Chapter Fifty Eight: Korin Tower

They had stopped for the night to discuss things. After several days of travel, Bulma, Kakarot and Chi Chi had halted inside a secluded wood and were sitting around a fire talking, the plame behind them lying dormant. The shadows were growing longer, as were their worries. There had been some odd behavior on their dragon radar today.

'I'm really worried guys,' said Chi Chi 'why would Yamcha separate the dragonballs after getting them?'

'He might have had one stolen.' said Kakarot. 'I doubt he'd get one and then leave without it. It's more likely that the Red Ribbon Army stole one and fled from him.'

'But then why isn't Yamcha following them?' asked Bulma. 'You think maybe he got hurt.'

'He might have gone on a risky mission,' said Chi Chi 'and split the dragonballs with Puar.'

'Well whatever it is we can ask him when we find him.' said Kakarot 'Let's head for Korin first. That place is nearer to our path. Once we get there we'll figure out who has the dragonball there, and see if we can find out where Yamcha went.'

Suddenly a shadow was cast over them from a nearby hill. They looked up to see a figure shrouded in shadow, but wearing a black trenchcoat that flowed in the wind. Kakarot and Chi Chi arose and took stances as thet came forward.

'Oh I doubt you'll have time for that.' said the man.

At last he came within the light of the fire. Kakarot and Bulma laughed,

'Oh, it's only Silver.' said Bulma in relief.

'What?' asked Kakarot 'Was General White busy?'

'Grr…' growled Silver in frustration.

'Look, no offense,' said Bulma as she came forward. 'but we've faced people a hell of a lot more dangerous than you by now and you really aren't very threatening. So how about you hop on that jet and scram-'

And then Silver surged forward with superhuman speed. His fist struck Bulma in the gut and she doubled over with a gasp. Then her eyes closed as she slumped to the ground, stunned.

'Bulma!' cried Chi Chi, rushing forward.

Then Hasky surged in from nowhere and dropkicked Chi Chi into a nearby tree. Kakarot turned to face her, but a glow appeared in Silver's palm as Bulma fell down. 'Mint Blaster!'

'What!' said Kakarot. 'How did he-

A ball of light surged towards Kakarot, and he narrowly leaped over it. As he did, Silver appeared above him. Kakarot turned around and their arms clashed in a flurry of strikes, before Kakarot landed on the ground and Silver landed before him.

'It's hard, isn't it?' asked Silver 'Facing the next stage of human evolution!'

'Stage this!' said Kakarot 'KaaameeehaaameeeHAAA!'

'Mint FLASHER!' roared Silver.

A yellow wave of light shot from Silver's hand to meet the kamehameha wave. There was a terrific explosion which blasted the surrounding trees to bits. Then it faded and both were standing. But Silver was on one knee. Hasky landed by him.

'You all right Silver?' she asked.

'Fine,' said Silver 'he's well practiced with that technique.'

'Two on one?' mused Kakarot 'I guess I'll have to take this seriously.' He began to haul off the weights on his arms.

'Launch, what are you doing?!' asked Chi Chi from where she was getting up slowly.

Launch raised her hand. 'The name's Hasky.' A ball of light hit Chi Chi and slammed her against the wall.

'Chi Chi!' roared Kakarot.

He surged forward towards them. He engaged them in a flurry of blows, and dealt a punch to Hasky's gut, before almost getting Silver in the face. But Silver struck him in the side and sent him reeling, and Hasky surged after him to drop kick him into a tree. The two officers leaped over him and summoned energy above him. Yellow and blue light flowed from their hands as Kakarot summoned energy of his own.

There was a brilliant flash of light that illuminated the whole of the forest.

Five minutes later the unconscious Kakarot and Bulma were loaded while bound onto the jet. Silver raised a communicator to his face, wincing at some of his bruises. 'This is Silver to base. We've got the subjects and we're transporting them back now.'

'Excellent work Silver.' said Gero 'As always you prove you can be relied upon.'

'Just make sure you have my money for me, old man.' said Launch.

'Of course.' said Gero.

People went about their daily business in the bazaar. A pair of children were drawing with chalk on the ground while a rabbit scratched its ears next to them. A man led three camels laiden with goods out through the street. Meanwhile a mother and her child were looking at a poster.

'Mommy what is it?' asked the child 'What is it? What does it say?'

'It says that it is the twentieth anniversary campaign of… oh dear. Oh no a killer!'

Tao ignored the woman. She would not be a client, unless he had gravely misjudged her. His concern was with getting back to his motel. Of course he sensed the two men tailing him, they were utterly pedestrian in their methods and he doubted they would be any threat. In fact the guns he could hear bumping at their sides made him certain.

'That's Tao.' said a man. 'Now's your chance. Do it!'

Tao did not look back as he heard the man raise his gun. However he did kick a sandal into the air. There was a bang as the sandal went over his shoulder. The bullet hit the sandal and was sent spinning back to land just beneath Tao's foot as he slipped it on again.

With any luck the fool would take the hint. Tao disliked having to dirty his hands when he wasn't being paid. Returning to his motel, he paid no heed to the footman's cowering, save to acknowledge that everything was as it should be.

It had better be.

'Welcome back sir.' said the manager. 'The refreshments are in the room and your bath is being drawn.'

'Excellent,' said Tao, not sparing him a glance.

To his dissatisfaction, however, the bath was not hot enough for his tastes. He supposed most hotels did not include features to boil water in their baths. Most humans would die, but Tao needed it to relax. Still it was a simple matter to fix.

Putting his hand into the water he channeled his power. Heat surged through the water and it began to boil. Steam emerged from it like a hot spring. Perfect.

Picking up the egg he had set aside he sat down in the bath, set the timer and brought it beneath the surface. 'Boil five minutes… then crack and serve.'

Five minutes elapsed.

He broke the egg shell on his face, utterly shattering it so that all the shell fell away into the water. Then he began to eat. He greatly enjoyed eggs.

It was at the beginning of the next morning Yamcha saw the top. It looked kind of like a flying saucer planted at the top of the pillar. As he scaled higher he could see several portals in the bottom of the saucer which he might be able to get through. His every inch was aching, but now he was eager to keep going upwards.

With a glance downwards he realized he could see the earth far below. Why? He hadn't been able to before. A cloud of mist must have arisen to block his view before. Yes, that made sense. A howling wind shot past him, blowing his hair around him.

'Wow,' he said 'I'd better not stop.' He kept climbing upwards. 'Almost… almost there…'

Every inch seemed a mile. Every minute seemed an eternity. Sweat drenched his brow as he inched closer and closer to the entrance. Just a little further now… Just a little further… He was now right under one of the holes, but he'd have to pull away from the pillar. Reaching out with one hand he grabbed the edge of the portal. Pulling himself up, he began to scale up.

Only a bit further. He just needed to not screw it up and fall to his death at the last minute.

That sacred water was his!

He pulled himself upwards out of what seemed to be a cauldron at the center of a blue floored room. As he tried to pull himself up he slipped and fell backward. Even so he kept his grip and finally hoisted himself over the side.

He was here. He had won.

Instantly he fell against the side of the cauldron and began to breath in exhaustion. It was over. He was just going to sit here for a few minutes and relax. God he was sore, his muscles were burning and his body was stiff.

Gradually he began to take in his surroundings. There was a purple bed with a green box on top of it in front of him. On the far wall was a bathtub. Beneath a round window on the yellow wall were three jars. There was also a lime green screen near the bath tub. Though a door he could see a balcony leading up to a stair that circled around the wall. There was a glass sphere hanging from the ceiling, and somewhere he could heard wind chimes playing. He wasn't sure where.

'Okay,' said Yamcha 'I'm here. So where is the guardian? And the water. Please tell me there isn't going to be another test.'

He made his way over to one of the three jars. Removing the top from the center one he saw a perfect image of his own face. He was young still, handsome, with short dark hair. Then he saw a ripple in the water, growing greater and greater in size. Suddenly he saw Master Roshi. Yet he was not at the Turtle Hermit's house, but in a cell. The old man was sitting with his head bowed. What was he doing there?

The view changed and he saw Bulma and Kakarot lying unconscious while bound. Launch and Silver were piloting the vehicle they were trapped in. It changed again and he saw Chi Chi heading on the Nimbus, bruised and battered. What were these visions?

The wind chimes intensified, and then fell away. Yamcha felt as though what he had seen had been very real. Yet now he saw nothing but his own reflection.

He moved to the left jar and took it off.

It was a train car and he saw himself robbing it. He and Puar were marching through the halls with heavy weapons in their hands and people were cowering around him. Some of their expressions reminded him of Upa and he felt a twinge of guilt. The guards had already been overpowered and now came the loot. Yamcha threw open the door to one car and pointed his gun through.

'Alright this is a holdup! Hand over… your…' Yamcha trailed off.

Suddenly he realized that he was looking into a room with the Crane Hermit, Mercenary Tao, and Tien Shinhan sitting quite peaceably. Yamcha had always made a point of researching the top martial artists so he didn't end up fighting someone he couldn't handle. He was looking at two of them right now.

'Yes?' asked Mercenary Tao. 'Hand over what?'

'Nevermind,' said Yamcha 'there appears to have been some mistake. I'll rob the next car.'

'You do that.' said Tao.

Yamcha shut the door and pressed on. Tao looked to the Crane Hermit, who was smiling in amusement. 'Smart kid.' said Tao. The water faded away and was gone.

Yamcha leaned back. He'd never been nearer to death then, and he'd have died as a bandit. Just some common footpad, not better than Silver or White. Tao could have killed him in seconds, but he hadn't. It was a strange thing to think about. He wasn't at all sure what it meant.

That had been a vision from his past. Did that mean that the middle jar was a vision of the present? And did that make the third jar the future?

Making his way over to the jar, his hand hovered over the top. For a long moment he stood there. Did he even want to see what was beneath the cover? Would he see what would be? Or what might be? If what he saw was that Tao killed him and Puar would there be any changing it? He shuddered and then he turned away.

He'd make his own future. He didn't need a wishing well to give him gray hairs early.

'Well, you've got more self control than most.' said a voice. 'Most people can't help but look at past present and future.'

Yamcha took a stance. 'Who are you?'

'I can barely hear you.' said the voice 'Here, come on up!'

Yamcha found his eyes drawn to the doorway. Making his way out of it he scaled up the stairs. As he did so the wind howled in the distance. He wondered what the sacred water would look like and who it was who was speaking to him. Probably the guardian.

At the top of the stairs was a terrace. And at the center of that terrace was an altar. And on that altar there was a black jar. Yet no sign of the guardian.

'Where are you?' asked Yamcha.

'Well alright,' said the voice 'it's about time you joined the party.'

'Party?' asked Yamcha 'What are you talking about?' He looked around and couldn't see him.

'Shake the blindness off babe,' said the voice 'I'm right here!'

Yamcha turned around and saw a portly cat. It was standing there with a hooked wooden staff propped over one arm. He… really should have been expecting that.

'Your younger than most who come up here.' said the cat. 'Enjoyed your climb?'

'Look,' said Yamcha 'I'm on a table here. So can you point me in the direction of the sacred water, or do I have to look for it myself?'

'Come closer.' said Korin.

Yamcha growled, but complied. 'My name is Yamcha, I'm here for the sacred water. I need it and fast.'

'Like I haven't heard that one before.' scoffed the cat 'Lesson 1: Nothing worthwhile comes fast.'

'So who are you?' asked Yamcha.

'Korin,' said the cat 'keeper of the tower.'

'So do you have the sacred water or not?' asked Yamcha.

'Of course.' said Korin. 'We're surrounded by sacred water. Every drop on this planet.' And he started laughing.

'Okay, I've just climbed all the way up here after having the crap kicked out of me by Mercenary Tao.' said Yamcha 'And he's probably coming back as we speak to murder my friends. Which means I'm in a real rush and don't have time for games.

So I'm gonna make this real simple: I'm going to ask you that again and if you dodge the question I'm going to Wolf Fang Fist you into next week.

Do you have the sacred water?'

'Relax kid,' said Korin, motioning with his staff to the flask. 'it's right over there.'

'Thank you.' said Yamcha.

'But I'm not giving it to you.'

'Are you serious?!' roared Yamcha 'Are you telling me you made me climb all the way up this place for nothing?!'

'I didn't make you do anything.' said Korin 'Water is just one source of strength. The real question is what you would do with it.'

Great, another test. 'I would use it to protect innocent people.' said Yamcha.

'That's a noble statement for a bandit.' noted Korin sarcastically.

'What was the point of letting all those people fall to their deaths if you weren't going to actually give it to the winner!' snapped Yamcha.

'Eh,' said Korin, turning away. 'ask me again when you're older.' He sighed. 'Look kid, no hard feelings. It's just not your time.'

'I don't care what you think!' roared Yamcha 'I climbed the tower, and if I don't get that water more of my friends are going to die!' He paused. 'Wait a minute, why am I having this conversation? Tao's probably almost here by now. I don't have time for this.' And he turned to walk towards the sacred water.'

'Are you certain the sacred water is what you need?' asked Korin.

'Shove it.' said Yamcha.

'You feel free to give that a try.' said Korin in an amused tone.

Yamcha reached for the water, and abruptly had his legs knocked out from under him. He arose and suddenly found Korin between him and the sacred water. He'd never even seen him move! Obviously taking the water from him by force wouldn't be easy.

'If you're done falling all over yourself, maybe we can continue.' said Korin. 'Why do you want more strength?'

'Didn't I already tell you that?' asked Yamcha 'Tao wants me dead, and he's already killed someone to get me. And he's trying to get the dragonballs for the Red Ribbon Army and no one wants them to make a wish on the eternal-'

'Yeah, all right!' said Korin 'Easy on the speech, okay! You're hard on the ears!'

'You just asked me to explain why I want more strength!' snapped Yamcha.

'Just lock your jaw for a minute, would ya.' said Korin.

There was dead silence as the cat looked at him carefully. It stretched on and on into eternity as Yamcha shifted nervously.

'You have to defeat Tao the mercenary and retrieve your dragonballs,' said Korin 'and collect the other ones so you can wish Upa's father back to life. Is that the gist of it?'

'Yeah, that's what I've said.' said Yamcha. 'Wait, how do you know about Upa?'

'I read minds.' said Korin. 'But don't worry kid, I only skimmed you.'

'Can I please get the sacred water now?' asked Yamcha.

'Go ahead and grab it.' said Korin.

Yamcha turned to the water and reached for it.

'How does it look up there?' asked Korin.

Yamcha ignored him. He didn't have time for this. His fingers began to close around the flask. Then Korin surged forward and knocked him away with his staff. Yamcha rolled across the room and got to his feet quickly.

'You said I could have the sacred water!' snapped Yamcha.

'If that's what I said, then don't mind me,' said Korin 'have all you want.'

Yamcha hesitated. He tensed, before relaxing and turning away. Then he whirled round and surged towards the sacred water at top speed, only to be promptly kicked in the face by Korin. He landed on his feet and faced the guardian down.

'What is your problem?!' snapped Yamcha.

'You can drink the sacred water.' said Korin 'If you can get around me.'

'Fine,' said Yamcha 'let's do this. Wolf, Fang- Oh my god what's that over there!' He pointed behind Korin. Korin followed his gaze, and Yamcha took his chance to be smacked in the face by Korin's staff.

This time he landed on his back.

'Not that this isn't any fun,' said Korin 'but before you play the game maybe you should read the directions.'

'Easy for you to say!' snapped Yamcha 'None of the legends said I had to take the water from the guardian after climbing a tower about a million miles tall!'

Korin hooked the flask with his staff and brought it down to lean on it. Then he began to wave it in front of him. 'Come on, it's right here! Keep your eyes on the prize!'

Yamcha saw red and lunged. Yet Korin leaped away easily, and he had to pursue. Thus it went, as the two dodged and weaved. Korin effortlessly outmenuevered him at every turn, moving with absolute ease to avoid his attempts to get the bottle.

'I understand if you want to give up.' said Korin 'No hard feelings.'

Yamcha pursued all the harder and soon they were leaping through the air and running in circles as he tried to get the bottle from him. Then suddenly Korin loosed the flask from his staff and it fell to the ground.

'Uh oh…' said Korin.

Seeing his chance Yamcha surged down toward it. Yet Korin snatched it away with lightning speed and Yamcha collided face first with the floor. He got up and went after Korin again. Yet then Korin started doing tricks, balancing the flask on his staff while weaving past him.

He was making a complete fool of Yamcha!

No, no he had to think. He had to find some way to trap Korin in one place.

'Lesson number 2:' said Korin 'you can't retrieve what your mind can't conceive, get it? All you're doing is reacting to me. Learn to anticipate your opponents actions.'

'…Okay,' said Yamcha. 'kaameehaaameeehaa!'

And he used his own energy wave to propel himself towards Korin at breakneck speed. Korin moved away and Yamcha realized suddenly that he may have miscalculated. This was confirmed when he crashed headfirst into a pillar and fell to the ground.

'That must have hurt.' said Korin.

It didn't get any better from there.

Dark stormclouds began to gather overhead as the chase went on. And no matter how Yamcha tried he could not get the flask. Korin didn't even seem winded, while he was becoming more and more exhausted. Lightning flashed around them as his mocking laughter rang throughout the night.

Eventually Yamcha ended up just lying on his back, gasping for breath while Korin stood unaffected over him. Staff in hand and flask safely hooked over it.

'You can't be that tired.' said the cat 'Come on! We're just getting started!'

'Tell me this,' said Yamcha as he sat up. 'has anyone actually ever managed to get the sacred water from you after climbing the tower?'

'Yes,' said Korin 'but only one about three hundred years ago.'

'Three hundred…' Yamcha paused. 'how old are you?'

Lightning cracked. 'Eight hundred years,' said Korin 'give or take a few.'

'Eight hundred years?' asked Yamcha 'Did you use the dragonballs to wish yourself immortal?'

'Nah,' said Korin 'I got granted long life as a gift from Kami.' He paused. 'I'll tell you something else. The only person who ever succeeded in drinking the sacred water was Master Roshi, the turtle hermit.'

The legend struck again. 'So Master Roshi climbed this tower.'

'Judging by the way you move,' continued Korin 'I'd say you are self taught. Maybe picking up a few tricks from a couple of masters along the way.'

'Yeah,' said Yamcha 'well I didn't exactly have a chance to learn at a dojo where I'm from.'

'You really should seek out a proper instructor when you're done here.' said Korin 'Roshi could teach you a thing or two even I couldn't.'

'How long did it take him?' asked Yamcha. 'For Roshi to get the sacred water, I mean.'

Korin raised three fingers.

'Three months?' asked Yamcha.

'No.' said Korin 'Three years.'

Yamcha's heart sank. The greatest martial arts master in the world had tried and failed to pass this test for three years straight. If it took Roshi that long, how long might it take Yamcha?

All he could do was try and hope to succeed quickly. Very quickly.