Yo! Son Goku and friends! Bibidi Saga (Chapter 7)
Krillin
The night was as long as it was dark, a vibrant indigo punctuated by yellow spectacles in the sky and orange hues simmering off of the torches decorating Baba's palace. Krillin and The Demon sat opposite each other, criss cross, passing thoughts through. The trepid winds rolled along the pond outside in slow trickles, pushing waves up against the ringside. A stream of sweat built up from the mental taxation and swam down Krillin's tan skin. He coughed to clear his throat.
"..."
Piccolo's green brow furrowed and a bulbous vein drew to the surface. Separate from the living world, Piccolo and Krillin were in their own. A mindscape, full of splashy colours, intriguing ideas and physical representations of their emotions as well as memories. People they saw on the sidewalk one time as well as more personal details were shoved to the forefront. Krillin twitched a single time.
"..!"
In response to the twitch, something slipped. Piccolo let out a stream of consciousness into the smoothie of Telepathy, rumination, and foggy memories. A rice cooker. A solitary existence, a life so small the walls of a household item appeared gargantuan. Piccolo grimaced, struggling as Krillin looked on in awe. The already unhealthy looking veins pulsed and grew in number, surging to the front of The Demon's tight skin. A flash cut across. Krillin gasped. The visuals, the audio, the texture. Krillin felt everything as the beautiful blue sky and royal tiles surrounded him in the membrane of existence. Goku appeared before the two of them, stout, and full of rage.
"Now you've done it."
Piccolo's skin curled up like a wet towel, sweat beading down his frame at a mile a minute. He growled through his teeth like the mere images before him were striking and capable of dealing damage.
The Old Demon King Piccolo spoke with a composed, but nonetheless cocky self assuredness. A liquid gold of a voice.
"Even after you narrowly escaped death… Still you persist in defying me…"
"You got it!" Goku shot back with a declarative pointed finger. "I said I ain't gonna die until I take you down!"
"Rrrrrrgh!" Piccolo grunted, the sheer volume of his strain pulsating through and shutting out every other small item inside the room. Only the object in question remained, a sunny sky above Central City and The King's castle. The battered remains of a scaly demon, Tien's fatigued self and one other bird-like creature barely registering through the fog.
"You say you're going to defeat Me? Me, Demon King Piccolo? Tcheh. You have much to learn, little Upstart. You still don't seem to understand. I've increased my power considerably since last time."
"Yeah? Well… Me too!"
Krillin laughed through closed eyes, drawing Piccolo's ire. The memory howled and panged with reddened veins, ruining the previously complete image.
"The new King of The World has no time to put up with such child's play. West City, you see, awaits my visit. You shall die in the next five seconds."
"GAHH!"
DYUUUUNN~Werrrnnnn~Yruwwww~
The mindscape warped and banged up against the four corners of the space until it tore open like paper doors in a tsunami. The Telepathic room was whisked away into the wind, the cool air filing in after the fact as Piccolo shouted, the water truly entering into trepidation this time around. Krillin's body was stuck slime with sweat as he opened his eyes and saw The Demon stand to his full height of 7 feet, 5 inches. Piccolo loomed over him with malice and ill intent written all over his face.
Fshuu! Wsht!
Piccolo went to snatch up the small Earthling but Krillin evaded it deftly with a backstep, sweat flinging off his body and onto the tile from the maneuver.
"You weren't supposed to see that."
"... What's that mean? I thought you were King Piccolo's son."
"Does it matter what I am, Mongrel?"
"I think that might change the context. Yeah."
"..."
"You're dangerous." Krillin remarked as he took on a stance.
"Oh, you finally figured that out?"
"You always were but now I know just how much you want to hurt us."
"..."
"I'm impressed you resisted for so long. Is this why you were so hesitant on teaching me?"
"..."
"You can't hide all those thoughts you have when you're sharing them with someone else, can you?"
Ba-Zyuuu~Zwernnn~BOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!
Piccolo fired a cannon-like blast from his left hand only to be parried into the air above them with a sharp right hand slap. The purple energies rocked the aether and crescendoed down into the water below, rippling it outwards.
"Do with that information what you will, Mongrel. If it comes down to it, I'll make sure to kill you first. Just like last time."
Va-Vuish!
Krillin dropped his guard as the warping lines of the dimly lit ring pulled Piccolo's frame into another piece of space before ultimately dissipating into nothingness. South City's Superman let out a breath that had been building up the entire time they had been Telepathically linked.
Videl
"Huuss! Hah! Hyah! Hragh!"
DummDumn~Flump!
"Ragh!"
Chlinggg! Dwonk! Skfffff~
"Whoa~ chill out, Bestie. You're gonna kill him~" A blonde teenager said in a campy intonation as the punching bag flew off its chains and collided with the wall across the room, her hand planted firmly in the archway of a workout room.
Morning light fluttered in like a tonic from the top windows perched at the very apex of the wall. Grass stood still in front of the glass, a basement workout facility of some kind.
"Shut up~" The other girl replied, trying her hardest to recuperate the loss of breath incurred by her previously relentless pursuit of pugilance. "Ehhhh~"
There was a bit of pause as the two stared at each other.
"Water?"
"..." The sweaty brunette let her hair loose and looked down at the ground beneath her only to see nothing but polished wood and blue foam mats. No water. "Thanks." She made sure to reply after her Bestie handed off the bottle. "You didn't tell me you were coming over."
"I just thought I'd see what you were up to. I haven't seen you in like… what… three weeks? Wack as fuhg."
"... Bruh." She made sure to let out in a low intonation, but not before she let the exasperated gasp of a drink well drank first.
"What's the occasion, girlie? You must have somethin' special planned. You found The One without telling me?" She persisted, bright whites in abundance.
"..."
The serene vermillion stream hit into the room just right as the brunette peered out into the small portrait of grassland.
"I'm attending The Tenkaichi Budokai."
"... The what?"
"It's a martial arts tournament."
"Oh."
"It's the very best but it's also the very last."
"..."
"I want to know how strong I really am."
"..."
"I Want… to win."
"..." Her Bestie's face turned from a rambunctious smile right into a stalwart neutral. She aimed her gaze right at her, but almost as if staring through her instead.
"Everyone's gonna be there, so if there's any year that I should compete. It's this one."
"Whatever you do, Videl. I'm with you on anything."
"... Thanks, Erasa."
"..."
"..."
King Kai
The Kai stared up at the endless sea of slightly shifting orange clouds of the beyond as he took steady sips of his tea.
"Master?"
"What is it, Gregory?"
"Uhm. I just want to know why you think Goku's so special."
"It's just like that is it?" The Kai responded as he took another tight-lipped drain from the elegantly crafted ceramic, making sure to place the mug back on top of the plate.
"How do you mean si-"
"Nothing."
"Do you mean nothing as in nothing's special about him or..?"
"Hehhh~ Slurrrr~ Mmhmm!"
King Kai stood up and cracked his neck, laying the cup down on the lawn table next to the chair. After composing himself with a deep breath from the diaphragm he spoke thusly:
"What makes You think Goku is special?"
"... Hmm." The Cricket was taken aback, placing his insectoid hand on his chin and buzzing about the place in response. "Let me think~ oh I know! How about The Spirit Bomb!? Duh!?" Gregory shouted, waving his hands like a composer.
"You think that makes someone special?"
Bubbles hopped and leaped about, snacking on a banana in the distance, not a care in the small world.
"If not that, King Kai, then certainly training in a mortal body after death is cause for concern."
"... How do you mean?"
"Do I really have to spell it out for you?"
"..."
"Moro! Dumbass!"
"OH~ Right. Heheh~"
"Jeez!" Gregory reprimanded as he crossed his bug arms and perched on the tree nearest the house, looking down at The Kai.
"The way I see it. I obtained a student that day when he showed up on my doorstep. Any student, if they are indeed deceased, are mine for life so long as they wish to absorb my teachings."
"So~ you'd teach a mortal? A living mortal? It's a Kai's job Not to interfere. Lord South is only allowed to do that because he's a part of the mortal plane."
"Did Montgomery have no objections?"
"Well… ehhehh~" The Cricket sweat it out on the tree branch.
"Then it really doesn't matter does it?"
"Well I was just saying."
"Whar are you just saying?"
"Uhm. I just know that The Supreme Kai judges those offences pretty strictly. You told me that yourself. Sure. Teaching Goku is just fine when he's dead but you've been letting him~ Piccolo~ Tien~ all of those goofballs up here time and time again. I think that's a pretty big violation. They're not dead anymore sir, and haven't been for quite a while."
"If it's a violation. I suppose I'll have to suffer those consequence-"
Vwa-Vwuish!
"... Supreme?"
"Greetings, Supreme!"
"Gregory." He greeted with a nod, his earrings jingling a single time. "Settle down, North. I'm not Supreme yet, you can still call me Zamasu."
The blue Kai let out a chortle of laughter as the green Kai took a courteous bow on the lavish lawnland of North Kai's Planet.
"May I pull up a chair?"
"But of course, Zamasu. Fancy seeing you here. Pardon me, but were you listening?"
Zamasu grinned, brushing back his platinum coloured locks into a perfectly coiffed mohawk with an elaborately decorated comb. The soon-to-be-Supreme shined his hollywood smile and shrugged like a bastard.
"You know me."
North sat opposite Zamasu. Their outfits told of the difference. King Kai wore a kung fu style garb with draping cloth that hung over the arms, the type designed to put one's arms in while Zamasu wore a definitively royal get up. Buttons, vests, earrings, belt, boots. He had two orange earrings, elf-like ears that just shot out. His skin was a soothing mint that just radiated a calm aura to those who gazed upon it.
Znnn~ Fwuuuu~
Out of nowhere, North Kai spawned a real table, a sizable one and not just a tiny number that would sit beside a declined lawn chair. With that were two teacups, two tea plates, and of course, tea.
"Thank you, North."
"Of course, your majesty."
Zamasu just smirked with more intention before emptying the steaming mug in one strong move. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath through his nose, allowing the fog of the cup to titillate his senses.
"So? To what do we owe this visit?"
"Hah-Hah-Hah! You're too keen, North. Am I that obvious?"
"Well. I'm not gonna act like I don't ever speak of the devil."
"Fair fair. You know why I'm here. But really, I'm just curious like Gregory. But… here's the real reason." Zamasu gestured, pointing his thumb behind his back and perfectly sniping the warping space just beyond.
The grass stirred and the air twisted.
Vwa-Vuish!
"Thanks, Baba! You've really been a great help."
"Whatever, Goku." The old hag relayed before teleporting back out of existence.
"..! Who is That King Kai!? Hello!"
"Hello, Son Goku."
"You know my name? Wow!"
"The name is Zamasu." The green Kai greeted, standing up from his chair and locking eyes with the Saiyan.
"Nice ta meetcha'."
"Charmed.' The soon-to-be relayed as the two met in the middle with a firm handshake. "Pull up a chair, Son Goku. We talk about the devil an awful lot around here."
"There's a devil? I thought there was just Yemma."
"Knnn~" The green Kai broke out into a chortle as King Kai spawned a chair and Zamasu banged the table with his elbow.
"Just a figure of speech, Goku."
"Ohh~ I got ya. Like piece of cake." The Saiyan from Earth declared heartily, his pointer finger aiming high into the sky.
"Exactly."
"..."
"..."
Goku shot a glance both ways. Bubbles let out a whimper before trotting along anywhere else but the table.
"Gotta go!"
Zzzzn. Dyuuun~
"Bye, Gregory!"
"..."
"..."
"Son Goku?"
"What's up?"
"What makes you so special?"
King Kai visibly sweat.
"You okay over there, King Kai?"
"..."
"Answer the question, Goku." North prodded.
"Uhm. I don't think I'm anything special. All I do know is that I've got a lot to learn. Ever since I stepped foot on King Kai's Planet I've felt like a whole new world has opened up to me. I feel like I've seen things I'm not supposed to see, gained powers I'm not supposed to have! It's exhilarating! … But knowing these things have Proved to me… that… I've got a real long ways to go. I'm nowhere near the likes of someone like King Kai. So… I don't think anything makes me special… not really."
Zamasu stared a hole through Goku, but in response, The Saiyan from Earth did the same, a refreshing experience for the soon-to-be-Supreme, King Kai seemed to be buckling under the weight but he wasn't even part of the conversation. Goku's goofy, somewhat open smile shot equal energies right back at him.
"Hmm. A well composed reply, Son Goku." He said with a posh bit of laughter, recollecting his poise.
"Why thank you. Is that tea? Can I have some?"
Znnn~
"Thanks!"
Goku sipped happily on the drink, swinging his feet under the table a bit.
"Son Goku?"
"What's up?"
"Why did you learn The Spirit Bomb?"
"Uhhh, well I learned it because I knew King Kai was holding out on me. There's probably a few more techniques that he wants to keep to himself too but I'm just too curious to not ask."
"... How fascinating."
"Mmhmm." The Saiyan agreed as he downed the last of his tea only to be refilled as his mug touched the plate. "Oh! Thanks."
"Son Goku?"
"Wow, you're really fond of that one! You're just like Piccolo, Huh-Hah! What is it, Zamasu?"
"Did you know that it is against Kai Law to teach a living mortal Godly techniques?"
"It is!? Whoa! You'reintroubleee~"
"I could erase you for even attempting to learn a technique like The Spirit Bomb."
"... What?"
"..."
The Saiyan from Earth and The soon-to-be-Supreme locked eyes, Goku's brow sharpening with the characteristic ape-like animosity. Rotating winds kicked up underneath the table and slightly perturbed the cloth draped over it.
"Are you talking about Hakai?"
"The fact that you know exactly what I mean is the very reason why I should use it against you. Mortals are Not supposed to know what a Hakai is."
"Sorry, but I'm the kind of guy that doesn't like those restrictions. The exploration of martial arts should be a tool that everyone has equal access to."
"So you Do think you're special after all."
"..." King Kai's teashades fell down his face and his beady black eyes shot back and forth between the two parties as sparks flew forth, kicking up the grass underneath them.
"Did you even hear what I said?"
"..."
Energy started to pulsate and warp in front of the two of them as thoughts filled Goku's mind a mile a minute.
"Goku! Shut the hell up and calm down! You can't even beat Me with backup! You won't stand a chance against him!"
"Not really a fan of these guys who assume they're right just because they're stronger than me either."
"So you think you're right?"
"Didn't say that."
The table started to crack under the pressure as Goku stared right into the soul of the soon-to-be-Supreme.
Ting-Tingg-Tingg!
The china clamoured and the table rattled until the fraying arcs of electricity lulled into nothingness, the grass settling and Bubbles poking his head out from the nearby tree.
"Very well. You're clearly a strong willed individual. It was merely a jest regardless, but perhaps these nuances are lost on mortals. Don't worry, I won't erase you."
"... I didn't think the joke was very funny." Goku remarked as he wormed his lip up childishly.
"Pardon me. Ahemn. Well, it was… nice meeting you, Son Goku. I'll let you two get back to your business."
"... I didn't realise I was getting you in trouble by training with you King Kai. I apologise."
Zamasu assumed the position but held a solitary glare Goku's way for a long time, index and middle fingertip placed firmly on his forehead.
"I'm not overly fussed, but should you do anything more egregious than train here with King Kai I might not be so forgiving next time."
"I thought you said it was a joke."
"Really?"
Vwa-Vuish!
Goku's eyes went blank for a moment, as if a cold wind brushed over him and he lost his place on the planet. After a few seconds, light started to flood back into his pupils and he blinked a few times at the sheer vibrancy.
"Whoa~ King Kai? What are you doing here?"
"..."
"Wait..? Nah, this is your place. What am I doing here?"
"Should have known." North lamented as he shelved his arms back in the red cloth of his kung fu fit.
"I know! I came here to ask a couple of questions about After-Images!" Goku relayed loudly, slamming his fist into his palm like a gavel at the revelation.
"Goku? Aren't you sure you shouldn't go home?"
"Why do you say that?"
King Kai felt the pressure. He could easily erase Goku's memory of wanting to come here. Hell, he could erase Goku's entire memory of Other World, King Kai's Planet, all of it. Even further, he could reduce Goku to nothing more than a vegetable, not even capable of going to the bathroom without assistance.
"..."
Goku met the eyeline of the teashaded Kai with a bright smile, eager to broaden his perspective.
But he didn't do that.
"Alright. So what are the questions you have about After-Images?"
"You said that it would be unreasonable to put a lot of Ki into After-Images. You said I could make them more believable, right?"
"Yup. But the amount necessary to dissuade a smart fighter who is actively engaged in Scanning or Ki Sensing would be out of this world."
"Yeah! I remember. But what about Pure Ki?"
"..!"
"I can use Pure Ki now if I can stay calm enough to gather it from the environment."
"... Good idea Goku, but how are you going to accomplish that?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you not remember how long it takes to gather Pure Ki?"
"... Right! Dang!"
Snapp!
Goku let loose through his fingers in frustration as he took a lap around the table.
"Oh! Is this tea?"
"... Yeah."
"Can I have some?"
"... Sure."
"Thanks a lot! Slurrrr~"
"..." The Kai raised a brow as his antennae twitched, his two pets filing in behind him finally.
"OokOok!"
"I know, Bubbles. But it's not very nice to talk about Lord Supreme like that."
"Who's Lord Supreme?"
"... Don't worry about it."
"Okay!" Goku greeted chipper, thumbs up and everything as he took another long drink from the mug in front of him.
The Kai looked to turn around and head towards his beaming red muscle car before Goku called out to him again.
"So what are the other routes I can take to power up my After-Images? There's got to be some other ways to do it besides pump it full of energy, right?"
"Well. Technically, yes. But After-Images themselves are only useful as a means to an end."
"And what would that be?"
"Goku."
"What is it?"
"You come out here unannounced, you steal all my techniques, then you cause a ruckus, and you eat all my food."
"... Sorry." He let out sheepishly with a few laughs.
"Now I don't ask much from you, but if you want to keep pestering me you had better get to work." The Kai commanded as he threw a bucket of water, sponges, and wax his way.
"Oh! Of course, King Kai! I'll get right on it."
"..."
So then of course, Goku went to town on polishing the crimson sports car, shining it to brilliant sheen as he asked away.
"The means to an end, Goku, is Substitution."
"Substitution?"
"Yes. Substitution is the concept that is a logical extension of Instant Transmission."
"So what does that mean?" He raised a brow earnestly as he squatted down and scrubbed the bottom of the vehicle.
"Substitution is this." King Kai stated as he conjured a ball of warping blue plasma and sent it behind his back near the ever stalwart tree in front of his humble dome-like abode.
Vwa-Vuish! Slusshhhh~
"Whoa! No way!" He shouted, knocking the can over by standing up and putting his hands on his head dramatically.
King Kai had swapped places with the orb and:
Vwish!
Did it again immediately. He snapped his blue fingers and the sphere dissipated.
"Instant Transmission is more cost effective for longer distances while this is better for short distance however, it requires that you actually have something for your Ki to latch onto to function correctly."
"Oh! So you're saying I don't put so much Ki into my After-Images but that I-"
"-use Substitution instead!"
"Nice! I knew I was going to accomplish something coming here! Huh-Hah!"
"Now what are you hungry for?"
"I don't know..." Goku pondered as he squatted over the grass and picked up the tipped bucket.
Gohan
The not-so-small youth walked into Capsule Corp, stretching his arms out high but they were far away from the ceiling regardless. Two robots, one pink, one blue, shot a scan Gohan's way before waving.
"Hey~" He let out with a yawn as he finished his stretch and marched up the stairs.
As he ran up the flight the metal responded with clings and clangs until he got to the top. As per usual, Trunks was glued to the front of the TV, weaving his whole body like it was gonna affect the car he was driving on screen. Gohan couldn't help but smile at the sight as walked into the loft.
"Hey Trunks."
"..."
"What are you playing?"
"..."
"Heh-Hah." Gohan was content to just sink into the couch behind him and watch Trunks blaze through the competition.
After a little while, Piccolo teleported in, wispy, warpy lines drawing around his large frame and epic cape.
Vwa-Vzh!
"Looks like we're probably gonna have to wait a while."
Fwomp.
Piccolo grimaced, plopping down on the seat next to Gohan. The couch was big but they both occupied the space with wide open legs on either side. Piccolo looked over to the cabinets, the yellow doors opening seemingly on their own, followed by two glasses being strung along by some sort of invisible string.
Zn. Cllllluuu~
One by one, the glasses were filled to the brim by the refrigerator water and then pathed their way to Gohan and Piccolo.
"Thanks, Piccolo."
The two took their time, and their slow steady sips as Trunks drifted and boosted around the foes on screen. Soon enough, the scarred blue hair executive made her way into the loft from the stairwell and her eyes lit up at the sight.
"Hey Gohan!"
"Bulma." He waved from the couch, definitely not making any attempt to get up.
She paced in a few steps and made a sassy face.
"..."
"What, no hug?"
"Oh! Hehheheh~ sorry, Bulma."
The eldest son of Son Goku placed the glass on the coffee table and shot to his feet, brushing off his pant legs before meeting up with her and granting her the friendly embrace. She pulled away and gazed up at Gohan with an air of melancholy about her.
"What?" Gohan questioned, unsure of the emotion set forth.
"I hate this, you're supposed to be like this small." Bulma motioned, showing the size of an infantile cube.
"Heh-Hah-Hah!" Gohan burst out laughing.
"At one point in time you were smaller than Trunks! You're not supposed to be taller than me, this is messed up."
Gohan scraped up as much air in his system as it would allow and backed off.
"I mean you're pretty tall for a girl. I'm not surprised I wasn't taller than you for so long. 5'7 is really tall."
"Hmm. I guess." She conceded, placing her hands on her hips. "Get up here, mister." Bulma pointed at The Demon.
"Tcheh."
"Uh!" She scoffed.
"..."
Piccolo gave her the weakest side hug in existence while blushing, his green skin looking especially like a tomato.
"Oh, uhh, could you boys do me a favour?"
"Yes ma'am." Gohan shot back as quick as it left her mouth, Piccolo just crossing his arms as always in response.
"I need you guys to go down to Circuit Shack to pick up a part I ordered from another country."
Gohan whistled.
"Bucky was nice enough to go and store it for me but I got a couple other things I need to do today so it would be easier since you guys can you know… teleport and stuff."
"Sure thing, Bulma." Gohan answered spiritedly, saluting.
"Okay, so when you guys get there just ask for Bucky and tell em' Bulma sent you."
"I didn't sign up for this."
"You're gonna leave Gohan on his own?" Bulma asked as she left the premises and entered her room.
"I'll be back in a bit, Piccolo."
"No… wait." The Demon sighed out.
"You're coming with me?"
"I suppose. You think he's gonna be done anytime soon?"
"..." Gohan craned his neck behind Piccolo's regal white cape, eyeing the progress on Trunks' game. "Nah. Definitely not."
"Why don't we take the long route? Gives him more time to complete his… game."
"Good idea." Gohan replied as he turned around and the two filed down the stairwell.
Before either of them knew it, they were on the early morning streets of West City. A woman walked by gabbing up a storm on her cell phone as she walked an alligator on a leash. Gohan wore duck lips at the occasion but Piccolo didn't bat an eye.
"What? It's just an alligator."
"Ahemn~ I guess."
There were all sorts of hustles and joints on the way. Several men displayed magic tricks or actively encouraged challengers of all orientations to come and test their skills on their contraptions or against them in a head to head competition. Something out of all the hubbub caught Piccolo's eye.
"Don't tell me You of all people are gonna get caught up in one of these schemes."
"Tcheh."
"These little street games are Designed to be unwinnable, Piccolo. That's how these guys make their money."
"That's why I'm gonna prove his Mongrel-ass wrong and make him look stupid in front of this crowd. The money… is irrelevant."
"Oh! And we have another challenger! He's pretty interesting to boot!" The man yelled out to the crowd.
It was a beautiful spring morning as evident by the man's orange tank top and khaki shorts worn high. His sleek black shades reflected a glittery light and he spoke with a distinctly gravelly tonality. Almost as if he had been a smoker for every year of his life.
"So what do you got, Green Man?"
"Gohan?"
"Hmm?"
"How much Zeni do you have in your pocket?"
The son of Son Goku burst out laughing, setting the crowd on fire as well. Gohan smiled at the attention and brought out his wallet, an earnest number constructed of black leather.
"You're betting with my money, Piccolo?"
"I'm not gonna lose it so. That doesn't really matter now, does it?"
"Heh-heh. I guess not." Gohan shrugged his shoulders as he passed along the wallet to the man with the bright orange pompadour and shiny shades.
"You heard it here!" He roared into the few enough onlookers to cause a scene. "Green Man says no sweat! We'll see! All you gotta do is get this basketball…"
"..."
"To miss!"
"So I'm not scoring?"
"Nope!"
Green Man stood stunned with basketball in hand.
"But you can't sabotage. You have to aim for this back wall here."
Slapp!
"If you aim away that doesn't count!"
"... Isn't the point of basketball to get it… in?"
"Yup!"
"So why am I trying to not make it?"
"Because the machine I designed calculates the trajectory of the ball. If you aim for this broad area where these metal lines are, well… let's just say 10 people haven't been able to whiff."
"I see."
"You're good to go then?"
Dukk-Dukk-Duukk!
"Ready." Piccolo remarked after gauging the weight of the ball with a few dribbles.
"Okay. Stand here inside where the tape is and I'll get the machine running."
Clicc-Clicc-Clicc-Clacc-Clicc.
"Done. We're calibrated. You get exactly two tries! So if you come up with a strategy during the first one, you can try and get your money back with the second! That's just how good a guy I am!"
The Demon furrowed his brow and palmed the ball with careful consideration.
"Damn. I bet this guy's a freak on the court, just look how tall he is."
"I'll say."
"Whenever you're ready, Green Man!"
THUUMM! Zwerrrn~ Zzzt!
Half the crowd stood stunned, the other erupting into a mishmash of laughs and cheers. The electronic board was nothing more than a sleek slate with a circular shaped hole through it, fraying wires sticking out every which way from the machine.
"Haw-Haw-Haw!."
"My machine…"
"Uhh… sorry about that sir." Gohan remarked as he fished his wallet out of the man's limp hand and then handed him a few bills.
The Demon cackled wildly as Gohan waved to the rest of the crowd and pushed him back out onto the sidewalk. Gohan finally broke and let out a few laughs as they settled on the sidewalk.
"You didn't have to do all that."
"Yeah, I did."
"Whatever you say."
The pair strolled the city, under the tube tunnels, past parking meters, across parks and fountains. They even passed by the mayor's mansion smack dab in the middle of the city.
"Why do you call people Mongrels? I always wanted to know but I never asked."
"..." Piccolo's long gaze shifted up to the clouds as the morning yellows gave way to the noon blues. "I don't really need a reason, do I?"
"... Suppose not." Gohan remarked as he kicked a can up into his hand and threw it into the trash. "I hate it that people just think they can throw their trash on the ground like that."
"That's what a Mongrel is."
"Excuse me?"
"People with no regard for how others feel. That's the epitome of a Mongrel."
"So you're suggesting that all litterers are Mongrels?"
The Demon nodded.
"Hmm. I don't know. I don't think I have it in me to just go around calling people Mongrels like that."
"Suit yourself. I don't care whether you do or not."
Gohan and Piccolo finally happened across the last intersection and there it was.
"Circuit Shack, this one right here."
Da-Lling!
"Hey!" A blonde man with a poofy mane shouted from the back. The entire wall was lined with all sorts of televisions, all of them displaying adverts for summer lodgings at Papaya Island. The newest games lined the table in front and underneath Gohan's feet was a serene teal carpet. On the right wall were TVs displaying pure specs and booths to test games on.
"Hello! I'm looking for Bucky?"
"You're looking at him!" He cheesed back in a big way.
"We're here on Bulma's accord."
"Oh! Are ya? Bulma's one of my favourite customers. Love that hair! Here you go, she asked me to hold onto this for a while and I'm not gonna say no to a loyal one like her."
Gohan picked up the small box.
"Hmm."
"Something wrong, sir?"
"No, not at all. Bulma didn't say what size it was. I guess I just assumed it would be bigger. Nice seeing you."
"Ah, you too pal. Take care."
"So are we teleporting back home or do you want to walk again?"
Piccolo held the front door open as a few rambunctious kids flooded into the store, their parents a little late to the party.
"Excuse us."
"Thank you."
"I'd rather walk."
"Fine by me." Gohan replied.
As they exited the door so too did they open the door to Capsule Corp, the robots now scanning Piccolo in tandem with the son of Son Goku. They both waved their robot appendages at the pair but only Gohan waved back. They speedwalked around the building at a brisk pace and soon arrived at the loft, package in tow.
"Bulma! We're back!"
Soon enough the scarred blue haired executive filed in and extended her arm out to receive the parcel.
"Thank you, Gohan."
"You're welcome, Bulma. Always happy to help. Where's Yamcha?"
"He's out training in the prism."
"Oh, the uhh, monkey room?"
Bulma just smiled as the trio walked out onto the balcony, staring at the massive monument of chrome.
"Why does everyone call it that?" She scoffed, shaking her head. "I work my ass off for these people and I just get no respect… Is this what Oolong feels like?" That last little bit stayed in her head, however.
"That was the main point of the room at first. I don't really see why you would call it anything else." The Demon chimed in as he crossed his arms.
The long brown tail of Gohan caught Bulma's eye as it wavered ever so slowly.
"... Gohan?"
"Yes?"
"Did you ever think about cutting your tail?"
"... No. Can't say I have."
"Huh. I don't know. It looks kind of weirder on you than it does on Raditz."
"You think so?" The nephew of Raditz asked, turning around and looking upon the brown fur of his appendage.
"Sorry if that was insensitive or-"
"No, not at all." Gohan made sure to cut short.
"Alright. Well, thanks again, Gohan."
"No problem, Bulma."
Soon enough, it was just Gohan, Piccolo, and Trunks left in the loft.
"Hey, Trunks!"
"What?"
"Are you trying to watch the history channel?"
Trunks shot up like a bullet and loomed over the stairwell, making sure that his mom was leaving the building. He zoomed around the other side and watched as she walked along the grass and got into her car.
"Yhes! But only if we get to watch the gory stuff." He answered, motioning his hands in a decidedly villainesque manner.
Gohan's laughter echoed through the loft and Piccolo had a smile stolen from the endeavor.
Tien
The Crane squatted down low, seeing eye level against the greyish khaki coloured labrador.
"Rar!" It yapped, its floppy ears shooting around wildly.
Tien nodded his head at the assertion.
"So you like this guy or what!?"
"We both have equal say. I'm not getting him if you don't like him."
"S'fuckin' dawg, Tien. I don't cea' one way or the otha'."
"Well uh…" Tien gazed back up at his partner and raised a brow, scratching at his salt but mostly pepper beard. "Aren't different breeds better for certain things?"
"Nah, that's just dog racism. Dogism." She fought back, popping a squat right next to her man as they stared down at the pup through its metal prison. The dog's eyes equal parts fearsome and cute while it took on its stance.
Tien chortled and put his head in his hand.
"You can train a dog ta do anything. Don't really matta' what breed. But it's better to get em' young if you wanna raise em' from the ground up."
"Well we'd want one with a long lifespan wouldn't we?"
"Tien?"
"Hmm?"
"Shut tha fuck up and get the dog!"
A rapid fire belly laugh erupted from him before they called over an employee who walked the dog out the cage from the other side and up to the counter.
"This little guy is cute, no wonder you two picked him. What are you all thinking for the name?"
Launch leered at Tien who was already looking up at the ceiling in thought. She elbowed his big arm and he raised a brow.
"I don't know."
"I gotta do everything around here!?"
Tien was already grinning before she responded.
"I just don't want the name to be dumb."
"You hearin' this shit, hah!? My husband over here has just been so indeci- Ahh~"
"Chyuu!"
"Oh, heh-heh." Blue blushed, placing her hand on her mouth.
"Bless you."
"Thank you."
"Ma'am..?"
"What is it?"
"You were saying?" "I must be off the shits because that woman had blonde hair just a second ago. I need to lay off the eddies, dude…" He kept to himself as he scratched the back of his head in worry.
"Oh. Isn't my husband just the best?"
"Yeah… sure…"
Tien let out a loud laugh to the side as they obtained their dog and collared it up.
"How about Bee?"
"Sure! Sounds wonderful." Blue replied as she hugged tightly to his arms like they were in an old black and white film.
"Rar!" The dog yipped again.
"Kaio-Ken~" Tien let out softly, a warm aura formulating around the man's fingertips. Tien loomed over the small labrador like a titan. "You do what you're told and then you won't get on my bad side, got it?"
Bee clammed up at the titanic figure, and stood still. Without any instruction, the dog complied and hit a salute.
"Glad to see we've reached an understanding."
Sharpner
"Don't be like that, brah."
"Like what?"
The two stood in front of the harbor. Both adolescents with long blonde hair, their glorious golden locks wavered ever so slightly by the port's breeze. Seagulls cawed off in the distance. The brown wood underneath their feet creaked with the learned experience of several voyages and splashing tides. The water had a mind of its own, waving in slowly sometimes, violently at others. The day was in the midst of settling into night, the skyline a fusion of searing hot oranges and ice cold purples. The taller of the two youths shoved his hands in his pockets and averted his previously strong gaze.
The other of the two looked boatward, a vessel to take him across the deep blue sea before him. His modern kung fu garb fluttered on the oceanic winds, the buttons undone and baring his pale chest for all to see.
"So you ain't gonna visit?"
"I don't know how long I'll be, bro. I might never see you again."
"..." The one not wearing any traditional fighting attire just wore a tank top and some sweats, fidgeting a great deal in the pockets of his pants.
"I'm gonna get going, now."
"..."
"I feel like you have something to say, so you might as well say it."
"If I become a martial arts master, you think that'd persuade you to come back?"
"You'd have to like… win The Budokai or something. Don't really see how you're gonna do that. You can't even throw a fireball."
"You can't either!"
"None of the martial arts schools in Orange Star can. And I'm not interested if I can't do that. I gotta see what the world has to offer, bro."
"..."
"You've seen what those guys at the tournaments can do, and that's like at least one more year away. I'm not gonna waste my time waiting. If it won't come to me, I'll go to it." The youth remarked as he slung a knapsack over his shoulder and watched the seagulls set sail on the aether, his teal kung fu top glistening in the fading sun.
"Your mom and dad okay with this?"
"... You know they wouldn't understand."
"..."
"Gotta go."
"Later, Jewel." The youth in sweats let out as his friend hopped onto the boat.
The vehicle kicked it into high gear and the ship departed the dock, but not before Jewel could yell back something at his friend as he sailed off into the sea.
Rumbblee~ Srnnnnnn~Slashhh~
"Next time I see you bro, I'll be something else! Just you wait!"
"I'm looking forward to it!" The Youth yelled back as his friend vanished behind the surging waters and bright reflection brought forth by the glimmering ocean.
The Youth just stood there for an eternity, letting the water rock the port and splash into the wooden legs. The dusk washed away into the night. Blacks, and navy blues dominated the sky now, but still he stood there, waiting.
Slashh~Sluuu~Slashh~
Cold
Age 765. Three weeks after Frieza and Cooler fought on Planet Namek.
"Khuuuuuuaauh~" The sharp inhale of life pained and panged all around Cold's chest. A simultaneous sting of hot iron and a bath laden of raw ice surged along his being, trickling up to his lips and down to his talons. Cold shot wicked glances at the cosmos all around. Vaporised. The planets, the stars. The only thing left in the system were gasses. Twinkling far off lights in every direction were much lesser in number than he remembered. Cold inhaled a few more times to catch his breath before retaining proper consciousness. He grunted a ghastly snarl as he sat upright on the air and knocked his crooked neck back into position.
Gah-Cricc.
"Oh yeahh~ That's better." He let out with a devilish smile. "Now what the hell happened? Did I overdo it with the cabaret?"
Cold shot a glance left at the blacked out galaxy before him, he gazed out with the same curiosity at the other side of ashy space.
"No no." He patted himself down as if looking for his keys or his wallet. "Aha~" He smiled wide as he found the divot in his right arm. "My gem piece is missing." Cold relayed to himself as he scratched the crevice. "That little thing hurts like a mother when I hit it wrong. I don't see why I would do that to myself… 'less I was just absolutely off the sauce. So… did I get into a battle or something..?"
The thoughts crossed his mind at a snail's pace as he looked out into the beautiful maroon galaxies, content to figure it out as he stared at the celestial beauty. The faded colour was more drained than usual, for miles and miles it stretched out in total darkness, littered by millions of tiny stones and ash. Cold ran his fingers along the space and brought it in close to his nose, taking a deep inhale of the charred rubble.
"Snnnn~ Hmm..? Ash? Interesting… So something was blown up."
Cold turned his large head around to scope out the premises.
"I don't remember anything after leaving The Fresco…"
"SHIT! Where's The Fresco!?"
"..." Cold blinked a few times.
"Ah well, it was fun while it lasted." Cold remarked as he laid down on the air like a french girl waiting for the painter to finish. "... Besides. Is this even anywhere near C.O.1? I don't think so."
Cold stood up on the nothingness and sharpened his eyes to the surroundings.
"All I've got to do is find a star formation. It's not like I don't know all of them."
Cold looked far and wide, his eyes brimming with Ki, his ocular enhancement proving effective immediately.
"Ahh~ So I am near C.O.1. That's Jason right there." Cold pointed to a star formation like anyone could even see him.
"..."
"So what happened?"
Cold took on a pompous stance, hand cupped tightly around his long chin as he pivoted along the air like an ice skater.
"I was in the throne room like usual remembering the good ol' days with my pal Moro. What else?" He hit a flashy pirouette like he had done this kind of thing countless times, his tail jiving around and providing interesting angles to turn with after the fact.
"..."
"Ahh~ something shouted my name, yes. I remember. Who was it..?"
The faintest images clawed at the back of Cold's mind until something tangible took shape.
"He was small… It was a he wasn't it? That haircut was just absolute dog shit. I kind of respect his willingness to wear it though. That was hard. Hmm…"
"Aha! … Damn… I never asked for a name. Pity. I wish I had. He was 2nd best, easily. That one's gonna piss me off. He was worth putting on the mural for real for real."
"..."
"Oh well."
Cold stood still once more, placing his hand underneath his chin until he realised something.
"Oh noo~ that's unfortunate. No~ over there too? Damn. I'll need a mirror."
After scratching his newly peeled salmon pink cheeks he crossed his arms and returned to deep thought.
"So that guy is why my region looks like this? I guess that'd have to be the only answer. I don't even remember going gold. I would assume that he did push me at least that far seeing as this is the first time I've ever been knocked out… I think?"
The colour started to return to the galaxy bit by bit, purples and reds fading into existence from behind Cold.
"Well if that's the case…" Cold remarked to himself with the toothiest shit-eating grin. "It looks like I have some promises to keep."
Space shot forward into Cold's eyes as he zipped along the galaxy at the sheer speed of Gods. He crashed right through planets, stars, anything. He didn't care, breaking through all of them without a thought in the world. The galaxy spilled out into more chunks of debris and busted gas. He flew with such elegance despite the brutality of his choice to crash into whatever he felt. Soon enough the titanic 10-foot being screeched to a halt.
"Bingo!" He shouted with exuberance as he laid eyes upon the steering wheel of a spaceship carrier.
Cold coughed a few times, checked his breath, checked his pits and straightened a tie he didn't possess, slicking back his bald blue gem for good measure. He strolled the galaxy with swagger until he came across a green tinted window, knocking on adamantly until a Galactic Patrol member practically shit her pants at the sight.
"Hello~"
She scampered down the hall, hollering her head hellaciously.
"How rude. … bitch." He shook his head at the sight until more guards flooded in behind her just to get a look at the sight. "That's more like it, hello my little entourage. Mwah~"
The Galactic Patrol lost their minds at the sight and motioned over to the bay area with their hands and weapons all the same. Cold laughed at their showing but complied with the leading they preferred. He showed up in the bay area, and after they opened it up and turned the screen blue, Cold was allowed in.
"Me?" Cold asked, shiteating grin, pointing to himself just outside the wall.
They all clamored for him to enter through the screen, much to his amusement.
"Huh-Huh-Huhheh. Thank you, thank you." He relayed to them all with a graceful bow upon entry. A few raised their rifles and other pieces at him which only served to increase his joy. "It's better to be feared than to be loved, if you can choose. Don't ever forget that." He commented as a brave soul stepped in front of the titanic being.
"Cold!"
"And you are? I assume they wouldn't send a random to meet me."
"Jiya. Second strongest after Merus. I was informed by The King to see to you personally in the event that the worst happened."
"Huuh~ The worst? Oh no, what happened?"
The crew sweat in disbelief as the burnt and bleeding emperor stood before them in what they believed to be faux ignorance.
"You did kill Merus… did you not?"
"Well. I don't know if I killed him. I only speared his guts out with this horn and ripped his arm off with these. So if he can survive that then maybe."
The crew believed every word.
"I'm quite frankly at as much of a loss as you are. When I woke up he was gone."
Jiya's metal facemask whirred and shifted in its electronic makeup to portray the emotions of unease and perturbed.
Znn~Gnn.
"Very well. Follow me, Emperor Cold."
"Huh-Huh-Huhheh. Glad to know Someone knows how to roll out the red carpet. Ta~ta!"
The immense pressure that Cold provided drifted out of the room in agonisingly slow increments the further he roamed the halls with Jiya. Cold perused the halls, making delighted faces at each accommodation and feature the HQ provided.
"Aww that's cute. I love the pens." Cold remarked as he snatched up one of the writing utensils from a nearby desk, watching the tiny spaceship inside jive back and forth as he shifted it to and fro like a seesaw. "That's the kind of stuff most empires ignore you know. And I find that lack of tact really disheartening. Like how am I supposed to know what your brand is if you don't put the work in on the small stuff?"
Jiya took all the comments on the mouth as the pressure beared down on him from behind. For whatever reason, the man in question didn't bat an eye at the pressure.
"Maybe these Galactic Patrol people have really stepped up their game in the last few years. I guess that explains the confidence from that one guy. I've been letting it rock the whole time I've been here on this ship and he hasn't bat an eye. Kind of impressive to be honest. Hmm." Cold wore closed duck lips at the fact and threw the instrument far behind him, the pen clicking a few times before it rolled to a stop down the gold hall.
"Here you are, Emperor."
"Thank You."
Jiya placed his arms behind his back and stood by the double doors, dictating a regal posture. Cold waved to him and stepped through the archway. As soon as he got out of Cold's sight, a small teardrop shaped being exited out of the mouth of the husk of metal.
"Kuahhhh~ Hehh! Hegh-heghh!" It coughed out in spurts before trying to take in a full breath. "Good grief! How did I last that long!? I wouldn't have imploded were it not for my suit! They really weren't kidding! That guy really killed Merus? He's been with us since before we started tacking Age onto the calender~"
"Hello, Octavius!"
"..!" Bubblululu~
The Galactic King was a shell of his former self. The vibrant lime greens were replaced with a faded turquoise soup glowing dimly through piss coloured glass and tubes that funneled in and out of a rejuvenation chamber. The Galactic King didn't even possess all his limbs anymore, five of them noodled around limply in the water. The Emperor took titanic steps towards The King, all the mug shots on the wall seemed to follow Cold down the path as he stood right in front of Octvavius.
Skweeeeee~
Cold slid his left palm down the glass and squatted down low to meet exact eye level with the man in question.
"Do you remember that deal we made?"
"Knnnnnn~ Cold ~Suuuu~ I-" Bubblululu~
"It's okay." Cold remarked, shooting a glance over at the various plug ins and life supporting nodules along the wall.
KRSHH! Splushhhle~
Octavius' strained eyes widened as far as they would go as soupy, foul smelling liquids poured out of the tanker he was currently occupying.
"Take your time." Cold said coldly as the fluid streamed and poured around the charred and bruised skin of his tail, the onyx tip of his appendage as sharper than any blade. Cold took away his hand from the glass and crossed his arms, still squatting low and living it up.
"~Suuuu~"
"Mhmm?"
"Knnnnn~ ~Suuuu~"
"Ah, I see."
"Col- Col~"
Cold peered around the room, waiting for Octavius to start speaking.
"Alright. I'll do you a solid. You look a little under the weather right now so I'll be nice and cut to the chase. If you remember, the plea was, and I quote: 'Please, you have to spare the Galactic Patrol' And then what I said was: 'I don't think you really want me to spare The Galactic Patrol, I think you want me to spare you.' To which you replied: 'This organisation would fall apart without me.' And then I said: 'Exactly, I don't care what the reason is, I just don't like liars.' Now."
Cold stood up tall, towering over the amber glass as the water poured out from underneath the door. Jiya was nowhere to be seen, his metal husk was the only thing left and it stuck to the flooring due to the water leaking through the tiny space and out into the hall.
"The Deal was:" Cold was very particular in his articulation, miming each motion with his hands and making killer eye contact. He motioned as if he were holding a box in his hand and moving it from place to place. "Cold and his empire do not leave The North Galaxy. I Never, a single time violated that agreement. Never. Now, I'll concede that I did make a trade agreement with Aurum distributors on Jung but the agreement was that I never Leave, not that I couldn't interact with influences outside The North Galaxy. Besides, I pulled the strings to have them come to me anyway, I never once violated what we had going. Not a single time did I have boots on the ground outside The Northern Galaxy so really Octavius… what I'm asking is why you broke the beautiful thing that we had going. And what an opportune time too~ coincidentally as soon as I have no backup. Interesting…" Cold smirked wide and placed his left hand under his chin. "I held up my end, I stayed put, so where's my diplomatic immunity?"
"~Suuuuu~ ~Suuuu~"
"I'm waiting." Cold relayed with another killer smile, using his massive talon-like foot to stomp on the top of the glass lid, cracking it further.
"Freeze!"
Cold just made a face.
"Bitch~"
Znnnn~Spllatt!
Octavius' body shook violently as blood spilled into the throne room, completely ruining the carpet and mixing with the rejuvenation fluids.
Krrnnn~ Earnnnnn~
The glass started to bend, warp, and crack under the pressure of Cold's heel, the last little bits of water at the bottom of the tank still rocked and rumbled back and forth.
"~Suuuu~ Knnnnn~ Cold, I- I-"
Cold checked his nails, smacking his lips at the fact that most of them were chipped and not polished to the brilliant sheen he wished.
"Tsk."
"I didn't ~Suuuuu~ send Merus after you."
"Uhm. Octavius?"
"~Suuuuu~ Ye-"
DWANNN!
"It doesn't matter!" He shouted with an indescribable 0 to 100 malice, stomping out and denting the glass like a chew toy, Octavius barely surviving the crushing weight, his limbs leaking blood and his veins showing through the pulpy bruised skin. "I had diplomatic immunity and then you decided I didn't for no reason other than that it benefited You!" Cold yelled again, pointing a declarative index finger at his weak gelatinous forehead. "And you are supposed to uphold the Law? That's disgusting." He laughed that last bit off, stepping away from the tanker and onto the messy, goopy carpet. "Now do you remember the last part of that deal that we made?"
Officers from all over the ship stomped down the hall as sirens blared both from the throne room's red light system and everywhere else. The mechanisms in place consistently failed to keep Octavius under check and The Galactic King himself didn't look so good.
"If you break that deal, I take Everything. So, you really only have yourself to blame."
The lame lasers shot from rifles and from hands did nothing to persuade Cold from marching forward, unplugging the machine and flattening all the newcomers with a wave of his hand. Octavius glared at Cold with a slowly fading malice but The Emperor wasn't such a savage not to acknowledge his passing.
"Buh-Bye~" Cold waved as Octavius flatlined.
TonTonnTonTomTon~
Guards from all around filed in and shot lasers but Cold sighed, blowing them around without even trying. He stood there, waiting for each batch to come and just slaughtered them back to back. The longer he stood in the throne room the more it stained, but more importantly, the more it shook, and warped, and sparked with Right of the Strong energies. The paintings on the walls changed, the banners caught fire, the floor melded with the blood and turned crimson, the carpet came alive, the glass flew around, but most of all.
Zerrnnn~
Cold raised a brow at the peculiar sound and a wobbly drawer filed out of the back wall, some sort of hidden cubby hole.
"Okay~" Cold sassily walked his way to the unit and found all manner of interesting cubes. They looked almost like snow globes but of course, not that shape. They contained snapshots of what was inside. "What is all this?"
Cold marvelled at the discovery as units piled in from the sidelines, just outside the room. He shot a glance and furrowed his brow.
"I'm done here."
Duh-DOOOOOOOOOMMMM!
Cold lifted his left hand and everything surrounding The Galactic Patrol HQ burst up in purple flames. The eruption sent all the metal in disarray and destroyed the entire space station. The Emperor was left to his own devices and the few cubes he had picked up from the shelf, and once again, the bone-chilling embrace of the vacuum of space.
"Now what is all this about? I can feel some energy coming from these little devils. How neat is that? This one? Who's this guy? How cute." Cold remarked as he squinted his eyes and leaned close in on a tall man with his hands in his pockets. "These other ones I picked up are landscapes, but this one is a guy. And… he's got energy alright. Is he trapped in there?" He eyed another cube with a tiny orange sphere in the middle.
Cold once again laid down on the aether and ruminated over the possibilities tossing the cubes up into the open space and controlling them like a merry-go-round with his Telekinesis. The Emperor processed the information for a long time until he found the right angle to tackle them from, a sliding code puzzle at the bottom.
"Oh, I love puzzles!"
Cold jammed out on it and laughed as it hit the final note and:
Clicc. Ba-VYUUUUUUUUNNNNNNN~
An entire atmosphere exploded into existence and Cold found himself standing on slippery wet rock, sleek with pouring rain. This new wash of rain covered his frame and felt good on his wounded skin and he spread out his wingspan as lightning of all colours but mostly blues and purples struck out into the distance.
Kshhhhhhh~ KOWWWWW! Ka-KOWWWWWWWWWW!
"What magnificent technology! Huh-Huh-Huhheh! Almost makes me wish I didn't kill them all Huh-Huh-Huh-Huhheh!"
Cold lifted up the lone cube with the man inside and focused up.
"Just in case this guy needs air to breathe, I'll undo him somewhere more reasonable." Cold remarked as he threw the cube up into the air and caught it.
Cold shrugged his shoulders a single time and flew off into the cosmos. A lone crypt stood against all of the black rock. A sharp serifed M carved into the lid.
KOWWWWWWW!
Elec
Moments earlier, Age 765.
The throne room was adorned with rustic and natural environs, the four people inhabiting the room didn't seem to mind the several withered vines lining the used-to-be white columns supporting the ceiling. The top itself was covered in tree roots and other various elements. Despite the olden, timeless landscape, neon streams and the pulsating reverb and soft hum of technology also occupied the space just as much. All four people were similar, blue skin, dark purple hair and accompanying matching eye bags. The screen brightness tore into the eyes of the only young woman among them. Her eyes couldn't get any closer to the screen if they tried, she was locked in a trance.
She was wearing a red dress with white frills and frocky attire attached. Long black boots stood out against her skin tone, hair colour, and the rest of her fit. Her ears were sharp and the choker lining her neck brandished a golden design on the forefront. A well polished, bold H. The final throes came through her also red headset, the symbol on her neck over the ear muffs. She tossed the device in complete disbelief, her mouth agape and eyes practically slamming into the ceiling. A laughing cough climbed out of her throat and met that of a much smaller figure that resembled her. He spoke no words but his genuine smile and matching inability to say anything said it all.
"Elec!"
"Did he do it?" A tall man, long red coat flaring out and exposing his chest sat up from the throne wrapped in vines. His big boots smashed into the white steps of stone as he locked eyes with the woman.
"..." She shook her hands with excitement, trying to coax the phrase out of her lips. "He actually took down the entire Galactic Patrol!"
"YESSIR!" He shouted, his vicious voice booming and slapping onto the walls. He clapped in between each word with fervor as he stepped down the stairs. "Lets, Fuckin', Go! Bring it in!"
She went for a hug but he parried her, wrapping her up in a headlock and noogieing the shit of her now furrowing dreadlocks.
"Come on! Gimmea' break! "She laughed out while screaming.
Elec let her loose and his toothy smile took centre stage over the rest of his face.
"We've been waiting for this day for a Looong time. Let's get some drinks, fam. We're going out."
A positively rotund man stepped out of the back hall, tying up his navy blue sash straps tight. He also wore red but his hair was the shortest of the four, no pony tail or differing way to tie back its length.
"So are we gonna finally do something about M-2, then?" The big man asked while yawning and stretching out his long limbs.
"I'd figure we'll have to. The Galactic Patrol certainly didn't do anything about it."
"You sure we can swing that, Elec?" She questioned, crossing her arms behind her back as the quartet filed out of the building, Elec thrusting both double doors open and looking out to the blue skies above.
"Ehhh~" He shrugged, laughing out a bit. "We'll see. M-2 is long ways off, we just need to get to set up that mining operation on Jung first then we are~ Golden. Our systems are good but having this few space ships is dog. We can't keep going like this, fam."
The smallest of the four just looked out into the horizon, stepping in line with the rest of his family as Elec's boisterous laugh echoed into the plains.