Chapter 23: The Face Stealer
[spoiler]It was a strange experience for Pan, looking down at the bundle of cloth in her hands. It felt nostalgic, despite her never wearing the gi before, like a long-lost friend you never knew you had until they came back. Maybe a memory triggered that was too lost in her mind for her to pinpoint. “Urg, look at me. Getting all soft over some cloth” She muttered to herself, finally dropping the bundle back onto the bench, pulling apart the string binding it and spreading out the various pieces.
She was alone in the tournament changing rooms, every other competitor arriving already suited up in their costumes or gi.
To be honest, it embarrassed her a bit, being the unnecessary odd one out. Reminded her of being the one person to forget to make a card for her mother’s birthday party. The lighting didn’t make it any better, it might have just been her mind but the sole source of light seemed to form a spotlight directed over her, leaving her on the sole island in a sea of shadows. This is why she still kept her night light. “When did I admit to myself that such small things bothered me?”
First, her hand reached for the baggy orange bottoms, the cloth only seeming to shimmer in the light. It was warm to touch, soft fabric that curled around her fingers, and as she slipped her feet into the leg, that warmth blossomed into confidence. As if someone was whispering encouragement in her ear. The light shifted, a groan of metal like nails on a chalk board. Pan stopped, casting her gaze back around the room. Still empty. The wind must have pushed something.
Returning to her gi, Pan took a moment for a deep breath, pulling up the blue undershirt next. As the shirt came over her head, her ears wiggled at the distinct creak of the door. Her body snapped to face the door, her feet pushing her back towards the bench. All at once that encouraging voice turned into a cynical giggle, all at once something bubbled in the pit of her stomach, something that made her feel sick. Something was wrong.
Her eyes found sanctity in the gleam of the floor tiles. There was comfort in the clear surface, distraction in the small cracks. “It’s just nerves. Keep your eyes on the floor, put everything else on and leave. You’ll be fine” Pan couldn’t tell if she thought that or said it out loud, but her mind was too rushed to care. Sweaty palms rushed to put on the rest of the outfit, once again finding comfort in the glow of the gi. For a moment that nostalgia washed over her again, wrapping around her in a warm embrace as she pulled the top over her head. The fear had lapsed, her hands took it slow grabbing the belt, but her gaze remained locked to the ground.
Where she could clearly see her shadow, quite the few inches away from the edge of the light circle, she only just began to notice the gradual formation of another shadow. One that was just a bit taller than her, but with much more wild hair. And as she tightened the belt in a knot, she found comfort in the shadow, a familiar comfort. The encouragement continued.
Papa?
And in a blink of an eye the shadow had changed, the shape flipping itself around completely, as if a person was standing opp- “Greetings!” And all Pan could do was scream as her body slammed into the bench, smashing it into a million pieces. “Has my sudden appearance startled you, little one?” As far as Pan could understand, the voice was both feminine and not at the same time.
“I ju- What?” Pan could barely speak in between breaths, her behind groaning at her sudden collapse to the floor. Despite the glare of the light that was now shining directly down on her eye, Pan could make out the form of a woman now standing in front of her, an inhumanly wide smile straining her flesh.
“Then again, I suppose that with as long a life as I, everyone’s age would be considered barely out of the womb in comparison” She let out high pitched laugh that immediately grated on Pan’s ears, as if she had made some sort of clever joke. “You do have the ability to speak. Do you not?”
Everything about this woman felt off at best and unnerving at worst. The complexion of her skin looked similar to a mime’s, powdered to an unnatural pale tone, looking less like flesh and more like plastic, threatening to blend in with her unmoving eyes. “I can speak fine, I was just… Surprised” It looked as if the girl was moving to hep Pan to her feet, but that just made Pan jump up faster, something inside her telling her she did not want the woman touching her.
When did I get so nervous?
“Oh, my best and worst apologies, Miss Pan. I was merely admiring the scene before me. You were alone, and the lighting so perfect, in the moment I saw small time to create a dreaded atmosphere!” In that moment, the voice slipped, a much more man-ish one hanging on the edge of the woman’s sentence as she clapped her hands together. “Did it prove too effective?”
“I’m fine!” Pan reaffirmed, quickly thinking to change the topic “Are you fine? I mean, with your skin being so pale and all”
“Pale?” The woman blinked in utter confusion before casting her gaze down to her hand where she could indeed see that her skin tone wasn’t as dark as she thought. Does she not know what she looks like? “Oh, skin disease. Who knew? But certainly adds to the shock value. Nihehehehehe” And of course she had a strange sounding laugh to boot.
“You didn’t HAVE to scare me”
“I have a weak spot for dramatics, dearie. When I see such little time for perfection… Well, I don’t like to waste time. Unlike so many others”
Who talks like that? Pan let the thought keep her nerves at bay, stepping away as the woman tried to come closer, violet pigtails bouncing from side-to-side. “But then, what would you know about that? You have such energy, such…” Her silver eyes looked at Pan in an almost hungry manner. “…Youth. Why, you have such little past to hold you down at the moment. I’m jealous. Such freedom from the chains of time”
Now that the woman was getting uncomfortably close, forcing Pan to blindly back away at a pace that would break through the wall, Pan started to realise why the woman felt so off. She didn’t look human, she looked like a human-sized doll. A lifeless puppet with a bunch of accessories and motionless facial features. “Uh, well, it’s been nice talking to you-“
“Kasonna, dear”
“Kassy, can I call you Kassy? I’m sure you have a lot of cool time poetry stuff to talk about, but I’m sure the preliminaries are gonna start soon. Maybe I’ll see you in the ring!” Pan managed to turn herself towards the door, trying to sound as casual as she could. If there was something off with this woman, she didn’t want to set her off. And if there wasn’t, she didn’t really want to be mean to the woman just because for some reason she was suddenly nervous. A lot is going on today, that’s all. I’m just overwhelmed by the Tournament. I’ll forget about all these nerves and stuff when I hit the ring and get my head clear.
“Oh yes, a fight the ring is a very personal matter. One can learn much about a person through the way they fight” From where Pan walked, Kassona’s voice came off more like an echo, slowly fading away with the howl of the open window’s draft. “And I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other, Son Pan”
With an awkward smile and a wave, Son Pan disappeared from view and politely closed the door behind her, leaving the woman to let out a sigh of relief. “Oh my, that was utterly unbearable. I thought I was going to faint from stage fright! How did I do?” She dug her fingers into her unusually deep pockets, pulling out a variety of finger puppets placed delicately on her left set of fingers.
“You were brilliant! Best performance I’ve seen in years!” The pinky finger dressed in pink cloth and makeup was always Kasonna’s favourite. “It almost made me weep… But then I realised I don’t have eyes to cry with”
“Oh, Pinky. You are just a delight. You could learn something from her, Indy” Her eyes flickered to her index finger, the most offensive one of the bunch, who simply had his cap pulled down, ignoring them all. How rude! “Do you think she bought into my little act?”
This time, the thumb butted in, his little straw whiskers flaring. Kasonna switching to a younger voice. “You sure scared the crap out of her, Mr!”
“Yeah, you were a total creep” Agreed the twin fingers, glistening with purple nail varnish
With a purse of his lips, the face of the woman dissolved in an explosion of dust, making way for Kasonna’s long and narrow nose and jester-like features. “I thought I was rather mysterious and alluring”
“You need subtly for that!” The thumb called out, though Kasonna could forgive the boy for his outburst, he was the new kid after all. “And you were like my mommy when she listens to that jazz crap”
Full crimson lips turned, his head shaking “That is inappropriate language for someone of such low age! In fact, I don’t think an eight-year-old would even know such words”
“Pfft, you don’t care about character accuracy. You didn’t even bother to fix my face after you stole it. I don’t have whiskers!” The fat thumb wiggled to make it’s exclamation.
“Silly boy, there is no theft in taking something from those who are simply too… Kind to give or deny consent” Kasonna leaned down to press his nose against the thumb, bending it backwards until her hear a bone groan. “You are starting to develop quite the attitude problem, little one. Do you want me to bring your mother in on this? I’ve cut off my fingers for less”
“What are you gonna do, use her to clean the wax from your ears?”
“That would be ridiculous” The man pulled back, shaking his head to loud tutting before raising his foot. “She’s the big toe, how am I going to pull her all the way up to my ear? She wouldn’t even fit”
The top of his boot began to move, his hand coming over his mouth to muffle his voice. “Is someone calling me fat up there?”
“Nothing of the sort!” He chortled in his ear grating way, moving across the room in a peculiar manner; sweeping his legs, pivoting on his feet, waving his arms. His walk was like that of a dance, putting on a show for an invisible crowd. All the way to the mirror, where he took a good look at himself. Only one thought coming to mind
Yes, I’m devilishly handsome.
But he had to remind himself that he did have a goal here, and sadly that required hiding his face of pure beauty stuck in its finest moment. With a click of his fingers the face grinning back at him in the mirror began to shift, his puffy flesh swelled up into mini balloons on his cheek, latching onto his bones, moulding his face like clay. Until eventually his flamboyant features had been stripped away, his mask returning. His breasts were back, bring his attention to the pitiful outfit. “Tut, tut, tut. Green gi with violet hair? What were you thinking?” He spoke down to his foot, where his big toe decided to simply ignore his criticism.
“This face, it doesn’t suit me. But… I guess I’ll just have to bear with the sight of lesser beauty. Time is always on my side, of course” A sigh, just one of the many burdens he had to bear in this new existence. But looking into the mirror, a wondrous thought made the Face Stealer’s lip widen. “Though I wonder, Son Pan. How fitting would your face be?”
***
“And you have checked the Preliminary match ups?” Gero’s voice came through the midst of many crackles, in the background 13 could hear the repetitive cry of machinery as Dr Sludge drilled into a metal surface. “Any variables that should… Worry us?”
The southern trucker sat up against the wall with one eye open, slouching, bored, lazy. Because that’s all he was supposed to be for now, just some innocent country bumpkin waiting for the tournament to start, lightly juggling an apple. “We spent a good time watching the participants, 14 compared notes. There’s some veterans coming back, none that would raise any alarms for guys like 14 and 15. Bacterian, Giren, Morgan, none that measure up to our level” It had been decided between the three of them that Androids 14 and 15 would compete in the tournament while 13 simply sat back as a spectator, giving Gero a better overview of any of the battles that would occur. The dynamic duo were off somewhere, but 13 sat in the corner of the ‘Preliminaries Grounds’ (No one bothered to check if he had registered) enjoying the view. “Its like- Whoa there”
The Gero A.I took a little interest in the man that suddenly came into 13’s view. Yes, the fighter was of great familiarity, but Gero wouldn’t quite consider his that important. “I wouldn’t expect him to return to a tournament. I thought he went into employ as a body guard of sorts” The man stood out amongst the crowd, being the only man in the room wearing bright pink, as well as the unsubtle “Kill you” written on his chest.
“Surprised the geezer wasn’t banned from the tournament after his last stunt” 13 found himself chuckling, pushing himself to his feet and moving through the crowd, near the man. “They must really be desperate for something exciting if they’re welcoming back a man who tried to kill his opponent” He came to a stop, keeping his gaze straight ahead with a smirk as Mercenary Tao, prized assassin once under the Red Ribbon Army’s employ, pushed straight by him. He was scowling at something. “Though, this temple seems to attract lotta weird folks. I swear I saw a squawking chicken taking up a fight. Compared to that, an assassin would at least stir something up. Hell, maybe they’re considering death matches”
“A fine example of how far the human race has fallen, but at least this means we should have no problem getting to face down against Gok-… The Son Brat in the tournament” If an A.I could feel emotion, Gero knew his wires would be bursting with anticipation, For a moment the images of Goku’s corpse flashed within 13’s eye, Gero’s hatred making the man’s inside’s itch. “Normally, I would simply have you all surround the girl and crush her head between your palms like you did the Kai, no matter what audience you have. But I cannot truly exact my revenge until I take what is dear to these germs of a species; Pride. I want- No, no, there is no want… I need to watch the humiliation flood her eyes while her blood is spilled across the sta-“
13 politely coughed, trying to remain casual in full view of the crowd. “Sir, could you calm down a little; you’re making me over heat here” Thankfully, he felt the heat die down as Gero got a hold of himself.
“You’re right, Tucker. It seems that even my restraints as an A.I cannot stop my anger from taking control” The voice hesitated, 13 could hear Sludge yell obscenities after accidentally slamming some tool into his fingers. “I wonder, if the girl is here, perhaps she brought her teacher along with her. He would stay to support her endeavours, would he not?”
“What are you saying, sir?”
“Trunks still must pay for his transgressions against my legacy, for his disposal of Cell. For taking my-… For whatever he has done with MY android. And this one doesn’t have any special conditions for his death, unlike the brat” Gero never did well talking about Android 16, and 13 never knew why, though something in his circuitry said that he should.
“You want me to go out and look for him?”
“The Preliminaries will be last a long time. While the other Units watch these brainless baboons beat each other to near death, you can take care of the boy” 13 continued on his way, heading towards the entrance where he had no problem sneaking out through the crowd. “And just imagine how the girl will feel when even her own master is so embarrassed of her that he doesn’t turn up”
As the morning sun trickled into view, 13 decided to question Gero’s plan for once. “Are you sure about all this? I know you want the girl dead an’ all, and I don’t really mind popping a few spines; but… What about our ‘Friends’ putting this whole thing together?”
“What do they have to do with this? They helped bring my plans to life and continue to support my legacy” Gero was well aware that this all went far beyond his vendetta against those that had wronged him, to a discovery that would make Gero one of the greatest minds to ever grace the universe (Or Multiverse as the Arcosian had informed him). He would have never guessed it would be connected to this Majin Buu creature.
“You know that other Saiyan’s been staking her claim on either of the half-breeds. Ain’t you worried that killing either is gonna make her one angry bull?” The day hit him like a cooked oven mit, is insides heating up again, he was lucky he wore his hat today.
13 assumed that the noise Gero made was a sigh, but he couldn’t quite be sure. “It is understandable that you would come to such a conclusion, Unit 13, as your interactions have been limited to that woman” The A.I displayed disgust. “I shall simplify this for you. She is a part of an obsolete race of savages who even in their ‘Super Saiyan’ form were surpassed by my creations. But me? Suffice to say, I am too valuable an asset. If she takes issue with me taking my rightful vengeance, she’ll just have to swallow that fragile pride of hers and deal with it”
“Whatever you say, Sir” The crowd was now sparse on the Tournament Grounds, most people already heading in to wait on their good seats within the stadium section of the temple. With a clear view of the area, Gero could see that this left little to no witnesses if 13 wished to try anything. Though there seemed to be no sign of Trunks.
“That cowardly, uh… WOMAN!” But it wasn’t long before they spotted the form of Chichi trying out one of those ‘Hit the button with a hammer’ attractions, though the owner of the stall seemed absent. “Leaving a poor old lady on her own with physical labour. Oh, I knew she was trouble when she seduced my poor Gohan”
“The Wife” Was all Gero referred to her as
“Looks like she’s needs help” 13 stalked towards the woman at a slow pace, a grin growing as he noted the woman was certainly feeling the flaws of old age catch up to her. No witnesses for the moment. It would only take two seconds. He came to a stop behind her, towering over her like a towering monster, looking down with empty eyes and a twisted grin. “Do you need any help, mam?”
She turned around with a curious frown, the hammer spinning around with her turn and almost skimming 13’s nose. He didn’t flinch. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did you want a turn on this game?”
“Nothing of the sort, Miss” His eye grew small and kind, an arm slung round to rub the back of his neck. Just an innocent country bumpkin. “I was just looking for a friend of mine. I think you might know him”
She bought that southern charm hook, line and sinker. “Oh, really? If there’s anything I can help you with, I’ll be sure to do my best. Who are you looking for?”
“It’s a friend of mine, Trunks. Trunks Briefs?” The hammer came around again as Chichi swayed, her arm moving upwards when she recognised the name. This tie, 13 moved back and acted as if he was about to trip and fall. Awkward, clumsy, add in some light hearted laughter.
“Sorry about that! Sometimes my arms just have a mind of their own, I guess” She reached forward to keep him balanced. “And yes, I do know Trunks. Such a sweet boy. He’s very close to my Grandaughter. They’re both adorable together” Yet again she had to take a moment to sigh, memories of Gohan returning. He would be so happy with how they turned out. “I’m afraid you just missed him. He was called away for something important, though he didn’t say where. I think its serious. As soon as he got the call he almost looked scared” She clapped her hands together, trying to put on her best smile “But don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll be fine. Maybe if you wait around he’ll be back”
“I’ll be sure to do that. Thanks for the help” 13 tipped his hat to her as an expression of gratitude, where as she simply bowed. Gero quickly noted that chasing Trunks down wouldn’t be productive now, he could be anywhere. Tracking him would could distract them from the tournament for too long. It wasn’t worth it. “I’m Tucker. Don’t think I got the pleasure of your name, Miss”
“Chichi, Son Chichi” She bowed again, before turning back to the game, her smile quickly being replaced by a frown accompanied by a growl. “I’ve been at this game for ages! You see, I came up with the idea of getting Pan a stuffed animal. You know, for some encouragement and a friend to hug; yes, I know she’s not a little girl anymore, but everyone deserves a stuffed bed friend”
13 let out a pleasant whistle “Such a caring grandmother. Lucky kid, lucky kid.” Chichi didn’t stop to notice that she never mentioned that Pan was her Granddaughter, but simply continued.
“So, me and that FLOOZIE, Videl, came over here to try and win a stuffed animal. And guess what? That harlot goes and ditches me, says she’ll ‘save me a seat’ and leaves me here to get the present”
“Leave a lovely old woman like you here to swing a lotta weights around? The nerve of some people” He shook his head, tutting. “And yer still here? Damn”
“I know. I never liked that girl, I swear. I mean, I kept quiet and kept out of Gohan’s way, because he’s my son and it’s his choice. But, urg… That woman is trouble”
“I’m sure she’s just jealous”
Chichi lightly punched his shoulder, giggling to herself. “Oh, you’re just saying that”
“Honest, I swear” 13 could practically feel Gero’s non-existent eyes rolling. “How about I take a crack at this game, save ya the trouble?”
“You would do that?” A nod and a smile “Oh, you are such a sweet heart. Thank you” Only one minute later the game had been broken, the hammer in two and a large stuffed bunny sat on Chichi’s head, both her and Android 13 chuckling. “Thank you again, not just for the game, but for keeping this old woman company. Strange, I never thought talking with strangers could be so pleasant. I haven’t spoken with many people outside of my family in a long time…” She again smiled, but it was that held a sad weight to it. “I hope you find Trunks” And with that, she was gone, ready to shove that bunny in Videl’s face.
“You could have killed her” Gero commented
“There’s no point” 13 shrugged, closing his eyes again “Unless you want me to kill her?”
“No. While she may have wedded Son Goku, her pain means nothing while he is dead. She does not have his blood” 13 started to move back towards the Preliminaries Grounds, there was no point in being out here anymore, but…
“Oh, Metal Man!” The call made the android come to a sudden halt, his expression switching to a wide eyed. Had someone so easily figured out that he was an android? How!?
Swerving his head to look to the left he was instantly met with a tall woman, a young face that was almost sickly pale. “You must be mistaken-“ It wasn’t so much the threat of some random person finding out that he was an android, it was more Gero’s anger that someone could possibly so easily figure it out when the point of the Androids was that they would be able to blend in.
“Your face. It’s so concerned. Such a perfect expression, I’d love to capture it in the moment” She sauntered over to the android, running a finger up the man’s exposed chest, poking the fake flesh with wonderment at how real it felt. “Odd, I honestly thought this form would get a much more welcoming reaction”
“Ah.” Gero calmed down, his creation had not been found out, it was simply an ally they had already met. Kasonna’s lips formed a pout as she/he looked up at 13.
“The Face Stealer” He spoke through 13 so that she could hear him.
“Oooo, is that what you’re calling me now? I’ve already told the fingers about this; it’s not stealing. Nihehehehehe” She let out her horrid laugh be slinking away, circling the android.
“What do you want?” 13 couldn’t speak right now, so Gero took full control of the situation, bluntly getting to the point.
“We’re friends, are we not?” In her hand she held an apple, as she pulled it up to her lips and took a bite, 13 realised she had stolen his. “Is there a problem with me noticing your festivities and wanting to join in on the fun? I have plenty of time, yet I can see no problem. Unless, of course, you’re planning something unfortunate” Her eyelids were half closed, almost as if she was drifting off to sleep, but still she giggled with an almost unmoving mouth. Like a strange puppet.
“It’s never that simple, Face Stealer” Gero willed 13 to close his arms, glaring at the fake girl.
“You don’t have act so rude towards me, young man” She took another bite out of the apple, taking her time to chew it as she mulled over her next line. “But if you’re going to be so grumpy, I wouldn’t want to waste your time. I just want to give you some advice”
“Advice?”
“We’re all capable of incredible things, especially with the right drive. Saiyans were mostly brutes, but their ambition accomplished much in the short time in the spotlight they had. For others, like that Cell creature or those lovely teenagers you kidnapped for your experiments, their ambition lead them to the people who would end them. Let it be a lesson” She tossed the apple back to Thirteen and headed away from him.
”Be careful not to choke on your own ambition, Doctor. Because Saiyans don’t take too kindly to theirs being threatened”
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