Dragon Ball: Makafushigi Adventure

By Reid M. Haynes

Disclaimer: Dragon Ball and all characters within are the property of Akira Toriyama, TOEI ANIMATION, and various other companies. I am using them without permission, and I am making no money off of them.

Legend:
( ) Denotes thoughts.
[ ] Denotes song lyrics.

Epilogue 2: The Dawn of Our Dreams

*****

Atop the great mountaintop waited the eastern martial artist. He waded his shoes in the thick snow, letting its soft chill run through his feet and up his legs. Snowflakes stuck to his hair and clothes, and his muscles forced back the frost with a slow shiver. He was waiting, maybe for the first time in his life, for someone, and trying to keep his hopes alive.

Goku sat on a small rock, looking anxiously for an air-car, or a hoverbike, or even another car to run him over with. He kept looking out to the countryside, using his enhanced vision to scour it thoroughly. For several unblinking minutes he stared on, searching beyond every rock and tree.

The time passed onward, yet Goku still kept up the search. Despite his vanishing faith, he just kept staring, and staring, never letting it go.

But when he saw the sun rising over the ocean, and felt its rays sting his eyes, he started to slowly accept the unhappy truth that had been trying to make itself aware to him, all this time.

(She's not coming.)

Goku sighed, and hung his head. As if in symbolism, a sharp wind brushed past him, loosening his tears and brushing them along with it. It bit against his skin, yet he did not care. It was metaphor to his pain, and payment for the gamble he'd lost.

He knew deep inside that Bulma was never really cut out for this life. She was too grounded in the world she lived in before he ever entered it. The short trips she took with him were just vacations and days off, like summer romances that never made it past September. It wasn't the lifestyle that it was for him.

Still, somewhere in his heart, he'd been…really hoping.

Goku moved from his seat, and brushed the snow from his body. It was time for him to go on the road again. Maybe he had no one to share it with, but he had his freedom, and that would have to be enough.

He took a breath, and prepared to call Kinto'un.

"Hey there."

But the voice he heard behind him knocked that breath right out. Gradually, his head turned to look behind him. His eyes opened up to take in the view of his visitor.

They opened a bit wider.

A young blue haired woman stood before Goku, wearing jeans, a red jacket, and baseball cap that read: "Bulma." Her posture was firm, her hands were on her hips, and she was smiling bright enough to melt the snow that floated around them.

Bulma reached into her pocket, and pulled out a small, pink object. "Wouldn't you know it?" she said, presenting the article to him. "Forgot my hairbrush."

Goku looked at her, then cocked his eyebrow in amusement. "You know," he started, folding his arms. "It'd really make things a lot easier if you'd just forget that stuff."

"Oh shut up, you dope!" she snapped, gnashing her teeth. "If I'm going to go on this silly trip, I want to at least look good while doing it!"

Goku chuckled lightly, and Bulma soon joined him, grinning happily. Then her smile got ten times as wide, her eyes lit up with pure joy…

"GOKUUU!!!"…and then she was running, with arms wide open, straight into Goku's, which welcomed her with unabashed joy. He caught her with his hands and crushed her to his chest, squeezing her body firmly but lovingly, and she returned the hug with as much intensity as if she was a Super Saiyan herself.

Goku and Bulma pulled away from each other to look into each other's eyes. Both their faces were beaming with love and exultation. An identical feeling they held, despite having such completely different origins.

Though none of that mattered any more. Their paths had linked for the last time. Now, they were one.

The two stared at each other.

Then, they started to lean in.

"Well, ain't this a sweet scene," a rough voice called from behind, forcing them from their kiss to look at the one who interrupted.

"Just my luck," Bulma growled in irritation. "Every time I get a little romance in my life, something interrupts." She hissed angrily, but regained her cool when she discovered who it was. "Huh, you?"

"Hey, Yamcha, what're you doin' here?" Goku asked him. "I thought you were still back at the house,"

"Seems to me I arrived in just the nick of time," Yamcha smirked sarcastically, folding his arms. "You were really gonna blast off without us, weren't you."

"Huh?" Goku eyes widened. "What are you talking about?"

"Have you've forgotten already?" another voice questioned, and Oolong appeared from behind his legs. The pig had a very disgruntled look on his face, and way shaking his finger disapprovingly. "We're still on a Dragon Ball hunt, Goku," he pointed out sharply. "You're stuck with us!"

"Yeah!" From beyond a tall rock, Puar floated up and down, with his trademark smile on his face. "So what say we get going, again?"

Goku and Bulma glanced at each other warily, trying to pick out the other's feelings on this. But soon, they both turned back to the group, and grinned. "Right!" they agreed, nodding their heads approvingly, and the rest of the group cheered.

*****

The air car slowly hovered above the ground, kicking up a cloud of snowdust right back to the mountain. The motor purred eagerly, ready to roar through the skies and to the ends of the earth unbound. It hissed and whined, complaining about being kept waiting. Soon, it could take no more.

Goku sat in the passenger seat, almost hopping with anticipation. He smiled, looking to the distant landmarks. He wasn't on his Kinto'un, but that was okay, since he didn't need it to keep him company anymore. He had his friends, his love, and his grandfather's spirit.

He rubbed over the ball in his pocket. Then smiled.

(Yup, he's still here with me.)

"Alright, guys!" Bulma said, gripping hard onto the lever. "Next ball's 300 kilometers away."

"Okay, let's go!" And the air-car tore to the lands ahead.

[Oide, Fantasy,
Suki sa, Mystery,
Kimi no, wakasa kakusanaide...!

Fushigi, shita kute,
Bouken, shita kute,
Dare mo, minna uzu-uzu shite-ru!

Otona no, furi shite, akiramecha…
Kiseki no, nazo na do, tokenai yo…
Motto Uirudo ni, motto takumashike,
Ikite goran!

Romantic Ageru yo!
Romantic Ageru yo!
Honto no yuuki misete kuretara

Romantic Ageru yo!
Romantic Agero yo!
Tokimeku mune ni,
Kirakira hikatte,
Yume o ageru yo!!!]



Author's Notes: Well, that's the end of my story. I thank all of you who sent in your reviews to me. Your praise has really made my day, and your criticism has taught me to be a better writer. Even the flames I have gotten helped out a load, as I now believe I have a tougher skin to stand up for my work.

One more thing. I neglected to include a disclaimer from Tale 8. I did this because, after the heartbreaking scene with Goku and Chichi, I thought it would be pretty callous of me to go off and say: "Cookie Crisp is made by General Mills."

Hope to see you all again real soon!

Until next fanfic, ja ne! ^_^