Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Feeding Genius ❯ Betrayed ( Chapter 26 )

Feeding Genius

Chapter Twenty-Six

Betrayed

Disclaimer: DBZ's not mine, not mine, not mine I tell you!

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Master Suh stands tall in front of me, the last of her tears now nothing more than dried stains over her cheeks. For the last hour she has told us more about her life on Gleya and those that inhabit it. She has spoken to Gohan and I with courage and wisdom, giving us information and fact to back it up. A proud and dictatorial woman she may appear, but underneath she holds deep feelings and a correct and sound judgement. She says that Faylorn is a victim of circumstance, but I see now that she is just as much a victim as he, perhaps more so, because she has retained her values and faculties throughout it all. What she has been through would break most people after only a few months, but she has lived this way for countless years, endured and come through with sentimentality and honour in tact. She truly is an amazing individual.

I look to Gohan but he is paying me no mind. There are standing tears in his eyes and he's looking at Master Suh with a mixture of pity and respect.

She turns against the icy wind, letting it blow her robes, and ruffle loose a few tendrils of her long braided hair. It appears she prefers not to face us, but I don't think it is because she has anything else to hide, rather that she will not let her pride suffer more than it already has.

"So there you have it," she says pulling her shoulders proudly back. "You know all that is required. What say you now, Mr Namek?"

I think for a moment, wondering how to answer. I am not in the custom of showing open admiration, but I do admire her. It takes a lot of courage to divulge the information she has just shared - all the horrible, degrading and torturous things she has had to suffer, to give accounts of them to strangers and in such minute detail as well. I can sense from her energy that there are darker images, which - probably because Gohan is watching, she has decided not to share, and I will not hold that against her. She has earned my respect, if only I could voice it.

She laughs without much humour. "I see you can't say anything. Perhaps it is just as well. I will not suffer to be patronized or pitied. Your protégé is showing enough already."

"I'm sorry," Gohan apologises.

"Don't be," she replies. "Innocence is too quickly lost in this universe. I might not like your pity, but I will not take your emotions away from you. That would make me no better than the rest."

"Very true."

She runs a hand across her forehead and sighs. "But I've had enough of this conversation. There are more important things to focus on than me. Are the others in place yet?"

I feel a little guilty. I know they have been in position for several minutes but have said nothing. I wanted all the information I could gather before moving any further forward with our plan. I would not change this, despite the negligible guilt, and I have already started revising the situation, working it to our advantage.

"They are."

She looks to me now, just the merest of glances over her shoulder. "Then what are you waiting for?"

She knows. I can see it in her countenance. She knows I have deliberately stalled. "Nothing anymore," I say, not wanting to hide from the accusation. "I will need quiet. Their powers aren't traceable and their minds are distant."

She nods once in understanding and moves to stand near Gohan as I close my eyes, trying to keep my ki to a minimum as I search out their minds. I must admit that it is harder than I anticipated - my body still aches from Kami's rude intrusion and without power as a guide its like trying to find four needles in a haystack.

My mind covers the ice and it creeps up the sides of the mountain, flattening out like radar. I hone in, increasing the magnification. There they are - four little blips and hardly registering at all, but at least they are defined in their familiar pull and designated groups. To save time I will converse with one of each group and turning my attention to the calmest mind to the south I slip into what I soon find is Yamcha's essence.

"Yamcha! Can you hear me?"

There is silence.

"Yamcha!" I try again.

I leave it a couple of minutes, but am frustrated when no sound returns.

"He's not answering." I say out loud.

"Does he know how to reply?" asks Master Suh, breaking her silence.

Of course how could I have been so stupid? Realizing my mistake I try again.

"Yamcha, don't try to answer out loud, just think the words."

Now I pick something out, a thought that is more valid in the confusion. "What?" I hear through the muddle of his mind. "How the hell am I supposed to do that?"

His thought wasn't directed at me, but it is so clear that I have no option but to hear it.

"Just like that," I reply. "Think clearly as though you are saying the words, but concentrate on them rather than voice them. Don't you communicate telepathically at all?"

"No," is his tentative, but honest and clear telepathic reply. "When I was with Kaio-sama all I had to do was speak out loud."

"That was because he was channelling your voice through his thoughts. Is Krillin with you?"

"Yeah." Yamcha says, and I feel a slight amount of humour to his thoughts. "Just barely."

"What do you mean - just barely?"

"Bulma diagnosed him with psychrophobia not so long back. It's amazing he made it this far."

I'm a little surprised. I have never heard of this condition before. "Psychrophobia?"

"It means he has an irrational fear of the cold," Yamcha explains.

"What? Why didn't he say anything before?"

"The little guy has his pride, just the same as everyone - besides he's determined to help Trunks. Although if he had stopped sweating and having panic attacks every ten minutes we would have made it here a lot sooner."

Interesting. "Tell me what you can see?"

"Well this place is far from abandoned I can tell you that much. There are fresh tracks in the snow, leading up to the temples entrance. I can't sense any ki signatures, but there's no reason to say that Faylorn can't mask his energy or Trunks' for that matter."

"So you haven't seen anyone?"

"No, but there has to be someone around. It's so windy up here. If the tracks were more than half an hour old, they would have been gone by now. I want to get closer, but with Krillin in such a bad way I can't risk moving. Have you spoken to Tien yet? He probably has a better view from his side."

"No not yet, but it is probably wise to speak to him. At least we're in the right place. Stay where you are and I'll let you know when we're ready to make a move."

"Well don't take too long. Its so cold up here without any ki, it feels like my balls are going to drop off any second."

I roll my eyes. Wouldn't that be a shame? Maybe we should wait a little longer. I might be doing the women of Earth a favour.

"We won't."

I bring myself back to reality for a moment and look straight back at the two expectant faces.

"Yamcha has confirmed that the temple is in use," I say. "They took longer to get there because Krillin was… unwell."

"Gosh! Poor Krillin," says Gohan.

"He knew what he was getting himself into, and is, potentially, a threat to the mission. He would have done better to stay at home."

"What do you mean?"

"He's afraid of the cold," I snort.

"Wow, tough break."

"Have they seen anything of Faylorn?" demands Master Suh, wisely turning the pointless conversation.

"No, but there were tracks leading up to the temple. I'm going to speak to Tien - see if he has more information."

She nods and I close my eyes and concentrate once again.

"Tien."

"Yes Piccolo," he replies calmly and flawlessly. His thoughts are so much easier to pick up than Yamcha's, proof of his superior dedication and control. "What took you so long?"

"Master Suh had extra information concerning Faylorn, information she was reluctant to give us before. I wanted to make sure she told us everything before I contacted you."

"I understand."

"My senses tell me you're in position. I've spoken to Yamcha already. He's seen tracks and seems to think the temple is in use. Can you confirm this?"

"Oh yes," he says. "I've been watching the entrance for over an hour and I've seen there's at least five people inside. A couple look like normal mountain dwellers, probably hired to help the others with either equipment or food - I'm not sure which."

"And the rest?"

"It's hard to say. I've seen glimpses but nothing concrete. They look human, but I can't sense any life energy inside the temple at all. They seem to have some synthetic power system covering the boundaries of the temple."

"Synthetic? How do you mean?"

"Well we couldn't see it when we first got here, but Chaotzu accidentally tripped over one of the electric terminals and it sent a blue ripple of energy over the temple. I couldn't even sense the energy from it. It looks like it could be some sort of force field. It could be what's preventing us from reading any power levels."

"That could be dangerous."

"Tell me about it. We had to move fast and hide. Not long after we found it they came out to investigate, it probably has some sort of alarm attached to it, so when Chaotzu tripped over, the inhabitants were alerted. It worked in our favour though. We might not have known anyone was here if they hadn't come outside. That's probably what caused the tracks Yamcha saw."

"And what of those two. Have you been able to see where they are hiding?"

"No, but that's a good thing, right?"

"More like a miracle," I reply. "Any sign that Trunks is there?"

"No - none."

"Do you think you'll be able to find anything else out - given more time?"

"It's doubtful Piccolo. I don't fancy risking tripping the force field again."

"Okay, keep your position. I will speak to Master Suh and Gohan, and discuss what's best to be done."

"I'll keep watching," he replies.

"Be careful," I warn, "just because they are gone now, doesn't mean that they aren't still investigating the disturbance. From what I have learnt from Master Suh, Faylorn's abilities and senses are extremely heightened. It's highly doubtful he can sense you, but I don't want to take anything for granted."

"Understood."

Leaving his mind I open my eyes once again.

"Well?" asks Master Suh as soon as my vision adjusts.

"There is definitely odd activity in the temple. Tien has seen some people there. He thinks they're human, but according to you Faylorn's species is human in appearance so that doesn't tell us much. There's no sign of Trunks, but there is technology that seems very advanced for this planet. Tien seems to think there is a force field in place that can suppress ki signatures. Do you know of this technology?"

"Yes," she replies. "The Yanorites are responsible for it - a species from a solar system in the eastern quadrant. They signed a treaty with the consortium long before Frieza was defeated. I doubt this planet has such technology, unless it has anything to do with the Briefs girl, but there are too many coincidences to make that likely. It is very plausible that the Consortium has adapted Yanor technology for this mission. Faylorn has the ability to mask ki signatures, but he has to be in close contact for it to work. If he is keeping Trunks there it would be impossible for him to move around freely without some help."

"So I would imagine," I agree, "but it poses something of a problem. If there is a force field in place it will make it very difficult to gain entry to the temple, or mount any kind of offensive. All element of surprise will be lost, and to go up against a power of Faylorn's magnitude, we need all the advantages we can get."

Master Suh nods in agreement. "Then we need to change the plan."

"I know, and I have already revised it. You may rest assured that I am resigned to my part."

I turn to look at Gohan. He looks confused. Good. I know he would not understand and I wish to keep him ignorant. Master Suh, however, is more than aware of how I mean to change it. I can see it in her eyes as she looks so earnestly at me and her eyes widen slightly at the discovery. She chances as side-glance at Gohan, but a single shake of the head stops the silent conversation before it has even begun. She closes her eyes and nods her understanding.

"We need access to the temple." I say.

She frowns. "I don't think you need to worry, Mr Namek. You do your job and I'll do mine. I know how to deal with this technology. I will get your fighters inside. You won't have to fight for nothing." She smiles. "All you have to do is trust me."

She says it so simply, but I can hear the importance she places on it. She didn't ask it as a question, but I take it to mean, "Do you trust me?" anyway, and answer accordingly.

"You have my trust." I vow, and find I can say it very easily.

"Good!" she says firmly, "because we have been idle long enough. It's time to get Trunks back."

I turn to Gohan, holding my hand out to him, and patting him on the head. "You ready, Kid?"

Those determined black eyes look up to me, serious and resolute. "Yes!"

"You're a brave young man, Gohan. You will help our guest gain entry to the temple."

"B…but Piccolo? The plan. I thought… that is… aren't I fighting with you?"

I smile down at him. There's a part of me that feels honoured by his disappointment. I want to fight with you too Gohan, I say in my thoughts, but you do not need my fate. The plan is revised and you will be safe.

"This will be my fight, Kid. I don't want you interfering, besides, your speed is needed elsewhere."

He nods in agreement even if it is reluctant. "I won't let you down."

"You haven't yet - but Master Suh is right." I say, looking out across the mountains. "We've wasted enough time."

With no more talk we all take to the air. There is no point in secrecy and hiding power levels any more. I pile all my ki into flight and propel myself forward as quickly as possible over the neighbouring mountain and to the temple, Gohan and Master Suh not far behind.

"Tien, Yamcha!" I call out mentally to both combined. "See you in two minutes."

"What! Jeez, thanks for the warning," babbles Yamcha.

"We'll be ready," replies Tien.

"Get to your positions. The plan has been revised. Master Suh and Gohan will try to disable the force field, but if they fail then things could get a little tricky. If that should happen take Gohan and get out of here as quickly as possible then suppress your ki. I will hold Faylorn off for as long as I can."

"Understood."

"Force field?" Yamcha asks.

"Yes. It's stopping us from sensing power levels."

"I see, but do you think really think you can beat Faylorn on your own, Piccolo?"

"I don't think anything. I know I can't."

"What…? But you'll be killed for sure," interrupts Tien.

"Not necessarily," I snarl.

"Are you insane? We need to abort the mission." Yamcha screams into my mind.

"It's too late now. Chances are if he's there he's already sensed us, so stop arguing and get into position. I'm not doing this for kicks. You all had better be prepared to make the most of my diversion. Got it?"

"We'll be ready," confirms Tien.

"I guess we haven't got much choice," huffs Yamcha. "If things get too much, get out of there, Piccolo."

"I plan on it."

I leave their minds simultaneously.

Our target is now coming into view over a frozen peak in a striking vision of the past. The walls are high and guarded with carved gold and red painted offerings to the gods, creations of the monks that once lived there. The temple itself is large and imposing, and while the majority of the structure remains in tact, other parts have crumbled to the ground with time and decay. The whole complex is culminated in two high towers, surrounded by walkways that interlock in a maze of splendour and ruin.

It must have been something to witness this place in its day. The majority of the temple is made of a deep brown hardwood, carved with just as much skill and detail as the walls, and even though it is faded, you can still see the original paint in greens, reds and blues that would have shone against the dark mountain centuries ago. It's an amazing sight, and is now given a slightly more unsettling visage because of its ruin and the knowledge of what may lay within its elaborate walls.

I can't see any activity from the other members of the Z Senshi, but our assumptions about this place have been proven correct. There is a guard assembling to meet us, proof that at least one of the creatures inside can sense life-energy. There are five figures in total, four of which stand a little way back from a lone figure at the very edge of the temple walls.

I look over my shoulder to Master Suh, but I don't need to say anything. The stricken and gaunt hue to her face tells me instantly that the figure we are approaching is indeed Faylorn.

While I look she nervously clutches her beads to her chest and whispers a few words - more than likely a prayer to the Kai's. Then her eyes snap open again and before either Gohan or I can react she powers up even further and flies toward the mountain.

Damn! What is she doing? This isn't part of the plan.

"What are you doing, Master Suh?" I scream and go to fly after her, but she raises a hand, her eyebrows drawn low, as her determination stops me dead in my tracks. What in hell is she playing at?

She lands with a swoop of gold in the snow, no more than five feet away from Faylorn. He greets her with a low bow and a salacious grin, but if that wasn't bizarre enough, she then shocks me further by kneeling before him and paying him homage as though he were her lord and master.

I turn to look at Gohan, who is looking up to me with even more wonder and astonishment than myself. Instinctively I can feel my anger rising, my fists clenching and my heart thumping to the tune of betrayal.

I turn all the hate I can feel onto her as I watch through a haze of anger. Faylorn effortlessly walks through the force field's barrier and stoops down to her level, offering her both his hands and pulling her to her feet. The next moment she is embracing him in the manner a human would a friend, and pointing straight up to me as she whispers something to him so quietly that even my enhanced hearing cannot pick it up.

His eyes lock with mine and the grin is lost. He is an impressive fighter. I can feel it now as clearly as the woman in his arms has told me. He is free from the force field and making no secret of his vast ki. In the prickling of my spine I can sense it. I have never felt anything so… lost… dark… and utterly powerful before, and it takes the cold mountain air away from my lungs.

He lets go of Master Suh, who walks into the force field as though finally returning home, and slowly drifts up to me. He casts a long glare at Gohan, who growls at him, and then on to me.

"So, Namek," he hisses, making the scars that lace his features crinkle. "You finally found me. You want the young hybrid I presume."

I nod.

"And you have come to fight me so as to get him?"

"And to put an end to you and your father's evil once and for all," I snarl. Tension and a little lick of fear clogs my throat. His power is too dark, too strong. It's making my mind reel.

"Even though you know I will kill you."

He knows. He can sense my fear. "I know nothing of the sort." I bluff.

"Trunks will stay with me until Vegeta comes to claim his son and fight me himself. Would you still oppose me?"

My answer is simple. "Yes."

I am a warrior and he is dismissing my power for that of a Saiyan and I find it insulting. I will fight him and I will prove myself. Who knows what he's doing to Trunks in that temple, and I will have no honour if I let him suffer for longer than he has to. He's just a child!

Faylorn's strong features cloud into a scowl as I juggle my justification. "Then so be it."

"Yamcha, Tien!" I shout grabbing a hold of their minds while keeping my eyes focused on Faylorn. "Get Gohan out of here. Now!"

Has she betrayed us?

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AN - I'm so very sorry this chapter took so long. writers block is the damnedest thing! *hugs* Ember