Chapter 32: Facing Mira, Perfect Cell, Metal Cooler, and Attending the Kunoichi's Funeral
(Opening Theme: Unbreakable by Fireflight)
Pearl arrived back at Conton City and flew straight for the Time Nest, taking off her weighted wristbands and boots once she arrived. She ran into the Time Vault, where the Kais and Trunks were waiting for her. "Oh, there you are," Elder Kai said when she arrived. The Supreme Kai of Time spoke up, "Trunks found something strange in the Scrolls he was reviewing." Trunks then explained, "After Cell reached his Perfect Form, he came up with something called the Cell Games. But here is the deal. One of the participants shouldn't actually be there." "Mira," Pearl and the Supreme Kai of Time both said. Trunks nodded, "He exists outside the ordinary flow of Time. I'll be going with you to fight. This time though," Trunks turned to the Kais, "the two of you can support us." "You can count on us," Elder Kai told him. "Show the newcomer how it's done, Trunks," the Supreme Kai of Time cheered as Trunks and Pearl both grabbed the Scroll. "Right!" Trunks said, and in a flash of light, they were gone.
AGE: 767
In the Cell Games Arena, Goku and Cell faced off against each other. However, far away watching them was Mira, the Demonic Creation wondering when he would make his move. That was when Pearl and Trunks appeared behind him, ready to fight. "You won't get past me, Mira!" Trunks said as he turned Super Saiyan. Pearl summoned up her power as well, ready to fight. Mira looked at them both and said, "So, they sent Trunks, huh?" "On my honor as a Time Patroller, I'm taking you down right now!" Trunks yelled as he charged at Mira. Half-Saiyan and Demon clashed, throwing and blocking their punches and kicks lightning fast, but Pearl followed it all easily. Mira landed a hard blow to Trunks' stomach then grabbed his face and tossed him away, saying, "I thought you were aware of my strength, and yet you insist on fighting me." "You bet I do!" Trunks answered, "No matter how powerful the opponent, I will never give in!" Mira nodded, "Such an odd source of strength. You're an interesting one, Trunks."
"Don't forget about me, Mira!" Pearl said as she landed a punch to his face. Mira blocked her next kick and threw a punch that Pearl nimbly dodged before she hit him with an exploding ki ball, giving her some distance between them. Pearl charged up an Evil Explosion, only for Mira to hit her with three Death Beams, then pounding her down into the ground. "Listen to me, Majin. Stay out of my way if you value your existence," Mira told Pearl. Pearl coughed up some blood but wiped her mouth before saying, "Not happening, I'm a Time Patroller, it is my job to protect the Timeline from villains like you." Trunks saw his chance and hit Mira with Burning Attack, knocking him back. Mira growled as Pearl and Trunks charged at him. Mira blocked and dodged all their attacks, but didn't find any openings.
To Pearl and Trunks' surprise, Mira then flew down to the ground, before they realized what he was doing, they were both blasted by Mira's Weekend attack. "Cell and Goku are fighting right now at the Cell Games Arena. You've got to do something. You mustn't let anything interfere with their battle," the Supreme Kai of Time said. "We're keeping Mira away from them, aren't we?" Pearl said before she and Trunks dodged ki balls blasted at them by Mira. "Trunks, give me some time," Pearl told Trunks. "Got it!" Trunks said as he drew his sword, and then disappeared, slashing Mira from behind with Shining Slash. Pearl focused her power and charged up a Kamehameha Wave. Mira slammed his elbow into Trunks' face and kicked him back, giving Pearl the opening she needed to hit him with Super Kamehameha. The attack hit Mira hard and Trunks saw his chance to grab Mira and toss him straight up before hitting him with Heat Dome as well. It was at that moment that Pearl heard Goku say, "I give up. I can see how strong you are! I can't possibly win here."
"Trunks, things are going fine!" Pearl said, before Mira jumped over and kicked her in the face, then hit her with three more Death Beams. Trunks went to help her, but Mira dodged his sword and landed a hard uppercut to the half-Saiyan's jaw. Pearl grabbed Mira from behind while he was distracted and pounded on his head before stretching back and slamming her legs into his back, knocking him away from them. "Huh!?" Cell said, far away at the Cell Games Arena. Goku said, "Now it's your turn, Gohan! C'mon!" "It looks like Goku is done fighting. Hang in there just a little longer!" the Supreme Kai of Time encouraged Pearl and Trunks. "Right!" Pearl said as she powered up Special Beam Cannon, sending it through Mira's stomach. The Demon coughed up blood, but his injury healed just as Trunks slashed at him with Burning Slash, then blasted him back. Mira jumped up with a roar and blasted the two Time Patrollers with Weekend again. Trunks and Pearl slammed into the side of a mountain, but Pearl reached into her gi and pulled out two Healing Capsules, and used them to heal herself and Trunks.
Mira looked in the direction of the Cell Games Arena and said, "Hmph… It's certainly about time." "What?" Trunks said as he and Pearl heard what Mira said. That was when Towa appeared behind Mira, "Sorry for the wait. Everything is ready." "What are you planning this time, Towa!?" Trunks demanded. Towa laughed at him and said, "I imagine you'll have your share of fun today." The Demon Mad Scientist said as she tauntingly waved goodbye then grabbed Mira, and they both disappeared. That was when Pearl and Trunks sensed it. "Cell's power is shooting up all of a sudden! This must be Towa's dark magic!" Trunks turned to Pearl and told her, "I'm sorry, but that's all the help I can give you. The old me is here too, you know… So that's that. Cell is more dangerous than before, but this isn't the first time we've seen this trick. They might have some extra surprises in store, so stay on your guard!" "Got it," Pearl said. She Instant Transmitted to the Cell Games Arena, to see the Arena was gone, Cell had Towa's Evil Aura around him, as well as six Cell Juniors waiting for her.
This is no time to hold back… The Voice told Pearl. It had been a while since she had heard it. Pearl swallowed, she was having a hard time keeping control, but she didn't see that she had much choice, she could win without turning into her Pure Majin form, but she'd get injured, and need to use her last two Healing Capsules. "Alright," Pearl said as steam blasted out of her body, and she emerged, Purified. "Be careful!" Goku yelled, "These guys are incredibly strong!" "ME STRONGER!" Purified Pearl screamed as it flew into the fray. It knocked one Cell Junior into the side of the hole Cell made of his Arena, and then blasted it into nothing with a Vanishing Ball. "I owe you one, whoever you are!" Yamcha said. Purified Pearl smiled at him, it sent a chill down the Earthling's spine. Purified Pearl then blasted another Cell Junior with Vanishing Ball, knocking it away from Tien. Purified Pearl flew at the Cell Junior and grabbed its head. "Bye bye bug!" Purified Pearl said as it tore the Cell Junior's head clean off.
It then saw Goku was being menaced and summoned a Teleporting Vanishing Ball. Purified Pearl appeared behind the Cell Junior fighting Goku and slammed the Teleporting Vanishing Ball into it, destroying a third Cell Junior easily. As Purified Pearl dealt with the Cell Juniors, the severed head of Android 16 saw Hercule, cowering behind some rubble. "I…I have a request for you," the Android said. "Whoa! A talking head!" Hercule screamed, like a little girl. Android 16 continued, "I…I want you to carry me over to that boy… Please…" Purified Pearl summoned a Super Vanishing Ball and launched it at two Cell Juniors attacking Piccolo, destroying them both. ALRIGHT! THAT'S ENOUGH! Pearl yelled to herself, and reverted to her normal form, exhausted. There was one Cell Junior left, Pearl summoned her power and ended it with a Special Beam Cannon to its head. Meanwhile Hercule answered Android 16, "N-No way, buster. You know Cell? The green guy is right by that kid!" Android 16 said, "Y-You want…to be useful, don't you? T-To be the World Champion the People need… Hercule swallowed and said, "Y-You're right. I have to! If there's some no-name out there causing trouble, the Champ can't stand back and do nothing!"
Hercule picked up Android 16's head and said, "A-All right, here goes! HYAH!" Hercule threw with all his, not too great, strength, and Android 16's head ended up next to Gohan, the young half-Saiyan already looking ready to give up. Gohan saw him and said, "I-It's the Android!" Android 16 spoke, "G-Gohan… There is nothing wrong with fighting for a just cause… L-Let the anger built up inside you flow freely. There is no need to hold it back any longer. P-Please protect the plants, the animals… a-and the World I loved… so much." Pearl had tears in her eyes, she knew what was about to happen, and she had to let it. A noble being was about to die, forever. Cell looked in disgust at Android 16 and said, "You've prattled on long enough, you failure." And with that, Cell stomped down on Android 16's head, ending him, forever.
Gohan…snapped. "HHHHHRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!" The young half-Saiyan's rage exploded out like a sun, spiking his hair up even more as electricity crackled all around him from the sheer power that had long laid dormant, now unleashed. Gohan glared at Cell and said, "You're going to pay for everything you've done!" "At last you reveal yourself! Now this is what I longed for!" Cell said. Gohan slammed a kick into Cell's stomach, hard enough to send Cell flying into a boulder. The Bio-Android blasted at Gohan with ki balls, but Gohan dodged them all easily before landing a punch to Cell's face. Trunks told Pearl from the Time Nest, "Gohan has finally unlocked his potential!" "Don't get full of yourself, kid…" Cell yelled at Gohan as the young half-Saiyan slowly walked over to him, "Have you lost what little mind you have? Do you really believe that you can take me on?!"
"Yes I can!" Gohan responded. "ERK!" Cell wasn't expecting that, but tried to regain his composure, "You're bluffing, child! Then I will show you… the fearsome and shocking power of the almighty Cell!" Cell charged at Gohan, throwing punches and kicks at him like his life depended on it. Gohan dodged every blow easily and kicked Cell back again, before punching his face and then flying behind him and hitting the center of Cell's back with an elbow. That was when something no one expected happened, as a dark portal opened up over the smoking hole that was once the Cell Games Arena, and eight Metal Coolers stepped out! The Metal Coolers all looked around and one laughed before saying, "The Cell Games are open to anyone, aren't they?" "Yes indeed!" Cell said. "Then we will be participating as well," the lead Metal Cooler said. "What in the world!?" Gohan wondered at the sight of the Metal Coolers. Cell however laughed, "Very well. Allow me to welcome you to the Cell Games."
"Metal Cooler!? But why here and now?!" Trunks yelled. "They must be after Gohan and Goku! I gotta protect them!" Pearl realized as she blasted out a Special Beam Cannon, decapitating two Metal Coolers quickly. The other six flew at her, blasting ki balls. Pearl dodged their ki balls as best she could, and destroyed a third with Evil Explosion before the five remaining Metal Coolers fell on her. They kicked and punched at her with abandon, Pearl struggling to block as she was surrounded. Blow after blow landed on her, but she refused to surrender as she let loose with an Angry Shout, knocking them all back, and then blasted three of them with a Super Kamehameha Wave. The last two Metal Coolers blasted Pearl with ki balls then one kicked her into the side of the hole. "Who is this Metal Cooler character? And why are there so many Coolers?" Elder Kai asked.
Trunks explained, "Metal Cooler was created by the technology contained in the Big Gete Star. That opening is a wormhole, something like a tunnel through space and time. Those Metal Coolers went through it so they could participate in the Cell Games." Trunks then told Pearl, "Please, you've got to stop them somehow." "I'm trying!" Pearl yelled as she barely dodged the attacks of the last two Metal Coolers. Pearl charged up Majin Kamehameha, and as the two flew at her she unleashed it, blasting them into scrap. Pearl sighed, exhausted, as she used another Healing Capsule. That was when more Metal Coolers came through the wormhole. "Blast it! They just keep coming!" Trunks said. "Trunks," the Supreme Kai of Time said, "You have to go too! If you go through the wormhole, Gohan and the others won't see you." "Understood!" Trunks said. The Supreme Kai of Time then told Pearl, "After you finish off the Metal Coolers, go ahead and jump through the wormhole!"
"I got it!" Pearl said as she powered up. There were only three Metal Coolers this time, and she quickly destroyed them before they saw her coming, then flew through the wormhole with Trunks. Once there she realized she was on New Namek, terraformed by the Big Gete Star, with a whole lot of Metal Coolers waiting. The Metal Coolers all laughed in unison and said, "To think you'd willingly jump out of the frying pan and into the fire…" "Looks like I gotta do it again…" Pearl said reluctantly as she once more transformed into her Pure Majin form. Purified Pearl yelled at them, "Stupid Robots! DIE!" The Metal Coolers blasted a volley of Death Beams at Purified Pearl, but it dodged them all before answering with a Vanishing Ball that destroyed one Metal Cooler, and then flew through another with Pearl Flash. One Metal Cooler kicked Purified Pearl back, while another slammed a fist into its head then kneed its face.
Purified Pearl knocked them back with Angry Shout and tossed a Super Vanishing Ball at them, destroying three more. On it went, Purified Pearl taking hits and answering with its own, trying to destroy as many Metal Coolers as it could. Finally, one Metal Cooler hit it with Cooler's Supernova, blasting Pearl out of her Pure Form and into the New Namek Ocean. Pearl stayed down and used her last Healing Capsule then flew up, just in time for Trunks to arrive. "Heh, another fly buzzed in," the Metal Coolers said, "Do you really think you can survive against so many of us?" Trunks smirked as he went Super Saiyan, "C'mon! Do you really think I'd dive right in here headfirst without a plan?" "WHAT!?" the Metal Coolers yelled. Trunks smirked as he said, "My Mother, she is a brilliant scientist, and I've always loved messing with machines. I've programmed a self-destruct sequence into the Big Gete Star's central computer! In just a few moments, all of you will be blown to smithereens!"
"WE'LL TAKE YOU BOTH WITH US!" the Metal Coolers all screamed as they flew at Pearl and Trunks. The two Time Patrollers blasted away with everything they had as more and more Metal Coolers came at them. "Just keep going Pearl! One more minute is all we need!" Trunks yelled as he slashed away with his sword while Pearl blasted more Metal Coolers with Super Kamehameha! Pearl was beginning to run out of energy, when, finally, the remaining Metal Coolers all stopped, as white light and electricity surged around them. Pearl and Trunks flew a safe distance back as the Metal Coolers all self-destructed with the Big Gete Star, and Trunks blasted the wormhole out of existence. Trunks turned to Pearl and told her, "Looks like that's taken care of. Could you go back and check on the others?" "Sure!" Pearl said as she pulled out her Scroll and used it to return to Earth.
She arrived after the point where Cell had attempted to destroy the Earth, after Gohan made him vomit out Android 18, and Gohan had Instant Transmitted him to Kaio-sama's Planet to save Earth. Perfect Cell was even more powerful than before, and he was powered up by Towa's dark magic as well. "Look, I'll support you from the Time Nest. Okay? You gotta take it from here. "Cell!" Gohan yelled. Cell laughed and said, "Oh, thanks to my Saiyan cells, returning to health from a near death experience has only made me even more powerful. "Hmph," Gohan grunted. "What's so funny?" Cell asked, sounding pissed off, "Have you gone insane or something?" Gohan said, "My overconfidence got my Dad killed, but I'm glad I can avenge him! I've been wanting to destroy you with my own two hands!" Cell and Gohan went at it, but this time, Gohan and Cell were evenly matched! Pearl then watched in horror as Cell sent Gohan flying back with a kick, and then landed a hard punch to Gohan's chin. Pearl quickly flew at Cell and slammed into him with her shoulder to knock him away from Gohan. Cell turned around and hit her with Perfect Shot in response.
Pearl took the hit, every cell in her body screamed in pain from the powerful attack. Pearl fell to the ground then and Cell charged up a Kamehameha. Gohan flew to save Pearl, only for the attack to hit him instead, breaking his arm! Gohan yelled in pain as Cell smiled sadistically. Pearl got up, she couldn't heal Gohan's arm, that was part of History, but she got between him and Cell. Pearl flew at Cell and threw punches and kicks as fast and hard as she could, her only thought was of protecting Gohan from the monster called Cell. Pearl's blows connected, but Cell pummeled her in response before slamming her into the ground. Gohan kicked Cell away from her and landed a powerful punch to Cell's chin, protecting his comrade. Cell glared at Gohan and powered up a Perfect Kamehameha, while Gohan powered up his own One-Handed Kamehameha. The two beams met in the middle as the two warriors poured their power into their attacks.
"Come on Gohan! You can do it!" Pearl cheered on the young half-Saiyan, "Your Dad sacrificed himself for you, because he knew that you had the power to destroy Cell! You are the most powerful Saiyan, and the most powerful Earthling to ever live! He's nothing but a twisted abomination made by a crazy old man! He's nothing compared to you!" Pearl then heard Goku encourage Gohan as well, "She's right Gohan! You have the power! Focus everything you have, and you can win!" Cell yelled out as he powered up with everything he had, but Gohan focused all his power one last time! With a mighty yell, the young Gohan poured everything he had left, blasting through Cell's Perfect Kamehameha Wave! "I-Impossible! How can I…AAAAAAAGH!" These were the last words of Cell, as Gohan's power obliterated him for good. Gohan struggled to breath, before finally passing out, completely spent. The Z-Warriors all looked at the son of their fallen friend Goku in amazement. "H-He did it…" Piccolo said. "Yes! Yes, he did it!" Yamcha cheered. "Amazing! He actually pulled it off, he won," Tien said. Pearl saw as they went to help Gohan, then used her Scroll to return to Conton City.
AGE: 852
"Welcome back!" the Supreme Kai of Time greeted Pearl when she arrived. "Hi!" Pearl said. "That was quite a ride, wasn't it? I never expected to see a swarm of Coolers show up," Elder Kai said, "But everything turned out all right, thanks to Trunks." Trunks rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment from the Elder Kai's praise. "Yeah," the Supreme Kai of Time said, "I really didn't expect Trunks to be able to pull off a stunt like that." "Huh?" Trunks said, "Hold on a sec, but I thought that was why you sent me there in the first place." "Hmm," the Supreme Kai of Time said, quickly backtracking, "O-Oh yeah! I had that all planned out!" Trunks didn't look convinced though. "Hmm?" Elder Kai wondered. Pearl looked suspicious as well. "Why are you all looking at me like that? Everything turned out fine, didn't it?" the Supreme Kai of Time said. "Good grief," Elder Kai said to Pearl and Trunks, "You surely don't have it easy, do you?" Trunks just laughed in tired exasperation. "Nope, we don't," Pearl said.
That was when she sensed a powerful ki signature arrive in Conton City. "Holy smoke! Who is that?!" Trunks yelled in surprise. "It's Kenny!" Pearl yelled happily, running out of the Time Nest, and only taking two seconds to get her weighted clothes back on. She spotted him flying to their apartment, and rushed into the air to join him. "KENNY!" Pearl yelled as they reached their apartment at the same time. "Pearl! Where are the Dragon Balls!? I need them now! A lot of people are dead, including Mom! Bage looks like he might die any minute, everyone got the shit pounded out of them!" Kenshiro said. Pearl got a good look at him then, his shirt was gone along with his weighted armbands, and the rest of him was covered in blood. "Our bedroom!" Pearl told him, and then they went in, Kenshiro ran to the bedroom and grabbed the bag holding the Dragon Balls and grabbed Pearl's shoulder. Pearl focused, trying to sense everyone's ki. It took her almost five minutes to find them, their individual ki signatures were so weak she feared for their lives.
Cashew Village
Pearl focused hard and they were Instant Transmitted into the Hospital of Cashew Village, a room where all their friends laid in beds. "Hold on everyone, I'll heal you!" Pearl yelled, ignoring the nurses as she went to each of her friends and her sister, and one by one used Majin Magic to heal them all. Bage was the worst, she couldn't fix all the damage, every muscle in Bage's body was torn, every bone riddled with fractures, she sensed he had lost a lot of blood, and that most of his internal organs were failing. She healed Bage enough to keep him alive, but in order to heal everyone else she had to leave a lot of muscle and bone damage unattended. Once everyone else was healed Pearl asked, "What happened?" "Sato Hisashi, the High General, he was a cyborg too, like Dr. Gero, and stole almost everyone's ki. He must have done that to Shurayuki, and then turned her into a Unit as well. She nearly killed me, and Jade," Barit told her. "What happened to her?" Pearl asked. Kenshiro looked away and quickly said, "It doesn't matter, we'll bring her and everyone else back soon."
Kenshiro headed out with the Dragon Balls, Tsubaki saw him and Pearl as they passed. "Kenshi-chan, what's going on? The nurses told me that she healed your friends?" Tsubaki asked. "I did," Pearl told Tsubaki, "Except for Bage, he was too injured. What on Earth happened to him?" "I don't know! He turned all golden, and then all red, and it mixed together! He was unstoppable, and almost killed the High General and his Units, but the effort nearly killed him!" "Red? Gold!? He mixed Kaioken and Super Saiyan!?" Pearl yelled, "That idiot! That brave idiot! No wonder, with all that power going through him, I'm surprised his heart didn't straight up explode!" "We can worry about that later! We need to focus on bringing everyone back, and maybe fixing all the damage the Neo-Red Ribbon Army did," Kenshiro said as he spread the Dragon Balls out on the ground. "What is that? Are those…the Dragon Balls Hideaki-sama talked about!?" Tsubaki asked.
Kenshiro ignored her as he raised his hands and intoned, "Rise mighty Shenron! By your name I summon you!" The Dragon Balls all glowed brightly as lightning flashed out of them, transforming into a beam of light that slowly took form as the sky above turned pitch black, before at last turning into the Eternal Dragon, Shenron! Everyone in Cashew Village saw the massive Dragon and were awestruck by the sight. Tsubaki fell on her butt and screamed, "HE'S REAL! THE ETERNAL DRAGON IS REAL!" Shenron looked down at Kenshiro and said, "COME! ASK YOUR WISHES, THAT I MAY RETURN TO MY ETERNAL SLUMBER!" "Wishes? But in Conton City you granted one wish?" Pearl asked. Shenron turned his attention to her and said, "THE UNIQUE TEMPORAL PROPERTIES OF CONTON CITY WEAKENED MY POWER! BUT OUTSIDE OF CONTON CITY I AM RESTORED AND MAY GRANT TWO WISHES! ENOUGH QUESTIONS, STATE YOUR WISHES!" "For my first wish, I wish that all the innocent people killed by the Neo-Red Ribbon Army be brought back to life!" Kenshiro yelled. Shenron's eyes glowed, but then they stopped and he said, "THERE IS A PROBLEM! ONE OF THE PEOPLE YOU WISH TO BE BROUGHT BACK DOES NOT WISH TO COME BACK TO THE MORTAL REALM!" "What, who!?" Kenshiro asked, dread making his voice shake. "I WILL LET HER EXPLAIN HERSELF!" Shenron said as a ball of blue light appeared from the sky and stopped in front of Kenshiro.
The ball of light expanded to the size of a decent mirror, and Shurayuki appeared inside it. Kenshiro almost didn't recognize his Mother, the scar on her face was gone, and she looked happier than he had ever seen her before. She was wearing a yellow sundress of all things, and there was a breathtakingly beautiful field of flowers behind her. "Hello, Kenshiro," Shurayuki said. "Mom…why don't you want to come back?" Kenshiro asked. Shurayuki looked at her son with pity and said, "Kenshiro, for years I was afraid to die, because I believed my sins had damned me forever to Hell. But, Yemma-sama explained that I had done many good deeds, and these deeds had redeemed me. I am now in Heaven. I don't want to leave." "Mom…please…I need you, Jade needs you to guide us. I never would have made it this far without you," Kenshiro pleaded. Shurayuki shook her head, "I'm sorry, son, I lived selfishly, and I was amazed that this was my fate. With me gone, most of my enemies will be satisfied, they won't come after you for you are innocent of my sins against them.
"And, you're wrong. You don't need me anymore. I've seen that now, you have an amazing young woman who loves you dearly, friends who all care for you, and you have grown far stronger than I could have hoped to become in ten lifetimes. Jade doesn't need me, her innocent soul should not be tainted by the path of shinobi. She has you, Pearl, Buudikka, and all your friends to make her strong. My time is over, it is now your time," Shurayuki explained. Kenshiro fell to his knees as tears poured down his blood stained face, "Please, I never knew Father, I don't want to lose you too." That was when Pearl, Tsubaki, and Kenshiro all got the surprise of their lives when someone that looked just like Kenshiro walked into view. Pearl blinked several times, before she saw it wasn't really Kenshiro, the man's body wasn't as muscular, not by a long shot, and his eyes were rounder, Pearl recognized him then, it was Kenshiro's Father, Shiro.
"Hello, son," Shiro said. "F-Father, please, talk some sense into her! I'll bring you both back! PLEASE!" Kenshiro pleaded. "Kenshiro, you know that your Mother is right. This is best for her and for you. I've watched over you both, and I have seen many things. Your Mother has gone through such great pain because of my death, and because of the enemies she made throughout her life. You've seen her scars, most of them she got after I was murdered. Let her know peace," Shiro told Kenshiro. Kenshiro looked down as his tears hit the ground. "I…understand," he said. "I'm so proud of all you've accomplished, son, we both are," Shiro said as the image showed him and Shurayuki, "Your heart is full of the best things from both of us, follow it, and we will see each other again, I promise." "I…love you, Mom, and, Dad," Kenshiro said, looking up at them. "We will love you forever, Kenshiro," Shurayuki and Shiro both said, and then the light contracted back into a ball, and returned to the sky. "I CAN STILL BRING THE OTHERS BACK TO LIFE, IF THAT IS YOUR WISH!" Shenron stated.
"Do it," Kenshiro whispered, "Bring back every innocent person the Neo-Red Ribbon Army murdered, except…for…my Mom." Shenron's eyes glowed again, and Pearl watched as bodies on the ground returned to life, and heard screams from inside the Hospital as people who were dead returned to life. "Kenny! It's working! They're all coming back!" Pearl told Kenshiro. Kenshiro nodded, but didn't say anything. "NOW, STATE YOUR SECOND WISH!" Shenron demanded. "Repair the damage done to Cashew Village, the land, and forests surrounding it that were ruined by the Neo-Red Ribbon Army," Kenshiro said. "SUCH VERY SIMPLE WISHES!" Shenron said as his eyes glowed again, houses and roads were repaired, and Pearl watched as the barren wasteland around Cashew Village was once again surrounded by lush forests teeming with life. "YOUR WISHES HAVE BEEN GRANTED! UNTIL THE NEXT TIME!" Shenron said as he transformed into a beam of light that flew into the Dragon Balls, and then the golden orbs all flew into the sky, before flying off in seven different directions around the world.
Two Days Later
There are some cultures that say, 'Real men don't cry'. In Cashew Village they say, 'Only demons don't shed tears.' If anyone doubted that Kenshiro was a real man on the day of his Mother's funeral, they were wise enough to keep their thoughts to themselves. Pearl and her family were all there, even Jasper, the men wore black suits while Pearl, her Mother, and her sisters all wore black dresses. The same held for Bage, Barit, Rachel, and Beate, while Amaya wore a black version of her shinobi outfit along with Kaoru, Kenshin, Kenji, who wore black versions of their traditional clothes. Pearl saw the cashier Disz attending as well, he was comforting Jade along with Brocc. Villagers came as well, though many had curse Shurayuki in life, in death they knew the truth and came to make what penance they could. All were silent as High Priest Hideaki led a procession consisting of himself, followed by the Village miko, all chanting prayers in an old tongue none born outside Cashew Village knew. Kenshiro followed behind them, carrying the remains of his mother in a large coffin, he refused to let anyone else help him carry the burden.
Tsubaki helped the still sick Jinbei and Kamiki follow him, both of them crying alongside their grandson for their daughter-in-law. The procession went up to the Village Cemetery, where Shurayuki's grave was dug the night before, next to Shiro's own grave. When they reached the grave, Kenshiro gently laid her coffin into the grave as Hideaki said, "Oroshi Shurayuki! Many here wronged you in life, and today we confess our sins against you! We humbly beg your forgiveness, with the hope that you have reached the Sacred Lands of the Kami. You never allowed our hatred to affect you in life, and died in protecting those that cursed you! We bless your body now, and return it to the soil from which all life comes. Now, you are together once more with the husband you loved so dearly, may you watch over your son, who has grown to be a great man, and may you give him your strength when he is in need. Many here were your friends in life as well, they come to honor you and all you were! Bless them as well, we humbly pray!" As Hideaki spoke, Kenshiro buried the coffin in the grave until the grave was filled, if they weren't sick then Jinbei and Kamiki would have helped him as well.
When the grave was filled, Hideaki placed a small jar of incense in front of Shurayuki's grave and lit incense sticks in the jar. Kenshiro, Jinbei, and Kamiki all bowed down in front of the incense. Pearl's tears flowed down her face, Kenshiro had told her that only family was allowed to mourn in this way, anyone who wasn't the deceased's family would insult them if they joined them in their silent prayers. Pearl bowed her head and quietly prayed standing up, for Kenshiro, and Jinbei, and Kamiki, because she knew Shurayuki would need no prayers in Heaven. After eight minutes, Kenshiro and his Grandparents ended their prayers by clapping eight times in unison, and then they stood up, Kamiki and Jinbei leaning on Kenshiro. The three of them led everyone who gathered back to their home. Many Villagers had already spread stories about Kenshiro, Jade, Beate, Amaya, Bage, Barit, Rachel, Brocc, and Shurayuki to everyone who had fled the Village once they had returned. All of them were hailed as heroes, with talk of statues in their honor being made. Toasts were held for them all, invitations to pay for drinks for them, although Pearl made sure Jade didn't drink anything alcoholic, and a mountain of various foods was given to them all the two days leading up to the funeral.
As soon as they reached Kamiki and Jinbei's house, the Villagers offered their condolences and gave Kamiki, Jinbei, and Kenshiro gifts of money and food. Even Ryo and the version of Soon who lived in his Universe sent 500000 Zeni to Kenshiro. The gifts were all accepted, and in time the Villagers returned to their homes. Kamiki and Jinbei invited everyone who remained to stay at their home, but they all declined, there wasn't enough room, and they didn't want to impose on them now. Pearl was about to use Instant Transmission to take everyone home when Kenshiro grabbed her, "Pearl, please, come back when everyone is home." "I will," Pearl promised, and Instant Transmitted everyone back to Conton City. Once they arrived, Buudikka grabbed Pearl, Jasper, and Jade. "Things are much more serious than I realized. Are you all sure that you want to stay here?" she asked. "I need to," Pearl said, "There are worse things than the Neo-Red Ribbon Army threatening History. Mama, I am strong enough to do what I have to, and Kenny needs me now." "I'm staying too!" Jasper said, that was all he said. "I loved Shurayuki-sensei, I wanted to be just like her," Jade said, "If I quit now, I'd be dishonoring her memory." Buudikka quietly nodded and kissed her three oldest children on their foreheads, "Take care of each other." "We will," Pearl and Jade said, while Jasper just quietly nodded.
Pearl Instant Transmitted back to Kenshiro. She found him in his room, it was easy to hear him crying his heart out. Pearl quietly went inside and hugged him on his bed. Kenshiro held her tightly, and didn't say anything for an hour, only crying into her shoulder. When he stopped they both laid down on the bed and held onto each other like they were the only things keeping each other alive. "Please, stay with me, always," Kenshiro said. "Always," Pearl said, and sealed her promise with a kiss.
(Ending Theme: Whispers in the Dark by Skillet)
Author's Note: This isn't an accurate depiction of a Japanese style funeral, and isn't meant to be. Think of this as a 'Japanese-Country-Shinto-Folk Funeral'. I was thinking of my Grandma, who passed away on November 3rd as I wrote this.