Chapter 1: A Human with the Highest Potential:
Earth, Age 761, a planet of persistent apocalypse always teetering on the edge of oblivion; such is the curse born into this land. A land sewed with great power and wondrous magic. The most tremendous boon of all is the Dragon Balls. Seven Magical balls once brought together, summon an almighty dragon that will grant its summoner a magic wish. However, there is a price for such bounties – Peace.
Since the onset of civilization and the seeding of the world: magic, conflict, desolation, and annihilation follow closely behind. Men poisoned by greed and lust, monsters desolate entire continents, sorcerers scorch the lands, and demons seek dominion. Yet the seeds of life have never been extinguished, and even after mass calamity – life flowers anew.
Over the past few Centuries since the first assault of the Demon King, life has flourished, villages turned to cities, cities to nations. And with that, technology overtook the natural essences that flowed through the land. The masters of martial arts and sorcery dwindled; engineers and inventors replaced them. Creating marvels that rivaled the greatest of spells – the Earth entered a new Era.
The Demon King's bane students, now themselves the masters, fostered a new generation of students built for a new era on Earth. This class of students was the greatest in the history of the Planet. And while they faced many challenges from threats old and new. Master Roshi proved the might of this new breed when his Turtle School confronted and entrapped the reincarnated Demon King in a crystal ball using the Mafuba. Thus beginning a new age of peace on the Earth.
The 25th World Martial Arts Tournament finals went off without a hitch. It pitted the Challenger Krillin of the Turtle School against the defending Champion Tien of the Crane School. Unfortunately, Krillin was defeated after a prolonged bout, and Tien remained the world's strongest warrior. But that distinction in truth still belonged to the Turtle Hermit himself. So now Earth sits on a precipice: at peace but with the Dragon Balls – for how long?
Atop the Lookout, above the clouds, away from the prying eyes of a curious human, lies consecrated ground. The ground where only the mighty and worthy may tread – the house of Kami. Kami – the creator of the Dragon Balls and the Guardian of Earth – this aged sage paces his marbled plateau watching the world below. One goal drives Kami – preservation. He will intervene to preserve the society beneath at any cost – because he has experienced the silence of annihilation and will never do so again.
Far below, on the outskirts of the city constructed in the crater of a great battle, his latest intervention is about to bear fruit.
Master Roshi, the turtle hermit of legend – adorned in a sleek black suit with a red tie and black loafers, shined to perfection – wanders through the muddy alleyways between tents of Chappa traveling circus. The smell of fried food and cheap booze fills the air concealing the scent of filth that also travels with the circus. Roshi found himself eager to stop and sample the local wares, but he was on a mission. And one that cannot be delayed.
Roshi crossed over a makeshift bridge laid over a slop pit where all manner of detritus was dumped. As he did, he grimaced as the odor pierced the veil set of fried foods and boozes.
Maybe I overdressed.
He didn't know where he was going, but he didn't need to. With every breath, he reached out, sensing the people's energies around him. And like a moth, he sought the brightest flame.
Other than myself, that is.
Not to say he didn't get the occasional funny look. He was, after all, wearing a relatively expensive suit to a Penny circus. On the outskirts of the crime-riddled Orange Star City, surrounded by a bunch of freaks - he didn't exactly fit in.
But I can get pretty freaky.
Roshi, undeterred by the stares, how could he be? His mission was far too great to let some hairy man that calls himself the Werewolf of Weller St chases him from his ultimate goal. As he walked through a row of blue and green tents adorned with streamers of all colors, Roshi couldn't help but notice he was gathering a crowd. Wow, I sure am popular.
It's natural for a circus to band together when a person enters their turf without paying – they are family, and there are mouths to feed. On the other hand, Roshi wondered if he'd be forced to fight a dozen beleaguered outcasts. It wasn't high on the list of things to do.
But my task is too important to fail.
Roshi sighed cause he wished to stop and explain to the thirty increasingly hostile tagalongs that he meant no harm. Still, if he stopped, a crotchety guardian would start booming in his head about wasting time, and among other things – Roshi did not have time to be lectured. So he endured, but the silent troupe started jeering and cursing at him. He figured his chance of a peaceful day slipping away.
Though there was still a chance, he was not far from his destination. This beacon of energy guided him home like a ship out to sea. Finally, it seemed he was in the clear. From the now mob of irate circus folk, a flaming juggling pin flew through the crowd striking Master Roshi in the head, setting his fine black velvet flat cap alight. Roshi slowly turned around, barely concealing his ire, his hat lying in the mud.
"That's a shame. I really liked that hat." The Old Master lamented, removing his coat and folding it best he could. He sunk down in a stance, one hand outstretch forming a claw, his staff tucked snugly behind him, wrath and ruin playing in his head. Roshi was ready to Rumble.
Bring it, you vandals.
The crowd incensed and charged after Roshi. Calmly the Master of the Turtle School waited. Once the first group closed towards Roshi – he went into action. Roshi propelled himself up and away from the charging mob in a breath. A brilliant blue flash of energy scorched the ground below him. As he soared, a hatchet flew past his head. Roshi didn't flinch. Instead, Roshi whipped his staff around, unleashing a disparate wave of energy that – like a wave from the ocean – sent the first group of rabble-rousers careening into the second. Roshi then swung his staff behind, releasing another wave of energy that clashed with the air propelling the hermit up and over the downed circus performers and down into the center of the mob.
Wasting no time, knowing the clock is ticking until Kami lets Roshi know how useless he is. Roshi whipped his staff around in a low sweep, uttering "Kietzu" into his staff. A brilliant bolt of purple lightning erupted, shocking his adversaries and sending them to the ground, incapacitated but alive.
Hopefully.
As Roshi came out of his crouch, a portly man with his head tilted to the sky charged as he reached into his mouth and pulled out a long slender sword. Roshi almost couldn't believe what he was seeing. But, before he advanced on Roshi, the sword swallower removed a second and then a third. What a talent.
This was not the end of his troubles. A massive man with a handled bar mustache and arms bigger than Roshi's body emerged from a nearby tent in a red and white striped singlet. This gigantic man carried a cage bigger than most tents, presumably as a weapon. The massive man eyed his own men, then Master Roshi, and rage unleashed within him. He charged his intent clear – smash this old man to bits.
Roshi dipped one of the sword's swallower attacks to get nearly nicked by the follow-up attack from the third blade held in his mouth.
What an exciting way to fight. Roshi, rolling backward just in time to avoid a several-ton cage being driven on top of him. The force of the pen created an indention in the ground and sent a plume of dirt and mud across the tent city – this gave Roshi an idea.
The spry Master rushed the big man making sure the monster stayed between Roshi and the sword swallower., Positioning an essential part of Roshi's plan. Roshi ran up to the man, and with just enough force to agitate the Giant, Roshi smashed his staff into his toe. Needless to say, this enraged the Giant. Roshi sensed the opportune moment rolling between the Giant's legs and into the embrace of the three sword-wielding sword swallowers. The angry Giant wheeled about facing the two, much to the horror of the sword swallower. The Giant brought the cage down with a fury.
Roshi turned, making himself skinny, sliding between the bars, and the sword swallower cowered in fear. The Giant, not content with one smash doing the trick, he hefted the heavy cage out of the sludge-like mud and brought the massive structure down again. The eel-like Roshi was too slippery to get caught by such an indelicate attack – still, the Giant persisted.
The Giant huffed and heaved the cage out of the muck repeatedly. Roshi was impressed with the large man's endurance; he would have made a promising student. But every man has their limit, and the Giant just reached his. As the cage slammed down again, hundreds of gallons of sticky sludge ran over the top of his hands, and the Giant tried to heave again, but the cell didn't budge. Finally, satisfied his plan worked, Roshi hoped out of the cage and perched himself on top of it.
"It was a good effort," Roshi taunted – the Giant roared. "Heh! Oh no, you weren't close to getting me." Roshi coughed out a laugh. "But you almost squished your dear friend down there," Roshi said, slapping his knee, unable to contain his laughter. The sight of the sword swallower was indeed a sight to behold. There he lay comatose from fear, his body covered in mud, only his head exposed like a carrot ready for harvest, his swords nowhere to be seen. The Giant vigorously fought to lift the cage, only to lose to the mud.
I love when a good plan comes together.
Roshi stood on the cage and jumped off. Floating in the air like a leaf on the wind, he fluttered towards the giants. Roshi got close enough to smell the beast's hot breath before spinning and whipping a kick into the Giant's jaw, incapacitating the monster man in a single blow. Roshi fluttered to the ground next to his muddy coat.
Hey, at least it's not wrinkled.
What's taking you so long? Did I give thee a task? Do you mock me! I will rain the heavens down upon you, Roshi; do not trifle with your God.
The time was up. Roshi let out a gargled growl. The mere sound of Kami's voice brought his dander to a boiling point.
"For a being as old as you, you need some patience," Roshi said, looking up to the sky and flipping the bird towards where he approximated the Lookout was. Of all the beings Roshi knew in his lifetime, the half-mad guardian of Earth was the one he hated the most.
You'd think a being of your age would understand the necessity of expediency. Lest you drop dead at any moment.
Roshi chortled at that statement; both he and the God above knew that wasn't true.
"Heh, not likely." Roshi retorted and bent down to pick up his coat. Pleased at the lack of wrinkles. Unfortunately for Roshi, he wasn't too aware of his surroundings, with a God bellowing in his head. Because as Roshi grasped for the jacket, a flaming juggling pin flew over his shoulder and crashed into his fine coat. The coat went ablaze.
One can argue that Roshi is a patient and kind man but first his cap and then his favorite coat. All the while with God bellowing in his head. Master Roshi, Master of the Turtle School, the world's strongest, snapped.
He quietly took his sunglasses off, revealing eyes filled with rage. Roshi turned to face the man responsible, the dammed juggler, still juggling like he didn't just burn a one million Zeni suit. He'd pay dearly.
What's not very likely is you surviving till sundown if you keep defying me.
Roshi ignored the godly banter.
He let his aura flare out around him; with every deep breath, the bursts got wider and wider. He felt his muscles begin to bulge – a button popped off his shirt. The whole world seemed to fall silent, and in an instance, Roshi's frail frame exploded into bulging muscles. The now muscular sage extended his hands and cupped them together. His flaring aura coalesces in his hands into a ball of concentrated energy. Roshi started to command the words of power to unleash his ultimate attack on the bastard of a juggler. Who stood frozen in fear at the change of events.
"Ka!" Roshi started, his voice booming over the tent city and echoing from every corner. "Me!" Roshi brought his hands back by his hips. "Ha!" The luminous blue energy cast an azure hue on the shadows dancing around the Old Master. "Me!" The explosive power fought to escape the confines of Roshi.
And just before he unleashed death. Roshi heard a familiar voice that filled him with nostalgia for simpler days.
"My word Roshi, what have you done!"
An hour later, the most luxurious tent in the city of tents was made up Chappa traveling circus. Roshi sipped some tea in clean clothes provided by the circus owner himself – elegant yet straightforward robes of pale yellow. The best part was that since he was at his destination now, God didn't bother harassing him with empty threats anymore.
"Roshi, this is Chappa's fighting circus; if you walk onto these hallowed ground without paying your fee, you get dealt with. It's how us circus folk roll. We are a family, and there are mouths to feed." So Chappa said the dark skin man wearing a gold and purple sequin coat, his afro now having plenty of gray in it, as did his goatee.
"If only I'd known, but I kinda just floated in," Roshi said, taking a sip of his tea. It was pretty good, if a little sweet. Just a traditional black tea, but sometimes simple is best. "Heh! last I saw, you were fighting in the world tournament."
Chappa looked to one of the other two people in the room, another man with an afro and thick mustache. "Well, I was getting too old, and then one day I met Hercule here, and he had this great money-making opportunity. A circus that travels around that has marquee matches. So it will be like a tournament on the cheap, accessible to everyone."
"An amazing idea. I mean, who can resist Lord Satan vs. King Chappa." Hercule said, flexing his muscles. He was quite a burly man and maybe even possessed some skill. Chappa must've trained him, Roshi surmised.
"That's right, except I get top billing because I funded this whole venture," Chappa said, clicking his tongue. Hercule nodded his head in agreement realizing his mistake.
"Heh." Roshi laughed. "So let me get this straight everyone at this circus is some kind of fighter."
"Yes. Though none of the fights are real. Can't risk anyone getting hurt and drag our profits down." Hercule said. Roshi wasn't sure how he felt about the idea of staging fights.
But hey, whatever brings the bacon to the table.
"Well, Chappa, that ain't a bad gig, is it. It's like you got your own dojo – except profitable," Roshi said. Thinking about how much money he made running his martial arts school, absolutely zero Zeni.
"Mildly so anyways. So why exactly did you seek me out, Roshi? Is there a new evil I should know about?" Chappa's concern rose in his voice.
"No, it's nothing like that," Roshi said but thought about it for a moment. Well, if you knew that God lived in a palace in the sky and was mad. That may be a great evil. But he left that part unsaid, only a couple being in all the world new of Kami's existence, and probably best it stayed that way.
Roshi turned towards the third person, a little girl of four years old with black hair tied in pigtails and blue eyes holding on tightly to a stuffed blue dinosaur. "I am here for her," Roshi said, tipping his staff the girl's way.
"Me?" the little girl said, confused, pointing to herself.
"My daughter!" Hercule said, panic rising in his voice. "Now, mister, what could you possibly want with my daughter. You some kind of sicko" Hercule moved between his daughter and Roshi.
This might be harder than I thought. Of course, this girl is far younger than Kami let on. But sure enough, even at four, her energy output rivaled Roshi's own. It was like nothing he'd ever seen though he kept a stoic poker face.
"Oh, I see," Chappa said, realizing what was happening. "Have your three students surpassed you already?"
"Not quite, but it's only a matter of time. Would you believe it? Krillin isn't far off." Roshi and Chappa shared a laugh.
Hercule, growing frustrated with being ignored, raised his voice. "No, look here, no one is taking my darling Videl." Videl gripped onto her father's pants leg tightly, warily eyeing Master Roshi. "especial no old pervert."
"Relax, my friend," Chappa said, clasping his big meaty hand on Hercule's shoulder. "What Roshi here offering is a great honor. He wants to make Videl his student." Hercule looked to Roshi and then down to his daughter.
"Why would you want to make Videl your student? She's just a little girl, My little girl." Hercule said, still bothered by this situation – still not convinced of Roshi's true intentions. Roshi stayed silent for now and let Chappy answer.
"Because she has incredible potential. Roshi is very deliberate in the selection of his students. It's because she is destined for great things. "Chappa said. Hercule seemed to consider it for a moment but still didn't seem convinced.
"How can you tell? She's still so little." Hercule said, softening but still doubting this whole thing. After all, how could the daughter of a Carney be anything close to great? Hercule would trade the world for Videl, but why would anyone else.
Roshi figured it was time for him to chime in, "It's not just that she shows incredible potential." Roshi downed the rest of his tea. "Girl, step out from around your father for a moment," Roshi commanded. Hercule nudged her reluctantly Videl out into the open.
Roshi palmed the porcelain cup and mumbled a spell under his breath before chucking straight at Videl.
The cup flew so fast that no one in the room had time to react. As the cup came into proximity with Videl, its momentum stopped. Not because anyone stopped it or moved in the way to prevent the cup from hitting the four-year-old. Hercule still hadn't registered what happened. Chappa looked on in disbelief.
The cup floating inches from Videl's face caught in her own field of energy unknowingly manifesting around her, protecting her from harm. When Hercule realized what was going on, his eyes went wide with shock; since when his daughter could do that?
Videl watched the cup slowly rotate around her with a big smile, her eyes glistening in amazement. Roshi gave everyone a chance to take in what happened.
"Videl doesn't just show incredible potential. Videl has the highest potential of any human ever!" Roshi said, standing up and walking over to the girl. Her eyes were still transfixed on the cup. "My request, Mr. Hercule, is not motivated by selfish means. Though I will not lie, the prospect of training someone with this much inert talent does excite me. We've been at peace for too long."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Hercule said, missing the point. His face in a cold sweat, he was always a capable fighter trained in the heart of his home village and refined into a martial artist by Chappa. But was his daughter really that strong?
"It means an ebb to flow, and the peace will break. And when it does, one way or the other, your daughter will be dragged into the fray," Roshi said. As he spoke, he reached into Videl's faint aura and plucked some of her energy.
Like clay, he molded and folded the power into a ball. Then, with a playful grin, he said. "Hold out your hand, girl." Videl held out her, and a Roshi sat the ball of energy into it. Videl giggled as she let the ball of energy turn over and fall out of her right hand into her left. "Where I come from, we call this Ki," Roshi said to Videl.
"Ki," Videl repeated. Roshi nodded. Videl couldn't hide her smile if she tried. "I can do this?" She asked Roshi. The swell of awe at the moment overrode the child's inert shyness.
"We all can," Roshi said. Videl was amazed at the warmth radiating from her hand. She brought the ball close, peering into the spiraling mass of white light.
"Look, daddy!" Videl said after finishing her inspection. She held her ball of Ki up to her father for him to get a look. Hercule knelt down to his daughter and obliged her. The Ki was like nothing he'd ever seen before. The wonder of the orb momentarily assuages the implication of Roshi's words. But only momentarily.
"This is awesome sweet pea," Hercule said, standing up and patting his daughter on the head. He was caught off guard by the warmth of the aura surrounding her – he swore it felt alive. Hercule regained his composure best he could and looked at Roshi. "I don't want my daughter to become a warrior. It's too dangerous. I refuse."
"Hercule, you're mad. This is an honor you cannot refuse." Chappa said, turning Hercule. The old Ring Master could see the tears forming in his young friend's eyes; Hercule looked away from his friend toward Roshi, understanding the implication. Hercule had no choice in this affair.
"You can't." Was all a bleary-eyed Hercule could choke out.
"I must," Roshi said, leaning on his staff. The weight of his responsibility tugged on his resolve, but he knew what must be done. But, first, to take a child from her father. "The world is at stake."
"Surely you would not deprive your little one of her destiny," Chappa said, trying his best to blunt the blow. Roshi appreciated the effort but saw Hercule crumbling into sorrow before his very eyes.
"I can't lose her; she's all I got," Hercule said, gripping at a jeweled bracelet on his wrist. Hercule didn't know if he could endure any more losses. The charismatic carny lost his mother at a young age, his sister shortly after, his wife just a few years ago, and now his daughter – this was too much.
"You would stunt her growth," Chappa said. "Hercule, my dearest friend, you can't be that selfish." And then Chappa made sense. How could he deprive his daughter of greatness – even if it means staring down dangers most foul. What kind of father would prevent his daughter from becoming the person she was meant to be.
"Daddy can come with us," Videl said, still fiddling with the orb in her hand. His sweet, sweet girl was mainly oblivious to the ramifications of the meeting going on. She would be thrown into a world she couldn't consent to. Hercule had to protect her from that – but then who would she become.
Roshi ignored Videl's suggestion instead of staring at Hercule. I should just hypnotize him and be done with it. A part of Roshi thought, but only part. Another aspect of Roshi held this man in high regard as the world previously unknown became unveiled. And somehow, in this world of immense danger, his daughter had a role to play. Roshi respected Hercule.
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry," Roshi said. Hercule still staring at Roshi. The bleary-eyed man looked down towards his tiny, little treasure for which he would give the world. He had no choice in the manner – a short bald man said so.
"If I prevent my daughter from becoming her very best self. Then the girl I am raising isn't really my daughter anymore," Hercule said, turning back to Chappa, standing slightly taller now. "My dear friend, as always, you are right."
An elated Chappa clasped his hands on Hercule's shoulders. "You're a good man." Hercule grabbed his friend's wrist and nodded. "Little Videl, you are going to shock us all before long. I cannot wait to see your growth."
"Does it have to be today," Hercule said over his shoulder to Roshi? If Roshi was honest, today or tomorrow made little difference in the grand scheme of the Planet's fate. However, Roshi also knew that a man should never have a chance to reconsider their conviction.
"Sadly, yes," Roshi said in a mournful tone. He pushed himself up and off his cane, standing as tall as he could. "I will give you some time," Roshi said, walking out of the tent. As he exited, he looked over his shoulder. He mumbled the same spell as earlier, only for the faint aura around Videl and the energy she was holding extinguished.
After a while, Chappa, Hercule, and Videl emerged from the tent. It was clear all three did their fair share of crying. Roshi rolled his eyes from behind his glasses and snuffed out his pipe.
Videl was wearing a different set of clothes than before. A green coat with a pair of gray joggers. The dog tags Hercule clutched so tightly earlier are now tied to Videl's blue denim backpack on her back.
"Chappa said you would have clothes for her. So I uh didn't pack her too much." Hercule and he handed Videl a second Satchel threading it over her shoulder.
"Heh! No worries, we have everything she needs. We will provide. She will be taken care of expertly." Roshi reassured. Hercule knelt down and brushed the bangs out of his daughter's hair before looking back towards Roshi.
"Chappa said I'll be allowed to come to visit," Hercule asked, seeing the confirmation. It would make this process easier.
"Of course, Chappa knows the way; stop by anytime after the first six months," Roshi said mirthfully. "And Hercule, this is not a goodbye forever, just for now. You will see your daughter again." Roshi felt the need to reassure.
"I'm gonna miss you," Videl said, jumping into her father's arms; a drizzle of tears fell from both of their faces. "I am going to miss you so, so, so much." Videl continued.
"I am going to miss you too, sweet pea. You're my whole world." Hercule said, pulling away, a confident smile forming on his face. "So go and get real strong okay? We're all counting on it."
"Yes, sir," Videl said. She jumped on her tiptoes and kissed her father on his cheek, giving him one last hug. Hercule stood up and walked over to Roshi, extending his hand.
"I'm counting on you too." Hercule said to Roshi. "Turn her into what she was meant to be. I want the whole world to see my daughter shine; you understand me." Roshi couldn't help but smile and the presence of the father. He gladly accepted Hercules's hand.
"You have my word," Roshi said. Welp, it's time to go. Roshi looked up to the sky and, with a mighty word of power, called forth "NIMBUS!" Hercule jumped as the air seemed to crack from him. He searched around for the sorcery that Roshi had just conjured. Still, a moment passed, then another before descending from the Heavens, a tiny little yellow cloud zipped down to Master Roshi.
"Well, this is your ride Videl." Roshi motioned for Hercule to help his daughter onto the cloud. It took him a second to register that a cloud had descended from the sky, and his daughter was expected to ride on it.
"Is it safe?" Hercule asked, seeing no way a cloud was rideable, much less safe.
"Help her on; you'll find Nimbus is quite the chauffeur here." Nimbus did a little twirl at its praise from his Master. This caused Videl to giggle. Hercule sighed, wondering what his life was becoming, and hoisted Videl onto the cloud. To his surprise, Videl sat solidly on the thing.
Roshi walked over to Hercule and pulled out a tiny slip of paper. "Since we live in modern times, here is my phone number." Hercule took the scrape of paper and gripped it tightly. "Feel free to call and read her a bedtime story."
"Thank you, sir." Hercule resists the urge to hug the old hermit for his compassion. "I love you, Videl," Hercule started to cry again.
"I love you too, daddy." Videl waved from atop the cloud. Seeing this as good a time as any to depart
"Nimbus, Home!" Roshi commanded. Videl and the clouds started to zip into the sky, leaving the three men on the ground, causing Hercule to panic.
"Wait, you're sending her off herself," Hercule said.
"No worries. Till we meet again, old friend." Roshi said to Chappa.
"Till we meet again," Chappa repeated. Roshi narrowed his eyes and whispered a word into his staff.
"Lash." He then swung his staff forward a purple bolt of energy flew out of the staff and into the sky. The purple power found its way to Nimbus. Attaching to the cloud and in a breath, Roshi was getting tugged into the sky attached to Nimbus. Off to home and whatever adventures away.
Kami watched from the edge of his Marble plateau and found himself weeping. For the first time in millennia, fear assuaged him. The old guardian allowed himself but a chance to smile for a moment. For the first time in his guardianship, the Earth felt prepared for what was to come.
"Preservation." The guardian mumbled, turning away from the edge he gripped on his staff and walking back towards his grand palace. The sands in the hourglass ever ticking away. But for now, the scales tipped towards preservation. The cacophonous millions were a chorus in his ears. The horrors that waited in the silence were kept at bay.