Chapter 30
Darkness of the North
(Last time on Piccolo's Students: Gohan & friends managed to escape the digital world in their dragon quest to heal Icarus. What lands... or waters await them on their journey? Find out NOW!)
In the far north, a cloaked figure trudged through the deep snow amongst the endless glaciers. The swordsman mumbled under his breath, non too pleased about this latest task. "Next time that crazy cat can get his own sushi." Yajirobe said and shivered beneath layers of winter clothing. "Of course." He grumbled as a blizzard kicked up.
Gohan and the others put on the winter cloaks Dende had created as they got closer to the Northern lands, still riding on Nimbus. They flew above the blizzard below them. "Feel anything yet Dende?" Gohan asked as they searched for the mermaids. Dende shook his head but then tilted his head.
"I don't feel a group of energies yet, but I sense one below us." He replied. Gohan nodded.
"Yeah me too, let's check it out." Gohan said and dived down into the storm. Nimbus followed suit and made a barrier of wind around itself to shield its passengers from the storm.
Yajirobe grabbed the hilt of his sword tighter as he trudged through the blizzard that had kicked up around him. He squinted into sky above him, trying to see through the snow as he sensed something powerful coming towards him. "Hi mister Yajirobe!" Gohan said from behind him. Nimbus let out a burst of air as they landed, granting a reprieve from the blizzard about them.
"Don't startle me like that kid." Yajirobe said and relaxed his stance. "What are you all doing out here anyways?" He asked.
"Looking for mermaids." Oolong said with a shiver. "And you?" He asked.
"Pfft, that crazy cat sent me out here for some errands." Yajirobe said and came closer to them. His eyes widened catching sight of a familiar figure that began t emerge from the snow. Gohan's group looked behind them and spotted a giant ice golem take form from the blizzard.
"Another elemental golem, we must be on the right track." Gohan said happily.
"Ohh no sir, this is one guy not going through this again." Yajirobe said and began to high tail it out of there.
"Again?" Dende questioned confused as the ice elemental let out a mighty roar and caused the snow and ice beneath them to divide. Gohan quickly levitated while the others were still on Nimbus. Yajirobe jumped from falling ice sheet to ice sheet to keep from falling and found his way back to Nimbus. He tried to get on as well but simply passed through the cloud. To his relief, Dende easily levitated him so he wouldn't fall.
"Thanks." Yajirobe said and looked to Gohan for him to do something, but the boy was seemingly in a trance as he stared down at the abyss beneath them. The winds of the blizzard grew closer, trying to push the group down into the looming abyss. "Kid, snap out of it. This place is dangerous." Yajirobe pleaded.
Gohan shook his head. "I think we're supposed to go down there... the other golems guided us. This one is too." Gohan said before flying into the blackness below.
"After him Nimbus!" Videl said and the cloud took off after Gohan, with Dende mentally tugging Yajirobe behind them.
"What!" Yajirobe cried. "You guys don't know what's down there." He added. Videl was about to question him when a sudden gust sent her flying off Nimbus. She screamed out for help just as Gohan caught her.
"I got you." He smiled and began to go back towards where he sensed the others. However, an avalanche crashed between them and the others. Nimbus quickly flew into a cave to avoid his passengers from getting crushed beneath the snow and ice. Icarus let out a whimper after Gohan and Videl, flapping his wings to try and get to them.
Meanwhile Gohan held on protectively to Videl as they were swallowed up in a waterfall of snow... and then darkness fell upon them completely.
Gohan giggled softly feeling licks from Icarus. He woke up with a start, feeling himself surrounded by a soft layer of snow. "Videl?" Gohan asked softly as he pet Icarus.
"Here." She said right next to his face in the pitch black, causing him to jump. She giggled softly. Gohan created a ball of Ki to to provide them some light.
"You okay?" Gohan asked. She nodded. "Not a scratch on either of us, Icarus must have flew us to safety." She smiled and kissed the dragon's cheek. He thumped his tail happily. "And he seems to be feeling better to boot." She added.
Gohan nodded and looked around. "This place is funny, I can't sense energy very well, it's like everything is blurry. I can barely just sense Dende." Gohan said.
"At least maybe that means they're okay. We just gotta find them." Videl said, grabbing his hand to help him up.
"Oh ho oh... how quaint... did the little monkey find himself a mate?" A voice asked from the edge of the darkness ahead of them. Even by the pale light shimmering off the ice in the cave Videl could see Gohan's face go ghost white. The boy began to even tremble. Videl tried to shake him out of it.
"What is wrong little monkey? You look like you've seen a ghost." Frieza chuckled darkly as his true form floated into their sight from the veil of blackness before them.
"Im...impossible you're... you're dead." Gohan stuttered.
"And you my boy have found yourself in the underworld... I wonder what will happen if I kill you here? Let's find out shall we?" Frieza asked before charging at Gohan. Videl yelped as Gohan threw her into Icarus for safety before being drilled into the ground by a blow from Frieza. They crashed through several layers of rock.
"Quick Icarus, we gotta help him." Videl said. She jumped when a hand landed on her shoulder. A woman in ebony armor stood behind them.
"I will help your friend, but first we must hide." She said gently. Videl tried to pull away from her. "Please, the sooner we do this the sooner your friend will be safe." The woman pleaded. Not having many other options Videl listened to her. She and Icarus followed the woman into a tunnel. "Be right back." The woman said and was gone in an instant.
Gohan was doing his best to get free of Frieza, but every time he broke free he was caught again. Frieza kneed him in the gut and then slammed him to the ground. He picked Gohan up using his tail and began constricting him. Frieza pointed a glowing finger at Gohan's head. "End of the line monkey." Frieza chuckled and squeezed him tighter, suffocating Gohan. Suddenly a dozen ninja stars as black as night dug into Frieza's flesh. He winced and loosened his grip. Now able to breathe, Gohan managed to shoot a mouth blast at Frieza point blank to free himself further. He then concentrated and managed to pull off a solar flare to blind Frieza. Gohan wasted no time in taking off to hide from Frieza. He squeaked as chains wrapped around him and pulled him into a tunnel. A hand covered his mouth as he saw Frieza blur by in pursuit of where he'd been going. A few moments later the hand came off his mouth. He was tackled in a hug by Videl.
"Sorry if I scared you." A women's voice said as she turned on a lamp. She wore black samurai armor that seemed to be made just for her. Gohan tilted his head and began to stare at her.
"I recognize your armor." He said softly and then his eyes widened. "You're the evil queen from the dragon war." He said. "I saw you in a mural." He added.
"Empress." She corrected. "But yes, that was me. Ever since my defeat I've tried to atone for my past though." She said.
"Is that why you're helping us?" Videl asked. The woman nodded.
"Though I am certainly no match for that monster chasing you. However, I can make your dragon strong enough to defeat him." She said.
"He's my friend, not mine." Gohan said. The woman nodded.
"Indeed, so he'd be willing to help you." She said and searched through her pack. She pulled out a peculiar looking blue fruit with two curled stems on it. The skin of the fruit was like dragon scales of different hues of blue. Feed him this fruit and nothing will stand against you. You'll never have to fight again. He will be your strength." She said offering the fruit to Gohan.
"Sounds like you mean make him into a weapon." Gohan said unsure.
"Yeah isn't that what you did to your dragon in the war?" Videl asked. The woman looked down and nodded.
"You speak truly. However I did it for conquest. You are doing it to defend yourself, not to mention your dragon is no doubt more than willing. You don't have time to delay, that monster could be back any moment." She said and put the fruit in Gohan's hand. He looked at it with uncertainty and then shook his head.
While Gohan was weighing his options, the others slowly came to in a large cavern. They could hear drips of water falling into water. Dende created some light and they saw that there was a large pool of water inside the cave. Oolong sniffed the air. "Salt water, that pool must lead into the ocean." He said.
Dende nodded. "We need to try find Gohan and Videl." He said as Nimbus rose up some with Icarus still on it.
"And get out of here as soon as possible." Yajirobe said looking around scared.
"Why are you so worried?" Dende asked.
"My guess is that!" Oolong helped pointing at the water. Countless tentacles began rising out of the water.
"Whew that's not so bad of an illusion." Yajirobe said calming some.
"I don't think..." Dende started as Yajirobe grunted as a tentacle slammed him into the icy cave wall. "It's an illusion." Dende finished and flew to avoid a tentacle that tried to attack him. Oolong turned into a giant robot to try and combat the massive tentacles. More tentacles tried to catch Dende as the beast seemed to focus on him. Dende got chills down his spine as he felt the energy of the creature. Nimbus moved away to safety with Icarus. Dende got surrounded by tentacles and used a telekinetic shield around himself to keep from getting crushed.
"Who wants calamari?" Yajirobe asked as he dashed forward and with a flash of his sword cut off several tentacles to let Dende escape.
"Calamari?" Dende questioned as he flew to Yajirobe's side. Before Yajirobe could answer the cut tentacles grew back and more came out of the water. Something resembling the head of a squid came from the water. It let out a mighty roar and light formed in its mouth. "Watch out." Dende said and telekinetically pushed himself and Yajirobe apart. Where they had been standing exploded from a mouth beam fired by the creature. The cavern shook slightly from the force of the blast. The others had to avoid falling icicles and stalactites.
Gohan and Videl felt the cave system shake some. "Hurry, that monster must be on his way back. You must use the fruit to unlock your friend's inner power to destroy your enemies." The woman said to them.
"Inner power." Gohan mumbled as his tail flicked getting an idea. He gave the fruit to Videl. "Keep that away from Icarus... and whatever happens stay back. I'm going to use my own inner strength." Gohan said and hugged Videl.
She hugged back. "Please be okay." She said, doing her best not to seem scared. Gohan nodded.
"Keep them safe." He said to the woman before hugging Icarus and flying out of the tunnel to a larger one. "Frieza!" He shouted. His voice echoed through the caverns. He began building up energy in his right hand. It began to glow brightly. It fizzled out a few times but eventually became stable.
"My my, why do you monkeys always seem to have a death wish?" Frieza asked appearing behind him. Gohan gulped.
"You're the one who is in trouble." He said and threw a ball of Ki into the air. It made a small explosion of light in the air.
"I'm sorry, was that supposed to impress me?" Frieza asked before slapping Gohan into the ground with his tail.
Gohan got up quickly and tried again, gathering energy in his hand to make a fake moon. Frieza landed a few paces in front of him. Gohan finally thought he had it and tossed the energy ball high into the air.
"No, stop that!" Frieza yelled, his voice sounding strange. However he was too late. Gohan smiled in triumph. However his look of assurance was replaced by fear as Frieza pointed his hand at the power ball and it was covered by a darkness before Gohan could transform into a great ape. "None of that now monkey." Frieza said and blasted Gohan into the cave wall with a flick of his other hand.
Yajirobe was also slammed into a cave wall as he and the others continued fighting the tentacled monster from the depths. Oolong was attempting to battle the creature as a giant robot, but the time for his transformations timed out. With a puff of smoke he was back to his normal self. A single tentacle grabbed him and began suffocating him. The creature turned the rest of it's focus turned to Dende as it tried to capture him. Just as it cornered him, Nimbus flew by in front of it and shot it with a thunderbolt. The attack didn't seem to damage it but Yajirobe saw that the flash greatly stunned the monster. Dende used the opportunity to escape but soon found himself dodging arcs of electricity from the tentacles of the beast.
"Brrrr otherrrr." Dende heard a savage voice in his head say as he got caught in the electricity of the monster.
"Chew on this fish eyes!" Yajirobe said as he lunged forward, jumping off the cave wall. The blade of his sword shone like the sun as he began spinning and enveloped himself in ki. The monster was blinded as Yajirobe aimed for the massive eye of the beast. He cut straight through the eye and went through the head of the creature and out of the eye on the other side. The creature made a horrible sound as it began to sink back into the depths. Dende collapsed and was trembling badly. He looked like he'd seen a ghost.
"Hey kid, you okay?" Oolong asked. Dende just barely nodded getting up.
"We should focus on trying to find Gohan and Videl." He said quietly. Yajirobe nodded.
"But how we supposed to do that?" Oolong asked as Dende's ear twitched and he held up a finger for silence. The little Namekian then pointed down a path of darkness.
"I think I can hear voices in that direction." Dende said. With no other leads they set off hoping to find Gohan & Videl.
"Hear that child?" The woman asked Videl. "Your friend's plan failed. You must give that fruit to the dragon or you're all doomed." She continued.
"But Gohan thought that was wrong, I don't want to hurt Icarus just to save ourselves." Videl protested.
"But your friend is more than willing to sacrifice himself for you and Gohan. Think of yourself more. That fruit will give him all the power you'll ever need." The woman pleaded.
"Think of myself." Videl mumbled and then smiled. "What if I ate the fruit?" She asked, looking at the blue scaled fruit in her hands and then to the woman.
She sighed softly. "It would also grant you great power, but would most likely kill you." She said. "Please don't try it, just give it to the dragon and all will be well." She added sounding more agitated. The sounds of Gohan and Frieza fighting got closer. The grunts of pain from Gohan seemed to especially echo in the cavern.
Videl shook her head. "You said it yourself, we're doomed anyways... I hope it doesn't taste bad." Videl said still a bit unsure. Nevertheless she brought the fruit to her mouth and took a bite, however she only winced as she bit her lip. The fruit had seemingly vanished. "What?" Videl asked in confusion, but then noticed that the woman as well as Icarus had vanished too. She barely had time to process what had happened before Gohan skidded across the ground to her feet after another hit from Frieza. She quickly helped Gohan up.
"Where'd Icarus go?" Gohan asked worried.
"He and the woman vanished after I tried to eat the fruit. It went away too like it was never even there." Videl said confused.
Frieza chuckled darkly. "Don't you have bigger worries Hmm?" He asked as he created a destructive ball of energy above his head, held in place by a single finger. The attack lit up the expressions of fear on Gohan and Videl.
"How can something so evil exist." Videl whimpered as she shut her eyes and hugged Gohan. His eyes however went wide and then slowly narrowed on Frieza.
"Don't be afraid Videl... I... don't think he's real." Gohan said softly.
"Hah not real... surely the bruises I've given you say otherwise little monkey." Frieza chuckled. Gohan shook his head.
"This is a test... one like my mommy and dad went through once..." Gohan said. Videl opened her eyes.
"Are you sure?" She asked. Gohan nodded.
"The real Frieza would have already killed one of us by now." He said. Videl gulped and paled slightly more. "And he's used techniques like he never did before." Gohan added. Frieza cracked an odd smile before launching his attack. Gohan and Videl were blinded by the light of it and deafened from its sound. As their senses slowly returned they each got a big lick from Icarus who was still on top of Nimbus. The light from a ball of Ki revealed Dende, Oolong and Yajirobe right in front of them.
"Finally we found you guys." Oolong said. "Fight any sea monsters?" He asked.
Gohan and Videl giggled and shook their heads as they began to pet Icarus.
"What about any illus..." Yajirobe started but was cutoff by massive shaking in the cavern. Next thing they knew, everything had went black.
"Ga ga han, Gohan... hey Gohan, you awake son?" Goku's cheerful voice broke through Gohan's clouded mind. Gohan shielded his eyes from a bright sun before locking eyes onto Goku.
"Daddy!" Gohan cheered and was embraced into a tight hug.
"I'm okay Gohan, but you guys gave us a big scare, especially your mom." Goku said still squeezing his son tightly, yet somehow Chi-Chi managed to pull Gohan from him and embraced him in her own hug before checking every inch of him for injuries. "He's fine Chi-Chi, Piccolo saved them from that cave in no problem, so hows about we just eat?" Goku asked.
"Someone say eat?" Yajirobe asked. Goku nodded and thumbed behind him to a picnic spread out on the ground that looked like it could feed an army. Yajirobe rushed over to the meal and began chowing down. Gohan laughed softly but then looked confused.
"But Icarus... and the cave... how'd you guys get back so soon?" Gohan asked, his mind flooded with questions.
"Oh that's easy. Kami's a lot stronger now, so we were able to use the dragon balls to get everything as it should be. Now come on, let's eat before Yajirobe gets the best food." Goku said and jumped over to the picnic. A healthy looking Icarus flew after him. Chi-Chi giggled and carried Gohan over to the picnic. He smiled big seeing Piccolo sitting down near them with Fasha right beside him. To Gohan's delight Chi-Chi sat him down on the other side of Piccolo while she sat on the other side of him. Videl and her father sat across from them, though Videl seemed transfixed on a woman with a lovely voice that sat down beside her. She clung onto her and began crying a little.
Oolong scratched his chin watching the proceedings. "Something smells fishy." He said softly. His ears perked up hearing a whistle. It was Blue Launch, partially behind a nearby tree. She blew a kiss at Oolong and motioned him over. Oolong oinked and blushed red before scurrying over to her without a second thought.
Dende watched his friends confused. They were all sitting in the cavern seemingly doing nothing. Though he could hear Videl crying slightly, as well as Oolong making odd noises. He then noticed Yajirobe seemed to be chewing air and Gohan's lips were moving as if he was talking. Icarus meanwhile seemed to only be asleep. "Such mundane fantasies these humans have." A voice said behind him with disdain. Dende gulped turning around. He then tilted his head even more confused.
"Elder Guru Kami?" Dende asked. Kami seemed to scowl and his eyes looked different than Dende had ever seen a Namekian's eyes look before. "No... you're... you're ... him." Dende whispered.
"You are a bright one. Indeed it is I Demon King Piccolo himself." King Piccolo smiled, showing his fangs.
"Why do I see this vision?" Dende asked, trying to remain calm, but unable to bring himself to lock eyes with the demon king.
"While your friends see a fantasy... for you... you see your fear." He said with an evil laugh that sent chills down Dende's spine.
"I... do not..." Dende started.
"Fear me? Don't lie boy... I can practically taste it on you... but indeed you fear me no more than you do Frieza... but fear of another isn't what I speak of child." Demon King Piccolo said as he crept closer. With a snap of magic he created a mirror in his hand and held it up to Dende. Dende fell backwards, seeing an image of himself but with a wicked grin and the same soulless eyes King Piccolo had. The demon king laughed as Dende trembled. "You fear you will be like me... but is that really so bad my child?" He asked coming closer again. Dende backed up again, accidentally bumping into Gohan.
Gohan jumped slightly and his vision blurred before seeing the picnic again. "Are you alright honey?" His mother asked. He nodded but looked around more suspiciously. He then tilted his seeing Fasha kiss Piccolo's cheek. His master seemed to blush purple ever so slightly and might of had what resembled a grin for a split second. Gohan's mouth dropped in surprise. He squeaked as Chi-Chi put a spoonful of food in his mouth. It tasted amazing but Gohan was ill at ease and decided to question further.
"But what about Frieza's father?" He asked.
"Oh I turned into an Oozaru and stomped the life out of him, no worries. I'm just glad I was able to get back here to be with all of you." Fasha said smiling warmly.
"Which means you can go back to focusing on your studies Gohan." Chi-Chi said happily.
"But I'd like to keep training with Mister Piccolo some more." Gohan said.
"If you really want to sure honey." Chi-Chi smiled again. If Gohan had been drinking something he would have spit it out. The others around him should have too if they knew his mom's desires well enough. Nothing against his mother but Gohan knew she disliked the idea of him continuing to train. This was wrong. He decided to press further to be sure.
"Actually I think I'd rather train more and study less." He said softly.
"Take whatever path you want, we'll help the best we can right Goku?" Chi-Chi asked.
"You bet." Goku said between bites. Gohan nodded.
"May I be excused for a bathroom break?" He asked. His mother nodded and Gohan quickly got up. He looked to Videl wondering if she was real or not. He then looked at the woman she was clinging to. He gasped realizing the woman had no face. Gohan stumbled backwards and bumped into Yajirobe.
"Watch it kid I'm eating here." Yajirobe mumbled and continued eating. If Yajirobe was anything like his dad getting him away from the food wouldn't be easy and Videl seemed to be completely enthralled. That just left Icarus, Oolong and Dende... Gohan's eyes then went wide realizing he didn't see Dende anywhere. Gohan got more worried and headed off in the direction he last saw Oolong and called his name.
Oolong stuck his head out from behind a tree with burning bushes around it. His face had several lipstick marks on it. "Kinda a bad time kid, go enjoy that picnic." Oolong said.
"That's the thing, isn't everything a little too perfect and what's with all the red marks on your face?" Gohan asked.
"Too perfect please..." Oolong said as his voice trailed off and he started to think. He cursed under his breath and slowly glanced back where Launch had been, but he only saw blurry stalagmite for a second. "Group illusion?" Oolong asked, sounding absolutely defeated.
"I think so." Gohan said as the surrounding area began to look more like a cave. "Seems like its getting weaker as we see through it. Let's help the others see through it." He added.
Oolong nodded spotting Yajirobe. "It won't be easy with him, how can we make him doubt what he's eating?" He asked.
Gohan shrugged. "I kinda thought he'd figure it out on his own. Dad says Mister Korin always uses tricks kinda like this to teach lessons." Gohan said. Oolong snapped his fingers getting an idea.
"Watch the master at work." Oolong said confidently before puffing in pink smoke.
"Here try this calamari." Korin said offering Yajirobe a plate. Yajirobe grabbed it but then hesitated.
"What's your game this time?" Yajirobe asked suspiciously.
"No games." Korin said with a coy smile.
"There's always something with you though." Yajirobe said even more suspicious.
"Oh no, just eat and eat all that you want." Korin said. Yajirobe shook his head and shoved the food away.
"Ohh no you aren't... huh?" Yajirobe asked as the illusion weakened further, the food vanishing. Korin chuckled before a puff of smoke enveloped him, leaving Oolong in his place who took a bow.
"Wow an illusion in an illusion." Gohan chuckled. Yajirobe only pouted though.
"I hate this crummy place." Yajirobe mumbled before coming over to them. "Where's the little green guy gotten off to?" He asked.
"Unsure, I hope maybe once we free Videl the illusion will fully break." Gohan said and pointed to where his parents were eating with Videl and her parents. Yajirobe and Oolong were more astonished by the fact that a woman was leaning against Piccolo.
"Who's the broad?" Oolong asked confused. "And why is she making eyes at Piccolo?" He added.
"That's Umm Miss Fasha... I kinda thought she and Mister Piccolo could become close friends?" Gohan said unsure.
"You set him up with someone in your mind but not me?" Oolong whined.
Gohan shrugged. "Sorry, but let's focus on helping Videl so we can find Dende." He said.
"Well boy, what will stop you from becoming like me?" Demon King Piccolo asked a whimpering Dende again. Dende's antennae perked up hearing Gohan whisper his name. He then rubbed the tears of fright from his eyes, now having an answer.
"I'll never be like you, I have my friends to rely on!" Dende said standing back up to face his fears. Demon King Piccolo chuckled before vanishing, but his voice lingered in the air.
"We shall see." The disembodied voice whispered leaving Dende free to act. He gently shook Videl trying to wake her.
"I think I know of a way to snap Videl out of it. Do you remember that stuffed animal eagle she had, could you turn into it?" Gohan asked Oolong.
"Fine fine." Oolong grumbled and turned into a pretty close replica of Videl's toy eagle. Gohan took him over to Videl.
"Here you go Videl, I found your eagle. Remember what you told me about it?" Gohan asked as he placed it in her arms as she continued to curl up to her mother.
"Ye... yeah." Videl said softly petting it. Her eyes then lost some of their brightness. "Mommy?" She asked looking up to the woman holding her. Videl gasped not seeing a face on her mother.
"I'm sorry my little eaglet." Her mother's voice said softly. "It's time for me to go." She said and began singing a lullaby as she faded away along with the rest of the illusion. Oolong and Yajirobe shook their heads coming to. They found Videl crying but Gohan already with her, hugging her tightly. He looked to Oolong and Yajirobe for help.
"That's the best you can do for her right now kid." Oolong said softly. Yajirobe nodded in agreement.
"Good you're all awake." Dende said softly to them.
"Yes well done." A garbled voice said that caused them to jump. It came from a pool of black liquid that seemed to leak from the ground. The liquid rose to resemble a face in a cowl. Oolong quickly hid behind Yajirobe. Gohan looked at the being with anger.
"I remember you... I tried to warn them about your illusions." Yajirobe said.
"Indeed. We had to be quick, but you all did well where it counts." Darkness said.
"Did you need to be so cruel about it?" Gohan asked, still angry Videl was upset.
"Apologies young Gohan, though our methods were no less cruel than life. Regardless you have shown your worth. You have access to the dwellers of the deep. They will give you what you seek." Darkness said as another pool formed. The water within it had a slight glow. "Go for your next journey to meet." Darkness said.
"Wait how do we know it's not another illusion or test?" Gohan asked. Darkness sighed with what seemed like a heavy breath.
"Life itself is a series of tests. There is no end to them while you yet live. Indeed you may be one of the few to even continue to face tests in the life after." Darkness said. "But for now, indeed this part of your journey is ended. They will give you what you seek and the way forward will be at their keep." Darkness added.
"Dwellers of the deep aye, must be the mermaids. Finally, let's go." Oolong said getting ready to dive into the pool.
"Will their be air their for us?" Gohan asked.
"Indeed... they are waiting on you with feast at hand." Darkness said as it began to submerge.
"Finally some real grub." Yajirobe said and dived into the glowing puddle with Oolong. Nimbus flew Icarus inside the puddle with Gohan leading Videl into it, her tears finally dried. Dende stepped after to follow them.
"Though you young one... we will see you again at your time." Darkness bellowed just as Dende was transported with the others.
They all exited a moon pool into an extravagant main hall of what seemed to be a palace. "Hail fair explorers. Welcome to our home." A deep voice rang through the hall. Sitting upon the throne ahead of them was a man of about the Ox King's stature. "I am Emperor Profundus the fourth of the seven seas." He said. The group bowed politely.
"Thank you sir. We were told you have what we seek to help my friend?" Gohan asked.
"Indeed, though honor demands I recognize the one among you who slew a vile beast." The Emperor said. Yajirobe stepped forward.
"Yeah that was me I guess." Yajirobe said stepping forward. "With a little help from them." He added motioning behind him.
"More than a little... though the blood of the beast still emanates from your blade. Might you allow me to see it?" Profundus asked.
"Uhh sure." Yajirobe said and drew his katana. A tendril of water brought it to Profundus.
"A fine blade. The beast you slew was the spawn of a demon sent to destroy us. Quite a foe for a surface dweller to fell. Such act will not go unrecognized. Allow my daughter to enchant your blade before we feast." Profundus said as a beautiful woman rode into view on a nimbus. Oolong watched her every move.
"Heh, a feast? Yeah do whatever you want as long as we get to eat." Yajirobe said rubbing his hands together.
The princess nodded. She made water envelop the sword and levitate it. She pulled a red crystal like substance from the moon pool and added it to the sword as she began enchanting it. Meanwhile tendrils of water set out a large table with a feast spread out upon it. Rugs were laid out for them to sit on as they ate. Finishing her enchantments, the princess shot lightning at the sword, causing it to flash brilliantly. The group aside from Yajirobe watched in awe. The swordsman however was eying the feast to choose his first target. His sword sparked with electricity and now had a line running down the middle that was a bright red like freshly spilt blood. "It is done father." The princess said softly.
"Haha excellent work Andrina." Profundus said and summoned his trident to himself. "Now not only can your sword cut through flesh and bone, but through reality itself just as my trident." Profundus said as a tendril of water gave Yajirobe his sword. Profundus demonstrated by making a twist with his trident that created a small portal. He stabbed it through causing the trident to come out near Yajirobe and steal something off his plate to better get his attention.
"Wha? Hey!" Yajirobe grumbled. The emperor chuckled.
"You're very much like my daughter Andrina, so easily distracted by food." Profundus laughed deeply. Andrina blushed slightly and growled a little under her breath but resumed eating. Gohan and Videl giggled softly. "Your blade can now also absorb energy from others and can be stored in the sword and used in various ways. If you would like to learn more you could train with my daughter." Profundus said.
"Only if he helps out with the hunting expeditions." Andrina said between bites. Yajirobe nodded as he continued to devour the feast. She caught Oolong staring at her. "Eyes up here piggy or you'll be on the dinner plate." She growled. Oolong gulped and quickly finished his plate. Gohan and Videl quickly ate their fill while Dende ate just a little to be polite.
"Umm sir, about the reason we came here?" Gohan asked politely.
"Oh yes, sorry lad. I got caught up in the feast. My eldest daughter should have what you need by now. Attina?" He called.
"Here am I father." Attina said as she came out of one of the pools riding on Nimbus. Her eyes lit up seeing Icarus and she had her nimbus fly to him immediately. She began fussing over him and petting him. "Oh he's so absolutely adorable!" She giggled happily and then noted how the others were watching her. "Ahem I mean he is a most impressive dragon." She said trying to regain her composure.
"That was close, you almost had fun there for a second." Andrina chuckled. Attina glared at her sister but a look from their dad made both of them drop it.
Attina pulled out a vial of water from her Nimbus and gave it to Gohan. "The Fae will use that to grow something to help your friend." She said
"Thank you miss. You can pet Icarus more before we go if you want." Gohan said. Attina nodded, smiling a little as she had her Nimbus go back to Icarus so she could pet him more, though keeping a tighter control of her emotions this time.
"I ain't leaving this feast for nothing." Yajirobe mumbled between bites.
"But we need to help Icarus get to feeling better as soon as we can." Videl said. Dende and Gohan nodded in agreement.
"Such concern for a friend is noble indeed." Profundus said and made a few motions with his trident. One of the pools glowed softly. "A swim through that pool will take you to the home of the fae folk. They're tricksters for certain but some of the most beautiful and kind creatures you'll meet. Only downside is their feasts lack any meat." He said, gaining Oolong's attention.
"They're vegetarians?" Oolong asked. The emperor nodded.
"They are most peaceful, they'd prefer to be pacifists if possible." Profundus said.
"The swim is quite long, I'm not sure they can hold their breaths long enough for the transition through the pool." Attina said.
"We could use my amphibious sub." Oolong offered, pulling a capsule from his pocket, eager to go somewhere that the girls might not be quite so threatening to him.
"Awesome, thanks Oolong." Gohan said excited. "You can catch up with us later Yajirobe." Gohan said. Yajirobe nodded still eating.
Oolong opened up his capsule into the pool and got into the pilot's seat. "Thank you for your help." Dende said to Profundus bowing. Videl and Gohan followed suit.
"It was our pleasure young explorers. Though I implore you not to be strangers. Any excuse for a feast is a welcomed one!" The emperor bellowed. They all nodded smiling and got into the submarine. Attina kissed Icarus on the nose.
"Hope you get feeling better big guy." She said softly. Icarus weakly licked her cheek causing her to giggle before Nimbus took him into the submarine as well. "The fairies should be expecting you. May the currents always be at your backs." She said to them waving. They waved back as the submersible closed. Oolong then had it dive down through the water.
(A/N So the journey continues. Started a new job so I might be slower with the updates. Humblest apologies. Anyways I hope you enjoyed. )