Dragonball M, Chapter 5: Clarion’s Call! The Signal! The Fate of the Universes!

[Sub-Zero MKA]

P-Sta nodded. "Indeed!" he headed back towards the control room with his siblings, each already prepping coordinates for Earth. "Now our base wasn't exactly mobile before...but now that it's taken the form of the Chief, perhaps it is able to-" P-Sta began, and as soon as the button was pressed by P-Cee, and massive canon of exhaust erupted from Durive's mouth as the giant base/box rocketed backward towards its destination without much in the way of warning.

"Okay...first thing's first...." P-Sta struggled to say as he braced himself. "See if we can locate the brakes."

"This is Katchin Squad Member X-Bo, attempting to contact the Gotengo," X-Bo spoke, attempting to establish communications. "We just fended off an attack on the GP base and hope to rendezvous with your forces as soon as possible."

"Also, it should be noted that we have...unusual transportation," N-Ten added.

"Just be on the lookout for a giant box with dropship-sized chopstick limbs," X-Bo noted.

Parsley took one look at the massive box that was apparently their ship and restrained a sigh. She had heard from Enoki of Durive's idiocy and decided a long time ago she wanted no part of whatever foolishness he supposedly got up to. That sentiment remained.

She flew to her ship and entered the cockpit. There was just enough room for the three of them to ride comfortably. A good thing P-Sta and his siblings would have their own way. She fired the engines up and then activated the communication system while waiting for Avoca and Blizzar to arrive. "Parsley to Gotengo. I'm incoming from GP HQ aboard a First Race vessel. Requesting permission to pass through any defenses."

"My...condolences," Blizzar offered, unsure of what else to say as he followed along. "You'd think adversaries of such a scale wouldn't resort to making things so personal. Alas, circumstances have assured that will never be the case. But worry not, you'll get your daughter back. What I say is not merely to calm your nerves or assure you, but a simple truth. One the Saiyans and the M Fighters promote more than any other. 'No matter how hard they hit us, we'll hit back harder.' And as a collective universe, I'd say Sakin's packed quite the punch. But our counterattack begins now."

How odd it was, Blizzar couldn't help but think. To see an Arcosian empathize with a Saiyan. Then again, Sarada had turned relations between their two races on its head...and perhaps for the better. Not that Blizzar truly cared for such deep-seated rivalries, anyway. Whichever provided the most safety and profit was often who he sided with in the past. But now both safety and profit were torn asunder after being trampled on, again and again, it was high time every combatant in the galaxy with any sort of sense laid all the chips down and show Sakin he was playing a losing game.

"Thanks." Avoca let out a deep sigh. "Sakin needs her to get to me and Parsley and try and convince us to join his side or whatever. I doubt he'll do her any harm." That doesn't make me feel any better, though. Despite that, it did help her focus on the task at hand. As long as the five Saiyans were still "free agents" as far as Sakin was concerned, Garnish and any other hostages were safe. That gave them time to devise some kind of plan to save them without betraying not just their universe, but every universe.

"In the meantime, let's continue this counterattack, and make him regret waking up this morning."

As odd as it was, it felt... natural to rally beside an Arcosian. Even with times being as strange as they were, that probably wasn't a good thing. They were natural rivals, dating back thousands of years and probably even longer than that. Still, the time for rivalries and hatred was over until all was said and done.

Possibly forever.

Avoca boarded the ship and strapped in. "How long until we get there?"

"Shouldn't be long," Parsley answered.

"Alright."

[bruceleegreyhulk]

She nods.

“I appreciate it.”

" Your welcome, Praxat said. Praxat then turns to face Zaofan. " You know Zaofan, I was really looking forward to your cooking, " Praxat said.

" Yeah I was looking forward to eat something that wasn't meat or had tentacles. Amperior food is bizzare," Praxat said.

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

A lot of **** happened nearly at the same time.

SWS moved her tail so that Totoma would be cleaved into by her energy scythe.

Totoma opened a Void Tunnel so that Sarada's scythe would cut into SWS instead. Exactly that happened and off came her head. Naturally, it had zero effect whatsoever and she still completed her perverted, demented Kamehameha, infecting him with some kind of sickly slime. It spread across his chest first and was steadily creeping across his entire body.

Sarada stood stock still for a brief second. Her eyes darted from SWS' body to her severed head to Totoma, then back to the severed head. There, at least for the moment, wasn't anything she could think to do for Totoma, at least not without looking at what was happening more closely. Instead, she pulled an empty capsule and tried to capture the severed head inside. If nothing else, that would at least keep her from giving her body any more orders.

The eyes glow, the mouth smiles.

Beams of Hakai lance out towards Sarada from her eyes as she gets close.

[Sub-Zero MKA]

The eyes glow, the mouth smiles.

Beams of Hakai lance out towards Sarada from her eyes as she gets close.

Her eyes widened. Her stopped in her tracks and darted backwards while tossing up three shields and merging them into one massive shield in hopes of countering the Hakai. Stupid! Fucking stupid! She had tangled with Hakai only once before with that idiot Asha'rah. The experience was enlightening, for all the wrong reasons. And it was something she never wanted to go through again.

[grampagen]

The minutes seemed long, meticulous by any measure, but for the looming end of all things.

The blaze of the Ryuka Dodonpa lashed against the orichalum plate. Its surface gleamed, parting the light from the sparks across its spectrum surface, glittering in myriad colours for a moment before the edges pooled and collected into a seam. For a moment the darkness of the far north abated, and as the cold air kissed the metal, it hissed as if it too would chip and shatter like the ice that spread all over the deposed Tomb of Persephone.

Then when the hammer struck the surface, sparks scattered, and the din of metal-on-metal sang through the empty plains where the Gotengo stood grounded.

"One more, and all the breaches will be sealed." Ochazuke stood over the port side, and Hops at last allowed himself to breathe once he could leave the energy ductile plating alone. Agravain had done extensive damage, his ethereal limbs of his form assumed of a nature beyond the intersection between this realm and the Void; though his thoughts and words were no longer those of the man that was, he was hardly ascended to the godhead he'd wished to partake of.

"Incredible," the Time Patrolman remarked, "I thought we'd be here all day, but it's barely been any time at all. That hammer's truly a miracleworker!"

Ochazuke chuckled slightly as they moved to patch the last hold. Ice shattered to powder as Aleka's geokinesis lift the last piece into place as they set the broken clockwork arm down.

Orichalum, the medium of the magician's message. Once it had siphoned the energies from beyond the veil, over a hundred thousand years ago gave shape to the foundations Amdapour was built upon. A font for Earth's First Magic, its true purpose was to summon the presence of those sleeping lords and with it open that gateway to meet their Old Gods.

While there was little choice but to employ what they had on hand for the repairs, there was a dual purpose in Ochazuke's work. If I should carry away from this enough such that they may never gain passage anew...

In the wake of Sakin's cultists, Agravain recognized them and spoke the order's name. The Coven of Grey Thorn he now knew was far older than even the aged wizard, and beyond the days of even the Saurian, Rex, there was some connection to the Soul Meisters. The metal was places, and again Ochazuke swung it down, and in the din echoes of the craft, his thoughts turned briefly to the Soul Splicer he'd seized from Simon Battersea, which now contained one of the Soul Meisters bound in a pocket dimension, helpless to do anything but watch. He had no doubt others among his wretched number were watching the violence unfold.

Dark storm clouds billowed overhead, and the verdant fields of Morgan's conjured illusions were the far distant from the scene before them. He remembered well the dream of Old Avalon. Arthur could trace his line to this place, had he known such detached peace, until the end of his days left so much undone? The banners of the summoned memories in the Familiar's will, the geneology fixed to the ramparts of Snowwall, they'd declared for something that stood beside Creation. What are we to them, but shadows that peer another way...?

In his hand, this tool of True Magic, it seemed to forge seamlessly with the Orichalum's ductile nature. Were he not mindful of hubris, it would seem as if a godly thing, and yet his thoughts turned only outward. Cast upon the stream of consciousness of the planet itself, his arts were not kindred to these, merely adjacent for those far nearer to his heart. By the lesson of Tao'ro the spider, he listened across the length of the world as a great deal of trepidation fell through him as he struggled to keep it under check.

From North to South, East to West, presences distant remained familiar, and it carried into his mind ten thousand different visions passing in a second. Great swathes cut through cities, though beneath them the people emerged as they looked to the sky; over the oceans, Variable Fighters made a final pass at the naval convoys that pushed back the tides of darkness. As his vision crept over the desert, leading the van of the relief effort, he sought someone he thought he'd known, only to be pleasantly surprised. Even though distance had separated them, he could nearly perceive her wounds as if they were her own, and yet held aloft by the cheers of those who followed her, Aiko Fukuhara, Master of the Crane School, put on her bravest face as she turned the people to the nearest shelters. For a moment, he sought to reach out, but passed on for it would be futile. Yet in the commotion of New Anvil City, she turned about, as if she'd sensed something she wasn't quite sure was there.

This path, moving while standing still, took him to other corners seeking a measure of comfort through the fields of fighting. Master Balon stood, unscathed before the gates of the New Dragon Temple, not a drop of blood spilled to sully the inner court. The fire-red of his hair seemed to carry with it the very essence of the ancestral priests of the Nine Dragon Peak, but the sword in his hand spoke loudest as it had returned the undead to where they'd come from. The assemblage of his followers, their students, used the fragments of the Ten where they could; and yet he who had initiated the path was the only one to feel the reverb upon the meditation field, for he among them was the only master of the same technique.

And finally, seated upon a tower of shattered girders, concrete and glass surrounded by the fallen shapes of kaiju, Kuki the Elder Turtle stooped upon a perch in a winsome meditation. All those years ago, it had been him who had taught him the skill of waking meditation, to perceive the moment completely in full totality. The wind was still over the deathly, urban crag, and yet the Kamesennin perked up his head, eyes closed as if he was asleep, and he lowered a blissful nod. It was as if he'd read the very notion within Ochazuke's head, "Is this what you meant by shedding worldly tethers?" To which that gesture replied, "Well, y'ain't tethered no more, are ya?"

The past he'd left behind, the legacy he'd renewed in the present, each of these now opened the path to a tomorrow they all would fight fore. It hadn't been for nothing, and through the distance he heard it quite clearly and it stilled his thoughts.

Victory. The Earth had stood its ground and won. With their home safe, he could now turn his attentions forward without regrets.

"The Orichalum has been fastened. The rest, Morgan La Faye, depends on you."

[Miburo]

The Galloping soared through the air at a fever pitch as it headed towards the lookout. Held glanced out the window, taking in the Earth's scenery for the first time in a very long while.

The Icy Tundra gave way to a lush forest, before even that was left behind, and the ship dashed over the ocean towards the lookout. It was somewhat soothing, to see that even despite the dire straights the planet found itself in, it's beauty had still managed to remain intact, for the moment at least.

As the Auto-Pilot continued following its course, the Nevadian finally found a moment to reflect and try to make some sense of the chaos that had been unleashed through his awakening.

Had he bothered to turn on his Shingan, he would have been given a painful reminder of the damage unleashed throughout the galaxy, tears within the fabric of reality, chaos and pandemonium.

Anarchy in the Galaxy.

It was a rough welcome back. It was overwhelming, to be sure. Held barely knew what to do.

Ochazuke and Zaofan had been stabilizing influences, allowing the Nevadian to anchor himself, however briefly.

No. Held knew what to do. It was the same thing he and his comrades had always done.

As he forced doubt from his mind, he smiled slightly as he could see an island onto itself, floating miles away in the distance.

The Lookout.

So relieved he was too see the familiar sight, he almost missed the massive whirlpool that came appeared, intercepting The Galloping's flight path.

"....Eh?" He glanced down, curious. "That's a new on---"

He went silent for a moment as a form....No, two forms... emerged from the whirlpool.

Two large hulking forms emerged from the center of of the Spiral, which now gently began to dissipate.

A large purple Octo-man was engaged in combat, it's tendrils----It seemed to be missing all but two, which had apparently been cleaved off moments before, judging from the limbs soaring into the air--held tridents as it engaged its opponent.

The very same opponent who now drove it's long-sword into the midsection of the Octo-man, impaling the squid and launching him upwards.

The second form was large, green and well muscled, his green face forged of iron and resolve.

Several deep cuts and lacerations could be seen across his chest and forearms, but they did nothing to stop his advance.

A shout escaped the mouths of the massive Toadian, as his mighty muscles flexed, bisecting the Octo-Man, whose two halves began to descend into the ocean below.

Held blinked for several moments, clearly shocked at the somewhat unexpected sight.

".....Frogspierre?"

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

Her eyes widened. Her stopped in her tracks and darted backwards while tossing up three shields and merging them into one massive shield in hopes of countering the Hakai. Stupid! Fucking stupid! She had tangled with Hakai only once before with that idiot Asha'rah. The experience was enlightening, for all the wrong reasons. And it was something she never wanted to go through again.

The shields shatter and the beams just miss Sarada. The head cackles and then vanishes, reappearing attached to the body.

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

The Galloping soared through the air at a fever pitch as it headed towards the lookout. Held glanced out the window, taking in the Earth's scenery for the first time in a very long while.

The Icy Tundra gave way to a lush forest, before even that was left behind, and the ship dashed over the ocean towards the lookout. It was somewhat soothing, to see that even despite the dire straights the planet found itself in, it's beauty had still managed to remain intact, for the moment at least.

As the Auto-Pilot continued following its course, the Nevadian finally found a moment to reflect and try to make some sense of the chaos that had been unleashed through his awakening.

Had he bothered to turn on his Shingan, he would have been given a painful reminder of the damage unleashed throughout the galaxy, tears within the fabric of reality, chaos and pandemonium.

Anarchy in the Galaxy.

It was a rough welcome back. It was overwhelming, to be sure. Held barely knew what to do.

Ochazuke and Zaofan had been stabilizing influences, allowing the Nevadian to anchor himself, however briefly.

No. Held knew what to do. It was the same thing he and his comrades had always done.

As he forced doubt from his mind, he smiled slightly as he could see an island onto itself, floating miles away in the distance.

The Lookout.

So relieved he was too see the familiar sight, he almost missed the massive whirlpool that came appeared, intercepting The Galloping's flight path.

"....Eh?" He glanced down, curious. "That's a new on---"

He went silent for a moment as a form....No, two forms... emerged from the whirlpool.

Two large hulking forms emerged from the center of of the Spiral, which now gently began to dissipate.

A large purple Octo-man was engaged in combat, it's tendrils----It seemed to be missing all but two, which had apparently been cleaved off moments before, judging from the limbs soaring into the air--held tridents as it engaged its opponent.

The very same opponent who now drove it's long-sword into the midsection of the Octo-man, impaling the squid and launching him upwards.

The second form was large, green and well muscled, his green face forged of iron and resolve.

Several deep cuts and lacerations could be seen across his chest and forearms, but they did nothing to stop his advance.

A shout escaped the mouths of the massive Toadian, as his mighty muscles flexed, bisecting the Octo-Man, whose two halves began to descend into the ocean below.

Held blinked for several moments, clearly shocked at the somewhat unexpected sight.

".....Frogspierre?"

In the distance on the Lookout, the disturbance draws the attention of Charco and Dash who fly towards it, while the others slowly leave the kitchen to see it as well.

[bruceleegreyhulk]

In the distance on the Lookout, the disturbance draws the attention of Charco and Dash who fly towards it, while the others slowly leave the kitchen to see it as well.

Praxat flies towards the disturbance, still blindfolded.

[Miburo]

The Galloping soared through the air at a fever pitch as it headed towards the lookout. Held glanced out the window, taking in the Earth's scenery for the first time in a very long while.

The Icy Tundra gave way to a lush forest, before even that was left behind, and the ship dashed over the ocean towards the lookout. It was somewhat soothing, to see that even despite the dire straights the planet found itself in, it's beauty had still managed to remain intact, for the moment at least.

As the Auto-Pilot continued following its course, the Nevadian finally found a moment to reflect and try to make some sense of the chaos that had been unleashed through his awakening.

Had he bothered to turn on his Shingan, he would have been given a painful reminder of the damage unleashed throughout the galaxy, tears within the fabric of reality, chaos and pandemonium.

Anarchy in the Galaxy.

It was a rough welcome back. It was overwhelming, to be sure. Held barely knew what to do.

Ochazuke and Zaofan had been stabilizing influences, allowing the Nevadian to anchor himself, however briefly.

No. Held knew what to do. It was the same thing he and his comrades had always done.

As he forced doubt from his mind, he smiled slightly as he could see an island onto itself, floating miles away in the distance.

The Lookout.

So relieved he was too see the familiar sight, he almost missed the massive whirlpool that came appeared, intercepting The Galloping's flight path.

"....Eh?" He glanced down, curious. "That's a new on---"

He went silent for a moment as a form....No, two forms... emerged from the whirlpool.

Two large hulking forms emerged from the center of of the Spiral, which now gently began to dissipate.

A large purple Octo-man was engaged in combat, it's tendrils----It seemed to be missing all but two, which had apparently been cleaved off moments before, judging from the limbs soaring into the air--held tridents as it engaged its opponent.

The very same opponent who now drove it's long-sword into the midsection of the Octo-man, impaling the squid and launching him upwards.

The second form was large, green and well muscled, his green face forged of iron and resolve.

Several deep cuts and lacerations could be seen across his chest and forearms, but they did nothing to stop his advance.

A shout escaped the mouths of the massive Toadian, as his mighty muscles flexed, bisecting the Octo-Man, whose two halves began to descend into the ocean below.

Held blinked for several moments, clearly shocked at the somewhat unexpected sight.

".....Frogspierre?"

The Avenger landed upon the hull of the galloping with unceremonious thud, lightly shaking The Galloping.

The Nevadian rose from his seat, sighing heavily. Knowing Frogspierre, it was unlikely he would wish Held a warm welcome and grace him with a cherry disposition.

He began to climb a ladder on the left side of the ship towards the roof of the galloping. The access panel was locked before the Nevadian input a code, it's unsealing heralded with a loud click.

He considered dropping back down into his seat, waiting to meet the herculean Toadian inside.

Ridiculous. He'd never fit.

The Nevadian exited the access panel putting him on the hull of the ship where Frogspierre awaited idly flicking ink and blood off his blade and facing towards the lookout.

An uneasy silence lingered between the two. Held cleared his throat.

"So.....It's been awhile, eh?" Held began sheepishly.

"Indeed." Frogspierre replied, sheathing his blade at his side. "I was quite surprised that to hear that you had fallen during a training mission."

The Nevadian winced, expecting a mocking barb.

None came.

"It's always the shot you don't see that gets you." Held admitted, shrugging half-hardheartedly. "....I have to admit, I'm surprised to see you so soon. I thought it would take you a awhile to get back to earth from...Uhh..."

He trailed off. He had no idea what the Toadian had been up to since they last met.

"I never left." Frogspierre reported in a matter of fact tone.

"...Come again?"

"I never left. Our agreement was that I would meet you on this planet. Your wife informed me that your condition would improve"

He turned his gaze towards the Nevadian. "It was simply easier to wait. Besides, I could not bring myself to leave this planet knowing how the winds howl with injustice!"

Held scratched his head slightly, unsure as to what the Avenger was---

"Oh. Yeah. The World Goverment?" He asked, "That really is a nightmare, but I don't really think---"

The Avenger shook his head. "I pay little head to what occurs above the waves of this planet. I speak of the tyranny that lies below."

"Uh...Huh..." Held replied slowly, feeling as if he was missing something. "....Wait, does this have something to do with the squid-man you just killed?"

A deep, dissapointed sigh escaped Frogspierre's mouth.

"For one who spends so much time on this planet, how can you be so oblivious? This world is more water than land....Did you never realize that entire civilza---"

He shook his head.

"Another time. I do not have the energy to cure your ignorance. I am already somewhat vexed that I had to postpone my mission to overthrow the Atleanean Monarchy on the cusp of victory."

"I'm sorry, you had to do what to who?"

Frogspierre folded his arms, paying no mind.

"Still. The revolution has begun in earnest, and I will return to finish what the will of the people began." He growled. "But before that time comes, many things must be done."

Held sat down on the ships hull, rubbing his head.

"Okay. So what now? I was really expecting a Coup attempt on my agenda, and I kinda have a bigger problem with---"

"I am here to help solve this 'bigger' problem, among other things." The Avenger informed him, "....Did your wife not inform you of our accord?"

.....****.

"Uh....." The Nevadian shook his head. "I might have missed the finer details, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. First I need to meet up with the others at the Lookout."

[Sub-Zero MKA]

The shields shatter and the beams just miss Sarada. The head cackles and then vanishes, reappearing attached to the body.

Sarada stumbled back, eyes wide with shock. Not from her shields being broken, but the fact that she just barely missed dying. Any confidence she had that she stood even a remote chance of delaying SWS until the others arrived was gone. That moment was only a scant few seconds, but it showed her beyond the shadow of a doubt just how far above her and her newfound power a God of Destruction really was. Cancer was either an anomaly, was caught off-guard, or was far weaker. Whatever the case, Sarada knew their chances of winning were non-existent. Maybe even with the others with her.

Queen Nevin's safety is the most important thing. Once she's safe, we should retreat. The very thought disgusted her to no end. Even if she recognized the strategic value of retreat, it was still a distasteful end to any battle. But, if it meant surviving to see the next day, so be it.

She appeared beside Totoma. A quick glance at his chest showed that there was nothing she could do for him. "Find Neva. Maybe she can use her hozon and magic to help you. I'll buy you both some time." As for herself, she needed to keep buying time until the others arrived. Then they could try and make something happen against a god. "Here I go."

She stepped forward until she was midway between Totoma and SWS. Her crimson scythe still in her hand, she brought it to bear, poised to attack or defend when she needed to. I have to fight smart. There's gotta be some way I can take advantage of her weakness. She had been playing around with them the entire time. If she wanted them dead, they would have been erased from the get-go. Maybe if I get her talking, she'll let something slip.

"So tell me. What lie did Sakin sell you on?" SWS was one of the three destroyers allied with that amalgamation. It must have been a good one; then again, she didn't look like she was the most moral person ever. "Must have been a doozy for a God to play a stooge."

[Miburo]

In the distance on the Lookout, the disturbance draws the attention of Charco and Dash who fly towards it, while the others slowly leave the kitchen to see it as well.

Praxat flies towards the disturbance, still blindfolded.

As the Nevadian and The Avenger conversed, the Galloping continued on it's flight path towards the lookout, oblivious to the fact that others were now on a direct intercept course between Star ship and landing zone.

Held was too engrossed in conversation to notice, and the Auto-Pilot was too disinterested to care.

It would hardly be surprising if they had thought the Nevadian was at the helm of the great ship, but this was not the case.

As such, The Galloping continued barreling towards the warriors at rapid speed, threatening to trample right into them.

[bruceleegreyhulk]

As the Nevadian and The Avenger conversed, the Galloping continued on it's flight path towards the lookout, oblivious to the fact that others were now on a direct intercept course between Star ship and landing zone.

Held was too engrossed in conversation to notice, and the Auto-Pilot was too disinterested to care.

It would hardly be surprising if they had thought the Nevadian was at the helm of the great ship, but this was not the case.

As such, The Galloping continued barreling towards the warriors at rapid speed, threatening to trample right into them.

Praxat senses the Galloping with her electroreception. Sensing that the star ship isn't stopping or changing course, Praxat swiftly moves out of the way of its path.

[grampagen]

P-Sta nodded. "Indeed!" he headed back towards the control room with his siblings, each already prepping coordinates for Earth. "Now our base wasn't exactly mobile before...but now that it's taken the form of the Chief, perhaps it is able to-" P-Sta began, and as soon as the button was pressed by P-Cee, and massive canon of exhaust erupted from Durive's mouth as the giant base/box rocketed backward towards its destination without much in the way of warning.

"Okay...first thing's first...." P-Sta struggled to say as he braced himself. "See if we can locate the brakes."

"This is Katchin Squad Member X-Bo, attempting to contact the Gotengo," X-Bo spoke, attempting to establish communications. "We just fended off an attack on the GP base and hope to rendezvous with your forces as soon as possible."

"Also, it should be noted that we have...unusual transportation," N-Ten added.

"Just be on the lookout for a giant box with dropship-sized chopstick limbs," X-Bo noted.

Parsley took one look at the massive box that was apparently their ship and restrained a sigh. She had heard from Enoki of Durive's idiocy and decided a long time ago she wanted no part of whatever foolishness he supposedly got up to. That sentiment remained.

She flew to her ship and entered the cockpit. There was just enough room for the three of them to ride comfortably. A good thing P-Sta and his siblings would have their own way. She fired the engines up and then activated the communication system while waiting for Avoca and Blizzar to arrive. "Parsley to Gotengo. I'm incoming from GP HQ aboard a First Race vessel. Requesting permission to pass through any defenses."

Strangely, though the call had been broadcast through the proper channels, there was no confirmation from the Gotengo. The GP instruments relayed that something was intercepting the signal, or rather something stood in the way. Which, in a matter of speaking, it had moments before they arrived.

The Orbital Ring stood at the vanguard of the planet's defenses, and for Blizzar and the Saiyans there came an uncanny echo in the strata of their defense grid as the barrels of heavily armed satellite drones turned toward them astride a planetary shield.

Then, the nearer they drew to the atmosphere, they could see its remains; faintly at first, but as the angles caught the ambient light there was a stream of spaceborne flotsam, something mechanical that had been shredded apart into shrapnel and incinerated and slowly sinking into broken clouds.

If there was a fight here, the Earth was the one that finished it. As the boxlike mechanoid approached flanked by the smaller vessel, they could see thousands of mechanical eyes set upon them with as many triggers ready to fire.

"...about time you showed up, GP. Turns out the Coldlight by itself was enough as backup."

On the comm visual, Kenshiko's image filled the screen, holding her stern, disciplined air despite the sleeves of her coat being blown to tatters. As she surveyed the box-shaped mech from her seat on the command bridge, to their eyes it seemed as if her face filled with more bewilderment than anything.

"I'd ask if you'd been compromised...but by the look of it this has got the Deputy Chief's chopsticks stuck in all the way," she sighed, "Even if the Lieutenant's gone freelance, a friend of a friend, that'll do for clearance. Quick, before anything else goes to ****, what do you want?"

[Sub-Zero MKA]

Strangely, though the call had been broadcast through the proper channels, there was no confirmation from the Gotengo. The GP instruments relayed that something was intercepting the signal, or rather something stood in the way. Which, in a matter of speaking, it had moments before they arrived.

The Orbital Ring stood at the vanguard of the planet's defenses, and for Blizzar and the Saiyans there came an uncanny echo in the strata of their defense grid as the barrels of heavily armed satellite drones turned toward them astride a planetary shield.

Then, the nearer they drew to the atmosphere, they could see its remains; faintly at first, but as the angles caught the ambient light there was a stream of spaceborne flotsam, something mechanical that had been shredded apart into shrapnel and incinerated and slowly sinking into broken clouds.

If there was a fight here, the Earth was the one that finished it. As the boxlike mechanoid approached flanked by the smaller vessel, they could see thousands of mechanical eyes set upon them with as many triggers ready to fire.

"...about time you showed up, GP. Turns out the Coldlight by itself was enough as backup."

On the comm visual, Kenshiko's image filled the screen, holding her stern, disciplined air despite the sleeves of her coat being blown to tatters. As she surveyed the box-shaped mech from her seat on the command bridge, to their eyes it seemed as if her face filled with more bewilderment than anything.

"I'd ask if you'd been compromised...but by the look of it this has got the Deputy Chief's chopsticks stuck in all the way," she sighed, "Even if the Lieutenant's gone freelance, a friend of a friend, that'll do for clearance. Quick, before anything else goes to ****, what do you want?"

Strangely, or perhaps not so, there was no reply from the Gotengo. She had assumed Earth had fended for itself well enough, and that assumption was proven when her ship neared its atmosphere. The lingering aftermath of the epic space battle that took place a short while ago littered the area. Twisted scrap in the shape of a hollowed out chunk of burnt metal slowly floated harmlessly toward the scattered clouds of the planet in the short distance. "Let it never be said that humans are helpless," she said.

Avoca nodded silently.

Whoever they had fought, they stood victorious. Much as it was with the Saiyans and the GP. Much as it was everywhere. Sakin unleashed an army whose ranks were innumerable. Yet, everywhere she had turned, the defenders were the last ones standing. It gave credence to the belief that this was merely a means of buying time for him to complete whatever it was that he intended on completing. The only question was what that was.

"My sister is fighting a God of Destruction on Reshlan," Parsley said. "We need to meet with our allies on Earth so we can give her backup." How Sarada, Totoma, and Nevanlinna had been holding up in the time between the latter's message being sent and right then depended on how powerful Sarada's new form was and how serious the GoD was taking fighting a trio that was beneath them. It was her hope that they were feeling particularly "playful", like Cancer was on Sarada; that was the only way they were going to live long enough for help to arrive.

There was no guarantee all of them together would make a difference, assuming it was She Who Stalks. She was the last GoD that had been unaccounted for up to that time. They had a knack for defeating enemies well out of their wheelhouse, but that was far beyond anyone they had faced up to that point. We'll prevail, she reassured herself. We don't have any choice.