Author: "AUTHOR NOTE TIME! WE REACHED 100,000+ WOOOORRRRRRRRRRDDSSSSSSAAAAAA!" *confetti* "And I know some people reach this milestone within 15 chapters, BUT I AIN'T CARE! I like the length of my chapters just fine. Anyways, this chapter we'll be meeting a side character, and some side villains. This character will definitely be important... somewhere else. In here, he's just there as a preview, basically. That's just a heads up so you don't get overly excited or attached, because it's painful when you get attached to a character and never see them again. So, yeee... read, review, follow, fave, do whatchu wanna do."

Lost Origin: A Saiyan's Quest

Bam: "Psst! Bro, that wolf girl looks like she was hurt BAD! What do you think happened?"

Boom: "She might have messed with people tougher than her, bro. It's not smart to mess with people tougher than you!"

Bam: "But, bro, we've been messing with people tougher than us our whole life!"

Boom: "Bro, we're the Thief Thugs! We're the toughest of all!"

Bam: "I know, rite-pffthehehehehe!"

Boom: "I'm so glad we're out of that snow field! Freakin' freezin' to death back there..."

Chapter 42: Soul Walker

Our heroes managed to collect four Dragon Balls, but their latest one was taken at a high price! Blanca and Plata Byoodo, the White Wolf Sisters, had been surprise-attacked by the last members of the Geran clan! They were able to defeat them (and by defeat I mean murder in the most horrifying way possible), but that did not stop them from hurting Plata with deep injuries that needed immediate attention! Using the Wind Shark, our heroes moved quickly to a place where they might find medical attention, still with the Thief Thugs following behind.

Blanca: "I can't believe it... Ninomiya's dead... but, hey, you'll be able to revive him soon, so there's no need to worry!"

Scorzette: "Yeah, these Dragon Balls are quite the interesting artifacts. Let's see, we have the four-star, the two-star, the five-star, and now the one-star Dragon Ball."

Sakura: *checks Dragon Radar* "Oh! And speaking of Dragon Balls, there seems to be one near-by!"

Blanca: "Really? Hey, it might be in a town, or village, or something!"

Sakura: "It could be! Let's go!"

Meanwhile, some meters behind our heroes...

Boom: "Psst! Bro, ain't it just convenient how those monkey girls never bother to look back when they're riding that thing?"

Bam: "I dunno, maybe it's illegal!"

Boom: "I know, rite-pffthehehehehe! Then again, we don't care about legal."

Bam: "Bro, if stealing was legal, what would we do?"

Boom: "Bro, there ain't no fun in stealing if you can just do it and no one will say anything! The adrenaline of breaking into someone's property and taking their stuff is what got us here, bro! We'd probably be doctors, or business men, or something."

Bam: "But, bro, we've only had two successful robberies in our life!"

Boom: "Bro, sometimes you need to shut up..."

As our heroes approached the next Dragon Ball, they began seeing what seemed like a village in the desert! However, as they got closer to the village, the Dragon Radar showed that the Dragon Ball was getting further away. In the distance, they saw a cloud of dirt, which apparently was on the village but was now going away from it. The Dragon Ball was in the dirt cloud, but that would have to wait, as Plata's health was much more important at the moment.

Blanca: *carrying Plata on arms* "Hello? Hello! Is anyone in here? We need help! Someone is really badly injured! Please!" *silence*

Sakura: "Huh? Hey, look, there's a cross on that house! Maybe it's a clinic!"

Blanca: *goes to clinic* *knock knock* "Hello? Someone, help us! Please!"

Man: *on the street* "Hey."

Scorzette: "Huh? You! We need help, quickly!"

Blanca: "Sir! My sister has been hurt really badly, and we need to treat her! I don't know how much she can hold on for... please... I'm begging you!" *knees in front of man*

Man: *looks at Plata's injuries* "Hmmm..." *looks at clinic* "Hey, John! It's safe now!"

John: *opens door* "Really? OK, bring them in!"

As soon as the medic - called John - opened the door, Blanca came running in, and immediately put Plata on the first medical bed she saw. Noticing Blanca's desperation and Plata's deep injuries, John began examining her, and proceeded to take her the emergency room. In here, they would take Plata's ripped and bloody clothes off, and begin covering all the wounds with bandages. While they did this, Sakura and Scorzette stayed on the waiting room, with the man that helped them get in the clinic.

Sakura: "Thank you so much, sir!"

Man: "It was just a small favor."

Scorzette: "(Hmmm... kind of a cold guy...) So, what's your name?"

The man was taller than even Scorzette (who is 1.77 meters tall), and he wore a black shirt and pants, as well as a crimson cape, which went as far down as his knees, and was ripped at the bottom. He wore several belts on his left arm, but his right arm was covered by the cape, as if he was hiding something. He had a ring on his ring finger, meaning he was in some sort of relationship. He wore heavy-looking boots, also black, with some red straps. His hair was black, and seemed kind of messy and spiky, held together by a head-band, though it was not particularly well put together, either. There was a neck-band on his neck (obviously), and it looked similar to his head-band. His eyes were a dark red, giving a look that lacked emotion, though it did not give an evil vibe.

Man: "... Praus. Praus Zole. You two?"

Sakura: "Nice to meet you, Mr. Praus! My name's Sakura Ikeda, and this is my friend, Scorzette! She calls me 'Litua,' though, in case it becomes confusing."

Praus: "Sakura and Scorzette... are you two half-monkeys?"

Sakura: *wiggling tail* "No, we're actually from an alien race called 'Saiyans!' It sounds very weird, but we're not lying!"

Praus: "Aliens, huh... I'd believe it. The world is filled with strange and exotic phenomena. In all honesty, you two seem fairly normal to me."

Scorzette: "That'd be a second... first being Helen. Hey, Praus, do you know what that dirt cloud was earlier?"

Praus: "This village's worst nightmare. It's a group of enslavers. They call themselves the Slave Bearers. Every day, they come to this village and pick anyone at random. Could be a grown man, a little girl, or an old, dying person. They take whoever, and force them to become desert bandits, or let them to die if they refuse."

Sakura: "Oh, no, that's terrible! Has anyone tried to stop them?"

Praus: "I tried once. Almost got myself killed. There's too many of those low-life bandits. I'm the only one who can fight in this village, though, so it's not like I've got any help."

Scorzette: "You fight, huh... we do, too. We have for our whole life!"

Praus: "Martial arts, I assume. I'm no good at fist fights, so I use..." *removes cape from right arm* "... this."

Under Praus' cape was hidden a massive, double-sided battle axe! Just by looking at it, the Saiyans could tell that it weighed a ton! Besides the axe, there was a big magnum, seemingly capable of piercing any surface with its immense firepower! The gun had the name "Valentine" inscribed on the side, written in cursive.

Scorzette: "Well, that looks heavy. These Slave Bearers must be really strong if THAT couldn't handle them."

Praus: "They've got a couple of tricks, those bastards."

Sakura: "Hey, how about we help? If we work together, we might have a chance!"

Praus: "You'd do that for a village you barely just met? Guess there are still some kind souls out there." *looks out the window* "And just in time, too!"

The Slave Bearers were heading back into the village, riding their horses! Apparently, that day they took a very old man, almost too sick to move. The shock of him being kidnapped was too much for him, and he had a heart attack on his trip with the Slave Bearers. Since the man died before the bandits even gave him a chance to speak, they came back to take another victim, to make up for the one they just took.

Praus: "What the hell do you want? You already took a villager today!"

Slave Bearer #1: "It seems like the old geezer didn't make it." *throws old man's corpse on the ground*

Slave Bearer #2: "We're here to take a... substitute, if you may."

Praus: "Sorry, but we don't take refunds." *takes weapons out*

Slave Bearer #3: "Praus, Praus, Praus, have you not learned? You can't do jack to us."

Sakura: *jumps in* "He's not alone!"

Scorzette: *walks in, arms crossed* "That was the last villager you took, punks."

Slave Bearer #4: "D'awww, look, he's got friends now! How cute!"

Slave Bearer #3: "A bunch of monkeys don't scare us! We'll just take your lives as-"

Sakura: "Ricochet Ray!" *knocks Slave Bearers off horses* *horses run away*

Slave Bearer #1: "Gah! Why, you little...!" *starts shooting*

Praus: "Watch out! Those bullets are special!"

Like always, Sakura began dodging the bullets, but this time it was different. The Slave Bearers had near-perfect accuracy, and began shooting at the other two as well! Our heroes were just inches away from the bullets hitting their head! As they kept dodging, they noticed the bullets would leave huge cracks on every surface they left, meaning that even our Saiyan fighters would suffer heavy damage if shot! Unable to do anything, Sakura, Scorzette, and Praus were forced to take cover behind a house, giving them a little time to think.

Slave Bearer #2: "Come out, cowards! We're not done with you yet!"

Praus: "We've gotta take them out from here. Going up there is suicide."

Scorzette: "From here... wait, I've got it! I haven't had to use this technique in a while, but now's a good time!" *steps back* "Buster Catapult!"

Scorzette summoned a purple ki sphere on her right hand, with a smoke-like aura surrounding it. She launched it over the house where they were taking cover, and directly in the center of the Slave Bearer's location. The sphere left a trail of smoke in the air, and as soon as it hit the ground, it exploded! The detonation sent all four of the Slave Bearers flying in different directions, separating them and making it easier for our heroes to fight!

Scorzette: "Got 'em!" *runs towards Slave Bearer* "Hyyyaaa!" *kick*

Sakura: "I'll take care of that one!" *runs towards another Slave Bearer* *punch*

Praus: "These two are mine." *swings axe* *Slave Bearers are sent flying, with heavy injuries* "We have to group them in a line, quickly!"

Not questioning the axe-wielder's request, Sakura and Scorzette picked the Slave Bearers and lined them up. They were still paralyzed from the attacks they had received, making it impossible for them to move. Praus then pointed his magnum against the side of the left-most Slave Bearer, indirectly pointing at the other three.

Praus: "You've caused far too much chaos to this village. Your spirits have been tainted with the dark fruits of hell. It's time they come back to where they belong." *prepares magnum*

Slave Bearer #1: "No... Praus! Stop it!"

Praus: "... Anima's Void."

Anima's Void was Praus' special attack. He shot through all of the Slave Bearers' heads with a single bullet. Suddenly, dark spirits were released from the Slave Bearer's bodies! These dark spirits tried to escape, but were quickly absorbed by Praus' magnum, seemingly sealing them away... wait, is Praus a ghost buster or something?

Author: "Who you gonna call?!"

Don't get us sued... anyways, Praus' magnum absorbed the Slave Bearer's souls, and the actual bullet pierced their brains, so... they died.

Praus: "(Hang in there... Valentine...)"

Scorzette: "Well, that's that problem over and dealt with. Now..." *checks Dragon Radar* "... it says that one of them has a Dragon Ball, somewhere..."

Praus: "A Dragon Ball?" *digs through Slave Bearer #4's pockets* "... you mean..." *takes out seven-star Dragon Ball* "... this thing?"

Sakura: "Yes, that!" *Praus gives Dragon Ball* "Alright! Five Dragon Balls! Just wait a little bit more, Ninomiya... you'll be alive again soon..."

Villagers: "PRA-US! PRA-US! PRA-US! PRA-US!"

Scorzette: "HEY! We helped, too, damn it! Bah, whatever..."

Blanca: "I saw you guys from the clinic. I would've helped, but I couldn't leave Plata alone. You were awesome!"

John: "Praus, you're a hero! I don't know how we'll ever repay you the favor!"

Praus: "Well..." *looks at Blanca* "... your sister needs help, right?" *looks back at John* "John, I want you to treat her sister for free. That's how you can repay me the favor."

Blanca: *gasp* "Th... thank you... thank you so much! I'm in eternal gratitude with you, Mr. Praus!"

Praus: "Don't mention it. And please, just call me 'Praus'" *turns around* "My duty here is done."

Villager: "Whoa, Praus, you're leaving already? But you haven't even been here for a month! We don't mind keeping you at the inn for a while longer!"

Praus: "That's fine, Greg. I appreciate everyone's hospitality, but my next goal awaits me on the horizon. This might be good-bye for now, Sakura, Scorzette, and Blanca... but I've got a feeling..." *looks back* "... that we'll meet again soon." *walks towards the setting sun*

Sakura: "Right! Bye, Mr. Praus!"

Scorzette: "Be careful out there, Praus!"

Blanca: "Yeah... I've got that feeling, too..." *waves with Brontobit Arm* "Until next time, Praus!"

Meanwhile, somewhere else in the village...

Bam: "Psst! Bro, look, those bandits left their guns!" *picks gun up*

Boom: "Oh ho ho! This could come in handy!" *picks another gun up*

Thief Thugs: "I know, rite-pffthehehehehe!"

As Praus walked out of the village and towards the horizon, Sakura and Scorzette got on the Wind Shark and began heading towards the next Dragon Ball. Blanca stayed on the village, not willing to leave her sister alone for one second. The Thief Thugs got on their motorcycle and continued following, though this time they were armed! Can our heroes gather the remaining Dragon Balls? Will the Thief Thugs finally become a real threat? Find out next time on Lost Origin: A Saiyan's Quest!

To be continued...

Bonus Skit

Before our heroes arrived at the deserted desert village (Ha!), the Thief Thugs were already looking for a place to hide and observe.

Bam: "Psst! Bro, you see any good place to hide?"

Boom: "Hold on, I'm looking... aha! Maybe we could hide in this barre-"

Praus: *points magnum* "Who are you and what do you want?"

Boom: "AAAHH! Bro, bro, bro, bro, calm down... we were just... t'umm..."

Bam: "We... were going to clean this barrel! From the inside!"

Boom: "Yeah, that's right! Totally!" *Thief Thugs go in barrel*

Author: "... Praus... DO A BARREL ROLL!" *Praus kicks barrel, sending it rolling*

The references... ALL the references!