R.I.P Akira Toriyama. You have been an inspiration to many, as you are inspiring me now. I always wanted to approach my work how you approached yours, having fun with it. When I was young, you allowed me, my sister and my father to bond over your work, something we could all enjoy together. You introduced to death, to growing up, heck this was the first instance I experienced a character growing up. Goku was a character I related to, because he was a good but flawed character, rather uncouth like I am, and enjoys the simple things like eating. He tends to be selfish before selfless, much like I am. We all loved Goku, my sister, my father and I. Watching the show, we'd call it watching "Goku." You were the one who brought him to life, you were the one who made his journey so fun to be a part of. I thank you for that, as do millions of others. I'll do my best here, and make this story in your essence as much as I can.

That was my eulogy to Akira Toriyama, now I hope you remember the man well.

I also hope you enjoy this chapter.

Gine, Gohan, and Dr. Briefs were continuing on their journey, now with three Dragon Balls in their possession. As the men were zooming done the mountain path in Dr. Briefs' jeep, Gine was having fun going up and down the mountainsides.

"At least she isn't bored now," said Gohan.

"It's amazing at how fast that cloud can go," commented Briefs. "Most flying machines I create cannot hope to travel that fast. Shame we all cannot ride it."

"Gine is a special girl," said Gohan with a smile.

"Yes, you certainly raised her right."

Suddenly the two of them heard a beeping noise on the radar. Coming up on the edge of the screen was another blip. Gohan took a glance at the Dragonballs they had, the three of them were glowing. "We're getting close to another one," cried Briefs. "Maybe we should tell Gine."

"Let her have her fun," said Gohan.

As the two men left the mountain roads, Gine quickly caught up with them.

"That was fun," said Gine. She looked to the nimbus and gave it a hug. "I bet flying with you will never get old."

"Well how's this for fun, Gine," said Briefs. "We're about to come up on another Dragon ball."

"What will have to do to get it this time?"

"Who knows? Maybe it'll just be sitting there this time; this entire journey doesn't have to be difficult."

"That's wishful thinking," said Gohan.

They pulled up into a small village. It seemed rather quiet. No one was around.

"Must be a ghost town," said Briefs. "Told you this would be easy."

"No, something seems off," said Gohan. "Usually when you think you're alone, you're not."

"HELLO! ANYONE HERE!" cried Gine.

"Gine!" cried Gohan in alarm. "I didn't mean we should draw them towards us! They could be dangerous!"

"They don't seem dangerous."

"What do you mean, Gine?"

"I can sense there are people here, Gramps. They're hiding."

"What would they be hiding from" wondered Briefs. "Questions for later, for now let's find that Dragonball." He regarded his radar. "It's here all right." He started going in the direction the radar pointed him to, which led him to a house.

"Somebody owns it," said Gine. "You'll have to give them something."

"I'm the richest man in the world. There's nothing I can't give them!" He tried the door, but it was locked. He knocked. "Hello in there, we're here about your dragon ball, we're hoping to negotiate for it." After a few moments, no one answered. "Maybe they're not home."

"We can't just steal it," said Gine.

"We should take a look around," said Gohan. "Find out what the villagers are hiding from."

They all nodded and walked around the village, checking the windows of the houses. They didn't find anyone inside any of them. Gine was sure there were people there though, she could smell them. Gine knocked on a random house door.

"Hello? We're not here to hurt any of you. We're just wondering what's going on. Hello?"

No one answered her. Gine leaned up against the door. She heard voices on the inside.

"It doesn't sound like him."

"Keep your voice down child; he's a shapeshifter, he could be tricking us."

"Do you guys need help," called Gine through the door. "It sounds like you need help. Who's this shapeshifter you're dealing with?"

"Shapeshifter?" said Gohan who just approached her.

"I heard them Grandpa," said Gine. "They're in there. They're scared of a shapeshifter."

"Shapeshifter?" said Briefs who just walked up. "Everyone's hiding from a shapeshifter? Why would everyone be hiding from a shapeshifter?"

"Obviously it's been causing trouble for them," said Gohan, "maybe attacking these poor people."

"So they're trying to convince the shapeshifter they're not here," said Gine, "so it would leave them alone."

"This is no way for them to live."

"I've got it!" said Briefs.

"Got what?" said Gine and Gohan.

"We can deal with their shapeshifter problem, and in gratitude, they can give us their Dragon ball!"

"They have to know we're helping them first," said Gine. "They also might not want to give it up."

"It's a quid pro quo, Gine."

"Can't we just help them because it's the nice thing to do?"

"We do want their dragon ball though," said Dr. Briefs.

"That's right, we do," said Gohan. He took a deep breath, and kicked the door open.

"Gramps why!?" said Gine.

"They need to hear us out," said Gohan. "They can't do that through a locked door."

"YOU'RE NOT TAKING MY DAUGHTER!" cried a male voice. The three of them looked and saw a man wielding an axe in their direction.

"We're not here for your daughter," said Gohan.

"We're here for your Dragon Ball," said Briefs. The man looked confused.

"Papa," said a young girl. "Peppermint can't take more than one form, these three can't be him."

The man lowered his axe.

"Why'd you kick down my door?"

"We couldn't talk to you through a door, that's not practical," said Gohan.

"We heard about your shapeshifter problem," said Gine. "We'd like to help."

The man stuck his head out the door.

"EVERYONE, IT'S NOT PEPPERMINT!" Villagers then began to make their way out of their homes. "You say you wish to help us against this shapeshifter, little girl, but I'm afraid it's too risky for you. I wouldn't wish for you to put yourself on the line for us."

"Can you explain what's going on?" said Gohan. "Why are you all hiding from a shapeshifter?"

"His name is Peppermint," explained an old lady. "He's a shapeshifter who terrorizes this village, making off with our daughters. I'm Paozu, an elder of this village. His latest target happens to be the daughter of Mr. Cardinal."

"Last time he came here, he claimed the next time he returned he would come for my little Hiahonta," said Mr. Cardinal.

"Why don't you just say no?" said Gine.

"He's too powerful," said another man.

"He threatens to destroy the village if we don't give him what he wants," said a woman.

"What he wants is our young daughters," said another man.

"Why would he want them?" asked Gine.

"He takes them as his brides," said Mr. Cardinal.

"More than one? Why would he want more than one bride?" said Gine.

"He's a greedy thing," said Paozu.

"For girls? Why would he be greedy for girls?"

"That's enough questions Gine," said Gohan.

"Gine and her grandfather her are plenty strong, I'm sure they could handle any threat, including this shapeshifter," said Dr. Briefs. The townspeople began to talk amongst themselves, thinking maybe they could be saved. "Also, do any of you have an orb that looks like one of these?" Briefs took out one of the Dragon balls he had. Paozu reached inside her side satchel and pulled out a Dragon ball, one with six stars.

"I have one, why do you ask?"

"I was wondering if I could have it for research."

"This has been passed down in my family for generations, sir. It's worth more than your silly research."

"What if we deal with this Peppermint fellow, will you allow us to have it then?"

"Dr. Briefs…" said Gine, aggravated.

"Gine," said Gohan, placing a hand on her shoulder. "This is important. It's the whole reason we're here to help them in the first place."

Paozu looked at the trio, and then at the orb.

"I guess saving this village would be worth it," she said.

"Outstanding," he said shaking Paozu's hand. "Time to craft a plan!"

"I've got an idea," said Gine. "He's taking young girls, why don't I just leave myself as bait? When he takes me back to his lair I could find the missing girls, and bring them back to the village."

"The reason the girls probably haven't left is because Peppermint is too powerful to escape, what if you can't get away?" said Hiahonta.

"Gine is stronger than she looks," said Gohan. "She does have a point though, Gine. I don't feel comfortable leaving you to be prey to this predator."

"He can't hurt me Grandpa," said Gine. "I'll bring the power pole with me just in case I'm trapped, that way you can follow it when it extends."

"What if he doesn't take you?" said Mr. Cardinal. "He claimed he wanted my daughter."

"That's a good point," said Gine. "I'll just disguise myself as her. By the time he realizes the mix-up it will be too late."

"Are you sure your Granddaughter will be alright?" said a man to Gohan.

"I think so." He knelt to face Gine. "You have to promise me you will fight if he's being too difficult."

"Alright," said Gine.

"Good then," said Briefs. "Now let's get to work."

Gine was given one of Hiahonta's dresses and a hair scarf to hide her hair. Under her dress she hid the Power Pole. The villagers explained that Peppermint would arrive in the center of the village to claim his bride. So Gine sat herself down and waited for Peppermint to show up.

"I have to pee," said Gine. Before she could go to relieve herself however, Peppermint had shown up. He looked like an ogre in a tux and carrying a bouquet of flowers.

"I'm here Hiahonta, will you marry me?" Gine figured she was too young to be married. Also, she wasn't looking to marry a shapeshifter. Also, she really needed to pee.

"I brought you flowers," said Peppermint. "I hope you like them."

"How sweet," said Gine with a strained smile.

"My dear, your knees are trembling, are you afraid?" Gine wasn't afraid, but she was trying to hold it in. "How about I take a form that makes you more comfortable." He suddenly changed into a handsome man. "Is this form more to your preference, my dear?"

"It's lovely," said Gine.

"The poor girl is terrified," said Mr. Cardinal.

"I feel bad papa," said Hiahonta. "She's sacrificing herself for me."

"Why would she be scared, that makes no sense," said Gohan.

"Right, she is the one who suggested this plan," said Briefs.

"My dear, I can tell you're still frightened," said Peppermint. "Let me relax you." He started rubbing her head, "There, there, I'll be a good husband."

"Will you?" said Gine, still strained.

"Yes, you'll want for nothing. Now let us go to my home!" As soon as Peppermint pulled on Gine's arm it was like pulling a valve for release. Gine wet herself.

Gohan and Briefs had blank expressions on their face.

"I guess she was leaky," said Gohan.

"Well we can get you some new clothes back at home," said Peppermint who was dumbfounded. He grabbed her by the hand and started leading her out of the village. They walked until they made it to a large mansion. "Welcome to my humble shack."

"This is a shack?" asked Gine. Once they made it inside, Gine saw three girls inside, well dressed and enjoying themselves. They really were asking for nothing.

"Girls, you remember Hiahonta, she'll be living with us now."

"Hello Hiahonta," called out the three girls, who then went back to their tasks. One was watching TV, another was reading a book, and the other was eating sweets.

"You should get yourself cleaned up; your room is the unclaimed one down the hall. You'll find some clean clothes in there."

"Thanks," said Gine, clearly expecting something else.

Gine figured this will now be super easy; she just had to clean herself up, convince the girls to want to leave, and then deal with peppermint. She made her way down the hall and found the unclaimed room. Inside was a soft bed, softer than Gine ever had before. Gine looked around for new clothes, but all the clothes in the closet were nice and fancy dresses. Gine looked around for a washroom. Once found, she started to clean Hiahonta's dress as well as her pants and underwear. Of course now, she had to wait for them to dry.

"What's taking her so long?" said Hiahonta. "Is she actually trapped by Peppermint?"

"Is someone actually stronger than Gine," asked Briefs.

"We thank you for what you've done," said Mr. Cardinal, "Sorry for your Granddaughter."

"She'll make her way back," said Gohan. "She's someone who likes to think first before acting, she might be trying to win this without a fight."

She decided to walk around in a towel because she didn't want to keep them waiting. She would have gone around half nude, but Dr. Briefs constantly told her about privacy. She went to each of the girls: Susan, Amanda, and Bud bloom.

"You're not Hiahonta," said Susan.

"Who are you?" asked Amanda.

"I'm Gine, I was sent to save you; of course, you don't look like you need saving now."

"Peppermint tends to anything we may ask for, gives us anything we want. It's actually not so bad being his brides," said Bud Bloom.

"I can understand that, but your families really miss you and they're worried about you. They want to know you're okay."

"You can tell them that," said Susan.

"Don't you miss your families?" asked Gine. "If I had to leave my Grandpa for a long time, I'd sure miss him."

"Yeah," said Amanda, "I do.

"I do too," said Susan.

"So do I," said Bud Bloom.

"Has Peppermint allowed you to go see them?" asked Gine.

"He said we shouldn't go home, because then they wouldn't let us come back here," said Bud Bloom.

"What's more important to you?" asked Gine.

"I do miss my family," said Susan.

"I think I'm ready to go home," said Amanda.

"You think we can bring these sweets back with us?" said Bud Bloom.

"Of course," said the other girls.

"Alright Hiahonta," said Peppermint, showing up. "To welcome you home I'll get anything—Hey, you're not Hiahonta!"

"No, I'm not," said Gine.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Gine, sorry I tricked you, but I needed to find where you were keeping the girls."

"So…do you want to be my new bride or…"

"No, I'm bringing the girls back home." Peppermint started to laugh.

"You think I'd just let you leave with my brides?"

"No," said Gine, "but I don't think you can stop me either."

"Why's that?"

"Because you're not that strong, are you?" This shocked Peppermint.

"Of course I am, I'm very powerful! Why do think I'm not strong?!"

"A few reasons: the villagers never mentioned you actually destroyed a part of the village to prove your power, you didn't drag me here or carry me; you convince the girls to come with you and to stay, in fact you bribe them instead of keeping them here by force."

"Can't I just be really powerful and good husband!?"

"Why don't you prove it then?" said Gine.

"What?" said Peppermint, flabbergasted.

"Prove how strong you are; prove you can force us to stay. If you really are strong, and you could force us to stay, then either my grandpa or I can fight you, or both."

"What…if I don't want to fight you? I'm powerful but I don't want to; because I will obliterate you, and you don't want that. I'm that generous."

"Oh, so you're like me," said Gine.

"What?" said Peppermint.

"I'm strong, but I don't like fighting. Everyone is too weak to handle it. I only use it against bullies."

"Now that sounds like you're making it up," said Peppermint.

"I'm not, in fact I learned how to fight from my grandfather; he taught me martial arts."

"Oh really," said Peppermint. He then pulled out five bricks out of nowhere. "Break these bricks if you're so strong." Gine walked up towards the pile of bricks, and in one short motion she slammed her fist on top of the bricks and they all grumbled into pieces. Peppermint's eyes got so wide upon seeing that, while the girls behind Gine clapped with amazement.

"Okay," said Peppermint, and then he ran for it. That proved to Gine he wasn't strong.

"You girls head on home, take anything you want with you. I'll go catch him."

Gine ran and put on her bottoms, and then called for nimbus to chase after Peppermint. Gine found the direction he fled through smell. He had turned into a bat and was attempting to fly away, once seeing that Gine was on his tail, he turned into a missile. The nimbus was just too fast though and caught up to him quick.

"Oh no," he cried. "It's been five minutes!" The missile in front of her turned into a pig man that started falling from the sky. Gine extended her Power pole and caught him on the end.

"You're a pig man," Gine observed. "How is that helpful to you?"

"Uhh," he stammered.

"Is this your true form? You have a time limit?"

"I turn back every five minutes. The plan was to intimidate the village into giving me what I wanted. They don't know how shapeshifting works; I turn into something big and scary and they think it's dangerous."

"So you show up, say or take what you want and then leave quickly. Why do you want girls?"

"You don't know—I have trouble getting girlfriends, okay!"
"You need more than one?"

"I get bored with them."

"Why not send them home then?"

"The girls knew my secret, they'd blab."

"I'm sorry, but you can't keep tricking everyone," said Gine.

"Aw," said Peppermint.

Gine had brought him back to the village, showing everyone his true form.

"A pig had been menacing us," said Mr. Cardinal is disbelief.

"He won't be bothering you anymore," said Gine.

"What about our daughters," said Old lady Paozu.

"They're coming back, after packing up some things. This guy spoiled them crazy so they wouldn't leave."

"What took you so long Gine," asked Gohan.

"I had to clean my pants from the wet stain, flying around dried them off though. Speaking of…" Gine approached Hiahonta. "Here's your dress back, sorry I made a mess of it."

"It's okay, you saved us from Peppermint."

"Yes he won't be causing us anymore trouble," said Old Lady Paozu.

"So can we have your Dragon ball?" asked Briefs.

"As soon as the girls return." At that moment, the girls arrived inside the village, carrying luggage behind them.

"Mama, Papa," they called.

"Susan," cried one woman.

"Amanda," cried another woman.

"Bud blossom," cried a man.

"I was hoping they'd eventually cook and clean for me, but I ended up waiting on all of them," said Peppermint.

"The dragon ball is yours," said Paozu, handing it over to Dr. Briefs.

Grabbing the six-star ball, Dr. Briefs beamed.

"Four down, three to go!"

Gine didn't even have to fight him, but to be fair, neither did Goku.

I tried my best to style these villagers names after what they were in the anime. Pochawatha is based on Pochahontas and Hiawatha, so I mixed it around to make Hiahonta. Old lady Paozu, this is the Paozu before Paozu of Goku's time as the ball is generational. Sherman Priest, well now he's Mr. Cardinal. Then there's Sarah, Alexi, and Little Flower, so Susan, Amanda and Bud Blossom.

I made a mistake by telling you they'd meet Oolong; no, they do meet someone like him though, maybe his dad...? I don't know. Peppermint is a type of tea, as well as green or orange or blueberry, those are the types my sister drinks. I just went with Peppermint, as that sounds the most like tea.

Next Chapter, they meet a Yamcha like character. His name is a pun off of Yum cha, which is Brunch of Dim sum and tea. Maybe something off of those, or maybe just sandy. Give me your thoughts in reviews.