“For the last time, I’m not bathing in blood,” Pan said, eye twitching.

  “Come on, it’ll be fun!” Anpan replied, her familiar face filled with maniacal glee. “It’ll help you connect to your murderous side.”

  “I don’t want to connect to my murderous side!” Five minutes into their training session, and already Pan regretted her decision.

  “Fine,” Anpan said, disappointed. She waved a hand to her cohort in crime, Buu. The Majin creature shrugged and waved the hacksaw in his hand. The cow he’d conjured vanished, along with the hacksaw he’d held ready to slaughter the poor beast.

  “Get serious,” Pan said, scowling. “Time is running short.”

  “Huh?” Anpan blinked in obvious confusion. “What makes you think I wasn’t?”

  “Forget it,” Pan sighed. This would be a long night. On the sidelines, Little Pan shot her a thumbs-up, also pleased she’d avoided watching an animal die for no reason.

  “Okay, can we do this without murdering something?” Pan asked.

  “Actually, the answer’s already inside of you,” Anpan said, her smile coy. “We share a connection, remember? How might you use that?”

  “Connection.” Pan scowled. She calmed her temper and closed her eyes. In the background, an old-fashioned clock in the otherwise empty training room ticked, helping center her.

  In her core being, Pan searched for the darkness that gripped her. But no—she realized the darkness wasn’t some parasite feeding on her, as she’d first assumed. It had always been there, even before she’d become a zombie.

  Was this her darker nature, the evil that lurks inside everyone? No, that answer didn’t satisfy either. It seemed more primal than that. Evil had intent. It selfishly hurt others for its own gain. This darkness was fear, anger, sorrow, pride, and other emotions that drove a person to action. Anpan hadn’t corrupted her. No, she’d only opened the pipe so that dark part of her gushed out.

  Her father had always spoken about his temper—the explosive anger that sat within his usual gentle nature. It granted him great power when he unleashed it; Cell had learned that lesson the hard way. But it’d been raw, uncontrolled. It only gave him quick bursts of power before petering out. Her father always said the greatest lesson in his life was learning to master that anger, using it instead of letting it control him. He’d balanced his anger and his will.

  While Pan didn’t share her father’s temper, she’d also experienced moments where the darkness overran her reason. That’s why she’d worked so hard to suppress it. Was that what Pan needed—balance?

  The well of darkness within her was so vast, one might drown if one entered it. Anpan filled that well to the bursting point, Pan realized. It was her nightmare nature to do so.

  “Yes, that’s it,” Anpan said, her words coming from everywhere, yet nowhere. “Throw yourself in and see what happens!”

  As usual, her nightmare counterpart didn’t care about the potential danger. She truly lived for the moment and little else. Pan, however, couldn’t afford such recklessness. She took a breath and centered herself. Because of her undead nature, the breath had been unnecessary, but it still helped Pan focus.

  “Here goes nothing,” Pan thought.

  After a slight hesitation, Pan threw herself into the darkness, plunging like a diver off a high board. No turning back now. Either Pan would learn to swim, or she’d drown in the darkness of her soul forever.

  ///

  “I’m alive,” I’k’l said, flexing his fingers, staring at them like he’d never seen them before.

  He marveled at the floor beneath him. Not long ago, it’d been only dust. But now it’d been restored like nothing had happened. He’d read about the Dragonballs’ power from the minds he’d read, but nothing had prepared him for the reality of their remarkable power. His mouth hardened into a frown. This tournament was more important than he’d ever imagined. He couldn’t afford them to fall into the wrong hands.

  Libra had killed him. She’d killed everyone to guarantee Majin Buu’s death. It was cold-blooded, even with the Dragonballs’ power to resurrect everyone. It left I’k’l uneasy. Victory was vital, obviously, against evil. But Libra had stomped over everyone in her way, good or evil. Sacrifices were necessary, but this…

  No, he had to avoid hasty decisions. Libra was too powerful to discount as a potential ally. They still shared the same goals. He needed to consider this carefully before allying with Libra. But he’d worry about that later. The Shadow was active, walking among others again. What had driven him from his hiding spot? I’k’l cursed. The Shadow’s mind was too murky to read. Never mind—he’d follow and learn his scheme.

  With his time-stop power, no one saw him rush through the halls. A passing Namekian blinked, confused for a second. He frowned when he noticed that a nearby person had moved further along than they should have. After a moment’s pause, the Namekian shrugged and went about his business.

  I’k’l sensed the Shadow down one corridor, but frowned when he found it empty of his quarry, only finding the Saiyans from Universe 13. In their minds, he read XXI’s offer of glory and power, and dismissed them. They weren’t a threat, only little props to keep the tournament officials busy while XXI enacted his scheme. He passed by them without the Saiyans even sensing anything amiss.

  “Nothing.” After a careful sweep of the area, his quarry had vanished again. The threat of XXI’s hunger still hung in the air, but indistinct. Had the creature sensed him? Regardless, I’k’l continued searching.

  “There!” I’k’l sensed pain, agony, then nothing. He rushed in that direction. He followed his senses until he reached a room, one of the meditation halls that the Vargas offered to guests. They reasoned their vast and diverse guests across the cosmos might have spiritual needs that needed attending.

  The stench of death struck I’k’l’s nostrils, making him recoil. It nauseated his stomach, making it feel queasy. I’k’l’s hand hesitated on the doorknob, his body revolting against entering. An unexpected fear had gripped his heart and refused to let go.

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  “It is only a corpse,” I’k’l told himself. “You are the perfect being, the perfect warrior. Why should death scare you? You are the master of the cosmos.”

  After taking a deep breath and mastering his turbulent emotions, I’k’l opened the door.

  “Oh.” I’k’l stared at the corpse that sat slumped in the middle of the small, stone chamber. He’d been in the lotus sitting position before he died. Little candles burned incense, which should have given the room a faint fragrant scent, but the strong iron scent of blood masked it.

  The blow had been quick and precise; the stab wound delivered to the heart. Death would have been almost instantaneous. His logical mind processed this, but I’k’l still recoiled at the sight of death. He fought back the urge to scream and flee in fear.

  I’k’l steeled his resolve, taking another pass at the body. He would act with cool logic, not fear. Still, I’k’l noticed the body’s uncanny stillness, how doll-like the face seemed. It’d been serene before death took him. He’d been a living person a few minutes ago. Now, it was only a mockery of the person he’d been.

  Distracted by his turbulent feelings, I’k’l almost hadn’t recognized the victim. The East Supreme Kai? He frowned. Why had XXI targeted this person in particular? Besides the Vargas, the Supreme Kais were the supreme power behind the tournament. To kill one was beyond risky.

  A mental warning flashed as people approached. I’k’l froze time, slipping outside the chamber and behind the newcomers. He needed to remain hidden.

  Two Supreme Kais came running. Had they sensed their comrade’s death? Unfortunately, their similar mental abilities made probing their minds difficult and risky. They might catch him in the act. Instead, I’k’l lurked behind a corner to eavesdrop.

  “Shin!” North Supreme Kai said, shocked as he peeked through the open doorway. “No—too late.”

  “I feared as much,” South Supreme Kai said, his expression grim. “His mental cry for help was so brief, I almost missed it.”

  “Poor lad,” North Supreme Kai said weakly. Some scuffling sounded from the room as he examined the body. “Stabbed. It was a quick, lethal blow. I don’t see a sign of struggle.”

  “Who would do this?” From his vantage point, I’k’l saw South Supreme Kai’s expression harden. “Pan and her cohorts?”

  “Don’t tell me you believe that?” North snorted in amusement.

  “Who else would try to disrupt the tournament?” South countered.

  “Plenty! We’ve invited a whole host of villains. They’d jump at the chance of an easy victim.” North replied. “Must be strong, though, to catch Shin unaware. Poor lad. He’d said he wanted to be alone to dwell on Libra’s actions.”

  “If not Pan, who else?” South said. I’k’l sighed. Why was the Kai so fixated on someone so obviously not guilty? What—because she was undead?

  “XXI.” A newcomer spoke. The others turned to the intruder. Elder Kai’s wrinkled face was mournful as he examined the younger god. “It must be him. He’s been plotting and scheming, and now he’s finally made his move.”

  “XXI again?” South snorted, unconvinced. “You seem to think he’s hiding behind every shadow.”

  “Because he is. It is his nature.” From the Elder Kai’s words, he’d already made this argument before. “You really think Pan is behind this?”

  “Why not? Pan is a known troublemaker. XXI isn’t,” South replied.

  “Because it works to his advantage to keep a low profile.” The Elder rubbed the bridge of his nose, exasperated. I’k’l had to agree. While Pan’s nature was abominable, she’d harm no one. Was the South Supreme Kai that blinded by his prejudice?

  “He hasn’t shown himself since his defeat against Mary Sue,” North Supreme Kai said, stroking his bristly mustache in thought. “He’s likely after the Dragonballs, but why attack Shin? I see no benefit in it.”

  “That’s why,” Elder Kai said, pointing. From his vantage point, I’k’l couldn’t tell the object of the elder’s attention, but his voice sounded grim.

  “His earrings are gone!” South said, alarmed.

  “You’re right. I hadn’t noticed!” North said, shaking his head.

  I’k’l frowned. The same earrings that created the abomination of Vegito? Was XXI trying to fuse with someone? As the trio argued, I’k’l slipped away.

  No, that seemed wrong somehow. While he sensed little beyond fathomless hunger and wrath, XXI was a proud being. He’d see any fusion as a diminishment. No, he wanted to fuse someone else. A sudden realization stole his breath. The Saiyans?

  I’k’l uttered a curse and rushed off. He didn’t bother using his time-stop ability, startling some passersby. His ability would only waste precious seconds. Thankfully, the Saiyans’ simple, open minds made them easy to locate. His sharp, perfect hearing picked up voices in the apartment XXI had once vacated.

  “Wait. Didn’t they create Libra?” Nappa asked, his voice nervous. No doubt he recounted his sudden death at her hands.

  “Correct. They grant great power. They can fuse two beings into a greater one. You’ve seen how powerful Vegito is. He is a product of this potent item,” XXI said.

  “Vegito, huh?” Vegeta said, not hiding his distaste.

  “Hold on. But isn’t it permanent?” Raditz said with concern.

  “No way,” was Vegeta’s automatic response. “I’m not stupid like the Vegeta who created Vegito. I will win through my own power.”

  “Yeah, fusing is lame,” Kakarot said. “Go ask someone else.”

  “Alas, it is a hefty sacrifice, but the potential for power can’t be understated,” XXI replied. “It will grant you victory over all your enemies. Think carefully before rejecting my offer offhand.”

  Before anyone could reply, I’k’l burst into the room, his time-stop ability freezing everyone in place. I’k’l struck down the first person in his path; their body shattered like a statue as his hand tore through them. Absently, he noticed his victim had been the one with a mane of spiky hair—Raditz. He ignored the crumbling Saiyan and pounced on the next one. The bald, large one burst to pieces with a single punch. XXI couldn’t make his fused Saiyan monstrosity if they all died.

  Before he took Vegeta’s head, a shadowy tentacle intercepted him, saving the Saiyan’s sorry hide. I’k’l leaped back as a shadowy tendril lashed out at him.

  “Sorry, but they are useful tools for me. I can’t allow them to be destroyed,” a deep voice said. The tendril retracted to the old man, darkness flowing from his form in waves. XXI was showing his true colors. This frail appearance was only a clever, unassuming mask. “Who are you?”

  “As I feared. My time-stop ability can’t freeze you.” I’k’l’s ability didn’t work on anything nonliving. It complicated things, but he remained unafraid. He’d been born for this very duty. “My name is I’k’l.”

  “I’k’l? The pregnant woman? No, the baby. So, you’ve finally been born then. Why do you oppose me, child?” XXI’s fake elderly face broke into a friendly grin. “There’s no need to fight. Your ability would be most helpful. I can offer you the Dragonballs. They can grant you any wish you desire.”

  “The only thing I wish for is your destruction,” I’k’l replied. “Death to all evil across the cosmos.”

  “Another self-righteous interloper,” XXI couldn’t hide his annoyance. “You were foolish to walk in here. You’ve walked into a spider’s lair, lad.”

  Darkness rushed from the elderly mask in waves, engulfing the room in pure shadow. It blocked out all light, leaving I’k’l trapped in a void of darkness. He cursed, realizing his mistake. These closed quarters only worked to his enemy’s advantage. But his enemy had also made a dire mistake, assuming I’k’l would be easy prey.

  With a wave of his hand, he unleashed a torrent of power that blew the shadows trying to swallow him. I’k’l smirked. It had barely taken any power to do it. He gathered more power to attack XXI’s vulnerable body, but froze in shock.

  XXI’s shadowy grasp held two Saiyans—Vegeta and Kakarot. On each opposite ear was a fusion earring.

  “No, I have no intention of fighting you, I’k’l,” XXI said, his words like honey with a hint of mockery. “Instead, I will have my new champion face you. It’d be a good test of his abilities.”

  “No!” I’k’l watched in horror as the two figures flew together, merging into one.

  The new Saiyan examined himself, a pleased smile growing on his face. While familiar, this one was cruel, superior. It dripped arrogance and condescension. Without Goku’s kindness, this fused warrior embodied the worst of the Saiyan species.

  “I can’t say I’m pleased with you, XXI,” the newly born Saiyan said. “You fused us against our will.”

  “My apologies,” XXI said, giving a humble bow. “But the situation forced the issue.”

  “It hardly matters. Not compared to this.” The newly born Saiyan exerted some of his power, and I’k’l’s breath caught in shock. The fusion had created this much power? Impossible. And this was only taste of his latent strength? I’k’l needed to kill this thing before he learned the true extent of his abilities.

  But when he extended his time-stop ability to consume this abomination, the creation didn’t freeze as it should have. I’k’l stared in shock. “It can’t be.”

  “I granted him some of my darkness,” XXI said in the stunned silence. “It seems to counteract your ability. Pity for you.”

  “No!” I’k’l backed up a step, shaking his head. This shouldn’t be possible.

  “Now, my new friend,” XXI said. “How about we teach him a lesson about interfering with our plans?”

  “My pleasure. I am not Vegito. No—I am his superior.” The room rumbled as he exerted his power. “I am Kakageta.”

  ///

  Next time!

  I’k’l, the pure savior vs Kakageta, the half-immortal. Will this newly born Saiyan be too much for I’k’l to overcome? Has XXI created a warrior potentially even greater than Vegito?