King Piccolo Saga: Part V
"You want me to fight you?" the turtle hermit questioned, lifting a youthful brow. It seemed almost ironic that, after having come so far as to defeat the Demon King Piccolo, his test to meet the Guardian of Earth was to fight a mere genie.
"Yes," Popo simply answered, his tone stoic. "You must prove to me that you deserve to see Kami."
"While I wasn't expecting this, I guess it makes sense..." Roshi conceded, assuming an offensive stance. 'If this guy wants a fight, it's a fight he'll get… but something seems off.' Upon further scrutinization, Roshi realized something: the genie remained in place, not even bothering to assume even the most casual of stances.
Both fighters remained stationary for several moments. Roshi couldn't get a reading on his unusual opponent... Mr. Popo seemed to have no thoughts running through in his mind at all, just… existing.
Then, finally, a movement was made. Master Roshi, by charging toward his enemy, started the battle. Though his opponent made no motion to counter, the youth did not let that deter him. Just as they were about to meet, Roshi leapt up at the last moment possible, throwing a mighty roundhouse kick, when—THUDD!
The youth's assault was stopped to an embarrassing halt as the 'laughable' genie plunged his fist against the front of Roshi's skull, sending him falling to the ground on the spot. Slowly he got back up, unsure of how that happened—unsure of what even exactly happened.
"Well, that was too easy," Mr. Popo commented casually. "Are you sure you were the one who defeated Piccolo?"
'Even I didn't see that coming...' the youth marveled internally.
"Are you already done? At this rate you'll never meet Kami."
"You'll find I'm full of surprises." There was no time for Roshi to think; he had to act. There was something off about his opponent, and he wasn't about to give him any time to pull whatever tricks he could've had up his sleeve. Bulking up into his MAX Power State, the martial artist threw a powerful roundhouse kick, aiming for his opponent's ribs. It was unsuccessful as the genie merely grabbed the bent leg with ease before stepping in and kicking out Roshi's posted leg, causing him to fall on his backside rather pathetically.
"All you did was make yourself even slower. You shouldn't have bulked up," Popo observed, pointing out the flaw within his adversary's tactic. "Had you not increased your muscle mass, you may have been able to counter that."
Not heeding the genie's words, Roshi jumped back to his feet and tried to land a punch, yet it was to no avail as Mr. Popo simply dodged the attack.
"You're still too slow. That form actually makes you even less of a capable fighter than before. You're weak."
'This guy is treating out fight like it's a sparring match for him! How can he be so strong?' Roshi complained internally. 'I should relax. He's right: my bulked up form is making things easier for him,' The Turtle Hermit regressed to normal, his build becoming more reasonable for that of a human being. He still preferred not to waste any time when it came to this genie, though. Closing his eyes, he took time sizing up his opponent. It seemed he was taking more time thinking of what to do next rather than actually doing something.
Mr. Popo was growing bored. Several more seconds passed without any sort of attack whatsoever from the youth, ultimately causing him to decide that the fight was a complete waste of his time. "You're disappointing me by just standing there. Why did Korin even send you?"
The time to attack was now. Roshi could tell that Popo had taken his mind off the fight to speak. In retaliation, numerous afterimages of Roshi now surrounded the genie.
"Huh? He disappeared!"
"I told you I was full of surprises!" Primarily using them as distractions, the martial artist's true form sought an attack from the left side of Popo's body. 'I tricked him!'
"Where is he?" Popo said half-heartedly. "Is he here?" The exact moment the surrounding afterimages ceased to appear, Roshi's real-self was met with a casual punch from the genie mid-charge.
"You'll never meet Kami," Popo bluntly remarked directly after connecting with his fist. Instead of assuming another offensive stance after he got back up to his feet, the youth stood up tall with his hands behind his back.
"I'm not going to be able to beat you, am I?"
"No," the genie answered immediately. "You're too weak. Physically and mentally. You don't deserve to meet Kami."
"That may be," Roshi groaned. "In fact, you're so good that I can't even sense your movements. But I can't leave! I have to revive my student and other martial artists who perished because of Piccolo!"
"A nice story. However, it doesn't change the fact that you're weak."
"You are incredibly powerful. I don't think I'll ever be able to beat you." The youth started pacing back and forth before coming to a full stop. "But I can't stop trying to win! I have no choice. I intend to revive my student even if it's the last thing I ever do!" He exclaimed, taking yet another offensive stance, but this time clasping his hands to his side. "Kame..."
"As you wi—"
"You please me," said a mysterious voice from the shadows.
Roshi stopped his attack. "Is that...?"
"Yes. It's Kami," the genie confirmed. "Consider yourself lucky. Follow me." Mr. Popo turned around and began walking to what appeared to be an alabaster series of connected buildings, all with yellow roofs. Now at the foot of the steps leading inside, Mr. Popo ordered the youth to stay in place.
A figure enveloped in shadows made its way to the exit before revealing itself to the light. It was Kami and his appearance was all-too-familiar to the martial artist. His resemblance was uncanny to someone he was never expecting to see again.
"King Piccolo!? You're still alive!" Without hesitation, driven by impulse, Roshi fearlessly rushed on the God right fist forward.
With nothing more than what appeared to be a simple flick of the finger, the youth's body was flung back several meters, leaving him winded in an impressive display of divine power.
"Despite his appearance, that is not Piccolo," Mr. Popo explained just a little too late.
"W...what?" Roshi weakly responded, still dealing with the sudden loss of air in his lungs.
"I'm guessing Korin didn't warn you about my appearance...how like him," Kami uttered in slight annoyance.
"How is that possible?!" Roshi exclaimed angrily, not believing a word. It seemed from his exclamation he'd dealt with his lack of oxygen "You look just like him!"
"Just hear him out," Mr. Popo calmly ordered. "If you're so sure that you killed Piccolo as you say you are, you'll relax and not jump to conclusions."
Roshi managed to calm himself down, at least feeling he owed the two oddballs before him some sort of explanation. After all, both of them had clearly demonstrated their superiority to him and yet had made no move to kill him. The least he could do was listen.
"Thank you, Mr. Popo," Kami then turned to the youth. "A long time ago Piccolo and I were one person... an expert in martial arts. One day—like you—I came to see Earth's guardian. Unfortunately he was dying. I wanted to succeed him, but he wouldn't allow it. I thought that I alone was deserving... But there was evil deep within my heart. He knew it. After extensive training, I was able to expel it. That evil was King Piccolo. I took the former Kami's place, but Piccolo ran off to conquer the world below. For that, and leaving him unopposed. I am truly sorry. But now you have defeated him, so I will reward you."
"Thank you," Roshi bowed in gratitude.
"I'll get you your wish, if in exchange, you stay here and train." Kami looked at the youth, noticing a fire in his eyes. It was evident that he would accept no matter the terms behind it.
"If that's what it takes, then I accept," the youth said determinedly. "...but I ask that you allow me to bring up a friend of mine named Tien... he had just as big of a hand in Piccolo's defeat that I did. Plus, after seeing his capabilities, I decided it's time to retire and let the new, younger era of fighters take my place."
Kami shook his head. "Then I cannot grant your wish."
"But why?"
"Your friend may have helped, but he is still a former assassin. He has a lot of anger still within," Earth's guardian explained. "I have already made an exception by letting you come here, and it is something I will not do again. If I am to do you this favour, you have to stay and train here alone."
Roshi thought long and hard about his options. The Turtle Hermit previously decided that he didn't fit in this new era of fighters due to his advanced age and the skill that Tien had demonstrated during the World Martial Arts Tournament. But now that he not only had his youth back, but also has the chance to battle alongside a new generation of fighters, he made a reluctant final decision. "I accept."
"Good. I know your wish. I alone can't bring back the dead, so I will resurrect Shenron so you can ask him."
"Thank you!" Roshi happily responded.
"Normally I don't do favours like this. I'll do it for you this one time. You can't depend on me, though. From this moment on, you need to figure out how to safeguard the world yourself. If there's an emergency, you can use the dragonballs. I'll resurrect Shenron right away." Kami turned to his faithful servant. "Popo, bring him here."
"Ok!" Moments later the genie returned with a broken model of a dragon under a glass dome.
"He's pretty damaged. Can you repair him?"
"Yes. Easily." With that, he instantly went to work on fixing Shenron with nothing more than glue. It seemed… a little simple when one thought about what it would take to revive a mystical dragon, but Roshi certainly wasn't going to complain about it.
"To tell the truth, Roshi, I didn't plan on repairing Shenron," the aged guardian revealed. "I created the dragonballs to give courage and hope to the people of Earth. They misused them, however. They only wanted their own personal gains... that was until... your friends showed me I didn't create them in vain. I've thought about it and I've decided to resurrect Shenron for people like you and your friends. Specifically one in particular..."
"There we go!" Popo handed Kami the newly restored model of Shenron, cutting him off from his speech.
"Stand back. Both of you," Kami ordered, lifting his index finger which then started pulsing with energy. Pointing toward Shenron's model, he fired the energy directly at it. The moment it made contact, the freshly revived dragon fled the lookout in a blinding flash of light. "There. He's heading toward the dragonballs. Normally they become ordinary for a year. This time however you'll get your wish right away."
Roshi bowed. "Thank you, Kami. I will let my friends know how great of a person you are when I see them." With that he began to walk off toward the ladder, thoughts about seeing his pupil revived filling his mind.
"You promised to train here if you haven't forgotten..." Kami called out after him, causing the Turtle Hermit to stop in his tracks and slap his forehead with his palm. "Stay and train here for the next three years and you can see them at the next tournament, if you wish… but I must warn you...King Piccolo will be there too."
"What!" Roshi vocalized fiercely. "Y-you're saying he isn't dead?"
"Correct," Kami affirmed. "He's still alive—just barely."
Tightly clenching his fists, the youth let out an inaudible growl. "Damn it... we should've looked for a body!" he uttered quietly. "They'll be no match for him right now!"
"Piccolo doesn't know that you're up here with me. With him thinking you're still around, and that your friends can actually pose him a challenge, it isn't likely he'll be so quick to attack without training a bit," the green-deity reassured Roshi. "...I want you to kill him. Mr. Popo and I have our reasons not to fight, but you... I believe you'll be able to achieve this on your own after spending time here."
"I understand," Roshi finally replied. "I'll do it!"
"Great! Now with that out of the way, you should get some well-deserved rest," Kami then turned to Popo. "Please escort Roshi to one of our rooms."
"Yes, sir!" the genie obliged.
When he came back moments later, Popo couldn't help but express his concerns. "If Piccolo gets killed you'll die too, Kami! This is bad! You used to be one being!"
Earth's Guardian looked down at clouds beneath his sanctuary, taking in Mr. Popo's words. "I cannot commit suicide. I've been waiting a long time for someone like Roshi... There's no other way. It's my fault anyways, so I must take responsibility. I'm sure he will succeed."
"That's... what I'm afraid of..."
Back on the island, the dragonballs in the gang's possession began to flash. The flashing was accompanied by a low, but distinct humming noise.
"Guys!" Bulma, the first to notice the phenomenon, called out. "Everyone grab a dragonball and head outside now!"
Complying with the blue-haired woman's order, the group dropped the mystical orbs on the beach sand below once outside. Within seconds, almost as if the spheres were awaiting to be brought outside, the seven dragonballs shot forth cackling energy into the sky above which then, in a marvelous showing of light, shaped itself into a green dragon.
"It's... It's him! He's here!" Yamcha shouted in disbelief. Shenron was supposed to be dead!
"In... Incredible..." Tien marveled. This was his first time seeing such a thing.
"I knew it when I saw the dragonballs glowing! You weren't dead, Shenron!" Bulma, happy as ever, exclaimed.
"KAMI WAS ASKED TO REVIVE ME," the dragon boomed. "SO HERE I AM!"
"K-Kami...?" The group wasn't sure what Shenron meant by that comment.
"MASTER ROSHI IS TRAINING AT THE SANCTUARY FOR THE NEXT TOURNAMENT. YOU CAN ASK HIM THE DETAILS THEN!"
"The sanctuary?" Tien said aloud.
"I'LL GRANT YOUR WISH!"
"Eh, just wait, Shenron!" Bulma grabbed a capsule from inside, throwing it on the sand. BOOM! The contraption containing Krillin's body was released.
"I KNOW WHAT THE WISH IS. YOU WANT ME TO RESURRECT THOSE KILLED BY KING PICCOLO." Just then, Shenron's eyes began to glow a deep red colour, signifying the granting of the wish.
Krillin's eyes suddenly opened.
All over the world, those killed by King Piccolo did the same. Each of them had been restored to their previous condition prior to having been murdered, none of them knowing how, why, or even if they truly did die in the first place.
With the wish complete, the dragonballs rose into the sky and scattered around the planet in a display of light. Each individual sphere shot off in a different direction in a trail of yellow light before the sky returned to its natural blue hue.
It didn't take that long to explain to Krillin the events that had transpired over the last few days. However, as the group was finishing their story, Goku came flying to the island on his nimbus cloud, instantly jumping onto the sand below.
"Krillin!" Goku exclaimed in intense joy, rushing to hug his newly-revived best friend. "I'm so glad you're back!" Goku squeezed him tightly, tears streaming down his face. "I thought I'd never see you again!"
The bald-headed boy equally had tears running down his face. "I heard you went after my killer right away! I'm grateful!"
"Yeah... I was able to kill him for you, but I wasn't able to really avenge you," Goku frowned. "Piccolo... the one who sent him after you nearly killed me! I-I'm sorry..."
Krillin returning his best friends frown with a smile. "It's all right, Goku! Don't be sorry. Master Roshi ended up taking care of him anyway!"
"Goku..." Tien said. "Shenron mentioned something about a sanctuary. Do you know anything about that?"
"Oh right..." the monkey-tailed boy remembered the other reason he came back. "Master Roshi is training with God!"
"God!? That's... amazing!"
"I'm going to train every day until I see him again at the next tournament," Goku uttered, determined as ever to reach the new level of his mentor.
"Me too," Krillin announced. "If you don't mind, I'd like to hang around with you a bit more before I go off on my own..."
"Of course!" The monkey-tailed boy pat the back of his bald friend.
"Well, if you both are going to continue your training, you should know, Chiaotzu and I will also be training for the next tournament." Tien warned.
"Hey! Don't forget about me, guys!" Yamcha didn't want his ability and skill to be glanced over like it had been during the last tournament. "As soon as my leg heals, you better bet I'll start giving you all a run for your money!"
"So we all are in agreement, then," the three-eyed human proclaimed. "We'll all begin training immediately for the tournament happening 3 years from now."
Thank you to all my readers for waiting patiently for this chapter. My time has been pretty hectic lately, so I apologize for the long update time.
All right, with that out of the way, I'm sure this chapter wasn't exactly my best(what with not showing any King Piccolo or Mai scenes in this chapter at all, but I felt it had to be this way), but the next chapter will be much better! I promise!
C: Good chapter, I know you probably can't answer this without giving much away, but I'm curious if Piccolo Jr. will make an appearance, or if old Piccolo will try and take his place. Also I feel like Kami would still be interested in meeting Goku at some point. Keep up the good work
R: No, Piccolo Jr. won't be in this story for QUITE some time, if at all.
C: A definite improvement from previous chapters. The flow is good and the story feels more focused in general. I have no complaints on anything obvious, so I guess all i haveto say for now is keep up the good work!
R: Thanks!