When Earth Arises

Disclaimer - All the characters from the Circle of Magic, The Circle Opens, The Immortals, The Lioness Quartet, The Protector of the Small, etc. belong to Tamora Pierce. I don't own them. Or characters from Dragonballz, which belongs to Mr. Toriyama…..

Hey people….sorry about the looooooooooooooooooong delay….see, I did update! J Thanks for all my reviewers!!!!

Thought for the Day:

Lettin' somebody ya love know ya love 'em isn't a bad thing, ya know.

Chapter Sixteen-

Dende and Azure made their way through a wall of cascading red and white flames, after a voice within the flaming portal harassed the Namekian, much to the blue dragon's amusement. Dende was then carried to an enormous amphitheater where he met the ancient dragon, Rainbow.

"Why have you come to our land, stranger?" Rainbow asked in a tired voice. Dende plopped down beside the dragon's head, which laid on his forepaws, and looked up into the clear blue sky.

"In my world, dragons are basically nonexistent and those that are, are trapped within the dragon balls, called upon only to make a wish. They are also only as strong as their Kami, or creator, but can raise the dead, recreate worlds…you know. I just wanted to see what the dragons here were like."

Rainbow rose up a bit. "You imprison dragons?!" Dende shook his head, still a picture of utter calm.

"No, no. In essence, we create them, or at least give them essence. There are only two that I know of, my dragon of Earth, Shenlong, and the dragon of my home planet, Porunga. There are probably others somewhere."

Before the ancient creature could speak, a dark shadow passed overhead, and a large pearly white dragon landed, patterns of lightning scattering over her scales.

"Moonwind, why have you come?" Rainbow demanded. "Did you not learn before that I do not wish to see your face, when Skysong's guardian was here?"

Moonwind growled. "Guardian," she spat. "Jail keeper is more like it. Why do you continue to allow these pathetic creatures to enter the Dragonlands?" Rainbow reared up with a strength that belied his fragile look.

"Do you question my judgment then, Moonwind?" Azure, who had been reclining nearby also rose up as if to protect the elder dragon. Moonwind flinched but turned her attention to Dende.

"You are not even anything that I have heard of," she sneered, eying the young god. Suddenly she lunged toward the Namek, who threw up his staff in surprise, shouting a phrase before he knew it. There was a flash, and a stone statue suddenly appeared where Moonwind had been. Seven stone spheres hovered before them. Azure, who had started forward, froze in surprise. Dende blinked then looked at Rainbow, who was equally surprise.

"Umm…"

"Is this…your dragon balls?" Rainbow asked after a moment. The Kami of Earth blushed purple.

"Yes," he said, eying the orbs. "I didn't mean t-"

Rainbow cut him off. "No, you had every right to defend yourself. Is it reversible?" Dende nodded and Rainbow lay down in his former position once more. "Then leave Moonwind, for now. Perhaps it will do her some good."

Dende nodded and settled back down with an understanding grin. Azure, unsure of what to do, also returned to his previous place.

~*~*~*~*~

Dende! Dende jumped in surprise when he heard Piccolo's voice shout in his mind, stopping in mid-sentence in his conversation with Rainbow. He scowled mentally.

What, Piccolo? I'm kinda busy.

I don't care what the hell you're doing. Gohan's hurt. Dende straightened visibly.

What?!

Some…spidren or something.

Oh. Don't worry, Duke Baird will take care of it. He'll be fine.

He better, or Earth will need a new Kami. You could have warned us. Dende sighed. A lot of people seemed to be threatening him lately. And he was completely innocent! Okay, well maybe not completely. But certainly no need for death threats.

Sorry, slipped my mind. Talk to ya later! With that, he cut off the communication, and smiled apologetically at the dragon. "Sorry. It's not easy being a god."

~*~*~*~*~

Piccolo growled, then looked at the two waiting demi-Saiyans.

"Dende said it will be all right. Don't worry about it for now." Goten nodded with obvious relief, but Trunks simply crossed his arms. Piccolo could see the relief in his eyes however, and smirked at the young prince's behavior. He was so much like Vegeta, that it was scary at times.

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Well, one more chapter up! Review!!!