>>6302563“Meloka, mind taking the twins back home?” you ask her, reaching over and laying a hand on Caulifla's shoulder. “We need to check something real quick.”
“We do?” Cauli asks, but your wife simply nods.
“We'll be back shortly.” you tell the three as your wife teleports the two younger twins away, you focusing and reaching out with a thought. “Dumplin, we need to talk.”
“Karn? Cooler and Ginyu just went in, you can't-” he starts as you focus on his strange ki through the mental link, teleporting back from Dreadzone back to the Lookout. Where, surprisingly, Kars remains as well. As you appear by 'Mr. Popo' in the center of the Lookout, you see Kars by the edge, looking down. “Caulifla?”
“We need to talk.” you tell Mr. Popo aloud. “While Freeza and I were in there, in the time chamber. I may have blown a hole in it.”
“You what? You do know any disturbance, linking it to any other realm could affect the flow of time, yes?” he asks, but you shake your head.
“No. It wasn't just through the time chamber. But through reality itself.” you tell him, meeting his unsettling eyes. “And I saw what's... Beyond.”
His wide eyes grow wider, realization dawning.
“I saw what's out there. What Chronoa's been fighting.” you continue, Kars coming over, curious as you talk. “Just seeing it was enough for Freeza to collapse. Chronoa herself appeared inside, sealing the rift I'd accidentally made.”
“You... You saw Outside...” he says, voice trailing off as Kars raises a brow. Clearly surprised by Mr. Popo's reaction. Only for the former Demon God to suddenly blur to your, grabbing your head and bringing his face right up to yours, staring deep into your eyes. You freeze in place, curious what he's doing. But Caulifla reacts... Differently. No doubt remembering what he'd done to your family before, divine aura blazing as she immediately levels her left hand at his head.
“Don't you-!” she exclaims, but freezes as Dumplin sighs out in seeming relief.
“Good. It didn't get to you.” he says, releasing your head and relaxing. Turning to Caulifla with a smile. “There's no need for that, your father's clean.”
“Clean?” you, Cauli, and Kars all ask him. To which his expression darkens.
“Yes. That... Thing. It can sort of... Piggyback its presence through mortals. To serve as beacons in the beyond, drawing it towards reality through the infinite void of Not.” Dumplin explains. “Infecting the minds of mortals and gods alike with its mad hunger. Turning them into little more than beasts who seek only to consume.”
cont
