CHAPTER 6
The whole retinue of the High Prince and Princess left Stronghold two days ago, the Saiyajins and Marron were with them when they left for Dragons' Rest. They were quite surprised when they saw Pol's Palace. It was so grand that it took Marron's breath away. She felt like she was living in one of the fairy tales that she was so fond of reading.
The drawbridge was lowered and the portcullis was raised as soon as the guards on the parapet above the gateway had seen them. Pennants of the High Prince's colors had been put up and everything had been set ready for the much-awaited Rialla. People from different parts of the land had arrived ahead of them. Lord Chaynal and Princess Tobin had arrived from Radzyn Keep together with Maarken and Hollis and their children from Whitecliff Manor. Lord Tallain and Lady Sionell's family together with their retinue from Tiglath had arrived after Lord Chaynal's retinue. Lord Walvis and Lady Feylin from Remagev couldn't wait to see their grandchildren again that they were the first ones to arrive. Others will be coming in from Syr, High Kirat, Athmyr, Graypearl, Balarat, Castle Crag, Skybowl, River Ussh, Kierst, Isel, Faolain Riverport and Lowland, and Waes.
After what happened at the last Rialla, everyone was hoping that it'd be different this time. They were all sanguine in thinking none of High Prince Roelestra's descendants will be coming around to challenge the seat for High Prince. They trusted that Chiana will be complacent now that she married Prince Hamian; therefore, providing substance to her claim as a princess. Prince Miyon of Cunaxa won't be making any more trouble, now that his daughter, Princess Meiglan, is Prince Pol's wife (or so they thought).
When every one of them had dismounted, a tall man with a golden hair approached them, in tow were two little girls of nine. Behind the three was a woman who looked much like Marron except of a shy and frail demeanor.
"Granmere! Granpere! We missed you so much!!!" exclaimed two exuberant youthful voices.
"Children! Behave yourselves," admonished Meiglan. "I'm so sorry, your graces. They are usually more behaved than this."
"It's all right, Meiglan. You know I hate to be weighted with formalities especially when it comes to my grandchildren. I haven't seen them since winter." Rohan smiled at her with assurance.
"As you wish, your grace."
"It's Rohan, Meiglan. I had hoped that by this time you would call us by our names instead of our titles."
"Rohan, that's enough. Leave the child alone," reprimanded Sioned. "Call us in whatever name you are comfortable with, Meiglan. I know that it will take time for you to get used to the informality of the family since you had grown up enveloped in proprieties," smiled Sioned.
"Father, I would like to meet the guests you had saddled yourself with." Pol took a peek at the three new young faces with them.
"Oh yes... Come, I'll introduce them to you." Rohan beckoned them over.
As they neared him, Pol scrutinized them from head to toe. They could sense that he was measuring them up. They can see that Rohan's son was a man of around thirty years with the same bearing as Rohan except that his was of arrogance unlike his father who exuded wisdom.
"These young people were from Satan City. Don't ask me where that is because I have no idea and according to them, it's not located anywhere in our map. The man with lavender hair is Trunks. Yes! The hair is real." Sioned chuckled at Pol and his people's reaction at Trunks' hair color. "And this here is Goten. The girl is Marron." She turned to them and introduced the rest of Pol's party; "I'd like you to meet my son, Pol, and his family. This is his wife, Meiglan and their daughters, Jihan and Rislyn." Marron curtsied and the men bowed their head to the royal family.
The children were twins and the only distinction between the two was their eyes and the fact that Rislyn paled at the sight of water and Jihan swam like a fish. These attributes only showed that Jihan was pure diarmadhi while her sister was faradhi. Rislyn's eyes were as limpid a green as Roelestra's whereas Jihan's were Rohan's startling blue. It was just convenient that their father's eyes were a changeable combination of both. Only a select few knew the truth about Pol's birth. He was the son of Rohan with the former High Prince Roelestra's daughter, Ianthe (now deceased). Most of the people knew that Pol was Sioned's son and those who knew would guard the secret for the rest of their lives.
Everybody was surprised when the twins grabbed Goten's and Trunks' arms all of a sudden. "Goten! Trunks! Let's play dragons!" The children pulled them towards the garden. The two men just looked at each other then at the kids' parents, shrugged their shoulders, and allowed the girls to pull them along. The people left behind just looked at the retreating figures in amusement. Marron was slightly humiliated that the children preferred them to her. Come to think of it, I've never been really fond of children being the only child in the family, she considered and dismissed the idea.
Trunks felt so helpless at the demand of Rislyn, it goes the same for Goten who felt the same way at Jihan's demand. The royal family was chortling when they heard some good imitation of a dragon's roar and then giggles and shrieks from the children and their new friends.
"I think we can trust them not to let the children come to any harm."
"The children seem to have taken a liking to them both. I trust your kids' instincts. If they feel those two were all right then I believe them." Sioned convinced Meiglan of her daughters' safety. "I believed Myrdal when she said that those two men were warriors of the highest caliber, although we haven't really seen them fight. Maybe we will see their skills in this Rialla."
"Oi, Jihan! Don't yank too hard... That hurts, you know!" Goten complained as Jihan pulled his hair to stop him from colliding with the rose wall. "Iteh! Don't worry, I can control myself," he chuckled at her while looking over at Trunks to see how he was doing with his charge.
Rislyn was gentler with Trunks than Jihan was with Goten. However, looking at his friend's face, Goten could tell that he was not having a good time.
"Oi Trunks!" Goten called his attention. "Why don't we give these kids a treat. A dragon treat, if you know what I mean." He raised his right eyebrow towards Trunks with a knowing smile on his face.
"No! Remember, no one is supposed to know of our powers except Isriam and Myrdal." Trunks reminded him about their resolve.
"I'm sure if we make these kids promise us with secrecy, they'll keep their word and not spill the beans to anyone at all." He assured him.
Suddenly, the girls stopped in mid-yank and looked at the sky. Then they heard a commotion outside and the same rumble of the dragons they had heard at Stronghold. The girls were getting excited and began urging them to watch the dragons landing by the side of the lake.
Both complied and carried the girls toward the group of Prince Pol. They saw that Pol, Rohan, Tobin and Maarken were concentrating on the same direction. It must be where the dragons had landed. When they neared, they saw some hatchlings playing by the lake. The dragonets were splashing water at each other and at Prince Pol's golden horse, Azhenel, which was playing with the dragonets as if it, too, was a dragon.
"I really would like to see the dragons up close when they are in flight. It must be breathtaking," Jihan mused.
Goten sent Trunks a smirk and Trunks had a feeling that what his friend have in mind won't be good at all.
Everyone was so caught up with the sight of the dragons at play that they didn't notice the time pass by. When the dragons had their fill of the bath and food provided by Dragons' Rest, the sire bugled to let the hatchlings ready for flight. It was a sight to see when all dragons spread their wings and started to beat at the air and were slowly rising up in the sky.
Both girls were sitting atop the Saiyajins' shoulders. Goten yanked Trunks and signaled him to follow his lead.
"Uh, Jihan... do you really want to see the dragons while they're in flight?"
"You betcha!!!" Jihan squealed.
"I want you and Rislyn to make a promise that what we are about to do will be kept a secret. You can't tell even your family about this." Goten addressed the girls.
"What are you going to do, Goten?" Rislyn asked.
"Something that will make your dream come true but I need your promise first."
The girls nodded solemnly and vowed that they will tell no one about what the men were going to do. They were so serious that Trunks believed them. So he agreed and let his guard down.
"Let's go to the Rose garden so no one will see us." Trunks suggested.
Goten nodded and warned the girls, "Okay, you'd better hold on tight or you'd fall off from our shoulders." Jihan and Rislyn looked at each other and tightened their hold at their respective elders.
Looking around, making sure that no one was about, Trunks nodded to Goten. The girls were so surprised when the men started floating. Suddenly they felt the whoosh of the wind then discovered that they, indeed, were flying. They saw the dragons flying ahead and they forgot their fears and started to get excited. Trunks and Goten warned their charges not to utter a word or the people who were land-stranded would hear, look up and notice that they were flying.
The dragons were surprised to see four humans accompanying them in their flight but after a few minutes with them, they had gotten used to their presence. After the four accompanied the dragons to their tryst, Trunks decided to treat the kids to a roller coaster ride. It was the most memorable day of the girls' small lives.
I hope we can trust these kids, Trunks contemplated. I wish I could be as lighthearted as Goten. I guess I'm more of my father's son, he chuckled at the memory of his father's stern visage.
"Jihan! Rislyn! Where are you kids off to now?" Pol heard his wife shouting looking for their daughters. He was startled when suddenly a hysterical note can be heard in Meiglan's voice. His wife was not an excitable type of person so he himself started to get worried. His parents and him hurriedly went to Meiglan to see what's going on. When they arrived at the Rose Garden, they saw her wringing her hands and tears streaming down her face.
"What's wrong, dear? Where are the children?" Sioned asked her while taking her daughter-in-law by the shoulders and led her to a stone bench.
"I can't find the children, your grace. I've been shouting myself hoarse looking for them and they didn't reply. They usually respond to my calls no matter where they are. But now, I can't find them. I've asked the guards if they've seen them but all I got from them is nothing. None have seen my daughters." Meiglan started to get hysterical again.
"Calm down, my dear. I'm sure they're just here somewhere." Rohan assured her while quietly giving instructions to some guards to look for the children everywhere.
Pol approached a ray of sunlight and started looking for his daughters, trying to locate their precious little colors. He was totally overwhelmed when he finally did locate his kids because he could also sense brilliant gold colors surrounding Jihan's and Rislyn's pastel ones. All he could determine was that the children were getting nearer the Palace. He just couldn't pinpoint where exactly they were at the moment because all he could see were skies. "They're both all right," he assured them all. "I don't know precisely where they are right now but I do know that they're both fine and in all likelihood, having a good time."
Everyone was astounded when there was a sudden burst of wind above them. When they looked up they saw Goten and Trunks carrying the children in their arms while they were slowly landing in their midst. Trunks was giving Goten dagger looks and then both men were looking at the princes and princesses in abject apology.
"Mother! Father!" squealed Jihan.
"Granpa! Granma!" Rislyn followed suit. "We were flying! We flew with the dragons!" She jumped from Trunks' arms, shot past her father and bounded into the arms of Rohan.
"You should have seen us!" Jihan exclaimed. "The dragons were surprised at first but after a few minutes, they allowed us to fly with them to their place. It was so exciting! After that, Goten and Trunks gave us a rollercoaster ride. Well that's what Goten called it."
"Yes, that's what Trunks said. But it was so incredible! We flew so fast and in circles. At first we thought we're going to throw up but when we got the hang of it, it was so fun!" Rislyn recounted their activities.
Rohan just nodded in response but wasn't really paying much attention to his grandchildren's tale. He was stupefied at what they had all just witnessed that he couldn't help himself but stare at the two strange men. When he looked at everyone, he saw that they felt the same way as he did. In fact, most of them were looking at Goten and Trunks slack-jawed.
"Ano--, Gomen ne." Goten scratched his head while apologizing profusely to Pol and Meiglan. "We didn't mean to cause you any worries at all. We didn't realize that we've been gone that long. We thought we'd be back in no time."
"I'm sorry, Prince Pol." Trunks bowed deeply to Pol. "It won't happen again. I guess we were just thinking of giving the girls some fun that we didn't take into account that you'd be worrying and dreading of what might happen to them considering that we're strangers and you, probably, have enemies." Goten snapped his head around looking astonished at Trunks. This was one of the moments when Trunks had said something long. Usually he would just scowl and grimace like his father.
Pol just waved aside their explanation and accepted their expressions of regret. "How did you do it? You, two, can fly?" Looking wide-eyed, he asked them.
"Actually, the three of us can. Marron can also fly." Trunks admitted in defeat. I guess everything's out in the open. We had been reckless. I shouldn't have allowed Goten to talk me into things. He grimaced as he thought this.
"What else can you, people, do? I think it's time that you tell us everything." Rohan crossed his arms and glowered at them.
"I'll spare these two from explaining. I'll do the talking." Marron made her way to the crowd and joined her friends. "We are not from this planet nor even from this dimension. The truth is, we have no idea where this is," she swept her arms encompassing everything. "But we do know where we came from. We came from planet Earth. I am an Earthling while these two men are only half Earthlings. Their fathers were from the planet Vejiita, same name as Trunks father. They are the race called Saiyajins. They are the most powerful race in the universe. These two had been warriors since they were just little boys. As for myself, my father was the most powerful warrior on planet Earth. My mother was an android who was once their enemy and had become part of the Z Warriors. My mother was the most powerful woman warrior in the world." Marron stated a matter-of-factly. "Goten's father became the Cosmic Guardian when he defeated all the dragons and save the universe from total annihilation. And I think that means that he's the guardian of every dimension and every timeline. I won't be surprised if he shows up here in your world." She smiled at the reaction of the people when they finally took in her words. "Trunks' father is the prince of the Saiyajins. If their planet had not been destroyed, his father would be King by now. Anyway, these two can transform to Super Saiyajins, in fact, up to the third degree. The most fun to see is when they fuse together and form Gotenks. In our own dimension, the Saiyajins were called The Golden Warriors," she finished with a flourish.
At the last statement, all Sunrunners looked and nodded at each other. Marron's last statement convinced them that they did, indeed, saw the two having brilliant golden auras.
"How strong are you?" Rohan asked straight to the point.
Before Trunks could say anything, Marron butted in. "Both of them are so strong that they can carry three dragons easily." She smirked at her friends while Trunks and Goten just glowered at her.
"We'd like to see you transform to--, what was it called? Super Saiyajins?" Both Pol and Sioned asked at the same time.
"Yes, Super Saiyajins." Goten admitted, sighing in defeat.
"If you really want to see us transform, I suggest we go somewhere else," Trunks told them. "We need to do it in a big open space. We don't want to destroy your splendid Palace here and cause your horses to stampede. Why don't we go a little ways to the desert and we can transform there?" He asked Rohan and warned them at the same time. "But before we do that, I'd like you to promise us that only those who had witnessed our flight can know and see the extent of our powers. I don't want anyone else outside this circle to know about our capabilities. We can only show you our transformation but don't ask us to show our other powers." Trunks extracted promises from everyone in the group.
"All right, we all give you our words." Sioned promised while everyone gave their assent and promise that no one outside their circle is to know about their powers. "But why won't you show us your other powers? It would be best if we know how powerful you really are," she wondered.
"We can't do that simply because our powers are capable of destroying this world," Goten replied truthfully.
"That can't be true," Morwenna cried out.
"Believe it, please," Marron pleaded. "I have seen what their powers can do. They are telling the truth. Their full powers can destroy this whole planet and kill everyone. Even when they use their powers in moderation, the devastation is still great."
Everyone was taken aback and looked at both Saiyajins in fear. Only Jihan and Rislyn were looking at Goten and Trunks with smiles on their faces. The only thing that these girls knew was that these two great men were their friends and they were fun to be with, they were even better than granpa.
"Ahem..." Goten tried to take back their attention. "Uhmm... Prince Rohan, please ask one of the guards to bring two large carriages in here. Make sure that they're big enough for everyone to fit in. Trunks and I will carry you all to a place where we can show you our transformation," he suggested.
Rohan nodded and gestured to a guard to come over. After giving his instructions, he turned back to Goten, Trunks and Marron. "Where will you take us?" he inquired.
"While we were flying with the dragons, I saw an ideal place for transformation. We'll take you there. But only those who are in this group." He stopped talking when the carriages arrived hauled by horses and led by two merchants.
"Thank you so much. We'll return these carriages to you as soon as we're done with them." Rohan smiled assuringly at the merchants and dismissed them. Only the guard who carried out his order stayed put. Since he was part of the group who saw them fly, he decided to stay and witness further. Pol motioned for his daughters to return to their rooms but they defied him.
"But Papa, we'd like to go with you. Goten and Trunks are our friends and we'd like to see them transform!" insisted Rislyn.
"It's all right, your grace. Let them come with us. They won't come to any harm at all, you have our word on that." Trunks requested and Prince Pol nodded his assent.
As soon as everyone had been loaded in, the Saiyajins warned them to hold on tight as both slowly lifted the carriages. Everyone gasped in surprise when they felt themselves being lifted high into the air. They were even more dumbfounded when they saw Marron was flying by herself and accompanying them through the air as they headed to the desert.
As soon as they landed, everyone scrambled out of the carriages and assembled beside Marron. She motioned for them to follow her behind a large rock. "Let's stay behind this boulder for precaution. We'll come out after they've already transformed because during the transformation, they rev up their powers and the force will disrupt the sand, so it would be dangerous for bystanders." Nodding, they took heed of her advice.
The Saiyajins went a way farther from the group, perhaps a mile or so. When they felt that they were far enough not to harm the people, Trunks and Goten stood in attention and revved up their powers. Rohan and his group were amazed at what they were witnessing. They could see the two Saiyajins standing in a fighting stance. They could hardly believe their eyes when they saw the sands slowly shifting around those two. What was more amazing was the fact that even non-Sunrunners can see huge golden aura glowing around the men. Then the wind had picked up and the sands were swirling around the Saiyajins, like water making huge ripples when dragons were about to land in the lake. Then they were completely startled when the two suddenly screamed and the shifting sands became a sandstorm. Right there and then, before their very eyes, Trunks and Goten became more muscular, their hair standing up and turning golden yellow and the golden aura about them became more pronounced. After the transformation, the two slowly approached the group. Both were crackling with enormous energies that every step they took shifted the sands. But when they were already in front of Prince Rohan, the glowing had stopped and the transformation was complete. That's when they noticed that not only their hair changed color but so were their eyebrows turned golden yellow and their eyes turned green.
The faradh'im with them avoided sunrunning them. One of them tried and was almost blinded by the sheer power of their colors. Everyone was in awe and at the same time frightened at the force these two command. The Super Saiyajin mode was enough to convince Prince Pol that what Marron said would have to be true. He was about to ask for more demonstration of their other powers but stopped himself. If this is true, then the rest of what Marron told us must be true as well. I don't want them to destroy our land just to satisfy my curiosity. This is enough display of strength for me, Pol was convinced that he need not any further proof of their powers.
"Although we are more powerful than you are, we have no intention, whatsoever, of conquering your world. All we want is to live in peace with you while we figure out how to get back to our own dimension." Trunks told them solemnly. Both approached High Prince Rohan and kneeled in front of him. At the same time, "we pledge ourselves to you as the ruler of this land, that we will never use our powers recklessly nor abuse your hospitality. Our powers will be restricted to the protection of your people when no other force will prevail." With this pledge, the two returned to their original selves and then everyone went back to Dragons' Rest.
--to be continued
The next chapter will take some time to finish. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. - gyhardin
The whole retinue of the High Prince and Princess left Stronghold two days ago, the Saiyajins and Marron were with them when they left for Dragons' Rest. They were quite surprised when they saw Pol's Palace. It was so grand that it took Marron's breath away. She felt like she was living in one of the fairy tales that she was so fond of reading.
The drawbridge was lowered and the portcullis was raised as soon as the guards on the parapet above the gateway had seen them. Pennants of the High Prince's colors had been put up and everything had been set ready for the much-awaited Rialla. People from different parts of the land had arrived ahead of them. Lord Chaynal and Princess Tobin had arrived from Radzyn Keep together with Maarken and Hollis and their children from Whitecliff Manor. Lord Tallain and Lady Sionell's family together with their retinue from Tiglath had arrived after Lord Chaynal's retinue. Lord Walvis and Lady Feylin from Remagev couldn't wait to see their grandchildren again that they were the first ones to arrive. Others will be coming in from Syr, High Kirat, Athmyr, Graypearl, Balarat, Castle Crag, Skybowl, River Ussh, Kierst, Isel, Faolain Riverport and Lowland, and Waes.
After what happened at the last Rialla, everyone was hoping that it'd be different this time. They were all sanguine in thinking none of High Prince Roelestra's descendants will be coming around to challenge the seat for High Prince. They trusted that Chiana will be complacent now that she married Prince Hamian; therefore, providing substance to her claim as a princess. Prince Miyon of Cunaxa won't be making any more trouble, now that his daughter, Princess Meiglan, is Prince Pol's wife (or so they thought).
When every one of them had dismounted, a tall man with a golden hair approached them, in tow were two little girls of nine. Behind the three was a woman who looked much like Marron except of a shy and frail demeanor.
"Granmere! Granpere! We missed you so much!!!" exclaimed two exuberant youthful voices.
"Children! Behave yourselves," admonished Meiglan. "I'm so sorry, your graces. They are usually more behaved than this."
"It's all right, Meiglan. You know I hate to be weighted with formalities especially when it comes to my grandchildren. I haven't seen them since winter." Rohan smiled at her with assurance.
"As you wish, your grace."
"It's Rohan, Meiglan. I had hoped that by this time you would call us by our names instead of our titles."
"Rohan, that's enough. Leave the child alone," reprimanded Sioned. "Call us in whatever name you are comfortable with, Meiglan. I know that it will take time for you to get used to the informality of the family since you had grown up enveloped in proprieties," smiled Sioned.
"Father, I would like to meet the guests you had saddled yourself with." Pol took a peek at the three new young faces with them.
"Oh yes... Come, I'll introduce them to you." Rohan beckoned them over.
As they neared him, Pol scrutinized them from head to toe. They could sense that he was measuring them up. They can see that Rohan's son was a man of around thirty years with the same bearing as Rohan except that his was of arrogance unlike his father who exuded wisdom.
"These young people were from Satan City. Don't ask me where that is because I have no idea and according to them, it's not located anywhere in our map. The man with lavender hair is Trunks. Yes! The hair is real." Sioned chuckled at Pol and his people's reaction at Trunks' hair color. "And this here is Goten. The girl is Marron." She turned to them and introduced the rest of Pol's party; "I'd like you to meet my son, Pol, and his family. This is his wife, Meiglan and their daughters, Jihan and Rislyn." Marron curtsied and the men bowed their head to the royal family.
The children were twins and the only distinction between the two was their eyes and the fact that Rislyn paled at the sight of water and Jihan swam like a fish. These attributes only showed that Jihan was pure diarmadhi while her sister was faradhi. Rislyn's eyes were as limpid a green as Roelestra's whereas Jihan's were Rohan's startling blue. It was just convenient that their father's eyes were a changeable combination of both. Only a select few knew the truth about Pol's birth. He was the son of Rohan with the former High Prince Roelestra's daughter, Ianthe (now deceased). Most of the people knew that Pol was Sioned's son and those who knew would guard the secret for the rest of their lives.
Everybody was surprised when the twins grabbed Goten's and Trunks' arms all of a sudden. "Goten! Trunks! Let's play dragons!" The children pulled them towards the garden. The two men just looked at each other then at the kids' parents, shrugged their shoulders, and allowed the girls to pull them along. The people left behind just looked at the retreating figures in amusement. Marron was slightly humiliated that the children preferred them to her. Come to think of it, I've never been really fond of children being the only child in the family, she considered and dismissed the idea.
Trunks felt so helpless at the demand of Rislyn, it goes the same for Goten who felt the same way at Jihan's demand. The royal family was chortling when they heard some good imitation of a dragon's roar and then giggles and shrieks from the children and their new friends.
"I think we can trust them not to let the children come to any harm."
"The children seem to have taken a liking to them both. I trust your kids' instincts. If they feel those two were all right then I believe them." Sioned convinced Meiglan of her daughters' safety. "I believed Myrdal when she said that those two men were warriors of the highest caliber, although we haven't really seen them fight. Maybe we will see their skills in this Rialla."
"Oi, Jihan! Don't yank too hard... That hurts, you know!" Goten complained as Jihan pulled his hair to stop him from colliding with the rose wall. "Iteh! Don't worry, I can control myself," he chuckled at her while looking over at Trunks to see how he was doing with his charge.
Rislyn was gentler with Trunks than Jihan was with Goten. However, looking at his friend's face, Goten could tell that he was not having a good time.
"Oi Trunks!" Goten called his attention. "Why don't we give these kids a treat. A dragon treat, if you know what I mean." He raised his right eyebrow towards Trunks with a knowing smile on his face.
"No! Remember, no one is supposed to know of our powers except Isriam and Myrdal." Trunks reminded him about their resolve.
"I'm sure if we make these kids promise us with secrecy, they'll keep their word and not spill the beans to anyone at all." He assured him.
Suddenly, the girls stopped in mid-yank and looked at the sky. Then they heard a commotion outside and the same rumble of the dragons they had heard at Stronghold. The girls were getting excited and began urging them to watch the dragons landing by the side of the lake.
Both complied and carried the girls toward the group of Prince Pol. They saw that Pol, Rohan, Tobin and Maarken were concentrating on the same direction. It must be where the dragons had landed. When they neared, they saw some hatchlings playing by the lake. The dragonets were splashing water at each other and at Prince Pol's golden horse, Azhenel, which was playing with the dragonets as if it, too, was a dragon.
"I really would like to see the dragons up close when they are in flight. It must be breathtaking," Jihan mused.
Goten sent Trunks a smirk and Trunks had a feeling that what his friend have in mind won't be good at all.
Everyone was so caught up with the sight of the dragons at play that they didn't notice the time pass by. When the dragons had their fill of the bath and food provided by Dragons' Rest, the sire bugled to let the hatchlings ready for flight. It was a sight to see when all dragons spread their wings and started to beat at the air and were slowly rising up in the sky.
Both girls were sitting atop the Saiyajins' shoulders. Goten yanked Trunks and signaled him to follow his lead.
"Uh, Jihan... do you really want to see the dragons while they're in flight?"
"You betcha!!!" Jihan squealed.
"I want you and Rislyn to make a promise that what we are about to do will be kept a secret. You can't tell even your family about this." Goten addressed the girls.
"What are you going to do, Goten?" Rislyn asked.
"Something that will make your dream come true but I need your promise first."
The girls nodded solemnly and vowed that they will tell no one about what the men were going to do. They were so serious that Trunks believed them. So he agreed and let his guard down.
"Let's go to the Rose garden so no one will see us." Trunks suggested.
Goten nodded and warned the girls, "Okay, you'd better hold on tight or you'd fall off from our shoulders." Jihan and Rislyn looked at each other and tightened their hold at their respective elders.
Looking around, making sure that no one was about, Trunks nodded to Goten. The girls were so surprised when the men started floating. Suddenly they felt the whoosh of the wind then discovered that they, indeed, were flying. They saw the dragons flying ahead and they forgot their fears and started to get excited. Trunks and Goten warned their charges not to utter a word or the people who were land-stranded would hear, look up and notice that they were flying.
The dragons were surprised to see four humans accompanying them in their flight but after a few minutes with them, they had gotten used to their presence. After the four accompanied the dragons to their tryst, Trunks decided to treat the kids to a roller coaster ride. It was the most memorable day of the girls' small lives.
I hope we can trust these kids, Trunks contemplated. I wish I could be as lighthearted as Goten. I guess I'm more of my father's son, he chuckled at the memory of his father's stern visage.
"Jihan! Rislyn! Where are you kids off to now?" Pol heard his wife shouting looking for their daughters. He was startled when suddenly a hysterical note can be heard in Meiglan's voice. His wife was not an excitable type of person so he himself started to get worried. His parents and him hurriedly went to Meiglan to see what's going on. When they arrived at the Rose Garden, they saw her wringing her hands and tears streaming down her face.
"What's wrong, dear? Where are the children?" Sioned asked her while taking her daughter-in-law by the shoulders and led her to a stone bench.
"I can't find the children, your grace. I've been shouting myself hoarse looking for them and they didn't reply. They usually respond to my calls no matter where they are. But now, I can't find them. I've asked the guards if they've seen them but all I got from them is nothing. None have seen my daughters." Meiglan started to get hysterical again.
"Calm down, my dear. I'm sure they're just here somewhere." Rohan assured her while quietly giving instructions to some guards to look for the children everywhere.
Pol approached a ray of sunlight and started looking for his daughters, trying to locate their precious little colors. He was totally overwhelmed when he finally did locate his kids because he could also sense brilliant gold colors surrounding Jihan's and Rislyn's pastel ones. All he could determine was that the children were getting nearer the Palace. He just couldn't pinpoint where exactly they were at the moment because all he could see were skies. "They're both all right," he assured them all. "I don't know precisely where they are right now but I do know that they're both fine and in all likelihood, having a good time."
Everyone was astounded when there was a sudden burst of wind above them. When they looked up they saw Goten and Trunks carrying the children in their arms while they were slowly landing in their midst. Trunks was giving Goten dagger looks and then both men were looking at the princes and princesses in abject apology.
"Mother! Father!" squealed Jihan.
"Granpa! Granma!" Rislyn followed suit. "We were flying! We flew with the dragons!" She jumped from Trunks' arms, shot past her father and bounded into the arms of Rohan.
"You should have seen us!" Jihan exclaimed. "The dragons were surprised at first but after a few minutes, they allowed us to fly with them to their place. It was so exciting! After that, Goten and Trunks gave us a rollercoaster ride. Well that's what Goten called it."
"Yes, that's what Trunks said. But it was so incredible! We flew so fast and in circles. At first we thought we're going to throw up but when we got the hang of it, it was so fun!" Rislyn recounted their activities.
Rohan just nodded in response but wasn't really paying much attention to his grandchildren's tale. He was stupefied at what they had all just witnessed that he couldn't help himself but stare at the two strange men. When he looked at everyone, he saw that they felt the same way as he did. In fact, most of them were looking at Goten and Trunks slack-jawed.
"Ano--, Gomen ne." Goten scratched his head while apologizing profusely to Pol and Meiglan. "We didn't mean to cause you any worries at all. We didn't realize that we've been gone that long. We thought we'd be back in no time."
"I'm sorry, Prince Pol." Trunks bowed deeply to Pol. "It won't happen again. I guess we were just thinking of giving the girls some fun that we didn't take into account that you'd be worrying and dreading of what might happen to them considering that we're strangers and you, probably, have enemies." Goten snapped his head around looking astonished at Trunks. This was one of the moments when Trunks had said something long. Usually he would just scowl and grimace like his father.
Pol just waved aside their explanation and accepted their expressions of regret. "How did you do it? You, two, can fly?" Looking wide-eyed, he asked them.
"Actually, the three of us can. Marron can also fly." Trunks admitted in defeat. I guess everything's out in the open. We had been reckless. I shouldn't have allowed Goten to talk me into things. He grimaced as he thought this.
"What else can you, people, do? I think it's time that you tell us everything." Rohan crossed his arms and glowered at them.
"I'll spare these two from explaining. I'll do the talking." Marron made her way to the crowd and joined her friends. "We are not from this planet nor even from this dimension. The truth is, we have no idea where this is," she swept her arms encompassing everything. "But we do know where we came from. We came from planet Earth. I am an Earthling while these two men are only half Earthlings. Their fathers were from the planet Vejiita, same name as Trunks father. They are the race called Saiyajins. They are the most powerful race in the universe. These two had been warriors since they were just little boys. As for myself, my father was the most powerful warrior on planet Earth. My mother was an android who was once their enemy and had become part of the Z Warriors. My mother was the most powerful woman warrior in the world." Marron stated a matter-of-factly. "Goten's father became the Cosmic Guardian when he defeated all the dragons and save the universe from total annihilation. And I think that means that he's the guardian of every dimension and every timeline. I won't be surprised if he shows up here in your world." She smiled at the reaction of the people when they finally took in her words. "Trunks' father is the prince of the Saiyajins. If their planet had not been destroyed, his father would be King by now. Anyway, these two can transform to Super Saiyajins, in fact, up to the third degree. The most fun to see is when they fuse together and form Gotenks. In our own dimension, the Saiyajins were called The Golden Warriors," she finished with a flourish.
At the last statement, all Sunrunners looked and nodded at each other. Marron's last statement convinced them that they did, indeed, saw the two having brilliant golden auras.
"How strong are you?" Rohan asked straight to the point.
Before Trunks could say anything, Marron butted in. "Both of them are so strong that they can carry three dragons easily." She smirked at her friends while Trunks and Goten just glowered at her.
"We'd like to see you transform to--, what was it called? Super Saiyajins?" Both Pol and Sioned asked at the same time.
"Yes, Super Saiyajins." Goten admitted, sighing in defeat.
"If you really want to see us transform, I suggest we go somewhere else," Trunks told them. "We need to do it in a big open space. We don't want to destroy your splendid Palace here and cause your horses to stampede. Why don't we go a little ways to the desert and we can transform there?" He asked Rohan and warned them at the same time. "But before we do that, I'd like you to promise us that only those who had witnessed our flight can know and see the extent of our powers. I don't want anyone else outside this circle to know about our capabilities. We can only show you our transformation but don't ask us to show our other powers." Trunks extracted promises from everyone in the group.
"All right, we all give you our words." Sioned promised while everyone gave their assent and promise that no one outside their circle is to know about their powers. "But why won't you show us your other powers? It would be best if we know how powerful you really are," she wondered.
"We can't do that simply because our powers are capable of destroying this world," Goten replied truthfully.
"That can't be true," Morwenna cried out.
"Believe it, please," Marron pleaded. "I have seen what their powers can do. They are telling the truth. Their full powers can destroy this whole planet and kill everyone. Even when they use their powers in moderation, the devastation is still great."
Everyone was taken aback and looked at both Saiyajins in fear. Only Jihan and Rislyn were looking at Goten and Trunks with smiles on their faces. The only thing that these girls knew was that these two great men were their friends and they were fun to be with, they were even better than granpa.
"Ahem..." Goten tried to take back their attention. "Uhmm... Prince Rohan, please ask one of the guards to bring two large carriages in here. Make sure that they're big enough for everyone to fit in. Trunks and I will carry you all to a place where we can show you our transformation," he suggested.
Rohan nodded and gestured to a guard to come over. After giving his instructions, he turned back to Goten, Trunks and Marron. "Where will you take us?" he inquired.
"While we were flying with the dragons, I saw an ideal place for transformation. We'll take you there. But only those who are in this group." He stopped talking when the carriages arrived hauled by horses and led by two merchants.
"Thank you so much. We'll return these carriages to you as soon as we're done with them." Rohan smiled assuringly at the merchants and dismissed them. Only the guard who carried out his order stayed put. Since he was part of the group who saw them fly, he decided to stay and witness further. Pol motioned for his daughters to return to their rooms but they defied him.
"But Papa, we'd like to go with you. Goten and Trunks are our friends and we'd like to see them transform!" insisted Rislyn.
"It's all right, your grace. Let them come with us. They won't come to any harm at all, you have our word on that." Trunks requested and Prince Pol nodded his assent.
As soon as everyone had been loaded in, the Saiyajins warned them to hold on tight as both slowly lifted the carriages. Everyone gasped in surprise when they felt themselves being lifted high into the air. They were even more dumbfounded when they saw Marron was flying by herself and accompanying them through the air as they headed to the desert.
As soon as they landed, everyone scrambled out of the carriages and assembled beside Marron. She motioned for them to follow her behind a large rock. "Let's stay behind this boulder for precaution. We'll come out after they've already transformed because during the transformation, they rev up their powers and the force will disrupt the sand, so it would be dangerous for bystanders." Nodding, they took heed of her advice.
The Saiyajins went a way farther from the group, perhaps a mile or so. When they felt that they were far enough not to harm the people, Trunks and Goten stood in attention and revved up their powers. Rohan and his group were amazed at what they were witnessing. They could see the two Saiyajins standing in a fighting stance. They could hardly believe their eyes when they saw the sands slowly shifting around those two. What was more amazing was the fact that even non-Sunrunners can see huge golden aura glowing around the men. Then the wind had picked up and the sands were swirling around the Saiyajins, like water making huge ripples when dragons were about to land in the lake. Then they were completely startled when the two suddenly screamed and the shifting sands became a sandstorm. Right there and then, before their very eyes, Trunks and Goten became more muscular, their hair standing up and turning golden yellow and the golden aura about them became more pronounced. After the transformation, the two slowly approached the group. Both were crackling with enormous energies that every step they took shifted the sands. But when they were already in front of Prince Rohan, the glowing had stopped and the transformation was complete. That's when they noticed that not only their hair changed color but so were their eyebrows turned golden yellow and their eyes turned green.
The faradh'im with them avoided sunrunning them. One of them tried and was almost blinded by the sheer power of their colors. Everyone was in awe and at the same time frightened at the force these two command. The Super Saiyajin mode was enough to convince Prince Pol that what Marron said would have to be true. He was about to ask for more demonstration of their other powers but stopped himself. If this is true, then the rest of what Marron told us must be true as well. I don't want them to destroy our land just to satisfy my curiosity. This is enough display of strength for me, Pol was convinced that he need not any further proof of their powers.
"Although we are more powerful than you are, we have no intention, whatsoever, of conquering your world. All we want is to live in peace with you while we figure out how to get back to our own dimension." Trunks told them solemnly. Both approached High Prince Rohan and kneeled in front of him. At the same time, "we pledge ourselves to you as the ruler of this land, that we will never use our powers recklessly nor abuse your hospitality. Our powers will be restricted to the protection of your people when no other force will prevail." With this pledge, the two returned to their original selves and then everyone went back to Dragons' Rest.
--to be continued
The next chapter will take some time to finish. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. - gyhardin