So sorry for both the late chapter and the shorter chapter whoops
OnTheTidesOfEvermore: excellent
thewittywhy: yeah it seemed appropriately ironic lol
And Whis is, certainly an int character. i do have a few ideas but I'm not gonna make any definitive statements yet
fechoritas: indeed
JCINNABAR: heheh
ArguableReader (Guest): well the dragon balls are used in the beginning of the movie so itd take at least 6 months for them to be usable again (since they used one wish instead of two) and really you could make the same claim for any villain.
Qinlongfei: as one does, obviously lol
And it's made sense to me. their energy is artificial after all. I've always interpreted sensing as sort of sensing life energy, and androids, especially the purely artificial ones, wouldnt have that to sense. 17 and 18 you could make more of a case for, but since theyre stated to not be able to be sensed, i just take that at face value
i could totally see Bulma being able to make a Scouter able to sense them, but at this moment i just dont really think its a priority
MiharuTousaka: ha lol. an excellent cut off
Erasa
Erasa sipped some coffee as she watched what was happening on the side. Was it a good idea to have coffee this late? No, probably not. Did she care? Also not really. It was getting late and she wanted to see what was up with this music box.
But at this moment what was happening way in the back was way more interesting. No one else seemed to notice of course, more interested in the music box and summoning that dragon thing. She wasn't sure anyone else would even care really. After all, how many people would notice the change in Gohan's demeanor? The additional hesitance to every movement? The awkwardness in her posture?
She knew how to recognize these things quite well. It was very important to keep in tune with all the high school gossip. Even if she'd never choose to get in the center of it, it was always something she wanted to know.
She nudged Chico and tilted her head towards them. She figured that was enough of her business to include her. And even if not everyone can notice the subtle cues like her, the implications could be inferred.
Because Gohan was talking with that older boy from before. The one that kinda kidnapped her last year for a weekend.
Actually, that was right when she made that wish too. She probably should have realized the two things were connected a lot sooner.
And like, if it were anyone else she'd be concerned about the age difference thing. Like, older guys going after girls who just barely graduated wasn't exactly new but like, Gohan was super strong. And she couldn't imagine her being pressured into anything.
Even though she could totally tell Gohan wasn't super romantically experienced.
Hm. Maybe she should talk with her just to be super sure. But she didn't want to make it awkward either. If she noticed things escalated she totally would. It only seemed like a crush right now anyway. No need to ruin that.
Besides, she wasn't even super sure how old that guy was anyway. He looked like he probably wasn't that much older than them so it was probably fine.
The two flew off somewhere so it wasn't like she could keep spying anyway.
Besides, they were just about done setting up the dragon thing and were starting to summon it.
She thought the whole summoning thing itself sounded kinda lame, but the aftermath was anything but.
The Dragon was, an awe. There was simply no other word for it. She could almost understand why the rest of these guys were so desensitized if this was a norm for them.
With their wish made the music box shattered. And out from it came a boy. He had a pointed orange mohawk and ears that were more elvish in their point than that Piccolo guy's. (Who she also still thought wasn't great. Not because of who his dad was, but because of the whole, throwing a kid off a cliff thing. But he was Gohan's friend so she wouldn't say anything. Also, he was kinda scary.)
This Tapion guy though. Well, she didn't know what to think of him. He was supposedly this big hero but he just seemed angry at being freed. Well. She thought he should have been thankful. He's been trapped in that box for who knows how long and this is how he treats who freed him? Some people. Honestly.
He stormed off somewhere and she had a feeling this was gonna lead to something. She didn't know what but a mysterious box with a mysterious boy that needed a magical wish to open? That just seemed too obvious.
But, it's not like she could do anything about it, so she didn't dwell on it either.
…
I blearily looked up as I heard my watch beeping. Videl had somehow connected it to some police channels as well as to her own watch.
I still don't understand how technology works here, but I also never really got technology in general all the time so-
I put the watch on and got the alert. There was a monster attacking a city.
Yep.
That's about what I expected.
Quicker than I thought though.
I groaned as I got up. I did not want to deal with this right now. But like, it's not like there was a real choice.
I couldn't sense any weird monsters around, and even though I was a fair bit away I should have been able to sense something. And if I couldn't sense it, then I doubt anyone else could either, so it'd only be people with access to such reports who'd know about it. And maybe Dende or Piccolo, assuming they were up on the lookout.
I met up with Videl just outside one of the cities. It wasn't Satan City or West City, which were the only two I could point to on a map.
Already I could see dust and smoke from whatever damage was being done. Upon further investigation, the thing causing this damage was what appeared to be a giant pair of legs with a tail. Which was, certainly interesting.
And, it was bad enough that it was causing such damage, but it just being there would inevitably do so since it was nearly as big as the taller buildings.
I rubbed my temple, "oh I am not in the mood for this."
"This must be the monster Hoi was talking about!" Videl deduced.
"Must be," I muttered.
I couldn't quite sense how strong this thing was either. While I could sense that something was there, I also, couldn't? It was kinda like seeing heat distortions in the air. There was obviously a difference even though it still felt like nothing was there.
"Don't get close enough for it to hit you," I told Videl. Really I should have sent her away entirely but as long as she kept a distance it should be fine.
I sent a test blast at it to see how it'd react, but it didn't even seem to hit it. Like, it looked like it hit dead on, but it never seemed to make contact. It instead hit the building behind the monster.
Well that's, interesting.
It's not like it was a ghost. It was definitely hitting buildings and whatnot.
And now I certainly got its attention, as it swung its tail at me. And yep, definitely capable of making contact as even while blocking I was sent crashing into a building.
"Alright, let's try this then," while I still had a hand on the thing's tail, I charged a blast in the other hand. This time I was able to hit it, though the awkward angle and rushed timeframe made it so the blast wasn't all that powerful.
Ok. So like that one guy from Naruto then. It can only be hit when it's attacking. That's, inconvenient.
It swung at me again, but before it could make contact, a yellow disk of energy struck its arm. I wouldn't say it did much damage, but it certainly made a mark on it.
I turned back to glance at Videl who had an arm extended.
I raised my eyebrows in appreciation. Guess she has picked some things up from Krillin. I really shouldn't be surprised, it's certainly been long enough.
The monster turned towards her, but before it could move to attack I heard, music? It sounded like a flute or-
Oh, duh. Ocarina guy. Wasn't this movie the reason I got an ocarina the first time? Not that I ever really got good with it but I should really remember more of of the movie.
Of course, even back then I'm pretty sure the most memorable part of the movie was the Ocarina.
Regardless, with the song, the monster seemed to disappear. Because that isn't suspicious at all. I was still pretty sure Tapion wasn't the villain in the movie. And either way, the red guy definitely was.
This was all just gonna be a big headache.
…
Trunks
Tapion was so cool! He acted like a movie guy, like some loner action hero! But hey, even loner action guys need to eat, right? A perfect excuse to go see him!
And ok maybe he didn't really like him showing up with food the first few times for the past few days, but eventually he's got to! It'd just take persis-tence. That's kinda like how Gohan first became friends with Raditz according to his mom. Though Trunks didn't really get why she'd have to try so hard to be friends with her own uncle.
Besides, Tapion was way cooler than Raditz was so it was way more worth it. And! He was a hero! Even better!
And he had a cool sword. Maybe if they became friends he'd even let him try it. That'd be so cool. Gohan has a sword, but her new one was way too heavy and she'd never let them touch her old ones.
Ok, she did let Trunks play with it once, but he accidentally dropped it while flying. But it wasn't his fault! It was an accident!
It's not like it hurt it anyway. Especially since two of Gohan's old swords were way more broken.
He'd be super careful with Tapion's though.
And! He knew the perfect way to win him over! His mom was hosting a get-together with all the adults so that means she'll have extra good food! So when he brings Tapion the extra good food, that'll definitely make him want to be friends.
And he knew Tapion was eating even if he never admitted it. After all, there were cleared dishes for him to take home the next day.
He had to get Goten to help collect enough without getting noticed though. Clover would probably just tell on them. He'll become friends with Tapion first, then tell everyone. That way no one can get in his way.
He flew to the old abandoned warehouse that Tapion has been hanging out in.
"Hey Tapion!" He called in. Being too loud was better than sneaking up on people after all.
Tapion still glared at him.
Not that he was scared! He wasn't scared at all! His steps only faltered a little bit when he went to put the new food down.
He should, probably leave him alone while he eats…he'll come back later to grab the plate. And then when Tapion realizes how good the food was he'll definitely want to be friends!
…
Trunks snuck out that night after everyone had fallen asleep.
Tapion would probably be asleep too, but that's ok, he only needed to grab the plate for now before his mom noticed it was missing. He's gotten super lucky so far, she hasn't mentioned anything being different, but he didn't want to risk it.
He froze when he noticed smoke from the building, before going as fast as he possibly could to go see what was happening.
The red guy from before was there. He was being mean to Tapion and was trying to take his ocarina. Their scuffle led to the ocarina sliding across the floor closest to Trunks. He quickly picked it up, leading both of them to stop fighting.
He was tempted to just give it back to Tapion right away, but he should probably ask why they were fighting first. That's what the grown-ups did.
The red guy spoke up first. "Quickly now! Give me the ocarina! Tapion is the source of the monster, he uses that instrument of his to control it! You must give it to me or else he will use it to destroy the world!"
Trunks frowned.
Well that didn't make any sense. He was the one who wanted them to free Tapion in the first place. Now he's saying Tapion's super evil?
Besides, how can an ocarina control a monster? That's just dumb. And Tapion could have done that in the past few days if he was gonna.
He looked at Tapion for his side.
"He's lying." Is all he said, never taking his eyes off the red guy.
Well that wasn't really helpful. Didn't he have anything else to say to prove anything? Or was it supposed to be that what the other guy was saying was so dumb that he didn't even need to bother?
He did think the other guy's reasons were super dumb...
He turned back to the red guy. His smile even turned creepy when he thought Trunks was about to take his side.
"Hey Tapion!" He quickly changed direction and threw it over. He caught it without even glancing over.
The red guy shouted in dismay and Trunks fell into a fighting stance in case he tried something.
Not that he was worried of course. This guy felt super weak. He didn't even really get why Tapion was having so much trouble with him, because obviously a super cool hero like him would be stronger.
The red guy didn't try though. He obviously realized he was outmatched and ran away.
Dumb coward. Maybe Trunks should have tried to capture him so he could figure out what he was actually trying to do. But he didn't really know how to do that, or at least didn't know where he'd put him if he did.
Aw. And now there was a big hole in the ceiling. He didn't even know how that got there since it was caused before he showed up. But how's Tapion supposed to stay here now?
He was about to ask, but when he looked at Tapion, he seemed super annoyed. Or angry actually. He should, probably just leave. He can come back tomorrow and ask then.
Yeah, that would probably be best.
"Hey, Trunks, right?" Tapion interrupted him from leaving.
"Uh, uh huh," he nodded.
Tapion smiled at him. "I'm hungry. Do you have anything to eat?"
And Trunks just had the brightest smile in return.