Disclaimer: Toei Animation, Bird Studios/Shueisha, Akira Toriyama, and FUNimation own all three Dragon Ball Series. If I owned them, which I don't, I'd be rich, which I'm not, and you'd be watching this fan fiction on TV, not reading it on a computer. Now, onto this story already!
AN: The Japanese word Senpai translated into English is "Elder".
Chapter 5: The Old Kaioushin
Goku stopped swinging the Zed Sword and turned to Kibito, his brow covered in sweat. "Kibito, how's about I test the sword's strength?"
"What do you mean? I assure you, the Zed Sword is of the most durable material—"
"That sounds like a fine idea," interrupted Higashi. "Try slicing this." He raised his palm and a block of a black metal appeared. "This is Katchin-Alloy, the hardest substance in the universe. You ready Goku?"
Goku nodded. "Go ahead Higashi-sama." Higashi swung his arm, hurling the block at Goku. Goku set his feet and swung the blade hard. A clash of metal was heard, followed by a crack sound and a shout of 'Oops!'
"Oops?" Mimicked Higashi. "What happened Goku?"
The alloy fell to the ground denting it soundly, along with half of the Zed Sword.
Kibito and Higashi both gasped loudly, their eyes bulging out of their faces.
Higashi stared at the broken blade. "That's impossible!"
Kibito's eyes were locked on the half of the blade Goku held. "The Zed sword can't be broken! The wielder of the Zed sword is said to become the most powerful being in the universe!"
Goku shrugged as he dropped the end of the sword. "I guess that legend isn't true then. Or maybe it is true, I do feel a lot stronger after training with it."
"Strong?" A short laugh was heard. "I've seen better."
Goku, Higashi and Kibito all turned at the sound of this new voice and beheld a being most odd. This being was garbed exactly as Higashi, and his features were the same, down to the purple skin. The only major difference was the evidence of age on this being's form, his face riddled with wrinkles.
The being grinned, flashing his one, scraggly tooth.
"Who are you?" Asked Kibito.
"Him there," said the elder as he pointed to Higashi, "And I are the same, Kaioushin of the East." He laughed."Well I was the Kaioushin of the East, fifteen generations ago."
"Fifteen!" Yelled Kibito. "Are you serious!"
"Yup. You can call me Senpai Higashi." The old one looked at Goku standing near the broken blade. "It took a mortal to free me? How pathetic."
Higashi looked down ashamedly. "We didn't know you were trapped in the sword sir…"
"Bah," spat the elderly Kaioushin. "Hundreds of years trapped in that sword, thanks to that accursed Dai Daun."
"Who?"
"You don't know of Dai Daun?" He shook his head. "It's probably best that way. He was a fallen Kaioushin, corrupted by greed for power."
"An evil Kaioushin? I've never heard of such a thing! Tell me more sir."
"If you wish. Well you see, it all started back when I was Kaioushin of the East…"
Flashback
Two beings sat beside each other in the grass, a slight breeze swaying the small blades of green.
Dai Roppou looked up at the sky. "It's a most beautiful day, don't you think so Uesuto?"
Uesuto nodded. "You're right sir."
Just then, another came into view. This oneseemed rather depressed, his withered purple face frowning.
Dai Roppou watched the newcomer with a puzzled look. "Higashi? Is that you?"
The wizened purple being nodded and said, "A witch got hold of my Potara earring and well…" He looked over himself. "This happened." Dai Roppou and Uesuto looked at each other, then at Higashi. "Go ahead…"
The two of them burst of laughing.
Two more walked over, and were dressed exactly as the others, varying only in clothing and earring color.
"What's so funny?" Asked one of the newcomers.
Uesuto looked at them. "Higashi got himself fused with a witch!"
The two newcomers broke into laughter, falling over and rolling around in the soft grass.
Trying to change the subject… "Where's Daun?" Asked Higashi.
The other newcomer slowly sat up and shook his head, slowly recovering from his laughter fit. "Haven't seen him in a good while. What about you Minami?"
The other newcomer sat up as well. "Same here Kita. What about you Uesuto?"
Uesuto shook his head too. "No, I haven't. Where could he be?"
Just then,a strange sound filled the air.
"Whatin Kaioushin Kai is that noise?" Asked Kita.
Asteaming ray of black energy shot down from the sky, the clouds forced apart by its power.
"AHH!" Bellowed Uesuto as the blast struck his skull, incinerating it utterly. The body fell over, decapitated, blood oozing out of the neck.
The four remaining Kaioushin turned to the sky and beheld what none wanted to believe.
He floated over them, his vibrant red hair, black earrings, and clothing swaying gently in the breeze.
"What treason in this!" Roared Minami. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
He slowly descended to the ground, his left hand encased in a dark aura, his right hand gripping the hilt of a sword.
He grinned. "The Zed Sword." He looked down at the sword. "It truly is a magnificent weapon you know."
"Don't you care that you just killed a fellow Kaioushin!" Yelled Kita.
"I wasn't aiming for him!" Roared the malevolent one. "I was aiming for…" He pointed the blade at Dai Roppou.
"Me?" Asked Dai Roppou. "But why?"
"Dai Daun is a most appropriate name for me," said he, "It has a ring to it." He smiled at his blade. "You know, there have always been six Kaioushin, North, South, East, West, Up, And Down, one for each universal direction. The Kaioushin of the Down is meant to be the second to the Kaioushin of the Up. But should he falter or become deceased, the Kaioushin of the Down automatically becomes Dai Kaioushin."
Dai Roppou stared at his second. "You lust for power… But what has tainted you? What could have brought one so just down a path so dark?"
"Fool!" Daun slashed at the air with his blade, a great wind forcing the other four Kaioushin back. "I've been Kaioushin of the Down since you were in diapers on Heaven! That damned Dai Ijoufu overlooked me and gave you his power! I should've been his apprentice, not you!"
Kita stepped forward. "Perhaps this is why the infinitely wise Dai Ijoufu chose Dai Roppou and not you. Perhaps he saw something no one else could see."
"And what would that be Kaioushin of the North?"
Kita glared at Daun. "Perhaps he saw in you all the qualities of a Mei Kami."
Daun grinned. "A Dark God? Perhaps you are on to something there Kita!" He charged the Kaioushin of the North, who quickly unsheathed his blade and rushed at the Kaioushin of the Down.
The two warriors sprinted towards the other, both wielding swords. They were on each other in moments, and the clash of metal boomed as they collided. The two stood at a stalemate for a while then Daun pulled his sword back. Kita quickly thrust his sword forth, burring it in Daun's chest.
Blood ran down his chest in thick trails as Daun grinned. Daun thrust his sword forward with all his might. The sword plunged into Kita's rib cage, and blood gushed from his wound. He gasped loudly, and blood poured out of his mouth.
Daun scowled, blood still running down his chest from his deep flesh wound. He pivoted and pushed forward, plungingthe bladedeeper, and eventually forced it out of Kita's back. He lifted his foot and pressed it to the Kaioushin of the North's chest and pushed with all the strength he could muster. Kita fell back, his sword tearing at Daun's chest as it came out, further injuring the wound.
Kita fell backward onto the ground, the sword buried in his torso. Daun grasped the hilt and yanked the sword from the body, blood squirting out of the deep wound.
Daun turned from the decimated body and turned to face his former peers.
He fell to his knees, blood pouring out him, knowing he would die soon from the loss of so much blood.
Dai Roppou felt hot tears run down his cheek. "Stop this madness Daun!"
Daun pressed the tip of his blade against the ground and used it as a crutch, and pulled himself to his feet. He tottered to the side a little before gaining some balance, and looked at Dai Roppou.
"It only ends when you die," spat Daun. With that, he lunged at Dai Roppou, blade bared and ready to strike.
Dai Roppou looked on in horror and drew back as Daun swung his sword.
Minami stepped in and swung his leg in return.
The leg caught Daun off guard, knocking him a few feet back onto the ground. The Kaioushin of the Down dropped the sword, as his body struck the grass of the meadow.
The Kaioushin of the South looked at Daun in disgust.
Daun weakly lifted his head, the loss of blood really wearing him down. He slowly climbed to his feet, and stood there, breathing in heavy gasps, the pain stealing breath from him.
"You are not fit to be Dai Kaioushin," Minami paused then added, "Nor will you ever be."
Daun roared out. "I will show you who's worthy!" A dark aura consumed him as he lunged at Minami.
Dai Roppou fell to his knees and wept as he watched Daun plunge the sword into Minami's arm, which had snapped to the defensive.
Dai Roppou sighed deeply and wiped his tears. "My brothers spilling each other's blood…"
The sword ripped through his forearm, blood splattering on his chest and face. The Kaioushin of the South, not one to be beaten so easily, pulled his free arm back and swung it with all his might, connecting with Daun's jaw.
"This must stop now!"
Daun's head snapped to the side so quickly that a light snapping sound was heard, and was sent sailing across the meadow. His body slammed rather forcefully into a tree, making a pretty sickening thud sound. The body remained there, held up by an imprint of his body in the tree, which was a deep enough groove in the wall that he could actually stay there.
"Please, don't kill him Minami."
Minami turned to Dai Roppou. "But if I don't, he will most assuredly kill you."
Dai Roppou sighed again. "He is just a lost soul."
Minami growled. "Sir, will all due respect, life as a guardian must have lost all purpose or meaning for him. He doesn't deserve to stay here with us."
Higashi nodded. "I don't think that there's much Daun can do at this point to alter the path he's taken."
Minami lowered his shoulders. "I'm sad to say it, but Daun is a failure as a Kaioushin."
Dai Roppou turned away from them. "You speak nonsense! Daun is my brother!" He lowered his head."He would not...he could not... he has not betrayed me this way!"
"Open your eyes Dai Roppou," said Minami softly. "He killed Uesuto. And Kita's in pretty bad shape over there. He's no longer your brother."
Dai Roppou lowered his head, more tears running down his chubby cheeks.
"You will not kill him," whispered Dai Roppou. He turned around slowly, his eyes now pupil less and glowing white. "But I will rid us of him." He raised both hands and recited some words in an ancient, non-understandable tongue.
A vortex appeared and slowly began to suck Daun in.
"No…" Sputtered Daun, who slowly flew up towards the hole in the sky. "I'll not go… without… one… last… curse!" He flung his sword at Higashi and the tip of the blade stopped just before him.
Daun was sucked into the vortex, just as Higashi was inhaled into the blade.
End Flashback
Higashi looked down and shook his head.
Senpai sighed. "But he's gone now, I saw Dai Roppou banish him." He turned to Higashi. "That aside… Why is there a mortal on Kaioushin Kai! And where are the other Kaioushin!"
Higashi took a deep breath. "Sir…We're the only two Kaioushin left, I'm afraid. They were all murdered."
Senpai's demeanor saddened, his hearted weighted by this new news. "What happened?"
"A wizard named Bibidi created a monster he named Majin Buu, and thismonster wiped the other four Kaioushin out. But after it absorbed Dai Roppou the beast became docile, and Bibidi took the creature far away, thinking it had killed all the Kaioushin. Kibito and I followed Bibidi to Goku's planet…Earth I believe, and we destroyed the wizard after he locked his demon within an egg."
"Why didn't you destroy the egg?"
"We were afraid that trying to destroy the egg would release the monster… But Bibidi had a son we didn't know about… and he freed it. But for some reason, the demon is much stronger now than it ever was."
The four suddenly felt an enormous ki.
"Whoa!" Shouted Goku. "What was that? It was… so powerful… But it felt so disgusting…"
"That's Daun's ki… Its darker now… But I'd recognize it anywhere," said Senpai slowly.
"I'm afraid you're mistaken sir, that's Majin Buu," said Higashi.
"What do you mean? How can you sense the same creature and call it a different being!" Senpai's eyes went wide at what he just said.
"What is it sir?" Asked Higashi.
He turned to Kibito and Higashi. "There's only one way you and I could sense the same creature and call it two different things...your demon and Daun have become… one." Higashi and Kibito snapped to face Senpai, gasping loudly. "And triple this Saiyajin wouldn't be enough to stop that monster!" Roared Senpai.
"But we have to try," said Goku. "I can't just sit here anymore! I know that that monster is out there killing millions of innocent people, and I can't let it get away with that!"
"You are a noble being," said Senpai, "But very foolish. The demon would destroy you without effort." He sighed. "It seems all is lost..."
But slowly, after a few moments of silence, a grin slowly crept onto the old man's face.
Higashi brightened. "Do you have a plan sir?"
Senpai's grin widened. "I need you to bring me a warrior near, or even equal this Saiyajin in strength." He turned to Goku. "Do you know of a warrior just as strong as you?"
Goku thought about it. "Well, my son is pretty strong. Hmm…" He furrowed his brow. "Vegeta is strong too, and his son is a lot stronger after he came back to our time from the past." He folded his arms. "But then again there's Piccolo, Krillin, Tien, and Yamcha, they're pretty strong too…"
"Time travel?" Senpai grinned. "Even better!" But his face soured when another thought hit him. "But we don't have the time to test all of your friends to see which is strongest!" Senpai shook his head. "Goku, I need you to choose between your friends."
"Choose whose the strongest between them?" Goku shrugged. "I don't know."
"No, no," snapped Senpai. "Who you think would be most willing to fuse with you permanently!"
Goku shrunk back. "Jeez, no need to yell…"
Senpai sighed. "Now, which one?"
"Hmm…" Thought Goku aloud. "Well, Vegeta wouldn't do it, I know that much. I don't think Chi-Chi or Bulma would like the idea of their son permanently fused with me… And I seriously doubt any of the guys would want to be part of me forever…" He nodded. "We should ask them and see who agrees."
Senpai sighed. "I can't believe this…Fine. Go to Earth, find the right one, and bring him back here."
"But sir, Goku isn't alive," Higashi pointed out.
Senpai became silent.
"Sir?"
"There is nothing I can do but give you my life," said Senpai to Goku.
"What do you mean?"
Without warning, Senpai dropped to the ground.
Goku looked in surprise. "What just happened?" Goku's halo faded. "I'm alive? But what's going on here?"
Senpai slowly sat up, a halo now sitting atop his head.
"I've given you the breath of life," explained Senpai. "Now, go."
Goku gave a sheepish grin. "I don't know how to get home from here."
Senpai fell back down in shock. "Are you serious!"
Kibito stepped in. "I know how to reach his world, I still remember from the first battle with Buu, even though it was some time ago."
Senpai nodded. "I suppose you'll have to go then. You, Higashi, you'll stay here with me, I have to talk to you about this plan of mine."
Higashi bowed. "I understand sir."
Senpai turned to Kibito. "Now take the mortal and you two go find the other person. Contact me before you return though."
Kibito nodded and put his hand on Goku's shoulder and the two dissipated.
---------------
Vegeta stood up from his seat, and headed for the door. "This is ridiculous! You fools just sitting here gabbing about nothing! I have better things to do."
"Vegeta—" Bulma started.
"Quiet woman," snapped Vegeta. "If you fools have any sense, you'll stop being so lazy and get to training. You never know when another pair of androids will show up." He started to walk out of the door, then his head snapped up, facing the sky.
The others looked on a little bewildered, until Krillin spoke up.
"Oh man," said Krillin softly. "It feels like… That's one enormous power…"
Gohan looked up at the sky and focused on that new power they were all sensing. He saw the world waver for a second, then felt a single tear run down his face.
Trunks looked over at his best friend. "What is it Gohan?"
"Dad. Dad's home!"
The entire room all turned to face Gohan in shock, some gasping, others just looking at him in awe.
Chi-Chi was the first to speak. "What do you mean Gohan…?"
"Didn't you hear me?" Gohan smiled. "Its dad!"
Vegeta cocked an eyebrow. "I think the brat's lost it."
Piccolo looked up at the night sky through a window. "No Vegeta, I think he's right."
"I think you're losing it too green bean." Vegeta turned and looked in the same direction the Namekian was. "How can Kakarot…" He trailed off mid-sentence.
Slowly, all the warriors in the group faced the direction in which Piccolo was looking, and each one had a different reaction, most just reacting in elation.
"It is him!" Shouted Krillin.
Yamcha smiled. "Goku's home!"
Vegeta growled as the whole group left the house and gathered outside on the beach, the night sky illuminated by the luminous moon.
And all patiently awaited the arrival of the one known to them all as Son Goku...
And there's Chapter 5 for you... hope you enjoyed it! Review please! Later.
