Chapter 17: True fear.
As my gaze settled on the small alien beside his spacecraft.
A mix of curiosity and concern swirled within me.
My voice rang out, echoing in the stillness of the Null-Void.
"That got out of control!"
"I deeply apologize, sir…?!"
The diminutive alien looked visibly offended.
"Hey, hey! I'm young, you know! You shouldn't refer to me as 'sir.'"
He abruptly halted, suddenly aware that he was addressing a being of legend a Celestial.
Although his curiosity was palpable, but as his attention shifted to Vados sleeping in my arms.
Her serene form a striking contrast to the chaos that had just unfolded.
His face stiffened in for a while in terror.
After all those explosions were launched near him.
A sudden realization washed over me.
Indeed, he appeared younger than his cartoon counterpart.
Which sparked a question that bubbled to the surface.
"Are you looking for different alien DNA?"
Azmuth's eyes widened in shock.
He blurted out, "How did you know?"
I hesitated, instinctively trying to sidestep the question.
As he must not have travel throughout the whole universe yet.
Taking a second while deciding
to construct a different response.
In an attempt to conceal my foreknowledge of the future.
"As a Celestial, we can see into the future when we choose to."
I paused, letting that sink in.
"If you want my DNA, you can scan me yourself, but…"
I leaned in closer, my tone firm.
"You cannot scan her or speak about her to anyone else!"
Azmuth's was surprise though quickly morphed into determination.
With no hesitation he shouted, "DEAL!"
Wasting no time he turn to open the door to his unusually spacious spacecraft.
Which was far larger on the inside than it appeared from the outside.
Similar to Doctor Who, Famous Tardis.
An air of excitement was vivid from Azmuth as he led me to a small, floating bed.
He tapped a series of buttons, and the bed expanded.
Quickly capable of accommodating two adults similar in size to Vados.
I approached slowly, carefully placing her down.
Vados curled up contentedly, forming a small ball of comfort.
The sight alone would have brought a warm smile to my face.
though I quickly reminded myself that some situations were not permissible to linger upon.
As I had no mouth to smile with.
Shifting my focus back to Azmuth.
I noticed his eagerness as he brandished a gun-like device.
A familiar symbol etched into its surface.
Memories from the Ben 10 cartoon flooded my mind.
As a green light flickered around my body once, then twice.
The small gun emitted a series of beeps before announcing.
"Scan complete."
"New alien DNA acquired."
Azmuth erupted with excitement.
Swiftly retrieving a thick, metallic circular device.
That bore the same green hourglass symbol as the scanner.
He placed it atop the gun, and another beep resonated through the air.
With a triumphant flourish.
He raised the circular device high, a goofy smile stretching across his face.
Then, reality hit him as he remembered who was in front of him.
The most important guest in his presence of all his life stood.
Embarrassment crept onto his features as he scratched the back of his head.
He silently turned his attention to the set of notes, he had taken during the battle in the Null-Void.
Turning his head while casting a sidelong glance at the unconscious Vados.
A nervous smile formed on his face as he turned to me to meet my eyes.
His expression shifting to one of concern.
"Will she try to attack us upon awakening?"
Azmuth's focus shifted to his hand, where he tightly gripped the first version of the Omnitrix a powerful, unintended weapon.
I locked my gaze onto it, and Azmuth noticed my fixation.
He wanted to explain out of pride but also needed confirmation.
Deciding to ease his fears, I gave a simple answer.
"No, she going through something."
With a bluntness that left no room for ambiguity, he asked another question.
"It was you who saved me from those explosions, right?"
I took a moment to study him, noting the oddly human expression on Azmuth's face.
A reflection of gratitude akin to what I felt when i was human.
When having to thank someone for their kindness for the first time.
"Yes," I replied.
"I wanted to save something, anything!."
"I caught a glimpse of you, along with a good view of most of the Null-Void."
Azmuth fell silent, lost in thought, grappling with the realization of how fortunate he was at that moment.
A cosmic entity had taken pity on him, thus saving him.
At least, that was how he understood it.
A transformation occurred within the young man.
He bore a resemblance to his older self, eyes filled with wisdom and caution, but there was more.
A flicker of newfound confidence shining through.
I recalled his earlier assertion about being too smart to be evil.
Though I wanted to smile at his growing maturity.
I couldn't quite muster it, so I chose to speak instead.
"What is your name? Mine is Null!"
He paused, momentarily taken aback, before responding in a polite manner.
"My name is Azmuth."
A hint of amusement danced in his eyes as he added.
"Your name sounds like my dimension Null-Void."
Azmuth chuckled softly, genuinely entertained by the peculiarities of our situation.
He turned and walked towards a device that held the notes he had compiled from the battle, casting one last glance at it.
Without hesitation, he gripped it firmly with both hands and, with a decisive motion, brought it down toward his left kneecap.
The sound of shattering glass echoed through the spacious interior of his spacecraft, the device splintering into two jagged pieces.
In an instant, small robotic cleaners whirred to life, rising from the floor in a flurry to tidy up the mess.
They scurried about with remarkable efficiency, showcasing the advanced technology that filled the ship.
Azmuth turned back to me, extending his arm for a handshake.
The gesture struck me as somewhat comical.
A reminder of him still being young but he was still a prodigy.
Intelligent despite his youthful demeanor.
In a moment of embarrassment.
He rubbed the back of his head once more, realizing the disparity in our sizes.
As I reached out to shake his hand.
I could sense the weight of our encounter two beings from vastly different Multiverses, brought together by fate.
"What was that device you raised in the air earlier?" I inquired, faking genuine curiosity.
Azmuth hesitated, his expression betraying a mix of anxiety and pride.
He knew why I had asked; after all, It was easy to tell when he was embarrassed.
"Ah, well," he stammered, "it's the Omnitrix."
It's a device I created to collect and store the DNA of various alien species."
"It allows the user to transform into different forms and gain their abilities."
"I haven't even traveled through half the universe yet, but I'm determined to learn as much as I can."
His voice was filled with both excitement and a touch of nervousness.
As if he were revealing a closely guarded secret.
I could see the spark of ambition in his eyes, a glimmer that spoke of the adventures yet to come.
"Impressive," I replied, nodding.
"But with such power comes great responsibility." I quoted Spider-Man.
"You must use it wisely."
Azmuth nodded, his gaze momentarily drifting to the remnants of the shattered device.
"I understand."
"I've not seen what happens when power is misused."
"But there a lesson, I will take to heart."
As we stood there, an unspoken bond began to form between us.
A mutual understanding of the burdens and responsibilities we both carried in someways.
"Tell me, Null," Azmuth said, his tone shifting to one of curiosity,
"What brings you to this Null-Void Dimension?"
I mentally took a deep breath, contemplating my response.
"I seek knowledge, understanding of the cosmos, and perhaps a way to protect it from those who would do it harm."
My existence is intertwined with the balance of the Dragon Ball Multiverse now.
I mentally pondered but continued the conversation.
"I must do my part to maintain it."
Azmuth listened intently, nodding as I spoke.
"That's a noble pursuit."
"I didn't know your kind had such individuals, such as yourself"
"I believe we share a common goal, even if our paths are different."
A comfortable silence enveloped us, punctuated only by the soft hum of the ship's machinery and the quiet beeping of the cleaning robots.
Deciding to reply with a bit of truth, I added.
"My kind don't, only rarely but I'm different then all before and after myself."
In that moment, I realized that our meeting was not a mere coincidence; it was a convergence of destinies.
A chance to forge a partnership that could change the course of our lives.
As Vados stirred in her sleep, I felt a renewed sense of purpose.
I knew that together, we could explore the vastness of all the different Multiverses.
Uncover not just Dragon Ball secrets, and protect the balance that is so easily disrupted.
"Let's make a pact," I proposed, my voice steady and resolute.
"As allies in this vast cosmos, we will support one another in our quests."
"Together, we can face whatever challenges lie ahead."
Azmuth's eyes sparkled with determination as he extended his hand once more.
"I accept your pact, Null."
"Together, we will uncover the mysteries of this universe."
"Safeguard it from those who threaten its harmony."
We shook hands oddly once more, sealing our newfound alliance with a firm grip that resonated with the promise of adventure and unity.
With that, I knew that our journey was just beginning
Because there will be a time.
When I have to face a fear.
As Toepick's Species had to be tested.
Thanks for the Power stones, Hope y'all enjoy the chapter.