1. Earth has it's ways

1.

In the Forest on the outskirts of the small mountain town of Sappusha a child returned home from a fishing trip. His name was Firipipu Horishino and he lived with his mother in a small cottage deep in the woods. He had been fishing for his dinner when he had seen something fall from the sky. Realising that it was landing near his home, he dropped all his fishing gear and fled to his bike. His grey jogging trousers and blue T-shirt showed the signs of his days work fishing. He raced through the forest with determination and soon pulled up outside the cottage and witnessed the crater at first hand. He slid down the side of the crater and carefully inspected the mysterious pod.

It was spherical in shape with a black stripe around the diameter and a pink window to the one side. The door was hanging open and Firipipu carefully looked through the window. Inside were a brown seat and a machine of some sort. Looking further, Firipipu noticed what, on close inspection a set of footprints heading towards his home.

He raced into the house, not bothering to close the door behind him, yet there was no one there. He called out his Okassan's name and he heard the sound of her voice coming from the bedroom. Firipipu charged into the room and found his Okassan pulling a metallic box from under the bed. She turned to him and said

"Firipipu, come here, I have something I want to show to you..."

Firipipu sat next to his Okassan whilst she opened the box, revealing a red stick, a little hand-held radar and two yellow balls, one with five red stars, the other with one.

"What are these Kaasan?" Asked Firipipu, who was puzzled at these strange objects.

"They were your great, great grandfather's. He was a great warrior, and a fine and noble person. Nobody knows what happened to him"

She replied. A tear came to her eye. "His name was Son Goku. These were all he left behind before disappearing." She began to cry and at this point Firipipu decided to pick up the stick. Noticing this, his Okassan said "That's called an N'ymbo and it can stretch itself to any length on your command."

Firipipu didn't believe what she was saying but he looked at his Okassan and saw in her eyes that she wasn't joking.

He looked at the stick and pointed it at the door, and said "N'ymbo, stretch." Suddenly the N'ymbo began to grow and pushed the door open. Firipipu shouted for it to return to normal and almost immediately the N'ymbo obeyed his command, returning to it's original size.

Firipipu's Okassan picked up the Radar and said,

"You can use this to detect where these balls are located." 

"Why would anyone want to do that, after all they are only made from stone." Asked Firipipu

"Son, many have made the same mistake before you, but if you gather all seven of the stones together they could be used to summon Shenlong, the Dragon King. He possessed the power to grant two wishes to whoever summoned him. But he was released from his duty a long time ago."

Firipipu looked confused and said, "If the dragon was released, why would anyone wish to keep these balls?"

His Okassan turned to look at him and said "When the dragon was released from his duty, the Dragonballs lost their powers and returned to stone. But recently it would appear as if they have regained some of their powers and I believe that the dragon may have returned."

Firipipu noticed an unusual sparkle in her eyes as she said,

"I want you to collect the Dragonballs because by using their powers we can try and return your Tousan to this dimension."

Firipipu looked up in delight with the prospect of seeing his Tousan again and said,

"Ill do it, for my Tousan and for you and for our family."

His Okassan made her way to the cupboard and sliding the doors open she removed what seemed to be some old dusty clothing. When Firipipu looked further he could see it was a blue costume with a red T-shirt and blue boots. There was a pair of blue wristbands and a red belt hanging with the costume. His mother said

"Wear this, it was your Tousan's training suit when he was a child. I'm sure he would be honoured for you to wear it."

Firipipu put it on, placing the Dragonballs and the radar in the pockets of his costume. He waved goodbye to his Okassan and took the first steps on his journey.

He carefully removed the radar from his pocket and studied it closely wondering how to operate it. His Okassan called from behind him, saying "Push the buttons at the top".

After a little hesitation he followed his mothers instructions and the radar immediately came to life, identifying three 'Dragonballs'. Two appeared to be almost dead centre of the screen, being those he already possessed and the third seemed to lie due north. He immediately set off into the forest to begin his quest.

Behind him his Okassan was standing in the doorway when a man appeared next to her and, in a reassuring tone said to her, "So that's Firipipu; I sense that he has great determination". Hesitating, he then asked "Have you explained to him about his heritage? ".

"Iie" The man watched Firipipu disappear into the forest as his Okassan looked up at the man's familiar face with admiration.

* * *

The rain was pounding down on the cold streets of Tokyo and this seemed to dim the streetlights to little more than a faded glow. In the distance a siren sounded and a teenage boy raced through the streets, dodging crates and boxes stacked around the alleyways desperately trying to outrun a pursuing gang. Despite the drizzle, it could be seen that on his right arm he wore a blue armband that concealed most of his forearm. He wore a black T-shirt and a pair of cargo trousers that hung down over his old brown hiking boots. He ran into a dimly lit corner of the street but realised too late that there was only one way in, and out - he was trapped.

The gang rounded the corner at running pace but soon slowed as they realised their quarry was at hand. The leather jacket-clad gang consisted of four members, not one of whom shared the same height or build. They all stood to one side, using the darkness to hide their features until one of them spoke out.

"Hey dude, the freak was looking at your jacket like he was gonna stick you and half-inch it".

The leader of the gang picked up on this,

"Well freak" He said menacingly, "Got your eyes on my jacket eh?"

The boy reacted to this with contempt and mumbled "I'm no freak, baka." The gang leader was not impressed with this and stated

"Oh, the freak can speak, well you won't be able to do that when we've finished with you".

With little more than a few subtle gestures from their leader, the rest of the gang moved in on their prey like a pack of hungry wolves.

The boy was no match for his captors and offered little resistance but managed to cast an upward glance at the gang leader, wiping the blood from his now blackened eyes. He seemed to be wearing a sickeningly sadistic grin taking much pleasure from the beating his gang was bestowing upon their unfortunate victim.

Suddenly the boy felt all his rage begin to race through his body and he found the strength to stand up, despite the beating continuing. His hair was growing longer and longer while his eyes were clouding over, he stared the leader in the face and exploded in a fit of rage.

A great fireball appeared and engulfed his body and then just as quickly, it died down. His hair now reached to his back and had turned white emitting a strange glow. He screamed out at the top of his voice, his eyes now fully clouded over,

"I am Neisan Karuberuru, the time for your punishment has come!" Without hesitation he turned upon his attackers delivering painful blows to all before him and then with one swift kick dispatched an assailant flying across the alley, straight through a wall.

The gang withdrew before reforming to continue where they had left off. But this time, not a single blow landed upon their intended target. Instead, he was able to anticipate every move, every blow and made sure that the only thing his attackers hit, was thin air. With one acrobatic move, he swiftly landed behind one of the thugs and brought him down with one solitary sweep of his now powerful arm.

Neisan then turned to the remaining members of the gang but they had suddenly lost their appetite for a fight. They had obviously chosen the wrong victim tonight and maybe it was better to run and fight another day.  As if they were one, they turned and ran as fast as their battered limbs could carry them leaving Neisan alone in the shadows.

Neisan collapsed to the floor, his eyes returning to normal. His hair returned to its original length and colour. He stared at his hands, the fleeing gang members and the fallen ones. He walked over to one of them and checked for a pulse, but there was none. He leapt to his feet and ran out of the alley. The rain began to slowly ease up.

* * *

In another part of Tokyo a boy stood in the doorway to his Tousan's dojo. He was staring down the three heavily built men who were talking with his Tousan. However, it was obvious that these thugs had no intention of a friendly chat. One of them spoke out

"Listen pop's, we've got orders from Mr blank to close down your dojo for good. He's got plans to turn this whole block into his new headquarters and you're the only fool who hasn't accepted his offer, it's more than reasonable. So just say yes and we'll be on our way"

The dojo's owner obviously had no respect for this 'Mr blank' and said "Iie, I will not sell my dojo. It is my family's home and we shall not leave."

The thugs didn't seem to impressed and the leader said "It's your choice Mr Kitama, I'll guess you'll need a bit of persuasion."

The two other men walked forward and caught hold of Mr kitama's arms. The other brought out a piece of cloth from his pocket and soaked it with some liquid from a bottle. He then placed it over Mr kitama's face and held it there, despite his efforts to get free. Eventually he gave in to what was clearly an anaesthetic and he subsided into a deep slumber. The lead thug instructed the others to take him to the car and they left.

The boy stepped out into the main room and ran to the door. He got there just in time to see them drive off. He ran into the street and watched them speed off down the street. He ran back into the dojo and removed a Kitana from the wall, placing it into a sheath and slung it over his shoulder. He went into his room and changed into his karate outfit. He then opened the door to the fire escape and stood out onto it. He then floated off the metal grating and flew off into the city.

* * *

Muten Roshi was travelling the country, watching all the martial arts competitions. He was looking for any talent he could find to recruit. He stopped at the Tobishinobi Stadium where the most important competition in the country took place. He hoped he could find the martial arts expert and current Tenaki Boudakai champion, Pi-ta Bread.

He parked his hovercar outside the stadium. He removed a bag from the backseat. He walked into the changing room, expecting it to be empty, and found it so. Except for one bag. He went over to it and opened it. He found a wallet inside. He opened it and read the first card. It was a driver's licence made out to Pi-ta Bread.

He looked around and saw a foot flying towards him. He managed to dodge it and rolled out of the way. His assailant slammed into the locker and landed gracefully on the floor. He spoke to Muten Roshi,

"Who are you?"

Roshi had no time to answer but asked, "Why d'ya do that".

"You were rooting through my possessions, so I stopped you. Now then, I have answered your question, you answer mine"

With his usual arrogant and annoying way of speaking, he said  "I'm the great Kame-sennin Muten Roshi. I am seeking the one known as Pi-ta Bread."

"Yea, what do you want."

Roshi summoned up all his strength. He looked for a suitable target and he chose a bin in the corner. He spun to face it and cupped his hands up to it.

He then began to chant out loud "Kame Hame HAAAA"

He threw his arms forward and a blast of blue energy shot from the palms of his hands and annihilated the bin. Pi-ta looked at the destruction in disbelief. Muten Roshi said

"If you want to be able to do this and much more, take these and follow me."

Pi-ta immediately agreed and opened the bag that Muten Roshi handed to him and inside he discovered a Hoi Poi capsule and a small bag of beans.  Pi-ta changed into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and placed the capsule and bag in his pocket. He then proceeded to follow Muten Roshi, unknowing of the peril to follow.

* * *

It was raining heavily. The town was all but closed up apart from a few inns. The only place where any activity at all was going on was the Crows Cross Inn. Two strangers walked into the inn, their raincoats dripping with water. Their faces were hidden in the shadows of the coat's hoods. They walked up to the bar. The tallest one didn't remove his hood but looked around under the shade it cast. He was an old man, about 80. He spoke in a tired tone,

"My son, remove your hood and take in the atmosphere around you."

"Yes Sensei"

Came the reply, and he removed his hood. He was about 18 years old. He had spiky black hair that parted into two strands at the front. His eyes were straining in the light cast by the lamp on the wall. His blue eyes centred on it and with a little squint the lamp's bulb popped.

All business in the bar had stopped. Everyone was staring at the now ruined lamp. The shattering glass had hit one unlucky innkeeper's, slicing one side of his face. Somebody in the bar shouted,

"It was those people who's just come in, The little one looked at it and it blew."

The customers and innkeeper's began to advance on the strangers, a few drawing weapons.

The old man stepped in front of the child and said,

"Now now, don't jump to conclusions. It is impossible to destroy a light by looking at it."

Suddenly one drunkard leapt at the old man and sliced him across the chest with a dagger. The old man clutched at his wound and fell against the bar. The boy looked in horror at his fallen sensei. He was frozen in horror at the scene. He looked up at the people in the bar who were now concentrating at him. He removed his Trench coat and dropped it on the floor, revealing a black sweatshirt and black trousers.

The customers surged forward to attack the boy, but realised what they had done was a fatal mistake for many of them. The boy ran outside and stood waiting for the unruly mob, and he was not disappointed. They charged into the street expecting him to be long gone but found him standing in the middle of the street. They formed a circle around him and started chanting

"Kill him, Kill the devil boy."

The boy suddenly began to scream. He clenched his fists and teeth. He stopped just as suddenly as he had started. He then began to laugh and said,

"You fools have no idea on what you have done to yourselves."

 He then began to float into the air, and the mob started to cower in fright. When he reached as high as the Inn's roof he clenched his fists again. Spark's began to form around his hands and he yelled, "You fools!" He then opened his fists and began to fire thousands of balls of energy at the helpless people below him. They began to run away but many were not fast enough to escape. The energy balls struck them and sent many flying backwards. The boy had a grin on his face as he spun around, his hands spitting death. He then noticed the person who had killed his sensei. He landed and started to walk towards him with a purpose.

The man was still unaware of the carnage around him and was casually swigging at a bottle of brandy. The boy walked straight up to him and, with one mighty swing, he sent the man falling to the floor. The man fell backwards, blood gushing from his nose. The boy said, "I'm gonna let you go, but mark my words, I'll be back to make you pay."

The boy walked over to the main gates of the city, but then he looked around him and remembered the inn. He burst through the doors and saw that his Sensei was standing against the wall. He saw his pupil enter the room and seemed happy. The boy ran over to him and helped him to a table. He was still bleeding heavily. The old man said, "I want you to do something for me."

Out of his pocket he drew a small, yellow ball with seven red stars on it. He also removed a small scroll from the pocket. He said to the boy, "Take these, I am not for this dimension much longer. When I move on read the scro..."

The old man's breath ceased and he passed into the next dimension. The boy began to weep and screamed,

"SENSEI!"

He picked up his raincoat and fled from the city. As he left the city he opened the scroll. It had three words written on it,

"Kame's house, Muten Roshi."

The boy looked at the dark sky and said,

"Kame's house."

He rolled up the scroll and set off towards the small town of Sappusha in the nearby forests.