Roshi's Gambit

I don't own Digimon or Dragonball Z

"Daisuke, wake up," Yajirobe said, shaking Daisuke. She groaned before coughing and opening her eyes. Wincing in pain, she whispered something that Yajirobe didn't catch. "What was that?" he asked, leaning closer to her.

"Water….need…water," she repeated before Yajirobe picked her up over his shoulder.

"Hold on," he told her before running off as the clouds darkened and it began to rain. Yajirobe then arrived at a waterfall and stream and lowered Daisuke down to the water. She began to drink in giant gulps of water. "That's it, take your time." He pulled Daisuke out of the water and she began to cough and gasp for air once she was on dry land. "I still can't believe it, that fight was brutal; it's a miracle you're even alive. I didn't think anyone could survive against King Piccolo," he said to Daisuke who was still coughing as she got to her hands and knees.

"I was no match for him. He defeated me like I was nothing."

"Don't be so hard on yourself Daisuke, nobody else could have done any better, King Piccolo isn't your average fighter," Yajirobe told her as she looked over at him.

"Hey Yajirobe, tell me something….have you ever heard of a place called Korin's tower?"

"Korin's Tower, never heard of it."

"Goku told me about how he trained there once before. I need to ask you a big favour; do you think you can take me there? My entire body is banged up but I think someone there will help me."

"Seems like a strange place to find a doctor," Yajirobe replied before he nodded. "Alright, I'll take you there, under one condition you gotta feed me." Daisuke laughed lightly. A ways away, Roshi, Tien, and Chiaotzu were searching for the next Dragonball.

"That ball has to be around here somewhere," Roshi said as he and Tien searched a grassy field in the rain. Suddenly Chiaotzu ran up over a hill.

"I found it!" he shouted, holding up the three star Dragonball. He laughed in joy as he headed towards Tien and Roshi.

"With that one we have five," Roshi said.

"That leaves us with only two more balls, and one of those is in the hands of King Piccolo," Tien said as Roshi looked at the Dragon Radar and raised an eyebrow. "What's the matter, is something wrong?"

"Well, we no longer need to worry about finding those two balls; according to the radar, they're together and heading straight for us," he answered, dread filling his very body.

"That must mean King Piccolo is on his way, he's come to destroy us," Tien said, clenching his fists and looking up at the sky. Chiaotzu had horror showing on his face while Roshi looked grim.

Back on Pilaf's airship, Piccolo was sitting back on his throne while Pilaf was looking up at the map. "Your majesty, the other five Dragonballs are heading right for us," he told Piccolo.

"How wonderful of those fools to bring me my prize," he said holding up the two Dragonballs he possessed. "Today has been fruitful, not only did I slay my enemy but soon I will possess all seven Dragonballs." He then began to laugh evilly.

"We're on an intercept course," Roshi said, looking at the Dragon Radar as he, Tien, and Chiaotzu flew towards Piccolo's ship.

"That fiend, he's mine," Tien thought.

"Remember, we have no chance to defeat Piccolo with hand to hand combat. We must get the Dragonballs from him and call upon the Eternal Dragon. It will be the dragon's privilege to remove Piccolo from this world," Roshi told the other two removing his sunglasses.

"Yes sir," Tien replied.

"Tien, take us down between those two boulders, that's as good as any to make our stand," Roshi told him.

Meanwhile, Daisuke was sitting beside Yajirobe as he drove a flying car at great speed. "I admit you had courage, but it was foolish to go up against King Piccolo like that," he scolded her.

"I'm surprised that you didn't jump in and lend me a hand; what happened to that guy who killed Cymbal in a single strike of his sword?" Daisuke asked weakly.

"Of course I didn't. I like you Daisuke but not as much as I like living," he told her as they began to drive across a road. "Do I keep going straight ahead?" Daisuke pulled out a small map.

"To the left a little," Daisuke answered.

"A little? That's not much to go on," Yajirobe replied as he turned off the road and sped across the ground.

"I like this car, it's really fast. And comfy," she added, relaxing into her seat.

"Yeah, it's really nice. I stole it," Yajirobe replied as he stepped on the gas. "Just in case you're thinking of what I think you are, but hope you're not. Don't go up against King Piccolo again; I don't like your chances for a second encounter,"

"How well do you know him? Who is this guy?" Daisuke asked him.

"Like I said it was just a story that I heard when I was a kid, it gave me nightmares," he answered before he began his tale. "A long time ago used his power to try and take over the world. Fortunately a brave martial artist; I forget his name; was able to stop the invasion. At least, that's what I heard. I guess we know differently now,"

"Seems so….he's almost as strong as MaloMyotismon," Daisuke said.

"Who is MaloMyotismon?" Yajirobe asked.

"Someone who I faced long ago….he….he killed a good friend of mine," she answered. "Or at least was responsible for it," she added mentally. "So how did this martial artist defeat Piccolo?"

"I don't know. But I'm sure it was spectacular. So what happens when you put all seven Dragonballs together?" he asked.

"According to what Goku told me, the Eternal Dragon is summoned and make your wish come true, any wish is fine with him but you only have one," Daisuke answered as the car now flew across the ocean kicking up water behind it as it flew.

"Any wish you want, no way."

"It's true. Oh, a little more to the left please," Daisuke said and Yajirobe turned and sped off towards land again.

"If that's true, what can someone as powerful as King Piccolo ask for?"

"A more charming personality?" Daisuke asked back before she laughed gently. Speaking of King Piccolo he looked at the map and grinned maniacally.

"Finally, I shall have all seven Dragonballs and my youth will finally be restored!" he shouted, scaring Pilaf.

"Yes right there, between those two rocks, that is where we'll land," Roshi told Tien as the plane landed.

"What shall we do now Master?" Tien asked Roshi as he climbed out of the plane.

"First capsulize the plane and get it out of sight," Roshi answered.

"Yes master," Tien said before looking at Chiaotzu and coughing slightly.

"Oh," Chiaotzu said before firing a blue beam at the plane, turning it back into a capsule just as Roshi shouted and threw a fist at the ground, causing a hole to be made.

"Here, hide the Dragonballs in this hole and we'll bury them. Piccolo won't be able to find them so easily now. This will give us some time," Roshi said as Chiaotzu carried the Dragonballs over to the hole and buried them. "Alright, Chiaotzu you hide behind that rock over there, Tien and I will snatch King Piccolo's Dragonballs while he searches for ours. Once we secure the last two, we'll throw them to Chiaotzu who will bury them with the five Dragonballs already in our possession and he'll call for the Eternal Dragon," he explained as Chiaotzu looked confused. "All you have to say is come out dragon and tell him the wish," he told Chiaotzu who nodded.

"Yes sir," Tien said while Chiaotzu nodded, Roshi then looked at the Dragon Radar.

"Ready, they should be here at any moment. Good luck, now get going," he told them and both ran off in different directions while Roshi followed Tien. Meanwhile Pilaf, Piano and Piccolo were looking up at the globe hanging from the ceiling.

"It appears they've come to a complete stop. They're just waiting," Pilaf said making Piccolo chuckle.

"Oh they're not just waiting, it appears out enemies have set a trap trying to ambush us. Let's play along for now," he told Pilaf as Roshi, Tien, and Chiaotzu hid behind large boulders littering the landscape, waiting for Piccolo to arrive.

"Wait," Roshi told Tien as Chiaotzu saw the airship approach and he gasped.

"They're here!" Tien shouted.

"They're travelling by airship," Roshi said, looking up at Pilaf's airship hovering above them.

"There is a chance they may not come down. What if King Piccolo leaves his Dragonballs on board?" Tien asked.

"They we'll sneak aboard and take them. Besides I want to check out the view," Roshi answered while Piccolo was on the deck of the airship overlooking the ground below.

"I don't see anyone down there," Pilaf said.

"That's because they are hiding," Piccolo told him. "So they want to play games do they? They are hoping we come down so they can steal our Dragonballs. I guess I should keep these in a safe place." Piccolo held his two Dragonballs before his tongue extended and scooped them up. He promptly swallowed them.

"I take it that big ugly green guy is King Piccolo, it looks like he just swallowed the Dragonballs!" Tien exclaimed.

"Maniacal fiend!" Roshi shouted. "He's smarter than I remember. Now the only option we have is to knock him over and pump those balls from his rotten hide!"

"We have to fight him head on master Roshi," Tien said removing his shirt and he clenched his fist, Roshi then calmed down.

"That's just what he wants us to do," he said. "No Tien, you stay out of this,"

"No Master Roshi, I must fight Piccolo!" Tien shouted causing Roshi to turn around and face Tien.

"You will not do anything Tien Shinhan, that's an order," he said.

"But Master, you can't do this to me I have to fight King Piccolo!" Tien replied as he and Roshi had a stare down. "Don't tie my hands, please," he begged.

"I'm glad you care for my well-being Tien, but I've taken precautions including a life sustaining potion," Roshi replied.

"But you can't do this alone," Tien shouted before Roshi sprayed something from a blue can at Tien, making him cough. "Master…." he coughed before falling to the ground.

"I'm sorry to have to do this to you Tien, but it's better for you to sleep through this one. Too many lives have been lost already." Roshi said before dragging Tien further into the cave they were hiding in. "Your dedication to our cause is admirable, but I must confess I didn't take a life sustaining potion. Never touched the stuff myself. Anyway, if I fail you will be the only one left to defeat that monster, but only as a last ditch effort. Your will is strong but your training is incomplete." He left the cave and shouted to Chiaotzu. "Forget about the plan we discussed! I want you to stay hidden, do not come out until it's over no matter what happens, understood?"

"Yes master, okay," Chiaotzu replied as Roshi walked out of the cave and looked up at the airship.

"If you want the Dragonballs Piccolo, you will have to come down and get them!" he shouted up to Piccolo who smirked in amusement.

"So he knows my name; he's done his homework. I'm at a disadvantage. Though knowing who I am and still issuing this challenge doesn't say much for this intelligence," he said before jumping off the airship and floated down to the ground, landing in front of Roshi. "Thank you for the invitation, I look forward to your agony."

"It's true, I know it!" Oolong shouted back at the Kame House where he and the others were as Oolong pointed to a screen which had a small blip on it. "See, we've got seven Dragonballs."

"No Oolong, there's only five," Bulma told him.

"I know that, but somehow two of them just disappeared," he replied.

"Disappeared?" Puar asked, and Oolong nodded.

"Yes, they just vanished," he answered making Yamcha chuckle.

"No way," he said.

"It's the truth I swear!" Oolong shouted back.

"I don't see how that could happen, short of being ingested there is no way that they wouldn't show up on my radar. It's just not logical," Bulma said walking over to the TV Oolong was in front of.

"Wait, there were seven Dragonballs a moment ago," Krillin said.

"So that means Turtle Hermit and that Piccolo guy are in the same place," Launch said, worrying Yamcha and Puar. Bulma then ran over to a radio and pressed a button on it.

"This is Kame house, come in Master Roshi, please respond," she said but there was no answer. "I repeat. Kame house to Master Roshi, please come in Master Roshi are you there? Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu is anybody there, if there's anybody there please answer me." No one answered.

"What could have happened?" Yamcha asked.

"There is a chance they could have been killed," Oolong said.

"And there's a chance you're stupid!" Bulma shouted back angrily.

"If something happened to Master Roshi, if he's been defeated, what chance do any of us have against those monsters?" Krillin thought worriedly.

Meanwhile, back with Roshi and Piccolo, both continued their stare down while Tien back in the cave tried to move but couldn't.

"The Dragonballs are right there, you can take them, if you can defeat me Piccolo," Roshi challenged the demon who smirked.

"Imbecile. You know who I am and yet still you challenge me. It will be my distinct pleasure to destroy you. Obviously you have no idea who I am, otherwise you'd know this path you've chosen is suicidal," he told Roshi.

"This is not the first time we have met monster," Roshi replied making Piccolo frown before he chuckled.

"If that is the case, you must realise I will send you to oblivion," he said.

"Yeah, yeah I've heard that one before. The only one who is taking a dirt nap here is you, unless you decide to play it smart and give me your Dragonballs!" Roshi told him.

"If that was a joke I'm still waiting on the punchline, your humour is wearing thin. You want my Dragonballs then here," Piccolo said as he regurgitated the two Dragonballs and held them in his hand in front of Roshi. "Well old man, take them if you dare." Roshi remained silent and did nothing, making Piccolo chuckle. "It seems you've given into your fear old man. Don't feel bad, I have that effect on people." He swallowed the Dragonballs once more, and then noticed Roshi smirk. "You're serious about this?" he asked Roshi who continued to smirk. "Then by all means… die."

He fired a blast of energy at Roshi, hitting his shoulder and sending him flying through the air before he crashed onto the ground as the turtle hermit shouted out in pain. Piccolo laughed as Roshi pulled himself to his feet. "So you're still alive, good. I have a lot to dish out. Now tell me old man before you die, how it feels to be nothing?" he asked Roshi who struggled to his feet. "Fool, why do you stand in my way?"

"Because you are standing in mine," Roshi answered.

"How so?" Piccolo asked Roshi who looked at him.

"With you threatening the world how am I supposed to enjoy my exercise programs?" he asked making Piccolo roar in outrage.

"You human!" he swung his arms creating a massive blast of wind that sent Roshi flying into a boulder which crumbled around him. "Get up! A quick death is too good for you, I want to make you suffer beyond imagination!" Roshi got to his feet lifting the rubble off him. "Fight me old fool!" Piccolo roared as his eyes glowed and he fired beams of energy at Roshi's left and right sides, creating explosions blowing the surrounding rubble to dust.

"You say you are a warrior, then show me your strength!" he challenged Roshi. The Turtle Hermit continued to do nothing which caused Piccolo to growl in anger and fire another energy blast from his eyes, hitting the large rock formation behind Roshi. It was destroyed while Roshi only received a small cut on his cheek which dripped blood before Roshi wiped the blood away. "Stupid old man, what does he hope to gain by this passive resistance?"

"I have no interest in fighting you," Roshi said making Piccolo growl. "You are right, I am no match for you; your power far exceeds my own. But for every obstacle there is a solution. I can still defeat you!"

"No," Chiaotzu whispered.

"No master, don't do it! You mustn't!" Tien shouted still unable to move.

"What are you blabbering about?" Piccolo asked Roshi.

"You know very well of what I speak of. You know it far too well, I told you this is not the first time we have met. Many years ago I faced you in battle. I was there the day my master stared you down the day you blinked." Roshi answered.

"Go on," Piccolo told him.

"Do you want to know my master's name?" Roshi asked Piccolo who was silent. "Mutaito!" Roshi shouted and Piccolo's eyes widened in fear as he remembered the name and sweat began to pour down his face.

"Not again!" He roared horrified.

Far away, Yajirobe was speaking to Daisuke. "I sure hope that this Korin tower you told me about shows up soon," he told her as he continued to drive across the ocean.

"We're close," Daisuke replied, sweating profusely.

"You're sweating buckets, there's more water in here then there is outside," Yajirobe told her. "I hope they have a doctor who is in."

"Korin can help me," Daisuke said.

"So Korin is the name of the doctor?"

"According to Goku….he's a cat," Daisuke answered.

"Okay, she's losing her mind," Yajirobe said to himself as he continued to drive along towards Korin tower.

"You….you mean…." Piccolo said, shaking in absolute terror.

"This should jog your memory!" Roshi told him as he tossed a capsule into the air and it exploded in a cloud of smoke to reveal an electronic rice cooker with a paper talisman attached to it.

"The electronic jar!" Piccolo exclaimed.

"Home sweet home!" Roshi told him.

"Not the jar!" Piccolo shouted in fear as he remembered back to the time he was sealed in the jar. "I can't believe it. Impossible!"

"The evil containment wave, Master Roshi you can't use it, you'll die!" Tien shouted trying to warn Roshi who had taken a stance.

"You remember that special day, the day you were sealed in the electronic jar by Master Mutaito, and I'm sure you remember the special technique that put you there!" he shouted at Piccolo who backed up in fear. Roshi then began to make signs with his hands before clapping them together. He made another sign and grunted in concentration as the wind began to blow around him and the terrified Piccolo. Roshi began to give off a blue aura as the wind intensified before stopping. Piccolo flew off into the sky trying to escape from Roshi's attack, but Roshi looked up at him and shouted, "Evil Containment!" He then thrusted his arms towards King Piccolo and a massive blast of green energy soared towards the Demon King as a green aura surrounded him. Piccolo was caught and was being sucked back down towards Roshi. Despite his greatest struggles, Roshi held on.

"It's just as master described," Tien thought as he witnessed Roshi swing his arms up sending Piccolo there before Roshi swung his arms down towards the jar. Unfortunately, at the last possible moment, the jar was blown away by the intense wind created from the use of the wave and Roshi missed.

"I missed….." Roshi said shocked while Tien and Chiaotzu were stunned. "You haven't won yet, you're dark dreams won't come true. Somehow, someone will succeed where I have failed, until that day live in fear, you will fall. We're only human….but we will….survive," Roshi warned Piccolo before falling to the ground as the last of his energy left him.

Meanwhile Daisuke sat up straight in her seat shocked. "No…." she whispered.

"Hey are you oaky?" Yajirobe asked her.

"Something is wrong, very wrong," Daisuke said. "Step on it! We need to get to Korin tower yesterday!" she shouted.

"I'm on it!" Yajirobe replied increasing the speed and they rocketed across the landscape. Meanwhile, Piccolo was laughing, very relieved that he had escaped being sealed away again. He stood over Roshi's corpse.

"Yes he's dead. The fool's dead!" he shouted. "That was too close, I had no idea he would know the evil containment wave. The old man was sly, but now he's gone forever. But now I am free, truly free. No one on this planet will ever bother me again," he boasted laughing before looking over at the place Roshi had buried the Dragonballs. He lifted his finger and the five balls emerged from the hiding spot and flew over to Piccolo. Regurgitating the last two balls into his hands, they began to glow and pulsate. He then dropped them to the floor in a circle. "It is time. The seven Dragonballs are mine, at last I will regain my youth and regain my glorious power!"

"Youth!? That's what he's after, he'll be unstoppable," Tien thought as the Dragonballs began to glow even brighter.

"Dragon, appear before me!" Piccolo commanded as the sky turned black.

"Wow look at those dark clouds," Yajirobe said as he and Daisuke looked up at the sky.

"Wait a minute…Goku told me of something like this happening three years ago," Daisuke said as lightning began to arc through the sky. Back with Piccolo, a lightning bolt hit the ground in front of him before a bright pillar of light rose into the sky and took the shape of a massive long green dragon with glowing red eyes.

"The eternal dragon," Pilaf said in awe as the dragon roared.

"Magnificent," Piccolo said looking up at the dragon.

The end of the chapter

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