A week passed. Torta looked for ways to continue his training on Earth, with all the difficulty that presented at his current level of strength. He’d hear about Svenex’s work on the news, working to open up the world to its new potential and alleviate the problems that created. Regal was traveling with the Grand Elder again, neither willing to go back to Namek before this business with the Earth Namekians was settled. Gaita had started training, as well, since her new body could train, and so she came to get tips from Torta about how training works. He also sometimes went to her island, to train with her there. Just as Gaita had said, Puttee was holed up in her lab the entire time. Torta didn’t even see her.
One day, Puttee emerged from the lab just after lunch, holding a trowel and a bottle. She brought her mother to the adjoining yard, where Torta and Gaita were sparring. “Hey, you two!” she called out, getting their attention. “I, uh, have something I want to show you. My work in the lab is finally ready to go.”
Torta and Gaita approached. “That’s great,” said Torta. “You don’t seem that happy about it, though.”
“No, I am, um,” said Puttee. “It’s just…I really wanted to do this, and I really think there’s a lot of potential here to do so much good for the world. I just…like, don’t be mad?”
“Why?” asked Gaita, worried.
“What have you done?” asked Legging.
Puttee held up a seed. “This is a really monumental advancement in genetic engineering,” said Puttee. “I took DNA from Dragon, Regal, and an alien I met named Jockey, as well as a little Saibaman, and created the perfect artificial lifeform, a Bio-Android. My hope is that this Bio-Android will be a guardian of the Earth long after we’re all gone. This is Project Tarsa.”
Everyone was shocked. “You took their DNA without asking?!” Gaita asked. “You used their DNA without asking? You can’t just do stuff like this!”
“Your sister is right,” said Legging. “I can’t approve of that behavior. The parties involved deserve to know your plans!”
“Hey, I did ask Regal and Dragon!” Puttee said. “I can’t exactly get ahold of Jockey, though.”
“You took her blood on a whim!” said Gaita. “I saw it! I knew you were up to something weird! How do you even know how to make this thing?”
“I used Munster’s research, as well as some bioengineering from Spats,” Puttee said. “As soon as I realized what I could make, I just…I couldn’t help it! Tarsa is going to change the world!”
Torta interjected before Gaita or Legging could chastise her more. “So, I get that this is a bit crazy, and I do wish you hadn’t just made another crazy, dangerous thing without telling anyone, but this thing is already made now. What is Tarsa actually going to be like?”
Puttee gave Torta a thankful look. “Yes, well, I don’t actually know the exact form Tarsa will take, or what their personality will be like. That’s part of the test today. Torta, Gaita, if I accidentally made something evil, you’re here to put them down. I have a few more samples I can tinker with, try to perfect this project.”
“No more samples!” Gaita declared. “I…I want to trust you, so I’ll let you plant that seed, but if this doesn’t work out, you have to stop. Playing god is where I draw the line. I am glad you’re taking some precautions with us present, at least.”
“Agreed,” said Legging. “You’re working out here, all alone, with no guidance or controls. It’s unsafe.”
Puttee took a deep breath. “Ok, then, here goes.” She dug a hole for the seed and buried it. She held up the bottle. “This fluid here is used to culture Saibamen. I got it from the Saiyan rebels. I used that DNA to give Tarsa the fast growing nature of Saibamen, which emerge from the ground instantly. Really saves me decades of maturation in a test tube.”
She poured the culture fluid over the seed. Everyone took a deep breath. Just a second later, the ground started to shake, and out from the ground emerged a new lifeform. They had a humanoid body plan, with insectoid features. Their skin was orange and splotchy, they possessed a tall, spike-shaped horn on their forehead, and a tail from between the shoulder blades. They were just taller than waist height. They looked around, a bit confused and agitated, wiping the dirt and protoplasm off their body.
“Hello, Tarsa,” Puttee greeted her creation. “Can you hear me?”
Tarsa gazed into Puttee’s eyes and smiled. “Tar-sa,” they said.
Puttee beamed with pride. “Yes! That’s your name! I tried giving you some knowledge, but I don’t know if any of it took. Can you speak more?”
Tarsa gazed over Puttee, then Legging, then Gaita, and then Torta. They brightened upon looking at Torta. “Strong!” they said. “Strong! Strong! Strong!”
Torta pointed at himself. “Me? Thanks, I guess. My name is Torta. Do you like strong people?”
“Me strong!” Tarsa said. “Stronger and stronger and stronger! Tarsa will be strongest!”
Puttee melted with joy. “Such ambition from a young age!” she cooed. “I guess I was able to teach you a few things as a seedling, Tarsa!”
Tarsa approached Torta, their chi rising. Their chi felt like Dragon’s and Regal’s, as well as a third party Torta assumed was Jockey. Torta was worried and took a stance. “You want to fight?” Torta asked.
“Fight! Fight! Fight!” Tarsa called out. They took a stance and then launched an attack at Torta. Their technique was wild and untrained, mostly acting off of instinct. Torta had to admit, though, they were very sharp instincts, and they seemed to get more refined as they fought. Tarsa kept increasing the pressure until Torta felt their odd mixture of chi max out. Tarsa would have given Bagaruta a challenge, and they were just born. Getting worried, Torta knocked Tarsa down into the ground, following them to restrain.
“You’re pretty good, for a newbie,” said Torta. “You want to get stronger? I can maybe help out, show you some things, teach you the responsible way to be strong.”
Tarsa got upset and threw a tantrum. “Tarsa strongest! Tarsa must be strongest! Tarsa needs more power!”
“Hey, it’s ok, little buddy,” said Torta. “I can help you with that.”
Tarsa looked at Torta’s leg, then raised their hand. From under their wrist emerged a stinger-like organ, which they jabbed into Torta’s leg. Torta felt his life force being drained away, so he jumped back.
“No, Tarsa!” Torta said. “That’s not ok!”
“What happened!?” asked Gaita.
“This little bugger just tried stealing my life force!”
“Bad Tarsa!” Puttee said. “We do not steal people’s life force in this house! I made you to protect people!”
Tarsa was confused. “Protect…” they muttered. “Tarsa help people. But stronger, need energy…”
“I think we should call it,” said Gaita. “I don’t think this fast-growing approach is working. They clearly didn’t have enough time to develop, and now you’ve made an unstable Frankenstein.”
“You can’t put them down already!” Puttee cried.
Tarsa became alarmed. “No kill Tarsa!” they said. “Tarsa strong hero! Tarsa just born!”
“If you can behave from now on, maybe we can talk,” said Torta, rubbing his stinger wound. “I’m willing to overlook a mistake.”
Tarsa looked at Torta’s wound, and then to Gaita, and then Legging. They looked behind themself, panicking.
“Come on, we can help you!” said Puttee.
Tarsa shook their head. “Tarsa sorry,” they said. “Tarsa go help people! Tarsa get better!” They turned and ran off the island. Torta and Gaita went in pursuit, but Tarsa blinded them with a flash of chi. By the time Torta and Gaita recovered and went to the water, Tarsa was out of sight, suppressing their chi to nothing. The two heroes followed, hoping to pick up the trail as they went.
Puttee was hurt. “I’m sorry, mom,” she said. “I think I messed up.”
Legging put a hand on her shoulder. “I know your heart’s always in the right place, darling,” she said. “You get this from your father. This recklessness. But Tarsa did look sorry, so this could still work out.”
Puttee looked down. “Sometimes wanting to do good isn’t enough.”
Seven months passed. Tarsa was never found. Torta and Gaita kept up the search for a few weeks, and everyone was put on alert for any unusual activity. In the end, though, no one was able to locate Tarsa, or anything that could indicate them. With no leads, they had to put the search off and wait for clues.
Torta was working out in the yard, going through iron wire training. He slowly pushed one hand out and drew the other back, straining every muscle in his body. As he did so, Torta thought about how easily he could crush steel, and wondered what metal the wire he imagined struggling against would have to be made from.
From the house, Torta could hear his phone ringing. He rarely got calls, so he ran to it right away. “Hello?” he answered.
“Hey, it’s Dragon!” Dragon said. “I got some big news, wanted to be the one to tell you.”
“Hey, man! What’s up?
“We found a new planet today!”
Torta was taken aback. “Awesome! Congratulations!”
“Thanks! We’ll be leaving Earth for New Sadla in just a few days. I really enjoyed my time here, but it’s well past time we made our way to somewhere permanent.”
“That fast, huh? I guess I got used to you being close by.”
“I know, I know. We’ve been through a lot together. I’ll visit when I can, and you’re always welcome on New Sadla. I got that thing Chef wants me for on Earth, and I still need to settle up with you. I’ll beat you some day.”
“That’s mighty big talk, like something we’ll have to discuss at length whenever I come see you.” The two laughed. “So, is there, like, a going away party?”
“There will be, yeah. I already have everything sorted out with the officials here, so it’s all ready to go. This is one of my last calls, to make sure you’re all gonna be here to see me off.”
“Of course, man! I’ll be there!”
“Great! I can’t wait!”
“Yeah…you know, it’s funny. I kinda didn’t expect this.”
“What, you thought we were going to be here forever?”
“No, I just…I’m not ready for you to go.”
Dragon chuckled. “I get it. I’d love to stay with you guys a lot longer, too. But this was inevitable, and it won’t change our feelings.”
There were many things Torta wanted to say to Dragon. “No, it won’t.”
“I gotta make a few more calls. We’ll talk more at the party. Love you, man.”
Torta smiled. “Love you, too.” He hung up, wondering how many relationships he would let slip through his fingers in life. He shook his head, reminding himself of the connection he and Dragon would always share. Torta was sure he and Dragon would square up in a ring somewhere down the line, and that had to be enough for the moment.
The Saiyan launch party was a raucous affair, with many thousands of guests. The Saiyan community had made a lot of friends with the various towns and cities on the other side of the desert in Knuckle, and a lot of international visitors had come to see them over the past year and a half, as well. Representatives from the World Council and the individual governments of the world attended, to show them off in peace. There was a lot of food and dancing for an entire day. Then the moment arrived. Dragon took the stage to give a final farewell to the Earth.
“…we will always remember your kindness to us,” Dragon said, ready to wrap it up. “As soon as we are ready, I promise we’ll make Earth New Sadla’s first diplomatic partner, as a testament to our connection.
“And before I go, I want to give one final goodbye to all my best Earthling friends. I want to thank Svenex for everything she did helping out my people here. You stood by us before we even landed, laying the groundwork for peaceful negotiations. I hope we see each other again.” He waved, and Svenex waved back, blushing with pride. “Before we got to Earth, I traveled the stars with a group of Earthlings, as well. Gaita, you are a blessing. Having you around makes a guy feel like anything is possible.” Gaita demurred. “Your sisters, too. Fun and serious, energetic and pragmatic, they both taught me a lot.” Puttee waved excitedly, wishing her familial status didn’t make it impossible to say her name in the speech. “Regal, you’re unending grit gives me the boost I need to keep reaching higher all the time.” Regal nodded, smiling. “And Torta, man! You were the best sparring partner a guy could ask for! Seriously, I’m gonna miss you every day!” Torta laughed and found himself holding back a tear. “I’ll miss you all. But this isn’t the end, it’s just goodbye for now. Same to you, Earth! Your Saiyan siblings will always remember you!” The crowd cheered.
There were a few more words from other speakers, and then it was time for the Saiyan fleet to depart. Dragon gave one final wave to his friends as he closed the hatch to his ship. Torta, Puttee, Gaita, Regal, Svenex, and the Grand Elder waved back. The fleet took to the air and jetted off, flying into the dark to find their new home.
Torta sighed, watching Dragon leave. “I’m gonna miss him,” he said.
“He’s a great warrior,” said Regal.
“I should get home soon,” said Puttee.
“What are you in a hurry for?” Torta asked.
“I’m worried about mom being left alone, duh!” Puttee said.
“She’ll be safe,” said Gaita. “You haven’t been gone that long, and she was by herself for months before we got back to Earth.”
“And it’s not like anyone knows she’s there,” said Svenex.
“No, I meant she’s probably really lonely by now,” said Puttee. “Her current position must really sting on days like this.”
“True,” said Gaita. “Get going, if you’re ready to leave.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice,” said Puttee, turning towards parking. “Bye everyone!” She ran off to the vane.
Gaita hovered over the ground. “I think I’ll get going, too. I started a garden, and I’m worried about my tomatoes. See you all soon!” She flew off, and everyone waved back.
“I want to get back to the search soon,” said Regal. “I’ve had enough time relaxing.”
“Come on!” said Torta. “Let’s hang more! It’s not every day we get to see each other, you know!”
“We’ll see each other soon,” said Regal. “We have a rematch in a couple months, right? I’ll win this time.”
“I appreciate the diligence, Regal,” said the Grand Elder. “Let’s be off. Torta, Svenex, it was lovely to see you both.” The Grand Elder turned and walked through a Temple door. Regal followed.
“Ah, they’re no fun,” said Torta. “Seeing Dragon leave is hard enough, and now they all want to go back home right away…”
“Well, I’d like to catch up more,” said Svenex. “I’m kinda drowning in work, and it’s hard making friends in this field. I have the rest of the day off, so wanna come to Solstice and grab a bite?”
“Yeah!” said Torta. “Wait, where’s Solstice?”
“It’s the capitol of Neighbor, the neutral country,” said Svenex. “You did have a geography class, right? Neighbor is famous in our history books for trying to bring peace between Knuckle and Silico all the time.”
“Oh, yeah, history class,” said Torta. “I definitely had one at some point.”
Svenex stared at a fool. “It’s where the World Council is headquartered at the moment. Just follow me.” Svenex took to the air and flew north. Torta followed behind.
Puttee arrived back home, ready to regale her mother with the excitement of the party. She ran out of the vane and quickly through the door. The political dimensions of Legging’s life made even a forged identity risky at the moment. This forced her to continue staying out of the public eye, confined to life in that house and that island. The hope was that, once the World Council was more established and the last ringleaders of the Silico loyalist faction were taken care of, Legging could either choose to reveal herself to the world or make a new life with a new name, in peace.
“Hey, mom!” Puttee called out once she passed the threshold. “I’m home!” Seeing no one in the living room, she ran upstairs. Legging was not in her bedroom. Coming back downstairs, she looked across the living room and kitchen. She noticed spilled coffee on the counter. Something was off. “Mom?” she called out in concern. “You down here?”
The TV had been left on, and the news broadcast was interrupted by a livestream. “The World Council is lying to you!” said a man in a video, holding up his own camera. He wore a pink shirt and black tie. “They’re a bunch of grifters and con artists selling you fantasies of world peace! We all know it can’t last! That’s why I, Scarf, have taken it upon myself to tear down the delusion, so you don’t have to wait for it to come tumbling down!
“Did you know the World Council has been knowingly hiding a great miracle from us all?” The camera shifted to show Legging, tied to a chair. Puttee was terrified. “No, your eyes don’t deceive you! This is the beloved Princess Legging of Silico! I can confirm her death so many years ago, in the great war. I performed her autopsy myself. So how is she sitting here today? You might think she was revived along with all those others nearly two years ago, but that doesn’t add up. All those returned died during the Android attack, the alien invasion, or the monster attack. And my sources say she came back before then!
“So how did this miracle happen? Why keep it a secret from us? I know some of you are thinking it’s because they were afraid of what I’ve done now, kidnapping her. But I’m not making her a figurehead, nor do I have any intention of wedding her. The World Council could have given her a security detail for that, and used her as their perfect agent. We all remember what Legging was like. She would have been the perfect person to lead Silico into their auspices. So I ask, why keep her a secret?
“It’s for one reason, and one reason only: To keep Silico down! They’re afraid of the proof she represents, about the real history of this country! Long ago, the world was united under one rule, the Silico crown! Years of infighting reduced us to the mere country we are today! But no more! With our miracle princess, I will finally bring you proof of our claim over the Earth, topple the World Council, and reinstate the old world order! Long live Silico!” The video ended, returning to the news anchors.
“That dumb old legend…?” Puttee muttered. “That’s a fairy tale!” Her mind was racing, but she knew she had to do something. She ran downstairs to get some supplies, racking her brain for ideas on where Scarf could be hiding.
The Grand Elder and Regal took the Temple doors back to the forests in the west of Zoolia, on the northern foothills of the Thunder Mountains. They had been searching this area for a while, and, just like all the other areas they searched these past few months, they found nothing. The Grand Elder was still convinced that the Earth Namekians must be hiding in some secluded village, and hoped that she would be able to find a clue to it even if they were to leave at her approach. Regal concurred that it was the most likely idea, though she was also convinced that Okome would have seen them by this point if that were the case. However, there was no other clear path to take. So, she took to flying low through these trees, reminding herself not to expect to find nothing. “I’ll be able to sweep through another couple grids before nightfall,” she told the Grand Elder.
“Thank you,” the Grand Elder replied. “I’ll commune with the forest here until you’re done.” She sat down and began meditating. Regal turned to fly away on her search. The Grand Elder’s brow furrowed. “Wait, Regal! There’s something else in this forest!”
“Ah, poo,” said a strange, rough voice. The Namekians turned to see a strange creature, their upper body covered in reddish fur, matching their monkey-like tail. Their bare skin was covered in dark splotches, and their head was topped with short, flattened horns. “I was suppressing my chi and everything. I guess it doesn’t matter, anyway. As long as I can crush you, Regal!”
“Who are you?!” Regal demanded. “What are you?!”
“My name is Ascot,” they said. “I was created by a man named Scarf to kill you. With the Saiyans gone from this world, you’re one of the only beings capable of resisting my master. So now you die!” Ascot charged in, assaulting Regal harshly. Regal was put on the defensive, taken aback by the strange sensation of Ascot’s flaring chi. It had a strong resemblance to Dragon’s, but she also felt her own, as well as a third party.
Regal knocked Ascot back. “You’re like Tarsa, that creature Puttee made,” Regal realized.
“Ah, yes, the prototype,” said Ascot. “They failed to be aggressive enough for real war, but Scarf was able to make something truly wonderful from them. Me.”
Regal scoffed. “We’ll see how wonderful you are after I’m done with you, weakling!” Though Ascot was quite powerful, they were nowhere near the level needed to beat Regal. Despite that, Ascot looked confident. The two clashed over the forest, with Regal leading them away from the Grand Elder.
Farther south from there, Svenex led Torta into Neighbor, a small country bordering Knuckle, Silico, and Zoolia, nestled up against the Thunder Mountains. The capitol, Solstice, was located in the southern end of the state. Svenex brought Torta into downtown, near the World Council building. They stopped at an old café, a longtime establishment in the city and a favorite of Svenex’s. As soon as they sat down, Svenex started venting about all her frustrations with political life.
“…I just can’t deal with these people sometimes!” she said, sighing. “It’s like spending all day wrangling cats. I like to think my proposals and goals are reasonable enough, given the initiative we’re taking, but then someone asks for a carveout that undermines an entire project!” She groaned and leaned over the table. Torta nodded, as he had been doing for a while. “Thanks for letting me dump this on you.”
“I’m happy to help,” said Torta. “I know this is a big thing you decided to do, more than anything I’ve ever had to deal with. And I fought a space tyrant.”
Svenex laughed. “You know, part of me regrets not going to space with you all. This is the most important work I’ll ever do, but that doesn’t change the corner of my heart that wishes I could compete with you, Regal, and Gaita. And flying to alien worlds sounds so amazing!”
“It had its moments.” They chuckled. “I think you made the right move, honestly. I know I…everyone would have loved having you on the Rainbow Stocking, but this is something none of us could have done. Only you could have helped build world peace.” They looked into each other’s eyes a moment, in the silence. “If you want, I can come help you work out, at least.”
“No, thank you. I know you, you’d turn my free time into another job, practically. I have been working out more recently, though. Blow off some stress.”
Torta felt an odd chi and looked around.
“What is it?”
“You don’t feel that? It is faint, I guess.” Torta got up. “Sorry, but I kinda feel like I know this chi.”
Svenex got up and followed him, walking towards a nearby park. Once they got close to a thicket of trees, they saw movement. “Hey, there you are!” said a familiar voice.
“Tarsa?!” Torta asked. “Is it really you?!”
Tarsa popped their head out. Svenex was shocked, and Torta was happy. “Yeah, it’s me,” they said. “I didn’t expect to see you here, but it’s really lucky! I have to tell you something!”
“What is that?!” Svenex asked.
“They,” Torta emphasized the personhood implied by the pronoun, “are the Bio-Android Puttee made using DNA from Dragon, Regal, and an alien named Jockey. Hey, actually, what are your pronouns?” Torta asked Tarsa. “I’ve been using they/them, trying not to assume, but I also don’t want to force those on you, either.”
“They/them is good,” said Tarsa. “But seriously, I really need to tell you something! I’ve been held hostage for the last several months, and I finally got out today! Have the Saiyans left Earth yet?!”
“Yes, they have,” said Torta, worried. “Who was holding you hostage? How could anyone hold you hostage?”
“A man named Scarf! After I left, I started looking for ways to show Gaita and Legging that I could be a hero, and stumbled onto people in Silico making an Android army! They had enough drones active to wear me down and then put me in a special cage! They spent months taking genetic samples from me, studying me like a rat, and making weapons out of me! I only just got out. They’re going to attack the World Council building soon!”
“Why now?” Torta asked.
Svenex had a realization. “Without the Saiyan army, they can deal with most anything on Earth!” she said. “I take it Scarf is still working for the king of Silico?”
“Probably, I don’t know,” said Tarsa. “I’m not a detective! I just wanted to smash some bad guys!”
“He is,” said another voice from behind the group. Torta and Svenex quickly whirled around to see a tall being covered in metal plates, form-fitted to their bio-armor. Sitting on those metal plates were jewel-like growths. Their skin was smooth and leathery, like a reptile, and had dark splotches over it. Their back was adorned with long wing shields, and their head was topped with a pair of large, flat horns, fanning out into a V. “I’m Cravat, by the way.”
Svenex took a stance, as did Torta. “Wait!” Tarsa said. “This is who I came to warn you about! They’re here to kill you, Torta! You have to warn your friends about the others!”
“Shut up, you half-baked wannabe superhero,” Cravat sneered.
A panic formed in the streets, drawing the heroes’ attention once more. A large swarm of Android drones descended into the park. In unison, they dug holes in the ground and planted seeds, pouring culture fluid over them. Torta recognized what was happening at once and was horrified. Soon, the park was filled with small, insectoid Bio-Androids, all of which ran out into the city to wreak chaos. The Androids remained in place, planting more seeds.
“No!” Svenex cried out, flying off into the park to demolish the Androids.
“Let her struggle,” said Cravat. “All her idealism is about to go up in flames.”
Torta turned to Cravat and punched them as hard as he could. “I’ll kill you!” he said.
Cravat was barely pushed back by the strike. They wiped their mouth. “No, I’m going to kill you, Torta!”
Gaita arrived home and smiled, looking at her cottage. It was an older house, built decades before, and had a quaint feel to it. Even a year and change later, she was still warmed with pride seeing her own home, all to herself. The vegetables in her garden were starting to sprout, and a neighbor waved as she walked by. Gaita waved back. Most of her neighbors were elderly, which made the area feel quiet and peaceful. Landing near her tomatoes, she stared at their fresh green skin and smiled, wondering how long it would be before she could bring her own vegetables to cooking class. She learned she had to take time out to take care of her body.
Going inside, she took off her boots and lined them up next to her many other pairs. Sighing in content, she went to the kitchen and made herself a pot of coffee. For some reason, this was a task she still struggled with, and she couldn’t figure out why the flavor turned out wrong.
“Those beans are no good,” said a strange voice from the corner. Gaita turned in shock to the corner, where a Bio-Android stood. Their blotched skin weaved around various lighter patches across their arms and stomach. Their antennae sat below medium-length, flat horns. Their forearms and shins had bio-armor. “By the way, you missed the broadcast, but my master kidnapped your mom. I’m here to kill you.”
Gaita was stunned. She shook her head to get it on straight. “Then let’s take it outside. What do I call you?”
The Bio-Android walked to the door. “Kerchief.”
The force of Regal and Ascot’s strikes resounded throughout the forest. Ascot proved to be quite resourceful and resilient, making victory a difficult goal for Regal. Every time she dealt a serious blow to the Bio-Android, they kept moving like it was nothing and regenerated the flesh lost. Regal was becoming quite frustrated with the battle.
Ready to end things, Regal kicked Ascot down into the earth and charged up a massive Jophiel. With one continuous blast, she managed to incinerate the Bio-Android, leaving nothing but dust floating in the air. “You were arrogant to challenge me,” she said, turning to leave. She was convinced her friends were encountering a similar threat and wanted to help them out. Regal took to the air.
A powerful chi from behind her stopped her in her tracks. She turned in shock, finding Ascot regenerating from nothing, their chi rising beyond what they were capable of before. Once fully formed, Ascot rolled their neck and stretched their arms. “Now, that wasn’t very polite, what you said,” they said. “Seems to me like you were arrogant for thinking you killed me.” They charged in at Regal, turning up the pressure as high as possible. Regal was shocked to see how much more powerful Ascot was, powerful enough to prove a real challenge.
“I heard about this,” said Regal. “Dragon said Saiyans bounce back stronger from death!”
“Indeed!” said Ascot. “I’m not the same warrior you fought before! I’ll kill you! I’ll come back as many times as I need to kill you!”
Regal and Ascot continued to clash, trading the initiative more often than before. Once she got her wits about her, Regal gaged Ascot’s strength as close to Malacol’s on Sadla. It was quite the jump, enough to give Regal pause before considering another lethal attack. She had to figure out how Ascot was able to recover, or else the next return could prove lethal for her, instead.
Svenex and Tarsa ran through the park, destroying as many of the Android drones as they could. The robots put up a fight, but they didn’t use any forcefields, to Svenex’s surprise. Each of them were far stronger than previous models, stronger than the mermaid soldiers. Facing them down, Svenex was glad she had been working out recently, as she was having trouble defeating each one. Just a few months ago, she would have died in that park. After knocking another Android’s head off with an Orange Whip, Svenex turned around to see Tarsa tearing through three drones at once. They cackled with glee and posed dramatically over their fallen opponents. “Tarsa is the strongest!” they yelled. Svenex sighed, thankful to have such a valuable comrade in this battle. With only a few more drones left, the battle would soon shift to the Bio-Android soldiers the Androids grew, which felt even stronger than the drones themselves.
She looked up to the sky, to the fight unfolding there. Torta was going all-out against Cravat, and the fight looked even. Svenex was stunned at the power she felt from the two, far eclipsing Marianas. Cravat’s chi felt similar to both Dragon’s and Regal’s, but the most dominant chi was unknown to Svenex. Torta tried to steer the battle outside the city, but Cravat kept him contained; it appeared they wanted the city to see the fight. Indeed, everyone in Solstice was watching the battles in the park and the sky.
Torta charged up a powerful blast over his fist. “Club!” he yelled, blasting it into Cravat’s face. On the other side of the smoke, Cravat smiled, headbutting Torta with a steely hard head. The Bio-Android charged in and pummeled Torta mercilessly. At the end, Torta opened a few Onion Rings to reflect Cravat and get distance. “You’re a Bio-Android, right?” he asked. “What’s with all the metal stuff?”
“Ah, going to blame your current position on that, huh?” Cravat asked. “Scarf gave me some experimental cybernetics, to enhance strength and durability. If it works, all my fellow Bio-Android elites will have them moving forward. But I thought you were the man who killed Daikon. Are you going to let something like that keep you down?”
Torta grunted and charged in, attacking with an Onion Ring. His strikes seemed to shake Cravat, but they still smiled through the pain. As Torta opened up more, using the warp speed to hit through Cravat’s defenses, the Bio-Android continued to increase their own power to compensate. Torta had thought they were going all out before, but this newfound strength was a class beyond.
The power coming from Kerchief was impressive, more powerful than Marianas. Gaita had tried to end the fight quickly early on, but found the synthesized warrior too clever to defeat that easily. So instead, she focused on defense and waited for Kerchief to run out of energy. Whether or not she could defeat them at full strength, Gaita was sure she could defeat them once they were weakened. Her neighbors looked on in shock, realizing that all Gaita’s working out wasn’t for show.
Kerchief confidently whaled on Gaita, attacking her with all their might. Gaita maintained her guard using a pair of Cowboys over her hands like shields. Whenever she found an opening, she would slice off a hand or foot, forcing Kerchief to expend more energy on regenerating limbs. The fight had been raging for a while, and Kerchief had been going all out the whole time. Gaita could feel her time to shine coming.
Gaita beat the weakened Kerchief down, venting all her anger into them. A powerful kick blasted Kerchief down into the ground, on the beach. The waves rolled in over their head. Gaita charged up and fired a powerful Chelsea, ready to fully incinerate the Bio-Android. She fired, and was shocked to see the beam deflected by Kerchief, getting back up.
“Thanks for the drink!” they said. “It was salty, but that won’t kill me. A little water is all I need to fill my stomach and get back out there!” They flew up at Gaita, their chi reading just as it did at the beginning of the fight. Clearly this enemy was not going to let her have her stamina advantage.
The Grand Elder had escaped the battleground of the forest through a Temple door. Okome, Joma, and Poboy were aware of the events unfolding and watched from the grand hall. The Grand Elder approached Okome, who nodded. “I need to see what’s going on!” she said. “May I join you in your vision?”
“You may,” said Okome, beckoning the Namekian guardian to his side. She approached and placed a hand on his shoulder, sharing in Okome’s sacred vision of the Earth. Regal was in charge of her battle with Ascot, but the Grand Elder feared the enemy would find a way to turn the tables before she made her move. Gaita seemed to be equipped for her fight, as well, though her slow-going strategy was just defeated. Torta was having the most trouble with his opponent, and it wasn’t clear if he was going to win the day. Below him, Svenex was struggling to help Tarsa take out the Bio-Android soldiers, who were focused on attacking the World Council building.
Then, a new entrant came onto the scene, a young girl wearing a heavy jacket, scarf, knit hat, and sunglasses. Her power and prowess were surprising, showing as much ease in fighting the Bio-Android soldiers as Tarsa. The Grand Elder suspected she was not fighting as hard, either. “Now, who’s this?” Okome asked. “I can’t say I’ve seen her more than in passing before. Strange that someone so powerful wouldn’t have done anything notable before now, don’t you think?”
“Indeed,” said Poboy in wonder.
The Grand Elder focused her attention on the girl and that scene. The girl continued to take out invaders, drawing the attention of Svenex and Tarsa. The two heroes approached this newcomer. “Who are you?!” asked Svenex.
“Just a passing martial artist!” the girl said. “Looks like you all needed help!”
“What’s your name?!” Tarsa demanded.
“Whoa!” the girl freaked out upon seeing Tarsa. “You’re like them, but you’re fighting them! Is it safe to assume you know where these things came from?!”
“I do, but that doesn’t answer my question!”
“Just go! I’ll hold off these punks, you go take down the leader! They could have more of these things waiting!”
“But you can’t—” Svenex started to protest, before the girl effortlessly cut through three Bio-Android soldiers in one swift motion. She squinted, getting an odd feeling from the girl. “Do I know you?”
“Not at all! Please, go!”
“Fine! Come on, Tarsa!” Svenex said, turning to Tarsa. “Let’s go kick Scarf’s butt!”
“But who is she?!” Tarsa asked. Svenex took to the air, flying southeast. Growling in anger, Tarsa followed. “We seriously need to figure that out!”
As the two heroes flew off, the Grand Elder continued watching this strange girl. Though she appeared no taller than a ten or eleven-year-old human, she seemed far more experienced and practiced in her movements than a child could be. There was an explosion near the World Council building, so she rushed over to deal with the culprits. She jumped through the fire, and it was as if the flames parted for her. Perhaps a lucky gust of wind, but the Grand Elder didn’t think so. Like Svenex, she felt something familiar about this girl, something like home.
Regal had taken to using her Samael to fight with Ascot, trying to keep the fight defensive so she could focus on finding the “core” to Ascot she would need to destroy. The feral Bio-Android became increasingly frustrated with the Samael, able to track the difference but too slow to act on it. Eventually, Ascot screamed out in anger, radiating a wall of chi. Regal was surprised, finding they had unlocked more power, their aura now glowing golden yellow. “I will not be kept down by some silly trick!” Ascot yelled.
Regal squinted. Though stronger, the power difference was not nearly the same level as a Saiyan going Super Saiyan; this felt more like reaching out to every drop of potential. They were going to be harder to beat, but still manageable. However, Regal knew that if they were capable of accessing even a sliver of Super Saiyan power, it was possible they could access further stages of transformation, meaning that a bounce back from death wasn’t her only concern.
Ascot rushed in, ready to get back to the fight. With their increase in speed, they were much more capable of blocking and striking Regal instead of the Samael. They had even greater accuracy than Malacol had. “You fool!” Ascot growled. “I know what you’re capable of! I’ve been fighting you with my physical senses alone this whole fight! Trying to trick me with a double matching your chi signature is pointless!”
“And so is playing things safe,” Regal said. She had to take the risk. Charging up, she generated a massive energy bomb in her hands. “Gabriel!” she called out, firing the bomb at Ascot. The Bio-Android was unable to dodge, taking the blast head-on. They were engulfed in the chi, burning away in agony for a few seconds before it finally detonated, blowing a huge crater in the forest below. Regal kept her eyes focused on the space where Ascot was, and soon felt a sliver of chi; just like last time, Ascot had focused all their energy on protecting a core piece of their body. With a concerted Uriel, Regal incinerated this core before it could regenerate.
Gaita redrew her Cowboys and went hack-and-slashing against Kerchief. Every time she cut a limb off, Kerchief was quick to regenerate it, and Gaita kept track of how each limb regenerated. The severed arms and legs never regrew a new body. She cut them off at the waist, and Kerchief grew a new lower half, with no regrown upper half from the legs. With a final test, she cut off Kerchief’s head, letting it tumble down. Kerchief regenerated a new body below their head, on the beach below. The previous body fell limply to the ground, no new head regenerating. She sliced off the arms, finding no regeneration from the body at all. Gaita had her target in mind.
Kerchief laughed below, rising from the beach. “Why knock me down into the water?” they asked. “You just ate through my chi like crazy with all that regeneration. Realized you have no way of winning, since I can beat your stamina advantage?”
“I don’t need it,” said Gaita. “I could retain it, if I punched you into a desert, but all I was after was research.”
“Like, wha—”
“Go-Go!” Gaita fired off a pair of energy blasts. Kerchief dodged. “Waders!” She fired a stream of energy blasts from each hand, controlling where Kerchief moved. The Bio-Android tried getting in close, but Gaita brought her hands together, concentrating fire to keep them at bay. Soon enough, the Go-Go made its return trip, blasting Kerchief in the back. Gaita followed with a stream of Waders into their front.
“You think that’s enough to hurt me?” Kerchief asked, bringing their guard in for the continued barrage from the front.
“Didn’t have to,” said Gaita, already having moved behind Kerchief. She quickly Wedged their head off with all her might and grabbed it with the other hand. “Platform!” she yelled, engulfing the head in a continuously streaming ball of energy, burning it away before they could regenerate a new body. She kept the Platform going for a while, long after the head was burned to dust. She wanted to be completely sure there was nothing left. Even after the chi stopped reading, she kept burning, just in case Kerchief had suppressed their chi and put up an energy shield.
Torta threw a Pickle Spear through an Onion Ring, accelerating the chi weapon to warp speeds. Cravat dodged, getting nicked by it as it flew past them into space. Torta fired a barrage of blasts through the Onion Rings, hoping the massive boost in speed would hit the slippery Cravat. However, with the appropriate distance, this proved a futile strategy. Cravat escaped with barely a hit, since they were still able to read the trajectory far enough in advance to dodge before the blasts went through a ring. Seeing an opportunity, Torta continued with the attack, opening up other rings behind Cravat to bounce back the blasts. This way, he got in several powerful blows, pelting Cravat’s rear.
The Bio-Android grunted and released an energy shield, until Torta relented his barrage. “That was clever,” they said, “and it did pack a wallop. As thanks, want me to show you true power?” They flared their aura, golden yellow with crackling electricity, and rushed in. Torta prepared a series of defensive rings to deflect as many strikes as he could, but Cravat was able to avoid these shields. While they moved other things at high speed, the rings themselves only moved as fast as Torta could think to move them. Feeling the sheer, unimaginable power of the assault, Torta opened a massive defensive ring to block all attacks from the front. Cravat hit it and bounced back, letting the momentum carry them in an arc to kick Torta in the back even more powerfully, knocking him through the ring and shooting him into the distance.
He didn’t stop until he hit a mountain, triggering an avalanche over him. Torta laid there, exhausted, defeated, and relieved that the ice was cooling his bruised, broken body, at least. Cravat was proving to be the most difficult enemy Torta had faced until this moment. Beyond the power, the Bio-Android seemed to know his exact fighting style. They were incredibly intuitive, as well, making them hard to trick with new strategies. Torta’s mind buzzed with different ideas moving forward, even as he blacked out.
Cravat flew to the mountain. “Sad,” they said. “I wanted the people of the city to see how impossible it would be to resist us. Maybe Scarf thinks this attack is enough in itself, but I certainly don’t intend to let the world go on as it has.” They raised their fist, charging up an energy blast. “I’ll send you to Hell with your own beloved Club, I think.”
Just as Cravat fired the blast, their hand was knocked upwards, sending the Club flying off into the sky. Regal gave them an intense glare. “You won’t be getting this planet!” she declared.
Angry, Cravat punched Regal, only for their hand to pass right through her. On the mountainside, Regal dug through the snow and pulled Torta out from underneath the avalanche. “You’ve done enough now,” she said. “I’ll handle it from here.”
Cravat turned to see Regal on the mountain and fired a Jophiel at her. The blast passed right through her, and then Regal kicked Cravat in the back. “Keep your eyes open, you twisted monster!” Regal scolded. She continued to attack Cravat, switching places with her Samael between every strike to compensate for their fast reactions. “I already killed your sibling, and you won’t be any more trouble!” Her voice vibrated and warbled as its source changed location around Cravat.
Grunting, the Bio-Android swung around at blinding speed, knocking Regal back. “Sorry, I needed a moment to adjust,” they said. “I got caught up in reading the chi of those Onion Rings, but I can’t rely on that with you.” They threw a kick at Regal, then whipped it back behind them to hit her when she switched, knocking Regal’s wind out of her lungs. “I think you’ll find I’m much more adept than Ascot was!”
Tarsa led Svenex down into Silico, to the middle of a forest. The nearest town was located over twenty miles away. “I remember this place,” said Svenex. “It’s an old military bunker, right? They had a few of them in places like this.”
“Yeah, down below,” Tarsa said. They looked agitated.
“Are you ok to go back in? I understand if it’s too much, after they kept you hostage for so long.”
Tarsa growled. “I’m more worried I won’t get to kill enough of them! They made a fool out of me, so now it’s time they see what’s what! I’m the greatest warrior ever born!” They flew down to the forest floor in a huff. Svenex followed, worried about their emotional state.
There was a hatch in the forest floor under some logs. Jumping past the ladder, Svenex landed next to Tarsa, who was already strongarming the door to break in. The lock broke with a loud snap, and the door thrown aside. On the other side was a reception space before a medium-sized lab. Several doors lined the walls, leading to other areas of the sprawling complex. A man sat and watched the battle over Solstice on a large monitor. Svenex had seen him in various reports, Dr. Scarf, the chief bio-researcher for the Silico government. Somewhat tall, late thirties, proud of his goatee. He didn’t bother turning to see the intruders.
“Scarf!” Tarsa barked. “I’ll kill you for what you did to me! Call off the rest of your little toy robots!”
“Robots?” Scarf asked, turning his body but not removing his eyes from the screen. “All the other Androids are here still. If needed, I can always send them out for another round. Are you seeing this fight, by the way? I’m disappointed in Ascot for losing to Regal, but happy to get to see Regal fight Cravat!”
Svenex stomped to make an impression, then growled when it didn’t leave one. “What do you hope to accomplish here?!” she asked. “Trying to prove that you’re a petulant child to the end?! This only guarantees the king and his loyalists get sent to prison!”
“Oh, I’m just following orders,” said Scarf. “I got to play with all sorts of fun toys, working with Tarsa there, so I’m pleased watching the results. Puttee did some really conservative work with Tarsa, by the way. She could easily have made them a lot stronger from jump.”
Svenex flinched at the mention of Puttee. Tarsa growled and flew at Scarf, ripping him from his seat. “Let me kill you!” Tarsa demanded. “I have to do the hero thing first, so tell me where the rest of your goons are!”
Scarf glared at Tarsa. “You’re interrupting my viewing party,” Scarf said.
Svenex grabbed Tarsa’s fist. “Come on, let’s keep going,” she said. “This fool isn’t the boss, and he’s not going to stop us.”
Scarf smiled. “Catching on fast, are we?”
“I’m still going to kill him!” Tarsa yelled.
“They have another hostage!” Svenex barked back. “Go save her first, then you can have your revenge!”
“What are you talking about?!” Tarsa asked.
“They know Legging is alive, so they took her. I’m sure of it. We have to get her out, then we can blow this whole place up.”
Tarsa thought back to their first moments alive. Legging was so disappointed when they took Torta’s life energy. “Fine, we’ll go save her first.” They threw Scarf against his chair and hurried over to a door on the far side of the lab. Svenex followed behind. They passed through a long corridor, making a few turns. Both Tarsa and Svenex kept their senses open for any chi that felt like Legging. Their search quickly led them to an interrogation room on the far side of the complex.
Tarsa busted the door down, frightening Legging on the other side. She was tied to a chair and looked like she had been crying for hours. “Did you see the broadcast?!” Legging asked. “They said they want to use me to reinstall the old crown, making Silico the ruler of the Earth again! I’m glad these idiots made it so easy to rescue me!”
“Broadcast?” asked Tarsa, ripping the ropes from Legging’s hands and feet. “I just looked for you because Svenex said to.”
Svenex looked down a moment, thinking. “None of this adds up,” said Svenex. “Taking you hostage doesn’t get them anything if you’re just rotting in a cell.”
“Who cares?” asked Tarsa, hoisting Legging over their shoulder. Since she was much taller than them, her head and feet dangled just above the floor, increasing Legging’s protests. “We can demolish this place and be done with it.”
“That won’t satisfy a former intelligence agent like her,” said a familiar voice from the other side of the two-way mirror. Svenex flinched. From the other room emerged Greyearl, wearing a white T-shirt and grey fatigues. “Get it now, Svenex?”
Svenex was shocked. “This is a false flag operation!” she exclaimed. “This is all just a ploy to make the World Council look weak, isn’t it?!”
“Once your idealistic fantasy is gotten rid of, Knuckle will rise to pick up the pieces and give the world the order it desires! I told you, didn’t I? We signed up to follow orders and do what’s best for our country. The Earth isn’t going to join hands and sing along, just because some bureaucrats sign a few treaties, you fool! All this play-acting at cooperation leaves us weak in the face of the dangers you claim to protect us from! The world can see that now! No matter what else comes out of today, I win!”
Tarsa dropped Legging and charged at Greyearl, slamming him against the wall. “So it’s you I gotta kill for torturing me?!” they asked, feral.
“If you can,” Greyearl said, strangely confident. “You’re the last loose-end I need to tie up, so thanks for returning without any,” Greyearl paused and looked at Svenex, “worthwhile backup.” Greyearl’s chi flared, soaring to powerful heights Svenex could never have expected from him. He knocked Tarsa through a wall and then flew after them, their fight shaking the complex.
Svenex was swimming in anger, fear, and doubt, but she put her questions aside as she helped Legging to her feet. “Come on, we have to get you out of here,” she said.
Legging ran alongside Svenex, heading for the ladder out. “Thanks for rescuing me!” she said. “Did you know that man?”
“Not at all, looks like.”
Legging rolled her eyes. “So dramatic.”
The Grand Elder took a door to Solstice as soon as the Bio-Androids in that area were defeated. Standing in the middle of the plaza of the World Council building, now in ruins, was the girl, sweating only from the excessive layers she wore. Seeing her there, the Grand Elder knew, in her bones, that this girl was who she was searching for; there was no mistaking the sense of deep familiarity in a new person. “You there!” she called out to the girl.
The girl turned and flinched at the sight of the Grand Elder. “Whoa!” she said. She shuffled back, as well as her posture. “Who – what are you?!”
“I think you already know what I am. I think you are the same as me! Please! Tell me the truth! Where are the other Earth Namekians?!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about! I was just passing through, wanted to help—”
“Don’t tell me lies! I can feel it in your heart when you talk! I only want to bridge these divides, begin healing these wounds! I beg you to help me find your people!”
The girl still looked fearful, and spoke more seriously. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on, but whatever and whoever you think I am, you have it wrong.”
Though the Grand Elder wasn’t swayed in her conviction that she was speaking to an Earth Namekian, she felt no lie in this statement. “What’s your name?”
“Cola. Look, I wish I could help you, I really do, but I should get going. I don’t want to get roped into any police questioning type stuff, it’s a whole hassle and gives me major anxiety. I’m gonna duck. Great meeting you, giant alien person.” She left, flying off quickly.
“Wait!” the Grand Elder called out, to no avail. Though her suspicions about this girl were not backed up by material facts, the Grand Elder could not shake the idea loose from her head that Cola was central to her mission. Yet she could not deny the truth in her words, either. The mystery of the Earth Namekians deepened.
Regal took several big hits in a row, despite her best efforts at obfuscating her position. Cravat’s power was far above her own, giving them more than enough advantage over Regal’s movements. Before she could even react enough to switch places a second time, the counter strike was landing in her gut. With a forceful chokehold, Cravat tossed Regal aside.
She stopped over the forest and wheezed in exhaustion, her Samael still floating near the enemy. She charged up a powerful energy blast and then switched places, moving to kick Cravat in the back of the head. Cravat dodged and grabbed her foot, laughing. Then they let go, jarred by the chi blast they took to the back of their head. They slapped Regal’s foot to be sure. Regal laughed. “It has my chi, remember?”
Cravat’s next strike passed through the Samael when they tried to hit Regal. They turned to block the incoming kick from Regal behind them, but felt the change back before the kick landed. They blocked a punch from Regal in the previous position, then still took a blast from the Samael moving in from the other side. Regal fired from her position, moving away. She kept switching places with her Samael, both pelting Cravat with a barrage of chi blats. Cravat was forced to guard a moment, annoyed and waiting Regal out. They knew there had to be a reason Regal hadn’t used this strategy before.
After blasting into Cravat for a while, Regal and her Samael moved in, preparing for a final attack. Each drew their Michael, letting the blade flare with burning chi. Regal went high, and her Samael went low, circling around Cravat to prevent escape. “Archangel!” Regal cried out, swinging her flaming sword to cleave Cravat’s head in two. The blades struck, bursting into Cravat on contact. One struck Cravat’s head, and the other their stomach. The armor plating over the torso broke apart, leaving their organs damaged, and part of their head was blown away. Exhausted, Regal withdrew her Samael and took a limp stance.
Cravat laughed and regenerated the lost flesh. “Impressive in its own way, but that won’t cut it!” they cackled. They held out a hand and generated a Michael of their own. “I guess using twice as much chi for one blast barrage while expelling your soul is incredibly tiring. Ready to die?”
Just as they swung, another figure swooped in. The blade struck her forcefield. Gaita held Regal up, looking over her wounds. “You did great, but you’re in no shape to fight,” she said. “I’ll take it from here.”
Regal flew down and away, Gaita took her stance in front of Cravat, and Cravat rolled their neck. “I guess I’m the only worthwhile warrior Scarf could dream up,” they said. “Still, I’m more than enough to kill all three of you!”
“I wouldn’t be too sure of that,” said Gaita. “You’ve been fighting for a while, and I know how your kind works. Wanna dance?”
Cravat kicked Gaita as answer. The attack was swift and devastatingly powerful, stronger than Gaita imagined it would be. She could read their massive chi for hundreds of miles getting there, but she never expected them to have this much left in the tank. They traded blows, Gaita failing to keep up with the assault from Cravat. Soon, she was forced to activate her forcefield for her own sake. Cravat smiled. “Here’s a familiar line,” they sneered. “If you hide behind that thing, I’ll go kill your friends. How do you like it?”
Gaita turned the field down and attacked, hoping the initiative would help her case. She generated Cowboys over her hands for another slice and dice attack, but found her cuts never landed. Cravat danced around her, pelting her with strikes from all sides. Gaita wasn’t sure how much of that she could take, or how long she would have to before Cravat weakened.
Tarsa kept duking it out with Greyearl, knocking each other throughout the compound. As they passed through an armory, Tarsa found the remaining Android drones and blew them up while inactive. Greyearl kicked them into the explosion, shaking his head. “I know they were just a means to an end,” he said, “but they still cost a fortune. I could have used them for something!”
“Like you used me?!” Tarsa screamed, flying back. Their fist shook as they threw it, so engulfed in rage. “I’ll kill you! I’m the greatest warrior ever born, and you think you can treat me like a rat?!”
Greyearl doubled over as Tarsa knocked his wind out from his lungs. As his breath returned, he laughed. “The greatest warrior ever born!?” he asked, incredulous. “You were a hapless halfwit, dawdling in the desert looking for a cartoon mystery to solve! If you were really the greatest, you would be the one fighting Cravat right about now!” He kicked Tarsa in the gut, knocking them down into the bunker floor. “But I have to say, I’m enjoying your little gift. Remember when we chopped off your limbs to test your regeneration? Well, I had Scarf graft those muscles into my body. Surprisingly effective procedure, wouldn’t you say?”
Tarsa flew back up again, quaking with anger. Greyearl dodged as many strikes as he took, and landed all of his own. Tarsa couldn’t stop reliving all the memories from the past several months. It was a constant stream of indignities and insults, constant pain and torture. All Tarsa had wanted was to prove they could be a hero, and there they were, locked in a cage, powerless to do anything as villains used them to make a vast army. Thinking back to those terrible months, Tarsa was filled with rage, and channeled that into their every strike. However, this righteous rage blinded Tarsa, who could not hit Greyearl when it counted. Greyearl grabbed Tarsa and used them as a shield to fly up through the ground.
On the surface, Svenex and Legging turned to see the two fighters erupting from the forest floor as they topped the ladder. Greyearl threw Tarsa onto the grass. The Bio-Android shot back up, only to be repelled at every turn. Svenex was worried, watching the exchange. With a hand full of chi, Greyearl slapped Tarsa in the face. “Hand Grenade!” he yelled, the chi bursting on contact. Tarsa was blasted across the forest.
Gaita was beaten and bruised all over, her body aching from several wounds and broken bones. Though she was as full of energy as ever, she finally felt like she was at the end of her fight. Cravat was the toughest opponent she could imagine, and even after expending all the energy they had over the course of these three battles, they were still too much for her to handle. Cravat backhanded her, knocking her into the foothills.
They breathed heavily and shook their head. “An enemy like you really is tough,” Cravat remarked. They raised their hand, pointing out two fingers in Gaita’s direction. “Use your forcefield, and this Hessian is going through Torta’s skull.” On the ground below, Gaita wheezed in resignation.
Cravat fired the beam, only to be surprised by it reflecting back even faster, piercing their torso where Regal had broken the armor plating. Yowling in anger, Cravat looked back at Gaita and found a small Onion Ring floating in front of her. They whipped their head around again towards Torta, rising to his feet. “Tag, I’m it,” he said, a little delirious.
The two charged in at each other once more. Cravat felt notably weaker from all the fighting, while Torta was still dealing with a few major injuries from Cravat. Despite this, the battle continued at full tilt, sending out thunderous shockwaves for miles. Torta was happy to see Cravat having a little more trouble with his Onion Rings, even if most were still dodged. Cravat went in for a powerful punch, but felt their arm catch on nothing. As they looked back to see their arm being held in place by an Onion Ring, Torta slammed Cravat in the face with a fist covered in chi. “Now serving Angus Patties,” Torta said.
Cravat grunted, flexing their arm to break the Onion Ring. “That ring doesn’t possess enough chi to keep me still forever!” they declared.
“I know,” Torta said, bracing for an impact. As Cravat swung at him again, he dodged back through a large Onion Ring, flying away at mind-bending speeds. He reflected himself against another ring, launching himself forward faster than Cravat could see. At this incredible velocity, he once again hit Cravat with an Angus Patty, the energy over his fist shielding his knuckles from the trauma of the impact at warp speeds. He generated two more over his feet, then bounced himself back again, adding more acceleration with another trip through a ring. Back and forth he went, ripping through Cravat’s armor plating and into their flesh. The stress of this continuous, full body ring travel was monstrous, and Torta was worried it would kill him first. Still, he couldn’t have been having more fun with this attack. On the last pass, Torta stopped himself after his fist penetrated Cravat’s chest. “Steak Bomb!” he yelled, letting his Angus Patty explode throughout Cravat.
Torta felt victorious as his limp body started to fall down to the earth. A severely wounded Regal kicked Cravat’s head back up towards Torta, moving into position with her Samael. “Don’t let the head survive!” she said. “They’ll come back stronger!”
“Oh, crap!” Torta said, catching the head. He held it out and blasted it continuously with a BLT, until it was dust. He then let himself fall once more. Gaita had floated up to the air, still hurting from the fight, and kept burning the remains with a Platform, even though there was no sign of Cravat left. “Thanks,” Torta said, letting himself black out again from exhaustion.
Svenex continued to monitor the fight and moved Legging further away to safety. “There you are!” yelled Puttee out the window as she flew down in the vane. She ran out as soon as she landed. “Mom!”
“Puttee!” Legging called out, embracing her daughter once she landed. “I’m so glad to see you! How did you find us?”
“I was already heading for Silico, and then I got a ping from mom’s tracker when you surfaced.”
“Told you it was necessary!” said Svenex.
Legging sighed. “You’re so childish sometimes.”
“Get your mother out of here,” Svenex told Puttee. “I need to go help Tarsa.”
“Tarsa’s here?!” Puttee asked, looking around. Tarsa flew back in to attack Greyearl, and was once again knocked away.
“Go!” Svenex yelled. She flew off to Greyearl.
Puttee pulled her mother into the vane and turned on the forcefield. “Like my ride?” she asked. “Just got upgraded.”
“It’s great,” said Legging. “Are we safe in here? I want to see how Tarsa does.”
Puttee hugged her mother from behind. “Me, too.” Puttee brought the vane over the trees, where they could view the battle.
Tarsa continued to attack Greyearl ferociously, intent on paying him back for all the pain they were reliving as they fought. Greyearl easily outmaneuvered them and steered the fight in his favor, finding an agitated opponent the easiest to manipulate. Svenex arrived and tackled Greyearl. “What, you wanted to die, too?” he asked.
“Get out of my way!!” Tarsa demanded. “You can’t defeat him!”
“Neither can you!” Svenex shouted back. “Your anger is valid, but unless you acknowledge where it comes from, he’ll always beat you!”
Greyearl hit her with a Hand Grenade, blasting her into the forest floor. “Silence, you disappointment,” he scowled. “You’re just a yapping, lonely girl who let some sappy recruitment posters draw you into a cause I knew you never believed in. You’re a weak excuse for an officer, and the worst kind of enemy! I know your profile, so I know how terrified you are at this moment! Just give up!”
Tarsa flew at Greyearl, only for Greyearl to knock them aside once more. “I’m angry because he’s a monster!!” Tarsa said. “And I’ll kill him for it!”
“I’m angry because I’m as terrified as he said!” Svenex yelled out, struggling to her feet. “Everything he said is true! I have no place in the world, and I feel disconnected from every community I could belong to! And no matter what I do, he probably did win today! I’m incredibly scared! And that pisses me the hell off! I know that about me, and I can feel it coursing through my every fiber, and it’s telling me to fight! What about you, scrub?! What do you know about fighting?!”
Svenex flew back up at Greyearl and fought him as best she could. Her former master had reversed their previous positions in power, and Svenex was no longer able to keep up with his strength or speed. Every hit she took felt like it could be lethal, but she kept charging back in. She had to prove that there was something real behind her vision, even if it cost her life. Tarsa watched this futile battle, grappling with Svenex’s words. They were convinced they were the greatest warrior ever created, and would only get stronger. Yet they spent months in fear, trapped in a cell, all because they were incompetent and reckless. Just as reckless as flying at an intelligence officer while blinded by rage.
Greyearl caught Svenex in a choke. She struggled against his grip. “I only wish this happened in Solstice,” he said. “The rising star, extinguished by a former colleague. It’s a good headline, for me.” He was hit by a powerful blast from below, forcing him to release Svenex. He looked down to see Tarsa, their stance confident and strong.
“I know I won’t let you, or anyone like you, make someone feel like you made me feel,” Tarsa said. “That good enough for you, glory hog?”
Svenex floated down, battered, and smiled. “I’ll call it.”
Tarsa flew back up and challenged Greyearl again. Their anger was still boiling over, but the clarity of their honesty kept their fists still and their mind sharp. Greyearl kept up the pressure on his end, but found Tarsa to be even more powerful than he realized. Having studied the genetic creation in a lab for so long, Greyearl thought he knew the extent of their abilities. Their aura glowing golden, Tarsa proved that assumption wrong. Greyearl was the on the ropes this time around, and nothing he did could turn the tide of battle. Grabbing Greyearl’s arm, Tarsa threw him high into the air and then charged up a powerful mouth energy wave. “Mitochondria!” they yelled, spitting out a massive stream of chi. Greyearl guarded against the blast, but it pierced his arms and went through his heart. His body fell to the forest floor below.
Turning away, they descended, surprised to see Svenex standing with Puttee and Legging, the vane parked behind them. They approached slowly, keeping a distance. “Mother,” they said.
“Please don’t call me mother!” said Puttee. “I heard what you went through. How does it feel, getting your revenge?”
Tarsa looked down. “Right now, satisfying. I can’t see that lasting, though. It doesn’t un-torture me, and I’m still not the strongest.”
“Want to come home and figure it all out?”
Tarsa paused. “No, I don’t think so. I want to see the world on my own and get stronger.”
Puttee smiled. “I understand. It looks like you’re on the right track. Good luck out there.”
“Thanks.” Tarsa looked at Legging. “I’ll make you all as proud as I am.” They took to the sky and flew off.
Puttee beamed with pride. “I guess I do good work sometimes.”
Legging gave her daughter a hug. “Always.”
Within hours, the group was reunited. Svenex called in the location of the bunker and had Scarf arrested for his role in the attacks. A little while later, and Gaita called Puttee with the news of the group’s victory over Cravat. They were all terribly injured, so they were taken to a hospital. Svenex, Puttee, and Legging waited for authorities to arrive and take Scarf into custody before flying north to see the heroes in the hospital. By the time they arrived, the group was already bandaged up and fitted with several casts.
“Oh no, what happened?!” Puttee asked, rushing in to see Gaita. Of the three, she was the most injured. Legging covered her mouth in shock, tearing up.
“You know, Android problems,” Gaita wheezed, her ribs still pressuring her lungs. “Not getting exhausted makes it hard to tell when to stop fighting.”
“Pro tip: You fought for too long!” said Puttee.
“She really saved our butts, though,” said Torta from the next bed. “She always does. We gotta work on your sense of well-being, Gaita.”
“You have a mother to think of now,” said Legging.
Gaita felt happy and guilty. “I know. I’ll try.”
“So, what was this all about?” asked Regal, by the window. With the IV drip, she was already feeling incredibly good.
Svenex filled them in on the plot she uncovered, and the role Tarsa played in thwarting it. “The one thing I don’t get,” said Svenex, “is why use Legging as a cover? It’s not like the king hasn’t tried this kind of thing before; people would believe it if it was just another attack.”
“Yeah, that legend about Silico ruling the Earth?” Puttee remarked. “I don’t think the legends even say anything about a magic princess returning from the dead. Seems silly to wow the world with a dumb old story like that.”
“It’s not a story,” said Legging. Everyone turned to her in shock. “I’ve seen the records in the castle vault. Silico really did rule the Earth a long time ago. I was confused about Scarf and them using me, when it didn’t seem to align with their goals. I guess it was all a cover, and my presence helped sell it.”
“It’s true?!” Puttee blurted. “It…it’s true?!” Gaita simply stared, blank-faced, in wonder. Torta couldn’t believe his ears, having grown up making fun of that myth. Regal was immediately gripped with the concern of what else lied in Puttee’s future, given their current investigation. Svenex always thought it was true, but didn’t want it to be, in the absence of proof. “I just…Silico really ruled the Earth?!”
“Yes,” said Legging. “Why do you think dad was always starting trouble? He was dead set on great-great-grandma’s wish to reunite the Earth under the Silico crown.”
“So Puttee’s like the secret princess of the Earth?!” Torta asked.
Legging giggled, and then started laughing hard, slapping her thigh. “I mean, she’s not the princess! But I guess so, yeah! Gaita, too! We all are! Oh, that’s a good one, Torta!”
The group remained in silence, save for Legging’s continued laughter, letting the news sink in.
Epilogue:
The Grand Elder entered the Temple through a doorway, nodding in greeting to Poboy. Okome stood at the center of the hall, looking across the Earth. The Namekian approached her counterpart. “Have you seen Cola since the battle?” she asked.
“No, I have not,” said Okome. “It’s as if she’s disappeared from the Earth, a very troubling ability.”
“And what do you know about her past?”
“With Joma’s help, I have found a few instances of her, going back a few years. She’s been seen searching through various ruins and caves. I can’t identify any friends or family.” The Grand Elder looked down, furrowing her brow. “Are you truly certain she’s an Earth Namekian?”
“I have no doubts in my mind. I know it’s only a feeling, but I’ve never felt this way upon meeting someone before. It simply must be true.”
Okome resumed his view of the Earth. “Then I wish you luck in your search. I greatly await the opportunity to meet an Earth Namekian, as well.”
The Grand Elder turned away and headed for another door. Though his words were no longer so trustworthy, she accepted them, knowing his own investment in this mystery. She arrived back in the plaza of the World Council building. There, surrounded by onlookers gawking at the alien, she knelt down and meditated. In the air, she could feel the lingering chi of Cola, and followed it through the plaza. The search was fruitless. The first signs of her presence began at the edge of town, in the south, and abruptly ended after she ran away from the Grand Elder, heading west.
“What do you want?” asked a man. The Grand Elder opened her eyes. The man was tall, with long black hair. He wore a denim jacket and a serious expression.
“I’m simply searching for the child who defended this plaza,” she said.
“Her? Are you connected to her?”
The Grand Elder stood. “Relax, child of Earth. I am not here to do you any harm. I only spoke to this girl briefly, but feel she is key to my mission. I wish to speak to her once more.”
The man glared at her a moment. “Well, she’s not here, so go! We don’t need any more of you freaky alien things running around our city!”
The Grand Elder sighed. “I understand your fears, child. I will go. Take care, and have hope as you rebuild your city.” She walked off, heading south first to begin her investigation. The man followed her out with his gaze, squinting.
Elsewhere in Solstice, in the residential district, Svenex laid on the floor of her apartment. She had been staring at the ceiling for an hour. Over the past few days, news reached the whole world about every detail of the attack, her actions, and all the perpetrators. There were many who said the attack was proof the World Council was a useless body, unable to protect people as promised. However, these were mostly the voices of opposition, who were already looking for excuses to do away with the World Council movement. A similar debate was held after the Mermaid Kingdom invaded, with the majority seeing the response to the attack as sufficient.
The real issue was with Svenex’s connection to Greyearl. There were many saying the World Council could work and should be salvaged, without Svenex. Being seen as a protégé to her former commander, there were many questioning her loyalties and trustworthiness. Critics and allies alike openly accused her of being capable of equal duplicity, and potentially being in on the scheme with Greyearl so that the Knuckle delegation would have more sway on the council.
She had defended herself as effectively as she could from these attacks, but still faced further criticism for her actions at the World Council building. Svenex had a much harder time justifying her leaving the battle to defend the capitol to an unknown child. Her departure was caught on camera, and few believed that Cola was simply stronger than Svenex. Such a convenient stand-in appearing in the nick of time would be suspect on its own, but a child capable of defeating an army of monsters was beyond the pale. Svenex was seen as a cruel coward, and Cola’s involvement furthered the conspiracy narrative, with many saying the Bio-Androids were programmed to lose to Cola. There was no way out of that fire, especially with Cola absent.
Svenex had a hard time explaining the decision to herself, as well. There were many mysteries surrounding Cola, and for Svenex, the biggest was why she trusted this child with her mess. Her abilities not in question, Svenex could not put her finger on what quality of Cola’s allowed her to leave the fight to her. The worst part of people calling her weak and cowardly for her decision was agreeing with them.
Her phone dinged. Checking on it, she was informed that she was under a vote of no confidence in the Knuckle Council. She knew her odds of surviving that vote were low. Losing that seat would disqualify her from sitting on the World Council, as well. As Svenex contemplated the loss of her short-lived political career in just a few months, she tried taking solace in the apparent survival of the World Council itself.
Tarsa had been wandering across the Earth for a few days. They wanted to spend time in the city, get to know people and society more, maybe make some friends. But that would be a while out for the Bio-Android, still hated and feared on sight by humans. They would have to wait for the public to accept Scarf’s arrest and hope for more good will from footage of their battles in the plaza. They didn’t think it would bother them, to be left an outcast in this way, but felt a lot lonelier in their freedom, with no one to share the experience.
The sun was shining bright in the steppes between Knuckle and Silico. Tarsa stopped and looked towards the star. “Maybe I should go home, after all,” they remarked. They were sure Gaita could be won over, and then they’d have a sparring partner. They sighed and kept flying, hoping to make it to another town within the hour, for people watching. On their right was a small pond, so they decided to take a rest there.
The water was clear, spring fed from an aquifer. Tarsa took a drink and sat on a rock. As they observed the landscape, they felt a chi behind them, a person, one they hadn’t noticed before. They turned to see an elderly black person, dressed in silk. “Hi there, strange traveler,” they greeted Tarsa.
“Who are you?” Tarsa asked. “How did you sneak up on me?”
They laughed. “There was no sneaking involved! My name is Yogin, by the way. What’s yours?”
Tarsa squinted. “Tarsa.”
“Well met, Tarsa. As I recall, you did a bang-up job with the recent messiness with Scarf, right? A harrowing ordeal you were put through.”
“What do you know about my ordeal, huh?”
“Enough. I’d love to hear more, if you’d accompany me to my home. But you can’t come in unless you agree to be a student of mine.”
Tarsa snorted. “You got a lot of nerve, oldie!”
Yogin smiled, glancing down at the rock Tarsa sat on, wedged against another. “How about I show you a trick? One I can promise to teach you, as well.”
“Like a little trick will—” Tarsa stopped speaking when Yogin started flattening their hand like paper and slipping it between the rocks. This flattening continued across their whole body, such that a ribbon of flattened body snaked through a passage fit for a scorpion. On the other side, Yogin’s body retook its ordinary form, until they stood upright before Tarsa. The Bio-Android stared in wonder. “How did you—?!”
Yogin raised a hand. “I can’t teach you that trick unless you agree to be my student, remember? I’m a master of a certain lost martial art, which focuses on using chi to control every cell in the body at will. Even with this brief glimpse at your power and,” Yogin paused, “unique form, I’m sure you have the makings of a body control genius. So, do you want to learn?”
Tarsa’s eyes sparkled. “Yes! Please, teach me how to do cool stuff like that!”
Yogin chuckled. “Good. We have a little time to practice, and then there’s even a tournament for you to test your skills in coming up. Come along.” Yogin led the excitable Tarsa around the pond. On the far end was a large boulder. The back of the boulder had an archway carved into it, with a glassy door. Upon Yogin’s approach, the doorway shimmered, and the two walked through.
Life in the Gutters 