The rumors of my death were greatly exaggerated.
Yeah, it's been a hot minute, hasn't it? I have no excuses - I have just been focused on other things, and writing more of my stories was just not my priority. I'm trying to get back in the swing of writing more of this fic, but I can't promise that you'll be seeing more frequent updates. But I hope you all have been doing well. Thank you for being patience. Please enjoy the chapter.
And because it's been a while, here's a quick recap:
LAST TIME ON A WONDROUS PLACE, the attacks against the Saiyans have grown more drastic, and Planet Vegeta still struggles to find a solution. Vegeta confronted the murderer, only to be quickly outsmarted. However, the independent investigation team of Okra and Misu have found a clue that may lead them to bringing the killer to justice. Back on Earth, Bulma does further research the Red Ribbon Army, believing there's some sort of connection between it and the attacks. The pressure continues to build for her, especially when she found out she was pregnant. Meanwhile, the Earth Warriors continue their training, in preparation for the android threat that's only months away. Unbeknownst to both groups, these two cataclysmic events will collide. The story continues now.
Krillin had been going at Korin for days. It had almost been a week since they started this exercise. He had gotten so close to getting the Sacred Water so many times, but each time it slipped out of his grasp. He had long since run out of tricks and techniques. Would Kami be disappointed, if he found out it had taken him this long? He'd be kicked out of this training, for sure. After his last failure, he had fallen onto his rear, and sat at the edge of Korin Tower.
"Hey," Korin said. "What are you doing, over there? The exercise ain't over yet."
"What's the point," Krillin said, dejectedly. "I'm never gonna get that stupid water."
"Not with that attitude, of course. How do you know you never will, if you give up now? Your old master said the exact same thing to me."
Krillin sighed. "But I'm not like Master Roshi. I bet he'd already gotten it, by now." His shoulder slumped forward. He was never going to match up to his achievements, no matter what he tried.
"Krillin, do you know how long it took the Turtle Hermit to get my Sacred Water?" Krillin shrugged, but didn't turn around. "Three."
"See?! He'd already gotten it by-"
"Years. Three years, he tried. He stayed up here for three years, trying to get the Sacred Water. You've made better process in a week than he had in two years. If you feel like giving up, I suppose I can't stop you. But imagine what a little bit more time and a little bit more effort can net you."
Krillin never expected that. He always seemed to forget that his master was once a novice, as well. And he always encouraged him to do everything he could to surpass his limits. If he did give up now, it would all be for nothing. He'd never get stronger, and he wouldn't stand a chance against the androids. Korin was right – if he just put in a little bit more, he could do it.
And that was exactly what he was going to do.
He stood back up, and crouched down into his fighting stance. "Okay, here I go!"
Krillin ran to Korin, and he didn't move. When he jumped, Krillin jumped up with him, and made a grab for the bottle. But Korin scratched him with his claws, and somersaulted to the other side of the tower, still holding onto the bottle. Krillin slid across the floor on his hands and knees, and jumped back towards him. He got another running start towards him. He looked like he was about to grab the bottle again, but Korin dodged just in him.
However, he wasn't prepared for Krillin to follow him there. He ran at him, and all Korin could do was stumble backwards, before he turned around and jumped up to the ceiling. He held onto the Sacred Water with his tail, as he clung to the ceiling. Krillin grabbed onto the pillar, and climbed up, following him there. He swung himself across the ceiling on the rafters he could grab.
Korin dropped, just as he got to him, landing on his feet and still holding onto the water. Krillin pushed his feet against the ceiling and fell down towards him. "Hey, Korin," he yelled, to get his attention. Korin looked back up at him.
He put his hands up to his forehead and closed his eyes. "Taiyoken!"
A bright light flashed, blinding the cat. Korin covered his eyes, accidentally dropping the Sacred Water. Krillin swooped in just in the nick of time, and caught the bottle in his two hands, skidding across the floor on his belly.
"I… I did it…," A large smile formed on Krillin's face. He jumped up into the air and hopped around, holding the Sacred Water high into the air. "I did it! I caught it! The Sacred Water is finally mine!" He started laughing and hugging it.
Korin rubbed his eyes, as he regained his vision. "Congratulations, Krillin," he said. "Now, take yourself a drink – you've earned it."
Krillin blinked and looked down at it. The gravity of the situation had started to sink in. This was it – he'd finally have a taste of the Sacred Water. Master Roshi and Goku had drunken the same Sacred Water, before. Only few strong and lucky men made it this far, and he was one of them. His palms started to sweat, and he swallowed a lump in his throat. He slowly uncorked the bottle, and brought it up to his lips. He braced himself, as he gulped every last drop of it. This was his big moment. It was finally coming.
But as the seconds ticked on, nothing felt different. He didn't feel a rush of strength hit him or anything like that. He felt the same.
"Uh, Master Korin, should I feel any… different, now?"
"Probably not – that was simple tap water, after all."
Krillin dropped the bottle. "WHAT?!"
"Oh yes. It doesn't have any effect, at all. But your work was not for nothing. Think about the week you spent coming at me, mastering your techniques. You've grown stronger than when we began. And I bet you've learned a few new tricks to defeating an opponent. The water was just a little bit of motivation."
That sounded like something Roshi would have done. He did feel stronger than he was, when they started. And he had learned a little bit about timing a Taiyoken. So what if the water was just normal water? He had learned a lot. "Well, thanks, Master Korin. You were a big help."
"Anytime, Krillin." Korin picked up the bottle, and walked to the stairs. "I think we have a bit more time together. If you wanna go at this, again, I'll refill this and we can restart."
Krillin smiled. "Sounds good! I'm ready when you are!" This exercise had given Krillin newfound confidence. If he could pass Korin's trials, there was nothing that he couldn't do.
Yamcha had remained on the Lookout to train one-on-one with Kami. While Krillin's training had been physical and Tien's training had been mental, Yamcha's was a mix of both. To be a good warrior meant that one had to have both. And each of the Earth fighters would have their chance to achieve both.
Yamcha hadn't known what to expect. Kami was very wise and powerful, but he was still an old man. He hadn't thought he was capable of much, in regards to complex fighting moves. His training with them was mostly as an observer. He hadn't actually challenged them in a match.
He had been in for a rude awakening, during their first spar.
Kami had come out on top, barely moving a muscle. Yamcha hadn't even been able to touch him. He only needed to flick in his direction to get him to back off. Yamcha had learned his first lesson: never judge by appearance. One needed to feel out an opponent's power and not make judgments based on one's biased perceptions.
Since then, the training had been very specific. Each day, Yamcha would learn something small, such as how to stand properly or the best way to throw a ki blast. It was tedious, but Kami believed that mastering the basics was vital in learning complex techniques. Something as simple as where you put your feet could impact how you perform a Spirit Ball. Kami would make sure that Yamcha was doing every little thing right, before he moved on. When Yamcha questioned why, he was given the same answer.
"You have to learn how to follow the rules before you start breaking them."
He was looking forward to the day he could break the rules. But he didn't dare disobey Kami. When the guardian of Earth told you to do something, you should probably suck it up and do it. He trusted that he knew what he was doing.
Yamcha crouched down into his usual fighting stance. Kami circled him, looking at every aspect of his stance. He tapped his heel with his cane, and Yamcha brought his foot forward. He pushed his shoulders with the head of his cane, pushing him more upright. He pushed on his left arm, bringing it downwards, and pushed his chin up, as well. Yamcha nervously glanced at him, throughout.
"Alright," Kami said. "You're making improvements. I didn't have to correct you as many times. Now, punch with your left arm."
Yamcha threw his left arm forward, and returned to his normal stance.
"Again."
Yamcha repeated the action, using more force.
"You've exerted yourself too much. Remember – you can't force these actions."
Yamcha tried again, using less force.
"Better. Now, use your right hand and mimic the movements you would when creating a simple ball of energy."
He flicked his wrist upwards, uncurled his fingers, and clenched them together.
"Don't tense up, after you've created it. Doing so will only slow down your movements. Try, again."
He rolled his shoulders back, and repeated the action, careful to keep his muscles relaxed.
"Better. Now, I want you to create that ball of energy. Do exactly as you did, before, and then throw what you created against the wall, in front of you." Kami pointed his staff to the opposite wall.
Yamcha breathed in, and formed a spirit ball. He pointed his finger in the air and threw it towards the wall. The impact created a small burst of debris, before it quickly cleared.
"Are you noticing any difference," Kami asked.
Yamcha stood up straight and stretched his arms. "A little, but I can't explain. It feels a little easier to do it. Doesn't feel like much of a difference, though."
"You might think that, but that bit of ease will add up. If you can do your techniques just a fraction more easily, you don't expend as much energy. Thus, giving you energy to do more and fight more. It leaves you better prepared, when the time to fight comes. Do you understand what I'm getting at."
He sighed. "I think so."
"Good." Kami walked to stand in front of him. "Now, I want you to do that technique you like so much, again. The Kitty Cat Punch."
"What are you- oh. The Wolf Fang Fist. You just… want me to come right at you?"
"Precisely."
Yamcha stepped backwards, and crouched down, reading his hands in front of him and at his sides. He leaned back on his heels, and sprinted forwards. Kami stood still, watching him charge towards him.
"WOLF FANG FIST!" He swung his leg around to kick Kami in the face, but he ducked underneath his blow. Yamcha punched towards him, and Kami blocked each of his attacks with one hand. When he went in for the finishing blow, he flicked his finger towards him, sending Yamcha flying backwards and into a pillar.
Yamcha slowly stood up, rubbing his back. Kami walked over to him. "Yamcha, I think I know what your problem is. You're too concerned about the presentation. I gave you an ample amount of chances to hit me, but you stuck too closely to your technique. A coordinated series of punches won't do you much good if you can't hit an opponent."
He sighed. "So I should lose the technique, is what you're saying?"
"Not necessarily. If you can improve on your precision and your speed, then you can get as fancy as you like. This is why we've been going over the foundations so much. Remember what I've told you: you can only break the rules after you've learned them, first. Is there something not clicking about that?"
"No, it's clicking, alright." Yamcha rubbed the back of his neck. "Old habits, I guess."
"I see. I will say, I have seen some improvement. You managed to cut down on your timing, when using that technique. I noticed you took less time when running towards me. If we can manage to shave that down a little more, then I think you'll be fine."
He nodded. "I understand."
"That's what I like to hear. Now, I'd like to see you try something else."