEN AROUND RADITZ> From what I’ve seen, the Saiyans aren’t very nice people. They just go around hurting and killing and–

<GOKU IS INTERRUPTED BY GUVA BEING SLAMMED INTO THE GROUND NEARBY; GUVA IS EXTREMELY WEARY FROM HIS LAST BATTLE WITH YAMCHA AND CHIAOTZU; REGARDLESS, TIEN IS FAR STRONGER THAN HIM AND THIS FIGHT IS NOT EVEN AT ALL>

<GUVA DODGES OUT OF THE WAY, ON THE GROUND, AS TIEN TRIES TO LAND A MOVE ON HIS LYING BODY; GUVA ROLLS AWAY AND FIRES A SCATTERSHOT, BUT IT IS NO USE AS TIEN IS EASILY ABLE TO BRUSH IT ASIDE>

<TIEN RUSHES AT GUVA AND SENDS OFF A SOLAR FLARE; OBVIOUSLY THIS BLINDS GUVA FOR A MOMENT>

<TIEN USES THIS FREE TIME TO GRAB GUVA’S SHOULDERS AND THROW HIM INTO THE AIR; ONCE IN THE AIR, HE HIMSELF SENDS OFF A DODON HAIL, WHICH PIERCES GUVA MANY TIMES, BLOODYING HIM EVEN MORE>

<WHEN GUVA LANDS HARD INTO THE EARTH, HE DOES NOT GET UP>

<TIEN WALKS FORWARD SLOWLY AND SHOOTS A ONE HANDED KI CANNON AT GUVA; WHEN THE DUST CLEARS, GUVA IS CRITICALLY INJURED, NOW ONLY BARELY ALIVE>

<TIEN PICKS HIM UP WITH HIS RIGHT HAND AND HOLD THE FORMER GOVERNOR BY HIS NECK; BLOOD IS NOW POURING FROM GUVA’S BODY; THE CAMERA SPINS AROUND FOR A SECOND AND HIS BLOOD CAN BE SEEN DRIPPING FROM HIS FEET, WHICH ARE ONLY HOVERING A FEW INCHES OFF THE GROUND>

Tien: Get ready to die!! <HE LIFTS UP HIS LEFT HAND AND BEGINS TO FORM ENERGY FOR A SINGLE-HANDED KI CANNON>

Guva: Let’s… let’s just talk, like gentlemen! <TO HIMSELF; HEARING THE WHISPERING AGAIN; PANICKED> I… I need more a few more seconds!

Tien: You hurt Chiaotzu! I can’t feel him at all! <TRAILING OFF; LOOKING AT SOMETHING FAR OFF> He was my good friend…

<GUVA LEANS HIS HEAD BACK AND SPURTS UP SOME MORE BLOOD, HE CROAKS OUT A LAUGH>

Guva: Honestly, I…

<SUDDENLY TIEN DROPS GUVA AND RUNS PAST HIM>

Guva: <IN A PAINED WHISPER> Wh-what… are… what are you doing?

<HE TURNS AROUND TO SEE WHAT TIEN IS WANDERING OFF FOR; FROM THE RUBBLE BEHIND, CHIAOTZU STAGGERS FORWARD>

<TIEN SMILES AND LAUGHS, LONG AND HARD, HE KNEELS DOWN TO TALK TO CHIAOTZU AND INSPECT THE SERIOUSNESS OF HIS WOUNDS; INDEED, CHIAOTZU LOOKS TO BE CRITICALLY HURT>

<GUVA, BEHIND THEM, GETS SUPER ANGRY; HE HEARS THE WHISPERING START AGAIN AND HE FREAKS OUT>

Guva: No!! I can hear it again! <HE PULLS AT HIS EARS AND YELLS; HE TURNS TO TIEN> Bastard! Get back here! Finish me now! <HE THROWS A SMALL OVAL SHAPED BLAST AT TIEN> Screw the plan! I can’t take it anymore!

<TIEN IS KNOCKED OVER FROM THIS, BUT WHEN HE GETS UP AND TURNS AROUND, HE SEES THAT GUVA HAS ONCE AGAIN FALLEN TO HIS FEET, NOW AUDIBLY SCREAMING; HIS EYES ARE WILD AND BASICALLY POPPING IN THEIR WIDE GAZE>

<TIEN IS NOT MOVED BY THIS DISPLAY OF EMOTION AND SWIFTLY GRABS GUVA AGAIN; THIS QUIETS THE GOVERNOR DOWN>

<TIEN TAKES HIS BLAST AND BRINGS IT TO GUVA’S FACE, BUT HE HOLDS BACK FOR A SECOND, UNWILLING TO GO THROUGH WITH IT>

<LEDAS LOOKS THROUGH THE GROUP OF Z FIGHTERS AND SEES GUVA BEING HELD BY TIEN>

Ledas: Guva! <BUT GUVA DOES NOT HEAR HIM>

Guva: <LAUGHS AGAIN> Hahahahahaha. Do it. <NOW HOARSELY AND SPITTING> Come on, you spineless coward! Do it. <GUVA THROWS HIS HEAD BACK AGAIN, AND THIS TIME HE SEES LEDAS STANDING FAR OFF; HIS EYES WIDEN AND TEAR UP; HE STARES AT LEDAS AS HE SPEAKS HIS LAST SENTENCE> DO IT!! DO I–

<GUVA GOES RIDGED, MIDSENTENCE; TIEN DROPS HIM; AFTER A COUGH, HE FALLS DEAD ONTO THE GROUND; TIEN MOVES BACK, STEPPING AWAY FROM THE CORPSE; HE APPEARS SHOCKED BECAUSE HE DID NOT KILL GUVA; HE DISSIPATES THE BLAST IN HIS HAND>

<STICKING OUT FROM THE BACK OF GUVA’S CRACKED AND BLOODIED ARMOR IS A KNIFE>

<CROUCHING OVER THIS ALL IS NOW A FIGURE, DARKLY HOODED, CALMLY WATCHING>

<THE FIGHTERS HADN’T NOTICED HIM UP TO THIS POINT, AND WHEN GUVA’S BODY FALLS, THEY ALL LET OUT A GASP>

The Benefactor: <PULLS KNIFE OUT OF THE NOW LIFELESS CORPSE; HE LOOKS UP TO THE GROUP WATCHING> Did ya… miss me?

<ABRUPT TO BLACK>

Snow Day
<FLASHBACK>

<THE CAMERA COMES INTO A LARGE ROOM, WHICH IS VERY TALL; IT IS PANELED WITH VARIOUS STONE TILES, COVERING THE VAST GROUND; THERE IS OF COURSE A ROOF TOO, BUT IT IS VERY HIGH UP, MAYBE 100-150 FEET; THE SIZE OF THE HUGE ENCLOSURE IS ABOUT THAT OF A NORMAL STADIUM>

<IN THE ENCLOSURE ARE 4 BEINGS; TWO ARE HUGE, LIKE GREAT MONKEYS; THEY ARE NOT WEARING ARMOR, BUT ONLY TRAINING PANTS>

<THE OTHER TWO ARE FLYING ABOUT FRANTICALLY; THEY ARE BOTH SAIYANS, IN FULL ARMOR; IN FACT THEY ARE WEARING MORE THAN THE REGULAR SAIYAN ARMOR, THEY ARE WEARING FULL BODY SUITS COVERING EVEN THEIR FACES AND TAILS>

<AS CAN BE ASSUMED, THIS IS BECAUSE THERE IS A POWER BALL AT THE CENTER OF THE ENCLOSURE, AND THE TWO UN-TRANSFORMED SAIYANS DON’T WANT TO TRANSFORM THEMSELVES; THEY SEEM TO BE TEACHING>

<THE TWO GREAT APES LUNGE AT EACH OTHER, CLEARLY NEITHER IS SENTIENT; THEY ROLL AROUND, FIGHTING AND HACKING AT ONE ANOTHER; IN ADDITION BOTH SEEM TO BE RANDOMLY SHOOTING OFF ENERGY BLASTS IN ALL DIRECTIONS AS IF THEY CANNOT CONTROL THEIR POWER>

<THE TWO ADULT SAIYANS ARE ONLY WATCHING AS OF NOW, BUT ARE STILL WEAVING THIS WAY AND THAT, DODGING THE TWO’S ENERGY>

<THE TWO SAIYANS STOP AND SHOOT UP HIGHER INTO THE AIR TO LET THE GREAT APES COOL DOWN FOR A MOMENT>

Layeeck: <SHOUTING OVER THE COMMOTION> I don’t think it’s going to happen today. They’re still far too wild.

<THE OTHER SAIYAN IS FAR OLDER THAN LAYEECK; HE HAS A BEARD AND HIS HAIR IS A SILVERY BLACK>

Lascon: You’re too impatient, Layeeck. Give them some time to get used to the new form. They’re only children after all! <HE LAUGHS, HEARTILY> Do you remember how long it took you to master that form?

Layeeck: That was a long time ago.

Lascon: You were almost 11 years, if I remember.

Layeeck: Those were different times. Besides, my son is far stronger than I was at his age.

Lascon: <LEANS FORWARD, PEERING DOWN> And that makes it so much harder… look, they’ve tired out. This is our best chance.

<BOTH SHOOT BACK DOWN TO THE FLOOR; THE TWO GREAT APES ARE STILL TRANSFORMED, BUT ARE SPLAYED ACROSS THE GROUND ASLEEP>

<LAYEECK DESCENDS AND WALKS TO THE SAIYAN NEAREST HIM; LASCON GOES TO THE SAIYAN IN THE FAR CORNER>

Layeeck: <INTO THE EAR OF THE UNCONSCIOUS BEAST> Ledas! Ledas, wake up! <IN MORE OF A WHISPER> Ledas?!

<AT THAT, THE GREAT BEAST’S ARM RUMBLES AND GRABS LAYEECK; WITH A LAZY AND TIRED THROW, IT PUSHES LAYEECK INTO THE GROUND, HARD>

<LAYEECK LETS OUT A MUFFLED SCREAM; THE BEAST IS STILL ASLEEP>

<HE GETS UP, LIMPING FROM HIS FRACTURED KNEE, AND CAUTIOUSLY RE-APPROACHES LEDAS>

Layeeck: <ONCE AGAIN INTO LEDAS’ EAR; WHISPERING> Ledas?! It’s your father, Ledas! Wake up, we’re…

<LEDAS OPENS ONE EYE, LOOKING AROUND; HE SPOTS LAYEECK; AT THIS, LEDAS SITS UP WITH SUDDEN HASTE, THE MOTION OF IT KNOCKING LAYEECK BACK DOWN; STILL SITTING UP, HE TURNS HIS BODY TO FACE LAYEECK; LAYEECK IS EASILY DWARFED BY LEDAS’ PRESENCE; LAYEECK HOLDS HIS GROUND>

Layeeck: My son. Ledas…

<LEDAS PICKS HIM UP WITH HIS HAND, CLUTCHING TIGHTLY AROUND LAYEECK’S BODY; HE GROWLS, SHOWING HIS TEETH; HE SLAMS LAYEECK ONTO THE GROUND; LAYEECK KEEPS AS QUIET AS POSSIBLE; LEDAS KEEPS HIS FATHER WRAPPED IN HIS HAND AS HE DOES THIS>

<LEDAS SNARLS AGAIN>

Layeeck: You remember me. Look at my face! Look at me! I am your father, Ledas. Your father! Look at me! <LEDAS DOESN’T MOVE; HE IS ROARING, AND NOT LOOKING AT LAYEECK> I said look at me!

<LAYEECK SENDS A SHOCK BLAST DOWN THROUGH LEDAS’ BODY, JARRING HIM BACK TO REALITY; LEDAS GROWLS IN PAIN AND LIFTS HIS FATHER UP, CLOSER TO HIS FACE; HE INSPECTS LAYEECK ALL OVER; AS LAYEECK CONTINUES TO STARE INTO HIS SON’S EYES, LEDAS STARES BACK AT HIM; HIS STANCE LESSENS; HIS EYES GLAZE OVER AND HE SHAKES HIS HEAD; WHEN HE LOOKS BACK AT HIS FATHER, HE HAS MORE PURPOSE IN HIS LOOK>

Ledas: <IN GREAT APE VOICE> I am.

Layeeck: <RECOVERS> Ledas?! <LETS OUT A BREATH OF AIR> My son… is that you?

Ledas: <CHEERFUL> Yeah! <HE HOLDS OUT HIS HAND AND NOTICES IT’S ALL HAIRY AND WHATNOT> Whoa, what’s this?

<LEDAS SETS DOWN HIS FATHER AND STANDS UP; HE ADMIRES HIS BODY; HE JUMPS AROUND, TESTING IT OUT>

<LAYEECK LOOKS BACK OVER TO WHERE LASCON WENT; THE SAIYAN ADULT IS HOVERING ABOUT 20 FEET IN THE AIR, WITH HIS ARMS CROSSED; BEHIND HIM IS AN AWAKE, YET UNMOVING GREAT APE; LASCON SEEMS UNTOUCHED AND HIS WHOLE “SENTIENCE” MISSION HAS GONE WITHOUT INCIDENT>

<LEDAS NOTICES THE OTHER GREAT APE; HE TURNS TO FACE IT IN A BATTLE STANCE>

Ledas: Awright! We can fight for real now!

<THE OTHER APE LAUGHS HIMSELF, BUT DOES NOT SPEAK>

<LEDAS JUMPS AND LUNGES AT THE OTHER APE, WHO HAS TAKEN A DEFENSIVE STANCE>

<RIGHT BEFORE THE TWO CONNECT, LASCON TURNS SUDDENLY AND SHOOTS A KI BLAST AT THE POWER BALL, DESTROYING IT>

<LEDAS REVERTS IN MID-LUNGE, AS DOES THE OTHER AND THEY TUMBLE INTO EACH OTHER AS THEY REGRESS>

<LASCON AND LAYEECK WALK UP TO THE TWO, LEDAS AND VEGETA, AND THROW THEM TOWELS>

Lascon: <AUTHORITATIVE> Now that’s enough, boys. Your training for today is done.

Ledas: <UPSIDE DOWN, A TOWEL AROUND HIS NECK> You mean we get the rest of the day off, Grandpa?!

Lascon: I don’t see why not. It would be quite mean of me to keep you boys locked up in here all day… when it’s snowing outside.

Ledas: <IN AWE> Snowing? What’s that?

Lascon: A rare occurrence on Planet Vegeta. I suggest you make the most of it. <HE SMILES, WARMLY>

<LEDAS GETS UP, EXCITED; VEGETA GETS UP TOO, BUT HIDES ANY EXCITEMENT HE MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE>

Ledas: Thanks, grandpa! <HE WAVES THE ADULTS OFF AND RUNS TO THE DOOR; VEGETA WALKS, SLOWLY BEHIND>

<LASCON AND LAYEECK STAY BEHIND A BIT TO CLEAN UP>

Lascon: Today was quite an interesting day, wasn’t it Layeeck?

Layeeck: Yeah, it was unbelievable. I mean… they just got right up and ran out after all those hours of being in that form. I don’t even think I could do that! <LASCON LAUGHS> Or you, for that matter.

Lascon: It’s you, not me, who promised young Ledas a father-son trip off planet. So I don’t need to keep pace with him. But I sure hope you didn’t lie to him about going.

Layeeck: <SIGHS> No, I’ll get around to it eventually. I’m just not looking forward to it, I guess. Kind of unnerving when you’re not in control any more.

Lascon: <LAUGHS> When have you ever been, son?

<THE CAMERA CUTS TO A BIT LATER IN THE DAY, OUTSIDE; THE ENTIRE AREA, WHICH IS SLIGHTLY WOODED, IS BLANKETED IN SNOW>

<VEGETA AND LEDAS ARE BOTH STANDING IN IT; LEDAS PLAYING AND JUMPING AROUND IN IT, AND VEGETA MERELY STANDING, HAUGHTILY OBSERVING>

Prince Vegeta: <SHOOTS A SMALL BEAM OF ENERGY, WHICH DOES NOT DISSIPATE AS HE TALKS, INTO THE SNOW; HE MELTS A CIRCLE AROUND HIMSELF> So what? It’s just frozen water…

Ledas: Yeah, but it’s fun Vegeta! Come on!

<LEDAS DIVES HEAD FIRST INTO THE SNOW; AFTER A SECOND HE RESURFACES A BIT TO THE RIGHT; HIS HAIR AND FACE ARE BOTH COVERED IN SNOW; HE SMILES>

Prince Vegeta: Hmph. I don’t get the big deal.

Ledas: <LAUGHS> Aw Vegeta, just try it!

<LEDAS THROWS SOME SNOW AT VEGETA, IN A BALL; YES REALLY>

<IT HITS VEGETA IN THE FACE AND HE BRUSHES IT ASIDE>

Prince Vegeta: <ANNOYED> Stop it! <HE TURNS, SWIFTLY WITH HIS CAPE>

<AT THIS, LEDAS JUMPS, LAUGHING AND TOPPLES ONTO VEGETA, CAUSING THEM TO BOTH FALL INTO THE SNOW; VEGETA IS NOT HAPPY>

<LEDAS JUMPS BACK AND READIES MORES SNOWBALLS; HE THROWS SEVERAL AT VEGETA>

Ledas: <GIDDY> Betcha can’t hit me!

<VEGETA STANDS UP AND IS ABOUT TO RESPOND, BUT HE IS HIT IN THE FACE AGAIN WITH A SNOWBALL>

<VEGETA, WITH SOME RESTRAINT, PICKS UP SOME SNOW AND FORMS IT INTO A BALL HIMSELF; HE SHOOTS UP INTO THE AIR AND THROWS IT AS HARD AS HE CAN AT LEDAS>

<THE TWO JUMP AROUND, DODGING EACH OTHER’S SNOW BALLS AND HAVING A GOOD TIME>

<THE CAMERA CUTS BACK TO A HOUSE, WHICH IS QUITE SIMPLE AND PLAIN; IT IS NOT IN A VERY POPULATED PLACE; NO OTHER HOUSES ARE AROUND; THE SUN IS SOMEWHAT SETTING BEHIND IT, AND IT IS ON A HILL WITH A SINGLE TREE TO THE LEFT>

<JUST OUTSIDE WALKS LASCON, WHO IS STILL IN HIS FULL ARMOR; WITH A SIGH OF HIS OWN, HE TAKES OFF HIS ARMOR AND HANGS IT ON A SNOW-COVERED RACK AGAINST HIS HOUSE’S WALL; HE WALKS FOR A FEW FEET THROUGH THE SNOW AND THEN WINCES, FALLING OVER AND CLUTCHING AT HIS SIDE; HE BREATHS HARD FOR A FEW MOMENTS THEN GETS UP AGAIN>

<NOW SOMEWHAT TREMBLING, HE WALKS FORWARD THREE STEPS; SUDDENLY HIS HEAD SHOOTS UP AND HE TURNS AROUND>

<THE CAMERA IS FACING LASCON FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF AN ONLOOKER, JUST A BIT BEHIND HIS LEFT SHOULDER; HE IS SITTING IN THE SINGLE TREE, WATCHING LASCON>

<THE INTRUDER IS DRAPED ALL IN BLACK; HIS FACE CANNOT BE SEEN; HE SITS ABSOLUTELY STILL IN HIS SILENCE>

Lascon: I recognize you! I saw you watching me and my grandson fighting the other day. I bet you have been watching us for some time. So what is it?! What do you want with us?! Who are you?!

<THE FIGURE DOES NOT ANSWER, INSTEAD JUMPING OFF THE TREE AND APPROACHING LASCON>

Lascon: I’m warning you. Get back! I won’t put up with you any longer! My grandson’s training is none of your concern! <HE STEPS BACK AND SHOOTS A SMALL ONE HANDED ENERGY BLAST AT THE CREATURE; AT THE SAME TIME HOWEVER HE FALLS OVER, TRIPPING BACKWARDS INTO THE SNOW>

The Benefactor: You have done enough; you have seen enough. Lord Frieza doesn’t want my presence known to anyone.

Lascon: Lord Frieza?! What do you mean?

The Benefactor: He wants me to deal with this problem.

Lascon: No! He would never…!

The Benefactor: <QUIVERING> Your grandson and the Prince. Lord Frieza wants them both. You will only get in the way of his goals.

Lascon: You can’t do this! I’ll kill you first!

<THE CREATURE GOES BACK TO BEING QUIET; IT CLAWS THE FACE OF LASCON, MAKING HIM FALL BACKWARD; LASCON FALLS INTO THE DOORWAY OF HIS HOUSE AND RETREATS A BIT FURTHER IN UNTIL THE BENEFACTOR JUMPS ON HIM AND PINS UP AGAINST A WALL; LASCON BOWS HIS HEAD, AND THEN WHEN HE LOOKS BACK UP, HE SENDS OUT AN EYE BEAM AT THE CREATURE; IT HAS NO EFFECT; WITH A GRIM LOOK, HE SLUMPS HIS SHOULDERS IN DEFEAT>

<THE CAMERA TURNS AGAIN TO BEHIND THE CREATURE, AND AS THE ALIEN MOVES FORWARD, IT COVERS THE ENTIRE SCREEN>

<THE CAMERA CUTS BACK TO LEDAS AND VEGETA>

<THE TWO OF THEM ARE STILL PLAYING IN THE SNOW; VEGETA SEEMS TO HAVE WARMED UP TO THE IDEA OF IT>

<THEY TUMBLE DOWN THROUGH SOME TREES INTO A SMALL VALLEY; THERE IS A STREAM RUNNING THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF IT; AT THE NEAR END, THERE IS A FALLEN TREE THAT IS SPANNING ACROSS IT LIKE A BRIDGE>

<VEGETA AND LEDAS JUMP ONTO IT AND CAREFULLY START TIP-TOEING ON IT>

<VEGETA, WHO IS IN FRONT, TURNS AROUND AND, WITH A GRIN ON HIS FACE, GETS IN A BATTLE STANCE; LEDAS INTERPRETS THIS CORRECTLY AND ATTACKS; THE TWO START FIGHTING, IN CLOSE COMBAT; PUNCHES AND KICKS FLY FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS; NEITHER HAS THE EDGE>

<THE TWO GET INTO A BLOW EXCHANGE ON THE TREE AND SEND FLURRIES OF PUNCHES AT ONE ANOTHER>

<AT LONG LAST, BOTH OF THEM FALL OFF AND LAND ON THE ICE; IT CRACKS AND THEY FALL IN>

<THE TWO BOYS ARE SWEPT UNDERWATER, AND WHEN THEY TRY TO RESURFACE, THE ICE IS THICK ABOVE THEIR HEADS>

<BOTH ARE TOO COLD AND WEARY TO BREAK THROUGH IT, POUNDING ON IT WITH THEIR FISTS>

<AT LONG LAST, NEARLY RUNNING OUT OF AIR UNDER THE WATER, LEDAS AND VEGETA GRASP HANDS TOGETHER AND COMBINE A GALICK GUN BLAST, TO SHOOT THROUGH THE ICE>

<IT WORKS AND BOTH COME FLYING UP AND BACK ONTO THE SNOWY TURF; BOTH COLLAPSE, EXHAUSTED; LEDAS IS SHIVERING FROM THE COLD>

<ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, LEDAS’ SCOUTER GOES OFF>

<HE WEARILY GRASPS AT IT FROM THE SNOW AND PICKS IT UP; IT IS LAYEECK CALLING>

Layeeck: Ledas, are you there?

Ledas: <TIRED> Whaddizit?

Layeeck: Ledas, I need you to come meet me at your grandfather’s house, immediately.

Ledas: Bu–

Layeeck: <PRESSED> Immediately.

<LEDAS PICKS UP ON HIS FATHER’S IMPORTANT TONE AND JUMPS INTO AIR; HE DASHES OFF, SPRINTING IN THE AIR>

Prince Vegeta: <WATCHES HIM GO, STILL PANTING> Bye, I guess… <HE LAYS HIS HEAD BACK DOWN AGAINST THE SNOW AND CLOSES HIS EYES; HIS ARMS BEHIND HIS HEAD, ALMOST LIKE HIS ADULT FORM WAS IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER>

<LEDAS SHOOTS TO HIS GRANDFATHER’S HOUSE WITH MUCH HASTE; HE LANDS, FACING HIS FATHER AT THE DOOR>

Ledas: What is it, dad?

Layeeck: <SAID MONOTONE, WITHOUT EMOTION> Your grandfather is dead. But do not lower yourself to tears. There is no place to be soft here.

<LEDAS TEARS UP, BUT DOES NOT LET LAYEECK SEE IT; BEFORE HE CAN SPEAK, LAYEECK TURNS BACK TO THE HOME>

Layeeck: The traditional Saiyan burial isn’t possible here.

Ledas: <IN TEARS> But why?

Layeeck: <STILL> There’s not much of him left. I can’t get what’s left of him out of the house… So! <BRISKLY> We will do it as we can. Stand back, Ledas. Help me give him the proper respect. And then we’ll find the monster who did this to him.

<LAYEECK GATHERS HIS ENERGY AND SHOOTS OFF A HUGE BALL INTO THE HOUSE, EXPLODING IT AND CAUSING IT TO GO UP IN FLAMES>

<AT THIS TIME, LEDAS HAD SUNK TO HIS KNEES, BUT HIS FATHER RIGHTS HIM BACK UP; HE HELPS LEDAS PUT HIS OWN ARM OUT>

<LEDAS, UNDERSTANDING, LETS OFF A SMALL BLAST OF HIS OWN TO ADD TO THE FIRE; LAYEECK HELPS HIM KEEP HIS HAND STEADY; THE FIRE BURNS BRIGHTLY FOR SOME TIME AND THE TWO STAND IN SILENCE, WATCHING; NEITHER SPEAKS A WORD>

<THE SCREEN PANS BACK TO THE SINGLE TREE ON THE LEFT OVERLOOKING THE LONELY HOUSE>

<PERCHED ATOP IT, WITHIN THE SNOW ITSELF IS A BEING, DARKLY DRAPED, HIS FACE UNSEEN; AS HE WATCHES FOR SOME TIME, THE HOUSE COLLAPSES IN ON ITSELF; AS THE FIRES COOL AND ALL TURNS TO ASH BELOW, LAYEECK AND LEDAS FLY OFF>

<SEEING THIS, THE FIGURE, THE BENEFACTOR, JUMPS OFF FROM HIS TREE AND WALKS AWAY; AS HE TRUDGES THROUGH THE SNOW, HE CALLS UP HIS BOSS>

The Benefactor: <INTO HIS SCOUTER> Lord Frieza, it is done. If we take the prince and his friend now, we can eliminate the rest of the Saiyans without any suspicion.

<THE SCREEN PANS BACK TO SPACE AND SHOWS THAT MUCH OF THE ENTIRE PLANET IS COVERED IN SNOW; THE SCREEN PANS BACK FURTHER AND SHOWS FRIEZA’S SHIP HOVERING OVER THE PLANET>

<END FLASHBACK>

Furcifer Pardalis
<FLASHBACK>

<THE CAMERA IS ON FRIEZA’S SHIP, WHICH IS HOVERING OVER PLANET VEGETA; THE PLANET IS SHOWN TO BE COVERED IN WHITE>

<INSIDE, THE HALLS ARE ABANDONED AND VERY QUIET>

<THE CAMERA MOVES DOWN THE MAIN CORRIDOR, WHICH CIRCLES AROUND INTO A ROOM, WHICH IS BARELY LIT; THE ONLY LIGHT IS A BIT SEEPING IN FROM THE HALLWAY OUTSIDE THE OPEN DOOR; ONLY FRIEZA IS IN IT; HE IS STANDING, FACING THE WINDOW, STARING DOWN AT PLANET VEGETA>

<QUIETLY, A NEW BEING ENTERS; IT IS THE BENEFACTOR; HE IS STILL CLOTHED COMPLETELY IN BLACK>

Frieza: Ah, Captain.

The Benefactor: <WALKS UP TO BEHIND FRIEZA; HE KEEPS ABOUT A 3 FOOT DISTANCE BETWEEN HIM AND HIS LORD> You called, Lord Frieza?

Frieza: Have you prepared everything?

The Benefactor: I have found quarters for the prince and his partner. Everything is ready.

Frieza: <BREATHES SLOWLY> Good. I trust the monkeys down there <HE SCOWLS AT THE PLANET> didn’t give you any trouble.

The Benefactor: Only the other’s grandfather suspected anything. I eliminated him. He’s not a threat anymore.

Frieza: A threat? He was just a monkey, Benefactor.

The Benefactor: <UNRESTRAINED> A monkey who could have alerted the king and his entire army.

Frieza: Be that as it may, I am not ready to kill them all. I must consult with Zarbon and Dodoria first.

The Benefactor: <TURNS TO LEAVE> Very well, Lord Frieza.

Frieza: <RAISES HIS HEAD; PAUSES FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE CONTINUING> Wait. The day Zarbon and I found you, we found all but a small group of your species had been exterminated. This was before my team had even touched down. Someone on the planet had done us a great favor. We had been spared the most laborious work. <HE STARES AT THE BENEFACTOR> And I never thanked you. But Benefactor, know this: I saw potential in you that day we found you. I spared your life. <LEANS HIS HEAD BACK> Don’t you see? I chose to give you a place on my ship because of your power.

The Benefactor: I don’t see a question here.

Frieza: <NOW FULLY TURNS TO THE BENEFACTOR AND WALKS FORWARD TO TALK TO HIM FACE TO FACE> You and the Saiyan boys are not so different. Only it will be me, not them, who exterminates their race. Perhaps that is where you hold the edge. I do not want to see them killed, however. They are as important to me as you are. Should you do anything to them–

The Benefactor: Trying to scare me, my lord? <RAISES HIS HEAD SLOWLY, REVEALING HIS EYES> I can’t feel anything.

Frieza: Can’t? Or won’t, Captain? <THE BENEFACTOR IS SILENT> Then you will heed my orders. One day, the boys may be as strong as you. Until then, play nice.

<CUTS TO A DIFFERENT FLASHBACK>

<TWO PODS ARE SHOWN ON THE SURFACE OF LAUTO’S PLANET; BOTH DOORS ARE OPENED; SUDDENLY ANOTHER POD LANDS; IT HAS THE NUMBER 54 ON ITS SIDE; OUT FROM IT COMES THE BENEFACTOR; HE SURVEYS THE AREA AND THE STEPS FORWARD>

<THE SCENE CUTS TO INSIDE THE CAVE; THE BENEFACTOR WATCHES A MASSIVE FIGHT – THOUGH NEITHER FIGHTER CAN BE SEEN, THEIR VARIOUS KI BLASTS CAN BE; HE IS UP ON A LEDGE ABOUT TWO STORIES ABOVE THE GROUND; HE WATCHES QUIETLY, FIXATED ON THE BATTLE BENEATH HIM>

<HE JUMPS OUT OF HIS TRANCE AS THE FIGHTING STOPS BELOW, AND HE HEARS THE VOICES OF BANAS AND GUVA SPEAKING; HE WATCHES IT ALL UNTIL GUVA KILLS BANAS>

<THEN AT GUVA’S SLUMPING UP AGAINST A WALL, THE BENEFACTOR OUTSTRETCHES HIS HANDS AND CLOSES HIS EYES; GUVA BELOW, SOMEHOW HEARS SOMETHING THAT SPOOKS HIM; EVEN IN PAIN, HE RIGHTS HIMSELF UP, IN A SLUMPED POSTURE, PEERING AROUND>

<THE BENEFACTOR INTENSIFIES HIS POWER OUTPUT, AND GUVA IS DISTURBED BY THIS; THE BENEFACTOR LOWERS HIS ARMS AND JUMPS OFF THE ROCK HE IS PERCHED ON; HE LOWERS HIMSELF TO THE GROUND AND BRINGS THE DIRT INTO HIS HANDS, FEELING IT FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS BEFORE LETTING IT ALL SLIP AWAY>

<HE STANDS UP AGAIN, IN FULLEST OF POSTURE>

The Benefactor: <ECHOING IN THE CAVE; MOUTH WIDE, WITH TEETH OUT> What are you doing here?

Guva: <TIRED> Who… who are you?!

The Benefactor: <MOVES UP TO GUVA AND PINS HIM AGAINST THE ROCK WITH A CLAWED FOOT> I will ask the questions.

<GUVA RESISTS, CREATING AN IMAGE SLASH AND SWINGING IT WILDLY AT THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR CATCHES IT IN HIS HANDS AND BREAKS IT, EASILY; GUVA’S EYES WIDEN IN HORROR; HE REALIZES THAT HE IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO STAND UP TO THE BENEFACTOR; HE SIGHS AND BOWS HIS HEAD>

Guva: I d-don’t want any trouble!

The Benefactor: <QUIETLY AND DELIBERATE> Tell me your purpose.

Guva: I came here to take part in a duel.

The Benefactor: <SWIFTLY> Why here?

Guva: I-I…

The Benefactor: Speak or I slit your throat.

<GUVA APPEARS TROUBLED AND DOES NOT SPEAK FOR A MOMENT AS HE COLLECTS HIS THOUGHTS>

Guva: Very well. I am the governor of Planet Cooler 92. I authorized an expedition to this planet many years ago. A soldier of mine – a Saiyan boy – came back from here a good deal stronger. He stopped aging, too. My captain wanted me to tell him what happened… if he beat me in a duel. The truth is, I don’t know what happened here.

The Benefactor: <QUIVERING> What Saiyan?

Guva: Ah, his name was Ledas. But he’s gone now. I couldn’t keep him on my leash.

The Benefactor: Gone where?

Guva: I…

The Benefactor: <STARTS TO CHOKE GUVA AROUND THE NECK, READYING AN ENERGY BLAST IN HIS FREE HAND> I will not make this painless if you continue to waste my time.

Guva: <WITH A CROAK> E-earth!

<THE BENEFACTOR PICKS UP GUVA AND THEN THROWS HIM AWAY INTO THE DIRT, CREATING A SMALL CRATER; GUVA IS BLOODIED AND TIRED>

The Benefactor: Clean yourself up. After you are healed, you will take me to Earth. And if you want to live, you will do this quickly.

Guva: <PANTING> Why do you want him? What use could he be to you?

The Benefactor: <SNARLS> If you want to keep your tongue, then keep it in check.

<WITH THAT, THE BENEFACTOR WALKS OUT OF SIGHT, BACK INTO THE DARKNESS; AS HE GOES, HE DROPS A SMALL COIN-SHAPED BLACK ENERGY BLAST ON THE GROUND; IT LANDS WITH A HEAVY THUD AND DOES NOT EXPLODE; GUVA SINKS BACK TO THE GROUND, STILL PANTING>

<CUTS TO A DIFFERENT FLASHBACK>

<GUVA AND THE BENEFACTOR ARE ON EARTH; IT IS EARLY IN THE MORNING; GUVA IS HEALED AND IN SPLENDID SHINING ARMOR>

The Benefactor: There are many powerful beings here. Draw them to you and stall them for as long as possible.

Guva: <SIGHS> Very well. But I don’t know that I can beat them.

The Benefactor: You aren’t supposed to.

<THE BENEFACTOR IS CROUCHING IN THE GRASS, LOOKING AHEAD; THIS SCENE DISSOLVES INTO THE NEXT, WHERE THE BENEFACTOR IS SITTING IN THE EXACT SAME POSITION IN THE GRASS; ONLY, THIS TIME, HE IS SITTING OVER THE DEAD BODY OF GUVA; HE IS STARING AT VEGETA AND LEDAS>

<CHIAOTZU AND TIEN ARE IN FRONT OF HIM, AND THE REST OF THE Z FIGHTERS, SANS THE DEFEATED YAMCHA IN THE CORNER, ARE BEHIND THEM>

<THE BENEFACTOR’S NEW PRESENCE HAS EVEN DRAWN THE ATTENTION OF VEGETA AND LEDAS, WHO ARE BOTH STARING JUST AS FASCINATINGLY AS THE OTHERS>

The Benefactor: <TO HIMSELF, QUIETLY> Well, we’re all back. Frieza would be so proud.

Piccolo: <SUDDENLY> Who are you?

The Benefactor: <STANDS UP, WALKING FORWARD> I am here for him.

<HE POINTS TO LEDAS, CAUSING EVERYONE TO TURN THEIR HEADS TOWARDS HIM>

Ledas: <CLENCHES HIS TEETH, HIS BLACK AURA VISIBLE> You’re not taking me anywhere!

Gohan: What did he do to you?

The Benefactor: <QUIETLY> He stole my energy. And I’m taking it back, even if I have to rip it from his lifeless corpse.

Ledas: <SHOUTS; GOES SUPER SAIYAN> No! I didn’t take anything from you!

The Benefactor: <SO VERY ANGRY> You were there in the cave. You stepped into the light. You saw the visions. And you took all the energy without thinking about who it came from, who it belonged to. <STOPS WALKING> I know this. Your old governor sold you out.

Ledas: <REALIZING THE EVENT THE BENEFACTOR IS DESCRIBING; HE IS STILL IN SUPER SAIYAN> Oh, god! That was you?!

The Benefactor: Now you will return to me what is rightfully mine.

Ledas: <ANGER SURGING AS WELL> If you couldn’t hold onto your energy, then you don’t deserve it! It’s not yours anymore!

The Benefactor: <IGNORES LEDAS; TO THE Z FIGHTERS> Just step aside and let me take him.

Ledas: <MORE TO HIMSELF THAN TO THE BENEFACTOR; LOOKING DOWN WITH HIS FISTS CLENCHED> I’m not going anywhere.

Tien: <FROM BEHIND> Wait! <EVERYONE TURNS AROUND TO LOOK AT HIM> Then who is that? <TIEN POINTS TO GUVA’S CORPSE>

The Benefactor: <CHUCKLES> A pawn in this game. He drew the boy to me, and now–

Tien: He hurt Chiaotzu!

Krillin: <ANGRY AS WELL> And Yamcha too! What do you have to say about that?

The Benefactor: Get out of the way and you won’t end up like them.

<MOST OF THE Z FIGHTERS FLARE THEIR AURAS AT THIS, REALIZING THE BENEFACTOR IS THEIR FOE>

<TIEN GOES TO SPEAK, BUT THE BENEFACTOR SHOOTS A FINGER BEAM AT HIM, KNOCKING HIM TO THE GROUND; IT DAMAGES HIM SLIGHTLY, BUT NOT TOO MUCH>

The Benefactor: I’ve heard enough talk. Step aside or die like your opponent did. <THE CAMERA PANS TO GUVA’S BODY YET AGAIN>

<TIEN STANDS BACK UP LAUNCHES HIMSELF AT THE BENEFACTOR; HE YELLS WITH RIGHTEOUS ANGER; THE ALIEN LOCKS HIMSELF INTO A DEFENSIVE POSITION, READY TO TACKLE THE ENRAGED Z FIGHTER>

Blood Of My Blood
<WIDE ZOOM IN>

<KRILLIN JUMPS FORWARD FROM THE Z FIGHTERS GROUP; CLEARLY, A DARK FOG CAN BE SEEN AT THEIR FEET, THOUGH NO ONE TAKES NOTICE OF IT; WHILE IT APPEARED THAT HE WAS GOING TO THE ATTACK THE BENEFACTOR, THIS IS NOT ACTUALLY TRUE; TIEN, HOWEVER, IS RUSHING TOWARDS THE BENEFACTOR IN THE BACKGROUND; THE CAMERA FOLLOWS KRILLIN AS HE GOES; HE LANDS BY YAMCHA’S CRUMPLED BODY; BY THIS TIME, YAMCHA IS ON HIS SIDE, FACING AWAY FROM KRILLIN; HE IS NOT MOVING, YET HE IS STILL BLEEDING; HE IS COVERED IN BLOOD>

Krillin: <KNEELS DOWN TO YAMCHA> Hey, Yamcha! Yamcha? Hey, are you there, buddy? Yamcha?!

<YAMCHA DOES NOT ANSWER>

Krillin: <TURNS BACK TO THE OTHER Z FIGHTERS, GRIMLY> He’s hurt pretty bad, guys. Are you sure there aren’t any senzu beans for him?

Goku: <SHAKES HIS HEAD, CONCERNED; BUT FOR SOME ODD REASON HE IS STILL MOTIONLESS> Nuh-uh. I don’t have any.

Krillin: <TURNS BACK TO YAMCHA, PICKS HIM UP> Then I’ll have to take him to Dende myself.

<TO HIS FAR LEFT ARE GOKU, VEGETA, AND LEDAS; LEDAS PARTICULARLY IS STARING AT THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR IS NOT LOOKING AT HIM; INSTEAD, HE’S FOCUSED ON TIEN; TIEN REACHES THE BENEFACTOR, AND THE BENEFACTOR STARTS BLOCKING HIS ASSAULT>

<JUST AS KRILLIN STARTS TO LEAVE, THE BENEFACTOR STUNS TIEN, AND TURNS TO FACE THE BALD MAN; THE ALIEN THROWS UP HIS HAND, FINGERS SPREAD, STOPPING KRILLIN IN MIDAIR; WITH A SMALL PUSH OF HIS HAND, KRILLIN IS BATTED DOWNWARD BY SOME UNSEEN THING AND YAMCHA IS THROWN AWAY>

<KRILLIN GETS UP AND RUNS AGAIN TO YAMCHA’S BODY, BUT HE IS STOPPED AND BROUGHT UP INTO THE AIR, ABOUT A FOOT>

<THE BENEFACTOR IS NOW FACING HIM, BOTH ARMS OUTSTRETCHED; HE HAS KRILLIN IN STASIS>

Krillin: <AGITATED> What are you doing? Can’t you see my friend over there is hurt?!? I need to get him help!

The Benefactor: <TO KRILLIN> No one is leaving here.

<THE BENEFACTOR MOVES HIS HAND SWIFTLY ABOUT, IN AN ARC; IT BLOWS KRILLIN BACK INTO ROCKS BEHIND HIM; HE IS COVERED IN RUBBLE; KRILLIN DOES NOT SURFACE; AS IS USUAL ALL THE Z FIGHTERS DO THAT THING WHERE THEY MOAN IN AWE FOR LIKE 10 MINUTES>

<TIEN SUDDENLY COMES INTO VIEW, SLAMMING HIS BOOT INTO THE BENEFACTOR’S BACK; THE BENEFACTOR SHOOTS FORWARD, BUT STEADIES HIMSELF; HE RETURNS TO TIEN AND STARTS BEATING HIM, SWIFTLY AND VICIOUSLY; THE Z FIGHTERS WATCH THIS, REMAINING ON GUARD; PICCOLO AND GOHAN ARE SEETHING; THEY LOOK LIKE THEY ARE JUST ABOUT TO STEP IN AND HELP TIEN>

<THE CAMERA FOCUSES IN ON LEDAS AND VEGETA>

Ledas: It’s him! He was on Frieza’s ship! You have to remember. He gave us our first mission. Vegeta?

<VEGETA WATCHES LEDAS AS HE TALKS; WHEN LEDAS FINISHES, HE CLOSES HIS EYES AGAIN>

<AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF THIS, WHERE THE AIR IS STILL AND EVERYONE (SANS OUR PROTAGONIST) IS WATCHING THE BENEFACTOR, LEDAS’ EYES DART UP AND NARROW; HE SUDDENLY LAUNCHES HIMSELF AT VEGETA>

Ledas: Don’t you ignore me!

<VEGETA IS STILL SITTING ON THE GRASS BEHIND IN BOREDOM, HIS ARM IS ON HIS KNEE; HE IS COMPLETELY UNPREPARED BY LEDAS’ SUDDEN ATTACK>

<LEDAS BARRELS INTO HIM, AND THEY BOTH TUMBLE DOWN INTO THE GRASS, LEDAS PUNCHING, VEGETA IN A DAZE OF CONFUSION; HE IS ONLY BLOCKING>

<LEDAS LANDS ON TOP ON HIM AND BATTERS VEGETA’S DEFENSE BACK AND BEGINS TO WAIL ON HIS FACE, PUNCHING AT HIM RELENTLESSLY; HIS BLACK AURA IS COVERING HIS BODY>

<WHILE MOST OF THE Z FIGHTERS ARE NOW WATCHING THE BENEFACTOR FIGHT TIEN, GOKU IS WATCHING LEDAS ATTACK VEGETA; HE QUICKLY RUNS UP TO LEDAS AND PREPARES TO DEFEND THE PRINCE>

<CUTS TO RYORI, WHO IS IN THE NEW RED RIBBON ARMY HEADQUARTERS; HE SEES A DOOR OPEN AND DUCKS BEHIND A COUCH, PISTOL DRAWN; HE PEERS AROUND THE SIDE OF IT AND SEES THE SOLDIERS, CARDINAL, GENERAL SILVER, AND CAPTAIN GREEN ENTER>

Cardinal: Here, general. <HE HANDS SILVER A BOX FULL OF SMALL CAPSULES> These should get rid of that child.

Silver: <TAKING ONE OF THE CAPSULES OUT AND EXAMINING IT CLOSELY; IT IS A BULLET> How many did your men make?

Cardinal: Oh, there’s enough poison in these any one of these bullets to kill half of our population. I’m sure they will suffice.

Captain Green: Aren’t you coming with us, sir?

Cardinal: <SIGHS> No, I’m not. I must go see an old friend. He’s the only one who can explain why there are aliens here on Earth. <SHAKES HIS HEAD> But anyway, I expect both children to be dealt with by the time I get back. We have a duty to humanity and we must see it through. Do you understand?

Captain Green: Yes sir!

Cardinal: Excellent.

<SUPREME GENERAL SILVER HAS ALREADY POCKETED THE BULLETS AND BEGUN WALKING OFF; CARDINAL NODS TO HIM AND EXITS THROUGH A SIDE DOOR OUT OF THE CRIMSON ROOM; THE REMAINING 30 RED RIBBON ARMY SOLDIERS COME UP BEHIND CAPTAIN GREEN AND THEY ALL TROOP OUT OF THE FRONT DOOR; ONCE THE LAST OF THEM IS GONE, RYORI FOLLOWS THEM>

<RYORI SEES THE SOLDIERS LINED UP OUTSIDE; CAPTAIN GREEN WALKS DOWN THEM AS THEY LINE UP AND INSPECTS THEM; RYORI SEES THEIR COMBAT BUS BEHIND THEM AND SNEAKS AROUND IT; HE HEARS THE SOLDIERS SPEAKING AND THEN HEARS THEIR FOOTSTEPS GETTING CLOSER; PANICKING, HE JUMPS IN THE BACK OF THE BUS, BETWEEN SOME CRATES WHERE NO ONE CAN SEE HIM; HE PEEKS OUT OF THE BACK OF IT AND WATCHES WHAT HAPPENS>

<CAPTAIN GREEN IS LEADING THE SOLDIERS RIGHT TO THE BUS IN A RIGID LINE; THEY PILE IN AROUND RYORI WITHOUT NOTICING HIM; HOWEVER, THERE IS ONE WHO DOES NOT; RYORI NOTICES THAT SILVER HAS NOT GOTTEN IN THE BUS WITH THE REST; HE HAS A MOTORCYCLE AND A SINGLE SOLDIER JUMPS ON TO DRIVE HIM>

Silver: All right, Private Wisconsin. Drive fast and smooth. I don’t want to get flipped in a pothole today. My shoulder is still sore from last time.

Private Wisconsin: No worries, sir! I’ll get you to the alien as quickly as possible. You can count on it.

Silver: Good. I want to kill him myself.

<THE MOTORCYCLE SPEEDS OFF WITH WISCONSIN DRIVING; THE BUS THEN FOLLOWS BEHIND, LAGGING QUITE A BIT; IN THE FAR DISTANCE, SMOKE CAN BE SEEN RISING FROM THE COUNTRYSIDE>

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS AND VEGETA; LEDAS CONTINUES TO HIT AND PUNCH VEGETA’S FACE, WHO IS NOW PARRYING AND FIGHTING BACK; BUT CLEARY HE IS NOT POWERED UP, NOR WAS READY TO FIGHT; AND HIS STRENGTH IS, THEREFORE, MUCH LOWER THAN LEDAS’>

<LEDAS READIES A PLAYFUL GALICK, PERHAPS IN IRONY; HE RAISES BOTH HIS HANDS ABOVE HIS HEAD AND BEGINS TO FORM THE CYAN ENERGY BLAST; VEGETA LOWERS BACK HIS HEAD AND COUGHS UP BLOOD, PREPARING TO BLOCK THE ATTACK>

<RIGHT BEFORE LEDAS LOWERS AND FIRES THE BLAST INTO VEGETA’S FACE, IN CLASSIC DBZ QUASI-DRAMA, GOKU JUMPS FORWARD TO STOP HIM>

Goku: Hey! Stop, you two! This is no time to be fighting!

<LEDAS LOOKS UP, KINDA LIKE A PERSON’S CAT WOULD UPON RIPPING APART SOME VALUABLE POSSESSION, LIKE AN “OH DID I DO THAT” KINDA THING; THEN HIS FACE CONTORTS INTO A SNARL AND HE SHOOTS HIS BLAST AT GOKU; GOKU WAS UNPREPARED FOR THIS AND IS THROWN BACK; IN AN INSTANT, HE JUMPS UP, GOING SUPER SAIYAN AND JUMPS AT LEDAS>

<LEDAS KICKS HIMSELF OFF OF VEGETA ANDS BACK TO GOKU; HE LOOKS VERY ANIMALISTIC RIGHT NOW, WITH HIS TEETH BARED AND HIS FACE SNARLING; HIS BLACK AURA IS ALL AROUND HIM; HE PUNCHES GOKU, THOUGH THE TALLER SAIYAN DODGES HIS ATTACK; THEN GOKU TELEPORT-PUNCHES AT LEDAS; LEDAS IS HIT STRAIGHT IN THE CHEST AND FALLS BACK, PREPARING ANOTHER ENERGY BLAST; BUT GOKU IS ON HIM INSTANTLY>

<GOKU PUSHES LEDAS TO THE GROUND, PINNING HIM AND CAUSING HIM TO DISSIPATE HIS BLAST; LEDAS KICKS AT HIM, SCREAMING AND RESISTING AS BEST HE CAN; AT LAST, HE PUSHES GOKU OFF OF HIM; GOKU FALLS BACK WITH MORE FORCE THAN HE SHOULD; HE IS PANTING HEAVILY>

Goku: Wh-what’s wrong? Why am I so tired?

<HE LOOKS AROUND BUT DOESN’T SEE ANYTHING; THE BLACK MIST THAT IS JUST RISING OFF THE GROUND IS PULLING AT HIS BODY, BUT IT’S SO FAINT HE DOESN’T NOTICE IT; SEEING GOKU DEFEATED, LEDAS SHOOTS AN ICE CANNON AT HIM, CAUSING HIM TO FALL INTO THE GRASS; LEDAS TURNS BACK TO VEGETA>

Ledas: Vegeta, stop acting like this! This is serious!

Goku: <FROM BEHIND, NOT GIVING UP, TIRED AS HE IS> Look, if you two have something to settle, you can do it later… right now we gotta deal with that other guy… Come on, we have to focus on this!

<HE GESTURES TO THE BENEFACTOR WHO IS FIGHTING TIEN>

Ledas: I don’t want to fight him. You can do it.

Vegeta: Enough of this! <HE STANDS UP AND LOOKS AT LEDAS, SEETHING THROUGH HIS TEETH> I know you aren’t real. You’re a trick… something that thing <HE NODS TO THE BENEFACTOR> made up to try and fool me. Well it won’t work. I know you’re fake.

<LEDAS’ EYES WIDEN; HE DROPS TO THE GROUND, HIS LIP TREMBLING; HIS EYES GLOSS OVER HE REVERTS TO HIS BASE FORM; IN HIS FACE IS THE LOOK OF DEFEAT; HE CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT HIS CHILDHOOD FRIEND JUST SAID; HE LOOKS DOWN AT HIS HANDS, SEEING THE BLACK AURA>

Ledas: What is this? What’s happening to me? <HE LOOKS BACK UP TO VEGETA> I-I didn’t mean to attack you, Vegeta… I-I don’t know what’s going on! There’s something inside me I can’t control.

Vegeta: Bah, save the talk. You’re just a vision. But I am Vegeta! I am a mighty warrior! And I won’t be fooled so easily!

<EVEN AS LEDAS SITS THERE, TRYING TO CONTROL HIMSELF, HIS BLACK AURA IS ONCE AGAIN OVERCOMING HIS BODY AND HIS EYES ARE SHINING GREY; HE SHAKES HIS HEAD LIKE A RABID DOG, TRYING TO STOP IT, BUT IT IS NO USE; FINALLY, LEDAS STANDS BACK UP, HIS HEAD BOWED>

Ledas: <CALM VOICE AGAIN> You think I’m not real? You think I’m not me? Then let me show you what I’ve got… Prince of all Saiyans. I’ll show you what a real warrior is.

<THE SCREEN MOVES BEHIND HIM, TO TIEN; TIEN LOOKS LIKE HE IS ABOUT TO BE DEFEATED; PICCOLO AND GOHAN ARE NOW RACING TOWARDS HIM; GOTEN AND TRUNKS ARE AS WELL; ANDROID 18 HAS RUN TO WHERE KRILLIN LANDED; GOKU IS STRUGGLING TO GET UP AFTER BEING ATTACKED AND HE LOOKS OVER AT THE BENEFACTOR; HE DROPS BACK TO ONE KNEE, BREATHING HARD>

Visionary
<SCREEN FADES IN SUDDENLY>

Tien: Let’s go!

<TIEN PUNCHES AT THE BENEFACTOR AGAIN; HE IS BLOODY FROM THE POUNDING HE TOOK IN THE LAST CHAPTER, BUT UNWAVERING>

<TIEN SCREAMS AND LAUNCHES HIMSELF AT THE BENEFACTOR, WHO PLAYFULLY AND COYLY LEAPS BACKWARDS, ARMS FOLDED; CHIAOTZU ALSO LUNGES FORWARD AND BEGINS TO ATTACK AT THE BENEFACTOR, EVEN THOUGH HE IS SO WOUNDED; HE CANNOT STAND SEEING HIS FRIEND BEING HURT>

Chiaotzu: No, Tien! I won’t let him hurt you!

Tien: <IN HIS MIND; AS HE IS FIGHTING> Chiaotzu?! What’s he doing attacking this thing?! He’ll get himself killed!

<THE THREE CONTINUE FIGHTING; THE BENEFACTOR IS NOT REALLY DOING ANYTHING BESIDES LAZILY DODGING AROUND>

<AFTER A FEW MOMENTS; THE BENEFACTOR DODGES LEFT AND SENDS OUT AN INVISIBLE PULSE INTO CHIAOTZU’S FACE; IT HITS THE LITTLE CLOWN THING FULL ON AND KNOCKS HIM BACK, BLEEDING AS HE GOES, INTO THE GRASS BEYOND>

<CHIAOTZU IS DONE>

<THE BENEFACTOR LANDS AND TIEN DOES AS WELL>

<TIEN BEGINS TO RUN FORWARD TO CHECK ON CHIAOTZU’S BODY, BUT THE BENEFACTOR USES HIS TELEKINESIS TO PICK UP CHIAOTZU FIRST AND THROW HIM INTO THE PILE OF RUBBLE WHERE YAMCHA AND KRILLIN LIE; HE THROWS HIS ARM BEHIND HIM WHEN HE DOES THIS, BUT DOES NOT MOVE HIS BODY WHILE DOING SO>

<TIEN BEGINS TO OPEN HIS MOUTH, BUT THE BENEFACTOR STOPS HIM; CLEARLY, LIKE ALL OF US, HE’S TIRED OF THIS PANIC OVER CHIAOTZU>

The Benefactor: Your turn.

Tien: I’ll make you pay!

<THE BENEFACTOR LATCHES ONTO TIEN’S CHEST AND SCRAPES IT BADLY; TIEN SCREAMS AND TRIES TO PUSH HIM OFF; THE BENEFACTOR GLADLY LAUNCHES HIMSELF OFF WITH SOME ENERGY; TIEN CONTINUES TO PUNCH AND KICK AND THROW ENERGY BLASTS AROUND, BUT NONE HIT>

The Benefactor: <SPREADS OUT HIS ARMS> One, two, three. Look at me.

<THE BENEFACTOR DODGES MORE BLOWS; AND TIEN JUMPS BACK, EVEN MORE TIRED NOW; HE SHOOTS OFF A ONE HANDED DODON CLUSTER BEFORE FALLING TO ONE KNEE, PANTING AND DRIPPING WITH SWEAT; OBVIOUSLY, THE BENEFACTOR IS NOT HARMED BY HIS ATTACK>

The Benefactor: <DODGING BLOWS> Can’t you see me? I would think with your special advantage… <HE LAUGHS; A RARE SIGN FROM HIM; IT SOUNDS VERY WEIRD, HOLLOW ALMOST EMPTY>

<TIEN DOES NOT MOVE; HE CONTINUES PANTING HEAVILY>

<THE BENEFACTOR OPENS HIS MOUTH AGAIN TO TALK, BUT TIEN SUDDENLY UPRIGHTS HIMSELF AND LETS OFF A YELL, FORMING A NEO TRI-BEAM IN FRONT OF HIS HANDS; HE SHOOTS IT AT THE BENEFACTOR>

<THE BENEFACTOR GOES TO BLOCK AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME IT ACTUALLY TEARS INTO HIM, PUSHING HIM BACK>

<TIEN SENDS OFF CONTINUES BLASTS OF THIS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, BUT IT DOES NOT LAST; THE BENEFACTOR REGAINS HIMSELF, READYING HIS OWN BLAST; IT IS AN UNDERHANDED SPIKE OF ENERGY; HE BRINGS IT UP OVER HIS HEAD AND THROWS IT AT TIEN>

<THE STRIKE HITS TIEN, LIKE A SPEAR AND GOES THROUGH HIS UPPER CHEST CAVITY; THE BLAST DOES NOT DISSOLVE, BUT STAYS STUCK IN HIM; BLOOD SUDDENLY BURSTS AND RUNS OUT AROUND THE WOUND; TO THIS, TIEN SEEMS TO TAKE NO NOTICE>

<THE TWO LEAP AGAIN AT EACH OTHER AND THE BENEFACTOR DODGES AROUND BEHIND TIEN, UNDER HIM AND TO HIS BACK; HE HITS TIEN WITH A BACKHAND ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD; THE BENEFACTOR THEN FOLLOWS IT UP WITH A TELEPORTATION TO TIEN’S FRONT-SIDE, KNEEING THE Z FIGHTER IN THE CHEST; HE THEN CLUBS DOWN ON TIEN’S BOWED HEAD AND HITS HIM INTO THE DIRT>

<TIEN IS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND UNABLE TO FIGHT ANYMORE; HE IS DONE>

<AT THIS TIME, PICCOLO AND GOHAN REACH THE BENEFACTOR; THEY LUNGE AT HIM, PUSHING HIM AWAY FROM TIEN; IN UNISON, THE TWO KNOCK HIM BACK AND SHOOT A COMBINED ENERGY BLAST AT HIM TO PREVENT HIM FROM RISING AGAIN; UNLIKE TIEN OR THE OTHERS, THESE TWO ARE ABLE TO DAMAGE THE BENEFACTOR>

Gohan: <TO THE BENEFACTOR> What’s your problem? Can’t you just leave us alone?

The Benefactor: <SITTING UP> None of you have any meaning to me. That one <POINTING TO LEDAS> is my only prey, Whom I hunted long… and far…

Gohan: You’ve hurt our friends… <GESTURES TO TIEN, YAMCHA, KRILLIN, AND CHIAOTZU WHO ARE ALL LYING UNCONSCIOUS; OUT OF THEM, YAMCHA IS THE ONLY SERIOUSLY INJURED> We won’t let you just get away with that!

<THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT ANSWER TO THAT, BUT MOVES FORWARD TO FACE LEDAS; LEDAS STILL STANDS BEHIND GOKU, FACING VEGETA; HE IS MORE FOCUSED ON VEGETA THAN THE BENEFACTOR>

<BUT INTO THE BENEFACTOR’S WAY, MOVES GOHAN NOW; HE TAKES HIS BUSINESS SUIT OFF, THROWING IT AWAY SO THAT HE HAS ONLY A WHITE UNDERSHIRT ON; HE IS SCOWLING AT HIS FOE>

Gohan: I said you weren’t going anywhere, creep. I’ll fight you if I have to.

The Benefactor: <UNAFRAID> Try it.

<HE QUICKLY GOES SUPER SAIYAN 2; BUT SINCE HE HAS HAD HIS POWER UNLOCKED BY ELDER KAI (ULTIMATE GOHAN), HIS HAIR DOES NOT CHANGE COLOR; STILL HE IS AT HIS MAXIMUM POWER>

<PICCOLO LIKEWISE CHARGES UP, THROWING OFF HIS WEIGHTED CLOTHES AND GETS INTO A BATTLE STANCE>

<THE TWO LOOK AT EACH OTHER, NOD, AND THEN JUMP AT THE BENEFACTOR; THEY START ATTACKING HIM IN A HIGHLY COORDINATED WAY; THE BENEFACTOR IS THROWN ABOUT LIKE A RAGDOLL AS THE TWO KICK HIM INTO THE DIRT; HOWEVER, THE FOG IS GETTING LARGER, AND IT IS STARTING TO OVERTAKE THE AREA>

<GOHAN ELBOWS THE BENEFACTOR IN THE HEAD AND PICCOLO GRABS THE ALIEN’S ARMS, PULLING THEM BACK; GOHAN THEN DOUBLE-KICKS THE BENEFACTOR AND PICCOLO SHOVES HIM TO THE GROUND; IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAVE BEATEN HIM>

<HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME, GOHAN FALLS TO ONE KNEE, BREATHING HARD; THE FOG IS NOW CLEARLY ENVELOPING>

Gohan: What’s happening? I’m out of energy…

Piccolo: <HE IS PANTING HARD, STARING AT HIS HANDS> No way… we barely attacked him…

The Benefactor: Is that all? Then it’s my turn.

<THE BENEFACTOR HOWLS AND JUMPS UP; HE KICKS PICCOLO IN THE HEAD, SENDING HIM FLYING INTO THE DUST; HE FOCUSES ON GOHAN, ATTACKING HIM WITH A DAMAGING FLURRY ATTACK WITH HIS CLAWS; GOHAN CRIES OUT IN PAIN AS HE TRIES TO BLOCK, INSTEAD GETTING HIS SKIN TORN APART; THE BENEFACTOR GRABS HIM BY THE HAIR AND YANKS HIS FACE DOWN INTO A BLAST HE PREPARED IN HIS OTHER HAND; AS GOHAN IS BLASTED BACK, THE BENEFACTOR GRABS HIS LEGS AND SLAMS HIM INTO THE GROUND; HE THEN STANDS OVER GOHAN AND BEGINS CHOKING HIM; AS HE DOES SO, PICCOLO RETURNS AND STARTS BLASTING THE ALIEN WITH WHAT LITTLE ENERGY HE HAS LEFT>

<THE BENEFACTOR STOMPS ON GOHAN AS HE STANDS UP; HE RUSHES AT PICCOLO, ELBOWING HIM IN THE STOMACH; HE TELEPORTS BEHIND THE NAMEKIAN AND KICKS HIM UPWARDS AND THEN SHOOTS AN ENERGY BLAST AFTER HIM; PICCOLO RECOVERS IN THE AIR AND TRIES TO STRETCH HIS ARM AT THE BENEFACTOR IN ORDER TO GRAB HIM, BUT THE BENEFACTOR GRABS ONTO HIS ARM AND CUTS IT OFF WITH HIS KNIFE; PICCOLO CRIES OUT; THE BENEFACTOR DASHES UP AT HIM AND KICKS HIM DEEP IN THE CHEST; PICCOLO COUGHS UP BLOOD AS THE BENEFACTOR WRAPS HIS CLAWED HAND AROUND HIS HEAD AND THEN THROWS HIM DOWN TO THE GROUND; THERE PICCOLO STUMBLES OUT OF A CRATER AND INSTANTLY COLLAPSES, DEFEATED>

<GOHAN HAS RECOVERED SLIGHTLY; BEHIND HIM ARE GOTEN AND TRUNKS; GOKU HAS RUN UP TO THEM AS WELL; BUT VEGETA AND LEDAS ARE STILL STARING DOWN ONE ANOTHER; HE CAN SEE ANDROID 18 WITH KRILLIN; AS HE WATCHES, HE SEES GOTEN AND TRUNKS FUSE TOGETHER TO CREATE GOTENKS>

The Benefactor: Enough of this!

<HE SHOOTS ANOTHER IMPALING BEAM AT ANDROID 18; SHE DOESN’T EVEN NOTICE HIS ATTACK; IT PIERCES HER THROUGH THE LEG; SHE SCREAMS OUT FOR HALF A SECOND BEFORE HE LANDS ON HER, PUNCHING HER INTO THE DIRT; HE PINS HER TO THE GROUND, RELENTLESSLY PUNCHING HER FACE UNTIL SHE STOPS MOVING; HE THEN LOOKS UP AND IS HIT BY GOTENKS>

<GOTENKS IS ALMOST EXHAUSTED BY THE TIME THE BENEFACTOR LOOKS UP AGAIN; HE READIES SOME KIND OF ENERGY BLAST, BUT THE BENEFACTOR SWIPES IT AWAY WITH HIS TAIL; HE GRABS GOTENKS BY THE SHOULDERS AND HEADBUTTS HIM; THEN, THE BENEFACTOR SHOOTS AN ENERGY BLAST FROM EITHER HAND POINT-BLANK INTO GOTENKS’ FIGURE; AT ONCE, GOTENKS THROWN TO THE GROUND; THE BENEFACTOR BRINGS BOTH ELBOWS DOWN ON HIS NECK AND THROWS HIM UP INTO THE SKY; INSTANTLY, THE BENEFACTOR TELEPORTS ABOVE GOTENKS AND KICKS HIM BACK DOWN; JUST BEFORE GOTENKS HITS THE GROUND, THE BENEFACTOR TELEPORTS AGAIN AND GRABS HIM BY THE HAIR, THEN THROWS HIM RIGHT INTO GOHAN; AS THEY TUMBLE TOGETHER, THE BENEFACTOR CREATES A LARGE BLACK ENERGY BEAM AND SHOOTS IT AT ALL OF THEM; GOTENKS INSTANTLY SEPARATES, AND AN UNCONSCIOUS GOTEN AND TRUNKS ARE THROWN TO THE DIRT; GOHAN STAGGERS UP, BARELY ABLE TO KEEP HIS EYES OPEN; HE TRIES TO FORM A KAMEHAMEHA BUT THEN COLLAPSES ON THE GROUND>

<THE BENEFACTOR KICKS HIM WHILE HE’S DOWN THEN GRABS HIM BY THE THROAT, PICKING HIM UP; AS HE HOLDS THE Z FIGHTER, THE BENEFACTOR SHOOTS A BURST OF ENERGY INTO HIS BODY WITH HIS FREE HAND; GOHAN IS NOW UNCONSCIOUS SO THE BENEFACTOR THROWS HIM TO THE SIDE>

<STANDING BEFORE THE BENEFACTOR IS GOKU, THE LAST OF THE Z FIGHTERS STILL ABLE TO FIGHT; HE IS PANTING TOO, BUT HE LOOKS AT THE BENEFACTOR WITH A FROWN>

The Benefactor: <HE WALKS PAST THOSE HE HAS DEFEATED TO GOKU> You would be wise to run.

Goku: I’m not letting a monster like you get away. I’m here to avenge my friends!

<THE BENEFACTOR PUNCHES GOKU; GOKU BLOCKS IT AND STEPS BACK; GOKU HAS SETTLED DOWN INTO BEING FOCUSED; HE SAW THAT, PERPLEXINGLY, HIS SONS AND PICCOLO WERE UNABLE TO POWER UP; HE POWERS STRAIGHT TO SUPER SAIYAN 3, BI-PASSING THE FIRST TWO TRANSFORMATIONS; HIS AURA COMES UP BRIGHTLY AND PUSHES BACK THE BENEFACTOR; THE FOG IS DISINTEGRATED AROUND HIM; HE FACES THE BENEFACTOR, ALL SERIOUS-LIKE>

Goku: <IN THAT DEEP SS3 VOICE> So, how do you like this?

<THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT ANSWER>

<CUTS BACK TO VEGETA AND LEDAS; LEDAS IS ADVANCING TOWARDS VEGETA>

Ledas: <ANGRIER THAN HE HAS EVER BEEN> What do I have to do to make you see I’m me?! I’m Ledas, Vegeta! Are you blind?

Vegeta: <UNCARING> I knew a Saiyan by that name years ago. He died with the rest of my race.

Ledas: <SPITTING; ENERGY FORMING IN HIS HANDS> I survived! Look at me! I’ve been spending my entire life trying to find you!

Vegeta: Pssh, you’re a kid. A trick. The boy I knew would be an adult by now. So save your breath, fool.

Ledas: <ANGER BUILDING EVEN HIGHER> If you don’t believe it’s me… then I’ll pound it into your stupid skull! <HE SCREAMS AND RETURNS TO SUPER SAIYAN> We’ve sparred so many times, Vegeta. You’ll have to know it’s me! <HE LOOKS AROUND, SERIOUSLY> And if you don’t… I’ll destroy this stupid planet myself.

<WITH THAT, LEDAS ATTACKS VEGETA ONCE AGAIN, IN DESPERATION AS MUCH AS ANGER>

Testament (season finale part 1)
<WIDE BACK DROP OF THE MOUNTAINSIDE; IT PANS DOWN ONTO THE GRASS>

<FOR REFERENCE, THOSE DEFEATED EITHER BY GUVA OR THE BENEFACTOR ARE: GOHAN, GOTEN, TRUNKS, PICCOLO, ANDROID 18, KRILLIN, YAMCHA, TIEN, AND CHIAOTZU (THOUGH NONE ARE DEAD); THOSE WHO ARE STILL ABLE-BODIED ARE: VEGETA, GOKU, LEDAS, AND THE BENEFACTOR; GUVA IS DEAD>

<AT AROUND THIS TIME, KRILLIN FINALLY JUMPS UP FROM THE RUBBLE AND STUMBLES INTO VIEW>

Krillin: <IN A SLIGHTLY BROKEN VOICE AND WITH A STUMBLE> Hey… guys… I’m… I’m all right! <HE SCANS AROUND NOT SEEING THE Z FIGHTERS; HE IS PUZZLED> Hey guys? Where is everyone?

<THE CAMERA MOVES FORWARD UNTIL IT FOCUSES IN ON THE BENEFACTOR AND GOKU; THEY ARE STANDING CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER, STARING EACH OTHER DOWN; AROUND GOKU, THE FOG HAS DISSIPATED, BUT ELSEWHERE IT STILL REMAINS; THE BENEFACTOR HEIGHTENS HIS SHOULDERS, PERCEIVING KRILLIN; HE SHOOTS A KI BLAST BEHIND HIM, TOWARDS KRILLIN, HITTING HIM; KRILLIN GOES FLYING BACK, ACROSS THE GROUND, OUT OF THE FOG>

<SATISFIED, HE SLINKS UP TO GOKU AND PUNCHES; GOKU BLOCKS; GOKU’S POWER HAS DRAINED SLIGHTLY BUT NOW THAT THE FOG IS GONE, HE APPEARS TO BE LESS TIRED; HE KICKS THE BENEFACTOR TWICE, FLIPPING THE ALIEN AROUND ON THE SECOND ONE; HE FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH A BARRAGE OF PUNCHES TO THE BENEFACTOR’S BACK>

<THE BENEFACTOR ATTEMPTS A COUNTER, BUT GOKU CATCHES HIS HAND; HE SNAPS IT BACK, FLIPPING THE ALIEN OVER; GOKU ELBOWS THE ALIEN IN THE RIBS AND THEN THROWS HIM ONTO THE GROUND; HE FOLLOWS THIS UP WITH AN ATTEMPTED KAMEHAMEHA; HOWEVER, WHEN HE TRIES THIS, IT DOESN’T WORK; THE BLUE BEAM FLICKERS FOR A SECOND BEFORE EXTINGUISHING; GOKU FALLS TO HIS KNEES, ONE HAND ON HIS SHOULDER>

<THE BENEFACTOR CHARGES AT HIM, CLAWS AHEAD, AND LASHES INTO THE SAIYAN; GOKU BLOCKS SOME OF HIS ATTACKS, BUT HE IS STILL THROWN TO THE GROUND; AS HE GOES, THE BENEFACTOR ROLLS FORWARD AND SLAPS HIM ACROSS THE FACE WITH HIS TAIL; THE BENEFACTOR PINS GOKU TO THE GROUND AND RAISES A CLAW WITH BLACK ENERGY IN IT; GOKU SUDDENLY GRABS THE BENEFACTOR’S HAND WITH HIS LEFT HAND AND THE BENEFACTOR’S THROAT WITH HIS RIGHT HAND; HOLDING THE ENERGY AT BAY, HE SQUEEZES THE VIRIDIAN THROAT WITH ALL HIS MIGHT, CHOKING THE ALIEN AND CAUSING HIM TO FALL OFF OF GOKU; GOKU STANDS BACK UP AND ATTEMPTS TO SHOOT ANOTHER ENERGY BLAST, BUT IT IMMEDIATELY EVAPORATES>

<GOKU SHAKES HIS HEAD AND TELEPORTS FORWARD AS THE BENEFACTOR CLUTCHES AT HIS THROAT; HE BRINGS HIS FOOT DOWN ON THE BENEFACTOR’S CHEST, PINNING THE CREATURE INTO A CRATER; HE LANDS NEXT TO THE HOLE IN THE GROUND LOOKING UNIMPRESSED>

Goku: Get up. Don’t act like you can’t.

The Benefactor: <WHEEZING> Come and get me.

<GOKU FROWNS AND PUNCHES AT THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR SUDDENLY SHOOTS UP AS HE DOES AND DOES A FLIP-KICK IN MID-AIR, KNOCKING GOKU INTO THE CRATER; BY THE TIME GOKU TURNS AROUND, THE BENEFACTOR IS ON HIM; THE TWO ENGAGE IN A BRIEF DUEL, WHEREIN BOTH THROW PUNCHES WITH INCREDIBLE SPEED; SHOCK WAVES GO OFF AS THEIR FISTS CONNECT, BLOWING APART THE LANDSCAPE; AFTER A MOMENT, THE FIGHTING STOPS AND THE DUST CLEARS; GOKU IS DAMAGED, WITH A BLOODY LIP AND A TORN GI; HE APPEARS VERY EXHAUSTED NOW; HE ATTEMPTS TO PUNCH AT THE BENEFACTOR AGAIN, BUT THE BENEFACTOR BLOCKS HIS PUNCH, CATCHING HIS FIST, AND TWISTS IT BACK UNTIL THE BONE BREAKS; GOKU SCREAMS AND REVERTS TO HIS BASE FORM>

<THE BENEFACTOR THROWS HIM TO THE DIRT AND HITS HIM WITH A QUICK RED ENERGY BLAST; GOKU FALLS UNCONSCIOUS; SATISFIED WITH HIS VICTORY, THE BENEFACTOR RAISES HIS HANDS TO THE AIR AND THE BLACK MIST STARTS FLYING BACK TOWARDS ITS MASTER, LADEN WITH MUCH NEW ENERGY>

<CUTS TO THE NEW RED RIBBON ARMY>

<THE BUS OF SOLDIERS AND SILVER ARE LINED UP ON A HILL OVERLOOKING WHERE THE BENEFACTOR AND THE OTHERS ARE; THEY ARE LOOKING DOWN ON IT AS THEY SET UP A FORTIFIED POSITION; RYORI SIMPLY WATCHES, HIDING UNDER SOME EQUIPMENT IN THE BUS>

<SUPREME GENERAL SILVER SIMPLY STANDS AND WATCHES THE BATTLES UNFOLDING BELOW AS THE REST OF HIS TEAM GET SET UP; WISCONSIN IS AT HIS SIDE, NEAR THE MOTORCYCLE>

Private Wisconsin: Sir?

Silver: <COLDLY> Look at how many of them there are. And we thought the boy was the only problem.

Private Wisconsin: He’s still our priority, sir. If–

Silver: You don’t understand anything, Private. Today begins the resurgence of the Red Ribbon Army. Today, all of humanity will know our names. We are going to kill them all of those aliens. We are going to save the world. King Furry will have no choice but to recognize us as heroes. Killing that kid will just be the start. <SILVER WALKS BACK TO THE REST OF THE SOLDIERS; WISCONSIN FOLLOWS HIM LOYALLY; TO CAPTAIN GREEN> Captain, is everyone ready?

Captain Green: Aye, sir. We’ve lined them all up like you wanted.

Silver: Scratch that. I want men aimed at every being down there. We’re taking them all out.

Captain Green: <TAKEN ABACK> Uh, are you sure? I-I don’t know if we have the men for it.

Silver: Then pick up a rifle, yourself. Wisconsin and I will take out the kid. You will decide who to divide up for the rest.

Captain Green: As you wish, sir!

<THE SOLDIERS BREAK OFF OF THEIR LINES AND GROUP TOGETHER IN SEPARATE SIDES OF THE HILL; SOME ARE AIMING AT THE BENEFACTOR, SOME AT VEGETA; SOME AT THE UNCONSCIOUS Z FIGHTERS; AS THEY GET INTO POSITION, SILVER WALKS DOWN THEIR LINES AND HANDS EACH SOLDIER SOME OF THE POISONED BULLETS; HE EVENTUALLY REACHES THE END OF THE LINE, WHERE WISCONSIN IS; WISCONSIN HANDS HIM HIS SNIPER RIFLE; SILVER GLADLY TAKES IT AND LOADS THE LONG THE BULLET INTO IT>

<CUTS TO A LARGE PALACE>

<THE CAMERA PANS ABOUT IT, SHOWING NUMEROUS GUARDS PATROLLING IT; AS THE CAMERA FOLLOWS THE CARPETED ROAD UP THE STAIRS TO A DOOR, YELLING CAN BE HEARD; THERE ARE GUARDS OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR, BUT THEY APPEAR UNCONCERNED>

Cardinal: <FROM INSIDE> You knew about this all along?! And you did not tell me?!

<THE CAMERA ENTERS THE ROOM, SHOWING KING FURRY SEATED BEHIND A DESK; STANDING IN FRONT OF HIM, HIS ARMS ON THE DESK, IS A LIVID CARDINAL>

King Furry: <QUIETLY> Who did you think killed Cell and Majin Buu? Hercule Satan? Please don’t tell me you are that naïve, old friend. Goku and his friends have been protecting this good planet for years. They are not evil. There is nothing to fear from them.

Cardinal: I was called in to deal with one of them! He’s just a boy, but I could have been killed! My son could have been killed! How could you not tell me about this?

King Furry: I don’t know about that. Whoever authorized you to take out that one didn’t tell me about it. It was a child, you said? <CARDINAL NODS GRAVELY> Perhaps it was one of Goku’s sons, but I cannot say for certain. Best let these things run their own course. I don’t want you involved any further, Cardinal.

Cardinal: I’ve already sent my men to go kill him. They have poisoned bullets–

King Furry: <LOUDER> Well, I would ask you take your leave then. Get in contact with your son and call it off. That is if you still want a son. <LOOKS CARDINAL IN THE EYES WITH MUCH SERIOUSNESS> There are things in this world we cannot control. Not even you or me. You have to be resigned to that fact, my friend. You have to let it go.

Cardinal: <THROUGH HIS TEETH> He killed my men.

King Furry: <SUSPICIOUSLY> But was that unprovoked? <CARDINAL DOES NOT ANSWER> Then walk away while you still can. Goku protects this planet, and he’s sacrificed unimaginable things for us. The least we could do is respect him and stay out of his way. The same goes for his fellow warriors. <CARDINAL WATCHES KING FURRY WITH A DAZE; HE IS BREATHING HARD; THEN, SUDDENLY, HE TURNS AROUND TO WALK OUT> Oh, Cardinal. <CARDINAL TURNS BACK> If I were you, I’d take this as a sign to stay away from children with tails. One has already destroyed the Red Ribbon Army once, and if you aren’t careful, another will do it again. This time you are in charge; you have the option to take the right move. Do so, my friend. I implore you.

<CARDINAL WALKS OUT; HE FINDS AN ISOLATED SPOT IN THE PALACE, THEN TAKES OUT HIS COMMUNICATOR>

Cardinal: Silver? Call it off. Get out of there. Do you hear me? I said leave the boy alone. You will end up dead if you pursue him further. Silver? Son?!

<THE ONLY RESPONSE HE HEARS IS STATIC>

<CUTS TO VEGETA AND LEDAS>

<LEDAS PUNCHES VEGETA ACROSS THE FACE; AS VEGETA RECOVERS, LEDAS IS ALREADY LUNGING AT HIM AGAIN; VEGETA PUSHES HIM OFF AND GOES SUPER SAIYAN; HE BLOCKS LEDAS’ NEXT ATTACK, PUSHING THE BOY TO THE GROUND; INSTANTLY, LEDAS JUMPS UP AGAIN AND LUNGES AT VEGETA; VEGETA SWINGS AT HIM, BUT IT IS JUST AN AFTERIMAGE; LEDAS REAPPEARS BEHIND THE PRINCE AND FIRES A PLAYFUL GALICK INTO HIS BACK; VEGETA ROARS IN DISAPPROVAL>

<LEDAS RISES HIGHER IN THE SKY AND RAINS ENERGY DOWN ON VEGETA, TORCHING THE LANDSCAPE AND MAKING THE ADULT SAIYAN RUN FOR COVER; VEGETA LAUNCHES AN ENERGY BLAST AT LEDAS TOO, BUT THE SAVAGE BOY JUST KICKS IT ASIDE; HE THROWS A RAZOR BLAST AT VEGETA; VEGETA TRIES TO BLOCK IT, BUT IT JUST CUTS HIM, CAUSING HIS BLOCK TO FALTER; LEDAS TELEPORTS UP TO HIM AND KICKS HIM UNDER THE CHIN, SENDING THE PRINCE FLYING UP IN THE AIR; LEDAS PURSUES HIM INSTANTLY AND ELBOWS HIM DOWNWARD, FOLLOWING IT UP WITH A QUICK ONE-HANDED ICE CANNON>

<VEGETA STANDS BACK UP, LOOKING TO THE SKY FOR A HINT OF LEDAS; AS HE LOOKS, HE’S MET WITH A SHOE TO THE FACE; VEGETA TUMBLES BACKWARDS AND WILDLY GRABS FOR HIS OPPONENT; HE FINDS LEDAS’ LEG, AND PULLS IT DOWN WITH HIM; AS THEY BOTH HIT THE GROUND, VEGETA ROLLS OVER ON TOP OF LEDAS; HE PINS THE BOY’S HANDS TO THE GROUND EVEN AS LEDAS STRUGGLES WITH ALL OF HIS POWER; AT THIS TIME, VEGETA GOES SUPER SAIYAN 2; SUDDENLY, VEGETA TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO HIS RIGHT SIDE; HE PEERS OFF INTO THE DISTANCE>

Vegeta: <PEERING AROUND A TREE> Kakarot’s power just disappeared. How could that happen?

<LEDAS SCREAMS AND CREATES AN EXPLOSIVE WAVE, THROWING THE PRINCE OFF OF HIM; THE TWO ENGAGE IN A BLOW EXCHANGE UNTIL LEDAS BLOCKS ONE OF VEGETA’S ATTACKS, TELEPORTS BEHIND HIM, AND KICKS HIM AWAY; VEGETA STUMBLES, BUT CATCHES HIS BALANCE INSTANTLY AND PUNCHES LEDAS DEEP IN THE GUT; THEN, HE GRABS LEDAS BY THE HAIR AND THROWS THE BOY; AS LEDAS IS THROWN AWAY, VEGETA PREPARES A BIG BANG ATTACK; LEDAS SEES IT COMING, SO HE THROWS A SMALL ENERGY BLAST AT THE GROUND, WHICH PROPELS HIM UPWARDS, CAUSING HIM TO BARELY MISS THE ATTACK; HE DASHES BACK DOWN TO VEGETA, PUNCHING HIM IN THE NOSE; THE SAIYAN PRINCE STAGGERS BACKWARDS AS LEDAS CONTINUES TO PUMMEL HIM; THEN, VEGETA SEES AN OPENING AND GRABS LEDAS’ ARM; HE PULLS LEDAS CLOSER TO HIM AND ELBOWS HIM IN THE CHEST>

<LEDAS GETS THE WIND KNOCKED OUT OF HIM AND COUGHS; VEGETA GRABS HIM AND PICKS HIM UP, HOLDING HIM BY THE FRONT OF HIS SHIRT; IN VEGETA’S FREE ARM IS A FORMING BALL OF ENERGY; LEDAS WATCHES HIM WITH A SCOWL; HE FORMS ENERGY IN HIS LEFT HAND>

Ledas: Don’t do it, Vegeta! <HE LOOKS DOWN AT THE KYORRA FLASH HE HAS JUST FORMED> I’ll blow up the planet if you try!

<TRUE TO HIS WORD, LEDAS AIMS HIS ATTACK NOT AT VEGETA, BUT AT THE GROUND>

Vegeta: What game are you playing? That would kill you too.

Ledas: <GRITTED TEETH> If this is how you’re going to treat me, then why bother? We were friends, Vegeta! We grew up together! I thought that would mean something to you. But if it doesn’t… then it’s all over! I’m done with this!

Vegeta: I don’t know what you are, but it’s a trick either way. You’re just a kid. Anybody I grew up with would be older. Stop trying to fool me.

Ledas: <LOUDER> I don’t know why I’m not grown up! But that doesn’t change that I’m me! I’m Ledas! And you care more about these stupid Earthlings than me! You’re not a real Saiyan! You’re soft! The Vegeta I knew is dead!

Vegeta: I am the Prince of all Saiyans! How dare you–

Ledas: <HIS BLACK AURA FLARES UP AND HIS EYES BECOME DARKER; HE LOOKS BACK TO THE GROUND; THEN, HIS AURA EVAPORATES AND HIS WILD FACE GIVES WAY TO HIS MORE NORMAL CALM ONE; HIS EYES ARE WIDE> I spent my entire life since we were separated trying to find you. It looks like it’s all been a big waste of time. <HE LOOKS BACK UP TO VEGETA WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES> I didn’t think it would end like this.

<AS LEDAS GOES TO RELEASE HIS BLAST AND DESTROY THE EARTH, A THUD SOUNDS BEHIND HIM; IT IS THE BENEFACTOR>

The Benefactor: Prince of all Saiyans.

Vegeta: <SPINS AROUND> Wha–

<CUE Solitude>

<VEGETA SUDDENLY DROPS LEDAS; THE BOY’S VISION GOES RED AND HE FALLS ONTO ALL FOURS; HIS KYORRA FLASH DISSIPATES; LEDAS SHAKES HIS HEAD TO GET RID OF THE REDNESS, BUT THIS IS NO IMAGE; HIS EYESIGHT STILL RED, HE SEES THE FIGURES APPROACH HIM; THE UNCONTROLLABLE FEAR HE HAD FIRST FELT AROUND THE BENEFACTOR IS AROUND HIM NOW, AND HE CAN NOT SO MUCH AS LIFT AN ARM TO DEFEND HIMSELF>

<UP AHEAD, HE SEES VEGETA WITH AN ENERGY BLAST IN HIS HAND; HE IS FACING THE BENEFACTOR, PREPARING TO FIGHT; THE BENEFACTOR GRABS THE PRINCE’S SHOULDERS WITH ONE HAND, AND WITH THE OTHER TAKES HIS KNIFE AND STABS VEGETA, UNDER HIS LOWER JAW, UP INTO HIS MOUTH>

<LEDAS WATCHES FOR A SECOND, HIS MOUTH TREMBLING; THEN, HE SCREAMS, BUT HE CANNOT HEAR HIS OWN VOICE; DESPITE HIS EARLIER DISDAINFUL WORDS TO VEGETA, HE CAN’T HELP BUT GET EMOTIONAL SEEING HIM HURT; VEGETA STAGGERS BACK, DROPPING HIS BLAST TO THE GROUND AND CREATING A HUGE EXPLOSION FROM IT>

<THE BENEFACTOR TWISTS HIS KNIFE, RAMMING IT WELL ENOUGH; BLOOD POURS OUT; HE PULLS THE KNIFE OUT OF VEGETA AND LETS THE SAIYAN FALL; HE TURNS AND LOOKS AT LEDAS, THE SMALL BOY, HELPLESS ON THE GROUND, NOW WITHOUT HIS GREATEST FRIEND TO STOP THIS MONSTER; HE LOOKS DOWN AT HIS HANDS, AS IF HE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT MADE HIM ACT THE WAY HE DID BEFORE>

<LEDAS ATTEMPT TO STAND UP, BUT AS HE DOES, HE FEELS SOMETHING HIT HIM IN THE NECK; HE FALLS BACK AND REACHES TOWARDS HIS NECK, PULLING AWAY THE WRECKAGE OF A BULLET; WHILE IT DID NOT PIERCE HIS SKIN (HE’S A SAIYAN, YO), THE BULLET EXPLODED, RELEASING SOME KIND OF LIQUID ON HIS NECK; LEDAS’ VISION BECOMES DARK AND HE STARES UP AT THE SKY, BREATHING HEAVILY; ALL HE CAN HEAR IS HIS BREATHING; THEN, THE FIGURE OF THE BENEFACTOR STEPS INTO HIS VISION AND IT ALL GOES DARK>

<END OF Solitude>

Make Me (season finale part 2)
<THE CAMERA FOCUSES ON THE PLACE WHERE THE Z FIGHTERS HAVE FALLEN; OUT OF THE DUST COMES KRILLIN, STAGGERING AND BRUISED; HE LOOKS AROUND WITH WINCING EYES UNTIL HE SPOTS HIS WIFE, ANDROID 18, IN THE DIRT JUST AHEAD OF HIM; SHE IS UNCONSCIOUS AND WOUNDED>

Krillin: 18! <HE RUSHES OVER TO HER> S-she’s breathing, that’s good. <HE LOOKS UP> Goku? Gohan? Piccolo? W-what happened to you guys?! <HE RUNS UP TO THEM, ONLY TO FIND THEM IN THE SAME STATE AS 18> Senzu beans… I have to get everyone senzu beans. Wait, Goku said there weren’t any. <A MILLION IDEAS FLY THROUGH HIS EYES> Dende! I’ll go get Dende. <HE RUNS BACK TO 18, KNEELING DOWN TO HER> Stay right here, 18. I’m going to get help. I’ll be right back, I promise. D-don’t worry about anything.

<WITH THAT, KRILLIN TAKES OFF TO THE LOOKOUT>

<CAMERA MOVES TO KORIN TOWER; IT IS ALMOST SUNSET>

Korin: Hey! Princess! Wake up!

Yajirobe: <SLEEPING SOME FEET AWAY FROM KORIN; HE MUMBLES SOMETHING INCOHERENT> I was sleeping, you stupid cat!

Korin: <IGNORING HIM; THROWS A SMALL POUCH AT YAJIROBE, MUCH LIKE THE ONE HE THREW TO LEDAS IN THE PREVIOUS SAGA> Take these senzu beans to Goku. They just sprouted a few minutes ago. Knowing Goku, he’ll probably need a couple by now.

Yajirobe: <GRUMPILY BRUSHES IT AWAY> No way man. Do it yourself!

<KORIN LUNGES AT YAJIROBE; HE HITS THE SAMURAI ACROSS THE HEAD WITH HIS STICK>

Yajirobe: Ow!! What was that for?!?!

Korin: <QUICKLY> Don’t be disrespectful.

<YAJIROBE ROLLS BACK OVER, TRYING TO GO BACK TO SLEEP>

Yajirobe: Hey, if Goku wants to get himself killed, that’s his problem. It’s not my fault he gets all hurt every time he fights. I mean, come on. He’s the greatest fighter in the universe. He shouldn’t get any help. I’m not saving him!

<WITH THAT, YAJIROBE CLOSES HIS EYES AND TRIES TO SLEEP>

Korin: <KIND OF A LONG PAUSE BEFORE HE SPEAKS> That’s nice.

Yajirobe: <OPENS ONE EYE; IN RAGE, HE THROWS HIS PILLOW AT KORIN, WHO LOFTILY JUMPS OVER IT> Shut up!

Korin: <WITH AN AIR OF CONTEMPT; SUBTLE SARCASM> Well if you aren’t gonna give them the beans, you may as well go help them fight.

Yajirobe: <SITS UP> Whatever. I could beat up any of those guys Goku fights. <HE CROSSES HIS ARMS, TURNS HIS HEAD LEFT, AWAY FROM KORIN> I just choose not to.

Korin: <NOW WITH MORE CONTEMPT> You must be big and strong from all that hard training of yours, right?

Yajirobe: Bah!

<YAJIROBE GETS UP, SCRATCHING HIS HEAD, STILL TIRED; HE WALKS TO THEIR REFRIGERATOR AND OPENS THE DOOR, PEEKING IN>

Yajirobe: <SUDDENLY, WITH ENERGY> Where’s all my food?!

Korin: <JUMPS BACK UP ON THE RAILING OF THE TOWER; HE IS FACING YAJIROBE> Hehehehehehe.

Yajirobe: <IN A GROWL> You stupid cat! You ate all my food! <THROWS SOMETHING> You don’t even have to eat!

Korin: <PLAINLY> Get yourself some food after you give Goku those senzu beans. <IN SARCASM> The faster you go, the faster you can fill your belly!

<YAJIROBE MUMBLES AGAIN, IN A CHORUS OF “STUPID CATS” AND OTHER UNMENTIONABLE THINGS; HE PICKS UP THE POUCH OF SENZU BEANS AND TAKES OUT A CAPSULE; HE THROWS IT AND IT FORMS INTO A CAR>

<TO CLARIFY, THIS CAR IS BLUE, AND IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE THAT LEDAS DESTROYED THE SAGA BEFORE; INDEED, YAJIROBE (OR KORIN, DEPENDING ON HOW YOU SEE IT) DOES HAVE SEVERAL CARS; SHOCKER, I KNOW>

<AT THIS TIME, KORIN MOVES SUPER FAST AND THROWS SOMETHING INTO THE CAR; THE CAMERA IS NOT FAST ENOUGH TO SEE WHAT IT IS, AND YAJIROBE ISN’T AWAKE ENOUGH TO NOTICE IT>

<KORIN RETURNS TO HIS PERCH AS IF NOTHING HAS HAPPENED, HOWEVER NOW HE HAS A VAST GRIN ON HIS FACE>

<YAJIROBE JUMPS INTO IT AND SPEEDS AWAY>

<CUTS TO LEDAS>

<HE IS BEING HELD BY THE BENEFACTOR; HE STARTS TO STRUGGLE AGAINST THE CREATURE; AS HIS VISION RETURNS TO HIM MORE – EVEN AS IT REMAINS SLIGHTLY RED – HE SEES THE BENEFACTOR IS HOLDING HIM BY THE NECK; INSTINCTIVELY, LEDAS CREATES AN ENERGY BLAST IN EITHER HAND; A KYORRA FLASH IN HIS LEFT AND AN ICE CANNON IN HIS RIGHT; HE SHOOTS THEM AT THE BENEFACTOR’S HEAD, CAUSING THE CREATURE TO DROP HIM>

<HE SITS ON THE GROUND FOR A MOMENT, SIMPLY WATCHING THE BENEFACTOR ON THE GROUND, ROLLING IN PAIN WHEN HE FEELS ANOTHER STING ON HIS NECK; HE REACHES DOWN AND FEELS THE CRUMBLED METAL OF A BULLET; HE FEELS HIS NECK AND NOTICES THAT THERE’S SOME LIQUID ON IT; WHEN HE PULLS HIS HAND AWAY, HE SEES SOMETHING GREEN DRIPPING FROM IT; IN AN INSTANT, THE PAIN THAT THE POISON BRINGS COMES TO LEDAS AND HE HOWLS OUT IN PAIN, DROPPING HIS HEAD TO THE TURF AND POUNDING HIS HANDS AGAINST THE GROUND; A RASH FORMS ON THE SKIN WHERE THE POISON HAS TOUCHED HIM, AND IT BURNS>

<HE TURNS HIS HEAD TO WHERE THE BULLETS CAME FROM, AND ON THE FAR HILL HE CAN SENSE A GROUP OF HUMANS; ANGRILY, HE THROWS HIS HAND OUT TOWARDS THEM, SENDING AN INVISIBLE BLAST THEIR WAY; THEN, LEDAS ROLLS ONTO HIS STOMACH AND PULLS OUT THE POUCH OF SENZU BEANS; HE DUMPS THEIR CONTENTS ONTO HIS OUTSTRETCHED PALM ONLY TO WATCH A SINGLE BEAN FALL OUT; JUST AS HE’S ABOUT TO EAT IT, HE SEES THE FIGURE OF VEGETA JUST AHEAD OF HIM; THE SAIYAN PRINCE IS LYING IN A POOL OF HIS OWN BLOOD, THOUGH HIS CHEST IS STILL HEAVING>

<LEDAS CRAWLS OVER TO HIM, CRYING OUT IN PAIN AS HE GOES; UPON REACHING VEGETA, HE SEES THE SAIYAN PRINCE HOLDING HIS WOUND AND TRYING TO BREATHE – ALTHOUGH HE’S NOT TOO SUCCESSFUL ON THAT VENTURE; VEGETA’S EYES STARE UP AT LEDAS, HOPELESS AND SEEING DEATH; LEDAS SITS THERE FOR A MOMENT AS HE WINCES MORE AND MORE; FINALLY, MUSTERING UP ALL OF HIS QUICKLY SAPPED STRENGTH, LEDAS BREAKS THE BEAN IN TWO AND SHOVES VEGETA’S HALF DOWN THE PRINCE’S BLOOD-COATED THROAT; THEN, HE EATS HIS OWN HALF>

<BEHIND THEM, THE COUNTRYSIDE EXPLODES AND THE NEW RED RIBBON ARMY IS DECIMATED>

Ledas: <WINCING, AS HALF A BEAN ONLY HEALS HIM PARTIALLY> V-vegeta…

Vegeta: <SITS UP, LOOKING AT LEDAS CAUTIOUSLY> You could have killed me there.

Ledas: I’m not with that other guy. And I’m not a trick. I’m just… me. <HE LOOKS DOWN AT HIS HANDS; THE BLACK AURA IS FAINTLY AROUND HIM> I don’t know what’s going on with me, but I can’t control it. But deep down inside, I couldn’t let you die. Even with all I’m feeling. <HE LOOKS BACK AND SEES THE BENEFACTOR IS GETTING UP; HE STANDS UP; LEDAS POINTS TO HIM> He’s responsible for all of this! He’s the one who’s doing this to me. And he wants to kill me, Vegeta. But I’m not gonna let him. <LEDAS TURNS TO FACE THE BENEFACTOR; TO HIMSELF, THOUGH VEGETA HEARS HIM> Saiyans don’t run from fights. <TO THE BENEFACTOR> Well come on then.

The Benefactor: <COOLY; ON APPROACH> You will give me back that energy you stole.

Ledas: <DEFIANTLY> Make me. <HE LOCKS DOWN INTO A DEFENSIVE STANCE> It’s my energy now. You were weak to let it go.

The Benefactor: Why do you resist? That energy is damaging your mental stability. Mere moments ago, I watched as you fought that old prince and swore you would destroy the planet. You hated him. And then you saved him. <PAUSES> You think he’s soft for living with the Earthlings, but have you not done so as well? It seems you don’t know what you are. But you are a fool to keep with this madness.

Ledas: Shut up and die! <LEDAS CHARGES UP TO THE MAXIMUM LEVEL HE CAN MUSTER> You’re the problem, not me!

The Benefactor: Being so close to its master, my energy inside you has come alive, dominating your every thought, corrupting your every action. And though you try to resist, it will overcome you eventually. Why not give it back? Allow yourself to return to your own ways? Let this quarrel end now.

Ledas: You would kill me if I did. I won’t let you!

The Benefactor: All I require is what is mine. I will take it and leave, and you may continue your life. As long as I am near, the energy which is inside you will betray you.

Ledas: Then I’ll kill you first. That will solve everything.

The Benefactor: So be it.

<THE BENEFACTOR SHOOTS A BLACK ENERGY BLAST AT LEDAS; LEDAS SHOOTS HIS OWN PLAYFUL GALICK BACK AT IT, STAVING THE BEAM OFF FOR A SECOND; THE BENEFACTOR’S ATTACK QUICKLY DOMINATES LEDAS’ AND LEDAS HAS TO JUMP OUT OF THE WAY JUST BEFORE HE LOSES THE STRUGGLE; HE JUMPS IN THE AIR AND BRINGS HIS FOOT DOWN ON THE BENEFACTOR’S HEAD; THE BENEFACTOR PUSHES HIM AWAY AND SHOOTS A STREAM OF RED ENERGY AFTER HIM, WHICH CUT HIS BODY; LEDAS’ CRIES ARE MUFFLED BY THE BENEFACTOR’S SWIFT BACK SLAP ACROSS THE SAIYAN’S FACE; LEDAS RECOVERS AND SHOOTS AN UNRELENTING ENERGY BURST AT HIS FOE; THE BENEFACTOR RETREATS AT THIS, ALLOWING LEDAS A MOMENT TO BREATHE>

<THE SAIYAN BOY CHARGES AT THE BENEFACTOR; JUST BEFORE HE REACHES THE ALIEN, HE SPLITS INTO SEVEN FORMS, ALL OF WHICH READY AN IMAGE SLASH IN THEIR RIGHT HANDS; THE BENEFACTOR GOES TO DODGE A PARTICULAR ONE WHEN ALL SEVEN BLADES COME DOWN; HE GUESSES INCORRECTLY AND SIX OF THE BLADES HIT HIM, CUTTING DEEP THROUGH HIS CLOAK INTO HIS SKIN; HE HISSES AND RELEASES A PULSE OF ENERGY TO DESTROY THE FAKE SAIYANS AROUND HIM; THE REAL LEDAS GOES TUMBLING BACK, ALLOWING FOR THE BENEFACTOR TO JUMP AT HIM, BUT AGAIN THIS IS ONLY AN AFTERIMAGE; BEHIND HIM, LEDAS KICKS THE ALIEN’S FEET OUT FROM UNDER HIM AND PUNCHES HIM INTO THE DIRT; SO VICIOUS ARE LEDAS’ PUNCHES THAT EVERY SINGLE ONE SENDS THE BENEFACTOR FLYING BACK SEVERAL FEET; AS LEDAS CONTINUES TO PUNCH THE BENEFACTOR, HE TELEPORTS IN FRONT OF THE BENEFACTOR’S TRAJECTORY AND SHOOTS A KYORRA FLASH AT HIM; HOWEVER, THE BENEFACTOR BATS THE BLAST ASIDE, REGAINING HIS FOOTING; HE SHOVES A CLAW INTO LEDAS’ CHEST, RIPPING AWAY THE CLOTHES AND SKIN AND THEN IMMEDIATELY SHOOTS A SMALL BLAST (WITH THE SAME HAND), WHICH KNOCKS THE SAIYAN OVER; AS LEDAS STAGGERS TO GET UP, THE BENEFACTOR PLACES HIS HANDS TOGETHER, LEAVING A TRIANGLE SPACE BETWEEN THEM AND FIRES OFF A RED BEAM; LEDAS IS HIT WITH IT AND DOES NOT GET UP>

<THE BENEFACTOR STEPS OVER HIM AND PLACES A HAND ON LEDAS’ HEAD; LEDAS STRUGGLES, TRYING HIS HARDEST, BUT THE BENEFACTOR SLAMS HIS HEAD REPEATEDLY INTO THE GROUND; LEDAS TRIES SEVERAL FINGER BEAMS WITH BOTH HANDS, BUT THEY ONLY GRAZE THE BENEFACTOR’S ARMS; WITH A LAST POWERFUL PUNCH, THE BENEFACTOR HITS LEDAS IN THE FACE AND KNOCKS HIM UNCONSCIOUS, CONCUSSING HIM IN THE PROCESS; LEDAS FALLS LIMP AS THE BENEFACTOR PLACES HIS ARMS OUT AND PREPARES TO RIP THE ENERGY FROM THE BOY’S BODY>

<CUE Strength of a Thousand Men>

<THE BENEFACTOR IS SUDDENLY THROWN FORWARD INTO THE DIRT; HE REELS AROUND AND SEES VEGETA STANDING WITH A LOOK OF HATRED ON HIS FACE>

Vegeta: You’re going to pay for that, freak!

<VEGETA THRUSTS OUT HIS ARMS AND HE QUICKLY ASCENDS TO SUPER SAIYAN 2; HE STARTS SCREAMING AND THE GROUND SPLINTERS AND EXPLODES AROUND HIM; LIGHTNING FLASHES AROUND HIM AS HE SLOWLY WALKS UP TO THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR STANDS UP AND ANGRILY SHOOTS AN ENERGY ATTACK AT VEGETA, BUT IT SIMPLY DISINTEGRATES IN VEGETA’S AURA; HE KICKS THE BENEFACTOR AWAY>

<Strength of a Thousand Men REACHES 0:45 NOW>

Vegeta: I’ll show you the true power of a Saiyan!

<VEGETA’S AURA EXPLODES IN BLINDING WHITE LIGHT; A LARGE GUST OF WIND PICKS UP, THROWING LEDAS’ UNCONSCIOUS BODY AWAY; THE BENEFACTOR STRUGGLES TO SHIELD HIS FACE WHEN VEGETA COMES ROARING THROUGH AND PUNCHES HIM ACROSS THE FACE; THE BENEFACTOR CAN SEE VEGETA’S HAIR HAS CHANGED; IT IS NOW LONG LIKE GOKU’S HAD BEEN, ALTHOUGH VEGETA DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE THE FATIGUE THAT GOKU DID; AS THE BENEFACTOR RECOILS, VEGETA BASHES HIM WITH PUNCHES AND KICKS, NONE OF WHICH THE BENEFACTOR CAN BLOCK>

<VEGETA GRABS THE BENEFACTOR AND SHOVES A PURPLE BALL OF ENERGY INTO HIS FACE, CAUSING THE ALIEN TO BE FLUNG INTO THE AIR; THE BENEFACTOR RETALIATES BY FIRING A GROUP OF ENERGY BLASTS; VEGETA EASILY BLOCKS THESE AND TELEPORTS UP TO THE BENEFACTOR, PUMMELING HIM AROUND IN THE AIR UNTIL THE BENEFACTOR IS ABLE TO DODGE OUT OF THE WAY; THE BENEFACTOR CHARGES UP TO MAXIMUM, HIMSELF, THEN DASHES AT VEGETA; VEGETA DASHES AT HIM

<THE BENEFACTOR ATTEMPTS TO ELBOW VEGETA, BUT VEGETA CATCHES HIM, AND TWISTS IT; THE TWO ERRUPT INTO A BLOW EXCHANGE WITH EACH PUNCH AND KICK CREATING A SONIC BOOM; AS NEITHER SIDE YIELDS, THE BENEFACTOR TAKES HIS KNIFE, WITH HIS OTHER HAND, AND SPINS THE OTHER WAY, AND CUTS VEGETA ACROSS THE FACE WITH IT; VEGETA LETS GO OF THE ALIEN AND SHOOTS A ONE-HANDED ENERGY WAVE VOLLEY, WHICH THE BENEFACTOR BLOCKS>

<THEN, FROM ABOVE COMES VEGETA; HE KICKS DOWN, SENDING THE BENEFACTOR INTO THE GRASS BELOW; HE GRITS HIS TEETH, CREATING A MAXIMUM FLASHER; HE SENDS IT DOWN AFTER THE BENEFACTOR; THE ALIEN JUMPS OUT OF THE WAY, BUT HE IS STILL THROWN BY THE EXPLOSION THAT THE BLAST’S IMPACT GENERATES>

<VEGETA LANDS AND HITS THE BENEFACTOR OVER THE HEAD WITH HIS ELBOW; EVEN AS HE DOES SO, HIS SAME HAND HOLDS ENERGY AND HE FIRES IT DEEP INTO THE GUT OF THE BENEFACTOR; VEGETA TELEPORTS BEHIND THE BENEFACTOR AND SWIPES HIS FEET OUT FROM UNDER HIM, WHILE NOT EVEN FACING THE ALIEN; AS THE BENEFACTOR FALLS, VEGETA TWISTS TO HIS AND PUNCHES THE CREATURE; THE BENEFACTOR FLIPS UP, CLAWING AT VEGETA AS HE GOES>

<THEY ARE BOTH QUIET FOR A MOMENT ONCE THE BENEFACTOR LANDS, JUST LOOKING AT ONE ANOTHER; THEN, IN UNISON, THE TWO READY THEIR STRONGEST BEAMS AND FIRE THEM AT ONE ANOTHER; FOR THE BENEFACTOR, IT IS HIS RED WIND, A RED BLAST; FOR VEGETA, IT IS HIS FINAL FLASH ATTACK, A YELLOW BLAST; THE TWO BEAMS OF ENERGY SHOOT TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER, CLASHING AND COVERING THE SCREEN IN WHITE>

<CUTS TO THE NEW RED RIBBON ARMY>

<IT IS DARK; THE HILL IS TORN APART; BODY PARTS OF MEN LIE AROUND, SUPPLIES ARE LYING DAMAGED AND BLOWN APART, AND THE TRUCK IS ON ITS SIDE; NOTHING MOVES FOR A LONG WHILE UNTIL RUSTLING CAN BE HEARD FROM INSIDE THE TRUCK; OUT FROM IT COMES RYORI IN HIS DIRTY CLOTHES; A STREAK OF BLOOD IS RUNNING DOWN FROM HIS FOREHEAD AND HE HOLDS DEWBERRY’S PISTOL IN HIS HAND; HE WALKS PAST BODIES OF MEN WHEN HE HEARS NOISE UP AHEAD; DRAWING THE PISTOL UP TO HIS EYES, HE MOVES FORWARD>

<UP AHEAD HE SEES SUPREME GENERAL SILVER ON THE GROUND; IN HIS LEG IS A LARGE SPLINTER OF WOOD OR METAL WHICH IS PREVENTING HIM FROM STANDING; HE IS BLEEDING; NEAR HIM IS PRIVATE WISCONSIN, WHO IS ALSO BLOODY FROM THE LIGHTNING STRIKE; HE IS PINNED UNDER THE MOTORCYCLE AND APPEARS TO BE EITHER UNCONSCIOUS OR DEAD>

Silver: Private! Wake up! Private! I order you to wake up! Help me! Don’t ignore me! Private! <RYORI WALKS UP TO HIM, SOLEMNLY; SILVER NOTICES HIM> Y-you?! What? Impossible! How are you here, kid?

Ryori: You killed my brother.

Silver: I–

<RYORI RAISES HIS PISTOL AND PUTS A BULLET THROUGH SILVER’S HEAD; THE SHOT ECHOES FOR A WHILE AND THEN FADES OUT; SILVER’S BLOOD BEGINS POOLING AT RYORI’S FEET BEFORE HE GOES TO WALK OFF>

<THE CAMERA PANS BACK, SHOWING THE VAST DEVASTATION OF THE NEW RED RIBBON ARMY’S LAST STAND; THE CAMERA SHOWS WHERE THE Z FIGHTERS ARE STILL LYING UNCONSCIOUS, GUVA’S DEAD BODY, AND EVEN LEDAS’ STILL UNCONSCIOUS BODY; THERE IS NO SIGN OF VEGETA OR THE BENEFACTOR; INSTEAD, LARGE CRATERS AND DEEP GASHES IN THE EARTH ARE SCATTERED OVER THE LAND – NONE OF WHICH WERE THERE A FEW HOURS AGO>

<THE CAMERA FOCUSES IN ON LEDAS’ FIGURE AND THEN HIS HAND, WHICH IS LYING OUTSTRETCHED; THE SCREEN MATERIALIZES TO ANOTHER PLACE, WHERE IT IS NIGHT AS WELL; LEDAS’ HAND IS IN THE SAME POSITION; SUDDENLY ANOTHER HAND GRABS IT; THE CAMERA PANS BACK, SHOWING VEGETA HELPING HIS FRIEND STAND UP; THE PLANET IS SMOLDERING AND THERE ARE BODIES EVERYWHERE; BOTH SAIYANS ARE WEARING PLANET TRADE ORGANIZATION ARMOR AND APPEAR TO BE THE SAME AGE AS IN THE FIRST SAGA; THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FLASHBACK>

Ledas: This one didn’t take long.

Prince Vegeta: Of course not. We’re Super Saiyans.

Ledas: <SCRATCHING THE BACK OF HIS HEAD, CHUCKLING> Wewll, not yet…

Prince Vegeta: But soon. I can feel it. <HE LOOKS UP TO THE SKY AND LEDAS DOES AS WELL; THERE ARE NUMEROUS STARS UP THERE> Once we are, all of that will be ours. Frieza’s pathetic empire won’t be half the size of ours! We’ll be unstoppable. No one will stand up to us!

Ledas: Do you really think we’ll be great warriors one day, Vegeta? The kind people tell stories about?

<CLOSEUP SHOT ON THE PRINCE; VEGETA SMIRKS>

Prince Vegeta: I’d bet my life on it. Look how strong we already are. Most of Frieza’s best soldiers aren’t even this good. And we’re still kids. It’s crazy. I mean, who could have it better than us?

Ledas: <LAUGH> Nobody!

<THE CAMERA PANS BACK, SHOWING THE TWO BOYS WATCHING THE STARS AND LAUGHING AS THE SCREEN SLOWLY FADES TO BLACK>


 * <END REUNION SAGA>

Cue Great Spirits. Credits roll during this time.

Forever Alone
<p style="text-align: center">I have to think

<p style="text-align: center">that were it not for having

<p style="text-align: center">Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

<p style="text-align: center">bundled with my first Xbox,

<p style="text-align: center">I would have never

<p style="text-align: center">written this special.

<p style="text-align: center">And that

<p style="text-align: center">would have been a shame. <p style="text-align: center">-KidVegeta

Flux Order
“There will be order in my court. I will clear this room!” boomed out a voice, dry and echoing through the halls.

At once, the commotion that had befallen the session ceased. The figure of the judge stood firmly as he waited for his response. When none came, he pressured once again.

“Legate, I have listened to every accusation. Compelling though they may be, it is the duty of this court hear you through. Speak your defense.”

The judge moved to the Legate with several swift steps. In this court, there were no chairs or benches or even a table to place papers upon. Every member stood, and would stand to face their charges. Red and purple encompassed those of the delegate; and pure white was laden over the defendant.

The Legate kept its head bowed until the judge came to it. Then, it raised its head, showing a myriad of scars and bruises. None were yet healed, and many remained open.

“I… am no longer the Legate, your honor. Such a title befits me no more,” it whispered.

“You deflect my counsel?”

“It makes no difference what I say.”

“Confinement for eternity. You, of all our rational delegates should know this is no matter that can be undone. Verlate,” he whispered. “Why are you so stubborn that you would rather give up your life than explain your actions?”

The defendant bowed its head once again. “They will have my head, either way.”

ONE DAY PRIOR

When there was no more war or famine, nor any type of political instability, the Kai race – a generally peaceful and quiet species, made up of innate wisdom more so than the practiced art of ability – was at last visited by the Legate. The Kais had been labeled hyper-sentient, the highest rank on the tier of transcendent intelligence. The visit was to gain knowledge and to better understand the isolation factor taking place on this planet. More importantly, it was to question if this race was, at all, equal to the Legate’s own. At least, it was the Legate’s intention to find that out.

The Legate stepped off her ship. Pressing her boots into the soft mud below, she scanned over her surroundings. Great trees and hilly knolls were scattered around the being’s field of view. The quiet ambiance was humble, raw, untamed; as if sophistication of any means was something deliberately avoided in these realms. The creature had been here for three days, and not even once during this time had any of the Kais known about, nor approached her area of refuge. They were not acutely aware.

The Legate wrapped up her long draping robes around her body. A lazy breeze blew through as she did. For a moment, it made her pause. The serenity of the place was gripping, almost in way that made her envious. This would certainly be a good place to relax and think. But she could admire this later (perhaps to sample for a seed world, too). That was not her job. For now, first contact was to be made – that was all to be made. After that, her job would be done.

The creature took the skies with great speed. It rushed over the trees and the holes and hills. The forest turned to plains land, then to rock and mountain and swamp and bog. A plethora of temperate ranges decorated the planet like icing on a cake. There was enough diversity here to spend a lifetime of admiring. It was all so… perfect.

Finally, the emissary reached the sea. As she had felt on the ride over, there were many beings scattered across the dunes, making their living in the face of the emerald ocean. The Legate landed, then began walking forward in the sands.

Up ahead in the distance, she saw a shimmering light. It was the Kai’s city. The place she needed to go. The alien kept her head low and moved in an awkward crawl through the dune hills up to the city. The Legate was over 7 feet tall, and appeared even more imposing covered in its dark robes. Such an approach was awkward at best. At worst, it was a pitiable attempt at stealth; no less noticeable than if the Legate would have flown right into the town center and begun her speech there. Nevertheless, she was not aware of her own folly. Her confidence in her ability was enough to keep this plan going. She crawled up, over the last dune with relative ease. In front of her was the outskirts of the town; the point at which the finely crafted marble towers gave way to endless sands; where the via munita leveled off into via terrena. Most importantly, though, the city life stayed in the city. There were only a few Kais milling about the edge the city. It would be much easier to make a move here. There would be fewer witnesses, if any.

If she had been noticed, she had not noticed.

The nape of the Legate’s neck was now soaked with sweat. Wearing a heavy robe out in this heat was perhaps madness, but it was necessity. It was a bit of consistency in all of the Legate’s trips. The image of this emissary was the most important imparting gift to give. If she dared mix things up, there would be no way to tell if any mission was official. No, she had to keep things the same.

The first day she had been here, the Legate had come to this very place. It was night then, when not even one Kai could be seen walking the streets. She had toyed with the idea of breaking into an important looking house – but that was quickly dismissed. It was unbefitting for a peaceful delegate to make such a rude and obnoxious move. Especially with time being no issue. There was no point in rushing into this.

Her second day had been different. The Legate, instead, chose to come during the day. This was when the populace was active. She had sat upon one of the huge towers (of which their purposes still eluded her) and looked down on it all. One could say they were like ants, the Kais. They moved around in a fervor. Always this place to the next. Never did they stop for anything unnecessary. If they did, it was only for the betterment of their society: to pick up a spare piece of trash, or to notice and fix a degrading piece of brick. Yes, they were like ants. Surely, if the Legate had known what an ant was, she would have appreciated this superb simile.

The Kais being hyper-sentient (the only trait the Legate could see she shared with these creatures) had come off as a disappointment. Nowhere had there been any showcase of smarts. Indeed, the whole area, while beautifully constructed, had appeared primitive. Technology was sparse and unattractive. None of it was worth noting. It was all so regular. Why then, had this label been applied? Could she have been wrong to come here? Were these Kais just really a bunch of regular sentients?

And that was why she was here today. She needed to talk to one of them. One and only one. She needed to study it, gain insight to its way of thinking. See if it had wit or intuition. Awareness was already ruled out, but there was more to test. Maybe then, it would all become clear.

The Legate was good with faces. It was an acquired skill, picked up by countless years of studying countless species throughout the known universe. Before her was the Kai she had watched both days before. It was the Kai she had seen emerge, with regal posture, from that fancy looking house she had almost broken into; the Kai she had noticed delegating orders to other Kais yesterday. The same Kai that had been pegged with a tracking chip – a device to let her know where this being was at all times.

The aforementioned pegging had been done by none other than the Legate herself. Well, that is not entirely true. Actually it’s not true in the slightest. In reality, she had used a small synthenoid, not unlike the highly prized and respected Mr. Zurkon for this monumental task. This was, naturally, a much smaller model, which allowed it the easiest of access to any creature needed for Verlate’s reminding. Now, I know what you are all thinking: Zurkon is a dreadfully deadly device. Surely it would have killed the Kai instead of planting a locating chip in its brain! Now, that would be good and true, except for one small caveat. Verlate was a somewhat clever being (of which no mention has been previously made), and thus re-purposed her Zurkon into a scout-flyer to do her own bidding. In this case, her robot friend planted a chip for her, and he was a good robot for doing so. Verlate had thought at the time he was a wonderful addition to her crew (comprised of only herself). That was, until he was making his return trip back to the base, at supersonic speeds, and got all confused and crashed into a tree. Stupid tree. At the very least, the Kai was now in Verlate’s sights, and there was a perfectly good explanation for it.

She had tracked it here. Fortuitous it was, that he was out here in the open today. Surely, he patrolled the entire city, but being out here now, right when the Legate had arrived was a chance that could not be missed. And then, with even more luck, it happened. The others left. The Kai, purpled skinned, grey haired, and erect as any well-respected biped was left alone. Working on a broken piece of stone from a wall of aqueducts, he did not see the Legate until the Legate was right over him.

At first, the Kai became ridged. Its shoulders were drawn back and its face stared piercingly at this intruder. It was distrust, the Legate noted, but rational restraint that accompanied it. The Kai did not yell or attack or do anything else that would be a bother. It just stared.

The differences in physiology were enough to justify this stand off. The Legate stood taller than the other did – a good two feet taller. Its eyes jutted out to the side, where a normal Kai’s ears would be, leaving the entirety of the face blank, save for a small nose and mouth near the chin. The Legate was hairless and dully colored – a great difference to the long hair, pointy eared humanoid creatures that were the Kais.

There was a moment of pause where both creatures did not make a move. It was customary for the host species to initiate conversation. The Legate had hoped it would. Nonetheless, after moments of silence, she decided she would not assume anything.

The Legate lowered her robes and cast them aside into the dust. This revealed her full form before the Kai. It was a showcase. Upon doing so, the creature raised its hand, and then spoke.

“I am Legate, the protector of this world. I am your–”

“Stop!” the Kai cried out. He spoke slowly and carefully, as if every word, while chosen carefully, was only thought of mere milliseconds before utterance. “You are false. A god, if there was one, would not come to us in this way! You are ill-advised to have tried this. Leave now and your wicked thoughts will be forgotten.”

“If one of you does not want a god, a god will not be had,” said the Legate.

“You are not Amoon, the Great One in the sky. He will not return until we return to nothingness. And we are still here. So, what are you and why have you taken your place among my own? What made you think you were welcome?” the Kai shot back.

“I am Legate. A wanderer… an emissary. I am not here to harm you. I am not here to change you. Quite the opposite, actually.”

The Kai furrowed its brow, wrinkling its face in an avalanche of purple skin and white hair. It nodded and raised its hands, causing the sand around the two to spring up in a very tamed maneuver. At once, a group of smaller beings leapt up. In a blink, they had fully surrounded the Legate in three rows of half circles.

Most of them were barehanded, though several carried stones or pieces of wood. It was clear as day to the Legate that this was a mob of dangerous intent. They looked like the Kai did, but were smaller and hunched over. As one, they rocked back and forth, salivating and gnawing their arms and hands. Their eyes remained trained on the robed figure, however. They were trained to wait.

“We do not believe you,” said the Kai in a breath of desert wind.

“How many of your race are there?” the Legate questioned. It spoke in a manner to tread lightly over this firebrand. Any misstep would erase any chance of trust the Legate could hope to gain. Still, the impatience of the smaller imps began to expand as their cackles and movement grew.

“As you see before you, Legate, we Kais are many.”

“Kai,” the Legate whispered. “You are Kai. Those in the city are Kai. But these,” she motioned to the groveling figures around her, “are just your pets.”

The Kai stopped his advance. This bit of news dug deep into him and he stepped back, eyes ablaze with fury.

“H-how do you know that?! You watched us? Or are you tricking me?” said the Kai, his voice trembling.

“Kai, there is much to be shown. Enlightenment to be gained. Order away your dogs, and I will show you things you would believe unimaginable.”

The Kai frowned again. He hunched his shoulder. Though he did not speak, his eyes showed his obvious distrust.

The Kai’s lethargy was no match for his guard dogs’ impatience. Daringly disobedient, a few of them broke ranks and charged headlong at the Legate. It must have been quite a long time since they could have had a chance like this.

At once, a huge pillar of blue burst up from the ground. It was so bright, so overcoming that even the Legate – though she made it herself – blinked her watering eyes away from the glare. The beam of energy pulsed upward to the sky until, rather abruptly, it exploded.

The Kai jumped back, in reflex, but his imps had not quick enough reactions. The light and heat enveloped them, incinerating every bit of flesh on contact. Screams and listless howls sprung up, but only for a moment. And then they were gone.

The Kai stood with the Legate. The two of them, it was, in the glassed sands of the lowest dune. In the proximity, the mossy waters of the ocean still churned peacefully. Further on, the rest of the Kais were just beginning to react to the sight and sound of the energy plume that had been summoned just moments before.

“Emissary, that was you who killed mine…” said the Kai, now muted and wide-eyed. “What are you?”

“I am inconsequential to our discussion. Merely, I am a host and a caretaker of knowledge. The knowledge itself is what needs to speak.”

“No… no. You are not a god, but you are my superior. You commanded the ground to come up and destroy my guard. Show me how, so that I may do that!” the Kai pleaded.

“Already, there has been one mistake today. There mustn’t be another,” The emissary said, turning away from the other. Then she took to the skies. “We will talk again tomorrow.”

The Legate attempted to burst off. But something was holding her back. Something preventing her from leaving just yet.

It was the Kai. His arm had flung out at the last second to grab onto her leg. Seeing his success, the native reeled her back to the ground. Then, he jumped on top of her.

This was no good. No good at all. This humiliation was uncalled for. In addition, it was most intolerable. A grand humiliation to the Legate, if you would. So even with the Kai still wrapped around her body, the Legate used all of her energy and pushed up and off to the ground. Maddeningly, she flew, this way and that, trying to shake her quarry off. But it was to no avail. She saw the alien’s long arms and fingers. The intricateness of them, wrapped around her. Those would not be shaken off so easily.

It was not long before she and the Kai reached the ocean, in their struggle. Hovering mere inches over the waves below, the emissary placed both arms upon the Kai’s chest, stopping him. She attempted to push off, but it was no use. Her back cracked and she fell limp in pain.

The Kai’s eyes came to a squint. He took his arms, unlocking them from the alien’s chest, until he was free to work his idea. He weaved his hands back and forth over his body for several seconds until a trace of yellow sparks began emitting from his fingers. At this, the Kai grasped onto the Legate’s shoulders and held tightly. Another great light overtook them both, followed shortly by a huge sonic boom. The blasts burst the waters aside, reeling a mini-tsunami back to the town.

But the Kai did not see this nor care about this. For now, he was chiefly aware of his own power. His hands flowed with the same energy the Legate’s did; and it dripped from him as if it were water – even as he knew it was not. He held his hand out, attempting to focus this power. Punching his hand forward, the Kai tested out a small ki blast – and it worked. The yellow ball of energy shot out from his hand and skidded down the waters, out to sea.

The Kai turned to the other, speaking in a rasp, “Legate, I can feel your powers within me…”

The Legate stared back at him, “What have you done?! I cannot let you stay with this power! This may not go any further!”

“No! We’re not playing that game just yet. Legate, tell me your name. I want to know who you are.”

“I am Verlate, the Grand Legate, Emmissary of the Superior Daman, Protector of the Northern Quadrant, and I request you lay down your power and return it to me at once.”

With a sudden jerk, the Kai lunged forward. He kicked Verlate square in the chin, shattering the bones and teeth that had once been housed within. The emissary, caught off guard, fumbled her balance and ultimately fell. Blood poured out her cracked skin as much as it flowed back into her throat. Choking on it, Verlate was barely able to let out a whimper before she crashed into the waters below. Not more than a second later, and she had sunk out of sight.

Above her, the Kai turned his attention back to himself. He tested out energy blasts, convulsing his body and then shooting them out of his hand. Like before, they were successful, but unrefined. Many skidded and burned, immediately detonating from being fired. One or two even blew up in his hands.

But then it happened. He tried a large attack – something he was not ready to use, nor properly trained to handle. He gathered his energy all into one giant ball. Granted, this was unnecessary, and seemingly illogical. But to a Kai, knowledge and intuition go hand in hand. This Kai’s intuition had granted him his power. And now he could not even so much as think of anything else until he knew the full scope of his power. With a chorus of grunts and elaborate hand movements, the Kai took it into his palm… the great ball of fire. And then it detonated.

The shock wave hit Verlate as she continued to sink, sending her spiraling down under even faster. Her vision went dark and her mind went blank.

At that moment, Verlate thought no more.

Abusus Non Tollit Usum
When there was no more structure, nor reason, nor order, the Kai – by this point, filled with the stolen power of the Legate – descended back upon his own city of birth. As it always is with these kinds of things, the escalation factor, at present, yielded great concern. Without a guardian force to stop him, this Kai could do anything with the power. For in his own mind, the Kai had been groveled upon and cheated. He had been lied to. He had been beaten down and spit upon by his peers. Now that he held power, all of the petty offenses against him became more and more clear and they angered him all the same. None could stand in his way now; he knew this. It was only a matter of his investment. For he knew, eventually he would be challenged. But until then, he would make do. For that single stoppage point against him was currently lying at the bottom of the sea; unconscious, weary, and with a broken jaw. The Kai had the power too.

He looked down upon his burned hands, his purple skin flaking off from the disaster that was his previous attempt at making energy. Controlling energy like that alien had was no easy feat. Even with his quick mind, he had failed to understand the basic concepts of handling it. Eventually, he would learn how to compel it how he wished. That was certain. The Kai always got his way. For now, he could… practice.

Strange how that word sounded so alien.

The Kai placed his boot back into the sand. Swimming back from the ocean had been tedious. He, obviously, hadn’t figured out a way to fly yet, so he was still limited to his regular travel. The Kai was not a strong person at all; a bureaucratic life had all but stifled his active life. Besides, he was wealthy enough to have guard dogs do most of the work for him. The short swim had, embarrassingly, left him short of breath. He gathered himself up for a while before beginning his walk back to the city. It was unfitting to let anyone see him like this.

The Kai reached back to his home no later than an hour; by walking he had set a nice pace which would guise his lack of endurance to all onlookers. By then, the sun was just beginning to fall behind the great Kaiju Tree that protruded up from the ranks of buildings ahead. Indeed, every city was founded around a Kaiju Tree, where all Kais were born, and the noble Kai was glad to see his birth-tree still standing. The common Kais paid him no notice when he returned. But he chuckled to himself. They wouldn’t know of how he had changed in these brief few minutes. There was no logical reason to suspect anything, on their part. But he had changed. For the better.

He walked forward until he noticed a Kai working on a piece of brick-outlay. This being, as he recognized, was the very same fellow who had lied to him three days prior about the aqueduct. It had fallen into disrepair under his watch, though it wasn’t his fault. This worker had made no mention of it. By his omission, the Kai had been lambasted by the higher ups. They had held him responsible for the idleness of these others.

The Kai was a logical being; all of his species were. Even the most stupid, innocent ones were logical in their motivations. But the Kai had no morality. He had grown past such contrivances. He valued no life more so than he valued a hot meal or a good pair of boots. Anything that remained useful, he would cherish. But that which held no purpose to him any longer, be it anything, had to be erased.

“Forty-three” the Kai spoke with thin authority. “Come here. Now.”

The other Kai shook his hands and turned his head. Seeing it was his taskmaster, he dropped his tools and walked on over. “What is it, sir? Got more work for me that can’t wait?”

“No,” he replied, hiding a smile. “Did you hear of my injunction? It was two days ago.”

“N-no… I had not heard…”

“I expected as much, Forty-three,” he replied, with a calm voice. “You may go back to your post.”

“If that’s all you are to call me over here for, I think I shou–”

“Quiet. Be quiet!” said the Kai, in a sudden scream.

He dropped to his knees, gasping and trembling. But the others paid no notice and forty-three was also unconcerned. The useless lackey walked back to his work, shaking his head. Of course the worker would ignore him. All of them would for now. But that was just because they didn’t know his pain.

This pain was because of the energy. The Kai had attempted to bring forth his energy, but it felt as if his veins were burning hot, as if they were on fire when he tried. The Kai raised out his shaking hand, using all of his mind’s power to focus the energy. It began flowing out from his fingers uncontrollably. Like before, it was dripping out like water would – though when each drop hit the earth, it glassed the ground, sending up puffs of smoke.

He tried focusing the energy, but it just wouldn’t budge. No matter how much effort he put forth, it simply sprayed out in a lame stream that looked more like a show of incontinence than prowess.

Standing up, the Kai tried again. But even with new elevation, it was not working. The crackling, hissing sound being given off by the dropping energy caused Forty-three, ahead, to turn ‘round again. He looked puzzled at the sight of his taskmaster having streams of what looked like liquid flowing out from his finger tips.

“Sir, what are you doing?” he asked with trepidation.

Caught in his deceits, the Kai jumped back, flinging his arms wildly as he went. The energy, still sputtering out, shot flying up into the air. But as the Kai should know, gravity makes everything come back down again. And so it did, mere moments later, on top of Forty-three’s and the other workers’ heads.

Nigh a moment later, the working area went kaboom. And it was not just a regular explosion, such as the one the Legate had used against the Kai’s imps; it was a large one, filled with smoke and fire, and it sent much dirt and brick and steel spinning around. Suffice to say, when the dust cleared, everything in the vicinity was blown away.

Well, everything besides the other Kais. Though there were bruised and bloodied, and some were quite dirty, all of them were still standing; alive.

Forty-three lunged at the Kai, obviously angry at what his taskmaster had just done. He grabbed the other Kai by the shins, and toppled him over. In but a moment, the worker had him pinned. He began raining blows down upon the Kai, who was too weak to defend against the assault. As the worker was about to raise his fist for another blow, he noticed the energy had landed on him. At once, he felt the stuff surge through his body; completely encapsulating him. He raised out his hand, and, just as it was with the other Kai, the energy began pouring out in a stream. His eyes opened in wonder.

The original Kai’s eyes also widened at this. He was horror-struck. “No!”

“You be quiet now,” replied Forty-three. He stuffed his hand over the Kai’s face, letting the energy pour on it. The Kai writhed and attempted to scream as the stuff burned and melted away his face. Shoving the energy forward with more force, Forty-three managed to create an actual ball of energy. It exploded just over the heads of the Kai and himself.

“Why didn’t it work?!” screamed out the Kai. “Why didn’t it work?!”

It was too late. He and his worker were caught up in the ball, which was dissolving both of them in a matter of moments. The energy released from this was powerful, sending off a shock wave akin to the one that the Kai had used against Verlate. Only, this time, the energy, all of it, was set free as their bodies burned away, and it began to drift through the air back into the city. Back to where many more Kais lived.

A streak of purple stretched across the sky, like a long, bleeding gash of an ill-kept wound. Plumes of smoke and cloud clung about it like maggots on flesh. It had been several hours since Verlate, the gods’ Legate, had been kicked to the bottom of the sea. In the time that she had been unconscious, the sea had disappeared. Perhaps it was from that streak above, but she did not know. Indeed, the sudden absence of the waters had been what woken her – that and the pain in her jaw.

Verlate stood up. It had been several hours that she been attacked, but she remembered everything leading up to it vividly. That one Kai she had been watching – it was him who had taken her powers. Not that she could have known, or even done anything about it after she had known. But still, it made her feel hollow inside.

Gingerly, she ran her fingers over her mouth, confirming, with several sharp breaths, her entire lower jaw line as being broken. As it was, she could not so much as utter a word without immense pain accompanying it. In that case, she would remain silent. She was used to being silent.

The more pressing matter at hand was not her own discomfort. Verlate knew this. Ahead of her, several dozen miles ahead, the city that Verlate had visited was now smoking in ruin. The towers she had witnessed before were mostly collapsed, with only a few left standing. Even they were on fire, as was much of the rest of the city. The Great Kaiju Tree at the center of the town was burnt and charred, and many of its branches were split asunder.

Verlate flew to the ashen city, only landing on the edge of the southernmost spire. There were bodies strewn about everywhere. Overturned barrels and flattened tents littered the streets. The fires were blowing through, coating everything in the hungry flames. Then, from behind Verlate, a loud bang went off.

From the shacks behind, where she had figured most of the Kais to live, a duo of the purple-skinned creatures came bumbling out into the street. They tripped over each other, punching and kicking and spitting at one another with wild fury. Eventually crashing up against a fall wall, the two stopped. The one on top jumped back and threw out his hands. From them erupted a shot of energy; with but a quick flash and another bang, the second figure was disintegrated.

The Legate was not one to meddle in the affairs of others. Ironic for her position, but the pettiness that she witnessed on many of the planets she visited was tiresome to her. Eventually, she had given up everything besides the most basic contact with the various species. However, she had known the Kais did not possess any capabilities to control self-based energy. Actually, they were considered to be rather pedestrian in regards to threat level. So why were they shooting energy at one another?

She remembered, however, the Kai she had taken to enlighten had stolen her powers. He had even made a basic ki blast out of it; using her energy reserves to try his experiments. Still, these Kais were not him. It had only been a few hours that she had been blacked out, and there was no possible way that the others could have mimicked him so quickly.

The victorious Kai turned now to Verlate. So as to not confuse anyone in the coming paragraphs, he will henceforth be referred to as Savage. Savage’s eyes and hands were fluttering madly, like a drug addict’s during withdrawal. He lowered to all fours and then scurried forward. Verlate was taken aback by such a offensive move and only reacted at the last second, sidestepping out of Savage’s way. Before Savage could try another attack, she jumped back and kicked a heap of rubbish into his way. Surely, it wasn’t any type of damaging attack, but it would give her time to get away.

She flew up to the roof of the shack cluster. At least the Kais couldn’t fly.

She surveyed the entire city, watching it crumble before her. If this was really because of that Kai taking her powers, than this was all her fault. All of the ruin before her eyes must have come from her stolen powers. The thought of it brought up that hollow feeling in her stomach. It was painful, unbearable to think about – that she could be responsible for all these deaths.

On the edge of her field of vision, she saw even greater explosions popping up. They were everywhere. And Verlate knew that even were she at her full power, she alone could not stop this.

Savage (the rascal) had, in this time, found a way to climb up to the roof. Bitterly annoyed that the alien had been ignoring it, the thing threw itself on the back of Verlate. Verlate stumbled forward and reached behind to her back, trying to grab the thing and throw it off of her, but it held steadfast. Those long fingers of the Kais were such an irritation.

With a jump, Verlate leapt from the roof back to the ground. She landed, hard, on her back; on the Kai, who was called Savage. Instantly, he let go, letting her roll away. But Savage was not as damaged by this as Verlate had hoped and he sprung up quickly. He raised both of his hands and shot out fire from them. Instinctively, Verlate put up an energy barrier with her weary arms. It would go against who she was to kill this Kai. He was insane, but it was not his fault. Even as the fire began breaking through her shield, burning her hands and paining her squinting eyes, she did not have any hatred for this creature. No, she reserved her fury for herself.

The barrier held for a while before going pink and shattering. Verlate was thrown back, as was Savage. But the dust obscured the other’s vision of Verlate, and he lost track of her. Running off down an alley to the left, Savage missed Verlate hiding under some refuse right in front of him. After losing him, Verlate took to the sky again. She decided to fly to the Kai’s house – the Kai that she had given this power to before. She could not think of anything else to do. If she was to find this creature, his house would most logically not be where he was located, but it was her only reference point in the entire city. She had to start somewhere.

But Verlate never got to the house. She never even took so much as three steps before it happened. The entire city blew up. It was a Kai, or perhaps several. But it did not matter who. It was frightening, alone, to her to see how little of her excess power could have been tapped into and used to destroy so much. The blast was enough to completely erase the town from the planet, but it only gave Verlate a host of light scratches and bruises.

She was thrown far away, back into the sand. Now that it was night, the heat of the place was gone, but Verlate felt no better because of it.

At once, a creature teleported in front of Verlate. It was slender, tanned skinned, and covered in the same robes (though they were colored dark green) as Verlate had been. A fellow Damani she saw standing before her. At the sight of it, the Legate stumbled up into a stance. Since she still could not talk from her broken jaw, she simply motioned to the other her predicament.

It did not speak immediately, either. Simply, it strode forward, and grasped onto Verlate’s face. Verlate was surprised by this, jumping back slightly, but she let the creature keep its hands on her. With one swift movement, the other, still silent, pulled on Verlate’s jaw, ripping it forward, and back into place. Verlate dropped to her knees but did not cry. She clutched her jaw and winced.

The other Damani did not notice. Instead, he was already looking behind him at the wreckage of the planet. There were still huge blasts going off all over the planet. Many could be seen, but even more could be felt. The entire place was rumbling steadily. The planet would not hold for much longer.

Then, the other Damani turned back to Verlate, “Legate… what happened here? Did they refuse our offers? Did you not show them yet?”

Verlate took a moment to prepare her voice before speaking. When she did, it was flat and emotionless, “I have yet to contact their leadership. I was attempting to gain access when one of them found me and seized a great deal of my power. There was nothing that could be done–”

“This planet’s compromised state was due to you?”

“Take me to the courts if you wish,” she said. “I have nothing more to say. I have already failed through my actions.”

Verlate fell to the ground. As her vision blurred, she saw the distinctive shape of a hand grabbing her. Then it all went dark.

THREE HOURS LATER

Sertung, the honorable judge, paced back and forth in front of Verlate. She stood, stony faced in front of him. Behind the two was the delegate – the oligarchy which held most of the power of Verlate’s race.

“I have already found out about what happened on the world of the Kais,” he began. “The folly of your ways led them to use your power to exterminate themselves en masse. What punishment do you think you deserve, Legate?”

“I am no longer the Legate, your honor. It does not matters what I think.”

“You do not deny these allegations against you? You do not deny that the blood of almost a billion Kais is on your hands?”

“How much of the population was saved, your honor?” Verlate asked, ignoring the judge’s own tactical advances.

“Ninety-nine percent of the population is dead. Little over two thousand of them are still alive. We only managed to save half a dozen of their birthing trees. We have them in a safe place. They will continue on there, out of our way.”

Sertung stopped his pacing and stood in front of Verlate. Though standing on equal terms, his presence held clear dominance.

“Verlate, you are one of our species most powerful members. That was not why you were chosen as Legate, however. You are also one of the smartest, most empathetic of our race. Were any other to be in your position, I doubt they could have maintained such professionalism and thick skin in dealing with all these races. You have been so successful in your position. What went wrong this time?”

Verlate turned her head to the delegate behind her, as she responded to the judge, “These are roles we play. But why? We are not gods; we are simply the most advanced race.”

“Now that you’ve made an error, you wish for us to stop our noble mission?! Is that what you are saying?”

“I wish we would let them develop on their own. I am tired of going to these planets. In the future, what happened to the Kais will only become more common. And what is there to gain that will not be lost a thousands times over by continuing this?”

“You don’t believe that,” Sertung said, in full confidence.

“It does not matter. We would argue indefinitely over this with no change in opinion for either of us. You already know this. So you should stop wasting our time; it has been an enemy enough to the Daman already. You must sentence me now… but I will only agree to the sentencing on one condition. Please clear the room so I may tell you it, your honor.”

The delegate, which had been mostly polite since Sertung had threatened them before, now broke out in quiet conversation at the irrational declaration of Verlate. Not only had she given up, but the creature seemed to be welcoming her punishment without fear.

The judge looked over at the rabble, instantly quieting them. With a motion of his hands, he opened the doors behind them.

“Leave now. I will sentence her alone.”

“Outrageous!” spat a member of the delegate. “This is a public trial!”

The judge did not blink an eye in the face of this growing dissension to his authority. He stood tall in front of them, “A public trial with the expected consequences. Good sir, you know as well as I the risks of having any others take part in this is too great…”

The members of the delegate continued their arguments with the judge, not backing down. To Verlate, this was all inconsequential. Her species was small in number. Over the years, their population had thinned. Mating grew tiresome and boring, just as everything else had, and many of them had forgotten to have children. Still others had succumbed to a host of mysterious diseases which seemed to plague only their species. Currently, she guessed her race to be at about five hundred strong. They would be extinct within two generations.

Her misstep was nothing she could have predicted. She was at fault, regardless. Even Verlate blamed herself, and it gave her physical anguish to even think of what had happened. Still, she thought of the Kais. Before she had intruded, they were fine. And after she came, they were crippled. What use was there, then, in her visiting them? How had she benefited anything by giving her superiors more information about a race no one cared about?

At once, Verlate was jolted back to reality with the slamming of the doors behind her. It was just her and the judge now.

“Now tell me, Verlate,” said Sertung, swiftly walking back up to face her, “what this single condition of your surrender is.”

“I will agree to the sentencing on one condition; do not appoint another Legate.”

“What? That is our purpose. Spreading knowledge and information about the universe is a noble venture. Who else could be the caretakers of every species, I ask you? Who could–”

“We should not waste breath in arguing over it. That is simply my condition.”

The judge continued, “Then who will rule the universe? Who will be the rock, the center-point for all races to cling to?”

“That is not my care. But it my condition.”

Sertung paced again for several moments. Then he reached over to a box lying in the far back. He opened it up with a flick of his finger. Immediately a bright light flooded into the small room. It completely blinded both the judge and Verlate. However, it was soundless.

“I will do it. But only because, in your absence, there will be no one to take your place,” he said. Continuing on, the judge spoke, “You know the punishment for genocide. Eternal damnation in a prison of your own devices. A prison where there are no walls or ends. Where there is no chance of escape. You will waste away in the place of your mind forever.”

Verlate did not answer, because she was swiftly met with a wind which blew about the room. It began sucking her forward. She put up no resistance to it. She felt her body become weightless as she flew by the judge, even though she could not see him. She knew the reason he was not being sucked in was because he had no crimes against him – also the reason why the members of the delegate were not allowed to stay and watch. They would surely get sucked in, too. As she flew by him, the judge spoke.

“Without the Legate, our race is done. We will be purposeless and dwindle away. Waiting for another race to take over as we die.”

Verlate closed her eyes as she neared the device which would hold her for the remainder of time. She spoke softly to the judge, just before being sucked in.

“Our race is already dying an inevitable death. But if you feel so inclined… there are always the Kai. They exist here in Other World like us, and they could be taught how to rule in our stead,” Verlate whispered. “You could do it, Sertung. I know you could.”

With that, Verlate was gone.

SEVERAL YEARS LATER

Several years passed before he arrived. They did not know when he arrived, nor why, but it was something he had carefully planned.

Hyper-sentience was a rather general term which basically stated a species was almost as smart as the Daman. It was remarkable, really. The Kais in particular had been as close to trans-sentience as had ever been recorded – and this was without them having any impressive technology. They were just inherently gifted.

Sure, his race was far more gifted than theirs, but it would be hard to tell if that would have been the case had the Kais the same technological capabilities. It was a gamble to put trust in them. But it wasn’t illogical. Nothing she had ever said was.

Sertung, no longer an honorable judge, did not want to meet any of the Kais. He was not good around these species like the Verlate had been. He felt uncomfortable outside of the company of his own kind. Nevertheless, he set down the box that held her mind, and stretched out his arms. The Kais were few in number – like his race was. But his species impending extinction was nothing spectacular or worth noting; simply, it was the wasting away of talent and wit by the everlasting feeling. Or, in plain terms, death by boredom. Since he had sealed Verlate, all but a half a dozen or so of his race had perished from a mysterious illness (and those who remained were sickly, themselves). He was yet unaffected, but he knew it would soon be his time as well. He chuckled to himself as he remembered the delegate of Damani who had wanted to watch. They were all dead now. And he would be soon. So Sertung knew it was time to teach the Kais how to rule.

It did not take long for him to isolate every being on the planet; they were mostly clustered around the few salvaged Kaiju Trees anyway. However, he stopped himself from going forward. As it was, this would most likely end up how it did before. He had not thought ahead, yet, how to give them power without things turning out as they had with Verlate.

He set down his hands, giving himself time to think this through. He crouched down on the grass and began his thinking. As the day went on, Sertung had seen several Kais. Mostly children playing, or a few older ones doing who knows what. He had not even noticed when one of them had snuck up behind him.

A sharp thud on the back of the head, however, was enough to alert him properly. Sertung got up and looked behind him. A single Kai was there. He was short, probably a child, and like the others, he had purple skin with white hair layered in a spiky Mohawk.

There was no logical way for him to deflect away from this child. He had come here to give it power, so power he should give it. With a thrust of his hand, the judge transferred some of his energy into the young Kai. He sighed to himself as the Kai began shaking and convulsing around with the energy coursing through his veins.

He motioned to the Kai, flicking his wrist and shooting off a small ki blast, in the hopes that the Kai would understand and copy him. Several times he did this and to no avail. The young Kai simply stared at Sertung in bewilderment.

Impatient at the Kai’s lack of focus, Sertung moved forward and grabbed onto the Kai’s hand. He forced the Kai to do the motion several times, emphasizing with his fists that force and focus should be put into it as the motion went through. Then the judge let go.

The Kai tried it once on his own. His large, innocent eyes grew to a squint as he mimicked what the other had done. The result was a huge blast, shot down in a huge line into the grass ahead of them.

Sertung sighed, looking over small box that encompassed Verlate’s mind. He couldn’t believe, all these years later, he was now listening to her advice. He almost wished that he was in one of those prisons – it would have denied him the responsibility of teaching these new creatures to take up the mantle.

But, he could not deny there was nothing wrong with this reason. Besides, if he was successful, the entire universe would be in good hands. He placed his arm on the Kai’s and went through the motions of Ki control again.

They would be in his hands. And then, when they were ready, he and the rest of the universe would be put in theirs.

Rock And Pool Is So Nice And Cool
MANY YEARS LATER, AROUND THE 35 BEFORE AGE

When there was no more to say or do – the pinnacle of thought already having been reached be eons of constant use – Verlate, the disgraced envoy of her species, and perhaps the last living memory of those creatures, was briefly reprieved from her eternal isolation.

The mind prison she had been put in, while not the homeliest of places, was as vast and infinite as it was desolate. There was nothing in it – at least not at first. It was all white, staunchly blanketed in the blinding color over every inch of what she could see. But, as she soon came to realize, Verlate’s mind prison was indeed fit to house more than a single being. During her time alive, Verlate had never heard of such a thing. Nor should she have. For two beings in an eternal mind prison would be torture behind torture. And her species frowned upon cruel and unusual punishment.

Nevertheless, Verlate had been visited on so much as two previous occasions, though neither ended well for her. The first creature was a wild bird, half the size of Verlate, and it had stayed with her a long time. It was not for any real reason, the creature was not pleasant to be around, nor did she suspect it thought highly of her. The mere reason for it not being thrown out of her prison was that Verlate had no idea how to get rid of the thing (and, by extension, get free herself). So they had sat, day after day, wasting away, until the second had come. This other creature, a small rodent of sorts, was less mindful, and more duplicitous, leading Verlate to spend almost all of her time watching it. She was careful to not let it leave her sight, lest it do something naughty.

In the end, this diligence caused her to forget the bird.

And that is what did it. Basically, as soon as Verlate forgot about the first being. It was free to leave. By the time Verlate had remembered the creature, it was too late. The bright light had opened the sky above, letting it fly away. It was not long thereafter she connected her lack of thought with the departure. Verlate tested it again with the second creature, and to her surprise (as much as it was her relief), that one was thrown out too.

Once again, Verlate was alone. How she spent her time there, wasting in the desolation of infinitude was not especially interesting. She had learned to craft that which she thought into reality… at least the reality of her prison. She could create a bed, a chair, a nice pool for swimming. She made a whole home for herself, eventually.

It was at this time, after she had crafted herself her place to live that the prison had been opened again. Every time this would happen, the blinding light would become unbearable, shining even whiter than usual. Verlate had not noticed, however. Instead, she was in a deep meditation, wafting through a gentle stream of water she crafted some time before. The flowing of the water helped her think, and in this place, that was all there was to do. But so entranced was she that Verlate did not notice, aside from the brightening light, the small streak of a creature now inside her prison.

The new creature, white and furry, moved deftly on its hind legs, its paws barely touching down on the foggy earth before springing forward in a new step. It came to the place where Verlate usually stayed; a grand foray, encompassed by huge onyx pillars. A few tables stood around, but all were barren. Indeed, the only piece of this home that seemed alive was the trickling of a stream flowing into its center. Kneeling among the swirling waters was, with her head bowed, the former Legate.

“What have you come for now? Words of wisdom or a chance at adventure?” said Verlate.

“I, uh, actually was just looking for my favorite ball of yarn, and I… well I accidentally opened your thingymajig here,” the other responded, laughing slightly.

The creature was a cat; one with quite generous proportions, who stood on two legs, but a cat nonetheless. Of course, Verlate did not know what a cat was, so she could not appreciate him. In his hands, he cradled a finely carven wood cane, with the rest of his body being as nature intended. Aside from his stark white coat (which made it ever so hard to see him against the foreground), there was little to his character that interested Verlate.

“What is this place ya got here?” asked the cat.

“Damnation,” said Verlate. “A place where even the smallest of thoughts can be expanded forever until you are a mindless, obsessive wretch like I. You are trapped with me, from here on.”

Unperturbed, the cat jumped up on one of the rock pillars, feeling its long jagged lines, etched with untold amounts of runic art.

“Oh, you’re a craftsman too.”

“Tell me your name before we go on, quadruped.”

“Hey, that’s rude. Cantcha see I walk on two legs just like you? I’m not an animal! Sheesh, can’t a guy get a break around here?”

Verlate remained silent, staring up at the cat as he babbled on to himself. The cat, seeing he would get no answer from her until he stated his name sighed and became serious.

“The name’s Korin, all right? Korin the cat.”

“How did you find this place, Korin?” she asked, now in a whisper.

“I was wandering the desert and I saw this box. So I went on over to pick it up and… Hey! Can you make anything you want in here?” he screeched out, seeing the platform in front of him. Such a place would make a brilliant spot to take a nap in the sun.

“Yes, Korin. I have learned how to make my thoughts a reality in this place.”

“How about giving this poor cat a nice fish? Or at least a windowsill to lie on in the sun? Is that too much for a guy to ask?”

A bit taken aback by Korin’s lack of seriousness, particularly about being in the prison, Verlate stopped him, dimming the bright light into a dull grey. With this overcast look, she hoped to suck all the energy out of him.

“Korin the cat, if you wish to leave this place, you must gain my approval.”

“Yeah, yeah. Later. But first I will take a nap, there,” was his response, as he pointed toward the platform ahead.

Verlate was stricken dumb by this. How could anyone be so blasé about such a serious matter? It was a prison, a place which no one could leave until she stopped thinking about them. She had to let him leave, didn’t he get that? How couldn’t he?

“I…” Verlate began, but quickly stopped, seeing it was no use to try the same tactic over and over again. As she pondered a new strategy for making him yield, the cat raised his own paw and spoke.

“Hey, I know there’s probably some test ya want me to take, right? Some little rite of passage or something? Am I close?”

The correct, rational answer to his question was a resounding ‘no’. This was no game, nor a place for frivolity. Yet, something inside Verlate compelled her to not so quickly dismiss him. Perhaps she could play along and make this a game for his sake. Maybe it would make him leave sooner.

“You are most correct, Korin. Watch me,” said Verlate.

She thrust her arms forward, weaving them back and forth in a delicate pattern. At once, various structures began popping up. Spire and stone, intermixed with trees and other foliage, sprung up into a huge outcrop. She had in but a moment created an entire forest before their eyes. Verlate lowered her hands, now satisfied at her work.

“You will go in there and find for me the one with two–”

“Yeah, I hate to interrupt ya, but I’m not into playin’ cat and mouse games,” Korin snickered. “Imagine that.”

“These are my conditions!” spoke Verlate, puzzled at his defiance.

“Well, listen to me. It looks like ya just made up whatever ya were plannin’ on the spot. From what I saw ya doing in your free time, you must be pretty boring.”

Verlate could hardly mask her annoyance as she opened her mouth again, “In that case what would you suggest, master Korin?”

“Know any good riddles?” he replied, coyly.

“A riddle? What is a riddle?”

“And I thought you were supposed to be smart.”

“What, why?!”

“This mind prison is probably not an everyday punishment. You must have been a real big-time criminal, eh? I thought ya got put in here because you did something really horrible. And ya’d have to be smart to pull that off.”

“You are diverting from our topic. Explain to me these riddles.”

“Fine, fine. A riddle is like a word puzzle,” said Korin.

“What is a word puzzle?” asked Verlate.

Korin squinted his eyes together, as if not believing that someone could be so inept on certain subjects. “Well for example, a riddle would be…” Korin drew himself up into his most regal, high-chinned pose before continuing, “ For some I go fast/ for others I’m slow./ To most people, I’m an obsession/ relying on me is a well practiced lesson.”

“I…”

“Just say the first thing that comes to mind.”

“A good friend?”

“No no no,” said Korin. “Riddles are mind games, you have to think outside the box to understand them. I woulda thought you of all people could have got that one. The answer was time…”

“Time,” Verlate repeated. She took her fingers and began writing in the thin air, her long, curly writing flowing up onto the void as if she were writing on paper. She stared at the riddle when she was done. “Time… yes I see time. Abstract, yet logical. Are all riddles like this?”

“Only the good ones. That one wasn’t even one of the harder ones. Just wait until ya get better, then you’ll be doing these no problem, your highness.”

“Show me another,” she asked, most politely. By this time, Verlate had forgotten that Korin was a bothersome being – one which she was trying to get rid of. Her own thirst for knowledge was overriding her previous goal.

The two stayed for some time, days perhaps, as they recounted riddles with one another. Verlate came up with her first riddle: ‘It has trigonal crystals/ with vitreous luster/ and is colored black and white’ to which, naturally, the answer was onyx. Though, as she soon learned, such bland and straightforward descriptions were quite terrible to read. But she did not fear, for Korin was her teacher.

But occasionally, talk turned to Korin and his life. He was a wanderer; that much he had given up to her; a talking cat still in his prime. He had come across Verlate’s mind prison as an abandoned box in the desert when he went looking for a runaway yarn ball. As soon as he had picked it up, the light overcame him and he was thrust inside. There was no sign nor mention of Verlate’s species, nor the Kai species anywhere around the box’s placement, nor was there any note left on the box itself. This Korin had promised to be true. But it was no matter to linger on, for Verlate had no idea what had happened to either species. If she could hope for one thing, though, it would be that her martyring acted as a catalyst for the Kais to take over her role. Still, as Korin had put it, the world seemed fine enough as it was.

Verlate had believed the cat as he spoke. Unlike her previous two roommates, Korin had earned her trust and respect in their riddle-making. While often being aloof or downright unpredictable, Korin had been a fun person to talk to. It alleviated her boredom. And she knew when he was gone, Verlate would have more to do. To come up with impressive riddles and mind games to show her mental superiority. It was something she looked forward to.

Nevertheless, Korin had no plans on staying. Verlate had seen it in his eyes; still young they were and eager for something else. Something more exciting than explaining what riddles are to an ancient and disgraced being. It had only been a short time (to Verlate) since he arrived, and already Korin was eager to leave. So it was then that she decided to let him go.

“I only have to un-think you and you will leave,” Verlate said, bluntly, as she interrupted Korin explaining a particularly complex riddle to her.

“Gettin’ rid of me so soon, I see?” he responded.

“It is no secret you do not wish to stay.”

Korin jumped up. Verlate was right. He did not have any reason to stay. It was a serene place, but its infinite expanse and lacking décor really weighed heavily on his patience. He would not miss it much.

“Maybe you should close your eyes. It’ll help you not think of me.”

More to herself than Korin, Verlate wondered aloud. “I wish I could get out too.”

“Just unthink yourself, and it will all go well.”

“No! No. That would kill me. I was told if I tried to escape, I would die.”

“Look, all’s ya need to do is just trick your mind into unthinking another person, but switching them with yourself at the last second. Then you could get out and have another person stuck in here. Of course, I mean someone besides me!”

Verlate was silent for two whole moments as her mind calculated and reasoned with the logic of what Korin had just said. In the end, her response was a meek, “Would that work?”

“I don’t know. You should try it sometime… but not on me. Yeah, don’t try it on me! I’d really like to get back outside, y’know.”

“I will remember your words, Korin,” said Verlate, nodding to the cat. “They are wiser than I could have expected.”

Not listening, Korin flexed his claws. “Good luck with all that. You’re gonna need it.”

At that, Verlate closed her eyes. It took no more than a moment before she had stopped her mind from thinking of Korin. Then, once again it was just her. As she opened her eyes, she could have sworn she heard someone shout ‘see ya!’ but she could not be sure. What was sure was the cat was gone.

Korin was gone.

Verlate had spent only a short part of her life with the strange cat. In it, she had learned some basic riddle-making techniques. It was interesting to her, now piecing it together with his last bit of information. If she were to switch bodies with a creature coming in – though she was not even sure such a thing was doable in its own right – she would have to first get their guard down. Make their mind focus on something different. Something like a riddle.

Her own antiquated notions of morality aside, it was a genius plan.

Verlate walked back to her stream and knelt down in it. The waters pooled and swirled at her untimely arrival, but as she became still, so did they. It was unknown how much time she would have to come up with some riddles, but they would have to be good. Things no being could solve easily. They would have to buy her time to switch beings. She could think up the specifics later. For now, she had a concrete, fathomable plan… and it gave her hope. Hope that she would, one day, be free again.

Still, a nagging thought crept into her mind. Verlate couldn’t help but feel that such a trickery was unjust, far more despicable than even what she had done to the Kais. Leaving someone in here for all of time was a fate worse than death. Was she desperate enough to do it? Korin had been okay with it. But should she listen to him?

It did not matter, she thought to herself. Were anyone to come here, she would gauge them and make the decision then.

There would be no point to over-think it.

THE END

Fulfillment Saga
<p style="text-align: center">Much like my grandfather,

<p style="text-align: center">I can write with both hands.

<p style="text-align: center">This was a little skill

<p style="text-align: center">I tried to master

<p style="text-align: center">while taking notes in Biology.

<p style="text-align: center">At the very least,

<p style="text-align: center">it kept me from

<p style="text-align: center">falling asleep in class. <p style="text-align: center">-KidVegeta

A Phone Call From Sour To Prince Concerning The Serious Lack Of Toys To Play With In Prince’s House
<PLANET EARTH>

<MAY 10, 774 AGE>

<THE COUNTRYSIDE>

<CUE Perfect Disguise>

<THE CAMERA PANS OVER THE LANDSCAPE, WHICH IS POCK-MARKED WITH MANY CRATERS; SMOKE IS RISING FROM MANY OF THE HILLS, AND A FEW SMALL FIRES ARE BURNING; THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON THE PLACE WHERE THE Z FIGHTERS WERE DEFEATED; SOME OF THEM ARE WRITHING ABOUT AND GROANING OUT IN PAIN; OTHERS ARE LYING UNCONSCIOUS; REGARDLESS, THE CAMERA SHOWS ALL OF THEM: GOKU, GOHAN, GOTEN, TRUNKS, PICCOLO, ANDROID 18, TIEN, CHIAOTZU, YAMCHA; KRILLIN IS NOT THERE; VEGETA, LEDAS, AND THE BENEFACTOR ARE NOT EITHER>

<THE CAMERA CONTINUES PANNING LEFT; IT COMES TO A STOP AT AN AREA WHERE THE GRASS HAS BEEN BLOWN AWAY; IN THE CENTER OF THIS IS LEDAS, WHO IS LYING ON HIS BACK WITH HIS EYES SHUT; AS THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON HIS DIRTY AND BRUISED FACE, THE BOY OPENS HIS EYES>

<IT IS MORNING>

<LEDAS STANDS UP AND LOOKS AROUND; HE SEES NO ONE NEAR HIM; THE CAMERA PANS BACK FROM HIM, SHOWING THE SCENE FROM BEHIND HIS BACK; HE IS STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF A LARGE CRATER; HE WATCHES AS SOME ASH FALLS AROUND HIM>

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF; GROGGILY> W-what happened…? Where’s everyone?

<HE TAKES TO THE SKY, FLYING TOWARDS THE CITY; HE DOES NOT HAVE HIS AURA AROUND HIM; AS HE GETS CLOSER, HE NOTICES SONIC BOOMS GOING OFF ABOVE THE CITY; HE GOES TOWARDS THAT; AS HE GOES, THE CAMERA LOOKS BELOW HIM AND SHOWS MANY DEEP GASHES IN THE GROUND, WHICH SHOW THAT LOTS OF ENERGY ATTACKS HAVE BEEN USED IN THE VICINITY>

<END OF Perfect Disguise>

<SCENE CHANGE>

<THE BENEFACTOR FLIES TOWARDS VEGETA; VEGETA, WHO IS IN SUPER SAIYAN 3, DODGES THE ATTACK, FLIPPING OVER THE ALIEN AND THEN LUNGING AT HIS BACK WITH A HIGH KICK; THE BENEFACTOR IS THROWN FORWARD; JUST AS HE TURNS AROUND, VEGETA SHOOTS A ONE-HANDED GALICK GUN IN HIS FACE; THE BENEFACTOR BATS THIS OUT OF THE WAY AND DIVES AT HIS FOE>

<THE TWO TRADE BLOWS, THOUGH ONLY A FEW HIT; EACH ONE THAT DOES, HOWEVER, CREATES A MASSIVE SONIC BOOM; THE CITIES BELOW START SHAKING AND MANY WINDOWS ARE BLOWN OUT; VEGETA TELEPORTS BEHIND THE BENEFACTOR AND HITS HIM DOWN INTO THE CITY; THE BENEFACTOR SLAMS THROUGH SEVERAL BUILDINGS BEFORE HITTING THE GROUND; AS HE LOOKS UP, VEGETA IS ALREADY ON HIM; VEGETA SHOOTS A FLURRY OF ENERGY INTO THE BENEFACTOR’S FACE; THE BENEFACTOR IS NOW BLEEDING>

<THE ALIEN HIGH-JUMPS THEN COMES SCREAMING DOWN ONTO VEGETA’S HEAD; AT THE SAME TIME, HE THROWS AN IMPALEMENT BEAM AT VEGETA; THIS CUTS VEGETA’S ARM, CAUSING HIM TO STAGGER BACK; THE BENEFACTOR PRESSES HIS ADVANTAGE BY ATTACKING VEGETA WITH A FLURRY ATTACK WITH HIS CLAWS AND TAIL>

<VEGETA JUMPS BACK, THEN RAMS HIMSELF FORWARD INTO THE BENEFACTOR’S BODY; THE TWO TRADE BLOWS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AS THEY TUMBLE INTO THE STREET; THEN, THE BENEFACTOR PUNCHES VEGETA OFF OF HIM; HE TRIES TO KICK THE STUNNED SAIYAN, BUT VEGETA BLOCKS IT WITH A KICK OF HIS OWN; HE QUICKLY BACKHANDS THE BENEFACTOR>

<THE BENEFACTOR RETALIATES HITTING VEGETA WITH HIS TAIL; HE FLIPS TOWARDS THE SAIYAN, SHOOTING OFF SMALL ENERGY BURSTS AS HE DOES; AS VEGETA BLOCKS THEM, THE BENEFACTOR IS FREE TO HIT HIM IN THE GUT; THEN, THE BENEFACTOR GRABS VEGETA BY THE HAIR AND SLAMS HIS FACE INTO THE GROUND; HE REPEATEDLY BASHES VEGETA LIKE THIS UNTIL THE PRINCE SHOOTS A SMALL BEAM INTO THE BENEFACTOR’S SIDE; THIS CAUSES THE ALIEN TO DROP HIM AND FALL TO THE GROUND; VEGETA PRESSES HIS BOOT TO THE BENEFACTOR’S NECK AND PREPARES AN ENERGY BEAM>

<THE BENEFACTOR TAKES OUT HIS KNIFE AND PLUNGES ITS BLADE INTO VEGETA’S LEG; VEGETA YELLS OUT AND FALLS OFF OF THE BENEFACTOR; HE STUMBLES BACKWARDS, BUT QUICKLY REGAINS HIS FOOTING; LOOKING DOWN AT HIS BLOODY WOUND, HE QUICKLY CAUTERIZES IT AND THEN LOOKS BACK UP TO HIS FOE>

Vegeta: <GROWL> Enough! It’s time to throw out the space trash!

<HE CREATES AN EXPLOSIVE WAVE; THE BENEFACTOR IS THROWN BACK BY THIS; AS HE GOES TO STAND UP, VEGETA IS ALREADY SHOOTING ENERGY AT HIM; THE BENEFACTOR SKIDS UPWARDS AND RUNS FROM THE BLASTS; VEGETA TEARS THROUGH BUILDINGS AS HE TRACKS THE CREATURE; THE BENEFACTOR SHOOTS A FEW SMALL BLASTS AT VEGETA, BUT THEY DO NOT DO MUCH DAMAGE; SUDDENLY, HOWEVER, VEGETA STOPS FIRING, ALLOWING THE BENEFACTOR TO GET TO COVER>

Vegeta: <LOOKING AT HIS SHRINKING AURA; OUT OF BREATH> What’s going on? Why is my power going down?

<HE LOOKS UP JUST IN TIME TO SEE THE BENEFACTOR CHARGING UP A LARGE ENERGY BLAST; HE FIRES IT JUST AS VEGETA YELLS OUT AND BEGINS TO CONJURE UP ENERGY OF HIS OWN; VEGETA SHOOTS A STREAM OF ENERGY FROM BOTH HANDS TO STOP THE RED BEAM; SCREAMING PEOPLE RUN BY THEM AS THIS BEAM STRUGGLE GOES ON>

<VEGETA IS ABLE TO STAY THE BLAST, THOUGH HE IS UNABLE TO GAIN THE ADVANTAGE; EVEN AS HE CONTINUES TO THROW BLAST AFTER BLAST AGAINST THE BENEFACTOR’S, IT DOESN’T MOVE IT; RUNNING OUT OF ENERGY, VEGETA FALTERS AND THE BEAM BREAKS THROUGH HIS DEFENSES, FLYING TOWARDS HIM; IT HITS HIM IN A SPECTACULAR EXPLOSION, WHICH DESTROYS ALL OF THE NEARBY BUILDINGS AS WELL>

<AS THE SMOKE CLEARS, VEGETA IS DAMAGED; THE TOP OF HIS JUMPSUIT IS BLOWN OFF; HE IS STILL IN SUPER SAIYAN 3, HOWEVER>

<HE ATTACKS THE BENEFACTOR, WHO WAS WATCHING FROM ABOVE, WITH A SUDDEN TELEPORT-STRIKE; THE BENEFACTOR EVADES THIS WITH A TELEPORT OF HIS OWN; VEGETA GOES TO ATTACK AGAIN, BUT THE BENEFACTOR BLOCKS IT WITH A KICK; AS THE ALIEN SPINS OVER VEGETA’S HEAD, HE TRIES TO PUNCH THE PRINCE, BUT VEGETA SLIPS OUT OF THE WAY; HE TRIES TO FIRE A MEDIUM-SIZED ENERGY BLAST AT THE BENEFACTOR, BUT THE BENEFACTOR LEANS BACK TO MISS IT; THE BENEFACTOR THEN LUNGES WITH HIS RIGHT FIST; VEGETA THROWS ALL HIS WEIGHT TO HIS LEFT SHOULDER TO EVADE IT; YET AS HE DOES SO, THE BENEFACTOR SHOOTS AT HIS NEW POSITION WITH A ONE-HANDED ENERGY BALL IN HIS LEFT HAND; VEGETA TELEPORTS TO EVADE THIS; HE REAPPEARS ABOVE THE BENEFACTOR, ATTEMPTING TO CLUB THE ALIEN DOWNWARD; THE BENEFACTOR TELEPORT-EVADES THIS AS WELL; AS HE REAPPEARS BEHIND VEGETA, HE ATTEMPTS TO PUNCH THE PRINCE, BUT WHAT HE PUNCHES IS JUST AN AFTERIMAGE>

<VEGETA LANDS ON THE GROUND ON ONE KNEE; HE SMIRKS BEFORE STANDING UP AND LOOKING AT THE FLOATING ALIEN>

Vegeta: You’re a slippery one, aren’t you?

The Benefactor: <LANDING A FEW FEET FROM VEGETA> I could say the same of you.

Vegeta: Hmph. You can say whatever you want. <THE SCREEN MOVES LOWER, SHOWING VEGETA’S HANDS; IN THEM, BLUE ENERGY BALLS ARE FORMING> But you’re still going to lose. Take this!

<HE THROWS THE ENERGY AT THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR RETALIATES BY SHOOTING A TON OF ENERGY BACK AT VEGETA; THEY BOTH STAY IN PLACE AS THIS HAPPENS, BEING HIT BY NUMEROUS ATTACKS; THE CITY EXPLODES AROUND THEM; THE FIRES AND SMOKE OVERTAKE THE TWO FIGURES AS THEY CONTINUE TO SHOOT>

<SCENE CHANGE>

<POLICE CHIEF NAGAMO IS STANDING ON TOP OF A POLICE CAR, FLANKED BY TWO OFFICERS; MORE POLICEMEN ARE BELOW HIM; HE HAS A MICROPHONE>

Police Chief Nagamo: <HINT OF DISTRESS> Please, everyone form orderly lines! Don’t panic! We’ll all get out of here if we stick to the plan! I have numerous officers to assist you if you need any help. But please, keep moving. The explosions are getting closer! Let’s go!

<THE PEOPLE ARE AGITATED AND BUMP AND SHOVE ONE ANOTHER AS THEY RUN PAST NAGAMO; THE POLICE OFFICERS TRY TO CONTAIN THEM, BUT THEY AREN’T REALLY ABLE TO; MEANWHILE, EXPLOSIONS ARE GOING OFF AROUND THEM; SOME BUILDINGS ARE COLLAPSING TO THE RIGHT SIDE, CAUSING PEOPLE TO SCREAM AND FLEE TOWARDS NAGAMO>

<EVEN AS NAGAMO CONTINUES TALKING, HE NOTICES THE FIGURE OF CARDINAL COME WALKING UP TO HIM FROM THE LEFT SIDE; CARDINAL TAPS HIM ON THE SHOULDER, CAUSING THE BALDING CHIEF TO SPIN AROUND AND LOOK AT HIM>

Police Chief Nagamo: Cardinal? What are you doing here? <HE JUMPS OFF THE POLICE CAR AS THE LAST PEOPLE RUN BY; HE MOTIONS TO HIS TWO GUARDS> You two, head up the rear. We’ll be right behind you. <TURNING BACK TO CARDINAL> This is no time for talk! We are in the middle of a–

Cardinal: <HOLDS UP HIS HAND; HE LOOKS IMPATIENT AND ANGRY> I need your personal helicopter. Take me to it now.

Police Chief Nagamo: What?! Now?! The city’s collapsing! We won’t make it to the station in time.

Cardinal: Then drive me there. I need to go see what happened to my men.

Police Chief Nagamo: I…

<POLICE CHIEF NAGAMO TRAILS OFF AS HE SEES SOMEONE COME OUT OF THE SMOKE AND WALK TOWARDS HIM; IT IS A SOLDIER CLAD IN HEAVY MILITARY GARB; HIS FACE IS CLEAN-SHAVEN, ALBEIT BLOODIED, AND HE HAS A PISTOL IN HIS RIGHT HAND; HE IS DRAGGING SOMETHING IN HIS LEFT HAND, THOUGH IT CANNOT BE MADE OUT WHAT THAT IS>

<AS THIS MAN GETS TO NAGAMO, HE CASUALLY SHOOTS THE POLICE CHIEF IN THE HEAD; NAGAMO HAS NO TIME TO REACT, MAINLY BECAUSE HE DOES NOT EXPECT SUCH AN OCCURRENCE; HE IS DEAD BEFORE HE HITS THE GROUND; CARDINAL RECOILS SLIGHTLY AS HE SEES THIS; BUT THEN HE TURNS TO THE SOLDIER AND BECOMES MORE COMPOSED>

Cardinal: <INCREDULOUSLY> What are you doing, soldier?

Wisconsin: That’s private Wisconsin to you, sir. But there isn’t much time to talk, I’m afraid.

<A LARGE EXPLOSION GOES OFF NEARBY, SENDING A CAR INTO THE AIR; THE TWO RETREAT FARTHER BACK>

Cardinal: Where’s Silver? Where’s the rest of the Red Ribbon Army?

Wisconsin: <SARCASTIC> Were you coming to look for us, sir?

Cardinal: As a matter of fact, I was. The comms are dead. I didn’t know what happened.

Wisconsin: <COCKING HIS HEAD> Nothing good, that’s for sure. But at least I got something out of it. Look. <HE RAISES HIS OTHER HAND, SHOWING THE CRUMPLED FIGURE OF RYORI> This kid’s our ticket for victory. <CARDINAL GOES TO RESPOND, BUT ANOTHER EXPLOSION GOES OFF EVEN CLOSER TO THEM; WISCONSIN GRABS CARDINAL BY THE SHOULDER AND FORCES HIM TO TURN AROUND; THE TWO OF THEM RUN OUT OF THERE> Come on, sir. Let’s get out of here.

<THE CAMERA ZOOMS OUT AS CARDINAL AND WISCONSIN RUN AWAY; EVENTUALLY, IT SETTLES ON THE BODY OF NAGAMO, WHOSE HEAD IS STILL BLEEDING; HIS EYES ARE WIDE OPEN; ANOTHER EXPLOSION GOES OFF, THIS TIME CONSUMING THE CAMERA’S VISION>

<SCENE CHANGE>

<LEDAS COMES INTO VIEW; HE WATCHES AS THE BENEFACTOR AND VEGETA DUEL, SHOOTING ENERGY AT ONE ANOTHER AND TEARING APART THE CITY; JUST AS LEDAS GETS CLOSE, HE SEES VEGETA SUDDENLY STOP FIRING AND FALL TO HIS KNEES; THEN, VEGETA REVERTS TO HIS BASE FORM; HE IS CONSUMED BY THE BENEFACTOR’S ATTACKS AND THROWN LIKE A RAGDOLL>

Vegeta: <THROUGH SEETHING TEETH; GENUINELY SCARED> No! This can’t be happening! I can’t maintain the form! <HE LOOKS UP AT THE BENEFACTOR, WHO IS CLOSING IN ON HIM; HE GOES SUPER SAIYAN 1 – THE ONLY FORM HE CAN MAINTAIN AT HIS CURRENT POWER – AND THEN FLIES OFF AS FAST AS HE CAN> I need to get my energy back. Bah, where’s that stupid Namekian kid when I need him?!

<THE BENEFACTOR PURSUES HIM AS HE FLIES AWAY; LEDAS WATCHES THEM GO>

Ledas: <STRETCHES HIS HAND OUT AFTER VEGETA; QUIETLY> Vegeta, wait! <BUT VEGETA DOES NOT, OF COURSE; LEDAS SIGHS> I wish I was strong enough to help. But I’m so tired. If only Korin had given me more of those beans…

<LEDAS BOWS HIS HEAD>

Raven Veins
<A QUICK SCENE IS SHOWN OF VEGETA FLEEING THE BENEFACTOR; HE FLIES THROUGH THE CITY STREETS; THE BENEFACTOR WATCHES HIM GO FOR A MOMENT, THEN STARTS SHOOTING PURPLE ENERGY AFTER THE PRINCE; VEGETA DODGES THESE ATTACKS, AS THEY AREN’T VERY POWERFUL AND MANY OF THEM HIT THE BUILDINGS AND STREETS ANYWAY>

<SEEING NONE OF THE BLASTS CONNECT, THE BENEFACTOR GROWLS, BRINGS HIS DARK AURA UP AROUND HIM, AND SHOOTS AFTER VEGETA>

<CUTS TO CARDINAL>

<EXPLOSIONS ARE STILL GOING OFF IN THE CITY; WISCONSIN AND CARDINAL DODGE THEM AND RUN INTO AN ALLEY; CARDINAL IS BREATHING HEAVILY; HE BENDS OVER AND HOLDS HIS HAND, CAUSING WISCONSIN TO STOP>

Cardinal: <BREATHING HARD> Hold up, private… I’m not as young as I used to be. I can’t keep going on like this. <HE BREATHES HEAVILY FOR A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE SPEAKING AGAIN> But the explosions haven’t quite reached us… so we can afford a moment’s rest.

Wisconsin: We are in danger as long as we stay here!

Cardinal: <COLLECTING HIMSELF> Be that as it may–

Wisconsin: No, we have to go now! Come on, get up! I’m not about to let either of us die.

<WISCONSIN MOVES TO CARDINAL, SHOVING HIM UP; CARDINAL GRASPS ONTO WISCONSIN’S ARM TO NOT FALL OVER; AS THIS HAPPENS, ANOTHER EXPLOSION GOES OFF THAT THROWS THEM FORWARD; WISCONSIN LETS GO OF RYORI TO GRAB CARDINAL, WHICH PREVENTS THE BOTH OF THEM FROM FALLING OVER>

<AS HE DOES THIS, RYORI SUDDENLY SPRINGS UP AND RUNS OFF OUT OF THE ALLEY AND BACK INTO THE MAIN STREET; WISCONSIN ONLY SEES HIM AFTER A FEW SECONDS; HE ROARS AND SHOOTS HIS PISTOL AT THE BOY, BUT RYORI IS TOO FAR AWAY, AND ALL OF THE SHOTS MISS>

Wisconsin: Damnit! <HE SPINS BACK TO CARDINAL> Come on, sir! We need to go get him! <HE GOES TO RUN OFF, BUT CARDINAL DOES NOT FOLLOW HIM> What are you waiting for?

Cardinal: <BOWS HIS HEAD; DEFEATED TONE> Let him go.

Wisconsin: <ASTONISHED> What?!

Cardinal: Even with him as a captive, we wouldn’t be able to hold off the other one. That alien is too powerful for any of us to handle. He would kill us long before we could give him even a scratch. <HE LOOKS UP> This war is over; we have lost it. Those boys are no longer our concern.

Wisconsin: He killed your son! And you’re letting him get away?! <HE POUNDS HIS CHEST AND LETS SPIT FLY> I’m the only soldier left! Me! I’m the one who survived! And I’m the only one who can make him pay for what he did to General Silver! <HE RUNS OFF AFTER RYORI, ABANDONING CARDINAL>

Cardinal: <GRAVE; VOICE WAVERING; IN A WHISPER> He killed my son? Oh, god!

<HE STARTS SHAKING; HE HAS TO HOLD ONTO THE SIDE OF THE NEAREST BUILDING SO AS TO NOT FALL OVER; DEBRIS FALLS FROM THE BUILDING AND A GREAT CREAKING CAN BE HEARD; CARDINAL PAYS LITTLE ATTENTION TO THIS, HOWEVER>

<EVERYTHING GOES NUMB FOR CARDINAL; HE SLOWLY WALKS OUT OF THE ALLEY, BACK INTO THE STREET; A SLEW OF EXPLOSIONS GO OFF AHEAD OF HIM; HE WATCHES AS ONE GRAZES WISCONSIN, WHO WAS RUNNING DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET; IT SENDS HIM FLYING BACK TOWARDS CARDINAL; ONCE HE LANDS, HE DOES NOT GET UP>

Cardinal: <DAZED; TEARY-EYED> Silver… my son. <HE REACHES WISCONSIN> Furry was right. We can do nothing. <HE LOOKS DOWN AT WISCONSIN, WHO IS STRUGGLING> The Red Ribbon Army is finished.

Wisconsin: <LOOKING UP AT CARDINAL; HE HOLDS HIS HAND UP> S-sir… help me…

Cardinal: <HE LOOKS DOWN AT WISCONSIN WITH HIS EYES STILL TEAR-DRENCHED; HE NOTICES WISCONSIN’S PISTOL LYING NEXT TO HIM> It dies with you, private.

<HE REACHES DOWN; HOWEVER, THE NEXT FRAME SHOWS THAT HE DOES NOT GRASP WISCONSIN’S HAND, INSTEAD GRABBING THE PISTOL; HE POINTS IT AT WISCONSIN, WHOSE BLOODY AND BURNT FACE CONTORTS INTO HORROR; CARDINAL FIRES THE SHOT, AND IT HITS WISCONSIN JUST ABOVE THE BRIDGE OF THE NOSE; THE PRIVATE FALLS OVER DEAD; CARDINAL THROWS THE PISTOL DOWN>

<JUST AS HE DOES SO, THE BUILDING TO THE RIGHT OF HIM CREAKS EVEN LOUDER; TURNING TO FACE IT, HE SEES A LARGE GASH IN IT; THE UPPER FLOORS ARE COLLAPSING ONTO ONE ANOTHER, AND AT THE POINT OF THE GASH, THE DEBRIS ARE FALLING OUT; AS CARDINAL WATCHES, THE ENTIRE BUILDING SUDDENLY LURCHES AND COLLAPSES; HE SHIELDS HIS FACE AS ASH AND SMOKE AND DEBRIS FLY TOWARDS HIM; ABOVE CARDINAL, ANOTHER BUILDING IS LEANING; IT BEGINS TO FALL OVER, RIGHT ABOVE HIM, THOUGH HE DOESN’T SEE IT>

<JUST BEFORE EVERYTHING HITS CARDINAL, THE CAMERA CUTS TO KRILLIN; HE IS FLYING FASTER THAN THE WINDS TO THE LOOKOUT IN ORDER TO GET DENDE TO COME AND HEAL EVERYONE>

<HE IS NEAR THE CITY WHEN HE NOTICES A SMALL BLUE DOT; IT IS SHINING FROM THE SUN’S RAYS HITTING IT; NOTICING THE GLEAM, KRILLIN APPROACHES IT; HE SEES, AS WE THE AUDIENCE DO, THAT THIS IS YAJIROBE, THE THANKLESS DELIVERER OF SENZU BEANS>

<KRILLIN’S FACE HAS BEEN WORRIED AND ANXIOUS THROUGHOUT HIS FLIGHT, BUT AT THE SIGHT OF THIS CAR, HE GIVES THAT UP FOR A SMILE; WITH HIS HAND OUT OVER HIS EYEBROWS, SHIELDING HIS EYES FROM THE SUN, KRILLIN DASHES UP TOWARD THE BLUE CAR>

<FLYING IN THE CAR IS YAJIROBE; HIS HAIR IS BLOWING BACK BEHIND HIM BECAUSE HE IS DRIVING REAL FAST>

<KRILLIN JUMPS INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE CAR; YAJIROBE IS NOT SURPRISED AT ALL BY THIS SUDDEN NEW PASSENGER IN HIS RIDE; AS WELL, YAJIROBE DOES NOT LOOK AT HIM>

Krillin: <STARTING CONVERSATION IMMEDIATELY> Haha, Yajirobe! What are you doing here? Didja bring us some senzu beans?

Yajirobe: Hmph. That’s all you ever call me for. You and your stupid beans. <TONE RISING> I’ve had it about up to here with being your delivery boy.

Krillin: <NERVOUS SMILE> Well… uh… that is why you came, right?

Yajirobe: Yeah, whatever. I’m givin’ the beans to Goku. <POINTS BEHIND HIM, INTO THE OPEN BACK SEATS> They’re back there somewhere. Sheesh. Stupid little… <MUMBLES OFF INTO INCOHERENCY>

<KRILLIN RUMMAGES AROUND, THEN FINDS THE BAG; IT IS LOADED WITH SENZU BEANS; HE PLACES IT UP ON THE FRONT SEAT WITH HIM, THEN HE GOES BACK TO LOOKING AROUND>

<BEING STILL WEARY HIMSELF, KRILLIN TAKES A SENZU BEAN OUT OF THE BAG AND EATS IT, WHILE HE IS STILL TURNED BACKWARDS; THERE ARE AT LEAST 100 BEANS IN IT, SO THIS IS NOT REALLY A WASTE>

Krillin: <STOPS RUMMAGING> Wow, Yajirobe have you been adding spices to these? That one tasted like cinnamon!

Yajirobe: <EMBARRASSED; BUT KEEPS HIS EYES FORWARD AND CONTINUES TO DRIVE> N-no…

<KRILLIN NOTICES SOMETHING ELSE IN THE BACK OF THE CAR; HE BRINGS UP THE THING THAT KORIN THREW INTO THE CAR AT THE END OF THE LAST SAGA; IT IS THE PYRAMID THING; THIS IS THE SAME DEVICE THAT OPENED EARLIER WHEN GUVA WAS PLAYING WITH IT ON KORIN TOWER; IT LOOKS VERY OLD, AND THERE ARE MARKINGS COVERING ALL OF ITS SIDES>

Krillin: <TURNS HIS HEAD BACK TO HIS DRIVER> Hey-a, Yajirobe… what’s this?

<YAJIROBE CASUALLY LOOKS BACK THROUGH HIS REAR VIEW MIRROR; UPON SEEING WHAT KRILLIN IS HOLDING, HE FREAKS OUT, THEN LETS GO OF THE WHEEL; THIS SENDS THE CAR INTO A WOBBLED FREEFALL; KRILLIN DROPS THE ANTIQUE; BOTH OF THEM START SHOUTING AND FLAILING ABOUT; BUT AFTER A SECOND OR TWO, YAJIROBE REGAINS A BIT OF HIS COMPOSURE, AND FLIPS THE CAR BACK RIGHT; HE THEN SKIDS DOWN AND CATCHES THE FALLING PYRAMID THING IN HIS LAP; HE RETURNS THE CAR BACK UP INTO THE AIR TO CONTINUE FLYING; THE SENZU BEANS HAVE SPILLED OUT OF THE BAG AND ARE NOW ALL OVER THE PLACE>

Yajirobe: <WITH CONTEMPT> You idiot! Do you have any idea what that old cat would do to me if he found out you broke that?!

Krillin: But, uh, Yajirobe… how would he know I did it? You’re the one driving…

Yajirobe: … CUZ I’LL TELL HIM YOU DID IT, THAT’S WHY!!

Krillin: <ARGUING RIGHT BACK; WITTY> Well maybe if you weren’t such a terrible driver, I wouldn’t have dropped it.

Yajirobe: Hey, I outta throw you out for that!

Krillin: <WISELY> This isn’t even your car, Yajirobe… <KNOWING THAT YAJIROBE REALLY COULDN’T DO ANYTHING TO THROW HIM OUT, KRILLIN GOES TO PICK UP THE SENZU BEANS> Hey, you spilled all the senzu beans too…

<YAJIROBE GRUMBLES, BUT DOES NOT RESPOND; HE PUTS HIS FOOT ON THE PEDAL AND STARTS GOING EVEN FASTER; THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO SHAKE, MAKING IT HARDER FOR KRILLIN TO LOCATE THE SENZU BEANS, AS THEY ROLL UNDER THE SEATS>

<KRILLIN NOTICES, RATHER QUICKLY>

Krillin: Hey, slow down Yajirobe! I need to grab the beans you spilled. We’re gonna need a lot of them.

Yajirobe: Gah, don’t you ever shut up?

<KRILLIN DOESN’T LISTEN; HE STARTS PILING THE SPILLED BEANS INTO THE BAG AGAIN; THE BAG IS SITTING BETWEEN YAJIROBE AND KRILLIN>

Krillin: <TWISTS BACK AROUND, THROWING A HANDFUL INTO THE BAG> This should be enough. We have to get a senzu bean to 18 now. She was hurt pretty bad last time I saw her.

Yajirobe: Nuh uh. I’m takin’ ‘em to Goku.

Krillin: <A BIT ANGRY> Goku’s hurt too, but it didn’t look like it was as bad. We have to give one to her first. I mean, she’s my wife, my soul-mate, my… <CONTINUES TALKING ABOUT HOW PERFECT ANDROID 18 IS IN THE BACKGROUND>

Yajirobe: <STILL WITH THAT AIR OF ANNOYANCE> I bet she’s fine. Women these days can’t take any pain. They break a nail, they need a senzu bean. They scratch their arm, they need a senzu bean. They get lost in the forest, they need a senzu bean. Hmph. Just let them deal with it.

Krillin: <CONTINUING HIS OWN SPEECH, NOT LISTENING TO THE OTHER GUY> … if I could ever find anyone else? She’s perfect. We were made for each other!

Yajirobe: <CAREFULLY> Besides, that 18 girl is android or something. They have robot stuff inside ‘em to make ‘em survive anything. Maybe that’s why she has such big–

Krillin: I’ll find her myself, then. Give me the senzu beans, Yajirobe!

<SENSING A THIEF, YAJIROBE DEFTLY SNATCHES UP THE BAG OF SENZUS; HE PLACES IT IN HIS SHIRT; KRILLIN DIVES AT THE WHEEL, AND THE TWO GET INTO A MINOR SCUFFLE OVER THE SENZUS; KRILLIN IS TRYING TO RIP THEM OUT OF YAJIROBE’S SHIRT>

<THEY CONTINUE SCUFFLING ABOUT WHEN A SHADOW FALLS OVER THEM, AND THEY STOP; YAJIROBE ALSO STOPS THE CAR; YAJIROBE LOOKS UP AND GOES WHITE>

<FLOATING BEFORE THEM IS VEGETA>

<VEGETA HAS DRIED BLOOD IN LINES DOWN HIS NECK, CHEST, AND ALL OVER HIS ARMS; THE TOP HALF OF HIS SHIRT IS BLOWN OFF; HE IS HOLDING ONE BRUISED SHOULDER WITH A GLOVED HAND; HE IS IN SUPER SAIYAN 1>

<HE GLARES AT THE TWO NITWITS>

Krillin: Ve-vegeta… what happened to you?!

Vegeta: <GRITTED WHISPER> Shut up.

Krillin: Uh…

Vegeta: The beans. <YAJIROBE IS PETRIFIED; SLOWLY> The beans, you fool.

Yajirobe: W-w-w-what beans?

<VEGETA LOWERS HIS LEFT HAND IN AN OPEN HAND AND PRESENTS IT TO YAJIROBE AS IF EXPECTING THE GOOD SAMURAI TO INSTANTANEOUSLY POUR BEANS INTO IT>

Vegeta: <SLOW DRAMATIC STYLE> The beans you have in your–

<SHOT IS FACING VEGETA, SHOWING HIS FACE AND HIS HAND EXTENDED, EXPECTING THE BEANS; IMMEDIATELY AS HE IS TALKING, YAJIROBE PANICS AND SCREAMS; VEGETA’S PRESENCE SCARES HIM>

Yajirobe: <IN A SQUEAK> Oh, uh, h-here! Take ‘em! <HE PAUSES, TAKING OUT THE POUCH AND SHOVING IT TOWARDS VEGETA> P-please don’t kill me, Vegeta! I’m your biggest fan!

<VEGETA SMIRKS AS HE GOES TO SWIPE THE BAG; JUST AS HE DOES, A BLACK FLASH COMES DOWN ON HIM; THE BENEFACTOR ELBOWS VEGETA IN THE BACK OF THE NECK, CAUSING VEGETA TO SLUMP FORWARD, SEMI-PARALYZED AND SHIVERING IN PAIN; THE BENEFACTOR GRABS PRINCE AROUND THE NECK WITH HIS RIGHT HAND; YAJIROBE AND KRILLIN CAN ONLY WATCH; THE BENEFACTOR LOOKS AT THOSE TWO AND PREPARES A DARK GREEN ENERGY BLAST IN HIS LEFT HAND TO DESTROY THEM>

<CAMERA SWITCHES TO LEDAS; LEDAS HAS FOLLOWED THE BENEFACTOR TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CITY; HE SEES THE BENEFACTOR HOLDING VEGETA>

Ledas: <HE SEES THAT VEGETA IS NOT MOVING> No! You’re not killing Vegeta!

<HE GOES SUPER SAIYAN AND TRIES TO RUSH AT THE BENEFACTOR, DESPITE BEING SO EXHAUSTED; AS HE TRIES TO DO THIS, THE BENEFACTOR’S ENERGY WITHIN HIM WORKS UP AGAIN; HIS VEINS TURN NOTICEABLY BLACK AND HIS EYES GO RED; HE SCREAMS IN PAIN AS HE LOSES CONTROL OVER HIS BODY>

Ledas: W-what’s going on?! Ahh!! <HE SCREAMS OUT IN PAIN> I can’t… control… I can’t… no!!

<HE SUDDENLY STARTS SHOOTING A BUNCH OF ENERGY TOWARDS NOT JUST THE BENEFACTOR, YAJIROBE, AND KRILLIN, BUT AROUND THE ENTIRE CITY; THIS DEMOLISHES MUCH THE CITY, BUT DOES NOT AFFECT THE BENEFACTOR; LEDAS SCREAMS LOUDER AS THIS PROGRESSES>

<THE BENEFACTOR WATCHES THIS FOR A MOMENT, THEN TURNS BACK TO YAJIROBE AND KRILLIN; HE SHOOTS THE SMALL GREEN ENERGY BALL INTO THE HOOD OF YAJIROBE’S CAR, CAUSING IT TO EXPLODE; THE TWO HUMANS SCREAM OUT, BUT THEIR VOICES ARE LOST IN THE FIRE AND SMOKE THAT CONSUMES THE WRECKAGE OF THE CAR AND THEIR BODIES; THE CAR FALLS TO THE GROUND>

<THE BENEFACTOR TURNS BACK TO LEDAS; HE AIR-DASHES TO THE SAIYAN’S POSITION; WITH A SWIFT KICK TO THE FACE, FOLLOWED BY A DEEP PUNCH TO THE PUNCH TO THE GUT AND A CLAW-SLICE TO THE LET CHEEK, HE RENDERS LEDAS UNCONSCIOUS; THEN, HE GRASPS LEDAS BY THE NECK AND PULLS HIM CLOSER FOR INSPECTION>

<HOVERING IN THE AIR, HE HOLDS UP BOTH OF THE SAIYANS IN HIS HANDS>

The Benefactor: Look at us three, back together. But not for long. <HE THROWS VEGETA TO THE SIDE; VEGETA PLUMMETS INTO A CRATER IN THE GROUND AND DOES NOT MOVE> You are the one I want. <HE THRUSTS HIS PALM OUT> It’s time for you to return what you stole from me, thief.

Human Nature
<THE BENEFACTOR LANDS, HOLDING LEDAS STILL BY THE NECK; HE HAS HIS RIGHT HAND THRUST OUT, PALM UP, `TOWARDS LEDAS’ BODY; THE SAIYAN IS STILL UNCONSCIOUS AS HE BEGINS TO PULL ENERGY FROM LEDAS’ BODY; THE BENEFACTOR’S AURA COMES UP AROUND HIM AS HE DOES THIS, BUT NOTHING CAN BE SEEN COMING FROM LEDAS>

<BEHIND THE TWO, PAST THE CRATER WHERE VEGETA LIES, KRILLIN AND YAJIROBE ARE CROUCHED IN THE GRASS; THEY ARE TAKING COVER BEHIND THE SMOLDERING WRECKAGE OF KORIN’S HOVERCAR>

<KRILLIN IS DOWN ON HIS STOMACH, PEERING AROUND THE WRECKAGE TO GLIMPSE AT THE BENEFACTOR; NEXT TO HIM IS YAJIROBE, WHO IS SITTING AND COWERING; AFTER SEEING THAT THE BENEFACTOR HAS HIS BACK TO THEM, KRILLIN CRAWLS BACK OUT OF SIGHT>

Krillin: Whew, he’s not looking for us, at least. Hey Yajirobe, help me gather up some senzus.

<INTO THE GRASS, THE SENZUS HAVE FALLEN; KRILLIN LOOKS AROUND AND STARTS PICKING UP THOSE HE FINDS>

Yajirobe: N-no way!

Krillin: So you’re just gonna sit there, huh?

Yajirobe: <CROSSES HIS ARMS AND LOOKS AWAY> Hmph.

Krillin: <SCOWLING> Whatever. But y’know, this would go a lot faster if you helped me.

<AS SOON AS KRILLIN LOOKS AWAY FROM YAJIROBE, YAJIROBE GIVES UP HIS TOUGH-GUY ATTITUDE AND STARTS SHAKING AGAIN; HE COWERS RIGHT BEHIND THE CAR>

Krillin: <AS HE FINDS MORE SENZUS; HE HAS A HANDFUL NOW> Yajirobe, I’m going to need you to do something for me. <YAJIROBE DOES NOT ANSWER> Yajirobe!

Yajirobe: What?! What do you want now?!

Krillin: I need you to make a distraction so I can get away.

Yajirobe: <INCREDULOUSLY> Are you crazy, man? That monster w-would kill me! You saw what he did to m-my car!

Krillin: We don’t have much choice. I need to get these senzus to Goku and everyone else. Especially 18. And once they’re healed, they can deal with that alien guy.

Yajirobe: No way, dude. I’m not dyin’ today. You do it.

Krillin: I’m the only one who can fly! Besides, you could use your katana.

Yajirobe: Do you want me to get killed?! Gah, you’re worse than that stupid cat.

Krillin: <PLEADING> Yajirobe, we don’t have a lot of options. I–

<KRILLIN IS INTERRUPTED BY A SCREAM UP AHEAD; HE AND YAJIROBE IMMEDIATELY FALL TO THE GROUND; KRILLIN PEERS AROUND THE DESTROYED CAR; AS HE DOES, THE CAMERA ZOOMS AHEAD FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE, SHOWING A CLEARER PICTURE OF LEDAS>

<LEDAS HAS WOKEN UP; HE IS SCREAMING AS THE BENEFACTOR CONTINUES TO RIP ENERGY FROM HIM; THERE ARE DARK LINES FILLING HIS VEINS; HOWEVER, AROUND HIS EYES AND NOSE, THERE IS MUCH BLOOD; HE STRUGGLES AGAINST THE BENEFACTOR, BUT HE IS INEFFECTIVE>

<ENERGY STARTS COMING OFF OF HIS BODY IN SMALL PARTICLES, MUCH LIKE HOW GOKU GATHERS ENERGY FOR HIS SPIRIT BOMB; ALL OF THE ENERGY SLOWLY DRIFTS TOWARDS THE BENEFACTOR’S BODY BEFORE BEING ABSORBED; LEDAS CONTINUES TO THRASH, BUT HE CAN’T DO MUCH>

<SUDDENLY, THE BENEFACTOR DROPS LEDAS; LEDAS FALLS BUT DOES NOT GET UP; HE LIES IN THE GRASS, HIS CHEST HEAVING, CRYING OUT IN PAIN; LIKEWISE, THE BENEFACTOR SUDDENLY SCREAMS OUT IN PAIN; HE HUNCHES FORWARD, HIS ARMS THRUST TO EACH SIDE, AND DISSIPATES HIS AURA; MUCH LIKE WITH LEDAS, THE VEINS IN THE BENEFACTOR’S ARMS ARE NOW PRONOUNCED; THEY ARE DARK AND PROTRUDING; THE BENEFACTOR SHRIEKS AND STARTS SHOOTING ENERGY ALL AROUND>

<LEDAS ROLLS OVER TO HIS STOMACH AND STARTS CRAWLING AWAY AS FAST AS HE CAN; HE DOESN’T GO TOO FAST; LEDAS NOTICES THE WRECKAGE OF THE CAR AHEAD AND HE SEES YAJIROBE PEERING OUT FROM BEHIND IT>

Ledas: <HOARSELY; WEAKLY> Y-y-yajirobe? <HE REACHES HIS HAND OUT TOWARDS THE FAR-OFF SAMURAI> H-help me…

<YAJIROBE DISAPPEARS FOR A MOMENT, THOUGH LEDAS KEEPS HIS ARM RAISED AND DOES NOT MOVE; AFTER A FEW SECONDS, YAJIROBE COMES BACK INTO VIEW; HE THROWS SOMETHING AT LEDAS; LEDAS CATCHES IT WITH HIS OUTSTRETCHED HAND BEFORE DROPPING HIS HEAD INTO THE GRASS IN WEARINESS; BRINGING HIS HAND UP TO HIS EYES, HE SEES THAT HE HE’S HOLDING A SENZU BEAN; LEDAS’ EYES SUDDENLY WIDEN; HE ROLLS ONTO HIS BACK AND GRINS AS HE HOLDS UP THE SMALL BEAN; HE STARTS TO BRING IT TOWARDS HIS MOUTH>

<JUST AT THIS TIME, THE BENEFACTOR COMES INTO VIEW; AT ONCE, HE SHOOTS A FINGER BEAM, DESTROYING THE SENZU BEAN LEDAS WAS HOLDING; THEN, HE GRABS LEDAS BY THE FOOT AND DRAGS HIM TOWARDS HIM>

The Benefactor: Y-you’re not getting away! <HE SCREAMS AGAIN AND DROPS TO A KNEE, EVEN AS HE MAINTAINS A HOLD ON LEDAS> What have you done to me?

Ledas: <SHOCKED> I-I didn’t do anything…

The Benefactor: <SCREAMING LOUDER NOW> Liar! <HE CREATES A SMALL ENERGY BALL AND THEN SHOOTS IT AT LEDAS; LEDAS TAKES THE ATTACK HEAD-ON; HIS FACE IS BLEEDING NOW> You p-poisoned my energy! You tricked me!

<THE BENEFACTOR LETS GO OF LEDAS AND STARTS ROLLING AROUND IN THE GRASS, SCREAMING THE WHOLE WAY; SEVERAL OF HIS VEINS ON HIS ARMS HAVE BURST AND BLOOD IS NOW POURING FROM THEM>

<THE BENEFACTOR ATTEMPTS TO STAND UP, BUT HE CANNOT; IN FRUSTRATION AND PAIN, HE CREATES AN EXPLOSIVE WAVE; THIS THROWS LEDAS’ BODY LIKE A RAGDOLL; AS WELL, IT BLOWS AWAY THE WRECKAGE OF THE CAR; KRILLIN AND YAJIROBE ARE EXPOSED>

<THE BENEFACTOR IS NOW ABLE TO STAND UP; BREATHING HEAVILY, HE LOOKS DOWN AT HIS BLEEDING ARMS; THEN HE LOOKS BACK TO LEDAS AND PREPARES A LARGER BLAST TO KILL THE BOY>

<YAJIROBE STAYS COWERING IN THE GRASS; HE DOES NOT MOVE; KRILLIN, HOWEVER, JUMPS FORWARD; HE HAS A FIST-FULL OF SENZU BEANS, BUT IN HIS OTHER HAND HE IS READYING SOME ENERGY>

Krillin: <SHOUT> Hey! Over here!

<THE BENEFACTOR SUDDENLY LOOKS UP FROM LEDAS AND FOCUSES IN ON THE HUMAN>

<CUTS TO RYORI>

<A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE ARE SIFTING THROUGH THE RUBBLE OF THE CITY; OTHERS ARE CARRYING OUT BODIES; THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON A PARTICULAR GROUP; SEVERAL MEN ARE CARRYING TWO STRETCHERS; THEY ARE BEING LED BY A NURSE WITH DYED PINK HAIR; ONE OF THE PEOPLE ON THE STRETCHERS IS AN OLD MAN IN A TATTERED, BLOODY SUIT; THE OTHER IS A BOY>

<CARDINAL IS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE WOUNDED THAN RYORI; BECAUSE OF THIS, HE SIMPLY LIES WHERE HE IS; RYORI, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS CONSCIOUS, THOUGH HE’S NOT TALKING; HE WATCHES AS THEY PULL CARDINAL NEXT TO HIM; RYORI, BEING A SNEAKY BUGGER, GRASPS AT A PIECE OF BROKEN GLASS FROM THE GROUND; NO ONE NOTICES AS HE REELS IT INTO HIS CHEST AND CONCEALS IT THERE>

<THE TWO ARE PUT INTO AN AMBULANCE AS THE NURSE CONTINUES TO WATCH OVER THEM; THEY ARE EACH INJECTED WITH SYRINGES SEVERAL TIMES; AFTER THIS OCCURS, CARDINAL STIRS AWAKE>

Cardinal: <HOARSELY> Where am I?

Nurse Yorokobi: Getting the help you need. You were caught up in that building that collapsed, Mr., uh… <YOROKOBI TRAILS OFF, AS SHE DOESN’T KNOW HIS NAME>

Cardinal: <IN A VERY TIRED VOICE> Cardinal.

Nurse Yorokobi: Mr. Cardinal, of course! But don’t worry, sir. We are going to give you the best care possible. You’ll be out of here in no time!

Cardinal: That’s great, dear. <HE SEES RYORI OPPOSITE HIM; THE BOY IS AWAKE AND STARING AT HIM WITH A LOOK OF ABSOLUTE HATRED> But please, can you give me a moment. Please.

Nurse Yorokobi: Of course, sir.

<NURSE YOROKOBI BOWS AND EXITS>

Cardinal: <HE SIGHS DEEPLY AND FALLS BACK ONTO HIS STRETCHER, LOOKING UP AT THE CEILING OF THE AMBULANCE> I didn’t think I would see you again, here at the end of all things. It’s fitting, don’t you think?

Ryori: <WHISPER> Shut up.

Cardinal: <RECOILING AT RYORI’S LAST SENTENCE> Can we not be gentlemen? <RYORI DOES NOT RESPOND; CARDINAL CLOSES HIS EYES> How did it come to this? What have I done to deserve this?

Ryori: <ANGER SURGING> You know what you did! You killed him! You killed my brother!

Cardinal: <FAKE SURPRISE> What? <HE SITS UP AND STARES AT RYORI, DUMBFOUNDED> Shoekki? I did no such–

Ryori: <SHOUTING> Don’t you say his name!

Cardinal: <WEARILY> It seems like another lifetime that he was part of my operation. But I swear to you, Ryori, I don’t know what happened to him.

Ryori: Yes you do!

Cardinal: Do you even know what he was doing for me? Do you even know why I had him helping me?

Ryori: <SHAKING> No…

Cardinal: He was helping me find the alien. The boy you were friends with. I was called in to deal with him. I was called in to keep all of us safe! <HE POINTS AT HIS CHEST> I am not the enemy! He is! And your brother knew that as well as I do!

Ryori: <HIS HEAD IS BOWED; HE LOOKS UP; IN A WHISPER> All you do is lie.

Cardinal: Your brother was helping me get rid of him. He was a good man. But I know nothing of where he is now. You must believe me.

Ryori: <UNDER HIS BREATH> Never.

<RYORI LAUNCHES HIMSELF AT CARDINAL, ALL TEARY-EYED AND SHOUTING; HE THRUSTS THE BROKEN PIECE OF GLASS INTO CARDINAL’S ARM,, TEARING A LARGE GASH AS HE DOES; CARDINAL YELLS OUT AND BLOOD FLIES EVERYWHERE; RYORI’S FACE IS COVERED IN IT, BUT HE CONTINUES TO STAB CARDINAL>

<IN A MOMENT, YOROKOBI AND OTHER NURSES FLY IN; THEY TRY TO RESTRAIN RYORI, BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO; RYORI STABS CARDINAL’S MANGLED ARM MORE AND MORE; FINALLY, YOROKOBI JUMPS FORWARD AND STABS RYORI’S NECK WITH A SYRINGE; RYORI FALLS OVER, COMPLETELY SEDATED; THE OTHERS RUSH OVER TO CARDINAL, BUT HE’S UNCONSCIOUS; THERE IS BLOOD EVERYWHERE>

<CUTS BACK TO THE BENEFACTOR>

<THE ALIEN LOOKS UP AT KRILLIN JUST IN TIME TO SEE A DESTRUCTO DISK FLYING HIS WAY; HE DODGES OUT OF THE WAY, THOUGH THE ATTACK GRAZES HIM; AS HE LANDS, HE LOOKS UP AND SEES A GROUP OF DESTRUCTO DISKS HEADING HIS WAY; HE SHOOTS A RED ENERGY BLAST AT THEM, DESTROYING THEM; HOWEVER, BEFORE HE CAN EVEN LOWER HIS HAND, KRILLIN JUMPS RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM>

Krillin: Solar Flare!

<A BRIGHT LIGHT SUDDENLY FILLS THE AREA, BLINDING THE BENEFACTOR; BEFORE HE CAN REGAIN HIS SIGHT, KRILLIN IS GONE; AS THE BENEFACTOR CONTINUES TO HOLD HIS EYES, ATTEMPTING TO RE-GAIN HIS SIGHT, LEDAS STARTS TO MOVE BACKWARDS>

<THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT EVEN LOOK TOWARD HIM; HE FALLS TO HIS HANDS AND KNEES, NOT FACING LEDAS; HIS ARMS ARE STILL BLEEDING; LEDAS LOOKS BACK TOWARDS YAJIROBE; THE SAMURAI IS COWERING IN THE GRASS, BEING IN NO MOOD FOR CONVERSATION; AS HE TURNS BACK AROUND, LEDAS SEES THE BENEFACTOR STAND UP>

The Benefactor: <BLINKING FURIOUSLY> To hell with this planet.

<THE BENEFACTOR CREATES A SMALL BLACK ENERGY BALL, LIKE A HOCKEY PUCK, AND DROPS IT ON THE GROUND>

The Door To Nowhere
<THE SCENE OPENS WITH AN AERIAL SHOT LOOKING DOWN AT THE THREE REMAINING CHARACTERS – YAJIROBE, LEDAS, AND THE BENEFACTOR; THE CAMERA LOWERS TO THE GROUND WHILE MAINTAINING FOCUS ON LEDAS>

<LEDAS TURNS AWAY FROM THE BENEFACTOR AND LOOKS AT YAJIROBE>

Ledas: Mr. Yajirobe? Is that really you?

Yajirobe: <SUDDENLY STRAIGHTENING> Oh, uh, hey kid. Whatcha doin’ out here?

Ledas: It doesn’t matter. But you wouldn’t happen to have any more of those beans, would you? I-I kinda need one…

Yajirobe: <MUTTERS TO HIMSELF AS HE HANDS LEDAS A SENZU> Yeah, that’s all you want from me…

Ledas: <EATS IT WITHOUT WAITING> Thanks. Now I gotta deal with that guy.

Yajirobe: <BARELY CONTAINING HIS FEAR> Pfft. In that case, I was just leaving.

The Benefactor: <HEAD BOWED, HE IS KEEPING TO HIMSELF> Useless. <THE OTHER TWO FALL INTO SILENCE> Wastes of flesh…

<HE THROWS AN IMPALEMENT BEAM AT YAJIROBE WHILE NOT LOOKING AT THE SAMURAI; LEDAS CREATES A SHIELD OF KI, WHICH THE IMPALEMENT BEAM BOUNCES OFF OF; HE DISSIPATES THE SHIELD AFTER THE DEFLECTION>

The Benefactor: <SEETHING> You will all die. I have had enough of this game! <HE TURNS AROUND TO FACE THEM> This planet is done. You are done. I’ll destroy everything if I have to. <HE SHOWS LEDAS HIS BLOODY ARMS> I wanted my energy back, but it looks like I can’t absorb any of it back without it nearly killing me. So you have no more use to me. It’s time we end this.

<LEDAS GOES INTO A DEFENSIVE STANCE>

Ledas: I’m not gonna be as easy as before!

The Benefactor: I’m not fighting you. <HE POINTS TO THE BLACK DISC OF ENERGY ON THE GROUND> I have already doomed this planet to destruction.

Ledas: <IN HORROR> What?! No!!

The Benefactor: It’s too late for all of you.

Ledas: <FRANTIC; MUTTERING TO YAJIROBE> Yajirobe, canya help too?! We need to kill him fast and I can’t do it alone!

Yajirobe: <NORMAL VOICE> No way, man! If you wanna go fight and get yourself killed, that’s your problem. Leave me outta it.

Ledas: We’re all gonna die if you don’t help!

Yajirobe: Huh?!

Ledas: At least distract him! <PUSHES YAJIROBE FORWARD> Go on, Mister Yajirobe! Use your sword or something…

<LEDAS PUSHES YAJIROBE FORWARD TOWARD THE BENEFACTOR>

<YAJIROBE’S EYES WIDEN INTO HUGE SAUCERS; HIS HAIR STANDS UP ON END; HE TREMBLES UNCONTROLLABLY; THE BENEFACTOR, WHO HAS GONE BACK TO KNEELING AND INSPECTING HIS OWN WOUNDS, LOOKS UP>

The Benefactor: You really can’t wait to die, can you? <HE STANDS UP AND STARES YAJIROBE DOWN; HE READIES ENERGY IN EITHER HAND> So be it.

Yajirobe: <SCREAMING; TALKING VERY FAST> Oh, uh, please sir, I, uh, I-I didn’t mean to offend ya! I-I’m y-your biggest fan! <YAJIROBE SEES THE ENERGY, THROWS HIS SWORD AWAY, AND DROPS TO HIS KNEES TO BEG> Eek! P-please don’t kill me! I… I don’t wanna die! P-please! I’ll b-be your sidekick if ya want!

The Benefactor: Sidekick? Your groveling is a practiced art. <HE RAISES HIS HANDS, BRINGING THE ENERGY TO YAJIROBE’S FACE>

Yajirobe: <YAJIROBE JUMPS UP, HIS EYES WIDE AND HIS FACE COVERED IN SWEAT> N-n-no! Let me go!

<SUDDENLY FROM BEHIND THE BENEFACTOR, LEDAS COMES DASHING IN; HE IS IN SUPER SAIYAN; HE KICKS THE BENEFACTOR FORWARD, THEN IMMEDIATELY TELEPORTS UP TO HIM AND PULLS HIM TO THE GROUND BY THE BACK OF HIS NECK; HE THEN TELEPORTS IN FRONT OF THE BENEFACTOR AND KICKS THE ALIEN INTO THE GROUND WITH BOTH FEET; AT ONCE, HE HAS A BALL OF LIGHT BLUE ENERGY READY IN HIS FREE HAND, AND HE RELEASES IT INTO THE BODY OF THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR TELEPORTS OUT OF LEDAS’ GRIP, HOWEVER, AND THEN REAPPEARS ABOVE HIM>

The Benefactor: How is your energy restored?

Ledas: <LOOKING UP AT HIM> I know a trick!

The Benefactor: Fool! You are only delaying your death!

<THE ALIEN DASHES AT LEDAS; HE SIDE-KICKS AT THE BOY, BUT THE SAIYAN DODGES IT, HE BRINGS OUT HIS HEEL AND CLUBS IT INTO THE BENEFACTOR’S LEG AS IT SWINGS PAST HIM; IT CONNECTS, AND THE BENEFACTOR FALLS, SIDEWAYS>

<THE BENEFACTOR PUSHES HIMSELF UP OFF THE GROUND AND ROLLS SIDEWAYS; HE GIVES OFF AN ENERGY FLARE, PUSHING IT OUTWARD; LEDAS BLOCKS AGAINST IT, BUT FALLS OVER>

<THE BENEFACTOR POUNCES ON HIM, THROWING ENERGY BLAST AFTER ENERGY BLAST ONTO THE SAIYAN’S BODY; LEDAS IS DEFENSELESS AGAINST SUCH AN ATTACK; LEDAS PUTS UP HIS HANDS IN AN ATTEMPT TO COUNTER-BLAST; THE BENEFACTOR PUTS HIS OWN HANDS AGAINST LEDAS, CAUSING THE BLAST TO BACKFIRE; THIS CREATES A HUGE CRATER IN THE GROUND>

<IN THE BLAST, LEDAS ROLLS AWAY FROM THE ALIEN’S CONTROL AND TAKES TO THE SKY; THE BENEFACTOR IS NOT PLAYING AROUND; HE INSTANTLY FOLLOWS; BEFORE LEDAS CAN GET AWAY, THE BENEFACTOR GRABS HIM BY THE LEG AND PULLS HIM BACK DOWN; THE BENEFACTOR USES THIS OPENING TO LAUNCH A DOUBLE ELBOW ATTACK; IT LANDS, STAGGERING LEDAS AND MAKING THE BOY COUGH UP BLOOD; AN AWKWARD MOMENT LATER, THEY BOTH JUMP BACK TO THEIR FEET AND TAKE OFF FROM THE POSITION; LEDAS IS SLUGGISH>

<LEDAS LOCKS INTO A BLOW EXCHANGE WITH THE BENEFACTOR; THEY RAIN FISTS UPON EACH OTHER WITH QUITE A BIT OF SPEED AND FEROCITY; HOWEVER, AS TIMES GOES ON, LEDAS STARTS TO GET CUTS AND BRUISES ACROSS HIS ARMS AND FACE;THE BENEFACTOR IS NOT GETTING DAMAGED VERY MUCH>

<THE TWO DODGE UP AND DOWN, EVENTUALLY LANDING ONTO THE GROUND; THEY CONTINUE IN THEIR BLOW EXCHANGE FOR SOME TIME, UNTIL, WHILE BACKING UP, THE BENEFACTOR STUMBLES OVER YAJIROBE’S SWORD; THIS GIVES LEDAS AN OPENING TO PUNCH HIM AWAY>

<THE ALIEN PUNCHES INTO THE OPEN AIR AS HE FLIES BACK – JUST AS LEDAS MOVES INTO THAT AREA; THE FIST CONNECTS WITH LEDAS’ COLLARBONE, SHATTERING IT> <WHEN THIS HAPPENS, LEDAS FALLS TO THE GROUND FROM HIS PHYSICAL WOUNDS AND WEARINESS; HIS ENERGY IS DRAINING FAST>

<BEFORE LEDAS CAN DARE DO ANYTHING, THE BENEFACTOR WILD SENSES IN FRONT OF HIM; HE HITS LEDAS WITH BOTH OF HIS PALMS, FACE UP AND OPENED, UNDER THE CHIN; THE SAIYAN REVERTS TO HIS BASE FORM AT THIS, AND HE FALLS OVER, GASPING AND CLUTCHING AT HIS CHEST>

<THE BENEFACTOR ADVANCES OVER LEDAS; HE KNEELS DOWN OVER LEDAS, WHO IS SQUIRMING, WIDE EYES AND ARMS THROWN UP; BUT HE IS PINNED; THE BENEFACTOR HAS THE BOY TRAPPED UNDER HIM>

The Benefactor: Even in my weakened state, I own you.

Ledas: <IN A PAINED SCREAM> Yajirobe, help!

The Benefactor: Shut your mouth!

<THE BENEFACTOR PLACES A HAND OVER LEDAS’ MOUTH AND BEGINS FORMING ENERGY AGAINST LEDAS’ SKIN; LEDAS SCREAMS A MUFFLED SCREAM AND TRIES TO BREAK LOOSE, BUT HE CANNOT>

The Benefactor: I’ll kill you now. This planet still has a few minutes left. <HE LOOKS OVER AT WHERE HE PLACED THE PUCK-SIZED BIT OF ENERGY; THAT ENERGY IS NOW BURNING INTO THE GROUND, CREATING A LARGE CRATER AROUND IT; BLACK FLAMES AND ELECTRICITY CAN BE SEEN AROUND THE CRATER; IT IS JUST TO THE RIGHT OF THE BENEFACTOR> Plenty of time for me to get out of here. But for you, it’s the end of the road, kid. No one’s gonna save you now.

<LEDAS TRIES TO PUSH HIMSELF OFF OF THE BENEFACTOR; THE ALIEN HOLDS HIM IN PLACE, EVEN AS HE CONTINUES TO BURN LEDAS WITH THE FORMING ENERGY; LEDAS SCREAMS LOUDER, CONJURING UP HIS AURA AROUND HIM; ONCE AGAIN, HE GOES SUPER SAIYAN; AT ONCE, HE LOOKS RIGHT INTO THE BENEFACTOR’S EYES; PURPLE ENERGY COMES UP AROUND LEDAS’ EYES, BRIEFLY FILLING THEM WITH THE PERVASIVE LIGHT; THEN, TWO JOLTS OF ENERGY SHOOT FROM LEDAS’ EYES>

<FOR A SECOND, THERE IS NO SOUND; THEN, THE BENEFACTOR HOWLS OUT IN PAIN, WHILE FALLING OFF OF LEDAS; HE CLUTCHES AT HIS EYES, WHERE NOTHING BUT TWO DARK, CAUTERIZED WOUNDS ARE NOW; LEDAS IS TOO WOUNDED TO FINISH HIM OFF; AS SOON AS THE BENEFACTOR FALLS OFF OF HIM, HE RETURNS TO CLUTCHING AT HIS WOUNDS AND BREATHING HEAVILY>

The Benefactor: You wretch!! <HE POUNDS THE GROUND, CREATING A LARGE CRATER> What have you done?!

Ledas: <ATTEMPTING TO STAND UP; IN PAIN> That’s just the start… I haven’t even killed you yet…

The Benefactor: <TREMBLING WITH PAIN AND HATRED> Y-you think you’ve w-won?! Ahh!! <HE LAUNCHES HIMSELF AT LEDAS, KNOCKING THE BOY BACK TO THE GROUND> I don’t need my sight to rip out your throat! And after you, I’ll tear that fat little ingrate limb from limb!

<FROM A FEW METERS AWAY, BEHIND A HILL, YAJIROBE’S HEAD POPS UP; HE HAS RETREATED TO WHERE THE WRECKAGE OF THE CAR IS; THERE ARE A TON OF SENZU BEANS AND THE OTHER CONTENTS OF THE CAR LYING ALL AROUND>

Yajirobe: <FLUSHED WITH ANGER> Hey, I heard that, idiot!

The Benefactor: <EVEN AS HE CLAWS LEDAS AND SLAMS A FIST DOWN ON THE SAIYAN’S NOSE TO BREAK IT> Now the coward speaks! So typical! Your turn will come!

Yajirobe: <RECOILING WITH ANGER> Coward, huh? I’ll show you!

<YAJIROBE LOOKS AROUND FOR SOMETHING TO HURL; HE SEES THE PYRAMID ANTIQUE NEARBY; GRABBING IT, HE LETS OUT A GRUNT AND THEN THROWS IT TOWARDS THE BENEFACTOR; DESPITE YAJIROBE’S RELATIVELY WEAK POWER LEVEL, THE THROW IS ACCURATE AS IT IS QUICK; THE POINTED TIP OF THE SMALL BOX SOON CONNECTS WITH THE BENEFACTOR’S SKULL; THE LOUD THUD CRACKS LOUDLY OVER THE BLOWING WIND>

<THIS CAUSES THE BENEFACTOR TO FLY OFF OF LEDAS, LANDING A METER OR SO AWAY; THOUGH THE ACTUAL ACT OF THROWING IT DID LITTLE TO DAMAGE HIM, THE MERE FORCE OF IT WAS ENOUGH TO MAKE HIM FALL OFF>

<LEDAS SITS UP BUT IS TOO WEAK TO IMMEDIATELY RETALIATE; HE FEELS HIS BRUISED NOSE AND GRIMACES>

<THE PYRAMID LANDS ONTO THE GROUND, POSITIONED STRAIGHT UP; AFTER CONNECTING WITH THE BENEFACTOR, IT OPENS, FROM THE TIP ON TOP; IT SPREADS OUT WITH EACH OF ITS FOUR SIDES FALLING OUT AND DOWN ONTO THE GROUND>

<A GREAT WHITE LIGHT ENGULFS THE PLAINS; AS THIS OCCURS, A SWIFT WIND PICKS UP; YAJIROBE IS UNACCUSTOMED TO SUCH A BRIGHTNESS AND FALLS BACK TO SHIELD HIS EYES; LEDAS WATCHES, SQUINTING HIS EYES AS HIS HAIR BLOWS AROUND>

<THE BLIND BENEFACTOR SITS UP AND COCKS HIS HEAD AROUND, SENSING FOR LEDAS’ PRESENCE>

The Benefactor: <HISS> What was that you threw, worm?!

<BUT AS THE BENEFACTOR GOES TO STAND UP, THE WIND OVERTAKES HIM, SUCKING HIM TOWARDS THE BOX; HE YELLS OUT AND DIGS HIS CLAWS INTO THE GROUND, BUT THIS DOESN’T STOP HIM FROM FLYING BACKWARDS; AT THE LAST MOMENT, JUST BEFORE HE GOES INTO THE BOX, THE BENEFACTOR BRINGS UP HIS AURA AROUND HIM, BRINGING HIMSELF TO FULL POWER; HE BRIEFLY IS ABLE TO STOP THE THING FROM SUCKING HIM IN; THE BLACK BIT OF ENERGY HE CREATED EARLIER FLIES OFF THE GROUND AND GOES INTO THE BOX; AS IT DOES, THE CAMERA WATCHES IT; THE SMALL DISC DISSOLVES AS IT ENTERS THE LIGHT>

<THE BENEFACTOR’S AURA EXPLODES; THE FLOATING ENERGY AROUND HIM IS SUCKED INTO THE BOX; HE SCREAMS OUT IN PAIN AS THE BLOOD FROM HIS OPEN WOUNDS ALSO GETS SUCKED IN; HE STAGGERS FORWARD, BUT THEN HIS KNEES BUCKLE, AND HE FLIES BACK INTO THE LIGHT; IT QUICKLY OVERTAKES HIM, AND HIS FORM VANISHES>

<LEDAS IS ONLY A FEW METERS AWAY; HE WATCHES THE BENEFACTOR GET SUCKED IN; SEEING THAT, HE STANDS UP, BEAMING>

Ledas: Awwright! He’s gone! Thanks, Yajirobe! <HE TURNS HIS HEAD TO SEE WHERE YAJIROBE IS, BUT THE GOOD SAMURAI IS NOWHERE AROUND> So what is that thing? <THERE IS NO RESPONSE> Yajirobe? <HE GOES TO WALK AWAY AND FIND THE HUMAN, BUT AS SOON AS HE TRIES, THE BOX’S SUCKING POWERS PULL AT HIM; HE LOOKS DOWN AT HIS LEGS, WHICH ARE UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD> Huh?! Why’s it still going? <HE TURNS AROUND AND SEES THE DEVICE IS STILL ON> Y-yajirobe! Stop it! Turn it off!

Yajirobe: <APPEARING OUT OF THE GRASS LIKE A PRAIRIE DOG> Huh, what do you want?

Ledas: <FIGHTING AGAINST THE SUCTION> Turn it off! He’s already inside it! I don’t want to go in there!

Yajirobe: <SEES THE BOX OPEN; HE BECOMES POSITIVELY FRIGHTED; IN HIS MIND> Eek! What did I do? The cat will be so mad about this!

Ledas: Hey! I can’t hold on much longer!

Yajirobe: <GATHERING HIMSELF UP> Sorry kid, I can’t help ya!

Ledas: <HORROR-STRUCK> No! You have to!

Yajirobe: <SCRUNCHES UP HIS FACE> Hmph, I don’t wanna get sucked in too.

Ledas: <LOSING HIS FOOTING> Yajirobe!

Yajirobe: Ugh, fine!

<YAJIROBE INCHES UP TO LEDAS WHILE HOLDING OUT HIS SHEATHED KATANA; LEDAS GRABS IT WITH BOTH HANDS EVEN AS THE WIND PICKS UP; IT BLOWS ABOUT HIS HAIR EVEN MORE; THE GREAT FORCE OF IT PULLS YAJIROBE CLOSER TO LEDAS AND THE PYRAMID; AS THIS GOES ON, YAJIROBE DIGS HIS SANDLED FEET INTO THE DIRT; YET AS HE TRIES TO PULL BACK, THE KATANA SLIPS THROUGH HIS GRIP; LEDAS CRIES OUT, BUT HIS VOICE IS MUFFLED BELOW THE ROAR OF THE WIND; AS YAJIROBE LOOKS UP, HE SEES LEDAS, WHO IS STILL CLUTCHING THE KATANA, FLY BACKWARDS>

<THE LIGHT OVERWHELMS HIS SIGHT EVEN MORE; LEDAS IS SUCKED INTO THE PYRAMID COMPLETELY>

<THEN, THE LIGHT GOES OUT AND THE PYRAMID CLOSES; THERE IS COMPLETE SILENCE; THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON THE BOX AND FADES TO BLACK>

Ye Mighty
<CARDINAL IS SHOWN IN A ROOM; HE IS WEARING A HOSPITAL GOWN; HIS RIGHT ARM IS HEAVILY BANDAGED AND HE HAS SEVERAL IV TUBES IN HIS ARMS; EVEN SO, HE IS SITTING ON THE EDGE OF HIS BED, HUNCHED FORWARD; HE LOOKS UP AS NURSE YOROKOBI ENTERS>

Nurse Yorokobi: Oh, it’s… Cardinal, right? I’m glad to see you’re awake! You had us worried there for a while…

Cardinal: <RUBBING HIS FOREHEAD WITH HIS FREE HAND> I’m sure I did, dear.

Nurse Yorokobi: How’s the arm? Still hurting?

Cardinal: I could use some more morphine, if that’s what you’re asking me.

Nurse Yorokobi: <GIGGLING> Have you already maxed out your dosage? You were supposed to have enough for a few more hours!

Cardinal: <CLEARLY IN PAIN> Just get me some more.

Nurse Yorokobi: <SERIOUSLY; SHAKING HER FINGER> You know I can’t do that. It’s against hospital policy!

Cardinal: <NODS TO HIS TATTERED SUIT, WHICH IS STRUNG OUT OVER A CHAIR IN THE CORNER> Check my pants’ pocket. I should have more than enough money in there to sway your opinion. <YOROKOBI LOOKS UNSURE> How much do you make in a year?

Nurse Yorokobi: I–

Cardinal: <THROUGH GRITTED TEETH> I’ll give you double that right now, if you just get me some meds. Please, I need them!

Nurse Yorokobi: <WALKS OVER TO CARDINAL’S CLOTHES AND PULLS OUT HIS WALLET; FLUSTERED> I-I’ll go see what I can do…!

<CARDINAL LETS OUT A SIGH OF RELIEF; HE RUBS HIS EYES, THEN LOOKS BACK UP>

Cardinal: <RAISES HIS HAND> Wait. Before you leave, tell me – where is the boy?

Nurse Yorokobi: Oh… he’s being interrogated by some police officers. Well, he will be once he wakes up. He’s still sedated from what we gave him in the ambulance. <LOOKS OFF FOR A SECOND; HER FINGER IS ON HER LOWER LIP> I guess I should go check on him soon… He may need some help waking up.

Cardinal: Are you sure about that?

Nurse Yorokobi: <COMING BACK TO REALITY> Oh, rest assured, sir, we won’t let him harm you again! He’s in big trouble for attacking you. <SHE SHAKES HER HEAD> We’d have armed guards in front of your door, if the police weren’t so busy managing the city cleanup…

Cardinal: <WEARY; LOOKING AT HIS ARM> I have the utmost confidence in your ability to protect me from the boy, darling. Now, answer me this: has there been anyone here to see me while I was asleep?

Nurse Yorokobi: I’m sorry, Mr. Cardinal, there hasn’t been anyone.

Cardinal: <COLDLY> Very well. In that case, you can leave.

<YOROKOBI EXITS HASTILY; CARDINAL BURIES HIS FACE IN HIS FREE HAND AS THE SCREEN PANS BACK FROM HIS RATHER EMPTY ROOM>

<THE CAMERA MOVES TO WHERE KRILLIN IS; HE FLIES TO THE OTHER Z FIGHTERS, SENZUS CLUTCHED IN HIS FISTS; AS HE GOES, THE VAST DESTRUCTION OF THE PREVIOUS BATTLES CAN BE SEEN; THE CITY IS SMOKING IN THE BACKGROUND AND NUMEROUS CRATERS HAVE DESTROYED THE COUNTRYSIDE; KRILLIN LANDS, AND A FEW PANELS SHOW HIM GIVING SENZUS TO THE BADLY WOUNDED Z FIGHTERS – 18, YAMCHA, TIEN, CHIAOTZU, GOTEN, TRUNKS, PICCOLO, AND GOKU; THE FINAL PANEL SHOWS HIM RETURNING TO WHERE THE BENEFACTOR HAD BEEN SO THAT HE CAN HEAL VEGETA>

<THE CAMERA MOVES FROM KRILLIN TO THE ANTIQUE PYRAMID, WHICH REMAINS IN THE SAME PLACE THAT IT HAD BEEN DURING THE END OF THE LAST CHAPTER; A BREEZE BLOWS BY, MOVING THE GRASS AROUND IT, BUT THE PYRAMID REMAINS STILL; YAJIROBE IS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN AND KRILLIN DOESN’T SEEM TO HAVE NOTICED THE TRINKET EITHER>

<THE CAMERA ZOOMS FORWARD TO THE POINT OF THE PYRAMID UNTIL THE ENTIRE SCREEN IS COVERED IN BLACK>

<CUE I Might Be Wrong>

<LEDAS IS STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF A LARGE SAND-COVERED DESERT; THERE IS A SUN, AND IT IS BURNING BRIGHT RIGHT ABOVE HIM, SHOWING THAT IT IS NOON; THE CAMERA IS POSITION BEHIND HIM, SO THAT THE BACK OF HIS HEAD TAKES UP THE MAJORITY OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SCREEN; THE CAMERA CAN ALSO SEE WHAT HE SEES AHEAD OF HIM – A VAST EXPANSE OF DESERT AND A LARGE MOUNTAIN ON THE EDGE OF SIGHT>

<THE CAMERA MOVES AROUND TO LOOK AT LEDAS’ FRONT SIDE; HE IS WEARING CLOTHES THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT HE WAS WEARING WHEN HE WAS SUCKED INTO THE PYRAMID; HE HAS HIS FATHER’S CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD ARMOR ON; IT IS COMPRISED OF A RED ON BLACK PLANET TRADE ORGANIZATION CHEST ARMOR PIECE WITH A BLACK CAPE, METAL BLACK AND RED GUARDS FOR HIS WRISTS AND SHINS, WHITE BOOTS AND WHITE GLOVES, AND A GREEN SCOUTER>

<LEDAS RUNS FORWARD; AFTER A FEW METERS, HE LUNGES FORWARD, ATTEMPTING TO TAKE TO THE SKIES; INSTEAD, HE JUST FALLS INTO THE SAND; HE SITS UP, SHAKING THE SAND OUT OF HIS HAIR, LOOKING PUZZLED>

Ledas: Huh? Why can’t I fly? <HE RAISES HIS HAND TO HIS FACE, PALM UP, AND TRIES TO CREATE ENERGY; NOTHING FORMS, THOUGH SOME SAND FALLS AWAY> No energy either?! That’s so weird. <HE LOOKS UP AT THE MOUNTAIN IN THE DISTANCE> What the heck is this place?

<LEDAS STARTS TO RUN AGAIN; AS HE GOES, HE NOTICES BROKEN STATUES IN THE SAND; AT FIRST, THERE ARE ONLY A FEW, BUT AS HE GOES FURTHER, THEY BECOME MORE NUMEROUS, LARGER, AND MORE RUINED; THE FIGURES DEPICTED ON THE STATUES ALL APPEAR TO BE OF THE SAME RACE OF LONG-FACED, ALMOST PIN-HEADED CREATURES WITH THEIR EYES WHERE THEIR EARS SHOULD BE, THOUGH THEY ARE NOT ALIENS LEDAS HAS EVER SEEN BEFORE>

<AS LEDAS LOOKS AT THE STATUES, HE NOTICES SOME BLACK SHAPES MOVING AROUND THEM, THOUGH THEY ARE GOING TOO FAST FOR HIM TO MAKE OUT WHAT THEY ARE; AFTER SEEING THIS A FEW TIMES, HE NOTICES TWO DARK SHAPES PURSUING HIM; LEDAS LOOKS OVER HIS SHOULDER TO GET A BETTER LOOK AT WHAT THEY ARE; HE SEES BLACK, SHORT, CREATURES WITH HUGE EARS AND ROWS OF YELLOW TEETH; THEY HAVE DARK RED EYES; AS SOON AS HE LOOKS, THEY START CREATING PURPLE BALLS OF ENERGY IN THEIR HANDS AND THEN THROW THEM TOWARDS LEDAS; LEDAS FREAKS OUT, NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THEY ARE ATTACKING HIM; HE YELLS; LEDAS THEN ATTEMPTS TO DODGE THESE ATTACKS BY WEAVING AROUND, THOUGH EXPLOSIONS START GOING OFF IN THE SAND ALL AROUND HIM>

<BECAUSE LEDAS IS TRYING TO DODGE THE ATTACKS, HIS SPEED LESSENS; THE TWO LITTLE CREATURES CATCH UP TO HIM AND JUMP ON HIM; AS MUCH AS HE TRIES TO RESIST, HE IS NO MATCH FOR THEM; THEY SHOOT MORE ENERGY INTO HIM AND CLAW HIM UP REALLY BAD; PIECES OF ARMOR AND FLESH ARE TORN OFF OF HIS BODY AS BLOOD FLIES EVERYWHERE; LEDAS TRIES TO PUNCH ONE, BUT IT PUNCHES HIS ARM BACK WITH A KI-ENHANCED FIST, WHICH SHATTERS LEDAS’ ARM COMPLETELY; THE BOY SCREAMS AND SLUMPS OVER IN DEFEAT; THIS CAUSES THE TWO BLACK DEMONS TO JUMP OFF OF HIM>

<THE TWO BLACK MONSTERS LOOK AT ONE ANOTHER, SCREECH, AND THEN DIVE INTO THE SAND, OUT OF SIGHT; LEDAS CAN BARELY MOVE AS HE WATCHES THEM GO; HE ATTEMPTS TO GET UP, BUT HE CAN’T, AS HE’S TOO WEAK; HE SPITS UP BLOOD AND CRIES OUT>

<SUDDENLY A FIGURE MATERIALIZES IN FRONT OF HIM; THIS FIGURE IS ALSO DARK, THOUGH IT IS COVERED IN SWIRLING SAND AS WELL; LEDAS CANNOT MAKE OUT ANY FEATURES, EXCEPT THAT IT IS MUCH TALLER THAN THE TWO BEINGS THAT JUST ATTACKED HIM>

Ledas: <WITH BLOOD IN HIS MOUTH> Whasgoin’ on?!

Shrouded Being: Another has come to see me. Tell me who you are, sentient.

Ledas: <CAUTIOUS; VOLATILE> W-why do you care?!

Shrouded Being: This place is my home, and you have intruded upon it. I would like to know why.

Ledas: I don’t know where I am! I d-didn’t mean to be here!

Shrouded Being: And yet you are, biped. Perhaps you will be the one I have been waiting for, for all these eons. Perhaps you will have some use for me yet.

Ledas: W-w-what?! <BEFORE IT CAN ANSWER, THE SHROUDED BEING DISSOLVES INTO SAND, WHICH THEN FALLS TO THE GROUND; LEDAS SHOUTS TO NO ONE IN PARTICULAR> W-what do you mean?! H-hey!! Where’d you go…?!

<EVEN AS LEDAS IS SCREAMING, A WHITE LIGHT IS OVERTAKING HIM; HIS VOICE ECHOES SEVERAL TIMES AS THE SCREEN IS OVERTAKEN BY THE PIERCING LIGHT>

<THE SCREEN RE-FADES FROM WHITE; LEDAS IS STILL IN THE DESERT, THOUGH THE SUN IS BEGINNING TO SET; HE STANDS UP AND FINDS HIMSELF AT THE BASE OF THE MOUNTAIN>

<LEDAS IS NOW WEARING BANAS’ ARMOR SET, WHICH INCLUDES A LIGHT YELLOW JUMP SUIT, A BLACK AND TURQUOISE SHOULDERLESS CHEST ARMOR PIECE, WHITE BOOTS AND GLOVES, AND A PURPLE SCOUTER; HE APPEARS COMPLETELY UNHARMED; THERE ARE NO WOUNDS REMAINING ON HIS BODY>

Ledas: <INSPECTING HIMSELF> What’s going on? All the pain’s gone… I don’t get it… this can’t be real…

<LEDAS IS CAUGHT OFF GUARD WHEN A SCREECHER SCREECHES; HE JUMPS AND LOOKS FOR THE SOURCE OF THE SOUND; UP AHEAD, SITTING IN A TREE, ONE OF THE RED-EYED DEVILS IS WATCHING HIM; IT SCREAMS AGAIN, BUT DOES NOT MOVE; LEDAS WATCHES IT AS HE RUNS AWAY FROM IT, SUSPICIOUS THAT IT MAY ATTACK HIM; IT DOES NOT, AND LEDAS IS ABLE TO RUN OFF UNHARMED>

<AS HE IS CLOSER TO THE MOUNTAIN NOW, LEDAS CAN SEE MORE AND MORE DEAD, LEAFLESS TREES ALL AROUND; THERE ARE STILL SOME STATUES BURIED AND BROKEN IN THE SAND, BUT THEY ARE FEWER NOW THAN BEFORE; THERE IS ASH COATING THE STATUES, THE TREES, AND MUCH OF THE SAND>

<THERE ARE MORE AND MORE OF THE SCREECHERS IN THE TREES AS HE CONTINUES; THEY YELL AND JEER AT HIM, BUT THEY MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO HURT THE SAIYAN; HE CONTINUES RUNNING THROUGH THE TREES UNTIL HE COMES UPON A LARGE CLEARING>

<THERE IS A CIRCLE OF TREES AROUND A BIT OF PAVED ROAD; AS LEDAS REACHES IT, THE SHROUDED BEING APPEARS ONCE AGAIN; LEDAS STOPS RIGHT IN FRONT OF IT>

Shrouded Being: Your life is in my hands, biped.

Ledas: No it isn’t!

Shrouded Being: Look around you. This place is my prison; and soon it will become someone else’s. Perhaps you will be the new caretaker.

Ledas: No! You can’t make me! I’ll kill you first!

<LEDAS LUNGES AT THE SHROUDED FIGURE AND STARTS PUNCHING IT; THE FIGURE TUMBLES BACKWARDS AND LEDAS MERCILESSLY BEATS DOWN ON IT; HE NOTICES HIS ENERGY IS BACK AS HIS AURA COMES UP AROUND HIM>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> My energy’s back! <OUT LOUD> You’re dead now!

<LEDAS CREATES A KYORRA FLASH, SHOOTING IT DIRECTLY AT THE BEING’S FACE; ONCE IT HITS, THERE IS A LARGE EXPLOSION OF SAND AND DUST; LEDAS SEES THE CHARRED REMAINS OF A FACE; IT IS JUST BONE NOW, THOUGH IT IS BLACKENED FROM HIS LAST ATTACK; HE NOTICES THE SHAPE OF THE SKULL IS THE SAME AS THAT OF THE STATUES>

<EVEN THOUGH THE FIGURE LOOKS DEAD, IT SUDDENLY PUSHES LEDAS OFF OF IT WITH A SWIFT ENERGY WAVE; AS LEDAS SKIDS AWAY, HE LOOKS UP AND SEES THE FIGURE SPLIT INTO THREE; THEY ALL BEAR DOWN ON HIM>

Shrouded Beings: <ALL TOGETHER> You are now one of three, if but a slave to me. There is still another, and he is your brother. <THE MIDDLE FIGURE DISSOLVES AWAY> This time, I have a choice.

<THE RIGHT FIGURE DISSOLVES AWAY; AS IT DOES, THE BENEFACTOR COMES STUMBLING IN BEHIND IT; LEDAS SEES THE BENEFACTOR>

Ledas: <IN SHOCK> No!!

Shrouded Being: One will be damned to eternal solitude, and I will be set free. To be able to choose… how long I’ve waited for this moment…

<THE LAST SHROUDED BEING DISSOLVES AWAY, JUST LEAVING LEDAS AND THE BENEFACTOR; OF COURSE, THERE ARE TONS OF THE SCREECHER DEMONS SITTING IN THE TREES WATCHING THEM; SINCE THE SUN HAS SET, ONLY THE RED EYES OF THOSE CREATURES CAN BE SEEN; AND THERE ARE MANY RED EYES WATCHING; THEY ARE HOWLING AT THE FIGURES BELOW THEM, THOUGH THEY ARE NOT YELLING VERY LOUDLY>

The Benefactor: I smell a coward.

<THE BENEFACTOR TURNS TO LEDAS; HIS EYES ARE STILL GONE; NONETHELESS, HE HAS BLACK ENERGY FORMING IN BOTH HANDS>

Ledas: <PRIDEFULLY; TRYING TO PREVENT THE BENEFACTOR FROM ATTACKING> You’re not half as powerful without your eyes! Don’t try anything! Y-you can’t win! <HE SEES THE BENEFACTOR HAS ENERGY ALREADY READY; HE IS PREPARING TO SHOOT IT AT LEDAS> Oh, come on!

<LEDAS JUMPS UP AND CHARGES AT THE BENEFACTOR, READYING ENERGY BETWEEN HIS HANDS AS HE RUNS; AS HE GOES TO RAISE HIS HANDS, THE DEMONS ALL SCREAM IN UNISON; THE SOUND IS SO DEAFENING THAT THE TREES RATTLE ABOUT VIOLENTLY; LEDAS STOPS, DROPS HIS ENERGY, AND CLUTCHES AT HIS EARS, CRYING OUT IN PAIN AT THE LOUDNESS OF THE CREATURES; ONE OF THEM JUMPS OFF A TREE AND RUSHES AT LEDAS; HE KICKS LEDAS DEEP IN THE GUT, CAUSING THE BOY TO FALL OVER TO THE GROUND; EVEN WITH THE PAIN THAT BROUGHT HIM, LEDAS STILL HOLDS HIS EARS; TWO MORE OF THE SCREECHERS JUMP DOWN AND ATTACK THE BENEFACTOR FROM BEHIND, CLUBBING HIM INTO THE GROUND>

<THEN, AS THE TWO WARRIORS LIE IN THE SAND, ALL OF THE LITTLE CREATURES CREATE PURPLE BALLS OF ENERGY OVER THEIR HEADS; THEY SCREAM AGAIN, PARALYZING LEDAS AND THE BENEFACTOR IN PLACE; THEN, COLLECTIVELY, THEY THROW THEIR ENERGY AT THE TWO>

<THE ENERGY COMES CRASHING IN; A MASSIVE EXPLOSION DETONATES, DESTROYING THE ENTIRE AREA; PIECES OF TREES, STATUES, AND SAND ARE ALL FLUNG UP INTO THE AIR>

<THERE IS NO SIGN OF LEDAS OR THE BENEFACTOR AS THE SCREEN FADES TO PURPLE>

Mephistopheles
<THE CAMERA FADES IN>

<IT IS SNOWING AND NEARLY PITCH BLACK>

<LEDAS IS HOVERING IN THE AIR AS A BLIZZARD WHIRLS AROUND HIM; HE IS WEARING THE SAME CLOTHES AS YAJIROBE, THOUGH THEY ARE SIZED TO HIS BODY; HE LOOKS DOWN AND MOVES BACK SLIGHTLY AS A SUDDEN RED ENERGY BLAST COME SHOOTING BY HIM; THE WIND PUSHES HIS HAIR BACK, BUT THE ATTACK HAS NO OTHER EFFECT ON HIM>

Ledas: <LOOKING DOWN INTO THE DARKNESS> Ha! Missed me!

<HE GOES SUPER SAIYAN, THEN DASHES DOWN INTO THE DARKNESS; THE CAMERA FOLLOWS HIM AND IT SHOWS THE BENEFACTOR DASHING UPWARDS RIGHT AT THE SAIYAN; THE TWO COLLIDE; BRIEFLY, THEY ENGAGE IN A BLOW EXCHANGE; THE LIGHT FROM THEIR AURAS IS THE ONLY LIGHT AROUND, THOUGH SOME LIGHTNING GOES OFF IN THE BACKGROUND EVERY FEW SECONDS; THE SNOW STORM PICKS UP>

<LEDAS LUNGES AT THE BENEFACTOR WITH AN ENERGY BALL IN HIS HAND; AS SOON AS HE THROWS IT, HE JUMPS OVER THE ALIEN AND THEN SPINS AROUND AND PUNCHES HIM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD; THE BENEFACTOR FLIPS OVER LEDAS AND THEN PUNCHES HIM IN THE BACK; HE GRABS LEDAS BY THE TAIL AND THEN THROWS HIM DOWNWARD; HE FOLLOWS THIS UP WITH A BARRAGE OF KI BLASTS; WHILE MANY OF THESE BLASTS HIT LEDAS, HE IS ABLE TO STOP HIS FALL; HE BLOCKS SOME OF THE ENERGY AND THEN REGAINS HIS POSITION; SHOOTING BACK UP AT HIS OPPONENT, LEDAS SPLITS INTO TWO FORMS>

<ONE GOES LEFT AND ONE GOES RIGHT; EACH ONE IS CHARGING UP AN ENERGY ATTACK; HOWEVER, THE BENEFACTOR IS NOT FOOLED AND HE TELEPORT-KICKS THE LEDAS ON THE RIGHT; LEDAS IS SURPRISED BY THIS ATTACK, SO HE DID NOT HAVE ANY DEFENSES READY; HE TAKES THE HIT HARD AND FALLS LIKE A RAGDOLL>

<AS THE BENEFACTOR GOES TO PURSUE, THE SHROUDED BEING SUDDENLY APPEARS IN FRONT OF HIM>

Shrouded Being: You are needed elsewhere, biped.

The Benefactor: <FIERY> I am not yours to command!

<THE BENEFACTOR RAISES HIS FIST AND THROWS IT AS HARD AS HE CAN; THE SHROUDED BEING CATCHES HIS FIST EASILY WITH ITS LEFT HAND; IT CHUCKLES, THEN TELEPORTS AWAY WITH THE BENEFACTOR; WHEN THEY LEAVE, THE TWO OF THEM GET COVERED IN SOME GOLD ENERGY AND THEN DISINTEGRATE OUT OF SIGHT>

Ledas: <STEADYING HIMSELF; WATCHING WHAT JUST HAPPENED> H-hey?! What… what was that?

<SUDDENLY FROM ALL SIDES COME THE DEMON SCREECHERS; LEDAS DUCKS OUT OF THE WAY AS THEY START THROWING ENERGY AT HIM; NOW THAT HE HAS HIS POWER BACK, HE CAN FIGHT THEM OFF; THERE ARE AT LEAST A DOZEN OF THEM, AND THEY SPLIT UP TO ATTACK HIM; HE STARTS SHOOTING OFF ICE CANNONS AND PLAYFUL GALICKS TO STALL THEM; WHENEVER ONE HITS A SCREECHER, THE MONSTER EXPLODES INTO A CLOUD OF SMOKE, WHICH THEN QUICKLY DISSIPATES; HOWEVER, TWO NEW ONES JUMP FROM THE SMOKE OF THE DEAD ONE WHENEVER THIS OCCURS; HE TAKES OUT A FEW OF THEM BEFORE THEY START CHASING HIM AROUND; ONCE THEY DO, THEY START LANDING SOME ATTACKS AS WELL>

<THE CAMERA PANS BACK A LITTLE BIT TO SHOW THE FLASHES OF ENERGY GOING OFF IN THE OTHERWISE DARK MESS OF THE ICY BLIZZARD>

<THE SCENE CHANGES TO WHERE THE BENEFACTOR IS; HE MATERIALIZES A METER ABOVE THE GROUND AND DROPS TO IT ON ONE KNEE; STANDING UP, HE SENSES AROUND THE PLACE FOR ANY SIGNS OF AN OPPONENT>

<THE PLACE HE IS IN, THOUGH HE CANNOT SEE IT, IS AN ENCLOSED ROOM; THERE ARE STONE WALLS, A STONE CEILING, AND A STONE FLOOR; HOWEVER, MUCH OF IT IS OVERRUN WITH SMOKE AND WATER; AS THE BENEFACTOR MOVES FORWARD INTO THE WATER, A TENTACLE POPS UP AND ENSNARES HIM>

<THE ALIEN QUICKLY GRABS HIS KNIFE AND SEVERS THE TENTACLE, WHICH HAD WRAPPED AROUND HIS BODY; HE JUMPS OUT OF THE POOL OF WATER AND THEN MOVES FORWARD, NOW MORE QUICKLY, DOWN THE NARROW HALLWAY; AS HE GOES, MORE TENTACLES POP OUT; HE STARTS SHOOTING THEM AS WELL AS CUTTING THEM>

<HE MOVES FORWARD WHEN A SCREECHER COMES UP BEHIND HIM; THE THING SCREAMS AND THEN JUMPS ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD; THE BENEFACTOR STUMBLES FORWARD INTO A MESS OF THE TENTACLES; ENSNARED BY THOSE AS WELL, HE IS QUICKLY DAMAGED BY THE COMBINED FORCES>

<THE BENEFACTOR CREATES AN EXPLOSIVE WAVE, WHICH FREES HIM FROM THE TENTACLES; HE THEN GRABS THE SCREECHER, WHICH WAS TEARING AT HIS HEAD, AND PULLS IT AROUND TO HIS FACE; THEN, HE DESTROYS IT BY CREATING AN EXPLOSION IN HIS HAND>

<THE BENEFACTOR TURNS BACK TO THE WALLS OF TENTACLES; HE BLOWS THEM AWAY WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT; WHEN HE DOES THIS, IT CAUSES THE ENTIRE ROOM TO COLLAPSE IN ON ITSELF; HOWEVER, THE BENEFACTOR DODGES THE FALLING STONE BY SHOOTING UPWARDS>

The Benefactor: Elementary.

<AS HE HOVERS OVER THE RUBBLE, SOMETHING LETS OUT A LARGE SHRIEK, CAUSING HIM TO TURN AROUND; AS SOON AS HE DOES, THE BENEFACTOR IS HIT BY A MASSIVE GREEN ENERGY BLAST; HE GOES FLYING BACK INTO THE RUBBLE>

<AHEAD OF HIM IS A HUGE, HIDEOUS MONSTER; THE THING DOESN’T APPEAR TO HAVE ANY EYES, BUT IT IS BIPEDAL AND HAIRLESS; IT IS AROUND 13 METERS TALL; THE THING THEN RUNS AT THE BENEFACTOR WITH ASTONISHING SPEED; WITHIN A SECOND, IT IS ALREADY ON HIM; THE THING STOMPS ONE OF ITS HUGE FEET OVER THE FORM OF THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR LETS OUT A GROAN AS HE IS CRUSHED DOWN INTO THE BROKEN STONE>

<THE BENEFACTOR ATTEMPTS TO GET OUT BY CREATING A LARGE ENERGY BLAST; THIS BLOWS UP UNDER THE MONSTER’S FOOT, CAUSING IT TO STUMBLE BACKWARDS; AT ONCE, THE BENEFACTOR SHOOTS UP, KI ENVELOPING HIS ENTIRE BODY, AND PUNCHES THE CREATURE IN THE FACE; IT HOWLS OUT IN PAIN AND THEN CREATES A MOUTH BEAM; BEING TOO CLOSE TO DODGE, THE BENEFACTOR PUTS UP BOTH ARMS TO BLOCK IT>

<THE BENEFACTOR STRUGGLES TO MOVE AFTER ABSORBING THE MASSIVE ATTACK; HIS BODY IS SMOKING AND HIS CLOTHES ARE TATTERED; AT ONCE, THE CREATURE SWATS HIM LIKE A FLY; THE BENEFACTOR GOES A WAYS BEFORE STABILIZING HIMSELF; YET WHEN HE DOES, THE MONSTER IS ON HIM AT ONCE, ALREADY TRYING TO TEAR HIM LIMB FROM LIMB; THE BENEFACTOR, THOUGH HE IS WEAKENED, DODGES AROUND THE MONSTER AND SHOOTS TWO LARGE BLASTS INTO ITS BACK; THESE OPEN TWO LARGE HOLES IN ITS BACK, THOUGH ONLY SMOKE COMES OUT FROM THE WOUNDS>

<THE CREATURE HOWLS AND THEN JUMPS INTO THE AIR INCREDIBLY HIGH; AS THE BENEFACTOR LOOKS UP TO SENSE FOR THE CREATURE, HE SENSES AN ENERGY BLAST COMING RIGHT AT HIM; HE BATS THIS ASIDE EASILY; YET RIGHT BEHIND THE ENERGY ATTACK IS THE MONSTER; THE BENEFACTOR IS NOT PREPARED FOR THAT, AND HIS DEFENSIVE STANCE IS BROKEN BY THE CREATURE WITH EASE; THE ALIEN IS THROWN TO THE GROUND INTO A DEEP CRATER>

<HE ROLLS OVER TO HIS HANDS AND KNEES AND SPITS UP SOME BLOOD; HE LOOKS UP AND SENSES THE MONSTER CREATING ENERGY BETWEEN ITS TWO HANDS; THE BENEFACTOR LAUGHS>

The Benefactor: H-ha! Is that all? <HE STANDS UP> It’s time I end this.

<THE BENEFACTOR SHOOTS TOWARDS THE MONSTER; IT THROWS ITS ENERGY TO HIM AS THIS HAPPENS; THE BENEFACTOR THEN CREATES AN ENERGY BLAST OF HIS OWN; HE PUTS ALL OF HIS POWER INTO THE RED BEAM; HE SHOOTS IT RIGHT INTO THE LARGE BALL THAT IS FLYING HIS WAY; THE BENEFACTOR’S ENERGY OVERTAKES THE MONSTER’S AND STARTS PUSHING IT BACK; THE MONSTER WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THIS, AND THOUGH IT GOES TO DODGE, IT IS NOT FAST ENOUGH; THE HUGE ENERGY BALL AND THE BENEFACTOR’S BEAM HIT THE CREATURE RIGHT IN THE FACE; IN THE MASSIVE EXPLOSION, THE MONSTER IS INSTANTLY VAPORIZED>

<THE BENEFACTOR LANDS ON THE GROUND, DROPPING TO ONE KNEE AS SOON AS HE LANDS; HE BREATHES HEAVILY AND CHECKS HIS BODY FOR WOUNDS>

<AT THIS TIME, THE SHROUDED BEING REAPPEARS IN FRONT OF HIM>

Shrouded Being: You have proved your strength and cunning, sentient. I am impressed.

The Benefactor: Then let me out of this place.

Shrouded Being: No, not yet. My own freedom must be assured first.

The Benefactor: <BREATHING HARD> W-what are you talking about?

Shrouded Being: Don’t you know what this place is? This hell? <THE BENEFACTOR SHAKES HIS HEAD> This is a mind prison. The greatest of all tortures in the universe. For in this place, one only exists; one does not age; one does not die. One can only suffer through immeasurable time. And I want to get out. You or the other will be my ticket.

The Benefactor: The kid will be easier to subdue. You will not so easily bind me to this place.

Shrouded Being: Perhaps not. But that is for me to decide.

<BEFORE THE BENEFACTOR CAN RESPOND, THE SHROUDED BEING TELEPORTS AWAY; AS IT DOES, ALL OF THE SCENERY GOES WITH IT; THE RUBBLE, THE SMOKE, THE WATER ALL MELTS AWAY INTO AN ENDLESS EXPANSE OF PURE WHITE, SAVE FOR THE BLACK DOT THAT IS THE BENEFACTOR>

<CUTS TO LEDAS>

<LEDAS IS NOW WEARING KINDLER’S SUIT>

<LEDAS IS BEING CHASED AROUND BY THE DEMONS WHEN THE SHROUDED BEING APPEARS IN FRONT OF HIM; THE SCREECHERS IMMEDIATELY STOP TRYING TO KILL HIM AND FORM A CIRCLE AROUND HIM>

Shrouded Being: You are not as easy to figure out as the other.

Ledas: <ANGRILY> Well, you’re not making any sense, either!

Shrouded Being: That is not my concern. What is my concern is getting out of this place.

Ledas: So? What does that have to do with me?

Shrouded Being: Everything. One being must be tied to this mind prison at all times. And that will be one of you two before this is over.

Ledas: Mind… prison? What’s that?

Shrouded Being: <SPREADING ITS ARMS OUT TO EACH SIDE> All of this around us. It is a place with no escape, a place where you cannot age or die. Whomever is bound to this infinite solitude will have to suffer through a life without end.

Ledas: It’s not gonna be me!

Shrouded Being: I have been leaning towards it being you, actually.

Ledas: <IN HORROR> You can’t be serious! No!

<LEDAS SHOOTS AN ENERGY BEAM AT THE SHROUDED BEING; THE FIGURE EXPLODES BUT IMMEDIATELY REAPPEARS A FEW METERS TO THE RIGHT; LEDAS SHOOTS IT AGAIN, BUT THE BEING REAPPEARS; HE DOES THIS SEVERAL MORE TIMES TO NO AVAIL>

<THE SHROUDED BEING SUDDENLY SHOOTS FORWARD AND GRABS LEDAS BY THE MOUTH; IT PICKS HIM UP AND BRINGS IT RIGHT UP TO ITS OWN FACE>

Shrouded Being: This place is mine. <THE SCREECHERS BEHIND START DISSOLVING AWAY INTO SMOKE> I control everything. <THE BLIZZARD STARTS TO LET UP> And you know nothing. You can do nothing to stop me! If I want to keep you here, then you will never escape. Your life is in my hands!

<THE SHROUDED BEING THROWS LEDAS DOWN; HE LANDS ON THE SMOOTHED OUT PEAK OF THE MOUNTAIN; BEFORE LEDAS CAN STAND BACK UP, THE SHROUDED BEING APPEARS AND PRESSES ITS FOOT TO LEDAS’ CHEST>

Ledas: Get offa me!

Shrouded Being: Look around you. This place is a figment of my mind. It is nothing. And yet you are in it. You are but a speck of dust in my thoughts.

Ledas: <MORE TO HIMSELF THAN TO THE SHROUDED BEING; SCOWLING; LOOKING AWAY FROM THE SHROUDED BEING> Yeah, right. I can take you.

<ALL AROUND LEDAS, THE SCENERY IS DISSOLVING AWAY INTO PURE WHITE; WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, IT IS ALL GONE; THE SHROUDED BEING STANDS OVER LEDAS STILL; THEN, NEXT TO LEDAS, THE BENEFACTOR TELEPORTS IN, COVERED IN GOLD ENERGY; LEDAS’ EYES GO WIDE>

<THE BENEFACTOR IS BREATHING HEAVILY AND LOOKS WOUNDED, BUT HE DOES NOT SPEAK; UPON SEEING HIM, THE SHROUDED BEING TAKES ITS FOOT OFF OF LEDAS>

Shrouded Being: I have learned enough about you two – and you will be chained to this prison soon enough. <BRINGS ITS SHOULDERS UP IN A BROAD, PROUD STANCE> There is no stopping this, sentients. You will help me escape this cursed place whether you want to or not. That much is certain.

<WITH THAT, THE SHROUDED BEING TAKES A STEP BACK AND THEN EXPLODES INTO A POOL OF SAND>

<ABRUPT TO BLACK>

Riddle Me This
<ALL IS WHITE>

<LEDAS IS SITTING ON HIS KNEES>

<THE BOY’S CLOTHES ARE THE SAME AS WHAT HE WAS WEARING BEFORE HE ENTERED THE MIND PRISON – A RED HOODIE WITH A PLAIN WHITE SHIRT UNDERNEATH, BLUE JEANS, AND BLACK SHOES; THERE IS NO BLOOD OR DIRT OR ANY SIGNS OF DAMAGE ON THEM AT ALL>

<HE LOOKS AROUND AND SEES THE BENEFACTOR ON ONE KNEE NEXT TO HIM; AHEAD IS THE PILE OF SAND THAT THE SHROUDED BEING BURST INTO AT THE END OF THE LAST CHAPTER; LEDAS STANDS UP, KEEPING A DEFENSIVE GUARD UP, AS HE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT THE BENEFACTOR WILL DO; HE CAUTIOUSLY PEERS AROUND>

<THE BENEFACTOR STANDS UP, CAUSING LEDAS TO JUMP BACK>

The Benefactor: Your trickery has backfired on you.

Ledas: <ON EDGE> What do you mean?

The Benefactor: You tried to trap me in this place, yet it will be you who will not escape.

Ledas: That’s what you think!

The Benefactor: No, that’s what that sand-covered being told me. It plans on leaving you here.

Ledas: You’re just a liar. I’m not believing anything you say.

<SUDDENLY A BLUE LIGHT POPS UP AHEAD OF THE TWO; IT IS IN THE DISTANCE, BUT EVEN SO IT IS BRIGHT ENOUGH THAT THEY CAN SEE IT; WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT, THE BENEFACTOR GOES RACING TOWARDS IT>

The Benefactor: <IN A WHISPER> Time to leave.

<LEDAS FOLLOWS HIM AT ONCE; HE LOOKS PANICKED; THEY BOTH AIR DASH TOWARDS THE LIGHT>

<ONCE THEY GET CLOSE, THEY SEE A SMALL AREA THAT STICKS OUT FROM THE OTHERWISE WHITE, EMPTY EXPANSE; THE PLACE IS PROBABLY NO BIGGER THAN A HOUSE, THOUGH IT HAS NO ROOF OR FLOOR; THERE ARE MANY STONE PILLARS SCATTERED ABOUT IN VARIOUS HALF AND FULL CIRCLES; THE STONES ARE VERY PLAIN; IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY RUNES OR COLORS OR ANYTHING LIKE THE ACTUAL BOX THAT ENCOMPASSES ALL OF THIS HAD; INSIDE ARE SOME BENCHES AND TABLES; THERE IS NOTHING ON ANY OF THEM; THERE ARE FOUNTAINS AND THERE IS WATER RUNNING DOWN EACH OF THE STONE PILLARS; LEDAS AND THE BENEFACTOR LAND IN THE CENTER OF THE AREA>

<AS SOON AS THEY LAND, THE ENTIRE AREA COMES TO LIFE; THE WHITE FLOOR BECOMES A FILLED WITH ROCKS AND WATER AND SMALL PLANTS; THUS, THE ENTIRE AREA IS NO LONGER A WHITE EXPANSE>

<AS SOON AS THEY LAND AND BEGIN WALKING FORWARD, A BEING STEPS OUT FROM BEHIND SOME A STATUE LIKE THE ONE THAT LEDAS SAW IN THE SAND TWO CHAPTERS AGO (THOUGH THIS STATUE IS NOT BROKEN; THE BEING IS OF THE SAME RACE OF LONG-FACED BEINGS WITH THEIR EYES WHERE ANY NORMAL BEING’S EARS SHOULD BE; IT APPROACHES LEDAS FIRST>

<THE BEING STANDING OVER LEDAS IS TALL, PROBABLY A BIT LESS THAN 2 METERS TALL; IT IS MOSTLY HUMANOID; ITS SKIN IS A DULL GREY – AND IT IS REPTILIAN, MOST LIKELY; ITS HEAD IS TALL AND SLENDER, WITH EACH OF THE EYES PULLED OUT TO THE SIDES, LIKE EARS; IT IS WEARING A ROBE OF TAN AND WHITE, COVERING ITS BODY>

<LEDAS DRAWS HIMSELF UP INTO DEFENSE, CAUTIOUS OF THIS NEW CREATURE>

Alien: So we are finally acquainted face-to-face, biped. Still, I do not know your names. That is a bit odd, don’t you think?

Ledas: Wewll, I’m Ledas. <BELLIGERENTLY WITH A THRUST TO HIS CHIN> Who the heck are you?

<RATHER SUDDENLY, FROM BEHIND LEDAS A VOICE SPEAKS>

The Benefactor: <RATHER CHILDISHLY FOR HIM> Are you a scientist? A stinking doctor? You need to get me out of here!

<LEDAS IS STARTLED BY THIS; HE STEPS AWAY FROM THE BENEFACTOR; HE DOES NOT LEAVE, BECAUSE THE ALIEN HOLDS OUT ITS HAND AS IT CONTINUES TO TALK>

Alien: <SLOWLY; TO THE BENEFACTOR> I am neither of those things, but I would like your name all the same.

The Benefactor: That is unimportant. All that matters is getting me out of here.

Alien: So be it. <IT TURNS BACK TO LEDAS> Now as to your earlier question, Ledas, my name is Verlate. And I apologize for what I put you two through earlier. It was necessary for me to gauge the nuances of your abilities and personalities.

Ledas: <SUSPICIOUS> Why do you need to know that stuff?

Verlate: I told you before – I must get out of this prison. Now for that to occur, one of you must stay here. And I need to make sure I can guarantee at least one of you will stay. I can try to force you to switch places with me – and believe me, I’ve tried this on numerous individuals before you two – but this will not work. The technological capabilities of this mind prison are far superior than in any Dyson Sphere. Escape is not so easy. Watch.

<VERLATE BRINGS HER AURA UP AROUND HER THEN SHOOTS STRAIGHT UP INTO THE AIR; THE BENEFACTOR AND LEDAS TRACK HER; AS SHE GETS HIGHER, THE TOP OF THE PLACE STARTS TO SPLIT OPEN, REVEALING A SLIVER OF DARK BLUE, WHICH IS THE OUTSIDE; AS SHE GETS CLOSER, IT’S AS IF SHE FLIES STRAIGHT INTO A WALL; AN INVISIBLE FORCE SHIELD SUDDENLY HITS HER AND PREVENTS HER FROM GOING ANY FURTHER; VERLATE TUMBLES BACK TO THE GROUND, LANDING ON HER FEET>

Verlate: See? The prison knows me. It only needs one occupant, and yet even when there are three of us here, I cannot leave.

Ledas: <SCOWLING> So you can’t get out. Just let me go then.

Verlate: That’s not the end of it. I have yet to try something else: having you voluntarily trade places with me.

The Benefactor: And why would anyone do that?

Verlate: I control everything inside this mind prison. I can keep you here forever, if I wish. So you would be wise to play this little game with me.

The Benefactor: What do you want us to do? Out with it!

Verlate: Answer a riddle. That’s it. If you get it correct, I will let you go. If you get it wrong, you agree to take on the burden of residency.

Ledas: I don’t know…cuz how do we know you aren’t lying? You didn’t even say why you’re in this thing to begin with. You could be some crazy person.

Verlate: Very well, I’ll tell you why I am here. I am a member of a race of beings which once watched over all life in this universe. We ruled it all, and I was one of my species’ most powerful members. Because of this, I was entrusted with categorizing other species and bringing them technology or language or other essential things for jump-starting their evolutionary processes. But one of these species, the Kais as they were called, tricked me and stole some of my power. And they nearly destroyed themselves because of it. It was my fault, and a judge sentenced me to eternal solitude in this mind prison because of it. I do not know what has become of my own race or the Kais, but it no longer matters. I just want to get out of here.

Ledas: Whoa, you were a god? A real one?! I didn’t think gods were real…!

Verlate: Yes, in my own time, I was. But I fear that time has long since passed. We were dying out even when I was sentenced. My species had been ravaged with disease and sterility, and we had no cure for any of it. It would not surprise me to learn that they are all gone by now.

The Benefactor: <HAUGHTILY> You are not a god any longer–

Verlate: No, I gave up that privilege when I pleaded my guilt.

The Benefactor: <CONTINUING THROUGH THE INTERRUPTION> –others have taken your place. These Kais you speak of… were they purple-skinned, white-haired beings?

Verlate: Why, yes. How did you know?

The Benefactor: Then I have killed one of these animals. He called himself a god, but he bled like all the rest.

Verlate: <IN A WHISPER THAT THE OTHER TWO DO NOT HEAR> Sertung, you did it… <TO THE OTHER TWO> If what you say is true, then the Kais are my successors. Perhaps only because we felt sorry for them… <SHE TRAILS OFF, THEN SNAPS BACK INTO REALITY> but, very well then. Since you have now heard my story, will you accept my offer? Answer one riddle, and I will set you free. When I first talked with you two, I was belligerent, almost delusional with power. Part of it was to invoke reaction, and part of it was beyond my control. But my excitement has been properly tempered now. You will have to trust in my word as coming from a perfectly sane being, or you will never leave.

Ledas: <FORCEFULLY> I’ll do it!

The Benefactor: <TAKEN ABACK BY LEDAS’ QUICKNESS> I need a moment to think this over…

Verlate: <TURNS TO LEDAS; SHE STARES HIM DOWN> You do agree to give up your freedom and be tied to this place should you answer incorrectly?

Ledas: Yeah, sure. It’s not gonna happen though. I’ll answer your riddle.

Verlate: Very well, biped.

Ledas: By the way, what’s a riddle?

Verlate: Something a small furry being, who once stumbled into this place like you have, taught me. Now, I will isolate you two, so you don’t know if the other has answered correctly or not.

<VERLATE CREATES A LARGE ENERGY PILLAR WHICH SEPARATES LEDAS AND THE BENEFACTOR; THE ENERY EXTENDS ALL THE WAY TO THE CEILING; IT IS A DARK YELLOW COLOR, AND LEDAS CANNOT SEE THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE ANY LONGER; VERLATE STAYS ON THE SIDE THAT LEDAS IS ON>

Verlate: A fate worse than death, don’t you think, biped? <SHE TRAILS OFF, REACHING OUT TO THE AIR BEFORE HER> Being stuck here?

Ledas: Look mister, can’t you just let me go and keep that other guy in here?

Verlate: It is difficult to tell for an outsider; still, I am a female of my species.

Ledas: Oh… I’m sorry, miss…

<LEDAS WALKS UP AND SITS DOWN NEXT TO VERLATE ON THE TABLE; HE SWINGS HIS FEET AND WHATNOT WHEN HE SITS DOWN>

Ledas: <SOMEWHAT EAGERLY> Is there any way to keep that other guy here with you? Y’know, after I get out?

Verlate: Unless he does what is needed, he can never leave. For you, it is the same.

Ledas: But… can’t you keep him here even if he does whatcha want?

Verlate: I already gave my word on the matter, sentient.

Ledas: Who cares?! You can do whatever you want in here!

Verlate: One cannot judge with such reckless intent. Even as a prisoner, I will maintain my honor.

<LEDAS MUMBLES SOMETHING INAUDIBLE>

Verlate: This talk of him is borderline obsession. How can think so much of one being?

Ledas: I don’t even know his name. But he’s been following me around ever since I was real little…

Verlate: You are still very young.

Ledas: <TALKING FAST; WILDLY> That’s a long story. He followed me all the way here and beat up all of Vegeta’s friends just so he could get me. He wants to kill me! If you let him out, he’ll just keep trying!

<THERE IS SILENCE>

Verlate: I will have no part in your quarrel. It doesn’t matter to me. But what does is giving you your riddle, if you are ready. Well?

Ledas: <LETS OUT A VERY LONG SIGH> I guess. <HEAD UP> Just do it.

<VERLATE SWINGS OUT HER ARMS; THE BRIGHT LIGHT DIMS, THE ATMOSPHERE QUICKLY CHANGES TO WATER; VERLATE AND LEDAS ARE BOTH COVERED IN IT; LEDAS AND VERLATE FLOAT ABOUT, THOUGH LEDAS REMAINS CALM WHEN HE REALIZES THAT HE DOESN’T NEED TO BREATH IN THIS PLACE>

Verlate: I find water to be a soothing medium for the mind. It will help you think to your fullest. <TO HERSELF; LEDAS DOES NOT HEAR> Or relax you just enough…

<LEDAS FLOATS AROUND ON HIS BACK, THOUGH HE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ENJOYING IT>

Verlate: Answer this question correctly and you may leave. <SHE CONTINUES, NOW VERY CRISPLY>

<p style="text-align: center;">Shining with the color of a utopian future

<p style="text-align: center;">It is to your skull

<p style="text-align: center;">As the sword is to the dragon

<p style="text-align: center;">Use it wisely, this pragmatic tool

Ledas: Huh?

Verlate: The riddle describes a word. Find the word, and find your escape.

Ledas: Uh, canya say it again, please?

<INSTEAD OF SAYING IT AGAIN, VERLATE CUTS INTO THE WATER WITH HER FINGER, WRITING IN ORNATE RED LETTERS; THE ENTIRE RIDDLE HOVERS IN FRONT OF LEDAS SO THAT HE CAN STUDY IT; AND STUDY IT HE DOES>

Verlate: There.

<THIS IS WRITTEN IN LEDAS’ SAIYAN LANGUAGE, BUT SINCE THERE IS NO POINT MAKING UP A LANGUAGE JUST FOR THAT, WE THE AUDIENCE MERELY SEE IT IN ENGLISH (OR WHATEVER LANGUAGE THIS STORY HAS BEEN TRANSLATED INTO)>

<LEDAS WORKS HIS BRAIN AS HARD AS HE CAN, BUT HE CANNOT COME UP WITH ANYTHING; HIS FACE IS VISIBLY FRUSTRATED; HE SWIMS AROUND, TRYING TO THINK; HE SHIVERS, AND FOLDS HIS ARMS FOR WARMTH; VERLATE WATCHES HIM AS HE STAYS FOCUSED ON HIS RIDDLE, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO POSSIBLY SOLVE IT AND PREVENT HIMSELF FROM BEING STUCK IN THE PLACE FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE>

<BORED OF WATCHING LEDAS THINK, VERLATE MOVES OVER TO THE BENEFACTOR, WHO IS SITTING IN A MEDITATION POSE; AS SOON AS SHE ENTERS, HE LIFTS HIS HEAD>

Verlate: Would you like a riddle as well, sentient? It is your only hope for getting out of here. <TO HERSELF> And truly, my own as well.

<THE BENEFACTOR SIGHS>

The Benefactor: <SLOWLY; DRAMATICALLY> All right, shoot.

The Misoneistic King
<VERLATE IS STANDING OVER THE BENEFACTOR WITH A SOLEMN LOOK ON HER FACE>

Verlate: So, biped, you wish to leave this place, do you? Answer this riddle, and I will allow you your exit. <SHE CONTINUES, NOW VERY CRISPLY>

<p style="text-align: center;">Costless,

<p style="text-align: center;">worthless

<p style="text-align: center;">to those who don’t have it;

<p style="text-align: center;">Unattainable alone,

<p style="text-align: center;">yet sought by the individual.

<p style="text-align: center;">It is what we all want,

<p style="text-align: center;">yet cannot keep to ourselves –

<p style="text-align: center;">championed by Time,

<p style="text-align: center;">and killed by it, too.

The Benefactor: And I get only one guess?

Verlate: Correct. Guess wrong, and you are bound to this prison forever.

The Benefactor: What if the boy and I both get it wrong?

Verlate: Then you will decide amongst yourselves who will stay. By that point, I will be long gone, and it will not be my concern.

The Benefactor: <SIGHS, DROPS HIS HEAD BACK DOWN> Give me a moment to find the answer, then.

Verlate: As you wish.

<VERLATE EXITS, SMILING, AND WATCHES THE TWO BEINGS ATTEMPTING TO SOLVE THEIR RIDDLES; LEDAS IS ON THE LEFT OF HER AND THE BENEFACTOR IS ON THE RIGHT; OF COURSE, THE TWO ARE SEPARATED BY THE ENERGY WALL, SO THEY CANNOT SEE OR HEAR EACH OTHER; LEDAS IS SWIMMING IN WATER WITH HIS RIDDLE PHYSICALLY BEFORE HIM, WHILE THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT HAVE EITHER OF THOSE THINGS ON HIS SIDE; AS SOON AS VERLATE IS OUT OF SIGHT OF THE BENEFACTOR, HER SMILE EVAPORATES AND HER FEATURES BECOME DARKER>

<VERLATE CREATES ONE OF THE BLACK DEMON MONSTERS SHE UTILIZED A FEW CHAPTERS BEFORE AND HOLDS IT IN HER HAND; IT GROWLS AND STRUGGLES A BIT, BUT SHE HOLDS ONTO IT TIGHTLY>

Verlate: <TO THE DEMON; IN A WHISPER> These two… they are so slow, aren’t they? So… unaware of what I have been through. I have been here untold years, wasting away through time and thought, and yet, they have no urgency in them! Don’t they see? <SHE STARTS BREATHING HARDER, CLENCHING DOWN ON THE DEMON’S NECK AS SHE DOES; IT STRUGGLES AND TRIES TO GET FREE AS SHE DOES THIS, BUT IT CANNOT> I need to get out here! I need to!! <SHE DROPS TO HER KNEES, SUDDENLY SCREAMING IN DESPAIR> I can’t stay here any longer! It’s an eternal living hell! <SHE LOOKS UP AND THE CAMERA FOCUSES ON LEDAS> That one is too stupid to answer my riddle anyway. I could just bind him here, now… transferring my energy signature to him… that would set me free! <SHE STANDS UP AND DESTROYS THE DEMON IN HER HAND> The riddles are just a game… just a distraction. They aren’t getting out, either way.

<WHITE ENERGY STARTS FORMING AROUND VERLATE’S ARMS; SHE MOVES FORWARD TO LEDAS’ SECTION; SHE TELEPORTS IN BEHIND HIM, THOUGH HE DOES NOT NOTICE; AS HE IS SWIMMING AROUND, SHE SNEAKS UP ON HIM, AIMING THE ENERGY TOWARDS HIM>

Verlate: <IN HER MIND; SHE FALTERS, HER ARMS QUIVERING; HER FACE LOSES ITS SCOWL> But what honor is there in this? How can I doom another to my own torment? Was I not a god once, a protector of all the living? <SHE SHAKES HER HEAD AND MOVES FORWARD; HER EYES BECOME DARK AND HER FACE BECOMES WRINKLED WITH MALICE> No! I don’t deserve this! There is only one way out of this never-ending torture, and it is before me! <SHE FOCUSES IN ON LEDAS AND TRACKS HIS MOVEMENTS> He is still young. He can afford some time in seclusion. But me… I have burned through too much of my life here. And I have served for my sins. It is my time to live, my time to leave! Even in this, I maintain my dignity!

<SHE GOES TO SHOOT THE ENERGY AT LEDAS>

<UP AHEAD, LEDAS IS STARING AT HIS RIDDLE, SCOWLING IN FRUSTRATION>

Ledas: Stupid riddle… who the heck makes this kind of lame stuff up?! It could mean anything! And what’s a dragon, anyway?

<SUDDENLY, LEDAS IS THROWN A FEW FEET FORWARD; HE IS COVERED IN A WHITE AURA, WITH WHITE WAVES OF ENERGY GOING DOWN HIS BODY; HE LOOKS DOWN HIS BODY, THEN OVER HIS SHOULDER AT WHAT COULD HAVE SHOT SUCH A THING AT HIM; BEHIND HIM, THERE IS ONLY A STREAM OF BUBBLES>

Ledas: What the…? <HE HOLDS HIS ARM UP TO HIM, AS WHITE ENERGY PULSATES AROUND IT> Was that an attack? But it doesn’t hurt… <HE SHAKES HIS HEAD> This is so weird…

<THE CAMERA PULLS AWAY FROM LEDAS’ CONFUSED FACE AND RACES UPWARDS; THERE, VERLATE IS SHOOTING TOWARD THE CEILING OF THE PRISON WITH THE GREATEST OF SPEED; THE TOP OF THE PYRAMID OPENS SLIGHTLY, REVEALING THE DARKNESS OF THE OUTSIDE; AS VERLATE GETS CLOSE, SHE HITS AN INVISIBLE WALL, WHICH BECOMES A DULL PINK COLOR WHERE SHE IMPACTS AGAINST IT; SHE FLIES BACKWARDS AFTER HITTING IT, BUT STAYS IN THE AIR; AT ONCE, SHE RACES BACK TO THE WALL AND IS HIT BACK AGAIN>

Verlate: <IN SHOCK, DISBELIEF> N-no… it can’t be! It can’t be!! <SHE SCREAMS, THEN SHOOTS A FLURRY OF WHITE ENERGY BEAMS INTO THE WALL; THESE EXPLODE HARMLESSLY AGAINST THE SHIELD; UPON SEEING THIS, VERLATE BREAKS DOWN COMPLETELY; SHE IS CRYING AND SHAKING AND DELIRIOUS WITH EMOTION> I put my energy signature into that other being! How does this prison still know it’s me? How?! I have loosened my ties to this cursed places; I have tricked it! And yet, this trick is on me! <SHE IS IN FULL DESPAIR NOW> Why can’t I get out? Is there nothing I can do?!

<VERLATE SPLITS HERSELF INTO TWO BEINGS>

Verlate: <TO THE PRISON (AS IF IT COULD HEAR HER OR CARE)> There, now there are two of me! Keep one here, and let the other go! Come on! <SHE RACES AT THE EXIT AGAIN, ONLY TO BE DENIED BY THE SHIELD; HER SECOND FORM SHATTERS, AND WHAT REMAINS OF VERLATE BEGINS TO SCREAM> Heartless justice! Have I not paid for my failings long enough? I was a god! I wielded impossible power! And now I am but a thrall to your cold-blooded law! Mortality has consumed you and your words, but Time has shielded me from that fate! And I cannot be in more agony because of it!

<VERLATE SHOOTS ONCE MORE AT THE ESCAPE, BUT SHE CANNOT GET AWAY; UPON BEING BATTED AWAY AGAIN, SHE LETS HERSELF FALL ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND; SHE LANDS IN LEDAS’ SIDE>

Ledas: <HE IS SPOOKED BY HER LANDING IN FRONT OF HIM> Whoa, what was that for?

Verlate: <STANDING UP, THOUGH LOOSELY, AS SHE IS IN THE WATER; SHE TRIES TO RETURN TO A CALM STATE> H-how old are you, s-sentient?

Ledas: Uh, I forget. My life’s just been one big blur.

Verlate: <DETACHED; QUIETLY> Funny that one so young as yourself would say that. For me, I remember every second of every day. The burden of it all… I cannot describe it with words.

Ledas: O-okay. Are you all right? You look different.

Verlate: I have gotten some news, and it is not favorable. <SHE RAISES HER ARMS AND THEN DISSIPATES THE WATER AND THE ENERGY BARRIER BETWEEN THE TWO; LEDAS FALLS TO THE GROUND, LANDING ON HIS FEET; WHITE ENERGY SEEPS FROM HIS BODY AND RETURNS TO VERLATE; THE BENEFACTOR NOTICES THAT THE BARRIER IS GONE AND HE STANDS UP, LIMPING OVER TO THE OTHER TWO> Tell me the answer to your riddles, both of you. Give me a little mental stimulation before the end.

The Benefactor: <ARROGANTLY> I knew you would try some kind of trickery, <ESPECIALLY DISGUSTED> god. So my answer is friendship. Your have not fooled me with such an answer.

Verlate: <LOOKING AT THE BENEFACTOR, WIDE-EYED> Of course not. Was the irony lost on you?

The Benefactor: <SHOOTING RIGHT BACK> The irony convinced me it was correct.

Verlate: You are not as dumb as you look. <SHE TURNS TO LEDAS> You, on the other hand…

Ledas: <DEFENSIVE; ANNOYED> I don’t know… I’m not ready to answer yet!

Verlate: I once had infinite time to create these riddles, always laughing to myself as I thought up such clever wordings to them. But now, I cannot wait. I am done taking part in this game of life… so your answer, Ledas? Give it to me.

Ledas: No way! If I get it wrong, I’m stuck in here forever.

Verlate: <STARING AT LEDAS WITH A PIERCING GAZE; NOTICEABLY DEPRESSED> As if I really had such power. My words have boasted much and proved little. But please, let me hear your answer.

Ledas: I-I… don’t–

Verlate: Imagination! That is all. <SHE TURNS FROM LEDAS, HER SHOULDERS SLUMPING FORWARD> I suppose that irony was indeed lost on you. But, remember this, both of you: my tests before were designed to judge your mental states and capabilities in order to craft riddles you could never solve. I figured one of you out, at least, and that was all I needed to do. <MUCH QUIETER> Still, in the end, it did not even matter. To be so close to freedom and have it so cruelly snatched from your grasp…

The Benefactor: <INTERRUPTING VERLATE> My answer is correct, so let me go!

Ledas: <SUDDENLY> No, please! Keep him here! Let me go!

Verlate: <SITTING DOWN ON A NEARBY CHAIR> A small furry being was the last one to visit me before you two. That was a long time ago, though perhaps only a blink of the eye in the time I’ve lived. He told me all I had to do think up riddles, then tell them to the next people to enter this prison. Once they were focused on the riddle, I could switch my energy signature with them and trick the prison into thinking I was them and they were me. <SHE PAUSES FOR A MOMENT AND THEN LOOKS AT LEDAS> And I tried this on you, biped, because you were the weaker of the two. I forced your guard down by getting you to focus on you riddle, and then I pulled the switch. It was so easy.

Ledas: What?! How could you do that? <ANGER SURGING> I’ll kill you!

Verlate: You may as well. It didn’t work. But that isn’t the point. I have had numerous companions in this place. Each one, I have been unable to shackle here, no matter what tricks I try. The riddles were just a cover for my last hope, and now it’s gone, I have nothing.

The Benefactor: Then give up and die! Stop wasting everyone’s time!

Verlate: <LONG PAUSE> You are right. Why continue? Why bother? Time cannot be defeated like any mortal being. I have learned that now. We can withstand it for a time, but in the end, we are all consumed, even us gods. It is a pointless endeavor to try and fight back. <SHE LOOKS BACK OVER AT THE TWO ALIENS> You do know that even if I go, one of you will have to stay here. I presume you will want to fight over who gets that honor.

Ledas: <TEETH CLENCHED> I’m not gonna become the next you!

The Benefactor: The weak do not decide their fate.

Verlate: <IGNORING THEM, SHE LOOKS DOWN AT HER HANDS> I have persisted, outside of memory and time; forgotten by everyone. And once you are forgotten, how do you know you still exist? I have been a shell of myself for too long. <SHE STANDS UP AND LOOKS AT THE OTHER TWO> I need death to set me free. No more pain, no more sadness, no more feeling, no more thinking. That is all I want. <SHE CLOSES HER EYES AND EXTENDS HER ARMS> I am finally ready to let go.

When Time And Life Shook Hands And Said Goodbye
<SCENE OPENS WITH A CLOSEUP OF YAJIROBE’S SWORD, WHICH IS STUCK IN THE GROUND SOME WAYS AWAY FROM VERLATE AND THE OTHERS; THE CAMERA THEN MOVES OVER TO THE THREE BEINGS>

<VERLATE IS STANDING STRAIGHT; SHE LIFTS HER HANDS OUTWARDS; AT ONCE, AN EXPLOSION OF LIGHT GOES OFF BEHIND HER; WITH IT, ALL OF THE SCENERY GOES TOO; FOR A BRIEF SECOND, THE ENTIRE PLACE IS NOTHING BUT WHITE>

Verlate: Your own imaginations will have to give this place new features. As for me, it is time to go. <SHE DROPS TO HER KNEES AND LOOKS AT THE TWO> It’s a beautiful way to die. To be able to stop thinking and let go, with the weight of existence no longer upon my shoulders… I could not ask for any better end. <SHE CLOSES HER EYES AND LEANS HER HEAD BACK; SHE IS SMILING> Last one out, get the lights, please.

<WITH THAT, VERLATE FADES AWAY LIKE SMOKE IN THE WIND>

<AS SOON AS SHE IS GONE, THE SCENERY RETURNS; HOWEVER, THIS TIME IT IS A DESERT PLATEAU REGION, WHICH IS SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO HOW PLANET VEGETA LOOKS AND ALSO LOOKS LIKE THE PLACE THAT GOKU AND VEGETA DUELED AT DURING THE END OF THE SAIYAN SAGA>

<LEDAS LOOKS OVER TO THE BENEFACTOR AND GOES SUPER SAIYAN AT ONCE>

The Benefactor: Don’t kid yourself. You aren’t getting out of here.

Ledas: You shouldn’t underestimate me. I got you once before; and you’re lucky it was just your eyes last time.

The Benefactor: That was my error, nothing else. It will not happen again.

Ledas: Keep telling yourself that and I’ll do it again!

The Benefactor: I would kill you right now if it would not damn me to this place. But enough talk! I am leaving, and you cannot stop me.

Ledas: You’re weaker than before. I can feel it. I don’t know what happened to you in here, but you look like something beat you up.

The Benefactor: <THROUGH GRITTED TEETH> It’s just a scratch…

Ledas: Prove it.

<SUDDENLY, THE BENEFACTOR FLIES UP TOWARDS THE EXIT; LEDAS PURSUES HIM INSTANTLY AND SHOOTS A PLAYFUL GALICK AT THE ALIEN’S BACK; AS IT HITS HIM, LEDAS TELEPORTS IN FRONT OF THE BENEFACTOR AND KICKS HIM DOWNWARD; THE BENEFACTOR RECOVERS AND SHOOTS BACK UP TO LEDAS; THE BOY IS ALREADY SHOOTING AT HIM WITH HIS LEG OUT; HIS LEG CONNECTS WITH THE BENEFACTOR’S FACE; THE ALIEN CHOPS LEDAS’ LEG, PUSHING THE SAIYAN OUT OF THE WAY; HE SHOOTS A RED WIND AT THE BOY, AND THIS CAUSES LEDAS TO FALL AWAY; HE AGAIN TRIES TO SHOOT TO THE EXIT, BUT LEDAS IS BACK ON HIM AT ONCE; LEDAS GRABS THE BENEFACTOR’S TAIL AND PULLS HIM DOWN; IN HIS FREE HAND, LEDAS KI-SATURATES HIS FIST AND PUNCHES THE ALIEN DOWN>

<THE BENEFACTOR LANDS, THOUGH HE STRUGGLES TO REMAIN STANDING; LEDAS LANDS A FEW METERS AWAY FROM HIM; THEY ARE BOTH ON TOP OF A ROCKY PLATEAU>

<CUE Exodus>

The Benefactor: Fine. I’ll beat you into submission.

Ledas: You can try!

<THE BENEFACTOR CHARGES UP TO FULL POWER, HIS BLACK AURA COMING UP AROUND HIM AS HE DOES; LEDAS TAKES THIS TIME TO CHARGE UP SIMILARLY; THERE ARE A FEW PLASMA SPARKS IN LEDAS’ AURA FOR A SECOND, THOUGH THEY DON’T STAY AROUND LONG>

<NOW FULLY POWERED, THE BENEFACTOR MOVES FORWARD; HE AND THE SAIYAN CIRCLE ONE ANOTHER, LOOKING FOR AN OPENING; THE BENEFACTOR SHOOTS A SMALL KI BLAST, BUT LEDAS QUICKLY DEFLECTS IT; THE BENEFACTOR MOVES FORWARD, BUT LEDAS DODGES TO THE SIDE AND REGAINS HIS POSITION; THEN, LEDAS CREATES AN AFTERIMAGE AND TELEPORTS BEHIND THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR IS NOT FOOLED, AND HE SPINS AROUND TO PUNCH LEDAS; LEDAS BLOCKS THIS PUNCH BY CATCHING THE BENEFACTOR’S HAND WITH HIS OWN>

<Exodus REACHES 1:12 NOW>

<THE BENEFACTOR AND LEDAS STRUGGLE TO BREAK FREE FROM ONE ANOTHER; THEIR HANDS ARE INTERLOCKED, AND THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO PUSH EACH OTHER TO THE GROUND; THEIR AURAS FLARE UP AROUND THEM, AND THE ROCKS AND DIRT AND FOLIAGE ON THE GROUND ARE ALL BLOWN APART; AS THEY CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE, THEIR AURAS GET LARGER, AND EXPLOSIONS START GOING OFF FROM THE BITS OF KI THAT FALLS OFF>

<THE BENEFACTOR GAINS THE ADVANTAGE AND HE PUSHES LEDAS BACK; HE PLACES HIS FOOT OVER LEDAS’ BODY, BUT WHAT HE PUSHES DOWN ON IS JUST AIR, AS LEDAS IS ABLE TO TELEPORT AWAY IN TIME; HE REAPPEARS TO THE LEFT OF THE BENEFACTOR; AT ONCE, HE RAISES HIS RIGHT HAND AND SHOOTS A KYORRA FLASH AT THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR SHOOTS A FRENZY BLAST AT LEDAS TO STAY THE BOY’S ATTACK; FOR A MOMENT, THE TWO STRUGGLE; LEDAS GRITS HIS TEETH AS HE TRIES TO PUSH THE BEAM INTO THE BENEFACTOR; IT DOES NOT BUDGE, AND INSTEAD A GREAT WIND PICKS UP AROUND THE TWO>

<BUT THEN, LEDAS SCREAMS AND CREATES AN ICE CANNON IN HIS LEFT HAND; HE RAISES HIS ARM AND SHOOTS THE BEAM INTO HIS KYORRA FLASH, MAKING HIS SIDE GROW LARGER AND STRONGER; THE BENEFACTOR IS UNABLE TO HOLD THIS ENERGY BACK, AND THE KI BEAM OVERTAKES HIM; HE GROANS AS THE ENERGY HITS HIM AND EXPLODES>

<AT ONCE, LEDAS CHARGES FORWARD; HE FIND THE BENEFACTOR LYING ON THE GROUND AND GRABS HIM BY THE NECK; WITH HIS FREE HAND, HE RAINS BLOWS ON THE ALIEN’S FACE; HOWEVER, THE BENEFACTOR WAKES UP WHEN THIS OCCURS, AND HE USES HIS CLAWED FEET TO TEAR INTO LEDAS’ HOODIE AND PUSH THE BOY OFF OF HIM; HE STANDS UP AND SHOOTS A FLURRY OF ENERGY BLASTS AT LEDAS; THESE CATCH THE BOY AS HE IS TUMBLING AWAY, SINGEING HIM BADLY; HIS HOODIE IS TORN TO PIECES AND HIS JEANS ARE SLIGHTLY TORN AS WELL>

<THE BENEFACTOR RUNS AT LEDAS AND REACHES HIM JUST AS THE SAIYAN STANDS UP; LEDAS BLOCKS HIS PUNCH AND THEN JUMPS IN THE AIR AND THEN FALLS BACK DOWN, SLAMMING HIS FOOT ON THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR ATTEMPTS TO BLOCK THIS, BUT LEDAS’ ATTACK IS SO POWERFUL THAT HIS BLOCK IS BROKEN AND HE IS THROWN BACK AND FALLS TO HIS KNEES; LEDAS THEN PROCEEDS TO JUMP FORWARD AND START PUNCHING AND KICKING THE ALIEN; THE BENEFACTOR DODGES A FEW OF THESE ATTACKS AND THEN GRABS LEDAS BY THE BACK OF THE HEAD AND SLAMS HIS HEAD INTO THE BENEFACTOR’S KNEE; LEDAS YELLS OUT IN PAIN AND FALLS BACK>

<HE SHOOTS A UNRELENTING ENERGY BURST AT THE BENEFACTOR; THIS RIPS INTO THE BENEFACTOR’S SKIN; FLECKS OF BLOOD CAN BE SEEN FLYING FROM HIS BODY AS OLD WOUNDS ARE RE-OPENED>

<TO ESCAPE THIS, THE BENEFACTOR ASCENDS INTO THE SKY; HE THEN READIES ANOTHER ENERGY BLAST WITH BOTH HANDS TO FINISH OFF LEDAS; BUT LEDAS HAS ALREADY STOOD BACK UP AGAIN; HE SEES WHAT THE BENEFACTOR IS DOING AND SHOOTS A BUNCH OF RAZOR BLASTS AT THE ALIEN; THE BENEFACTOR ATTEMPTS TO KNOCK THESE ASIDE, BUT THEY GET LODGED INTO HIS SKIN WHEN HE DOES; NOT EXPECTING THIS, THE BENEFACTOR MOMENTARILY LETS HIS GUARD DOWN DUE TO THE PAIN THE RAZOR BLASTS INFLICTED UPON HIM; LEDAS SEES HIS OPENING AND FLIES UP TO MEET THE BENEFACTOR>

<IN THE AIR, LEDAS KICKS THE BENEFACTOR BACK; HE JUMPS FORWARD AND THEN PUNCHES HIM UPWARDS AND TELEPORTS TO WHERE THE BENEFACTOR WOULD BE TO DO A BICYCLE KICK DOWNWARDS; FOLLOWING THIS UP, HE PURSUES THE BENEFACTOR’S FALLING BODY AND PUNCHES HIM RIGHT INTO THE GROUND>

<LEDAS LANDS NEXT TO THE BENEFACTOR’S BODY AND WAITS FOR HIM TO STAND UP; THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT, AND INSTEAD ROLLS OVER, KICKING AT LEDAS’ LEGS AS HE DOES; THIS CAUSES LEDAS TO STUMBLE BACK AND GIVE THE BENEFACTOR AN OPENING; HE JUMPS UP AND RUNS RIGHT AT LEDAS; THE TWO ENGAGE IN A BLOW EXCHANGE OF PUNCHES AND KICKS; EACH ONE OF THEM GETS HIT NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE BENEFACTOR’S FORM IS ABLE TO OVERPOWER LEDAS’; HE TAKES THE OFFENSIVE AND KICKS LEDAS AWAY, THEN JUMPS FORWARD AND DOES A FLURRY OF PUNCHES AND KICKS TO THE BOY’S FACE; AS LEDAS TRIES TO RECOVER THE BENEFACTOR SHOOTS A QUICK ENERGY BLAST INTO HIS CHEST; LEDAS COUGHS, AS THE WIND IS KNOCKED OUT OF HIM, AND DOESN’T EVEN PUT UP HIS GUARD WHEN THE BENEFACTOR READIES A POWERFUL PUNCH; IT HITS HIM STRAIGHT IN THE GUT; LEDAS FALLS OVER AND REVERTS TO BASE FORM>

<THE BENEFACTOR IS ON HIM INSTANTLY, PINNING HIM TO THE ROCK>

The Benefactor: Your threshold for pain is remarkably low, kid. One good punch, and you’re down for the count. But for me, pain is a constant companion – one I don’t forget or neglect. And that is my advantage, here at the end of it all. Even being weakened and blinded, I still have one edge. <THE BENEFACTOR STARTS SQUEEZING LEDAS’ NECK> I’m not going to kill you, but you’re going to feel real pain before I leave! I’ll show you what I’ve been through!

Ledas: N-no!

<LEDAS CREATES AN EXPLOSIVE WAVE; THE BENEFACTOR YELLS OUT, BUT HE KEEPS A HOLD ON THE BOY>

The Benefactor: You’re going to have to try harder than that!

<LEDAS SQUIRMS, KICKING UP HIS FEET EVEN AS THE BENEFACTOR TRIES TO HOLD HIM DOWN; THE BENEFACTOR’S FACE IS ONLY INCHES AWAY FROM LEDAS AS THEY STRUGGLE; DURING THIS TIME, LEDAS LOOKS TO THE LEFT AND HE SEES YAJIROBE’S SWORD STUCK IN THE GROUND, POKING OUT FROM BEHIND A FEW ROCKS; HE REACHES HIS HAND OUT TO GET IT, BUT IT IS TOO FAR AWAY>

<THE BENEFACTOR DIGS HIS CLAWS INTO LEDAS’ NECK, CAUSING BLOOD TO START FLOWING OUT; LEDAS GROANS AND STARTS STRUGGLING IN A WAY THAT PUSHES HIM TOWARDS YAJIROBE’S SWORD; WITH ONE HAND, LEDAS RESISTS, BUT WITH THE OTHER, HE REACHES TOWARDS YAJIROBE’S SWORD; THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT NOTICE THIS; HE IS FOCUSED ON LEDAS’ BLOOD AND MAKING THE BOY FEEL MORE PAIN>

<THE BENEFACTOR TEARS LEDAS’ HOODIE OFF; UNDERNEATH, THE BOY IS WEARING A WHITE SHIRT; HE STARTS RIPPING AT THIS, TEARING LEDAS’ SKIN UNDERNEATH; LEDAS ABSOLUTELY SCREAMS AS THIS IS GOING ON; WITH HIS RIGHT HAND, HE CREATES A SMALL ENERGY BEAM AND SHOOTS IT INTO TB’S FACE; THE ALIEN TAKES IT HEAD ON, AND THOUGH IT BRIEFLY STUNS HIM, IT DOES NOT MAKE HIM STOP; THEY INCH FURTHER TOWARDS YAJIROBE’S SWORD AS THIS HAPPENS>

<LEDAS STARTS SHOOTING A FLURRY OF ATTACKS AT THE BENEFACTOR, DAMAGING THE GOOD ALIEN EVEN MORE; AS HE IS DOING THIS, HIS LEFT HAND FINDS THE HILT OF YAJIROBE’S SWORD; HE LOOKS LEFT, GOES SUPER SAIYAN, AND PULLS IT OUT OF THE GROUND, CAUSING A BIG ENOUGH COMMOTION THAT THE BENEFACTOR STOPS TEARING APART AND LOOKS OVER; OF COURSE, HE CANNOT SEE THE SWORD, BUT HE CAN HEAR IT>

The Benefactor: What was tha–

<LEDAS SWINGS THE SWORD AND HITS THE ALIEN IN THE FACE; IT CUTS HIM DEEPLY ACROSS THE FACE; THE BENEFACTOR LETS GO OF LEDAS AND FALLS BACK, SHOUTING OUT; A TORRENT OF BLOOD IS FLOWING FROM HIS FACE>

<LEDAS MOVES AWAY FROM THE BENEFACTOR AND STANDS UP; HE FEELS THE WOUND ON HIS CHEST AND GRIMACES>

The Benefactor: <EXTREMELY ANGRY> DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM, YOU FOOL?!?! DO YOU KNOW WHAT I HAVE DONE?!?! I KILLED YOUR GRANDFATHER! I KILLED YOUR FATHER! AND I WOULD HAVE KILLED YOU AND THE PRINCE WERE IT NOT FOR FRIEZA! YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A MAGGOT TO ME! I DEFEATED ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS OUT THERE ON EARTH! AND MANY OF THEM WERE MUCH STRONGER THAN YOU!! WHY DO YOU THINK YOU CAN STAND UP TO ME?! WHY DO YOU RESIST?!

Ledas: <SHOCKED> Wh-what?! My… my f-father?!

The Benefactor: <STANDS UP; HE CAUTERIZES HIS WOUND IN AN INSTANT> That’s right. I killed him. You know almost all the Saiyans are gone. But do you know why? It’s because they tried to rebel against Frieza.

Ledas: <GETTING EMOTIONAL> No! You’re a liar! He killed them in cold blood!

The Benefactor: King Vegeta led a group of the best Saiyans to Frieza’s ship. Frieza took care of them in the blink of an eye. All except for your father, who cowered in the back and escaped Frieza’s first attack.

Ledas: <LOUDER> My father wasn’t a coward!!

The Benefactor: Oh yes he was! I was there, you fool! I saw him in the back of the group, trying to stay out of the fighting. And then once he was the only one left, he tried one final attack on Frieza, but he was so pathetically weak that his blast did nothing at all.

Ledas: <ALMOST CRYING> N-no, it’s n-not true! He d-didn’t!

The Benefactor: <TRYING TO BREAK LEDAS> And then I slit his throat and tore his flesh from his body. I tasted his blood. And it was just like yours. You have the blood of a coward and a weakling inside of you.

Ledas: <FALLS TO HIS HANDS AND KNEES, DROPPING YAJIROBE’S SWORD; HE REVERTS TO HIS BASE FORM; HIS EYES ARE WIDE AND HIS MOUTH AGAPE; HE IS STRICKEN> Y-y-ou…. bastard!!

<CUE To Glory>

<THE BENEFACTOR LAUGHS; LEDAS BEGINS BREATHING VERY QUICKLY; SOME PLASMA SPARKS ARE AROUND HIS BODY>

The Benefactor: You will never see them again. Your father, your grandfather, your friends. Once I’m out of here, I’m killing everyone on Earth. I’m going to make them suffer. But you will be here. You can’t even die to be with them. You will be stuck, alone, forgotten, like the piece of trash you are.

<LEDAS IS STILL BREATHING HARD; HE IS NOT EVEN LOOKING AT HIS OPPONENT; MORE AND MORE PLASMA SPARKS ARE FORMING AROUND HIS BODY, EVEN THOUGH HE IS IN BASE FORM; HIS AURA IS AROUND HIM, THOUGH IT SOMEWHAT FAINT>

The Benefactor: What, are you crying now? Don’t like how the world isn’t fair? Well guess what – life isn’t happy. The hero doesn’t always win.

Ledas: <LOOKS UP AT THE BENEFACTOR; THERE IS HATRED BURNING IN HIS EYES; HE IS IN SUPER SAIYAN 1> I’m no hero.

<To Glory REACHES 0:41 NOW>

<HE JUMPS UP AND CHARGES AT THE BENEFACTOR; THE TWO LOCK INTO A BLOW EXCHANGE, ONLY THIS TIME, LEDAS AND THE BENEFACTOR ARE SHOOTING ENERGY AS MUCH AS THEY ARE PUNCHING AND KICKING; THE CAMERA PANS BACK TO SHOW THEIR DESTRUCTION; EVERY PUNCH SENDS SHOCK WAVES AROUND AND THEIR ENERGY GOES FLYING ABOUT CREATING EXPLOSIONS EVERYWHERE; BRIEFLY, THEY GET LOCKED INTO A VERY FAST BLOW EXCHANGE>

<To Glory REACHES 2:07 NOW>

<LEDAS OVERPOWERS THE BENEFACTOR, FORCING THE ALIEN BACKWARDS; HE IS RUTHLESSLY KICKING AND PUNCHING THE ALIEN BACKWARD>

The Benefactor: <HOARSELY; WHILE THEY ARE FIGHTING; TRYING TO LESSEN LEDAS’ SPIRIT> You know what will happen! You cannot win! You have a coward’s heart!

Ledas: <ANGRILY> A coward wouldn’t be beating you!

<THEY CONTINUE FIGHTING; THERE ARE MANY KICKS, PUNCHES, AND TELEPORTING OCCURRING, AND ENERGY BLASTS; LEDAS USES A NEW TECHNIQUE, THE ADJUDICATOR, WHERE HE FIRES THREE ENERGY ATTACKS FROM HIS MOUTH SIMULTANEOUSLY; ONCE THEY HIT THE BENEFACTOR, RESIDUE REMAINS THAT BURNS HIS BODY; THIS GIVES LEDAS THE ADVANTAGE; HE PRESSES FORWARD AND KICKS THE BENEFACTOR IN THE CROTCH AREA BEFORE USING A SUPER EXPLOSIVE WAVE TO KNOCK HIM AWAY; LOOKING AT THE BENEFACTOR WITH DISGUST, LEDAS BRINGS HIS AURA UP AROUND HIM>

<To Glory REACHES 3:01 NOW>

<LEDAS LETS OUT A DEAFENING SCREAM AND HIS AURA SHOOTS UP ALL AROUND HIM; PLASMA SPARKS ARE EVERYWHERE; THERE IS MUCH ELECTRICITY IN HIS AURA; THIS KEEPS BUILDING UP UNTIL AN EXPLOSION GOES OFF, BRIEFLY COVERING THE CAMERA IN WHITE; LEDAS STOPS SCREAMING AS IT GOES WHITE>

<THE EXPLOSION HAPPENS RIGHT AT 3:32 IN To Glory>

<WHEN THE CAMERA REFOCUSES IN ON LEDAS, HE IS NOT IN SUPER SAIYAN 1 ANY MORE; HIS HAIR IS STANDING UP MUCH STRAIGHTER; IT IS VERY SPIKY; THERE ARE ELECTRICAL SPARKS MOVING ABOUT HIS BODY, THOUGH THEY DON’T SEEM TO BE HARMING HIM; THIS FORM IS, OF COURSE, SUPER SAIYAN 2>

<THE BENEFACTOR SHOOTS SEVERAL ENERGY BEAMS AT LEDAS, THOUGH THE BOY CASUALLY DEFLECTS THEM TO EITHER SIDE>

<THE BENEFACTOR FEELS HIS POWER AND IS IN SHOCK>

The Benefactor: What is this?! Why are you so much stronger now?!

Ledas: <UNIMPRESSED AT THE BENEFACTOR> You shouldn’t have said those things about my father. Now I’m gonna make you feel a lot of pain.

<HE AIR DASHES AT THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR STANDS UP AND ATTEMPTS TO BLOCK, BUT HIS BLOCK IS SHATTERED AND HE IS THROWN TO THE FLOOR; LEDAS PUNCHES HIM AND ELBOWS HIM IN THE NECK; THE BENEFACTOR STUMBLES BACKWARDS; HE ATTEMPTS ANOTHER ATTACK, BUT LEDAS EASILY BLOCKS IT; HE HEADBUTTS THE BENEFACTOR AND THEN FOLLOWS THIS UP WITH A FINGER BEAM TO THE FACE; THE BENEFACTOR FALLS BACK TO THE GROUND, EXHAUSTED AND DEFEATED>

<LEDAS MOVES BACK AND FINDS YAJIROBE’S SWORD, PICKS IT UP, AND SLINGS IT OVER HIS SHOULDER; THEN, HE TAKES TO THE AIR AND TO THE PORTAL AT THE CEILING>

<JUST AS LEDAS IS GOING OUT, THE BENEFACTOR CALLS OUT TO HIM ONE LAST TIME>

The Benefactor: Ledas?! Get back here, you worm!

<THE BENEFACTOR SCREAMS AND PUTS ALL OF HIS REMAINING ENERGY INTO A FINAL RED WIND ENERGY BEAM; IT SHOOTS DIRECTLY AT LEDAS; LEDAS PRODUCES A KYORRA FLASH OF HIS OWN AND SHOOTS IT AT THE BENEFACTOR’S ATTACK; THE TWO BITS OF ENERGY CLASH FOR A MOMENT, THOUGH LEDAS’ IS CLEARLY STRONGER; WITHIN A SECOND, IT COMPLETELY ENGULFS THE BENEFACTOR’S ATTACK AND HITS THE ALIEN, SENDING HIM INTO A CRATER; SEEING THIS, LEDAS SMIRKS>

Ledas: Goodbye, monster. I won’t miss you.

<HE TURNS AROUND AND AIR DASHES OUT OF THE PRISON>

<THE CAMERA MOVES TO JUST BEHIND THE BENEFACTOR; IT SHOWS HIM WATCHING LEDAS EXIT; ALL THE BENEFACTOR CAN DO IS DROP HIS HEAD TO THE GROUND IN UTTER DEFEAT; THE SCREEN FADES TO BLACK AS THE BENEFACTOR’S RAGGED BREATHING CAN BE HEARD>

<AFTER A BRIEF PAUSE, THE CAMERA RE-FADES TO COLOR>

<IT IS BACK OUTSIDE, AS LEDAS HAS RETURNED TO THE REAL WORLD; LEDAS REVERTS TO HIS BASE FORM AND LOOKS AROUND AT THE WORLD; HE IS BEAMING>

Ledas: <SMILING; SOFTLY> I’ve missed this place!

<LEDAS LOOKS AROUND; HE DOESN’T SEE ANYONE NEARBY; THERE ARE STILL SOME CRATERS FROM THE PREVIOUS BATTLES; AS HE GOES FURTHER, HE HEARS A NOISE; TURNING TO IT, HE SEES YAJIROBE SITTING NEXT TO HIS DESTROYED HOVERCAR; THE HUMAN APPEARS TO BE TRYING TO FIX IT; THIS IS CLEARLY IMPOSSIBLE, AS IT IS BUT A SMOLDERING WRECK>

Ledas: Hey, Yajirobe. <YAJIROBE TURNS AROUND AND SEES LEDAS; LEDAS THROWS HIM HIS KATANA, WHICH HE CATCHES WITH LITTLE GRACE> Wanna go home?

Sticky Fingers
<IT IS NIGHT>

<LEDAS REACHES KORIN TOWER QUICKLY; HE FLIES UP TO THE RAILING OF THE TOWER, TOUCHING DOWN QUIETLY; BOTH HE AND YAJIROBE ASSUME KORIN IS SLEEPING, YAJIROBE SLIPS AWAY, OFF TO BED; NO MORE GLANCE NOR TALK DOES HE HAVE FOR LEDAS, AS HE IS QUITE TIRED, HIMSELF; LEDAS RAISES HIS HAND TO SIGNAL HIS GOODBYE, BUT DOES NOT TALK EITHER>

<LEDAS TAKES THE MIND PRISON AND CAREFULLY PLACES IT (WITH TWO HANDS, MIND YOU) OVER ON ONE OF KORIN’S MANY TABLES; HE GOES TO LEAVE>

<AS LEDAS WALKS, HE NOTICES A GLINT FROM AN UPTURNED SLAB OF WALL AGAINST THE TABLE; HE WALKS UP TO IT, DRAGGING HIS FEET AS HE GOES>

<CURIOUS OF THIS STRANGE THING, LEDAS RUNS HIS HAND DOWN THE LENGTH OF IT, FEELING FOR CLUES; IT IS VERY COLD; HE SHIVERS>

<LEDAS LIGHTS UP A SMALL KI BLAST SO THAT HE MAY SEE MORE CLEARLY WHAT IS STANDING BEFORE HIM ; IT IS A SIMPLE MIRROR, WHICH IS SLIGHTLY DIRTY FROM DISUSE, BUT IT IS A WORKING MIRROR NONETHELESS; HE STARES AT THE FIGURE OF HIS OWN BODY>

<SINCE LEDAS HAS NEVER SEEN A MIRROR BEFORE, THIS THING IS SOMETHING SURREAL TO HIM; HE HAS NEVER SEEN HIS OWN FACE BEFORE, OR EVEN HIS BODY FROM A FULL THIRD PERSON VIEW; HE COCKS HIS HEAD TO THE SIDE, EXAMINING IT>

<STILL DIRTY, AND BLOODY (COVERED IN HIS OWN AS WELL AS THE BENEFACTOR’S), LEDAS LOOKS QUITE TERRIBLE, BUT HE IS TRANSFIXED, SO MUCH SO THAT HE DOES NOT REALIZE HOW BRIGHT HIS KI BALL REALLY IS>

Korin: <FROM BEHIND> Like what ya see, big guy?

Ledas: <WHEELING AROUND> Oh Korin, sir. I didn’t mean to wake you up.

Korin: Don’t worry about it. It’s not like I have anything to get up for in the morning. <HE DOES AN OPEN/STILL LEAP ONTO THE TABLE>

Ledas: Really? What about Yajirobe?

Korin: Yeah, sure kid. He has to get up early to make sure he doesn’t miss a meal. <KORIN INSPECTS THE PYRAMID AS HE TALKS> You worked everything out with Vegeta and the others?

Ledas: Yeah, but… <LEDAS QUITS STARING INTO THE MIRROR; HE SPINS AROUND TO FACE KORIN, IN MOST SERIOUS REPOSE> um, Mr. Korin sir, do you think you could train me to be stronger? Like Vegeta is, I mean… <TRAILING OFF> C-could you be my teacher? I think you’re real smart and all.

Korin: <TAKEN ABACK> What do you think I am, some kind of martial arts master?

Ledas: <INNOCENTLY> Uh, yeah. That’s what Yajirobe said.

Korin: <LEAPS OFF OF THE TABLE; HE BEGINS TO WALK BACK TO HIS ROOM> Don’t take this the wrong way kid, but there’s nothing I can do to help ya. <HE STANDS THERE SILENTLY FOR THREE MOMENTS; HE YAWNS> My advice is to go find Vegeta and get him to help ya. He’s sure to know more about this than me. <ABRUPTLY> Now, it’s time for bed. See ya around.

<KORIN EXITS THROUGH THE DOOR>

<LEDAS STARES AFTER HIM, THEN TURNS AND PUSHES OFF FROM THE GROUND, FLYING UP AND AWAY>

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF IN THOUGHT> But I want to get stronger before–

Korin: <BACK ONCE AGAIN> Hey!

<THIS NOISE STOPS LEDAS; HE LOOKS BACK AT THE TOWER, WHERE KORIN IS STANDING>

Korin: You’re forgetting something. Here. <HE THROWS THE MIND PRISON UP TO LEDAS, WHO CATCHES IT IN REFLEX>

Ledas: <GINGERLY, LOOKING OVER THE OBJECT> This isn’t mine. Yajirobe said it belonged to you.

Korin: <DRYLY> Whatever you stuck away in there, I don’t want to be left with it. I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night knowing it’s around! And this cat needs his sleep, y’know.

Ledas: Bu–

Korin: Look, if ya keep it in a safe place, there’s nothing to worry about.

Ledas: But I can’t watch it all the time. Ryori and me were gonna go see that whale that could jump out of its tail… It’s very cool. <BACKFLIP> And besides, I have to train every day too. How’m I supposed to keep this thing from opening every place I go?

Korin: <TO HIMSELF> Sheesh, these Saiyan boys have no common sense… <TO LEDAS; KORIN IS A BIT GRUMPY> For starters, you shouldn’t be taking it with you everywhere you go. Put it somewhere safe, like under your bed. Just don’t forget about it. You wouldn’t want to accidentally bump into it one day and get sucked in again, now would ya? <TURNS AND GOES BACK TO HIS ROOM>

Ledas: <IGNORING> Wait, how do you know what it does?!

Korin: <TURNS BACK FROM HIS DOOR> Just a wild guess. Now go get some sleep, kid. Ya look like ya need some.

<LEDAS WATCHES KORIN UNTIL THE DOOR CLOSES BEHIND THE CAT>

Ledas: Okay bye, then.

<HE THEN TURNS AND FLIES AWAY>

<A SHORT SCENE IS SHOWN OF LEDAS RETURNING TO HIS GRAVITY TRAINING UNIT ON THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN; HE LANDS AND WALKS TO THE OPEN DOOR>

Ledas: <LOOKING AROUND> Ryori? Where are you? Hey, Ryori?!

<THE SCREEN FADES>

<THE NEXT MORNING>

<CARDINAL IS LYING IN A HOSPITAL BED; HIS ARM IS STILL BANDAGED, AND HE IS STILL HOOKED UP TO MULTIPLE IV TUBES; HE HAS DARK CIRCLES UNDER HIS EYES; AS HE WAKES UP, THE CAMERA SWITCHES TO HIS PERSPECTIVE>

Cardinal: <YAWNING> Nurse… nurse! I need more morphine! Nurse! <HE OPENS HIS EYES AND SEES LEDAS STANDING IN FRONT OF HIM; LEDAS IS WEARING A BLACK HOODIE AND WHITE SHORTS; CARDINAL IS STARTLED> Oh! What are you doing here, Ledas?

Ledas: <ARMS FOLDED> You know why.

Cardinal: <SITS UP AND SIGHS> I am not a mind reader, boy. Especially not for aliens. Tell me what you want or leave me be.

Ledas: Tell me where Ryori is.

Cardinal: <RELAXES> That’s it? Well, he’s in confinement for what he did to my arm. See? <CARDINAL GESTURES TO HIS BANDAGES>

Ledas: <STARING CARDINAL DOWN> Whatever he did to you, you had it coming.

Cardinal: Well, I don’t th–

Ledas: I don’t care what you think. Just tell me exactly where he is.

Cardinal: He’s being held by the police somewhere in this hospital. I don’t know where, but he’s not getting free. He attacked me, Ledas. He’s going to be in serious trouble for that. They are questioning him now.

<LEDAS LOOKS OVER HIS SHOULDER, THEN STEPS FORWARD; HE IS LESS THAN A FOOT AWAY FROM CARDINAL NOW>

Ledas: <QUIETER, BUT STILL THREATENING> You’re pretty important here on Earth, aren’t you?

Cardinal: <GUARDED> One could say that.

Ledas: Then you’ll find a way to get him out of this.

Cardinal: And why would I do such a thing?

Ledas: If you don’t, I’ll find him, myself. And you know what that means. You don’t want any more people to die, do you?

Cardinal: I see. <HE LOOKS DOWN> In that case, I’ll try to work something out. But it will take some time. I am quite debilitated at the present moment.

Ledas: Once you’ve freed him, you’re gonna to buy him a new house and pay for everything he needs. Got it?

Cardinal: What?! Come on, be reasonable! That’ll be immensely expensive! My funds would be better served going into other–

Ledas: <IN A WHISPER> You killed his brother. <PAUSE> Now you’re gonna pay for that. He needs someone to support him, and that’s gonna be you. I don’t care how much it costs you.

Cardinal: So if I refuse, I assume you’ll find some way to make me?

Ledas: <FIERCELY> Yeah, that’s right.

Cardinal: You know, when King Furry told me about how your kind was protecting our planet, I don’t think he was talking about you.

Ledas: Whatever. Just get Ryori free.

Cardinal: <TO HIMSELF> How much has my power been reduced that I am now taking orders from a mere boy? <HE LOOKS UP TO LEDAS AGAIN> I’ll be working on it. You have my word, Ledas.

<LEDAS NODS AND GOES TO LEAVE; AS HE DOES, THE DOOR OPENS AND NURSE YOROKOBI ENTERS; SHE LOOKS AT LEDAS AS HE WALKS PAST HER, THOUGH HE DOESN’T SEEM TO NOTICE HER; ONCE HE PASSES HER, SHE POSITIVELY STARES AT HIS BACKSIDE UNTIL HE EXITS>

<THE SCENE MOVES TO RYORI’S ROOM, WHERE THERE ARE POLICE GUARDING THE DOORS AND SOME MORE POLICE INSIDE; SUDDENLY, A POLICEMAN OPENS THE DOOR AND STEPS OUT; HE LOOKS AT THE OTHERS AND SPEAKS>

Policeman 1: Come on boys, we’re leaving.

Policeman 2: Aren’t we taking the kid to the station for more questioning?

Policeman 1: Nah, no need.

Policeman 3: What?! Why?

Policeman 1:You guys ever heard of the Cardinal?

Policeman 2: No. What is he, some kind of religious man?

Policeman 1: <PATS A BRIEFCASE IN HIS HAND> Well, he’s my religion now, heh heh. He gonna make us a whole lot richer, provided we walk away. Now come on boys, follow me. Ain’t no point in throwing money down the toilet. Let’s go get paid.

<AFTER THEY LEAVE, NURSE YOROKOBI IS SEEN ENTERING RYORI’S ROOM, PERHAPS TO CHECK ON HIM; AFTER SOME TIME, LEDAS COMES WALKING DOWN THE HOSPITAL HALL; HE GOES TO ENTER THE ROOM>

<PERMANENTLY REDACTED SCENE 2, NOT POSTED>

<BACK WITH LEDAS, HE IS WAITING INSIDE THE HOSPITAL ROOM WHERE RYORI IS; RYORI IS LYING IN THE BED TO HIS RIGHT, ASLEEP OR UNCONSCIOUS FROM SEDATION; LEDAS IS ALSO ASLEEP, THOUGH THIS IS BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE TABLE NEXT TO RYORI’S BED FOR SEVERAL HOURS, WAITING FOR HIS GOOD FRIEND TO WAKE UP> <END OF CHAPTER>

He Was Number One (series finale part 1)
<THE NEXT DAY>

<LEDAS AND RYORI HAVE LEFT THE HOSPITAL AND ARE AT AN AQUARIUM; THEY ARE WATCHING A WHALE JUMP OUT OF ITS TAIL; THERE IS A RELATIVELY SHORT, FAT MAN WITH A CYAN SHIRT AND A TAN HAT COACHING THE WHALE>

<AFTER WATCHING SAID OCCURRENCE, THE TWO WALK OUT OF THE AREA; THE WALL TO THEIR RIGHT IS SEE-THROUGH AND HAS WATER AND DOLPHINS SWIMMING IN IT; THEY ARE ALL TRYING TO MAKE A BUNCH OF NEW DOLPHINS, EXCEPT FOR A FEW WHO ARE EXPERIMENTING WITH THEIR BLOWHOLES; NO ONE SEEMS TO NOTICE ALL OF THE DOLPHINS DOING THESE THINGS, HOWEVER; THERE ARE AROUND 12 DOLPHINS>

Ryori: Y’know, Shoekki was going to take me to this place, before… uh…

<HE LOOKS RATHER SAD; LEDAS SEES THIS>

Ledas: He’d be glad you got to come.

Ryori: <LOOKING DOWN> Y-yeah. I still can’t believe he’s gone. I mean, I don’t know what to do. <HE LOOKS UP AT LEDAS> Have you lost family before?

Ledas: <WITHOUT EMOTION> Yeah, my parents are dead too.

Ryori: H-how did you get through it?

Ledas: <LOOKING UP AT THE SKY> I guess I don’t think about them much. Not since I found out about it. Training keeps my mind off it, too.

Ryori: <LOWERS HIS HEAD AGAIN> It doesn’t matter, anyway. With my brother gone, they’ll put me in an orphanage or something. I won’t be able to go to these kinds of places anymore. We won’t be able to hang out either, Ledas.

Ledas: <BRIGHTENING UP> No, it’s okay. I already dealt with that.

Ryori: <SUSPICIOUS> How?

Ledas: That Cardinal guy is gonna buy you a new house to live in, and he’ll pay for anything you want.

Ryori: <EYES NARROW; HIS FACE FLUSHES> Cardinal?! Why didn’t you kill him like everyone else?!

Ledas: <SERIOUSLY; SLIGHTLY DETACHED> Ryori, if I killed him, then you’d have no one to support you.

Ryori: <LONG PAUSE; SIGHS> I guess. Where’s this house, anyway?

Ledas: It’s West City, pretty close to Capsule Corp. C’mon, I’ll show you.

<THE CAMERA SWITCHES TO WEST CITY, WHERE IT ZOOMS IN A BLOCK; THERE IS A LARGE ONE-STORY HOUSE; PEERING THROUGH THE WINDOW, THE CAMERA SHOWS RYORI SITTING ON A COUCH, PLAYING VIDEO GAMES; THERE ARE BROWN BOXES ALL AROUND HIM, EVIDENCE OF A RECENT MOVE-IN; OUTSIDE, THE FRONT DOOR IS OPEN AND MOVERS ARE CARRYING IN MORE BOXES FROM A TRUCK>

<BEHIND THE HOUSE IS A LARGE YARD, WHERE LEDAS’ GRAVITY TRAINING UNIT IS PARKED>

<THE SCENE PICKS UP INSIDE OF THE TRAINING UNIT; LEDAS IS ONLY WEARING HIS TRAINING PANTS AND HIS FINGERLESS GLOVES>

Ledas: Computer! Raise it to 450G!

Computer: Initiating gravitational increase.

<AS SOON AS THE GRAVITY IS RAISED, LEDAS LETS OUT A GASP AND DROPS TO HIS KNEES; HE STRUGGLES TO STAND BACK UP; SEVERAL SPHERICAL DRONES ARE FLYING AROUND HIM; HE LOOKS UP AT THEM JUST AS THEY START SHOOTING ENERGY BLASTS AT HIM>

<LEDAS PUSHES OFF AGAINST THE GROUND AND DODGES THE FIRST SALVO; ONCE IN THE AIR, HE LOOKS OVER HIS SHOULDER AND SEES TWO OF THE DRONES HAVE FOLLOWED HIM; THEY SHOOT ENERGY AGAIN; HE DEFLECTS THESE BLASTS AND THEN SHOOTS A SMALL TEARDROP SHAPED BLAST RIGHT BACK AT THEM; THIS BLAST BOUNCES OFF OF THE NEAREST DRONE AS ITS SHIELDS FLARE; LEDAS FLIES TOWARDS THE DRONE AND THE OTHERS START SHOOTING MORE ENERGY BLASTS AT HIM; HE ATTEMPTS TO DODGE THESE, BUT THE GRAVITY IS STRAINING HIS BODY; HE IS HIT BY A FEW OF THE BLASTS AND FALLS TO THE GROUND>

<LEDAS ROLLS OVER TO HIS BACK AND LOOKS UP AT THE DRONES CIRCLING HIM; HE GRITS HIS TEETH AND THEN ATTEMPTS TO STAND UP; SWEAT IS POURING DOWN HIS FACE AS HE SITS UP ONTO HIS KNEES; THEY ALL SHOOT BLASTS TOGETHER; LEDAS WATCHES THEM APPROACH; JUST BEFORE THEY REACH HIM, HE SCREAMS AND THEN PUSHES OFF THE GROUND AND SHOOTS TO THE CEILING; HE CREATES A BLAST WITH BOTH HANDS OVER HIS HEAD AND THEN SHOOTS IT AT THE DRONES; ONCE AGAIN, THIS BLAST DOESN’T DO ANY DAMAGE TO THEM, AS THEIR SHIELDS PROTECT THEM; AFTER SHOOTING OFF THE ENERGY BALL, LEDAS IS EXHAUSTED; THE DRONES CONVERGE ON HIM AND SHOOT HIM WITH MULTIPLE BLASTS; WHILE HE PUTS UP HIS ARMS TO BLOCK IT, THIS DOES NOT PREVENT THE BLASTS FROM HITTING HIM; SOON, HE IS COVERED IN A CLOUD OF SMOKE FROM ALL THE ATTACKS HITTING HIM; A LARGE EXPLOSION GOES OFF, AND LEDAS FALLS TO THE GROUND>

<LEDAS LIES THERE FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS, SIMPLY PANTING IN EXHAUSTION>

Ledas: H-how does Vegeta train in this? This is insane! <HE SITS UP, IN PAIN, AND LOOKS AROUND AT THE VAST ROOM> Computer, raise the gravity to 500.

Computer: Scans indicate that your body is having trouble coping with the existing gravity. Raising it much higher will put you at risk of injury or death.

Ledas: Just do it. I’m not gonna argue with a stupid computer about how I train.

Computer: Very well. Initiating gravitational increase.

Ledas: <STILL BREATHING HARD> And turn on the turrets.

Computer: As you wish.

<THE COMPUTER RAISES THE GRAVITY TO 500G; AT ONCE, LEDAS FALLS TO THE FLOOR, UNABLE TO MOVE; HE GROANS AS HE FEELS HIMSELF UNABLE TO MOVE; THEN, LEDAS LETS OUT A SCREAM AND THE ROOM IS BRIEFLY OVERLOADED WITH YELLOW LIGHT; AS THIS LIGHT DIMS, LEDAS IS SEEN TO BE IN HIS RECENTLY ACQUIRED SUPER SAIYAN 2 FORM; HE SITS UP WITH EASE; THE DRONES ARE CIRCLING ABOVE HIS HEAD>

Ledas: <LOOKING UP AT THEM> All right, let’s try this again.

<LEDAS JUMPS INTO THE AIR; THE DRONES IMMEDIATELY PURSUE HIM AND START SHOOTING BLASTS OF ENERGY AT HIM; AS HE FLIES AND DODGES THEM, TURRETS APPEAR FROM SLITS IN THE WALLS, AND THEY TOO START SHOOTING ENERGY BLASTS; NO ENERGY BLAST DISSIPATES, AS THOSE THAT MISS LEDAS ARE REFLECTED BY THE DRONES BACK AT HIM; HE STARTS DODGING DOZENS OF ENERGY BLASTS AT ONCE; HE IS MOVING SO FAST THAT HIS PHYSICAL BODY CANNOT BE SEEN>

<AFTER SOME TIME, LEDAS TIRES, AND A FEW BLASTS HIT HIM; HE IS THROWN TO THE GROUND; AS SOON AS HE LANDS, HE JUMPS TO HIS FEET AND LOOKS UP AT MORE OF THE BLASTS COMING HIS WAY; HE SWATS THESE ASIDE AS THEY REACH HIM AND THEN FIRES A LARGER ENERGY BLAST BACK UP AT THE DRONES; THIS TIME, THE BLAST OVERPOWERS THE DRONES AND BRIEFLY IMMOBILIZES THEM, CAUSING THEM TO FALL TO THE GROUND; THE TURRETS SHOOT ANOTHER GROUP OF BLASTS AT HIM, BUT HE CATCHES THESE IN HIS HANDS AND MORPHS THEM INTO ONE GIANT BALL; THEN, LEDAS DISSIPATES THE ENERGY AND ABSORBS IT BACK INTO HIS BODY; PANTING, HE DROPS TO ONE KNEE>

Ledas: <SOUNDING VERY TIRED> Computer… return to normal gravity…

<THE GRAVITY RETURNS TO NORMAL AND LEDAS REVERTS TO HIS BASE FORM, SIGHING IN RELIEF AS HE FALLS BACK AND LIES ON THE FLOOR; HIS ARMS AND LEGS ARE SPREAD OUT AND HE IS STARING AT THE CEILING>

Ledas: How does Vegeta train in this? I can barely do it when I’m fully powered up… and he doesn’t even need to go Super Saiyan. <HE SIGHS> He’s gotten so much stronger than me since we got split up all those years ago. <LEDAS STANDS UP AND WALKS OVER TO THE COMPUTER; IN A COMPARTMENT ABOVE IT IS A SMALL BROWN BAG; HE TAKES THIS, THEN OPENS IT AND TAKES THE SAIBASEEDS INSIDE IT AND THROWS THEM ONTO THE GROUND; WITHIN A MOMENT, HIS REMAINING SAIBAMEN, WILDE, CARAWA, SES, AND AME GROW INTO THEIR MATURE FORMS; THEY ARE ALL RED> Hey guys. I’ve missed you!

<THE SAIBAMEN GRUNT; SOON, THEY ALL START SPARRING AND PLAYING AS LEDAS CONTINUES TO TRAIN ON HIS OWN, LIFTING WEIGHTS AND DOING HANDSTAND PUSHUPS AND WHATNOT; AFTER SOME TIME, LEDAS IS SEEN EXITING THE GRAVITY TRAINING UNIT WITH A TOWEL AROUND HIS NECK; HE WALKS OUT OF THE BACKYARD TO THE FRONT YARD AND THEN STARTS WALKING DOWN THE SIDEWALK; EVENTUALLY, HE COMES UPON CAPSULE CORP.; HE LOOKS AT THE MASSIVE PLACE THROUGH ITS BARRED FENCE; HE SEES VEGETA TRAINING OFF IN THE DISTANCE, OUTSIDE>

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF> He’s probably wondering what happened in that fight with the monster. And what happened to me… <HE WATCHES VEGETA TRAINING IN SUPER SAIYAN 3> Even with my new transformation, my power is nothing compared to his. <LEDAS GRIPS THE BARS OF THE FENCE AS HE WATCHES> I gotta go see him. We need a proper reunion. <HE LETS GO OF THE BARS AND STEPS BACK> But not today. I’m not ready yet. Maybe if I train some more, we could even spar together… <HE TRAILS OFF AND THEN WALKS OFF, BACK TO RYORI’S HOUSE>

<EVEN THOUGH LEDAS WALKS OFF, THE CAMERA DOES NOT FOLLOW HIM; INSTEAD, IT FOCUSES IN ON VEGETA, WHO IS TRAINING OUTSIDE ON THE ONCE PRISTINELY KEPT LAWN; IT IS NOW A MESS FROM HIS EXERCISES>

<THE MAILMAN COMES ON HIS DAILY ROUTE, STOPPING WELL OUTSIDE THE GATE IN FRONT OF CAPSULE CORP; HE STOPS, LOOKING AROUND FOR THE MAILBOX>

Mailman: Hey, where is it?! <HE SHOUTS TO VEGETA> Oi! Mate! Where’s your mailbox?

<VEGETA PAYS HIM NO NOTICE, INSTEAD CONTINUING HIS TRAINING ALONE; HE IS DOING A LOT OF DODGING TECHNIQUES IN HIS SUPER SAIYAN 3 FORM>

<THE MAILMAN PACES BACK AND FORTH, GOING ALL THE WAY UP AND DOWN THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING SEARCHING FOR THE MAILBOX; AT LAST, IN HIS QUEST, HE RETURNS BACK TO THE MAIN BUILDING; HE WALKS INTO SOMETHING AND NEARLY FALLS OVER; IT IS THE STUMP WHERE THE MAILBOX ONCE WAS; THE REST IS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN, CLEARLY VEGETA’S NEARBY TRAINING HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS>

Mailman: <VOICE CRACKING> Y-you’re mailbox… it’s gone! Where’d it go?

<VEGETA RIGHTS HIMSELF UP, SHOULDERS OUT AND FACES THE MAILMAN FOR A GOOD MINUTE, MERELY STANDING STILL AND STARING; THEN HE GOES BACK TO TRAINING>

Mailman: Hey, ya bloody wanker! Screw you too! Whatever. You only got one letter anyway. Here, take it!

<HE THROWS A SMALL, NEATLY FOLDED, CRIMSON LETTER AT VEGETA’S GENERAL DIRECTION; AS ANYONE WHO HAS EVER ATTEMPTED THIS KNOWS, SUCH AN ACT DOES NOT WORK; THE LETTER BARELY GOES TWO FEET INTO THE PROPERTY; THE MAILMAN WALKS OFF, NOT CARING ABOUT THIS RUDE WAY OF DELIVERING THE NEWS>

Mailman: <TO HIMSELF> Lousy billionaires. Think they can do whatever they bloody want. Pfft. I wonder how he would like it if he was me…

<BACK ON THE COMPOUND, VEGETA’S TRAINING CONTINUES UNAFFECTED BY THE THROWING OF THE LETTER; HE JUMPS ABOUT IN HIS OWN WAY, DODGING SOME UNSEEN ENEMY OR WHATEVER IT IS HE DOES>

<VEGETA THROWS A KI BALL AND IT BLASTS UP THE TURF AROUND HIM, SENDING THE LETTER FLYING RIGHT AT HIM; IT LANDS AT HIS FEET; VEGETA KICKS THE LETTER UP INTO THE AIR, SNATCHING IT AFTERWARD IN ONE FLUID MOTION; HE OPENS THE LETTER>

<VEGETA STARES INTO IT FOR A GREAT DEAL OF TIME; PERHAPS HE IS OVERWHELMED, OR SIMPLY A SLOW READER; HOWEVER, BY THE TIME THE SUN BEGINS TO SET IN THE DISTANCE, HE HAS FINISHED>

<VEGETA SMIRKS, CRUMPLING UP THE RED PAPER AND THROWING IT ONTO THE GROUND BEHIND HIM; HE THEN WALKS BACK TOWARD THE HOUSE>

Vegeta: <YELLING> Trunks! Pack your things! We’re leaving!

<THE CAMERA RETURNS TO RYORI’S HOUSE, WHERE LEDAS HAS RETURNED TO; LEDAS WALKS THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR AND INTO THE HOUSE; THERE ARE BROWN BOXES EVERYWHERE, BUT THE MOVERS HAVE LEFT; MUCH OF THE FURNITURE THAT RYORI WANTED TO KEEP IS ALSO INSIDE THE HOUSE>

<AS LEDAS ENTERS, HE SEES A CRIMSON ENVELOPE ON THE NEAREST TABLE; ON IT, WHERE AN ADDRESSEE WOULD BE, IT HAS THE MARK OF THE RED RIBBON ARMY WITH A LARGE LETTER "C" IN THE BACKGROUND; HE GOES TO PICK IT UP WHEN RYORI, IN HIS SOCKS, COMES SLIDING INTO THE ROOM FROM DOWN THE OTHER WAY; BEING THAT THE FLOOR IN THIS ROOM IS WOOD, THIS METHOD OF TRANSPORTATION INDEED WORKS; I’VE TESTED IT MYSELF>

Ryori: What’s that paper you got, Ledas?

Ledas: <LOOKS UP, AS RYORI COMES IN AND HANDS HIM THE PAPER> I don’t know… I can’t read it. Here Ryori, you do it.

Ryori: <STUFFS A DIFFERENT PIECE OF SOGGY TISSUE PAPER HE HAD BEEN HOLDING IN HIS LEFT HAND INTO HIS PANTS POCKET> Oh yeah, I can read that. Gimme it.

<HE TAKES THE PAPER FROM LEDAS>

Ryori: <READING THE LETTER; HE STUMBLES ON SOME OF THE MORE TRICKY WORDS>

Dear Mr. Ledas,

_______ ''If you are fully recovered by the time of reading this letter, I entreat you to consider my following request: To visit the address I have enclosed below in the swiftest of haste, arriving no later than the twentieth of May. I have invited several of your compatriots to attend as well, at the counsel of King Furry, and I expect that many of them shall indeed come. I feel our get-together could not be complete without you, Ledas. There will be no tricks, no deceits on my part. As you well know, I cannot harm you, and you could kill me in an instant if you so desired. So this is no trap. I have held up my side of our recent truce with buying your friend, Ryori, a new house to live in. And, of course, I will continue to support him for as long as I live, as you have forced me to do. So as I have done for you these many things, I respectfully request that you come and visit me this one time and participate in a martial arts tournament. Should you still be unswayed, let me say this – I expect that Vegeta will be waiting with me if you decide to join us. I know of your history with him, so if you come, I will make sure you and he are matched together. Please consider this, my humble offer.''


 * In Your Faith,


 * Sir Johan <LAST NAME SMUDGED OUT>

Ryori: <THROWS THE PAPER BACK INTO LEDAS’ LAP> That’s Cardinal, isn’t it?

Ledas: Yeah.

Ryori: So fuck him.

Ledas: <LOOKING AT THE LETTER> Wewll, he said he’s holding a tournament and that Vegeta’ll be there.

Ryori So…? Who’s Vegeta anyway? <LEDAS LOOKS FLABBERGASTED AT THIS QUESTION; RYORI NOTICES LEDAS’ FACE; HE LAUGHS> What?! You’ve never mentioned a Vegeta to me. Whoa, wait! His name is almost as weird as yours. <PROUD AT HIS SUDDEN DEDUCTION> Is he like your brother or something?

Ledas: <THOUGHTFUL> Something like that.

Ryori: Oh…

Ledas: <LOOKS UP; INNOCENTLY> I going to go there, Ryori. You don’t have to come. But it’s an opportunity for me to spar with Vegeta again. <HE SMILES> Plus, I’ll have a few days to train for it.

<RYORI STARES BLANKLY BACK; THEN, HIS FACE TURNS INTO A SMILE>

Ryori: You’re gonna go anyway. So I’ll come with you. <AS A GENUINE QUESTION> It will be fun, won’t it?

Ledas: <WITH A SMALL SMILE; STILL LOOKING AT THE LETTER> Yeah, I hope so. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.

Simply Legendary (series finale part 2)
<IT IS NIGHT>

<LEDAS AND RYORI LAND, STUMBLING FORWARD INTO THE GRASS; AHEAD OF THEM IS A HUGE COMPLEX, SURROUNDED BY WALLS AND GATES; STRAIGHT IN FRONT OF THE TWO BOYS IS AN ENTRANCE; THEY MOVE TO IT IN SILENCE>

<A SINGLE GUARD IS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE GATE, PREVENTING LEDAS AND RYORI FROM ENTERING>

Guard: <COMING OUT TO MEET THEM> Stop! You can’t come further without proper identification. <HE STOPS IN FRONT OF THE TWO OF THEM> Do either of you have an invitation to this event?

<RYORI AND LEDAS LOOK AT EACH OTHER; RYORI REACHES INTO HIS POCKET>

Ryori: Oh… yeah, I got it. <HE PULLS OUT THE LETTER THAT HE HAD READ OUT LOUD LAST CHAPTER; IT IS STILL IN ITS CRIMSON ENVELOPE> Here, see?

<THE GUARD TAKES THE ENVELOPE, LOOKING IT OVER FOR SOME TIME; THEN, HE POCKETS IT; HE WALKS OVER TO THE BOOTH AND PRESSES A BUTTON, OPENING THE GATES BEFORE THEM>

Guard: It’s Mr. Ledas, right?

Ledas: Yeah.

Guard: All right. Follow me.

<THEN, THE GUARD GESTURES FOR THE TWO BOYS TO ENTER; THEY DO SO, AND HE FOLLOWS THEM INSIDE>

<THE GUARD LEADS LEDAS AND RYORI INTO THE MAIN BUILDING PAST AN INDOOR AQUARIUM; AFTER GOING UP AN ELEVATOR; HE TAKES THEM DOWN A HALL, AND THEN TO A DOOR; HE OPENS IT, REVEALING A HUGE HOTEL ROOM INSIDE>

Ryori: <WALKS FORWARD WITH HIS HANDS BEHIND HIS HEAD> Awww, sweet!! <GRINNING> This place is huge!

<LEDAS, MEEKLY, FOLLOWS HIM IN, BUT THEN TURNS TO THE GUARD>

Ledas: <LOOKING UP> What exactly are we supposed to be doing?

Guard: Staying the night. Tourney’s not ‘till tomorrow, anyway. So get some sleep; you’re going to need it. <THE GUARD SCRUNCHES UP HIS FACE AND THEN LEAVES THE ROOM; BEFORE CLOSING THE DOOR, HE SAYS ONE MORE THING> Oh, the schedule’s on the table over there. <HE NODS TO HIS LEFT> Make sure you read it. It’ll bring you up to speed. Anyway, it’s late. Do you two need anything else?

Ryori: <STILL WITH HIS HANDS BEHIND HIS HEAD; NONCHALANTLY> Nope.

Guard: Good. Get some sleep, then.

<HE NODS TO THEM ONE LAST TIME BEFORE CLOSING THE DOOR AND LEAVING LEDAS AND RYORI ALONE>

Ledas: Ryori, can you read the schedule for me?

<RYORI DOES NOT HEAR; INSTEAD, HE MOVES OVER TO THE FRIDGE, GATHERING A HUGE PLATE OF FOOD TO EAT; HE WALKS BACK TO THE TABLE AND SETS IT DOWN; LEDAS WALKS OVER TO HIM AND SITS DOWN>

<THE PAPER IS LYING ON THE TABLE, NEXT TO THE FOOD; LEDAS PICKS IT UP AND THRUSTS IT INTO RYORI’S FACE>

Ledas: Please… canya read it?

<RYORI SIGHS AND TAKES THE PAPER; AS HE LOOKS IT OVER, BOTH HE AND LEDAS, WHO ARE QUITE STARVED, EAT CASUALLY OFF THE PLATE OF FOOD>

Ryori: <KID-LIKE> Oh, it just says you gotta go down to the stadium tomorrow morning and do some fights or something. <HE TOSSES THE SCHEDULE ASIDE>

Ledas: Yeah, but what time?

Ryori: <SIGHS> Uh, I’m sure someone’ll come get you tomorrow, when it’s time. It’s not a big deal, dude.

Ledas: I just don’t want to miss this…

Ryori: <GRABBING SOME FOOD> What, fighting that Vegeta guy?

Ledas: Yeah.

Ryori: <STUFFING HIS FACE> You’re weird, y’know that, Ledas? I’ve never heard of someone who’s looking forward to fighting his friend.

Ledas: <SHRUG> I’m a Saiyan. Fighting is what we live for.

Ryori: Sure dude. If that’s what you like, then that’s cool. I mean, you can fight all you want, but you still can’t compare to the Legend.

Ledas: <NARROWING EYES> Who?

Ryori: <WITH HUGE EYES NOW> How can you not know about the Legend? Mr. Satan is the most popular person on Earth! He’s a superstar and a hero! With how much you love fighting, he should be your idol, dude!

Ledas: Yeah, but what’s he ever done?

Ryori: He’s only the coolest guy ever. He’s like super strong and he can beat anyone – even you! He’s saved the world like a million times, and, and… <RYORI BABBLES OFF INTO FANBOY INCOHERENCY>

<LEDAS LAUGHS, ONLY HALF PAYING ATTENTION; AS IT IS, HE IS MORE FOCUSED AND INTERNALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF FACING VEGETA TOMORROW IN A MATCH; THAT IS WHAT HE ASSUMES WILL HAPPEN, OF COURSE>

<A FEW MOMENTS LATER, WITH THE PLATTER OF FOOD NOW FINISHED, LEDAS GETS UP AND GOES TO SLEEP; RYORI, AT THIS TIME, HAD ALREADY MOVED ON FROM PRAISING HERCULE, AND UPON FINDING A BUILT-IN POOL IN THE HOTEL ROOM, HE GOES INTO THAT>

<LEDAS SLEEPS THE NIGHT WITH ANXIOUS EXCITEMENT WHILE RYORI SPENDS THE WHOLE TIME PLAYING ABOUT>

<IN THE MORNING, LEDAS WAKES UP; HIS HAIR IS ALL RUFFLED AND HE IS TIRED, BUT HE SLIPS OUT OF BED, NONETHELESS>

<LEDAS LOOKS AROUND AT THE MESS FROM LAST NIGHT; BITS OF FOOD, TRASH, EMPTY BOTTLES, AND A WHOLE ASSORTMENT OF TOWELS ARE EVERYWHERE, NO DOUBT FROM RYORI’S LATE NIGHT FUN; HOWEVER, LEDAS DOES NOT SEE RYORI ANYWHERE, AS HIS BED IS STILL UNTOUCHED>

<LEDAS WALKS AROUND THE FRONT OF HIS OWN BED TO GET A BETTER LOOK; SUDDENLY, HE JUMPS BACK, STUMBLING OVER; FROM BELOW HIS OWN BED, RYORI’S ARM HAS SHOT OUT AND GRABBED ONTO LEDAS’ LEG; A MOMENT LATER, AND RYORI HIMSELF COMES SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE BED>

<RYORI IS GRINNING>

Ledas: <TIRED> What are you doing under there?

Ryori: I was just looking around. This place is so big!

Ledas: <EYES SQUINTED> Ryori… did you stay up all night?

Ryori: <IMMEDIATELY> No!

Ledas: Wewll… your bed isn’t even messed up… and you’re still in your swimming pants.

<RYORI BREAKS INTO A SUDDEN GRIN, HE RUNS OUT OF THE ROOM, SWINGING THE DOOR WIDE OPEN>

Ryori: <WAY TOO ENERGETIC> Hey, let’s go see if it’s time for the fight! Come on, Ledas!

Ledas: <YAWNS> Huh? Wait up!

<THE SIGHT IS RATHER WEIRD – A YOUNG BOY IN NOTHING BUT HIS SWIMMING SHORTS, FOLLOWED BY A SECOND ONE, WITH TALL HAIR AND A TAIL, DRAGGING HIS FEET AS THEY RUN DOWN THE FINELY CARPETTED AND DECORATED HALLWAYS OF THE HOTEL, WHICH WOULD BE OTHERWISE QUIET AND COMPLACENT>

<LEDAS AND RYORI GET DOWN TO THE GROUND FLOOR AND LOOK AROUND; IT IS VERY BRIGHT OUT>

<LAST NIGHT THEY HAD NOT NOTICED THE HUGE STADIUM THEATER LOCATED NEXT TO THE HOTEL; BUT NOW, IN THE LIGHT OF DAY, IT CAN BE SEEN IN ALL ITS GLORY; IT IS SEVERAL STORIES HIGH, PROBABLY BIG ENOUGH TO COMFORTABLY HOLD TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE; AS IT IS, THERE ARE MANY BYSTANDERS WALKING AROUND OUTSIDE AND FILLING UP THE SEATS, BUT THERE IS NO SIGN OF VEGETA>

<THE TWO APPROACH THE STADIUM>

<THIS TIME, THE GUARDS NOTICE LEDAS IMMEDIATELY AND ALLOW HIM ENTRANCE; HOWEVER, RYORI IS BANNED FROM ENTERING; UNPERTURBED, RYORI DECIDES TO GO UP INTO THE STANDS TO WATCH; HE RUNS OFF>

Ledas: <AS HE IS BEING WHISKED AWAY> Am I up against Vegeta, or what?

Guard 2: <TAKES LEDAS INTO A ROOM> Uh, it’s an all-day event. You’ve made it just in time, kid. We’re starting in about ten minutes. Crowds’re comin’ in and gettin’ seated now. You’re goin’ to be in one of the first matches. Look up there on the screen, it’ll tell you when it’s time.

Ledas: But… mister… I can’t read.

Guard 2: That’s not a problem. We’ll escort you when it’s time.

<HE GOES TO LEAVE>

Ledas: But wait, who am I up against?

Guard 2: <STILL LEAVING> It’s a random pick. You won’t know until the start of the match.

<WITH THAT, THE GUARD LEAVES>

<A BRIEF SCENE SHOWS THE STADIUM FILLING UP WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE; THE CAMERA MOVES BACK TO THE WAITING AREA, WHERE LEDAS IS; IT IS NOT LONG BEFORE A DIFFERENT GUARD RETURNS; HE MOTIONS FOR LEDAS TO FOLLOW HIM>

<LEDAS FOLLOWS HIM OUT INTO THE STAGING ROOM>

<THERE ARE LOUD CHEERS AND WHATNOT; LEDAS WALKS OUT INTO THE BURSTING DAYLIGHT>

<THE CROWD’S ROAR IS DEAFINING; HE LOOKS UP AT ALL OF THEM AS HE WALKS OUT; IN FRONT OF HIM IS A PLATFORM; THIS IS THE WHITE-TILED PLATFORM SEEN IN THE WORLD TOURNAMENTS, WHICH ALL OF THE CONTESTANTS BATTLE UPON>

<IN THE STANDS ABOVE IS RYORI; HE IS STANDING ON THE ROW RIGHT ABOVE CHIAOZTU AND SOME OTHER BYSTANDERS; RYORI HAS HIS FACE PAINTED FOR SOME UNKNOWABLE REASON, WHICH MAKES HIM LOOK QUITE A BIT LIKE THE LITTLE CLOWN GUY; THEY ARE BOTH CHEERING LOUDLY, BUT CHIAOTZU IS ROOTING FOR LEDAS’ OPPONENT>

<STANDING OPPOSITE OF LEDAS, AS LEDAS JUMPS UP ONTO THE PLATFORM, IS A BOY – TRUNKS>

Trunks: Oh, it’s you. I remember you. You’re the one who helped us against those aliens a few days ago! What’re you doing here?

Ledas: <STANDS UP, TRANSFIXED BY ALL THE NOISE; WITH WIDE EYES> Okay. <HE THEN LOOKS AT TRUNKS; WITH A PUZZLED LOOK> You’re not Vegeta.

Trunks: Huh? Vegeta’s my–

Tournament Announcer: <HE IS THE TOURNAMENT ANNOUNCER WHO COMMENTATES THE WORLD TOURNAMENTS; HE IS WEARING A BLACK SUIT AND SUNGLASSES; AS WELL, HE IS CARRYING A MICROPHONE; FROM BEHIND, HE COMES UP AND WALKS OVER TO THE TWO OF THEM; HE INSPECTS THEM AND THEN STEPS BACK; HE THROWS HIS FINGER TO THE SKY> Are you ready?! Okay, fight!

<WITH THAT, TRUNKS LUNGES AT LEDAS; THE TWO OF THEM GET INTO A BLOW EXCHANGE; TRUNKS PUNCHES AND KICKS, WITH LEDAS STAYING ON DEFENSE, THROWING ONLY A FEW PUNCHES, HIMSELF>

Tournament Announcer: Look at those two go! The speed is unbelievable!

<LEDAS ROLLS TO THE LEFT, GETTING AWAY FROM TRUNKS; HE THEN PUSHES OFF FROM THE GROUND IN A FLYING KICK, LANDING IT ACROSS TRUNKS’ JAW; HE LANDS, BUT TRUNKS HAS RECOVERED; TRUNKS RUSHES FORWARD AND PUNCHES LEDAS; LEDAS BLOCKS HIS PUNCH, SIDESTEPPING AND GRABBING TRUNKS AROUND THE NECK>

Tournament Announcer: Lettuce has Trunks in a stranglehold! What a magnificent, alert move! I’m simply amazed!

<TRUNKS CREATES AN EXPLOSIVE WAVE, WHICH BLOWS LEDAS AWAY; LEDAS ROLLS OVER, JUST IN TIME TO SEE TRUNKS SHOOTING OFF A BEAM OF ENERGY; LEDAS SHOOTS STRAIGHT UP INTO THE AIR TO DODGE>

Tournament Announcer: That blow was explosive!

<TRUNKS, HOWEVER, HAS USED HIS BEAM AS A DISTRACTION; HE SPRINGS FORWARD AND INTERCEPTS LEDAS, GRABBING HIM BY THE TAIL AND PULLING HIM DOWN>

Tournament Announcer: Wh-what an unexpected turn of events! I’d say Trunks has a slight lead!

<LEDAS IMPACTS HARD AGAINST THE GROUND; TRUNKS, HOWEVER, STOPS>

Announcer: What a fine hit! Youch! That’s gotta hurt! My back is aching just watching it!

Trunks: Whoa, you have a tail. Are you a Saiyan?

Ledas: <IMPATIENT AT THIS RESPITE> How do you know?

Trunks: My father is a Saiyan, too. <PROUDLY> I’m half-Saiyan. I had my tail removed when I was a baby. <TANGENT> That’s what my mom said.

Ledas: Real Saiyans keep their tails!

Trunks: Oh yeah? Well I’m doing fine without it. Look what I can do!

<TRUNKS GOES SUPER SAIYAN; LEDAS DOES NOT REACT QUICK ENOUGH, LEAVING TRUNKS TO HAVE AN OPEN SHOT ON LEDAS’ FACE; THE PUNCH CONNECTS; LEDAS IS THROWN BACK>

Tournament Announcer: What’s this? Trunks’ hair has suddenly turned golden! This must be some kind of spiritual concentration!

<HOWEVER, AS TRUNKS GOES TO PUNCH HIM AGAIN, LEDAS JUMPS UP INTO THE AIR, AND THEN HE COMES SHOOTING BACK DOWN, LANDING A KICK ON TRUNKS’ HEAD; IT CONNECTS>

Tournament Announcer: Oh nice! That one really struck its mark!

<TRUNKS, STILL IN SUPER SAIYAN, IS UNFAZED; HOWEVER, LEDAS LANDS IN FRONT OF HIM>

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF> How is this kid a Super Saiyan?!

<LEDAS RUSHES TRUNKS AND PUNCHES HIM ACROSS THE FACE BEFORE KICKING HIM UP INTO THE AIR>

Tournament Announcer: They’re soaring into the air!

<LEDAS TELEPORTS UP TO WHERE TRUNKS IS FLYING TO; HE CHOPS AT TRUNKS’ BODY, CAUSING THE HALF-SAIYAN TO TUMBLE AWAY>

Tournament Announcer: And onto the offensive! Lettuce has now brought out a sudden and fierce combo!

<LEDAS FOLLOWS THIS UP WITH A TELEPORT-FLYING KICK, THOUGH TRUNKS DODGES THIS WITH A TELEPORTATION OF HIS OWN>

Tournament Announcer: He’s… he’s gone!

<TRUNKS REAPPEARS TO LEDAS’ RIGHT AND TRIES TO COUNTER LEDAS BY PUNCHING HIM IN THE BACK, BUT LEDAS BACKFLIPS OVER HIM AND THEN CLUBS DOWN ON TRUNKS’ HEAD, CAUSING THE BOY TO FALL TO THE GROUND; LEDAS LANDS A FEW FEET AWAY FROM HIM>

Tournament Announcer: An amazing battle unfurled up in the sky! The damage is really starting to show!

<TRUNKS STANDS UP AND LEDAS ATTEMPTS TO KICK AT HIM, THOUGH TRUNKS DODGES OUT OF THE WAY; TRUNKS QUICKLY JUMPS INTO THE AIR AND KICKS LEDAS ACROSS THE CHEEK; THEN, HE SHOOTS A BEAM INTO LEDAS’ STOMACH>

Announcer: Wha… what an incredible attack! That strike was perfectly timed!

<LEDAS STUMBLES BACK, BUT THEN, WITHOUT WARNING, HE AIR DASHES RIGHT AT TRUNKS ;HE READIES A SMALL ENERGY BALL IN EACH HAND, THEN THROWS THEM AT TRUNKS; AS TRUNKS GOES TO BLOCK THESE, LEDAS APPEARS BEHIND THE BOY AND KICKS HIM FORWARD, THEN LUNGES AND PUNCHES HIM TO THE GROUND>

Tournament Announcer: Absolutely incredible! We’re seeing a plethora of moves here! You can’t take your eyes off this for an instant, folks!

<TRUNKS STUMBLES TO GET BACK UP; HE IS CLEARLY WEAKENED>

Tournament Announcer: Trunks is hanging tough! But it looks like the attack is having some effect!

<TRUNKS YELLS OUT AND OUTSTRETCHES HIS HANDS; HE CREATES A GOLDEN ENERGY BALL IN EACH HAND THEN BRINGS HIS HANDS TOGETHER, COMBINING THE ENERGY, AND SHOOTS THE BLAST FROM HIS INDEX FINGER; THE BIG TREE CANNON FIRES STRAIGHT AT LEDAS>

Tournament Announcer: What a move! I’m amazed seeing it! Trunks’ energy is rising!

<THE BEAM SHOOTS DIRECTLY AT LEDAS; LEDAS CATCHES IT; IT STARTS TO PUSH HIM CLOSER TO THE EDGE OF THE RING, BUT HE QUICKLY OVERCOMES THIS BY BRINGING UP HIS AURA AROUND HIM AND RAISING HIS POWER LEVEL; THEN, HE JUMPS UPWARDS AND SWATS THE BEAM INTO THE SKY, WHERE IT DISSIPATES AT ONCE>

Tournament Announcer: What power! Unbelievable!

<LEDAS LANDS AND THEN CREATES A KYORRA FLASH; TRUNKS PUTS UP HIS ARMS IN DEFENSE JUST AS THE ENERGY ATTACKS HITS HIM>

Tournament Announcer: There it is! It’s the favorite move! Another lightning quick attack!

<TRUNKS IS NOT ABLE TO HOLD BACK LEDAS’ ENERGY BEAM; LEDAS QUICKLY OVERPOWERS THE BOY, CAUSING THE BEAM TO EXPLODE AND CATAPULT TRUNKS BACKWARDS, AWAY FROM LEDAS AND OFF OF THE STAGE; HE LANDS IN THE GRASS>

Announcer: Unbelievable! It’s over! What an attack! Trunks has fallen out of the ring! Lettuce wins! Both fighters are masters, possessing dizzying amounts of sheer power! But it looks like Lettuce has prevailed in this one! Let’s hear it, folks, for Lettuce, the winner of this match!

<THE ANNOUNCER HOLDS UP LEDAS’ ARM, SIGNIFYING THE BOY’S VICTORY; AFTERWARDS, THE ANNOUNCER CONTINUES WITH HIS TIRADE OF CONGRATULATING LEDAS, BUT LEDAS DOES NOT LISTEN; EVEN AS THE CROWD, RYORI INCLUDED, CHEER HIM ON, HE JUMPS OFF, SHOULDERS SLUMPED, AND QUIETLY HE RETURNS BACK TO HIS WAITING ROOM>

<LEDAS WALKS BACK TO HIS ROOM SLOWLY; HE HAS HIS HEAD BOWED, DEEP IN THOUGHT; AND HE IS NOT ALTOGETHER HAPPY THAT HIS OPPONENT WAS NOT VEGETA; AT LAST, HE REACHES HIS WAITING ROOM AGAIN>

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF; IN A WHISPER> But I wanted to fight Vegeta…

<WAITING FOR LEDAS IN HIS ROOM IS ONE PERSON; RYORI>

<HE IS STILL SHIRTLESS AND HAS THE FACE PAINT ON; LEDAS IS TOO PREOCCUPIED TO COMMENT ON IT; THE SAIYAN SITS DOWN>

Ryori: Wow, Ledas, you did great!

Ledas: How did you get in here?

Ryori: <TALKING QUICKLY> Oh, I just snuck in. Security’s pretty lax. No one’s watching the doors. <MORE SERIOUSLY> But that’s not the point! That fight was incredible! You were just like Mr. Satan out there! If you kept going like that, you’ll be as good as him for sure.

Ledas: <DISTRACTED> Yeah, okay.

<BEFORE RYORI CAN SAY ANYTHING ELSE, THE DOOR OPENS AGAIN; THIS TIME IT IS AN OLD MAN IN A DARK BLACK SUIT AND WITH HIS HAIR PULLED BACK; HE WALKS INSIDE, ALONE; HE GOES UP TO LEDAS>

Cardinal: You put up a good fight, master Ledas. Certainly, the seeding worked out in your favor.

<HE HOLDS OUT HIS HAND; LEDAS DOES NOT SHAKE HIS HAND, NOT ONLY BECAUSE HE HAS NO IDEA THIS IS A HUMAN CUSTOM, BUT BECAUSE HE IS STILL SUSPICIOUS OF CARDINAL; IN THE BACKGROUND, RYORI SCRUNCHES UP HIS FACE IN ANGER, BUT HE DOES NOT TALK>

Ledas: You. <HIS EYES NARROW> You said if I came, I could fight Vegeta. You said so! It was in the letter!

Cardinal: Indeed. But as you have seen, this showcase was neither limited to nor even built around you – in fact, I created this tournament for many great fighters. Ultimately, this is a memorialization of all of Earth’s greatest warriors, including yourself. See now, some fight. <HE GESTURES TO A SCREEN IN THE ROOM> We celebrate Earth’s victory together.

Ledas: I just wanna fight Vegeta. I don’t care about the other stuff.

Cardinal: All in due time, my boy. He has to fight in his match first. Afterwards, I’ll see what I can arrange. Is that acceptable, Ledas?

Ledas: <AVERTING HIS EYES TO THE FIGHT BETWEEN YAMCHA AND KRILLIN ON SCREEN> Sure, I guess.

<ON SCREEN, KRILLIN DODGES YAMCHA’S WOLF FANG FIST, THEN LATCHES ONTO YAMCHA’S ARM, SPINNING IT AROUND AND SNAPPING IT BEHIND HIS BACK; WITH A SINGLE KICK, KRILLIN PUSHES YAMCHA OUT OF THE RING; YAMCHA ATTEMPTS TO FLY TO RECOVER, BUT KRILLIN ELBOWS YAMCHA DOWN INTO THE GRASS; AS HE DOES THIS, THE CROWD ROARS; IT IS SO LOUD THAT BOTH HE AND CARDINAL MOMENTARILY STOP TO WATCH THE SCREEN>

Cardinal: <TURNING TO LEAVE> I will wait for Vegeta’s fight, then I’ll ask him if he’s up for another match with you. In the meantime, I have other matters to attend to.

Ledas: Wait! Don’t tell him it’s me. I want it to be a surprise.

Cardinal: <HAS A SINGLE QUIET CHUCKLE TO HIMSELF> It is strange, Ledas. Even as an alien, so much of you is like us humans. If it weren’t for your tail, I would have no idea what you are.

<WITH THAT HE LEAVES>

<LEDAS SITS DOWN; HE BOWS HIS HEAD AND CLASPS HIS HANDS TOGETHER; LISTENING TO THE ANNOUNCER, HE HEARS THAT GOTEN AND ANDROID 18 ARE FIGHTING, THOUGH HE DOES NOT WATCH; HE IS SHAKING WITH ANXIETY OVER FIGHTING VEGETA AGAIN; RYORI SITS DOWN TOO, WATCHING LEDAS, BUT HE DOES NOT DARE TALK>

<ANOTHER MATCH IS BRIEFLY SHOWN, AND IT IS GOHAN AND PICCOLO WHO ARE FIGHTING IN IT; GOHAN EASILY WINS; AFTERWARDS, TIEN AND CHIAOTZU FIGHT, THOUGH PRACTICALLY NO ONE CARES; FINALLY, ANOTHER MATCH IS SHOWN OF VEGETA AND GOKU FIGHTING; THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH IS NOT SHOWN, HOWEVER; LEDAS ONLY PARTIALLY WATCHES THIS MATCH>

<AT LAST THE DOORS OPEN IN FRONT OF HIM; CARDINAL IS THERE, GESTURING LEDAS TO COME FORWARD; LEDAS LOOKS UP BEFORE STANDING, THEN EXITS; RYORI FOLLOWS HIM>

<HE WALKS DOWN THE HALLS, SHOULDERS FORWARD, UNTIL HE REACHES THE STAGE>

<IT IS CLOSE TO SUNSET; MOST OF THE SPECTATORS HAVE LEFT; INDEED, THE ENTIRE AREA NOT AS IT WAS BEFORE; PEOPLE ARE STANDING AROUND THE STAGE, EATING FROM FOOD TABLES NEARBY; EVEN THE TOURNAMENT ANNOUNCER IS CHATTING WITH SOME OF THE PEOPLE; VEGETA IS THERE, ON THE FAR SIDE; NEXT TO HIM IS TRUNKS AS WELL; SEVERAL OTHERS, A FEW Z FIGHTERS, AND UNNAMED HUMAN FIGHTERS ARE EITHER EATING OR TALKING WITH ONE ANOTHER; LEDAS WALKS PAST ALL OF THEM TO VEGETA; RYORI GOES UP TO THE FOOD TABLES AND STARTS EATING; HE INSTANTLY ENGAGES IN CONVERSATION WITH THE TOURNAMENT ANNOUNCER>

Ledas: <RATHER BLUNTLY, EVEN AS VEGETA IS STILL TURNED AWAY> Hi, Vegeta.

<VEGETA TURNS TO FACE HIM>

Ledas: <WALKS FORWARD; TALKING AS IF HE IS FAMILIAR WITH VEGETA> ‘member that time me and you took out that huge planet for Frieza in less than a day? Or when we got to go on Frieza’s ship? Or that other time we fought that real tough team of aliens, and you said…

Vegeta: <STILL UNEMOTIONAL> The first rule of war is that there are no rules.

<LEDAS SMILES UP AT VEGETA; VEGETA DOES NOT SMILE BACK; INSTEAD, HE SETS DOWN HIS PLATE OF FOOD AND GIVES LEDAS HIS FULL ATTENTION>

Ledas: <DROPS INTO HIS OWN> I’m sorry it took me so long to find you, and then that monster came and made everything worse and… <TRAILS OFF>

Vegeta: You were dead. You were still on the planet when we left you. <HE STARES AT LEDAS, WHO SIMPLY STARES BACK; VEGETA LOOKS AT HIM MORE INTENTLY> N-nappa said… <QUIETLY> he told me you were gone. Th-there was nothing I could do… All those years, I thought… <VEGETA LOOKS LIKE HE IS GOING TO GET EMOTIONAL, BUT HE CUTS THIS OFF; HE RETAINS HIS PRIDEFUL NATURE> But how are you here now?

Ledas: <EVER SO CHILD-LIKE> Well, I’ve been looking for you ever since we got separated. And now I’ve found you. So how about a sparring match, Vegeta? For old time’s sake?

Vegeta: <DRY THROAT CHUCKLE> For old time’s sake. <TURNS HIS HEAD; VICIOUSLY> Trunks, out of our way.

Trunks: <SCRAMBLING OUT OF THE WAY> Uh, okay dad.

<LEDAS AND VEGETA MOVE ONTO THE STAGE, AS THE OTHERS LOOK UP TO WATCH>

Vegeta: Hmph, it’s a been a while, hasn’t it? I’ve learned a few new techniques since we were children. <PROUDLY, BUT NOT IN A HATEFUL WAY> Prepare to be amazed.

Ledas: <QUICK RESPONSE; GRINNING SLIGHTLY> I’m gonna hit you so hard, Vegeta.

<WITH THAT, LEDAS BRINGS HIS ARMS INTO HIS CHEST, BOWS HIS HEAD, AND PUSHES OFF OF THE FLOOR WITH BOTH OF HIS FEET; HE RACES TOWARD VEGETA; VEGETA DODGES THIS ATTACK, ATTEMPTING TO BACKHAND LEDAS AS HE GOES BY, BUT LEDAS HAS CREATED AN AFTERIMAGE, LEADING VEGETA TO ONLY SWIPE AT THIN AIR; THE REAL LEDAS LANDS BEHIND VEGETA; HE LOWERS TO THE GROUND AND SIDE SWEEPS VEGETA’S LEGS, CAUSING THE PRINCE TO TUMBLE AWAY>

<AS THIS IS ALL GOING ON, THE TOURNAMENT ANNOUNCER SUDDENLY JUMPS UP AND STARTS COMMENTATING, BUT HE DOESN’T HAVE A MICROPHONE, SO VEGETA AND LEDAS CANNOT HEAR HIM>

<VEGETA RECOVERS, THEN SENDS A GROUP OF KI BLASTS AT LEDAS, STUNNING THE BOY; VEGETA USES THIS TIME TO TAKE TO THE AIR, FLYING RIGHT TO THE POINT ABOVE LEDAS; LEDAS SHOOTS UP AFTER HIM; LEDAS PUNCHES UPWARDS, VEGETA TILTS HIS BODY AWAY, MAKING THE ATTACK MISS; AS LEDAS CONTINUES FLYING UPWARD, HE OVERSHOOTS VEGETA, WHO DOUBLE KICKS LEDAS, AS HE GOES BY, IN THE RIBS>

<LEDAS GOES FLYING BACKWARDS FROM THE FORCE OF THE ATTACK, AND VEGETA CHASES HIM; WHEN VEGETA REACHES HIM, HE PUNCHES LEDAS’ LEFT SHOULDER AND GRABS HIM BY HIS RIGHT; VEGETA ATTEMPTS TO THROW LEDAS DOWNWARD IN AN IMPACT, BUT LEDAS BREAKS FREE AND KICKS VEGETA ACROSS THE FACE; VEGETA IMMEDIATELY RETALIATES WITH A BEAM, BUT IT EXPLODES; LEDAS HAD PUT UP AN ENERGY BARRIER, WHICH REFLECTED THE BLAST RIGHT BACK INTO VEGETA>

<SMOKING AND SINGED, THE SAIYAN PRINCE DOES NOT SEE LEDAS, AS HE COMES DOWN FROM ABOVE VEGETA’S HEAD, CONNECTING HIS FOOT WITH THE SMALL OF VEGETA’S BACK; VEGETA IS SENT DOWNWARD, WITH LEDAS IN HOT PURSUIT; BEFORE VEGETA REACHES THE GROUND, HE AFTERIMAGES BEHIND LEDAS AND PUSHES THE BOY TO THE GROUND>

<LEDAS ROLLS ASIDE, OUT OF THE WAY OF VEGETA’S INCOMING KICK, AND SENDS A SUDDEN BLAST OF ENERGY AT THE PRINCE; VEGETA TAKES IT HEAD ON, BUT IT BARELY DAMAGES HIM; INSTEAD, VEGETA’S SPEED SEEMS TO INCREASE FROM THIS, AND HE JUMPS AT LEDAS; LEDAS HAS GOTTEN UP BY THIS POINT, AND HE STEPS BACK, DEFENDING AGAINST VEGETA’S RELENTLESS HAIL OF BLOWS>

<FROM BEHIND, THE Z FIGHTERS THAT TOOK PART IN THIS TOURNEY (KRILLIN, YAMCHA, GOTEN, TRUNKS, ANDROID 18, GOHAN, PICCOLO, TIEN, CHIAOTZU, AND GOKU) WATCH THE FIGHT>

Krillin: Wow, he’s really something, isn’t he? Almost reminds me of–

Trunks: C’mon dad, you can win! Just go Super Saiyan!

Goku: Whoo, go Vegeta!

Piccolo: <FROM BEHIND THEM, QUIETLY> Vegeta isn’t trying to beat him; he’s testing him. It’s like when two dogs that have been separated for a while reunite. They don’t play again right away. Instead they sniff around and test the waters to see how much has changed. That’s what these two are doing.

Krillin: But, uh, what happens if they don’t get along?

Tien: One of them will lose an eye.

<KRILLIN GRIMACES LIKE HE ALWAYS DOES>

Yamcha: I remember seeing that kid when we fought that alien a few weeks back. I thought he said something about being friends with Vegeta.

Krillin: <WRYLY> I don’t know, Yamcha. I’ve heard Saiyans stay in their prime for a lot longer than us humans… but this is just ridiculous. He’s only Trunks’ age! He couldn’t know Vegeta.

Trunks: <TO KRILLIN> Hmph, he’s older than me. That’s why he won before.

Goten: It’s okay, Trunks. You’ll win next time!

Yamcha: Maybe there was some freak accident where he fell into some nuclear waste or something. I’ve heard it happens all the time. That’s how real super heroes are born.

<EVERYONE, AND I DO MEAN EVERYONE, IGNORES YAMCHA’S CRACKPOT THEORIES>

Android 18: <IN THAT BORED VOICE OF HERS> If he does know Vegeta, I’m sure there’s a perfect explanation for why he’s a little boy.

Krillin: <MISCHIEVOUS GRIN> And, uh, what would that reason be, honey?

Android 18: <TURNS HER FACE AWAY IN EMBARRASSMENT> How would I know?

Piccolo: <IN HIS MIND> That’s the kid I fought before. He was the one who blew up that town. <ANGRILY> He nearly killed me! And he killed all of those innocent people. But no one else knows… <PICCOLO FOLDS HIS ARMS> Better keep it that way. It’s no use bringing up what’s already happened. That kid isn’t the only one of us who’s done some ugly things in the past.

<THEY ALL DESCEND INTO THEIR PETTY RAMBLINGS SAVE FOR TIEN; TIEN KEEPS WATCHING THE FIGHT WITH ALL HIS FOCUS>

Tien: <TO HIMSELF MORE THAN ANYTHING> Their fighting styles are so similar. It’s almost like they’re the same person.

<BACK IN THE FIGHT, VEGETA KICKS, LEDAS BLOCKS; LEDAS PUSHES VEGETA AWAY AND BEGINS HIS OWN ATTACK; THE ATTACKS ARE ALL BLOCKED UNTIL LEDAS LOWERS TO THE GROUND AND SKIDS AROUND VEGETA; HE ELBOWS BACKWARDS, TRYING TO HIT VEGETA, BUT IT IS NO USE; VEGETA CATCHES LEDAS’ ARM>

<LEDAS TURNS HIS TORSO, AND WITH HIS LEFT HAND, HE THROWS AN OPEN-PALMED ENERGY BLAST AT VEGETA, BREAKING THE PRINCE’S GUARD; LEDAS THEN JUMPS INTO THE AIR TO REACH VEGETA’S FACE AND BEGINS KICKING IN A FLURRY>

<VEGETA IS PUSHED BACK, EVENTUALLY FALLING TO ONE KNEE BEFORE SLAPPING LEDAS AWAY; BOTH OF THEM HAVE A MOMENT OF RESPITE, WHERE THEY FALL TO THEIR KNEES AND BREATH OUT HARD FROM THE BATTLE>

<STILL KNEELING, LEDAS LOOKS UP AT VEGETA; THEIR FACES ARE DRIPPING WITH SWEAT; LEDAS WIPES IT AWAY; HE BREATHES IN A FEW SHARP BREATHS AND THEN GOES SUPER SAIYAN 2; HIS HAIR TURNS THE EXPECTED GOLDEN AND HIS EYES TURNING TO GREEN; WITH HIS AURA FLARING AROUND HIM, LEDAS STANDS UP AND WALKS TOWARD VEGETA, SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY; HE HAS HIMSELF READY FOR ANY ATTACK>

<AS HE REACHES VEGETA, VEGETA GOES SUPER SAIYAN 2 AS WELL>

<HE STANDS UP, AND THE TWO IMMEDIATELY GO BACK AT IT, KICKING AND PUNCHING, DIVING AND DUCKING; EACH OF THEM IS COMPLETELY OBLIVIOUS OF THEIR ONLOOKERS>

<IN THE BACK, ON THE LEFT A WAYS OF THE Z FIGHTERS, IS STANDING A SMALL HOST OF PEOPLE; CHIEF AMONG THEM IS CARDINAL, THE TOURNAMENT ANNOUNCER, AND RYORI>

<RYORI IS STILL IN HIS BATHING SUIT, AND HE HAS HIS FACE PAINTED FROM TAKING PLACE IN ALL THE PARTYING AND CELEBRATIONS OUTSIDE; STILL, HE IS WATCHING FULLY; HE HAS BARELY EVER SEEN LEDAS FIGHT, ESPECIALLY NOT THIS EMOTIONALLY>

<VEGETA AND LEDAS BEGIN FIRING SMALL KI BLASTS AT ONE ANOTHER, IN RAPID FIRE FASHION; THEY DODGE AROUND, SHOOTING THIS WAY AND THAT, WITH SOME OF THE BLASTS SKIDDING OFF OF THE PLATFORM AND AROUND THE ONLOOKERS; NONE HIT ANYONE THOUGH, THAT WOULD JUST CAUSE AN UNNECESSARY DISTRACTION>

<LEDAS LOWERS BOTH OF HIS ARMS TO HIS SIDES>

Ledas: Heya, Vegeta, remember this one?

<WITH A DEVILISH GRIN, LEDAS CONJURES UP A CYAN BALL IN EACH HAND; HE THEN PRESSES HIS HANDS TOGETHER, COMBINING THE TWO BALLS, AND AIMS THE ENERGY AT VEGETA; HE SENDS OFF A HUGE BLAST AT THE PRINCE>

<VEGETA RECOGNIZES THIS AS THE PLAYFUL GALICK, LEDAS’ VARIATION OF HIS OWN SIGNATURE SKILL; VEGETA MAKES UP HIS OWN BEAM, TOO; THIS ONE IS HIS STANDARD PURPLE ONE; HE AIMS IT AT LEDAS>

<THE TWO BEAMS COLLIDE; A BRIGHT LIGHT COMES UP, OBSCURING THE FOCUS AROUND THE TWO; DESPITE THESE TWO BEAMS BEING QUITE LETHAL SHOULD THEY BE SHOT AT BASICALLY ANYONE ELSE, BOTH LEDAS AND VEGETA ARE RESTRAINING THEIR POWERS SO THAT THEY DON’T DO SOMETHING FOOLISH LIKE BLOW UP THE PLANET>

<THE BEAMS PULSATE BACK AND FORTH, FROM LEDAS TO VEGETA AND BACK AGAIN; AFTER A FEW CYCLES, VEGETA PUTS MORE EFFORT INTO HIS BLAST AND SENDS IT RIGHT AT LEDAS; LEDAS ISN’T STRONG ENOUGH TO DEFEND AND HE IS HIT FULL ON>

<SMOKE AND ALL THAT STUFF FLIES AROUND WILDLY; VEGETA STANDS CALMLY, WATCHING FOR ANY SIGN OF LEDAS>

<BEFORE THE DUST IS FULLY CLEARED, LEDAS SPRINTS OUT, HIS ARMS IN A ‘V’ BEHIND HIS BACK; HE JUMPS AT VEGETA, SLAMMING HIS RIGHT FIST DOWN ON THE PRINCE’S CHEST; VEGETA RECOILS SLIGHTLY, THEN PUSHES LEDAS TO THE GROUND WITH A SINGLE PUNCH; LEDAS TELEPORTS UP AND STOPS IN FRONT OF VEGETA, PUTTING OUT BOTH OF HIS ARMS IN AN ATTACK; VEGETA CATCHES HIS ARMS AND THE TWO STRUGGLE IN A SILENT, GRUNTLESS BATTLE; LEDAS PUTS EVERYTHING HE HAS INTO IT, BUT HE CANNOT BEAT VEGETA’S SUPER SAIYAN 2 STATE>

<LEDAS LETS GO AND RELAXES HIS SHOULDERS; HE FALLS BACK ONTO THE GROUND, IN A SITTING POSITION WITH HIS LEGS ON HIS SIDES; HE LOOKS UP AT VEGETA>

Ledas: Aw, looks like you beat me, Vegeta.

Vegeta: Hmph, you didn’t put up much of a fight.

Ledas: At least we were a lot closer in power when we worked for Frieza! I was prolly even stronger.

<VEGETA LETS OUT A SMALL LAUGH AND FOLDS HIS ARMS AS LEDAS GETS ON HIS FEET>

Vegeta: I was always the stronger one.

<THE Z FIGHTERS COME UP AND TALK TO THE TWO OF THEM; IT IS NOTHING IMPORTANT, AND NEITHER VEGETA NOR LEDAS SEEM TO REALLY BE LISTENING TO THEM>

<FROM BEHIND, CARDINAL’S ENTOURAGE WATCHES IN SILENCE; RYORI, WITH THEM, IS FROWNING>

<FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS, HE WATCHES AS VEGETA AND LEDAS AND THE OTHER FIGHTERS ALL TALK, AND ASIDE FROM VEGETA, THEY ARE ALL LAUGHING AND TALKING>

Ryori: <TO HIMSELF, BARELY AUDIBLE THOUGH IT IS SOLEMN> Damnit, Ledas. You’re just like Shoekki… just gonna leave me and–

<LEDAS SUDDENLY APPEARS IN FRONT OF RYORI, PROBABLY BY INSTANTANEOUS MOVEMENT OR SOMETHING SIMILAR; HE GRABS RYORI’S SHOULDER AND PULLS HIM OVER>

Ledas: Oh I didn’t see you, Ryori!

Ryori: <DUMBFOUNDED AS HE IS BEING PUSHED FORWARD> Wha… you heard that?

Ledas: <COCKS HIS HEAD TO THE SIDE> Well you said my name.

Ryori: Great… you have super hearing, too.

<THEY ARRIVE AT VEGETA>

Ledas: <TO VEGETA ABOVE THE TALKING OF THE OTHER Z FIGHTERS> This is my friend Ryori. <HE LOOKS OVER AT RYORI, WHO IS SOMEWHAT AWKWARDLY EMBARRASSED BY HIS OWN APPEARANCE AMONG THESE WARRIORS> Canya take us to get food, Vegeta? I’m starving!

<VEGETA GLANCES OVER AT THE FOOD TABLES; OF COURSE, THEY ARE ALL EMPTY BY NOW>

Krillin: <PEANUT GALLERY> He sure does acts like a Saiyan…

Vegeta: Why would I know where–

Ledas: Cuz I saw your house! It’s huge. There has to be like a million pounds of food in there!

Vegeta: <HIS EYES ARE SOMEWHAT WIDENED> Fine, just this once.

Yamcha: Hey Vegeta, how about we come along and celebrate with ya guys?

Vegeta: <BREAKS IN WITH A HEARTY, SARCASTIC LAUGH; ALMOST IN AN OUT OF CHARACTER WAY> Oh yeah, that’s a good one. Invite the whole crew over! Why don’t we invite Kakarot, too?!

Goku: <FROM THE BACK> Hey, I heard that, Vegeta!

Vegeta: <SETTLES DOWN BACK TO HIS VITRIOL; RIGHT UP IN YAMCHA’S FACE> Don’t even think about it, fool. I’ll blow you away before you can get within 100 feet of her.

Yamcha: Okay! Okay! Sheesh, can’t blame a guy for asking!

<VEGETA TURNS AWAY, CHIN UP AND PRANCES OUT; LEDAS AND RYORI FOLLOW HIM; THE REMAINING Z FIGHTERS STAND THERE, DUMBFOUNDED AT THIS; IT SEEMS RATHER ODD TO THEM THAT VEGETA WOULD JUST GO OFF SO QUICKLY WITH LEDAS LIKE THIS; OF COURSE, SINCE THE TWO WERE CHILDHOOD FRIENDS, THIS SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE, BUT IT IS STILL RATHER ODD, CONSIDERING IT IS VEGETA, AND ALL OF THEM ARE QUITE PUZZLED AT HOW HE IS ACTING AROUND LEDAS NOW THAT THEY’VE FOUGHT AND BEEN REACQUAINTED PROPERLY>

Ledas: <TO VEGETA AS THEY WALK> Do you have a very good gravity room, Vegeta? That old guy in the white jacket it gave me mine. It’s really good. <CHILDLIKE GOADING> I bet it’s better than yours.

Vegeta: Bah, you stole that one.

Ledas: Oh yeah. <HE CHUCKLES IN DELIGHT> I forgot. <HE CONTINUES LAUGHING>

<THEY REACH THE OUTSIDE ENCIRCLEMENT>

Ryori: Ledas, how old are you really?

Ledas: Um, I don’t know, like how old Vegeta is.

Ryori: But that guy’s an old man. And you are just like me…

Vegeta: <TO RYORI> Watch it. I’m not that old.

Ryori: Whatever, man. But if you and him grew up together, why didn’t he get old like you? Is that something with you aliens, that only some of you get all old and gross like that?

<VEGETA GRUMBLES LIKE AN ANIMAL, BUT LEDAS IGNORES HIM; HE IS QUITE CHIPPER AS THEY ALL WALK ON>

Vegeta: Your idiot friend is right. If you really are alive, what happened out there? Why aren’t you grown up?

Ledas: <STILL GRINNING> Wewll, it’s a long, almost-incredible story. But, um, <SCRATCHES HIS HEAD> I think I forgot most of it…

<THE OTHER TWO SIGH, SHAKING THEIR HEADS; MERE MOMENTS LATER, THEY ALL TAKE OFF INTO THE SKY; LEDAS IS CARRYING RYORI AND FOLLOWING VEGETA; AS THEY SET OFF, THE CAMERA PANS BACK ALL THE WAY TO BEHIND CARDINAL; THE MAN WATCHES THEM, LOOKING UP AT THE THREE FLYING OFF INTO THE SKY; AROUND HIM ARE THE Z FIGHTERS AND A FEW HUMANS; AS VEGETA, LEDAS, AND RYORI FADE AWAY INTO SMALL DOTS, HE BOWS HIS HEAD AND WALKS OFF SCREEN>

<IMMEDIATE BLACK SCREEN AS CARDINAL EXITS>

<CUE El Scorcho>

<SLOW RE-FADE FROM BLACK>

<A MONTAGE OF SORTS FOLLOWS>

<LEDAS, RYORI, AND VEGETA ARE EATING FOOD AT CAPSULE CORP, MUCH TO THE CHAGRIN OF BULMA (BECAUSE OF HOW BARBARIC THEIR MANNERS ARE); DR. BRIEFS COMES OUT AND LEDAS HIDES HIS HEAD; THE GOOD DOCTOR SQUINTS AT LEDAS, ALMOST FINDING HIM FAMILIAR BEFORE MOVING ON WITH HIS DAILY TASKS; LEDAS RAISES HIS HEAD AT THIS AND LAUGHS; VEGETA, PERHAPS, HIDES A SMIRK HIMSELF>

<THE SCENE CHANGES TO CARDINAL, WHO WATCHES THE REMAINING Z FIGHTERS AND OTHER PEOPLE LEAVE HIS TOURNAMENT; THERE IS LOTS OF TRASH AROUND, EVEN ON THE TOURNAMENT STAGE; HE IS ALONE; THE WIND BLOWS SOME OF THE TRASH AROUND AND HE SITS DOWN ON THE EDGE OF THE TOURNAMENT STAGE AND WATCHES IT GO BY>

<THE SCENE CHANGES TO LEDAS; THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FEW DAYS LATER; HE AND VEGETA ARE IN VEGETA’S OWN GRAVITY ROOM; THEY ARE SPARRING; VEGETA IS STILL A LITTLE RESERVED TO BE OPENING HIMSELF UP LIKE THIS, BUT SINCE IT IS LEDAS, HE IS SPARRING A LITTLE AND NOT BEING AS STANDOFFISH AS HE USUALLY IS; THE TWO SPAR FOR SOME TIME; THOUGH IT IS STILL SLIGHTLY AWKWARD AND NOT THE SAME AS IT WAS WHEN THEY WERE KIDS, VEGETA ISN’T TOTALLY OPPOSED TO THIS, WHICH MAKES LEDAS HAPPY; THE TWO DO SOME SPARRING IN THEIR SUPER SAIYAN FORMS; VEGETA SHOWS OFF HIS SUPER SAIYAN 3 FORM>

<KORIN AND YAJIROBE ARE UP ON KORIN TOWER, STILL DOING NOTHING, AND SQUABBLING OVER THEIR PRECIOUS FEW SENZU BEANS; KORIN HITS YAJIROBE OVER THE HEAD WITH HIS STAFF FOR BEING GREEDY; YAJIROBE CUTS ONE OF KORIN’S CAT TOWERS IN HALF WITH HIS KATANA>

<RYORI HAS LEFT VEGETA’S HOUSE, SOMETIME AFTERWARD; HE IS IN THE HOUSE THAT WAS MADE FOR LEDAS AND HIM; IT IS LATE AT NIGHT, AND HE IS PLAYING VIDEO GAMES; HE LOOKS BORED; SUDDENLY, LEDAS ARRIVES, AND COMES IN WITH A LOT OF ENERGY; RYORI’S FROWN TURNS UPSIDE DOWN AS HE AND LEDAS DESCEND INTO ENDLESS HOURS OF VIDEO GAMES AND PLAY; AFTER RYORI GOES TO BED, LEDAS COMES INTO THE BATHROOM AND SEES THE FULL LENGTH MIRROR COATING THE SHOWER DOOR; HE STARES INTO IT; EVENTUALLY, SITTING DOWN AS HE CONTINUES TO STARE; HE THINKS, INTO THE NIGHT, OF HOW TO GET VEGETA AND RYORI TO BE LESS AGGRESSIVE TOWARDS EACH OTHER, ESPECIALLY IF LEDAS IS GOING TO STAY; OBVIOUSLY, HE HAS NO IMMEDIATE IDEAS FOR WHAT TO DO>

<THE LAST SCENE SHOWS LEDAS RETURNING FROM A TRAINING SESSION WITH VEGETA; HE HAS A TOWEL AROUND HIS NECK; HE WALKS BACK TO HIS HOUSE AND WAVES TO RYORI, WHO WAVES BACK; LEDAS MOVES PAST HIM TO HIS BACKYARD, WHERE HIS SAIBAMEN ARE RUNNING AROUND; HE BEAMS AS THE RUN UP TO HIM; HE KNEELS DOWN TO PAT WILDE AND THE OTHERS ON THE HEAD, THEN MOVES ON TO HIS OWN GRAVITY TRAINING UNIT; HE OPENS IT AND WALKS INSIDE; HE GOES UP TO THE CONSOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT AND OPENS A SEALED BOX; INSIDE IS VERLATE’S PYRAMID; HE SHUDDERS AS HE LOOKS AT IT; THE LIGHT BRIEFLY SHINES IN ON THE BOX, CAUSING IT TO SPARKLE AND SHINE; THEN, LEDAS CLOSES THE BOX AGAIN; HIS SAIBAMEN ARE PLAYING AND FIGHTING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN THE BACKGROUND; HE LAUGHS THIS TIME AND TURNS BACK TO THEM; THE LAST SHOT IS A SIMPLE TIGHT SHOT OF LEDAS’ SMILING FACE>

<THE SCREEN RE-FADES ONE MORE TIME TO BLACK, SLOWER THIS TIME>


 * <END FULFILLMENT SAGA>

Cue Great Spirits. Credits roll during this time. This credits roll “scene-less” except for a small, continuous animation of Ledas and kid Vegeta running around throughout this sequence.

<END DRAGON BALL Z: THE FORGOTTEN>

Alternate Endings
Several alternate endings to TF were considered. However, none are considered canon to anything. These alternate endings would occur just after The Benefactor defeated the Z Fighters at the end of the Reunion Saga. Thus, both of the below chapters ignore the entire events of the Fulfillment Saga.

Like A Bitch
<GOTENKS’ BODY LIES ON THE GROUND; HE’S SUPER BLOODY AND CLEARLY VERY VERY HURT; HIS LEFT EYE BALL IS REMOVED FROM THE SOCKET AND HE SEEMS TO BE MISSING AN ARM; HIS GHOST THING REALLY SCREWED HIM UP PRETTY BADLY>

The Benefactor: The tiger gallivants squares ‘bout the down triangle, his snarls being really loud. He slowly sucks the juice out of the zebra, until the gorilla comes and shows him who’s boss. And by my left hand I act upon this house, eating by the firelight with the utmost fortitude!

Vegeta: You monster! How could you do that? You’re a really bad person! What’s wrong with you? Do you kiss your mother with that mouse? Ach! If only someone way stronger and cooler than me was here to help me take this guy out!

<WITHIN MOMENTS, ALMOST AS IF GOD HAD ANSWERED VEGETA’S CRIES FOR HELP, A NEW HERO EMERGES FROM THE SKIES ABOVE THEM; KRILLIN AND YAJIROBE FLY DOWN FROM THEIR CARS AND THE BENEFACTOR ALMOST INSTANTLY VAPORIZES THE BOTH OF THEM>

Vegeta: Well, that was damn near worthless.

The Benefactor: And now the tiger gallivants about you, snake! Tonight the gorilla dies in hell!

Vegeta: Honestly, man, the metaphor isn’t really working right here, whatever you’re going for. It just comes off as nonsense.

The Benefactor: <TB, TAKEN ABACK BY THIS SUDDEN CRITICISM, RESORTS TO HIS NORMAL TYPE OF NONSENSE THAT EV’RYONE LOVES> Mommy cuts little triangles into the snake’s arms! Sonny cuts little triangles into the turtle’s shell in the dark room, but they all laugh at him and call the turtle the freak! But the triangles come again now, no matter what!

Vegeta: No! You monster! How could you say that?

<AND THEN, WITH A SUDDEN UNEXPECTED TWIST, A NEW FOE APPEARS, SLINKING STRANGELY OUT OF THE CAR THAT JUST FELL OUT OF THE SKY>

The New Foe: I thought I heard somebody say… turtle.

<THE BENEFACTOR, VEGETA, AND LEDAS ALL TURN TO SEE THIS NEW GUY, THEIR MOUTHS AGAPE; HOWEVER, AFTER SENSING HIS POWER LEVEL, THEY REALIZE THAT HE SUCKS AND ISN’T STRONG; VEGETA REALIZES THAT HE IS MASTER ROSHI; AS SUCH, THE BENEFACTOR JUST STARTS RUNNING TOWARD LEDAS AND VEGETA TO FIGHT THEM AND PROBABLY DEFEAT THEM LIKE EVERYONE ELSE>

Roshi: Hey! Don’t all you youngsters go ignoring me like that! That’s real mean! <IN HIS BURNING RAGE, HE UNLEASHES A SUPER AWESOME AND POWERFUL KAMEHAMEHA AT THE BENEFACTOR; IT HITS HIM STRAIGHT ON, KNOCKING HIM DOWN; HOWEVER, IT IS SO BIG THAT IT GOES ON PAST HIM AND HITS BOTH LEDAS AND VEGETA, INSTANTLY OBLITERATING THE BOTH OF THEM>

The Benefactor: Dude… you just killed the main character. I was, like, supposed to do that…

Roshi: True men don’t kill coyotes. <WITH A SUDDEN BURST, HE RUNS AT THE BENEFACTOR, LANDING A HUGE AMOUNT OF BLOWS ALL ACROSS HIS BODY; HE ENDS IT BY STEALING TB’S KNIFE AND STABBING HIM 37 TIMES; HE THEN BREAKS TB’S KNIFE, WHICH MOVES TB TO TEARS BUT HE HIDES HIS TEARS>

The Benefactor: That was easily the greatest combo I’ve ever seen, ever. <HE STARES AT ROSHI WITH FANGIRL-ISH ADMIRATION, BEFORE REMEMBERING HIS ORIGINAL INTENTIONS> But how could you do that to Ledas, man? He’s like super important to the story.

Roshi: <WITH CUNNING> He might have been important before, but now he’s dead… Jim.

The Benefactor: What? How do you know my true name that I’ve never told anybody ever besides my old pet cat Snookums?

Roshi: It’s because I’m the motherfucking turtle hermit. <WITH THIS EPIC DECLARATION, ROSHI JUMPS INTO THE AIR AND KICKS VEGETA STRAIGHT ON IN THE FACE, BEFORE LAUNCHING A SPECIAL BEAM CANNON AT HIM THAT STRANGELY ONLY TAKES LIKE 5 SECONDS TO CHARGE UP>

<THIS SUPER COOL BEAM GOES STRAIGHT THROUGH TB’S STOMACH, MEANING THAT STOMACH FLUIDS AND BLOOD START LEAKING OUT>

Roshi: <LIKE A COMPLETE BEAST> You might want to get a doctor to look at that. <ROSHI POUNCES AT THE INJURED BEAST, BEFORE PIMP SLAPPING HIM RIGHT ACROSS THE HEAD; THIS SENDS TB FLYING TO THE FLOOR, AND ROSHI COMES DOWN ON HIM TO LAND THE FINISHING BLOW>

The Benefactor: <AS ROSHI COMES DOWN ON HIM, HE IS OVERCOME WITH DESPERATION; FEARFULLY, HE BELLOWS OUT THE FOLLOWING ATTACK> Wild Sense!

<TB QUICKLY DISAPPEARS, LEAVING ROSHI TO HIT THE GROUND AND MAKES A HUGE CRATER IN IT; IN FACT THE CAMERA ZOOMS OUT AND SHOWS THAT ROSHI DESTROYED LIKE ½ OF THE WORLD WITH THIS AWESOME ATTACK, MEANING THAT HE ALSO KILLED LIKE 3 BILLION PEOPLE>

Roshi: How? How could you do that?

The Benefactor: Using Wild Sense takes mad skillz, ya old man. Mad skillz.

<ROSHI, INFURIATED BY THIS TAUNTING, POUNCES AT HIM AGAIN; ACCORDINGLY, TB WILD SENSES OUT OF THE WAY; TB THEN ATTACKS ROSHI AGAIN WITH HIS SUPER POWERFUL ATTACK OF MYSTERIOUS ORIGINS NAMED “DEATH RAY BEAM OF DEATH”; IT HITS ROSHI STRAIGHT ON THE HEART BUT HE DOESN’T EVEN FLINCH>

The Benefactor: You’re… you’re so strong. How high is your power level, man?

Roshi: 139.4… but it rounds down. <EVERYBODY (WHICH HERE JUST MEANS TB) STARES AT ROSHI IN AWE, NOT BELIEVING THAT A MAN WITH SUCH A LOW POWER LEVEL COULD BE SO KICK-ASS>

The Benefactor: Wha- whe- wh- ousa – de – what?

Roshi: Hmph. You’ve apparently never fought against a true master of martial arts. <HE ONCE AGAIN LEAPS AT TB, BUT TB JUST WILD SENSES AWAY LIKE A BITCH; HE CONTINUES JUMPING AT HIM AND MAKING REAL WILD PUNCHES, BUT NONE OF THEM CONNECT BECAUSE OF TB’S MAD WILD SENSING SKILLZ>

Roshi: Stay still so I can shoot you. <TB, JUST FOR FUN, WILD SENSES AGAIN> Argh diddle fumps! I guess I’ll have to use my bestest attack of all time. You won’t believe this one. <ROSHI EXTENDS ONE HAND AT TB, WHO STANDS STILL> Lightning Surprise! <A BOLT OF ELECTRICITY EXTENDS FROM ROSHI’S HAND, BUT BEFORE IT CAN MAKE CONTACT TB WILD SENSES AWAY>

The Benefactor: Oh har har har! You thought that could beat me? You’re an idiot! A complete idiot! You should just go kill yourself. That’s how pathetic that was. <UNBEKNOWNST TO HIM, ROSHI’S OTHER HAND WAS EXTENDED IN THE OTHER DIRECTION, AND HE FIRES A SECOND BLAST FROM IT; THIS ONE MAKES ALMOST IMMEDIATE CONTACT, ENVELOPING TB WITH THE GREATEST OF EASE>

Roshi: Hmph. I memorized your Wild Sense pattern and therefore knew exactly where you were going to be after you wild sensed, and aimed my other hand to target that exact area… bitch.

The Benefactor: Oh goddamnit. <ROSHI CLENCHES HIS HAND DOWN, THUS CAUSING THE WOMB OF ELECTRICITY TO EXPLODE; WITH IT GOES TB’S LIFE, AS HE QUICKLY EVAPORATES WITHIN THE FIERY MESS OF STUFF>

Goku: <RUNS ONTO THE SCENE> Don’t worry guys! I’m here to save the day! Wee-hoo! <SEES ROSHI> Um, where’s TB, sensei?

Roshi: I killed the bitch.

<CREDITS ROLL, DURING WHICH KILLING IN THE NAME BY RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE PLAYS THE ENTIRE TIME>

<THE END>

To Be Proud
Krillin: Oh, Vegeta… <SOLEMNLY AND QUIETLY TO THE SAIYANS> How bad is it? Can we beat him?

Vegeta: <ANGER RISING> Great, the bald man’s here.

Krillin: Y-yeah, I know I’m not much help. Where’s Goku? Yajirobe said he wa–

Vegeta: Kakarot and the rest can’t help us. Pfft. Neither can you. Stay out of my way. <span style=“color:#DC143C”>

Ledas: <SPEAKING UP> What if we did that fuse-y thingy like Gotenks?

Vegeta: <LOOKING TO KRILLIN> He’s so weak, you would lose power from fusing with him.

Krillin: Now hang on a moment, Vegeta. Your friend’s got a point. If we did fusion, we might just be strong enough to beat this guy.

Vegeta: How could anybody possibly think that?

Ledas: Aw come on, Vegeta. Show us how!

Vegeta: Arghhhh. Fine. You take your fingers like this, and…

<VEGETA ASSUMES THE POSITION AND DOES THE DANCE HALFWAY>

Vegeta: <IN A BARK> Just like that, all right?

Ledas: <TOGETHER> Okay!

Krillin: <TOGETHER> Okay!

Vegeta: <TO LEDAS> And lower your power to his level.

Ledas: Wewll shucks. That’s really low.

Krillin: <SCRATCHING THE BACK OF HIS HEAD> Ah, sorry buddy. Heehee.

<LEDAS LOWERS HIS POWER LEVEL>

Ledas: Okay, let’s go.

<LEDAS AND KRILLIN DO THE DANCE; AS THEY ARE DOING IT, VEGETA THINKS TO HIMSELF>

Vegeta: Wait, why’s he fusing with the bald guy. We’d be a better–

<A BRIGHT FLASH OF LIGHT OVERTAKES THE SCREEN; VEGETA SHIELDS HIS PRINCELING EYES>

<FROM THIS NEW LIGHT, SLOWLY FADING, A NEW HERO IS BORN>

New Hero: Hmmm, what should I call myself. How about Kedas? No no, wait. I got it. Lillin. No, that’s no good. Hey, I know, Ledaillin. Yeah, that’s a great one.

Ledaillin: <POWERS UP> All right! All this power! I feel so much stronger!

Vegeta: <FROM BEHIND> I hope that’s not the bald man speaking…

Ledaillin: Aaaahhgggghhh!!!

<HE POWERS UP TO HIS MAXIMUM; THE MOUNTAINS BEHIND EXPLODE INTO LAVA WHEN HE REACHES HALF-SUPER SAIYAN 1>

<LEDAILLIN STEPS UP TO FACE THE BENEFACTOR>

Ledaillin: Whatchoo gonna do? Whatchoo gonna do? I’m too coo’ for you! Haha!

<TB GETS UP FROM PLAYING WITH THE SAND ON THE GROUND; HE MOVES FORWARD TO THE FUSION AND LOCKS INTO HIS BATTLE STANCE>

The Benefactor: Is that your… full power?

Ledaillin: <JUMPS FORWARD, HITTING AT TB> And dere ain’t nuttin you can do ‘bout it!

The Benefactor: <ENRAGED BY THIS; QUIETLY> Oh, iss owhn.

<AS LEDAILLIN DANCES ABOUT, TB STEPS BACK; HE THEN DOES A BEAUTIFUL BACKFLIP FORWARD, LANDING RIGHT ON LEDAILLIN’S SHOULDERS; HE GIVES THE FUSION A SINGLE PUNCH TO THE FACE, SENDING LEDAILLIN FLYING BACKWARD AND SIGHING AS HE GOES, SEEING AS THAT’S WHAT PEOPLE DO WHEN THEY GET HIT>

<THE BENEFACTOR THEN FINISHES THIS UP WITH A 10X FAMILY KAMEHAMEHA AND MELTS LEDAILLIN AND KILLS HIM>

<TB TURNS TO VEGETA>

The Benefactor: That was anticlimactic, dontcha think?

Vegeta: <SHAKING HIS FISTS TO THE SKY> Darn you!

<TB ENTHUSIASTICALLY JUMPS OVER TO VEGETA AND PULLS HIM DOWN TO THE GROUND; THE TWO OF THEM SIT TOGETHER>

<TB TAKES OUT HIS KNIFE; VEGETA KNOWS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE KNIFE COMES OUT AND ALREADY ASSUMES HE’S A GONER; TB THEN LIFTS UP HIS SLEEVE TO SHOW VEGETA HIS BODY>

The Benefactor: <SHOVING HIS EXPOSED ARM INTO VEGETA’S FACE> Heya Vegeta, I have to ask. Whaddya think that’un looks like?

Vegeta: <MUFFLED FROM THE ARM IN HIS FACE> Shdaaa whaa?

The Benefactor: <POINTS WITH HIS OTHER HAND TO HIS ELBOW> See here, lookie. Look! Doesn’t that look like a spider to you? C’mon, tell me I did good. I’ve been working on it for years.

<THE SPIDER IS SHOWN, CRAFTED MAGNIFICANTLY AND ELEGANTLY; ITS LONG LEGS AND PLUMP BODY ALL MELDED PERFECTLY ONTO TB’S ARM; IT BELONGS IN A MUSEUM, VEGETA THINKS TO HIMSELF>

Vegeta: <IN SHOCK OVER THIS> It-t-t-t’s a… a… a spider!

The Benefactor: <CLOSES HIS EYES AND NODS> It’s a spider.

<THE END>