The Reality Vortex: New Roads

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“Oh, likewise.” Superman responded in kind to the tall angel. “Whiskey, right? I heard you from a sh—” Superman turned to Gogeta mentioning Clark Kent, preventing him from finishing his sentence. Someone has the same name as him and is also an reporter? Raising a eyebrow in confusion, he rubbed his chin. “Huh? But that’s… my name? Is someone out here impersonating me?" He questioned. "How long has it been since I got ambushed?"
 
"Ah... um... just miss is fine." Bernkastel didn't seem to want to utter her own name aloud just yet. For the moment she wanted to observe this person that knew Vegetto from the trials, who caught them by surprise. "Y-yes, the Coin Hunter won't be of a bother to anyone anytime soon..." She trailed off having realized Whis's disguise shared the same name as this man whose alias was Superman. The hair was similar, but this man speaks quite strangely and is running around in colored undergarments.

"The Clark we met earlier today wore glasses and a nice suit, sir. We don't really read newspapers." In fact, Bern seemed to become more confused that he bore similar resemblance to Ultraman than a guy who wore glasses. "But then again, there are multiple versions of the same Saiyan running around, so maybe... oh? Your eyes... they're very... different, to the ones we're used to seeing." Superman's eye color was not shared by Whis's disguise or Ultraman, she noted.
 
Cross says "They are not needed either but thanks to that walking war Crime (Detective Goku) you have a point Lucifer." 

Cross says as a matter of fact "there are exceptions to every rule."
 
Whis bowed his head slightly.

“Whis, actually. It’s quite alright; some people forget to take off the last few letters when speaking my name.”

Gogeta kept a small frown, and despite Bernkastel’s discretion in avoiding Whis’ alternate identity, the fusion blurted out his opinion without tact and strategy.

“That’s your name too? But I thought that was Whis’ name when he helped us fight Ultraman?”

Yet despite the revelation, Whis stared back at Gogeta and Bernkastel in genuine confusion, frowning slightly.

“Me? I don’t recall ever using that name before, or helping you with this Ultraman.”
 
Superman looked at Whis after Gogeta stated, or at least he thought, that he was the one who held the name of Clark Kent. However, Whis denied bearing such name, nor have anything to do with Ultraman. “Oh brother…” Superman said—he didn’t know any context regarding Ultraman or what he have done, but apparently something happened since they kept mentioning him. “Well, my eyes are a bit unique in a sense. I’m a composite of all my incarnations, well, except for Ultraman that is, as you encountered. So I doubt you encounter another me out here aside from him…”

“Are you absolutely sure you heard that name?” Superman asked the small Cat. He looked around, checking all the remaining people that are still in the room, including Lucifer, Cross and Bara. Yet, he doesn’t recognize any of them, except for Cross. “….Breakers?” He looks at Gogeta, staring his facial features and all, but nothing quite click in his head—he cannot seem to get any glimpse of the identity of these people in front of him.

Lucifer raised a brow. “What, did a stranger help you against Ultraman? I thought you were well hated by that point. Who wanted to help you out?”

Superman shook his head. “Apparently someone is taking my name. I bet one of those RNN guys thought it’ll be a funny joke or something. But I guess I can’t get upset since they did help you out against my buddy. Though I’m surprise he’s back to his old ways… would’ve thought he changed by that point, get  a nice lady and be a hero he aspire to be.”
 
Cross says "Lucifer its to the uninform mass that we are hated by. Its true the inform are rare especial because of the tendency to go to subspace and its to early for most them to show up if at all. "
 
It was at that moment that Brachi came back into the room, and blinked as she noticed Superman. Upon spotting the torn pocket of Majin Bara's pants, she deducted it must have been a coin she had with her.

"Well then..." She said.
 
"So there's only one of you?" Bernkastel placed a paw under her muzzle, finding the idea he presented to her very strange, yet not entirely unlike the existence of Alter Beings. Could it be there are more people out there like Superman and Hart? "But Ultraman remains separate from you who is a composite... this is quite confusing indeed."

Hearing Whis express confusion at Gogeta's statement, Bern herself became momentarily confused... no, she was sure it was Whis. The person they saw on the street had very similar mannerisms to Whis in both posture and pattern of speech. But if it wasn't Whis, who else could it have been?! No outsider knows intimate details like 'Kent' did. At least, she was sure nobody would consider them to be surface-level details. If this his way of keeping it secret, he's very convincing at making even me question what I saw! Aah, I don't even have any real proof to definitively know it was Whis! It's the devil's proof! She thought with mild distress, her nose twitching the more she reviewed her memories. Who else did she know that knew the Breakers this well before this new world was created? Who else was capable of performing such a disguise?

"I have quite good hearing... could it be I misheard? Hmm... strange. As for Ultraman," Bernkastel used her brief discomfort to shift the subject. "I can say he's certainly changed into an impressively strong person. Whether he chooses to call himself a hero in the future or not is his own choice... but I believe he won't be held back by things like prestige and image anymore." Even though she technically lost to Ultraman in battle, she was satisfied at having been able to see the fruits of pushing him that far with Gogeta, though it could be construed as a rather extreme method; the both of them walked away changed people. "Yes... I think he is free now. I do wish he had better taste in women though. As for you, what shall you do now that you're free from your slumber, Mr. Superman?"
 
Gogeta frowned at Whis' denial, but in the ensuing conversation, he turned his attention back to Ultraman. He furrowed his brow a bit, looking Superman up and down in an attempt to analyze him better, but the fusion rubbed his chin with a small frown.

"Huh, even if you go do something else, is it gonna be as good as Ultraman? Your name makes you sound like you're a weaker version of him...but you guys don't look anything alike. Are you guys rivals or something? Cause I was his rival first!"

Whis' head whipped back slightly, his own disgruntled look of confusion clearly shaking the taller angel in a way that was normally uncharacteristic of him. He paused, his eyes darting back and forth between Gogeta and Superman for a brief moment, his tone clearly aggitated.

"What are you talking about? He and Ultraman look exactly alike; just like you and Vegetto."

Gogeta shrugged his shoulders slightly, glancing down at Bernkastel with a plain stare.

"I don't see it. Do you Burn?"
 
Superman lowered his head after hearing that Ultraman actually did changed his ways. Should shoulders bounce once as he smiled upon the news. Uplifting his spirits hearing that he managed to change his way—although he did shown concern of his taste of women, he’d hope that it wasn’t anything worse than Superwoman. “Well… my situation was deliberate case from Doctor Doom. The others might be a different case since Ultraman was a deliberate choice to be excluded. But never mind that, all that matters that Ultraman is free. That’s soothe my soul like Uncle’s soul foods at a BBQ.”

“Rivals? Nothing of the sort, I guess you can say that. He’s always been chasing my tail for a long time… but after I retired from hero work for a while, Ultraman lost his way and meaning. But it seems he finally found himself.” Superman said. “If you are his first real rival, do make sure you give him some experience! He’s never attempt to actually “practice” his strength since he usually kills this enemies before they get strong to challenge him that pushed him.” 
 
Though when Whis brought up that Gogeta and Vegetto look alike, the Kryptonian paused for a second at Gogeta. Superman stared at him intensely, curiosity trying to see the resemblance. “I don’t see it.” Superman said. “Maybe it’s the bangs? Nah... not even close. Nothing alike at all.”

He’d placed his finger on his chin, thinking about the question Bernkastel asked him about what he will do next. “I have an idea where to go. There are a few things I need to take care of first in Reflection City, then I'll find my friend.” Superman said. “I do thank you for defeating that Rainbow Warrior, and other people. I’ll be in your debt, and one day, I’ll repay that favor in the future, so hopefully, we cross paths in the future."
 
"Deliberately excluded...?" Bernkastel trailed off, briefly wondering to herself what made Doom choose this person to be part of the trials. He seemed perfectly sane unlike that megalomaniac, but then again, Wordplay wasn't necessarily evil or insane either. She scratched at her ear, the first time she ever really thought about why those people were chosen. Especially this concept about composites and exclusions, but it didn't seem important enough to Superman. It sounded foreign to her though.

Gogeta's question brought her out of that trance. "Hm? Oh, yes, I'd say there used to be a resemblance. But I guess it would be more obvious now how different they are," Bern stated. After all, Ultraman had an eye blown shut and his hair didn't look anything like Superman's anymore. There was also the big letter on their chest. "But you and Vegetto look almost identical, that surely hasn't changed... surely I can tell you apart though!" She said confidently before turning to the Kryptonian. 

"But now that you say that, I'm curious. How far from the Metropolis is Reflection City, anyway? Have you... seen Vegetto anywhere before you were hunted down...? N-no reason of course."
 
“…Really? I still don’t see it. They look nothing alike.” Superman continued his disbelief that the two are identical. He paused for a moment when Bernkastel ask if he ever ran into Vegetto. “I… I cannot say.” Superman thought for a moment. “My memory is all fuzzing at the moment, so I can’t give ya’ll straight answer. Sorry about that. But, if nothing had dramatically change—that much—during the period I was gone, Reflection City should be in the north. It’s quite a trip if I recall, even flying there will take a bit.” 

Superman nodded and headed to the door. “Anyways, thanks for what you have done… but I needs to get going. There’s business I need to take care of. Take care and be safe.” Without waiting for a response, went outside and flew off.

“Reflection City… that’s where the RNN is located. The city have delicious meats. Demon Eyeballs, octopuses, and the delicacy of a monster’s liver.” Lucifer said. “So even he doesn’t know the whereabouts about Vegetto—or at least, doesn’t want to disclose it.”

----

Outside of the Mansion

Spina stared at the sky, seeing Superman disappears from his sight within the clouds. He had an incredible, furious smile on his face. A thrilling excitement about traveling towards new areas. He raise his right fist in the air as he declared. “So many people out there as we laid about… it’s about time we seek what’s actually in this world.” He thought about Cuki, frowning when her image came in his head, but didn’t utter anything else. Instead, Spina stood still, staring at his right hand in silence.
 
Cross says as he reads his book "I have to agree with Lucifer with it being a good source of meat. I would advise agency some thing called grilled Ork's Liver." Cross says "how ever it seems that we may have our first location to explore."
 
Whis nodded curtly, watching silently on as Superman departed. Gogeta rubbed his chin, his frown deepening as Lucifer finished speaking.

“He’s gotta know where Vegetto is.”

Whis kept his smile in nodding curtly.

“I believe he does too. It seemed as if he was restricting himself from speaking rather than simply not knowing.”

Gogeta grinned widely, pumping his fists.

“Then let’s go to Reflection City tomorrow! We can go see him right away!”

Whis narrowed his eyes slightly, his smile dropping slightly.

“I believe a more pressing matter would be to mend our current situation with Cuki. After resting, we should find her and try to fix the damage.”
 
"What a strange thing to do. But people like that are hard to read." Bernkastel stretched her back before curling into a ball at the end of the sofa. "I agree we should stay here before going out on a wild goose chase... depending on how long Superman has been a Coin, Vegetto could have traveled elsewhere. I know she has been with us longer than him but..." her whiskers drooped downwards. "I can only hope things go well the second time around." 

The only thing Bern had to comfort herself about was the Cuki she recognized was still there. Vegetto's absence of three years may as well have made him a mere acquaintance on the street. So one situation felt a little less uncertain than the other, but the way Spina snapped threw a wrench into it. Nobody could ever tell what was going on in that guy's head.

I wonder if we're all still strangers to each other in some capacity.
 
Cross says to Gogate "I well aware of what needs don but the problem is that the Cuki thing is not going to be a quick fix if its able to be fixed. You can thank Byakko for that and us for falling to be critical. All we can do is hope that Byakko claws are not that deep in her and that we can make it up to her."
 
It was the middle of the night and Cuki's apartment was still fixing itself together long after the battle ended. The roof was still missing and the rooms were a complete disaster. Cuki sighed upon seeing the state of her apartment, knowing it would take a least another day for it to finish repairing itself. The words of all the Breakers rang in her head and her confidence sunk to an all-time low. The lights did not work and nearly every piece of her furniture was ruined. The girl stared at the remains and sniffled. She managed to find her first aid kit, battered and broken, underneath all the rubble. Some supplies were missing but once the repairs were done, she would have everything back. She sat on top of some debris in the middle of the living room while she began to slowly patch herself up, sniffling and whimpering as she did so. All she thought about were the good times she spent with the Breakers.

While she wrapped her wounds, her crying became harder to hide and she soon felt tears roll down her cheeks and on to her bandaged arm. She tried to hold back her tears as she found some colorful band-aids, the same ones she placed on the Breakers when they felt bad about something. She began to place one on the bite wound she got from Bernkastel but the adhesive was ruined thanks to the fight and it did not stick properly. She tried again with another band-aid and then another, none of which stuck on to her. Cuki watched the last one slip off her hand and flop on the floor before the silent atmosphere was broken by the sounds of her painful cries.

Cuki hid her face within her hands, crying as loud as she could.

...Of course we would prioritize the chance to return home than worrying about staying with you!

...Saving the people we were supposed to be fighting, yeah, what a great friend you are!

...then perhaps you aren't deserving of these friendships.

...That's just as selfish as anyone wanting to go home, isn't it?

...Why don't you take your brain parasite and go far away if you're so sick of it?

...You shitty brat!

"Stop it..! Stop..! I couldn't do anything..! I tried to tell you guys but I couldn't..! I had no power... It's.. not my fault! I... I was so scared..!" Cuki said outloud. "I needed you guys... I trusted you guys but you all... you all... blame it on... me... I thought you would... help me..!" Cuki gripped at her chest, the emotional pain being too much for her. "I made them mad... I meant nothing to them..! I'm... I'm all alone again..! No more Spina, no more Kettles, no more Master..."

As Cuki cried to herself, Zenta landed softly on the broken remains of the balcony after finally catching up with his student. He gazed at her in silence, hearing her weeping out to her friends. He could not bear to hear his student wail in pain but it was best for her to get things off her chest. He continued to listen, taking a seat on the floor as she expressed her feelings. He thought to himself and how to approach Cuki at such a delicate time in her life. He found his chance when he overheard Cuki mention him. The pacifist snickered, catching the attention of Cuki who seemed shocked to see him there.

"My, my, when did I say I would leave you?" He laughed.

"Master! I... I..!"

"I jest, Cuki." He approached Cuki slowly until finding a seat in the rubble next to her. He then looked up at the night sky above them. His tone went from soft to a little more serious. "Cuki, we need to talk about your behavior from earlier. It was something that, not only made matters worse for you but embarrassed me a bit. The Breakers think I raised a savage, ohoho!"

Cuki frowned before looking down at the floor as she listened to her Master. All that she could muster were sniffles and hiccups as she tried to stop her crying.

"I understand if you don't want to keep me as your pupil..." Cuki's tears started to show. "I said a lot of stupid things."

"Cuki, I would never abandon you no matter how disastrous your mistake is. What matters is that you learn from it. Mistakes are a part of life and are unavoidable no matter how simple or divine you may be. Everyone deals with them differently."

"Yeah, well... Kettles and Geegee(Gogeta) hate me after what I said to them. Mr. Spina probably hates me too, even Mr. Whis..."

Zenta chuckled again as he shook his head at Cuki's worried mind. He placed a hand on top of her head and rubbed her ears before standing up in order to move some rubble away from the living room. He easily tossed large chunks of debris and trash to the side until he made a flat surface for he and Cuki and properly sit on. Cuki watched silently as her Master urged her to come lay down on the ground with him. She did so sheepishly, laying down opposite of him so that the top of her head touched his. Both of them gazed up towards the night sky.

"Back home, whenever you were stressed out about something, you gazed at the stars and talked all night until asking for advice. Maybe it will work again."

Cuki remained silent as she counted a few stars and thought heavily about the events of today. A calm sensation coursed through her tiny body. She didn't know where the feeling came from but it felt relaxing in such a dire time she was in. Was it her Master or was it her body remembering the sensation after reliving it again?

"I just don't want Kettles and the others to hate me... I know what I said to them wasn't right but they were mean to me too! I thought I meant a little more to them, y'know? Instead, they flip it and say it's my fault! But I couldn't do anything to warn them... I just didn't want them to leave. I... I didn't want to be alone again..." Cuki sniffled and her cheeks started to get puffy. "Even though our universe was gone, I thought that if we beat Dr. Doom, everything would go back to normal and our universe would return! But when you were erased by Dr. Doom... I... I..."

Cuki finally broke down, her words being choked out by tears and strong emotions.

"When you vanished, I lost everything..! I was scared of going back home because I would be all alone, this time for good! I had no memory of anyone there, no memory of what was my home or town, heck, not even the memory of our enemies. All I had left was you... and you were gone..." Cuki had to pause in order to ease her crying and catch her breath. "None of them could understand that because they all had family and friends to return to... Veggie, Kettles, Ms. Brachi, even Mr. Spina... They all had someone to return to. The only person I had was you and you were taken away from me... I had absolutely no one left. The Breakers never saw me as a friend so everything is exactly as how I got here... lonely. I don't want to be alone again, but maybe Kettles and the others are right, I should just leave..."

"I apologize for leaving such a heavy pain on you, Cuki..." Zenta frowned. "Leaving will not change anything, Cuki but actions will."

"But they barely even know me anymore! They know Byakko more than me! I'm not as strong as them or as smart... I can't find a way to stand out because I'm nothing like them..."

"You worry too much about being someone you are not. It is as I told you before, Cuki; you will never be like them because you are you. You will never find your true identity by imitating others and you must learn to find differences in things you think are similar."

"But I really look up to you and Kettles and Mr. Spina, Veggie, even Geegee! Old people have a lot of wisdom, that's why I want to be just like you and them!"

"Tell me Cuki, are you going to perform magical miracles like Lady Bernkastel? Have a transformation unique like Mr. Spina? Have the weight of responsibilities that Mr. Vegetto and Gogeta carry? Are you going to cut out your own eyes so you can be blind like me?"

"Errm, well... no, not really..."

"Then replicating us will be difficult, no? Being inspired by them is a great thing, and it helps build your character, but you cannot expect them to know who you are when you barely know yourself, Cuki."

There was a long pause before Cuki's ears lowered. She felt foolish for saying the things she said to the Breakers but still felt that they were in the wrong too. She looked at the stars for some answers.

"So what do I do..? How do I find my identity?"

"I cannot answer that for you, Cuki... That is a path only you must take. Perhaps fixing your mistakes will help guide you in the right direction. Test yourself against the Breakers and their beliefs. You will certainly step on some toes, but the experience is something that will help you grow."

"You think we can all be friends again? Even after everything that's happened?"

"I believe so but the choice is yours, Cuki. They must deal with their own quarrels as well, so it will be very interesting to see you all reunite once again."

"What if they don't apologize..? They sure seemed confident about being right and showed no signs of taking it back or guilt..."

"Just like you, they will need to see the error in their way, however, overcoming it is up to the individual. How they handle the situation will show their struggle or lack of it. Guilt, when mixed with time, can eat away at even the most hardened stones. I would not worry about them one bit." Zenta moved his arm to gently tickle Cuki on the side of her neck. Hearing his student giggle seemed to ease the situation as well as lift her spirits. "Well then, I am quite curious to know what has happened during those three years I was away. I know you were trapped but you saw and heard everything, yes? I would like to know what you know."

"You sure? I mean, it's a lot to talk about..." Cuki pondered.

"I will listen to every word, Cuki."

Cuki's face turned to a tearful smile as she quickly wiped away at the few tears that managed to escape. For the first time in three years, she finally had time to bond with her Master. Her inner child came out and there were moments where she had to hold her tears back since the thought of finally talking to her Master overwhelmed her. The experience was alien to her despite knowing him all her life. It was something she could finally enjoy. It was something she always wanted. Something she will never forget. It was... acceptance.

"Well, it all started when we caught Mr. Spina watching the gardening channel..."

The laughs of Cuki and her Master were the only things that echoed throughout the night in the ruined apartment complex.
 

The warmth transferred when we clasped hands
It also showed your kindness
Enough to make an imprint on my soul

Setting out… for far away
Warm feelings of friendship now shine in your eyes

I can’t say… goodbye
Only holding back my tears, I stayed quiet, and whispered
“I won’t forget you…”

The things we couldn’t do alone, we could when we were together
I started to say so, but stopped speaking
Because I was about to cry

Shining… memories
Because those distant days will shine for ever

I can’t say… goodbye
As you wave to me now, I stay quiet, and merely swear
That… I won’t forget you…

Only holding back my tears, I stayed quiet, and whispered
“I won’t forget you…”

END OF THE NEW ROADS ARC​
 
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