Chapter 29: Dragonball Hunting

Part 4: Venom Stop

"Katie, what is it?" Ariel asked. I fell to my knees as I looked at the Dragonball, and I released my Water A-SSJ form in the process. It was the 4-star ball, Goku's Dragonball.

"Its Goku's Dragonball. I found it, Goku! Look!" I said, showing it to the sky and still crying. I didn't know why I was crying.

"Goku was one of your friends that died?"

"Yes. His family sort of uses this Dragonball as their symbol."

"Katie, do you want to play some more?" Tyde asked, looking closer to the Dragonball and me.

"No Tyde, I think I'll go lay down for a while."

So I went below deck, took a shower and changed into some normal clothes. I went to the bed in my room and just lay there, staring at the ceiling as tears fell down my cheeks.

Oh Goku, I miss you so much. Why didn't I miss you so much the other times you were gone? I guess that's because I knew you'd be back, no problem. You took after me like a dad, and you were a great cousin. And as Kakorot… you weren't Goku anymore, but you were still good to me.

Cell, I miss you even more. I still hope I can save your soul, but it may only be a wishful thinking. I took you for granted because I thought I could never lose you, since you were dead already.

And then there's Affray. Who exactly was he? I know he was my younger brother, but was he even born when I left the planet? Was he ever real?

Why can't I stop thinking of Goku and Cell? Everything I do reminds me of them. Even using the bathroom reminds me of Cell, but I guess when our first real conversation revolved around toilet paper, who could blame me. Every time I eat I think of Goku, and every dream I have has the two of them in it.

That next day I broke and went for another swim with Tyde. I dived in and the first thing we did was play underwater tag with the dolphins. Sam and Ariel use a mini-sub and watched.

"Katie, why can I talk to you but not the other people?"

"I'm just different than them."

"Why don't they play with us? Do they know how to play tag?"

"Yes, they think its fun, but they can't breathe underwater like we can."

"Why not?" Tyde asked, doing another roll.

"They just can't, silly! You're it!" I tagged her and swam away. She started chasing me again and didn't ask anymore questions as we played. When the sun started to set I got out of the water.

"Katie, we decided while you were playing with Tyde that we're going to move out here and protect Tyde. All it would take is one fisherman to decide he was tired of Green Eyes and then she'd be the next day's special."

"That's great. Oh, I didn't pay you yet, did I?"

"That's okay, you don't have to pay us. You've helped a lot."

"I insist. Besides, how are you going to move out here without a house? This'll help at least." I got out my checkbook and started filling out the check for 10,000 Zenie.

"Thank you, Katie." Sam said as I handed him the check.

"No problem, just promise me you'll protect her."

"Can do." Sam said as we shook hands.

"So, when are you going after the next Dragonball?" Ariel asked.

"In the morning, though I have plenty of time, I guess, but the sooner the better."

So after another night on the Sea Searcher I got my stuff and said bye to Tyde.

"So, where you want off at?" Ariel asked.

"That's okay, I'll fly from here." I took out the Dragon Radar and saw that another Dragonball was to the west.

"What do you mean by that?" Sam asked.

"Another ability of mine. I'll come back to visit you guys. Wait till Goku hears about this!" I kicked off and started to hover above the boat.

"Good luck, Katie. Hope you find all the Dragonballs soon!"

"Thanks, bye!"

A few weeks later and I now have 5 Dragonballs, and I'm on the trail of the next one. All that's left are the 1-star and 6-star balls.

Now that I was in a desert, and I thought of Yamcha again. He was the Desert Bandit, after all. He helped me a lot, though it was rough at first. Turns out he was jealous of me. I was kind of flattered and shocked. I didn't think he would, or anyone for that matter, could be jealous of me. But I've done a lot of growing up since then.

The best thing about the desert is having a Humvee to drive through it. Another capsule in my set. Air conditioner, CD player, and a great speaker system make desert traveling bearable.

So with my pack in the seat next to me, and the sun high above me I drove through the desert, following the Radar to the next Dragonball.

Soon enough the radar showed that I was right on top of the Dragonball. I stopped the car and got out, looking around. I followed the radar and there was a large hole, and the radar pointed to it. Against logic I went on into the large hole, only realizing after I crawled in what it was.

"Oh, that was smart! Who do I think I am, the Crocodile Hunter?" It was a rattle snake lair. But as long as the snake was gone, I'd be fine.

Soon I saw something shiny down the tunnel, and using my Sayjin eyes I saw that it was the 1-star ball.

But then my Sayjin hearing picked up the distinct sound of a rattle. I froze, and looking closer I saw that the snake was coiled around the Dragonball.

"Oh, God Dammit!" I said. And I rarely cuss and say God's name in vain, so you know it was a bad situation.

I got a little closer, and the snake rattled again. I quietly moved my hand out towards the Dragonball, tension building as I moved stiffly. I got my hand on the Dragonball and the snake lunged.

My reflexes weren't fast enough in the small space and I felt the pinch and sting of venomous fangs piercing my skin. I screamed, but the snake only slithered away, further into its den.

I packed away the Dragonball and made my way out of the den. In the sunlight I saw the two distinct fang marks in my hand, blood and venom oozing out. I was fighting the urge to lick my wound as I held my hand. Another Sayjin thing.

"Well that rules out a dry bite, but hopefully not too much venom got in." I got to the car and took out the first aide capsule, which was closer to a field medic set than only first aide. I took some alcohol and cleaned the bite, and did that sting like hell. Then I bandaged my hand and up my arm to slow down the blood flow.

I then got out the map. The nearest hospital was miles away, so I'd have to teleport. This self-discovery/Dragonball hunt was supposed to be teleport-free, but if my life was in danger I guess it'd be okay, right?

I packed up my car into its capsule and put everything in my pack, then teleported to the hospital. I hid the Dragonballs in my suitcase capsule before I left.

I walked into the hospital and immediately got hold of a doctor. He noticed my hand and came right over. He was a younger doctor, looked like he hadn't been out of school long, but long enough to have some experience.

"What is it?"

"Rattle Snake bite, happened about ten minutes ago."

"Come with me." I followed him and he led me to one of the beds in the emergency room. The room was mostly quiet, unlike what the TV shows always portray.

"Stay calm and be still." He said, then left for a moment. He returned with a nurse after a moment.

I was starting to feel the venom in my system. My hand was burning and so was everything else.

"You have to stay awake, is that clear?"

"Yeah, I'll stay awake." Though that was easier said than done. I was already getting drowsy, and focusing on anything was hard.

I had no idea what was happening, but I felt another pinch in my hand. Then the doctor asked me questions.

"What's your name?"

"Katie Briefs."

"I'm Dr. Sydney. Do you have any family nearby?"

"No."

"Any one we can contact?"

"No." I didn't want anyone to worry, I'd be fine soon enough. Sayjins heal fast.

"Any ID?"

"Everything's in my bag."

"What kind of Rattle Snake was it?"

"I'm not sure, it was pretty big, though." My vision started getting fuzzy then.

"Okay, okay. Nurse, get some blankets. She going out on us." Then he turned back to me; "We just gave you some sedatives. You'll be okay." Then nothing.

I woke up feeling much better then when I fell asleep. The doctor was still there. We were in a private room and he was acting like he was waiting on me only.

"Your awake, that's good."

"How long was I asleep?"

"Only a few hours. It's dark out now, though, so you better get some more rest. We'll do the paper work in the morning."

"That's okay, we can do it now."

"If you're sure. That amount of venom would have killed anyone else. You're a pretty strong girl, you're lucky."

"Yeah, so I'm told." I sighed.

"These are just some routine questions. Where were you when the snake bit you?"

"In the Bear Desert."

"The Bear Desert? But that 100 miles out of town. How'd you get here so fast?"

"Is that routine as well?"

"No, but when you got here you said the snake had bitten you ten minutes beforehand. And you did pretty well giving yourself first aide."

"I'm not as normal as you think. I have many unique abilities."

"Except for warding away snakes."

"Yeah. Alright, I'll explain everything. I was out treasure hunting and the artifact I was looking for was in this large hole. Only after I was inside it did I realize it was a Rattlesnake den. I found my relic, but then the snake found me. I put away the relic and crawled out of the den to my car and administered first aide, then I teleported here."

"You can teleport? Well, I've seen weirder things happen. I don't doubt that if what the rest of what you're saying is true, and it seems like it is. Except we did find any relic in you bag."

"It's in a capsule. I was hiding it, just in case. Can't be too careful."

"Alright, well, its seems like that's it. You'll have to stay overnight for observation, but if everything's okay you'll be released after lunch tomorrow."

"I'll warn you right now, I'm a big eater. My whole family is. We can't go to most restaurants because we've been kicked out for eating so much."

"Alright, I'll warn the kitchen staff. Now get some rest and I'll see you in the morning."

Then he left and I looked around the room. My bag was right across the room, and I was hooked up to an IV and heart monitor.

I got up and carefully got my bag and I checked it. I was still woozy from the medication. Everything was in place. I went on and checked the Radar, but it was busted.

Great, now what do I do? I can't find the Dragonballs without the radar? Maybe I can fix it myself. Bulma did teach me everything she knows.

I was released and I rented a hotel. For a while all I did was stare at the phone. I was debating about calling the others, but in the end I decided not to. I had heard that no news is good news, so I'd wait.

I'll wait until I have the last Dragonball. Then I'll contact the others so they can meet with Goku.

And maybe Cell…

I worked on the radar for 6 hours, but I finally fixed it. I ordered room service and ate a good meal and then went to bed. I'd be back on the hunt tomorrow.