Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ A Hellish Paradise ❯ Chapter 18 ( Chapter 18 )

Chapter 8

 

Yamcha landed down beside the chibi scratching his head in confusion. “Well that's the kid that was down there alright. So where's Goku?”

 

Krillen shook his head, he didn't know either. Yamcha knelt down shaking the sleeping boy gently. “Hey kid you alright?”

 

Sleepy eyes slowly blinked half open. “Kaasan?”

 

Yamcha's eyes widened, “Oh no kid definitely not!” The chibi sat up his eyes focusing on Yamcha. When he got a good look at him the boy's face reddened in embarrassment.

 

“Oh um gomen asei,” the chibi bowed his head in apology. Yamcha chuckled in good humor, “hey don't worry about it.” The chibi laughed softly scratching the back of his head.

 

“I'm Yamcha, that's Krillen over there.”

 

“I'm Son Gohan.”

 

“_Son_ Gohan? Hey who are you're parents?”

 

“My kaasan's named Chichi. My toosan's a mussel head wild man. At least that's what kaasan said. I've never met him. Kaasan said his name was Goku.”

 

“Oh wow you're really Goku's kid? That dog, he never said he had a son.”

 

“Ne?”

 

“Ah, well look why don't you come with us. I think there's someone you're going to want to meet.”

 

“Ah Yamcha? He's already met Goku remember?”

 

Yamcha laughed, “oh ya I guess that's right. Well then there's someone I think you should know about.”

 

Gohan's eyes narrowed, “kaasan says I shouldn't go anywhere with strangers.”

 

“Well we're not exactly strangers. We're old friends of your dads.”

 

“Yeah very old friends.”

 

“Krillen!” Yamcha shot the bald man an offended look. The other only laughed smiling hauntingly.

 

Gohan smiled as well looking a little calmer. “Well alright I am kind of lost.”

 

Yamcha looked at the chibi smiling warmly. “Hey don't worry about it kid. So, lets go!”

 

~~~

 

Vegeta stood up quickly shouting glares between the slave and Freaza. Whatever it had been that had griped Kakorrot had left him. Vegeta could see that in his mate's eyes. Kakorrot stared at Vegeta in worn sorrow.

 

`It took the baka everything he had to break free of that. And Freaza is still up there virtually unharmed.' The thought of the tyrant sent a shiver of fear through Vegeta that he quickly discarded. There was no time for such weakness.

 

“Vegeta gomen asie,” Vegeta looked down. Though Kakorrot didn't have a scratch on him save from the damage Freaza caused but it was clear to even the inexperienced eye that he was harshly fatigued. He would not be able to fight, less transform.

 

Vegeta looked up at Freaza as the dance of decay that was sure to follow Kakorrot's fall played out in his mind. First Freaza would kill his mate. The tyrant had seen Kakorrot's power. Vegeta knew the iceling well enough to know that he would not waist time disposing of a potential threat. Then he would cut the rest of them down at his own leisure.

 

Vegeta knew that he was no threat to Freaza though the thought did sicken him.

 

`I may not be able to stop him but I will make it a fight he will never forget. Kakorrot can not be allowed to die. I must draw Freaza away from him.'

 

Vegeta dropped into a horse stance spreading his legs wide and bending his knees. His fingers curled up one at a time into a loose but effective fist. His eyes narrowed to near slits.

 

“Dam it Freaza! You will not claim my mate's life. I am a Prince of the Saiyan race. I will fight you to the end. You will learn what it means to go against me!”

 

Freaza smirked at the challenge unimpressed. “Come now princling must we go through this again? It seems you will not learn what is best for you.”

 

Vegeta spat in disgust then spared a good look at Kakorrot. He was going up against Freaza. He didn't know why but he wanted to get one good last look at the baka.

 

He was surprised to find Kakorrot's eyes were not on him but looking behind him. They were wide with disbelief.

 

“Vegeta! Close your eyes now!” Most of the time Vegeta would have never done such a foolish thing. One does not lower ones defenses when facing Freaza. The urgency in the other Saiyan's voice had him reacting to the plea instantly.

 

Vegeta closed his eyes just as somebody screamed, “SOLAR FLARE,” at the top of their lungs. Even through closed eyes Vegeta saw the explosion of light. The sound of Freaza's angry snarl came to his ears and he smirked. Whatever it was it must have been quite annoying to anger Freaza.

 

When he did open his eyes they were a little blurry. Goku was in front of him blinking and rubbing at his eyes. Freaza was above them clenching his eyes in agony. Vegeta smirked unsure of what had happened but quite pleased with the effect it had on Freaza.

 

Not that it atoned for the surprise attack. Vegeta whirled cold-blooded fury in his features. That dammed thing could have blinded him! Two figures flouted above. The first was tall with short black hair and big dumb founded eyes. He held Kakorrot's son in his arms. Yet another thing to anger Vegeta. The second was very small, bald, and seemed to radiate annoyance more than even Kakorrot. Vegeta only had to glance at him to know he hated him.

 

“Krillen, Yamcha!?”

 

“Goku?”

 

Vegeta looked back at Kakorrot with a suspicious accusing glare. “Am I to believe you know these insects Kakorrot?”

 

“Vegeta be nice! These guys are my friends. I've known them since we were kids.”

 

Vegeta growled at the other Saiyan. “Hup pathetic.”

 

The two newcomers were flouting down looking at Kakorrot as if he were a soulless phantom returned from the dead.

 

“Goku what are you doing here? I haven't seen you for years! And jeez look at you. You look like you've just been through a blender.”

 

“Well I'm with Vegeta here fighting Freaza. Hey thanks for the hand I wasn't sure we'd pull through that one.”

 

“Well yeah sure Goku any time but what's-“

 

“Silence!”

 

Vegeta cut in causing all eyes to fall on him. “In case you numb sculls have forgotten Freaza is hovering over us. You can `catch up' later. We are leaving. You two try and make yourselves useful and grab Kakorrot. I'm going to go get his brainless brother.”

 

Vegeta didn't wait for an answer. He was long accustomed to having his orders followed.

 

“Who's mister personality?”

 

“Oh that's Vegeta. He's not that bad Krillen. You'll get to know him.”

 

Vegeta smirked walking up to Radize. Zarbon was there and left helpless from the loss of his sight. Radize lay on the ground near by. He was passed out. “Radize get up!”

 

“Hu, what, oh, yes my prince.”

 

Vegeta growled at the slow minded Saiyan. It was a good thing he had been knocked out. Vegeta was certain the fool would have been blinded. `I don't know who's the bigger baka, him or my mindless mate.'

 

Radize stood at sleepy attention waiting for Vegeta to give him an order.

 

“Come on Radize we're leaving.” Vegeta turned to go then looked back at the blinded Zarbon smirking as a passing idea came to him. He raised a hand lighting it with a growing ki blast as a going away present for the persistently nagging rodent. `Best deal with this problem now before it escalates.' Zarbon wasn't even aware of his danger.

 

“Prince Vegeta no!”

 

Vegeta raised an eyebrow turning his head slightly to view Radize. “And why not Radize? This vermin will lead to nothing but problems we both know that.”

 

“My Prince, I apologize for this. I don't usually go against your words but Zarbon is…

 

“Well he's something. He's saved my life. He's as much against Freaza as we are. Please my Prince, I-I'm indebted to him.”

 

Vegeta stared at the other Saiyan in shock. Radize had always been loyal and obedient. The perfect example of a how a low class should act to his Prince. Never had he heard Radize stand up for himself, let alone that termite infested rat! The Saiyan lacked basic knowledge but not even he could be so blind.

 

Zarbon had caused nothing but turmoil for the Prince since he was a boy. How could that have changed? Vegeta could feel something nagging at his gut provoked by the puppy-eyed beggar that stood in front of him. Something about the way Radize hovered over Zarbon protecting him with his very being. Something familiar and foreign all at once.

 

Vegeta shook his head to clear it. He had no time for this. Freaza could regain his sight any minute. “Fine Radize but don't think this is over.” Vegeta whirled and strode away. The two newcomers were following behind. The big one was helping Kakorrot walk. Both seemed quite edgy. Radize had knelt beside Zarbon and was talking to him quietly. The green rat nodded his head in answer to some question and Radize helped him up. `What does that baka think he's doing? I said we'd let Zarbon live for now I said nothing about bring him with us!'

 

One look up at Freaza silenced the Prince's thoughts. The Tyrant was blinking; his vision was starting to clear. “Kaso! Everyone with me! NOW!” The others rushed after him as they exited the clearing.

 

~~~

 

Zarbon stumbled along annoyed and slightly frightened by his loss of sight. His hearing, sent, touch, and taste were working over time. The thing that was most obvious to Zarbon at that moment was sent. Radize's sent to be precise. Never had he met a creature with such an overwhelming intoxicating sent.

 

“Radize?”

 

“What?”

 

“I thank you.” Zarbon didn't know why he bothered. Most likely the Saiyan didn't even know the meaning of gratitude.

 

“Hu? Oh, don't worry about it. I told you I'd put in a word with Prince Vegeta didn't I?”

 

`Yes you did, and I knew from your devotion to honor that you would follow through with that. But you said nothing of dragging me blindly through the forest with Freaza in pursuit. You said nothing of standing up for me, even putting yourself in danger for me. Why? If you hate me so much then why would you do those things?'

 

Automatically Zarbon's hand traveled up to brush his lips. Even now he could taste the lingering almost ghost-like flavor that Radize had left when he…

 

`Why is it? What did he mean by that? Did he mean anything at all?' It was true that Freaza had kissed him before. He had even kissed him gently on a rare occasion though for the most part the kisses he'd given were blooding and painful. But it hadn't been like that. The few gentle kisses Freaza had given him had been mocking and victorious.

 

Zarbon ran a finger over his lips. His eyesight was slowly returning. He missed the look Radize gave him when he saw what the green skinned fighter was doing. Zarbon squinted in the hard light trying to make out where he was. A tunnel of green surround them keeping them far out of Freaza's sight.

 

Zarbon shuttered looking at the group he was with. Out of the people he recognized at all he didn't think one of them won't try to kill him at a moment's notice. Usually this wouldn't have bothered him. He had always been around those less than fond of him. That was nothing new. It was the fact that he was half blind and wounded that worried him.

 

“Oh ah gomen Zarbon I-ah didn't know you could see again.” Radize released the blue-green man's arm timidly.

 

`Why does he act this way? What does he hope to accomplish with his kindness?' The Saiyan's childish face told Zarbon nothing. `He would rather give his life then go against his prince and yet he defied his orders to help me. Why? I just can't figure it out.' Zarbon couldn't question the Saiyan here. Not with Vegeta around. He would have to wait for his answer.

 

The Saiyan Goku was directly ahead of him protesting. “Really guys I'm fine. Just a little tired that's all.”

 

“Goku forget it. You're barely making it with our help.”

 

“I'm fine really.”

 

“Kakorrot shut up!”

 

“But Vegeta…”

 

“Boy he is moody.”

 

“Oh he's not that bad Krillen.”

 

“Goku, sometimes I wonder about your social skills.”

 

“Both of you close your mouths before I close them for you! Freaza couldn't miss us even if he wanted to with the way you're going on.”

 

Zarbon turned away a sad smile on his face. What he wouldn't give to be a part of their bickering. As strange as it was he found he longed for a place in it.

 

`What am I saying. Such things are far out of my reach so why should I even consider them? Radize hates me and he has every right. Vegeta would kill me and I can't blame him. I have to wonder if I would not kill him if given the chance. No,' to his amazement he found he wouldn't. `I hate Saiyans. There is nothing more gruesomely wrong with the universe then that they exist in it. But what of Radize? I think I'd die if he wasn't here. I certainly don't wish death on Goku. It seems I may owe him quite a lot. As for Vegeta I can't say he's the type of guy I'd want to be around, but death? No he doesn't deserve that. Then that little half Saiyan, if he truly is half Saiyan. I may very well owe Nayo's life to him. Even now he's carrying my unconscious son away from Freaza. No I certainly don't hate the chibi, if anything I owe him.

 

`My son, if only I had known. To think I had known him for so long before now-and as a slave. Kami I treated my son as a slave! True I never hurt him but who knows what happened to him when he wasn't with me.

 

`I remember the first time I saw him. He'd come to my room during the day. I'm guessing he had always come at that time because my room was always clean when I returned in the evening. I never expected him to be there when I was around. It was common for slaves to fear me weather I wanted it or not. One day I came back early from a mission. Things had run smoothly, all the more reason for me to be quite devastated by the time I returned. Smoothly meant a lot of pain in a short time.

 

`The boy, my son, had stood in paralyzed shock when he came in. It was obvious that he wanted me to be gone as much as I wanted to be alone. I was a wreck and I knew it. Oh sure I looked fine on the outside. But within, just below my calm uninterested exterior that has saved my life many times before I was an emotional breakdown. So much pain, so short a time. The people we had been up against had been completely defenseless. They hadn't even been able to use ki.

 

`I would have usually just told the boy not to worry about it and that I would clean the room. But the room needed it and I was in no shape to do it. So I left the boy to his work.

 

Had I been more alert at the time I would have seen how bad the chibi, my son, was off. His naturally pale coloring did well to hide the dread that seemed to have frozen his blood. He was scared; scared to death of me though I had done nothing to him. That was normal, I would have been more worried for him if he hadn't been fearful. But his slim figure, so slim that one could see the pattern of his bones beneath the skin was something I could not ignore for long. Not even when I was in that condition.

 

`I fed the boy, I had to. It wasn't much, just some scraps from a lunch I hadn't touched but the boy, who was my son, was only a slave. I couldn't afford to give any slave special treatment. The boy feasted on the scraps in an amazed frenzy, as if afraid the food would disappear if he didn't eat it fast enough. I found the small slave touched me.

 

`The boy was so young still, and he seemed quite gentle. He probably had his tiny share of food stolen from him constantly. With the miniscule portions that slaves were given it was no surprise that slaves took what they could. Even from other slaves.

 

Looking at my own huge plate of uneaten food, a well of pity built up within me and I quickly gave the boy the rest of my plate. He ate hurriedly downing the last bite of food. I don't know why I did it but I asked him if he wanted to sleep in my room that night. All I had for him was a blanket and the floor but there he would be safe.

 

`The boy said he still had two more rooms to clean. I told him not to worry, that I would arrange for another slave to do it. It was getting late and the little boy was so weak. I figured I'd let someone stronger, who didn't need the sleep so badly take his place. The boy gave the room numbers. The first I didn't know. The second every one on the ship knew, Freaza's room.

 

`It stopped me in my tracks. How could I send someone, anyone into Freaza's hands? I knew exactly how quick Freaza was to kill at the tinniest offense. I couldn't do it. So I did nothing. The boy, my son, went to Freaza. I sent my own son to Freaza! How could I have been such a monster? I told the boy to come back when he finished the two rooms. I was in denial; there was a great chance he would not live through this.

 

`I was up through the night and with each hour that passed my hopes faded. When the boy finally did come in, shivering with both the incredible cold of the ship and the fear of its owner, I could have almost hugged him I was so happy he was alive and whole. I never asked him what happened but I could tell it wasn't too much from the look in his eyes, he was scared but relieved. I wonder what he thought I intended to do? No, I don't want to consider it. He was so startled when I just made a bed for him out of blankets and told him to go to sleep.

 

`When I woke up the next morning he was gone but he returned many times after that. I guess that was why I was so determined to keep him safe from Freaza. What if I hadn't? My son…'

 

Zarbon sighed not wanting to think about it.

 

“Zarbon? Zarbon you green senseless longhaired rat speak to me! Can you do it or not?”

 

Zarbon blinked looking up at Vegeta. He had been too lost in thought to realize that they had stopped. “What?”

 

“I said can you do it or not?!”

 

“Might I ask what?”

 

“No, you should have been listening before!”

 

“Vegeta how is he suppose to know what we want if we don't tell him?”

 

“That's his problem Kakorrot not mine.”

 

“Oh Vegeta you're so stubborn, we were wondering if you could teach us to fuse now?”

 

“Now? There is no time. It would take a few trys at best and it takes thirty minutes to ware off each time, we don't have five. It can not be done.”

 

Zarbon regretted the words the moment they left his mouth. One never tells a Saiyan something can't be done. The look in the two Saiyan's eyes confirmed his fear.

 

“We have no choice Zarbon. Please this is the only chance we have. Don't take it from us.” Goku's eyes were set with determination. His face was hard, not at all like the oddly cheerful Saiyan that Nayo seemed so fond of. Vegeta nodded his expression business like. The mocking anger that usually took up residence in his eyes when he looked at Zarbon was gone.

 

`They mean it. There's no way to change their minds. I might as well give it a try. It will keep our minds off of the inevitable.'

 

“Alright I will teach you if you are that determined to learn.”

 

Zarbon spotted a clearing a little ways away. He hated being in the open but it could not be avoided. He walked over to it gesturing for the two Saiyans to follow.

 

“The key to fusing depends on being able to perform a series of movements with out the tinniest of flaws. Also your moods will effect the results. Now pay very close attention and I will demonstrate the appropriate movements.”

 

Zarbon got into position thankful he had something to do. It kept his mind off of the shadow of ruin that crept towards them in the form of Freaza. He got into the position stretching his hands out to one side.

 

“This is how it starts. One of you will stand here and the other over there. Be sure of your positioning. If the dance is not done correctly the results will be devastating.”

 

Zarbon made the first series of movements side stepping rapidly and bring his arms up and around. “Fuuu-Sion!” He pivoted his body standing on one foot and bending his other knee to bring it across his body.

 

“These are the first two movements that you must make. Be sure to pay close attention. If your hand is in a fist when it shouldn't be, if your leg is straight when it should be bent it will not work and we won't be able to try again.”

 

“HAI” Zarbon preformed the final step forming half of the fusion arc. “Do it just as I did. I'm going to do it one more time and then you will each do it once on your own before you do it together.” He would have liked to give them more then one try but there was no time.

 

Goku nodded his thanks. Vegeta looked less than thankful. “Like hell I'm doing that! Zarbon you dam mocking rat show me the proper way to fuse. I have no time for your games!”

 

“That is the proper way to fuse. It is the only way.”

 

“You expect me to believe that moronic dance is going to make me any stronger?”

 

“I don't expect you to believe anything Saiyan. If you want to give up now you may but stop wasting my time. I would much rather be spending this last bit of time with my son than listening to you go on.”

 

“Kaso! Damn you!”

 

“Damn me all you like, will you or will you not learn?”

 

“I will pay you back for this do you understand?”

 

The stubborn Prince went up going through the motions his eyes flaring with hatred. Zarbon ignored it. He had to focus on the movements. The timing of the words. It was amazing how few flaws there was. `This may actually work.'

 

“Ah guys I hate to interrupt whatever you're doing but your friend's back and he doesn't look very happy.” Zarbon looked up to find Freaza hovering over him, triumph in his eyes.

 

“Zarbon keep working with them. I can keep Freaza busy for a while. And you, little shortly, I don't care if you are Kakorrot's friend. If you ever call Freaza my friend again and I will kill you.”

 

Radize flew up without waiting for a response. “Hey you pale faced purple Pokka-doted clown. What took you so long? The sun in your eyes? I can't believe you didn't see that coming…”

 

Zarbon smiled turning back to the two Saiyans. How was it that Radize could insult Freaza so badly and come out of it with only minor injuries? Not even Radize could hold off Freaza if the tyrant learned what they were doing. Goku would not have a chance to make a practice run. They'd have to do the fusion now.

 

“You have to fuse now. We don't have a choice Freaza would recognize it if he saw you practicing.” The two Saiyans nodded; they were as different as rain and lava. Could two beings so different possibly be able to fuse?

 

“Aaaahhhh,” Zarbon turned just in time to see Radize fall to the ground. “Kami no, Freaza you beast!” Zarbon charged the tyrant in a rare case of anger leaving the two Saiyan's on their own.

 

~~~

 

Vegeta hated this. Never in his life had he been so humiliated. Not only did he have to rely on Kakorrot but he also had to do this outrageously idiotic dance. `I will repay you for this Zarbon. I swear you will pay!'

 

Kakorrot had gotten into position a look of worry on his face. Vegeta smirked, “nervous Kakorrot?”

 

“Well yeah a little.”

 

“Hup, pathetic.”

 

Vegeta focused going over the dance in his mind as he moved his arms into the starting position.

 

“FU-SION-HAI”

 

Two Saiyans moved in unison their voices ringing out as one. Vegeta felt Kakorrot's finger touch his own and then he was pulled in.

 

This was not Earth; it wasn't anything of physical properties. The physical senses were gone as well; sight, hearing, sent, taste, touch, none of them held any meaning. They were as real as an unheard whisper, as solid as a snowflake. Once you think you've grasped the memory of them they vanish.

 

The place, if it could be called a place, was not empty however. Vegeta was there and that was more then enough of a reason to call it populated. Kakorrot was there as well. Vegeta couldn't see him. At that moment the very idea of sight was lost to him. Like Vegeta, Kakorrot possessed no body. But he was there none the less and he was near.

 

Vegeta felt an unbelievable urge to reach out to Kakorrot. But with no idea of such things as movement or direction he was dumbfounded as to how. He didn't know how it did happen. Maybe Kakorrot found a way to him but it was unlikely. Vegeta had not found a way to move. The brainless baka had little hope. But they were together and merging.

 

°Vegeta?°

 

The question was never asked but Vegeta knew it was pondered.

 

°What is it Kakorrot?° The thought was just that a thought. It was not even in words because there were no words but the idea came across.

 

°We can't stay here Vegeta. We have to help our friends.°

 

°Friends? What friends?° There was no mention of such things here. This was nothing but Vegeta and Kakorrot. He faintly remembered another time; another place but it didn't matter. This place suited him fine.

 

°No Vegeta it's time to go. I'm sorry but my oniisan, my son. I love you Vegeta. I know we can do this together.°

 

°What are you talking about Kakorrot?°

 

°Can't you feel it Vegeta? This is wrong. We don't belong here. We belong someplace else. I'm not sure where but there's something.°

 

°Baka, what are you talking about?°

 

°Vegeta think, we haven't always been here. There is somewhere else. We have to get back.°

 

Vegeta did feel a need to move. A great anxiety. He didn't know what it was but he found that he trusted Kakorrot.

 

°Alright Kakorrot lets get out of here.°

 

Vegeta emerged, but he was no longer Vegeta. Gogeta stood where the two Saiyans had once been. He looked around taking in the seine. He knew what he was. He had the memories, the experiences of the two Saiyans. He felt at home in this world as they would. And his hatred for Freaza was just as strong. He turned to face Freaza and found the Tyrant that had tormented his two halves so much.

 

Freaza held Zarbon in an iron grasp and Gogeta found he was torn between wanting to help Zarbon and at the same time hating him. In the end Gogeta solved the inner conflict by deciding to go after Freaza and just happening to help Zarbon.

 

Gogeta charged Freaza his face pulled back in business-like confidence. He had the knowledge of Freaza's fighting style from his Prince side. He knew he could defeat this creature.

 

Freaza neglected to notice the fused Saiyan until he was on top of him. “You again? Wait no you're different. Curious I thought I had destroyed all the other Saiyans. Odd how they just keep popping up like this. Two Super Saiyans in one day? You look so much like that low-class too.”

 

“I am neither Goku nor Vegeta. I am both and this ends here.” Gogeta wasted no more time. Unlike Vegeta he did not play around when he knew he could not be beat. Nor would he show mercy to a foe that was so incurably undeserving. Gogeta pulled back his hand swinging a punch at the monstrous beast using the strength of Goku and Vegeta together to pound the creature that had caused so much pain for the two Saiyans out of existence.

 

Gogeta's fists and feet engulfed with the powerful milti-colored ki that came from the two Saiyans' union. One blow after another added to Freaza's bloodied features. The beast did not last long. Only long enough to known that he was badly beaten. To know in his painful end that he had been beaten by a Saiyan.

 

The beast growled in fury, hatred showing plainly in his eyes. Gogeta smirked, an action that surely came from Vegeta's side. “Never again Freaza. Never again will your shadow block out hope. Never again will you bend others to your will. It is only a matter of time. Your legacy will fall. The universe will recover and you will be nothing but a foul memory. But you will not be around to see it. Your time is over. The mistake that is your existence will be corrected, now!”

 

Gogeta raised his hand high over his head and a many-colored ball appeared flouting in his open palm. He clenched his fist as a million horrible memories that were not his own ran through his mind. The side that was Vegeta knew this beast better then any. Though Gogeta had never experienced the horrors of his Prince side, they were his all the same.

 

So just as he cringed at the memories he reveled in the satiation of finally being free. It was not victory. No this was far greater then victory, this was closing. The end of a horrible chapter and the being of a new existence.

 

He hurled the energy away striking the beast head on. As he watched Freaza disintegrate before his eyes a sigh came to his lips. It was over; his two halves were safe. He turned away without a second glance. He should check on the others. Make certain all was well. Behind him the last bits of a terrible nightmare blew away no more then dust on the winds of change.