Once Upon a Dream

Part Three

The dream came, unbidden, as it usually did. Bits and pieces floated around in her subconscious, not making the least bit of sense. But one detail always stuck out above all the others.

It took place on Vegeta-sei. But not the Vegeta-sei she knew.

It always seemed like another time and place, almost ethereal. The people were kind and friendly yet so modest in a way. The structures were as delicate as glass spider webs but as sturdy as the largest mountain. The clothes were homespun and unadorned, but beautiful in their simplicity. There was no trace of the barbaric and cruel saiyans, or rather no visible one. But it was there, dormant and waiting.

She felt that emotion, by ways unknown, as it grew and manifested into something horrible. She felt it become a separate entity in itself, a completely independent being. It's nourishment was kind souls, it's hobby manipulation. And always, *always*, to utterly destroy.

And it changed them, that being, slowly at first. Capturing the goodness and twisting it into something awful. Annihilating the once peaceful empire and erecting another in it's ashes. The dream made it seem like a few days ago, but Katrinka knew it was eons.

Eons.

The formerly benign civilization became lost to time and was no more. But a tiny spark still remained in the hearts of the survivors, and there were many.

Maybe, just maybe, that spark could be coaxed into a flame.

***

Morning found Katrinka deep in thought about the whole dream. Somehow it made more sense than ever last night.

The rest of the Capsule Corporation slowly awakened that day, beginning first with Bulma as she made coffee and ending with Trunks who loved to sleep as long as he could.

Katrinka, however, had beaten Bulma to the kitchen and was sitting there with her eyes closed.

"Ohayo Bulma-san," She said, without moving. "Did you sleep well?"

The blue-haired woman blinked in amazement before she answered. "Oh yes. As well as I ever do. How about you?"

Kat's blue eyes were drowsy. "Not too bad... It could have been better."

"What do you mean?" Bulma poured each of them a cup of the steaming drink before she took a seat. Sipping slowly, she waited.

Katrinka looked deep into Bulma's eyes. There was loyalty there as well as concern. She was someone you could trust.

"There's this dream that I keep having on a regular basis," Kat sighed. "At first I thought nothing of it, dismissing it as something I had eaten that day, but after the fourth time it became something more."

"It's about the past. Not mine, but everyone else’s."

"What do you mean?" Bulma asked softly, urging her on.

"It's mainly about Vegeta-sei."

"The planet Goku and Vegeta are from?"

"Hai. The very same. I think it tells me something about their history, something these modern saiyans know nothing about. It's very hard not to think there's more to this than it seems." She finished her cup and sat in thoughtful silence.

"This sounds so very strange." Bulma said at length. "I don't know what to make of it."

"I apologize for burdening you with this Bulma, but I telling someone else really made me feel better."

"It wasn't a problem. Glad I could help!" Then she stood, placed the empty cups into the sink, and looked Katrinka over. "Are those the only clothes you have?"

"Hai. What's wrong with them?"

"You look like a Goth."

"Excuse me?"

"Nevermind. We need to go shopping. Just you and I, and maybe Bra-chan."

She was confused. "Shopping? What's that?"

Bulma's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"Hai Bulma-san."

She smiled. "Just call me Bulma. Anyway, shopping is what you do when you want something. You can buy items and services this way. We're going to the mall for clothes."

"You *buy* your clothes on this planet?" She looked completely confused. "I usually just make mine."

Bulma nodded. "We *do* have full day ahead then." She then guided Kat to the staircase. "Let's get Bra and we can eat breakfast there."

The mall was crowded even that early in the morning. There was a *huge* sale that day, every single store, so people from all-around came to shop. It made for a wonderful experience.

The trio had begun at a small café on one of the upper levels. It was a nice, cozy place that had tables out in front just like those in Paris. Kat looked around with wide, excited eyes taking in all there was to see.

"What are you going to order Kat-chan?" Bra asked. "I'm getting the Sunrise Meal."

"Same here," Bulma placed the menu onto the table.

Kat looked at all of the dishes and could not make up her mind. "What's in it?"

"You get toast, bacon, scrambled eggs, waffles, and a large glass of orange juice." Bra sighed happily. "Actually on second thought, I'd better make that two."

"I'll get one!" Kat settled into her chair as Bulma signaled for a waiter. She placed the order and they all began to look around.

"This place is so large! I've never been somewhere like this."

"Never?" Bra asked. "Hmm."

They lapsed into silence, Kat watching the activity with a dazed expression on her face, Bulma impatiently tapping her fingers on the table, and Bra watching everyone else. Soon their meal came and everyone dug in.

"Where do you want to go first?" Bra asked after putting her napkin onto one of her empty plates.

Kat shrugged. "A clothing store?"

"There are at least eleven." Bulma told her.

Kat blinked. "Does someone honestly needs so much stuff?"

Bulma shrugged. "Everyone on this planet tends to spend money like water. It's a way of life."

"How about we go to the Gap?" Bra suggested. "There's a lot of nice stuff in there."

"Okay then Let's go!"

The Gap did not have clothes quite what Kat was looking for, you could tell by her tail movement. And the fact that she was quite vocal about it.

"*Pastels*," she said with no little amount of disgust, "are not some of the better colors."

Bra sighed. "Then what *is* your favorite color?"

"Black."

"I should have known."

"Bright colors only make you stand out more." They left the store and on the way to Old Navy, they passed a Hot Topic.

"Ooh!" Kat exclaimed as they passed. "Now *this* is my kind of store!" The practically skipped in and began to look at clothes. Noticing the people, she wondered out loud. "Why have they pierced their bodies?"

"It's a trend Kat-chan," Bra whispered. "And before you ask, tattoos are too."

"And oddly colored hair," Bulma added.

Kat walked over to a rack and picked up a black leotard. "How does this look?"

"Well..." Bra hesitated. "It's okay..."

"Great!" She walked to the cashier while reaching into a hidden pocket of her cloak. She pulled forth a wad of bills. "Is this enough?"

"You have money?" Bra asked, a little shocked.

"Uh yeah. Mercenaries do get paid you know."

Bulma merely sighed and pulled out her credit card. "Charge it."

"But I'm paying!"

"Not with that you're not. It's not even the correct currency."

Kat sulked. "Those damn Clerians. They said this was good everywhere like those traveler check things you people have. I'm going to have to go back and exchange it someday."

"Did you know Kat-chan, that we're in a pretty remote part of the universe? This is basically the only inhabited planet in the entire Northern Galaxy!" Bulma grabbed her charge card. "I doubt any currency you receive there is good here."

This did nothing to improve the woman's mood. "What a sucky planet."

"It's *your* planet too now," Bra spoke up. "At least as long as you're here." They left the store and continued to walk.

Kat's eyes lit up again at the sight of another object. "A fountain! This is a really big fountain!" She squealed and ran over to it. Peering into the water, she gaped.

"Someone dropped all of their money in here!" She stuck a hand in and fished around. "I'd better get it an return it to the proper owner."

"Kat-chan don't do that!" Bra and Bulma exclaimed as they ran to her. "Leave that money alone!"

"Why?"

"People throw coins in there for good luck." Bra pulled five yen from her pocket. "You make a wish and toss it in." She did so and smiled. "That's all it is."

"Your people actually believe tossing money into a fountain of water will grant their wishes?" She asked in a non-believing tone.

"Well, hai."

"C'mon! That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!" She laughed and turned away. "What a load of bull."

Bra's face fell. "It's just something we do..."

"It's okay. Forget about it." Bulma shook her head. "Let's go." The trio began to walk away but Kat took one last look at the water. Bringing out a coin of her own, she quickly threw it in.

"Please let that dream be just a dream and nothing more."

***

Both Vegeta and Trunks were waiting for them when they got back, looking incredibly annoyed.

"You could of at least left a note!" Vegeta shouted instantly. "I thought you got abducted or something."

Katrinka huffed and turned away. "Even if we did, I could of handled it. I *do* know how to fight."

"I do too!" Bra added.

"Thanks for caring Vegeta," Bulma said sarcastically before she gathered up her shopping bags to take up to her room.

Bra just ignored them while Kat blew a raspberry, her tail making lazy circles in the air.

That night something unusual happened, it was even weirder than the dream by Katrinka's standards. She was gazing into a mirror, trying to get rid of a particularly annoying tangle in her hair, when the glass began to change. Her reflection literally swirled and melted to change into a different scene entirely. One that was beginning to be all too familiar.

Ancient Vegeta-sei. A garden in fact.

After the initial shock wore off, Kat's unique curiosity rose once again to bite her on the behind. Taking her index finger, she poked at the glass.

It rippled just like a pond after a pebbled fell into it. She jerked her finger back as if it were burned and blinked.

"I don't know whether to be frightened or awed."

"Neither," Something whispered. "Neither."

She looked all around the room, not spotting anyone at all. "Who's there? What do you want?"

The voice came again but this time stronger. "I want you. Just you."

"What in the world do you mean?" She slowly inched closer to the mirror, clutching her hair brush in a death-like grip. "What can I do?" Then she realized it. "You have something to do with that dream don't you!"

There was no positive response. Instead, she got a cryptic one. "Do you believe? Are there shadows in your sight?"

"Huh?"

"Step into the pool, Katrinka of the Wilds, and discover what you are. Discover the true Legend of the Saiyan."

Kat chuckled nervously and backed away. "I think I'll pass but thanks anyway."

"What are you afraid of Katrinka?" It asked softly. "The unknown or fear itself?"

"I still have no idea what you're talking about but I'll come. If I do, will you leave me alone?"

It was silent a few moments before it answered. "I can not promise you that. It is beyond my control."

"Well it's good enough for me." Kat had gotten over her fear and began to walk towards the mini portal. "I'm wondering about the past. Maybe this can help."

"If you are ready, place your hands on the glass and concentrate." She did so and her reality began to fade at the edges, leaving her in a brief moment of complete and utter darkness. They she was flying, flying high above the planet.

"This is the true planet of the saiyans." The voice informed her. "The Ancient Ones were kind and thoughtful only taking from nature what they needed and always giving something back in return.

But something awakened the hidden evil inside each and every one of them, something that changed a whole civilization for the rest of time. Katrinka," he finished, "you must find that artifact."

"Whoa! What a minute there!" She stopped and stared at the being. "Savin' worlds aren't in my contract! It's not even in my area of expertise!"

"Oh?" Then the voice became crafty. "I hire you then."

She became suspicious. "How much are we talkin'?"

"The amount is knowledge. The knowledge of your origin. I can tell you that Katrinka. I can tell you that and oh so many other things. But only if you agree to help me."

She was torn instantly. The knowledge she wished for her whole life in exchange for a service she couldn't possibly do.

"Oh but you can!" The voice said to her, reading her thoughts. "You just do not know it yet."

They gently floated to the ground among a field of bright wildflowers. She sat hard and gave the figure a disbelieving look. "I agree so go ahead. You're going to tell me no matter what I say."

"Good! You're catching on!" Moving it's arm in a wide arc, the glowing figure created a circle that made the very air change in the center of it. Kat gasped and leaned forward. "You are not a normal being Katrinka. You are created from the very fabric of space and time itself. Your eyes hold the light of the stars, your hair the fire of the sun, your heart the will of mankind, and your soul the spirit of existence as a whole. You are created of the very same material gods are Katrinka, the very same."

She sat there, stunned beyond all comprehension, simply trying to absorb all that was said. Regaining herself after a moment she gasped out. "My origin? That's my origin?"

The being shimmered and continued to explain. "Look into the circle Katrinka. It will show you all things." She did so and he went on. "You, god child, also have another purpose. You are a defender of time itself, or rather it's main keeper. You are a Time Warrior, child, and a very good one at that."

"Why don't I..?" She trailed off. Unable to form the words.

"Won't don't you remember any of this? 'Tis simple Katrinka. There was no need."