North City, a bustling urban metropolis located high in the mountains in the northern continent of the planet earth. It was by all means one of the largest and most prosperous cities the humans had built on their humble planet. Nestled between two mountain ranges and fed by a large river of glacial melt water, the city began its humble origins many centuries ago as a fur trader outpost and lumber mill situated on the banks of its river. From there it only grew, as the logging industry brought more and more men north to reap the bounty of the plentiful timber forests that dotted the rocky mountainsides. Fur trading and trapping remained a lucrative venture, but logging became the city's bread and butter as the rest of the world's desire for hardwoods for furniture and construction only grew with rising populations and the steady growth of civilization.

The invention of steam power sent the city spiraling into the modern era, with great river barges carrying goods to and from North City at rates never before possible. The first railroad to the city heralded a new age economic growth, and the fertile valley the city rested in between mountain ranges for the first time began to look somewhat cramped. The city's population truly exploded several decades later, when workers carving out a new railroad tunnel inadvertently discovered veins of gold in the mountains. The resulting mining boom and gold rush saw the city's population swell to several times its size in only a matter of a few years. Men and woman coming from all stretches of the country to claim their fortunes from the rugged mountain countryside. Few struck it rich, except for a lucky few... and anyone with a pickax and mining cap selling business. After a decade the gold rush had faded, the mountains picked clean of valuable gold and silver veins, though tens of thousands of people lacked the money to return home. Many simply elected to remain in North City, carving out a life in the post-boom economy.

One other lasting impact of the great North City Gold Rush was the discovery of other, more practical metals within the mountains. Iron and copper existed in great deposits, as well as veins of aluminium and vast seams of coal. As the fur industry began to decline, the mining industry was more than happy to take its place. Large mining firms took root in the city, buying up land rights to the vast troves of wealth that dwelled beneath the frozen peaks. North City came to rely on this for the bulk of its income, ultimately becoming a major hub or manufacturing due to its proximity to plentiful natural resources. The people of North City are of a hardy stock, active and outdoorsy, well accustomed to life in their rugged home. They pride themselves on being a tough lot, enduring the bitter mountain winters and the rugged terrain that rings their mountainous city. Hiking, canoeing, skiing, and camping are all common activities, and draw tens of thousands of adventurous tourists to North City every year.

However, where there is wealth, there is also crime. North City is not immune to this, in spite of its isolated location. In modern times corrupt labor unions run in cooperation with mob bosses have put the squeeze on local industry, flexing their muscles with extortion and bribery. The criminal underground of the city likes to maintain a somewhat private appearance, using shell companies to move their wealth and keep their thugs and goons several degrees separated from the fat cats in their luxurious offices. More important, this criminal underbelly brings large amounts of smuggling and trafficking through North City. Priceless objects from dinosaur bones, to ancient works of art and culture, to relics of magical or mystical origins flow through the city. Everything from an earth dragon's skull, to triclops clan pottery, to jugs on ancient water who's divine properties supposedly bestow great strength on those who drink it.

And for this reason, the demoness Amatricina had come to North City. She had wandered the width and breath of the planet Earth for many days now, returning to her home realm only to reassure her clan that she was very much still alive, and to make sure her brother kept her vassals sufficiently in line with her absence. She had heard rumors through the grapevine of a black market auction being orchestrated here, pried that knowledge from a common street thug that had dared lay hands on her in a dark alley. The fool had nothing but a handgun, though she had relished the sight of the sheer terror in his eyes when the bullet did nothing as she resisted his advances. Only after he had revealed his lofty mob connections did Amatricina crush the last of his breath from his windpipe. She had a lead, and she intended to make good on it. The following days had sent her following trail of proverbial breadcrumbs, or shattered bodies, as she moved closer to her ultimate destination. Mortal men were so easy to deceive. An alluring figure, an innocent tone, a few teasing words and tempting glances, and they were putty in her hands. Once she gained the information she needed, by seduction or by force, the demoness slew her victim in cold blood. She had no need for loose ends, and part of her adored the fear it was spreading throughout the criminal underworld. It reminded her of the fear in the eyes of a lesser demon clan, when her armies marched on their gates and she slew their warlord in single combat. Fear was among the demon's favorite weapons.

Her trail of blood and yearning hunger for more knowledge on the magic Dragonballs had led the demoness to the streets of North City. It was just past noon, the sun burning bright overhead as the city bustled with the activity of a busy work day. Millions of humans, all going about their petty little lives. Amatricina loved reaching out and sensing at their emotions. Such sin burned bright in their hearts, she wished she had time to tempt each of them to reach out and claim the evils she knew deep down they were capable of. To enthrall them and set them upon the world as vessels of her malice. But alas, much fun as it would be she had greater ambitions than wasting her time wrapping her fingers tight around the soul of each and every mortal she saw. They were little better than ants anyways, and Amatricina looked upon humanity the same way a child with magnifying glass looks upon an anthill.

The demoness had adopted a mortal guise in her travels on earth, mimicking the appearance and strength of a human woman. Her power level was reduced to a fraction of its true might, though for vanity's sake she was still several hundred units stronger than a common human. More importantly though, she kept her demonic ki well in check. She had no desire for curious mortals to find her and throw a wrench into her plans. Secrecy had been her chief concern, she wished to explore this world and uncover the secrets she needed in peace. This had unfortunately meant flying was kept to a minimum, so travel had been more slow going than she would have liked. At present the demoness walked down the streets of the busy North City financial district, headed towards one of the large corporate office buildings.

She was dressed to the nines head to toe in chic designer fashion. Black high heels clicked effortlessly against the concrete sidewalk, and black leggings hugged her lower body, accentuating every feminine curve from her wide fertile hips downward. The woman wore a matching black skirt that was an inch from devilishly short, because the world was more fun that way. The demoness wore a sinfully low cut red top, her blouse flaunting the ample cleavage of her ponderously large bust. Though at present she wore a black seasonal jacket over top, it matched her skirt though it did little to hide her endowments. The weather was chilly in this region, the high altitude and cold mountain air making the temperature low enough most humans seemed to bundle up. Amatricina was far more resilient than they, and even the void of space did not phase a demon. But she played the part and dressed appropriately for the weather regardless.

Though she could use her black magics to assume any mortal guise she so chose, Amatricina's great vanity in her beauty meant she held some self imposed restrictions. Chief among them was her wanton, voluptuous figure. She deigned to hide it in the guise of a less curvaceous woman, an elderly crone... or anything else. She also never changed her hair significantly, beyond styling. Her normally great mane of flowing ruby hair was now braided into a thick ponytail that hung down to the small her back. The demoness' great crown of four black horns were replaced by a simple black headband that kept her hair in check, and the normally excessive amounts of golden jewelry she wore was reduced to a simple pair of matching ruby earrings and golden bracelets. Last, but perhaps not least, her normally crimson gaze was replaced by soft blue eyes. They betrayed a delicate feminine nature that masked the sheer cruelty beneath. It was an ensemble that made even Amatricina envious of her own abilities, and turned heads with every step.

The woman stepped through the automated doors of her destination, the crowded lobby of a large banking firm. At least, that was its public persona. Much like the demon it held a more sinister purpose beneath a gilded exterior. Amatricina had learned this entire company was a shell, a vast money laundering scheme by the criminal enterprises of the city. A way to move ill gotten funds through legitimate ventures and to mask their stolen wealth. It was rather admirable, but more importantly the convention center on one of the lower floors was set to host a rather exclusive fine arts auction today. The clientele in attendance included the upper crust of criminal society, mob bosses and heads of crime syndicates and their families that had more money than sense. They flew in from across the world for a chance to bid their extravagant wealth on countless priceless works on art to display in their ill gotten manors and estates. There was but one item on the itinerary that interested Amatricina. A large orange gemstone, roughly the size of a bowling ball embossed with seven five pointed stars about its face. The demoness' eyes had gone wide when she first saw the jewel, looking at a computer terminal as she choked the life from its owner's throat. She already possessed the five starred orb, kept hidden away in a place no mortal could find it. Soon, Amatricina thought to herself, she would possess a second for her growing collection.

Amatricina walked up to the front desk of the lobby, feigning disinterest until the receptionist spoke up. "Hello Ma'am, is there something I can assist you with?" The young woman spoke in a cheery voice, and such manners. It pleased the demon greatly when humans exercised politeness, it reminded her of the authority she could not forcibly compel into them.

"Why yes actually." Amatricina said, a slight smile crossing her ruby lips. "I have reservations for the charity arts auction that starts in about an hour. If you could be a dear..."

"Oh, yes. Of course." The receptionist replied, turning to type away at her computer. "Your name, Ma'am?"

"Amata Tricina." The demoness lied, she had been using that pseudonym for a while now, she liked the ring of it. The woman typed away, pulling up the registry and puzzling over the list in confusion.

"I'm sorry Miss Tricina, I'm not seeing your name on the list."

Amatricina let out a soft titter. "Oh, I'm sorry dear. My husband made the registration, see if he put it in his name. Look up Sheldon Abelson."

"Of course Ma'am." The receptionist said simply, fingers clicking as she began to type anew. A match came up and displayed the face of a balding middle aged man. "I wasn't aware Mr. Abelson had a wife."

"We're newlyweds. Truthfully darling, I did it for the money." Amatricina gave a teasing smile, wicked with dark intent. She wasn't lying, not completely anyways.

"Yes, of course." The receptionist stated, slightly flustered. She returned to her computer, typing away anew. "Do you have his PIN number to confirm the registration?" She added, turning back to the voluptuous demon.

"Yes one second darling. 777, and it's just PIN; adding number at the end is redundant." Amatricina stated sweetly. Abelson had been a prominent casino owner in Central City. Emphasis on had. Amatricina had paid him a visit, under the guise of one of the numerous escorts he hired out to lavish him with their services. The man had in truth held many criminal ties, and a ravenous hunger for fine arts for his personal galleries. When the two met, Amatricina had tortured him for every last scrap of information he held that was dear to her. She had forced him to register for this auction, given her his passwords, credentials, even bank account information. The man had assumed she was a common cat burglar, and tripped his silent alarm. The information he leaked was all a delaying tactic until his private army of security guards could storm his penthouse suite and rescue him. They'd never had the chance. Amatricina threw the man through his balcony window so hard she doubted if they'd even need to spray water to clean up the stain wherever he hit the ground. His security guards arrived to an empty bedroom, the demoness having simply leapt through the hole in the window and landed gently a hundred stories below. Ultimately she thought it was cute, albeit predictable how a casino owner had used 777 as his PIN.

The receptionist typed in the code, and her computer beeped in approval before spitting out a laminated pass with the relevant credentials and authentication on it. She handed it off to Amatricina, and the demon accepted it graciously, clipping it to her hip. "This will get you into the auction, it starts at one o clock sharp. We ask that all attendants be in their designated seats beforehand, and that you turn off all cell phones and personal devices during the actual bidding. Your bidding pass is also your id badge, so just raise your hand and present it when you make a big. Oh yes, one last thing we have a full service buffet luncheon for attendants, its in the dining hall one door down and to the left from the conventional hall. Any questions Mrs. Tricina?"

Amatricina listened carefully, the woman at the counter had actually been fairly clear and concise. It was refreshing, truthfully. "No, not that I can think of. Thank you so much... in fact, here take a little something for your troubles." The demoness slipped open her purse, one of the few objects she wore that wasn't magically created, and pulled out a large denomination bill. She had pilfered the accessory fashion, and the money within, from the playboy suite of her "husband". Some gift for one of his whores surely, at least he wouldn't be needing it. The woman's face lit up as she took the zeni, tucking it away in her own purse as a wide smile crossed her face.

"Thank you so much Ma'am." She said enthusiastically. Amatricina just smiled and gave a brief nod, before stepping past the reception desk. Though her greed and avarice was deep, this... paper currency the humans used was meaningless to her. She coveted treasures more real, like gold and silver, or gemstones especially. Or a certain orange relic with the power to grant wishes. The demoness made her way to the convention center, seeing that is was as described. Not ready to begin the bidding yet, she let out a sigh and decided to go at least check out the buffet in the mean time. Amatricina was a ravenous carnivore, with an appetite many times greater than a human's. She loaded her plate piled high in various cooked meats from animals whose names she did not know. The display of gluttony attracted the unwanted eyes of several other attendants in line, but she paid them no mind. She was hungry, and the humans actually knew how to cook decently. It was a much preferable meal to hunting down some wild beast herself and cooking it with her fire breath. So, plate heaping with literal pounds of meat, steaks and ribs, crab and fish, the demoness found herself an empty seat far away from the rest of the attendants.

Between her stunning figure and her ravenous hunger, the woman attracted much undesired attention. She brushed off any attempts to make small talk with her though, informing would be acquaintances that the seats at her corner table were reserved for the rest of her group. Once finished with her plate the demoness lipped her plump lips in satisfaction. She had tried to restrain herself as best she could, eating with ladylike grace and sophistication that was befitting of her vanity. But, gluttony was a sin after all, and she was a demon. Perhaps she had been a touch too ravenous. Oh well, it had been sufficient to kill time before the auction, and Amatricina made her way back into the auction hall proper, taking a seat among the hundred or so other distinguished attendees. If she were even partially knowledgeable on human current events she would know this was a who's who of powerful businessmen, crime bosses, and even politicians. To her though they were just chattel.

The auctioneer introduced himself, spouting off some nonsense about proceeds going to charity. It got many laughs from the crowd, it was likely a fanciful word for another financial scheme of sorts. It didn't matter, and Amatricina could barely feign interest. These humans glad handed and minced words too much, and the demoness' mind wandered back to the buffet. She should have just gorged herself until she was full, then this would at least be somewhat relaxing. Instead she was forced to sit as the auctioneer rattled off item after item. It was so dull, so tedious. At least it gave her insight into how the bidding worked, and what amounts of money these humans were willing to part with for a trinket of art. The sheer amount of avarice in the room was quite refreshing, no mortal in proximity had clean consciousness or pure heart, Amatricina could sense that clearly. Darkness clouded all their souls, it made her mouth water almost as much as the thought of another well seasoned steak did.

After several hours of doldrums, the bidding finally reached the only item that held any interest to the demon. The entire reason she had come to this misbegotten corner of this primitive planet of weakling mortals. The Dragonball. Her eyes practically lit up when it was revealed from beneath a protective cloth. It was exactly as it had looked on the computer, seven perfect black stars, an immaculately spherical shape. It rested gently on a purple pillow, seated on a stone pillar presenting its grandeur proudly before the audience. The auctioneer began to speak, clearing his throat before raising his microphone to his lips. "Ahem. Our next item, is this large gemstone the owner refers to simply as the Seven Star Ball. Claimed to be one of a set of several, scholars believe ancient peoples used the gem as part of a ritual to commune with their god, a great dragon deity with the power to grant them wishes. Ancient superstition aside, the gem is composed of solid amber, painted by the hand of a master artisan. It is the only one currently available on the global market, and we are honored to have it on display here today. So without further ado, let's begin the bidding. We do not have a protect price, so we will begin the bidding at one million zeni."

A hand quickly shot up, some fat man in a suit already had his badge in the air. Amatricina countered, raising the bid herself. More hands shot up, and the bidding race was off. It mattered little to her, this was all formality on the demon's part. Nothing stopped her from just snatching the orb and making off with it, except for the great amount of undue attention it would attract. No she'd get it the "fair" way, but spending more wealth than she's humans did on it. The thought briefly entered her mind that the man she'd extorted was not nearly as rich as some of the people here, but surely the vast bulk of his fortune was worth more than what they were willing to part with over a simple piece of "art." The bidding continued, Amatricina continuously making sure she was top bidder. She was annoyed the humans were so persistent. One million quickly became ten, and ten soon became one hundred. One by one her competitors dropped out, unwilling to risk more of their fortunes. Eventually Amatricina decided to be done with it, she raised her bidding badge and with an irritated tone she spoke. "Two hundred and fifty million zeni. Is that sufficient or must I bid more? I can happily go all day if I must."

Her rival bidder looked around, sweating slightly from his collar, his cheeks red. All eyes were on him now. "Madam Tricina has countered at a quarter billion zeni. Do you raise her offer?" The auctioneer said, questioning. "You have ten seconds." The demoness locked her gaze on the man, her gaze like daggers burning a hole into his very soul. He gulped, swallowing the lump in his throat, and set down his badge. The taste of his submission was sweeter than any red meat to the demon. She blew him a kiss, she'd kill him later, once it was evening for daring to challenge her. "There we have it." The auctioneer said eagerly, slamming his gavel and finalizing the sale. "The Seven Star Ball goes to Amata Tricina, to the order of two hundred and fifty million zeni." Amatricina rose from her seat, walking with seductive sashay as she stepped down the aisle towards her prize. Her eyes locked on the gem as it sat so perfectly on its throne.

"Madam, I trust you intend to pay with check?" The auctioneer joked, getting a laugh out of the crowd.

"A check is fine..." She responded half listening, waving a hand to dismiss him. She had no idea what a check was, but she'd fill out whatever stupid paperwork she needed to in order to claim her prize. The demoness picked up her gem, holding it aloft in her hands and inspecting it lovingly. Such immaculate perfection, she adored the orange of these Dragonballs, it complimented her disposition towards bright reds. As she inspected the gem over though, the woman's brow began to furrow. Something was off. This gem was not like her other one, the Five Star Ball. It did have the dim glow within it. It did not thrum with the hint of magic within. It was still, lifeless, empty, just a polished rock. The demoness' composure began to shift from pleasure to wrath, and she turned to the auctioneer. "This is a forgery..." She stated simply, vengeful gaze locked on the man.

"No, I assure you. That gem has been completely appraised by a professional appraiser, it is a genuine---"

"Genuine fake!" The demoness snarled back in reply. She clenched the gem hard between her fingers, it shattered into a thousand shards of glass, scattering across the room. Some pierced guests in the front rows like stinging needles that tore deep into their fragile skin. A woman shrieked, several attendants doubled over in pain as they bled from their wounds.

"Ma'am I assure you, we can... SECURITY!" The auctioneer cried out, ducking behind his desk as heavily armored guards stormed the room. They had rifles drawn, but they were not the only ones packing heat. Many of the men in the crowd drew their own handguns from their suit coat pockets, taking aim at the woman that stood at the front of the room. Amatricina tilted her hand, pouring the gem shards in her grip onto the ground. Worthless, this had all been worthless. Rage was boiling within her, heat rising off her body like an oven, the temperature in the room climbing. One man fired a shot, and the demon effortlessly snatched the bullet out of the air with her hand.

"INSECTS!" She snarled, fangs bared as she addressed the crowd. "Greedy, miserable little cretins..." She had more to say, but one of the security guards opened fire on her.

"Eat lead, whore!" He shouted, unloading with his shotgun. The armed men in the crowd began to open fire too, unleashing a hail of bullets. Their weapons did nothing, shots bouncing off the demon's skin. She was seething with rage, not even bothering to avoid their pathetic "attack." Amatricina's eyes began to glow a brilliant crimson, the demonic light betraying her true self. It struck fear in the audience, many men stopped firing out of terror at the seemingly invulnerable woman before them. The demoness had had enough of these mortals, she would end their miserable existences.

"BURN!" She roared, two beams of burning ki firing from her eyes and lancing through the crowd, killing dozens in the back rows and sending the survivors screaming. The blast detonated violently, destroying a whole lower section of the towering skyscraper and sending sickening metal creaking sounds through the floors as the structure began to give way. Amatricina regained her composure, remembering her purpose here. She could not let her wrath compromise the secrecy of her quest. As terrified guests tried to flee the crowded room she raised a hand and took aim at the center of the hall. "Right.. no survivors..." She muttered to herself, charging a blast of ruby ki energy. With cruel intent, she fired the blast. It connected with the room and bathed it in blinding red light, the blast annihilated the convention center, the lobby, and most of the buildings lowest floors and sub basements. Amatricina exhaled, that had felt good. Her nerves calmed at the slaughter before her, not so much as a trace of the procession left, she looked upward. The entire building was coming down, huge pieces of rubble and collapsing girders raining down as the building free fell onto where its lowest floors had once existed. Amatricina could have simply dashed away to safety, but that might compromise her strength if any of the witnesses surely watching the building's collapse paid any attention.

No, she had a much better idea. She'd simply let herself be buried in the rubble, along with any other damned souls that had been outside her blast's range. There were sure to be some survivors from the upper floors, and rescue efforts would pry them free from the wreckage shortly. She would make her escape afterwards, and resume her quest for the real Dragonballs in peace. Amatricina smiled slightly, watching the carnage as the building came down around her. She could feel the fear, the outright terror as the many souls trapped elsewhere in the structure came crashing down to their dooms. The primal emotion flooding their consciousnesses or fading away as the flame of their life was snuffed out. Soon all around her was ash, rubble, and steel. Amatricina lifted an arm over her head, shifting some of the debris aside so she could at least sit comfortably in a little "pocket" of air under the wreckage. If nothing else, this would give her some solitude to meditate and think as she awaited her rescue.

---

Word Count: 4,696
Joshua