Day 2: Swap (Chi-Chi is the protagonist, Goku is not the main character)

A/N: Anyone remember the seven trials I did awhile back... well lets just say this would be its conclusion.

"I finally have them! I finally did it!" Chi-Chi exclaimed the joy could be felt by those around her as she held all seven of the dragonballs. Her journey had been long, she had endured grueling trials to overcome everything up until this point.

Feeling as if she had aged years, though she knew that at most she had been gone a month. The long trials she had been subject to had been real. Distant universe, alternate realities that were just like her own or twisted nightmares. Some of them would leave her sleepless for a few nights, she was sure

But all of that didn't matter… now she could summon the eternal dragon and be given her wish.

"I'm very happy for you Chi-Chi, truly you are the most pure hearted and worthy soul to have ever earned the right to use their power." The small pale white skinned girl said with a reserved smile, her eyes were a light blue holding no pupils as they glowed, her cloven feet and small protruding stubs from her forehead were small dimpled horns ready to grow. "You may leave the temple and make your wish."

Goku smiled with tears in his eyes as Chi-Chi had succeeded, "I'm so happy, you can finally save your mother." The guardian of the temple gave the young princess a large tight hug as he cried on her shoulder. Proud… so proud of her.

Chi-Chi let the dragonballs fall from her hands as she brought her hands around Goku. Having experienced what felt like a lifetime with him in a way she had never imagined when making this journey. "Thank you, thank you Goku… and i'm sorry that you had to do that with me. It must-must've been tough." She looked up at him as she was ready to start crying but restrained herself as Goku shook his head.

"It's alright, it's all over now so you don't have to worry. Besides I got to meet you that is more than enough for me… you know it's been a long time since I had company," His eyes looked downwards slightly as he blushed a bit. "Or… actually made a friend."

Chi-Chi just squeezed him tighter, she was unsure of her true feelings for this man but damnit… if she didn't want to fall for him. But she could do that later she had to make her wish and save her mother. "I'm going to make my wish." She told him, and he released her.

Looking to her side she noticed that little Leocht had gathered all of them up in her hands and was walking outside. The small childlike protector of the dragonballs looked back at her and sighed, "I'll do this for you, you can make your wish after I summon Shenron."

Nodding her head she approached the massive temple steps as Leocht set out all seven balls, watching them begin to flash from orange to black, to yellow rapidly. Sensing their release of power was imminent they couldn't be stopped. The child threw her hands into the air, her head snapping towards a blackening sky. "Shenron! I call upon thee Dragon to grant a wish of one who is deserving! One who has shown strength of heart, kindness of the soul, concern for the weak, unyielding determination in the face of adversity, and a sense of righteousness that can only be rewarded with their hearts greatest desires being unleashed!" Yellow lightning crackled hitting the seven dragonballs before a blinding flash of light exploded upwards in the body of a serpent.

Chi-Chi and Goku stood awestruck at the prospect of the dragons power as it began to blanket the sky almost stretching endlessly for miles. It was terrifying and incredible at the same time.

As the massive green serpent floated above them it's eyes a fiery road it unleashed a deep rumbling voice. "Who has summoned the eternal dragon? Speak your wish so that I may grant it!"

Leocht stepped back and gestured to the young woman. "I Leocht, keeper of the sacred dragonballs, have bestowed this gift upon the human woman called Chi-Chi. May her hearts greatest desire come true oh Mighty Shenron!"

The dragon's attention turned to Chi-Chi who was nudged forward by Goku… "Go… make your wish." He told her with a smile.

Nodding she walked forwards still feeling the ripples of her own nerves coming through her body as she was almost speechless at the sight before her. But through her trials she knew that this was nothing, that she had endured seeing a pain and suffering unlike any before, where hatreds festered in blacked hearts. Where a mask of lies and deceit told her to do the right thing but, she resisted knowing that it was wrong. That this was wrong.

In those other worlds that she had visited, where she had to fight, think, and talk her way through made her appreciate all of what she had even more, and understand just how truly difficult it was to keep her pure heart intact.

Her brown eyes looked back at Goku who smiled at her and nodded his head. She smiled back her eyes beginning to tear up as she looked into the face of the eternal dragon. Shenron. "Dragon, I wish that my mother be cured of all that ails her, that she and my father live happy and healthy lives together!"

Releasing a low rumble the Dragon exhaled as his eyes released a powerful illuminating red glow that covered the ground. "Your wish… Has been granted! Farewell."

With that the dragon became golden flash of light the seven dragonballs released a blinding flash before becoming naught but stone orbs. Their power gone used by one who was worthy.

The blackened sky returned to the evening swirl of red, purple, yellow and black as the sun began to set upon this holy temple. Chi-Chi was a little quiet as she looked to Leocht. "That's it?"

Grinning, "Yep, that's it your mom is happy and healthy until she and your dad live out the rest of their lives." She stated patting Chi-Chi on the leg, "No more games, you can go home happy and proud of what you have accomplished that only one other has ever been able to achieve."

This surprised Chi-Chi "Who else did that?" She had believed that perhaps she was the first, but the idea that one other person had come before her. Call this princess interested in finding out. "It's… A…" She whispered motioning for Chi-Chi to bring her ear closer as to unveil the truth. Her small lips almost touching her earlobe as she spoke so quietly. "Secret!" Bursting into a fit of giggles as she ran away the small rambunctious girl jumping up the steps and running around as Goku held his head, he appeared very weary and tired.

"Goku? You alright?" She asked concerned coming up and touching his arm.

He stiffened slightly, "Yeah, yeah i'm alright. Just a little tired… you know… I had to help you all that time. Not a lot of rest for me." He chuckled taking a moment to sit down. "Man i'm tired…" He admitted.

Chi-Chi having not seen Goku really rest assumed that he was truly exhausted. Though as she turned to ask Leocht a question she came outside holding a small whistle.

"Well now it's getting let and I need to be sending you home to your mom and enjoy your wish!" The little girl exuded with a devious grin. Raising up the whistle she blew it once. "So i'm going to send you home the best way possible, you should be there in almost no time!"

Chi-Chi was confused, "What are you-!?" SHe managed before a golden cloud came down and seemingly parked right at the edge of the temple steps. "I called you, your very own personal flying Nimbus, it will carry you anywhere and to anyone so long as you keep a pure heart and… you may keep it. A parting gift from me to you should we not see each other again." The girl gestured with her hand as the stunned princess watched the floating cloud.

"I-I… I don't… Thank you." She said bowing her head to which the girl patted her overly bowed head with her hand.

"No, thank you. You should be off though, don't want to not have your mother and father miss you for too long!" Leocht said grinning a she nodded but as she did Goku stood up and walked towards Chi-Chi.

The two friends looked at each other and smiled. "Good-bye Goku,"

"Good-bye Chi-Chi, I'll miss you." He said rubbing up and down her back longingly, as if this would be the last time ever.

"Don't say that, I promise i'll come and visit tomorrow." She told him with conviction that he could not argue with. His smile a bit strained as he nodded.

"Well I hope I see you again." Goku said as Chi-Chi looked up into his black eyes of a man she had grown so attached too. The stories and journey they had gone through could not be put into words. So she did with action, pressing her lips upwards she gave him a simple but emotional kiss. Barely breaking their lips apart to whisper these words to him. "I'll never be able to thank you enough Goku."

She turned away, the blush on her face and tears in her eyes Chi-Chi jumped atop the golden cloud and took off into the air on a journey home.

As the sun began to set overtop the temple, turning the illuminated white stone into a faded gray Goku remained perched at the ends of the steps as Leocht came up and took his hand. The night beginning to settle into the environment as Goku felt a cold chill sweep over him.

"You can rest now Goku… You can rest." It was the gentle voice beside him, but not of a child, but of a full bodied woman. Her gentle words carried him off as he closed his eyes finally resting… but not wanting too. The two remaining together and upright for over an hour as the sun disappeared beyond the horizon and sheltered the once luminous temple into darkness.

It was the next day and a beautiful one at that, her mother was the picture perfect image of health and happiness not knowing the trials that her daughter had gone through and Chi-Chi didn't bother telling her yet. She didn't want to spoil the surprise.

Taking off back towards the temple with all due haste, a smile that filled her entire visage was all she felt on the short ten minute flight back to the temple where she had languished for several long weeks in an alternate reality for even longer periods of time. As she and Nimbus broke the clouds she looked over and could see the formation of the massive temple just beyond her as it peaked just above the low lying clouds.

A true temple in the sky…

But. That isn't what she saw.

The massive ornate marble structure was now gone, the grounds covered in rubble of what was once an impressive temple. All of it, was now just a patch and miss mash of broken rock and debris. Chi-Chi didn't know what to make of it as she approached, though as she did she noticed the outline of a familiar figure standing out front.

That pose, and spiked hair was unforgettable as she came downwards. Drawing closer she looked to hear his boisterous laughter or maybe him calling out to her. Yet as she came closer she realized that something… was very, very wrong.

Jumping down her feet impacting on the dirt Chi-Chi stopped as she looked upon the sight in front of her. The temple was completely destroyed and he… was apparently a part of it.

Goku was standing there, but his body had become completely stone. Much like the dragonballs that remained outside the gentle smile on his face as he had closed his eyes before becoming the statue figure he was right now.

"By Kami, no," Her heart pounding in her chest as she walked forwards. Not imaging this being the scenario she would arrive too. "What is this? Why-why is this-"

"Happening?" A voice spoke from behind Chi-Chi startling her as she whipped around to catch sight of what she had that was Leocht but the maturity of the person speaking wasn't that little girl. Though as she looked at the new figure she would be hard pressed to say that there was another person who resembled the childish keeper. "I'm sorry Chi-Chi." The woman was sitting on a rock hidden from sight by a small perch of trees.

"Leocht? Is that you?" She asked confused as the woman nodded.

"Indeed, this is the real me. Not the little child you a familiar with." The woman sighed as she remained, her glowing eyes looking at Chi-Chi who shook her head.

"What happened, where's the temple, why is Goku a statue? What is going on!?" Chi-Chi's pleading tone for answers pulled deeply at Leocht's heart. Having watched the same events transpire as if they were her own memories.

"Chi-Chi, Goku's life force is linked to those dragonballs. When Shenron's power is used up, he life is also used. Becoming an inert statue, the power that existed inside, all of that were all tied to those mystical balls."

She was stunned, "How?"

"It's a long story, but when I told you someone else had used those dragonballs? It was me, I had tried to wish that young Goku be revived when I had found him near death. But to restore him wouldn't have prevented another death a short while later. So I wished that Goku and the dragonballs be linked. So when their power is unused he can return… though if he returns with all of his memories or not? I can not say."

She had found him, sick, destitute, broken, and no single wish could've undone what had happened to him. So she made a selfish choice and bound him to them. Leocht looked at Chi-Chi with a sad expression, her eyes lowered, that once childish exuberance that seemed unshakable was replaced by that of a woman carrying a burden.

"Is… he dead?" She asked looking to the statue of his form.

"Yes and no, too explain it is impossible, but maybe in a year he will return along with the power of the dragonballs or he may not. I do not know that answer…"

Chi-Chi approached the smooth greek like statue of a man she had become so close with. Touching his face she could feel her eyes burning. This was not fair. To save the life of her mother, she had killed… Goku.

"Do not blame yourself, he was happy, happy to have made a true friend and to see you succeed. There is nothing more that he would've wanted Chi-Chi." Leocht said trying to assure her as Chi-Chi slowly broke down crying. Though she would love to reach out and tell her it would be alright, she could not, because even she did not know the answer.

"It's not right though, he didn't deserve to die for me!" Chi-Chi said falling to her knees a she began to sob in mourning after seeing her dear friend like this.

Shaking her head the temple guardian released a sigh, "Then live for him. Maybe one day he'll come back or maybe he will not. But Chi-Chi…" The bizarre woman's voice began to fade as Chi-Chi turned back and saw Leocht's own form beginning to fade away like dust in the wind. Slowly blowing away. "He will always be a part of you… inside your heart." Then she blew away, her body becoming like flower petals and spirited into the air before spread all over leaving the only living person on this mountain to shoulder a deep resonating pain inside of her heart.

But maybe… he would come back.

Steeling herself Chi-Chi mounted atop Nimbus with the idea to return to this place every single day for a year until she had her answer. Taking with her so many memories between them, Chi-Chi knew that she wouldn't forsake everything she had with him.

He had taught her how to hope and believe in others… so she would do the same for him.

R&R

Kerghan