DRAGONBALL
"If ever somebody told you that monsters do not exist, do not believe such a person, for such a person is apparently lying…. Lying very badly." - An Ancient Master
What if I were to tell you that I knew of a horrific being that existed eons ago, the legend of an evil demon that fell from the distant heavens, would you believe me, or would you just dismiss it as an old crazed man's words.
Well, comrades, you would be wise so as to heed the tale that I am about tell, for only the foolish would ignore it, and reap his own dire consequences. This chronicle is the most fearsome story of our history. The bloodlust of mankind put together ever since its beginning couldn't suffice the horrors entailed in this account. No power, neither height or depth could contain the evil of the one responsible, nor life or death could discipline or end his tyranny. The atrocities of the one and only… Piccolo Daimao the feared Demon King. An ancient story once told to me by my Master, a story of 282 years old.
It is said that the beautiful planet we live on, Earth, was always once a generally peaceful place. Mankind enjoyed one another's company and comradery was abundant. Children frolicked and played happily together. People bonded with one another well. National divisions and wars were nonexistent. The Earth was healthy and free from the profuse pollution we succumb to today, violence was its minimum and love, at its zenith. Everything was good, fine and perfect under the sun.
Up until an immense tumble from the heavens above, was heard worldwide. The Demon King had fallen, and his anger and rage burned inside him like a blazing inferno. His despair ravaged the lands on this beautiful and once peaceful planet. He ruled over our society with an iron fist, an iron bloody fist. His word was law and nothing more. His demonic children literally fed upon us humans for mere entertainment, just to hear our blood curdling cries. He wanted nothing more than a dark age ruled forever by him and his spores.
The world governments were at the strict mercy of the evil being until they culminated together and created a super elite military organization, strictly designed to eradicate this planet of this "disease" and its parasites. The powerful military was given state of the art technology and supreme power beyond their wildest dreams. Finances and donations were bleeding out to them .They quickly outclassed all the other armies in the world and became the sole opposer to Lord Piccolo. The battle between these great powers raged on tremendously for years, but to no avail. Soon the military was outmatched by the Demon King and his children. The military withdrew into the shadows and so did all hope for humanity , that is until one man from the distant mountains stepped forth.
He was an ancient master and inventor of the Ki martial arts, which is a traditional form of Oriental self-defense or combat that utilized physical skill , coordination and life energy which channeled directly from your soul and the metaphysical to the outside world, hence creating a deadly energy wave that was emitted upon the desired target. This man, apparently, was now the last line of defense for the planet Earth.
No other man dared to challenge Piccolo head on by themselves, but this ancient sensei had the wisdom of a thousand sages and the endowed strength of the gods. He knew what position he placed himself in once he came up to the Daimao, but he had a plan that would seal Piccolo… and his fate forever.
Mafuba, it was the name of the technique the old master or sensei used. With one smooth and eloquent movement he placed the golden jar he carried along with him, in front of Piccolo and used his "ki" or energy to take control of the Demon King's body and forced it into the jar, thereby sealing him in their for eternity, but with a very dear price, his own life.
The sensei had utilized all his ki and even tapped into his life energy and passed out and died right in front of my master, but before he died he uttered a special prophecy to my dear master : " This Lord of Darkness will once again rise from his confinement and ravage this blue planet, but not until a bright star that will fall from the heavens and penetrate it with the shining saber of light."
But the wounds left by Lord Piccolo are still festering even to this day. Fifty years after the defeat of Piccolo ,the secret military, which was created by the countries' governments to destroy Lord Piccolo, broke out of their control and pursued their own selfish desire. Calling themselves the Red Ribbon Army , their might was one to be reckoned with and their violent pursuit of seven magical orbs, believed to be left behind by Piccolo, was dividing this world into turmoil again. But luckily, my master and other experienced martial artists have trained me and other eager learners to take down the injustice we face today, and never again have to live in the afterglow of Piccolo's burning anger, and I'll also never forget what my master told me once: "Gohan," he said, "if you ever feel a sense of hopelessness in a time of deep despair, remember to always look up into the sky and wish upon "that star." Yes, that coming bright star.
CHAPTER 1
The old man hobbled out of his bed and walked out his stone cottage. He went outside to smell the fresh air. The wind was soothing and caressed his visage, blowing through his white hair and enlightening his face, bringing back beautiful memories of his joyful youth.
"Nature's taken good care of me." He whispered to himself.
He continued to stare down on the forest below, he lived on top of a tall green hill. Mt. Paozu was his home, away from the frantic city life and treacherous human civilization that frothed on outside his peaceful countryside. The old man named Gohan continued to walk down the dirt path outside his door towards the pile of wood by his favorite well. His movements were soft ,calm, and calculated He did not have the same stress that many other "advanced civilizations" suffered from. He walked to the logs and counted them.
"157, OK now let's just gather them…" said the old man, as he started to toss the logs one by one on his right hand, " Whoa OK , good all 157, excellent, now to just…" The 78 year old man threw the wood up in the air as he jumped up, and with one swift movement chopped down all the logs ,in mid air, into tiny pieces of firewood. The chopped pieces quickly tumbled upon one another in a neat stack, as he landed back down on the ground satisfied, facing away from the firewood pile.
"Heh, now for the fire."
The old master turned around and placed both his hands out toward the pile and clasped them together. He carefully brought his hands to his right side, before slowly unclenching them and cupping them together, as if he were holding a fragile chick. He inhaled deeply and let nature guide his movement and thoughts, a sudden overwhelming peace descended upon him. The wind around him kicked up and swirled about him as his hands started to glow a soft blue color, and with one quick movement he jutted out both his hands as if he suddenly pushed away an obstacle, and the aura surrounding his hands jetted out towards the firewood consuming it, and lighting it on fire.
"And God said let there be light." He smiled.
" Now to get that basin to wash myself up." The elderly man turn to walk toward the house when he suddenly heard a strange rustle in the nearby bushes. He stopped.
"Hmm, must be the wind." He said, after looking around his surroundings and continuing to walk on towards the cottage.
He then heard the sudden snap of a twig. He stopped again.
"The wind is quite fierce today." He then continued on walking.
Then a sweat bead dropped to the ground from a distance. The old man stopped once more.
" Heh, heh, that's funny, it's a pretty sunny day, no sign of rain, and yet…"
Then a popping sound rang towards the old man's direction, ripping through the air with great speed, the bullet missed Gohan by several centimeters, after he dodged it, by simply tilting his head quickly to the side.
He turned around slowly and looked at the surrounding trees and bushes by his cottage, giving off a smart smirk.
"So, how's the morning gentlemen?" asked Gohan.
" Don't worry, I know it's you guys, I could tell the difference between the wind passing by and vermins like you coming up here."
"FIRE!!!"
Bullets rained in upon the old man from all directions, aiming straight at his life to end it.
He simply smiled and quickly threw himself in a headstand and created a windmill kick by spinning his legs rapidly, thereby creating a strong enough wind to freeze the bullets in their tracks and drop to the ground, every single one.
TINK, TNK, TK one by one the bullets dropped on the ground, as he lifted himself up to brush off his brown shirt and kahki vest.
"You boys, really know how to get dirty." Chuckled the old man.
" So, you're still stubborn, eh old man?" a colonel came out from behind the bushes. He was wearing a purple trench coat and had a red scarf wrapped around his neck. His chiseled body shined like the midday sun from under his coat. His face was stern and cold. He was void of any emotions except complete anger.
"We meet again Colonel Silver." Replied Gohan.
" Do you think this military likes to play games gramps?"
"No, but I do."
"Grr… just give us the orb."
"Don't you mean the dragon ball?"
"I don't care what's it call! Just give it to me!!!"
"Well then, I don't care to give it to you."
"Oh yeah, WELL SEE IF YOU CAN DODGE THIS!!!"
The Colonel quickly pulled out a .9 mm and shot it at the unshaken old man.
The bullet sped towards the old master's forehead, as he was looking around at the green bushes.
'Hmm these bushes need to be trimmed' he thought.
Without a moment's notice, his hand rapidly shot up to catch the silver bullet before it made its way into his head and out.
"Boys," asked the old sensei as he was still looking at the greenery, holding the sizzling bullet in his aged hand, " don't you think the bushes need a little trimming, I mean with you guys coming over often, I haven't anytime with the yard work."
The Colonel lowered his gun and started to put away his weapon, as he foolishly charged him.
"Die, in the name of the Red Ribbon Army!!!!"
The Colonel ran towards the old man with a pocket knife and tried to tackle him, but instead was stopped when Gohan grabbed the point of his blade, stopping all his movement.
" Arrghhghghhh." The colonel struggled furiously to continue on his charge.
"Oh man the colonel is being done in right here guys" said the observing soldiers.
"SHOOT HIS HEAD YOU FOOLS!!" screamed the Colonel.
All the guns started to take their aim.
"One shot, and the Colonel's dead." Said Gohan sternly.
"Arrrgghhh, Aaaaahhh!!!!!!" The colonel lifted his other hand to punch the old obstacle that was making a mockery of him, but was quickly stopped when the old man suddenly grabbed it, slowly subduing his hand back down.
" I'll say it one final time, leave and never, ever come back." said Gohan to the defeated and embarrassed platoon.
The next thing that could be heard was the Colonel coughing blood, Gohan's knee was buried inside the Colonel's stomach causing him to fade from reality.
"Oh God, did you see when that old man kneed the Colonel?" asked one of the soldiers to his frightened companions.
" N-no way, he just kept staring at us the whole time while he had the Colonel." One managed to utter out.
"The Colonel's down let's get out HERE!!!"
The whole platoon picked themselves up from their position and ran off the hill and disappeared down into the jungle below.
"You forgot your garbage!!" screamed Gohan as he lifted himself his arms up and threw the Colonel over the hill.
" OK ," sighed Gohan, " now for that soothing bath."
Meanwhile, across country in the Red Ribbon Army HQ the air is tense. The beeping of computers and furious typing could be heard surrounding the HQ. Men and women running up and down as if busy ants gathering food for winter. Chatting, swearing and yelling flew overhead. The HQ was constantly busy, searching all over the world for the mystical orbs called Dragon Balls. Their purpose was to gather all seven to completely dominate this planet for eternity and endowing themselves with immortality.
"Sir Cpt. Yellow said he honed in on the position of the fifth Dragon Ball."
"Sir, Lt. Col. Violet is positioned and caught in a fierce fire fight with the tribe from the East Swamp."
"Sir, Col. Silver has been taken out by-"
"Enough!!!" screamed the Commander.
" Too many things at once, the only reports I care for is the report on these Dragon Balls!!"
'Well, Commander Red if I may speak sir, I-I… have the whereabouts of the fifth Dragon Ball."
The Commander stared at the intimidated soldier as he stood across from the Commander's powerful gaze. Commander Red was the chief of the Red Ribbon Army. His experience as a war hero and a General for many years in the army has given him the cold blood he needed to run this ruthless terrorist military organization. Despite his short stature his presence was quite fierce and commanding. He stared furiously into the soldiers' eyes as they quickly filed in the Commander's suite, bringing him constant updates.
"It took us twenty two years to track that ball down, where is it?" He asked.
" Cpt. Yellow said that he thinks it's inside a volcano ,off the west plains of Gibraltar."
" Think?!" he asked, clearly annoyed.
" Well, the report goes as follows Sir: One cadet spotted a shining golden orb as she was searching around the edge of the dormant volcano, she decided to tell the Captain, and he granted her permission to go down there with three other soldiers."
"Who is this cadet, soldier?"
"U-u-uhh, s-she goes by the name.. of ," he frantically flipped over his notes, searching desperately," H-her name is… ah, Cadet Mai, sir."
"Cadet Mai, eh," he lighted up a cigar and blew it into the soldier's face.
" Well, what's the current status?"
"Well, Commander sir, uhh.."
The other soldiers and stewards standing there felt sorry for their poor comrade. Clearly the Commander was starting to get impatient with the nervous soldier, and his doom was soon inevitable.
"W-well, U-uh-uu-mmm, the situation is-"
The Commander started to bite down on his cigar and drummed his hard fingers on the cold hard mahogany desk that was surrounded by the elegant, cathedral like pristine room. He slowly turned to face his personal assistant and second in charge of the army, Officer Black.
"Our friend seems to have a stuttering problem- eh Black?"
"Don't worry Commander we'll soon correct that." Black was a tall black man, about 6'6. he was the closest one to the Commander and was the Vice Commander of the Red Ribbon Army. He stood by the short Commander, but not too close though , the Commander detested looking small of in front of his second.
The dark officer started to go in his vest pocket to pull out a handgun and eliminate the useless nuisance that was standing in front of them.
" Soldier," called Officer Black.
The poor soldier looked up to see death waiting to take him down.
" Here's your 401K , take it with you to the grave."
"WAIT!!!!"
Before the trigger could be pulled, another soldier came in through the tall wooden doors, down the long red carpet towards the Commander's desk.
"I-I-m so sorry, f-forgive me Commander, but I've ju-just received an updated status on Cpt. Yellow , and h-his t-team sir." Huffed the tired soldier.
"His team has been eliminated."
"Eliminated?!?" asked the Commander. He stood up slamming his hands on the desk, searching for an explanation.
"Y-yes Sir, it was sudden and quite a shock, but I do have the last transmission to us right here in this recorder, it is quite inaudible and frightening."
" What is the meaning of this Black?"
"I have no idea Commander, let's listen to the transmission."
" Soldier, bring it over here!" yelled the angry Commander, his shiny red hair clearly gave away his flamboyant character, and uncontrolled temper.
"Yes Sir."
The soldier placed the recorder on the Commander's desk and played the transmission.
Inaudible voices started to play off in everyone's ear.
" H-Help hkksdl-sggg- SOMEBODY---OH G-GOD FOR THE LOVE OF GO----- HE'S
HERE----!!!!---AAAAAHHH!!!---PLEASE---- OH—GO—
Crashes , explosions and blood curdling screams could be heard coming through the transmission. It started to send chills up on the staff's spine.
"W---EE----NEVE----WHAT IS THAT THING---BACK---UPP---OH—AAAHAH----IT'S HI--!!!!--------RUUNN---P----O----"
The transmission stopped.
"Whatever it was Commander, our team has obviousouly never faced it anything like it." Said the shaken soldier, as he was grabbing the recorder.
" Send Copper's team over there, he should be able to figure out what in the devil's name is going on over there!!"
"Right away Commander."
"What is going on Black?" asked the distraught Commander.
"I have no idea sir, but sending Lt. Copper over should give us answers to this situation,"
" Everyone here is dismissed, GET OUT!!"
"Yes, Commander, Sir." Everyone said as they quickly exited out the huge commanding suite.
The Commander plopped back on his seat with hands slamming the desk.
"We just need three more balls, three! Who could mess this up now!!!"
"Sir, rest assured it is nothing we can't handle. We are the world's strongest military no power or group can withstand us. Cpt. Yellow was just living up to his cowardly name." replied Black.
"Yes of course, oh, and Black if Yellow survives this little ordeal, I would like you to deal with him accordingly." Said the Irish Commander, as he opened his bottom drawer and revealed four smooth dragon balls. "Because these guys are too precious to be mishandled by a buffoon like him."
"Rightly put sir, Rightly put." Agreed Black, as he pulled out a palm pilot from his shirt pocket crossing out Cpt. Yellow's name from the military roster.
The spiritual chanting could be heard from afar. The surviving Nuukub clan danced around the fire of the evening sky, batting their staffs on the ground and clapping their hands to the sky.
The pale blue little creatures were of a very diminutive stature. They would stand knee height to any average human. They were of a different breed and kind. Their ears were pointy and there eyes were large and encompassing, almost mesmerizing. They wore long light brown hoodies. Dressed up as monastery monks of the ancient century they chanted their prayers and praise. The bright fire burned brightly as the night sky settled in. Their little cots decorated the jungle that they resided in and called home.
"Brothers tonight we celebrate a grand event, an event so grand, that it will shake the very planet on which we stand!!" The little creature stood on top of a boulder encouraging the feast and spiritual gathering.
"This is a celebrated event, we haven't felt this overjoyed in over a century!!!"
"YYYYEEAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!"
The little voices collaboratively created a big hurrah that would resurrect a dead man of a 100 years to his lively youth.
" And now without further a due I present to you our head of the Nuukub clan and Emperor, Pilaf!!!"
The clan bursted into a huge applause as the Yoda looking man climbed atop the boulder with a golden scepter at hand, and a silver headband fitting for a powerful emperor.
"Brothers!" his voice carried over the applause, booming across the air, silencing everyone to their sweet delight.
"We have done it!!!"
"YYYYYYEEAAAHHH!!!!"
"PILAF, PILAF, PILAF!!!!"
With a motion of his hands he signaled them to simmer down.
"Our God is now FREE!!!!"
A huge applause broke out and rocked the jungle around them.
"Our fellow human ally has aided us in this endeavor, and has succeeded!"
"We will once again celebrate an era of freedom and peace, of unprejudice and equal oppurtunities, comradery and hope!"
"But with any good news, friends, there's always a bad news bears ; our Lord cannot fight or rule now to his full potential, for he is at near death. As we speak he lies in his sickbed paralyzed and deprived of vitality. Time has stolen what he cannot retrieve, but with our help we can restore his Highness, we can come together and search out the seven magical orbs, of which he is in dire need of. Our fellow human has already infiltrated the wretched military our Highness so detests , and as we speak is stealing the magic stones!!!"
An uproar ripped through the dark sky and serene atmosphere.
" It will take us a while to search this planet of our Lord's remedy but we will obtain it, and no matter what obstacle we may face, we will prevail!!!"
"HAIL THE DEMON KING, HAIL THE DEMON KING, HAIL THE DEMON KING!!!!"
" Yes, my friends, he has returned." Whispered Pilaf to himself as he held up his hands encouraging the applause, smiling with complete gratitude.
Meanwhile, about twenty kilometers south of the secret tribes' meeting, Gohan lied down on top of his roof staring at the stars. Nature was as beautiful as ever. An artwork that time can never dull or ruin. He was a little worried at the animals though. The neighboring creatures were frightened. There were a flock of birds flying south earlier even though it was quite humid over here. He felt an inexplicable uneasiness in the spirit of the animals. They were nervous ,scared. Scared of what? He wondered. What could get them so worked up? He thought.
Before the old man could complete his thought, he suddenly saw what seemed like a shooting star flying across the sky coming closer and closer to his position. He abruptly sat up and stared at the phenomenon. The star had a red aura surrounding it. It was falling faster and faster. The screaming sound of it could be heard miles away. Gohan felt a sudden tension grab his heart. The noise created an unfamiliar pounding in his chest.
The object then crash landed not too far from his position. He quickly jumped off the roof ran and towards the crash site. His breath was short, his mind was racing faster than his legs, his sweating was profuse his circulation was almost choking. He jumped over a couple mounds and rocks, ducked a couple trees , here and there, could it be? Could it ?
He then saw the bright fire burning in the distance, lighting up the dark forest, he felt the heat, to him it felt good it felt like, like… hope. He finally got closer to the site. He ran over and saw the huge crater and burning trees.
It created a huge bonfire in the night sky. He quickly slid down the crater, carefully dodging the burning trees and fire. Then he saw it. A space pod.
He looked at it further and could hear a sound coming through the pod. He looked at it further and listened closely. It sounded like pain and confusion. He then lightly tapped the pod, and it automatically opened up, releasing some sort of white gas, while making a hissing noise. He continued staring inside as the gas cleared up, He stared and stared in amazement as the sound became familiar to him, and then what he saw literally took his
breath away, his chest tightened causing him to collapse on the ground right in front of it. Gasping for air, he struggled to get up, as if the gravity suddenly overpowered him. He managed to get up and gaze at the source of the familiar sound and managed to smile as he looked upon this new and confounding discovery. This peculiar enigma that fell from the sky was to change his life ,and heaven was to tremble at this event, earth and sky were to collide with this supreme monumental event, with him caught in the middle.
But what he suddenly saw next didn't prepare him for what was about to happen.