Author notes:
05/July/2020: Here's another revised chapter. Enjoy!
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Planet Earth - Sometime ago...
The emerald, rolling, landscape stretched on for what seemed like an eternity. A blue-haired girl stood on a lonesome hill and stared into the vast depths of the hills, vanishing into the navy shade of the mountainside. The gentle breeze brushed through her body, her low-tied hair and her dress flowed in the breeze. The sunlight penetrated her eyelids. The calm atmosphere sunk deep into her psych.
"Layla... why?" The lone child uttered, trembling as tears streamed down her pale cheeks. Her fingers curled into a fist as she thought of her older sister's actions, inhumane actions.
A crimson spark lit across the land, burning away the fertile lands of Mount Jiri; her home.
"Big sister! I was trying to help you! Why couldn't you understand that they were the evil ones?" Okome screamed at the burning lands overshadowing the lands in the scarlet rays of anger. "Don't you understand... anything?"
A few moments passed.
She watched the crimson lands burn from the raging fire within her. The crackling of the flames devoured everything that the child saw.
A sudden thought broke the child.
She gasped. Her navy eyes widened. She sunk to her knees, crouching down on all fours. She slammed her fist into the coal covered grounds, choking on the fumes of her wild emotions. Not even in her dreams she could find peace. Okome couldn't understand why someone could enjoy the pain and sufferings of others. It was wrong.
Then they appeared, the ones who started this all.
"How dare you!" Okome shrieked, her voice trembling under her anger. Her dark gaze met her sleek and lavender ones, then his flightless and scarlet ones. Those blue-skinned demons watched her as they hovered in the amber skies above. "I won't let you snatch her away! I won't allow it!" Okome raised her fist up at the smiling Demoness.
Her silver, wavy hair danced in the breeze as she sat on her black staff. The other masculine demon had his arms crossed over his chest, hovering proudly- no. He had his arms crossed, his red eyes studied the girl as though he waited for something. He remained by the Demoness's side and stared down at Okome, like some sort of inferior insect.
If only she was strong enough, Okome could have protected Layla from those demons. Icy tears streamed down her eyes. She leaped up to her feet. She tossed a fist full of brunt grass towards them.
"When I find you, I will get her back!" Okome yelled as her vision faded to white.
It was true... If Okome tried to fight those demons now, she would lose. She must get stronger.
Now...
"Okome!"
Okome snapped open her navy eyes, her skin damp with sweat. She finally awoke from her nightmare.
Gohan sat beside her, his hands placed on her shoulders. He stared deep onto her eyes, worried over Okome's wellbeing.
"Are you alright?" Gohan asked, tightening his hold on her shoulders.
All that Okome could do was respond with a slight nod.
She must have had a bad dream... Gohan thought as he knelt beside Okome on the cobalt grass.
"Yup." Okome rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands. Getting a better sight, her eyes scanned her surroundings. "Any idea what time it is Gohan?" Okome asked, observing the navy landscape.
Indeed, it had only been a few hours since both children had slept. The navy skies hung over them, darkening the rolling landscape from a rich green to a sea of dark blue. Silent. The stars sparkled over the wastelands afar.
"I believe it's nearly dawn." Gohan replied, looking up at the twilight skies above. "I'm going to assume that Mister Piccolo is going to come soon. He's dead serious since he always arrives on time."
"I guess I'll have to see what you mean then." Okome laughed, her lips twitched. Her first exchange with the green demon left a bitter memory.
"You know, he's not really that bad."
"Huh? I never said that he was bad, I just said that he was-"
"Scary?" Gohan finished her sentence, turning his head towards Okome. After a few seconds of staring at each other, the black-haired child looked up at the navy skies once again. "I used to feel like that too. But all that he's trying to do is make you a better person... or that's what I hope he's doing."
I wouldn't blame her if she had a nightmare because of him. Gohan thought, circling his index finger on the soft soil. I mean he was quite harsh during the first six months of my training, leaving me out in the wild, having to find my own food and finding my own shelter... I guess it was for the best.
"I guess that's good to know then." Okome smiled. She rather not let the child know what had been on her mind. It was far too early to tell him anything about herself. "I just hope that Piccolo's training won't be a beat-up round."
"Trust me, it's not." Gohan chuckled. "He's like an impenetrable fortress. You have to use your brains and wits to keep up with him."
"I guess you're not kidding then," Okome laughed, "you seem to know quite a lot about him."
"Yup, he taught me a lot of things." Gohan watched the brightening skies. A golden crown shone over the navy mountains. And I hope that knowledge will help me beat those aliens! Gohan thought as the cool breeze ran against his black, wild hair. "We better get ready for Mister Piccolo's training." Gohan rose up to his feet, patting his orange clothes.
Okome also rose up to her feet and did the same to her dress.
Piccolo hovered above them, his white, long cape blew in the breeze as he cracked a small grin on his lips.
Let's see what both of you are truly made of. Piccolo thought, landing on the grass with a crunch. He folded his arms as he watched the duo take their stances. Gohan, who bent his knees, faced one of his hands towards Piccolo whilst the other faced away from him. His black eyes observed at Piccolo, reflecting those of his most despised rival.
This kid truly is Goku's son... Piccolo thought, his black eyes observed Gohan's eyes burning with determination. His eyes shifted towards the girl. Her knees were also bent, but her body was tilting towards him. Unlike Gohan; her right arm raised a clenched fist as her left arm hung lower than her right. Her eyes watched him, like those of a silver wolf. Mysterious. It's amusing that some Earthling thought that they had a chance at beating a challenge like him. I don't know where she comes from, but she isn't a fighter from around here... Piccolo thought as his black eyes studied her stance. "What are you waiting for?" Piccolo barked as the winds whipped his cape. "Training begins now!"
Nodding their heads at each other, Gohan and Okome leaped towards the green demon across the rich land. They let out a fierce battle cry, their yells echoing into the vast sky above.
A few hours later...
Noon. The sun glared down at the trio training in the grassy fields. From the open wastelands, grunts and yells escaped the young duo's lips as they lunged at their mentor.
A dash, punch and a block. Then a heavy blow to the body... the young duo panted as sweat trickled down their burning skin. Their feet trudged on the grass, throwing strands of each leaf into the air. The duo continued to fight, refusing to lose to the invincible green demon they faced.
"You both need to try harder than that if you're going to have any chance at defeating them!" Piccolo barked at the duo as he maintained his usual stance of crossing his arms over his chest. He took no damage from the duo.
Gohan and Okome panted.
Damn it! Okome thought, gritting her teeth. Am I really this weak? Rubbing her swollen cheek, maroon scabs fell onto the back of her dry hands.
Watching Okome's agitation, Gohan let out a deep sigh. He stood up straight to face the impenetrable Piccolo.
I know how you feel, but it's only natural since its the first training you have with him. Gohan thought as he saw Okome rose up tall onto her feet. Hang in there.
Okome looked to Gohan, watching for each other's next set of movements. Her navy eyes narrowed, gazing into his black ones. Gohan knew what she was going to do, and he knew that it would fail. Piccolo always knew how to counter any attack thrown at him. There was no way to persuade her.
Nodding in response to her actions, Gohan turned his head to Piccolo. Piccolo waited like as if he had all the time in the world. His eyes were closed, as if he was meditating on some thought, a memory perhaps...
A cool breeze blew threw him, letting his thoughts empty out into the wastelands. His cape fluttered in the breeze as he took in a set of deep, slow and steady breaths.
The grass rustled, his black eyes snapped open.
Okome dashed out at towards Piccolo. She raised an open palm towards him as she let out a yell.
Here we go again. Piccolo thought as he stood, observing the small child. As the girl came a few metres in front of him, her right hand clenched into a fist. Obvious move. Piccolo watched her slow fist flying towards his arm.
Okome ducked into a low sweep aimed at his legs.
She was trying to trick me into thinking that she would do the same attack. Piccolo thought, leaping over her low sweep. Dust and strands of grass erupted into the air around them from the aftermath of Okome's sweep.
"Shoot!" Okome grumbled, her vision hazy from the thick plumes. Jumping to her feet, Okome searched for any movement giving away Piccolo's position.
"Behind you!"
Before Okome could twirl her head around, a heavy kick struck the back of her shoulders. Hurled into a heap of boulders, the boulders shattered into dust from the impact of Piccolo's assault. As the dust drifted, the caped demon walked towards Okome. Okome scowled.
Jumping up from behind, Gohan pounced towards Piccolo, his fists cupped above his head. He refused to let Okome's diversion go to waste. He will get a hit on his teacher.
Piccolo snapped his head behind him. If it wasn't for his energy sensing skills, that kid would have landed a couple of good blows on him. But as a disciplined warrior, he refused to let a little kid of his deceased adversary get the better of him.
A beam of searing light erupted from his eyes, electrocuting Gohan mid-way of his assault.
"That's not fair!" Gohan yelled, plummeting onto the dry grass as his clothes were charred black.
"Who said that the enemies play fair?" Piccolo snarled at the stunned Gohan. "I'm preparing you for the worst! We have... what now? Two months?" He crossed his arms over his chest as Gohan sat on the ground. Unbelievable! Piccolo thought, fuming at Gohan's naivety. If there is a powerful enemy, they would be playing by their own means. And since they're stronger than that Saiyan Raditz, who knows what dirty tricks they have up hidden up their sleeves.
"HAH!"
Piccolo snapped his attention towards the pieces left over from the sandy boulders. Okome exploded from the rubble.
"I won't let you win!" Okome screamed, lunging towards the green demon.
Piccolo shook his head, sighing at her burst of emotion. Her emotion is clouding her actions. Piccolo thought, anticipating her next move.
Whoosh...
Piccolo shifted his head to his right. Okome missed her final blow.
"Your time's up." Piccolo said as he grasped Okome's wrist firmly.
It felt as if her body froze as Piccolo said those words to her. A sting of overwhelming shame washed over her system, drowning her in the deep depths of the sea.
No... I can't lose! I have to get stronger! Okome thought as Piccolo tugged her wrist. She scowled scowled at the green demo; promising she will defeat him.
Snapping her back into reality, Piccolo hurled the girl into the clear, fast flowing stream. Stubborn kid. Piccolo thought, focusing his attention at the black-haired kid. Gohan stood in his stance, his hands raised up in defence.
"What are you staring at? Shouldn't you go in and help your friend?" Piccolo shouted at Gohan.
"But Mister-"
"Dodge!"
Piccolo threw Gohan into the fast-flowing stream with a single back handed slap. He stood up tall, crossing his arms over his chest. He watched both of his students cry out for help.
"I can't swim!" Gohan gasped, waving his short arms in the air.
Unfortunately, Piccolo couldn't care less about the dangers of his training. At the end of the day, Gohan had to prove to the caped demon if he was a worthy student.
"That's your next training!" Piccolo grinned as he flew up into the glare of the blue sky. The glare of the sun left a silhouette of the caped demon, against the scorched wasteland.
They're both just as stubborn as Goku, Piccolo thought, observing the duo fighting against the strong current of the shimmering stream, I guess that's what happens if you train Goku's son and an… Earthling. I need to know if she's with them. Those Saiyans... there's no way that a kid could just randomly fall from space like that. He placed his hand on his chin. Unless she could be a half breed like Gohan, that could explain why she doesn't have a tail like him- leaving these questions unanswered will be dangerous. I'll have to ask her now.
He flew over the winding river, following the duo.
After hours of struggling...
The sun hung in the skies above, scorching the grassy fields. The duo both managed to survive the sharp twists and turns from the freezing river.
Gohan and Okome both sat on top of a low-lying hill, taking refuge from the heatwave under an ancient oak tree. The branches spread out, swaying as the winds blew across the land. The river, the one responsible for their injuries, left an icy aftertaste for the duo.
"I feel like a weakling!" Okome winced, gritting her teeth in frustration as she gazed at her reflection from the still river. A failure. If she couldn't beat Piccolo, what were the chances of finding Layla? Close to impossible.
"Why? You can't prevent what's already happened…"
Okome remembered those last words escaping her sister's bloodied lips.
"Why?"
What could have Okome said to have made a psychopath? Okome refused to allow that venomous demon devour Layla's freedom. It was painful to think that someone so close from childhood would enjoy the suffering of others.m now. She could not.
As Okome curled her hands into a fist, Gohan observed her silently. "It's only your first day," Gohan spoke, observing Okome's jaw tighten. "I'm sure you'll become better in the days to come." He smiled, ruffling his black hair. "I mean not all fighters are born with the best skills, right? You have to keep practising."
"It's not that, it's..." Okome sighed, looking up at the cloudless skies.
Hearing her exhaled, Gohan tilted his head.
Slamming her fist into the earthy soil, Okome stared into Gohan's black eyes. She was struggling to tell him something. Or was it her nerves?
"Gohan, I want to prove to you that I'm on your side." Okome called out, raising her clenched fist towards Gohan.
"What?" Gohan titled his head at Okome. "I know you're on our side Okome, I mean you haven't done anything fishy."
"No, I mean I think I wasn't being honest with you and Piccolo Sensei." Okome lowered her fists towards her lap. "You see when I was fighting you and Piccolo, I was hiding my powers because I thought that they were-"
-"Dangerous?"
"No, bizarre." Okome sighed, rising to her feet. Hearing a quiet chuckle, Okome looked down at Gohan, noticing that he was choking instead.
"What?" Okome asked as Gohan took a deep breath from his coughing fit.
"I thought you were going to tell me that you were related to those aliens." Gohan answered, pointing at Okome. "I'm relieved that you're not- but then I need to ask where you came from? If you don't mind me asking."
"I'm an Earthling. But I can't say where I came from right now." Okome leaned against the body of the oak tree.
"Why?" Gohan placed his hands on the orange material of his gi.
"It's confusing stuff. I'd rather tell you it when I'm able to remember what exactly happened and why." Okome looked up at the skies again. A lonesome bird flew over the lands, letting out a forlorn cry across the windy skies.
"So, you're telling me that you suffer from short term memory?" Gohan closed his eyes. He itched his head to the thought.
"Well... yes and no. It's just everything was a blur." Okome's navy eyes trailed down to Gohan again.
"Okay." Gohan rubbed his black eyes. "I guess that story will have to wait then... so," he raised his index finger up to Okome, "What did you mean by powers?"
I've got a lot of explaining to do... Okome thought, smiling at the black-haired child. "I'll try to explain this the best I could," Okome laughed before cupping her hand near her mouth. "What energy do you guys use? Is it Chakra, Ki or Chi or what?" Okome cleared her throat before crouching besides Gohan.
"From what I've heard from Piccolo, I think it's 'Chi', but then again... Some people pronounce it as 'Ki'." Gohan answered, opening his eyes to observe the girl. This girl, she reminded him of someone he knew fondly. One minute her personality was calm and collected and then the next it's all raging like a wild fire. A scary thought that someone can flip their personality in an instant, like a switch.
"Chi... I've heard of it before..." Okome mumbled, placing her index finger on her cheek. So, they run on the same concept... I guess it won't be so hard to explain after all... She thought as Gohan circled his fingers in the dirt. "Okay," Okome struck her right fist into her left palm, causing Gohan to look up at her. "The power I wasn't willing to reveal earlier was my ki technique. So, I can bend an element; which I can bend the water to my will."
"Okay?" Gohan squinted his eyes up at Okome. At this point, Gohan thought the whole thing was bizarre. Elements, why such a weird power? How does manipulating water help on the battlefield? All that he could do was wait for her explanation.
"You don't sound convinced..." Okome loosened her grip.
"What do you mean by 'Elements'?" Gohan tilted his head at the girl. "You mean like; fire, water, earth and wind?"
"Uhh..." Okome's eyes trailed towards the ground. Oh boy, this is going to be a long day... Okome thought as she found a stick amongst the grass. Picking it up, she sat next to Gohan. "Where I come from, well, it's a hard thing to say since it was recently discovered." She drew on the dirt. "The two that I know that can be used are fire and water." Her eyes trailed to the boy. "So, if this runs on the elemental concepts, earth and air should be able to be manipulated by will." She mumbled, drawing out the symbol which seemed like the corresponding elements. "But I haven't seen any one master it yet- Any who, to use the elements, you would have to channel your life energy into it... so it's like an extension of yourself."
"Cool, but that doesn't seem like many elements." Gohan pointed at the symbols on the dirt.
One was all swirls and circles, like that of an air current. Another was wavy, like extending arms of a fire. The next was blocks of sturdy bricks, like the rich earth. The final one was shaped in a form of a tear drop, like a flowing dewdrop of a leaf. Each element faced opposite each other, such as the fire was opposite to the water.
This is an interesting formation... Gohan thought, sighing as he rested his hands on his lap. It's not anything like Mister Piccolo's techniques.
"I'll go into detail then, about the elements." Okome said, striking the stick in the dirt again. "There are things known as 'Main elements' and 'Sub elements'. The ones I've just mentioned are the 'Main elements'." She circled all the symbols into one group before writing an 'M' next to the circle. "The 'Main element' that I can use is water."
"-And a 'Sub' element is the extension." Gohan butted in. "So, to water, it's ice- or steam?"
"Yup." Okome smiled, "Although I only know how to make water into ice, and not steam yet. It's still a developing technique; so, I'm going to focus on developing and mastering the technique. Umm..."
"Never mind. If it's hard to explain, I'll figure it out." Gohan sat back on the grass.
"I guess so." Okome said, looking up at the blue skies above. "There's only so much I could show because everyone's limited to something."
The wind began to blow, causing the leaves on the trees to dance. Not a single cloud in the sky hovered above as the duo sat and inspected the detailed diagram.
"So what are the 'Sub elements'- in terms of the other elements?" Gohan said, resting his hands under his chin again. He laid down on his front whilst looking at the detailed diagram. "Wait, so to fire, it's electricity- or smoke?" Gohan snapped his head up at Okome.
"Wow, I'm surprised you're catching on to all of this." Okome said, smiling as she drew the last bits to the diagram.
"Mother said I am a prodigy, which means someone who has a talent which shows at a young age. But, Mister Piccolo calls me a 'Nerd'... whatever that is." Gohan laughed, rubbing his head as he leaned on his right arm.
Okome glanced to him from the diagram, then back to the diagram.
"Okay, well 'Sub elements' are basically more advanced techniques. So, if we take fire for example," Okome pointed at the wavy design, symbolising fire. She trailed her finger to a more rugged symbol, like that of static. "The 'Sub element' is electricity... but it doesn't apply to all the elements- well actually I'm not too sure if it can be applied to all the elements."
"Huh? So, it's not always the advanced techniques?" Gohan lowered his hands from his chin.
"It's a combination... but you have to know how the other element works. In this case, you can combine water and air to create ice, which I've mastered... well, kind of..." Okome laughed as she looked up from the diagram to Gohan. The boy remained with the same facial expression.
He was confused as anything.
"I guess it's getting a bit boring with the lecture, so I'll just hop to it and demonstrate my technique." Okome rose to her feet.
Gohan stood up, stepping a few metres away from Okome to observe.
Placing her hands in front of herself, Okome bends her knees. She swayed her arms back and forth, like the waves rocking a boat at sea. Channelling her ki into a section of the river, it was like as if a third, invisible arm parted the water from the main body. The energy was cool, but not enough to cause your skin to run cold.
Gohan observed the orb in her hands. He cupped one of his hand under his chin and squinted his eyes. Who trained her? Who exactly taught her to channel energy into the elements? This was bizarre...
The orb's shape shook, as if stroking the water's surface would cause the surface to ripple. Before Okome could channel her ki back into the river, the orb of water burst, drenching Okome's clothes.
Damn it! Okome thought, freezing like a statue.
"That looks pretty hard to do," Gohan said, pointing at Okome who dripped with cold water.
Yeah, it must be because I'm stuck in a younger body. Okome thought, tightening her jaws. How did that even happen? Could time and space become distorted?
"I hope you can pull off some good moves with that."
Snapping her head back, she caught Piccolo sat on the branches of the oak tree above.
Oh snap! Okome smiled up at the green demon.
Piccolo leapt from the branches and landed on his feet with a quiet crunch. In an attempt to save her identity, Okome threw a kick, tossing a thick plume of dust and erased the diagram of her knowledge of her techniques.
As the strands of grass drifted in the air, Piccolo crossed his arms as he gazed into the girl's soul. Just who was this kid?
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Until next time _
-ClumsyPigeon signing out
