Chapter 4: Overture
Piccolo had been watching the fight from the waiting area reserved for the fighters. He had caught every word spoken between the two fighters. Although the fight was for the most part one sided, the abilities that were exhibited nonetheless intrigued him.
So, what do you think of him? King Kai's nasal voice rang sharply through Piccolo's mind.
Impressive. I'll give him a try. Piccolo mused.
Good. But you'll have to wait until the end of the tournament. The kaio of the Northern Galaxy sounded almost giddy with excitement.
Piccolo raised an eyebrow quizzically. Why? I can take him right now.
I highly doubt that the young man would appreciate being taken out of the tournament when he has such a good chance of winning. He's clearly the best fighter in this tournament other than you, Piccolo.
One, that's not true, there's somebody else here. Piccolo took a deep breath. And two, my student is already out of the tournament.
Now it was Kai's turn to be confused. Already out of the tournament… you can't be serious!
Piccolo smirked as he drew a mental picture of the portly kaio flailing about completely flustered. Why not? Piccolo derived no small pleasure from torturing the blue kaio.
Because! King Kai stated agitatedly, he has nowhere near the skills of Aiko Maru. He barely knows how to fight, and has no physical prowess worth mentioning!
Circumstances both of which can easily be remedied. Piccolo stretched himself fully. Besides, I see something in this boy that I've not seen since…
I don't care what you see in this boy! King Kai screamed. There is no time for your games, Piccolo. You may well doom us all because of your poor choice!
Piccolo stood up straight to his full height. Do you doubt my judgment, Kai? He growled menacingly. I have made the choice, and I have complete confidence that it's the right one. If you disagree, you are welcome to choose your own protégé; as it is, I have chosen mine.
You know very well that I cannot train anyone in the mortal realm. King Kai retorted.
You could wait for him to die. Piccolo grinned maliciously, living up aptly to his title as the Demon King.
King Kai growled faintly in Piccolo's mind. You know that's not an option.
No? Why, I could easily kill him for you.
Finally, King Kai blew up. Do you mock me, mortal? The North Kaio's voice boomed in Piccolo's head. No matter how wise and powerful you consider yourself to be, I am infinitely more so. I am the North Kaio, and despite whatever animosity you may feel towards me, you have your duty. Now do it!
Piccolo's eyes blazed. My duty is not to you. It is to this planet and to the people who inhabit it. I believe that this is the best way to fulfill my duty, and for all your great power, Kai, there is nothing you could do about it in this realm. So live with it.
King Kai's voice came back mixed with frustrated resignation and bitter vehemence. So be it, Daimao Piccolo Jr. I may have to live with your decision, but I fear that you and the rest of the mortal world may have to die with it.
Kail had arrived on Mutenroshi's island merely moments before. He noted his surroundings: the sapphire blue sea, stretching all around him as far as his eyes could see, the tall mountain that stood tall out of the center of the island, and the lone house, small in size but all the more cozy for it, standing in the middle of the golden beach. He noted these things, but none of the managed to register any meaning in his mind. He was still numb from all the information that he received from the mysterious man next to him.
He glanced at Hope, the purple haired young man who had brought him here, the young man who was the bearer of bad news. It was he that had told Kail of King Kold's empire, the rebellion, Kail's place thereof, and finally the passing of his mother.
The news had overwhelmed him. For Kail, his mother was the one of the few human contact he had, living in the woods as he had. She was his mother in all the traditional sense of the word and more. She was really the only human company that he had. Losing her devastated him. He mourned as a child would mourn the passing of his parent, and he mourned as a man would mourn the loss of his only companion. He mourned for a long time, until there was no more of his emotions to spare. In place of the grief, he was left with a dull ache in his heart.
It became easier for him, however, as he met the other members of the resistance. They accepted him, consoled him and comforted him for his loss. Finally having human contact helped his transition immeasurably. Kail soon became a favorite among them, an innocent child of 12 years old, completely polite and often completely naïve. Under that façade that had won over so many in his favor, however, there lay another child. A child who had to bear the responsibility of knowing that he was the One, that he was the absolute last hope for all of humanity – in essence, a haunted child who'd forever be in conflict with the 12 year old boy who he should have been.
Kail knew he would never be able to really come to grips with all the emotions that ran through his mind that day. He felt guilt, anger, indignation, grief, fear, and emotions that he had no names for. Hope said, however, that Kail would eventually be able to continue and function normally. He said that while there was no way for him to completely understand what the younger boy was going through, he could speak from experience, in that he himself had lost his family members. He said that the loss was like a ghost that haunted him since then, but with time, he was able to put things in perspective and almost tolerate the ghost to live with him. Kail took some heart in those words, understanding that he had someone that he could speak with, someone that could come close to understanding. And for now, he was at ease.
And a big part of Kail looked forward to the training with Master Roshi. Hope said that Master Roshi ran a pretty difficult training regiment, and Kail knew he needed something to focus on. Having a goal, Hope had told him, was a great way to focus and get your mind off whatever's bothering you. If nothing else, it would be miles better than just sitting around and doing nothing.
Furthermore, the training had a more practical purpose. This was something that had been drilled into Kail's mind ever since the first meeting with Hope. While Hope was compassionate about Kail's loss, he was strident when it came to Kail's role in the events to come. Kail was never left in any doubt about the fact that he was the One, that he would eventually lead the fight to Earth's freedom, and the downfall of Kold's empire. Kail willingly accepted the responsibility for two reasons.
The first reason arose from Hope's own conviction. In the two weeks that he had spent at the rebellion's compound with Hope, the older man had talked about almost nothing else than bringing down Kold's empire and freeing Earth. Hope is completely obsessed with the whole rebellion. He shoulders the well being of the whole planet on his shoulders. He truly believes that I can make a difference. I'll be damned if I'm going to let him down. And if I really am the One, then I have a responsibility to everyone to make the prophecy come true and bring down Emperor Kold.
The other reason stemmed from Kail's own need for revenge. My mother was killed because of Kold. While I wish I had a more noble reason, it's nothing more than seeing Kold pay for his crimes to me and my mother. Kail mutely clenched his fists. I'll make you pay, Kold. By Kami I will.
Kail noticed an old man, hunched over by numerous years, coming out of the house, and walking toward where he and Hope were standing. The old man was completely bald, but had a long white mustache and beard. He was wearing a pair of sunglasses, a Hawaiian T-shirt, shorts, and a pair of sandals. On his back, he wore a large Turtle shell. He walked slowly, supported partially be his cane, and accompanied by a giant turtle.
Kail glanced up at the man standing next to him. "Is that him?" he asked, as he pointed with a finger.
Hope had a faint trace of a smile on his face, "Yeah, that's him. That's Master Roshi."
The old man greeted them with a big grin. "Oi, hello there!" He gave them both a big wave.
Hope stepped forward to meet him. "Hello, Master Roshi," he said as he extended his hand. "It's been a long time."
"Yes, it has, old friend. You should have come by more often."
"I'm sorry, Master Roshi, but I've been very busy."
Mutenroshi sniffed. "I've no doubt of that." He soon turned his attention to Kail.
"Is this the boy you've told me about?"
Hope looked back at him and smiled. "Yes, he is."
Master Roshi walked over to the younger boy. "So, you're my new student."
Kail, not knowing what to say, merely nodded in response.
"Well, what's your name, young 'un?"
"Kail," he replied.
"You're ready to train, then?"
Kail took a deep breath. "Yes, sir."
Roshi nodded approvingly. "Good. It's nice to see someone who's so aware of his situations." He paused a moment before continuing. "It's nice to meet you, Kail."
"Nice to meet you, too, sir."
The old master shook his hand firmly and replied, "Don't call me 'sir.' It makes me feel too old."
Kail stuttered awkwardly. "Ah… yes, sir, I mean, Master Roshi."
Master Roshi suddenly burst into laughter. "I was being ironical. Don't worry about it."
Kail smiled along with him, feeling instantly more comfortable.
"Good, you know how to smile." Roshi slapped Kail on the back. "Go and get some rest. The guest room is already prepared. We start tomorrow."
Kail glanced back at Hope.
Hope smiled at him warmly. "Go ahead. I've gotta head out anyway. Take care of yourself, Kail, and I'll drop in again in about a month." He turned to Master Roshi and bowed deeply. "It was good seeing you again, Master Roshi. Take care."
"I will. Be good, young man."
Hope nodded quickly and waved back a Kail before taking to the sky.
After a moments silence, Mutenroshi turned again to speak to Kail. "Let's get you settled in for tonight. We have a long day ahead of us."
Kail smiled in response. I'll make you proud, mother, he silently promised himself, as he walked toward the quaint house on the beach with the older man.