The Corridor of Time

BY MARA ROBERTS

Chapter 4

Roshi's Island to S.M.A.T.
Year 752 – 753

And so the days passed. Gohan studied technique under Master Roshi; he had no need for strength training but the Turtle Hermit always made sure Gohan got a good workout anyway.

Roshi was completely lost on the tutoring, so Gohan continued his own studies independently.

Everyone was preparing very hard for the Tenkai Boudakai. Gohan had reluctantly entered; he had never fought before a crowd, and was a little nervous.

"Hey, I just realized," Krillian said to Gohan. "When we get there you're going to meet Goku for the first time. It's freaky how you two look so much alike; more so now that you stopped gelling back your hair. That wasn't a good look for you."

"Hmmm," Gohan said, preoccupied with the thought of meeting his father as a child. "Hey, wait a minute. It's better than bald!"

"For your information, all serious martial artists shave their heads. I could have hair if I wanted to."

"You're serious? Then why does your head look so shiny?"

"I keep it well waxed."

"Oh."

"Enough chatter," Roshi interrupted. "We're here, it's time to sign up."

Everyone lined up to submit his entries. Roshi still planned to enter, even to lose at the hands of Gohan, but it was only right that the last master fall publicly so no one could cry foul. The sun would set on his time, and rise on Gohan's. He didn't need to worry about keeping the boy serious as a martial artist, striving to surpass someone as Goku did to surpass 'Chun'. Gohan hadn't spoken much of his battles, but there were a few scars here and there, very faint, but they were there. No, Gohan would continue to train to protect the people he loved against any possible, more terrifying threats.

Gohan stepped up to the counter and clambered up so he could see over it.

"I'd like to enter for the tournament," Gohan said.

"I'm sorry, but you seem a little young. Don't you think you should wait until your older and more experienced before you come back? You could get seriously hurt in there."

Seeing there was a problem, Roshi walked over to straighten this guy out.

"Nonsense," he said. "The only people who have to worry are the people who go up against this kid."

"And you are...?" The man inquired.

"His teacher, the Turtle Hermit Master Roshi."

"M- m... ma- ma...Master R-roshi?" the man stumbled. "Oh, I didn't know he was of your school. I'll sign him up right away."

Inwardly, he thought Roshi was getting senile to let so small a boy enter. Not that he'd say that to the master's face, of course.

And by the same token, Roshi didn't tell the man he could hear his thoughts. He nodded and told Gohan to stand by the others waiting for Goku to arrive.

As the clerk's replacement showed up, he scurried away gratefully. Roshi told the new man, "By the way, I'm here to sign up, too. My name is Jackie Chun."

"Oh, yes. You won the tournament last time. It is a pleasure to have you here again, sir."

Roshi nodded, and replied in kind. This man was much more amicable. He went to stand by his pupils.

And the sun hit noon and began to fall. Closer and closer, dusk came. The golden globe inched down the sky, until everyone feared Goku would be too late to sign up. Frantically, Roshi ordered Krillian to sign Goku up. Krillian nodded and hurried to do as asked. Just as he reached the sign up station however, someone yelled out, "Wait. There he is! He made it!"

And so he had, with seconds to spare. Everyone grinned at the sight of this wild boy with tousled hair before Roshi reminded Goku that he still hadn't signed up. He went over and gave his name, the last entry of the tournament.

Otherworld
where time doesn't exist

Kibuto called in his discovery to his partner and search leader, Kibuki.

"The Corridor, huh?" Kibuki asked. "I think that happened once before."

"Yes, but that was at least somewhat supervised."

"Yemma's not going to like this."

"You're telling me! He's going to be mad as HFIL!"

Yemma was angry. He roared at the guards, hollered at the clerks, and barked at the people waiting nervously in line.

Yemma was angry. Angry because paperwork was piling higher and higher about the mysterious disappearance of Son Gohan. Angry because he feared Goku's wrath next time he returned to Heaven, only to find his son missing. And angry because he knew in his heart, that poor little Gohan, only five years old, an eternity dead, was alone, lost, and no doubt very much afraid.

Yemma could only pray he was waiting to be found, and had not wandered anywhere dangerous.

He could only pray.

The search grid had found nothing, and they were now beginning to suspect young Gohan had wondered down that, that corridor, the Corridor of Time. And worse, it had been built with magic. And not just any magic, mind you. Oh, no, that would not have bothered Yemma one bit. But this was magic magic, the magic of the gods, of Creation! Time started, and ended in that Corridor. Paradox ran rampant there, waiting for its chance to undo Time.

Yemma shuddered. Oh, the things that could be undone. That which might never come to be.

The Supreme Martial Arts Tournament
Qualifying Rounds
Year 753

"Alright, everyone, gather round..." a monk announced, waiting for the participants to assemble themselves. "It's time for the drawing of lots. In the four corners of the room you will find a box with a quarter of the number of contestants. The boxes do not correspond to the blocks in which you will be fighting and are mixed up so there are some numbers from all the blocks in each."

Having heard this same speech the year before, the veteran fighters had already headed to the clerks to pick their number. Roshi led the group to the one furthest form the door and to the right... only to run into a trio of bizarre looking men. Apparently one of them knew Roshi as well, as the two immediately growled upon sight of the other.

"Turtle Hermit," the stranger greeted him through clenched teeth.

"Crane Master," he returned, failing to look civil.

Gohan glanced between the two, trying to figure out just what was gong on. He looked to the others for an explanation, but he could see them same confusion grace their faces as well. He shrugged it off and the two men parted, Roshi continuing to the right, and the stranger going to the left, followed by two fighters who were apparently his students.

Krillian stepped up to the desk.

"Number forty-one," the clerk announced.

Yamcha was next.

"Number two hundred and thirty-six."

Then it was Goku's turn.

"Number eighty-eight."

Gohan pulled out a number.

"One hundred fifty-nine."

The four walked away to see where they were on the board and were grateful they wouldn't fight each other until the matches held in the grand arena, in front of an audience.

Roshi put his hand in, now somehow disguised as Jackie Chun. "Hmm. Looks like I got four hundred and twelve."

He walked over to the board and handed his paper to the clerk before 'bumping into' the boys.

"Jackie! It's great to see you again," Goku exclaimed, very much excited to have the chance to go up against the old master again. He couldn't wait to see if he could beat him this time.

"Hello, Goku. Who's this little fella?"

"His name's Gohan. He's a relative of mine."

"Is that so?"

"Uh-huh. Do you think we'll have a chance to fight again? In the finals?"

"Sure thing if you don't lose any matches."

"I won't – and don't you lose any, either."

"Hehe, wouldn't think of it." Just then, he felt something, and looked up in a vain attempt to locate its source. As soon as he had sensed it, it had vanished. The great power was gone, but whom did it belong to, someone good, or evil?

"Is something wrong, Mr. Chun?" Yamcha asked, politely.

"Oh, no. Just thought I felt something."

"Oh. I guess Gohan felt it too," Krillian joined in.

They looked at the young boy, now six, and indeed, his head was cocked to the side and his eyes were closed, as if searching for something. As if he were remembering something. He opened his eyes.

"If you see it again, Mr. Chun, will you tell me? I wonder whom that power belonged to..." his voice trailed off.

"You can sense people's powers?"

"Their ki? Sure I can. I was trained to feel the enemy, as opposed to seeing him."

"Oh. I...see..."

Before they could discuss whom it belonged to, a voice cut through the din around them. "Well, it looks like the old turtle actually managed to find himself some students. It will be a laugh to see them fail in their first round."

"And who are you?" Krillian challenged.

"I, little boy, am the Crane Master. And these are my pupils, Tien and Chaotzu." He gestured towards the three-eyed man first, and the small pale faced one next. "These two will actually make it to the finals, and even weaklings like you have a shot at it. The fighters here aren't much of anything, and you won't be fighting them unless you make it to the final eight. You're just lucky they picked lots three-eighteen and one-eleven."

Krillian and Yamcha laughed. "You mean you're just lucky they aren't going up against us, or they'd be out of here."

Goku said nothing, having fought Tien earlier while in training. Gohan also maintained his silence, knowing full well they would all be friends one day and fight on the same side at Earth's behest. He smiled at the thought. We won, Tien. We got Namek's dragonballs and you'll be brought back to life, you and Chaotzu. I'm sure you've been revived already in my time. You are good and loyal friends, both of you, to make such a sacrifice for Earth. I'm glad you're on our side.

Unnoticed by Gohan, a tear trickled down his smiling face. Roshi wondered just what the boy was thinking. No, I wont invade his privacy. If he wants to talk, then I'll listen. It can't be anything too bad. He's smiling, after all.

A/N Sorry, sorry, sorry, this is a day late, I know. Yesterday was chaos, and today my poor finger survived the war with the desk drawer and deserves a Purple Heart. Please forgive?