So You Wanna Take Over The World

Chapter 5

***

Back up to the lookout. I had no other options available. Lien would be safe until there until the Dragon balls could be collected and she would have people who would be able to communicate with her. She was very quick in flight. Faster than me, really. But she stayed behind me, I sensed her there, and she did not speak during the entire trip. Surprisingly enough, it was I that broke the silence.

"Not having any second thoughts are you kid?"

'No… I was just thinking. Are we almost there?'

"Just a little longer. Are you getting tired?" A thin spurt of amusement shot through my thoughts. I now sensed Lien's energy beside me instead of behind me.

'I do not get tired. Only good thing about being dead, really. Along with no eating… or going to the bathroom.' She giggled, a high-pitched little sound. It made me remember how young she really was.

"Look up, there's the bottom of the lookout." I motioned upward and felt a strong, cold 'whoosh' of air as Lien bulleted past me.

'I have to see the rest. I'll wait for you, I promise.' She called back to me. I sent my okay through the mental link and kept a close watch on her energy as she made it to the top. I was only a few moments behind her and when I landed softly on the white tile the sight that met my eyes was no less than comical. I pressed my lips into a thin line to keep from laughing, but muffled snickers betrayed me just the same. Dende was running across the lookout like a loosed mental patient. His eyes wide and confused. Popo was running behind him, his vest hanging off one shoulder. I noted that Lien's energy signal was near the edge of the lookout… her thoughts a little confused and worried as she watched the guardian's antics. Neither Dende nor Popo had noticed me, so I flew over to them.

"What is wrong with you?" I asked, grabbing the boy by the back of his collar. Mr. Popo skidded to a stop just in time to avoid running into me.

"Piccolo! I'm so glad you're here!" Dende grabbed my cape and pulled impatiently on it like a child. "Please, tell me you feel that! I know I'm not crazy! One minute everything was calm, I was looking down at the Earth… Popo was watering flowers and then this cold blast of air… and energy and… and…"

"Whoa, kid. Take a breath before you pass out." I let go of Dende and allowed him the chance to compose himself before continuing. Popo slipped his vest back into its proper position and looked expectantly up at the guardian of earth.

"I'm sorry, Piccolo… it's just… this energy in the air. It's close and cold… It's like raw energy with no person controlling it." He looked up at me. "You must feel it. I know you must."

"I do. That is what I came to talk to you about. " I smirked at his puzzled expression. "I sensed this particular energy awhile back." Dende scowled.

"I knew you were hiding something that day you were acting strange. So, who… or what is it?"

"Reach out with your mind. You're psychic abilities are nearly better than my own. Speak to the energy you feel, and she'll tell you exactly who she is."

"She! It's a person!? Where?" Dende whirled around, tracking every inch of the lookout. I nudged him in the side.

"Just do it. Trust me." I told him. Dende nodded and closed his eyes in concentration. Popo closed his eyes as well and I followed suit to listen in on the conversation to follow.

'Hello? I-is anyone there?' Dende's thoughts stretched only as far as the edge of his home atop the earth. I felt Lien's interest in this new person and she sent back an answer.

'Yes, I am here.' Came her quiet, shy voice. Dende nudged my side and I looked down at him.

"Okay, Piccolo. Enough is enough. You can tell me what's going on anytime now." I chuckled and motioned towards Lien's general vicinity.

'Kid, float over here. We've got some explaining to do.' I sent out to her. Dende inched behind me just a bit, still holding my cape.

"I have never felt an energy signal like that. I don't like it… she's not dangerous is she? Why can't I see her? What is she doing here? Popo, would you get me some water? My throat is really dry all of a sudden. Why is it- " I cut the boy's rambling off.

"Dende, would you please silence yourself? Let's go inside and get two glasses of water, I'm thirsty myself, and this could take awhile to explain. Dende nodded mutely and walked inside, followed by Popo and myself, with Lien trailing nervously behind us.

***

"You're really serious aren't you? She's really a ghost? But how? Why isn't she on Snake Way?" Dende leaned back in his chair, still gripping his now empty water glass. Popo stood close by, his hands clasped behind him. Lien floated next to Dende, she had quickly taken a liking to him though I could tell he wasn't as taken with her.

'He's really nice. I like him' She sent out her message, not bothering to block Dende from it. His cheeks and the tips of his ears went purple at the comment, and he scooted to the edge of his chair, away from the ghost child. 'Do I really get to see a dragon? Will I really be alive again?'

"Yes, you will. If Piccolo thinks this is a good idea, then I'll go along with it." Dende replied. He looked at me, his expression nervous. "I just hope you know what you're doing. The last thing this Earth needs is another battle."

"Dende, you know I would not intentionally put this planet in harms way. It is my home as well." I replied, perhaps a little too sharply. Dende sighed and scratched the space between his antennae.

"Well, you're in luck. The Dragon Balls are already here. Popo and I decided it would be best if we kept them here. For… safety reasons. You can use them whenever you'd like." The boy closed his eyes. "Please, Piccolo… be careful. I don't want anyone to be hurt because of this. I'm doing my best as guardian of the Earth. I'm trying very hard… so just please, be very careful with what you stir up." With that, Dende rose from his seat and walked toward the door. "Let me know when you decide, I would like to meet Lien in the flesh." He smiled and exited the room.

'This is so exciting. I can't believe I'm getting a second shot at life!' I sensed Lien floating next to me now, her emotions as readable as words in a book. She was indeed excited and happy. 'Dende seems very worried. Did I upset him? Will he be all right?'

"He will be fine. Dende does worry and for good reason. He has a big responsibility. We'll be careful though." I looked out the window to see that Popo had gone back to tending his flowers. "What do you say we do this tomorrow morning? It is late evening now… I would like you to have a whole day to get back in the swing of being alive again."

'I agree.' Lien became very silent for a moment before speaking up again. 'Can I stay with you tonight? This is the first time I've been away from that house in a long, long time…'

"Sure, kid." I smirked and finished off the last of my water before going back outside to meditate. Lien followed close behind, her mind full of questions about tomorrow.

***

A/N- Rar! Really icky chapter. But if I didn't write something, and quickly… this story woulda been gone for good. I was losing the idea, so I had to type something down. ^^ Anyway, thanks to those who reviewed last chapter - as always I 'preciate it! ^_~ If you have any suggestions that you think could make this story better, I'd be glad to hear 'em. There is no outline for this weird little piece of fanfiction, so nothing is too farfetched to suggest. Next chapter Lien finally returns to the land of the living and relives her- whoops. Can't tell you. Heh. The horror aspect will be coming into play very soon now, and I can't wait to write the twisted stuff! Whoa, enough rambling from me… Please review if you liked, leave if you didn't.

~~Uzume - Goddess of Mirth.