The Plan In Place
Turles felt strange, disoriented. Neutral grays of nothingness surrounded him everywhere. Swirling winds spun him every which way, a mighty abrasive storm. He was buffeted about like a leaf, landing on his head. In vain he tried to right himself, but the winds were too powerful. Tumbling through murky air he spun, dizzy. It was hard to think.
What madness?! One minute I'm preparing to fight those fools, and now this. It can't be hell, I don't recognize-_
He never finished the thought. A blinding flash, then pain and darkness.
()
The saiyans were excited. They'd flown to various points around the world, seeking the dragonballs. By late afternoon they converged again at the keep. Silent feet landed over soft earth in deep jungle.
"Ah, we've met with success!" Vegeta shouted triumphantly, seeing the other saiyans with the remaining balls.
Goku smirked. "Not bad, huh? A day's work, and we've located them already."
Nappa plunked his down in tall grass. "Pretty baubles...a pity they turn to stone after each set of wishes."
Raditz tapped his golden orb. "Oh? But don't they regenerate?"
Vegeta headed inside the keep to collect the others. "They do. After each wish they disappear with the dragon."
Nappa and Raditz stared in shock. "Dragon?"
Goku laughed. "That's right, you don't know about that!"
Raditz shook his head in disbelief. "Maybe you'd better tell us all of it."
Goku motioned for them to sit. "It's pretty incredible, actually..."
()
"Bulma, are you insane?!"
The blue haired beauty snorted at Chi Chi. "Don't yell at me. How the hell was I supposed to know Goku was getting the balls for the saiyans?"
Chi Chi slammed her fist on the kitchen table. "Haven't you heard about how Goku's changed?"
Bulma smirked, pouring herself some coffee. "Only that he got his tail back. I wouldn't mind seeing it."
Chi Chi nearly hit her. "That's enough. Go grope Vegeta or something!"
Bulma leaned against the countertop. "Touchy, aren't we? Besides, Goku's always been trustworthy. Why not give him the radar?"
The slim brunette clutched her head. "Because he's CHANGED, you pinhead!"
Bulma made a fist. "Don't yell at me in my own house, woman. You keep saying he's changed. Now exactly how? He didn't seem any different to me the other day. He even kissed me on the cheek after getting the radar!"
Chi Chi blinked. "He...what?"
"You heard me. He was so grateful he pecked my cheek. I thought it was pretty sweet, actually."
"Ba...but Goku never did that before!"
Bulma considered. "True...he's always been somewhat shy around me, especially when it comes to touching..."
Dark eyes narrowed on her. "Watch it."
Bulma sighed. "I only meant he seemed more...open? But come to think of it, there was something different in his demeanor."
Chi Chi caught that. "How so?!"
"More...aggressive, forceful. Like he wouldn't take no for an answer. Yet, he said everything in a way that didn't seem obvious."
"You see?!"
"Something else, too. He kept touching me-"
Chi Chi nearly came out of the chair. "What?!"
"Will you calm down?"
"My husband paws other women, and you tell me to calm down?"
Bulma's eyes glazed in memory. "I was somewhat surprised, but I didn't let on. I mean, he wasn't offensive or anything."
Chi Chi snorted. "As if you didn't enjoy it."
The brazen beauty blushed, grinning. "Well, I'm not dead, Chi Chi."
A strange thought struck Chi Chi. "Why didn't you see his tail?"
A shrug."Maybe it was tucked in his clothing. I really wasn't thinking about it at the time."
Chi Chi flushed. "Did he...ah...smell different?"
Bulma made a face. "Huh? You weird, or something?"
"No...I mean was he wearing anything?"
Bulma laughed. "Yeah, clothes. Are you crazy?"
Chi Chi growled. "Stop being silly, Bulma. Did it seem like he was wearing perfume or something?"
Bright blue eyes sparked. "Yeah, come to think of it...it was pretty strong. Kind of nice, it reminded me of Red Poison. But I don't remember Goku wearing fragrances in the past."
Chi Chi gritted her teeth. "It's his saiyan hormones."
Bulma lifted an eyebrow in fascination. "Do tell. And those same hormones make him act different, eh?"
"I won't go into all the details, but yes."
"Sounds fascinating from a scientific angle. He should bottle that stuff and sell it."
Chi Chi sighed, falling back in her chair. "Not unless you like maniacs."
Bulma flipped her bang, grinning. "Hmm...now there's a thought!"
()
The balls were gathered in a neat pile. Vegeta laughed wildly, thrusting his fists to the skies.
"Now will the culmination of our plans be complete! After years of planning and scheming, ultimate power will be ours."
Raditz licked his lips. "Ai, oujian...three wishes! My blood boils at the thought."
"We don't need all three right now. Kakarot, summon the dragon!"
The saiyan known as Goku stood before the glowing orbs, his face cast in wild light. Dark eyes glazed in unholy hunger. "Now let the calling begin." he spread his hands above the balls.
"DRAGON. Kakarot summons thee! Come forth and grant our wishes!!"
The balls cast off a blinding glare, obscuring all vision. The circle of saiyans stood in wonder as the skies darkened, muting to near black. A booming, thundrous voice rocked the atmosphere.
"I HAVE BEEN SUMMONED." a long, sinuous form of flame burst high, coalescing and taking form.
"Krukka!" Nappa breathed, staring up at the apparition. A winding, serpent like dragon hung high in the skies.
"SPEAK. WHAT ARE YOUR WISHES?"
Raditz likewise stared up in amazement. "He gets to the point, I'll grant him that."
The Ouji stepped forward. "First, restore the saiyan known as Turles to life. Bring him to us directly!"
"YOUR WISH IS GRANTED."
A searing crack of light split the air. Seconds later a ragged, confused Turles lay sprawled in the grass.
"Wha???"
"YOUR NEXT WISH." the dragon continued.
Goku personally enjoyed Turles' confusion as he gawked up. "What the hell is that thing?"
He was ignored. Vegeta continued. "Grant all saiyans here immortality!"
"YOUR WISH IS GRANTED." the saiyans glowed in eerie, unnatural light. Vegeta laughed like a maniac.
"Yesssss....I feel it! Remarkable!!"
Turles stared at his body, seeing his wounds close and heal. He touched himself.
"How can this be?"
Radtiz likewise was pleased. "Such power...never have I felt this before! Krukka, it's fantastic!"
Nappa raised his fists high. "The Universe is ours-"
"SILENCE" the dragon interrupted, annoyed. "YOUR LAST WISH?"
Goku smiled in triumph. "We don't need the third wish, dragon. Farewell!"
"SO BE IT" the titanic voice boomed. "FAREWELL." with lightning speed, the being dissolved to wisps, reuniting with the dragonballs. They darkened to stone. Blackened skies returned to a normal blue hue once more.
Goku gathered the stones in one swift motion. With a mighty heave, he hurled them into the atmosphere.
Raditz gawked. "Why the hell did you do that?"
The ouji likewise was annoyed. "Ai, no permission was given!"
Goku grinned, hugging his prince. "There's no need. The balls are useless now for the time being, until they regenerate."
Nappa rubbed his chin in thought. "Ah, and should we ever need them again, we'll know to search here."
Vegeta slowly untangled himself. With a sly grin, he turned from Goku's embrace. "And now, there's one other small matter to take care of."
Nappa slobbered. "Heh, I follow you." he likewise turned.
Raditz followed suit. "Hn, so this is the one who would join the pack." sharp fangs flashed at Turles.
Turles glared at them all, standing off. "What...who the hell are all of you? And what am I doing here?!"
Goku stepped forward, a cold smile on his lips. "Is that any way to greet friends?"
Turles stared in shock, stumbling back. "Kakarot!!"
THE END
Next: MONKEY MOON 2