Chapter Text
“ Urrrrrrg… ”
“That was a hefty groan. What’s up?” Jessica, my auburn-haired assistant and close friend, asked me as she passed by my desk, carrying multiple folders and binders in her arms as she did.
“It’s Monday…” I answered with a groggy voice as I placed my forehead on my desk. I proceeded to groan again, my voice muffled by the desk this time. My co-worker only gave a few small chuckles in response to my dismay.
“Mondays aren’t that bad.” She tried to convince me.
“Blasphemy!” I yelled in response. “Mondays are the devil!”
“Oh, now you’re exaggerating.” Jessica sighed with a small frown.
“Not at all. Mondays are the absolute worst for everyone.” I told her. “It’s the only day we have to come to work at 5 a.m. AND we have to stay here the entire day despite the holidays being right around the corner because we’re behind schedule! And to make things worse, the boss needs me to make three entirely new programs to help the others work more efficiently. Does he even know how hard it takes to make just one program!?” I then groaned louder as I let my head fall onto my desk with a thud.
“That’s what happens when you're a major member of a department in the company. It’s proof of how far we’ve come.” Jessica said with a smile.
“We work at a dead-end office job that’s just a normal trading firm…” I deadpanned. I ran my hands down my face after saying that. “We spent our whole adolescence in miserable schools and then an additional four years at college just to end up here… What has life come to?” I then shot up from my seat, angrily tightening my hand into a fist. “The injustice of it all! What’s the point of my computer science and engineering degree!?”
“Yeah...but the pay is really good despite all of that, especially since we’re so high up the totem pole!” Jessica beamed.
I could only stare at my junior of 2 years in disbelief. I don’t understand how she can be so optimistic all the time. But that’s how she’s always been, I guess. Completely different from me, that’s for sure. She sees us as accomplished adults. I see us as office lackeys. She sees bright colors in the workplace. I point out the bleakness and gray tones. She makes friends with everyone easily. I still hate our HR representative, Toby. We’re total opposites, but I guess that’s how we’ve managed to be such good friends all this time.
Oh, right. Introductions. I’m...meh. Who cares, really? As I said, I’m just a guy who works at a normal trading firm you can find anywhere. Not really ‘main character’ levels of awesome, and I doubt I ever will be like that. But hey. You get what you pay for, right? Heh. But still, I can’t imagine why anyone would want to know anything about me. I’m nothing special. I'm completely average in every way. So completely forgettable I can become invisible just by standing still for a while.
Not to say that I’m bad at anything, but I’m not amazing at anything, either. A jack of all trades, I guess. Master of none. Still, Jessica and a few others insist I have plenty of good points but do I actually if I can’t see them? So what if other people say I’m a ‘good guy’ or that I’m ‘really smart’ if I don’t feel like I am? I just try to do my work and not bother anyone, the same as anyone else. I just put on my usual customer service smile whenever dealing with anyone, and I just get through life as I can. It is a boring life, though, but better boring than regretful or painful. Wouldn’t really call it ‘living’, though.
Of course, as someone in their mid-20s, life is...eh. I’ve gotten used to it for the most part. The small apartment had finally gotten that nice homey feeling to it now. The daily grind has started to become less of a grind, too, so that’s something to note. Unfortunately, I’m all alone in this little boring life since I barely have time for anything, but a relationship is hardly a major focus for me right now, anyway. But Jessica is right about the pay being a lot better than you would expect from a normal paper company, and since I’m a smooth talker and managed to make the rent on my apartment lower than it should be, life is actually pretty good, all things considered. Still doesn’t mean working for so long on a freaking Monday is suddenly okay.
“So, do you have any plans for after we get off?” Jessica asked me as she handed me some paperwork. Ever the diligent assistant.
“Sleep.” I told her as I looked at what she handed me, causing her to drop her head with disappointment and annoyance. “Why? Something happening today?” She pouted at me when she heard that.
“Of course you forgot. You always forget.” She grumbled, leaving me a little confused by what she meant. “Since you’ve forgotten again, I guess there’s no need for subtly.” She sighed before lightly chopping my head, causing me to yelp as I rubbed where she hit me.
“Ow! What was that for!?”
“Happy birthday, dummy.” She told me in a deadpan voice. That got me to pause as I processed that. Right...it’s my birthday. It’s true that I always forget it. Not a very important date, after all. Birthdays really lose their appeal when you’re my age. Life feels like it flies by in an instant, after all. When one birthday comes, the next one is suddenly right around the corner, and all it does is make me feel old.
“Okay, yeah, I’ll give you that. I totally forgot, but did you really have to hit me?”
“Yeah! What kind of person forgets their own birthday as often as you do? I swear you’re such an airhead! I’m surprised you didn’t pop like a balloon when I hit you.”
“Okay, rude .” I grumbled. “And if anyone here is an airhead, it’s you.”
“Like you have any right to tell me that.” Jessica huffed as she crossed her arms and pouted.
“I swear you’re such a child.” I moaned as I went back to looking over the paperwork. “But I suppose I do have to thank you for remembering my birthday. So thanks, Jess.”
“No problem, Boss! Anything to finally get you to crack even a small smile!” She told me with a laugh.
“I-I’m not smiling!” I shot back, feeling my cheeks get a little warm as she started laughing more. I mumbled a curse as I turned back to my work. “Right, so…” I began to pick up the worksheets again. “What about tonight? You had something planned to celebrate?”
“Yep! You down?” She asked me with a cheeky smile as she brushed some of her long hair from her eyes and glasses. I sighed, knowing I wouldn’t be able to say no to her. I never can when she gets this excited. Such a child…
“Sure… We’re on holiday break for the next few days, so it’s fine. But you’re taking all the blame if something bad happens…” I told her.
“Yep, yep!” She cheered. I swear, she still acts like she’s a teenager sometimes. I wish I could live as happily as she could every day. And so we continued with the day, finishing up our respective work until finally, FINALLY, the day ended. After clocking out, Jess and I put on our winter coats and walked out of the office, and we started our walk back home as snow lightly fell down upon the city.
“So where exactly are we headed for this, and what are we even doing?” I asked her before yawning.
“My place, of course!” Jessica told me with a big grin.
“Your place?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. “Should I be concerned?”
“Huh? About what?” She asked while tilting her head in a confused manner.
“Nevermind…” I mumbled while shaking my head. “What do you have planned?”
“The usual.” She smirked at me. “I have a Disney Plus account now, so I was thinking we could binge the Marvel Cinematic Universe!”
“Really?” I asked while holding back a groan. “I’m not sure if that’s what I want to spend my holiday break doing.”
“Oh, come on! You haven’t seen a single one of those movies! It’s like a crime!”
“Not true. I’ve seen the Incredible Hulk movie.”
“That one hardly counts!”
“It was a good movie!”
“Whatever. You just haven’t seen the really good stuff yet.” Jess smirked. “C’mon! I have popcorn and snacks and everything! It’ll be great!”
“God, you’re such a nerd.” I shook my head in defeat. “Fine, fine. We’ll go to your place and watch the show for a while.” I said. “Still not staying up all night for it. And no beer.”
“I’ll take it!” Jess cheered, her arm shooting up into the air victoriously.
“You’re such a child. Honestly.” I shook my head while laughing slightly.
“It’s better to be a kid still than to be a moody adult like you.” She shot back with a smirk.
“That’s a low blow. I’ll have you know I have to ‘adult’ more than others, and I hate every moment of it.” I gave a dry chuckle. That’s when I felt it . It was happening again. I quickly moved my head behind me, trying to figure out where it was coming from. I quickly looked all around me, desperately trying to find the source. But once again, just like the other times, there was nothing. “Damn it…” I muttered under my breath.
“...Is it happening again?” Jess asked in a serious tone as she stopped walking to look at me.
“Yeah.” I nodded.
“And you’re sure you’re not just imagining things?”
“Jess, this has been happening since we were kids. I know someone is stalking me.” I said as I took another look around. “I just don’t know why they’d be stalking me still after this long.”
Just the street, only a couple of people were out and about due to how late it was, and none of them were paying us any attention. Damn it. I’m not crazy.
Ever since I was a kid, a little after I lost my parents, I would get this feeling like a fight or flight response. That feeling that someone was watching my every move...the feeling of danger and dread when it happened…like I was being judged for my every action… It’s extremely unnerving each and every time, even when it’s been happening for so long. But every time I look around, there’s no one I can see that might be the cause. Who would even stalk me for this long? I’m nothing special, so why…? I shook the thoughts away. Forget about it… Jess is probably right. It’s just nothing...right?
“Nevermind… Forget it.” I told Jess as I went back to walking.
“Are you sure? If there really is someone watching you, then we should-”
“I said forget it, Jess. It’s like you said. I’m probably just paranoid.” I groaned as I ran my hand down my face. “Let’s keep walking. It’s still a few blocks away from your place, and we don’t want to stay out too long when it’s this late.”
“R-Right.” She nodded as she hurried her pace to keep up with me.
We continued walking in silence after that. Even though I said to forget it, I couldn’t get my mind off the feeling from before. It’s still here. They’re still watching me. But who? That’s when I had a thought. This city is full of extremely large buildings and skyscrapers. But...they couldn’t, could they?
With narrowed eyes, I subtly looked up at the wall of massive towers around us, and that’s when I finally saw it. A silhouette. Someone was standing at the very top of one of the tallest buildings here, but they were hardly noticeable due to how far away they were. No wonder no one, least of all myself, could ever notice them. Hell, I can’t even tell if it’s a person. It’s more of a dot from where I’m standing, but it’s certainly not supposed to be there. Just a faint silhouette of something.
“Who the hell are you?” I mumbled as I stared at who I thought was my lifelong stalker. Who could it possibly be? And...why do I get this feeling they’re laughing at me right now?
“Watch out!”
I was brought back to reality when I heard Jess yell at me. That’s when I finally noticed the bright lights that were on me. I had stopped in the middle of a crosswalk, and now there was a truck heading toward me. The typical late-night drunk driver. And I was going to be his latest victim.
Oh… That’s why I felt like that strange silhouette was laughing at me.
BAM!!!
And just like that, my life ended. The truck hit me dead on, and I died instantly. There was only a brief moment where I felt pain all across my body, but it disappeared just as quickly as it came, along with all my other senses. Whatever might have happened after I got hit, I’ll never know. I was dead, truly. Everything had gone dark, and all was still. Quiet. Everything was quiet, and everything was dark. So this is death? It’s surprisingly comfortable. I feel as though...I can finally rest. Maybe I can sleep now after years of insomnia. Did people mourn for me? Do people miss me? I don’t know. I wouldn’t. But even though I should feel regretful for dying at such a young age in such a normal, bland, and even cliche death, I’m just happy it’s finally over. No more pain. No more stress. Just peace. And maybe even sleep. That sounds nice right now.
But while I was trying to enjoy the afterlife, something began to change around me. My senses, which had dulled with death, suddenly began to pick something up. Voices. Voices that were close to me. But that can’t be right. I’m dead.
“This seems unnecessary.” One of them muttered.
“Are you doubting me?” Another voice said. This one gave me chills. Why am I...afraid of it?
“No. It’s just that...will this really help with your objective?”
“Most definitely. This soul I have in my hands is very intriguing. The darkness inside is something I wasn’t expecting.” The other voice chuckled. “Negativity and darkness create so much energy, and this poor soul has so much potential.” That’s when I felt the person turn to me as if they were addressing my very soul, causing me to shiver. I can’t even see who this person is, so why do I feel such a towering presence in front of me?
“Do you believe death is what awaits you?” The voice asked with an evil chuckle. “Not yet. You cannot fade just yet. You are still an interesting specimen. No, an interesting soul. Yes...you will do just fine. You have great potential to become someone twisted and distorted. You are already partly there. Such a lovely creature. I wonder… How many times will you let yourself suffer? And how much will you change things if given the chance? How long will you continue trying your hardest when, no matter what happens, you are powerless to change anything of importance? I will watch and see just how entertaining you are. Remember, no matter what alterations to the timeline you make, it’s all within my control. You have no power, and you have no choice. you are MINE to use, and I will use you as I please.”
As soon as the voice finished its threat against me, suddenly, the darkness started to swarm and surge. It was like I was being dropped into an ocean of black, sinking and drowning in the darkness. The last thing I could remember before everything went back to quiet nothingness, I heard that voice laugh again.
“I look forward to seeing how well you adjust to your new role as a pawn.”
And that's when everything became dulled once again.
Soon after I sank into the dark depths, I slept for I don’t know how long. I didn’t even know if I was sleeping. Everything felt like it was a far-off memory. Or a scattered dream. A scattered dream that’s like a far-off memory? Or a far-off memory that’s like a scattered dream?
Both felt right.
Nothing felt real, but reality tended to lie, hiding everything in view in obscurity and shadows. I don’t know where I was or how long I had been there. All I knew was that I was fading in and out of consciousness. I didn’t even know I was supposed to have consciousness in the afterlife. The only thing I was sure of was that I was tired. Now, as an insomniac, that isn’t a particularly new feeling, but I’ve never been this tired. I was so, so, so tired, but it still felt like rest was impossible for some reason.
Though I tried as I might to get even some comforting rest, strange things were happening all around me. It felt like I was being moved by something, as I could feel light bumps where I was. It was also warm all around me, yet claustrophobic as well. I hardly cared to pay much attention to anything, though, as it was extremely hard to focus on anything with how exhausted I was. That and I couldn’t see anything. But eventually, I felt a push after I didn't know how long. I initially ignored it, but then it started getting faster and stronger. That’s when I realized that it was trying to push me out of the warmth. I wanted to resist, but my body refused to move the way I wanted it to. It was like my body was unresponsive, though do I have a body if I’m dead? I guess it doesn’t matter as something pushes me out of this afterlife.
I soon stopped trying to resist it altogether (my attempt barely being able to be considered an attempt, really), and I was pushed out of the warmth. Now thrust into a blindingly bright room, I was hit by incredibly cold air and the sensation of something entering my lungs. Was I not breathing? Wait, I have to breathe in death? That’s when I felt something that was attracted to my stomach be cut off, causing me slight pain.
After that, I heard distant voices start talking around me, but I could even pay them any attention. I was still so tired. I just wanted to rest. I felt my breathing slowing down as I began to let the familiar darkness from before taking me once again. I don’t want to do anything right now other than sleep forever. The voices seemed to get more frantic as this was happening, and I heard rapid footsteps all around. That’s when I heard a soft, trembling voice.
"Please, don't leave us when you just became a part of our family. I know you're strong, so please, don't die." A woman begged me. Am I dying? But I already died. I can’t die a second time. You’re dead after you’ve been killed. But if I am still alive, shouldn’t I try to live? But...I’m so tired.
“I thought I told you that you can’t fade away just yet.” A familiar voice echoed inside my head.
Before I could even question who that was, I felt a massive pain in my chest. It felt like my heart was beating a million times faster than before. My slowed breaths became faster and faster now against my will. Now I’m feeling restless. My body burned from the uncomfortable feeling that was now pumping inside me. I had no choice but to start shifting around before I slowly opened my eyes. Once my eyes adjusted to the light, I looked around at my surroundings. I was in a white room that looked similar to a hospital room, though it was a bit different. It seemed foreign, or perhaps ‘more advanced’ is the better way to describe it, or perhaps alien. I also saw people in the room, all adults of varying appearances. They all had a few things in common, though. They all had black hair, black eyes, and, strangely, a brown monkey tail. They also seemed...really big compared to me.
Wait, tails?
“Oh...thank goodness. The child is alive. I was worried the infant would die on us.” One of the people sighed. Infant? They can’t mean me, can they?
“Thank goodness. I was so worried.” The woman from before said joyfully.
I then felt someone's gaze on me and turned my head to them, and then I noticed where I was. I was in the arms of a woman who was lying in a hospital bed. She had shoulder-length black hair and black eyes and looked at me with a wide, tired smile.
"Hey there, little one. I'm your mother." She said happily in almost a whisper. "I'm so happy. I thought I would lose you before I could really meet you." She's my mother? I'm so confused right now. In an attempt to make sense of everything, I looked down at myself, only to see a small body with a tail wrapped in a blanket.
It took a few seconds for everything to settle in my mind. No… No… NOOOOO!!!! This CAN’T be happening! Why!? H-How!? What!?!? I tried to scream, but nothing came out of my throat. NOOOOOOOO!!!! I cursed my undeveloped vocal cords as I turned over and dug myself deep into my blanket. Nope! Nopey nope nope nope no no way nuh-uh NOPE! I did not just die in a car accident to be reborn as a baby! My life did not just turn into a cliche isekai story! I don’t want to live life all over again! I’d rather die than go through puberty again! I DID die! Where’s my afterlife!? Hello, police? I’ve been ROBBED!
“He seems...quite strange for a newborn Saiyan…” The doctor said while I was effectively having a tantrum. That’s when my head perked up. Did he say Saiyan? The hell is a ‘Saiyan’?
“Gine!” My thoughts are interrupted as a man bursts into the room.
My heart nearly stops when I see him. Spiky black hair, familiar black eyes, and that face… Goku? Is that his name? I’m not too familiar with the character, but he’s so iconic even someone like me can at least identify him, especially how Jess was a nerd with all kinds of genres. But…he looks a little different from the art I’ve seen Jess show me during our breaks. That’s when I shook my head or at least attempted to do so. No, there’s no way. Even if I’ve been isekai’d, there’s no way I’d be sent to some stupid anime. An anime I only knew because of how much of a freakin’ weeb Jess was.
That’s when I saw the ‘X’ shaped scar on the man’s face, which only confused me further. I don’t think that ‘Goku’ character from that show (What was it called? Dragon something? Journey to the Dragon, perhaps?) had a scar on his face. And that name he yelled...Gine. Who the hell is that? That’s certainly not a name I recall.
Wait, why am I trying to logic all of this out!? I’ve died and been reborn as some monkey-tail-having baby! At this point, anything is possible. Urgh…I don’t understand anything that’s happening… Of course, since I was a baby and could not speak, no one waited for me to even finish my thoughts, with the man with the scar continuing to talk as he walked towards who must have been his wife and my new mother.
“I’m here! Is the kid-?”
“I’m okay, Bardock, and so is he. He gave us quite the scare, though.” Gine gave a tired laugh. “He’s a bit strange. I’ve never seen a baby not cry after being born, but he’s just staring at us.”
Well, yeah. I’m not actually a baby so I wouldn’t be crying. I feel more uncomfortable than anything else that might make me cry. I’m more surprised you aren’t more suspicious about me not crying. The man who must be my new father. Bardock, I think that Gine lady called him, took a few more steps towards us and looked at me before giving me a surprised expression.
“He looks different from other Saiyans. He’s got silver eyes and white and silver in his hair.” He said.
Silver eyes? White and silver in my hair? That’s new. My old body had straight black hair and brown eyes. So why…? I shook my head. Not like it really matters.
“So what should we name him?” Gine asked Bardock with excitement. “He’s our first son, so we have to do a good job with naming him!”
“Hmm…” Bardock put his hand on his chin as he thought for a moment. “How ‘bout Orion? It’s a strong Saiyan name.”
I mentally groaned at the name. Why did I feel I would get tons of grief for having a name like ‘Orion’? God, it’s such a douche-sounding name. If I had to choose a name, I would want my old one again, which was-
“Orion sounds wonderful!” Gine said happily. Oh, right. Baby. I can’t talk. I have no choice in the matter. Groan… “Our Orion...I love it.” Gine smiled sweetly as she hugged me tightly.
I’m not a big hugger or physical contact sort of person, but the warmth and love of a mother…it’s something I haven’t felt in a while. It was...nice. That’s when Bardock took out some kind of device that looked like a scope or something. He turned it on and took another look at me through it.
“Let’s see… Wonder what his power level is right now. It’ll determine what happens to him in the future after all.” Bardock mumbled as he looked through the scouter at me. “Arrrgh! Stupid scout scope!”
“What’s wrong, Bardock?” Gine asked him.
“My scope must not be working. It’s barely picking anything up from him.” Bardock grumbled. “I’ll have to order a new one.” Power level? What’s that? Why is it barely getting any readings from me? And why do I feel like none of that means anything good for me? Am I missing something? For some reason, I’m getting this deep feeling of dread from that.
“Forget about that for now. We should enjoy our time with our son while we can.” Gine told Bardock.
“Right. Sorry.” Bardock responded before looking back at me warmly. “Orion. My son.” Bardock said softly as he ran his hand through my hair.
That’s who I am now, I guess. Orion. It doesn’t feel right. It feels like the name doesn’t belong to me. Like I’m just using it. Borrowing it. But that hardly matters now. For now, I just want to live. If I was reborn into this world for some reason, then I have to do my best to complete that task, right? Besides, I’d rather not die again. Who knows? Maybe things will turn out okay for me. I mean, what kind of isekai would it be if I suffered a shit ton right off the back, right?
And so I steeled myself for what was to come, unaware of the dark presence watching me from afar.
“Are you sure he is the one you want to use for this?” A man asked as he watched the scene from afar.
“Yes. The darkness inside him will be useful once it blooms.” A woman responded. “It just needs some fuel to be added to the black flame. Some failures and shortcomings should do the trick to tip him off the edge. Once he’s thoroughly cracked from the inside out, we’ll fill the gaps with my power, and he’ll become our ‘shining key’.”
“I suppose… But what exactly is he to us? You have not told me many details about this elaborate plan of yours.”
“Hmm… How should I describe him?” The woman hummed as she tapped her chin. “Well, if you’re my servant, then he’s just a tool at best.”
“A tool?” The man questioned before shaking his head. “That is not exactly what I meant. I was talking more literally. I have not seen a being like him before. His eyes are…different.”
“Oh, is that what you were curious about?” The woman chuckled. “Well, we are what others might call creatures of darkness, yes? Supposed evil monsters who wish for destruction. In contrast, those we fight against are those born of light. Ones who are assumed to have hope in their heart and a desire to protect the world from beings like us. Yet, this boy is neither.”
“Neither?”
“He belongs neither to the light, nor the shadows. Instead, he was born in the twilight between. An entity of gray, making him perfect for my plans.” The woman gave a small smirk. “Perhaps a ‘Nobody’ best conveys the idea.”
“...You stole that line from something, didn’t you?” The man suddenly said. “Forgive me, but I do not understand what you might be referencing, and your explanation makes little sense to me.”
“Hmm, perhaps I’ve been too affected by watching that boy within his world for so long. I must say, the world that boy was in was quite interesting. I might investigate more of it while we wait for my plans to ripen to fruition.” The woman replied.
“And then will our objective be complete once that happens?” The man asked.
“Yes. The seal will finally break.” The woman gave a cruel smile. “ That pitiful boy has no idea what he is now a part of, nor the cruel part he will play in it.”
“So what should we do as we wait for him to ‘thoroughly become twisted and distorted’ enough for you to initiate the plan?” The man asked as he crossed his arms.
“Starting this plan took more energy than I thought it would, so for now, we will just wait and watch. I’ll be sure to keep things on track and control things from afar so it doesn’t get too out of hand. We have a script, after all.” The woman chuckled. “Not that I think I will need to do anything. After all…” She smiled as she looked back at the Saiyan baby that she had deemed necessary to her plans.
“What could he possibly do on his own? He’s the universe’s weakest Saiyan right now.”