Dragon Ball: After the End

PoptartProdigy · Aug 19, 2019

[X][VISIT] An official delegation. You will rule, some day, and having contacted the namekians, you find yourself disinclined to snub them. You will inform Guru to prepare to receive a diplomatic mission from you, to take residence on New Namek in secret and help you in maintaining relations.
[X][PSI] All in on internal mental techniques.

Still Getting Stronger

Dazarel nods. 'Very well. Internal gifts it is. We have a lot of work to do.' He rises to his feet, shaking out his wings. 'Give me time, Princess, and you will be the sole Mistress of your own mind. Nothing will ever touch you again, without your consent. When you return to Garenhuld, Dandeer's efforts will be like cobwebs trying to hold back a wave.'

You smile slightly. "Good," you say. "As long as you remember which side you'd better be on, next time."

He bares his teeth. 'Your deity grandfather has already issued his threats, girl. Yours add little of substance.' He turns away and starts walking. 'Your first task is to follow me, and think of nothing but prime number sequences.'

You blink. "What? I thought psychic abilities were just about thinking really hard!"

'Willing really hard, which is a distinction we will have to cover later, and yes, at their most basic, they are. And if you wish to remain at your most basic, I can restrict your lessons to that. Or, you can listen to me, shut up, and think of only prime number sequences.'

Scowling, you start trudging off after him. Two, three, five, seven...

Training commences, in intense form, at that. Details and voting options at the bottom.

* * *

And, in and between everything else, you train.

The vast majority of every day, you spend in human masque, attempting to gradually improve your affinity for the form. However...there, you have a problem. Namely, that it doesn't seem to help. Like, at all. It frustrates you to no end, and for a while, you're stumped as to why.

It is only after an off-handed comment from Perika that you realize the reason: every second that you spend instantiated, you've been spending with her, training to fight. The one place you had resolved not to use human form. The one place where using human form would be actively detrimental to your efforts, striving as you are to form bonds with a pure-blooded saiyan!

The one place where you can actually, physically take human form and accustom yourself to the changes, as opposed to simply reshaping the projection of your spirit.

You get to test out some new curse words when you realize that.

A good idea, as ever, but in this case wholly wasted. Damn.

* * *

Happily, your insubstantial state is no longer a bar on your multiform tests, and there you continue your work.

The goal is to replicate your ki reserves, accepting the cost of doing so as opposed to the ongoing cost of forcing your energies higher. If you wanted to multiform and use the kaio-ken, you could just do that.

But no; you want Perfect Multiform. And you've already succeeded, to be fair; it just comes uncomfortably close to burning out your ki. What you need to work on is efficiency. Time after time, you initiate the split, feeling your ki crashing to nothing as you manage to divide the pools. Time after time, you pick apart the pieces of what you're doing and try to feel out the moving parts.

It occurs to you, more than once, that this would be far harder, were you less skilled in the art of controlling your own ki. This is hellishly demanding work, demanding nothing less than your best.

Than perfection.

Even then, it's achingly slow going. You try to simply do the same with less; the usual first step. Doesn't fire. You try to figure out where the energy is all going, and surprise surprise, it's going to energy duplication.

It's the whole month spent picking that apart before you figure out some of the moving parts. The operative one, for the moment, is that you're dividing physical forms and ki pools separately, in different processes.

You don't make any headway on that -- not this month -- but you now actually have some ideas to go for. And if nothing else, long practice has made you a little more efficient with the splitting process. It's slow, but honestly, you expected little different. Cell's development process obviously isn't typical of anything in particular. For you, this will be harder.

And now, you have a path.

Minor gains in endurance from practice, but honestly, the big win this time was figuring out a path forward. You have a concrete and promising way towards better efficiency. Progress made.

* * *

Okay, so bad news: the namekians can't help you with ki stealth. That dome is a magic thing pretty exclusively, and in ways that don't cross-apply to you.

Good news: because they're outright creating it with magic, and it's katchin.

Katchin, the strongest metal in the universe. Katchin, the metal that the Supreme Kai used as an ultimate test for a sword's cutting power. Katchin, the metal which nobody has ever seen destroyed. The thing that can, it turns out, block any ki signature, that can contain any battle, that they can scale up as much as they want if they get enough mages in one space. Katchin.

Katchin, which they can create only temporarily, with it dissipating moments after they stop actively maintaining it.

You are feeling such a contradictory mess of emotions right now. On the one hand, whoa. On the other...it's completely useless to you! Outside of granting essentially the ultimate battle arena for as long as you're going to need it...

Grr. Why can't anything good come without a drawback?

According to the mages, this is the result of them expanding their command over creation magics throughout the years, eventually broadening into general matter creation. From there, it was only a matter of time before somebody tried out katchin. And an ultra-dense, ki-blocking, nearly-indestructible material was always going to capture attention.

You're honestly thrilled for them, even as annoyed as you are about the fact that you won't be able to trade them for a supply, once you get back to Garenhuld and take the reigns from your father.

That said, the upshot of this for your original intentions is that they truly have nothing for you regarding ki stealth. Bassoon's advice is to get good at suppressing and powering up quickly, which is...not very helpful to you.

More and more, you are coming to the conclusion that you may have already seen the best possible forms of ki stealth elsewhere -- and they're nothing like what you were thinking. Techniques that let you express one power level, while hitting like another? Well. When you think about it that way...

...Jaffur's trick, and Tabe's.

Over a month of hypothesizing and research later, Kakara earnestly believes that the only realistic means of ki stealth she has at this time are external solutions such as a private magic ward or created katchin, technological ones like the scout's suits, or exotic ki techniques like Tabe and Jaffur's. All of these techniques work to varying extents in different situations, and all have drawbacks. Benefits, mind -- being able to control one's terms of engagement via even partial stealth is a heady advantage all on its own -- but drawback preventing complete functionality without detection. Barring a sea change in her understanding of ki, Kakara does not at this time believe that there is a method of simply not having a ki signature.

* * *

In and around all of this, you and Bassoon find the time to sit in on the Guru's defense plans for the invasion.

Generally, the plan is to rely on the adventurers out in the galaxy to serve as a scouting arm, providing advance warning of the incoming invasion fleet. These adventurers will also be responsible for the opening stages of the battle, trying to cut down the incoming fleet's numbers.

You're glad that you're in Bassoon's head, when they say that. It means they don't see your reaction to the thought of that much death.

For these opening stages of the plan, there's not much that you can offer. You are riding in Bassoon's head, and he's going to be involved in the scouting work. You don't really have any leverage on that, if you cared to get any.

What gets interesting is the plan for once things get to the ground.

"Ultimately, our plans all hinge on who is leading this invasion," says Guru, looking around the table at the various Elders. "Rumors claim that a member of the imperial family will be leading this assault; if it is anybody but Haila, then we are doomed. We will need to evacuate before they arrive, as soon as we learn. And even Haila I am only confident of because of our new visitor." He nods at Bassoon, and you.

You clear your throat and project your words to those present. "Who is Haila? And why can't we be sure of anybody else?"

Bassoon lifts his chin at that, and the Elders nod to him, one after another. Then he speaks. "There are seven members of the imperial family," he says. "Seven arcosian warlords, calling each other brothers, and of varying strengths. Frigid, the strongest and the Emperor, and down through Berger, Glacios, Peraforst, Frozen, Zeeros, and Haila. All of them old and canny monsters; all of them young enough to keep their vitality and strength. They say that they're claiming Freeza's legacy, although it's anybody's guess whether or not they're his descendants. Records are confused on whether he ever had children." He shrugs. "Regardless, they're here and they're powerful. Even more powerful than Freeza ever was, before he met Goku. That said, they're not all as powerful as one another. The more powerful brothers are beyond any of us, including you, but Haila was, at last reports, a little less powerful than you are. Without you, we might have been able to pull off something very clever and deal with Haila-"

"At great loss of life," interjects Guru.

Bassoon grimaces and nods. "Yeah. We might have been able to beat him, and we'd pay for it. Even if we won, we'd have to leave. The other brothers wouldn't be able to let that go. We'd be running after losing a lot of our own people, and they'd never stop chasing us. They'd be able to run us down with ease. With you? And Perika, if she can get strong enough fast enough? He's beatable. We might be able to hold without losing too many people. Flee on our own terms. It opens up options." He frowns in thought. "I don't think they'll chase us if we can find a way to leave Haila alive, although I don't know if we can afford to if our plan revolves around him seeing you. Figures that we wouldn't have the luxury of nonlethal methods if we had to fight him ourselves. And they might still chase us, even then. They don't jump for us as hard as they do for reports of saiyans, not remotely, but they do jump at least a little. Maybe taking the planet will be enough. Goodness knows they'll have a lot to chew on after that, anyway."

You wince at the mention of killing, but nod. "So you want me to fight him."

"We need you to," says Guru, folding his arms. "If you don't, people die."

You bristle at his tone. "I understand that," you reply in a silky soft voice. "I've already agreed to help in this fight."

Guru closes his eyes. "I apologize. But yes. We need you to fight him."

You fold your arms. "And what is our plan for how I can do that without being witnessed by thousands of soldiers who broadcast what they see to the galaxy?"

"Katchin," says one of the Elders, leaning forward. "We draw Haila forward and away from his soldiers, and then we raise a sphere of katchin to contain you and him for the battle."

Guru nods. "As Elder Rooma said. Katchin is our great asset here; it lets us contain him, and lets you act freely to deal with him. It's not a long-term solution, since it doesn't last, but it will give you the time you need." He leans forward. "What we need to know is how you believe that we can best prepare this surprise. Do you have any insights?"

In addition to a primer on the Arcosian Royal Family, you have been included in the defense planning, and Guru is seeking your insights on how to isolate Haila -- presuming that it is Haila, since with any other member of the family, you'll be running -- from his troops in order for you to fight him.

Kakara will now be presumed to have access to surface-level information on the arcosian royal family, and I will answer questions on that topic in the thread. There is a vote below on suggestions.

* * *

Bassoon closes his eyes, and joins you in his mindscape. The second he lands, he looks up. "All right, I'm in!"

"We're watching," booms Guru's voice from the sky. "You have our support."

You shrug as Bassoon looks down at you. "All right. Let's get moving." Then you lift off into the air and start flying into the grasslands.

You hear Bassoon murmuring, "Ugh," to himself before he lifts off to follow you, but he joins you in the air after a moment with a grimace on his face.

"It'll be a little while," you say. "I was walking last time, but it was still a fair distance."

"Great," he says. "I love overflying the plains when it's not necessary."

You glance at him out of the corner of your eye, briefly wondering if you should press on that point; after all, there was a certain theme to the trap. You decide to leave it alone, though. Looking back ahead, you say, "Let's distract you, then. What exactly are the Elders going to be doing? I don't know what Namekian magic looks like."

"Creation, mostly," Bassoon call back, over the sound of the wind. "We're not as mono-focused as your people are -- we have healers, we have people like me who just like moving things around -- but it's what we've always used. We don't actually craft our own clothing. Most of the things we make, we Dragon Clan can just...well, make." He grins. "And we started with clothes. Hard to imagine that we've come this far, since the Cataclysm."

That sentence hangs in the air for a moment before your eyes widen. "Wait, that's how Piccolo always had weighted training clothes even though he was a homeless outlaw most of the time?!"

Bassoon blinks. "Wait, what?"

You come screeching to a halt. "Weighted training clothes are hard to make. Sure, you can make something heavy easily, but small enough to wear, and enough to matter to ki users? That takes a lot of engineering! And the legends just have Piccolo, who lived in the wastelands, always have a set! And he got one for Gohan! There are scholars back at home who've been debating this for decades!"

Bassoon blinks as he also comes to a halt. "Well. Um. He made them. With magic. I understand he didn't use his a lot, but he had some."

"This makes so much sense," you mutters, returning to the path. "But why didn't he make anything else?"

"Well, clothes are easy," says Bassoon, firing up his aura and following you. "I focus on movement, and I can do clothes. I'm guessing that he just never bothered with more magic than that."

"So, what else can you do?" you ask.

Bassoon clears his throat and falls into his historian voice. "Well, bear in mind that, as well as I believe we've recovered from it, the Namekian magical tradition very much did need to recover from the Cataclysm. Grand Elder Guru was the only survivor of the Dragon Clan, and while he is a beloved and well-remembered figure in our people's history, at the time he was, um..." He coughs. "...a complete and utter novice."

You blink. "Wait, really?"

"Yes," he says.

You shake yourself. "Really?!"

"Yes, really!" he replies, frowning at you. "Everybody starts somewhere!"

"I know," you reply, staring down at the ground in bafflement. "It's just...our legends-"

"Yeah, ours too," growls Bassoon. "But he wasn't born old and awesomely wise."

"I mean, I wasn't thinking about those, but yeah, that'll do."

Bassoon rolls his eyes. "Anyway. Once things stabilized, Guru began teaching his children what little he remembered or could reconstruct, seeking to recreate the Dragon Balls. Once he did, he was able to restore Old Namek to its former glory. But...then he died, and we were uprooted. Things were delayed once more. It was a couple of decades after the exodus to New Namek that we really had time to get down to work recreating our craft."

"So how did you go about it?" you ask. "It sounds like all of your mages are one family, right? I wouldn't really expect you to build a university, or anything."

"No, definitely not," he answers. "At this point we've had enough generations that not everybody goes around calling each other their brothers or anything, but a university wouldn't feel right, either. Development tends to work with small teams of close friends with similar ideas. It's not the most systematic, but if systematic is what somebody wants..." He waves up at the sky. "There's a whole galaxy up there."

You glance up for a moment, grunting in acknowledgement, before scanning your surroundings. "I think we're about to hit the place where it gets weird."

"With the eclipses?" he says.

You open your mouth to reply...before closing it as you fly across the boundary line and the sky turns black.

Bassoon's jaw drops. He peers up into the sky. "...eclipses, yeah," he says, still flying on. "This is weird."

Then the sky echoes with Guru's voice, more distantly than it was near the shore. "We're picking up on some psychic activity. Working to suppress it. Please move swiftly."

"Got it!" you shout back, infusing ki into your voice to make it carry. Then you look at Bassoon again, pointing in the direction you remember the shrine being. "It's that way."

He nods, altering course. "Now, where was I? Oh, yes, development. Since theory closer to practice in magic than in any other practical field, our setup doesn't hinder us as much as you'd think. We can still piggyback off of what the wider galaxy is doing, after all. For that reason, we've actually managed to do a lot. For our abilities at the time of Goku's battle with Freeza, the Dragon Balls were one hell of an outlier. Guru was working towards them specifically. Since then, we've evened out a lot. These days a mage can do things even Guru himself would have found challenging. We've come a long way."

"So what sorts of things can your magic do?" you ask.

"In battle, you mean?" he asks, flashing you a toothy smirk. "Saiyans."

"Hey!" you object, scowling at him.

"Kidding, kidding," you chuckles, waving your outrage away. "Stereotypes. Anyway, I'd say that Namekian magic focuses on three main spheres." He starts counting off on his fingers. "Creation is the big one, with healing as a secondary focus. Then there's unlocking. That one's pretty much down to Guru." He smirks. "Great Man history is a lie unless you're less than three hundred years away from one guy completely rebuilding your magical traditions from scratch."

"So what sorts of things do you get up to?" you ask.

"Creation mages are in a lot of demand here at home," he says. "They make everything, so we keep them pretty busy. A fair few head out into the galaxy, though; there's always demand for people who can just make something. Healers, likewise, on both counts, although there are fewer of them. Unlockers...not so much. There genuinely aren't a lot of dedicated unlockers. It's more popular as a secondary school. They don't tend to map as easily; if somebody can do it, they do, but it doesn't generally indicate something about how their life will go."

You let out an impatient sigh. "And how would I deal with a mage in battle?"

Bassoon goes quiet for a moment. Then, he says, "You're asking because of Dandeer."

"I am," you say.

He sighs. "...only because of that." He takes a second to reorganize his thoughts. "Magic is powerful, but brittle. If a ki user can contest an effect while it's ongoing, they'll generally win unless the magic is supercharged, or just that good. The way mages fight in combat is by making persistent effects. I could throw you around if you weren't expecting it, but if you were, you could overcome it even if you were just my strength. Likewise, I could lock you into place...for about a second, until you cared to move."

You frown. "I've seen sorcerers strip away people's ability to fly."

Bassoon blinks, then frowns in through. "If I had to guess, I'd say they did some kind of actual, physical or metaphysical seal in the victim's brain, body, or soul that temporarily blocked their ability to fly. Magic, ki can snap, but something that just exists? That doesn't care for trumps. Granted, I have no idea how you'd go about doing that, but I'm getting the idea that that's par for the course for your people." He looks around, seeking out the monument. "If I really wanted to hold you, I wouldn't hold you -- I'd hold the air around you. Magic, ki can break, but something physical? That just is, and with magic, I can get air behaving very un-air-like indeed."

You consider a little more. "I once broke enchanted shackles without any effort at all. So...maybe Dandeer didn't have time to enchant them properly, so she just cast a spell and gambled that I'd test it without being at full power and conclude that it was hopeless?"

"If I was pressed for time and had to make shackles, I'd do that," agrees Bassoon, nodding. "How'd that go for her?"

"She had to run away while I took on her minions four-on-one," you reply, smirking.

Bassoon snorts. "Very nice."

You flash him a grin before returning to the topic. "So, if I'm fighting a mage, I have to be careful of them being clever by using their magic to affect things to affect me?"

"If they're remotely experienced in combat, yes," says Bassoon.

You consider Dandeer's uncoordinated flailing, during the Unsealing.

You feel a satisfied smirk creeping across your lips. "Yeah, I can deal with that."

Bassoon smirks. "Yeah, thought you might- wait, is that it?"

You snap out of the momentary reverie and scan the horizon. Sure enough, you see a stone circle. "Yeah, that's it. Come on." You blast ahead, landing in the center.

A moment later, Bassoon touches down as well. He looks around. "...when I was young, I went questing for the Dragon Balls. It's not a rite of passage or anything, but you can do it if you're really invested. It's one of the only things we let people make wishes for; if you can find them, without assistance, you can use them to have your wishes granted. Of course, it's only good for people who don't already know where they're hidden, so no elders or the Guru. They always need to know, just in case." He swallows. "I was going to wish my grandfather back to life."

You fall silent, simply watching.

Bassoon steps toward the altar, looking around at all the pillars with the balls atop them. "I didn't know why it wasn't going to work; he'd died of old age. Can't wish that fixed. Dad didn't have the heart to tell me. I started walking. The grass gets rough on your feet after a while, if you're not used to it. It's sturdy stuff. After a while, I couldn't go on anymore, and Dad brought me back home."

"I'm sorry you have to relive that," you whisper.

He blinks, looking over to you. "Oh, it's...fine," he replies, giving you a strained smile. "Heck, there's a psychic trap themed on the experience here, so it probably has something to do with that!" The smile curdles. "So now, I get to deal with it." He glances at the altar. His lips firm, and he turns to it, barking out a few phrases in Namekian which include the word, "Porunga."

The balls flash; the dragon appears. Porunga towers above you with a halo of golden light backlighting him against the black skies. "SCION. YOU HAVE RETURNED. HAVE YOU COME TO RELEASE ME FROM THIS PRISON?"

Bassoon holds up a hand to you, motioning for you to wait to speak. "Dad?" he calls. "You getting this?"

There's a pause before the answer comes. "I am," replies the Guru. "And I...don't think that that's Porunga? At least not...all of him? It feels familiar, but like a smaller kind of thing from what he normally projects. I don't know if I'm feeling a fragment or a poor copy."

'It would fit what he told me earlier if it were a fragment,' you say.

"Up to you," says Guru. "You two are there. You can decide better than I."

Bassoon grimaces. "Great. Responsibility. For this." He looks up at Porunga. "Now what do we do?"

In addition to getting a primer on combat magic and a description of Namekian magical history, you have made your way back to Porunga. It is time to choose, and put this thread to rest.

Dazarel has begun training you in internal mental techniques. He has elected to start you on...

[ ][MIND] Shielding. The number one immediate use you have in mind for this talent is shielding your mind from foreign influences. Dazarel begins helping you to refine the lightning shield.
[ ][MIND] Restructuring. A longer-term project, it is possible for a psychic of your type to restructure their thoughts for greater efficiency towards certain purposes. Of course, this would take a while before results materialized...and you would be taking Dazarel entirely at his word as to what the changes would even be...
[ ][MIND] Speed. Dazarel claims that you're actually already doing this, writ small. Apparently not everybody sees the world slow down when it's time to make a decision. Dazarel says that he can make it faster. Distinct from the above in that you're not passively increasing your skill at or inclination towards something; you're just improving your ability to crank up mental processing over the short term.

The Guru wants your advice on luring out Haila.

[ ][LURE] The royal family goes for saiyans? Give them a saiyan. You're fast enough that you can show yourself to him and only him, and lure him away from his troops. If the Namekians help on trashing his equipment to ensure that he can't call out about your presence, then you should be secure enough.
[ ][LURE] Get aggressive. Confirm his location and attack immediately. Get his guards away from him and throw up a katchin dome. Once that happens, you can fight him unimpeded.
[ ][LURE] Just wait. Keep on fighting his army, and wait. Your defense plans are solid enough. Eventually, he'll be forced to step in if he wants to avoid accusations of cowardice. Once he does, you'll be able to control the engagement and draw him away from his (weaker, slower) troops.

The Namekians are making some fairly casual assumptions about how willing you're going to be to kill.

[ ][KILL] Stay silent. If they want Haila dead so badly, they can do it themselves when the time comes. You'll have no part of it, and you don't particularly feel the need to correct them now. You feel a little unpleasantly ambushed over this, and they can enjoy that feeling themselves, later.
[ ][KILL] Speak up now and remind them all that one, you're thirteen, and two, you actually have a fairly developed view of violence and killing which means that you're not actually willing to kill Haila in cold blood, since they all seem quite certain that you can win the fight without resorting to lethal force.

Finally, you are once more in front of the Porunga projection. The mages absolutely do not intend for the trap to continue existing, so one way or another, something is destroying it. For this one, NO WRITE-INS. Let's just have it done.

[ ][TRAP] Have the mages destroy the trap. They have the magical firepower in this situation.
[ ][TRAP] Do it yourself via main force.
[ ][TRAP] Have Bassoon do it. It's his mind.
[ ][TRAP] Wish for the trap to be destroyed. (x1.1 vote weighting from, "Ambitious.")

APPROVAL VOTING. MANUAL MORATORIUM.

Write-ins welcome, except for on the last one.

All right, folks, we're done with the month after this! Next month has a lot more going on; I'm looking forward to it.

Hope you've enjoyed the update! I'll see y'all around the thread!

PoptartProdigy · Sep 23, 2019

[X][KILL] Speak up now and remind them all that one, you're thirteen, and two, you actually have a fairly developed view of violence and killing which means that you're not actually willing to kill Haila in cold blood, since they all seem quite certain that you can win the fight without resorting to lethal force.

[X][MIND] Shielding. The number one immediate use you have in mind for this talent is shielding your mind from foreign influences. Dazarel begins helping you to refine the lightning shield.

[X][TRAP] Wish for the trap to be destroyed. (x1.1 vote weighting from, "Ambitious.")

[X][LURE] Get aggressive. Confirm his location and attack immediately. Get his guards away from him and throw up a katchin dome. Once that happens, you can fight him unimpeded.

[X][ASK] Kakara, how difficult is it to grow extra arms in Shade form?

"I can't do that at all, let alone as a shade."

Building Up

You stare up at the projection of Porunga, weighing the possibilities. It's all very sorts of tempting to wish him gone. You have the chance of gaining wishes. But...

...

...no.

No, no but. Free wishes. Free wishes. You can help your host/maybe-kinda-friend, do the Namekians a favor, and get wishes.

You step forward, away from Bassoon. "I'll do it."

He blinks, doing a double take. "Wait, what? Really? If you were just going to do it, why'd you call us in?"

You turn around and step backwards, spreading your arms. "I was sick and tired of the trap. It was annoying me. And I thought I might as well get some experts on the problem. But the experts gave a big shrug." You drop your arms and turn back around, stalking to the plinth in the center of the stone circle. "I'm still sick and tired of the trap. I want to be done with this." You come to a halt before the plinth and look up. "Great Porunga, I have a wish to make!"

Porunga peers down at you. "I AM LISTENING."

You swallow, fighting back a last moment surge of doubts. "I wish for this trap to be destroyed, and Bassoon's mind restored to how it should be."

Porunga's eyes glint; not with the telltale flash of a granted wish, but with a more mundane glimpse of triumph. "IT IS DONE."

WHUMP

A shockwave blasts out in all directions, flattening the grass and peeling back the shroud of darkness in the sky. As it hits the eclipsed suns, the eclipses end and the sky burns blue, light returning to the world. You brace yourself for the sound of an ocean of shattering glass, but it never comes.

When you look back out across the plains, you see the blades of grass simply swaying back upright. Normal. Flexible. Just grass.

Thank the kais.

You let out a sigh of mingled relief and frustration, close your eyes, and take a slow, cleansing breath.

It is at that moment that the stone circle starts to collapse.

With the rumbles and cracks of shattering rock, the stones rend themselves apart, splintering like wood. From above, you hear a titanic sigh, before Porunga speaks again. "AND WELL DONE, TOO. I AM IN YOUR DEBT, SCION."

The wind builds to a shriek as you slowly turn, your stance widening instinctively. Air rushes past you, inwards towards the plinth and then up. Porunga stares down at you, his eyes still glowing bright red.

"SEEK ME OUT, WHEN NEXT WE EACH STAND IN THE MATERIAL WORLD. I AM UNFAMILIAR WITH THE HOLDING OF DEBTS, AND FIND IT UNPLEASANT. SEEK ME OUT, AND MAKE A WISH. BE IT WITHIN MY POWER, THEN ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT THE COVENANT OF THE DRAGON BALLS COMPELS OF ME, I WILL GRANT IT."

You hear a muffled gasp from Bassoon, but have no time to contemplate it. The wind intensifies into a raging howl that would likely deafen you, were you without your ki. A whirling tornado builds around Porunga.

"NOW I GO, BACK TO MY SLUMBER," he proclaims. "FAREWELL!"

The wind intensified, dust snaps up into it...and then the plinth explodes. Shards patter off of your quickly-upraised arms. The shockwave actually forces you back a step.

Then, when you look up again, the stone circle and Porunga are both gone without even a trace. You smile, a mixture of anticipation, satisfaction, and general fuzzy feelings. That was a good thing you just did, and it's going to pay off in spectacular fashion.

Then, from behind you, Bassoon burst out with, "A free wish?!"

Despite the fact that you're looking away from him, you immediately suck in your lips to hold back a smile. "He seems like he gives the best gifts."

The trap is dismantled. Porunga seems to have been freed? You guess you'll figure out whether or not that was real the next time he's summoned.

Something has shifted, since the trap dispelled. Bassoon's subconscious is cleaner, the air is lighter. Host Bond increased to level 2. Salient changes: manifestation time up to twenty minutes per day, and you can now use your own senses in place of his, through his eyes and ears, although you cannot grant him the benefits of those senses directly.

* * *

At the defense summit...

As Guru peers at you, through Bassoon, you grimace. "Actually, back up," you say, scowling a bit.

Guru blinks at your tone; the other Elders mutter between themselves, frowning in disapproval. "What is it?" asks Guru.

You fold your arms and lift your chin. You know the reaction you're about to get. You wouldn't get it from every saiyan -- not like your distaste for fighting would -- but from a group of military leaders? Oh, yes.

But you won't remain silent.

"I don't kill," you say.

There's a moment -- just a heartbeat, really -- of silence as they process that.

Then Guru nods. "All right, then."

"Reasonable enough," says one of the other Elders.

"I told you all it was a bit much to be putting on a thirteen-year-old," grumbles one of the others.

"Indeed you did, Elder Pura," sighs Guru. "I apologize, Kakara. I suppose we got carried away. Of course we will respect that. I did not mean to imply that we were asking you to, although I suppose that I may have fallen into the trap of assuming you would."

You blink. "I...what?"

"It would be utterly unreasonable of me to expect for you to kill on our behalf," he continues. "If anything, I want you to know that I respect the conviction your refusal to do so implies. Thank you for being willing to tell us this."

You shake your head. "You're not...mad about this? At all?"

"Well, it does make things a bit more complicated, but again, I respect the conviction," he says. "The galaxy would be a better place if more people thought that way." He sighs. "Alas."

Pura leans forward again. "If you are -- entirely understandably -- unwilling to use lethal force, we need to consider the other options." He glances around the table with a superior expression. "As, if you all remember, I said-"

"Yes, Pura, thank you kindly for reminding us," sighs Guru, his expression pinched. Pura subsides, and Guru takes a deep breath. "I suppose this segues nicely enough into our next topic." He leans forward. "We need more information. Thanks to the Scion's information, we know roughly when the Empire will arrive, but little else. The adventurers have been returning as the summonses go out; now we must ask them to leave again." He presses his lips together in a grim line. "They are the ones with the most experience in the outside galaxy. We need to send them out and learn all we can about this invasion. And..." He glances up at Bassoon. "Scion, I apologize if this will disrupt your plans, but Bassoon must go with them."

You flinch. "...but I need to train Perika!"

"We can train her," says one of the elders down at the other end of the table. "We are not unaccomplished warriors."

"But you're not saiyans," you continue. "Perika's already at a wall, and if nobody's there to guide her, she might explode past it out of sheer frustration. You're not ready to deal with an angry super saiyan."

"She and you already train in katchin domes," points out Bassoon. "It'd be easy enough to contain her."

You cast around for different explanations. "You won't be able to train her strength like I can, especially since the only way it can possibly happen at this point is through transformation. You have skills, but nobody does strength training like an Exile. We have it down to a science."

"You will have time to prepare her," answers Guru. "I don't intend on you leaving immediately, after all. Plenty of time to set up a training regimen to which she can stick." He tilts his head. "Why are you so set on staying?"

You bite your lip. You hate to admit it, but they're right. You don't really have many reasons they can't answer. It's more...responsibility. You rejected Perika saying that you have to be in charge because you have the highest rank around, but that doesn't change the fact that she claimed you as her Lady. You cast about, struggling to find an explanation that could convey to a room full of anarchists the level of responsibility for her well-being that placed on your shoulders.

You fail, and cross your arms. "I don't like running out on my responsibilities," you eventually say.

Guru nods, giving you a sympathetic grimace. "I understand, but...we really need Bassoon out there. He's our best."

Your host shifts uncomfortably. "Father-"

Guru holds up his hands. "No, no! You don't get to run supplies through the Siege of Arcosa every six months and tell me that you aren't our best! This isn't fatherly pride talking-"

You hear Pura cough something that sounds suspiciously like, "Lies!"

Guru ignores him with princely equanimity. "-it's simple fact. We might have stronger, but we don't have better, and we need the best we can get right now!" He then shifts his expression slightly in a way that makes it clear he's addressing you; a little less fierce pride, a little more intense sincerity. "And that is why we need him out there, Scion. I would honestly prefer to hold you back, but we need information, and Bassoon is the best we have. Furthermore -- and this is where the segue comes in -- if the Cold Prince is going to survive this battle, we need alternative methods of keeping your existence a secret. The ability to erase or modify memories is rare and ill-practiced on Namek, and I hesitate to rely on our mages for it; the wider galaxy may have more skilled individuals." You grimace, and your silence apparently speaks for you, because Guru then follows it with, "I can give you a month to prepare. We're still getting more people in who I want on the mission, anyway, and they'll need time to rest and prepare."

You sigh, long and hard. You purse your lips. At length, you reply with, "I understand."

Truthfully, it's all you can say that wouldn't burn bridges for little gain right now.

Perika's going to be pissed.

You have a month left on Namek before Bassoon needs to head out on a scouting trip. You'll be going with. If you have anything to do that relies on being on Namek in particular, now is the time.

You have five free AP.

Going by your visions, you have ten months until the invasion hits New Namek.

The Sight -- or, perhaps more accurately, your psychic abilities -- got you into this mess. Kais and Ancestors willing, they will get you out. This category has 2 AP.

[ ] Continue Your Training (1 AP): Dazarel hasn't let up with his insistence on training you. It's actually cute, how afraid he seems of the idea of failing in the task Grandpa Gohan gave him. Now, you need to get to work on improving your gifts, starting with the lightning shield. Follow Dazarel's training regime.

[ ] Looking Home (1 AP): You may have left home, but you will return someday. When you do, it would be best to be well informed. Devote a substantial amount of time and effort to using your Sight to keep up to date on the current events on Garenhuld.

[ ] Future Options (1 AP): The mysterious destinations that called to you when you fled Garenhuld, and again when you departed the Other World, are an intriguing mystery. Bassoon may have been a friend, but can you guarantee that the self-described, "Enemies," will be? Try to pierce the odd veil around your host options, revealing a chosen option's identity for the next time you need to find a new host.

[ ] Looking Abroad (1 AP) [TOPIC HERE]: It is difficult to fully describe the dizzying potential of your Sight. With sufficient precision and effort, literally anything past, present, or future is yours to behold. Use your Sight to look into a topic of your choice to the best of your abilities.

The drive to improve oneself is intrinsic to the saiyan race, and you are as saiyan as they come in the modern world. This category has 3 AP.

[ ] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [SKILL NAME GOES HERE]: Choose one of your existing skills to improve. Make a training roll in the specified skill. Exceptional or higher skills are a matter for the, "To Go Beyond," option below. Please note that you can no longer directly train super-skills like Hand-to-Hand or Ki Manipulation.

[ ] New Skills (1 AP) [SKILL NAME GOES HERE]: Your repertoire is impressive, but it can always expand. Variety is the spice of life and the key to not losing it. Acquire any skill of which Kakara knows, at an appropriate starting level. The skill's theory and practice must be things to which Kakara has access.

[ ] Research Project (1 AP) [PROJECT NAME GOES HERE]: There are some whispered legends yet to be recreated; there are some things held to be impossible. You brought the Genki Dama back into the world. You're only getting started. Start making research rolls to acquire or invent a skill to which Kakara does not have access. The project name should be the name of a technique you want to acquire or an effect you want to achieve, whichever is more descriptive (i.e., "Perfect Multiform," or, "a good piercing attack with an emphasis on speed." Success is not guaranteed.

[ ] Style Training (1 AP) [STYLE HERE]: Yammar took you apart. A good part of that is who he is and the experiences he has endured, but another part was his simple superiority as a fighter. You must improve. When you return to Garenhuld, it will not be peacefully. Make training rolls towards leveling up one of your combat styles.

[ ] Invent a Style (2 AP): Perhaps the answers to your needs do not rest in the past. Perhaps you need to strike your own path, if you are to stand up to the trials set against you. Design a new combat style and begin training it.

[ ] To Go Beyond (1 AP) [SKILL NAME GOES HERE]: You have experienced moments throughout your life that hint at an understanding of your current techniques which few can equal. You have the chance to truly push the boundaries of your people's knowledge. Select either Ki Sense or Multiform and begin training it to Elite+ levels.

[ ] Broken Precedent (2 AP): Perika was brought into this world at peak base saiyan strength with a wish that supposed she'd be useful for fighting an opponent at your level. Moreover, she is a saiyan without a support structure, loose in the wider galaxy. You have already given leave to the Senzus to reach for the next level. You must do the same for Perika. Settle down with Perika, and for the first time in your life, help to create another super saiyan.

For as long as you can recall, you have been an outgoing girl. Though you have grown rapidly over the past year or so and your life has turned upside-down, that fundamental truth has not changed. This category has 2 AP.

[ ] Strengthen Host Bond (1 AP): Neither you nor Bassoon fully understand the nature of the ties that bind you. Perhaps you can unravel the mystery of your presence here. Deepen the metaphysical connection you have with Bassoon by running experiments with him and exploring his mindscape.

[ ] Talk to Dazarel (1 AP): Dazarel is a twisted, evil monster who believes might makes right and that psychic might makes rightest of all. Your own abilities and obvious power grant you some respect from him, but everybody else is like so much chaff to him. Still, you are stuck with him, and have managed to gain some insight into his character. Perhaps, with time and effort, you might render him something approaching tolerable.

[ ] Strange Sister (1 AP): Perika has established a bond of trust with you that you can't help but try to live up to. She has claimed you as her Lady. It is only right that you spend time with her, and ensure you're doing right by her. Also...you need to prepare her for your absence.

[ ] General Training (2 AP): Now that you can communicate with people outside of Bassoon's head, you intend to take advantage of it. Spend time walking as many namekian warriors as will listen through basic training regimens. You can't give much, but you should hopefully be able to give more than they have.

[ ] Socialize With [TARGET] (1 AP): You can now use your telepathy to speak with individuals outside of Bassoon's head, and your social circle has thus expanded tremendously. Take advantage of this and grind up your relationship with any person of your choice.

With the level of access you have, it's all-but-guaranteed that you'll be able to sway Bassoon into doing things in the outside world. This category has 2 AP.

[ ] Adventures (2 AP): New Namek is bracing for invasion, but there's a whole galaxy out there. You and Bassoon have access to a stealth ship. With the scouting trip coming soon, this will mostly be groundwork for that, but you might find something interesting.

[ ] Instruction (1 AP): He might complain about bottle blondes again, but you're riding in Bassoon's head, and you have a vested interest in keeping it intact. In spare moments, impart some of the secrets of your people's warrior traditions to him. The irony in you, of all people, doing this is stifling, but you'll power through. Bassoon makes a concerted effort to train his power level and abilities this month, and you directly assist him.

[ ] Historical Insights (1 AP): Bassoon has mentioned to you, offhand, that he's originally a historian by trade. That actually represents a significant source of information for you on the state of the galaxy, and it'd be nearly criminal to neglect it. Bassoon gives you a history lesson on a topic of his choosing. Gain deep insight into that topic.

You have sworn Dandeer Vegeta's complete and utter defeat, and your and Jaffur's ascension to your people's leadership. You will see it done. This category has 1 AP.

[ ] Anything (AP Variable): You may fill this category with any type of action from any other category, as long as it applies directly to improving your ability to defeat Dandeer.

[ ] Write-In (AP Variable): You are Kakara Goku, and it has admittedly been a little while since you last made a proper list! You're sure that you can come up with something else that you've forgotten at just this moment!

MANUAL MORATORIUM; APPROVAL VOTING.

Please form a plan from the above options, as usual.

Worth noting again that Kakara is being extremely uncharitable with the namekians' political system. Again, she's an autocrat from an extremely collectivist society; while she has vague republican sympathies, she views liberal democracy as about as fringe as things can realistically get while still being credible forms of governance -- and even then, she's had the narrative that it's fundamentally unworkable for saiyan societies in her head for all her life. Thus why she thinks of even semi-anarchic, highly individualistic societies like New Namek's as fully and negatively anarchic, and just kind of unquestioningly assumes that nobody who lives there would be able to comprehend the concept of one's position imposing responsibilities.

She's got a big blind spot around this. And, most importantly, she is not me and you should not be angry with me for her opinions.

All right, we're back up and running, folks! I've missed you.

Let's get back on with things, shall we? Go ahead and remind me if there were any options I promised that I've missed here; it has been a while. Also, please remember to tag me with write-ins, so I can feature them in the unlock!

Welcome back!

HoratioVonBecker · Sep 23, 2019

Snap

You see a fleet of spaceships casting out from a dock. With practiced ease, you cast your mind's eye at the bridge of the largest and fanciest. Inside, you see aliens scurrying to and fro, carrying printouts and relaying orders. It's something you sort of recognize from your command training, although the logistics seem a lot more complicated.
But that's not what you're here for. You're here for power levels, and for names. The first you mostly have already - half a million or less at rest, with odd patches at three to twenty million; the Arcosan commander is at four hundred thousand plus armor, but since he's in base form you have no idea how strong he truly is.
The second takes a minute. After what sound like two major fueling orders, a lizard/frog creature arrives. The commander gives him - no wait, that's a her - a nod. "Lord Berger, the deserters have been captured."
"Very good, Progzok. I'll come deal with them in a minute."
The vision starts to slip from you, and you let it. Truth be told, you're reeling. You can't beat Berger!

You're on the ground under the Katchin dome when you come to - like the rest of your ki, your psionic reserves are cut to a twentieth when you aren't manifested - and you start to shake, your typical grace offset by sudden panic. Berger is stronger than Buu. You can't fight that. Not without Spirit Saiyan. They're all going to die, or your people are- even if the Namekians run, they'll lose their planet- you can't do this-

BOOOM. Your aura flickers gold, and then explodes. Shatters. Changes colors and goes jagged. You scream.

The Katchin barely vibrates, but Bassoon - sitting with a book just nanoseconds ago - also screams, flashing to full power and clutching his ears. His eyes are bleeding. Forcing yourself to be quiet is one of the hardest things you have ever done, but you do it. You will not kill him just because you desperately need to stretch every muscle in your body. You will not.
At last, the storm calms. Your aura still flickers with lightning, and you are stronger than you've ever been as just yourself, but you're in control. Bassoon's fine. Dazarel demanifested as soon as you transformed.
You've just achieved Super Saiyan 2. If your people ever find out, they may kill you for it.
You can't process this right now.
You de-transform and retreat to Bassoon's head.

PoptartProdigy · Oct 27, 2019

[X] Plan Crash Training
-[X] Sight - 2 AP (2)
--[X] Looking Abroad (1 AP) [The Invasion Fleet, especially the leader]
--[X] Continue Your Training (1 AP)
-[X] Training 3 AP (3+4)
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Team Fighting]
---[X] Do this before anything else
--[X] To Go Beyond (1 AP) [Perfect Multiform]
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Ki Refinement]
--[X] Broken Precedent (2 AP)
--[X] Style Training (1 AP) [Tien Style]
--[X] Spirit Bomb Experimentation (1 AP)
-[X] Social- 2 AP (2+1)
--[X] Strange Sister (1 AP) x2
--[X] Potential Unlocking (1 AP)
-[X] The Outside World - 2 AP (2)
--[X] Instruction (1 AP)
--[X] Historical Insights (1 AP)
-[X] A Cause - 1 AP (1)
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Ki Refinement]

Setting Out

"...so, Bassoon and I are going to have to go away for a little while," you conclude, watching Perika nervously as Dazarel circles overhead, reveling in his momentary freedom. "The invasion's coming, and the Elders need information if they're going to fight back."

Perika peers back at you, listening very seriously. As you finish, she stares for a long moment. Then she nods sharply. "Understand. Will pack." She turns on her heel and starts strolling back towards the little hut the Namekians built for her.

Next to you, Bassoon blinks. "...very direct."

You pinch at the bridge of your nose. "Ugh. Perika!" You walk after her; she stops when you call. You shake your head as you approach. "I don't mean that we're going."

Perika's eyes narrow. "What do you mean?"

"I mean you're staying," you say, watching as a scowl slowly spreads across her face. "We can't bring you along. This is easy stuff to mess up! It's not your fault, but-"

"But, you will make me stay," she replies, hands planting on her hips.

You sigh. "Yes.

"We are train!"

"Training," you correct her. "And I know. I'm going to teach you a few more things before I leave, so you're ready."

"I am at a wall!" she snaps, folding her arms.

"The Namekians have warriors too, Perika," you say.

She snorts, tossing her hair back. "I know that! But that is not what I really need! I want to know how to be saiyan!"

You flinch.

Perika's expression immediately shifts to alarm. "What? What is it?"

You close your eyes. "...I'm not the best person for that," you say. "You want Jaffur."

"Who is Jaffur?" she asks.

"The friend I've told you about," you say, turning away. "He's a much better saiyan than me."

For a long moment, neither Perika nor Bassoon say anything, even as you walk away a bit. Then you feel Bassoon lifting off, and Perika steps up next to you. "Sorry," she says.

"You didn't do anything," you say. "I just have memories."

She grimaces. "Hm."

You immediately feel guilty. "Oh, no. I'm sorry-"

"Do not worry," she says, shaking her head. "You said not my fault. It is not yours."

You feel tempted to correct her grammar for a moment, but you're just too tired, all of a sudden. "Okay," you say instead.

Perika glances at you. "I think you are a good saiyan."

That startles a laugh out of you. You shake your head. "You just don't know enough saiyans," you say.

She shrugs. "If I meet more, and they are not like you, I think I know too many."

You feel as though you've been doused in ice water. No, hot water. Like you've had a bucket of pins dumped over your head. You stare at her, eyes wide.

For the first time in the time you've known her, you see Perika blush. She clears her throat. "I'll go in these house, now." She turns away and hurries off. You keep your eyes on her the whole way.

As her door closes behind her, Dazarel swoops in for a landing on your shoulder. 'Her proficiency in your language has improved spectacularly.'

You grit your teeth. "Shut up, Dazarel."

* * *

Tamar.

Tyrant. Leader. Demagogue. Murderer.

A man who rose above what the galaxy saw as his racial weakness to rule a world. A human who stood among the true galactic champions. A power not merely on the planet he ruled, but in his general neighborhood. A charismatic -- near-magnetic, in fact -- leader, who commanded the services of hundreds of champions.

Tamar, the failure. Tamar, the loser. Tamar, the man broken and beaten by the last remnants of Earth, allowed to live only by their mercy. Tamar, who writhed in Lazuli's grip as she spoke her contempt of him for the entire planet to hear. Tamar, who fled his planet seconds ahead of a one-hour deadline with the last remnants of his army.

Tamar.

At long last, years after learning of him, you finally lay eyes on Tamar.

He is a giant of a man, well over six feet tall and corded by powerful muscle. His hair is dark brown, almost black, and his eyes are green. Every move he makes is backed by incredible strength and a burning vitality. You can see how he has kept the loyalty of so many of his subordinates.

But you are not them, and you do not have your identity and self-esteem bound up in your fealty to this man. Your livelihood is not -- not, irrevocably -- shackled to his success. You have no motive to overlook weaknesses. In fact, insofar as you have any leverage on the situation, your motive is exactly the opposite.

So to you, Tamar looks like a man drowning in his own desperation.

You cannot see bags under Tamar's eyes; you can only see the concealer he's using to cover them up. You can see the slight trembling in his fingers whenever he relaxes the death grip they have on one another. This is a man on the edge of total collapse. He's barely staving it off; you can recognize, after having spent so much time around Jaffur, Jaron, and Dandeer, the burning light of fanaticism when all else is collapsing.

You watch as Tamar smiles reassuringly at one of his subordinates, waving her off as he steps into his quarters. You watch as he immediately slumps, the facade of strength and confidence dropping. You watch as he shambles over to his personal computer, boots it up, and pulls up a picture of you and Jaron, glaring down at the camera.

"We're coming, Murk," growls Tamar. "Soon. We'll be there soon."

You feel your time running out and pull back, trying to get the best look at Tamar's fleet as you can. You're no judge of this sort of thing, but you're at least confident enough to say that it's in poor shape. One vessel's engines actually cut out, briefly, before lighting up once more. You start counting -- one, two, three, four, five, six small ones, four medium ones, four that look like warships without much carrying capacity, and one gigantic sphere with absolutely no weapons-

And the vision ends.

* * *

You close your eyes, seated cross-legged before Bassoon's projection within his mindscape and ready for another exercise. Dazarel sits at your side, watching attentively.

Bassoon raises his hand, already tracing out magical symbols with his fingers. "Ready?" he asks you.

"Ready," you say.

His probe leaps forward into your mind, and you weave lightning about your thoughts.

You feel Bassoon attack a dozen times over the next few seconds, but you ignore that, simply focusing on keeping up the shield. Over and over, the gigantic hand your thoughts visualize as reaching for the book containing your thoughts snaps forward, strikes the shield, and rebounds, shuddering. Your eyebrows pinch together as you begin to strain under a dozen assaults.

At this, Dazarel's eye opens. 'You are too passive,' he remarks. 'You hand him the initiative. You are only focusing on maintaining the shield. React, or he will overwhelm you-'

fzzzzzz-pop

Mid-word, your shield fails, and Bassoon's hand lands on your thoughts. "Twenty seconds," he says, stepping back.

You turn to Dazarel, seething. "Mind explaining now that I'm not under attack?" you ask.

'If you simply sit back, you will be overwhelmed by a thousand strikes,' says Dazarel, unperturbed by your pique. 'The value of your shield is not as a shield. Any stupid ki user can make a shield. You have the advantage of making your shield bite back without years of study.' He rises to his feet and begins pacing back and forth. 'Next time, focus on reinforcing your shield, not as a whole, but locally, where the Namekian strikes. The shield is made of lightning. If you make there be more lightning wherever he touches, then he will hurt himself the faster he pushes himself.'

Bassoon raises an eyebrow at Dazarel, then closes his eyes in thought.

You peer at him, suspicious, before shaking your head. "All right. Let's give it a shot! Bassoon, I'm ready."

"As am I," he says, tracing out patterns.

"Okay," you say, closing your eyes and getting ready to repel assault. "Go-"

POP

You yelp as Bassoon's probe smashes directly through the shield, overwhelming it in one go. Your visualization of his hand grasps the book containing your thoughts, and then he retreats. Your eyes both open. He smirks. "Heh. So that does work."

Dazarel hurtles towards Bassoon in a blur and latching onto his shirt, shrieking in his face. 'Self-important slug! I had her understanding the right concepts! We were making progress!'

You sigh and reach out, yanking Dazarel to your hand with telekinesis and the sound of a dopplering, outraged shriek. "That's enough. It was a valuable lesson."

'It was sabotage!' objects Dazarel, writhing in your grip.

"Better now than when it counts," you say. "I'll deal." You grin up at Bassoon. "Just wait until I beat you," you say.

He smirks back. "We'll see." He traces out symbols again and holds out his hand. "Ready?"

You don't get the trick of repelling him down that day, or even in the weeks afterwards. But you're getting closer, all the time.

Progress made. One more should do it.

* * *

Any moment you can spend outside of Bassoon's head, you spend drilling Perika in fighting with a partner.

Step left, let Two take the hit, blast Perika, dart forward as Two presses forward, kick Three, let the momentum drive me back so Two can hit Perika from the side as she comes back in-

Perika is a fast learner. There must be a limit to it -- nobody learns as fast as she has. It's not natural. Something about how she was made, maybe. It certainly can't keep going forever.

But you haven't hit that point yet, so on you go.

Two knocks Perika away, and you phase past her to slam into Three as she recovers, driving her back and away from your other copy. Three stumbles, and you pile on the blows, hammering into her guard and tearing it wide open before swiping your hand-

Three's expression shifts into a cocky smirk, and she deliberately puts her head in the path of the blow. She pops, and you stagger under a moment of doubled perspective as her memories come back in a rush. You hear Two reacting just as poorly.

Then you feel Perika's power level spiking, and you realize that you've been played.

You have enough distance to block the blast as it streaks in towards your back, but Two gets knocked sprawling. You spin as the memories clear, just barely managing to catch Perika's strike as she rushes in.

"Clever," you hiss, forcing her grip away from you. Then you open your mouth and spit a ki blast into her face.

She yelps and stumbles back, clawing at her face, and that is when Two rushes back in. You circle around to Perika's other side, and in short order, the two of you have her wrestled to the ground and pinned.

Once she gets her bearings back, Perika spits out something in Namekian that has people miles away gasping in shock. "I thought that would work!" she wails.

"Almost did," says Two, loosening her grip.

"Not enough," grumbles Perika as you let her go.

"That one's not your fault," you say, giving her an encouraging smile. "It was a good plan, Perika. You're doing really good! It's just..." Two dissolves, and you shudder slightly at the rush of memories. Then you flash another smile. "I'm learning too."

She sighs. "Yes, I understand."

Your smile widens. "Good. Now let's get you up."

Team Fighting skill improved! [Talented-->Exceptional]. Hand-To-Hand superskill improved! [Talented-->Exceptional]. Combat overskill improved! [Talented-->Exceptional]. That was one load-bearing action, but it's official, now: after six long years of hard, devoted effort, Kakara has made up, through hard work, much of the lead Jaffur possessed at quest start through natural talent. Also, mechanically speaking, this happened first. In the future, don't rely on being able to call it like this -- training like this isn't something you knock out of the way in the first week -- but in this case, I'll allow it.

In addition, your constant practice of Tenshinhan style has allowed you to gain one more progress towards the next level (now 4/10).

* * *

Perfect multiform and ki refinement are not two halves of the same coin. They're not even two coins in the same wallet. You might, with a burdensome strain on your imagination, call them two coins produced by the same mint, but even then, you're pretty sure that those coins have never been in the same country, let alone the same mint, and one of them looks an awful lot like it's actually a debit card to you.

That said, given the nature of what it is, you can work on ki refinement while working on perfect multiform, so hey, there's a plus. There's probably a metaphor about banking or exchange rates to torment, somewhere in there, but you're not Jaffur, and you've had your imagery for the day.

So your three clones diligently work on their ki refinement while you bury yourself in charts and notes regarding the mechanics of the split, and you try not to feel searingly envious over the division of labor.

You keep running up against a wall when it comes to splitting your bodies and your ki pools in one go. What you found last month is that doing it separately -- the way you have been -- wastes a lot of energy, since you're basically doing the whole thing twice. So, naturally, this month, you're working on doing it all as one process. The issue is that, although you weren't specifically trying for it, there's a reason you unconsciously did those two things separately when you came up with your proof-of-concept split, namely, that they're two separate processes doing two separate things. One turns energy into extra matter, one uses ki energy to somehow make more...in theory, at least. So here you are, trying to figure out how to do matter and energy conversions on the fly, regardless of how much ki you have.

And you're failing. You can do some high-level math -- specific high-level math, the stuff used for instant transmission. Unfortunately, as you're swiftly discovering, learning that left a lot of holes in your education. And there's a lot that you don't know about physics.

You throw down your notes with a frustrated huff, messing up your hair before burying your face in your hands and letting out a muffled shriek of frustration. You hear the sounds of the others' training briefly grinding to a halt before it resumes.

"I'm gonna kick one of you," you say, voice muffled.

"Hey, we decided on this before we split," they all say in unison, still enough in-sync to have yet to diverge. They then all blink, grin, and say -- again, in unison -- "Jinx! No, you jinx!"

They finally de-sync, and it devolves into an argument as they all point at different people and start arguing about who gets the blame. You lift your head up and prop your chin on your hand, watching as their auras start flickering out of their control.

You blink. You peer at Four as her aura flickers out. You look at Three, who's still holding hers together. You pick up your notes again.

We ruled out a normal multiform with power boosting, but...what if I'm approaching this the wrong way? you muse, sketching out some notes. I can split off four clones that have their own separate ki pools, and I can make those pools each sized correctly, but they come in with little ki in their reserves...

You look up at the squabbling group.

...who says that I can't make multiform be a technique that boosts power level?

You let out a sharp whistle. The other yous look at you, and then the four of you dissolve-

-before you reform at the average of your positions, re-merged. "Okay," you say, trying to hold back on your excitement. "So it's not that we apply boosts after the fact, it's that we have to tweak how it acts." You put your hands together. "One, two, three..."

You bring your will to bear on your own ki pool and begin the process of splitting it into quarters, and making each quarter as large as the original whole. Separately, you initiate a normal multiform -- you'll come back to the issue of doing both steps as one process later.

This time, however, you do not try to force the separate ki pools into being fully-filled. Instead, you tweak the splitting process, and simply ratchet up the amount of ki that they should have.

And then you open your eyes to examine your clones...each of which is hovering a little bit above 16 million power level -- your maximum in base, as a shade.

"...four," you all say in unison. "Trippy." You share smiles back and forth.

Kakara hit a roadblock on her path forward for want of qualifications, and revisited an older idea when she hit upon a burst of inspiration. She has what she will tentatively call a true perfect multiform -- although experimentation shows that it only persists for a few moments before the clones dissolve, and the cost in ki use once finished is predictably ruinous. Still, it represents another forward step in research, and perhaps the first concrete demonstration that this technique is possible.

Also, dedicated training thanks to the wonders of multiform multitasking has pushed Ki Refinement to Unlearned. You have improved the amount of power you can eke out to 7%.

* * *

Experimenting with the genki dama is...trying.

For one thing, you need to cram it into the very limited manifestation time you have; your bond with Bassoon is not yet deep enough to support that. You're very sequestered, in his mindscape; knowing that everything is intrinsically connected doesn't help when there are very real -- if metaphysical -- barriers between you and the outside world. You can only do it when you're out of Bassoon's head -- in fact, when you're out of of the katchin domes the Dragon Clan makes for you, if you want to experiment with more than an extremely small selection of the people on New Namek. Still, you manage to set aside a couple of days to experiment.

And then, perceptions boosted as much as your power allows, you whip through possibilities.

You'd had high hopes for ki refinement, but it turns out that it doesn't do that much for you when you use the genki dama, or even when you go spirit saiyan. For a heartbeat, you can almost feel it catch, almost feel it transmute that titanic well of strength into something more...but it doesn't take. All it does is improve your personal contribution to the technique, which isn't nothing, but isn't exactly what you'd hoped for, either. You feel like there might be potential here, but...as it stands, it's not working. Something about how you approach the genki dama may need to change in order to get that working.

Then, however, you turn your attention to the real meat of your experimentation -- testing out your other forms and seeing if a multiform, especially a transformed one, can contribute to the genki dama.

And it turns out that they cannot.

Base saiyan, masqued saiyan, ape saiyan, super saiyan -- none of them can contribute. The instant it hits the technique, their power merges back into your own as a unified whole. It might be different if you had perfect multiform, but your present proof-of-concept technique, while a drastic improvement on your first, still doesn't give you enough time to test this, and besides...something about it feels less tractable than ki refinement's failure did. You couldn't articulate it, but you feel like this one might be running up against more metaphysical limitations. Like you can only count once towards the genki dama. You're not entirely sure how or why that would work, or even if there's a way around it...but you have a feeling, and it feels fairly convincing, as these go.

The genki dama is highly resistant to leveraging in this sort of manner, although Kakara feels that qualitative boosts like ki refinement may not be intrinsically unattainable -- they simply are now. She believes that the key to integrating these sorts of boosts may lie in greater mastery of the genki dama itself. She is, at present, extremely skeptical of the viability of multiform boosting the technique's power, although she's not willing to say for certain that it can't work.

* * *

Bassoon darts forward, and you dart back, firing off a spray of ki blasts.

Your host snarls in frustration as he has to juke to the side again before resuming his attack. Again and again, you dart back and fire off blasts. "I'm not going to run out of space!" you call. "I can do this all day!"

"You'll get tired eventually," he replies. "Probably."

"Not before you do," you say. "You're trying to catch me. That makes it easier for me. You're having to fly through a bunch of really cheap ki blasts, which means you have to fly harder. Makes it easier for me. And I'm better at ki control than you are." You smirk, continuing to drift backwards as you sweep your hand again, unleashing a spread of blasts.

Bassoon comes to a halt, deflecting them, and scowls at you. "Are you done showing off?"

You giggle. "Yeah, okay." You slow down, straightening. "So, my people have a lot of fighting styles, and I really don't know enough to teach you about all of them. I can tell you why we're as good as we are, though."

"Ridiculous speed in power progression that nobody can keep up with?" he asks, raising his eyebrows.

"N- well, yeah, okay," you admit. "We do have that. It's not really why most of my people are so dangerous, though. Most of us aren't super saiyans. They can hit their cap, and then they stop. No, the reason we're dangerous is because we have so many people who hit their caps. We know how to train. And we have a great system for teaching people their basics." You shake out your hands. "Throw a blast at me."

He frowns. "No."

You roll your eyes. "Just do it." With a flash of light, you transform. "Come on, you're not gonna hurt me."

Bassoon sighs. "Bottle blondes." Then he raises his arm and fires a blast. As it leaves his palm, you drop your transformation. Bassoon's eyes widen. "No-!" He lunges forward, arm outstretched.

You lift your own arm and catch the blast, just as you once did Murk's. It sits there, thrumming on your hand. Then, you close your fingers around it and snuff it out.

Bassoon stares, frozen mid-leap.

"I'm not normal, for my people," you say. "That said, everybody learns the same way I did. And that's what I'm going to teach you."

"You're going to teach me how to snuff my opponent's ki blasts with my bare hands?" he asks, still wide-eyed. "That's...advanced."

"I mean, I don't think you should try it in a real fight," you say. "But...along those lines?"

Bassoon slowly relaxes, frowning at you. "Saiyans. And you're supposed to be one of the saner ones."

You spread your arms, grinning. "I like to think of sanity as relative."

"Kais, that explains too much," he groans, raising his arms into a guard position. "All right, show me."

You settle into your stance. "All right. First thing: whatever stance you like most, take it. Then, just...feel." Your smiles softens. "Feel your ki moving."

You have begun putting Bassoon through standard Exile power level training.

~~Relationship with Bassoon degrades to Enemy [Hated]~~ Heh, just kidding. His power level has made it to twenty-seven million over the course of the month. He is pleading exhaustion, and you pretty much have to give him a break next month. There's no way he can keep up this intensity of training while out scouting. You may have to adjust your expectations; they might be a bit miscalibrated for people who are neither saiyans nor Maya, read, literal freaks of nature.

* * *

Let me tell you about Freeza.

Freeza returned from the Tournament of Power...changed. Not redeemed, never that. But different in some subtle way. Oh, he returned to his empire, all right. He was...oddly gentle. Relative to how he used to be, that is. It was still hell to work under him, but he stopped destroying planets out of random spite. Things were actually relatively stable, as bizarre as it sounds to say that. I've told you before about how he vanished in the wake of Goku and Vegeta's deaths. For a while, there was a rumor that he'd died with them. There were even people who started to claim that he never even existed.

And then, as I told you before, Earth died, and Freeza returned.

Freeza, upon his return, was nearly unrecognizable to how he had been. Yes, he returned to conquering, plunging the west of the galaxy into blood and death as he restored order amidst the revolts against the Galactic King. As I told you, he took the West and left the Core alone, allowing the Kingdom to survive. And in that time, he spoke.

Freeza, for the first time in his life, actually decided to justify his conquests. He spoke of the Enemy and called it the greatest threat the galaxy had ever faced. He said it made him look small time. He claimed that it was an enemy truly fit for the dead legends of Earth. And he gathered forces to him.

Freeza spent those five years combing the galaxy for the strongest champions he could find, regardless of who they were. He brought them back to his Empire and trained them with a brutality that he had previously reserved for genocide. Every step of the way, he kept on talking about how they were preparing to face the Enemy.

Nobody believed that that was why Freeza let the Kingdom live. He could have annihilated them in a week if he had cared to. It's still a mystery why he contented himself only with the West. It's not as though he hesitated to exterminate any Patrollers who crossed his path. He couldn't have believed that they were a threat. But he let the Kingdom live. All the while, he made sure to tell everybody who asked that all of his work was to fight the Enemy. It was all he would say. He sent no diplomats, he never engaged with the Kingdom, and he, for all intents and purposes, acted as though there wasn't a massive, hostile power on his eastern border. But anybody who asked him personally...he gave them his explanation, and then let them leave his presence alive, to spread the news.

It made it all the stranger when the Enemy just refused to respond. He roamed the galaxy, hunting for the Nomads, making himself a very personalized terror to any systems he visited. And he never responded to anything Freeza had to say. For five years, he wandered. And then, without any apparent prompting, he turned around, crossed the entire galaxy in a straight line, and came for Freeza's head. And...you know as much about what happened there as anybody else does, but seventeen dead star systems later, they both vanished without a trace.

And here is where Freeza's true impact was felt -- when he was, to the best of our knowledge, dead. He had spent five years gathering to him the strongest champions anywhere, with absolutely no regard for any other considerations. He kept them in line solely through brute force.

Once he was gone, they exploded in every direction in an orgy of violence. I told you that the Empire collapsed into a thousand warlord states, and that the Kingdom lost everything outside of the Core. Those sorts of things don't just happen. These days, we call it the Galactic Civil War. Freeza had gathered a thousand champions to his banner -- why, we don't know. Perhaps as insurance. He certainly wasn't relying on them for his clash with the Enemy -- he quite deliberately left them behind. Whatever his intentions, the result was that, as their personalities struck sparks off of one another and started setting fires, they brought the galaxy down. So many people died. Few warlords from that era are left, but their legacy remains today, in the East.

The Civil War is a significant part of the reason why the New Cold Empire isn't riven with revolts. For centuries, people have been dying in endless wars between champions of incredible strength, driven by grudges generations old and passed down from parent to child, teacher to student. Even abject subjugation, to many, is better than knowing that you, personally, will in all probability not die a natural death.

And so, that is Freeza's legacy. Centuries of bloodshed. Countless dead. A brutal empire that should not remotely be able to command the support it does. A King who has accepted his Kingdom's death so many times only to see hope dangled in front of his face again, so that now that it is truly lost, he can't bring himself to recognize that, and lashes at at all those around him. The near-total death of freedom, and a galaxy in which it is so direly threatened, it may very well never rise again. An Enemy, ultimately, left unchecked.

All because one tyrant decided to recruit a cadre of elite warriors he didn't even use.

And, personally speaking, fuck that guy.

* * *

Bassoon groans as he touches down outside of the isolated house. 'Are you certain -- and I mean absolutely certain -- that you really need this done?'

"Yeah!" you reply. "I need everything I can get, right now!"

'But are you sure?' asks Bassoon.

"What's up with you?" you ask. "What's going on here?"

He closes his eyes and lets out a deep sigh. 'You'll see.' He steps up to the door and knocks before leaping back.

The door misses his nose by a millimeter as it comes crashing open. "BASSOON!" A gigantic, overweight Namekian stands in the doorway, arms thrown wide. "YOU CAME TO VISIT ME! COME HERE, LITTLE GUY!" The man steps forward and pats Bassoon's scalp with jarring force.

Bassoon grits his teeth. "...hello, Uncle Berimbau."

Berimbau steps in, measuring his tone a bit. "Ah, you don't need to stand on ceremony with me!" He draws Bassoon into a headlock and gives him a noogie. "Missed ya, little guy! How have you been! Oh, wait, we have a guest." He releases his nephew and steps back. "Welcome to my home, Scion! I'm Berimbau! Dragon Clan mage extraordinaire!" He flashes a smile that practically glints, it's so bright. "I, ah, can't see you right now, of course. But I'm told you're in my nephew's head wait Bassoon please tell me your father wasn't messing with me when he said that."

Bassoon straightens, chuckling. "Dad wasn't lying, no. She is in my head."

Berimbau swipes at his brow, theatricality returning. "Phew! Load off my mind, it'd be just like your dad. Anyway, welcome! Come on inside, I have scents on the stove!" He whirls around and darts back into his home.

Bassoon rolls his eyes. 'And remember, you asked for this.' He then steps forward, into the house.

True to his words, Berimbau is heating something aromatic on the stove, and he gives it a swirl as you enter. "Have a seat, I have water! No good at making things that taste good."

"Doesn't that taste good?" you ask, projecting your words through Bassoon's head. "It smells good."

"Well, thanks, but no, it actually tastes like garbage," says Berimbau. "Literal garbage. I don't know how something can smell this good and taste like death. My brother's the one who can make something so good, a Namekian will eat it."

"It's true," says Bassoon. "He can."

Berimbau shoots your host a baleful look. "Nice dodge. I might've missed it, if I were blind."

"I couldn't possibly comment on your cooking, Uncle Berimbau," says Bassoon. "I never taste it."

"Oof, I felt that. Right here, Bassoon." Berimbau clutches at his chest. "I felt that here. You cut me deep. My own nephew! Why would you do this?"

"I mean, since you mention it, I always wanted cousins when I was a child..." sighs Bassoon, smirking.

"I'm not ready for kids!" snaps Berimbau, waving a finger.

Bassoon just shakes his head, chuckling.

Berimbau laughs too, sitting down across from his nephew. Slowly, the smile on his face dims a little. "So. What brings you here? Teasing aside, I know that you're busy."

Bassoon's smile vanishes as well, and he nods. "Yeah...yeah, that's right." He pauses for a long moment. Opens his mouth. Closes it. Opens it again. Closes it again.

You lose patience. "It's about me," you say.

Berimbau blinks. "Oh? Watcha need?"

"I'm locked into shade form," you say. "My strength is cut by a twentieth. I need to get home, and to get home I need to help you all enough that I have time to figure out how to get home. And..."

"...I am one of the only unlocking mages left on Namek," finishes Berimbau, downing a glass of water. "Right. Yes, that makes sense." He sets down the glass. "I don't know that I can make you stronger, Scion. If what I've heard from my brother about saiyans and power level caps is true..." He shrugs. "Nothing to be done. But if what I've heard about psychic abilities is true..."

"That's honestly what I was hoping for," you say. "I have so much to work on...I need something to progress faster than it is right now."

Berimbau peers at you. "...I just want to measure your expectations a bit, I'm not saying no," he says, holding up a hand. "Our first Guru was exceptional. He had a gift for unlocking potential. I mean that seriously; a genuine, no-fooling gift. I'm not going to be able to give you the same kind of results he could. Second, this isn't something you can just repeat over and over again. You got all that?"

"I get it," you say.

"All right, then," says Berimbau. "Out you go, I need to touch your head."

You blink. "What, specifically?"

"It's customary, yeah. Mind is the seat of the soul, and all that."

Dazarel rears up on your shoulder, speaking for the first time this conversation. 'It is not!'

You ignore him. "All right. I'll come out." You focus, strain, and stream up, up, and out-

Dazarel immediately lifts off your shoulder and flits over to the windowsill, ignoring everybody. You turn to Berimbau. "Hello!" you say. "Nice to meet you in person."

"And you as well!" he says, lifting himself out of his chair. "On closer inspection...yeah, I think I was pretty bang on the money. "Not much ki power to unlock, there. I do think that I can draw out some psychic potential you've got lying around, though."

"I'll take anything, at this point," you say.

He smirks. "Ah, young people. Very well!" He reaches out and sets a hand atop your head. "I want you to remember that this was within you all along. I'm just nudging things along a bit." And then his hand glows.

It feels like a flower unfolding in your mind; as if something precious and special that was already there has simply grown into its full potential. It feels like a rush of warmth.

It feels like the crackling of electricity.

Berimbau's eyebrows quirk, and he steps back. Dazarel cocks his head at you. Bassoon watches expectantly.

You grin, eyes wide in exhilaration. "...Bassoon?" you breathe, staring into empty space.

He shifts. "Yes?"

You turn to meet his eyes. "Try and get in."

He blinks, but, after a moment, nods and raises his hand, tracing symbols. In your mind, you see that massive hand reaching out for you-

And the lightning shield forms, swarms around the hand, and traps it, stinging it over and over again. Bassoon spasms, cursing in Namekian, and you conclude by pulsing the shield once and hurling him back. As you do, the electricity spills over, beyond your thoughts, and sparks start arcing through the air around you as your aura lights up. You slowly looks around you at the electricity playing in the air. This is not the cosmetic sparking that showed up when you first became a super saiyan. This is live electricity, and it is dangerous.

You grin. "I wasn't expecting this...but I am not complaining."

Full success on getting a mental shield established. There's more to learn, but you'll grind it further simply by grinding your general psychic abilities.

* * *

Perika strains against the blast pressing her into the ground.

"There's no way around this without going all-out!" you call, keeping the pressure up. "There's no clever trick. You transform, or you lose!"

You feel her struggling to force the beam back, hear her screaming in effort...and then the blast shatters her guard, and plows her into the ground.

You sigh, releasing the beam. "That could have gone better," you say.

She forces herself to her feet, panting. "I do not understand!" she snaps. "I need it! I want it! I will die if I do not have it!" She growls, kicking at the ground; it splits under her feet and she smoothly takes to the sky. "What is missing?!"

You sigh. "Immediacy, maybe. It's not easy to push somebody into this." You fold your arms, frowning. "I don't want you to have to transform like I did. I just don't know how to do it."

"I am tired," she sighs. "Why is this hard?"

"Wouldn't be legendary if it was easy," you say, shrugging. Then you shake your head. "I'll tell you what, though -- tired is not the right mood to be in for this-"

"I AM TIRED!" snaps Perika, whirling on you as her aura flares. "I AM TRAINING, AND STRUGGLING, AND YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO, AND I AM TRYING, BUT IT IS NOT WORKING!"

You rear back at the outburst, hands coming up. "Whoa, okay, too far in the opposite-"

She snarls, her hand comes up, and a blast engulfs you.

The light clears, and you take a deep breath in and out. Through the dispersing smoke, you see Perika's expression turn to horror as she takes in your face. You paste on a smile. Judging by how white she goes, it does not help. "Right," you say. You snap your hands back to your waist. "Kamehameha!"

Perika's eyes widen as the beam lances out. "Wait sorry I sorry-!"

THOOOOOOM

You vaguely hear her screaming in shock as the beam blasts her back into the katchin and pins her there. "Getting angry is fine!" you snap, keeping on the pressure. "But if you're going to go nuts and blast me while I'm trying to give you advice, then I'm never helping you with this again!"

You feel her ki signature pulse. Your eyebrows raise. So that's what does it? Okay.

You dial up the power in the beam. "I can do this without you, and I will if you make me! I'm not interested in having to babysit you through a fight because you're not interested in learning things the right way."

Perika grunts as she strains against your power, for all the good it does her.

A little more. "You wanna know what I think when I see you throwing a tantrum? I think about my little brother, who was such a whiny brat that I had to invent a brand-new form just to keep him from accidentally slaughtering some of our own subjects!"

Perika's ki signature flares.

"...I...am..." she grits out, struggling even harder. Your eyebrows lift as she succeeds in shoving your blast back, her arms straightening. She pants in fury and exhaustion. "NOT A BURDEN! HYAAAAAAAAA!"

You grin as her power level spikes, climbing up and up, and the pressure on your beam increases-

-and then stops. Your grin vanishes. Perika's power level has risen...to about fifty-three million. And it's holding there. You release the beam to get a better look.

Perika stares back at you for a moment, gasping for air, before she relaxes and falls out of the air. "I...I did it?" she pants. "Is this it? This is it, yes?"

You frown down at her, desperately trying to parse this. "...no," you say. "It's not. That's stronger than you should be able to be...but that's not it. Only a super saiyan should be able to get that strong, but only after weeks or months of training in base! That's...that's not possible."

"Maybe I have much cap?" she asks, pushing herself to her knees.

"Maybe you have a high cap," you say. "And no. There is some difference between people, but not this much! This-" You stop, and your blood runs cold with ice. "...this isn't possible. Not unless you're already a super saiyan."

Perika stares at you, bewildered. "But...then why do I not transform?"

You search for an answer for a while, your thoughts churning. It stings more than you want to admit to finally shrug, helplessly, and say, "I don't know."

Something (else) is weird about Perika.

...aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand now you have to go.

Welcome back, folks!

I know this took a while, and I'm sorry about that. I suffered a belated realization that, with my laptop restored, I could play video games whenever I wanted. Heh. Hehe. Sorry...?

Anyway! I'm getting back into the habit of writing, and this is step one! A 7,000 word update. Ahahahahahaha.

(You think this is bad, I've already written 6,000 words for an RP in which I participate, and most of this week vanished down the maw of a 100,000 word short novel that I wrote in a fugue and from the existence of which I now recoil in grammar- and quality-based horror. I've been busy.)

And now, onto my other quests! I hope that you've enjoyed this update! There's actually very little that calls for me to call for a vote in this plan; it's very cut-and-dried. Still, I had fun writing it, and I hope you enjoyed reading it! We'll have another plan vote next update. See y'all!

PoptartProdigy · Oct 31, 2019

Deathbybunnies said:
Hey @PoptartProdigy, just wondering if you'd had any further thoughts on this.

Oof, sorry, got badly caught up at work. I have some hours free tomorrow; I'll fix it up then.

In the meantime, folks on Discord asked me if I could distill Kakara's thoughts on Dandeer and try to get Kakara to explain Dandeer as best as she could, leveraging her Communication score and years of exposure. Here's what I came up with.

KAKARA: Dandeer? No, she's pretty simple. She wants what she thinks is best for her loved ones. She wants to be on top. Nothing else matters.

Like, that's the thing that scares me the most about her, y'know? Nothing else matters. Like...not even as tools. It took a while before I realized that. It's like, she acts like a normal person, but then something makes her think that her son's in danger, or that something might get in her way, and she's instantly ready to rip it apart. Garenhulders are getting ready to nuke each other? Eh, that sounds a little high-profile. Let 'em. It's not like they matter, like, at all. In fact, if they're all dead, that means sorcerers are even more important, which makes me the most important of anybody!

She's just so selfish. It doesn't seem like it's enough to say that, but she's so selfish. She'll commit mass murder, enslave her own son, let a whole planet die because saving them is inconvenient...nothing matters to her but herself and the things she thinks are important to her. She thinks she's entitled to lecture anybody because no one could possibly be as worthwhile or smart as she is. Everything is about her. It took me so long to realize that. Everything that happens is about her. If it's good, it can stay. If it's not...then, well, that's just that. And she won't say that. She always wants to look nice, because people like nice people. And that's not because she likes being nice and making people feel good. It's because she wants to be loved.

...kais, she wants to be loved. I think it's the only thing that matters to her more than the rest of it. The thing I did that hurt her worst was saying that nobody loved her.

You know what, you want an easy way to describe Dandeer? It's all about her. Everything that happens around her is about her.

PoptartProdigy · Apr 20, 2020

Meet the Team

The day after your final training session with Perika, you watch through Bassoon's eyes as he lands next to his ship and starts walking towards a cluster of four Namekians waiting around it.

"So, this is who we'll be working with?" you ask, looking them all over.

"It is," he replies, inside his head. "More or less, these are all the people who venture out often enough that we can call them regulars. They're our best scouts."

"Exactly what we need, considering," you say.

One of the namekians looks up as you approach. He's tall and lanky, with a darker tint to his skin than you're used to seeing from the namekians. "Bassoon," he says, nodding. His expression doesn't so much flicker. "And Scion Kakara, we're given to understand? Guru has briefed us."

Another, much shorter man stands, waving to Bassoon with a broad grin. "Hey, there! We've been waiting all morning!" He tucks his arms behind his back.

Bassoon nods back. "Good to see you, guys," he says. "And yes, I have the Scion with me. Kakara, meet Lyre and Flute," he says, pointing to the tall one and the short one, respectively. "They're our heavy hitters. They tend to work together."

"Pleasure to meet you," you say, projecting your words out of Bassoon's head.

Bassoon then turns to the others. He steps over to one with a scar struck straight through his eye. "This is Bugle," says Bassoon. He then smiles. "Good to see you again, pal."

The two shake hands, Bugle giving a short smile back. "You as well," he replies. "And a pleasure to meet you, Scion."

"Same here," you say. "What's your specialty?"

"I focus on blasting," he says, touching his scar and smirking. "Tends to go better for me."

Bassoon snorts before stepping on. "Don't listen to him, he's just as good up close. One bad day doesn't undo an entire career." He approaches the final namekian, standing tall and whipcord thin. "And this is Snare."

Snare nods to you and Bassoon. "Heya! Good to meet you."

"Pleasure," you say.

"'Fraid I don't have a cool story like the others," he says, shrugging with a rueful smile. "I just like to wander places."

You blink. "What, really?"

"Yeah, pretty much," he says. "Honestly, I'm not really much of a fighter. I'm not even that strong." He flares by way of demonstration. You blink. A little over a million. It's not nothing, but for a mission like this...

Bassoon coughs. "Snare's going to be our support on this," he says. "He does wander. He's been everywhere. Knows a lot of people. He's been a lot of places. And he's smart."

"I just notice things," says Snare, shrugging. "It's no achievement to keep my eyes open."

Bassoon rolls his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, as you keep saying." He turns away and stage-whispers, "He always sells himself short."

Snare sighs. "Quit it!"

Bassoon laughs. "All right. Everybody have your things? It'll be a while without resupply." After they all answer in the affirmative, Bassoon nods. "Good! Get into the ship, then. No sense in hanging around."

The others file up the ramp, and Bassoon takes a moment to look around, drinking in the view. As he does, you notice somebody, off on the horizon, peering at you. "Perika," you sigh.

"She's just watching," says Bassoon, after a moment to notice her. "Not like she's trying to sneak aboard or anything."

"No, I guess not," you admit. "Still, it's less surprising than it should be to see her here."

"She doesn't really have much but you," he says. "Makes sense that she'd be anxious about being separated, even if only for a little while."

You feel a pang of guilt at that, wincing. Bassoon sighs.

"This is important," he says. "You know you have to go."

"I do," you admit. You glance at her again and open up a line of telepathy. "Hey. I'll be back."

She flinches back down under the horizon for a moment before sheepishly coming back up into view. "...I know," she replies. "Still."

You nod, grimacing. "Still."

She drifts up a bit, waving. "See you when you get back."

You wave back. "See you, Perika."

"Bye."

Bassoon turns, walking up the ramp of the ship. It slides shut behind him, and as the rest of the team settles into place, he takes his place at the controls.

Half an hour later, the ship blasts off, and you leave New Namek behind.

* * *

Once Bassoon has the ship heading for the system limits, he swivels his chair around and looks at the rest of the team. "So..." he says, folding his hands at his waist.

Your four namekian teammates stare back, filling the space to capacity.

Bassoon smirks. "We should probably clarify sleeping arrangements."

Flute snickers. "Game of cards? Loser gets the chair."

Snare and Bugle join in the laughter. Lyre's expression doesn't twitch. "We should decide our course, first of anything," he says, cutting through the chuckles.

Bassoon sighs. "Oh, sure, kill the joke. Fine, fine. You have a point." He stands. "So. We need to find out three things. First, where the invasion is coming through. This is almost certainly to the galactic west of north, but it's not out of the question that the Empire is planning on carving out a bit of the East for an unexpected flank. Second, we need to find out what's coming our way. How many champions, how strong they are, what kind of equipment they have. Third...which royal is in charge?" He fiddles with his fingers. "What we do in defense of New Namek depends on that information. There are both good and bad things about that. On the bad side: the Empire has, well, the Empire. They have a lot of options for where they could be staging this. One the good side: there are only so many ways they could be using to approach us, and even nine months out, there'll be preparations, if they're already planning this invasion."

"How do you mean?" asks Lyre, folding his arms.

"Well, there's only so many ways they can really come at us," says Snare, shrugging. "An invasion this big? You'll need a populous, developed world with some good orbital infrastructure to support that, and it'd have to be close. I can only think of, like, three that qualify." The others look at him, and a purple flush rises in his cheeks. "What?"

"...pretty much that exactly," says Bassoon, nodding. "We're looking at three planets that have the infrastructure and population to support an invasion fleet and all that implies." He turns around and taps on his computer; the windscreen lights up and displays three entries from the ship's database. "Planets Tamrii, Vulkar, and Braigh. They all fit. The invasion fleet won't be at any of them -- they're trying to keep this at least a little bit secret, after all -- but we might be able to find some hints about where the fleet is mustering, if we figure out which of these is being prepped as the staging point." He looks at Snare. "What do you know about these?"

Snare shifts uncomfortably. "I mean, if you're asking what's friendliest, Vulkar, definitely. Locals always like tourists. Not even because they bring money, they actually like tourists. They're a very social people. Tamrii, they tend to have their noses too high in the air to talk with outsiders. They came into the Empire peacefully and got some pretty good terms. They've prospered, since. They're on top and they know it. I wouldn't say they're malicious, but they're very absorbed in their own business. And Braigh is just...Braigh." He grimaces. "All industry, all the time. I doubt there's a speck of vegetation left on that planet that isn't cultivated. The people there aren't really interested in outsiders that aren't there to buy things. I'd call it a dead ringer for the staging point, but it's not a weapons manufacturer, for the most part. Civilian goods. And they don't like the Empire nearly as much as Vulkar."

"It's still the best option," says Lyre. "Industry can be repurposed."

"Not without a lot of very noticeable effort," says Bugle, shaking his head. "They're trying to be as subtle about this as they can. I'd call it for Vulkar, actually. Who'd guess it?"

"I mean, there are some good reasons for why you wouldn't guess it," says Flute, smirking. "Much as I'd love to go to the friendly planet where everybody loves to shoot the breeze, I don't really hear, 'military,' from that, yeah? I mean, if you're picking a route, you want the one with good facilities, or you want the one where the people are all really loyal. I'm betting on Tamrii. You want folks you can trust to keep their mouth shut more than you want preexisting industry you'd have to retool anyway."

Lyre shakes his head. "Retooling is a lot easier than building from scratch."

The four start to argue back and forth about the options -- Snare mostly chiming in to give some context on the planets involved. Bassoon sits back down in his chair. "What do you think, Kakara?"

Of these three planets, which do Kakara and Bassoon decide sounds most plausible?

[ ][DESTINATION] Braigh. Lyre's right; all that industry is great for an invasion force, even if you need to adapt it to the task at hand.
[ ][DESTINATION] Tamrii. Flute makes a good point; loyalty is important for the staging ground for your operations; after the Unsealing, you have a sudden and keen appreciation for making sure that your allies are reliable.
[ ][DESTINATION] Vulkar. Subtlety is a potent advantage, and with the Empire trying to pull a fast one with this, it makes sense that they'd pick the planet that nobody expect, good reasons or not.

Even once you've decided on a destination, it's going to be a busy month ahead of you. What do you want to do with it?

You have five free AP, which may be used among the following options as you wish.

Going by your visions, you have nine months until the invasion hits New Namek.

[ ] Plan [NAME]

The Sight -- or, perhaps more accurately, your psychic abilities -- got you into this mess. Kais and Ancestors willing, they will get you out. This category has 2 AP.

-[ ] Continue Your Training (1 AP): Dazarel hasn't let up with his insistence on training you. It's actually cute, how afraid he seems of the idea of failing in the task Grandpa Gohan gave him. It's time to make further progress. Follow Dazarel's training regime.

-[ ] Looking Home (1 AP): You may have left home, but you will return someday. When you do, it would be best to be well informed. Devote a substantial amount of time and effort to using your Sight to keep up to date on the current events on Garenhuld.

-[ ] Future Options (1 AP): The mysterious destinations that called to you when you fled Garenhuld, and again when you departed the Other World, are an intriguing mystery. Bassoon may have been a friend, but can you guarantee that the self-described, "Enemies," will be? Try to pierce the odd veil around your host options, revealing a chosen option's identity for the next time you need to find a new host.

-[ ] Looking Abroad (1 AP) [TOPIC HERE]: It is difficult to fully describe the dizzying potential of your Sight. With sufficient precision and effort, literally anything past, present, or future is yours to behold. Use your Sight to look into a topic of your choice to the best of your abilities.

The drive to improve oneself is intrinsic to the saiyan race, and you are as saiyan as they come in the modern world. This category has 3 AP.

-[ ] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [SKILL NAME GOES HERE]: Choose one of your existing skills to improve. Make a training roll in the specified skill. Exceptional or higher skills are a matter for the, "To Go Beyond," option below. Please note that you can no longer directly train super-skills like Hand-to-Hand or Ki Manipulation.

-[ ] New Skills (1 AP) [SKILL NAME GOES HERE]: Your repertoire is impressive, but it can always expand. Variety is the spice of life and the key to not losing it. Acquire any skill of which Kakara knows, at an appropriate starting level. The skill's theory and practice must be things to which Kakara has access.

-[ ] Research Project (1 AP) [PROJECT NAME GOES HERE]: There are some whispered legends yet to be recreated; there are some things held to be impossible. You brought the Genki Dama back into the world. You're only getting started. Start making research rolls to acquire or invent a skill to which Kakara does not have access. The project name should be the name of a technique you want to acquire or an effect you want to achieve, whichever is more descriptive (i.e., "Perfect Multiform," or, "a good piercing attack with an emphasis on speed." Success is not guaranteed.

-[ ] Style Training (1 AP) [STYLE HERE]: Yammar took you apart. A good part of that is who he is and the experiences he has endured, but another part was his simple superiority as a fighter. You must improve. When you return to Garenhuld, it will not be peacefully. Make training rolls towards leveling up one of your combat styles.

-[ ] Invent a Style (2 AP): Perhaps the answers to your needs do not rest in the past. Perhaps you need to strike your own path, if you are to stand up to the trials set against you. Design a new combat style and begin training it.

-[ ] To Go Beyond (1 AP) [SKILL NAME GOES HERE]: You have experienced moments throughout your life that hint at an understanding of your current techniques which few can equal. You have the chance to truly push the boundaries of your people's knowledge. Select either Ki Sense or Multiform and begin training it to Elite+ levels.

-[ ] Broken Precedent (2 AP): Perika was brought into this world at peak base saiyan strength with a wish that supposed she'd be useful for fighting an opponent at your level. Moreover, she is a saiyan without a support structure, loose in the wider galaxy. You have already given leave to the Senzus to reach for the next level. You must do the same for Perika. Settle down with Perika, and for the first time in your life, help to create another super saiyan.

For as long as you can recall, you have been an outgoing girl. Though you have grown rapidly over the past year or so and your life has turned upside-down, that fundamental truth has not changed. This category has 2 AP.

-[ ] Strengthen Host Bond (1 AP): Neither you nor Bassoon fully understand the nature of the ties that bind you. Perhaps you can unravel the mystery of your presence here. Deepen the metaphysical connection you have with -Bassoon by running experiments with him and exploring his mindscape.

-[ ] Talk to Dazarel (1 AP): Dazarel is a twisted, evil monster who believes might makes right and that psychic might makes rightest of all. Your own abilities and obvious power grant you some respect from him, but everybody else is like so much chaff to him. Still, you are stuck with him, and have managed to gain some insight into his character. Perhaps, with time and effort, you might render him something approaching tolerable. Spend significant time and focused effort trying to connect with Dazarel.

-[ ] Strange Sister (1 AP): Perika has established a bond of trust with you that you can't help but try to live up to. She has claimed you as her Lady. It is only right that you spend time with her, and ensure you're doing right by her.

-[ ] General Training (2 AP): Now that you can communicate with people outside of Bassoon's head, you intend to take advantage of it. Spend time imparting knowledge and power onto your teammates for this mission.

-[ ] Socialize With [TARGET] (1 AP): You can now use your telepathy to speak with individuals outside of Bassoon's head, and your social circle has thus expanded tremendously. Take advantage of this and grind up your relationship with any person of your choice.

With the level of access you have, it's all-but-guaranteed that you'll be able to sway Bassoon into doing things in the outside world. This category has 0 AP (2 locked in).

-[X] Adventures (2 AP): New Namek is bracing for invasion, but there's a whole galaxy out there. You and Bassoon have access to a stealth ship. With the scouting trip coming soon, this will mostly be groundwork for that, but you might find something interesting. The scouting trip has begun, and you are committed to it.

-[ ] Instruction (1 AP): He might complain about bottle blondes again, but you're riding in Bassoon's head, and you have a vested interest in keeping it intact. In spare moments, impart some of the secrets of your people's warrior traditions to him. The irony in you, of all people, doing this is stifling, but you'll power through. Bassoon makes a concerted effort to train his power level and abilities this month, and you directly assist him. Canceled due to host burnout.

-[ ] Historical Insights (1 AP): Bassoon has mentioned to you, offhand, that he's originally a historian by trade. That actually represents a significant source of information for you on the state of the galaxy, and it'd be nearly criminal to neglect it. Bassoon gives you a history lesson on a topic of his choosing. Gain deep insight into that topic.

You have sworn Dandeer Vegeta's complete and utter defeat, and your and Jaffur's ascension to your people's leadership. You will see it done. This category has 1 AP.

-[ ] Anything (AP Variable): You may fill this category with any type of action from any other category, as long as it applies directly to improving your ability to defeat Dandeer.

-[ ] Write-In (AP Variable): You are Kakara Goku, and it has admittedly been a little while since you last made a proper list! You're sure that you can come up with something else that you've forgotten at just this moment!

THERE WILL BE A MANUAL MORATORIUM FOR BOTH VOTES. WRITE-INS, AS ALWAYS, ARE PERMITTED. APPROVAL VOTING.

WHAT IS THREAD SHALL NEVER

EVER

DIE!

Welcome back, folks! A thousand times, this schedule shall slip; a thousand times I shall wrench it back from the edge! We return!

Hope you've enjoyed this update, everybody! We'll be moving right along from here, hopefully! I've missed this quest; I'm excited to get it rolling once again! See y'all around the thread!

OfSpaceandTime · Apr 28, 2020

I don't know if I've ever written an omake for this quest as of yet. But, the writing bug has found it's way to me, especially with some topics having been brought up in the Discord. Anyways.

An Ancestral Spar

You take in a deep breath and allow yourself to calm down. Kais on high. Your nerves are not allowing themselves to steady. And so, you steady them yourself. If there's anything that you'll know for sure after the sheer ordeal, literally going through Hell itself, everything about that was nowhere near as nerve-wracking as this.

And of the many things you had asked for, advice, lessons, simply even a hug from Jiichan, you never in your life thought that you'd get this one. And, oh, is Jaffur going to be incredibly jealous. Honestly, it wasn't even really your idea! And that's the part that has caught you the most off guard.

While Vegeta scoffed at the idea, knowing full well what little there is for someone of his level to gain from you, your name-sake, Son Goku himself, sometimes known as Kakarot to his friends, asked you to spar with him. Certainly, you would never have forgiven yourself had you said no to this.

So, here you stand in the plains of the afterlife, a gentle breeze blowing through the air as you transform, glorious golden light emanating from you until you real it in. Sure, intimidation would never work against Goku, though you're calming your nerves Kakara.

Across from you, Goku bounces from side to side, foot to foot, as he rolls his shoulders and eases up the tension in his body. He then smiles at you, a confident smile, and one that's also reassuring. You and he both know that he's literally a God. To your people, specifically those of the Ancestor Cult, you're a demigod, but this is Son Goku.

He eases himself into his stance, and the two of you lock eyes. Goku's remained in his base form, while you're at full power.

From the side, Jiihan's voice rings out: "Begin!"

Of the memories that you will have in life, this day, regardless of what brought you here, you decide you shall cherish it as much as you are capable.

googlyeyesultra · Apr 29, 2020

Thought I'd try my hand at an omake. It's a transparent excuse to tell bad jokes. I'm assuming this will get non-canon - for one, if this were realistic the audience would be groaning instead of laughing.

The Saiyan Seinfeld

Getting started with stand-up comedy was pretty hard in a society as reverential as that of the Exiles, but Arti had a dream ever since he saw a comedy special on human television, and he was going to make it work.

Convincing the restaurant owner to let him do his bit for the customers had been surprisingly easy - sure, Arti had had to pay for the privilege, but once people saw his comedic chops, he'd be getting a king's ransom to perform for stuff like scions' birthday parties!

It was time to wipe the nervous sweat off his face and get started. There wasn't a stage, so Arti had to hop up on a table.

"Hello, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Arti, and I'll be your entertainment for the evening." Everyone was staring at him as he cleared his throat.

"You all know what kind of car Piccolo drove? A DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODGE!" That got a giggle from a little girl. That's good, everyone likes the Attestations of Rakkyo.

"Doctor Lychee, on the other hand, drove a Hatch-i-back!" That merited a smile from an older fellow.

"Goku drove a truck, but its instant transmission broke. Had to go all the way to Yardrat to get it replaced." A young man stuck his face in his palm, but Arti could see a wide grin forming behind that hand.

"Well, enough about cars, you all are Saiyans, you care about fighting! Let's talk styles! Trunks style is well-known for requiring a sword, but it's not the only style that needs special equipment. To really get the most out of the Vegeta style's Final Flash, you've got to wear a trenchcoat." Take a breath for comedic timing. "And nothing else." The little girl didn't seem to get it, but everyone else was having a good time. "More blinding than the Solar Flare, am I right?"

"Now, Master Roshi was a genius martial artist. That said, I really wish I could ask him one thing: doesn't shouting 'Thunder Shock Surprise' make it a bit less of a surprise?" Arti had his confidence, he had his rhythm, and he was having a good time.

"As a kid, I had some trouble keeping up with the genealogies of our ancestors. I had it in my head that Ox-King and Bull-Ma were related!"

"It took me a while to understand why one of the weakest Z-fighters, Krillin, had the Kienzan, one of the most lethal moves. Then it hit me - he's a kriller!"

"Head Raditz is a great guy, but between me and all of you, one time he had a little bit too much to drink and gave karaoke a shot. He sang Kelly Clarkson's old Earth hit with a twist - 'Senzu Bean Gone.'"

"You've all been a lovely audience. I was a little worried - see, there's one figure from our past that's notorious for heckling. I'm glad there aren't any Boooooooooooo stylists here tonight. Thank you!"

Arti hopped off the table and left the restaurant to laughter and applause. Maybe next time he'd even get paid!

googlyeyesultra · May 4, 2020

I enjoyed writing my first stupid joke omake enough that I felt the need to make another one. Please enjoy!

Gotta Kakaratch them all!

"Welcome to the world of Pokémon! My name is Okra! People call me the Pokémon Professor! This universe is inhabited by creatures called Pokémon! Since we had to flee from the Enemy, we've hidden here on Garenhuld. Our sealing mages have made objects called dragon balls to capture these creatures, and now we train them in the hopes of becoming strong enough to end our exile."

"First, what is your name?"

"Right, so your name is Kakara!"

"This is Clan Vegeta's Scion. He's been your rival since you were a baby. ...Erm, what is his name again?"

"That's right! I remember now! His name is Jaffur!"

"Kakara! Your very own Pokémon legend is about to unfold! A world of dreams and adventures with Pokémon awaits! Let's go!"

On that day, you chose Makuhita to be your first Pokémon. Despite being Scion, your fellow Saiyans had nothing but contempt for you. In their eyes, you were weak. You just didn't like to make Pokémon fight. While you still did your duty as Scion and trained your Makuhita until it evolved into Hariyama, you didn't catch any more Pokémon.

The enormous dragon descends from the sky. You and the other nobles (the only ones allowed to have evolved Pokémon) are gathered to meet it, along with no small number of supporters. As it sets down, roaring its name "Dazarel," your father's Charizard launches a Fire Blast, nearly blinding you. A Water Spout erupts from Yammar's Blastoise, but the attacks are not very effective. Apra's Espeon fires a Psybeam stronger than you've ever seen before, bolstered by a Life Orb, but it has no effect. Before you can even process what's happening and send out your Hariyama, Psychic waves radiate from the Dazarel, leaving you dizzy and stumbling away from the fight.

It's not working. With a little distance, you can see the Dazarel is laughing off the Saiyans' Pokémons' attacks like they're nothing. You know what you need to do.

Setting aside your disgust, you shout for Dandeer: "I need protection while I ready something. Give me a Substitute, a Light Screen, a Reflect!"

"You think I'm not busy right now? Shut the fuck-" You cut her off, shouting for other supporters to assist you. Soon, you're protected by shimmering barriers of energy and a floating Pokémon doll.

"Hariyama, I choose you!" you shout, letting him out of his dragon ball. To deal with something as strong as the Dazarel, you were going to need to give it everything you had.

"Hariyama, use Belly Drum! Take this Flame Orb! Charge up a Focus Punch!" Your Hariyama, burning and surrounded by an intense aura, leaps into the fray from behind the defensive barriers. With one massive punch, it sends the Dazarel flying into the air before it plummets back down. It's weakened, but not quite defeated, and you can't ready another attack that strong without it interrupting you now that it knows your tactics. Instead, you reach to your belt, and for the first time in your life, take and throw a dragon ball. The dragon becomes a burst of light, absorbed by the orange ball. One shake. Two. Then it settles.

You've captured the Dazarel.

Dazarel - Dragon/Dark

A cruel Pokémon which travels from world to world, consuming others to become stronger.

You gave everything you could in the fight against Dandeer, but Dazarel disobeyed you (you knew you should have gotten those badges!), and in the end, her team of psychic-types, even unevolved, was too much for your Hariyama. You whited out. When you came to, you were in chains, but you still had a trick up your sleeve. You couldn't beat her today, but someday you'd be back, stronger and with a full team, ready to liberate your people. For now, though, you could only use your Escape Rope, fleeing to some distant safe place.

"So, who are you and why are you in my ship?" the Namekian asks. "Also, this is a bit awkward, but my race doesn't have genders and I'm rather bad at recognizing them as a result - I'm not sure how I should be referring to you. Are you a boy? Or a girl?"

Cariyaga · May 5, 2020

Omake: Hyperbolic Time Chamber

It was finally time. After months of waiting, you stood before Porunga. Truthfully, it had come down to three things. The first, he'd already denied. That's fine, you didn't expect to be able to get effectively free teleportation anywhere as the gods themselves were rumored to have. The second was what you were on now.

"Porunga, are you able to create for the use of myself and those I choose to share it with a Hyperbolic Time Chamber?"

"I am."

Behind you, there was a sudden round of cursing in Bassoon's baritone. What was that about?

"What would be its limitations?"

"Two uses within a lifetime -- yes, being resurrected resets that, as will your return to your body," Your mouth snaps shut and Porunga continues, "Up to two years -- two days by the turn of your planet round the sun. As many can use it at once as wish, though leaving and reentering counts for the number of uses. It will be provided in the form of a unique -- not sharing space with any other such device -- door that may be moved as you wish."

"Very well. Then I wish for such."

There was a crack as if of thunder. There was one last expletive behind you. And then there was you, a young girl with a manic grin, faced with an object of mythical power to your people, and a race of warriors to train within it.

---

It had been decided after much discussion that troops would be sent in two month intervals for training with Kakara -- who had, after the previous months, been recognized as an excellent, if exacting, teacher. Twenty-five percent of them would cycle through at a time, followed by two months of training whomever Kakara chose, two months of purely personal training, and then it would repeat the following year.

The first round of troops marched out of the chamber after four hours dragging a massive quantity of carts out, staggered by seconds by the strange, temporally-warping properties the thing provided. But for a few, they had a strange expression of relief on their faces. They were followed promptly by the second set, looking concerned at their fellow. They dragged in practically trains of carts of water and a few of food for Perika, who remained in there the whole time.

And so it went for the following two days, until all had gone in at one time or another and come out with a thousand yard stare and more than a little paranoia on their shoulders, as if afraid that out of that door would come one of Kakara's -- the talk would bring the numbers to thousands, but there were truly only the four -- Multiforms to box their ears.

---

"Posture! I know your biology isn't that much different from mine that you can't stand up straight while fighting. If you can't even manage that much, how're you going to keep your family safe?"

"Theremin, focus your ki. You call that focus? You want a beam that can't be drilled through by anyone with a halfway-decent power level, you're going to need to work on your control."

"Bass, drop the center of gravity lower. You won't be able to hold yourself like that for long."

"Perika, Bassoon, again. Perika, I'll be calling out foresight for the both of you this time. I expect you to keep up, Bassoon."

---

By the time you emerged just before two days later, your mind buzzed with overwork. That was… not a fun experience, and toward the end you spent more time dealing with your own, Perika, and Bassoon's, mental health, than training. Ugh.

Still. Two years had borne fruit. Each member of the Namekian military was at minimum around 20 million power level, with their own fighting styles supporting that, with the most apt broaching 200 million, though even they burned out after a point.

On the other hand, you were pretty sure Bassoon was plotting rebellion with them. Eh. That was tomorrow thoughts. Or maybe next month. All you knew was that you were taking a break from training -- all training.

---

Over two years of teaching many namekian warriors, you have gained the Elite Talent for Teaching, Drill Sergeant, allowing you to teach numerous people at the same efficiency as with one on one training.

---

Not my best work, but eh, been a while since I've written anything.

Dragon Ball: After the End

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

PoptartProdigy

Lawful Evil

PoptartProdigy

Lawful Evil

HoratioVonBecker

Imperfectly Aligned

PoptartProdigy

Lawful Evil

PoptartProdigy

Lawful Evil

PoptartProdigy

Lawful Evil

OfSpaceandTime

Chaotically Inclined

googlyeyesultra

googlyeyesultra

Cariyaga

Handsome Gentleperson

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks