Chapter 62: Answering the Call.

I had plenty of time to think. Plenty to consider.

The moment I had gotten back, I'd arrived at a full-on argument. Gran could only open a single lane, just enough for me to squeeze through safely in my upgraded Attack Ball. Nobody like the idea of me going alone, but…

In the end I had my way. I'd like to say I had confidence in winning. I wasn't so sure really. My ki was acting up. Something was going on. My ki, that always was so submissive and easy to control was rebelling. It felt like I was trying to control an ornery wild stallion. I probably should have stopped and let Doc look me over, but I was in a hurry. No, I knew my ki would last. Whatever was happening wasn't so serious.

My physical body may have been much stronger and tougher, but… I had no idea why my ki was acting up the way it was. I had assumptions, feelings, but nothing truly concrete. Well, I did have one thing. My E-cells had overshot my S-cells. My ki was getting tainted by evil ki. I could almost see the wisps of crimson tainting my ki.

Perhaps that could be why.

I was being corrupted in some way or changed. I wasn't sure if I hated it. Either way, I had to resolve this issue now and figure it out later. While I still had some semblance of power.

As I flew to the destination in my attack ball. I had nothing but time to think and catalogue everything. Everything I've done up to this point. I had murdered countless squidizens, essentially depopulated the surface of the planet known as the shithole. And other such events.

In no way was I a saint. Nor did I have the faint veneer that the original Rettas have of being forced. I made those decisions. And, I would continue making those decisions. Killing the invaders on the resort world, the actions of others targeting me resulting in a planet becoming a tomb world.

In a way, such events seem small. It was just a planet. A few million dead, if not billion. What's it matter?

Probably right, but… I felt it weighing on me for some reason. I wasn't sure why. But, I felt like I would get my answers soon enough. Eventually I would elevate to power or die. I would find my truth. My path. My way.

I settled in as I watched the endless expanse of nothing go by. With such heavy thoughts my ship smashed into the facility. Alarms blared and the breach was closed by automated robots. I stepped out expecting resistance. I got none.

I could feel a powerful ki signature at the center of the facility. It thrummed and burned like a sun. Countless smaller signatures peppered the facility, but what caught my attention was the air. It was cold.

There was a chill in the air. A crawling feeling as I walked down the sterile white halls. Blinding white lights would flicker and the shadows would seem to expand. Empty rooms would look fine, but when the light flickers I could see figures standing inside them. Blood stained the walls and floor.

I could feel eyes looking at me from dark corners. I saw bodies in decay sitting on tables. Cut open and rotting as they were left abandoned. The incinerator where bodies were disposed of oozed of something. I could almost hear whimpering and cries echoing down the hallways. Voices coming from the ventilation vents.

A larger room briefly flickered. The sterile smell faded to be replaced with the smell of sickness and death. Only to vanish with the light coming back. All of it, it should have bothered me. Terrified me. I only felt it just. I walked amongst them, saw as they watched me. Opened doors for me as I went.

Guiding me.

Another large hall greeted me. Naked Saiyan clones sat inside. Left abandoned. Half grown in some cases. Others are long dead but preserved in the fluids. Seeing them, a strange urge took over me. A long dead wish. An old desire written in my blood.

I could understand faintly. I knew a little of monkeys from my past life. How human they could be in their interactions and how cruel they could be as well. Certain tribes had beliefs. Ideas on how things are.

What about Oozaru? The ancestors of Saiyan's. Our origin. A world that could contain a species of such might must have been incredible. Especially to survive and all-out war between super and evil Saiyan's. A planet of Kaiju, to put it best.

How many traditions had been forgotten? Like how transformation had long been forgotten. The Saiyan forms, and perhaps even more. Did we truly need to see the moon to transform? Was it merely a method to ensure the ability wasn't lost. Or was I just crazy?

I wouldn't be the first to say that modern Saiyan's were a disappointment. Serving Frieza and their empire with little to no issue. Following a singular king. It felt disingenuous. Despite everything, it feels as if the Saiyan's had lost their warrior pride.

Sending children to die on planets. Sending them off to commit genocide without ever meeting their parents. It wasn't right. A parent's job was to teach their child. To lead and for others to follow. Apes were more humane than the Saiyan's.

Where exactly had they gone wrong?

But… I still had my pride.

I smashed my fist into one of the tanks. Pulled out the dead body. I looked it over and frowned. A fake, yes, but… they were still Saiyan's. I looked over them all. A grimace on my face. Instincts taking hold. Barring the dead, many of these clones were still alive. Children. Young adults. I wasn't sure what to do. I didn't have Doc to lead me, nor did I have the ability to do much.

No, there was something I could do. Glancing through complicated terminals that blinked and shimmered. It's just… doing so would mean abandoning my attack ball. The information had been backed up already. A new version could be made easily since Armorer and Doc had managed to replicate the material.

But… I looked at my shadow. I could sense her gaze. Then back to the Saiyan's. The grimace faded into a sardonic smile. Knowing in full the trouble I was bringing upon myself. I began to move the pods. Many of them flickered, but with some work I managed to keep them going as I moved them. The station held a hanger with a ship. A lucky find but expected. I knew the owner of this facility had yet to leave. I could feel them watching me as I worked.

The ship itself was fairly large. It even had plenty of systems to help keep it hidden. A storage area and plug ins for the pods. It was enough. It would do. I couldn't leave fellow Saiyan's, even if they were clones, to die here. Not like this. It took me some time, but few of the pods were viable. Just enough to fit inside the ship.

The burden was heavy. This wasn't just a mild thing. A few dozen Saiyan's were now being placed under my protection. Most of them were kids and teens. I shuddered to think of the future. Once secured, I left the ship and made my way to the center.

When I stepped at the door leading further in. A massive vault door barred my way. I waited for it to open with a hiss, as I walked in. A large room on the other side. I stepped in. Unsure what to think as my eyes took everything in.

Surrounding the room were computers and pods. On the walls were massive tanks that radiated out ki despite being empty. Pipes and tubes all fed into a singular construct at the opposite side of the room. A massive, oversized black metal coffin sat there. Pipes and tubes were sticking out and snaking along the floor. Above lights shone down as various instruments hung above.

"Glad you could come, Saiyan."

I looked at the coffin and spoke. "Well, I had to pay a visit to my secret admirer." I replied to try and disperse the gloom hanging over me.

"Hahaha! Admirer! I suppose I am. I had thought you were nothing special, but I saw the truth! Truly, your species is the pinnacle of perfection! Which is why I decided to make it my own."

My hackles rose, but I didn't bite. No, I needed to bait him out. "Is that so? Should I be flattered? And does this mean you're going to keep hiding away in your little box?"

"Hahahahaha!" He cackled for a bit before stopping. "Nononono! No, of course not! Despite having perfected this body, I still have need of your body as well Saiyan. And, unfortunately nothing I have is nearly enough to handle you."

I nodded. "Explains the lack of security. But did you truly think I would come alone?"

"Of course." The surety in his tone flummoxed me. "Of course, I knew you would come! If anything, I'd hoped you would come sooner! But, ah, I guess it did give me more time to perfect this body."

I could feel the ki fluctuate in the air. It almost hurt to be near it. Something in my blood roared out in challenge. I could hear the cackling laugh as the coffin clacked and cracked, as if countless locks were coming undone. It opened with a loud hiss. Blood red liquid spilled out, filling the air with the scent of blood. Exposing a massive body.

Massive, was almost an understatement. The figure walked with sure steps. Jacked to hell, almost like a Pillar Man. Hair down to his waist like a crazed porcupine. His eyes were black, but his hair was green. A massive brown tail flicked behind him. And a pair of tight purple shorts did nothing to hide his massive bulge.

I checked him out. Looked him over once and twice as he sauntered forward. The vault door was closing behind him. He was nearly twice my height, easily. Muscles rippled with power. His whole existence bore down on me as if trying to suppress me.

It didn't work. My own blood roared back. My pride would not yield before him. My own monkey brain evaluated him on a hidden scale, noting that he would have been prime mating material. Unfortunately, that same scale also determined him to be unworthy. Lacking. If anything, I felt disdain.

In judgement, he was found wanting. My interest faded.

Last thing I noted was the mask on his face. Tubes on it ran to his back. Likely, I suspected he was juicing himself like Bane on Venom. I could win, even with my qi being sluggish. I just needed to push him a bit past his limits to force his body to start trying to adapt. His cells would begin self-destructing at that point.

It was a hunch. A hunch I was willing to die for.

"So, we start or what?" I said nonchalantly. The man opposite of me took the moment to stretch. "Call me, The Doctor."

"Doctor Who?" I quipped back, obviously he wouldn't get the reference. His reply was a dash forward. Telegraphed, but fairly competent. I readied to receive him. My ki kicking but working. I moved under the blow.

Suddenly, like a sputtering engine. It gave a last cough… and died. My ki full stopped. Bringing my body to a stop as the frozen ki locks me down. That momentary freeze was nearly lethal. A blow hit me. My arms were almost unable to interject between me and the blow. My bones crackled as I smashed through pods and medical equipment.

The damage was severe, but nowhere lethal. The good doctor was taking his time to approach. Every step careful, rehearsed. He was likely still getting used to his body. Like trying to get a lawn mower started I pulled the cord on my ki. Trying to get it revved back up through my body even as it kicked and nearly made me cough up blood.

By the time I managed to get it thrumming again he was already revving up a punch to the face. I redirect the blow and run in. On instinct moving my ki to enhance the power of my blow. Only for it to stall as I hit. Instead of empowering my strike. The ki lamely pulsed out. My fist doing little to nothing to his body.

. I adapted as best as I could rolling away from a stomp as I got my feet under me. I managed to avoid a blow and struck out with my own, but it hit with barely any force behind it. The doctor huffed and dug his fist into my chest lifting me slightly in the air before raising his arms and slamming them down on my head, crumpling my helmet in. My helmet shattered from the blow but saved me from being brained. I rolled away from a stomp.

I had control of my body, but my ki wasn't responding like it should.

"It appears your having… performance issues." He said with a chuckle. Fuck… I wanted to make that joke. Worse, he was right. Did he do something? No, I don't think he had. Just looking at him, I could tell he was just as annoyed as I was.

I didn't respond. I kept revving my ki, trying to make it work. It never did. Annoyed, the good doctor began to move with earnest. Despite not pushing himself his speed and power were above mine. My hardened body took his blows fairly well… at first. It didn't take long until I was bloody and swaying on my feet.

A kick, a kick I could have easily dodged normally hit me. Throwing me back into the wall. Knocking over many instruments. The place was a mess of glass and machinery. Liquid everywhere. Somehow, I had migrated over to where the coffin was. I tried to get up. Only managing by sheer will alone. My ki still hissed and sparked. Not listening to my commands.

"I'm disappointed." He spoke. I couldn't blame him. This must be what a guy with ED feels like. I couldn't imagine it, but the comparison fit. My ki just wouldn't move. Ignoring me, for a brief moment he looked around.

"Frankly… I find myself disappointed. Not just in you, but this body as well. It should be stronger, but it's nowhere near what the sensors picked up before. And seeing you like this? I realize I may have been a bit hasty…"

I wanted to argue, but… I could feel the air change.

"I suppose I should just end this." I felt it. I barely moved out of the way as his fist dug into the wall. He ripped out the paneling with no trouble. He wasn't up for words, and neither was I. But, no matter how I tried, no matter what I did… I couldn't muster up a defense.

All I could do was drunkenly sway. Avoiding lethal blows. It was frustrating. Sad in a way. To die like this. I really should have gotten myself checked out. Yet, there was no medicine for regret. My haste had brought my own doom. Ironic and also… Still frustrating.

But, no matter how I kicked and screamed. No matter what. It wouldn't change the outcome. A blow hit me in the head. Another in the stomach ruptured organs and launched me back into a wall and shattering a myriad of equipment. My vision was wrong. Shadows formed everywhere. I could hear whispers and feel fingers trailing along my skin.

I coughed up blood. A broken rib had stabbed into my lungs. Slowly drowning in my own blood. It was laughable. A terrible way to die. I tried to stand, but the crushed material I sat on shifted. Aborting my attempt. I felt my body trying to give up even as my own spirit flared and roared against the unfairness of it all.

"And to think…" The good doctor mentioned. Standing where he had hit me. He was looking at my blood on his knuckles. Musing aloud. "I wasted so much blood on this project. For such a, substandard outcome. I suppose Saiyan's weren't as incredible as I thought. Middling perhaps."

He was talking an awful lot of shit now.

"Accelerating the growth of Saiyan clones. Forcing them through torture to induce S-cell replication. Extracting the cells and starting over. Over and over again. Until I could build this body oversaturated with S-cells. How many of your kind have I cloned and juiced to make this body, and for what?"

Oh, wow, he was monologuing… Also, huh, guess my theory was correct. He caught my unimpressed face.

"Does it not bother you, Saiyan? No… Such a name hardly is fitting for a monkey like you."

Ah, name calling. Casual racism at its best. I mused.

"No, I suppose it wouldn't. Not from the brutality I've seen. Then again, you did surprise me when you moved those incomplete clones. Those failures. You do realize you wasted your time on them, yes? They are hardly viable. The only reason I hadn't gotten rid of them was due to your timely arrival. They won't survive. Even with Dr. Cambridges aid."

I frowned but didn't speak. I suspected as much. I really did, but… I couldn't just leave them.

"Still not speaking? No, I suppose it would be difficult with a punctured lung."

So, he did know. Well, not like it was a big deal. Honestly, it would be better for him to just end it, yea? I mean, really a monologue. REALLY!? Guy thinks a bit too much of himself, I think.

"Though, honestly, you being crippled hardly is a surprise to me. Especially considering your lifestyle. S-cells are made to slowly accumulate energy and expel it when in need or danger. You, however, seem to push yourself almost constantly. Constantly milking out that energy out of your cells. It was only a matter of time before they hit their limit. The mutagen had likely assisted with that though. Having forced your body to overdraw life force until they were completely empty.

The fact you survived is a miracle in itself, but I suppose your monstrous vitality helped. It still doesn't resolve your cells degradation. They would simply devour your ki until they are sated, which I don't think is possible. Or you die."

I was… I don't know really. I felt my vision flickering on and off. I also kept seeing off shadows and things at the corner of my vision. Even then, his words seemed to echo in my head as I listened. Only a single tidbit echoed over and over in my head. My eyes caught a familiar shadow. The original owner of this body.

S-cells, change? Degrade? They absorb energy? I knew they acted as some form of capacitor or something. It kind of felt like that. I always seemed to have more gas in my tank. Each individual cell would push just a bit more as I needed it. But, that thought. No, it kind of connected.

I've been feeling oddly weaker for a while now. I could never quite place what it was. Even whenever I worked out or did whatever. No, in fact… didn't the Doc make sure to empty ki in the gravity to force more out of my body?

Could the feeling come from… Mm… If S-cells functioned like banks. Storing energy and slowly increasing their reserves. And whenever I faced a dire threat it would loan out money. Each instance it would give me energy only to reap back the energy with interest. Assuming I didn't get into a fight or push myself very hard.

I kept pushing myself. Kept going. Bringing my body to the brink nearly constantly. Wringing out every drop of power. In this case… What happens when the bank tries to give me another loan… and it comes up empty?

It goes bankrupt.

If each cell was an individual bank. Each one provides loans to each other and supports one another. What happens when they all start going bankrupt? The answer was kind of stupid, but… it all made sense. It all connected. When a bank can't keep me going. Make a damn mint to produce more money.

The thought was ludicrous. Because I for a fact understood that there was a different cell in my body. E-cells. Similar to Saiyan cells, but their purpose has been undocumented. Mostly because it requires me to fill my body with evil ki. Something I hadn't done out of fear. It hadn't even crossed my mind, not even now as I was faced with death.

It was untested. It was… new.

The thought brought a cackling throaty laugh to my lips as I hacked and coughed. The doctor fell silent his monologue on his gathered data and musing drowned out by my laugh. Despite my battered body I stood. I could feel it bubbling just under my skin. A caged tiger awaiting release. It called it whispered.

"And what has you so amused?" I could tell he was confused. I could see the derision in his gaze. That superiority on his face.

"Your monologue, well, I gotta say, you really fucked up." I said, between coughs and hacks. My voice was harsh. Every breath hurt.

"Oh?" He didn't look amused, but I saw the trace of caution in his eyes. "Care to explain."

"You reminded me of something. Rather, you helped me connect some dots. See, I've been thinking. Surely you know about my species? What happened to our original planet?"

"I do. I made sure to watch all your interviews." His comment only made me laugh more. I had a feeling I was going to pass out if I kept doing so, but the answer was so damn hilarious! A fan indeed!

"Well, in the original legend it states that the legendary super Saiyan with golden hair fought a great evil or something. Obviously, due to Saiyan bias, it had to be a Saiyan. Only, recently I came to understand a few more things thanks to my recent temporary power up.

Since leaving our original planet. Something changed. Why was it that nobody could reach Super Saiyan? Why did our culture fall apart? What made us so weak? At first, I thought it was because it might have something to do with the planet, but the new planet was very much like our old one. Then, I considered technology or us being under an empire, but that didn't make sense.

But, I think I have an idea… Because back then. There was only war!"

And on those words. I let it rip. Evil ki poured out from my body. I could hear it crackling in the air… Wait, no. That was my body. My body soaked up the evil ki like the desert soaks up rain. My body didn't change, but I felt it absorb the evil ki as it flooded me. Strengthening muscle and bone. And even more so, healing me. I felt my broke rib reset as the punctured lung healed. All thanks to my new ki flooding me with power.

Wisps of crimson red and black aura poured from my body. Changing me on a fundamental level. I could feel it slowly coalescing around my tail. Lengthening it just so. My aura impacted out with a scream. As if the world itself rejected it and yet…

I understood. It wasn't evil. It wasn't exactly wrong. No, it was simply ki. The good doctor leapt back. His hair standing up straight. I could feel the fear in his gaze and form.

"What malicious energy!" He cried out. "What the hell have you done!?"

I wanted to cackle, but I kept to a derisive sneer. "What have I done? You misunderstand. This ki? It is our heritage. Forged in war. Over countless battles and bodies. As we fought for supremacy and survival every moment of our lives.

This ki isn't tainted. No, it is sanctified in the blood of my ancestors. IT CARRIES THE WILL OF ALL SAIYAN!"

As if to answer me it screamed out again. The evil ki reached out for the good doctor only for him to cry out in pain. His skin was bubbling as if it had been splashed with acid.

"And it seems they do not like you, good doctor." He bristled at the comment. For the first time, I felt his ki flare out. A monstrous amount. Enough to dwarf my own. And yet. Yet! I was a tower in the storm. Unyielding. Eternal.

I was… an Evil Saiyan.