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  1. #5536
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    “My wife. We eat in honor of my wife, for it is the anniversary of when she was killed. We honor her memory, and the hope of a renewal.”


    The Last Daughter replies to Zaofan.

    “Dawnlock Soup. A speciality from my mother’s home universe, the ingredients-are from there. You will have never tasted it’s like. Spicy, but rich and savory too.”

    The two look at Parsley and Ochazuke , than at each other.

    “We were promised revenge against the Cabal. Forger said Binder could do it, get us there. Now you claim you can. What makes your deal better than, presumably, what this Sakin can offer us?”
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  2. #5537

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    Quote Originally Posted by Cleric of Hell’s Brigade View Post
    “My wife. We eat in honor of my wife, for it is the anniversary of when she was killed. We honor her memory, and the hope of a renewal.”


    The Last Daughter replies to Zaofan.

    “Dawnlock Soup. A speciality from my mother’s home universe, the ingredients-are from there. You will have never tasted it’s like. Spicy, but rich and savory too.”

    The two look at Parsley and Ochazuke , than at each other.

    “We were promised revenge against the Cabal. Forger said Binder could do it, get us there. Now you claim you can. What makes your deal better than, presumably, what this Sakin can offer us?”
    "We'll raise ours as well, then, to honour fallen comrades."

    "To the wife." Zaofan raised his bowl, and Ochazuke did as well. "To the mother."

    Then silence for a moment as they each took a long draught. It was very much as she said, but still they emptied them, heat and bitters and all, in a show of good faith.

    "So, your mother was from another universe, huh? How'd that meeting come about?"

    Of course, the Beast God was swift in announcing his terms.

    Quote Originally Posted by Sub-Zero MKA View Post
    "I don't know," she answered honestly. "But, it'd be in your best interest to listen to what we have to say."

    Before she spoke again, she pulled out Auroc's journal and flipped to the section about the Way Between World's. "The Cabal of Thorn and Stone framed you for this system's destruction, yes? Forger and Binder promised to offer you a means to travel to the Way Between Worlds to seek out your revenge and possibly a means to bring her back or at least find her reincarnation?"

    She placed the Apparatus on the table. "That was Auroc's key to travel there. We're currently figuring out the configuration, but when we do, we'll open the door for you to merit out vengeance against the Cabal."
    Following Parsley's bid, Ochazuke followed in explaining just what Sakin was.

    "The Forger gathered you to his side to combat the potential threats of the universe. With your strength he sought to intercede and annihilate them before they started. We were all there that day when Judgment was cast upon those who would make a wish upon dragonballs, on a man whose turn in life might grant him untold power given time, and on a Goddess of Destruction who had no accountability but to herself. It fear for a calamitous possibility that moved his hand, but your Ulthan enacted your bonds to ensure nothing could threaten the future course of the Universe that he decided."

    Drumming his fingers on the table, he looked from one Kaiju-jin to the next, then to Parsley.

    "Only, there has been a plot millennia in the making, the roots run deep through the ages and only now have these ancient schemes begin to bear fruit. Parsley named Sakin the Angel of this Universe, do not be mistaken for he is anything but divine. He's been prying the Energy of Creation from the guardians of countless worlds, intent on unmaking and remaking it to his design, even if it means the death of all who live in it."

    Eying the apparatus on the table, there suddenly came to mind a way to prove the depth of this scheme, as well as produce results for the family's hunt. Wordlessly, Ochazuke produced the crystal that held the Soul Meister, trapped within a prison of his own making for eternity.

    "I have here a member of the Cabal. We found him plundering the afterlife, by his own words searching for the memories contained within souls to feed Sakin's war effort and pool together their own personal power. After redirecting the magics of his own design upon him, the result is a sample of the very unique energy signature they bear as those sworn to Sakin."

    He leaned forward at that moment, gazing at the pitiful worm within the amber, then nod to Parsley.

    "Suppose we were on the cusp of realizing a means to reach through space and dimensions with a beacon such as this? No matter how numerous the Cabal of Thorns, we will find them," he concluded, "Perhaps we can help each other."

  3. #5538
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    Quote Originally Posted by grampagen View Post
    "We'll raise ours as well, then, to honour fallen comrades."

    "To the wife." Zaofan raised his bowl, and Ochazuke did as well. "To the mother."

    Then silence for a moment as they each took a long draught. It was very much as she said, but still they emptied them, heat and bitters and all, in a show of good faith.

    "So, your mother was from another universe, huh? How'd that meeting come about?"

    Of course, the Beast God was swift in announcing his terms.
    When the martial brothers raised their bowls, Parsley did as well. "To Prant."

    Following Parsley's bid, Ochazuke followed in explaining just what Sakin was.

    "The Forger gathered you to his side to combat the potential threats of the universe. With your strength he sought to intercede and annihilate them before they started. We were all there that day when Judgment was cast upon those who would make a wish upon dragonballs, on a man whose turn in life might grant him untold power given time, and on a Goddess of Destruction who had no accountability but to herself. It fear for a calamitous possibility that moved his hand, but your Ulthan enacted your bonds to ensure nothing could threaten the future course of the Universe that he decided."

    Drumming his fingers on the table, he looked from one Kaiju-jin to the next, then to Parsley.

    "Only, there has been a plot millennia in the making, the roots run deep through the ages and only now have these ancient schemes begin to bear fruit. Parsley named Sakin the Angel of this Universe, do not be mistaken for he is anything but divine. He's been prying the Energy of Creation from the guardians of countless worlds, intent on unmaking and remaking it to his design, even if it means the death of all who live in it."

    Eying the apparatus on the table, there suddenly came to mind a way to prove the depth of this scheme, as well as produce results for the family's hunt. Wordlessly, Ochazuke produced the crystal that held the Soul Meister, trapped within a prison of his own making for eternity.

    "I have here a member of the Cabal. We found him plundering the afterlife, by his own words searching for the memories contained within souls to feed Sakin's war effort and pool together their own personal power. After redirecting the magics of his own design upon him, the result is a sample of the very unique energy signature they bear as those sworn to Sakin."

    He leaned forward at that moment, gazing at the pitiful worm within the amber, then nod to Parsley.

    "Suppose we were on the cusp of realizing a means to reach through space and dimensions with a beacon such as this? No matter how numerous the Cabal of Thorns, we will find them," he concluded, "Perhaps we can help each other."
    As Ochazuke spoke, Parsley ate silently. Last Daughter was right, the ingredients mixed within the stew made for a flavor she had never tasted before. It was delightful, but hardly enough to fill her appetite. It would, for then, have to suffice, for she wouldn't overtax their hospitality.

    When the crystal prison with the Soul Meister, a prison of his own unwitting design, was placed on the table, she allowed herself a small smile. There was undeniable proof that their agreement would be worth the most while for Beast God and his daughter. They had the means to track down each and every member of the Cabal, including the ones personally responsible for framing Beast God and killing his wife.

    She remained silent, but offered Ochazuke a nod.
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  4. #5539
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    Quote Originally Posted by grampagen View Post
    "We'll raise ours as well, then, to honour fallen comrades."

    "To the wife." Zaofan raised his bowl, and Ochazuke did as well. "To the mother."

    Then silence for a moment as they each took a long draught. It was very much as she said, but still they emptied them, heat and bitters and all, in a show of good faith.

    "So, your mother was from another universe, huh? How'd that meeting come about?"

    Of course, the Beast God was swift in announcing his terms.



    Following Parsley's bid, Ochazuke followed in explaining just what Sakin was.

    "The Forger gathered you to his side to combat the potential threats of the universe. With your strength he sought to intercede and annihilate them before they started. We were all there that day when Judgment was cast upon those who would make a wish upon dragonballs, on a man whose turn in life might grant him untold power given time, and on a Goddess of Destruction who had no accountability but to herself. It fear for a calamitous possibility that moved his hand, but your Ulthan enacted your bonds to ensure nothing could threaten the future course of the Universe that he decided."

    Drumming his fingers on the table, he looked from one Kaiju-jin to the next, then to Parsley.

    "Only, there has been a plot millennia in the making, the roots run deep through the ages and only now have these ancient schemes begin to bear fruit. Parsley named Sakin the Angel of this Universe, do not be mistaken for he is anything but divine. He's been prying the Energy of Creation from the guardians of countless worlds, intent on unmaking and remaking it to his design, even if it means the death of all who live in it."

    Eying the apparatus on the table, there suddenly came to mind a way to prove the depth of this scheme, as well as produce results for the family's hunt. Wordlessly, Ochazuke produced the crystal that held the Soul Meister, trapped within a prison of his own making for eternity.

    "I have here a member of the Cabal. We found him plundering the afterlife, by his own words searching for the memories contained within souls to feed Sakin's war effort and pool together their own personal power. After redirecting the magics of his own design upon him, the result is a sample of the very unique energy signature they bear as those sworn to Sakin."

    He leaned forward at that moment, gazing at the pitiful worm within the amber, then nod to Parsley.

    "Suppose we were on the cusp of realizing a means to reach through space and dimensions with a beacon such as this? No matter how numerous the Cabal of Thorns, we will find them," he concluded, "Perhaps we can help each other."
    A dangerous chill emanates from the Beast God as he stares at the Crystal. That cold blue light in his eyes and on his tail pulses slightly.

    “Father! Not now.”

    He turns and regards his daughter, than slowly breaths and let’s the light die down.

    “I am….interested. This Sakin sounds like a gutter feeder, the lowest of the low. If he would work with the Cabal, than he’s trash to me.”

    He leans back, crossing his arms.

    “An alliance than? Our help to stop this would be master of the universe, and in exchange you help us get after the Cabal? That is what you wish to negotiate?”

    Meanwhile, the Last Daughter turns and smiles slightly at Zaofan.

    “Mother was, is, a Goddess. She did not speak much of it, but I know she had much of this Creation energy within her. It was why the Cabal went after her and killed her. We believe they have her last reincarnation held there. But, as to how they met……we’ll, she came here as a refugee and went into a type of hibernation to recharge herself. She eventually was found by my father, one of the last of his kind, and when he challenged her to a fight…she slapped him down. Hard. After that, he was apparently quite smitten.”

    She chuckles even as a slight blush crawls up the stoic Beast God’s neck, his eyes never leaving the Crystal.
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  5. #5540

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    Quote Originally Posted by Cleric of HellÂ’s Brigade View Post
    A dangerous chill emanates from the Beast God as he stares at the Crystal. That cold blue light in his eyes and on his tail pulses slightly.

    “Father! Not now.”

    He turns and regards his daughter, than slowly breaths and letÂ’s the light die down.

    “I am….interested. This Sakin sounds like a gutter feeder, the lowest of the low. If he would work with the Cabal, than he’s trash to me.”

    He leans back, crossing his arms.

    “An alliance than? Our help to stop this would be master of the universe, and in exchange you help us get after the Cabal? That is what you wish to negotiate?”

    Meanwhile, the Last Daughter turns and smiles slightly at Zaofan.

    “Mother was, is, a Goddess. She did not speak much of it, but I know she had much of this Creation energy within her. It was why the Cabal went after her and killed her. We believe they have her last reincarnation held there. But, as to how they met……we’ll, she came here as a refugee and went into a type of hibernation to recharge herself. She eventually was found by my father, one of the last of his kind, and when he challenged her to a fight…she slapped him down. Hard. After that, he was apparently quite smitten.”

    She chuckles even as a slight blush crawls up the stoic Beast GodÂ’s neck, his eyes never leaving the Crystal.
    And with that outburst, Beast God's proud facade was broken, and with the blue fire that roused within him at the sight of the Soul Splicer, he'd given away that they had something they wanted. Zaofan paused, leaning over a tongful of salad before slowly resuming his seat. A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead as he took a forkful of crispy greens he'd never seen before and he passed a look at his comrades.

    "All the Cabal's works are done in the name of Sakin, after all" Ochazuke clarified, "and this one, in particular, had a vested interest in the afterlife. Thinning the passage for the dead to haunt the living, for departed souls to displace and possess bodies still tethered to their mortality, feigning a search for warriors when they prey on desperation for fodder. For those who wish to live again, nothing could be sweeter than that lie."

    Seeing the man possessed by the need for his revenge, he palmed the crystal.

    "The Forger would have had us fight among each other, but this is a matter far greater than a search for an enemy. In the fight for our universe and the universes beyond that you and your Prant well knew of, Sakin is the only enemy that matters."

    He folded his arms before him. They'd found one opening, now to capitalize on it.

    "These are our terms. Given time, we will grant you the knowledge you need and the means to reach the Cabal wherever they yet linger. Your fight is personal, commit to it however you wish, but if you need assistance, we can be there."

    He leaned forward.

    "But our help is not unconditional. In exchange, what will you do for us?"

  6. #5541
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    Quote Originally Posted by grampagen View Post
    And with that outburst, Beast God's proud facade was broken, and with the blue fire that roused within him at the sight of the Soul Splicer, he'd given away that they had something they wanted. Zaofan paused, leaning over a tongful of salad before slowly resuming his seat. A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead as he took a forkful of crispy greens he'd never seen before and he passed a look at his comrades.

    "All the Cabal's works are done in the name of Sakin, after all" Ochazuke clarified, "and this one, in particular, had a vested interest in the afterlife. Thinning the passage for the dead to haunt the living, for departed souls to displace and possess bodies still tethered to their mortality, feigning a search for warriors when they prey on desperation for fodder. For those who wish to live again, nothing could be sweeter than that lie."

    Seeing the man possessed by the need for his revenge, he palmed the crystal.

    "The Forger would have had us fight among each other, but this is a matter far greater than a search for an enemy. In the fight for our universe and the universes beyond that you and your Prant well knew of, Sakin is the only enemy that matters."

    He folded his arms before him. They'd found one opening, now to capitalize on it.

    "These are our terms. Given time, we will grant you the knowledge you need and the means to reach the Cabal wherever they yet linger. Your fight is personal, commit to it however you wish, but if you need assistance, we can be there."

    He leaned forward.

    "But our help is not unconditional. In exchange, what will you do for us?"
    The Beast God eyes the two humans, than eyes Parsley. His gaze falls on the Judge, and he speaks a moment in that same guttural language Last Daughter had when cursing out Ruination Ishtar.

    The Judge pauses before responding in kind, and the two converse for a bit as Last Daughter serves everyone blue tea, with a strange red leaf floating in it.

    “Moonglow Tea, with a Fire Cinnamon leaf. Traditional tea for business transactions and, perhaps, new allies.”

    The Judge and the Beast God stop talking, and the larger man turns and watches Ochazuke once more.

    “The Judge speaks highly of your friend, Zaofan, and of his time on Earth. I am glad you have treated him well. My daughter and I offer our aid. Aid against this Sakin, aid against Lady Binder should the need arise. Aid to preserve this universe as best we are able.”

    He takes his Moonglow Tea and lifts the cup up.

    “Fair trade?”
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  7. #5542
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cleric of Hell’s Brigade View Post
    The Beast God eyes the two humans, than eyes Parsley. His gaze falls on the Judge, and he speaks a moment in that same guttural language Last Daughter had when cursing out Ruination Ishtar.

    The Judge pauses before responding in kind, and the two converse for a bit as Last Daughter serves everyone blue tea, with a strange red leaf floating in it.

    “Moonglow Tea, with a Fire Cinnamon leaf. Traditional tea for business transactions and, perhaps, new allies.”

    The Judge and the Beast God stop talking, and the larger man turns and watches Ochazuke once more.

    “The Judge speaks highly of your friend, Zaofan, and of his time on Earth. I am glad you have treated him well. My daughter and I offer our aid. Aid against this Sakin, aid against Lady Binder should the need arise. Aid to preserve this universe as best we are able.”

    He takes his Moonglow Tea and lifts the cup up.

    “Fair trade?”
    The aid of two ascended beings in at least one of their battles was a boon Parsley couldn't have foreseen when the idea to speak to them popped in her head. She smiled and lifted the cup of Moonglow tea. "A fair trade."

    Their battle with Sakin was looking less bleak than it had been just hours ago. Their aid against Alakazah would be invaluable, as would any information they may have had on Binder and Ishtar. Though, she doubted they would know more than Banespell, who told them quite a bit. Regardless, two more allies had been secured. Repaying them would, hopefully, be a simple thing. Pants had the theorems and would figure out how to open the doorway to the Way Between Worlds. From there, the only issue would be how Beast God and Last Daughter would return after exacting their vengeance. A question to be answer when it presented itself, she supposed.

    "Thank you both for your help. The battle against Sakin will be hard, but it can be won if we work together."

    As she was speaking, she pulled up the guide she made and, after making a few adjustments to account for information they learned recently, she showed it to them. "This is a... guide of sorts that details our current enemies and a bit more. If you'd like, I can send you both a copy so you can know what you'll be up against."
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  8. #5543
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sub-Zero MKA View Post
    The aid of two ascended beings in at least one of their battles was a boon Parsley couldn't have foreseen when the idea to speak to them popped in her head. She smiled and lifted the cup of Moonglow tea. "A fair trade."

    Their battle with Sakin was looking less bleak than it had been just hours ago. Their aid against Alakazah would be invaluable, as would any information they may have had on Binder and Ishtar. Though, she doubted they would know more than Banespell, who told them quite a bit. Regardless, two more allies had been secured. Repaying them would, hopefully, be a simple thing. Pants had the theorems and would figure out how to open the doorway to the Way Between Worlds. From there, the only issue would be how Beast God and Last Daughter would return after exacting their vengeance. A question to be answer when it presented itself, she supposed.

    "Thank you both for your help. The battle against Sakin will be hard, but it can be won if we work together."

    As she was speaking, she pulled up the guide she made and, after making a few adjustments to account for information they learned recently, she showed it to them. "This is a... guide of sorts that details our current enemies and a bit more. If you'd like, I can send you both a copy so you can know what you'll be up against."
    Last Daughter slides a datapad towards her.

    “Go ahead and download what you think we need to know.”
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  9. #5544
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cleric of Hell’s Brigade View Post
    Last Daughter slides a datapad towards her.

    “Go ahead and download what you think we need to know.”
    Parsley took the datapad and connected it to her PDD. She sent information on Sakin and what little they knew of his Great Call, Alakazah and his battles with the Palantine, Genesis and her collection of godly energies, the GoDs from other universes, and the Way Between Worlds. Everything else was mostly to catch up those who would have no idea what else was out there in the universe, which didn't seem to apply to those two.

    "That should be about it," she said, sliding the datapad back over to Last Daughter. "It's connected to my master copy, so if I update the sections I gave you, your copy will update, as well."
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    With the offering of tea to seal the deal, they raised their cups, Zaofan with a mild simper as the Judge put in a word for him in their own language, and Ochazuke, silent with a small smile of his own, measured way.

    "We have terms."

    In an instant, the moonglow tea was consumed hot, the fire cinnamon leaf extinguished in a salute.

    Quote Originally Posted by Sub-Zero MKA View Post
    Parsley took the datapad and connected it to her PDD. She sent information on Sakin and what little they knew of his Great Call, Alakazah and his battles with the Palantine, Genesis and her collection of godly energies, the GoDs from other universes, and the Way Between Worlds. Everything else was mostly to catch up those who would have no idea what else was out there in the universe, which didn't seem to apply to those two.

    "That should be about it," she said, sliding the datapad back over to Last Daughter. "It's connected to my master copy, so if I update the sections I gave you, your copy will update, as well."
    Following Parsley's lead, Ochazuke followed her information with another bid to keep their new allies.

    "I trust you have a means to get around the universe. Our friends in the Nevadian Federation have considerable resources for transport and trade. I have no doubt much of the Cabal hides in plain sight, though reaching them may be difficult."

    With that, he pocketed the crystal.

    "Nevertheless, prepare yourselves. Cross-referenced with the star maps of the Navigators and the far-ranging abilities of the Apparatus, soon there will be no place for them to hide. Once they are marked, we'll leave them to your discretion."

  11. #5546
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    Quote Originally Posted by grampagen View Post
    With the offering of tea to seal the deal, they raised their cups, Zaofan with a mild simper as the Judge put in a word for him in their own language, and Ochazuke, silent with a small smile of his own, measured way.

    "We have terms."

    In an instant, the moonglow tea was consumed hot, the fire cinnamon leaf extinguished in a salute.



    Following Parsley's lead, Ochazuke followed her information with another bid to keep their new allies.

    "I trust you have a means to get around the universe. Our friends in the Nevadian Federation have considerable resources for transport and trade. I have no doubt much of the Cabal hides in plain sight, though reaching them may be difficult."

    With that, he pocketed the crystal.

    "Nevertheless, prepare yourselves. Cross-referenced with the star maps of the Navigators and the far-ranging abilities of the Apparatus, soon there will be no place for them to hide. Once they are marked, we'll leave them to your discretion."
    The two nod.

    “Than we have an accord.”

    The Beast God shakes, firmly, each of their hands to seal the deal while Last Daughter gives secure communication codes to them all.

    “Use these to call us when you need us. For now, we’ll study the information you have given us. And when the time comes…….”

    Ominous blue light flares in both their eyes.

    “We shall make the Cabal and this Sakin no more.”
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cleric of Hell’s Brigade View Post
    The two nod.

    “Than we have an accord.”

    The Beast God shakes, firmly, each of their hands to seal the deal while Last Daughter gives secure communication codes to them all.

    “Use these to call us when you need us. For now, we’ll study the information you have given us. And when the time comes…….”

    Ominous blue light flares in both their eyes.

    “We shall make the Cabal and this Sakin no more.”
    Parsley shook Beast God's hand firmly, then took the code provided by Last Daughter. She committed it to memory, but still recorded it so she could share it with the pertinent people back home. "Thank you again for the hospitality. We'll be in touch."

    She pulled out the Apparatus and opened a doorway back to Earth. As much as she would have liked to chat with those two and learn more about them and their people, she felt they were getting close to overstaying their welcome. Also, she wanted to go home and eat something else. I wondered what, if anything, Avoca made for dinner.
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    Default Ilargi Training III, Part 1

    Month 12

    It was startling, almost eerie how much things could change in only four months. Inanna was dead and Parsley was more reserved than usual and more critical of herself. As the time for their final training session in Vaikuntha came upon them, it was clear that Sarada wasn't going to join them. That threw a serious monkey wrench into their plans.

    As training began with the lone Super Saiyans in the universe, Avoca couldn't stop herself from frowning at the sad sight before her. She wasn't sure if it was the pressure of being among the few people capable of correcting course and beating everyone who needed to be beaten or what, but they were cracking.

    Avoca wasn't sure how to fix it beyond making them take time away from everything and reset. Ruco was a big help, but she knew the anxieties of the future were waiting for them.

    Pinach, Rutaba, Tasure, herself, that annoying ball guy, and that kid joined them in Vaikuntha for some last minute training. Out of all of them, only Parsley, and Tasure had ascended to the next level. The rest of them had their work cut out for them.

    The first two months were spent training Seri almost exclusively to get her to Super Saiyan and then getting control of it. No one wanted to say it because she was so enthusiastic, but having someone who hadn't even transformed yet was only going to hold them back. According to Parsley, Eva's vision was going to come to pass within the next week or so, so there was no time to lose. Every second of training counted, even for those that weren't going to take part in the final battles.

    Months three to six were used to help Avoca, Lantro, Pinach, and Rutaba ascend to the next level. There were two ways apparently: by training or by force. Sarada used the former, as she transformed naturally by way of desperation against Tundra. Parsley was the latter. She, apparently, reached the next level because some Saiyan named Kakarot pumped her full of his power. Avoca really didn’t care for how excited Parsley got when she started yammering on and on about that guy.

    While the other three could afford to take their time and do it the “old-fashioned way”, Avoca had no such luck. Parsley insisted that she ascended as quickly as possible so she could work on mastering it and reaching the level after that. While she was excited to achieve new power and potentially catch up to her wife and best friend, she really doubted she was going to be where Parsley felt she needed to be by the time their year was up. It wasn't a particularly long time and she really didn't want to rush and end up stunting her growth. If she wasn't able to do the god ritual thing, so be it. Sarada and Parsley would have to be enough.

    At the end of month four, they were ready. “So, how's this supposed to go?” she asked.

    “You raise your power as high as you can. I'll take it from there,” Parsley answered. She herself transformed directly from base to SSJ2. The electric power that crackled around her shimmering aura was a sight that had become familiar, but never ceased to be arousing.

    Her legs started to tremble, and not out of fear.

    “Power up and get ready.” Without waiting for a response, Parsley’s aura exploded to life. Her power spiked, shooting through the ceiling of what Avoca knew to be her limit. And it kept climbing, raising higher and higher, far higher than Avoca had ever felt during that training session. It was so incredible that it felt like the entire realm was shaking. It was like peering into the heart of a lightning storm. Winds stronger than any hurricane on Ruco threatened to toss her away like chaff caught in a stiff breeze.

    She spiked her own power as high as it could go to help her brace against the sheer wall of power that was being thrown against her. It wasn’t even close to being enough and she was tossed away several dozen yards when Parsley loosed a harrowing, thunderous roar. The power was overwhelming. It beat against her senses like a massive pair of wings, pushing her further away with each and every majestic flap. “Ugh,” she groaned. She rose to her feet and slowly opened her eyes to behold the latest Saiyan form. “What the...?”

    There was at least twice, if not three times as much lightning dancing around Parsley’s aura as before. Her hair had grown to stupid lengths and... her eyebrows were gone, replaced by very pronounce ridges. “Snrrrk,” she snorted, then burst into uproarious laughter. “BWAHAHAHAHAH!!! You look like a caveman with a banana tree stu-”

    It happened like a flash. One second, she was laughing and making fun of Parsley’s stupid looking form; the next, a Ki-enfused fist had been buried in her midsection. The Ki filtered into her body, an overwhelming wave of foreign energy. It was like trying to squeeze an entire ocean into a small water bottle. It felt like she was about to explode!

    She let out a ragged scream. I can do this! Her teeth gritted together. Her power rose, not to try and match Parsley’s or even to try and brace herself. Instead, she raised it to break through her own ceiling. It was the same as when Tasure helped her reach Super Saiyan. With enough of a stimulus, her body would react.

    A burst of electrifying power erupted out of her. It permeated every cell of her body; every crack and every crevice was saturated with aureate energy. Parsley backed away and powered down to Super Saiyan 2.

    Avoca let out ragged, haggard breaths. “Gods,” she huffed. She felt so powerful. Even Super Saiyan paled in comparison. “Is this it? Did I do it?”

    “Yes,” she answered with a smile.

    Avoca blinked idly while the words took their time registering with her. Once they did, she scrambled to the lake that was nearby and looked at her reflection. Her hair was spikier and she only had two bangs. Other than that and some increased muscle mass, she didn’t look that different from Super Saiyan. No, but she felt different. She felt faster, stronger, and more powerful than she had ever in her life!

    She grinned and started throwing kicks at lightning speed. “Incredible!” She still had a long way to go, but the gap between her and Parsley had shrunk considerably.

    In the distance, she could feel Pinach and Rutaba hurriedly making their way over. “Whoa! Nice job leveling up, Avoca!” Pinach cheered with a thumbs up.

    “Thanks, kid.” She turned to her wife and smirk. “Now, let’s test out my new power, huh?”

    “Let’s.”

    Despite being at the same level, it was clear right from the start that Parsley’s power still outstripped hers. She had more experience and training at Super Saiyan 2 than Avoca, simple as that. Still, it wasn’t a complete laugher, nor did she have to hold back to the considerable degree that she had to during their first stint in Vaikuntha.

    Shockwaves filled the air as they danced across the sky. Avoca blocked or parried when she could and countered when there was an opening. Those openings were few and far between. Parsley had always been an exceptional hand-to-hand fighter, but she never realized just how good until she was strong enough to actually force her into trying. “You’ve been holding out on me,” she remarked with a smirk.

    Parsley matched it with one of her own. “You should feel proud. I actually get to try.”

    “Hehe. Try this!” She suddenly swung her hips at Parsley. They didn’t come close to connecting, but the Thunderclap created disoriented Parsley enough to give Avoca a brief moment’s advantage. She quickly fired a pair of energy blasts at her. Before they reached her, an energy tether appeared and connected the two. It caught Parsley and tied around her until the blasts collided with her in the middle. The explosion from her Demon Spark made the ground tremble and filled the sky with a blinding yellow light.

    Yet, despite the preamble, she knew that it did little more than tickle Parsley. With that in mind, she dashed forward toward her.

    “Heh.” Parsley’s chuckle was the only warning Avoca got before a blinding flash of light erupted from the ambient aftermath of her attack. The Corona Disruption stripped her of any and all senses, leaving her completely in the dark. She couldn’t even sense her Ki anymore.

    If Avoca thought she was going to play around with her for a bit, she was sadly mistaken. A fist buried itself in her midsection, followed swiftly by what felt like a knee to the back. Avoca was sent flying downward and slammed hard into the verdant green grassy knolls below.

    Feeling herself groaning but not being able to hear it was the most disorienting thing. That and her balance being shot to hell. She groped around blindly for anything to grab onto that could help her stand up. Her hand touched Parsley’s rock-hard thigh and she felt butterflies flutter in her stomach.

    She was grabbed and hoisted into the air. She struggled feebly in her superior grip, but managed to ball her hands together. A sphere of pure darkness formed in-between them, which she quickly let fall to the ground below.

    She wasn’t sure if it exploded or not, but she was released. Ugh. How long does this **** last? She rubbed her eyes and was startled when there wasn’t any sensation from touching her face. This **** is thorough. Tch.
    DBM | Sarada | Parsley

    ROLL TIDE ROLL!

  14. #5549
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    Default Ilargi Training III, Part 2

    Her Midnight Bloom gave her a moment’s reprieve, but she needed to do something and quick. Alright, think. Parsley could do so much more than her, but that didn’t mean Avoca was hopeless. She smiled to herself. Oh, she knew exactly what she was about to do. It was time to see just how much Parsley remembered from their first training session.

    And right on time. She could feel her senses beginning to return. Her vision was still blurry and her hearing was like trying to listen to a whispered conversation while underwater, but it was better than being blind and deaf.

    Despite her eyesight still being blurry and her ki sense fuzzy, she still noticed Parsley coming. She was a blob of hazy colors, but she was still ready. “Come on!” She thrust her hands forward and fired off a pressure wave.

    As her vision continued to clear, she was better able to see that Parsley had been struck by Internal Struggles. “Not paying attention, eh?” she taunted.

    She unleashed her own pressure wave. “I should ask the same of you.” Mere moments after speaking, Parsley’s aura fizzled out.

    The next instant, so did Avoca’s. She sighed heavily. “Stupid hax copy tech,” she muttered.

    Parsley cackled and descended. “You should be happy. You just made Parlada even better.”

    “...Who?”

    “My fusion with Sarada.”

    “...That’s what you’re calling her?”

    “...Yes? What’s wrong with it?”

    “Oh nothing.” It didn’t roll of the tongue all that fluidly, but she decided to keep that to herself. “It’s not terrible.”

    “Tch.” Parsley sat down on the ground and beckoned for Avoca to do the same. “The final battles will be commencing very soon. Perhaps in the next few days after our training here is over. I regret that Sarada couldn’t join us, but she’s not one to mourn for long. Whatever she’s doing, I trust it’s positive.”

    “Knowing her and what she had been telling me the last few months, she’s getting her head straight.” When Parsley didn’t ask her to elaborate, she knew that was because she knew about what. Sarada, at least up to the point that she abruptly departed Sarada, still blamed Parsley and the human Ochazuke for Inanna’s departure. Whether that was the case didn’t matter; as far as Avoca knew, it wasn’t, but still.

    “Good.” They fell into a short, but awkward silence. “We’ll have to train harder than ever for the remaining eight months. There’s no time to fool around or waste. The fate of not just this universe, but every universe hangs in the balance. If Sakin opens the Way Between Worlds and unleashes the horrors within... we may not be able to stop it in time.”

    “That’s no way to think.” Pinach and Rutaba landed nearby. “We still have eight months to get ready. Whatever’s lurking in this Way thing won’t know what hit ‘em!”

    “Pinach is right. We just have to believe in ourselves!” Rutaba clenched her fist. A smile brimming with confidence and resolute focus appeared on her face. “If we fight together, we can’t lose!”

    Avoca had to admit, their confidence was infectious. She just hoped it wasn’t misplaced. Parsley wasn’t brimming with confidence in herself or anyone else like Sarada was, but she also wasn’t that down on their chances. For her to be so dour and gloomy, it meant that whatever that Sakin guy intended on doing was more serious than any of them realized.

    She feared that with that attitude, they weren’t going to be prepared for what was coming. “I think we need to take this more seriously.” The two young heroes frowned. “We don’t know what’s coming. Assuming we’re going to win through the power of friendship and believing in ourselves is probably going to get us killed.” She frowned sadly and cast her gaze down to the grass under her. “I don’t plan on dying.”

    “You two need to stay in the Empire to protect it,” Parsley said. “All hell will be breaking loose. I don’t know to what extent, but Sarada won’t want our people unprotected.” She looked up at them with a fond smile. “You two can handle things. You’ll have the Ultra Elites and the entire army behind you.”

    By the silence, they were disappointed at being basically sidelined. “Okay,” Pinach eventually said quietly.

    She wasn’t sure when the gravity of the pending situation would hit them all. She only hoped it would before that situation became a reality.

    The remainder of the time was spent in a nice groove. Lantro, Pinach, and Rutaba eventually reached Super Saiyan 2 around Month Six with very little fanfare. From there until the final day in Vaikuntha, it was constant training, honing and perfecting their techniques, and mastering teamwork.

    Avoca and Parsley also worked on becoming adept at their own Fusion ritual, just in case. Avoca intended on doing the same with Sarada when and if they got some time. Having three people capable of fusing with each other gave them options in case one was incapacitated or otherwise unavailable for some reason.

    “I think we’ve done all we can do,” Pinach said on the final day. The waning hours were upon them. An entire year had been spent training and honing their abilities as much as possible. The group of Super Saiyans were as powerful as they could possibly be. With the fate of Creation on the horizon, there was no more time to prepare physically. All that was left was the mental preparations.

    “With hope, Sarada will return within the next few days. If not, I’ll find her and bring her back,” Parsley said. “Then, we’ll go over final strategies and tactics one last time with the armies so we’re all on the same page.” With that, they bid the denizens of Vaikuntha a farewell and returned to the outside world, to Planet Sarada.

    They all had to be on a united front if they were going to survive. And they were going to. Avoca still had a lot of **** she wanted to do with her life before she eventually took her last breaths. Death wasn’t an option and neither was failure.
    DBM | Sarada | Parsley

    ROLL TIDE ROLL!

  15. #5550
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    Quote Originally Posted by grampagen View Post
    Ochazuke looked back and forth between Held and Zaofan, who just shrugged in response.

    "Forget Jack for a moment, that guy's been through a lot for a young man," the chef sighed, "the way you and Totoma have been going on about it, seems like you punched your ticket for a luxury cruise, sheesh! Food, liquor..."

    Stepping down from the platform as the gravity ceased, the snow that fell on the temple grounds receded by the collected aura of both the military personnel and the on-site trainees, disciplined students all that parted as their teachers stole toward the new arrival.
    Held laughed nervously as his jest about Jack had not gotten the anticipated response. In hindsight, it did come about as a bit more crass and insensitive than he had realized. Perhaps it was something about dying that caused the Nevadian to treat death as more trivial than it once was to him.

    Maybe I've lost my touch? I guess with all the training we did, I didn't exactly have time to brush up on new material....Or the energy.

    "...The Judge had you figured all wrong, if you went to Heaven. He owes me big now," Zaofan smirked as he pinched his fingers, "the lucres of justice, how terrifying."

    "It was a rigged wager after the incident on Nevada Prime," Ochazuke said, "Last I heard Captain Ulysses made sure his team of Navigators made sure to operate under your name. Every lightyear crossed to other worlds, he would never stop griping about the paperwork you left him. But we'll catch up inside, and get you out of the cold."
    "The Judge, eh?" Held bristled slightly at the name. Hilda had explained that it was he, and not Praxat who had managed to kill him. Which, was slightly less vexing. "I'm still unsure if I should be furious or flattered I made it to the top of his hit list..."

    I'm still trying to wrap my head around that one. Agrippa was certainly a tragedy...But even if that was entirely on me...Well, It hardly matters now, does it?

    Held shivered once more, his body in agreement with Ochazuke's kind offer to not let it freeze to death. "That would be nice."

    "Poor Ulysses." Held replied with a sympathetic sigh. "Sometimes I used to wonder if command was a curse....I imagine he'll have some unkind words for me, once he realizes I'm back."

    ...Which, I'll probably delay as long as possible. Sorry, Ulysses, but I didn't spend all that time being tortured in heaven, just to be tortured the second I get back.

    "....Still, it seems like he has a knack for it...I'd offer him a promotion, but I feel like he'd gut me to avoid taking it. I imagine being Admiral in all but name scared him off as well."

    ....I'm not even sure I would have taken the job, if I knew what it entailed...No. I would have....The good we've accomplished is worth it. But still...


    _____
    Quite opposite to its aesthetic, beneath the lacquerware columns and conjoined intersections that held up the great tiled roof was a rather modern facility. Sections of the live-in facility of the New Dragon Temple seemed far less intimidating than a dojo. Though this was a place of martial education, the walls of the place spartan, it seemed much more like the open residence of the heroes sworn to the code of the old Jianghu, welcoming all, but only those who knew the custom could see what was hidden in plain sight.

    At the core within a hearth warming water that coursed through the walls, a great flame that burned without kindling lit by Master Balon himself stood in remembrance of the continuity between his lost order and the new era ushered in by the rediscovery of the Ten Schools.

    "Fire, burning with intensity, will lose its substance sooner or later, but the spirit shall endure," Ochazuke said, grim and fatalistic as usual, "It should stand to reason nobody forget."
    Since this was a training ground, there was no real hard liquor in the place, the one artifact from the age of priests and monks which became an unspoken law here. However, the tea flowed hot and freely, and Zaofan had always kept the food moving.

    "Speaking of not forgetting," the chef said between bites of takuan pickles and rice, "we were looking for you, but when we came back it seems Hilda stole you away. Even wished on the Dragonballs, and Tiamat said you were alive."
    Held had said very little at this point, listening to Ochazuke's words between rabid bites of his meal, his hunger still not entire unabated. His body had missed both food and warmth, something this temple held in abundance.

    He stopped, however, as his chef friend illuminated certain details that the Nevadian's wife had left out of her explanation.

    A potent silence lingered in the air for a moment.


    "...So, that's how it happened." Held grinned for a moment, before chuckling, "I was given the impression that Hilda taking custody of my lifeless body was agreed upon, since she's my wife. I didn't realize that she was explaining her logic in taking my body without discussion."

    He took a sip of his tea, it's warmth reinvigorating his body. "....Then again, she never struck me as the diplomatic type. Still, I'd be lying if I didn't say it was unexpected."

    I'll giver her this. When she sets her mind on something, she certainly gets what she wants.

    The Nevadian scratched his chin at Zaofan's comment on Tiamat.

    "I guess it was technically true." Held replied, looking into his now empty cup, "Whis and Vados said something similar when I first wound up in the afterlife. Apparently my body was still alive, something was just interfering with my ability to revive myself."

    Held frowned as he recalled the horror and confusion he felt when he realized that he had truly departed the land of the living, or so it seemed.

    He blew lightly on the drink, cooling it. "From what Hilda told me, the 'something' that stopped me from coming back, was whatever the Judge shot me with."

    His eyes narrowed slightly as he shrugged.

    "The bullet was tailor made to make sure I couldn't jump start. I guess he really didn't like me. Hilda had to stabilize my body and undo the effects of the bullet. Once that was taken care of, the rest is just Nevadian Biology. "

    He paused, considering if certain details were better left unspoken.

    ...I guess they have a right to know.

    "On that note...I should probably mention something, but you have to promise not to get too upset, okay?" He asked with a nervous smile.

    He looked at both Zaofan and Ochazuke for confirmation.

    "You have to let me finish explaining before you yell at me."
    Last edited by Miburo; 09-23-2021 at 11:33 AM.

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