In his deep dark voice, he spoke "How many years have I been sealed away?" His words dripped with hate and malice.
Pilaf fell to the ground as his face managed to turn bluer at the sight before him. It was King Piccolo the size of a house maybe ten feet tall or more, green, old, with antennae. His purple shirt said 'Devil' and so did his black eyes. Even for a creature hundreds of years old he was the definition of intimating.
Pilaf remembered the book speaking of the terror this creature had unleashed on the world. He had only half believed the stories. Now he fully believed them. This alien destroyed the world once upon a time.
Shu and Mai were cowering behind a rock leaving only Pilaf in the creature sights. Piccolo's eyes were filling with rage at his lack of a response, but Pilaf was so crippled with fear that he had forgotten how to speak.
In a roar Piccolo let out asked "WELL!?" Pilaf still said nothing and as a result the hands of the monster were now coming towards him.
In a yelp Pilaf began to talk as fast as his mouth could and it came out as complete gibberish. Piccolo listened and was not amused.
Piccolo yelled at him "Stop babbling and answer my question!"
Pilaf took a deep breath and said very more audibly "Sorry my lord. I was just in awe of your greatness." Piccolo merely sneered at the compliment. "Well you see the thing is Lord Piccolo you have been away for quite some time."
Piccolo deeply angry "How long?"
Pilaf nervously stated, "Three hundred years or so."
Piccolo growled he let out a roar that made the ground shake and stopped the waves crashing onto the shore. The spray from the water levitated in the air. Pilaf pupil went tiny as he froze, he was quite sure he was about to die. Piccolo roar subsided. He stared at Pilaf. Piccolo then looked to his hands. Last he saw them they were dark green full of life. Now they were greying his skin falling off his bones. World conquest was a sure thing, but age had truly weakened him. But in a thought, he asked.
"Tell me little one is Kami's Magical Balls still around?"
Pilaf quickly asked, "You mean the dragon balls?"
Piccolo glared in response which Pilaf took to mean 'yes'.
Pilaf quickly said "Why yes my lord they are! In fact, I even have a radar capable of easily finding them!" Piccolo grinned. "Yes, and I can take you to them in my floating palace my lord if it would please you!" He nervously laughed.
"It would."
Pilaf pointed to his airship parked on a cliff above them.
"Tremble world and despair for your master has returned and you shall once again taste my righteous fury."
Roshi couldn't help but feel sick. Something was wrong he knew it since this morning. Even watching his star pupil beating Tien and become the World Champion hadn't alleviated his discomfort. It had been a stunning match and unlike the matches of the last tournament there had been no hard feelings.
Tien and Chiaotzu had gone off on their own since the last tournament. He had said was ashamed of his actions and his trust. Roshi had expected as much. Tien was loyal and the business with Shen and Kakarrot had really torn him up. He might have not wanted company, but Launch wasn't one to take no for an answer. She had decided that Tien owed her, so she tagged along.
Bulma and Yamcha had made it official. He even got her a ring. Bulma had given everyone a save the date card.
Puar was beyond ecstatic on the subject. Oolong who had tagged along with Bulma and Yamcha couldn't have cared less about it.
Chi-Chi was too busy training and beginning to run her kingdom. Still a Princess but soon to be Queen when she turned sixteen. She had been glad to see her Uncle Gohan again at Baba's. The message that her father had sent with him had put quite the spark back into her since the whole Kakarrot deal.
Krillin was the only one of his students that bother to stay with the old man. He had been so excited to see Chi-Chi again. It was clear to Roshi that the boy had fallen for the Princess. The boy hadn't spent a day not thinking of her. Roshi hoped that he would the work up the courage to say something to her.
They were leaving the Tournament ground when Chi-Chi turned to them and said. "I forgot my power pole and Uncle's Dragon Ball."
In a smile Krillin said "Don't worry Cheech I'll get it."
She didn't know why but she hesitated "Wait Krillin!"
He looked at her curiously "Why?"
She didn't know why "I…?"
"It will be fine I'll be right back." He took off as Chi-Chi looked puzzled. She ended up following her friends to the restaurant the 'Son Goku'. They all sat down and prepared to eat but neither Roshi nor Chi-Chi ate.
Dark and somehow familiar clouds were swirling in Roshi's head. He could see that Chi-Chi was troubled to. Something was seriously wrong.
All of a sudden Chi-Chi jumped out of her seat and rushed out of the restaurant without saying a word to her friends. Roshi sensing danger was the first to get out of his seat and follow her. The others were sputtered out questions but Roshi didn't bother to answer them. He knew his students were in trouble.
Chi-Chi moving as fast as she could made it back to the tournament ground and to where the preliminaries took place. She looked to find Krillin dead on the floor in front of her. A ribbon of crimson coming from his mouth. His neck snapped. A piece of paper with the word 'devil' in black with a red circle around it.
Chi-Chi grabs hold of him and in a panic attempts to see if he is still alive. To only confirm what she already knew. Roshi rushed in as the announcer nearby who had hid behind one of the rings came out at her and Roshi's presence.
In a panic the Announcer blurted out "It was a green slimy monster with wings. It came in here stole the dragon ball the roster and killed him."
Not even bothering to respond to the Announcer she grabbed her power pole and ran outside yelling for the flying nimbus as Roshi yelled for her to wait but she didn't listen. She was gone before the others arrived as Roshi looked to see the paper. He broke a sweat as the name became clear to him. The monster that haunted his dreams had returned.
The grey metal door to Gero's room opened as Kakarrot entered to see his Grandpa working studiously at his bench. The room stunk of the doctor as sometimes the old man so consumed by his work forgot to bathe. Despite this Kakarrot never felt uncomfortable in this room or in its clutter. Rather this place was always a place of comfort. Never besides the training room did Kakarrot feel more at home. It had taken quite the doing on Gero's part to get the boy to finally sleep in his own bed.
Gero didn't look from his bench as Kakarrot curious looked at his work. In the doctor's has seemed to be an improved version of the standard masks combined with the helmets of the soldiers. He pressed a button it clicked, and numbers appeared on the screen.
"You asked to see me?"
"Yes, my boy." He said while placing the helmet down.
"What is that?"
Gero turned his body around to look at Kakarrot and said "Prototype. Steel and Kevlar are obsolete. The materials I got from your ship are harder to manufacture but I am on the cusp of doing much quicker."
"Really?"
"Yes. In addition, I'm going to final being using the modifications on the cyborgs to improve the army. The suits with make them stronger, see farther, fight longer, and fly. The limitations of flesh will no longer be an issue."
"The numbers?"
"It was trying to read your power level. It's still in beta."
"Is this what you wanted to talk to me about?"
"No. Well it has a component of which I wanted to speak to you about."
"That you be about?"
Gero patted his lap and signaled for him to come over. Without a word of disagreement Kakarrot sat on his lap.
Gero looking at Kakarrot in the eyes asked, "What are your intentions with Yurin?"
Kakarrot smirked "To have fun grandpa."
Gero coldly stated "That won't do."
Kakarrot looked at him inquisitively "Why not?"
Gero sighed "Well not forever anyways. I have taught many things and it is high time I truly teach you the meaning of Legacy."
"I know the meaning of Legacy."
"Do you now? Why did I raise you?"
Kakarrot looking away not really wishing to admit it "Because you lost your own son."
"Because my Legacy on this planet was in jeopardy. It was stolen from me. After which I would have been only left with the army, except for you. You are my Legacy on this planet. You are a god that one day the world will worship. To lead these weak and short-sighted fools to their true destiny as the masters of the cosmos."
In his eyes Kakarrot looked "I know my destiny Grandpa."
"Games are fun but soon you will be a man. I don't want accidental great grandchildren. I want heirs. Princes not some strumpet's back alley bastard."
Kakarrot sighed "You needn't worry I have a far better target in mind to cement your Legacy on this universe."
"Prey tell who is it?"
"The strongest. The strong with the strong to make the strong."
It was then that the hairs on the back Kakarrot's neck stood up. Gero looked to see the look of worry on Kakarrot's face.
"What's wrong?"
"Chi-Chi! Tell everyone to stay put."
Kakarrot jumped out of his Grandpa's lap and rushed out of the room until coming to the surface and in a burst of energy took off.
Pilaf sweating "Well you see Lord Piccolo that's how we found you."
A quite unamused Piccolo in a throne made of bones that he magiced up stared at the tiny in comparison book in front of him.
Piccolo in rage "Legend am I!" The book caught fire burning to ashes in seconds as the Pilaf gang continued to look scared.
"That has been my record? A legend, a myth suitable for mere treasure seeks and vacant eyed dreamers! I set this world a blaze in fire and blood and this is my legacy on this planet or lack thereof?!"
A short yellow greenish pterodactyl headed creature in robes at Piccolo's side spoke.
"Calm yourself Father. You're about to remind them why you are not some myth or legend when you once again set this world a blaze."
Piccolo calmed himself and smiled imagining all the horror that he was about to inflict on the planet. Right hands middle and index finger went to his head. In his mind as he spoke to Tambourine. Tambourine was a green scaled skinned bat winged monster. His lips were large. His eyes beady. His head with a dark green spine on it. His upper body was nude, but his legs and feet covered by some clothing.
"Tambourine do you hear me?"
"I do Father."
"Do you have the dragon ball and the roster?"
"I do Father. You have what you need to begin your war on the filthy humans."
"Not yet but soon."
The Piccolo hung up as Tambourine looked downwards. In the distance was a city that seemed to be going through some sort of celebration. As the sunset with its vivid oranges, reds and yellows highlighting the scenery. Of the visa in front of him and of the ocean and tropical jungle below him.
"Enjoy it you wretches. Today will the last peacefully moment in your miserable in your life." Said as rapidly approaching Chi-Chi was coming up behind him with fire in her eyes.
Yamcha yelled "What?! She Went after the thing after it killed Krillin!"
The group looked a mixed of horror and shock. Launch looked as furious. Tien was calm but disturbed. Bulma was in tears as Roshi held his dead student in his arms.
Roshi thought to himself "Just one hit. Did the monster's power not diminish after three hundred years?"
Launch blonde barked out at him "You know something master! Who's the asshole who did this!?"
Roshi stone faced with fear "I never knew the reason why or where. Just the how and who. Piccolo."
Tien asked "Piccolo?"
"Piccolo the King the demons come straight out of hell to burn all that mankind was or will ever be." The others gave a gasped.
"The world as you know it was not ways as it is. When I was young the world much different. The world was composed of nations and flags. People had begun to unite from their generation long conflicts. It wasn't prefect but certainly better than what came next. He came one day out of the blue with his demon army in toe. Cities died in an afternoon. Cultures wiped out. The world came to a halt. Civilization as it was known came to an end. Billions died. I was a pupil along with Shen of the most talent master of his day Mutaito. We stood are ground along with the others against his army. Of the nearly hundred pupils only me and Shen were left. I lost more friends than I care to count that day. We stopped the horde and saved the thousands fleeing from them in the process. But then the King showed up. Me and Shen were in our prime, but he didn't break a sweat. We were just paper in a typhoon. Me and Shen were dead until Mutaito intervened. He begged for the monster to stop this assault on mankind, but the creature just laugh. No reason was given. He tried to fight it, but it was over before it began. Shen used his solar flare and the three of us escaped barely with our lives. My master once he was better left. He was unable to face me and Shen. That day I lost my best friend. Shen survived but the man I knew died. Good had betrayed him. Angry at the world he lashed out. Filled with hate. He would blame me for master's death. Mutaito came up with a solution but needed my help. The Evil Containment Wave the only know way to stop him that has been found. It's useful though takes a toll. Whether due to age or merely the draining of one's soul it kills its user. My Master used it to trap him in a jar killing himself in the process. I dropped the jar in the ocean hoping no one would ever find it."
"Can…" Tien began to ask with steel in his voice. "Can you teach me the evil containment wave?"
The group gasped and Launch looking worried said. "Their no reason to think Master can do it."
"I can't Mutaito never taught me it. So, I can't teach it to you. We can however gather the dragon balls and use them to stop him."
Roshi hated lying but he knew that Tien was determined to play the martyr and he just couldn't have that. Better that the old die for the young for a change.
Yamcha determined "Well I'm coming with you."
Bulma shrieked "YAMCHA!"
"I'm not going to stand around and wait this bastard killed Krillin. I want pay back."
"No."
"But…"
"No. Me, Tien and Launch will go and collect the balls. You and the others will be our backup. Chi-Chi will need to be caught up to speed. Go back to my house and hopefully she'll show up. Wait! You'll have to move." The others looked puzzled. "A martial art sealed him away before so he intends to kill everyone one who could use the move."
"Of course! That's why he stole the roster to make sure no one can stop him again."
"Hopefully Chi-Chi will have given up and come looking for us. She can join us once she gets up to speed. If not, you have move anyways."
Bulma handed them the radar as they left. The Announcer having listened to this entire discussion. When to a phone and dialed up the number that Frank had given him.
The voice on the line "This is Stryker."
"Yeah uh I have to report something major going down."
Chi-Chi screamed out at a figure in front of here "You stop!"
Tambourine curious stopped turn to face the ball of rage that was Chi-Chi. The nimbus stopped as he asked.
"A child. Explain?"
Chi-Chi saw the ball and the roster in his hand and angrily yelled out "You just killed my best friend!"
Tambourine smirked "Yeah probably."
On her cloud she charged him taking out her power pole at trying to whack him. Only to find her blows easily caught. She was running on fumes and it was quite apparent in her fight. The punches that she had thrown at Tien not an hour ago had been far more powerful. She attempted to get to the back of the monster only to find that he turned his head around one eighty like an owl. The monster had no blind spots to exploit. All she was doing; it would seem was amusing it.
Tambourine chuckling "Are all humans so weak girl?"
"I'm going to kill you." Said while she seemed out of breath.
"Hilarious." He fired a jet of fire like ki from his mouth and as she fell gave her a punch to the face sending her tumbling down and smashing into the ground below with a great thud.
"How did Father lose to such a worthless race? Well two down seven billion to go." He laughed as he flew away.
On the ground Chi-Chi barely clung to life as she passed out in her jungle grave.