"Are you sure you want to do this Krillin?" says Yamcha.
They stand before the golden circle below the swinging pendulum. Krillin adjusts the sash tied around his waist.
"I mean you and Chiaotzu practically just got back from who knows where, and, no offense, but your power level hasn't really increased at all since then."
Krillin steps into the circle.
"You're really going to do it? I mean I only just recently broke into the 1,000s, and I still can't beat them."
Krillin nods at Mr. Popo who nods in return.
Yamcha squints his eyes as a rainbow of colors flash up from the circle. Krillin's eyes close like he is falling asleep standing up. Yamcha waits for Krillin's body to fall over like he always does before he wakes up on the floor after being defeated.
He does not have to wait long for something to happen, but it is not what he expects.
Krillin's eyes slide open and blink a couple times.
"Wow. That bad, huh?" says Yamcha. "Sorry you didn't last longer."
Krillin's lips crawl up into a smile. He gives an emphatic thumbs up.
"Actually, I won," he says.
"No way! How?"
"New technique."
Krillin eases into a proud stance.
"Holy crap that's awesome! You'll have to show it to me."
"For sure. Still needs some work but man is it a doozy."
"Well done Krillin," says Mr. Popo. "I think that about wraps up training for today. Both of you enjoy the rest of your evening."
The next morning Yamcha, Krillin, Tien, and Chiaotzu gather around Kami and Mr. Popo. Bulma, with her shoulder length hair blowing in the wind, stands nearby next to Puar.
"You have all done splendidly," says Kami. "Throughout your lives, I have watched you grow into the wonderful people you are today. At that time, I had no way of knowing you all would become such significant parts of my own. And now, here you stand before me. You exceeded the highest potential I thought possible. There is nothing left for me to teach you. I am so proud and fortunate to have been your guardian.
"I don't know when the Saiyans will arrive, but I know it will be soon. I suggest you take what time we have left to rest and enjoy yourselves. I know we face a great danger, but I am confident you will succeed. Good luck to each of you."
His pupils place one fist against an open palm and bow their heads. They all speak in unison.
"Thank you."
They turn to walk away.
"I can't believe it's been nearly eleven months," says Krillin. "It feels like a dream."
"Right?" says Yamcha. "I never even trained this hard for the World Martial Arts Tournaments. What's the first thing we should do when we get back?"
"Well I think we should go to the amusement park in West City," says Bulma.
"Hey that sounds fun," says Yamcha. "I need to chow down on some corn dogs and funnel cakes."
"Count me in," says Krillin.
"And what about you two?" says Bulma.
She looks at Tien and Chiaotzu.
"I don't think so," says Tien. "Chiaotzu and I are going to use every moment we have left to train."
"Ah come on," says Bulma. "You two deserve a little fun for once. You're always so serious. Relax already would you. Chiaotzu, I know you want to go to an amusement park."
Chiaotzu's eyes widen as the corners of his lips rise to meet them.
"Can we Tien? Just this once," he says.
"Yeah Tien, just this once," says Bulma.
She clasps her hands together under her chin and pouts her eyes. Her bottom lip sticks out and quivers.
All three of Tien's eyes roll in their sockets.
"Alright," he says.
A big smile reveals his teeth as Chiaotzu does a couple joyful jumps.
"Woohoo," says Bulma.
She speaks fast as she rummages in her pocket.
"And we can go to the beach and the park and watch the sunset."
She throws a capsule. The cargo plane they have been flying around in poofs into existence, and they board it.
###
Korin starts at a clatter on his roof. He sticks his head out over the railing and looks up.
"What's going on up there?"
Bulma's head pops into view.
"We're going to have some fun so get everybody up here."
Korin stares for a second before a chuckle overtakes him.
"I think my students could use that."
"And you too. You need to get out more often."
"I think I will. Yajirobe. Chichi. Gohan. Come on. It's time for some relaxation."
"You don't have to tell me twice," says Yajirobe. "I need a change of scenery."
"Well if we're done training, I'd like Gohan to get back to his studies."
"Oh mom. How can I worry about school at a time like this?" says Gohan.
"I suppose you're right. Let's pack up and go."
The impulse to ask Mr. Piccolo to join them bounces up Gohan's throat before his teacher's long absence reminds him he cannot.
They get everyone on board and swing down to the ground to pick up Upa before departing for West City.
###
The sounds of running rides and cheerful laughter abound in the amusement park.
"Here you go Yamcha," says Bulma.
She holds two ice cream cones. He reaches for one, but she slips it by his hand and taps him on the nose with the cold dessert. The sudden chill surprises him. Bulma smiles with her tongue poking out. Yamcha laughs and wipes his nose with a thumb.
###
"Step right up. Step right up. Prove your strength by ringing the bell."
A giant man points to the top of the tower of his carnival game. Krillin, Chiaotzu, and Gohan walk by his stand. He grins and picks up a huge wooden mallet.
Looks like I've got a couple of midgets who got something to prove. This'll be easy money.
"Do you strapping young men want to give my game a try. Top prize is 10,000 zeni. You gentlemen could buy your lady friends something real nice for that kind of money. All you got to do is ring the bell.
"And usually I don't do this, but I'm a big softy for children. I'll cut you a deal. Instead of my usual 500 zeni entry fee, I'll charge you all 400 apiece if the kid plays. What do you say?"
Hey Krillin.
Krillin shoots a glance at Chiaotzu.
This guy thinks he can rip us off.
Krillin nods his head and turns to the man.
"Sure, why not," he says.
He hands the man the money who then drops the mallet into his hands. The dense wood causes his arms to sink until the mallet head touches the ground.
"Woah, this thing sure is heavy," says Krillin.
"Yes," says the man. "It's made from a rare wood. It's incredibly dense."
"Really? What's it called," says Krillin as he squats to improve his grasp on the handle.
"Oh, uh, you've probably never heard of it. There aren't many trees of its kind left."
"Right. Well here I go."
Krillin hefts the hammer onto his shoulder with wobbly legs.
I can't believe he can lift it, thinks the man. Oh well. I've tested my machine perfectly and just dropping the mallet and using gravity will only get him about half way up.
He crosses his arms and watches Krillin waddle up to the lever he must strike.
"Here goes," says Krillin.
He gives a slight shrug of his shoulder to pop up the hammer and smashes it down on the lever. The puck inside the tower races off and almost immediately rings the bell. The stall owner's jaw drops faster than the puck on its return path.
"How … how did …"
Krillin holds the mallet out to Chiaotzu with a straight arm like it weighs nothing. Chiaotzu grabs hold and wastes no time ringing the bell.
The man's jaw nearly dislocates in shock. Before he can reset it, Gohan eagerly takes the hammer, brings it over his head from behind his back, and sends the puck rocketing into the bell.
The game runner drops to his knees. His hands pull at his hair.
"This must be some kind of trick," he says. "You three cheated somehow!"
"The only cheater here is you," says Krillin. He takes the mallet from Gohan and swings it against the cement. The wood cracks and crumbles away. Metal glistens from beneath the false coating.
"I think you owe everyone you've scammed their money back."
The man screams in agony as a crowd begins to form.
###
At a food eating contest, Yajirobe and the Ox King devour plate after plate of food. Eggs and bacon, pancakes and sausage, steak and asparagus, pork chops and mashed potatoes, a whole apple pie with ice cream on top. The crowd stares as the plates pile up one after another only to start a second stack. Each of their opponents drops out with aching stomachs, but Yajirobe and the Ox King press on.
They both finish their current plate and demand the next one.
"Uh sorry guys," says the announcer conducting the competition. "You kind of ate all our food. We don't have any more to determine a winner, so … I guess it's a draw."
They look at one another and smile. Then they grab their bellies as painful convulsions grip their guts. Korin and Chichi help escort them off the stage and over to the nearest trash cans. They pat their backs while they hurl up the exorbitant amount of food.
###
Puar and Upa compete at a ring tossing game hoping to land them on the thin necks of glass bottles. They trade wins back and forth while Tien struggles to carry the growing collection of stuffed animal prizes. They eventually burst from his hands all over the ground. Puar swims amongst the puddle of plush while Upa laughs.
###
The roar of surging ocean waves rolls over the beach.
"Looking good boys," says Bulma.
She waves from a lounging chair beside a sand volleyball court. She wears a light blue bikini. Chichi sits next to her in a purple one piece.
Yamcha, Krillin and Gohan face off against Tien, Chiaotzu, and Yajirobe. They laugh with every bump, set, and spike. They dive and jump to keep the ball in play without bothering to keep score.
Yamcha lifts Gohan on his shoulders as Krillin bounces the ball up to the top of the net. Gohan swats the ball to the far corner of the opposing side for an unreturnable shot.
"Way to go little guy," says Yamcha.
"That's my boy," says Chichi.
Gohan giggles as Yamcha takes him on a celebratory lap.
"Hello ladies."
Bulma turns her head and finds herself staring into the crotch of a red speedo. It belongs to a blonde man with long hair. Two hands from another man grab her shoulders from behind and massage them.
"I bet you girls are looking to be treated right tonight," says the second man behind her.
She grits her teeth and sneers over her shoulder. A huge man with brown curly hair gives her a slimy smile.
A third man steps over Chichi's legs and puts his hands behind his head. His pectorals begin a flexing dance. Several more men in red speedos congregate around them.
"So how about it?" says the man with bouncing chest muscles. "Ditch these losers and come hang with us."
Bulma and Chichi share a glance.
Bulma's fist uppercuts the man behind her while her elbow jabs the crotch of the man beside her.
Chichi rises so fast, her womanizer does not even see the slap that sends him face first into the sand.
"You bitches are going to regret that," says the blonde. He hunches over with his hands between his legs. "Get 'em boys."
All of the men charge them. Bulma and Chichi grin.
Every single one of the men eats sand in a matter of seconds as Yamcha and the others blitz them from their game. Bulma hangs her arms around him and kisses him.
"Sorry if you boys thought you owned this beach," she says, "but our men are the sexiest things alive. There is no comparison."
The men scamper away nursing their bruised bodies and egos.
The group then moves down to the ocean to play in the water. Yamcha and Bulma start a splash fight while Gohan and Puar build an elaborate sandcastle on the shore. Upa and Chiaotzu collect seashells.
Chichi and Tien watch the others as the waves roll over their feet. They look at one another, smile, and return their attention to the action.
###
The smell of grilled meat and vegetables fills the backyard of Capsule Corp estate. Smoke rises as the Ox King and Dr. Brief flip various meats over the fires of several grills. Their juices drop on the coals and carry the delicious aroma with them into the air.
Everyone else plays yard and board games while waiting to eat. Gohan whoops them all in a word game. Bulma outsmarts the rest in a trivia game. Yamcha dominates a beanbag throwing game. Krillin lucks his way through a dice game.
"Looks like you guys are having a good time."
Everyone stops cold at the sudden words arising in their minds, everyone except for Chichi and Gohan.
"Hey Dad! How's it going?" says Gohan smiling to the sky.
"Is that really Goku?" says Krillin. "Or have I just lost my mind?"
He looks at Chichi who smiles and nods as her finger finishes wiping away a tear.
"I'm doing good," says Goku. "I've gotten a lot stronger and can't wait to see you all again. I can tell you've all improved a lot too. Your growth is amazing. Especially you Gohan."
Gohan grins.
" I really wish I could be there with you guys, but I can't talk for long."
"It's okay Goku," says Bulma. It's just nice to hear from you."
"Yeah man," says Yamcha. "Sounds like you've been doing some killer training. I can't wait to have a sparring match with you when you get back."
"That sounds awesome," says Goku. "I'll be seeing you all soon enough. Take care of yourselves until I get back. Bye!"
"Bye Dad!"
"I miss you Goku. Come home soon," says Chichi.
"You bet. Love you all."
His presence fades from their minds.
###
The Dragon Team stands outside the front doors to Capsule Corp. The sun sets behind the cityscape. Tien, Chiaotzu, Korin, and Upa are apart from the rest of the group.
"Are you sure you guys have to leave?" says Bulma.
"I'm afraid I must," says Korin. "I need to watch over my tower."
"Yeah, and I really need to get home too," says Upa. "It's been great seeing you all again."
"Chichi, Yajirobe," says Korin. "Do either of you wish to return?"
"I'm going to spend some family time with my son. But thank you for everything Master Korin."
Chichi bows.
"Yeah. I'm staying on the ground too. If this is going to be my last few weeks alive, I want to spend them eating everything on my bucket list."
Silence.
Yajirobe looks around almost wondering if everyone somehow disappeared. Nervous glances bounce about never landing on anyone else's face.
Bulma marches upon him with an angry expression. She punches a fist into the top of his head.
"Ow! What the hell was that for?"
"Yajirobe! You idiot! We're going to beat the Saiyans. So no more stupid talk."
"Okay, okay. Geez."
He rubs his head.
Tien clears his throat.
"Chiaotzu and I will be leaving too. We want to keep training for the Saiyans in the wilderness," says Tien.
"We had a great time," says Chiaotzu. "Thanks for inviting us."
He looks down at his feet.
Yamcha watches as the fragile morale built up from the day droops with everyone's hanging heads.
"Right on you guys!" he says. "I'll do the same, and we'll beat them good."
He gives a big smile but nobody returns one. Krillin finally looks up and gives a quick, halfhearted affirmation to break the silence.
"It'll be nice when all of this is finally behind us," says Bulma. "You all take care of yourselves until then."
The four wave goodbye and leave. Upa drives Korin in a hovercar while Tien and Chiaotzu blast off into the sky.
"Well I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready for bed," Bulma says.
"Yeah me too," says Krillin.
Bulma looks over the group.
"Follow me," she says. "I'll show you where you can all sleep tonight."
Bulma leads Yamcha, Puar, Krillin, the Ox King, Chichi, Gohan, and Yajirobe to a big room. They each get a sleeping bag and find a spot for themselves. Bulma stays with them as they all nod off one by one with the fading light through the window.
Gohan wakes up in the middle of the night and hurries over to the bathroom. While returning to his sleeping bag, he hears a sharp tapping at the window. He walks over to it rubbing his eyes.
A long scraping noise makes him drop his balled fists and look. As he blinks away the last of the blurry vision, he jumps back. Piccolo floats outside the window with his fingernail on the glass. Gohan moves slowly to open it a crack.
"What are you doing here Mr. Piccolo?"
"We've still got training to do. Or did you forget about the Saiyans while you were messing around today?"
"I didn't forget. It just feels like we've done all we can. Everyone was so happy today for once. It was nice."
"Well if you want it to stay that way, then we need to leave tonight for more training."
"Leave? Tonight! But I thought I could spend the rest of our time with my mom?"
"When the Saiyans get here, they're going to target the strongest people on the planet. You're one of them now. Do you really want to be around your mother then?"
Gohan looks over his shoulder to where Chichi sleeps. Her relaxed chin hangs open just a little. He looks back at Piccolo's grouchy face.
"If I defeat the Saiyans, will everything go back to normal afterwards? I can go back to being a regular kid?"
Piccolo nods.
Gohan sighs. He pushes the window all the way open and hops onto the ledge. He looks back at everyone in the room as Piccolo grabs him by the waist. He watches the building get smaller as they fly off into the night.
Author's Note 01/23/21: I can't believe almost a year and a half ago I started writing this fanfic by posting the first seven chapters. Originally, they were just a self contained story because I had no idea if I would actually go on to write any more. But here we are with over six times as many chapters because of all the support you have given me. Your encouraging words and desire to read more of what I have to write has kept me going strong. And we have finally reached the climax those first few chapters alluded to. Next time on Dragon Ball Ki, Fated Arrival!