"Come on Vegeta! Or we're gonna be late for the ceremony!"
"Oh just relax Kakarott!" Vegeta shouted as he trailed behind with his arms behind his head.
"It's not like we know where this so-called Underworld Temple is anyways. So I don't see any reason why we should be rushing."
Vegeta stopped in his tracks and dropped himself heavily onto the lowly cut grass.
"Ahh… this feels good."
"Well I think we'll at least get a head-start if we ask King Yema about this place. What do you think? Huh Vegeta? Vegeta?"
Goku spun around frantically to see Vegeta somewhere far behind him dozing off on the ground.
"Ahhhh… Vegetaaaaa, this is no time to be relaxing."
Goku zoomed towards Vegeta's position in a panic.
"After all the Supreme Kai mentioned, you still don't seem to be taking this seriously… you…"
"You what Kakarott? You guys treat Shin like he's some sort of God or something. As far as I see, he's just another weakling who should bow before this mighty saiya-jin prince. Shin could kiss my…"
"Hey guys!"
"Uhh… Shin.. I mean Supreme Kai," Goku stummered.
"You're finally here."
"Yes and I came to take you guys to the ceremony."
Vegeta continued to lay there carefree as if separated from actual reality.
*Yawn*
"Umm Vegeta, aren't you coming?"
Vegeta deliberately ignored Shin's remarks and continued to dwindle in his own thoughts and sweet relaxation.
"Come on Supreme Kai, let's go," Goku suggested.
"We're leaving without him?'
"No we're teleporting with him whether he's lying down or standing up."
*****
"Let go of me Kakarott!"
"Shhhh, the ceremony has already started you guys."
"Hmmph!"
Vegeta puffed his face in anger and reluctantly respected the Kai's wishes.
Just garbage, Vegeta though himself as the sermon progressed and reached its peak. He fidgeted and tapped his feet restlessly, anxiously awaiting the ceremony to end.
"When are these dragons gonna appear anyways?" Vegeta roared with impatience.
Disrupted by the sudden outburst, everyone shifted their attention in annoyance. Simultaneously, the ceremony was obstructed by a loud outcry of snorts and angry whispers.
"What an outrage!" One of the council Kais hissed in disgust. "And he is supposed to be one of the Yttrium's protectors?!"
And as the objections grew more chaotic, no one even acknowledged the seven dragons descending one by one from the heavens. Each dragon emerged in a pyramid of fireworks, lights and colors. Colors so beautiful and so unreal, even the temple walls seemed to gasp in awe. Their presence illuminated the temple in a sea of clear light that stretched throughout and beyond the temple gates. And amongst the chorus of Ooos and Ahhs, their voices bellowed like trombones as they requested the bearer of the Yttrium to step forward.
"It's time," the Supreme Kai whispered before pushing Goku towards the altar.
"What am I supposed to do?" Goku questioned.
"Just move forward," the Supreme Kai urged.
Goku stepped up cautiously a bit intimidated by the beasts floating before him.
"Are you the Chose One?" the dragons inquired.
"Uh… yes I am."
"Step forward please."
Goku moved up a bit more until his feet rested firmly upon the altar steps. And in a rush of violent white light, each dragon surrounded his body, levitating him within a pillar of yellow light.
With eyes trembling in fear and anxiety, Goku surveyed the area glowing mistily around him.
"Where… where am I?"
"You are now within the ancient sanctuary of the seven dragons; a sanctuary beyond the reach of even the holiest of Kais. It is here you will receive the rarest and most precious of items in all of the universe; the Yttrium with all it's power and glory."
A beautiful young woman suddenly emerged from within the thick mist. She was surrounded by six male warriors covered in armor gleaming rich of gold. Her beauty and radiance was unlike anything Goku had ever seen before; so remarkable, so pure, almost unreal.
"Uhh… who… who are you?"
"I am the leader, the Queen of the seven dragons…"
"You're a dragon?" Goku cut in with curiosity.
"Yes, and these six warriors are my guardians and allies."
The young woman graced slowly forward and placed her hands upon Goku's shoulders.
"Wha… what are you doing?"
She leaned forward just a bit, just enough to crush Goku's lips against hers. And within that brief intimate moment, she softly pried open Goku's hands placing a cold metal orb within his grasp.
"Uhhh…"
"This is the Yttrium," she gently whispered. "Protect it and use it wisely."
And with the swiftness of a hurricane breeze, each of the dragons disappeared within a blinding flash of white light.
"Don't worry, I promise I will."
"Hey Goku! Goku!"
"Huh? Oh Supreme Kai, is that you?'
"Who else would it be Kakarott, are you already losing your mind?! Vegeta said harshly. "And what's with the red cheeks?"
Goku held his face in embarrassment as her realized he was still flushed from his recent encounter.
"She kissed me…"
"What are you babbling about this time Kakarott?!"
"I can't believe she kissed me." Goku whispered.
"Who kissed you Goku? And by the way, where did you disappear to?" the Supreme Kai questioned.
"I disappeared?"
"Yes you did Kakarott! And for an entire minute too."
"A minute?"
It seemed like it was much longer, Goku thought to himself.
"Did he receive the Yttrium?" the Kai's council intervened.
Goku opened up his both palms to reveal a glowing metallic orb about the size of a tennis ball. He turned his back to the altar and faced the Yttrium towards the crowd.
"Wow, it's beautiful," a few of the Kais whispered.
"So remarkable."
"So precious."
"Come on Goku, we need to secure the Yttrium as soon as possible," the Supreme Kai cautioned.
"Okay."
Wasting no more time, Shin teleported both Goku and Vegeta to a miniature shrine located on a tiny blue planet.
"Place the Yttrium with this glass chamber," the Supreme Kai ordered. "There it will stay until the festival."
"Are you sure about this Supreme Kai?' Goku asked.
"Don't you trust my judgment Goku?"
"I sure don't!" Vegeta grumbled under his breath.
"Okay, I'm gonna carry you guys back to King Kai's planet. There you will remain until further summoned.
"Hmph!" Vegeta fretted in disagreement.
"Is there a problem Vegeta?" the Supreme Kai asked.
"Actually there is!"
"Come on Vegeta, calm down," Goku suggested.
"No, I'm not going to calm down Kakarott! Who does he think he is ordering us around like that…"
And as the warriors continued to ramble their objections, little did they realize that lurking behind them with the shadows, was a presence which grieved for supremacy; a presence longing to grasp the true power of the rare treasure.
"Is everything ok Goku?"
"Huh? Uh yeah, everything is fine," Goku goofed.
What was that strange power I sensed? It felt so… so sinister…"Hey Kakarott, come on let's go!"
"Coming guys."
A bit worried about leaving the Yttrium behind, Goku reluctantly joined the others as they prepared to leave the planet.
Goku looked at the orb one last time before making his departure.
I hope u know what you're doing Supreme Kai.
Up next…
Chapter 3: The Plot