The moment of truth was at hand. He merely needed to lift it to his lips and taste of the sweet nectar known as Earthling coffee. It reminded him of another Earth delicacy, known as hot chocolate—another hot drink often served during colder seasons, unlike coffee, which was served no matter what season it currently was. And thus, he was more of a fan of coffee. Though, as he prepared to take that first glorious sip, his attention was drawn to a commotion happening in the middle of the street.

Before his mind could register what was happening, a sudden blur flew past him, knocking the coffee against his front as the culprit tumbled to the ground. The plastic cup dropped to the ground, its dark contents staining the front of his godly robes.

He did not react, however. Merely swiped a hand over his front, causing the stain and sensation of heat to fade. Such was the ever shifting tide of fate, was it not? He turned to appraise the figure that had fallen to the ground. Aubus did not offer them a hand up. It was their own fault for having caused the incident in the first place.

"That was my coffee you just spilled."

It wasn't an accusation, more of an observation as Aubus awaited the reply of this odd individual. He could not sense the typical mortal ki from this one, for some reason.

word count: 245 | total: 633 | Doctor Kaijin Vex

Why couldn't Aubus sense his energy?

He certainly looked human. Dark complexion, mid-length dreadlocks that swept down to his shoulders. A long overcoat with hem that flapped as it was tossed carelessly by an errant breeze. It was hardly different from the myriad of other species that called this city 'home'.

Peculiar, indeed.

Aubus endured the youth's wild accusation paying little attention as he wracked his long memory for answers. There were few beings whose ki could not be sensed by a Kai. It was either so minuscule that it was near impossible to detect, or it was hidden so well that such a being could not be detected by conventional means.

The boy jabbed a finger at Aubus. Only a few inches more, and it would have touched him.

It was an extreme show of ignorance and disrespect, and though he was not a God of a particular planet or quadrant, he was still a divine being from Other World who should have been afforded the same measure of respect. And so, Aubus idly lifted a hand and pushed the boy's finger out of his face.

"There is no reason to devolve into base life forms," he replied calmly. "It is but a simple cup of coffee, by the way."

His eyes narrowed slightly, pale orbs sliding over the youth's frame.

"Can you provide me with a reason as to why I cannot sense your presence?"


word count: 243 | total: 876 | Doctor Kaijin Vex

It was said that ignorance is bliss. If that were true, then there was far too much bliss to be had on Earth these days. Augus could merely close his eyes and sigh at the youth's question as to whether or not he was, what he called, a genie.

"No. I am not. I am Aubus, I am known as a Kai. Though I don't suppose you know what that is, do you?"

Aubus didn't expect him to understand. In fact, he suspected this revelation would stump the figure long enough to grant Aubus a reprieve from the ignorance spewing forth from his mouth.

Android... Android...

He rubbed his chin, floating into the air as he slowly circled around the android, observing him from a wide variety of angles. Aubus thought it would help him jar his memory, but it was to no avail. While he had heard of the existence of androids, Aubus had never encountered one before. But one simple fact remained.

It was an affront to the Gods. Only the Kai were granted the divine right of Creation, so for mortals to take it upon themselves to create a free thinking being such as this one... It was unacceptable.

"Shut yourself down, this instance." Aubus stated it calmly, though as a direct imperative. "You should not exist. It is not for mortals to create life. That is done at the will of the Supreme Kai. I am sorry, but you cannot remain active. I will decide what to do with you once you are offline."


word count: 264 | total: 1,140 | Doctor Kaijin Vex

Aubus knew his directive would probably anger the android. After all, he thought himself to be a real sentient being. By all accounts, in regards to his outward appearance, he was. But Aubus intrinsically understood that this was not the case. The android did not boast a living soul, the spark of life gifted only by the Supreme Kai. It was a pale imitation of the beauty of creation, and no matter how much of a technological achievement an android was, it was still a terrible affront to the natural course of nature.

So, when the android's tone turned threatening, Aubus glanced cautiously at their surroundings. It was clear this android was going to ignore his order, and would even fight to keep whatever semblance of sentience it wanted to protect. It would not be safe to engage it in battle here, especially considering Aubus could not properly gauge his power level.

"One reason, huh?" Aubus lifted off from the ground, flying upwards at a quick speed. He knew the android would follow, but in case he didn't... "Follow me, and see for yourself."

He had no particular destination in mind—merely wanted to get far enough away that no civilians would be harmed. Finding a vast stretch of arid desert, Aubus landed and awaited the android. His aura flared to life, purple ki ebbing and flowing around him as he prepared for the inevitable battle.

"I've already given you a reason. You are an affront to nature itself. Shut yourself down..." He raised a hand, charging energy as a ball of purple energy formed, growing larger by the second. "Or let this wasteland be your grave."

He fired off the energy blast at the android. It was mostly a warning shot. But if he had to destroy this being, then so be it.

word count: 310 | 1,450 | Doctor Kaijin Vex

It was the right call, bringing the android to this barren place. It was clear that Kaijin wasn't going to hold back, and while Aubus couldn't sense any natural ki, he could certainly discern the destructive capability of his attacks. Fighting in a place such as this meant the android didn't need to check its dangerous power.

But neither did he.

The first blast of ki slammed into Aubus, who threw up a guard against it. It burned something fierce, singing his godly robes, which was surprising considering it was woven from a quite sturdy substance. Aubus quickly patted down the flames, glancing up in time to see an even more deadly attack heading his direction. It slammed into Aubus with force, the searing heat enough to harm him, stinging his eyes and burning through portions of his clothing, exposing spots of now seared skin. It was quite painful, to say the least, and even managed to scorch the dried earth beneath his feet.

"That is a dangerous technique," he concluded, gritting his teeth from the pain. "If you're expecting me to be impressed with your power, you are wrong. You've only served to bolster my observations. You're too dangerous to remain and thus... I will end this."

It seemed Aubus was finally going to get serious. With a snap of his fingers, a small glass vial of clear liquid appeared in his hand. Uncorking it, Aubus took a small sip, before replacing the cork and hiding it away in his waistband. Already he could feel the soothing effects of the elixir working to counteract the burning sensation that wracked his body.

"Now, then..." He finally took an offensive stance. "Let's get started."

Using powered flight, he flew straight at Kaijin. Spinning in the air, he went for a vicious roundhouse kick. Should it connect, it would generate enough force to send the android flying. Aubus wanted to test its capacity for pain. Just because he planned to shut it down, didn't meant he wasn't curious to learn of its properties and record his findings for further study.

word count: 338 | 1,783 | Doctor Kaijin Vex

So then, androids could feel pain.

It seemed rather exaggerated, more as if the android were playing it's given role than in any real amount of agony. Aubus simply arched an eyebrow, standing with hands held behind his back once more as he observed his opponent.

The burning sensation had mostly subsided, but Aubus understood he did not have the time to properly prepare a healing incantation to dispel the effects for good—not during the middle of this battle. The elixir would have to serve its purpose for the time being, but he would do good to avoid those searing attacks in the future. They were quite lethal, to be sure.

It was during this course of thought that Kaijin Vex launched its counterattack. It tore across the sand at impressive speed, so quick that there was no way Aubus could dodge it. Instead, he lifted a hand and knocked the blow aside with his palm. His hand stung from the force of the blow, however. This android was quite dangerous indeed. Perhaps there would be no time to study him. Perhaps bringing it offline was the best course of action.

Using the same hand he blocked with, Aubus grabbed Kaijin roughly by the ankle. Turning, he looked to flip the android over his shoulder in order to smash him into the ground with vicious impact. Leaping high up into the air, Aubus would then plummet toward the ground, both legs extended in a double diving stomp meant to smash the android to pieces.

word count: 254 | 2,037 | Doctor Kaijin Vex

Perhaps this was a poor choice of venue. Sand stretched for miles in all directions, massive dunes rising and falling in undulating waves that went all the way to the horizon, and beyond. Some of the dunes were thick and deep, somewhat softening the impact as Aubus slammed into it in an attempt to take Kaijin out of commission.

It would prove to be both a curse and a blessing—while it did not harm Aubus upon his quick descent and crash landing, it didn't injure the android in the manner Aubus would have liked, leading to him miss his attack.

Kaijin followed up quickly, launching himself in mere seconds into Aubus' vicinity with surprising speed as he appeared through the floating haze of disturbed sand, taking advantage of Aubus' poor visibility.

He launched the same deadly beam at him, only this time, it was a pair of them. Aubus managed to move at breakneck speed, blinking out of the way as he dodged the first beam. He wasn't so lucky on the second, barely managing to raise his arms in defense. It slammed into him, the powerful beam driving him backward through the sand, leaving a deep gouge several meters long. It burned something fierce, and even with his elixir, Aubus knew it had done some serious damage. Ignoring the searing pain in his arms, Aubus launched himself into the air, floating miles above where the android was positioned.

The Kai's hands began to glow with purple energy. Four large constructs of pure purple energy formed before him, like a shield wall. Each took the shape of a giant hand, similar in form to Aubus' own.

"I am not your enemy. It is the one who created you out of their own vanity that is at fault. But I will do my duty—prepare yourself. Xeno's Will: Grand Judgment!"

Thrusting his hands forward, two of the giant hands swooped down from the skies. Aubus slammed his palms together, and the hands mimicked his movements, looking to crush the android between them!

word count: 340 | 2,377 | Doctor Kaijin Vex

Strength. Endurance. Durability.

Power. A complex mind capable of tactics and strategy. Artificial ki generation. Absorption.

Aubus mentally ticked off the myriad abilities the android had displayed thus far. These were not the traits of a machine given the purpose of living a simple life under close scrutiny and study.

Kaijin Vex was a war machine. And the battle they were waging was proof of it. What other reason did Aubus need to shut the machine down? Had Earth not already suffered at the hands of androids in the distant past? Everyone knew of the calamity that plagued the Earth in the form of the long extinct Red Ribbon Army, and the culmination of their ultimate achievement—the creation of the androids.

What if Kaijin's abilities twisted the boy into something reminiscent of that tyrant of an android named Cell? History should not be allowed to repeat itself. At the same time, Aubus was having more trouble than he would have liked shutting the android down.

Kaijin struck again, a powerful double axe handle swung with tremendous force. Aubus flickered from sight, effectively dodging the attack, but he could not evade the powerful finger beam that flew at him next. Aubus got his forearm up just in time to deflect the beam using the gauntlet on his wrist. But perhaps he was so preoccupied with studying Kaijin that he misjudged the angle of the beam, as part of it soared past his guard and struck him painfully in the shoulder.

It left a painful welt, the muscle aching and burning from the assault. This time, it even drew blood, a small purple dribble flowing down his left arm at the wound left there. It was a small scratch, inconsequential, but it proved that Kaijin Vex was too powerful and dangerous to be left unchecked.

There was but one final test Aubus wished to conduct before he made his final decision.

"Xeno's Will: God's Judgment!"

Raising his hands, he sent the final two constructs soaring at Kaijin—this time in the form of giant fists. These were as much an attack as a distraction, as it allowed him time to fish the glass vial from his waistband, polishing off the rest of the healing elixir. It would bolster him for a little while longer against the burning effect of the android's attack, but it would not suffice forever.

He would have to determine a different course of action, and soon.

word count: 409 | 2,786 | Doctor Kaijin Vex

It was a good thing they had changed locale. If the android had endured that attack in the middle of Satan City, it would have razed the city to the ground. Not a stone would have been left upon another. And Aubus would have been responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent souls.

Just another reason to justify his assault. He stood there on the ground, the remaining pair of gigantic hands waiting on either side of him, like lone sentinels standing watch through the turbulent night. The damage to the desert would be irreparable, but Aubus could only hope the soul of the desert would forgive him for his actions.

Kaijin was a threat. If he weren't dealt with accordingly, there would be much more collateral damage. As the dust cleared, Aubus saw that the android was finally down for the count. He closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief.

If it had only obeyed my orders, things wouldn't have had to end this way. Now, to discover the origin of this android. Someone must be made to reap the consequences of this terrible, costly mistake—

"What!?"

His cool facade was finally broken. Aubus nearly trembled in disbelief, eyes widened with shock. T-That's not possible! But it was. That huge surge of energy came from the android, who had not only made it back to his feet after that massive attack but skyrocketed high up into the air.

Beads of sweat poured down Aubus' face, his brow twitching as he tried to make sense of it all. "There's... just no way... I didn't even hold back on that attack!" He was a Shinjin, born of the golden fruit of the Kaiju Tree. Destined to be a Supreme Kai! Was it possible he did not possess the power to subdue even one mortal being? Before Aubus could act, the android attacked again—a powerful orb of crackling red energy plummeted toward the ground!

Aubus thought he could block it. Yet as the orb slammed into his hand, it began to push him back. Grunting loudly, Aubus lifted a second hand to force the attack back and deflect it, but it packed more punch than he realized. "G-gg-rr!" Teeth gritted, digging his feet into the sand, Aubus shoved with all his might to force the attack away.

His hubris would get the better of him.

It exploded, the resulting shock wave causing massive fissures to form in the ground as the earth crumbled away. The giant crater began to fill with sand as it spilled over the sides, beginning to fill the crevice left from the explosion. Singed and bruised, his clothing partially burned away, Aubus slowly floated out of the cavernous hole, an expression of pure anger and disbelief on his face.

"I am Aubus, a former candidate to apprentice beneath the Supreme Kai! I am a divine being, a god among mortals!" He thrust an accusatory finger at Kaijin. "You ought to revere me, every word from my mouth, the very ground I walk upon!" His hair was wild and unkempt, partially hanging in his eyes, which had taken on a flare of anger. "And if you will not offer your obedience willingly—"

He thrust his hands upwards, causing the massive pair of hands to surge upwards. Clapping his hands together, he turned them to the side, and the giant constructs began to spin in a dangerous spiral as they tore through the skies, looking to drill directly into Kaijin!

"—I shall claim it with force!"

word count: 588 | 3,374 | Doctor Kaijin Vex