Chapter Three: The Untouchable Nimbus

The adventure continued. Then was dropped in favor of something more interesting to Kakarot. Bulma had no choice but to tag along. They rushed onward through a rocky mountain pass. Kakarot ran with the turtle on his back, while Bulma kept alongside him at a slow speed. For his part, Kakarot was annoyed that he could not outrace the bike upon which Bulma sat astride.

'I just hope we reach the sea soon.' he said. 'I'm starving.'

'You know,' said the Turtle, 'this is probably the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for me.'

'It's not as if we had anything better to do.' said Kakarot.

'Well I just wanted to thank you.' said the Turtle.

'Gosh, I think I'm going to cry.' said Bulma. 'Spare me, please. Just concentrate on where we're going so we can get there while we're still young!'

'Could you try leading a lifestyle which involves something other than whining?' asked Kakarot in irritation.

'Oh shut up Kakarot!' snapped Bulma, pulling to a halt. 'I'm going to check my map.' She drew it out of her motorcycles storage unit, and read it. 'Oh thank goodness! Only two more miles!'

'Excellent, it will be good to walk freely again.' said Kakarot.

'I can't wait to get back in the water.' said Turtle.

They three travelers continued onward. Their spirits lifted with the news of their imminent arrival.

Had they but known it, they were being observed. A massive anthropomorphic bear with a telescope peered out at them behind cover. He had orange fur, a red mohawk, and a scar on his right eye, which was pure white. His body was clad in armor, and at his side was a massive sword the size of three men. He licked his chops in anticipation.

'Looks like dinner is on the way.'

Even as the three of them neared him, he leaped out from behind the cliffs. 'Hold it right there!' he snarled with a laugh, towering over them. the girl cowered, as the boy looked up in bemusement. 'Oh yeah! Humans give me heartburn, but I love Turtles. So look, hand it over or your dead!'

Kakarot was silent.

'Kakarot,' said Bulma 'you heard him, give him the Turtle quick!'

Kakarot scoffed instead, and the Bear heard it.

'Well I guess a little heartburn never hurt anybody.' said the Bear in amusement. 'Have it your way, die if you want!'

'You idiot!' snapped Bulma. 'You're going to get us killed! Give it to him!'

'Yeah, I'm going, to be honest.' said Kakarot. 'I don't particularly care what either of you thinks.'

'Are you out of your freaking mind kid?!' asked Bulma.

'I like the Turtle better than you, and if I wasn't willing to let you get chomped, I'm not going to compromise on this.'

Even as they spoke the Bear drew his sword. 'You really should have...' he said as he readied it, drool coming from his mouth. Bulma panicked and drove away some distance in the opposite direction. Kakarot looked up to the Turtle.

'Get off me, I need to fight.'

At this moment the Bear brought the sword down doublehanded, and Kakarot leaped away. 'Yeah okay.' said the Turtle, as Kakarot threw him off.

'You think you're cute, don't you monkey boy.' said the bear. 'You should have saved your skin while you had the chance!' And he charged him.

With a flurry of blows, he assaulted Kakarot. Kakarot dodged and weaved around every strike. Then he bent his legs and leaping over the Bear's head to land. 'So, was some part of that display meant to make me feel threatened? Because I'm not feeling it.'

'You've got spunk kid, too bad you have to die!' snapped the bear as he turned around.

'Unlikely.' noted Kakarot as the Bear's sword descended. It passed through thin air, and Kakarot was nowhere to be found. The Bear looked up and saw he was standing on his sword.

'Hi.' said Kakarot.

What then ensued was one of the most brutal and violent takedowns in history. The exact details are too unpleasant to go into here. At the end of it the Bear was lying with his upper half mercifully out of sight. Kakarot stood triumphant by his prone form.

'Well, that was easy. I can't believe you were scared of this guy, Bulma.' he said.

'...Yeah, sure...' said Bulma in a terrified voice as Kakarot approached. 'Whatever you say, kid.'

'Are you unhurt?' asked Kakarot of the Turtle.

'Yes, I'm fine. Thanks to you.' said the Turtle.

'So some creatures think you are good to eat, huh?' asked Kakarot with a menacing smile.

'Oh my no! How disgusting! Turtle meat is tough and poisonous!' said the Turtle. 'You'd puke.'

'I thought as much.' said Kakarot as he picked up the Turtle. 'Some people will eat anything, but not me.'

And just like that, they were off through the last of the mountains. They traveled at a swift pace, until at last, they began to encounter palm trees and ferns. The ground became sandier, and they rushed onward their spirits lightening.

'There it is Kakarot!' said Bulma. 'I found it!'

Kakarot was struck dumb by the sight of the ocean. Or so he thought it was. The light gleamed off of its surface as its waves broke against the sandy beaches. Kakarot said nothing, unable to speak as he gazed on that which he had never seen before. It was a moment he would treasure forever. Some part of him would never leave this moment.

'Isn't it beautiful Kakarot?' asked Bulma.

'Yes,' said Kakarot, 'yes it is.' He had never in all his wildest dreams imagined that a place such as this had ever existed. The air was clear, and aside from a few birds, he could see nothing. Nothing save the sea. The sound of gulls was calling him, and he looked for them.

'I was starting to wonder if the sea was just part of my imagination.' said the Turtle. 'It's been so long. Thanks for bringing me back.'

'It wasn't much of a detour.' said Kakarot. 'Besides, it was fun killing that bear.'

'Well I'd better get going.' said the Turtle as he made his way into the water.

'Sure, have fun.' said Kakarot. 'You have a beautiful home, Turtle. It would be... nevermind.' He had been about to mention that it would be a shame if it were to fall into ruin, but that seemed a touch morbid.

'I would never have made it if it wasn't for you.' said the Turtle. 'Thank you.'

'Anytime.'

The Turtle made his way into the sea little by little, far faster than he had walked. Suddenly he turned around. 'Would you mind waiting here? I have a gift I'd like to bring you to repay you for all you've done for me.'

'A gift?' asked Kakarot, surprised.

'What kind of gift can a Turtle have, huh?' asked Bulma, though her voice was not unkind.

'You'll see, I'll be back soon.' said the Turtle, before making his way into the water.

'It's not a stupid shell is it?!' called Bulma as he faded into the distance. 'Hey, hang on!' she sighed. 'He's gone.'

At this point, Kakarot realized he was thirsty. He reached down cupped some of the water from the sea. 'What are you doing? I wouldn't do that if were-'

'Ick!' snarled Kakarot as he spat it out. 'This waters salty.'

'Yup.' said Bulma.

Emperor Pilaf dreamed that he sat atop a white horse, rearing beneath him. Initially, it was reluctant to serve him, but then it learned to accept him as its master. The people surrounded him and bowed.

'Hail Emperor Pilaf!' The cried 'Hail! Hail!' A crown was upon his head, and he made his way towards the Palace where he would live out his days in splendor and luxury. 'Make way for Emperor Pilaf, the Supreme Ruler of the world!'

And then he woke up, laughing. Then the door opened and Mai and Shu charged in, sweating. 'What? Did you get the dragonball?'

'Not exactly.' said Shu.

It's like this,' said Mai 'there was a slight problem with the information sire.'

'And?' asked Pilaf.

'It was bogus.' said Mai 'We were nearly killed by a huge pack of wolves!'

'And then we crashed sire!' complained Shu 'Some crazy kid, he kicked our plain! It was horrible-'

'Silence!' snapped Pilaf. 'I'm sick of your lame-brained excuses! Now get out of here and get that Dragonball if its the last thing you do! Understand!'

'Sire!' They saluted.

At that moment there was a phone call. Pilaf walked over to the phone and raised it to his ear. 'Hello?' There was a pause. 'What's that you say? Your kidding?! And where is it? I see, well done!' He turned around. 'Another Dragonball, we're in luck! An old hermit named Roshi has it and no ones even guarding it!'

'But... does he have any wolves?' asked Shu.

'No you dunderhead, he lives out in the middle of the sea! wolves don't go there!' said Pilaf.

'We'd better be careful.' said Mai. 'It could be another false alarm.'

'Nevermind that!' snapped Pilaf. 'Go get me that Dragonball!'

It was only once the two agents of Pilaf had reached the airplane that they realized that Pilaf was with them. 'Sire?' asked Mai in surprise. 'You've never come with us on a mission before.'

'You keep screwing up.' said Pilaf. 'I can't trust you two on your own anymore.'

The three of them leaped into the plane and opened the doors in the roof above. The Plane raised itself out of the tower, as Shu began to work the controls. 'Engaging thrusters.'

The plane zoomed onwards with great speed. 'Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. Please fasten your seatbelts and remain seated at all times.'

'Forget the seatbelts.' said Pilaf, whose face was pressed against the side of the glass. 'It's too narrow in here.'

'Yeah,' said Mai, 'it's a little stuffy.'

'Because theirs one too many in here.' said Shu.

'What did you say?' asked Pilaf.

'I said I read you loud and clear.' said Shu.

Bulma and Kakarot in the meantime we're still waiting for the turtle in a place where the sky wasn't orange. To pass the time, Bulma had begun making designs in the sand with a stick, while breathing the free air. 'Ah, I get so relaxed when I'm on the beach.' she said in a satisfied tone.

'I noticed. You haven't complained in quite some time.' said Kakarot.

Bulma let that one pass, looking up to the distance where she saw a shape approaching them. The shape looked like a man. 'Hey, what's that? Whatever it is its moving toward us.'

'Its the turtle,' said Kakarot, who had been making a sand castle. He'd created sculptures of little psychic fish people. They were having their species destroyed by five giant apes. In the Future. 'and it looks like he has someone on his back.'

'Wow,' said Bulma, 'it's like you have supervision or something. Pretty cool Kakarot.'

'What took you so long Turtle?' called Kakarot as they approached. 'I was beginning to think that I'd have to make a replica of the whole planet! Over here!'

'Doesn't he realized that they are the only ones on the beach?' asked the someone atop the Turtle.

'Ahoy there!' called the Turtle as they drew near. 'Sorry I kept you waiting. I had to get my Master.'

His 'Master' was an old man with red sunglasses and yellow shorts. His shirt was orange and buttoned up, and he carried a gnarled old staff in his hand. His beard was long and white as snow, and he was as bald as anyone could ever be. He looked at them with a curious countenance.

'Why hello there kids.'

'Hi, how is it going?' asked Bulma 'Welcome ashore. What a cool outfit.'

'Kids I wanted to thank you for helping my Turtle.' said Roshi.

'...I'm sorry, who are you?' asked Kakarot, having no idea what to think.

'I'm Roshi the Turtle Hermit!' proclaimed the Old Man as he stepped off the Turtles back.

'A Turtle hermit...' said Bulma, taken aback herself.

'Which one of these kids helped you?' asked Roshi.

'It's that little boy, there.' said the Turtle, and Roshi approached Kakarot.

'You are a brave little boy.' said Roshi 'I have a gift I'd like to give you as a token of my gratitude.'

'Hear that Kakarot?' asked Bulma.

Roshi turned away and walked over to the shore. Then, raising his staff skyward he called aloud. 'Come magic carpet!'

'Okay, what is a magic carpet?' asked Kakarot.

'It's a carpet you can sit on and fly anywhere you want.' explained Bulma.

'So... more Witchcraft?'

'...Sure, why not.' said Bulma. 'They're not real though. At least I don't think they are.'

Roshi had not moved, however, he seemed to be getting more than a little annoyed as time went on. The Turtle ambled up to him.

'Uh, Master, you took the Magic carpet to the cleaners.' said the Turtle.

'Hey that's right!' said Roshi 'You've got a good point there Turtle.'

'I knew it.' said Bulma 'They're not real.' She sounded more than a little disappointed.

'The other option,' said Roshi thoughtfully. 'is the flying nimbus. But am I really ready to part with it?' He seemed to come to a decision. 'Why not, if you can ride it it's yours!' Once more he raised his staff skyward. 'Come to me, flying nimbus!'

'He is... eccentric.' noted Kakarot.

'He's nuts more like.' said Bulma in irritation.

'Where is that cloud?' asked Roshi in irritation. For a moment more he stood there, and then in the distance, a small golden cloud flew over the horizon. It overshot them, then circled around to spiral downwards to rest near them. Kakarot and Bulma marveled at it in surprise and wonder. It was unlike anything they had ever seen before. 'Don't be afraid, she's as sweet as candy.'

Kakarot stared at it in surprise, walking around it with awe. 'It's amazing...' he said as he walked near to where he presumed its front was. 'Do you eat it or-'

'You don't eat it you little baboon!' snapped Roshi.

'What does this thing do?' asked Bulma.

'If you can manage to sit on this cloud it will fly you wherever you want.' said Roshi.

'There's got to be some kind of hitch.' said Bulma. 'You can't just be giving it away. Somethings wrong with it right?'

'There is nothing wrong with this cloud!' objected the Turtle Hermit in a scandalized tone.

'Can I try to ride it now?' asked Kakarot in annoyance.

'Sure.' said Roshi. 'But I must warn you, you must be pure of heart to ride this cloud?' Kakarot looked up at him in surprise. 'Yup, otherwise it won't let you on it. It's picky that way.'

'That is... interesting.' said Kakarot in the voice of one who is taking notes.

'Here,' said Roshi, 'let an old man show you how it's done.' And he leaped into the air to land upon the surface of the cloud. The surface admitted him downwards to crash into the sand and land flat on his back. Bulma then proceeded to laugh at the misfortune of an old man. One who had fallen in a manner which could break the hips of some elderly.

Kakarot found himself with a set of standards and Bulma didn't meet any of them.

'You must have done something naughty.' said Turtle.

'Be quiet.' said Roshi in annoyance.

'Let me try.' said Kakarot.

He leaped through the air and touched down upon the cloud. He felt as though he were being tested, that the entirety of his mind and being was being examined. That single instant seemed to freeze in time. He remembered with clarity the mission which had been ingrained deep into his mind. He recalled the message he had received, the last thing he had heard of his Father, and tried to recall it.

Really though, he knew what the result was going to be before his feet touched the cloud. He passed through it, and landed on one knee, feeling bitter as he did so. He had been tested, and he had failed. For the first time in years, Kakarot felt like crying.

Meanwhile, far above them Shu, Mai, and Pilaf made their way towards their destination. While the Ninja Dog acted as pilot, Mai gazed through a set of binoculars. She looked through, seeking the Island of the Turtle Hermit. As she did so, Shu hummed to himself an off-tune song.

'Shut up Shu, pay attention!' snapped Pilaf in irritation as he gazed through his own set of binoculars.

'Sorry sire.' said Shu. 'Is there any sign of the Island yet?'

'Negative.' said Mai.

As she spoke Pilaf turned his gaze and saw a small island with a Red Roofed Pink walled house in the center. There were a number of palm trees scattered around it. But otherwise little to make it unique beyond how small it was. Pilaf wondered how anyone could make a living out here. Then again, he was not called a hermit for nothing.

'There it is.' he said. 'Take us down Shu.'

'Right away sire.' said Shu.

They landed with a spiraling descent and came to a rest upon the beach. Mai, Pilaf, and Shu leaped out of the ship and made landfall. 'Wow,' said Mai 'nice house for a turtle hermit.'

'Yeah,' said Shu. 'I wonder if he's hiring.'

'You imbecile, let's get on with it.' said Pilaf. 'Get that Dragonball and don't you dare screw up!'

'Sir!' they both replied.

There was a long pause as nobody moved. Pilaf decided now was the time to take action. 'Now follow me.' Never before had there been such a spirited charge upon the screen door to an empty house. Nor ever would there be in centuries. Said charge came to an abrupt halt with Pilaf as he stopped by the door and proceeded to knock.

'Telegram!' he proclaimed. 'Telegram is anybody home!'

Mai and Shu wondered if it was possible to resign their posts during a mission. Probably not. There was no reply. 'Good,' said Pilaf, satisfied. 'the place is empty.'

There was a long, long silence as they wondered how to proceed.

'I've got a great idea!' said Shu. 'Let's just break in!'

'Break in?' asked Pilaf with a smile. 'I like your style Shu, but when you are in the presence of a brilliant mind there is seldom need for brute force.' Then he removed what appeared to be a pocketknife, only with many keylike segments. 'My universal key is just the thing for this job. We could smash right in, but hey, that's just not the way I operate.' And he fitted the key into the door. After a few moments, it clicked. 'There!' He then took hold of the knob and attempted to turn it. It would not turn. He hauled on it and tried to open it but it failed. Even setting his legs against the door frame did not allow him to open it.

'Look Emperor!' said Shu from within the house. 'This window was open the whole time!'

'I'll open the door.' said Mai 'Wait.'

Pilaf sighed.

Meanwhile, Kakarot was in the foulest mood he'd ever been in. And, since he had never been taught to hold his tongue, he decided to inflict it on everyone else.

'We waited over an hour for this?!' he roared. 'It's about as useful as any other cloud I could see in the sky with less effort!'

And he drew his power pole and brought it down in a move that would have shattered the spine of any normal creature. Unfortunately, the flying Nimbus did not have a spine. Or any bones for that matter and was, in fact, unharmed. It looked more than a little smug about this fact.

'Hey, don't take your own personal impurities out on the Flying Nimbus!' said the Turtle Hermit. 'It's not its fault you aren't pure of heart. Truth be told very few people are.'

'Truly?!' asked Kakarot with false wonder. 'Then why in HFIL did you bring a gift which ninety percent of this miserable world would be incapable of using?'

'Well to be fair,' said Roshi, noting the Turtle withdrawing into its shell. 'your actions indicated you might be pure of heart. Actually, it took me some years of rigorous training to become pure of heart myself. So I wouldn't get too down on yourself.'

'Well I'm pure of heart.' said Bulma.

'...No,' said Kakarot, 'no you are not.'

'Oh come on Kakarot, I'm probably the purest person you know.' said Bulma.

'A fact which leaves no end of omnicidal thoughts in my mind.' said Kakarot. 'You're incredibly selfish. And you imprison the souls of musicians and lovers within glass boxes. That automatically disqualifies you.'

'That's just television Kakarot!' snapped Bulma.

'A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.'

Bulma paused. '...While I would agree that I am a beautiful flower, how do you even know quotes like that? when you've spent your whole life in the mountains, kid?

'My Master had me read a lot of books.' said Kakarot 'I loathed it, but I learned much.'

'And you never learned about television?'

'Why would a Martial Arts master know anything about Witchcraft?'

'I'm not a Witch!' shouted Bulma at the top of her lungs. 'And I'm also pure of heart.'

'If that is your belief then by all means jump.' said Kakarot dismissively. 'I'll be here, watching.'

Bulma bent her knees and leaped forward, onto the Nimbus Cloud. Said Nimbus cloud promptly allowed her to pass through and land with a crash on the sand, face down. Kakarot laughed hysterically, doubling over from the pain of it as Bulma fumed. Roshi merely observed.

'Well it looks like I still have a Nimbus Cloud.' said Roshi with a sigh. 'Not sure what I'll do with it.'

'This is all very wonderful.' said Kakarot, bad mood returning. 'However, it's getting late. We've already wasted a little more time than we were comfortable with getting here. not to mention waiting for your arrival. So I think we had better get going before we encounter any more wastes of time-'

'Hey, what about me?' broke in Bulma, rising quickly 'Aren't you going to give me a gift too?'

'Speak of the devil and she shall appear!' snapped Kakarot, before walking off muttering to himself. Roshi watched him go with an unreadable expression.

'That kid has a foul temper.' he said 'Still, I remember when I first tried to ride the flying nimbus. Maybe with some training...' He decided to attend to the matter at hand and turned to the Turtle. 'What do you say? Did this young lady help you as well?'

'Uh... no, just the boy.' said Mr. Turtle.

'Hey!' snapped Bulma. 'What about the seawater I gave you!'

'I think I'm going to side with Turtle on this one.' said Roshi 'But I could be persuaded to change my mind, for instance, if you would allow me to... nevermind, your underaged. Let me think for a moment.' He turned around and began musing to himself. 'I could give her the... no not that, the wheels fell off. What about the-'

And then Bulma saw it. A Dragonball hanging around the Turtle Hermits neck. It had three stars on it. 'Nevermind!' she said quickly as she surged forward. 'I want that!'

Roshi picked up the Dragonball. 'This old thing? I found it on my island washed up some time ago. You sure?'

'Yes, absolutely!' said Bulma, marveling at it. 'Hey, Kakarot, I've got something to cheer you up! It's another Dragonball!'

'A Dragon what?' asked Roshi in surprise.

Kakarot approached her, surprised and looked at it. '...It really is.'

'Our fourth Dragonball.' said Bulma in satisfaction.

'Excellent.' said Kakarot 'I am pleased to see that we managed to gain something of value from the Turtle Hermit. Perhaps in our business in these parts we have not thus not altogether wasted our time.'

'You were right if it's any consolation. And now just three more, and wish time.'

'What?' said Roshi. 'That thing grants wishes?'

'Thank you.' said Bulma 'We really love our gifts. You're a kindhearted and generous man!'

'I never said you could have the ball!' snapped Roshi.

'But you said you were going to give me a gift.' pleaded Bulma. 'Aw come on.'

'Very well you've convinced me.' said Roshi. 'I probably wasn't going to use it anyway.'

Bulma cheered and leaped for joy as Kakarot watched in something resembling irritation. When she had finished, Kakarot and Bulma leaped back on their motorbike and drove off. As Roshi made his way slowly on Turtleback towards home, he sighed. 'Man these kids today, I'll tell you. I was lucky to get out of there with my staff and sandles.'

Upon the Turtle Hermits Island, a Crocodile was soaking in the sun. It was administering sunblock to itself. This random event aside, however, Pilaf, Mai, and Shu were busy ransacking the place.

'This is disgusting, ugh!' snapped Mai as she looked into the fridge out of desperation.

'Darn it, where is that Dragonball!' snapped Pilaf.

'It's not up here sire!' said Shu as he rushed down the stairs.

'Or down here.' said Pilaf.

'It's not in the kitchen, Emperor.' said Mai. 'It's possible that someone may have tipped him off.'

'Hang on.' said Pilaf as he rushed outside and approached the sunbathing crocodile. 'Hey there, nice day isn't it?' The Crocodile roused itself before a knife was pressed to his throat.

'You'd better tell me what I want to know, or I'll make a green handbag out of you.' said Pilaf.

'Okay!' said the Crocodile.

'Where did Roshi, the Turtle Hermit go?!' asked Pilaf.

'Master Roshi?' asked the Crocodile. 'He's right there!' And he motioned with one claw.

Pilaf turned and saw, swimming towards them, a Turtle. And on it was the Turtle Hermit. 'Shu, Mai!' He called and moved to stand behind his approaching bodyguards. 'Keep me covered.'

Roshi leaped off the Turtle, staff in hand. 'I don't think we've met. Hi.'

'Hi!' said Pilaf from behind Mai, whose gun was out beside Shu who had his sword in hand. 'Now hand it over, the Dragonball.'

'The ball?' asked Roshi.

'Yeah, you heard the man.' said Mai. 'Now hand it over.'

'Dragonball. Oh, I remember. I just gave it to that pretty girl on the beach.'

'Are you kidding?' asked Pilaf.

'Seriously.' said Roshi. 'She wouldn't leave me alone until I gave it to her. She was nuts about that ball because of some crazy wish.'

Mai and Shu glanced at each other in horror and surprise. Pilaf shouldered forward. 'I want to know where that girl is.'

'I don't know.' said Roshi. 'But I just said goodbye to her by the-'

'She couldn't have gotten too far.' said Pilaf 'Come on!'

The three of them rushed back into the plane, and Pilaf took the pilot side. 'Activating amphibious transformation now!' He pressed a button, and the plane changed shape and size to become a submarine. A submarine which was on the shore. 'Hey there, would you mind giving us a little push?'

'Anything to get you off my island you little blue dwarf.' stated Roshi in annoyance as he walked forward to stand behind the plane. With a mischevious smile he slammed a hole in the hull with his stick, then shoved it forward. 'Alright your clear to go! Enjoy the bottom of the sea.'

'Thank you.' said Pilaf as they shot away, unsuspecting.

'Those three deserve the hole I put in their hull.' he muttered. 'Shame about the nice plane though.'

Pilaf, meanwhile, was complaining about how they were going too slow. He didn't notice the rising water level in their sub.

The House disappeared in a poof of smoke which sent Kakarot falling backward. Bulma had a laugh at his expense from where she stood, newly dressed in a yellow tank top with green lining. Her hair had been tied into a red braid, and she watched as he stood with amusement.

'Warn me when you are about to do that.' said Kakarot.

'Fine, fine,' said Bulma 'Its a shame we don't have that Flying Nimbus.'

'Who cares, it probably wasn't faster than a motorcycle anyway.' said Kakarot, still bitter.

Authors note:

Sorry, it took so long for me to edit this chapter. My older work is a lot harder to fix than my newer ones. With luck things will get faster.