Chapter 4
A New World
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As you may have quessed, very few of the characters in this story belong to me. They are Ouji, Jade, Dark Wing, Fang and Claw, and their pets. The rest are owned by Glen Cook and Akira Toriama. They are used without permission in a way that is not meant to make any money. This story may only be reproduced if no profit is made, and all the text is left intact.
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The next morning, we prepared to cross into the new world. After we broke camp, we left all of the supplies and animals at the circle and headed toward the gate.
As we neared the end of the path, we dropped to the ground, and crawled to the gate. We found that, unlike the other gates, this one ended inside a large, deep cavern. We decided to move everything through the gate and then scout the opening of the cave.
We returned to the circle and gathered all the supplies. We led the wagons to the gate and paused. I touched the key to the gate. Night Wing was the first to go through, followed by Fang and Claw, jade, the wagons, and finally me, with Croaker's white crow perched on my shoulder.
Once we were through, Night Wing and his birds went to scout the cave and its surroundings, while the rest of us set up camp. He returned that afternoon.
I had gotten so use to his panther form, that I was a little surprised when Night Wing returned as a man. He made his report in the language of the deaf, which we also use extensively in combat.
"The cave opens onto a bluff that overlooks a valley. There is an over grown path, large enough for the coach, that leads down into the valley. There seems to be a small town on the other side of the valley. As I was scouting, I saw a boy playing with a dragon, a flying cat, and a talking pig, so there should be no concern about our animals."
"That's good." I removed my badge and released the coach into the middle of the open area. "Get those wagons unloaded and disassembled. Then load everything into the coach. We move out when we finish."
Two hours later, we were ready to move out. Before we set out, I spoke once more with Croaker's Crow.
"Ouji, make camp in the clearing near the bottom of the path, it is about a mile down the dirt road that leads north from the bottom of the cliff. Wait there until I return."
"What are you going to do?"
"The planets on this side of the plain each have guardians. I am going to approach the guardian of this planet and explain our intentions. If I am successful, perhaps the guardian will assist us."
"In that case, good luck, and god's speed."
We started on our way down the path, the going was slow, but we would make it by mid-afternoon. In the meantime, Croaker's Crow had made its way to the guardian's tower.
A short black and obviously confused man approaches a tall, green, and ancient looking man. "Uh, Kami."
"Yes, Mr. Popo?"
"Kami, there is a crow here to see you."
"Yes, Mr. Popo, I understand. Show him in."
The short man left the room. Shortly after, the large white crow fluttered into the room. It landed on the floor in front of the tall man, spread its wings, and bowed gracefully. The tall Man nodded, and the crow stood and folded its wings.
"Greetings Croaker. Before you plead your case, please tell me the origin of your name."
"I can see where you are coming from, my name does sound foreboding. Actually, it comes from the fact that I use to be the field surgeon for my unit, The Black Company."
"Granted, please speak your case."
"I am Croaker, former captain of The Black Company, and guardian of the Plain of Glittering Stones. In my current position, I can understand the need to protect all worlds from invasion. Therefore, I have come before you to explain my intentions, and ask your advice. My companions and I come from a world ruled by corruption and evil. We were mercenaries for hire. Unfortunately, over the past centuries, we have seldom been employed by anyone who has not tried to betray us. For this reason, we have decided to explore a new world, learn from its people, and return to our own world to conquer the darkness."
"That is all very well and good, but what is it that you wish to learn from us?"
"The thing that we most wish to learn is the art of martial ki. If you allowed us to learn this art, we could use it to retake our world in the name of good. We would no longer be the target of people who wish to use us and then throw us away, but we would attract the respect that all men are due."
"I believe that you are good at heart, therefore I will grant you your request. In order to become martial ki artists, you must train with three people. First, you must train with Muten Roshi, the world's martial arts champion. Second, you must survive the training methods of Piccolo, the second strongest fighter of this planet. Your third master will reveal himself to you when the time is right."
"Thank you Lord Kami." As the crow spoke, he bowed once more and left.
A New World
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you may have quessed, very few of the characters in this story belong to me. They are Ouji, Jade, Dark Wing, Fang and Claw, and their pets. The rest are owned by Glen Cook and Akira Toriama. They are used without permission in a way that is not meant to make any money. This story may only be reproduced if no profit is made, and all the text is left intact.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next morning, we prepared to cross into the new world. After we broke camp, we left all of the supplies and animals at the circle and headed toward the gate.
As we neared the end of the path, we dropped to the ground, and crawled to the gate. We found that, unlike the other gates, this one ended inside a large, deep cavern. We decided to move everything through the gate and then scout the opening of the cave.
We returned to the circle and gathered all the supplies. We led the wagons to the gate and paused. I touched the key to the gate. Night Wing was the first to go through, followed by Fang and Claw, jade, the wagons, and finally me, with Croaker's white crow perched on my shoulder.
Once we were through, Night Wing and his birds went to scout the cave and its surroundings, while the rest of us set up camp. He returned that afternoon.
I had gotten so use to his panther form, that I was a little surprised when Night Wing returned as a man. He made his report in the language of the deaf, which we also use extensively in combat.
"The cave opens onto a bluff that overlooks a valley. There is an over grown path, large enough for the coach, that leads down into the valley. There seems to be a small town on the other side of the valley. As I was scouting, I saw a boy playing with a dragon, a flying cat, and a talking pig, so there should be no concern about our animals."
"That's good." I removed my badge and released the coach into the middle of the open area. "Get those wagons unloaded and disassembled. Then load everything into the coach. We move out when we finish."
Two hours later, we were ready to move out. Before we set out, I spoke once more with Croaker's Crow.
"Ouji, make camp in the clearing near the bottom of the path, it is about a mile down the dirt road that leads north from the bottom of the cliff. Wait there until I return."
"What are you going to do?"
"The planets on this side of the plain each have guardians. I am going to approach the guardian of this planet and explain our intentions. If I am successful, perhaps the guardian will assist us."
"In that case, good luck, and god's speed."
We started on our way down the path, the going was slow, but we would make it by mid-afternoon. In the meantime, Croaker's Crow had made its way to the guardian's tower.
A short black and obviously confused man approaches a tall, green, and ancient looking man. "Uh, Kami."
"Yes, Mr. Popo?"
"Kami, there is a crow here to see you."
"Yes, Mr. Popo, I understand. Show him in."
The short man left the room. Shortly after, the large white crow fluttered into the room. It landed on the floor in front of the tall man, spread its wings, and bowed gracefully. The tall Man nodded, and the crow stood and folded its wings.
"Greetings Croaker. Before you plead your case, please tell me the origin of your name."
"I can see where you are coming from, my name does sound foreboding. Actually, it comes from the fact that I use to be the field surgeon for my unit, The Black Company."
"Granted, please speak your case."
"I am Croaker, former captain of The Black Company, and guardian of the Plain of Glittering Stones. In my current position, I can understand the need to protect all worlds from invasion. Therefore, I have come before you to explain my intentions, and ask your advice. My companions and I come from a world ruled by corruption and evil. We were mercenaries for hire. Unfortunately, over the past centuries, we have seldom been employed by anyone who has not tried to betray us. For this reason, we have decided to explore a new world, learn from its people, and return to our own world to conquer the darkness."
"That is all very well and good, but what is it that you wish to learn from us?"
"The thing that we most wish to learn is the art of martial ki. If you allowed us to learn this art, we could use it to retake our world in the name of good. We would no longer be the target of people who wish to use us and then throw us away, but we would attract the respect that all men are due."
"I believe that you are good at heart, therefore I will grant you your request. In order to become martial ki artists, you must train with three people. First, you must train with Muten Roshi, the world's martial arts champion. Second, you must survive the training methods of Piccolo, the second strongest fighter of this planet. Your third master will reveal himself to you when the time is right."
"Thank you Lord Kami." As the crow spoke, he bowed once more and left.