#Drain Ogre

[i-drop-art-in-your-asks]

Manager had me put a sign up over the dish sink at work.

I decided to add a little bit of funny to it

Don't feed the Drain Ogre...

He's trying to build an indoor swamp...

If you want soggy swamp sandwiches, go down the road a little... This is Jimmy John's, not Swampy Sam's

[instantmiraclekryptonite]

Deadass just finished Baki and the only thing on my mind is "why was the fight between Baki and Yujiro so sexually charged" . Am I the only one thinking that? Am I the only one who wants to see both Baki and Yujiro as Sub? Is my brain just rotting?

I NEED ANSWERS!!

Also I get that everything in Baki has sexual undertones, or rather the way they talk makes it somewhat sexual but still!!

[squishysoftmonsters]

Imagine types

[NSFW] Meaning Naughty

[Fluff] Simply sweet wholesome vibes

[Fluff?] Kinda questionable but still cute

Imagines [FULL!🥵]

Tongue/Tentacle

You mean Everything [Fluff]

Tongue Summon [NSFW]

Failed Spell [NSFW]

Tentacle Girlfriend [NSFW]

Tentacle Husband [NSFW]

Tentacle Husband 1 [NSFW]

Good Samaritan [NSFW]

Otherworldly Rock [NSFW]

Carrier [NSFW]

Kid Kraken [NSFW]

The Tentacle Song [Fluff?]

Let Me Love You [NSFW]

Good Morning Stretch [NSFW]

Did You Cook? [NSFW]

Ghost

Ghost House [NSFW]

Ghost Top [NSFW]

Paranormal Orgy [NSFW]

Tentacle Ghost GF [NSFW]

To Catch a Ghost [NSFW]

One on One [NSFW]

No Chores Please [NSFW]

Werewolf

Sub Wolf [NSFW]

Furry Booty Slap [Fluff?]

Tired Hubby [Fluff?]

Magic Pregnancies [Fluff?]

Muzzled Partner [NSFW]

Desperate Human [NSFW]

Prized Human [NSFW]

You Don't Smell Like Me! [NSFW]

Dedicated Husband [NSFW]

Hide and Seek [NSFW]

Chill Wolf [Fluff]

Cuddly Sexy Boy [Fluff?]

Slime

Symbiote Slime Tentacle [NSFW]

Egg Beast [NSFW]

Breeding Frenzy [NSFW]

Radioactive Seed [NSFW]

Slime Birth Boyfriend [NSFW]

Slime Performer [NSFW]

Seductive Slime [NSFW]

Moth

Dom Moth [NSFW]

First Child [NSFW]

Moth Praise [Fluff?]

Abduction [NSFW]

Bearer [NSFW]

Vampire

First Date [NSFW]

Cooking [NSFW]

Helping The Count [NSFW]

Booba [Fluff?]

Drained but Loved [Fluff?]

Ogre

Breakfast [NSFW]

Mermen/Naga/Snake

The Heat [NSFW]

Dom Serpent Merman [NSFW]

Lucky Catch [NSFW]

Naga Lovin' [NSFW]

Merfolk Lust [NSFW]

WTF is wrong with you? [NSFW]

Mermeat [NSFW]

Singer [NSFW]

Sacrificial Offering [NSFW]

Seduced and Used [NSFW]

Alien

Alien Boyfriend [NSFW]

Overstimulation [NSFW]

Twisted Disneyland Guide [NSFW]

Loving you FOR you [Fluff]

Alien Husband [NSFW]

Alien Mother [NSFW]

Alien Girlfriend [NSFW]

Secret Admirer [NSFW]

Alien Girlfriend 1 [NSFW]

Alien Wife Shenanigans [NSFW]

Carpenter For Hire [Fluff?]

Werebear

Forest Meeting [NSFW]

Succubi/Angel/Demon

First Lick [NSFW]

Warfare [NSFW]

Slave to Lover [NSFW]

Unholy Coupling [NSFW]

Water

Bubbly Love [NSFW]

Harpy

Human Kidnapping [NSFW]

No love Today [Fluff?]

Body Worship [Fluff]

Stretched and Bred [NSFW]

Dragon

How to Train your Dragon [NSFW]

How to Tame your Human [NSFW]

To be a Queen for a Dragon [NSFW]

Plant

I REALLY like you! [NSFW]

A lick from Me to You [Fluff]

What it's like to be a Botanist [NSFW]

Demanding Plant [NSFW]

Orc

Hairy Hugs[Fluff]

Minotaur

Face Seat [Fluff?]

Taking it Easy [Fluff]

Gryphon

Just Wingin' It [NSFW]

Uncategorized

Keepin' it Warm [NSFW]

Therapy Monsters [Fluff]

Tender Nabbing [Fluff]

Party Hard [Fluff?]

No,You Can't come! [Fluff?]

Trying to Summon a Boyfriend [NSFW]

Kobold Pet [NSFW]

[chuckeroo777]

Laios got Eaten AU Chapters 53-85

Chapters 1-52 <- Be sure to read part 1. Falin being alive does cause some ripple effects which will continue in this part.

Welcome back! Today we continue where the anime cut off. We'll be going all the way to right before the final confrontation. (Mainly because I haven't figured out how to resolve that yet. I might do two versions, a good end, and a bad end.)

Let's get going! Massive spoiler warning for canon, if it wasn't obvious.

Chapter 53-54:

Same as canon.

Chapter 55:

Everything is mostly the same except Laios shows up instead of Falin. When escaping, Laios is much less gentle with Thistle.

Falin gets turned into a gnome by the giant changling. She is quite smitten by ogre Marcille, though she tries to hide it.

While Seshi and Chilchuck prepare the burgers, Falin assists with the ointment. With her healing expertise, it turns out even better, and she prevents Senshi from using it to cook.

Chapter 56:

Chilchuck has been noticeably grumpier than usual. Not only has Marcille been bugging him about his wife, but the tension between Marcille and Falin is really getting on his nerves. As before, he claims to have cheated to shut her up.

They spot the bicorn and Falin looks it up in the guide. They come up with the plan to be sinful.

When doing envy, Marcille can't help but be annoyed how Chilchuck has been giving her and Falin such judgemental looks, but then he goes and flirts with Senshi.

Without Laios, greed is a little tricky. Falin yoinks Ambrosia, and plays keep-away for a bit. She's giggling so much, she nearly forgets about the bicorn.

Then Lust gets brought up. Chilchuck and Izutsumi stare at Falin and Marcille, but before they can defend themselves, Senshi points out that it isn't lust when it's between two people who respect each other. Marcille then tentatively suggests that maybe Chilchuck's infidelity counts.

After Chilchuck gets attacked, Falin and Senshi rush into action. Falin can't body check it, but a mace to the face has the same effect. They manage to restrain it, then Senshi beheads it.

Falin is very impressed by Marcille's romantic acumen. Chilchuck is mostly left wondering why the romance expert is having such trouble admitting her feelings.

Chapter 57:

The dullahan is a type of ghost, so Falin has no trouble warding it off.

Much to Marcille's chagrin, Senshi decides to start with the head, since those parts don't preserve as well as the muscle.

Chapter 58-59:

When Senshi is discovered, it's Chilchuck who fills the party in about succubi. Unlike Laios, Falin doesn't rush off to grab milk, but she does start sweating profusely.

Thanks to there being three of them conscious in the room, they last a bit longer against the succubi, but when a succubus appears targeting Falin, things quickly break down.

Falin's succubus... is Marcille. But not merely Marcille. Due to a rather lonely childhood, Falin has a few fetishes she had been repressing. The succubus reflecting them for all to see. If she hadn't had her life force drained, she would probably have fainted from the shame and embarrassment.

Izutsumi saves the day, and everyone slowly recovers.

Marcille and Falin are mortified, and can barely even look at each other. Chilchuck finally reaches his breaking point and demands that the two of them talk about their feelings instead of continuing to bottle them up.

They end up having a heartwarming conversation where they confess their feelings. Marcille confesses that she always felt caring and protective of Falin, but the strangely fluctuating age gap made her way too uncomfortable to admit she was developing romantic feelings. But now that they are both adults, she wants to give this a try. Falin confesses that she always admired Marcille and wanted to get closer, but Marcille kept (unintentionally) rejecting her advances, so she just assumed she wasn't into her, which is why she stopped trying. Falin is so glad she was wrong. The two share a loving hug.

Chilchuck is happy for them to finally have these feelings out in the open, and they don't seem to be the sort that used to cause issues in his old groups. However, as the resident dad, he puts his foot down and insists that until this adventure is over, no sleeping together.

Speaking of sleeping together, that reminds Marcille of the dream she had while unconscious.

Chapter 60:

Marcille's dream with the Lion is similar to Laios', but with a few key differences.

Instead of appealing to Laios' care for the monsters and environment, the lion talks about how it IS the power of the dungeon. The power that the ancients discovered and misused. The very power that Marcille has desperately been looking for.

This is all very tempting for her, but she's still uncertain about becoming queen of the golden country, so the lion creates the hypothetical dream.

Marcille 'wakes' to find herself in bed with Falin. After changing out of their pajamas, they explore with the lion. Marcille's kingdom is a place where all the races are treated equally, with magic prolonging their lives to match hers.

She has also incorporated her ideas about a 'safe dungeon', expanding on the golden country's monster domestication to allow the harvesting of all sorts of useful things. Laios is in charge of this program.

Overall, it's all very nice and reasonable. As the audience, we know the lion will actually convince her to try and envelop the world, but for now the scope is realistic.

Marcille doesn't remember most of the dream, but relates that the lion is watching them through Falin's pearlipede. She talks a little about the 'safe dungeon' stuff, but keeps the whole age equalization thing close to her chest. And of course, beware the canaries.

Chapter 61:

Mostly the same, though Kabru's reaction to having to eat monsters is a little less severe. He hates it, but Falin and her group seemed sane enough. He isn't worried about going insane like Laios, he's just severely repulsed by it.

Kabru's nightmare is about the Laigon, stalking and hunting him down before eating him whole. Somehow, despite the massive changes, Kabru still manages to be disgusted yet intrigued about Laios.

Chapter 62:

The first half is identical, with Mithrun's story.

But when they start talking about Falin, that's when they get a bit confused. Despite Kabu's skill, he couldn't get a good read on Falin's desires. She is friendly and kind and thinks monsters are neat, but he's really unsure what would happen if she became lord of the dungeon. The only strong desire Kabru could identify was her unyielding determination to save her brother.

Mithrun begins to suspect that Falin isn't the one the demon is targeting, but unfortunately, Kabru doesn't know enough about the rest of the party to deduce who it could be.

Once the bell goes off, Kabru isn't worried about Falin, but with the demon involved, and so many unknown variables, he decides to go after them.

Chapter 63:

Falin's pearlipede leads them to Thistle's house, and they cautiously make their way in after shooting the bird.

The phoenix proves difficult, but Falin's flame wards buy them enough time to realize it's keeping its distance from the table with the bodies. They manage to weaponize Yaad and defeat and eat the bird.

Chapter 64-65:

Marcille wrenches open the book and they meet the lion. They begin thinking of a way to take down the Laigon.

Falin points out that if the Laigon is hanging out with Thistle, then it hasn't been sleeping or hunting, so her brother is probably really hungry. Senshi points out that flight is very energetically demanding too, and his mouth is real small.

They quickly get to work. The rest of this chapter and chapter 65 are skipped, since they still have plenty of bicorn meat. Notably, due to the Laigon being able to fly, they will arrive quicker, but the gang doesn't need to hunt, so it works out.

Chapter 66:

Between his panicking and self-harm, Thistle takes a bit longer to figure out what to do, since the Laigon doesn't comfort him like the Faligon did.

Chapter 67:

As they watch Thistle and the Laigon arrive, Falin is having second thoughts. Seeing him again is making her think about the plan to eat the dragon parts later. After all, isn't this exactly what Laios always wanted? But can he even survive on the surface like that? What if they save and restore him... and he's furious with her for ruining his dream.

The Laigon takes the bait and excitedly (and messily) devours the bicorn curry and rice. He then curls up and goes to sleep.

Unlike Laios, Falin doesn't consider that the chimera might have more than one brain. Tears in her eyes, she carefully approaches, and swings her mace-staff with all her might.

Falin breaks down crying. Marcille sees the results, and heals Laios' fractured head without reviving him. Now he's just sleeping. After a group hug to comfort her, Falin redoubles her determination, and they go to confront Thistle.

Chapter 68:

Identical, other than some slight name-drop changes.

Chapter 69:

Marcille has long term plans for being dungeon lord, but for now they plan to just use it to help Laios.

Falin isn't surprised to hear that Marcille is a half-elf. She suspected for a while. However, Thistle's callous taunting quickly pisses her off, and when he mentions the sterility, he nearly falls over as a stone spike erupts through the table and nearly impales him.

Infuriated, Thistle warps the room and unleashes the dragons.

The rest of the chapter plays out the same, with everyone getting separated. Falin escapes to the shelf, but everyone else gets got.

Chapter 70:

As the dragons begin fighting each other, Falin hides behind some bowls and starts chanting something while keeping an eye on Thistle.

Once he is distracted shouting orders at the dragons, she takes careful aim with her staff, and unleashes her spell, teleporting right behind Thistle, and disarming him. She may not be as burly as Laios, but Falin is a tough girl, and is easily able to overpower the elf twink.

Chapter 71:

She ties him up to her back and starts retrieving everyone's bodies.

Thistle cries fraud, and Falin explains that teleportation is actually a fairly recent invention. No wonder Thistle was terrified of Mithrun. This is the sort of magic not even the ancients were aware of.

Falin is still furious at Thistle, but decides to make a deal with him. He may choose. Either she kills him, and the party does as they please, or he may dispel the dragons and restore the room, and remain as their prisoner. If he does this, he has her word that they will do nothing to harm the people of the golden country.

Chapter 72:

Thistle, terrified what they may do to his people (An empty implied threat, but Thistle doesn't know that), reluctantly agrees. She lets him have his book just long enough to dispel his magic (Under threat that she'll teleport a rock into his head if he doesn't return it right away. Another empty threat), then she ties him up again, using proper rope, so he can't even move.

Falin revives the rest of the party. Marcille is very distraught that she died, and hugs Falin tightly. They are all very impressed that Falin managed to pull it off.

The lion is miffed that it can't feed on Thistle's desires while its current marks are watching. To make matters worse, Marcille is in no hurry to unseal the book, slamming it shut so she can rest after being revived.

Marcille and Falin talk about half-elves while Isutsumi and Chilchuck go grab drinks. Thistle continues to seethe.

Senshi prepares the tiny green dragon. He doesn't have the plant nectar, but it still turns out great. They feed some to the tied up Thistle. He reluctantly admits it's pretty good.

The gang take shifts over the night to watch the prisoner. As a curse of immortality person, Thistle doesn't need to sleep.

Chapter 73-74:

Marcille wakes up with a massive hangover. For a moment, she conflates a dream she had with last night, and panics that her first 'time' with Falin wasn't in her right mind.

Kabru arrives with the canaries. No one knows about Marcille's black magic, and Falin is pretty reasonable, so Kabru is optimistic about this meeting between them and the canaries.

Izutsumi and Marcille hide upstairs, Senshi prepares tea stuff, and Thistle sits in the corner, still seething.

Negotiations... go shockingly well! The canaries are impressed they were able to capture Thistle alive, and after a little questioning, it's clear Falin hasn't fallen under the dungeon's spell. They are a little grossed out by the bavarois, but most adventurers are a little weird.

When Falin mentions the lion, Kabru asks for permission to explain the danger. After all, the reason demon discussion is banned is to hide the existence of wish granting, and they already know about that part.

With Chilchuck and Kabru's help, Falin ends up coming to a very satisfactory deal with the elves. They will hand over Thistle and the books, on the condition that the canaries' forces provide all the assistance they can in preserving, transporting, and eating Laios. Falin is even able to cite the phoenix as evidence that this plan is viable.

Falin and Pattadol shake on it, and everyone is excited that the danger has passed.

Unfortunately, this premature happy ending is disrupted by something everyone forgot about.

Falin's pearlipede is privy to this entire conversation. And so is the lion. It manages to pop out of the unsealed half, and warns Marcille about the canaries, fueling her fear, and when Mithrun breaks into her room as the negotiations are being finalized, Marcille panics and unseals the lion.

Chapter 75:

Chaos erupts in the house as no one is quite sure what is going on. The canaries rush upstairs to help Mithrun, but they fail to stop Marcille before she declares her lordship.

The canaries are attacked by giant spiders while Marcille absconds. She vanishes before Falin or the others can see her. Falin's party heads upstairs to find Marcille, but only find dead spiders and wrapped up elves.

Chapter 76:

They help Lycion and Kabru carry everyone outside, including Thistle. Lycion fills Falin in on what happened upstairs and she is mortified. They leave Thistle with them, and head out into the remixed dungeon to try and find Marcille and talk her down.

Chapter 77-78:

Everyone receives word that Falin has taken down the lord of the dungeon.

When the chaos starts to unfold, Flamela receives an update from Lycion. Negotiations had been going well with Falin, but a member of her party went rogue, and is now the lord.

With Falin's party confirmed to be working to stop Marcille, the canaries do not attack them, instead focusing on finding Marcille.

Worried that the elves will kill Marcille, Namari, Toshiro, and the Orcs head out to try and find Marcille or Falin first.

Chapter 79-80:

Marcille has approximately 25% less longing in her eyes as she stares at Laios frozen in ice.

Not being in quite the same rush as canon, they don't accidentally fall in the water, instead running down the stairs.

They find the mushrooms and retrieve their stuff. The familiars are disconcerting, but at least they are ostensibly on their side.

They attempt to head in the direction the mushrooms were heading, but don't get far before hitting a dead end. As they try to figure out what to do, a massive flying snake pounces and gobbles them up.

The party panics as the long thin chamber begins to slowly fill with fluid. With the mouth clamped shut, they decide to run as far back as they can. Falin is pretty sure intestines don't have acid, right?

After a harrowing few minutes, they are pooped out in Marcille's front yard.

After reuniting and bathing, Falin tells Marcille about their deal with the canaries, and implores Marcille to reconsider.

Marcille refuses and reveals her dream. Falin doesn't laugh at her, but is concerned. She remembers how miserable the people of the golden country were. Surely the dungeon's power can only extend lives through that same curse.

Notably, due to not eating Thistle, the lion is still in its quadrupedal form. The lion does its best to convince Falin and the others, but after what Kabru told them about the demon, it rings pretty hollow.

Falin refuses to help the demon, not wanting Marcille to become another Thistle.

Marcille is upset, and decides she can make her dream come true by herself. She has the gang confined to the kitchen. She'll do it herself, and they'll see how lovely her dream is later.

Chapter 81:

Falin has no idea what kind of monster Donato is.

Operation Hometown Cuisine proceeds as normal, though Falin doesn't have the realization about Marcille's fears, since she didn't pry into her nightmare.

After failing her persuasion roll on Marcille, Falin gets fed up and grabs Donato's hand, then teleports the doppelganger out of the tree.

Chapter 82:

Identical.

Chapter 83:

Mostly the same. Kabru isn't a prisoner. While the canaries prepare to fight the monster army, they have Kabru escort Thistle to the entrance. Thistle is mostly just resigned at this point. He spots the golden country as part of the new patchwork dungeon, and notices it is off in the corner away from the action. At least Marcille isn't putting them in danger.

Kabru meets up with Toshiro, Namari, and the orcs.

Chapter 84:

Ofc Falin also comes up with the mushroom disguises. Toshiro isn't sure how to feel seeing Falin dressed as a big dumb shroom.

Falin frantically explains how she's pretty sure the lion had been grooming Marcille to be the lord the whole time. That's why she's so out of control.

Lycion explains that when things get this bad, the only solution is to kill the dungeon lord. Thistle calls bullshit. He lost the position without being killed. Lycion clarifies that as long as the demon supports them, there is no other solution.

So Falin proposes they deal with the demon itself.

Lycion shoots that down too. As everyone heads out to fight the monsters, Falin is left despondent.

At Marcille's behest, the lion possesses the pearlipede, engulfing her arm, and speaks to Falin. It tries to convince her to join Marcille. After all, don't they love each other? Chilchuck retorts that if you really love someone, both sides have to be willing to compromise.

The lion tries another tactic. It asks about their favorite foods. Falin's favorite food is ice cream, particularly a swirl of orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream. (If she had been given the chance, she would have discovered exorcism sorbet to be her favorite.)

Unlike Laios, who realizes the lion's weakness in this fight, Falin is just left feeling even more hopeless. But ultimately, she decides to head for Marcille, not knowing what else to do.

Chapter 85:

Falin is quite delighted to see Laios, and is sure it means Marcille isn't too far gone.

Things proceed mostly the same, except Falin again poofs the doppelgangers away. As the party keeps climbing towards Marcille, Falin throws out the armor piercing questions. If Marcille is so callous to create fake versions of her parents, why not just create fake versions of her friends that agree with her dream.

Because a fake isn't the real thing. And what Falin wants is Marcille. The real Marcille.

Marcille starts to break down, admitting that the whole reason she's doing this is because she can't stand the thought of losing Falin and the rest of her friends.

Falin gently embraces Marcille, and explains. If Marcille spends all her time worrying about when their time together will end, then they won't get to enjoy the time they do have together. As they look deep into each other's eyes, Marcille's eyes swimming with tears, she leans forward and-

Senshi ruins the moment by explaining that they already know how to live longer healthier lives. A BALANCED DIET! A HEALTHY CIRCADIAN RHYTHM! AND MODERATE EXERCISE.

The moment is ruined, but it's okay. Marcille clings to Falin as she can't help but laugh as she sobs. Falin smiles and gently rubs Marcille's back. Everything finally feels like it's going to be okay.

Right?

Chapter 86-Finale

[oleander-nin]

Horrortober Day 11- Mind Games(Yandere Rise Leo x Reader)

A/N, not important: Any criticism is welcome, constructive or not. This is supposed to be a gender neutral reader, so if I screwed up somewhere, please tell me.

-Ollie

CW: mention of alcohol and drugs, manipulation, hinted emotional abuse, yandere themes, dark themes

Words: 1693

Summary: You broke up with Leo, but he's not ready to give you up.

Your eyes drift across the sea of bodies, stepping back and to the side to avoid touching any of them. Coming here was a mistake, you felt. Sure, you wanted to get your mind off your recent breakup, but this was not the way to go. It was too loud, too bright, and everyone was already high or drunk and the many masks and faces of monsters and witches wasn’t helping. You grimace at the strong smell of the fruit punch in your hand, knowing it had been spiked at some point. If you found a garbage can, you’d throw it away before mistakenly taking a sip. You didn’t want to risk anything. You still had to drive home after all.

You search through the costumed college students for the friends that had insisted you come, promising it would be worth it and you’d have fun. You snort at the thought. It had barely been twenty minutes, and you already had a headache.

You feel your phone buzz in your pocket, catching your attention. Slipping away from the mass of bodies and giving up on the search, you pull out the vibrating device. Text after text was rolling though, different numbers flashing on your screen. You frown as you read the name rolling though, Leo’s pleading and angry texts blowing up your phone.

You unlock it and go to the conversation between the two of you, blocking his number once more. You were getting your number changed tomorrow, so dealing with him would only be another day. You were free of him, free of the pain and stress he caused, the sense of paranoia and fear he brought on. No more fights, no more of his obsession, no more being a prisoner to your own boyfriend.

You turn off your phone and slip it back into your pocket, doubt and guilt bubbling in your stomach. Part of you felt like you were over reacting. You knew he loved you, it was clear. But that love had gotten too much and you were starting to feel the danger brewing under his skin. The way he looked at you was once filled with love, his dark eyes swimming in happiness and hope for the future, but now they only carried the cold touch of possession and want. He still made his jokes, still treated you like you were his favorite thing in the world, but now it was… Dangerous. Like if you said the wrong thing or did something he didn’t like he would explode. He was a ticking time bomb you forgot how to defuse, and you didn’t want to be there when it finally set off.

You still loved him, the pang in your heart reminding you with every thought that flooded your brain, but being with him has gotten to be too dangerous, your mental health draining. He had started to cost you your friends, started to make you paranoid. You didn’t know how long it would go on before either of you snapped.

You gaze back into the crowd, bright lights attacking your view and making your vision swim. A group of ghosts floated by, the sheets over their heads billowing as they walked. It entertained you to see such a thing, your own costume having about the same effort as theirs. With the party so last minute, you hadn’t had time for a complex costume. You simply woke up this morning and put on a black shirt and sweats, topping the look off with a cat eared headband and three lines on either cheek with a sharpie.

Green skin in the crowd catches your eyes, your heart rate jumping as you tense. You search through the mass of people until you find what you thought you had seen. The ogre’s costume was a duller green than the one that caught your eyes, but you assumed a yellow or green light had been shining rather than the red covering them now. You lean against the wall, swirling your spiked drink. You were really thinking about taking a sip now, at least to get your mind to ease up. This was a party, you were supposed to be having fun, not thinking of Leo.

Pushing off the wall, you merge into the crowd once more to continue looking for your friends. You turn your head as you walk, looking out for the Sesame Street characters your friends said they came as. While scanning faces and masks, your eyes meet familiar ones, the deep onyx oh his eyes shining against the light. Your breath leaves you as you take in the green skin and pink crescents, his mask a stark contrast on his face.

You blink and he’s gone, a costumed student in his wake. You stare at the spot where you saw Leo, your hands shaking slightly. Did you accidentally take a sip of your drink? Were you losing it? In your confused haze, you let the crowd slowly push you back to the edges, your mind still reeling with the sights of your now ex. He couldn’t be here, he wouldn’t even know of this party. You stare at the floor, finally putting your drink down on a small table without a care. It wasn’t like you were going to pick it back up.

The feeling of three-fingered hands drifting over your waist makes your blood run cold and your muscles tense, one settling and the other crossing over to hang onto your wrist. His mouth presses against your ear, his voice a soft whisper full of unsaid fury. “Never thought you’d be in a party like this.”

You stand dumbly in his arms, unable to speak nor move. You gape at the wall in front of you, his strong hands guiding you towards the corner of the room and away from prying eyes. He seemed content with your silence, a smug smile on his face when you glanced back at him. You couldn’t help but feel terrified. Why was he here?

“Dance with me,” He purrs, his eyes flashing dangerously everytime you try to pull away. He never turns you around, keeping your back pressed against his chest. It was surreal, and your brain was stuck in an infinite loop of panic. You couldn’t help but feel unsafe, even in the arms of someone you once, and still do, loved. “It’s the least you could do after the fit you’ve been throwing. I can’t believe you’ve been ignoring me.”

You let him sway you both back and forth with the music, your voice stuck in your throat as you try to not pull away from instinct. His nails dig into your skin, a deadly smile on his lips. He hums along with the music, keeping your body pulled flush with his while he moves. He seemed content despite the circumstances, his hands holding you steady and close.

“Why are you here?” You ask quietly, your heart beating faster than it ever has before. The music was too loud still, the bass drumming the tune in your skull. You felt tired all of a sudden, the safety your brain had found in Leo over the years overriding the clear danger he presented. You wanted to pull away, to run and never look back, but his grip is firm. You weren’t getting out of this one.

“Because I’m your boyfriend, and I got worried when you didn’t answer my texts and calls.” He exaggerates a pout, jutting out his bottom lip as he looks down at you. He had grown over the years you knew him, yet still managed to keep the same jokester personality he claimed was the face of his brothers team. You scowl at his words, finally being knocked out of whatever trance you were in. You try to pull away, thrashing slightly in his grip.

“We broke up.” You remind, glaring at the mutant blending in with the fellow partygoers. Leo drops his pout, rolling his eyes as he adjusts his grip and moves you both closer to the wall.

“No, we didn’t.” He says with the certainty of a monarch sending a traitor to death. “You got upset, and said something you shouldn’t have. But we’re not breaking up.”

"Leonardo Hamato, let me go this instant." You demand, pushing harshly against his chest with your one free hand. His words pushed your brain into overdrive, the fear hitting you like bricks. You needed to leave. Now.

Leo smiles deviously, his eyes flashing as he dares you to do more. "Pulling out my full name now, are we? Looks like someone's getting serious."

His tone is no more than a deep purr, smoothing over the anger and hatred held in his heart. He wanted to slam you against the wall and choke you until you passed out, his steady hands twitching with greed. You were small compared to him now, his size nearly doubling since he was a teen. Not to mention the muscle mass he gained and the reflexes and experience he now had. You were but a lamb to the slaughter, and it was Leo who was the deciding factor on whether you made it out alive. Leo's smile widens. You were so lucky he loved you.

He squeezes your wrist and you can feel the bones start to strain under the pressure, threatening to crack. Your knees buckle at the pain, a small cry leaving your lips. He had never really hurt you before, and especially not while he was grinning. A small kiss is pressed to the back of your head, a quick squeeze being given as a warning.

“Come home with me now, quietly and on your own, or I snap both your legs and kill everyone here.”

He says this lightly, as if it was a small joke between friends. You feel tears well in your eyes. There was no way he wasn’t serious, the glint in his eye showing just how badly he wanted to show you what he was willing to do. You let out a sob, and crumple in his arms. There was nothing you could do but comply.

[unsoundedcomic]

What more can you tell us about the mountain ogre caverns? How well mapped out are they? Do most people even know that they exist? Are all of them equally dangerous, or are some regions relatively safe? I was just thinking about these today, and I need to know.

Oh, sure, the ogre caverns are a fact of the world. So much so that people don't generally call them "ogre caverns"; they're just caverns :) All the continent was formed when the mountain ogres collapsed and settled into a massive ol' corpse pile. They broke down, crumbled, and the spaces their bodies created became the cave system of Kasslyne. The top was weathered over long centuries, cut through by rivers, eroded by the oceans, sprouted greenery and trees. Looks just like our own landscape. But get underground where the original shapes are preserved, and you can walk miles of stony intestines, excavate massive hearts, pry encrusted jewel formations from ancient, quiet brains.

The deeper you go, the colder it gets, and the more the forms break down. Eventually you'll find vast seas of fine sand where all the ogres' blood has drained. This is what humans use to craft First Glass. Beneath the sandsea, supposedly, lies the path to the Coldlands. No one is entirely sure if this really exists, it's only spoken of by certain senet beasts, but many have disappeared in search of it and never returned.

Like our own caves and caverns, you can get lost in them, or a collapse can happen, so any spelunking carries risk. There are creatures like varpies and redcaps, that we saw in chapter 14, and even senet beasts who are down there hiding from people, and don't take kindly to visits. And of course, there are inak. And humans have not made them their friends either.

[y-rhywbeth2]

Put it down as a coincidence (and it's just game limitations, but hush) but the party has no reactions when:

Astarion drains you dry and leaves the (obviously a victim of a vampire) corpse out in the open where everyone in camp can see it.

Durge starts eating dwarf flesh in front of them

Any comment made about cannibalism in dialogue

You agree to pay the ogres by letting them eat your enemies.

You have a conversation with Astarion in the middle of camp, where everyone can hear you, about the possibility of eating the rest of the party. Bonus points for Durge, again, who'd rather eat their flesh than simply drink their blood.

You all need to be less okay with eating people.

Meanwhile, they can accept cannibalism but they draw the line at licking dead spiders...

[hermitcraftheadcanons]

Skizzekai Au Masterpost

Teaser Intro Post

Intro, Rules, and Premise

Clarification on Skizz and Joel

Character and Group Summary

Second Masterpost with later headcanons because we hit the link limit

A compilation of all asks from the Skizzekai Community AU. Asks below the cut.

AU END DATE: JUNE 1ST

More discussion available on the discord!

Canon Asks:

Tango fire magic

Undead ruler Cleo and half-ghost Joe

Formerly-evil demon Impulse

Drowned Gem

Joe used to be human

Death's apprentice Zedaph

Bard Wels

Ice kingdom Iskall

Fae Queen Stress and bodyguard Iskall

Travelling merchants Cub, Scar, and False

Helpful miner TFC

Vampire (?) Mumbo

Cub and Scar are fae

Not-short plant magic Bdubs

Moth fae Pearl

Skizz got his Name taken

Pearl as a former corrupt queen

Skizz might not stay human

Pre-isekai Skizz characterization

Ogre Joel

Former king of Undead Republic, Ren

Formerly human Gem puts a bounty out on Skizz

Pirate False

Grian is weird

Skizz is a magic sponge

Jungle guardian Bdubs

Scar took Skizz's name, Familiar Jellie

7 foot tall Etho, same species as Bdubs

Skizz's magic necklace

Selkie pirate Wels

Construct Etho

Elaboration on Etho and Bdubs

Xisuma and bones

Joel's multiple transformations

Skizz connecting to the world

Xisuma was formerly a puddle of nothing

God of the night Mumbo

Skizz grows wings

Skizz has dragonfly wings

Joe Hills from Nashville, Tennessee

Joel's kingdom

Tango magic cards

NHO jungle guardians

Skizz necklace mechanics

Kaiju size Doc

Cleo's kingdom has underground tunnels

Unicorn Keralis

Impulse's change of sides

Skizz's sleeveless suit

xB is not the lake princess

Grian is like a bug

Nobody knows how Skizz is meant to save the world

Cleo's kingdom has sculk

Skizz keeps a journal

False is hunting Skizz because of Gem's bounty

Changeling-deal Hypno with an artifact to stay human

More Unicorn Keralis details

we have enough humans already!

Skizz embraces his change

Magic system details

Slime guy Jevin

Doc constantly changes

Etho and Bdubs auras

Xisuma shares his bones

Evil in the Ice Kingdom, and Iskall as an energy source

Grian is REALLY weird

The great evil is draining magic

How magic Feels

Details on Hypno's anti-magic artifact

Skizz is fine with being summoned

Skizz wing details

Scar keeps letting Skizz go

Gem backstory and motivations

More Gem details

Gem used to have wings

Skizz's life before summoning

Jevin is made out of magic

Hypno backstory

War of the Watchers book came with Skizz

Alternates:

Goddess Pearl

Juppet

Powerless fae Jellie

Tango was Skizz's best friend in the other world

Hermits have versions in both worlds

Zookeeper Scar

Skizz as an experiment

Joe is the only remaining hero of many

Skizz's summoner is a bone guy

A clearer prophecy

Wels stole False's reflection

xB actually IS the lake princess (joke)

Explosive Etho

Merchant Mumbo

Pearl and Skizz pen pals

[rivetgoth]

I have definitely talked about this song before on here but I've been having a bit of a Greater Wrong of the Right moment. Oldschool Charheads know that this is one of my all-time favorite albums and has been for the better part of a decade, but I genuinely feel like Goneja is like, one of the top 10, maybe even top 5, Skuppy tracks ever, which I think (?) is a pretty esoteric opinion, since the post-Doomsday stuff doesn't tend to get nearly as much love.

Buuut it's just so good man. It's like, for lack of a better word I'd call it the thesis of the album. This might be a kinda scattered "analysis" but I think GWOTR is an album that reflects a lot of growth and maturity from Ogre (and cEv, but I'm talking lyrically right now so sorry lol)--That isn't to say that the pre-Doomsday stuff is "immature," but I think there's a kind of normal timeline of human experience and psychology present in the evolution of Ogre's lyrics and demeanor over time, with the early Skuppy stuff being much more proactive and angry, and later Skuppy stuff being much more reflective. Like, lyrics that go from "This thing sucks" to "What can be done about this thing, how do we react to it, what does this say about the world."

Anyway, I think GWOTR spends a lot of time reflecting on this change as lyrics span across a bunch of the songs about sitting there, literally sitting, and sort of acknowledging or not acknowledging the horrors of the world: "Sit and feel absolutely zero suffering / A condition worth denying," "In the place of safety I am fortunate to be alive." A lot of this is (and the album title evokes this too, and the stage show) implicitly about the state of international affairs in the US at the time, post 9/11, the Bush Administration, and the horrors taking place overseas by hand and dollar of the US militia. Reflecting on the helplessness of being within the country of origin, far away from the actual traumas taking place. To return to what I said above about that "proactive and angry" vs "reflective" statement, consider the lyrics of songs like VX Gas Attack or Second Tooth versus lyrics like Use Less or DaddyuWarbash, where we shift from talking about the war itself to talking about being a citizen of the country propagating it: "Doesn't concern me / Under a flag free / Are we all completely useless?," "We remove ourselves from the war / Looking from a distance, sanitized / Wash your hands and feel it / The dirt is down the drain."

I also don't think it's coincidence that this album and all that it represents and speaks on was the first Skinny Puppy album since both Ogre and cEvin got clean from harder drugs and got more into weed. I think this album sonically has this sort of long, winding, whirring sound I'd associate specifically with a weed high, and obviously Goneja by name is a play on ganja (though as a SoCal resident I used to try to read it as go-neigh-ha until I realized, LMAO), so it's asking you to be aware of the presence of marijuana within the song and the album as a whole. So I think Goneja kind of is a coalescence of the impact weed has on the album and the larger themes of the lyrics of the album, and serves as probably the most personal, or introspective track on the album, with this kind of dreamlike, erratic sound, simultaneously slow and mellow but with scattered, jumbled, almost-nonsense lyrics that shift into one another as the song progresses. I always felt the song was representational of getting way too high and way too stuck in your own head, and the way your thoughts start to warp, and you start thinking about all of these terrible things, and all of these dark moments in your own life, and these dark moments in history, and become wrapped up in how weird and fucked up the world is. "I wish I wouldn't live in newspapers" is one of the final statements of the song and I think THAT is kind of the thesis of the album right there. That feeling trapped by the world, the news, the information being fed to you, all of the horrors, how much bigger it is than you, how helpless and oppressive it feels. For Ogre, he'd spent, what, 20 years at this point making a career of speaking on all of those horrors? And to what end? Has anything changed for the better? Is there a point to this at all? Are we all completely useless?

[giggly-squiggily]

Weekly Basis (Fire Force)

Heyo! :D I missed my boys, and now here they are kjejakrkjearjkeaj I was fangirling with Nym (@intheticklecloset) recently over these two and Fire Force as a whole- one thing led to another and boom! This fic was born! I hope y'all like it! :D

Summary: Arthur and Shinra have weekly tickle fights. That's it- that's the fic

It was Arthur’s fault, naturally. He usually was the one to start these fights.

“Begone devil, or I’ll be forced to cut you down.” The blonde fumed, grabbing the hilt of his plasma blade. “I’m not one to bluff.”

“Gee, forget how to say ‘excuse me’?” Said devil rolled his eyes as he turned back to the counter, pouring cream into his coffee. He could move, but Shinra was feeling petty now. The self proclaimed knight king could wait. “Since you're standing there, hand me the sugar? I think Maki burned the pot.”

“Assisting a devil? And a stubborn one at that- you are truly bold to ask a Knight King for assistance after refusing my orders.” Arthur puffed up, the hand on his hilt tightening knuckle white. Still, he turned and grabbed the sugar off the nearby table.

Only to put it on the top of the fridge, just out of Shinra’s reach.

“Oh you son of a-” Shinra growled as he twisted towards him, reaching for the bowl. “You’re a real pain in the ass, you know that?”

“Had you yielded, you’d have your sugar- hey, back you!!” Arthur pushed at his shoulders as Shinra leaned into him, using the blonde as leverage. “Begone I said!”

“Shut up, you started it!” Shinra stretched his arm long, fingers just grazing his target. Arthur scrunched his nose up at the smell. “Hold still!”

He did not. Instead, Arthur shoved his hand into his armpits for a better shove, curling his fingers.

The reaction was near instantaneous.

“GAH!” Shinra yelped, all but falling on his ass as he spasmed backwards. Arthur reached out to grab him, a hand to Shinra’s t-shirt the only thing preventing him from hitting his head on the way down. There was a brief moment of stunned silence, then…

“Geahhaha! Doohohohn’t you dahhahahre!” Shinra cried out when Arthur let him go, following him down with two hands in his armpits. “Stahhahahap, sthahhap yooohohohu jehheheerk!”

“Oo, what’s wrong? Is the devil himself ticklish?” The blonde cooed, grinning from ear to ear as Shinra thrashed and squealed beneath him, curling up like a cockroach. “If I’ve known this sooner, I’d have defeated you already! Now I shall take my chance!”

“Yehahahhaha rihhihiihght! Gehahahhaha, yohohohou’re a mohohohorohohohon iihihif yohohohu thihiihnk thihihs will kihihihll mehehehehe!” Shinra quickly reached out, grabbing onto Arthur’s knee and squeezing. Almost immediately, Arthur spasmed, falling back and giving Shinra the opening he needed to run.

“Dehevil! Get back here!” Arthur cried out, but Shinra was already far too gone, laughing the entire way.

~~~~~~~~~~

Arthur was exhausted.

It was the beginning of the week, and the dreaded paperwork day. Normally such an event wouldn’t come around until later, but due to a few incidents over the weekend with infernals, the torture was moved sooner. The ogre pri-Maki; his head still hurt- insisted it wasn’t all that bad; just a small pile for each of them.

For her or the lieutenant, this was breezy. For the Knight King himself; it felt like decades.

“Oi, sit up- that’s how you fall asleep.” Shinra elbowed him gently, snapping him out of his sleepy trance. “Speaking of, did you sleep at all last night? I swear I heard you snoring for the most of it.”

“A Knight King gets plenty of stamina. This however- it’s poison. It drains my life force.” Arthur looked down miserably at the half finished paper, feeling his eyes start to droop just after reading the first few lines. “I’ve sat here for eons. Any longer and I won’t be able to go on…”

“It’s been five minutes. Most of them you spent asleep.” Shinra elbowed him again when Arthur started to droop, shaking him awake once more. “Do you want some coffee? An energy drink- water?”

“Coffee would be nice..” Arthur nodded through a yawn, watching Shinra get up to make it. “Make haste, devil- before this poison spreads to my he-aaaaart..”

“Sure, sure, whatever.” Shinra rolled his eyes as Arthur yawned again, stretching his arms out overhead. “Don’t be asleep when I get back or else.”

Arthur knew Shinra likely meant it. He leaned into his hand as he stared at the paper, the world growing blurrier and blurrier until…

“Eheh!” Something sharp and ticklish jabbed his sides. His vision was blind- when did that happen? Oh no- the poison spread to his eyes! “I can’t see-”

The paper he was working on fluttered off his face. Arthur stared. Oh.

Then the tickles came back and he didn’t have any time to feel silly.

“I told you to stay awake, didn’t I?” Shinra growled in his ear as he squeezed the life out of Arthur’s sides, making the blonde squeal and squirm in his clutches. “I told you, and you fell asleep anyway! This is what you get!”

“Aehahhhahahha! Rehehahahaleahahase me, dehheheehevil! Hohohow dahahahare yohohohu- gehahahhahahahhah!” The Knight King tried and failed to grab his hands, still groggy with sleep as Shinra danced his fingers up and down his torso. “Begohohohohone, dehhehehevil-HEhhehehehehehhahah!”

“You know- you’re awfully bold to ask for coffee from me and then tell me to ‘begone’. Actually- didn’t you say the same thing yesterday too?” Shinra’s efforts were doubled as Arthur snorted like a pig, trying and failing to guard his stomach from the devil’s prodding fingers. “Well too bad for you! I’m here with an antidote for your ‘poison’, and I’m not going anywhere until it’s in full effect!”

The coffee had grown cold by the time they were done, but Arthur wasn’t sleepy anymore.

A win is a win?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

“Shut up! It’s not like you’ve never been stuck before!” Shinra argued at the Knight King- his stance weakened significantly as he swayed to and from. “Get me down!”

“Usually I’d leave devils like yourself like this, but as a Knight King, I suppose I have to help you.” A puff of laughter escaped the blonde’s lips, momentarily breaking his monologue. Seeing Shinra hanging upside down in a tree with his leg caught within the branches was quite the sight! Part of him wanted to take a few pictures.

Well…

“Oi, put your phone away and help me!” Shinra cried, swiping at Arthur as the other snapped a few shots, ducking and weaving out of the brunette’s reach. “Arthur!”

“Pfft, okay okay.” Tossing his phone aside, he reached up and grabbed Shinra by the waist- or ribs. He was never good at devil anatomy. “I’m gonna pull you down- try not to squirm.”

“Hurry u-eehheahhaha, stahhahap!” Shinra cried, shivering all over at the feeling of tickles. “Don’t tihihickle me!”

“I’m not trying too- damn, how’d you get so stuck?” Arthur gave another tug, squeezing Shinra more and more as he pulled. The entire time, the brunette was giggling and curling up, punching at the air and holding his face as he tried and failed to escape. “I told you to stop squirming!”

“Ahahahand I tohohold yoohohou tohoho stahhap tihihihckli-EHEHE!” Hands to his hips did him in. He arched so harshly he went backwards into Arthur, his leg deciding that was the time to come loose. The two boys went flailing into the dirt below- groaning in mutual pain as leaves scattered around them.

“Ugh..Devil, are you hurt?” Arthur asked, feeling Shinra shake his head. “Good. You can carry me back.”

“Oh shit- did you get hurt?” Shinra shot up, staring down at Arthur’s torso.

“No, but I’m far too tired. It’s the least you can do for knocking the air out of me.”

Shira swore, digging into the blonde’s sides and making him jump and cackle.

He did end up carrying Arthur home though.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ghgggggggggggghhh.

Shinra felt his eye twitch. He pressed them closed tighter, practically squinting.

Ghgggggg-hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhch.

He pulled the pillow tighter around his ears, trying to block out the sound.

Khggggggh-ghhhghgh-zhhhhhhhhhhgh

Now that last one sounded personal. Shinra twisted in his bed to glare down at the blonde sleeping away. Arthur wasn’t usually the type to snore; most nights the most you’d hear out of him is sleep talking through a dream-made acceptance speech. It was only when he got sick he snored.

And good lord he could snore!

“Oi, Knight King!” Shinra whispered sharply down at him, waving to get his attention. Usually he’d be more sympathetic for his roommate in times like this, but Arthur was on the very last leg of his cold. After what felt like decades listening to him snore, he finally had enough. “Wake up!”

“Zzh-heh?” Snorting awake, Arthur blinked blurrily up at him, wiping at his face with a tired hand. “What? The princess wishes me to marry her? I’m flattered, but I am far too committed to my duties.”

“No, dumbass! Wake up! You’re snoring like crazy!” Shinra growled, climbing down the latter of their bunk before heading to the bathroom. “Hang on, let me get the decongestants.”

“I don’t need your potions, Devil. I’m fine. Besides its-” Arthur looked at the clock, wincing. “Good lord- 1 am?- I can survive the night.”

“Well, I can’t.” Shinra came back with a glass of water and two pills, offering them to the blonde. “Take them. That’ll clear your up.”

Arthur stared. Then he scrunched up his nose in distaste, shaking his head. “Those are poison.”

“They’re medicine!”

“They taste horrible.”

“You sound like ass- take the freaking pills!” Too tired for patience, Shinra put down the water and climbed onto Arthur’s bed, grabbing at his sides as he brought the pills to his mouth. “Come on- come on, Knight King- the princess wants you to take them!”

“The priiihihncess is a dehehhevil! A dehihihvil in dihhihisguiihihse!” Arthur giggled out, one hand slapped over his mouth as the other shoved at Shinra, trying and failing to keep it down. “Stahhahap, it tihihihickles!”

“Take. The. Meds. Now!” Shinra growled, worming his fingers higher up as Arthur fell back into the bed, squeaking and giggling all the way. He was about to shove a hand into the blonde’s gut to really get him going when the door suddenly opened. “L-Lieutenant!”

Hinawa looked beyond exhausted, hair slightly messy and glasses missing. He also looked really, really pissed. He walked over, taking in the sight as his eyes landed on the pills in Shinra’s hand.

Without any words, he held out his hand for them. Shinra gave them without question. Hinawa turned to Arthur.

“These will make you into a grand knight king. Take them or you’ll die to the witch's poison.” He spoke so seriously even Shinra believed him. Arthur blanched before snatching the pills, gulping them down with every last drop of water.

“Good. Bed. Now.” Hinawa gave Shinra a look that sent chills up his spine. Quickly, the brunette did so, watching the older man leave. Before the door shut, he heard a soft “Goodnight boys.”

“Scary…” Shinra moaned. Below him, Arthur was fast asleep already.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“That’s it! This charade has gone on LONG ENOUGH!” Shinra declared one afternoon- tossing down his coat and pointing at the blonde before him. “You and me- outside; right now!”

“Bring it on, Devil. I’ve been waiting for this day.” Arthur nodded, following the brunette out the door. Tamaki- who had been sitting by watching the entire fiasco- turned to the others with wide eyes.

“Should we stop them?” She asked- still new to Company 8’s dynamics.

“They’ll be fine. They do this at least once a week.” Maki reassured her, sorting through the remains of her paperwork. “If you want, why don’t you go out and see for yourself? I can take care of things here.”

Tamaki nodded, standing up and heading towards the door. With a small huff, she pushed it open to find…

“COME HERE!” Shinra yelled out, diving into Arthur’s middle as the blonde grabbed onto his shirt. Sparks flew and flames ignited as Shinra took flight, soaring him and Arthur through the air. Despite such a move, they only skimmed the rooftop, no different than a fly buzzing around a sugar cube.

“Think you’ve one? Ha! Take this!” Arthur wasn't deterred. The second they reached the center of the roof once more he brought the hilt of his sword into Shinra’s back, making him stumble to his feet. Tamaki sucked in a small hiss- that couldn’t have felt good.

Neither did the suplex Shinra performed on Arthur. With the blonde on his back, Shirna was quick to sit on his hips, one hand grabbing at his wrists while the other…

“AH! Shihihihihihihit!” Arthur yelped, arching when Shinra’s fingers attacked his stomach, sending waves of ticklishness up his core. “Dehehehhevil!”

“Whahaht?” Shinra mimicked, giggling like a goon as he carried on gently tickling the other. He was smiling that devilish grin of his- the kind that never failed to make Tamaki’s heart do little flutters whenever it came around. “Come on- fight back, Knight King? What is it- too much for you to handle?”

“Yohohoohu shuhuhuhut yoooohur fahahhahce! Gehahhaha, I’m juhuhust gehehhehetting stahahhahartred!” With a burst of strength, Arthur broke free from Shinra’s grip, attacking the other’s ribs with full force. The brunette yelped as he doubled over, giggling like a child almost immediately. “Tahhahahke thahahahaht!”

“Wow- and here I thought they’d spar more before getting into the tickles.” Maki’s amused tone make Tamaki jump out her skin, finding the older girl watching alongside her. “Last week it took them a few more attacks before they got going.”

“They’ve been on edge all week. This is their stress relief.” Hinawa added, making Maki nod in agreement.

“Latom.” Iris added, tenting hands. Tamaki copied her almost automatically.

“Ehehehehheheh! Dohoohohohn’t juhuhuhuuhst stahhahahnd thehehehere- hehehehelp meheheh!” Shinra called out to them, half fighting off Arthur’s attacks and half digging into the nearest soft spot he could find. “Geheheheht his neehheheck-EHEHEHEH!”

“Dohohohon’t goohohoho gihihihving awahhahy my sehehehecrets! Hihihis feheheht! Gehehhet his feheheheh-EHEEHEHK!” Arthur yelped just as loudly when Shinra dug into his highest ribs, the hands in Shinra’s armpits starting to weaken. “GEHEHEHT OOHOHOHUT!”

“DIHIHIIHIHITTOOHOHOHOHO!”

“They’ll work it out eventually.” Hinawa returned to his desk, Maki following not too long after. Iris stayed with Tamaki, giggling in her hand as she watched the boys play.

“They’re always like this- you don’t have to worry.” She reassured her, squeezing Tamaki’s hand. “Come- lets go get some tea before they realize we’re still here.”

Away they went, leaving the boys screaming and cackling on the rooftop in their tickle fight. Soon the noise died down, the boys returning to the office disheveled and giggly.

“Iihihll..I’ll win nehehext time!” Shinra called out, pointing at a sleepy Arthur as the blonde sank into his seat.

“Suhuhure, shuuhhure..dehhehevil.” Arthur rolled his eyes, head hitting the desk as he began to snore. Only Maki shaking him kept him from completely passing out.

“I didn’t know you were ticklish.” Tamaki mused as she passed him a mug, watching his ears go red. “Who knew the hero had such a weakness?”

There was a brief pause in his eyes, something she couldn’t quite read passing over them before he began to laugh, taking the mug with that trademark smile of his. “Well- all the best heroes have one. Sometimes two.”

“What’s the other one?” She asked automatically, tilting her head when he only smiled around his mug.

“That’s a secret”

Thanks for reading!

[elisajdb]

Life With You: Part XL

Revival

Floating on her crystal ball, Fortuneteller Baba viewed the lines of spirits waiting to see King Yemma. She shook her head saddened by the numerous deaths from Earth. It’s already begun. However, these spirits, once people, weren’t killed by Majin Boo but by Majin Vegeta. This wasn’t in her visions.  

She didn’t anticipate Vegeta’s death this soon. That's why when she viewed his death, Baba recovered Vegeta’s spirit and escorted him to King Yemma. Baba floated into the palace of the Lord of the Afterlife as he was rendering sentence. The spirit was very vocal, angrily yelling at King Yemma that they should not be sent to Hell. King Yemma ignored the yelling, opened the floor under the spirit and watched it be sucked into Hell.

“That was an angry spirit,” Baba murmured.

“Very.” King Yemma beckoned the next spirit forward for judgment. “Goodbye, Mrs. Niver.” As he read the spirit’s life, King Yemma frowned, “Another one was killed at the Tenkaichi Budokai by Vegeta. He has been quiet for years.”

“I’ve come to warn you Vegeta has also died. I want you to allow Vegeta to keep his body.”

“Why? Do you know what’s happening on Earth?” King Yemma noticed a spirit floating next to Baba. “Is that Vegeta? Did you jump him ahead of the line?”

“Trust me on this, King Yemma,” Baba pleaded. “Don’t send Vegeta to Hell. Wait until the trouble on Earth has passed.”

“But Goku is on Earth.”

Vegeta’s spirit spoke angry gibberish.

“Baba….” King Yemma had a strong suspicion Baba was hiding something. “Is this why you thought Goku should return to Earth?”

Baba twiddled her thumbs nervously. “I had a vision.”

“Baba, I warned you about your visions and interfering with the natural order of things.”

“If I didn’t interfere, the natural order of things would be the end of Earth! I thought sending Goku would change Earth’s fate but things aren’t going as I hoped. Vegeta fell under Bobbidi’s power. He died too early! He helped with Cell and died trying to save Earth against Majin Boo.”

King Yemma knew from his first death, there were pages of horrible deeds committed by Vegeta. Two good deeds weren’t enough for Vegeta to retain his body. However, King Yemma trusted Baba and what he saw coming from Earth was a warning. “I’ll return his body. Take him to the Viewing Room, Baba. He can stay there until I need him.”

As King Yemma signaled the next spirit forward, Vegeta’s spirit morphed into his body. The Saiyan Prince looked at his hands and body amazed. He felt his forehead. He didn’t feel Bobbidi’s emblem.

I’m free from his possession.

“Come, Vegeta.” Baba urged Vegeta to follow her. “You can stay in Earth’s Viewing Room.”

Vegeta followed Baba down a long hallway. They passed doors with the names of planets on the front. Appreciative that he retained his body, Vegeta wanted answers from Baba. “You knew about Bobbidi and Dabura and you didn’t warn us? You brought Kakarrot back so he can play hero?!”

“Earth needs Goku, Vegeta. You, Gohan and everyone else weren’t enough to defeat Dabura and Majin Boo.”

How insulting! “I am not second fiddle to Kakarrot!”

“You had more warnings about the dangers to come than in my vision and yet, you died before my vision predicted. Bringing Goku into the fold, hastened your death because of your pride!”

Vegeta snarled but he couldn’t dispute Baba’s words. His pride did cost Gohan’s life. If Majin Boo isn’t stopped, it will cost Bulma and Trunks’ lives, too. “So,” he spoke calmer, “in your visions, Boo’s shell still cracked. What happened?”

“At the Tenkaichi Budokai, you and Gohan fought in the final round. Bobbidi’s minions attacked both of you and drained your powers. The Supreme Kai refrained the others from getting involved.”

“Jackass.” Vegeta wasn’t surprised. “In both realities, the Kai is an incompetent fool.”

“It was a grave miscalculation.” They entered Earth’s Viewing Room. There were many ogres watching monitors of different areas on Earth. “Your strength was restored and you went with the Supreme Kai. Krillin was killed instead of Kibito. No one was spat on.”

“So, Gohan, Piccolo and I fought Bobbidi’s minions. Did Gohan fight Dabura?”

“No. You did. You defeated Dabura but before you could kill him, he spat on you.”

“I was turned into stone?!”

“It didn’t last long. Piccolo and Gohan killed Dabura and brought you back but it was the tipping point to unlocking Majin Boo’s shell. It was chaos after that.” Baba took Vegeta to a monitor where Goku lay unconscious. Seeing Goku, reminded Vegeta of Gohan.

“Did Gohan travel to the planet of warriors?” Before judgment is passed on him, Vegeta wanted to apologize to Gohan.

“He would be there now if he was dead.”

“If?!” This news stunned Vegeta. “Gohan’s alive?”

The back of Goku’s head throbbed as his eyes opened to the rocky desert. He spat out the grainy ground that rubbed against his lips. Goku slowly stood as he recalled what happened. He and Vegeta made a truce to stop fighting and help Gohan with Majin Boo.

That was the plan but Vegeta tricked and knocked him out. Goku picked up the empty bag of senzu beans. Dammit, Vegeta. He tried to find Gohan and Vegeta’s ki. They were strong together but Goku knew they couldn’t defeat Majin Boo alone.

Where’s Gohan? Where’s Vegeta?

Goku picked up Krillin and Piccolo’s ki. Maybe they can tell me what’s going on. Goku disappeared and reappeared on Kami’s Temple. There, he got the grim news about Gohan.

Gohan’s too powerful to be killed by Majin Boo.

But he remembered Gohan’s battle with Dabura. Vegeta was right. Gohan has slacked in his training but Goku couldn’t believe he was dead.  

Not the son who gazed at him with the most curious eyes. Not the son who followed him around the house crawling with his bottle wrapped around his tail. Not the son who had strength Goku never imagined; who made him proud with his kind heart and intelligent mind. Not the son who cared for his wife and second child in his absence. He couldn’t be gone.

I helped you with Cell. I wanted to help you with Majin Boo.

But Vegeta blindsided him and it cost Gohan’s life. Gohan can be brought back with the dragon balls but until then, ChiChi has to know. I don’t know how I can tell her.

Goku knew he had to be the one to do it but he had another pressing issue. Majin Boo. “He took down Gohan and Vegeta. He won’t be easy to defeat.”

Piccolo agreed. “At this rate, every living being on Earth and in the universe will be killed.”

“But we have you, Goku,” Krillin wasn’t worried. To him, the battle was over. “You’re the only one who can beat him. You have one full day. You still have time.”

Some things never change. Goku remembered during his heart virus coma, his friends talked of him dealing with the Artificial Humans and Cell. I’m dead and they want me to fight again. “Krillin, I can’t do it.”

“You have to. You’re the only one who can beat Majin Boo.”

Goku thought his absence would mean he’s not the hero anymore. Gohan took his place and Goku thought his friends would keep training and be teachers to the younger ones. That wasn’t happening. Krillin and Yamcha retired. Gohan wasn’t as strong. Goten and Trunks were on the rise but not ready.

I could try as Super Saiyan Three but I lost hours fighting Vegeta.

King Kai warned him against using Super Saiyan Three. It would eat up his time on Earth and if he lost all his time before he returned to the afterlife, he wouldn’t exist anywhere.

It’s also not my place. He was dead and this battle was in the realm of the living. He interfered in aiding Majin Boo’s release. Interfering anymore may cause catastrophic damage. At least that’s what King Kai warned him. Be it a warning or a false narrative, Goku saw the effects of returning to the living world. 

He lost his eldest son and Vegeta was dead.

But if he explained all of that, Goku knew Krillin wouldn’t understand. Instead, he told him,  “Vegeta is just as strong as me and he’s gone.”

“Oh….” Krillin slumped at the grim truth. “Guess you’re right.”

Even though he couldn’t interfere, Goku wanted to help. ChiChi and Goten were still here. He didn’t want them to die. Goku thought the only way for anyone to beat Majin Boo was a Fusion. “If Gohan and Vegeta were still alive, we’d have a chance.” I could’ve taught them Fusion.

“This is similar to Cell, Son. It doesn’t matter how many of us are here. Without strong powerhouses like you, Gohan and Vegeta, we’re done for.”

“I know.” Even you, Piccolo? “They could’ve fused or I could’ve fused with them.”

Goku explained the Fusion technique. “I could never try it since no one is close to my power. I did learn the technique with another warrior so I know what to do. I thought I’d have time to try it with Gohan after the tournament but……”

“We still have a chance!” Krillin saw hope in their dilemma. “When you go back to the afterlife, Gohan and Vegeta will be there. You can fuse with one of them!”

“And what good would that do us?” Krillin’s constant speaking without thinking annoyed Piccolo. “Son cannot return to this realm when he goes back. Vegeta will not keep his body and if Son fuses with Gohan, he can’t return to this realm when we wish Gohan back.”

“Don’t scold me as if my ideas are stupid! I’m trying to come up with something while you haven’t suggested a thing!”

“Contemplating is better than speaking without thinking, Krillin.”

Before an argument could break out between the two, Mr. Popo suggested Goten and Trunks could fuse since they have a similar size and power. Goku thought it was a long shot but it was the best idea they had. “I’ll train Goten and Trunks until I leave. Piccolo, you’ll have to take over for me.”

“Good idea, Goku!” Krillin cheered as his hope rose again. “Those two are gonna do it! I know it!”

“Possibly,” Piccolo conceded it was their best option, but he still worried. “It will take time for Goten and Trunks to learn the technique. Millions will die in the meantime. The entire planet could be wiped out before they’re ready. This is a terrible gamble, Son.”

“Maybe,” Goku understood Piccolo’s concerns, “but we have the dragon balls. We can wish everyone back.”

“In the meantime, I’ll get the others,” Krillin offered. “Our families will be safe.”

The skies above them suddenly darkened. Goku knew what was happening and he didn’t like it. “Shenron. Why is he being summoned now?”

“Bulma,” Krillin guessed. “She collected the dragon balls to wish everyone back Vegeta killed.”

For a brief moment, Goku worried. Does this mean Mrs. Niver will come back?

“This is bad,” Dende worried. “If all three wishes are used now, the dragon balls will be inert for a year.”

“I’ll stop her,” Goku put his fingers to his forehead but among the billions of lives on the planet, Bulma’s ki was too hard to pinpoint. Goku had a hunch his wife was with her. Focusing on ChiChi, Goku quickly found her. He was right. ChiChi and Bulma were together.

Goku arrived after one wish was used. He sent Shenron away promising to request the other two wishes later. As the dragon dispersed into seven separate balls, ChiChi ran into Goku’s arms.

“You’re back!” ChiChi snuggled against his chest. “You’re safe.”

“Worried about me?” Goku teased. “I’m dead, ChiChi. What else could happen to me?”

“Don’t talk like that,” ChiChi gently chided him. “After everything that has happened today, I have a right to be worried.” She looked around expecting her sons to be with Goku. “Where are Gohan and Goten? Videl said Goten and Trunks were flying to you and Gohan.” When Goku didn’t answer immediately, ChiChi worried, “Did something happen to our sons?”

“Stop worrying,” Goku brushed off ChiChi’s concerns. “Everyone’s on Kami’s Temple. We all have to go there to be safe.” He addressed the group around them. “I need everyone to line up and hold on to each other. I’m gonna transfer us to Kami’s Temple. We’ll be safe from Majin Boo there.”

“Who is Majin Boo?” Yamcha asked. “What’s happening?”

“I’ll explain when we are at the temple.”

“I hope Vegeta has an explanation for what he did.” Bulma joined the line with Yamcha. 

18 held Marron as she stepped to Goku. “Is Krillin with you?”

“He’s fine. He can’t wait to see you two.”

“Good.” 18 took her place next to Gyu-Mao. No one else saw it but ChiChi noticed the worry leave her friend. She’ll feel that relief when she sees her sons.

As Goku checked to see everyone lined up, Goku noticed ChiChi touching his shoulder and not his hand. “I thought you were gonna hold my hand.”

“I'd rather hold you.”

Goku blushed at ChiChi’s bedroom eyes. “Don’t look at me like that,” he whispered.

When they were transported to Kami’s Temple, ChiChi was disappointed to see Piccolo, Krillin and Dende. She was happy 18 reunited with Krillin but where were her sons? Goku said everyone was here but as the seconds ticked without a sight of her sons, ChiChi’s worry increased.

“Goku,” ChiChi asked again, “where are Gohan and Goten?”

ChiChi’s question sparked Bulma to ask about Vegeta and Trunks. Behind Goku, ChiChi saw Krillin panic. Her eyes went to Goku who suddenly bore a serious face. Oh, no. Gohan. Goten. Not them. Please don’t tell me something happened to them.

“This isn’t easy for me to say,” Goku began gravely. “Goten and Trunks are safe but Gohan and Vegeta are dead. Majin Boo killed them.”

No! It was the last news ChiChi wanted to hear and what she feared the most. I lost my husband. I can’t lose Gohan, too. Not him.

Not the boy who gave her the sweetest smile; the shy toddler who clutched at her skirts as she cooked his favorite meals; the boy who had grown so much since being away for a year and became a shoulder for her to lean on during one of the darkest periods of her life. Not her baby boy who was growing into a bright young man with so much waiting for him.

Gohan.

She felt lightheaded and hot suddenly. She stood still but everything around her spun into a blur. She couldn’t see Goku or her father. Her weakening legs buckled under pressure as she collapsed and blacked out before her head hit the pavement.

“ChiChi, please wake up." Gyu-Mao hovered over ChiChi. He looked helpless at Goku as he rushed over. “Goku. Help her.” This is my fault. Goku picked up ChiChi. "I'll take her to my old room." Leaving, Goku could hear Bulma wailing for Vegeta. Hearing her grief reminded Goku of who he lost. Gohan’s nervous smile flashed in his mind. It was the last he saw of Gohan before he left with the Supreme Kai. Get it together, Goku. Gohan and Vegeta were dead. Majin Boo had to be stopped. Everyone was depending on him. But I can't do it. Everything is on Goten and Trunks. He spoke confidently of the boys but knew it was a big risk putting everything on their small shoulders.

ChiChi stirred in his arms awakening. “Goku?” She was so woozy. She touched his face to be sure he was there. “I’m here. You fainted. I’m taking you to my old room.” “I can make it,” she gently pushed at him forcing Goku to place her on feet. "I need you to tell me Gohan’s not dead. You made a mistake.” Goku remained firm but ChiChi's tears almost broke him. "Sorry, ChiChi, but he's gone. I can't feel his Ki." "No! You’re wrong!” Goku didn’t waver. “Please be wrong,” ChiChi begged her husband. “Please," she sobbed. "My baby can't be gone. Tell me you’re lying, Goku. Please tell me you’re lying!" Goku held ChiChi against him. It was all he could do to comfort her. Gohan’s last smile flashed in his mind as ChiChi’s sobs got louder. I wanted to help you, Gohan.  “I'm sorry.” "You were gonna protect him," ChiChi sobbed against his shirt. "You said you'll never let anything happen to Gohan. You told me to trust you. I did and our son is dead!" Her voice raised. It wasn’t in anger but heartbreak. Goku never saw ChiChi cry like this except when Gohan told her he died and wasn’t coming back. "Gohan!” she wailed his name. “Not our baby! Not him!" Goku wished ChiChi screamed at him. He wished she was angry and blamed him for their son's death. He could handle that. He couldn’t handle this ChiChi who wailed with a broken heart; who believed he would protect their son. He couldn’t handle he let her down. This is my fault. I should’ve defeated Vegeta as a Super Saiyan Three. Gohan would be alive if I did that. Gohan appeared in Goku’s mind again but as a baby looking in awe of him. This faded to a giggling baby Gohan crawling to him. This transferred to Gohan on one of the worst days of Goku’s life: Gohan taken by Raditz. That horrible vision whirled to Goku finding Gohan with a broken neck on Namek. When Gohan needed him, Goku was there.

Except today. I'm sorry, Gohan. I didn't protect you. I shouldn't have come back. "Goku?" Goku turned his head to see Bulma. He didn't notice her encroaching. "Bulma, what is it?" Bulma always kept herself looking good. Her hair was never out of place and her makeup was perfect but now her eyes were red, her face was slightly puffy and her lipstick was smeared. "Why did you let him die?" He didn't need this. He didn’t want anyone else to make him feel guilty about Gohan’s death. "I didn't let Gohan die." "I'm not talking about Gohan. I'm talking about Vegeta. How could you let him die?" "Bulma, I didn't let Vegeta die. I didn't know." "What do you mean you didn't know? You were with him, weren't you?!" "I....." Goku wanted to be careful with his words. "I wasn't with him." "What?" Bulma choked on her tears. "Did you let Vegeta fight Majin Boo by himself? Why weren't you with him?! You're supposed to fight Majin Boo! You're the one who beat the bad guys! It's what you've always done! Why didn't you do it this time?!"

“Bulma….”

“Why did you come back? Vegeta turned into a psychotic killer because of you! Gohan is dead! Bad things happen when you’re around!”

“Stop it!” ChiChi snapped back. She lost her son. She understood Bulma’s pain of losing a lover but she wouldn’t allow Bulma to take it out on Goku. “I know you’re hurting, Bulma, but you’re not the only one. Goku and I lost our son!”

ChiChi’s words forced Bulma to collect herself. ChiChi was right but so was she about Vegeta. He wouldn’t be dead if Goku had done what he had always done. “I want to know what happened to Vegeta. Goku knows and he won’t say. Don’t you find it strange he survived while they died? Don’t you want to know what happened to your son and why Goku wasn’t there when Gohan needed his father?”

Bulma’s words felt like a slap. Closing his eyes, he saw Gohan again. I’m sorry, Gohan. As he thought of his son, Goku felt ChiChi’s eyes on him. He didn’t need a rift with ChiChi but he knew Bulma’s words created a fissure in their mutual mourning. “Bulma….” Goku didn’t want to say it. “Don’t,” he warned her. “Please.”

“Tell me!” Bulma screamed. “I’m your oldest friend. I deserve to know the truth! What happened to my Vegeta?! Why didn’t you save your son?!”

“He knocked me out!” Goku hadn’t meant to yell but Bulma’s probing while he mourned his loss pushed Goku to his limit. “I felt Majin Boo’s power. I told Vegeta we should stop fighting and help Gohan and the Supreme Kai. Vegeta agreed but when I turned my back on him, he knocked me out.” Goku hated admitting that. He let his guard down to people he trusted. It was the first time he lowered his guard around Vegeta and cost Gohan’s life. “When I woke up, Vegeta and Gohan were dead.”

The truth rendered Bulma speechless. She stood as a statue while swallowing the news of Vegeta causing his and Gohan’s death. She wanted to yell at Goku. She wanted to accuse him of lying but she knew her oldest friend. He could hide the truth but he didn’t lie. “Why?” Bulma whispered. “Why would Vegeta do that?”

“Bulma, I would’ve saved Gohan and Vegeta if I could.” He heard ChiChi crying softly against him. He took that as his cue to leave. ChiChi needed him. “Sorry.” He walked away with ChiChi. They were silent the rest of the way to his old room. When they entered, he walked ChiChi to his bed. “You should lie down, ChiChi.”

ChiChi waved off that suggestion. “Lying down won’t bring me our son back, Goku.” She stepped away from him. She felt embarrassed for fainting. She hadn’t done that in years. “Goten.” She thought of her only living child. Her sweet baby boy adored Gohan. “How can I tell him Gohan’s….. Gohan….” she began crying again.

Goku embraced ChiChi. He hated this day. His family was broken and he blamed himself. “I’ll tell him.” He consoled her. “I’ll tell him, ChiChi, but I gotta tell ya,” he warned. “I can’t stop Majin Boo. I need Goten and Trunks.” ChiChi immediately stiffened in his arms. She pulled away. “They’re strong, ChiChi.”

“You want them to fight that monster?” No. Not another son. “He killed Vegeta and Gohan.”

“I know, but to be in this realm, I was given enough energy for twenty-four hours. I lost some of it fighting Vegeta. The more energy I use, the quicker my time goes.”

ChiChi thought of Vegeta and how menacing he was. He wouldn’t go down easily. “How much time do you have left, Goku?”

Goku shrugged. “I probably have sixteen or seventeen hours. I don’t have enough left to stop Majin Boo. The best I can do is train Goten and Trunks and leave the rest to Piccolo.” ChiChi turned away from him. He knew she didn’t like that but this was the only way. “I know you didn’t like it when I took Gohan to train----”

“No,” ChiChi cut him off. “That’s not it.” Seven years ago, she would’ve been against this but ChiChi learned from her mistakes. “Goten and Trunks are strong but they’re not Gohan. They are boys who grew up in peace. They never dealt with the consequences of not winning. They have the strength. They have the skills but not the mindset for what you want them to do.”

“So, they’re spoiled.” Goku saw that in Trunks. He didn’t act like the Trunks he met seven years ago. This one was the pure embodiment of his parents’ strong personalities. Goten was shy and playful. He wasn’t far behind Trunks so Goku knew if they focus, they will defeat Majin Boo. “I’ll get them ready and Piccolo will take over when I’m gone.”

He was determined and ChiChi knew she couldn’t stop Goku when he had his mind set on something. “Then make the same promise you made with me over Gohan.” She lightly jabbed his face. “You make Goten and Trunks as strong as possible. You train them to make Majin Boo pay for killing our Gohan.”

ChiChi’s approval was everything to Goku. She’d get angry and not agree with his decisions but ChiChi always had his back. “Promise.”

“Good.” She had his word. That was all she needed. ChiChi gave Goku a quick kiss. “Then go. You don’t have a lot of time.”

Goku pulled away from ChiChi but when he reached the door, he hesitated. He needed what only ChiChi could give him. A kiss. It was long, slow and melted ChiChi like wax to a flame. She gripped his shirt with one hand while the other nestled his hair so she wouldn’t pool to the floor. Goku’s kisses were a silent language. In it, ChiChi could feel his anger, frustration and sorrow. She took that from him and sent her love and hope while conveying her understanding and forgiveness.

Goku broke the breathless kiss with a vow. “I’m making a promise to you, ChiChi. If I face Majin Boo before I leave, I’ll make him pay for what he did to Gohan.”

Goku left ChiChi and returned to the group waiting for him. He wanted to fight strong opponents for fun and eat to his heart’s content but when the need called for one to take command and delegate, leader was a role Goku shifted into naturally.

Goku was going to voice it was time to wake up Goten and Trunks when Bobbidi and Majin Boo appeared in their minds. Bobbidi spoke to the entire world about what he wanted. Piccolo, Goten and Trunks. He threatened to destroy cities if they didn’t come to him.

“I will go,” Piccolo volunteered. “My death will spare lives.”

“They’ll kill you and destroy Earth anyway.” Experiences with Freeza and Cell taught Goku some beings couldn’t be trusted on their word. “You must train Goten and Trunks when I go. We can bring everyone back with the dragon balls. Let’s go.”

Goku, Piccolo and Mr. Popo were halfway to Goten and Trunks' room, when they saw ChiChi coming to them. “ChiChi?” She was angry and wearing the same look on her face when she ran down the stadium steps to aid Gohan against Spopovich. “You heard the broadcast.”

“Those monsters want to kill our Goten! I’ll fight that weaselly maggot and his fat sidekick before that happens!”

“You can’t.” The last thing Goku needed was ChiChi going off half-cocked and getting herself killed. “Goten and Trunks have to fight them but I gotta prepare them first.”

“I can’t stand here and do nothing, Goku. I did too much of that when Gohan was a child.” ChiChi knew Goku wouldn’t let her fight so she offered an alternative. “I want to watch you train Goten.”

Behind him, Piccolo waved his arms and shook his head mouthing ‘No.’

Piccolo will take over when he’s gone. However, Goku hadn’t forgotten how tough Piccolo was with Gohan and how that had stunted some of his fighting. A softer guidance would erode Piccolo’s toughness.

“All right.”

“Thank you,” ChiChi embraced Goku while Piccolo threw his hands up disgusted.

ChiChi went with Goku, Piccolo and Mr. Popo to the room Goten and Trunks slept in. Goten sprawled on the bed with his covers kicked off while Trunks slept on his side covered. ChiChi and Goku went to Goten’s bedside while Piccolo went to Trunks. “Goten,” ChiChi gently shook Goten awake. “Goten, it’s time to wake up.”

“Hey!” Piccolo yanked the covers off Trunks. “Wake up!”

Goten opened his eyes. He looked around confused this wasn’t the desert with Trunks and his Dad. He forgot that when he saw his mother. “Momma!” Goten jumped up and hugged ChiChi. “It was so bad, Momma!” he wailed for his mother’s comfort after his terrible ordeal. “Me and Trunks wanted to see a genie and we found statues of Mr. Piccolo and Mr. Krillin. Trunks broke the Mr. Piccolo statue but he regurgitated his body back after the fat genie turned another guy into a cookie and ate him!”

“Oh,” Goku slyly grinned at Piccolo, “So that’s how you got your body back.”

“More or less,” Piccolo grumbled, “but I didn’t regurgitate. I regenerated.”

“Then Mr. Vegeta showed up and fought the fat genie. He was so awesome but he got beat up really badly. Me and Trunks tried to help him but Mr. Vegeta got weird and told Trunks to take care of his Mom. Mr. Vegeta hugged Trunks, Momma!” Goten gasped still astonished. “Mr. Vegeta never hugged Trunks but it was a trick to knock him out.” He rubbed his stomach where Vegeta punched him. “He hit me, too. We wanted to help but Mr. Vegeta was a meanie!”

“Why are we here? Where’s my Dad?” Trunks saw Piccolo. “Did you leave him?”

“Come on.” Goku gently pulled Goten from ChiChi’s arms. “Get your shoes on, Goten. We have to take you and Trunks to a room.”

“Is my Dad there?” Trunks got out of bed and put on his shoes. “Is that where you are taking us?”

“Everything will be explained.”

Trunks didn’t like Goku’s cryptic words but he accepted he had to do as told….for now.

“Is Big Brother there, too, Momma?” Goten grabbed ChiChi’s hand while following Goku out of the room. “I wanna tell him about my day.”

ChiChi gently squeezed Goten’s hand as her lower lip quivered. She told herself to not cry and worry Goten but it was so hard to hold the truth from her little one. “Do as your father says.”

“Okay.” Goten agreed. “Where are we?” he looked around at the wide hallways and tall columns. “It’s so big here.”

“This is a place where your Daddy lived for a few years.”

“Oh,” Goten looked at the man a couple feet ahead of him still in awe he was his father. “He’s so big, Momma,” Goten whispered.

“I know.”

Goten looked at his father shyly before whispering to ChiChi. “I like him.”

ChiChi whispered back. “I’m glad.”  

Goten and Trunks were ushered into a training room Goku used. Goten looked around eager and curious while Trunks was suspicious. “All right. We’re here. Where is my Dad?”

“No more stalling, Son.” Piccolo didn’t want to waste any more time. “Tell them or I will.”

“Tell us what?” Trunks lost his patience. “Where is my Dad? Tell me!”

“Momma?” From Trunks’ burst of anger, Goten picked up the shift in the air. Mr. Vegeta wasn’t here and neither was his Big Brother. Why was everyone so quiet? “Momma, where’s Big Brother?”

It hurt ChiChi to remain quiet but Goku wanted to tell Goten. She braced her heart on how crushed her son will be when he learns his Big Brother is dead.

“Gohan and Vegeta are dead. Majin Boo killed them.”

ChiChi winced at Goku’s bluntness. She could hear the news like that but it needed to be softened for Goten and Trunks.

Both boys were silent as the news settled in. ChiChi wasn’t sure if they understood what Goku said but tears began to trickle from the boys’ eyes. Their little bodies trembled. Goten snapped from the shock first bursting into tears and wailing. “Big Brother!!!!”

“No!!!” Trunks denied the news. “It can’t be! My Dad didn’t die to that monster!”

“Big Brother is dead!!!”

ChiChi stepped forward to scoop Goten into her arms but Goku’s arm blocked her. He silently warned her to not get involved.

“But, Goku….” ChiChi protested.

“You told me you will let me handle this.”

Goku was rarely stern with her. In the past, she relented but after being on her own for seven years, ChiChi found herself struggling to be a submissive wife. Goku turned away unaware of ChiChi’s internal struggle. He didn’t like being rude to ChiChi but his time was waning on Earth and he needed Goten and Trunks to learn Fusion. 

“If you don’t like it, then hurry up and learn this technique and avenge them! Got it?!”

No. ChiChi didn’t approve of how Goku was handling this. This isn’t the way, Goku.

“I know it’s harsh,” Goku softened his tone as if realizing he was being too hard, “but it’s the only way. Bobbidi may find this place soon. We need to start training immediately.”

Goku began explaining what Fusion was. He thought the boys were listening but when he asked them to turn into Super Saiyans, he noticed Goten and Trunks glaring at him. “What’s wrong? Am I going too fast?”

Trunks sneered at Goku. “What were you doing when Dad and Gohan got killed?”

Oof. Goku hoped the boys wouldn’t think to ask that. He didn’t have time to make up an excuse so he told the truth. “I was knocked out.”

“Knocked out? At a time like that?! Trunks was disgusted. “I thought you were strong!”

Trunks wasn’t the only one angry and disgusted with Goku’s answer. Goten was, too. “What can we learn from you?!”

“How dare you?!” Piccolo was patient as Goku broke the news but from how Goku and ChiChi woke Goten and spoke to him, it was shameful to see they were still coddling parents. Piccolo knew Goku was holding back the truth. He heard the conversation between Goku, ChiChi and Bulma and it pissed him off Trunks and Goten would dare talk so rudely to Goku as if he was a coward. “You are speaking to Goku!!”

“It’s okay, Piccolo.” Goku let the insult roll off him. “I am weak. I could never beat Majin Boo. I can teach you this trick. If you want to get back at Majin Boo for what he did to Gohan and Vegeta, this is the way.”

“If you can’t beat Majin Boo, why should we believe you know a way to defeat him?!”

“Yeah!” Goten agreed with Trunks. “You’re big but you’re not strong like Big Brother or you wouldn’t have let him die!”

“Goten.” ChiChi couldn’t allow her son to disrespect his father. “That’s enough. Apologize to your father.”

“No!” Goten refused. “You and Big Brother told me Daddy is a great man and very strong! How can he be so great if he was knocked out and he let Big Brother and Trunks’ Daddy die?! He’s weak! I can’t learn anything from him!”

When Gohan yelled at her in the hospital, ChiChi was hurt. Everyone agreed with him. The pain she felt then ChiChi could see in Goku’s eyes now. Gohan was calmer after that outburst. She suspected Goku talked to him. Now it was her turn to talk to Goten for Goku. “That’s enough, Goten.” ChiChi didn’t scream but her voice did rise, warning him.

“It’s okay, ChiChi.” Goku knew what ChiChi was doing but she didn’t need to. “I can’t be great if I let Gohan die.”

“And my Dad!” Trunks jumped in. “Dad talked about you like you should be respected, but why should we respect a dead guy? If you are so great, you wouldn’t be dead or you would’ve died instead Dad and Gohan like you did seven years ago!”

“Why you little….!” Piccolo had enough of the brats. “A good smack across your face would do you good.”

ChiChi blocked Piccolo from striking the boys. She knelt to Goten. “I know you are upset and sad about Big Brother. I am, too, but you don’t take it out on Daddy.”

“But he…..”

“He’s not responsible for Big Brother or Vegeta dying. Remember when we talked about Daddy? Remember when you asked how Daddy died?” Goten nodded. “What did I say?”

Goten kept his head down and his eyes on his small hands wrapped in his mother’s. “Daddy died to protect us. He died so we can live in peace.”

“That’s right,” ChiChi was proud Goten remembered. “He stayed away to protect us. He was gifted a chance to see us again. Do you think a man like that, your Daddy, would let your Big Brother die?”

Goten raised his head to Goku. He was a mystery for years. He saw his photos; and heard many stories about him from his mother and Big Brother. The stories made Goten want to know this man. It made Goten love him when he didn’t know him. Momma and Big Brother can’t be wrong. “No.” Tears rolled down his cheeks. He felt bad for yelling at his Daddy. “I’m sorry, Daddy.”

Goku gently rubbed Goten’s hair. “All is forgiven.”

“But Big Brother, Momma. It hurts he’s gone.”

ChiChi embraced Goten as he cried. “I know, Goten. It hurts for me, too, but the best way to deal with it is to fight back and make that bad Majin Boo pay for what he did.”

“I will, Momma,” Goten promised. “Daddy, teach me how to beat Majin Boo.”

“I’m ready, too.” What ChiChi said made sense to Trunks. His father spoke highly of Goku. He wouldn’t respect him if he thought Son Goku was weak. 

ChiChi allowed Goku to resume training but Bobbidi interrupted addressing Piccolo, Goten and Trunks again. He gave them more incentive to fight when Majin Boo destroyed another city. ChiChi and Piccolo tried to shun Goten and Trunks from closing their eyes and seeing the horror of Majin Boo but Goku was glad they saw the violence. They needed to see what was at stake if they didn’t win.  

Their lessons were interrupted half an hour later when Bobbidi announced he knew Trunks’ address and was heading to West City. This brought a panic Bulma into the room.

“Goku, they are heading to West City. They are going to kill my parents.”

“We can bring them back with the dragon balls.”

“He’ll destroy the city, Goku! And if he does that, he’ll destroy the dragon ball radar I left there. There are special parts I can’t replicate except in my lab.”

“Whaaa!” Goku screamed. “Why did you leave it there?! Okay. Change of plans. Trunks, I need you to fly home and get that radar. I’ll stall Majin Boo and Bobbidi.”

“Are you sure about that?” Trunks accepted Goku wasn’t to blame for his Dad and Gohan’s death but he didn’t think Goku could handle Majin Boo alone. He doesn’t look tough enough. “Won’t he flatten you?”

“I’ll manage. Now hurry before they get there.”

“All right,” Trunks ran out of the room. He leapt off Kami’s Temple and flew towards West City as fast as he could. “I don’t think Goten’s Dad can handle Majin Boo. He killed my Dad and he’s stronger. What can Goten’s Dad do?”

“Don’t go alone,” ChiChi pleaded with Goku. “Take Piccolo with you.”

“You’re doubting I can stall Majin Boo?” That wasn’t the ChiChi he knew. “Have I lost my touch with you?” He winked at her. “You used to think I could do anything.”

She slapped his arm. This wasn’t the time to flirt. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

Piccolo walked out of the room disgusted. He knew what was going to happen. “Seven years and it’s still disgusting to see.”

Bulma stepped out of the room to give Goku and ChiChi a moment alone but Goten stayed curious. Were they going to hug? His young eyes grew when he saw his parents press their lips together. Goten knew Mommies and Daddy's kiss but it was strange to see his parents do that. It was strange to see a man close to his Momma. No man did that except one.  

Mr. Kenji touched Momma’s cheeks with his lips but he never touched her lips like Daddy is doing. When his Daddy pulled away, Goten noticed his mother’s face was red. Did Daddy make Momma sick kissing her? Why is Daddy smiling like that? Goten continued to stare at his Daddy as he put two fingers to his forehead and disappeared. Daddy’s magical.

“Momma? Can Daddy stall Majin Boo?”

ChiChi had a hand over her heart. It was pounding so fast. Goku’s swagger. His confidence. His kiss. It was everything. “Goten… your Daddy can do anything.”

ChiChi believed that with all her heart. She knew Goku spent his time away training. She knew he was stronger but even she was stunned at the transformation that took over Goku.

Super Saiyan Three.

The entire planet shook. ChiChi knew Goku held a lot of power but seeing it cause the entire planet to shake was mind-blowing. It was one long terrifying earthquake creating avalanches and tidal waves. Some poorly structured homes were destroyed. Bridges wobbled while some collapsed and only settled after Goku’s transformation. His blonde hair sprouted to his hips. He glowed as electricity crackled around him. The energy pulsing from Goku was enormous. Everyone around ChiChi was awed by Goku’s power. The wife of Son Goku, however, had one question.

Goku, what happened to your eyebrows?!

He was still attractive. ChiChi felt nothing could squelch that feeling but the lack of eyebrows was unnerving. He’s still handsome but not as handsome as he always is.

THIS IS SUPER SAIYAN LEVEL THREE. SORRY IT TOOK A WHILE. I’M NOT USED TO IT YET.

Oh…..

Goku’s voice rocked her core. That familiar tingle nearly caused her knees to buckle. I guess his voice makes up for his missing eyebrows. Ooo! It was mesmerizing watching Goku fight. She mentally cheered for every punch Goku smashed against Majin Boo’s face. That’s for Gohan! ChiChi was proud of how Goku handled himself against Majin Boo. He’s so much stronger. This new transformation will take a while to get used to but I bet Goku was so happy when he reached it.  

Yes! ChiChi whooped and hollered at Goku grabbing Majin Boo by his antennae and punching his face like a boxer pounding his punching bag. Get em, Goku! Make him pay for taking our son!

He’s so handsome. ChiChi admired Goku’s chiseled face. Clothes hid his body but thinking of what the training in the afterlife did to Goku’s body made ChiChi want to touch him with her hands and mouth.

I wish we had time for one more. If only I could feel him against me. What a send-off I would give Goku. Piccolo suddenly turned to her. His scrutinizing eyes caused her to blush. Is he reading my mind? She saw his purple cheeks. He is! Stop reading my mind!!

Sorry! Piccolo hastily grunted and turned away from ChiChi.

The people of Earth weren’t alone in watching the battle between Goku and Majin Boo. In the observation room for Earth, King Yemma’s staff were glued to the monitors. One who wasn’t a servant but a special guest viewed the battle with malice.

Vegeta.

Minutes earlier, the Saiyan Prince was cautious for Goku. Having battled Majin Boo and lost, Vegeta knew Goku had a tough fight ahead of him.

“Be on your guard, Kakarrot. Majin Boo is extremely powerful.”

“I hope he doesn’t die again like you,” a well-dressed ogre observed. “If Son Goku is killed on Earth, he can’t return to this plane. He’ll cease to exist.”

“Kakarrot has twenty-fours on Earth. He won’t fight Majin Boo for that long.”

“Son Goku returned to Earth with energy to sustain him for twenty-four hours. If he doesn’t return to replenish when his time is up, he’ll cease to exist.” The ogre added, “He lost six hours fighting you.”

The ogre didn’t know it but he helped Vegeta understand Goku’s cryptic words during their fight.

“Do you know what I gave up to give you this fight?!”

You sacrificed your time to fight me, Kakarrot. You knew what you were doing was costing you.

Free from the negative energy of Bobbidi, Vegeta felt guilt. This day wasn’t for him to settle the score of their one-sided rivalry. It was for ChiChi to reunite with her husband. It was for Gohan to see his Dad again. It was for Goten to meet his father. Today is all they had and I sold my soul to take that from them. I didn’t win the fight. It was all for nothing. 

“I wanted to teach you about Super Saiyans so it’s easier to understand.”

Vegeta brushed aside his thoughts and focused on Goku speaking to Majin Boo. “Is he giving Majin Boo lessons on being a Super Saiyan? Kakarrot, what the hell are you doing?”

Goku turned into a Super Saiyan. Then he upgraded to Super Saiyan Two. “I wonder how long it took him to break that wall.”

“And then….” Goku smirked. “THIS….IS THE NEXT LEVEL UP!”

Gasps and murmurs spread through the room as an explosive amount of energy expelled from Goku. They weren’t shaking like Earth but Vegeta could feel Goku’s power reach King Yemma’s palace. This was beyond anything he felt before. How can Kakarrot have this power? How can I feel it here? “Kakarrot……” his power kept growing. What was he doing? What was he turning into? “What….. the… fuck!!”

Vegeta was enraged at the power pouring from Goku’s new transformation but also at the shocking revelation Goku had this power and kept it from him. Did he….?

THIS IS SUPER SAIYAN LEVEL THREE. SORRY IT TOOK A WHILE. I’M NOT USED TO IT YET.

That son of a dick!!!

“He made a fool out of me!!!” Their battle flashed in his mind. Goku’s grunts and pains thrilled him. It felt so good. They were finally at the same level again. “I thought Kakarrot was giving me everything but that bastard was holding back his real power! That son of dick toyed with me as if I were a child!!”

Rage bubbled in Vegeta as Goku punched Majin Boo’s face like a punching bag. Even with the djinn’s power, he couldn’t attack Majin Boo like that. “He mocks me handling Majin Boo better than me.” Majin Boo retaliated with a huge blast of his power. It was a direct hit on Goku. A hit like that left Vegeta’s face scarred and bloodied. Goku’s face wasn’t blemished. “He’s not scared.” Vegeta thought of when Majin Boo used a piece of flabby flesh from his stomach and wrapped Vegeta in it to be his punching bag. “He’s not humiliated like me.”

Vegeta’s clenched fists shook. “Why? Why is it always me?!” Recoome manhandled him and Goku defeated him with one blow. Freeza beat the hell out of him before killing him. Goku’s fight with Freeza pushed him to be a Super Saiyan. “That damn virus spared Kakarrot from facing the Artificial Humans while I was humiliated again!” Even his first match with Perfect Cell destroyed him. “Kakarrot lost that fight but he died with dignity.” It wasn’t fair. “Everything Kakarrot does is better than me. Everything comes easier while I bust my ass and I still fail!”

“Oh, get over yourself!!”

While the staff stepped away from Vegeta during his angry tirade, Baba remained and listened to his ranting. “It wasn’t easy for Goku. He worked hard to get all he achieved while you had everything served to you because you are a prince!”

Vegeta glared at the old woman. Who was she to talk to him this way? “What do you know?!”

“This ball I’m floating on isn’t an accessory. I’ve viewed both of your lives. You’ve had hardships but so has Goku.” Baba’s globe illuminated to reveal Goku as a child standing over Gohan Sr.’s crushed body. As Baba spoke, images of Goku’s childhood were revealed to Vegeta. He saw Goku burying Gohan Sr., his solitary training, his fights against the Red Ribbon Army; his matches at the Tenkaichi Budokai; his anger at Krillin’s sudden death; his battle against King Piccolo; his marriage to ChiChi and care for baby Gohan.

“Goku’s fought for everything in his life. Goku didn’t whine when defeated. It motivated him to get stronger. It motivated him to learn all forms of fighting practices to better himself.” A happy image of Goku with his wife and baby melted to Vegeta and his past fighting battles as a child, losing matches to a teenage Zarbon and his mentorship under Nappa. “You lose. You sulk. You get angry. You’re told you’re a prince and thus you’re entitled to be better and stronger because of your royal blood. How many times did Nappa say you are entitled to things because you are a Saiyan Prince? How many times did Nappa say you are the strongest Saiyan because of your royal blood? Did he ever say you are the best fighter and strongest because of your skills?”

The image in Baba’s crystal ball revealed Goku and Vegeta’s first match. That battle triggered Vegeta to this day. That was the first time Vegeta questioned his teachings. Nappa told him he was the strongest Saiyan and the best fighter because of his royal Saiyan blood.

For years, he wrestled with the reality that what he was taught was wrong. Vegeta thought he needed to train to be proven right. He thought he finally got the upper hand after his time in the Room of Spirit and Time only to have his ego blown at Goku and Gohan managing Super Saiyan as if it was their base form. His bruised ego took a beating at Gohan defeating Cell. Goku battling Majin Boo as Super Saiyan Three was another slap.

“It’s not easy to undo what one has been taught.”

“It may come to many universes needing you to do that,” Baba gravely reminded him. “Is your ego more important than that?”

Baba floated off then. Goku was using a lot of energy in his Super Saiyan Three form. She will have to return him to the afterlife very soon. On Earth, the battle continued between Goku and Majin Boo until Goku suddenly ended the fight and returned to his base form. He told Majin Boo to stop killing and that in two days he will have the fight he wants. He parted disappearing in front of Majin Boo and reappearing on Kami’s Temple.

“Daddy!” Goten embraced him. “Daddy, you’re so strong!”

Goku patted Goten’s head chuckling. “I impress ya, huh?”

“Goku!” Goku nearly fell over when ChiChi plowed him with a hug. “You were wonderful but, Honey,” she touched his face. “You’re sweating badly.” She opened her scarf around her neck and wiped his face. More sweat popped on his skin. “It’s not stopping and your skin is so warm. Come inside. I’ll get you some water and fix you something to eat.”

“I’m okay.” Goku gently broke off her excessive sweat cleaning. “Don’t worry about it.”

“You must be in bad condition if you are refusing my offer to fix you something.”

If only ChiChi knew how right she was. He was exhausted. King Kai was right to warn him against turning into Super Saiyan Three. He could feel his energy fading. He needed to return to the afterlife to replenish himself. I probably have an hour left.

“Maybe,” he smiled to alleviate her concerns, “some of your yummy cooking can get my energy back.”

“I can do that. I’ll go into the kitchen and fix you something right now.”

Piccolo knew that wasn’t going to help Goku but he assisted in his deception. “Mr. Popo will take you to the kitchen.”

While ChiChi hurried to her task, Piccolo worried about Goku’s state. It was abnormal. Something was bothering Goku but he decided to not pry. Instead, they viewed Earth below and witnessed Bobbidi’s sudden death by Majin Boo.

“That monster’s gonna kill everyone on the planet.”

“Maybe,” Goku breathed very hard. “He’ll hold off. I told him someone stronger will be ready in a couple of days. Everyone here will be safe until then.”

“Goten and Trunks need to perfect it by then. The good news is they have plenty of hours to learn from you before I take over.”

“I have less than an hour left, Piccolo.” Goku explained how Super Saiyan Three ate up his time. Baba arrived to tell Goku he had half an hour left.

As they waited for Trunks, Piccolo had to know. “Could you have beaten Majin Boo as Super Saiyan Three?”

“Majin Boo’s very strong. He processes fighting faster than me. I could’ve tried but it’s not my place.” Piccolo questioned what that meant so he explained. “I’m dead. I’m not suppose to be here, Piccolo. My fight with Vegeta quickened Majin Boo’s release. It still would have happened but it’s up to the living to fight. Dead warriors can’t keep saving the world.”

Piccolo thought the explanation was too eloquent for Goku. “That sounds like King Kai. Not you, Goku.”

“Some of it is, but I agree. Master Roshi was a world savior. Then I became the hero. Gohan and the next generation of fighters are suppose to take over. I’ll help Goten and Trunks but this is their fight.”

“I never thought we’d be in a situation where again the fate of the world is on children.” Piccolo thought of Gohan and the Cell Game. It worked out then. Piccolo wasn’t sure of this time. “A pity about Gohan but when you go back, check to see if King Yemma is holding him or maybe the Supreme Kai.”

“Why do you say that?”

Piccolo didn’t want to get Goku’s hopes up but he needed to know what he learned. “Vegeta said Gohan’s dead. He might not be.”

“Vegeta wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true.”

“I asked Yamcha about the wish. I thought the wish brought back everyone Vegeta killed but Yamcha wished everyone who died today back to life.”

Goku caught on. “Gohan never died before. He should’ve came back with everyone else.”

“Yamcha thought that, too, but thought you interrupted Shenron before he finished reviving everyone.”

“Is that possible?”  

“No. Roughly 150,000 people die a day. Shenron can revive that many people in a minute.”

“And it did take me a while to track Bulma’s ki. I had to use ChiChi’s Ki to find her.”

“Gohan could have been wounded so badly Vegeta couldn’t detect his Ki.”

Goku rubbed his chin as he considered that. “That’s possible. When I woke up, I couldn’t pick up Gohan or Vegeta’s Ki but I found yours and Krillin’s. I thought you could tell me what was going on.”

“And if I hadn’t told you Gohan’s dead, you would’ve tried searching for Gohan’s Ki.” They both would’ve.

If they had time, Goku would search for Gohan’s body but he was too weak and had less than half an hour on Earth. “Wouldn’t this mean Gohan’s here and is badly wounded?”

“I thought about that but Kibito was killed. You told me Gohan left with the Supreme Kai. They were together when everything went down with Majin Boo. If Shenron revived Kibito, the first person he will check on is the Supreme Kai.”

Goku snapped his fingers. “Kibito healed Gohan at the tournament. If the Supreme Kai is with Gohan, then maybe Kibito found Gohan and healed him but….” They were missing something. “That wouldn’t explain why we can’t feel Gohan now.”

“My knowledge is limited but there is a planet for the Supreme Kai. Gohan might be there.” But there was a problem with that theory. “I don’t understand why they would take Gohan there and not return here.”

Goku didn’t know either but he was going to find out when he returned to the afterlife. “Thanks, Kamicollo!” This was the best news! Gohan might be alive! “Sometimes I forget you’re in there.”

Piccolo glowered at Goku. He hated that name! “Don’t call me that!”

“Sorry.” Goku was too giddy to be truly sorry. Gohan could be alive!!! He wanted to tell ChiChi and Goten but they didn’t have proof. “Let’s keep this between us. I don’t wanna get ChiChi and Goten’s hopes up.”

Trunks returned and Goku resumed training. ChiChi busied herself in the kitchen. In thirty minutes, she had a stew cooking on a stove, steak marinating and ten sandwiches on a plate. She was in the process of making another plate of sandwiches when her father rushed into the kitchen.

“ChiChi, Goku is leaving! You must say goodbye.”

ChiChi dropped her loaf of bread. “Goku can’t be leaving now,” she said but remembered Goku told her he lost time fighting Vegeta. She smacked her father against the doorframe as she rushed out to Goku.

“Goku!” ChiChi threw herself into Goku’s arms. She cried against his comforting chest and soaked in the warmth she’ll never feel again. Take me with you. ChiChi briefly thought. I wanna be where you are. It was a selfish thing to say but she didn’t want Goku to go.

“We talked about this, ChiChi. I must go,” Goku was tender as he gently pushed her off him. He held her hand and gently brushed his thumb against her skin. “ChiChi, don’t be sad. You still have Goten.”

For how long ChiChi wondered. “What if Majin Boo takes him, too?”

“Don’t worry. If the boys learn Fusion, they can’t lose.” He put his other hand over hers and gently squeezed signaling they have to let go. “I’ll say hello to Gohan for you when I see him.”

“Okay.” ChiChi released Goku’s hand. She pressed her hand to her chest and willed herself to remember his touch. She heard Videl say she thinks Gohan is still alive. ChiChi wanted that to be true but knew Goku wouldn’t tell her Gohan is dead if he was not.

Baba urged Goku it’s time to leave but Goten’s soft voice held him back. “Um… umm.”

“What is it, Goten?”

Perhaps it was being a mother or someone who loves Goku so much but ChiChi knew what her little boy wanted. “You want Daddy to give you a hug.” Her little one’s pink face confirmed she was right.

“Why didn’t you say so?” Goku picked up Goten and gave him a final hug. “Goten,” Goku whispered, “take care of Mom for me.” Goku placed Goten next to ChiChi, tenderly rubbed his head and with a final goodbye, jumped in the air with Baba.

“Bye, everybody!” Goku cheerily waved. “See ya again when you die!”

ChiChi smiled despite her tears. Goku’s tone-deaf bluntness strikes again. Typical, Goku.

Goten wasn’t smiling. He was sad. He only had a Daddy for a few hours and now it was over. He liked him a lot. He was stronger than Big Brother and Mr. Vegeta and cooler than Mr. Kenji. “Momma,” Goten’s teary face spoke to his Momma. She knelt, held her arms open and welcomed him in. “I know,” his Momma’s soothing voice comforted him. “I miss Daddy already, too.”

ChiChi stood in the doorway watching Goten and Trunks sleep. They worked with Piccolo until after eleven. The boys were barely standing before Piccolo called it a night and let them rest. The fighter in ChiChi held back the mother in her from scolding Piccolo for working the boys so hard.

At least he didn’t hit them but will they be ready in time?

ChiChi was wary. The boys have the power but not the experience. ChiChi remembered how determined Gohan was to train for the Artificial Humans. He had experiences with the Saiyan invasion and Namek to toughen him for battle. Goten and Trunks never had that kind of reality to deal with. They were experiencing loss losing Gohan and Vegeta but ChiChi wasn’t sure if that was enough to motivate the boys.

ChiChi continued down the hall. This palace was eerily quiet. Her home in the mountains wasn’t this quiet. My home. Is it still standing?

From yesterday’s broadcast, ChiChi knew Majin Boo was destroying cities, towns and communities. Nothing was going to be spared.

Is Papa’s village still standing? ChiChi thought of Aki and his family and Kaifun. They went home before Goku returned. Aki probably has his family in the bunker but that won’t protect them from Majin Boo. Are they still alive? Is anyone on Earth still alive?

There wasn’t a TV here so she couldn’t be updated on what was going on.

Are we the only ones left?

As ChiChi stepped onto the tiled courtyard, she saw Bulma standing on the edge. I doubt she slept. Though Bulma experienced and survived dangerous situations, this was different. She wasn’t directly affected with the previous events as she is now. Her relationship with Yamcha at the time of his death was different from her relationship with Vegeta at his death. This was the first time she lost a lover and had a child involved in the danger.

“Bulma?” Bulma wiped her face. “I can come back.”

“Don’t.” Bulma stopped ChiChi from leaving. “You can stay. I need you to stay.”

“Did you sleep?”

Bulma snorted a soft laugh. “Does two hours count?”

“I couldn’t sleep the night Goku and Gohan didn’t return home, and when I knew what happened, I don’t think I slept an hour that night.” She hated that dark time. Next to Goku’s death at the Cell Game, it was the worst moment of her life. “I think it was a week before I could sleep the whole night.”

“How many hours did you sleep last night, ChiChi?”

“Probably six.”

Bulma wished she got half of that. She walked along the curved border of Kami’s Temple. Her human eyes did not grant her the sight of the destruction bestowing the planet but she knew many were gone. “Is this how it felt for you? Did you feel empty? Angry?”

“Helpless I couldn’t stop it. Frustrated I didn’t know anything. It’s the not knowing that drives you crazy.” ChiChi walked in step with Bulma. “But you have us to help you through this.”

ChiChi said it to comfort her but it made Bulma feel guilty. “But you didn’t have anyone.”

“I had my father.”

“I’m sure he was some comfort but it wasn’t us. It wasn’t me. I…..” Bulma tried to find her words. “I didn’t realize I was selfish. I was…..” Bulma prided herself on being right. She didn’t want to admit to being wrong but in this case…. “I’m sorry, ChiChi.”

ChiChi never expected an apology from Bulma. She made her peace with things done to her years ago. She knew the source of the apology and wished this was not the way for Bulma to admit her faults. “You don’t have to, Bulma.”

“I should. I was part of why you were the way you were then. I was used to Goku always fighting. He wasn’t my husband. He wasn’t the father of my child. He… he wasn’t my lover. When Goku died, I was sad but ….  losing Vegeta …. contending with Trunks….” Her emotions were everywhere. She couldn’t handle it. How did ChiChi...? Is this what she felt? “I don’t want him to, ChiChi! I don’t want to lose Trunks like I lost Vegeta! He’s eight years old! He shouldn’t be fighting a monster like Majin Boo! He should be play fighting with his Dad! He should be goofing off with Goten! He should…..”

“Be living the life of a child.” ChiChi finished. “I know.”

“I didn’t.” The guilt was pouring out of Bulma. She thought of Gohan fighting Saiyans; Gohan going to Namek and flying off with Krillin to fight Freeza and his gang. It was acceptable. Gohan was Goku’s son. He should be fighting monsters and aliens like his father. He should be going into space.

Now Bulma knew she was wrong to think that.

“No wonder you were so pissed with us.” Bulma thought ChiChi overreacted. She thought ChiChi was overemotional with Gohan going to Namek and cold to Goku. How did Goku put up with her for five years? How could ChiChi leap over her husband? What a bitch. Bulma was ashamed of how she thought of ChiChi. She felt disgusted with herself. “You’re probably not shocked but I didn’t think fondly of you then.”

“Who did?” ChiChi was amused Bulma didn’t think she noticed. “All of you hated me.”

“We did.” Bulma remembered Master Roshi and Krillin complaining about ChiChi. She remembered her complaints. “We were so awful to you.” I kept what was happening on Namek from her. I never visited her when Goku was dead and Gohan was kidnapped. “I was such a bitch to you. You should’ve slapped me.”

ChiChi wanted to slap them all. Multiple times. It took years for that pain to mend and for her to finally have a laugh at it. “If I did that, you wouldn’t be standing here now.”

A genuine laugh broke from Bulma then. How true that was. “It’s amazing how far we’ve come. We went from having nothing in common to both taking Saiyans as lovers and now this. Widows. I guess we should change our club from the Saiyan Women Club to the Saiyan Widow Club.”

“The monograms stay the same,” ChiChi joked.

“Yeah.” Bulma looked up at the morning sky thinking of Vegeta. She leaned her head against ChiChi’s shoulder as she, too, looked up thinking of Goku.

“I couldn’t have made it without my Dad. Your parents will help you, Bulma.”

“Maybe when this is over but not now. West City is gone, ChiChi.” She revealed the shocking news as if talking about the weather. “I talked to Dad last night. I told him I will call today. He’s not answering.”

“How can you…..?” They were out of range of any cell phone tower.

“Satellite phone. I knew I needed one after I came here years ago.” Bulma pulled out her phone. “The robots would have answered. I haven’t gotten anyone in an hour. We don’t have Goku, Gohan or Vegeta. I hope our boys can do it, ChiChi. Because we don’t have anyone else.”

The last twenty-four hours were a chaotic blur for Mark. He was declared the world champion again but he couldn’t celebrate his victory with the attack in the stadium by Contestant Vegeta dominating the news. He was wanted by the police until news spread that people killed at the stadium were alive again. The news was still sketchy since everyone hadn’t been accounted for.

On top of that, a monster calling himself Majin Boo was randomly blowing up cities. West City was a target since someone reported Trunks Briefs live there. He was one of the three people wanted by Majin Boo, but hours passed and West City still flourish until an hour after dawn, news came West City was destroyed.

Satan City was still around and many people were flocking there to be safe since it was the home of the man who killed Cell.

Mark never returned home after the tournament. He was transported to a deep underground facility where the King of Earth and many high-ranking officials retreated to when Majin Boo’s destruction began. He stalled going after Majin Boo saying he needed to recover from the tournament. This delay bought him time to come up with a scheme he hoped would pay off.

“Why the hell do I have to go?” Mark placed his camera in his bag. He’ll need that to show proof he killed Majin Boo. “Those people who killed Cell should be the ones to go. Why can’t they kill Majin Boo and let me take credit for it? Eighty percent of the world is dead. What are they waiting for?”

Mark grabbed his box of chocolates and placed it carefully over the TNT he packed.  He laced the sweet chocolate with the deadliest poisons on Earth. “Maybe they can’t kill Majin Boo because they are dead, too.”

And that scared the hell out of Mark. If that was true, then he was Earth’s only hope. “Why do I have the bad luck?”

As he zipped his bag, Mark thought of his daughter. Videl was so angry with him. Baby Girl. He never thought she would find out the truth.

“I know you didn’t defeat Cell.”

“We’re rich because you lied and took credit for something you didn’t do!”

“I wanted to be as strong as you. I thought I was invincible because I thought you defeated Cell.”

“I almost died today because I didn’t give up against Spopovich because I’m your daughter!!”

“I don’t wanna look at you anymore, Dad.”

Mark called Videl several times but she never answered her phone. Mark didn’t know if Videl had it turned off or if she was dead.

Videl, I hope you are still alive.

Someone entered the room. Mark expected it to be a soldier coming to escort him to the helicopter that will fly him to Majin Boo’s home. He was surprised to see the King of Earth. They had a bad parting several years ago when King Furry discovered he didn’t defeat Cell. He hadn’t spoken to him since or participated in any events celebrating Mark.

“I know you don’t like me but thanks for letting me stay here.”

“I didn’t want you here but my Generals insisted. They thought the world savior should be here to recoup after the Tenkaichi Budokai.”

Over the years, Mark tried to make amends but King Furry refused all of his gestures. “I understand why you’re mad at me, King, but I’m not a bad person, and if you think I deserve karma for what I did, I got it yesterday. My daughter knows and hates me. I don’t know where she is or if she’s still alive.”

Mark thought that would garner sympathy but King Furry kept silent.

“I did it for Videl. I wanted her to have a better life. Does it mean anything it probably cost me her?” King Furry’s continued silence angered Mark. He was finally admitting his wrongs and all he got was silence. Couldn’t he get a little empathy? “Eighty percent of the world is gone. I’m probably gonna die on this suicide mission. The entire human race may be gone today. Are you gonna die holding this grudge against me?!”

“In a day, generations have been wiped out. Family lines have been purged. You’re not the only one suffering, Mark, but unlike other families, you have been remarkably lucky. Share your luck with the rest of the world.”

Mark sighed. He didn’t need a lecture in riddles before he died. “Could you spell it out?”

“Use your good luck and save the world but also do right and end this charade. Do right by Son Goku and his family.”

Son Goku again. King Chappa, his daughter and King Furry praised him. Why was Son Goku special? There was nothing special about Son Goku in his eyes. Nothing was told of him since the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai. No endorsements. No cameos in movies or TV shows. No talk show appearances. Sounds like a punk who got lucky and quit martial arts before he was found out to be a fraud. “Why do you care so much about Son Goku and his family? He was the previous world champion but he didn’t do anything since. He didn’t keep the Tenkaichi Budokai alive. I did that. He didn’t capitalize on his fame. I did. If he’s a pauper, that’s his fault and I owe him nothing!”

A soldier entered the room. “Mr. Satan, we’re ready to board.”

Checking his appearance in the mirror, Mark disappeared and Mr. Satan came alive. His belt shined, his cape was clean and wrinkle free and his hair was perfect. He was good to go. “Majin Boo, you’re going down! You’ll beg for mercy when I’m done with you!”

Mr. Satan strutted down the hall with his chest puffed out and head held high. Soldiers saluted him while the staff in the facility applauded. When he stepped outside, he tossed his hands up and received thunderous applause and cheers. So many believed in him. So many held hope he will save the world again.

But as his helicopter flew to Majin Boo’s home, Mr. Satan chatted victory with the General and had one thought.

I’m so fucked.

The more Goten and Trunks trained, the more worried Piccolo became of them and victory against Majin Boo. Training for Goten and Trunks continued after breakfast until the first fusion commenced. It was a disaster where Goten and Trunks morphed into a chubby blob. The second fusion morphed the boys into a frail old man. The third fusion worked and the fused boys called themselves Gotenks.

Gotenks was powerful as Goku predicted but his ego was out of control. Gotenks flew off cockily predicting victory. He returned five later minutes with a bloodied, bruised body. Once the boys unfused, they were promptly disciplined by their mothers. The boys were humbled and spent the rest of the day training.

They were in sync again but their ego grew even more. Krillin said it best. “Better body but same stupid attitude.”

Gotenks wasted his time flying around the Earth, cockily thinking he only needed a minute to fight Majin Boo but when he finally used that minute, the boys unfused and ran away. Now they were having lunch and will have a nap; something forced on by both mothers.

Piccolo thought he could handle ChiChi but contending with ChiChi and Bulma was too much. He gave in and while the boys ate and rest, Piccolo checked up on Majin Boo. He guessed that 80% of the world’s population was gone. Tien was still around but all the major cities including Earth’s capital and West City were gone. So was Gyu-Mao’s village.

The biggest surprise was Majin Boo and how Mr. Satan hadn’t gotten himself killed. Mr. Satan praised the monster, gave massages, cooked and read bedtime stories to him. Without fighting and being kind, Mr. Satan convinced Majin Boo to stop killing. The nightmare would’ve been over if not for two foolish humans who attacked them. Mr. Satan was heroic in fighting off the criminals but they retaliated by shooting Mr. Satan. Majin Boo revived him but this act of violence caused a dark evil to purge from Majin Boo.

“This isn’t good,” Piccolo observed the fat Majin Boo and the tall Evil Boo battle each other. Fat Boo lost when the Evil Boo turned Fat Boo into a cookie and ate him. 

“What’s gonna happen now?” Dende saw everything unfold with Piccolo. “Where is he going? There’s not many people left to kill.”

“Shit!” Piccolo cursed when he noticed Evil Boo flying towards Korin’s Tower. “He’s found us! He’s coming here!”

There was no place to run or hide when Evil Boo arrived on Kami’s Temple. Evil Boo wanted Goten and Trunks. Piccolo stalled using Videl as leverage and sacrificing the remaining people on Earth. His deal gave everyone on Kami’s Temple an hour before Evil Boo vow to kill again.

ChiChi approached Piccolo while Krillin left to wake up Goten and Trunks and take them to the Room of Spirit of Time. ChiChi knew minutes in that room will give the boys days but she wondered if that was enough. ChiChi hated the beast who killed her son. She wanted to slap that beast and demand her son’s return. It was illogical. She knew that but she wanted to inflict some pain on the monster.

“Piccolo, can Trunks and Goten defeat him?”

“You saw them, ChiChi. They’re invincible fused.”

“Invincible but incompetent.” ChiChi wasn’t as skilled as Piccolo but she knew martial arts. She knew Goten’s style and witnessed the Fusion failures. “They have the power but they don’t know how to use it. Trunks is too arrogant and Goten is too playful. It’s a bad combination. I warned Goku this when he told me his plan.”

“He didn’t have a choice.” Piccolo knew Goku’s idealistic plan had more flaws than merit but without Gohan and Vegeta, they were the only option. “There’s no one else, ChiChi. The best we can do is stall for time. Evil Boo will give us an hour. It’ll be over then.”

Whatever that end was, ChiChi didn’t have hope it was a victory. “They had two days, Piccolo. We both know they need more than Fusion.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, “but we don’t have anything else.”

“There’s one thing…..” ChiChi knew what could do it. “One thing that could give them motivation to win. At least I hope so.”

Piccolo looked away from Evil Boo to ChiChi. Why was she suddenly scared? “What are you thinking?”

“Krillin’s death pushed Goku to be a Super Saiyan. Goku’s death help Gohan beat Cell. Maybe my…..”

“No.” Piccolo knew what ChiChi wanted to do. “Don’t do it.”

“Those boys need to be pushed and Fusion isn’t enough. If I have to choose being turned into chocolate and eaten by that monster, standing around gawking while he shoots me dead or die fighting, I choose the latter. I won’t stand around and wait to be killed.”

If given a choice, Piccolo would go down fighting, too. “I understand, but the boys know about Vegeta and Gohan.”

“That hasn’t done what Goku hoped it would. Maybe seeing my death can help, and if it works, you can bring me back with the dragon balls.”

And if it doesn’t work and I meet Son in the afterlife, he’ll kick my ass.

“Okay then.” ChiChi made her decision and wasn’t changing her mind. “I’ll go now.”

Piccolo tried one more time to reason with ChiChi. “ChiChi, you don’t stand a chance. He’ll kill you in a second.”

“I can give more than a second.” ChiChi knew she would die but she wasn’t going down that quickly. “It may give the boys a chance and save everyone else.”

“ChiChi….” Piccolo tried again but ChiChi leapt from the balcony and marched to Evil Boo. Goten and Trunks were awake and coming to him. They stopped when they saw ChiChi walking to Evil Boo. Don’t let your mother’s sacrifice be in vain. Let it motivate you. Piccolo winced at ChiChi’s slap against Evil Boo. He had been on the receiving in of ChiChi’s infamous slaps. It stung him but it had no impact on Evil Boo. I can’t believe she attacked him with a slap.

ChiChi was right she could last more than a second against Evil Boo, but it wasn’t much longer after that. Evil Boo turned ChiChi into an egg and crushed her.

At least she wasn’t eaten. She probably didn’t feel it.

Goten reacted as ChiChi expected.

Maybe her sacrifice will be worth it.

Goten got the motivation he needed but Piccolo worried about Trunks. She wasn’t his mother.

Will he keep his arrogance in check to focus in the Room of Spirit and Time?

“Um, excuse me. Piccolo, is it?” Videl wanted to speak to him. “Boo knows my father. Do you know why?”

“Your father became Majin’s Boo’s friend.”

Videl didn’t conceal her disgust. “My father became friends with that monster? He killed everyone on Earth.”

“And that was the smartest thing to do. Your father had his ulterior motives but making friends with Boo, the innocent side before the evil side took over, was the best strategy. He got Boo to give up killing.”

“My Dad?”

“We wouldn’t be in this situation we are in now if not for some stupid humans but your Dad tried. For once in his life, he deserve the title, ‘World Champion.’”

After learning the truth, Videl didn’t think her father had a heroic bone in his body. “I know it was Gohan and his Dad who saved us. I was so angry at my Dad for what he did. I can’t believe he did something good.”

“I didn’t think he was anything more than a blowhard but spending time with others can change perceptions.” 

Videl agreed. I thought Gohan’s mother was rude and irritable but…. Videl thought of how ChiChi fixed her hair after she wrecked it. She was kind to me even after discovering who my Dad is. She raised two kids alone while my Dad took the money she should have had. “You sound as if you’re speaking from experience.”

Piccolo smiled at the teen. “I couldn’t stand Gohan’s mother. She hated me and I wanted to kill Gohan’s father. I consider them family now.”

“I see.” Videl rubbed her cell phone in her pocket. She hadn’t spoken to her father since she lashed out at him. Before she was transported to Kami’s Temple, Videl received a call from her father but ignored it. She tried calling Erasa and Sharpner but there was a dead signal every time. She didn’t have a satellite phone and seeing what was done earlier, knew her friends were dead. She never called her father. She was too angry but seeing ChiChi die and learning what her father accomplished against Majin Boo, she wanted to talk to him.

“NO MORE WAITING!!!” Evil Boo cried out as he destroyed the hourglass.

Videl trembled. She saw what this monster did to Earth. She saw what he did to ChiChi. I don’t wanna die. I wanna talk to my Dad.

Time was running out. Piccolo led Evil Boo away and Videl saw this as her chance to talk to her father. The signal on her phone was dead and the battery was low but maybe, just maybe her father will get her message. “Dad… it’s Videl. I don’t know if you will hear this but I might die and I have to say this to you before I go…..”

“He rubbed me to see if I were a male.”

ChiChi threw her head back laughing with her companions. “That sounds like Goku.”

Death came so fast for ChiChi that she couldn’t comprehend it. After she slapped him, Evil Boo said, ‘You’re an egg.’ ChiChi thought Evil Boo would fight her but he aimed his antennae at her. ChiChi felt something tingling her body and poof! Nothing.

After that, she stood before a large man behind a giant desk talking to Baba.  

I’m dead. She looked at her hands amazed she still had them. I still have my body.

Goku told her people are turned into spirits while very few keep their bodies. She suspected based on Baba and King Yemma’s conversation, Evil Boo was the reason she kept her body. There were so many deaths coming in from Earth, that it created a massive overload and overwork of all the ogres. They couldn’t keep up with all the deaths and since these deaths might be temporary, King Yemma allowed the last casualties from Earth to keep their bodies.

ChiChi used this stroke of good luck to ask about Goku and Gohan. She wanted to be with her family. She received the shocking news Gohan is still alive. He wasn’t on Earth but in another realm and Goku went to look for him. ChiChi wasn’t allowed to follow so she settled for the next best thing.

A trip to the Grand Kai’s planet. She will see where Goku lived his seven years and meet people he became friends with. ChiChi wasn’t alone. There were several fighters from across the universe on the plane. ChiChi sat with a group from Earth. There were two Earthlings who knew Goku.

Nam and King Chappa.

Right now, ChiChi laughed at Nam’s story of his adventure with Goku after the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai. “I always knew Goku would grow into a fine man, and speaking to you, I know he had a happy life with you.”

“Thank you, Nam. We were very happy. It ended too soon but I’m very happy with our sons.”

“The world needs to know the truth.” King Chappa shared his encounter with Mr. Satan upon learning who ChiChi was. “I wanted to expose Mr. Satan but he cheated my students out of competing.”

“It is a shame Mr. Satan prefers to perform fraudulent acts but in death, he will receive his karma.” Nam doubted Mr. Satan’s heroics but he wasn’t as bothered as King Chappa. “We have been granted to visit a world with the universe's best fighters. This is an achievement Mr. Satan will never receive.”

The plane landed on a runway near the Grand Kai’s palace. Everyone departed and was met with a group of fighters. ChiChi noticed the fighters waiting paired up with the ones who departed the plane. King Chappa and Nam were picked up leaving ChiChi alone until a tall, beautiful woman approached her.

“Hello, I’m Kimani. Welcome to the Grand Kai’s planet. A few of us volunteer to welcome the newest dead fighters and show them around. Think of me as your guide until you get acquainted here.”

“Thank you. I’m Son ChiChi,” she bowed. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“There’s no need for formalities with me. I know who you are, wife of Son Goku.”

“You know me?” ChiChi gave the woman a quick look over. You know my husband?”

Kimani smiled as she thought of ChiChi as her best friend. “All the fighters do. Goku is very popular here. He’s a big kid always wanting to fight with the strongest. Although,” Kimani made a disgusted face, “he needs to work on his manners. He’s very uncouth. It’s unattractive and not appealing at all. Oh,” Kimani caught herself as if she said something bad. “I don’t mean to offend. Of course you found Goku attractive and appealing. He didn’t do anything for me.”

“I see.” She was different from other women. ChiChi noticed when out with Goku, other women would look and some would be bold enough to make advances. Kimani didn’t appear interested. “That’s my Goku but how do you know me?”

“Goku talked so much about you and Gohan. I left behind someone when I came here, too,” she lied. “Goku and I connected on that. Goku shared so many stories, I think of you as a sister.”

“That’s very kind of you.”

“Goku was so excited to see you and Gohan but I don’t understand why you are here and he’s not.” She carefully inquired, “Do you know why?”

“That’s a long story.”

“Oh, we have time,” Kimani wrapped her arm around ChiChi’s. “You can tell me and I’ll tell you all about Goku’s life here.”

While ChiChi and Kimani got acquainted, Goku was billions of miles away on the Supreme Kai’s planet. He focused on Earth and Evil Boo’s energy until it suddenly disappeared. The Old Kai created a globe for him to see what was happening on Earth. It activated in time for Goku to helplessly see Evil Boo escape the Room of Spirit and Time, turn everyone into chocolate and eat.

King Kai was right he should let the living fight their battles but being around his family and friends again; saying goodbye to his wife and youngest son and watching his closest friends die revealed to Goku he wanted to live again.

"The dragon balls….." Goku kept saying the dragon balls will revive everyone. He didn't worry about the deaths because of the dragon balls. It was easy to say when those deaths didn't have the faces of people he knew. He couldn’t be so detached seeing friends he’d known most of his life turn into chocolate and be eaten by Evil Boo. Wait. Where's ChiChi? He didn't see her turn into chocolate but everyone was gone except for Piccolo and Gotenks. "Where is she?" "Who?" Supreme Kai asked. "ChiChi. I didn’t see her turn into chocolate." Kibito asked, "Who is ChiChi?" "My wife. I don't see her." "Boo killed her before," the Old Kai casually informed Goku as he turned a page of his manga. “She was turned into an egg and crushed.” Killed? If Goku’s heart was beating, it would have stopped. He killed my ChiChi. “When did this happen?” He killed ChiChi. He killed ChiChi!

“Goku?” the Supreme Kai noticed a craze look glaze over Goku. His Ki kept rising as the ground around them trembled.

He killed ChiChi. He killed ChiChi.

Gohan and the Old Kai noticed the ground trembling. “Dad? Who died?”

Gohan’s voice saved Goku from exploding. As angry as he was, he couldn’t tip Gohan off to the news about ChiChi. He calmed down but his curious son needed an answer. “He killed Bulma.”

“Oh.” That was sad but Gohan didn’t expect his Dad to react that way with Bulma’s death. He pimped her off to the Old Kai. “Good thing it wasn’t Mom. We might not be standing here if she was killed.”

“Busy day,” Kimani mused as another plane landed on the Grand Kai’s planet. Kimani left ChiChi with King Chappa and Nam to welcome the new arrivals. She enjoyed talking with ChiChi. She was naïve and open to share many things about Goku. Many things, Kimani thought she could use to win Goku over when he returned.

Only two passengers departed the plane this time. A tall man and a short man. At least the tall man is cute. “I’m Kimani. Where are you from?”

Krillin noticed Yamcha staring at Kimani. She was a beautiful woman. Krillin would drool, too, if he didn’t have 18 and they weren’t on a mission to find ChiChi. Baba told them she came here when they asked of her. “We’re from Earth.”

“Earth?” Kimani’s eyes lit up. “The last fighter we received from Earth would’ve greeted you but he left to return on a one-day visit. I am greeting people from the North Quadrant in his place. He is Son Goku. Did you know him?”

“We’re his friends.” Yamcha quickly found his voice with the beautiful fighter. “I’m Yamcha!”

“I’m friends with Goku, too,” Kimani bragged. “We’ve gotten very close.”

“Close?” Krillin wondered how close as he looked over Kimani’s fit and beautiful frame. “Are you sparring partners?”

Kimani’s sly smile and flirtatious eyes hinted at more. “You can say that. We spar and practiced Fusion together. We even swam and flew naked. Goku has a beautiful body.”

“Naked?” Yamcha blushed. “You two? But Goku’s married.”

“Marriage is dissolved by death. You’re not tied to bonds in the living world here.” Kimani didn’t have Goku yet and saw no wrong in flirting with his friend until then. He could give her insight into winning Goku over. “Are you married, Yamcha?”

“No,” Yamcha flushed. Kimani’s eyes on him made him nervous and excited. “Krillin is but his family is on another planet.”

“I’m only here to look for ChiChi,” Krillin wanted it clear he wasn’t here for any conjugal activities.

“We’re here for eternity. You can’t spend it bonded to one person.” Kimani trailed her finger over Yamcha’s face like a painter with his brush. “Here you’re free to do and be with who you want.” Yamcha blushed as Kimani pulled his face close to hers. Yamcha’s lips parted as if expecting a kiss but Kimani pulled away laughing and walked off. “I’m looking forward to Goku’s return so we can resume our relationship. His wife is here, too, if you want to meet her.”

“Wife?” She met ChiChi?! She’s still around after that? “I can't believe it.” Yamcha couldn’t take his eyes off Kimani’s retreating hips. “Goku has a girlfriend. Do you think ChiChi knows?” Krillin shook his head. “No. Kimani doesn’t look as if her ass has been kicked. Goku doesn��t have a reason to tell ChiChi about Kimani. He went back to Earth for a day. ChiChi didn’t have to know.”

“Yeah,” Yamcha agreed. “But I still can't believe Goku. I didn't think he'd be like that.” “Goku is dead so he's not cheating on ChiChi, and when you die, marriage bonds are broken.”

Krillin said it so casually as if it was natural but Yamcha couldn’t wrap his head to Goku thinking that way. “I never thought Goku would be interested in other women. He seemed happy with ChiChi.” “Goku discovered women with ChiChi. Here, he found someone compatible. Look at Kimani. She’s more than beautiful. She’s a fighter and if she sparred with Goku, she must be very strong. Goku can’t pass that up.”

“ChiChi is a fighter, too,” Yamcha defended her. “They were compatible when they got married.”

“Then.” When they were teenagers, Goku and ChiChi were very compatible. Krillin thought ChiChi was beautiful and he was jealous Goku landed a beauty like that without trying. “Goku’s gotten so much stronger since and there were issues between them before Goku died.”

“Issues?”

“Goku’s obsession with fighting and not being around the family. ChiChi told 18 Goku promised to work after the Cell Game. Goku chose to say dead. You put it together.”

Yamcha picked up Krillin’s hint. “You’re not saying Goku stayed dead to be free?”

“Who knows what goes on in Goku’s head but it makes sense. He said it on Kami’s Temple he wasn’t being a martyr staying dead and look where Goku has been. Seven years on a planet of fighters and he meets a woman like Kimani.”

Yamcha hoped Krillin was wrong. “I hope that’s not it. If it is, ChiChi blew it not moving on with Kenji.”

ChiChi was right about Goten and Trunks. They’re not ready.

The boys had the strength but not the discipline. Even after knowing Majin Boo killed everyone on Earth, they were playful and didn’t take the fight seriously. When he trained Goten and Trunks, Goku noticed Goten was listening but Trunks trailed off a few times. The boy was like his father. He didn’t want to listen to him. Gotenks’ latest arrogance caused the Fusion to end and left Goten and Trunks vulnerable to Evil Boo.  

Luckily, Gohan finished his training with the Old Kai and was on his way to Earth. Gohan’s power was phenomenal. Goku wanted a spar to test his son’s powers but he let his son leave to be the hero he knew his son can be again.

That’s my boy!

Gohan was incredible! His blows had an impact on Evil Boo every time. He bled. He got frustrated. Evil Boo couldn’t stop Gohan or land a strike on him. And then the worst thing happened again.

Gohan’s cockiness returned.

Instead of finishing off Evil Boo, Gohan allowed Evil Boo to create a diversion and escape. That cursed Saiyan trait came out of Gohan during the Cell Game. It happened to Goku against Freeza but that experience taught him to finish an opponent. Goku thought Gohan learned from Cell but he made the same mistake again. He got careless in his arrogance and let Evil Boo escape. He was hiding and Goku worried was planning a plot against Gohan he won’t be ready for.

There was a good thing about this reprieve. Gohan found Dende and Mr. Satan. “He must be the luckiest guy on Earth.” Goku mused. “How did he survive?”

The reunion of Earth’s only survivors ended when Evil Boo returned and requested Goten and Trunks to fuse again. “I can’t believe they’re doing it,” the Old Kai shook his head at the boys fusing. “Boo is up to something. Don’t they see that?” The Old Kai’s suspicions were proven right when Evil Boo absorbed Gotenks as Super Saiyan Three and Piccolo. “See?”

Goku screamed into the globe. “Gohan! Kill him now!” It was Gohan’s best chance to defeat Evil Boo by killing him before he completely absorb Piccolo and Gotenks, but Gohan didn’t react in time.   

The Old Kai was impressed with Evil Boo’s sneakiness as he revealed his plan to Gohan like a cartoon TV villain. “He sensed me giving Gohan his power-up. Gohan was walking into a trap the moment Evil Boo went into hiding.”

“But Gohan’s still superior, right?” The younger Supreme Kai hoped so. “Gohan can still win.”

“It won’t be easy.” Goku knew Gohan had an uphill battle. “Evil Boo absorbed Piccolo. He knows Gohan’s strengths and weaknesses.”

Goku was right. The battle reversed in Evil Boo’s favor. He outmatched Gohan in speed, strength and fighting prowess. It was worse than Gohan’s fight against Dabura as he was completely outmatched, bled and beaten so cruelly that he laid on the ground helpless and unable to stop Evil Boo’s attacks.

“Dammit!” Goku slammed a fist into the grass. It couldn’t end like this. He could not watch his son die. I need to get to Gohan. I can’t let Evil Boo kill him and Goten. “There has to be a way to help Gohan!” Goku didn’t care if he ceased to exist. He will save his son!

“I did not foresee this happening with Gohan.” The Old Kai knew it was over for Gohan but there was one more player who could enter the game. “There’s only one choice left. Goku, you have to go back.”

The Old Kai wasn’t the only one who realized it was time for a dead warrior to return to Earth. At King Yemma’s palace, Vegeta was also summoned. Vegeta knew he didn’t have a chance against Evil Boo but he wanted another fight against the monster.

Vegeta didn’t expect Goku to be on Earth again. If he had time, he’d kick Goku’s ass for what he did to him. The younger Saiyan mocked him and let Vegeta think he had a chance against him when he hid his Super Saiyan Three form. He was so furious he didn’t care to hear the younger Saiyan babble about putting on an earring to fuse and beat Evil Boo.

Combine with Kakarrot? I rather die again and cease to exist.

That was Vegeta’s expectation. He’ll die fighting Evil Boo and cease to exist. Evil Boo would continue his rampage killing Goku and destroying Earth. Let Evil Boo destroy Earth and any planet he wanted. Vegeta didn’t care anymore except he did and Goku knew how to reach him.

Bulma.

She was his weakness as ChiChi was Goku’s weakness. Goku made a passionate plea of how Evil Boo killed everyone. Their family and friends were gone because of this monster. Bulma was turned into chocolate and eaten by Boo. Trunks was absorbed and inside Evil Boo. Goku offered a chance for them to rescue their sons and bring everyone they love back to life.

Vegeta was still angry with Goku but he pushed that aside to bring back his family.

It’s the least I can do. It was my pride that freed Boo.

Vegeta agreed to put on the earring and as he clipped it to his ear, Goku revealed the price of their union. 

“I should warn you. Once we combine we can’t split apart.”

Ah, fuck! I’m gonna be stuck with this fool for the rest of our lives? At least his wife is a good cook.

“Vegito’s handling himself well against Boo.”

“As long as they keep their Saiyan pride in check, they’ll win.” The Old Kai knew a lot about Saiyans and viewing Vegeta and Goku arguing before they fused didn’t leave the Old Kai optimistic about the fight. “Their personalities are like those little boys performing that silly Fusion dance. They’re arrogant and are taunting Boo like them.”

Vegito’s fight frustrated the Kais as they seemed to fall into the same traps as Gotenks. When they were absorbed, the Supreme Kai thought it was the end of them all but the Old Kai noticed Evil Boo didn’t change as he did when he absorb Gotenks, Gohan and Piccolo. This left the Old Kai thinking Vegito had a plan and deliberately got himself absorbed.

His theory was proven right when an hour after the absorption, Goku and Vegeta escaped Evil Boo with Gohan, Goten, Trunks and Piccolo. Evil Boo went through another transformation that turned him into a shorter version of himself. The Old Kai thought this Evil Boo was easier to defeat but the Supreme Kai turned white in fear exclaiming Evil Boo is in his original form.

The change prompted the Supreme Kai to tell the origins of Evil Boo and how he was a menace of pure evil. He killed the Supreme Kai of the North and West and absorbed the Supreme Kai of the South and the Supreme Kai over all of them. Their burly and chubby forms were reflected in the forms of the Evil Boo Gotenks and Gohan fought and the chubby form of Majin Boo who Vegeta and Goku originally battled. Without them, this shorter Evil Boo had no soul or remorse. It could not be controlled. All he wanted to do was destroy.

This was reflected when Evil Boo created a giant Ki with enough power to destroy the Earth. The Old Kai ordered the Supreme Kai to Earth to hand Goku and Vegeta his potara earrings so they can fuse and destroy Evil Boo. The Supreme Kai left but when he arrived on Earth, there wasn’t time to give pass on his earrings. There was only enough time to grab Goku and teleport him, Vegeta and their extra passengers back to the sacred planet of the Kai before Earth was destroyed.

The loss of Earth was a massive blow. The Old Kai knew if Evil Boo had the power to detect him drawing out Gohan’s power while he was on a killing spree on Earth, he survived blowing up with the planet and after he regenerate, will come here to finish them all. Until then, they could take the moment to regroup and create a plan for the final battle.

Son Goku, however, was caught up in the massive loss that came to him when they escaped Earth before her destruction.

Gohan. Goten. I’m sorry. Forgive me.

When Evil Boo created that massive ball, Goku knew he and Vegeta couldn’t stop it. It was too big and powerful. Escape was their only option. They flew away heading to the spot where they dropped off their sleeping sons and Piccolo. On the way, Goku saw Dende and Mr. Satan Making a split-second decision, Goku swooped down to Dende and Mr. Satan. He ignored Vegeta’s ‘What the fuck are you doing?!’ and picked up the Earth’s Guardian and Champion.

Goku rejoined Vegeta but as they raced to their sons, Goku felt the massive evil energy of Evil Boo edging closer to him. It was too fast and would consume them before he could reach his sons. Goku had another split-second decision to make: pick up his sons and die or escape to the Kai’s planet and regroup.

Maybe I can teleport down to the boys and grab them before escaping.

The plan had a very slim chance of working but Goku wouldn’t abandon his sons. He tried concentrating on the boys’ Ki while flying fast to get away from Evil Boo’s destructive Ki. It was impossible to do two things at once.

There ain’t enough time. I can only teleport once.

It was a cruel blessing for Goku he didn’t have to choose where he will teleport to. The Supreme Kai appeared and extended his hand. Goku grabbed it while Vegeta grabbed his shirt. As they vanished from Earth, Goku gave one last look to his sons, Piccolo and Trunks.

“Dammit!” Goku slammed his fist into the grass again. “We made it but the Earth. Gohan. Goten. Piccolo. Trunks. They’re gone.”

My boys. I let them down.

“You son of a dick!” Vegeta growled. He grabbed Goku by his shirt and screamed. “Why the hell did you save those two and a damn dog and not our sons?! Have you lost your fucking mind?!!”

Goku looked away. He understood Vegeta’s anger. He was angry with himself but he didn’t want to hear it. “Vegeta… not now.”

“Not now?! You don’t get to tell me what to do after what you did! You abandoned your sons for a damn buffoon, a dog and a weak-ass Guardian! I thought you learned from seven years ago but you haven’t changed. You abandon your family when they need you the most!”

Goku slowly turned his head back to Vegeta. He would say that to him after what he did? Goku slapped Vegeta’s arm away. He rose to his feet, glowering at the shorter Saiyan. Vegeta was an ass and Goku had a lot of patience with him but this was too far! “If you weren’t so obsessed with beating me, Majin Boo never would have been released! Our wives wouldn’t be dead! Our sons wouldn’t be dead! Earth wouldn’t be dead!”

“This isn’t all on me, Kakarrot! If you didn’t mock me and fought me as a Super Saiyan Three, it never would’ve come to this!”

“Maybe I would have if you weren’t sensitive over your pride! When will you get over that, Vegeta?! We have lost everything important to us because of it! I understand your anger, Vegeta, but don’t take it out on me you couldn’t save Trunks!”

“I was following you to our sons!”

“You know there was no way to reach them before Boo’s destructive blast got us! I saved Dende and Mr. Satan because they were closer. Even if I didn’t stop to get them, there’s no way I would’ve gotten to our boys in time. But you know that or you wouldn’t have grabbed onto my shirt instead of going for our sons!”

“If you’re done with your childish bickering,” the Old Kai steered the Saiyans to focus, “we need to develop a plan to defeat Evil Boo or we’re all done for.”

Dende came up with the plan to use the Namekian dragon balls to revive Earth and her people. The Old Kai protested against Namekians using the dragon balls to aid other planets but changed his mind when Goku offered to get him a picture of a pretty Earthling who died. Vegeta knew in his gut Goku was speaking of Bulma. It was an unfortunate logical choice for Goku to make. Vegeta knew of Bulma’s previous antics to get dragon balls. He knew of her flashing Master Roshi. Bulma wasn’t that way anymore but Vegeta was damned he was going to allow Goku to use his Bulma like that. He snapped at Goku demanding he use his wife instead. Vegeta knew Goku would reject that idea but he never expected Goku to lie about ChiChi and put down her looks as an excuse.

He’s lying about ChiChi being flat-chested. He was close to ChiChi several times. He danced with her at her investiture. He knew ChiChi wasn’t flat-chested but he loved the idea of telling ChiChi Goku said that just to see her murder him.

Goku and Vegeta refused to use Supreme Kai’s potara earrings. If they were going to win against Evil Boo, they will do it on their own. Neither thought as they prepared themselves for the final battle against Evil Boo, they will have the entire universe to aid them and Mark, Earth’s biggest con artist, prove he is Earth’s world champion.  

Mark thought of himself as a shrewd businessman and a confidence artist rather than a con artist. He proclaimed himself as Earth’s world champion when he knew his biggest fights were cleverly advertised and carefully arranged. He was a big showman who dazzled the crowd with wit and catchphrases. He knew he didn’t defeat Cell but the opportunity presented itself for him to take credit, receive the fame he always wanted and provide Videl with the life she deserved. He never saw anything wrong in his deception or felt guilt for what he did.

Videl’s reaction to what he did was the first chip in his guilt-free armor. When Videl confirmed it was Son Goku and Son Gohan who defeated Cell and Son Goku died leaving a widow and two kids, it bothered him.

“He, his Mom and little brother live in poverty while we live off the money they deserve!” 

Mark didn’t want anyone living in poverty for what he did. He knew about being poor and hated it and tried to ration his guilt. If Son Goku didn’t provide for his family, it’s not my fault, but if he’s dead and can’t provide for his family, then it is my fault for taking money from them.

Mark tried shaking off the guilt thinking Son Goku wasn’t a special man while he was. Why did King Furry and King Chappa think so highly of him? Why did Videl? She wasn’t born when Son Goku won the tournament. Mark didn’t understand until he, the last Earthling, saw the final battle of Evil Boo. Son Goku was amazing. The special effects he called Goku’s light techniques were real. The physical effect of Son Goku and Evil Boo on the Kai’s planet was real. Son Goku didn’t rely on catchphrases. He battled like a true warrior with physical strength and amazing skills. He saw how the battle exhausted Son Goku. Mark would have quit but Son Goku kept fightig. Mark admired that. He wanted to be that heroic. He wanted to be the hero he was seeing. Mark saw his chance to help by convincing the people of Earth to send their energy to Son Goku and  when he carried an exhausted Vegeta from ground zero before Son Goku launch his massive Spirit Bomb against Evil Boo.

Son Goku is a good man. He’s a real hero.

Son Goku put away the reign of terror of Evil Boo for good. The universe celebrated. Everyone in the afterlife celebrated. Mark celebrated with his new friends as the Kais, Dende and little Bee returned. While the Kais spoke to Goku and Vegeta, little Bee discovered chubby Boo. Seeing Dende heal Goku and Vegeta, Mark picked up Boo and brought him to the group. “He’s still alive. Please help him,” Mark begged. “Can you heal him with your magic?”

“Oh, sure. Of course,” Vegeta dripped with sarcasm. He raised his hand at Boo. “Move the fuck out of the way so I can finish him!”

Mark understood Vegeta’s mistrust but this Boo was his friend. He wasn’t a killer anymore. “Please don’t! He killed because the bad one made him. He’s gone now.”

Bobbidi was gone but Vegeta didn’t believe they can trust chubby Boo. “That doesn’t mean another one can’t come out, influence Boo and bring the end of the world again. Now step aside, Fool!”

“No, don’t!” Mark got on his knees. “He turned bad because a stupid human hurt me and killed his dog! Please don’t kill him. I’ll make sure he stays at our house.”

Goku wasn't sure about keeping Boo around, but hearing Mark’s plea, he changed his mind. “Vegeta, maybe we should believe him.”

Mark smiled. Yes. Yes! Son Goku was not only a real hero but he was an all-around good guy, too!

Vegeta wasn’t so easily persuaded. “You could never make the hard choices, Kakarrot. You spare people instead of killing them.”

“I was right to spare you,” Goku pointed out. “And Boo isn’t as bad. He fought Evil Boo and saved your life.”

Must he be reminded of that? Vegeta volunteered to fight Evil Boo and give Goku time to rev up his Ki and later to buy time for Goku to build up the Spirit Bomb. He got his ass kicked again and it was humiliating that when Goku was ready to launch the Spirit Bomb, he was too weak to move. He was slung over the shoulders of a con man like a piece of meat. Vegeta knew he wouldn’t be here if not for Mark and chubby Boo but, “Two good deeds aren’t enough to absolve all the evil unleashed, Kakarrot.”

“He only acted bad because he was around the wrong people,” Mark tried to persuade Vegeta to not kill his friend. “Around me, I will make sure he stays good.”

Vegeta kept his hand pointed at Boo but he sounded as if listening to Mark when he asked, “You think you can control him?”

“I got him to stop killing,” Mark was proud of that. “I’ll continue teaching him good from bad. We don’t have to worry about Boo being evil anymore.”

“You will keep him in line.” Vegeta chuckled. Saiyans have their pride but we are not as narcissistic as Earthlings. “Humans aren’t immortal. What happens when that dog dies of natural causes? What happens when you die? How do you expect to explain him to the delusional people of Earth? They won’t believe in aliens but they believe you saved them from Cell and now Boo. Kakarrot may be dumb enough to put the safety of his family and planet in your hands but I’m not foolish enough to take that risk.”

“Ah, come on, Vegeta. If it wasn’t for Mr. Satan, the people of Earth wouldn’t have given their energy.”

“Kakarrot, seven years ago, you put the fate of the world on your child. It cost your life. Do you expect me to put the fate of this planet on this bumbling fool’s shoulders? I’m not risking my family for your dumbass decision.”

“Funny you say that after what you did.”

“My mistake shows I know what the hell I’m talking about.” There was another reason Vegeta didn’t want Mark to take in Boo. He knew the con artist’s good intentions were paved with ulterior motives. He’ll use that fat one to continue the con he’s the champion. After years of seeing Mark on TV with one promotion after another and lie after lie about the Cell Game, Vegeta had enough. “It’s time he stops making a living off Saiyans.”

“Making a living?” Goku didn’t understand that but he noticed Mark shrinking behind Boo as if trying to hide. What did he do? “What are you talking about, Vegeta?”

“This jackass made himself rich off your and Gohan’s work from Cell. Cities and streets are named after him. Money that should’ve gone to your wife and sons, went to him and his kid. Every year on the anniversary of your death, they praise this fool. I have to hear from Bulma how this affects your wife. She demands no TV that day. She doesn’t want any of your friends visiting and she locks herself in her room to cry. I’m tired of this clown making money off Saiyans.” Vegeta saw his words affected Goku. That woman is his weakness. One more reveal will get the younger Saiyan to see things his way. “If your wife had some of the money, she wouldn’t be struggling as she is now. Maybe she wouldn’t have been tempted with the biggest mistake.”

Goku knew ChiChi was obsessed with him to win the prize money. Was that why? “But why doesn’t her Dad help her? He always has.”

“I’m sure he does but even I know it costs money to feed Saiyans and unless you have an abundance of money like Bulma, you're screwed.”

“Did ChiChi say that?”

“Your wife is proud, Kakarrot. She wouldn’t say it, but I’ve been by your house a few times. It’s getting worn down.”

“I see.” If things were that bad, Goku knew he had to do something about it. The answer was simple. “If you’ve made money off me and Gohan, Mr. Satan, then you owe us money.”

“I do?” First that hot 18 chick and now him. They’re gonna make me broke. “I’ll give you money if you let Boo live with me.”

“No deal.” Vegeta knew he was right about Mark. “Boo dies and you still give Kakarrot what he’s due.” His hand illuminated over Boo. “Or else.”

“If it can help,” Supreme Kai intervened, “we can take Boo. Evil Boo killed the Supreme Kai of the North and West. He absorbed the Supreme Kai of the South and the Kai that was over all of us.” The Supreme Kai looked down at the sleeping chubby Boo. “That is his form.”

“He is our responsibility,” the Old Kai agreed with the younger Kai. “It should have been us to stop him and not Saiyans. We’ll keep him here.” He patted Supreme Kai’s back. “And I’ll teach this one to be a proper Kai.”

“Can you make sure he won’t turn?” Mark was reluctant to agree to this deal. It was for the best Boo to be with his people but Mark worried about Boo turning again. “I got him to give up killing.”

“He’s not evil incarnate anymore.” Supreme Kai knew it was a big task but it had to be done. “It’s the least I can do for being the only Kai to survive. I was the youngest and weakest Kai. This is my chance to atone for my failures. I can do it with your help if you can convince Boo staying here is best.”

Vegeta didn’t like this. Death to Boo was the safest option. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to have him around.”

Goku liked the idea. He also saw this as an opportunity to get another fight out of Boo. “Boo and Mr. Satan helped us, Vegeta. We owe them. Let’s train and fight Boo if he loses control.”

Vegeta gave up. He never got his way but Goku always got what he wanted. While Dende healed Boo, Mark asked the Supreme Kai, “Can I visit Boo or will you bring him to Earth?”

“It won’t be a good idea if Boo visits Earth.”

Goku had a solution to that, too. “We can use the dragon balls to erase everyone’s memory of Boo.”

“Misusing the dragon balls again,” the Old Kai foresaw a dark future if they didn’t stop abusing the use of dragon balls. “You’re tempting fate for something disastrous to happen. We’ll host visitations.”

“Sounds good but in a few years, you can try having Boo visit Earth.” Goku’s suggestion wasn’t as farfetched as everyone thought. “Earthlings don’t have a good memory. Twenty years ago, King Piccolo and his minions killed a lot of people and tried to take over Earth but no one talks about it anymore. No one remembers Piccolo is the son of King Piccolo and we fought. Earth forgot about Vegeta and Nappa attacking. They’ll forget about Boo, too.”

Supreme Kai wasn't as confident as Goku but he was willing to try. “We’ll arrange for visits here and in a few years, we’ll return to Earth.”

When Dende finished healing Boo, Mark and Bee welcomed his return with hugs (from Mark) and licks (from Bee) “It’s over, Boo. We defeated the evil one.”

That made chubby Boo happy. “So we go back to playing now?”

That was Boo now he wasn’t a killer anymore. All he wanted to do is play, sleep and eat. “Another time. Boo, it’s time for me to go home. My home is on Earth and your home is here.”

“Here?” The planet was messy and beaten up. He could stay here but he wanted his friend with him. “You leaving?”

“Yeah. It’s time for me to go but Bee can stay with you.” Mark placed Bee in Boo’s arms. “I’ll come back to visit.” Mark gestured Boo to look at the Supreme and Old Kai. “These two are gonna take care of you. They’re good people and my friends.”

Boo didn’t know the Old Kai but he remembered the Supreme Kai. He was mean. He fought him. Boo didn’t like that. “But Boo wants you to care for me. Boo wants you to stay.”

“I know but these two are gonna take care of you. You’ll be happy here,” Mark promised. “You and Bee. There are no bad men here. Bee will be safe and you have a big planet to explore.”

Boo wasn’t convinced. He hadn’t forgotten how mean the Supreme Kai was. “He was bad to me. He hit me.”

“I apologize for that, Boo. I got the wrong impression of you but I’d like to be your friend if you let me.”

The Old Kai kicked the Supreme Kai’s left leg. He tumbled to the ground where the Old Kai kept him down with his booted foot. “A little humbling will help you achieve your goal.”

Boo liked the Old Kai. If the Supreme Kai was mean to him, the Old Kai would hit him. “You feed me?”

“Yes.”

“You read me stories?”

“Yes.”

“You give me baths and massages?”

Supreme Kai raised himself to argue but the Old Kai pressed harder to keep him down. “Of course.”

“Okay,” Boo accepted that. “I stay.”

Mark gave Boo a hug and spoke a few parting words. He patted Bee’s head, received a few licks and walked away from them. He was sad about their parting. He was scared of Boo but discovered he was an innocent soul and a true friend. That was something Mark hadn’t had in a long time.

I’ll see him again but I am gonna miss him.  

“I’m ready.”

The Supreme Kai rose. The universe was saved but at a humbling price for him. He was merged with Kibito forever. He will be chubby Boo’s caretaker and engage in acts not befitting a Kai but he also found a teacher in the Old Kai who will help him be the best Kai he can be. He also wouldn’t be alone anymore. The Old Kai and chubby Boo will keep him company for many centuries. It wasn’t a bad deal when he truly thought about it.

“Goku, shall we go now?”

“Go?” “Back to Earth,” the Supreme Kai reminded Goku. “I will return you, Vegeta and Mr. Satan.”

“After all we’ve been through, you don’t have to call me Mr. Satan. That’s my stage name. We’re friends now.” Mark put his arms around Goku and Vegeta’s shoulders. “You can call me Mark.” Vegeta growled and Mark instantly took his arm off Vegeta’s shoulder. “Or Mr. Satan. Whatever is good for you.” He still had his arm around Goku. He gave him a friendly squeeze. “I wanna get back to Videl. I know you wanna get home to your family.”

“Home?” Goku knew the Old Kai gave his life to him. He knew was alive but he was swept up in the adrenaline to aid Gohan and caught up in defeating Evil Boo. He didn’t have time to consider his return to life meant he will go home to his wife and sons. I can be with ChiChi and Gohan again. I can get to know Goten. I can go home. Home to his beloved Mount Paozu where the air is fresh and water so pure and clean. Home to a quiet community of animals peacefully living among the mountains. Home where he had his happiest memories growing up with his beloved Grandpa; where he formed happier memories with his wife and son and where he will create memories with his youngest child.

I’m going home.

Goku thought of his goodbye to ChiChi. They had their talk at the Tenkaichi Budokai but it wasn’t enough. Now, he had all the time to say what he wanted and make up for the pain he caused her. He thought of Goten and their goodbye. Only a few hours together and Goku loved him so much. The little time they had wasn’t enough but Goku accepted what he was given. He thought of his goodbye to Gohan. He sent Gohan off with a smile crushed that would be the last time they see each other until Gohan crossed over. 

Not anymore. 

ChiChi. Gohan. Goten. I’m coming home.

The reality hit Goku hard. He pulled away from Mark and walked off. He needed a moment to let this sink in. I’m alive. He thought of his family waiting for him. He thought of the excitement to tell them he is back for good. His eyes became watery. He quickly wiped his eyes against the back of his hand. This wasn’t the place to get like that. He wasn't around the one he could succumb his emotions, too.

“Kakarrot,” Vegeta put a hand on his shoulder. “It’s been seven years,” he spoke so only Goku could hear. “Haven’t you kept ChiChi waiting enough?”

ChiChi. If he was nearly brought to tears, Goku knew ChiChi would cry like a burst dam. He couldn’t wait to tell her. “Yeah, I have. Let’s go home.”

Goku noticed Vegeta smiling. It was rare to see that from him unless he was mocking someone or engaged in a good fight but ever since Vegeta gave Goku his praise while he fought Evil Boo, Goku felt things have forever changed between the two. The rivalry was over and a real friendship can finally begin. Goku looked forward to that but one thing had to be cleared first. “That wasn't nice, Vegeta." "I’m telling the truth, Kakarrot. You have kept your wife waiting long enough.”

“Not that. You used ChiChi in our fight. You tried to get in my head and make me think she was with someone when I was dead. That was dirty." Vegeta stopped walking. “I said that?” "When you were possessed by Bobbidi," Goku refreshed Vegeta’s memory. "That was really mean." Shit. Did I almost tell Kakarrot about Kenji? "I was willing to do anything to win, Kakarrot. Nothing was off limits." "Yeah, but that was really low, Vegeta. I wouldn’t do that with you and Bulma." "Oh fuck off!! At least you go home to a happy mate. I gotta deal with Bulma. She's probably pissed at what I did at the tournament." “Oh yeah.” Trunks would be happy to see him but Goku knew Vegeta was in for a rough reunion with Bulma. "You're dead for sure." Shit. If Kakarrot knows that, I am in trouble. Vegeta knew over the years he wasn’t the best mate. Despite his aloofness to her, Bulma always accepted Vegeta’s outburst and isolation with understanding. Sometimes she did get angry but most times, she let it go. She knew him enough to give him space when needed and welcome his desire for company. For the first time, Vegeta worried he pushed Bulma too far.

“So, what happens now?” Gohan wondered. Evil Boo was defeated but what of his Dad? “Dad defeated Boo. Why haven’t we heard from him?”

ChiChi wondered that, too. The battle was over and everyone remained on Kami’s Temple as if waiting for something to happen. Two hours have passed since Boo’s defeat and nothing was heard of Goku or Vegeta. I guess Goku got special treatment to fight Evil Boo. “We should go home, Gohan. It’s been a couple of days and I know you and Goten are hungry. We can eat the feast I made for your father.”

“But I thought Dad’s coming back,” Gohan remembered his Dad wanted to fuse with him. Gohan did not see a halo over his Dad’s head. He thought he was alive. “I could’ve sworn…”

“Thanks for the ride! Goodbye!”

ChiChi turned at Goku’s voice. How was Goku allowed back on Earth? Was Goku granted a do-over and given another day with us?

“Daddy!” Goten rushed ahead of ChiChi and Gohan to welcome Goku back. Goku scooped up Goten and raised him over his head. “You did it, Daddy!” Goten cheered. “You were awesome against Majin Boo!”

“Couldn’t have done it without you, Mommy, Gohan and everyone!” 

A crying Mark hugged Videl and embarrassed her with kisses. “Dad!” Videl complained. “I’m not five anymore. Stop!”

“Vegeta!” Bulma threw her arms around him and nearly knocked Vegeta over. He stared wide-eyed at Bulma kissing his cheek and hugging him again. This was not the reunion he expected.

After Gohan’s hug, ChiChi got her hug in. “You’re back. Were you granted another day with us?”

Another day? Goku laughed. Hadn’t ChiChi noticed his halo is gone?

“Daddy!” Goten pointed over Goku’s head. He noticed. “Your halo is gone.”

Goku grinned at his youngest son. “Ya noticed.” ChiChi was looking over his head now. Her wonderous eyes gazed at where the halo should be. “Goku?” She held the question she was too afraid to ask.

“There’s a lot to explain,” Goku said as everyone gathered around. “Thanks to everyone, the evil Boo is defeated. The chubby Boo is still around but he’s on the Supreme Kai’s planet.”

“Ah, hell,” Piccolo groaned.

“No. No. It’s a good thing,” Goku assured Piccolo. “He’s not bad anymore. He will be cared for by the Supreme and Old Kai. We’ll visit and see how he’s doing.”

“Count me out.” Piccolo had enough of Boo to last a lifetime.

“But that’s not all the good news.” Goku looked at his family and friends. All had smiles as if knowing the good news but were waiting for him to confirm. “Excuse me for being away for so long but the Old Kai granted me his life so I can live again.”

“You’re alive?” ChiChi hoped this wasn’t a dream. She couldn’t take it if it were. “You mean we can go home as a family of four to our little house?”

“Yeah, if you don’t mind putting up with me again. I can’t wait to get back to Mount Paozu and eat your home cookin’!”

I’ll put up with you forever. ChiChi embraced Goku. His chest was warm against her face but what triggered ChiChi’s tears was the sound of Goku’s heart beating against her ear. He’s really alive. Goku’s coming home.  Seven years of pain. Seven years of heartache and loneliness were finally over.

Gyu-Mao watched his daughter collapse in Goku’s arms. Throughout her marriage with Goku, Gyu-Mao witnessed ChiChi’s anger and frustration with Goku. He was there to see the happy times between the couple as they raised a child together. He witnessed her heartbreak at Goku dying twice. He was there to help ChiChi through her mourning. He even encouraged her to move on and date Kenji, but through it all, ChiChi’s heart always remained with Goku.

He is her only love.

It was a rare kind of love and one Gyu-Mao knew he wouldn’t see replicated if he lived ten lifetimes.

“I think we should let them have a moment alone.” Gyu-Mao ushered the others to disperse to give Goku and ChiChi privacy. Everyone spread out into different areas of the temple. Vegeta, Bulma and Trunks settled in a spot alone. Mark and Videl continued their family reunion on the steps of the palace. Krillin, 18 and Marron waited near the trees. Mr. Popo and Piccolo celebrated Dende’s return  together while Yamcha, Master Roshi, Oolong, Puar and Gyu-Mao huddled together watching all the happy families. Gohan and Goten were closest to their parents but far from them to have their moment.  

“This is a dream.” ChiChi held Goku’s hand against her face. “A happy dream.”

“It’s not a dream, ChiChi. I’m back.”

“I never allowed myself to hope you could come back to me. It was years before I finally accepted your death and you weren’t returning.” She kissed the palm of his hand. “It’ll take a while before I believe this is real.”

“Let me speed things up so you know I am here and this is real.” Goku brushed away her tears with the pad of his thumb before resting his hand on the back of her neck. He settled his mouth over hers and groaned at ChiChi’s familiar flavor filling his mouth as his tongue thrust inside. Sweet and spicy she always was as she left his body hungering for her. Over and over his tongue rolled over ChiChi’s drowning Goku in a taste and smell Goku could never get enough of. He pulled back to see color blooming on ChiChi’s cheeks. “How’s that?”

How’s that? He knew and ChiChi knew he could smell it. “I think I need a little more convincing.”

While Goku convince ChiChi he is back, 18 thought of her friend and how happy she must be having her husband back. “I have never seen ChiChi so happy.” 18 bounced her daughter on her thigh. “Goku’s not impressive but as long as ChiChi is happy.”

Krillin knew ChiChi would be happy as long as she never learned what he knew. When he and Yamcha found ChiChi, she was with Nam and King Chappa. She talked of meeting Kimani and how happy she was Goku made a friend.  She didn't know of Goku's real relationship with Kimani. “I hope Goku doesn’t let it slip he left his girlfriend behind.”

“Girlfriend?” 18 stopped bouncing Marron. “What are you talking about?”

His wife and ChiChi were close friends. ChiChi could learn through 18 what he knows so Krillin knew he shouldn’t tell 18 but he was dying to share this with someone. “Don’t tell ChiChi but when me and Yamcha went to the Grand Kai’s planet, we met Goku’s girlfriend. Kimani. She’s a beautiful fighter.”

18 waited for Krillin to laugh and say he’s kidding but he didn’t. “Goku had someone while ChiChi remained loyal to him? She gave up a good life with Kenji while Goku carried on with another woman?” 18 took Marron off her lap and stood. “I need to tell ChiChi.”

Krillin grabbed her hand. “No! Didn’t you hear me? ChiChi can’t know this. Do you know how devasted she would be if she learns this?”

“You expect me to be quiet while ChiChi lives with a sleazebag?”

“Goku’s not a sleazebag and they weren’t married anymore. Goku was free to pursue a relationship.”

“You didn’t feel that way when Kenji wanted ChiChi. You thought she was cheating and should be loyal to Goku.”

That was different. “Goku died saving the world.” 18 turned her back on him disgusted. “How can you move on when a guy does that?”

Krillin and 18’s bickering caught Bulma and Vegeta’s attention. Aside from the hug and kiss, Bulma spoke very little to Vegeta. She smiled and chatted about how they will go home and see her parents but Vegeta felt something was different with Bulma. He waited for Trunks to chat with Goten to address it to Bulma.

“Bulma, about what happened at the tournament….” How to explain you ruthlessly killed people just to goad Goku into a fight? “I wasn’t in my right mind.”

Bulma smiled as if not bothered by what he did. “Vegeta, it’s good you were given another chance and you helped defeat that monster.”

The smile was on her lips but not in her eyes or her voice. “But?”

“Vegeta, Trunks is happy you’re alive and we’re all alive again. This is a good day. Don’t ruin it talking about what you did.”

The anger simmered in her voice. “Trunks is happy I’m alive. Are you happy I’m alive?”

The smile fell away allowing her real emotions to surface. “Oh, so my feelings and what I think of you matter now? I didn't see that when you slaughtered hundreds of people!”

She was angry and Vegeta rather deal with Bulma angry instead of her pretending to be happy around him. “You’re right to be upset, Bulma.”

“You think that’s all I am feeling now? You don’t think I’m hurt. You don’t think I’m embarrassed? You don’t think I’m…..” she stopped. This wasn’t the time or place. “We’ll talk about this after we’re home.”

While Vegeta braced himself for an uncomfortable talk with Bulma, Gohan and Videl chatted about Boo and how their lives have changed forever.

“It’s gonna be awkward going back to school.” Gohan had a lot to face. He took a month off to prepare for the tournament. He exposed himself as Saiyaman and the Golden Warrior. His classmates and teachers will have a lot of questions. “So much for anonymity.”

“I’m sorry about that Gohan,” Videl apologized. “I pressured you into competing and threatened to expose your secret if you didn’t.” It was only a month ago but for Videl, it felt years have passed. Her feelings then and what she felt now were so different. She had a lot of respect and admiration for Gohan and was ready to acknowledge the feelings brewing in her for him. “I’m used to publicity. I’ll help you through it.”

“Really?” Gohan was glad she said that. He needed help and Videl was a natural at dealing with the press. “How can I thank you?”

A date would be nice. But Videl didn’t want to drop that on Gohan with her Dad watching them. “I took a month off to prepare for the tournament. If you can help me get caught up with school, we’re even.”

“Deal!”

As Gohan and Videl made plans to see each other, Goku and ChiChi emerged looking for their sons. Their appearance brought everyone together again. “ChiChi told me she has a feast waiting for me so I’m ready to go home. We’ll see you later.”

“Let’s not make it five years or three or seven,” Bulma quipped. Odd-number reunions always spelled a bad omen for them. “Let’s meet up in a few weeks for a reunion and welcome back party for you, Goku.”

“Sure. Sure,” Goku picked up ChiChi. The only reunion he wanted was with ChiChi’s cooking and her. “Bye!”

The journey from Kami's Temple to the Son Family home took over an hour. The reunited family spent the time sharing things that occurred over the seven years. Gohan spoke of his school life and balancing it with his heroics as Saiyaman. ChiChi shared some of the lives at Gyu-Mao’s village including people who have passed and those who might die from shock seeing him alive again. Nearing home, Goku noticed changes over the landscapes. Miles of forests were cut in half and replaced with roads, homes and towns. It was sad to see such development since Goku was a nature lover and loved the country. When he passed an isolated steep hill with a flat top, Goku’s heart beat excitedly. The familiar, tall butte always signaled to Goku he was almost home.

Entering Mount Paozu country, Goku saw more familiar signs of home. A family of dinosaurs flying together; acres of tall and lush trees he climbed as a child, lakes filled with fishes Goku hunted for his family and valleys of buttes Goku climbed and meditated on. Goku spotted a few homes spread out but none close to the home he longed to see.

“There it is, Goku.” ChiChi sounded as excited as he. “Our home.”

Goku felt a tightness in his chest as he descended on the dome home he left seven years ago.

 He felt himself land and release ChiChi. He heard her talking but didn’t understand her words. Gohan and Goten spoke, too, but Goku didn’t understand. All he saw was the home he never thought he’d see again.

I can’t believe I’m back here.

Gohan, Goten and ChiChi began walking to their house. Goten voiced he was hungry. Gohan spoke of the schoolwork he will have to catch up on while ChiChi worried about the state of her house. It was she who noticed Goku wasn’t with them. She turned to see him still standing in the spot where he landed.

“Goku, aren’t you coming inside?”

“I am.” But he wanted to stay here and look at his home. It’s still the same. That tall tree that provided shade under a hot day was still here. The stump of the tree he accidentally smashed ChiChi into was here. Goku chopped that tree and used the wood for fire. The ax was still wedged into the stump. “I….. I never thought I’d see this place again.” Memories he shut off seven years ago began flooding in Goku.  He remembered the early mornings he worked out in the front yard. He remembered showing Gohan real insects from the books he studied. He remembered helping ChiChi with her martial arts and stealing kisses from her as she hung laundry on the clothesline. He remembered the naps with ChiChi and baby Gohan under that big shady tree. For seven years, he didn’t dwell on the memories. It was painful to be reminded of the people he couldn’t be around anymore. Now they were rushing in Goku like a burst dam. “I……” a tear fell from his eyes. “I can’t believe I’m here.”

ChiChi returned to his side and wrapped her arms around him. Overwhelmed with memories and feeling ChiChi hold him, the dam broke and out came his tears. I’m home. I’m really home. More arms came around him as Gohan and Goten hugged him, too.  

Goku didn’t know how long he cried or how long he was held. He soaked it in knowing he needed this from his family. He was always the one to be strong for everyone. He always had to hold his feelings in and be the comforter. This time, he was comforted as his family let him know they will be strong for him.

Eventually, the family parted and walked inside their home together. Goku stopped at the door when he saw balloons decorating their living room with a banner hanging from the ceiling. ‘Welcome Home, Goku!’ “Wow. You did this for me?” Goku thought he’d get a good meal. Curious of the decorations, Goku explored the room. There was a new TV but the bookcases and furniture were still the same. He remembered what Vegeta said about his home being worn down. He looked for signs. The ceiling was fine but the walls looked weary as if it needed a coat of paint but the extra photos ChiChi hung up to include Goten distracted anyone from looking at the wall too hard. There was a photo album on the coffee table with a camera. ChiChi and her camera. He suspected she left that out to take pictures of him for his one-day visit. The color on the sofa was fading. Seven years ago, ChiChi talked of getting rid of it. It must be in worse shape now.

He was going to sit down when his nose twitched. There was an alluring smell coming from the kitchen. “Ah. I missed this!” ChiChi wasn’t kidding when she told him she prepared a feast for him. The table and counters were covered with food. Goku nearly drooled at the sight of so many dishes.  

ChiChi followed Goku with an inspecting eye over her busiest room. “The kitchen looks intact.”

“Why wouldn’t it be, Mom?” Gohan asked. “The dragon restored everything to what it was before.”

“Yes, but your father,” ChiChi lightly slapped Goku’s hand when he opened one of the food containers, “shook the world when he became a Super Saiyan Three. He might have knocked a few things over. You and Goten should check the house to make sure nothing is broken.”

While Gohan and Goten inspected the rest of the house, ChiChi opened a couple of container lids and inspected her food. The food wasn’t spoiled but it didn’t look as fresh as it did three days ago. ChiChi checked the rest of the kitchen for damages. Goku inspected the room, too, for signs of it being run down. The paint was peeling from the stove. One of the chairs from the kitchen table was loose. The wallpaper was peeling. It was slightly worn but not too bad. The refrigerator stood out as it was bigger than the one he remembered seeing.

“Is the refrigerator new?”

“Yeah,” ChiChi answered from the pantry. “I got it a few years ago. An old friend gifted it to me.” ChiChi came out of the pantry holding a large bag of rice. “A few boxes and cans were knocked over but nothing is broken.”

“I’ll take that.” Goku took the bag that was half ChiChi’s size. “Where do you want me to put it?”

“You can put it in the sink but it’s not heavy, Goku.”

“I know. I wanna help.”

“You do?” ChiChi touched his forehead. “You’re not running a fever.”

“Ah, come on,” he whined. “I wasn’t that bad.”

“No, but you usually help around the house when you’re feeling guilty about something.” ChiChi pulled out her colander and a large pot from the lower cabinet. “What is it, Goku?”

While she waited for him to answer, ChiChi carried on about her work, pouring rice in the colander and rinsing it under water. She dumped the rice in the pot and poured more in the colander.  

“Vegeta told me things haven’t been good while I was dead. I didn’t know you were having money problems.” ChiChi stopped rinsing the rice. “I didn’t know the house was getting run down.”

“I didn’t know he noticed but Vegeta has always been more observant than others.” ChiChi resumed rinsing the rice. “It’s not your fault, Goku.”

It felt like it. ChiChi always did her wife duties but Goku often shirk his husband duties. It wasn’t always like that. Before his first death, Goku did a lot. He earned an income with his freelance work and sometimes fixed things around the house. Aki helped him but Goku was there.

“Sorry, ChiChi.”

“Don’t apologize.” ChiChi added more rice to the pot. “You’re home. We’ll figure it out.” Things were bad but with Goku home, ChiChi wasn’t as worried. She already had a plan to resolve some of their problems. Goten’s prize money will help and 18 did promise to give her some money she will fleece from Mr. Satan. She had that plot of land that will be turned into a farm. With Goku’s muscles, they can grow ten times as many crops.

As she poured more rice in the colander, Goku turned her to face him. ChiChi saw his guilt. She was surprised he was so bothered. ChiChi opened her mouth to assure Goku it’s fine but Goku swooped in and swallowed her words. He claimed her lips like a starving man for water. His tongue thrust inside her surprised mouth familiarizing himself with her again so much that when her sweet taste coated his tongue and her alluring scent filled his nostrils, he groaned so deeply ChiChi felt it in her core as it sizzled awake after a long drought. The kiss was meant to be an apology but the potent scent wafting from ChiChi affected Goku’s reasoning. His tender kisses became fierce and heated as he pushed her against the sink and ground his lower body against hers.

Oh, this was not an apology. This was foreplay and it was happening in the middle of their kitchen. ChiChi gripped Goku’s shirt. She needed to push him away but that hardness, that need from him rubbing against her was so hard to say no to.

But she did… slowly.

ChiChi pulled her lips away while her lower body remained connected with Goku. She subdued her moan biting her lower lip as Goku hit that sweet spot between her legs. She gripped his shirt tighter. It felt so good but they had to stop. “Apology accepted, Goku.” He tried to kiss her again but she pressed fingers to his lips. “We gotta stop. The boys…” she mention their sons to bring Goku to his senses. Goku stopped and stepped back.

“Sorry,” he apologized. “I wanna show how sorry I am.”

“You’re forgiven.” ChiChi turned on the oven and stove. She grabbed a couple of glass containers and placed them inside the oven. “I have to finish with dinner.”

That also would’ve prevented Goku from acting on his lust but when ChiChi bent before him to place the food in the oven, Goku knew he needed one more taste.

He grabbed ChiChi’s arm and pulled her back to him. Her soft breasts crushed against his chest and his softening bulge hit the right spot between her legs. “I can wait for dinner. I want some dessert now.” Goku dipped his head and touched her lips again. Her mouth opened against his allowing his alluring tongue to sweep inside. His rough moan blended with her airy sigh as she succumbed to him.

How had she lived without this for seven years she wondered.

ChiChi clutched his shirt and kneaded his neck, silently demanding he hold nothing back. Seven years without, ChiChi wanted everything Goku could give her. He humbly responded by pushing her hips to the counter and trapping her between it and him. He angled his head and took her deeper with his tongue, going a little harder as a lance of pleasure travel from her breasts to between her legs. She moaned, unable to quiet herself as she felt that familiar length harden against her.

One more kiss and I’ll stop she told herself. Two more kisses she compromised. She was negotiating a third when her sons entered the kitchen.

“House is okay, Momma! Hey!” Goten cried out when Gohan covered his eyes. “Big Brother, I can’t see!”

“This isn’t something for children to see.”

ChiChi pushed Goku from her so hard he stumbled against the table. ChiChi turned her back on her family shielding her flushed face and heaving breasts from them. “Gohan…..” she took a deep breath. “Goten. You two were in a nasty fight with that Boo monster. You should take a shower before dinner.”

“Right, Mom,” Gohan agreed eager to leave the room with his brother protesting he still couldn’t see.

ChiChi didn’t look at Goku. They were so wired and needing of each other any look would have them in each other’s arms again. “I need to finish reheating the food and cook the rice.” ChiChi picked up her pot of rice but Goku took it from her and placed it on the stove.

Glad for the help, ChiChi grabbed another large pot from under the cabinet. ChiChi dumped a large portion of rice into her strainer and began rinsing it under water when Goku’s arms wrapped around her. “Goku, I have to finish preparing dinner.”

Goku accepted they couldn’t fool around. The boys will interrupt again and he was getting hungry. “I’ll hold you while you cook. I did that sometimes.”

He did and ChiChi loved it. Goku would hold her like a comfy pillow. Sometimes he would drop tender kisses on her cheek and neck and ask her what she’s cooking. ChiChi didn’t feel lust brewing from Goku then. It was wholesome intimacy ChiChi would’ve allowed if not for the sudden release of gas that expelled from Goku. “Ah, Goku!” ChiChi shoved him away. “That’s not romantic at all!”

“Sorry.” Goku hadn’t meant to release the foul gas. It suddenly came out. Another one came out stronger, louder and fouler. “Ooo!” Goku gripped the back of a chair as prickling needle-like pain stabbed his stomach. “ChiChi, I’m feeling weird.”

ChiChi waved her hand. “No, you stink!”

“No.” Goku rubbed his stomach. What was going on with him? “My tummy hurts.” He rubbed his butt as pain suddenly hit him here, too. “And here. It’s kind of tight here like I have to take a dump but it never felt this bad before.”

Seven years ago, ChiChi would scold Goku for being so crude but now Goku’s crude talk didn’t matter even if he was stinking up the kitchen. “Maybe you have to go to the toilet.” “I guess. I haven't used one since I died.”

ChiChi opened a window to air out the room. “But you told me you ate food at the Grand Kai’s palace.” “Yeah, but I never felt the need to go. Ooo,” he clutched his stomach as it felt like it was being twisted in knots. “It’s really hurting.” Maybe afterlife food is different from living food. “What happened with the food you ate the morning you died?” “I never released that.” In the afterlife, no one had a desire to eat or sleep. Bodily functions that were needed for the living ceased for the dead. Sleeping and eating were things done out of a desire but never a need.

ChiChi’s eyes grew as she understood what was happening. “Are you saying you have seven years of backup and it's ready to come out?” “I guess so.” Goku staggered out of the room as more gas expelled from him. “I better get it out.” ChiChi worried for the toilet and the awful smell that will linger. “Can our bathroom handle that?”

The toilet survived Goku’s unleashing but it did leave a foul stench in the bathroom. Goku opened the windows hopeful the natural air will kill the scent he left behind. That release left Goku feeling dirty. He removed his clothes and tossed them in the small trash can. They were so tattered from his fight against Evil Boo he knew ChiChi will want it in the trash.

He stepped in the shower and soaked under the hot water. Goku swam in lakes on the Grand Kai’s planet but it had been years since he truly cleaned himself. Natural body functions and strong scents didn’t exist in the afterlife. Alive Goku could smell his musk returning.

ChiChi really must be happy I’m back. She didn’t care I’m a bit stinky. He used most of ChiChi’s shampoo to clean his hair and her soap to clean his body. He got everywhere and used multiple towels to clean himself thoroughly.

Goku stepped out of the bathroom with a towel on his hair and one around his waist. He felt clean but also hungry. “I hope dinner is ready. I’m starving.”

As he dried off, Goku explored his bedroom. Aside from different sheets on the bed, the new curtains and the shrine ChiChi dedicated to him on top of the chest drawer, their bedroom looked the same as it did seven years ago.

Goku opened the top drawer expecting to find his boxers. He found ChiChi’s bras instead. “Oops.” Did he forget? He thought this side held his clothes. He pulled the drawer next to it and found ChiChi’s panties. That was strange. He was sure he had one side and ChiChi had the other. He pulled the drawers under it. One drawer was filled with yarn and the other had ChiChi’s clothes. He checked the remaining drawers and discovered all of them had ChiChi’s clothes. “Where did my clothes go?”

Goku opened the closet. The top shelf held blankets and extra bed sheets. The rack was filled with ChiChi’s clothes. “Hmm. Did she throw out my clothes?” Goku sifted through the clothes hoping to find at least one article of clothing. “I guess she made space when I died but what am I gonna wear?” On the closet floor were ChiChi’s shoes and two boxes. “Maybe it’s in there.”

He opened the box on the right first. It was filled with things Goku categorized as ChiChi’s: books and knitting supplies, a camera and a photo booklet with a letter attached. ChiChi took plenty of pictures of the family. When she got the film developed, she would immediately organize them in a photo album. It was strange ChiChi hadn’t done that with these photos.

Curious, Goku opened the booklet. The first photo was of ChiChi, Gohan and Goten. They were wearing baseball jerseys. Goten’s shirt nearly swallowed him and his giant foam finger was half his body size. He looked so small in this photo. Goku guessed Goten was three or four since Gohan at four was about that size. Gohan was nearly as tall as ChiChi in this photo. “Wow. He sprouted.”

In the next photo, a girl was in the picture with them. She posed next to Gohan and stood a few inches taller. “Who is she?” Goku went to the next photo. Yamcha was in this one smiling with his family. “Ah, I see. They went to Yamcha’s game.” Goku went through the photos. There were pictures of Gohan, Goten and the girl eating, watching the game and posing on the baseball field. A few times Goku noticed Gohan staring at the mysterious girl. In those photos, Goku could make out a blush on Gohan’s face.

“Is that Gohan’s girlfriend?” He missed so much! Girls were the furthest thing from Gohan’s mind seven years ago and if what Krillin said is true about Videl, Gohan then Gohan had two girlfriends. Or more. Who knows how many he dated over the years. “I can’t believe ChiChi let Gohan date that young.”

Goku sifted through the photos smiling at them all until he came to a photo of ChiChi and a man. “Hmm.” Goku didn’t recognize him. This photo wasn’t taken at a baseball game. They were at an amusement park. The man was tall and in shape judging from the arm muscles in his tank shirt. “Not as big as my arms,” Goku muttered as he studied the man. ChiChi took photos with other men. ChiChi took pictures with Aki but he or Gohan were in the picture. Gohan wasn’t in this one. Goten was and he sat on the man’s shoulder. That didn’t sit right with Goku. There was another photo of the man with ChiChi, Goten and Gohan. Gohan wasn’t smiling.

In another photo, the man stood with ChiChi in a kitchen. Goku didn’t recognize the place. It wasn’t his home or Master Roshi’s. The area looked big and fancy. Gohan was in the next photo with Goten. Both had books on a table and looked to be doing schoolwork. ChiChi was in the background cooking.

Did ChiChi cook for this guy?

The man appeared again on Master Roshi’s island with his friends. It was a group photo and everyone dressed up. Studying the white suit and white dress Krillin and 18 wore, Goku figured this was their wedding. ChiChi looked beautiful in her blue dress but why was this man here? There was another photo but it looked taken from upstairs. Vegeta was in the photo standing across from ChiChi and the man.

Him again. Who is this guy?

There were more photos of ChiChi, Gohan and Goten in a fancy hotel room. The guy appeared in a few of them. Each time Gohan appeared with the guy, he didn’t look happy. Goten and ChiChi did. There was nothing suggestive in the photos but there was something Goku didn’t like. The last photo in the booklet made Goku uncomfortable. It was of ChiChi wearing a sleeveless black dress. Goku knew that dress because ChiChi modeled the dress for him before he died. She told him she wanted to wear it when they resume date nights after the Cell Game. He died but…..

Did ChiChi wear this dress for that guy? !

There were no photos left but an envelope attached to the booklet with ChiChi’s name on it. Goku opened the envelope and found a letter inside.

Dear ChiChi,

I know you are not expecting this letter but please read this. I wanted to see you several times but I didn’t want to upset you. I’m sorry I upset you the last time we talked but I spoke out of anger and frustration. I didn’t mean it. You must believe me. I reacted the way I did because I love you.

Yes, I love you. I know you will find that hard to believe. You’ll say it’s too soon but I do. You’re an easy woman to fall in love with. I’m not Goku and I can’t replace him in your heart but I care for you deeply. I care for Gohan and Goten and I want to be a husband to you and a father to them.

I love baseball. I don’t know what I’d be doing if I didn’t play but spending time with you and your boys showed me what I’m missing and I want it. I love Goten so much. That sweet boy deserves a Daddy. I’m not Goku but I can be a Daddy to Goten. It’s too late to spare Gohan the pain of losing a parent but I’ll make sure Goten doesn’t grow up with the pain and loss you and Gohan have in your heart. I can be a husband for you , and if we’re lucky, we can have children together.

Gohan doesn’t like me but once he sees how much I love you and Goten, I know he’ll accept me. Maybe he’ll think of me as a second father. I want to help him with his first date and first love. I want to teach him how to shave and drive a car. I want to be with you as we watch him get married.

You know how much I adore Goten. I smile whenever I think of him. He’s such a good boy and I know why. He’s raised by a good Momma. Goten made me see how fun being a Daddy can be. I don’t know how to fish but I can learn for Goten. I’m not attracted to martial arts but I can hire the best teachers for Goten, and for his beautiful mother, I’ll give you everything.  

You are an amazing woman with a loving heart. You have a beautiful smile and if you don’t mind my saying, a sexy body. Your innocence is infectious and you’re a damn good cook. I want you to be mine. I want to wake up and fall asleep to you every night. I want to take you out of the mountains and show you the world. You deserve that. I know you don’t desire jewelry but you’ll look beautiful in them. I know you love flowers so I’ll bring them to you every day. I want to see you in our home with our child growing in you. I want to see you with more children and grandchildren. I want to give you the love you deserve. A strong woman like you needs to be cared for. You will have everything and you will never be alone.

Remember the fun times we had. Remember the long talks we had. Remember and think of what we can have. I hope you will respond and make me the happiest man in the world. If you don’t, I wish you a happy life, but if you need me, I’ll be there.

Love Kenji

“How could I have forgotten?” ChiChi chastised herself as she hurried to her bedroom. Dinner was ready. Gohan and Goten sat at the table waiting for Goku. ChiChi wondered what was taking him so long. He went to their bedroom an hour ago and hadn’t emerged. Gohan did check on him earlier and told her he was in the shower.

ChiChi wondered what could be keeping him until she remembered. “I hope he’s not mad.”

Entering her bedroom, ChiChi found Goku sitting on the edge of the bed. His elbows were on his knees. His fingers were laced over each other hiding half of his face. He sat there quietly brooding. ChiChi wondered why when she noticed the open chest drawers and open closet.

He knows.

ChiChi hadn’t thought about Goku finding this out. He was returning for a day. There wasn’t a need to tell him and she never thought Goku would learn of it. “I’m sorry, Goku.”

Sorry? Is that all she could say? This wasn’t ChiChi burning his gi with an iron or pricking him with a needle during a clothes fitting. She had another man. He was in their home; he met their boys; he might have been in their bed. “Why?” was all Goku could say. “Why did you do it?”

I waited for you. Why couldn’t you wait for me?

ChiChi was taken aback by Goku’s anger. That’s a bit over the top. “You were dead and you weren’t coming back this time. It wasn’t easy for me, Goku. I saw your clothes every day. It was a harsh reminder you weren’t coming back.”

ChiChi went to the closet and picked up the box on the left. She placed it on the bed. “I donated your regular clothes to secondhand stores but Gohan was upset when I wanted to donate your fighting gi to martial arts schools. We compromised to keep those.”  

ChiChi opened it and pulled out Goku’s gi. “There’s a box of your gi in your grandpa’s home. You can’t wear it now. It’s been there for years and needs airing and a good washing. I kept one here.”

Goku looked at the box and back at ChiChi confused. He was too distraught with the letter and photos to bother checking the other box. Clothes? She thinks that’s why I’m mad?

“Some days were harder than others.” ChiChi held his gi to her chest. “I needed to hold this to get through some days. Gohan will cremate this with me when I die.” She handed the gi to him. “But now that you’re here, you can wear it and in a few days, we can go shopping for clothes.”

Goku took the gi speechless. He didn’t know what to say.

“You’re not mad at me about that, are you?”

“No.” Goku shook his head. “I get why you did that.” He didn’t understand how ChiChi could betray him with another man.

“Good.” ChiChi pressed a kiss on his cheek. “Hurry up and get dressed. Dinner’s ready.”

ChiChi left the room happy. She didn’t see when she left, Goku wiped her kiss from his cheek.

Sitting with his family for the first time in seven years should have been a happy moment for Goku. He should be happy to eat ChiChi’s food again. He should be happy eating with his sons. He should be happy to look across the table at the woman he love but Goku didn’t feel happiness. He felt heartbreak at what ChiChi did and his afterlife friends’ warnings were justified.

Goku was angry with them. ChiChi wouldn’t do that. She’d wait like him. They didn’t know her like him but he was wrong. They did know her. He didn’t. Even his beloved Grandpa tried to warn him.

“So, when you go back, I want you to be happy for ChiChi. If she has remarried, I want you to thank her husband for taking care of ChiChi and Gohan.”

“I can’t do that,” Goku whispered. “I can’t.” He implored his grandpa. “Don’t make me, Grandpa. Don’t make me say that.”

“You have to, Goku, because, in the end, you weren’t there. You didn’t go home. You didn’t tell your wife if you die, you will stay dead. She was unprepared for all of that. You said your goodbyes to your sons and your friends but not to your wife. You broke her heart when you did that.”

“I didn’t mean to.”

“I know. I know you didn’t but you can’t go back angry and disgruntled ChiChi moved on. I didn’t raise you to be like that.”

“I know, Grandpa, but---"

“I know you meant well, Goku, but you can’t return all Super Saiyan angry ready to throttle this guy who did nothing except love your wife and son and make them happy. You will not do that. Promise me you won’t.”

As painful as it was, Goku vowed to keep that promise. During dinner, he did what he always did when hiding his feelings, he smiled. He laughed and acted innocent to hide the pain in his heart.

After dinner, Goku thought he could forget his pain temporarily by chatting with his sons. While ChiChi and Gohan cleaned up, Goten presented Goku with the photo album ChiChi kept up to date after he died.

Photos. That was the last thing he wanted to see.

But that was how he spent the remainder of the night; looking through photos and listening to stories. Goku couldn’t enjoy it because he only thought about ChiChi and Kenji. How long did they date? How many times were they intimate? Did ChiChi love him? Why did she do it?

After nine, it was time to put the boys to bed. Goku tuck Goten in. The little boy was a joy and the only one to make Goku truly smile tonight. After saying good night to their sons, Goku and ChiChi went to their bedroom. Goku settled in bed wearing his gi pants while ChiChi took a shower. While he waited for her, Goku was distraught and felt haunted.

Were they in this room together? Were they in this bed? Did they sleep on these sheets? He sniffed it. They were clean and newly washed. Goku couldn’t smell ChiChi’s scent. It didn’t mean she and Kenji didn’t take a tumble here.

It’s over. That letter meant they ended it.

Goku wanted that to mean he is the only one for ChiChi but he couldn’t see it that way. It didn’t matter if the relationship ended. Someone invaded his place and invaded his woman. His Saiyan blood demanded he confront but his Grandpa’s words refrained him from doing so.  

ChiChi emerged from the bathroom. Her hair was down and she wore a thin, red see-through nightgown that almost had him exploding into a Super Saiyan. Goku gripped the sheets to control himself. He was heartbroken but his body wanted her. Ah, how he wanted her. He could smell the exotic scent from between her legs. His mouth watered for a taste. It called for him to claim her but he couldn’t. Not after what she did.

She looks so pretty but did she wear this for Kenji?

“Do you like this?” ChiChi twirled for him. Her skirt flared showing her cute bottom and bare sex.

Goku gripped the sheets tighter. “Yeah,” his voice was tight as he willed his lower body to not react. “It’s nice.”

“I’m glad. I know I’m not young anymore but I’m happy you like it.” ChiChi climbed into bed. “I’m a little nervous.”

Because you were with another man?“ Why are you nervous?”

ChiChi blushed. Did Goku have to ask? “It’s been a while, Goku, and you’re so much stronger.” She climbed on Goku and straddled him so she was directly over his groin. “Let me start things off.” Goku pulled the sheets tighter. Don’t react he told his body. Don’t react. “Be gentle and patient with me.” ChiChi kissed his chest and slowly moved her way up his neck. It was torture! His body wanted to pin ChiChi underneath him. He wanted to bury his face between her legs but his mind wanted to shove her away.

When ChiChi moved in to kiss his lips, Goku turned away. “I can’t.” Goku closed his eyes. Remember Grandpa’s promise.

Goku’s rejection surprised ChiChi and his ‘I can’t’ felt cold. Maybe he’s having second thoughts now we’re not caught up in the moment. “I know I’m not young anymore but I thought in the kitchen when we…. and at the Budokai, we ….”

“That ain’t it.” She was beautiful and his body wanted her but his mind couldn’t stop thinking of ChiChi and Kenji. “My body is feeling weird, ChiChi.”

“Oh.” ChiChi slid off Goku. “Do you have to go to the toilet again?”

No, but he was feeling a little tired. As the day carried on, Goku felt his body adjusting to being alive again. “I do feel sleepy.” He wasn’t lying about that. He felt fatigue but not so much he couldn’t go one round with ChiChi. She didn’t need to know that. If he could fool her with sleepiness……

“Guess you’re getting used to a living body again.” ChiChi got out of bed. If they weren’t going to be intimate, there wasn’t a need for her sexy lingerie. She went to the chest drawer and pulled out a cotton nightgown. “I’m glad that’s it,” she laughed as she removed her see-through gown and returned it to the drawer. “Í thought you changed your mind because I am older.”

Goku pulled at the sheets again as he watch his naked wife put on the cotton nightgown. “Ya ain’t old. Ya look the same to me. Still pretty,” he admired her breasts before she covered them. Remember Grandpa’s promise. Goku smiled at ChiChi as she returned to bed. He hoped to throw her off but it wasn’t easy fooling ChiChi. She knew him better than anyone. She could read his smiles and emotions. It might take a day or two but she always knew when he was hiding something. “I’m tired and I wanna sleep. I didn’t do a lot of sleeping when I was dead.”

“I bet you trained for days without rest,” ChiChi joked. She was disappointed but ChiChi understood. They weren’t on limited time anymore. What’s another day or two? “We can talk about the seven years.”

That was the last thing Goku wanted. “I just wanna sleep, ChiChi. I’m really tired.”

“A lot of fighting and food does make you sleepy.” ChiChi remembered after Goku won the Tenkaichi Budokai, he ate a hearty meal at her father’s castle and slept ten hours. Sometimes after grueling training with Piccolo and Gohan, Goku slept a very long time. He must be exhausted fighting Boo and adjusting to a live body again. “We can catch up later. We have plenty of time.” ChiChi pressed her lips to Goku’s cheek. “Good night, Goku.”

ChiChi expected Goku to say good night but he turned his back on her without saying a word. “Goku?”

“Good night, ChiChi.” He said it but ChiChi wasn’t comforted by Goku’s words. It added to his strange behavior at dinner. Something was off with him. Goku acted happy but ChiChi felt he wasn’t. Maybe adjusting to the living world affected Goku mentally and physically and in a few days, he’ll be his normal, lovable self. ChiChi wanted to believe that was it but her feminine instincts twitched there was another reason for Goku’s behavior and it told her trouble was brewing when everything was finally going right for them.

Part Forty-One: Bonding: Goku and Goten

[meo-htp]

since i cant ask for all of Pyotr's lines... The one where he calls Kitten loverboy

pyotr: what ho? admiring the monster? kitten: no, not really pyotr: [laughs like a drain] you're a goddamn TEASE loverboy [telltale splatter of impalement]

he calls kitten that twice (once in ep 1 and once in ep 3), but i like this ep 1 version best because he sounds more pissed off lol.

[elwinsglasses]

I’m spitballing but imagine a fic set 10 years later. Fitz after all the humiliation coming from the Vacker legacy and subsequent disappointment goes into self imposed exile in the human world. He’s been there for 10 years when Oralie suddenly finds him again. People are suffering from some kind of leftover mind break after all that’s happened with the ogres and trolls and the Neverseen. Sophie can fix them but she needs her cognate. Fitz hasn’t used his telepathy basically since he left. He’d been trying to forget, he’d opened a wildlife rescue and was just trying to make it through the days. He finally agrees, but when she meets Sophie she’s different. she’s a little angry with him because unlike him she couldn’t hide. She’s cold. Fitz thought she had Keefe but they’d broken up ages ago. Keefe couldn’t handle it either, and was growing more and more reckless. Hes off somewhere finding himself. Sophies abilities aren’t working the way they should either. Nobody should have five abilities and she’s drained and headachey all day. The black swan didn’t think of the after as much as they should have. She collapses one day and freaks him out really badly. Forkle and the black swan have been AWOL for ages. Nobody has seen them since, well since. Sophie wonders if maybe she should have stayed human after all. The problem is she remembers how bad it was. How the kids would bully her and the constant headaches similar to now. How helpless she was. How the happiest time in her life was when she was growing in her abilities instead of them growing out of her. How badly she wishes everything were the way they were back then and how guilty she feels. Not everybody who should have made it out. Tiergan for one. Nobody is there to train them now. Prentice cannot be bothered by any of them. Alden has also been in a self imposed exile, working with the gnomes now. Nobody else really understands.

[statustemporary]

running home to your sweet nothings, chapter 2

STORY SUMMARY: His informality is refreshing; like water in a desert, Emma is parched and desperate for more.

“Take note, Princess, that I take no pleasure in pointing out the susceptibilities of your security or skills. It is my loyalty to you that wants you to remain safe.” There’s an earnestness to his voice and Emma feels her cheeks heat. His breath fans against her face in soft puffs as he speaks and the corner of his mouth lifts in a small smile.

“What have I done to earn such loyalty other than wear a crown?” she asks in an equally quiet voice. She’s breathless as she speaks but she yearns for his unfiltered response.

// or the four gifts of killian jones

RATING: M for Mature Audience (Implied sexual conduct, violence)

WORD COUNT: 9,002 words

TAGS: Alternative Universe, Enchanted Forest AU, Blacksmith!Killian, Violence, Implied Sexual Conduct

AO3

AUTHOR'S NOTE: had over 5k of this chapter sitting on my computer for well over a year. and have had 8k of chapter 3 for even longer than that (but who knows what of that will be kept).

anyway the first part of this chapter and the last part are my favorites, especially the first. the last part has been in my mind since i expanded this story beyond the prompt of gifts from killian lol. so yay for finally writing it! <3

having a lot of trouble staying inspired for ouat, especially over the last few months as i fundamentally disagree with some cast members stances. sorry not sorry for my inability to separate art from the artist. just trying to empty out my WIPs folder on my folder so i can fully move on. current WIPs will be finished. at some point.

anyway (x2) enjoy! sorry its been a year and a half lol

***

two and a half centuries ago.

late summer.

ella.

Her fingertips feel like fire.

Water crashes against the steep cliffs of Segovia and the freezing sea jumps up and nips at her exposed ankles. She pays no attention to the chill that travels her body or the way her sandy blonde hair whips in her face from the harsh winds. Instead, she keeps her eyes closed and hands held out in front of her.

Her magic gets weaker each time she uses it.

Magic had been thought to be extinct for years in Misthaven, the inhabitants losing it centuries back. The fairies retained their magic but even with their resources, could find no reasoning behind the loss for Misthaven’s people. Some of those in Misthaven believed that the Dark One was draining the land and its people of their magic for a dark curse but none had been cast. Others felt the magic was limited and once it was gone, there was no replenishing it.

And then Ella had been born as a product of True Love, and the first glance at pure magic in nearly three centuries. Her magic was respected by most and feared by others. When the Second Ogre War started a year ago, it became an expectation that she’d use her magic to help Misthaven succeed.

So she did. Her mother always told her to have courage and be kind, and what better way to live that to the fullest than doing all she could to protect the other citizens of Misthaven from a hostile takeover by the ogres?

Except… her magic is waning.

Like a wet cloth being hung to dry, she feels herself slowly losing her magic until there is close to none left. It is proving to be a problem on the battlefield as she doesn’t have the energy or the magic anymore to keep Misthaven from sending in soldiers.

Without her magic, she has no way to protect Kit.

She feels a momentary surge of energy flow through her body as her magic weaves through the dirt and pebbles on the cliffside, feels it singing as it circles a collection of ferrum.

There’s not much left, she thinks to herself of both the rocks and her magic.

Her work is hasty and not as clean as she wishes it could be but she knows that time is against her now.

Ella pulls the ferrum rocks from their place in an alcove on the cliff and piles them on a flat area. The sea water is getting rougher and wets her hair, her dress beyond repair from how the elements have thrashed it about. She quiets her mind and focuses on her Kit, letting her magic flow through her for one of the last times.

Black hair with a curl to it she loved to run her fingers through. A big heart guarded behind a charming smile. Those piercing blue eyes that could keep her rooted to the spot. He had her heart from the moment they met on horseback and she never looked back.

Her hands are burning as she opens her eyes. The rocks have transformed from separate entities into pieces of armor. Lining the edges of each piece is a design born from their love.

Stags to symbolize their first meeting. Shoes to symbolize how they found one another. A vine to connect to the three symbols together, representing their partnership and bond.

The last of her magic flares under her fingertips and Ella picks up the chest plate, lifting it to her face.

“Please take care of my love,” she whispers, sealing her plea with a soft kiss and a spark.

A feeling of emptiness envelops her in an embrace and she fights to wrap her arms around herself to keep out the cold it brings. She doesn’t have time to wallow in the loss of something so intricate to who she is. To stand there and focus on the ache in her heart or the hollow feeling in her chest is precious time wasted when she could be helping.

Ella takes a deep breath and marches past the longing in her fingertips for something just out of reach and instead gathers the armor she’s crafted. She cannot afford to let her emotions take control at this moment. That can wait for her lonely bedchambers late in the night when no one can hear her cry. For now, she needs to see her Kit off.

*

five and twenty.

early winter.

somewhere in the enchanted forest.

emma.

The flying simians attack on their fifth day.

*

Leaving Misthaven comes with an ease that unsettles Emma. The tension coiling around her shoulders refuses to alleviate as the castle walls become mere specks when she looks behind herself. Her posture remains rigid, her fitted armor, a gift from Killian, digs into her forearms from how restricted she keeps her movements.

Horse riding has never been a favorite activity of Emma’s. Being taught to sit astride a giant beast in the few moments of freedom she had growing up always felt more uncomfortable than liberating. Forever the black sheep of her family, her parents and their friends would guide their horses with ease while her confidence remained shaky.

Years have passed since her first riding lessons and yet unease still sits in the pit of her stomach. However, this time she can’t tell if it’s from the animal being squeezed between her boney knees or the mission she’s assigned herself.

She knows Killian believes her actions to be dumb, reckless, and completely unnecessary, but this is for her people. She has to protect them.

Besides, she will not let him throw himself on a sword just to spare her the slight inconvenience and possible danger. He’s much too important to her for her to let him volunteer himself like he tried. And he should give her more credit – he did teach her how to defend herself after all.

Emma ducks her head when a branch gets in her path and nearly falls off of her horse when she tries to sit up again.

A roaring laugh escapes a knight from behind her and she knows immediately that it belongs to Will Scarlet.

The knights that are with her trot through the forest without a worry as they move through Misthaven’s trees. This is just another day for them, another assignment, another potential battle. They have seen the worst of the worst and it has not scared them away yet.

Her bravado has been a front and she’s sure at least some of the most experienced of the group could read through it. But her people need her and if she must fake the confidence of a seasoned general, then she will do so, no matter how inadequate she feels.

The last and only time she’d gone to battle had been against Regina. The Evil Queen had caught them all off-guard, able to sneak into Misthaven by piggybacking on the magic of a fairy, they learned months after the fact, and Emma was unprepared, her magic unruly and uncontrollable.

“She must have been weak,” Emma tried to reason as Blue stood by her bed, her parents sitting at the foot.

“You have powerful magic, Princess,” Blue explained. “Magic belonging to True Love. Most magic users access their power through intellect. For them, it is a learned skill. You are rare, Princess Emma. You were born with it and you access your magic through your emotions. Emotions have the ability to create incredible magic, especially light magic, the likes of which the realm has never seen before.” She watched the fairy’s eyes slide over to her parents. Never before had she felt like such a fraud.

“The magic I used wasn’t light. I was angry. I wanted her gone,” Emma choked out.

Blue shook her head. “Anger is easy. It is the most natural emotion there is. The magic you used was made from love, Princess Emma. Love is the most powerful magic of all.”

She pulled her blankets tighter around her body, dragged her knees to her chest.

It certainly didn’t feel like love. How can ending someone’s life come from love? How can allowing them to suffer and not feeling remorse for it come from love?

Emma felt empty. She mentally reached towards her magic to feel it straining to return her call. What had always been an overabundance in her life – a threat to herself and those she loved – was barely there.

“What happened to it?” she asked, eyes full of tears and her hand shaking as she held it out of the blanket. “My magic,” she continued, voice cracking. “It – it isn’t all there. What happened to it?”

She missed the looks of sympathies shared between the three adults in the room before they broke the news to her.

Too much magic. Exhausted it. Body needed to recover. Might not come back.

She wept.

At least now, as she rides towards an unknown foe, she finds comfort in the fact that she’s not unprepared.

The sword Killian made for her bounces against her upper thigh as the horse below her trots down the dirt pathways. Its’ comforting weight at her side keeps the lessons he taught her in her mind. Their sparing sessions have made her almost as good of a swordsman as he is and holding a sword no longer feels awkward. His work has made her feel like the sword is an extension of her hand.

It also, unsurprisingly, feels like home.

Because with every remembrance of their sparing sessions, she recalls the feel of his lips against her mouth and his skin on hers. The way his raised eyebrow and smirk could make her heart race and how his presence made her feel like her magic was sparking back to life.

Her fingertips tingle and Emma glances down and imagines a faint glow surrounding them before the neigh of a horse breaks her reprieve.

Robin rides to her left while Will rides to her right, Lancelot and Little John scouting ahead with Dorothy following up behind. It is an odd group of knights that gathered at the barn to follow her along enemy lines but she trusts their abilities.

Robin, Lancelot, and Dorothy are the veterans of the group. The years of their training together totaling just shy of twice Emma’s age. Little John prefers to stay back, his tall stature a hindrance more often than not, but his abilities with a bow and arrow are lethal. Will is the youngest of the group, energetic like some of the pups on nearby farmlands and eager to prove himself worthy, though there’s an edge to his attitude that gives way to the wisdom learned on the streets he dragged himself from.

His sometimes-skittish behavior reminds her of what Killian must have been like as a boy before he and his brother happened upon Misthaven’s shores.

The trees are quiet for most of their ride. Branches and leaves sway in the wind, a soft rustling filling the silent air. Robin quickly established a system amongst the group – silence in the forest, ears searching for any sign of the enemy, and chatter allowed in the villages they pass. As they continue their journey, the villages become farther and farther between, silence becoming their most often companion.

The green of the forest brings a sense of comfort to Emma. They remind her of the color of her mother’s eyes and if she closes her own hard enough, she can imagine herself back at the castle, debating in the war room about next steps once Emma has news for her.

Her mother sends birds often. She realizes quickly that she must have her own system for ensuring one reaches her every few hours during the first two days. As much as this is her first big journey away from the castle, one her parents tried to talk her out of, this is also their first time being away from her. So she welcomes the birds and sends her own short messages back, confirming her safety and decreeing no news.

Longing burrows in her chest as by the third day, the birds only come twice. When the sun rises on the fourth, her mother’s accompanying note breaks the news she would only be able to send one bird a day.

Loneliness fights to take hold.

“There was once a family in Arendelle who had a tutor staying in their home,” Will starts as they near the outskirts of a village. Their travel companions groan and Emma bites back a smile. Propriety is hard to drop, even for this ragtag group, but Will sheds it fastest and most often. The earlier chastising from Robin fell on deaf ears as, to all of their mortification, Will told the dirtiest joke to ever grace Emma’s ears.

The snorting laugh he earned from his princess seemed to only spur the knight on further, as every village they arrived at brought forth another joke.

It eases her burdens, lessens the stress on her shoulders, and lets her forget the danger ahead, even if just for a moment.

“The tutor came so often that he felt himself at home and even had a turn with the housemaid, the nurse, and the mistress herself.” Emma’s gasp only brings a wolfish grin to Will’s face and she spots from the corner of her eye the death glare that Robin is sending his way. “When the master of the house discovered this, he summoned the young man to his private chamber and said, ‘I find it unmannerly of you, sir, that in taking your please of my entire household, you have made an exception of me.’”

Her roaring laugh echoes in the quiet village and she notices that even Lancelot, propriety in the flesh, cracks a grin.

“Where do you come up with this stuff?” she wonders.

“The gutter, undoubtedly,” Dorothy pipes up.

“I don’t visit you that often,” Will shoots back, his grin widening at the hard stare and white-knuckled grip of his comrade. “I learned meself such a grand knowledge like any growing lad did – eavesdropping at the tavern.”

Robin’s horse trots forward just slightly as the man leans over to catch a proper look at Will. “All of that eavesdropping and not a single manner picked up?”

“You give him too much credit!” Little John calls from the front.

“Oi! Just because I’m ordered not to kill you doesn’t mean I can’t.”

“Get a new line already, Scarlett!”

“Settle down, boys,” Dorothy says. “We’re getting close to the village center.”

Lancelot immediately adds, “Eyes out. Something’s not right.”

She registers the smell a few moments later and recoils in disgust.

Smoke. Wood. Flesh.

The distinct smell of burning flesh haunts her nightmares, lingers in the back of her throat as an aftertaste when her thoughts go astray. A quick succession of deep breaths keeps the urge to retch at bay. Still, she cannot will her horse to move.

“Princess Emma,” Robin calls softly, spotting and turning back to her. He lets the others go before them and she watches as they cover their noses and mouths with a cloth. It would be wise to do the same but her muscles won’t move. “Princess Emma,” Robin tries again. “Are you alright?”

“I – I’m fine,” she insists. He only nods and eyes her for a moment.

“Best cover up. You don’t want to be breathing in things like this.” He hands her a spare cloth and she ties it behind her head, mimicking Robin’s own movements. When she completes it, he gives her a nod and a smile, from what she can tell by his crinkling eyes. He gestures her forward but it takes a minute for her body to listen to her commands.

Their ride towards the nearby village settles a feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach. Images of Regina flash in her head no matter how hard she tries.

She spends the walk reliving Regina’s death. The way her skin melted under her gaze. The lack of guilt for what she’d done.

It terrifies her how clear everything still is for her.

Keeping her mind in the present is the hardest part so Emma tries to listen for any noises from around them.

The village is still a half hour away yet the entire forest is as if all signs of life have disappeared. No birds chirping – not even the ones that her mother has been sending after her to keep in touch. No crickets making music, no bees buzzing, not even the rustling of the tree branches.

Silence has never terrified her as much as this.

Ten minutes from the center of the village and they see another person for the first time. They struggle to walk and burns cover most of their body. Like in a trance, they ignore every offer of help coming from Emma and her companions. She moves to get off her horse when the person throws up, blood decorating the forest floor, before collapsing into the pool of their own fluids. The sight takes her breath away and she has to blink away the tears.

“Stay close,” Lancelot warns as they reach the settlement.

Stragglers stumble their way down the streets of the village. Their clothing disheveled and singed in spots, thatched roofs gone from most of the buildings and some still burn as they enter. It looks as if a storm of wind and fire rolled through and the village has yet to recover.

Something large sails overhead, a bird looking much different than she’d ever seen before. Its cawing sounds are unlike anything she’s heard before and it sends a chill down her spine. Four days on the road and an unsettling feeling returns to the center of her chest. She works hard to calm her panicking heart and instead places her trust in the guards around her.

“Let’s find a place to settle for the night,” Robin says, eyes darting to the sky.

They discuss quickly and quietly where the best place would be and settle on an abandoned stable nearby. A river runs behind it and even that doesn’t make a sound.

The stable doesn’t seem to have been damaged by storms like so many homes have been in the village, meaning something else drove the family away. Her only guess is the nearby enemy encampments, but this feels like something more.

Almost like there’s magic waiting for her across the river but what little there is in her can’t reach far enough to grab it and understand what is happening.

Instead, they pair up and ensure that everyone has someone looking out for them. Emma’s never felt so vulnerable until she had to empty her bladder as Dorothy remained vigilant on all that surrounds them. Someone could come up behind them at any moment and her sword was lying on the ground at her feet, swallowed by her riding trousers.

She quickly finds comfort in pulling her dagger from her boot and holding it in her hand as she goes.

Most of the villagers don’t even spare them a second glance as they move about. There’s a haunted look in their eyes that makes Emma roll her shoulders in an attempt to ease the brewing tension. Odd shapes keep flying between the treetops casting unfamiliar shadows on the ground. The animals never come close enough to identify but Emma still feels their eyes glaring into the back of her head.

The group finishes the necessary tasks quickly before retreating back to the stables come nightfall.

The horses stomp restlessly as they settle in during the late evening. The hair on the back of her neck stands up at their unease and the feeling spreads throughout their group. Wailing – the heart-wrenching, sore throat, dry heaving kind – echoes from different corners of the village and grief hangs heavy in the air.

“We won’t stay for more than a night,” Lancelot says. “One guard at all times. No one leaves this stable tonight. Is that understood?” A round of nods comes from the group and the knight assigns shifts.

“What about me?” Emma asks.

“With all due respect, Princess, I cannot afford to have you on guard. Rest. Your work is tomorrow.”

His decision is hard to swallow but Emma nods anyway. It wouldn’t do good to throw a tantrum among the people whose job is to protect her. She will let it slide for tonight, her stomach twisting in uncomfortably fast motions. But tomorrow she will take part.

It takes a great effort to not stomp and grumble on her way to her sleeping spot but apparently it still isn’t good enough as it gets a laugh from Robin. He lounges against one of the closed stable doors, a picture of ease with his legs stretched in front of him and his ankles crossed.

She halfheartedly glares at the man before she attempts to fluff the hay. It’s certainly a far cry from a palace pillow but it’ll have to do.

“Is everything alright, Princess Emma?” he asks. They are the only two at their end of the stables, the others working over a strategy near the entrance.

“I had hoped for better accommodations,” she answers after a moment, teasing smile on her lips. He grins quick even as her attention drifts to the huddle once again.

“Apologies, Your Highness. Next time we will find the stable with silk sheets and a feathered bed.”

Instead of continuing in a light banter, she keeps her focus on Lancelot. “You know I am capable with a sword,” she says, her tone questioning.

“Of course, Princess,” Robin answers. His lips quirk up as if entertained.

“Then I should be on watch as well. You all need as much rest as possible for us to continue our journey tomorrow.”

“While I have no doubts in your abilities, it is best for you to rest tonight.”

“I am not that tired.”

Almost immediately after the words leave her mouth, she fights back a yawn and fails. Robin grins at the attempt. He watches her for a moment before a somber expression graces his features. “You are not underestimated, please know that,” he starts. “But we have no clue what attacked the village. Your safety is our top priority and it will make all of our lives easier if you accept that as well.”

His words serve as a necessary reminder that everyone with her is risking their own lives for her mission. They are trailing the edges of enemy territory, an enemy that gets more terrifying the more they discover, and are hoping to sneak to the site for materials unnoticed. It’s a monumental task, one with no guarantee of return, and she bites hard on her tongue to repress the urge wanting to say she can do it on her own.

She’s felt like she’s been on her own for so long, trapped in her golden cage dressed as a palace. Forced to be her own friend and entertain herself, teach herself things her parents were too scared of, coping with her situation all alone.

She was on her own against Regina, her parents powerless to stop her. She was alone when she woke up in the infirmary months later and without an idea of what happened.

Always so alone, always so lonely.

Then Killian inserted himself into her life for one night and flipped everything on its head. Immediately they fell into the role of partners with a common task, working together silently, clicking right away. For the first time in her life, loneliness was not her only companion.

The time after he disappeared allowed that numbing loneliness to creep its way back into her life only to be banished once again at his return.

She loves her people and would do anything for them but in truth… He is who she is doing all of this for. He is who she will return home to.

Robin’s face holds a far-off look and Emma’s heart clenches at the familiarity of it.

“Do you have anyone you’d like to write a message to? I can have one of my mother’s birds deliver it…” she offers, hesitant and uncomfortable. As much as they have found a banter within the group over their days of travel, Emma still doesn’t know the knights guarding her on her mission. They are familiar faces, ones she’s seen throughout the palace over the years, but Killian is the natural extrovert, learning about everyone he meets. She barely remembers any of their last names but she’s sure he could recall every story they’ve ever told him.

He'd make a wonderful leader. His courage, strength, bravery, sense of justice… Killian is everything a people should hope their leader to be and yet he still deems himself unworthy for some reason. Despite that, they cannot deny themselves the connection that stretches between them. She closes her eyes and hears his voice in her ear about how they make quite the team. It becomes all she can focus on and she feels a warmth fill her body, the outside world sounding softer, more far away. The sensations stay with her when she opens her eyes again and even when she manages to let a yawn slip.

Robin has a soft look on his face as their eyes meet. “Thank you,” he says. “I’ll scribe something in the morning so you’ll have it ready.”

She nods her head and settles in, back against the bale of hay. The armor, a gift from Killian a few years ago, digs into her arms and waist. She shifts unable to find a comfortable lounging position and stifles another yawn to Robin’s amusement.

“What?” she huffs.

“Nothing, nothing…” he trails off with an amused smile. “You just remind me of my son. Roland.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, he’s also quite stubborn to sleep.” He pauses. “He’s five.”

A roll of her eyes earns another chuckle from his direction but Emma concedes and lays her head down.

Sleep finds her in a light sort of way, dangling on the edge of consciousness and never letting her slip deep enough to dream. It is the sleep of someone on alert.

The creaking of the stable door is quiet for the most part but the sound still dances in Emma’s ears. She awakens, eyes blinking slowly as she tries to adjust to the darkness of the stable. Little John’s tall figure fills the only light coming into the stables from the gap in the door and Emma barely realizes, based on the shift rotation, that it’s the middle of the night.

“Whatsthematter?” Her words slur together as sleep circles the borders of her consciousness. A soft rain patters against the wood roof and she can hear the soft stomps of footsteps in mud.

“Someone’s in trouble,” Little John says in a quiet urgence. He keeps turning his head to look out the door and Emma struggles to sit up with her armor on.

“I’ll help,” she manages to say but before she can get up, Little John is outside, the stable door slamming shut behind him. The sound reverberates around the enclosed structure, immediately waking the other knights. They rush to a standing position and bombard her with questions that she doesn’t have answers to. Her mind runs blank and she only relays the short sentences they exchanged.

Robin picks up his crossbow from beside his sleeping area and slings it over his shoulder.

“You are not going after him,” Lancelot says, stepping into Robin’s path.

“Little John is like a brother to me! I’m not leaving him alone out there!”

“And going out after him, in this weather and in a town as dangerous as this, will weaken all of us.” Lancelot breathes out heavily, glancing at the stoic expression on Dorothy’s face and the crestfallen look on Will’s. “We will search at dawn. We will be able to track his footprints in the mud then. For now, rest.”

Robin stands still in a stare-off with Lancelot. Though neither one moves, their eyes dart around, a silent conversation amongst comrades, until Robin steps back in defeat and practically throws his crossbow to the ground. Will moves forward in a quick motion and brings Robin to a far corner of the stables, whispering quiet reassurances to the older gentleman.

“We’re going to find him, alright?” Will says in a whisper that just barely makes Emma’s ear.

“Come on,” Dorothy says from her other side and Emma jumps. “Get back to sleep.”

“But –”

“No buts. Sleep is the best thing you can do right now. Got it?”

Emma nods, sighing heavily. Her eyes watch the different knights amongst her. The ability to read lips is not one that she possesses but she still tries, to no avail. Her questions go unanswered as they talk to each other and not her, and exhaustion tugs at the back of her mind again.

So she lays her head on a bale of hay and clutches her dagger under the folds of her riding outfit with one ear out for the slightest noise.

The next morning, the group sets out to look for Little John. A search that very quickly becomes useless. Little John’s tracks stop five feet from the stable with no indication of where else he could have gone.

Dorothy growls in frustration. “It doesn’t make any sense. There’s nowhere he could’ve gone. His tracks stop right here. Nothing more.”

Robin mumbles to himself while he alternates his glare between Lancelot and the ground. Emma’s heart feels for the Black knight. Leadership means making the tough decisions and she knows from the look of apprehension on his face that his next plan will not be a popular one.

Expectedly, there is a fight about pausing their search to continue forward with the mission. Lancelot stands his ground though and within a few hours, they’re back on their trek, horses trotting through the forest grounds. Everyone does double duty with their eyes scanning the ground for any clues of Little John’s whereabouts with no success.

Will slows his horse to come beside Emma by the late afternoon. “How are you holding up?” he asks.

Her mind has been elsewhere the entire ride. Killian occupies most of her thoughts, a centering focus that keeps her from losing herself in despair. The way he raises a single eyebrow at her to tease, taunt, and flirt. The feeling of his arms around her waist. How he loves to use the rough skin of his stump to tickle her side. His eyes, bluer than any ocean she’d seen with depths of untold stories he’s yet to share with her.

She focuses on what will happen when she gets home. He’ll no doubt want to reprimand her for kissing a commoner in front of the guards, regardless of the fact the commoner was him, and she’ll try to ignore his pushes to talk.

But then Emma remembers how one of those guards is now missing and her “when she gets home” turns into an “if she gets home”.

If she still had her magic, she could’ve found Little John by now. She could have magicked herself to the cliffs of Segovia and home within a day. No one would have disappeared. Her kingdom wouldn’t be closing in on a nearly six-decade war with more losses than stars in the sky and already stretched incredibly thin. Killian wouldn’t have been inspired to sign up and he’d still have his hand.

Anger races through her blood and she feels her body grow warm, cheeks get hot under her fury. It all leads back to Regina. Living off of revenge against a child who was manipulated when she thought she was helping… the pain of her refusal to see the truth – see that Regina’s mother was to blame and not young Snow – led to more death and destruction than any of them thought possible. The Ogre Wars hadn’t harmed them this deeply. It’s all Regina’s fault.

Her thoughts stop in a sudden beat as Emma gasps, dropping the reins of her horse. Her hands feel hot to the touch, almost like they’re burned. Flexing her fingers does little to ease the pain and she ignores the way her hands start to shake.

She must have been subconsciously wringing the reins too hard to cause such a sensation.

Will rushes to grab the fallen reins. “Princess?” he pushes. “Are you okay?”

She clears her throat and clenches one hand in a fist while the other takes back the leather straps.

Is she okay? Absolutely not. The weight of her mission is starting to bear down on her shoulders. Little John’s disappearance has thrown her off and she already feels herself slipping away from reality. But she won’t tell Will that. Instead, she pivots the conversation and meets his eyes in a firm stare.

“I promise that I will get you all home safe. Got it?”

He hisses in disappointment. “That’s not an answer to my question.”

Emma huffs. “How are you doing?”

“I asked you first.”

“You’re not serious…”

“Deadly,” he deadpans only to wince and Emma’s sure his mind has gone to the same place as hers – Little John.

So she whispers, fiercely and filled with determination, “I promise.”

*

They stop in the middle of the forest in the late afternoon. Tension fills the air with every moment of silence until it becomes suffocating but no one does anything to break it for a long time. Little John’s disappearance weighs heavily on them all but their mission is, as much as Emma hates to say it, more important. If Killian is right and the minerals have been replenished since its last harvest a few hundred years ago, it could save hundreds if not thousands of their people. It could put this senseless war to an end once and for all.

They just needed to survive until then.

Lancelot sets his orders that this will be their camp for the night with two guards on the lookout at all times. The risk of riding in the dark after what happened to Little John has them on edge. They wanted to look their enemy in the eyes as they extinguished the life behind it.

Everyone in their group has killed before. It was a cruel casualty of war. But Emma could never relish in the suffering to come from such a death. Regina’s last minutes play on a constant repeat behind her eyelids and she cannot imagine adding anyone else to that scene.

Hunting occupies half of the group’s late afternoon hours while the other half sets up their tents. It is a tricky endeavor, as Lancelot’s orders are to establish one large makeshift tent for everyone. Safety, he had reassured her earlier.

By the time Will and Dorothy return with a number of small game hanging between each of them, a fire is being stoked in the middle of the tent and sleep schedules have been arranged. Dinner is a quiet affair with a heavy tension hanging over their heads like a storm cloud. An empty space sits between Robin and Will where Little John would have sat.

Their silent meal is broken when Robin clears his throat.

“I would like to still scribe that letter, if it’s alright,” he directs to Emma, his gaze leaving the burning fire only after he has finished speaking.

“Of course,” she answers softly. Swallowing, she looks around the group. “Does anyone else have anything they’d like to write home?” For a moment, she feels as if she’s requesting their departing words to be left for family. For what other reason would they need to write home only days after leaving?

“I reckon I have a few things I need to receive an update on,” Will says. He leans forward on the log beside her and spreads his legs apart so his knee can nudge hers in a gentle show of support. “I have a few bets I need to collect on.”

Dorothy rises to the bait even if her words sound the slightest forced. “I think you mean debts to pay.”

“I beg your pardon,” he huffs. “I am an excellent gambler.”

“Is that why your bets have paid for Ruby’s new wardrobe?” Dorothy smirks and continues, raising her sword in front of her as she examines it in the firelight. “I believe this came from a wager settled last month.”

“Oi! Ruby is a cheat and you know it!”

“I’ll be sure to mention that in my letter to her.”

The group gains volume as their teasing returns slowly. Emma’s eyes dart across the bonfire to Robin and she sends a nod of thanks. Little John’s fate still hangs heavy in the air but for a moment, they have a reprieve.

Before the fire dies down, the group settles near to write their letters.

“Who will you be writing to?” Dorothy asks Emma as she grabs her own parchment.

Lancelot grins and looks up for a moment. “Killian, of course.” Her mouth drops open in surprise at the normally quiet leader speaking up with such a taunting line. Mind focused on her own words, she half listens as Dorothy details what she plans to say to Ruby and how Lancelot is best dictating his letter to Guinevere.

Will smirks as he looks to Emma from the corner of his eye. “I’m writing to my Anastasia,” he says proudly, though his voice is low. Dorothy and Lancelot handed her their letters before taking the first watch and Will doesn’t want to disturb Robin’s heavy concentration. “I’m going to marry her when I get back.”

“You’re engaged?!”

“Oi! Don’t sound so surprised! I’m quite the catch, ya know.” Will’s grin only widens.

“Not surprised, just offended I was not invited to the wedding.”

“Well,” her companion drags out. He scratches behind his ear in a nervous tick, a movement that has her heart yearning for Killian. “We’re not engaged yet. I still have to ask her.” He clears his throat and straightens his back. “But I will, the moment we return. Well, after I ask her father.”

Emma smiles softly as she watches Will’s lovesick expression. “You truly love her,” she says, more to herself than to him. Still, Will gives her a small smile and a nod.

She feels a rush of warmth in her stomach as she listens to Will’s words of love for Anastasia, her mind wandering to Killian once again. She misses him terribly and wishes he could be beside her but she knows the best place for him is back home, preparing for their return.

Well, some of their returns.

When the scratch of Will’s quill comes to an end, Emma chances a glance at Robin before asking quietly. “Little John… did he have anyone back home?”

A sharp inhale. “Little John kept personal things to himself, mostly,” Will says regretfully. His gaze casts a burden across the fire. “I’m not the best person to ask.”

Robin keeps to himself as he starts, scratches out, and then restarts his letter to Roland. Emma wonders how close they were to the missing knight. Did they grow up together? Are their families close? Emma bids goodnight to Will before she stands from her log and walks around the fire to Robin.

“Are you telling him to be asleep by sunset?” she asks with a small lift of her lips.

Robin huffs, glancing up briefly. “If only that were enough to get him to bed on time.”

“You should tell him it is by orders of the princess.” The grin their share is fleeting but it offers a momentary reprieve from the day’s events.

“You may sit if you’d like, Princess Emma.”

Sitting presents a challenge each time she attempts it due to the soreness of her muscles. Horse riding and trekking like they have been is far from her usual activities. She leans awkwardly to the side before nearly tipping over completely as her bottom situates itself on the log. Her eyes gaze into the dwindling flames before her while Robin scrawls his name and folds the letter.

He holds the parchment out to her with a sad smile. “Little John was married once,” he says. Her fingers gingerly take the letter from his and she feels the weight of his words, her shoulders dropping beneath it. “She was a beautiful woman. Long dark hair and a smile that spelled trouble. She bewitched him from the first moment.” Robin laughs. “They had a son as well.”

Her companion’s smile drops and at that, so does Emma’s stomach. For she sees the turn of events before her eyes in the pause Robin takes. She sees the grief coloring his face and the regret that fills his eyes.

“Little John was helping me save my wife Marian when his village was attacked. He returned to an empty home.” Robin turns his gaze towards the fire and she witnesses the way his frame shrinks in on itself. “He lost his family while helping me save mine. Never once did he blame me. By all accounts, he should have. Instead, he stayed at my side and helped me raise Roland after I lost Marian.”

His breath shudders as he shakes his shoulders, a quiet sniffle as tears become harder to keep at bay. “We are the only family he has left, Princess Emma. And I will find him.”

His eyes meet hers in steely determination and Emma nearly promises him the same as she did Will. But the darkness of the night is creeping in on her fear and she worries this will be a promise she cannot keep. So she nods and sits and thinks. For the first time in a long time, she prays to any gods that are listening, to the same gods that saved Killian and brought him to her life.

*

“Three and twenty and not a suitor to show for it,” Emma mimics in a low-pitched voice. She crawls across the bed wearing only Killian’s discarded shirt and plops to a sit beside him.

Killian barely looks up from where he scribbles in his notebook, his back against the headboard and his head tilted low. “Who had said this again?”

“Grumpy.”

She crosses her arms in a huff as Killian doesn’t even attempt to hide his amusement. “Perhaps you do not have any suitors because they do not wish to sit through your terrible impersonations.”

Her next attempt at his own accent makes her tongue feel too big for her mouth and her words to be more garbled than coherent. His laughter has her fighting a smile and she only contains so much self-restraint so instead she leans over and hides her smile with his mouth.

Their lips barely separate when she whispers conspiratorially, “Or perhaps they found out the princess has been kidnapped by a pirate captain who spends his free time ravishing her in his cabin.”

“Arggg,” Killian attempts with a curled lip and narrowed eyes. He lifts his left hand and crooks his finger to look like a hook and Emma giggles wildly.

Being with him makes her feel lighter. He makes her happy.

Emma watches the port every day now that the Jewel and her captain have found a home at these docks. She attends the meetings he has with her parents to give updates on the sea front and they exchange nods as their departing promises. A sturdy rope ladder, a commission by Killian from another port, is frequently pulled from beneath her bed and draped outside her window. Apparently her string of sheets caused him too much worry. She merely rolled her eyes at the admission.

His cabin is warm and welcoming. Blankets litter not only his bed but also the window seat on the back wall facing the ocean. Pillows from their land and far away shores pile on every surface. Some map or another is typically spread across his table while the books on any available flat surface change every few weeks.

The sun streams in as a comforting orange glow each evening and wakes her with the palest yellow light in the early morns. The weight of his arm over her stomach acts as a comforting shield from her fears, both past and present.

White wooden walls of cabin feel more like home than the gray stone of the castle.

Or perhaps it is just simply him.

The reminders of his presence are spread throughout his cabin where they are absent in her lonely bed in the tower. His smell lingers on his pillows and clothes while her room suffocates her in gifted perfumes. The small, lumpy captain’s bed adheres to the curves of her body when she drowns in her large, feathered mattress.

Stresses of their ongoing war melt away when she hides under his bedcovers and has his grin to marvel at. There’s warmth in her chest and a spark at her fingertips when they’re together and she swears sometimes that being with him, loving him, is magic.

They share another kiss, brief but soft and all-consuming, before Killian sighs.

“You’re set to meet with your father at half past,” he says regretfully.

She rolls her eyes with a groan and slides off the bed. “Perhaps I do not actually have to go.”

“Perhaps you should like my head on a stake then?”

The urge to roll her eyes again at his dramatics is strong but she refrains. “My father has no interest in executing his right-hand man.”

“That’s simply because he does not know,” Killian starts. He rises to his knees and inches closer to the side of the bed where she stands. Her shirt half unbuttoned, his fingers finish the job as he presses light kisses trailing from her chest to her stomach. “That my meetings with the princess are of a more personal matter.”

The scruff of his facial hair slides against a particularly ticklish spot on her ribs and she squirms away with a giggle, nearly tripping over her sword and dagger as they clang together in a soft sound.

“I do enjoy these meetings,” she grins wickedly. “I learn so much.”

A shriek leaves her throat as Killian clambers out of bed to grab her but Emma evades his pursuit. She quickly gathers her pile of clothes and weaponry. Another soft ding fills the room.

Laughing, she says, “I really must go.” Sorting her clothes is easy enough, even with the soft dings coming from the pile. She quickly dresses. Hands cover her own as she attaches her sword to her belt, her brow furrowing as sounds continue to emanate from where it’s sheathed.

That’s never happened before.

Lips press against her neck and Emma leans back against Killian, closing her eyes briefly before another sound of metal on metal disrupts the peace of the cabin. Her eyes fly open.

*

Emma awakes with a gasp in the middle of the night as a swordfight takes place around her.

Fire long gone, the moon serves as the only lighting in the clearing. The metal of her knights’ swords glitter dangerously under the stars and Emma only barely catches glimpses of what they are fighting.

Simians, it seems. Simians that can jump and… hover overhead and away from swipes of a sword.

Flying simians.

She scrambles from her place of rest against a log and reaches for the sword at her side. At full height, she holds her weapon in front of her and examines the scene.

The simians are large beasts. Ugly and with teeth sharp enough to kill, their wings flap overhead, dragging dirt and ash from their resting site into their faces. Their claws swish through the air in severe strikes, attempting to harm or disarm, she cannot tell. She assumes both. For the moment, their group seems to be holding their own.

A screech comes from behind her and Emma ducks just in time for a simian to fly towards her head. She pops up in a flash and her sword strikes true at her attacker, a wing sliced clean off. The simian cries in anger as it tries to control its flight before falling to the ground. From there, it makes its way towards her on its paws and bares its teeth threateningly. Her sword arches through the air only for another simian to come from above and reach for her sword with its claws.

“Get out of the way!” Dorothy yells and blocks the flying simian from Emma’s side. The grounded simian sees the moment of opportunity, hunches back on its legs, and pounces right at Emma.

Instinct takes over and before Emma even realizes it, her sword is in front of her and the simian impales itself.

Her eyes widen in horror. Regina’s skin melting off her face haunted Emma’s dream. The way her dark eyes turned completely black as life left them. The gurgling as blood overflowed her insides and leaked from the corners of her lips.

Emma feels like she is back in the tower as the simian garbles over blood, its wailing fading moment by moment. Red stains its teeth and its wing flaps haphazardly behind it before it stills. She stares for a moment at unseeing eyes before the simian’s head drops forward and its wing slackens.

Nausea threatens to take over her senses and guilt churns low in her gut but a humanly grunt from behind her snaps her back into action. She quickly but gently lowers her sword and shakes the simian off of the blade. She doesn’t even wait for the thump of its body hitting the ground before Emma turns to help.

The world stops momentarily as she realizes she may be too late.

The simian Dorothy directed away from her now easily evades the knight’s strong sword strokes, flying above her before making quick strikes at her head and back. Dorothy yells, one hand reaching for her head as a simian darts back with a wad of her hair in its mouth, skin from her scalp hanging from one end. She isn’t fast enough to defend herself as the simian barely takes a moment before darting back down again, claws poised and sinking quickly into her back, knocking her forward in the same breath its mouth comes down on her neck.

Lancelot struggles against two simians, his armor dented and breaking off of his body with each attack. His sword makes a wide arch in the air, too wide to correct before the simians come down on him, biting each of his arms as their claws dig into his thighs. He throws his head back as he yells, knees buckling under the pain.

Robin clutches his side, blood seeping into his shirt as he swings his sword with his non-dominant hand. It’s awkward and lacking strength and the simian he’s been fighting takes the chance to strike again.

She sees it the moment before she can move and her stomach turns when she realizes she’s not fast enough. Her throat catches in her throat as the simian’s jaw bears down on his shoulder and Robin cries out in agony.

“Get her out of here!” Lancelot manages through gritted teeth.

The world moves in slow motion as her head turns towards him before she feels her arm jerked in a different direction. A loud rush pulses through her ears and black dots her vision. She immediately resists the force on her body and pulls her arm back towards her.

“Move, damn it!” It takes a moment but the pained voice yelling at her voice belongs to Will. She stares at the blood dripping down his temple as he pulls her shocked body away from the scene as quickly and discretely as possible.

A single simian attempts to follow but is thwarted by Will’s swordsmanship. He moves like around the woods like he walks on air, the ease in which he maneuvers reminds of her Killian’s lithe form. The simian dodges strikes and Emma watches helplessly, her sword barely held by her fingertips as she presses her back against a nearby tree. She wishes the simian would be like the one she defeated at camp. She wishes that it would become too confident and turn into a target easy to disarm. If Killian were here, he wouldn’t need her wishing.

Will’s feet dance across the leaves of the forest floor as he eyes the simian. One moment, two moments, then he makes a decisive slice. Will makes quick work of one of its wings before impaling it, exactly as she’d done at camp.

He stares at the simian for a brief moment, eyebrows furrowed in thought, before he turns towards Emma and grabs her bicep to pull her along. “Let’s go.”

“But,” she starts, head turning back towards camp where more simians fly under the moonlight. It’s hard to see anything else in the darkness. “But what about them? We can’t just leave them.”

“You are the priority, Princess,” Will says, high on alert. “You were their priority. Getting you away, safely, will mean they’ve done their job well.”

“I won’t let them die for me,” she protests even as her feet follow his.

Will jerks them to a stop, his eyes red and narrowed in anger. “And what good would their death do if you get yourself killed as well?”

“They might not be dead.”

“We all will be if you return.” Grief blankets her body in a cold embrace and her mouth drops open though no words come out. Will sighs, eyes looking around for danger, before stepping closer. “Don’t let them die in vain. Let’s go.”

Emma follows at his side numbly and, she realizes with a shiver, death follows her.

[theycallmeratt]

WIP Wednesday

I was tagged by @graysparrowao3 ! No pressure, no expectation, but if @fistfuloftarenths @dustdeepsea @lolliputian and @commander-krios would like to join in, have at it.

This WIP is from a continuation of my Rugan/Bandit Queen Tav fic. The fic itself is NSFW; this part has nothing explicit, though.

Rugan was on his fifth pint of swill—not impressive, considering how much water was in it—when a captivating woman strutted into the bustling tavern.

Captivating, because she'd robbed him. Twice, technically, but he got back the shipment that mattered. He'd had to do some explaining when it arrived dented, though, and the Zhents had put out a bounty. They'd even drawn a half decent portrait. Zarys knew his type. Any other night the bandit would've been fine, but tonight three Zhent caravanners were rooming here.

One of which owed a lot of money to the wrong people.

Luckily, Sal wasn't downstairs. Rugan drained his glass and dashed after her, dodging a server and a few handsy couples. The tavern was attached to an inn, and he had to jump over a pile of luggage and around a stable hand flirting with a courier, nearly catching up with her right as she disappeared into the baths. An ogre at the dressing room door held out a hand, clearly asking for a bathing chit.

Washing off the road dust during the journey was unlucky, unless it was your cock. Didn't want road rot, or worse: a reputation with the local services that you had a dusty dick. Still, he'd loved those tits, enough to risk the baths. He couldn't allow the world to lose them over student loans. Especially not when a few more thefts would easily triple her bounty, and then he could collect it.

[rose-and-thorn-fanfics]

The Blood Is Love: A Dio Brando x Fem! OC Fanfic (Chapter 1) "A Daunting Invitation."

Fiona Madyson lived a life that was far from simple. By day she was London England's stylist and seamstress of the rich aristocrats, but by night... well, things got complicated. The only person who knew of her nighttime occupation was her sister, Aoife. Fiona sat in the back room of her shop, using a deadly dagger to sharpen a stake of wood that she had carved a holy cross into.

Aoife watched her sister intensely, arms crossed. "You're really going out there? Everyone knows Ogre Street has an evil and terrifying reputation. That's where countless men and women went missing. Besides, what makes you so sure you're even dealing with a vampiric serial killer?" Aoife huffed.

"You just said it yourself, did you not? And those people who went missing were found in the river completely drained of blood. What kind of normal killer does that?"

"HMmmmmm. Maybe there AREN'T normal killers. I mean, FIONA DO YOU HEAR YOURSELF???." Aoife retorted.

Fiona set aside the stakes in a heavy trunk where she had other weapons and odd devices she had crafted. "Very funny, but you know what I mean. And I thought you were swearing you were supportive of my vampire hunting last week?" She smirked.

Aoife opened her mouth and then closed it. Much to her frustration, could think of nothing clever or relevant to say. Then, the bell to the front of the shop's door jingled faintly from the main room.

"Customer?" Fiona mouthed, kicking the box of weapons closed sith her boot and quickly snapping the lock on it into place.

"Go attend to him--I mean... Whoever. See if I care." Aoife whispered teasingly.

"Brat." Fiona hissed. She knew exactly what Aoife meant. The wealthy Joestar family had been frequenting their shop as of late. Which wouldn't mean much to Fiona if it was JUST Jonathan Joestar. But it was more than him. Dio Brando (Jonathan's adopted brother) was the most repetitive in his visits to the shop. Always a new shirt needing to be tailored, embroidered, and new pants to be custom made. And Dio was.... well, Fiona hated to think this about any man but 'GOD DAMN IT THAT MAN WAS GORGEOUS,' Fiona blushed, straightening her pink and burgundy velvet dress in the mirror, pulling it down a bit so her breasts looked bigger. Not that she needed any help in that area.

Then, she exited the back room with her head held high. Rich men and powerful clients didn't scare her, but Dio had a different kind of power. His very presence made her flustered and shy. Which was very unlike Fiona Madyson. Or any of the Madyson family.

Fiona saw Dio Brando standing with his back turned. She tried to count to three and not look too long at his backside before piping up. 'No wonder Aoife knew I was into Dio. I can't stop grinning like a silly schoolgirl.' Fiona thought, before approaching her tall blond customer.

She cleared her throat, and Dio turned around, looking Fiona directly in the eyes with his molten amber-gold irises. She would've melted if he hadn't spoken to interrupt her yearning. "You look tired." He commented, the cocky yet smooth timbre of his voice made her heart race. He was examining her, not so subtly either.

Fiona frowned. "No hello?" She asked, perplexed. 'Do I really look tired? Is tired bad? Silly stupid girl. Tired can't be good. I must look dreadful.' Fiona thought, head spinning.

Dio circled her, clutching his chin with debatably faux concern. "You should really get some rest." He said, towering over her and leaning in a bit. Fiona closed her eyes trying to focus. "I appreciate your advice, Dio. Now, what will it be this time? A shirt? A coat with a feathered lapel? And why in god's name are you up this late at night?"

"Your sign says always open. I figured you wouldn't engrave it on a sign if you didn't mean it, my little rose."

Fiona crossed her arms and paced a little too quickly to the other side of the room. This wasn't the first time Dio had used a sweet nickname with her. She still wasn't sure if it was sarcasm or not. She wished on the moon and every star that shone that night that he would just ask her out and free her from this game of cat and mouse. "The sign says always open, as in... every day. Not at midnight." Fiona muttered.

Dio spun her around and planted a luscious kiss on her lips. Fiona's knees went weak. 'Thank you moon and stars...' She thought in a smitten daze. Then there was tongue. Oh god. The audacity of this man. Fiona sighed, leaning in and waiting for his warmth to overtake her body. But her mostly exposed bosom remained cold. Cold as ice, despite being pressed against his chest.

Dio released her from the embrace. "Make an exception for me. Your hours are whenever I need them to be." He commanded.

Fiona (still blushing the shade of the the bright roses that grew outside her shop) nodded dreamily. Of course, anything for Dio. "Oh lord, yes." She whimpered. Fiona Madyson knew she was probably looking desperate but Dio was just so... beautiful and charismatic. And she was a virgin. 'Its terribly hard to keep my wits about me around this man.' She thought, unrolling a bit of fabric onto the table in an attempt to look productive. 'He's five years my senior and definitely trouble. But that crippling need for him to--'

"Good girl. I knew you'd cooperate. I'd like two cloaks, one dark blue with purple embroidery. The other in any color you think would suit me during the coming season of autumn." Dio broke the silence. "Use a durable fabric but nothing cheap." He put down an insane amount of money on the table by Fiona.

"That's much too much for two cloaks..." Fiona stuttered in awe.

Dio smiled deviously with a hint of pity in his eyes as he took in her shocked expression. "I'm not done yet. I want you to make a dress in... oh, wine red, low cut, black lace embellishments, and in your measurements. I think that will suit you nicely when I accompany you to East London for the Ambassador Hinderly's ball in two weeks. Don't worry about the location. I'll be taking you there as my guest."

Fiona stared blankly at Dio Brando. "Are you sure... that its fine for me to go? I'm not really from High Society."

Dio made his way to the door. "I'll find you in this shop at eight o'clock two weeks from now." He said ignoring her comment. And with a swoosh of his cape, he exited Fiona's shop.

For the next thirty minutes or so, Fiona danced around the shop holding different red fabrics up against herself and admiring her form in the mirror. She was giddy.

"You really think he's being serious?" Aoife said from the doorway skeptically.

"Well, yes!" Fiona said, whirling around in surprise. But the shadowed expression on her older sister's face made her stop in her tracks. Her sister looked worried-- no. More than worried. Petrified.

Something wasn't adding up. And then it occurred to Miss Fiona Madyson. She had dressed practically every ambassador in london. Every socialite. Every rich ass british person. Not one Ambassador was named Hinderly. And not one other socialite that would be invited to an event like that had come to her shop in search of a custom outfit or tailor services for their Ballroom attire. A chill ran down Fiona's spine as she considered what this might mean. At best, she was being toyed with. For a good deal of money, but still. At worst... 'Cold. His body felt like ice against mine. His eyes... his demeanor.' Fiona thought. then covered her mouth to stifle a gasp of realization. She couldn't believe she hadn't noticed it until he had left. Dio had looked distinctly different. And he had smelled faintly like burning brick and mortar.

"Aoife! Fetch me the gazette from yesterday." Fiona said frantically. How could she have forgotten. The Joestar mansion had burned down the very night before. She flipped through the pages of the newspaper her sister handed her. "Joestar Mansion Goes Up In Flames In Freak Accident. The inferno takes the life of many of the inhabitants including the esteemed lord of the mansion and the staff. The heirs of the mansion Jonathan Joestar and Dio Brando still missing." Fiona whispered. She cursed. Cursed. And cursed again.

The pieces of the puzzle were looking too suspicious. Maybe her night escapade to Ogre Street would reveal the truth. She got changed into a poorer outfit and hid a few weapons in the folds of her petticoats. 'Damn the stars. Damn you moon. I may have just kissed the very devil I've been hunting.' Fiona breathed.

"Be careful,'' Aoife said, a few tears welling up in her eyes.

"I will. If anything goes wrong please don't try and follow me, ok?" Fiona warned.

"I know," Aoife said, starting to sob.