Dragon Ball SS: Chapter 10

Chapter 10

 

Bardock paused and leaned forward with his hands on his knees to catch his breath. “Vegeta,” he said, “keep going. I'll catch up.”

 

“Like hell,” the other Saiyan replied. He grasped Bardock's arm and looked him square in the eye. “I don't leave men behind, regardless of who they are,” he said.

 

Bardock straightened up and started forward again. “Fine, fine,” he said. “Let's -” His statement was cut off in mid-sentence as he suddenly froze up and his eyes glazed over.

 

“No, not now!” the elder Vegeta groaned. “Bardock, snap out of it! They'll be on us at any moment!” He shook the Saiyan man by the shoulders but received no response.

 

The former Saiyan king was always amazed how Bardock's visions could grip him at any time, regardless of the situation. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason for how they came and went, and even at inopportune times like this one, he would freeze up as the vision took hold of his mind.

 

The sound of pounding footsteps behind them drew Vegeta's attention back to their pursuers. The ogres quickly advanced on the two of them, brandishing studded whips; when they noticed Bardock's condition, they grinned.

 

“So, we're finally able to nail you two, are we?” one of them asked gleefully.

 

Vegeta crouched into a defensive pose between them and Bardock. “Not if I have anything to say about it,” he replied. He raised his hand before him and fired a blast of ki directly into the chest of the ogres' leader.

 

The ogres chuckled as dust billowed up around them and then settled again. Their leader brushed some soot off of the front of his shirt and examined the tattered and burned material left behind. “Damn, and this was one of my good shirts,” he complained. He turned his gaze back to Vegeta and Bardock. “I hope you're prepared to pay for that, worm.”

 

Vegeta frowned in contempt. Beside him, Bardock groaned and shook his head as he finally broke free of the vision that had paralyzed him.

 

“Good timing,” Vegeta replied. “I was starting to think I was going to have to take these infinite losers out myself.”

 

Bardock grinned. “Glory hog,” he said.

 

The two of them turned their attention back to the advancing ogres. One of the ogres started to raise his whip, but then the entire group of them stopped short. They frowned and muttered awkwardly, all the while glaring at something behind the two Saiyans.

 

Bardock and Vegeta glanced back and saw a tall, willowy woman standing a few feet behind them. She was dressed in a voluminous, shimmering robe that trailed along the ground, and her face was hidden in the shadows of a large hood. She advanced soundlessly and stood beside the two men.

 

“I have authorization from Enma Daio to take these two with me,” she said. Her voice was quiet and gentle, but held the firm air of authority.

 

“Yeah, whatever,” the lead ogre snarled. “Get them out of our faces, then.”

 

The woman nodded and reached toward the two Saiyans. “Please, come with me,” she requested.

 

Vegeta and Bardock glanced between the ogres, who were retreating, and the woman. She remained where she stood, with her hand extended in invitation.

 

“Who are you?” Vegeta demanded. “How did you make them back down like that?”

 

“I am Endisty, the keeper of the Tapestry of Fate,” she said. “I weave their fates as assuredly as I weave any others; they are well aware of that fact.”

 

“What business have you with us now?” Bardock demanded. “We are long dead; if you control fate, you should know that our fates were sealed long ago.”

 

“It was a tangle in my tapestry that resulted in your deaths,” Endisty replied. “I asked Enma Daio to turn your files over to me so that I may restore you to life. I would like you to join me in my realm until all of the preparations are finished.”

 

At this, the two Saiyans turned to face her fully. “You mean to tell us that our deaths – and all this time we've spent in Hell since – were the result of an accident?” Vegeta asked.

 

“More like tampering from the gods,” Endisty replied. “If you would come with me...I can explain fully once we return to my abode.”

 

Vegeta folded his arms across his chest. “Very well,” he said. “We obviously have nothing to lose.” He nodded to Bardock, and the two of them followed her as she turned and glided across the ground.

 

The three traveled across the heat-blasted terrain to a sheer cliff. Endisty reached out and touched the cliff, and an ornate door suddenly appeared before them. She opened it and gestured for them to follow her through.

 

Vegeta and Bardock looked around with trepidation as they stepped out before Enma Daio's desk. They glanced up at the looming figure seated behind the desk, but he paid them no attention as he processed the incoming souls.

 

“Enma Daio, I have brought out two of the souls I requested,” Endisty said, interrupting the proceedings.

 

He glanced over his papers at the three of them, then turned back to his work. “Fine, fine, whatever,” he said. “On your way with them, then.”

 

Just then, a door across from them opened, and West Kaio stepped into the room, followed by Paikuhan. He looked over the line stretching before Enma Daio's desk, then turned to the emperor himself. “My apologies for interrupting, Enma Daio-san,” he said. “I understand that you've had some troubles in Hell as of late; I thought perhaps Paikuhan may be able to help straighten them out.”

 

Enma Daio looked over the two new arrivals. “Yes, Paikuhan's been of assistance in Hell before; I'm sure it's nothing he can't handle. You're welcome to take him down and see what you can do.” He handed a slip of paper to West Kaio, then glanced at Endisty and the two Saiyans. “And get those two out of here,” he said with a wave of his hand. “They're just going to tangle up the line.”

 

Paikuhan's eyes traveled to the three Enma Daio had addressed, and they widened when they landed on Bardock. “Son Goku?” he asked.

 

Bardock looked over at him sharply. “Son Goku? Who is that?”

 

Paikuhan shook his head. “Never mind,” he said. “You look like a Saiyan from Earth I know, but he doesn't have a scar on his face like that. I was mistaken – my apologies.”

 

“A Saiyan from Earth?” Bardock exclaimed. “You don't mean my son, Kakarotto?”

 

“Kakarotto?” Paikuhan replied. “The name sounds familiar...” he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Perhaps...yes, that may have been what Vegeta was calling Son Goku when the two of them were together.”

 

West Kaio was becoming irritated with the conversation. “Paikuhan, I'm afraid we don't have time for this,” he said. “Endisty, why are these two even out of Hell, anyway?”

 

“They are being restored to life to fix a hole in my tapestry,” Endisty replied smoothly.

 

“What?” West Kaio demanded. “Since when? You did not consult any of us over this!”

 

“They're not your concern, West Kaio,” Endisty said. “They will be placed in North Kaio's quadrant, and the last time I checked, he is not in a position to negate this.”

 

“Does Dai Kaio-sama know about this?” West Kaio demanded.

 

“I am certain he does,” Endisty replied. “He is the overseer of the galaxy; unless he's become lazy, like some quadrant leaders have, he knows of everything that's happened.”

 

“Endisty...” West Kaio began warningly.

 

“Enough, both of you!” Enma Daio snapped. “Take your argument elsewhere, if you will. You're holding up the line and creating a backlog.”

 

“We're done here,” West Kaio said. He put his nose to the air and turned away from Endisty and the two Saiyans. “Paikuhan, you have work to do.” He indicated for Paikuhan to follow him.

 

“Yes, we must be leaving as well,” Endisty said placidly. “Bardock and Vegeta, if you would follow me...” She pointed the two across the room and away from West Kaio and Paikuhan.

 

“Vegeta?” Paikuhan thought. He and the two Saiyans eyed each other thoughtfully as they passed each other in front of Enma Daio's desk.

 

Endisty led led Bardock and Vegeta through another decorated door and they stepped out into a wide, peaceful plain. Before them, a small wooden cabin stood silently.

 

“Please wait here for a short while,” Endisty replied. “The house is yours to explore, or you may spend time out here. I have others I have to retrieve yet.”

 

“Where is this place?” Vegeta asked. “Is this Earth?”

 

“No,” Endisty replied. “This is my home. However, it is much like Earth – all of the pleasures of life can be found here, and you are welcome to experience them while you stay.” She nodded shortly to the two Saiyans, then disappeared.

 

“All the pleasures of life...” Bardock mused. “Are you thinking what I'm thinking?”

 

“I could be, if necessary,” Vegeta replied.

 

Bardock stuck his tongue out at him. “Cheater,” he said. “Don't even try to tell me that all of that time on the run hasn't left you wanting-” A sudden rumble from his stomach interrupted him.

 

“Right – food,” the other Saiyan said. “Shall we hunt?”

 

“Biggest kill wins,” Bardock said with a grin.