CHAPTER 6
"So, this is your Father's treasure you say?" Yamcha inspected the mysterious orange ball as it started to glow wildly, causing the stars inside to swim around the fist sized orb.
"Uh yes, it was given to me as a child, and uh now that my Father's passed on I carry it around." Replied Bulma. She really didn't want the man to know of the true story behind the dragon balls, afraid that he may try to keep it from her.
"So what were you doing alone in a desert ?" Asked the bandit.
"I was kidnapped as you can see."
"Yeah well, from your house?"
"No, well I was running after my Father's killer, you see the law enforcement from where I come from is really corrupt, and I think I know who killed my Father and stole his other dragon balls." Lied the sixteen year old.
"Oh O.K. I mean I would see why someone would steal it, it does look real pretty."
"Yeah, well this isn't a bad place you've got here." Said Bulma. She started to walk around the cave lair that the desert bandit made himself. Inside was rocky stalactites and carved bookshelves. There was a huge flat top boulder that was used as a kitchen table. The cave floor was surrounded by intricately designed carpets. Merchandise and gold decorated the cave walls. Ointments, balsam oil, swords, shields, guns every kind of modern technology aided in defining the room's appearance. Three big, candle-lit ,stone chandeliers hung from above the cavern ceiling.
"So you did all this?" Asked Bulma.
"Yup."
"Master, you've done it you've actually done it, you've bought a female in!"
"PUAR!"
The flying blue feline creature swung over to the girl's face and circled around her.
"She's not bad looking either, definitely a keeper!"
"Whoa cool a Blue Garrisol!"
"Yeah," smiled Yamcha, " how'd you know?"
"I study a lot, I thought these guys were extinct." Bulma petted the blue creature, as it purred in mid air.
"How'd you get a hold of it?"
"Uh, well um…I found it."
"Found it? You can't just simply—
"Look what I've got over here!" Interrupted Yamcha.
He pointed out to a golden oriental lamp. Its design was majestic, and its form was flawless. It shined brightly, easily distinguishing itself from his other stolen goods.
"Uh, what is that?"
"I don't know found it in a cave somewhere around here, thought it looked cool."
"Not to get in your business or anything, but I've been meaning to ask you, how'd you get all this?"
"Oh, I'm a bandit, I steal stuff from people who cross this desert." Said Yamcha, as he tried to keep his balance on the tall ladder that hugged the carved out bookshelves.
"Oh, well that's not very nice."
"Yeah well, you've gotta make a living somehow."
"I understand I guess."
"Look, uh-you want something to eat, you must be hungry."
"No, I'm alright I just want to keep searching for my Father's murderer."
"Well the desert's the hottest over here in the morning and afternoon, so we could probably head out in the evening, in the meantime it's best to get your energy up."
"Uh, O.K."
"Besides what's girl like you going to do to your Father's killer?"
"Don't doubt me, I came well prepared."
"Yeah well I can see that", sneered Yamcha, "That worm really wasn't ready for someone like you coming around."
"You won't be either if you don't shut up." Smiled Bulma, " Anyway, I really wouldn't mind you coming along."
"M-me, well I uh—"
"Master! No we can't we—"
Yamcha quickly blocked Puar's mouth and gave out a nervous chuckle.
"Of course, I wouldn't mind."
"Good, evening then, right?"
"Yup."
"So what do you have to eat then?"
"Oh, uh let's see," the young man scrambled over to the stone kitchen and took out a huge four day old carcass of a desert boar from his sack of goodies.
"There you go, pretty rare to find this baby out in the desert. So we're having a delicacy."
"That's the delicacy? Oh boy I'm in trouble!" Bulma quickly ran to the nearest exit, cupping her hands to her mouth, waiting to express her disgust away from the desert bandit. "Blaaaahhhhhh.." She suddenly vomited out of the nearest window in the cave.
"Hey, whoa! It really ain't that bad." Yamcha petted the huge hairy beast with satisfaction.
"Look Oolong we've finally reached the foot of the mountain!"
"W-what happened?" Asked Oolong groggily.
"You fell asleep! We've finally reached the mountain Bulma was talking about! They might know where she is."
"And why would they know that?"
"Well, it doesn't hurt to ask."
"Hm, good point I guess."
"O.K. Mr. Turtle you can climb up now."
"Uh, Goku the mountain trail is too steep and narrow for the swamp king."
"Oh, I think you're right Oolong."
"Aren't I always?"
"Well, you just wait here Mr. Turtle we'll be right back," said Goku, "I'm just gonna ask some people up there if they've seen my friend or Grandfather."
Goku and Oolong hopped off the giant turtle and started their trek on the mountain path.
"See ya Mr. Turtle!"
"Kid, it's not like we aren't gonna see it again, jeez."
"Come on Oolong you're moving too slow!" Laughed Goku, the boy started hopping from rock to rock, getting higher and higher up the narrow path.
"Hey wait up kid! Man these rocks look scary. These canyon walls look like they've got faces on them." Whimpered Oolong.
The pair walked up the steep path going up and up. The gray stone slowly encompassed them as they continued to walk up the dirt path. Soon there were massive stone walls on either side of them, almost as if they were menacing giants just staring at them. The sunlight started to dim and it got darker as the steep mountain walls got higher. The howling of the wind could be heard bouncing off the canyon walls as it caused an eerie feeling to any unfortunate passerby.
"O.K. G-Goku we've been trailing for like t-thirty minutes now, let's t-take a-a breather."
"Already Oolong?" Yelled Goku from a far away branch.
"Kid! I'm no jungle boy you hear!"
"I hear voices Oolong! Up there!"
"O.K. O.K. Kid, jeez I'm coming!"
"Don't worry I'll help you up."
Goku jumped off the dead tree branch and picked up the short pig to his back.
"Watch me get there in no time." Smiled Goku.
Goku squatted down and bounced off the ground with such tremendous force, that it seemed as if the boy was shot out of a hot geyser. Dust and debris arose from the cracked ground as he jumped into the air. He landed on the side of the mountain wall and hopped off from there, causing the wall to tremble. From wall to wall, that's how he did it, he quickly was able to cover a lot of distance in no time, leaving major cracks and crevices behind on the mountain walls.
"WHOA, SLOW DOWN KID, SLOW DOWN! I SAID SLOW DOWN!"
"Not yet Oolong! We're almost there!"
"WELL I FEEL AS IF I'M GONNA FALL ANY MINUTE NOW!"
"Don't worry, falling on the ground doesn't hurt as much as you think!"
"WHAT! I'M TALKING FOR NORMAL BEINGS, SUCH AS MYSELF!"
"I think you're pretty funny! Hahahahahahaha"
"Oolong look, sunlight is starting to come from here! That means we're almost there," the boy looked down below him, "And an abandoned village too! Whoa!"
"KID WHY DON'T WE JUST WALK FROM HERE, PLEASE!"
"Alright!"
Oolong peered below him as Goku started to hop down to the ground. He suddenly caught sight of a saber tooth tiger pouncing on a giant two headed cobra. Oolong quickly lost his eagerness for traveling on foot.
"NEVERMIND! GO UP! GO UP! GO UP! GO UP!"
"What do you mean?"
"GO UP!"
"I can't I'm already going down—"
The duo landed on the cobra's head and fell on the ground nearby.
"Aw, Oolong you have to make up your mind."
"I'm sorry kid, but I didn't invite these two up here!"
"What are you—"
Before he could finish his sentence the cobra quickly snatched Goku by the head with its venomous mouth.
"OH GOD KID! I'M OUTTA HERE! I'LL BE SURE TO TELL YOUR FRIEND AND GRAMPA ABOUT YOUR UNDENIABLE COURAGE!"
Before the pig could take a step further , the menacing saber tooth leapt in front of him, blocking his escape.
"OH NO! PLEASE I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU HEARD! BACON IS ABSOLUTELY H-H-H-ORIBBLE!" Cried Oolong.
"GOKU!" Oolong quickly turned around to run away from the tiger.
The giant cobra suddenly landed in front of Oolong.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"
"Wait." The pig quickly realized the reptile was unconscious.
"RRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" The saber tooth leaped at Oolong full speed, charging into the little pig.
"Not today Fangs!" He quickly transformed into a small bat and dodged the tiger's attack by flying above it.
"Well, I'm outta here, I don't have to take care of the kid, thanks to that- wait! The snake it was unconscious CRAP!" The pig quickly reverted back to his original form, dropping to the ground.
Before he could completely turn around the saber tooth was mid air in its attack.
Oolong froze in fear, 'Darn it, I should've just left!' He thought, ' Forget this stupid mission it isn't worth my life!'
The humidity of the creatures mouth wrapped around the pig's head as he crouched down in fear.
"!" The saber tooth let out a cry of pain as its short tail was pulled, and later his whole body tossed out of sight, across the rocky mountain plains.
Oolong slowly raised his head.
There stood Goku with his red pole in hand.
"They weren't very nice." His voice was monotone, stoic.
"Y-yes." Replied Oolong.
Goku stared past Oolong, and into the horizon.
"Oolong, what's a liar?" Asked Goku, calmly.
"What do you mean?" Asked the confused pig.
"I'm asking you." Said the boy as he lowered his gaze to the pig's eyes.
'He must've seen me transformed when I told him I couldn't for a while, darn it, I was hoping he wouldn't notice!' Thought Oolong.
"U-uh well you see Goku, there's a white lie, and then there's a lie." Said Oolong as he picked himself up slowly, " White lies are good lies." Oolong slowly went in his pocket to retrieve the weapon.
"Oh O.K.!" Exclaimed Goku.
"Huh?"
"That's the way my Grampa acted whenever he'd asked a question!" Laughed Goku.
"Oh, Heh,heh," smiled Oolong nervously," why'd you ask me that question?" He quickly stuff the weapon in his pocket.
"Nah, I saw you transform and you said you couldn't so you're a liar! Admit it you like me and want to hang around more, admit it , admit it, admit it!" Taunted the child.
"OK, OK, I guess I'm cool with you kid, that's all."
"Yeeeaahh! You're my full friend now Oolong!"
"Come on the village is up there, I see the smoke!"
Goku quickly grabbed Oolong and ran ahead towards the billowing smoke.
"W-W-wait kid, WAIT!"
Within twenty minutes the pair reached the entrance to the mountain village up ahead.
"Come on Oolong, don't make me drag you."
"K-kid, w-w-what are you a-a m-machine?"
The duo continued to trek the steep mountain path. Minutes passed by as they continually went up the rocky road. Boulders and strange rock formations started to populate their path as they continued on going up. The oxygen was less, the air was getting hotter and hotter as they climbed up further. The fluctuating atmosphere didn't affect Goku at all, he kept climbing the mountain as if he were just strolling at a sunset beach.
"You're breathing too hard for no reason." Said Goku.
"NO REASON! KID WE RAN UP A MOUNTAIN IN CASE YOU DIDN'T NOTICE!"
"Well back at home I had to rock climb this one mountain a hundred times, back and forth!"
"Are you sure you weren't raised in a mental asylum?"
"I don't know, I just grew up with my Grampa!"
"And you're looking for him, you're obviously a glutton for punishment."
"STOP RIGHT THERE!"
A loud voice boomed through the air, stopping the two dead in their tracks.
"WHO GOES THERE?"
"Goku!" screamed the boy smiling.
"You idiot! Don't answer just run!"
The pig tried to run away, but to no avail, Goku already had him by the collar of his shirt.
"My name is Goku, and I have here a friend named Oolong!"
"Kid stop it!"
"Stop what? He asked me-"
Before he could finish his explanation a vibrating thud was felt by Goku and the frightened pig.
The two turned to face three fierce warriors.
One was as a knight on a black horse with a helmet, the other one was a portly warrior with a huge sword and an old vikings' helmet. He had a long brown beard. The third fighter was not human, but a grayish blue beast with a massive set of jaws and razor sharp teeth, that jutted out everywhere. He carried one large sword and a battle axe. All of them were in clad armor.
"Who do you say goes there?" Asked the big boned warrior.
"Name's Goku."
"Goku, eh?" The warrior gave out a dirty smirk which exposed his gully mouth and missing teeth, saliva oozed from his lips as he spoke to the boy.
"Goku… by what authority do you come here?"
"Umm… I'm not sure I understand what you mean, but I came to check if you've guys seen a blue haired girl and a strong old man."
"Who do you think we are?" Yelled the warrior.
"I don't know I just met you." Smiled the boy.
"You wanna be smart, eh?"
The huge warrior charged towards Goku's direction letting out a fearsome battle cry.
"Heh." Smiled the boy, as he took out his Grandfather's power pole.
The man swung his sword across so as to cut into the boy's side, but missed when Goku jumped up.
"What the? Where'd he go!" Screamed the mountain warrior.
"Over here."
The man turned to see the boy standing atop his blade with one foot crossing his leg. Goku held his red staff with arms crossed.
"This is perfect balance." Smiled the boy.
"Why you!" He quickly shook the kid off his sword and swung it down to aim right atop his skull.
Goku swiftly swung his staff up to block the oncoming assault.
"GGGRRRRRRR…" The man struggled to cut through the red staff and into the boy's head.
"You can't cut this silly, it's too tough, hahhahahahahahaha…" Laughed Goku.
Goku pushed the man back with his pole and quickly went into a headstand.
The burly warrior swiftly swiped the sword down to cut in between the boy's legs, but to no avail, Goku held the saber between his feet and prevented the blade from going down any further. The man tried to pull out his sword, but his brute strength did him no good against the boy's exceptional martial art skills.
"COME ON BOY FIGHT ME!" Screamed the warrior.
"O.K.," smiled Goku, " One fight coming up!" With that he lifted the man and his sword up ,with his bare feet, using his torso to levitate the warrior's body completely off the ground, and with one jerking movement he flipped the big man over him causing him to land ten feet away from his other comrades.
The moment Goku stood up from his headstand, the next warrior approached him, with his horse, swiping down his blade to cut the boy's head off. Goku just ducked the attack and lifted his pole up to put atop of the swinging blade, which he used to lift himself up and do a headstand on the side of the heavy blade, with the pole in grip.
The knight could barely register his shock when he realized that the boy was standing upside down on his staff, atop his sword. Before the knight could react Goku pushed himself off the sword and whacked the knight with the red staff, knocking him off the horse.
"Hahahhahaha, this is fun!" Laughed the boy.
Goku stood on the horse and flipped off its back landing on the ground. Not a second too late the third warrior came charging at him with the sword and battle axe at hand. The monstrous looking warrior slashed and waved his weapons towards Goku, the poor creature was wasting precious energy, for the boy just duck and jumped over the blinding speeds of the monster's swinging attacks.
"QUIT MOVING CRETIN!" Screamed the monster, as he got more ferocious with this attacks.
"You—know—you—could—try—working…WHOA! -almost got me," screamed Goku as he lowered his head in time for the close swing, the boy continued to speak as he dodged the attacks, " as I was -saying you-can -try-working—at –staying calm-and -actually focus."
While he was dodging the grotesque fighter, the two other warriors rose up and came running towards the boy. The two warriors quickly lowered their sword towards Goku as he tried to dodge his current assailant's attacks.
CLANG! The clash of metal weaponry could be heard as they all landed atop the boy's red pole.
"If I let go, you will all die." Said Goku sternly, "so I suggest you all just give up."
"FOOL WE WILL NEVER GIVE IN! FOR WE PROTECT THE VILLAGE UP AHEAD, WE FIGHT FOR THE OX KING!"
As soon as they were about to make their next move, Oolong came running towards them.
"Wait!" Screamed Oolong.
The three warriors turned around to face the little pig, while holding the boy down in the middle with their weapons.
"Ox King you say?"
"Yes." Growled the burly warrior.
"So, then if I'm not mistaken this is… Fire Mountain?"
"Exactly."
"Yipes!" Yelped Oolong, "Wow, talk about the wrong place at the wrong time, Well I'm outta here."
"Wait pig! You won't escape here easily, once you've trespassed here how would we know if you won't come back again and try to attack us with more reinforcements?"
"Look buddy we meant no harm, really!"
"Oh yeah?" The burly warrior lifted his sword up, getting ready to impale the frightened piglet head on.
Goku quickly darted his eyes towards Oolong's direction. The boy was still hunkered down by the two other warriors who were pressing down their weapons on him.
With one swift motion Goku lifted his pole up and twisted it, catching the fighters' weapons in his staff and whipping it out their hands, followed by a headstand kick to the chest of the beastly fighter and a hard punch to the knight's gut.
The two warriors collapsed with their hands to their abdomens.
"Oolong!" Screamed the boy as he ran towards the scared pig.
"Power Pole Extend!" Goku's crimson staff vibrated in his hand and shot off with the force of a cannonball towards the big warrior.
The end of the staff quickly struck the charging warrior directly on the back of his head, knocking him unconscious.
"Got him!" Sighed Goku as he ran towards Oolong.
"Oolong are you alright?"
"Yeah kid thanks, now we're in big trouble." Said Oolong, as he stared at the unconscious warriors lying motionless on the ground.
"That's O.K. If they want more, I've got an endless supply." Said Goku as he spun his staff and placed it on his back.
"Come on, we have to ask the villagers if they've seen Bulma."
"Kid, what are the chances we're gonna find anybody that knows what you're talking about."
Goku just ignored Oolong and kept walking towards the nearby village.
"Kid it's starting to get dark, you know how I feel about that."
The howling of wolves could be heard bouncing off the mountain walls, as the moon started to illuminate the dark mountain path. The pair kept walking down the rocky road. Slowly the sunlight disappeared completely from the horizon, taking away the mesmerizing sunset with it. The stars proceeded to take the sky, front and center, showing off its luminescence to the world down below.
"The stars look amazing Oolong."
"Yeah whatever kid, but uh ,is it me or is the sun setting in the wrong direction?"
"What do you mean?"
"What I mean is-"
"Oh look Oolong! A lighting creature! Hahahahahaha!" Interrupted Goku.
"Never mind, what I was about to say was of no importance anyway." Oolong sighed to himself.
"What is it called Oolong?"
The furry creature floated above them, as its dragonfly like wings kept it abuzz.
The little critter looked like a toad covered in short green grass, it also had six little paws, and a thick tail. Its innocent black eyes stared down at the duo, as its antennae flickered the green fluorescent light.
"That's a foolarygust."
"A foolar—wha?" Asked Goku as he played with the little furry creature, "It's as big as my fist Oolong!"
"A foolarygust, it's a creature that flies around and feeds off the flames of a fire."
"It eats fire!"
"Yeah, but that's what's funny, I don't see any—wait, those warriors didn't they say-"
"OOLONG! COME SEE THIS!" Yelled Goku from a distance.
"What!" Yelled the pig, he hated being frightened like that, he had enough close calls for one day, he thought.
Oolong stood in shock as he ran up to the end of their path and up a steep cliff. A gigantic bonfire burned in the backdrop of the village below them. The searing flames turned the night sky of the village into an eerie afternoon.
"That's a huge fire! It looks like a volcano erupted here! That's what's probably been causing the smoke from afar!"
"Kid, that's right! Those warriors called this place Fire Mountain, the mountain of the Ox King! We have to go! The Ox King is a merciless killer. They say he's some sort of a demonic warrior that goes traveling to different lands and laying waste to numerous civilizations. You see, Fire Mountain is his base of operation! If he finds us here we're dead!"
"But why would he burn his own castle?" asked Goku, as he started to sweat from the heat of the flames.
"The question is, what are we still doing here?"
"I hear might still be people down there!"
"Hey kid where you're—"
Before Oolong could finish his sentence the boy skidded down the mountain cliff and into the blazing village.
"KID, WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?"
"I don't think Oolong, I just do what I know is right!"
"Smart aleck, now I guess I have to follow him, aw geez, I hate my life."
"Helloooo, is anybody here?" Screamed Goku.
The smoldering inferno created a din that almost suffocated the child's cry to help anyone nearby.
"Anybodyyy ! Anyone!"
"Kid we can't stay here too long." Oolong looked around at the abandoned houses, that decorated the cluttered street corners. The road was covered in cobblestone and garbage.
"Helllloooooo!"
"Seriously kid we have to go, Bulma isn't obviously here!"
The surrounding smoke made it hard for the both of them to breathe. The intense heat made it hard to stop sweating. Even the soles of their feet felt the staggering temperature that rubbed off on the stone ground.
"I'm like melting here kid, come on!"
Before Goku could respond a loud voice screamed out from behind them.
"WHAT ARE YOU GUYS STILL DOING HERE?"
Goku and Oolong turned around to see a lady and a child in her arms.
"Ma'am we've come here to help anyone still here!" Yelled Goku.
"I don't need any help, you two have to leave now!"
"What happened over here?"
"Kid see, even she said we have to go! Now come on!"
"Don't you know, the Ox King! He is spreading his wrath all over the village!" Screamed the woman.
"Why did he do this to his own village?" Asked Goku.
"I have no time for your questions child I have to leave! May the Gods be with you!"
"Well, have you seen a blue hair person around here anywhere, he's a GIRL!" Screamed Goku, as the woman ran away disappearing from before them.
"OK Oolong I guess we can go now," Goku turned around to look for Oolong, " Oolong? Oolong? Where are you? Oolong!"
"OOLONG!"
No sooner did Goku call out his name, did he suddenly feel the earth quake underneath his feet.
The boy slowly turned around to face an eight foot tall man with a massive weight. The warrior held an ax in his hand and had some sort of a copper helmet. The huge man stood in the entrance of a nearby doorway. He held the big ax in his hand with the skull of a person on the bottom. Blood decorated the room in which he was in, The sinister looking man sneered at the boy, glaring at him with some sort of glowing red eyes.
"HMMM, ANOTHER ONE I'VE LEFT BEHIND, EH?" Growled the menacing figure.
"What'd you do with my friend Oolong?"
"AH, THE PIG HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HE DIDN'T TASTE TOO BAD BOY!"
"You WHAT?"
"SO WHAT IF I ATE HIM? YOU'RE ON MY TERRITORY SHEPERD BOY!"
The enormous man lifted his giant ax and aimed it at the boy.
"NOW! I HAVEN'T EATEN IN DAYS, AND ALL THIS KILLING IS MAKING ME A LITTLE HUNGRY, SO DON'T THINK I'D HESITATE TO EAT A SMALL PERSON LIKE YOU!"
" No you didn't! You didn't eat Oolong!" Goku quickly pulled out his staff and started to charge the giant.
"FOOL!"
The giant warrior threw his axe towards the boy, but Goku just jumped up and hopped off the flying weapon and went in to impale the massive threat standing before him.
The warrior quickly pulled out two swords and blocked Goku's assault.
Goku fell back down on his feet and swiftly swung his extended pole to trip up the tall adversary, who was ready to stab him head on.
The big man tripped over but stuck his right sword to the ground which kept his balance, and used his left sword to jab it straight at the boy's head, between his eyes.
Goku just ducked it by bending completely backwards, and quickly swinging his planted feet onto the blade of the sword. He was now on a headstand, with his feet latched onto to the enemy's sword.
"WHY YOU!"
Goku lifted his hands up, hanging off the sword by his feet, he proceeded to use his free hands to extend the red staff hard into the giant's stomach, causing it to flinch in pain.
"WAIT A M-M-MINUTE BOY, THAT IS NO ORDINARY STICK!" Growled the brute.
"I don't care! Give me back Oolong!"
"NO REALLY, D-D-DO YOU K-KNOW… GOHAN?"
"Huh?" Goku fell off the warrior's sword by surprise.
The red staff slowly retracted back to its original size.
"THAT STAFF ,THAT'S THE NYOBOI."
"That's it, I couldn't remember what Grandpa called it, but that's what it was." Said the boy to himself, as he stared down at the red stick, " How do you know about Grampa!"
"GRANDPA! WHAT DO YOU MEAN?"
"Gohan is my Grandfather, what do you know of him? Did you take him!"
"TAKE HIM? GRANDPA! AHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH! SO GOHAN HAS A GRANDSON NOW, WELL ALL MY DAYS! AHAHHAHAHAHAHAH!" Laughed the giant heartily.
"What's so funny?" Yelled Goku. He pulled out his staff out, ready for another round.
"WELL BOY, ME AND YOUR GRANDFATHER GREW UP TOGETHER, I KNOW HIM VERY WELL! HE WAS MY TRAINING PARTNER!"
"Training partner?" Asked Goku confusingly.
"YES, WE BOTH TRAINED UNDER THE VENERABLE MUTEN ROSHI!"
"You mean the Master Roshi?"
"YES! HAHAHAHAHHAH!" The man's laughter shook every foundation on the ground. The little huts surrounding the vicinity crumbled under the great strength of his laughter.
"I AM GYO MAO, THE OX KING!"
"The Ox King! So you're the one that caused all this destruction! What for?"
"I SEE! I DID CAUSE QUITE A BIT OF MESS!"
"Well? Why'd you do it?"
" WHY YOU ASK, WELL BOY I AM JUST EXPRESSING WHAT I FEEL INSIDE, I'M VERY, VERY ANGRY THAT IS ALL."
"What are you so mad at? So as for you to cause all this senseless destruction?"
"MY DAUGHTER BOY! MY LITTLE GIRL, WHERE IS SHE?"
"Your daughter?" Asked Goku perplexed, " What do you mean?"
"MY LITTLE GIRL SHE'S GONE!" With that, the giant warrior slammed his sword into the ground causing a massive fault to appear on the surface.
"Whoa!" Screamed Goku as he jumped up to dodge the earth splitting shock.
"Well destroying your own city won't bring her back!"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, OBVIOUSLY SOMEONE HERE KIDNAPPED HER!"
"Well you burned up like half the city, she's probably dead now !" Screamed Goku.
"HOW DARE YOU BOY !"
The Ox King swung his blade towards Goku's abdomen, but the boy quickly blocked the assault with his nyoboi.
"I COULD FINISH YOU OFF HERE, BUT YOU ARE THE GRANDSON OF GOHAN, MY BELOVED COMPANION."
"W-Where is she?" Asked Goku as he strained to keep the sword from going any further.
" WHAT IS IT TO YOU BOY?"
"I'll help you find her… since you are my Grampa's friend I'll do what he would've done if he were here… so do you have any clue where she is?"
The Ox King released his sword against the boy's staff.
" I DO HAVE ONE CAPTIVE THAT HAS A CLUE OF HER WHEREABOUTS, BUT NO MATTER WHAT I DO HE JUST WON'T TALK."
"Well lead me to him, but I'll only help you also, if you tell where Oolong is."
"IT'S A DEAL BOY…FOLLOW ME."
Ox King Gyo Mao turned around and slowly walked towards the burning mountain atop.
As the pair walked passed the decimated houses decorating the village, the Ox King turned around to face the boy.
"CHILD I HAVE NO REASON TO DOUBT YOU, I TRUST YOU WILL FIND MY DAUGHTER." With that the Ox King clapped his hands twice and stared into the boy's eyes.
No sooner did he clap, little white stars begin to appear and collect themselves together right in front of the Ox King. The white stars started to form a shape as they appeared one atop the other. Slowly a white bald flying creature appeared before Goku. He looked like a goblin on bird wings. The creature had a lazy smile and eyes. His long arms dangled off his shoulders. His pointy ears shook as he gave out a little chuckle, revealing his buck teeth. His lizard like tail swung slowly as he floated himself above the ground.
"THIS IS PORUPOI, HE WAS GIVEN TO ME BY THE GREAT MUTEN ROSHI MANY YEARS AGO. HE HAS YOUR FRIEND," The Ox King stared at the creature and gave it a nod, "YOU CAN GIVE THE LITTLE PIGLET BACK NOW PORUPOI."
The white creature gave out a low groan and proceeded to rub its hands vigorously. As it pulled its hands apart a luminescent bubble formed around it as it revealed a miniature sized Oolong. The little pig was beating against the bubble's wall as it got bigger.
"YOU CAN RELEASE HIM PORUPOI."
"MMMMMmmmmm" Groaned the flying monster.
The creature's eyes glowed a bright white and popped the bubble.
"Aaaaaahh!" Oolong fell down with a thump.
"That was insane! What in the world? That thing just swiped down and kidnapped me! I didn't even hear it coming!"
"Oolong! You're safe!" Exclaimed Goku, as he ran towards him to hug him.
"Let go of me kid! You're killing me! You should've been grabbing me like this when that thing came around!"
"BOY, I WILL SHOW YOU TO THE CAPTIVE NOW, HE MAY PROVIDE YOU WITH VALUABLE INFORMATION."
"O.K."
The foursome then walked towards the burning mountain up to the Ox King's castle.
"THE INTENSE HEAT MAY BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU SPINELESS CREATURES SO PORUPOI WILL KINDLY SURROUND YOU GUYS IN A PROTECTIVE BUBBBLE AS YOU WALK UP TO MY CASTLE."
With that Porupoi surrounded Oolong and Goku in a shiny bubble as they walked up the steps of the castle.
"Man I can still feel the heat even with this bubble thing wrapped around us!" Said Oolong.
As Goku and Oolong walked up the steps, sizzling sounds could be heard as Goku pressed the soles of his shoes against the burning stone steps. Walls of tall fire surrounded them on this side and that. Oolong started to sweat through his shirt as they continued to walk up the never ending inferno.
"This—is—crazy, even with this stupid bubble-I still c-c-an't breathe in this heat." Muttered Oolong.
"You said that already." Replied Goku.
"Ain't nobody asked you kid! Now quiet before you give me a heatstroke!'
"MMMPPPAAA!" A huge bubble suddenly went inside the protective dome and slammed the pig hard, on the back of his head.
"OWW! What'd you do that for?" Screamed Oolong as he turned around to look at Porupoi.
The white creature giggled as it covered its mouth. It then proceeded to make hand gestures, so as to mock Oolong's ongoing rant about the intense heat.
"QUIET PIG." Bellowed the Ox King.
"It wasn't me it was-"
"MMMMPPAAA!"
"OOOWWWW! STOP IT!" Yelled Oolong as he vigorously rubbed the back of his head.
"Hahahahahhahahah!" Laughed Goku.
"PIG! WHAT DID I JUST SAY?"
"It wasn't me it was that thing!"
"YOU DARE PUT YOUR MISTAKES ON ANOTHER INNOCENT CREATURE!"
"Well if you would just turn around and—"
Porupoi started to blow another bubble towards Oolong when the Ox King slowly started turn around.
"See, see it's blowing another one!"
The king turned around to see nothing but the flying creature peacefully hovering above them in circles, innocently clasping its hands together.
"IF YOU WEREN'T THE BOY'S FRIEND, YOU WOULD'VE DEFINITELY BEEN ON MY MENU TONIGHT, ONE MORE OUT OF YOU AND THE WHOLE DEAL'S OFF."
"Quiet Oolong, don't mess this up." Said Goku.
"Et tu Brutus?" Grunted Oolong.
"WE HAVE ARRIVED IN FRONT OF MY DOORS." With that the
Ox King pushed open the huge hot iron doors with his bare hands.
They all walked in as they started in amazement at the beauty of the
Ox King's castle. Chandeliers and exotic masonry of every kind dressed the magnificent and grandiose infrastructure.
"Wow, not bad." Said Oolong as he gawked at the scarlet curtains and red satin carpets.
Gold columns and glass chandeliers. Marble statues of gargoyles and political figures, roses and animals. The ceiling reached as far up as the eye can see. There was a strange tranquility that surrounded the castle's atmosphere, unlike what resided on the cold outside world.
The group walked up the flight of stairs that circled the huge statue of the Ox king in the entrance of the castle. They walked up the stairs and walked down another corridor. Soon they went behind a wooden door of rare acacia wood, over laid with gold. They walked in and saw another hallway decorated with jewels all over the palace walls. Onyx stones, bdellyium stones, topaz, opals and diamonds. They continued on walking passing a dining room, then ten more dining rooms. They took another flight of stairs, then proceeded to go down, went up again, then down, around and in , out and about, beauty surrounded them everywhere, money and riches perambulated about the castle, enriching and awakening every sense one is capable of and beyond. They then walked downstairs and turned right and left about ten times before they took another set of stone steps down. The beauty of the castle slowly transformed into a dark eerie atmosphere as they got closer to the dungeons.
"DON'T FOOL YOURSELVES THE FARTHER DOWN YOU GO, THE HOTTER IT IS! AHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!" Laughed the Ox King, as he finally started to show signs of perspiration.
The group walked down a dark corridor and went downstairs again. They then approached a huge door made of oak. The Ox King took out a set of keys and unlocked the giant doors. As the massive doors let out a loud creaking sound it revealed behind it , other doors that encased the captives and prisoners of war and spoil.
"Oh man it is hot!" Gasped Goku.
"I TOLD YOU IF YOU WEREN'T IN THAT BUBBLE YOU WOULD BE BETTER OFF IN A HOT OVEN! AHAHAHHAHAHAHHA!"
"I don't get it, why doesn't cloth or wood burn up here, if it's so hot?" Asked Oolong.
"THEY ARE COVERED IN A PROTECTIVE LAYER OF UENUM. IT'S ONLY FOUND IN THE ISLANDS OF OSENIMIA, THE ISLANDS OF THE FIRE GOD."
"Interesting, so you too, must be covered in- "
"NONSENSE! " Bellowed the Ox King.
"Oh, uh well—uh sorry." Said Oolong, as he lowered his head.
"HERE IT IS ,THIS IS HIS CELL." The group stopped walking and stood in front the prison door. The Ox King unlocked the wooden door and exposed a chained man behind giant iron bars.
"PRISONER YOU HAVE A VISITOR!"
The bald headed man didn't look up, but sat cross legged with his head down.
"Whoa, won't the heat kill him too?" Asked Oolong.
"HE TOO IS NOT AFFECTED BY IT, HE IS A MIGHTY ONE. PRISONER I SAY LOOK UP YOU HAVE A VISITOR! IT IS A BOY!"
The imprisoned man slowly looked up and stared into Goku's eyes as the boy approached the iron bars.
The man's face turned into shock as soon as he caught sight of the boy.
"I-I-It's y-y-you, the boy t-the boy, Where are they?"
"Where is what?" Asked Goku confusingly.
"The balls! The Dragon Balls!"
As soon as the stranger asked that, a third eye that rested itself atop his two eyes suddenly popped open and stared fiercely into the boy, sending a vibrating shock down Goku's spine.
"Where is it , where are the Dragon Balls?"