*Chapter Two*
The eagle circles the prey,
its shadow hard to catch.

*The Meeting*

Goken found himself shaking terribly… actually he awoke to find Mr. Popo shaking him. Tears streamed from the venerable servant's old and eternally youthful eyes. "He took him, Goken, he's gone!" his voice trembled.
"Who took who?" Goken sat up, rubbing the back of his neck, which throbbed every time his blood pulsed.
"The attacker, that orange man! He kidnapped Kami!"
"What!?" Goken stared in disbelief.
"He left this here, Goken. Did you see where he went?" Mr. Popo handed him a letter that had been found.
"No, I didn't. What's this?"
"Read it, it's addressed to your father."
"My father?" Goken stared at it, "I can't read it, it's foreign."
"Here, I'll read it to you, it's written in an ancient language I learned from a guardian long ago.
" 'To Son Gomen, Saiyan Protectorate of Earth,
I, Sancoah, have taken hostage the guardian of this planet. We have moved to a far off and undisclosed location. The guardian is fine, for now. Your concern is filling the ransom I have required: all seven Klasfugen. The Klasfugen are to be brought here, where I will collect them. The guardian's life is in my hands, and I will know if any attempts are made to thwart my plans. You have one week to fulfill the requirements.'
"Goken, this is terrible!"
"It is, Mr. Popo, it is."
"You must take this to your father, immediately."
"You're right, Mr. Popo."
"Hurry, Goken! Oh, this is terrible!" he was visibly stirred.
With that, Goken was off, flying towards his house at a speed he never used (usually he took his time to watch the landscape).

/It was almost midnight when all the people had gathered in the living room. In it sat Gomen, to his right sat Goken and Centura. Across from them sat Korin and Mr. Popo. Standing by the door was Lila and Rosetta. Soon a knock on the door came and when Lila opened it, in walked Odysean, who first knelt to Korin and then took his seat to the right of Centura./

"Gomen," spoke Korin, "Why don't you begin?" a grave look covered all their faces.
"Thank you, Korin. Tonight, a lone attacker took Kami's sanctuary by surprise and kidnapped Kami. He left both Mr. Popo and Goken knocked out from his stealthy and surprise attack, then left only this note," he held up the letter.
"What's it say?" asked Odysean.
After having Mr. Popo read it, Gomen began to analyze the situation, "It's obvious he is referring to the Dragonballs. I've asked Mr. Popo to bring the radar here for safe keeping, plus we may just do as the letter says…"
"Wait," interrupted Odysean, "we don't have to, the poor bastard can't kill Kami unless he wants working Dragonballs. So it doesn't matter, I say we find him."
"Well, I thought about that, Odysean, except something is bothering me. First is the fact that the letter was written in a strange language that none of us might have been able to read."
"We were lucky," said Centura, "that Mr. Popo knew how…"
"No, it was known by Sancoah just like he knew my name," continued Gomen, "He also knew that Mr. Popo knew about his origins. Mr. Popo, you actually saw and maybe even spoke with him, didn't you?"
"Well, yes.
"I was watering my garden when I felt a cold chill sweep past me. When I turned, I was frightened by a sudden image of a long dead guardian. I only said this, 'Master Hiloy' and the figure seemed to recognize that name. He then made his move and I screamed in fear. That was all I saw."
"That is strange, indeed. It's as if this shadowy attacker had spied on things for quite some time. He seems to know that we're Saiyan descendents as well, and I find that even more surprising. Wherever he comes from, he obviously has plans that we haven't even fathomed yet. If we don't fulfill the ransom, I'm afraid something else may happen we haven't foreseen yet."
"Dad," spoke up Goken, "Why don't we collect the Dragonballs and give him fake ones?"
"That was a good idea, son," Gomen replied with a look of annoyance, "But now that you've said it aloud we can't use it. Undoubtedly this attacker has spied on all our houses and is listening to all our conversations. He probably bugged you and traced your movements to the lookout," he looked down at the carpet, his eyes sparkling with thought, "We are outclassed in every way. I am afraid that we don't understand our enemy at all. That isn't good," his face was grave and the lines that had avoided Gomen's head over the years began to form.
"What do we do?" murmured Odysean.
"You all," finally spoke Korin, "are already quite defeated. Whether you give the Dragonballs to this evil man or not, something terrible is going to happen. If you don't, lives will be in danger. If you do, Kami may very well be lost after they are used for terrible evil. And besides that…" his voice trailed off as his tiny paw went to his chin.
All the others stared at the tiny white cat who had recently become more thin with age.
The others stared intently at him, their hearts sunken and now, confused. "What is it, Korin?" asked Gomen.
"I feel as though a dark shadow has suddenly covered the Earth. It's like when a cloud moves over on a bright day. Everything else around is still bright, but right where you are it is really dark. You just don't seem to notice the shadow until soon many clouds loom overhead. Then comes the storm…"
His words struck a new chord.
"It's quite possible that not only the Dragonballs are at stake here, but also he peace of this planet. I don't want to burst your bubbles, but Goken and Centura are the only hard training warriors left. I'm too old and Gomen and Odysean have neglected their ancestral urges. We may be in trouble."
"What do we do, lord Korin?" asked Odysean with a grave voice.
Korin smiled then turned to the young man, "When it rains you have three choices: one is to wait it out and do nothing, another is to walk into it and take the beating, and the third is to use your head and get an umbrella," at this he broke into laughter.
"Patience, Bravery, and Wisdom," muttered Goken to himself.
When Korin stopped laughing, he noticed that the others were staring at him. "Well, I can't tell you exactly what you should do, but perhaps our guest can."
The others looked at him and then around the room; they were all perplexed. Suddenly there came a rapping on the door. Lila opened it and in stepped a man that they had not expected to show up at all, Master Tsu.
"Whatever you do," spoke the amiable old man walking back straight and a glint in his eye; he had been listening in on Korin's thoughts, "you know one thing for sure – clouds and rain always pass to reveal better days. How you get there matters, but keep your eye on the future, and hope in your heart."
Goken and Centura rose and ran to greet the old man. "Sensei!" they shouted at the same time. "What are you doing here?" asked Goken.
"Yes, what are you doing here?" eyed Odysean as he spoke.
Tsu did not face the youths, only turned to Korin, "Thank you for calling upon me. I came as soon as I received your message. This situation is indeed a grave one."
"What is it master?" said Centura, face intensely worried, "What have you learned?"
"I have met with the attacker already. At the School in Satan city, I was meditating when I became aware of his presence. I found him, to his great surprise, spying on the dormitories. I made chase, but he was quite athletic and none of my students could trace after him.
"It was on my way back, that I realized he had never left. Soon I discovered his eyes glaring at me in the dark. I spoke to him, 'Be you evil spirit or burglar, come to my school again, and you will die!' He did not understand my words, but did my tone. He took his leave, and I doubt not that he only did with the knowledge that he had all he needed from my school," the old man with sunglasses then took a seat in a chair next to Korin.
"The question remains, sensei," spoke Gomen then, "what are we to do?"
"Gather the Dragonballs and keep them among us, separated and personally guarded. Gomen, Odysean, you take two, and Goken, Centura, and I will take one," he told to them, 'Then,' he spoke into their minds now, 'we should wait for the fiend to make his move. Something tells me that he is only a cog in a bigger machine of malice. A machine that is soon to make its presence known.'
"Alright, let's get Sancoah his Dragonballs," announced Gomen, "I personally will gather them up, and meet you all at the lookout in two days. Lila, prepare me some meals."
With that the preparations were made, the radar given to Gomen along with some Senzu and he was gone that very night.
Goken took a walk outside and stared at his father's disappearing silhouette as it soon blended with the stars. Soon he was joined by Centura. "Life's funny, isn't it?" Centura asked him.
Goken suddenly reflected on how just earlier that day his only worry in the world had been how to deal with his newfound love and his best friend's delusion. Now, the world had suddenly gotten a lot larger, and he wondered where that put him now. "It sure is, Centura, it sure is."

*The Art of War*

It is without a doubt, absolutely true that the Emperor is far cleverer than can be observed. Maxra was aware of the danger in dealing with the Emperor. Twice, though, he had gauged the intelligence and strength of the Emperor and had won. The first time had been in the setup and subsequent debunking of his predecessor, General To. The second had been when he manipulated the accounting of the five kings till he had untraceably gathered a large sum of income. In either case he felt the razor's edge closing in on him and yet he played all the cards just right. His confidence grew and now he had planned to take the biggest risk in history.

/Treason, to the Smargleoids, was by far the worst crime one could ever commit. There were hardly ever traitors in the Empire, well, at least caught traitors. But, when found, they were given the most excruciating deaths conceivable. They always did it by analyzing the fears of the traitor and then exploiting that fear in the punishment.
But, it had never been the case, thus far, that a traitor had actually committed a treasonous act against the Emperor himself. Although all treasons were considered harmful to the Emperor, to betray the Emperor, especially at Maxra's rank, was unheard of. Some dared say it was either the most brilliant or idiotic thing Maxra could conceive. But either way, insanity was an important factor in his decision to move forward with his plans./

In the middle of the fourth missa, Maxra received the first word from Sancoah on the progress. He learned of the detaining, and the ransom at the same time, as well as the presence of the Saiyan descendants on the planet. He was quite pleased to learn that they were not full blooded Saiyans, as well. He therefore told Sancoah to move on as planned and by the end of the fifth week meet him and Gemini 5 (the moon base) to receive the cargo.
That night, Maxra celebrated heavily. He drank and partied with his mistresses freely, and he thought to himself, 'Soon, even the Emperor will bow to me and call me Master. I will be unstoppable, and the Empire I shall expand to everywhere in the Universe!' he smiled at the prospect.
His thoughts though were interrupted by a knock at his chamber door. Soon, a servant came to him, "General, there is an urgent message from the communications tower. It says that the Shilmani (Emperor's Delight) will be docking soon."
In a flash, Maxra had dressed and was standing in the control tower looking at the monitors. Soon the hull of the great ship was seen to pass through the gateway hovering over Mars and eventually all had passed through. Silently, the great beast began its descent to the surface of the planet.
It wasn't long before a video feed came from the bridge of the ship, "General Maxra, this is the captain of the Shilmani. Make way for the Emperor's landing. You are to prepare fully for His arrival and come to greet him in five tentra (.87 Earth hours)," then the video closed; it was a cold message, military-like, but colder.
Maxra gazed out the window of the tower at the descending ship, then turned to the officers on deck, "If this base isn't prepared for the arrival in three tentra, I will personally behead every one of you."
He then hastily left the tower and made his way to the lavatories, where promptly he threw up.
As ordered, the base was indeed ready in the allotted time, and in the ordered time, Maxra was at the very beacon of the ship to greet the Emperor. He wasn't exactly sure that he would meet the Emperor as he had once long ago, but the thorough body and security search he had just received inclined him to believe he would. His body quivered now, he had never been so nervous in his life. 'He doesn't know, does he?' he thought to himself, 'No, he made these preparations too early, he is just being a sharp leader.'
Soon, the lights on the outside of the ship hummed and the doorway to the ship broke open. Maxra had never before seen a procession as long and prestigious as this one. All of the officers he witnessed practically outranked him. Even the slaves looked as though they were the best in the lands. The dedication and distinctive discipline was uncanny as the soldiers and servants moved past him and lined up to his sides. Maxra knelt lower then than he ever had before, and a cold sweat came from his pores. Soon, a hush came over the procession and Maxra knew it was time.
It seemed ages before the Emperor made his way down to the visibly shaken Maxra. His eminence smiled haughtily at the sight of the lone general bent down before him, ready to crush with ease. Yet, he found Maxra admirable and the patriotic reputation of the General made him not only famous but respectable, even to the Emperor.
"Rise, Maxra, you have pleased me greatly."
Maxra dared not look up, but did rise as heeded. "My liege, it is an honor to meet you, and almost as much to receive you in person on this base. I hope that my pitiful attempts to please you will contain your rage for my lack of ability and grace," he sounded sincere.
"Nonsense," the Emperor scowled, "I am pleased, if not amazed that you did so well. Congratulations, General Maxranoma, you have been promoted to Supreme Commander of the Smargle Empire's five armies."
The words, almost knocked Maxra over. It were as though he expected a wave and received a surge from a Typhoon. He had no words, nor no plan that took this move into account. He was at a loss to both explain the sudden development and also the unexpected arrival. He could, however, not think clearly now. He needed time to his quarters. Reaching to his back pocket he made a light hand signal, undistinguishable to normal observatory eyes. The signal was picked up on by his head servant who then passed the signal to another servant, and etcetera.
Then, Maxra made his move, "Emperor, I would like to thank you for this undue promotion. I cannot express fully my level of gratitude nor convey accurately my doubts in the abilities you feel you have witnessed. I therefore invite you to a royal dinner in my personal cabin in which you and I can discuss this promotion. Perhaps there I can…"
"General! General!" came an officer running up to him.
"WHAT!?" the general spun around to glare at the officer, who seemed honestly upset.
"General, the bridge requests your presence immediately in Tower 2. Urgent matters are at hand."
"There is no matter that supercedes the precedence of the His majesty!" he was a very good actor, and the anger was palpable.
"But sir…"
"Guards!" the general shouted to the men behind him, "Arrest this, this nuisance at once, and have him beaten severely for his obvious lack of discretion!"
But as the guards started towards the 'scared' guard, the Emperor also made his own move. Without even a trace of movement, he gave his own guards the right impression. Suddenly the two to his right and left leapt up and drew their Drechens (ancient Imperial sword) and sliced the head off the officer as well as his legs and arms. They then pulled out two guns and blasted dead the guards that had gotten up earlier. Then they returned to their seats.
Maxra was dumbfounded; he looked at them in shock, but managed still to keep his body from displaying it. Slowly he turned to the Emperor. "I'd be honored, Supreme Commander, to join you at this dinner. It's too bad you must take your leave now. I'll have my men clean up this mess immediately, and be in your quarters in one tentra."
The Emperor then turned and returned to his ship, as did his procession and Maxra made haste to the lavatory again, before moving to Tower 1.

*Goodbye is Not Forever*

On the bed she cries, and he looks at her shivering body, her trembling shoulders.
"Goodbye is not forever, Mei-Ling," Goken hugs her tight, 'Ah, Jeeze, Mei-ling, stop crying,' he thought.
"How do you know that? You don't know Goken, if I will ever see you again!"

/Sometime in the months since their love first instilled itself with deep roots, Goken revealed to her his true self. He told her everything… well, almost everything… about the world he occupied that was the hybrid of reality, normality, and fantasy. At the time it had captivated her to hear the stories of heroism and power. Mostly she had simply humored his fantazations, hoping he wasn't really insane, but when he learned of her skepticism, he took her for the most magical flight a girl could dream of. Over the hills and mountaintops, rivers and waterfalls, the darkest jungles and longest deserts he flew her with her bosom tight to him. She loved him deeper than he would know.
But now, she was seeing the truth of his double life, it was dangerous, threatening, and their new life yet to be was threatened. She was dying inside./

"Just trust me, Mei-ling, I know about these things," he lied.
"It won't be hard, I just have to go away and train for a few days and fight this guy to save the planet, and then I'll be back."
"What if," she looked up into his eyes, tears streaming, "what if you die? What if I lose you this day, I'll never see you again."
'Aiwa!' he thought, 'Are women always so dramatic?'
"Yes you will, baby, you will see me again," his words were assuring, confident, strong.
"If I don't, I don't think I could live," she blasted that confidence with doubt.
"Shh!" he cooed, "Don't say such things.
"Besides, the world is never permanent, we all die sometime," his desperate words were not what he aimed for.
She wailed.
For a while there he just lay next to her, holding her heaving body as she released her worries onto the world, which had unkindly given them to her. He thought about them both, and about Centura, whom he had yet to tell of the affair. Secretly he feared the anger of his comrade, who was so deluded and desperate for affection. 'It will be dangerous,' he thought, 'more dangerous than this mission!' he looked back down at her soft skin that shook only so often.
Finally she stopped trembling and just breathed, her body curled up like a sad child. He spooned her just right, his arms around her waist, but sex wasn't on his mind at all.
'Has she fallen asleep?' he pondered, hunger was creeping into his stomach.
Just then she spoke, "Goken, you cannot go, I can't bear it."
"Mei-ling, you know very well I have no choice, and neither do you. The world needs me, and my father has spoken."
"Please Goken, I feel as though something terrible will come of it."
"Mei-ling, how can you speculate like that?"
"Goken I am pregnant."
It took about one and a half seconds for him to catch her words (ah, the timing of a woman, powerful). Suddenly he leapt from the bed like a burned grasshopper and was standing by the wall, holding it.
"What!? What!? What!?" he was panicky.
"Calm down Goken, please," she spoke softly, sitting up.
"What!? What!?" he repeated.
She stood now, the power of a woman greater than his now, and she approached him. His eyes glossed over with fear. 'Oh no!' he thought, 'What am I going to do?'
"Goken, you can't go because I am pregnant with your child, and I can't raise it alone."
"Mei-ling! How!?"
"How do you think, Goken?"
"But I thought…"
"I guess it failed, but it doesn't matter, I am."
"What are we going to do?" he was in shock, his breathing eratic.
She stepped forward, and wrapped her arms around him, her head resting on his chest. "Marry me Goken."
"Wha!? What!?"
"Marry me, it's the only way I can have you forever."
"Huh!? Are you nuts? We are so young!"
She looked up to him, her eyes more powerful than they seemed. "Don't you love me Goken?"
"Ye…yes, but Mei-ling," he protested.
"Please marry me Goken, I cry at night without you, and if you die I cannot live with this child and no husband to stand next to me."

/How could he resist? Once again the folly of a man was to not think about the thoughts of his woman. All the while he had thought of her, she had schemed her victory, or at least the maximum victory she could achieve. Who says that women aren't warriors? They have been warriors as long there have been beds shared by the two sexes./

He thought quickly now, he saw his defeat. He could not win, only concede. "Yes, Mei-ling, I will marry you."
"When?" she was quick.
"Tomorrow, in secret, just before I go to the dojo."
"I love you!" she screamed in delight and squeezed him tightly, it made his heart warm to have her near him.
"I love you too Mei-Ling," and still his heart felt heavy. 'A child? I am but a child myself, how can I raise a child when I am so young? What have I done?'

*Friendship*


The air whipped them all like angry masters. It howled in deep-sung moans. It whipped their eyes and ears, their hair and clothes. The did not wince, however, it was a trifling force to deal with: wind. The three warriors flew across the land like ships in a seabreeze. None of them spoke to the other. Centura, for his part was staring at his uncle who led the way. 'He is so irritable,' thought Centura, 'I wish dad were still here,' his eyes lowered to watch the ground go by dizzingly, then he looked to Goken, who also flew silent. 'Why won't they talk!?' the silence killed Centura, he feared the silence.
Goken noted Centura's gaze, 'I wish he'd quit that,' he thought.

/Goken was feeling extra guilty today, like a real traitor. In his mind's eye he could still see the wedding that had happened only a few hours ago. He had gripped Mei-ling tightly and held her when the pastor permitted. She cried when he left, her face half covered with joy, half shadowed with fear and anguish. She loved him, and he her, but more than he feared hurting her love with death, he feared hurting Centura with his 'betrayal'./

'How in the world am I going to tell him?' he thought, and just as Centura moved his gaze back to the ground, he looked at him. All Goken could see was a pool of pain: first his father, now this.
'I must tell him!' Goken thought, 'But how can I? He's my best friend, and I have stolen his love. He'll be hurt twice. And what if he dies? What can I do then? He'll go into the other world a friendless bastard.'
Odysean, for his part flew ahead of them like an immovable pillar. All the while he thought hard about the mission. Indeed he had neglected his training for quite some time in martial arts. He searched in himself for latent powers he had since lost. 'It's a good thing,' he thought, 'that these kids don't see my weakness.' He was indeed a weak man, always felt lower than his brother. He was always angry at him, jealous, lost, and when his brother got his glorious death he wished for, he suddenly was left quite alone in his patheticness.
Twice since his brother's death had Centura's mother taken advantage of him, used him just to feel her dead husband. She was lonelier than he, but he thought she loved him, until in the middle of the night she pushed him away. 'You are not Aretay,' she spoke coldly to him, 'You wish you were, but you never will be.' The words echoed in Odysean's head always. He wept inwardly since that day, and had only further slunk into depression. He nearly vomited to see the joyful life of Gomen and his glorious son, and he feared greatly that one day Centura would dominate him so easily like Aretay did. Odysean was a sea of lost emotions and inexplicable musings of death. He was now quite hopeful. He hoped that this Sancoah would provide him the opportunity to finally prove he was a great heir of Vegeta and Goku too! Sur he wished they could defeat the guy and save Kami, but he wished more that he cold defeat Sancoah, or at least die with some sort of valor, to prove his life had not been as meaningless as it seemed.
Together the three flew in the air like rays of hope streaking across the sky for children to look at and point to.
Quite soon they arrived at the dojo and landed, in the short distance lay Satan City, a growing prosperous city of fluid life and economy. Culture and art had affluenced it like a magic wand, and on the outskirts sat the greatest martial artist's dojo of all mankind, the last pupil of Master Roshi, Master Tsu.
It was a happy school, with its tall towers and quaint graveyard that sat silently in among the Ratrovia trees. Outside in the fields students of all types trained, they had just begun their exercises, stretching and meditating. There in the gardens adjacent to the class stood Tsu gazing at his ocarinas and lupidanias. The three landed softly behind him, raising the eyes of the students. Goken and Centura knelt before him, "Master," they spoke equally. Odysean remained idle, staring at him indifferently.

/The hatred of Tsu was an incomplete on in Odysean. Years before, like Goken and Centura, he was a student of Tsu's along with Gomen, Aretay, and Gojin. The four were inseparable rivals. Everyday their powers and abilities grew in heated contests. And all of them fought hard, especially Aretay. Aretay was the backbone of the team with he and Odysean. Together they fought the other brother-team, but not equally. Aretay did not mind much, in fact welcomed it, because it made him stronger than Gomen and Gojin. But Odysean became more and more dejected and soon it wasn't a matter of need that Aretay did this, but a matter of allowance.
When it came time to receive their certificates, all of the four passed except for Odysean, because in truth he had far lagged behind the requirements. Tsu doubted the willingness of Odysean to continue, and in order to test him told him harshly that he doubted the strength of Odysean to continue. It went as he foresaw, Odysean wept and was humiliated, he flew off in hatred.
But the hatred is still incomplete, because for as long as he has fled from his warrior past he has desired for the old man to forgive his cowardice, he was ashamed, but spiteful. The old man's words hurt because they were so true./

"You boys are late," Master Tsu turned to them, "I do not like when you are late!"
"Uh," Goken stammered, "Master, we went as fast as we could."
"In war, you must move one step ahead of the enemy, and no less. I am one step behind him, so how many are you?"
They glared to the ground. Tsu looked up at the mopish Odysean. "Well, I didn't expect you to come here," he was harsh to the man.
"Hmph," Odysean turned his head in disgust, "I didn't come for a lesson, I am just with them. Spare me your pity old man!"
"Ha!" and the old man turned his gaze to Goken, "Has your father been heard from?"
"No sir, we expect he has already arrived at the lookout and waits for us tonight."
"I see," Tsu turned to the field, where the students now sparred in threes, "In my study are some outfits I have prepared for you, you two go change into them," he turned to Odysean, "I cannot give you one Odysean, for you never became a Turtle Warrior."
"I don't want your gifts!" and at that Odysean walked off, acting aggravated and careless. Tsu knew otherwise.
The two boys rose and bowed, then walked down the path to the corridor. "Can you believe," spoke Centura, "It's already been two years since we graduated the school?"
"I know, it's hard to tell where the time has gone!" Goken admitted as they wlked together staring at the statues and structures – the dormitories for the students – the mess hall and inner sanctuary.
"I wish I were here again, you an me, just fighting the time away. No worries, no growing up. Just the two of us battling from dawn to dusk."
"Yeah," Goken replied, 'Please stop Centura,' he thought.
"Heh, remember that day we got caught plucking Tsu's flowers for the girls at the bus stop down the way?"
"Yeah, we had to do 5,000 push ups."
"Yeah, but those girls sure did give us great big kisses!" he laughed now, thinking about the past.
"Heh, they sure did," Goken saw Mei-ling's face now.
"Goken, you remember that day we fought extra hard, in the field way out there, and we fought for hours and hours straight?"
"Yes."
"And at the end of the fight we fell over exhausted, and when we sat up, Tsu came over to us, and he looked me in the eye."
"Centura, stop, don't do this," Goken looked at him sternly.
"I miss him, Goken, I miss him everyday…"
"Centura, I think I've had enough of the past, let's get inside and change."
"Yeah," Centura murmured and looked out into the distance, "That was the last day I was alive," he said out loud.
Goken wrapped his arm around his friend and walked with him into the study.
The mockingbirds sing in the trees.

/Dear Centura,
I doubt that when you read this, you will be able to understand, you are so little and young. I have a growing void in my mind, a growing feeling of emptiness. I try and I try to find solace in yours and your mothers' arms but I can't. I only see the great vast emptiness of my existence. My life's meaninglessness and triteness spurns me, mocks my dreams and my thoughts. When I see you I am not happy anymore, but sad: sad that you should have such a pathetic father without any glory to remember me by. You must be sad, boy, sadly disappointed I am your father and your uncle is a bigger loser than I am. Shame creeps into me know and I weep for your mother and you. But I cannot wait any longer for my powers to subside and my lust for glory to turn to bitter regret. I am going away, son, forever, and you won't see me again, maybe not even after death. Please don't think of me, it will only anger you that I was so weak. Just take care of your mother and your friend, they'll need your strength.

Goodbye son,
Aretay

In the field Tsu gave this letter to Centura, whom in his anger tore it up and sped off into the night. Goken tried to catch him, but Tsu held him back, and spoke to him. "Your friend will need you Goken, from now on he is your burden to protect, you must do it without concern for yourself. You must be the truest of friends, you must protect him from himself."
These words reverberated often in Goken's mind nowadays, as he noticed more and more Centura become inward and sad. He never handled things well after that, he was a nervous heap all of his life since that day./

As the two walked into the study area, they looked at the old pictures, the memories they held and they did not talk. Each wondered around in a different direction, staring at the pictures and weapons on the wall. Finally goken had had enough, and turned around to find the armor. 'Ah, here it is,' he stopped over to pick it up, 'It's so light,' he thought, staring at the blue and white armor with its yellow trim. He looked up, "Hey Cen…" he didn't see him around.
Goken walked into the next room where Centura was gazing at the golden katana, "Tsu once told me it was a gift from a kai," Centura said, fondling the handle with one hand while running his fingers along the blade.
"Yeah, that's what he once told me, too," Goken said, uneasy watching Centura play with the blade that way.
"Hey man," he got his attention, and threw one of the armored suits at him, "heads up."
"Wow, these are the ones?"
"Yeah, feel how light they are!"
"I can barely tell I'm holding anything but paper," he mused.
"I don't see how they'll fit us. They are all so small."
"Hmph, let's try 'em on!" and they both took off their shirts and tried sliding on the vest-like armor.
"Unbelievable, they fit!" Centura projected, "quite well, like a glove!"
"I am amazed they are so strong," Goken spoke in amazement too, "Come on, let's go show Master."
"OK," he agreed.
As the two walked, Centura once again fell silent, which was rare for him. As they passed the daffodils and the malocks, Goken finally spoke up, "Centura, you okay? You usually talk a lot more."
"Uh, yeah, I guess this place makes me remember too much," he replied, watching Goken nod.
A minute later he added, "Goken, I am worried."
"Don't worry, we'll get Kami back and nail that bastard Sancoah!"
"No Goken, I'm not worried about him," Centura lowered his eyes.
"I am worried that Mei-ling doesn't like me."
Goken swallowed hard, then spoke, "What makes you say that?"
"I called her last night, and she seemed distant, like she couldn't talk to me. I felt like she didn't like me anymore. I guess I've been sensing it for awhile now," he was sincerely hurting.
"I see," Goken's stomach churned, 'do I tell him?' he mused.
"What do you think Goken, you're my only friend, do you think she hates me now?"
'Damn!' Goken thought, 'What do I say?'
"Of course she doesn't hate you Centura," he told the truth, "Why would she?"
"I don't know, I just feel like she's avoiding me for some reason."
"Eh, I don't know Centura, are you sure?"
"Yes! Do you know something, Goken or what!?" he was in turmoil.
Now was the moment of truth. And the truth was that Goken needed Centura in battle, and if he told him the truth, he was libel to fly off in hurt frustration and dejection. 'But is it okay to not tell him?' he thought as he stare into the hopeful eyes of Centura, 'No I can't tell him like this, I have to wait till it's all over. I've got to bide my time,' he determined, 'and protect Centura.'
"Centura, the truth is that she is hurt because you won't ask her out, and she really likes you, but you haven't said anything to her. She's sad, you see?"
"Really?" Centura's eyes lit up like Roman candle-fire.
"Uh, yeah, don't worry about it now, man, come on, we've got stuff to do," he pulled on his arm.
"Yeah! You're right, I can ask her out after we kick this guy's ass!"
"Yeah, that's the spirit! Let's go!"
And together the sprites ran down the pathway to the fields, where the students had sat down to picnic with the butterflies. Centura particularly ran with power and speed, like a vindicated animal in a hurry to go back to his home. Goken lagged behind him, frowning, 'He is so happy, so why do I feel as if I have made a grave mistake?' Around them the dust twirled, making the butterflies scatter from their meals.

*Mind Games*

Across Maxra, the emperor sat like a golden god, arrayed with the jewels of the most exquisite types. Metals or rarity and stones and gems shined from him like a tiny galaxy of bright stars. The general, himself, was dressed quite well, but never would he attempt to be as handsome as the emperor. For as delicate as the emperor looked, truthfully he harbored a vicious heart and strong mind. He was cold: he had all three of his wives beheaded on their wedding days simply because they had made some mistake in how they dealt with him. Rumors were that he did it really because he could not have whom he had always wanted, simply because she was a servant. Rumors also were that he had had her killed.
So the word of mouth, rumors, various known facts and myths, always proceeded the emperor and in fact it was a strange set of events indeed that Maxra was 'graced' by his presence at all. Maxra knew that something must be up if indeed the emperor would share a meal with him, was it the promotion?
Maxra, as tough as he was, dared not return the cold stare of the emperor as he sat there. The staring at first had not bothered him, only seemed like a formality. But soon, he became all too aware of the glare boring a hole in the top of his head as he ate his food. But he dared no address the emperor at the table, and especially after he had seen the punishment earlier.
"So, general," the emperor finally spoke, not looking away at all, "Tell me what your next move is in expanding my glorious empire."
"You holiness, I shall tell you everything.
"The planet upon which you wish to establish a new colony is a dangerous heap of rubble. It contains both poisonous gas and acidic liquids that cover nearly three fourths of the surface. It has a large amount of competing organisms that must be annihilated if we wish to avoid suffocation.
"After the base was established, we sent nemants to establish converters secretly in the polar regions. They are approximately 13% done with the atmosphere, but we're afraid that it will be nearly impossible to continue with it and the liquid conversion without alerting the population there. We do not expect much resistance but if we take them by surprise first, then we shall be much better off in taking the planet without damaging it by much war. With the copious amounts of flesh already there, we can easily feed the jubilai nafraxans that we will plant when replacing their forests. It has also been noted that the planet contains an extreme level of eron (iron) ore, and enough nexan to make sreek (steel). This will be perfect for quick production of Milanxanan (kichin).
"After that, we play to set up wormhole inhibitors on the first, second, and ninth planets of the system. On the first planet we can set up perfect energy generators to harness the central star's powers and feed the colonization of the second, third, and fourth planets, as well as the military command of the moonbase. The ninth planet will thus provide a last stop for ships before heading out back to the central hub of Smargle."
The emperor held up his hand, halting Maxra's babbling, "Very good, general, you seem to understand very well the capabilities of the military and the need to expand my empire. You serve your emperor well."
"No sir, I am nothing compared to your lightness," the general bowed.
"Tis true," the emperor conceded, "but for a military man and nobleman, you have done well. I have already informed you of your promotion, yes?"
"Yes sir, I am to be the head of military defense for the empire?"
"Yes, and I have something else to tell you Maxranoma."
"Do not hesitate to request anything of me sir."
"You, general, are to wed my daughter, Hildalin-Nishara-Fanalsa,"
The general looked up, he was so surprised he nearly fell backwards. "Pardon me, sir?"
"You are to be my son-in-law," the emperor did not look like a loving father.
"Yes sir, but…"
"You question me!?"
"No sir, I was just unaware you had a daughter or that she was here even!" he was truly surprised, "forgive me for my pestilent tone."
"Hm, yes I have had a daughter for quite some time now, of your age, in fact. And tomorrow you shall both be wed in the presence of the council."
The general's head swooned, 'He is so powerful, he is impossible to judge for sure,'he observed the emperor's glare grow sharper, 'time to react.'
"Sir it would be an honor to marry your beautiful daughter and be your honorary son. I can offer you much glory and strengthen the family name enough to make you proud. Whether in battle or in honor I shall never fail you," he hoped it was enough to convince the emperor.
The emperor smiled, and suddenly it seemed as though the general had actually won the battle of the minds. He too smiled.

/The emperor was known most of all for his kindness, for he genuinely lacked it so much that people knew him as beyond evil. But he was known to reward his people often enough to perplex them and keep them under him. He knew how a good gift could make someone serve him better and doubt him less. Besides that the power of gift-giving was strong and the rumor of receiving a gift from the emperor was even more powerful. It tied the people together, made them love him more and it the desire to have such recognition by the emperor drove people to do literally anything he commanded. He once had a man kill his entire family, father, mother, wife, children, and also his friends, just so he would receive a gift from his eminence. And when it was done, the emperor gave him a gift, alright, a poisoned fruit. The Smargleoid was so happy he ate the whole thing up and did not even lose his smile once even when the fruit consumed his life. It made the emperor laugh!/

"But there is one thing," the emperor said, "that I want you to do for me."
"Anything, my lord," the general replied, knowing full well he could say nothing else and should expect horrible things.
"I want you to investigate a treachery."
"Treachery?" he echoed.
"Yes, I have heard that a traitor is lurking in the midst of this military and I fear an assassination attempt on either you myself, or my poor daughter."
"…I see…where have you heard this?" the general was starting to sweat a little bit.
"A servant told me she had learnt of the rumor through a drunk soldier, said something about, 'the plan'. What have you heard?"
The general was a bit confused. It was true that soldiers might be planning something against the emperor, but he doubted it, especially if the emperor was actually there. Rumors were always truer when farther from possibility. But, how could anyone know of his own plans? He had spoken to Sancoah personally, a while back, alone. He had used every trick in the book to get alone and be kept in hiding. What was he to do?
"I have heard nothing, my lord, but I assure you that I will slay any traitor I find and spare no personal expense in conducting my investigation!"
"That is good to hear general, it is nice to know that I can trust you," and for the first time the emperor sounded so sincere and weak the general could not find a single trace of malice, he determined that the emeperor was speaking honestly.
"My lord, think nothing of it, for you and the glory of your empire I would do anything, even take my own life," he bowed his head, and thus did not see the emperor's face briefly become smug and his left squint at him.

*First Encounter*

As the sun began to fall along the horizon, the three warriors shared a cup of tea with the Master in the garden. The old man was totally aware of the staring Odysean did, but paid no attention to it, instead he focused on Centura. 'My how his demeanor has changed since he came here… can it be the armor?' he felt doubt about the origin of this inexplicable change. Thus he concentrated his powers a bit more and searched the thoughts and ki of the young man.
'Ah, there it is, yes, the source of the power, he is a beacon of hope indeed!' and the old man almost smiled till he felt Goken's ki then, 'Oh no, Goken, what have you done? Hmm, did you really think you were doing what you thought, protecting Centura? That is beyond possibility, dear boy, you are now the one who need protection, what a downward path you take!' The old man frowned, and now spoke up.
"It is almost time for you three to leave, do you have any questions?"
"Master," spoke up Goken, "What advice can you give to us, what can you tell us of the enemy?"
"Hmm," he grunted, looking to Odysean with doubt, "This enemy is not powerful, but has other traits far more dangerous. He is more cunning than a fox, and faster than a mongoose. His strength lay in his powerful mind that has planned out every minute detail to the point that even Sun Tzu could not easily foresee the reality of the battle. He has technological prowess and has been trained in the dark arts of Yillani, an ancient art older than Nin-jitsu, and in fact it's parent style. I doubt that you will easily convince him to give up.
"Your advantage is justice, teamwork, and purpose. If you trust in Ki, it will guide you rightly and so you will conquer this foe. But do not feel that things are always what they seem, or else your advantage will quickly become a weakness…"
"Ha!" burst out Odysean, "Listen to this old fool talk, I am leaving for the lookout, you two can catch up when you finish with listening to this old hermit!"
"Hmph," the old man grunted as he watched the man turn, then take off for the lookout.
"Don't mind him my pupils," he spoke, especially to Centura whose head was lowered in shame.
"We know, sensai," Goken spoke, "thank you for the armor, I guess we had better go now."
"Is there anything else you will need?"
"No, sensai," answered Centura, "we will be fine. Thank you," and the two rose and turned to leave.
"Goken, Centura, clear your minds of things that are less important, it is imperative that you focus on the teamwork and the enemy. To succeed you must go beyond yourselves."
"Yes master, good-bye," they spoke, and ran off, then flew towards the lookout

/Atop the lookout sat Mr. Popo and Gomen eating their rice out in the open. Gomen was paying particular attention to his surroundings. He knew that as it was he was especially vulnerable because he was alone with Mr. Popo, a possible hostage, and he had all of the dragonballs. Thus he paid strong attention to his surroundings.
He was right to do so, for there at the sanctuary, hidden in the shadows lay Sancoah, iuqua (sword/ki-gun) in hand ready to ambush the party of people. But he saw the readiness of Gomen and the power reading suggested that it was dangerous to fool with him at this moment. Besides this, he also knew the most appropriate time to snatch his bounty was when the enemy was comfortable in his superiority and left himself open./

Soon the trio arrived in file onto the lookout where they spotted Gomen sitting with a sack and Mr. Popo, eating rice. They walked over to him slowly, each looking around for the enemy.
"Father," Goken spoke up, "Have you got them all?"
"Shh! Foolish boy!"
"Uh, I'm sorry." He lowered his head.
"Oh Gomen, what the Hell are you afraid of! I wish this bastard'd just show his face right now so I can avenge Kami! Let him hear us! The coward will pay for his actions!"
"Ha! That's brave talk for you Odysean! Boys, what are you wearing?" Gomen asked them, leaving Odysean to spite him with irritation.
"Master Tsu gave these to us! They're light as a bird, and they are same kind of armor our ancestors fought Cell with!"
"Gomen," spoke Mr. Popo, "I believe that I have another just like it laying around, would you like me to get it?
"Sure, that sounds like a good idea, is there another for Odysean?"
"I don't know, but perhaps."
As Mr. Popo turned to leave Gomen dropped his guard and began to inspect the armor, it was hard for him to believe that Tsu would give such prizes to the boys. He felt sorry for Odysean then.
Suddenly a streak of light slid across the balcony and a loud thud was heard. All of them turned just them to see a figure, half dark, half invisible hovering over the body of Mr. Popo. His iuqua was lowered to the old guardian's servant, who lay unconscious.
He then raised up a microphone like object and spoke into it, "If you move for even a second, I'll blast Mr. Popo here through the floor of this structure and let him fall to his death."
Gomen and the others gritted their teeth with anger. "Grr… how dare you, you fiend!" Gomen shouted.
"You have what I want, and I what you want. Don't be a fool, I can spare all of your lives and give Kami back for good if you just hand them over."
"How can we know for sure you will do as you say?"
"You can't, but it doesn't matter, because I have enough thermonuclear devices loaded in this lookout to vaporize the entire lookout. If you don't comply, I will be forced to use them."
"You're full of shit," shouted Odysean, "Why don't you fight me like a man!?"
The little translation box worked tirelessly to convey the message in Smargle. This box was a smart computer that had several complex algorithms based on brain-wave detection that decoded a language into simple basic Boolean logic and then back into Smargle or vice versa. Without it, things might have been a bit more difficult for the foursome, but either way, they knew the game being played.
"Tell us what you want," demanded Gomen, "with the dragonalls!"
"Although it does not concern you, I don't really care if you know. I have a buyer who wants them in his possession within the week. I always do my job, and you will not keep me from it. Hand them over now!"
"How dare you, you bastard!" Odysean shouted suddenly launching himself at the villain.
Quickly as he appeared, Sancoah disappeared, without harming Mr. Popo even for a moment. But Odysean was perplexed, he slowed to a stop and looked around.
"Watch out!" Gomen shouted, flinging out an energy ball that traveled towards Odysean. Suddenly it was struck by an energy beam from above and the explosion sent the warrior and Mr. Popo flying. Quickly Goken flew to catch the servant and took him down. Meanwhile Gomen, hesitant to leave the balls alone ordered Cnetura, "You stay with the dragonballs!"
With that he launched himself upwards at the enemy he saw hovering in the air. "Got you!" But Sancoah was fast, and he thus disappeared.
Goken came down next to Centura with Mr. Popo, who was slowly regaining consciousness. "Centura, we need to take the dragonballs outta here."
"You're right, but what about the others?"
"They can keep him at bay, I've got a plan." Goken reached down and took out three of the balls.
"Here, put one in your sack and I'll keep one too. The other we'll give to Gomen when he's got a chance. Now, in a flash I'll be right back!"
With that, Goken dove off of the lookout while above in the middle of the platform Gomen practiced his turtle style against the cunning of Sancoah, who althought in grave danger, remained very calm in the face of the danger from Gomen. Deep, gaseous breaths that were calm as the sky could be heard coming through the mask over his mouth.
Down below, Goken stopped at Korin's. "Korin!" he went running into the quarters.
"Yes?"
Goken almost fell over when he saw what he saw in there. On the stool sat another Korin, much younger and healthier, white as snow, talking with the real Korin. But he didn't have time for explanations. "Korin, the enemy has arrived, I need something!"
"Well, what is it boy?" he demanded.
"Do you still have those fake dragonballs that were used to trick Emperor Pilaf?"
"Yes, you want them?"
"Yes, hurry, I need them!"
Korin walked over to a closet, opened it up and pulled out the sack of fake dragonballs. "Here you go," he handed them to him.
"Thanks!" and the youth took off again, leaving Korin smiling and the newer Korin look-alike buggy-eyed with confusion.
Up above Odysean had awoken from his short unconsciousness and was gazing directly above him at the battle between Gomen and Sancoah. Angrily he grit his teeth and flew upward shoulder out. But just as he was about to pound into Sancoah, the clever enemy grabbed hold of Gomen and slung him directly into Odysean, sending the two crashing down.
'Hurry up Goken!' thought Cnetura, as he held his anger back as much as possible. It irritated him to see the old men having neglected their skills so much that they would lose to this amateur.
Suddenly Goken came up with the sack in hand. Quickly he started rummaging through the sack and replacing the dragonballs at random. "Took you long enough!" Centura shouted.
Meanwhile Sancoah pulled out his iuqua and fired a strong blast towards Gomen that he narrowly avoided. The blast went straight through the floor and out the bottom of the sanctuary.
Then Sancoah turned to see Centura facing away and Goken playing with the dragonballs, obviously up to something. He frowned and fired the iuqua at them.
"NO!" shouted Odysean as he say the trigger pull. Centura turned back around just in time to see his uncle leap in front of him.
White light brightened the atmosphere with hatred. Their eyes burned and the air suddenly smelt with cooked beef. Goken whipped his head up and held out his arms, and Centura fell into them, while the sack of balls fell from the lookout. Sancoah seeing his opportunity took off after them, and soon he held the sack in his hands and vanished as fast as he had appeared.
"Oh no!" Gomen shouted rushing to where the three lay.
"Father, after Sancoah! He has the dragonballs!" Goken shouted, until he saw what Gomen knelt over.
There at his knees, in front of Centura lay Odysean with a hole through the middle of his chest. His eyes were steaming with their heat, open, and smiling. Goken looked then at Centura, he had merely a brown mark on his armor, which has protected him from the force of the beam, but knocked him down. "Odysean…" Goken stuttered.
Gomen leaned back and yelled, "You bastard! Sancoah I'll kill you for this!" and then the man fell over and started to cry, "Odysean, you fool, you didn't have any armor!"
Suddenly a voice above them spoke. "Heh, finally the idiot got what he always wanted," Gomen and Goken raised their heads.
Above them stood Gojin, adorned in an orange and blue gi, box in his hand.
"Brother!"
"Uncle!"
"It's been a long time, Gomen," the warrior above them spoke, "I have come to tell you that worse things are yet to come. I have foreseen it," and the warrior looked to Goken and smiled, "you are a good friend Goken, and very clever, the Earth owes you."
"Uncle! Where have you been!?"
"I have been in meditation and training for twelve years on the other end of the galaxy, and I have come back to warn you of the new dangers. You think Sancoah's goals are sinister, you don't know the half of it."
"What do you mean, brother?" Gomen stood to look him in the eye.
"War is coming, Gomen, we must prepare for it."