The joining of forces
As Firipipu dressed, he pulled out of his pocket one of the Dragonballs. He studied it carefully. It was yellow and had five stars on it. He tossed it into the air and caught it, amazed at how light it was. He placed it in his pocket again.
It had now been two days since he had left home. His clothes were stinking and dirty. He had been eating the same meal over and over. Raw fish, it was all he knew how to cook, well, catch. He had been following the radar's positioning, as best he could but always seemed to be drifting off course. He took another look at the radar. There were still three blips on it. Again his were shown but the third was now moving away from Sappusha. He was puzzled at first but then the realism hit him. Somebody or something had the ball and was on the move.
Firipipu, without realising it, had broken into a run. He was sprinting barefoot through the forest, leaping between the trees. He stopped at a small riverbank. He had never learned to swim so thought he thought he couldn't cross. Then he remembered his N'ymbo.
He un-slung it from his shoulder and held it straight up. He said,
"N'ymbo, stretch twice your size."
Nothing happened. Firipipu was deeply saddened by this, He collapsed to his knees and began to weep, realising that without the N'ymbo he couldn't collect the Dragonballs. Suddenly the N'ymbo began to stretch. It stopped after it had doubled in size. On noticing this he rediscovered his hope, and using the N'ymbo he vaulted over the river. He landed on the other side and continued to run, forgetting to tell the N'ymbo to return to it's normal size. He now saw the well-beaten path leading into the town.
He stopped when he reached it and checked he hadn't dropped anything. He checked his pockets, Two Dragonballs and the radar. He looked at his N'ymbo and noticed his error. He said,
"N'ymbo, return to normal."
This time it obeyed straight away, shrinking until it was it's normal size again. He checked the radar again. He dropped it in shock. The three blips were centred on him. He picked up the radar; checked nothing was broken and looked around. No one was within a mile of him. He began to think something was wrong with the radar. He placed it in his pocket but knocked out a Dragonball.
The mysterious figure that was floating above Firipipu noticed this and was startled. He removed the yellow ball from his pocket and looked at it, they were the same. He floated down and landed behind him. Firipipu heard the person land behind him and span around, drew the N'ymbo and began brandishing it like a sword. The person was wearing a black raincoat, the hood covering his face. He wore black boots that were just visible. He removed the hood. He had blue eyes and black hair, which parted into two spikes at the front.
He spoke to Firipipu, "Where did you get that ball?"
Firipipu replied "What's it to you, anyway, who are you?"
The boy replied "I want to know what they do, and my name is Kurisutofa."
Firipipu looked at him in curiosity. He said, "I'm Firipipu, Firipipu Horishino. These are Dragonballs that summon Shenlong. I'm not quite sure how though. And even if I did I wouldn't tell you!"
Kurisutofa looked frustrated at this comment. He walked towards Firipipu and held out his Dragonball. He said "Take this, I have no use for it." Firipipu took the Dragonball. He put it in his pocket and turned around to leave. Suddenly Kurisutofa spoke out,
"Chotto Matte. May I accompany you on your quest. I may be of some use. By looking at you I can tell that you have no powers. I on the other hand do, and I shall teach you as we travel."
Firipipu thought a little bit about it and asked,
"What do you want out of it?"
The boy replied, "Company. My sensei was killed and I am very lonely. Please let me come with you."
Firipipu replied, "Alright, let's go." Firipipu pulled out the radar. There were only three blips on it, which were his. He became frustrated and pushed the buttons frantically. He pressed the top button and another blip appeared on the screen. Kurisutofa said,
"That's west of here, in the mountains around Drakcap City. Look, it's moving towards us."
* * *
Muten Roshi and Pi-ta were driving through the countryside. Pi-ta was constantly looking at Muten Roshi's hands. He suddenly asked, "How did you do that thing with your hands. Show me how now or I'm getting out". Muten Roshi pulled the car over to the side of the road. He got out and went to the fuel intake port. He opened it up and looked inside, muttering to himself. He closed it up and said,
"Damn it, out of gas, chikusho. Hang on, I've got an idea. Pi-ta, you wanted to be able have that power didn't you. Eat one of those beans."
Pi-ta looked into the bag and took out the pouch. He said, "Why do I have to eat these, I don't like beans, especially red ones"
Muten Roshi replied "Just do it, and hurry up about it."
Roshi ran and hid behind a nearby tree. Pi-ta didn't notice this and he swallowed one of the beans. He began to feel dizzy. He looked around for Muten Roshi, but he was no-where to be seen. He stood up in the car. He began to strain against the pain that was flowing through him. His muscles began to bulge and grow rapidly; his skin could hardly contain them. He began to scream out in terror, which slowly turned to pain and anger. He clenched his fists and an explosion of energy engulfed him. Blue beams of energy shot everywhere, one slicing straight through the tree Muten Roshi was sheltering behind. The tree buckled to one side and fell over. There was a huge explosion and Pi-ta fell back into the road.
Muten Roshi stood up and walked over to Pi-ta. He was totally destroyed. He lay in the road barely able to breathe. Muten Roshi picked up one of the spilt beans and brought it to him. He said,
"Eat this one, trust me."
Pi-ta was barely conscious but let Roshi put a green bean in his mouth. With his last ounce of strength he chewed and swallowed it. Suddenly he felt his strength returning. He stood up and flexed his arm. He said, "Wow, I feel great. No, even better than great, I feel terrific."
Muten Roshi simply smiled and said, "You now have the powers."
"What on Chikyuu are you talking about?"
"You can do that blast thing I did, and a tonne more. Try swinging your arms to the side and bringing them together."
Pi-ta did so and two bright blue balls appeared in his hands. He then turned towards a boulder on the roadside and brought his arms together. A large blue beam shot from his arms and connected with the boulder. Pi-ta shot backwards and slammed into a tree. The beam hit the boulder and it exploded showering Muten Roshi and Pi-ta with fragments of rock.
Muten Roshi dusted himself down and said, "That's called a flash cannon, I invented it."
Pi-ta thought to himself, ~ I seriously doubt this guy came up with that, it's way too strong for him. Probably saw it somewhere ~
Muten Roshi grinned and walked over to the car. He hopped inside and sat in the driver's seat; he then called Pi-ta over. Pi-ta pulled himself from the tree and walked over to the car he climbed in and sat down. Muten Roshi said,
"Stand up and face the way we just came." Pi-ta did so and asked, "Why am I doing this, it's foolish."
Muten Roshi said, "I saw my friend do this once, just do that blast thing you just did. Boy, this is gonna be fun"
Pi-ta swung his arms out and Muten Roshi released the handbrake. Pi-ta joined his arms together and the blast leapt forward, propelling the car and its passengers down the road.
* * *
In a small apartment a boy lay on his bed. The television was on and the newsperson was telling of 2 vicious murders that took place in a back alley near the docks two-day's ago. The boy turned the television off. He looked out of the window, noticing that night had fallen so it was dark out. He stared up at the sky. He remembered the looks on the gang member's faces before he had dispatched them, unbelieving that he had done it with his own hands.
He had been thinking, and had decided he was too dangerous to stay with his family. He had been up all night writing a goodbye note and gathering his possessions. He slung his rucksack, containing his most prized possessions, over his shoulder and opened the window. He climbed out onto the fire escape and closed the window, knowing that he could never return.
After climbing down the metal ladder below his window he headed off into the urban jungle. He put his hands in his pockets and discovered the note he had written. It was too late to return and leave it so he crumpled it up and threw it on the floor. He looked up at his window, but then turned away and walked down the alley.
He passed by a closed up fruit stand on the corner. He was starving and looking at the fruit made him even hungrier. Knowing that no one was around he grabbed an apple and ran off down the street. The stall tender rounded a nearby corner and seeing what happened started yelling after him, but it was fruitless, literally. Neisan walked off down the high street, slowly consuming the stolen apple.
He walked past a shop selling Hoi Poi capsules. Casually, he walked in and greeted his tomodachi's Tousan who was behind the counter. The tender said
"Could you please hurry with your shopping, I'm about to close"
Neisan said "Konichi-wa Yokomo-sama, it's me, I'm here to pick up my bike." Yokomo answered,
"Ah, Neisan-kun, I was wondering when you would turn up, it's been parked out back for three weeks now." "Sorry Yokomo-sama, I've been busy, can I just have the key's, I'm in a rush."
Yokomo muttered to himself, "Kids these day's, always in a rush, no time for anyone"
He reached under the counter and removed a set keys from beneath it. He threw them over to Neisan, who caught them. Neisan asked, "Can I use the back door, like I said, I'm in a hurry".
Yokomo agreed and Neisan proceeded to hop over the counter and pushed open a heavy wooden door. He stepped through into a storeroom and ran to the other side, pushing a metallic door open on the other side.
Outside in the enclosed parking lot was an old hoverbike, rusted a little. Neisan hopped on and inserted the keys into the ignition. The bike blared into life and Neisan sped out of the parking lot, out into the street and off down the road. He pulled into traffic and dodged the various cars and lorries that were driving along. He stopped at a set off traffic lights. He noticed a bus lane and pulled into it.
Although was now a fair distance from his home he wasn't thinking about it. All he could think about was what happened two nights ago. The lights turned green and he sped out across the road. A lorry was speeding up on the left-hand turn. The driver pressed the brakes but they were not working. He shot out across the crossroads. Neisan didn't have time to react before the truck smashed into the side of his bike. He closed his eyes, expecting himself to be sent flying by the impact of the lorry but he felt nothing. He opened his eyes and looked down, seeing his bike on its side, completely mangled. He looked around him and realised he was floating.
He looked to his right and saw someone holding him up. The person was wearing a purple martial art's costume that hadn't been washed for days. He looked at the person's face and saw that he was about his age, but shorter. The boy looked at him and then said
"Hold on tight"
Neisan did as he was told and suddenly they shot forward, weaving in-between buildings with ease. They flew for a minute or so before landing on top of an old apartment building. The boy let Neisan go and formally introduced himself.
"I am Jiani Kitama. I have been searching for a boy called Neisan Karuberuru, I know you are he. I witnessed what happened three-day's ago. I feel you have great potential, if you could only harness that power inside you. I am willing to show you how for one thing in exchange."
Neisan asked curiously,
"Well, what do you want."
Jiani answered
"Help, help in finding the people who have kidnapped my tousan two days ago."
Neisan, after much careful consideration, agreed to aid Jiani and his training began.
* * *
Meanwhile, out on the flat plains near Drakcap, Two travellers are making their way down the road.
"How do you do it, you know, fly" Asked Firipipu, "show me"
Kurisutofa looked down at Firipipu and thought a little. He said, "If I show you, will you promise to keep the secret? If not omae o korosu."
Firipipu nodded, so Kurisutofa grabbed him by his belt and floated up into the air. Firipipu was squirming and felt very afraid, but Kurisutofa just ignored this and continued to float upwards. When he reached a sufficient height he stopped and said to Firipipu,
"Close your eyes. Clear your mind of all thoughts, all you have to do is miss the ground." Firipipu pondered this, wondering what he meant by 'miss the ground'. Kurisutofa said,
"Open your eyes." Firipipu followed instructions and looked down, witnessing Kurisutofa standing on the floor below him. Firipipu began to panic and started to plunge towards the ground. Kurisutofa noticed this and shot upwards, leaving a trail of yellow energy behind him. He caught Firipipu and brought him to the ground.
He set him down and said, "Now, do that again."
Firipipu hesitated at first but realised that he was on the ground, he couldn't fall. He did as he did before and when Kurisutofa told him to open his eyes he did and again looked around. He was still standing on the spot he had begun on. Kurisutofa shouted down to him,
"Now, think about coming to me."
Firipipu did so and found himself floating towards Kurisutofa. He had done it; he had discovered flight. He began to fly around aimlessly, overjoyed at his new-found mobility. They both landed on the road and started to walk on towards the nearest town.
* * *
A car pulled up outside a house in the middle of the countryside. Two people got out and walked over to it.
Muten Roshi opened the door and showed Pi-ta in. The room they entered was the kitchen. There was a table in the middle and four chairs around it. Roshi signalled for him to sit down and he did so. Pi-ta began to look around the room. There was a small desk in the corner with dusty pictures on it, a kitchen unit in the opposite corner. Just as he got up to look at the pictures there was a knock at the door. Roshi walked towards it and opened the old wooden door. It was a girl about 16 years old. She had bright blue eyes and long pink hair. She looked down at him and asked,
"Is Muten Roshi here?"
Roshi didn't reply, just gazed at the girl. She waved a hand in front of his face, but go no response. Then she noticed what he was staring at. Placing one arm quickly across her chest she slapped Roshi clean off his feet. She then turned to Pi-ta and said.
"Is Roshi here or not, I gotta know now."
Pi-ta nodded and pointed at the floored Roshi, who was still gazing at the girl's chest. She gulped and helped him to his feet. She then said
"So your Roshi. Good, I was told by some guy to find you, he said that you could teach me martial arts, so can you?"
"Yea"
The dazed Roshi replied. She brushed the hair from her face and introduced herself. "My name is Luna Enchanter, I'm 16. So who's that guy, the other student?"
Muten Roshi straightened up and said, "Who said anything about you joining yet. You gotta pay the price." Luna looked over at Pi-ta, then back to Roshi.
"Ok, so what do I have to do."
An evil grin spread over Roshi's face, and blood began to slowly trickle out of his left nostril. He pointed at her chest and said
"I wanna Puff-Puff those." Luna gasped, horrified at the thought of this perverted old man touching her. She turned away and was about to leave in disgust, when she thought of something.
"Ok. But only after you teach me. Then you can do whatever you like to them." Roshi grinned massively. He then regained his composure and said "So, who exactly told you about me?"
"Some guy called Velveeta, or was it vegetal, I can't remember." She replied "Oh, well, welcome to the team, you will be a valuable asset, and a lot of fun."
Luna frowned then turned to Pi-ta. She then asked him "So who are you?"
"Pi-ta"
Luna nodded and looked around the room. She noticed the cooker in the corner and asked, "Who's hungry, I cook really great burgers." Muten Roshi blurted out "You bet babe, I'm starved, for food and your love."
"Get real gramps. You don't stand a chance"
She then looked at Pi-ta who simply nodded his head. Luna started up the grill and began to cook. Muten Roshi took this opportunity to leave the room and gather a box. He placed the box on the table and opened it. Inside were two costumes, a black full body suit and a blue set of the same.
Muten Roshi handed the blue set of clothing to Pi-ta. Along with the suit he also received a pair of boots and gloves. Luna suddenly yelled out,
"Burgers are done, come and get em."
Muten Roshi rushed towards her and picked up a burger. He bit into it and spat it out. He said, "These are disgusting, you haven't even cooked them."
Luna became angry with this and said, "If you don't like my burgers you can cook your own!" Muten Roshi replied, "Fair enough, I won't poison everyone when I cook them."
Luna became enraged and spun around, striking him across the face. She then turned back to the grill and ignored him. Pi-ta tried to diffuse the situation, but to no avail, so he asked Roshi
"Where to next, old guy."
He replied,
"To Kami's tower. There you will be trained and prepared."
