Please forgive the length of time it's been since last I updated. Since the war started, I've been worried sick about my Nephew who is in the Marines, right there at the front line. Please, even if you don't support the war, always support our guys in uniform. Anyway, I've started this chapter 8 or 10 times and as I reread it, it's pretty dark. That's just the mood I've been in for the last couple weeks.
Per usual, thanks for all the reviews, and I'll try to update more often.
On with the story!
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Vegeta ducked under a vicious punch to his head and countered with a kick that caught his attacker in the gut.
"You know boy, I felt you coming for at least two miles!" Vegeta smirked.
Trunks Jr. panted and struggled to regain his breath. "I... know... (pant, wheeze) I tried to keep my ki down, (Wheeze, cough) but when I woke up and felt your ki here on Earth... (breathe, cough) I got too excited to keep it suppressed enough to sneak up on you."
"That's because you've been hanging around with these Earthlings too long. You lack discipline!" Vegeta smirked. Vegeta felt another ki and looked past his grandson.
"Oh hey you two! Get over here and meet your Great Grandfather!" Trunks Jr. called.
"GREAT GRANDFATHER!" Vegeta fell from the sky and landed hard on the ground.
Behind Trunks Jr. floated two six year old twins. A boy, and a girl. They both looked down at Vegeta.
"That guy is our Great Grandfather?" The boy said with his arms crossed.
"Great Grandfather!" Vegeta repeated to himself after recovering from the shock enough to regain his feet.
Goten and Trunks were cracking up.
Trunks floated down to his father. "Sorry dad, I should have warned you about the additions to the family." Trunks tried to suppress a snicker.
"I wasn't even used to being a Grandfather yet!" Vegeta lamented. "Alright then, let's have a look at the brats."
Vegeta and Trunks floated up towards the children.
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"That power we felt, it was Vegeta and two others! I've never felt anything like that!" Kardeem reported back to the others. "And worse, they were holding that level of power without any effort whatsoever! I sensed a far deeper power than what they were showing. We would be insane to cross them!"
"But the Neutrino Warp Grenade, that should take care of them, right?" Langlot asked.
"Yes, but if even one of them survives, or the Saiyans on Vegetasei find out about what we did, we would not survive more than a second if they decide to attack us. It would make the Icejin attack look like dinner with the family!" Kardeem lamented.
"You worry way too much." Korlos said walking through the door. "We will make plans after I talk to King Sarmen. I see no need to start worrying yet."
Korlos gave Kardeem a hard look. "Don't you have better things to do than standing here bringing down the men's morale?"
Korlos's face was red with anger.
"Yes your Excellency." Kardeem said and sat down on the bed.
"I felt that ki as well, but it doesn't change our purpose or mission, do you understand?" Korlos looked at the men one at a time. They all nodded in the affirmative.
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Tien Shin Han was deep in thought. Part of him wanted to go join the sparring session outside; the other needed to thrash out his feelings about being a king.
"A king?" Tien thought. "Hell, I can barely manage my own life much less rule a planet!"
Tien jumped up from the bed and paced the floor. "What can I possibly offer those people? What would I be giving up?"
Tien wasn't greatly experienced in matters of royal duties, but he knew that if he accepted the crown, his life of basically being able to come and go as he chose would be over for keeps. Still, the attraction of meeting and being with his own people was almost overwhelming.
"I sure would like to get to know more about them, more about myself." Tien thought.
Tien's mind began to wander through his own memories. He thought of his early life, of Choutzu, of his training, of his many battles, and most of all, his friends. Tien remembered the day Choutzu passed into the next dimension. It was one of the saddest days of Tien's life. After the young prince died, but was still lying in his bed, Tien went to read Choutzu's will.
The will left specific instructions on where, when, and how he wished to be buried. The instructions were not easy. First Tien had to go and seek out a specific monk, at a specific temple to sanctify his body. Then, Choutzu wished himself to be buried on the top of Zu, an incredibly high mountain shrouded in myth and legend. It has been said that many have climbed the mountain, but very few have ever returned.
Tien gently wrapped Choutzu's body in white linen and flew to the temple that Choutzu described in his will. It was quite a long journey, but Tien was determined to carry out his friend's last wishes.
Upon entering the appropriate district, Tien spied several villages in the low lands. Ahead of him, about half way up a mountain, was a beautiful but ancient monastery just as Choutzu's will described it would be. Tien carried his small load up the side of the mountain, trying not to be seen as he approached from the underside of the monastery.
Suddenly a voice spoke in his head. "Why have you come here?"
"I have come seeking Lao Sine Plaau." Tien said after recovering from his initial surprise.
"Lao Sine Plaau? Why do you seek Master Plaau?" The voice returned.
"My friend died. He asked my to seek out Master Plaau to sanctify his body prior to burial on Mt. Zu." Tien said.
There was a brief pause.
"Mt. Zu is holy ground. The only people that can be buried there are members of the royal house. But the royal house was toppled in a revolt many years ago. Tell me, what is the name of the deceased?" The voice asked.
"His name is Choutzu. He told me he was a prince may years ago." Tien answered.
"Choutzu? Surely you must be mistaken. Choutzu was assassinated during the revolt." The voice seemed puzzled now.
"He escaped, and was running from his captors when we met. I saved him." Tien said.
There was another pause, this one a bit longer.
"Very well. I sense no malice or deceit in your heart, please come to the lowest balcony." The voice bid.
Tien continued his flight, up and around a large, wide ledge until the monastery came into view. Before him was a balcony cut right into the sheer cliff face of the mountain.
Standing there to greet him was an incredibly ancient looking man. The man bid Tien to land in front of him.
Tien landed and regarded the man for a few seconds. "You are Lao Sine Plaau, aren't you?"
"Yes. That is the name I was once called." Lao Sine Plaau answered.
Tien regarded the man a bit longer. Although the man appeared to be incredibly old, Tien sensed great power in his small frame.
"Come this way." Lao Sine Plaau finally broke the moment.
Lao Sine Plaau briskly walked inside what looked to be a large auditorium of some sort. There was a stage area, and many rows of benches, all carved out of the rock.
"What is this place?" Tien said.
"When I was just a boy, this place housed thousands of monks, such as myself. They all came here to hear Piepi Zin speak. Master Zin was very wise and his counsel was highly treasured indeed! He was my teacher. Now, after all the wars, famines, and other troubles, the order has dwindled to just the 12 that stay here. We barely use this place anymore." Lao Sine Plaau shrugged his shoulders. "Here we are."
Lao Sine Plaau and Tien turned a corner and entered a room that had a small rock rise in the middle with the top cut flat, much like a table.
"Place him on the table please." Lao Sine Plaau requested.
Tien did what he was asked.
Lao Sine Plaau began to unwrap the linen. Once he got the face uncovered, he stood looking at it for what seemed like a very long time.
"There is no mistake." Lao Sine Plaau finally said. "This is Choutzu Si Chin. The last heir apparent to the thrown of... Well, of a now long dead dynasty."
Tien saw that a tear was rolling down the old man's cheek.
"Are you okay?" Tien asked.
"Yes. Choutzu was one of my most promising students. I was the court teacher in religion, and math. He was like a son to me." Lao Sine Plaau explained. "I mourned all those years ago, now I must mourn again."
Lao Sine Plaau looked Tien in the eyes. "You were his friend?"
Tien nodded his head. "Yes, we were best friends for a long time."
"I feel that there was a special bond between you." Lao Sine Plaau smiled. "Give me a few minutes to gather the necessary items and we will go off to meet the dragon of Mt. Zu."
"A dragon?" Tien said.
"Yes. The dragon of Mt. Zu guards the top of Mt. Zu against grave robbers and others that would do mischief." Lao Sine Plaau said. "He will want to question us a bit."
Lao Sine Plaau disappeared through another door and within 10 minutes, he reemerged carrying a medium sized, brown satchel of some sort. Lao Sine Plaau then led Tien back out to the balcony and pointed towards the west.
"See that middle mountain, the one that is taller than all the ones around it?" Lao Sine Plaau asked.
Tien looked up into the snowcapped mists of the mountain in question.
"Yes, I see it." Tien answered.
"That is Mt. Zu." Lao Sine Plaau stated with obvious awe in his voice. "You will need to carry me with you."
"Can you make such a trip? You are a bit old aren't you?" Tien asked.
"I am 1,032 years old as of yesterday." Lao Sine Plaau stated proudly. "I can make this trip."
Tien looked at the man appreciatively. "Very well then. Can you hang on to my shoulders? I need to carry Choutzu in my arms."
"Yes, I can do that." Lao Sine Plaau turned and rewrapped Choutzu's body in the white linen, adding a sprinkle of some liquid to Choutzu's wrappings.
Tien picked Choutzu up, and turned to allow Lao Sine Plaau access to his back and shoulders. The old man had surprisingly strong grip.
"I'm ready then." Lao Sine Plaau said.
Tien lifted gently off the ground so he didn't shock the old monk, and slowly accelerated towards the Mt. Zu.
45 minutes later, Tien touched down on hard packed ice. The entire top of the mountain was covered in snow and ice, except right on the very top, in what looked to be a graveyard. It was somehow, miraculously clear. It was freezing cold, and Tien was feeling it, but Lao Sine Plaau showed no signs that he knew it was cold or not. There was no sign of a dragon.
"There, we must go there." Lao Sine Plaau said pointing towards the graveyard.
The duo began to walk to the graveyard when a booming voice stopped them. "Why have you come here Lao Sine Plaau, and who is this stranger?"
Tien looked around expecting to see a dragon, but saw nothing but the snow and ice.
"We have found the last member of the Chin family, great dragon! We wish permission to lay him to his final rest." Lao Sine Plaau said as he dropped down on one knee.
There followed a brief pause.
"Who are you?" the voice boomed.
"I am Tien. I was a friend to Choutzu." Tien said.
"Great dragon! Please trust this man. I have sensed no evil in his heart." Lao Sine Plaau pleaded.
"Very well, you may pass. But know this Tien, the spirits of this place will not tolerate sacrilege or desecration. Stay with Lao Sine Plaau and do no more or less than what he says." The dragon ordered.
"I understand." Tien said.
Suddenly the entire top of the mountain seemed to move. A great form seemed to uncoil itself from around the top of the mountain, and a great head reared up into the sky. The dragon resembled Shenron, but was pure white; even the eyes were white.
"You may pass." The dragon said.
"T-Thank you." Tien managed to stammer out.
As they passed the small rock wall that ringed the graveyard, the temperature went from
70 below, to about 80 degrees above zero. The change took Tien by surprise.
"What is this place?" Tien asked.
"Thousands of years ago, there was a great and terrible war fought at the base of this mountain. Many died protecting the kingdom that once ruled this area. Finally, in one final charge, Choutzu's ancestor was able to repel the invading army. Unfortunately, he died in the battle. His wife was a chuchi woman and possessed great magical powers. Heartbroken she carried him to the top of Mt. Zu where she spent her entire power, including all of her life energy, creating this place and changing herself into the dragon, so
She could always protect her beloved from harm." Lao Sine Plaau said.
Tien looked up at the dragon, which was watching them carefully.
"Over here Tien, place Choutzu's body on the altar." Lao Sine Plaau asked.
Tien laid Choutzu on the altar as he was bidden. The altar was an ornate construction that seemed to be a combination of eastern religions and philosophies. Lao Sine Plaau began to chant in a tongue Tien was unfamiliar with. Lao Sine Plaau then unwrapped Choutzu's body while continuing with the chant.
Lao Sine Plaau removed an ornate, black robe with gold and silver birds embroidered on the front and back and dressed Tien's dead friend in it. Following that, he removed a pair of flat sandals and put them on Choutzu's feet
Still more chanting as Lao Sine Plaau removed several jars of powders from his bag. He began to cast handfuls of the contents of the jar over Choutzu's body.
After about twenty minutes more chanting, Lao Sine Plaau stopped and stepped back.
"Tien, will you please carry Choutzu's body and follow me?" Lao Sine Plaau asked.
"Of course." Tien picked up Choutzu and followed Lao Sine Plaau to a grassy area of the graveyard. There were several markers all in neat rows. Tien guessed there were about a thousand graves. Lao Sine Plaau would identify the occupants of the grave every time they passed one. Finally, they had gotten down towards the end of front row.
"This is Choutzu's mother. She died in childbirth bearing Choutzu... This is Choutzu's father, he was killed during the revolt along with Choutzu's two older brothers, there, and there." Lao Sine Plaau said pointing.
Finally they reached a plot of land with no marker. Lao Sine Plaau stopped and looked at the dragon for a second.
Suddenly, the dragon's eyes glowed briefly and the ground opened up a rectangular hole approximately five foot deep. A large boulder rose up into the air and split several times until several flat pieces come together to form a stone casket, which floated down into the grave. Choutzu's body levitated from Tien's grip and was laid gently into the casket. The last part of the boulder then began to crumble; when it was done it formed an inscribed marker. The language was unfamiliar to the warrior.
Lao Sine Plaau chanted for a few more minutes, then the ground closed up. There was no sign that it had recently been open. The ground sported the same green grass as the rest of the cemetery.
The finality of it hit Tien like a ton of bricks at that point, as he lost control of his tears. The old man opened his arms and Tien freely cried onto his shoulder for several minutes.
"Sorry, I'm not usually so emotional." Tien apologized after gaining control again.
"You should express your emotions Tien." Lao Sine Plaau smiled.
"He was the last one Lao Sine Plaau. That means that from now on nobody enters this place for any reason, not even you." The dragon spoke.
"I understand." Lao Sine Plaau sounded disappointed. "We must go now, Tien."
Tien looked at the dragon one last time. The dragon bent his body and brought it's head low, within reach of Tien's hand. Tien reached out and put his hand on the dragon's snout. The dragon regarded Tien for a few seconds.
"You have traveled from the darkness into the light Tien Shin Han. You are a rare person. Go now, and be content. Choutzu's spirit is safe and happy." The dragon said and raised its great head back into the sky.
"Thank you!" Tien smiled.
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"Grand Kai! I'm boorreed!" Goku said in a whiney voice.
"Look man! You've beat up every warrior on this world! There is no one left!" The Grand Kai said. "Why don't you just go on home to your family or something."
"Wait! I haven't beaten up everyone on the planet. King Kai told my that you are pretty tough, how about a little sparing match?" Goku looked excited.
The Grand Kai sweat dropped. "What? No way man!" The Grand Kai said backing up. "You know I have to set a better example than that! I can't just go around fighting everyone! Besides, I have massive amounts of Grand Kai paperwork to do!"
"Oh... I suppose... Well, what am I going to do then?" Goku asked. "Vegeta is the only one that can really challenge me, and he's with Chi-Chi, and Chi-Chi doesn't want me around right now."
"You could help me with my paperwork." The Grand Kai said with a sly smile.
"What? No way!" Goku used instant transmission and disappeared.
"Hehehehe... Knew that would get rid of him!" The Grand Kai chuckled.
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Jessica and Gerald materialized in what appeared to be an open field of some sort. Nobody was around.
"Where are we?" Jessica said.
"Haven't got a clue. I locked onto Vegeta's ki and teleported. He must have teleported away before we got here." Gerald said. "I can't just up and change directions in mid transmission."
"See if you can find him again." Jessica said.
"Okay." Gerald concentrated a moment. "There he is! He's powered up quite a bit, and there are other very powerful people around him. He could be in a battle."
"Really? Should we just teleport into that without knowing what we are up against?" Jessica said.
"I don't think it's a battle after all. I think Vegeta is sparing with someone. Vegeta's power is just a fraction of his maximum." Gerald smiled. "That means he is either sparing, or playing with his foe. Either way, I don't believe we would be in any danger."
"We need to hurry and see him as soon as possible, so we need to risk it I think." Jessica surmised.
"Ok, let's go then." Gerald took Jessica by the hand and they teleported away.
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Uub felt a very powerful and familiar ki materialize behind him. "Goku!" shouted as he embraced the Saiyan warrior roughly. Buu just looked on and smiled.
"Hey Uub! How about some one on one! I know a great place where we can fight all out and not have to worry about destroying anything." Goku said.
"You want to fight me all out? Goku, you know I'm not nearly as strong as you are. Especially now that I'm no longer merged with Buu." Uub said sheepishly.
Goku looked passed Uub's shoulder and noticed Buu. "Oh hey Buu, how are you doing?"
"Buu Okay. Buu misses his friend Satan." Buu looked sad.
"Oh, yeah, I guess being immortal has its drawbacks." Goku scratched the back of his head.
"Actually Goku, you're just the Saiyan we wanted to see." Uub said. "You see, Buu wants to make a wish. He wants to be mortal, or more specifically, he wants to be human."
"Really? That's funny! All that time Vegeta wanted to wish for immortality, and here is someone that wants to be mortal!" Goku shook his head.
"Well, can you do it? Can we use the Namekian Dragonballs?" Uub said.
"I don't know, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask. You guys up for a little road trip?" Goku smiled.
"Okay!" Buu clapped his hands.
"Seems like it's a go, Goku!" Uub said excitedly.
In an instant, the trio were gone.
