Dragon Ball Z: The Forgotten (on one page)

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

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

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

Lauto Saga - One Truth (Globus)

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Stomping Grounds Saga - Final Hour (X-Ray Dog)

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Planet Earth Saga - Don't Worry Be Happy (Bobby McFerrin)

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Reunion Saga - Waiting On You (Weezer)

6BDhVP-HEgc

Fulfillment Saga - How I Made My Millions (Thom Yorke)

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Final Theme - Great Spirits (Two Steps From Hell)

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Final Credits - El Scorcho (Weezer)

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Canon
 What is considered canon for Dragon Ball: The Forgotten: 

' Dragon Ball is canon. '

' Dragon Ball: Z is canon. '

Dragon Ball: GT is not canon.

' Movie 1 is canon. '

Movie 2 is not canon.

Movie 3 is not canon.

Movie 4 is not canon.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">' Movie 5 (Cooler movie) is canon. '

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Movie 6 (Cooler’s return) is not canon.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Movie 7 is not canon.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">' Movie 8 is canon. '

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">' Movie 9 is canon. '

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Movie 10 is not canon.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Movie 11 is not canon.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Movie 12 is not canon.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">' Movie 13 is canon. '

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">' Bardock, the Father of Goku is canon. '

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The History of Trunks is in an alternate timeline, and therefore irrelevant.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The Dragon Ball: Z End-year Show is not canon.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Dragon Ball Z: Movie Overview Special is not canon.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Dragon Ball Z: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans’ is not canon.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">' Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! is canon '

All Characters
a

Timeline Events
(canon timeline)

365 Million Years Before Age:

Verlate is born.

181 Million Years Before Age:

Verlate accidentally gives her power to the tribal Kais, leading to massive genocide on their part. Verlate convinces the Supreme Judge, Sertung, to transfer their dying species' (which has only a few hundred members still living) powers, collectively, to the Kais... that is, after giving them proper training in how to control them. This effectively begins the saga of the Kais ruling over the universe. Verlate is sealed into her mind prison for her own failings.

404:

Nepar is born.

572:

Digranite is born.

608:

The Benefactor is born.

612:

The Benefactor exterminates all other members of his species. His energy output gets the attention of Frieza, who subsequently offers the alien a position in his army. The Benefactor accepts.

673:

Guva is born.

674:

Konatsu is born.

675:

Mullpy is born.

676:

Noscal is born.

687:

Anango is born.

689:

Meloon is born.

691:

Banas is born.

697:

Cardinal is born.

699:

Layeeck is born.

705:

Payar is born.

706:

Sarpack is born.

Sika is born.

708:

Lieme is born.

714:

Nagamo is born.

717:

Grif is born.

Mrs. Fanshi is born.

719:

Aprido is born.

729:

Mr. Kyokatshi is born.

732:

Prince Vegeta is born.

733: 

Ledas is born.

737:

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

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

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

-September 29th: The Benefactor’s execution is scheduled and performed by Zarbon.

739:

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

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

-February 2nd: Meloon/Ledas fight. Ledas is nearly killed. Banas has an encounter with some soldiers from Planet Cooler 96. He kills them.

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

742: 

Kindler is born.

Dewberry is born.

Ledas’ power continues to grow. He learns how to sense ki.

743: 

Banas and the Plantains encounter the Captain of Planet Cooler 96. A fight is started, where all of 96’s elite fighters are killed. For doing so, Banas is indefinitely suspended from his position as Captain by Guva.

745: 

-August 22nd: Ledas encounters Lauto, stops aging at age 12, is taught how to control his power. He begins to suspect he is a Super Saiyan, but cannot transform. Ledas continues his intensive gravity training. Cooler is (erroneously) notified that Ledas destroyed Planet 96. He sets out to personally kill the Saiyan.

-August 23rd: Ledas flees from Planet Cooler 92.

-August 24th: Ledas arrives on Cooler’s Capitol Planet, The Stomping Grounds. Ledas encounters Mullpy, and kills him. Ledas encounters Grif, is put into a coma-stasis; Grif convinces himself and Cooler that Ledas is dead.

754:

File is born.

756:

Shoekki is born.

762:

Ryori is born.

766:

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

-March 20th: Ledas encounters Konatsu and Anango, as well as the entire army. He destroys all of them. Digranite sets out to call Cooler.

-March 21st: Ledas has his first fight with Nepar, and is badly wounded.

-March 23rd: Ledas once again engages Nepar, trying to get into the tower, and is successful this time. He meets Digranites bodyguards, who take him prisoner. Digranite returns and fights Ledas. Cooler and Guva pick up Digranite’s distress call. Cooler prepares to destroy his planet, over sheer impatience; Guva goes planet-side to rescue Ledas. Ledas and Guva fight Digranite. Ledas is able to control his Semi Super Saiyan state given to him by Lauto, and defeats Digranite. Cooler destroys the planet. Guva and Ledas return to Planet Cooler 92. Guva reminds Ledas of his promise about killing Banas, now that he is easily strong enough.

-March 25th: Aprido is captured by the natives. He kills some, leading to Ledas to kill him. Lieme and Payar both attack Ledas, but he bests them. Ledas reaches the breaking point, in his fight with Payar, about being used, and becomes a Super Saiyan. All Plantains converge and attack Ledas at the same time. Guva reveals his treachery and begins fighting Banas. Ledas and the rest of the plantains fight. Ledas kills all three (leaving Payar for the natives). Neither Banas nor Guva can best one another. Ledas disrupts them, and forces Guva to reveal what he knows about the Saiyans. Banas disappears. Ledas leaves for Earth, and Vegeta. He abandons the Natives to face their doom alone.

769: 

Ledas gets lost, but continues searching for Vegeta. He trains more and more, trying to master his new Super Saiyan 1 form.

771:

-July 30th: Banas returns, showing that he is still alive. The Natives begin multiple rebellions, which are successful without any strong fighters remaining to stop them. Guva and Banas leave Planet Cooler 92 to settle their fight elsewhere.

-September 1st: Guva and Banas fight for the last time; Banas is killed.

772: 

After many years of travel, Ledas senses large amounts of ki coming from a distant planet. He finishes his training, then heads to it, and lands on Earth.

-January 1st: Guva returns to his Planet, only to find it destroyed. Under The Benefactor’s threats, he returns to his pod and goes to Earth.

774: 

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

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

-April 1st: Ledas acquires a Model 14 gravity unit from Dr. Briefs. He reunites with Vegeta and fights him. Cardinal officially enters the town in search of the alien, whose pod was found.

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

-April 18th: Ledas and Piccolo fight. Ledas wins.

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

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

-May 5th: Cardinal and his men change Ledas into Great Ape and identify him as the alien. Yajirobe meets Ledas. Cardinal learns Ledas is the alien and kidnaps Ryori.

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

-May 7th: Shoekki kills File upon finding out she is really a man. Dewberry kills Mrs. Fanshi after he and Kindler find Ledas' space ship. Shoekki kills himself by orders of Cardinal in order to save his brother. Cardinal takes Ryori and Ledas; the group goes into space to escape Majin Buu.

-May 9th: Cardinal returns to Earth; Kindler and Dewberry are killed by Ledas; Guva comes to Earth and is challenged by the Z fighters; He defeats Yamcha and Chiaotzu but is defeated by Tien; The Benefactor shows up suddenly, alive, and kills Guva; he is challenged by Tien and wins; he creates a Locke’s Ruse attack, which sucks out all the power of the remaining Z fighters, though they are not aware of it. All remaining Z fighters are taken out from that. Ledas flees with Vegeta. The two confront The Benefactor by the ocean line and Vegeta realizes that Ledas is real. However, Vegeta is defeated and The Benefactor takes Ledas away. Cardinal recaptures Ryori, when the latter attempted to assassinate him. Half of the city is blown up by The Benefactor in frustration.

-May 10th: The Benefactor kills Nagamo. Ledas is tortured by The Benefactor and forced to do his bidding. Ledas finds the last bastion of the Red Ribbon Army, and after killing a good portion of them, is knocked unconscious.

-May 11th: Ledas meets Silver. Silver and Green are biochemically enhanced with Ledas' blood. Ledas eliminates all Red Ribbon soldiers asides from Silver and his guard, Wisconsin. Silver comes to the aid of his father, Cardinal, but is killed by Ryori in a bout of rage. The city blows up from his failsafe. The Benefactor fights Vegeta and Ledas. He beats Vegeta. Ledas flees and ultimately blinds The Benefactor. They run into Yajirobe, who was on delivery with senzu beans. Yajirobe throws the mind prison and sucks both of them into it. Verlate is introduced but does not outwit either of them, causing her to commit suicide. Ledas tricks The Benefactor and traps the alien in the prison. He returns to Korin and is given ownership over the prison.

-May 14th: Vegeta gets his invitation to Cardinal's tournament. Ledas gets to know Yoroki and spends time in Ryori's hospital room.

-May 29th: Ledas and Ryori visit Mrs. Fanshi's house, now that Ryori is out of the hospital. They find Cardinal's invitation and leave for his address.

-June 12th: Ledas and Ryori arrive at Cardinal's destination. They sleep in his suite.

-June 13th: Ledas goes down to the tournament and fights Trunks. Later on, he fights Vegeta and the two get properly reacquainted.

-June 14th: Ledas and Vegeta begin their nostalgia training. Ledas and Ryori are moved into their new house, where they live together.

-June 17th: Ledas makes one last trip to Mrs. Fanshi's house to store The Benefactor's prison. He keeps it there, safe as he goes on with his life elsewhere, with Vegeta and Ryori.

End of timeline.

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

1st: Prince Vegeta Saga: First Saga is about the friendship of the Saiyan children Ledas and Vegeta. Frieza becomes interested in the two, even as his personal confliction over their race begins to develop. A strange and enigmatic character named “The Benefactor” is also briefly shown. Frieza engages in the Genocide of the Saiyans; Ledas barely survives this, but is cut off from Vegeta and is left to his own path.

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

2nd: Lauto Saga: Second Saga is about the aftermath of what happened in the saga before; planet Vegeta’s destruction and the Saiyan race’s near extinction. Barely surviving this, Ledas lands unconscious on a Cooler outpost, Planet Cooler 92. Here he is thrust into the politics of the station, mainly that of its captain and governor; both of whom are trying to kill each other. While Ledas stays and works along with them, he encounters a being named “Lauto” who helps him focus his power. After Captain Banas got himself into a sticky situation by destroying an allied planet, he blames it all on Ledas, leading to Cooler marking the Saiyan boy for death.

3rd: Stomping Grounds Saga Third Saga is about Ledas’ escape from Planet Cooler 92, following his (erroneous) charging with destroying another Cooler outpost. Cooler comes to personally execute the boy. Ledas flees, off planet, and is shot down not long after onto Cooler’s stomping grounds. Alone, he works to find a way off that planet too before Cooler or anyone else can kill him.

4th: Planet Earth Saga: Fourth Saga is about Ledas’ journey to earth after his destruction of Governor Guva’s outpost. Here, he lands in search of Vegeta but is quickly swept up by fellow earthlings. This includes being enrolled into school, wherein he gains some new friends that make even him question his resolve to pursue Vegeta over them. Ledas’ damaged psyche spirals out of control as his visions of past horrors and of his father’s presence continue to grow. Elsewhere, Governor Guva and Captain Banas finally finish their long lasted feud. Note: There is one X rated scene in this saga. It will not be present in the release of the saga, but will be part of the “deleted scenes” collection.

5th: Reunion Saga: Fifth Saga is about Ledas’ and Vegeta’s reunion. Guva returns to earth to exact his revenge. He battles several Z fighters. However, midway through the fight, the Benefactor resurfaces and enters into the fray, causing new catastrophic implications. The Benefactor has come to take Ledas.Special: Forever Alone This special is about Verlate, and her imprisonment. It shows of her disastrous trip to the world of the Kais, which resulted in the near-extinction of the species. Being sentenced to a life forever in her mind, Verlate is put into the prison. However, her last wish was to have her species (the current gods of the universe) relinquish their mantle and let the Kais take over. Eventually, her prison reaches earth, where she encounters Korin, and learns an important lesson about riddles.

6th: Fulfillment Saga: Sixth Saga is about The Benefactor and Ledas, and their struggles together. Upon the Z Fighter’s defeat, Ledas not only tackles the Red Ribbon Army, finds a way to eliminate The Benefactor as a threat to the universe. In the aftermath, several Z fighters take part in a tournament, and Ledas and Vegeta finally are able to reunite for real. Note: There is one X rated scene in this saga. It will not be present in the release of the saga, but will be part of the “deleted scenes” collection.

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

Lauto Saga: The four plantains are lined up in their stances, with Ledas to the left of them. He looks up at them, with his arms crossed and his mouth open, with some kind of curiosity upon his face. Guva is also on the page, pushing Ledas into the group.

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

Planet Earth Saga: Ledas is alone, sitting at a desk. He is wearing his earth clothes, especially a hoodie, which he has up over his head. He looks bored. He has his head down on his arms, which are in a criss-cross position. His feet are pulled back.

Reunion Saga: Ledas is kneeling, in his Full Powered Super Saiyan form, staring at the camera. He has a pained, frightful look on his face. Vegeta is standing on his left (our right) in Super Saiyan 2, and is looking forward too, but holding his stance. He is determined. They are in the light forest area by the ocean.

Fulfillment Saga: The Benefactor is sitting with his legs up, in an X. His arms are across his knees and he is holding onto his arms. They are shown, and are not under their robes. They are scarred and green. He is looking to the left, not directly outward. In front of him, his face turned away, is Ledas. Ledas is laying on the ground, unmoving, in his regular form. His arms and legs are not outwardly splayed, they are merely in normal pose. His tail is on the near side. They are in the city, in the middle of a road. On each side of them explosions are going off, as the city is being torn to pieces.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prologue
<SCREEN IS BLACK, WITH VOICES TALKING>

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

Frieza: A wise choice.

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

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

King Vegeta: T-t-thank… you.

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

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

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

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

<FRIEZA SMILES; FADE AWAY>

<PLANET VEGETA>

<736 AGE>

<KING VEGETA’S PALACE>

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

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

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

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

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

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

Layeeck: You have started training him, milord?

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

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

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

Layeeck: What is his power level?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Layeeck: What? Do you really mean that?

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

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

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

Layeeck: Yes. That should be enough time. <WALKS AWAY FROM KING VEGETA, BACK TURNED> Forgive me sire… but I must ask you something… from one friend to another.

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

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

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

Layeeck: <CONFUSED> I-

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

King Vegeta: Lord Frieza and I are on the best of terms. We serve him loyally.

Layeeck: <HOARSELY> Then… he… they will?

King Vegeta: <CHUCKLES> Would you believe a few rumors over what I have said? I want my son to have a decent training partner. Unless you would rather I find another, for him?

Layeeck: <BOWS HEAD> No, I wouldn’t…

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

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

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

Lest I Forget...
<PLANET VEGETA>

<737 AGE>

<POD TAKEOFF AREA>

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

<LAYEECK AND HIS SQUAD APPROACH THEIR PODS; A FEW LESSER RACES (SUCH AS APPULES) SCURRY ABOUT READYING THEIR PODS>

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

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

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

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

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

Layeeck: Ledas?! What are you doing here?

Ledas: I wanna go with you!

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

Ledas: <LOOKING DOWN> Well… no.

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

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

Pod Worker: Yes sir! <RUNS OFF>

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

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

Layeeck: Good… <TO OTHER SAIYANS> Look… I don‘t want another scene like last time. Especially in front of my kid.

Saiyan 1: Come on, Layeeck it was just a little fu-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ledas: <LOOKING> There! Wow, there‘s a lot of them.

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

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

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

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

Saiyan 2: We…?

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

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

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

Ledas: Yeah… a little.

Layeeck: <CROSSES HIS ARMS> Show me.

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

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

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

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

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

<BEHIND, THE OTHER SAIYANS ARE STILL WATCHING>

Saiyan 1: Look at his power level!

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

Saiyan 3: Look at that little guy go.

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

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

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

<BOTH RETURN, LAYEECK IS STILL SHAKEN>

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

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

Ledas: But… is that all I get to do?

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

Ledas: But dad-

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

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

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

Saiyan Soldier 1: What?

Layeeck: I can make one myself.

Saiyan Soldier 2: An artificial moon?

Saiyan Soldier 3: That’s not possible, Layeeck.

Layeeck: <TOOTHY SMILE> Isn‘t it? Just stand back and watch this. Oh, and Ledas…

Ledas: Huh?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ledas: <FROWN> It was all right.

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

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

<AHEAD, LAYEECK ENTERS KING VEGETA’S CHAMBERS>

Layeeck: King Vegeta! <KNEELS>

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

Layeeck: <BREATHLESS> My son is ready.

King Vegeta: <STANDS UP> Where is he?

Layeeck: At home, resting.

King Vegeta: Did you train him in transformation?

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

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

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

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

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

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

<CUT TO LAYEECK’S HOUSE>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ledas: <LOOKING AWAY> Why?

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

Ledas: Really?

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

Ledas: Just the two of us?

Layeeck: Yes, the two of us.

<CUTS TO THE NEXT SCENE>

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

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

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

<THE FAR DOOR OPENS, 3 SAIBAMEN COME IN>

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

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

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

Ledas: Ow!! <ANGER SURGES>

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

King Vegeta: Impressive.

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

Layeeck: Damn it.

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

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

Layeeck: <UNCONTAINABLE SMILE> Well?

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

Prince Vegeta: <LOOKS AWAY> Whatever.

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

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

<LEDAS ENTERS, WALKING CAREFULLY>

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

Ledas: Sire! <BOWS HIS HEAD AND KNEELS>

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

Ledas: <LOOKING DOWN> Yes, sire.

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

Ledas: Um, I don’t know.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

King Vegeta: <THROUGH THE SPEAKER> Enough.

<PRINCE VEGETA IMMEDIATELY FREEZES>

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

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

Ledas: It looks like more of those green guys…

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

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

Ledas: <UNNATURALLY LOUD> My name is Ledas!

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

Ledas: Say my name!

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

Ledas: Help?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ledas: Hey, we did it!

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

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

Explosions, Vegeta... Lots Of 'Em!
<A FEW DAYS LATER>

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

Ledas: Vegetaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

Prince Vegeta: <OBVIOUSLY IMPATIENT> What?!

Ledas: <FLYING UPSIDE DOWN> Whatcha doin‘?

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

Ledas: <NOT LISTENING, WANDERING OFF A BIT, POKES AT SOMETHING ON THE WALL, IT FALLS OFF> When are we gonna start doing something?

Prince Vegeta: Nappa should be here any minute… <LIES DOWN, KNEES UP> Stop talking until he gets here.

Ledas: <WANDERS BACK OVER TO VEGETA; PEERS DOWNWARD AT HIM> Do you hate me, Vegeta?

Prince Vegeta: <UNMOVING> Hate you? I think you’re weak.

Ledas: But you needed my help yesterday.

Prince Vegeta: So what?

Ledas: Andya picked me to train with. Why’d you pick me if I’m so weak, huh?

Prince: Hmph, cuz everyone else is weaker.

Ledas: Bu-

Prince Vegeta: Where is Nappa?! <EXACERBATED>

<NAPPA ENTERS (FOR THE FIRST TIME); HE IS IN HIS FULL, YELLOW ARMOR>

Nappa: <POKING HEAD AROUND THE CORNER> Prince Vegeta and, uh… other kid… let’s go. It’s time to turn you babies into real Saiyans. Heh heh heh.

Prince Vegeta: Finally! <GETS UP, FOLLOWS NAPPA>

Ledas: <INNOCENTLY> Sounds like that’ll hurt.

Nappa: <EVILLY> Heh heh heh. That’s the plan, kiddo.

<THEY GO DOWN THE HALL, ON ONE OF THOSE COOL MOVING SIDEWALKS>

Prince Vegeta: <AFTER SOME WAYS> What are we doing today, Nappa?

Nappa: Ha ha ha ha!

Prince Vegeta: What’s so funny?

Nappa: Ha ha ha ha ha!

Prince Vegeta: Well? Tell me.

Nappa: We… ha ha ha… we are….

Prince Vegeta: Out with it!

Nappa: <UNCONTAINABLE GRIN> Explosions, Vegeta!

Prince Vegeta: <TOGETHER> What?

Ledas: <TOGETHER> What?

Nappa: Lots of explosions! Ha ha ha ha ha!

Prince Vegeta: <SIGHS> What a waste of time, I’d rather go on a combat assignment.

<THEY ROUND A CORNER, NAPPA IS POSITIVELY GIDDY WITH EXCITEMENT; THEY STOP AT A HEAVY STEEL DOOR, WHICH IS UNGUARDED; THEY STEP OFF THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF IT>

Nappa: Here we are!

Prince Vegeta: <UNCONVINCED> The gravity room? What gives?

Ledas: But we were here yesterday.

Nappa: I already told ya. <FIDDLING WITH THE CONTROLS> Now how high do you kids train at?

Prince Vegeta: (note: while Planet Vegeta’s gravity is 10 times that of earth, earth gravity will be used whenever gravity training is mentioned to prevent confusion) Twenty…

Nappa: <IN COMMAND> Then I’ll put it at thirty.

Prince Vegeta: Wait… wha-

Nappa: Now get in there, ya little brats. <NAPPA KICKS PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS INTO THE GRAVITY ROOM AND CLOSES THE DOOR; THIS ROOM IS LARGER THAN THE ONE WITH THE SAIBAMEN; IT IS BRIGHT AND VAST>

Ledas: <SPRAWLED ON THE GROUND> Owwwie! That guy is mean.

Prince Vegeta: <SCANNING THE AREA> Get up. Nappa said explosions… where is he…?

<GRAVITY GETS TURNED TO 50G, BOTH LEDAS AND VEGETA FALL TO THE FLOOR>

Prince Vegeta: >FOCUSED> Aah! I… can… barely… move. <A LITTLE PANICKY> N-nappa! What‘s going on?

Nappa: <OVER THE INTERCOMM> Explosions, Vegeta! Lots of explosions! Ya gotta to the other side without getting hit. Ha ha ha.

<BLOCKS AND VARIOUS ITEMS LITTER THE GRAVITY ROOM, IT IS LIKE A MAZE, OF SORTS; SUDDENLY ENERGY BLASTS START FALLING ALL OVER THE PLACE, PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS ARE HIT IMMEDIATELY; BECAUSE OF THE GRAVITY, THEY ARE UNABLE TO DODGE>

Nappa: <OVER THE INTERCOM, MOCKINGLY> What’s going on, Prince? My grandma could do this faster than you!

<WITH MUCH RAGE, PRINCE VEGETA IS ABLE TO GET UP THROUGH THE GRAVITY; HESTARTS TO WEAVE THROUGH THE ENERGY BLASTS AND MAZE WALLS; HIS AGILITY IS SUPRISING, AS HE SCALES WALLS AND JUMPS OVER OBSTACLES>

<LEDAS SEES HIM AND IS AWESTRUCK; HE JUMPS UP AS WELL AND STARTS MOVING, BUT IS HIT AGAIN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY; HE GETS UP AGAIN, AND HIDES BEHIND A WALL; BOTH START RUNNING OUT OF ENERGY FAST; VEGETA DROPS TO THE GROUND, EXHAUSTED; HE IS STILL BEING PUMMELED BY THE ENERGY BLASTS; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, THE EXPLOSIONS STOP; NAPPA COMES ON THE INTERCOM AGAIN>

Nappa: Ha ha! How’d you do, Prince?

Prince Vegeta: <CLOTHES DESTROYED, BLOODIED; LONG PAUSE, VEGETA IS JUST LAYING THERE; ALMOST WHISPERING> Start it again.

Nappa: Whaaa?!?!? Are you crazy? You can’t even move.

Prince Vegeta: <GETS UP, WITH MUCH PAIN> I’m not useless… I’m not… START IT UP AGAIN!!!!

Nappa: Heh… If you wanna die, I’m not gonna stop you.

<NAPPA TURNS THE GRAVITY BACK ONE; HE STARTS SHOOTING OFF ENERGY BLASTS AGAIN>

Prince Vegeta: <WALKING FORWARD, WITH MUCH TROUBLE; TO LEDAS> G-g-get up… you weakling!!

Ledas: <BREATHING HEAVILY, ON KNEES IN PAIN> Vegeta…! Wait up…

Prince Vegeta: <IGNORING HIM, TRIES TO GET THROUGH THE OBSTACLES; STUMBLING> I’ll do this. I have to…

<THE GRAVITY WEARS THEM DOWN AGAIN, BUT THE TWO COME UP WITH A STRATEGY OF RUNNING UNDER THE OBSTACLES TO SHIELD THEM FROM THE ENERGY>

<VEGETA RUNS FORWARD, DUCK-ROLLS UNDER A BEAM, AND DOWN INTO A HOLE; AS THE BLASTS MOVE AWAY, HE RUNS AGAIN; LEDAS FOLLOWS HIM AS MUCH AS HE CAN, BUT HE IS WEAKER, SO IS SLOWER>

<VEGETA GOES AGAIN, BUT A SUDDEN ENERGY BLAST THROWS HIM BACKWARD INTO LEDAS; THEY BOTH GET UP; VEGETA BACKHANDS LEDAS IN THE FACE TO MAKE THE OTHER BOY FALL AWAY FROM HIM; NOT LOOKING AT LEDAS, HE RUNS FORWARD AGAIN; LEDAS DOES NOT PUT UP RESISTANCE, BUT HE FOLLOWS VEGETA ANYWAY>

<BOTH ARE HIT AGAIN WITH MANY ENERGY BLASTS, VEGETA IS INJURED, BUT STILL STANDING; LEDAS IS THROWN, BY THE BLAST, INTO A NEARBY WALL>

<SUDDENLY A LARGE ENERGY BLAST IS SHOT RIGHT AT VEGETA, AND HE IS UNABLE TO DEFEND IT; HE HOLDS ONTO HIS COLLARBONE, AND IS ON ONE KNEE; RIGHT BEFORE IT HITS HIM, LEDAS SHOOTS, WITH ALL HIS ENERGY ANOTHER BLAST RIGHT AT IT AND KNOCKS IT OFF COURSE; LEDAS FALLS, UNCONSCIOUS>

Prince Vegeta: <SOMEWHAT AMAZED AND TIRED AT THE SAME TIME> …Just a weakling…

<HE FALLS TO THE GROUND AS WELL, ASLEEP; MOMENTS LATER, THE ENERGY BLASTS STOP>

<CUTS TO NAPPA, IN THE CONTROL ROOM, KING VEGETA IS THERE ALSO>

King Vegeta: That’s enough, General. We’re done for today.

<KING VEGETA, TAKING ONE LAST LOOK AT HIS SLEEPING SON TURNS AND SWIFTLY WALKS OUT, HIS CAPE BILLOWING BEHIND HIM>

A Litte Paranoia Never Hurt Anyone
<VOICEOVER>

King Vegeta: I was right. <VEGETA AND LEDAS ARE TRAINING, DOING HANDSTAND PUSHUPS, THE CAMERA MOVES BACK, IT SHOWS THE GRAVITY AT 50G> They were indeed the ones. The legend foretold of it.

King Vegeta: Their ability to adapt so quickly… <SHOWS THEM DOING THE VERY SAME EXPLOSION EXERCISE THAT THEY FAILED EARLIER> is unlike anything I have ever seen before.

King Vegeta: So, I put it all on the line…<SCENE OF VEGETA AND LEDAS BEING “TAIL TRAINED”, WHERE THEY ARE HAVING THEIR TAILS DESENSITIZED> for just two children.

King Vegeta: But, what if I was wrong? <VEGETA AND LEDAS EASILY KILL A GROUP OF SAIBAMEN; THE TECHNICIAN IN CHARGE CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT HE SEES> Even with all their progress… doubts remain.

King Vegeta: I cannot shake the fact that if they don’t fulfill the Legend <SHOWS LEDAS ACTING CHILDISH, ANNOYING VEGETA, THOUGH VEGETA IS, QUITE OBVIOUSLY, LESS IRRITATED; IT CAN BE INFERRED, THAT IN THESE PAST FEW WEEKS THAT VEGETA HAS LESSENED HIS RESENTMENT TOWARD LEDAS>… then I’ve forfeited our entire race.

King Vegeta: <SCENE OF KING VEGETA AND FRIEZA TOGETHER, KING VEGETA IS KNEELING> Was it truly worth it?

<CUTS TO THE NEXT SCENE>

<PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS EXIT A DOOR, TO OUTSIDE; AROUND THEM ARE BUILDINGS AND STREETS; THEY ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY; BOTH ARE WEARING THEIR FULL ARMOR; VEGETA’S IS WHITE AND YELLOW, AND LEDAS’ IS THAT OF THE SUPER ELITE, BLACK AND RED>

<BOTH ARE HOLDING THEIR TAILS, AFTER A PAINFUL SESSION OF DESENSITIZING>

<VEGETA LEADS LEDAS (WHO HE IS ONLY ON SLIGHTLY BETTER TERMS FOR SAVING HIM IN THE LAST CHAPTER) DOWN THE STREET, WITHOUT A WORD; THEY WALK PAST MANY SAIYAN ADULTS WHO ARE ALSO IN FULL ARMOR; WHEN THEY SEE THE PRINCE, THEY ALL STOP AND SALUTE, BUT HE PAYS THEM NO NOTICE>

<THEY WALK DOWN THE STREET, AND SNAG A RIGHT TURN AT THE END OF IT; PRINCE VEGETA STOPS, IN FRONT OF THE GATES OF THE LARGE TRAINING COMPLEX; AHEAD, THERE IS AN OCTAGONAL FORMATION OF BUILDINGS; ALL OF THESE ARE THE RESERVED SOLELY FOR SUPER ELITES TO TRAIN IN, AS IS SEEN BY THE SIGN OVER THE GATE; AND HALF OF THE GROUNDS ARE RESERVED FOR LEDAS AND PRINCE VEGETA ALONE>

<BEFORE THEY ENTER, THE TWO HEAR A BUNCH OF NOISE COMING FROM THEIR RIGHT; A GROUP OF CHILDREN ARE PLAYING ON A FIGHT SIMULATOR, WHICH SIMULATES A MISSION (LIKE A VIDEO GAME), BUT DOES NOTHING TO INCREASE POWER LEVEL; BASICALLY, IT’S A WASTE OF TIME; VEGETA STOPS, STARING AT THEM>

Ledas: Vegeta, what is that?

Prince Vegeta: <SQUINTS AND FROWNS> Man, that’s lame. They can’t even train for real? What a bunch of losers.

<VEGETA PUTS HIS PALM OUT, CREATES AN ENERGY BLAST AND FIRES IT AT THE GROUP OF SAIYAN CHILDREN; THE BLAST BLOWS UP THE SIMULATOR, SENDING THE CHILDREN FALLING OFF; THEY QUICKLY GET UP AND RUN OVER TO VEGETA, YELLING AND ANGRY>

Prince Vegeta: Well, well. Look what we have here. A bunch of slackers.

Ledas: <SLYLY, QUIETLY> Who’re they?!

Prince Vegeta: <NOT LOOKING AT HIM, EYES LOCKED> The ones my father didn’t pick to train with me.

Saiyan Child 1: Yeah?! Who are you?

Saiyan Child 2: Why’d you destroy the game?!

Saiyan Child 3: Oh, I know who he is. Fancy Prince Vegeta playing dress up with his daddy’s armor.

Saiyan Child 1: <AWKWARDLY, AFTER A PAUSE> You aren’t any better than us!

Prince Vegeta: <CONFIDENTLY> I’m not, am I? What’s your power level? <HE CLICKS HIS SCOUTER> 300? Bah, I’ve faced stronger worms.

<LEDAS CLICKS HIS OWN SCOUTER AND CONFIRMS THIS; NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THE CHILDREN HAS A POWER LEVEL ABOVE 300>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> That coulda been me?! They’re so weak…

Saiyan Child 4: Yeah right, Vegeta. You don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.

Ledas: <SUDDENLY> He’s your Prince, and he’s much stronger than you so you better watch what you say!

<VEGETA IS TAKEN ABACK BY THIS, HE LOOKS AT LEDAS>

Saiyan Child 3: I don’t care if he’s our Prince or somethin’, that mouth of his is too big for his little head!

<THE OTHERS MURMER IN AGREEMENT>

Saiyan Child 2: So what if he’s the Prince? Get him!

<THE OTHER SAIYANS ECHO “GET HIM!”; THEY CHARGE FORWARD, SOME CREATING SMALL BALLS OF ENERGY IN THEIR HANDS>

<BEFORE PRINCE VEGETA CAN REACT, LEDAS JUMPS FORWARD AND BLOCKS THE VIEW; HE LEAPS, WITH AGILITY, TO THE FIRST SAIYAN; LEDAS HITS HIM WITH AN OPEN-PALMED ATTACK ON THE CHIN, SENDING THE BOY FLYING STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR; HE RUNS TO THE SECOND BOY, SIDESWEEPING HIS LEG AND THEN LEDAS ELBOWS HIM IN THE GUT; HE LAUNCHES HIMSELF WITH FLIGHT TO THE THIRD SAIYAN, CONNECTING HIS FIST WITH THE BOY’S NOSE>

<WITH HIS RIGHT HAND STILL PUNCHING THE BOY, LEDAS USES HIS LEFT HAND TO CREATE A SMALL BALL OF KI, WHICH TAKES OUT THE NEXT TWO BOYS IN AN INSTANT>

<THIS HAS HAPPENED SO QUICKLY THAT THE LAST BOY HAS BARELY REGISTERED ALL HIS FRIEND’S BEING KNOCKED OUT BEFORE LEDAS IS IN FRONT OF HIM; HE STOPS, PLACING BOTH HIS HANDS OUTWARD, THEN SHOOTS OFF A CONTINUOUS ENERGY BARRAGE; LEDAS RUNS FORWARD, DEFLECTING THE BLASTS WITH HIS HANDS; WHEN HE REACHES THE BOY, HE UNDERHAND PUNCHES THE BOY IN THE RIBS, CAUSING HIM TO FALL OVER>

<AS HE FALLS OVER, THE FIRST BOY, SENT HIGH UP IN THE AIR LANDS; THIS HAS TAKEN NO MORE THAN FIVE SECONDS>

<LEDAS LANDS NEXT TO VEGETA>

Prince Vegeta: Why did you do that?

Ledas: They were weak, and they shouldn’t have said anything to you.

<PRINCE VEGETA STANDS THERE, LOOKING AT LEDAS; AT LAST COMING TO HIS SENSES, HE SPEAKS; NOTICING THE SMOKE AND COMMOTION OF THE FIGHT IS DRAWING THE ATTENTION OF ADULTS, HE MAKES HIS WAY TO THE GATE; A DATAPAD LOWERS, SCANS HIS FACE, AND UNLOCKS THE GATE>

Prince Vegeta: <COOLY> Nappa’s waiting for us.

<HE WALKS FORWARD, BRISKLY; LEDAS FOLLOWS; THEY GET TO THE TRAINING AREA; ONCE INSIDE, VEGETA CRACKS HIS NECK, AND THEN WALKS FORWARD, RELAXED; THERE ARE A DOZEN SAIBAMEN WAITING FOR HIM AND LEDAS>

<LATER AT THE CONCLUSION OF A TRAINING EXCERCISE>

Prince Vegeta: <EXITING THE TRAINING AREA, IT IS IN RUINS BEHIND HIM> Guard!

Saiyan Soldier 1: Sir?

Prince Vegeta: Tell Nappa we want stronger ones.

Ledas: <RUNS OUT AFTER VEGETA> And more of them!

Technician 1: Uh, yes sirs. I will see to it at once. <HE SALUTES AND HIGH-TAILS IT OUTTA THERE>

<THE TWO START TO LEAVE, WHEN LAYEECK ENTERS; HE DOES NOT SO MUCH AS STATE HIS ARRIVAL, WHICH SURPRISES HIS SON>

Layeeck: Ledas, I need to have a word with you.

Ledas: What i-

Layeeck: Now!

<LAYEECK GRABS LEDAS BY THE ARM AND YANKS HIM AROUND THE CORNER; HE TAKES HIS SON DOWN THE HALL, AND INTO A SMALL ROOM; LEDAS IS PERPLEXED>

Layeeck: <KNEELS, IN A WHISPER, VERY JITTERY> Ledas, you’re getting too strong. Much too strong. And I fear what the royal family will do, what they are capable of.

Ledas: I’m too strong? <SMIRKS> So what? This can’t be a bad thing.

Layeeck: <BECOMING INCREASINGLY HYSTERICAL> Are you not listening to me? If you become stronger than Prince Vegeta, they will kill you!

Ledas: <GENUINELY CONFUSED> Why would they kill me?

Layeeck: It doesn’t matter. Listen, my son, you must be careful.

Ledas: But I can’t help it…

Layeeck: Do as I say! If you get stronger than him, you must hold back your power. Keep it even, or maybe a little less than his. That way you won’t draw suspicion.

Ledas: <A LITTLE DISAPOINTED> Oh-kay…

Layeeck: Now, remember our maxim?

Ledas: <LOOKS DOWN, UNCOMFORTABLY> Wewll, yeah…

Layeeck: There is no glory in death…

Ledas: <SIGHS>… only in conquest everlasting.

Layeeck: Good, remember that as you continue your training. I do want you to live, Ledas… I really do. That’s the only reason I bring this up. <HE LOOKS AWAY, THEN STANDS UP> Now get back to your training.

Ledas: Yeah, yeah. Okay… <RUNS OFF>

<LEDAS RETURNS TO THE TRAINING AREA>

<PRINCE VEGETA IS IN THE CORNER, WORKING WITH A PUNCHING BAG; HE HARDLY NOTICES LEDAS ENTER>

Ledas: <PAUSES FOR SEVERAL SECONDS> Um, Vegeta, your dad won’t kill me, will he?

Prince Vegeta: What?

Ledas: If I get too powerful.

Prince Vegeta: No, of course not. We’re… friends.

Ledas: <BRIGHTENING UP> Aw, do you really mean that Vegeta?

Prince Vegeta: <CLOSES HIS EYES, BOWS HIS HEAD IN EMBARASSMENT> Don’t push it.

Ledas: <JUMPING AROUND> He he he! Vegeta said we’re friends! Vegeta said we’re fr-

Prince Vegeta: <TURNS AROUND> Wait, who told you that!

Ledas: <STOPS JUMPING> Huh?

Prince Vegeta: Who told you my father would kill you?

Ledas: <CHILDISHLY> Well… I guess it was my dad… He said I should hold back my power so I don’t get as strong as you.

Prince Vegeta: That’s stupid. We need to stay close in power to train. <SMILE CREEPS ONTO HIS FACE> I’ll always be the strongest, anyways. <FOLDS ARMS> But… maybe we should both hold back our power a little bit. I don’t want to embarrass my father too soon.

Ledas: <EAGERLY> How strong do think we can get, Vegeta?

Prince Vegeta: We’re going to be Super Saiyans. We have to be… nobody else is even close to us. And when we do, I can finally get rid of Frieza for good.

Ledas: <CURIOUSLY> Who’s he?

<PRINCE VEGETA LOOKS AT LEDAS WITH ONE EYE SQUINTED, MOUTH OPEN, SHAKING HIS HEAD AS IT FADES TO BLACK>

<THE NEXT MORNING>

<NAPPA’S CONTROL ROOM; GRAVITY CHAMBER 3>

Saiyan Soldier 1: Are… are you seeing this?!?!

Saiyan Soldier 2: This is insane.

Nappa: <WALKING OVER, SLIGHTLY BEMUSED> Yeaaah, what is it?

Saiyan Soldier 1: Uh general… It’s their power levels.

Nappa: <UNCONCERNED> Yeah, I know. They‘re both strong.

Saiyan Soldier 2: Look there it goes again! Even higher than before!

Saiyan Soldier 1: General Nappa, you have to see this. Prince Vegeta’s power level has just passed 5000.

Nappa:<IN GASP> What?!

Saiyan Soldier 1: And the other, Ledas, his power level is just slightly lower.

Nappa: <STARES IN DISBELIEF> They haven’t been training any differently than before? How did they suddenly get so powerful?

<HE STARES, STRICKEN, UNTIL THE TWO FINISH THEIR EXERCISE>

<CUTS TO PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS ENDING THEIR TRAINING SESSION>

Ledas: Vegeta! Do you think they were watching us again?

Prince Vegeta: Of course they were. That’s why we powered up.

Ledas: <INNOCENTLY> But… not all the way.

Prince Vegeta: It was enough for Nappa. And those low-class workers enjoy a show every now and then. <SITS DOWN> Besides, your dad was right. We don’t need to show them our full power.

<NAPPA ENTERS>

Nappa: You’re getting strong, Prince.

Prince Vegeta: Shut up Nappa. I’ve already surpassed you.

Nappa: Well… uh, I don’t know about that, Vegeta.

Ledas: Me too!

Prince Vegeta: Yeah, we’re both stronger than you.

Nappa: <GETTING ANRGRY> Grrr… Enough.. Your dad wants to see you. He‘s agreed to give you a mission. Let’s go.

Prince Vegeta: <RUNS OUT, REMARKABLY QUICKLY> Ah, finally!

<LEDAS STAYS IN PLACE, WITH NAPPA; THE GIANT BRUTE LOOKS DOWN AT HIM>

Ledas: Mr. Nappa sir... where are we going?

Nappa: King Vegeta's prepared somethin' special for ya. Don't worry, kid; it'll only hurt a little. <LAUGHS>

Always Remember Your First
<CUTS, RATHER SHARPLY TO LEDAS AND LAYEECK TRAINING, ON A NORMAL DESERT AREA ON PLANET VEGETA; IT IS BRIGHT AND HOT OUT>

<LAYEECK PUNCHES LEDAS, HARD; BLOOD IS RUNNING FROM HIS NOSE>

<THEY CONTINUE TO SPAR FOR A WHILE; LAYEECK STOPS, PUNCHING HIS SON TO THE GROUND>

Layeeck: Once more.

Ledas: I-I-I can’t…

Layeeck: You will. <PUNCHES LEDAS AGAIN>

<LAYEECK ATTACKS, LEDAS DOESN’T BLOCK; HE FALLS TO THE GROUND>

Layeeck: Get up! I know you can take more than that!

Ledas: <ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES, BREATHING HEAVILY; LOOKS UP> Dad, we’re going on a mission today! I can’t do this!

Layeeck: <VERY ANGRILY, KICKS LEDAS> Show me your full power!!

Ledas: <AGHAST> Bu-but… dad, you said the other day I should conceal it.

Layeeck: <FORCEFUL, NOT ANGRY> To the others. Not to me. I am your father; I need to know. <LAYEECK PICKS UP LEDAS, HOLDING HIM BY HIS SHIRT; LEDAS DOES NOT STRUGGLE> I’ve seen you train, I know what you can do… hell, you’ve been taking on more Saibamen than a group of ten Saiyans could at once! <SLOWS DOWN A BIT> Now, POWER UP! <THROWS LEDAS TO THE AWAY FROM HIM>

<LAYEECK CHARGES AT LEDAS AGAIN, WHO THIS TIME MOVES OUT OF THE WAY, LAYEECK TRIES THIS A FEW MORE TIMES, BUT CAN NOT LAND A HIT>

Ledas: <UNWILLINGLY> I don’t want to humiliate you, father. Please…

<LAYEECK, FRUSTRATED ATTACKS LEDAS. LEDAS DODGES AND HITS HIS FATHER IN THE BACK, SENDING HIM FLYING INTO THE GROUND>

Layeeck: Enough. <POUNDS HIS FISTS ON THE GROUND; LEDAS FREEZES> No one else is around here. Show me your power level!

Ledas: <VERY MUCH AS THE CHILD HE IS> Fine! I’m stronger than you! But, I don’t need to power up to show you that. <TO HIMSELF> We agreed not to…<DECENDS AGAIN TO THE GROUND AND WALKS AWAY, DEFIANTLY, THOUGH LIMPING>

Layeeck: <WATCHES LEDAS WALK AWAY, LAYEECK IS SOMEWHAT TIRED AS HE TAKES OFF HIS ARMOR> So stubborn… <A SMALL SMILE CREEPS ONTO HIS FACE, IF BUT FOR AN INSTANCE> I wonder who he gets that from…

<LAYEECK’S SMILE QUICKLY FADES; REMEMBERING WHAT LEDAS SAID, HE POWERS UP TO HIS MAXIMUM, AND MEASURES HIS POWER LEVEL>

Layeeck: <IN HIS HEAD> 3600… <HE BOWS HIS HEAD> Ledas is right. He is stronger than me.

<LATER THAT DAY>

<LEDAS IS IN A REJUVENATION TANK; PRINCE VEGETA COMES IN WITH NAPPA; BOTH ARE IN FULL ARMOR>

Prince Vegeta: What’s he doing in there? We’re going to be late!

<A TECHNICIAN OF MALAKA’S RACE WALKS BY>

Technician: Oh yes, he checked in earlier today. He was pretty beat up, if I remember. <STOPS AND LOOKS IN ON THE TANK> He’s looking better now.

Prince Vegeta: So? Is he ready to go?

Technician: I… he’s close enough. <THE TECHNICIAN PRESSES A BUTTON, LETTING LEDAS OUT>

<LEDAS IMMEDIATELY WAKES UP; HE IS WEARING NOTHING BUT HIS UNDERCLOTHES; HIS ARMOR IS ON A HANGER NEARBY>

<WITHOUT TALKING, NAPPA MOVES FORWARD, GRABS LEDAS BY THE HAIR AND DRAGS HIM OUT, HIS ARMOR IN HIS HANDS; PRINCE VEGETA FOLLOWS THEM OUT>

<ALL THREE OF THEM ENTER SPECIALIZED PODS IN A RESERVED HANGER, AND TAKE OFF; IT DOES NOT TAKE THEM LONG TO GET TO THE PLANET>

<NAPPA, PRINCE VEGETA, AND LEDAS HAVE LANDED ON A PLANET, NAPPA IS SCANNING THE HORIZON, THE OTHER TWO ARE PREPARING FOR THE ONSLAUGHT; AS LEDAS GETS OUT OF HIS POD, HE SLIDES HIS CHEST-PIECE ARMOR OVER HIS HEAD, AND PUTS ON HIS SIDE PIECES TOO>

Nappa: Yeah, this shouldn’t be too much trouble or fun either… no one here has a power level above 150. You won’t needta transform this time.

Prince Vegeta: <LOOSENING UP HIS SHOULDERS> Let’s do this. Remember Nappa, we don’t need your help.

Nappa: Right, prince.

Ledas: <STRETCHING OUT HIS LEGS> Yeah, I’m ready!

Nappa: Hey Vegeta, you’re forgetting something. Ahhhhhh…catch! <THROWS AN ENERGY BEAM AT VEGETA AND LEDAS, IT BINDS THEIR TAILS TOGETHER> Don’t wander off now, heh heh.

<THE TWO TAKE OFF, USING THEIR SCOUTERS TO FIND POPULATION CENTERS>

<FOR SOME REASON, THE PLANET’S ARMIES ARE EXPECTING THEM; TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ALIENS ARE LINED UP, GUARDING THE ENTRANCE TO THE CITIES BEYOND; THEY HAVE WEAPONS IN THEIR HANDS, WHICH THEY START SHOOTING>

Prince Vegeta: <ABOUT A HUNDRED FEET OFF THE GROUND, STILL> What’s the deal? How’d they know we’d be here?

Ledas: Maybe they were expecting somebody else…? <SHOTS START RAINING DOWN AROUND THE TWO SAIYANS>

Prince Vegeta: We better get out of here. Follow me. <VEGETA STARTS WEAVING THROUGH THE BLASTS, SHOOTING OUT HIS OWN IN THE PROCESS, LEDAS FOLLOWS SUIT>

<THEY ARRIVE INTO THE CITY>

Ledas: Ah!!! <SHOOTS A LARGE ENERGY BLAST, DESTROYS A HUGE BUILDING> Hey Vegeta, I bet I can blow up more buildings than you.

Prince Vegeta: <GRINS> You’re on!

<THEY BOTH START ATTACKING THE BUILDINGS, AS A KIND OF GAME>

<NAPPA IS STANDING ON A CLIFF-FACE WATCHING THE CARNAGE>

Nappa: Heh, they ain’t half bad… <SUDDENLY, HIS SCOUTER GOES OFF; HE SWINGS HIS HEAD AROUND JUST IN TIME TO GET A KICK IN THE FACE; HE FLIES BACKWARD, OFF THE CLIFF, AND TUMBLES DOWN THE SLOPE>

<BACK IN THE CITY; PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS ARE IN THE HEART OF THE CITY NOW, BUT THE ARMIES ARE STILL PURSUING THEM; DEBRIS IS EVERYWHERE>

Ledas: <ROLLS OUT THE WAY OF AN INCOMING BLAST, RETURNS TO ONE KNEE, THEN SHOOTS AN UNREFINED WAVE INTO THE FACE OF A NEARBY SOLDIER> Hey Vegeta… how many do you think there are?

Prince Vegeta: <DETONATES A BUILDING, IT FALLS OVER ONTO SOME CIVILLAINS/SOLDIERS; LAUGHS; VEGETA IS STILL BRIMMING WITH EXCITEMENT, SOMETHING THAT HE HAS A HARD TIME CONCEALING> Not enough for the both of us.

<MORE SOLDIERS POUR IN, VEGETA AND LEDAS TAKE THEIR TIME BLASTING THEM AWAY; THE CITY IS IN RUINS, THEY MOVE ONTO ANOTHER, WITH THE SAME RESULT>

<AS THEY REACH A FLAT, PRINCE VEGETA FIRES OFF AN ENERGY BEAM, DESTROYING A HUGE AREA; PREPARING ANOTHER ONE, HE IS SUDDENLY HIT IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD, DESTROYING HIS SCOUTER; HE FALLS, AND IS UNCOUSCIOUS>

Ledas: Vegeta! <DUE TO THEM BEING TIED TOGETHER, VEGETA IS UPSIDE DOWN, DANGLING IN MID AIR, LEDAS IS HAVING A HARD TIME KEEPING HIMSELF HELD UP> Vegeta! Wake up! <THE MYSTERIOUS ATTACKERS GROUP IN ONTO LEDAS, THERE ARE FIVE OF THEM> Who are y- <ONE OF THEM UPPERCUT PUNCHES LEDAS, SENDING THE TWO SAIYANS FLYING INTO A NEARBY BUILDING> <WITH LETHARGY> Vegeta… wake up…

<TWO OF THE ATTACKERS JUMP AT LEDAS, HE DODGES OUT OF THE WAY, AND HITS ONE IN THE GUT, IT DOUBLES OVER, BUT BEFORE HE CAN KILL IT, THE OTHER ONE HITS HIM WITH A BEAM>

<LEDAS IS UNABLE TO MOVE AROUND AS FAST, DUE TO VEGETA BEING “DEAD WEIGHT” ON HIM, SO TO SPEAK; HE LANDS A HIT ON ONE OF THEM, BUT IS ROUGHLY SLAMMED INTO THE GROUND FOR IT>

<NOW LEDAS GETS A CLEAR PICTURE AT THE ALIENS; THEY ARE ALL OF VARIOUS SPECIES, SOME OF WHICH HE IS VAGULY FAMILIAR WITH; BUT ALL OF THEM ARE WEARING THE SAME STANDARD ARMOR AS HIM; HE LOOKS BACK DOWN AT VEGETA, WHO IS STILL ASLEEP>

Ledas: <PANTING> Vegeta… <STANDS UP, LOOKING AT HIS ATTACKERS> Well?! Come and get me, ya big jerks! <HE STANDS DEFIANTLY AGAINST THEM>

<TWO OF THE ALIENS START A DIVEBOMB TOWARD LEDAS, AT THE LAST SECOND, BEFORE THE FIRST ONE HITS HIM, LEDAS SHOOTS A BLAST INTO HIS FACE, KILLING THE ALIEN (note: Ledas did not charge his attack up); THE OTHER HITS LEDAS, WHO IS UNABLE TO REACT FAST ENOUGH; IT PUSHES LEDAS TO THE GROUND>

<THE ALIEN STANDS OVER LEDAS, WITH HIS BOOT ON THE BOY’S FACE; HE KICKS LEDAS, HARD>

<LEDAS ATTEMPTS TO SHOOT AN ENERGY BLAST, BUT THE ALIEN SIDESTEPS IT>

Alien 3: So, ya thought you could play dirty, huh? <RAISES HIS HAND TO THE AIR, AN ENERGY BLAST STARTS TO FORM> Well, kid, let me give you your first lesson. <LAUGHS, IN A PROLONGED WAY> The first rule of war… <ALL OF THE SUDDEN, A SMALL BEAM OF ENERGY SHOOTS THROUGH THE BACK OF HIS HEAD, AND OUT OF HIS FOREHEAD, HE FALLS>

Prince Vegeta: <STANDING, BEHIND THE FALLEN ALIEN, HAND STILL OUTREACHED, ARROGANTLY SMILING>… is that there are no rules.

Ledas: <SMILING, LAUGHING HAPPILY> Yay! Vegeta! You saved me!

Prince Vegeta: <WALKS UP TO LEDAS, HELPS HIM UP> <STRETCHING NECK> You ready? <BOTH ARE GRINNING, VERY EAGER FOR THE FIGHT>

<THE OTHER THREE ALIENS CHARGE, AND ATTACK THE CHILDREN, THEY ALL ENGAGE IN HAND TO HAND COMBAT; VEGETA TAKES ON ONE, BUT LEDAS IS ABLE TO HOLD HIS OWN WITH TWO AT ONCE>

<EVENTUALLY, VEGETA AND LEDAS CROSS EACH OTHER, FIRE OFF SIMULTANEOUS GALICKS, AND TAKE THEIR ENERGY BINDING UP THE MIDDLE, (BURNING) KNOCKING THE THREE ALIENS OVER; TURNING AROUND IN MIDAIR, THE TWO SEND OFF A FLURRY OF BLASTS, WHICH COMPLETELY DECIMATES THE GROUND AND KILLS THE THREE ELITES>

<VEGETA AND LEDAS RETURN TO THEIR PODS; BOTH ARE EXHAUSTED, AND HAVE CHIPPED ARMOR; VEGETA HAS A BLOODY BRUISE ON HIS FOREHEAD>

<NAPPA IS SITTING ON A ROCK, ARMOR OFF, DIRTY AND BRUISED>

Prince Vegeta: <LANDS, BACK FACING NAPPA> What happened to you?

Nappa: <PRETENDING TO BE ASLEEP> …Oh, uh… what’s that Vegeta? I was just taking a nap.

Prince Vegeta: Hmph… <CLIMBING INTO HIS POD> Well, while you were getting your beauty sleep, we went and cleared this whole planet.

Ledas: See! We didn’t even need your help.

Nappa: <MIXTURE OF DISTRACTION, EMBARASSMENT, AND ANGER> Yeah, yeah. Let’s just go home.

<LEDAS, PRINCE VEGETA, AND NAPPA ENTER THEIR PODS, TAKE OFF, AND RETURN TO PLANET VEGETA; THEY LAND>

<SCENE CUTS TO THE THREE AT KING VEGETA’S CHAMBERS>

<THEY WALK INTO THE ROOM WHERE KING VEGETA, LAYEECK, AND TWO OTHER UPPER CLASS SAIYANS ARE>

King Vegeta: <TO OTHER SAIYANS> Excuse me. <WALKS OVER TO THE THREE THAT JUST ENTERED; WEARILY> Nappa, tell me the news. I expect it’s good.

Nappa: <GLANCES AT PRINCE VEGETA> All went according to plan, King Vegeta.

King Vegeta: <SIGH OF RELIEF> As I hoped.

<KING VEGETA TURNS TO LEDAS AND PRINCE VEGETA, KNEELS DOWN, PRESSES HIS HANDS TOGETHER; BEFORE HE MAY SPEAK, HOWEVER, A DOOR OPENS ON THE FAR SIDE; OUT FROM IT COMES THAT DREADFUL CREATURE; FRIEZA ENTERS, ALONE>

<ALL, SLOWLY, TURN TO LOOK AT HIM>

Frieza: <IN SEMI-SLOWMO, WALKS RIGHT UP TO THE SAIYANS; COOLY> King… Ve-ge-ta.

Lord Frieza
King Vegeta: Lord Frieza! What are you doing here? <PANICKING; KNEELS>

Frieza: Oh? Can‘t I ever visit? I was under the impression this is Planet Vegeta? The very same Planet Vegeta I preside over.

King Vegeta: <ALMOST PAINFULLY> Yes, lord Frieza, of course.

Frieza: Now… <WALKS PAST KING VEGETA AND NAPPA> Prince Vegeta… and…

Ledas: …Ledas, sire! <HE AND PRINCE KNEEL>

Frieza: <NODS> Yes. <PAUSES> Your father speaks highly of the both of you. <SQUINTING, LOOKING AT THE KING> Our king isn’t one to lie, after all.

Prince Vegeta: <PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS STAY KNEELED> Thank you, lord Frieza.

Frieza: <TO KING VEGETA, LAYEECK, NAPPA, AND OTHER SAIYANS; COLDLY AND ABRUPTLY> Leave us.

King Vegeta: O-of course, lord Frieza. <KING VEGETA LAYEECK, NAPPA, AND THE OTHER SAIYANS LEAVE IN AN ANXIOUS MANNER>

Frieza: <WATCHING, WAITING FOR THE DOOR TO CLOSE; FINALLY IT DOES, FRIEZA WALKS A BIT FORWARD> Tell me, Vegeta, do you think you could take on anything? Any planet at all?

Prince Vegeta: <WITHOUT PAUSE> Yes, sire. We can beat anybody.

Frieza: <SARCASTICALLY, BUT STILL SOMEWHAT CURIOUS> My my, Vegeta. You are confident.

Ledas: Uh… lord Frieza… we are really strong.

Frieza: Ho ho ho! Is that so? <STARTS PACING> You are bold, the two of you. I like that. But at the same time, overconfident. And we wouldn’t want that to be your downfall, now would we?

Prince Vegeta: Sire?

Frieza: <TILTS HIS HEAD, PRESSES A BUTTON ON HIS SCOUTER> Vegeta, I’ve ordered a soldier, my… benefactor to have a planet assigned to you. You will clear all life from it immediately, then report back to my ship. Don’t count on this being as easy as before.

Prince Vegeta: <TOGETHER> Yes, lord Frieza.

Ledas: <TOGETHER> Yes, lord Frieza.

Frieza: Oh, and one more thing, my dear Saiyans.

Prince Vegeta: Yes, sire?

Ledas: Yes, sire?

Frieza: <SMILES> Be back by three days’ time, or don‘t come back at all. <FRIEZA STEPS BACK, GESTURES TO THE DOOR HE CAME THROUGH PREVIOUSLY; VEGETA AND LEDAS WALK OUT; THE DOOR CLOSES>

<BOTH CALMLY WALK OUT OF THE ROOM; WHEN OUT OF SIGHT OF FRIEZA, BOTH START RUNNING>

Ledas: This is awesome!

Prince Vegeta: Three days, huh?

Ledas: Do think we can do it that fast, Vegeta?

Prince Vegeta: We can do it in two. We have to.

<BOTH RUN TO THE AREA WHERE FRIEZA SAID; THIS IS MARKEDLY DIFFERENT FROM THE REST OF THE PALACE; IT IS FRIEZA’S PERSONAL LANDING PAD; HIS OWN SOLDIERS STAND GUARD AROUND; NEXT TO HIS HUGE SAUCER SHIP, TWO PODS ARE WAITING IN A DOCKING ZONE; STANDING IN FRONT OF THEM, OVER MONITER ON A PILLAR IS ONE OF FRIEZA’S SOLDIERS; THE BENEFACTOR HE MENTIONED BEFORE>

<THIS CREATURE IS NOT DRESSED AS THE OTHER SOLDIERS; IT DOES NOT WEAR ANY ARMOR OR A SCOUTER; INSTEAD, IT HAS A LONG BLACK HOOD COVERING MOST OF ITS BODY>

The Benefactor: <STILL> They’re dead; get over it, Zarbon. <VEGETA AND LEDAS RUN UP TO HIM; HE PRESSES A BUTTON AND CUTS THE CONNECTION>

Ledas: <STARING AT THE BENEFACTOR> Who are you?

The Benefactor: <UNMOVING, CONTINUES TO TYPE AWAY ON HIS TERMINAL> You ever hear of someone who's too dangerous to let live? Consider me that someone.

Prince Vegeta: Just get our pods ready. <LEDAS CONTINUES TO STARE AT THE BENEFACTOR>

The Benefactor: <PRESSES A BUTTON, THE POD DOORS OPEN; TURNS TO LEDAS, GETS REALLY CLOSE TO HIM> Careful, kiddo. You stare at death for too long, and one day it just might stare back.

Ledas: <WITH FEAR> R-right…

<LEDAS STEPS BACK, TRIPPING OVER HIMSELF; THE BENEFACTOR GOES BACK TO HIS DUTIES>

<LEDAS AND VEGETA GET INTO THEIR PODS, LEDAS STILL SEEMS TROUBLED ABOUT THE BENEFACTOR, BUT HE IS TRYING NOT TO STARE>

The Benefactor: <BORED> Has Lord Frieza made it clear you have three days?

Prince Vegeta: Yeah.

<LEDAS REMAINS QUIET, JUST LOOKING AT THE BENEFACTOR>

The Benefactor: <ALMOST A WHISPER> Then, <PRESSES A BUTTON> get going. <BOTH PODS SHOOT OFF INTO SPACE>

<FROM A WINDOW IN THE NEXT ROOM, KING VEGETA, LAYEECK, AND NAPPA WATCH AS THE CHILDREN TAKE OFF DOWN THE HALL TOWARD THEIR MISSION>

King Vegeta: Frieza must have given them a mission.

Layeeck: <SHAKES HIS HEAD> They aren’t ready.

Nappa: Why? This way we get to see if the two little… <KING VEGETA GIVES HIM A LOOK> …kids… really can play with the big boys.

King Vegeta: Layeeck’s right. If they fail, I can’t even begin to think what Frieza would do.

Nappa: Whaddya mean?

King Vegeta: I don’t have any other options. Nappa, follow them. Try to-

<FRIEZA ENTERS; KING VEGETA STOPS TALKING>

Frieza: It’s been a while, Vegeta. I was almost thinking you had forgotten me.

King Vegeta: Sire, we’ve continued conquering as many planets as we can. We are doing all we can to serve your empire.

Frieza: I am well aware, Vegeta. Now, let’s not talk business. Show me the Royal Palace. I want to see it all.

King Vegeta: Very well.

<FRIEZA WALKS FORWARD, AND VEGETA TAKES STRIDE WITH HIM; KING VEGETA TURNS HIS HEAD AROUND, MOTIONS TO NAPPA WITH HIS HANDS, AND NAPPA EXITS; KING VEGETA AND FRIEZA WALK OFF, WITH THE KING MOTIONING THIS WAY AND THAT, SHOWING FRIEZA HIS HOME>

<CUTS TO THE NEXT SCENE>

<PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS’ PODS LAND ON A PLANET>

<PRINCE VEGETA EXITS HIS POD, LEDAS FOLLOWS>

Prince Vegeta: So this is it, huh? <CLICKS HIS SCOUTER> Ha, look at this! There’s barely anybody here. We can do this!

Ledas: Yeah, but they’re strong…

<VEGETA LAUGHS AT THIS, THEN TAKES OFF; LEDAS FOLLOWS>

<BOTH ARE FLYING, SEE ANOTHER POD SHOOT INTO THE ATMOSPHERE AND HIT THE GROUND>

Prince Vegeta: What? Who could that be?

Ledas: Maybe they’re here to help us.

<PRINCE VEGETA PAUSES, THEN TURNS TO WHERE THE POD LANDED, HE STARTS FLYING TOWARD IT>

Prince Vegeta: Hmph, we don’t need it.

<BOTH ARRIVE AT THE POD; THEY WALK UP TO THE DOOR, IT IS OPEN; THEY PEER IN>

Prince Vegeta: I wonder who it was…

Ledas: Whoever it was… they stink! Ewwww….

Nappa: <STANDING ON A ROCK BEHIND THEM, SMILING> Ya little brats shouldn’t be talkin’ about me like that.

Ledas: What are you doing here?

Nappa: Ol’ kingy sent me to help. Come on, I’ll show ya-

Prince Vegeta: Hmph. We don’t need your help! I know how to get a planet ready for Frieza, I’ve done it before. Besides, how can someone weaker than me teach me anything?

Nappa: Thanks for sharing, Vegeta. Now… <IGNORING THEM, HE LOOKS OFF> There we go. A nice big city for you two to blow up. <WAVES HIS HAND> Heh heh, go on!

<THERE IS A FOREST IMMEDIATELY AHEAD; LEDAS AND VEGETA RUN INTO IT, SCANNING FOR THE LARGE POWER LEVELS; LEDAS RUNS WITH HIS ARMS BEHIND HIM>

<AS THEY RUN, A BUNCH OF DIRT SPEWS UP IN FRONT OF THEM; A LINE IN THE SAND, FILLED WITH A RANK OF TURRETS COME UP; THEY SHOOT OFF ENERGY AT THE BOYS>

<LEDAS DUCKS BEHIND A TREE, BUT IT SOON EXPLODES; HE DIVES AWAY AGAIN; VEGETA TRIES A CONTINUOUS ENERGY BULLET ATTACK ON THEM, BUT THE ENERGY JUST BOUNCHES OFF THE ARMOR OF THE TURRETS>

<VEGETA DODGES BACK, AND LANDS IN A GULLY WITH LEDAS; THE ATTACKS KEEP HAMMERING AWAY AT THEM, BUT THEIR POSITION IS SUFFICIENT TO ALLOW THEM A FEW MOMENTS STRATEGIZING>

Prince Vegeta: What do we do?

Ledas: We could try our strongest attacks at the same time.

Prince Vegeta: No, you fool, they shoot too fast. We wouldn’t be able to charge anything up.

Ledas: Um, how about we distract them with an afterimage?

Prince: <LOOKS AT LEDAS, THINKING> Fine, you create it. <HE CRANES HIS NECK UP, THE TURRETS ARE STILL FIRING OFF ON THEIR POSITION> Come on, do it!

<LEDAS NODS; HE OPENS HIS FISTS, THROWING HIS ARMS BEHIND HIM AND SHOOTS STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR; THE TURRETS IMMEDIATELY TRACK HIM; AS THEY FIRE ON HIM, VEGETA SHOOTS OUT OF THE HOLE, PAST THE TURRETS>

<LEDAS SEPARATES HIMSELF FROM THE AFTERIMAGE, LETTING IT SHOOT UP STILL; HE FALLS DOWNWARD, GOING AS FAST AS HE CAN; THE TURRETS CANNOT TRACK HIS SPEED AT THIS, AND BY THE TIME HIS AFTERIMAGE BURNS OUT, HE SPIRALS DOWN, LANDING ON HIS FEET, BEHIND THE LINE OF TURRETS>

<NOW BEYOND THEM, IS A CITY; IT IS FILLED THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF ALIENS; HAVING GOTTEN PAST THE DEFENSES, AND NOT ALERTING ANY OTHER MILITARY FORCES, LEDAS AND VEGETA STROLL INTO THE CITY>

<VEGETA DROPS TO ONE KNEE; HE SHOOTS OFF HUGE PURPLE BEAMS FROM EACH HAND, DECIMATING ALL BUILDINGS IN FRONT OF HIM; LEDAS IS IN THE AIR, RAINING DOWN LARGE ENERGY BALLS>

<THE CITY IS TAKEN COMPLETELY OFF GUARD; BEFORE THEY CAN MOBILIZE ANY SORT OF RESISTANCE, THEY ARE WIPED OFF THE FACE OF THE PLANET; LEDAS LANDS NEXT TO VEGETA; THEY USE THEIR SCOUTERS, AND SEE THERE ARE A FEW MORE CITIES BEYOND>

<THEY TAKE OFF AFTER THE NEAREST ONE, FASTER THAN THE WINDS>

Wittles And A File
<TWO DAYS LATER>

<DOOR OPENS, VEGETA ENTERS, HEAD HELD HIGH>

Frieza: Vegeta. What are you doing back so soon?

Prince Vegeta: <HE HAS BATTLE SCARS, HIS ARMOR IS CRACKED AND BROKEN; KNEELS> We’re done, sire. The planet is yours.

Frieza: Oh? <SOMEWHAT CONCERNED> You’re even a day early.

Prince Vegeta: Me and Ledas cleared the whole planet… <ARROGANTLY> it was easy.

Frieza: My, my Vegeta. You are getting powerful. Your father should be proud, <PAUSES; LOOKS DIRECTLY AT VEGETA> or worried.

Prince Vegeta: <SMIRKS> My father wouldn’t of been able to defeat that planet so fast. I’ve grown much stronger than him.

Frieza: <LAUGHS> You should keep that to yourself, my young Saiyan. <GETS UP; TALKS INTO HIS SCOUTER TO ZARBON> Zarbon, young Vegeta here has finished his mission. Assign him another.

Zarbon: <OVER THE INTERCOM> Yes, lord Frieza.

Prince Vegeta: Thank you sir.

Frieza: <SMILING> Be careful out there, Prince. I wouldn’t know what I would do without my little Vegeta, if something were to happen.

<VEGETA EXITS>

<LATER THAT DAY>

<VEGETA AND LEDAS ARE SITTING OUTSIDE, ON PLANET VEGETA; THEY ARE TAKING A BREAK FROM THEIR MISSIONS; NEITHER IS WEARING ARMOR, AND VEGETA HAS HIS TAIL HANGING LOOSELY (LEDAS HAS HIS LIKE THIS AT ALL TIMES); THEY ARE IN A SLIGHTLY FORESTED AREA, HILLY AS WELL; THE PLACE LOOKS LIKE IT IS NEAR LEDAS’ HOUSE>

Prince Vegeta: <MANIPULATING THE WATER IN A NEARBY POND> Ledas, how strong are you?

Ledas: <CHEERFULLY, NOT REALLY PAYING ATTENTION> I <HELD LONG> dunno <SAID QUICKLY, SHORTLY>.

Prince Vegeta: Power up. I want to see how close we are.

Ledas: Okay!

<LEDAS STANDS UP, LOCKS HIS KNEES DOWN; HE PUTS HIS ARMS OUTWARD, LETS OUT A NECESSARY GRUNT, BRINGS HIS AURA UP AROUND HIM, AND POWERS UP TO HIS MAXIMUM; PRINCE VEGETA IS AMAZED AT HOW HIGH IT IS>

Prince Vegeta: Nice, 7000!

Ledas: <FLIES UP TO PRINCE VEGETA, UPSIDE DOWN> Your turn Vegeta.

Prince Vegeta: <SMIRKS> Stand back, I wouldn‘t wanna singe your hair. <HE POWERS UP TO HIS MAXIMUM, MUCH IN THE SAME WAY LEDAS DID>

Ledas: Whoooaa! Your power level is 7200. I wish I could be that strong.

Prince Vegeta: <NOT ANGRILY> You’re not much weaker. We’re pretty close, actually.

Ledas: Vegeta… are we the strongest Saiyans yet?

Prince Vegeta: Not yet. <HOLDS ONTO WRIST, LOOKS BACK AT LEDAS> Long ago there was one, the fabled Super Saiyan. He was the strongest in the whole universe, before he died.

Ledas: Super Saiyan? What’s that?

Prince Vegeta: It’s what we’re going to become, if our power levels keep going up like this. But I won’t make the same mistake that he did.

Ledas: <MESSING AROUND WITH SOME GRASS> Huh? What’s that?

Prince Vegeta: The last Super Saiyan was killed because he couldn’t control his own power.

Ledas: <IN A CHILD-LIKE TONE, NOT DONE ON PURPOSE> He was so strong he couldn’t control it?! Wow, he must have really been the strongest ever!

Prince Vegeta: Records are meant to be broken. This one will be soon.

Ledas: But… how do we know when we become Super Saiyans?

Prince Vegeta: We just will. More importantly, Frieza will know. And he’ll pay. I’ll kill him myself if I have to.

Ledas: What?! Why do we want to kill him?

Prince Vegeta: You don’t know very much about Frieza, Ledas. He keeps us as a bunch of slaves to do his dirty work. We should be conquering planets for ourselves, not him! <STOPS AND FACES LEDAS> He may be the strongest now, but when I become a Super Saiyan, I’ll beat him, so we’ll all be free.

Ledas: Do I get to help?

Prince Vegeta: <BIG BROTHER TONE> Yeah Ledas. When we become Super Saiyans, you can help me kill Frieza.

Ledas: Aw, thanks.

<PRINCE VEGETA’S SCOUTER RINGS; HE CLICKS TO TURN IT OFF>

Prince Vegeta: Man, that boring presentation’s today.

Ledas: What presentation?

Prince Vegeta: Father’s holding a big feast to honor me being a warrior. Bah, it’s waste of time. I’d rather be on our mission for Frieza.

<PRINCE VEGETA’S SCOUTER RINGS AGAIN; HE GRUMBLES, BUT THEN SAYS GOODBYE TO LEDAS AND FLIES OFF TO THE PALACE>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> Dad’s still on duty… I wonder if grandpa is home…

<HE TAKES TO THE SKIES, AND FLIES A VERY SHORT DISTANCE TO A NEAR HILL; ON IT IS A LONE HOUSE, WITH A LONE TREE; HE LANDS AND KNOCKS ON THE ENTRANCE; AN ELDER MAN, WITH SIMILAR HAR TO LEDAS, BUT GREYER ANSWER IT; HE STEPS OUTSIDE>

Lascon: Ah, Ledas! It’s been a while.

Ledas: Hiya grandpa!

Lascon: What have you been up to these days? Following your father into the Elite, eh?

Ledas: Wewll, me an’ Prince Vegeta have been going on missions for Frieza.

Lascon: Frieza? You must be pretty strong to have gotten his attention!

Ledas: <BOLDLY> Yep! We are the strongest Saiyans ever… cept for that Super Saiyan a long time ago…

Lascon: Ah, you’ve gotten arrogant too, my boy. How about you and I spar? We’ve never had the proper chance.

Ledas: That’s cuz you’re old, grandpa.

Lascon: You have a point, Ledas. But, don’t be so quick to judge. I was the one of the King’s finest warriors in the Tuffle war. I’m not totally gone yet.

<LASCON SUDDENLY JUMPS FORWARD AND GRABS LEDAS AROUND THE NECK; PUTTING LEDAS INTO A FULL ON HOLD, LASCON RISES INTO THE AIR; HE RELEASES LEDAS, LETTING HIM FALL; THEN HE TELEPORTS TO LEDAS’ SIDE, AS HE FALLS, AND ELBOWS HIM DOWNWARD>

<LEDAS IS SHOCKED BY HIS GRANDFATHER’S ATTACK>

Lascon: <LAUGHS> I thought you were strong, Ledas!

Ledas: <EXACERBATED> I am! My power level is 7000!

Lascon: <IN HIS HEAD> 7000? And I’m only 2700… I better be careful. <OUTLOUD> Good, attack me!

<LEDAS SENDS A ONE HANDED KYORRA FLASH UP TO HIS GRANDFATHER; LASCON DEFLECTS IT DOWN; AS SOON AS IT HITS THE GROUND, CREATING A LOAD OF HELL, HE TELEPORTS BEHIND LEDAS, AND KICKS HIM SQUARE IN THE BACK; LEDAS DROPS TO HIS KNEES AND FALLS FORWARD; LASCON LUNGES AT HIM, BUT HE TELEPORTS AWAY>

<LEDAS TRIES A MIMICK OF VEGETA’S SIGNATURE ATTACK, A GALICK GUN; HIS VARIANT IS A LIGHTER BLUE, AND MUCH SHORTER; THIS ATTACK CATCHES LASCON OFF GUARD; THE EXPLOSION PUSHES HIM AWAY, RIGHT INTO THE TREE; WHEN LASCON RECOVERS, LEDAS IS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN>

<HE LOOKS AROUND, BUT TO NO AVAIL; HE WALKS FORWARD FROM THE TREE, THEN NOTICES SOMETHING COMING STRAIGHT AT HIM; IT APPEARS TO BE LEDAS; LASCON SHOOTS A BEAM AT HIM, BUT IT GOES RIGHT THROUGH; REALIZING IT IS AN AFTERIMAGE, LASCON SWIRLS AROUND, AND PUNCHES WILDLY; HIS FIST CONNECTS WITH LEDAS, WHO WAS MAKING A SURPRISE ATTACK FROM BEHIND; THE BOY FALLS BACKWARD ONTO THE GROUND; HIS LIP IS BLEEDING>

Ledas: Ow, how’d ya see me?!

Lascon: You’re going to have to try something more elaborate than that to catch me off guard, Ledas.

<LEDAS CHARGES UP HIS AURA QUICKLY, THEN SHOOTS ACROSS THE GROUND, AS HE REMAINS LAYING DOWN; HE SENDS HIMSELF, LIKE A BULLET CRASHING INTO LASCON’S LEGS; LASCON FALLS OVER; LEDAS JUMPS UP, TAKING THE DOMINANT POSITION OVER HIS GRANDFATHER; HE PUNCHES HIS GRANDFATHER REPEATEDLY, IN A VERY QUICK FLURRY>

<LASCON MAKES AN EFFORT TO ONLY BLOCK EVERY FIFTH PUNCH (NOT THAT HE COULD DO MUCH BETTER IF HE TRIED); HE GRABS LEDAS’ HANDS, LOCKING THEM DOWN ON THE BOY’S; LASCON EASILY OVERPOWER’S LEDAS IN THIS POSITION, DUE TO THE BOY’S CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING; A MOMENT LATER, LASCON HAS GOTTEN UP FROM THE GROUND, AND THROWN LEDAS A FEW FEET AWAY>

<LEDAS ATTEMPTS TO REBOUND IMMEDIATELY; HE BOUNCHES OFF THE GROUND, BACKFLIPS BACKWARD, AND THEN EXTENDS BOTH OF HIS HANDS; HE CHARGES UP ANOTHER KYORRA FLASH; AS HE IS CHARGING IT, LASCON GETS AN EASY READ ON HIS BEARING; LEDAS CHARGES UP THE ATTACK TO ITS FULLEST, THEN AIMS HIS HANDS AT LASCON; LASCON DOES NOT MOVE>

<LEDAS FIRES THE BLAST; IT MAKES A HUGE GASH IN THE GROUND, AND BRIGHTENS THE AREA SO MUCH, NOT EVEN LEDAS CAN SEE; LASCON USES THIS TO HIS ADVANTAGE; AS SOON AS LEDAS FIRED THE BLAST, HE SIDESTEPPED, AND USED HIS SPEED TO RUN AROUND BEHIND LEDAS; HE CHOPS LEDAS IN THE BACK OF THE NECK; LEDAS TRIES TO TWIRL AROUND, BUT LASCON WILL HAVE NONE OF THAT; HE PUNCHES LEDAS TO THE GROUND>

<TAKING NO TIME TO SPARE, LASCON JUMPS FORWARD, AND KNEES LEDAS IN THE FACE; THE BOY FALLS TO THE GROUND; HE PICKS UP LEDAS BY THE BACK OF THE SHIRT, AND AS HE SWINGS HIM BACK, LASCON ELBOWS HIM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD; LEDAS LETS OUT A SHARP CRY OF PAIN; HIS GRANDFATHER DROPS HIM>

Ledas: <SQUINTING UP AT LASCON, IN PAIN; HE IS HOLDING ONTO HIS HEAD> You gave me a headache, grandpa!

Lascon: Get up, you’re not that damaged.

<LEDAS STANDS UP UNDER ORDERS, BUT STILL LOOKS TO BE IN PAIN>

Ledas: <PITIABLY> I’m sorry I didn’t do very good…

Lascon: Ledas, you are young. You have time to improve. You are powerful… much more so than your father or I. But you lack proper technique. Everything you do is predictable. I could see within your first set, you make every fifth punch the hard hitter – so I only had to block those. I could see you charging up your father’s signature move; and you gave me plenty of time to dodge it. My power is not half of your own, but I beat you. Raw strength means nothing if you are not tactically smart about your moves. Remember that.

Ledas: <STILL HOLDING HIS HEAD> Okay…

Lascon: You don’t understand a thing I just said, did you?

<LEDAS SHAKES HIS HEAD; LASCON LAUGHS AT THIS AND GRABS HIS GRANDSON AROUND THE NECK, BUT NOT IN AN ATTACK MOVE>

Lascon: Maybe we can fix that! You’re training with the Prince these days?

Ledas: <POLITELY> Yes sir.

Lascon: Have you gotten much experience in your transformed state?

Ledas: Well, no.

Lascon: I should be able to help with that! How about I teach you a little about that next week?

Ledas: Okay, me and Vegeta can – <LEDAS REALIZES> wait, I’ve gotta go! I forgot Vegeta’s presentation today!

<LASCON NODS AT HIS GRANDSON, AND LEDAS HURRIEDLY JUMPS INTO THE AIR AND FLIES OFF; LASCON WATCHES HIM, AS HE LAUGHS TO HIMSELF, AND THEN RETURNS INSIDE, MUMBLING TO HIMSELF ABOUT HOW HE’S STILL GOT IT>

<LEDAS REACHES THE PALACE; HE LANDS, SKIDS ON THE GROUND, BUT RUNS FORWARD ANYWAY; PRINCE VEGETA IS STILL FAR UP AHEAD IN THE GREAT HALL, LEDAS RUNS INTO THE CROWD OF SAIYANS WATCHING; HE CANNOT POSSIBLY GET THROUGH ALL OF THEM; HE DECIDES TO LEVITATE AND WATCH>

<VEGETA IS IN HIS BEST ARMOR, WHITE ON GOLD, AND HIGHLY ORNATE; IT IS SHINING BRIGHT AGAINST HIS MAGENTA CAPE; ON ONE SIDE OF HIM IS THE KING; ON THE OTHER IS, WATCHING WITH AN INTENT FACE IS FRIEZA>

<PRINCE VEGETA DESCENDS THE STEPS AND BEGINS HIS SHOWCASE FIGHTING AGAINST SEVERAL ADULT SAIYANS, ALL AT ONCE; HE EASILY DOMINATES THEM; LEDAS TURNS HIS ATTENTION BACK TO FRIEZA, AND THE TWO FIGURES BEHIND HIM; ONE IS IN FULL ARMOR, LOOKING BORED WITH GREEN SKIN; THE OTHER IS THE CREATURE LEDAS HAD MET BEFORE ON HIS FIRST MISSION FOR FRIEZA; THAT BENEFACTOR; AS LEDAS STARES AT IT, HE GETS THE SAME FREEZING, COLD, HOPELESS FEELING AS BEFORE>

<THE CREATURE IS HOLDING ITSELF HIGH, STANDING AGAINST THE WALL; IT DOES NOT MOVE, BUT LEDAS PERCEIVES IT LOOKING BACK AT HIM>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> I think he’s looking at me.

<LEDAS SHIVERS AT THE THOUGHT>

The Boy Doesn't Mean Any Harm
<LEDAS IS ON ANOTHER PLANET; WITH HIM ARE HIS FATHER AND GRANDFATHER; LAYEECK AND LASCON>

<NO ONE SAYS A WORD; INSTEAD, LAYEECK AND LEDAS BEGIN SPARRING, EXCHANGING PUNCHES WITH ONE ANOTHER; LEDAS IS IN THE AIR TO BE ABLE TO ATTACK PROPERLY; HE BREAKS OFF FROM HIS DAD, BUT LAYEECK SHOOTS A QUICK BEAM AT HIM; LAYEECK DUCKS>

<WHEN HE BRINGS HIS HEAD BACK UP, LEDAS PUTS HIS ARMS OUT, TO CREATE A BLAST; HOWEVER, LASCON IMMEDIATELY COMES UP BEHIND HIM, TAKES HIM AROUND THE NECK AND RISES HIGH INTO THE AIR; LEDAS FIGHTS HIM, BUT CANNOT BREAK OFF>

<AS LIKE IN THEIR SPARRING BEFORE, LASCON DROPS LEDAS, LETTING HIM FALL; HE THEN TELEPORTS AROUND THE BOY, AND PREPARES AN ELBOW FOR LEDAS’ FACE; LEDAS PUTS HIS HANDS UP IN DEFENSE; AS HE DOES SO, LASCON CHANGES INTO A DARK FIGURE; IT PASSES RIGHT THROUGH LEDAS TOO QUICKLY FOR HIM TO SEE IT PROPERLY>

<LEDAS LANDS ON THE GROUND AND LOOKS AROUND; EVERYTHING IS IN RUINS; HE IS SURPRISED AND DID NOT CAUSE IT; HE WALKS UP TO ONE OF THE BUILDINGS; BODIES ARE EVERYWHERE>

Ledas: Whoa… who did this? It’s kinda creepy… <THERE IS A GRAVE SILENCE> V-vegeta?! <TURNS AROUND, VEGETA IS NOT THERE> Vegeta? It wasn‘t me! I swear! I didn’t do it!

<A NOISE IS HEARD, LEDAS TURNS BACK AROUND; IT IS THE BENEFACTOR; HE JUMPS DOWN FROM A LEDGE>

<THAT BENEFACTOR CREATURE DOES NOT MOVE; LEDAS BACKS AWAY FROM IT>

Ledas: Y-you! <WITH FEAR, STEPS BACK>

<THE CAMERA PANS AROUND THEM, THEY ARE ALONE, AND IT IS QUIET>

<THE CREATURE LEVITATES SLIGHTLY AND FOLLOWS LEDAS AS THE BOY BACKPEDALS; HE REACHES OUT AND GRABS LEDAS BY THE NECK; WITH HIS ARM EXTENDED, THE CREATURE TURNS LEDAS ONTO HIS SIDE; HE BRINGS THE BOY UP TO HIS FACE>

<THOUGH LEDAS IS FIGHTING, AND THOUGH LEDAS CANNOT SEE THE CREATURE’S EYES, LEDAS CANNOT MOVE, AND TWO SMALL ENERGY BEAMS, DARK RED, BEGIN FORMING WHERE THE CREATURE’S EYES SHOULD BE; LEDAS STRUGGLES, BUT IT IS NO USE; THE BEAMS SHOOT OUT, AND OVERCOME HIS VISION>

<LEDAS WAKES UP, IT WAS ALL A DREAM, HE SITS UP IN HIS BED, BREATHING HEAVILY>

<HE IS STILL BRUISED FROM HIS TRAINING WITH HIS GRANDFATHER THE DAY BEFORE; BUT, NEVERTHELESS, HE GETS UP, OUT OF BED AND WALKS OUTSIDE, IT IS THE EARLY MORNING, BUT HIS FATHER IS OUTSIDE TRAINING ALONE; IT IS FOGGY>

<LEDAS WATCHES, AFTER A SHORT WHILE, LAYEECK STOPS; HE LANDS ONTO THE GROUND WITH HIS BACK FACING LEDAS; THE ENTIRE ATMOSHPERE IS RATHER MUTED>

Layeeck: You’re up early, son.

<LEDAS DOES NOT ANSWER, BUT WALKS OUTSIDE; HE LOOKS BACK FOR A BRIEF SECOND, BUT THEN TAKES OFF>

Layeeck: Good morning to you too. <SIGHS, SHAKING HIS HEAD>

<CUTS TO MID DAY, KING VEGETA AND LAYEECK ARE TALKING, THEY ARE OUTSIDE, STANDING NEXT TO A BUILDING IN THE CITY>

King Vegeta: … So the real question is have you gotten any closer to an answer?

Layeeck: <DIRECT> If by that, you mean getting my pride destroyed, then yes. He is much stronger than me.

King Vegeta: <A RARE SENSE OF EXCITEMENT IN HIS VOICE> But a reading? Did you get an actual reading?

Layeeck: He wouldn’t power up for me. I could tell though, that while he wasn’t even trying, he could outdo me with ease. Maybe six thousand… I’m not sure though. It could be higher or lower.

King Vegeta: <SIGHS, SITS DOWN> Vegeta refuses to power up as well. I don’t know why…

Layeeck:<LOOKS AWAY> That may have been my fault, sire.

King Vegeta: What?! What do you mean?

Layeeck: A… a few months ago, I told Ledas to conceal his power from you. I thought you would have killed him if he surpassed your son.

King Vegeta: Layeeck! You know me! I would have never done such a thing.

Layeeck: <APOLOGETICALLY> I was being too paranoid… I listened to the rumors. I know it’s not true, now… but the damage has probably been done.

King Vegeta: It doesn’t make a difference. They need to obey my orders. <FINGERS ON TEMPLE> I have not even told you why we are training them so hard.

Layeeck: I can make a guess. <KING VEGETA NODS; LAYEECK LOWERS HIS VOICE TO A WHISPER> They’re training… to free us.

<KING VEGETA TAKES HIS TIME TO PACE FROM THE WALL AND BACK; WHEN HE ANSWERS, HE DOES SO IN A VERY STEADFAST WAY>

King Vegeta: That is exactly what they will do.

<CUTS TO PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS; THEY ARE INSIDE, MAYBE AROUND THE PRINCE’S QUARTERS; THEY ARE SITTING; VEGETA IS IN HIS ARMOR FROM THE DAY BEFORE>

Ledas: Come on Vegeta! Why can’t we power up?

Prince Vegeta: I already told you. I don’t want anyone to know how strong we are. If my father finds out, he’ll tell Frieza. Frieza doesn’t need to know.

Ledas: <CURIOUS, CHILD-LIKE> Why?

Prince Vegeta: Frieza knows about the Super Saiyan. My father told him about it.

Ledas: But then how do we become Super Saiyans if we don’t get stronger?

Prince Vegeta: We’ll get stronger. But Frieza won’t see us coming. <HE ROLLS OFF HIS STOMACH> Man, this is so boring. Frieza better have a mission ready for us. Let’s go do one. <HE STANDS UP, AND WALKS OUT>

<CUTS TO FRIEZA’S SHIP, IT IS IN SPACE, UNKNOWN LOCATION>

Zarbon: Lord Frieza… have you considered my request?

Frieza: What, Zarbon? You mean the one where I kill the Benefactor?

Zarbon: My lord, he can not work with anyone… he’s scaring the other soldiers. It’s just a bad fit for us.

Frieza: Is it my problem that the grunts are good for naught but manual labor? It has always been so, Zarbon.

Zarbon: <IN AN ELEGANT WHINE> But lord Frieza, you know as well as I do that he’s dangerous. His power level was over 50,000 when we met him... and that was such a long time ago. He might be as strong as your first form by now!

Frieza: That is no cause for concern.

Zarbon: Bu-

Frieza: Zarbon, the Benefactor is not as foolish as you may think. He knows my power, and he wouldn’t dare forfeit his life over such a vain pursuit. <THERE IS A LONG PAUSE> That will all, Zarbon.

Zarbon: As you wish, lord Frieza. <ZARBON EXITS>

<ZARBON WALKS DOWN A HALL TO THE CONTROL ROOM, HE BUMPS INTO THE BENEFACTOR>

Zarbon: Oh, it’s you. What do you want?

The Benefactor: Have you gotten a new squad yet, Zarbon? You remember the ones you sent against the boys. The ones they murdered.

Zarbon: I tried going over this before. Lord Frieza is preparing something. I need a new team for it by tomorrow.

The Benefactor: I remember.

Zarbon: <ANNOYED> Just get me a new squad by tomorrow. I don’t want to wait. <ZARBON BRINGS HIS CAPE AROUND HIM AND WALKS OFF>

The Benefactor: Neither do I.

<CUTS BACK TO PRINCE VEGETA AND LEDAS>

<THEY SEND A MESSAGE TO FRIEZA, WHO GIVES THEM ANOTHER MISSION; THEY LEAVE THE PLANET, AND HAVE A NICE TIME PLAYING AROUND WITH KILLING ANOTHER PLANET; THIS IS FOLLOWED UP BY SEVERAL OTHER MISSIONS, RIGHT IN A ROW>

<NONE OF THESE ARE SHOWN IN MUCH DETAIL; ONLY A FEW PANELS ARE DEVOTED TO EACH ONE; THIS TAKES PLACE OVER A WEEK OR SO>

<IN THIS SAME TIME FRAME, ZARBON IS GIVEN A NEW TEAM OF ELITES; ON FRIEZA’S SHIP, IN THE HANGER BAY, ZARBON GOES UP AND DOWN THE LINE OF HIS SIX TROOPS; HE MEASURES THEIR POWER LEVELS, WHICH ARE SHOWN TO BE ABOUT 10,000 APIECE; SATISFIED, HE LEAVES; THE BENEFACTOR IS SHOWN TO HAVE WATCHED THIS ALL BY HIS COMPUTER MONITER>

<OVER THE LAST WEEK OF CONSTANT FIGHTING, LEDAS’ AND PRINCE VEGETA RETURN HOME; THEY ARE MET BY THEIR FATHERS>

<NAPPA, KING VEGETA, AND LAYEECK ARE WAITING, BY THE DOORS OF A GRAVITY CHAMBER FOR THE TWO BOYS TO REACH THEM>

King Vegeta: I have no other plans… it does have to be them.

Layeeck: What can we do if they don‘t get there in time?

King Vegeta: I’d rather die than let Frieza continue to rule over us. I think you and many others agree with me.

Layeeck: <CONFIDENTLY> I do, my king.

<NAPPA DOESN’T ANSWER>

King Vegeta: <STILL WITH MUCH AUTHORITY ABOUT HIM> It still hasn’t come to that. I have come up with a test to make them show us their true powers.

Layeeck: If that fails?

King Vegeta: Then we’ve run out of time. We will have to take matters into our own hands. Either way, Frieza will have to deal with the Saiyan race soon.

Because It's My Birthday
<BACK ON PLANET VEGETA, LEDAS AND PRINCE VEGETA ARE IN THE GRAVITY ROOM; LAYEECK, NAPPA, AND KING VEGETA, AS WELL AS SOME OTHER SCIENTISTS ARE IN THE CONTROL ROOM>

Saiyan Scientist 1: No one other than King Vegeta has been able to withstand (Earth equivalent) 70 times gravity.

King Vegeta: <TO THE OTHERS> It’s true.

Nappa: But aren’t ya the strongest, king Vegeta? How are the kids supposed to train in it?

King Vegeta: That’s the test, Nappa. We don’t know their true power levels, we don’t know what their capable of. <TO THE SCIENTISTS> Very well, I think we’re ready. Turn it on.

<THE GRAVITY IS TURNED ON, LEDAS AND VEGETA HIT THE FLOOR, UNABLE TO MOVE>

Ledas: <WHISPERING> Vegeta… I think if I power up I can get out of this.

Prince Vegeta: <SUPRISINGLY CALM> Stay where you are, Ledas. That’s what they want us to do.

Ledas: But Vegeta! We should show them that we can!

Prince Vegeta: For all we know, Frieza could be right there with them watching everything.

<BACK IN THE CONTROL ROOM>

Saiyan Scientist 1: Sir, they’re not moving. I don’t think they can get up.

Saiyan Scientist 2: Output power for both is under eight thousand. That is far below what is needed for the gravity. Sire, I think it wou-

King Vegeta: <ARMS CROSSED> They know what they’re doing. It’s on purpose that they’re not powering up. Now as to why, I have no clue.

<A FEW MINUTES PASS, STILL NOTHING>

King Vegeta: <LOSING PATIENCE> Lower the gravity to 50, and send in the Elites.

<THE FAR DOOR OPENS, INSIDE THE ROOM, AND A DOZEN SOLDIERS COME IN; NONE OF THEM ARE ARMORED; SEEING THIS, THE BOYS JUMP UP>

Ledas: Can we power up now?

Prince Vegeta: Dang, all right. Go as fast as you can.

<LEDAS NODS, AND JUMPS LEFT; VEGETA STEPS BACKWARD; HE CREATES A GALICK GUN, THEN SHOOTS IT AT THE GROUP; STUTTERING BACK, THEY CANNOT DEFEND AGAINST LEDAS, WHO COMES OUT OF NOWHERE, AND GIVES THEM ALL A NICE GUT CHECK; THEY COLLAPSE ONTO THE FLOOR>

<THEIR SPEED IN TAKING OUT THE ELITES IMPRESSES KING VEGETA, BUT HIS ENTHUSIAM GOES AWAY WHEN HE SEES THEIR POWER LEVELS>

<THE SCIENTISTS GET READINGS OFF OF THE BOYS FROM THIS ATTACK; 12,000 APIECE>

Layeeck: 12,000… that is incredible.

King Vegeta: That’s only at my level. Not good enough. <TO THE SCIENTISTS> Raise the gravity to 100G.

Saiyan Scientist 1: Sire, they couldn’t even move at 70.

King Vegeta: <ANGRY> Just do it!

<THE SCIENTISTS DO>

<A SAIYAN SOLDIER ENTERS>

Saiyan Soldier 1: King Vegeta?

King Vegeta: <DOES NOT TURN TO FACE THE SOLDIER> What is it?

Saiyan Soldier 1: A visitor is here to see you. He says it’s urgent.

King Vegeta: I’m busy, tell him to wait-

Saiyan Soldier 1: Sire, it’s lord Frieza.

King Vegeta: Frieza? What could he want?

Saiyan Soldier 1: Sire, he wants to meet with you in private. He said it was urgent.

King Vegeta: <TO SCIENTISTS> Keep the gravity as it is. Do not lower it until they show you their power.

<KING VEGETA EXITS, AND WALKS TO FRIEZA, WHO IS WAITING FOR HIM IN A PRIVATE ROOM; FRIEZA IS SITTING IN A SEAT>

Frieza: Ah, King Vegeta. Just the Saiyan I was looking for.

King Vegeta: <KNEELS> Lord Frieza… what brings you back here so soon?

Frieza: Your son, Vegeta. He and his little friend are conquering some of my hardest planets. They are making all of my other teams look bad.

King Vegeta: That is good to hear.

Frieza: Yes, yes it is. He will make a fine warrior when he grows up. That is, if he has the proper training.

King Vegeta: Lord Frieza, I assure you that will happen. I have all our best warriors training my son.

Frieza: I have no doubt. <LONG PAUSE> Buy, I will take Vegeta to train, myself. He needs proper company if we want him to succeed.

King Vegeta: What? Take my son from me? I will not agree to that! <ANGER IS CLEARLY EVIDENT>

Frieza: Don’t lose your temper, Vegeta. We wouldn’t want to have an incident here today.

King Vegeta: No, Frieza, this is unacceptable!

Frieza: This training is not for me. I do this to help your son. I thought that would be something you’d like. Of course, I could take him by force, if need be…

King Vegeta: <FUMING> No!! Just take him! I can’t stop you!

Frieza: <GETS UP, WALKS OUT> Not now, Vegeta. <LAUGHS> I’m much too busy. I’ll be back for him soon.

<FRIEZA LEAVES, LAUGHING TO HIMSELF>

<CUTS TO GRAVITY ROOM>

Saiyan Scientist 1: Nothing will change. They’re not strong enough to do this.

Ledas: Come on, Vegeta… I’m getting hungry! Can’t we just stop?

Prince Vegeta: Fine, this is getting boring. Wait until I distract them.

<VEGETA ROLLS OVER AND SHOOTS A BLINDING FLASH OF LIGHT INTO THE AIR; WHEN THE LIGHT AND SMOKE CLEAR, VEGETA AND LEDAS ARE NOWEHRE TO BE SEEN>

Nappa: Hey, what happened?

Saiyan Scientist 2: <TYPING> It seems there was a spike… but I don’t know where the two went. It could have been a malfunction.

Layeeck: How do you not know? It should be a simple test.

Saiyan Scientist 1: <TYPING AND WORKING ON THE GRAVITY ROOM’S CONTROL PANELS, THEY SEEMED TO HAVE SHORT-CIRCUITED> It’s not as simple as you may think. The two kids did get up and leave. However, before they left, it seems there was a spike in energy, this could have caused the gravity machine to malfunction. We are unsure.

Layeeck: Well, find out! That was the whole point of the test!

<KING VEGETA RETURNS, NOW, TO THE GRAVITY CONTROL ROOM; KING VEGETA LOOKS STRICKEN>

Layeeck: Sire? What happened? What did Frieza say?

King Vegeta: <SLOWLY, IN SHOCK, WHICH RISES TO IMMENSE ANGER> Frieza… he’s going to take my son!!

Layeeck: What?!

Nappa: No way!

Saiyan Scientist 1: S-sire, the spikes were at 12,000. It appears that is their maximum power.

<KING VEGETA PUTS HIS CHIN UP, SEEING THAT LEDAS AND PRINCE VEGETA HAVE ESCAPED; HE FIRES A ROYAL GALICK AT THE SCIENTISTS, BLOWING THEM, AND THE ENTIRE ROOM UP>

King Vegeta: Nappa, call on the army. I want them in front of my palace in three hours’ time. <NAPPA NODS AND WALKS OFF> Layeeck, we were wrong. <HE KICKS DEBRIS OFF OF HIM IN COMPLETE LIVIDITY> They aren’t Super Saiyans after all.

<CUTS TO SPACE, OVER THE PLANET; FRIEZA’S SHIP IS STATIONED OVER PLANET VEGETA>

<CUTS TO THE INSIDE OF THE SHIP>

<THE BENEFACTOR IS STANDING NEXT TO FRIEZA, THEY ARE TALKING>

Frieza: Those two <JUMPS OFF THE EDGE OF HIS CHAIR> … those two are quite something.

The Benefactor: I have watched them as you commanded.

Frieza: <WALKS UP TO THEM> And how did they do?

The Benefactor: Every planet took no more than a day. Neither transformed, ever.

Frieza: What are their power levels?

The Benefactor: 12,500 for the Prince; 12,390 for... the other.

Frieza: They are as powerful as their King, but no threat to me. Ho ho ho. In that case, Benefactor, prepare them a room.

The Benefactor: They will be stationed here?

Frieza: They will be stationed on my ship. That will be all for today. <HE WAVES THE BENEFACTOR OFF, AND POURS HIMSELF SOME WINE>

The Benefactor: As you wish, lord Frieza.

<THE BENEFACTOR EXITS; HE RETURNS TO HIS OWN QUARTERS, AND OPENS UP THE TWO BEDS, OUT OF THE WALL, ABOVE HIS OWN (FOR, UNLIKE EVERYONE ELSE, HE HAD A ROOM TO HIMSELF); THE BENEFACTOR THINKS THIS TO BE ADEQUATE FOR THEIR ACCOMODATION, BLESS HIS HEART>

No More Monkeys! (season finale part 1)
<PLANET VEGETA>

<737 AGE>

<CAMERA MOVES TO DOWNTOWN IN THE ROYAL CITY; LEDAS AND PRINCE VEGETA ARE THERE>

Ledas: Come on Vegeta! Tell me what happened! Did he give us another mission!?

Prince Vegeta: Yeah. Zarbon wasn’t too happy, though. I guess he’s just jealous.

Ledas: <EXCITED> Well, come on tell me… is it a hard one!?

Prince Vegeta: Frieza gave me his hardest mission.

Ledas: Wow! I get to go too, right?

Prince Vegeta: Fine, but we can’t screw this up. He didn’t give me very long to complete it.

<PRINCE VEGETA, WHO IS IN HIS ROYAL ARMOR, IS DRAWING STARES AGAIN; HOWEVER, THE CITY IS MUCH EMPTIER THAN IT WAS PREVIOUSLY; MOST OF THE ADULT SAIYANS ARE IN REGIMENTED LINES, MOVING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION>

<THE TWO REACH THE KING’S PALACE, DOCKING BAY 3>

<KING VEGETA AND NAPPA ARE THERE>

King Vegeta: <WATCHING THE TWO BOYS APPROACH> I need you to watch over my son on this mission, Nappa. Of all your duties, consider this the most important.

Nappa: What’s goin’ on, King?

King Vegeta: I will be leaving for a while. While I’m gone, you must watch over him and train him. Push him beyond his limits. You must do this. Can you promise that?

Nappa: <STILL CONFUSED> Yeah, I guess… but where are ya goin’?

King Vegeta: <SIGHS> I have no idea.

<THE BOYS GET TO THE POD AREA>

King Vegeta: <CURTLY> Has Frieza given you a mission?

Prince Vegeta: Yeah, Ledas is coming too.

King Vegeta: <NODS> Yes, Nappa will go as well.

Ledas: Aw, we don’t need him.

Prince Vegeta: Yeah, he doesn’t even do anything.

King Vegeta: He’s not supposed to. I simply want him to watch over you on the battlefield. <KNEELS DOWN> Now, children, you know the importance of this mission?

Prince Vegeta: Yeah. It’s Frieza’s hardest planet…

King Vegeta: Ah, that planet. I didn’t expect him to give it to you. <PAUSES, LOOKING DOWN> None of our other teams could handle it. None of Frieza’s could, either. It’s a deathpool.

Ledas: <LOOKS AT THE KING> But, we are much stronger than any other team.

King Vegeta: <SIGHS> Yes, you are. However, this mission is more important than being a test of strength.

Prince Vegeta: I know, I know… Frieza‘ll see that our race is the best.

King Vegeta: <STANDS UP> Exactly! Good luck, you two.

Prince Vegeta: <WITH ARROGANCE> It’ll be easy. We’ll be done with it before tomorrow.

King Vegeta: <HE LOOKS TO NAPPA> Nappa! <NODS>

<NAPPA LEADS THE BOYS OUT; BEHIND THEM, LAYEECK ARRIVES, WITH ELITE GUARD; BEHIND THEM IS THE REGULAR ARMY, WHICH SHOULD BE UNDER NAPPA’S COMMAND; THERE IS A DIFFERENT COMMANDER OVER THAT RIGHT NOW, AS NAPPA IS WITH LEDAS AND VEGETA>

<WHEN LAYEECK ARRIVES, HE NOTICES HIS SON WALKING OFF; HE CALLS OUT TO LEDAS BEFORE THE BOY IS OUT OF RANGE; LEDAS, ALONE RETURNS TO HIS FATHER, IN FRONT OF THE GUARD AND THE KING>

Ledas: What is it, dad?

Layeeck: <TO LEDAS> I want to tell you good luck on your mission, my son.

Ledas: <IMPATIENT> Okay.

Layeeck: Listen, I know you’re mad at me right now… I haven’t been around much, and we haven’t been able to go on another mission together.

Ledas: Yeah…

Layeeck: Well, how about we go on one when you get back?

Ledas: You promised before, but we never went anywhere…

Layeeck: You know I would like to, I’ve just been too busy. I promise, this time. Please, Ledas, I am trying to do this for you… I just need a little-

Ledas: Fine. But I wanna go as soon as we get back.

<LAYEECK LAUGHS AT THIS, BUT ACCEPTS IT; HE WAVES GOODBYE, AND LEDAS DOES TOO>

<LEDAS EXITS>

King Vegeta: <WATCHING THEM WALK OFF> Layeeck, my friend, you have raised a fine boy. I am sure he will bring honor to you.

Layeeck: They will both bring honor to us all.

King Vegeta: It’s a shame they didn’t fulfill the Legend. I would have liked Frieza’s death to be certain.

Layeeck: <GRAVELY> So, it is us who have to kill Frieza?

King Vegeta: We will try. We must try. With the entire army behind us, Frieza will be no match.

Layeeck: Is it worth our lives? I’d rather live if even if it was under a tyranny.

King Vegeta: Layeeck, what is this?! Not too long ago, you swore to help me fight Frieza, if it came to that. What happened?

Layeeck: I can’t be of any help…

King Vegeta: Do not think that! It will take all us to kill Frieza. These are our sons we are fighting for! If we do not act today, he will take them from us. Tell me you will at least fight for that?!

<LAYEECK, MUTED, NODS; HE SHIFTS, ALONG WITH THE KING, TO FACE THEIR SOLDIERS; SCREEN FADES>

<CUTS TO PRINCE VEGETA, LEDAS, AND NAPPA, WHO HAVE ARRIVED AT THE SPACE POD LAUNCH ZONE>

Saiyan Pod Commander: Here are your pods. As soon as you‘re ready, we can begin the launch. <THE PODS, ESPECIALLY LEDAS’ LOOK DAMAGED>

Prince Vegeta: <INSPECTING HIS> These don’t look safe.

Saiyan Pod Commander: We weren’t expecting you today, Prince Vegeta. If I had more time to prepare…

<PRINCE VEGETA, LEDAS, NAPPA CLIMB INTO THEIR PODS, AND PREPARE TO TAKE OFF>

Saiyan Pod Commander: I’ve input the coordinates, you should arrive at the planet in roughly 6 hours.

Prince Vegeta: <CONFIDENTLY SMILES> Remember Nappa, this one is for us, not you. Because we don’t need you.

Nappa: <STRANGELY UNCONCERNED> Yeah, yeah, I know.

Saiyan Pod Commander: Ready to launch in 3...2...1...

<THE PODS START UP, PRINCE VEGETA’S AND NAPPA’S TAKE OFF, LEDAS’ DOES NOT; IT JERKS FORWARD A FEW FEET, BANGING LEDAS‘ HEAD ON THE FRONT PANEL, BUT THEN COMES BACK DOWN>

Ledas: <ON HIS SCOUTER> Ahh… I have a problem.

Prince Vegeta: What is it?

Ledas: My pod won’t start. It never took off.

Saiyan Pod Commander: Uh, roger. We see the problem, sir. I am getting my technicians on it right now.

Ledas: How long?

Saiyan Pod Commander: I would guess no more than an hour, but…

Prince Vegeta: Stupid junker.

Nappa: Hey, one hour won’t make a difference, Vegeta. We’ll wait once we get there.

Prince Vegeta: Fine. I’ll see you there, Ledas.

Ledas: See you there.

<LEDAS GETS OUT OF HIS POD, TECHNICIANS MOVE IN AND START WORKING ON IT; THE OTHER TWO PODS LEAVE OUT OF SIGHT>

Saiyan Pod Commander: I’m sorry sir. This should only take an hour.

Ledas: <VERY ANGRY> One second more, and it’s your life.

Saiyan Pod Commander: <UNCONVINCINGLY> I’m sure we can fix it by then.

<CUTS TO KING VEGETA, WHO HAS GATHERED ALL THE SUPER ELITES AVAILABLE, LAYEECK IS THERE; THEY HAVE ALL ARRIVED ONTO FRIEZA‘S SHIP>

King Vegeta: Today we take back what Frieza has stolen from us. Too long have we sat and let him do what he wants. But no more! If Frieza wants the prince, he will have to get through us first! <CAMERA SHOWS THE MANY SAIYANS GATHERED AROUND HIM> You are the greatest fighters on our planet. You are the elite! Together you will fight, and together you will conquer. <NODS IN RESPECT; THE SOLDIERS RETURN THE GESTURE>

<KING VEGETA AND THE OTHER SOLDIERS RUN OFF, DOWN THE HALLS BLASTING AWAY ALL THE SOLDIERS WHO GET IN THEIR WAY; LAYEECK FOLLOWS, SIMPLY WALKING, NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE CARNAGE>

<LAYEECK WALKS DOWN THE HALLS, HEARING CURIOUS WHISPERS AS HE GOES; BODIES OF FRIEZA’S SOLDIERS LITTER THE GROUND, KING VEGETA HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THEM; LAYEECK SEES UP AHEAD, THE GROUP HAS GATHERED AROUND A DOOR; LAYEECK COMES UP ON IT; FRIEZA AND KING VEGETA ARE INSIDE>

King Vegeta: It’s over Frieza! We’ve come to put an end to your reign of terror!

Frieza: <SARCASTICALLY> We? You and who else, Vegeta? Your army is so petrified that they are actually turning blue in the face! <SHOWS THE SUPER ELITES, WHO ARE ALL TOO SCARED TO MOVE FORWARD>

King Vegeta: Fools! <KING VEGETA RUSHES TO ATTACK FRIEZA, FRIEZA DODGES THE PUNCHES, AND THEN EFFORTLESSLY KILLS KING VEGETA WITH A SINGLE PUNCH TO THE JAW; THE KING FALLS, HIS FAMILY CREST FALLS OFF AND ROLLS UP TO FRIEZA>

Super Elite 1: The King! No! <ALL RUSH OVER TO THE KING’S BODY>

Frieza: My, my, what a pity. <FRIEZA STEPS ON IT AND CRUSHES IT> Don’t be so glum, guys, you haven’t lost your king for good… wherever he is, you’re about to join him! <TAKES OFF HIS SCOUTER AND SHOOTS AN EYE BEAM AT THE REMAINING SUPER ELITES, THEY ARE ALL VAPORIZED>

Layeeck: No… he can’t have killed them all so fast!

<LAYEECK, BEING SO FAR BACK IS NOT KILLED BY THE BLAST, INSTEAD HE IS THROWN INTO A WALL BEHIND; ANOTHER PLATOON OF SOLDIERS COMES OUT; THEY SWARM AROUND LAYEECK; IN FULL CONCENTRATION, HE MAKES AN ENERGY WAVE, WHICH KILLS MOST OF THEM; THE OTHERS REGROUP AND FLING THEMSELVES AT HIM ONCE AGAIN>

<HE SIDE-CHOPS EVERY ONE OF THEM, KILLING THEM>

Layeeck: <IN HIS HEAD> No… is this what we are compared to Frieza? <HE RUNS UP TO THE HALL> He took out the king and all the others like they were nothing…

<TWO MORE SOLDIERS COME OUT; LAYEECK READS THEIR POWER LEVELS TO BE 3000 EACH; LAYEECK IS STILL SO FAR BACK THAT FRIEZA WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO HEAR HIM; NEVERTHELESS, THE TWO SOLDIERS FIRE ENERGY BLASTS AT HIM, HE DODGES THEM, AND READIES A KYORRA FLASH; AS IT CHARGES UP, HE DODGES BACK AND FORTH OFF THE WALLS; THE TWO ALIENS CONTINUE A BARRAGE OF ENERGY>

<LAYEECK CANNOT DODGE EVERY BLAST; SEVERAL HIT HIM, CHIP AWAY HIS ARMOR, AND ONE ULTIMATELY LANDS RIGHT ON HIS FACE; HIS SCOUTER SHATTERS, AND HE FALLS TO ONE KNEE; THE TWO STOP THEIR ATTACK AND RUN FORWARD; SEEING THIS TO BE HIS CHANCE, LAYEECK SHOOTS HIS HANDS UPWARD, INTERLOCKED IN A TRIANGLE SHAPE, AND SENDS OFF HIS KYORRA FLASH>

<THE TWO ALIENS ARE INCINERATED; LAYEECK FALLS ONTO THE FLOOR, HURT AND DIZZY; AS HE ROLLS INTO UNCONSCIOUSNESS, THE WHISPERING BECOMES DEAFENING>

<IN THE DISTANCE, FRIEZA CAN BE SEEN RISING INTO SPACE, PREPARING HIS DESTRUCTION OF PLANET VEGETA>

Serenity In Atonement (season finale part 2)
<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS ON THE POD AREA; IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 30 MINUTES, IT SEEMS THE TECHNICIANS ARE TAKING A BREAK>

Ledas: <GETS UP, RUNS OVER TO THEM> Done?

Alien Technician 1: Naw, we’re taking a break, kid.

Ledas: <ANXIOUS> I am supposed to be on an important mission for Frieza right now. Get back to work!

Alien Technician 1: Cool it kid, a few minutes won’t hurt.

(AT THIS TIME, KING VEGETA IS GETTING READY TO ASSAULT FRIEZA’S SHIP)

Ledas: <JUMPS AND KICKS THE TECHNICIAN IN THE FACE, KNOCKING HIM OUT> Get back to work!

Alien Technician 3: Ok, ok we’re on it. <TO OTHER TECHNICIANS> I’ll tell ya, these Saiyans are nuts.

<THE TECHNICIANS GET BACK TO WORK; LEDAS WATCHES THEM WITH HIS ARMS CROSSED, IN HIS BEST VEGETA IMPERSONATION>

<A FEW MOMENTS LATER>

Saiyan Pod Commander: Uh, sir, it seems I was a bit optimistic with my analysis. I think we will need a few more hours to repair the pod.

Ledas: No! I don’t have that much time. Get another one over here if you can’t fix this one!

Saiyan Pod Commander: I can see if there are any available…

Ledas: Now!!

Saiyan Pod Commander: Sir, be reasonable. I can only do what I can do.

(AT THIS TIME, FRIEZA HAS JUST KILLED KING VEGETA, AND IS PREPARING HIS DESTRUCTION OF PLANET VEGETA)

Ledas: <MEGA FROWN> That’s enough. Get out of my way, I’m going.

Saiyan Pod Commander: We’re not ready. There’s no way you’ll survive the trip.

Ledas: It doesn’t matter. I’m leaving.

<LEDAS WALKS UP TO THE COMMANDER AND, CAUSUALLY, SHOOTS AN ENERGY BEAM IN HIS FACE, KILLING HIM; THE COMMANDER FALLS TO THE GROUND, AND BLOOD STARTS POOLING; LEDAS DOES NOT STOP WALKING TO HIS POD; THE TECHNICIANS GET OUT OF HIS WAY AS HE CLIMBS IN>

Ledas: It is a stupid junker.

<LEDAS CLOSES THE RUSTY HATCH AND SITS DOWN; HE TAKES OFF, JUST AS FRIEZA IS GETTING READY TO DESTROY THE PLANET>

(NOTE: COOLER’S SHIP DOES NOT SEE LEDAS, BECAUSE LEDAS TAKES OFF ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PLANET)

<FRIEZA THROWS HIS HUGE BALL OF ENERGY AT PLANET VEGETA AND DESTROYS IT; THE SHOCK WAVE HITS LEDAS’ SHIP, JUST AS HE'S ABOUT TO LEAVE THE SOLAR SYSTEM AND KNOCKS HIM OUT, PUSHING HIM OFF COURSE; HIS HEAD HITS THE CONTROL PAD AGAIN, AND HE ROLLS INTO UNCONSCIOUSNESS; HIS FORHEAD GASHES AND BLEEDS FROM THE UNEXPECTED BLOW>

<CUTS TO THE INSIDE OF FRIEZA’S SHIP, HE HAS COME BACK DOWN FROM SPACE AFTER DESTROYING PLANET VEGETA, HE IS DRINKING AND TALKING TO ZARBON, AROUND THE CORNER IN ANOTHER ROOM; MAYBE DODORIA IS THERE, BUT HE CANNOT BE SEEN>

Zarbon: Shall I send a team to take out Prince Vegeta, like you did with the Saiyan Bardock?

Frieza: I’ll keep Vegeta alive. With his father gone, he’s no longer any trouble to me. And he will make a fine soldier, with the proper training, of course.

Zarbon: What of his companion? Shall we let him live as well?

<LAYEECK’S EYES OPEN; AFTER SOME TROUBLE, HE STANDS UP, HIS WHOLE FACE IS BLOODIED, AND HE IS WALKING WITH A LIMP; HIS RIGHT HAND IS HOLDING HIS STOMACH, WHICH IS WOUNDED; IN HIS LEFT HAND HE READIES AN ENERGY BLAST>

Frieza: Why not? The two get along so well. I wouldn’t want to interfere in that. <FRIEZA TAKES A DRINK>

<LAYEECK ARRIVES AT FRIEZA'S ROOM>

Layeeck: <PANTING> My king… Vegeta… <HE ENTERS, SEEING VEGETA’S BODY, ON ITS BACK, IN FRONT OF HIM; HE LOOKS UP AT WHO IS BEFORE HIM> No! Y-you couldn’t have…! Frieza!?! <LAYEECK THROWS HIS BLAST A FRIEZA, FRIEZA MAKES NO ATTEMPT TO DODGE IT, AND IT HITS HIM, MAKING HIM SPILL HIS DRINK>

Frieza: <THE SMOKE CLEARS, FRIEZA IS IN THE SAME POSITION, UNDAMAGED; QUIETLY> You've gone and made me spill my drink... <TURNING, READYING A FINGER BEAM> you dirty little monkey.

Layeeck: I’ll kill you! I have to-

<SUDDENLY, AS LAYEECK IS READYING ANOTHER BLAST, A TAIL COMES OUT OF NOWHERE AND IMPALES HIM THROUGH HIS BACK, ALL THE WAY TO HIS CHEST; THE TAIL RISES OFF THE GROUND A BIT, BRINGING LAYEECK INTO THE AIR; FRIEZA AND ZARBON FLINCH, AS THEY ARE NOT EXPECTING THAT>

The Benefactor: <COMING UP TO LAYEECK’S EAR, IN A WHISPER> Can’t let you do that, boss.

Layeeck: <BLOODIED, IN TEARS> N-n-noooooo!!!!! Get offa me!!

<LAYEECK RAISES HIS RIGHT ARM WITH AN ENERGY BLAST, AIMED AT THE BENEFACTOR; WITH LIGHTNING PRECISION, THE BENEFACTOR TAKES OUT A KNIFE AND SEVERS LAYEECKS ARM IN ONE MOTION; LAYEECK SCREAMS AGAIN, BLOOD IS NOW EVERYWHERE>

Frieza: <COMPOSED> Put him down, Benefactor.

<THE BENEFACTOR RISES INTO THE AIR A FEW FEET, THEN DOES A FRONT FLIP, PROPELLING LAYEECK OFF HIS TAIL, AND INTO A NEARBY WALL; THE BENEFACTOR DECENDS TO THE GROUND AGAIN, HE GOES ON ALL FOURS, AND CRAWLS UP TO LAYEECK; HE HAS HIS KNIFE IN HAND>

Layeeck: Gahhh….. <IN INCREDIBLE PAIN> FRIEZAAAAAAAAA!!!!! <THROWS ANOTHER ENERGY BLAST AT FRIEZA, FRIEZA DISSIPATES IT BEFORE IT REACHES HIM>

<THE BENEFACTOR REACHES LAYEECK; HE PICKS HIM UP BY HIS RIB CAGE, PUNCTURING HIS CLAWS THROUGH LAYEECK’S ARMOR; THE BENEFACTOR TAKES HIS KNIFE AND CUTS LAYEECK’S NECK; WITH HIS FREE HAND, HE CLAWS AT LAYEECK’S NECK>

Frieza: <WITH AUTHORITY> That will be all, Benefactor.

<HE DOES NOT LISTEN TO FRIEZA; INSTEAD, HE CONTINUES TORTURING LAYEECK; LAYEECK FIGHTS BACK, SENDING A BEAM OF ENERGY INTO THE CREATURE’S FACE; IT DOES NO DAMAGE; THE BENEFACTOR PUTS HIS CLAW UP INTO LAYEECK’S OPEN NECK, AND SHOVES IT UPWARD, INSTANTLY KILLING THE SAIYAN>

<LAYEECK GOES LIMP; THE BENEFACTOR, WITHOUT REMORSE, THROWS HIM TO THE SIDE INTO A WALL>

Frieza: <ANGRY NOW> That will be all, Benefactor!

The Benefactor: <STANDS UP, PUTS HIS KNIFE AWAY> As you wish, lord Frieza. <LEAVES>

Frieza: <LOOKING AT WHAT JUST HAPPENED> Zarbon, what was that?

Zarbon: Lord Frieza, this is what I was talking about earlier. He’s dangerous, and he will only get more dangerous as time goes on.

Frieza: I will not have him disrespect me in my own ship again. Remove him, Captain.

Zarbon: Lord Frieza, he is much stronger than anyone here… except for you.

Frieza: <ANNOYED> Must I do everything, Zarbon? Very well, I will eliminate him, and then you get the carcass of my ship. <FRIEZA FLICKS HIS TAIL IN ANNOYANCE, HE JUMPS BACK ONTO HIS CHAIR> Now, Zarbon, call someone to clean up this mess. I don’t want to look at it anymore.

<SEVERAL HOURS LATER, ON A DISTANT PLANET>

Prince Vegeta: What is taking him so long? I’ve been waiting for 3 hours. <PACES IMPATIENTLY FOR A FEW MORE MOMENTS> Man, what’s going on? We’re gonna run out of time if I don’t start now.

Nappa: Yeah okay, go ahead. <WAVES HIS HAND, OBVIOUSLY BORED>

<VEGETA GOES ON TO DESTOY ALL INHABITANTS ON THE PLANET, AFTER SEVERAL HOURS AS HE IS SITTING ON CORPSES OF HIS CONQUERED AND EATING A SNACK, A SOLDIER CALLS HIM UP ON HIS SCOUTER>

Soldier: Prince Vegeta, do you copy, sir?

Prince Vegeta: I’m here.

Soldier: Sir, unfortunate news from Lord Frieza. Planet Vegeta was struck by a large asteroid today, a-and destroyed.

Prince Vegeta: And… you’re sure?

Soldier: Affirmative sir. Lord Frieza sends his sympathies and regrets. As of now, you’re the only known survivor.

Prince Vegeta: <DETACHED> Oh… really?

Soldier: Would you like to send a reply, sir?

Prince Vegeta: No, no reply.

Soldier: Very well sir. Over and out.

<SCENE PANS OUT SHOWING PRINCE VEGETA SITTING ON A HUGE PILE OF CORPSES MUCH BIGGER THAN PREVIOUSLY HINTED AT, HE FINISHES HIS SNACK>

Prince Vegeta: Did you hear that, Nappa? <NO RESPONSE; PRINCE VEGETA STANDS UP> Nappa!

Nappa: <SEEMS TO BE WAKING UP> Oh…what is it, Vegeta?

Prince Vegeta: I just got a transmission from Frieza. They said our planet was destroyed by an asteroid right after we left. <HE LOOKS OVER AT THE TWO PODS; THERE IS A NOTICEABLE SPACE MISSING WHERE LEDAS’ POD SHOULD BE> There were no survivors.

Nappa: <SUDDENLY PANICKY; HE JUMPS RIGHT UP> What? Are you sure?! There’s no way!

Prince Vegeta: <DIRECTLY, LOW> Pull yourself together, Nappa! You’re a Saiyan, so start acting like it.

Nappa: Uh, right.

Prince Vegeta: <HE WALKS OVER TO HIS POD AND OPENS IT; HE CLIMBS INSIDE> We’re the strongest race in the universe. Frieza doesn’t know it yet. I don’t care. When I’m a Super Saiyan, he’ll be sorry. <NAPPA GETS IN HIS POD AT THIS TIME, AND CLOSES IT; PRINCE VEGETA LOOKS OUT OF HIS DOOR> He’ll take us seriously then. <HE CLOSES THE DOOR; TO HIMSELF> I’ll kill him. I promise I’ll kill him.

<CUTS TO A SNOWY, MOUTAINOUS PLANET, ON ONE OF THE PEAKS; IT IS VERY WINDY; ZARBON, A FEW SOLDIERS, AND THE BENEFACTOR ARE THERE; THE BENEFACTOR IS TIED UP TO A WOODEN POLE, HIS ARMS OUTSTRETCHED, HIS KNESS ON THE GROUND; HE IS WOUNDED BADLY>

Zarbon: <IN HIS HEAD> What’s this, he’s still alive? Lord Frieza was supposed to kill him! What do I do? <OUTLOUD, MAKING SOMETHING UP> Lord Frieza didn’t appreciate your little incident earlier. He’s ordered your execution, which I will perform.

The Benefactor: <HIS HOOD IS PULLED BACK; THE CAMERA ONLY SHOWS A SMALL AREA AROUND HIS EYES; HIS SCARS ARE EVIDENT; COUGHS> How’s that new team treating you, Zarbon? I hope you like them.

Zarbon: <READIES AN ENERGY BLAST, THE OTHER SOLDIERS DO AS WELL> Oh, I don’t think you’re in any position to mock me.

<THE BENEFACTOR BOWS HIS HEAD>

The Benefactor: <BARELY AUDIBLE> Lord Frieza wants me gone. Just do it.

Zarbon: Any last words?

The Benefactor: No. <TIRED; HE RAISES HIS HOODED FACE TO LOOK AT ZARBON> Not yet.

<ZARBON AND HIS TEAM SHOOT THE BENEFACTOR WITH MANY BLASTS; WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS, HIS BODY IS SLUMPED, IN A DEATH POSITION>

Zarbon: Not so tough after all, hah hah. Lord Frieza will be pleased. <HE WALKS OFF> Let’s go. Leave the body.

<ZARBON EXITS OFF SCREEN, ALONG WITH HIS TEAM>

<THE BENEFACTOR’S BODY BLOWS BACK AND FORTH IN THE WIND AS THE SCREEN PANS BACKWARD; WHEN IT IS FAR ENOUGH BACK, THE SCREEN GOES BLACK>


 * <END PRINCE VEGETA SAGA>

Cue Great Spirits. Credits roll during this time.

Imaginary Place
<UNDOCUMENTED PLANET IN THE UNKNOWN REGION>

<612 AGE>

<RIVER’S GORGE>

<START CUE; INSERTION TITLE VER. 3>

<THE FIGURES OF FOUR SMALL CREATURES, RUNNING ON ALL FOURS, APPROACH THE RIVERBANK; ON IT IS THE DOWNED FIGURE OF A LARGER BEAST, AND ON THAT ARE MANY OF THE SMALLER ONES, OF THE SAME LIKENESS AS THOSE APPROACHING; THE SMALLER ONES ARE REPTILIAN>

<THEIR SPECIES IS NOT HUMAN; THEY ARE REPTILIAN; THEIR SKIN IS A DARK GREEN (A LIGHTER GREEN FOR CHILDREN OF THE SPECIES), SCALED AND FLAT; THEY HAVE FIVE FINGERS AND THREE TOES, WITH SHARP CLAWS ON EACH DIGIT; THEY ALSO HAVE TAILS; THEIR FACES ARE LONG AND SHARP, THOUGH THEY HAVE NO SNOUT; FROM THE TOP OF THEIR HEADS, THERE ARE SEVERAL THIN NEEDLE-LIKE APPENDAGES JUTTING OUT FROM THE SKULL; THEIR EYES ARE PUSHED FORWARD AND THEY ARE HAIRLESS; THEY WEAR SIMPLE CLOTHES>

<THE CREATURE THEY ARE STANDING OVER IS STILL ALIVE, BUT BADLY WOUNDED; IT CAN BE INFERRED THAT THIS WAS A HUNT; AS THE OTHERS GATHER AROUND HIM, THE SINGULAR ADULT AMONG THE MANY SMALL ONES MOTIONS FOR THEM TO GET CLOSER TO WATCH THE GASPING CREATURE, IN ITS DEATH THROWS>

<THE LIZARD-LIKE CREATURES ALL STAND UP ON TWO LEGS NOW, AS THEY WATCH; WITHOUT A WORD, THE LEADER OF THE REPTILES REACHES DOWN WITH HIS CLAW, EXTENDING ONLY HIS FOREFINGER’S, AND RIPS AT THE CREATURE’S THROAT; BLOOD SPLATTERS EVERWHERE; THE GROUP STANDS BACK IN AWE>

<THE DOWNED CREATURE BEGINS CONVULSING; THE LEADER MOTIONS FOR EVERYONE TO JOIN IN; AND GLADLY, MOST DO; THEY JUMP ONTO THE THING, FRENZIED AND HUNGRY, RIPPING IT TO PIECES; ALL SAVE FOR ONE>

<THIS ONE IS THE SMALLEST OF THE BUNCH; HIS SKIN IS ALSO THE LIGHTEST SHADE OF GREEN (A SIGN THAT HE IS THE YOUNGEST); HE REACHES OUT HIS HAND TO TOUCH AT THE FLOWING BLOOD, BUT HE DOES NOT TAKE PART IN THE FRENZY; HE STARES IN AWE AT THE KILLING, UNABLE TO EVEN MOVE BECAUSE IT ENTRANCES HIM SO MUCH>

<NO ONE NOTICES; AS THE SUN SETS, THE GROUP HAS FINISHED THEIR KILL, AND LEAVES; THEY ALL DROP ONTO ALL FOURS AGAIN AND THEN RUN OFF TOGETHER, BACK TO A CLUSTER OF A SIMPLE, DIRT FLOORED HOMES; BEFORE HE DROPS ONTO ALL FOURS, THE SMALLEST LOOKS ONE LAST TIME AT HIS OWN CLAW, WITH THE DROP OF BLOOD ON IT>

<THESE CREATURES ALL DROP OFF INTO THEIR OWN HOMES; THE SMALLEST GOES INTO HIS; HE ENTERS IT IN DARKNESS; ASIDE FROM A FEW CANDLES BURNING, THERE IS NO LIGHT>

<HE WALKS DOWN THE HALL, AND NOTICES A DOOR SLIGHTLY AJAR; HE CRAWLS UP TO IT CAREFULLY AND QUIETLY; HE BARELY PEEKS HIS HEAD AROUND, BUT EVEN AS HE DOES, AN IMMEDIATE HISS COMES FROM INSIDE - A STARTLED, FRIGHTENED ONE; THE SMALL BOY BACKS UP AS THE DOOR SWINGS OUT; STARTLED, A LARGER ALIEN - HIS MOTHER - EXITS; SHE HAS HER CLOTHES DRAPED AROUND HER ARMS, AS IF SHE WAS COLD>

Mother: <STILL IN A LOW HISS> Back early? Why so early?

Boy: <INDIFFERENT> They finished.

Mother: What did you learn from Master Loriphim today?

Boy: <SIMPLY> Master Loriphim took us to hunt.

Mother: <OBVIOUSLY NOT WANTING TO ASK AGAIN> And you helped him?

Boy: Yes, Mother.

Mother: <SAID IN A QUESTIONING MANNER, BUT WITH MORE OF AN OBSERVATIONAL INTENT> You are well fed and tired.

Boy: <NO HESITATION NOR CHANGE IN DEMEANOR> Yes, Mother.

<FOR FOOD WAS A WASTE AND NOT SOMETHING THAT HE EVER GAVE THOUGHT TO; OFTEN NIGHTS HE WOULD GO WITHOUT ANY FOOD, AND IT BOTHERED HIM NOT, THOUGH HIS MOTHER NEVER KNEW A WORD ABOUT IT>

Mother: Off to bed, then.

<THE BOY TURNS AND WALKS AWAY; ON HIS FACE IS A SLY SMILE; FOR, HE NOTICED EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS THAT HIS MOTHER WAS DOING ALL ALONE WHEN SHE THOUGHT NOBODY ELSE WAS HOME; HE SAW HER SMALL KNIFE; THE BLOOD ON IT (MUCH LIKE THE BLOOD HE HAD HELD ON HIS HAND EARLIER); AND HE KNEW IT TO BE HER OWN BLOOD>

<THERE WERE NO BEDS NOR PILLOWS NOR BLANKETS THAT THIS SPECIES USED AT NIGHT; INSTEAD, ALL SLEPT ON THE FLOOR, THE DIRT FLOOR AND THEY THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT; THERE WAS NO WARMTH BETWEEN FAMILIES (THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR), AS THE MOTHER AND THE BOY DID NOT SLEEP ANYWHERE NEAR ONE ANOTHER; THIS WAS PERFECT FOR HIS PLAN>

<IN THE EARLY MORNING, BEFORE HIS MOTHER WOKE, THE SMALL BOY GETS UP, DRAGGING HIS TAIL IN THE THICK EARTH AT HIS FEET; WITHOUT MAKING A NOISE, HE WALKS THROUGH SEVERAL ROOMS, INCLUDING THE ONE HIS MOTHER IS IN; HE DOES NOT WAKE HER; HE SLIPS INTO THE ROOM SHOWN BEFORE, WHERE HIS MOTHER WAS CURIOUSLY HIDING OUT; STILL IN THERE IS THE KNIFE; STILL ON IT IS THE DRIED PURPLE BLOOD OF HIS MOTHER>

<THE BOY PICKS UP THE KNIFE AND WIPES THE BLOOD OFF; HE THEN PROCEEDS TO HOLD THE BLADE AND INSPECT IT; THE BLADE IS LONGER THAN IT SHOULD BE - IT IS ALMOST A FOOT LONG (WHICH IS MUCH TOO LONG FOR A COOKING KNIFE); AS THE BOY TURNS OVER THE CARFULLY WOVEN HANDLE, HE CAN CLEARLY SEE THAT THIS IS NO COOKING KNIFE; WHERE HIS MOTHER ACQUIRED SUCH A MYSTERIOUS DEVICE, HE COULD NOT GUESS; PERHAPS IT WAS HIS FATHER’S>

<AS THE BOY SPINS THE BLADE AROUND, A MOMENT’S CARELESSNESS CAUSES HIM TO PRICK HIS FINGER; HE LETS OUT A SMALL GASP AS THE BLOOD STARTS POURING OUT IN SMALL DROPLETS; YET AGAIN, IT FASCINATES HIM; HE FALLS TO HIS KNEES, AND HOLDS HIS HAND UP, CRADLING HIS PALM, WHEREIN A POOLING OF HIS BLOOD IS NOW RUNNING TO>

<THE MORNING GOES BY; THE BOY DOES NOT ATTEND HIS HUNTING CLASS; AROUND MIDDAY HIS OTHER CLASSMATES LEAVE MASTER LORIPHIM’S HUT>

<ONE STUDENT HEADS WEST; HE RUNS ON ALL FOURS UNTIL HE SEES THE SMALL BOY; THE BOY IS WANDERING THE HILLSIDE ALONE; THIS OTHER STUDENT, RECOGNIZING THAT THIS BOY IS THE ONE THAT SKIPPED CLASS TODAY, STOPS AND CONFRONTS HIM>

Student: ‘ey! You! I seen you in class before. Huntin’, right? I’m Nico, remember me? I ’idn’t see ya today? Where were ya?

<THE BOY TURNS TO FACE THIS STUDENT; HE WALKS TOWARD HIM, STILL APPEARING ALOOF AND AIMLESS>

Nico: <SHOOTS HIS TAIL UP, LOWERS HIS SHOULDERS> Oh… what happened to your arms? Wha… <THE BOY STILL WALKS FORWARD> uh, your arms?!

<ON THE BOYS ARMS ARE MANY DEEP CUTS AND LACERATIONS; SOME OF THEM ARE STILL FRESH>

<THE BOY REACHES NICO; HE TAKES HIS HAND AND STICKS OUT HIS CLAWS; HE REACHES FORWARD AND CUTS INTO THE SKIN OF NICO WITH HIS CLAWS>

<THE STUDENT JUMPS BACK, IN A DEFENSIVE WAY>

Nico: ‘ey you! Ow! Stop it!

<THE YOUNG BOY, HOWEVER, IS STILL MOVING FORWARD; NICO LETS OUT A WARNING HISS, BUT IT DOES NOT STAVE OFF THE BOY; AS HE CONTINUES TO WALK FORWARD, THE STUDENT HAS NO OTHER CHOICE; HE LEAPS AT THE BOY, ATTACKING HIM>

<AT FIRST, THE BOY DOES NOT DEFEND, AND LETS NICO GET SEVERAL PUNCHES AND SHOVES IN; HOWEVER, WHEN NICO LETS UP FOR A MOMENT, THE BOY TAKES HIS CHANCE>

<HE ROLLS OVER ONTO THE STUDENT, BRINGING FORTH BOTH OF HIS HANDS (WITH CLAWS EXTENDED) ONTO NICO’S FOREARMS; BLOOD FLIES EVERYWHERE; NICO TRIES PUNCHING AGAIN, BUT IS NOT VERY SUCCESSFUL; THE BOY IS NOW IN HIS FRENZY - JUST LIKE THEY ALL WERE YESTERDAY AT THE HUNT - BUT HE IS FRENZIED AT NICO; NICO CAN DO NOTHING>

<THE BOY RIPS THE STUDENT’S ARMS AWAY, THE BLOODY MESSES THAT THEY ARE, AND BEGINS WORKING ON THE NECK; AS HE HAD LEARNED YESTERDAY IN THE HUNT, THE NECK WAS THE PLACE TO LAND THE KILLING BLOW; HE DIGS HIS CLAWS INTO THE STUDENT’S NECK>

<BEING THAT THIS IS ONLY PARTLY EFFECTIVE, HE RESORTS TO USING HIS TEETH - AND WHAT SHARP TEETH HE DOES HAVE; IN MOMENTS, NICO IS DEAD, HIS ENTIRE THROAT RIPPED OUT; BLOOD IS EVERYWHERE, ALONG WITH THE FLESH AND GORE FROM THE WOUND>

<NOW THAT THE SCREAMS HAVE STOPPED, THE BOY FALLS OFF OF HIS KILL; HE LAYS THERE, BREATHING FOR A WHILE>

<AS IT IS NEARLY TIME FOR HIM TO RETURN HOME - AND TO NOT WORRY HIS MOTHER - THE BOY GETS UP, TAKING A QUICK STOP AT THE LAKE TO GET WASHED OFF BEFORE HE GOES HIM>

<AGAIN, HE SLEEPS SOUNDLY, WAKING ONLY IN THE EARLY MORNING TO PLAY WITH THE KNIFE AND CUT HIMSELF SOME MORE; HE IS NOT CUTTING HIMSELF BECAUSE HE IS SOME EMO OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT; INSTEAD HE DOES SO BECAUSE THE BLOOD RELEASED FROM SUCH WOUNDS FASCINATES HIM GREATLY>

<THE NEXT MORNING HE GOES TO CLASS; NOBODY MENTIONS THE MISSING STUDENT, NOR THE BOY’S OWN ABSENCE THE DAY BEFORE>

<MASTER LORIPHIM RAMBLES ON ABOUT THE PREFERRED KILLING METHODS; CITING KNIFE AND STONE AND WIT TO BE INTREGAL; THINGS SUCH AS STEALTH, AND USING ROPE ARE ALL THINGS NEW TO THE BOY; HE LISTENS WITH HIS FULL ATTENTION>

<HE GOES INTO A DEMOSTRATION WITH A KNIFE BY THE RIVER, TO CATCH SOMETHING; THE BOY DOES NOT WATCH THIS; HE STAYS PUT, THINKING TO HIMSELF>

Boy: <IN HIS MIND> I never thought of using it as a weapon…

<AFTER CLASS, THE BOY LEAVES WITH THE REST>

<BUT THIS NIGHT, HE SNEAKS OUTSIDE, AND INTO THE HOUSES OF ONE OF HIS FELLOW STUDENTS; IGEAR>

<THE BOY HAS A STONE IN HIS HAND (BEING NOT READY TO TRY OUT THE KNIFE YET) AND HITS HIS FELLOW ON THE HEAD WITH IT, SO THERE WOULD BE NO NOISE; TAKING THE MASTER’S ADVICE, THE BOY HAS SOME ROPE, WHICH HE TIES THE STUDENT UP WITH TO A TREE>

<STILL WITH THE STONE IN HIS HAND, THE BOY WAKES THE STUDENT>

Igear: Oooohhh…

<HE IS STILL WAKING UP>

Boy: <IN AN INNOCENT WAY> That hurts.

Igear: <LOOKING AROUND IN BEWILDERMENT> What is this?! Who are you!?

Boy: <NOW ASKING> Does it hurt?

Igear: <SOMEWHAT INCOHERENT> I told you already!!! He put me up here, take me down!

Boy: <MATTER OF FACT> That was me.

Igear: What? Why-

<AS SOON AS THE LAST WORD ESCAPES IGEAR’S MOUTH, THE BOY TAKES HIS STONE AND HITS IGEAR ACROSS THE FACE WITH IT; IGEAR SCREAMS OUT IN A SHRILL WAY (PROBABLY WAKING UP MANY OF THE NEIGHBORS); THE BOY GOES ON TO HIT HIM SEVERAL MORE TIMES>

Boy: Master Loriphim is a good teacher, dontcha think?

Igear: Mohhh… mohhh…

<AFTER THE FIFTH TIME, IGEAR STOPS SCREAMING; HIS BREATHS LESSEN TO NOTHING MORE THAN SHALLOW GASPS; HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT MAKE THE BOY STOP; HE PUMMELS THE STUDENT AGAIN WITH THE ROCK; BLOOD IS RUNNING DOWN IGEAR’S FOREHEAD; BUT IT NOT ENOUGH>

<THE BOY RAMS THE ROCK INTO IGEAR’S FACE AGAIN; THIS TIME IT SHATTERS THE TEMPORAL LINE OF IGEAR’S SKULL; HIS RIGHT EYE FALLS OUT, IN A BLOODY PULP, THE FORCE OF THE HIT CAUSING IT TO SEVER ITSELF FROM ITS HOLE>

<THE BOY POUNDS AGAIN WANTING MORE AND MORE BLOOD; THIS TIME, THE SIDE OF THE SKULL CRACKS, AND IGEAR’S BRAIN BEGINS TO OOZE OUT; AT THIS POINT, HIS BREATHING AND CONVULSING STOPPING, IGEAR MUST BE DEAD>

<SEEING THIS, THE BOY DROPS HIS STONE AND RUNS OFF>

<SCENE CHANGE>

Master Loriphim: Come here, boy!

<THE BOY, THE ONE WHO MURDERED HIS FELLOW STUDENTS BEFORE, COMES FORWARD; IT IS AFTER ANOTHER GROUP HUNT; THE SPOILS OF THEIR VICTORY ARE COOKING IN THE BACKGROUND, WHERE EVERY OTHER STUDENT IS SITTING>

Master Loriphim: Boy!?

Boy: <CAREFULL> Master?

Master Loriphim: Ah, there you are. <HE REACHES WITH A LARGE, DARK HAND AND CLASPS IT ON THE BOY’S SHOULDER; HE SINKS UNDER THE WEIGHT OF IT> There is some thing we have to talk about.

<HE PULLS THE BOY AROUND THE CORNER; THE BOY GETS NERVOUS, THINKING ABOUT WHAT HE COULD BE IN TROUBLE FOR>

Master Loriphim: <NOW IN THE OTHER ROOM, HE SITS> Now, sit. <THE BOY SITS, OBEDIENTLY> I’m not going to ask what happened to your arms there <HE MOTIONS TO THEM>, heh heh. I’ve had my share of scars on the hunt! It’s nothing to be ashamed of!

Boy: Why are we here, master?

Master Loriphim: <PAUSE BEFORE STARTING> Your mother has been shipped off to the City.

Boy: <IMMEDIATELY> Will my mother be there for long?

Master Loriphim: Yes, she will be. Until the great war is finished.

Boy: When will that be over?

Master Loriphim: The machinations of war are not something to be trifled with, boy. Keep your head out of their business if you wish to keep it on your neck. Heh. <STRAIGHTENING UP> But, do not worry. You will stay with me until her time is served. You will live under my roof, my rules and you will be grateful, boy, will you not?!

Boy: <OBEDIENTLY> Yes, master.

Master Loriphim: <SMILES> Good, good. Come with me now. <HE GETS UP TO WALK OUT>

<FADE OUT/SCENE CHANGE>

<IT IS EARLY IN THE MORNING AGAIN>

<THE BOY IS CROUCHING BEHIND A DOOR, WITH HIS EAR UP AGAINST IT; LIKE THE LIZARD HE IS, HE IS ON ALL FOURS, WITH HIS TAIL IN THE AIR>

Boy: <IN HIS MIND> That drunk never sleeps. I can’t even go back home to get my things.

<HE MOVES UP, GRASPING ONTO THE DOORNOB AND OPENING IT SLIGHTLY; BUT EVEN THIS NOISE IS ENOUGH TO ROUSE THE MASTER>

Master Loriphim: <IN A ROAR> What’s that?!

Boy: <ENTERS CAREFULLY, PLACING HIS FEET DOWN ONLY WHEN NEEDED> Uh, master, I need to go.

Master Loriphim: You need not go anywhere in these waking hours of the morn’!

Boy: I need to go home and get my things…

Master Loriphim: The land is reclaimed. You cannot go back.

Boy: If-

Master Loriphim: You go there, and they will take you like they took your mother. You’ll be put in the war to be used as a meat shield against the wills of those greater than you. <HE ROLLS OVER> That is enough! Get back in your room and sleep! Leave me to my peace!

<HE THROWS A PILLOW, OF WHICH HE HAS AS A CASTLE AROUND HIM, AT THE BOY, AS THE BOY CLOSES BACK THE DOOR>

Boy: <IN HIS MIND> He never acts like this at school with all the others around.

<BUT THE BOY DOES NOT SLEEP - INDEED, HE RARELY DOES; INSTEAD, IN HIS ROOM, HE PACES BACK AND FORTH, UNTIL HE NOTICES A SMALL HOLE IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM, UNDER HIS BED; HE CRAWLS UNDER THERE AND APPROACHES IT>

<THE HOLE IS ONE THAT THE MASTER WOULD NOT NOTICE; IF HE WERE TO OPEN IT BIGGER, HE COULD EVEN FIT THROUGH; THE BOY TAKES HIS CLAWS, UNRETRACTED, AND CUTS THROUGH THE ROTTING WOOD, CREATING A HOLE BIG ENOUGH FOR HIM TO STRUGGLE OUT OF>

<IT IS 5AM, AND STILL DARK OUT; NO BEING IS AROUND, SAVE FOR THE SCURRYING INSECTS THAT FLOOD THE NIGHT>

<THE BOY SPRINTS BACK HOME>

<THE HOUSE OF HIS CHILDHOOD IS FENCED OFF, ALONG WITH MOST OF THE ENCOMPANIED REGION; A FEW SIGNS (MOSTLY “GET OUT”S) ARE RANK ALONG THE FENCE>

<HE CLIMBS OVER IT EASILY, AND RUNS TO THE HOUSE; IT IS DARK INSIDE, AS USUAL, BUT HE CANNOT SENSE HIS MOTHER ANYWHERE NEARBY>

<THAT IS NOT HIS CONCERN; IMMEDIATELY UPON ENTERING HE RUNS TO THE BATHROOM, AND FEELS AROUND FOR THE KNIFE HE KNOWS STILL SITS THERE>

<HE REACHES AROUND THROUGH ALL THE REFUSE UNTIL FINDING THE HANDLE; HE GRIPS IT, PULLS IT OUT; THEN, HE LEAVES THE HOUSE>

<ON HIS WAY OUT, THE EXPECTED OCCURS; HE IS CONFRONTED BY GUARDS; HEARING HIS RUMMAGING INDOORS, THEY HAD COME AROUND BACK TO INVESTIGATE; THERE ARE TWO OF THEM>

<THEY ARE OF THE SAME SPECIES AS HIM, BUT MATURED; THEIR SKIN IS DARK, AND THEY HAVE COATS OF ARMOR ON; IN THEIR HANDS ARE SHORT BLADES, BLUNTED AND FLAT>

Guard 1: Whassat? A kid? What is a little one doing here?

Boy: This is my house. I’ll come here if I want.

Guard 1: <TALKING IN A LOW, DRAWN OUT WAY> It’s not yours any more. We’ve got it now. See the fence? Keep out.

Guard 2: <HISS> Breaking the rules… that’s grounds for incarceration!

Guard 1: Why go through all the trouble? It’s just a boy. If we had a little fun with him, no one would notice. <SPITS> Or care!

<THE BOY IGNORES THEM, AND ATTEMPTS TO SCALE THE FENCE AGAIN; GUARD 1 RUSHES HIM, GRABBING HIS TAIL; HE RIPS THE BOY DOWNWARD, ONTO THE GROUND>

Guard 1: <WITH GLEE> You’re not going anywhere!

<THE GUARD TAKES HIS SWORD AND SWINGS IT AT THE BOY; THE BOY DUCKS BENEATH IT, AND SHOVES THE GUARD IN THE GUT, CAUSING HIM TO DROP HIS SWORD>

<THE GUARD STUMBLES BACK, AND BRINGS UP HIS CLAW; THE BOY ISN’T PREPARED FOR THIS AND GETS SWIPED ACROSS THE FACE; PURPLE BLOOD SHOOTS OUT, AND HE GROANS>

<THE BOY FALLS BACKWARD; THE GUARD JUMPS ON HIS AS HE GOES DOWN; HE PLACES BOTH CLAWS ON THE BOY’S CHEST, SCRATCHING HIM; THE BOY STRUGGLES FOR A MOMENT; HE MAKES NO SOUND>

<THEN, WITHOUT WARNING, THE BOY SWINGS HIS ARM UP TO THE GUARD’S HEAD, SIDEWAYS; IN HIS HAND IS THE KNIFE; THE KNIFE GOES RIGHT THROUGH THE GUARD’S SKULL, INTO HIS EAR; BLOOD SPLATTERS AS THE GUARD LETS OUT A SCREAM; HE FALLS OFF OF THE BOY, WHO STEPS UP IMMEDIATELY>

<BUT THERE IS A SECOND GUARD; HE THROWS HIS OWN SWORD AT THE BOY; THE BOY STUMBLES TO SIDESTEP IT>

<THIS SECOND GUARD HAS NO MORE WORDS FOR THE BOY; HE PLACES HIS HANDS BEFORE HIM AND MERELY HISSES; THE BOY HAS NO IDEA WHAT THIS MEANS, AND HE SIMPLY STARES BACK>

<AT ONCE, AN ENERGY ATTACK FORMS IN THE GUARDS HANDS; IT IS A DARK GREEN BLAST, TEAR DROP SHAPED; IT SHOOTS INTO THE BOY’S PATH, HITTING HIM SQUARE IN THE CHEST; HE FALLS>

<GUARD 2 FORMS ANOTHER ENERGY BLAST; AS HE IS CHARGING IT, THE BOY, COUGHING, CRAWLS FORWARD TO THE FIRST GUARD; HE REACHES HIM JUST IN TIME TO PULL THE KNIFE OUT FROM THE EAR (AND CAUSE A HUGE SPIRE OF BLOOD TO ERUPT OUT)>

<THE FIRST GUARD IS SCREAMING AND DELIRIOUS FROM THE GRIZZLY WOUND; HE DOES NOT DEFEND AGAINST THE BOY PUSHING HIM UPWARD TO USE AS A BLOCKING SHIELD AGAINST THE OTHER GUARD>

<AS SOON AS THE BOY ANGLES HIMSELF CLOSE THE FENCE, HE PUSHES GUARD 1 INTO GUARD 2’S DIRECTION AND THEN SCALES THE WALL; THE FIRST GUARD SLAMS INTO THE SECOND, CAUSING THE ENERGY BLAST TO GO OFF, INCINERATION BOTH OF THEM>

<IN THE MORNING, AT THE HUNT, THE BOY IS EXTREMELY TIRED; ONCE AGAIN, NO ONE COMMENTS ON HIS NEW SET OF SCARS>

<THE MASTER LEADS AN AMBUSH, LINING UP HIS YOUNG HUNTERS ON EACH SIDE OF AN OVERPASS; HE HAS ROPE IN HIS HANDS BUT IS NOT USING IT>

<HE INSTRUCTS EACH CHILD TO PUSH A BOULDER DOWN INTO THE OVERPASS, WHEN A GROUP OF ANIMALS COME THROUGH>

Master Loriphim: Steady. Quiet now. <HE HOLDS UP HIS HAND, AND COUNTS DOWN FROM 3 TO 0 WITH IT>

<WHEN HE REACHES ZERO, EVERY CHILD JUMPS FORWARD AND PUSHES THEIR ROCK DOWNWARD>

<EVERY CHILD DOES THIS EXCEPT FOR THE BOY; HE HAS FALLEN ASLEEP, EXHAUSTED FROM HIS WOUNDS>

<ONCE AGAIN, NOBODY NOTICES HIM, AND THEY ALL DESCEND INTO THE FRENZY BELOW, EATING AND KILLING THE REMAINING ANIMALS CAUGHT IN THIS PLOY>

<SCENE CHANGE>

<BACK AT LORIPHIM’S HOUSE, HE IS BEATING UP THE BOY; HE SLAPS HIM AND KICKS HIM AND THROWS MANY A PILLOW AT HIM; ALL OF THIS RAGE IS DIRECTED AT THE BOYS’ INEFFECTIVENESS DURING THE HUNT, AND HIS GENERAL LACK OF RESPECT TO THE MASTER>

<WHEN HE IS DONE, THE MASTER SIMPLY LEAVES THE BOY IN HIS PLACE, WALKING INTO ANOTHER ROOM; THE BOY FALLS ONTO HIS BED; NOW TREMBLING, THE BOY LAYS DOWN>

<HE CAN HEAR NOISES COMING FROM THE OTHER ROOM; THE MASTER IS DRINKING (STILL ACTING SO MUCH DIFFERENTLY THAN HE DOES AROUND THE OTHERS) AND HE CAN HEAR THE MASTER’S DAUGHTER IN HER ROOM, MAKING NOISES DOING WHO KNOWS WHAT>

<THE BOY CHANGES OVER TO HIS STOMACH AND SLIDES UNDERNEATH THE BED TO THE HOLE HE MADE; HE REACHES OUT HIS HANDS, ATTEMPTING TO DO WHAT THAT GUARD DID THE NIGHT BEFORE; THE ENERGY ATTACK; DESPITE BEING SO WEARY, IF HE COULD ONLY REPLICATE THAT ATTACK, HE WOULD BE BETTER THAN ANY OF HIS PEERS, AND BETTER THAN THE MASTER>

<THE BOY AGONIZES OVER TRYING TO GET SOMETHING TO FORM IN HIS MIND WITH HIS FIGNERS OUTSTRETCHED; NOTHING HAPPENS; MOMENTS LATER, HE COLLAPSES ON THE FLOOR, ASLEEP AGAIN>

If It Bleeds...
<CIRCA BACKDROP HAIL; PAN/STYLE 1 AND 2>

<IT IS COLD AND RAINING OUTSIDE; IT IS DAY>

<IN THE MASTER’S HOUSE, THERE ARE THREE PEOPLE; THE MASTER HIMSELF IS SITTING ON HIS MOUNTAIN OF CUSHIONS AND PILLOWS BY THE FIRE; HIS DAUGHTER, A TALL SLENDER LIZARD, IS SITTING NEAR HIM, ALSO BY THE FIRE; THE BOY IS NOT BY EITHER OF THEM; HE IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ROOM, LAYING ON HIS STOMACH, WITH HIS CHIN RESTING ON HIS HANDS AND HIS TAIL IN THE AIR>

Master Loriphim: <TO THE BOY> There’s no reason to glare.

<THE BOY ADJUSTS HIS STATE>

Ayale: <TO THE BOY> Why don‘t you come over by the fire? Aren’t you cold?

Boy: I’m not cold.

Ayale: <TRYING AGAIN, EVER SO POLITE; SHOWS A PLATE> I have some lemons I picked today. Would you like some? There’s half a dozen. <THE BOY SQUINTS AT HER IN AN UNPLEASANT WAY> I… <SHE SEES HIS STARE> couldn’t let them rot away.

Boy: <INDIGNANTLY> Ew.

Master Loriphim: Watch yourself, boy.

<THE BOY SAYS NOTHING; HE STARES OFF AWAY FROM THE TWO>

Master Loriphim: <AS IF THE BOY WAS NOT THERE; ARMS OUTSTRETCHED> What cheek he has! To even think, I allow him to stay here!

Ayale: <SLIGHT FROWN AT THE DISOBEDIENCE> He should respect you, father.

Master Loriphim: Exactly! The boy simply gives no respect. Just how he is on the hunt, too!

<THE BOY LOOKS BACK AT LORIPHIM, WHO’S ANIMATED MANNER IS QUITE THE SPECTACLE>

Master Loriphim: <STILL FLAILING HIS ARMS> Not a single kill! Not a one! Contemptible!

Ayale: <SLOWLY> Perhaps he cannot hunt.

Master Loriphim: He cannot! Nothing I do can get through his stubborn head! What does he hope, that I will always be here to care for him?

Ayale: He does not realize how fortunate you are to take him in, father. No one else would do so. Especially to one who cannot hunt.

Master Loriphim: He was lucky I was here for him after his mother was shipped off, but he won’t be so lucky-

<THE TWO CONTINUE ON AS THE BOY TURNS AND LOOKS AWAY FROM THEM>

<THE BOY LOOKS OVER THROUGH THE WINDOW, TRYING TO FIND ANYTHING THAT COULD BE MORE INTERESTING THAN THE BLABBER GOING ON BEHIND HIM>

<HE NOTICES THE WALL WINDOWS (THESE ARE WINDOWS THAT TAKE UP THE ENTIRE WALL, FLOOR TO CEILING) TO THE LEFT, NEAR THE DOOR; LOOKING OUT, INTO THE MUD AND POURING RAIN, HE SEES A SINGLE BIRD>

<IT IS STANDING OUT IN THE MUD, UNAWARE OF THE RAIN FALLING ABOUT IT; IT IS A BLUEISH BIRD>

<THOUGH HE HAS DONE NOTHING OUTWARDLY AGAINST THE MASTER OR HIS DAUGHTER, THE BOY HEARD EVERY WORD OF THEIR CRITICISM OF HIM; AND, ON THE INSIDE, HE IS FUMING ANGRILY>

<HE PLACES HIS LEFT HAND OUTWARD TO THE BIRD, TO TRY AND GET ITS ATTENTION; IT SURE LOOKS TASTY (MUCH MORE THAN THOSE HIDEOUS LEMONS BEHIND HIM); HIS ARM IS SHOWN TO HAVE BEEN HEALED FROM HIS WOUNDS PRIOR, BUT THEY ARE STILL SCARRED>

<THE BOY GETS OFF HIS STOMACH AND ONTO ALL FOURS, HE CROUCH-WALKS SULLENLY TOWARD THE WINDOW, HUNTING NOW; BUT BEFORE HE CAN GET CLOSE TO THE BIRD, IT MOVES BACKWARD, PROBABLY DUE TO THE MASTER’S NOISE>

Boy: <IN HIS MIND> Stupid old windbag won’t quiet down.

<HEARING THE TWO CALLING HIS NAME IN COMPANY OF OTHER FOUL WORDS MAKES THE BOY EVEN MORE ANGRY, BUT ALSO, IT MAKES HIM MORE DETERMINED IN HIS TASK; HE GRINDS DOWN HIS HEELS, AND LOWERS HIS HEAD>

<ENERGY BEGINS FORMING ON HIS BODY AS HIS ANGER SWELLS; IT IS COLORLESS AND NOT VISIBLE, BUT HE CAN FEEL IT, LIKE A GREAT HEATED BLANKET OVER HIS SHOULDERS; AS HE CRAWLS FORWARD, THE ENERGY FLOWS OUTWARD, OFF OF HIM AND ONTO THE GROUND; IT CONTINUES OUTWARD, UNDER THE WINDOW, INTO THE MUD, AND ONTO THE BIRD>

<THE BOY STOPS, BRINGING HIS HEAD BACK UP AGAIN, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO; AFTER QUICKLY LOOKING AROUND, HE NOTICES THE BIRD STANDING OUT IN THE RAIN IS UNMOVED BY THIS ENERGY; HE TAKES HIS RIGHT HAND AND PLACES IT BACK ON THE GROUND, TO WALK FORWARD>

<HOWEVER, WHEN HE DOES SO, THE BIRD IS INSTANTLY SHOVED TO THE GROUND; HE STOPS, CONFUSED BY THIS; HE RAISES HIS ARM AGAIN AND THE BIRD FLIES UPWARD, HE LOWERS IT AND THE BIRD FALLS DOWNWARD; REALIZING THAT THIS ENERGY MANIFESTING AROUND HIM ALLOWS HIM TO PHYSICALLY CONTROL BEINGS, HE STOPS>

Boy: <IN HIS MIND> It’s doing what I make it do... <HE STARES DOWN AT HIS HAND> I wonder how that happened… <LOOKS BACK UP; STILL IN HIS MIND> I wonder if it can hear me. <AS A COMMAND> Go jump in the puddle ahead.

<THE BIRD DOES NOTHING; OF COURSE IT DOESN‘T UNDERSTAND HIS LANGUAGE>

Boy: <IN HIS HEAD; COMMAND> Put your head under the water.

<NOTHING HAPPENS; THE BOY, FRUSTRATED, FORCES IT DOWN INTO THE PUDDLE, SIMPLY BY USING HIS MIND‘S GUIDANCE>

Boy: <IN HIS HEAD> The master could understand me more than that bird.

<THE TWO BEHIND HIM ARE STILL GOING ON; THEY HEAR NOR SEE ANY PART OF THIS>

<SATISFIED WITH HIS SUCCESSFUL HUNT, THE BOY GETS UP AND WALKS BACK TO HIS ROOM; HE GOES IN AND SITS DOWN ON THE BED; HE LOWERS HIS HEAD AND BRINGS HIS HANDS UP; AT THIS TIME, HE PRACTICES TRYING TO BRING BACK THAT ENERGY AGAIN>

<SCENE CHANGE>

<IT IS DINNER, ABOUT FOUR HOURS LATER; SINCE IT IS STILL RAINING OUT, AYALE HAS PREPARED A MEAL INSTEAD OF THE CUSTOMARY HUNT THE MASTER WOULD GO ON>

<AS WAS EXPECTED, THE LEMONS, UNEATEN, ARE PLACED ON THE TABLE FOR THE MAIN COURSE>

<THE BOY SITS DOWN ACROSS FROM THE OTHER TWO; HE PICKS UP A LEMON; HE SNIFFS IT, THEN HISSES AND THROWS IT ASIDE>

<LORIPHIM SLAMS HIS HANDS DOWN ON THE TABLE>

Master Loriphim: Pick it up!! How dare you cast aside my daughter’s food!

Boy: <UNMOVED> It’s poison.

Master Loriphim: Poison, you say? <DEFIANTLY, HE PICKS UP ONE AND BITES IT> See, I am alive! Now pick it up!

Boy: <LOW, FORCEFUL WHISPER> It’s poison!

<LITTLE DOES LORIPHIM REALIZE THAT FRUIT, ON A WHOLE, IS INDEED POISONOUS TO HIS SPECIES - AT LEAST TO THOSE NOT FULLY MATURED; AND SINCE THE BOY IS STILL, WELL, A BOY, HE COULD NOT DARE EAT ONE>

Master Loriphim: This temper of yours has grown unchecked in recent days. I say it again, pick it up! <GRATED WHISPER> Or I will throw you out of this house.

<AYALE MOVES HERSELF AND PICKS IT UP, SLAMMING IT DOWN IN FRONT OF THE BOY>

Ayale: <SCOFFING> You ungrateful brat. I’d like to see you make something better.

<THE BOY CONCEALS A HISS AT HER>

<HE TURNS TO THE MASTER; THE MASTER IS EATING HIS FOOD, BUT IS KEENLY WATCHING THE BOY, NONETHELESS>

Boy: <AS IF NONE OF THIS JUST HAPPENED> Master, may I ask a question?

Master Loriphim: <TRYING TO “DE-FUME”> Go on with it.

Boy: Well, I should like to know what you would do with… <HE BOWS HIS HEAD, REACHING DOWN FOR SOMETHING> this?

<HE COMES UP WITH HIS OWN KNIFE; THE ONE THAT HE WENT HOME TO GET; THE ONE THAT HE CAUGHT HIS MOTHER CUTTING UP HER ARMS WITH>

Master Loriphim: Where did you get that? Stolen from the school?

Boy: <CONFIDENTLY> It’s mine.

Master Loriphim: <TRANSFIXED, FORGETTING THE PREVIOUS ARGUMENT> Give it here.

Boy: <WITH HIS FIRST, SMALL SMIRK OF THE STORY> Yes, Master.

<THE BOY, HANDLE FIRST, HANDS THE MASTER HIS KNIFE; THE MASTER TAKES IT IN HIS HAND, AND LOOKS IT OVER>

<CUE Nocturne in Eb Minor (Op.9 No.2)>

<THE MASTER’S EYES GLAZE OVER AS HE CAREFULLY INSPECTS THE KNIFE>

<THE MASTER SUDDENLY STANDS UP, KNIFE STILL IN HAND, AND WALKS OVER TO HIS DAUGHTER; LORIPHIM PULLS UP HIS REGAL HOOD, OVER HIS HEAD>

Ayale: Father, what are you doing?

<NO ANSWER>

<MASTER LORIPHIM STEPS UP TO HER AND PLUNGES THE KNIFE INTO HER ABDOMEN; SHE LETS OUT A MIXTURE OF A HISS AND A SHRIEK; PURPLE BLOOD SPRAYS OUT>

<IN THE BACKGROUND, STILL SEATED, THE BOY IS STARING DOWN AT HIS LEMON; HE PICKS IT UP AND LOOKS OVER IT CAREFULLY, VERY CLOSELY SO THAT HE WILL NOT SEE WHAT LORIPHIM IS DOING>

<THE MASTER GIVES HIS DAUGHTER A FEW GOOD SLASHES AROUND THE CHEST, FOLLOWED UP BY SEVERAL STABS>

<THE BOY TAKES HIS CLAW AND STABS THE FRUIT A FEW TIMES IN UNISON, SLASHING IT TOO; HE IS NOT DOING THIS IN AN ANGRY MANNER; HE HAS HIS HEAD BOWED JUST BEING BORED>

Boy: <IN HIS HEAD> … and take her and throw her on the table and rip out all her insides. Make sure she dies.

<THE BOY PUTS HIS LEMON DOWN ON THE TABLE AGAIN, AND LOOKS UP>

<LORIPHIM TAKES HIS LEFT HAND AND PLACES IT OVER HIS DAUGHTER’S MOUTH, COVERING HER SCREAMING; HE TAKES HIS TAIL AND GRIPS HER LEG, PICKING HER UP WITH IT AND SWINGING HER UP OVER HIS HEAD, LANDING HER CLEAN ON THE TABLE>

<THE BACK OF HER HEAD LANDS RIGHT ON THE BOY’S LEMON; HE LOOKS UP INTO HER EYES; HE IS EMOTIONLESS, WHILE SHE IS FRANTIC, SCARED, IN PAIN>

<HE STARES FOR A MOMENT MORE, AND THEN STANDS UP FROM HIS CHAIR AND WALKS BACK INTO THE OTHER ROOM>

<LORIPHIM NOW MOVES, HIS HOOD STILL DOWN, COVERING HIS FACE; HE STABS HIS DAUGHTER MANY, MANY TIMES; HE BREAKS A LARGE HOLE THROUGH THE SKIN AND PULLS OUT HER GUTS, WHILE SHE TRIES TO FIGHT HIM AND SCREAM OUT; AS SOON AS HE BEGINS SLASHING THEM AND RIPPING THEM OUT, SHE GOES INTO A SPASM, ELONGATING HER NECK, AND LETTING HER ARMS FALL LIMP; A MOMENT LATER, AND SHE IS UNMOVING; LORIPHIM CONTINUES SLASHING AND RIPPING HER UP UNTIL HER FIGURE IS BARELY DISCERNABLE IN THE HEAP OF GORE; THE ONLY FEATURE STILL CLEARLY SEEN IS HER TAIL; AT ONCE, HE STOPS>

<HE STARES AT THE BODY; SUDDENLY, HE BEGINS CRYING AND ROARING IN ANGER AT THE SAME TIME; HE POUNDS THE TABLE UNTIL IT COLLAPSES IN ON ITSELF; HE TURNS AROUND, PEERING AT SOMETHING BEHIND THE CAMERA>

<HE WALKS FORWARD STILL CRYING AND RAGING, UP TO A DOOR; IT IS SLIGHTLY CRACKED>

Master Loriphim: <IN A ROAR> Come out! <MUCH, MUCH LOUDER> Come out ya little bastard!!! What did ya make me do!?!?! WHAT DID YOU MAKE ME DO?!!

<THE DOOR OPENS FULLY, UNWILLINGLY; IT REVEALS THE BOY STANDING IN THE DOORWAY>

<AT THIS, LORIPHIM LETS OUT ANOTHER WHIMPER, FOLLOWED BY A BELLOW; HE RUSHES FORWARD, ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS, WITH HIS KNIFE RAISED>

<BUT A FEW STEPS INTO IT LORIPHIM STOPS, THEN SUDDENLY PLUNGES THE KNIFE INTO HIS OWN CHEST, NEAR HIS HEART; HE GURGLES AND SPUTTERS FOR A MOMENT, THEN FALLS SIDEWAYS ONTO THE DIRT, DEAD>

<HIS BODY CONVULSES FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE HE FINALLY GOES RIDGED; THE BOY LOWERS HIS SHOULDERS IN VICTORY AND WALKS UP TO THE BODY, KNEELS DOWN NEXT TO IT>

<HE IS EMOTIONLESS AND HIS EYES ARE DARK; HE SPOTS THE KNIFE, AND AFTER A HESITANT SECOND, HE RIPS IT OUT, SENDING A SPIRE OF PURPLE BLOOD POURING OUT WITH IT>

<HE WIPES THE KNIFE OFF ON LORIPHIM‘S SHIRT; HE BRINGS THE KNIFE UP TO HIS FACE AND LOOKS AT HIS REFLECTION WITH WIDE EYES OFF ITS SHINING BLADE>

<THE BOY GETS UP; HE OPENS THE FRONT DOOR, EVEN AS IT IS STILL RAINING AND WALKS OUTSIDE; HE RUNS FORWARD, PAST ALL THE OTHER HOUSES, AND PAST THE SCHOOL, UNTIL HE COMES TO A HIGH HILL; FROM ITS VANTAGE POINT, HE CAN SEE FAR OFF VAST PLUMES OF SMOKE RISING FROM TALL TOWERS; THE GREAT CITIES OF HIS PEOPLE>

<WHERE HIS MOTHER, IN ONE OF THESE, WAS SLAVING AWAY TO DRIVE THEIR WAR MACHINE AHEAD>

Boy: She could be in any one of them.

<WITH HIS KNIFE AND HIS NEW UNDERSTANDING OF ENERGY, THE BOY RUNS FORWARD, DOWN FROM THE HILL AND TOWARD THE CITY>

<SCENE CHANGE>

<ON THE GATE FENCE A SIGN SITS; SCRAWLED IN DEEP RED, BLOCK TEXT IS A NOTICE STATING THE AREA IS A WARZONE (AND THAT ANY BODY SHOULD SIMPLY TURN AND FLEE); SCRAPPED OUT OVER THAT IS A CRUDE REMARK, OBVIOUSLY FROM A REBEL TAUNTING THE CITY’S DECREE>

<THE BOY CREATES AN ENERGY BALL AND BLASTS THE SIGN AND FENCE AWAY; HE WALKS INTO THE CITY>

<THE SKYSCRAPERS ON THIS PLANET ARE DIFFERENT THAN THOSE ON EARTH; INSTEAD OF BEING BLOCK SHAPED, MOST ARE IRREGULAR AND AMBIGUOUS (MOST, IF NOT ALL HAVE VAST HIVE NETWORKS BELOW GROUND); ALL COME TO A POINT SLOPING INWARD; OTHERS DO NOT GO UPWARD, BUT INSTEAD OUTWARD, AND HANG LIKE VAST TREES WITH MANY BRACHES>

<THE STREETS ARE LARGE AND PAVED, ALSO EMPTY; IN THE CLOSE VICINITY, SEVERAL BUILDINGS HAVE CRUMBLED, THEIR REFUSE BLOCKING THE STREETS>

<SMOKE IS RISING FROM FAR OFF, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CITY; THE BOY SEES IT, TAKING OFF AFTER IT; FOR (MAYBE) 10 PANELS, HE LEAPS AROUND PAST THE ABANDONED SPIRES>

<HE SKIDS AROUND THE CORNER INTO A PACK OF ADULTS; THEY ARE DRESSED SIMILARILY TO THE GUARDS HE FACED AT HIS HOUSE, AND HE IMMEDIATELY SEES THEM TO BE OF THE SAME DEMEANOR>

<THINKING HIM TO BE A SOLDIER ON THE OPPOSING SIDE, THEY FIRE THEIR WEAPONS AT THE BOY; HE LEAPS ASIDE, BARELY DODGING THEIR WILD SHOTS; SEVERAL SHOTS GO INTO THE SIDE OF A WALL, DESTROYING IT, AND BRINGING UP A DUST CLOUD>

<THE BOY ROLLS OVER, AND LANDS ON HIS BOTTOM TWO FEET; BALANCING ON THEM, WITH HIS TAIL UPRIGHT, HE RAISES BOTH HIS HANDS, AND COMBINES THEM IN A TRIANGLE SHAPE; A MOMENT LATER, A KI BLAST, RED, FORMS IN HIS HAND; HE RELEASES IT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SOLDIERS>

<THE BLAST IS MASSIVE, FAR BIGGER THAN WAS INTENDED; IT NOT ONLY BLOWS AWAY THE SOLDIERS, BUT TAKES OUT THE STREET, THE SPIRES AHEAD, AND HALF THE TOWN ALONG WITH IT>

<IN THE TRAIL OF THE DEEP GASH, NOTHING MOVES>

<THE BOY STANDS UP, BREATHING WITH HIS MOUTH OPEN>

<BACKSHOT, PAN OF THE DESTRUCTION; RED HUE FROM BLAST RESIDUE>

Boy: <TO HIMSELF, HEAD SLIGHT-COCK> I didn’t mean to do that…

<HE RUNS OUT OF THERE; THE SCENES CHANGE SPORATICALLY AS HE IS MOVING AROUND THE VARIOUS TOWNS, ALWAYS DESTROYING THEM WITHOUT FINDING ANYTHING; SO FAR AS CAN BE SEEN, HE HAS NOT FOUND ANY SIGN OF HIS MOTHER>

<WITH REMARKABLE EFFICIENCY, HE MOVES THROUGH MOST TOWNS, ANNIHILATING THEM WITH LITTLE EFFORT; ONE TOWN IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED (THE BLAST SEEN FROM SPACE), VAPORIZING EVERY BEING IN IT IN AN INSTANT>

<THE UPPER SPHERE OF THE PLANET WAS WAR-RAVAGED ALREADY; THERE ARE NO CITIES OR TOWNS IN IT; THE WHOLE PLACE IS ABANDONED; SO, IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE, WHERE THE WAR IS STILL RAGING, AND WHERE THE BOY HAS BEGUN HIS OWN RAMPAGE, THERE ARE VERY FEW TOWNS>

<THE BOY HAS BEEN TO MOST OF THEM WITH NO SIGN OF HIS MOTHER; WITHOUT FINDING HER, HE DEMOLISHES THEM; THIS SPANS SEVERAL DAYS; THE BOY DOES NOT SLEEP DURING THIS TIME AT ALL>

<AS THIS HAPPENS, THE BOY’S DESTRUCTION FINALLY CATCHES UP WITH THE TWO ARMIES’; AS HE REACHES THE EMBANKMENT OF THE LOWER HILL, OTHER TOWNS ARE SEEN SMOLDERING AND BURNING MERE MILES AWAY>

<THE WARS GOING ON ARE SHOWN; THE TWO SIDES ARE FIGHTING (IN ONE OF THE BATTLES), IN HAND TO HAND COMBAT; THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF THEM, AND IT IS QUITE BLOODY>

<THE BOY STEPS FROM THE EMBANKMENT UP ONTO THE TOP OF A ROCK, STANDING OVER THE TWO WARRING ARMIES; REMORSELESSLY, HE PUTS HIS ARMS OUT, IN THE SAME MANNER HE DID BEFORE, TO DESTROY THEM WITH AN ENERGY BLAST>

<SCENE CHANGE>

<PLANET FRIEZA>

<HUB CITY>

<SANCTUM>

<FRIEZA IS WITH TWO ALIENS; HE IS ON A THRONE, CROUCHING OVER ONE OF THE ARM RESTS, NOT SITTING; THE WALLS ARE PURPLE AND HIGHLY ORNATE; ASIDE FROM THE THREE, THERE ARE DOORS IN A SEMI-CIRCLE IN FRONT OF FRIEZA’S THRONE>

Frieza: Report.

Soldier: Six, all with standard atmospheres. None will pose a threat, sire.

Frieza: <COLDLY> And you, Zarbon? What have you brought me?

Zarbon: <IN A BOW, NOT LOOKING> One planet, milord, in the unknown region.

Soldier: <CACKLE> One planet?! You can’t be-

Frieza: <TO THE SOLDIER> Silence. <TO ZARBON> Continue, Zarbon.

Zarbon: Milord there are… anomalies coming from it.

Frieza: Oh? What kind of anomalies?

Zarbon: <STILL NOT LOOKING UP> Power levels.

Frieza: <SUDDEN FROWN> You are testing my patience, captain. Out with it!

Zarbon: <TAKEN ABACK BY THIS QUESTION> L-lord Frieza, there were multiple power level spikes of over one hundred thousand that we recorded. We’ve known about it for a week-

Frieza: <INCREDULOUSLY> Zarbon, do you think it wise to withhold this information from me? Do you deem it too much a threat for me?!

Zarbon: No… Lord Frieza. It’s not-

Frieza: <HAND RAISED> There is no power in this universe that can match my own.

Soldier: <JEALOUS OF THE ATTENTION> Sire!

<FRIEZA SENDS A DEATH BEAM THROUGH THE SOLDIER’S HEART, KILLING IT; IT FALLS DEAD AT ZARBON’S FEET; ZARBON DOES NOT DARE LOOK AT IT, AND FRIEZA SEEMS NOT CONCERNED BY KILLING THE BEING>

Frieza: <GETS UP> Ready my ship, Captain. We go there today. <COLDLY STARING> I don’t want to be kept waiting.

Zarbon: <GETTING UP FROM HIS KNEEL TO FOLLOW FRIEZA> Of course, milord.

Frieza: <WALKS ALL THE WAY TO THE DOOR; STOPS> Oh and Zarbon, gather the second legion. They’ll be needed.

<FRIEZA EXITS THROUGH A DOOR, FLEXING HIS TAIL BEFORE IT CLOSES>

Zarbon: <IN PLACE; NOW TO NO ONE BUT THE CORPSE> The second legion?! That’s 12,000 men.

<FADE OUT>

<BACK TO THE BOY’S PLANET>

<HE IS RUNNING ON ALL FOURS; HE SHOOTS OFF A SINGLE KI BLAST, DESTROYING MUCH OF THE LANDSCAPE AROUND; AS IT WERE, THE WHOLE PLANET SEEMS TO BE SMOKE AN ASH NOW>

<THERE IS A SOLDIER RUNNING FROM THE BOY, ONE THAT LOOKED THE SAME AS THE ENTIRE ARMY SHOWN IN THE PREVIOUS SCENE; A BLAST CONTACTS WITH HIM, SENDING HIM TO THE GROUND; THE BOY STOPS THE FLURRY>

<HE BENDS DOWN NEXT TO THE CRAWLING SOLDIER; GRIPPING ITS BACK, FORCING IT TO STOP, HE JUMPS ON TOP OF IT; THE BOY DIGS HIS CLAWS INTO IT, CAUSING IT TO HISS IN PAIN AS PURPLE BLOOD BEGINS POOLING ON HIS BACK>

<WITH A SNARL, THE BOY TAKES HIS TAIL, AND SENDS IT RIGIDLY INTO THE LOWER SPINE OF THE SOLDIER; THE SOLDIER SCREAMS AS IT PUNCTURES HIM; WHEN IT IS IN, THE BOY FLIPS BACK, SENDING THE SOLDIER FLYING UP IN THE AIR>

<THE SOLDIER IS STILL IMPAILED, SO HE DOES NOT GO VERY HIGH UP; THE BOY BRINGS HIM BACK DOWN, SLAMMING THE SOLDIER INTO THE SOIL; AT ONCE, THE BOY WALKS UP TO HIM AND LIFTS HIS FOOT; WITH HIS HEEL’S CLAW, HE QUICKLY KICKS IT INTO THE CHEEK OF THE SOLDIER, KILLING HIM>

<NOW, WITH ALL SOLDIERS DEFEATED, THERE IS NO MORE TO DO>

<THE BOY LOOKS UP; AHEAD IS THE LAST CITY ON THE PLANET, RESTING ON A HIGH PLATEAU, STILL UNTOUCHED; HE FALLS TO HIS KNEES, PRESSING HIS CLAWS INTO THE DIRT; HIS LONG SPAWNED FRENZY, WHICH WAS TRIGGERED BY LORIPHIM AND HIS DAUGHTER IS NOW OVER; THE BOY IS WEARY, UNABLE, AND UNWILLING TO CONQUER THAT LAST CITY JUST YET>

Boy: <HEAD HITS THE TURF; OUTLOAD> Mom must be there…

<THE BOY CLOSES HIS EYES AND FALLS ASLEEP>

<CAMERA GOES DOWN HIS BODY; FROM HIS FACE, TO THE TIPS OF HIS FINGERS, SHOWING EVERY INCH OF HIS SCARRED (MOST OF IT SELF INFLICTED) FLESH>

<THE SMOKE OF THE DYING PLANET CONTINUES TO RISE, UNTIL IT ALL OBSCURES THE SCREEN>

Apocryphal
<Monday Fade In>

<FIVE DARK SHAPES SCURRY PAST THE CAMERA AND FORM INTO A BROKEN LINE FORMATION; THEY SPEAK, YET NONE OF IT IS INTELLIGIBLE>

<THE BOY, LAYING ON THE GROUND, SLEEPING, WAKES AND STANDS UP AT THE SIGHT OF THEM>

<THEY ARE ARMORED, CARRYING WEAPONS IN THEIR HANDS AND ARE NOT OF HIS SPECIES; THE BOY DOES NOT ATTACK OR GO DEFENSIVE; HE LOOKS AT THEM, EYES AS SLITS, AND SURVEYS HIS IMMEDIATE GROUND>

<FROM HIS PRIOR DESTRUCTION, THERE ARE MANY CRATERS, AND A FEW BODIES NEARBY OF THE ARMIES HE DESTROYED; THE GROUND IS ALL ASH, THE SKY IS GREY, COVERED IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE BATTLE; THE AIR IS FOGGY>

<THE MIDDLE SOLDIER SEEMS TO BE TALKING THROUGH SOMETHING HE IS HOLDING ON HIS EAR; SINCE THE GROUP IS NOT ATTEMPTING TO DO ANYTHING TO THE BOY, HE WANDERS HIS EYES OFF AGAIN>

<THE CITY, THE LAST CITY OF THE PLANET, IS SITUATED AHEAD OF HIM; ONLY, UNLIKE YESTERDAY, IT IS NO LONGER UNTOUCHED; ALL OF THE SPIRES ARE DEMOLISHED, LEVELED; THERE ARE ALSO FIRES STILL RAGING INSIDE; IT APPEARS TO BE THOROUGHLY DESTROYED; A SPIRE TOPPLES OVER AS HE WATCHES, CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT THIS DESTRUCTION WAS RECENT>

<THE BOY WAS CAREFUL TO SEARCH EVERY CITY’S INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX - IF THE CITY HAD ONE - FOR SIGNS OF HIS MOTHER BEFORE DESTROYING THEM; LORIPHIM HAD TOLD HIM THAT WAS WHERE SHE WOULD BE, AND HE HAD NO REASON TO DOUBT THE LATE MASTER>

<HE HAD NOT FOUND HER IN ANY OF THEM; THIS CITY WAS HIS LAST HOPE, OF SORTS AND NOW IT WAS DESTROYED>

<HE LOOKS BACK TO THE GROUP OF SOLDIERS; FIVE OF THEM, ALL HEAVILY ARMED AND ARMORED; HIS RACE IS QUITE STRONG IN ITS OWN RIGHT, BUT HE IS ONLY A BOY; HE HAS LITTLE PHYSICAL STRENGTH OF HIS OWN; ALL OF HIS PROWESS HAS COME FROM HIS SUDDENLY TAPPED INTO ENERGY POWERS; HE IS NO LONGER IN THE FRENZY (THE STATE OF WHICH POWERED HIS DESTRUCTION EARLIER), SO IT WOULD TAKE HIM TOO LONG TO CHARGE UP AN ATTACK AGAINST THEM; THE BOY DOES NOT GO TO ATTACK; THEY ARE NOT EVEN LOOKING AT HIM, SO HE TURNS TO LEAVE OFF TO THE CITY, TO MAKE SURE HIS MOTHER WAS NOT THERE>

<NOTE: MONDAY 2:31 STARTS NOW>

<THE BOY GETS ON ALL FOURS AND LEAPS AWAY FROM THE SOLDIERS; THE LEADER NOTICES, ROARS OUT A CRY, AND BEGINS SHOOTING A WRIST MOUNTED GUN AT THE BOY; HIS UNDERLINGS FOLLOW IN>

<THE BOY IS TOO FAR AWAY FOR THE SHOTS TO BE ACCURATE; HE EASILY DODGES THEM; NEVERTHELESS, THE TROOPS CONTINUE SHOOTING AS WELL AS RUNNING AFTER HIM; OFF TO HIS RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES ARE DOZENS, PERHAPS HUNDREDS OF SHIPS, ALL LINED UP; EVEN MORE SOLDIERS MILL ABOUT THEM; MANY ARE LOOTING THE OUTLYING BUILDINGS; DESPITE SEEING THIS, THE BOY RUNS THROUGH THEM, NOT STOPPING>

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

<THE METAL AND STONE OF THE ENTRANCE IS TWISTED AND BURNED; EVEN THE STREETS ARE GASHED AND CUT OFF>

<THE BOY STOPS RIGHT AT THE GATE; HE HAS OUTPACED THE TROOPS BEHIND HIM QUITE A BIT; HE LOOKS OVER HIS SHOULDER TO SEE THEY ARE BUT SPECKS BEHIND HIM>

<HE LOOKS BACK AT THE GATE; THE SENTRY-POST NEXT TO THE GATE FALLS OVER, SENDING BRICKS AND GARBAGE FLYING THIS WAY AND THAT; DUST POURS OUT, COATING HIS VISION FULLY; HE TRIES TO FIX HIS VISION>

<A LOUD BEEPING COMES FROM AHEAD; WITHIN SECONDS, A FIGURE, MORPHED AND AMBIGIOUS APPEARS SILHOUETTED IN THE DUST CLOUD>

<OUT FROM THE DUST COMES A SMALL BEING, UNLIKE THE GROUP; IT HAS TWO HORNS AND IS RELATIVELY PALE, IF PURPLE; IT WEARS THE SAME ARMOR AS THEY DO; BUT UNLIKE THEM, IT HAS NO WEAPON, AND APPEARS QUITE CALM AND CONFIDENT IN ITSELF; IT WALKS FORWARD TO THE BOY>

<ACCOMPANYING THIS SHORT FIGURE IS ANOTHER, TALLER ONE; IT IS GREEN LIKE THE BOY, BUT DARKER; IT WALKS BEHIND THE SMALLER ONE, ON THE RIGHT SIDE; THIS CREATURE IS THE SOURCE OF THE BEEPING; IT IS HIS EAR DEVICE>

<AS THEY REACH THE BOY, THE TWO STOP; THE SHORTER ONE MOTIONS TO THE TALLER ONE, WHO CALLS DOWN SOMETHING ON THE SAME EAR PIECE THAT THE BOY HAD SEEN USED BEFORE>

<THE BOY LOOKS BEHIND HIM; THE VARIOUS BATTALIONS BEGIN MOVING INTO LINES AND FORMATION; THEY CLUSTER UP IN NEAT ROWS ON EACH SIDE; THEY PACE FORWARD AND COME TOGETHER, THE TWO SIDES JOINING, TURNING TO FACE THE BOY; THEY BEGIN MARCHING FORWARD UNTIL THEY ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO FULLY BOX HIM IN>

<IT IS AT THIS TIME THE PATROL FROM BEFORE REACHES THE BOY; THEY CHARGE UP THEIR WEAPONS AND SHOOT; THE BOY SIDESTEPS THE SHOTS; HISSING, HE LOWERS TO ALL FOURS AND LUNGES AT THEM, BUT THE LEADER, THE CAPTAIN, KICKS THE BOY AWAY; TWO MORE OF THE SOLDIERS RUN AT THE BOY, THEIR WEAPONS LOWERED IN A RAMMING MOVE>

<THE FIRST ONE HITS THE BOY HARD IN THE CHEST; BLOOD DRIPS OUT FROM HIS SHIRT; THE FORCE OF THE ATTACK PUSHES THE BOY BACK; AS HE FALLS, HE THROWS HIS HANDS FORWARD AND TRIES TO SHOOT AN ENERGY BLAST; WHAT COMES OUT INSTEAD IS MORE OF A MIST THAN A BLAST; NEVERTHELESS, THE TWO SOLDIERS GET CAUGHT IN IT; THEY DROP THEIR WEAPONS AND COVER THEIR FACES; AS WELL, THEY BEGIN SCREAMING>

<NOBODY ELSE MAKES A MOVE; THEY SIMPLY WATCH WHAT HAPPENS TO THE TWO SOLDIERS; THE TWO SOLDIERS START DISINTEGRATING BEFORE EVERYONE’S EYES; THIS HAPPENS SLOWLY; AS THE SOLDIERS SKIN COMES OFF, THEY FALL TO THE GROUND, WRITHING AND WRIGGLING; THE CAPTAIN MOTIONS TO HIS LAST TWO SOLDIERS AND THEY SHOOT AT THE BOY>

<THE BOY IS STILL ON THE GROUND, BUT THE CAPTAIN’S POOR AIM PREVENTS HIM FROM MAKING CONTACT; (THE TWO SOLDIERS ARE STILL DISINTEGRATING; NOW THEY ARE SKINLESS AND LOSING MUSLES AND ORGANS FAST; THEY CONTINUE SHRIEKING)>

<THE BOY JUMPS AWAY FROM THE FIRING, WAY OFF TO THE LEFT>

<WITH A GAP IN FRONT OF THEM THEY HADN’T SEEN BEFORE, THE TROOPS NOTICES THE SMALLER BEING; THEY STOP ATTACKING IN SIGHT OF IT, BOWING INSTEAD; THE SMALL CREATURE HAD NOT MOVED OR MADE ANY SOUND DURING THIS ATTACK>

Captain: <OUT OF BREATH; TO THE SMALLER CREATURE> L-lord Frieza, we found him! <PAUSE, LOOKING AROUND; POINTS HIS GUN AT THE BOY> Lead him right to you, sir. A-all part of the plan, right?

Frieza: <COLDLY> Thank you… Captain.

<FRIEZA CLOSES HIS FIST AND AS HE DOES SO, THE CAPTAIN AND HIS TROOP DISINTEGRATE JUST LIKE THE OTHER TWO SOLDIERS BEFORE (WHO ARE NOW BUT BONES) EXCEPT FASTER; HE CHANGES ATTENTION TO THE BOY; THE BOY LOWERS HIS GUARD AGAIN NOW THE SOLDIERS ARE DEAD>

<FRIEZA STEPS FORWARD, CAUSING THE BOY TO WALK BACK, UNTIL ALL THREE OF THEM ARE OFF OF THE SLOPE OF THE CITY’S ENTRANCE AND BACK ONTO THE FLAT GROUND; THE LEGION BEHIND IS QUITE STILL>

<THE BOY CLENCHES HIS LEFT FIST, BEGINNING TO FORM AN ENERGY BALL; AS HE IS NOT IN THE FRENZY, THIS WILL TAKE MUCH LONGER THAN NORMAL; THIS ATTACK IS FOR FRIEZA; FRIEZA DOES NOT NOTICE ANYTHING>

<THEY ALL STOP>

Frieza: My name is Lord Frieza, ruler of this Galaxy; ruler of your planet. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. <HE BOWS, CORDIALLY>

<THE BOY SAYS NOTHING>

Frieza: <CONTINUING; HE WALKS A CIRCLE AROUND THE TWO> Normally, I’d have Zarbon <MOTIONS TO THE CREATURE BEHIND HIM> or one of my other Captains eradicate the beings of a planet such as this. But you did a well enough job on your own. Isn’t that right?

<THE BOY SAYS NOTHING>

Boy: <IN HIS MIND> How does he know?! Was he watching us? <HE LOWERS HIS EYES TO HIS LEFT HAND TO SEE IF HIS ENERGY BLAST IS READY; IT IS NOT> It’s not ready yet. <HE HOLDS HIMSELF FROM PANICKING>

Frieza: <STILL GOING> Your race is powerful… <SMILE> yet you destroyed them in an instant. Just a child and you’ve done what many of my best soldiers could never do. You’ve been a third-party benefactor to Zarbon and I. And for that I can only say <SUBTLE> ‘thank you’. <HE BOWS AGAIN> What is your name, dear boy?

<THE BOY DOES NOT ANSWER>

Frieza: <USES HIS TELEKINESIS TO THROW THE BOY BACKWARD, HAVING HIM FALL OVER> Do not be so impolite. Answer Lord Frieza.

<THE BOY STANDS UP, SQUINTING>

Boy: <LIE; BELLY UP> I don’t have one.

Frieza: Oho! So he can speak! <SS> But he has no name; what a shame. <TURNS> Zarbon, what do you think we shall call our new friend here?

<THE BOY QUICKLY PEEKS DOWN AT HIS BLAST; IT IS NOT READY>

Zarbon: Lord Frieza, you did say he was a benefactor to us. Perhaps, we should call him-

Frieza: <SLOW SYLLABLES> Benefactor. It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? <TO THE BOY> How about it, dear boy? Would you like to be my Benefactor?

<THE BOY BEGINS TO FORM AN ANSWER BUT IS CUT OF>

Frieza: <DEVIOUSLY; FINGER UP> And remember, if you say no, <BACK TO BEING SERIOUS> I will kill you.

Boy: <QUIETLY> All right.

Frieza: Good. As your first act as a soldier under my command, <HE POINTS TO HIS RIGHT> I order you to eliminate the second legion.

Zarbon <QUIETLY> Lord Frieza, that’s 12,000 of our finest men!

Frieza: I am well aware of strength of my armies, Zarbon. It is no matter.

<ZARBON DECIDES NOT TO ARGUE AND SETTLES BACK; FRIEZA PRESSES A BUTTON ON HIS SCOUTER, WHICH ALERTS THE SECOND LEGION TO ATTACK THE BOY>

<THE SECOND LEGION, ALSO ORDERED TO KILL THE BOY MOVES FORWARD, CHARGING UP THEIR OWN WEAPONS; THEY GET RIGHT UP BEHIND HIM, AND AIM>

<THE BOY SQUINTS BACK INTO FRIEZA’S FACE; THERE IS NOT FEAR IN HIS EYES; HE IS LOOKING YET AGAIN FOR ANY SIGN OF WHAT THIS COULD MEAN; NOT GETTING ANYTHING FROM THE TYRANT, THE BOY STRAIGHTENS HIS SPINE; HIS BLAST IS READY; HOWEVER, JUDGING BY THE SIZE OF THE ARMY BEHIND HIM, THEY ARE A HIGHER PRIORITY THAN THIS FRIEZA IN FRONT OF HIM>

<THE BOY SLOWLY FLICKS HIS ARM UP TO THE AIR; HIS BACK IS FACING THE LEGION; THEY SETTLE THEIR AIM ON HIM>

<THE BOY SNAPS HIS ARM DOWN QUICKY, POINTING IT BEHIND HIM; HE SHOOTS, STILL LOOKING AT FRIEZA, INTO THE LEGION, VAPORIZING ALL 12,000 SOLIDERS IN AN INSTANT; THE ATTACK IS MASSIVE; IT GOES WELL BEYOND THEIR RANKS, DESTROYING ALL THEIR SHIPS; AS WELL, THE GROUND IS ONCE AGAIN SENT UP INTO THE AIR, CREATING A CLOUD OF DUST AROUND THE THREE REMAINING BEINGS ON THE PLANET>

<THE BOY LOWERS HIS HAND>

<ZARBON'S SCOUTER HAS SHATTERED>

Zarbon: Im-impossible! Those were our best troops! There’s no way anyone could destroy them all so quickly!

Frieza: Don’t believe your eyes, Zarbon? <HE FLICKS HIS TAIL AND LEVITATES OFF THE GROUND FORWARD; HE SPREADS HIS HANDS, PARTING THE DUST IN HIS WAY; HE LOOKS DOWN TO THE BOY; THEY BOTH START WALKING> You have proven yourself to be stronger than I could have imagined, my little benefactor. <FRIEZA’S OWN SCOUTER IS STILL IMPRINTED WITH THE POWER OF THE BLAST, REVEALING IT TO BE 256,000> Amazing, really.

<FRIEZA LANDS IN FRONT OF THE BOY, WHO IS NOW AGAIN LOOKING OFF TO THE CITY WITH A FORLORN LOOK; IN THE BACKGROUND, ZARBON IS CALLING DOWN FRIEZA‘S FLAGSHIP>

Frieza: Don’t look so glum. We’re leaving the planet.

The Benefactor: <STILL STARING BACK; HAND ON HIS WOUNDED CHEST> Are we never coming back?

Frieza: <COLDLY> You and I have more important places to be, young Benefactor.

<THE BOY DOES NOT RESPOND, STILL STARING; HE HAS A FROWN UPON HIS FACE>

Frieza: Ho ho ho, little benefactor. There’s no reason to sulk. Be a good soldier and behave.

<FRIEZA WALKS PAST HIM; THE SHIP IS LANDING NOW>

The Benefactor: <CAMERA LOOKING UP> I try to behave…

Frieza: <NOT LOOKING BACK> Then come with us.

<THE DOOR OF THE SHIP LOWERS, ZARBON ESCORTS FRIEZA IN, AND THE BOY LOOKS UP AT THEM; THEY BOTH ENTER; AS THEIR FIGURES LEAVE HIS VIEW, HE DROPS TO HIS KNEES>

<HE LOWERS HIS CLAWS AND SCOOPS UP SOME DIRT, FEELING IT THROUGH EACH OF HIS FINGERS BEFORE LETTING IT GO; HE REMAINS KNEELED FOR A FEW MINUTES; THEN, HE GETS UP AND HURRIES TO THE SHIP>

<AS HE BOARDS THE RAMP, THE BOY FORMS A SMALL BLACK DISC OF ENERGY BETWEEN HIS FIRST TWO FINGERS; HE LETS IT FALL ONTO THE GROUND AND THEN ENTERS THE SHIP>

Boy: <IN HIS MIND> But it eats me alive.

<HE DOES NOT LOOK BACK; THE RAMP CLOSES AND NOT LONG AFTER, FRIEZA’S SPACE SHIP TAKES FLIGHT>

<AS IT LEAVES THE PLANET, AND JUST BEFORE THE PLANET IS OUT OF SIGHT, THE PLANET IMPLODES ITSELF, FORCEFULLY, QUICKLY, QUIETLY; IT TAKES NO MORE THAN A MOMENT FOR IT ALL TO BE DESTROYED>

<THE SHIP EXITS OFFSCREEN>


 * <END SPECIAL>

Lauto Saga
<p style="text-align:center">When I was born

<p style="text-align:center">I had bright blue eyes.

<p style="text-align:center">Over the years, they mysteriously turned

<p style="text-align:center">more and more green.

<p style="text-align:center">And now

<p style="text-align:center">my eyes are going back

<p style="text-align:center">to a darker teal.

<p style="text-align:center">I wonder if this is normal...

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

Lyin' And Laughin'
<PLANET COOLER 92>

<EARLY 739 AGE>

<SPACE TRAFFIC CONTROL>

<A POD IS SHOWN IN SPACE, APPROACHING A PLANET>

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 1: <IN A ROOM FILLED WITH COMPUTERS AND SUCH, HE IS WORKING ON ONE OF THEM> We have some type of object incoming, matching the standard space pod classification. Can anyone confirm?

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 2: Roger that. It’s definitely a pod.

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 3: Strange, we don’t have any due for return today…

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 1: <CONTINUES TYPING> Look, there is now clear visual. The verification number is definitely not one of ours. <BRIEF PAUSE, WHERE HE CONTINUES TYPING> I’m pinging the pod for a response. <PRESSES A BUTTON, WAITS; NOTHING HAPPENS>

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 2: No response…

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 3: What should we do?

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 1: I’ll contact the Captain. <LEANS OVER AND PRESSES A BUTTON> Captain Banas, we have an unknown pod approaching base, no responses received… please advise.

Payar: <THERE IS A BRIEF PAUSE> Say again, soldier? The captain’s out, this is Payar. Go ahead, and I’ll see if I can help.

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 1: Sir, we have a space pod incoming. It’s not one of ours, so we tried pinging it for response, but got none. We need someone to check it out when it lands.

Payar: Where’s it headed to?

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 1: It is projected to land in the southern quadrant. A visible smoke trail should lead you to it.

Payar: <CURTLY> Send first platoon to my location. We’ll investigate.

Planet Cooler. 92 Technician 1: <PAUSES> Affirmative sir. They are on their way. And, sir… should I inform the governor?

Payar: No, soldier. I will tell Guva myself.

<CAMERA CHANGES TO THE SOUTHERN QUADRANT; MANY REGULAR SOLDIERS, APRIDO, MELOON, AND PAYAR AMONG THEM, MOVE TO THE LOCATION OF THE POD; THERE IS A VISIBLE SMOKE TRAIL ABOVE THEM, TO THE LEFT, DECENDING TO RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM>

<EACH SOLDIER WEARS COOLER’S STANDARD ARMOR; THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM FRIEZA’S (FEATURED IN THE LAST SAGA), IN THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE SHOULDER PAD OVER THE LEFT SHOULDER>

<MELOON IS A LARGE ALIEN; HE IS PINK AND SPIKEY LIKE DODORIA; APRIDO IS A SMALL CREATURE, OF APPULE’S RACE; PAYAR IS A SHORT-FACED, RED ALIEN; HE IS THE CLEAR LEADER AMONGST THE TROUPE>

Soldier 1: <THE SOLDIERS APPROACH THE POD> It hasn’t opened yet.

Soldier 3: Maybe they’re dead?

Soldier 4: Or maybe it‘s a trap. <A FEW TAKE A STEP BACK>

Payar: <MOVING FORWARD THROUGH THE CONGREGATION OF TROOPS AROUND THE POD> Get back! <PRESSES BUTTON ON SCOUTER> There’s a faint reading coming from inside, so whoever it is, they’re not dead.

<PAYAR WALKS UP TO THE POD AND HITS IT, IT OPENS; UNCONSCIOUS, LEDAS FALLS OUT, DRIED BLOOD IS ON HIS FOREHEAD>

Soldier 2: Ah, he is dead!

Soldier 1: No, only unconscious.

Payar: <KNEELS DOWN TO INSPECT THE STRANGER, HE PICKS LEDAS UP BY THE TAIL> Well, this is interesting. It’s a Saiyan. A child.

Meloon: I thought Frieza killed them all.

Payar: Evidently not. But that was a long time ago… over a year, I think. Why did he just get here now?

Meloon: <PEERING IN> May’e he got lost?

Payar: <CAUGHT UP IN HIS OWN GLORY; DROPS LEDAS> Imagine the reward we will get for delivering such a prize to Lord Cooler!

<PAYAR STANDS UP; MELOON SHOOTS AN EVESDROPPING SOLDIER, WHO FALLS OFF THE HILL THEY ARE ON INTO A CREEK BELOW; PAYAR THEN TURNS TO MELOON>

Payar: <IN A STRICT WHISPER> We go straight to the Captain with this, not Guva. <TURNING BACK TO THE SOLDIERS> Two of you, grab the kid. We’re taking him back to base.

<2 SOLDIERS CARRY LEDAS BACK TO CAMP WITH THE REST OF THE GROUP; LEDAS WAKES UP>

Soldier 1: Uh sir, he‘s waking up.

<LEDAS SENDS OUT A POWERFUL ENERGY WAVE THAT KILLS THE TWO SOLDIERS CARRYING HIM, HE DOES A ROLL TO THE RIGHT, INTO THE FOLIAGE; THE GROUP OF SOLDIERS PURSUE HIM>

Payar: <READING HIS SCOUTER> This one has some fight in him. Look at his power level. I’ve never seen a Saiyan with one so high.

Meloon: <STILL CONFIDENT, NOT WORRIED> He is still much weaker than us.

Aprido: <WITH A FEW OTHER SOLDIERS, THEY RUN AT LEDAS> Come back here you runt!

Payar: You are not to kill him.

Meloon: He he, Payar ya think he could?

<LEDAS BACKS INTO A CORNER, HAVING KILLED SEVERAL MORE SOLDIERS, THE REST HAVE BACKED OFF A BIT, PAYAR AND MELOON MOVE FORWARD, TO HIM>

Payar: <SHOUTING> Give it up, Saiyan! We don’t want to kill you!

Ledas: <CORNERED; PANICKY> I am a super elite! You don’t know who you’re dealing with.

Meloon: That don’t mean shit out here.

Payar: Even the best of you Saiyans are nothing compared to us. We don’t want to kill you…

Meloon: …yet….

Payar: <CLOSES EYES> I am losing patience.

Ledas: No! <LEDAS SHOOTS A POWERFUL ENERGY BLAST AT THE TWO; IT DOES NOTHING>

Meloon: Ha ha ha! That all you got?

<IMPATIENT, PAYAR RUNS AND TRY TO HIT LEDAS, BUT THE SAIYAN DODGES IT; LEDAS THEN MOVES AROUND PAYAR, AND SHOOTS A BURST OF ENERGY AT HIM, BUT IT IS EASILY DEFECTED; PAYAR JUMPS AGAIN, AND THIS TIME HE IS TOO FAST FOR LEDAS, PUNCHING THE SAIYAN CHILD IN THE FACE, KNOCKING HIM OUT; PAYAR PICKS HIM UP AND STARTS CARRYING HIM>

Meloon: <IN A GOOD MOOD> This better be worth it.

Payar: <CALMING DOWN> It could get us off this rock. That’s worth it to me.

<SCENE CHANGE>

<LEDAS WAKES UP FROM A DAZE, HE IS INSIDE, IN A ROOM WITH PAYAR, WHO IS SITTING ACROSS FROM LEDAS, WITH HIS KNEES UP>

Ledas: <SITTING UP> What happened? Where am I?

Payar: <UNCONCERNED, FIDDLING WITH SOMETHING IN HIS HANDS> I knocked you out.

Ledas: <ANGRY, TRIES TO GET UP> You coward!

Payar: <RAISES HAND> Save it.

Ledas: <IS TOO WEAK TO GET UP, SO STAYS SITTING> At least tell me where I am!

Payar: Planet Cooler 92, in the main outpost. And it’s a shit hole.

<BANAS, LIEME, MELOON ENTER THROUGH A DOOR ON THE RIGHT; BANAS IS A TALL ALIEN WITH A FLAT FACE AND BLACK HAIR; HIS SKIN IS YELLOW; LIEME IS A TALL ALIEN, TOO; HE HAS A SMALL, LONG FACE AND TALL HAIR; HIS SKIN IS GREEN>

Banas: <WALKS UP TO PAYAR AND LEDAS; BANAS SHOOTS OUT ENERGY BEAMS, WHICH BIND LEDAS, CAUSING THE SAIYAN TO RISE INTO THE AIR, HOVERING, ARMS AND LEGS OUTSTRETCHED> So tell me, Saiyan… what are you doing on my planet?

Ledas: <FIGHTING AGAINST THE ENERGY BINDS> I don’t know. This wasn’t where I was going!

Banas: Still, you landed here, and that’s all that matters now. <STARTS TO PACE A BIT> But entertain me… where was it that you were headed?

Ledas: <VERY CHILD-LIKE, STILL FIGHTING AGAINST THE ENERGY> That’s none of your business!!

<BANAS, QUICKLY MOVES AND HITS LEDAS, SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES; HE GRABS LEDAS’ NECK AND PREPARES AN ENERGY BLAST>

Banas: Talk, or die. I don’t have time to play games with you all day.

Ledas: <FEARFULLY> I w-was headed to a planet. I don’t remember the name… me and Vegeta were gonna clear it out. P-please… just let me go…

Banas: <EXTINGUISHES HIS BALL OF ENERGY; HE LETS GO OF LEDAS, AND WALKS BACK, IGNORING HIM> Vegeta? <TURNS TO OTHERS> That name sounds familiar, who is it?

Lieme: <WITHOUT PAUSE> It’s the name of the Saiyan king and his son.

Banas: <TURNS BACK TO LEDAS> You liar. <HITS HIM> Now, tell me where you were really going.

Ledas: <HEAD KNOCKED TO THE SIDE> I did! Me and Vegeta were going to conquer a planet for lord Frieza.

Banas: You must think I’m stupid. Frieza destroyed your home planet and killed all of the other Saiyans over a year ago. I know there’s none of your kind left.

Ledas: <IN TEARS> What? <CRYING> You’re lying!!

Payar: He he he, betda the kid didn’t know what happened. How long have you been out of touch?

Ledas: <WITH MUCH ANGER AND HATRED> I ALREADY TOLD YOU! <LEDAS BREAKS FREE OF HIS ENERGY BINDING, BUT IS QUICKLY SUBDUED AGAIN BY MELOON AND PAYAR>

Banas: Come on now, why would I lie about something like that? It’s true. But judging by your reaction, I would guess you didn’t know.

Ledas: <HEAD BOWED, STILL CRYING BUT MORE SUBDUED> I didn’t know…

Payar: <FAKE ENTHUSIASM> But don’t worry, you’re safe with us. After all we’re all soldiers under Cooler, Frieza’s brother. And I don’t think he’ll try to kill you like Frieza did.

Meloon: <CHEWING ON SOMETHING> Wewll den, can I?

<NO ONE ANSWERS>

Ledas: <QUIETLY> Come on. Lemme go.

Payar: Yeah, right. Let you get away when we were just getting to know each other? You killed a lot of my men. Somehow, I will make you pay for that.

<LEDAS CAN SEE WHAT HE IS PLAYING WITH; IT LOOKS LIKE A NECKLACE>

Ledas: I promise I won’t tell anyone.

Lieme: <ARMS FOLDED> Never trust a monkey. <MELOON LAUGHS>

Banas: <BANAS HAD WALKED OVER TO A DESK, AND GATHERED SOME PAPERS, HE COME BACK TO THE GROUP> Payar and Meloon tell me that your power level is high for a Saiyan.

<LEDAS DOES NOT ANSWER>

Banas: <HINT OF SARCASM> We’ve already gone through this lesson. You answer me or you die. So, what is your power level?

Ledas: <TRYING TO STOP CRYING> I don’t know… it was like 12,000…

Banas: Good, he’s not dangerous. <TURNS BACK TO HIS TROOPS> Now we need to figure out some kind of plan to keep this out of Guva’s sight.

To Cooler, With Love
<THE CAMERA IS LOOKING DOWN FROM THE SKY, ONTO ONE OF THE BUILDINGS; VOICES ARE HEARD COMING FROM INSIDE, AND THE CAMERA SLOWLY ZOOMS>

Payar: <STILL UNSEEN, THE CAMERA IS MOVING FORWARD TO THE BUIDLING> No, I told him not to say anything. I think we still have time.

Lieme: I do not think this will be something that you can hide for much longer, Captain. If you want to move, you need to do it now.

Banas: <CAMERA FINALLY REACHES THE BUILDING, IT GOES INSIDE, BANAS, PAYAR, AND LIEME ARE TALKING; MELOON HAS LEDAS SUBDUED IN A CORNER> Very well. Payar, Meloon, take this Saiyan to my quarters. Guva won’t be able to get in there, even if he does suspect us. We will keep the child there until I fig-

<GUVA, FLANKED BY SEVERAL SOLDIERS ENTERS>

<UNLIKE THE OTHERS, GUVA DOES NOT WEAR ARMOR; AND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS STATED HE WAS THE GOVERNOR IN THE LAST CHAPTER, I SHOULD MENTION GUVA IS THE GOVERNOR SO NOBODY IS CONFUSED>

<GUVA IS A TALL ALIEN; HE HAS A REGAL STATURE AND PURPLE SKIN; HIS HAIR IS WHITE>

Guva: Captain Banas. <LOWERS HIS HEAD AS HE STEPS THROUGH THE DOOR; LOOKS AROUND> Conspiring, are we?

<GUVA WALKS INTO THE ROOM, LEAVING HIS GUARDS AT THE DOOR>

Banas: <WALKING FORWARD TO BLOCK THE VIEW OF LEDAS> Governor… you’re here early. I didn’t even put out the tea yet-

Guva: <WALKS PAST HIM> Spare me the theatrics, captain. <SPOTS LEDAS, IN THE CORNER> Who is this?

Banas: He’s just one of our grunts.

Guva: <SEES LEDAS’ TAIL; SMILES> We have no Saiyans on this installation, Captain. And, if I may be so bold, I would say he was the one who recently crash landed in the southern quadrant.

Banas: That is a bold accusation.

Guva: Bold? Perhaps. Incorrect? I think not. <WITH AUTHORITY> Hand him over.

<BANAS STARES DEFIANTLY STARES AT GUVA>

Guva: Believe it or not, I am still much stronger than you, Banas. Just like I always have been.

Banas: I hope you are not implying you wish to kill me? <LAUGHS> That would set such a bad example.

Guva: <WALKS PAST BANAS> Payar, give me the child.

Payar: <SITTING, KNEES UP AGAIN, ON THE EDGE OF THE DESK; SEEMS UNCONCERNED AS HE PAUSES FOR A SECOND> Yeah, take him.

Lieme: <IN A WHISPER TO BANAS> All of us together could take him.

Banas: <WHISPER, OUT OF THE SIDE OF HIS MOUTH; STILL EYEING GUVA> Now is not the time, Lieme. <GUVA GRABS LEDAS, AND STARTS WALKING OUT, BANAS WAVES TO HIM> Until next time, governor. It’s always nice having you over. <GUVA WALKS OUT, WITHOUT ANOTHER LOOK AT BANAS> Don’t worry boys, we’ll get the last laugh out of this. I’m sure we will.

<SCENE CHANGE>

<ONBOARD COOLER’S SHIP, UNKNOWN LOCATION>

Cooler Soldier 1: My lord, we have an incoming transmission from Planet 92.

Cooler: <IN HIS CHAIR, COOLER IS LOOKING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION, OUT AT A WINDOW> Very well.

<SOLDIERS TURN ON THE SCREEN, GUVA IS STANDING, LOOKING THROUGH HIS SCREEN>

Cooler: <AS IF BORED> What is it, governor.

Guva: Yes, my lord. <PAUSES> We recently had an intruder land at our base.

<COOLER’S TAIL MOVES, AS IF IRRITATED>

Guva: This intruder was a Saiyan. He killed several of our men, and his power level is quite high.

Cooler: <TURNS AROUND TO LOOK AT GUVA> Now why, governor, would you go out of your way to call me up over such a pedestrian tale?

Guva: It was only a child, milord.

Cooler: Ah. Just a child… that nearly managed to topple your little regime? And it benefits you to tell me this, how?

Guva: No sir, we were able to contain him, very quickly actually. But we thought since Lord Frieza’s destruction of the Saiyan planet so long ago, this could be one of the last… so we kept him alive…

Cooler: Even my dear brother couldn’t get rid of all the rats. It’s just like him to be careless and arrogant. No, even he has several onboard his ship right now.

Guva: Oh… well, since this one looks like he could have a lot of potential… maybe you would like to take him, milord?

Cooler: You <EXPRESSION REMAINS UNREADABLE> wish to give me a gift.

Guva: Yes… sir.

Cooler: You know, governor, I remember 92. And I must say… I am surprised.

Guva: Sir?

Cooler: Planet 92, is a rather easy one to manage. Quite different from the trials it took to get a governor there, but an easy rule nonetheless. The local species are weak, but they are also useful workers. I assumed that you would like that. But, perhaps, you would prefer more excitement? More adrenaline? Tell me, governor, was I wrong in putting you in charge of that planet?

Guva: N-no, sir. Of course not.

Cooler: Planet Vegeta was in Frieza’s quadrant. They are his mess. I do not care about his drama, governor. Such things are beneath me, and should be beneath you. <TURNS BACK TO FACE THE WINDOW> Though I must say, if only a child was able to kill so many of your soldiers, he will be an interesting, if not impressive project, should you decide to keep him.

Guva: Yes, my lord.

Cooler: Perhaps, with enough guidance, he could outmatch you one day.

Guva: <GUVA TRIES TO HIDE HIS RAGE, LIP TREMBLING> Yes, of course, lord Cooler.

Cooler: Oh, one more thing, Mr. Guva. I know what you were trying to pull. If I wanted to reassign you, I would have done it by now. Good day, governor.

<TRANSMISSION ENDS, STAYS ON GUVA IN HIS OFFICE; BANAS, WHO WAS OFFSCREEN, ENTERS>

Guva: <SHOOTS A POWERFUL BEAM OF ENERGY THROUGH HIS WINDOW, MELTING A LARGE CIRCLE THROUGH IT> What am I supposed to do?!?!?!

Banas: Backfired, did it? <LAUGHS>

Guva: <FURIOUSLY> Brilliant deduction, shithead. <TRYING TO COMPOSE HIMSELF> Br-bring in the child.

Banas: Why?

Guva: <CALMING DOWN> That wordy little bastard gave me an idea. Go on, bring him in!

<BANAS GOES OUTSIDE, RETURNS WITH LEDAS>

Guva: <REGALLY; COMPOSED> Good news, Saiyan. I will spare your life.

Banas: <MOCKINGLY> Now that you’re safe, I think we should-

Guva: You will be part of Banas’ team.

Banas <EYES WIDEN> What?

Guva: That’s right, YOU will train him. It will be your job to make him into a competent soldier.

Banas: <STEPING FORWARD, TRYING TO ELIMINATE LEDAS FROM THE CONVERSATION; HE GETS RIGHT UP TO GUVA’S FACE; HEAD COCKED> We did not discuss this.

Guva: <MENTALLY PUSHING HIM BACK> “We” don’t have to. I am in charge here. I am the governor.

Banas: Gah!! Don’t count on it being as easy as before, kid. <WALKS OUT ANGRILY>

Guva: Now, Saiyan, let‘s talk for a moment.

Ledas: Sir?

Guva: You know who that was… Banas? My captain?

Ledas: <FEARFULLY, LOOKING AT THE GROUND> Yeah…

Guva: I get the feeling you don’t like him.

Ledas: <OBVIOUSLY SCARED> I don’t know him…

Guva: You don’t need to lie to me. As it so happens, I don’t like him either. So, I ask again; do you like my captain?

Ledas: <A BIT MORE CONFIDENTLY> Wewll, no.

Guva: <SMILES> That’s more like it. Now, let us discuss what I want to do to him.

Ledas: But he’s right outside, he could hear you!

Guva: Then, <KNEELING DOWN> let us whisper now, together, you and I.

Ledas: <INNOCENTLY; WHISPERING> Do you want me to kill him or something?

Guva: <STILL IN A WHISPER> For now, I want you to train under him and grow strong. And I have a feeling that won’t take long. Your power level is already extraordinary for your age.

Ledas: But… what’s in it for me?

Guva: How about I don’t kill you.

<LEDAS STARES AT GUVA, CURIOUS>

Guva: Is that not enough for you? How would some information about your fellow Saiyans do, then?

Ledas: <EAGERLY> There are other Saiyans alive? Who? When can we see them?

<GUVA PUTS ONE FINGER OVER HIS LIPS>

Guva: <GESTURES TO THE DOOR> Until next time.

<CUTS TO BANAS, HE IS ANGRILY WALKING OUT OF GUVA’S OFFICE, AND IS DOWN ONTO THE GROUND LEVEL NOW; AS HE WALKS, HE, IN TANTRUM, KICKS UP THE DIRT AS HE WALKS>

<BANAS ENTERS THE BARRACKS, AMONG OTHER SOLDIERS, PAYAR IS THERE>

Banas: <AGITATED> Payar, we’re going.

Payar: <SITS UP> Where to, captain?

Banas: We're going to a safe place, away from prying eyes.

{C <BANAS WALKS PAST PAYAR; PAYAR HOPS OFF HIS CHAIR, GRABS HIS SCOUTER AND FOLLOWS>

Wind Swept
{C <SPACE SHOT OF A PLANET, IT IS NOT 92>

{C <THE CAMERA DISSOLVES INTO FOCUS ON PLANET; IT IS FLAT, WITH SOME HILLS, BUT THERE ARE VERY FEW TREES, THE GROUND IS COVERED IN A LIGHT YELLOW/GREEN TALL GRASS; THERE ARE FIVE SPACE PODS LINED UP IN A ROW, EMPTY; DOWN A TRAIL, BANAS AND HIS ‘TAINS, AS WELL AS LEDAS ARE ALL IN A FLAT AREA>

{C <ALL ARE WALKING, BANAS SEEMS A BIT PREOCCUPIED>

{C Payar: Yeah, you should’ve seen the look on their faces… ha ha ha!

{C Meloon: You let ‘em keep their faces? I tell ya, I wouldn’t have done that.

{C Payar: That’s the difference between you and me, Meloon. I keep them around; you just kill them they know what happens. It’s no fun like that.

{C Banas: Stop, this is it.

{C Meloon: This is what?

{C Banas: <TO LEDAS> I want you to show me your full power.

{C Ledas: <AS IF UNABLE TO, DUE TO VEGETA’S INFLUENCE> I can’t…

{C Banas: That is no matter. I have other ways to force my will.

{C <THE WIND PICKS UP A LITTLE>

{C Banas: Meloon?

{C Meloon: Yeah, boss?

{C Banas: Make him bleed.

{C Meloon: <A WIDE SMILE ON HIS FACE> No probl’m.

{C <MELOON MOVES FORWARD, LEDAS MOVES BACK>

{C Meloon: Aw, come back. I ain’t gonna hurt ya! <CRACKING HIS KNUCKLES> Heh heh heh!!! <LEDAS STOPS, MELOON DISAPPEARS, AND REAPPEARS BEHIND LEDAS, HE PUNCHES LEDAS AWAY, INTO THE GROUND; MELOON WALKS UP, AND PICKS THE CHILD UP BY HIS TAIL> Come on, kid. Ya aren’t even tryin’! <THROWS LEDAS AWAY, HE LANDS ON HIS FEET>

{C Banas: You know, kid, it must have been hard to deal with the thought that all you care about, they are all dead. It’s only you left… all alone, out here in space.

{C Ledas: Shut up!!

{C Banas: Your parents, your friends, all gone.

{C Ledas: SHUT UP!!

{C <BANAS NODS TO MELOON, WHO ATTACKS AGAIN; THIS TIME LEDAS DODGES, AND FIGHTS BACK, HE STARTS RAINING ENERGY BLASTS DOWN ON MELOON>

{C Meloon: Heh, that tickles. <HE RISES INTO THE AIR AND KICKS LEDAS, SENDING HIM FLYING, MELOON FIRES A BEAM OF ENERGY AFTER HIM, WHICH DETONATES ON LEDAS AND CAUSES A HUGE BURST OF SMOKE; THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF IT, LEDAS DROPS TO THE GROUND; MELOON PURSUES HIM; WHEN MELOON REACHES LEDAS, HE STEPS ON THE UNMOVING CHILD, PRESSING DOWN; LEDAS STARTS SCREAMING, AND SPITTING UP BLOOD>

{C Meloon: Ha ha ha!

{C <LEDAS SENDS OUT A WAVE OF ENERGY AND PUSHES MELOON OFF OF HIM; HE THEN, GETS UP AND CHARGES AT MELOON, PUNCHING AT HIM>

{C Lieme: <WATCHING FROM AFAR> 13,000, captain.

{C Banas: That’s high, for a Saiyan, and a child at that. But still, I wonder why he is putting up so much of a fight with Meloon…

{C <CUTS BACK TO LEDAS, WHO IS VIGOROUSLY ATTACKING MELOON; MELOON, GETTING ANNOYED, BATS HIM AWAY, LEDAS FALLS TO THE GROUND AGAIN>

{C Meloon: <THERE IS A SMALL BRUISE ON HIS FACE, HE IS AWARE OF IT> You can’t beat me, you’re just a stupid monkey! <WALKS UP TO LEDAS, STARTS STOMPING DOWN ON HIM>

{C Ledas: Ahhhhhh!!!!!

{C Lieme: <SHOUTING, FROM AFAR> Meloon! You’re going to kill him.

{C Meloon: So?

{C Lieme: Do you remember nothing?! We are to keep him alive! Governor’s orders!

{C Meloon: <STEPS OFF OF LEDAS> Uh, I knew that.

{C <BANAS, LIEME, AND PAYAR WALK UP TO MELOON; LEDAS IS ON THE GROUND, COVERED IN BLOOD, GASPING AND COUGHING>

{C Lieme: <KNEELING DOWN TO LEDAS, INSPECTING THE CHILD> Cap’n, he’s going to die, if we don’t do anything soon. He has massive internal bleeding.

{C Banas: Idiot, Meloon! Payar, you have a kit on you?

{C Payar: Yeah, I’ll save him… <QUIETLY> this time. <PAYAR TAKES OUT A MEDICAL KIT AND STARTS TREATING LEDAS; LEDAS IS WRITHING IN PAIN> Stop squirming!

{C Banas: <LOOKING OFF INTO THE DISTANCE> Fix him up, and let me know when you’re done. I’m going to check something out.

{C <BANAS TAKES OFF, AND STARTS FLYING, LOW TO GROUND, HIS SCOUTER IS SHOWING STRANGE CHARACTERS; HE GETS FAR AWAY FROM HIS TEAM, OVER A LOT OF HILLS; AFTER A WHILE, BANAS LANDS>

{C Banas: What are you doing here? As you can see, I already eliminated this planet. There’s no real purpose for you to be here… unless you’re following me.

{C <THREE ALIENS COME OUT, FROM BEHIND SOME FOLIAGE>

{C Alien 1: Lord Cooler gave us this planet. You had no right to clear it for us!

{C Banas: <FACES THEM> If you really wanted to do some work for Cooler, you’d have beaten me out here.

{C Alien 2: <SEEING HIM> Don’t tell me we’re in the presence of the illustrious Captain Banas?! Is that you?

{C Banas: You know me and I know you. <HE STEPS OVER A ROCK> You’re from 96, I can tell. You smell like it.

{C Alien 3: Aha ha ha. Classy as ever, Captain.

{C Banas: Yeah, you’re from 96. Seriously pathetic outpost, if you ask me.

{C Alien 1: We weren’t asking anything, Banas. It was foolish to come here. <NODS TO THE OTHER ALIENS THEY ALL ATTACK>

{C <BEFORE THEY REACH BANAS, HE JUMPS TO THE AIR, NOT FACING THEM; THEY CHARGE, AND HE DOES A BACKFLIP OVER THEM, LANDING RIGHT BEHIND THE SECOND ALIEN, HE BLASTS IT, KILLING IT; THE OTHER TWO TURN AROUND AND ATTACK HIM, SENDING TONS OF BLASTS TOWARD BANAS, WHO EFFORTLESSLY HITS THEM AWAY, HE WORKS HIS WAY THROUGH THE BLASTS ALL THE WAY TO ALIEN 3, AND WITH A SINGLE SWIPE, DECAPITATES THE ALIEN; THE FIRST ALIEN IS HIT WITH A BLAST, AND FALLS TO THE GROUND>

{C Banas: <DECENDS TO THE GROUND, NEXT TO SINGED ALIEN> You’re lucky I’m in a good mood. Get out of here and tell your captain what I‘ve done. Tell him that 92 owns this system. Lord Cooler will be putting his trust in us from now on.

{C <THE ALIEN GETS UP, AND RUNS OFF; BANAS WATCHES HIM, THEN, WHEN THE ALIEN IS OUT OF SIGHT, BANAS RETURNS TO HIS SQUAD>

{C Payar: <LOOKING DOWN, STILL WORKING ON LEDAS> What was that all about?

{C Banas: Sometimes I get the urge to shake the beehive, to see if the bees will actually come out to sting me.

{C Lieme: <STANDING, LOOKING AT BANAS> Did they?

{C Banas: Not yet. <SIGHS> There’s always tomorrow.

{C <LEDAS IS QUIET; WITH PAYAR DISTRACTED BY THE CAPTAIN, HE VENTURES FOR AN ATTACK ON MELOON AGAIN; THE BIG BEAST DOESN’T SEE THE TEARDROP SHAPED BLAST UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE; IT KNOCKS HIM OVER>

{C <MELOON GETS UP; HE GROWLS, GETTING READY TO POUND LEDAS INTO THE DUST AGAIN; BANAS THROWS OUT HIS ARM>

{C Banas: No, leave him alone. He’s persistent, I like that. When he gets older, he’ll be as dangerous as any of you. None of Cooler’s other teams will be able to touch us.

{C <LEDAS IS WRITHING AGAIN, BUT PAYAR SNAPS HIS ARM DOWN QUICKLY AND BANDAGES HIM UP>

Two One Eyed Dogs
{C <TWO DAYS LATER>

{C <BACK ON PLANET COOLER 92, GUVA’S OFFICE, THIRD FLOOR; HE AND BANAS ARE LOOKING AT THE WINDOW THAT GUVA SHOT A GIANT HOLE THROUGH EARLIER>

{C Guva: You took the Saiyan with you last time. How was it?

{C Banas: <LYING> Nothing you need to be worried about. He’s just an inconvenience.

{C Guva: Good.

{C Banas: <MAD> Why is that good?!

{C Guva: Captain, you always seem to learn best from inconvenience.

{C Banas: Thanks for telling me.

{C Guva: <GETS UP OUT OF CHAIR; LYING> You see Banas, Lord Cooler wants us to train the Saiyan. And I will follow his orders. If you’ve got a problem with that, then you can take it up him yourself.

{C Banas: I don’t remember Cooler saying that.

{C Guva: Call him up and ask for yourself.

{C Banas: <OBVIOUSLY WILL NOT DO THAT, COOLER IS TOO DANGEROUS TO BRING INTO THE DRAMA> Gah, you’re smarter than you look.

{C Guva: Just wait ‘til you get to know me.

{C Banas: But about your new idea… I would like to hear your inspiration.

{C Guva: <STARING OUT THE WINDOW> These native species are like animals. So unskilled and uncivilized, and I must confess boredom.

{C Banas: I’ll put them up against the lower class grunts then. They could use some fun.

{C Guva: Yes, I agree, we need the morale boost. A content army is not likely to rebel. <HE LOOKS AT BANAS>

{C Banas: Ha! You should go out and fight them.

{C Guva: They‘re not worth my time.

{C Banas: <NODS, LAUGHS> Always the same elitist crap with you.

{C <CUTS TO PAYAR AND LEDAS, WHO ARE WALKING ON A TRAIL THROUGH A FORESTED AREA>

{C Payar: No funny business kid. Normally Lieme does this, but the captain thought it would be better for you to try.

{C Ledas: <CHILD TONE> But what am I doing? <HIS INJURIES FROM THE BATTLE WITH MELOON ARE MOSTLY GONE, IN ADDITION, HE IS NOW WEARING COOLER‘S STANDARD ARMOR IN PLACE OF HIS PREVIOUS FRIEZA ARMOR; COOLER‘S ARMOR DOES NOT HAVE A SHOULDER GUARD OVER THE RIGHT SHOULDER, HIS ARMOR IS COLORED BLACK ON GREEN, WHICH IS THE SAME AS LIEME‘S ARMOR> You haven’t even told me.

{C Payar: <CONFESSING, BUT EMBARASSED THAT HE HAS TO> I can’t do the energy binds.

{C Ledas: <IN AWE> You can’t use energy?

{C Payar: <THEY COME UP TO CLEARING, BELOW IN A VALLEY, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF NATIVES WORKING, IN A QUARRY TYPE SETTING> Shut up. Look, see those down there? Use your energy to bind their hands and legs together; we’re going to bring them back to command, without incident. <PAUSES, LEDAS DOESN’T SEEM LIKE HE WANTS TO DO IT> Do it, or you get beaten again.

{C <LEDAS, SCARED BY THAT, JUMPS DOWN INTO THE QUARRY AND SENDS OFF ENERGY BINDS TO THE NATIVES; THEY OFFER NO RESISTANCE>

{C Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> Why don’t they fight back? They must be scared of me.

{C <AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, LEDAS HAS THE WHOLE POPULATION LINED UP, BOUND TOGETHER; THEY, WITHOUT A NOISE, MOVE FORWARD, BACK TO THE OUTPOST>

{C Payar: <THERE IS A HUNGER IN HIS EYES> Good, good. <TO THE NATIVES> Come on, pick it up! <HE HITS ONE OF THE NATIVES, IT SLUMPS OVER DEAD, THE REST CONTINUE MOVING, FASTER, CARRYING THE DEAD ONE ALONG WITH THEM>

{C <LEDAS IS WATCHING THIS ALL, CURIOUS; AS A FEMALE NATIVE PASSES HIM, IT GIVES HIM A CHILLING LOOK; NOT ONE OF SADNESS OR DESPAIR, BUT OF PITY; AS SHE WALKS BY, LEDAS STAYS STILL, WATCHING HER>

{C <THEY ALL RETURN TO THE OUTPOST; SOLDIERS, CURIOUS, LINE THE STREETS, LOOKING IN ON THE PROCESSION; PAYAR IS AT ITS HEAD, AND LEDAS IS FOLLOWING BEHIND, HE NOW IS WALKING AS IF WITH A WEIGHT ON HIS SHOULDERS; HE SEEMS TO BE SAD; THEY REACH GUVA‘S OFFICE, THE GOVERNOR IS STANDING OUT IN FRONT>

{C Guva: Ah, <TO PAYAR AND LEDAS> Good job, you two. We are in for an interesting night. Payar, take them to the ring.

{C <PAYAR GRABS THE FIRST IN THE LINE; HE DRAGS THEM AWAY>

{C <CUTS TO THE EVENING, GUVA IS STANDING ON A BALCONY, BELOW HIM, THERE IS A GLADIATOR RING, DOZENS OF NATIVES ARE IN IT, PACING NERVOUSLY>

{C Guva: <SITTING, BUT THEN STANDS UP; IN A BELLOW> Let us begin!! <THE DOORS OPEN ON THE FAR SIDE, DOZENS OF LOW CLASS SOLDIERS ENTER AND START SHOOTING BLASTS FROM THEIR WRIST MOUNTED GUNS AT THE NATIVES>

{C Guva: <BANAS AND HIS ‘TAINS, AS WELL AS LEDAS ARE WITH HIM> See, captain, isn’t this entertaining? <THE SCREAMS OF NATIVES, AND THE LAUGHS OF SOLDIERS RISE TO A DEAFENING LEVEL>

{C Payar: <WATCHING IT ALL, HIS EYES ARE TWINKLING> It’s amazing.

{C <THE YELLING STOPS, ALL THE NATIVES ARE DEAD>

{C Guva: <STANDS UP AGAIN; PRESSES A BUTTON, THE DOORS REOPEN AND THE SOLDIERS LEAVE; A NEW GROUP OF SOLDIERS AND NATIVES COME OUT> Round two!!! <ROUND TWO STARTS, MUCH LIKE ROUND ONE>

{C Banas: What does everyone think of putting our new acquisition into the mix?

{C Guva: <SITTING, DOES NOT LOOK BACK AT BANAS> Yes.

{C Banas: Payar, take our little Saiyan down there.

{C Ledas: But, I don’t wanna g- <PAYAR GRABS LEDAS BY THE ARM, AND PULLS HIM DOWN, CARRYING HIM ALL THE WAY TO THE RING, HE THROW THE KID INTO THE GROUP OF SOLDIERS GOING FOR ROUND 3>

{C Payar: <WALKING OFF, BACK TO GUVA’S LEDGE> And don’t think about running off! You know what’ll happen to you, if you do.

{C <THE GROUP FOR ROUND THREE IS SMALLER, WITH ONLY 6 OTHER SOLDIERS BESIDES LEDAS, APRIDO IS AMONG THEM>

{C Aprido: Ah, it you! What are you doing in our group!?

{C Ledas: Mr. Payar made me come. But, um, what I am supposed to do?

{C Aprido: <SINISTER> Haven’t you been watching? We get kill them all. As many as we want!

{C Ledas: I bet you do this a lot. Mr. Payar really likes it… <QUIETLY> but I don’t want to do it.

{C Aprido: Ah, Payar! He can’t help himself. He goes down to the quarries every now and then and when he returns, there’s a load of them dead. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. We haven’t had many of these organized events, though.

{C Ledas: <TO HIMSELF> They can’t be very strong if Payar can kill them. He doesn’t even use energy. <HE LOOKS AT APRIDO> I know I’m stronger than those guys, too…

{C <THE DOORS OPEN AGAIN, UP ABOVE GUVA CAN BE HEARD>

{C Guva: <IN A SHOUT> Round three!!!

{C <ALL, INCLUDING LEDAS ENTER THE RING; THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF NATIVES, CROWDING LITERALLY EVERY AVAILABLE SPACE IN THE RING, AS SOON AS THE DOOR CLOSES, THEY ALL CHARGE; LEDAS DOES NOT ENTER ENTHUSIASTICALLY>

{C <THE FIVE LESSER SOLDIERS START FIRING BLASTS IMMEDIATELY, SHOOTING DOWN DOZENS OF NATIVES, BUT THERE ARE TOO MANY AND THE SOLDIERS ARE OVERWHELMED AND KILLED; JUST LEDAS AND APRIDO ARE LEFT>

{C Aprido: Aren’t you gonna attack? Come on, they’re running right at us!

{C Ledas: I don’t want to be like Payar. <HE DROPS TO HIS KNEE> I’m not killing them. I’m sick of all the tests.

{C Aprido: <TO HIMSELF> He thinks he better than me? Well just wait, that little ape won't see what I have in store!

<APRIDO CHARGES UP A BLAST, AND TAKES OUT A LOT OF NATIVES, THE MAJORITY OF THEM FOCUS ON HIM, BUT A FEW, CAUTIOUSLY RUN UP TO LEDAS, AND START CIRCLING HIM, ALMOST SCARED TO ATTACK HIM; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, A BOLD NATIVE JUMPS ON HIM, ALL THE OTHERS QUICKLY FOLLOW; LEDAS OFFERS NO RESISTANCE, AND FALLS TO THE GROUND, AS THEY PUNCH AND KICK HIM>

<THE NATIVES CONTINUE TO PUNCH AND KICK LEDAS, HE STARES OFF INTO THE SKY ABOVE, AS IF UNAFFECTED>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> I wonder what would Vegeta do? <A BRIEF FLASHBACK IS SHOWN OF THE TWO BLOWING UP A CITY FILLED WITH THOUSANDS OF CIVILIANS, THEY ARE LAUGHING AND HAVING A GREAT TIME; A TEAR COMES TO LEDAS’ EYE> Vegeta wouldn’t be so weak. <OUTLOUD, DETERMINED> He wouldn’t be so weak!! <LEDAS SENDS OUT A WAVE OF ENERGY, DESTROYING THE NATIVES UPON HIM, HE GETS UP, AND SENDS OUT ONE MORE BLAST, DETONATING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING, CAUSING A HUGE WHIRLWIND, KICKING UP DIRT AND SMOKE; WHEN ALL THAT CLEARS, ONLY APRIDO AND LEDAS ARE LEFT STANDING> I'm still not like Payar. I'm not...

Guva: <FROM ABOVE> So captain, you think this Saiyan is going to slow you down, do you?

Banas: <IN HIS MIND> I never did. But you don’t need to know that, Guva. <OUTLOUD> Oh, govvie, you know me. I’m always wrong and you’re always right.

<DOWN BELOW, LEDAS HAS LEFT THE COMPLEX AND IS WALKING BACK TO THE BARRACKS>

Ledas: Wherever Vegeta is, it can’t be as bad as this place. <HE STOPS; HE LOOKS AT THE SKY> I hafta get out of here.

Big Mistake
<A WHILE LATER>

<IT IS RAINING SLIGHTLY, THE GROUND OUTSIDE IS MUDDY; BANAS, PAYAR, LIEME, MELOON, AND LEDAS ARE OUTSIDE, IN A FLAT, TRAINING AREA; LEDAS HAS AGED SOMEWHAT; HE IS TALLER>

Banas: Lieme, Payar, begin your rounds, I’ll work with the kid and Meloon today.

Lieme: <NODS> Boss. <LIEME AND PAYAR RISE INTO THE AIR, AND START SPARRING>

Banas: <WALKS OVER TO MELOON AND LEDAS, THE RAIN PICKS UP> Now Saiyan, I know you’re stronger than you let on. But my team, the Plantains is a legendary force, feared by all. I will not let you bring down our reputation so fast. Meloon!

Meloon: Yeah?

Banas: Show this kid what’s expected of a member of my team. Don’t try to kill him this time, either.

Ledas: <AS MELOON IS APPROACHING HIM, HE HOLDS HIS GROUND; IN HIS HEAD> Vegeta wouldn’t run from this guy… he would laugh at him! And then beat him! <MELOON REACHES LEDAS> Heh he heh.

Meloon: What’s so funny?!

Ledas: Aha ha ha!! Grandpa always said strength isn’t everything! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!

Meloon: Why, you lit- <IN MID SENTENCE, MELOON IS HIT IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD BY LEDAS, WHO HAD MOVED TOO FAST FOR THE ELITE TO SEE; MELOON HITS THE GROUND, AND HIS HEAD IS COVERED IN MUD>

Lieme: <SEES MELOON FALL, STOPS> Hey, Payar. <NODS TO MELOON> Check it out. <BOTH STOP SPARRING; THEY WATCH MELOON AND LEDAS’ FIGHT>

<MELOON GETS UP, HE IS ANGRY; HE CHARGES LEDAS, WHO DODGES OUT OF THE WAY, AND SHOOTS A BLAST AT MELOON>

Lieme: It’s amazing. Look, Meloon is obviously the stronger one, yet he’s losing. The child is playing on Meloon’s weaknesses, and he’s winning now, when he shouldn’t be.

Payar: How do you know?

Lieme: That’s what I would do.

<CUTS BACK TO MELOON AND LEDAS, LEDAS AND HIM ARE SPARRING, LEDAS DODGING EVERY PUNCH AND KICK MELOON IS THROWING AT HIM; LEDAS IS LAUGHING YET AGAIN, AND THIS CAUSES MELOON TO BE RECKLESS; LEDAS DODGES HIM EASILY; MELOON IS HIT TO THE GROUND AGAIN, LEDAS SHOOTS A HUGE BEAM OF ENERGY AT MELOON ON THE GROUND, MELOON IS BLOWN INTO A HUGE CRATER>

Banas: Thank you, Meloon, for single handedly destroying my reputation for me. His power level didn’t even go above 40,000. You’re eight times as strong. So why is it you who’s on the ground?

Meloon: <GETS UP> Little brat confused me…

Banas: Lieme! Get over here!

<LIEME DECENDS TO THE GROUND, SENDING MUD FLYING>

Banas: You and the kid.

Lieme: Boss.

<HE MOVES FORWARD AND ATTACKS LEDAS; THIS TIME LIEME IS EASILY THE BETTER, AND UNLIKE MELOON OR PAYAR, HE DOES NOT TOY WITH LEDAS; HE HITS THE CHILD INTO THE GROUND, AND EFFORTLESSLY MOVES AROUND HIM, CONTINUING TO CONFUSE HIM; LEDAS, FRUSTRATED, SENDS OUT SEVERAL KI BLASTS; LIEME CATCHES ONE AND THROWS IT BACK AT HIM; LEDAS, BREATHING HARD, GETS UP AGAIN>

Banas: Thank you, Lieme. As you can see, kid, we-

Ledas: <STANDING DEFIANTLY> Why didya stop? I wasn’t done.

<WITHOUT A WORD, LIEME HITS LEDAS AGAIN, WHO BLOCKS IT, BUT CAN’T HOLD IT, HE IS THROWN INTO THE AIR; LIEME SHOOTS A KI BARRAGE AT HIM, AND THEN DISAPPEARS TO BEHIND HIM, AND HITS THE CHILD INTO IT; LEDAS FALLS TO THE GROUND, YET AGAIN; HE IS UNCONSCIOUS>

<FLASHBACK>

<LAYEECK AND LEDAS ARE TRAINING IN A SLIGHTLY FORESTED AREA>

Layeeck: What do you do when the opponent is stronger than you?

Ledas: <WANDERING OFF, NOT PAYING ATTENTION> I dunno…

Layeeck: <WITH CONTEMPT> If you were a coward you would run, but we are Saiyans. We never retreat from battle.

Layeeck: Think! What is your opponent dependant on?

Ledas: <FLOATING> A scouter?

Layeeck: Very good. That is the first thing that you should always go for. <PAUSES> But what if they don’t need a scouter?

Ledas: <FLYING UPSIDE DOWN, STILL NOT PAYING ATTENTION> Then I have to use the power ball.

Layeeck: It will drain your energy to even use it. It’s a gamble. But if you have to…

<LEDAS COMES BACK INTO CONSCIOUSNESS; HE LOOKS UP AT LIEME WHO IS FAST APPROACHING HIM; HE SEES LIEME DOES NOT WEAR A SCOUTER; LEDAS ROLLS OVER AND GATHERS HIS ENERGY AND SHOOTS A POWER BALL INTO THE AIR; LIEME STOPS, ABOUT TEN YARDS AWAY FROM LEDAS>

Lieme: <EYES WIDEN> Oh, well this is going to be interesting.

<CLOSE UP OF THE POWER BALL, IT IS SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET IN THE AIR AND IS SHINING BRIGHTLY; THE RAIN HAS STOPPED>

Ledas: <ROLLS OVER ONTO HIS BACK, IS LAUGHING> Ha ha ha. You guys don’t know what I’m about to do, huh? <STANDS UP, ARMS OUTSTRETCHED> Well watch this!

Lieme: Boss, we have a situation here.

Banas: Yeah, what is that thing?

Lieme: It’s-

<LEDAS STARTS TRANSFORMING INTO HIS GREAT APE FORM, HE GROWS VERY TALL, AND GAINS HAIR ALL OVER HIS BODY; IN JUST A FEW SECONDS, LEDAS IS FULLY TRANSFORMED>

Lieme: … an artificial moon.

Banas: Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me…

<LEDAS JUMPS FORWARD, AND BATS LIEME AWAY, INTO A NEARBY MOUNTAIN, PAYAR MOVES FORWARD, BUT LEDAS GRABS HIM IN HIS HAND; LEDAS LAUGHS AGAIN; HE THEN THROWS PAYAR TO THE GROUND, COVERING HIM IN RUBBLE; BANAS RISES INTO THE AIR TO FACE THE APE AS HE TURNS TO AROUND TO APPROACH THE CAPTAIN>

Banas: There’s not many people alive who could single-handedly take out my entire team… with such ease. I applaud you, Saiyan.

<HE CLAPS TWICE, AND ON THE SECOND CLAP DISAPPEARS; LEDAS LOOKS AROUND, BUT DOES NOT SEE HIM; BANAS REAPPEARS ABOVE THE APE’S HEAD, AND HANDS INTERLOCKED, BRINGS DOWN A POWERFUL PUNCH ONTO HIS CRANIUM; LEDAS, IN A ROAR OF RAGE JUMPS INTO THE AIR, MUCH HIGHER THAN BANAS EXPECTS, AND HITS HIM AWAY; BANAS IS ABLE TO RECOVER, MIDAIR, AND IMMEDIATELY SHOOTS A POWERFUL BEAM OF ENERGY AT LEDAS; LEDAS, AS WELL, WITHOUT HESITATION SHOOTS A BEAM OF ENERGY OUT OF HIS MOUTH, CAUSING A BEAM STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE TWO; BANAS, BEING STRONGER THAN LEDAS IN HIS GREAT APE FORM, EASILY OVERPOWERS IN THE STRUGGLE; A HUGE EXPLOSION SENDS LEDAS FLYING WAY BACK INTO THE FOREST; HE IS LAYING DOWN, NOT MOVING>

Banas: <MOVING OVER TO PAYAR> Hey, <BREATHING HEAVILY> Payar, you there?

Payar: <ROLLS OVER; DAZED AND IN PAIN> Hey, cap’n. Did ya get him?

Banas: <GLANCES OVER AT LEDAS, WHO STILL IS NOT MOVING> Not yet. You know how to get him back to normal?

Payar: Naw, cap’n. <COUGHS> Try Lieme, he‘ll prolly know... He knows everything…

Banas: <RISES INTO THE AIR, AND FLIES OVER TO LIEME> Lieme! You awake!?

Lieme: <COMES FROM AROUND A CORNER OF THE RUBBLE; HE IS DISHEVELED AND LIMPING> Yeah, boss, I’m here.

Banas: I need to know how to get him <NODS TO LEDAS> to go back to normal.

Lieme: <PAUSE> You have to cut off his tail. <COUGHS> It won’t be easy, though.

Banas: Are you okay to fight? Can you help?

Lieme: Sorry, boss. <SLIDES DOWN TO A SITTING POSITION UP AGAINST THE ROCK> I can’t.

Banas: Alright. Meloon won’t be of any use either. I’ll try to get to his tail before he wakes up. Stay here, I’ll be back.

Lieme: Heh, <COUGHS AGAIN> were else would I go, boss?

<BANAS RISES INTO THE AIR, AND FLIES OFF TO LEDAS; UNFORTUNATELY, LEDAS IS LYING ON HIS BACK, AND BANAS CAN’T GET TO HIS TAIL; HE TRIES TO ROLL THE SAIYAN OVER>

Banas: <IN AGONY> C-c-c-ome on!!!! Roll over, you stupid ape!

<BANAS GETS LEDAS ROLLED OVER HALFWAY, WITH HIS LEFT HAND, HE KEEPS LEDAS PINNED UP, WITH HIS OTHER, HE READIES A RAZOR BLAST TO SEVER THE SAIYAN’S TAIL>

<LEDAS’ EYES OPEN, WITH A GROWL, HE TAKES HIS HAND REACHES BEHIND TO HIS BACK TO HIT BANAS; BANAS DODGES IT; LEDAS GETS UP AGAIN AND GRABS A TREE, HE THROWS IT AT BANAS, WHO DUCKS>

Banas: You even in there, Saiyan? Or are you just the beast inside?

Ledas: <LAUGHS> Captain Banas.

<BANAS IS TAKEN ABACK BY THIS AND LETS HIS GUARD DOWN, LEDAS CHARGES AND GRABS HIM, THE RAISES HIM TO THE AIR, AND SLAMS HIM INTO THE GROUND>

<LEDAS TRIES TO STEP ON HIM, BUT BANAS MOVES OUT OF THE WAY, ROLLING THROUGH LEDAS’ LEGS; HE SEES AN OPENING AND SHOOTS A RAZOR BLAST UP AT LEDAS’ TAIL, IT SEVERS IT AND THE SAIYAN QUICKLY REGRESSES, FALLING TO THE GROUND, HARD, INTO A POOL OF HIS OWN BLOOD>

Banas: <STANDS UP, FIXES HIS HAIR, AND LOOKS AT THE SAIYAN> All this destruction from such a little kid. <WALKS OVER TO LEDAS, HE IS SLEEPING; BANAS IS NOT MAD> You see that, Lieme?! Amazing!

<CUTS TO THE MEDICAL BUILDING>

<BANAS IS WALKING DOWN THE HALLS, WITH LESSER ALIENS WORKING ON SEVERAL REJUVENATION PODS; IN THE PODS, LIEME, PAYAR, AND MELOON ARE HEALING; STRANGELY, THOUGH HE IS INJURED HIMSELF, BANAS IS NOT GETTING HEALED>

<GUVA ENTERS>

Guva: <SERIOUS> This Saiyan gave your team quite a shellacking, I hear. I’m lucky to have you as my captain, Banas. Were you not as strong and smart as you were, he would have probably destroyed half the outpost before I could respond.

Banas: <SERIOUS AS WELL, BUT STILL LOOKING AT HIS TEAM> Maybe, but the real question is, what do we do with him now? Do we kill him? <BOTH START WALKING>

Guva: No, I think he’s tamed now. He wouldn’t try the same trick twice. That form’s main power, after all, is it‘s unexpectedness. And now that that’s no longer a problem, the form itself is no longer a problem. <BOTH ARRIVE AT LEDAS’ TANK, THEY LOOK AT HIM; LEDAS IS BRUISED, AND WITHOUT A TAIL>

Banas: Look at him sleeping. So peacefull. <PUTS HIS HAND ON THE TANK> Well, enjoy your rest while you can, kid. You’re gonna need it.

<CAMERA ZOOMS INTO BANAS’ EYES; THERE IS A BRIEF MONTAGE OF LEDAS BEING PUNISHED AND TORTURED ALL AROUND; HE IS THROWN ABOUT, BLOODIED, AND PHYSICALLY WORN OUT; THE CAMERA ZOOMS BACK OUT TO BANAS’ FACE; HE CHUCKLES>

New Tricks
<A MONTAGE PASSES, MUCH LIKE AT THE ENDING OF THE LAST CHAPTER, WHERE LEDAS IS GETTING BEAT UP; AGAINST LIEME, PAYAR, BANAS, HE CANNOT WIN; HE DOES NOT FIGHT MELOON AGAIN, BECAUSE TWICE IS ENOUGH; ON MISSIONS, LEDAS IS FORCED TO DO A MAJORITY OF THE WORK, BUT THE CAPTAIN AND THE OTHERS NEVER SHOW GRADITUDE TOWARD HIM; THIS MONTAGE SPANS A GOOD DEAL OF TIME, MAYBE A YEAR>

<THE MONTAGE STOPS BACK ON THE PLANET>

<FLASHBACK>

Layeeck: What else is the power ball good for?

Ledas: It can re-grow my tail, but-

Layeeck: But what?

Ledas: <CHILD-LIKE> Power balls are hard to make.

Layeeck: You have to practice the technique. Whenever you have a free moment… try and make one.

Ledas: But what happens if I transform… I’d have to cut off my tail again.

Layeeck: If you feel you are about to transform, just destroy the power ball. You won’t transform that way. Don’t let yourself go without a tail. A good amount of our power is in our tails, son and so is our identity. Our tails make us Saiyans, they make us who we are. Without one, you are not a true Saiyan.

Ledas: But you cut off my tail…

Layeeck: <LOOKS ANGRY> Circumstances dictate responses.

Ledas: <INNOCENTLY, PLAYFULLY> I don’t know what you’re talking about…

<SCREEN FADES TO LEDAS, WHO IS WALKING OUTSIDE, HE IS HAVING A HARD TIME, AND FALLS OVER, BUT THEN GETS BACK UP; HE RETURNS TO HIS ROOM (note: Ledas is one of Banas’ personal elite, and therefore has a priority room in the barracks); AS HE WALKS PAST THE TROOPS, HE IS BARELY ABLE TO BALANCE; THEY LAUGH AT HIM; HE GOES INTO HIS ROOM, IT IS PLAIN WITH LITTLE BESIDES A BED; HE SITS ON IT>

Ledas: <LOOKING DOWN AT HIS HAND, HE CREATES A POWER BALL> Can’t let the others see…

<THE POWER BALL STARTS TO FORM, AND GETS BIGGER; LEDAS’ WHOLE ROOM IS COVERED IN A BRIGHT LIGHT; HE IS HOLDING IT IN HIS PALM, BENT OVER IT, STARING>

<HIS TAIL GROWS BACK, INSTANTLY; FEELING IT, LEDAS QUICKLY DISSIPATES THE POWER BALL; HE STANDS BACK UP AND WALKS OUTSIDE; HE GOES DOWN THE DIRT PATH UNTIL HE NOTICES SOMETHING>

<LIEME IS TRAINING ALONE, IN A LARGE, CIRCULAR ROOM, IT IS LIKE A STADIUM; THE ROOF IS MADE OF ROCK, AND HAS MANY NATURAL HOLES, AND SUCH IN IT, THUS, THE GROUND IS LITTERED WITH POCKETS OF LIGHT; THE GROUND IS SAND; IT IS HOT OUT>

<LEDAS IS STANDING BACK, WATCHING LIEME TRAIN>

Ledas: Mr. Lieme…why don’t you use a scouter?

Lieme: <LANDING, BREATHING HARD> Because I don’t need one.

Ledas: <CURIOUS KID TONE> You mean you have a scouter in your brain?

Lieme: If that helps you understand it, then yes. I can see things you couldn't even begin to comprehend.

{C Ledas: <RUNS UP TO LIEME; AT THE BARRIER> Teach me how to do that!

{C Lieme: <CURTLY> It’s not something you can learn, I was born with it.

{C Ledas: Then you can show me!

{C Lieme: <LOOKING AT LEDAS; IN HIS MIND> The kid has potential. Maybe training with him could help me figure out how he’s gotten so powerful… and use that secret, myself… <OUTLOUD> As long as you don’t get in my way-

{C Ledas: Great!! <LEDAS JUMPS OVER THE BARRIER, INTO THE TRAINING ZONE>

{C Lieme: <QUICKLY, AND TO THE ASTONISHMENT OF LEDAS, RIPS OFF THE CHILDS’ SCOUTER, AND THROWS IT INTO THE STANDS ABOVE> If you want to learn, there will be no more scouters. You must learn to get rid your reliance on such archaic machines. Because, anything that is made artificially will fail you eventually.

{C Ledas: Mr. Lieme… do you think I can learn to sense people just like you?

{C <LIEME DISAPPEARS, THEN REAPPEARS BEHIND LEDAS, HITS HIM TO THE GROUND>

{C Ledas: <GETS UP> No fair… you gotta teach me.

{C Lieme: I don‘t have to do anything. If you can‘t adapt, then there‘s no point to continuing this! <LIEME DISAPPEARS AGAIN AND HITS LEDAS>

{C <LEDAS DODGES, BUT DOES SO, RIGHT INTO LIEME, CAUSING BOTH OF THEM TO FALL OVER; LIEME IS GETTING A LITTLE AGITATED; LIEME STARTS DISAPPEARING AND REAPPEARING ALL AROUND LEDAS; THERE ARE ABOUT HALF A DOZEN AFTERIMAGES SURROUNDING AND CONFUSING THE CHILD; LEDAS PUNCHES AT EACH OF THEM, BUT NONE ARE THE REAL LIEME, COMING FROM RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM, LIEME JUMPS FORWARD AND KICKS LEDAS IN THE FACE>

{C <LEDAS FALLS TO THE GROUND, BUT BEFORE HE HITS IT, HE DISAPPEARS, AND REAPPEARS BEHIND LIEME; LIEME SENSES HIM AND BACKFLIPS OVER THE CHILD AND BRINGS A CRUSHING BLOW DOWN UPON LEDAS’ HEAD>

{C Ledas: <DESCENDS TO THE GROUND, HOLDING HIS HEAD; WITH LETHARGY> Owwwwie… you don’t hit me so hard…

{C Lieme: Stop your whining.

{C Ledas: <STILL IN PAIN> I’m just a kid. You’re going too hard on me.

{C <LIEME IS STILL A BIT AGITATED, HE ATTACKS AGAIN>

{C Lieme: <IN HIS MIND> He’s a Saiyan, so he’ll get stronger after every fight… even this one. I have to watch myself.

{C <LEDAS PUNCHES AT HIM, AND HE DODGES UP INTO THE AIR>

{C <UP IN HIS OFFICE, GUVA IS SEEN WATCHING LEDAS AND LIEME TRAIN; HE IS CONTENT>

{C <CUTS BACK TO LIEME AND LEDAS, IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL DAYS, AND THEY ARE TRAINING AGAIN>

{C Lieme: You’re getting quick. <DODGES OUT OF THE WAY, ACTUALLY HAS TO PUT EFFORT INTO TRYING NOT TO GET HIT> But you still are not focused enough.

{C Ledas: <STOPS ATTACKING> Whoa….

{C Lieme: <STOPS AS WELL> What is it, now?

{C Ledas: <SUDDENLY GRINS> I can feel you.

{C Lieme: <UNCONVINCED> Really? You think you can back that up? <HE RUSHES AROUND LEDAS, CREATING A CONFUSING MESS OF AFTERIMAGES AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME, LEDAS IS EASILY ABLE TO PICK UP UPON THE REAL LIEME, AND HITS HIM; LIEME STOPS THE CONFUSION, AND SLOWLY DESCENDS BACK TO THE GROUND> So, you weren’t lying…

{C Ledas: <GIDDY WITH EXCITEMENT> Ha ha! I did it… I did it!

{C Lieme: Don’t get too cocky, you’re just beginning… and I’m still much better than you. <IN HIS HEAD> How the hell is he learning all this so fast? I’m watching him with my own eyes, and I can’t even believe it! What is his secret?

{C Ledas: I’m gonna attack again, Mr. Lieme… <LEDAS ATTACKS AGAIN, AND LIEME DEFENDS, BUT THEN LEDAS DISAPPEARS; LIEME CANNOT SENSE HIM>

{C Lieme: What the… where’d he go? <AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OF LOOKING AROUND, LEDAS COMES DOWN ON LIEME’S NECK, FROM BEHIND, SHOCKING THE ELITE; HE GETS BACK UP> And where did you go?

{C Ledas: I learned a new trick…

{C Lieme: <SPUTTERING> Yeah? And what was that?

{C Ledas: <PLAYFUL ARROGANCE> Hmph… I’m not gonna tell you!

{C Lieme: <IN HIS MIND> He’s raising and dropping his power level at will. Clever.

{C <LIEME AND LEDAS SPAR AGAIN; THEY GO ON FOR THE DAY, UNTIL THE SUN SETS>

{C <CUTS TO BANAS AND GUVA, WHO ARE WATCHING AGAIN>

{C Banas: He’s over 100,000. Can you believe it?

{C Guva: At such a young age? Were you that powerful when you were young?

{C Banas: No...

{C Guva: Don’t you think it strange this Saiyan is so powerful? All the other ones I’ve met have been worthless. This one’s different… <LAUGHS> but I’m not worried.

{C Banas: <SARCASTICALLY> No, of course not… until he gets stronger than you.

{C Guva: I have a plan in place if something like that was to happen. Seriously, Banas, you need to stop worrying so much. Stress is so bad for your health.

{C Banas: And what happens when he grows up? Hmm? He’ll certainly be even stronger!

{C Guva: I am fully aware of what we have on our hands. I would rather use it for our advantage than squander it. He’s nowhere near our capabilities, Banas, and he never will be.

{C <BACK AT THE TRAINING AREA, LIEME HAS LEFT, AND LEDAS IS LEAVING, HIMSELF, WHEN HE NOTICES SOMETHING UP IN THE STANDS; HE FLIES OVER TO IT, AND SEES THAT IT WAS HIS SCOUTER, WHICH LIEME THREW SO MANY WEEKS AGO; HE PICKS IT UP, REMEMBERING THE DAY THAT HIS FATHER GAVE IT TO HIM, THE FIRST MISSION THAT THEY WENT ON TOGETHER; HE STARES AT IT, WITH SADNESS; WITHOUT ANOTHER THOUGHT, HE WALKS OUT, WITH THE SCOUTER STILL IN HIS HAND>

{C <THE CAMERA PANS BACK OUT, OVER THE OUTPOST COMPLEX, IN THE DISTANCE, APRIDO CAN BE SEEN, IN THE FAR LEFT CORNER, WATCHING LEDAS; THERE IS MUCH JEALOUSY ON HIS FACE>

You're So Lucky
<SEVERAL MONTHS LATER>

<LEDAS IS LAYING ON HIS BED, DAYDREAMING; HE IS NOT WEARING ARMOR, BUT IS DIRTY, AS IF HE HAS JUST GOTTEN DONE WITH SOME TRAINING; ON THE SIDE OF HIM IS HIS SCOUTER>

<HE HAS HIS HANDS IN THE AIR WHEN PAYAR ENTERS; PAYAR DOESN’T EVEN KNOCK>

Payar: Cap’n has a new shipment in. We’re picking it up.

Ledas: <PICKS UP HIS SCOUTER AND LOOKS THE LENSE, HOLDING IT AWAY FROM HIM> Can’t you get Lieme to help you? I’m tired.

Payar: Nope, you’re helping me today.

Ledas: Oh, fine.

<LEDAS FOLLOWS, BUT DRAGS HIS FEET; HE BRINGS HIS SCOUTER WITH HIM>

<THE TWO LEAVE, AND TAKE THE SECONDARY ROAD DOWN FROM THE OUTPOST TO THE NATIVES’ ENCAMPMENT>

Ledas: <LOOKING AT THE TREES AS THEY GO INTO THE WILD COUNTRY> Payar, why do you kill the natives so much?

Payar: Because I want to. <WALKS FOR A WHILE BEFORE CONTINUING> You’re one to complain. You kill just as many.

Ledas: Because you make me do it.

Payar: Well? You don’t like it? You can’t be serious. It’s the best thing on this rock!

Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> I don’t like it when I see you do it. <OUTLOUD> You don’t have to kill so many of them. Besides, the way you do it is really gross.

Payar: Have you ever, for once, entertained the thought that I just don't care? Because I don’t. So save your petty morality.

{C Ledas: I wasn’t being-

{C <PAYAR HOLDS UP HIS HAND; THEY BOTH STOP>

{C <AHEAD OF THEM, THE NATIVES ARE ALL DEAD; THEIR HOUSES ARE SMOLDERING AND BURNT; THE LANDING AREA, WHICH CONSISTS OF A LANDING PAD AND A TOWER ARE ALSO DESTROYED; THE SOLDIERS WHO WORK THE TOWER ARE STREWN ABOUT, DEAD; THE CAPTAIN’S SHIPMENTS ARE NOWHERE TO BE SEEN>

{C Payar: What the hell…?

{C Ledas: Whoa, who did this?!

{C <PAYAR SUDDENLY KICKS LEDAS TO THE RIGHT, SENDING THE BOY FLYING INTO THE BUSHES; HE LEAPS LEFT, BEHIND A TREE; BEFORE LEDAS REALIZES WHAT IS GOING ON, OR HAS A CHANCE TO YELL OUT, PAYAR BUZZES HIM>

{C Payar: <OVER HIS SCOUTER> Don’t say a word, Saiyan. There’s someone up there.

{C <LEDAS GETS DOWN ON HIS STOMACH; HE PEERS THROUGH THE BUSHES; HE CAN SEE A FEW BEINGS AHEAD; BUT HE CANNOT MAKE THEM OUT>

{C Payar: <OVER HIS SCOUTER> Go around right. I’ll go around left. Give some suppressing fire to lead them my way. Then, I’ll deal with them.

{C Ledas: <BREAKING THE SILENCE; OVER HIS SCOUTER> Um, what if it’s Lieme or someone?

{C Payar: <OVER HIS SCOUTER> It’s not them. They wouldn’t destroy this place. Wait for my signal. <HE PEERS OUT AGAIN; WE GET TWO PANELS OF HIM LOOKING; THEN HE SPEAKS> Hurry up, go!

{C <LEDAS BOLTS OUT AND RUNS RIGHT; HE JUMPS OVER THE BUSHES AND FOLIAGE, AND COMES CRASHING DOWN INTO THE MUD IN FRONT OF THE CREATURES; THERE ARE TWO OF THEM; CLEARLY, NEITHER IS A MEMBER OF THIS PLANET; HOWEVER, THEY WEAR COOLER’S ARMOR; THIS MAKES LEDAS HESITATE>

{C <THE FIRST ALIEN LUNGE-PUNCHES LEDAS BACK; LEDAS ROLLS FORWARD; HE CREATES A PLAYFUL GALICK; WHEN HE STEPS UP FROM HIS ROLL, LEDAS FIRES IT OFF; THE TWO CREATURES BLOCK IT, BUT ARE PUSHED BACK; SEEING HIS OPPORTUNITY, LEDAS FIRES OFF AN UNRELENTING ENERGY BURST; THE DOZENS OF SMALL KI BLASTS ENGULF THE TWO CREATURES; THEY ARE PUSHED BACK>

{C <PAYAR COMES OUT FROM BEHIND HIS TREE; LEDAS STOPS FIRING THE BLASTS, SO HE DOESN’T HIT HIS ALLY; PAYAR LEAPS FORWARD, ATTEMPTING TO GRAB THE TWO ALIENS; HE MISSES, FALLING TO THE GROUND; THE TWO CREATURES RISE INTO THE AIR; THEY WORK TOGETHER TO ATTACK PAYAR>

{C Ledas: <PRESSES HIS SCOUTER> Captain Banas! We need your help! <LEDAS RUNS FORWARD TO HELP PAYAR; PAYAR CANNOT USE ENERGY, SO HE IS ABSOLUTELY OUTMATCHED NOW THAT THE ALIENS ARE OUT OF HIS PUNCHING RANGE> They’re attacking us down on the landing pad!

{C <LEDAS REACHES THEM; HE SHOOTS AWAY THEIR ENERGY BLASTS BEFORE THEY REACH PAYAR; THE TWO FACE HIM AGAIN; THEY COMBINE BLASTS; LEDAS ROLLS AWAY, DUCKING AND WEAVING AROUND; HE SHOOTS OFF SEVERAL SMALL KI BLASTS, BUT CANNOT GET A GOOD POSITION TO AIM; HIS KI MISSES THE MARK>

{C <JUST AT THIS TIME, A HAIL OF YELLOW ENERGY COMES FLYING FROM BEHIND THE TWO CREATURES; THE BLASTS HIT THEM, BUT DO NOT EXPLODE; INSTEAD, THEY CUT INTO THE CREATURES, THROUGH THEIR ARMOR AND INTO THEIR SKIN; THEY YELL OUT>

{C <BEHIND THEM IS BANAS; HE IS ALONE, BUT IN FULL ARMOR; THEY FACE HIM>

{C Banas: Look who it is. The rat!

{C Alien 1: Banas!

{C <THE ALIEN IS REVEALED FULLY; IT IS THE SAME ONE THAT BANAS SPARED IN THE “WIND SWEPT” CHAPTER; THE ONE HE LET LIVE>

{C Banas: What are you doing on my planet?!

{C Alien 1: Just returning the favor.

{C Banas: The hell? The last time I saw you was years ago. Why are you just doing this now?!

{C Alien: I was just made captain yesterday. And now, I’m returning the favor! <HE CREATES A HUGE HALF CIRCLE BLAST, DESTROYING A BUNCH OF THE AREA>

{C Banas: You’ve said that before. <BANAS SHOOTS A FAST ENERGY BLAST AT THE CREATURE> Get off my planet.

{C <THE CREATURES DODGE AND FIRE A FEW BLASTS BACK AT BANAS, BUT THEN BREAK OFF AND FLY AWAY>

{C <BANAS DOES NOT PURSUE; HE LANDS NEXT TO PAYAR AND LEDAS>

{C Banas: <WITH AUTHORITY> Were there only two of them?

{C <PAYAR DOESN’T ANSWER; HE IS ON THE GROUND>

{C Ledas: Yeah.

{C Banas: <TO PAYAR> Payar, get up. Report back to the barracks in five minutes. You too, Saiyan. <BANAS TAKES OFF>

{C <PAYAR GETS UP, HE IS ANGRY>

{C Payar: What happened? You were supposed to lead them to me.

{C Ledas: Um, I did. But you fell and missed them.

{C Payar: No! You did it wrong! You were… you were too slow! You messed up my timing.

{C Ledas: <YELLS BACK> Look! Just because you missed them and you can’t use energy doesn’t mean you should be mad at me!

{C <PAYAR PUNCHES LEDAS ON THE FACE, BREAKING HIS SCOUTER>

{C <LEDAS’ EAR IS BLEEDING, BUT WHEN HE SEES HIS SCOUTER IS BROKEN, HE GETS MAD>

{C Ledas: No!! That was the scouter my dad gave me!!

{C <PAYAR SEETHES, AND PUNCHES AT LEDAS AGAIN; LEDAS TRIES TO RETALIATE, BUT HE IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO DO DAMAGE; HE RAILS AGAINST PAYAR WITH A BUNCH OF ATTACKS, WITHOUT ANY OF THEM DOING DAMAGE>

{C <LEDAS BACKS UP AND SHOOTS A KYORRA FLASH; UPON THAT DOING BARELY ANY DAMAGE, HE ATTEMPTS SEVERAL PLAYFUL GALICKS, AND A HOMING FINGER BEAM COMBO; STILL NOT DOING DAMAGE, HE GATHERS ALL HIS ENERGY INTO ONE HAND; TRYING TO DO ANOTHER KYORRA FLASH, HE RUNS AT PAYAR; WHEN HE GETS TO THE ALIEN’S FACE HE RELEASES THE BLAST>

{C <PAYAR TAKES IT FULL ON, AND FALLS OVER; THE DAMAGE IS ENOUGH TO MAKE HIM BLEED, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO KILL HIM; LEDAS, ON THE OTHER HAND IS FULLY DEPLETED; WITHOUT ANY ENERGY, HE IS UNABLE TO DEFEND HIMSELF>

{C <PAYAR CRAWLS UP AGAIN, KICKS LEDAS IN THE JAW>

{C Payar: <HEAVY WHISPER> I don’t give a fuck who you think you are. So what if you use energy? You aren’t going to make me look like an asshole in front of the captain again. <HE CRAWLS FORWARD TO LEDAS’ FACE> Guva may want you alive, that’s good for him. But I, I don’t give a fuck. I’ll kill you if you even look at me the wrong way again. Hear me? <HE GRABS LEDAS BY THE NECK AND SHAKES HIM> You hear me?!

{C Ledas: Y-y-yeah… <IN HIS MIND> You’re jealous.

{C <PAYAR THROWS LEDAS ONTO THE GROUND AND FLIES AWAY, EXTREMELY LIVID>

{C <LEDAS IS LYING DOWN; HE FEELS OVER THE BROKEN PIECES OF HIS SCOUTER; HE KEEPS THE PIECES IN HIS HAND AS HE FALLS ASLEEP>

{C <THE CAMERA ZOOMS UP TO HIS FACE AS HIS EYELIDS CLOSE AND HIS FACE BECOMES PEACEFUL AGAIN>

A Mess Of Politics
{C <THE NEXT DAY>

{C <LEDAS, LIKE A GOOD BOY IS STANDING OUTSIDE OF GUVA’S OFFICE; THE DOOR OPENS AND GUVA COMES OUT>

{C Guva: Ledas, there are you. Lord Cooler has given us another planet to take over. Tell Banas the coordinates are already programmed in your pods.

{C Ledas: Okay.

{C Guva: One other thing. <QUIETLY> How close are you?

{C Ledas: What do you mean?

{C Guva: The captain’s power. How close are you to his?

{C Ledas: Oh, I don’t know. He’s really strong…

{C Guva: I still have information about your race. If you want it, you must get stronger.

{C Ledas: Aw, can’t you just tell me?

{C Guva: Once Banas is dead, I will tell you. Until then, train yourself. I am growing {C impatient with how long this is taking.

{C <GUVA RETURNS TO HIS ROOM>

{C <SCENE CUTS TO SPACE, WHERE THE FIVE PODS ARE; IN NO TIME THEY ARRIVE ON A NEW PLANET>

{C <BANAS AND HIS ‘TAINS ARE ON ANOTHER PLANET NOW, ALL MOVING ACROSS A BARREN, SUNDRIED DESERT THE SUN IS BRIGHT IN THE SKY; BANAS GETS A POWER LEVEL READING, HE STOPS>

{C Lieme: Captain, where are we? There are a lot of high power levels.

{C Banas: <IGNORING LIEME> Hey kid, see that city up there?

{C Ledas: Yes.

{C Banas: Go take it out.

{C <LEDAS FLIES OFF; WHEN HE GETS CLOSE TO THE CITY, HE STOPS; HE THRUSTS HIS RIGHT HAND FORWARD, IN A HALF FIST; HE GUIDES HIS HAND UP AND DOWN, AS IF MOVING SOMETHING INVISIBLE; HE FINALLY LOCKS IT DOWN WHEN IT CROSSES THE CENTER OF THE CITY-MASS>

{C <A MOMENT LATER, THE ENTIRE PLACE GOES UP IN A HUGE EXPLOSION; THE FORCE IS SO GREAT, IT PROPELS LEDAS BACKWARD SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET; WHAT IS LEFT IS A VERY DEEP CRATER>

{C <LEDAS RETURNS TO BANAS>

{C Banas: You went for the big one. <LEDAS NODS; BANAS’ SCOUTER GOES OFF AGAIN> Now Lieme, you were asking where we are. We are on Planet Cooler 96. The shipyards.

{C Lieme: But… we can’t attack a fellow outpost!

{C Meloon: Yeah, we’ll get in trouble for that.

{C Banas: Not to worry, not to worry. <HE SQUINTS> Wait for it.

{C <SUDDENLY A TEAM OF SOLDIERS LANDS TO THEIR RIGHT, IN A DRAMATIC FASHION, DUST COVERS THEM, BUT ONE MOVES FORWARD, OUT OF IT ALL>

{C Banas: There we go.

{C Captain 96: Banas! Why are you here?

{C Banas: You come to my planet, I come to yours.

{C Captain 96: No! We have to be even! When I destroyed your building, that made us even! Now we’re not!

{C Banas: That’s cute. Really very cute. You’ve forgotten one thing, though, Captain. This is the real world. We’re not little kids - <HE LOOKS OVER AT LEDAS> well, most of us aren’t. Nothing in life is fair. If you can’t get over me taking one planet from you all those years ago, there’s nothing I can do.

{C Captain 96: No, there is! I will take your life.

{C Meloon: Ha!

{C Lieme: Hmph.

{C Banas: Really? Go ahead and try, Captain. I’d love to put you in your place.

{C Lieme: Boss, this is not a good idea. Lord Cooler will be furious-

{C Banas: Be quiet, Lieme.

{C Captain 96: Now, which one of you blew up my command center? Was it you, Banas?

{C Banas: <SARCASTICALLY> No sir, I’m clean. <HE POINTS TO LEDAS> That’s your boy.

{C <LEDAS HAS NOT BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO THE BABBLING AND ARGUING GOING ON; INSTEAD, HE HAD BEEN ON THE GROUND, PLAYING WITH THE DIRT, BECAUSE DIRT IS FUN; WHEN BANAS MENTIONS HIM, HE LOOKS UP>

{C Captain 96: Ah, you! <HE POINTS TO ONE OF HIS SOLDIERS> Get that little kid!

{C Banas: <TO LEDAS> And you be sure to get that, uh, big alien guy…

{C <LEDAS STANDS UP>

{C Ledas: <WALKING FORWARD; RIGHT HAND RAISED, SILHOUETTE SHOT, WITH THE CAMERA ON THE GROUND FROM BEHIND> Yeah, yeah.

{C Banas: <WATCHING HIM WALK OFF> Think he’s got a chance?

{C Payar: Who knows. All I care about is him gettin’ bloodied up.

{C Lieme: Shut up and watch.

{C <LEDAS AND ONE OF THE SOLDIERS BEGIN TO FIGHT; IT IS RELATIVELY EVEN, WITH THE OTHER SOLDIER HAVING A SLIGHT UPPER HAND; AFTER SOME TIME, LEDAS IS HIT INTO A MOUNTAIN AND DOESN’T COME BACK UP>

{C Captain 96: <SHOUTING ACROSS TO BANAS> I hope that’s not the best you got!

{C Banas: Damn it. Lieme, kill him.

{C <LIEME RISES INTO THE AIR, AND STARTS TO APPROACH; SUDDENLY LEDAS SHOOTS OUT OF THE RUBBLE AND HITS THE SOLDIER IN THE AIR, CRACKING HIS ARMOR; THE SOLDIER IS STUNNED, AND CAN NOT MOVE; LEDAS HITS HIM AGAIN IN THE BACK, THIS TIME PUNCHING THROUGH HIS ARMOR AND KILLING THE ALIEN; THE ALIEN FALLS TO THE GROUND; LEDAS STAYS HOVERING IN MIDAIR>

{C Banas: Nevermind.

{C Captain 96: What?! No! You little cheater!

{C Ledas: <APPROACHES THE OTHER PC96 SOLDIERS> I wasn’t done. He shouldn’t have turned his back! My grandfather always told me to never underestimate my opponents and you shouldn’t underestimate me.

{C Banas: Ledas! <LEDAS TURNS AROUND AND LOOKS AT HIM> You’ve used up your turn. Leave the rest of them for us.

{C <LEDAS RETURNS, HE IS RATHER HAPPY>

{C Banas: Lieme, take the next one.

{C <LIEME AND THE NEXT SOLDIER BATTLE; LIEME WINS, VERY EASILY>

{C <PLANET COOLER 96 CAPTAIN MOVES OVER TO HIS LAST SOLDIER, WHISPERS TO HIM>

{C Banas: Meloon, Payar? Which one of you want to go?

{C Captain 96: <MOVING FORWARD> Enough with the petty fights. Captain, let’s go, you and I.

{C Banas: Oh? So eager to die?

{C <BANAS AND THE PC96 CAPTAIN APPROACH EACH OTHER AND START TO FIGHT; LEDAS IS AMAZED AT HOW MUCH STRONGER THAN HIM THEY ARE>

{C Ledas: I can barely even see them.

{C Lieme: Idiot. No one can see them. But we can sense them.

{C <LEDAS LOOKS UP, THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF EITHER FIGHTER>

{C Payar: That right there, that is a real fight. Don’t get to see many of those on our rock.

{C Ledas: Why?

{C Payar: The only other one who’s close to Banas‘ level, is Guva. And Guva doesn’t fight. These two are really goin’ at it.

{C <THE LAST REMAINING PC96 SOLDIER SUDDENLY DISAPPEARS, AND REAPPEARS BEHIND BANAS; BOTH PC96 SOLDIERS TEAM UP ON HIM; BANAS IS HIT TO THE GROUND; LEDAS MOVES FORWARD TO ATTACK>

{C Lieme: <GRABS LEDAS’ SHOULDER> No, fool. This is his battle.

{C Ledas: But they’re cheating!

{C Meloon: Don’t disturb the captain’s fight.

{C Payar: <RATHER UNCONCERNED FOR HIS CAPTAIN’S PREDICAMENT, MESSING AROUND WITH SOMETHING IN HIS HANDS AGAIN> Seriously, he’ll kill you.

{C <BANAS REGAINS HIS FOOTING AND CONTINUES THE FIGHT; THE OTHER TWO ATTACK HIM AGAIN AT THE SAME TIME, BUT BANAS QUICKLY ELIMINATES THE SOLDIER, IT‘S JUST THE TWO CAPTAINS NOW>

{C Captain 96: Heh, captain. You’re a lot faster than you look.

{C Banas: Really? I was thinking the opposite of you.

{C <BANAS MOVES BACK AND CHARGES A HUGE ENERGY BLAST, AND THEN FIRES IT AT THE CAPTAIN, THE CAPTAIN MOVES OUT OF THE WAY, BUT IT STILL IMPACTS THE PLANET, RIPPING A HUGE CHUNK OF THE PLANET OUT; THE SHOCK OF THE BLAST SENDS THE OTHER CAPTAIN FLYING, AND LANDING AT BANAS’ FEET; EVEN THOUGH HE IS WEAKENED, BANAS IS STILL MUCH STRONGER THAN THE OTHER CAPTAIN, AND AFTER SEVERAL PUNCHES, KILLS HIM>

{C <BANAS RETURNS>

{C Banas: <TO LIEME> So, didja like that?

{C Lieme: Boss, what are we going to do? You damaged the planet too severely.

{C Payar: He’s right, Cap’n. It’s gonna blow.

{C Banas: Ah… well, I didn’t mean to do that.

{C Meloon: Cooler’s gonna be pissed.

{C Banas: <WAVES HIM OFF> Bah, don’t worry about that. If he even does suspect us, we can just blame it on insurrectionists, or a rabid bunch of space ducks. You know how dangerous those are. Now, let’s get out of here.

{C Meloon: But the space duck is a majestic creature…

{C <ANOTHER EXPLOSION GOES OFF; ALL LEAVE AND RETURN TO 92, ON THE LANDING AREA, GUVA COMES OUT TO MEET THEM>

{C Guva: <ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS> What the hell were you thinking, Banas?

{C Banas: <GETTING OUT OF HIS POD> Hello to you too.

{C Guva: Banas, you-

{C Banas: Yeah, ok. I’m sorry I blew up the planet, but I couldn’t avoid it. I can get Cooler a new one tomorrow…

{C Guva: I’m not talking about the planet, Captain. You killed an entire COL operating team.

{C Banas: Oh, that? Who cares?

{C Guva: Lord Cooler cares. He specifically put in place rules to prevent his teams from killing each other. And here you are flaunting that around, like it was some kind of accomplishment.

{C Banas: Well, I th-

{C Guva: I don’t want to hear it. As of now, you are on indefinite suspension as Captain of Planet Cooler number 92. Until you return, Payar will assume the role of Captain. Come quietly, and I won’t bind you. But I will, if I have to.

{C Banas: No, I’ll come quietly. This time. <TWO OF GUVA’S GUARDS TAKE BANAS, AND THEY WALK OFF>

{C Guva: Now, did any of you kill a fellow soldier? <THERE IS A PAUSE> Well, did you?

{C Lieme: No, governor. It was all Captain Banas.

{C Guva: Fine, then. Payar will be the captain until Banas matures. You will continue your duties as normal. I don’t want the regulars to sense any kind of panic. Be examples, mentors to them.

{C Lieme: <TOGETHER> Yes, governor.

{C Payar: <TOGETHER> Yes, governor.

{C Meloon: <TOGETHER> Yes, governor.

{C <LEDAS REMAINS SILENT, LOOKING OFF IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION>

Mysterious Presence (season finale part 1)
{C <SOME TIME HAS PASSED, LEDAS IS NOW 12 YEARS OLD; BANAS IS STILL ON SUSPENSION>

{C <LIEME AND PAYAR ARE ON A PLANET, IT IS DARK OUT AND RUGGED; THE ENTIRE AREA IS FILLED WITH NOTHING BUT ROCKS AND CAVES>

{C Lieme: Keep your eyes peeled.

{C Payar: No readings on my scouter. This place is empty. So why are we here?

{C Lieme: Soldiers, form up. (note: while Payar was given Captain’s rank, neither he nor Lieme has assumed complete control)

{C <SIX SOLDIERS, INCLUDING LEDAS, ALL FLY INTO THE AREA WHERE LIEME AND PAYAR ARE>

{C Payar: Kind of a creepy place…

{C Lieme: Four other teams were assigned to this rock before us. None of them have been heard from since. I want us to be extra careful.

{C <THE PLANET SHIFTS SLIGHTLY, THE SOLDIERS TAKE SOME EFFORT TO KEEP THEIR BALANCE>

{C Lieme: And did I mention the planet’s unstable?

{C <THEY WALK FOR A WHILE, AND COME UPON SOME DEAD SOLDIERS, NOTHING BUT SKELETONS IN ARMOR>

{C Payar: <KNEELING DOWN TO INSPECT> No energy burn… and no blunt trauma <TRAILS OFF> evident…

{C Soldier 2: What killed them?

{C Payar: No idea… <ROLLS OVER ONE OF THE SKELETONS; IT HAS AN INSIGNIA ON IT> Planet 71, by the looks of it.

{C Lieme: That was the last planet to send a squad here. But that was only a week ago. I wonder why they are skeletons already…

{C Payar: <STANDS BACK UP, DROPPING THE SKELETON> Alright, let’s just do this and get out of here…

{C Lieme: <THEY CONTINUE WALKING FOR A FEW MOMENTS> Now, I need two of you to g- <PAYAR GETS A READING ON HIS SCOUTER>

{C Payar: <STANDS UP STRAIGHT, LOOKING AROUND> Got a power spike. It’s faint, but it’s definitely there.

{C Lieme: You got a direction of origin? <PAYAR NODS, AND POINTS SOUTH> Then let’s go, now.

{C <ALL EIGHT OF THEM FLY SOUTH (for the winter) UNTIL THEY FIND A CAVE; THEY STOP; LIEME ASSUMES THAT IS WHERE THE POWER LEVEL SPIKE WAS SEEN>

{C Lieme: Payar, take 3 soldiers and go into the cave. Contact me once you cleared out the inhabitants.

{C Payar: You two, come on. And you too, Saiyan.

{C <PAYAR GATHERS HIS THREE SOLDIERS, AND THEY ALL GO INSIDE THE CAVE, AS THEY DO, PAYAR LOOKS BACK ONE MORE TIME, AND LIEME LOOKS RIGHT BACK AT HIM, TAPPING HIS WRIST-COM>

{C Lieme: Any trouble at all, and I’m here. <PAYAR NODS, AND GOES CONTINUES INSIDE>

{C <THE FIRST SOLDIER LIGHTS AN ENERGY BALL TO GUIDE THEIR WAY, AS THEY WALK THROUGH THE TUNNEL>

{C Ledas: Sir, what are we looking for?

{C Payar: Quiet.

{C <THEY WALK INTO AN AREA OF THE TUNNEL THAT WIDENS OUT CONSIDERABLY, IT IS NATURALLY LIT; AS THEY ENTER, SUDDENLY THERE IS AN EARTHQUAKE, BOTH THE ENTRANCE THAT THEY JUST CAME THROUGH, AND THE PASSAGE ON THE OTHER SIDE ARE BLOCKED OFF. SEVERAL LARGE ROCKS FALL ON PAYAR, WHEN IT ALL SETTLES, THERE IS NO MOVEMENT UNDERNEATH THEM>

{C Ledas: Aw, crap. <THE EARTHQUAKE SUDDENLY STOPS> Get out of the way!

{C Soldier 1: Is he dead?

{C Soldier 2: I’ll check it out. <HE GETS CLOSER TO PAYAR’S LOCATION, BUT THEN THE EARTHQUAKE STARTS UP AGAIN, HE JUMPS BACK AND IT STOPS> Huh?

{C <SUDDENLY KI BLASTS START RAINING DOWN AROUND THEM; ONE SOLDIER IS KILLED IMMEDIATELY, LEDAS AND THE OTHER DODGE SEVERAL BLASTS BEFORE JUMPING INTO A NEARBY HOLE; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, THE BLASTS STOP AND THEY COME BACK OUT>

{C Soldier 2: What the hell is going on?

{C Ledas: I don’t know. Maybe it’s a trap?

{C <LEDAS LOOKS UP AND SEES A FIGURE>

{C The Benefactor: Ya know kid, I never fancied you’d make it all the way here.

{C Ledas: <IN HORROR, FALLS BACK ONTO THE GROUND, HE BLINKS, THE BENEFACTOR IS NO LONGER THERE; IT MUST HAVE JUST BEEN A HALLUCINATION> D-did you see that?

{C Soldier 2: See what?

{C Ledas: <ERRATIC> That guy! With the hood! He was standing right there. <POINTS NEXT TO THE SOLDIER; NO ONE IS THERE>

{C Soldier 2: <STEPS BACK> You must be seeing things, kid. There was no-

{C <SUDDENLY A HUGE ROCK FALLS IN BETWEEN THE TWO, IT CUTS THE SOLDIER ON THE RIGHT SIDE, ALL THE WAY DOWN HIS CHEST, HE FALLS OVER, IN AGONY; HE GOES SILENT>

{C Ledas: <STILL IN HORROR, BUT QUIETLY> What’s going on? <HE LIGHTS A BALL OF KI TO SEE> Who’s there?

{C <HE WALKS OUT, THERE IS A SILENCE; HE FOLLOWS A PATH UNTIL IT WIDENS OUT; UP AHEAD THERE IS A LIGHT>

{C Ledas: <SHIELDING HIS EYES> Who are you!? What do you want?!

{C Lauto: <IN A WHISPER, WHICH COME FROM RIGHT BEHIND LEDAS’ EAR> You have suffered much loss, Ledas.

{C <LEDAS, STARTLED, TURNS AROUND AND SHOOTS A KI BLAST, BUT THERE IS NO ONE THERE>

{C Ledas: <ON EDGE> Who are you? How do you know my name?

{C Lauto: Who am I?

{C Ledas: <STILL ON EDGE, SCARED> Y-yeah…what the heck are you?! I can’t see you.

{C Lauto: Open your eyes; show them to me.

{C Ledas: <WHO HAD CLOSED HIS EYES, BEING SCARED OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING, OPENS THEM; THEY ARE GREEN; BUT HIS HAIR IS NORMAL> W-why?

{C Lauto: <THE LIGHT BRIGHTENS EVEN MORE> A Saiyan.

{C Ledas: I know what I am!!!

{C Lauto: <THERE IS A LONG PAUSE; LEDAS CONTINUES LOOKING AROUND; HE IS SCARED, AND YET CURIOUS> Are you him? Can you prove it?

{C Ledas: <DROPS TO HIS KNEES; SCREAMING> I am a Saiyan! My father always said there will be no glory in death, in my death… <HE LOOKS UP>

{C Layeeck: No, only in conquest everlasting.

{C Ledas: <HIS EYES WIDEN, AND HE REACHES OUT TO TOUCH LAYEECK, BUT LAYEECK WAS ONLY A HALLUCINATION; STRICKEN; CHILD-LIKE FRIGHT> What are you doing to me?!!

{C Frieza: Nothing, my dear Saiyan, that you haven’t already thought of doing yourself.

{C Ledas: N-no… not you!!! <SHOOTS AN ENERGY BLAST AT FRIEZA>

{C Lauto: <THE LIGHT DIMS> Please, be civil. Keep your temper in check. <THE LIGHT COMES BACK, BRIGHTLY; LEDAS LOOKS UP, MOUTH SLIGHTLY OPEN, BUT THERE IS NOTHING THERE, AGAIN>

{C <A NOISE COMES FROM BEHIND>

{C Soldier 2: <CRAWLING OUT FROM AROUND THE ROCK; IN PAIN AND BORDERLINE SHOCK> K-kid… get outta the way. <LEDAS TURNS AND STEPS BACK; THE SOLDIER SHOOTS HIS BLASTER AT THE LARGE LIGHT SOURCE COMING FROM THE FOCUS POINT OF THE ROOM; IT DOES NOTHING; THE SOLDIER, SLOWLY STARTS TO DISSOLVE, IN AGONY; HE SCREAMS UNTIL HE DIES>

{C Ledas: <SUPRISING SHIFT TO CALMNESS> Are you gonna kill me too?

{C Lauto: <SOUNDS SLIGHTLY TIRED, BUT IT IS ALMOST UNNOTICEABLE> Every person assumes much. Children, especially.

{C Ledas: Just, please, tell me…what do you want with me?

{C King Vegeta:<HALLUCINATION> It’s a pity they weren’t the ones to fulfill the legend.

{C Ledas: <WATCHES THE KING, UNTIL HE DISAPPEARS, GRADUALLY, LEDAS HAS A HUGE ANGER SURGE> N-n-no!! It’s not t-true! I will become a Super Saiyan!!

{C Prince Vegeta: <HALLUCINATION> The last Super Saiyan died because he couldn’t control his power.

{C <LEDAS FALLS TO HIS KNEES, AND SCREAMS AGAIN, HE SENDS OUT A WAVE OF ENERGY; A LONG SILENCE BEGINS, JUST AS THE LIGHT DIMS>

{C Ledas: My father is dead. <KICKS UP SOME DIRT> Everyone I know is dead. <REGRESSING TO CHILD-LIKE TENDENCIES, TEARFUL> I don’t know what to do…

{C Lauto: They have kept you as a slave.

{C Ledas: <SNIFFLING> H-huh? How’d you know?

{C Lauto: He… you have told me. It is time to end this.

{C Ledas: I-I don’t understand.

{C Prince Vegeta: <HALLUCINTATION, WALKS RIGHT UP TO LEDAS> You could’ve helped me kill Frieza, Ledas… if you weren’t gone. Oh well, I’ll find somebody else.

{C Ledas: <REACHES OUT TO THE HALLUCINATION; BUT IT DISAPPEARS; TEARFUL, ANGRY> No, stop it!!! Stop twisting my memories!!!

{C <HE FALLS TO HIS KNEES AGAIN, HOLDING ONTO THE SIDES OF HIS HEAD, WITH BOTH HANDS; SUDDENLY A BRIGHT LIGHT ENCOMPASSES LEDAS, HIS EYES ARE STILL GREEN, AND NOW HIS HAIR IS WHITE>

{C Lauto: Thus far… <PAUSE/BREAK> He will do.

{C <THE LIGHT GOES OUT, COMPLETELY>

Greatest Expectations (season finale part 2)
{C <SHOT OF THE DARK, ROCKY PLANET; CAMERA SHOOTS ACROSS TO THE CAVE; LIEME AND HIS SOLDIERS ARE STILL WAITING OUTSIDE, PACING; THE WIND IS BLOWING, AND LIEME‘S HAIR FLYING AROUND BECAUSE OF IT>

{C <ZOOMS INTO THE CAVE AGAIN, THE LIGHT IS STILL DIMMED; LEDAS IS STANDING THERE, BACK TO NORMAL; HIS EYES ARE STILL GREEN>

{C Ledas: <IN AWE> Was that me? A Super Saiyan? <A SMILE COMES TO HIM> It was, wasn’t it?

{C <THE HALLUCINATION OF FRIEZA COMES BACK, AND WALKS UP TO LEDAS>

{C Frieza: You Saiyans are all the same. Bold and stupid.

{C Ledas: <TREMBLING WITH ANGER> Me and Vegeta will become Super Saiyans and beat you!! You should be afraid of us!!!

{C Frieza: <SMILES> A worthless Legend, from a desperate race. Saiyans turn into monkeys, nothing else. Just a bunch of stupid monkeys.

{C Ledas: <REMEMBER WHAT LAUTO SAID EARLIER, HE FOLDS HIS ARMS, VERY VEGETA-LIKE> Hmph… you aren’t even real.

{C <FRIEZA’S EYES WIDEN IN HORROR, THE HALLUCINATION VANISHES, LEDAS IS THROWN BACK, ONTO THE GROUND; THE LIGHT GOES OUT, COMPLETELY>

{C Lauto: <LEDAS DOES NOT HEAR THIS> Identify confessed.

{C Ledas: <IN THE DARKNESS, HE IS FEELING AROUND; MUTED; CHILD-LIKE CURIOSITY> What just happened?

{C <THERE IS NO RESPONSE>

{C Ledas: The light’s gone out… can’t you turn it back on? I can barely see. <STUMBLES TRYING TO GET UP, AND FALLS BACK OVER>

{C Lauto: <RATHER SUDDENLY AND LOUDLY, LEDAS JERKS FORWARD IN FRIGHT> You are mistaken, Ledas. The light never went out.

{C <THE LIGHT FLICKERS, SLIGHTLY, THEN EXPLODES INTO BLINDING LIGHT, FOR A BRIEF SECOND; THEN IT GOES DARK AGAIN>

{C Ledas: <HANDS OVER EYES; BENT OVER> Ow… you didn’t have do that!!

{C Lauto: Do not be concerned. This will not hurt.

{C Ledas: <STILL SHIELDING HIS EYES, TEMPORARILY BLINDED> Huh?

{C <THE LIGHT FLASHES ONE MORE TIME; LEDAS IS KNOCKED BACK INTO THE ROCK WALL>

{C Lauto: The request was to bestow all that could be, upon you.

{C Ledas: <RUBBING HIS HEAD> Who?

{C Lauto: The goal was to draw you here. I do not know as to why.

{C Ledas: Wewll, what did you give me?

{C Lauto: I have given you nothing you do not already possess. Yet now, your natural state will come freely.

{C Ledas: Super… Saiyan? But how do I know if I am one?

{C Lauto: Your innate energy is now much more pronounced. Being able to access it easily will let your power grow faster. The burst has left you in imprint and you will be forever as you are. That is all I must tell you. <LEDAS STANDS UP AND LOOKS OVER HIS HANDS; HE LOOKS UP BUT LAUTO SPEAKS BEFORE HE CAN> Our time is done. Now, leave.

{C Ledas: Wait, what? <PAUSE, NO RESPONSE> Can’t I at least know your name?!

{C Lauto: <IN A WHISPER> Know me as Lauto.

{C <WITH THAT, THE EARTHQUAKE REIGNITES; LEDAS WHO IS STILL TEMPORARILY BLINDED, IS, IN VAIN, TRYING TO DODGE ALL THE FALLING ROCKS; HE IS BEING HIT AROUND; AS HIS EYESIGHT COMES BACK, HE REGAINS HIS FOOTING AND STARTS RUNNING BACK TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE CAVE>

{C <SUDDENLY A HAND PUNCHES THROUGH THE RUBBLE AHEAD; IT IS PAYAR, BADLY INJURED, WITH HIS ARMOR HEAVILY CRACKED, BUT ALIVE>

{C Payar: <WEAKLY, GASPING> Saiyan… help me.

{C <DODGING THE FALLING ROCKS, LEDAS RUNS OVER AND HELPS PAYAR UP, WITH ONE ARM AROUND HIS NECK, THE TWO LIMP OUTSIDE>

{C Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> I bet he wouldn’t save me if I was the one down there.

{C <LIEME AND THE THREE OTHER SOLDIERS ARE STANDING RIGHT OUTSIDE, COMPLETELY UNAWARE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING INSIDE; AT THE SIGHT OF PAYAR, THEY ALL RUSH OVER>

{C Lieme: What going on?! How did this happen?

{C Ledas: <THE EARTHQUAKES START TO RISE OUT OF THE CAVE, THE ENTIRE PLANET IS SHAKING> We have to go, now!

{C Lieme: <ALL ARE RUNNING TO THE PODS> I’m going to torch this place, leave nothing behind.

{C Ledas: No!!! Don’t do that! Didn’t you see the power levels from in that cave? How high were they?

{C Lieme: One was over five million-

{C Ledas: Yeah, we just gotta leave this place alone!! We’re no match for that!

{C <LIEME HAS A CURIOUS LOOK ON HIS FACE, WATCHING LEDAS, AS THEY ALL RUN>

{C <ALL SIX REMAINING SOLDIERS SCRAMBLE TO THEIR PODS, THEY BARELY MAKE IT; THE REST OF THE JOURNEY GOES WITHOUT INCIDENT>

{C <THEY RETURN TO PLANET COOLER 92; THEY LAND>

{C Lieme: <GETTING OUT OF HIS POD, RUNS OVER TO PAYAR’S; SHOUTING TO THE MANY SOLDIERS GATHERING AROUND THEM> Is the medical tank ready?

{C Technician 1: Yes sir, we’ve prepped it according to your directions.

{C <THE DOOR OPENS, PAYAR FALLS OUT, SEVERAL SOLDIERS GRAB AND TAKE PAYAR TO THE MEDICAL TANK>

{C <THE COMMOTION LESSENS FOR A BIT; GUVA AND BANAS ENTER>

{C Guva: What happened this time?

{C Banas: <HE IS RATHER MUTED, DEPRESSED AND NOT IN ARMOR, HE WALKS UP TO PAYAR’S TANK> Is he going to live?

{C Technician 1: At this point, sir, his status is critical… we’re doing all we can, but I can’t guarantee anything.

{C <BANAS BOWS HIS HEAD BUT DOES NOT MOVE>

{C Guva: I’ll ask again… what happened here? Why are two of my men dead, and another, right there, in critical condition?

{C Ledas: I…

{C Lieme: Not out here. <LOOKING AT THE MULTITUDE OF REGULARS STANDING AROUND> I think we should discuss this in private.

{C <ALL BEGIN WALKING TO GUVA’S OFFICE, LIEME PUTS HIS HAND OUT TO STOP LEDAS>

{C Lieme: Not you, kid.

{C Ledas: But… <EVEN GUVA AND BANAS LOOK CONFUSED>

{C Lieme: <TO THE OTHERS> I’ll explain, <DIRECT> in private.

{C Guva: Fine.

{C <THE REST LEAVE FOR GUVA‘S OFFICE, LEDAS WALKS OFF, IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, TO THE FOREST>

{C <THE SUN IS SETTING, LEDAS IS STANDING ON THE EDGE OF THE FOREST-CLIFF, LOOKING DOWN AT THE NATIVES WORKING; HE REMEMBERS THE FACE OFF THE ONE THAT HE BOUND UP EARLIER; HE STRETCHES HIS ARM OUT, FEELING THE AIR>

{C <FLASHBACK>

{C Layeeck: <SIGHS> It’s actually simple. Frieza’s the strongest. He's our leader.

Ledas: But if he’s so strong, then why does he need us to do all the work?

Layeeck: Doesn’t want to get his precious hands dirty. But listen to me, Ledas. If you ever meet Frieza, you must treat him with the utmost respect. While he’s around, think of him as our king. Because, he could kill you, if you even look at him the wrong way…

<END FLASHBACK>

Ledas: Guva, Banas, the others… none of them are as strong as Frieza. I’ve almost killed them so many times… I just have to finish it next time. I just have to kill them all. <LOOKING UP, AT THE THREE MOONS ABOVE> That thing it that cave… it didn’t kill me, like the others. <HE LOOKS BACK AT THE WORKERS; OBVIOUSLY TIRED> So, maybe I can help them…

<CUTS TO INSIDE GUVA’S OFFICE; GUVA, BANAS, AND LIEME ARE IN THERE, TALKING>

Lieme: The spike was over 5 million, governor. Who else could it be, besides the kid?

Guva: But you say you already had a reading coming from that cave, before any of you even got there.

Lieme: It wasn’t five million. It was around 100,000.

Guva: So it was unusually high… just not five million.

Lieme: I don’t know how the kid could’ve survived going in there if it wasn’t him. Anyone with a power level of that high could kill us in an instant, without any trouble… and Payar was heavily injured…

Banas: <STILL WITHOUT THE AUTHORITY THAT HE HAD WHEN HE WAS CAPTAIN> So then, why didn’t he kill Payar too? It would have been easy to make it look like whatever was in there did it for him…

Guva: Lieme, go get the child. I’ll talk to him, about this.

Lieme: Governor <NODS>… boss. <HE LEAVES>

Guva: They still see you as their captain.

Banas: <WATCHING LIEME FLY OFF IN THE DISTANCE> Old habits are hard to break…

Guva: Are you mad at being on suspension?

Banas: No, not any more.

Guva: Why not?

Banas: You see, govvie, I’ve contacted Cooler's team about their investigation into 96. They said you were the one who told them about it.

{C Guva: <UNABASHED> I did. I usually watch over your missions anyway.

{C Banas: Well, I figured since you broke our code and told Cooler about that, I’d have a little fun too.

{C Guva: What do you mean?

{C Banas: As far as Cooler knows, the kid Saiyan blew up the planet. And he’s comin’ here to kill the kid. <WALKS AROUND GUVA> You better not stand in his way, Guva.

{C Guva: <STILL> I see.

{C Banas: What’s that, don’t tell me you’re sad to see him go!

{C Guva: No, I’m not sad. I’m glad, actually. Glad to see you get yourself out of that mess. <HE CLICKS HIS GAUNTLET> Lieme, cancel the previous order. I don’t need to see the kid. <BACK TO BANAS> Why is Cooler coming anyway? He doesn’t usually make home visits…

{C Banas: <GRINNING> Ask him. I think he’s pretty bored right now.

{C <THOUGH BANAS DOES NOT NOTICE, GUVA SIGHS AND SHAKES HIS HEAD; GUVA TURNS OFF HIS GAUNTLET AND SITS DOWN AT HIS DESK>

{C <SCENE FADES OUT>

{C <SCENE COMES BACK ON; IT IS EARLY IN THE MORNING; LEDAS IS SITTING OUTSIDE THE BARRACKS; GUVA, UNARMORED, WALKS UP TO HIM FROM DOWN THE LANE>

{C Guva: Ledas, there you are.

{C Ledas: Um, sir, what do you want?

{C Guva: <PLACES HIS BOOT ON THE WALL> You know, if you weren’t an important part of my plans… I wouldn’t have put up with this crap, and you would be dead. A failed mission, like the last one, is completely unacceptable.

{C Ledas: <INNOCENTLY> But, I’m a good boy. I did everything they told me to.

{C Guva: Your power spikes on the planet were unbelievably high. Enough to take out Banas, isn’t that correct?

{C Ledas: It wasn’t me!

{C Guva: Well, don't lie to me. Are you strong enough yet, or not?

Ledas: <SLIDES OF CHAIR> No… not yet.

Guva: <GUVA SHAKES HIS HEAD> Then, I cannot help you.

<OVER THE RADIO, A SOLDIER SPEAKS>

Soldier: Sir, Lord Cooler is here, requesting to land.

Guva: <DRAWN OUT SIGH> Very well. Guide him in.

Ledas: Lord Cooler? Why is he here, sir?

Guva: You know, it’s funny. It’s Banas’ fault, really. He’s blamed you for the outpost he blew up. That really pissed off Cooler. In fact, I have never seen Cooler do something like this before. He’s coming down personally to deal with it.

Ledas: Yeah, but why is Cooler here? Is he going to kill Banas?

Guva: No. <GUVA PAUSES> Actually, he’s here to kill you, Ledas.

<SCREEN PANS BACK FROM LEDAS AND GUVA, UP TO THE ATMOSPHERE; COMING IN IS A SHIP, NOT UNLIKE FRIEZA’S CIRCULAR ONE, IN A CLEAR TRAJECTORY TO LAND>


 * <END LAUTO SAGA>

Cue Great Spirits. Credits roll during this time.

Stomping Grounds Saga
<p style="text-align: center;">It's all messed up.

<p style="text-align: center;">All of it.

<p style="text-align: center;">I had the most bestest

<p style="text-align: center;">little pattern going on

<p style="text-align: center;">in all the sagas

<p style="text-align: center;">until this one.

<p style="text-align: center;">Wonder if anyone noticed.

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

The Stomping Grounds
<PLANET COOLER 92>

<744 AGE>

<BARRACKS>

<LORD COOLER’S FLAGSHIP LANDS>

<GUVA IS SITTING DOWN ON A BENCH NEXT TO THE BARRACKS DOORS; HE IS RADIOED BY A SOLDIER THAT COOLER HAS ARRIVED; LEDAS IS WITH HIM; THIS IS MERE MOMENTS AFTER THE END OF THE LAST SAGA>

Guva: Shall we? <LEDAS STANDS, BUT DOES NOT FOLLOW GUVA; HE BOLTS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION; GUVA CURSES UNDER HIS BREATH; HE ACTIVATES HIS WRIST-COMMUNICATOR> Banas! The Saiyan has run off and Cooler’s here. I need to welcome him in. Find the boy and bring him to us. Hurry! <HE CLICKS IT OFF>

<GUVA EXITS QUICKLY>

<LEDAS RUNS DOWN THE DIRT PATH AWAY FROM GUVA>

Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> I could go into the forest… or try to get off the planet. <HE JERKS HIS HEAD BACK; OUT LOUD> Stupid captain! Why did he say that! I didn’t destroy it! <HE GOES LEFT, DOWN TO THE POD CONTROL; IN HIS MIND> No, Cooler’s too strong. I can’t hide here!

<FRANTICALLY LEDAS MAKES HIS WAY TO THE BUILDING; THERE ARE FIFTEEN REGULAR SOLDIERS INSIDE; MOST ARE WORKERS, BUT EVEN THE GUARDS ARE RELATIVLEY WEAK; THE STRONGEST HAVING A POWER LEVEL OF ONLY 2000>

<LEDAS ENTERS>

Ledas: <TO THE NEAREST GUARD> I need a pod. Hurry up!

Guard 1: Yeah, uh, we need clearance from the governor for a release.

Ledas: No, there’s no time.

Guard 1: Look, I don’t got an access key for you. The pods are back there, behind that door. <HE MOTIONS TO A LARGE DOOR> Even if I wanted, I couldn’t get you one without his clearance.

Ledas: Then move outta the way.

<FROWNING, LEDAS PUTS OUT HIS HANDS, THEN SENDS OFF A LARGE KYORRA BLAST; IT IS NOT HIS BEST, NOR IS HE AT FULL POWER, BUT THE BLAST IS MORE THAN ENOUGH TO DESTROY THE DOOR>

<INSIDE ARE THE PODS; LEDAS RUNS UP TO THEM, UNTIL HE FINDS HIS OWN; IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT HIS OLD POD STANDS OUT FROM THE OUTPOST’S; WHEREAS HIS IS WHITE, MOST OF THEM ARE A LIGHT BLUE COLOR, AND ALL HAVE CLEAR DESIGNATION MARKINGS ON THEM; HIS HAVE NONE; PREFERRING HIS OVER THE OTHERS, HE OPENS THE DOOR, LEANING IN TO TURN IT ON; AS IT TURNS ON, A MOST UNEXPECTED OCCURANCE OCCURS>

<MELOON AND BANAS ARRIVE; BANAS JERKS LEDAS BY THE TAIL, RIPPING HIM BACKWARD TO THE GROUND>

Banas: Going somewhere? <LEDAS ROLLS OVER> Normally, I’d take this time to break your nose with my toe… but we have a visitor. Someone’s come to see you, champ! How about it? Why don’t we go say hi?

<HE GRABS LEDAS BY THE COLLAR AND STANDS HIM UP>

Ledas: I know who it is. He’s gonna kill me.

Banas: <SHAKING HIS HEAD; THOUGHTFULLY> Well, yes. There is that.

Ledas: <LOOKS UP> I don’t wanna go!

Meloon: Ya don’t got a choice. When Lord Cooler makes up his mind, he ain’t stoppin’ for nothin’.

Banas: Now kid, you can come with us nicely, or I can drag you back. Either way, we’re going to the emperor now.

Ledas: Noo!!

<HE FORMS A QUICK RAZOR BLAST AND SEND IT TOWARD BANAS; BANAS EASILY DODGES IT>

Banas: Cute. That’s my own technique. <TO MELOON> Help me knock him out.

<BANAS GOES RIGHT, MELOON GOES LEFT; WHILE LEDAS IS NOT AS STRONG AS EITHER OF THESE BEINGS, HE HAS KNOWN THEM FOR FIVE YEARS; AS WELL, HE KNOWS ALL OF THEIR TECHNIQUES; SO IT COMES AS NO SURPRISE TO HIM WHEN HE SEES THEM GO EITHER WAY; IN FACT, HE HAS DONE THIS MOVE WITH BANAS BEFORE>

<LEDAS DOES THE ONLY POSSIBLE COUNTER AGAINST THE DOUBLE ATTACK; HE CREATES AN AFTERIMAGE IN HIS PLACE, AND MOVES UP TO THE CEILING AS FAST AS HE CAN; FROM THERE, LEDAS CREATES A SECOND AFTERIMAGE WHICH HE COMMANDS TO FLY OUT THE DOOR>

<AS HE DOES SO, THE CAPTAIN AND MELOON COME TOGETHER; THEIR BLASTS SPIRAL INWARD FROM ALL SIDES (EXCEPT FROM ABOVE) TO TAKE OUT THE AFTERIMAGE; BUT SINCE AN AFTERIMAGE CANNOT BE “TAKEN OUT”, IT IS LEFT STANDING; BANAS QUICKLY REALISES HIS FOLLY>

<THE CAPTAIN LOOKS AROUND, NOTICING THE OTHER AFTERIMAGE FLYING OUTSIDE; HE FLIES AFTER IT>

<MELOON DID NOT NOTICE IT; LEDAS HAD HIS BACK TURNED TO THE TWO, HOPING THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEE HIM IF HE WAS CURLED UP IN A CORNER; LEDAS UNCURLS HIMSELF AND FLOATS BACK TO THE GROUND WHEN HE SEES MELOON>

<MELOON GRUNTS; HE THROWS AN ENERGY SCATTERSHOT AT LEDAS; LEDAS BLOCKS IT; WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS, HE LUNGES AT MELOON, KICKING THE ELITE ACROSS THE FACE; HOWEVER, LEDAS IS MUCH WEAKER THAN MELOON, EVEN AT FULL POWER, SO THIS DOES NOTHING; MELOON LAUGHS>

Meloon: Har har. You aren’t stronger than me! I barely felt that.

<HE GRABS LEDAS BY THE LEG, FLIPPING HIM UPSIDE DOWN, THEN KNEES HIM IN THE FACE; THIS IS FOLLOWED UP BY A QUICK UNREFINED WAVE; LEDAS IS CAUGHT IN ITS TOTALITY; HE SCREAMS OUT; ONCE THE BLAST IS FINISHED, HE FALLS TO THE GROUND, HIS HAIR SINGED, HIS ARMOR CRACKED AND BROKEN>

<HEARING THE EXPLOSION, BANAS HAS RETURNED>

Banas: Sneaky afterimage. I’ve got to hand it to you. That was clever.

Ledas: <ON THE FLOOR; PAINED WHISPER> Hey Meloon. I barely felt that! I… I thought you were better than me! Come on, you havta have something better than that!

<MELOON GROWLS AT HIM, BUT STAYS PUT>

Banas: <TO MELOON, NOTICING THAT HE DEFEATED THE SAIYAN> Alrighty. Let’s move.

Ledas: Nyaa!! <HE SHOOTS A ONE HANDED BLAST TO THE CEILING, DISLOCATING A PIECE OF STEEL; IT FALLS ON MELOON’S HEAD>

<MELOON GRUNTS AGAIN; HIS ANGER RISES TREMENDOUSLY; HE PRESSES HIS ARMS OUTWARD, IGNORING THE OTHERS AND BEGINS FORMING A PURPLE AURA AROUND HIM; HE IS CREATING A RECKLESS OUTBURST – ANOTHER, MORE POWERFUL ENERGY WAVE>

Meloon: Not better than yah, huh? Watch this!!

Banas: Meloon, what are you doing?

<HE GIVES NO ANSWER>

<SATISFIED AT GETTING MELOON’S ANGER TO RISE AGAIN, LEDAS FLIPS AROUND AND USES HIS KI TO PROPELL HIMSELF INTO HIS POD; HE SHUTS THE DOOR AND BEGINS TAKEOFF>

Banas: Meloon! <HE SEES LEDAS IN THE POD> No! Get out of my way! We’re losing him!

<MELOON DOES NOT ANSWER; HE IS SO ANGRY THAT HE HAS BLOCKED OUT ANY NOISE; HE RELEASES HIS ATTACK, TRYING TO KILL LEDAS WITH ALL HIS ENERGY; AT THIS TIME, LEDAS HAS TAKEN OFF AND IS FLYING AWAY WITH GREAT HASTE>

<THE POD TAKEOFF AREA IS DESTROYED IN A HUGE BLAST; EVERY PERSON ASIDE FROM MELOON AND BANAS ARE INCINERATED; BANAS IS THROWN BACK, BUT HIS ARMOR IS NOT CRACKED; THE EXPLOSION CAN BE SEEN FROM ALL AROUND; THE SMOKE REMAINS FOR SOME TIME>

<BEFORE IT CLEARS FULLY, GUVA COMES UP BEHIND BANAS>

Guva: <SHORTLY> So, you lost him, right?

Banas: No, I didn’t. It was all Meloon.

<BANAS SIGHS, LOOKING UP BACKWARD BEHIND HIM (HE IS SITTING DOWN FROM THE EXPLOSION) AND SEES COOLER STANDING THERE; COOLER IS IN HIS FOURTH FORM>

Banas: Lord Cooler! <HE QUICKLY TURNS AROUND AND STANDS IN FORMATION> I… I, uh…

Cooler: That will be all, Captain.

Guva: <MEEKLY> Lord Cooler, We’re sorry-

Cooler: It is no matter, Governor. I sort of prefer it this way.

Banas: <SO POLITE> Lord Cooler, if I may ask… why did you come here to kill him? We could have done it for you…

Cooler: The traitor is mine to kill. <TURNS HIS HEAD, CAUSING BANAS TO JUMP> Anyone who thinks they can destroy my empire will be dealt with in a very painful way. Remember that.

Banas: Yes sir.

Cooler: <EXITING, TAKES OUT HIS SCOUTER; TALKING INTO IT> Track his trajectory. Begin the pursuit.

<COOLER FLICKS HIS TAIL AND LEAVES>

<GUVA AND BANAS REMAIN; MELOON HAS LONG SINCE FALLEN ASLEEP>

Banas: Fucking Meloon. I swear, guvvie, I had the kid until he pulled that stunt.

Guva: That’s nice, Banas. I’m just glad Cooler wasn’t mad about it.

Banas: Yeah, I’ve never seen him like this. He must be really bored or something. I don’t even know. <SHAKING SOMETHING OFF HIS FOOT> We’re marooned, anyway. It’s not like we could be help him find the kid.

Guva: What do you mean?

Banas: <CHUCKLING> Ah, Meloon blew the whole place up! Our pods are dust. Look at all this. <HE GESTURES AROUND TO THE RUINS>

Guva: <LOOKS AROUND> Why’d I put you in charge, Banas? <HE WALKS OUT, BRISKLY, BUT NOT IN A BAD MOOD, ALL THINGS CONSIDERED> You’re supposed to prevent these kinds of things from happening. Not to mention having a better control over your subordinates.

Banas: <FOLLOWING; POINTEDLY> It’s because I’m the strongest.

Guva: <ENFORCING> Second strongest.

<CUTS TO LEDAS IN SPACE; ONE DAY LATER; HE JARRED AWAKE; HE IS IN HIS POD>

<AS HE IS PASSING OVER A HUGE PLANET, SATELLITE DEFENSES ACTIVATE; A HOST OF TURRETS OPEN UP AND FOCUS FIRE ON HIS POD>

<IMMEDIATELY, HE IS HIT; HIS CONTROLS MALFUCTION, SENDING HIM INTO A DOWNWARD SPIRAL; UNABLE TO MANEUVER, HIS POD IS TORN TO SHREDS; BY THE TIME HE IS INTO THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE, IT POD EXPLODES, SENDING HIM OUT>

<COOLER’S OWN SHIP IS NOT FAR BEHIND HIM; THEY ARRIVE AT THE PLANET A FEW MINUTES LATER; COOLER IS NOT WEARING A SCOUTER; IT IS IN HIS HAND>

Cooler: Report.

Pilot: Lord Cooler sir, his pod’s signal has stopped here!

<THE SHIP SHOWS CAMERAS OF THE AREA; THERE IS NOTHING>

Cooler: The defenses must have gotten to him.

Pilot: Sir, would you like to land? We have a sizeable force on planet currently.

Cooler: Why not? If he’s down there, alive or not, he won’t be able to hide. He doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. I will find him no matter what. <TO HIMSELF> And the stomping grounds are my only source of pleasure these days. Lucky as it was that he brought me here, it will be even more lucky if he survives the night.

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS; HE IS FREEFALLING>

Ledas:<IN HIS MIND> There’s a huge power right behind me. That’s gotta be Cooler. He’s so fast! At least he can’t sense energy. If he comes down, I can just hide.

<LEDAS PULLS UP BEFORE HE HITS THE GROUND, STOPPING HIS FORWARD MOMENTUM; HE LANDS EASILY>

<AHEAD, HE SEES A SETTLEMENT; THERE ARE TWO TOWERS, INCREDIBLY HIGH, WHICH ARE IN THE DISTANCE; AT THEIR BASE, HE SEES DOZENS OF COOLER’S SOLDIERS (BY THEIR ONE SIDED ARMOR) PATROLLING; ASIDE FROM THOSE TWO TOWERS, THERE ARE MANY OTHER SETTLEMENTS, BUT NONE AS HIGH>

<HE BACKS AWAY FROM THEM, INSTEAD FLYING THE OTHER WAY>

Haunting Memory
<PIKE SHOT FROM ABOVE AN ENCAMPMENT; IT IS FILLED WITH COOLER’S SOLDIERS; THE SCREEN PANS OUT OVER THE PLAINS BEHIND>

<A LARGE CREATURE SUSPENDED IN AIR IS FLYING SLOWLY; IT'S LONG ARMS AND WINGS DANGLING BELOW IT; WE GET TO SEE THE EDGE OF HAIR, NEAR POV FROM THE PANEL>

<THE CREATURE JUST SEEMS LIKE IT'S A NATIVE ANIMAL; THE CAMERA TURNS AWAY FROM IT, BACK TO THE ENCAMPMENT>

<THE CAMERA SNEAKS AROUND THE GUARD TOWER, UP ONTO AN OVERLOOK>

<ON THAT OVERLOOK IS STANDING A BOY; WELL, HE’S LEDAS; ANYWAY, HE LOOKS DOWN INTO THE GROUP OF SOLDIERS BELOW; MOST OF THEM ARE PATROLLING, AND ASIDE FROM THE GUARD TOWER, NONE OF THEM ARE FACING HIS WAY>

Ledas: They’ve gotta have a ship.

<HE JUMPS OVER THE CLIFF, SKIDDING DOWN ITS SIDE; SPEEDING QUICKLY BY, HE MANAGES TO GET PAST THE GATE GUARD WITHOUT ALERTING ANYONE; LEDAS RUNS FORWARD, SEARCHING FOR ANY SORT OF SPACE POD TO GET HIM OFF THE PLANET>

<INSIDE A BUILDING HE FINDS SOLDIERS, NOT A POD; REALIZING HIS MISTAKE, LEDAS JUMPS (WITH EK. FACE); IN REFLEX, HE BLOWS THEM AWAY WITH ENERGY; HE GOES BACK OUTSIDE; HOWEVER, THE NOISE HAS CAUSED MORE SOLDIERS TO COME OUT>

<LEDAS SPOTS THEM FIRST; THERE ARE A FEW DOZEN; THE BATTLE IS SHORT LIVED; EACH SOLDIER IS BLOWN AWAY BY A SINGLE FINGER BEAM EACH; ONCE THEY FALL DEAD, THE OTHER SOLDIERS IN THE COMPLEX ARE ALERTED>

<A SIREN GOES OFF, AND THEY RUN OUT; ALL OF THEM ARE MERE GRUNTS>

Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> 1000. 2000. Nobody’s a threat.

<THE GROUPS LINE UP AROUND HIM, READYING THEIR BLASTERS ON HIS POSTION; LEDAS DOES NOT MOVE; ONCE THEY ARE ALL IN POSITION, A FAT ONE COMES OUT IN FRONT; HE IS PURPLE AND TENTACLE-Y, SHORT AND STOUT; HE DOES NOT LOOK VERY MENACING, BUT HE WEARS THE ARMOR TOO>

Mullpy: Soldiers, wait! I recognize this one. Lord Cooler put out a warning that you’d be sulking around here. He’s ordered us to kill on sight. Aha! Looks like I’ve found the prize. <TO HIS MEN> Now shoot him! Shoot him!

<LEDAS POSITIONS HIS RIGHT HAND OUTWARD, IN A HALF FIST, CAUSING THE TROOPS TO WAIT; HOWEVER, AS NO BLAST COMES, THEY FIRE; LEDAS IS ENVELOPED IN THEIR ATTACK; THE DUST CLEARS QUICKLY; HE IS UNMOVED, HIS ARMOR AND BODY UNTOUCHED>

<MULLPY WADDLES UP TO HIM, GRINNING; WHEN HE SEES THAT LEDAS IS ALIVE, HIS GRIN SUBSIDES>

Ledas: You shouldn’t really be smiling.

<THE ENTIRE CITY EXPLODES; LEDAS HAD PREVIOUSLY USED A LIGHTENING STRIKE ATTACK, WHICH IS A HUGE INVISIBLE BLAST; NOW IT GOES OFF AND IT INCINERATES ALL AROUND HIM; THE CITIES, TROOPS, EVERYONE IS DESTROYED; FARTHER OFF, WHERE THE OUTPOST IS, THE SLEEPING SOLDIER IS KNOCKED AWAY TO THE GROUND; HE WAKES UP, SCOWLING>

<WHEN THE DUST CLEARS, THE CRATER AROUND LEDAS IS QUITE DEVOID OF LIFE; HE LOOKS AROUND, SCANNING FOR ANY SIGN OF A SPACE SHIP; NOT SEEING ANY, HE RISES INTO THE AIR>

<FROM BEHIND LEDAS, A SHOT IS FIRED; HE DODGES IT EASILY BUT SEVERAL MORE COME; HE DODGES THEM TOO, FALLING TO THE GROUND IN A ROLL; HE RAISES HIS HEAD LOOKING FOR THE SOURCE OF THE ATTACK, WHEN HE SEES MULLPY COME OUT OF THE RUBBLE TO HIS LEFT>

<MULLPY FIRES ANOTHER SHOT, WHICH LEDAS ROLLS RIGHT FROM>

Mullpy: Ooh, ooh! He’s a fast one, isn’t he?! I can see how he got away from Lord Cooler!

Ledas: Stop shooting me! I’ll let you live if you give me a pod.

Mullpy: Oh, a space pod? That’s what you want? Running away again, I see! Well, I can’t help you.

Ledas: What? Why not?

Mullpy: <GRINNING> Lord Cooler gave specific orders if anyone were to find him. I just have to press this homing beacon here <HE PRESSES A BUTTON ON HIS CHEST> and Lord Cooler himself will come to kill you.

Ledas: <BACKSTEP> N-no…

Mullpy: Don’t worry! I’ll keep you here until Cooler arrives! Hahh!

<MULLPY JUMPS AT LEDAS, SWINGING HIS TENTACLES WILDLY AND LAUGHING, AS IF HE IS PLAYING A GAME; MULLPY IS VERY UNAWARE OF HIS POWER LEVEL COMPARED TO LEDAS’; SINCE HIS IS LOWER, LEDAS HAS LITTLE TROUBLE COUNTERING HIS ATTACK>

<MULLPY FLIES AROUND BEHIND LEDAS, STILL LAUGHING AND LATCHES ONTO THE BOY’S BACK WITH HIS TENTACLES; HE BEGINS SUCKING LEDAS’ ENERGY OUT; LEDAS GRIMACES, AS THIS IS BASICALLY BURNING HIM, AND WEAKENING HIM; HE TRIES TO ROLL OFF, BUT MULLPY IS ABLE TO STAY LATCHED ON, AND HE IS STILL TAKING LEDAS' ENERGY>

<LEDAS SPINS, ELBOWING THE ALIEN IN THE FACE; MULLPY'S TENTACLES ARE SNAPPED OFF; HE FIRES A SMALL COLLECTION OF BLASTS, WHICH HIT LEDAS; THIS GIVES MULLPY THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTACK AGAIN>

<MULLPY SLAPS LEDAS WITH HIS TENTACLE, BUT LEDAS GRABS AHOLD; RIPPING IT UPWARD WITH ONE HAND, LEDAS TAKES MULLPY FULLY INTO THE AIR; WITH HIS OTHER HAND, LEDAS CREATES A SMALL CUTTING BEAM TO SEVER THE TENTACLE>

<MULLPY RAGES HARD, KICKING AT LEDAS WITH ALL HIS MIGHT; HOWEVER, THIS IS NOTHING; LEDAS SLAMS HIM TO THE GROUND, FOLLOWED UP BY A RAZOR BLAST, WHICH KILLS MULLPY>

<LEDAS LANDS>

Grif: <INDIFFERENCE> Yeah, yeah, you killed the army. I bet you think you’re a big shot now.

<LEDAS WHEELS AROUND, FACING THIS NEW FOE; IT IS THE SLEEPING GUARD, THE ONE THAT LEDAS SNUCK PAST ABOUT THREE MINUTES PRIOR; HE IS STANDING IN A SLOUCH>

Ledas: Aren’t you part of that army?

Grif: No, not me. I’m just a traveling paper salesman, who just so happened to, uh, selling paper to lieutenant Mullpy and his guys.

Ledas: You’re wearing the same armor as them.

Grif: Yeah, well, so are you. And I can tell by when you destroyed the whole base that you aren’t with them. I’m not either. That’s why you shouldn’t judge a paper salesman by his armor.

Ledas: You’re just lying. You don’t have any paper.

Grif: <MELODRAMA> Not any more, thanks to someone. <LEDAS FROWNS AGAIN> Look around us, you’ve blown it all up! <FAKE SADNESS> It’s all gone! All, all gone…

Ledas: Um, look, do you know where I can find a space pod?

Grif: Yeeah, well the lieutenant used to keep them in that building right there… that you blew up….

Ledas: I thought he wasn’t your lieutenant.

Grif: <FLUSTERED> You tricked me!

<HE RAISES HIS WRIST MOUNTED BLASTER AT LEDAS; LEDAS PRODUCES A SMALL BALL OF KI IN HIS HAND AS HIS COUNTER, BUT GRIF DECIDES THAT IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA TO ACTUALLY ATTACK; GRIF RUNS AWAY>

<LEDAS, INTENT ON GETTING MORE INFORMATION OUT OF HIM, PURSUES; GRIF HECKLES HIM AS HE GOES>

Grif: <AS LEDAS REACHES HIM> Hey! You suck!

Ledas: That wasn’t a very good one.

Grif: Your mom wasn’t a very good one. Oh yeah! <GRIF LOOKS MIGHTY PLEASED>

Ledas: Look, take me to another base that has some pods, or I’m just going to kill you. <HE SHOWS THE BLAST TO GRIF>

Grif: That is a… pretty convincing argument.

Ledas: All right, so let’s go. Show me the place.

<GRIF COMES UP TO LEDAS; HE STARTS MOANING; HE WAS TRYING TO BE QUIET, BUT LEDAS HEARD HIM; HOWEVER, AS LEDAS TURNS, HE SEES THAT GRIF IS ACTUALLY MAKING ENERGY FORM; HE HAS AN AURA, AND HIS HANDS ARE OUT ON HIS SIDES; REALIZING THIS WAS CAREFULLY PLANNED TREACHERY, LEDAS GOES TO KILL GRIF; HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME SOMETHING HAPPENS>

<THOUGH HE CANNOT SEE HIS OWN EYES (BUT WE CAN, SO IT IS ALL GOOD), LEDAS’ EYES HAVE GONE GREEN; HE DROPS TO HIS KNEES; SUDDENLY, FLASHES OF MEMORY COME BACK TO HIM; OF LAUTO’S CAVE; OF THE BENEFACTOR, HIS HALLUCINATION IN THERE AND OTHERWISE; OF VEGETA, HIS FRIEND; THIS CAUSES A GREAT PAIN TO COME TO HIS HEAD, AND HE SCREAMS OUT, POUNDING AT THE DIRT AS IT HURTS HIM A LOT>

Grif: Wait, did I do that?!

<LEDAS’ HAIR HAS TURNED WHITE; HE SHAKES IN PAIN>

Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> Nooo!! I can sense Cooler coming. I-I can’t… move...

Grif: Hey, uh, kid, are you okay? You look terrible. Just terrible. <LEDAS LOOKS UP AT HIM, WHITE HAIR AND GREEN EYES> Eeaah!!

<LEAS DOES NOT SEE GRIF; HE IS HAVING A TOTAL HALLUCINATION>

<IT IS MID DAY; LEDAS GETS UP, LOOKING AROUND, IN FRONT OF HIM, A CREEK FLOWS INTO A LARGE CRACK IN THE ROCK AHEAD; LEDAS, CURIOUS, STARTS WALKING ALONG, AND INTO THE CANYON-LIKE FORMATION AHEAD; HE HEARS A CURIOUS WHISPERING>

<AS LEDAS STEPS INTO IT, HE IS HIT WITH A SECOND VISION>

The Benefactor: <SQUATTING. SCRATCHING AT THE WALL ON THE LEFT SIDE AHEAD> Call it room 8101. Commander General, at your service. <TURNS HIS HEAD TO LOOK AT LEDAS> When he wakes, make him ashamed. Let his two friends watch. Let them take you to him.

<LEDAS STEPS BACK, HOLDING HIS FORHEAD, AS IF HE HAD A HEADACHE>

Ledas: <BLINKS, THERE IS NOTHING THERE; HE WALKS UP TO THE WALL WHERE HE SAW THE BENEFACTOR’S IMAGE, AND LOOKS AT IT; THERE ARE SCRATCH MARKS THERE, AS IF KEEPING TIME; LEDAS RUNS HIS FINGERS OVER THEM> Real? He was here? <STEPS BACK, HOLDING HIS HEAD AGAIN; LEDAS STUMBLES AND FALLS INTO THE ROCKY SLOPE, CUTTING HIS HEAD> No, he can’t be…

<GRIF HAS FOLLOWED LEDAS, WHO RAN INTO THE MOUNTAIN BEFORE; HIS AURA IS HUGE NOW>

Grif: Hey, stop running from me, you scared little bitch! I don’t know what’s happened to you or what you’re talking about, but Cooler’s about to get here, so I should probably kill you now.

Ledas: You can’t even…

<LEDAS TURNS TO HIM, BUT IT IS TOO LATE; GRIF RELEASES THE ATTACK HE HAD BEEN CHARGING UP; LEDAS IS HIT, AND IT LOCKS HIM DOWN>

<THE ENERGY DOES NOT DISSIPATE OR EXPLODES UPON CONTACT; IT SIMPLY COVERS HIM IN PURPLE; IT IS A STASIS ATTACK, WHICH HAS NOT ONLY IMMOBILIZED LEDAS, BUT PUT HIM INTO AN INSTANT COMA>

<GRIF WALKS UP TO LEDAS’ FROZEN FORM>

Grif: Oh yeah, you care to say that to my face…? Yeah didn’t think so. Punk.

<GRIF PLACES HIS BLASTER TO LEDAS’ FACE, SHOOTING IT SEVERAL TIMES; SINCE THE STASIS ATTACK LOWERS LEDAS’ POWER LEVEL TO ITS MINIMUM, AT 1, HE CANNOT WITHSTAND THESE SIMPLE ATTACKS ANY MORE; HE BLEEDS>

<GRIF BACKS UP, OUT OF THE CRACK IN THE MOUNTAIN, AND SENDS A HAIL OF BLASTS DOWN AT LEDAS; THE AREA EXPLODES>

<AS IT DOES SO, COOLER ARRIVES, ALONE; HE IS NOT WEARING A SCOUTER>

Cooler: Soldier! Report. Where is the Saiyan?

Grif: Uh, he’s dead… sir.

Cooler: Dead?

Grif: Yep, I killed him.

Cooler: <DISBELIEF EVIDENT> You killed him?

Grif: Yes sir. I have to say, it wasn’t very hard.

Cooler: The body?

Grif: Disintegrated, sir.

<COOLER LOOKS INTO THE CAVE GRIF WAS SHOOTING; HE LEVELS THE ENTIRE MOUNTAIN WITH ONE BLAST, LEAVING NOTHING BEHIND; HE LOOKS AROUND, SLOWLY SCANNING FOR THE POWER LEVEL OF 180,000; ONE THAT NO OTHER SOLDIER ON THE PLANET HAS; NOT FINDING IT, AS HE HAD FELT MERE MOMENTS BEFORE WHEN TRAVELING HERE, COOLER IS SATISFIED THAT LEDAS IS DEAD>

Cooler: The traitor is dead, then.

Grif: Ah, yep… sir.

<COOLER, NOT VERY PLEASED FOR SOME REASON, TURNS AND FLIES OFF; GRIF JUST STANDS THERE>

I'm So Devious
<CUE THE SOUL THAT MUST AWAKEN>

<THE PLAINS-LANDS, MOSTLY DESOLATE, BUT GREEN WITH GRASS, ARE SHOWN; THE MOUNTAIN WHICH COOLER BLEW UP IS SHOWN; IT IS STILL A CRATER, WITH NOTHING AROUND IT; IT APPEARS SETTLED>

<THE BASE WITH THE TWO HIGH TOWERS IS BROUGHT INTO VIEW; AT THE TOPMOST TOWER, IN THE UPPERMOST ROOM ARE TWO BEINGS; COOLER, AND ANOTHER; HE IS ARMORED; HIS SKIN BLACK, HIS FEATHERS RED; HE IS BIRDLIKE, WITH A VERY VICIOUS FACE; HIS ARMOR IS THAT OF THE OFFICERS, ONLY MORE ORNATE; HE DOES NOT HAVE EITHER SHOULDER PAD>

<COOLER IS STANDING OVER A MONITER; IDLY ROLLING HIS FINGERS>

<END OF THE SOUL THAT MUST AWAKEN, AT 50 SECONDS>

Cooler: These stomping grounds have been quiet. My men sit around doing nothing all day. They are wasting away.

Digranite: There aren't any new planets. We have no use for a new governor.

Cooler: These grounds are not only for appointing governors, General. I want them re-opened. Put the regular troops back on practice. If they can't handle the gauntlet, so be it. Let them die.

Digranite: Very well.

Cooler: One week. You have one week to make every soldier collectively reach five percent of my power. Then I will fight them all. I grow tired of waiting for a real opponent.

<COOLER HITS A BUTTON HALFWAY UP THE WALL, TURNING ON THE WALL COMPUTER; IT SHOWS HIS CURRENT POWER LEVEL; 9,000,000>

Digranite: They'll be ready. I will make them so.

<COOLER IS VERY BORED; HE FLEXES HIS ARMS BEFORE WALKING OUT>

<CUTS TO NEXT SCENE; DIGRANITE OVERSEES, WITH HIS OTHER COMMANDERS, THE FOOT SOLDIERS' TRAINING>

<THERE ARE SEVERAL HUNDRED OF THEM ON THE PLANET; DIGRANITE HAS THEM RUNNIN OBSTACLE COURSES, TRAINING IN GRAVITY UNITS, AND EVERYTHING; HE LOOKS MIGHTY PLEASED>

<DOWN ON A TRAINING MAT, IN THE FIRST ENCLOSURE OF TRAINING, GRIF AND ONE OTHER SOLDIER ARE SPARRING; THEY HAVE AN INSTRUCTOR OVERSEEING THEM; GRIF LOOKS OLDER; HE HAS A LONG WHITE BEARD COMING OUT OF HIS HELMET, AS IF HE HAS AGED QUITE A BIT SINCE THE LAST CHAPTER>

Instructor: <TO GRIF> You check in at 400. <TO THE OTHER> You are 1600. Grif, you are severely under the average level. Explain to me why.

Grif: <NOT CARING> Can't tell ya, man. I train just as hard as everybody!

Soldier: It's not true! He just lies around eating all day.

Grif: Hey, shut up. Nobody asked you.

Soldier: I swear! I see him just laying around all day. He sleeps on duty, for crying out loud!

Grif: Oh yeah? How about I blow a hole through that ugly face of yours. Shut up.

Soldier: I'd like to see you try.

Grif: Jerk-off.

<BEFORE THE INSTRUCTOR CAN SAY ANYTHING, GRIF RAISES HIS BLASTER, FIRES IT, THEN LUNGES AT THE SOLDIER>

<THE SOLDIER SIDESTEPS GRIF; AS GRIF COMES FLYING BY, THE SOLDIER SHOOTS HIS BLASTER INTO GRIF'S BACK; GRIF TURNS AROUND, SWINGING A WILD PUNCH; THE SOLDIER JUMPS BACK, THEN HOPS FORWARD, SLAMMING HIS BLASTER INTO GRIF'S FACE>

<GRIF FALLS TO THE GROUND, BLOOD POOLING AROUND HIS HEAD; HE IS DEAD>

Soldier: <LOOKING DOWN> I... didn't think that would kill him... Damn. <HE LOOKS UP TO THE INSTRUCTOR>

Instructor: <HE VAPORIZES GRIF'S BODY> Don't say anything about this; he was weak, lazy. He won't be missed. Just get back to your training.

<THE SOLDIER SCURRIES OFF; THE SCREEN FADES>

<THE SCENE CHANGES; THERE IS A DARK, UNDERGROUND HOLE; IT IS BEING LIT ONLY BY A FAINT PURPLE LIGHT; SUDDENLY, THE LIGHT GOES OUT AND ALL IS DARK; THEN A SECOND LIGHT COMES; THIS ONE IS CYAN IN COLOR; IT IS AN OBVIOUS ENERGY BEAM; IT TEARS UP THE DARK GROUND BEING SEEN, ALLOWING THE DAYLIGHT ABOVE TO COME IN>

<A SMALL CHILD, LEDAS, CAN BE SEEN CRAWLING OUT; HE IS BREATHING HARD, TREMBLING, AND HAVING A HARD TIME MOVING AT ALL; HE MANAGES TO GET OUT OF THE HOLE; HE LAYS DOWN AS SOON AS HE GETS OUT; HE IS IN THE CRATER WHICH COOLER BLEW UP BEFORE>

<IT IS THE 766 AGE>

<THE SAIYAN BOY LAYS THERE ALL DAY, UNTIL IT TURNS TO EVENING; WITH THE SUN SETTING, AND COLDNESS COMING DOWN ALL AROUND HIM, LEDAS STANDS UP, AND STAGGERS OUT; HE DOES NOT FLY, AS HE DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO; BEING IN STASIS FOR 21 YEARS AT A POWER LEVEL OF 1 HAS MADE IT INCREDIBLY PAINFUL FOR HIM TO POWER UP AT ALL; WHILE THE STASIS DID PREVENT ATROPHY, IT ALSO MADE IT VERY HARD FOR LEDAS TO RAISE HIS POWER LEVEL FROM 1 AGAIN>

<HE REACHES THE CITY IN NO TIME; IT IS NOT THE ONE WITH THE TWO TOWERS; THIS ONE HAS ONLY A SINGLE TOWER, AND SMALLER BUILDINGS>

<LEDAS RUNS INTO THE STREET, LOOKING AROUND FOR A PLACE TO STAY; HE FINDS A BARRACKS THAT IS EMPTY; HE GOES INSIDE>

<LEDAS SITS DOWN AGAINST A WALL; HE PUTS HIS ARMS OUT, TRYING TO POWER UP; THIS CAUSES HIM CONSIDERABLE PAIN; HE SCREAMS OUT, CLOSING HIS EYES AND RAISING HIS HEAD IT HURTS SO MUCH; AT THE VERY LEAST, HE NOTICES THAT HE IS NOT HAVING ANY VISIONS ANY MORE; AS WE CAN SEE, HIS HAIR IS NOT WHITE, AND HIS EYES ARE NOT GREEN, SO HE IS NOT IN A SEMI-SUPER SAIYAN STATE>

<HE FALLS ASLEEP AGAINST THE WALL>

<IN THE EARLY MORNING, IT IS FOGGY OUT; HE WAKES UP TO FIND HIMSELF ALONE; CAREFUL TO NOT GET CAUGHT, HE LEAVES>

<AS HE WALKS OUTSIDE, HE NOTICES A PATROLLING GUARD; LEDAS DUCKS BEHIND AN ALLY SO AS TO NOT BE SEEN>

<ONCE AGAIN, HE TESTS HIS POWER; IT PAINS HIM GREATLY, CAUSING HIM TO DROP TO ONE KNEE AND BITE DOWN ON HIS ARM TO NOT YELL OUT; HOWEVER, HE IS ABLE TO RAISE IT A BIT EVEN IN THIS PAIN>

<IT IS ENOUGH, HE THINKS, TO TAKE OUT THE GUARD>

<MAKING SURE THE GUARD STILL HAS HIS BACK TO LEDAS (BY STICKING HIS HEAD OUT), LEDAS RUNS OUT BEHIND HIM; WHEN HE GETS BEHIND THE GUARD, HE SHOOTS A FINGER BEAM THROUGH THE BACK OF HIS HEAD; THE GUARD FALLS DEAD; LEDAS WINCES IN PAIN, AT USING THIS ENERGY SO SUDDENLY>

<UP AHEAD, HE SEES ANOTHER GUARD WHO IS PACING BACK AND FORTH; ZIG ZAGGING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN BUILDINGS, LEDAS MAKES HIS WAY TO THE GUARD; WHEN HE TURNS, LEDAS SHOOTS A FINGER BEAM FROM TWO BUILDINGS BACK AND TAKES HIM OUT; THEN, HE RUNS INTO THE BUILDING THE GUARD WAS, WELL, GUARDING>

<INSIDE, LEDAS WAS HOPING TO FIND A SPACE POD TO GET AWAY; HOWEVER, HE JUST FIND A BUNCH OF SLEEPING SOLDIERS; CAREFULLY, HE GOES UP TO EACH AND KILLS THEM WITH A SILENT FINGER BEAM TO THE FACE; SURE THAT THEY ARE ALL DEAD, WITH NOBODY LEFT TO WARN COOLER HE WAS HERE, LEDAS MOVES OUT TO ANOTHER BUILDING>

<HE GOES THROUGH QUITE A FEW BUILDINGS, NOT FINDING PODS, BUT SOLDIERS; HE KILLS THEM ALL IN THEIR SLEEP; AFTER TAKING OUT ANOTHER PACING GUARD, LEDAS COMES TO A BUILDING AT THE CENTER; HE ENTERS, ONLY TO FIND ABOUT SIX OR SEVEN PEOPLE AWAKE AND VERY MUCH ALIVE>

<MOST OF THEM LOOK TO BE GRUNTS, BUT ONE WEARS THE SAME COLOR ARMOR AS BANAS DID; LEDAS KNOWS THIS TO MEAN IT IS AN OFFICER; HE CAN SENSE THE ALIEN HAS A PRETTY HIGH POWER LEVEL, TOO>

<NO ONE SEES HIM ENTER, SO HE GOES AROUND LEFT, HUGGING THE WALL; THE FIRST TWO GUARDS ARE AWAY FROM THE OTHERS, AND LEDAS TAKES THEM OUT EASILY; BY NOW, HIS POWERS ARE COMING BACK TO HIM LESS PAINFULLY>

<HE DODGES AROUND A PILLAR TO THE RIGHT, AND FINDS ANOTHER GUARD; HE GOES TO KILL IT, WHEN IT TURNS AROUND AND SEES HIM; IT LETS OUT A HOLLER; LEDAS IMMEDIATELY DIVES AT HIM, PUNCHING HIM >

<THE OTHER SOLDIERS NOTICE HIM AND RUN OVER; SURROUNDED, LEDAS CREATES A QUICK EXPLOSIVE WAVE, WHICH KILLS THEM>

<THE CAPTAIN, A LARGE WHITE CREATURE, DID NOT RUN WITH THE REST OF THE TROOPS, NOW HE COMES TO LEDAS, WHO IS ON THE FLOOR TRYING TO REGAIN ENOUGH STAMINA TO GET UP>

<THE CAPTAIN COMES UP TO LEDAS, BUT STOPS, FINDING A SOLDIER STILL ALIVE; HE BENDS DOWN, AS IT REACHES TOWARD HIM FOR SUPPORT; HE PRESSES HIS CLAW TO ITS NECK, DRAWING BLOOD AND KILLNG IT; HE LOOKS UP TO LEDAS, SLOWLY>

Konatsu: You're a young one. What did you do? Run away from mommy to join the army?

Ledas: I didn't join anything. I'm not with you.

Konatsu: Oh, a rebel with stolen armor. In that case, I will kill you myself.

<KONATSU ROLLS TO LEDAS, AND HEADBUTTS HIM, SMACKING THE BOY WITH HIS HORN>

<LEDAS PUSHES HIM AWAY, GETS UP AND RUNS OUTSIDE; KONATSU PURSUES; ONCE OUTSIDE, LEDAS TURNS; KONATSU CALLS HIS SOLDIERS, BUT GETS NO RESPONSE>

Ledas: It doesn't matter! I killed them all already!

Konatsu: That's devious. You killed them all before coming for me. Planning it all out. But you won't have me!

<KONATSU BLASTS LEDAS; LEDAS SHOOTS A PLAYFUL GALICK BACK; THEY TRADE BLASTS FOR A FEW MOMENTS; THEN, LEDAS GETS WEARY AGAIN FROM USING SO MUCH ENERGY; KONATSU USES THIS TIME TO ATTACK LEDAS HEAD ON; HE KICKS LEDAS HEAD, THROWING HIM TO THE GROUND; KONATSU ROLLS LEDAS ONTO HIS STOMACH, THEN GRABS HIS ARMS, BRINGING THEM BEHIND HIS BACK; HE RAISES LEDAS' ARMS UP, WHILE PULLING DOWN WITH HIS LEG; BEFORE HE CAN RIP OFF THE SAIYAN'S ARM, LEDAS KICKS KONATSU IN THE STOMACH, THEN PUSHES OFF THE GROUND, DOING A FRONTFLIP AND KICKING KONATSU AGAIN>

<KONATSU IS WAITING, HOWEVER; HE PUNCHES LEDAS DEEP IN THE GUT, THEN GRABS HIM; HE THROWS THE BOY UP INTO THE AIR; KONATSU FOLLOWS THIS UP WITH AN AERIAL KICK, SENDING LEDAS FURTHER UPWARD; HE FIRES A BEAM TO FINISH OFF THE BOY; LEDAS LEVELS HIMSELF OFF BEFORE THE BLAST REACHES HIM; HE SLICES THE BLAST IN HALF, DOWN THE MIDDLE; THEN, HE AIR DASHES DOWN THAT SPACE THROUGH THE MIDDLE; KONATSU DOES NOT SEE HIM COMING, AND LEDAS SLAMS HIS FIST INTO THE ALIEN'S FACE; KONATSU FALLS BACK>

<LEDAS JUMPS ON HIS CHEST, AND QUICKLY JABS HIM SEVERAL TIMES, KNOCKING THE WIND OUT OF KONATSU; LEDAS THEN KICKS KONATSU ACROSS THE FACE WITH HIS BOOT; HOWEVER, LEDAS JUMPS OFF OF HIM AND TAKES A BREAK, RESTING TO REGAIN HIS ENERGY; AT THIS MOMENT, KONATSU CALLS FOR REINFORCEMENTS FROM THE NEAREST OUTPOST>

Konatsu: <PRESSES A BUTTON ON HIS ARMOR, MUCH LIKE MULLPY HAD DONE BEFORE> Heh... you're not bad. Guess I'll have to get some help. <TO THE RADIO> Anango! Get over here now. I need your help.

Ledas: <STAGGERING IN PLACE> Wha... what?

Konatsu: You may as well run away now. You're dead here. Anango and I are unstoppable together.

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF, LOOKING AROUND> Dang it!

<SUDDENLY, A FLASH OF LIGHT COMES ACROSS THE SCREEN; IT GOES STRAIGHT TO LEDAS; HOWEVER, LEDAS HAD EXPECTED THIS; THE FIGURE, STILL OBSCURED, ATTACKED NOTHING BUT AN IMAGE PROJECTION>

<LEDAS COMES FROM BEHIND, SIDE SWEEPS THE FIGURE AND KICKS HIM AWAY INTO A BUILDING; HOWEVER, THE CREATURE GETS UP REALLY QUICKLY; IT DOES NOT ATTACK AGAIN; IT GOES TO HELP KONATSU UP>

<ANANGO IS A YELLOW CREATURE, WITH TUSKS AND BACKWARDS KNEES, WHICH CAUSE HIM TO BOUNCH WHILE WALKING; LEDAS SENSES THAT HIS POWER LEVEL IS ONLY SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN KONATSU'S; NOW WITH KONATSU UP, BOTH OF THEM CLEARLY ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN HIM>

<LEDAS DECIDES TO NOT ATTACK ANY MORE>

Ledas: <TO KONATSU, IN ANSWER> I guess I'll start running now...

Agoraphobia
<LEDAS HAS FLOWN OFF>

<KONATSU AND ANANGO REACH AN OUTPOST; THIS IS THE LAST PLACE THEY HAD READ LEDAS’ POWER LEVEL>

<EVERY SOLDIER IS OUT, BECAUSE THEY ARE TRAINING FOR DIGRANITE>

<KONATSU’S ARMOR IS CRACKED FROM THE PREVIOUS FIGHT>

<THE TWO SPLIT UP, EACH GOING DOWN A SEPARATE PATH; KONATSU TAKES THE LEFT, ANANGO TAKES THE RIGHT; THEY BOTH WEAR SCOUTERS AND FROM HERE ON OUT, THAT IS HOW THEY WILL COMMUNICATE WHEN THEY ARE NOT TOGETHER>

<KONATSU HAS A PICTURE OF LEDAS ON HIS SCOUTER, WHICH HE TOOK BEFORE WHEN THEY WERE FIGHTING; HE FORWARDS THE PICTURE TO DIGRANITE>

<DIGRANITE, IN HIS TOWER, RECEIVES THE MESSAGE>

Digranite: Impossible... that's the Saiyan boy Cooler killed years ago. I can't let Cooler know he's alive. <ON HIS SCOUTER TO KONATSU; HE PRESSES SOME BUTTONS ON A WALL MOUNTED COMPUTER> All soldiers have been alerted. You have the entire army at your command, Konatsu. I need him dead as soon as possible.

<CUTS TO LEDAS; HE IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CITY>

<HE HAS LOWERED HIS POWER LEVEL TO STALL THE TWO COMMANDERS FROM FINDING HIM; HE MAKES HIS WAY THROUGH THE CITY UNTIL HE COMES TO THE EDGE, WHICH HAS THE ARMIES TRAINING FOR COOLER>

<THE ENTIRE ARMY ON THIS PLANET CONSISTS OF TWELVE THOUSAND GRUNTS AND INSTRUCTORS, WITH ABOUT TEN OFFICERS OF POWER LEVELS ABOVE 2000; STANDING BEFORE LEDAS IS HALF OF THE ARMY; HE DOES NOT PAY THEM MUCH ATTENTION AS HE DOES NOT THINK THEY WILL ATTACK>

<A KEEN EYED SOLDIER SPOTS LEDAS; IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG FOR THE OTHERS TO COME OUT AND SEE HIM; THE COMMANDING OFFICER HALTS THEIR TRAINING AND ORDERS HIS SOLDIERS TO POUR OUT AND ATTACK; LEDAS OBVIOUSLY MATCHES ALL OF THEIR SCOUTERS; DIGRANITE HAD SENT A PICTURE OF LEDAS TO EVERY SOLDIER'S SCOUTER, TELLING THEM TO KILL HIM ON SIGHT; NOW THEY'VE SEEN HIM AND THEY FORM UP TO KILL HIM>

<KONATSU, IN ONE FRAME, BECOMES AWARE OF SOMETHING HAPPENING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CITY; HE RACES TO IT>

<LEDAS LOOKS OVER AND SEES THE ARMY RACING TOWARD HIM; ASTONISHED BY THIS, HE QUICKLY POWERS UP TO HIS MAXIMUM, 200,000; THE THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS RUN AT HIM, FIRING THEIR BLASTERS OR NATURAL ENERGY ATTACKS; LEDAS SHRUGS IT OFF; HE ATTACKS THEM WITH AN UNRELENTING ENERGY BURST; IT MOWS DOWN HUNDREDS OF SOLDIERS; THIS GIVES HIM A BRIEF MOMENT TO PAUSE; HE CHARGES UP A KYORRA FLASH IN THIS TIME>

<THE SOLDIERS SHOOT AGAIN; LEDAS DUCKS, DROPPING TO HIS KNEES AS HE CHARGES THE ATTACK; BEFORE THEY REACH HIM, RAISES HIS ARMS, INTERLOCKED IN A TRIANGLE, AND RELEASES THE BEAM; IT CREATES A HUGE EXPLOSION, TAKING UP THE ENTIRE SCREEN; IT KILLS EVERY LAST ONE OF THE SOLDIERS AND OFFICERS PRESENT>

<LEDAS SPINS AROUND>

Ledas: That commander is coming. I can feel him... Better get out of here.

<LEDAS LOWERS HIS POWER LEVEL, THEN RUNS OFF>

<LEDAS TAKES TO THE AIR; AS HE IS FLYING, HE IS INTERCEPTED WITHIN FOUR PANELS>

<A KICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD SENDS THE BOY FALLING DOWN; HE LANDS ON HIS BACK, BOUNCING PAINFULLY; WHEN HE LOOKS UP, HE FINDS ANANGO>

Anango: <TURNS ON HIS SCOUTER> Hey, Konatsu, I fou-

<LEDAS SHOOTS A FINGER BEAM, DESTROYING ANANGO'S SCOUTER; SEEING LEDAS HAS SOME FIGHT IN HIM, ANANGO QUICKLY ATTACKS, SCOOPING LEDAS UNDER HIS HOOF, KICKING HIM INTO THE AIR; HE AIR DASHES UP TO LEDAS, PUNCHING HIM IN THE GUT; LEDAS KICKS HIM AWAY>

Anango: Command says you're a high priority target. And now, I get to bring your body in. Lord Cooler will be most pleased.

Ledas: You might've won with that other guy here, but I can beat you alone. I am much stronger than you.

Anango: I read your power level; you're only at 80,000 max. <STRAIGHTENS FINGERS> Mine is over 120,000.

<ANANGO DISAPPEARS, REAPPARING BEHIND LEDAS; HE SMACKS THE BOY TO THE GROUND; HE FLIES DOWN AFTER LEDAS, SHOOTING AN ENERGY BARRAGE; ANANGO LANDS; HE WATCHES AND WAITS FOR THE SMOKE TO CLEAR; WHEN IT DOES, HE IS SURPRISED; LEDAS IS STANDING INSIDE A ROUND, PURPLE BARRIER; HE IS UNTOUCHED, NOW POWERED UP AGAIN TO 207,000>

<ANANGO CREATES A BEAM IN HIS HAND; HE DRAGS IT, SO THAT IT CUTS THROUGH THE GROUND AS HE WALKS; WHEN HE REACHES LEDAS, HE RAISES IT, FOCUSING THE ENERGY ON THE BARRIER; THE BARRIER GETS LIGHTER AS MORE ENERGY IS PUT ON IT>

Anango: Nice attack. Too bad it only prolongs your death.

<LEDAS SAYS NOTHING; THE ENERGY OVERLOADS HIS BARRIER, WHICH EXPLODES; HOWEVER, UNLIKE MOST BARRIERS, THIS ONE DOES NOT SIMPLY GO OUT; WHEN IT BLOWS UP, IT CREATES AN ENERGY WAVE; ANANGO IS CAUGHT IN IT; IT DAMAGES HIM, SENDING HIM BACK>

<LEDAS JUMPS UP IN AN ARC; HE COMES DOWN ON ANANGO HEAD WITH HIS FOOT, PARTIALLY CRACKING THE ALIEN'S SKULL>

<ANANGO REACHES UP WITH BOTH ARMS TO GRAB LEDAS; LEDAS SHOOTS A SINGLE GALICK OUT OF EACH HAND, WHICH BLASTS ANANGO'S ARM DOWN; THE ALIEN COLLAPSES; LEDAS PUSHES OFF HIS HEAD AND LANDS>

Ledas: If you still had your scouter, you'd know you're no match for me.

<ANANGO STANDS UP; HE IS NOT MAD; HE GETS BACK INTO A FIGHTING STANCE>

Anango: I don't believe it. The numbers don't lie.

<LEDAS ATTACKS AGAIN; HE PUNCHES ANANGO IN A FLURRY; ANANGO CANNOT DEFEND; HE IS PUMMELED INTO A BLOODY PULP; HE ATTEMPTS TO SHOOT A BLAST AT LEDAS, BUT THE SAIYAN SWIPES IT AWAY; HE PUNCHES ANANGO IN THE FACE, CAUSING THE ALIEN TO DROP TO ONE KNEE; LEDAS RISES INTO THE AIR AND SLAMS HIS LEG INTO ANANGO'S NECK FROM THE SIDE; ANANGO COUGHS UP BLOOD>

<ANANGO REACHES OUT, BUT LEDAS EASILY DODGES IT; HE KICKS ANANGO SQUARE IN THE CHEST; ANANGO STANDS UP FROM THE BLOW, BUT HE IS TOO SLOW FOR LEDAS>

Anango: Maybe you are that strong.

<ANANGO SENDS UP A SHARP BLAST TO THE SKY, TO TRY TO ALERT KONATSU TO HIS POSITION; HE COVERS THE AREA AROUND HIM IN A BURNING ATTACK SO THAT LEDAS CANNOT GET TO HIM AS HE WAITS; NEVERTHELESS, LEDAS JUMPS THROUGH THE RING OF FIRE AND RUSHES FORWARD; ANNAGO IS ABLE TO SIDESTEP AND GRAB ONTO LEDAS' TAIL, KNOWING THAT THIS IS HOW TO DEFEAT A SAIYAN; HE PULLS LEDAS UP BY IT>

Anango: Your tails are your weakness. Now I have the advantage.

Ledas: <HANGING UPSIDE DOWN> You idiot, I'm a super elite. My tail isn't sensitive at all!

<LEDAS SHOOTS A SMALL KI BLAST INTO ANANGO'S FACE, MAKING HIM DROP LEDAS>

<LEDAS RUNS AROUND BEHIND ANANGO; HE SWEEPS ANANGO'S LEGS, CAUSING ANANGO TO FALL; LEDAS DISAPPEARS AND REAPPEARS IN FRONT OF HIM, PUTTING HIS LEG ON ANANGO'S CHEST, PINNING HIM TO THE GROUND; HE TAKES HIS HAND PLACES IT UNDER THE ALIEN'S CHIN, PALM OPEN; THIS IS FOLLOWED UP BY A QUICK ONE HANDED KYORRA BLAST; THIS DECAPITATES ANANGO IMMEDIATELY; HIS WOUND IS CAUTERIZED, SO NO BLOOD COMES OUT>

<LEDAS STANDS UP PROUDLY, HAVING DEFEATED YET ANOTHER DIFFICULT OPPONENT>

<CUTS TO KONATSU>

<KONATSU IS AT THE TRAINING AREA WITH ALL THE DEAD SOLDIERS; DIGRANITE CALLS HIM>

Digranite: <OVER THE SCOUTER> Status update. Now.

Konatsu: <SNEER> I've lost him, General. He took out the first garrison. Anango's disappeared, too. I can't find him on the scouter.

Digranite: Gather the second garrison and head to the Capitol. That'll bait him.

Konatsu: <IN A HISS> I'm going.

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS; HE IS HOVERING IN THE AIR; HE LOOKS AROUND TRYING TO FIND ANOTHER CITY; HE SUDDENLY FEELS THE CONCENTRATED POWER LEVELS TO THE NORTH; HE TURNS TO IT; HE SEES THE CAPITOL, THE CITY WITH THE TWO INCREDIBLY HIGH TOWERS; HE MAKES HIS WAY TO THAT>

Ledas: I bet they'll have some ships.

<HE FLIES OVER TO OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY; HE DROPS TO THE GROUND AND RUNS DOWN THE STREETS, CAREFULLY AVOIDING THE MAIN ROADS SO NO ONE SEES HIM>

<LEDAS DOES NOT FIND ANYTHING OR SEE ANYONE; HE COMES TO THE BASE OF THE TWO TOWERS; HE LOOKS UP BUT HE CANNOT EVEN SEE THE TOP>

Konatsu: There you are.

<KONATSU IS BEHIND LEDAS, ALONE; LEDAS TURNS AROUND TO FACE HIM; KONATSU SHOOTS A ONE HANDED BLAST AT LEDAS; HE DUCKS FROM IT AND TAKES OFF; KONATSU JUMPS AFTER HIM, CLIMBING OVER THE BUILDINGS TO FOLLOW HIM; SIX THOUSAND SOLDIERS, WHO WERE LYING IN WAIT, NOW COME OUT; THEY ARE IN THE BUILDINGS AND THE STREETS, SPREAD OUT THROUGH THE CITY; THEY TAKE SHOTS AT LEDAS>

<KONATSU JUMPS AND OVERTAKES LEDAS; HE LANDS ON THE BOY, CAUSING THEM TO FALL INTO A BUILDING; KONATSU LANDS ON TOP (OBVIOUSLY) AND GETS SEVERAL GOOD HARD PUNCHES ONTO LEDAS; LEDAS STARTS BLEEDING PROFUSELY; HIS NOSE IS BROKEN; KONATSU RAISES HIS LEG AND JABS IT AT LEDAS' CHEST, CUTTING THE ARMOR AND GETTING TO HIS STOMACH; THIS CUTS LEDAS REAL BAD; HE BLEEDS EVEN MORE>

Konatsu: <IN JEER; HIS FACE IS INCHES FROM LEDAS'> Look at all that blood. You aren't surviving much longer bleeding like that.

<LEDAS HEADBUTTS HIM, AND MANAGES TO GET FREE; HE RUNS AROUND A CORNER; KONATSU SHOOTS AFTER HIM, DESTROYING THE BUILDINGS AROUND, ELIMINATING HIS COVER; KONATSU HAS NO CARE FOR THE SOLDIERS IN THESE BUILDINGS>

<AS KONATSU KEEPS DESTROYING BUILDINGS; HIS SOLDIERS FLEE OUT AND FORM RANKS BEHIND HIM; HE CONTINUES TO ELIMINATE THE COVER>

<CUE YOU AND WHOSE ARMY?>

<youtube width="207" height="25">gAUMgureA6o

<LEDAS IS BEHIND SOME RUBBLE SPITTING UP BLOOD; HIS INJURIES ARE MODERATE, MAKING HIS POWER LEVEL DROP TO BELOW KONATSU'S; HE ALSO DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO RECOVER>

<KONATSU DESTROYS HIS COVER; LEDAS STANDS BEFORE THE ARMY AND ITS COMMANDER WITH HIS HEAD BENT AND SHOULDERS THROWN FORWARD; THE ALIENS LAUGH; KONATSU SMILES>

Konatsu: Perfect. He's given up.

Ledas: No... <TURNS HIS HEAD> Don't underestimate me.

<KONATSU AND THE OTHERS CREATE ENERGY TO KILL LEDAS, WHEN THE BOY SUDDENLY LOOKS UP; HE LETS OUT A DEAFENING SCREAM, MORE LIKE A HOWL; IT SHATTERS THE GLASS AND SCOUTERS ALL AROUND; KONATSU AND HIS TROOPS COVER THEIR EARS IN PAIN, WHICH STOPS THEIR ATTACK>

<MOMENTARILY BOOSTED BY THIS HOWL, LEDAS HAS ENOUGH ENERGY TO QUICKLY RISE INTO THE AIR; HE GOES ABOUT HALF A MILE UP; NO ONE WAS ABLE TO SEE HIM DO THIS, AS THEY WERE IN TOO MUCH PAIN; BY THE TIME KONATSU RECOVERS, HE IS SCANNING THE HORIZON FOR LEDAS, NOT THE SPACE ABOVE HIM>

<LEDAS IS STILL BLEEDING; HE LOOKS DOWN AT KONATSU FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE CONTINUING>

<HE FREE FALLS DOWN OVER THE ARMY; AS HE DOES SO, HE THROWS HIS RIGHT HAND FORWARD AS IF CREATING A BLAST, BUT NOTHING APPEARS TO COME OUT; HE KEEPS HIS HAND OUT, KEEPING IT IN A HALF FIST; BEFORE HE TOUCHES DOWN, HE SLOWS HIMSELF SO THAT HE LANDS ON HIS FEET RIGHT BEHIND KONATSU>

<YOU AND WHOSE ARMY REACHES 1:48 NOW>

<A DROP OF BLOOD LANDS ON KONATSU'S SHOULDER; HE FEELS IT AND TURNS, ONLY TO SEE LEDAS JUMPING AT HIM, AN ENERGY SLASH IN HIS HAND; BEFORE KONATSU CAN SO MUCH AS BLINK, LEDAS HAS JAMMED THE ENERGY THROUGH KONATSU'S SKULL, INSTANTLY KILLING HIM; KONATSU SLUMPS, FALLING OFF THE ENERGY SWORD; LEDAS DISSIPATES THE SWORD; THE OTHER SOLDIERS BEGIN TO REACT, RAISING THEIR WEAPONS; LEDAS DOES NOT MOVE>

<CLOSE SHOT OF LEDAS' FACE; HE LOOKS LEFT, TURNING HIS HEAD SLIGHTLY; A HUGE BLAST GOES OFF, KILLING ALL OF THE SOLDIERS; IT WAS ANOTHER LIGHTENING STRIKE ATTACK; THE ENTIRE AREA IS FILLED WITH FIRE AND SMOKE; NOTHING REMAINS STANDING ASIDE FROM THE TWO LARGE TOWERS DIRECTLY BEHIND LEDAS>

<THE CAMERA IS STILL CLOSE TO LEDAS' FACE; HE GIVES A SMALL SMILE>

Echo Tango
<LEDAS IS STANDING IN FRONT OF TWO LARGE TOWERS; AROUND HIM AND THE TOWERS IS NOTHING BUT A CRATER; HIS FACE IS BLANK>

<HE WALKS UP TO THE DOOR TO THE RIGHT TOWER; IT IS LOCKED; HE TRIES TO GET THROUGH IT, BUT TO NO AVAIL; HE STEPS BACK, PREPARING TO BLOW DOWN THE DOOR WHEN HE CATCHES SOMETHING OUT OF THE CORNER OF HIS EYE>

<THE LARGE BONEY CREATURE, THE ONE THAT WAS VERY DULL COLORED AND SMOKEY LOOKING THAT LEDAS HAD SEEN BEFORE SIMPLY TRAVERSING THE PLAINS IS COMING HIS WAY>

<BEFORE, LEDAS HAD THOUGHT THIS CREATURE WAS A LOCAL SPECIES; HOWEVER, NOW WITH IT BEARING DOWN ON HIM, HE CAN READ ITS ENERGY; 400,000, WHICH IS HIGHER THAN HIS CURRENT MAX, EVEN AFTER HIS LAST ZENKAI MOMENTS BEFORE; LEDAS DOES NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO POWER UP AT ALL>

<THE CREATURE IS TALL; OVER FORTY FEET; IT HAS LONG LEGS AND ARMS, BUT IT CANNOT BE SEEN HOW MANY IT HAS OF EACH; ITS BODY LOOKS SMOKEY, ALMOST AS IF IT IS A MIRAGE; IT HAS TWO BONEY WINGS ON ITS BACK; ITS LONG HEAD IS DEVOID OF ANY LIFE, HAVING ONLY TWO BLACK DOTS FOR EYES AND A RATHER SHARP LINE FOR A MOUTH; IT IS SOMEWHAT HUMANOID IN APPEARANCE>

<THE CREATURE MOVES TO WITHIN 100 YARDS OF LEDAS>

Ledas: <THROWS HIS HANDS UP IN THE AIR; SHOOTS A FEW CAUTIONARY ENERGY BLASTS AT IT> Get away from me! Go! Go away! <THE CREATURE CONTINUES FORWARD> Eeaah! I said get out of here!

<THE CREATURE DOES NOT ANSWER; IT DOES NOT EVEN MAKE A SOUND; IT FLIES FORWARD TO LEDAS; TWO ARMS EXTEND OUT, REACHING FOR HIM; SEVERAL OTHERS EXTEND OUT ABOVE AND TO THE CREATURE'S SIDES>

Ledas: N-no...!!

<BY NOW, LEDAS' BASE MAX IS 312,500 FROM HIS ZENKAI; HE IS TOO DAMAGED FROM KONATSU'S PREVIOUS ATTACK TO MUSTER A POWER OF MORE THAN 80,000; STILL, HE LOCKS DOWN INTO A FIGHTING POSE TO ATTACK THE CREATURE; LET'S CALL THE CREATURE NEPAR>

<LEDAS JUMPS HIGH INTO THE AIR TO REACH ITS FACE; HE KICKS AT ITS FACE, BUT IT GRABS HIM WITH ITS LONG FINGERS; THE LETHARGIC BEAST SUDDENLY COMES ALIVE AS IT THROWS LEDAS FORWARD AND VORACIOUSLY SWIPES AT HIM; IT CATCHES LEDAS' LIMP BODY, AND PASSES IT DOWN THROUGH ITS OTHER HANDS, AS IF SENDING HIM THROUGH A SLICER; WHEN HE GETS TO THE BOTTOM, NEPAR TAKES ONE OF HIS LEGS, IMPALES LEDAS THROUGH LOWER TORSO; LEDAS SCREAMS OUT IN PAIN>

<NEPAR RAISES LEDAS TO ITS FACE; IT OPENS ITS MOUTH, REVEALING NOTHING BUT BLACK, AND CREATES A LARGE BLACK MOUTH BEAM; LEDAS TRIES TO ATTACK BACK, BUT HIS ENERGY DOES VERY LITTLE; NEPAR FIRES HIS MOUTH BLAST AT LEDAS, CAUSING LEDAS TO BE BLOWN BACKWARD, UN-IMPALING HIM AND SLAMMING HIM INTO THE LEFT TOWER; HE FALLS IN A BLOODY MESS AND DOES NOT GET BACK UP>

<NEPAR TURNS AWAY FROM LEDAS, PUTTING ITS ARMS BACK INTO POSITION; IT FLIES BACK AND FORTH, SLOWLY, IN A PATROLLING LINE IN FRONT OF THE TOWERS, AS IF GUARDING THEM; LEDAS SEES THAT HE IS NOT GOING TO BE ATTACKED AGAIN, SO HE TRIES TO GET UP; ONLY HE CAN'T; THE IMPALEMENT HAS NOT ONLY CAUSED HIM TO BLEED AGAIN (OPENING HIS OLD WOUNDS TOO) BUT HAS ALSO MADE HIM UNABLE TO WALK; COMPLETELY DESPERATE, HE CRAWLS TO THE DOOR OF THE LEFT TOWER>

<IT OPENS, THANK KAMI; HE CRAWLS IN BEFORE NEPAR CAN SPOT HIM AGAIN; INSIDE, THERE IS NO ONE; IT IS A COMPUTER ROOM>

Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> They had these back home... if I can just get to the computer...

<HE CRAWLS FORWARD, FINDING A WALL MOUNTED COMPUTER; HOWEVER, IT'S TOO HIGH AND HE CANNOT STAND; HAVING NO OTHER OPTIONS, HE CREATES A SMALL BEAM TO PROPEL HIM UP TO IT; HE PUNCHES A BUTTON (NOT TOO HARD) BEFORE FALLING BACK TO THE GROUND; THE BUTTON HAD A SMALL CHARACTER ABOVE IT WHICH SAID "VOICE ACTIVATOR">

Ledas: <QUIVERING ON THE GROUND, HIS HEAD ON THE FLOOR> I-I... need me-medical help... r-r-right away... please...

<WITH THAT, LEDAS FALLS UNCONSCIOUS>

<TWO DAYS LATER>

<LEDAS WAKES UP; HE IS INSIDE A REJUVINATION TANK; MOST OF HIS WOUNDS ARE HEALED; HE LOOKS AROUND AT THE ROOM AND HIS BODY>

Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> The computer must've sent someone to put me here. But I don't see anyone around. Weird. <HE NOTICES THE MONITER NEXT TO HIM SAYING HIS VITALS ARE AT 100%> No use staying in here.

<LEDAS BLASTS OUT OF THE TANK, HAVING NO OTHER WAY TO GET OUT; WHEN HE GETS OUT, HE FALLS OVER, NOT FROM SLIPPING ON THE LIQUID, BUT BECAUSE HE HAS NO TAIL>

Ledas: That thing must've cut off my tail. I didn't even feel it come off...

<HE LOOKS AWAY, PEERING OUTWARD; AS HE DOES SO, HE CREATES A POWER BALL IN HIS RIGHT HAND; IT IS A SMALL ONE AND HE KEEPS IT ONLY LONG ENOUGH FOR HIS TAIL TO REGROW; ONCE IT DOES, HE EXTINGUISHES THE BALL>

<LEDAS STANDS UP AND WANDERS DOWN A CORRIDOR; HE FINDS NO ONE; AS HE MAKES HIS WAY THROUGH A DARK PASSAGE, HE IS HIT WITH A SUDDEN PAIN IN HIS HEAD; NO MEMORIES COME WITH IT, HOWEVER>

<LEDAS' HEAD HURTS REALLY BAD, CAUSING HIM TO FALL OVER BACKWARDS; THE PAIN IS BLINDING, LITERALLY, AND HE HAS TO JUST SIT THERE AND WAIT IT OUT INSTEAD OF TRYING TO MOVE; HIS HAIR IS WHITE NOW AND HIS EYES ARE GREEN; HE IS LAYING ON HIS BACK, ARMS AND LEGS SPREAD OUT>

<LEDAS SCREAMS; HIS AURA GROWS AROUND HIM; THE PAIN BECOMES SO UNBEARABLE THAT HE BEGINS POUNDING THE GROUND IN AGONY; NOT A MOMENT LATER, HE ACCIDENTALLY RELEASES A VERY POWERFUL EXPLOSIVE WAVE; SEEING HOW HE IS STILL BLIND, LEDAS DOES NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON>

<AFTER RELEASING THE ENERGY WAVE, THE PAIN SUBSIDES; LEDAS' VISION COMES BACK, AND HE SITS UP ON HIS KNEES; HE SUDDENLY HEARS A RASPY BREATHING NOISE COMING FROM DIRECTLY BEHIND HIM; HE SITS UP STRAIGHT, REALIZING, THROUGH SENSING THE ENERGY AROUND HIM, THAT IT IS NEPAR>

<NEPAR GRABS LEDAS, PULLING HIM OUT OF THE BUILDING; THE BUILDING IS SHOWN TO HAVE A LARGE HOLE FROM LEDAS' EXPLOSIVE WAVE; NEPAR WAS ALERTED TO THIS AND FOUND THE BOY STILL ALIVE>

<LEDAS BREAKS FREE OF HIS GRIP; HE FLIES OVER NEPAR'S HEAD, SHOOTING AN UNRELENTING ENERGY BURST; THE BLASTS CONNECT; BUT NEPAR USES HIS WING TO SWAT LEDAS DOWN, AS LEDAS FLIES DOWN THE CREATURE'S SPINE; LEDAS FALLS DOWN FROM ITS BACK AND GETS TANGLED IN ITS LEGS; HE CANNOT MAKE OUT ANYTHING; NEPAR SPINS HIM OVER DISORIENTING THE SAIYAN IN THE MESS OF HANGING LEGS>

<LEDAS IS CUT BY THIS, BUT NOT BADLY; HE TRIES SEVERAL SEVERING BEAMS, AND THIS HELPS HIM CLEAR OUT SOME OF THE LEGS; STILL, HE CANNOT MOVE; AT ONCE, NEPAR SENDS OUT A SHOCKWAVE, RUNNING DOWN HIS ENTIRE BODY; IT GETS LEDAS PRETTY GOOD; IT DROPS LEDAS, RISING IN THE AIR TO GAIN A VANTAGE POINT>

<LEDAS STANDS UP SLOWLY, CRANING HIS NECK TO FIND NEPAR AGAINST THE BRIGHT SUN IN THE SKY>

<SUDDENLY, NEPAR COMES ROARING DOWN, HIS SHARP LEGS EXTENDED TO SLICE LEDAS; LEDAS DUCKS, BARELY MISSING THE ATTACK; AS NEPAR FLIES PAST HIM, HE TAKES A FEW POT SHOTS AT THE CREATURE, THOUGH THEY HAVE LITTLE EFFECT>

<NEPAR COMES FOR ANOTHER ROUND; LEDAS ANTICIPATES IT, DUCKING, THEN ROLLING TO HE LEFT; HE GRABS ONTO NEPAR'S TORSO AS THE CREATURE COMES BY; AS HE GETS ON NEPAR, HE SHOOTS A COLLECTION OF FOCUSED FINGER BEAMS INTO ITS BACK, CAUSING A HOLE TO TEAR OPEN; HE STICKS HIS HAND INSIDE, CREATING A KYORRA FLASH; HOWEVER, NEPAR DOES A ROLL, FLINGING LEDAS OFF OF HIM; THE KYORRA FLASH SHOOTS WILDLY INTO THE AIR; LEDAS LANDS ON THE GROUND, ON HIS FEET>

<NEPAR CREATES ENERGY WITH HIS HANDS FOR THE FIRST TIME; HE SENDS A HAIL OF SMALL BLASTS AT LEDAS; LEDAS RISES QUICKLY OUT OF IT; AS HE IS VULNERABLE RISING INTO THE AIR, NEPAR CREATES A MOUTH BEAM AND SHOOTS IT AT LEDAS>

<LEDAS CREATES A BARRIER AT THE LAST SECOND, BUT IT IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH; THE MOUTH BEAM EXPLODES THROUGH IT AND HITS LEDAS>

<NEPAR CONTINUES HIS ASSAULT; LEDAS DEFENDS AGAINST THE BLASTS, BUT THEY DO HURT HIM; MANY OF THEM KNICK HIS ARMS AND LEGS AND FACE; LEDAS RETALIATES BY SHOOTING SEVERAL DOZEN RAZOR BLASTS AND TWO GALICKS; BOTH HIT NEPAR AND DO HIM ENOUGH DAMAGE TO MAKE HIM STOP HIS ATTACK>

<LEDAS AIR DASHES BACK TO NEPAR, THIS TIME GOING FOR HIS FACE; NEPAR PUTS HIS ARMS TO BLOCK, BUT LEDAS IS TOO FAST, HE SLAMS THROUGH, KICKING NEPAR IN THE NOSE AREA; IT DOES NOT REACT>

Ledas: Is that thing even alive?! Come on! How come he didn't feel that!?

<NEPAR DOES NOT ANSWER; HE GRABS LEDAS WITH HIS TWO DOMINANT HANDS, SQUEEZING VERY HARD; NEPAR SENDS THE SHOCK WAVE AGAIN, ZAPPING LEDAS; LEDAS TRIES AN EXPLOSIVE WAVE; IT IS POWERFUL ENOUGH FOR HIM TO GET FREE OF NEPAR'S GRIP>

<LEDAS RISES ABOVE THE ALIEN'S HEAD, CREATING A BALL OF ENERGY; HE THROWS IT INTO NEPAR'S FACE; AS IT EXPLODES, HE FOLLOWS UP WITH A SPAM OF FINGER BEAMS; THIS HURTS NEPAR, WHO FAULTERS, THOUGH IT MAKES NO NOISE>

<NEPAR USES A GREAT BIT OF ENERGY TO SHOOT ENERGY BEAMS OUT OF EVERY ARM AND LEG, AS WELL AS HIS MOUTH; LEDAS DODGES THEM BY DROPPING AND CLINGING ONTO NEPAR'S NAPE; NEPAR, FEELS HIM, RISES IN THE AIR, AND PREPARES A MANEUEVER TO MAKE LEDAS FALL OFF; HAVING NOT MUCH TIME, LEDAS GOES TO MAKE ANOTHER HOLE IN NEPAR WHEN HE NOTICES THE CREATURE'S WINGS; INSTEAD OF CONTINUING WITH HIS ORIGINAL PLAN, HE ATTACKS THE WINGS>

<LEDAS LOBS SEVERAL KI BALLS AT EACH WING; THEY ARE NOT LIKE THE REST OF THE BODY; THEY ARE MUCH SOFTER; AS THEY ARE HIT BY THE BLASTS, THEY BEGIN CRACKING; LEDAS LETS GO OF NEPAR; AS HE FALLS OFF, HE LETS OFF ONE BEAM IN EACH HAND; THEY CONNECT WITH THE WINGS, DESTROYING THEM; BLACK LIQUID SHOOTS OUT FROM THE HOLES CREATED>

<AS LEDAS BACKFLIPS, NEPAR STOPS GOING UP; WHEN LEDAS RIGHTS HIMSELF, HE SEES NEPAR COME PLUMMETING DOWN; HE IS CAREFUL TO GET OUT OF THE WAY>

<NEPAR HITS THE GROUND AND DOES NOT GET UP; LEDAS SEES HIS ADVANTAGE; HE COVERS NEPAR'S BODY IN WAVE AFTER WAVE OF ENERGY BLASTS UNTIL HE IS SURE NEPAR IS DEAD; THEN HE DESCENDS TO THE GROUND, AT THE CREATURE'S HEAD>

<NEPAR IS NOT DEAD NOR DOES IT LOOK CRITICALLY WOUNDED (ONLY MODERATELY WOUNDED); HOWEVER, IT IS CONVULSING; ITS HEAD AND ARMS ARE BOBBING UP AND DOWN AS IT TRIES TO GET UP; IT SEES LEDAS AND SHOOTS A BEAM OF ENERGY OUT OF ITS MOUTH, BUT LEDAS HITS THAT AWAY>

<THE CREATURE USES ITS ARMS TO TRY TO STAND UP, BUT IT IS TOO WEAK; IT FALLS BACK ON ITS SIDE; IT CREATES ENERGY, SEVERAL BLASTS FROM HIS MOUTH AND ARMS; THEN HE GOES QUIET, AND STOPS MOVING>

<AFTER TWO MORE PANELS, NEPAR GIVES ONE LAST FINAL CONVULSING MOVEMENT, ITS RASPY BREATHING HEIGHTENED TO ITS FULLEST; THEN, THE CREATURE FALLS OVER, GOES LIMP AND IS DEAD; LIKE A FISH OUT OF WATER, IT WAS KILLED BY NOT FLYING; SUFFOCATING FROM NOT LETTING ITS BODY FLY>

<LEDAS TURNS AWAY FROM IT, TO THE TOWERS; HE IS BREATHING HARD, AND SITS DOWN, LEANING UP AGAINST NEPAR'S BODY>

Ledas: The only energy I feel on the entire planet is coming from that tower. <HE LOOKS AT THE RIGHT ONE> They're the only ones left... and they are pretty strong. <LEDAS LOOKS ONCE AT NEPAR'S CORPSE> Not as bad as him. <LEDAS TURNS BACK TO THE TOWER> I bet Vegeta doesn't have it this hard if he's alive.

<LEDAS STANDS UP>

Ledas: There's no point in staying here. Those people up there <HE LOOKS TOWARDS THE TOP OF THE RIGHT TOWER> will have a way to get out of here. I just have to get what they have and I can find Vegeta myself. No more Frieza, no more Cooler, no more Guva. Just me and him. We'll become Super Saiyans and no one will touch us.

<LEDAS WALKS FORWARD; HE CREATES A SMALL ENERGY BLAST AND BLASTS DOWN THE DOOR TO THE RIGHT TOWER WITHOUT STOPPING>

<LEDAS ENTERS THE TOWER>

Final Run
<TWO DAYS PRIOR>

<FROM THE RIGHT TOWER’S POINT OF VIEW, THREE BEINGS ARE WATCHING A CAMERA FEED; AS IT IS, IT SHOWS THE SCENE OF LEDAS FIGHTING KONATSU’S FORCES>

<THE THREE BEINGS WATCH AS LEDAS DECIMATES THE FORCES; THE LIGHTENING STRIKE GOES OFF, DESTROYING EVERYTHING ASIDE FROM THEIR TOWERS; THEY BRACE AGAINST ITS IMPACT>

<THE MAN AT THEIR HELM IS DIGRANITE; THE CREATURE SHOWN BEFORE; HE IS WEARING HIS ORNATE PURPLE/BLACK ARMOR; THE OTHER TWO ARE SKINNIER, BUT ABOUT AS TALL AS HIM; THEY ARE BLUE SKINNED AND HAVE LARGE CRESCENT MASSES BEHIND THEIR SKULLS; THEY DO NOT WEAR THE CHEST ARMOR THAT ALL OTHER SHOULDERS WEAR, BUT THEY DO WEAR THE CROTCH AND SIDE GUARDS, AS WELL AS ANKLE AND WRIST GUARDS>

<THE THREE ARE STANDING ALONE IN A DIMLY LIT ROOM, LOOKING DOWN IN ON THE TABLE, WHICH HAS THE FEED ON IT; SEEING LEDAS’ ATTACK TO BE OVER, DIGRANITE SWIFTLY TURNS AND WALKS OUT>

Digranite: Don't let him in. Call Nepar to guard the door if you two cannot handle it.

Sika: <FIRST BODYGUARD> Where are you going?

Digranite: Communications were destroyed by that last blast. Cooler must be notified. <TO THEM, MORE SHARPLY> Do what I said.

<DIGRANITE EXITS FORCEFULLY>

Sika: <TO HER SISTER> I don't want to fight that kid.

Sarpack: Nepar will kill him. Or maybe he'll just wound him so badly that we can have our fun with him.

Sika: Digranite doesn't have much faith in Nepar if he's calling Cooler. We don't need to go down there and get killed, ourselves.

Sarpack: Fine, we can just watch.

<THEY WATCH THE ENTIRE BATTLE OF LEDAS VERSUS NEPAR; THIS IS SHOWN IN QUICK TIME; AT FIRST THEY ARE CONTENT WITH NEPAR'S WINNING, BUT SOON THEY BECOME WORRIED AND THEN OUTRIGHT HORRIFIED AS NEPAR IS KILLED; WHEN THEY SEE HIS CORPSE FALL, THEY LOCK DOWN EVERYTHING>

<IT IS BACK TO TWO DAYS LATER>

<A SHIP, SMALLER THAN COOLER'S, AND POINTED NOT ROUND, LANDS; DIGRANITE EXITS; HE IS WEARING AN ORANGE SCOUTER; HE USES IT TO TRACK AROUND; THE ONLY READINGS ARE OF HIS TWO BODYGUARDS AND LEDAS, ALL IN THE TOWER; HE IS NEITHER SURPRISED NOR MAD AT NEPAR'S DEATH AND LEDAS' BREAKING INTO HIS BASE>

<CUTS TO LEDAS>

<HE IS CLIMBING THE TOWER, BY MANY FLIGHTS OF STAIRS; HE FINDS NO ONE; THE PLACE IS DIMLY LIT AT BEST; HE GETS A SUDDEN POWER READING THAT SOMEONE IS NEAR HIM; HE STOPS RUNNING>

<LOOKING OVER HIS SHOULDER, LEDAS SPOTS A SHADOW; HE SPRING PUNCHES AT IT, BUT THERE IS NOTHING THERE; HE HEARS A LAUGH; LEDAS LOOKS UP, AND SEES A CREATURE HANGING FROM THE WALL; IT IS FEMALE, ONE OF DIGRANITE'S BODYGUARDS>

<LEDAS GREETS IT WITH A FACE-FULL OF ENERGY BLASTS; IT DROPS DOWN, DIVING UNDER HIS BLASTS, AND LANDS A FEW STEPS ABOVE HIM; LEDAS RUNS UP TO HER AND PUNCHES, BUT IT GOES THROUGH; SHE WAS ONLY AN AFTERIMAGE; THE REAL BODYGUARD DROPS DOWN FROM THE CEILING, UNHURT FROM THE ENERGY, AND BICYCLE KICKS LEDAS; HE IS PUSHED UP INTO THE AIR; BUT HE FLIPS OVER; HE KICKS OFF FROM THE WALL, CHARGING INTO THE BODYGUARD; SHE CATCHES HIM, BUT HE SWIPES HER ARMS AWAY; AS HE GOES TO PUNCH HER, HE IS KICKED IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD; AS HE FALLS, THE SECOND BODYGUARD SHOWS HERSELF; SHE PURSUES HIS BODY AND CLOBBERS HIM EVEN FURTHER>

<LEDAS SPINS AWAY FROM THE TWO, SENDING ENERGY AFTER THEM; HE STOPS HIMSELF JUST IN TIME FOR THE TWO OF THEM TO CATCH UP TO HIM; THIS WAS A MISTAKE ON LEDAS' PART, AS HE IS UNABLE TO MATCH THEM WHEN THEY FIGHT TOGETHER; THEY POUND HIM IN THE FACE; SARPACK GRABS ONTO HIS LEGS AND PULLS HIM DOWN; SIKA CREATES A BURNING ATTACK, WHICH DOES A GOOD BIT OF DAMAGE TO LEDAS; HIS ARMOR IS NOW ALMOST COMPLETELY SHATTERED>

<THE TWO FEMALE BODYGUARDS COME TOGETHER ONE LAST TIME AND SIMULTANEOUSLY FLY INTO LEDAS, PUNCHING HIM AS THEY DO; THIS CAUSES LEDAS TO FALL>

<WHEN HE HITS THE GROUND, SIKA LANDS AND PLACES HER FOOT ON HIS HEAD; SHE CREATES ENERGY BINDS AROUND HIM; THE SECOND LANDS NEXT TO HER>

<LEDAS LOOKS UP AT THEM WITH A SNARL>

Sika: <TO LEDAS> You're a lot more useful to us dead. But we have orders.

Sarpack: Aw, I think he wants to be punched in the face.

<SARPACK DOES SO, THEN PLACES HER HAND OVER LEDAS' FACE, CREATING AN ENERGY BLAST; IT BURNS HIM GOOD ENOUGH TO MAKE HIM FALL UNCONSCIOUS, SLUMPING OVER AGAINST THE WALL>

Sika: <SMIRK> If you kill him, you're explaining it to Cooler, not me.

Sarpack: Oh, if he could kill Nepar, he can survive that. I have a lot more when he wakes up. He's too dangerous this healthy. <SARPACK GETS A NOTIFICATION ON HER SCOUTER> Digranite's here. Let's show him our catch.

<THE TWO TAKE HIM DOWNSTAIRS, OUTSIDE; WAITING FOR THEM IS DIGRANITE; HE LOOKS ONLY AT THE BOY, NOT AT HIS GUARDS; HE IS CURT>

Digranite: Wake him.

<SIKA KICKS HIM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD; LEDAS STIRS AWAKE>

Sika: Wake up. General Digranite wants to speak to you.

<LEDAS LOOKS UP AT HIM>

Digranite: Saiyan. <DIGRANITE PICKS LEDAS UP BY THE NECK> Now you're mine.

Ledas: Who're you?

Digranite: Me? I rule over this planet. <HE UNLEASHES SPIKES OUT OF HIS GAUNTLETS WHICH PIECE LEDAS' SKIN> Which you disrepected.

<LEDAS IS NOT LOOKING AT DIGRANITE; INSTEAD, HE NOTICES DIGRANITE'S SHIP; EVEN IN PAIN, THIS IS HIS FOCAL POINT>

Ledas: So?

Digranite: So... I've got you. You will be dead soon, Saiyan.

Ledas: You didn't capture me. You haven't done anything.

Digranite: <HISSES> Is that right?

Ledas: I bet they're stronger than you...

<DIGRANITE THROWS LEDAS ONTO THE GROUND; HE UNDOES LEDAS' BINDS>

Digranite: You have made an incredible mistake goading me. <HE PUTS HIS HANDS OUT, CHARGING UP HIS KI>

Ledas: Not this time.

<LEDAS ROLLS FORWARD; HE SCREAMS AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS, CREATING ANOTHER DIRE HOWL; DIGRANITE AND HIS GUARDS ARE DROPPED TO THEIR KNEES, THE PAIN BEING SO UNBEARABLE; LEDAS CREATES A BUNCH OF AFTERIMAGES TO DISTRACT THEM; HE RUNS TO THE SHIP>

<DIGRANITE IS THE FIRST TO GET UP; HE WALKS THROUGH THE AFTERIMAGES, NOT IMPRESSED BY THEM; WITH ONE HAND, HE SENDS A TRACKING BLAST TO LEDAS, THE REAL LEDAS; THE BOY TRIPS UP, BUT MANAGES TO STUMBLE INTO THE SHIP; LEDAS RUNS TO THE FRONT AND PUNCHES ITS TAKEOFF BUTTON; THE DOORS CLOSE AND IT TAKES OFF>

<LEDAS LOOKS OUT THE WINDOW WHEN HE IS KICKED RIGHT INTO THE CONTROL SETUP; DIGRANITE IS BEHIND HIM>

Digranite: There's nowhere to go. Cooler's already here. He'll have your head if I don't first!

<HE AND LEDAS INTERLOCK HANDS AS THEY FIGHT FOR CONTROL; DIGRANITE SNAPS LEDAS BACK; HE BACKHANDS LEDAS WITH HIS SPIKES; THAT CUTS THE BOY; LEDAS FALLS TO HIS KNEES AND JUMPS BETWEEN DIGRANITE'S LEGS; NOW BEHIND HIM, LEDAS CREATES A POINT-BLANK ENERGY BEAM; BUT IT DOES NOTHING; DIGRANITE MOVES BACKWARD, PINNING LEDAS BETWEEN HIM AND THE WALL>

<LEDAS SPRINGS HIS LEGS UP AND BOUNCES OFF OF DIGRANITE'S BACK; DIGRANITE DOES NOT ATTACK; HE SEES THAT THEY ARE GAINING ALTITUDE FAST, AND SOON THEY WILL BE IN SPACE>

<DIGRANITE CREATES TWO BLASTS AROUND HIM THAT DESTROYS THE VEHICLE; LEDAS LUNGES AT HIM AND KICKS, BUT IT DOES NOTHING; DIGRANITE, IN ONE MOVEMENT, GRABS THE BACK OF LEDAS' HEAD WITH HIS LEFT HAND SWINGS IT FORWARD, INTO HIS RIGHT FIST; HE LOWERS HIS FIST AND PUNCHES LEDAS IN THE GUT; THE SHIP IS TEARING APART NOW; DIGRANITE KICKS LEDAS OUT OF IT AND JUMPS AFTER HIM>

<IN FREEFALL, THE TWO TRADE BLOWS AND BLASTS; DIGRANITE SPINS OVER ON TOP OF LEDAS; HE PUNCHES HIM RELENTLESSLY UNTIL THEY BREAK OFF; LEDAS SPINS AROUND, WRAPPING HIS LEGS AROUND DIGRANITE'S HEAD, TRYING TO CHOKE HIM; DIGRANITE ELBOWS HIM OFF; THE TWO FIRE BEAMS AT EACH OTHER; THEY EXPLODE, THE SHOCKWAVE SENDING THE TWO FAR APART; THEY LAND, BOTH ON THEIR FEET>

<THEY BEGIN FIGHTING IMMEDIATELY; DIGRANITE, WHO IS MUCH STRONGER, IS OUTCLASSING LEDAS IN EVERY AREA; HIS SPEED IS INCREDIBLE; LEDAS CANNOT BLOCK ANYTHING; AS WELL, LEDAS CANNOT GET TOO CLOSE OR HE WILL BE CUT BY DIGRANITE'S BLADES>

<DIGRANITE SPREADS HIS KNEES; FROM HIS GAUNTLETS, KNEES, AND BACK, SPIKES COME OUT>

Digranite: Don't run now.

<HE ROLLS AT LEDAS, HIS SPIKES ELONGATED OUTWARD; LEDAS SIDESTEPS, BUT HIS ENERGY BLASTS ARE DOING NOTHING; DIGRANITE'S ARMOR IS TOO STRONG; DIGRANITE JUMPS UP AND IS ABLE TO KNEE LEDAS IN THE GUT; LEDAS THROWS HIM OFF>

<LEDAS BACKS OFF, THINKING UP WHAT TO DO WHEN IT HITS HIM; ANOTHER HEADACHE, ONLY THIS TIME IT IS MUCH WORSE; HE FALLS, SCREAMING OUT IN PAIN>

Ledas: No!! Not now!!

<HIS HAIR IS WHITE, HIS EYES GREEN; DIGRANITE STOPS, PUZZLED>

Digranite: Transformation? <HE CLICKS HIS SCOUTER> No power increase?

<LEDAS LOOKS UP AT HIM, HIS EYES ARE BLEEDING; HE THROWS A BALL OF ENERGY, BUT DIGRANITE SWATS IT AWAY; HE BRINGS OUT HIS SPIKES AGAIN AND WALKS UP TO LEDAS; HE PICKS UP THE BOY, SLOWLY AND SILHOUETTED, AND BRINGS HIM DOWN ONTO THEIR SHARP HEADS>

<BACK DOWN ON THE GROUND, SIKA AND SARPACK ARE STANDING WATCHING>

<A VOICE, UNSEEN, TALKS>

Voice: He's alive?

Sika: Yeah, we just- <SHE TURNS HER HEAD AND SEES WHO IT IS>

Sarpack: What are you doing here?!

<THE TWO BEGIN FORMING BLUE ENERGY IN THEIR HANDS BUT IT IS TOO LATE>

<A FLASH OF PURPLE LIGHT TAKES OVER THE SCREEN; THE TWO BODYGUARDS HAVE BEEN INCINERATED BY A QUICK ENERGY BEAM>

That Makes Him The Guv'nor
<ABOVE THE STOMPING GROUNDS IS COOLER; HE IS IN SPACE; HIS SPACE SHIP IS IN THE BACKGROUND; COOLER HAS HIS ARMS FOLDED AND HIS SCOUTER ON; HIS IS PURPLE>

Cooler: I have had enough of this. <HE CREATES A SUDDEN DEATH BALL; HE CLICKS HIS SCOUTER> Digranite. Get off the planet. <BACK TO HIMSELF> This Saiyan's power is impressive. I will have to use thirty percent of my power to make sure he doesn't get away again.

<HIS POWER BALL GROWS TREMENDOUSLY; HE HOLDS IT WITH TWO FINGERS>

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS AND DIGRANITE; DIGRANITE IS CUTTING HIM WITH HIS RAZOR SPINES; HIS SCOUTER, HOWEVER, IS ON THE GROUND, SEVERAL FEET AWAY; IT WAS KNOCKED OFF OF HIM IN THEIR SCUFFLE; HE DOES NOT HEAR COOLER'S WARNING>

<AS DIGRANITE LOWERS LEDAS FARTHER DOWN ONTO HIS SPIKES, LEDAS SCREAMS OUT MORE; HE CREATES AN ENERGY WAVE, BUT DIGRANITE IS UNHARMED; LEDAS IS STILL IN HIS SEMI-SUPER SAIYAN FORM; HOWEVER, SINCE HE CANNOT CONTROL IT YET, IT HAS NOT GIVEN HIM A STRENGTH BOOST>

<JUST AT THIS TIME, A PURPLE BALL OF KI SLAMS INTO DIGRANITE, CAUSING HIM TO ALMOST FALL OVER, DROPPING LEDAS; HE TURNS AROUND FURIOUSLY, READYING A BLAST, WHEN HE SEES WHO IT IS; HE STAYS HIS BLAST>

Digranite: <HISS-STATEMENT> Military Governor Guva.

<SCREEN PANS AROUND, SHOWING GUVA IN HIS BEST ARMOR; IT IS PURPLE AND SHOULDER-LESS; GUVA DOES NOT LOOK MUCH OLDER, BUT HIS WHITE HAIR IS MORE PRONOUNCED THAN IT WAS TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS AGO>

Guva: Commander General Digranite.

Digranite: I haven't seen you since you won your planet.

Guva: <EYES LOCKED> No doubt.

Digranite: Why are you here?

Guva: Cooler and I were just in the neighborhood when we heard your distress call. Interesting call, it was.

Digranite: Where's Cooler?

Guva: <NONCHALANT> In space. As far as I know, he is preparing to blow up the planet as we speak.

Digranite: What?! This is my place! He cannot-

Guva: He was quite mad at your failings. Really, losing an entire garrison of the most elite troops... But that's between you and him.

Digranite: <ANGER EVIDENT> I ask again, Governor. Why are you here?

Guva: The boy, he's mine. I'm leaving with him.

Digranite: But... Cooler...

Guva: He will not know.

Digranite: No. <QUIETLY> You will not take him. I assure you. You know, Military Governor, that I am your superior.

<HE FLEXES HIS SPIKED GAUNTLETS>

Guva: I am aware of your strength. Do you think I would be so foolish to challenge you alone? <TO LEDAS> Ledas, get up. You want out? You want to live? Help me kill Digranite. Come now, I know our strengths together eclipse his by a good deal.

Digranite: <WHISPER> Treason! Lord Cooler will-

Guva: <STEPS ON DIGRANITE'S SCOUTER, WHICH WAS ON THE GROUND> Never know.

<DIGRANITE YELLS OUT AND ATTACKS GUVA; AS THEY ARE BOTH POWERED UP TO THEIR FULLEST, DIGRANITE IS SUPERIOR; GUVA IS ABLE TO BLOCK BETTER THAN LEDAS WAS, BUT HE IS STILL LOSING>

<DIGRANITE KICKS GUVA TO ONE KNEE THEN CREATES A BEAM OF ENERGY; IT IS NEARLY POINT-BLANK; GUVA CREATES AN ELEGANT FINISHER TO STALL IT; THE BEAM STRUGGLE DOES NOT LAST, HOWEVER; THE TWO ARE TOO CLOSE, AND THEY EXPLODE INSTANTLY, SENDING BOTH GOVERNORS FLYING>

<LEDAS SITS UP; HE IS IN COMPLETE DISBELIEF AT GUVA BEING HERE; HIS HEADACHE HAS MOSTLY GONE AWAY, AND HE IS ABLE TO STAND; HE CHARGES UP HIS KI AS MUCH AS HE CAN WITHOUT SPLITTING HIS HEAD AND RUNS TO DIGRANITE>

<DIGIRANITE FLIPS UP FROM THE GROUND, KICKING LEDAS; BUT LEDAS IS ABLE TO CATCH HIS FEET; HE SLAMS DIGRANITE BACK DOWN ON THE GROUND; DIGRANITE PUNCHES HIM HARD IN THE SIDE OF THE LEG; HOWEVER, BEFORE HE CAN FINISH LEDAS, GUVA COMES BACK; HE LANDS WITH HIS TOE ON DIGRANITE'S FACE, PUSHING HIS RED FEATHERS INTO THE GROUND>

<DIGRANITE MAKES AN EXPLOSIVE WAVE; IN THE DUST, HE COMES ROLLING OUT, HIS SPIKES FLYING; GUVA PUTS UP HIS HANDS IN AN "X" POSITION TO BLOCK, BUT HE IS CUT BY THEM; LEDAS JUMPS OUT OF THE WAY; DIGRANITE HEADBUTTS GUVA; GUVA FLIES BACK AND SENDS A LARGE ARCING BLAST AT DIGRANITE, BUT DIGRANITE TELEPORTS THROUGH IT; GUVA STOPS HIMSELF FROM FALLING; HE CREATES AN IMAGE SLASH AND RUSHES FORWARD, AGAINST DIGRANITE'S PURSUIT AND SLAMS HIS ENERGY SWORD RIGHT INTO DIGRANITE'S CHEST; DIGRANITE'S ARMOR IS TOO POWERFUL AND IT SHATTERS THE BLAST>

<AT THIS TIME, COOLER SENDS DOWN HIS BLAST, HAVING NOT HEARD FROM DIGRANITE; DIGRANITE HAD HIS HANDS ON GUVA'S HEAD, AS GUVA LAY, AND WAS SQUEEZING HIS HEAD PAINFULLY; HOWEVER, WHEN COOLER'S BALL HITS THE PLANET, EVERYTHING SHAKES SO SEVERELY THAT DIGRANITE IS THROWN OFF>

<GUVA STANDS UP AND ENGAGES HIM IN HAND TO HAND COMBAT; THE TWO ARE RELATIVELY EVEN NOW, AS DIGRANITE HAS BEEN WORN DOWN; GUVA SIDECHOPS DIGRANITE ACROSS THE FACE; DIGRANITE HISSES AND TRIES AN EYE BEAM; GUVA PUTS HIS HANDS UP TO STOP IT, AND DIGRANITE PUNCHES HIM REALLY HARD IN THE GUT; GUVA FALLS OVER, AND DIGRANITE KICKS HIM AWAY>

<HE TURNS AROUND TO SEE LEDAS STANDING THERE, WHITE HAIR AND ALL; LEDAS IS LOOKING AT GUVA, NOT DIGRANITE>

Ledas: We have to go now.

Guva: Kill him first! <DIGRANITE LOOKS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THEM>

Ledas: He destroyed his own ship. We just have to stall him long enough to get away.

Digranite: <INTERRUPTING> Great story. Too bad it won't work!

<HE LUNGES AT LEDAS AND PUNCHES HIM ACROSS THE FACE; LEDAS STUMBLES BACK, BUT GRABS ONTO DIGRANITE'S ARM; HE BENDS IT BACK, SO THAT THE SPIKES PUNCTURE IN ON DIGRANITE'S SKIN>

Ledas: I know why it hurt so much before.

<DIGRANITE UNSNAPS HIS ARM AND JUMPS BACK>

Ledas: That thing in the cave gave me all this power and my body couldn't handle it... that's why I kept getting headaches when this happened. <HE LOOKS STRAIGHT INTO DIGRANITE'S EYES> But now... I guess I've been in it long enough or my power's gone up enough that it doesn't hurt any more. I can sense your power compared to mine. You can't win.

Digranite: I don't have to win. Even if you are stronger than me now, I can hold you until the planet goes. Lord Cooler was right. I failed him. But I can regain my honor.

<HE SENDS A SWEEPING GROUP OF ENERGY BLASTS AROUND LEDAS; LEDAS RUNS RIGHT THROUGH THEM INTO DIGRANITE; WITH THIS BOOSTED POWER, HE IS STRONGER THAN DIGRANITE, BUT NOT MORE EXPERIENCED; DIGRANITE IS ABLE TO SIDESTEP HIM AND TAKE TO THE SKY; HE SENDS A BUNCH OF ENERGY DOWN; LEDAS PURSUES HIM, BUT DIGRANITE TELEPORTS BEHIND HIM, HE GETS LEDAS INTO AN ARM LOCK AND BRINGS HIM TO THE GROUND; HE PREPARES AN ENERGY BLAST, WHEN GUVA COMES AGAIN>

<GUVA INTERLOCKS HIS HANDS AND SWINGS THEM INTO DIGRANITE'S SIDE; DIGRANITE LETS GO OF LEDAS AND FALLS OVER>

<LEDAS TURNS AROUND, PUTS HIS BOOT ON DIGRANITE'S NECK AND THEN FIRES A KYORRA FLASH; DIGRANITE MAKES NO SOUND TO EITHER OF THESE BUT HE DOES NOT MOVE AFTER THAT BLAST; SEEING HIS OPPORTUNITY, LEDAS LOOKS AT GUVA>

Ledas: Get the ship.

Guva: <STANDING OVER DIGRANITE WITH HIS SHOULDERS RAISED; GRUFFLY> Very well. Follow me, Ledas.

<CUE FINAL HOUR>

<GUVA TAKES TO THE AIR; LEDAS FOLLOWS HIM; IT DOES NOT TAKE LONG FOR THEM TO REACH GUVA'S SHIP; IT IS LIKE DIGRANITE'S IN THAT IT IS NOT A POD AND CAN HOLD MORE THAN ONE PERSON; THEY ENTER IT; THE PLANET IS ABOUT TO BLOW UP NOW; IT HAS BEEN THREE MINUTES (IN REAL TIME) SINCE COOLER SENT OFF HIS BLAST>

<AS LEDAS IS RUNNING UP THE RAMP, HE GETS A SUDDEN PING IN ENERGY; OF COURSE IT IS DIGRANITE COMING AFTER HIM; HE SEES THE FEATHERY, SPIKED, ARMORED CREATURE COMING TO HIM; LEDAS GATHERS UP HIS ENERGY AS FAST AS HE CAN>

Ledas: <CRANES HIS NECK BACK TO GUVA> Just get it started, I'll hold him off.

<DIGRANITE IS ALSO CHARGING UP ENERGY AS HE FLIES; LEDAS BUYS AS MUCH TIME AS HE CAN, BUT WHEN DIGRANITE GETS TOO CLOSE, HE RELEASES HIS BLAST; IT IS A SPHERE, AN ICE CANNON; DIGRANITE SENDS OUT HIS BLAST AS WELL; IT IS A LONG CRIMSON ENERGY BEAM; THE TWO CONNECT; NATURALLY, THIS IS WHEN A BEAM STRUGGLE OCCURS>

<GUVA TAKES OFF, LEAVING THE BACK RAMP OPEN; LEDAS STANDS ON IT AND DIGRANITE FLIES UP WITH THEM; THE TWO ARE LOCKED IN A BEAM STRUGGLE OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE>

<THE BEAM IS CLOSER TO DIGRANITE, OF COURSE; HE SCERAMS OUT TO LEDAS>

Digranite: Your annihilation is inevitable; my victory guaranteed! You will not get away this time!

<LEDAS SAVES HIS BREATH AND PUTS ALL OF HIS ENERGY INTO THE BLAST>

Ledas: <IN HIS MIND> I can feel my power dropping fast... this form uses up so much energy. I can't hold it much longer.

Digranite: Come on. Come on! A Saiyan is not stronger than me! I am Cooler's right hand man! No one is above me! No one!

<THE SHIP REACHES THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE; THE COLD AIR COMES INTO PLAY IMMEDIATELY; IT HITS DIGRANITE AND HIS ARMOR, ALL OF WHICH IS MADE OF HEAVY METAL; NOT ONLY DOES THE METAL FREEZE UP, BUT IT BECOMES UNBEARABLY UNMOVABLE; DIGRANITE'S ARM FREEZE; HE TUGS AGAINST IT, AS SURELY HIS OWN POWER COULD FORCE THE METAL TO HIS WILL; HOWEVER, AS HE DOES, HE EXPENDS TOO MUCH ENERGY; HE LOSES CONTROL OF HIS BEAM AND LEDAS' ICE CANNON OVERTAKES HIM; HE PUTS UP HIS ARMS IN DEFENSE, BUT IT IS TOO LATE; THE ICE CANNON OVERTAKES HIM>

<DIGRANITE FALLS BACKWARD, BACK TO THE PLANET; THE BLAST ITSELF PREVENTS HIM FROM TAKING ANY MORE SHOTS AT THEIR SHIP>

Digranite: You are no better!

<END OF FINAL HOUR>

<LEDAS WATCHES AS DIGRANITE FALLS OUT OF SIGHT, THEN IS JARRED OUT OF THOUGHT WHEN GUVA SPEAKS>

Guva: <FROM THE COMMAND> Shut that back door! Unlike you, I cannot breathe in space.

<LEDAS PUNCHES THE CLOSE BUTTON AND THE TWO ENTER INTO SPACE; IT IS NOT MORE THAN THREE SECONDS LATER THAT THE PLANET EXPLODES; THE TWO FEEL THE SHOCKWAVE AND IT BUMPS THEM AROUND FOR A GOOD DEAL; IT STOPS, AFTER SOME TIME; LEDAS GOES TO SPEAK, BUT GUVA SILENCES HIM>

Guva: We've been hailed by Cooler. I must go speak to him. Hide back here. Keep your power level as low as possible.

<GUVA STANDS UP AND OPENS A SMALL CONTAINER; OF COURSE LEDAS CAN FIT IN IT; HE CLOSES IT AND LEDAS LOOKS OUT FROM THE GRATE WALL>

<GUVA AND COOLER'S SHIPS COME TOGETHER AFTER A FEW MINUTES; COOLER, ALONE, BOARDS GUVA'S SHIP>

Cooler: You did not find him.

Guva: N-no, milord. I looked all over, but he was gone.

Cooler: You look like you've been in a battle. Were you?

Guva: No, no, milord. I was careless after you shot your death ball. But these are just scratches; they'll be gone soon.

Cooler: Very well. I assume Digranite stayed behind to keep the boy. But I cannot imagine the boy being near his level.

Guva: Maybe he was already dead, milord.

Cooler: It does not matter. I've done a power sweep of the system. No power levels other than yours came out of that planet. I think it's time you returned to your system, Governor. We need not discuss this with anybody else.

Guva: Very well, Lord Cooler.

<FADES TO BLACK>

<REFADES TO WHITE>

<LEDAS AND GUVA LAND ON PLANET COOLER 92. THEY EXIT>

Guva: Is it like you remember it?

Ledas: It looks the same. Wewll, is everyone still here?

Guva: Everyone. <HE STOPS LEDAS, AND LOWERS HIS VOICE> Now, Ledas. I know for a fact that if you could take on Digranite, a General even stronger than me, you can kill Banas.

Ledas: I can also kill you.

Guva: Have I not saved you? Have I not promised you answers about your race, if but for the simple request of killing one captain? The injustice of my position is positively aggravating.

Ledas: Fine, I'll do it. <INNOCENT> But, um, can I do it tomorrow? I'm pretty tired right now.

<GUVA NODS AND LEDAS WALKS BACK TO THE BARRACKS; NONE OF THE PLANTAINS ARE THERE, BUT APRIDO IS; APRIDO WAS SITTING ON HIS BED WHEN HE SEES LEDAS; STRICKEN AND HORRIFIED THAT LEDAS IS ALIVE AND IN HIS VICINITY, HE DOES NOT MOVE; LEDAS DOES NOT NOTICE HIM AND GOES BACK TO HIS ROOM>

<HE FINDS IT OCCUPIED BY AN ALIEN, AND AFTER A HASTY APOLOGY, LEDAS LEAVES TO GO TO THE BARRACKS, WHERE HE MAY REST AND GET SOME SLEEP IN PRIVATE>

<APRIDO IS SEETHING, LOOKING INCREDIBLY MAD; HE FINDS HIS LEGS AND GETS UP, RUNNING AFTER LEDAS>

Finding Aprido
<CUTS TO THE OUTPOST, IT IS LATE AT NIGHT; IT IS THE NIGHT AFTER THE LAST CHAPTER>

Aprido: <WALKING DOWN THE CENTRAL ROAD AREA OF THE OUTPOST, IT IS QUIET, WITH NO ONE ELSE AROUND> Now where did that monkey go? <APRIDO SEES A BUILDING UP A HEAD, LIGHTS ON>

<APRIDO MOVES TO THE FACILITY, WHICH IS THE GRAVITY ROOM; HE NOTICES LEDAS INSIDE THE ROOM>

Aprido: What is he doing?

<LEDAS IS SITTING INSIDE WITH HIS HEAD ON HIS KNEES; HE IS TAKING A BREAK FROM HIS TRAINING>

<APRIDO NOTICES THAT THE GRAVITY IS UP TO (earth equivalent) 180G; APRIDO CAN‘T MOVE IN THAT, SO HE CAREFULLY SNEAKS AROUND THE BACK OF THE BUILDING, TO THE CONTROL ROOM (WHERE THERE IS NO EXTRA GRAVITY) AND ENTERS IT; SUDDENLY LEDAS JUMPS UP AND STARTS TO VIGOROUSLY TRAIN>

Aprido: <IN SHOCK> How can he even move in that?! <QUICKLY BECOMES VENGEFUL> He’s trying to show off! Well, that little brat isn’t better than me!

<LEDAS CONTINUES TO TRAIN, FORCEFULLY JUMPING AROUND THE ENTIRE FACILITY>

Aprido: I’ll show him who he’s dealing with!

<APRIDO REACHES FOR THE GRAVITY CONTROL PANEL; HE INCREASES THE GRAVITY TO 300G; LEDAS, WHO IS IN MIDAIR, FALLS TO THE GROUND, HARD, BOUNCING SLIGHTLY, HE CANNOT GET UP; APRIDO, GLEEFULLY MOVES BACK OUT OF SIGHT, PEEKING AROUND THROUGH THE WINDOW; THE GRAVITY HAS OTHER EFFECTS ON THE ROOM AS WELL, SOME WEIGHTS FALL OFF THEIR STANDS, AND START ROLLING TOWARD LEDAS>

<LEDAS ROLLS OVER AND SEES THE WEIGHTS ROLLING RIGHT AT HIM, HIS EYES WIDEN, AND WHEN THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON THEM, THEY ARE GREEN; HIS HAIR PULSATES, TURNING STARK WHITE, THEN BACK TO BLACK; LEDAS NOW IN A SEMI SUPER SAIYAN STATE, IS EASILY ABLE TO DODGE OUT OF THE WAY OF THE INCOMING WEIGHTS; APRIDO SEES HIS POWER LEVEL IS GOING UP EXPONENTIALLY>

Aprido: 50,000... 100,000... 300,000...500,000...800,000! <HIS EYES WIDEN IN HORROR> This is ridiculous, I‘m getting outta here! <APRIDO TURNS OFF THE GRAVITY AND RUNS OUT; LEDAS DROPS TO THE FLOOR STILL AS A SEMI SUPER SAIYAN; IN A BIT OF A DAZE, HE STUMBLES OUT OF THE FACILITY TO THE OUTSIDE, THIS FORM IS STARTING TO WEAR ON HIM PHYSICALLY>

<AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, HE USES UP ALL HIS ENERGY, REVERTS TO HIS NORMAL STATE, AND COLLAPSES ON THE GROUND, ASLEEP>

<APRIDO WAS RUNNING OUT, BUT HE SEES LEDAS FALL DOWN; HE TURNS BACK AND CREEPS UP TO THE SLEEPING SAIYAN>

Aprido: Huh? What’s he doing. <DOES A QUICK CHECK OF POWER> No high power… like before. <HE KICKS LEDAS IN THE HEAD, SOFTLY; LEDAS DOES NOT WAKE> Aeheh? Just sleeping! I'll have a little fun with him now!

<CUTS TO THE NEXT DAY>

< IT IS MORNING, AND MISTY; LEDAS IS LAYING, FACE DOWN, IN THE FOREST; HE IS LAYING RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A NATIVE CAMP; SOME OF THEM ARE ABOUT BUT NONE OF THEM GET NEAR HIM>

Ledas: <STANDS UP; SLOWLY> Where am I? <HE STEPS FORWARD, AND THE NATIVES STEP BACK; OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE AFRAID OF HIM> O-oh... why am I out here? <TO THE NATIVES> Sorry about that, I didn't mean to scare you. <HE TRIES GOING CLOSER AGAIN, BUT THE Y BACK AWAY> N-no… I’m not gonna hurt you. <WHEN THEY DON’T RESPOND, LEDAS BEGINS TO GET IMPATIENT; HE WAITS A FEW MINUTES, BUT WHEN NOTHING CHANGES, HE SIGHS AND WALKS OFF> Slaves, just like me. I feel sorry for them.

<APRIDO, WHO HAD BEEN WATCHING HIS DEVIOUS DEED, BECOMES VERY MAD THAT NOTHING HAPPENS; THAT NEITHER LEDAS NOR THE NATIVES ATTACK>

Aprido: Now where’s he going?! Isn’t he gon- <SUDDENLY, FROM BEHIND, APRIDO IS HIT WITH A ROCK, ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD; HE LETS OUT AN INCIDENTAL YELL THEN FALLS; AS HIS BODY HITS THE GROUND, SEVERAL NATIVES ARE REVEALED BEHIND HIM>

<LEDAS, WHO IS WALKING BACK TO CAMP, HEARS APRIDO’S SCREAM, HE JUMPS, AND TURNS BACK AROUND; PERPLEXED>

<A QUICK SCENE IS SHOWN OF GUVA, MELOON, PAYAR, AND LIEME ALL ENJOYING THEMSELVES AROUND CAMP; BANAS, HOWEVER IS NOT WITH THEM; THE SCENE CUTS TO THE EDGE OF THE FOREST, WHERE BANAS IS STANDING, ARMS CROSSED, LOOKING OFF INTO IT; THE LOOK ON HIS FACE IS OF SLIGHT ANXIETY; BANAS LOOKS OLDER THAN HE HAD BEFORE; HE IS OBVIOUS WRINKLES NOW, AND SEEMS TO HAVE HEAVY GRAVITY AROUND HIM; HE HAS HIS ARMOR BACK, IMPLYING HE IS NOW OFF OF SUSPENSION>

<CUTS BACK TO THE NATIVES' CAMP>

<CLOSE SHOT OF APRIDO, HE IS UNCONSCIOUS; THE CAMERA PANS BACK, AND IT IS SEEN THAT HE IS HEAVILY BOUND TO A GREAT WOODEN PIKE, SLOWLY HE WAKES, AND STRUGGLES AGAINST HIS BINDS; HE BREAKS FREE AND STANDS UP, RUBBING HIS BRUISED CRANIUM>

<IT IS NOTICED THAT THE CAMP HE IS IN IS MOSTLY VACANT, ONLY A FEW NATIVES ARE WANDERING AROUND, ONE OR TWO OF THEM SIMPLY STANDING AND STARING AT HIM>

Aprido: Go! Get away from me you disgusting animals! <SPITS AT THEM, BUT THEY DO NOT MOVE> <SCREAMING> Help!!! Captain! Somebody help me!!!!

<CUTS TO GUVA AND PAYAR, THE TWO OF THEM ARE WALKING OVER THE DEAD BODIES OF ALL THE ALIENS AND SOLDIERS KILLED DURING THE GLADIATOR MATCHES OF THE NIGHT BEFORE; WHILE THIS MATCH WAS NOT SHOWN, IT IS IMPLIED THAT THESE HAD BEEN GOING ON REGULARLY IN LEDAS' ABSENCE>

Guva: <STEPPING OVER SOME BODIES> So many of them. You had a good haul yesterday, Payar. They put up quite a fight.

Payar: <PICKING UP A SCOUTER FROM A DEAD SOLDIER> Yeah, in big numbers, they can be quite… destructive. Moreso than I thought was possible… Sir, what are we going to do with them? Kill them all?

Guva: No, lord Cooler wants them alive.

<A FEW NATIVES ARE STILL ALIVE AND THEY COME RUSHING OUT FROM UNDER SOME BODIES; THEY RUN AT PAYAR, WHO EASILY KILLS THEM>

Payar: And what do you plan on doing with them? The fun’s running out…

Guva: Long have I thought of this. What to do with the natives? But then, it came to me. I realized I alone have the fortitude, the unyielding will to bring our high culture to these worthless beings. To show them how to act, how not to rebel. And when they comprehend it, they will love me for it.

Payar: <GRINS> That won’t stop me.

Guva: I don’t plan on stopping you. Fear is a powerful motivator. It has, thus far, kept them in check. There has not been a single, major insurrection under my rule.

Payar: I’ll keep it that way, guv’nor.

Guva: Good. I think your captain could stand to use the same mindset, Payar.

<CUTS TO BANAS, WHO IS SITTING ON A ROCK; AS THE CAMERA PANS BACK, IT IS SHOWN TO BE NEAR THE NATIVES’ WORKING AREA, THE SUN IS SHINING BRIGHT, OFF HIS ARMOR>

<IN THE DISTANCE, A BIRD TAKES OFF, BANAS SHOOTS IT WITH A KI BLAST>

Ledas: <LEDAS IS WALKING THROUGH THE FOREST, TO THE VOICE HE HEARD EARLIER, AS HE’S WALKING, A SMOKING BIRD FALLS RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM; IT SPOOKS LEDAS> Whoa… what was that? <HE BEGINS TO INVESTIGATE IT, BUT THEN HEARS A SCREAM UP AHEAD> That must be the same person! <HE STARTS RUNNING THROUGH THE TREES TO THE VOICE>

Aprido: <APRIDO IS STANDING, AGITATED; THE FEW NATIVES MILLING AROUND HAVE LOST INTEREST, ONLY ONE OR TWO OF THEM REMAIN IN TOWN> Help!!! Somebody!!!

<LEDAS COMES SKIDDING INTO VIEW, RIGHT INTO THE LINE OF SIGHT OF APRIDO, THE TWO LOCK EYES>

Aprido: <TOGETHER> You!!

Ledas: <TOGETHER> You!!

Aprido: H-how-

Ledas: Oh, it was you! You brought me out here in my sleep. Why'd you do it?

Aprido: <TERRIBLE LIAR> What? No! Just get me out of here.

Ledas: They aren't going to attack you. Come on, we can leave-

Aprido: Is that right?! <HE HAS A LARGE GRIN> Time for some payback!

Ledas: Wait, stop!

<APRIDO IGNORES LEDAS AND SENDS OUT TWO BLASTS, KILLING THE REMAINING NATIVES IN TOWN>

Aprido: <TURNING BACK TO LEDAS, SATISFIED> You can’t tell me what to do!

Ledas: <ANGRY YELL> Idiot! <LEDAS SHOOTS A BLAST AT APRIDO, WHO SCREAMS AND IS THROWN; THE EXPLOSION CAUSES A HUGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE; BANAS SEES THIS AND GETS UP QUICK, THEN TAKES OFF TO THE SMOKE> You didn't need to do that!

Ledas: <APPROACHES APRIDO, WHO’S ARMOR IS HEAVILY DAMAGED> I told you not to kill them! <HE READIES ANOTHER BLAST>

Banas: <LANDS BEHIND LEDAS> Saiyan! Stop that, <WITH AUTHORITY> now!

Ledas: <EXTINGUISHES HIS BLAST, AND TURNS HIS HEAD TO FACE BANAS; DURING THIS, APRIDO, FEARFUL, SLIDES DOWN THE HILL HE IS UP AGAINST AND RUNS OFF> Why?

Banas: That’s one of my soldiers you’re going to kill. You know I don’t take kindly to someone who kills my soldiers. Especially when they are one of my own elites. Guva may have brought you back here on a shining pedestal, but I haven't forgot the way you left. I have no tolerance for you. <LEDAS DOES NOT ANSWER> Let’s go.

<LEDAS SMILES, THEN TAKES OFF, TO PURSUE APRIDO>

Banas: <IN HYSTERIA, SPITTING> Fool! <HE TAKES OFF AFTER LEDAS>

<CUTS TO LIEME AND MELOON, WHO ARE TRAINING>

Lieme: <DODGING A PUNCH BY MELOON, EASILY> No, you must anticipate where I go. You won’t be able to see me, anyway.

Meloon: Well come at me again, eh? I’ll get ya this time!

Lieme: <CHARGES AT MELOON, THE TWO CONTINUE TO SPAR, LIEME IS SLIGHTLY BETTER, BUT HE IS NOT PUTTING FORTH AS MUCH EFFORT AS MELOON, THEY BOTH GET HIT A FEW TIMES, BUT THEN LIEME STOPS, CAUSING MELOON TO HIT HIM, ALMOST TO THE SUPRSIE OF BOTH; GETTING UP> Did you feel that?

Meloon: Feel what? My fist on your face? Har har. O’ course I did!!

Lieme: No, you fool. But of course, you wouldn’t sense that. You could hardly keep track of me.

Meloon: Well, what was it?

Lieme: It’s the Captain. He’s raised his power level… to battle ready. I’ve never seen him do that, on planet. He must be fighting someone. <RAISES INTO THE AIR, AND SHOOTS OFF> Come on!!

<CUTS TO BANAS, WHO IS PURSUING LEDAS IN MIDAIR>

Banas: Don’t you dare kill him, Saiyan!

Ledas: <REMAINS SILENT, THEN SHOOTS A BLAST AT APRIDO> Ahhhh!!!

Banas: Stop! <SHOOTS A CLUSTER OF RAZOR BLASTS AT LEDAS, SOME HIT HIM AND CUT HIM>

<LEDAS, IN PAIN AND ANGER SHOOTS ANOTHER BLAST BEHIND HIM, AT BANAS, BUT THE CAPTAIN DODGES IT>

<APRIDO COMES TO A CLEARING, LEDAS GETS A CLEAN SHOT ON HIM, CAUSING THE APPULE TO FALL TO THE GROUND; LEDAS ABRUTLY STOPS TO STAY WITH APRIDO; BANAS, UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME, OVERSHOOTS THEM BOTH; LEDAS DESCENDS TO THE GROUND, AND APPROACHES APRIDO; APRIDO CRAWLS AWAY IN PANIC>

Ledas: I told you not to kill them!!!

Aprido: Okay man!! Okay! Just don’t kill me! <RAISES HIS HANDS TO SHIELD HIS FACE; BUT LEDAS BATS THEM AWAY, HE GRABS APRIDO’S NECK, WITH HIS LEFT HAND, AND READIES AN ENERGY BLAST WITH HIS RIGHT; BEFORE HE CAN KILL APRIDO, BANAS LANDS>

Banas: Put him down!!

Ledas: Hmph… this place is better off without any of you.

<LEDAS FIRES HIS ENERGY BLAST, COMPLETELY INCINERATING THE APPULE>

Banas: <QUIET RAGE> Oh, you little fucker.

<CUTS BACK TO GUVA AND PAYAR WALKING; THEY HAVE REACHED THE FOREST'S EDGE>

Guva: <WALKING WITH PAYAR, LOOKING UP AT THE SKY> My my, it’s such a lovely day. So calm, so… <OUT OF THE JUNGLE COMES BANAS, CHASING LEDAS, BOTH STOP IN SIGHT OF GUVA> peaceful… thank you, gentlemen.

Banas: <SHOOTS AN ENERGY BLAST AT LEDAS; IT CAUSES AN UPROAR OF SAND AND DIRT AT GUVA’S FEET> Get back here!

<LIEME AND MELOON ARRIVE>

Lieme: Governor, boss… <PAYAR NODS TO LIEME AND MELOON; WHO RETURN THE GESTURE>

Banas: <IGNORING ALL> Get back here, Saiyan! <SHOOTS ANOTHER BLAST>

Ledas: Shut up! <SHOOTS A BLAST BACK AT BANAS>

Guva: Both of you, calm down! Now! What happened?

Banas: <DRAWING HIMSELF UP> The kid disobeyed me.

Guva: <TO LEDAS> Is that true?

Ledas: Hmph… I’ll do what I want.

<LEDAS RUNS BACK INTO THE FOREST; BANAS GOES TO PURSUE, BUT GUVA STOPS HIM>

Guva: Wait.

Banas: He killed one of my men. One of my better soldiers.

Guva: And now what do you want, Captain?

Banas: I want to kill him. <MELOON’S EYES WIDEN IN EXCITEMENT; LIEME LOOKS CURIOUS>

Guva: <WIDE, ALMOST UNCHARACTERISTICALLY WIDE, SMILE> Oh? Well I see no problem in that, Banas. I'm sure Ledas will oblige.

Banas: <TAKEN ABACK> Really?

Guva: Lieme, go get the boy. Tell him I have what he wants.

<LIEME NODS AND RUNS OFF TO THE FOREST>

Banas: <A BIT OF IMPATIENT ANGER> Why would he listen to you?

Guva: Captain, I’m giving you the opportunity. The singular opportunity. Take it, or leave it. But do not drag it on.

Banas: Yeah, whatever. I just don't see why he'd listen to you.

<THE TWO PREPARE TO RETURN TO CAMP; GUVA BOWS, SHOWING THAT HE IS BREAKING OFF>

Guva: Banas.

Banas: <NOT FRIENDLY> Governor.

Guva: <WALKS BY, CHUCKLES> Give us a good fight when he comes back. <PAUSES AND STOPS> Strength and honor, Captain. <WALKS OFF>

Banas: <ANGRY> Yeah… to hell with you too.

Ascendancy (season finale part 1)
<LEDAS RUNS BACK TO WHERE HE FOUND THE NATIVES WITH APRIDO; HE REALLY HAS NOWHERE ELSE TO GO>

Ledas: Stupid Guva. He knows I can't take on all of them at the same time. I can't just attack Banas without having to fight the other three. <HE COMES TO THE OVERPASS> Why do these guys always have so much drama?! I've only been back one day! I swear, they're all dead.

<HE GETS TO AROUND THEIR VILLAGE; HE STOPS, FEELING SOMETHING CREEPING UP ON HIM; IT IS LIEME; LIEME IS ON THE TREE ABOVE LEDAS; SINCE HE CAN SENSE ENERGY, HE FOUND LEDAS VERY QUICKLY; HOWEVER, LEDAS KNOWS HE IS THERE TOO>

Lieme: Boss… <LONG PAUSE, WHERE THE CAMERA MOVES AROUND HIM, SHOWING HIS LOCATION IN GREATER DETAIL> I’m in place.

Banas: <OVER THE SCOUTER> Get him.

Lieme: <TO HIMSELF> Now then, Saiyan let’s see your true colors. <HE LAUGHS, AND FLIES UP, ABOVE THE TREE TOPS; WITH SUDDEN FORCE, HE THROWS A BALL OF ENERGY INTO THE SKY, THE SAME BALL OF ENERGY LEDAS USED, SO MANY YEARS AGO, TO DISASTROUS RESULTS>

<LIEME MOVES BACK A FEW FEET, AND FOCUSES DOWN ONTO LEDAS>

<LIEME DESCENDS TO THE GROUND, A FEW DOZEN FEET AWAY, HIS ARMS ARE CROSSED AND HE IS LAUGHING; AT THE SIGHT OF LIEME, THE NATIVES THAT WERE CURIOUSLY PEERING OUT AT LEDAS RUN BACK INTO THEIR HOUSES; LEDAS GETS UP TO FACE THE ELITE>

Lieme: Hey kid, it’s been a while. Now, you care to tell your new friends what’s about to happen? Either way, though…. <HE SMILES AGAIN>

Ledas: Lieme!? What are you doing?

Lieme: Me? No, you misunderstand… it’s all about you.

<LEDAS LOOKS DOWN AT HIS HANDS, THEY ARE TURNING HAIR, ALL OVER HIS BODY IS; HE IS TRANSFORMING>

Ledas: N-no!! Not here! <HE SHOOTS A BEAM UP, DESTROYING THE POWER BALL, BUT THE DAMAGE HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE, HE IS STILL TRANSFORMING>

Ledas: Shit!!! <HE FALLS TO THE GROUND, AND GRABS HIS TAIL, HE IS CONTINUING TO TRANSFORM; HE HESITATES TO CUT IT, AND IN THAT TIME, GROWS TALLER AND TALLER, ALMOST INTO FULL APE FORM, HE NOW HAS NO CHOICE, WITH A SWIFT CUT, LEDAS REMOVES HIS TAIL, AND FALLS TO THE GROUND; LIEME’S EXPRESSION REMAINS UNCHANGED>

Lieme: <HE REACHES INTO A BUSH AND PICKS SOMETHING OFF; IT IS A FLOWER; HE THROWS IT AT LEDAS> Here, try this. It'll help the sting.

<LEDAS LOOKS CURIOUS AT IT, BUT PICKS UP THE FLOWER; HE TURNS TO FACE LIEME, ANGER SURGING>

Ledas: What is this?!

Lieme: You peel back the top and drink it. It makes all the pain go away...

<LEDAS FOLLOWS THROUGH (THOUGH IN VERY MESSY WAY; HE DRINKS A LITTLE OF THE LIQUID INSIDE, IT LOOKS LIKE HONEY; QUICKLY, AFTER REALIZING HOW GOOD IT IS, LEDAS FINISHES HIS “FLOWER”>

<HE STUMBLES BACK, AND LOOKS AT HIS FINGERS, THEY ARE TINGLING>

Ledas: Whoa… <A GRIN COMES TO HIS FACE; HE LOSES HIS BALANCE, AND FALLS INTO SOME BUSHES; A FEW OF THE NATIVES LAUGH, HESITANTLY; LEDAS REEMERGES, LAUGHING HIMSELF>

Ledas: <SLURRED SPEECH> Wwhhasss indis stuff nenywaaay… <WALKING FORWARD, NEARLY LOSING HIS BALANCE; THE NATIVES TAKE A, COLLECTIVE, STEP BACKWARD, BUT IT IS NOT AS BIG AS BEFORE, THEY SEEM TO HAVE LESSENED THEIR FEAR; LEDAS ENTERS INTO THE CAMP AND WALKS ALL THE WAY TO THE TOWN CENTER; HE LAUGHS ONE MORE TIME, AND THEN FALLS, FACE FIRST ONTO THE GROUND, ASLEEP>

Lieme: Idiot. He should know better than to trust the advice of his enemies.

<LIEME WALKS FORWARD; WHEN LEDAS WAKES UP; IT WAS A VERY SHORT NAP; LEDAS IS LAYING FLAT ON HIS BACK GRINNING>

Ledas: Uaaaahhh…. <YAWNS; HE SITS UP; HE LAUGHS AGAIN> What was that stuff...? Issat sominkinpoisssin?! <HE WAVES HIS ARM AND ACCIDENTALLY SENDS A HUGE KI BLAST TO THE SKY> Ha ha… oops! <PICKING A PIECE OF FLOWER OUT OF HIS HAIR> Ha ha… I guess I don’t know my own… <LEDAS LOOKS UP INTO THE SKY, AND SEES LIEME > my… <HIS EYES WIDEN IN HORROR>

Lieme: Woken up, I see.

Ledas: <SAID CLEARLY AND WITH PURPOSE> I’ll kill you. Right here. Right now.

Lieme: Do you know who I am, kid? Do you know what I can do?

Ledas: <WOBBLES> I-I-II’ve surpasssssed you-ou-ou...

Lieme: No tail? Drunk off your ass? I say I like my chances…

<LIEME MOVES FORWARD, GIVING OFF A DIZZYING DISPLAY OF AFTERIMAGES; LEDAS, WHO IS STILL INTOXICATED AND WHO HAS LOST A TON OF POWER FROM CUTTING OFF HIS TAIL CANNOT COMPREHEND LIEME’S ATTACK, AND IS HIT, STRAIGHT INTO THE GROUND>

<LIEME HITS LEDAS INTO A TREE, AND GOES FOR ANOTHER PUNCH, BUT ONLY HITS AN AFTERIMAGE; SEEING HIS OPPORTUNITY, LEDAS KICKS LIEME AWAY AND QUICKLY POWERS UP; THEY BOTH KNOW WHO IS STRONGER NOW>

<LIEME, IN VAIN, SHOOTS OFF A VOLLEY OF ENERGY, LEDAS SHOOTS A VOLLEY BACK; IN THE EXPLOSION AND SMOKE, LIEME IS BRIEFLY CONFUSED; LEDAS COMES OUT OF NOWHERE AND HITS HIM TO THE GROUND>

Lieme: <GETTING UP, IN PAIN> W-what are you doing? Why can’t I sense you.

Ledas: <COMES DOWN ON LIEME, AND KNEES HIM IN THE GUT> I have better control over my power than you do!

Lieme: <COUGHING; AND BLOCKING, HE STUMBLES BACK A FEW STEPS> You can lower your power level to nothing? <SUDDENLY LAUGHS> Don’t fool yourself, kid, I can do that.

Ledas: <LAUGHING AS WELL> I can do it at a split second.

Lieme: <EYES WIDEN> No… <LEDAS RUNS FORWARD AND HITS HIM; LIEME, SEEING HE HAS LOST, RETREATS; LEDAS, TOO INCAPACITATED HIMSELF, DOES NOT PURSUE>

<SCREEN REFADES INTO GUVA’S OFFICE; HE AND BANAS ARE TALKING; BANAS LOOKS LIKE HE IS FORCED TO BE THERE, AND THAT HE DOES NOT WANT TO BE THERE>

Guva: Why yes, I did. Four times, actually. Try to beat that. <HE TAKES ANOTHER DRINK>

Banas: <GETS A CALL ON HIS SCOUTER, PUTS ONE FINGER TO HIS OTHER EAR> This is Banas… Oh… Oh really? Yeah. Yeah, I’ll do that. Hold on, I’ll be there in a few. <CUTS OFF THE CONVERSATION> Sorry I can’t stay, governor. I’ve got business to attend to. <HE GETS UP AND WALKS ALL THE WAY TO THE DOOR, HE OPENS THE DOOR>

Guva: It didn’t work, did it?

Banas: You say something, governor?

Guva: Lieme didn't get the boy.

Banas: <STOPS, OPENS HIS MOUTH TO SAY SOMETHING, BUT NO WORDS COME OUT>… Well…

Guva: No matter. I did expect as much. Try Payar this time. Send him out to kill a few villages. That will get the boy mad enough to confront us.

Banas: Very well.

<HE EXITS>

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS>

<IN THE DISTANCE, A LONG, HIGH PITCHED SCREAM IS HEARD; CHILLINGLY, IT GOES UNINTERRUPTED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, AND THEN IT CUTS OFF, SHARPLY>

<LEDAS WAKES UP; HE LOOKS AROUND; THE NATIVES ARE RUNNING ABOUT IN A PANIC, THERE IS PANDEMONIUM EVERYWHERE; IN THE DISTANCE, SOME SMOKE RISES; IT IS SURELY AN ATTACK>

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF> They're being attacked again... <TO THE NATIVES, THOUGH THEY COMPHREHEND HIM NOT> I guess it's taken me a while, but I can see we're all the same. Guva and Payar and the others just use and hurt us and do terrible things... Well, I'll free us all.

<LEDAS RISES INTO THE AIR; HE BRIEFLY REGROWS HIS TAIL WITH A ONE HANDED POWER BALL, AND THEN FLIES TO THE SMOKE; IT DOESN’T TAKE LONG FOR LEDAS TO FIND IT; BODIES STREWN EVERYWHERE, BLOOD EVERYWHERE; AND UP AHEAD, PAYAR, WITH THE FEW REMAINING NATIVES OF THAT TOWN>

Payar: <TURNS, WITH A NATIVE IN HIS HAND; WHEN HE SEES LEDAS, HE GRINS AND SNAPS ITS NECK; LEDAS’ ANGER IS NOTICEABLE> So kid… what took ya so long?

Ledas: Don’t you touch another one! <HE READIES AN ENERGY BLAST AT PAYAR>

Payar: Go ahead, do it. But you'll be killing them too. <SMILES AGAIN, AND TAKES ANOTHER NATIVE; HE SNAPS ITS NECK, BRUTALLY> Oh? Did I do that?

Ledas: I told you! Stop it!

<PAYAR KILLS ANOTHER ONE>

Ledas: Enough! <WITH BLINDING RAGE, HE CHARGES PAYAR; PAYAR EASILY KICKS HIM OUT OF THE WAY, WITHOUT EVEN MOVING, HE KILLS ANOTHER NATIVE, AS IF PUSHING LEDAS’ ANGER>

Payar: Doesn’t matter how strong you are kid. If you act stupid, I’ll still kick ya.

Ledas: <ROLLS OVER IN ANGER> I’ll kill you!!!

<PAYAR TAKES SOMETHING OUT OF HIS CARRY POUCH, IT IS A FLARE; HE SHOOTS IT UP, INTO THE SKY>

Payar: Maybe. How'd you like to take us all on?

Ledas: No!

<PAYAR LAUGHS AND KICKS LEDAS IN THE FACE>

<CUTS TO GUVA'S OFFICE; HE SEES THE FLARE>

Guva: Captain, it’s begun.

Banas: <CRACKLING OVER THE SPEAKERS> I’m not blind Guva. I saw the flare.

Guva: Yes, but regardless, I want everything to go smoothly. You will not come out, until I call.

Banas: Yeah, yeah. I know. <CHANGE IN TONE TO THAT OF NOSTALGIA> Say, governor… when was the last time you and I fought together? Side by side?

Guva: I’m sure you remember it as well as I do, Captain. It was the day I became governor.

Banas: I try not to remember stuff like that…

Guva: That’s a good choice. We wouldn’t want you so upset on the eve of my glory?

Banas: Ha ha. Of course not. Seeing you fight is so rare. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.

Guva: Then by my next signal to you, it will be time.

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS AND PAYAR>

Payar: Oh, bummer. Only one left. Too bad, I hate it when a good thing is over.

Ledas: <STILL ON THE GROUND> No... don't.

Payar: What are you gonna do about it? <SNAPS THE NATIVE’S NECK> Huh?

<LEDAS DROPS HIS HEAD TO THE GROUND, EXTREMELY UPSET>

Payar: Well, think on it, kid. See ya. <HE THROWS THE BODY RIGHT IN FRONT OF LEDAS>

<PAYAR IS MESSING AROUND WITH SOMETHING IN HIS HANDS AGAIN AS HE LEAVES>

<LEDAS LOOKS UP, RIGHT INTO THE LIFELESS EYES OF THE NATIVE IN FRONT OF HIM>

<A FLURRY OF MEMORIES ARE BROUGHT BACK TO LEDAS; SCENES OF HIM AND VEGETA, HIM AND HIS DAD; TEARS COME TO HIS EYES, AND HE POUNDS THE GROUND WITH HIS FISTS>

Ledas: <STANDS UP, QUIVERING WITH FEAR> None.. none of you deserved this! I’ll make him pay.

The Benefactor: <VISION, WALKS UP TO LEDAS> There are... so many who deserve to die.

Ledas: <IN TEARFUL ANGER> Why do you keep coming back? I don’t want you to! Just leave me alone!

The Benefactor: How can you sit idly and let them continue their path? It's easy to pretend nothing is happening. But you are only fooling yourself.

Ledas: They didn’t deserve this! I didn’t deserve this! <SCREAMING, CRYING> Everyone I know is dead because of Frieza. And everyone here has wanted to kill me since the beginning!

The Benefactor: Were it so easy.

Ledas: NNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

<THE VISION OF THE BENEFACTOR SHATTERS, IN A BRILLIANT FLASH OF LIGHT; LEDAS IS ENGULFED; HE LETS OUT ANOTHER SCREAM, SENDING BIRDS FLYING OUT OF THE TREES; THE CAMERA FOLLOWS THE BIRDS TO THE SKY, AND THEN DROPS BACK DOWN, THROUGH THE TREES INTO THE CLEARING, LEDAS‘ HAIR IS NOW GOLDEN; HIS ENTIRE AURA IS BLINDING>

<CUTS BACK TO REAL TIME; GUVA IS STANDING, WITH TWO HELPERS; THE ROOM IS ALL MARBLE, BUT OPEN, THERE IS NO FURNITURE; THERE IS SLIGHT DUST IN THE AIR; THE TONE IS VERY GRAVE; THIS ENTIRE SEGMENT IS DONE IN COMPLETE SLOW MOTION>

Guva: <SLOWLY> Banas, his entire team? Is there word yet?

Soldier 1: Uhh… no sir. <SWIFTLY CLAMPS ON GUVA’S LEFT WRIST GUARD>

Guva: <TO HIMSELF, DISTANT> No word… <THE SOLDIER PUTS ON GUVA’S OTHER WRIST GUARD>

Guva: I will go. I must see it... Banas and the child. <HE EXTENDS HIS ARMS, TO MAKE A “T” POSITION OF HIS BODY, HE PUTS HIS HEAD BACK; THE TWO SOLDIERS SLIP HIS CHEST ARMOR OVER HIS HEAD; FITTING AND ADJUSTING IT ONTO HIS BODY>

<THE SOLDIERS MOVE AROUND, AND CLAMP KNEE ARMOR TO GUVA’S BOOTS>

<THEY GET UP, AND BRING OUT GUVA’S CAPE, IT IS A DEEP RED; THEY UNFOLD IT AND PLACE IT ONTO HIS CEREMONIAL ARMOR, PATTING IT INTO PLACE; ONE SOLDIER, COMES AROUND, FRONT, TO FACE GUVA, STILL PATTING DOWN THE ARMOR; HE NODS TO GUVA, AND THE DOOR IN FRONT OPENS; LIGHT EXPLODES ONTO GUVA’S FACE, COMING FROM THE DOORS AHEAD; GUVA’S HEAD RECOILS SLIGHTLY, AND HE SQUINTS, UNTIL HIS EYES ADJUST; HE WALKS OUTSIDE, AND LOOKS TO THE SKY>

Guva: It will happen today.

<END, SLOW MOTION>

<GUVA MAKES HIS WAY TO THE EDGE OF THE OUTPOST; HE IS WAITING; PAYAR WALKS OUT OF THE FOREST, ARMS EXTENDED IN RELAXED CONFIDENCE>

Payar: Hey, guv’nor… I did it. I went and shook the beehi-

<OUT OF NOWHERE, LEDAS COMES FLYING OUT OF FOREST, IN A HIGH JUMP, PAYAR DOESN’T EVEN SEE HIM, BUT GUVA DOES; GUVA IN SHOCK, EYES WIDE AND MOUTH OPEN, TAKES A STEP BACK; LEDAS, AS HE COMES DOWN TO THE GROUND, HITS PAYAR IN THE HEAD, SENDING THE ELITE FLYING SEVERAL FEET AHEAD, INTO THE MUD; LEDAS LANDS ON ONE KNEE; BLOOD IS POOLING AROUND PAYAR’S HEAD, BY THE TIME LEDAS GETS UP TO FACE GUVA>

Ledas: <SUPER SAIYAN> Where is he? Where's Banas?

<GUVA FAULTERS, UNABLE TO SPEAK>

To Each, According To His Sins (season finale part 2)
<THE CAMERA MOVES AROUND THE OUTPOST, IT IS EMPTY, BARREN; A SLIGHT WIND BLOWS THROUGH; RATTLING THE SILENCE, GUVA SPEAKS; THE CAMERA TAKES ITS TIME TO COME AROUND AND FOCUS ONTO HIM>

<GUVA PRESSES A BUTTON ON HIS WRIST TO CALL BANAS; QUICKLY BANAS AND HIS TEAM ARRIVE>

Guva: <TO LEDAS> I've already called Banas here.

<LEDAS LOOKS AROUND, HIS AURA OVERFLOWING IN ITS BRIGHTNESS; IT TAKES NO MORE THAN A MOMENT FOR THE THREE PLANTAINS TO REACH GUVA AND THE BOY>

Banas: Ah, look who it is. <CONFIDENTLY WALKS UP TO GUVA> Can’t deal with him yourself?

Guva: Captain, I think you misunderstand. Ledas has returned to kill you and your team.

Banas: Oh?

Guva: A most ridiculous request, yes. But, nevertheless, I think you should give him a shot.

<BANAS AND HIS TEAM NOTICE PAYAR, THEY WALK UP TO HIM>

Banas: Hey, <HELPS PAYAR UP> Payar. Wake up. We’ve got stuff to do.

Payar: Uuuhhh… cap’n. I’m here. <HE GETS UP, ONTO HIS OWN FEET, PANTING, BUT STILL A THREAT>

Banas: <TO GUVA> So, you don’t want to fight him? What happen, did you read his power? <LAUGHS>

Guva: It will take your whole team to beat him, Captain.

Banas: Unlike you, I plan on fighting today. And I will.

Ledas: Enough talking!

<LEDAS JUMPS AT BANAS BUT THE THREE PLANTAINS GET IN HIS WAY; THEY PREVENT HIM FROM GETTING AT BANAS>

Meloon: You're not beatin' us.

Ledas: Guva! You didn't say I had to kill them too!

<LEDAS RUNS AT ALL THREE OF THEM; HE EASILY TAKES THEM ALL ON; BANAS AND GUVA WATCH>

<ALL THREE PLANTAINS ARE ABOUT EVEN WITH LEDAS; BUT LEDAS ISN’T TRYING; HE IS WEARING THEM DOWN, FROM LANDING CRITICAL HITS, TIME AND TIME AGAIN, NONE OF THEM CAN DAMAGE HIM>

Banas: No, I see it! You and the boy are working together. It's why you've kept him alive. Why you went out to go rescue him... you wanted him to kill me!

Guva: <PUNCHES BANAS IN THE FACE, SENDS HIM FLYING, GUVA CASUALLY WALKS UP TO BANAS, WHERE HE LAYS> I’ve grown bored of it all. The planet, the outpost, the constant, insanity inducing monotony. But, most of all Captain, <GUVA CREATES AN ENERGY BALL, PALM UP; QUIETS TO A WHISPER> I’ve grown bored of you. There's no point in hiding from that any longer.

<GUVA THROWS HIS BLAST, IN THE LIGHT OF THE EXPLOSION, LEDAS CONTINUES FIGHTING ALL THREE PLANTAINS BEHIND>

Banas: <RISES; SARCASTICALLY> My dear governor, I didn’t think you still had it in you. You almost chipped my armor.

Guva: Imagine that.

<BOTH GUVA AND BANAS POWER UP; THEY ARE THE SAME, IN POWER; THIS IS A PROBLEM>

Guva: <SMILING> You see, captain, I’ve indeed still got it.

Banas: <ENRAGED; TO HIS TEAM> Kill that monkey, then help me with Guva.

Guva: I am just here to hold you off. The kid can kill you for all I care. <SLOWLY WALKS TOWARDS BANAS, THEN DISAPPEARS, AND REAPPEARS BEHIND BANAS AND KICKS HIM> Surely you can do better? <BANAS JUMPS UP AND PUNCHES GUVA IN THE GUT, THEN SHOOTS AN ENERGY BLAST INTO HIS FACE>

Banas: You maggot!

<GUVA PUNCHES BANAS IN THE FACE; BOTH ARE FULL POWER, AND THE ENTIRE OUTPOST IS SHAKING FROM THEIR BATTLE>

<GUVA’S STYLE OF REFINED AND DETERMINED PUNCHES, VERSUS BANAS’ STYLE OF RANDOM, UNDETERMINED ATTACKS ARE IN SHARP CONTRAST HERE; NEITHER CAN GAIN AN EDGE>

<GUVA AND BANAS’ FIGHT IS HEATING UP, GETTING INCREDIBLY FAST, BEYOND WHAT ANYONE, EVEN LIEME CAN SEE; REGULAR SOLDIERS COME OUT OF THE BARRACKS TO WATCH; BUT THEY DARE NOT GET INVOLVED>

<BANAS HITS GUVA INTO A TREE, WHO SWIFTLY ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY OF A SHATTERING KICK; HE GETS UP AND THROWS A BLAST AT BANAS’ FACE TO STALL HIM; IT WORKS, AND GUVA RISES INTO THE AIR AGAIN, WITH THE HIGH GROUND; HE SPREADS HIS ARMS IN VICTORY>

<LEDAS HITS LIEME OUT OF THE WAY, AND RIGHT WHEN THE ELITE IS ABOUT TO GET UP, PAYAR IS SENT FLYING RIGHT INTO HIM; THAT LEAVES LEDAS AND MELOON ALONE; IT IS NO CONTEST, MELOON IS BEATEN THE GROUND, CRITICALLY WOUNDED, QUICKLY>

Ledas: <DESCENDS TO THE GROUND, OVER MELOON’S BODY> I never got to finish what I started last time. This time I won’t let anyone save you.

Meloon: Oh yeah, I’ll kill you first!

<LEDAS PUNCHES HIM SQUARE IN THE FACE, WITHOUT TRYING OR MOVING>

Meloon: <GRABS HIS FACE, TAKES A FEW STEPS BACK> Ow!!!

Ledas: That’s for my father.

Meloon: So, <WITH MUCH RAGE> you wanna play?! <MELOON PUNCHES AT LEDAS, BUT HE MISSES>

Ledas: <PUNCHES MELOON IN THE GUT, VOICE RISING TO A SCREAM> That’s for my planet!

<MELOON DOUBLES OVER, SPITS OUT SOME BLOOD; HE LOOKS UP AND RUSHES AT LEDAS, WHO SIDESTEPS AND GRABS HIS ARM, HE PULLS AROUND, BEHIND THE FAT SOLDIER, AND BREAKS IT; LEDAS READIES A GREAT ENERGY BEAM>

Ledas: And this… this is for Vegeta. <HE SHOOTS THE GALICK BEAM AT MELOON, KILLING THE ELITE>

Lieme: You’ll pay for that!

<LIEME GETS UP AND RUSHES, SENDING OUT ALL HIS TRICKS, OF AFTERIMAGES AND WHATNOT; LEDAS CAN SENSE THROUGH, THOUGH AND FIND THE REAL LIEME; HE, IN A BRIEF, BUT VICIOUS FIGHT, DISARMS LIEME, AND SENDS HIM FLYING AGAIN; JUST AS LIEME GETTING UP, BLOOD DRIPPING, AND ON HIS KNEES, LEDAS SENDS OUT A QUICK FINGER BEAM, HITTING LIEME IN THE JUGULAR; LIEME FALLS, GASPING AND BLEEDING OUT, A SLOW AND IRONIC DEATH, FOR SOMEONE WHO FOCUSED ON THE QUICK KILL, SO MUCH IN HIS LIFE>

<PAYAR, GROGGILY, GETS UP, AND STUMBLES OVER TO LEDAS>

Payar: So kid… <PANTING, BECOMING DELIRIOUS> ya beat us. Bravo…

Payar: But the guv’nor… the cap’n… <STILL PANTING> they’ll get you. And it’ll probably be in a way you never thought… <PAYAR COLLAPSES IN AGONY; LEDAS APPROACHES HIM, GIVING THE ALIEN SEVERAL KEY, CRITICAL PUNCHES; PAYAR IS NOW CRITICALLY WOUNDED, AND HE KNOWS IT> H-h-hey… kid… <COUGHS UP BLOOD> just give me a good death… a warrior’s death.

Ledas: <NOT SMILING> Goodbye, Payar.

Payar: <NOT UNDERSTANDING, HE HAS ONE EYE CLOSED IN PAIN> Wai… wha…?

<LEDAS, WITH A LAUGH, PICKS UP PAYAR, WITH ONE HAND, AND THROWS HIM, PRECISELY, INTO THE FOREST; PAYAR FLIES AND LANDS IN THE CENTER OF THE NATIVE TOWN THAT LEDAS STAYED AT>

Payar: <IN SLOW PAIN> Aaaauuuhhhh… whadda hell? Where the hell am I?

<SEVERAL NATIVES CROWD AROUND HIM, BUT HE TRIES TO PUSH THEM AWAY>

Payar: <IN PAIN, SAID SLOWLY> Go on. Get away!! <HE COUGHS UP BLOOD>

<PAYAR LOOKS UP, OVER HIM ARE STANDING SEVERAL MORE NATIVES, NOW SOME ARE ARMED WITH BLUNT KNIVES AND ROCKS>

Payar: <PAYAR TAKES WHAT HE HAD FIDDLING AROUND WITH HIS HANDS THE ENTIRE SAGA, AND SHOWS ITTO THE NATIVES; IT IS A SMALL NECKLACE OF SORTS, WITH A LONG LINE OF TEETH ON IT> Ya see that? <COUGHS> Ah… I’ll add all your… all of you to my trophy-

<A NATIVE STEPS ON PAYAR’S ARM, SHATTERING IT, BUT ALSO DESTROYING THE GRIZZLY NECKLACE; PAYAR TRIES TO RAISE HIS HAND, BUT CAN’T; HE SEES WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN>

Payar: <THE NATIVES RAISE THEIR WEAPONS; PAYAR LETS HIS HEAD FALL BACK AGAINST THE EARTH, HE SIGHS> Aw, fuck.

<THE CAMERA PANS BACKWARD, BACK THROUGH THE TREES AS PAYAR‘S SCREAMS FADE, TO BANAS AND GUVA’S FIGHT>

<THEY CONTINUE THEIR FIGHT FOR A SHORT WHILE, THEN BANAS AND GUVA STOP, BOTH JUST FEET AWAY FROM EACH OTHER>

Banas: Give it up, Guva! You can’t beat me!

Guva: Just like old times, huh?

<HE WALKS RIGHT UP TO BANAS, AND WITHOUT BEING CHALLENGED, RAISES HIS HAND TO RIGHT IN FRONT OF BANAS’ FACE, HE PREPARES ENERGY; BANAS, QUICKLY REACTING PUTS HIS OWN HAND UP, MERE INCHES FROM GUVA’S; WHAT BEGINS IS PERHAPS THE SMALLEST BEAM STRUGGLE EVER, WITH THE TWO STANDING, LOOKING IN EACH OTHER’S EYES; BUT AS THE POWER PUT INTO THE STRUGGLE GETS LARGER, SO DO THEIR BEAMS, AND THE MOVE APART; BY THE TIME LEDAS HAS KILLED THE PLANTAINS, THEY ARE WORKING UP A STORM, BEHIND HIM>

<LEDAS IS SIMPLY SITTING ON HIS KNEES LOOKING ABOUT>

Ledas: They died so easily... it's because I'm a Super Saiyan... I'm invincible!

<LEDAS, STANDS UP AND MOVES TOWARD THE TWO; HE WALKS SLOWLY, ALL THE WAY UP TO THE MIDDLE OF THE STRUGGLE>

Guva: Kill him, Ledas! Kill him now!

Banas: <SHOUTING BACK> Governor, you shouldn’t have. I’m blushing now.

<GUVA PUTS ALL HIS ENERGY INTO THE STRUGGLE, BANAS DOES THE SAME; UNDERSTANDABLY, NEITHER OF THEM CAN WIN THAT WAY>

Ledas: <CALMLY, WITH CONFIDENCE HE HAS NEVER HAD BEFORE> Neither of you will win.

Guva: What?! Ledas?!

Ledas: Heh…

<HE CREATES A SMALL BALL OF ENERGY, VERY SMALL; AND AFTER A FEW LOOKS TO EACH OF HIS VICTIMS, HE THROWS IT INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE BEAM STRUGGLE, CAUSING THE WHOLE THING TO DETONATE>

<BOTH BANAS AND GUVA ARE THROWN FAR AWAY FROM EACH OTHER; BOTH ARE CRITICALLY WOUNDED, BUT BOTH ARE STILL ALIVE>

<LEDAS WALKS OVER TO BANAS, IN ORDER TO DISPOSE OF HIM>

Guva: <IN PAIN> Now! Do it!

<LEDAS CONTINUES WALKING, IGNORING HIM>

Banas: Go ahead, do it. But you will have a hard time explaining this to Cooler.

Ledas: I don’t care about Cooler. He means nothing to me.

Banas: <LIES HEAD BACK ON GROUND, LAUGHS> Foolish words from someone who has no idea what he’s talking about. <IN PAIN, BUT STILL TALKATIVE, HIS PAIN IS NOT EFFECTING HIS SPEECH> You may be strong, kid, but you’re nothing to him.

Banas: <TURNS TO GUVA, WHO HAS REACHED THEM BY MEANS OF CRAWLING> Kind of you to join us, governor. As for you, you better hope you die tonight. Cooler will be much worse. He’ll find out what happened here, and know that you can’t govern for shit. You’ll be gone before they can get a me a body bag. <LAUGHS, COUGHING BLOOD>

<LEDAS STANDS BANAS UP; BANAS IS HOLDING ONTO HIS SHOULDERS AND IS SITTING ON ONE KNEE; LEDAS PUTS OUT HIS HAND, THEN CREATES A KYORRA FLASH; BANAS DOES NOT DEFEND; LEDAS SHOOTS THE BLAST>

<WHEN THE BLAST CLEARS, BANAS IS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN; GUVA LOOKS SATISFIED; HE FALLS TO THE GROUND, SIGHING HEAVILY>

Guva: Finally...

<LEDAS JUMPS ON TOP OF GUVA>

Ledas: Now tell me.

Guva: As you wish.

<VOICEOVER>

Guva: It surprised me later, just how lucky the kid was. <THE SCENE HAS NOT CHANGED, IT IS STILL WITH GUVA AND LEDAS; SHOWS LEDAS CONTINUING TO PUSH GUVA FOR INFORMATION>

Guva: Especially when he heard his one friend in entire universe was still alive. <GUVA, A BLOODY MESS, CRACKS A SMILE AS HE TELLS LEDAS OF VEGETA>

<GUVA STANDS UP WITH LEDAS, HE HANDS LEDAS HIS LEFT WRIST GUARD AS SOMETHING TO REMEMBER HIM BY, AND THEN WALKS OFF; LEDAS IS SHOWN GETTING IN A POD AND LEAVING PLANET COOLER 92 FOR THE FIRST TIME AS A FREE SAIYAN; THOUGH HE HAS NOTICEABLY LEFT THE NATIVES IN GUVA'S HANDS AS SLAVES>

Guva: <CUTS BACK TO GUVA’S ROOM, HE IS STARING OUT THE WINDOW; THE SKY IS A LIGHT YELLOW> It’s amazing, how certain events change a person. How someone else’s death can make you whole… and at the same time empty.

Guva: <TAKES OUT A DRINK, AND POURS IT> It's the 766 age. Frieza died, not too long ago, and the entire Galaxy is spinning out control, fast. Cooler, will of course, try some damage control… but even if he kills the person… that other Saiyan, who bested Frieza… I fear the damage is already done. Just as here, on 92, it’s hard to hide a successful revolt. The soldiers know their captain is gone. They know three of their betters are killed. Will these revelations bring about a greater boldness in them? Will it amplify their fears? And what of my pet project? The natives of 92.

<SCREEN CUTS TO THE NATIVES, WHO ARE STILL WORKING FOR GUVA BUT ARE MUCH HAPPIER>

Guva: The murder of Payar, it will give them confidence. It will also give them rebellious thoughts, the likes of which I fear we have not yet witnessed. And without my captain, without my team… who will stop them?

Guva: <GUVA AND LEDAS ARE IN POD CONTROL, GUVA IS SHOWING LEDAS WHERE EARTH IS, AND READYING HIS POD> And the kid. He’s gone, chasing ghosts, just like Cooler. Both off to that pathetic planet, Earth. Why it’s so special, I’ll never know. And who knows, maybe they’ll meet up and kill each other. Wishful thinking… but at least I don’t have to deal with either of them, right now. The natives, they will not know what happened to their savior. That he abandoned them, for his own wants. A pity, that so close to their salvation, it will still end, by my hands. After all <CAMERA PANS AROUND, TO FACE GUVA> a true leader, a successful leader will keep the order. He will be the one truly in charge. And I am the true leader here. The storms, they will all pass, in time. They will be but a distant memory, for those who remain. But <CUTS TO SPACE, IT IS LEDAS’ SPACE POD; INSIDE HE IS SLEEPING, DREAMING HAPPILY, HEADED OFF TO EARTH> it is foolish to let any one of your enemies live… because, who knows? Maybe I’ll just decide to dro-

<GUVA’S GLASS SHATTERS, AND HE FALLS BACK, SPILLING HIS DRINK; AS HE SITS UP, LOOKING AROUND, A FIGURE, SILHOUETTED BY THE SUN BEHIND IS STANDING OVER HIM>

Banas: <PUTS OUT HIS HAND, FOR GUVA TO GRASP> Governor, <NODS> how‘ve you been?


 * <END STOMPING GROUNDS SAGA>

Cue Great Spirits. Credits roll during this time.

Planet Earth Saga
<p style="text-align:center">I promise the events

<p style="text-align:center">that take place

<p style="text-align:center">in the Hazing Chapter

<p style="text-align:center">are not based off

<p style="text-align:center">personal experience.

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

Exodus
<UNKNOWN PLANET>

<LATE 772 AGE>

<CLIFF-FACE>

<IT IS DARK AND WINDY; THE LANDSCAPE IS NOTHING BUT ROCKS; UP AHEAD IS A SMALL SPHERICAL ODDITY, STRANGELY OUT OF PLACE>

<THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN CLOSER; THE ROUND OBJECT IS MAGNIFIED TO ITS REGULAR SIZE; IT IS A SPACE POD>

<THE FRONT LATCH IS OPEN, AND THERE IS NO SIGN OF A SENTIENT OCCUPANT> <SUDDENLY, FROM UP AHEAD, AN EXPLOSION GOES OFF, SMOKE BILLOWS; SITTING ALONE IN A VALLEY OF JAGGED ROCKS, IS A SMALL CHILD>

<THE CHILD IS SITTING ON A LARGE ROCK, HANDS ON KNEES; HIS HEAD IS BOWED>

<ALMOST CASUALLY, THE CHILD PICKS UP A PEBBLE NEXT TO HIM, AND FLINGS IT AS IF TO SKIP A STONE ON WATER; THE ROCK ACCELERATES AND SMASHES INTO A CLIFF WALL; THE FORCE OF IMPACT CAUSES A SERIES OF CRACKS TO SUDDENLY JUMP OUT; BUT THE WALL REMAINS STANDING>

<ANGRY, THE CHILD STANDS UP, HIS TAIL HANGING FREE IN IRRITATION>

<HE OUTSTRETCHES HIS ARMS AND GIVES OFF A YELL; THE AIR AROUND EXPLODES INTO A BRIGHT LIGHT; THE CHILD’S HAIR HAS SUDDENLY TURNED GOLDEN>

<HE LETS OFF ANOTHER YELL AND AT THE SAME TIME PUSHES HIS HANDS OUT, CREATING A BEAM OF ENERGY; THE LIGHT BLUE BEAM HITS INTO THE WALL BEFORE, THIS TIME OBLITERATING THE LONG UNYEILDED BASTION>

<THE CHILD STARES AT THE BLAST, SMOKE AND FIRE BILLOWING; STILL EMOTIONLESS, HE SITS BACK DOWN>

Unknown Voice: Now, is that any way to treat me… <LONG PAUSE> Ledas? My son?

<A FIGURE APPEARS, WALKING THROUGH THE SMOKE AHEAD; AS IT COMES INTO FOCUS, IT IS CLEARLY LAYEECK; HE LOOKS THE SAME AS HE DID THE LAST TIME THE TWO WERE TOGETHER AND IS IN HIS ARMOR>

<AT HIS SIGHT THE CHILD, LEDAS, GETS UP; HE STAYS IN PLACE THOUGH, ON GUARD>

Ledas: <IN A SHOUT> What the heck?! How’d you get here!?

Layeeck: <WALKS OUT, TO THE OPEN; HE PAUSES> Has it been so long that you do not remember your own father‘s face?

Ledas: <WITH QUIET WIT> My father is dead.

<SUDDENLY, LEDAS RUNS FORWARD, THRUSTING HIS ARM OUT, WITH ANOTHER BEAM OF ENERGY; IT HITS LAYEECK, WHO OFFERS NO RESISTANCE, SQUARE IN THE CHEST>

<WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS, LAYEECK IS STILL IN PLACE, UNDAMAGED>

Ledas: <INCREDULOUSLY> You’re another vision!

Layeeck: <CROUCHES, INSPECTING THE DAMAGE DONE; HE LOOKS UP AT LEDAS, WHO IS STILL IN SUPER SAIYAN> My son alone did all this. His power is incredible.

Ledas: You’re a vision…

Layeeck: <CHUCKLES, TO HIMSELF> I’m whatever you want me to be.

Ledas: A vision… well at least you’re better than the other one. <LOOKS BEHIND, THERE IS NOTHING THERE> But I haven’t seen him in a while… <TURNS BACK TO HIS FATHER> But why can I see you now?

Layeeck: <STILL DISTRACTED> You are looking for Vegeta… and you’ve given up.

Ledas: <EYES GLAZE OVER, REMEMBERING THE PAST> No. I promised him… we would meet again. I promised. I’m not gonna stop until I find Vegeta! <LAYEECK DOES NOT ANSWER, BUT SIMPLY STARES AT HIS SON> I’ve traveled to every planet around… and there’s not even a trace of him. I can’t sense anything…

Layeeck: <STRANGELY FATHERLIKE> Stop. When you focus you can feel. And when you feel, you will be able to find him.

Ledas: <CHILD’S TONE> But I don’t know how to-

Layeeck: Put your arms out! Focus your energy, feel the pulse of the galaxy. And… <LAYEECK MOVES HIS HAND, POINTING A FINGER LEFT> check in that direction.

<LEDAS LOOKS TO HIS RIGHT IN CHILDLIKE WONDER; HE REACHES HIS HAND OUT, AS IF TO FEEL THE ENERGY COMING FROM THAT DIRECTION>

<SEVERAL MOMENTS PASS, WITH NOTHING HAPPENING; LEDAS’ EYES ARE NOW CLOSED, IN CONCENTRATION>

Ledas: <MOMENTS PASS BEFORE HE MOVES; WHEN HE DOES, HE LETS IN A SHARP GASP, AND IN HIS SHOCK, RETURNS TO HIS NORMAL STATE; HIS HAIR REGRESSING TO ITS COMMON BLACK COLOR> I-I… felt something. <HE REACHES HIS HAND BACK OUT, TO TRY AGAIN> Vegeta?

Ledas: <TURNS BACK TO HIS FATHER> I have to go check that out… it felt like him. I know it did. <WITHOUT A MOMENT’S BREAK, LEDAS TURNS AND RUNS BACK TO HIS POD; HIS FATHER REMAINS STANDING IN POSITION, NOW SMILING AGAIN>

<LAYEECK LOOKS UP, AS THE POD TAKES OFF, SHOOTING IN THE DIRECTION POINTED TO BEFORE; AS IT PASSES OVER LAYEECK, HE DISSOLVES TO NOTHINGNESS, SIMILAR TO WHEN GLASS BREAKS>

<THE CAMERA SHIFTS TO ANOTHER PLACE, FAMILIAR IN SCENERY; IT IS SUNSET ON PLANET COOLER 92>

(note: this scene picks up mere seconds from the conclusion of the Stomping Grounds Saga, and it should be noted that the Guva/Banas storyline of this saga does not take place at the same time as the main story with Ledas does; however, by the end of the saga, the two timelines will have caught up with each other)

Guva: <IS SPRAWLED ON THE FLOOR, COVERED IN GLASS AND WINE AND HATE> Banas? <IN SHOCK> What… the hell?

<GUVA GETS UP, SURVEYING HIS SURROUNDINGS; HE IS IN HIS OFFICE, ON THE THIRD FLOOR; HIS WALL-WINDOW IS SHATTERED, LETTING IN THE COLD OF THE WILD>

Guva: <LOOKS AROUND, CONFUSED> Banas!? Come out! I know you’re in here!

<THERE IS NO ANSWER; FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS GUVA CONTINUES TO WALK AROUND, LOOKING FOR HIS FORMER CAPTAIN; BUT IT IS TO NO AVAIL>

<A DEVICE ON GUVA’S DESK BEHIND LIGHTS UP WITH NOISE; GUVA TURNS SUDDENLY, EXPECTING BANAS; BUT IT IS ONLY A WORKER CALLING HIM>

Guva: <WALKS OVER TO THE DEVICE AND PRESSES DOWN ON IT; WITH IMPATIENCE> What?

PC92S1: <CRACKLING IN OVER THE SPEAKERS> Sir, they’ve started again. Would you like to come down?

Guva: No. Deal with it yourself. But send only first and second platoon.

PC92S1: <PAUSE> Uh… yes sir. We won’t let you down. Over and out.

<GUVA TURNS BACK AROUND TO THE BROKEN WINDOW>

<IN PLAYFUL REPOSE, THERE SITS A NEW ITEM; A PLANET-NATIVE FLOWER>

Guva: <HE WALKS UP TO IT, AND CRUSHES IT WITH HIS BOOT> Banas! You think this to be all a game? I do not want your gifts! Our old memories! Come out, so I may kill you!

Banas: <DROPPING DOWN, FROM THE CEILING ABOVE> But governor, that would set such a… bad example. <HE KICKS GUVA, IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD, SENDING THE GOVERNOR FLYING INTO A WALL>

Guva: <WITH GRIT; SPUTTERING> Banas?!

Banas: <WALKS FORWARD, ARMS SPREAD> Yes, my dear?

<GUVA SNARLS AND ROLLS OVER, FIRING OFF A ENERGY BLAST AT BANAS’ FACE; IT HITS HIM>

<GUVA JUMPS UP AND GRABS BANAS’ SHOULDERS, THROWING HIM DOWN ONTO THE DESK; WOOD SHARDS AND PAPERS FLY EVERYWHERE; BANAS’ FACE IS BLEEDING>

Banas: <GETS UP, STILL BLEEDING; HE IS LAUGHING> Just like old times, guvvy. Aren’t ya feeling nostalgic?

Guva: <BREATHLESS> The past? I won, you lost. That’s how it was last time, that’s how it’ll be this time.

Banas: You know, <PULLS A SHARD OF WOOD OUT OF HIS NECK, GINGERLY> when Cooler made you governor that elitist shit really started coming out, didn’t it Guva? I remember when you were just another lovable captain. Like me. <SMILES, TOOTHY AND SINCERELY>

Guva: <MOVES FORWARD, BRUSHING DEBRIS OUT OF THE WAY> I’m not a captain any more, I’m a governor. Your governor, Banas.

Banas: Empty words for an empty man. <CHUCKLES> Cooler only gave you that position because you were a fucking teacher’s pet. Someone he could control. And you played right into that… thinking he gave it to you because you were so talented.

Guva: <UNMOVED> After all these years, I thought you had moved on. But I see you’re still jealous of ever. Is that why you returned?

Banas: <A WRY SMILE COMES TO HIS FACE; HE STEPS TOWARD GUVA, COMING WITHIN INCHES> You‘ve got me all wrong, brotha. I don’t want this planet anymore. No, I came back for you, for old time‘s sake. So we could finally end it.

<GUVA’S EYES WIDEN, BUT AT THE SAME TIME HE PUSHES BANAS AWAY; HE FIRES AN ENERGY VOLLEY AT HIM, AND THE WHOLE ROOM GOES UP IN SMOKE; WHEN IT CLEARS, GUVA’S BUILDING IS DEMOLISHED; GUVA AND BANAS ARE THE ONLY TWO THINGS LEFT STANDING (HOVERING, ACTUALLY)>

<BELOW THEM, GUVA’S REMAINING GRUNTS ARE FIGHTING OFF A HORDE OF THE NATIVES; THE GROUND IS SOAKED HEAVILY IN BLOOD>

The Orphan
<LEDAS’ SPACE POD IS SHOWN; THE CAMERA MOVES UP AND OVER TO BEHIND IT AS IT PASSES BY, REVEALING ITS TARGET; A PLANET, EARTH>

<THE SPACE POD LANDS, HARD; IT CREATES A HUGE CRATER; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS THE DOOR OPENS AND LEDAS EXITS>

<HE IS NOT WEARING HIS CHEST ARMOR, ONLY THE SKIRT PIECES, AND GUVA’S ARM GUARD; OTHERWISE, HIS CLOTHES ARE SIMPLE AND WORN>

<HE STEPS OUT OF THE POD AND SCANS THE AREA, HEAD HELD HIGH; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, LEDAS MOVES FORWARD UP AND OUT OF THE CRATER; HE LEAVES HIS POD BEHIND; SOON HE COMES UP ON A CLIFFED OVERLOOK; BELOW IS A CITY, HUGE AND BUSY>

<LEDAS PEERS DOWN INTO THE CITY, WITH WONDER; HE LAYS DOWN ON HIS STOMACH TO SURVEY; HE IS A BIT HESITANT TO GO INTO THE TOWN>

Layeeck: <SITTING ON A ROCK NEARBY> And you’re sure Vegeta’s here?

Ledas: <STILL PEERING DOWN AT THE TOWN AND THE PEOPLE WALKING AROUND> Yeah.

Layeeck: What will you do when you finally meet him?

Ledas: I ‘o know… <IN REGARDS TO THE HUMANS BELOW> Hey these guys look just like us. Are they Saiyans too?

Layeeck: <UNMOVING> If they were Saiyans, don’t you think you could sense it? And they are also missing a… necessary appendage.

Ledas: <CHILD’S AWE> Whoa… they don’t have tails…

Layeeck: <STERNLY> So what would happen if you just flaunted yourself into town as you are?

Ledas: <FINALLY LOOKS OVER AT HIS FATHER> Huh… what do you mean?

Layeeck: Do you really think you need to be drawing unwanted attention, my son? You have no idea what these creatures are, other than Vegeta is living with them. Any unnecessary entanglements could only lead to -

Ledas: <INNOCENTLY> If Vegeta’s gotten along with them, then they can’t be that bad.

<LEDAS GETS UP, IGNORING HIS FATHER, AND SLIDES DOWN THE ROUNDED CLIFF INTO THE CITY; NOTICEABLY, THOUGH, HE WRAPS HIS TAIL AROUND HIS WAIST TO HIDE IT; THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN THE SERIES THAT LEDAS HAS WILLINGLY DONE THIS>

<HE STARTS WANDERING DOWN A STREET GAINING SOME STARES FROM VARIOUS PEDESTRIANS; HE ROUNDS A CORNER AND BUMPS INTO TWO YOUNG MEN>

Man 1: Hey kid! Watch where yer goin’!

Ledas: Get outta my way. <WALKS BY THE TWO>

<MAN 2 GRABS LEDAS’ SHOULDER AND SPINS HIM AROUND>

Man 2: Hey! We were talkin’ to you, kid!

Ledas: <QUIETLY> Don’t touch me.

Man 1: What was dat, ya little punk?!

Ledas: Get off of me!

<LEDAS BRUSHES THE TWO MEN AWAY, INTO A SIDE ALLEY; THEY ARE CRUMPLED AND BLOODIED, BUT ALSO DEAD; WHILE HE DID NOT INTEND TO KILL THEM, HIS POWER IS SO GREAT THAT HE DID SO WITHOUT EVEN TRYING OR KNOWING HE DID>

<LEDAS CONTINUES ON WITHOUT MUCH CARE>

<UP AHEAD, AN OLDER WOMAN COMES QUIETLY OUT OF A SIDE SHOP; IN HER HANDS ARE MANY PARCELS; LEDAS DOES NOT SEE HER AND BUMPS INTO HER, SPILLING ALL SORTS OF PRESENTS AND GROCERIES ABOUT>

<LEDAS WALKS BY HER, NOT BOTHERING TO HELP HER PICK ANYTHING UP>

Mrs. Fanshi: You! Boy! What do you think you’re doing?!

Ledas: <HE CONTINUES WALKING FOR A FEW FEET THEN TURNS HIS HEAD; HE SEEMS SURPRISED THAT SHE IS TALKING TO HIM> Whaa…?

Mrs. Fanshi: <STERNLY> Boy! Don’t you have any manners?!

Ledas: Oh… uhhhmm I-

Mrs. Fanshi: Here, come help me pick them up.

<LEDAS WALKS BACK OVER AND KNEELS DOWN; MRS. FANSHI DOES AS WELL; HE QUIETLY HELPS HER PICK EVERYTHING BACK UP>

<UPON FINISHING, LEDAS BEGINS TO WALK OFF AGAIN, STILL PREOCCUPIED WITH VEGETA>

Mrs. Fanshi: <WATCHES HIM FOR A FEW MOMENTS, THEN RAISES HER RIGHT HAND> Hang on there, dear. Come back!

Ledas: <ANNOYED> What do you want now?

Mrs. Fanshi: <NOTICES LEDAS IS ALL DIRTY AND WHATNOT> Why are you all alone, dear? Do you not have parents?

Ledas: <NO TONE> They’re dead.

Mrs. Fanshi: <DROPS WHAT SHE IS CARRYING AGAIN> Oh good heavens! That’s terrible!

Ledas: I got over it a long time ago.

Mrs. Fanshi: <KNEELS DOWN TO PICK UP HER THINGS> Be a good boy and help me pick these up again.

<LEDAS SIGHS AND HELPS AGAIN>

Mrs. Fanshi: So, are you an orphan?

Ledas: Sure.

Mrs. Fanshi: And you live around here?

Ledas: <OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT WANT TO TALK TO HER> No.

Mrs. Fanshi: <TALKING TO HERSELF> What a pity, he’s homeless. <TURNS TO LEDAS> Do you have a place to stay?

Ledas: No, but I don’t ne-

Mrs. Fanshi: <STANDS UP ONCE AGAIN, WITH HER PARCELS> Well then, you can stay with me until we get things sorted out.

Ledas: But…

Mrs. Fanshi: No “buts”. Come on, honey, let’s go. <STARTS WALKING> Have you ever been to school, dear?

Ledas: What’s that?

Mrs. Fanshi: <EYES WIDEN> My, my. <TAKES A DEEP BREATH> School, my dear, is where a child goes to learn all the things necessary to survive and be successful in life. I hadn’t thought of taking in a boy, myself, but seeing how ignorant you are, I can’t let you go!

Ledas: It’s training?

Mrs. Fanshi: Yes, my dear. It will prepare you for the real world.

Ledas: <TURNS TO LAYEECK WHO HAD DURING THE CONVERSATION MATERIALIZED OVER LEDAS’ RIGHT SHOULDER> A little training couldn’t hurt… <TO FANSHI> Okay, I’m ready for that.

Layeeck: <FOLD HIS ARMS> Hmph… you don’t want to get caught up with these creatures, Ledas. It’ll only prolong your search.

Mrs. Fanshi: Splendid. Let’s get going then. Tomorrow morning I’ll take you down to the school to get registered… and get you some new clothes.

Ledas: <DRAGGING HIS FEAT AFTER HER> Hey?! What’s wrong with my clothes!

Mrs. Fanshi: Then, I can apply you for the orphanage… but you can stay with me until that is worked out. Come on, honey, my house isn’t far away.

<IN THE BACKGROUND, SOME POLICE ARE INSPECTING THE CORPSES OF THE TWO THUGS LEDAS KILLED; LEDAS DOES NOT NOTICE THIS>

<CUTS TO PLANET COOLER 92; GUVA AND BANAS ARE HOVERING OVER A SMOLDERING BUILDING; BANAS’ ARMOR IS STILL CRACKED AND BROKEN; GUVA IS MOSTLY UNTOUCHED>

Banas: <LOOKS DOWN AT THE SOLDIERS AND NATIVES FIGHTING; HE LAUGHS AND SHOOTS A BLAST AT IT ALL, KILLING A VAST MAJORITY OF BOTH> Looks like it’s all falling apart without me!

Guva: <SHOUTING OVER THE COMMOTION> Don’t touch my soldiers! This is between you and me, Captain! No one else!

Banas: <FLIES UP TO GUVA, ON HIS BACK, ARMS FOLDED> Heh heh heh. You want another planet governor? Cuz I’ve got the perfect one. <RIGHTS HIMSELF UP, HIS TONE BECOMES MUCH MORE SERIOUS; REPEATS> I’ve got the perfect one. The one you never let me go to, guvvy.

<BANAS LAUGHS AGAIN; GUVA’S FACE IS HESITANT>

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS AND FANSHI>

Mrs. Fanshi: Dinner’s ready!

Ledas: Awright! I’m starving.

<LEDAS SITS DOWN AND HURRIEDLY SCARFS UP THE FOOD WITH HIS HANDS; MRS. FANSHI IS APPALLED>

Mrs. Fanshi: My dear, don‘t you have any manners?

Ledas: <LOOKS UP FOR A SECOND> No. <THEN GOES BACK TO EATING>

Mrs. Fanshi: <LOOKS REPULSED BUT DOES NOT STOP HIM> … I do believe that we have not properly introduced ourselves. My name is Mrs. Fanshi… what’s yours, child?

Ledas: <EATING> Oh, I’m Ledas.

Mrs. Fanshi: <SUPER SURPRISED> Ledas? Now that’s an exotic name…

Ledas: <INNOCENTLY> Well your name is weirder…

<THEY FINISH DINNER IN SILENCE; AFTER A BRIEF AWKWARDNESS, LEDAS SPEAKS UP>

Ledas: Uh, Mrs. Fanshi… when do I get to start the training?

Mrs. Fanshi: You mean school?

Ledas: <SLOWLY, TIRED> Yeeah.

Mrs. Fanshi: Tomorrow, I will take you to town, and see if I can get you enrolled. But, we will also need to get you new clothes. I don’t know where you got that dreadful outfit, but it certainly won’t do for a new student.

Ledas: But I always train in this…

Mrs. Fanshi: No, it won’t do. We don’t want people to be thinking you’re different.

<LEDAS DOES HIS PUPPY EYES; BUT FANSHI CAN SEE THAT HE IS EXTREMELY TIRED>

Mrs. Fanshi: Now, Ledas it’s time for bed. Your room is down the hall, first one on the left. There should be plenty of blankets in there for you. <SHE WATCHES HIM LEAVE, STILL TWIRLING A BIT OF WINE IN HER GLASS AS SHE DOES; TO HERSELF> He’s too tired today, poor thing. I’ll have to teach him real manner tomorrow. <SHE LOOKS AT HIS PLATE> I’ve got a little savage on my hands.

<LEDAS WANDERS DOWN INTO HIS ROOM; HE TURNS ON THE LIGHT AND NOTICES THE BED>

Ledas: <HE WALKS UP TO IT AND POKES AT IT> Wow this is soft! <HE JUMPS ON IT AND IMMEDIATELY FALLS INTO A DEEP SLEEP>

<THE CAMERA PULLS BACK, AND LAYEECK’S VISION CAN BE SEEN STANDING OVER LEDAS, STARING AT HIS SONS SLEEPING>

<FADES TO BLACK>

Hazing
<IN THE MORNING, FANSHI AND LEDAS GO TO A CLOTHES STORE AND PICK SOME GOODIES OUT; LEDAS SPECIFICALLY PICKS OUT AN OVERSHIRT ONE SIZE LARGER THAN THE REST OF HIS CLOTHES TO HIDE HIS TAIL; HIS CLOTHES CONSIST OF A RED HOODIE, A WHITE SHIRT, AND JEANS>

<AFTER THIS, THE TWO WALK STRAIGHT TO A LARGE AREA; THERE ARE MANY MULTI-FLOORED BUILDINGS AND COURTYARDS CONNECTING THEM; VARIOUS HUMANS ARE WALKING ABOUT ON THEIR OWN BUSINESS, SOME ARE NO OLDER THAN LEDAS>

Ledas: <WATCHING THE PEOPLE WALKING AROUND> Um… Mrs. Fanshi, is this the training place?

Mrs. Fanshi: <DISTRACTED> Yes dear, this is school…

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF (OR LAYEECK, WHO IS THERE IN VISION FORM)> Then why can’t I feel any of their powers?

<THE TWO REACH A BUILDING AND GO INSIDE; IT IS THE FRONT OFFICE OF THE SCHOOL>

Mrs. Fanshi: <APPROACHES THE FRONT DESK> Hello, I called earlier about enrolling a…

<LEDAS STEPS BACK AND SITS DOWN ON A BENCH BEHIND HER; LAYEECK’S VISION DOES THE SAME>

Layeeck : <WRYLY> So what is this? You’re best idea of how to find Vegeta?

Ledas: <BOWS HEAD IN BOREDOM; WHISPERING> I thought it was training…

Layeeck: Use your mind! Are any of these creatures around you even the smallest of a threat?

Ledas: I don’t feel anything from them…

Layeeck: <CONTINUES> So then why are you training with those that are beneath you?

Ledas: <SHUFFLES HIS FEET ON THE GROUND> Wewll… there were some other big powers I felt earlier… and they were way stronger than me. I think one of them was Vegeta… <PAUSES, CHILDISHLY> I-I can’t go visit him if I’m so mu-

Mrs. Fanshi: Ledas, dear? Let’s go on to your class now.

<FANSHI SHOWS HIM HIS ROOM, #4 ON THE LEFT; SHE THEN LEAVES>

<LEDAS MAKES IT TO ROOM 104; CLASS HASN’T STARTED YET SO MANY STUDENTS ARE SCATTERED ABOUT THE ROOM, THE TEACHER IS AT HIS DESK IN THE FRONT>

Mr. Kyokatshi: <IS WORKING ON PAPERWORK, ETC; LOOKS UP AS LEDAS APPROACHES> Ah, you must be the new addition to my class. What is your name?

Ledas: Uh… <LOOKS AROUND> I’m Ledas.

Mr. Kyokatshi: <HIGH ARROGANCE> Perhaps they did it differently at your old school, Ledas. But here, in my room, you will address me as Mr. Kyokatshi. At all times. Do you understand?

Ledas: Uh, sure… Mr. Kyokatshi.

Mr. Kyokatshi: <STARES BACK AT LEDAS> Good, now take a seat in the back. <POINTS TO AN EMPTY DESK>

Mr. Kyokatshi: <TUNRS TO GRAB SOMETHING OFF HIS DESK> Oh, and here. Take your books.

<HE UNLOADS A HUGE STACK OF BOOKS INTO LEDAS’ ARMS; THE WEIGHT HAS NO EFFECT ON HIM>

<LEDAS GOES AND SITS DOWN AT HIS DESK; HE NOTICES A BOY TO HIS LEFT STARING AT HIM>

Mr. Kyokatshi: Now then, students, as you no doubt remember, yesterday we started exploring the vast history of our early ancestors…<CONTINUES TALKING IN THE BACKGROUND>

<THE BOY TO LEDAS’ LEFT IS STILL STARING AT LEDAS; HE IS ABOUT THE SAME HEIGHT; MUCH SKINNIER THOUGH; HIS HAIR IS BROWN AND SHORT>

Ryori: So, you the new kid?

Ledas: I guess.

Ryori: What’s your name?

Ledas: Ledas. <THERE IS A LONG AWKWARD PAUSE WHERE RYORI SIMPLY STARES, WAITING FOR LEDAS TO ASK HIM WHAT HIS NAME IS>… who are you?

Ryori: <PROUDLY> I’m Ryori. <CHUCKLES> I’m the best one here.

Ledas: <PIQUE OF INTEREST> You’re the strongest one?

Ryori: Everyone listens to me; I’m the one who’s in charge here. Hey! You haven‘t had your initiation yet!

Ledas: My what?

Ryori: <A VAST GRIN COMES TO HIS FACE> Your first test. You gotta do it to join us.

Ledas: <CURIOUSLY> Oh… when do I get to start?!

<MR. KYOKATSHI LOOKS OVER AT THEM>

Ryori: Shh… later.

<AFTER CLASS, THE STUDENTS EXIT; RYORI MEETS UP WITH LEDAS OUTSIDE; IT IS SUNNY AND BRIGHT OUTSIDE>

Ryori: <FLANKED BY A FEW FRIENDS; BEMUSED> You made it!

Ledas: What do I have to do?

Ryori: <LAUGHS, LONG AND HARD; PAUSES> Hmm… alright I got one for you.

Ryori: <TURNS TO A BUILDING BEHIND THEM> Ok, you need to climb up into that window up there <POINTS UP TO THE SECOND STORY>. That’s the girls’ locker room. <LAUGHS AGAIN> Climb into there and get us a pair of their underwear. Do that and you’re in.

Ledas: <EMPTY-HEADED> Oh… that’s it?

<BY THIS TIME MOST OF THE OTHER STUDENTS HAVE DISPERSED; LEDAS CLIMBS CAREFULLY UP THE SIDE OF THE BUIDLING, AND JUMPS INTO THE OPEN SECOND STORY WINDOW THAT RYORI POINTED TO EARLIER; AS SOON AS HE DISAPPEARS, THE CROWD BELOW ERUPTS INTO LAUGHTER>

<LEDAS MOVES INTO THE GIRLS LOCKER ROOM; HE DOESN’T SEE ANYONE, NOR ANY OF WHAT HE IS LOOKING FOR>

<LEDAS ROUNDS A CORNER, LAUGHTER AND WHATNOT IS POURING OUT FROM UP AHEAD; SUDDENLY A SMALL GROUP OF GIRLS ROUND THE CORNER; NONE ARE IN MUCH MORE THAN UNDERWEAR>

Girl 1: <JUMPS BACK, SCREAMS; THE OTHERS FOLLOW SUIT> Hey you?! What are you doing in here, you pervert!

Ledas: <STEPS BACK, BUT IS GRINNING> <TO HIMSELF> I get it. I gotta get it off of them… <HE SMILES, AND HIS AURA ERUPTS AROUND HIM>

<CUTS TO PICCOLO, WHO IS MEDITATING; SUDDENLY HE OPENS HIS EYES; HE SENSES LEDAS’ BRIEF POWER UP>

<CUTS TO VEGETA, WHO IS TRAINING WITH A VERY YOUNG TRUNKS>

Vegeta: <LOOKS UP TO THE SKY; STOPS FIGHTING; TRUNKS STILL ATTACKS HIS FATHER AT THIS TIME, BUT VEGETA DOESN’T EVEN NOTICE> What was that?!

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS; HE RUNS OUT OF THE LOCKER ROOM AND JUMPS THROUGH THE SECOND STORY WINDOW, ARMS FULL OF VARIOUS CLOTHES; THE SCREAMING VOICES OF GIRLS CAN BE HEARD BEHIND HIM, AND THEY ARE THROWING DEBRIS AFTER HIM>

<HE LANDS, RIGHT IN FRONT OF RYORI, ARMS STILL FULL OF THEIR PRIZE>

Ledas: <DROPS THE CLOTHES IN FRONT OF RYORI; UPBEAT> Am I in?

Ryori: <LAUGHING UNCONTROLLABLY> W-where… where did y-y-you get all those?!!?!

<HE CONTINUES LAUGHING>

Ledas: <INNOCENTLY> There were a lot of girls…

Ryori: You took them off the girls?!

Ledas: Wasn’t I supposed to-

Ryori: <LAUGHING AGAIN> Oh… dude you are so in.

<LEDAS JOINS IN THEIR LAUGHTER; IT IS NOTICEABLE THAT LAYEECK’S VISION HAS BEEN ABSENT THIS WHOLE TIME>

<LATER THAT NIGHT, LEDAS FLIES BACK TO MRS. FANSHI’S HOUSE, BOOKS IN HAND; NO ONE SEES HIM>

<CUTS DINNER TIME AT MRS. FANSHI’S HOUSE>

Mrs. Fanshi: So, how was your first day of school?

<LEDAS SMILES TO HIMSELF, FINALLY A BIT OF TRUE HAPPINESS ESCAPING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME>

Ledas: Yeah… I had a really good day.

<LATER ON, LEDAS GOES TO BED; HE IS LAYING IN HIS BED>

Ledas: He’s a lot stronger than me, I can feel it.

Layeeck: <VISION FORM> You can’t know that.

Ledas: Yes I can.

Layeeck: You have never felt Vegeta before. How can you be sure of it, my son?

Ledas: Because I know Vegeta. I know what his power would feel like. <AGITATED> And I can feel him right now. He’s right over there. <HE POINTS OUT HIS WINDOW> Not that far away. He’s training at a higher level than’s my maximum power!

Layeeck: We will have to find a way to make you stronger.

Ledas: Like I don’t know that!

Layeeck: That starts out with you abandoning this ‘school’. There’s no point in going if there is no possibility of getting stronger.

Ledas: I like them. Ryori is nice and so are the others.

Layeeck: You do not need to be making friends, my son.

Ledas: Why not? <HE LOOKS PAINED> Since Vegeta I haven’t had any friends. Everyone I know was either using me or trying to kill me. I need that to change… I’m still going whether you like it or not. <LAYEECK DOES NOT RESPOND; LEDAS TURNS OVER AND PUTS HIS HEAD ON HIS PILLOW; TO HIMSELEF> I can’t visit Vegeta. I can’t let him know I’m so weak.

Capsule Corp.
<CUTS TO A PLANET, ROCKY AND DARK; IT IS NEAR PITCH BLACK, SAVE FOR THE LIGHT OF TWO PODS; ONE OPEN AND ABANDONED, THE OTHER JUST OPENING>

Guva: <GETS OUT OF HIS POD> What the hell is this place? <HE JUMPS OUT AND FLIES OFF, WITH CONTEMPT>

<HE FLIES FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS, SCANNING ABOUT WITH HIS SCOUTER UNTIL PICKING UP A HUGE READING AHEAD>

<GUVA FOLLOWS HIS READING UNTIL COMING UPON A HUGE CAVE; IT IS DARK AND THERE IS NO SIGNS OF LIFE>

<GUVA DESCENDS AND WALKS INSIDE, WARILY; THE CAMERA STAYS IN PLACE UNTIL HIS FIGURE DISAPPEARS INTO THE DARKNESS>

<CUTS TO FANSHI’S HOUSE; IT IS EARLY IN THE MORNING, PROBABLY ABOUT 5 AM OR SO; LEDAS IS ASLEEP, SPLAYED ABOUT ON HIS BED WITH BLANKETS AND PILLOWS ALL IN A MESS; THE CAMERA MOVES DOWN THE HALL, SLOWLY; MRS. FANSHI’S VOICE IS COMING OUT OF HER DESK-SPACE NOOK>

Mrs. Fanshi: <ON THE PHONE> Are you sure? All of them? Well… that is absolutely unacceptable. I’ll send him down, immediately. <MRS. FANSHI GETS UP AND WALKS TO LEDAS’ ROOM; SNAPPY> Ledas! Wake up! Ledas!

<LEDAS ROLLS OVER AND GROANS, BUT DOES NOT WAKE>

<MRS. FANSHI, WITHOUT PATIENCE, RIPS HIS BLANKETS OFF; THIS CAUSES LEDAS TO OPEN HIS EYES>

Ledas: <GROGGILY> What?!

Mrs. Fanshi: <STILL SNAPPY> Get up! You have to get to school.

Ledas: But it’s so early…

Mrs. Fanshi: You have detention. You have to go in early today.

Ledas: <STILL HALF ASLEEP; YAWNING> Detention? What’s that?

Mrs. Fanshi: It’s your punishment for stealing all those girls’ clothes yesterday. I can’t believe you would do something so stupid, Ledas. And on your first day!

Ledas: <BECOMES ALERT> Whaa…?! Why was that bad?!

Mrs. Fanshi: <IGNORING HIM> Put on your clothes and get going. Hurry up, dear.

<LEDAS GETS DRESSED AND EXITS FANSHI’S HOUSE, STILL GRUMBLING; AT THIS TIME LAYEECK’S VISION REAPPEARS AND FOLLOWS HIM AS HE WALKS THE DIRT PATH INTO TOWN>

Layeeck: <WITH WORRY IN HIS VOICE> Ledas?! What are you doing? None of this playing around will get you stronger, and it certainly won’t help you find Vegeta.

Ledas: <AGITATED> I know this isn’t helping! You don’t have to tell me that! But I can’t just go see Vegeta when he’s stronger than me! I just can’t!!

Layeeck: And now you’re all caught up in this school… where you don’t do anything. Listen to me son, you need to find a place to train.

Ledas: <CONTINUES WALKING BUT TURNS TO HIS HALLUCINATION> Yeah, and if I do that, Vegeta will be able to find me!

Layeeck: You don’t even know if he can sense you.

Ledas: <PICKS UP HIS PACE IN HIS ANGER> He’s stronger than me! Of course he’ll know how to do that! Besides he probably sensed me yesterday when I did that challe-

Layeeck: <WRYLY> You mean when you got yourself a punishment.

<UPON HEARING THIS, LEDAS’ FACE CONTORTS IN ANGER AND HE TURNS TO FACE HIS FATHER; BY THIS TIME, THEY HAVE WALKED INTO THE TOWN AND THERE ARE HOUSES ON EACH SIDE OF THEM; LEDAS, IN HIS ANGER, TAKES HIS RIGHT HAND AND, AND EXTENDS IT PALM OUTWARD AT HIS FATHER; HE SHOOTS OFF A SINGLE-HAND KYORRA FLASH; IT GOES RIGHT THROUGH LAYEECK, AND HITS A HOUSE BEHIND, CAUSING IT TO EXPLODE IN A HUGE BURST OF FLAMES>

<LEDAS’ EYES WIDEN AT THE SIGHT OF THIS, AND HE TAKES OFF, RUNNING SUPER FAST>

<LEDAS ARRIVES AT SCHOOL AND TAKES PART IN HIS DETENTION UNTIL SCHOOL STARTS; HE IS SITTING IN HIS DESK WHEN ALL THE OTHER STUDENTS COME IN, INCLUDING RYORI>

<RYORI DOES NOT SEEM SURPRISED TO SEE LEDAS THERE>

<LEDAS AND RYORI DO NOT TALK AGAIN FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS>

<AFTER CLASS THOUGH A LARGE GROUP CONGREGATES AROUND RYORI; LEDAS IS DRAWN IN WITH CURIOSITY>

Ryori: <PROUDLY> Yep, it’s my brother’s. He lets me use his stuff all the time.

Ledas: <SEES RYORI IS HOLDING A SMALL DEVICE, BUT DOESN’T KNOW WHAT IT IS> Hey Ryori… what is that thing?

Ryori: <TURNS TO FACE LEDAS> <LAUGHS> Hey Ledas! You’ve never seen a capsule before?

Ledas: What’s a capsule?

Ryori: Here, I’ll show ya. <RYORI GESTURES HIS HAND AND THROWS THE SMALL CAPSULE INTO THE GROUND; THE CROWD JUMPS BACK A BIT; SMOKE AND DUST JUMP UP AND WHEN THEY SETTLE, A SHINING RED MOTORCYCLE IS STANDING THERE>

<THE STUDENTS AROUND ALL LET OUT A COLLECTIVE “OOOOH”>

<AFTER A FEW MORE MINUTES OF FAWNING, THE CROWD DISPERSES AND ONLY LEDAS AND RYORI ARE LEFT>

Ledas: Those capsules can hold anything?

Ryori: <SHORTLY> Yep. Cars, houses, anything.

Ledas: <REALIZES SOMETHING; BECOMES VERY EXCITED> Anything?!

Ryori: Like what?

Ledas: <STOPS, NOT WANTING TO REVEAL HIS PLAN> Well… nothing. I guess.

Ryori: Why? Do you want one?

Ledas: <EAGER> Yes! Where can I get them?

Ryori: There’re shops in every town... But if you want the best stuff, go to West City. That’s where the main store is. <HE CARESSES THE MOTORCYCLE, PROUDLY> That’s where we got this one.

Ledas: <INNOCENTLY> But where is that?

Ryori: <LAUGHS, KIND OF IN DISBELIEF> West City is… <POINTS LEFT> that way.

<SUDDENLY, A YELL LETS OUT AS A TALL, SLENDER TEENAGER APPEARS WALKING TOWARD LEDAS AND RYORI>

Ryori: <TURNS TO FACE THE FIGURE, HE STEPS BACK; ALMOST IN FEAR> Oh shit…

Shoekki: <WALKS UP TO HIM; HE IS DRUNK, AND SPUTTERING ABOUT> Yeah, that’s right, little bro. It’s me. Why the hell did you steal my bike? <SHOVES RYORI ASIDE, MAKING HIM FALL> Don’t touch my stuff.

<SHOEKKI PRESSES A BUTTON ON THE BIKE AND IT TURNS BACK INTO A CAPSULE; WITHOUT ANOTHER LOOK AT THE TWO, HE WALKS OFF, STILL WALKING AROUND LIKE THE DRUNKARD HE IS>

Ryori: <EMBARRASSED> I-I… I gotta go. <HE GETS UP; HIS EMOTIONALITY HAS CHANGED TO BEING MUCH MORE DEJECTED IN THIS SHORT TIME> Shoekki! Wait up!

<RYORI RUNS OFF AFTER SHOEKKI, LEAVING LEDAS ALONE>

<AFTER A FEW SECONDS, LEDAS HIMSELF RUNS OFF, AND WHEN OUT OF SIGHT, TAKES TO THE AIR AND TO WEST CITY>

<HE FLIES EXTREMELY HIGH, SO NO ONE CAN SEE HIM>

<EVENTUALLY, LEDAS SPOTS SOMETHING; IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE, HE DESCENDS, LANDING HARD INTO THE GRASS>

<HE GATHERS HIMSELF UP AND LOOKS UP AT THE GATE ABOVE HIM; IN FANCIED AND COLORED LETTERING, THERE IS A SIGN UPON THE GATE; IT READS “CAPSULE CORPORATION”; LEDAS CANNOT READ THAT, BUT HE SEES THE PICTURE OF A CAPSULE UNDER IT>

<HE OPENS – REALLY, BREAKS DOWN - THE GATE AND WALKS IN; UP AHEAD, HE SEES AN OLD MAN WITH A CAT ON HIS SHOULDER WORKING IN AN OPEN WORKBENCH; LEDAS WALKS WITH PURPOSE TO THIS MAN>

My Friend Vegeta
<CAMERA COMES INTO FOCUS; LEDAS AND DR. BRIEFS ARE WALKING TOGETHER, OUTSIDE ON THE GRASS; IT IS STILL PRETTY BRIGHT OUT>

<LEDAS HAS HIS HOOD UP OVER HIS FACE, TO KEEP HIS IDENTITY SUPER SECRET>

Dr. Briefs: A gravity chamber? Now why would you need that, my boy?

Ledas: <MUMBLING> I just do. You have one, right? You have to know what they are.

Dr. Briefs: Why yes, I have several different models. All more exciting than the last. However, I can’t see why a young boy like you would need one.

Ledas: <STILL MUMBLING> What’s the best one?

Dr. Briefs: The model 14, but I’m not selling-

Ledas: <EMOTIONLESS> I’ll take it.

Dr. Briefs: <STOPS WALKING> That would be rather expensive…

Ledas: Hmphh… <EXTENDS HIS LEFT ARM BEHIND HIM AND SHOOTS AN INVISIBLE BLAST THAT DETONATES IN A CLEAN LINE ACROSS THE GRASS> I never said I was paying.

Dr. Briefs: <CLEARLY FRIGHTENED> Oh… I see.

<LEDAS TAKES THE LEAD AS DR. BRIEFS FOLLOWS HIM INTO AN OPEN HANGER; IT HAS VARIOUS VEHICLES AND DEVICES SCATTERED ABOUT; IN THE BACK, BEHIND A GLASS WALL ARE THREE SPHERICAL DEVICES, LOOKING QUITE SIMILAR TO GOKU’S/VEGETA’S GRAVITY ROOMS OF BEFORE>

<WRITTEN IN DARK LETTERING, ACROSS THE FRONT OF EACH OF THEM IS THE SIGN “MODEL 14.”; LEDAS CANNOT READ IT, BUT HE REALIZES THEY ARE THE GOOD ONES SINCE THEY ARE BEHIND THE GLASS>

Ledas: <POINTS TO THEM; HIS TAIL IS NOW OUT, FREEFORM, SWINGING AROUND IN IRRITATION> Get me one of those… now!

<DR. BRIEFS WALKS DOWN THE HANGER; AS HE DOES, BULMA ENTERS>

Bulma: Hi daddy!

Dr. Briefs: <NERVIOUS; BULMA DOES NOT PICK UP ON IT> Yes hello dear, this boy is purchasing one of our Model 14s. An excellent choice, wouldn’t you say?

Bulma: <TURNS TO LEDAS AS THEY CONTINUE WALKING; SMUGLY> He must’ve brought a lot of… of… of… <LEDAS IS LEANING UP AGAINST A WALL, NOT LOOKING AT THEM; BULMA CAN THEREFORE SEE HIS TAIL; SHE STOPS WALKING AND GOES ALL WHITE>

Bulma: <SLOWLY> Da-daddy… who is that boy?

Dr. Briefs: Come dear, he promised not to destroy my laboratory if we give him a 14.

Bulma: <ANXIOUS, AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, SHE SPLITS OFF FROM DR. BRIEF; SUDDEN TURN TO MATTER OF FACT> I’ll go get Vegeta.

Dr. Briefs: <EXACERBATED> No, no sweetie! It’s quite alright… <BULMA LEAVES WITHOUT HEARING HIM; QUIETLY, TO HIMSELF> It’s quite alright.

<SOME TIME PASSES, AND DR. BRIEFS RETURNS WITH A CAPSULE IN HIS HAND; HE GIVES IT TO LEDAS>

Dr. Briefs: There you go, my boy. One gravity suppression unit, as requested.

Ledas: <TAKES IT IN HIS HAND, BRINGS IT UP CLOSE TO HIS FACE, INSPECTING IT> Gravity… suppression? What does that mean?

Dr. Briefs: <SUDDENLY EXCITED TO EXPLAIN AWAY> Well as you see, the MCP of previous models would constantly overheat, or run out of power. Invariably, I decided add several groups of suppression modules so as to allow a… person such as yourself to power the device indefinitely. As a consequence, it seems that very little energy is able to escape from the device.

Ledas: <EYES WIDEN> You mean… no one can sense me while I’m in there?!

Dr. Briefs: Well, I… uh…

Ledas: Thanks! <TURNS AROUND, RUNS OFF AND TAKES TO THE SKY>

<DR. BRIEFS WATCHES HIM GO, AS THE SUN STARTS TO SET>

<JUST THEN, BULMA ENTERS WITH A SMILE ON HER FACE>

Bulma: <ENTHUSIASTICALLY> Well daddy, it’s all been settled. Vegeta seemed real interested in this kid with the tail. He’s going to get your capsule back for you! <WATCHING THE SKY> Come on Vegeta! What are you waiting for?

Dr. Briefs: <SIGHS> Oh, Bulma you didn’t have get Vegeta involved. I didn’t want half the city destroyed over this…

<BULMA DOESN’T LISTEN TO HIM; SUDDENLY, OUT OF A CORNER OF THEIR COMPLEX, AN LIGHT BLUE AURA SHOOTS OFF; BULMA NOTICES>

Bulma: Huh, that’s Vegeta for you; wait until the last second just to put on a show.

<LEDAS FLIES, SUPER HIGH AGAIN, HE DOES NOT NOTICE VEGETA TAILING HIM>

<SUDDENLY, VEGETA CATCHES UP WITH LEDAS IN MIDAIR; HE IS ABOVE LEDAS AND HITS DOWNWARD ON THE BACK OF THE LATTER>

<LEDAS IS SENT FLYING DOWNWARD, IN PAIN AND PERPLEXED>

Ledas: What the?! Who are you?! <HE TURNS UPWARD, TO FACE HIS PURSUER; HE RECOGNIZES IT AS VEGETA, IMMEDIATELY; INSTINCTIVELY, HE MOVES BACKWARDS> No!

Vegeta: So, thief, wondering who I am?! Well, your luck’s run out. I bet you didn’t count on having to face me, the strongest warrior in the universe!

Ledas: <LAUGHS TO HIMSELF, EVEN AS HE IS INTERNALLY IN PANIC> Some things never change.

Vegeta: Find something funny, punk?

Ledas: Just the fact that you haven’t changed. <WITH THAT, LEDAS, STILL WITH HIS FACE COVERED BY HIS HOOD LAUNCHES HIMSELF AT VEGETA AND BEGINS TO ATTACK.>

<THEY FIGHT FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS, IN A BLOW EXCHANGE, NEITHER HOLDS AN EDGE OVER THE OTHER, HOWEVER>

<VEGETA FIRES OFF A GALICK GUN, AND LEDAS COUNTERS IT WITH HIS OWN VARIATION OF THE BLAST, A PLAYFUL GALICK>

<VEGETA IS SURPRISED BY THIS, AND OVERPOWERED; HOWEVER WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS, HE LAUNCHES HIMSELF AT LEDAS AND BATS HIM AWAY; LEDAS DROPS THE CAPSULE AND VEGETA CATCHES IT>

Vegeta: So thief! Who are you? Kakarot’s son? I never thought you would try to steal from me. You don’t even deserve to be a Saiyan!

Ledas: <VOICE RISES IN ANGER AS WELL AS DISBELIEF> I don’t know what you’re talking about!

Vegeta: Yeah, that’s right. <LAUGHS> Your good for nothing father died before you even met him.

<LEDAS, MISINTERPRETTING THIS, RUSHES AND ELBOWS VEGETA IN THE RIBS; VEGETA DOUBLES OVER AND LEDAS TAKES THE CAPSULE BACK>

Vegeta: <GETTING IMPATIENT> Enough! <ATTACKS MORE FORCEFULLY, NOW LEDAS CAN NOT KEEP UP; VEGETA PUNCHES HIM AWAY>

Ledas: <LOOKING DOWN> I didn’t want to have to do this, it’s too early… but you leave me no choice, Vegeta.

Vegeta: What? How do you know who I- <LEDAS GOES SUPER SAIYAN, HIS HOOD IS PUSHED BACK; HE PUNCHES VEGETA, MIDSENTENCE> No! Impossible! How can he be a Super Saiyan?!

<LEDAS TURNS TO FACE VEGETA, HIS EYES AGLOW; VEGETA IS SHOCKED BY THIS BUT DOES LIKEWISE, GOING SUPER SAIYAN AS WELL>

Ledas: Watch me.

Vegeta: <CALMS DOWN UPON TRANSFORMING> Even if you are a Super Saiyan, you don’t have nearly as much power or experience as I do! <LAUGHS> But don’t think that means I’ll go easy on you... little man.

<BOTH JUMP AT EACH OTHER, INTO A GREAT FLURRY OF BLOWS; THROUGHOUT THIS ALL, THE TOWNSPEOPLE BELOW REMAIN COMPLETELY UNAWARE AND UNKNOWING OF THE STRUGGLE GOING ON ABOVE>

Mist
<BLACK SCREEN; A WILD DIN OF VOICES ARE HEARD>

Reporter 1: Police Chief Nagamo! Police Chief Nagamo! Is there any word yet on how many casualties?

Reporter 2: What about how it was done? Was it a gas leak? Or arson? Or-

Reporter 3: Chief! What can you say about the reports coming in from the countryside?

<THE SCREEN FADES TO COLOR; A MAN, OBVIOUSLY POLICE CHIEF NAGAMO, IS STANDING BEHIND A PODIUM, ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS OF A LARGE GROUP OF FRENZIED REPORTERS; HIS FACE IS GRAVE>

Police Chief Nagamo: We have no word yet on the number of causalities that occurred in the home fire, earlier today. Yes, it was a fire, a mere accident. There is no evidence, nor any concern that what occurred today was deliberate, or part of some kind of crime. <HE SIGHS AND TURNS AWAY FROM THEM FOR A MOMENT BEFORE LOOKING BACK> That is all I can say for today. <WITH THE NOD OF HIS HEAD, NAGAMO LEAVES, WITH THE RAUCUS BEHIND HIM GROWING IN VOLUME WITH EACH STEP HE TAKES>

<NAGAMO WALKS DOWN A HALLWAY; THE WALLS ARE WOODED AND THE LIGHTS ARE DIM; UP AHEAD HE COMES UPON A DOOR, WHICH IS THE ENTRANCE TO HIS OFFICE; HE ENTERS>

<INSIDE, A WELL DRESSED ELDERLY MAN HAS HIS BACK TO NAGAMO; HE IS FIDDLING WITH SOMETHING IN HIS HANDS>

Police Chief Nagamo: <SURPRISED AND SOMEWHAT IRRITATED> Can I help you?

Unknown Man: <STILL WITH HIS BACK TURNED, PLEASANTLY> Ah, Mr. Nagamo, how have you been? <HE TURNS AROUND, TWO GLASSES OF SOME KIND OF ALCOHOL IN HIS HANDS>

Police Chief Nagamo: <TAKES THE GLASS; STILL SUSPICOUS> I’m sorry… do I know you?

Unknown Man: <TAKES A DRINK> Perhaps not, but I do know you. You’re quite the <PAUSES FOR A MOMENT> charismatic leader, Nagamo. But moreover, you are just the man I need for my operation.

Police Chief Nagamo: <DOESN’T DRINK, SETS DOWN HIS GLASS> What operation? What are you talking about?

Unknown Man: <TAKES SOMETHING OUT OF HIS SUIT POCKET, IT IS A SMALL PHOTOGRAPH; HE HANDS IT TO NAGAMO> My name is Cardinal. I am here because of that.

Police Chief Nagamo: <STARING AT THE PICTURE; HIS KNUCKLES GO WHITE> A-and you were authorized?

Cardinal: By the UN, yes. They’ve given my full control of all assets in the area. But I require your help. This is a matter which I cannot leave to chance. If we do not act with perfect harmony, I fear many lives may be lost.

Police Chief Nagamo: <SLOWLY> There are reports… coming in from the countryside. I did not think them to be so close to the mark. If this is true-

Cardinal: <HOLDS UP HIS HAND> We can discuss specifics later, Chief. For now, I’d like you to meet my team… they have many theories for how to tackle this issue.

<CARDINAL AND NAGAMO EXIT, NAGAMO DROPPING THE PICTURE AS HE GOES; AFTER THE DOOR CLOSES, THE CAMERA FOCUSES IN ON THE PICTURE; IT IS A PICTURE OF LEDAS’ SPACE POD, WHICH HE HAD FORGOTTEN>

<CAMERA CUTS TO LEDAS AND VEGETA’S FIGHT; LEDAS ATTACKS BUT IS COUNTERED; THE FIGHT IS NOT EVEN; VEGETA IS BEATING UP ON HIM, WITH RELATIVE EASE; LEDAS IS BLEEDING FROM HIS LOWER LIP>

Ledas: <IN HIS HEAD> No, I can’t let him know it’s me yet... I need to get away, and fast.

<THE FIGHT CONTINUES AND VEGETA HAS NEARLY BEATEN LEDAS>

Vegeta: So, fool, given up yet? <HE PUSHES LEDAS BACK, WHO IS HUNCHED OVER IN MIDAIR, BREATHING HARD> Did you really think you could beat the Prince of all Saiyans?

Ledas: <BREATHLESS> No… Vegeta. I didn’t mean to fight you…

<VEGETA LAUGHS; LEDAS DISAPPEARS, THE QUICKLY REAPPEARS ABOVE VEGETA, HE FIRES A HUGE ENERGY BLAST POINT BLANK INTO THE PRINCE; VEGETA FALLS TO THE GROUND, UNCONSCIOUS>

Ledas: <BREATHING HARD STILL; WIPES BLOOD OFF OF HIS FACE> You shouldn’t let your guard down, Vegeta. <COUGHS>

<LEDAS SLOWLY TURNS AROUND TO LEAVE, BUT QUICKLY GLANCES ONCE MORE AT THE UNCONSCIOUS VEGETA; A DISTRESSED EXPRESSION CROSSES HIS FACE, BUT AFTER A MOMENT, IT IS GONE>

<LEDAS FLIES HOME AND GOES TO HIS ROOM; HE PLACES THE CAPSULE IN A DRAWER ON HIS NIGHTSTAND; INSIDE THAT NIGHTSTAND IS A PAIR OF PANTIES THAT HE SAVED; HE LOOKS THEM OVER FOR A MOMENT>

Ledas: <TO HIMSELF> Well, I don’t have any reason to keep them anymore. I guess I should return those.

<HE SETS HIS BACKPACK DOWN ON HIS BED AND EMPTIES IT; A MESS OF BOOKS AND PAPERS FALL OUT ONTO HIS BED>

<HE PICKS UP A PENCIL AND TRIES WRITING, TRYING TO MIMICK THE LETTERS HE SEES, BUT HE IS TERRIBLE AT IT; HE CAN NEITHER READ NOR WRITE, OBVIOUSLY>

Ledas: I dunno what I’m supposed to do with this stuff…

Mrs. Fanshi: <FROM THE OTHER ROOM> Ledas, dinner is ready!

Ledas: <HALF RESPONSE> Okay.

<HE LOOKS ONE MORE TIME AT THE CAPSULE AND PANTIES THAT HE STOLE IN THE DRAWER BEFORE CLOSING IT AND WALKING OUT; HE IS IN HIS BLACK SHORTS, WHITE SHIRT, AND SOCKS ONLY>

<LEDAS ARRIVES AT THE DINNER TABLE TO FIND THE FOOD LAID OUT FOR THEM WITH FANSHI ALREADY HAVING SET THE TABLE; SHE IS SITTING DOWN; LEDAS SITS DOWN>

<NOT WAITING, HE PLOWS INTO HIS FOOD USING HIS HANDS>

Mrs. Fanshi: Dear, slow down. That is no way to act while eating! Here, I will show you proper manners at the dinner table.

Ledas: ‘asanners?!

Mrs. Fanshi: The first thing you must learn is to never talk with your mouth full.

<LEDAS SWALLOWS>

Ledas: But why?

Mrs. Fanshi: It is rude.

Ledas: How?

Mrs. Fanshi: <IGNORING HIM> Now, do you know how use chopsticks?

Ledas: W-what’s chopsticks?

Mrs. Fanshi: Those there. <SHE POINTS TO WHAT IS NEXT TO HIM; THE CAMERA SHOWS IT UP CLOSE>

<LEDAS PICKS THE TWO STICKS UP, DUMBFOUNDED AT HOW TO USE IT; FANSHI GETS UP AND HELPS HIM USE IT, GUIDING HIS HAND; HE SUBMITS; AS CAN BE SEEN, HE IS TERRIBLE WITH THEM, AND HE SPILLS HIS FOOD EVERYWHERE; AT ONE PANEL, HE GETS AGITATED, AND PUNCTURES HIS MEAT WITH ONE OF THEM, BUT FANSHI UNDOES THAT>

<THE PANELS MOVE BY QUICKLY; LEDAS DOES NOT GET HOW TO USE THE CHOPSTICKS FOR A FEW PANELS, BUT HE GRADUALLY BECOMES SEMI-COMPETENT; FANSHI CAREFULLY AND COMPASSIONATELY SHOWS HIM HOW TO EAT SLOWER, AND EAT SMALLER PORTIONS>

<THEY GO INTO THE NIGHT LIKE THIS, WITH FANSHI REALLY ACTING LIKE A MOTHER FIGURE TO LEDAS; LEDAS ACTUALLY TRIES TO LEARN FROM IT>

Mrs. Fanshi: <AS THEY CONTINUE> Your mother never taught you how to use these?

Ledas: No.

Mrs. Fanshi: Poor thing, you must have had a hard life. How long have you been living on your own?

Ledas: I don’t know. But it has been a long time.

<SHE SHAKES HER HEAD AND HELPS HIM, AGAIN, WITH HIS CHOPSTICKS>

Mrs. Fanshi: Well, you’re safe with me now, dear.

<HE NODS BUT DOES NOT SMILE, AS HE IS FOCUSED ON HIS FOOD ONCE AGAIN>

Ledas: Yeah, safe.

<THE NEXT DAY GOES BY, WITHOUT MUCH EVENT; AFTER SCHOOL, LEDAS STAYS WITH RYORI AS THE LATTER WAITS FOR HIS BROTHER TO COME AND PICK HIM UP>

<THE BOTH OF THEM ARE THE ONLY TWO LEFT AT SCHOOL AND ARE SITTING ON THE CURB OF A STREET>

Ryori: He’s my older brother. He’s really nice and all… just a little messed up.

<LEDAS JUST SITS THERE LISTENING, HE IS SOMEWHAT DISTRACTED; THE WOUND ON HIS LIP HAS HEALED SLIGHTLY BUT NO ONE HAS NOTICED IT YET>

Ryori: It’s not really his fault. He drinks a lot and does a lot of drugs…

Ledas: Drinking? What does that mean?

Ryori: You don’t know? Well… I guess it’s better if you don’t. But I can tell when he gets like that. I can see it in his eyes. When he gets like that… <RUBS HIS ARMS WHICH ARE SLIGHTLY BRUISED; LEDAS NOTICES> I’m just another fucked up kid to him.

Shoekki: <PULLS UP TO THE SIDE OF THE CURB, ON HIS MOTORCYCLE; IT IS RED; IN MOCKING SPIRIT, LAUGHING> He was close… because all I saw was a kid fucking everyone he could get his little hands on.

Ryori: <GETS UP> Nuh-uh! I don’t do that!

Shoekki: Like hell you don’t. What? You think I don’t know what my little bro’s up to? I know a lot more than you think.

Ryori: I’m not doing anything!!!

<ALL SILENTLY FUME AT ONE ANOTHER FOR A FEW SECONDS>

Ryori: <BREAKING THE SILENCE> And Shoekki why are you so happy anyways?

Shoekki: <GRINS> I got a new girl today. Picked her up right before I came over here. And the best part of it all… she’s just like me! <HIS BALANCES STARTS TO WANE> Likes all the stuff I do.

Ryori: <BOWS HEAD, QUIETLY> Oh great.

Shoekki: <GRABS RYORI AND HELPS HIM UP ONTO THE BIKE> Come on, Ryori! It’ll be great… I promise.

<THE TWO GET ON THE MOTORCYCLE AND SPEED OFF; RYORI LOOKS EXTREMELY WORRIED AND DEJECTED; STRIKING WHEN COMPARED TO HIS ALPHA MALE PERSONALITY THAT NORMALLY WAS PRESENT AT SCHOOL>

<THE CAMERA SHIFTS TO ANOTHER PLACE, A ROOM HIGHLY ORNATED AND WOODED; IN IT ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE CONVERSING; AMONG THEM ARE CARDINAL AND NAGAMO>

Cardinal: So, <GESTURES AROUND TO THE THREE OTHERS STANDING NEXT TO HIM> these are my operatives. We have, together, worked up several methods which can be employed to capture this being. Our only problem as of now is we do not have an identity for the creature.

Police Chief Nagamo: What do you mean?

Cardinal: As you may recall, Nagamo, two of these very same creatures, in the very same space ships came to this planet years back. Should I bring up the recordings?

Police Chief Nagamo: No, I remember it.

Cardinal: Good, good. <CONTINUES> A great deal of time and effort was spent tracking down several tapes of these creatures in action. From such tapes, we have gained three critical pieces of evidence.

<PAUSES, TURNS TO ONE OF HIS ASSOCIATES, THE MOST WELL DRESSED> Kindler, would you mind showing our gracious host what we have uncovered.

Kindler: Of course, sir. <MOVES FORWARD, AND POINTS TO A SCREEN THAT WAS OFFSCREEN UNTIL NOW; IT HAS SEVERAL STILL PICTURES OF VEGETA AND NAPPA AS THEY WERE WHEN THEY FIRST ARRIVED ON EARTH>

Kindler: From what we have deduced, these creatures look much like you and me… even if there are several minor differences.

Police Chief Nagamo: So you’re saying there could be any number of these things on earth?

Kindler: <LOOKS UP AT NAGAMO, WITH CONTEMPT> No, that’s utterly preposterous. These creatures are highly destructive and I doubt any could possibly live here in peace. For one, they are far more powerful than any normal human. And they also, all of them, have tails. <WRYLY> There have been no reports about any men with tails, recently.

Police Chief Nagamo: Oh, right. I guess that makes sense. <CURIOSITY OVERWHELMING> So what is the third piece of evidence?

Kindler: <CHANGES THE SCREEN TO PICTURES OF VEGETA TRANSFORMED INTO A GREAT APE> They turn into big monkeys when exposed to the moon. <PAUSES AS NAGAMO TAKES THIS IN> Yeah, I’m not even making that up.

Police Chief Nagamo: Yeah that’s interesting too… but how will this help us to catch the beast?

Kindler: <REACHES FOR SOMETHING BELOW THE TABLE AND BRINGS IT UP; IT IS A WEIRD MECHANICAL DEVICE> With this. <GESTURES TO THE DEVICE> This is a blutz wave generator, one of the few models produced by a… <SEARCHES FOR THE WORD> trusted manufacturer. The device will simulate that of our moon.

<NAGAMO TRIES TO RESPOND, CLEARLY NOT WANTING THEM TO TRANSFORM THE ALREADY DANGEROUS SUPPOSED ALIEN; BUT CARDINAL MOVES FORWARD>

Cardinal: <MOVES FORWARD> The reason we have told you this, Nagamo is that I will shortly be injecting this device into the entire town. I would appreciate some kind of help in determining the most populated areas for exposure.

<NAGAMO SHIFTS HIS FEET, MOUTH AGAPE IN HORROR OF WHAT HE IS WITNESSING; HE LOOKS ONE MORE TIME AT THE PICTURE OF VEGETA TRANSFORMED AND THEN BACK OUT THE WINDOW TO HIS QUIET, AND PEACEFUL TOWN>

<PERMANENTLY REDACATED SCENE 1, NOT POSTED>

The Monster Inside Me...
<A FEW DAYS PASS, WEEKS EVEN; BY THIS TIME LEDAS HAS GROWN A LITTLE MORE COMFORTABLE AROUND RYORI AND THE OTHER HUMANS; SEVERAL SCENES PASS OF HIM TRAINING IN HIS GRAVITY SUPPRESSION UNIT, IN SUPER SAIYAN, AT OVER 250G>

<A SCENE COMES UP WHERE LEDAS, RYORI, AND SEVERAL OTHER BOYS ARE ALL ENJOYING THEMSELVES AT AN ARCADE, COMPLETELY OBLIVIOUS TO ANYTHING BAD GOING ON AROUND THEM; THE GROUP OF THEM ARE LAUGHING AND PLAYING AROUND; THE SCENE CHANGES TO THEM IN CLASS, SHOWING HOW RYORI LEADS THEM ALL, WHILE KYOKATSHI ATTEMPTS TO HOLD THE ORDER; NOBODY RESPECTS HIM>

<RYORI IS SUCH AN ALPHA MALE; HE AND LEDAS DO NOT EVER PAY ATTENTION TO CLASS AND LEARN NOTHING; AT THE END, RYORI LEADS THE KIDS HE LIKES OUT OF THE CLASS WHEN IT IS OVER; THEY GO OUT TO A PLAYGROUND AND SIT AROUND, TALKING TO ONE ANOTHER INTO THE EVENING; LEDAS IS WITH THEM>

<AS THEY ARE WALKING BACK, LEDAS RUNS INTO A GIRL; IT IS MIKI, THE GIRL HE GAVE BACK THE PANTIES TO; THEY TALK, BUT IT IS UNSEEN WHAT THEY SAY; SHE SHOWS HIM SOMETHING BEFORE PARTING WAYS; THEN, THE TWO SAY GOODBYE AND PART WAYS>

<THE DAY TURNS TO NIGHT, AND LEDAS AND MRS. FANSHI SAY GOOD NIGHT TO EACH OTHER; BEFORE GOING TO HIS ROOM, HE GRABS AN APPLE AND WANDERS BACK TO HIS ROOM; HE CLOSES THE DOOR AND JUMPS INTO BED>

Ledas: <TAKES A BITE FROM HIS APPLE> I wonder where dad is? <LOOKS AROUND> Haven’t seen him for a while. <SUDDENLY LEDAS SHIVERS AND NOTICES HIS WINDOW IS OPEN> So cold…! <HE STARTS TO MOVE TO GET UP TO CLOSE IT, BUT THEN NOTICES A DARK FIGURE, STANDING, ACTUALLY LAYING ACROSS THE OUTSIDE OF HIS WINDOWSILL>

Ledas: Who are you?!

<THE BEING LOOKS UP AT HIM, HIS FACE IS HOODED AND UNRECOGNIZABLE; INDEED HIS ENTIRE BODY IS COVERED IN DARK ROBES; SAVE FOR HIS CLAWED AND SCALED HANDS; THE BEING DOES NOT ANSWER LEDAS>

Ledas: <SHIVERS AGAIN> O-oh it’s you. I know you’re not real… stop bothering me! <WITH ANNOYANCE, LEDAS THROWS HIS HALF EATEN APPLE AT THE CREATURE, HITTING IT SQUARELY IN THE HEAD>

Creature: <SURPRISED SARCASM> Ow….

<LEDAS LETS IN A SHARP GASP, THINKING THE CREATURE MUST BE REAL; HE FALLS OFF THE EDGE OF HIS BED, ON THE FAR SIDE FROM THE WINDOW; WHEN HE GETS BACK UP, THE CREATURE IS GONE; LEDAS RETURNS TO BED, BUT DOES NOT SLEEP, HE IS VERY SHAKEN>

<CUTS TO A POLICE HEADQUARTERS OFFICE; SOME TIME HAS PASSED SINCE THE LAST MEETING; THE WALLS ARE COVERED IN PICTURES OF VEGETA AND NAPPA; AS WELL, THERE ARE PAPERS COVERED IN WRITING AND TYPING LITTERING THE TABLES AND DESKS; THE BLUTZ WAVE GENERATOR IS SITTING UNTOUCHED IN A CORNER>

<CARDINAL, HIS TWO MALE ASSOCIATES (THE FEMALE ONE IS NOT PRESENT) AS WELL AS NAGAMO ARE THE ONLY ONES INSIDE; BOTH CARDINAL AND KINDLER HAVE THEIR SUIT TOPS OFF, IN CLEAR FRUSTRATION AND IMPATIENCE>

Police Chief Nagamo: No, I will not allow it! Absolutely not! If this thing actually is here, transforming it will only make it harder to capture!

Cardinal: We have no leads, no idea who it could be. The idea of shooting out the blutz wave over the city is to make sure that it is even here, not to actually capture it. No, that plan will come in due time.

Police Chief Nagamo: <WITH ANGER> And what happens when it transforms? Who’s to say it won’t go on a rampage and kill us all?

Kindler: <LAUGHS QUIETLY, TO HIMSELF; ARMS FOLDED> Seriously? Have you not been paying attention to what Mr. Cardinal and I have been telling you? When he transforms, we can easily regress him by removing the tail. And if he’s still feisty, we’ve got this. <HOLDS UP A STRANGE HELMET DEVICE>

Police Chief Nagamo: But-

Cardinal: <FATHER’S TONE, ELEGANT> No “buts”, Nagamo. We are doing this, with your help or not. You can make this easier on us both by finding the most populated areas for us to release the waves upon. But if you refuse, we’ll just do the whole town anyways. It’s your choice. <HE SMILES> The UN placed me in charge for a reason. We have a situation that must be dealt with. And simply stalling us is helping no one. It is making no one safer. <GENTLER> Nagamo, these are your people, this is your town. If you co-operate and help us, we can bring the peace back. It won’t happen idly.

Police Chief Nagamo: <SIGHS> I can’t stop you then. Well give me a few days, I’ll see what I can pull together. I want you to know that I don’t approve of what you are doing, Cardinal. But we have no choice. I will let you use the device.

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS, IN THE MORNING; HE WALKS TO SCHOOL, STUMBLING AND WHATNOT DUE TO HIM NOT GETTING ANY SLEEP THE NIGHT BEFORE; ON HIS WAY, HE PASSES BY THE HOUSE HE BLEW UP WEEKS BEFORE; IT IS JUST A PILE OF ASH; A STRANGE HOODED CHARACTER IS FOLLOWING HIM BUT HE HAS YET TO NOTICE IT>

<UPON GETTING TO SCHOOL, HE SLUMPS INTO HIS DESK, NOT EVEN SAYING HELLO TO RYORI; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, HE IS FAST ASLEEP>

<MR. KYOKATSHI CONTINUES TALKING AHEAD, AND DOES NOT NOTICE; RYORI REACHES OVER TO LEDAS>

Ryori: <POKES LEDAS; WHISPERING> Psst! Ledas! Wake up, dude!

Mr. Kyokatshi: <IN THE BACKGROUND WHILE THIS IS GOING ON> So can I get a volunteer to do the problem?

Ledas: <SUDDENLY WAKES UP, SHOOTS BACK IN HIS CHAIR; HE NOTICES THE BENEFACTOR HALLUCINATION WHICH IS SITTING ON THE TEACHER’S DESK, OR RATHER LAYING ACROSS IT LIKE LAST NIGHT; HE SCREAMS> What?!!?! Who is it?! I don’t have any!

<RYORI SHOOTS BACK TO HIS DESK AT THIS AND KYOKATSHI LOOKS OVER AT HIM>

Mr. Kyokatshi: <STRANGELY WITHOUT ENTHUSIASM> Ah, Ledas. Come on up.

<LEDAS SHUFFLES UP TO THE FRONT OF THE CLASS, MR. KYOKATSHI HANDS HIM A PIECE OF CHALK>

Mr. Kyokatshi: Now, write out the answer for number 6.

Ledas: <VERY EMBARRASSED, TALKING QUIETLY> Oh, uh sir… I… dunno how to…

Mr. Kyokatshi: <YELLS> Speak up, boy!

Ledas: <DOES, A LITTLE> I-I can’t… write or read.

Mr. Kyokatshi <INCREDULOUSLY> You can’t read or write? <THE CLASS COLLECTIVELY LAUGHS, SAVE FOR RYORI> What, do you take me as some kind of fool? <HE BACKHANDS LEDAS ACROSS THE FACE>

Ledas: <DOES NOT MOVE AFTER BEING HIT, HE STARES BACK UP AT KYOKATSHI> I can’t, sir.

Mr. Kyokatshi: If you don’t know the answer, simply say so. <HIS VOICE AND TEMPER ARE RISING> But do not sit here and lie to my face that you have been doing nothing, nor gaining anything from my teachings these past months!

The Benefactor: <LOOKING AT HIS FINGERS, INSPECTING; NONCHALANTLY> Kill him, kid.

<LEDAS IS ABOUT TO RESPOND, BUT INSTEAD TURNS TO THE BENEFACTOR AS HE HEARS THIS>

Ledas: I’m not lying.

Mr. Kyokatshi: You can’t read or write? Do you really think that’s believable?

Ledas: It doesn’t matter if you believe it.

Mr. Kyokatshi: Don’t you speak to me like that! <HE SLAPS LEDAS AGAIN> You can’t read or write? Are you that stupid? Really?!

The Benefactor: Let them watch. Kill him and let them watch.

<LEDAS IGNORES THE BENEFACTOR AND CALMS HIMSELF DOWN>

Mr. Kyokatshi: Return to your desk, Ledas. After class you have detention. Do not backtalk about it. Now go.

<WITH HIS CONTEMPT, HE TURNS BACK AWAY FROM LEDAS AND CONTINUES THE LECTURE; LEDAS STAYS WITH HIS HEAD DOWN FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS, TO HIDE HIS TEARS>

<AFTER SCHOOL IS OVER, LEDAS GETS UP AND WALKS OUT, IGNORING KYOKATSHI YELLING AT HIM TO STAY FOR DETENTION>

<RYORI CHASES HIM OUT>

Ryori: Ledas! Come back… you can come over my place if you want to! Ledas!

<LEDAS RUNS OUT, TOO FAST AND IS SOON TOO FAR AWAY; RYORI STANDS ALONE IN THE EMPTY HALL>

<RYORI TURNS BACK AROUND, DISAPPOINTED, TO A RED MOTORCYCLE WAITING FOR HIM; ON IT ARE HIS BROTHER SHOEKKI, AS WELL AS HIS NEW GIRLFRIED; THE VERY SAME WOMAN THAT WAS ON CARDINAL’S TEAM; HE GETS ON, NOT VERY HAPPY>

<UP AHEAD, LEDAS TAKES OFF, AWAY FROM FANSHI’S HOME A FLIES FOR SOME TIME; HE IS CLEARLY ANGRY>

<AFTER SOME TIME, HE STOPS, OVER A TOWN, AND TURNS TO THE BENEFACTOR HALLUCINATION FOLLOWING HIM>

Ledas: <IN A SHOUT> Why are you following me?!

The Benefactor: <STILL CLEANING HIS FINGERNAILS, NOT LOOKING AT LEDAS> I’m just along for the ride.

Ledas: <SHOOTS A SMALL KI BLAST AT HIM> Leave me alone!

The Benefactor: <LOOKS UP AND SMILES, THEN GOES BACK TO HIS WORK> You should have killed your teacher. I know you hate him.

Ledas: He doesn’t even do anything! It was all just a big scam!

The Benefactor: You still did not kill him. A coward’s move, I think. Teuaheahueah. <AFTER HE LAUGHS, THE BENEFACTOR BREAKS INTO NOTHINGNESS, LIKE THE SHATTERING OF GLASS>

<AT THIS, AGAIN, LEDAS GETS MAD AND TURNS AROUND AND SHOOTS A FLURRY OF HIS ENERGY BLASTS INTO THE TOWN BELOW HIM, DESTROYING THE ENTIRE THING>

<AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS, LEDAS STOPS, HE IS PANTING HARD AND PERHAPS TEARY EYED>

<HE NOTICES THERE IS STILL SOME MOVEMENT BELOW, HE TURNS AND READIES AN ENERGY BLAST TO DECIMATE THE REMAINS; BEFORE HE CAN THROW IT, A BLUR, QUICK AS LIGHTNING COMES BY AND HITS HIM ACROSS THE FACE; LEDAS STOPS, AND CLUTCHES AT HIS FACE, WHERE A HUGE CUT HAS MATERIALIZED; HE WIPES THE BLOOD AWAY AND TURNS TO HIS NEW FOE>

Piccolo: So you’re the one I sensed fighting with Vegeta. <HIS ARMS ARE FOLDED SO HE NODS TO LEDAS’ FREE HANGING TAIL> You’re not any of Goku’s children, and you’re certainly not Trunks. So who are you? <LEDAS DOESN’T ANSWER; ANGER RISING> Fine, be that way. By destroying that city down there, by ending all those innocent lives, I have no choice other than to kill you here. Are you ready?

<PICCOLO TAKES OFF HIS WEIGHTED CLOTHES, AND THROWS THEM AWAY; HE BEGINS POWERING UP>

<LEDAS PULLS BACK HIS HOOD AND IN A DEAFENING SCREAM TURNS TO SUPER SAIYAN; HE LAUNCHES HIMSELF AT PICCOLO>

Like An Apple
<THIS CHAPTER PICKS UP IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LAST; LEDAS, IN SUPER SAIYAN, LAUNCHES HIMSELF AT PICCOLO WITH ALL HIS FURY; PICCOLO IS UNREADY, STILL TRYING TO POWER UP AND THUS GETS SMACKED IN THE HEAD, HARD; HE FLIES BACK SEVERAL FEET, BUT NOT BEFORE SENDING OFF AN ENERGY BLAST IN RELALIATION; LEDAS BRUSHES IT ASIDE>

<PICCOLO JUMPS BACK AND SHOOTS DOWN INTO THE GROUND AND THE RUBBLE; LEDAS FOLLOWS HIM; BUT IT IS A TRAP AND PICCOLO EMERGES FROM BEHIND LEDAS, SWIPING HIM, FROM THE LEFT SIDE>

<LEDAS IS THROWN TO THE SIDE, BUT TWISTS AS HE FALLS, SENDING A FLURRY OF RAZOR BLASTS INTO PICCOLO’S FACE; PICCOLO RETREATS AGAIN INTO THE RUBBLE>

<LEDAS STANDS UP AND LOOKS AROUND; HE SENDS OFF SEVERAL SMALL INVISIBLE BLASTS, WITH HIS RIGHT HAND EXTENDED IN A SEMI-CIRCLE AROUND HIM; AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE HALF BROKEN HOMES AND WHATNOT AROUND ALL EXPLODE>

<LEDAS TURNS AROUND, JUST IN TIME TO SEE PICCOLO STANDING BEHIND HIM, READYING A SPECIAL BEAM CANON>

<PICCOLO SHOOTS OFF THE BEAM; LEDAS BARELY MOVES OUT OF THE WAY; THE BEAM HITS HIM SQUARE IN THE LEFT SHOULDER>

<IN PAIN, LEDAS DROPS TO HIS KNEES SCREAMING, AND GRASPS AT HIS SHOULDER WITH HIS OTHER ARM; AT THE SAME TIME HOWEVER, PICCOLO STARTS WEAVING AROUND, CIRCLING HIM; LEDAS SHOOTS A BUNCH OF SMALL BLASTS AT HIM WITH HIS LEFT ARM>

<PICCOLO AFTERIMAGES AROUND, CONFUSING LEDAS; HE RUNS FORWARD AND KICKS LEDAS IN THE CHIN, SENDING HIM FLYING INTO A BUILDING>

<PICCOLO RELAXES FOR A MOMENT, CATCHING HIS BREATH; BUT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, LEDAS COMES FLYING BACK OUT, PUNCHING PICCOLO IN FACE>

<THEY BOTH TUMBLE INTO ANOTHER BUILDING, HALF DESTROYED; LEDAS LANDS ON TOP OF PICCOLO BUT IS PUSHED OFF ALMOST IMMEDIATELY>

<BOTH ROLL AROUND, CHANGING DOMINANCE SEVERAL TIMES; EVENTUALLY PICCOLO PINS LEDAS DOWN AND GRABS HIS THROAT WITH HIS ARMS; PICCOLO BEGINS TO SUFFOCATE HIM>

Piccolo: <IN THE STRUGGLE, HIS NAILS ARE DIGGING DEEP INTO LEDAS NECK, CAUSING MUCH BLOOD TO SPILL ABOUT; LEDAS STARTS CONVULSING, NEARLY UNCONSCIOUS; FOR SEVERAL SECONDS THIS CONTINUES, IN AN ALMOST EERIE QUIET, SAVE FOR THE FUMBLING AROUND OF LEDAS’ BODY ON THE FLOOR; AT THIS TIME, PICCOLO LETS UP A BIT AND BRINGS HIS FACE WITHIN AN INCH OF THE SAIYAN’S> Who are you?!

<LEDAS DOES NOT ANSWER, BUT STARES BACK WITH ANGER AND PAIN; AFTER A SECOND OR SO, HE HEADBUTTS PICCOLO, CAUSING THE NAMEKIAN TO REEL BACK; HE UNPINS HIS RIGHT ARMS AND SHOOTS IT, WITH ALL HIS FORCE INTO PICCOLO’S LEFT, BREAKING IT>

<PICCOLO, HOWLING IN PAIN FALLS OFF OF LEDAS>

<LEDAS GASPS, CLUTCHING AT HIS NECK FOR SEVERAL SECONDS; AS PICCOLO RECOVERS, HE GETS UP TOO>

<BOTH READY BLASTS AND SHOOT THEM AT ONE ANOTHER; A BEAM STRUGGLE BEGINS, BUT THEY ARE ONLY MERE FEET AWAY FROM EACH OTHER; PICCOLO AND LEDAS START CIRCLING IN THE ROOM, EACH WITH ONE ARM EXTENDED, FOR THEIR PART OF THE BEAM STRUGGLE>

<THEY GET CLOSER, NOW ONLY ABOUT SIX FEET APART; EACH ONE IS PUTTING ALL OF THEIR ENERGY INTO THE STRUGGLE; A GREAT WIND IS BEING LET OFF FROM THE STRUGGLE AND THE WINDOWS OF THE BUILDING ALL SHATTER; THE WALLS GET BLOWN AWAY AS WELL>

<SUDDENLY, LEDAS LETS UP; HE DISSIPATES HIS BEAM AND TELEPORTS TO BEHIND PICCOLO AT THE SAME TIME; PICCOLO CANNOT REACT FAST ENOUGH, AS THE FORCE OF HIS OWN BEAM CAUSES HIM TO TRIP FORWARD>

<LEDAS JUMPS UP INTO THE AIR AND FALLS DOWN ON THE BACK OF PICCOLO, ELBOWING HIM HIGH IN THE NECK>

<HE FLIPS OVER PICCOLO AND PINS HIM HARD TO THE FLOOR>

Ledas: <TAKES HIS RIGHT AND PUTS IT OVER PICCOLO’S FACE; BREATHING HARD> You know… Vegeta was a lot stronger than you. <WITH THAT, HE SENDS OFF A KYORRA FLASH, DETONATING IT IN PICCOLO’S FACE; DUST AND DEBRIS FILL THE AIR, AND WHEN THEY SETTLE, PICCOLO IS GONE>

<LEDAS SIGHS AND LOOKS AROUND AT ALL THE CARNAGE; WITH A SMIRK AND ONE MORE FEELING OF HIS BLOODY SHOULDER, LEDAS JUMPS INTO THE AIR AND DASHES OFF, BACK HOME>

<BEYOND, MAYBE 300 FEET AHEAD, PICCOLO EMERGES FROM THE RUBBLE, AND COLLAPSES ON THE GROUND; WITHOUT ANOTHER THOUGHT HE SLIPS INTO UNCONSCIOUSNESS>

<SEVERAL DAYS HAVE PASSED, MAYBE EVEN A WEEK>

<LEDAS IS IN RYORI’S HOUSE; IT IS SOMEWHAT MESSY AND FILTHY>

<MOST OF HIS WOUNDS HAVE HEALED, BUT HE IS STILL RECOVERING FROM THE SLICE ON LEFT CHEEKBONE; HE HAS A SWOLLEN LIP>

<RYORI AND HIM ARE PLAYING VIDEO GAMES, HAVING A GRAND TIME WITH IT ALL; IN A ROOM TO THEIR RIGHT, BEHIND A COUCH; THEY CAN HEAR SHOEKKI AND HIS GIRLFRIEND MAKING A TON OF NOISE; RYORI KNOWS WHAT IT IS AND IGNORES IT; LEDAS DOES NOT, TO EITHER>

Ledas: What are they doing back there? It sounds like they’re in pain.

Ryori: <LOW VOICE> It’s not pain. They just can’t control themselves. Well at least they’re not doing drugs… or at least I hope not.

<THE TWO PLAY FOR SEVERAL MORE SECONDS>

Ryori: <STARING AT THE SCREEN, PLAYING> What did Mr. Kyokatshi give you for skipping out on detention last week?

Ledas: Well… I have personal detention with him for the rest of the month.

Ryori: Man, that sucks.

Ledas: Yeah, I guess…

Ryori: I hate detention with him. There’s never any other teachers around so he always hits us. Has he done that with you yet? <GETTING REALLY DRAWN IN BY THE VIDEO GAME>

Ledas: A little…

Ryori: <BRINGS HIS CONTROLLER UP TO HIS FACE, PLAYIN’ HARD> I wish he would just drop dead…

<LEDAS LOOKS AT RYORI WHEN HE SAYS THIS BUT AT THIS EXACT MOMENT, SHOEKKI AND HIS GIRLFRIEND COME OUT; SHOEKKI IS IN NOTHING BUT BOXERS; HIS GIRLFRIEND HAS A LITTLE MORE ON>

Shoekki: <STUMBLES OUT, LAUGHING> Oh, hi! How are ya guys? You met my new girlfriend yet? Her name is-

Ryori: <WAVES ONE HAND, THE OTHER STILL CLUTCHING HIS CONTROLLER> Yeah, yeah that’s nice.

Shoekki: <JUMPS FORWARD; THERE IS ALCOHOL AND OTHER UNMENTIONABLE THINGS ON HIS BREATH> Jeez… ya both still playing? You’ve been on there all day… <SLURRED SLIGHTLY> whadontcha go ousside..? Get some exercise…

Ryori: <PUSHES AT HIS BROTHER> Come on, Shoekki leave us alone.

Shoekki: <WOBBLES OVER TO THEM; SUPER CALM, SUDDENLY> You know Ryori, you’re my little bro… and I’ve gotta take care of ya.

Ryori: Why don’t you take care of yourself first?

<SHOEKKI LAUGHS AT THIS, WAVING HIS FINGER AT BOTH OF THE KIDS; BUT AFTER A FEW SECONDS HE GOES BACK INTO HIS ROOM WITH FILE; THE TWO CONTINUE THEIR PREVIOUS ENDEAVOR>

<LATER THAT NIGHT, LEDAS GOES, ALONE, TO THE SCHOOL; IT IS ABANDONED AND QUIET; HE MAKES HIS WAY TO MR. KYOKATSHI’S OFFICE; HE ENTERS>

Mr. Kyokatshi: <LOOKS UP FROM HIS DESK, BEHIND A STACK OF PAPERS> Ledas. Good, I was beginning to think you wouldn’t come.

Ledas: <SOMEWHAT ANGRY> How much longer do I have to do this?

Mr. Kyokatshi: What, you don’t like your punishment?

Ledas: <SLIPS INTO A DESK, STILL MASSAGING HIS HURTING SHOULDER> It’s a waste of time.

Mr. Kyokatshi: I am your teacher. Your duty is to me and your studies. Everything, <MORE FORCEFULLY> everything I have you do is important.

Ledas: <GETTING ANGRY> Yeah, ‘cept this.

The Benefactor: <MATERIALIZES, LAYING ACROSS A DESK NEXT TO LEDAS; MESSING WITH HIS FINGERNAILS> Some people don’t deserve to live.

Mr. Kyokatshi: Fine, then! I will take more drastic measures. <HE REACHES FOR SOMETHING>

Ledas: <DIRECTED AT THE BENEFACTOR; KYOKATSHI INTERPRETS IT TO BE AT HIM> I don’t think that’s a good idea…

Mr. Kyokatshi: What you think doesn’t matter, I am your superior.

The Benefactor: <FORCEFUL> Kill him.

Ledas: <BOWS HIS HEAD, TRYING TO IGNORE THE BENEFACTOR> Don’t say that!

Mr. Kyokatshi: <WALKS RIGHT UP TO LEDAS, GETS CLOSE TO HIS FACE; HE HAS A RULER IN HIS HAND> I AM YOUR SUPERIOR!

The Benefactor: Submit? <LAUGHS> End this little game, now.

Ledas: Shut uuuup!!!! <YELLS, OUT OF SHEER FRUSTRATION AND ANGER; HIS EYES TURN GREEN, HIS HAIR YELLOW; BUT THIS TIME IT’S NOT LIKE BEFORE; HE HAS TURNED FULL POWERED SUPER SAIYAN, A STATE WHICH HE RECENTLY ACQUIRED THROUGH TRAINING; LEDAS’ AURA PUSHES MR. KYOKATSHI AWAY; HE HITS THE WALL; HIS NOSE STARTS BLEEDING; HE DROPS HIS RULER>

Mr. Kyokatshi: You insolent bastard! You dare strike at your teacher? <GETS UP, AND WALKS TOWARD LEDAS WITH PURPOSE>

<WHEN GETTING THERE HE TRIES TO SMACK LEDAS ACROSS THE FACE, BUT LEDAS DODGES IT>

Ledas: I told you to leave me alone!

Mr. Kyokatshi: <SHAKING; HE SEES LEDAS’ CHANGED APPEARANCE, CAUSING HIM TO RUN BACK TO HIS DESK> Y-y-you monster. <KNEELS, BLEEDING; SUDDENLY REACHES TO HIS DESK, TAKING A HAND GUN FROM ONE OF THE DRAWERS> Ah! H-how… dare… you!

<HE SHOOTS THE GUN AT LEDAS, BUT LEDAS EASILY MOVES OUT OF THE WAY; MR. KYOKATSHI’S EYES WIDEN; LEDAS SHOOTS HIM WITH AN ENERGY BLAST, POINT BLANK, DECAPITATING HIM>

<LEDAS RUNS OUT OF THE ROOM; LEAVING NOTHING BUT A CORPSE AND A BENEFACTOR BEHIND>

Blutz Wave
<IT IS SUNSET; THE CAMERA PANS ACROSS A VAST TERRAIN, COMING UP UPON KORIN’S TOWER>

<UP ON THE TOWER, VOICES ARE COMING OUT, SOMEWHAT LOUDLY AND WITH ANNOYANCE>

Korin: <PERCHED ATOP A RAILING; BACK TURNED TO THE TOWER> What is it now?

Yajirobe: <RUMMAGING THROUGH SOMETHING BEHIND> Argh, there’s no food here. I’m starving!

Korin: <WRYLY, BACK TURNED TO YAJIROBE> You look like it too.

Yajirobe: You stupid old cat, maybe you don’t have to eat, but I do. My stomach’s on empty, man.

Korin: <STILL STARING OUT AT THE SUNSET, THROWS SOME SENZU BEANS BACK AT YAJIROBE> Here, have some of these.

Yajirobe: <SWATS THEM ASIDE> Enough with those stupid beans. I want some real food.

Korin: Heh heh heh. Why don’t you go into town and get some? And pick up a girl and get married…

Yajirobe: Whatever man. <GRUMBLING> But I’m not getting you any catnip.

<YAJIROBE TAKES OUT, WITH INDIGNATION, A CAPSULE AND TURNS IT INTO A HOVER CAR; HE HOPS IN IT AND FLIES OFF>

Korin: Heh heh heh. <WATCHING HIM GO> Maybe he won’t come back.

<CUTS TO CARDINAL, AND NAGAMO; THEY ARE ALONE, OUTSIDE; IT IS DARK NOW AND THEY ARE SITTING IN FRONT OF A VAST EXPANSE OF GRASS AND WHATNOT>

Cardinal: <SOFTLY, SIPPING ON SOME ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE> We’ve indentified all members of his detention schedule. They’ll all be present at the ballet tonight. <TAKES ANOTHER DRINK> I’ve already sent Dewberry and Kindler there to set up the equipment.

Police Chief Nagamo: <STARING OUT, STONEY FACED> And you need my resources? I can send all the cars if you need them.

Cardinal: It’s not just that. We will need damage control… obviously whoever killed that teacher is the alien. And obviously he will be in that theater. When he transforms though, I doubt many will have any idea of what is going on. You need to be there to assure the public that it was nothing. That they are safe.

Police Chief Nagamo: I can exaggerate, yes. That’s part of my job. But how can I possibly tell the people that what they will witness with their own eyes didn’t happen?

Cardinal: <REACHES OVER AND PATS NAGAMO ON THE SHOULER> Well I’m sure you’ll think of something, Nagamo.

<SCREEN FADES; THEN REFOCUSES ON A BUILDING; THERE ARE PEOPLE AROUND IT, MOSTLY STUDENTS; THEY ARE ALL TALKING AND LOLLYGAGGING ABOUT; THE NOISE CAN BE HEARD ALL THROUGH TOWN; INSIDE, ARE MORE STUDENTS>

<LEDAS AND RYORI, AFTER WADING THROUGH A GREAT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE REACH THEIR SEATS, WITHIN A HIGH THEATER; THEY SIT DOWN AND BEGIN TO TALK AS OTHERS POUR IN, AND THE STAGE GETS PREPARED>

Ryori: <LEANS OVER TO LEDAS, WHO IS ON HIS RIGHT; HE IS WHISPERING> Hey Ledas, did you hear about Mr. Kyokatshi?

Ledas: <UNCOMFORTABLY> Uh… no.

Ryori: Well I heard he went insane and ran off into the countryside. Nobody’s seen him all weekend.

<SOME OTHER STUDENTS COME IN AND SIT NEXT TO THEM, THEY ARE ALSO TALKING ABOUT MR. KYOKATSHI>

Student 1: Yeah, I’m not kidding. I saw them myself!

Student 2: But who could have done that to Mr. Kyokatshi?

<RYORI’S ATTENTION SUDDENLY BECOMES FOCUSED ON THEIR CONVERSATION>

Ryori: Wait, what happened to Kyokatshi?

Student 1: Oh, Ryori… you didn’t hear? He’s dead. There were police all over the school! Ya should have seen it.

Ryori: <EYES WIDEN, BUT NOT IN SADNESS> What? He’s dead? Who did it?!

Student 1: No one knows… it just happened.

Ryori: <SITS BACK IN HIS CHAIR, LOOKS LIKE HIS IS DEEP IN THOUGHT; QUIETLY> Isn’t that weird, Ledas? A few days ago, I said I wanted him to drop dead.

Ledas: <SLIPS LOWER INTO HIS SEAT> Yeah that’s weird.

Ryori: <SUPER CHILDISH> Bu-but... I didn’t mean it. You know that, right?!

<BEFORE LEDAS CAN ANSWER, THE LIGHTS DIM, AND THE SCHOOL PLAY BELOW BEGINS; THERE IS NO MORE MENTION OF KYOKATSHI BETWEEN THEM>

<AS THE PLAY BEGINS, BEHIND THE SCENES, UP ON SOME RAFTERS ARE KINDLER AND HIS ASSISTANT DEWBERRY; DEWBERRY IS QUITE FAT AND MESSY COMPARED TO KINDLER WHO IS ELEGANTLY DRESSED>

Kindler: <ON HIS PHONE> It’s begun. I can start the machine up now... if you want… okay, right. I’ll do that. Bye.

Kindler: <TURNS TO DEWBERRY> Goddamnit, I can’t believe File is on a date tonight. We really needed three people for this. <TO DEWBERRY> As soon as I leave, press <POINTS> this button. Only this button, Dewberry. After that… just go sit in a corner or something. But don’t touch anything else? Got it? Is that easy enough for you?

Dewberry: Yeah, I got it Kindler. Don’t worry I won’t mess it up.

Kindler: <AS HE EXITS; TO HIMSELF IN A WHISPER> Like hell you won’t.

<A FEW MOMENTS LATER, DEWBERRY PRESSES THE BUTTON HE WAS INSTRUCTED TO; THE BLUTZ WAVES CARRY OFF INTO THE HUGE THEATER, HITTING EVERY PERSON>

<ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, LEDAS JOLTS, NOT REALIZING WHY; A FEW MORE SECONDS GO BY AND HE FEELS A TINGLY FEELING ALL DOWN HIS BODY>

<LEDAS INHALES SHARPLY, SUDDENLY REALIZING THAT THIS IS FEELING THAT COMES OVER HIM WHEN HE TRANSFORMS; HE IS WEARING A LONG SLEEVED SHIRT, BUT CAN FEEL HAIR SPRINGING UP UNDER IT>

<LEDAS SUDDENLY STANDS UP, AWKWARDLY AND QUICKLY WALKS OUT; RYORI NOTICES IT BUT BEFORE HE CAN SAY ANYTHING, LEDAS IS GONE>

<AS SOON AS LEDAS GETS OUTSIDE OF THE THEATER ROOM, WHERE THERE IS NOBODY ELSE, HE TAKES OFF INTO A FULL ON SPRINT>

<AS HE IS RUNNING, HE BEGINS TO TRANSFORM; AS GETS OUTSIDE, HE FALLS TO HIS KNEES AND FULLY TRANSFORMS; GROWING TO AN UNGODLY SIZE>

<AT THIS, LEDAS PANICKS AND JUMPS INTO THE AIR, AWAY FROM THE CITY; HE LANDS INTO THE FOREST AREA ON THE EDGE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE; HE TUMBLES, TRIPPING OVER HIMSELF FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET>

<JUST AT THIS MOMENT, STILL GRUMBLING, YAJIROBE COMES STROLLING UP IN HIS HOVERCAR, THROUGH A DIRT ROAD>

<OUT OF PRACTICALLY NOWHERE, LEDAS COMES FLYING AND TUMBLING OUT FROM THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LANDING SQUARELY ON IT; YAJIROBE, ONLY SEEING HIM AT THE LAST SECOND HITS HIM FULL ON, SMASHING THE FRONT OF HIS CAR INTO LEDAS’ UNCONSCIOUS BODY>

Yajirobe: <DAZED FROM THE CRASH, HE GETS OUT SLIGHTLY STUMBLING> Hey… Vegeta you idiot. You wrecked my car! <SEES THAT LEDAS IS ASLEEP> Huh? Asleep? <GETS A LITTLE ANGRY AT THIS> You stupid Saiyan! <HE TAKES OUT HIS SWORD AND CUTS OFF LEDAS’ TAIL IN ONE FELL SWOOP> That’ll teach ya for messing with the great Yajirobe again. <CONFIDENTLY, BECAUSE LEDAS IS STILL SLEEPING> Didn’t I tell ya last time that you were no match for my awesome-

<LEDAS HAS REGRESSED TO HIS HUMAN, NAKED FORM; HE STIRS AWAKE; YAJIROBE SEES THIS AND RUNS OFF, SCARED TO BEHIND HIS CAR>

Yajirobe: <TALKING FAST IN A PANICKED FEAR> Oh, please Mr. Vegeta it wasn’t me! I swear… I was just driving along and… and…

Ledas: <HAS WALKED UP TO YAJIROBE, HE IS NAKED> Hi… <RUBS HIS LEFT SHOULDER> uh… you wouldn’t happen to have any clothes, would you sir?

<YAJIROBE IMMEDIATELY DROPS HIS FEAR AND REPLACES IT WITH HIS AIR OF IMPORTANCE>

Yajirobe: <RUMMAGING AROUND IN THE TRUNK OF HIS CAR, SUPER BOSS FACE> What happened to your clothes, kid?

Ledas: Oh, I dunno… I guessed they uh… <HE TURNS AROUND AND NOTICES HIS TAIL IS MISSING> Hey?! What happened to my tail?!

Yajirobe: <LOOKS BACK AT LEDAS, WITH HIS I DON’T CARE ATTITUDE> Maybe it ran away. <HE THROWS SOMETHING INTO LEDAS’ ARMS> Those are my only spares; you can give them back when you take me home.

Ledas: <TAKE THE CLOTHES, THEY ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ONES YAJIROBE IS WEARING; AND ARE SEVERAL SIZES TOO BIG FOR HIM; NEVERTHELESS HE PUTS THEM ON> Take you home? Why’m I doing that?

Yajirobe: <LOUDER; BUT STILL IN HIS SAME ATTITUDE> Because you idiot, you smashed my car!

Ledas: <NOT LISTENING> Hey… I’m starving! Want to get something to eat first?

Yajirobe: <SQUINTS AT LEDAS WITH SUSPICION BUT THEN DROPS IT> Maybe you’re not that bad after all. As long as you’re payin’.

<LEDAS GOES TO TAKE OFF; HE NOTICES THAT YAJIROBE ISN’T FLYING WITH HIM>

Ledas: Hey come on.

Yajirobe: I can’t fly. You have to carry me.

Ledas: <SQUEAK> What?!

<YAJIROBE GRUMBLES BUT DOES NOT RESPOND; LEDAS SHRUGS AND LOWERS HIS BACK, ALLOWING YAJIROBE ON; HE GETS ON LEDAS, WHO ASCENDS INTO THE AIR>

<THE TWO FLY OFF, YAJIROBE RIDING ON LEDAS, BACK TO TOWN; AS THEY DO, THE CAMERA TURNS TO FOCUS ON THE AREA BEHIND THEM>

Kindler: < ON A MOTORCYLCE HIMSELF, PEERING THROUGH THE TREES DOWN ON IT ALL; ON HIS PHONE> Yes, that’s right, Cardinal. I got a visual on the alien; he’s regressed. I’ve positive ID’d him. I’ll transfer his data to you as soon as I get back.

Korin Tower
<THE NEXT MORNING IS SUNNY AND BRIGHT, IF WET; THE CAMERA CLOSES IN ON A PAIR OF PEOPLE WALKING UP TO A HOUSE, WHICH IS ILL-KEPT; IT’S GRASS IS BROWN, THE ROOF HAS HOLES, AND MUCH OF THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF; STRIKING, COMPARED TO THE TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE QUITE WELL DRESSED>

<THE LEADER OF THE TWO KNOCKS ON THE DOOR; QUICKLY, IT OPENS, REVEALING A COMPLETELY WASTED SHOEKKI>

Cardinal: <OUTSTRETCHES HIS ARMS, SMILES BROADLY> Ah, Mr. Shoekki. Just the man I wanted to speak to.

Shoekki: <WASTED> Whadyawan…?

File: Hello, Shoekki.

Shoekki: Hey, babe.

Cardinal: <TURNS HIS FACE, HAS A SPARKLE IN HIS EYE> I think <GESTURES TO THE OTHER WHO NOW COMES INTO VIEW AS FILE, CLEARLY> we have things to discuss. Are you up for a project, Mr. Shoekki? <SMILES AGAIN>

<CUTS TO THE SAME MORNING, MANY MILES AWAY; LEDAS AND YAJIROBE ARE FLYING, YAJIROBE SITTING SQUARELY, LEGS CROSSED ON LEDAS’ BACK; IN HIS HAND IS A HUGE, AND I DO MEAN HUGE BAG OF FOOD AND OTHER GOODIES; LEDAS HAS CHANGED HIS CLOTHES BACK TO HIS OWN BY NOW>

Ledas: <AS THEY ARE FLYING> Hey Yajirobe, why haven’t you learned how to fly?

Yajirobe: <INDIGNATION> I have no need to fly.

Ledas: My dad taught me how to fly when I was two years old. Besides, if you could fly then you wouldn’t have had to use that car.

Yajirobe: <THROUGH A MOUTHFUL OF FOOD> So are you, uh… a Saiyan?

Ledas: <PROUDLY> Yep.

Yajirobe: Huh, that Vegeta guy sure has a lot of kids.

Ledas: Vegeta’s not my dad <LAUGHS>… but you know him?

Yajirobe: <SCARED BUT PLAYING IT OFF COOL> Oh yeah. Vegeta and I are... great friends. Yeah!

Ledas: Hahaha… you’ve ever sparred with him? I could sense you were strong…

<THEY STOP IN FRONT OF KORIN’S TOWER, BUT LOWER THAN THE ACTUAL TOWER, SO LEDAS DOESN’T NOTICE THE LONG POLE GOING UP>

Ledas: <LOOKS UP> Whoa… you live all the way up there?

Yajirobe: With that old cat.

Ledas: <IN KID FORM; SLIGHTLY LAUGHING> You ever fall off?

Yajirobe: <KINDA MAD> Why would I fall off?!

Ledas: Well you can’t fly…

Yajirobe: Hmph.

<LEDAS FLIES YAJIROBE UP INTO THE TOWER; HE GOES UP TO THE RAILING AND PEERS OUT; KORIN POPS UP BEHIND THEM BOTH, VERY WISELY>

Korin: I thought you would bring back a girl…

Ledas: <TURNS AROUND, IN HIGH SPIRITS> Oh you must be the old kitty!

Korin: So that’s what he told ya, huh? <JUMPS FORWARD TO LEDAS AND YAJIROBE; YAJIROBE IS DIGGING INTO HIS FOOD RIGHT NOW> Well Yajirobe doesn’t do much. Unless it involves food.

Yajirobe: <EATING> Hey I heard that.

Korin: <TO LEDAS> Who are you, anyways?

Ledas: Oh, I’m Ledas, mister.

Korin: <WRYLY> That’s great. <HE MOVES OVER TO YAJIROBE>

<LEDAS FINDS A LITTLE TRINKET ON A NEARBY TABLE; IT IS A MEDIUM SIZED, TRIANGULAR SHAPED BOX, WITH STRANGE LETTERING AND PATTERNS ALL OVER IT; HE PICKS IT UP, INSPECTING IT>

Korin: <JUMPS FORWARD, SWATS THE THING OUT OF LEDAS’ HAND WITH HIS CANE> Hey don’t touch that!

Ledas: <SUPER CURIOUS> What is it?

Korin: I don’t know but it’s probably important.

Ledas: <BACKS UP, SLIGHTLY LAUGHING> You’re weird…

<CUTS BACK TO SHOEKKI’S HOUSE; HIM, CARDINAL AND FILE ARE ALL SITTING AROUND A TABLE>

Cardinal: Basically, I need your help in a little problem. An annoying thorn in my side, as it were.

Shoekki: <HE IS NOTHING BUT BOXERS, UNSHAVED AND HAS A CIGARETTE IN HIS MOUTH> Why do you need my help?

Cardinal: <GESTURES TO FILE> Your… girlfriend said that you are quite astute and would be perfect for this. And I put a lot of faith in my associates, Mr. Shoekki.

Shoekki: <CONFIDENCE BUILDING> Yeah I am pretty smart.

Cardinal: Excellent. So let’s get right down to it. You are of course aware of the death of your son’s teacher?

Shoekki: <SMOKING> Yeah… but the police aren’t saying anything about it. Why? You want me to look into it?

Cardinal: No, not at all Mr. Shoekki. <HE GESTURES TO FILE>

File: Shoekki, where is your little brother? Shouldn’t he be at school?

Shoekki: <DEFENSIVE> Yeah… I take care of him… he should be at school…

File: You didn’t notice he never returned last night?

Shoekki: What?! No… I think… I…

Cardinal: Mr. Shoekki, I am asking you to do this job, specifically because of the personal investment that you have staked in it.

Shoekki: <RISING WORRY> What – what are you talking about?

Cardinal: Your brother had a friend, do you remember him?

Shoekki: Yeah… weird looking kid with the big hair. Bu-

Cardinal: Exactly. He is missing as well. We think he and your brother have run off somewhere. We need you to help us find them both, specifically his friend.

Shoekki: <WORRY> What?! Ryori’s missing? How did this happen?!

File: Don’t worry, Mr. Cardinal has a plan.

Cardinal: Do they have any places they go? Secret… boy stuff they go and do?

Shoekki: <HEAD IN HIS HANDS> No, they’re always here. I-I… I dunno <HE GETS UP> I’ve got to go find my brother… I didn’t even… even…

Cardinal: Naturally. But first, Mr. Shoekki I must give you some things. <THROWS A CELL PHONE AT SHOEKKI> Use this to contact me when you’ve found them. And… <REACHES BEHIND AND PULLS SOMETHING OUT OF HIS THE BACK OF HIS PANTS; IT IS A GUN> And take this…

Shoekki: <STEPS BACK BUT TAKES THE GUN NONETHELESS> A gun? What am I supposed to do with this?!

Cardinal: It’s not a gun; it’s a specially augmented tranquilizer. Use this on your brother’s friend when you find them.

Shoekki: <IN A BREATH> Why?

Cardinal: We fear that he is unstable… he may even be holding your brother captive.

File: That tranquilizer is the best way to get rid of his friend and save your brother, Shoekki. If you find them, be sure to use it. Otherwise, your brother may be killed.

Shoekki: <ANGER RISING> Are you sure?

Cardinal: Yes, but don’t use that pistol on anyone besides your brother’s friend. It will kill any normal human. We must be going now, Mr. Shoekki. I hope you’ll get right on it. <HE NODS AND SHAKES SHOEKKI’S HAND>

<CARDINAL AND FILE EXIT, FILE KISSING SHOEKKI BEFORE THEY GO>

File: Mr. Cardinal, what do you want me to do with the kid? How do we bring him back?

Cardinal: Don’t worry about it, my dear. When Shoekki gets us the alien, he’ll get his brother back. Until then, keep him blindfolded and isolated at all times. We’ll see how much your boyfriend is motivated by that.

<FILE SMILES, GIDDY AS A SCHOOLGIRL, FOLLOWING BEHIND CARDINAL>

<CUTS TO GUVA; HE IS INSIDE A ROCKY CAVE, WHICH IS DARK AND DANK>

<HE WALKS DOWN THE CAVERN TUNNEL, HIS STEPS ECHOING LOUDLY; A FAINT WHISPERING CAN BE HEARD, BUT IT STOPS EVERY TIME HE STOPS TO LISTEN TO IT>

<GUVA COMES TO AN AREA WHICH WIDENS OUT INTO A GREAT OVAL SHAPE; IT IS NATURALLY LIT, IN A GREEN LIGHT; UP AHEAD HE SEES BANAS, STANDING, HEAD DOWN FACING HIM>

Guva: Banas? What are you doing? What is this place? <BANAS DOES NOT ANSWER; GUVA KEEPS WALKING TO HIM> Banas?! Answer me, damnit!

<GUVA LUNGES FORWARD AND PUNCHES AT BANAS; BUT IT IS JUST AN APPARITION; HE FALLS THROUGH AND LANDS IN A PUDDLE OF WATER>

<SUDDENLY A LAUGHING STARTS, ECHOING THROUGHOUT THE CAVE>

<GUVA TURNS OVER, IN TIME TO SEE BANAS, PERCHED ATOP A ROCK OUTCROP BELOW JUMP DOWN, ONTO THE GROUND BEFORE>

Banas: So, guvvy? How’d ya find the place?

Chasing Ghosts (season finale part 1)
<THIS CHAPTER PICKS UP IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LAST>

<GUVA STANDS UP, DUSTING OFF HIS ARMOR; HE LOOKS BACK AT BANAS>

Guva: Why here?

Banas: Aw, Guva don’t ya remember? <HE STANDS UP> Back when the kid was around? And I still had a team?

Guva: <STERNLY> No.

Banas: This <GESTURES ABOUT> is the place I was never allowed to visit. It’s in that ‘eyes only’ file of yours. But being you, you never pursued it. Haven’t you ever wondered why he stopped aging? Well I have.

Guva: What are you talking about?

Banas: Can’t you feel it, brotha? <WIGGLES HIS FINGERS AROUND WITH SARCASM; GRINS> There’s magic in the air.

Guva: <STEPS BACK> I don’t have time for your endless talk. Let’s just do this.

Banas: <STILL LAUGHING; JUMPS BACK TOO; HE READIES AN ENERGY BLAST> As you wish, guvvy.

Guva: <READIES HIS OWN BLAST, JUST AS HE’S ABOUT TO FIRE IT, HE HEARS WHISPERING, COMING FROM ALL AROUND HIM; HE LOSES FOCUS ON BANAS AND TURNS HIS HEAD> What the…

<JUST THEN, BANAS’ BLAST HITS HIM, SENDING HIM FLYING BACK SEVERAL FEET AND LANDING, ONCE AGAIN, IN A PUDDLE OF WATER>

<BANAS SHOOTS OFF ANOTHER SCATTERSHOT, BUT GUVA DODGES IT; HE TELEPORTS BEHIND BANAS AND PUNCHES HIM DEEP IN THE GUT; BUT BEFORE HE CAN DO ANY MORE, BANAS TRIPS HIM WITH THE BACK OF HIS HEEL; BEFORE GUVA HITS THE WALL, BANAS PUNCHES HIM INTO THE AIR>

<HIS DIZZYING STYLE IS CLEARLY SEEN AND HE DARTS ALL AROUND GUVA’S UNMOVING BODY, HITTING HIM THIS WAY AND THAT>

<GUVA REGAINS CONTROL OF HIS MOMENTUM AND STOPS BANAS IN HIS TRACKS, KICKING HIM JUST UNDER THE CHIN, AND AWAY FROM GOVERNOR>

<BANAS, TO BUY HIMSELF TIME, SHOOTS A FLURRY OF ENERGY SCATTERSHOT AROUND, CAUSING THE CAVE TO COLLAPSE IN ON ITSELF AND DUST TO SHOOT UP EVERYWHERE>

<WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS, BANAS HAS PREPARED MORE SCATTERSHOTS, READY TO SHOOT; BUT GUVA HAS ALSO DONE THIS>

<EACH SENDS OFF ENERGY SCATTERSHOTS, HUNDREDS BY THE LOOKS OF IT, AT ONE ANOTHER; NEITHER CAN DODGE THE OTHER’S BLASTS AND THEY ARE HIT, CRACKING THEIR ARMOR>

<GUVA DESCENDS AND JUMPS INTO BANAS; THEY PUNCH AND KICK EACH OTHER, ROLLING ABOUT, INTO THE NEXT GREAT CHAMBER OF THE CAVE>

<GUVA TAKES THE SHARP EDGE OF HIS GAUNTLET AND STICKS IT IN THE CHEST OF BANAS’ ARMOR, CRACKING THROUGH IT AND INTO HIS SKIN; BANAS SCREAMS AND ELBOWS HIM AWAY>

<BANAS TRIES TO JUMP BACK AT GUVA, BUT GUVA PUTS UP A BARRIER OF ENERGY, BLOCKING OFF THE TWO FROM EACH OTHER; GUVA USES THIS TIME TO RECOVER HIS ENERGY; BANAS USES THIS TO POWER UP TO HIS MAXIMUM>

<WHEN THE BARRIER DISSIPATES; THE TWO ATTACK EACH OTHER; BANAS QUICKLY GAINS THE UPPER HAND; HE KICKS GUVA, BREAKING HIS SHIN; GUVA DROPS TO ONE KNEE, LETTING BANAS GRAB HIM AND THROW HIM IN THE AIR, BEFORE REAPPEARING ABOVE AND PUNCHING HIM DOWN INTO A DEEP CRATER IN THE GROUND>

<BANAS PICKS GUVA UP ONCE AGAIN AND SLAMS HIM INTO THE CAVE WALL, STICKING HIM THERE; HE SENDS A STREAMING OF RAIN OF RAZOR BLASTS INTO GUVA’S BODY, CUTTING AT EVERY PART OF IT; HE THEN READIES A BLAST>

<AS HE FIRES IT, GUVA TELEPORTS AWAY TO BEHIND BANAS AGAIN; BANAS EXPECTS THAT AND PUNCHES AT HIM, BUT IT IS JUST AN AFTERIMAGE; HE PUNCHES SEVERAL MORE TIMES AT GUVA BUT THOSE ARE ALL AFTERIMAGES TOO>

<THE REAL GUVA COMES DOWN FROM ABOVE, HITTING BANAS HARD ON THE HEAD>

<THE CAPTAIN SHOOTS OFF A FLURRY OF BLASTS, BLINDLY, BUT NONE HIT HIM; THE HIT ON BANAS SEEMS TO HAVE MADE HIM LOSE MUCH OF HIS CONSCIOUSNESS, HE BEGINS TO SHOOT AROUND IN RANDOM DIRECTIONS AND AT RANDOM TIMES>

<GUVA EXPERTLY DODGES THESE UNTIL BANAS RUNS OUT OF ENERGY; BANAS, RECOVERED A BIT ON AWARENESS STOPS FIRING>

<HE SEES GUVA AND THE TWO ONCE AGAIN ENGAGE IN A BLOW EXCHANGE, BUT THIS TIME IT IS GUVA WHO WINS, EASILY; HE PUNCHES BANAS BACK, WHO IS BLOODIED AND BATTERED; MOST OF HIS ARMOR IS EITHER GONE OR REMAINS IN SHAMBLES>

<GUVA IS ALSO BLOODIED AND HIS ARMOR IS DAMAGED; HIS SHIN IS STILL BROKEN TOO, BUT HE IS ABLE TO CONTROL HIMSELF MUCH MORE THAN BANAS>

Banas: <STUMBLES BACK> That was… unexpected.

<BANAS STUMBLES, STARING DOWNWARD, HE DOESN’T SEE GUVA’S ELEGANT FINISHER SHOOTING RIGHT AT HIM; IT HITS HIM FULL ON, BLOWING OFF WHAT REMAINS OF HIS ARMOR; HE FALLS>

<GUVA JUMPS FORWARD AND LANDS ON BANAS, PUSHING HIS BOOTS DEEP INTO THE CAPTAIN’S CHEST, SHATTERING MOST OF HIS RIBS; BANAS COUGHS UP BLOOD>

Guva: That’s it, Captain. You’re done.

Banas: <COUGHING> Jus... jus like old times, huh? Heh heh.

Guva: Last time, I saved your life because you still had use. But look at you now…

Banas: <ACTUALLY SERIOUS> I thought we were friends, Guva.

Guva: You thought many things, Captain. But now it’s time for you to go. <READIES A BLAST>

Banas: Aha, even in death I’m still under your command, it seems. <LAUGHS, COUGHS> Even if I wasn’t yours, Guva, you have been and always shall be my friend. <TILTS HIS HEAD BACK, IN ACCEPTANCE> I’ll see ya in another life, brotha…

Guva: <WAITS A MOMENT WITH HIS BACK TURNED, THEN HE TURNS BACK TOWARD BANAS SUDDENLY; COLDLY> Don’t wait up.

<GUVA SHOOTS ANOTHER, FINAL BLAST AT BANAS, THIS TIME KILLING THE CAPTAIN AND INCINERATING HIS BODY; ALL THAT IS LEFT OF HIM IS A SMALL BLACK BURN MARK ON THE ROCKS>

<GUVA SIGHS, DEEPLY AND SLIDES DOWN TO SITTING UP AGAINST A ROCK.>

<AS HE BOWS HIS HEAD AND CLOSES HIS EYES FOR A LITTLE BIT OF REST, HIS PERIPHERAL VISION PICKS UP A SPREADING DARKNESS, DESCENDING UPON HIM, AND FINALLY ENVELOPING HIM; THE WHISPERING FILLS THE CHAMBER ONCE AGAIN AND HE IS ENTRANCED BY IT>

<CUTS BACK TO EARTH, ON KORIN’S TOWER; KORIN AND LEDAS ARE STARING OFF ON THE NEW DAY>

<IT IS VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING AND APPARENTLY LEDAS SPENT THE NIGHT THERE WITH YAJIROBE AND KORIN>

Ledas: Mr. Korin sir… who are all those big powers out there?

Korin: Mainly Goku and his friends.

Ledas: But there’s one that I just started feeling and it’s way more powerful than the others.

Korin: Oho, so you felt it. The evil power.

Ledas: How can you tell that it’s evil?

Korin: I’ve been doing this for a long time, kid. I can tell who the good guys are.

Ledas: <CLENCHES HIS FISTS> Well if it’s evil I gotta help Vegeta…

Korin: Don’t be stupid. You’d only get yourself killed, kid.

Ledas: <BOWS HIS HEAD> Yeah you’re right. There’s no way I could help. <HE ASCENDS INTO THE AIR AND BEGINS TO LEAVE; IN HIS MIND> My power is so much lower than that one. But… I have to try. If Vegeta is out there, I have to.

Korin: Hey kid, take these! <KORIN THROWS A SMALL POUCH OF SOMETHING AT LEDAS>

Ledas: <OPENS IT UP AND LOOKS INSIDE> What are these?

Korin: Senzu beans. Just in case you decide to fight anyways.

Ledas: How’d you know I was going to help them anyway?

Korin: You’re just like someone I used to know.

<LEDAS SMILES AND SAYS GOODBYE; THEN HE SHOOTS OFF HOME, TO VISIT RYORI AND FANSHI ONE LAST TIME BEFORE CHALLENGING THE FAR OFF EVIL POWER>

Thine Actions Vindicated (season finale part 2)
<SHOEKKI AND FILE ARE TOGETHER, IN BED DOING STUFF>

File: You never called to tell Mr. Cardinal about your situation yesterday. <WITH AFFECTION> I was getting worried.

Shoekki: <STILL SULLEN AND PREOCCUPIED WITH HIS BROTHER> Mr. Cardinal can wait… but you seem to like him a lot. Why is that?

File: <A SPARKLE IN HER EYE> Mr. Cardinal is my boss. I’d do anything for him.

Shoekki: <TAKES A DRINK OF SOMETHING> Anything?

File: <SUDDENLY SERIOUS BUT SHOEKKI DOESN’T NOTICE> I’d put a bullet in your head right now if Mr. Cardinal wanted it. <SHOEKKI LAUGHS; FILE ROLLS OVER TO FACE HIM> So… you think we can… you know? We haven’t done it yet.

Shoekki: I… I don’t feel like it. My brother’s still missing.

File: <ANGER OUTBURST> We spent all day yesterday looking for him! Come on Shoekki, I need a little break. <SHE PLACES HER FINGER ON HIS CHEST> Just an hour or so…

Shoekki: <NOT ALTOGETHER HAPPY> All right… just this once.

<SHOEKKI WATCHES HER WITH SULLEN, DRUNKEN EYES; AS SHE CONTINUES TALKING HE NOTICES HER CLOTHES AND PISTOL LAYING ON THEM; CURIOUSLY HE WATCHES UNTIL FILE PULLS SHOEKKI UNDER THE BLANKETS, LAUGHING; HE JOINS IN WITH HER, AT LEAST AT FIRST>

<OUTSIDE, LEDAS LANDS WITH A HEAVY THUD; HE APPROACHES SHOEKKI’S HOUSE AND KNOCKS ON THE DOOR>

<HE CAN HEAR A WILD DIN OF NOISE COMING FROM INSIDE BUT CAN’T MAKE OUT SPECIFIC VOICES>

<THE CAMERA CUTS BACK TO SHOEKKI; HE STANDING IN NOTHING BUT BOXERS, A NEEDLE IN HIS ARM AND FILE’S PISTOL IN HIS HAND>

Shoekki: <ANGRY, PARANOID> What the hell is this?! You fucking tricked me… <HE SPITS> what do you think I am?! <HE WAVES THE GUN AROUND> A freak, like you?

File: <IN A CORNER VERY FRIGHTENED; SHE IS TOPLESS> Shoekki?! What’s the matter? What are you doing with that gun? <PLEADING>

Shoekki: <WOBBLES, STILL WAVING THE GUN AROUND> You know what <RISES TO A SCREAM> I’m fucking talking about!! You think I wanna be with you now… after that?! <HE SLOWLY RAISES THE GUN AND POINTS IT AT HER> No chance, <SARCASTIC> babe.

File: <STILL PLEADING> Shoekki, please! I didn’t know! I-I can help you! Don’t do this.

Shoekki: <DRUG SIDE EFFECTS SHOWING> I can find my brother by myself. I don’t need a… freak to help me with that.

File: <CRAWLS BACK AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO THE WALL; IN DESPERATION> Shoekki… I know where your brother is. Please just let me-

Shoekki: What?

File: Mr. Cardinal has him… if you just come with-

<SHOEKKI SUDDENLY SNAPS THE PISTOL UP AND SHOOTS, HITTING FILE SQUARE ON THE FOREHEAD; SHE FALLS OVER DEAD; BLOOD STARTS POOLING RAPIDLY>

<SHOEKKI HEARS LEDAS KNOCKING ON THE DOOR; HE DROPS THE PISTOL AND QUICKLY GETS DRESSED; A FEW MOMENTS LATER HE OPENS THE DOOR>

Shoekki: <INCREDULOUSLY> You?!

Ledas: <SUBTLE HAPPINESS> Hey Shoekki! Is Ryori home?

<CUTS TO KINDLER AND DEWBERRY WHO ARE RIDING ON MOTORCYCLES; WELL DEWBERRY IS IN A SIDECAR>

Kindler: <ON HIS PHONE> Yeah that’s what he said. He didn’t have any left. But he did say he had given his last to a kid… a kid with big hair and who could fly. Yes, that’s what I thought too. Dewberry and I will go to his house right now to confiscate the capsule. <PAUSES; THEN SMILES> I’ll have the ship for you by evening, sir.

<THE TWO RIDE FOR A WHILE THEN COME UP UPON MRS. FANSHI’S HOUSE; BOTH GET OUT OF THE BIKE AND GO ON APPROACH>

Dewberry: <TAKES OUT A SMALL KIT; IT IS FILLED WITH A COUPLE OF PISTOLS; HE THROWS ONE TO KINDLER> Hey Kindy, take one of these.

Kindler: <CATCHES THE PISTOL> What is this, Dewberry? We don’t need guns.

Dewberry: <MATTER OF FACTLY> It’s for our protection…

Kindler: <HOLSTERS HIS GUN, WITHOUT ANOTHER LOOK AT DEWBERRY> Guns don’t protect; they only kill. I wouldn’t stoop so low as to ever use one.

Dewberry: <DOESN’T CARE> Suit yourself.

<BOTH BREAK INTO THE HOUSE, THEY SEARCH AROUND; IT APPEARS DESERTED>

Dewberry: <TOO LOUDLY> Hey Kindy, why are we getting the boss a space ship?

Kindler: <SPEAKING AS HE’S SEARCHING THROUGH EVERYTHING> Haven’t you been following the news, you dunce? That big monster thing? The one destroying all the towns and killing all the people? You haven’t heard about it? <IT SHOWS A DUEL PANEL FOR EVERY PANEL OF HIS DISCUSSION; IT IS MAJIN BUU RAVAGING THE COUNTRYSIDE>

Dewberry: <THOUGHTLESSLY> No…

Kindler: Well Mr. Cardinal doesn’t think it’s safe to stay on planet right now, until things get sorted out.

<RUMMAGING THROUGH THINGS, PAUSES IN TALKING FOR A FEW MOMENTS> But I didn’t think it would be this tedious to get him a space ship…

<THEY MOVE INTO LEDAS’ ROOM; SEARCHING THROUGH IT; AFTER SOME TIME DEWBERRY OPENS A DRAWER AND PICKS UP A CAPSULE; HE TOSSES IT TO KINDLER; NOTICEABLY, THE PANTIES ARE NO LONGER IN THE DRAWER>

Dewberry: <THICKLY> Hey Kindy, I found sommat… see if that’s it.

<KINDLER TAKES ONE LOOK THEN POCKETS IT, KNOWING IT TO BE THE SPACE CAPSULE; HE TURNS TO LEAVE; SUDDENLY, THE ROOM’S DOOR OPENS, FROM THE OUTSIDE; IT IS MRS. FANSHI>

Mrs. Fanshi: Oh, Ledas I didn’t hear you come in. You had me so worried… where have you been for the past…?

<AND ANOTHER GUNSHOT GOES OFF; THIS TIME IT IS DEWBERRY WHO HAS SHOT AND KILLED MRS. FANSHI; IT WAS REFLEXIVE, ALMOST DONE BECAUSE HE WAS SCARED AT HER SUDDEN PRESENCE; NEVERTHELESS KINDLER PUSHES HIM OUT OF THE WAY TO CHECK FANSHI>

Kindler: <CHECKS FOR A PULSE, THERE IS BLOOD EVERYWHERE; TEN SECONDS PASS AND HE DOESN’T FIND ONE> She’s dead. <HE LOOKS UP AT DEWBERRY; HE IS VERY MAD> That’s why we don’t use guns, you idiot. If the world wasn’t being destroyed right now, we’d be in big trouble.

<CUTS BACK TO SHOEKKI; HE IS PUTTING AWAY THE CELL PHONE CARDINAL HAD GIVEN; EVIDENTLY HE WAS JUST TALKING WITH HIM>

Shoekki: <TURNS TO LEDAS WHO IS SITTING QUIETLY AT A TABLE> That was Ryori… I’m gonna go pick him up, you wanna come along?

Ledas: <HIS EYES WIDEN AND HE GRINS> Sure I do!

<THEY TRAVEL, AS CARDINAL HAD APPARENTLY COMMANDED SHOEKKI TO A REMOTE PLACE; IT IS A GRASSY AREA ABOVE THE OCEAN, ON THE EDGE OF A CLIFF>

<SHOEKKI WALKS FORWARD; HE SEEMS NERVOUS>

Shoekki: <TURNS BACK TO LEDAS; HE IS REALLY TRYING TO HOLD IN HIS FEAR AND ANXIETY> This is the place.

Ledas: <PEERING, EYES WIDE> Whoa… <HE LOOKS OVER THE CLIFF> I’ve never been here before.

Shoekki: <SHRUGS> Ryori and I use to come here all the time when we were younger. <CHUCKLES A BIT AS HE REMEMBERS> But I guess times have changed.

Ledas: <LOOKS AROUND; HIS CURIOSITY CHANGES SLIGHTLY TO SUSPICION> Where’s Ryori?

Shoekki: Wait here. <HE TAKES OUT THE TRANQUILIZER GUN AND THROWS IT INTO THE GRASS BEHIND HIM; SHOUTING> I’ve done it, I’ve got you the kid!

<LEDAS STARES AT HIM, BUT SHOEKKI TURNS AROUND TO FACE THE WAVES; HE PULLS OUT A PISTOL, CONCEALED IN HIS ARMS; LEDAS DOES NOT NOTICE IT>

Shoekki: <TURNS BACK AROUND; AS IT IS WINDY, HE IS SCREAMING> Cardinal, you sick fuck! I did it! I brought him here for you! Now let Ryori go! <WHIMPERING> Please… just let him go.

<THERE IS SILENCE, SAVE FOR THE NOISES OF THE WAVES>

Ledas: <ON ALERT NOW> Wha… ? Who’s Cardinal? <TAKES A STEP BACK; HIS HAIR IS BLOWING AROUND VIOLENTLY FROM THE WIND> Why are we here, Shoekki?! What’s wrong with you?!

Shoekki: <SCOWLS, BUT IGNORES LEDAS; HE IS STILL SCREAMING WHEN HE TALKS> A deal’s a deal, man!

Ledas: <STEPS BACK AGAIN> You’re… you’re acting weird, Shoekki. I think I’m leaving.

Shoekki: <DESPERATE SCREAM> Nooo!!! <BRINGS HIS PISTOL UP, FULL SWING AND POINTS IT AT LEDAS> You stay.

<LEDAS TENSES UP; BUT NOT FOR THE NORMAL REASON; HE REACHES BACK AND FEELS THE BACK OF HIS NECK; THERE IS A SMALL BUMP IN IT; HE FEELS THE BULLET HOLE; BLOOD STARTS TO RUN DOWN THE BACK OF HIS NECK; SUDDENLY, HE FALLS TO HIS KNEES, SLIPPING INTO UNCONSCIOUSNESS>

Cardinal: <FROM BEHIND LEDAS, UNSEEN> I am a man of my word, Mr. Shoekki. Your brother will not be touched…

<LEDAS DOUBLES OVER, ONTO HANDS AND KNEES; HE LOOKS UP AND SEES SHOEKKI STEP BACK, OBVIOUS FRIGHT ON HIS FACE>

Shoekki: No, you bastard! <IRRATIONAL; TALKING FAST> Let me see him. Let me know he’s safe!

Cardinal: <WITH ALL HIS AUTHORITY> You are in a position to demand nothing, Mr. Shoekki. I, on the other hand, am in a position to grant nothing.

Shoekki: <POINTS THE PISTOL AT CARDINAL> You bastard.

Cardinal: <CALMLY> Shoot me and more than just your fate will be sealed.

<SHOEKKI TAKES A STEP BACK AND LOWERS HIS GUN; HE REALIZES WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN>

Cardinal: You shot File. Yes, I saw her transponder go dark – something that could only happen if her neural processes stopped working, if she died. And she has. For killing my associate, my beloved, you have given up your life. But it’s not too late to save your brother. <WITH FORCE> End it now, while you still can. End your torment and my own, <OUTSTRETCHES HIS HAND> would you kindly?

Shoekki: <TO CARDINAL, THROUGH HIS TEETH> Fuck. You. <HE PULLS THE PISTOL UP TO HIS CHIN; TO LEDAS> Ledas… wherever he’s taking you, he’s got Ryori too. Please, just save him… for me. <TEARS START TO ROLL DOWN HIS FACE> Please… tell my brother I love him. Please…

<SHOEKKI TURNS HIS FACE BACK TO THE UNKNOWN FIGURE STANDING BEHIND LEDAS; HE SPEAKS AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME LEDAS CAN NOT HEAR; HE IS LOSING CONSCIOUSNESS TOO FAST>

<CUE FALLING AWAKE>

<IT ALLS GOES DARK FOR LEDAS; THE LAST THING HE HEARS IS A LOUD BURST, LIKE A GUNSHOT; THEN ALL GOES QUIET, AS ALL IS DARK; SHOEKKI FALLS, AND ONLY HIS ARM ON THE GROUND IS SHOWN>

<LEDAS FALLS BACK AS CARDINAL SHOOTS HIM WITH THE TRANQUILIZER AT POINT BLANK RANGE IN THE BACK OF THE NECK; LEDAS, WHO IS STILL ON HIS KNEES, FALLS INTO CARDINAL’S ARM, WHICH IS HOLDING A STRANGE DEVICE>

<HE PLACES THE THING, SORT OF LIKE A HEAD BAND ON LEDAS’ HEAD>

<CARDINAL TURNS AROUND AND STANDING BEHIND HIM ARE TWO MEN; KINDLER AND DEWBERRY; THE WIND HAS PICKED UP AND THEIR HAIR IS FLYING ABOUT; KINDLER OUTSTRETCHES HIS HAND, SHOWING OFF THE CAPSULE HE HAD TAKEN FROM LEDAS’ ROOM; DEWBERRY IS HOLDING AN UNCONSCIOUS AND BLINDFOLDED RYORI>

Kindler: <YELLING OVER THE WIND> I’ve got it, sir!

Cardinal: Excellent work, <WALKING UP TO HIM; HE TAKES THE CAPSULE AND THROWS IT, ACTIVATING IT> Kindler. Take the boys aboard, I will be along shortly.

Kindler: <PICKS UP LEDAS> Where’s File; wasn’t she with you?

Cardinal: <WITH A HEAVY SIGH> File… didn’t make it. <HE WALKS OVER TO SHOEKKI’S BODY; KNEELING DOWN, HE TAKES SOMETHING FROM THE BODY>

<FALLING AWAKE REACHES 1:56>

<CARDINAL RETURNS TO LEDAS’ GRAVITY SUPPRESSION UNIT; HE STEPS INSIDE, REVEALING DEWBERRY SITTING AT THE CONTROLS AND KINDLER WATCHING OVER THE TWO UNCONSCIOUS BOYS IN THE CORNER; KINDLER IS STARING AT HIS PISTOL, AS IF TROUBLED BY IT>

Cardinal: <SITS IN A CHAIR, WATCHING OVER IT ALL WITH A SORT OF TIRED SATISFACTION> Dewberry, take us out.

<THE SPACE POD TAKES TO THE AIR AND FLIES OFF; THEY LEAVE THE ATMOSPHERE AND ENTER INTO SPACE; CARDINAL WATCHES OUT THE WINDOW AS THEY GO UP, AND HE SEES THE MANY EXPLOSIONS COATING THE PLANET AS BUU RAVAGES EARTH; MANY PANELS SHOW THE DESTRUCTION BEING SEEN FROM HIS POSITION>

<FALLING AWAKE REACHES 3:34>

<IN THE DISTANCE, MANY MILES AWAY, VEGETA IN HIS POWERFUL SUPER SAIYAN 2 FORM, COVERED IN BLOOD FIGHTS WITH MAJIN BUU; AFTER A FEW ATTACKS, HE RISES INTO THE AIR AND LETS OUT ONE FINAL, DEAFENING SCREAM, IN HIS LAST ACT; SELF DESTRUCTING AND KILLING HIMSELF TO SAVE THE WORLD>

<FALLING AWAKE REACHES 4:18>

<IT TURNS BACK TO THE SPACE SHIP; CARDINAL SEES THAT EXPLOSION FROM VEGETA; HE RECOILS SLIGHTLY; CARDINAL TURNS AWAY FROM THE WINDOW AND GOES BACK TO THE TWO SLEEPING BOYS; HE KNEELS DOWN BY THEM AND LOOKS INTO THEIR SLEEPING FACES; HE PATS THEM ON THE SHOULDERS BEFORE LOOKING AT KINDLER ONE LAST TIME>


 * <END PLANET EARTH SAGA>

Cue Great Spirits. Credits roll during this time.

Reunion Saga
<p style="text-align:center">I don't remember where

<p style="text-align:center">the name for this story

<p style="text-align:center">came from.

<p style="text-align:center">I think it was

<p style="text-align:center">always

<p style="text-align:center">The Forgotten,

<p style="text-align:center">in my head.

<p style="text-align:center">I can't see it as anything else.

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

De Facto
<ON PLANET>

<772 AGE>

<NORTH QUADRANT>

<CAMERA FADES FROM WHITE>

<CUE HURT>

<THE SCENERY IS QUIET, ONLY WIND IS BLOWING; THE CAMERA MOVES UP THROUGH FOLIAGE AND TREES; AT LONG LAST IT COMES TO A CLEARING; THE OUTPOST OF PLANET COOLER 92>

<JUST AS THIS OCCURS, A POD, WORN AND DIRTY SLAMS INTO THE GROUND TO THE FAR LEFT, BREAKING THE STILLNESS>

<THE OUTPOST ITSELF IS IN SHAMBLES; GUVA’S MAIN OFFICE IS COMPLETELY OBLITERATED ON HALF OF ITS SIDE; THE ENTIRE THIRD FLOOR IS DESTROYED AS IS MUCH OF THE SECOND; THE BARRACKS AND HOUSING AREAS ARE ALSO BROKEN AND ASHEN AS IF PREVIOUSLY ON FIRE; THE BODIES OF MANY SOLDIERS AND NATIVES LITTER THE GROUND; SOME BODIES ARE HANGING THROUGH WINDOWS; OTHERS ARE IMPALED ON VARIOUS THINGS; THERE IS NOT A SINGLE LIVING BEING AROUND>

<GUVA STEPS OUT OF HIS POD, IN ROBUSTLY ELEGANT ARMOR; HE LOOKS AROUND AND SEES ALL THIS>

<GUVA PRESSES THE COMPUTER PAD ON HIS LEFT GAUNTLET; FOR SEVERAL SECONDS THERE IS NO ANSWER; AS HE WALKS THROUGH THE DEBRIS, HE HEARS A SMALL SOUND COMING OUT FROM UNDER SOME BODIES>

<GUVA TAKES THE PILE AND MOVES THEM ASIDE, CURIOUS TO THE PINGING SOUND; IT IS THE WRISTBAND OF A DEAD SOLDIER, HIS PERSONAL ASSISTANT>

<GUVA REALIZES THAT ALL HIS SOLDIERS ARE DEAD>

<HE WALKS QUIETLY TO HIS OFFICE; HE CREATES AN IMAGE SLASH SWORD, CAUTIOUSLY AS HE ENTERS; HE HOLDS IT BEHIND HIM AND IT LIGHTS A BALL AROUND HIM; HE ENTERS INTO THE COMPLEX AND FINDS THE LIGHTS TO BE OFF; HE WALKS THROUGH, NOT FINDING ANYBODY AND MOVES UP TO A COMPUTER TERMINAL; HE CALLS UP LORD COOLER’S INSTALLATION; HE GETS NO RESPONSE>

<FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS, GUVA STANDS THERE, SPARKS AND DUST FALLING FROM THE ROOFTOP, THE DOOR TO THE OUTSIDE OPEN BEHIND HIM; BUT AS HE GETS NO RESPONSE, HE TURNS BACK AROUND>

<HE SEES SEVERAL NATIVES, CURIOUSLY MOVING ABOUT BEHIND HIM; THEY DO NOT NOTICE HIM BUT ARE SCAVENGING; GUVA WALKS OUT TO GREET THEM>

Guva: <ARMS SPREAD, QUIET ANGER TO THE NATIVES> So, I leave my post for one day, and this is how you repay me? I, your governor, let each and every one of you filthy animals live in peace on my planet. I alone saved you from certain annihilation. And this… is the thanks I get? All my soldiers dead and my city in shambles!?

<THE CREATURES STARE BACK WITH FRIGHT BUT DO NOT RUN; THIS ANGERS GUVA GREATLY AND HE SENDS OUT AN ENERGY WAVE, KILLING THEM ALL>

<BREATHING HARD WITH ANGER, GUVA JUMPS TO THE SKY; HE EXTENDS HIS PALM AND CREATES A BALL OF ENERGY; AT GREAT LAST, HE THROWS IT ABOVE HIM BUT ON A CURVED TRAJECTORY TO THE FOREST>

<AS THE BALL REACHES THE AREA ABOVE THE TREETOPS, IT EXPLODES AND SENDS OFF THOUSANDS AND THEN MILLIONS OF SKINNY, ELONGATED BLASTS OF ENERGY; THEY SHOOT ABOUT, ALMOST RANDOMLY DOWN TO THE GROUND BELOW; GUVA WAITS FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS>

<AFTER DOING SO, HE CLICKS HIS SCOUTER, READING FOR ANY POWER LEVELS ON THE PLANET; AFTER A GOOD SEARCH, HE CAN SEE THAT HE IS NOW THE ONLY LIVING BEING REMAINING ON HIS PLANET>

<HE SLOWLY DESCENDS BACK TO THE GROUND AND SITS BACK IN HIS POD; THE DOOR REMAINS OPEN>

<WITH A SIGH, GUVA BEGINS TO SCROLL THROUGH A COMPUTER SCREEN ON THE LEFT; HE DOES SO SOMEWHAT CARELESSLY AND WITH ONLY ONE FINGER; HE IS LOOKING FOR VARIOUS DESTINATIONS>

<SUDDENLY HE PAUSES AND RECHECKS HIS SCREEN; UPON IT IS EARTH; HE STARES AT IT FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, REMEMBERING THAT THAT WAS WHERE BOTH COOLER AND LEDAS WENT; HAVING NO OTHER THING TO DO; GUVA SHIFTS HIS JAW AND BRINGS HIS FINGER BACK INTO HIS HAND IN A SORT OF FIST; HE CLOSES HIS POD DOOR AND SETS COURSE FOR EARTH>

<AS HE SETS OFF, THE BLACKNESS HE HAD BE ENVELOPED IN, IN LAUTO’S CAVE, IS SEEN, FORMING AROUND A ROCK OVERLOOK, AS IF WATCHING HIM>

<END OF HURT>

<CUTS TO NEXT SCENE; IN SPACE; IT IS MAY 8TH, IN THE 774 AGE>

<NEAR PLANET EARTH; VERY SUDDEN PULL UP>

Kindler: You know kid, you really look like a Gary. Has anyone ever told you that?

<LEDAS, WHO IS ONLY HALF CONSCIOUS, JUST LOOKS UP AT HIM WITH ONE EYE; HE DOES NOT RESPOND>

<THE SCREEN RE-FADES IN, STILL OUT OF FOCUS TO THE INSIDE OF LEDAS’ GRAVITY ROOM; SINCE IT IS ALSO A SPACESHIP, THIS IS THE DEVICE THAT CARDINAL AND HIS CREW TOOK AT THE END OF THE LAST SAGA TO ESCAPE BUU; RYORI AND LEDAS ARE BOTH LAYING AT KINDLER’S FEET; THE FORMER IS STILL UNCONSCIOUS>

<KINDLER HIMSELF IS WELL DRESSED, STILL, THOUGH HIS EYES LOOK A BIT MORE SULLEN, AS IF HE HASN’T GOTTEN MUCH SLEEP; IN HIS HANDS IS A PIECE OF ROPE>

<DEWBERRY IS SITTING ACROSS FROM HIM, FACING THE CONTROLS OF THE SHIP, AND SITTING IN A CHAIR; IT IS ASSUMED HE IS PILOTING IT; THERE IS NO SIGN OF CARDINAL, AT FIRST>

Kindler: Hey, Dewberry! What do you think? Doesn’t he look like a Gary?

Dewberry: <LOOKS OVER> The kid? Naw way, man. That little alien looks just like this guy Trey I knew in high school… we would always-

<CARDINAL ENTERS, THROUGH A DOOR ON THE RIGHT; KINDLER AND DEWBERRY IMMEDIATELY TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO HIM>

Cardinal: <STERNLY WALKS OVER TO DEWBERRY> Is there any update on our situation?

Dewberry: <AT HIS STATION> Naw, Mr. Cardinal. It’s still gone. It was the same an hour ago.

Cardinal: <TURNS TO HIMSELF> Perhaps this is only a prolonging of the inevitable. <BACK TO KINDLER> Kindler, how are our supplies?

Kindler: Boss, we’ve got enough for another month or so, but with Earth being gone and all…<NODS TO THE GLASS WALL AHEAD; CLEARLY THERE IS NO PLANET IN THE VIEW> I don’t think it much matters either way.

Cardinal: Be that as it may, we’ve only been up here for 20 hours. And-

Kindler: And you think the Earth is gonna come back? No offense sir, but that don’t make sense.

Cardinal: What are our other alternatives?

Kindler: None, sir. <BOWS HIS HEAD AGAIN, WATCHING THE SLIGHTLY CONSCIOUS LEDAS> But I’m always right. We’re dead out here. And there’s not a thing I can do about it.

Ryori: <WAKES UP SLIGHTLY; HIS HEAD IS COVERED IN DRY BLOOD ON ONE SIDE> Le-Ledas? W-where are we?

Cardinal: <WALKS OVER; SEES THAT THE BOYS HAVE WAKEN> Ah, awakened at last! I had thought my concoction of M99 was too strong for both of you.

Ledas: <TURNS TO CARDINAL; TALKING SLOWLY, FOR HE HAS JUST WOKEN UP> Who are you? What did you do to me?

Cardinal: <TO LEDAS> My name is Cardinal. I am many things. But in this instance, I am only here to keep you from doing anything harmful.

Ledas: <NOT UNDERSTANDING> Me?

Cardinal: You are the alien. The menace to my society. It was my duty to remove you before something… catastrophic occurred. As it were, something catastrophic occurred anyway. <GESTURES TO THE WINDOW AGAIN>

Dewberry: <YELLING> Mr. Cardinal!! Look! It’s back!

<CARDINAL AND KINDLER TURN AND LOOK OUT THE WINDOW; THE EARTH HAS SUDDENLY APPEARED IN THE PAST FEW SECONDS>

Cardinal: What?! How? Did this just happen?

Dewberry: <COOLY> Uh yeah.

Cardinal: It came back, just like that.

Kindler: What’s going on…? How can a planet just come back like that?

Dewberry: Aw, don’t question it, Kindy. There’s lotsa things goin’ on we don’t know about.

Cardinal: There shouldn’t be.

Kindler: He’s right. No use questioning it.

Cardinal: On your parts, of course. <REGAINS HIS COMPOSURE> Very well, Dewberry. Set us a course back home.

Dewberry: Uh… Mr. Cardinal. That’s not all. There’s another ship comin’ right at us! <BEFORE CARDINAL CAN ANSWER; THERE IS A HUGE SHAKING OF THE SHIP; CARDINAL IS AN OLD MAN AND THEREFORE ALMOST FALLS OVER> Uhhmm… they’ve docked wit’ us.

Cardinal: <WITH MUCH AUTHORITY> Mr. Kindler, would you kindly take our passengers into the other room? Dewberry, open the hatch. Welcome our new guest for me. <HE SMILES, VERY MUCH FAKING IT>

<WITH THAT, KINDLER TAKES RYORI/LEDAS AND MOVES THEM INTO A ROOM IN THE BACK; DEWBERRY GETS UP, COCKS HIS PISTOL AND MOVES FORWARD TO OPEN THE DOCKING DOOR>

The Cruelest Of Atrocities
<A LATCH OPENS; THE CAMERA COMES AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE OUTSIDE INTO CARDINAL’S SHIP; IT FOLLOWS GUVA, WHO IS IN HIS ARMOR, DOWN A LONG HALLWAY TO THE DOOR>

<AS HE REACHES THE INNER DOOR, IT OPENS FOR HIM; REVEALING ONLY DEWBERRY BEHIND IT; DEWBERRY ISN’T EXACTLY FRIGHTENED; ESPECIALLY AFTER HE SEES GUVA, HE IS STRANGELY UNCHANGED>

Dewberry: <WITH A GOOD OL’ ACCENT> Oh, hey.

<GUVA IS SLIGHTLY WARY AT THIS NONCHALANT GREETING AND HE ENTERS WITH SLIGHT CAUTION; AND HIS EYES SQUINTING>

Dewberry: So uh… whatcha doin’ here, man? Are ya lost?

Guva: <PEERING ABOUT THE MAIN ROOM; IT IS MOSTLY BARREN> Do you even know who I am?

Dewberry: Oh yeah totally man. You’re one of those space aliens.

Guva: <SLOWLY> Space… aliens…?

Dewberry: Oh yeah.

Guva: …

<THERE IS AN AWKWARD SILENCE FOR A WHILE>

Dewberry: <UNNOTICED> Why’d you come to visit me?

Guva: <SUDDENLY BUSINESS-LIKE> I am looking for a planet called Earth. My directions seemed to be faulty; it’s not where I thought it was. You wouldn’t happen to know of its location, would you?

Dewberry: Ohhh I get it. You’re going to Earth to harvest some of us up for experiments. <PUSHES GLASSES BACK UP>

Guva: I-I’m what?

Dewberry: I saw it on Syfy, what yar gonna do with us. It’s cool man, I won’t tell anybody. <STANDS UP AND GETS REAL CLOSE TO GUVA’S FACE> I’m on your side!

Guva: <A BIT ANNOYED> You must be one of the intellectuals of your race. But Earth. Do you know of its location? Or am I wasting my time? <HE PULLS DOWN HIS HAND AND SHAKES IT; SPARKS SHOW UP, BUT HE DOES NOT FULLY FORM AN ENERGY BLAST> I don't appreciate wasted time.

Dewberry: <ON HIS CHAIR, HE ROLLS ACROSS THE VAST METAL FLOOR TO THE WINDOW, FEET IN AIR; HE STOPS, SLAMMING INTO THE WALL, HARD; THEN HE WAVES A SINGLE FINGER AT GUVA TO COME OVER> See that one out there? <HE POINTS TO EARTH THROUGH THE LOOKING WINDOW> That’s Earth.

Guva: <STARES OUT AT IT; SIGHS HEAVILY> Ahhhh… at last. Curious how I did not see it on my scanners.

Dewberry: How many are ya takin’?

Guva: <TURNS TO DEWBERRY> What?

Dewberry: How many are ya gonna take for your ‘speriments?

Guva: <GATHERS UP HIS CAPE AND WALKS OUT> Only one.

<GUVA THEN DEPARTS, AFTER A FEW MOMENTS HIS POD RACES BY IN FRONT OF THE WINDOW>

<AT THIS TIME CARDINAL COMES OUT, WITH KINDLER; KINDLER IS HOLDING LEDAS AND RYORI IN EACH HAND; THEY ARE GROGGY>

Cardinal: <TO DEWBERRY> It all went smoothly?

Dewberry: Oh yeah. The alien guy didn’t wan’ anything.

Cardinal: Good, good. <TO HIS TWO REMAINING ASSOCIATES> We will head back to Earth then, ourselves. I do not know how it came back… but perhaps those questions are best left unanswered. Aliens popping up everywhere, planets being destroyed and coming back… there’s little we can do to stop any of it.

Kindler: But sir, what about these two? <HE DROPS THE TWO SEMI-CONSCIOUS BOYS AND GESTURES TO THEM> What will we do with them?

Cardinal: When we land, Kindler, when we land.

<THE SHIP FLIES BACK TO EARTH AND LANDS IN A ROCKY AREA>

<THE AREA IS BARREN, WITHOUT ANY FOLIAGE; IT IS HIGH ON A MOUNTAIN; THERE IS NO SIGN OF LIFE AROUND>

<WHEN THEY LAND, CARDINAL IMMEDIATELY OPENS THE FRONT HATCH AND STANDS AT ITS ENTRANCE, STARING OUT>

Cardinal: So nice to be back.

Kindler: <MOVES FORWARD; HE IS TIRED FROM HIS LACK OF SLEEP, BUT IS HIDING THAT> Mr. Cardinal… now what will we do with them?

Cardinal: Dispose of them, Kindler.

Kindler: <INCREDULOUSLY> Kill them?! They’re just children, sir.

Cardinal: Children who have seen too much. <HE TAKES SOMETHING OUT OF HIS SUIT INNER POCKET; IT IS A CAPSULE AND HE THROWS IT ONTO THE GROUND> I cannot afford them to mention any of it.

Kindler: But si-

<THE CAPSULE TURNS INTO A HOVER CAR; CARDINAL WITH SURPRISING GUSTO JUMPS INTO IT AND SPEEDS OFF>

<KINDLER RETURNS INSIDE; HE TAKES THE GUN OUT OF THE BACK OF HIS BELT AND LOOKS AT IT; HE SEEMS TROUBLED BY IT>

<NONETHELESS, HE TAKES LEDAS IN ONE HAND, STILL HOLDING THE PISTOL IN HIS OTHER AND DRAGS THE SEMI-CONSCIOUS KID INTO A BACK ROOM>

<AS HE IS WALKING; KINDLER TRIPS SLIGHTLY, AND THE GUN IN HIS RIGHT HAND GOES OFF; HE GASPS AS HE SEES IT ALL UNFOLD, A CHIEFLY UNWANTED ACCIDENT, THOUGH IT IS>

<IT HITS LEDAS IN THE HEAD, CAUSING KINDLER TO DROP HIM>

<KINDLER STEPS BACK, WITHOUT EMOTION UPON LEDAS’ BODY; BLOOD IS RAPIDLY POOLING AROUND THE CHILD’S HEAD; LEDAS DOES NOT MAKE A SOUND, BUT FALLS SILENTLY>

<LEDAS’ EYES ARE CLOSED AND HIS BODY IS MOTIONLESS>

<WITHOUT ANOTHER LOOK, DESPITE IT BEING AN ACCIDENT, KINDLER TURNS SWIFTLY AROUND AND EXITS; HE LOOKS LIKE HE REALLY WANTS TO GET OUT OF THERE>

<CUTS TO EARTH>

<IT IS MORNING; VERY EARLY MORNING; THERE IS A GREAT MIST ABOUT THE ROLLING HILLS AROUND; THERE ARE FEW TREES BUT THE GRASS IS VERY GREEN AND LIVELY>

<VEGETA IS PRACTICING SLIGHTLY IN THIS WEATHER; HIS POWER LEVEL IS ONLY ABOUT 300,000 OR SO AND HE IS NOT IN SUPER SAIYAN>

<A FIGURE, CLAD IN HEAVY PURPLED AND BLUED ARMOR, A DARK CAPE BILLOWING ABOUT HIM, LANDS WITH A THUD INTO THE GROUND BEHIND VEGETA>

Vegeta: Who are you?

<THE CREATURE LANDS AND FEELS AT HIS HAIR, RUNNING HIS HANDS THROUGH THE STARK WHITE STRANDS OF IT; BUT HIS FACE IS STILL YOUTHFUL AND HIS BODY SPRY>

Unknown: A Saiyan? It seems Lord Cooler wasn’t lying when he said the some of the rats had escaped that sinking ship. <HE TURNS TO FACE VEGETA; FACE IS CLEARLY SHOWN NOW, IT IS GUVA>

Vegeta: Saiyan? <INDIGNATION> How do you know who I am?

Guva: <CHUCKLES TO HIMSELF, AS HE KNEELS AND FEELS THE WET GRASS UNDER THEIR FEET> I’ve seen that hair before. <HE EXHALES AND CLOSES HIS EYES, STANDING BACK UP AND POINTING HIS FACE TO THE SKY> It’s been a while since I’ve been able to enjoy the relaxing scenery of such a temperate planet.

<GUVA SUDDENLY OPENS HIS EYES AND FORMS A SMALL BALL OF ENERGY, HE THROWS IT INTO THE AIR WITH SURPRISING QUICKNESS; AS THE SCATTERSHOT BALL REACHES A CERTAIN ALTITUDE, IT DETONATES AND SENDS SEVERAL SMALL, ELONGATED BEAMS FLYING IN ALL DIRECTIONS>

<THEY DETONATE AROUND, ON THE COUNTRYSIDE; SMOKE WEAKLY POURS OUT FROM EACH OF THE BLAST’S HOLES; VEGETA STANDS WITH HIS FACE TOWARD GUVA, ARMS CROSSED; HE IS NOT IMPRESSED>

Vegeta: Done playing around, old man?

Guva: <STRETCHES OUT HIS ARMS AND LEGS; STRAINED IN SPEECH A BIT BECAUSE OF THIS> I am not fooling around. I’m on a mission. Tracking down a rogue soldier; a deserter of my installation. He is a Saiyan, much like you. The Saiyan I’m searching for is just a child… or something like that. I’m not quite sure, actually.

Vegeta: <BAITED WHISPER> Oh yeah? What’s his name?

Guva: Maybe you do know him. The little bastard went by Ledas. Does that name strike a chord? <VEGETA’S EYES WIDEN; HE STEPS BACK> What, you’re scared of me now?

Vegeta: <CALMING HIMSELF READILY> No chance.

Guva: Good. You are not the one I wish to fight.

Vegeta: Hmph. I wouldn’t waste my energy on you.

Guva: <SCANS VEGETA’S POWER, WITH HIS SCOUTER; IT’S ONLY IN THE LOW HUNDRED THOUSANDS> Oh, naturally. You can’t actually run from a fight if you never do fight after all.

Vegeta: Yeah right.

Guva: I’ve raised my power level high enough. If he is here, he will come to me. Well, go on then. <HE GESTURES FOR VEGETA TO LEAVE WHEN HE HEARS A SHARP BUZZING SOUND THAT NEARLY BRINGS HIM TO HIS KNEES; VEGETA DOESN’T NOTICE> Actually, stay. I have a proposition for you, once he arrives.

<VEGETA IS TRAINING AGAIN, COMPLETELY IGNORING GUVA; GUVA SMILES>

Blink
<KINDLER WALKS DOWN THE HALL BACK TO THE MAIN ROOM; IN IT, DEWBERRY AND RYORI ARE TALKING>

Kindler: <AS HE IS WALKING, TO HIMSELF; VERY QUIETLY> Darn diddly do dat…

<KINDLER PAUSES FOR A MOMENT AND THROWS HIS PISTOL INTO A SIDE CLOSET; HE CONTINUES WALKING, NOW WHISTLING… OR TRYING TO; HE CAN’T ACTUALLY DO IT YET>

<HE ROUNDS THE CORNER TO DEWBERRY; DEWBERRY HAS RYORI SITTING NEAR HIM AND THEY ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A CONVERSATION>

Dewberry: Yeah, he’s cool. <SIGHS> If Kindler was a girl, I would so date him.

Ryori: <GROGGILY STILL> That’s a weird thing to say.

Dewberry: Hey, shut up!

Ryori: You brought it up.

Kindler: <ENTERS; WALKS UP TO THE KID; HE DOES NOT HAVE THE PISTOL WITH HIM> Dewberry, the kid.

Dewberry: What? You gonna kill him?

Kindler: Just give him to me.

Dewberry: <WHINE> Tell me, Kindy. I wanna know!

Kindler: <STRAINED, PERSONALLY> Dewberry, you’re just another of Cardinal’s underlings. It’s not my place to reveal to you every little aspect of our plans.

Dewberry: <GRUMBLES> Whatever…

<DEWBERRY BEGRUDGINGLY PUSHES RYORI, WHO IS STILL TIED UP, ACROSS THE FLOOR>

<KINDLER TURNS RYORI AROUND, WHO IS KNEELING, AND TAKES HIS HAND TO THE BACK OF RYORI’S HEAD>

<BEYOND IN THE BACK ROOM, LEDAS STIRS>

<AS IS EVIDENT NOW, WHEN THE BULLET ENTERED INTO HIS HEAD IT DESTROYED THE KI SUPPRESSOR THAT WAS KEEPING HIM FROM KILLING EVERYBODY BEFORE>

<IN ADDITION, LANDING AS HARD AS HE DID ON THE METAL FLOOR CRACKED THE SUPPRESSOR AND CAUSED IT TO FALL OFF HIS HEAD>

<AT THIS, LEDAS LOOKS UP, EYES GLAZED OVER; ABOVE HIM IS STANDING A HALLUCINATION OF HIS FATHER>

Layeeck: <TO HIM; HE IS LEANING DOWN OVER LEDAS, HIS FACE INCHES AWAY FROM HIS SON’S; HIS VOICE IS SHAKING> There is no honor in death.

<LEDAS TURNS OVER WITH MUCH PAIN; HE WINCES>

<HIS FACE IS ABSOLUTELY COVERED IN BLOOD, SOME OF IT DRIED; THE SIDE OF HIS HEAD HAS A SMALL BULLET HOLE IN IT>

<HE DOES NOT ANSWER HIS FATHER>

Layeeck: Everything you need is right before your eyes!

<LEDAS BREATHS HARD OUT OF HIS NOSE, HE CRAWLS A BIT MORE AND SLIPS FROM HIS BLOOD WHICH IS NOW IN A HUGE POOL ON THE METAL GROUND>

<HE STOPS MOVING AND ROLLS OVER, BREATHING HARD, EYES AFLUTTER; HE IS CONVULSING SLIGHTLY>

Layeeck: Think! What do you have, Ledas!? What can you use to save yourself?

<LEDAS RAISES HIS HAND AND MOVES HIS FINGERS, IN FRONT OF HIS FACE; AFTER A SECOND HE LOWERS IT AGAIN>

Layeeck: Do not let yourself be killed by these creatures. Fight! Be a Saiyan!

<LEDAS GASPS, AND A FLURRY OF MEMORIES COME BACK, OF KORIN’S TOWER; THE SMALL WHITE CAT EXPLAINING TO HIM THE VARIOUS MAGICS OF HIS PLACE; AND THEN GIVING HIM THE POUCH; THE POUCH TO USE IN CASE OF INJURY>

<WITH THAT, LEDAS SLOWLY REACHES INSIDE HIS SHIRT AND PULLS OUT THE POUCH; HE AGAIN SLOWLY TAKES OUT A SINGLE BEAN AND EATS IT>

<HE LAYS THERE FOR A SECOND, CHEWING AND THEN SWALLOWING>

<NOTHING HAPPENS FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS, THEN LEDAS LETS OUT A SCREAM, AND CLUTCHES AT HIS HEAD; HE SCREAMS AGAIN; OBVIOUSLY THE PAIN HAS NOT GONE FROM THE SINGLE BEAN>

<LEDAS TAKES ANOTHER BEAN, THIS TIME ALMOST CONVULSING AS HE DOES SO>

<HE EATS IT, AND STOPS SCREAMING ALMOST IMMEDIATELY>

<LEDAS STANDS UP, WIPING THE BLOOD FROM HIS FACE; HE LOOKS AROUND; THE VISIONS OF HIS FATHER ARE GONE NOW; HE IS BREATHING HEAVILY>

Ledas: Dad? <MORE ANXIOUS> Dad?!

<HE LOOKS AROUND AND THERE IS NOTHING THERE>

<LEDAS GOES TO ASK AGAIN, BUT THEN HE HEARS HURRIED TALKING COMING FROM UP AHEAD; HE REALIZES THAT KINDLER IS STILL ALIVE AND THAT RYORI IS IN THE OTHER ROOM>

Ledas: Ryori!

<WITH A SUDDEN JOLT, LEDAS JUMPS OUT AND DOWN THE CORNER>

<BACK UP AHEAD, KINDLER HAS RYORI IN AN EXECUTION POSE>

Kindler: <TO DEWBERRY> I took care of the other one. But this kid’s no harm to us, or Mr. Cardinal. I think we can…

<AT THIS MOMENT, LEDAS SKIDS INTO VIEW; KINDLER TURNS TO FACE HIM>

<IN A SUDDEN MOVE, LEDAS SHOOTS A KI BLAST AT KINDLER; IT STRIKES HIM IN THE SIDE OF THE FACE, SPLURGING OUT BLOOD AND FLESH HALF OF HIS NECK IS RIPPED OFF, ALMOST ENOUGH TO SNAP THE ACTUAL BONE FROM THE FLESH>

<KINDLER FALLS SLOWLY; HE IS DEAD>

<DEWBERRY FALLS BACK IN HIS CHAIR BUT TAKES OUT HIS PISTOL; HE POINTS IT TO RYORI, HOLDING HIM ONCE AGAIN AS A SORT OF HOSTAGE>

Dewberry: <AGITATED AS HE HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE> Get back or I’ll shoot!

<DEWBERRY CRAWLS TOWARD RYORI AND GRABS HIM AROUND THE BACK OF THE NECK, PULLING THE PISTOL UP TO HIS HEAD>

<LEDAS COCKS HIS HEAD AND UNWINDS HIS BODY>

Ledas: You’re next. <WITHOUT A WORD OR SOUND OR CHANGE OF HIS BODY, LEDAS GOES SUPER SAIYAN> Don’t blink.

<DEWBERRY DOESN’T FLINCH BECAUSE HE DID NOT SEE THE TRANSFORMATION TAKE PLACE; HE KEEPS THE GUN ON RYORI>

<LEDAS SMIRKS AND CREATES AND AFTERIMAGES WHICH STAYS IN HIS PREVIOUS PLACE; HIS REAL FORM MOVES AROUND BEHIND DEWBERRY, TOO QUICKLY FOR THE LATTER TO SEE>

<LEDAS PUNCHES HIM, CAUSING THE PISTOL TO BE THROWN AWAY>

<DEWBERRY FALLS OVER DEAD; HIS SKULL CAVED IN>

<LEDAS UNTIES RYORI, WHO IS IN WONDER AT LEDAS’ SHOW OF POWER; UP TO THIS POINT HE DID NOT KNOW LEDAS WAS AN ALIEN>

Ryori: <ALMOST WITH A BIT OF CAUTION> Ledas… what are you?

Ledas: <REGRESSES TO HIS NORMAL STATE; LAUGHS PLAYFULLY, SUPER KID-LIKE> I’m a Saiyan! Oh, I guess I never told you, huh?

Ryori: A Saiyan? What’s that?

Ledas: Well, it’s my species. Y’know, I look just like you, but I have a tail and stuff. <HE SHOWS RYORI HIS TAIL> See?

Ryori: Whoa, a tail. That’s awesome! What else can you do?

<LEDAS GOES TO ANSWER, BUT SUDDENLY SNAPS HIS NECK AROUND, FEELING GUVA’S SHOW OF POWER; THIS IS NOT SO MUCH BECAUSE OF HOW POWERFUL GUVA IS, BUT BECAUSE LEDAS CAN FEEL HIM AT ALL, ON EARTH>

Ryori: Ledas?! What is it?

Ledas: <STANDS UP> I-I’ve gotta go, Ryori. There’s something I have to fix.

Ryori: But what?

Ledas: There’s a bad person out there I’ve got to deal with. Y-you can’t help…

Ryori: <STARES AFTER HIM> Are you gonna kill him too?

Ledas: Oh… <LOOKS AT THE BODIES OF KINDLER AND DEWBERRY; HE SOMEWHAT REALIZES THAT SEEING PEOPLE DIE IS NOT SOMETHING RYORI IS USED TO> they were gonna… I mean he was gonna shoot you!

Ryori: <DROPS TO HIS KNEES> It’s okay, I guess. My brother would have done the same thing. <LOOKS UP> But where is he, Ledas? Where’s Shoekki?

Ledas: Oh. <UNCOMFORTABLY; AFTER A PAUSE> I think he’s gone… like those two. <GESTURES AGAIN TO THE DEAD>

Ryori: <TEARY> What?!

Ledas: <STEPS BACK, STILL UNCOMFORTABLY> I-I… I gotta go…

Ryori: <SINKS BACK DOWN, TEARS WELLING AGAIN; TO HIMSELF> He’s dead?! He… <VOICE BREAKS> can’t be.

<WITH THAT, LEDAS TAKES OFF, FLYING OUT OF THE DOOR OF THE MODEL 14 GRAVITY SUPPRESSION UNIT>

Ledas: <IN MIDAIR, TURNS BACK AROUND; SUPER CHEERFUL> Just wait here! I’ll be back soon. <TO HIMSELF> How can Guva be here?

<AND WITH THAT, LEDAS TAKES OFF, RUNNING AND FLYING DOWN THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN TO GUVA; THE SUN IS JUST BEGINNING TO BUD UP OVER THE MOUNTAINTOP IN THE EARLY MORNING>

<RYORI SLINKS TO THE FLOOR, AND REACHES OUT FOR DEWBERRY’S PISTOL; HE GRABS IT AND IN ONE FELL SWOOP BRINGS IT UP, IN HUGGING NATURE, TO HIS ARMS>

<DOWN BELOW, ON THE SAME MOUNTAIN TOP, GUVA AND VEGETA ARE STANDING NEAR EACH OTHER; VEGETA IS STEADILY POWERING UP MORE AS HE IS TRAINING; HIS POWER LEVEL IS NOT AT ABOUT ONE MILLION>

<AT GREAT HASTE, GUVA RISES INTO THE AIR, LOOKING OVER THE TOWN BEHIND THE MOUNTAIN AND SENDS OFF A BLAST, DETONATING THE WHOLE THING>

Guva: <TO HIMSELF; HEAD THROWN BACK IN SLIGHT AMUSEMENT> Come out, Ledas, before I torch the entire countryside.

They Call Me Yamcha
<THE SCREEN FADES FROM GREEN>

<THE CAMERA ZOOMS OUT, SLOWLY, FOCUSED ON A SINGLE BLADE OF GRASS; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OF THIS, THE GRASS IS COVERED BY A DARK SHAPE>

<THE CAMERA PICKS UP ITS ZOOM OUT AND THE SCREEN SHOWS GUVA, NOW BACK ON THE GROUND; HE HAS HIS BACK TO VEGETA, AS HE IS SURVEYING THE SMOKE FROM HIS RUINOUS AFFAIR OF THE LAST CHAPTER>

<AS HE SURVEYS, SEVERAL LOUD THUDS BREAK THE SILENCE BETWEEN THE TWO>

<GUVA LOOKS OVER HIS SHOULDER, AT LONG LAST, AS HE TURNS TO FACE THE NEW SOUNDS, THE THUDS CONTINUE>

<LANDING AROUND THEM ARE THE Z FIGHTERS; NAMELY, GOKU, GOTEN, TRUNKS, PICCOLO, KRILLIN, AND 18>

<GUVA TURNS IN A WIDE SMILE AND WITH A BROAD GESTURE; AS HE DOES SO, MORE Z FIGHTERS CONTINUE LANDING AROUND THEM>

<TIEN, CLAD IN HIS HEAVY CLOTHES FROM THE BUU SAGA AS WELL AS CHIAOTZU LAND; GOHAN COMES UP TOO, HE IS WEARING A SUIT, WHITE ON BLACK>

Goku: <TO VEGETA, WHO HAS HIS OWN BACK TO GOKU, ARMS FOLDED> Hey Vegeta… who is this guy?

Guva: <PUSHES FORWARD, TO GOKU> Who am I? I think the more important question is who you are. And why you all have landed here, disturbing my peace. <HE THROWS HIS HEAD BACK AGAIN, HIS HAIR SLIGHTLY WET>

Goku: My name is Goku.

Guva: <SEEING THAT GOKU IS WAITING FOR HIM TO RESPOND> … Yes, go on.

Goku: My friends and I protect this planet. It’s our job to deal with people like you… who hurt the innocent.

Guva: Oh I see. That’s so cheesy. But carry on if you have more.

Goten: <OUTBURSTING> Hey mister… are you a bad guy?

Gohan: <STEPS TO GOTEN> Quiet, Goten.

Piccolo: <EVER COOL> Hmph. <AT GUVA> So what do you want with us?

Guva: With you? Nothing. As I’ve already explained to this <GESTURES TO VEGETA> Saiyan, my business is with someone else. Someone… <HE SCANS THE SKIES AND AROUND> who is mysteriously hiding. Maybe that’s one of your doings.

Tien: What’s this guy talking about?

Guva: I have no qualms with you; I merely seek to bring enough attention to myself to allow him the awareness of my presence. <SCANS ALL THEIR POWER LEVELS, FINDS THEM TO BE DISMALLY LOW> Perhaps he’ll come out on his own. Until then, how about a friendly sparring match? That is of course if any of you are up to it… I am in no hurry. <TO HIMSELF> Keep them all in one place, right.

<SUDDENLY ANOTHER THUD MUCH LOUDER THAN ALL THE OTHERS BEFORE SOUNDS OFF BEHIND GUVA; HE TURNS ALONG WITH ALL THE Z FIGHTERS TO SEE A FIGURE, SILHOUETTED BY SMOKE>

<THE SMOKE SLOWLY CLEARS AND IT REVEALS YAMCHA, HEAD DOWN, TURNED; HE IS WEARING A SHIRT, PROBABLY TOO TIGHT, TO SHOW OFF HIS MUSCLES; EVER THE BADASS, YAMCHA ALSO HAS A BASEBALL CAP ON HIS HEAD, BACKWARDS OF COURSE; HE LOOKS UP AND SMILES, SHOWING OFF HIS PEARLY WHITES>

Yamcha: Sure, I’ll fight ya. <HE LAUGHS; AND JUMPS FORWARD TO GUVA> Whaddya say?

Guva: <WATCHES THIS> A confident plebian. Very well. <HE TURNS BACK TO GOKU> I hope you have at least a class three medical tank for your friend over here. He seems rather oblivious to what I’m about to do to him.

Piccolo: <TO GOKU AS WELL> Maybe you should pick up some senzu beans before we start, Goku.

Goku: Oh yeah, Piccolo! That’s a great idea.

<HE PUTS HIS FINGER TO HIS HEAD, ABOUT TO INSTANT TRANSMISSION AWAY; BUT BEFORE HE CAN, GUVA STEPS FORWARD>

Guva: Now what is this? I don’t want any funny business. Wherever you’re going, I’m sure you can take me along. After all, what do you have to hide?

Goku: Well… I don’t know…

Guva: <GRABS ONTO GOKU> I know that technique. Lord Cooler has used it before. So wherever you’re going, I know you can take me along with you.

Goku: <SIGHS> Alright, fine.

<GOKU AND GUVA INSTANT TRANSMISSION AWAY>

Yamcha: <WALKS OVER TO THE OTHER Z FIGHTERS, GREETS THEM; HE ENDS UP FACE TO FACE WITH VEGETA> Hey Vegeta, if I were you, I wouldn‘t let Bulma see me fight today. <HE FLEXES HIS MUSCLES, ALMOST RIPPING HIS SHIRT> Yeah, she had a thing for me back in the day… and now that I’m as ripped <FLEXES AGAIN> as ever, you better watch out. <HE LAUGHS>

Vegeta: <STONEY FACE THEN SUDDENLY ERUPTS INTO LAUGHTER> Oh, is that right, little man? <HE OPENS HIS MOUTH AGAIN TO TALK BUT PICCOLO STEPS IN>

Piccolo: <STERNLY> Enough, you two.

<CAMERA SWITCHES TO KORIN TOWER; GOKU AND GUVA SUDDENLY COME INTO VIEW, HAVING INSTANT TRANSMISSIONED TO THE MAIN FLOOR>

<AS SOON AS THIS HAPPENS, GOKU LETS GO OF GUVA AND STARTS WANDERING AROUND CALLING FOR THE KITTY KITTY>

<AT THIS TIME, GUVA MOVES UP TO A LONG WOODEN TABLE UP AGAINST ONE OF THE RAILINGS; THERE ARE VARIOUS, WEIRD CONTRIVANCES LITTERED ACROSS IT>

<BEHIND, KORIN COMES INTO VIEW>

Korin: What’s that, senzu beans? You need some, Goku?

Goku: <CHIPPER> Yeah, just a few if you can spare them. That would be awesome.

Korin: <JUMPS UP ONTO THE FAR RAILING> Well that’s nice. But I don’t have any beans for you. Somebody <HE EMPHASIZES THAT WORD AND TURNS TO YAJIROBE> had to go and eat them all!

Yajirobe: <IN THE CORNER, SITTING IN THE SHADOWS> I was hungry. Stupid old cat…

Goku: What?! You don’t have any?

Korin: <STRAIGHT> No.

<BEHIND THEIR CONVERSATION, GUVA PICKS UP A STRANGE DEVICE, IT IS LIKE A PYRAMID, COVERED IN STRANGE LETTERINGS AND WHATNOT; HE MESSES AROUND WITH IT>

<SEEING THIS, KORIN WITH SUDDEN AGILITY JUMPS UP TO GUVA AND SWATS THE DEVICE AWAY; IT LANDS ON THE FLOOR, AND OPENS>

<WHILE IT IS NOT POINTING AT ANYONE, THE TOP OF THE DEVICE OPENS AND STARTS SETTING OFF A HIGH WIND, SUCKING THE AIR IN>

<KORIN, WITH INDIGNATION PICKS UP HIS STICK AND WALKS AROUND BEHIND THE DEVICE, POKING AT THE BACK OF IT; IT IMMEDIATELY CLOSES; HE PICKS IT UP AND GINGERLY SETS IT BACK DOWN ON THE TABLE; HE TURNS TO GUVA>

Korin: <WRYLY> Any of my other priceless artifacts you want to play with? This isn’t a museum, your highness.

Guva: Hmph. <WALKS BACK UP TO GOKU AND TAKES HIS ARM, AS IF WANTING TO TAKE A NICE EVENING STROLL IN THE PARK> If that’s all, take me back.

Goku: Oh… right, yeah. Well I’ll see you around, Korin! <HE INSTANT TRANSMISSIONS BACK TO THE AREA WITH THE OTHER Z FIGHTERS>

<GUVA WALKS BACK AWAY, AND YAMCHA MOVES FORWARD INTO A FIGHTING STANCE>

Guva: <CIRCLING; HIS SCOUTER IS FLASHING> I’ve known plants with higher power levels than you.

Yamcha: <UNWINDS HIS SHOULDERS> Don't underestimate me; I can bite, hard.

<GUVA DOESN’T EVEN POWER UP; HE STRIDES FORWARD TO YAMCHA>

<YAMCHA DODGES HIM AND AFTERIMAGES AND SHOOTS UP INTO THE AIR, VERY HIGH AND FAST; GUVA LOOKS UP, SURPRISED AND DOES THE SAME>

Vegeta: <LOOKS AWAY AND WALKS OFF TO SIT DOWN ON THE GRASS BEHIND> Hmph… show off.

<THE TWO SHOOT UP INTO THE CLOUDS; AS SOON AS GUVA STOPS, YAMCHA LAUNCHES HIMSELF FROM A CLOUD COVERING FROM BEHIND AND HITS GUVA; GUVA TURNS AROUND, TRYING TO PARRY BUT IT’S NOT THAT MUCH USE>

<YAMCHA BACKFLIPS, KICKING GUVA IN FACE AS HE DOES; HE JUMPS BACK AND THEN SUDDENLY PUSHES FORWARD; AGAIN GUVA DOES NOT ANTICIPATE THIS AND IS HIT IN THE FACE; HIS LONG TRUSTED SCOUTER FALLS OFF, BROKEN>

<GUVA GROWLS; HE LOOKS AROUND AND CANNOT FIND YAMCHA ANYWHERE; THE CLOUDS ARE TOO MISTY AND HE CANNOT SENSE POWER WITHOUT HIS SCOUTER>

<AS HE MOVES FORWARD, QUIETLY, A DARK FLASH JUMPS AND SKIDS ACROSS BEHIND HIM; GUVA PICKS UP ON IT AND TURNS; HE SHOOTS A FEW SMALL BLASTS IN A SEMI-CIRCLE IN THAT DIRECTION; HE TURNS AROUND JUST IN TIME TO BE HIT IN THE CHEST BY BOTH OF YAMCHA’S FEET>

<YAMCHA HITS GUVA SIDEWAYS, LIKE IN A “T” SHAPE; AS GUVA HUNCHES OVER IN PAIN, YAMCHA RIGHTS HIMSELF BACK UP AND GATHERS HIS ENERGY>

<AFTER A COUPLE SECONDS OR SO; YAMCHA SHOWS HIS ENERGY, A HUGE SPIRIT BALL AND THROWS IT RIGHT INTO GUVA’S WIDE EYES>

<IT CONNECTS, AND EXPLODES; BEFORE THE DUST CAN CLEAR, YAMCHA APPROACHES AND SENSES GUVA’S PRESENCE; HE LAUNCHES HIS HANDS, INTERLOCKED DOWN UPON THE GOVERNOR’S HEAD, CRACKING IT AND SENDING THE LATTER SHOOTING DOWNWARDS, AND HITTING THE GROUND HARD; VERY HARD>

<YAMCHA DESCENDS TO THE GROUND, GRINNING AND CONFIDENT; AT LONG LAST, GUVA STIRS, AND STUMBLES OUT FROM HIS CRATER>

<HIS ARMOR IS ALL CRACKED AND HIS CAPE IS TORN AND HAS HOLES IN IT; HIS BODY IS SLIGHTLY DIRTIED AND BLOODIED; HE IS A GREAT SHINER UPON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD>

Guva: Impressive. Very much so, my friend. I did not expect you to be able to damage me so easily. But that‘s enough from you. <HE RIPS OFF HIS CAPE AND THROWS IT BACKWARD, WITH THE WIND>

<AT THIS MOMENT, YAMCHA LAUGHS AGAIN AND SPRINTS FORWARD, ARMS OUTSTRETCHED YELLING “WOLF FANG FIST” TO NOBODY IN PARTICULAR; HE HITS GUVA, WHO IS CHARGING UP; YAMCHA’S WOLF FANG FIST IS SUCCESSFUL, AND IT KNOCKS THE WIND OUT OF GUVA>

<GUVA IN INDIGNATION RISES AFTER A FEW BATED BREATHS AND BACK-KICKS YAMCHA AWAY>

Guva: <WIPES DUST OFF OF HIS FACE; THEN BEGINS TO CHARGE UP> Gah! What was that?

Yamcha: Heh heh, it’s not my fault you let your guard down.

Guva: It’s just common courtesy… I let you charge up and you let me. Now, let’s go!

<GUVA CHARGES TO HIS FULL POWER AND PUMPS UP HIS MUSCLES; THE Z FIGHTERS WATCHING ARE ONLY SLIGHTLY IMPRESSED AS HIS LEVEL IS STILL FAR, FAR BELOW THEIRS>

Piccolo: Hmm… this may be trouble.

Gohan: <TURNS TO PICCOLO> What do you mean, Piccolo?

Piccolo: <ALWAYS COOL> That alien is now far stronger than Yamcha. Even when they were even, Yamcha couldn’t give him any major damage. Now if he’s not careful… he could get himself killed.

<THE LAMER Z FIGHTERS ALL GASP AT THIS>

<AT THIS MOMENT, GUVA TURNS BACK TO YAMCHA, SMILING>

Guva: Are you up for round two?

Yamcha: Heck yeah!

<YAMCHA AGAIN RUNS AT GUVA IN WOLF FANG FIST FASHION, BUT THIS TIME GUVA SIDESTEPS HIM AND SWIPES AT THE BACK OF YAMCHA’S HEAD, PARALYZING HIM>

<GUVA TAKES THE WARRIOR BY THE BACK WITH HIS LEFT HAND, AND WITH HIS RIGHT HE READIES HIS BLAST; THE Z FIGHTERS CAN ONLY LOOK ON IN HORROR AT THIS SUDDEN CHANGE OF EVENTS>

<THE CAMERA SLOWLY ZOOMS OUT BACK PAST THE FIGHT, AND UP INTO THE MOUNTAINS>

<STILL SLOWLY CLIMBING DOWN TO THEM IS THE SMALL FIGURE OF A CHILD; TRYING HIS BEST TO GET TO GUVA’S POWER OFFPUT BELOW; HE IS NOT FLYING, BECAUSE HE SENSES OTHER POWERS AND DOES NOT WANT TO RISK GIVING OFF AN ENERGY READING TO THEM>

<THE CAMERA ZOOMS OUT MORE, AND EVENTUALLY FADES TO BLACK>

The Ones That Really Matter
<THE SCREEN COMES UP SUDDENLY, AS A GASP CAN BE HEARD>

<YAMCHA HAS CHARGED AT GUVA, BUT THE LATTER HAS EASILY BRUSHED HIM ASIDE, TAKING OVER DOMINANCE>

<GUVA TAKES HIS LEFT ARM AND PUTS IT AROUND YAMCHA’S NECK AND ALMOST CASUALLY DROPS TO HIS OWN KNEES AS HE STARTS TO SUFFOCATE THE Z FIGHTER>

<THE GOVERNOR TURNS HIS HEAD TO FACE THE OTHERS; HE MOCKINGLY SMILES TO THEM>

<MANY OF THEM ARE QUIVERING WITH ANGER, MOST NOTABLY TIEN AND CHIAOTZU; AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OF THIS, CHIAOTZU GETS UP AND SHOOTS FORWARD>

Chiaotzu: <HE JUMPS FORWARD TO CHALLENGE GUVA> Stop that, you big meanie!

Tien: <MOVES FORWARD TO BRING HIM BACK> Chiaoztu! No!!

Piccolo: <HOLDS OUT HIS ARM TO STOP TIEN> No Tien. If he wants to fight, let him.

Tien: But… he’s not strong enough! He’ll just get beaten.

Piccolo: <GRUFFLY> Maybe. But he’s stronger than before, Tien. They may be able to pull it off, especially if Yamcha is still able to fight.

<AT THIS TIEN SETTLES DOWN A BIT AND MOVES BACK; HE, WITH THE REST OF THE Z FIGHTERS CONTINUE TO STAND STILL AND WATCH THE FIGHT>

Guva: <TO CHIAOTZU> What’s this? Another to challenge me? Why, I haven’t finished this one off yet! <HE TIGHTENS HIS STRANGLEHOLD ON YAMCHA; YAMCHA SPUTTERS AT THIS>

<WITH A YELL, NOT WAITING FOR ANYTHING, CHIAOZTU FLIES AND KICKS GUVA ACROSS THE FACE; GUVA DROPS YAMCHA AT THIS AND STANDS UP, BUT STILL IS CALM>

Guva: So… you both want to fight me… at the same time?! Do you have no honor, no sense of the perfect tranquility of this duel? I only fight one at a time. That is the ultimate skill.

Yamcha: <COUGHING; HOARSELY> May’e… may’e you’re just scared, huh? You don’t want to lose. <STANDS UP> Well let me tell you something, buddy, if you can’t take on me and him together there’s no way you’d stand a chance against Goku or Vegeta. They’re way stronger than us.

Guva: <GROWLS> Uuaah…<HE RIGHTS HIMSELF BACK UP> Silence!

<GUVA SENDS OUT A BLINDING DISPLAY OF KI, SENDING HIS TWO OPPONENTS BACKWARDS>

<GUVA SENDS OUT SEVERAL KI BLASTS, BUT YAMCHA AND CHIAOTZU DODGE; THE TWO SPLIT OFF AND GO IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS; THIS GREATLY CONFUSES GUVA WHO HAS TO STOP SHOOTING OFF KI BLASTS AND LOOK FOR THEM; IN THIS TIME HE DOESN’T THINK TO PUT UP HIS GUARD, WHEREIN BOTH YAMCHA AND CHIAOTZU HIT HIM, CRACKING HIS ARMOR EVEN MORE>

<GUVA DROPS TO A KNEE, IN PAIN AND SHOOTS AWAY YAMCHA>

<GUVA AND CHIAOTZU BEGIN TO DUEL AGAIN, WHERE GUVA QUICKLY REGAINS HIS ADVANTAGE; HIS STYLE OF PUNCHES AND KICKS ARE HIGHLY ORNATE AND SOPHISTICATED AND DESPITE CHIAOTZU’S SMALL SIZE, MOST ARE LANDING>

<YAMCHA RECOVERS AND SHOOTS INTO THE AIR, LANDING, WITH A PUNCH ON GUVA’S BACKSIDE; GUVA DID NOT SEE, HEAR, NOR EVEN ANTICIPATE SUCH A MOVE AND AS SUCH IS HIT HEAD ON; HE FALLS FACE FIRST INTO THE GRASS, SPITTING UP BLOOD>

<ONCE AGAIN, THE TWO ATTACK GUVA; HE CAN BARELY HOLD THEM AND HE IS BATTED AROUND; HE SOMEWHAT LOSES CONSCIOUSNESS>

<AT THIS TIME, YAMCHA TAKES TO THE AIR AND CHIAOTZU TURNS GUVA AROUND; HE HIMSELF CONTINUES TO PUNCH AT THE GOVERNOR; YAMCHA ABOVE READIES HIS EXTRA LARGE SPIRIT BALL>

<GUVA QUICKLY REALIZES THIS FATAL MISTAKE AND TAKES CHIAOTZU OUT WITH A SINGLE KICK; HE THEN SHOOTS INTO THE SKY AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME FAR HIGHER THAN YAMCHA IS POSITIONED>

<HE CONTINUES FLYING UPWARD, BUT AS HE DOES, HE SENDS ONE SMALL BALL OF SCATTERSHOT DOWN TO YAMCHA; THIS CAUSES YAMCHA TO GET HIT BY THE KI BLASTS AND DISSIPATE HIS SPIRIT BALL>

<BUT ONCE AGAIN, GUVA DID NOT ANTICIPATE A SECOND FIGHTER AS HE COMES TO A STOP; BEING AS HE CAN ALSO NOT SENSE KI, GUVA DID NOT SEE THAT CHIAOTZU HAD TAILED HIM THE WHOLE WAY UP, RIGHT BEHIND THE GOVERNOR>

<CHIAOTZU SENDS OFF AN ENERGY TELEKINESIS SHOT AND IT HITS GUVA, PARALYZING HIM>

<HE COMES AROUND TO FACE GUVA AND SHOOTS A DODON RAY AT THE GOVERNOR; WHILE IT’S NOT SUPER ACCURATE, IT SILL HITS GUVA IN THE FACE AND RIPS APART HIS RIGHT CHEEK; BLOOD POURS OUT AND HE SCREAMS; BEING PARALYZED, GUVA CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT>

Guva: I-is… that the best you’ve got? <IN HIS MIND> The little clown thing is weak; much weaker than I. If I can only get him alone for a few moments… <HE GLANCES DOWNWARD, SEEING YAMCHA SHOOTING UP AT THEM> damnit! Don’t they ever stay down!? Individually I could so easily kill them. But together, they’re unbeatable. <BACK TO CHIAOTZU> You! Clown… thingy… uh… if that’s your most powerful attack, you may as well give up!

Chiaotzu: What?

<AT THIS, CHIAOTZU LOSES CONCENTRATION FOR A MOMENT AND GUVA BREAKS FREE OF HIS PARALYSIS>

<HE SHOOTS STRAIGHT AT CHIAOTZU, AND HITS HIM AWAY; AT THE SAME TIME, YAMCHA REACHES THEM, AND GRABS ONTO GUVA’S LEG; HE RIPS THE GOVERNOR DOWN, AND THROWS HIM BELOW; BUT GUVA TELEPORTS BEHIND YAMCHA AT THIS, HE IS STILL FAR TOO CONSCIOUS>

<HE HIMSELF HITS YAMCHA AWAY, BLOWING OFF HIS SHIRT AND SENDING HIM INTO THE GROUND; INSTEAD OF PURSUING YAMCHA HOWEVER, GUVA INSTEAD TURNS BACK TO CHIAOTZU>

<WITH ONE SWIPE, GUVA HITS CHIAOTZU AWAY INTO THE MOUNTAIN>

<HE DESCENDS AND JUMPS ONTO YAMCHA’S LYING BODY>

<GUVA TURNS YAMCHA OVER AND HITS HIM, OPEN PALMED IN THE MOUTH; YAMCHA SCREAMS AND SPITS UP BLOOD; GUVA THEN ELBOWS HIM IN THE CHEST AND BREAKS HIS RIB CAGE; AT THAT AND ANOTHER THROW AWAY, YAMCHA IS DEFEATED>

Tien: Chiaotzu!! <HIS ANGER SURGES; AND HE JUMPS FORWARD> I’ll avenge you, my friend. <TO GUVA> You’re facing me now.

Guva: <PANTING; FIGURE IN SHAMBLES; HE WIPES AWAY BLOOD FROM HIS TORN CHEEK> I’m not here to play games with every little maggot that crawls out of the ground. My quarry is a Saiyan, not a freak with three eyes! You want to die, that’s your problem. Leave me out of it…

Tien: <CALMLY, AS HE TALKS HE TAKES OFF HIS HEAVY CLOTHING; WELL HE TAKES OFF HIS SHIRT CLOTHING> I’m not a freak. But you just hurt my friend, Chiaotzu. That’s unforgivable. <AT THIS, HE READIES A WHITE, LIGHTNING-ISH BLAST IN EACH HAND AND THROWS THEM AT GUVA>

<GUVA HOWEVER HAS ALREADY FALLEN TO HIS KNEES, HIS HANDS CLASPED AROUND HIS ARMS; HE DOESN’T SEEM TO NOTICE WHEN THE BLASTS HIT HIM, NOR WHEN HE FALLS BACK, SEVERAL DOZEN FEET FOR DOING SUCH>

<GUVA’S EYES ARE WIDE, AND HIS LIP IS TREMBLING; ABOUT HIM, SOMETHING WHICH NO ONE ELSE CAN HEAR, IS A FLURRY OF QUIET WHISPERING; CONSUMING HIM OVER>

<AT JUST THIS TIME, BEHIND THE Z FIGHTERS, LEDAS COMES DOWN FROM THE ROCKS, SKIDDING WITH PEBBLES ABOUT HIM ONTO THE GRASS; VEGETA, WHO IS ALSO SITTING BEHIND THE OTHER Z FIGHTERS, AS IF BORED, IS THE ONLY ONE TO IMMEDIATELY NOTICE LEDAS>

<AND WHILE THERE IS DRIED BLOOD ACROSS HIS FACE AND HE HAS AGED SOMEWHAT SINCE THEIR LAST MEETING, VEGETA RECOGNIZES HIM; THEY MEET EACH OTHERS’ EYES>

Ledas: Hi… Vegeta.

Paid In Blood
Vegeta: <BORED> Who are you?

Ledas: <BREATHLESS, NERVOUS> Ve-vegeta…? That’s you, right?

Vegeta: <IRRITATED> What do you want?

Ledas: <TREMBLING STILL> Vegeta? <HE WALKS UP CLOSER> It’s… it’s me, Ledas.

Vegeta: <YAWNS> Who?

Ledas: <A BIT LOUDER; SOME OF THE Z FIGHTERS TURN TO FACE HIM> Don’t you remember me?!?!?!

Vegeta: Hmph. <TILTS HIS HEAD AWAY>

Goku: <DESPITE THE ACTION AROUND, HE WALKS OVER TO VEGETA AND LEDAS; GOHAN, GOTEN, AND TRUNKS COME WITH HIM> Whoa Vegeta… who’s this guy?

Vegeta: <STILL SOMEWHAT IRRITATED> Bah… <HE OBVIOUSLY DOESN’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT AND LAYS DOWN ON THE GRASS, ARMS BEHIND HIS HEAD; HE CLOSES HIS EYES AND PRETENDS TO SLEEP>

Ledas: <STANDING OVER VEGETA> Come on! Look at me! Remember!

<THE CAMERA CUTS TO A TOWN, IT IS BRIGHT, SPARKLING SOMEWHAT, NEAR THE SEA; AS THE CAMERA PANS BACK A BIT IT SHOWS OFF RYORI, SULLEN AND DIRTY; HIS HANDS ARE FREE BUT HE IS STUMBLING DOWN THE ROAD>

<AS HE WALKS BY HIS COAT BILLOWS AND IT CAN BE SEEN THAT HE HAS A PISTOL IN IT; IN RYORI’S HAND HOWEVER IS A SMALL PIECE OF CLOTH>

<AFTER SOME TIME, BREATHING HARD AND IN SOME KIND OF ANGUISH, RYORI STEPS INTO A SIDE BUILDING; THE PLACE IS A FANCY ONE, WITH ELEGANTLY CARPETTED FLOORS AND WALLS, THERE ARE EXPENSIVE, OR AT LEAST WHAT LOOKS LIKE EXPENSIVE ARCHITECTURE AND FURNITURE THAT LITTER THE PLACE; THOUGH THE MAIN WALKWAY FORWARD TO THE DESK IS CLEAR OF ANYTHING, INCLUDING PEOPLE>

<AT THIS, RYORI WALKS UP TO THE MAIN COUNTER AND STANDS ON HIS TOES, PEERING OVER; AT LONG LAST, A TELLER WALKS OVER TO HIM>

Teller: <SHE IS SURPRISED AT RYORI> May I help you, little boy?

Ryori: <IN A QUICK WIT> Here… <HE TAKES THE PIECE OF CLOTH FROM HIS HAND AND SETS IT ON THE TABLE> I wanna know where I can find this place.

<THE CAMERA MOVES UP AND OVER RYORI’S SHOULDER, REVEALING WHAT THE THING HE WAS HOLDING WAS; IT SEEMS TO BE FROM A PIECE OF SHIRT, OR JACKET MAYBE; IT IS A SIMPLE, ELEGANT INSIGNIA OF A BRAZEN “C”>

<THE CAMERA CUTS BACK TO GUVA AND TIEN>

<GUVA HAS SLIGHTLY RECOVERED FROM HIS WEIRD FIT EARLIER AND NO WHISPERING CAN BE HEARD>

<TIEN, WHO IS OBVIOUSLY ANGRY, RUNS AT GUVA AND ELBOWS HIM; AS GUVA DOUBLES OVER, TIEN SWIPES FROM BEHIND HIS LEGS, CAUSING THE GOVERNOR TO FALL UP; THEN TIEN CHOPS HIM IN THE CHEST AGAIN, AND SENDS GUVA FLYING AWAY>

<HE PURSUES AND BEGINS TO BEAT UP ON GUVA>

<BUT AS THIS IS HAPPENING, THE CAMERA MOVES LEFT, AND BACK TO THE Z FIGHTERS>

Ledas: Aw, Vegeta, don’t you remember me? We used to play together all the time… like remember that time in the snow? <VEGETA DOESN’T ANSWER>

Goku: <TO LEDAS; HE NOTICES LEDAS’ TAIL; ENTHUSIASTICALLY> Whoa, are you a Saiyan too?

Ledas: <BACK TO GOKU, SCRATCHES THE BACK OF HIS HEAD> Oh, yeah… you must’ve seen my tail… <HE HIMSELF TURNS AROUND TO LOOK AT IT> It’s always falling off <LAUGHS> but I can always grow a new one! <LOOKS AT VEGETA AND GOKU> Hey… where are your tails?

Goku: <MATTER O’ FACT; A LITTLE PROUDLY> I had mine removed a long time ago.

Ledas: That’s stupid. You’re not a true Saiyan without a tail!

Goku: <IN HIS GOKU VOICE; LIKE WHEN AROUND RADITZ> From what I’ve seen, the Saiyan’s aren’t very nice people. They just go around hurting and killing and-

<GOKU IS INTERRUPTED BY GUVA BEING SLAMMED INTO THE GROUND NEARBY; GUVA IS EXTREMELY WEARY FROM HIS LAST BATTLE WITH YAMCHA AND CHIAOTZU; NEVERTHELESS, TIEN IS STILL FAR STRONGER THAN HE AND THIS FIGHT IS NOT EVEN AT ALL>

<GUVA DODGES OUT OF THE WAY, ON THE GROUND, AS TIEN TRIES TO LAND A MOVE ON HIS LYING BODY; GUVA ROLLS AWAY AND FIRES A SCATTERSHOT, BUT IT IS NO USE AS TIEN IS EASILY ABLE TO BRUSH IT ASIDE>

<TIEN RUSHES AT GUVA AND SENDS OFF A SOLAR FLARE; OBVIOUSLY THIS BLINDS GUVA FOR A MOMENT>

<TIEN USES THIS TO GRAB GUVA’S ARMOR PAULDRONS AND THROW HIM INTO THE AIR; ONCE IN THE AIR, HE HIMSELF SENDS OFF A DODON HAIL, WHICH PIERCES GUVA MANY TIMES, BLOODYING HIM EVEN MORE>

<WHEN GUVA LANDS HARD INTO THE EARTH, HE DOES NOT GET UP>

<TIEN WALKS FORWARD SLOWLY AND SHOOTS A ONE HANDED KI CANON AT GUVA; WHEN THE DUST CLEARS, GUVA IS CRITICALLY INJURED, NOW ONLY BARELY ALIVE>

<TIEN PICKS HIM UP WITH HIS RIGHT HAND AND HOLD THE FORMER GOVERNOR BY HIS NECK; BLOOD IS NOW POURING FROM GUVA’S BODY; THE CAMERA SPINS AROUND FOR A SECOND AND HIS BLOOD CAN BE SEEN DRIPPING FROM HIS FEET, WHICH ARE ONLY HOVERING A FEW INCHES OFF THE GROUND>

Tien: Get ready to die!! <HE LIFTS UP HIS LEFT HAND AND BEGINS TO FORM ENERGY FOR A SINGLE-HANDED KI CANON BLAST>

Guva: Why are you doing this?! Let’s… let’s just talk, like gentlemen!

Tien: You hurt Chiaotzu! I can’t feel him at all! <TRAILING OFF; LOOKING AT SOMETHING FAR OFF> He was my good friend…

<GUVA LEANS HIS HEAD BACK AND SPURTS UP SOME MORE BLOOD, HE CROAKS OUT A LAUGH>

Guva: Honestly, I…

<SUDDENLY TIEN DROPS GUVA AND WALKS PAST HIM>

Guva: <IN A PAINED WHISPER> Wh-what… is… what are you doing?

<HE TURNS AROUND TO SEE WHAT TIEN IS WANDERING OFF FOR; FROM THE RUBBLE BEHIND, CHIAOTZU STAGGERS FORWARD>

<TIEN SMILES AND LAUGHS, LONG AND HARD, HE KNEELS DOWN TO TALK TO CHIAOTZU AND INSPECT THE SERIOUSNESS OF HIS WOUNDS>

<GUVA BEHIND THEM GETS SUPER ANGRY>

Guva: Bastard! Get back here! Finish me now! <HE THROWS A SMALL OVAL SHAPED BLAST AT TIEN>

<TIEN IS KNOCKED OVER FROM THIS, BUT WHEN HE GETS UP AND TURNS AROUND, HE SEES THAT GUVA HAS ONCE AGAIN FALLEN TO HIS FEET, NOW AUDIBLY SCREAMING; HIS EYES ARE WILD AND BASICALLY POPPING IN THEIR WIDE GAZE>

<TIEN IS NOT MOVED BY THIS DISPLAY OF EMOTION AND SWIFTLY GRABS GUVA AGAIN; THIS QUIETS THE GOVERNOR DOWN>

<TIEN TAKES HIS BLAST AND BRINGS IT TO GUVA’S FACE, BUT HE HOLDS BACK FOR A SECOND, UNWILLING TO GO THROUGH WITH IT>

<LEDAS LOOKS THROUGH THE GROUP OF Z FIGHTERS, AND SEES GUVA STANDING THERE>

Ledas: Guva! <BUT GUVA DOES NOT HEAR HIM>

Guva: <LAUGHS AGAIN> Hahahahahaha. Do it. <NOW HOARSELY AND SPITTING> Come on, you spineless coward! Do it. DO I-

<GUVA GOES RIDGED, MIDSENTENCE; TIEN DROPS HIM; AFTER A COUGH, HE FALLS DEAD ONTO THE GROUND; TIEN MOVES BACK, STEPPING AWAY FROM THE CORPSE>

<STICKING OUT FROM THE BACK OF HIS GUVA’S CRACKED AND BLOODIED ARMOR IS A KNIFE>

<CROUCHING OVER THIS ALL IS NOW A FIGURE, DARKLY HOODED, CALMLY WATCHING>

<THE FIGHTERS HADN’T NOTICED HIM UP TO THIS POINT, AND WHEN GUVA’S BODY FALLS, THEY ALL LET OUT A GASP>

The Benefactor: <PULLS KNIFE OUT OF THE NOW LIFELESS CORPSE; HE LOOKS UP TO THE GROUP WATCHING> Did ya… miss me?

<ABRUPT TO BLACK>

Snow Day
<FLASHBACK>

<THE CAMERA COMES INTO A LARGE ROOM, VERY TALL; IT IS PANELED WITH VARIOUS STONE TILES, COVERING THE VAST GROUND, THERE IS OF COURSE A ROOF TOO, BUT IT IS VERY HIGH UP, MAYBE 100-150 FEET; THE SIZE OF THE HUGE ENCLOSURE IS ABOUT THAT OF A NORMAL STADIUM>

<IN THE ENCLOSURE ARE 4 BEINGS; TWO ARE HUGE, LIKE GREAT MONKEYS; THEY ARE NOT WEARING ARMOR, BUT ONLY TRAINING PANTS>

<THE OTHER TWO ARE FLYING ABOUT FRANTICALLY; THEY ARE BOTH SAIYANS, IN FULL ARMOR; IN FACT THEY ARE WEARING MORE THAN THE REGULAR SAIYAN ARMOR, THEY ARE WEARING FULL BODY SUITS COVERING EVEN THEIR FACES AND TAILS>

<AS CAN BE ASSUMED THIS IS BECAUSE THERE IS A POWER BALL AT THE CENTER OF THE ENCLOSURE, AND THE TWO UN-TRANSFORMED SAIYANS DON’T WANT TO TRANSFORM THEMSELVES; THEY SEEM TO BE TEACHING>

<THE TWO GREAT APES LUNGE AT EACH OTHER, CLEARLY NEITHER IS SENTIENT; THEY ROLL AROUND, FIGHTING AND HACKING AT ONE ANOTHER; IN ADDITION BOTH SEEM TO BE RANDOMLY SHOOTING OFF ENERGY BLASTS IN ALL DIRECTIONS AS IF THEY CANNOT CONTROL THEIR POWER>

<THE TWO ADULT SAIYANS ARE ONLY WATCHING AS OF NOW, BUT ARE STILL WEAVING THIS WAY AND THAT, DODGING THE TWO’S ENERGY OFFPUT>

<THE TWO SAIYANS STOP, AND SHOOT UP HIGHER INTO THE AIR TO LET THE GREAT APES COOL DOWN FOR A MOMENT>

Layeeck: <SHOUTING OVER THE COMMOTION> I don’t think it’s going to happen today. They’re still far too wild.

<THE OTHER SAIYAN IS FAR OLDER THAN LAYEECK; HE HAS A BEARD AND HIS HAIR IS A SILVERY BLACK>

Lascon: You’re too impatient, Layeeck. Give them some time to get used to the new form. They’re only children after all! <HE LAUGHS, HEARTILY> Do you remember how long it took you to master that form?

Layeeck: That was a long time ago.

Lascon: You were almost 11 years if I remember, before you mastered it.

Layeeck: Those were different times. Besides, my son is far stronger than I was at his age.

Lascon: <LEANS FORWARD, PEERING DOWN> And that makes it all the harder… look, they’ve tired out. This is our best chance.

<BOTH SHOOT BACK DOWN TO THE FLOOR; THE TWO GREAT APES ARE STILL TRANSFORMED, BUT ARE SPLAYED ACROSS THE GROUND ASLEEP>

<LAYEECK DESCENDS AND WALKS TO THE SAIYAN NEAREST HIM; LASCON GOES TO THE SAIYAN IN THE FAR CORNER>

Layeeck: <INTO THE EAR OF THE UNCONSCIOUS BEAST> Ledas! Ledas, wake up! <IN MORE OF A WHISPER> Ledas?!

<AT THAT, THE GREAT BEAST’S ARM RUMBLES AND GRABS LAYEECK; WITH A LAZY AND TIRED THROW, IT PUSHES LAYEECK INTO THE GROUND, HARD>

<LAYEECK LETS OUT A MUFFLED SCREAM BUT THE BEAST IS STILL ASLEEP>

<HE GETS UP, LIMPING FROM HIS FRACTURED KNEE, AND CAUTIOUSLY RE-APPROACHES LEDAS>

Layeeck: <ONCE AGAIN INTO LEDAS’ EAR; WHISPERING> Ledas?! It’s your father, Ledas! Wake up, we’re…

<LEDAS OPENS ONE EYE, LOOKING AROUND; HE SPOTS LAYEECK; AT THIS, LEDAS SITS UP WITH SUDDEN HASTE, THE MOTION OF IT KNOCKING LAYEECK BACK DOWN; STILL SITTING UP, HE TURNS HIS BODY TO FACE LAYEECK; LAYEECK IS EASILY DWARFED BY LEDAS’ PRESENCE; LAYEECK HOLDS HIS GROUND>

Layeeck: My son. Ledas…

<LEDAS PICKS HIM UP WITH HIS HAND, CLUTCHING TIGHTLY AROUND LAYEECK’S BODY; HE GROWLS, SHOWING HIS TEETH; HE SLAMS LAYEECK ONTO THE GROUND; LAYEECK KEEPS AS QUIET AS POSSIBLE; LEDAS KEEPS HIS FATHER WRAPPED IN HIS HAND AS HE DOES THIS>

<LEDAS SNARLS AGAIN>

Layeeck: You remember me. Look at my face! Look at me! I am your father, Ledas. Your father! Look at me! <LEDAS DOESN’T MOVE; HE IS ROARING, AND NOT LOOKING AT LAYEECK> I said look at me!

<LAYEECK SENDS A SHOCK BLAST DOWN THROUGH LEDAS’ BODY, JARRING HIM BACK TO REALITY; LEDAS GROWLS IN PAIN AND LIFTS HIS FATHER UP, CLOSER TO HIS FACE; HE INSPECTS LAYEECK ALL OVER; AS LAYEECK CONTINUES TO STARE INTO HIS SON’S EYES, LEDAS STARES BACK AT HIM; HIS STANCES LESSENS; HIS EYES GLAZE OVER, AND HE SHAKES HIS HEAD; WHEN HE LOOKS BACK AT HIS FATHER, HE HAS MORE PURPOSE IN HIS LOOK>

Ledas: <IN GREAT APE VOICE> I am.

Layeeck: <RECOVERS> Ledas?! <LETS OUT A BREATH OF AIR> My son… is that you?

Ledas: <CHEERFUL> Yeah! <HE HOLDS OUT HIS HAND AND NOTICES IT’S ALL HAIRY AND WHATNOT> Whoa, what’s this?

<LEDAS SETS DOWN HIS FATHER AND STANDS UP; HE ADMIRES HIS BODY, HE JUMPS AROUND, TESTING IT OUT>

<LAYEECK LOOKS BACK OVER TO WHERE LASCON WENT; THE SAIYAN ADULT IS HOVERING ABOUT 20 FEET IN THE AIR, WITH HIS ARMS CROSSED; BEHIND HIM IS AN AWAKE, YET UNMOVING GREAT APE; LASCON SEEMS UNTOUCHED AND HIS WHOLE “SENTIENCE” MISSION HAS GONE WITHOUT INCIDENT>

<LEDAS NOTICES THE OTHER GREAT APE; HE TURNS TO FACE IT IN A BATTLE STANCE>

Ledas: Awright! We can fight for real now!

<THE OTHER APE LAUGHS HIMSELF, BUT DOES NOT SPEAK>

<LEDAS JUMPS AND LUNGES HIMSELF AT THE OTHER APE, WHO HAS TAKEN A DEFENSIVE STANCE>

<RIGHT BEFORE THE TWO CONNECT, LASCON TURNS SUDDENLY AND SHOOTS A KI BLAST AT THE POWER BALL, DESTROYING IT>

<LEDAS REVERTS IN MID-LUNGE, AS DOES THE OTHER AND THEY TUMBLE INTO EACH OTHER AS THEY REGRESS>

<LASCON AND LAYEECK WALK UP TO THE TWO, LEDAS AND VEGETA, AND THROW THEM TOWELS>

Lascon: <AUTHORITATIVE> Now that’s enough, boys. Your trainings for today are done.

Ledas: <UPSIDE DOWN, A TOWEL AROUND HIS NECK> You mean we get the rest of the day off?!

Lascon: I don’t see why not. It would be quite mean of me to keep you boys locked up in here all day… when it’s snowing outside.

Ledas: <IN AWE> Snowing? What’s that?

Lascon: A rare occurrence on Planet Vegeta. I suggest you make the most of it. <HE SMILES ,WARMLY>

<LEDAS GETS UP, EXCITED; VEGETA GETS UP TOO, BUT HIDES ANY EXCITEMENT HE MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE>

Ledas: Thanks, grandpa! <HE WAVES THE ADULTS OFF AND RUNS TO THE DOOR; VEGETA WALKS, SLOWLY BEHIND>

<LASCON AND LAYEECK STAY BEHIND A BIT TO CLEAN UP>

Lascon: Today was quite an interesting day, wasn’t it Layeeck?

Layeeck: Yeah, it was unbelievable. I mean… they just got right up and ran out after all those hours of being in that form. I don’t even think I could do that! <LASCON LAUGHS> … or you for that matter.

Lascon: It’s you, not me who promised young Ledas a father-son trip off planet. I sure hope you didn’t lie to him about that.

Layeeck: <SIGHS> No, I’ll get around to it eventually. It’s just not desirable, I guess. Kind of unnerving when you’re not in control any more.

Lascon: <LAUGHS> When have you ever been, son?

<THE CAMERA CUTS TO A BIT LATER IN THE DAY, OUTSIDE; THE ENTIRE AREA, WHICH IS SLIGHTLY WOODED IS BLANKETED IN SNOW, VERY HIGH UP>

<VEGETA AND LEDAS ARE BOTH STANDING IN IT; LEDAS PLAYING AND JUMPING AROUND IN IT, AND VEGETA MERELY STANDING, HAUGHTILY OBSERVING>

Prince Vegeta: <SHOOTS A SMALL BEAM OF ENERGY, WHICH DOES NOT DISSIPATE AS HE TALKS, INTO THE SNOW; HE MELTS A CIRCLE AROUND HIMSELF> So what? It’s just frozen water…

Ledas: Yeah, but it’s fun Vegeta! Come on!

<LEDAS DIVES HEAD FIRST INTO THE SNOW AND AFTER A SECOND HE RESURFACES A BIT TO THE RIGHT; HIS HAIR AND FACE IS COVERED IN SNOW; HE SMILES>

Prince Vegeta: Hmph. I don’t get the big deal.

Ledas: <LAUGHS> Aw Vegeta, just try it!

<LEDAS THROWS SOME SNOW AT VEGETA, IN A BALL; YES REALLY>

<IT HITS VEGETA IN THE FACE AND HE BRUSHES IT ASIDE>

Prince Vegeta: <ANNOYED> Stop it! <HE TURNS, SWIFTLY WITH HIS CAPE>

<AT THIS, LEDAS JUMPS, LAUGHING AND TOPPLES ONTO VEGETA, CAUSING THEM TO BOTH FALL INTO THE SNOW; VEGETA IS NOT HAPPY>

<LEDAS JUMPS BACK AND READIES MORES SNOWBALLS; HE THROWS SEVERAL AT VEGETA>

Ledas: <GIDDY> Betcha can’t hit me!

<VEGETA STANDS UP AND IS ABOUT TO RESPOND BUT HE IS HIT IN THE FACE AGAIN WITH A SNOWBALL>

<VEGETA WITH SOME RESTRAINT, PICKS UP SOME SNOW AND FORMS IT INTO A BALL HIMSELF; HE SHOOTS UP INTO THE AIR AND HITS IT AS HARD AS HE CAN INTO LEDAS>

<THE TWO JUMP AROUND, DODGING EACH OTHER’S SNOW BALLS AND HAVING A GOOD TIME>

<THE CAMERA CUTS BACK TO A HOUSE, QUITE SIMPLE; IT IS NOT IN A VERY POPULATED PLACE; NO OTHER HOUSES ARE AROUND; THE SUN IS SOMEWHAT SETTING BEHIND IT, AND IT IS ON A HILL WITH A SINGLE TREE TO THE LEFT>

<INSIDE IT WALKS LASCON STILL IN HIS FULL ARMOR; WITH A SIGH OF HIS OWN, HE TAKES OFF HIS ARMOR AND HANGS IT ON A RACK; HE WALKS INTO HIS BEDROOM AND WINCES, FALLING OVER AND CLUTCHING AT HIS SIDE; HE BREATHS HARD FOR A FEW MOMENTS THEN GETS UP AGAIN>

<NOW SOMEWHAT TREMBLING HE WALKS FORWARD THREE STEPS; SUDDENLY HIS HEAD SHOOTS UP AND HE TURNS AROUND>

<THE CAMERA IS FACING WITH THE INTRUDER, JUST A BIT BEHIND HIS LEFT SHOULDER>

<THE INTRUDER IS DRAPED ALL IN BLACK; HIS FACE CANNOT BE SEEN; HE TAKES ONE STEP FORWARD IN HIS SILENCE>

Lascon: Who are you? What do you want?

<THE FIGURE DOES NOT ANSWER AND TAKES ANOTHER STEP FORWARD>

Lascon: I’m warning you. Get back! <HE HIMSELF STEPS BACK AND SHOOTS A SMALL ONE HANDED ENERGY BLAST AT THE CREATURE; AT THE SAME TIME HOWEVER HE FALLS OVER, TRIPPING BACKWARDS>

Creature: Tell me.

Lascon: Tell you what? What do you mean?

Creature: The name.

Lascon: Whose?!

Creature: <QUIVERING> The child. Your grandson. Partner of the Prince. His name.

Lascon: You mean Ledas? But, you… y-you want… no… w-what… wait!

<THE CREATURE GOES BACK TO QUIET UPON GETTING ITS ANSWER; IT CLAWS THE FACE OF LASCON, MAKING HIM FALL BACKWARD; LASCON BOWS HIS HEAD, AND THEN WHEN HE LOOKS BACK UP, HE SENDS OUT AN EYE BEAM AT THE CREATURE; TO NO EFFECT; WITH A GRIM LOOK, HE SLUMPS HIS SHOULDERS IN DEFEAT>

<THE CAMERA TURNS AGAIN TO BEHIND THE CREATURE, AND AS IT MOVES FORWARD, IT COVERS THE ENTIRE SCREEN>

<THE CAMERA CUTS BACK TO LEDAS AND VEGETA>

<THE TWO OF THEM ARE STILL PLAYING IN THE SNOW; VEGETA SEEMS TO HAVE WARMED UP TO THE IDEA OF IT>

<THEY TUMBLE DOWN THROUGH SOME TREES INTO A SMALL VALLEY; THERE IS A STREAM RUNNING THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF IT; AT THE NEAR END, THERE IS A FALLEN TREE THAT IS SPANNING ACROSS IT LIKE A BRIDGE>

<VEGETA AND LEDAS JUMP ONTO IT AND CAREFULLY START TIP-TOEING ON IT>

<VEGETA WHO IS IN THE FRONT TURNS AROUND AND WITH A GRIN ON HIS FACE GETS IN A BATTLE STANCE; LEDAS INTERPRETS THIS CORRECTLY AND ATTACKS; THE TWO START FIGHTING, IN CLOSE COMBAT; PUNCHES AND KICKS FLY FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS; NEITHER HAS THE EDGE>

<THE TWO GET INTO A BLOW EXCHANGE ON THE TREE AND SEND FLURRIES OF PUNCHES AT ONE ANOTHER>

<AT LONG LAST, BOTH OF THEM FALL OFF, AND ONTO THE ICE; IT CRACKS AND THEY FALL IN>

<THE TWO BOYS ARE SWEPT UNDERWATER, AND WHEN THEY TRY TO RESURFACE, THE ICE IS THICK ABOVE THEIR HEADS>

<BOTH ARE TOO COLD AND WEARY TO BREAK THROUGH IT, POUNDING ON IT WITH THEIR FISTS>

<AT LONG LAST, NEARLY RUNNING OUT OF AIR UNDER THE WATER, LEDAS AND VEGETA GRASP HANDS TOGETHER AND COMBINE A GALICK GUN BLAST, TO SHOOT THROUGH THE ICE>

<IT WORKS AND BOTH COME FLYING UP AND BACK ONTO THE SNOWY TURF; BOTH COLLAPSE, EXHAUSTED>

<ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, LEDAS’ SCOUTER GOES OFF>

<HE WEARILY GRASPS AT IT FROM THE SNOW AND PICKS IT UP; IT IS LAYEECK CALLING>

Layeeck: Ledas are you there?

Ledas: <TIRED> Whaddizit?

Layeeck: Ledas, I need you to come meet me at your grandfather’s house, immediately.

Ledas: Bu-

Layeeck: <PRESSED> Immediately.

<LEDAS PICKS UP ON HIS FATHER’S IMPORTANT TONE AND JUMPS INTO AIR; HE DASHES OFF, SPRINTING IN THE AIR>

Prince Vegeta: <WATCHES HIM GO, STILL PANTING> Bye, I guess… <HE LAYS HIS HEAD BACK DOWN AGAINST THE SNOW AND CLOSES HIS EYES; HIS ARMS BEHIND HIS HEAD, ALMOST LIKE HIS ADULT FORM WAS IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTERS>

<LEDAS SHOOTS TO HIS GRANDFATHER’S HOUSE WITH MUCH HASTE; HE LANDS, FACING HIS FATHER AT THE DOOR>

Ledas: What is it, dad?

Layeeck: <SAID MONOTONE, WITHOUT EMOTION> Your grandfather is dead. But do not lower yourself to tears. There is no place to be soft here.

<LEDAS TEARS UP, BUT DOES NOT LET LAYEECK SEE THEM; BUT BEFORE HE CAN SPEAK, LAYEECK TURNS BACK TO THE HOME>

Layeeck: The traditional Saiyan burial isn’t possible here.

Ledas: <IN TEARS> But why?

Layeeck: <STILL> There’s not much of him left. I can’t get what’s left of him out of the house… So! <BRISKLY> We will do it as we can. Stand back, Ledas. Help me give him the proper respect.

<LAYEECK GATHERS HIS ENERGY AND SHOOTS OFF A HUGE BALL INTO THE HOUSE, EXPLODING IT AND CAUSING IT TO GO UP IN FLAMES>

<AT THIS TIME, LEDAS HAD SUNK TO HIS KNEES, BUT HIS FATHER RIGHTS HIM BACK UP; HE HELPS LEDAS TO PUT HIS OWN ARM OUT>

<LEDAS, UNDERSTANDING, LETS OFF A SMALL BLAST OF HIS OWN TO ADD TO THE FIRE; LAYEECK HELPS HIM KEEP HIS HAND STEADY; THE FIRE BURNS BRIGHTLY FOR SOME TIME, AND THE TWO STAND IN SILENCE, WATCHING; NEITHER SPEAKS A WORD>

<THE SCREEN PANS BACK, TO THE SINGLE TREE ON THE LEFT OVERLOOKING THE LONELY HOUSE>

<PERCHED ATOP IT, WITHIN THE SNOW ITSELF IS A BEING, DARKLY DRAPED, HIS FACE UNSEEN; AS HE WATCHES FOR SOME TIME, THE HOUSE COLLAPSES IN ON ITSELF; AS THE FIRES COOL AND ALL TURNS TO ASH, LAYEECK AND LEDAS, BELOW, SHOOT OFF INTO THE SKY AWAY>

<SEEING THIS, THE FIGURE, THE BENEFACTOR HIMSELF JUMPS OFF FROM HIS TREE AND WALKS AWAY; AS HE TRUDGES THROUGH THE SNOW FOR A WHILE>

<THE SCREEN PANS BACK AND SHOWS THAT MUCH OF THE ENTIRE PLANET IS COVERED IN SNOW; IT PANS BACK OUT TO SPACE, SHOWING THE ENTIRE PLANET>

<END FLASHBACK>

Furcifer Pardalis
<FLASHBACK, BENEFACTOR>

<THE CAMERA IS ON FRIEZA’S SHIP, WHICH IS HOVERING OVER PLANET VEGETA>

<INSIDE, THE HALLS ARE ABANDONED AND VERY QUIET>

<THE CAMERA MOVES DOWN THE MAIN CORRIDOR, WHICH CIRCLES AROUND INTO A ROOM, WHICH IS NOT LIT AT ALL; THE ONLY LIGHT IS A BIT SEEPING IN FROM THE HALLWAY OUTSIDE THE OPEN DOOR; ONLY FRIEZA IS IN IT; HE IS STANDING, FACING THE WINDOW, STARING DOWN AT PLANET VEGETA>

<QUIETLY, A NEW BEING ENTERS; IT IS THE BENEFACTOR; HE IS STILL CLOTHED COMPLETELY IN BLACK>

Frieza: Ah, Captain.

The Benefactor: <WALKS UP TO BEHIND FRIEZA; HE KEEPS ABOUT A 3 FOOT DISTANCE BETWEEN HIM AND HIS LORD> You wanted me, Lord Frieza?

Frieza: <RAISES HIS HEAD> I have spent a great deal of time wondering about many things. I had hoped you could enlighten me as to their meanings.

<THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT ANSWER>

Frieza: <PAUSES FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE CONTINUING> The day Zarbon and I found you-

The Benefactor: <FORCED WHISPER> What?!

Frieza: <TURNS TO THE BENEFACTOR> Do you remember that day?

The Benefactor: Yes.

Frieza: <TURNS BACK TO FACE THE WINDOW; CURTLY> Then you will let me finish. That day, I came to conquer your planet. We found all but a small group of your species had been exterminated. This was before my team had even touched down on the soil of that place. But I did not immediately see the connection; <LEANS HIS HEAD BACK> Ah, but now I do. It was you! My Benefactor who toppled his own race.

The Benefactor: I don’t see a question here.

Frieza: <NOW FULLY TURNS TO THE BENEFACTOR AND WALKS FORWARD TO TALK TO HIM FACE TO FACE> You and I are not so different, Benefactor. Only, I chose to kill my race because of necessity. You did it simply because you could.

<ONCE AGAIN, FRIEZA TURNS BACK TO THE WINDOW AND STARES OUT, FOR A LONG TIME; AT THIS TIME, THE BENEFACTOR TAKES IT AS HIS TIME TO LEAVE; HE TURNS AROUND AND BEGINS TO WALK OUT>

Frieza: <LOUDER> But tell me this, Benefactor, before you leave.

<THE BENEFACTOR STOPS TO LISTEN BUT DOES NOT ANSWER>

Frieza: If I were never to have come and taken you from your wretched hole, and left you there alone … what would have done? What would you have sunk to, all alone on your little planet?

The Benefactor: Nothing would have changed.

<THE BENEFACTOR TURNS BACK AGAIN TO WALK OUT; FRIEZA MOVES FORWARD; HIS FULL FORM COMES INTO THE LIGHT>

<HE IS WEARING ARMOR, BUT IS IN HIS FINAL FORM; HE LIFTS THE CHEST PIECE OVER HIS HEAD AND THROWS IT ASIDE>

<THE BENEFACTOR TURNS AT THIS NOISE; HE NOTICES FRIEZA IN HIS FINAL FORM; THE BENEFACTOR DROPS TO HIS KNEES, ALMOST IN A BOW BEFORE FRIEZA>

The Benefactor: Trying to scare me, my lord? <RAISES HIS HEAD SLOWLY, REVEALING HIS EYES> I can’t feel anything.

Frieza: Can’t? Or won’t, Captain?

<FRIEZA SUDDENLY READIES A FINGER BEAM AND SHOOTS IT INTO THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT TRY TO DODGE OR BLOCK IT; ONLY AT THE LAST SECOND DOES HE READ, IN HIS MIND, FRIEZA’S POWER LEVEL, WHICH IS MUCH HIGHER THAN HE EXPECTED; HE HAD NOT RAISED HIS OWN POWER LEVEL TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ENOUGH DAMAGE TO WITHSTAND THE BEAM; NEVERTHELESS, THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO AND IS HIT BY THE BEAM>

<HE FALLS OVER, INTO THE DARKNESS; ONLY A SINGLE STREAM OF HIS BLOOD IS SEEN FLOWING OUT FROM HIM>

<WITHOUT ANOTHER WORD, FRIEZA WALKS OUT>

<CUTS TO A DIFFERENT FLASHBACK>

<THE CAMERA BEGINS TO RAPIDLY SWITCH BETWEEN A SCENE AND A BLACK SCREEN, GIVING OFF THE EFFECT OF BLINKING; ONLY HEAVY BREATHING AND A HEART BEAT CAN BE HEARD DURING THIS TIME>

<THE SCENE VARIES BETWEEN SEVERAL PLACES; AT FIRST IT IS ON A SNOW WORLD, THE BENEFACTOR IS STUMBLING IN THE SNOW; BEHIND HIM ARE TWO DEAD FRIEZA SOLDIERS, STILL FULLY CLAD IN THEIR ARMOR; ONE OF THEIR HEADS IS TORN OFF, BUT THE SECOND SEEMS TO BE SIMPLY DEAD FROM NO SEEABLE EXTERNAL INJURY>

<THE BENEFACTOR APPROACHES THEIR TWO PODS; BEFORE HE ENTERS ONE, HE DROPS TO ONE KNEE AND FEELS THE SNOW IN HIS HAND FOR A FEW MOMENTS, RAISING HIS HEAD INTO THE BLIZZARDING SKY ABOVE>

<HE DOES NOT SEEM HIMSELF; THE CAMERA ZOOMS OUT, SHOWING HIS FULL FIGURE; BLACK MATTER IS EVAPORATING OFF OF HIM AS HE SITS THERE; HIS POWER IS BASICALLY LEAVING HIM>

The Benefactor: <BRINGS HIS HAND UP> What?!

<AFTER THIS BIZZARE DISPLAY, HE STUMBLES FORWARD; HE QUICKLY CRAWLS FORWAD AND OPENS A POD; HE IS SURPRISED THAT FRIEZA HAD ACTUALLY DAMAGED HIM SO MUCH>

<SWITCHES TO A DIFFERENT SCENE>

<THE BENEFACTOR’S POD CRASHES ONTO A PLANET; LAUTO’S PLANET; HE CRASHES INTO THE CAVE ITSELF; THE DOOR OPENS AND HE FALLS OUT, BARELY CONSCIOUS>

<HE LOOKS UP INTO THE DARKNESS; THERE IS A BIT OF LIGHT COMING FROM AHEAD; HE SEES A FIGURE STANDING; IT IS A LANKY, SCALED CREATURE; GREEN AND BLACK, WITH A TAIL; HIS MOTHER, AS SEEN IN THE OUTBREAK SPECIAL>

<THE BENEFACTOR FLIPS OVER AND LIES ON HIS BACK; HE LOOKS UP TO THE CEILING>

The Benefactor: What are you? <HE PUTS A CLAWED HAND ON HIS CHEST, BY HIS WOUND> You read memories. Read mine. <HE QUIVERS IN PAINED SILENCE WAITING FOR A RESPONSE> Do you know him?

Lauto: He has never set foot here.

<THE BENEFACTOR ROLLS OVER, AND SEES THE VISION HAS CHANGED TO LEDAS; THE LEDAS VISION WAS THE ONE WHO SAID THAT; THE BENEFACTOR LETS HIS HEAD FALL TO THE ROCKS>

The Benefactor: If you can save me, save me.

Lauto: Why should I?

The Benefactor: You see it. <THE BLACKNESS IS STILL EVAPORATING FROM HIM> Fix me before I die. Before I get a chance to give him all of it.

Lauto: Expecting nothing in return?

The Benefactor: <QUICKLY, BREATHLESS> Expecting nothing in return.

Lauto: Close your eyes.

<THE BENFECATOR DOES THIS AND THE SCENE ENDS>

<THE NEXT SCENE IS THE BENEFACTOR ON PC92, OR AT LEAST IT LOOKS LIKE IT; THIS IS AFTER LEDAS HAS LEFT AND ALSO AFTER GUVA AND BANAS HAVE LEFT FOR LAUTO’S CAVE>

Lauto: <UNSEEN, REMEMBRANCE> He came from the ranks of the army. I gave him all you could bestow, as requested. He resides on their 92nd outpost.

<THE BENEFACTOR WALKS SILENTLY THROUGH THE RUINED OUTPOST; IN A FAR CORNER HE SEES THE LAST BASTION OF GUVA’S SOLDIERS AND A GROUP OF NATIVES FIGHTING IT OUT IN A BLOODBATH ON THE COBBLED STREETS>

<THE GROUPS BOTH TURN TO FACE HIM AS HE DRAWS NEAR; SEVERAL OF EACH SIDE ATTEMPT TO ATTACK HIM, BUT HE SIMPLY WALKS PAST THEM; AS THEY TOUCH HIM THEY DISSOLVE INTO NOTHINGNESS>

<THE BENEFACTOR HOLDS HIS HANDS OUT, AS IF FEELING IN THE AIR FOR SOME KIND OF SCENT OR TRAIL, HE GOES OF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES DOING THIS>

<AT LONG LAST HE COMES TO GUVA’S HALF DESTROYED OFFICE BUILDING; HE STOPS SUDDENLY AND LOOKS UP>

<HE REACHES OUT HIS LEFT HAND WHILE STILL LOOKING UP AND PULLS AT SOMETHING; AFTER A MOMENT HIS POD COMES FLYING INTO VIEW; STILL LOOKING UP THE WHOLE TIME, HE CLIMBS IN IT AND SHOOTS OFF>

<THE NATIVES AND SOLDIERS STARE AT THIS BIZZARE DISPLAY FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS, BUT THEN GO BACK TO FIGHTING>

<THE CAMERA PANS BACK FROM THE OUTPOST; AFTER SEVERAL MOMENTS, A BLACK CLOUD ERUPTS AND AN EXPLOSION GOES OFF; THE ENTIRE HOST OF SOLDIERS AND NATIVES FALL DEAD>

<ABRUPTLY, THE CAMERA SWITCHES TO LAUTO’S CAVE; INSIDE IT IS THE BENEFACTOR, SITTING COMFORTABLY ON A ROCK>

<BELOW, GUVA AND BANAS ARE FIGHTING; HE IS SIMPLY WATCHING; HE TURNS HIS HEAD TO LOOK UP AT THE ROCK CEILING>

<HE HIMSELF DOES NOT TALK, BUT CURIOUSLY PEERS AT SEEMINGLY NOTHING>

<HE JUMPS OUT OF HIS TRANCE AS THE FIGHTING STOPS BELOW, AND HE HEARS THE VOICES OF BANAS AND GUVA SPEAKING; HE WATCHES IT ALL UNTIL GUVA KILLS BANAS>

<THEN AT GUVA’S SLUMPING UP AGAINST A WALL, THE BENEFACTOR OUTSTRETCHES HIS HANDS AND CLOSES HIS EYES; GUVA BELOW, SOMEHOW HEARS SOMETHING THAT SPOOKS HIM; EVEN IN PAIN, HE RIGHTS HIMSELF UP, IN A SLUMPED POSTURE, PEERING AROUND>

<THE BENEFACTOR INTENSIFIES HIS POWER OUTPUT, AND GUVA IS DISTURBED BY THIS; THE BENEFACTOR LOWERS HIS ARMS AND JUMPS OFF THE ROCK HE IS PERCHED ON; ONCE AGAIN HE LOWERS HIMSELF TO THE GROUND AND BRINGS THE DIRT INTO HIS HANDS, FEELING IT FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS BEFORE LETTING IT ALL SLIP AWAY>

<HE STANDS UP AGAIN, IN FULLEST OF POSTURE>

The Benefactor: <ECHOING IN THE CAVE; MOUTH WIDE, WITH TEETH OUT> Governor of 92.

Guva: <TIRED> Who… who are you?!

The Benefactor: Where is your Saiyan?

Guva: Long gone. To earth. I don’t know what happened to him. But-

The Benefactor: Take me there.

Guva: Take you?!

The Benefactor: Or I slit your throat.

<GUVA SUDDENLY CREATES AN IMAGE SLASH, AND SLASHES AT THE BLACKNESS AROUND HIM; IT LIGHTS UP A FIGURE FOR HIM TO SEE; THE BENEFACTOR CATCHES THE SWORD IN HIS HANDS AND SHATTERS IT EASILY; GUVA REALIZES THIS CREATURE IS FAR, FAR STRONGER THAN HE>

Guva: Why do you want him?

The Benefactor: You will lure him out, and gather his friends, if there are any of power.

Guva: W-why?

The Benefactor: They will not stop me. When they are gathered, I will take all of them out. Then I can get to him safely.

Guva: I have no choice. <HE STANDS UP, PAINFULLY> Follow my ship. I’ll take you to him.

<GUVA EXITS>

<THE BENEFACTOR STAYS>

<THE BENEFACTOR WALKS UP TO WHERE BANAS WAS KILLED AND RUNS HIS OUTSTRETCHED CLAWED FINGERS ON THE BURNT ROCK>

The Benefactor: <RAISES HIS HEAD> Did he tell you his name, when you met?

Lauto: Ledas is his name.

The Benefactor: You saved my life and gave him my power. <HE READIES THE SMALL CIRCULAR BLACK ENERGY BLAST HE HAS DONE SO MANY TIMES BEFORE; IT IS ONLY ABOUT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER> I know your identity, Kai. Fallen exile. I saw you as I slept, as I healed. You thought I hadn’t. <PAUSE> That secret dies with you.

Lauto: <BOOMS OUT FROM A DIM LIGHT ABOVE THE BENEFACTOR’S HEAD> Those who kill gods are marked for life. You will not last, as you are.

The Benefactor: How can it be a God if I may kill it?

<HE DROPS THE BLAST ONTO THE GROUND WITH A THICK AND HEAVY THUD, ECHOING THROUGHOUT THE CAVE; HE SLOWLY RAISES HIS HEAD AGAIN, AND WALKS OFF INTO THE DARKNESS, LEAVING LAUTO TO DIE ALONE>

<THE CAMERA COMES OUT OF THE FLASHBACK, BACK ONTO THE GRASSY TURF OF THE PRESENT TIME>

<THE BENEFACTOR IS STANDING OVER GUVA’S BODY, CHIAOTZU AND TIEN IN FRONT OF HIM, AND THE REST OF THE Z FIGHTERS, SANS THE DEFEATED YAMCHA IN THE CORNER, BEHIND THEM>

<THE BENEFACTOR’S NEW PRESENCE HAS EVEN DRAWN THE ATTENTION OF VEGETA AND LEDAS, WHO ARE BOTH STARING JUST AS FASCINATEDLY AS THE OTHERS>

The Benefactor: <TO HIMSELF, QUIETLY> Well, we’re all back. Who’s next?

<THE Z FIGHTERS DO NOT IMMEDIATELY ANSWER; BUT TIEN HOLDS HIMSELF EVER STEADFAST BEFORE THIS NEW FOE; HE LOCKS DOWN INTO A FIGHTING POSE WITHOUT A WORD; OBVIOUSLY STILL PISSED THAT HE DIDN’T GET TO KILL GUVA HIMSELF>

Machination Master
<WIDE ZOOM IN>

<KRILLIN JUMPS FORWARD FROM THE Z FIGHTERS GROUP; THE CAMERA BOTTOMS-UP WITH HIM AS HE GOES; HE LANDS BY YAMCHA’S CRUMPLED BODY; BY THIS TIME, YAMCHA IS ON HIS SIDE, FACING AWAY FROM KRILIN; HE IS NOT MOVING, YET HE IS STILL BLEEDING; HE IS COVERED IN BLOOD>

Krillin: <KNEELS DOWN TO YAMCHA> Hey, Yamcha! Yamcha? Hey, are you there, buddy? Yamcha?!

<YAMCHA DOES NOT ANSWER>

Krillin: <TURNS BACK TO THE OTHER Z FIGHTERS, GRIMLY> He’s hurt pretty bad, guys. Are you sure there aren’t any senzu beans for him?

Goku: <SHAKES HIS HEAD, CONCERNED; BUT FOR SOME ODD REASON HE IS STILL MOTIONLESS> Uh-uh. I don’t have any.

Krillin: <TURNS BACK TO YAMCHA, PICKS HIM UP> Then I’ll have to take him to Dende myself.

<KRILLIN FLIES UPWARD AND BEGINS TO TAKE OFF TO THE TOWN>

<AT THIS TIME, THE CAMERA MOVES BACK TO THE BENEFACTOR WHO HAS BEEN STANDING MOTIONLESS OVER GUVA’S BODY THIS WHOLE TIME; IN FRONT OF HIM ARE TIEN AND CHIAOTZU; BOTH IN FIGHTING POSE>

<TO HIS FAR LEFT ARE GOKU, VEGETA, AND LEDAS; LEDAS PARTICULARLY IS STARING AT THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR IS NOT LOOKING AT HIM>

<JUST AS KRILLIN STARTS TO LEAVE, THE BENEFACTOR LETS OUT HIS HAND, FINGERS SPREAD; STOPPING KRILLIN IN MIDAIR; WITH A SMALL PUSH OF HIS HAND, KRILLIN IS BATTED DOWNWARD BY SOME UNSEEN THING, AND YAMCHA IS THROWN AWAY>

<KRILLIN GETS UP AND RUNS AGAIN TO YAMCHA’S BODY, BUT HE IS STOPPED AND BROUGHT UP INTO THE AIR, ABOUT A FOOT>

<THE BENEFACTOR IS NOW FACING HIM, BOTH ARMS OUTSTRETCHED; HE HAS KRILLIN IN STASIS>

Krillin: <AGITATED> What are you doing? Can’t you see my friend over there is hurt!?!?! I need to get him help!

The Benefactor: <TO KRILLIN> No one is leaving here.

<THE BENEFACTOR MOVES HIS HAND SWIFTLY ABOUT, IN AN ARC; IT BLOWS KRILLIN BACK INTO ROCKS BEHIND HIM; HE IS COVERED IN RUBBLE; KRILLIN DOES NOT SURFACE; AS IS USUAL ALL THE Z FIGHTERS DO THAT THING WHERE THEY MOAN IN AWE FOR LIKE 10 MINUTES>

Piccolo: <TO THE BENEFACTOR> Are you insane?! What’s your problem? They weren’t fighting you!

The Benefactor: <DOES NOT TURN BACK TO PICCOLO> That one over there sealed his own. And we will leave him to it. <SHIFTS HIS CLOTHES> Who are you to play god?

Piccolo: <ANGRY GROWL> Who are you?

<THE BENEFACTOR TURNS BACK, BUT NOT TO ANYONE IN PARTICULAR; HE WALKS TO THE LEFT OF TIEN AND CHIAOTZU WHO TURN AS HE GOES, AND SETTLES TO BEING RIGHT IN FRONT LEDAS’ LINE OF SIGHT; HE LOOKS UP AT LEDAS>

<AS HE WALKS, HE PLACES HIS HANDS OUT IN FRONT OF HIM; HE BRINGS THEM UP OVER HIS HEAD AND CREATES A CIRCLE AROUND HIMSELF; SMALL PARTICLES OF ENERGY FORM AROUND HIM; HE VIOLENTLY PUSHES THEM AWAY, AND THEY GO EVERYWHERE, CAUSING THE AREA WHERE ALL THE Z FIGHTERS ARE TO BE FILLED WITH A LIGHT, DARK FOG>

The Benefactor: Yes. <IN EXHALE> I’m so fucking special.

<UP AHEAD, LEDAS’ EYES MEET WITH THE BENEFACTOR’S; OR AT LEAST THEY MAY HAVE, IT’S NOT LIKE THE BENEFACTOR’S EYES ARE EASY TO SEE BENEATH HIS HOOD>

Ledas: It’s him! He was on Frieza’s ship! You have to remember. He gave us our first mission. Vegeta?

<VEGETA WATCHES LEDAS AS HE TALKS; WHEN LEDAS FINISHES, HE CLOSES HIS EYES AGAIN>

<AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF THIS, WHERE THE AIR IS STILL AND EVERYONE (SANS OUR PROTAGONIST) IS WATCHING THE BENEFACTOR, LEDAS’ EYES DART UP AND NARROW; HE SUDDENLY LAUNCHES HIMSELF AT VEGETA>

<VEGETA IS STILL SITTING ON THE GRASS BEHIND IN BOREDOM, HIS ARM IS ON HIS KNEE; HE IS COMPLETELY UNPREPARED BY LEDAS’ SUDDEN ATTACK OF HIM>

<LEDAS BARRELS INTO HIM, AND THEY BOTH TUMBLE DOWN INTO THE GRASS, LEDAS PUNCHING, VEGETA IN A DAZE OF CONFUSION; HE IS ONLY BLOCKING>

<LEDAS LANDS ON TOP ON HIM, AND BATTERS VEGETA’S DEFENSE BACK AND BEGINS TO WAIL ON HIS FACE, PUNCHING AT HIM RELENTLESSLY>

<SEEING THIS, BEHIND, THE BENEFACTOR FALLS BACK, ONTO THE GRASS; HE LOOKS UP TO THE SKY AND PUTS HIS ARMS BEHIND HIS HEAD IN RELAXATION; HE CLOSES HIS EYES>

<CUTS TO RYORI, WHO IS WALKING DOWN THE SIDEWALK OF A STREET IN THE TOWN BY THE SEA; THE SUN IS HIGH IN THE AIR AND IS GLARING DOWN>

<HE WALKS FORWARD FOR SOME TIME, SEEMINGLY WITHOUT PURPOSE; BUT THEN IT BECOMES APPARENT THAT HE IS TAILING SOMEONE; SOMEONE IN A SUIT AND WITH WHITE HAIR>

<RYORI ANXIOUSLY GRABS AT THE PISTOL IN HIS COAT POCKET; HE HOLDS HIS RIGHT HAND ON IN, THOUGH HE IS TREMBLING>

<THE MAN UP AHEAD TURNS OFF INTO A SIDESTREET, WHICH IS DESERTED; RYORI MAKES HIS MOVE AND RUNS AFTER THE MAN, PISTOL OUT IN THE OPEN>

<THE MAN IS ABOUT 20 FEET UP AHEAD OF RYORI WHEN HE STOPS; RYORI STOPS AS WELL AND RAISES HIS GUN TO THE MAN’S FIGURE; HE STARTS BREATHING IRREGULARLY>

<SUDDENLY, THE MAN TURNS TO HIS LEFT, AND OPENS A DOOR, THE DOOR OPENS INWARDS AND HE BEGINS TO STEP IN; RYORI LOWERS HIS GUN, PEERING AT THE MAN; THE MAN TURNS TO RYORI BRIEFLY AND SMILES BEFORE ENTERING; CLEARLY THE MAN IS NOT CARDINAL, AND RYORI HAD SIMPLY MISTAKEN HIM FOR SOMEONE ELSE>

<RYORI SLUMPS HIS SHOULDERS AND LETS OUT A SIGH OF DEFEAT>

Ryori: No, it’s not him. Dang it.

<HE WALKS BACK OUT INTO THE SUN AND ACTIVITY; HE WALKS DOWN THE ROAD FOR A FEW BLOCKS WITH HIS HEAD DOWN>

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS AND VEGETA; THE Z FIGHTERS ARE NOW WATCHING THEM FIGHT, BUT NO ONE IS STEPPING IN JUST YET; GOKU SEEMS LIKE HE IS ABOUT TO THOUGH>

<LEDAS CONTINUES TO HIT AND PUNCH VEGETA’S FACE, WHO IS NOW PARRYING AND FIGHTING BACK; BUT CLEARY HE IS NOT POWERED UP, NOR WAS READY TO FIGHT; AND HIS STRENGTH IS, THEREFORE, MUCH LOWER THAN LEDAS’>

<LEDAS READIES A PLAYFUL GALICK, PERHAPS IN IRONY; HE RAISES BOTH HIS HANDS ABOVE HIS HEAD AND BEGINS TO FORM THE CYAN ENERGY BLAST; VEGETA LOWERS BACK HIS HEAD AND COUGHS UP BLOOD, NOT WILLING TO OFFER ANY MORE RESISTANCE>

<RIGHT BEFORE LEDAS LOWERS AND FIRES THE BLAST INTO VEGETA’S FACE, IN CLASSIC DBZ QUASI-DRAMA, GOKU JUMPS FORWARD TO STOP HIM>

Goku: Hey! Stop, you two! This is no time to be fighting!

<LEDAS LOOKS UP, KINDA LIKE A PERSON’S CAT WOULD UPON RIPPING APART SOME VALUABLE POSSESSION, LIKE AN “OH DID I DO THAT” KINDA THING>

Ledas: No, Vegeta, stop acting like this!

Goku: Look, if you two have something to settle, you can do it later… right now we gotta deal with this guy… Come on, we have to focus on this!

<HE GESTURES TO THE BENEFACTOR LYING ON THE GROUND IN EVER SO SWEET REPOSE>

Ledas: I don’t want to fight him. You can do it.

<HE GETS UP AND WALKS BEHIND VEGETA, SKIDDISHLY HIDING FROM THAT ALIEN IN FRONT OF HIM>

<THE BENEFACTOR LIFTS HIS HEAD, IN MOCKING DAZE HIMSELF AND LOOKS OVER TO LEDAS>

The Benefactor: Oh, you ready? I’ve been waiting for this. <HE STANDS UP>

Ledas: <SOMEWHAT SCARED, BUT DETERMINED> You’re not getting near me…

Tien: <IN A SHOUT> No!!

<ALL TURN NOW TO HIM; HE IS STANDING, SOLEMNLY TO THE BENEFACTOR’S RIGHT; HE IS IN BATTLE POSE HIMSELF, AND CHIAOTZU IS STILL BESIDE HIM>

Tien: You’re fighting me.

The Benefactor: I am?

Tien: Let’s go!

<TIEN AND CHIAOTZU RUSH THE BENEFACTOR; LEDAS HOLDS HIS POSITION, CAUTIOUSLY HOLDING HIMSELF IN PLACE>

<TIEN AND CHIATZU BEGIN TO ATTACK THE BENEFACTOR WITH A TON OF ENERGY; HE SIMPLY DODGES THEM>

<CUTS BACK TO RYORI>

<HE WALKS DOWN THE ROAD UNTIL HE COMES TO AN INTERSECTION; HE STOPS AND LOOKS UP, AROUND AT ALL THE STORES ON EACH SIDE OF HIM>

<HE AT LAST NOTICES A SMALL SHOP, RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM; HIS EYES WIDEN IN SHOCK AS HE SEES THE SYMBOL ON THE DOOR; IT IS THE SAME SYMBOL ON THE PATCH OF CLOTHING THAT HE HAS IN HIS HAND>

<RYORI LOOKS DOWN AT THE PIECE OF THE TATTERED INSIGNIA THAT HE IS HOLDING; HE IS SURE THAT THE TWO ARE THE SAME; HE TAKES A DEEP BREATH IN AND WALKS TO THE DOOR AND INSIDE>

<INSIDE IS A SMALL, WELL LIT ROOM; THE WALLS ARE WHITE AND THE GROUND IS TILED; THERE IS WOOD AND CARPETTING ON THE FURNITURE ABOUT; HOWEVER, THE RECEPTION DESK IS EMPTY; RYORI CAUTIOUSLY MOVES IN CLOSER, AND PUTS IS RIGHT HAND ON HIS CONCEALED WEAPON, AGAIN>

<OUT OF A SIDE DOOR, COME OUT TWO PEOPLE; THE FIRST, A WOMAN IS SLIGHTLY FLUSTERED; THE OTHER, A MAN OF HIGH STATURE AND ELEGANTLY DRESSED, WITH SLICKED BACK WHITE HAIR FOLLOWS HER; HE LOOKS TIRED, AND HIS CLOTHES ARE DAY-WORN>

<THE MAN NOTICES RYORI, IN MID SENTENCE; HE STOPS WALKING AND PEERS CURIOUSLY AT RYORI>

Cardinal: Marissa darling, cancel my lunch. I think I’ll be eating out today. And be sure to call me when the UN gets back on my inquiry.

<HE SMILES WARMLY TO HER AND THEN WALKS INTO THE WAITING ROOM, TO MEET RYORI; HE WALKS RIGHT UP TO RYORI, MERE INCHES AWAY FROM THE LITTLE KID>

Cardinal: <PLEASANTLY> May I help you?

Visionary
<TIEN SCREAMS AND LAUNCHES HIMSELF AT THE BENEFACTOR, WHO PLAYFULLY AND COYLY LEAPS BACKWARDS, ARMS FOLDED; CHIAOTZU ALSO LUNGES FORWARD AND BEGINS TO ATTACK AT THE BENEFACTOR>

Tien: <IN HIS MIND; AS HE IS FIGHTING> Chiaotzu?! What’s he doing attacking this thing?! He’ll get himself killed!

<THE THREE CONTINUE FIGHTING; THE BENEFACTOR IS NOT REALLY DOING ANYTHING BESIDES LAZILY DODGING AROUND>

<AFTER A FEW MOMENTS; THE BENEFACTOR DODGES LEFT AND SENDS OUT AN INVISIBLE PULSE INTO CHIAOTZU’S FACE; IT HITS THE LITTLE CLOWN THING FULL ON AND KNOCKS HIM BACK, BLEEDING AS HE GOES, INTO THE GRASS BEYOND>

<CHIAOTZU IS DONE>

<THE BENEFACTOR LANDS, AND TIEN DOES AS WELL>

<TIEN BEGINS TO RUN FORWARD TO CHECK ON CHIAOTZU’S BODY, BUT THE BENEFATOR USES HIS TELEKINESIS TO PICK UP CHIAOTZU FIRST AND THROW HIM INTO THE PILE OF RUBBLE WHERE YAMCHA AND KRILLIN LAY; HE THROWS HIS ARM BEHIND HIM WHEN HE DOES THIS, BUT DOES NOT MOVE HIS FIGURE WHILE DOING SO>

<TIEN BEGINS TO OPEN HIS MOUTH, BUT THE BENEFACTOR STOPS HIM; CLEARLY, LIKE ALL OF US, HE’S TIRED OF THIS PANIC OVER CHIAOTZU>

The Benefactor: He will be fine, I do promise. Just as you will.

<TIEN HUNCHES DOWN, AND POWERS UP TO HIS MAXIMUM, HE BEGINS TO MOVE TOWARD THE BENEFACTOR WITH HIS FULLEST OF STRENGTH>

The Benefactor: <SPREADS OUT HIS ARMS> One, two, three. Look at me.

<HE LEAPS BACK AGAIN AND TIEN JUMPS FORWARD; TIEN IS TRYING HIS HARDEST, BUT THE BENEFACTOR IS BARELY TRYING, AND HAVING FUN AT IT TOO>

<TIEN CONTINUES TO PUNCH AND KICK AND THROW ENERGY BLASTS AROUND, BUT NONE HIT>

<BEHIND THEM, LEDAS STUMBLES BACK INTO THE GROUP; VEGETA IS LAYING ON THE GROUND, DRIED BLOOD RUNNING DOWN HIS FACE AND NECK; HE HAS BRUISES AND CUTS ALL OVER HIS FACE, BUT STILL HE WON’T LOOK AT LEDAS>

<LEDAS LOOKS OVER AT HIM, BUT DOES NOT PURSUE ANY INTERVENTION>

<HE INSTEAD WALKS BACK OVER TO GOKU; AND CROUCHES DOWN ONTO THE GRASS>

Goku: <TO LEDAS> So… who are you exactly? What’s your name?

Ledas: <MATTER OF FACT, AS ALWAYS IN THESE SITUATIONS> I’m Ledas.

Goku: <BECAUSE HE ALREADY KNEW THIS FROM CHAPTER 6> I didn’t think there were any other Saiyans out there…

Ledas: <LOOKS UP AT HIM> But you’re a Saiyan. <PAUSE> Besides, how did you get here with Vegeta?

Goku: <LAUGHS, SCRATCHES AT THE BACK OF HIS HEAD> Oh, I uh… hehe… I’ve been here my whole life.

Ledas: <LAUGHING TOO, CURIOUSLY> But how did Vegeta get here?

Goku: Vegeta’s been here a while too, ever since Frieza…

Ledas: <BATED> Frieza?!?! You guys know Frieza?!

<CUTS BACK TO TIEN AND THE BENEFACTOR’S FIGHT; IT IS GOING MUCH THE SAME, BUT TIEN IS TIRING>

The Benefactor: <DODGING BLOWS> Can’t you see me? I would think with your special advantage… <HE LAUGHS; A RARE SIGN FROM HIM; IT SOUNDS VERY WEIRD, HOLLOW ALMOST EMPTY>

<THE BENEFACTOR DODGES MORE BLOWS; AND TIEN JUMPS BACK, EVEN MORE TIRED NOW; HE SHOOTS OFF A ONE HANDED DODON CLUSTER BEFORE FALLING TO ONE KNEE, PANTING AND DRIPPING WITH SWEAT; OBVIOUSLY, THE BENEFACTOR IS NOT HARMED BY HIS BLAST>

The Benefactor: Oh Mr. Cyclops, why have you stopped?

<TIEN DOES NOT MOVE, AND CONTINUES PANTING HEAVILY>

<THE BENEFACTOR OPENS HIS MOUTH AGAIN TO TALK, BUT TIEN SUDDENLY UPRIGHTS HIMSELF, AND LETS OFF A YELL, WITH HIS NEO TRI BEAM; HE SHOOTS OFF A PRELIMINARY BLAST>

<THE BENEFACTOR GOES TO BLOCK AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME IT ACTUALLY TEARS INTO HIM, AND PUSHES HIM BACK>

<TIEN SENDS OFF CONTINUES BLASTS OF THIS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, BUT IT DOES NOT LAST; THE BENEFACTOR REGAINS HIMSELF, AND READIES HIS OWN BLAST, AND UNDERHANDED SPIKE OF ENERGY; HE BRINGS IT UP OVER HIS HEAD AND THROWS IT INTO TIEN>

<THE STRIKE HITS TIEN, LIKE A SPEAR AND GOES THROUGH HIS UPPER CHEST CAVITY; THE BLAST DOES NOT DISSOLVE, BUT STAYS STUCK IN HIM; BLOOD SUDDENLY BURSTS AND RUNS OUT AROUND THE WOUND; TO THIS, TIEN SEEMS TO TAKE NO NOTICE>

<THE TWO LEAP AGAIN AT EACH OTHER AND THE BENEFACTOR DODGES AROUND BEHIND TIEN, UNDER HIM AND TO HIS BACK; HE HITS TIEN WITH A BACKHAND ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD>

<THE BENEFACTOR THEN FOLLOWS IT UP WITH A TELEPORTATION TO TIEN’S FRONTSIDE, WITH A KNEE TO HIS CHEST>

<AT THIS POINT, THE TWO GET LOST IN THE FOG ABOVE THEM; THE FOG IS GETTING MUCH THICKER NOW, AND PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO REALIZE IT>

<HE THEN CLUBS DOWN ON TIEN’S BOWED HEAD, AND HITS HIM INTO THE DIRT>

<TIEN IS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND UNABLE TO FIGHT AT THIS; HE IS DONE>

<THE BENEFACTOR DESCENDS BACK TO THE GROUND, UNTOUCHED AND UNHARMED; HE FACES THE Z FIGHTERS ONCE AGAIN>

<HE LOOKS UP AT THEM WITH A SORT OF EVIL CURIOSITY; BUT NONE MOVE YET>

<AT GREAT LAST, THE BENEFACTOR POINTS TO LEDAS, WHO IS STILL TALKING TO GOKU BEHIND>

Ledas: Whoa… and you can wish people back? I didn’t know that Vegeta actually died! <HE LOOKS OVER AT MR. GRUMPERS SPRAWLED ACROSS THE GROUND; HE SEES THAT VEGETA IS STILL NOT MOVING, IN HIS ANGER; INDEED HE‘S PRETENDING TO SLEEP>

<LEDAS LOOKS BACK, BUT HE SEES THAT EVERYONE HAS GONE QUIET AND IS LOOKING AT HIM; THERE IS A FIELD OF VISION RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM THAT GIVES OFF THE BENEFACTOR, WHO IS HOLDING A SINGLE FINGER OUTSTRETCHED TO FACE HIM; HE SUDDENLY TURNS TO PANIC>

The Benefactor: <QUIETLY, BUT IT CARRIES TO ALL OF THE Z FIGHTERS> You and me. Now.

Ledas: <GETS UP, AND STUTTERS BACK, BEHIND GOKU; HIDING ALMOST> No! I don’t want to fight you! <TO GOKU> Don’t make me fight him! I don’t want to do it!

Gohan: <TO THE BENEFACTOR> What’s your problem? Can’t you just leave us alone?

The Benefactor: None of you have any meaning to me. That one <STILL WITH FINGER RAISED> is my only prey. Whom I hunted long… and far…

Gohan: You’ve hurt our friends… <GESTURES TO TIEN, YAMCHA, KRILLIN, AND CHIAOTZU WHO ARE ALL LAYING UNCONSCIOUS; OUT OF THEM, YAMCHA IS THE ONLY SERIOUSLY INJURED> We won’t let you just get away with that!

<THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT ANSWER TO THAT, BUT MOVES FORWARD TO FACE LEDAS; LEDAS STILL STANDS BEHIND GOKU, CHILDISHLY NOT WANTING TO FACE THE BENEFACTOR AGAIN EVEN THOUGH HE HAD WILLINGLY DONE SO IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER>

<BUT INTO THE BENEFACTOR’S WAY, MOVES GOHAN NOW; HE TAKES HIS BUSINESS SUIT OFF, THROWING BACK, SO THAT HE HAS ONLY A WHITE UNDERSHIRT ON>

Gohan: I said you weren’t going anywhere, creep. I’ll fight you if I have to.

The Benefactor: Try it.

<HE QUICKLY GOES SUPER SAIYAN 2; BUT SINCE HE HAS HAD HIS POWER UNLOCKED BY ELDER KAI (ULTIMATE GOHAN), HIS HAIR DOES NOT CHANGE COLOR; STILL HE IS AT HIS MAXIMUM POWER>

<HOWEVER, WITHIN SECONDS, GOHAN FALLS TO ONE KNEE, BREATHING HARD>

<THE FOG IS NOW CLEARLY ENVELOPING>

Gohan: What’s happening? I’m out of energy…

The Benefactor: Get your friends to help.

<THE BENEFACTOR CONTINUES WALKING TO LEDAS>

<THE OTHERS TRY TO POWER UP, EXCEPT FOR VEGETA; PICCOLO POWERS UP, AS WELL AS GOTEN AND TRUNKS; THE THREE OF THEM FLANK GOHAN; HOWEVER, JUST LIKE WHEN HE TRIED TO POWER UP, THEY CANNOT MANAGE TO DO IT; GOTEN AND TRUNKS BOTH FALL TO THE GROUND FROM TRYING TO DO IT; THEY APPEAR EXHAUSTED>

Piccolo: What’s going on? Goku, something’s wrong.

The Benefactor: <HE WALKS PAST THOSE THREE TO GOKU> Are you going to fight me?

Goku: If I have to.

<THE BENEFACTOR PUNCHES GOKU; GOKU BLOCKS IT AND STEPS BACK; GOKU HAS SETTLED DOWN INTO BEING FOCUSED; HE SAW THAT, PERPLEXINGLY, HIS SONS AND PICCOLO WERE UNABLE TO POWER UP; HE POWERS STRAIGHT TO SUPER SAIYAN THREE, BIPASSING THE FIRST TWO TRANSFORMATIONS; HIS AURA COMES UP BRIGHTLY AND PUSHES BACK THE BENEFACTOR; THE FOG IS DISINTIGRATED AROUND HIM; HE FACES THE BENEFACTOR, ALL SERIOUS-LIKE>

Goku: <IN THAT DEEP SS3 VOICE> So, how do you like this

<THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT ANSWER; HE SLINKS UP TO GOKU AND PUNCHES; GOKU BLOCKS; GOKU’S POWER DOESN’T SEEM TO HAVE BEEN DRAINED, LIKE THE OTHERS’ HAD BEEN; HE KICKS THE BENEFACTOR TWICE, FLIPPING AROUND ON THE SECOND ONE; HE FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH A BARRAGE OF PUNCHES TO THE BENEFACTOR’S FACE>

<THE BENEFACTOR ATTEMPTS A COUNTER, BUT GOKU CATCHES HIS HAND; HE SNAPS IT BACK, FLIPPING THE ALIEN OVER; GOKU ELBOWS THE ALIEN IN THE RIBS AND THEN THROWS HIM ONTO THE GROUND; HE FOLLOWS THIS UP WITH AN ATTEMPTED KAMEHAMEHA; HOWEVER, WHEN HE TRIES THIS, IT DOESN’T WORK; THE BLUE BEAM FLICKERS FOR A SECOND, BEFORE EXTINGUISHING; GOKU FALLS TO HIS KNEES, ONE HAND ON HIS SHOULDER>

<HE LOOKS UP AT THE BENEFACTOR AND REGRESSES BACK TO HIS NORMAL STATE>

Goku: What is all this?

The Benefactor: My plan, now complete. <HE POINTS HIS HAND, PALM OUT, TO GOHAN AND THE OTHERS; HE SHOOTS A BEAM TO EACH OF THEM, CAUSING THEM TO FALL TO THE GROUND> This fog around you, it is my creation. As you sat and watched us fight, it drained each of your powers. And now that you are feeble enough, I can eliminate you. Leaving just the boy for me.

<LEDAS WATCHES THIS; HE SEES THE BENEFACTOR’S PLAN, AND REALIZES THAT THESE FRIENDS OF VEGETA’S WILL BE NO HELP TO HIM; HE GRABS VEGETA BY THE HAIR; BEFORE VEGETA CAN PROTEST OR GET AWAY; LEDAS RUNS OUT, NOT POWERING UP UNTIL HE IS OUT OF THE FOG>

<ONCE HE IS OUT OF THE FOG, HE TAKES TO THE AIR>

<THE BENEFACTOR PUTS A BEAM TO GOKU’S FACE AND SHOOTS IT; GOKU FALLS TO THE GROUND, UNMOVING, AND HENCEFORTH UNHELPFUL AGAINST THIS NEW THREAT>

Make Me (season finale part 1)
<WIDE BACK DROP OF THE MOUNTAINSIDE; IT PANS DOWN ONTO THE GRASS>

<FOR REFERENCE, THOSE DEFEATED, EITHER BY GUVA OR THE BENEFACTOR’S AFFLICTION ATTACK ARE: GOKU, GOHAN, GOTEN, TRUNKS, PICCOLO, YAMCHA, TIEN, AND CHIAOTZU (THOUGH NONE ARE DEAD); THOSE WHO ARE STILL ABLE BODIED ARE: VEGETA, KRILLIN, AND ANDROID 18; GUVA IS DEAD; LEDAS AND THE BENEFACTOR ARE ALSO PRESENT>

<THE Z FIGHTERS ARE ALL ASLEEP, LYING DOWN; THE FOG IS STILL AROUND>

<ANDROID 18 HAD, IN THIS TIME, HIDDEN BEHIND THE RUBBLE; SHE OBVIOUSLY WANTED NO PART IN THIS FIGHT, AND SEEING EVERYONE ELSE BEING SO EASILY BEATEN, SHE NEEDED TO RETREAT; SHE IS BEHIND THE RUBBLE OF THE MOUNTAIN>

<AT AROUND THIS TIME, KRILLIN FINALLY JUMPS UP FROM THE RUBBLE AND STUMBLES INTO VIEW>

Krillin: <IN A SLIGHTLY BROKEN VOICE, AND WITH A STUMBLES> Hey… guys… I’m… I’m all right!

Android 18: Oh great. <SHE IS EMBARRASSED; IN A WHISPER> Get down here, Krillin!

Krillin: Huh?

<18 LOOKS OVER TO HIM, BUT DOES NOT MOVE; THE BENEFACTOR HEIGHTENS HIS SHOULDERS, PERCEIVING KRILLIN; HE SHOOTS A KI BLAST AT KRILLIN, HITTING HIM; KRILLIN GOES FLYING BACK, ACROSS THE GROUND, OUT OF THE FOG>

<THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT SPEAK, INSTEAD HE DROPS TO ONE KNEE AND PULLS BACK THE ROBES OF HIS LEFT HAND WITH HIS RIGHT; HE EXTENDS OUT HIS ARM, WHICH IS A DARK VIRIDIAN AND HEAVILY SCARRED; HE PUTS IT DOWN TO THE GROUND, FINGERS APART AND POUNDS HIS KNUCKLES INTO THE GROUND; SENDING OFF A BACKLASH OF AIR; THE FOG DISSIPATES; EVERYONE REMAINS IN THEIR EXISTING STATES>

<THE CAMERA SHOOTS UP OVER HIS SHOULDER TO SHOW OFF THE BENEFACTOR AS HE TAKES TO THE AIR AND FLIES AWAY; WHEN HE LEAVES, 18 GETS UP AND CAUTIOUSLY APPROACHES HER UNMOVING HUSBAND; AS SHE GETS CLOSER, A BLAST, A LONG STRANDED BEAM COMES SHOOTING DOWN AT HER; IT HITS HER, SENDING HER INTO A CRATER>

<CUTS TO RYORI AND CARDINAL; BOTH ARE IN TOWN, SITTING OUTSIDE AT A CAFÉ; THEY ARE IN THE SUN, AND THEIR TABLE HAS AN UMBRELLA; BOTH ARE SIPPING ON DRINKS; CARDINAL TO SOME ALCHOHOLIC BEVERAGE, AND RYORI TO WATER; BOTH ALSO HAVE PLATES OF FOOD BEFORE THEM, BUT NEITHER HAS TOUCHED THE FOOD>

Cardinal: Unfortunate, yes. I did not think they would fail. Dewberry, perhaps, but not Kindler. No, not him…

Ryori: <HEAD BOWED, SWAYING; MUMBLING> Where’s my brother?!

Cardinal: Mr. Shoekki?

Ryori: <GROWLING> You know his name! Tell me!

Cardinal: <NOT A QUESTION> You want me to take you to him.

Ryori: <TAKES THE GUN OUT OF HIS JACKET, WITH MUCH GUSTO; HE POINTS IT AT CARDINAL’S FACE> Yeah! And we’re going now!

Cardinal: <STRANGELY UNSURPRISED AT THIS GUN> Can you not let an old man finish his meal? Is that too much to ask for but a common courtesy?

Ryori: <FORCEFULLY> Now!!

<HIS WHISPER PICKS UP A BIT, BUT STILL NONE OF THE OTHER DINERS NOTICE WHAT IS GOING ON>

Cardinal: <SIGHS AND GETS UP, DROPPING HIS FORK ONTO THE PLATE> Very well, young master. I will <PAUSE> take you to your brother. <TO HIMSELF, AND QUIETLY> By thy means, deprived.

<CUTS TO VEGETA AND LEDAS; THEY ARE IN A FOREST EMBANKMENT ON THE EDGE OF THE TOWN, NEAR THE OCEAN; VEGETA IS STANDING UP NOW>

Vegeta: <PEERING AROUND A TREE> Kakarot’s power just disappeared.

Ledas: <BEHIND HIM> I told you, Vegeta! It’s him. He was on Frieza’s ship. He’s coming to kill us.

Vegeta: You aren’t real.

Ledas: <EXACERBATED> Vegeta! Look at me. It’s Ledas.

Vegeta: <TURNS AROUND> No, fool. You’re a vision.

<LEDAS SHOOTS VEGETA WITH A SMALL KI BLAST INTO THE FACE>

Ledas: Then why can I hurt you?

Vegeta: <HEAD PULLED BACK> Grr… it’s a trick.

<LEDAS POWERS UP TO FULL POWERED SUPER SAIYAN, HIS MAXIMUM POWER>

Ledas: Nuh uh, look what I can do!

<VEGETA LOOKS AT HIM; AS HE IS DOING IT, A THUD SOUNDS BEHIND VEGETA>

<IT IS THE BENEFACTOR>

The Benefactor: Prince of all Saiyans.

Vegeta: <SPINS AROUND> Get away from me.

The Benefactor: Get away from him.

<CUE STRENGTH OF A THOUSAND MEN>

<THE BENEFACTOR POINTS TO LEDAS, VEGETA SEES THIS>

<VEGETA STEPS BACK, HE LETS THE BENEFACTOR WALK FORWARD TO SUPER SAIYAN LEDAS>

Ledas: Vegeta, don’t!

The Benefactor: Quiet.

<VEGETA WATCHES AS THE BENEFACTOR APPROACHES LEDAS>

Ledas: You’re not killing me. I’ve spent too much time trying to find Vegeta for that.

The Benefactor: You come with me and will not speak another word about it.

<THE BENEFACTOR STEPS FORWARD AND REACHES FOR LEDAS; LEDAS DODGES HIM; HE TAKES TO THE TREES; THE BENEFACTOR ATTEMPTS TO PURSUE, WHEN VEGETA STEPS IN; HE, HIMSELF, IS IN HIS MOST POWERFUL SUPER SAIYAN 2 STATE>

Vegeta: Where do you think you’re going?

<VEGETA NOW REALIZES THAT LEDAS HAS TO BE REAL, IF THIS CREATURE IS AFTER HIM; HE IS NOT ABOUT TO LET THE ALIEN TAKE LEDAS>

<THE BENEFACTOR ATTEMPTS TO ELBOW VEGETA, BUT VEGETA CATCHES HIM, AND TWISTS IT; THE TWO ERRUPT INTO A BLOW EXCHANGE; AS NEITHER SIDE YIELDS, THE BENEFACTOR TAKES HIS KNIFE, WITH HIS OTHER HAND, AND SPINS THE OTHER WAY, AND CUTS VEGETA ACROSS THE FACE WITH IT; VEGETA LETS GO OF THE ALIEN>

<THE BENEFACTOR RUSHES LEDAS; LEDAS FLIES THROUGH THE TREES AS BEST HE CAN, BUT THE BENEFACTOR CATCHES UP TO HIM EASILY>

<HE ATTEMPTS TO STOP LEDAS BY SHOOTING SEVERAL EXPLODING WAVES AT THE BOY; LEDAS DODGES THEM, DUCKING UNDER SPLINTERING WOOD AND VAST FOLIAGE; HE COMES TO A CLEARING OVER THE OCEAN>

<LEDAS TURNS AROUND AND SHOOTS A KYORRA FLASH; THE ALIEN PURSUER BLOCKS IT, BUT IT IS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO DAMAGE AND SLOW HIM>

<LEDAS STANDS THERE WAITING TO SEE IF HIS ATTACK DID DAMAGE, WHEN THE BENEFACTOR LUNGES OUT OF THE SMOKE, HIS CLAWED HANDS OUTSTRETCHED IN AN ATTEMPT TO GRAB THE BOY>

<FROM ABOVE COMES VEGETA; HE KICKS DOWN, AND SEND THE BENEFACTOR INTO THE WATERS BELOW; HE GRITS HIS TEETH, CREATING A FINAL FLASH; HE SENDS IT DOWN AFTER THE BENEFACTOR; LEDAS HELPS WITH HIS OWN ENERGY>

Ledas: <BREATHING, SHOULDERS FORWARD> Thanks.

<VEGETA DOESN’T LOOK AT HIM>

<THE BENEFACTOR SUDDENLY APPEARS BEHIND VEGETA; HE WRAPS HIS ARMS AROUND THE PRINCE AND BRANDISHES HIS KNIFE; VEGETA IS CAUGHT OFF GUARD; HE BARELY HOLDS THE ALIEN’S HAND FROM PUSHING THE KNIFE INTO HIS CHEST; AS THE TWO STRUGGLE, LEDAS AIR DASHES OVER AND DOUBLE KICKS THE BENEFACTOR IN THE FACE; HE LETS GO OF VEGETA>

The Benefactor: Come with me.

Ledas: Make me!

<HE LAUNCHES AN ICE CANNON INTO THE ALIEN; IT DAMAGES HIM, BUT NOT SEVERELY>

<END OF STRENGTH OF A THOUSAND MEN>

Ledas: <TO VEGETA> We’re strong enough to kill him together.

Vegeta: Add your attack to mine.

<VEGETA DROPS INTO POSITION, YELLS ‘BIG BANG ATTACK’, AND STARTS FORMING THE YELLOW ENERGY; LEDAS FALLS TO THE SHORELINE TOO AND READIES A KYORRA FLASH OF ALL HIS ENERGY>

<THE BENEFACTOR IS BEFORE THEM; HE STANDS, HIS ARMS FOLDED, IN A TALL STATURE>

<CUE SOLITUDE>

<JUST BEFORE HE AND VEGETA WERE TO RELEASE THEIR BLASTS, LEDAS SEES THE BENEFACTOR SPLIT; THE IMAGES OF THE ALIEN SPLIT INTO SIX SEPARATE ENTITIES; LEDAS PAUSES>

<HIS VISION GOES RED AND HE FALLS ONTO ALL FOURS; HIS KYORRA FLASH DISSIPATES; HE SEES THE BENEFACTOR ALL AROUND HIM, CONSUMING ALL SIGHT; LEDAS SHAKES HIS HEAD TO GET RID OF THE IMAGE, BUT THIS IS NO IMAGE; HIS EYESIGHT STILL RED, HE SEES THE FIGURES APPROACH HIM; THE UNCONTROLLABLE FEAR HE HAD FIRST FELT AROUND THE BENEFACTOR IS AROUND HIM NOW, AND HE CAN NOT SO MUCH AS LIFT AN ARM TO DEFEND HIMSELF>

<UP AHEAD, HE SEES VEGETA; ONE IMAGE OF THE BENEFACTOR BREAKS FROM THE REST AND RUSHES TO VEGETA; VEGETA HAD TURNED HIS HEAD AND WAS STARING AT HIS OLD FRIEND WHEN LEDAS FELL, AND ONLY NOW LOOKS BACK; THE BENEFACTOR GRABS THE PRINCE’S SHOULDERS WITH ONE HAND, AND WITH THE OTHER TAKES HIS KNIFE AND STABS VEGETA, UNDER HIS LOWER JAW, UP INTO HIS MOUTH>

<LEDAS SCREAMS, BUT HE CANNOT HEAR HIS OWN VOICE; VEGETA STAGGERS BACK, DROPPING HIS BLAST INTO THE WATER, AND CREATING A HUGE EXPLOSION FROM IT>

<THE BENEFACTOR TWISTS HIS KNIFE, RAMMING IT WELL ENOUGH; BLOOD POURS OUT; HE PULLS THE KNIFE OUT OF VEGETA AND LETS THE SAIYAN FALL; HE TURNS AND RUNS TO LEDAS, THE SMALL BOY, HELPLESS ON THE GROUND, NOW WITHOUT HIS GREATEST FRIEND TO STOP THIS MONSTER>

<END OF SOLITUDE>

At The River's Gorge (season finale part 2)
Krillin: 18! <HE RUSHES OVER TO HER> S-she’s breathing, that’s good. <HE LOOKS UP> Goku? Gohan? Piccolo? W-what happened to you guys?! <HE RUNS UP TO THEM, ONLY TO FIND THEM IN THE SAME STATE AS 18> Senzu beans… I have to get everyone senzu beans. Wait, Goku said there weren’t any. <A MILLION IDEAS FLY THROUGH HIS EYES> Dende! I’ll go get Dende. <HE RUNS BACK TO 18, KNEELING DOWN TO HER> Stay right here, 18. I’m going to get help. I’ll be right back, I promise. D-don’t worry about anything.

<WITH THAT, KRILLIN TAKES OFF TO THE LOOKOUT>

<CAMERA TURNS TO KORIN’S TOWER; IT IS ALMOST SUNSET>

Korin: Hey! Princess! Wake up!

Yajirobe: <SLEEPING AWAY FROM KORIN; MUMBLES SOMETHING INCOHERENT> I was sleeping, you stupid cat!

Korin: <IGNORING; HE THROWS A SMALL POUCH AT YAJIROBE, MUCH LIKE THE ONE HE THREW TO LEDAS IN THE PREVIOUS SAGA> Take these senzu beans to Goku. They just sprouted a few minutes ago. His friends should probably need a couple of them by now.

Yajirobe: <GRUMPILY BRUSHES IT AWAY> No way man. Do it yourself!

<KORIN LUNGES TO YAJIROBE AND HITS HIM WITH HIS STICK, ACROSS THE HEAD>

Yajirobe: Ow!! What was that for?!?!

Korin: <QUICKLY> Don’t be disrespectful.

<ROLLS BACK OVER, TRYING TO GO BACK TO SLEEP>

Yajirobe: Hey, if Goku wants to get himself killed that’s his problem. It’s not my fault he gets all hurt every time he fights. I mean, come on. He’s the greatest fighter in the universe. He shouldn’t get any help. I’m not saving him!

<WITH THAT, YAJIROBE CLOSES HIS EYES AND TRIES TO SLEEP>

Korin: <KIND OF A LONG PAUSE BEFORE HE SPEAKS> That’s nice.

Yajirobe: <OPENS ONE YES; IN RAGE HE THROWS HIS PILLOW AT KORIN, WHO LOFTILY JUMPS OVER IT> Shut up!

Korin: <WITH AN AIR OF CONTEMPT; SUBTLE IRONY> Well if you aren’t gonna give them the beans, you may as well go help them fight.

Yajirobe: <SITS UP> Whatever. I could beat up any of those guys Goku fights. <CROSSES HIS ARMS, TURNS HIS HEAD LEFT, AND AWAY FROM KORIN> I just choose not to.

Korin: <NOW WITH MORE CONTEMPT!> You must be big and strong from all that hard training of yours, right?

Yajirobe: Bah!

<YAJIROBE GETS UP, SCRATCHING HIS HEAD, STILL TIRED; HE WALKS TO THEIR REFRIGERATOR AND OPENS THE DOOR, PEEKING IN>

Yajirobe: <SUDDENLY, WITH ENERGY> Where’s all my food?!

Korin: <JUMPS BACK UP ON THE RAILING OF THE TOWER; HE IS FACING YAJIROBE> Hehehehehehe.

Yajirobe: <IN A GROWL> You stupid cat! You ate all my food! <THROWS SOMETHING> You don’t even have to eat!

Korin: <PLAINLY, BUT WITH SOME SUBTLE IRONY> Get yourself some food after you give Goku those senzu beans. <IN SARCASM> The faster you go, the faster you can fill your belly!

<YAJIROBE MUMBLES AGAIN, IN A CHORUS OF “STUPID CATS” AND OTHER UNMENTIONABLE THINGS; HE PICKS UP THE POUCH OF SENZU BEANS AND TAKES OUT A CAPSULE; HE THROWS IT AND IT FORMS INTO A CAR>

<TO CLARIFY, THIS CAR IS BLUE, AND IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE THAT LEDAS DESTROYED THE SAGA BEFORE; INDEED, YAJIROBE (OR KORIN, DEPENDING ON HOW YOU SEE IT) DOES HAVE SEVERAL CARS; SHOCKER, I KNOW>

<AT THIS TIME, KORIN MOVES SUPER FAST AND THROWS SOMETHING INTO THE CAR; THE CAMERA IS NOT FAST ENOUGH TO SEE WHAT IT IS, AND YAJIROBE ISN’T AWAKE ENOUGH TO NOTICE IT>

<KORIN RETURNS TO HIS PERCH AS IF NOTHING HAS HAPPENED, HOWEVER NOW HE HAS A VAST GRIN ON HIS FACE>

<YAJIROBE JUMPS INTO IT AND SPEEDS AWAY>

<CAMERA CUTS TO CARDINAL AND RYORI; BOTH ARE WALKING DOWN A DIRT PATH, WITH A VAST EXPANSE OF TREES ABOUT ON EACH SIDE; AT LAST, THEY COME TO A CLEARING>

<THE PLACE IS A GRASSY HILL, OVERLOOKING THE OCEAN BELOW; WHEREIN A CLIFF BLOCKS OFF ANY ATTEMPT TO GET DOWN TO THE BEACH BELOW>

<CARDINAL WALKS FORWARD CALMLY AND RYORI BEHIND HIM; RYORI HAS HIS GUN OUT AND POINTED AT CARDINAL’S BACK>

<THE BODY OF SHOEKKI IS LAYING UNTOUCHED IN THE CENTER OF THE GRASS; HIS CLOTHES ARE MOVING SLIGHTLY IN THE WIND, BUT OTHERWISE IT IS MOTIONLESS>

<THE TWO WALK UP TO THE BODY, AND CARDINAL GESTURES TO SHOEKKI’S FACE>

Cardinal: As you see, my young master, your older brother took his own life.

<RYORI DROPS HIS PISTOL ONTO THE GRASS AND RUNS FORWARD TO SHOEKKI’S BODY>

<SHOEKKI’S BODY IS NOT DECOMPOSED BECAUSE, DUE TO THE DRAGON BALL’S WISHING BACK THE EARTH, THIS IS BASICALLY ONLY ABOUT A DAY SINCE SHOEKKI DIED>

<RYORI PICKS UP HIS BROTHER’S BODY, WELL TRIES TO; HE KNEELS DOWN AND CRADDLES SHOEKKI IN HIS ARMS, CRYING; HOWEVER THIS CAN NOT BE HEARD OVER THE GREAT WIND BLOWING ABOUT>

<CARDINAL PULLS BACK THE RIGHT SLEEVE OF HIS VERY EXPENSIVE BLACK SUIT; HE TAKES OUT A SYRINGE FROM WITHIN IT>

<HE WALKS UP BEHIND RYORI AND LOOKS OVER HIM, FEIGNING REGRET IN HIS WATERY BLUE EYES AS HE LOOKS DOWN AT THE EMOTIONAL SCENE BELOW HIM>

Cardinal: I’m sorry, Ryori, <FAKE SIGH> but your brother was deeply disturbed. I did all I could, but he simply couldn’t be swayed. It is unfortunate.

<RYORI REMAINS HUNCHED OVER FOR SEVERAL MORE SECONDS, WITHOUT RESPONDING>

Ryori: <JUMPS UP AND TURNS AROUND AND PUNCHES CARDINAL IN THE GUT AS HARD AS HE CAN> You liar! <IN TEARS AS MUCH AS ANGER> You killed my brother!! <HE REACHES FOR HIS GUN, BUT SEES THAT IT’S NOT THERE; HE LOOKS OVER, TO SEE IT OUT OF REACH IN THE GRASS BEHIND> No! <HE STUMBLES BACK> Shit!

Cardinal: <MOVES FORWARD, SMILING> Yes. Shit.

Ryori: You’re going to kill me too?! That’s what you do!?

Cardinal: No. I protect this planet. And the scum of society cannot understand what I do. What I go through! Your brother got what he deserved! What he put unto himself!

<RYORI LAUNCHES AT CARDINAL, KNOCKING THE MAN DOWN; HE STARTS STRANGELING HIM, EVEN AS HE HAS TEARS IN HIS EYES; THE SYRINGE IS A FEW FEET AWAY IN THE GRASS; CARDINAL REACHES FOR IT, HYPEREXTENDING HIS ARM TO GRAB IT; RYORI DOESN’T NOTICE, AS HE IS IN A BLIND FURY>

<HE TAKES THE SYRINGE AND PLUNGES IT INTO RYORI’S NECK; SCREEN FADES TO BLACK>

<LEDAS DROPS TO HIS KNEES, HIS LIP QUIVERING; HE PUTS HIS HEAD IN HIS ARM AND CRIES, LONG AND HARD; LEDAS’ VISION IS SURREAL, AND HE ALMOST BEGINS TO HALLUCINATE AGAIN, BUT NOT QUITE>

<FOR IN FRONT OF LEDAS IS A FIGURE; THE BENEFACTOR>

<THE TWO OF THEM ARE UNDERGROUND IN A BUNKER; IT IS VERY DARK>

The Benefactor: Did he tell you? <LEDAS STILL HAS HIS HEAD BOWED, IN THE SAME POSITION AS BEFORE> The Kai. <LEDAS LOOKS UP> The one I gave authority over my power to. <LEDAS DOES NOT ANSWER> In the cave.

<THE BENEFACTOR SAYS ALL OF THAT VERY SLOWLY, AND LEDAS BEGINS TO PICK UP ON WHERE HE IS GOING>

Ledas: N-no!

The Benefactor: He gave you a gift.

Ledas: NOO!!

The Benefactor: As I requested.

Ledas: It… can’t...!

The Benefactor: My power flows in you.

<LEDAS GRIPS HIS ARM AS IF HE WANTS TO PULL THAT POWER OUT; OBVIOUSLY, HE CANNOT; HE LOOKS UP AT THE ALIEN; THE TEARS ARE STILL ON HIS FACE, BUT NOW THEY ARE MANGLED WITH HATRED>

Ledas: <THROUGH HIS TEETH> Why would you do that?!

The Benefactor: Because you are to become my pupil.

Ledas: I won’t!

The Benefactor: <HISS> You won’t.

Ledas: You won’t even tell me who you are.

The Benefactor: Me? I’m many things. I’m a young boy. A disturber of the peace. A schoolgirl ever ready for her first date, a soldier flogged and bleeding on the stones. Once given a name. Given a rank, a title, a home. <HE PAUSES, ALMOST UNWILLING TO CONTINUE, BUT CONTINUE HE DOES> And once <PULLS UP HIS SLEEVE, REVEALING DEEP SCARS UPON HIS SCALED ARMS, UP TO AND UNDER HIS CHEST ARMOR> given these. By my own, who had so easily fallen to corruption. But it was my torment that made me better. <THE BENEFACTOR SUDDENLY STOPS AND REGAINS HIS CALM MANNER; HE LETS OUT A SOFT BREATH> You will reconsider.

<HE TAKES TO THE AIR, AND SHOOTS UP INTO THE BLACK CEILING>

<CAMERA CHANGES TO THE NEXT SCENE>

<THE BENEFACTOR IS OUT BY THE PLACE HE TOOK OUT VEGETA; IT IS AT THE POINT WHERE THE RIVER FLOWS INTO THE OCEAN; IT IS A WOODY AREA>

<HE IS ON ALL FOURS, MOVING SWIFTLY>

<HE COMES UPON A DEER; HE SEES IT, AND IT DOES NOT SEE HIM; HE QUIETLY GOES AROUND A TREE AND CIRCLES IT; HE FINDS A LOW LYING HOLE AND DUCKS INTO THAT; THE DEER CONTINUES EATING FROM THE GRASS; IT DOES NOT HEAR ANYTHING AS THE ALIEN SLOWLY CREEPS UP TO IT, BY WAYS OF USING THE GRASS>

<THE BENEFACTOR GETS TO A SPOT JUST BEHIND THE DEER; SUDDENLY IT LOOKS UP, PINNING ITS EARS BACK; HE JUMPS ON TOP OF IT, DIGGING HIS CLAWS INTO IT>

<HE DRAWS BLOOD EASILY; THE CREATURE ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE, BUT THERE IS NO LUCK TO BE HAD TODAY; HE CRASHES OVER IT, RIPPING AT ITS THROAT; ONCE HE HAS DONE THAT, HE MOVES ONTO ITS BELLY, RIPPING THAT OPEN AND SPILLING OUT THE INNARDS HE RIPS THROUGH THE INTESTINES AND OTHER ORGANS, THROUGH THE BONES, THROUGH THE TISSUE, THROUGH IT ALL, UNTIL HE IS COMPLETELY COVERED IN BLOOD>

<BLOWING OFF STEAM FROM LEDAS’ REFUSAL TO BE HIS FRIEND, THE BENEFACTOR TAKES HIS FRUSTRATION OUT ON KILLING A HELPLESS ANIMAL>

<HE STANDS UP>

<A HUGE EXPLOSION GOES OFF BEHIND HIM, LEVELING THE FOREST AREA TO HIS IMMEDIATE RIGHT; THE CAMERA SHOWS AN ABOVE SHOT, AND THE BLAST IS HUGE; SO MUCH SO THAT IT EVEN REACHES ABOUT A THIRD OF THE WAY INTO THE CITY, DEMOLISHING ALL OF WHAT IMPACTS>

<THE BLAST TAKES UP THE ENTIRE SCREEN>

<SCREEN REFADES TO WHITE; BACK AT CARDINAL’S OFFICE, CARDINAL HIMSELF WALKS IN THE BACK WAY, THROUGH DIMLY LIT, ABANDONED, AND CARPETTED HALLWAYS; EVENTUALLY HE PICKS A DOOR, AND SETS THE UNCONSCIOUS RYORI INTO IT>

<HE SIGHS, AND FIXES HIS HAIR, WHICH IS PULLED BACK AND SILVER, AND WALKS OUT TO THE MAIN ROOM>

Woman 1: <COMES AROUND A CORNER WITH HASTE, SHE BUMPS INTO CARDINAL> Oh, Mr. Cardinal! I was looking for you, sir.

Cardinal: Yes, what is it Marissa, darling?

Woman 1: They called a few minutes ago! I told them you would call back-

Cardinal: Of course. Did they schedule a face meeting?

Woman: <SLIGHT STUTTER> O-oh… they didn’t say… but I can go check-

Cardinal: No need, no need. I’ll go return the call, myself. <HE SMILES BROADLY AND EXITS>

<CARDINAL WALKS OUT TO THE HIS OFFICE; HE SITS DOWN AT HIS DESK AND SIPS ON A CUP OF COFFEE; HE REACHES FOR THE TELEPHONE AND DIALS A NUMBER; HE STANDS UP ONCE IT STARTS RINGING AND HOLDS IT IN HIS LEFT HAND>

<HE BEGINS TALKING ON THE PHONE; HE IS AGITATED AND FORCEFUL IMMEDIATELY, SWINGING HIS FREE ARM AROUND AS HE MAKES HIS POINTS TO HIS UNITED NATIONS LACKEYS>

<AS HE SWINGS HIS RIGHT ARM AROUND, THE BENEFACTOR RELEASES HIS FRUSTRATION BLAST; AND WOULDN’T YOU KNOW, CARDINAL’S BUILDING IS IN THE VICINITY>

<HIS BUILDING IS BLOWN IN A JAGGED CUT DOWN THE MIDDLE, SO THAT WHERE HE STANDS, IT IS ALL GONE, BUT, FOR INSTANCE, WHERE RYORI IS BEING KEPT, REMAINS UNTOUCHED>

<CARDINAL HAD HIS RIGHT ARM OUT AS IT ALL WAS BLOWN UP, AND THAT IS RIPPED OFF OF HIM; HE IS THROWN INTO A WALL, BREAKING HIS BACK; HIS ARM GOES FLYING, AND BLOOD IS EVERYWHERE>

<CARDINAL FALLS INTO UNCONSCIOUSNESS AS THE ENERGY CONTINUES WRECKING THE CITY>

<AWAY FROM CARDINAL’S WRETCHED FIGURE WE GO; THE CITY IS SHOWN FROM A STREET VIEW; GREAT WHITE LIGHTS SHOOT OUT, COMPLETELY TAKING OVER THE SCREEN; PEOPLE, CARS, BUILDINGS IN THE WAY ARE COMPLETELY INCINERATED>

<THE CAMERA FALLS TO THE GROUND, COVERED IN DUST; THERE IS NO SOUND AT FIRST AND NO SIGN OF EITHER WARRIOR; THE CAMERA THEN BEGINS TO GIVES OFF A RINGING SOUND, SIMILAR TO HOW ONE WOULD HERE AFTER A HUGE EXPLOSION GOES OFF NEARBY, LIKE A RINGING IN ONE‘S EARS>

<CUTS TO LEDAS IN THE BUNKER>

<HE IS SITTING ON A COUNTER, UP AGAINST A WALL; HE IS NOT RUNNING BECAUSE HE KNOWS AT THIS POINT, NO MATTER WHERE HE GOES, THAT CREATURE WOULD FIND HIM>

<HE IS IN HIS BASE FORM, NOT SUPER SAIYAN, AND HAS HIS ARM EXTENDED OVER HIS KNEE (WHICH IS UPRIGHT); HE IS LOOKING AROUND, AND NOTICES MOVEMENT>

<HE SHOOTS A SMALL BLAST AT WHATEVER IT WAS, ONLY TO SEE IT WAS BUT A RAT; THE BLAST LEAVES IT AS NOTHING BUT ASH, BUT THE BRIEF FLASH OF LIGHT SHOWS OFF ONE OTHER THING OF GREAT IMPORTANCE; A DOOR>

<AND UPON THIS DOOR, IN DULL RED ON WHITE, FADING, FLAKING, DISINTEGRATING COLORED TEXT IS THE PICTURE OF TWO LETTERS>

<THEY WERE, UNTO THEMSELVES, TWO WHITE ‘R’S WITH A BOWTIE TO THEIR BACKGROUND; AND LEDAS SAW THEM, THOUGH HE KNEW NOT WHAT THEY MEANT; HE COULD NOT>

<LEDAS GETS UP AND WALKS TO THE DOOR; HE USES HIS WHITE AURA TO LIGHT HIS WAY; HE RUNS HIS FINGERS OVER THE DOOR’S SYMBOL BEFORE GRASPING THE DOORNOB AND OPENING IT; THE BLACKNESS BEYOND BECKONING, HE WALKS INTO IT, BECOMING CONSUMED>

<THE CAMERA DOES NOT FOLLOW>

<SLOWLY, AT THIS, THE SCREEN FADES TO BLACK AND ALL IS NOW QUIET; ALL IS NOW PEACEFUL ONCE AGAIN>


 * <END REUNION SAGA>

Cue Great Spirits. Credits roll during this time.

Flux Order
“There will be order in my court. I will clear this room!” boomed out a voice, dry and echoing through the halls.

At once, the commotion that had befallen the session ceased. The figure of the judge stood firmly as he waited for his response. When none came, he pressured once again.

“Legate, I have listened to every accusation. Compelling though they may be, it is the duty of this court hear you through. Speak your defense.”

The judge moved to the Legate with several swift steps. In this court, there were no chairs or benches or even a table to place papers upon. Every member stood, and would stand to face their charges. Red and purple encompassed those of the delegate; and pure white was laden over the defendant.

The Legate kept its head bowed until the judge came to it. Then, it raised its head, showing a myriad of scars and bruises. None were yet healed, and many remained open.

“I… am no longer the Legate, your honor. Such a title befits me no more.” it whispered.

“You deflect my counsel?”

“It makes no difference what I say.”

“Confinement for eternity. You, of all our rational delegates should know this is no matter that can be undone. Verlate,“ he whispered, “Why are you so broken that you would rather give up your life than explain your actions?”

The defendant bowed its head once again, “They will have my head, either way.”

ONE DAY PRIOR

When there was no more war or famine, nor any type of political instability, the Kai race - a generally peaceful and quiet species, made up of innate wisdom more so than practiced art of ability - was at last visited by the Legate. The Kais had been labeled hyper-sentient, the highest rank on the tier of transcendent intelligence. This visit was to gain knowledge and to better understand the isolation factor taking place on this planet. More importantly, it was to question if this race was, at all, equal to the Legate’s own. At least, that was the Legate’s intention to find out.

The Legate stepped off of its ship. Pressing her boots into the soft mud below, she scanned out her surroundings. Great trees and hilly knolls were scattered around the being’s field of view. The quiet ambiance was humble, raw, untamed. As if sophistication of any means was something deliberately avoided in these realms. The creature had been here for three days, and not even once during this time had any of the Kais know about, nor approached her area of refuge. They were not acutely aware.

The Legate wrapped up her long draping robes around its body. A lazy breeze blew through as she did. For a moment, it made her pause. The serenity of the place was gripping, almost in way that made her envious. This would certainly be a good place to relax and think. But she could admire this later (perhaps to sample for a seed world, too). That was not her job. For now, first contact was to be made - that was all to be made. After that, her job would be done.

The creature took the skies with great speed. It rushed over the trees and the holes and hills. The forest turned to plains land, then to rock and mountain and swamp and bog. A plethora of temperate ranges stood in between her and the these. There was enough diversity here to spend a lifetime of admiring. It was all so… perfect.

Finally, the emissary reached the sea. As she had felt on the ride over, there were many beings scattered across the dunes, making their living in the face of the emerald ocean. The Legate landed, then began walking forward in the sands.

Up ahead in the distance, she saw a shimmering light. It was the Kai’s city. The place she needed to go. The alien kept her head low and moved in an awkward crawl through the dune hills up to the city. The Legate was over 7 feet long, covered in its dark robes. Such an approach was awkward at best. At worst, it was a pitiable attempt at stealth; no less noticeable than if the Legate would have flown right into the town center and begun her speech there. Nevertheless, she was not aware of her own folly. Her confidence in her ability was enough to keep this plan going. She crawled up, over the last dune with relative ease. In front of her was the outskirts of the town. The point at which the finely crafted marble towers gave way to endless sands. Where the via munita leveled off into via terrena. Most importantly, though, the city life stayed in the city. There were only a few Kais milling about here. It would be much easier to make a move here. There would be fewer witnesses, if any.

If she had been noticed, she had not noticed.

The nape of the Legate’s neck was now soaked with sweat. Wearing a heavy robe out in this heat was perhaps madness, but it was necessity. It was consistency with all of the Legate’s trips. The image of this emissary was the most important imparting gift to give. If she dared mix things up, there would be no way to tell if any mission was official. No, she had to keep things consistent.

The first day she had been here, the Legate had come to this very place. It was night then, when not even one Kai could be seen walking the streets. She had toyed with the idea of breaking into an important looking house - but that was quickly dismissed. It was unbefitting for a peaceful delegate to make such a rude and obnoxious move. Especially with time being no issue. There was no point in rushing into this.

Her second day had been different. The Legate, instead, chose to come during the day. This was when the populace was active. She had sat upon one of the huge towers (of which their purposes still eluded her) and looked down on it all. One could say they were like ants, the Kais. They moved around in a fervor. Always this place to the next. Never did they stop for anything unnecessary. If they did, it was only for the betterment of their society. To pick up a spare piece of trash. To notice and fix a degrading piece of brick. Yes, they were like ants. Surely, if the Legate had known what an ant was, she would have appreciated this superb simile.

The Kais being hyper-sentient (the only trait the Legate could see she shared with these creatures) had come off as a disappointment. Nowhere had there been any showcase of smarts. Indeed, the whole area, while beautifully constructed, had appeared primitive. Technology was sparse and unattractive. None of it was worth noting. It was all so regular. Why then, had this label been applied? Could she have been wrong to come here? Were these Kais just really a bunch of regular sentients?

And that was why she was here today. She needed to talk to one of them. One and only one. She needed to study it, gain insight to its way of thinking. See if it had wit or intuition. Awareness was already ruled out, but there was more to test. Maybe then, it would all become clear.

The Legate was good with faces. It was an acquired skill, picked up by countless years of studying countless species throughout the known universe. Before her was the Kai she had watched both days before. The Kai she had seen, with regal posture, emerge from that fancy looking house she had almost broken into. The Kai she had noticed delegating orders to other Kais yesterday. The same Kai that had been pegged with a memory chip - a device to let her know where this being was at all times.

The aforementioned pegging had been done by none other than the Legate herself. Well, that is not entirely true. Actually it’s not true in the slightest. She had actually used a small synthenoid, not unlike the highly prized and respected Mr. Zurkon for this monumental task. This was, naturally, a much smaller model, which allowed it the easiest of access to any creature needed for Verlate’s reminding. Now, I know what you are all thinking: Zurkon is a dreadfully deadly device. Surely it would have killed the Kai instead of planting a locating chip in its brain! Now, that would be good and true, except for one small caveat. Verlate was a somewhat clever being (of which no mentioned has been previously made), and thus repurposed her Zurkon into a scout-flyer to do her own bidding. In this case, her robot friend planted a chip for her, and he was a good robot for doing so. Verlate had thought at the time he was a wonderful addition to her crew (comprised of only herself). That was, until he was making his return trip back to the base, at supersonic speeds, got all confused and crashed into a tree. Stupid tree. At the very least, the Kai was now in Verlate’s sights, and there was a perfectly good explanation for it.

She had tracked it here. Fortuitous it was, that he was out here in the open today. Surely, he patrolled the entire city, but being out here now, right when the Legate had arrived was a chance that could not be missed. And then, with even more luck, it happened. The others left. The Kai, purpled skinned, grey haired, and erect as a hominid, was left alone. Working on a broken piece of stone, from a wall of aqueduct, he did not see the Legate until the Legate was right over him.

At first, the Kai became ridged. Its shoulders were drawn back and its face stared piercingly at this intruder. It was distrust, the Legate noted, but rational restraint that accompanied it. The Kai did not yell or attack or do anything else that would be a bother. It just stared.

The differences in physiology were enough to justify this stand off. The Legate stood taller than they did; a good two feet taller. Its eyes jutted out to the side, where a normal Kai’s ears would be, leaving the entirety of the face blank, save for a small nose and mouth. The Legate was hairless, and dully colored - a great difference to the long hair, pointy eared humanoid creatures that were the Kais.

There was a moment of respite, where both creatures did not make a move. It was customary for the host species to initiate conversation. The Legate had hoped it would. Nonetheless, after moments of silence, she decided she not assume anything.

The Legate lowered its robes, and cast them aside into the dust. This revealed her full form before the Kai. It was a showcase. Upon doing so, the creature raised its hand, and then spoke.

“I am Legate, the protector of this world. I am your-”

“Stop,” the Kai cried out. He spoke slowly and carefully, as if every word, while chosen carefully, was only thought of mere milliseconds before utterance. “You are false. A god, if there was one, would not come to us in this way! You are ill-advised to have tried this. Leave now and your wicked thoughts will be forgotten.”

“If one of you does not want a god, a god will not be had.” said the Legate.

“In that case, what are you and why have you taken your place among my own? Do you think you may sway my reasoning with a deflection of our categorization?” the Kai shot back.

“I am Legate. A wanderer… an emissary. I am not here to harm you. I am not here to change you.”

The Kai furrowed its brow, wrinkling its face in an avalanche of purple skin and white hair. It nodded and raised its hands, causing the sand around the two to spring up in a very tamed maneuver. At once, a group of smaller beings leapt up. In a blink, they had fully surrounded the Legate; three rows of a half circle.

Most of them were barehanded, though several carried stones or pieces of wood. It was clear as day to the Legate that this was a mob of dangerous intent. They looked like the Kai did, but were smaller and hunched over. As one, they rocked back and forth, salivating and gnawing their arms and hands. Their eyes remained trained on the robed figure, however. They were trained to wait.

“We do not believe you.” said the Kai, in a breath out.

“How many of your race are there?” the Legate questioned. It spoke in a manner to tread lightly over this firebrand. Any misstep would erase any semblance of trust the Legate could hope to gain. Still, the impatience of the smaller imps began to expand as their cackles and movement grew.

“As you see before you, Legate, we Kais are many.”

“Kai.” the Legate whispered, “You are Kai. Those in the city are Kai. But these,” she motioned to the groveling figures around her, “are just your pets.”

The Kai stopped his advance. This bit of news dug deep into him, and he stepped back, eyes ablaze with fury.

“H-how do you know that?! You watched us? Or are you tricking me?” said the Kai, his voice trembling.

“Kai, there is much to be shown. Enlightenment to be gained. Order your dogs away, and I will show you things you would believe unimaginable.”

The Kai frowned again. He hunched his shoulder. Though he did not speak, his eyes showed his obvious distrust.

The Kai’s lethargy was no match for his guard dogs’ impatience. Daringly disobedient, a few of them broke ranks and charged, headlong at the Legate. It must have been quite a long time since they could have had a chance like this.

At once, a huge pillar of blue burst up from the ground. It was so bright, so overcoming that even the Legate - though she made it herself - blinked her watering eyes away from the glare. The beam of energy pulsed upward to the sky until, rather abruptly, it exploded.

The Kai jumped back, in reflex, but his imps had not quick enough reactions. The light and heat enveloped them, incinerating every bit of flesh on contact. Screams and listless howls sprung up, but only for a moment. And then they were gone.

The Kai stood with the Legate. The two of them, it was, in the glassed sands of the lowest dune. In the proximity, the mossy waters of the ocean still churned peacefully. Further on, the rest of the Kais were just beginning to react to the sight and sound of the energy plume, that had been summoned just moments before.

“Emissary, that was you who killed mine….” said the Kai, now muted and wide-eyed, “What are you?”

“I am inconsequential to our discussion. Merely, I am a host and a caretaker of knowledge. The knowledge itself is what speaks.”

“No… no. You are not a god, but you are my superior. You commanded the ground to come up and destroy my guard. Show me how, so that I may do that!” the Kai pleaded.

“Already, there has been one mistake today. There mustn’t be another.” The emissary turned away from the other, then took to the skies. “We will talk again tomorrow.”

The Legate attempted to burst off. But something was holding her back. Something preventing her from leaving just yet.

It was the Kai. His arm had flung out at the last second to grab onto her leg. Seeing his success, the native reeled her back to the ground. Then, he jumped on top of her.

This was no good. No good at all. This humiliation was uncalled for. In addition, it was most intolerable. A grand humiliation to the Legate, if you would. So even with the Kai still wrapped around her body, the Legate used all of her energy, and pushed up and off to the ground. Maddeningly, she flew, this way and that, trying to shake her quarry off. But it was to no avail. She saw the alien’s long arms and fingers. The intricateness of them, wrapped around her. Those would not be shaken off so easily.

It was not long before she and the Kai reached the ocean, in their struggle. Hovering mere inches over the waves below, the emissary placed both arms upon the Kai’s chest, stopping her. She attempted to push off, but it was no use. Her back cracked and she fell limp in pain.

The Kai’s eyes came to a squint. He took his arms, unlocking them from the alien’s chest, until he was free to work his idea. He weaved his hands back and forth over his body for several seconds until a trace of yellow sparks began emitting from his fingers. At this, the Kai grasped onto the Legate’s shoulders and held tightly. Another great light overtook them both, followed shortly by a huge sonic boom. The blasts burst the waters aside, reeling a mini-tsunami back to the town.

But the Kai did not see this nor care about this. For now, he was chiefly aware of his own power. His hands flowed with the same energy the Legate’s did; and it dripped from him, as if it was water - even as he knew it was not. He held his hand out, attempting to focus this power. Punching his hand forward, the Kai tested out a small ki blast - and it worked. The yellow ball of energy shot out from his hand and skidded down the waters, out to sea.

The Kai turned to the other, speaking in a rasp, “Legate, I can feel your powers within me…”

The Legate stared back at him, “What have you done?! I cannot let you stay with this power!”

“No! We’re not playing that game just yet. Legate - tell me your name. I want to know who you are.”

“I am the Legate, Verlate and I request you to lay down your power.”

With a sudden jerk, the Kai lunged forward. He kicked Verlate square in the chin, shattering the bones and teeth that had once been housed within. The emissary, caught off guard, fumbled and ultimately fell. Blood poured out, as much as it flowed back into her throat. Choking on it, Verlate was barely able to let out a whimper before she crashed into the waters below. Not more than a second later, and she had sunk out of sight.

Above her, the Kai turned his attention back to himself. He tested out energy blasts, convulsing his body and then shooting them out of his hand. Like before, they were successful, but unrefined. Many skidded and burned, immediately detonating from being fired. One or two even blew up in his hands.

But then it happened. He tried a large attack - something he was not ready to use, nor properly trained to handle. He gathered his energy, all into one giant ball. Granted, this was unnecessary, and seemingly illogical. But to a Kai, knowledge and intuition go hand in hand. This Kai’s intuition had granted him his power. And now he could not even so much as think of anything else until he knew the full scope of his power. With a chorus of grunts and elaborate hand movements, the Kai took it into his palm… the great ball of fire. And then it detonated.

The shockwave hit Verlate as she continued to sink, sending her spiraling down under even faster. Her vision of up above went dark, and her mind went blank.

At that moment, Verlate thought no more.

Abusus Non Tollit Usum
When there was no more structure, nor reason, nor order, the Kai - by this point, filled with the stolen power of the Legate - descended back upon his own city of birth. As it always is with these kinds of things, the escalation factor, at present, yielded great concern. Without a guardian force to stop him, this Kai could do anything with the power. For in his own mind, the Kai had been groveled upon and cheated. He had been lied to. Now that he held power, all of the petty offenses against him became more and more clear. None could stand in his way now; he knew this. It was only a matter of his investment. For he knew, eventually he would be challenged. But until then, he would make do. For that single stoppage point against him was currently lying at the bottom of the sea; unconscious, weary, and with a broken jaw. The Kai had the power.

He looked down upon his burned hands; his purple skin flaking off from the disaster that was his previous attempt at making energy. Controlling energy like that alien had was no easy feat. Even with his quick mind, he had failed to understand the basic concepts of handling it. Eventually, he would learn how to compel it how he wished. That was certain. The Kai always got his way. For now, he could… practice.

Strange how that word sounded so alien.

The Kai placed his boot back into the sand. Swimming back from the ocean had been tedious. He, obviously, hadn’t figured out a way to fly yet, so he was still limited to his regular travel. The Kai was not a strong person at all; a bureaucratic life had all but stifled his active life. The short swim had, embarrassingly, left him short of breath. He gathered himself up for a while before beginning his walk back to the city. It was unfitting to let anyone see him like this.

The Kai reached back to his home no later than an hour; by walking he had set a nice pace which would guise his lack of endurance to all onlookers. The common Kais paid him no notice when he returned. But he chuckled to himself. They wouldn’t know of how he had changed in these brief few minutes. There was no logical reason to suspect anything, on their part. But he had changed. For the better.

He walked forward, until he noticed a Kai working on a piece of brick-outlay. This being, as he recognized, was the very same fellow who had lied to him three days prior about the aqueduct. It had fallen into disrepair under his watch, though it wasn’t his fault. This worker had made no mention of it. By his omission, the Kai had been lambasted by the higher ups. They had held him responsible for the idleness of these others.

The Kai was a logical being; all of his species were. Even the most stupid, innocent ones were logical in their motivations. But the Kai had no morality. He had grown past such contrivances. He valued no life more so than he valued a meal or a good pair of boots. Anything that remained useful, he would cherish. But that which held no purpose any longer, be it anything, must be erased.

“Forty-three” the Kai said, “Come here. Now.”

The other Kai fumbled his hands and turned his head. Seeing it was his taskmaster, he dropped his tools and walked on over, “What is it, sir? Got more work for me that can’t wait?”

“No,” he replied, hiding a smile, “Did you hear of my injunction? It was two days ago.”

“N-no… I had not heard…”

“I expected as much, Forty-three.” he replied, with a calm voice, “You may go back to your post.”

“If that’s all you are to call me over here for, I think I shou-”

“Quiet. Be quiet!” said the Kai, in a sudden scream.

He dropped to his knees, gasping and trembling. But the others paid no notice, and forty-three was also unconcerned. He walked back to his work, shaking his head. Of course the worker would. They wouldn’t know his pain.

This pain was because of the energy. The Kai had attempted to bring forth his energy, but it felt as if his veins were burning hot, as if they were on fire when he tried.

The Kai raised out his shaking hand, using all of his mind’s power to focus the energy. It began flowing out from his fingers uncontrollably. Like before, it was dripping out like water would - though when each drop hit the earth, it glassed the ground, sending up puffs of smoke.

He tried focusing the energy, but it just wouldn’t budge. No matter how much effort he put forth, it simply sprayed out in a lame stream.

Standing up, the Kai tried again. But even with new elevation, it was not working. The crackling, hissing sound being given off by the dropping energy caused Forty-three, ahead, to turn ‘round again. He looked puzzled at the sight of his taskmaster having streams of what looked like liquid flowing out from his finger tips.

“Sir, what are you doing?” he asked.

Caught in his deceits, the Kai jumped back, flinging his arms wildly as he went. The energy, still sputtering out, went flying up into the air. But as the Kai should know, gravity makes everything come back down again. And so it did, mere moments later, on top of Forty-three’s and the other workers‘ heads.

Nigh a moment later, the working area went kaboom. And it was not just a regular explosion, such as the one the Legate had used against the Kai’s imps; it was a large one, filled with smoke and fire, and much dirt and brick and steel. Suffice to say, when the dust cleared, everything in the vicinity was blown away.

Well, everything besides the other Kais. Though there were bruised and bloodied, and some were quite dirty, all of them were still standing; alive.

Forty-three lunged at the Kai, obviously angry at what his taskmaster had just done. He grabbed the other Kai by the shins, and toppled him over. In but a moment, the worker had him pinned. He began raining blows down upon the Kai, who was too weak to defend against. As the worker was about to raise his fist for another blow, he noticed the energy had landed on him. At once, he felt the stuff surge through his body; completely encapsulating him. He raised out his hand, and, just as it was with the other Kai, the energy began pouring out in a stream. His eyes opened in wonder.

The Kai’s eyes also widened at this. “No!”

“You be quiet now.” replied Forty-three. He stuffed his hand over the Kai’s face, letting the energy pour on it. The Kai writhed and attempted to scream, as the stuff burned and melted away his face. Shoving the energy forward with more force, Forty-three managed to create an actual ball of energy. It exploded over the Kai and himself.

“Why didn’t it work!?” screamed out the Kai, “Why didn’t it work?!”

It was too late. He and his worker were caught up in the ball, dissolving both of them in a matter of moments. The energy released from this was powerful, sending off a shockwave akin to the one that the Kai had used against Verlate. Only, this time, the energy, all of it, was set free, and drifted through the air back into the city. Back to where all the Kais were.

A streak of purple stretched across the sky, like a long, bleeding gash of an ill-kept wound. The remnants of smoke hung about it, hanging still in the air. It had been several hours since Verlate, the gods’ Legate, had been kicked to the bottom of the sea. In the time that she had been unconscious, the sea had disappeared. Perhaps it was from that streak above, but she did not know. Indeed, the sudden absence of the waters had been what woken her - that and the pain in her jaw.

Verlate stood up. It had been several hours that she had laid, down here, but she remembered everything leading up to it vividly. That one Kai she had been watching - it was him who had taken her powers. Not that she could have known, or even done anything about it after she had known. But still, it made her feel hollow inside.

Gingerly, she ran her fingers over her mouth, confirming, with several sharp breaths, her entire lower jaw line as being broken. As it was, she could not so much as utter a word without immense pain accompanying it. In that case, she would remain silent.

The more pressing matter at hand was not her own discomfort. Verlate knew this. Ahead of her, several dozen miles ahead, the city that Verlate had visited was now smoking in ruin. The towers she had witnessed before were mostly collapsed, with only a few left standing. Even they were on fire, as was much of the rest of the city.

Verlate flew to it, only landing on the edge of the southernmost spire. There were bodies strewn about everywhere. Overturned barrels and flattened tents littered the streets. The fires were blowing through, coating everything in the hungry flames. Then, from behind Verlate, a loud bang went off.

From the shacks behind, where she had figured most of the Kais to live, a duo of the purple-skinned creatures can bumbling out into the street. They tripped over each other, punching and kicking and spitting at one another with wild fury. Eventually crashing up against a fall wall, the two stopped. The one on top jumped back and threw out his hands. From them erupted a shot of energy; with but a quick flash and another bang, the second figure was disintegrated.

The Legate was not one to meddle in the affairs of others. Ironic for her position, but the pettiness that she witnessed on many of the planets she visited was tiresome to her. Eventually, she had given up everything besides the most basic contact with the various species. However, she had known the Kais did not possess any capabilities to control self-based energy. Actually, they were considered to be rather pedestrian in regards to threat level. So why were they shooting energy at one another?

She remembered, however, the Kai she had taken to enlighten had stolen her powers. He had even made a basic ki blast out of it; using her energy reserves to try his experiments. Still, these Kais were not him. It had only been a few hours that she had been blacked out, and there was no possible way that the others could have mimicked him so quickly.

The victorious Kai turned now to Verlate. So as to not confuse anyone in the coming paragraphs, he will henceforth be referred to as Savage. Savage's eyes and hands were fluttering madly, like a drug addict’s during withdrawal. He lowered to all fours and then scurried forward. Verlate was taken aback by such a offensive, and only reacted at the last second, sidestepping out of Savage's way. Before Savage could try another attack, she jumped back and kicked a heap of rubbish into his way. Surely, it wasn’t any type of damaging attack, but it would give her time to get away.

She flew up to the roof of the shack cluster. At least the Kais couldn’t fly.

She surveyed the entire city, watching it crumble before her. If this was really because of that Kai taking her powers, than this was all her fault. This was all her powers being used to destroy this place. The thought of it brought up that hollow feeling in her stomach. It was painful, unbearable to think about - that she could be responsible for all these deaths.

On the edge of her field of vision, she saw even greater explosions popping up. They were everywhere. And Verlate knew that even were she at her full power, she alone could not stop this.

Savage (the rascal) had, in this time, found a way to climb up to the roof. Bitterly annoyed that the alien had ignored it, the thing threw itself on the back of Verlate. Verlate stumbled forward and reached behind her back, trying to grab the thing and throw it off of her, but it held steadfast. Those long fingers of the Kais were such an irritation.

With a jump, Verlate leaped from the roof, back onto the ground. She landed, hard, on her back; on the Kai, who was called Savage. Instantly, he let go, letting her roll away. But Savage was not as damaged by this as Verlate had hope and he sprung up quickly, as well. He raised both of his hands and shot out fire from both. Instinctively, Verlate put up an energy barrier, with her own arms. It would go against who she was to kill this Kai. He was insane, but it was not his fault. Even as the fire began breaking through her shield, burning her hands and paining her squinting eyes, she did not have any hatred for this creature.

The barrier held for a while before going pink and shattering. Verlate was thrown back, as was Savage. But the dust obscured the other’s vision of Verlate, and he lost track of her. Running off down an alley to the left, Savage missed Verlate hiding under some refuse right in front of him. After losing him, Verlate took to the sky again. She decided to fly to the Kai’s house - the Kai that she had given this power to, before. She could not think of anything else to do. If she was to find this creature, his house would most logically not be where he was located, but it was her only reference point in the entire city. She had to start somewhere.

But Verlate never got to the house. She never even took so much as three steps before it happened. The entire city blew up. It was a Kai, or perhaps several. But it did not matter who. It was frightening, alone, to her to see how little of her excess power could have been tapped into and used to destroy so much. The blast was enough to completely erase, from the planet, the town, but it only gave Verlate a host of superficial scratches and bruises.

She was thrown far away, back into the sand. Now that it was night, the heat of the place was gone, but Verlate felt no better because of it.

At once, a creature teleported in front of Verlate. It was slender, tanned skinned, and covered in the same robes (though they were colored dark green) as Verlate had been. At the sight of it, the Legate stumbled up into a stance. Since she still could not talk from her broken jaw, she simply motioned to the other her predicament.

It did not speak immediately, either. Simply, it strode forward, and grasped onto Verlate’s face. Verlate was surprised by this, jumping back slightly, but she let the creature keep its hands on her. With one swift movement, the other, still silent, pulled on Verlate’s jaw, ripping it forward, and back into place. Verlate dropped to her knees but did not cry. She clutched her jaw and winced.

The other did not notice. Instead, he was already looking behind him at the wreckage of the planet. There were still huge blasts going off all over the planet. Many could be seen, but even more could be felt. The entire place was rumbling steadily.

Then, it turned back to Verlate, “Legate… what happened here? Did they refuse our offers? Did you not show them yet?”

Verlate took a moment to prepare her voice before speaking. When she did, it was flat and emotionless, “I have yet to contact their leadership. I was attempting to gain access when one of them found me and seized a great deal of my power. There was nothing that could be done-”

“This planet’s compromised state was due to you?”

“Take me to the courts if you wish,” she said, “I have nothing more to say.”

Verlate fell to the ground. As her vision blurred, she saw the distinctive shape of a hand grabbing her. Then it all went dark.

THREE HOURS LATER

Sertung, the honourable Judge, paced back and forth in front of Verlate. She stood, stony faced in front of him. Behind the two was the delegate - the oligarchy which held most of the power of Verlate’s race.

“I have already found out about what happened on the world of the Kais,” he began, “The folly of your ways lead to them to use your power to exterminate themselves en masse. What punishment do you think you deserve, Legate?”

“I am no longer the Legate, your honor. It does not matters what I think.”

“You do not deny these allegations against you? You do not deny the blood of a million Kais is on your hands?”

“How much of the population was saved, your honor?” Verlate asked, ignoring the Judge’s own tactical advances.

“Ninety-nine percent of the population is dead. Little over two thousand of them are still alive. We have them in a safe place. They will continue on, there. Out of our way.”

Sertung stopped his pacing and stood in front of Verlate. Though standing on equal terms, his presence held the dominance.

“Verlate, you are one of our species most powerful members. That was not why you were chosen as Legate, however. You are also one of the smartest, most empathetic of our race. Were any other to be in your position, I doubt they could have maintained such professionalism and thick skin in dealing with all these races. You have been so successful in your position. What went wrong this time?”

Verlate turned her head to the delegate behind her, as she responded to the Judge, “These are roles to play. But why? We are not gods; we are simply the most advanced race”

“Now that you’ve made an error, you wish for us to stop our noble mission?! Is that what you are saying?”

“I wish we would let them develop on their own.”

“You don’t believe that.” Sertung said, in full confidence.

“It does not matter. We would argue indefinitely over this with no change in opinion for either of us. You must sentence me now… but I will only agree to the sentencing on one condition. Please clear the room so I may tell you it, your honor.”

The delegate, which had been mostly polite since Sertung had threatened them before, now broke out in quiet conversation at the broken mind of Verlate. Not only had she given up, but the creature seemed to be welcoming her punishment without fear.

The Judge looked over at the rabble, instantly quieting them. With a motion of his hands, he opened the doors behind them.

“Leave now. I will sentence her alone.”

“Outrageous!” spat one of the Delegates, “This is a public trial!”

The Judge did not blink an eye in the face of this growing dissention to his authority. He stood tall in front of them, “A public trial with the expected consequences. Good sir, you know as well as I the risks of having any others take part in this is too great…”

The delegates continued their arguments with the Judge, not backing down. To Verlate, this was all inconsequential. Her species was small in number. Over the years, their population had thinned. Mating grew tiresome and boring, just as everything else had, and many of them had forgotten to have children. Currently, she guessed her race to be at about five hundred strong.

Her misstep was nothing she could have predicted. She was at fault, though. Even Verlate blamed herself, and it gave her physical anguish to even think of what had happened. Still, she thought of the Kais. Before she had intruded, they were fine. And after she came, they were crippled. What use was there, then, in her purpose?

At once, Verlate was jolted back to reality with the slamming of the doors behind her. It was just her and the judge now.

“Now tell me, Verlate,” said Sertung, swiftly walking back up to face her, “What this single condition of your surrender is.”

“I will agree to the sentencing on one condition; do not appoint another Legate.”

“What? That is the purpose of us. To spread the truth about the universe. I won‘t-”

“We should not waste breath in arguing over it. That is simply my condition.”

The Judge continued, “Then who will rule the universe? Who will be the rock, the center-point for all races to cling to?”

“That is not my care. But it my condition.”

Sertung paced again for several moments. Then he reached over to a box laying in the far back. He opened it up with a flick of his finger. Immediately a bright light flooded into the small room. It completely blinded both the Judge and Verlate. However, it was soundless.

“I will do it. But only because, in your absence, there will be no one to take your place.” he said. Continuing on, the Judge spoke, “You know the punishment for genocide. Eternal damnation in a prison of your own devices. A prison where there is no walls or ends. Where there is no chance of escape. You will waste away in the place of your mind forever.”

Verlate did not answer, because she was swiftly met with a wind, which blew about the room. It began sucking her forward. She put up no resistance to it. She felt herself fly by the Judge, even though she could not see him. She knew the reason he was not being sucked in was because he had no crimes against him - the reason why the delegate was not allowed to stay and watch. They would surely get sucked in, too. As she flew by him, the Judge spoke.

“Without the Legate, our race is done. We will be purposeless and dwindle away. Waiting for another race to take over as we die.”

Verlate closed her eyes as she neared the device which would hold her for the remainder of time. She spoke, softly, to the Judge, just before being sucked in.

“If you feel so inclined… there are always the Kai.”

With that, Verlate was gone.

SEVERAL YEARS LATER

Several years passed before he arrived. They did not know when he arrived, nor why, but it was something he had carefully planned.

Hyper-sentience was a rather general term which basically stated a species was almost as smart as the Judge’s. It was remarkable, really. The Kais in particular had been as close to trans-sentience as had ever been recorded - and this was without them having any impressive technology. They were just inherently gifted.

Sure, his race was far more gifted than theirs, but it would be hard to tell if that would have been the case had the Kais the same technology. It was a gamble to put trust in them. But it wasn’t illogical. Nothing she had ever said was.

Sertung, no longer an honourable Judge, did not want to meet any of the Kais. He was not good around these species like the Verlate had been. He set down the box that held her mind, and stretched out his arms. The Kais were few in number - like his race had been up until recently. But his species extinction was nothing spectacular or worth noting; simply the wasting away of talent and wit by the everlasting feeling. Or, in plain terms, death by boredom.

It did not take long for him to isolate every being on the planet; they were mostly clustered, anyway. However, he stopped himself from going forward. As it was, this would most likely end up how it did before. He had not thought ahead, yet, how to give them power without things turning out as they had with Verlate.

He set down his hands, giving himself time to think this through. He crouched down on the grass and began his thinking. As the day went on, Sertung had seen several Kais. Mostly children playing, or a few older ones doing who knows what. He had not even noticed when one of them had snuck up behind him.

A sharp thud on the back of the head, however, was enough to alert him properly. Sertung got up, and looked behind him. A single Kai was there. He was short, probably a child, and like the others, he had purple skin with white hair, layered in a spiky Mohawk.

There was no logical way for him to deflect away from this child. He had come here to give it power, so power he should give it. With a thrust of his hand, the Judge transferred some of his energy into the young Kai. He sighed to himself as the Kai began shaking and convulsing around with the energy coursing through his veins.

He motioned to the Kai, flicking his wrist and shooting off a small ki blast, in the hopes that the Kai would understand and copy him. Several times he did this and to no avail. The young Kai simply stared at Sertung in bewilderment.

Impatient at the Kai’s lack of focus, Sertung moved forward and grabbed onto the Kai’s hand. He forced the Kai to do the motion several times, emphasizing with his fists that force and focus should be put into it, as the motion went through. Then the judge let go.

The Kai tried it once on his own. His large, innocent eyes grew to a squint as he mimicked what the other had done. The result was a huge blast, shot down in a huge line into the grass ahead of them.

Sertung sighed, looking over small box that encompassed Verlate’s box. He couldn’t believe, all these years later, he was now listening to her advice. He almost wished that he was in one of those prisons - it would have denied him the responsibility of teaching these new creatures to take up the mantle.

But, he could not deny there was nothing wrong with this reason. Besides, if he was successful, the entire universe would be in good hands. He placed his arm on the Kai’s and went through the motions of Ki control again.

They would be in his hands. And then, when they were ready, he and the rest of the universe would be put in theirs.

Rock And Pool Is So Nice And Cool
MANY YEARS LATER, AROUND THE 35 BEFORE AGE

When there was no more to say or do - the pinnacle of thought already been reached be eons of constant use - Verlate, the disgraced envoy of her species, and perhaps the last living memory of those creatures, was briefly reprieved from her eternal isolation.

The mind prison she had been put in, while not the homeliest of places, was as vast and infinite as it was desolate. There was nothing in it - at least not at first. It was all white, staunchly blanketed over every inch of sight. But, as she had soon come to realize, Verlate’s mind prison was indeed fit to house more than a single being. In her time alive, Verlate had never heard of such a thing. Nor should she have. For two beings in an eternal mind prison would be torture behind torture. And, her species frowned upon cruel and unusual punishment.

Nevertheless, Verlate had been visited, on so much as two previous occasions, though neither ended well for her. The first creature was a wild bird, half the size of Verlate, and it had stayed with her a long time. It was not for any real reason, the creature was not pleasant to be around, nor did she suspect it thought highly of her. The mere reason for it not being thrown out of her prison was that Verlate had no idea how to get rid of the thing (and, by extension, get free herself). So they had sat, day after day, wasting away, until the second had come. This other creature, a small rodent of sorts, was less mindful, and more duplicitous, leading Verlate to spend almost all of her time watching it. She was careful to not let it leave her sight, lest it do something naughty.

In the end, this diligence caused her to forget the bird.

And that is what did it - basically, as soon as Verlate forgot about the first being. It was free to leave. By the time Verlate had remembered the creature, it was too late. The bright light had opened the sky above, letting it fly away. It was not long thereafter she connected her lack of thought with the departure. Verlate tested it again with the second creature, and to her surprise (as much as it was her relief), that one was thrown out too.

Once again, Verlate was alone. How she spent her time there, wasting in the desolation of infinitude was not especially interesting. She had learned to craft that which she thought into reality… at least the reality of her prison. She could create a bed, a chair, a nice pool for swimming. She made a whole home for herself, eventually.

It was at this time, after she had crafted herself her place to live that the prison had been opened again. Every time this would happen, the blinding light would become unbearable, shining even whiter than usual. Verlate had not noticed, however. Instead, she was in a deep meditation, wafting through a gentle stream of water she crafted some time before. The flowing of the water helped her think- and in this place, that was all there was to do. But so entranced was she that Verlate did not notice, aside from the brightening light, the small streak of a creature now inside her prison.

The new creature, white and furry, moved deftly on its hind legs; its paws barely touching down on the foggy earth before springing forward in a new step. It came to the place where Verlate usually stayed; a grand foray, encompassed by huge onyx pillars. A few tables stood around, but all were barren. Indeed, the only piece of this home that seemed alive was the trickling of a stream flowing into its center. Kneeling among the swirling waters was, with her head bowed, the former Legate.

“What have you come for now? Words of wisdom or a chance at adventure?” said Verlate.

“I, uh, actually was just looking for my favorite ball of yarn, and I… well I accidentally opened your thingymajig here.” the other responded, laughing slightly.

The creature was a cat; one with quite generous proportions, who stood on two legs, but a cat nonetheless. In his hands, he cradled a finely carven wood cane, with the rest of his body being as nature intended. Aside from his stark white coat (which made it ever so hard to see him against the foreground), there was little to his character that interested Verlate.

“What is this place ya got here?” asked the cat.

“Damnation,” said Verlate, “A place where even the smallest of thoughts can be expanded forever until you are a mindless, obsessive wretch like I. You are trapped with me, from here on.”

Unperturbed, the cat jumped up on one of the rock pillars, feeling its long jagged lines, etched with untold amounts of runic art.

“Oh, you’re a craftsman too.”

“Tell me your name before we go on, quadruped.”

“Hey, that’s rude. Cantcha see I walk on two legs just like you? I'm not an animal! Sheesh, can’t a guy get a break around here?”

Verlate remained silent, staring up at the cat as he babbled on to himself. The cat, seeing he would get no answer from her until he stated his name sighed and became serious.

“The name’s Korin, all right? Korin the cat.”

“How did you find this place, Korin?” she asked, now in a whisper.

“I was wandering the desert and I saw this box. So I went on over to pick it up and… Hey! Can you make anything you want in here?” he screeched out, seeing the platform in front of him. Such a place would make a brilliant spot to take a nap in the sun.

“Yes, Korin. I have learned how to make my thoughts a reality in this place.”

“How about giving this poor cat a nice fish? Or at least a windowsill to lay on in the sun?”

A bit taken aback by Korin’s lack of seriousness, particularly about being in the prison, Verlate stopped him, dimming the bright light into a dull grey. With this overcast look, she hoped to suck all the energy out of him.

“Korin the cat, if you wish to leave this place, you must gain my approval.”

“Yeah, yeah. Later. But first I will take a nap, there.” was his response, as he pointed toward the platform ahead.

Verlate was stricken dumb by this. How could anyone be so blasé about such a serious matter? It was a prison, some place which no one could leave, save for her to stop thinking about them. She had to let him leave, didn’t he get that? How couldn’t he?

“I…” Verlate began, but quickly stopped, seeing it was no use to try the same tactic over and over again. As she pondered a new strategy for making him yield, the cat raised his own paw and spoke.

“Hey, I know there’s probably some test ya want me to take, right? Some little rite of passage or something? Am I close?”

The correct, rational answer to his question was a resounding ‘no’. This was no game, nor a place for frivolity. Yet, something inside Verlate compelled her to not, so quickly, dismiss him. Perhaps she could play along, and make this a game for his sake. Maybe it would make him leave sooner.

“You are most correct, Korin. Watch me.” said Verlate.

She thrust her arms forward, weaving them back and forth in a delicate pattern. At once, various structures began popping up. Spire and stone, intermixed with trees and other foliage sprung up into a huge outcrop. She had, in but a moment, created an entire forest before their eyes. Verlate lowered her hands, now satisfied at her work.

“You will go in there and find for me the one with two-”

“Yeah, I hate to interrupt ya, but I’m not into playin’ cat and mouse games,” Korin snickered, “Imagine that.”

“These are my conditions!” said Verlate, puzzled at this defiance.

“Well, listen to me. It looks like ya just make up whatever ya were plannin’ on the spot. From what I saw ya doing in your free time, you must be pretty boring.”

Verlate could hardly mask her annoyance as she spoke again, “In that case what would you suggest, master Korin?”

“Know any good riddles?” he replied, coyly.

“A riddle? What is a riddle?”

“And I thought you were supposed to be smart.”

“What, why?!”

“This mind prison is probably not an everyday punishment. You must have been a real big-time criminal, eh? I thought ya got put in here because you did something really horrible. And ya‘d have to be smart to pull that off.”

“You are diverting from our topic. Explain to me these riddles.”

“Fine, fine. A riddle is like a word puzzle.” said Korin.

“What is a word puzzle?” asked Verlate.

Korin squinted his eyes together, as if not believing that someone could be so inept on certain subjects, “Well for example, a riddle would be…” Korin drew himself up into his most regal, high chinned pose before continuing, “ For some I go fast/ for others I'm slow./ To most people, I'm an obsession/ relying on me is a well practiced lesson.”

“I…”

“Just say the first thing that comes to mind.”

“A good friend?”

“No no no,” said Korin, “Riddles are mind games, you have to think outside the box to understand them. I woulda thought you of all people could have got that one. The answer was time…”

“Time,” Verlate repeated. She took her fingers and began writing in the thin air, her long, curly writing flowing up onto the void as if she were writing on paper. She stared at the riddle when she was done. “Time… yes I see time. Abstract, yet logical. Are all riddles like this?”

“Only the good ones. That one wasn’t even one of the harder ones. Just wait until ya get better, then you’ll be doing these no problem.”

“Show me another.” she asked, most politely. By this time, Verlate had forgotten that Korin was a bothersome being - one which she was trying to get rid of. Her own thirst for knowledge was overriding her previous goal.

The two stayed for some time, days perhaps as they recounted riddles at one another. Verlate came up with her first riddle: ‘It has trigonal crystals/ with vitreous luster/ and is colored black and white’ to which, naturally, the answer was onyx. Though, as she soon learned, such bland and straightforward descriptions were quite terrible to read. But she did not fear, for Korin was her teacher.

But occasionally, talk turned to Korin and his life. He was a wanderer, that he had given up to her; a talking cat still in his prime. He had come across Verlate’s mind prison as an abandoned box in the desert. As soon as he had picked it up, the light overcame him and he was thrust inside. There was no sign nor mention of Verlate’s species, nor the Kai species anywhere around the box‘s placement, nor was there any note left on the box itself. This Korin had promised to be true. But it was no matter to linger on, for Verlate had no idea what had happened to either species. If she could hope for one thing, though, it would be that her martyring acted as a catalyst for the Kais to take over her role. Still, as Korin had put it, the world seemed fine enough as it was.

Verlate had believed the cat as he spoke. Unlike her previous two roomates, Korin had earned her trust in their riddle-making. While often being aloof or downright unpredictable, Korin had been a fun person to talk to. It alleviated her boredom. And she knew when he was gone, Verlate would have more to do. To come up with impressive riddles and mind games to show her mental superiority. It was something she looked forward to.

Nevertheless, Korin had no plans on staying. Verlate had seen it in his eyes; still young they were and eager for something else. Something more exciting than explaining what riddles are to an ancient and disgraced being. It had only been a few hours since he arrived, and already Korin was eager to leave. So it was then that she decided to let him go.

“I only have to unthink you and you will leave.” Verlate said, bluntly, as she interrupted Korin explaining a particularly complex riddle to her.

“Gettin’ rid of me so soon, I see?” he responded.

“It is no secret you do not wish to stay.”

Korin jumped up. Verlate was right. He did not have any reason to stay. It was a serene place, but its infinite expanse and lacking décor really weighed heavily on his patience. He would not miss it much.

“Maybe you should close your eyes. It‘ll help you not think of me.”

More to herself than Korin, Verlate wondered aloud, “I wish I could get out too.”

“Just unthink yourself, and it will all go well.”

“No! No. That would kill me. I was told if I tried to escape, I would die.”

“Look, all’s ya need to do is just trick your mind into unthinking another person, but switching them with yourself at the last second. Then you could get out and have another person stuck in here.”

Verlate was silent for two whole moments as her mind calculated and reasoned with the logic of what Korin had just said. In the end, her response was a meek, “Would that work?”

“I don’t know. You should try it sometime… but not on me. Yeah, don’t try it on me! I’d really like to get back outside, y‘know.”

“I will remember your words, Korin.” said Verlate, nodding to the cat, “They are wiser than I ever imagined.”

Not listening, Korin flexed his claws, “Good luck with all that. You’re gonna need it.”

At that, Verlate closed her eyes. It took no more than a moment before she had stopped her mind from thinking of Korin. Then, once again it was just her. As she opened her eyes, she could have sworn she heard the sound of a ‘see ya’ but she could not be sure. What was sure was the cat was gone.

Korin was gone.

Verlate had spent only a few hours with the strange cat. In it, she had learned some basic riddle-making techniques. It was interesting to her, now piecing it together with his last bit of information. If she were to switch bodies with a creature coming in - though she was not even sure such a thing was doable in its own right - she would have to first get their guard down. Make their mind focus on something different. Something like a riddle.

Her own antiquated notions of morality aside, it was a genius plan.

Verlate walked back to her stream and knelt down in it. The waters pooled and swirled at her untimely arrival, but as she became still, so did they. It was unknown how much time she would have to come up with some riddles, but they would have to be good. Things no being could solve easily. They would have to buy her time to switch beings. She could think up the specifics later. For now, she had a concrete, fathomable plan… and it gave her hope. Hope that she would, one day, be free again.

Still, a nagging thought crept into her mind. Verlate couldn’t help but feel that such a trickery was unjust, far more than even what she had done against the Kais. Leaving someone in here for all of time was a fate worse than death. Was she desperate enough to do it? Korin had been okay with it. But should she listen to him?

It did not matter, she thought to herself. Were anyone to come here, she would gauge them and make the decision then.

There would be no point to over-think it.

Flux Order
“There will be order in my court. I will clear this room!” boomed out a voice, dry and echoing through the halls.

At once, the commotion that had befallen the session ceased. The figure of the judge stood firmly as he waited for his response. When none came, he pressured once again.

“Legate, I have listened to every accusation. Compelling though they may be, it is the duty of this court hear you through. Speak your defense.”

The judge moved to the Legate with several swift steps. In this court, there were no chairs or benches or even a table to place papers upon. Every member stood, and would stand to face their charges. Red and purple encompassed those of the delegate; and pure white was laden over the defendant.

The Legate kept its head bowed until the judge came to it. Then, it raised its head, showing a myriad of scars and bruises. None were yet healed, and many remained open.

“I… am no longer the Legate, your honor. Such a title befits me no more.” it whispered.

“You deflect my counsel?”

“It makes no difference what I say.”

“Confinement for eternity. You, of all our rational delegates should know this is no matter that can be undone. Verlate,“ he whispered, “Why are you so broken that you would rather give up your life than explain your actions?”

The defendant bowed its head once again, “They will have my head, either way.”

ONE DAY PRIOR

When there was no more war or famine, nor any type of political instability, the Kai race - a generally peaceful and quiet species, made up of innate wisdom more so than practiced art of ability - was at last visited by the Legate. The Kais had been labeled hyper-sentient, the highest rank on the tier of transcendent intelligence. This visit was to gain knowledge and to better understand the isolation factor taking place on this planet. More importantly, it was to question if this race was, at all, equal to the Legate’s own. At least, that was the Legate’s intention to find out.

The Legate stepped off of its ship. Pressing her boots into the soft mud below, she scanned out her surroundings. Great trees and hilly knolls were scattered around the being’s field of view. The quiet ambiance was humble, raw, untamed. As if sophistication of any means was something deliberately avoided in these realms. The creature had been here for three days, and not even once during this time had any of the Kais know about, nor approached her area of refuge. They were not acutely aware.

The Legate wrapped up her long draping robes around its body. A lazy breeze blew through as she did. For a moment, it made her pause. The serenity of the place was gripping, almost in way that made her envious. This would certainly be a good place to relax and think. But she could admire this later (perhaps to sample for a seed world, too). That was not her job. For now, first contact was to be made - that was all to be made. After that, her job would be done.

The creature took the skies with great speed. It rushed over the trees and the holes and hills. The forest turned to plains land, then to rock and mountain and swamp and bog. A plethora of temperate ranges stood in between her and the these. There was enough diversity here to spend a lifetime of admiring. It was all so… perfect.

Finally, the emissary reached the sea. As she had felt on the ride over, there were many beings scattered across the dunes, making their living in the face of the emerald ocean. The Legate landed, then began walking forward in the sands.

Up ahead in the distance, she saw a shimmering light. It was the Kai’s city. The place she needed to go. The alien kept her head low and moved in an awkward crawl through the dune hills up to the city. The Legate was over 7 feet long, covered in its dark robes. Such an approach was awkward at best. At worst, it was a pitiable attempt at stealth; no less noticeable than if the Legate would have flown right into the town center and begun her speech there. Nevertheless, she was not aware of her own folly. Her confidence in her ability was enough to keep this plan going. She crawled up, over the last dune with relative ease. In front of her was the outskirts of the town. The point at which the finely crafted marble towers gave way to endless sands. Where the via munita leveled off into via terrena. Most importantly, though, the city life stayed in the city. There were only a few Kais milling about here. It would be much easier to make a move here. There would be fewer witnesses, if any.

If she had been noticed, she had not noticed.

The nape of the Legate’s neck was now soaked with sweat. Wearing a heavy robe out in this heat was perhaps madness, but it was necessity. It was consistency with all of the Legate’s trips. The image of this emissary was the most important imparting gift to give. If she dared mix things up, there would be no way to tell if any mission was official. No, she had to keep things consistent.

The first day she had been here, the Legate had come to this very place. It was night then, when not even one Kai could be seen walking the streets. She had toyed with the idea of breaking into an important looking house - but that was quickly dismissed. It was unbefitting for a peaceful delegate to make such a rude and obnoxious move. Especially with time being no issue. There was no point in rushing into this.

Her second day had been different. The Legate, instead, chose to come during the day. This was when the populace was active. She had sat upon one of the huge towers (of which their purposes still eluded her) and looked down on it all. One could say they were like ants, the Kais. They moved around in a fervor. Always this place to the next. Never did they stop for anything unnecessary. If they did, it was only for the betterment of their society. To pick up a spare piece of trash. To notice and fix a degrading piece of brick. Yes, they were like ants. Surely, if the Legate had known what an ant was, she would have appreciated this superb simile.

The Kais being hyper-sentient (the only trait the Legate could see she shared with these creatures) had come off as a disappointment. Nowhere had there been any showcase of smarts. Indeed, the whole area, while beautifully constructed, had appeared primitive. Technology was sparse and unattractive. None of it was worth noting. It was all so regular. Why then, had this label been applied? Could she have been wrong to come here? Were these Kais just really a bunch of regular sentients?

And that was why she was here today. She needed to talk to one of them. One and only one. She needed to study it, gain insight to its way of thinking. See if it had wit or intuition. Awareness was already ruled out, but there was more to test. Maybe then, it would all become clear.

The Legate was good with faces. It was an acquired skill, picked up by countless years of studying countless species throughout the known universe. Before her was the Kai she had watched both days before. The Kai she had seen, with regal posture, emerge from that fancy looking house she had almost broken into. The Kai she had noticed delegating orders to other Kais yesterday. The same Kai that had been pegged with a memory chip - a device to let her know where this being was at all times.

The aforementioned pegging had been done by none other than the Legate herself. Well, that is not entirely true. Actually it’s not true in the slightest. She had actually used a small synthenoid, not unlike the highly prized and respected Mr. Zurkon for this monumental task. This was, naturally, a much smaller model, which allowed it the easiest of access to any creature needed for Verlate’s reminding. Now, I know what you are all thinking: Zurkon is a dreadfully deadly device. Surely it would have killed the Kai instead of planting a locating chip in its brain! Now, that would be good and true, except for one small caveat. Verlate was a somewhat clever being (of which no mentioned has been previously made), and thus repurposed her Zurkon into a scout-flyer to do her own bidding. In this case, her robot friend planted a chip for her, and he was a good robot for doing so. Verlate had thought at the time he was a wonderful addition to her crew (comprised of only herself). That was, until he was making his return trip back to the base, at supersonic speeds, got all confused and crashed into a tree. Stupid tree. At the very least, the Kai was now in Verlate’s sights, and there was a perfectly good explanation for it.

She had tracked it here. Fortuitous it was, that he was out here in the open today. Surely, he patrolled the entire city, but being out here now, right when the Legate had arrived was a chance that could not be missed. And then, with even more luck, it happened. The others left. The Kai, purpled skinned, grey haired, and erect as a hominid, was left alone. Working on a broken piece of stone, from a wall of aqueduct, he did not see the Legate until the Legate was right over him.

At first, the Kai became ridged. Its shoulders were drawn back and its face stared piercingly at this intruder. It was distrust, the Legate noted, but rational restraint that accompanied it. The Kai did not yell or attack or do anything else that would be a bother. It just stared.

The differences in physiology were enough to justify this stand off. The Legate stood taller than they did; a good two feet taller. Its eyes jutted out to the side, where a normal Kai’s ears would be, leaving the entirety of the face blank, save for a small nose and mouth. The Legate was hairless, and dully colored - a great difference to the long hair, pointy eared humanoid creatures that were the Kais.

There was a moment of respite, where both creatures did not make a move. It was customary for the host species to initiate conversation. The Legate had hoped it would. Nonetheless, after moments of silence, she decided she not assume anything.

The Legate lowered its robes, and cast them aside into the dust. This revealed her full form before the Kai. It was a showcase. Upon doing so, the creature raised its hand, and then spoke.

“I am Legate, the protector of this world. I am your-”

“Stop,” the Kai cried out. He spoke slowly and carefully, as if every word, while chosen carefully, was only thought of mere milliseconds before utterance. “You are false. A god, if there was one, would not come to us in this way! You are ill-advised to have tried this. Leave now and your wicked thoughts will be forgotten.”

“If one of you does not want a god, a god will not be had.” said the Legate.

“In that case, what are you and why have you taken your place among my own? Do you think you may sway my reasoning with a deflection of our categorization?” the Kai shot back.

“I am Legate. A wanderer… an emissary. I am not here to harm you. I am not here to change you.”

The Kai furrowed its brow, wrinkling its face in an avalanche of purple skin and white hair. It nodded and raised its hands, causing the sand around the two to spring up in a very tamed maneuver. At once, a group of smaller beings leapt up. In a blink, they had fully surrounded the Legate; three rows of a half circle.

Most of them were barehanded, though several carried stones or pieces of wood. It was clear as day to the Legate that this was a mob of dangerous intent. They looked like the Kai did, but were smaller and hunched over. As one, they rocked back and forth, salivating and gnawing their arms and hands. Their eyes remained trained on the robed figure, however. They were trained to wait.

“We do not believe you.” said the Kai, in a breath out.

“How many of your race are there?” the Legate questioned. It spoke in a manner to tread lightly over this firebrand. Any misstep would erase any semblance of trust the Legate could hope to gain. Still, the impatience of the smaller imps began to expand as their cackles and movement grew.

“As you see before you, Legate, we Kais are many.”

“Kai.” the Legate whispered, “You are Kai. Those in the city are Kai. But these,” she motioned to the groveling figures around her, “are just your pets.”

The Kai stopped his advance. This bit of news dug deep into him, and he stepped back, eyes ablaze with fury.

“H-how do you know that?! You watched us? Or are you tricking me?” said the Kai, his voice trembling.

“Kai, there is much to be shown. Enlightenment to be gained. Order your dogs away, and I will show you things you would believe unimaginable.”

The Kai frowned again. He hunched his shoulder. Though he did not speak, his eyes showed his obvious distrust.

The Kai’s lethargy was no match for his guard dogs’ impatience. Daringly disobedient, a few of them broke ranks and charged, headlong at the Legate. It must have been quite a long time since they could have had a chance like this.

At once, a huge pillar of blue burst up from the ground. It was so bright, so overcoming that even the Legate - though she made it herself - blinked her watering eyes away from the glare. The beam of energy pulsed upward to the sky until, rather abruptly, it exploded.

The Kai jumped back, in reflex, but his imps had not quick enough reactions. The light and heat enveloped them, incinerating every bit of flesh on contact. Screams and listless howls sprung up, but only for a moment. And then they were gone.

The Kai stood with the Legate. The two of them, it was, in the glassed sands of the lowest dune. In the proximity, the mossy waters of the ocean still churned peacefully. Further on, the rest of the Kais were just beginning to react to the sight and sound of the energy plume, that had been summoned just moments before.

“Emissary, that was you who killed mine….” said the Kai, now muted and wide-eyed, “What are you?”

“I am inconsequential to our discussion. Merely, I am a host and a caretaker of knowledge. The knowledge itself is what speaks.”

“No… no. You are not a god, but you are my superior. You commanded the ground to come up and destroy my guard. Show me how, so that I may do that!” the Kai pleaded.

“Already, there has been one mistake today. There mustn’t be another.” The emissary turned away from the other, then took to the skies. “We will talk again tomorrow.”

The Legate attempted to burst off. But something was holding her back. Something preventing her from leaving just yet.

It was the Kai. His arm had flung out at the last second to grab onto her leg. Seeing his success, the native reeled her back to the ground. Then, he jumped on top of her.

This was no good. No good at all. This humiliation was uncalled for. In addition, it was most intolerable. A grand humiliation to the Legate, if you would. So even with the Kai still wrapped around her body, the Legate used all of her energy, and pushed up and off to the ground. Maddeningly, she flew, this way and that, trying to shake her quarry off. But it was to no avail. She saw the alien’s long arms and fingers. The intricateness of them, wrapped around her. Those would not be shaken off so easily.

It was not long before she and the Kai reached the ocean, in their struggle. Hovering mere inches over the waves below, the emissary placed both arms upon the Kai’s chest, stopping her. She attempted to push off, but it was no use. Her back cracked and she fell limp in pain.

The Kai’s eyes came to a squint. He took his arms, unlocking them from the alien’s chest, until he was free to work his idea. He weaved his hands back and forth over his body for several seconds until a trace of yellow sparks began emitting from his fingers. At this, the Kai grasped onto the Legate’s shoulders and held tightly. Another great light overtook them both, followed shortly by a huge sonic boom. The blasts burst the waters aside, reeling a mini-tsunami back to the town.

But the Kai did not see this nor care about this. For now, he was chiefly aware of his own power. His hands flowed with the same energy the Legate’s did; and it dripped from him, as if it was water - even as he knew it was not. He held his hand out, attempting to focus this power. Punching his hand forward, the Kai tested out a small ki blast - and it worked. The yellow ball of energy shot out from his hand and skidded down the waters, out to sea.

The Kai turned to the other, speaking in a rasp, “Legate, I can feel your powers within me…”

The Legate stared back at him, “What have you done?! I cannot let you stay with this power!”

“No! We’re not playing that game just yet. Legate - tell me your name. I want to know who you are.”

“I am the Legate, Verlate and I request you to lay down your power.”

With a sudden jerk, the Kai lunged forward. He kicked Verlate square in the chin, shattering the bones and teeth that had once been housed within. The emissary, caught off guard, fumbled and ultimately fell. Blood poured out, as much as it flowed back into her throat. Choking on it, Verlate was barely able to let out a whimper before she crashed into the waters below. Not more than a second later, and she had sunk out of sight.

Above her, the Kai turned his attention back to himself. He tested out energy blasts, convulsing his body and then shooting them out of his hand. Like before, they were successful, but unrefined. Many skidded and burned, immediately detonating from being fired. One or two even blew up in his hands.

But then it happened. He tried a large attack - something he was not ready to use, nor properly trained to handle. He gathered his energy, all into one giant ball. Granted, this was unnecessary, and seemingly illogical. But to a Kai, knowledge and intuition go hand in hand. This Kai’s intuition had granted him his power. And now he could not even so much as think of anything else until he knew the full scope of his power. With a chorus of grunts and elaborate hand movements, the Kai took it into his palm… the great ball of fire. And then it detonated.

The shockwave hit Verlate as she continued to sink, sending her spiraling down under even faster. Her vision of up above went dark, and her mind went blank.

At that moment, Verlate thought no more.

Abusus Non Tollit Usum
When there was no more structure, nor reason, nor order, the Kai - by this point, filled with the stolen power of the Legate - descended back upon his own city of birth. As it always is with these kinds of things, the escalation factor, at present, yielded great concern. Without a guardian force to stop him, this Kai could do anything with the power. For in his own mind, the Kai had been groveled upon and cheated. He had been lied to. Now that he held power, all of the petty offenses against him became more and more clear. None could stand in his way now; he knew this. It was only a matter of his investment. For he knew, eventually he would be challenged. But until then, he would make do. For that single stoppage point against him was currently lying at the bottom of the sea; unconscious, weary, and with a broken jaw. The Kai had the power.

He looked down upon his burned hands; his purple skin flaking off from the disaster that was his previous attempt at making energy. Controlling energy like that alien had was no easy feat. Even with his quick mind, he had failed to understand the basic concepts of handling it. Eventually, he would learn how to compel it how he wished. That was certain. The Kai always got his way. For now, he could… practice.

Strange how that word sounded so alien.

The Kai placed his boot back into the sand. Swimming back from the ocean had been tedious. He, obviously, hadn’t figured out a way to fly yet, so he was still limited to his regular travel. The Kai was not a strong person at all; a bureaucratic life had all but stifled his active life. The short swim had, embarrassingly, left him short of breath. He gathered himself up for a while before beginning his walk back to the city. It was unfitting to let anyone see him like this.

The Kai reached back to his home no later than an hour; by walking he had set a nice pace which would guise his lack of endurance to all onlookers. The common Kais paid him no notice when he returned. But he chuckled to himself. They wouldn’t know of how he had changed in these brief few minutes. There was no logical reason to suspect anything, on their part. But he had changed. For the better.

He walked forward, until he noticed a Kai working on a piece of brick-outlay. This being, as he recognized, was the very same fellow who had lied to him three days prior about the aqueduct. It had fallen into disrepair under his watch, though it wasn’t his fault. This worker had made no mention of it. By his omission, the Kai had been lambasted by the higher ups. They had held him responsible for the idleness of these others.

The Kai was a logical being; all of his species were. Even the most stupid, innocent ones were logical in their motivations. But the Kai had no morality. He had grown past such contrivances. He valued no life more so than he valued a meal or a good pair of boots. Anything that remained useful, he would cherish. But that which held no purpose any longer, be it anything, must be erased.

“Forty-three” the Kai said, “Come here. Now.”

The other Kai fumbled his hands and turned his head. Seeing it was his taskmaster, he dropped his tools and walked on over, “What is it, sir? Got more work for me that can’t wait?”

“No,” he replied, hiding a smile, “Did you hear of my injunction? It was two days ago.”

“N-no… I had not heard…”

“I expected as much, Forty-three.” he replied, with a calm voice, “You may go back to your post.”

“If that’s all you are to call me over here for, I think I shou-”

“Quiet. Be quiet!” said the Kai, in a sudden scream.

He dropped to his knees, gasping and trembling. But the others paid no notice, and forty-three was also unconcerned. He walked back to his work, shaking his head. Of course the worker would. They wouldn’t know his pain.

This pain was because of the energy. The Kai had attempted to bring forth his energy, but it felt as if his veins were burning hot, as if they were on fire when he tried.

The Kai raised out his shaking hand, using all of his mind’s power to focus the energy. It began flowing out from his fingers uncontrollably. Like before, it was dripping out like water would - though when each drop hit the earth, it glassed the ground, sending up puffs of smoke.

He tried focusing the energy, but it just wouldn’t budge. No matter how much effort he put forth, it simply sprayed out in a lame stream.

Standing up, the Kai tried again. But even with new elevation, it was not working. The crackling, hissing sound being given off by the dropping energy caused Forty-three, ahead, to turn ‘round again. He looked puzzled at the sight of his taskmaster having streams of what looked like liquid flowing out from his finger tips.

“Sir, what are you doing?” he asked.

Caught in his deceits, the Kai jumped back, flinging his arms wildly as he went. The energy, still sputtering out, went flying up into the air. But as the Kai should know, gravity makes everything come back down again. And so it did, mere moments later, on top of Forty-three’s and the other workers‘ heads.

Nigh a moment later, the working area went kaboom. And it was not just a regular explosion, such as the one the Legate had used against the Kai’s imps; it was a large one, filled with smoke and fire, and much dirt and brick and steel. Suffice to say, when the dust cleared, everything in the vicinity was blown away.

Well, everything besides the other Kais. Though there were bruised and bloodied, and some were quite dirty, all of them were still standing; alive.

Forty-three lunged at the Kai, obviously angry at what his taskmaster had just done. He grabbed the other Kai by the shins, and toppled him over. In but a moment, the worker had him pinned. He began raining blows down upon the Kai, who was too weak to defend against. As the worker was about to raise his fist for another blow, he noticed the energy had landed on him. At once, he felt the stuff surge through his body; completely encapsulating him. He raised out his hand, and, just as it was with the other Kai, the energy began pouring out in a stream. His eyes opened in wonder.

The Kai’s eyes also widened at this. “No!”

“You be quiet now.” replied Forty-three. He stuffed his hand over the Kai’s face, letting the energy pour on it. The Kai writhed and attempted to scream, as the stuff burned and melted away his face. Shoving the energy forward with more force, Forty-three managed to create an actual ball of energy. It exploded over the Kai and himself.

“Why didn’t it work!?” screamed out the Kai, “Why didn’t it work?!”

It was too late. He and his worker were caught up in the ball, dissolving both of them in a matter of moments. The energy released from this was powerful, sending off a shockwave akin to the one that the Kai had used against Verlate. Only, this time, the energy, all of it, was set free, and drifted through the air back into the city. Back to where all the Kais were.

A streak of purple stretched across the sky, like a long, bleeding gash of an ill-kept wound. The remnants of smoke hung about it, hanging still in the air. It had been several hours since Verlate, the gods’ Legate, had been kicked to the bottom of the sea. In the time that she had been unconscious, the sea had disappeared. Perhaps it was from that streak above, but she did not know. Indeed, the sudden absence of the waters had been what woken her - that and the pain in her jaw.

Verlate stood up. It had been several hours that she had laid, down here, but she remembered everything leading up to it vividly. That one Kai she had been watching - it was him who had taken her powers. Not that she could have known, or even done anything about it after she had known. But still, it made her feel hollow inside.

Gingerly, she ran her fingers over her mouth, confirming, with several sharp breaths, her entire lower jaw line as being broken. As it was, she could not so much as utter a word without immense pain accompanying it. In that case, she would remain silent.

The more pressing matter at hand was not her own discomfort. Verlate knew this. Ahead of her, several dozen miles ahead, the city that Verlate had visited was now smoking in ruin. The towers she had witnessed before were mostly collapsed, with only a few left standing. Even they were on fire, as was much of the rest of the city.

Verlate flew to it, only landing on the edge of the southernmost spire. There were bodies strewn about everywhere. Overturned barrels and flattened tents littered the streets. The fires were blowing through, coating everything in the hungry flames. Then, from behind Verlate, a loud bang went off.

From the shacks behind, where she had figured most of the Kais to live, a duo of the purple-skinned creatures can bumbling out into the street. They tripped over each other, punching and kicking and spitting at one another with wild fury. Eventually crashing up against a fall wall, the two stopped. The one on top jumped back and threw out his hands. From them erupted a shot of energy; with but a quick flash and another bang, the second figure was disintegrated.

The Legate was not one to meddle in the affairs of others. Ironic for her position, but the pettiness that she witnessed on many of the planets she visited was tiresome to her. Eventually, she had given up everything besides the most basic contact with the various species. However, she had known the Kais did not possess any capabilities to control self-based energy. Actually, they were considered to be rather pedestrian in regards to threat level. So why were they shooting energy at one another?

She remembered, however, the Kai she had taken to enlighten had stolen her powers. He had even made a basic ki blast out of it; using her energy reserves to try his experiments. Still, these Kais were not him. It had only been a few hours that she had been blacked out, and there was no possible way that the others could have mimicked him so quickly.

The victorious Kai turned now to Verlate. So as to not confuse anyone in the coming paragraphs, he will henceforth be referred to as Savage. Savage's eyes and hands were fluttering madly, like a drug addict’s during withdrawal. He lowered to all fours and then scurried forward. Verlate was taken aback by such a offensive, and only reacted at the last second, sidestepping out of Savage's way. Before Savage could try another attack, she jumped back and kicked a heap of rubbish into his way. Surely, it wasn’t any type of damaging attack, but it would give her time to get away.

She flew up to the roof of the shack cluster. At least the Kais couldn’t fly.

She surveyed the entire city, watching it crumble before her. If this was really because of that Kai taking her powers, than this was all her fault. This was all her powers being used to destroy this place. The thought of it brought up that hollow feeling in her stomach. It was painful, unbearable to think about - that she could be responsible for all these deaths.

On the edge of her field of vision, she saw even greater explosions popping up. They were everywhere. And Verlate knew that even were she at her full power, she alone could not stop this.

Savage (the rascal) had, in this time, found a way to climb up to the roof. Bitterly annoyed that the alien had ignored it, the thing threw itself on the back of Verlate. Verlate stumbled forward and reached behind her back, trying to grab the thing and throw it off of her, but it held steadfast. Those long fingers of the Kais were such an irritation.

With a jump, Verlate leaped from the roof, back onto the ground. She landed, hard, on her back; on the Kai, who was called Savage. Instantly, he let go, letting her roll away. But Savage was not as damaged by this as Verlate had hope and he sprung up quickly, as well. He raised both of his hands and shot out fire from both. Instinctively, Verlate put up an energy barrier, with her own arms. It would go against who she was to kill this Kai. He was insane, but it was not his fault. Even as the fire began breaking through her shield, burning her hands and paining her squinting eyes, she did not have any hatred for this creature.

The barrier held for a while before going pink and shattering. Verlate was thrown back, as was Savage. But the dust obscured the other’s vision of Verlate, and he lost track of her. Running off down an alley to the left, Savage missed Verlate hiding under some refuse right in front of him. After losing him, Verlate took to the sky again. She decided to fly to the Kai’s house - the Kai that she had given this power to, before. She could not think of anything else to do. If she was to find this creature, his house would most logically not be where he was located, but it was her only reference point in the entire city. She had to start somewhere.

But Verlate never got to the house. She never even took so much as three steps before it happened. The entire city blew up. It was a Kai, or perhaps several. But it did not matter who. It was frightening, alone, to her to see how little of her excess power could have been tapped into and used to destroy so much. The blast was enough to completely erase, from the planet, the town, but it only gave Verlate a host of superficial scratches and bruises.

She was thrown far away, back into the sand. Now that it was night, the heat of the place was gone, but Verlate felt no better because of it.

At once, a creature teleported in front of Verlate. It was slender, tanned skinned, and covered in the same robes (though they were colored dark green) as Verlate had been. At the sight of it, the Legate stumbled up into a stance. Since she still could not talk from her broken jaw, she simply motioned to the other her predicament.

It did not speak immediately, either. Simply, it strode forward, and grasped onto Verlate’s face. Verlate was surprised by this, jumping back slightly, but she let the creature keep its hands on her. With one swift movement, the other, still silent, pulled on Verlate’s jaw, ripping it forward, and back into place. Verlate dropped to her knees but did not cry. She clutched her jaw and winced.

The other did not notice. Instead, he was already looking behind him at the wreckage of the planet. There were still huge blasts going off all over the planet. Many could be seen, but even more could be felt. The entire place was rumbling steadily.

Then, it turned back to Verlate, “Legate… what happened here? Did they refuse our offers? Did you not show them yet?”

Verlate took a moment to prepare her voice before speaking. When she did, it was flat and emotionless, “I have yet to contact their leadership. I was attempting to gain access when one of them found me and seized a great deal of my power. There was nothing that could be done-”

“This planet’s compromised state was due to you?”

“Take me to the courts if you wish,” she said, “I have nothing more to say.”

Verlate fell to the ground. As her vision blurred, she saw the distinctive shape of a hand grabbing her. Then it all went dark.

THREE HOURS LATER

Sertung, the honourable Judge, paced back and forth in front of Verlate. She stood, stony faced in front of him. Behind the two was the delegate - the oligarchy which held most of the power of Verlate’s race.

“I have already found out about what happened on the world of the Kais,” he began, “The folly of your ways lead to them to use your power to exterminate themselves en masse. What punishment do you think you deserve, Legate?”

“I am no longer the Legate, your honor. It does not matters what I think.”

“You do not deny these allegations against you? You do not deny the blood of a million Kais is on your hands?”

“How much of the population was saved, your honor?” Verlate asked, ignoring the Judge’s own tactical advances.

“Ninety-nine percent of the population is dead. Little over two thousand of them are still alive. We have them in a safe place. They will continue on, there. Out of our way.”

Sertung stopped his pacing and stood in front of Verlate. Though standing on equal terms, his presence held the dominance.

“Verlate, you are one of our species most powerful members. That was not why you were chosen as Legate, however. You are also one of the smartest, most empathetic of our race. Were any other to be in your position, I doubt they could have maintained such professionalism and thick skin in dealing with all these races. You have been so successful in your position. What went wrong this time?”

Verlate turned her head to the delegate behind her, as she responded to the Judge, “These are roles to play. But why? We are not gods; we are simply the most advanced race”

“Now that you’ve made an error, you wish for us to stop our noble mission?! Is that what you are saying?”

“I wish we would let them develop on their own.”

“You don’t believe that.” Sertung said, in full confidence.

“It does not matter. We would argue indefinitely over this with no change in opinion for either of us. You must sentence me now… but I will only agree to the sentencing on one condition. Please clear the room so I may tell you it, your honor.”

The delegate, which had been mostly polite since Sertung had threatened them before, now broke out in quiet conversation at the broken mind of Verlate. Not only had she given up, but the creature seemed to be welcoming her punishment without fear.

The Judge looked over at the rabble, instantly quieting them. With a motion of his hands, he opened the doors behind them.

“Leave now. I will sentence her alone.”

“Outrageous!” spat one of the Delegates, “This is a public trial!”

The Judge did not blink an eye in the face of this growing dissention to his authority. He stood tall in front of them, “A public trial with the expected consequences. Good sir, you know as well as I the risks of having any others take part in this is too great…”

The delegates continued their arguments with the Judge, not backing down. To Verlate, this was all inconsequential. Her species was small in number. Over the years, their population had thinned. Mating grew tiresome and boring, just as everything else had, and many of them had forgotten to have children. Currently, she guessed her race to be at about five hundred strong.

Her misstep was nothing she could have predicted. She was at fault, though. Even Verlate blamed herself, and it gave her physical anguish to even think of what had happened. Still, she thought of the Kais. Before she had intruded, they were fine. And after she came, they were crippled. What use was there, then, in her purpose?

At once, Verlate was jolted back to reality with the slamming of the doors behind her. It was just her and the judge now.

“Now tell me, Verlate,” said Sertung, swiftly walking back up to face her, “What this single condition of your surrender is.”

“I will agree to the sentencing on one condition; do not appoint another Legate.”

“What? That is the purpose of us. To spread the truth about the universe. I won‘t-”

“We should not waste breath in arguing over it. That is simply my condition.”

The Judge continued, “Then who will rule the universe? Who will be the rock, the center-point for all races to cling to?”

“That is not my care. But it my condition.”

Sertung paced again for several moments. Then he reached over to a box laying in the far back. He opened it up with a flick of his finger. Immediately a bright light flooded into the small room. It completely blinded both the Judge and Verlate. However, it was soundless.

“I will do it. But only because, in your absence, there will be no one to take your place.” he said. Continuing on, the Judge spoke, “You know the punishment for genocide. Eternal damnation in a prison of your own devices. A prison where there is no walls or ends. Where there is no chance of escape. You will waste away in the place of your mind forever.”

Verlate did not answer, because she was swiftly met with a wind, which blew about the room. It began sucking her forward. She put up no resistance to it. She felt herself fly by the Judge, even though she could not see him. She knew the reason he was not being sucked in was because he had no crimes against him - the reason why the delegate was not allowed to stay and watch. They would surely get sucked in, too. As she flew by him, the Judge spoke.

“Without the Legate, our race is done. We will be purposeless and dwindle away. Waiting for another race to take over as we die.”

Verlate closed her eyes as she neared the device which would hold her for the remainder of time. She spoke, softly, to the Judge, just before being sucked in.

“If you feel so inclined… there are always the Kai.”

With that, Verlate was gone.

SEVERAL YEARS LATER

Several years passed before he arrived. They did not know when he arrived, nor why, but it was something he had carefully planned.

Hyper-sentience was a rather general term which basically stated a species was almost as smart as the Judge’s. It was remarkable, really. The Kais in particular had been as close to trans-sentience as had ever been recorded - and this was without them having any impressive technology. They were just inherently gifted.

Sure, his race was far more gifted than theirs, but it would be hard to tell if that would have been the case had the Kais the same technology. It was a gamble to put trust in them. But it wasn’t illogical. Nothing she had ever said was.

Sertung, no longer an honourable Judge, did not want to meet any of the Kais. He was not good around these species like the Verlate had been. He set down the box that held her mind, and stretched out his arms. The Kais were few in number - like his race had been up until recently. But his species extinction was nothing spectacular or worth noting; simply the wasting away of talent and wit by the everlasting feeling. Or, in plain terms, death by boredom.

It did not take long for him to isolate every being on the planet; they were mostly clustered, anyway. However, he stopped himself from going forward. As it was, this would most likely end up how it did before. He had not thought ahead, yet, how to give them power without things turning out as they had with Verlate.

He set down his hands, giving himself time to think this through. He crouched down on the grass and began his thinking. As the day went on, Sertung had seen several Kais. Mostly children playing, or a few older ones doing who knows what. He had not even noticed when one of them had snuck up behind him.

A sharp thud on the back of the head, however, was enough to alert him properly. Sertung got up, and looked behind him. A single Kai was there. He was short, probably a child, and like the others, he had purple skin with white hair, layered in a spiky Mohawk.

There was no logical way for him to deflect away from this child. He had come here to give it power, so power he should give it. With a thrust of his hand, the Judge transferred some of his energy into the young Kai. He sighed to himself as the Kai began shaking and convulsing around with the energy coursing through his veins.

He motioned to the Kai, flicking his wrist and shooting off a small ki blast, in the hopes that the Kai would understand and copy him. Several times he did this and to no avail. The young Kai simply stared at Sertung in bewilderment.

Impatient at the Kai’s lack of focus, Sertung moved forward and grabbed onto the Kai’s hand. He forced the Kai to do the motion several times, emphasizing with his fists that force and focus should be put into it, as the motion went through. Then the judge let go.

The Kai tried it once on his own. His large, innocent eyes grew to a squint as he mimicked what the other had done. The result was a huge blast, shot down in a huge line into the grass ahead of them.

Sertung sighed, looking over small box that encompassed Verlate’s box. He couldn’t believe, all these years later, he was now listening to her advice. He almost wished that he was in one of those prisons - it would have denied him the responsibility of teaching these new creatures to take up the mantle.

But, he could not deny there was nothing wrong with this reason. Besides, if he was successful, the entire universe would be in good hands. He placed his arm on the Kai’s and went through the motions of Ki control again.

They would be in his hands. And then, when they were ready, he and the rest of the universe would be put in theirs.

Rock And Pool Is So Nice And Cool
MANY YEARS LATER, AROUND THE 35 BEFORE AGE

When there was no more to say or do - the pinnacle of thought already been reached be eons of constant use - Verlate, the disgraced envoy of her species, and perhaps the last living memory of those creatures, was briefly reprieved from her eternal isolation.

The mind prison she had been put in, while not the homeliest of places, was as vast and infinite as it was desolate. There was nothing in it - at least not at first. It was all white, staunchly blanketed over every inch of sight. But, as she had soon come to realize, Verlate’s mind prison was indeed fit to house more than a single being. In her time alive, Verlate had never heard of such a thing. Nor should she have. For two beings in an eternal mind prison would be torture behind torture. And, her species frowned upon cruel and unusual punishment.

Nevertheless, Verlate had been visited, on so much as two previous occasions, though neither ended well for her. The first creature was a wild bird, half the size of Verlate, and it had stayed with her a long time. It was not for any real reason, the creature was not pleasant to be around, nor did she suspect it thought highly of her. The mere reason for it not being thrown out of her prison was that Verlate had no idea how to get rid of the thing (and, by extension, get free herself). So they had sat, day after day, wasting away, until the second had come. This other creature, a small rodent of sorts, was less mindful, and more duplicitous, leading Verlate to spend almost all of her time watching it. She was careful to not let it leave her sight, lest it do something naughty.

In the end, this diligence caused her to forget the bird.

And that is what did it - basically, as soon as Verlate forgot about the first being. It was free to leave. By the time Verlate had remembered the creature, it was too late. The bright light had opened the sky above, letting it fly away. It was not long thereafter she connected her lack of thought with the departure. Verlate tested it again with the second creature, and to her surprise (as much as it was her relief), that one was thrown out too.

Once again, Verlate was alone. How she spent her time there, wasting in the desolation of infinitude was not especially interesting. She had learned to craft that which she thought into reality… at least the reality of her prison. She could create a bed, a chair, a nice pool for swimming. She made a whole home for herself, eventually.

It was at this time, after she had crafted herself her place to live that the prison had been opened again. Every time this would happen, the blinding light would become unbearable, shining even whiter than usual. Verlate had not noticed, however. Instead, she was in a deep meditation, wafting through a gentle stream of water she crafted some time before. The flowing of the water helped her think- and in this place, that was all there was to do. But so entranced was she that Verlate did not notice, aside from the brightening light, the small streak of a creature now inside her prison.

The new creature, white and furry, moved deftly on its hind legs; its paws barely touching down on the foggy earth before springing forward in a new step. It came to the place where Verlate usually stayed; a grand foray, encompassed by huge onyx pillars. A few tables stood around, but all were barren. Indeed, the only piece of this home that seemed alive was the trickling of a stream flowing into its center. Kneeling among the swirling waters was, with her head bowed, the former Legate.

“What have you come for now? Words of wisdom or a chance at adventure?” said Verlate.

“I, uh, actually was just looking for my favorite ball of yarn, and I… well I accidentally opened your thingymajig here.” the other responded, laughing slightly.

The creature was a cat; one with quite generous proportions, who stood on two legs, but a cat nonetheless. In his hands, he cradled a finely carven wood cane, with the rest of his body being as nature intended. Aside from his stark white coat (which made it ever so hard to see him against the foreground), there was little to his character that interested Verlate.

“What is this place ya got here?” asked the cat.

“Damnation,” said Verlate, “A place where even the smallest of thoughts can be expanded forever until you are a mindless, obsessive wretch like I. You are trapped with me, from here on.”

Unperturbed, the cat jumped up on one of the rock pillars, feeling its long jagged lines, etched with untold amounts of runic art.

“Oh, you’re a craftsman too.”

“Tell me your name before we go on, quadruped.”

“Hey, that’s rude. Cantcha see I walk on two legs just like you? I'm not an animal! Sheesh, can’t a guy get a break around here?”

Verlate remained silent, staring up at the cat as he babbled on to himself. The cat, seeing he would get no answer from her until he stated his name sighed and became serious.

“The name’s Korin, all right? Korin the cat.”

“How did you find this place, Korin?” she asked, now in a whisper.

“I was wandering the desert and I saw this box. So I went on over to pick it up and… Hey! Can you make anything you want in here?” he screeched out, seeing the platform in front of him. Such a place would make a brilliant spot to take a nap in the sun.

“Yes, Korin. I have learned how to make my thoughts a reality in this place.”

“How about giving this poor cat a nice fish? Or at least a windowsill to lay on in the sun?”

A bit taken aback by Korin’s lack of seriousness, particularly about being in the prison, Verlate stopped him, dimming the bright light into a dull grey. With this overcast look, she hoped to suck all the energy out of him.

“Korin the cat, if you wish to leave this place, you must gain my approval.”

“Yeah, yeah. Later. But first I will take a nap, there.” was his response, as he pointed toward the platform ahead.

Verlate was stricken dumb by this. How could anyone be so blasé about such a serious matter? It was a prison, some place which no one could leave, save for her to stop thinking about them. She had to let him leave, didn’t he get that? How couldn’t he?

“I…” Verlate began, but quickly stopped, seeing it was no use to try the same tactic over and over again. As she pondered a new strategy for making him yield, the cat raised his own paw and spoke.

“Hey, I know there’s probably some test ya want me to take, right? Some little rite of passage or something? Am I close?”

The correct, rational answer to his question was a resounding ‘no’. This was no game, nor a place for frivolity. Yet, something inside Verlate compelled her to not, so quickly, dismiss him. Perhaps she could play along, and make this a game for his sake. Maybe it would make him leave sooner.

“You are most correct, Korin. Watch me.” said Verlate.

She thrust her arms forward, weaving them back and forth in a delicate pattern. At once, various structures began popping up. Spire and stone, intermixed with trees and other foliage sprung up into a huge outcrop. She had, in but a moment, created an entire forest before their eyes. Verlate lowered her hands, now satisfied at her work.

“You will go in there and find for me the one with two-”

“Yeah, I hate to interrupt ya, but I’m not into playin’ cat and mouse games,” Korin snickered, “Imagine that.”

“These are my conditions!” said Verlate, puzzled at this defiance.

“Well, listen to me. It looks like ya just make up whatever ya were plannin’ on the spot. From what I saw ya doing in your free time, you must be pretty boring.”

Verlate could hardly mask her annoyance as she spoke again, “In that case what would you suggest, master Korin?”

“Know any good riddles?” he replied, coyly.

“A riddle? What is a riddle?”

“And I thought you were supposed to be smart.”

“What, why?!”

“This mind prison is probably not an everyday punishment. You must have been a real big-time criminal, eh? I thought ya got put in here because you did something really horrible. And ya‘d have to be smart to pull that off.”

“You are diverting from our topic. Explain to me these riddles.”

“Fine, fine. A riddle is like a word puzzle.” said Korin.

“What is a word puzzle?” asked Verlate.

Korin squinted his eyes together, as if not believing that someone could be so inept on certain subjects, “Well for example, a riddle would be…” Korin drew himself up into his most regal, high chinned pose before continuing, “ For some I go fast/ for others I'm slow./ To most people, I'm an obsession/ relying on me is a well practiced lesson.”

“I…”

“Just say the first thing that comes to mind.”

“A good friend?”

“No no no,” said Korin, “Riddles are mind games, you have to think outside the box to understand them. I woulda thought you of all people could have got that one. The answer was time…”

“Time,” Verlate repeated. She took her fingers and began writing in the thin air, her long, curly writing flowing up onto the void as if she were writing on paper. She stared at the riddle when she was done. “Time… yes I see time. Abstract, yet logical. Are all riddles like this?”

“Only the good ones. That one wasn’t even one of the harder ones. Just wait until ya get better, then you’ll be doing these no problem.”

“Show me another.” she asked, most politely. By this time, Verlate had forgotten that Korin was a bothersome being - one which she was trying to get rid of. Her own thirst for knowledge was overriding her previous goal.

The two stayed for some time, days perhaps as they recounted riddles at one another. Verlate came up with her first riddle: ‘It has trigonal crystals/ with vitreous luster/ and is colored black and white’ to which, naturally, the answer was onyx. Though, as she soon learned, such bland and straightforward descriptions were quite terrible to read. But she did not fear, for Korin was her teacher.

But occasionally, talk turned to Korin and his life. He was a wanderer, that he had given up to her; a talking cat still in his prime. He had come across Verlate’s mind prison as an abandoned box in the desert. As soon as he had picked it up, the light overcame him and he was thrust inside. There was no sign nor mention of Verlate’s species, nor the Kai species anywhere around the box‘s placement, nor was there any note left on the box itself. This Korin had promised to be true. But it was no matter to linger on, for Verlate had no idea what had happened to either species. If she could hope for one thing, though, it would be that her martyring acted as a catalyst for the Kais to take over her role. Still, as Korin had put it, the world seemed fine enough as it was.

Verlate had believed the cat as he spoke. Unlike her previous two roomates, Korin had earned her trust in their riddle-making. While often being aloof or downright unpredictable, Korin had been a fun person to talk to. It alleviated her boredom. And she knew when he was gone, Verlate would have more to do. To come up with impressive riddles and mind games to show her mental superiority. It was something she looked forward to.

Nevertheless, Korin had no plans on staying. Verlate had seen it in his eyes; still young they were and eager for something else. Something more exciting than explaining what riddles are to an ancient and disgraced being. It had only been a few hours since he arrived, and already Korin was eager to leave. So it was then that she decided to let him go.

“I only have to unthink you and you will leave.” Verlate said, bluntly, as she interrupted Korin explaining a particularly complex riddle to her.

“Gettin’ rid of me so soon, I see?” he responded.

“It is no secret you do not wish to stay.”

Korin jumped up. Verlate was right. He did not have any reason to stay. It was a serene place, but its infinite expanse and lacking décor really weighed heavily on his patience. He would not miss it much.

“Maybe you should close your eyes. It‘ll help you not think of me.”

More to herself than Korin, Verlate wondered aloud, “I wish I could get out too.”

“Just unthink yourself, and it will all go well.”

“No! No. That would kill me. I was told if I tried to escape, I would die.”

“Look, all’s ya need to do is just trick your mind into unthinking another person, but switching them with yourself at the last second. Then you could get out and have another person stuck in here.”

Verlate was silent for two whole moments as her mind calculated and reasoned with the logic of what Korin had just said. In the end, her response was a meek, “Would that work?”

“I don’t know. You should try it sometime… but not on me. Yeah, don’t try it on me! I’d really like to get back outside, y‘know.”

“I will remember your words, Korin.” said Verlate, nodding to the cat, “They are wiser than I ever imagined.”

Not listening, Korin flexed his claws, “Good luck with all that. You’re gonna need it.”

At that, Verlate closed her eyes. It took no more than a moment before she had stopped her mind from thinking of Korin. Then, once again it was just her. As she opened her eyes, she could have sworn she heard the sound of a ‘see ya’ but she could not be sure. What was sure was the cat was gone.

Korin was gone.

Verlate had spent only a few hours with the strange cat. In it, she had learned some basic riddle-making techniques. It was interesting to her, now piecing it together with his last bit of information. If she were to switch bodies with a creature coming in - though she was not even sure such a thing was doable in its own right - she would have to first get their guard down. Make their mind focus on something different. Something like a riddle.

Her own antiquated notions of morality aside, it was a genius plan.

Verlate walked back to her stream and knelt down in it. The waters pooled and swirled at her untimely arrival, but as she became still, so did they. It was unknown how much time she would have to come up with some riddles, but they would have to be good. Things no being could solve easily. They would have to buy her time to switch beings. She could think up the specifics later. For now, she had a concrete, fathomable plan… and it gave her hope. Hope that she would, one day, be free again.

Still, a nagging thought crept into her mind. Verlate couldn’t help but feel that such a trickery was unjust, far more than even what she had done against the Kais. Leaving someone in here for all of time was a fate worse than death. Was she desperate enough to do it? Korin had been okay with it. But should she listen to him?

It did not matter, she thought to herself. Were anyone to come here, she would gauge them and make the decision then.

There would be no point to over-think it.

Fulfillment Saga
<p style="text-align: center">Many long years ago,

<p style="text-align: center">I went to the crack dealer

<p style="text-align: center">To shoot him and steal his

<p style="text-align: center">“goodies”.

<p style="text-align: center">Unfortunately the police came.

<p style="text-align: center">How ironic.

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

The Door To Nowhere
<PLANET EARTH>

<774 AGE>

<A SPOT ON THE BRINY>

<FIRST PERSON SHOT>

<A HAND REACHES FORWARD, LEANING DOWN TO SHOW A CONCRETE STEP; THERE IS A POOL OF WATER BELOW IT; THE HUMAN HAS A VIAL IN ITS LEFT HAND; IT POURS THE CONTENTS OF IT INTO; THE ARM IS MASCULINE, SO LET US ASSUME THIS IS A MAN>

<UPON DOING THAT, THE MAN PUNCHES A BUTTON, TURNING ON FLOODLIGHTS; IT IS SHOWN HE IS IN A LARGE STONE ROOM, COMPLETELY UNWINDOWED AND UNLIT ASIDE FROM THE LIGHT HE JUST TURNED ON>

<THE MAN LOWERS HIMSELF INTO THE WATER, STILL IN FIRST PERSON; WHEN HE IS WAIST DEEP, HE PULLS OUT A NEEDLE>

<THE MAN PUTS THE NEEDLE INTO HIS ARM, INTO A HUGELY PRONOUNCED VEIN; IT DRAWS NO BLOOD; WHEN HE FINISHES, HE LETS THE SYRINGE FALL INTO THE WATER>

<THE MAN WADES OUT DEEPER INTO THE POOL, WHEN HE SHUDDERS, MAKING THE WATER RIPPLE ABOUT HIM>

<THE MAN LETS OUT A SCREAM; A LONG UNINTERRUPTED SCREAM; HE SHAKES HIS HEAD AROUND, LOOKING UP AND DOWN BEFORE LOOKING BACK INTO THE WATER>

<AS IT SO HAPPENS, HE SEES THE WATER IS NOW RED; HE IS BLEEDING PROFUSELY; HE RAISES UP THE ARM THAT HE INJECTED THE SYRINGE INTO AND SEES THE VEIN IS BLEEDING OUT; HE CONTINUES SCREAMING UNTIL HE GOES UNDER THE WATER>

<HIS SIGHT GOES BLANK>

<CUTS TO THE CITY>

<THE BENEFACTOR IS STANDING IN THE STREET OF THE CITY; THERE IS A SMALL GASH IN THE ASPHALT IN FRONT OF HIM; HE SHOOTS A SMALL BEAM TO OPEN THE HOLE A SMALL BIT MORE; RUBBLE IS ALL AROUND; ON EITHER SIDE OF HIM, THE BUILDINGS ARE DESTROYED AND BODIES STREWN ABOUT; THERE IS A HUGE CRATER LEFT BY HIS PREVIOUS ATTACK BEHIND HIM>

<THE BENEFACTOR STOPS THE BEAM, IT IS LARGE ENOUGH FOR HIM TO JUMP IN; THERE IS NO SIGN OF ANYTHING BUT DARKNESS WITHIN IT; HE STEPS FORWARD>

<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 thug?!

<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>

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!

The Benefactor: <LOWERS HIS HEAD INTO THE HOLE, NOT NOTICING THE POLICE> Iodine… there’s more down here.

<NAGAMO, MAKING ASSUMPTIONS NOW, ORDERS HIS MEN TO FIRE AND THEY DO; THE BENEFACTOR TURNS BACK TO FACE THEM, SNOUT FORWARD; HE STARES AT NAGAMO, BEFORE QUICKLY THROWING AN IMPALEMENT BEAM AT NAGAMO; NAGAMO, BEING ONLY A HUMAN, AND ONE OF GENEROUS PROPORTIONS REGARDLESS CANNOT GET OUT OF THE WAY; THE BEAM IS LARGER THAN HIM, AND NOT ONLY IMPALES HIM, BUT RIPS OFF HIS UPPER TORSO, LEAVING ONLY A SMALL MASS ON HIS RIGHT SIDE AND A PARTIAL, UPRIGHT PIECE OF HIS SPINAL COLUMN>

<THE OTHERS ROAR IN DISAPPROVAL AND CONTINUE FIRING 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>

<LEDAS IS WALKING DOWN A DARK HALLWAY, AND HE LOOKS UP; THE CEILING SHAKES; DUST COMES FALLING DOWN>

<LEDAS IS IN A WHITE T-SHIRT, BLACK SHORTS, AND SOCKS; THE REST OF HIS CLOTHES ARE GONE; HE IS SHIVERING FROM THE COLD>

Ledas: What are they doing up there?

<LEDAS WALKS FORWARD INTO THE SECOND ROOM; IT IS DARK, LIKE THE REST OF THE COMPLEX; HE PEERS AROUND FOR ANYTHING>

<HE STAYS IN POSITION, HIS MOUTH OPEN, WHEN HE HEARS A SOUND; LEDAS SPINS AROUND, FACING FORWARD, AND SHOOTS A KI BLAST; HE SEES A SHAPE MOVING, A HUMANOID SHAPE>

Ledas: A-are you the alien from Frieza’s ship?!

<THE SHAPE COMES FORWARD INTO LEDAS’ AURA, SHINING LIGHT ONTO IT; IT IS CLEARLY THE BENEFACTOR>

The Benefactor: <TO LEDAS> Sit down.

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

The Benefactor: Sit down.

Ledas: <BELLOW> You’re not my dad!

The Benefactor: No, I killed him.

Ledas: You wha…?

<THE BENEFACTOR REACHES OUT HIS HAND AND LIFTS UP LEDAS WITH HIS KI, HE FORCEFULLY BRINGS LEDAS BACK TO SIT DOWN ON A 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> Wewll… I don’t wanna ’member you.

The Benefactor: <SHAKEN WHISPER> But you do. Go on, tell me about it.

Ledas: <HESITANT> Me and Vegeta saw ya when we worked for Frieza. But that was a long time ago… <PAUSE> I didn’t think you were still around. <TILTS HIS HEAD SIDEWAYS; STILL SCARED> Why were you following me?

The Benefactor: <QUIETLY, SHOULDERS PULLED FORWARD> Lord Frieza gave his soldiers many missions. But not me. Being his third captain, I was charged with watching over the Prince and you.

Ledas: But when me and Vegeta were lit-

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. We were to become your trainers.

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> I had nowhere to go after Frieza forsook me.

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

<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 GOES TO LEAVE>

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

The Benefactor: <QUIETLY, BELOW LEDAS’ SCREAMING> Jackals and vultures, they asked us; why? Why can’t you be like the others?! There is no question today. I have waited too long to be the authority.

Ledas: Stop!

The Benefactor: You will stay here, in this building until I return. Once the proper arrangements have been made, our training begins. Do not leave this place.

Ledas: I won’t… I guess. <HE HOLDS HIS BLOODY ARM>

The Benefactor: Good boy.

<THE BENEFACTOR TURNS AND SKIDS OFF; HOWEVER, BEFORE HE LEAVES, LEDAS SPEAKS>

Ledas: Wait. <THE BENEFACTOR STOPS, AND FACES LEDAS> D-did you kill him? V-v-vegeta? Did you kill him?

The Benefactor: He doesn’t matter.

Ledas: Then why did you bring me down here?!

The Benefactor: <WHISPER> Iodine.

Ledas: What?

The Benefactor: Mother’s house was on an iodine deposit. This is the only place on this planet where I could smell it.

Ledas: You mean you brought me here cuz it smells like your old house?

The Benefactor: Don’t leave. Don’t search for the Prince.

<THE BENEFACTOR RUSHES OFF>

Raven Veins
<LEDAS WALKS DOWN THE HALL, OUT OF THAT ROOM; HIS ARM IS HEALING UP, BUT IT IS STILL BLOODY; HE HAS A SULLEN, DEFEATED LOOK ON HIS FACE; HE MOVES OUTWARD INTO THE HALL; HIS AURA IS LIGHTING HIS WAY>

<HE SEES A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL>

<AS HE IS WALKING TOWARDS IT, WHEN HE REALIZES THAT THIS LIGHT IS MOVING>

<IT BLASTS FORWARD, CREATING A BIG FIREBALL THAT COMES SHOOTING DOWN THE HALL; LEDAS BLOCKS IT; WHEN IT CLEARS, HE PEERS AROUND AGAIN, LOOKING WHEN HE SEES SOMETHING>

<A TURRET COMES DOWN FROM THE CEILING ON THE FAR SIDE, IT AIMS DOWN AT LEDAS BEFORE SHOOTING OFF; HE DODGES IT BY STEPPING BACK AND THROWING HIS FAR SHOULDER BACK; AT THE SAME TIME, HE THROWS A SMALL KI BLAST AT IT, BLOWING THE WHOLE THING UP>

<HE STARES DOWN THE HALL FOR A MINUTE BEFORE ANOTHER WAVE OF DEFENSES COME UP AND PEPPER HIM DOWN WITH BULLETS; WITH HIS KI ABOUT HIM, NO BULLET CAN EVEN TOUCH HIM; HE SHOOTS ANOTHER BLAST TO DESTROY THEM AS WELL>

<A VOICE SUDDENLY SPEAKS UP, ECHOING DOWN THE LONG STONE HALLS>

Voice: Come here. <LEDAS LOOKS, PUTTING HIMSELF ON GUARD> Come here.

Ledas: W-who are you?

Voice: Come here.

<LEDAS SENDS OFF ANOTHER GLANCING BLAST TO LIGHT UP THE HALL, BUT HE SEES NO ONE>

<LEDAS HAS BEEN WALKING THIS WHOLE TIME, AND DRIFTS OUT INTO A ROUNDABOUT AREA FROM THE HALL; LEDAS CREEPS INTO THE ROUNDED OUT SECTION, PEERING AROUND FOR WHO WAS TALKING; HE HAS HIS HAND OUT; HE SEES NO ONE;

<SUDDENLY, TWO FIGURES COME UP FROM BEHIND HIM>

Soldier 1: I said come here, you little shit.

<A RIFLE IS THRUST INTO THE BACK OF LEDAS’ HEAD, THOUGH IT DOES NOT MAKE CONTACT; A FIGURE COMES OUT OF THE DARKNESS BEHIND THE RIFLE, AND IT SHOWS MAN, WITH A SECOND MAN BEHIND HIM; THEY ARE WEARING FULL BLACK AND SILVER ARMOR, HELMETED AND SUCH; ACROSS THEIR FOREHEAD AREA, AS WELL AS ON THEIR RIGHT ARMS IS THE SAME SIGN LEDAS SAW ON THE DOORS; THE TWO LETTER ‘R’S>

Soldier 1: You’re on Red Ribbon Army property. Restricted area. You’re in deep, now.

Ledas: Red Ribbon Army? What’s that? <LEDAS TURNS AROUND TO FACE THE MAN>

Soldier 1: You don’t need to know.

<HE PUTS HIS FINGER ON THE TRIGGER AND FIRES; THE BULLET DOES NOT GET TO LEDAS, AS IT DISINTEGRATES ON HIS AURA>

<HE LEVELS UP A SMALL ROUND KI BALL AND THROWS IT INTO THE MAN; IT EXPLODES, BUT DOES LITTLE ELSE>

Soldier 1: We’ve got heavier armor than you think!

<HE RUSHES AT LEDAS, WITH THE BUTT OF HIS GUN; HE SWINGS IT FORWARD; LEDAS BLOCKS AND SIDESTEPS; HE DID EXPECT THESE HUMANS TO HAVE POWER LEVELS HIGHER THAN ANY OF THE OTHERS HE HAD ENCOUNTERED>

<HE TRIES TO POWER UP QUICKLY, BUT THE OTHER SOLDIER SWINGS HIS RIFLE AT HIM; LEDAS BLOCKS WITH HIS LEFT HAND, ONLY TO SCREAM OUT HORRIFICALLY, A MOMENT LATER, WHEN THE WEAPON SLAMS INTO HIS BLOODY AND WOUNDED APPENDAGE; LEDAS FALLS TO HIS KNEES>

<THE TWO SOLDIERS LOCK UP THEIR WEAPONS AND AIM THEM AT THE BOY; THE FIRE>

<THIS TWO SECOND REPRIEVE HAS ALLOWED LEDAS TO POWER UP EFFECTIVELY; BEFORE THE BULLETS REACH HIM, HE PUTS HIS RIGHT HAND OUT AND SHOOTS A ONE HANDED GALICK AT THE TWO; IT INCINERATES THEM>

Ledas: <SITTING, KNEES UP; HE FEELS HIS BAD ARM, WINCING> Red Ribbon Army? What’s a whole army doing in this place? The alien must’ve known they’d be here. But… I don’t know.

<HE CRAWLS UP AND WALKS OUT>

<CUTS TO KRILLIN>

<KRILLIN IS THE ONLY REMAINING Z FIGHTER, THE SINGLE ONE THAT THE BENEFACTOR DID NOT TAKE OUT; HE IS FLYING FASTER THAN THE WINDS TO THE LOOKOUT, TO GET DENDE TO COME AND HEAL EVERYONE>

<HE IS NEAR A MOUNTAIN WHEN HE NOTICES A SMALL BLUE DOT; IT IS SHINING OFF OF THE SUN AND NOTICING THE GLEAM, KRILLIN APPROACHES IT; HE SEES, AS CLEARLY AS WE THE AUDIENCE DO, THAT THIS IS YAJIROBE, FLYING AS THE THANKLESS DELIVERER OF THE SENZU BEANS>

<KRILLIN’S FACE HAS BEEN WORRIED AND ANXIOUS THOUGHOUT HIS FLIGHT, 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… <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>

<THEY CONTINUE SCUFFLING ABOUT WHEN A SHADOW FALLS OVER THEM, AND THEY STOP; YAJIROBE LOOKS UP AND GOES WHITE>

<FLOATING BEFORE THEM IS VEGETA>

<VEGETA HAS DRIED BLOOD IN LINES DOWN HIS NECK, CHEST, AND ALL OVER HIS ARMS; HE HAS SOME BLOOD STILL CRIMSON WET UNDER HIS CHIN; HE IS HOLDING THE PART UNDER HIS CHIN WITH BOTH GLOVED HANDS, WHICH ARE ALSO BLOODIED BY HIS WOUNDS; HE IS IN HIS BASE FORM>

<HE GLARES AT THE TWO NITWITS>

Krillin: Ve-vegeta… what happened to you!?

Vegeta: <GRITTED WHISPER> Shut up.

Krillin: Uh…

Vegeta: The beans. <YAJIROBE IS PETRIFIED; SLOWLY> The beans, you fool.

Yajirobe: W-w-w-what beans?

<VEGETA LOWERS HIS LEFT HAND, IN AN OPEN HAND, AND PRESENTS IT TO YAJIROBE AS IF EXPECTING HIM TO PUT THE BEANS IN IT>

Vegeta: <SLOW DRAMATIC STYLE> The beans you have in your-

<SHOT IS FACING VEGETA, SHOWING HIS FACE AND HIS HAND EXTENDED, EXPECTING THE BEANS; IMMEDIATELY AS HE IS TALKING, YAJIROBE PANICKS AND THROWS THE BEANS RIGHT INTO VEGETA’S FACE EXTREMELY QUICKLY>

<VEGETA REACHES UP AND GRABS THEM, SCOWLING SOMETHING FIERCE; HE GIVES ONE LAST MENACING LOOK AT THEM BEFORE TURNING>

<AS HE GOES INTO THE MOVEMENT OF AIR DASHING AWAY, HE KICKS THE FRONT OF THE CAR WITH HIS HEEL, SENDING IT CAREENING INTO A FLIP, AND ULTIMATELY CRASHING INTO THE MOUNTAIN BEHIND THEM>

<BEFORE IT CRASHES, VEGETA IS GONE>

<CUTS BACK TO THE BUNKER>

Scientist 1: 0.00001% dilution.

Scientist 2: The biochemical enhancements will need to rest for a few hours. I suggest putting the subjects in a contained room to wait out the time. Shall I start with you, Captain?

Captain Green: Quadruple injection?

Scientist 2: Right. We’ll give you the first go. Once we begin, there’s no going back.

Captain Green: I am aware.

<THE CAMERA PANS BACK, SHOWING LEDAS WATCHING THEM; HE IS ON THE SECOND FLOOR LOOKOUT, SEEING EVERYTHING HAPPEN THROUGH A FULL WALLED WINDOW; SUDDENLY A GUARD ON A DIFFERENT LOOKOUT SPOTS HIM AND FIRES>

<THE BULLET SHATTERS THE GLASS, CAUSING LEDAS TO JUMP; HE GOES TO THE GROUND AND ROLLS OUT; WHEN HE LANDS ON THE FIRST FLOOR, HE IS SURROUNDED BY RED RIBBON ARMY SOLDIERS AND SCIENTISTS; THE ONES TALKING WITH CAPTAIN GREEN ARE PUSHED OUT, WITH HIM, BY SEVERAL GUARDS; ONCE THEY ARE OUT, THE REMAINING SOLDIERS RUN AT LEDAS>

<EVERY SOLDIER IS DRESSED IN THE SAME WAY AS THE ONES HE ALREADY KILLED; FULL BODY ARMOR, BLACK, SILVER, GREY; WITH THE RED RIBBON ARMY INSIGNIAS ON THEIR HELMETS AND RIGHT ARMS>

<SEVERAL HAVE HEAVY WEAPONS, LIKE HAND HELD TURRETS; THEY SHOOT AND SPRAY THE ROOM WITH BULLETS; THE LOOKOUTS HAVE SNIPERS, WHO WEAR SLIGHTLY LESS CUMBERSOME ARMOR AND NO HELMETS>

<LEDAS SHOOTS HOMING FINGER BEAMS AT ALL THE MEN, WHILE DODGING THEIR BULLETS EASILY; THE FINGER BEAMS ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO GET THROUGH THEIR ARMOR>

<FOUR SOLDIERS RUSH LEDAS AND TRY PUNCHING HIM; HE PARRIES THEM EASILY, AND KICKS THEM IN THE SHINS, NOT ONLY BREAKING THEIR SHINS, BUT SENDING THEM FLYING BACK; HE KILLS THE REMAINING ONES WITH PUNCHES TO FACES, SHATTERING THEIR VISORS>

<THE REMAINING FOOT SOLDIERS CONVERGE ON HIS LOCATION; HE SPRINGS THEM BACK WITH A QUICK EXPLOSIVE WAVE; THE ROOM IS COMPLETELY OBLITERATED; MANY OF THE SOLDIERS ARE KILLED BY THIS, BUT SEVERAL IN THE BACK ONLY HAVE THEIR ARMOR CRACKED; THEY CONTINUE SHOOTING AT LEDAS>

<LEDAS AIR RUSHES AT THOSE REMAINING STRAGGLERS AND KICKS THEM TO DEATH, EACH>

<HE CREATES A MORE POWERFUL BEAM FOR THE SNIPER AND DECAPITATES HIM WITH A SINGLE BLAST; HE SPINS AROUND AND DOES THIS TO THE OTHER SNIPERS, KILLING THEM>

<LEDAS RUNS TO THE DOOR THAT CAPTAIN GREEN RETREATED FROM, WHEN IT OPENS ITSELF>

<A FLASH BANG GRENADE COMES OUT, RATTLING LEDAS’ VISION AND HEARING; HE STAGGERS BACKWARD WHEN HE SEES SOMETHING WHITE TAKE OVER HIS VISION; HIS AURA VANISHES>

<HIS VISION BARELY COMING BACK, THE CAMERA SHOWS AN OVERVIEW OF THE SCENE; SEVERAL SOLDIERS HAD COME OUT, BUT UPON SEEING LEDAS ON THE GROUND, ONE TAKES A SYRINGE OFF HIS BELT AND INJECTS LEDAS IN THE NECK WITH IT>

<THIS SOLDIER KNEELS OVER LEDAS, LOOKING BACK, AS THE CHAPTER ENDS>

Iodiner
<ONE DAY LATER>

Voice: Will he be able to get loose?

Scientist 1: Doubtless.

Voice: Finish the extraction, then. When he comes to, we need to be gone.

<LEDAS OPENS ONE EYE>

Ledas: H-hey, where am I?

<HE SEES AROUND HIM; HE IS SUSPENDED IN MIDAIR, WITH ELECTRIC BINDING ON HIS ARMS AND LEGS, AGAINST A METAL BACK>

<HE RAISES HIS POWER LEVEL AND SNAPS HIS ARMS FORWARD, LETTING HIM FALL>

<BEHIND A GLASS IS A SCIENTIST, THREE GUARDS, AND ANOTHER MAN, WEARING DIFFERENT, SILVERY BASED ARMOR, WITHOUT A HELMET; HE HAS RED HAIR, AND A RED, SILVERY BEARD; THEY ALL SEEM SURPRISED TO SEE HIM AWAKE>

<HE HAS FORMED A KI BALL BEHIND HIM; HE THROWS THE ICE CANNON AT THEM, SHATTERING THE GLASS, DESTROYING THE COMPUTER CONSOLES, AND KILLING THEM>

<LEDAS JUMPS INTO IT; HE SEES THE RED HAIRED MAN IS STILL ALIVE; HE APPROACHES THIS MAN>

Voice: Stop! Get away!

Ledas: So, you’re the Red Ribbon Army? Your soldiers keep attacking me, but they’re not very strong.

Voice: You’re just like a kid I knew. But my men are better on this day.

Ledas: What are you talking about?

Voice: I’m Supreme Commander Silver. The last remaining officer from Red’s first legion. We’re here to complete his quest!

Ledas: Yeah, what’s that?

Silver: Getting the Dragon Balls, taking over the world… and with these new cybernetic and biochemical enhancements, me and my men are being made into the strongest humans to ever exist! <TO LEDAS> How did you get here? Nobody knows we’re here. Nobody knows we still exist!

Ledas: <MOVES INTO VIEW, HIS TAIL SWINGING IN IRRITATION> The alien put me here. He smelled iodine or something.

Silver: Yes, we have quite the nuclear arsenal… <HE SEES LEDAS’ TAIL> Tail!? No, you’re his son! <SILVER GETS UP AND CRAWLS, STILL FACING LEDAS, OUT OF THE DOOR BEHIND HIM> It can’t be!

<HE RUNS OUT; LEDAS INSTANTLY PURSUES; LEDAS SHOOTS A KI BEAM AT THE BACK OF SILVER’S BODY, BUT HIS ENHANCEMENTS, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND TECHNOLOGICALLY, HAVE GIVEN HIM QUITE THE STRONG BODY ARMOR; IT DOES NOT DAMAGE HIM ENOUGH; IT MERELY THROWS HIM ONTO THE FLOOR, ONTO HIS STOMACH; HIS BACK SMOKING>

<LEDAS RUNS UP TO HIM; HE CREATES A KI SWORD AND GOES TO CUT OFF THE MAN’S HEAD; HE GRABS HIM BY THE BACK OF THE COLLAR AND BRINGS HIS HEAD UP>

Silver: No! Don’t kill me. If I die, it triggers all our missile reserves to go off. You’ll be killed!

Ledas: No I won’t.

Silver: Or everyone you care about will. Whatever you want.

Ledas: I don’t believe you.

<SILVER IMMEDIATELY KICKS HIS BOOT, OPENING A SMALL BLADED POINT AT THE HEEL OF HIS SHOE; HE BICYCLE KICKS BACK, AND IT HITS RIGHT INTO THE SMALL OF LEDAS’ BACK; LEDAS IS TOO POWERED UP TO FEEL IT; IT DOES NOT PIERCE HIS SKIN>

<BUT THIS CAUSES LEDAS TO HESITATE, AND GIVES ENOUGH TIME FOR OTHER SOLDIERS TO COME SCREAMING AROUND A CORNER; THEY ALL SHOOT AT HIM; AS HE LOOKS AT THEM, HE DOESN’T SEE WHERE HE SLICES, AND HIS KI BLADE ONLY GOES INTO SILVER’S ARM>

<LEDAS IS DISTRACTED BY THE OTHERS, AND DID NOT SEE THAT HIS BLADE LET SILVER LIVE; HE JUMPS OFF THE OFFICER AND JUMPS AT THE SOLDIERS; HE DOES A STRONG, RIDING ATTACK INTO ALL OF THEM, TAKING EVERY SOLDIER OUT WITH A FEW PUNCHES; THEIR ARMOR IS STRONG, BUT WITH HIM POWERING UP MORE AND MORE EVERY SECOND, HE BECOMES EXPONENTIALLY STRONGER THAN THEM>

<WHEN HE IS DONE, HE TURNS AROUND; SILVER’S BODY IS GONE>

<CUTS TO THE CITY>

Cardinal: Marissa? Marissa?!

<NO ANSWER>

<HE LOOKS AROUND, SPYING HIS CELL PHONE ON THE GROUND A FEW FEET AWAY; HE REACHES OUT AND GRABS IT; HE TURNS IT ON AND PROMPTLY BEGINS DIALING A NUMBER>

<HE HAS HIS PHONE ON SPEAKER WHEN SOMEBODY ANSWERS>

Voice: F-father?

<THE SCENE ONLY SHOWS CARDINAL, THOUGH IT DOES ALTERNATE BETWEEN VARIOUS ANGLES>

Cardinal: Airgead! Get up here and get me help. A bomb has gone off, or something similar.

Airgead: Can’t you get one of your assistants to help? Are you hurt?

Cardinal: Badly. I’ve lost an arm. My assistants are all dead. I need you.

Airgead: Father, I cannot get to you within the hour. I am being – chased by a madman.

Cardinal: Get up here! I will not ask again! You will not leave me to die! <HE SCREAMS THAT LAST SENTENCE, THEN THROWS HIS CELL PHONE AWAY>

<HE NOW HAS A CLEAR SIGHT AHEAD OF HIM; HE LOOKS UP TO SEE SOMEONE STANDING IN FRONT OF HIM>

<RYORI HAS A LOOK OF UTTER HATE UPON HIS FACE; HIS TEARS OF OLD DRIED ON HIS FACE, HIS HEAD THROWN BACK, HIS FACE AND BODY DIRTY AND DUSTY FROM THE DESTRUCTION, HE WALKS FORWARD>

<IN HIS HAND IS A SHARD OF GLASS; A SHARP ONE, INDEED>

Cardinal: Ryori… we need to talk. Just talk.

Ryori: <HOARSE; QUIETLY> I bet that’s what you told Shoekki before you killed him.

<RYORI STEPS FORWARD, BLOCKING OUT THE CAMERA>

A Phone Call From Prince To Sour Concerning The Serious Lack Of Toys To Play With In Sour's House
Silver: You’re insane, you do know that?

<HE IS STANDING IN FRONT OF HIS SCIENTISTS IN A SMALL ROOM; HE HAS GUARDS AROUND; HE IS MONITERING A VIDEO FEED OF LEDAS FIGHTING HIS OTHER SOLDIERS>

Scientist 1: I’m just doing my job.

Silver: These tests are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s revolutionary! I’m just glad I was able to recruit fresh troops a few years back. Without them stalling that boy, we’d be done.

Scientist 3: I believe they are suffering heavy losses, Commander.

Silver: It doesn’t matter. When I’ve been injected, and get his power, none of them will be needed. It’s amazing. We were going along just fine, and he shows up. Now I’ve got his blood, his DNA, and we can finally begin my transformation. Ultimately, the Red Ribbon Army will become the rulers over this world because of him. Who’d have thought Goku’s son would be the catalyst to our success? <HE LAUGHS>

<SILVER TURNS QUICKLY AND GOES TO HIS READY PLACE, TO BEGIN HIS INJECTIONS; HE HAS A PISTOL IN HIS RIGHT HAND; HIS RIGHT HAND IS THE ONE THAT WAS SLICED; HE IS HOLDING ONTO THAT WITH HIS LEFT HAND>

<LEDAS IS IN THE OTHER ROOM; SEVERAL SOLDIERS HAVE RIOT SHIELDS UP, AND ARE LOBBING GRENADES AT HIM; HE BATS THEM AWAY; A MAN COMES UP FROM HIS LEFT, JUMPING OUT OF AN INSIDE ENTRANCE PLACE THING; HE HAS TWO GRENADES IN HIS HANDS, THE PINS PULLED; HE JUMPS ONTO LEDAS AND WRAPS HIS HANDS AROUND HIM; THE GRENADES GO OFF>

<THIS DOES NOTHING TO LEDAS; THE MAN’S ARMOR ALLOW HIM TO LIVE, BUT LEDAS SMASHES IN HIS FACE>

<WHILE THESE RED RIBBON ARMY SOLDIERS ARE CYBERNETICALLY ENHANCED, AS WE CAN NOW SEE, WITH ADDITIONS TO THEIR MUSCLE SYSTEMS AND REFLEXES, THEY ARE NOT STRONGER THAN LEDAS; SURE THEY NEVER TIRE OUT, HAVE INCREDIBLE STRENGTH (COMPARED TO THEIR OLD BRETHREN), AND QUITE THE AMOUNT OF SPEED, BUT THEY ARE STILL ALMOST NOTHING TO LEDAS IF HE IS POWERED UP; AND HE IS>

<LEDAS MELTS THE LINE OF RIOT SHIELDS WITH A HEAVY KYORRA FLASH; HE RUNS FORWARD, KICKING AWAY THE FIRST, DAZED, GUARD, AND JUMPS INTO THE THICKET>

<HE OPENS HIS MOUTH AND YELLS OUT; THREE KI BLASTS SHOOT OUT; ONE STRAIGHT, ONE TO THE RIGHT, ONE TO THE LEFT; THEY ARE ORANGE; THEY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE SOLDIERS AND DECIMATE THEM, SENDING THEM BACKWARD, DEAD; THEY LEAVE RESIDUE THAT, AS ONE UNFORTUNATE SOLDIER FINDS OUT, WHEN STEPPED ON, DISINTEGRATE ONE’S FOOT, AND MUCH MORE IF STAYED ON>

<LEDAS CONTINUES KILLING THEM; HE HAS NO REMORSE IN HIS FACE>

<CUTS BACK TO SILVER>

Scientist 1: Green is done.

Silver: Good, send him to face the boy.

<THE DOOR OPENS AND CAPTAIN GREEN COMES OUT; HE WALKS WITH A RUMBLING WAY, FALLING FORWARD CONSTANTLY; HE HAS A SLACK JAW AND BLACK HAIR, MILITARY CUT>

Captain Green: Commander?

Silver: <HE IS KNEELING AS THE SCIENTISTS APPLY THE ANESTHETIC> No, make it M99. I don’t care if it’s horse tranquilizer. Give me half the dilution you gave Green. <TO GREEN> Well, our scientists sure know something. It’s much more practical than making a robotic android, don’t you think? Just apply their blueprints in a more organic way and you have it. Human genetic splicing. You’re our first success, Green. With all the other technological enhancements your armor and weapons have, this will be no contest.

Captain Green: You’ve been trying for years. And just now, we manage to get it right. Explain it, sir.

Silver: The soldiers drugged the boy for a day or so. We got his blood out and worked it in. He’s strong, as you can tell. But you’ve got all his strength now. Go kill him for me, Captain.

Captain Green: Of course, Commander. See you on the other side.

<THEY NOD AND GREEN LEAVES>

<CUTS TO THE CITY>

<VEGETA LANDS; HE SCANS THE AREA; HE SEES NOTHING OTHER THAN THE DESOLATE WASTE LEFT BY THE BENEFACTOR, CARVING A GAPING HOLE INTO THE CITY’S LIMITS; BODIES ARE STREWN ABOUT, ALL DEAD, AS VEGETA WALKS>

<HE FEELS A POWER COMING FROM BELOW HIS BOOTS; HE LOOKS DOWN, AND STOPS; HE BLASTS AWAY THE ASPHALT, TRYING TO GET DOWN THERE>

<UPON TEARING OPEN THE HOLE, HE JUMPS DOWN INTO IT>

<VEGETA LANDS IN THE DARK HALLS; HE USES HIS AURA, A BLUE ONE, LIGHTS HIS WAY; HE COMES INTO THE ROOM THAT LEDAS FIRST MET THE LARGE GROUP OF SOLDIERS; THERE ARE BODIES ABOUT; HE SURVEYS THE DAMAGE FOR A MOMENT>

<OUT OF THE RAFTERS ABOVE, A SOLDIER COMES; HE IS IN THE DARK BLACK AND SILVER HEAVY ARMOR LIKE EVERYONE ELSE; HE HAS NOTHING BUT A KNIFE IN HIS HAND; HE LUNGES AT VEGETA>

<VEGETA PICKS UP ON HIM AND MOVES FORWARD, LETTING THE MAN JUST FALL TO THE GROUND, ABOUT TWENTY FEET; BEFORE HE CAN GET UP, VEGETA HAS TURNED BACK AROUND AND GRABBED HIM>

Vegeta: Who did this?!

Soldier 5: A kid. What is he, your son?

Vegeta: <LOW LAUGH> Hahah. No chance.

<THE MAN FUMBLES AROUND, AND TRIES TO KNIFE VEGETA, THAT MAGGOT; VEGETA HEADBUTTS HIM TO DEATH, THEN THROWS THE BODY AWAY>

<CUTS BACK TO LEDAS>

<HE KILLS THE LAST SOLDIER IN THE AREA WITH A NECK SNAP; HE LOOKS AROUND, THERE IS NOBODY LEFT; LEDAS POWERS DOWN>

<BEFORE HE CAN DO ANYTHING ELSE, A FAR DOOR SLIDES OPEN; OUT FROM IT WALKS CAPTAIN GREEN; HIS ARMOR, IN ADDITION TO BEING BULKIER THAN THE OTHERS’, IS DETAILED WITH GREEN PAINT, SHOWING EXACTLY WHO HE IS; HE HAS AS SONIC DISRUPTOR IN HIS HANDS>

<HE FIRES IT AT LEDAS, SENDING THE BOY FLYING BACK INTO THE WALL; IN GREEN'S RIGHT HAND, HE READIES AN RPG AND FIRES THAT AT LEDAS; LEDAS BLOCKS IT, BUT IT DOES ENOUGH DAMAGE TO HIM>

<GREEN COMES SWINGING FORWARD, KICKING WITH HIS BOOTS AT LEDAS; LEDAS’ BLOCK IS BROKEN, AND HE IS THROWN BACK; HE STANDS UP>

Ledas: You sure are strong for a human.

Captain Green: We’ve been enhanced. Well, every soldier has the cybernetic technology. But Silver and I’ve got somethin’ extra. A bio-genetic enhancement. Well, it includes your blood, so I should be thanking you.

Ledas: My blood?

Captain Green: We’ve got to use what we can. And now that we have, I will be promptly eliminating you.

<GREEN STEPS FORWARD AND TRIES HIS SONIC DISRUPTOR AGAIN; LEDAS KNOCKS IT AWAY; GREEN PUNCHES AT LEDAS; LEDAS BLOCKS; GREEN ATTEMPTS TO KICK AT LEDAS; LEDAS BLOCKS THAT TOO; HE IS RAISING HIS POWER LEVEL ALL THIS TIME>

<LEDAS DODGES FROM GREEN BUT KICKING OFF THE WALL; THIS PROPELS HIM UNDER THE CAPTAIN, INTO HIS CHEST; THE TWO TUMBLE ONTO THE GROUND; GREEN PUNCHES LEDAS ACROSS THE FACE, USING THIS TO GRAB HIS KNIFE, IN HIS BOOT; HE TRIES TO STAB LEDAS>

<LEDAS SEES THIS COMING, AND TAKES GREEN’S HAND INTO HIS OWN; HE STOPS THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE BLADE; LEDAS BRINGS HIS AURA UP, INCREASING HIS STRENGTH; WITH IT, HE BREAKS GREEN’S HAND; FLIPPING OVER THE KNIFE, AND PUNCTURES IT INTO GREEN’S NECK; GREEN STRUGGLES AGAINST IT, BUT IT IS NO USE>

<LEDAS BREAKS OPEN GREEN’S ARMOR, AND THE BLADE GOES INTO HIS NECK; IN THE STRUGGLE, HE BRINGS THE KNIFE IN A SLICE DOWN ACROSS THE NECK, SPILLING BLOOD EVERYWHERE>

<GREEN IS DEAD>

<LEDAS SITS THERE, BREATHING, COVERED IN BLOOD; HE VIOLENTLY WAVES SNAPS HIS ARMS DOWN FROM HIS FOREFRONT TO HIS SIDES, IN THE AIR, AND SCREAMS OUT WITH IT; HE CREATES SOME KI DISCHARGE THAT BLOCKS OUT THE CAMERAS WATCHING>

<CUTS BACK TO SILVER>

Silver: How many men do I have left?

Scientist 2: Life signs show 86 men.

Silver: Order all of them back to this point. I want everyone to settle in and create an impenetrable point.

Scientist 4: Are you leaving us, sir?

Silver: There is something I have to do. If the boy survives Green, he will not survive me. Somebody give me some M99.

Scientist 1: Commander, what do you need it for?

Silver: Just do it.

<THE SCIENTIST HANDS HIM A CASE OF M99, PERPLEXED AS TO WHY HE’D NEED SUCH HEAVY TRANQUILIZER>

<SILVER RUNS OUT TO THE BACK ROOM WITH THE LAST GUARD HE HAS; FROM ALL THE KI BLASTING, THIS HAS CAUSED THE LIGHTS TO GO OUT; HE CLICKS THE FLASHLIGHT ONTO HIS SUPER COOL PISTOL; HE CAUTIOUSLY CREEPS OUTWARD; SPARKS FALL FROM THE CEILING>

<HE SEES MOVEMENT AHEAD; HE FIRES HIS PISTOL THREE TIMES; HE MOTIONS TO HIS GUARD TO NOT MOVE>

<THE MOVEMENT STOPS; THEY CROUCH WALK FORWARD TO SEE WHAT IT WAS; A HELMETLESS SOLDIER COMING BACK TO GUARD THE SCIENTISTS; SHOT IN THE HEAD, AND DEAD>

Silver: Idiot. Make yourself known in the hostile environment. <HE LOOKS UP> Waste your life for me, then.

Private Wisconsin: Maybe he was fleeing from the boy, sir.

Silver: If he was, he deserved to die.

<HE JUMPS OVER THE MAN AND MAKES HIS WAY TO THE GARAGE; YES, THEY HAVE ONE UNDERGROUND; WISCONSIN FOLLOWS HIM>

<AS THEY GET THERE, THEY RUN INTO A LARGER GROUP OF SOLDIERS, ALL IN RETREAT>

Silver: What’s going on?

Soldier 4: Sir, it’s the boy. We can’t even touch him. Even in our power suits!

Silver: <HE STOPS THEM> Get back there and fight!

Soldier 7: Sir…

Silver: Kill him, or I kill you.

<THE MEN LOOK SCARED AT THIS AND RUN BACK; WITHIN SECONDS, ANOTHER EXPLOSION GOES OFF; SOME OF THE BODIES COME FLYING INTO THE ROOM; LEDAS COMES IN AFTER THEM>

<SILVER SHOOTS HIS PISTOL AT LEDAS, BUT THE SAIYAN BLOCKS THE SHOTS; HE FIRES A BEAM WAVE AT SILVER; SILVER BLOCKS IT AND HIS ARMOR IS ENOUGH TO KEEP HIM ALIVE>

<LEDAS RUSHES AT SILVER; WISCONSIN IS IN THE BACKGROUND>

<SILVER PARRIES LEDAS’ ATTACK, AND PUNCHES BACK; IT DOES LITTLE TO THE BOY; THEY GET INTO A BLOW EXCHANGE; BECAUSE OF THE DARKNESS, LEDAS DOESN’T KNOW THIS IS SILVER>

<SILVER PUNCHES LEFT, ACROSS LEDAS’ CHEEK; HE SIDESWEEPS THE BOY ONTO THE GROUND; HE THEN KICKS LEDAS IN THE MOUTH; LEDAS SHOOTS A MORE POWERFUL BEAM INTO HIM NOW, CAUSING SILVER TO FLY BACK; ASSUMING HE WAS MERELY AS STRONG AS THE OTHER SOLDIERS, LEDAS STANDS UP AND RUNS OFF>

<SILVER IS NOT DEAD AT ALL; HE IS PERFECTLY FINE>

Silver: I’ll come back for you. If that’s your maximum power, you are in trouble. Come on, Wisconsin. We’re leaving.

<HE RUNS TO HIS MOTORCYCLE AND GETS ON IT; WISCONSIN GETS ON THE BACK, POINTING HIS ASSAULT RIFLE AROUND; WITHOUT PAUSING, SILVER CLICKS THE VEHICLE ON AND FLIES OUT OF THERE>

Light Goes Off
<LEDAS STANDS UP>

<HE WALKS CASUALLY OUT OF THE ROOM, HAVING VENTED HIS ANGER ENOUGH; HE WALKS DOWN THE HALL UNTIL HE SPOTS MORE SOLDIERS; THEY OPEN FIRE ON HIM>

Ledas: Come on, when will they stop attacking me? I thought I killed them all already.

<ANNOYED, HE THROWS A KI BALL DOWN TO THEM, BLOWING THEM UP; HE GOES SUPER SAIYAN AND AIR RUSHES DOWN THE HALL AT THEM; HE THROWS SOME SCATTERSHOT ENERGY BLASTS, MOPPING UP THE REST OF THE SOLDIERS IN AN INSTANT>

<HE REACHES A DOOR AND SLAMS THROUGH IT; INSIDE IS THE SCIENTIST BATTALION>

<HE STANDS UP>

Ledas: You’re the ones who took my blood!

Scientist 1: No! No we didn’t!

Ledas: But why would you need it?

Scientist 1: We were forced-

<LEDAS BLOWS THEM UP; ENOUGH TALKING WITH THEM>

Ledas: I don’t sense anyone else down here. Where’s that Silver guy at? <HE TURNS AROUND, AND HE GETS THE FLASH OF SENSING SOMEONE> Wait, who’s that? Vegeta?! He’s down here. But how could he-

<SOMETHING MAKES A NOISE BEHIND HIM>

<THE BENEFACTOR DROPS DOWN>

The Benefactor: You killed them all.

Ledas: Y-you’re back.

The Benefactor: Originally, I did not know they were here. I came back to take you, only to see you slaughtering them all. Because you are a Saiyan. You cannot help but fall into the bloodlust, like me.

Ledas: I’m not like you.

The Benefactor: Yes you are. You kill. You are not one to stifle those emotions.

Ledas: They attacked me!

The Benefactor: And now I am certain you are right to be my acolyte.

Ledas: No! It doesn’t mean that!

The Benefactor: Come with me now. We know you do not have the strength to resist.

<FROM BEHIND>

Vegeta: Oh, is that right?

<THEY BOTH LOOK AT VEGETA>

Ledas: Vegeta, you are alive!

The Benefactor: You’ve proved stouter than I thought. But this time, when I slit your throat, you will stay down.

<LEDAS RUNS BACK, FROM THE BENEFACTOR TO VEGETA>

Ledas: <QUIETLY> Um, Vegeta, do you have a plan or something? I think he’s still stronger than us combined.

Vegeta: Of course I do. Do what I do.

<VEGETA CREATES A FINAL FLASH, A VERY POWERFUL ONE; LEDAS SEES THIS AND CREATES A POWERFUL BLAST OF HIS OWN; AN ICE CANNON>

<THE TWO THROW THEM AT THE BENEFACTOR; THE ALIEN EASILY DODGES THEM, BUT THE BLASTS CREATE A LARGE ENOUGH EXPLOSION TO RIP A HOLE IN THE BUNKER, SHOWING THAT THEY WERE UNDERGROUND>

<THE CITY BEING QUITE FAR ABOVE THEM BARELY SHAKES; VEGETA USES THIS TIME TO CREATE ANOTHER BLAST, WHICH SHOOTS UPWARD AND MAKES A HOLE IN THE GROUND, ALLOWING HIM AND LEDAS TO ESCAPE FROM THE ALIEN>

<LEDAS WATCHES HIM AND THEN FOLLOWS HIM UP; THEY REACH THE CITY IN NO TIME AND LAND ON THE PAVEMENT>

<THE BENEFACTOR HAS NOT FOLLOWED THEM YET>

Ledas: So what’s the plan, Vegeta?

Vegeta: <HOLDS UP THE BAG OF SENZUS HE GOT FROM YAJIROBE> These. We wear him out, while keeping our power. <HE HANDS LEDAS HALF OF THE BAG; LEDAS POCKETS THEM> Eat one every time your power goes down too much.

Ledas: Okay. That’ll work.

<SUDDENLY THE GROUND RIPS UP AND THE BENEFACTOR COMES OUT; HE LANDS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM>

The Benefactor: Not today. You should not have made me mad. <THE BENEFACTOR STRETCHES HIS HANDS OUT AND BEGINS POWERING UP IN FRONT OF THEM> My power is greatly beyond yours.

<HIS POWERING UP, WITH HIS BLACK AURA, MELTS AWAY THE SURROUNDING AREA; THE BUILDINGS AND WHATNOT ALL GO AWAY>

Ledas: I’m not coming with you. You’ll have to kill me.

The Benefactor: You will come with me, and I will not have to kill you.

<BOTH LEDAS AND VEGETA ARE IN THEIR HIGHEST SUPER SAIYAN FORMS; THEY ARE AT FULL POWER, THANKS TO THE BEANS>

<THE BENEFACTOR IS DONE POWERING UP; LEDAS GOES LEFT, VEGETA GOES RIGHT; THE TWO JUMP AT HIM AND ATTACK; THEY USE FLURRY BLOWS TO TRY AND CONFUSE THE BENEFACTOR; THEIR BLOWS LAND, BUT DO NOT DO THAT MUCH DAMAGE>

<HE KICKS LEDAS AWAY WITH A LEG SWEEP AND TRIES TO FOCUS ON VEGETA; LEDAS CATCHES HIMSELF BEFORE HE HITS THE GROUND AND DASHES BACK UP TO THEM; HE PUNCHES THE ALIEN SQUARE IN THE BACK; VEGETA IS ABLE TO BREAK FREE AND SENDS AN ENERGY BLITZ AT THE ALIEN>

<THE TWO SAIYANS COME AT THE BENEFACTOR AT ONCE, PUNCHING HIM EQUALLY ACROSS THE FACE, ONE ON EACH SIDE; AS THE BENEFACTOR REELS BACK, THEY COMBINE A BLAST TO PUSH HIM BACK>

<VEGETA EATS A BEAN>

<THE BENEFACTOR RIGHTS HIMSELF UP; LEDAS HAS LANDED; HE ATTEMPTS TO ENGAGE THE ALIEN IN HAND TO HAND COMBAT; THE BENEFACTOR IS ABLE TO PARRY EASILY; LEDAS STEPS BACK AND CREATES ANOTHER JUDICATOR BLAST, SHOOTING THE THREE KI BLASTS OUT OF HIS MOUTH AND SCREAMING AT THE SAME TIME>

<VEGETA COMES FLYING DOWN, PUTTING HIS BOOTS INTO THE BENEFACTOR’S HEAD; THE ALIEN SEEMS UNABLE TO FIGHT THEM WHATSOEVER>

<THE BENEFACTOR ROLLS OVER AND FIRES AN IMPALEMENT BEAM AT VEGETA; HE HITS HIM; VEGETA LOOKS SURPRISED AS HE FALLS DOWN; THE BEAM DOES NOT DISSIPATE; HE YELLS OUT IN PAIN>

<WITH HIM DOWN, THE BENEFACTOR GOES TO FINISH HIM OFF WITH A BLAST, BUT LEDAS KNOCKS HIM OFF COURSE BEFORE HE CAN AIM PROPERLY; LEDAS TRIES SEVERAL POWER BLOWS WHEN HE LANDS ON TOP OF THE ALIEN; THEY ALL HIT>

<HE GOES TO FINISH WITH A BLAST, BUT THE BENEFACTOR DOUBLE KICKS HIM, FLIPPING UPWARD, AND LANDING ON HIS LEGS, BEFORE BACKHANDING LEDAS>

<THE BENEFACTOR RUNS TO VEGETA AND GRABS HIM BY THE NECK; HE PICKS HIM UP AND BEGINS A SHOCK WAVE>

<VEGETA GRABS ONTO THE BENEFACTOR’S ARMS AND THRUSTS HIS CHEST FORWARD, PUSHING THE IMPALEMENT BEAM RIGHT INTO THE BENEFACTOR; THE ALIEN DROPS HIM; VEGETA ROLLS LEFT AND CREATES A BIG BANG ATTACK IN HIS HANDS>

<LEDAS IS UPRIGHT AGAIN, CLEARLY AFTER EATING A BEAN; HE GETS THE BENEFACTOR’S ATTENTION BY SENDING A HAIL OF FINGER BEAMS AT HIM; THIS BUYS VEGETA TIME>

<VEGETA FIRES HIS BIG BANG ATTACK; IT LANDS A CRITICAL HIT ON THE BENEFACTOR; BUT HE HAD LEDAS WITH HIM; THE BLAST TAKES BOTH OF THEM OUT>

<CUTS TO SILVER AND WISCONSIN; A SECRET DOOR THINGY OPENS, AND THEIR MOTORCYCLE COMES FLYING OUT OF THE UNDERGROUND LAIR, UP IN A GENTLE SLOPE INTO THE STREET>

<THEY FLY OUT AND COME RACING DOWN; THEY SPEED PAST VEGETA WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST LOOK AT HIM; VEGETA GOES TO TURN HIS HEAD TO SILVER, WHEN KRILLIN LANDS BEHIND HIM>

Krillin: Vegeta!

Vegeta: Oh, what is it now?!

Krillin: You took all the senzus. I need some for 18 and Goku and the others.

Vegeta: Bah, Kakarot got himself into that mess. We’re fine without him.

Krillin: 18! I need to give her one! Come on, Vegeta. Just for her.

Vegeta: If it gets you to shut up. <HE THROWS KRILLIN ONE>

<THE TWO STOP TALKING WHEN THEY SEE THE BENEFACTOR MOVING; LEDAS HAS CRAWLED AWAY FROM HIM; THE BENEFACTOR STOPS HIM; HE FIRES A CONTINUOUS BURNING ATTACK INTO LEDAS, CAUSING HIM CONSIDERABLE PAIN AND DROPPING HIM DOWN>

<LEDAS’ POWER IS DRAINED RAPIDLY; THE BENEFACTOR JUMPS ON HIM AND KICKS DOWN, PUSHING HIM FARTHER INTO THE GROUND; HE THEN SHOOTS A SINGLE BEAM INTO THE BACK OF LEDAS’ HEAD, CAUSING HIM TO GO SILENT>

<THE BENEFACTOR STAGGERS UPRIGHT AND FACES VEGETA>

The Benefactor: You have no idea what I am about to do to you.

Be My Example
<IN CARDINAL’S DESTROYED OFFICE>

Cardinal: I am trying to help you, Ryori.

Ryori: <SULLEN> You took me to see Shoekki, then drugged me again.

Cardinal: Well, you see, I couldn’t-

Ryori: Couldn’t let me tell anyone you killed him.

Cardinal: No! I simply needed to show you that your brother took his own life.

Ryori: Don’t lie to me.

<RYORI PUTS THE PIECE OF GLASS TO CARDINAL’S NECK>

Cardinal: I am not lying. It is the truth, whether you kill me or not. <HE PUTS HIS HAND ON RYORI’S ARM> What do you want me to do? I cannot bring your brother back to life.

Ryori: I want you to die.

Cardinal: <IN HIS MIND> Where is Airgead?! He cannot be late! <OUTLOUD> I am just an old man. Have pity on me. Please…

<RYORI GOES TO SPEAK WHEN CARDINAL MOVES HIS FEET, CAUSING RYORI TO TRIP; THE PIECE OF GLASS GETS LODGED INTO CARDINAL’S NECK; BLOOD COMES OUT; CARDINAL GRABS ONTO RYORI’S EXTENDED HAND MORE FIRMLY AND THROWS HIM TO THE SIDE>

<AT THIS MOMENT, A MOTORCYCLE PULLS UP>

<SILVER DISMOUNTS AND RUNS INSIDE; HE IS IN HIS FULL ARMOR; HE LOOKS PRESTIGIOUS; WISCONSIN STAYS AT THE MOTORCYCLE, GUARDING IT WELL>

<CARDINAL SEES HIM>

Cardinal: Airgead, son! There is a boy-

Silver: Oh, wow. You’re really hurt. I’ve only got anesthetic with me. I’ll have to take you to the hospital.

<SILVER KNEELS DOWN AND STICKS HIS FATHER WITH THE SYRINGE OF DILUTED M99; BEFORE CARDINAL CAN SAY ANOTHER WORD ABOUT THE DANGER OF RYORI BEING AROUND, HE IS UNCONSCIOUS>

<RYORI HAD ROLLED AWAY WHEN CARDINAL TRIPPED HIM; HE WATCHES, FROM BEHIND SOME RUBBLE, AS SILVER BEGINS TREATING HIS FATHER>

Ryori: He doesn’t deserve getting fixed.

<HE COMES OUT; SILVER IS SQUATTING, AND RYORI SEES HIS PISTOL IN ITS HOLSTER; RYORI RUSHES IT; SILVER TURNS, AND SEES RYORI AT THE LAST SECOND; HOWEVER, WITH HIS FATHER IN HIS HAND, HE IS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING>

<RYORI GRABS THE PISTOL OUT OF HIS HOLSTER; HE AIMS IT AT SILVER/AIRGEAD AND FIRES; THE BULLET GOES THROUGH HIS LEFT EYE, AND KILLS THE RED RIBBON LEADER>

<AT ONCE, AS SILVER HAD THREATENED EARLIER, THE EXPLOSIVES ARSENAL HE HAD KEPT IN HIS BUNKERS GOES OFF; IT EXPLODES UP TO THE CITY, ENGULFING EVERYTHING IN MORE EXPLOSIONS, AND IN MORE FIRE>

<CUTS TO VEGETA; TWO MINUTES PRIOR>

Krillin: I, uh, guess I’ll be going then. You g-guys don’t need me…

<KRILLIN AIR DASHES OFF>

<THE BENEFACTOR AND VEGETA ARE THE ONES REMAINING; LEDAS IS BADLY HURT IN THE CORNER>

Vegeta: You’re weak now.

The Benefactor: Not as weak as my Prince here.

<THE TWO JUMP AT ONE ANOTHER; VEGETA’S AURA IS BLINDING>

<THEY GET INTO A QUICK BLOW EXCHANGE; VEGETA PUSHES THE ALIEN BACK AS HE RAINS PUNCHES DOWN UPON HIM; THE BENEFACTOR DOES HIS BEST TO BLOCK, BUT CLEARLY HE IS TIRED>

<VEGETA SHOOTS A SMALL KI BLAST AT THE BENEFACTOR TO BREAK HIS BLOCK; HE DOES A LUNGE JUMP, ENDING IN A KICK TO SHATTER THE ALIEN’S FRONT SIDE; THE BENEFACTOR FALLS DOWN>

<VEGETA GRABS THE LEGS OF THE BENEFACTOR, AND THROWS HIM UP INTO THE AIR; HE TELEPORTS UP AHEAD OF THE ALIEN, AND ELBOWS HIM DOWN BACK INTO THE GROUND>

<THE BENEFACTOR STANDS UP AND THROWS SOME KI AT VEGETA; IT BURNS INTO HIM, BUT HE PUTS UP AN X BLOCK, WHICH PREVENTS MOST DAMAGE; AS THEY RECOVER, VEGETA EATS ANOTHER SENZU BEAN; THE BENEFACTOR SEES HIM DO THIS>

<VEGETA RUSHES INTO THE BENEFACTOR; HE PUNCHES HIM QUITE A FEW TIMES; HE SLAPS HIM ACROSS THE FACE, SPINNING THE ALIEN AROUND; VEGEETA FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH A DEEP PUNCH THAT SENDS THE BENEFACTOR FLYING FORWARD; HE AIR DASHES AFTER HIM, PUNCHING HIM FORWARD AGAIN, THEN TELEPORTS AROUND AND ELBOWS HIM ACROSS THE FACE>

<AT THIS TIME, SILVER IS KILLED AND THE CITY BLOWS UP; BOTH VEGETA AND THE BENEFACTOR LOSE SIGHT AND RETURN TO THE GROUND>

<VEGETA SHIELDS HIS EYES FROM THE FLAMES AND CREATES A BUBBLE (YES, A BUBBLE) BARRIER AROUND HIM TO SAVE HIMSELF; WHEN THE FIRE CLEARS, HE SEES THE BENEFACTOR ACROSS FROM HIM, STANDING QUITE ARROGANTLY>

<IN HIS HANDS IS THE BAG OF SENZU BEANS; HE STOLE THEM FROM VEGETA>

The Benefactor: That was a foolish mistake to let your guard down. So, I take it, these beans restore my power? Is that right?

Vegeta: <SHAKING IN HIS BOOTS> No!

<VEGETA SHOOTS THE BAG OF SENZUS AND DESTROYS THEM, BUT IT IS TOO LATE; THE BENEFACTOR HAS EATEN ONE>

<WITH HIS POWER FULLY RESTORED, HE MOVES FORWARD TO VEGETA; VEGETA PUNCHES AT HIM AGAIN, TRYING VARIOUS STRATEGIES, BUT THEY DO NOTHING; THE BENEFACTOR DOES A STRONG PUNCH INTO VEGETA’S GUT; VEGETA HUNCHES OVER IN PAIN; THE BENEFACTOR GRABS VEGETA’S FACE AND SLAMS INTO THE GROUND; HE JUMPS ONTO VEGETA’S CHEST AND LETS HIS WEIGHT CRASH INTO THE SAIYAN>

<VEGETA SPUTTERS AND ROLLS OFF OF HIM; HE SENDS A HAIL OF KI BLASTS TO GIVE HIM TIME; THE BENEFACTOR IS HIT BY THEM>

<VEGETA ATTEMPTS TO CREATE ANOTHER LARGE BEAM, BUT THE BENEFACTOR WILL HAVE NONE OF THAT; HE RUSHES AT VEGETA; VEGETA, BEING THE TACTICAL GENIUS HE IS, USES THIS TIME TO RUSH THE BENEFACTOR, HIMSELF; HE SLICES AT THE ALIEN’S FACE, AND THEN FRONT FLIPS OVER HIM, BRINGING HIS FEET DOWN HARD ON THE CREATURE’S BACK; HE SENDS A QUICK GALICK AFTER THE FALLING BENEFACTOR>

<THE BENEFACTOR TELEPORTS THROUGH THE BLAST AND GOES BACK UP TO VEGETA; HE HIGH KICKS THE PRINCE UNDER THE JAW, IMMEDIATELY KNOCKING HIM UNCONSCIOUS; VEGETA FALLS TO THE GROUND, SILENTLY>

<THE CITY IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED NOW; EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE, AND BARELY ANY BUILDINGS ARE STILL STANDING; LEDAS IS OUT OF THE FIRE; HE IS AWAKE NOW, IF STILL IN PAIN>

<LEDAS EATS A SENZU BEAN TO REFILL HIS POWER; HE LOOKS UP TO FIND WHERE THE OTHER TWO HAVE BEEN FIGHTING; SUDDENLY, VEGETA FALLS RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM; LEDAS JUMPS BACK UPON SEEING IT>

<LEDAS RUNS TO VEGETA, BUT YOU KNOW WHO GETS THERE FIRST; HE PUSHES HIMSELF INTO VEGETA’S BACK, THEN PUSHES FORWARD WITH SEVERAL STRONG BLASTS; LEDAS GETS THERE NOT IN TIME>

<THE DEED HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE; VEGETA IS COMPLETELY DEFEATED; HE HAS NO SENZUS LEFT AND LEDAS CANNOT GET TO HIM TO GIVE HIM ANY>

<THE BENEFACTOR PICKS VEGETA UP AND SLICES HIM DOWN WITH A LIVE BEAM, CUTTING HIM ALL UP, WITH A ZIG ZAG PATTERN, GOING DOWN HIS CHEST; FOLLOWING THAT UP WITH A SECOND GREAT BEAM, VEGETA DISAPPEARS AND FALLS INTO THE RUBBLE BEHIND>

<THE BENEFACTOR TURNS TO LEDAS>

The Benefactor: It’s you and me once again.

<HE RUSHES AT LEDAS AND KNOCKS HIM IN THE HEAD; HE TWISTS THE BOY’S NECK SIDEWAYS, CAUSING HIM TO FALL OVER; SEVERAL DEEP PUNCHES AND A SHOCKING BLAST LATER, LEDAS IS ONCE AGAIN BADLY HURT>

<THE BENEFACTOR STEPS OVER HIM AND GRABS THE SENZUS LEDAS HAD; HE PUTS ONE INTO LEDAS’ MOUTH; LEDAS CHEWS IT AND SWALLOWS TO MAKE THE PAIN GO AWAY>

Ledas: <LOOKING UP AT THE BENEFACTOR, NOW HEALED AGAIN> W-what was that for?

The Benefactor: The most effective way to train you.

<THE BENEFACTOR REPEATS THE LAST THING, LEDAS IS COMPLETELY BLOODIED; HE SCREAMS>

Ledas: No, stop! This hurts!

<THE BENEFACTOR PUNCHES HIM INTO SUBMISSION, FOLLOWING IT UP WITH A SENZU>

<LEDAS STRUGGLES AGAINST THE BENEFACTOR; UPON HEALING AGAIN, HE DESTROYS THE REMAINING SENZUS SO THE BENEFACTOR CAN’T TRY THAT AGAIN; HE PUNCHES THE ALIEN IN THE GUT AND TRIES TO GET TO VEGETA, BUT THE BENEFACTOR IS TOO QUICK>

<LEDAS STOPS AND DIGS HIS FEET INTO THE GROUND, TURNING; HE SWIFTLY RUNS AWAY, AS FAST AS HE CAN; THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY PURSUE; HE WATCHES LEDAS>

<CUTS BACK TO RYORI>

<SILVER’S BODY, AIRGEAD’S BODY, HAD FALLEN ON HIM AND CARDINAL BEFORE THE PLACE BLEW UP; HIS ARMOR, EFFECTIVELY, SHIELDING THEM FROM THE EXPLOSIONS; NOW, SOME TIME LATER, THE CITY HAS SENT OUT AMBULANCES, POLICE CARS, AND FIRE TRUCKS; THE WHOLE THING>

<ONE AMBULANCE STOPS AT THEIR PLACE AND NOTICES RYORI STIRRING; THEY CALL IN HELP AND GET HIM AND CARDINAL STRETCHERS FOR THEIR WOUNDS AND BURNS>

<BACK AT THE MOTORCYCLE, WISCONSIN WAS THROWN ONTO THE GROUND AT THE BLAST; HE KNOWS THAT SILVER WAS KILLED; HE GETS UP AND LOOKS AROUND, BUT ONLY SEES MANY CARS, AMBULANCES AND SUCH, CROWDING THE STREETS AROUND, LOOKING FOR SURVIVORS>

<HE CALLS OVER A PARAMEDIC AND TO GET HIS OWN “WOUNDS” HEALED>

The Product Of A Stable Mind
<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 EASILY GAINS 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, THE BENEFACTOR 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 THE BENEFACTOR, 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, THE ALIEN 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 THE ALIEN 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: 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: I don’t like your training. It’s too brutal.

The Benefactor: You should have a higher tolerance for pain.

Ledas: Yeah well, you shouldn’t be nearly killing me every five minutes! I can’t take it!

<THE BENEFACTOR SITS DOWN NEXT TO LEDAS>

The Benefactor: Then I will let up for now. <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? I know yours. Mine is no better.

Ledas: Yeah, but what am I supposed to call you?

<THE BENEFACTOR STRAIGHTENS HIS BACK AND TILTS BACK HIS HEAD>

The Benefactor: Until the training is complete, there is nothing to call me aside from Master.

Ledas: <IMMEDIATELY> You know, Master, you’re creepy.

The Benefactor: <HE TAKES A TWIG OFF FROM THE TREE AND MIMICKS WHAT LEDAS WAS DOING EARLIER> Scary, even.

Ledas: Y-you said you killed my father. Is that true?

The Benefactor: The Saiyan King and his guard assaulted Lord Frieza’s flagship. They chose their fate.

Ledas: <SERIOUS> But you didn’t have to do that! You could have helped him like you are with me!

<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 JUST STARES AT HIM, OBVIOUSLY FORMING UP SOME PLAN>

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

<HE THROWS ANOTHER FOR LEDAS, EVEN AS THE SAIYAN BOY GLANCES AROUND FOR ANY SIGN OF VEGETA OR THE OTHERS; 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> What kind of training is this?

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 RESISTANCE YET>

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

The Benefactor: Yes.

<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 WHERE 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 GOES SUPER SAIYAN 2, BRINING OUT HIS LIGHTENING AURA; HE PUNCHES AT THE ALIEN OPPOSITE HIM; THE BENEFACTOR IS CAUGHT OFF GUARD; HE FALLS OFF OF HIS BRANCH, BUT LEDAS REMAINS UPRIGHT>

<LEDAS HOVERS IN THE AIR; 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 LOOKS OVER AT THE BENEFACTOR; THE ALIEN IS ALREADY PREPARING SOMETHING>

<LEDAS CHARGES UP A HUGE, BLUE COLORED KI BEAM; THE BENEFACTOR OFFERS NO RESISTANCE, LETTING IT HIT HIM BEFORE HE RETALIATES; THE BEAM LAUNCHES FROM LEDAS’ HANDS AND CONNECTS WITH THE BENEFACTOR, 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.

The Benefactor: You were so polite moments before.

Ledas: No, I don’t want you around.

<LEDAS SHOOTS DOWN, LANDING AS HARD AS HE CAN ON THE BENEFACTOR’S CHEST; THE BENEFACTOR 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 HIM; 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 CREATES HIS OWN KI SLASH, A TEAL VARIANT, AND ATTEMPTS TO FIGHT BACK>

<THE BENEFACTOR WAS CAUGHT OFF GUARD AND WAS NOT ABLE TO POWER UP TO HIS MAXIMUM, SO WHILE HE IS STRONGER THAN LEDAS EVEN NOW, HE IS NOT IMPOSSIBLY STRONGER>

<THE TWO DUEL, WITH LEDAS SWINGING HIS SWORD MADLY, FORWARD, AND THE BENEFACTOR PARRYING AT FIRST; THE TWO TRADE POSITIONS, BUT NEITHER CAN GET AN EDGE>

<LEDAS ATTEMPTS TO GAIN AN EDGE BY FIRING KI BLASTS AT THE SAME TIME, WITH HIS OTHER HAND; THE BENEFACTOR DEFLECTS THEM, AND A FEW COME BACK TOWARD HIM, AND HIT HIM IN THE FACE; LEDAS STOPS, LETTING HIS SWORD DROP TO THE GROUND AND GO DARK; HE STUMBLES BACK>

Ledas: Ah, ow… <HE SAYS THIS SLOWLY BEFORE LOOKING UP>

<THE BENEFACTOR SLICES SIDEWAYS ACROSS LEDAS’ COLLAR BONE, CUTTING HIM OPEN>

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

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

<LEDAS SUDDENLY LOOKS UP; HE STILL HAS HIS AURA AROUND HIM>

<THE BOY SHOOTS TWO SMALL PULSE BEAMS OUT OF HIS EYES; THEY ARE PURPLE, AND THEY SHOOT OUT SO QUICKLY THAT THE BENEFACTOR DOES NOT EVEN SEE THEM COMING; THEY HIT HIM IN HIS EYES>

<THE BENEFACTOR STUMBLES BACK; HE HOLDS HIS EYES, IN SILENCE, AND FALLS TO HIS KNEES; LEDAS SENDS OFF AN 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> He’s blind now; and if he can’t see me… I can escape and get Vegeta. <HE TURNS TO DASH> Maybe we can lure him into a trap or something.

<LEDAS TAKES OFF AND AIR DASHES AWAY FROM THE BENEFACTOR; 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 NO 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> I was nice before. Not anymore.

Desperation
The Benefactor: <REPRISE> I was nice before. Not anymore.

<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, 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 HAND 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> Healed already? <HE PLACES HIS HANDS ON HIS ARM, FEELING THE DEEP SCARS UP AND DOWN> The beans did nothing to mine.

<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, WHITE SHIRT ON BLACK SHORTS, 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 give up. I know you’re pretty hurt now.

The Benefactor: <CAREFULLY; HE STANDS UP, TOO> I have drawn your blood once again. The life force I gave you will be leaving. Then I may do to you what I want, and the pain alone will make you see your fault.

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 other’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 THE EDGE OF THE MOUNTAIN>

<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 ANGER> Vegeta. That cat’s gonna be so mad about this!

<YAJIROBE GRABS ONTO HIS BACKPACK, STILL LYING PERFECTLY UPRIGHT IN THE SEAT OF HIS CAR>

<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>

<YAJIROBE THEN SETS OUT FROM THE MOUNTAINSIDE WITH EVERYTHING HE HAS>

<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>

<CUTS BACK TO THE BENEFACTOR AND LEDAS>

BOTH ARE SIMPLY STANDING, LEDAS STARES AT THE BENEFACTOR, THE BENEFACTOR FACES HIS WAY; OBVIOUSLY THE ALIEN CANNOT STARE BACK BECAUSE HE IS BLIND>

<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> Useless. <THE OTHER TWO BREAK INTO SILENCE> You have no reason to live.

<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> Distractions will not be tolerated.

<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 seem 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; THE BENEFACTOR HITS HIM OUT OF THE WAY>

<THE BENEFACTOR STEPS OVER THE BACKPACK YAJIROBE DROPPED, NOT NOTICING ITS CONTENTS>

The Benefactor: <TO LEDAS> Take me to the beans. Restore my sight.

Ledas: Never!

<THE ALIEN SIDE-KICKS AT LEDAS, BUT THE SAIYAN BOY DODGES IT, HE BRINGS OUT HIS HEEL AND CLUBS IT INTO THE BENEFACTOR’S LEG AS IT SWINGS PAST HIM; IT CONNECTS, AND THE BENEFACTOR FALLS, SIDEWAYS>

<THE BENEFACTOR PUSHES HIMSELF UP OFF THE GROUND AND ROLLS SIDEWAYS; HE GIVES OFF AN ENERGY FLARE, PUSHING IT OUTWARD; LEDAS BLOCKS AGAINST IT, BUT FALLS OVER>

<THE BENEFACTOR POUNCES ON HIM, THROWING ENERGY BLAST AFTER ENERGY BLAST ONTO THE SAIYAN’S BODY; LEDAS IS DEFENSELESS AGAINST SUCH AN ATTACK; LEDAS PUTS UP HIS HANDS IN AN ATTEMPT TO COUNTER-BLAST; THE BENEFACTOR PUTS HIS OWN HANDS AGAINST LEDAS, CAUSING THE BLAST TO BACKFIRE, CREATING A HUGE CRATER INTO THE GROUND>

<IN THE BLAST, LEDAS ROLLS AWAY FROM THE ALIEN’S CONTROL AND TAKES TO THE SKY; THE BENEFACTOR IS NOT PLAYING AROUND; HE INSTANTLY FOLLOWS>

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

<AN AWKWARD MOMENT LATER, THEY BOTH JUMP BACK TO THEIR FEET, AND TAKE OFF FROM THE POSITION>

<LEDAS LOCKS WITH THE BENEFACTOR INTO A BLOW EXCHANGE; THEY RAIN FISTS UPON EACH OTHER WITH QUITE A BIT OF SPEED AND FEROCITY>

<THE TWO DODGE UP AND DOWN, EVENTUALLY LANDING ONTO THE GROUND; THEY CONTINUE IN THEIR BLOW EXCHANGE FOR SOME TIME, UNTIL, WHILE BACKING UP, THE BENEFACTOR STUMBLES OVER YAJIROBE’S SWORD; THIS GIVES LEDAS AN OPENING TO PUNCH HIM AWAY>

<THE ALIEN PUNCHES INTO THE NEW SPACE - LEDAS HAS MOVED INTO THAT AREA NOW; THE FIST CONNECTS WITH LEDAS’ COLLARBONE, SHATTERING IT> <WHEN HE DOES, LEDAS FALLS TO THE GROUND FROM THE FIGHT AS WELL AS HIS PHYSICAL WOUNDS; HIS ENERGY IS NEARLY DRAINED>

<YET BEFORE LEDAS CAN DARE DO ANYTHING, THE BENEFACTOR WILD SENSES IN FRONT OF HIM; HE HITS LEDAS WITH BOTH OF HIS PALMS, FACE UP AND OPENED, UNDER THE CHIN; 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>

<YAJIROBE COMES UP TO WHERE THE OTHER TWO ARE ON THE GROUND; HE CRAWLS UP CLOSE TO THEM, WHERE HIS BAG WAS; HE LOOKS INTO HIS BAG>

<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 AND HURLS THE PYRAMID ANTIQUE AT NOTHING IN PARTICULAR; 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>

<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> You’re not leaving again.

<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>

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: At least you can’t make me do anything now.

<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; THE BENEFACTOR 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 kill people down, 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>

<THIS IS WRITTEN IN LEDAS’ SAIYAN LANGUAGE, BUT SINCE THERE IS NO POINT MAKING UP A LANGUAGE JUST FOR THAT, WE THE AUDIENCE MERELY SEE IT IN ENGLISH>

<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.

<VERLATE WATCHES HIM AS HE TURNS NOW TO HIS RIDDLE, TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO POSSIBLY SOLVE IT AND PREVENT VERLATE FROM TAKING HIS BODY>

Council Of Gods
<CAMERA COMES TO LEDAS, WHO IS STILL FLOATING IN THE WATER, LOOKING AT HIS RIDDLE>

<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; LEDAS LOOKS DEVASTATED>

Ledas: <TO THE BENEFACTOR> What do you want?

The Benefactor: Don’t be sad.

Ledas: She’s going to take my body!

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: If I were to have arrogance, I would not have given this child a single thought. 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.

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; THE ALIEN’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 THE BENEFACTOR, 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. And we will become invincible together.

<LEDAS DESCENDS TO THE GROUND IN HIS DEFEAT; THE BENEFACTOR FOLLOWS HIM DOWN>

Ledas: We would never be able to get out of here. What does it matter if we’re invincible, then? <HE LOOKS TO THE BENEFACTOR>

The Benefactor: In here, we would have no death.

Ledas: I can’t stop you.

<THE BENEFACTOR APPROACHES LEDAS>

The Benefactor: There is no need. I am not killing you.

Ledas:<HEAD DOWN> You... just wanna train me.

The Benefactor: Imparting my knowledge onto someone worthy.

Ledas: <STILL> Why am I worthy? I’m not even close to the strongest in the universe.

The Benefactor: It doesn’t matter to me.

<LEDAS IS DOWNTRODDEN; HE MOVES FORWARD, HIS HANDS IN HIS POCKETS, HIS HEAD DOWN, KICKING AT THE GROUND>

Ledas: Fine, but I just want to know. Why did you kill him?

The Benefactor: There is no use looking into your past. We only exist together, today, to train and fulfill our duties. You will keep me company.

Ledas: <LOOKING UP, TAKEN ABACK> That’s what this is about? You’re lonely?

The Benefactor: When I was weak, I gave you a portion of my power so you would not die. It was always meant this way, for us to train together.

Ledas: You can’t let me be friends with Vegeta.

The Benefactor: There is no place for that.

Ledas: Yes there is. <PAUSE> There’s no place for you.

<LEDAS MIMICKS THE BENEFACTOR’S WILD SENSE, COMING UP BEHIND THE ALIEN; LEDAS SHOOTS RIGHT THE TB’S FIGURE, CATAPULTING OFF OF THE ALIEN’S INHERENT ENERGY; LEDAS USES THE BENEFACTOR’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 STOPS ONE TIME BEFORE THE GATE; HE LOOKS DOWN AT THE BENEFACTOR; THE BENEFACTOR STARES UP AT LEDAS, BUT DOES NOT PLEAD OR BEG WITH HIM>

<LEDAS THEN TURNS HIS BACK TO THE ALIEN 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 YAJIROBE; YAJIROBE IS HUNTING A BIRD TO EAT, AND DOES NOT NOTICE LEDAS>

<HOWEVER, THE FORCE OF COMING BACK INTO THE REAL WORLD SCARES OFF THE BIRD; YAJIROBE LOOKS AROUND, ANNOYED>

Ledas: Hiya, Yajirobe. Wanna go home?

<YAJIROBE SILENTLY OBLIGES AND GETS ONTO LEDAS IN PIGGY-BACK STYLE; LEDAS LAUGHS AS THEY TALK, BUT NO WORDS ARE HEARD; 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 THE EVER HUNGRY SAMURAI ON HIS BACK>

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 SLIPS 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 for 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! 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: But I can’t watch it. Ryori and me are going to see that whale that could jump out of its tail tomorrow… It’s very cool. <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 KEPT LAWN; IT IS NOW A MESS FROM HIS EXERCISES>

<THE MAILMAN COMES ON HIS DAILY ROUTE, STOPPING WELL OUTSIDE THE GATE IN FRONT OF CAPSULE CORP; HE STOPS, LOOKING AROUND FOR THE MAILBOX>

Mailman: Hey, where is it?! <HE SHOUTS TO VEGETA> Oi! Guy! Where’s your box?

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

<THE MAILMAN PACES BACK AND FORTH, GOING ALL THE WAY UP AND DOWN THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING SEARCHING FOR THE MAILBOX; AT LAST, IN HIS QUEST, HE RETURNS BACK TO THE MAIN BUILDING; HE WALKS INTO SOMETHING AND NEARLY FALLS OVER; IT IS THE “STUMP” 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!

<CUTS TO LEDAS>

<PERMANENTLY REDACATED SCENE 2, NOT POSTED>

<BACK WITH LEDAS, HE IS WAITING INSIDE 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 SITTING AT THE TABLE NEXT TO RYORI’S BED, WAITING FOR HIS GOOD FRIEND TO WAKE UP> <END OF CHAPTER>

Simply Legendary part 1
<TWO WEEKS FROM THE DEATH OF SUPREME COMMANDER SILVER>

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 Earth.

<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 (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>

Ryori: <STUFFS A DIFFERENT PIECE OF SOGGY TISSUE PAPER HE HAD BEEN HOLDING IN HIS LEFT HAND INTO HIS PANTS POCKET> Oh yeah, I can read that. Gimme it. <AS HE TAKES THE PAPER FROM LEDAS>

<RYORI READS OUT THE PAPER; IT IS A LETTER>

Ryori: <READING THE LETTER; HE STUMBLES ON SOME OF THE MORE TRICKY WORDS>

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. The recent occurrences of our world have led me to see that you are, even as provoked, a harmless and useless venture for me to pursue in the vanity of my position. 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: Well, I’m hungry.

<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> 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 have 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. And then he kidnapped me again. <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 the evil, the threat to all of us was shown to be untrue. I have abandoned 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> You gotta let me and Ryori live in a really good place like this with lotsa food. You pay for it all and we can have as much as we want.

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: You were dead. You were still on the planet when we left you. <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> Well, yeah!

Vegeta: If you are who you say you are, 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: You can‘t beat me. I am far stronger than you. <PROUDLY, BUT NOT IN A HATEFUL WAY> Prepare to be amazed.

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 weeks back. I thought he said something about being friends with Vegeta.

Krillin: <WRYLY> I don‘t know, Yamcha. I’ve heard Saiyans stay in their prime for a lot longer than us humans… but this is just ridiculous. He’s only Trunks’ age! He couldn’t know Vegeta.

Trunks: <TO KRILLIN> Hmph, he’s older than me. That’s why he won before.

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 IS 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 DAYS LATER; HE AND VEGETA ARE IN VEGETA’S OWN GRAVITY ROOM; THEY ARE SPARRING; VEGETA IS STILL A LITTLE RESERVED TO BE OPENING HIMSELF UP LIKE THIS, BUT SINCE IT IS LEDAS, HE IS SPARRING A LITTLE AND NOT BEING AS STANDOFFISH AS HE USUALLY IS; THE TWO SPAR FOR SOME TIME; THOUGH IT IS STILL SLIGHTLY AWKWARD, AND NOT THE SAME AS IT WAS WHEN THEY WERE KIDS, VEGETA ISN’T TOTALLY OPPOSED TO THIS, WHICH MAKES LEDAS HAPPY; 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 THE EXPLOSION, 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>