The KidVegeta Anthology/Dragon Ball Z: The Forgotten/Outbreak: Paved In Blood

a

Story
When I sat down to write today

it was raining really bad.

That got me in the mood to listen to some piano music.

Chopin, mostly.

I suppose by night

I'll be trying to learn them all. -KidVegeta

Imaginary Place


<612 AGE>

















<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>

Endnotes:

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 MIND; 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 MIND> 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 MIND> … 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>

Endnotes:

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 ON HIS WRIST; 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; ALL OF THEM ARE 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 MOVE OFF TO THE CITY, TO MAKE SURE HIS MOTHER IS 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 SUIT>

<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 PAST THEM, NOT STOPPING>

<THE CITY IS ABOUT 2 MILES FROM THE BOY’S STARTING POINT; IT TAKES HIM NO MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES TO GET TO THE GATE>

<THE METAL AND STONE OF THE ENTRANCE IS TWISTED AND BURNED; EVEN THE STREETS ARE GASHED AND BLOWN TO PIECES>

<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>

<THE SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS 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 IT 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>

<AS THEY REACH THE BOY, THE TWO STOP; THE SHORTER ONE MOTIONS TO THE TALLER ONE, WHO SAYS SOMETHING INTO A COMPUTER-LIKE DEVICE ON HIS WRIST>

<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 MUSCLES AND ORGANS; 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 PILES OF BONES) EXCEPT FASTER; HE FOCUSES HIS ATTENTION ON 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 and your planet. It’s a 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 natives on 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! But he has no name; what a shame. <TURNS> Zarbon, what do you think we should 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 OWN WRIST DEVICE, WHICH ALERTS THE SECOND LEGION TO ATTACK THE BOY>

<THE SECOND LEGION MOVES FORWARD, CHARGING UP THEIR 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: 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. It’s 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 ON ITSELF, FORCEFULLY, QUICKLY, QUIETLY; IT TAKES NO MORE THAN A MOMENT FOR IT ALL TO BE DESTROYED>

<THE SHIP EXITS OFF SCREEN>


 * <END SPECIAL>

Endnotes:

Endnotes
< Part 29.1 <p style="text-align: right;">Part 29.3 >

{{KVA}