Chapter 9
Hurt and Comfort
As Wong and Dominique reconnected with Sion, Ayame was still sulking outside their quarters. Her old friend, the gentle pussycat, Korin, comforted her. He told her that he never noticed her resentment toward Krillin and Piccolo while they were fighting Gohan and aiding Garlic Jr., all because of some stupid prank they'd pulled. Luckily both Korin and Yajirobe were somehow not affected by the worldwide mist, and avoided its air currents. Nevertheless, it reminded her of what just transpired, as she observed the bouncers' mind-altered antics. And she's not sure whether she could forgive them or not; Krillin knew how she was feeling firsthand. Still, he did leave with 18 and Chiaotzu.
"Well, it has been a few years since you've last seen them, but I wouldn't be so hasty on throwing your friendship away. Just give 'em some time. After all, you still want to work for them in Dog Street, don't you?"
He did have a point there; she almost forgot about that night she reunited with Sion and Dominique while she was wearing his distinctive red hoodie. It was that piece of clothing alone that brought her back there in the first place. Ayame was so deep in thought, that she didn't notice the flight display ahead.
Meanwhile, Echidna was dumbfounded on what she just saw. "Wha-How!? How in the hell can you do that!?" She couldn't comprehend how a single human was able to fly, or more specifically, Gohan.
He landed smoothly on the floor. "What matters is how you control your Ki, your latent energy." The lady was still perplexed. Gohan then said enthusiastically, "Show her how it's done, Videl!"
She gladly demonstrated as her vessel began to rise gradually, then she took off and beelined all over the Lookout! Echidna was just beyond flabbergasted on what she just saw. Though, something was bothering her, particularly her breasts, as they suddenly felt sore, soft and swollen. Then, she actually fell to the ground! Videl and Gohan ran to her side, and she began to look very pale and felt very nauseous. They immediately carried her inside the recovery chambers where Sion, Volt, and Kou were still resting in.
"So, this is the Eternal Dragon. Shenron, wasn't it?" Sion queried as he held the miniature statuette.
While Dende was showing the Dragon to Sion, as well as the Lookout's other locations, he was greatly fascinated with the place; so much so that he actually offered to train there as a way to become stronger physically, mentally, and spiritually. Being like Wong's training, but "taking it to the next level," he likes to call it.
He learned about the Teleporter, the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, the Power Pole connecting to the Lookout as a means for transporting the place itself, and also Korin's Tower. Through observance, the wise white feline was greatly admired by Sion's own strength and potential, as well as his restored pure heart. He also wondered that since he's willing to train partially at the Lookout, he wishes for him to be a bona fide Z-Fighter someday.
Although Dominique became worried on how he'll juggle both his bouncer career as well as his newly found training grounds.
"Don't worry. I'm sure I'll find a way to prioritize both of them somehow. Besides, we used the Nimbus once before." He recalled how fast that little cloud could go, though he sometimes felt curious as whether or not he could still ride it.
"But...wasn't the cloud destroyed during that aerial fight..?" The bouncers' allies did discuss about those past incidences involving the Yakuza, including the intense dogfight and how the women were stranded and the precious Orage being demolished. They were undoubtedly surprised as each of the trio couldn't recall anything lethal that transpired, until after the chase toward the city square anyway; however, unlike Ayame, they didn't feel too bad considering that they were all being manipulated by electro-transmitters.
Much to their relief, Korin assured that he actually does possess several Nimbus stored together as this single large Nimbus, as he showed them a massive, fluffy cloud located at the outskirts of his Tower. He said that after Goku's original Nimbus was destroyed by Tambourine decades ago, Korin summoned the Enormous Nimbus to his Tower and allowed Goku to choose a new one from his stock. Since then, Goku used that particular Nimbus ever since, as well as his two sons, Gohan and Goten.
Dominique and Ayame were thrilled, yet still the latter felt very troubled.
He soon queried on how Dauragon was resurrected by the Dragon Balls since he recalled Ayame making a wish a few years ago in which it should erase all memories of his regime, excepting the bouncers and the Dragon Team.
Korin rubbed his chin in thought. "Hmm... I'm guessing that this Yakuza member must've been fascinated with Dauragon by doing his research in a way." His face then lifted, "Eh, no problem, since there's no longer a chance for him to return ever again since the Balls can resurrect a person once regardless of cause."
"Volt..? Volt!" Trunks ran in and ecstatically mentioned that he wanted to bring him to Echidna upon her request, but doesn't know where he is.
The cat sniffed the air real quick. "Hmm... He should still be in the recovery chambers." The eccentric boy ran off as fast the wind could carry him; he didn't seem fazed at all from whatever treachery Volt pulled, nor the harm he did to Echidna and Ayame.
Deep inside, she eventually went to him with Dende who recently inspected what was wrong with her body. Volt let out a groan, though he was glad to see her alive and still intact. With a large grin as she sat on the side of the cot, "Volt... I...I am expecting."
"I...am a father..?" he said groggily. She nodded in affirmation.
"Yaaay!" Trunks was so excited as he leapt while he overheard the news, and soon was Goten as he ran to him at the adjacent chamber! He couldn't be anymore enthusiastic for the soon-to-be-couple as they gave each other a passionate, deep kiss of congratulations.
"I can't believe Volt's going be a dad. This is definitely gonna hurt. Well-for Echidna, anyway. Heh, I wonder how they'll manage their careers..!" Kou mentioned.
He also decided to lay off fighting for quite awhile, and he said the trio agreed to go on personal leave, as they had some "catching up to do." Especially with him as well Sion, Volt, and Dominique, Leann, however, was a difficult case; she seemed to be a little scorned over those catastrophes. Throughout the rest of the night, she wasn't beside Kou, but rather discussing the entire situation with the head of LUKIS and the numerous deaths of their men.
"I was wondering how you're going to manage yours." Kou and Goten looked up at the authorative figure, as stern as ever when she towered over them. Their throats felt tight, and their hearts raced as they felt intimidated, as if they were going to be punished severely over all the chaos. Kou seemed more subtle, expecting probation or termination.
"So...what'll happen now..?" They looked at her with anticipated, nervous expressions.
"You will be relieved of your current assignments, and your position at LUKIS, of course." she said directly. She slowly walked off. Both men felt like dogs with tails between their legs. Goten became feverish with deep shame and remorse. Then, Leann paused at the chamber's exit.
"...is what I like to say. For now, though, you will still be able to be employed within our ranks."
The boy's eyes lit up as he gave off a large, gaping smile. Kou was more casual, though still surprised. "I-it's okay?!"
"The Yakuza incident wasn't entirely your fault since it didn't occur under your own will. They hired you as a mole before you were captured and brainwashed by Mikado. Yet, I was still able to bring you back and keep myself alive thanks to some...honorable friends." she faced Goten with a smirk as she appreciated the help from Echidna, Ayame, and the Dragon Team's unprepared arrival. Even though most of them seemed rather out of the ordinary.
"We-we're always happy to help you, ma'am!" Goten exclaimed.
She actually walked up to him and rubbed his hair. "Cute little devil." He giggled some more.
"Isn't he?" Kou could never forget his irresistible charm, courage, and charisma.
"I just contacted LUKIS. My ride should be arriving soon." Sure enough, they heard a high whirring noise belonging to a distant aircraft similar to all those other fighter jets. With a salute, she beamed as she climbed aboard. "See ya!"
Goten immediately jumped off the bed and raised his voice over the threshold, "But, hey, wait! What about that date you're going on!?"
Leann just sighed. "Maybe next time, little guy. Look after him for now." He watched gloomily as her takeoff shifted gears and ascended away.
"Ayame?" She looked up after she saw the distant ship leave. Dende walked up and needed to speak to her. During the exposition, she became numb. Wong, Sion, and Dominique heard her murmurs of grief and sadness as they walked on the upper pillar from the Tower. "No... No..!"
Sion noticed something was wrong. Then, they made out her cries, "What do you mean..? They're gone!? My family's gone..?"
He listened in as Dende laid a hand on her shoulder and informed her that she lost her family when the Yakuza attacked. He was fortunate for her as she left as soon as she did, otherwise she would've also fallen prey.
Remembering his own tragic past, while Sion was just an orphan having lost his mom at the age of six due to a street gang assault, he began wandering the streets and came across Master Wong then later became his disciple. Then, when he lost Kaldea twice at the hands of Dauragon, who was also his former oyabun. He clenched his fists at the thought, but Ayame's pain seemed to soothe him a little. He next remembered his vows of never losing anyone else he cared for. Through his sympathy, he, Wong and Dominique walked slowly toward her together.
Eventually, Echidna accompanied by Volt and Trunks comforted her. She hugged the troubled adult tightly and said, "Ayame? Even if the world may seem to be against you, know that I'll always be by your side."
"You won't have to suffer through this alone." Dende said.
"No." Volt added. "I have already lost a mentor of mine by the hands of a madman, to whom I remorsely worked for. As well as being close to ending my own life... But, I know now that I have friends who'll always have my back."
"The power of friendship never fails." said Kou, as overconfident as ever despite his limping. "Besides, Sion got another chance thanks to Dominique. It's all good. Ever since she came around, he began to open to us too." For once, the android couldn't agree more.
"You will always have someone to look out for you. You cannot progress as long as you keep your feelings inside, and your heart broken." Wong's words of wisdom struck a cord.
Everyone, including Mr. Popo, Goten, Trunks, Gohan, Videl and Korin, gathered around her, and Ayame's best friend assured her that they can be her new family, only if she wishes to let them. She momentarily gave them a slight smile, despite her broken face and weepy eyes. "Thank you.." she whispered. She was then wrapped into Sion's arms, and the others followed suit with some other forms of physical affection, such as kisses, hugs, handshakes, and pats. Everyone reiterated they'll always be there for her no matter what, since most of them been through their own tragedies.
Eventually, her heart began to warm and mend little by little through her friends' never-ending support. Heck, they could even assist her in moving starting tomorrow, to which she reluctantly accepted with slight glee.
As honor for saving the world yet again, just a few more years into the future, Goten and Trunks visited Dog Street once more and became part-time bouncers, and Ayame actually happened to live in the same place Sion used to be. Her new job was a lot more promising than any one she ever had before. Although Bulla hadn't been born yet, and Trunks just started his occupation as president of Capsule Corp.
Sion still trained himself from time to time at Dende's Lookout, mostly at the Hyperbolic Time Chamber in which he admired the most, while still alternating his usual schedule in Fate; also, he and Dominique eventually got to be wedders as well as starting to know the rules of intimacy. Her reproduction still remains to be seen.
Volt and Echinda became proud parents while still managing the bar to this very day. They soon had a child named Pence; it was actually thanks to Trunks' robust that inspired them to have a kid of their own. He had spiky blond locks much like his dad, as well as auburn eyes. He also shared Echidna's stern personality and Volt's valor despite having a skinny, muscular physique. He was also wearing a headband and a matching Dog Street jersey.
Kou and Leann finally dated after years of waiting. And even though LUKIS and being a bouncer became a constant struggle for Kou, his partner never forgot on her promise.
During Sion's and Dominique's wedding, everyone showed up for the glorious ceremony. And it wasn't too awkward considering that their friends, Krillin and 18, are also betrothed to each other. Goten and Trunks also arrived, with a few crazy shenanigans here and there. Gohan, Videl, Bulma, Dr. Brief, Wong, and the others including Leann also took part.
Their portrait stood proudly upon the mantle of a fireplace in Ayame's flat; Sion, Volt, Kou, Echidna, Leann, Dominique, Wong, Ayame, Goten, Gohan, Trunks, Krillin, 18, and Pence beamed as they made some poses on the stairwell outside a building.
Edge was ready to behold the bouncers of the future..! Who knows what misadventures the new and improved family can possibly bring.
A/N: I always wanted Sion to surpass his own skills, and eventually become something more than he was portrayed to be; that's why he's a trainee as a Z-Fighter. And why the hell not; he seems to have a Shoryuken move of his own, the fiery Tornado Uppercut, as well as learned the Kamehameha Wave and master his ki sense. Although, since I never cared for Dragon Ball Super, I can't be sure how to carry the other universe forward... So, this might be the last of the series..? But, hey, you never know.
So, yeah, that pretty much does it for Part 4 of The Bouncer tetralogy. And again, I always liked the game so much, and that is primarily why I developed this small series of fanfics so that I can share my appreciation for it with some of you. I absolutely want the game to have a second shot, whether it'd be a remake so it can have potential for a sequel, or even perhaps something as small as an anime of sorts. I always wanted the game to move forward for over 19 years; if they had some partial references in Kingdom Hearts, then perhaps there'd be a chance. Seriously Squeenix, PLEASE make this happen, I implore you. Please give The Bouncer the positivity, not animosity, it truly deserves. This is the Ikran Rider, signing off.