Fulfillment Saga (The Forgotten)

Please Note: This story contains occassional swearing and graphically gruesume deaths.

The Fulfillment Saga is the sixth and final saga of Dragon Ball Z: The Forgotten. It takes place after the Reunion Saga. This saga chronicles the conclusion of the battle between the Z fighters and The Benefactor; as well, all other out-standing plot points are wrapped up.

Characters
For a complete list of characters in the Fulfillment Saga, please visit this page.

Theme Song
The theme song for this Saga is Paranoid Android by Radiohead.

The theme song for the alternate ending of the saga, titled "Like A Bitch", is Killing In The Name Of by Rage Against the Machine.

Complete Dialogue
Many long years ago,

I went to the crack dealer

To shoot him and steal his

“goodies”.

Unfortunately the police came.

How ironic.

-KidVegeta

Pump Up


<774 AGE>

















<THE CAMERA MOVES EVEN FARTHER BACK, SHOWING OFF THE EDGE OF THE TOWN, WHERE GOKU AND THE BENEFACTOR HAD BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THE SPIRIT BOMB IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER/SAGA>

<HALF OF THE TOWN IS COMPLETELY DEMOLISHED; THE GROUND IS IN A HUGE CRATER, SMOKING SLIGHTLY, AND FILLED WITH A DULL RED; SMOKE IS LIGHTLY COMING UP FROM IT ALL>

<THE BENEFACTOR WALKS INTO THE CITY, LAZILY; HE KEEPS HIS HAND HELD OUT AT THIS TIME>

<BELOW HIM, IN THE CITY, IN WHICH PILLARS OF SMOKE ARE RISING, THE SOUND AND SIGHT OF POLICE CARS ARE RACING TOWARD THE SCENE; THE BENEFACTOR JUMPS DOWN TO MEET THEM IN THE CITY; OTHER THAN THAT, THE CITY IS QUIET>

<CUT FROM WHITE>

<THIS IS A SLIGHT ECHOING IN THIS RECOLLECTION; IT SOUNDS AS IF THE SPEAKERS ARE UNDERWATER>

<VEGETA AND GOKU ARE STANDING NEXT TO EACH OTHER; GOKU IS IN SUPER SAIYAN 3; VEGETA IS BLOODIED; GOKU HAS HIS HAND ON VEGETA‘S SHOULDER; OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE COMMUNICATING TELEPATHICALLY>

<GOKU PERHAPS SAYS SOMETHING BUT IT IS NOT HEARD; VEGETA TURNS TO HIM, WIDE EYED>

<THE CAMERA MOVES AROUND, SHOWING THAT THIS IS A BRIEF MEMORY OF GOKU’S FROM THE FIGHT EARLIER; THE BENEFACTOR AND THE OTHER Z FIGHTERS ARE ALL STANDING>

Goku: <THE RINGING LESSENS SLIGHTLY AS GOKU CONTINUES>…. whatever that thing tells you to.

Vegeta: <SLYLY; IN TELEPATHY AS WELL> You’re always playing the hero, Kakarot. <INTERRPUTED BEFORE HE CAN CONTINUE>

Goku: It’s not like that, Vegeta. This could be the only way to beat him. And after Buu, I really don’t want to drag this one out.

Vegeta: Hmph, fine.

<SLOWLY THE TWO MOVE, FACING THE BENEFACTOR>

Goku: I think we can beat him by overloading his circuits.

Vegeta: <MUTED; TURNS BACK> That’s idiotic, Kakarot. There’s no way this thing is another android. We’ve already destroyed Gero’s freak shows.

Goku: <CONVINCED> He’s not alive, Vegeta. I can’t feel him.

Vegeta: <LOOKS OVER AT GOKU> N-not alive?!

Goku: I don’t think so. <LOOKS AWAY>

<PAUSE; LOOKS BACK>

Goku: Just buy some time, Vegeta. Keep him busy for as long as you can. I can work out something… if you can just get him out of here!

<GOKU LETS GO OF VEGETA AND WALKS FORWARD IN HIS FEIGN OF FIGHTING THE BENEFACTOR>

<THE RINGING COMES BACK; VEGETA LAUNCHES HIMSELF TO SOMEONE OFFSCREEN, OBVIOUSLY LEDAS>

<CUTS TO THE CITY; INSIDE CARDINAL’S OFFICE; THIS TAKES PLACE ABOUT 3 MINUTES BEFORE THE OPENING SEQUENCE OF THIS SAGA>

<SUDDENLY INTO VIEW, CARDINAL COMES AROUND A CORNER, IN RARE DISORDER; HE IS SPRINTING DOWN THE HALL>

<HE SKIDS AROUND A CORNER, INTO A DOOR; HE TRIES TO OPEN IT, BUT IT IS LOCKED>

Cardinal: <ALOUD> Damnit, Marissa!

<CARDINAL JIGGLES THE DOORNOB FOR SEVERAL MORE SECONDS, BUT THEN STOPS, STRAIGHTENING UP>

<BEHIND HIM SKIDS INTO VIEW LEDAS IN HIS EARTH CLOTHES; HE IS IN SUPER SAIYAN>

Ledas: <ANGRILY> Turn around, you old man!

Cardinal: Boy, let’s ta-

<LEDAS LETS OUT A YELL AND BRINGS UP A LIGHT BLUE ENERGY BLAST, SHINING SUDDENLY THROUGH THE BARELY LIT HALLS OF THE BUILDING; HE THROWS IT TO CARDINAL, AND IT CLIPS THE OLD MAN IN THE LEFT ARM; COMPLETELY RIPPING IT OFF AND IMMEDIATELY CAUTERIZING THE WOUND>

<THE BLAST GOES ON PAST CARDINAL, BREAKING THROUGH THE WALLS AND INTO THE STREET BEYOND; IT HITS A BUILDING, BLOWING IT UP AND SENDING THE BURNING AND DEAD BODIES OF SEVERAL HUMANS OUT; NONE OF THE CHARACTERS NOTICE THIS>

<BACK IN THE BUILDING, CARDINAL FALLS, TWISTING TO THE GROUND, YELLING SOFTLY; HE CONNECTS WITH THE WALL AND ROLLS OVER ONTO THE FLOOR, NOW BREATHING ERRATICALLY>

<LEDAS RUNS FORWARD AND JUMPS ONTO CARDINAL; HE RAISES HIS ARM OVER THEM BOTH, IN THREAT>

Ledas: You’re the one that took me and Ryori! <YELL> You jerk! Why did you do that?! You almost killed me!

<CARDINAL IS IN PAIN AND DOES NOT ANSWER>

Ledas: <PAUSE> Answer me! I’ll kill you, I’m not kidding.

Cardinal: <SLUMPS DOWN AND RELAXES A BIT; IN RESIGNATION> That is a fair… <IN PAIN> question. You… you would be wondering why I have been so invested in your origins… after… after…

<VEGETA ENTERS; SLOWLY>

Cardinal: <SEES VEGETA, STOPS AND DIRECTS HIS VOICE TO THE SAIYAN PRINCE; IN ABSOLUTE SHOCK> It was you! You and the bald one. I remember that day! <HE CRAWLS BACK A BIT>

Vegeta: <BORED> What’s that?

Cardinal: <SOMEWHAT DISTRESSED> I-I was in East city… that day… you and him… killed all those people. November third, ’62! How are you here now?!

Vegeta: <TO HIMSELF> Hmph. Nappa was always too impulsive.

<LEDAS IS CONFUSED BY THIS; HE COCKS HIS HEAD TOWARD VEGETA>

Ledas: Vegeta? What do you mean?

<BUT AT THIS TIME, VEGETA TURNS AROUND HIMSELF; SENSING GOKU’S POWER DROP>

<SUDDENLY A POWERFUL WIND COMES ROARING INTO THE CITY; IT SLAMS INTO CARDINAL’S BUILDING AND BRINGS IT INTO RUIN; LEDAS IS THROWN FROM CARDINAL; CARDINAL IS COVERED IN DEBRIS; VEGETA REMAINS STANDING, BACK TURNED TO THEM>

Vegeta: <TURNS BACK, AGITATED> Kakarot‘s plan didn‘t work. <HE DROPS DOWN TO A POSE; INTO SUPER SAIYAN 2; TALKING FASTER> We have to fight it without him. The Namekian and Android are too weak… <HE SIGHS, ALMOST NOT WANTING TO GO ON, BUT HE DOES ANYWAYS; TO LEDAS> Y-you… can go Super Saiyan?

<LEDAS IS SURPRISED BY VEGETA SUDDENLY TAKING NOTICE OF HIM; HE NODS AND GOES SUPER SAIYAN 1 IN THE SAME MOTION; HE STANDS UP AND TURNS TO FACE TO CAMERA, TO SOME UNSEEN THING>

<AWAY FROM THIS, BUT IN THE SAME CITY, PICCOLO, ANDROID 18, AND KRILLIN LAND WITH TIEN, CHIAOTZU, YAMCHA, AND GOHAN (NOT SHOWN, BUT ASSUMED TO BE THERE); THEY ARE IN FRONT OF A HOSPITAL>

<ALL RUN INSIDE; AND AFTER A BRIEF SCENE, WHICH IS PROLLY TOO BORING TO GO INTO DETAIL ABOUT, THE DAMAGED Z FIGHTERS ARE PUT INTO ROOMS TO BE TREATED>

<PICCOLO, ANDROID 18, AND KRILLIN COME BACK OUTSIDE, THEY SEE THE WIND COME INTO THE TOWN AND LIKE A TSUNAMI, IT DEMOLISHES PRACTICALLY EVERYTHING IN ITS PATH, ALL THE WAY UP TO THE HOSPITAL; THE HOSPITAL IS ON A HILL, SO IT IS NOT STRUCK BY THE WAVE OF ENERGY>

Krillin: Did… did anyone else see that?!

<PICCOLO AND ANDROID 18 ARE SILENT FOR A MOMENT>

Android 18: That was an impressive blast. What do you think, was it Goku’s work?

Piccolo: No, Goku‘s power just disappeared! <ANGRY GROWL> He’s taking them out one at a time. Tien, Yamcha, Gohan…

Krillin: But Piccolo, if Goku couldn’t beat him, what chance do we have?

Piccolo: <STARES OFF FOR A MOMENT BEFORE ANSWERING> We have one more option. The dragon balls.

Android 18: The dragon balls? What wish could we use?

<ZOOM OUT FROM PICCOLO; NOT SMILING>

<CUT, SCENE OF BENEFACTOR>

<THE BENEFACTOR WALKS DOWN THE MAINSTREET OF THE TOWN; RUBBLE IS ALL AROUND; HE COMES UP ON THE HUGE CRATER LEFT BY THE SPIRIT BOMB, AND WALKS DOWN ONE OF THE CRACKED OFFSHOOTS FROM IT; THE CRACK IS PULLED UP FROM THE STREET AND SHOWS OFF AN UNDERGROUND AREA BELOW; THERE IS NO SIGN OF ANYTHING BUT DARKNESS WITHIN IT>

<HE FOLLOWS IT DOWN THE ROAD FOR SOME TIME, UNTIL HE ROUNDS A CORNER AND STOPS; AT THIS HE TURNS ALL HIS ATTENTION TO THE CRACK, NOW ALMOST A CANYON; IT IS DARK INSIDE IT; THE BENEFACTOR PICKS UP A PIECE OF RUBBLE, AND THROWS IT DOWN INTO IT; HE WAITS FOR A FEW SECONDS AND HEARS IT CLINK AGAINST THE GROUND; A METAL CLINK; THIS PIQUES HIS INTEREST>

<HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME, THE POLICE CARS ROAR UP BEHIND THE BENEFACTOR; THEY AT FIRST DO NOT NOTICE HIM; THEY BEGIN TO DIG THROUGH THE RUBBLE FOR SIGNS OF LIFE>

<FIRE TRUCKS AND AMBULANCES SHOW UP TOO, AND NOW EVERYONE IS BUSY TRYING TO FIND SURVIVORS IN THE DAMAGED PART OF THE CITY>

<A POLICEMAN NOTICES THE BENEFACTOR>

Policeman 1: Hey! Over there, chief! There’s someone there! <HE POINTS TO THE BENEFACTOR>

Police Chief Nagamo: <COMES AROUND THE CORNER> What? A survivor…? Quickly men, see if he needs help!

Policeman 1: I don’t know sir, h-he looks fine.

Police Chief Nagamo: Let’s not make assumptions. Come on men!

<NAGAMO AND A FEW POLICEMEN APPROACH THE BENEFACTOR; THEY SEE HE IS TALLER THAN A HUMAN; AS THEY APPROACH, HE SHIFTS HIS TAIL, WHICH MOVES AND BECOMES VISIBLE TO THEM>

<THEY ALL JUMP BACK, AGHAST BY THIS; ONE OF THE POLICE OFFICERS HAD HIS HAND ON THE BENEFACTOR‘S SHOULDER, BUT HE SCREAMS AND RUNS BACK TO THE REST OF THEM>

Police Chief Nagamo: <ON APPROACH> H-hello?! Who are you? Are you hurt?

<THE ALIEN REMAINS SILENT; AGITATION RISES IN THE POLICE FORCES>

Policeman 2: Hey! Answer the chief!

Policeman 1: Yeah, who do you think you are, some kind of punk?!

<THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT ANSWER HIM; INSTEAD HE REACHES HIS FINGER BEHIND HIM AND SHOOTS THE POLICE OFFICER, IN THE HEAD, WHO HAD GRABBED HIS SHOULDER BEFORE; THE BLAST SHOOTS THROUGH HIM AND BLOWS UP A FEW CARS AND PEOPLE BEHIND HIM>

<THE POLICE OFFICER IS KILLED BY THIS BLAST>

The Benefactor: This energy will take some getting used to… from his spirit bomb, eh? <HE WAVES HIS FINGERS ABOUT>

Police Chief Nagamo: What the hell?! <PIVOTING HIS HEAD AROUND TO LOOK BACK AT THE CARNAGE> How dare you kill my men; there was no need for that. Unless… yes! You have to be the one who destroyed this place! Men, take him down!

<NAGAMO, MAKING ASSUMPTIONS NOW, AND THE OTHERS OPEN FIRE AT THE BENEFACTOR, BUT THE LATTER IS PREOCCUPIED; INSTEAD, HE JUMPS DOWN INTO THE DARK CRACK THAT WAS RIPPED UP FROM THE GROUND>

<THE CAMERA FOLLOWS THE BENEFACTOR INTO THIS DARKNESS AND FADES OUT AS HE DOES>

New Plan
<PAN UP; BLACK>

<THE AREA THAT THE BENEFACTOR JUMPED DOWN IN THE LAST CHAPTER IS SEEN; SUDDENLY, A BLACK SHAPE COMES SHOOTING UP FROM THE CRATER IN THE GROUND>

<SEMI-SLOW MOTION; FROM BEHIND VEGETA‘S SHOULDER, DOWN THE STREET>

Ledas: Ve-vegeta… what is it?

<TWO EXPLOSIONS GO OFF IN QUICK SUCCESSION; SCREEN COMES UP>

<VEGETA AND LEDAS BOTH FALL BACK AT THIS>

<THE CAMERA SWITCHES OVER TO A DIFFERENT SCENE OF THE CITY; IT SHOWS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE DEAD BODY OF NAGAMO AND THE POLICE, POSITIONED OVER A SMALL, BLOWN OUT WALL; GOKU IS SHOWN AS WELL, LAYING IN A FAR OFF STREET, FACE DOWN; HE IS NOT MOVING; THE AREA IS SMOKING, AS IF THIS JUST HAPPENED, SECONDS BEFORE>

<THE CITY IS ENTIRELY QUIET NOW; AFTER THOSE TWO BLASTS BEFORE, IT CAN BE ASSUMED THAT EVERYONE IN THE VICINITY, SAVE FOR THOSE IN CARDINAL’S BUILDINGS ARE EITHER DEAD OR SILENCED>

<THE SCREEN FADES IN TO THE NEXT SCENE, SHOWING FROM BEFORE, LEDAS AND VEGETA STANDING IN A BUNCH OF RUBBLE; CARDINAL IS IN THE CORNER, BUT HE IS NOT MOVING>

<THE BLACK FLASH FROM BEFORE COMES OVER THE SCREEN AGAIN AND IT SLOWS DOWN ENOUGH TO SHOW IT IS THE BENEFACTOR; HE COMES INTO VIEW, KICKING LEDAS UP UNDER THE SHIN WITH HIS BOOT; LEDAS FALLS BACK, BLEEDING SLIGHTLY>

<VEGETA, STILL IN SUPER SAIYAN 2, LETS OFF AN ENERGY BLAST, BUT THE BENEFACTOR DOESN’T FEEL IT; HE KICKS THE GROUND AND SENDS A BRICK FLYING INTO VEGETA’S KNEE; VEGETA HUNCHES OVER AND BEFORE HE CAN RECOVER, THE BENEFACTOR AND LEDAS ARE GONE>

<JUST AT THIS TIME, GOTEN AND TRUNKS LIMP THROUGH THE DOOR AND RUN INTO VEGETA; THEY BOTH TRIP OVER HIM>

<THIS OBVIOUSLY PREVENTS VEGETA FROM GOING AFTER THE TWO>

<SCREEN ZOOMS OUT; ON A LONG STREET, COVERED IN DESTRUCTION; THE BENEFACTOR WALKS DOWN IT, DRAGGING LEDAS BY HIS TAIL, BEHIND; THE BENEFACTOR IS WEARING A GLOVE ON HIS HAND THAT HE IS PULLING LEDAS WITH, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN SEEN ON HIM BEFORE>

The Benefactor: <DISTANTLY; TO NOTHING IN PARTICULAR> I don’t care if it hurts.

<HE SWINGS LEDAS UP AND OVER HIS SHOULDER AND THROWS HIM DOWN INTO THE CRACK IN THE GROUND THAT HE HAD DESCENDED INTO BEFORE>

<AROUND THIS AREA ARE THE DESTROYED REMNANTS OF SEVERAL POLICE VEHICLES, AND MANY BODIES; IT IS ASSUMED THAT THE BENEFACTOR, UPON COMING BACK UP FROM THAT MYSTERIOUS UNDERGROUND PLACE BEFORE KILLED NAGAMO AND HIS MEN BEFORE SNATCHING LEDAS>

<THE BENEFACTOR DIVES INTO THE AREA AFTER LEDAS>

<ACT II/BREAK>

<PICCOLO, 18, AND KRILLIN ARE ALL IN THE AIR, FLYING; PICCOLO IS SPEAKING>

Krillin: Hey Piccolo… how are we supposed to find any of the Dragon Balls? We don’t even have the Dragon radar.

Piccolo: <OVER KRILLIN; IGNORING HIM> Android 18!

Android 18: <FLYING BEHIND, ANNOYED> What?!

Piccolo: What does your tracker say? Are we close?

Android 18: <STOPS, PUTS A FINGER ON HER TEMPLE> There’s two. One to the southeast and o-

Krillin: A radar in your head!? Wow baby, I didn’t know you had one of those fancy gizmos…

Android 18: <CONTINUES WITHOUT BREAK; ALSO IGNORING KRILLIN> One in the southeast by the swamp. There’s another in those mountains up there <POINTS>.

Piccolo: It will be faster if we split up. <GROWL>I’ll get that one… <MOTIONS TO THE SWAMP> you two get the other. Got it? <TO 18> We need to meet back up after we get them.

Krillin: <CHIPPER> Got it, Piccolo!

Android 18: <BATS HER HAIR AWAY; SLOWLY, STRESSED ON EACH WORD> Come on, let‘s go.

<PICCOLO SHOOTS OFF, BACK DOWN IN THE DIRECTION TO THE RIGHT; 18 AND KRILLIN AIR DASH OFF TO THE LEFT, AND UP TO SOME MOUNTAINS BEYOND>

<SCENE CHANGE>

<LEDAS IS LAYING ON A METAL TABLE IN A DARK ROOM; HE WAKES UP AND SITS UP, LOOKING AROUND>

<THE ROOM IS LARGE, INDEED LEDAS CANNOT SEE THE WALLS ON ANY SIDE; BESIDES HIS TABLE, THERE IS NO SIGN OF ANYTHING ELSE>

<LEDAS IS IN ONLY A TEE SHIRT AND PANTS; HE RANDOMLY HAS SOCKS ON TOO, FOR NO REASON; HIS OTHER CLOTHES ARE NOT ANYWHERE TO BE SEEN>

Ledas: <SITS UP ON THE TABLE> Hello?! <THIS ECHOES IN THE LARGE ROOM> HELLO?!?!

The Benefactor: <QUIETLY> Hey.

<LEDAS TURNS AROUND, JUMPING IN FRIGHT AND FALLS OFF THE TABLE; THE BENEFACTOR IS SITTING ON THE OTHER EDGE OF IT, NOT FACING HIM; IN HIS HAND IS HIS KNIFE; THE BENEFACTOR IS RUNNING HIS HAND UP AND DOWN THE BLADE OF IT; HE CONTINUES THIS EVEN WHEN HE TALKS>

Ledas: You… again! <IN FRIGHT STILL> Why’d you bring me here?

The Benefactor: Sit back down.

Ledas: <GETS UP AND MOVES AWAY> Lemme go, idiot I don’t want to be here!

The Benefactor: Sit down.

Ledas: <BELLOW> You’re not my dad!

The Benefactor: No, but I killed him.

<THE BENEFACTOR REACHES OUT HIS HAND AND LIFTS UP LEDAS WITH HIS KI, HE FORCEFULLY BRINGS LEDAS BACK TO SIT DOWN ON THE TABLE; LEDAS LETS OUT A SCOWL OF PAIN, BUT DOES NOT TRY TO GET UP AGAIN>

<THERE IS SILENCE FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS>

Ledas: <TURNS HIS HEAD TO THE BENEFACTOR> I’m cold. <SHIVERS> I-I want my clothes back. Please, I don’t even know you.

The Benefactor: You don’t know me. Why’s that? Why don’t you remember me?

Ledas: Oh, uh… I… uh… <LOOKS AWAY>

The Benefactor: My task was you, so much as Frieza took to the other. He had the prince, but I am content to lesser blood.

Ledas: Hey, you’re not answering…

The Benefactor: Why I followed you? Why do you think? <THE BENEFACTOR LIFTS UP HIS SLEEVE REVEALING HIS ARM> Look! Momma always said no wound was forever.

<THE BENEFACTOR STANDS UP AND LUNGES INTO LEDAS, CRASHING HIM AGAINST THE METAL TABLE; HE TAKES HIS KNIFE OUT; HE HOLDS LEDAS DOWN WITH HIS LEFT HAND AS HE KEEPS THE KNIFE IN HIS RIGHT>

<THE BENEFACTOR BRINGS DOWN THE KNIFE ONTO LEDAS, WHO HOLDS UP HIS OWN HAND TO SHIELD AGAINST THE BLOW; THE KNIFE PENETRATES INTO HIS FOREARM; LEDAS YELLS OUT, WITH HIS TEETH CLENCHED, BUT CANNOT BREAK FREE; THE BENEFACTOR SLICES THE KNIFE DOWN HIS ENTIRE ARM, TO HIS ELBOW, THEN LETS UP>

The Benefactor: <QUIETLY, BELOW LEDAS’ SCREAMING> Jackals and vultures, they asked us; <MOCK; HE CONTINUES TO CUT> and what would you like to be when you grow up, and what would you like to do when you‘re older? The others answered easily, groomed by tradition and mirrors; they knew truth.

<THE ALIEN FLIPS AROUND HIS KNIFE AND SLICES BACK UP THE OTHER WAY, WIDENING LEDAS’ WOUND>

The Benefactor: They still questioned me, as if they could not live without an answer. <PAUSE, COVERED IN BLOOD> ‘I want alone’, I would say. ‘I want alone.’ I had no false grins to give, they did not understand that. Mommy could hide in the closet and cut her arms in little triangles; nobodies knows, that makes it all right.

<THE BENEFACTOR LETS GO OF LEDAS; INSTEAD OF CONTINUING, HE SWIFTLY TURNS AND FLIES, WITH GREAT SPEED, OUT TO A FAR DOOR AGAINST THE WALL; HE EXITS WITHOUT WORD>

<LEDAS LAYS ON THE TABLE UNMOVING; HE LAYS HIS ARMS DOWN, WITH HIS LEFT STILL BLEEDING>

<AFTER A GOOD DEAL OF TIME, HE SITS UP AND SLIDES OFF THE TABLE; HE IS STILL COVERED IN BLOOD, MOSTLY DRIED; HIS WOUND IS STILL OPEN, FROM HIS WRIST TO HIS ELBOW; IT IS NOT BLEEDING OUT>

<LEDAS WALKS AWAY FROM THE TABLE; THERE IS NO LIGHT BESIDES ONE ABOVE THAT TABLE; SO LEDAS WALKS WITH HIS HAND EXTENDED WITH KI BLAST LIGHTING HIS WAY>

<HE EVENTUALLY FINDS A DOOR; ETCHED ACROSS THE FRONT OF IT IN FADED RED PAINT IS A SIGN, WITH TWO WHITE R LETTERS PASTED ON TOP>

<LEDAS PUSHES ON THE DOOR TO OPEN IT BUT IT DOES NOT BUDGE; HE TRIES THIS TWO MORE TIMES, BUT NOTHING HAPPENS; IMPATIENT WITH THE LACK OF PLOT DEVELOPMENT, HE STEPS BACK AND BLASTS THE DOOR DOWN WITH A KI BEAM>

<LEDAS MOVES FORWARD INTO THIS NEW DARKNESS>

<HE WALKS DOWN THE HALLS, THEY ARE METAL AND PLAIN, THE GROUND IS ALSO A DARK STONE; LEDAS WALKS AROUND THE CORNER INTO A NEW CORRIDOR>

<THERE ARE MANY DOORS ON EACH SIDE OF IT; EVERY ONE OF THEM IS OPEN AND ABANDONED; LEDAS SHINES HIS “KI LIGHT” INTO THEM TO LOOK AND SEES THEY ARE INDEED JUST REGULAR ROOMS, WITH TABLES>

<HOWEVER, THESE ROOMS ARE NOT IN ORDER, INDEED THEY ARE IN TOTAL DISREPAIR AND RUIN; AS IF A GREAT FIGHT TOOK PLACE IN ALL OF THEM>

<LEDAS DOES NOT STAY LONG, AND INSTEAD MOVES DOWN TO THE NEXT HALLWAY>

Unknown Voice: <COMING FROM UP AHEAD; THERE IS A DOOR CRACKED AND A LIGHT COMING FROM IT; THE VOICE IS ALSO COMING FROM IN IT> I don’t want to talk; I want him to stop. I don’t want to talk; I want him to stop. <LOWERS IN VOICE> I don’t want to talk; I want him to stop.

<THE VOICE STOPS>

<LEDAS STOPS TOO; HE WAS LISTENING THIS WHOLE TIME AND HAD BEEN CREEPING FORWARD; BUT NOW IN THE SILENCE HE IS MOTIONLESS>

<THERE IS SILENCE FOR SOME TIME, AND LEDAS DOES NOT MOVE; HE HOLDS HIS BREATH>

<INSIDE THE ROOM UP AHEAD, SOMETHING FALLS AND CRASHES LIKE GLASS BREAKING; THERE IS A FUMBLING AND THEN SILENCE ONCE AGAIN>

<LEDAS TIP TOES UP TO THE DOOR, AND GRABS ONTO THE WALL; HE GOES INTO THE MOTION OF LOOKING AROUND IN, BUT IS STOPPED>

<SUDDENLY THE VOICE SOUNDS OUT AGAIN, IN A WHISPER BEHIND LEDAS’ NECK>

Unknown Voice: I don’t want to talk; I want him to stop.

<CUTS TO THE OUTSIDE; THE BENEFACTOR LANDS IN AN AREA; IT IS A SWAMP; HE WALKS UP TO A TREE AND CLIMBS UP IT, INEXPLICABLY>

<HE WAITS IN THE TREES>

<JUST AT THIS TIME PICCOLO FLIES INTO THE SCREEN; THE CAMERA FOLLOWS FROM OVER HIS SHOULDER LOOKING DOWN AND LANDS WITH HIM INTO THE MUD>

<HE DESCENDS INTO THE SWAMP AND PUTS HIS HAND DOWN INTO THE WATER, OBVIOUSLY FEELING AROUND FOR SOMETHING>

<UP ABOVE HIM, IN A TREE, THE BENEFACTOR PUTS EACH OF HIS HANDS BACK AND READIES A DARK KI BLAST IN EACH>

<PICCOLO DOES NOT NOTICE AT FIRST, AND CONTINUES TO FONDLE THE GENTLE WATER>

<HE GRABS ONTO SOMETHING; AS SOON AS HE DOES, HE BECOMES AWARE OF HIS SURROUNDINGS AND TENSES HIS SHOULDERS>

<HE LETS OUT A SIGH AND DROPS THE DRAGON BALL FROM HIS HAND, WHICH IS STILL UNDERWATER; ALMOST UNWILLINGLY, HE TURNS AROUND, AND INTO A FIGHTING POSE>

<TO BLACK; ONE-BEAT>

The Hunt
<CAMERA IS UNDERWATER; LOOKING UP>

<PICCOLO IS FLOATING IN THE WATER, FACE DOWN; HIS ARMS ARE SPREAD; HE ONLY LOOKS MINORLY DAMAGED; HE IS NOT MOVING, AND HIS EYES ARE CLOSED>

<THE CAMERA COMES UP OUT OF THE WATER; BEHIND PICCOLO’S FLOATING BODY IS THE BENEFACTOR; HE IS FACING AWAY>

<THE BENEFACTOR’S ARMS ARE CROSSED, BUT THE WATER THAT HE IS ANKLE DEEP IN, IS RIPPLING AROUND HIS BODY>

<WITHOUT WARNING, THE BENEFACTOR LUNGES BACK AROUND AND GRABS THE BACK OF PICCOLO’S NECK; HE FORCES THE NAMEKIAN UP OUT OF THE WATER; PICCOLO WAKES AT THIS>

The Benefactor: <QUIETLY, UNDER PICCOLO’S SPUTTERING> Your plan with those balls… what was it?

<PICCOLO DOES NOT RESPOND, HE IS STILL TRYING TO GAIN HIS BREATH>

<THE BENEFACTOR THOWS PICCOLO UP AND OUT OF THE WATER, INTO A TREE BEYOND; HE TURNS AND TAKES TO THE AIR; THE BENEFACTOR FLIES AWAY>

<PICCOLO CRAWLS AWAY FROM THE TREE THAT HE WAS CRUMPLED UP AGAINST; HE IS ON HIS STOMACH; HEPLACES TWO FINGERS ON THE SIDE OF HIS HEAD; HE BEGINS TALKING>

Piccolo: <TO NO ONE SEEN> Now! Kr-Krillin… he’s coming… get out of there… find Goku!

<ELSEWHERE, KRILLIN AND ANDROID 18 HAVE GATHERED A DRAGON BALL, THEY ARE FLYING TO ANOTHER LOCATION; KRILLIN SUDDENLY STOPS, AS HE HEARS PICCOLO’S TELEPATHIC MESSAGE FROM BEFORE>

Android 18: What is it now?

Krillin: <BOWS HIS HEAD> 18... he got Piccolo. We have to leave. Let’s go!

<KRILLIN RUNS FORWARD, MOTIONING FOR 18 TO FOLLOW; 18 DOES NOT>

Android 18: We only have two of them. You need all seven to make a wi-

Krillin: There’s no time, 18. The dragon balls were just a distraction.

Android: <TAKEN ABACK> Then what‘s the point…?

Krillin: Goku just woke up. It’s part of Piccolo plan; we have find him. Come on, I’ll tell you about it on the way.

<KRILLIN RUNS FORWARD AGAIN>

Android 18: Is that why you were acting like an idiot, earlier?

Krillin: <TURNS> I don’t know what you’re talking about, baby.

<KRILLIN JUMPS AWAY FROM HER FLIES OFF; 18 FOLLOWS HIM>

<SCENE CUTS BACK TO THE RED RIBBON BUNKER; THIS IS WHERE THE BENEFACTOR TOOK LEDAS BEFORE>

<LEDAS RUNS DOWN YET ANOTHER DARKENED HALLWAY, HE SKIDS AROUND A CORNER INTO A WALL; THE VOICE THAT WAS FOLLOWING HIM IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER IS STILL CHASING HIM; IT IS DEAFENING NOW; HOWEVER NOTHING PHYSICAL CAN BE SEEN CHASING LEDAS>

Unknown Voice: I don’t want to talk; I want him to stop. I don’t want to talk; I want him to stop! I DON‘T WANT TO TALK!! I WANT HIM TO STOP!!

<A SECOND VOICE JOINS THE FIRST; LEDAS LOOKS BACK AT THIS>

Unknown Voice 2: Get back here! Hey, you! Stop!

<LEDAS SPRINTS INTO A ROOM, HE CLIPS INTO A TABLE AND FALLS, HITTING A WALL; THE FIRST VOICE SEEMS TO MOVE PAST HIM, STILL SCREAMING; THERE IS NO FIGURE GIVING OFF ITS VOICE>

<AS IT RUNS PAST HIM, THE SECOND FIGURE RUNS PAST TOO; THIS FIGURE IS REAL; LEDAS CAN NOT SEE HIM EXCEPT FOR THE FLASHLIGHT IN HIS HAND; NO IMMEDIATE FEATURES CAN BE SEEN>

<LEDAS STANDS UP IN THE RUBBLE; THIS GIVES OFF QUITE A BIT OF NOISE; THE SECOND FIGURE STOPS CHASING WHATEVER IT WAS HE WAS CHASING, AND LOOKS BACK IN LEDAS’ DIRECTION>

Ledas: <THINKS THE FIGURE CAN SEE HIM> You could hear him too?!

<THE FIGURE STOPS, THE FLASHLIGHT FUMBLES AROUND AND SHINES BACK INTO LEDAS’ FACE; RIGHT INTO HIS EYES; LEDAS SQUINTS AT THIS>

Unknown Voice 2: A kid? What the shit are you doing in here?!

Ledas: I… uh…

Unknown Voice 2: Wait.

<THE MAN SIGHS AND WALKS OVER TO THE WALL; HE SWITCHES ON A LIGHT; THE LIGHT REVEALS HIS FACE; HIS HAIR IS ORANGE-SILVERY; HE HAS A LONG ORANGE BEARD AS WELL; IN THE MESS OF THE BROKEN FURNITURE, THE MAN PULLS OUT TWO RICKETY CHAIRS FROM THE MESS AND SETS THEM DOWN; HE GESTURES TO LEDAS TO SIT DOWN>

Unknown Voice 2: Now, <HE SITS DOWN> let’s talk about why a little boy is running around in the dark of a secret research facility. This is heavy stuff.

Ledas: I was brought here by someone. I don’t want to be here.

Unknown Voice 2: Is it a good idea to lie to me? No. You have no idea what we’ve done down here. This isn’t a playground for little kids like you. But will I let you go if you don’t lie? Still no. You’re screwed, kid.

Ledas: Sir, who are you?

Unknown Voice 2: <RUNS HIS FINGERS THROUGH HIS BEARD> You will call me… Airgead. Yes, that was my name. Now we are drifting away from the problem here. You. What have you seen and what have you done?

Ledas: It was all him! <RAISES HIS LEFT ARM, SHOWING OFF THE SCARS> He cut me. It hurts…

Airgead: <LEANS FORWARD TO EXAMINE; IS A BIT MORE SERIOUS> Go on.

Ledas: If you tell me how to get out of here, mister, I can go get Vegeta. Maybe we can beat the monster together. <SHIFTS>

Airgead: <SIGHS> I can’t let you go; the city is in chaos above us. I would risk contamination. <LONG PAUSE> But… if you’re down here, then it’s already started. There must be a breach.

Ledas: Then why’re you down here, mister?

Airgead: I’ve been here a long time. Yes. Nobody visits me. Daddy may call sometimes; but he’s too well along to come by for dinner.

Airgead: <CONTINUES> After the fall of the Red Ribbon Army, some of us officers were left alive. We came here, did some experiments, plotted our revenge. But nuthin’ happened. We couldn’t do it. And they killed each other for it.

Ledas: <CURIOUSLY> What happened to you?

Airgead: That’s the benefit of having a billionaire father. <HE LAUGHS DRYLY>

<JUST AS HE DOES, AIRGEAD NOTICES LEDAS’ TAIL; HE STANDS UP ABRUPTLY AND TRIES TO HIDE HIS RAPID PERSONALITY SHIFT>

Airgead: <TALKING FASTER NOW> I-It worked. I survived and lived, and we’ve been close ever since.

Ledas: Maybe you should visit your dad instead of staying in this place every day.

Airgead: <LAUGHS> You’re right. It’s just not the same when it’s not face to face. But I can’t leave this place. As dirty and broken as it looks, I’d die if I left. That’s why… <STANDS UP> you have to go plug up that hole that you and your friend came through.

Ledas: Why does that matter?

Airgead: It’s simple. Yes. You plug up the hole on your way out. You get out, I live, we’re all happy. Sound good to you?

Ledas: Okay…

Airgead: <UPBEAT> Good! Because if I were to die, this entire city would go up in a failsafe explosion. We don’t want that. No, no. <POINTS HIS HAND AIMLESSLY, IT SHAKES GREATLY> It’s good to have me around.

<LEDAS DOES NOT HEAR THIS AND RUNS OFF, BACK DOWN THE HALL TO FIND THE PLACE WHERE THE BENEFACTOR BROUGHT HIM IN>

<THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON AIRGEAD’S EYES; IT SHOWS A BRIEF FLASH OF A YOUNG CHILD, WITH A TAIL, PUNCHING A MAN IN THE GUT; A MAN WITH THE SAME ORANGE HAIR>

Airgead: Goku… fate has given me your son.

<HE STEPS UP AND WALKS DOWN INTO ANOTHER ROOM; HE FUMBLES IN A DESK AND PULLS OUT A SYRINGE; HE FILLS IT UP WITH THE CONTENTS OF AN UNMARKED BOTTLE, WHICH WAS ON TOP OF THE DESK>

Airgead: Maybe I can’t fight anymore. No. But death from overdose is just as effective. Yeah, we’ll go with that. <HE PAUSES, LOOKING AT THE SUBSTANCE THAT HE IS FILLING UP HIS NEEDLE WITH> That hallucination… he wasn’t faking when he ran from it. He saw it too. How? That one was only reported by M99 users. No, he couldn’t have had any of mine. I don’t share with them. <TURNS AWAY> I DON’T SHARE!!

<HE FINISHES FILLING UP THE SYRINGE AND PUTS IT IN HIS POCKET; HE WALKS OUT, COMPOSED AGAIN>

<SEMI-SLOW FADE OUT>

<KRILLIN IS FLYING WITH 18; HE IS MUCH FASTER THAN HER, SO HE’S ABOUT 50 FEET AHEAD>

<AS KRILLIN IS FLYING, THE BENEFACTOR TELEPORTS RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM; KRILLIN DOESN’T SEE HIM IN TIME AND FLIES RIGHT INTO THE ALIEN; KRILIN FALLS UNCONSCIOUS FROM THE IMPACT>

<18 STOPS BEHIND HIM>

The Benefactor: I dislike all these little teams of you running around, like annoying bitches. All busy with your deceits. What is this one?

Android 18: <LAUGHS DRYLY> Why would I tell you?

The Benefactor: <SLOWLY STRESSED SYLLABLES> Because I asked.

Android 18: I’m not that easy.

<THE BENEFACTOR PUNCHES HER IN THE FACE; SHE RECOILS AND HE FLIES BACK A WAYS>

The Benefactor: These “Dragon Balls”, you have two of them. I know what they do. You’re going to make a wish to stop me. That’s clever. Now, what is it?

<18 ANSWERS BY THROWING AN ENERGY BEAM AT THE BENEFACTOR; SHE FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH A DESTRUCTO DISK; BOTH ARE EFFORTLESSLY SWATTED ASIDE BY THE BENEFACTOR>

<HE DOES NOT QUESTION HER AGAIN; INSTEAD HE SENDS ALL OF ONE KICK BACK AT HER GUT, SENDING HER FLYING; HE CATCHES HER WITH AN ELBOW TO THE RIBS BEFORE SHE LANDS>

<HE KICKS HER ONTO THE DIRT BELOW AND DIGS HIS BOOTS INTO HER BODY, PUSHING HER INTO A CRATER>

<HE PLACES HIS HANDS DOWN OVER HER AND SENDS OFF TWO SHOCK BLASTS>

<THE BENEFACTOR CONTINUES TO ATTACK 18 FOR SOME TIME; SHE DOESN’T ANSWER HIM AS HE DOES; BUT AT THE SAME TIME, SHE IS UNABLE TO BREAK FREE OR PUT UP ANY SORT OF RESISTANCE>

<THE BENEFACTOR THROWS 18 INTO A WALL; HE PICKS HER UP OUT OF THE RUBBLE WITH HIS ENERGY AND PLACES HER BACK ON THE GROUND>

The Benefactor: <CONTINUING HIS ENERGY ATTACK> You know what the most annoying thing about you all is? It’s not your maddeningly obvious ineptitude, nor your gravitation toward ill-thought drama. It’s the fact that there’s so many of you. None of you can fight. Those who can will be beaten anyways. So why bother? These stalling methods won’t work out forever. I sense only three others in your group. It… will not…

<THE BENEFACTOR SUDDENLY STOPS HIS ATTACK AND RAISES HIS HEAD>

The Benefactor: <IN REALIZATION> I could not sense you because you are artificial. It was your companion I was after.

<ONE YELLOW/RED BALL OF ENERGY FLIES INTO THE BENEFACTOR’S BACK AND KNOCKS HIM OVER; IT DID NOT DO MUCH DAMAGE AND HE GETS UP WITH RELATIVE EASE; HE TURNS TO FACE THIS NEW CHALLENGER BEHIND HIM>

Android 17: <FROM BEHIND> That’s right, buddy. Now lay off my sister. You and I can finish this alone. <RAISES HIS ARMS> How about it? Or are you too scared?

The Benefactor: <TURNS AND GETS INTO A FIGHTING STANCE> You’re right. Let’s fight, regardless.

<HE KICKS UP THE DUST AND WALKS TO ANDROID 17; WHO INSTEAD OF ATTACKING, AIR DASHES AWAY, BECKONING FOR HIS OPPONENT TO FOLLOW>

<THE BENEFACTOR RISES INTO THE AIR AND FOLLOWS WITH OBEDIENCE>

<CAMERA PANS BACK; FADE OUT>

Android's Delight
<SIMPLE FADE IN - AIRGEAD’S UNDERGROUND BASE>

<LEDAS WALKS DOWN A HALLWAY; CARPETTED AND GREY; IT IS DARK AND THERE IS NOTHING ON THE WALLS OR IN HIS WAY>

<HE PASSES BY A LOBBY; LIKE THE ROOMS HE WITNESSED IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER, IT IS DARK, COVERED IN DUST, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY IT IS TOTALLY DESTROYED; CHAIRS AND TABLES ARE STREWN ABOUT, CHIPPED AND BROKEN>

<ON THE EDGE OF ONE OF THE TABLES ARE A FEW BOTTLES, ALL OF WHICH HAVE THAT STRANGE SYMBOL WITH THE TWO ‘R’ LETTERS ON THEM; HE PICKS THEM UP, FINGERING THE TOPS OFF; HE POURS THEM OUT, WATCHING THE LIQUID FALL ONTO THE WOOD; IT A CLEAR LIQUID, ODORLESS AND VERY FLUID, LIKE WATER>

<SOME OF THE LIQUID GETS ON LEDAS’ SKIN; HOWEVER, HE WIPES IT AWAY, CASUALLY>

<AFTER THE CONTENTS ARE DRAINED AND HIS CURIOSITY SATISFIED, LEDAS SETS DOWN THE BOTTLES AND WALKS BACK INTO THE HALL, AND THEN DOWN IT>

<THE BOTTLES STAY PUT AS HE WALKS AWAY>

<AS HE WALKS, AIRGEAD TURNS ON THE INTERCOM AND SPEAKS>

<AIRGEAD DOES NOT HAVE MANY TV MONITERS IN HIS ROOM, BUT HE DOES HAVE ONE SCREEN TURNED ON, RIGHT ABOVE THE CROSSSPACE, WHERE LEDAS IS STANDING; THERE ARE FOUR DIRECTIONS LEADING OUT FROM THIS POINT, LIKE AS A PLUS SIGN>

Airgead: <OVER-DUBBED> It’s on your left… Stop. Yes, that’s it. <HE PAUSES AS LEDAS DOES THIS> Yes.

Ledas: <SPEAKING TO THE INTERCOM; HE IS PEERING DOWN THE HALL> But sir, this place is all flooded…

<SCREEN COMES TO BEHIND LEDAS’ SHOULDER, SHOWING OFF JUST THAT; THE ENTIRE HALLWAY BEYOND IS CAVED IN; THE GROUND HAS CRUMBLED, THERE IS NO FLOOR; PERHAPS 20 FEET BELOW IT, THERE IS WATER IN A VAST POOL>

Airgead: Yes. Yes. There’s water. Lot’s of water, yes. I would recommend you go as fast as you can-

Ledas: <INCREDULOUSLY> I hafta swim?!

Airgead: Be gentle with the metal. I don’t want a cave in. No, no. Take your time… go slowly, please.

Ledas: B-but sir, isn’t there another way? It’s gonna be really cold.

Airgead: <SIMPLY> Nope. I have already checked the other routes, and none will do. Too unstable, I’ve concluded. This is by far the safest, most practical way.

Ledas: <MUTTERING TO HIMSELF> Safe… yeah right…

Airgead: When you get to the hole, simply weld any of the extra panels to the broken part, and then swim out. Swim out. You will come up on the outskirts of town. From there you will go back to wherever you came from. Simple. Yes, it’s simple.

Ledas: <HEAD TILT> The monster could just make another hole…

Airgead: From what you’ve said, he will most likely follow you and leave me be. Now go, we have no time to waste. The contained air is escaping and soon I’ll be dead. If I die… <IMPLIED HAND RAISE; THOUGH IT CANNOT BE SEEN, EITHER WAY> this whole place goes.

Ledas: Fine, I’ll do it.

<LEDAS DRAGS HIS FEET UNTIL HE GETS TO THE OPENING>

<AT IT, LEDAS STRIPS DOWN; HE HESITATES A SECOND, BUT THEN JUMPS INTO THE WATER; INSTANTLY, HE LETS OUT AN UNDERWATER SCREAM AS HE FEELS THE COLD; LEDAS WRAPS HIS ARMS AROUND HIS SHOULDERS, THEN SWIMS LIKE THAT; HE DOES THIS SUPER CAREFULLY, AVOIDING ALL THE JUNK AND RUBBLE JUTTING OUT FROM THE SUBMERGED AND RUINED LEVEL>

<LEDAS CONTINUES ON THROUGH THE TWISTED METAL; HE HAS NO TROUBLE HOLDING HIS BREATH, BUT HE IS SHAKING FROM THE COLD; HE PICKS UP HIS SPEED A LITTLE BIT>

<IMPORTANT - LEDAS DOES NOT NOTICE THAT AS HE IS SWIMMING, HE GRADUALLY GOES UP, ON AN INCLINE, SO THAT WHEN HE REACHES THE END, HE IS ABOUT 20 FEET HIGHER THAN HE WAS WHEN HE STARTED>

<AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, LEDAS REACHES THE HOLE IN THE WALL; THE WALL IS UNDERWATER, OBVIOUSLY, AND THERE IS MUCH RUBBLE AROUND ITS AREA; HEADING AIRGEAD’S ADVICE, LEDAS SWIMS TO THE BOTTOM AND RIPS UP SEVERAL PANELS FROM THE FLOOR; HE THEN SWIMS BACK UP THE HOLE AND SWIMS THROUGH IT>

<ON THE OUTSIDE HE NOTICES THAT THIS IS INDEED A WALL;

<ONCE ON THE OTHER SIDE, HE CAREFULLY PLACES THE STUFF OVER THE HOLE, COVERING IT; WITH HIS OFF HAND, HE CHARGES UP A SMALL ENERGY BLAST, THEN SHOOTS IT AND MELTS THE PLATES BACK TO THE WALL>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD TO HIMSELF> I wonder how that guy knew I could do this…

<AS LEDAS WORKS ON THIS, AIRGEAD WATCHES HIM ON A MONITER SCREEN; HE NOTICES LEDAS FINISHING UP AND REACHES IN HIS DESK DRAWER AND TAKES OUT THE SYRINGE HE HAD EARLIER; HE THEN MOVES OVER TO A WALLED CABINET AND OPENS THE THIRD PANEL FROM THE TOP>

<AIRGEAD REACHES IN AND BRINGS OUT A SMALL, CLEAR TUBE; HE STICKS THE SYRINGE IN IT, AND PUMPS THE CONTENTS THROUGH THE TUBE; WHEN HE’S FINISHD, HE GOES BACK AND SITS DOWN IN HIS CHAIR TO STARE AT THE MONITER WITH LEDAS ON IT>

<THE ONLY LIGHT IN THIS MESSY AND DUSTY ROOM IS WHAT IS BEING GIVEN OFF FROM THE MONITER; OTHER THAN THAT, IT IS IN THE SAME DISREPAIR AS WHAT LEDAS WITNESSED IN THE MANY OTHER ROOMS OF THE BUILDING>

Airgead: <TO HIMSELF> Drowning… with the city in flames, and a serial murder loose, I doubt they will have any reason to look into this one. Kids like you drown all the time. Play by the river and knock you head and… that’s it. You’re gone. Fallen in. My ‘99 is traceless in the water. No. They won’t know any more than you do.

Airgead: <HAND SHAKING AS HE CLOSES UP THE DRAWER TO HIS DESK> I saw your tail. I saw your hair. Who else could you be, but the son of Goku? Yes, I’m right. Yes. <PAUSE> I know. <PAUSE AGAIN> The Red Ribbon Army will have its revenge now.

<THE CONTENTS OF THE SYRINGE HAVE REACHED THE WATER, AS INDICATED BY A BLUE LIGHT TURNING ON, ON THE CABINET BEHIND; AIRGEAD NOTICES THIS>

Airgead: <INTENTLY WATCHING LEDAS; STILL ONLY TALKING TO HIMSELF> Soon your body will numb and you will lose consciousness. After that it will only be moments before the water gushes in and floods your lungs. <SIMPLY> Then you drown. <SUDDEN GLEE> Ah, it’s happening! Yes! Yes. At last! Yes.

<BELOW, IN THE WATER, LEDAS HAS FINISHED REPAIRING THE HOLE; AT THIS TIME, HE TURNS TO SWIM AWAY, BUT STOPS RATHER QUICKLY INTO THAT; HE CLUTCHES AT HIS CHEST, THEN SUDDENLY GOES LIMP AND SINKS ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM; FADE OUT, AS HE HITS THE BOTTOM>

<OPENER PAN AROUND - SHOWS SHOTS OF SEVERAL AREAS; MOST NOTABLY, GOKU, STILL LAYING FACE DOWN AND UNCONSCIOUS ON AN ABANDONED STREET; THE CITY IS QUIET; APART FROM THE SIRENS STILL RINGING FROM THE POLICE CARS AND FIRE TRUCKS (THE POLICEMAN AND FIRE FIGHTERS ARE ALL DEAD, MOST LAYING AROUND IN RAGDOLL FASHION) THERE IS NO NOISE>

<ACT 2/BREAK>

<ELSEWHERE, 17 IS FLYING; HE GOES ON FOR A BIT, MAYBE 3 OR SO PANELS, BEFORE SHARPLY TURNING AND LANDING; THE BENEFACTOR, BEHIND HIM, DOES LIKEWISE, AND LANDS TOO>

<THE TWO ARE ON A RUGGED MOUNTAINSIDE, WITH MANY TREES; THERE IS A STEEP INCLINE OFF TO THEIR LEFT, WHICH LEADS DOWN INTO THE CITY; BEYOND THAT IS THE OCEAN>

<17 UNSHOULDERS HIS RIFLE, AND LOCKS INTO HIS FIGHTING POSE, LEFT ARM OUT>

<THE BENEFACTOR IS NOT FOCUSED ON HIM; HE WALKS, SHOULDERS THROWN FORWARD UP TO A TREE AND CROUCHES UP TO IT; HE POKES THE BARK WITH A SINGLE FINGER>

<HE STAYS KNEELED, EVEN AS 17 COMES UP BEHIND HIM>

Android 17: Hey! What are you doing?

The Benefactor: I want to climb this. Doesn’t it look fun?

Android 17: <ANNOYED> I don’t think you know who you’re up against, pal.

The Benefactor: <STANDS UP, BACK FACED AWAY FROM 17; SIMPLY AND QUIETLY> You are an android, as your sister is. You are a male. You are more powerful, smarter, faster than her… Nevertheless, you are no match for even the other ones, the ones already gone. You know this. <PAUSE> I have concluded you have a secret weapon or technique you wish to use on me. Otherwise, this is simply suicide.

<ANDROID 17 GOES TO SPEAK, BUT THE BENEFACTOR RAISES HIS HAND>

The Benefactor: The sooner this is over, the sooner I may climb. I am anxious, please start.

<ANDROID 17 DROPS INTO HIS FORM; ONCE AGAIN HIS LEFT HAND IS DOMINANT IN THIS>

<THE BENEFACTOR DROPS INTO HIS FORM, ON ONE KNEE, BOTH ARMS PULLED BACK>

<ANDROID 17 MAKES THE FIRST MOVE AND CHARGES; THE BENEFACTOR SHOOTS UPWARDS, NULLIFYING 17’S CHARGE; 17 ALSO TAKES TO THE AIR AND PURSUES>

<THE TWO BOTH SHOOT HIGH UP INTO THE CLOUDS ABOVE; THESE BE RAINCLOUDS AND ARE QUITE DARK; IT IS NOT RAINING>

<17 SHOOTS A BALL OF ENERGY UP TO THE BENEFACTOR, WHO BLOCKS IT, CAUSING HIM TO STOP; 17 CATCHES UP WITH HIM AND PUNCHES HIM IN THE SIDE; THE BENEFACTOR RECOVERS; HE DASHES BACK AND CONNECTS PUNCHES WITH 17>

<THE TWO ERUPT INTO A FLURRY OF PUNCHES AND KICKS; HOWEVER, VERY FEW OF THE BENEFACTOR’S ARE CONNECTING; EVENTUALLY HE IS HIT BACK AGAIN; THIS TIME HE DOES NOT DASH BACK SO QUICKLY>

<WHILE THE BENEFACTOR TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO RECOVER (AND WORK UP A NEW STRATEGY), 17 TAKES NO TIME TO GO ON THE OFFENSIVE; HE PREPARES TWO BALLS OF ENERGY; EACH ONE IS RED, OF COURSE>

<HE TWISTS HIS BODY AND THROWS BOTH AT THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR, WHILE STILL NOT RECOVERED, IS ABLE TO PUT UP A SINGLE, DARKLY COLORED BEAM AGAINST THE OTHER TWO>

<THE BENEFACTOR STARTS TO STRAIN AND PULSES HIS BLAST; AFTER BUT A FEW SECONDS, IT OVERPOWERS BOTH OF 17’S BLASTS, AND LANDS ON THE ANDROID, FULL ON>

<17 IS DAMAGED BY THIS, BUT NOT CRITICALLY; HE DOES NOT FALL AWAY, BUT REMAINS IN THE AIR; HE SENDS ANOTHER HANDFUL OF BLASTS AT THE BENEFACTOR, THEN DASHES IN, KICKING DOWN; THE BENEFACTOR BLOCKS, BUT IS PRESSED BACK BY THE FORCE OF IT; 17 SEES THIS AND SHOOTS AROUND BEHIND HIM AND DOUBLE-ELBOWS HIM DOWNWARD>

<AT THIS POINT, IT GETS QUITE A BIT DARKER AND STARTS TO RAIN; NEITHER FIGHTER MAKES ANY NOTICE OF THIS>

<AS THE BENEFACTOR FALLS, 17 PURSUES AT FULL SPEED UNTIL HE CRASHES INTO THE FALLING BODY WITH HIS FOOT; THE BENEFACTOR IS KNOCKED BRIEFLY UNCONSCIOUS BY THIS, AND SLAMS INTO THE GROUND UNPROTECTED>

<17 LANDS BEHIND HIM; BUT NOT WAITING FOR TB TO WAKE, HE PUTS OUT HIS HAND PALM FORWARD AND FIRES A PHOTON FLASH AT THE BENEFACTOR; IT MAKES CONTACT AND BLOWS UP INTO A HUGE EXPLOSION>

<WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS, 17 MAKES THAT SURPRISED FACE THAT MOST DBZ CHARACTERS MAKE WHEN THEIR OPPONENT IS SURVIVIES AFTER BEING HIT WITH A DEADLY BLAST; THE BENEFACTOR IS SITTING ON HIS KNEES, FACING 17>

<THE RAIN IS STILL GOING STRONG; IT IS NOW ALMOST TOTALLY BLACK OUT>

<WITHOUT WARNING, THE BENEFACTOR THROWS AN IMPALEMENT BEAM, BUT IT IS OFF CENTER, AND ONLY MANAGES TO CUT A LARGE PORTION OF 17’S COAT AWAY; 17 HIMSELF IS UNHARMED>

Android 17: <SHOUTING OVER THE RAIN> Give up already! You’re too weak to beat me. I’ll never get tired like you. My energy will never run out.

The Benefactor: <TO HIMSELF> But his technique… it is the perfect counter. I cannot attack him effectively. <STANDS UP> Your power is laughable. I can barely feel it.

Android 17: Yeah? You’ll regret being so cocky.

<THE BENEFACTOR STANDS UP; HE AFTERIMAGES HIMSELF AND THEN CHARGES; AS SOON AS 17 RETALIATES, TB PEELS OFF TO THE SIDE; AS HE DOES, TB SHOOTS SOME ENERGY INTO THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN THEY ARE BOTH ON; DUE TO IT RAINING, THE WHOLE AREA IS MUDDIED, AND IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH TO SEND THE WHOLE THING INTO A SLIDE>

<17 TURNS RIGHT IN TIME TO SEE THE BENEFACTOR CHARGE INTO HIM, HEADBUTTING HIM DOWN ONTO THE GROUND>

<WITH 17 NOW SOMEWHAT SLOWED BY THIS, THE BENEFACTOR JUMPS TO THE AIR, AND FOLLOWS THE MUDSLIDE ALL THE WAY DOWN; HE SHOOTS ENERGY BLASTS CONSTANTLY INTO IT, CAUSING MANY MUDDY EXPLOSIONS>

<THIS GOES ON FOR A LITTLE BIT, UNTIL THEY REACH THE BOTTOM; AT THIS, 17 RE-EMERGES UNEXPECTEDLY AND KICKS AT TB; TB DODGES IT AND GRABS ONTO THE ANDROID’S LEG, SPINNING AND THEN THROWING HIM AWAY; TB FINISHES THIS OFF WITH A BLAST, WHICH PROPELS 17 EVEN FURTHER AWAY>

<THE BLAST FROM TB CAUSES 17 TO FLY ALL THE WAY INTO THE EDGE OF THE CITY; ENOUGH SO THAT 17 RAMS RIGHT INTO A BUILDING>

<17 RECOVERS QUICKLY, JUST IN TIME TO SEE TB LAND; SEEING THAT 17 IS STILL ABLE TO FIGHT, TB ARCS EACH OF HIS ARMS OVER HIS HEAD, AND BY TELEKENISIS RIPS UP ALL THE NEARBY BUILDINGS AND THROWS THEM ASIDE; THIS MAKES THE AREA A NICE FLAT BATTLE GROUND>

<17 ONCE AGAIN MOVES INTO HIS ATTACK STANCE>

Android 17: You can’t win! My energy will never run out!

The Benefactor: Sad to say, we won’t be going for that long.

<THE BENEFACTOR ALSO GETS IN HIS OWN STANCE>

<IN THE DISTANT RUBBLE, THE ONLY Z FIGHTERS STILL REMAINING: VEGETA, GOTEN, AND TRUNKS, EMERGE FROM THE RUBBLE, IN TIME TO WITNESS THIS>

<ABRUPT OUT>

Bloodied Turf
<ALL OF THIS TAKES PLACE THROUGH THE SIGHT OF AIRGEAD’S MONITORS>

<A LARGE EXPLOSION GOES OFF>

<THE OUTER WALLS OF THE RED RIBBON BASE ARE COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THIS; THE WATER THAT FILLED THEIR AREAS IS NOW FLOODING INTO THE REGULAR BASE>

<THE FORCE OF THE WATER DESTROYS MUCH OF THE AREA, AND SWEEPS INTO THE ROOMS AND WHATNOT; AIRGEAD’S CAMERAS ARE DESTROYED AS WELL; OTHERWISE BLIND, HE OPENS HIS DOOR TO LOOK OUT>

<A JET OF WATER COMES DOWN THE HALL IMMEDIATELY, AND HITS HIM; AIRGEAD FLIES BACK, GETTING SWEPT DOWN THE HALL; HE LANDS ON HIS BACK; AIRGEAD ROLLS OVER, RIGHT INTO LEDAS, WHO COMES SWEEPING IN; THE FORCE OF THIS PROPELS BOTH OF THEM DOWN THE HALL EVEN FURTHER, THROUGH A FAR DOOR, AND INTO A ROOM; THEY ARE OUT OF THE RUNNING STREAM OF WATER INSIDE; NEEDLESS TO SAY, THEY ARE BOTH STILL DRENCHED>

<LEDAS PUNCHES AT THE MAN, BUT MISSES, AND SLIPS ON THE FLOOR; HE IS SOMEWHAT DROWSY FROM THE M99 EFFECT; AIRGEAD BACKS UP, CAUTIOUSLY, ON GUARD FOR A SECOND ATTACK; AS HE DOES SO, AIRGEAD FUMBLES IN HIS COAT JACKET FOR SOMETHING>

<LEDAS STANDS UP AND WOBBLES; HE ATTEMPTS TO GET A LINE SHOT OF AIRGEAD SO HE CAN MAKE ANOTHER ATTACK; HOWEVER, AIRGEAD CIRCLES BACK AROUND HIM, IN A NEAR SPRINT; LEDAS DOESN’T SEE THIS>

<WITH ONE FLUID MOTION, AIRGEAD TAKES HIS ARM OUT OF HIS COAT AND STICKS LEDAS WITH A NEEDLE; HE STEPS BACK AFTER IT PIERCES LEDAS’ NECK; LEDAS DOES NOT RETALIATE>

Airgead: <SMUGLY> Etorphine hydrochloride. 70 mg, non-diluted. The full bottle. Coupled with your previous exposure in the pool, I will say that’s more than enough to kill you. Yes. It’s clean. Effective. <TUGS AT HIS SAILOR’S BEARD> Like me.

Ledas: <CLUTCHING AT HIS NECK> B-b-but w-why? <HE FALLS BACKWARDS>

Airgead: <STILL SMUG> Your tail. A kid with one of those is the reason I’m down here today. He destroyed me. No, he destroyed us. The Red Ribbon was completely annihilated by him. Yes. I am the last one left. But I’m not one like them.

Ledas: <ON ONE KNEE> W-who is he?

<LEDAS IS BREATHING HARD, BUT HE IS NOT COLLAPSED; INDEED, AFTER A FEW MINUTES, HE SEEMS TO ACTUALLY BE GETTING MORE STABLE>

Airgead: Goku. You know that name, don’t you? He’s your father, of course. He’s the one that took my pride. You know what they did to me for that? You know what they did?! Locked me here, with the other scum… just because I made one mistake, just because I had one little blemish on my record. A defeat.

<AIRGEAD CONTINUES>

Airgead: I did not come here on my own will. No. It did not matter. Even if I was Colonel in their army. The best! But no, they imprisoned me for my failure. To be a test subject on their shit-brained experiments. All thanks to your father.

Ledas: He’s not my dad! My dad’s name was Layeeck. He’s dead.

Airgead: <IGNORING LEDAS>They all died. Every last one of them. Yes, I was there. Yes. But I could not leave… you remember that. Because of them and you! And look what you did now, ya little shit. Now you blew up that wall. No, no, no! I’ll die because of that! The air will come in. There is no other way. We can die together!

Ledas: I’m not dying anywhere with you! Just go back in your room or something and leave me alone. I’m leaving. The monster’s gonna come back anyways. I don’t want to be here with you two when he does.

Airgead: Wait.

Ledas: …

Airgead: <TO HIMSELF, IN HIS HEAD> This is taking too long. What’s going on? I need to stall him some more…

Airgead: <ALOUD> Listen! I’m not evil. I’m not like them any more. No. I repented. I gave it up. Yes. Look at me. I was all good down here, until you came. <RATHER SUDDENLY> WHY AREN’T YOU DYING?!!?!

<AIRGEAD COMPLETELY LOSES HIS COOL AT LEDAS’ NON-DYING; HE THROWS THE EMPTY SYRINGE AT LEDAS, THEN FALLS OVER; HE HITS THE FLOOR WITH HIS FIST SEVERAL TIMES IN PROTEST>

<LEDAS, PATIENCE NOW GONE WITH THIS CRAZINESS PREPARES AN ENERGY BLAST IN HIS HAND; HE AIMS IT AT AIRGEAD, READY TO END IT ALL>

Airgead: <TO HIMSELF ALOUD, FURIOUS> That’s over one hundred times the overdose limit!! The shit is going on here?!?! These kids with tails… they’re inhuman!!

Ledas: <WALKS FORWARD WITH THE BLAST> I shouldn’t let you live <SAID “LONG”> cuzzz you will just try to kill me again.

Airgead: You couldn’t have built up an immunity… no… no… no! <HE LOOKS UP AT LEDAS> You saw the vision. Yes, I was there. I saw too…

<LEDAS AIMS THE BLAST AT AIRGEAD’S FACE; AIRGEAD SEES IT, BUT IS NONE TOO CONCERNED>

Airgead: <SUDDENLY STOPS HIS PANIC AND SMILES> You lose. Yeah. My beautiful failsafe. Remember, kid? Yes. If I die, this whole place goes boom. You may be inhuman, but you will not survive that. No.

Ledas: You’re lying! I’m not stupid. You just don’t want to die.

Airgead: Of course I don’t want to die. Nobody in their right mind wants to die. What a stupid remark.

Ledas: <SIMPLY> I don’t believe you. You’re crazy.

Airgead: Sure. Fine then. Don’t believe. <ANGRY> But you’re making me ruin a very good shirt. Little shitter.

<HE RIPS OFF HIS SHIRT, SHOWING OFF HIS EXPOSED CHEST; FROM HIS RIGHT ARM, INTO HIS UPPER CHEST IS A SMALL, BLUE CABLE; IT RUNS FROM HIS FOREARM, ALL THE WAY TO HIS COLLARBONE, WHERE IT GOES INSIDE HIS BODY THROUGH A SMALL HOLE>

Airgead: This is the timer <HE POINTS TO HIS WRIST>. When I die, it counts down, then everything blows up. It is FUBAR‘d. <MOTIONS TO IT> So go ahead, kill me. Yes. Light up the whole city. Kill your friends.

<LEDAS GRUMBLES AND WAVES HIS HAND (WITH THE BLAST) AROUND FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, UNSURE; FINALLY, SHOULDERS SUNK, HE DISSIPATES HIS BLAST>

<CUTS BACK TO ANDROID 17 AND THE BENEFACTOR>

<THE TWO LEAP AT ONE ANOTHER AND GET IN A REALLY LONG BLOW EXCHANGE; TOO LONG TO BOTHER WITH WORDS>

<AS THEY GO AT IT (WHILE NEITHER IS GAINING AN ADVANTAGE), GOTEN, TRUNKS, AND VEGETA ALL COME OUT OF THE RUBBLE TO SEE THIS>

<AS SOON AS THEY COME INTO VIEW, 17 IS KNOCKED BACK, RIGHT INTO THEIR FOREGROUND; THE BENEFACTOR FOLLOWS, AND LANDS IN FRONT OF THE SPRAWLED OUT 17; TB IS FACING VEGETA AND THE KIDS, WHO ARE JUST A FEW FEET AWAY FROM HIM>

<VEGETA FOLDS HIS ARMS AND DOES NOT TALK; 17 IS STILL NOT MOVING>

Goten: Hey! You’re the jerk who beat up Gohan. I’ll make you pay for hurting my brother!

<HE RUNS FORWARD, BUT IN CLASSIC DBZ STYLE, TRUNKS STOPS HIM>

Trunks: <GRABS GOTEN’S SHOULDER, PULLS HIM BACK> Goten! You can’t just run out there. You’re going to get yourself killed.

Goten: Trunks, let me go!

Trunks: No, you’re not strong enough!

Goten: <SHOUTING> Then let’s do fusion! I wanna fight him! Come on.

Trunks: Oh. <LETS GO OF GOTEN, WHO FALLS FORWARD FROM HIS TUGGED-POSITION> Okay, I’m ready, Goten.

<GOTEN AND TRUNKS LINE UP, AND GET INTO THE FUSION POSITION>

Goten: <TOGETHER> Fusion… ha!

Trunks: <TOGETHER> Fusion… ha!

<THE TWO DO THE LITTLE DANCE THING, AND CONNECT FINGERTIPS; THE RESULT IS A BRIGHT FLASH OF LIGHT, AND WHEN THAT FADES, NONE OTHER THAN GOTENKS HIMSELF IS STANDING TO FACE THE BENEFACTOR>

Gotenks: Ha ha! You’re out of luck now! <HE GOES SUPER SAIYAN> I’m Super Gotenks!

The Benefactor: <CROUCHES DOWN, IN BOREDOM> That’s a good name.

<GOTENKS RUSHES AT THE BENEFACTOR; HE SUDDENLY TRIPS UP AND FALLS BEFORE HE CAN REACH HIS OPPONENT; ANDROID 17 HAS STUCK HIS ARM OUT AND GRABBED ONTO GOTENK’S LEG>

<ANDROID 17 STANDS UP>

Android 17: Hey. We are in the middle of something. <PULLS GOTENKS BY HIS LEG, THEN THROWS HIM BEHIND> Go home, stupid kids. I’ll handle this myself. <HE TURNS BACK TO THE BENEFACTOR> Don’t think I’m done with you, either.

<17 LOCKS DOWN, AND STARTS CHARGING UP AN ENERGY BLAST; SUDDENLY, GOTENKS COMES FLYING INTO VIEW; HE CLUBS DOWN ON THE BACK OF 17’S NECK, SENDING THE ANDROID SHOOTING INTO THE GROUND; TB REMAINS MOTIONLESS AT THIS; VEGETA STILL HASN’T MOVED SINCE THIS FIGHT BEGAN>

<17 IS ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES, LOOKING DOWN>

Android 17: You fool! How dare you touch me!

Gotenks: Hey, old man! Just give up, we can take over for you. It’s probably your naptime anyway. Hahaha!

Android 17: Why am I always stuck with the brats? <SHOUT TO GOTENKS> You want to play around? I’ll make you wish you had never even thought of it!

<EXTREMELY ANGRY NOW, 17 THROWS AN ENERGY BALL AT GOTENKS; GOTENKS DODGES, AND RETALIATES IMMEDIATELY, WITH A BEAM OF HIS OWN>

<THE TWO CONTINUE THIS FIGHT, EVEN AS TB AND VEGETA WATCH>

The Benefactor: Busy little bees. <TO VEGETA> Excuse me for a moment, Prince.

<VEGETA WATCHES, BUT DOES NOT MOVE; HE WOULD BE POWERLESS TO STOP THE BENEFACTOR ANYWAY>

<THE BENEFACTOR CREATES A SMALL GLOWING DISC OF ENERGY, AND DROPS IT ON THE GROUND BELOW HIM; IT MELTS AWAY A LARGE HOLE; THE BENEFACTOR THEN JUMPS DOWN INTO THIS, LEAVING 17 AND GOTENKS TO FIGHT>

<NEITHER ONE NOTICES HIM LEAVING, AND CONTINUES THEIR RUCKUS>

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS AND AIRGEAD>

Airgead: I have to know, boy. Tell me. You saw the vision. Only my strain of M99 has that side effect. I’m the only one that has it. Have you been stealing?

Ledas: <ANNOYED OUTBURST> No! I’ve never been here before. I told you that monster found this place. I wouldn’t even come here if I knew about it. This place sucks.

Airgead: Yes. Of course. The fact remains, however, that you saw it. Explain that!

Ledas: Well… <HAND ON HEAD> that old Carronel guy gave me some of that stuff in the needle too… maybe he had some of yours?

Airgead: Carronel? I don‘t know him.<THINKS DEEPLY FOR A MOMENT> Oh. No. You would not mean… Cardinal, would you? N-not him. It can’t be.

<AS SOON AS AIRGEAD STOPS TALKING, LEDAS SCREAMS; A LOUD SCREAM, BUT NOT A LONGUN; IT‘S MORE OF A SCREAM OUT OF SUDDEN SHOCK>

<FOR IN THE CORNER OF THE ROOM, BEYOND ALL THE BROKEN AND SOGGY FURNITURE IS THE BENEFACTOR; HE IS HANGING FROM THE CEILING, UPSIDE DOWN; AND LEDAS HAS NOTICED HIM>

<AFTER LEDAS STOPS FROM HIS SCARE, BOTH HE AND AIRGEAD TURN TO THE BENEFACTOR>

Airgead: Well, well. I would come to think this is our monster, no? Are you… monster?

The Benefacator: Monster? I just wanna see what’s that in your hand.

Airgead: <LOOKS DOWN AT THE SYRINGE IN HIS HAND> This? This is my life. I’m a test subject for it. My addiction. It’s called M99. Yep. But…

The Benefactor: <QUIETLY, (NOT SARCASTICALLY)> Great.

<AIRGEAD WAS GONNA SAY SOMETHING, SURELY ABOUT WHY THE MONSTER WASN’T KILLING ANY OF THEM, BUT HE REFRAINS FROM THIS>

<THERE IS A LONG PAUSE>

Airgead: Monster, would you like some? I can give you some if you want. I have many spare shots. Yes. I do.

The Benefactor: Thank you, kindly. <NODS TO LEDAS> I’ll have what he’s had.

<THE BENEFACTOR TURNS TO LEDAS NOW, AS AIRGEAD RUMMAGES AROUND FOR SOME SPARE NEEDLES IN HIS JUNKIE DRAWER; AIRGEAD HAS NO FEAR OF THE BENEFACTOR>

<NOTE: M99 IS NOT A DRUG, JUST A POWERFUL TRANQUILIZER; AIRGEAD ONLY CONSIDERS IT SUCH, SINCE HE HAS USED IT LOADS, TO THE POINT WHERE ITS EFFECTS ARE MINIMAL; AT LEAST, FOR HIS STRAIN OF IT>

<AS AIRGEAD MAKES HIS STUFF, THE BENEFACTOR FOCUSES ON LEDAS>

The Benefactor: Sincerely sorry for the company; everywhere else was booked. Please forgive me.

Ledas: <INNOCENT> Are you gonna take me somewhere else now?

The Benefactor: I found what I was looking for. How does it go…? <PAUSES FOR A SECOND; AWKWARDLY> Oh, ‘it’ll be very spectacular’.

Ledas: It doesn’t matter. You’ll take me anyways…

<THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT ANSWER>

<AIRGEAD RETURNS WITH A NEEDLE; HE PUTS OUT HIS HAND, TO GIVE IT TO THE BENEFACTOR>

Airgead: This is the best of my stuff. I hat-

<AIRGEAD STOPS IN MIDSENTENCE; THE BENEFACTOR, STILL UPSIDE DOWN, IS POINTING HIS FINGER AT THE MAN; IN FRONT OF HIS FINGER IS A THIN SLIVER OF METAL, HOVERING BY TELEKINESIS; AS AIRGEAD CONTINUES TO TALK, THE BENEFACTOR MOTIONS THE SLIVER FORWARD, AND IN ONE QUICK GESTURE, HE SLIDES IT RIGHT THROUGH (SIDEWAYS) AIRGEAD’S SKULL>

<AIRGEAD CHOKES AND SPUTTERS, THEN FALLS OVER; HE IS DEAD>

<THE TIMER ON HIS WRIST, THE COUNTDOWN FOR THE FAILSAFE BEGINS TICKING; IT’S ONLY A FIVE SECOND TIMER>

Ledas: What are you doing!? It’s gonna blow up!

The Benefactor: That’s the plan, boy-o.

<THE BENEFACTOR GRABS LEDAS, THEN SHOOTS UP INTO THE AIR, BREAKING THROUGH THE STONE CEILING EASILY; HE RISES THROUGH ALL OF THE FLOORS LIKE THIS; IT IS NO TROUBLE TO HIM; LEDAS, EXPECTING THIS, OFFERS UP NO RESISTANCE, AND LETS TB HOLD ONTO HIM>

<SOON, THE BENEFACTOR COMES UP ON THE HOLE THAT HE HAD BURNED INTO THE GROUND EARLIER; HE TAKES THAT TUNNEL, AND SHOOTS BACK UP TO WHERE VEGETA AND THE OTHERS WERE; IN THE CITY>

<AS THEY ARE GOING, THE BENEFACTOR WHISPERS TO LEDAS>

The Benefactor: We’ll be fine, so long as you can climb.

Now Gotenks
<KRILLIN, WHO HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS IS AWAKE AGAIN; HE IS SEARCHING ALL OVER THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, AND DOWN INTO THE TREES BELOW FOR ANY SIGN OF ANDROID 18>

<KRILLIN IS CONSCIOUS, UNLIKE 18 AND PICCOLO, BECAUSE UNLIKE THE TWO OF THEM, HE WAS NOT TAKEN OUT BY THE BENEFACTOR; HE WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS, SEVERAL CHAPTERS PRIOR BECAUSE HE AIR DASHED RIGHT INTO THE BENEFACTOR; SO BASICALLY, HE KNOCKED HIMSELF OUT; HE’S ALL BETTER NOW>

<AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF SEARCHING, HE COMES BACK UP TO THE TREETOPS OF THE MOUNTAIN BASE, AND LOOKS AROUND; HE NOTICES THAT THERE IS A FLYING CAR APPROACHING HIM; IT IS BLUE>

<KRILLIN’S FACE HAS BEEN WORRIED AND ANXIOUS THOUGHOUT HIS SEARCH, BUT AT THE SIGHT OF THIS CAR, HE LESSENS THAT AWAY INTO A SMILE; WITH HIS HAND OUT OVER HIS EYEBROWS, SHIELDING HIS EYES FROM THE SUN, KRILLIN AIR SPRINTS UP AND TOWARD THE CAR>

<FLYING IN THE CAR IS YAJIROBE; HIS HAIR IS BLOWING BACK BEHIND HIM BECAUSE HE IS DRIVING REAL FAST>

<KRILLIN JUMPS INTO THE CAR, INTO THE PASSENGER’S SEAT; YAJIROBE IS NOT SURPRISED AT ALL BY THIS SUDDEN ADDITION TO 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 bald headed… <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 GOES BACK TO LOOKING AROUND>

<BEING STILL WEARY HIMSELF, KRILLIN TAKES A SENZU BEAN OUT OF THE BAG AND EATS IT, AS 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 DRIVES> N-no…

<KRILLIN GOES BACK TO RUMMAGING IN THE BACK OF THE CAR; HE FINDS SOMETHING; HE BRINGS UP THE THING THAT KORIN THREW INTO THE CAR AT THE END OF THE LAST SAGA; IT IS THE PYRAMIND 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 CAUSUALLY 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>

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 BACK TO DIGGING IN THE BACK>

<YAJIROBE GRUMBLES, BUT DOES NOT RESPOND; HE PUTS HIS FOOT ON THE PEDAL AND STARTS GOING EVEN FASTER>

<KRILLIN NOTICES, RATHER QUICKLY>

Krillin: <COMING TO HIS SENSES> <TO HIMSELF> Oh, wait… 18. <TO YAJIROBE> Hey, wait! Where are you going?

Yajirobe: <ANNOYED> I already told you. Hmph.

Krillin: <TWISTS BACK AROUND> Wait, Yajirobe, we have to take a senzu bean to 18. She could be hurt.

Yajirobe: Nuh uh.

Krillin: <A BIT ANGRY> This is my wife you’re talking about, Yajirobe! We’re not taking any chances. Who knows if something happened to her…

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 like robot stuff 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>

<HOWEVER, THIS IS ALL CUT SHORT; FOR JUST AT THIS MOMENT, ON THE EDGE OF THE HORIZON, TO THE SLIGHT NORTHEAST, A LARGE EXPLOSION GOES OFF; A REALLY, REALLY BIG ONE>

<AIRGEAD’S FAILSAFE HAS JUST GONE OFF; AND WITH IT, THE REST OF THE CITY HAS SUDDENLY BEEN CONSUMED IN FIRE AND DESTRUCTION; HUGES PLUMES OF SMOKE AND FIRE SHOOT UP FROM THE CITY, SOME REACHING IMPRESSIVE HEIGHTS; THE ENTIRE THING CAN BE HEARD AND SEEN FOR MILES AROUND>

<AFTER ONLY A SECOND, THE ENTIRE HOST OF FIRES GO OUT, AND RECEDE, LEAVING ONLY TRAILS OF SMOKE IN THE AIR, TO SHOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED; THERE WAS NO SOUND AT ALL DURING THIS EXPLOSION>

<UPON SEEING THIS, BOTH YAJIROBE AND KRILLIN STOP FIGHTING>

Krillin: W-w-was that the c-city?! W-where Goku was?!

<YAJIROBE LOOKS SHOCKED TOO, MAYBE>

<CUTS TO THE CITY>

<THE BENEFACTOR SHOOTS UP THROUGH HIS HOME-MADE TUNNEL OF THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER; HE LANDS RIGHT IN FRONT OF VEGETA; STILL ABOVE THEM ARE 17 AND GOTENKS, WHO IS IN SUPER SAIYAN, FIGHTING>

<VEGETA, 17, AND GOTENKS ALL NOTICE SOMETHING; THEN THE CITY BLOWS UP; AS FROM KRILLIN AND YAJIROBE’S PERSPECTIVE BEFORE, IT IS QUITE THE BIG ONE>

<AS IT EXPLODES; VEGETA AND 17 WILD SENSE ABOUT, LIKE BITCHES; GOTENKS SHOOTS UP HIGH INTO THE SKY TO ESCAPE IT; THE BENEFACTOR CREATES AN ENERGY BARRIER OVER HIMSELF AND LEDAS>

<AFTER THE DESTRUCTION IS OVER (WHICH IT IS, REMARKABLY FAST), EVERYONE RETURNS TO NORMAL; 17 AND GOTENKS BOTH DESCEND TO THE GROUND, IN FRONT OF THE BENEFACTOR>

<THE LANDSCAPE ITSELF IS SCORCHED AND BLACKENED; ALL BUILDINGS AROUND HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY DESTROYED; SOME RUBBLE REMAINS, HOWEVER>

<A QUICK SCENE SHOWS TIEN AND CHIAOTZU (AND ASSUMED GOHAN, OF COURSE), LAYING IN THE RUBBLE OF THE HOSPITAL, SEVERAL MILES AWAY; NONE ARE MOVING, BUT NONE ARE DEAD>

<ANOTHER QUICK SCENE ALSO SHOWS GOKU, WHO IS STILL LYING FACE DOWN ON THE GROUND; AFTER THE BLAST, HE IS EVEN MORE INURED; NOW TO THE POINT WHERE HE CANNOT MOVE AT ALL; HE IS IN NO WAY FIT TO HELP>

<BY THIS POINT, NOBODY IS IN ANY SHAPE TO FIGHT THE BENEFACTOR, SAVE FOR 17, VEGETA, AND GOTENKS; LEDAS, TOO, COULD HELP>

<THE BENEFACTOR STANDS UP, AND LETS LEDAS DROP OFF OF HIM, ONTO THE DIRT; VEGETA NOTICES THIS>

<THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT LOOK AT EITHER OF THEM, BUT INSTEAD WALKS FORWARD TO THE OTHER TWO, CLEARLY WITH INTENT TO HARM>

<LEDAS SITS UP, ONTO HIS KNEES AND WATCHES TB WALK OFF, BUT DOES NOT SAY ANYTHING; HE SORTA LOOKS LIKE HE JUST WOKE UP, BUT THAT CAN NOT POSSIBLY BE TRUE>

<HE TURNS HIS FOCUS TO VEGETA; VEGETA STARES BACK>

<LEDAS STANDS UP, AND THEN WITH A GUILTY LOOK TOWARD TB, HE SCURRIES ACROSS THE NEWLY GLASSED GROUND, OVER TO VEGETA>

Ledas: <SKIDS INTO PLACE; WHISPERING> Vegeta!

<VEGETA STARES BACK AT HIM>

Ledas: <KIND OF PANICKED, HIMSELF; IMPATIENT> Vegeta! He’s too strong. We have to work together to beat him.

<SEVERAL SECONDS PASS>

Vegeta: <GRITTED TEETH> I know.

Ledas: S-so… you remember!

<LEDAS STARTS TO GET EXCITED>

Vegeta: <IN A QUELLING TONE> Let’s… just think up a plan now, all right?

Ledas: Right.

<THEY BOTH GLANCE AT TB SEVERAL TIMES; TB IS PREOCCUPIED AND DOES NOT HEAR/SEE/NOTICE THEM>

Vegeta: Now… <STRANGELY, HE IS ACTING LIKE A TEACHER; HE HOLDS OUT HIS FINGERS> There’s super Saiyan 1, and there’s Super Saiyan 2, Super Saiyan 3... Gah, when I put it that way, it sounds stupid. B-but… have you ascended beyond the first level?

Ledas: <LOW VOICE> I didn’t even know there were more levels. How can I tell?

Vegeta: Let him fight these two first. After that, you can power up. We’ll see then.

Ledas: <‘OPEFUL>Then we can fight together… and beat him…

<TO THIS, VEGETA SAYS NOTHING; HE PROBABLY HAS A PLAN, REGARDLESS>

<IN FRONT OF THEM, THE BENEFACTOR REACHES 17 AND GOTENKS>

The Benefactor: Decided yet? Who gets to fight?

Gotenks: Me!!!

Android 17: This is my fight, you spoiled brat!

<ANDROID 17 IS AGITATED LIKE HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE; THE TWO TURN ON EACH OTHER, AND RAIN DOWN ENERGY BLASTS AT ONE ANOTHER>

<THE BENEFACTOR CROUCHES DOWN, IN BOREDOM; AS HE DOES SO, HE WATCHES THEIR FIGHT, AND SCOOPS UP SOME DIRT FROM THE GROUND; HE RUNS IT THROUGH HIS HANDS BEFORE LETTING IT ALL FALL BACK TO THE GROUND>

<17 AND GOTENKS CONTINUE THEIR FURIOUS FIGHT; EACH IS NOW CHUCKING LARGE BALLS OF ENERGY AT ONE ANOTHER, CREATING A CHAOTIC SCENE; AS IF THE WHOLE CITY BLOWING UP WAS NOT ENOUGH, BOTH OF THEM ARE CREATING A NEW CHAIN OF EXPLOSIONS AND CRATERS>

<THE TWO RUSH AT ONE ANOTHER, AND BEGIN PUNCHING AND KICKING; HERE IT IS CLEARLY SHOWN THAT 17 IS ABSOLUTELY NO MATCH FOR GOTENKS; HIS ONE ADVANTAGE AGAINST THE BENEFACTOR, THE BEST COUNTER-FORM, IS USELESS AGAINST GOTENKS’ FIGHTING FORM; HE IS BATTERED AWAY, EASILY>

<17 GETS BACK UP; BECAUSE HE ENERGY DOES NOT RUN OUT, THIS FIGHT HAS LASTED FAR LONGER THAN IT SHOULD HAVE; EVEN VEGETA IS NOTICING>

Vegeta: Foolish! Gotenks has the power to take that freak, but he’s not thinking straight! He’s already used up 20 minutes. If he doesn’t focus his energy on it now, he’ll defuse before he can fight it. <POINTS TO THE BENEFACTOR>

<17 AND GOTENKS GET INTO THE SAME THING AGAIN; VEGETA SEES THIS, AND HAS HAD ENOUGH>

<HE GOES SUPER SAIYAN 2 AND DASHES OVER TO ANDROID 17; BEFORE THE ANDROID CAN REACH GOTENKS, OR EVEN REACT TO VEGETA, THE SAIYAN PRINCE LANDS BEHIND HIM; HE THEN SWIPES THE ANDROID IN THE BACK OF THE NECK, AND KICKS HIM ASIDE; THIS DAMAGES 17 IMMENSELY, AND HE DOES NOT GET UP FROM IT>

<VEGETA REGRESSES TO HIS BASE FORM, AND FLIES BACK OVER TO LEDAS>

Vegeta: Stupid brat. He‘s going to get us all killed. <SHOUTING TO GOTENKS> Now fight him, Gotenks! Use all your energy!

The Benefactor: <STANDS UP> Thank you, Prince. They were so tediously tiresome together. <TO GOTENKS, NOTING THAT THE SAIYAN FUSION IS DANCING AROUND, OBNOXIOUSLY, AND OVER THE TOP-LY STRETCHING AND PREPARING> Do you have any technique at all? Or will you just flail about like that the whole time?

Gotenks: Why don’t you come over here and see!?

<GOTENKS LAUNCHES A FINAL FLASH AT THE BENEFACTOR, WHO EASILY DODGES IT>

The Benefactor: Please, if it is not too much to ask, do that again. And take your time. I have no rush.

Gotenks: <GRINNING> Hey mister, you sure have a big mouth for someone who can’t even fight.

<GOTENKS LANDS ONTO THE GROUND; HE CIRCLES TB, WHO STILL HAS NOT GOTTEN UP TO FACE HIS OPPONENT; HE YELLS OUT, AND AT THE SAME TIME MOVES HIS HANDS ABOUT IN A FLURRY>

<THE BENEFACTOR WATCHES THIS; HE NOW GETS UP, AND TURNS TO GOTENKS; THE GROUND IS SHAKING, AND THE ENERGY THAT GOTENKS IS MAKING IS CREATING AN OVAL SHAPE ENCLOSURE AROUND THE BENEFACTOR>

<FOURTEEN KAMIKAZE GHOSTS ARE LINED UP IN A CIRCLE AROUND THE BENEFACTOR; EACH ONE IS FLOATING OVER THE GROUND, AND SANS THEIR STEROTYPICAL GHOST “FEET” AND WHITE COMPLEXTION, THEY ARE MIRROR IMAGES OF GOTENKS>

<TB SEES THESE THINGS, AND CIRCLES AROUND, LOOKING AT EACH ONE; THEY DO NOT MOVE, BUT SIMPLY LAUGH AT HIM>

<HE WALKS UP TO ONE, AND POKES IT WITH HIS FINGER; IT EXPLODES IN A HUGE BLAST, KNOCKING THE MONSTER BACK, ONTO THE GROUND; HE IS PUZZLED BY THIS>

The Benefactor: <TO GOTENKS> Inability and impossibility. They’re so close.

<HE WALKS UP TO A SECOND KAMIKAZE GHOST, AND POKES IT, EXPLODING IT; THE BENEFACTOR IS DAMAGED AGAIN BY THIS, AND SENT FLYING BACK INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE CIRCLE; HE GETS UP, THEN SHOOTS STRAIGHT UP, INTO THE CLOUDS ABOVE>

Gotenks: <CLICHED AS ALWAYS> Hehehe, you can run but you can’t hide. <TO HIS GHOSTS> Go get him. Blow up that guy's big ego! Show him Gotenks is number 1! <GOTENKS POINTS OFF>

<THE REMAINING TWELVE GHOSTS JUMP UP, AND FLY OFF AFTER THE BENEFACTOR ABOVE>

<TOTALLY UNSEEN TO ANY OF THE FIGHTERS BELOW, A SMALL, BLUE DOT IS APPROACHING THEIR POSITION; BEING THAT IT IS FLYING, OF COURSE THIS MEANS IT WOULD BE A CAR>

Fusion's Price
<FROM THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER, GOTENKS’ GHOSTS HAVE TAKEN TO THE SKY IN PURSUIT OF THE BENEFACTOR; THERE ARE TWELVE OF THEM>

<FOR A WHILE, THE THREE REMAINING WARRIORS, GOTENKS, VEGETA, AND LEDAS ALL STAND MOTIONLESS, STARING UP AT THE CLOUDS ABOVE THEM>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD; GLANCING TO VEGETA> The monster doesn’t want them. He could hurt Vegeta or kill him if he wants. <LEDAS’ FACE GETS DISTRESSED> No, that won’t happen!

<A MUFFLED EXPLOSION GOES OFF; IT IS FAR ABOVE THEM; THEN, AFTER IT, SEVERAL MORE EXPLOSIONS FOLLOW; AS SOON AS THEY STOP, A BLACK SPECK FALLS FROM ABOVE; VEGETA SIDESTEPS JUST IN TIME AS THE CRUMPLED FIGURE OF THE BENEFACTOR SHOOTS DOWN, RIGHT ON TOP OF WHERE HE WAS MOMENTS BEFORE>

<GOTENKS SEES THIS AND SMIRKS; CONFIDENT IN HIS VICTORY>

Gotenks: <PROUDLY> Looks like he’s not so tough after seeing my ghosts, huh? Ha ha ha!

<THE BENEFACTOR GETS UP; HE IS NOT ALL THAT DAMAGED; HE IS, HOWEVER, WALKING WITH A SLIGHTLY THROWN SHOULDER; BOTH OF HIS ARMS ARE NOW FULLY VISIBLE (DUE TO THE BATTLE DAMAGE FROM THE GHOSTS), THOUGH THE REST OF HIS BODY REMAINS AS IT WAS; UNSEEN>

The Benefactor: <TO GOTENKS; RATHER NAIVELY> I do not know you.

Gotenks: Hey, don’t play stupid now you’re losing! You know who I am.

The Benefactor: <MORE TO HIMSELF THAN ANYONE ELSE> If you think I’m so damaged that it’s safe to flout me, you’re mistaken.

<TB SETTLES DOWN INTO A STANCE; HE LOOKS TIRED>

The Benefactor: <ALOUD, YET STILL TO HIMSELF> When you cannot beat each other… <TO GOTENKS, LOUDER> The ghosts were a neat trick, really. But you see I’m still standing. Even a dozen were not enough to kill me. I bet you could make more, stronger and more powerful. Show it to me.

<GOTENKS STARES BACK AT TB>

Vegeta: Don‘t be a fool, Gotenks. He’s baiting you. Finish him yourself.

<GOTENKS BREAKS HIS STARE AND SMIRKS TO THE BENEFACTOR>

Gotenks: <IGNORING VEGETA; ONCE AGAIN, WITH PRIDE> Watch this.

<GOTENKS SPREADS OUT HIS ARMS AND LEGS; HE CONVULSES FOR A SECOND, POWERING UP HIS ENERGY, AS DOING SO; GOTENKS REACHES SUPER SAIYAN 2 IN HIS POWER UP; HE EXPELS YET ANOTHER GHOST; THIS ONE, HOWEVER, IS MUCH LARGER THAN THE LAST BATCH; AND THERE IS ONLY ONE>

<GOTENKS, EXHAUSTED FROM THIS, FALLS BACK ONTO THE GROUND, LANDING IN A SITTING POSTION; THE GHOST IS LOOKING AT HIM>

Gotenks: <POINTS TO TB> Him… go blow him up for me.

<THIS GHOST IS MUCH TALLER AND FATTER THAN THE PREVIOUS BATCH; AT GOTENKS’ REQUEST, IT TURNS AND LOOKS THE OTHER WAY, TOWARD THE BENEFACTOR; IT LUMBERS TOWARD HIM>

<TB HAD BEEN CROUCHING AT THIS TIME, AND ONLY LOOKS UP AT THE LAST SECOND TO DODGE THE KAMIKAZE ATTACK FROM THE GHOST; ONCE AGAIN, HE TAKES TO THE CLOUDS>

<THE GHOST PURSUES; VEGETA AND LEDAS ARE WATCHING INTENTLY; NEITHER SEEM TO BE TALKING OR MAKING PLANS IN CASE GOTENKS WERE TO LOSE, WHICH (WHILE VEGETA HAS BEEN VOICING HIS CONCERNS) SHOWS THAT BOTH OF BELIEVE TB WILL BE DEFEATED BY THIS>

<AS SUDDENLY AS TB AND THE GHOST WENT UP BEFORE, THEY COME FLYING BACK DOWN; THE BENEFACTOR IS STREAMLINED, CAUSING HIM TO ACCELERATE MUCH FASTER THAN THE BULKY AND FAT GHOST BEHIND HIM; HE TOUCHES DOWN ONTO THE EARTH AGAIN>

<AS FAST AS HE CAN, TB BOUNCES FORWARD TO GOTENKS; HE PUNCHES STRAIGHT AT GOTENKS; GOTENKS, BEWILDERED (AND STILL ON THE GROUND) STOPS HIS ATTACK, DODGING WITH A ROLL TO THE SIDE; HE GRABS THE BENEFACTOR’S ARM WITH HIS RIGHT ARM, AND PUNCHES THE ALIEN ACROSS THE CHEEK, WITH HIS LEFT; THIS CAUSES HIM TO STAND BACK UP>

<THE BENEFACTOR IS UNPHASED BY THIS; HE ELBOWS GOTENKS AWAY, THEN FOLLOWS UP WITH A SINGLE KNEE TO THE CHEST; GOTENKS HUNCHES OVER IN PAIN; TB, LIKE A SPIDER, CAREFULLY COILS HIMSELF AROUND GOTENKS, WRAPPING THE CHILD UP IN HIS ARMS, AND HOLDING TIGHTLY>

<THOUGH GOTENKS IS NOW IN SUPER SAIYAN TWO, HE IS ACTUALLY WEAKER THAN HE WAS PREVIOUSLY IN SUPER SAIYAN 1, DUE TO THE VAST AMOUNT OF ENERGY HE EXPENDED IN MAKING THE NEW GHOST>

<THE GHOST, IN AN AERIAL DIVE RETARGETS ITSELF TO THE BENEFACTOR’S NEW POSITION; IT BEARS DOWN ON GOTENKS AND THE BENEFACTOR>

<VEGETA SEES WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN; HE CHARGES UP A GALICK GUN TO PUSH THE TWO OUT OF THE WAY; AS HE FIRES, THE BENEFACTOR PUTS UP A PROTECTIVE BARRIER ON HIS SIDE, WHICH NEGATES THE BLAST>

<GOTENKS ALSO SEES WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN; PHYSICALLY POWERLESS TO MOVE HIMSELF OUT OF THE WAY OF THE INCOMING GHOST, HE RESORTS TO HIS MOST USED TECHNIQUE; HIS MOUTH>

Gotenks: <SCREAMING OUT> Stop! Go after him, not me- Okay, wait wait wait! <THE GHOST IS NOT STOPPING> I order you to stop attacking that thing! Stop! Listen to me!

<THE GHOST DOES NOT STOP; IT RUNS, MINDLESSLY, RIGHT INTO GOTENKS, TRYING TO GET AT THE BENEFACTOR BEHIND; JUST AS THE THING MAKES CONTACT WITH GOTENKS, TB SPRINGS AWAY, SPRINGBOARDING HIMSELF OFF OF THE FUSION‘S BACK>

<NEVERTHELESS, TB IS CAUGHT UP IN THE EXPLOSION, AS IT IS FAR TOO LARGE TO ESCAPE FROM IN THAT SHORT OF TIME; HE IS THROWN FACE-DOWN INTO THE DIRT, SEVERAL YARDS FROM THE NEAREST PILE OF RUBBLE>

<IN THE CENTER OF THE NEWEST CRATER, LEFT BY THIS EXPLOSION IS GOTENKS; HE IS BLOODIED AND BEATEN; ONE EYE IS SWOLLEN SHUT, AND HE IS LAYING UNMOVING; HE HAS REGRESSED TO HIS BASE FORM; HE IS STILL CONSCIOUS>

<THE BENEFACTOR STANDS UP; HE LOOKS AROUND UNTIL HIS EYES SETTLE ON GOTENKS; HE WALKS UP TO GOTENKS, INTO THE CRATER, KNEELING DOWN NEXT TO THE FUSION>

<GOTENKS DOES NOT ATTEMPT ANY WISE CRACKS OR RETORTS; HE IS TOO DAMAGED FOR THAT>

<TB SEES THAT HE HAS, ONCE AGAIN, WON; LAZILY, HE FINISHES THIS UP WITH A KICK INTO THE SIDE OF GOTENKS FACE; THIS CAUSES GOTENKS TO FALL UNCONSCIOUS>

<WITH GOTENKS UNCONSCIOUS, TB GRABS HIM BY THE HEAD, AND RELEASES AN EXTERMINATION RAIN RIGHT INTO HIS FACE; SEEING THE FUSION TO BE SEVERELY DAMAGED, BEYOND ANY HOPE, TB TOSSES HIM ASIDE, INTO THE RUBBLE>

<THE BENEFACTOR THEN RETURNS BACK TO VEGETA AND LEDAS>

The Benefactor: It’s the three of us again.

<NEITHER OF THE SAIYANS RETURN ANY TALK; BUT BOTH ARE STANDING, DEFENSIVLELY AND WARILY OF TB>

<TB RAISES HIS HAND AT THE TWO SAIYANS; HOWEVER, JUST AT THIS TIME, YAJIROBE’S FLYING CAR COMES SHOOTING INTO VIEW; BEING THAT IT IS QUITE NOISY, ALL THREE REMAINING FIGHTERS LOOK UP; KRILLIN IS HANGING OUT OF THE SIDE OF HIS SEAT, SHOUTING AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS>

Krillin: GOKU!! GOKUUUU!! WHERE ARE YOU?!!? GOKUUU!!

<THE BENEFACTOR GROWLS, SLIGHTLY AGITATED AND IMPATIENT BY YET ANOTHER NEW THREAT COMING INTO VIEW; HE PREPARES A SMALL MAROON ENERGY BLAST BEHIND HIS BACK, THEN THROWS IT UP TO THE CAR>

<AS THE CAR REACHES THE AREA JUST OVER THE THREE, THE BLAST CONNECTS AND DETONATES; THE CAR GOES UP IN SMOKE AND FALLS QUICKLY TO THE EARTH>

<KRILLIN EXPERTLY FALLS OUT OF THE CAR AS IT TUMBLES DOWN; HE LANDS, FEET FIRST, BEHIND VEGETA AND LEDAS>

<YAJIROBE IS NOT SO LUCKY; WHEN THE CAR CRASHES DOWN, YAJIROBE IS THROWN OUT OF IT, AND CRASHES INTO A WALL OF RUBBLE; HE DOES NOT GET UP>

<THE CONTENTS OF THE CAR ARE THROWN OUT, ALL OVER THE PLACE; MOST NOTABLE AMONG THESE IS THE BAG OF SENZU BEANS, WHICH LAND IN AN OPEN SPACE ABOUT HALFWAY BETWEEN THE CAR AND LEDAS/VEGETA>

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.

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: <FAKELY HURT> Thanks, Vegeta.

Ledas: Oh, okay. But whaddabout me and Vegeta?

Krillin: <STILL DOWN> ‘Fraid not, buddy. Besides, Vegeta is right. Even if we did fuse, we’d be no match for that thing.

<THE BENEFACTOR PACES BACK AND FORTH IN FRONT OF THEM>

The Benefactor: Catching up is cute. <STOPS PACING> Are we done?

Krillin: <TO TB> Where’s 18? What did you do to her?!?!

The Benefactor: <TAKEN ABACK BY KRILLIN’S QUESTIONS> Yes. She’s fine. As with that dog that came before me, I am not here to kill or conquer any of you. I am here solely for him. <POINTS TO LEDAS> Stay out of my way and you will live.

<IN RESPONSE, VEGETA AND LEDAS POWER UP TO THEIR SUPER SAIYAN LEVELS, CLEARLY SHOWING THAT THEY WILL NOT GIVE UP LEDAS WITHOUT A FIGHT; KRILLIN POWERS UP TOO, BUT SINCE HE IS JUST A SIMPLE HUMAN, NOTHING CHANGES, PHYSICALLY; IRRITATED BY THIS, KRILLIN RUFFLES UP HIS HAIR TO TRY AND SHOW THAT HE HAD SOME KIND OF TRANSFORMATION>

The Benefactor: Trite.

<THE BENEFACTOR SENDS A SMALL SHARD OF A RAZOR BLAST BACK AT KRILIN; THE THING MOVES SO FAST, KRILLIN DOES NOT EVEN SEE IT COMING; IT HITS HIM SQUARE IN THE HEAD, RIGHT BETWEEN THE SECOND AND THIRD DOTS ON HIS HEAD>

<KRILLIN FALLS OVER, GASPING AND BLEEDING; HE IS DONE, JUST LIKE THAT>

<THE BENEFACTOR COMES UP TO THE TWO REMAINING FIGHTERS; HE TAKES OUT HIS KNIFE>

<THE TWO SAIYANS LOCK DOWN, THROWING MANY SMALL BALLS OF ENERGY AT TB IN AN EFFORT TO CONFUSE HIM>

<THE ALIEN TAKES ALL OF THESE FULL ON; THEY HAVE NO STOPPING POWER ON HIM>

<VEGETA MOVES FIRST; HE IS IN SUPER SAIYAN 2; HE LAUNCHES HIMSELF, BOOT FIRST, TO TB; THE ATTACK IS BLOCKED AND VEGETA STUMBLES; THE BENEFACTOR BRINGS UP HIS KNIFE>

<VEGETA DESPERATELY RETURNS AROUND TO FACE HIS OPPONENT; HE FIRES OFF THREE SETS OF HOMING FINGER BEAMS, TEN BEAMS EACH, WHICH HOME AT TB; THE BENEFACTOR SWATS THEM BACK INTO VEGETA’S FACE, AND THOUGH THEY DO NOT DAMAGE HIM THAT MUCH, THEY STOP VEGETA FROM PUTTING UP A DEFENSE>

<THE BENEFACTOR JUMPS ON TOP OF VEGETA AND PLUNGES HIS KNIFE STRAIGHT INTO VEGETA’S CHEST>

<VEGETA DOES NOT SCREAM; HE FALLS STILL AND SPITS BLOOD INTO THE BENEFACTOR’S FACE>

<LEDAS WATCHES THIS, ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED AT WHAT TB IS DOING>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> He wants me… just me. Vegeta… he’ll stop hurting Vegeta if I do what he wants. <OUTLOUD> Hey! Leave Vegeta alone!

<LEDAS GATHERS UP A BEAM-WAVE OF ENERGY; HE SHOOTS THE BENEFACTOR WITH IT; TB LOOKS UP FROM HIS BLOODWORK; LEDAS RISES INTO THE AIR, FLYING BACKWARDS AS HE CONTINUES SHOOTING HIS BEAM-WAVE AT TB; THE WAVE LANDS SHORT, MISSING TB; NEVERTHELESS, ITS PURPOSE OF GETTING THE ALIEN‘S ATTENTION IS SUCCESSFUL>

<TB SHEATHS HIS KNIFE AND LEAVES VEGETA BEHIND; AS LEDAS RACES AWAY, HE TAKES TO THE AIR AS WELL TO FOLLOW>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> Good. Vegeta’s okay now.

<HE LOOKS BACK BEHIND AT THE MONSTER GAINING UPON HIM>

Ledas: What does he want?! He can’t kill me… I never did anything to him.

<HE ACCELERATES AS FAST AS HE CAN AWAY FROM THE ALIEN>

<BACK BELOW IN THE CITY RUINS, VEGETA CLUTCHES AT HIS CHEST; HE SPITS UP BLOOD AGAIN WHILE STARING OFF AT THE TWO SPECKS OF TB AND LEDAS QUICKLY GROWING SMALLER AND SMALLER IN THE DISTANCE>

<AT THIS TIME, VEGETA’S SELF-SILENCE IS BROKEN>

Goku: <IN TELEPATHY> V-vegeta… are you there?

Vegeta: Kakarot, I’m in no mood-

Goku: Wait, Vegeta… I-I know a way to… get your friend back a-and. Listen… Y-yajirobe brought senzu beans, I know he did.

<VEGETA’S ATTENTION TO THIS CONVERSATION BECOMES REAL>

Goku: Find them… bring them to m-me, ok-kay?

<VEGETA LOOKS AROUND AT THIS, THOUGH HE DOES NOT ANSWER; AFTER A FEW PANELS, HE NOTICES THE GIANT BAG OF SENZUS, LAYING PERFECTLY STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, JUST A FEW FEET AWAY FROM HIM; THE BAG IS OPENED AND SPILLED; THERE ARE EASILY OVER 100 BEANS INSIDE>

<VEGETA, ROLLS OVER; HE, LETHARGICALLY, CRAWLS TO THE BAG; HE FUMBLES HIS HAND INTO IT AND PICKS OUT A BEAN; VEGETA BREAKS IT IN HALF WITH HIS TEETH, BEFORE EATING BOTH HALVES; HE SIGHS, THEN ROLLS ONTO HIS BACK AND LETS HIS HEAD FALL ONTO THE EARTH>

<VEGETA CLOSES HIS EYES, AWAITING FOR HIS WOUNDS TO BE HEALED>

The Product Of A Stable Mind
<CUE DREAM CHASERS>

<IT IS ALMOST DARK OUT, THE SUN IS SETTING AHEAD>

<LEDAS COMES FLYING DOWN FROM THE CLOUDS ABOVE, INTO THE FLATLANDS>

<BY THIS TIME, HE HAS FLOWN FAR AWAY FROM THE CITY; IN THE BACKDROP ARE HOSTS OF MOUNTAINS, AND AHEAD IS A NEW VALLEY; THE GRASS IS TALL AND THE LANDS ARE VERY FLAT; THERE ARE VERY FEW TREES AND NO SIGNS OF LIFE; LEDAS IS FLYING JUST OVER THE TOP OF IT ALL>

<AS HE COMES MORE INTO VIEW, LEDAS CAN BE SEE TO BE IN A PANIC RUSH, MOVING AS FAST AS HE CAN; HE IS FLYING TOWARD THE SUN AWAY; BEHIND HIM A BLACK DOT COMES UP TO HIS SHOULDER>

<THE BENEFACTOR IS IN PURSUIT, TRYING HIS HARDEST TO CATCH LEDAS>

<THE BENEFACTOR BEGINS TO GAIN GROUND ON LEDAS; LEDAS TURNS HIS HEAD BACK TO SEE AND IS MET WITH A BURST OF ENERGY, WHICH HE MOST CERTAINLY DODGES; LEDAS FALLS LOW TO THE GROUND, CATCHING HIMSELF ONLY AT THE SECOND TO LAST SECOND>

<STILL FLYING LOW TO THE GROUND, LEDAS GOES SUPER SAIYAN; WITH THIS NEW “ENERGY” HIS MAXIMUM SPEED HAS FAR INCREASED; HE FLARES HIS AURA, CLEARING A PATH THROUGH THE OUTLAID GRASS BEFORE HIM; HE RACES OVER PLAINS WITH RENEWED VIGOR>

<BEHIND THE SAIYAN BOY, TB THROWS SEVERAL KI BALLS UP AT HIM; LEDAS TRIES HIS DARNDEST TO DODGE THEM, HOWEVER, SOME ARE MAKING CONTACT WITH HIM EVEN AS HE GOES>

<LEDAS REELS OVER, TURNING ONTO HIS BACK AS HE FLIES; HE RETURNS FIRE TO TB, FIRST A KYORRA FLASH, THEN SEVERAL ENERGY BALLS; ALL ARE DODGED, BUT THIS SLOWS THE ALIEN’S PURSUIT>

<THE BENEFACTOR THROWS HIS BLAST AT LEDAS’, AND THE TWO CONNECT; THEY GO UP IN EXPLOSION, OBSCURING THE VIEW; WHEN IT CLEARS, THE BENEFACTOR IS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN>

<LEDAS SEES THAT HE IS ALONE, AND DOUBLES BACK OVER, FLYING OFF AGAIN AT HIS TOP SPEED>

<OF COURSE, TB IS NOT GONE; FROM THE EXPLOSION, HE HAS CATAPULTED HIMSELF UP AND OVER LEDAS, CURVING UP AND OVER, TO COME DOWN RIGHT ON THE BOY; AS HE COMES DOWN, LEDAS SENSES IT AND HE LETS OUT A PROTECTIVE BARRIER>

<PICKING UP ON THIS ATTACK, THE BENEFACTOR WILD SENSES OUT OF THE WAY; HE TELEPORTS TO UNDER LEDAS’ STOMACH; IMMEDIATELY, THE BENEFACTOR KICKS THE BOY UP, THEN DASHES UP AROUND HIM AND ELBOWS HIM TO THE GROUND>

<LEDAS FALLS BACKWARD AND CRASHES ONTO HIS BACK INTO THE TALL GRASS IN THE PLAINS BELOW THEM>

<AT THIS, THE BENEFACTOR DESCENDS TO THE GROUND; LEDAS GETS UP TO RUN AWAY AGAIN, BUT TB HAS PREPARED SOMETHING TO STOP HIM; AN ENERGY COIL; IT WRAPS AROUND LEDAS’ MIDSIZE AND BINDS HIM TO THE GROUND>

<LEDAS FIGHTS IT; HE CANNOT BREAK FREE; INSTEAD OF TIRING HIMSELF OUT, LEDAS QUIETS DOWN AND DROPS TO HIS KNEES; HE STARES UP AT THE BENEFACTOR WITH THOSE HUGE EYES OF HIS>

The Benefactor: <STANDING OVER THE SAIYAN> Hello.

Ledas: <STILL BOUND, LOOKING UP> H-hi…

The Benefactor: You are very polite.

Ledas: Are you going to kill me, mister?

The Benefactor: There are things to be done. Most of which will be vexatious to try in such a state. <HE MOTIONS TO THE COILS> I will unbind you if you promise to stay.

Ledas: Wewll… all right. I guess. <HE UNWILLINGLY GIVES IN>

<THE BENEFACTOR RELEASES THE ENERGY BIND; LEDAS FALLS FREE FROM IT AND SITS UP; THE ALIEN IS STANDING STILL>

Ledas: Okay mister, what do you want?

<THE BENEFACTOR SITS DOWN NEXT TO LEDAS>

The Benefactor: <POINTS OFF, TO THE LEFT, OVER HIS BODY> Do you see that?

Ledas: What?

The Benefactor: <POINTS MORE DIRECTLY> That, right there.

Ledas: The tree?

<IT IS INDEED A TREE THE BENEFACTOR IS POINTING TO>

The Benefactor: It’s a good one. Tall and firm. Look at the branches. So big. So… many. It is unbelievable. The monolith I have been searching for is here. <LOOKS TO LEDAS> And I want to climb it.

Ledas: <NOT UNDERSTANDING> Why are you telling me about it?

<THE BENEFACTOR LEANS FORWARD AND AIR DASHES TO THE TREE BEYOND; IT IS A SINGLE TREE; THE TRUNK TO IT IS MASSIVE; IT IS HEAVILY BRANCHED AND LEAFY; HE ADMIRES ITS FINE WOOD>

<LEDAS FOLLOWS HIM TO THE TREE, DRAGGING HIS FEET; HE REACHES IT TOO>

<THE BOTH LOOK UP AT THE TOWERING TREE>

The Benefactor: <WITH STRANGE NAIVETY> You first.

<LEDAS WALKS UP SLOWLY, ARMS ON HIS BEHIND HIS HEAD; THIS IS QUITE AWKWARD TO HIM; WITH A SINGLE JUMP, LEDAS REACHES UP WITH HIS ARMS AND GRABS ONTO THE LOWEST HANGING BRANCH; HE GRIPS IT, THEN PULLS HIMSELF UP ONTO THE BRANCH; HE RIGHTS HIMSELF UP, CROUCHING UP AGAINST THE TRUNK>

Ledas: Is that it? Can I go now?

The Benefactor: <QUIETLY> Very good.

<THE BENEFACTOR, AN OBVIOUS TREE CLIMBING MASTER, JUMPS UP ONTO A BRANCH HANGING OVER TO THE RIGHT FROM LEDAS; IN ONE FLUID MOTION, HE SWINGS HIMSELF ONTO IT>

<LEDAS DOESN’T WATCH, HE HAS SNAPPED OFF A TWIG AND IS CAREFULLY PEELING OFF THE LEAVES FROM IT, ONE BY ONE>

<THE BENEFACTOR SIMPLY STARES AT HIM IN SILENCE; LEDAS FINALLY DONE WITH WHAT HE WAS DOING, DROPS THE TWIG AND LOOKS UP>

Ledas: <SIDE-COCKED> Wassur name?

The Benefactor: Would it matter? A name forced by heritage or rank, much like his - Mr. Airgead‘s. Mine is no better.

Ledas: Wait. Airgead? How do you know his name?

<THE BENEFACTOR STRAIGHTENS HIS BACK AND TILTS BACK HIS HEAD, WITHOUT ANSWER>

Ledas: You were there the whole time watching us?!

The Benefactor: <HE TAKES A TWIG OFF FROM THE TREE AND MIMICKS WHAT LEDAS WAS DOING EARLIER> No, never. There was no reason to put you down there. It was merely a mistake. Why must I waste away watching a mistake?

Ledas: You were always there! You were following me from the beginning!

The Benefactor: No. Look at what really happened. The irony of the model - placing the scientist into his own devices while the mouse can watch safely by the glass window, is that eventually, even a King will beg for the cheese.

Ledas: But nothing happened down there…

Ledas: <REALIZING> M-m-me…?

<THE BENEFACTOR INTERRUPTS HIM>

The Benefactor: The two beings talked. They shared their thoughts. Alas for the insanity; the older man waned. But that is not the end. I know this can happen again.

Ledas: No! I know what you want. You want to be my friend! Is that what this is all about?

The Benefactor: <DIRECTLY> It is not that. You’re here for me, not me for you. I will take over for what Frieza could never accomplish.

Ledas: So… my teacher? You’re way too creepy for that, mister.

The Benefactor: <MOST OBVIOUSLY SARCASM> Thank you.

The Benefactor: I couldn’t know. I wasn’t the mouse. <HE POINTS TO LEDAS>

Ledas: You kill everyone around. It’s horrible.

The Benefactor: I like it. It’s very freeing.

Ledas: <SERIOUSLY> I don’t care. You’re not gonna be my teacher.

<THE BENEFACTOR IGNORES HIM AND BALLS UP A FEW LEAVES THEN MASHES THEM TOGETHER INTO A BALL; HE THROWS IT, IN THE MANNER OF THROWING A BASEBALL, AWAY FROM THE BOTH OF THEM; AS IT REACHES THE HEIGHT OF ITS FLIGHT, HE SENDS OUT A FINGER BEAM AND VAPORIZES IT>

<LEDAS DOES NOT WATCH; INSTEAD, AS THE BENEFACTOR THROWS THE BALL, LEDAS NOTICES SOMETHING SHIFTING AROUND IN THE ALIEN’S POCKETS; HE REMEMBERS WHAT AIRGEAD, WHOM THEY HAD JUST BEEN TALKING ABOUT, HAD GIVEN THE BENEFACTOR JUST A FEW CHAPTERS BEFORE; HIS EYES WIDEN AS HE COMES TO REALIZE WHAT IT IS>

The Benefactor: <SHAKING LEDAS BACK INTO REALITY> Try it.

<HE THROWS ANOTHER FOR LEDAS, EVEN AS THE SAIYAN BOY STARES FOR ANY SIGN OF THE SYRINGE; LEDAS IS NOT PREPARED AND DOESN’T SEND OUT A FINGER BEAM UNTIL IT IS FAR TOO FAR AWAY; HE MISSES>

Ledas: <UNDER HIS BREATH> Stupid leaves…

The Benefactor: Try again.

Ledas: <FIRMLY> You can’t be my teacher.

The Benefactor: <COLDLY, SLOWLY> Try. Again.

<THE TWO STARE FOR A MOMENT; LEDAS GIVES IN, PERTURBED BY THE BENEFACTOR’S MENACING OVERLOOK; HE HAS NO CHANCE OF RESISTENCE YET>

<HE THROWS ANOTHER, AND LEDAS HITS THIS ONE IMMEDIATELY>

The Benefactor: Ah, good.

<HE THROWS A FEW MORE, AND THEY GO ON WITH THIS; LEDAS IS EXTREMELY BORED; HE IS ITCHING TO LEAVE; HE KEEPS GLANCING AROUND FOR AN ESCAPE; HE POSITIONS HIS BODY UP INTO A CROUCH, IN PREPARATION OF A LUNGE; BUT TO WHICH HE WOULD LUNGE, HE IS NOT QUITE SURE YET>

Ledas: <BRINGING IT UP OVER THE GAME> I wanna go home. I’m hungry. I haven’t anything all day.

The Benefactor: Eat…?

Ledas: Uh, you know… food? Dontcha know what that is?

The Benefactor: In that case-

<SUDDENLY, LEDAS LUNGES ACROSS TO THE OTHER BRANCH, HE REACHES INTO THE BENEFACTOR’S POCKET; HIS LEFT ONE, GRASPING AT WHAT IS INSIDE; HE TAKES OUT THE SYRINGE THAT AIRGEAD HAD GIVEN THE BENEFACTOR A FEW CHAPTERS BACK; LEDAS PLUNGES THE THING INTO TB’S SIDE AND INJECTS HIM WITH THE TRANQUILIZER; TB IS CAUGHT OFF GUARD; HE FALLS OFF OF HIS BRANCH>

<LEDAS HOVERS IN THE AIR, AND USES THIS TIME TO POWER UP; HE GOES SUPER SAIYAN; THEN ASCENDS BEYOND IT; HIS AURA IGNITES WITH SPARKS, WHICH BURNS BACK THE TREE, SETTING IT ON FIRE; THE BOY IS AT HIS MAXIMUM POWER NOW>

<AFTER HE IS DONE POWERING UP, LEDAS FLIES AROUND TO WHERE TB IS, LYING ON THE GROUND, PARALYZED>

<LEDAS CHARGES UP A HUGE, BLUE COLORED KI BEAM; TB OFFERS NO RESISTANCE; THE BEAM LAUNCHES FROM LEDAS’ HANDS AND CONNECTS WITH TB, SENDING UP A HUGE PLUME OF DUST AND DIRT INTO THE AIR; COUPLED WITH THE BURNING TREE NEXT TO THEM, THIS IS QUITE THE SCENE>

Ledas: I’m going to kill you so you will leave me alone.

<LEDAS SHOOTS DOWN, LANDING AS HARD AS HE CAN ON THE BENEFACTOR’S CHEST; TB SUDDENLY COMES TO LIFE AND GRABS EACH OF THE SAIYAN’S LEGS, AND PULLS HIM DOWN, WHILE SITTING UP; HE HEADBUTTS LEDAS, SENDING THE SAIYAN STUMBLING BACK>

<THE BENEFACTOR IGNITES A KI SLASH IN HIS HAND, A SINGLE BEAM THAT EXTENDS FROM EACH OF HIS FOUR FINGERS (NOT HIS THUMB, MIND YOU); IT FORMS TOGETHER TO CREATE A MANAGABLE BEAM TO USE SIMILAR TO A KNIFE; IT IS A DARK RED; LEDAS GETS UP JUST IN TIME TO CONFRONT TB; HE ROLLS TO THE SIDE AND ATTEMPTS A SIDESWEEP, BUT THE BENEFACTOR JUMPS OVER IT>

<LEDAS STANDS UP, HOPING TO BACKPEDAL AWAY FROM THIS, BUT THE BENEFACTOR IS TOO QUICK; HE USES HIS KI SLASH AND SWIPES IT, SIDEWAYS, ACROSS LEDAS’ HEAD, RIGHT ABOVE HIS EYEBROWS; THIS CUTS LEDAS, AND SENDS OUT A JET OF BLOOD, TO SPURT ALL OVER THE GRASS>

<LEDAS FALLS TO HIS KNEES, AND TB LOWERS HIS KI SLASH, DISINTEGRATING IT; HE LETS HIS SHOULDERS DOWN>

<THE TWO BREATH OUT IN SILENCE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS; THE BENEFACTOR MOTIONS THAT HE IS GOING TO TALK>

<LEDAS SUDDENLY JUMPS UP AT THIS AND LATCHES ON TO TB’S HEAD>

<HE, POINT BLANK, FIRES OFF A HAIL OF RAZOR BLASTS, MOST OF WHICH IMPACT SQUARELY ON THE BENEFACTOR‘S FACE>

<THE BENEFACTOR STUMBLES BACK, DROPPING OFF LEDAS; HE HOLDS HIS EYES, IN SILENCE, AND FALLS TO HIS KNEES; LEDAS SENDS OFF A ENERGY WAVE, KNOCKING THE ALIEN BACK UP AGAINST THE TREE; THIS GIVES LEDAS THE AMOUNT OF SPACE TO MANUEVER BACK INTO THE AIR>

<THE BENEFACTOR CLAWS AT HIS EYES, BLOOD IS RUNNING DOWN FROM EACH OF THEM, THOUGH HIS FACE IS STILL MASKED;THE BLOOD IS RUNNING DOWN ALL OF HIS CLOTHES NOW, POURING OUT AS A DARK PURPLE; HE HAS YET TO MAKE A SOUND>

<THE ALIEN STANDS UP, STUMBLING AROUND AND FEELING OUT HIS WAY WITH HIS ARMS EXTENDED>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD; HE IS CIRCLING TB AS THEY FIGHT> Whoa… he must be blind; and if he can’t see me… I can escape and get Vegeta. <HE TURNS TO DASH> Maybe we can beat this thing together!

<LEDAS TAKES OFF AND AIR DASHES AWAY FROM TB; BACK TO THE CITY>

<THE BENEFACTOR, STILL BLINDED, FEELS OUT HIS COURSE OF RECKONING AND THEN PURSUES LEDAS, SOLELY ON HIS KI SENSING>

<THOUGH HE IS SILENT, THE ALIEN IS CLEARLY FURIOUS BY HIS LOSS OF SIGHT; HE IS NOT PLAYING GAMES THIS TIME AND IMMEDIATELY REACHES LEDAS; HE BEAM-BLASTS THE SAIYAN CHILD WITH NOT WARNING>

<THIS GREAT BLAST STUNS LEDAS, GIVING HIM NO CHANCE TO BLOCK OR DODGE; THE BEAM PUSHES LEDAS THROUGH THE AIR FOR SOME TIME AT LAST IT DETONATES, LETTING HIM FALL TO THE GROUND, CRASHING INTO THE MUD>

<LEDAS IS BADLY BURNED FROM THIS; HE IS ALSO UNCONSCIOUS>

<THE WINDS PICK UP; NO OTHER SOUND, MANMADE OR OTHERWISE CAN BE HEARD>

<LIFELESS, BEHIND LEDAS’ BODY, THE BENEFACTOR LANDS; HE WALKS UP TO THE BOY, HIS KNIFE EXTENDED OUT IN HIS HAND>

<HE REACHES UP TO LEDAS, AND GRASPS ONTO THE BOY’S NECK; HE BRINGS THE KNIFE TO IT, AND CUTS; BLOOD BEGINS POURING OVER HIS ARMS; THE RED MIXING WITH THE PURPLE>

The Benefactor: <ALOUD> And we will be friends either way.

Desperation
The Benefactor: <REPRISE> And we will be friends either way.

<THE WIND BLOWS HARD OVER THE GRASSLANDS WHERE THE SAIYAN AND THE ALIEN HAVE LANDED; IT IS A DULL GREEN ALL AROUND; UNLIKE THE AREA IN THE PREVIOUS AREA (THIS ONE BEING SEVERAL MILES AWAY FROM THE LAST), THIS PLACE IS HILLY, CLOSER TO THE MOUNTAINS AND THE CITY IN THE DISTANCE; THE GREAT CITY OF BEFORE CAN BE SEEN, SMOKING, FAR OFF>

<THE BENEFACTOR ROLLS LEDAS OVER ON TO HIS BACK, CUTTING THE BOY’S NECK WITH HIS KNIFE AS HE DOES; BLOOD POURS OUT; LEDAS IS NOT CONSCIOUS RIGHT NOW>

<THE BENEFACTOR LEANS OVER LEDAS’ BODY, FEELING DOWN THE BOY’S NECK; FROM THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER, HIS EYES ARE STILL BLEEDING AND THE PURPLE BLOOD IS DROPPING ONTO LEDAS>

The Benefactor: Time remains for us to now… now…

<THE BENEFACTOR, BECAUSE OF HIS BLINDNESS, CANNOT SEE LEDAS, BUT HE DOES FEEL OVER THE BOY’S BODY AS HE IS TALKING; AS HE REACHES LEDAS’ RIGHT ARM, HIS SPEECH FAULTERS; FOR THE FIRST TIME, HE IS GENUINELY TAKEN ABACK>

<HE RUNS HIS ARMS UP AND DOWN LEDAS’ RIGHT ARM; WHILE THE WHOLE THING IS COVERED IN BLOOD, THE ARM ITSELF IS FINE; THE BENEFACTOR LETS GO OF THE ARM, AND IT FALLS ONTO THE GRASS; REMEMBERING THAT HE HAD PREVIOUSLY CUT LEDAS’ ARM UP, HE IS PUZZLED AS TO WHY IT IS HEALED>

The Benefactor: <ALMOST WITH ENVY> Mother’s arms healed. Every time. They never knew what she did. Now this! <HE GRIPS AT LEDAS’ ARM AGAIN> Just as with her.

<HE PLACES HIS HANDS ON HIS ARM, FEELING THE DEEP SCARS UP AND DOWN>

<HE BRINGS SHOULDERS BACK, KNEELING UP OVER LEDAS’ BODY; THE BENEFACTOR IS BREATHING HARD, AGITATED BY ALL OF HIS THOUGHTS; HOWEVER, IN HIS BLINDNESS, THE ALIEN DOES NOT SEE LEDAS STIR BELOW>

<LEDAS COUGHS UP BLOOD, AND WHEEZES AS HE TRIES TO COVER THE BLEEDING OF HIS NECK; IT IS NOT A DEEP CUT; MOST OF IT HAS DRIED, ANWAY>

<LEDAS SLIDES OUT FROM UNDER THE BENEFACTOR AND STANDS UP, STAGGERING INTO THE TALL GRASS; HE CLEARS OUT THE PATH, SO THAT IT IS NO MORE THAN ANKLE HIGH BELOW HIM>

<LEDAS LOOKS OVER HIS BODY; HIS EARTH CLOTHES, HOODED OVERCOAT ON JEANS, ARE COMPLETELY COVERED IN BLOOD; BOTH HIS OWN AND THE BENEFACTOR’S; A VAST MIXTURE OF RED AND PURPLE>

<THE BENEFACTOR STOPS HIS HYPERVENTILATING, HE TURNS HIS HEAD TO LEDAS; THE DARK HOOD COVERED IN VARIOUS SPECKS OF PURPLE; ALL OF IT IS SHROUDED>

Ledas: <HOLDING HIS NECK; HOARSE> Maybe you should stop crying. It doesn’t look right for a monster like you to be doing that.

The Benefactor: <CAREFULLY; HE STANDS UP, TOO> I cried once before. But there is no special story to that one.

Ledas: Better let me go! Vegeta will come and kill you if you don’t.

The Benefactor: I look forward to it. His death will count more than the Colonel’s did. No more friends. No more reasons. No more logic.

Ledas: You’ll be alone.

<THE ALIEN STANDS UP TO FACE LEDAS; HE OUT-DRAWS HIS ARMS; THIS IS NO ATTACK>

<CUTS TO THE CITY>

<VEGETA HAS FALLEN ASLEEP, THE SWEET LITTLE PRINCE>

<IN THE BACKGROUND, THE RUBBLE STIRS, AND YAJIROBE COMES ROLLING OUT; HIS CLOTHES ARE TATTERED AND HIS FACE DIRTIED, BUT HIS EYES ARE SHARP WITH INTENT; HE SCANS THE AREA FOR ANY SIGNS OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED WHILE HE WAS AWAY>

<LOOKING AT HIS WRECKED CAR, YAJIROBE SCOWLS>

Yajirobe: Stupid… <HE GOES TO KICK THE CAR, AS HE DOES SO, YAJIROBE TURNS TO A SUDDEN SCARE> Vegeta? What’s that guy doin’ here?

<VEGETA IS SPLAYED OUT BEFORE THE SAMURAI, ARMS AND LEGS WIDE, ON HIS BACK; IN ONE HAND IS THE BAG OF SENZUS, GENTLY SPILLING OUT OVER HIS MAJESTICALLY BRONZED BICEPS>

<YAJIROBE GRABS ONTO HIS BACKPACK, STILL LAYING PERFECTLY UPRIGHT IN THE SEAT OF HIS CAR; THEN, HE TAKES THREE LONG STEPS OVER TO VEGETA; HE PICKS UP THE SENZUS AND PUTS THEM INTO HIS PACK>

<YAJIROBE OPENS THE TRUNK OF THE CAR AND TAKES OUT SEVERAL ITEMS; HE PUTS EACH OF THEM INTO HIS LITTLE BACK-SACK THING; HE CROUCHES DOWN, REACHING BEHIND THE CAR, AND PULLS OUT KORIN’S PYRAMID ANTIQUE; HE SCOWLS AGAIN BEFORE PUTTING THAT IN HIS PACK TOO>

<VEGETA IS STILL ASLEEP; YAJIROBE IS CAREFUL NOT TO WAKE HIM, HOLDING HIS PACK AND SWORD VERY CAREFULLY AS HE TIPTOES PAST THE SLEEPING SAIYAN; AS SOON AS HE IS ABOUT TEN YARDS AWAY, HE GOES INTO A FULL ON SPRINT OUT OF THE CITY>

<HE REACHES THE PLAINS AND TAKES OUT HIS SWORD TO CUT A WAY FOR HIM THROUGH THE GRASS>

<THOUGH YAJIROBE IS NOWHERE NEAR AS STRONG AS ANY OF THE OTHER Z FIGHTERS (SANS, PERHAPS, THE CLOWN), HE STILL HAS AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF STRENGTH WHEN COMPARED TO NORMAL HUMANS; SO AS HE CUTS THROUGH THE GRASS AS HE RUNS, HE GOES AT AN UNFATHOMABLE RATE, TO ANY AND ALL ONLOOKERS WATCHING>

<BACK IN THE CITY, VEGETA ROLLS OVER, STILL ASLEEP>

<CUTS BACK TO THE BENEFACTOR AND LEDAS>

<BOTH ARE SIMPLY STANDING, STARING AT ONE ANOTHER>

<LEDAS, STILL CLUTCHING AT HIS NECK GOES SUPER SAIYAN, AND THEN BEYOND AGAIN; HIS AURA FLARES BRIGHTLY, INCINERATING THE GRASS A CIRCLE AROUND HIM; EVEN AFTER THIS, HE STILL DOES NOT MOVE INTO A FIGHTING STANCE>

<THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT MAKE ANY CHANGE OF STANCE AT THIS>

<SUDDENLY, BREAKING THE STANDSTILL, A HUGE RUCKUS OVERTAKES THE TWO; AN ORANGE SAMURAI, HOPPING AND JUMPING AND RUNNING AND SWINGING HIS SWORD LIKE A BOSS>

<HE COMES INTO THE VIEW OF BOTH OF THEM, RUNNING IN BETWEEN THEM; HE JUMPS INTO THE CLEARING LEDAS MADE WITH HIS AURA; HE STOPS AT THIS, LOOKING AROUND AT THE NEW BARREN LANDSCAPE; HE STILL SWINGS HIS SWORD AROUND IN AN IMPRESSIVE SHOWCASE>

<LEDAS’ AURA EVAPORATES; HE REMAINS IN HIS SUPER SAIYAN STATE; HE FOCUSES IN ON YAJIROBE>

Ledas: Mr… Yajirobe? Is that really you?

Yajirobe: <SUDDENLY STRAIGHTENING> Oh, uh, hey kid. Whatchoo doin’ out here?

Ledas: We’re, uh, kinda in the middle of something… maybe you cou-

Yajirobe: Pfft. In that case, <PAUSE> I was just leaving.

The Benefactor: <HEAD BOWED, HE IS KEEPING TO HIMSELF> No!

<THE OTHER TWO BREAK INTO SILENCE>

The Benefactor: That must be the driver of the car. Taking his good time before showing up.

<HE THROWS AN IMPALEMENT BEAM AT YAJIROBE; LEDAS, OF COURSE, GRABS YAJIROBE, AND THE TWO TUMBLE OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND>

Ledas: <GETTING UP> What the heck? Leave Yajirobe out of this!

The Benefactor: <TO HIMSELF> It’s all your fault. <TO THE OTHERS> It’s all your fault.

<LEDAS GOES INTO A DEFENSIVE STANCE>

Ledas: <MUTTERING TO YAJIROBE> Canya, you know, help too?

Yajirobe: <NORMAL VOICE> No way, man! If you wanna go fight and get yourself killed, that’s your problem. Leave me outta it.

Ledas: <STILL MUTTERING> Go on, Mister Yajirobe. Use your sword or something…

<LEDAS PUSHES YAJIROBE FORWARD TO THE BENEFACTOR>

<YAJIROBES EYES WIDEN IMMEDIATELY INTO HUGE SAUCERS; HIS HAIR STANDS UP ON END; HE TREMBLES UNCONTROLLABLY; THE BENEFACTOR, CHEST OUT, WALKS UP TO HIM>

The Benefactor: <AS A RUDE INTERRUPTER> No groveling. You look like one to beg for your life. Do not try it. I don’t desire it.

<THE BENEFACTOR REACHES YAJIROBE>

<YAJIROBE SIDESTEPS AND BRINGS OUT HIS SWORD; HE SWINGS IT AROUND IN A DIZZYING ARRAY OF EXPERT HANDLING AND ARTISTIC FLUFF; SEVERAL TIMES, THE BLADE MEETS THE BENEFACTOR, IN THIS ATTEMPT TO CUT THE ALIEN UP>

<THE ALIEN MAKES NO DEFENSE; YAJIROBE CONTINUES HIS FLURRY ATTACK; AS SOON AS HE DOES, YAJIROBE LOWERS HIS SWORD TO THE GROUND, PANTING LOUDLY AND DRIPPING WITH SWEAT>

<IT IS JUST AT THIS TIME THAT VEGETA DECIDES TO ARRIVE, LANDING WITH HIS BOOT SQUARELY IN THE BACK OF YAJIROBE’S HEAD; THE GOOD SAMURAI IS SENT FLYING FROM THIS>

<THE BENEFACTOR TURNS BACK TO THE OTHER TWO; NOT SURPRISED IN THE LEAST BY THIS LATE ARRIVAL BY VEGETA>

<THE BENEFACTOR STEPS OVER THE BACKPACK YAJIROBE DROPPED, NOTICING ITS CONTENTS>

<HE PICKS IT UP, DROPPING OUT EVERYTHING; HE LOOKS AT THE BEANS, SPECIFICALLY>

<LEDAS KNOWS WHAT THESE BEANS ARE AND WHAT THEY DO; HE DOES INDEED THINK TO HIMSELF THAT IT WOULD BE DISASTROUS IF TB, WHO IS CURRENTLY BLINDED, BLOODIED, AND TIRED WAS FULLY HEALED AT AN INSTANT; SUCH AN ASSPULL SHOULD, AFTER ALL, BE RESERVED FOR ONLY THE GOOD GUYS>

<LEDAS, STILL WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF VEGETA, FLIES FORWARD, FOOT FIRST, AND KNOCKS THE BEANS OUT OF TB’S HANDS; HE DRAWS HIMSELF UP INTO A FIGHTING STANCE>

<TB DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE BEANS; HE CURRENT OBJECTIVE IS TO INCAPACITATE LEDAS, FIRST AND FOREMOST>

<THE ALIEN SIDE-KICKS AT LEDAS, BUT THE SAIYAN BOY DODGES IT, HE BRINGS OUT HIS HEEL AND CLUBS IT INTO TB’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, CREATING A HUGE CRATER INTO THE GROUND>

<IN THE BLAST, LEDAS ROLLS AWAY FROM TB’S CONTROL AND TAKES TO THE SKY; HE STARES OFF AT VEGETA, IN A WTF KIND OF WAY, WONDERING WHY HIS GOOD OLD FRIEND IS NOT HELPING>

Ledas: Come and get me!

<AT THIS TIME, VEGETA FALLS ONTO HIS HANDS AND KNEES, BREATHING IRREGULARLY; HE IS CLUTCHING AT HIS CHEST>

The Benefactor: <WALKS UP TO VEGETA> Wounds like this <HE TAKES OUT HIS KNIFE AND PLUNGES IT INTO VEGETA’S BELLY> cannot heal so quickly.

Ledas: Noo! I’m up here, come get me! <HE THROWS A KI BALL TO GET THE BENEFACTOR’S ATTENTION BUT IT DOES NOT WORK>

<VEGETA MAKES HIS MOVE; HE FLIPS UP AND SOCKS TB RIGHT ACROSS THE NOSE AREA; THE BENEFACTOR KNUCKLE PUNCHES VEGETA BACK; HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME, LEDAS HAS DESCENDED TO THE GROUND>

<THE SAIYAN BOY REACHES TB WITH A KICK, WHICH IS BLOCKED; VEGETA USES THIS OPENING TO LAUNCH A DOUBLE ELBOW ATTACK; IT LANDS, STAGGERING TB>

<THE BENEFACTOR TAKES TO THE SKY, QUICKLY AND FIRMLY PLACING VEGETA’S JAW UNDERNEATH HIS FOOT; VEGETA SWINGS WIDE AND CRASHES INTO LEDAS; THE TWO HIT THE GROUND, HARD>

<AN AWKWARD MOMENT LATER, BOTH JUMP BACK TO THEIR FEET AND TAKE OFF AFTER THE ALIEN; TOGETHER YET WITHOUT A WORD; NATURALLY, THESE TWO WOULD NOT NEED TO SPEAK TO CONVEY THEIR PLANS OR IDEAS OR THOUGHTS>

<LEDAS AND VEGETA CHARGE FORWARD AND LOCK WITH TB INTO A BLOW EXCHANGE; THEY RAIN FISTS UPON THE ALIEN WITH QUITE A BIT OF SPEED AND FEROCITY>

<THE THREE 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 ONE OF THE SENZU BEANS HE SPILLED BEFORE; THIS GIVES LEDAS AN OPENING TO PUNCH HIM AWAY>

<VEGETA IS IN DELIRIUM NOW, FROM HIS NEWEST KNIFE WOUND; HE DOES NOT SEE TB FALL AWAY; HE PUNCHES INTO THE SPACE - LEDAS HAS MOVED INTO THAT AREA NOW; THE FIST CONNECTS WITH LEDAS’ COLLARBONE, SHATTERING IT>

<VEGETA’S VISION GOES DARK AND HE BLACKS OUT>

<WHEN HE DOES, LEDAS FALLS TO THE GROUND FROM THE FIGHT AS WELL AS HIS PHYSICAL WOUNDS; HIS ENERGY IS NEARLY DRAINED; GOOD THING THERE ARE SO MANY SENZUS AROUND>

<YET BEFORE LEDAS CAN DARE PICK UP EVEN ONE BEAN, THE BENEFACTOR WILD SENSES IN FRONT OF HIM; HE HITS LEDAS WITH BOTH OF HIS PALMS, FACE UP AND OPENED, UNDER THE CHIN; THIS REOPENS THE NECK WOUND THAT LEDAS HAS; HE REVERTS TO SUPER SAIYAN 1 AT THIS, AND FALLS OVER GASPING AND CLUTCHING ONCE AGAIN>

<THE BENEFACTOR ADVANCES OVER LEDAS>

The Benefactor: <QUIETLY> Tell me how it healed.

<LEDAS MAKES A MUFFLED GURGLE IN RESPONSE; HE IS CONFUSED>

The Benefactor: <BREATHLESSLY> The arm.

<LEDAS DOES NOT ANSWER>

<TB KNEELS DOWN OVER LEDAS, WHO IS SQUIRMING, WIDE EYES AND ARMS THROWN, BUT HE IS PINNED; THE BENEFACTOR HAS THE BOY TRAPPED UNDER HIM>

<AS THIS IS ALL HAPPENING, ONCE AGAIN COMES YAJIROBE; BUT THIS TIME HE IS TARNISHED AND BRUISED; HE IS COVERED IN DIRT AND GRIME AND HE IS CRAWLING; HE COMES BACK INTO THE AREA WHERE THE OTHER TWO WERE FIGHTING; HIS SWORD IS MISSING AND HE GRUMBLES FURIOUSLY TO HIMSELF ABOUT BEING THROWN BEFORE - BY VEGETA, OF ALL PEOPLE>

<YAJIROBE COMES UP TO WHERE THE OTHER TWO ARE ON THE GROUND; HE CRAWLS UP CLOSE TO THEM, WHERE HIS BAG WAS; BEING HUNGRY, OBVIOUSLY, HE GRABS A HANDFUL OF BEANS FROM INSIDE AND DOWNS THEM>

<AS HE IS FUMBLING THROUGH, HIS RAGE IS STILL EVIDENT; HIS HAND GETS STUCK AND HE FURIOUSLY RIPS THE BAG OPEN TO GET IT OUT; THE REST OF THE ITEMS IN HIS BAG COME SPILLING OUT; ON TOP OF WHICH IS THE PYRAMID>

<HIS ANGER STILL HIGH, YAJIROBE PICKS THE THING UP; HE THINKS TO HIMSELF, AS HE HOLDS IT, ABOUT THE STUPID OLD CAT SENDING HIM ON THIS MISSION TO BEGIN WITH>

<YAJIROBE STANDS UP FROM HIS REGAINED STRENGTH (COURTESY OF THE SENZUS) AND HURLS THE PYRAMID ANTIQUE AT VEGETA‘S BODY; THE THROW IS WILDLY INACCURATE, AND INSTEAD SAILS TOWARD THE OTHER TWO FIGHTERS>

<THE POINTED TIP OF THE SMALL BOX CONNECTS WITH THE BENEFACTOR’S SKULL; THE LOUD THUD CRACKS LOUDLY OVER THE BLOWING WIND>

<THIS CAUSES THE BENEFACTOR TO FLY BACKWARD OFF OF LEDAS; 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>

<THE PYRAMID LANDS ONTO THE GROUND, POSITIONED UP STRAIGHT; AFTER CONNECTING WITH TB, 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; YAJIROBE IS UNACCUSTOMED TO SUCH A BRIGHTNESS AND FALLS BACK TO SHIELD HIS EYES; VEGETA REMAINS MOTIONLESS>

<LEDAS IS ONLY A FEW FEET AWAY FROM THE BOX; AS THE LIGHT OVERCOMES EVERYTHING, HE STARTS TO BE SUCKED IN BY IT; HE IS TOO WEAK TO RESIST>

<LEDAS FALLS HEAD OVER HEELS INTO THE BOX; THE BENEFACTOR WALKS TOWARD THE BOX, CURIOUSLY WATCHING AS LEDAS IS BROUGHT IN>

<LEDAS HOLDS OUT HIS HAND, ALL FIVE FINGERS EXTENDED>

<HE GRASPS ONTO LEDAS’ ARM, ABRUTLY AND WITH MUCH FORCE; LEDAS GRIPS BACK>

The Benefactor: <DISTANT> Together. Rearranging the architecture with fingers so small. My fingers so small.

<THE LIGHT OVERWHELMS EVEN MORE; LEDAS IS SUCKED INTO THE THING, FULLY; AS HE GOES, HE PULLS THE BENEFACTOR IN WITH HIM>

<THE LIGHT GOES OUT AND THE BOX CLOSES>

<GOKU, STILL FACE DOWN ON THE PAVEMENT, SOMEWHERE BACK IN THE CITY, SIGHS, AS HE SENSES THAT HIS OWN BRILLIANT PLAN WILL NEVER COME TO FRUITION>

Riddle Me This
<ALL IS WHITE>

<LEDAS IS LAYING FACEDOWN>

<THE BOY’S CLOTHES ARE THE SAME AS WHAT HE WAS WEARING BEFORE, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO BLOOD OR DIRT OR ANY SIGNS OF DAMAGE ON THEM AT ALL>

<HE WAKES UP AND STANDS UP TO HIS KNEES; HE LOOKS AROUND AT THIS NEW LOCATION; THERE IS NOTHING IN SIGHT, JUST ENDLESS WHITE EVERYWHERE; THERE IS ALSO NO SIGN OF THE BENEFACTOR, WHOM LEDAS HAD PULLED INTO THE PYRAMID ONLY MOMENTS BEFORE>

<LEDAS STANDS UP FULLY, STAGGERING FORWARD INTO THE NOTHINGNESS; THE LINES OF SIGHT IN ALL DIRECTIONS ARE MOSTLY CLEAR, BUT ON THE HORIZONS, THERE IS A HAZY WHITE FOG>

<THE FOG IS LEDAS’ ONLY REFERENCE POINT; HE BEGINS WALKING TO IT; IT IS QUITE FAR AWAY; HE KICKS OFF, TRYING TO FLY TOWARD IT; HOWEVER, HE FALLS FROM THIS, LANDING HARD ONTO THE GROUND; LEDAS TRIES TO FLY AGAIN, BUT THIS IS NO MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN HIS PREVIOUS ATTEMPT>

<COMPLETELY CONFUSED AT THIS, LEDAS STANDS UP AGAIN; AS HE DOES, HIS VISION IS BLURRED BY A DARK SHAPE, WHICH LANDS RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM>

<THE BEING STANDING OVER LEDAS IS TALL, PROBABLY CLOSE TO 7 FEET; IT IS MOSTLY HUMANOID; ITS SKIN IS A DULL GREY - REPTILLIAN 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: State your title, biped.

Ledas: 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?

<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> Ledas. State your species, your intent.

Ledas: <SUSPICIOUS> I’m a Saiyan. And I dunno why I’m here. We were sucked in when that box opened up. <HE SCRATCHES THE BACK OF HIS HEAD> It was very bright…

Alien: The last one stated the same reasoning. He was much smaller; furrier, as well.

The Benefactor: <DRYLY> Tell us how we may leave.

Alien: This place you see around you is indefinite. Far superior than any Dyson Sphere; this is a mind prison, formed entirely of thought. My name is Verlate. I have been shackled to this place for eons.

The Benefactor: <FORCED> How do we leave?

Verlate: This prison must be sustained by a being’s mind. One being only. Any more are unnecessary, unneeded. By matter of fact, as was directed-

Ledas: <BUTTING IN> Wewll, I wanna leave now.

Verlate: I am afraid it does not work like that. It is my mind that keeps you here, and ergo my mind will set you free.

The Benefactor: <CROUCHES DOWN> You want something.

Verlate: All in due time.

<VERLATE DRAWS UP, THEN VANISHES; TELEPORTING AWAY FROM THE OTHER TWO>

<THE BENEFACTOR LEAPS UP FROM HIS CROUCH, KICKING OFF IN AN ATTEMPT TO FLY; HIS FALL IS EVEN MORE AWKWARD THAN LEDAS’ WAS>

<LEDAS WALKS UP TO THE SPRAWLED ALIEN BEFORE HIM, HANDS BEHIND HIS HEAD, AND HIS TAIL TWITCHING>

Ledas: I already tried that, mister. We can’t fly in here.

<THE BENEFACTOR ROLLS OVER AND STARES UP AT LEDAS>

Ledas: Look, I can’t even shoot energy. <HE PUTS HIS PALM OUTWARD, FROWNS HIS FACE IN CONCENTRATION; NO KI CAN BE SEEN>

The Benefactor: Interesting. <HE SITS UP> This creature’s mind is clever. It knew we would try to kill each other.

<LEDAS WALKS OFF, NOT LISTENING; THE BENEFACTOR DOESN’T MIND; HE TAKES THE OTHER WAY, SO THAT BOTH OF THEM WALK OFF IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS>

<LEDAS WALKS FOR A FEW MINUTES; THEN, AS HE CONTINUES, THE BLINDING WHITE LIGHT TURNS TO DARK>

<LEDAS YELLS OUT; HE IS CLEARLY FRIGHTENED BY THE DARK; HE SCREAMS HIMSELF HOARSE UNTIL FINALLY QUIETING DOWN; THE DARKNESS STAYS EVEN WITH HIM QUIET; HE BELLOWS AGAIN, MERELY IN EXACERBATION - THAT IS UNTIL SOMETHING BRUSHES UP AGAINST HIS LEGS, BEHIND HIM; AT THIS, HE SHRIEKS, GENUINELY>

The Benefactor: Be quiet. You hurt my ears.

Ledas: <WILDLY> Gettaway!

<HE SWATS AT ALIEN, JUMPING AWAY AT THE SAME TIME; JUST AT THIS TIME, THE BLACK TURNS BACK TO WHITE, POLARIZING LEDAS’ EYES; HE COVERS HIS FACE WITH HIS HANDS, BREATHING OUT IN PAIN AT THE BRIGHT LIGHT>

The Benefactor: That’s rude.

<AT ONCE, A PIERCING SOUND OVERTAKES BOTH OF THEM; AN EXTREMELY LOUD RINGING NOISE; EVEN THE BENEFACTOR COVERS HIS EARS AT THIS; LEDAS, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS ROLLING AROUND ON THE GROUND IN PAIN>

<MOMENTS LATER, THE SOUND STOPS>

<LEDAS IS ALL RUFFLED AND GRUMPY; HE TURNS TO THE BENEFACTOR FOR ANSWERS>

The Benefactor: It is playing with us. It has impressive intuition… picking up every thought and action of the surroundings.

Ledas: So what?

The Benefactor: I would kill it.

Ledas: We can’t kill it, then we would be trapped here.

<THE BENEFACTOR STARES AT LEDAS, NOT BATTING AN EYE AT THE THOUGHT OF ETERNAL IMPRISONMENT>

Ledas: N-no… that’s the plan? <HE STEPS BACK> You think we can stay in here forever?

The Benefactor: It’s just as good.

Ledas: <SCREAMING OUT> Verlate! Verlate?! Let me out of here!

<AND JUST LIKE THAT, LEDAS IS TELEPORTED AWAY; TB IS LEFT ALONE IN THE VAST NOTHINGNESS>

<LEDAS IS TELEPORTED INTO ANOTHER AREA; THIS ONE IS MUCH LIKE THE LAST - STILL ALL WHITE AND VERY BRIGHT, HOWEVER THERE ARE OBJECTS HERE; THERE ARE STONE PILLARS, MANY SCATTERED ABOUT IN VARIOUS HALF AND FULL CIRCLES; INSIDE ARE SOME BENCHES AND TABLES; THERE IS NOTHING ON ANY OF THEM>

<LEDAS WANDERS THROUGH THESE; THE STONES ARE VERY PLAIN; NO RUNES OR COLORS OR ANYTHING LIKE THE ACTUAL BOX THAT ENCOMPASSES ALL OF THIS WAS; HE WANDERS THROUGH THEIR EMPTY HALLS FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE FOREVER; ASIDE FROM HIS OWN NOISES, THERE IS NOT A SINGLE SOUND BEING EMITTED FROM THE AREA>

<HE COMES AROUND INTO A SMALL, INDENTED “ROOM”, SURROUNDED BY PILLARS THIRTY FEET TALL; IT LOWERS, BY STAIRS, INTO PLACE WITH A SINGLE, LARGE TABLE>

<SITTING ON THE EDGE OF THE TABLE IS VERLATE; NOT LOOKING AT LEDAS>

Verlate: A fate worse than death, don’t you think, biped? <SHE TRAILS OFF, REACHING OUT TO THE AIR BEFORE HER>

Ledas: I don’t care how long you’ve been here, mister, I just wanna go.

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. You are the same.

Ledas: But… can’t you keep him here even if he does whatcha want?

Verlate: I will not. There is no honor in vengeance.

Ledas: Who cares?! You can do whatever you want in here!

Verlate: One cannot judge with such reckless intent.

<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. And then he took me to some underground place - just to show that if I can talk to someone like that, I should be able to be friends with him! He’s crazy!

<THERE IS SILENCE>

Ledas: How do I get out of here? Now?!

Verlate: Take a simple test.

Ledas: Come on, let’s go!

Verlate: <STILL SLOWLY> Would you like to begin? Once we start, there is no going back.

Ledas: <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.

<LEDAS FLOATS AROUND, ON HIS BACK; HE DOES SEVERAL FLIPS, GIGGLING AT HIS FUN>

Ledas: <UPBEAT> Sooo… what’s the test?

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: What?

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>

<LEDAS WORKS HIS BRAIN AS HARD AS HE CAN, BUT HE CANNOT COME UP WITH ANYTHING; HE SWIMS AROUND, TRYING TO THINK>

Ledas: Miss Verlate… what happens if I get this wrong?

Verlate: I will leave and you will stay, in that instance.

Ledas: <INNOCENTLY> What do you mean?

Verlate: Your body will pass to me and I will go. Your mind will stay as caretaker to this place.

Ledas: N-no… I can’t stay here! Besides, you don’t look anything like me. You can’t just take my body.

Verlate: We all look different in our minds. But a body is a body. I cannot be choosy.

<LEDAS, FEELING BETRAYED, SWIMS AWAY FROM VERLATE; HE SHIVERS, AND FOLDS HIS ARMS FOR WARMTH>

Ledas: <QUIETLY; MORE TO HIMSELF THAN VERLATE> You’re not taking my body.

<AT THIS TIME, THE BLACK SHAPE OF THE BENEFACTOR COMES SWIMMING IN; HIS MANY LAYERS OF CLOTHES ARE BILLOWING BEHIND HIM AS HE SWIMS UP TO VERLATE>

The Benefactor: <TO LEDAS, AS HE PASSES> Let’s not worry about that now, buddy. <TO VERLATE> Give me my riddle so I may leave this place.

Verlate: High arrogance is a quality I once held. I ended up here because of that.

The Benefactor: Only saying what we all think, boss. We should get moving on this, regardless.

Verlate: As you wish. For you,

<p style="text-align: center;"> Yarely, water on rock

<p style="text-align: center;"> Swiftest of sin, covering

<p style="text-align: center;"> All that it may stain

<p style="text-align: center;"> Make no mistake,

<p style="text-align: center;"> To replace the wine

<SHE DRAWS THIS ONE IN THE WATER AS SHE SPEAKS IT, JUST AS SHE DID WITH LEDAS’ RIDDLE>

<THE BENEFACTOR PACES TO HIS OWN RIDDLES, SWIMMING BACK AND FORTH IN FRONT OF THE BRAZEN LETTERS; HE STOPS AFTER A MINUTE>

The Benefactor: Blood.

<LEDAS STOPS SWIMMING TO WATCH VERLATE’S RESPONSE; VERLATE DOES NOT ANSWER>

The Benefactor: <IN A THREATENING WHISPER> Answer me, now.

Verlate: Wait for the other.

<LEDAS GROWLS AT THIS, THEN GOES BACK TO FIGURING OUT HIS OWN; HE SWIMS UP TO THE LETTERS AND RUNS HIS FINGERS DOWN THEM, TRYING TO GAIN SOME INSIGHT BY FEELING THEM; THE BENEFACTOR SWIMS UP BEHIND AND AROUND LEDAS DURING THIS TIME>

<BEING EASILY DISTRACTED, LEDAS WATCHES THE BENEFACTOR SWIMMING AROUND; HE NOTICES A GLINT FROM THE BENEFACTOR’S BELT AREA; TB’S MOST FAVORITE POSSESSION>

Ledas: His knife! <PROUDLY> That’s my answer! It makes so much sense!

<THE BENEFACTOR QUIVERS AT LEDAS’ ANSWER>

The Benefactor: Who is right?

Verlate: <EMOTIONLESS> Both answers were correct.

Ledas: Then we can both leave?

Verlate: <SHE DESCENDS TO THE TABLE, AND KNEELS ONTO IT; SHE LOOKS TO LEDAS> The last one to enter here - though it many long years ago, was also correct. He was allowed to leave. Since then, it has been so long for me to wait. Sometimes the future must be made by you, yourself. Sometimes the opportunity remains open for anything. Not this time. This has gone on long enough.

<SHE FLICKS HER HANDS, CAUSING THE WATER TO LEAVE; THE OTHER TWO FALL TO THE GROUND IN FRONT OF HER>

Verlate: It’s a beautiful way to die. To be able to stop thinking and vanish; all like that. The goal was never to give up hope. The shackles were never there to begin with. I was grasping at straws. A victim to my own devices. <SHE STOPS HERSELF>

<VERLATE STANDS UP, THEN CREATES A RIP-HOLE (A PORTAL OF SORTS BACK TO THE REAL WORLD> UP ABOVE LEDAS AND THE BENEFACTOR>

Verlate: Last one out, get the lights, please.

<WITH THAT, VERLATE FADES AWAY; AS SOON AS SHE LEAVES, BOTH LEDAS AND THE BENEFACTOR FEEL THEIR PREVIOUS POWER RETURNING; THEY CAN BOTH FLY AGAIN, AND USE KI>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> She said that one person had to stay here forever… that means <HE GLANCES TO THE HOLE ABOVE>, if I make it out first, he’ll be trapped!

<LEDAS JUMPS BACK, GOING SUPER SAIYAN AS HE TAKES TO THE AIR; HE FIRES A KI FLURRY AT TB, TO STALL HIM; THE ALIEN HAS ALREADY WILD SENSED OUT OF THE WAY>

<THE BENEFACTOR RE-APPEARS BEHIND LEDAS, AND KICKS AT HIM; HOWEVER, EVEN WITH THEIR POWERS RETURNED, THE TWO HAVE FORGOTTEN ONE VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF INFORMATION - THIS IS ALL IN THE MIND; THE PUNCH GOES RIGHT THROUGH LEDAS, DOING NOTHING; AS THEY BOTH REALIZE THAT THERE WOULD BE NO USE IN FIGHTING, THE TWO SHOOT UP, AIR DASHING AS FAST AS THEY CAN>

<THE BENEFACTOR HAD ALWAYS BEEN STRONGER THAN LEDAS; FAR STRONGER, ACTUALLY; HE REACHES THE PORTAL MUCH FASTER THAN LEDAS DOES, EVEN WITH THE SAIYAN IN HIS HIGHEST ASCENDED LEVEL; THE BENEFACTOR STOPS SHORT OF GOING THROUGH THE PORTAL>

The Benefactor: <THROWS HIS HANDS OUT; LEDAS IS ABOUT 20 FEET BELOW HIM> Stop, or I take the exit.

Ledas: <SHOUTING UP> What are you doing?! Just go through. You already won!

The Benefactor: <CONTINUES> Stay here with me. We will be gods in our own world. No one here to stop or bother us.

Ledas: That’s stupid. Vegeta is my friend. Not you!

The Benefactor: Not yet… but I will be. We will make it so.

Ledas: No! If I’m a god to you, then let me do what I want! Leave me alone!

The Benefactor: In that case, a personal trophy. You will be mine, under lock and key.

<THE BENEFACTOR ASCENDS UP TO THE PORTAL>

<LEDAS MIMICKS TB’S WILD SENSE, COMING UP BEHIND THE ALIEN; LEDAS SHOOTS RIGHT THE TB’S FIGURE, CATAPULTING OFF OF THE ALIEN’S ENERGY ACCELERATION; LEDAS USES TB’S ENERGY TO SHOOT PAST THE ALIEN>

<THIS SURPRISES THE BENEFACTOR, WHO DID NOT EXPECT ANYTHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN>

The Benefactor: Ledas?! <HE REACHES OUT, TO GRAB ONTO THE SAIYAN BOY; OBVIOUSLY, THIS FAILS>

<LEDAS THEN SHOOTS WITH ALL HIS STRENGTH THOUGH THE PORTAL AND OUT INTO THE REAL WORLD>

<THE PORTAL CLOSES, CUTTING OFF THE CONNECTION TO THE REAL WORLD COMING IN; THE CLOSING UP SENDS A SHOCKWAVE, SHOOTING THE BENEFACTOR BACK TO THE GROUND; HE LIES IN HIS DEFEAT>

<AFTERWARDS, THE BENEFACTOR STANDS HIMSELF UP, THEN WALKS TO ONE OF THE STONE PILLARS>

The Benefactor: <FALLS TO HIS KNEES> I’m a god too.

<HE STARES AT HIS HANDS, WHICH ARE BARE TO HIS SIGHT; THE DARK GREEN, SCARRED ARMS LOOK EVER LIFELESS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE MERELY A THOUGHT>

<THE BENEFACTOR DROPS HIS ARMS, LETTING THEM FALL TO THE GROUND; HE ALSO LETS HIS HEAD FALL BACK, SO THAT HIS FACE IS LOOKING UP TO THE HAZY SKY ABOVE; HIS WHOLE FIGURE IS BROKEN; HIS MIND PRISON GOES DARK NOW>

<BACK OUTSIDE, LEDAS HAS RETURNED TO THE REAL WORLD; AROUND HIM IS VEGETA AND YAJIROBE; YAJIROBE IS COLLECTING AND EATING SENZU BEANS, AND DOES NOT NOTICE LEDAS; THIS IS NO MATTER>

<LEDAS WALKS UP TO VEGETA, LOOKING AT HIS FRIEND; VEGETA IS UNCONSCIOUS, BLEEDING FROM TWO KNIFE WOUNDS HE HAD SUSTAINED FROM THE BENEFACTOR; LEDAS PICKS UP A COUPLE OF SENZU BEANS THAT ARE BY HIS FEET; HE TAKES THEM, AND PLACES THEM INTO VEGETA’S MOUTH; VEGETA, LIKE A LITTLE BABY, CHEWS THEM IN HIS SLEEP AND SWALLOWS; SATISFIED BY THIS, LEDAS SMILES, AND TURNS; HE TAKES OFF, INTO THE SKY>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> I’ll see you soon, Vegeta. Maybe when you’re all better… we can be friends again.

<HE FLIES OFF; THE MIND PRISON BOX IN ONE HAND, AND AS HE FLIES OVER YAJIROBE, HE TAKES THE SAMURAI UP INTO HIS OTHER>

Sticky Fingers
<ACROSS THE PLAINS, TO KORIN TOWER THEY GO; THEY BEING LEDAS AND YAJIROBE; THE FORMER HOLDING THE LATTER PRECARIOUSLY IN ONE ARM - AND THE MIND PRISON IN THE OTHER>

<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 SLIIPS AWAY, OFF TO BED; NO MORE GLANCE NOR TALK DOES HE HAVE FOR LEDAS, OF WHOM HE IS IN DISTASTE AT>

<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>

<LEDAS LIGHTS UP A SMALL KI BLAST, SO THAT HE MAY SEE MORE CLEARLY; WHAT IS STANDING BEFORE HIM IS A SIMPLE MIRROR; SLIGHTLY DIRTY FROM DISUSE, BUT 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 you 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. <OPEN/STILL LEAP ONTO THE TABLE>

Ledas: What about Yajirobe?

Korin: Yeah, sure kid.

<KORIN INSPECTS THE BOX AS HE TALKS>

Korin: You worked everything out with Vegeta?

Ledas: Not exactly… but…

<LEDAS QUITS STARING INTO THE MIRROR; HE SPINS AROUND TO FACE KORIN, IN MOST SERIOUS REPOSE>

Ledas: Um, Korin do you think you could train me to be better? 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, WALKS 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. He’s sure to know more about this than me. <ABRUPTLY> Now, it’s time bed.

<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 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 was here. And this cat needs his sleep, you know.

Ledas: Bu-

Korin: Look, if ya keep it in a safe place, there’s nothing to worry about.

Ledas: Well Ryori and me are going to see that whale that could jump out of its tail tomorrow… It’s very cool.

Ledas: <BACKLIP> 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, kid.

<LEDAS WATCHES KORIN UNTIL THE DOOR CLOSES BEHIND THE CAT>

Ledas: Okay… bye then.

<HE THEN TURNS AND FLIES AWAY>

<CUTS TO CAPSULE CORP; THREE DAYS LATER>

<VEGETA IS TRAINING OUTSIDE ON THE ONCE PRISTINELY KEMPT 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! Guy! Where’s your box?

<VEGETA PAYS HIM NO NOTICE, INSTEAD CONTINUING HIS TRAINING ALONE>

<THE MAIL MAN 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 FALLS OVER; IT IS THE “STUMP” OF 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, jerk! Whatever. You only got one letter anyway. Here, take it!

<HE THROWS A SMALL, NEATLY FOLDED, DARK RED 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 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 SCARLET 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; FOR A MOMENT, VEGETA DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO>

<THEN, WANTING TO GET BACK TO HIS WORK, 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 going!

<BACK WITH LEDAS, HE IS WAITING AT THE HOSPITAL; RYORI HAS BEEN PLACED IN HERE FROM THE WOUNDS HE SUFFERED WHEN AIRGEAD’S FAILSAFE BLEW UP MOST OF THE CITY>

<LEDAS FALLS ASLEEP IN THE WAITING ROOM>

<PERMANENTLY REDACTED SCENE 2, NOT POSTED>

<END OF CHAPTER>

Simply Legendary part 1
Ryori: Shhh, he’ll hear you coming.

Ledas: <BUCKLES DOWN> Is this okay what we’re doing?

Ryori: <POKES HIS HEAD UP FROM THE GROUND, CRANING IT OVER THE SMALL FENCE BEFORE THEM> It looks like he’s gone. Let’s go.

<HE GETS UP, AND JUMPS THE FENCE; HE LANDS IN A BROKEN POSTURE AND A SLIGHT LIMP; CLEARLY HIS DISCHARGE FROM THE HOSPITAL NIGH TWO DAYS AGO WAS NOT IN FULLEST OF RECOVERY>

Ledas: Ryori you’re not answering me.

Ryori: <TRUDGING ALONG, NOT LOOKING BACK> Of course it’s okay. Me ‘n Shoekki used to do this all the time.

<RYORI COMES UP TO THE DOOR AND STOPS; HE TAKES SOMETHING OUT OF HIS POCKET AND FUMBLES WITH THE DOOR UNTIL IT OPENS; HE WALKS IN AND LEDAS FOLLOWS>

<INSIDE THE ENCLOSURE IS A LARGE BOX OF SORTS; IT IS RUMBLING; RYORI RUNS UP TO IT AND STARTS UNHOOKING THE STRAPS FROM THE TOP OF THE BOX>

<LEDAS SIMPLY WATCHES IN SLIGHT AWE AT RYORI’S EXPERTISE>

<RYORI FINISHES WITH HIS FLURRY OF UNHOOKINGS; HE THEN PUSHES UP ON THE TOP OF THE THING, CAUSING IT TO SLIDE RIGHT OFF AND OVER TO THE SIDE; WHAT IS REVEALED IS A POOL OF STEAMING WATER; A HOT TUB, MOREOVER>

Ryori: Aw, it’s just like I remembered!

<RYORI TAKES OFF HIS SHIRT AND SHOES AND SOCKS AND THEN JUMPS RIGHT IN>

<LEDAS WALKS UP TO THE TUB AND PEERS IN; HE STICKS HIS FINGER IN>

Ledas: <JUMPS BACK> Ow, that’s hot.

Ryori: You’ll get used to it. Come on, come in!

<LEDAS IS WARY TO DO SO, BUT HE TRUSTS RYORI; HE TAKES OFF HIS SHIRT AND SHOES AND SOCKS AND THEN STEPS IN; HE STRAIGHTENS UP; HE IS NOT USED TO THIS LEVEL OF HEATED WATER - AT LEAST WHEN NOT POWERED UP HE CANNOT TAKE IT>

Ryori: Come on, Ledas. It’s fun; just jump in!

<HE SPLASHES LEDAS; THE SAIYAN BOY JUMPS BACK AT THIS, YELLING CURSES>

<THIS NOISE CAUSES A RUFFLING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE; A MAN YELLS BACK>

Man: Who’s there?! Who’s out there?!

<A LIGHT TURNS ON AND THE FIGURE COMES OUTSIDE>

Ryori: <GOES PALE; TURNS FROM LEDAS TO THE DOOR ENCLOSING THE HOT TUB> Ah, shit. It’s Mr. Futekisetsuna.

Ledas: Mister who?

Ryori: <QUICKLY> Get down. We gotta hide from him.

Ledas: But-

<RYORI SUDDENLY GRABS LEDAS’ TAIL, JERKING THE SAIYAN BOY DOWN, UNDERWATER; MASKING ANY SORT OF YELL THIS TIME; RYORI THEN LIFTS THE STRAP AND PULLS ON THE CHAIN HOLDING THE COVER, AND PUTS IT BACK OVER THE HOT TUB, WITH HIM AND LEDAS STILL IN THE WATER>

<RYORI HEARS THE DOOR OPEN, AND LISTENS TO THE FOOTSTEPS; SOMEONE WALKS AROUND FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AND THEN LEAVES>

<RYORI SIGHS, WAITING A FEW MORE SECONDS AND THEN THE REOPENS THE HOT TUB, SWINGING THE TOP BACK OFF>

<LEDAS EMERGES FROM THE WATER; HIS HAIR VERY MUCH LOWERED FROM BEING SOAKED; HE IS NOT BREATHING HARD, DESPITE HOLDING HIS BREATH FOR ALMOST TWO MINUTES, SPOT O’ THE MOMENT>

Ryori: That was close. Ledas, you can’t-

<LEDAS GRINS AND THEN SPLASHES RYORI BACK; THEY GO INTO THIS FOR A WHILE; HOWEVER, RYORI STOPS THIS EVENTUALLY TO SHOW LEDAS SOMETHING>

Ryori: <STILL LAUGHING> Look at this. <RYORI REACHES OUT FROM THE HOT TUB AND PULLS ON A LONG HANGING STRING; HE PULLS DOWN ON IT, OPENING UP THE CEILING ABOVE AND REVEALING THE STARRY NIGHT ABOVE; SOMEWHAT QUIETLY, HE HAS STOPPED LAUGHING> Shoekki… he showed me how to do this the last time we came here.

Ledas: <CHILD’S VOICE> Do you miss him much?

Ryori: <HEAD DOWN> Yeah… sometimes. <LOOKS UP; TURNING THE CONVERSATION AWAY FROM HIMSELF> But what about you, Ledas? Where’s your family at?

<LEDAS LOOKS UP TO THE STARS ABOVE HIM>

Ryori: Oh right. I forgot you’re an alien. <HE LAUGHS AGAIN, BREAKING THE SHORT SERIOUS MOMENT>

Ledas: <DRAWN OUT> Yeaaaahh…

<RYORI ALSO LOOKS UP TO THE STARS ABOVE>

Ryori: Have you been to any of those? <POINTS AT THE MANY WHITE DOTS ABOVE>

Ledas: <SIMPLY> Some.

Ryori: Whoa really? What are they like? What didya do on them?

Ledas: Wewll, it’s been a while. I don’t remember much.

Ryori: Aw c’mon. You must remember something.

<LEDAS IS NERVOUS TO PROCEED>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> He’d hate me if I told him…

<SUDDENLY, THE DOOR REOPENS MR. FUTEKISETSUNA IS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE TWO>

Mr. Futekisetsuna: I thought I heard something. Little rats, little loafers using my well earned luxury.

<HE WALKS OVER, AND PLUCKS BOTH BOYS UP, BY THE HAIR AND THROWS THEM OUT, ONTO THE GROUND>

<THE TWO BOYS LAND HARD ON THE GROUND, BUT BOTH SIT UP WITHOUT TROUBLE; LEDAS STARES AT HIM WITH WIDE EYES, BUT RYORI’S EYES ARE NARROWED AND HIS BROW IS FURROWED>

Ryori: This is bogus, man. We weren’t doing anything.

MR. Futekisetsuna: <VOICE SHAKING> G-get out!! Get out before I call the police!!

<RYORI FROWNS BACK UP AT THE MAN, THEN BREAKS AND TURNS WALKING OUT; LEDAS FOLLOWS HIM>

Ryori: Stupid adults.

<THE NEXT MORNING; IT IS INCREDIBLY EARLY IN THE MORNING; PERHAPS 11 AM; IT IS BRIGHT AND SUNNY OUT>

<LEDAS AND RYORI EMERGE FROM RYORI’S HOUSE; BY THIS TIME IT HAS FALLEN INTO EVEN GREATER DISREPAIR; WITH ONLY THE TWO OF THEM STAYING IN IT, IT MAKES A SUITABLE ENOUGH HOME>

<NEVERTHELESS, THE TWO WAKE UP TOGETHER, AND MOVE OUT; THEY WALK ALL THE WAY DOWN THE DIRT ROAD TO MRS. FANSHI’S HOUSE; BOTH TIRED AND GROGGY, NEITHER TALKS MUCH UNTIL THEY REACH THE HOUSE>

<MRS. FANSHI’S HOUSE IS STANDING, UNBLEMISHED; THE GRASS IS GREEN AND CUT, THE HOUSE ITSELF IS SHINING FROM ITS PAINT, A LIGHT PURPLE; THE ROOF IS DARK BROWN; THE DOOR IS DARK, AND IS INLAID ONTO THE HOUSE; ALL IS QUIET>

<LEDAS AND RYORI COME WALKING UP, IN NORMAL SPIRITS; THEY WALK UP TO THE DOOR; RYORI IS WEARING STANDARD CLOTHES, AND LEDAS IS TOO; NEITHER SHOWS SIGNS OF BATTLE SCARS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT; THEY SEEM NORMAL AND INNOCENT>

Ryori: Where did she think you’ve been?

Ledas: Um, I never told Mrs. Fanshi anything about it.

Ryori: What? Heheh, she must’ve thought you ran away!

Ledas: Why? I never ran away.

Ryori: Yeah, but when kids just run off, grown ups think you’ve ran away.

Ledas: <SURPRISED AT THIS> Oh…

Ryori: Ya know Ledas, there’s a lot you don’t know about.

<LEDAS AND RYORI ARE QUIET AS THEY WALK UP TO THE DOOR; LEDAS LEANS FORWARD AND KNOCKS; HE IS ON HIS TIPPY TOES AS HE DOES THIS>

<NOBODY ANSWERS, AND LEDAS KNOCKS AGAIN; AFTER ANOTHER PAUSE, WHERE NO ANSWER IS STILL GIVEN, RYORI TRIES THE DOORNOB, AND TURNS IT; FINDING IT SURPRISINGLY UNLOCKED; THE DOOR OPENS AND BOTH CHILDREN CREEP IN>

<THE LIGHTS ARE ALL OFF, BUT IT IS NOT DARK; THE SUNLIGHT IS SOMEWHAT SHINING IN; THERE IS STILL NO SIGN OF FANSHI>

Ryori: <LAUGHING ABOUT IT> Wow, this place is really clean.

Ledas: <NOT BOTHERED> It was always like this. Mrs. Fanshi liked to keep every little thing clean. It got kinda annoying…

Ryori: She made you clean with her?

Ledas: <GRINNING> Sometimes.

Ryori: <ALSO GRINNING> Haha! I betcha liked doing that!

Ledas: <SOMEWHAT QUIETLY> I didn’t mind that much. She didn’t yell at me if I did.

Ryori: <INTEREST TURNED> Bathroom?

<LEDAS POINTS DOWN THE HALL, AND RYORI FOLLOWS THAT TO A DOOR; LEDAS TURNS BACK AROUND TO FACE THE LIVING ROOM, HE STARTS TO WALK AROUND, LOOKING AT THE STUFF; PICTURES ON THE WALLS, AND VARIOUS TRINKETS (MANY OF WHICH ARE “CAT” STUFF); NOTICEABLY, HE SEES THAT NO PICTURES DEPICT HIM, HOWEVER, LEDAS IS NOT BOTHERED BY THIS>

<HE WANDERS DOWN THE HALLS; LEDAS ENTERS HIS ROOM; HE SEES IT MUCH LIKE HOW HE LEFT IT, HOWEVER THE BED IS MADE, AND THERE ARE NO MESSES ANYWHERE; HE LEAVES, AFTER A MOMENT, WITH NO EMOTION>

<LEDAS ENTERS INTO FANSHI’S ROOM (AN: THIS ROOM HAS NOT BEEN SHOWN BEFORE); THE ROOM IS DARKER THAN THE REST; THE SHADES ARE DRAWN; HER BED IS A DARK PURPLE ON GREY; THE CARPET IS A WILD LONG VARIANT; THERE IS FURNITURE TOO, BUT NONE OF IT IS RELEVANT>

<AFTER NOT FINDING ANYTHING, LEDAS WALKS BACK DOWN THE HALL; HE RUFFLES HIS HAIR AND SCRATCHES HIS HEAD AS HE WALKS; A CLEAR LOOK OF PUZZLEMENT IS ON HIS FACE AS HE DOES SO>

<FANSHI IS NOT HOME; LEDAS HAS NO IDEA WHY; THOUGH HE HAS SEARCHED AND SENSED FOR HER, HE CANNOT FIND HER; AS HE CONTINUES TO THINK ABOUT THIS, LEDAS WALKS RIGHT BACK TO THE LIVING ROOM>

<HERE, NOW FACING THE DOOR, HE SEES A WHITE SLIP OF PAPER, UP AGAINST THE WALLED SHELF IN THE ENTRY; LEDAS TAKES THE THING, OPENS IT UP; IT IS A SLENDER CRIMSON PIECE OF PAPER FOLDED OVER SEVERAL TIMES>

<HE TAKES THE PAPER AND WALKS, SLUMPED, OVER TO THE COUCH; HE SITS DOWN AND ATTEMPTS TO READ THE THING, BUT HE CAN’T>

<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 AND SITS DOWN NEXT TO HIM> I don’t know… I can’t read it. Here Ryori, you do it.

<LEDAS HANDS RYORI THE PAPER>

Ryorii: <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. <AS HE TAKES THE PAPER FROM LEDAS>

<RYORI READS OUT THE PAPER; IT IS A LETTER; HE STUMBLES ON SOME OF THE MORE TRICKY WORDS>

Ryori: <READING THE LETTER>

Dear Mr. Ledas,

''It is, sadly, and unduly warranted that you may tear up or burn this letter at the mere sight of it. In vain though it may be, I have still taken the time to write you, for there is much that is still unexplained, and much that must remain that way. I am sorry, sincerely sorry to hear of the passing of your guardian, Sachiko Fanshi. Undoubtedly, you have already heard of this and I can only imagine the pain you are feeling right now. Though I cannot bring her back, my boy, I can offer you some game of distraction, should you choose to accompany me in. The recent occurrences of our world have lead me to see that you are, even as provoked, a harmless and useless venture for me to pursue in the in the vanity of my hope. To me, the past is the past, and I intend to leave it so. I trust to hope that you may do the same.''

''If you are fully recovered by the time of reading this letter, I belay you to consider my following request: To visit the address I have enclosed below in the swiftest of haste, arriving no later than the thirteenth of June. I have invited several old friends, all of which have obliged to meet me there. I feel our get together could not be complete without you, Ledas. There will be no tricks, for only a delusional chauvinist would wantonly give up his life in such a showing. I cannot do any more to harm to you, and that is just how I am content to stay. Vegeta will be waiting with me if you decide to join us. 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 weird… I wonder who that guy is?

Ledas: <EMOTIONLESS; NOT AS AN ANSWER TO RYORI> Mrs. Fanshi’s dead. Where’re we supposed to go now?

Ryori: Maybe we can just live here by ourselves.

Ledas: <BEAMING DESPITE THE MOST RECENT NEWS> That would be awesome!

Ryori: But we don’t have any money. And you need money to buy stuff like food and video games.

Ledas: And the food at your house is almost gone.

Ryori: It wouldn’t be if you didn’t eat so much.

Ledas: I guess…

<LEDAS TAKES OUT THE ADDRESS THAT WAS ENCLOSED IN THE LETTER; HE SHOWS IT TO RYORI>

Ledas: Maybe we could go there?

Ryori: You seriously want to listen to that guy? It’s just a spam letter. Those things aren’t real.

Ledas: He said Vegeta would be there.

Ryori: So…? Who’s Vegeta anyway?

<LEDAS LOOKS FLABBERGASTED AT THIS QUESTION>

Ryori: <NOTICING 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: He used to be my friend.

Ryori: Oh…

Ledas: <LOOKS UP; INNOCENTLY AGAIN> Can we please go there, Ryori? Just this once? I promise it won’t be long.

<RYORI STARES BLANKLY BACK; THEN HIS FACE TURNS INTO A SMILE>

Ryori: You’re gonna go anyway. So I’ll come with ya. <AS A GENUINE QUESTION> It will be fun, won’t it?

Ledas: <WITH A SMALL SMILE> I wish it will be.

Simply Legendary part 2 (series finale)
<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 you have a card?

<RYORI AND LEDAS LOOK AT EACH OTHER; RYORI REACHES INTO HIS POCKET>

Ryori: Oh… yeah, I got it. <HE PULLS OUT THE CRUMPLED UP LETTER THAT HE AND LEDAS HAD FOUND AT FANSHI’S HOUSE> Here, see?

<THE GUARD TAKES THE PIECE OF PAPER, 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>

<THEN, THE GUARD GESTURES THE TWO BOYS IN; ALL OF THEM ENTER>

<THE GUARD LEADS LEDAS AND RYORI INTO THE MAIN BUILDING; UP THROUGH AN ELEVATOR; HE TAKES THEM DOWN A HALL AND 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> Um, what exactly are we supposed to be doing?

Guard: I have no idea, kid. Haven’t heard anything from up top. I’m just a gatekeeper; nothing’ fancy. I can’t help you.

<THE GUARD SCRUNCHES UP HIS FACE AND THEN LEAVES THE ROOM; BEFORE CLOSING THE DOOR, HE SAYS ONE MORE THING>

Guard: The schedule’s on the table over there <HE NODS TO HIS LEFT>. Don’t oversleep.

<HE CLOSES THE DOOR, LEAVING LEDAS AND RYORI ALONE>

Ledas: Ryori! Can you read the schedule for me, please?!

<RYORI DOES NOT HEAR; INSTEAD, HE IS AT 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 LAYING 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: <TO HIMSELF> Fight… <HE BURSTS INTO A SMILE> With Vegeta! The letter said Vegeta would be here tomorrow. That’s what it is!

Ryori: <GRABBING SOME FOOD> Uh, Ledas, who’s this Vegeta guy again?

Ledas: <STILL BEAMING> I already told you, Ryori. He’s my friend from a long time ago.

Ryori: Does he have a tail too?

Ledas: <STOPPING> Oh, um… he used to. But it’s prolly fallen off by now.

Ryori: <NOW HE IS LAUGHING> Aha! So you’re both aliens! I knew it. It can’t just be a coincidence that you guys both have really weird names.

Ledas: Yeah, I guess. But I wonder who made this place? It’s very weird.

Ryori: If it’s a fighting place, like a tournament, it’s probably someone really rich. And popular too, to get everyone to come and fight for him. Maybe… maybe Mr. Satan set this up! <WITH HUGE EYES NOW> Aw, wouldn’t that be cool to see the Legend, himself?

Ledas: Who’s Mr. Satan?

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 WAS, HE IS MORE FOCUSED, AND INTERNALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF FACING VEGETA TOMORROW IN A MATCH; THAT IS WHAT HE ASSUMES WILL HAPPEN>

<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 AND TRASH, 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: What are you doing under there?

Ryori: I was looking around. This place is so fun. <HE LOOKS OFF> It would be so cool to live here.

Ledas: <EYES SQUINTED> Um 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: Hey, I almost forgot. We gotta go downstairs for that fight.

Ledas: Oh, right. Let’s go.

<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 IT’S GLORY; IT IS SEVERAL STORIES HIGH, PROBABLY BIG ENOUGH TO ENCOMPASS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE; AS IT IS, THERE ARE MANY BYSTANDERS WALKING AROUND OUTSIDE; 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> It’s an all day event. You got a fight in… ten minutes. Look up there on the screen, it’ll tell you what.

Ledas: But… mister… I can’t read.

Guard 2: Uh, just wait. 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. We’ll let you know when it’s time.

<WITH THAT, THE GUARD LEAVES>

<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 AS HE WALKS OUT; IN FRONT OF HIM IS A PLATFORM; A PLATFORM TO 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.

Ledas: <STANDS UP, TRANSFIXED BY ALL THE NOISE; WIDE EYED> Okay. <HE THEN LOOKS AT TRUNKS; WITH A PUZZLED LOOK> You’re not Vegeta.

Announcer: <FROM BEHIND, HE COMES UP AND WALKS OVER TO THE TWO OF THEM; HE INSPECTS THEM AND THEN STEPS BACK> You may begin!

<WITH THAT, TRUNKS LUNGES AT LEDAS; THE TWO OF THEM GET INTO A BLOW EXCHANGE; TRUNKS PUNCHES AND KICKS, WITH LEDAS ON DEFENSE>

<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>

<TRUNKS LETS OFF 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>

<TRUNKS, HOWEVER, HAS USED HIS BEAM AS A DISTRACTION; HE SPRINGS FORWARD AND INTERCEPTS LEDAS, GRABBING HIM BY THE TAIL AND PULLING HIM DOWN>

<LEDAS IMPACTS HARD AGAINST THE GROUND; TRUNKS, HOWEVER, STOPS>

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. But 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 JUMPS UP INTO THE AIR, AND THEN COMES SHOOTING BACK DOWN, LANDING A KICK ABOVE TRUNKS’ HEAD; IT CONNECTS>

<TRUNKS, STILL IN SUPER SAIYAN, IS UNPHASED; HOWEVER, LEDAS LANDS IN FRONT OF HIM AND CREATES A KYORRA FLASH; TRUNKS PUTS UP HIS ARMS IN DEFENSE, BUT THE EXPLOSION CATAPULTS HIM BACKWARDS; AWAY FROM LEDAS AND OFF OF THE STAGE; HE LANDS IN THE GRASS>

Announcer: And Trunks has fallen out! Ledas wins!

<THE ANNOUNCER CONTINUES WITH HIS TIRADE, BUT LEDAS DOES NOT LISTEN; EVEN AS THE CROWD, RYORI INCLUDED, CHEER HIM ON; INSTEAD, HE JUMPS OFF, SHOULDERS SLUMPED, AND QUIETLY HE RETURNS BACK TO HIS 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>

<WAITING FOR LEDAS IN HIS ROOM IS ONE PERSON; RYORI>

<HE IS STILL SHIRTLESS AND HAS THE FACEPAINT; LEDAS IS TOO PREOCCUPIED TO COMMENT ON IT; THE SAIYAN SITS DOWN>

Ryori: Wow, Ledas, you did great. I didn’t know you were that strong. You were just like Mr. Satan out there! If you kept going like that, you’d be as good as him for sure.

Ledas: <DISTRACTED> Who’s that again?

<BEFORE RYORI CAN EXPLAIN, THE DOOR OPENS AGAIN; THIS TIME IT IS AN OLD MAN, IN A DARK BLACK SUIT, WITH HIS HAIR PULLED BACK; HE WALKS INSIDE, ALONE; HE GOES UP TO LEDAS>

Cardinal: You put up a good fight, master Ledas.

<HE HOLDS OUT HIS HAND, WHICH IS NOT A HAND AT ALL, BUT A ROBOTIC PROSTHETIC ARM; 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’re the one who gave me that letter?

Cardinal: Indeed. As you have seen, this showcase was not limited nor even built around you - but around many great fighters. See now, some fight. <HE GESTURES TO A SCREEN IN THE ROOM> We celebrate Earth’s victory together.

<ON THE SCREEN, KRILLIN AND YAMCHA - TWO Z FIGHTERS WHICH LEDAS HAD SEEN, BUT IS NOT FAMILIAR WITH, ARE FIGHTING>

<THEY CONTINUE FIGHTING FOR THE ENTIRE CONVERSATION - I WILL NOT GO INTO DETAIL ABOUT IT, BUT KRILLIN MOSTLY DOMINATES THE ENTIRE TIME, UNTIL HE WINS AT THE END>

Ledas: You tried to kill me and Ryori.

Ryori: Yeah, and he killed my brother. <HE SLIDES OFF HIS CHAIR AND STANDS UP BEHIND LEDAS>

Cardinal: That is true. But as I watched the city burn, and helpless though I was, you and your friends were able to stay back the tide of evil - without any help by me. My original thesis, that you were evil and a threat to all of us was shown to be untrue. I have abandoned the my pursuit of you, boy. I apologize for any wrongs I have done to you, Ledas. I hope I can make it-

Ledas: Isn’t Vegeta here?

Cardinal: <PAUSE; BLINKS SEVERAL TIMES> Why yes he is.

Ledas: <RESOLVED> I want to fight him.

Cardinal: I-I…

Ledas: And, you hafta do something else too.

Cardinal: Say what you will, young master.

Ledas: <LOOKING DOWN> Um… you gotta let me and Ryori live in a really good place like this with lotsa food.

Cardinal: Why would I do that?

Ryori: <STEPPING BACK> Because you killed Mrs. Fanshi and my brother. And we don’t have anywhere to stay.

<CARDINAL STEPS BACK>

Cardinal: I… see. And if I refuse, I assume...

<LEDAS AND RYORI STARE BACK UP AT CARDINAL, SUPER SERIOUSLY>

Cardinal: I expected as much. Very well. All of that will be arranged for you, then. <HE WALKS UP TO LEDAS, REAL CLOSE> Am I forgiven now?

Ledas: <AVERTING HIS EYES TO THE FIGHT BETWEEN YAMCHA AND KRILLIN ON SCREEN; CLEARLY, HE IS UNINTERESTED IN WHAT CARDINAL IS SAYING> Sure, okay.

<ON SCREEN, KRILLIN DODGES A WOLF FANG FIST BY YAMCHA, 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 DOWNWARD, INTO THE GRASS; AS HE DOES SO, THE CROWD ROARS; IT IS SO LOUD THAT BOTH HE AND CARDINAL MOMENTARILY STOP TO WATCH THE SCREEN>

Cardinal: <TURNING TO LEAVE> I will go get Vegeta, then.

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 TIEN 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>

<AT LAST THE DOORS OPEN IN FRONT OF HIM; LEDAS LOOKS UP BEFORE STANDING, THEN EXITS>

<HE WALKS DOWN THE HALLS, SHOULDERS FORWARD, UNTIL HE REACHES THE STAGE>

<THIS STAGE WAS NOT THE SAME ONE LEDAS HAD BEEN AT PREVIOUSLY; IT IS MORE OF A PRACTICE AREA, THOUGH IT IS OUTDOORS TOO; A DIRTY BROWN MAT STANDS AS THE ARENA IN THE CENTER, AND THERE ARE NO STADIUM SEATS ANWHERE AROUND; BUT THAT IS NOT TO SAY THAT THIS PLACE IS BARREN>

VEGETA IS THERE, ON THE FAR SIDE; SEVERAL OTHERS, A FEW Z FIGHTERS, AND UNNAMED HUMAN FIGHTERS ARE EITHER PRACTICING OR RESTING; LEDAS WALKS PAST ALL OF THEM TO VEGETA>

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 whole big 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, HE LOWERS DOWN INTO A DEFENSIVE STANCE>

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: Not a vision. This isn’t possible. You were dead. <HE STARES AT LEDAS, WHO SIMPLY STARES BACK; VEGETA LETS UP> But... you're not. What is this? What do you want? A fight?

Ledas: <EVER SO CHILDLIKE> Um, well, yeah!

Vegeta: If you are real, this will prove it. <TURNS HIS HEAD; VICIOUSLY> Trunks, out of our way.

Trunks: <SCRAMBLING OUT OF THE WAY> Uh, okay dad.

<LEDAS AND VEGETA MOVE ONTO THE MAT, AS THE OTHERS LOOK UP TO WATCH>

Vegeta: <PROUDLY, BUT NOT IN A HATEFUL WAY> You can‘t beat me. I am far stronger than you.

Ledas: <QUICK RESPONSE> 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 SIDESWEEPS VEGETA’S LEGS, CAUSING THE PRINCE TO TUMBLE AWAY>

<VEGETA RECOVERS, THEN SENDS A BALL 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 HAS 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 STEPS BACK, DEFENDING AGAINST VEGETA’S RELENTLESS HAIL OF BLOWS>

<FROM BEHIND, THE FEW Z FIGHTERS THAT TOOK PART IN THIS TOURNEY (KRILLIN, ANDROID 18, YAMCHA, TIEN, PICCOLO, AND TRUNKS) 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!

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 days 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.

Yamcha: Yeah, but 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?

<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, AND 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; HIS HAIR TURNING 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 1 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, AND STANDING AT HIS RIGHT IS RYORI>

<RYORI IS STILL IN HIS BATHING SUIT, AND HAS HIS FACE PAINTED FROM TAKING PLACE IN ALL THE PARTYING AND CELEBRATIONS OUTSIDE, BUT 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 AND AIMS IT AT VEGETA, SENDING OFF A HUGE BLAST AT THE PRINCE’S WAY>

<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 COLIDE; A BRIGHT LIGHT AND SUCH COMES UP, OBSCURING THE FOCUS AROUND THE TWO; DESPITE THESE TWO BEAMS BEING QUITE LETHAL, WOULD 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 OR SOMETHING>

<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 STOPS IN FRONT OF VEGETA AND PUTS 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 1 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 back then! 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> Oh, we’re starving! Cantcha take us to get food, Vegeta?

Krillin: <PEANUT GALLERY> He 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; HE CAN NO LONGER BE IGNORING LEDAS> Fine, just this once.

Yamcha: Vegeta, how about we come along too and celebrate with ya guys?

Vegeta: <BREAKS IN WITH A HEARTY, SARTASTIC LAUGH; ALMOST IN AN OUT OF CHARACTER WAY> Oh yeah, that’s a good one. Invite the whole crew on over! Why don't we invite Kakarot, too?! <SETTLES DOWN BACK TO HIS VITRIOL> 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, NOW THAT THEY‘VE 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 gross and old like that?

<VEGETA GRRRS, 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?

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, (CAMERA FROM BEHIND) CARDINAL WATCHES THEM, LOOKING UP AT THEM; AS THEY FADE AWAY INTO SMALL DOTS, HE BOWS HIS HEAD AND EXITS>

<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>

<LEDAS GRAVITY ROOM, STILL ON THE MOUNTAIN, WITH DARK BLOOD STAINS ON THE FLOOR, ALL ABLE TO BEEN SEEN FROM OUTSIDE, DUE TO THE DOOR STILL BEING OPEN; THE BODIES OF KINDLER AND DEWBERRY ARE NOWHERE TO BE SEEN>

<THE SCENE CHANGES TO LEDAS; THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FEW MONTHS 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; RYORI, NOTABLY, IS ABSENT FROM THIS>

<KORIN AND YAJIROBE 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>

<CARDINAL, NOT LOOKING VERY WELL, PURCHASES A SMALL HOUSE THAT LEDAS AND RYORI CAN LIVE IN; HE LEANS OVER IN PAIN, GRASPING AT HIS SHOULDER - THE ONE THAT WAS SEVERED BY LEDAS, AND REPLACED WITH A PROSTHETIC; HE REACHES INTO HIS POCKET AND TAKES SOMETHING OUT; A SMALL BOTTLE, WITH THE MARKINGS ’M99’ THINLY SCRATCHED OVER ITS LID; HE TAKES OUT A SYRINGE FROM ANOTHER POCKET AND INJECTS HIMSELF WITH THE STUFF; LIKE SON, LIKE FATHER>

<RYORI HAS LEFT VEGETA’S HOUSE, SOMETIME AFTERWARD; HE IS IN CARDINAL’S 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 IS OF MRS. FANSHI’S HOUSE; SILENT AND STILL; JUST AS IT WAS LEFT BEFORE; NEAT AND PRISTINE WITH ONLY A THIN VEIL OF DUST COATING EVERYTHING; A SINGLE WADDED UP PIECE OF TOLIET PAPER, COURTESY OF RYORI LAYS ON THE COUCH; OTHERWISE, EVERYTHING SEEMS THE SAME; HOWEVER, DOWN THE HALL, THE CAMERA GOES; EVENTUALLY, IT COMES INTO LEDAS’ ROOM, WHERE THERE IS ONE NEW FEATURE; SOMETHING HE PLACED THERE TO KEEP SECRET AND TO KEEP SAFE; THE FORMER MIND PRISON OF VERLATE THE DISGRACED; THE NEW ETERNAL HOME FOR THE BENEFACTOR; THE SMALL PYRAMID BOX SITS PEACEFULLY ON LEDAS’ WINDOWSILL, SHINING FROM THE LIGHT COMING IN; IT IS SILENT AND IT IS ALL ALONE>

<THE SCREEN REFADES 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:

Like A Bitch
<GOTENKS'S BODY LAY 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 upmost 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 DISSAPEARS, 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 ELECTRICTY 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.

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.

<HE 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 ENCOMPASSES 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 ONTO 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>

Trivia

 * Colonel Silver's backstory, as revealed in this saga, was originally going to be a Legacies episode. However, that idea was scrapped, as it was not substantive enough to be its own story.
 * This is the only saga that I did not do any prewriting (plotwise) for.