Secrets Saga (Heart of a Warrior)

The Secrets Saga is the first saga in Dragon Ball Z: Heart of a Warrior and introduces the character Nion and deals with her discovering her past as well as her friendship with her high school classmates, Futo and Sala.

Theme Song
The theme song for the Secrets Saga is Young by Hollywood Undead.

The Girl With the Spiky Hair






Figure 2:  KAKAROT!



Vegeta: DODGE THIS NEXT ATTACK IF YOU CAN,  BUT KNOW THAT IF YOU DO, YOUR PRECIOUS LITTLE PLANET WILL BE GONE!!

Goku:  No, you can’t!



Girl:  Remarkable…



Girl:  What is he waiting for?...

Goku:  Kaioken times three!



Girl:  Kaio-…what?

Goku: KAAA… MEEE…



Goku: HAAA…

Vegeta:  Now, Kakarot, prepare yourself for oblivion!

Goku: MEEE…

Vegeta: <THRUSTING HIS HANDS FORWARD, RELEASING THE ENERGY WAVE> GALICK GUN!

Goku: <FOLLOWING SUIT> HAAAAAA!!!!

<THE TWO BEAMS CLASH, SENDING A WHIPLASH THROUGHOUT THE ARE AROUND THEM; THE GIRL TRIES TO MAINTAIN HER FOOTING BUT IS SLOWLY GETTING PUSHED BACK; DESPITE THIS, SHE STILL WATCHES ON, SMILING; SHE FALLS TO HER KNEES ON THE CRUMBLING TERRAIN>

Girl: <FLICKING HER HAIR BACK; THINKING> Such power…

<THE SCREAMS HEARD FROM GOKU ARE HEARD THROUGHOUT THE TERRAIN AS HE STRUGGLES TO MAINTAIN HIS KAMEHAMEHA WAVE; THE GALICK GUN BEGINS TO SLOWLY PUSH BACK THE KAMEHAMEHA; STATIC, CUTS TO A CLOSE-UP ON THE GIRL’S FACE; SHE’S ENAMORED BY THE BEAM CLASH BEFORE HER>

Goku: <STILL STRUGGLING TO PUSH BACK THE GALICK GUN> KAIOKENNN……TIMES FO-

Voice: <OFF-SCREEN> Nion!

<THE GIRL IS STARTLED AT THE SUDDEN CALLING OF HER NAME; CAMERA CLOSES IN ON HER EYE>

<CUT TO AGE 768, OCTOBER 31; CAMERA ZOOMS OUT FROM HER EYE TO REVEAL THAT SHE IS SITTING IN A CLASSROOM, SURROUNDED BY STUDENTS; SHE SHAKES HER HEAD AND LOOKS UP TO HER TEACHER>

Ms. Faulconer: Am I interrupting something, young lady?

<NION LOOKS TO HER LEFT AND RIGHT, OBSERVING THE STUDENTS HOLDING BACK THEIR LAUGHS; ONE OF THE BOYS SMILES AND WAVES AT HER; ANOTHER ONE OF THE STUDENTS, A GIRL, THROWS BACK HER DEEP BROWN HAIR ALMOST COVERING HER RIGHT EYE AND RAISES AN EYEBROW>

Nion: Is something wrong?

<MS. FAULCONER TILTS HER HEAD TO THE SIDE AND PUTS A HAND ON HER HIPS, SHOWING OFF HER ANNOYANCE>

Ms. Faulconer: You were dozing off in my session, young lady. Again.

Nion: I see. <LOWERS HER HEAD> I apologize.

<MS. FAULCONER SEEMS TAKEN ABACK, BUT SMILES NONETHELESS AND TURNS BACK TO THE BOARD; THE STUDENTS AROUND NION BEGIN TO BUZZ, NOTABLY THE GIRL WITH THE SUSPICIOUS EYEBROW>

Ms. Faulconer: Very well. Just pay attention now. Alright?

Nion: Understood.

Unknown voice: <OFF-SCREEN> Man, what a kiss ass!

<THE CLASS ERUPTS WITH LAUGHTER; NIONS SEEMS UNAFFECTED BY THE COMMENT; NION TURNS AND FOCUSES ON A GROUP OF THREE BOYS BEHIND HER; ONE OF THE BOYS, GRANT, IS OF AVERAGE HEIGHT AND BULKY, WHILE THE OTHER TWO ARE SKINNY>

Ms. Faulconer: Watch your language, Grant. Now apologize.

Grant: What? It’s not my fault she’s a kiss ass, Mrs. F.

<NION RAISES FROM HER DESK AND BEGINS TO PACK HER BELONGINGS>

Nion: <STILL UNFAZED> That’s funny.

Grant: <FROWNS> Hell you talkin’ about, kiss ass?

Nion: It took you two seconds to come up with that attempt of a joke, yet it takes you an hour to complete a simple math problem. Even a toddler knows how to multiply by zero.

<SOME STUDENTS BEGIN SNICKERING AGAIN; GRANT AND HIS GOONS ARE NOT AMUSED>

Student: <OFF-SCREEN> Yo, she just dissed him!

Grant: <HIS FACE TURNING RED> Shut up!

<NION TURNS TO LOOK AT THE CLOCK; IT’S TICKING AWAY ENDLESSLY>

Ms. Faulconer: <SPEAKING STERNLY> Young man, if you keep up this sass, I swear, I will send you to the principal’s office so fast-

Grant: If that makes you feel better.

Ms. Faulconer: And I’m going to contact your parents about your outlandish behavior!

Grant: If that makes you feel better too.

<THE CLOCK STRIKES TWELVE AND THE DISMISSAL BELL RINGS; NION TURNS TO LEAVE THE ROOM BUT NOT BEFORE TAKING A LAST GLANCE AT THE GROUP OF CHILDREN THAT LAUGHED AT HER EARLIER>

Nion: Comment?

<THE STUDENTS STAYED SILENT; GRANT RISES FROM THE GROUP AND SMILES>

Grant: As a matter of fact, kiss-ass…

Nion: <SIGHING, THINKING TO HERSELF> Such an aggressive one.

<GRANT MOVES TOWARDS NION AND STOPS WITHIN ARMS REACH>

Grant: You think you’re pretty funny, don’t ya weirdo?

<NION REMAINS SILENT, SLOWLY GROWING IMPATIENT>

Grant: Not only do you constantly daydream in class like you have nothin better to do, but every time we have tests, you cheat and get perfect scores every time while we suffer!

Nion: <LOWERS HER HEAD> Can I go now?

Grant: No you can’t!

<GRANT STEPS FORWARD AND GRABS NION BY THE ARM; SHE TRIES TO STEP AWAY TO NO AVAIL>

Grant: Word of advice, you might think you’re all big and bad because your parents work at Capsule Corporation, and you might not like hanging out with us “lower-class individuals”, but here, that’s not gonna fly. So I say you find solace in your little crazy mind somewhere else, because we don’t like weirdos in our class!

<NION STAYS SILENT, CONTEMPLATING HER NEXT MOVE; EVENTUALLY, SHE BEGINS TO CLINCH HER FIST; BEFORE SHE CAN REACT, THE GIRL WITH THE EYEBROW PUTS A HAND ON GRANT’S SHOULDER>

Ms. Faulconer: Sala, please take your seat!

<SALA DOESN’T RESPOND: SHE TAKES A GLANCE AT NION, WHO RETURNS THE LOOK; SALA TURNS TO GRANT AND GRINS>

Grant: Wha- what are you doing?

<NION DROPS DOWN TO A SINGLE KNEE AND CLOBBERS GRANT BENEATH THE LEGS, SENDING HIM TO THE FLOOR WINCING IN PAIN>

Sala: Yikes! Not what I had in mind…

<NION SHRUGS HER SHOULDERS AND GRINS; SALA TAKES A STEP OVER THE INJURED BOY AND EXTENDS HER HAND TO NION>

Sala: Sala.

Nion: <RELUCTANT, EVENTUALLY CONCEDING> …Nion.

Sala: Pleasure to meet you.

Nion: <TAKES HER HAND BACK> Yeah.

Sala: I’m surprised he had anything down there to hurt! Am I right?

Nion: I appreciate the help. I’ll be going.

<NION GRABS HER BACKPACK AND EXITS THE CLASSROOM; MS. FAULCONER IS LEFT WITH HER MOUTH AGAP AND THE BOY ON THE GROUND, CHERISHING HIS CROTCH>

​Terrifying Menace or Sparring Partner?
<LATER THAT DAY>

<CAMERA SHIFTS BEHIND NION, WHO IS IN HER BLACK AND RED TRAINING GI WITH THE CAPSULE CORPORATION SYMBOL ON THE BACK; ACROSS FROM HER ARE HER TWO SPARRING PARTNERS, WHO ARE BOTH RED IN THE FACE AND HAVE SWEAT POURING DOWN THEIR FACES>

<NION TAKES A MOMENT TO POP HER KNUCKLES WHILE THE TWO RESTED; ONE OF THEM IS TWISTING THEIR ARM AROUND, SCARED THAT NION MAY HAVE BROKEN IT>

Nion: <IN HER FIGHTING STANCE> Again!

<NION’S PARENTS WATCH FROM AFAR, WITH WORRIED LOOKS ON THEIR FACES; THEY KNEW SHE LOVED TO SPAR, BUT TODAY, SHE SEEMED LIKE SHE WANTS TO JUST LET OUT HER FRUSTRATION ON HER SPARRING PARTNERS; ONE OF THEM TAKES OFF THEIR SPARRING HELMET>

Sparring Partner #1: Don’t you think that’s enough, Nion?

<SHE SCOWLS AND RUSHES OVER TO HIM, DRIVING A KNEE INTO HIS STOMACH, FOLLOWED BY A BACK HIT TO HIS FACE, SENDING HIM ACROSS THE ARENA; THE OTHER PARTNER STANDS UP AND CHUCKLES, BUT CEASES WHEN HE REALIZES THAT HE’S NEXT UPON LOOKING AT NION, WITH NO FEAR IN HER EYES; HE GETS INTO HIS FIGHTING STANCE AND NION FOLLOWS SUIT>

Nion: <TAKES A DEEP BREATH> Again!

<HE ACKNOWLEDGES AND CHARGES NION, THROWING BACK TO BACK PUNCHES WITH GREAT FURY, ONLY FOR NION TO EFFORTLESSLY DODGE THEM ALL; HE ATTEMPTS A KICK TO HER HEAD, BUT NION CATCHES HIS FOOT AND SPINS HIM AROUND FOR A LITTLE BIT; AFTER A FEW SECONDS, SHE RELEASES HIM, DROPPING HIM TO THE FLOOR; SHE APPROACHES HIS DAZED BODY BUT SUDDENLY STOPS; SHE FREEZES UP FOR A SECOND UNTIL SHE GRABS HER HEAD AND STAGGERS AROUND, VISIBLY IN PAIN; SHE DROPS DOWN TO A KNEE AND GRUNTS>

Nion: Felix, what... did you do to me!?

<THE FIRST SPARRING PARTNER, OR FELIX, SHAKES OFF HIS DIZZINESS AND WALKS OVER TO NION, WHO’S STILL WINCING IN PAIN>

Felix: What are you talking about, kid? You were kicking my ass.

<SHE GRITS HER TEETH, READY TO RESPOND WITH AN ANGRY EXPLICIT TIRADE, BUT INSTEAD, SHE GLANCES AT FELIX, WHOSE TALL, LEAN FIGURE IS MORPHING BEFORE HER; AFTER A STARTLING METAMORPHISIS, HIS BODY CEASES SHAKING AND A NEW FIGURE STANDS BEFORE HER, ONE THAT MADE HER FREEZE IN FEAR; THE SHADOW CAST OVER HIM HIDES HIS BODY AND FACE, BUT HIS ABNORMAL SHAPE GAVE AWAY HIS IDENTITY; THE FIGURE TAKES NOTICE OF THIS AND TAKES A STEP TOWARDS HER>

Shadowed Being: Etch this into your skull... I am the Emperor of the Universe! The likes of you are only fit to grovel at my feet! Or Better still... To die! In Disgrace! At the hands of Your Master!

Nion: GET AWAY!

<NION THROWS A PUNCH AT THE FIGURE AND, MUCH TO HER SURPRISE, CONNECTS; SHE TAKES NOTE OF THIS AND FOLLOWS UP WITH AN UPPERCUT FOLLOWED BY A BACK HAND, EVENTUALLY ENDING WITH A SWIFT UP KICK TO HIS CHIN, SENDING HIM FLYING AWAY>

Nion: <RUBS HER EYES> Get up!

Shadowed Being: <GRUNTS> … What the hell, Nion!?

<THE SHADOW ENGULFS THE FIGURE AND EVENTUALLY SUBSIDES, SHOWING FELIX ON THE GROUND, BLEEDING FROM THE MOUTH>

Felix: I thought you were done!

<NION TAKES A MOMENT TO SLAP HERSELF SILLY, EVENTUALLY REGAINING HER SENSES; SHE LOOKS AT FELIX AND SEEMS TO INTEND TO APOLOGIZE, BUT DECIDES AGAINST; SHE MAKES HER WAY TO THE EXIT, WHERE HER FATHER IS WAITING; HE STEPS IN HER PATH>

Mr. Jenkins: Do you have the slightest bit of restraint in you, young lady!?

Nion: I… <STAMMERS> I’m sorry, Father. I don’t know what came over me.

Mr. Jenkins: Don’t give me that! You know, your behavior has been a subject that we’ve needed to discuss recently.

Nion: ...Is this about Felix thing? Because-

Mr. Jenkins: This isn’t about Felix, he’ll be fine. What in blazes happened in there!?

Nion: What are you talking about, Father? I did a good job against-

Mr. Jenkins: Nonsense! You seemed… distant out there. As if something was tampering with your concentration. And on top of that, I’ve never seen you so eager to train. Did something happen at school today?

<NION BLOCKS OUT HER FATHER’S NEXT WORDS TO THE BEST OF HER ABILITY; AS SHE DOES THIS, HER VISION STARTS TO BECOME BLURRY AGAIN>

Nion: <RUBS HER EYES> This again!?

<SHE RUBS HER EYES OVER AND OVER UNTIL HER VISION DISAPPEARS COMPLETELY; SHE KNOCKS HERSELF ON THE HEAD A FEW TIMES BEFORE COVERING HER FACE WITH HER HANDS, NOT WANTING TO SEE WHATEVER SHE WAS ABOUT TO SEE; A VOICE ECHOES IN HER MIND, ONE THAT SEEMS SCARED, YET DOMINANT AT THE SAME TIME>

Voice: <ECHOES> Take care of your mother for me. She needs you…

<NION’S VISION BEGINS TO RETURN, BUT THE ONLY THING SHE SEES IS A SILHOUETTE OF A SPIKY HAIRED INDIVIDUAL IN THE DISTANCE, GRABBING ONTO SOMETHING MUCH LARGER THAN HIM>

Nion: <THINKING> Goku!? The hell…?

<MR. JENKINS COMES BACK INTO VIEW, SHAKING HIS DAUGHTER RAPIDLY; SHE SNAPS OUT OF HER TRANCE AND STARES AT HER FATHER, TREMBLING A LITTLE; SHE REMOVES HIS HANDS FROM HER SHOULDERS>

Mr. Jenkins: Nion! Are you listening to me!?

Nion: <THINKING> The hell is happening to me…?

<NION TEETERS A BIT, MANAGING TO CATCH HERSELF; SHE PUTS A HAND ON HER HEAD AND BEGINS TO WINCE IN PAIN>

Mr. Jenkins: <IN A SOFTER TONE> Nion, what’s wrong? <PAUSES, COMING TO A SUDDEN REALIZATION> Nion, did you-

Nion: Goodnight, Father.

<SHE SHAKES AWAY HER FATHER’S GRASP AND JOGS AWAY, NOT LOOKING BACK; THE CAMERA RETURNS TO MR. JENKINS, WHOSE WORRIED GAZE IS SLOWLY REPLACED WITH ONE OF DETERMINATION>

​The Best Kind of Parents
<LATER THAT NIGHT>

Mr. Jenkins entered his office and slammed the door behind him, startling his wife who was deep in thought behind her desk.

Mrs. Jenkins: Did you talk with her?

Mr. Jenkins: I tried, but… she looked at me as if she’d seen a ghost.

Mrs. Jenkins: Well you do have a bit of gray approaching, my dear.

Mr. Jenkins rushed over to the mirror, in an albeit comedic manner, and scowled at his wife for lying to him, to which she simply chuckled some more.

Mr. Jenkins: Aside from your unnecessary joking, this is serious!

Mrs. Jenkins sighs and rises from her desk, making her way to her husband’s side.

Mrs. Jenkins: What did she say?

Mr. Jenkins: She didn’t really get to tell me. She said something along the lines of… “Take care of your mother for me”.

Mrs. Jenkins: What’s that mean?

Mr. Jenkins: How am I supposed to know?

Mrs. Jenkins: <SIGHS> Always the defiant type, aren’t you? Do I have to do everything myself?

Mr. Jenkins: Nonsense. You will do nothing until I can discover the cause for her… deceptive behavior.

Mrs. Jenkins: And how long will it take for that to happen?

Mr. Jenkins said nothing. It was all Mrs. Jenkins needed to strut pass her husband and make her way to their laboratory, which, to their inconvenience, was located underneath Capsule Corporation itself.

Mrs. Jenkins: Come on, before someone sees!

Mr. Jenkins took his wife’s advice and kept close to her as they made their way through the halls of the building, which was now abandoned due to it being closing time. Sensing there were no people nearby, they jogged down into the lower depths of the building until they were met by a giant metallic door.

Mrs. Jenkins: I got this.

She stepped up to the door and cleared her throat.

Mrs. Jenkins: Onion.

The sounds of gears whirling and twirling echoed throughout the dim lit hallway. Specks of dirt fell on Mr. Jenkins lab coat, which made him quiver in embarrassment. He quickly dusted himself off as the door slowly rotated open, giving off an ominous light that forced Mr. Jenkins to raise his arm over his eyes. When the light died down, he lowered his arm and he, along with his wife, entered their laboratory. Inside, there wasn’t much that was different from an average lab at Capsule Corporation. In fact, most of the equipment down there was taken from above, away from the eyes of the Briefs family and any other Capsule Corporation staff. To the left was Mr. Jenkins’s portion of the laboratory, complete with a desk and a table nearby used for experiments. Mrs. Jenkins’s part of the lab was similar, with the only difference being that she had a glaring picture of her, Mr. Jenkins and Nion together in front of her school hanging on the wall. What really stood out was the human sized containment pod in the rear, which Mr. Jenkins took disdain towards and immediately turned away from. He took a look at the giant computer monitor overlooking his desk and made his way over to it, which was still messy from the last time he used it. He shoved away several reports and assignments that he could less about in order to get to his keyboard. Relieved, he slouched in his chair and pushed a button labeled “Enter”.

Computer: Welcome, Doctor.

The monitor flickered on and displayed a picture of Nion. Alongside her were various statistics and vital signs, all of which were normal, much to Mr. Jenkins’s relief. He typed in a few letters and the monitor brought up a silhouette supposedly representing Nion’s brain activity, which had a flashing orange indicator next to her head that read in bold letters “Data Corrupted”.

Mr. Jenkins: <LETS OUT A HEAVY SIGH> Dammit…

Mrs. Jenkins noticed her husband’s anguish from her own desk and turned to him.

Mrs. Jenkins: What’s the situation?

Mr. Jenkins: There’s interference with her temporal and occipital lobes. I can’t monitor her brain functions, so something is affecting her brain.

Mrs. Jenkins: Might be those boys at school. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had an infatuation with any.

Mr. Jenkins: Don’t be ridiculous, Lucy. The way she looked at me earlier… something was wrong.

Lucy: Could it simply be a side effect? It isn’t unusual for visions to occur.

Mr. Jenkins: Maybe, but to Nion? Something is awry with her, and I can’t quite put my finger on it.

Lucy:... Do you think, ... Do you think she’s aware?

Mr. Jenkins: Impossible.

Lucy: <SCOWLING> You don’t sound confident.

Mr. Jenkins: That doesn’t matter right now! Maybe… do you think it’s a side effect?

Lucy: I just said-

Mr. Jenkins: It has to be! Her brain is being flooded with memories that aren’t hers. It seems logical given the risk of the procedure. Her subconscious thinks she’s somewhere else, someone else when she isn’t. It’s perfectly explainable!

Lucy: <ROLLS HER EYES> Brilliant, honey.

Mr. Jenkins: <SPORTS A CHEEKY SMILE> Ā sō!

Lucy: What was that?

Mr. Jenkins: Never mind that.

He continued typing on his keyboard and was shown two files, both locked of course. One was simply titled “CLASSIFIED” with the other was unusually titled “OPERATION_BOWTIE”. While Mr. Jenkins fiddled around with the files on the computer, Lucy took a walk towards the back of the lab, putting significant interest in the human-sized pod Mr. Jenkins shrugged off earlier. She placed a hand on the pod and, with a great sigh, lowered her head and shook her head with shame. A small tear begin to take form in her right eye and she quickly wiped it away, away from the unsuspecting gaze of her husband. As she wiped away the tear, she could feel a combined sense of dread and guilt begin to overwhelm her. She began to frown at the pod and fell deep in thought about everything going on. Nion, her husband, their work, everything. Everything could spiral out of control at any moment and put an end to everything her and her husband had managed to do. All while having a great big smile on her face, whether it be fake or legit. Normally a happy, chipper woman, not letting anything, especially her daughter or her husband, bring her out of her cheerful moods, this mysterious pod was able to do knock her off her usual demeanor, however, and it bothered her greatly.

She took her hand off the pod and took a look back at her husband, who was still typing away at his keyboard. She didn’t dare look at the screen, probably out of guilt for whatever contents that were laid out in front of him. Lucy stepped away from the pod and made her way to her desk, where she noticed a mysterious helmet-like object lying on it. It had the outward appearance of a regular baseball helmet, but the attached wiring and circuitry on the back of it made her suspicious.

Lucy: Chris?

Chris: <TURNS HIS HEAD FROM THE MONITOR> Hm?

Lucy: What’s this helmet for?

Chris: Oh, that thing?

Chris shook his head and turned back to the monitor.

Chris: It’s a memory enhancement prototype I was working on.

Lucy: Why were you working on it?

Chris: In case she needs to remember.

Lucy: ...Remember what?

Chris: Everything.

Lucy: <IN AN ANGRY TONE> Why on Earth would she need to remember!?

Chris: <LOWERS HIS HEAD> Classified.

Lucy had none of it and marched over to Chris, slamming her hands on his desk. She glared a hole into Chris’s eyes, who was unmoved at his wife’s sudden change in temper.

Lucy: Classified my ass, Christopher!

Chris: Language, darling.

Lucy: She doesn’t deserve to go through that Hell again!

Chris: Would you rather have her go through Hell or us!? After everything we’ve done to get here, you want to throw all of that away for her sake!?

Lucy opened her mouth to respond, but was unable to find the words to counter her husband. Because she knew, deep in her heart, that she felt the same way. And she hated it.

Lucy: We’re not monsters, Chris. We’re scientists! Can you even fathom the consequences if anything goes wrong? Or if she finds out?

Chris: That would be improbable.

Lucy: How can you be so sure!?

Chris: I am.

Lucy: And what of the visions?

Chris: A minor problem. It shouldn’t be of any worry to us.

Lucy: Be realistic, Chris! What would be the consequences!?

Chris: <SIGHS> If you insist, if her visions happened to complicate everything,... then one out of three things would occur. And only one of those scenarios involves a happy ending for this… “family”.

Lucy: Is that all?

Chris: I share your concerns, my dear, I truly do. But in order to achieve our goals, she needs to be prepared to take the risk… <TURNS TO THE MONITOR> No matter the cost.

Lucy: Have you honestly changed this much since the collapse of the army?

Chris: I’m not talking about that now.

Lucy: It’s what you always think about.

Chris: So you know why we have to do this, corrrect?

Lucy turned to the monitor and her face grew even colder. She quickly turned away from it and gritted her teeth.

Lucy: And what if the cost is too much? Even for her?

Chris: It won’t be.

Lucy: How can you be so sure?

Chris knew his wife was in a wounding state of mind, so he rose from his chair, put an arm around her and brought her towards him to embrace her. He knew it wouldn’t stop her questions, but he knew at least that she would stop asking questions for the next few seconds.

Chris: <SPEAKING IN A SOFT VOICE> She’ll be ready. I promise. Then we can be the big happy family you always dreamed of.

Lucy: You promise me?

Chris: On my life.

Reassured by her husband’s words, Lucy’s mood softened and she relaxed herself on his chest. Unbeknownst to Chris, Lucy was still skeptical with her husband’s plans, but she knew that if everything went according to plan, everything would be all right in the end.

Hopefully.

Making Friends... and Enemies
<CUTS TO NION THE NEXT DAY, PRERARING HERSELF FOR SCHOOL; SHE DARTS PAST HER PARENTS NEAR THE FRONT DOOR, CATCHING THEIR GAZE OUT THE CORNER OF HER EYE; SHE STARES AT THE CAPSULE CORPORATION BUILDING, WHICH IS CONVENIENTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM WHERE SHE LIVES; SHE BEGINS HER WALK TO SCHOOL>

Sala: <OFF-SCREEN> Would you look at that?

<NION IS STARTLED AND SWINGS AROUND TO SEE SALA, WHO’S LEANING UP AGAINST A NEARBY POLE>

Nion: How long were you standing there?

Sala: Long enough.

<NION TURNS AWAY FROM HER AND BEGINS TO WALK, WITH SALA FOLLOWING SUIT; SALA IS ACTIVELY TRYING TO START A CONVERSATION, BUT NION CONSTANTLY IGNORES HER ADVANCES>

Sala: Did someone piss in your cereal?

<AGAIN, NOTHING FROM HER; SALA TROTTED HER WAY IN FRONT OF HER>

Sala: Come on, N. I don’t like when my friends are upset.

Nion: …N?

Sala: N! Your new nickname, FRIEND!

Nion: Why did you put emphasis on friend?

Sala: Because I want you to believe it. Plus, you need someone to smack you in the head when you have your little… “class-time daydreaming sessions”.

<NION FACE FORMS A SUBTLE GRIN; THIS MAKES SALA GIDDY, WANTING TO SAY MORE>

Sala: Was that a smile!?

Nion: <TURNING TO FACE THEIR ROUTE> No…

Sala: You’re smiling and responding to me. I like that.

Nion: We’re gonna be late.

<THE TWO CONTINUE THEIR TREK, OCCASIONALLY TAKING A GLANCE AT OTHER BUILDINGS, PEOPLE, ETC; IT’S QUIET FOR A LITTLE WHILE, AND NION TRIES TO THINK OF SOMETHING TO EASE THE TENSION>

Nion: How fast are you?

Sala: <RAISES AN EYEBROW> Why?

<NION SQUINTS HER EYES AND MAKES OUT THE SCHOOL IN THE DISTANCE; IT IS NO MORE THAN TWENTY BLOCKS AWAY, WHICH GIVES HER AN INTRIGUING IDEA>

Nion: Feel like getting a little morning exercise?

Sala: <SMILES> What do you have in mind?

Nion: <POINTS TO THE SCHOOL> A little morning jog. Nothing more.

Sala: Morning jog?

<SALA SQUINTS IN THE DIRECTION OF THE HIGH SCHOOL>

Sala: That’s at least twenty blocks!

Nion: So?

Sala: … You’re on.

<THE TWO STOP IN THEIR TRACKS AND TIGHTEN THEIR BACKPACKS; NION SQUATS DOWN INTO HER FIGHTING STANCE>

Sala: You, uh, about to fight or somethin’?

Nion: More comfortable running in this position.

Sala: If you say so.

<SALA TAKES A LAST SECOND GLANCE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AND PREPARES HERSELF>

Nion: Ready?...

Nion: Set…

<BEFORE SHE CAN FINISH, SALA SPRINTS IN FRONT OF HER LIKE A BAT OUT OF HELL, ALARMING HER>

Nion: What the-!?

Sala: <IN THE DISTANCE> Catch up, spiky!

Nion: <ANGRILY, YET HUMOROUSLY> I DIDN’T SAY… <GRUNTS> Little...

<NION POKES AROUND IN HER HAIR FOR A MOMENT BEFORE TAKING OFF; DESPITE HOW FAST SHE’S GOING, SHE DOESN’T SEEM TO BE GETTING TIRED IN THE LEAST; SHE MOMENTARILY CLOSES HER EYES TO FOCUS SOLELY ON THE RUNNING, RELYING ON HER SOMEWHAT KEEN SENSES TO STEER HER AWAY FROM ANY OBSTACLES; SHE RELISHES THE WIND BRUSHING HER FACE AS SHE PLANTS FOOT AFTER FOOT ON THE CONCRETE SIDEWALK>

<CRACK; HEAD MEETS POLE AS NION COLLIDES DIRECTLY INTO A LAMP POST IN FRONT OF HER; SHE FALLS TO THE GROUND, CLUTCHING HER HEAD WITH CARE; SHE SHAKES HER HEAD A FEW TIMES TO MAKE SURE THERE’S NO PERMANENT DAMAGE>

Nion: Damn posts…

<SHE LOOKS IN FRONT OF HER, NOTING THAT SALA IS A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE AWAY FROM HER, AND GAINING EVEN MORE; FINALLY ON HER FEET, NION PICKS AT HER HAIR FOR A SECOND BEFORE RESUMING HER RUN; AS SHE’S RUNNING, NION REPEATEDLY SHOWS NO SIGNS OF FATIGUE>

<AFTER WHAT SEEMS LIKE AN ETERNITY OF RUNNING, NION MAKES HER WAY UP TO THE SCHOOL ENTRANCE, WHERE SALA IS SHOWN BREATHING HEAVILY AND SWEATING PROFUSELY; NION JOGS HER WAY TO HER EXHAUSTED FRIEND AND SMILES>

Nion: Fun, wasn’t it?

Sala: <STILL BREATHING HEAVILY> How… the hell… are you not… tired!?

Nion: I do this often.

Sala: Running… like a maniac?!

Nion: Training.

Sala: Might I ask what are you training for?

Nion: Just cause. It’s fun.

Sala: Fun!? Sweating like a pig and exhausting yourself is fun!?

Nion: … I’m not exhausted though.

Sala: … Who the hell are you?

<BEFORE NION CAN RESPOND, THE BELL RINGS INSIDE THE BUILDING, SIGNALLING THE BEGINNING OF CLASS>

Sala: Crap baskets! Let’s go!

<SALA GRABS NION BY THE HAND AND THE TWO RUSH INTO THE BUILDING>

<An hour later>

<NOT TO NION’S SURPRISE, CLASS WAS EXTROADINARILY AWKWARD; EVERY NOW AND THEN, SHE’D PEEK OVER AT GRANT AND HE’D GIVE HER A MEAN GLANCE, PROMPTING HER TO TURN HER HEAD BACK, UNAMUSED; SHE OPENS HER BACKPACK AND RETRIEVES A SMALL CONTAINER CONTAINING A PLETHORA OF TURKEY LEGS; NION TAKES A MOMENT TO INHALE THE SMELLS EMANATING FROM THE CONTAINER BEFORE REMOVING THE TOP AND DEVOURING THE TURKEY LEGS>

<AFTER A WHILE, MS. FAULCONER IS CALLED INTO THE HALLWAY FOR UNKNOWN REASONS; A YOUNG MAN SITTING BEHIND NION, WHO’D BEEN STARING AT HER MOWING DOWN ON TURKEY FOR A WHILE, STANDS FROM HIS DESK AND POKES HER BACK; NION, OBVIOUSLY ANNOYED AT THE INTERRUPTION, PAUSES HER EATING AND HALF TURNS HER HEAD TO THE YOUNG MAN>

Nion: What is it, Futo?

Futo: S-Sorry, I’m sorry N-Nion! But, er, that young sir back there, he, uh, he wants to fight y-you!

Nion: <FINISHING OFF ANOTHER TURKEY LEG> Who?

<FUTO POINTS DIRECTLY AT THE BOY WHO HE WAS REFERRING TO; NION SMILES AT REALIZING WHO HE WAS TALKING ABOUT>

Nion: Is that so?

Futo: Yep. I-In fact, he told me to tell y-y-you-

Nion: <PUTS A HAND IN FUTO’S FACE> I’ll finish my food first. When I’m done, take your time and tell me.

<FUTO OBLIGES AND WAITS PATIENTLY AS NION PEELS THE LAST PIECE OF MEAT OFF HER LAST TURKEY LEG AND PLOPS IT INTO HER MOUTH, MOANING WITH ENJOYMENT AS SHE SWALLOWS IT; SHE CLOSES HER CONTAINER AND PLACES IT BACK INTO HER BACKPACK BEFORE LETTING OUT A BURP; FUTO TRIES HIS BEST TO NOT LOOK DISGUSTED>

Nion: Excuse me. Continue.

Futo: Quite. A-Anyway, I-I was told that he wanted to meet y-y-you in front of the s-school after the day was over.

<NION SMILES DEVILISHLY AND GAZES AT GRANT, WHO NEVER TOOK HIS EYES OFF NION>

Nion: <RAISES AN EYEBROW> Sounds like good exercise.

Sala: <CLEARING HER THROAT> Um, Nion?

Nion: Hm?

<SALA MAKES HER WAY IN FRONT OF NION AND PLACES HER HANDS ON HER DESK, MORE THAN LIKELY OUT OF CONCERN>

Sala: Are you sure you know what you’re doing? What if a teacher notices?

Nion: School will be over. They don’t care what happens to anyone after.

Sala: That’s a cynical way of putting it… You should know, I’ve heard that Grant never goes into a fight by himself. He’s bound to have his “boys” back there back him up.

<NION’S EXPRESSION DARKENS AS SHE TAKES ANOTHER LOOK AT GRANT, SITTING BY FOUR OTHER STUDENTS WHO, LIKE HIM, ARE EYEING HER DOWN WITH UNDOUBTEDLY HOSTILE INTENTIONS; SHE LOOKS AWAY FROM THE BOYS AND GRINS AT SALA>

Nion: Feel like seeing me in action?

Sala: What!? This ain’t a joke. Think about this. All four of those bozos, they wouldn’t think twice about smacking you around, especially with the way you are.

Nion: What about the way I am?

Sala: You know! I mean, no offense but you really come across as a bit aggressive, especially after what happened with him the other day didn’t help at all.

Nion: That was me being nice.

Sala: That’s what I’m talking about! He’s trying to bait you! I dunno how you look when you’re provoked, but I don’t wanna see it wasted on those bozos.

Nion: That’s not fun.

Futo: But N-N-Nion, think about-

Nion: <WHISPERING> Whatever happens after school just happens. I don’t want your advice. I don’t need your advice. I don’t want anything. The only things I want are just me and my fists. Got it?

<FUTO AND SALA EXCHANGE LOOKS OF HEAR; AFTER A WHILE, THEY BOTH NOD AT NION>

Sala: Ok then.

Nion: Thank you. Now get back to your seat. I’m gonna go train.

Futo: Right n-now!? But class i-is s-still going-

<NION IS ALREADY GONE BY THE TIME FUTO FINISHES HIS SENTENCE>

Sala: <SIGHS> So be it.

<An hour later>

<NION PACES BACK AND FORTH IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL BUILDING, THROWING JABS IN FRONT OF HER WITH EVERY STEP; FUTO AND SALA STAND IDLY BY, NEAR THE OTHER STUDENTS WHO’D GATHERED TO WATCH; AFTER MINUTES OF SILENCE, THE FRONT DOOR BURSTS OPEN AND GRANT AND HIS FOUR FRIENDS STEP OUT>

Nion: Figured.

Grant: <CHUCKLING> What’s up? You tryna back out now?

Nion: No.

Futo: Y-You should feel bad!

<ONE OF THE BOYS FLINCHES AT FUTO; FUTO BEGINS TO SWEAT A BIT AND DASHES BEHIND SALA FOR HOPE OF PROTECTION; SALA ROLLS HER EYES AND SIGHS>

Nion: No, Futo. They shouldn’t feel bad about you and your boys fighting a girl…

<NION GETS INTO HER FIGHTING STANCE>

Nion: <SMIRKING> He should feel bad about you and your boys getting beat up by a girl.

Grant: We’ll see about that, freak. Ready boys?

All together: Ready!

Boy #1: To-

Boy #2: Ge-

Boy #3: Ther-

Boy #4: We-

Grant: Are-

Nion: <THINKING> The hell-!?

All together: The Ginyu Force!

<NION PLAYFULLY SLAPS HERSELF SILLY, IN HOPES TO CLEAR THE MYSTERIOUS VOICES OUT OF HER HEAD; AFTER CONTINUOUS SLAPS AND EYE RUBBING, NION’S POINT OF VIEW HAS BEEN OBSTRUCTED BEYOND BELIEF; A GROUP OF UNUSUAL AND UNDOUBTEDLY COLORFUL WARRIORS STAND BEFORE HER, WITH VENOMOUS LOOKS IN THEIR EYES; NION BEGINS TO PANIC, SWEATING PROFUSELY AND HER STANCE BEGINS TO SWAY A BIT>

Futo: N-N-Nion! What’s wrong?

<JUDGING FROM NION’S PANICKED EXPRESSION, SHE IS UNABLE TO HIM>

Nion: <GRUNTS> This again…?

“Ginyu”: Let’s go!

Rest: Yes!

<NIONS TAKES A FEW STEPS BACK TO ASSESS HER SITUATION AND ATTEMPTS AGAIN TO SHAKE HERSELF OUT OF HER ILLUSION, TO NO AVAIL>

Nion: <THINKING> Can’t concentrate… Vision’s fading… Who the hell…?

“Ginyu”: What’s wrong, Nion!? Scared to face us now?

<DEEP DOWN, NION KNEW IT WAS GRANT THAT WAS MAKING THE REMARKS, BUT HER MIND KEPT TELLING HER A DIFFERENT STORY; SHE EVENTUALLY STOPPED TRYING TO ESCAPE HER ILLUSION AND, AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF SILENCE, BEGINS TO CHUCKLE>

“Ginyu”: What’s so funny, freak?

Nion: Nothing at all… Ginyu! This fight just got a bit more interesting…

“Ginyu”: Ginyu?... Who the hell’s-?

<NION RETURNS TO HER FIGHTING STANCE AND HER GRIN TURNS FROM A CONFIDENT ONE TO A NIGH INSANE ONE>

Futo: What i-i-is her deal?

Sala: I don’t think she can hear us…

Futo: What?

Nion: Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP! If they can beat you up, then so can I! Come and get it!

Boy #4: The fu-? She’s gone loco man.

Grant: <GRUNTS> Don’t let her scare you, boys. Let’s get her!

<GRANT AND HIS BOYS READY THEMSELVES FOR A FIGHT>

​ ​ From Grant to Ginyu!?
<THE GROUP RUSHES NION WITHIN SECONDS, IMMEDIATELY SURROUNDING HER; SHE TAKES A DEEP BREATH AND OBSERVES THE SITUATION>

Nion: Must I throw the first punch?

<NION WOBBLES FROM SIDE TO SIDE FOR A BIT, WHICH MAKES THE “GINYU FORCE” A BIT UNEASY; HER TWO OPPONENTS AHEAD OF HER, “JEICE” AND “BURTER”, SHAKE OFF THEIR NERVOUSNESS AND COME IN WITH A FLURRY OF PUNCHES. NION EASILY MANAGES TO DODGE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM AND, UPON REALIZING WHEN THEY WERE OUT OF BREATH, COUNTERS WITH A KICK TO THE GUT OF “BURTER” FOLLOWED BY AN UPPERCUT TO “JEICE”. SHE MAKES SOME DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM CHARGES BACK IN WITH A DOUBLE PUNCH TO THE DUO’S STOMACHES, SENDING THEM SKIDDING MANY FEET AWAY FROM HER>

Nion: <TWISTS HER WRIST, SMIRKING> Thought you two would be better than that. Guess I was wrong.

<SHE TURNS HER ATTENTION TO “GULDO”, WHO IS STANDING IN SHOCK AT THE SIGHT OF SEEING HIS FRIENDS BEING EASILY BESTED BY THIS YOUNG WOMAN; OUT OF SHEER CONFIDENCE, NION WALKS OVER TO HIM AND SLAPS HIM IN THE FACE, WHICH SENDS HIM TO THE FLOOR>

“Guldo”: <GRABS HIS CHEEK> Ow ow ow ow ow! Hey.. you’d better-

<NION SHOOTS A VENOMOUS LOOK AT HIM, AND HE IMMEDIATELY SHUTS UP; SHE TURNS TO FUTO AND SALA, WHO WERE BOTH STANDING IN AWE; NION COCKILY GRINS AT THE TWO>

Nion: Like these pip squeaks have a chance…

<HER SHOWING OFF ULTIMATELY GETS THE BEST OF HER AS SHE SUDDENLY FEELS HER ARMS BEING TRAPPED BEHIND HER, FINDING LITTLE TO NO ABILITY TO BREAK FREE; OUT THE CORNER OF HER EYE, SHE SPOTS THAT “GINYU” WAS THE ONE WHO WAS HOLDING HER TIGHTLY IN A FULL NELSON HOLD WHILE “GULDO” AND “RECOOME” CLOSED IN; THE TWO SEEMED HESISTANT AT FIRST, HOWEVER, AS “JEICE” AND “BURTER” LAID NEARBY, STRUGGLING TO REGAIN THEIR COMPOSURE>

Nion: <SHAKING BACK AND FORTH RAPIDLY> Get… off of me, you-

“Ginyu”: What are you two waiting for!? Hit her!

<THE TWO NOD AT EACH OTHER IN AGREEMENT; “RECOOME” CLOSES IN ON NION AS SHE CONTINUES HER STRUGGLE TO BREAK FREE; SHE EVENTUALLY CEASES HER EFFORT AND SLOUCHES A BIT AS “RECOOME” CONTINUES HIS APPROACH; OUT OF OPTIONS, NION BRACES HERSELF AS SHE’S MET WITH A DEAFENING PUNCH TO HER GUT, WINCING IN PAIN AFTERWARDS>

Nion: <GRUNTS> Ergh… little-

<RECOOME LIFTS HER HEAD UP WITH HIS RIGHT HAND, CRACKS A SMILE, AND DELIVERS A STRAIGHT LEFT PUNCH TO HER STOMACH, FOLLOWED BY A RIGHT HOOK AND BEGAN TO REPEAT THE PROCESS OVER AND OVER; AFTER HE WAS DONE PUMMELING HER, NION COUGHS UP DROPLETS OF BLOOD AND SLOUCHES HER HEAD BACK DOWN>

“Ginyu”: Yea, give her another one!

Sala: <THINKING TO HERSELF> These bastards...

Futo: N-N-N-Nion, get outta there!

Nion didn’t respond.

Sala: <THINKING> Come on, girl. These fools really hurting you?

<THIS TIME, IT IS “GULDO” THAT BEGINS TO THROW A PUNCH; ALMOST COMICALLY, HE CONTINUES TO TWIRL HIS ARM OVER AND OVER, AS IF PREPARING TO DELIVER A DEVESTATING UPPERCUT>

“Jeice”: Yea, deck her! Deck her!

<AS “GULDO” PREPARES HIS SWING, NION OPENS HER EYES AND BRINGS UP HER RIGHT LEG, DELIVERING A SHARP KICK TO “GULDO’S” CHIN>

Nion: <FORMING A GRIN> Gotcha, bitch.

<AS “GULDO” STRUGGLES TO REGAIN HIS COMPOSURE, NION OPENS HER EYES AND PUSHES HER FEET OFF “GINYU”, FREEING HERSELF AND THROWING HIM OFF BALANCE, WHICH SEND HIM TO THE FLOOR; SHE DOES A BACKFLIP ON TOP OF HIM, LANDING WITH HER RIGHT FOOT PLANTED SQUARELY ON HIS NOSE, IMMEDIATELY BLOODYING IT; SHE TURNS TO “RECOOME”, VAULTING OVER “GINYU” AND EXTENDS HER RIGHT LEG OUTWARD, KICKING “RECOOME” AND SENDING HIM TO THE GROUND AS WELL; TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, SHE KNEELS TOWARDS THE FRIGHTENED “GULDO”, PUTS ON A GREAT BIG SMILE, AND SOCKS HIM IN THE FACE, BLACKENING HIS LEFT EYE>

<SHE TAKES A SECOND TO OBSERVE HER SURROUNDINGS, NOTICING THAT “JEICE” AND “BURTER” WERE SLOWING RECOVERING FROM THEIR EARLIER MISFORTUNES; SHE DASHES OVER TO THEM AND STANDS BETWEEN THEM; SHE JOKINGLY PATS THEIR HEADS BEFORE GRABBING THEM BY THEIR HAIR AND BONKING THEM TOGETHER, IMMEDIATELY KNOCKING THEM OUT; THEY FLOP TO THE GROUND AND SHE TURNS TO FACE “RECOOME”, WHO’S NOW GRITTING HIS TEETH WITH ANGER; NION WIPES THE LITTLE BLOOD FROM HER LOWER LIP AND GETS INTO HER FIGHTING STANCE, UNUSUALLY SHOWING NO SIGNS OF WEAR, TEAR, OR EVEN DAMAGE FROM THE PUNCHES SHE RECEIVED A MOMENT AGO>

“Recoome”: How… the hell… did you?

<“RECOOME” IS JOINED BY “GINYU”, WHO NUDGES HIM FORWARD A BIT; “RECOOME” BEGINS HIS MARCH TO HIS OPPONENT, BUT SOMETHING CATCHES HIS EYE; HE TAKES A MOMENT TO OBSERVE NION, WHO’S STANCE HAS SUDDENLY BECOME SLIGHTY WOBBLY, NOT IN A WAY THAT SHOWED SHE WAS TIRED, BUT IN A WAY THAT SHE SEEMED A BIT… DISTURBED; UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, HE TAKES A GLANCE TO THE BACK OF HER PANTS, NOTICING SOMETHING BROWN AND HAIRY EMERGING FROM IT; NOTING HIS HESISTANCE, NION TAKES THE OPPORTUNITY TO RUSH HIM, GRABBING HIM BY THE THROAT; SHE BEGINS SQUEEZING IT, IN A WAY THAT CAN PUT HIM TO SLEEP, THE HARD WAY>

“Ginyu”: H-Hey! Let him go!

<HE TAKES A STEP TOWARDS NION AND SHE RESPONDS BY POINTING HER INDEX FINGER AT HIM; SHE SAYS NOTHING AFTERWARDS, JUST GLANCING AT HIM WHILE SHE TIGHTENED HER GRIP ON “RECOOME’S” NECK; KEEPING HER FINGER POINTED, SHE FACES THE FADING “RECOOME” AND, ALMOST MANIACALLY, BEGINS TO CHUCKLE

Nion: You like that, freak? How’s it feel, freak!? You still wanna mess with me, FREAK!?

<”RECOOME”, RUNNING OOUT OF BREATH, TOOK HIS LAST MOMENT TO STARE INTO NION’S EYES AND, BEFORE PASSING OUT, NOTICES A BRIEF FLICKER BEHIND HER; HE IMMEDIATELY FAINTS AFTERWARDS, WITH NION NOT RELEASING HIM UNTIL SHE FELT SOMETHING GRAB HER ON THE ARM>

Sala: <STERNLY> Let him go, Nion!

<NION NEVER LOOKS IN SALA’S DIRECTION, WHICH ONLY DEEPENS SALA’S STERN LOOK; EVENTUALLY, SHE CONCEDES AND RELEASES NION’S ARM; SHE BACKS AWAY AND, UPON REALIZATION, GLANCES AT NION’S PANTS AND SMILES; SECONDS LATER, NION FEELS A SHARP STING BEHIND HER, FORCING HER TO DROP “RECOOME” TO THE GROUND, STILL UNCONSCIOUS BUT BARELY BREATHING; SHE TURNS TOWARDS SALA WITH A VENOMOUS GAZE AND MOUTHS A SWEAR AS GINYU TUGS HER FRIEND AWAY FROM HER>

Grant: We- we’re telling the principal on you!

<”GINYU’S VOICE HAD CHANGED, NION NOTICED, AND SHE TURNS AROUND WITH A SMUG GRIN AS SHE SEES GRANT’S FRIENDS LAID TO WASTE IN FRONT OF HER, WITH GRANT STILL DRAGGING HIMSELF AND HIS FRIEND AWAY>

Grant: Y-YOU GOD-DAMN FREAK!

Nion: I haven’t hurt you much, I noticed. Want me to fix that?

<THE STUDENTS WHO HAD COME TO WATCH THE FIGHT BACK AWAY AS NION GRABS AN EMPTY CAN ON A NEARBY TABLE AND BEGINS TO FLIP IT IN HER HAND>

Futo: Don’t do i-it!

Nion: Convince me.

<FUTO BEGINS TO MAKE HIS CLAIM, BUT NION HAS ALREADY HOPPED ONTO A TABLE, READY TO PULL OFF WHATEVER DEED SHE HAD; GRANT HAD ALREADY SETTLED HIS FRIEND INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT OF HIS CAR; NION BEGINS CHUCKING THE CAN INTO THE AIR OVER AND OVER AND TURNS HER BACK TO THE CAR; AS THE CAN FELL, IT WASN’T HER HAND OR HER HEAD THAT CAUGHT THE CAN, BUT IT WAS CAUGHT BY, AND WAS NOW WRAPPED AROUND NION’S EXUBERANT, FURRY TAIL>

Nion: I should’ve mentioned that I’m a bit trained in martial arts, shouldn’t I?

<NION SWINGS HERSELF AROUND AND, UTILIZING HER TAIL, CHUCKS THE CAN IN FRONT OF HER; THE CAN SOARS LIKE A BULLET IN THE AIR, FIGHTING OFF THE GUSTS OF WIND IN ORDER TO MAKE IT TO ITS TARGET; GRANT FINALLY MADE HIS WAY TO THE DRIVER’S SIDE OF HIS CAR AND AS HE BEGINS TO OPEN HIS MOUTH, THE CAN COLLIDES IN THE FRONT OF HIS SKULL, SENDING HIM SPIRALLING TOWARDS THE GROUND IN A HUMOROUS, YET PAINFUL MANNER; SATISFIED, NION TUCKS HER TAIL BETWEEN HER GRANTS AND MAKES HER WAY TO GRANT; STILL CONSCIOUS BUT BLEEDING, GRANT IS FIXATED ON NION’S TAIL>

Grant: <IN A DAZED MANNER> You… h-have a tail.

Nion: Observant as ever. Now beat it.

<GRANT STAGGERS INTO HIS CAR, SLAMMING THE DOOR BEHIND HIM; AS HE TURNS IT ON, NION STEPS IN FRONT OF THE CAR, GAWKING AT THE TWO, ESTABLISHING A FORM OF MENTAL DOMINANCE IN THE PROCESS; HE SLAMS DOWN ON THE REVERSE PEDAL AND DRIVES AWAY>

Sala: <RAISING HER HAND FOR A HIGH FIVE> That was legit, baby!

<UNKNOWING OF WHAT TO DO BUT NOT WANTING TO DISAPPOINT, SHE RETURNS THE GESTURE; SUDDENLY, MS. FAULCONER ARRIVES, WITH SOME FACULTY STAFF AND A FEW OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO THE AREA>

Sala: <IN A COCKY MANNER> Bout time you slackers showed up. My girl here just kicked some a-

Ms. Faulconer: My office, Nion!

<THE GIRLS EXCHANGE LOOKS OF CONFUSION AND SALA MOUTHS A SWEAR TO HERSELF WHILE NION LOOKS AT THE OFFICERS AND THE STAFF, ALL WHOM ARE FIXATED ON HER; SHE IMMEDIATELY CURLS HER TAIL BACK INTO HER PANTS TO NOT CAUSE ANY MORE UNWANTED ATTENTION>

Nion: What did-

Ms. Faulconer: Now!

Sala: What are you talking about!? She-

<ONE OF GRANT’S FRIENDS, OR “RECOOME” AS NION SAW, INTERVENES AND COLLAPSES ONTO THE OFFICER>

Goon: <STILL COUGHING> Th- That’s not true, officer! She attacked us! Beat us up for no reason!

Sala: Oh, that’s a load of bull-

Goon: And she has a tail on her! She’s a freak! A FREAK!

Sala: Officer, please, that’s not what happened! No one here has a tail, am I right guys?

<SALA TURNS TO THE GROUP OF STUDENTS>

Sala: Tell them!

<NONE OF THE STUDENTS SAID A WORD; ENRAGED, SALA TURNS TO NION AND FUTO>

Sala: Nion!?

<FUTO OPENED HIS MOUTH TO SPEAK, BUT, AFRAID IT WOULD COME OUT IN BITS AND PIECES, REMAINED SILENT; NION, SEEMING UNFAZED BY THE WHOLE THING, NEGLECTED TO COMMENT AS WELL; ONE OF THE OFFICERS STEPS TOWARDS THE GIRLS>

Officer: Come with us so we can sort this out. We’re not going to ask again, ma’am.

Sala: But she was defending herself!

Officer: <STERNLY> I’m not going to ask again.

<NION TAKES A DEEP BREATH AND FOLLOWS HER ORDERS, TAKING A LAST SECOND GLANCE AT FUTO AND SALA AS SHE DISAPPEARED INTO THE BUILDING; THE REMAINING STAFF AND OFFICERS ENCOURAGED THE STUDENTS TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES AND GO ON WITH THEIR DAY; SALA, HOWEVER, STAYED IN THE PARKING LOT, STILL ENRAGED>

Voice: <OFF-SCREEN> Tough break?

<STARTLED, SALA TURNS AROUND AND STARES AT THE SOURCE OF THE VOICE; THE CAMERA POSITIONS ITSELF ON THE FACE OF AN ATTRACTICE YOUNG WOMAN WHOSE BLONDE HAIR ALMOST HIDES HER OMINOUS, BLUE EYES; SALA DIDN’T BOTHER CHECKING OUT THE REST OF HER BECAUSE SHE WAS STILL ENRAGED, INSTEAD TURNING BACK TO THE ENTRANCE>

Sala: I don’t get this friggin place. Cheer for the hero to beat up the bully, doesn’t even vouch for the hero when she gets in trouble.

Voice: I wouldn’t worry about her. She’s tougher than she looks. She’ll get over it.

Sala: And how do you know that?

<SALA TURNS TO LOOK AT THE WOMAN, BUT SHE WAS ALREADY MANY FEET AWAY, WALKING AWAY FROM THE SCENE>

Futo: <WALKING UP TO SALA> Who was that?

Sala: … I don’t know.

<THE WOMAN TURNS A CORNER AND DISAPPEARS FROM THEIR VIEW, LEAVING SALA TO HER THOUGHTS>

Trivia

 * Ms. Faulconer's name is an easter egg to producer Bruce Faulconer, who composed music for Dragon Ball Z.