A Dragon Ball Fanfiction: Harmony, Pride, Courage and Sedulity

by CroftButler21

What started as a simple "What if Goku didn't marry Chi-Chi?" idea, snowballed into something bigger. This will be a story of love, friendship, family, courage, perseverance, and pride. See my profile for the full plot and my list of OCs to come. Also, as it is with my other tales, expect slow updates, and the pairings showcased here are but the start of a long line of pairings ;)

6. Eternal Shenron and a Boy's Inner Beast

"Look at the size of that place...!"

"It's huge...!"

"Not bad for a summer home..."

So proclaims Bulma, Goku and Oolong respectively as they, Melita, Yamcha and Puar finally reach the end of the invisible path marked by the bluenette's Dragon Radar. As we'll recall, our original quartet was recently relieved of the fabled gemstones they collected by a thief in robotic armour, save for Sūshinchū, the Dragon Ball in Goku's possession. After running into some vehicle troubles, the duo residents of Diablo Desert decide to offer their assistance to the other four via a ride in their own hovercar...

Moving onto the current locale, the sextet finds themselves staring up at a large castle, the architecture calling to mind Indo-Islamic structures such as the Badshahi Mosque or even the Taj Mahal, including a large bulbous dome in the middle surrounded by several slender or shorter towers, large walls and arched windows. The overall colour scheme is earth yellow and persimmon orange, and one could see a giant satellite atop the central roof.

Yamcha parks near the front doors, and the tweens atop the infamous Kinto'un pause mid-air a few feet away...As everyone gets out or off their respected means of transport, Puar notices their long-term friend occupying a flushed and nerved expression as he rests his chin atop his arm. The young man's focus is directed on steadying his racing heart, after driving with the living object of his growing affection sitting so close.

Hoooh brother, I think that was the most nerve-wracking drive of my life...!

"Are you okay?"

He looks up at his cat companion from within the hovercar and breathes out,

"I'm, alright. I just, need to make my wish. Then I'll be, cured of this, nh!...Hm?"

The pair is then approached by Melita, she occupying a raised eyebrow of curiousity and concern.

"...Are you feeling sick, Yamcha? You look a little clammy..."

The young man with long black hair hurries to come up with an excuse for the little honey-blond.

"Ah-heh, uhm, j-just a little motion sickness. Happens sometimes on long drives, but I'll be fine."

"Hm, (little smile) well okay, but just incase..."

Reaching for the little canteen of water she brought out during this length of the grand journey, Melita unscrews the cap and pours a tiny amount of the clear liquid into her palm. After twisting the lid back on with her teeth, she tucks the canteen under her arm, then hovers her other hand overtop the one holding the water, before shutting her eyes as she calls upon one of her powers as a water nymph.

"...Sea Bubble."

The little bit of water glows a deep, deep blue, and jumps and jives atop her skin before floating upward to swirl into a bigger bubble about the size of her hand, much to the awe of her two-person audience.

"Aaaah..."

"Whoa..."

Opening her eyelids to show the world her cotton candy pink irises again, Melita then holds the glowing orb of liquid up towards Yamcha.

"Here. Swish some of this seawater in your mouth for about twenty seconds, then swallow."

"U-Uuh, alright, thanks."

He leans down to gulp up a mouthful of the water, his mind reeling over what he's come to learn about the little girl before him.

Still can't believe this kid's actually some kind of water nymph...

She's really sweet too. Heh, definitely gonna be a heart-breaker when she's older.

Leaving the desert bandit and his best friend be, Melita walks back to the boy with the primate tail as he wanders closer to the tall front doors of the castle.

"...Looks like no one's home."

"I wouldn't be so sure. Big places like this are always hiding something or someone. Whoever owns this castle is probably so far in that they can't answer any visitors...Or maybe..."

"Maybe what?"

"Maybe this is where that Pilaf guy lives. I vaguely recall him being called an emperor..."

Goku's eyebrows furrow as he wracks his brain for the memory that compliments the mentioned name.

"Pilaf?...Oh! You mean that blue dwarf who messed up your house while lookin' for Master Rōshi's Dragon Ball."

"Right, along with that serious-looking lady and the ninja dog. Mai and, Shu?...I'm certain it was Shu driving the robot that pilfered all of our balls except yours."

"Really?"

"Uh-huh. The light taunting sounded just like him. (Small smirk) As a Nereid, I'm that good at recognizing voices."

"Heh, neat...Still..."

The tweens look up at the castle with half-suspicious expressions as everyone else gathers near.

"Could that Pilaf guy really be hidin' out in this castle? Seems too big for someone as small as him..."

"Fair point, but either way, we should be careful going inside. Abandoned or not, big castles like this always have at least a few booby traps."

"What're you guys talkin' about?"

They turn to meet eyes with Oolong as Melita answers,

"Just a hunch over who owns this place. See, before me, Goku and Bulma met you, there was this trio of weirdos that came to my grandpa's house to try and steal his Dragon Ball, and made a big mess before he told them to leave."

"No kiddin'?"

"Not at all...I'm, actually surprised they haven't tried to come after us since."

Or maybe they have and we just haven't noticed...

Bulma scoffs as she looks up at the castle,

"That blue pudge ball's only talent is running his mouth. I seriously doubt he could afford a place like this...Anyway, let's not delay any longer. See if it's open, Goku."

Nodding, the boy with the wild black hair steps closer to the door to begin pushing on it...

"Let me help."

The young girl with pink irises hurries to his right side, and places her palms on the door to assist with shoving it open.

"Hnnnh...Nyyh...!"

"Rrrr-gyh...!"

Thanks to the power of teamwork, the door on the right gives way, showcasing a shadowed hallway made entirely of stone bricks...

"Let's go."

Though the tweens are eager to lead the way, Bulma and Oolong feel their more cowardly sides creep in.

"It's as dark as night in there..."

"Y-Yeah, and twice as scary..."

Nevertheless, they follow their friends inside, while Yamcha and Puar bring up the rear...The group barely wanders two minutes inside, and the shine of a few dozen eyes suddenly gleam from the darkness of the ceiling ahead, accompanied by a series of squeaky chitters.

"Do, you guys hear something...?"

"Shh! Quiet, Oolong."

But any attempts to stifle noise is made null and void once the creatures spring, revealing themselves as a swarm of bats! Everyone cries out as they duck for cover to avoid the nocturnal animals, and Bulma is so overcome with fright that she clings to Yamcha. This would be a bad move due to the young man's mild phobia of girls, and he almost immediately throws the bluenette off him, much to her displeasure.

"Aaah-oof!...Wha'd you do that for?!"

"Haah, haah, I-I thought you were a bat!"

Once heart rates are regulated, the sextet continues their way down the hall...

"Errr, my piggy senses are tinglin'; we're in definite danger here!"

"Oolong, less talking and more walking!"

Ignoring the dialogue behind him, Goku pokes his head around a corner to see if there's any danger in the next hall.

"Hm...Looks clear down this way, guys."

He starts making his way down, prompting Melita to hurry and meet his steps as Oolong calls,

"Hey, don't walk so fast, you two!"

The latter's quickly shushed by Bulma again as they and the other two follow the tweens...Unbeknownst to our six-person group, they were being watched by Pilaf via a webcam programmed into a spider-shaped robot, having been aware of their presence since before they reached the castle.

"Perfect."

Heh, they have no idea what's coming. All they have to do is step on that one stone, and they're history!

...Unfortunately, his prediction comes true after Goku's heel triggers a mechanism built within the cobblestone floor. A low rumble sounds, prompting everyone to stop...before a stone pillar suddenly shoots out of the floor just a few centimeters in front of the tweens!

"Huh?!"

"Aa-hh!"

More immediately follow, rising quickly from upwards, downwards and even sideways! Everyone scrambles to avoid getting punted or worse...However, Bulma isn't so lucky after dodging two, failing to sense a third one that thrusts up against her stomach, propelling her for the ceiling above!

"Gaaah-help meee!"

Yamcha acts fast and leaps into the air, kicking a portion of the pillar away to send the bluenette downward to be safely caught by Goku.

"Ah!"

"Got ya!"

The desert bandit lands on the ground with an upstanding smirk, which quickly fades into shock after another pillar rockets up past his nose. He then uses his raw strength to break it, only to have another one come shooting at him from behind. He barely dodges it...but another heads his way...

"Heeeee-ya!"

(Crack-pwack)

Thankfully, Yamcha is saved by Melita when she comes barreling in with a forward leaping kick, breaking through the stone like it was made of Styrofoam! She lands on the ground with a smooth step and a light pant in her breath, before turning to meet eyes with her elder.

"You okay?"

"Uh! Holy crap, kid, how'd you do that?!"

"Well I have been training under grandpa since I was small..."

"Look out!"

(Crack-powack)

Goku then takes a turn at heroics, using Nyoibō to destroy a stone pillar that was on the verge of crushing the honey-blond!

"Uh-h!"

"Get ready, 'cause here comes some more!"

Hurrying to his feet, Yamcha joins the two tweens in a counterattack against this grand trap, using a series of palm thrusts, kicks and extended pole-arm swings to turn the pillars into giant piles of rubble...

After about three more minutes, the trap runs its course, leaving its victims the winners.

"Hah, hah, hah...Is it over?"

"I think so..."

"Man, that was wild...Uh! (Glance) Hey, are the rest of you o-"

Yamcha is cut off when the bluenette hurries to her feet and hugs him in gratitude.

"Hah! Thank you! You saved me!"

Once again, the former's nerves get the better of him, and he lets out a yell before scrambling away from Bulma to get his cool back. Puar floats to his side and chides,

"Take a breath..."

Goku can only blink with a blank but curious expression at the behaviour displayed by the older male.

"...Golly..."

Is this how all boys act around a girl they like as more than a friend at his age, or is it jus' him?

...I sure hope it's not the former.

Melita giggles at the display, she having a much clearer understanding of the desert bandit's shyness, before wandering over to help Oolong to his feet.

"Here you go."

"Thanks, and that's some strength ya got, sprite. Has the turtle hermit really trained you that hard?"

"Heheh, kind-of, but Turtle says I come from a strong Nereid bloodline, so it could be that too."

"Huh. Learn somethin' new everyday..."

As everyone dusts themselves off, we head to another section of the castle where Pilaf is standing as he observes the action through his several security monitors. He curses over the failure of his inner defenses:

"Nrrh, that trap didn't work!...Who designed that trap anyway?"

His female subordinate Mai nervously redirects the blame away from her.

"Uuhm, it wasn't me, sire."

"I want the name of the ninny who designed this trap!"

"...It was you."

The emperor of short stature and temper feels his face heat up in embarrassment...

Zooming back into the halls, we find our group of six on their way again, but with a much more wary tempo to avoid triggering another trap. They stick close to the nearest wall, with Goku and Melita in lead, Bulma and Yamcha in the middle, and the shapeshifters acting as the caboose of this caution train...

"Uuh, what's that sound?"

"I-It's just my teeth chatterin'..."

"Watch yourselves. I don't think we're dealing with any ordinary bandit if we're already running into traps."

"Puar, quit pushin', would ya?!"

"Then get movin', Oolong!"

Letting out a quiet sigh at the dialogue over her shoulder, the honey-blond whispers to her fellow tween,

"I guess retrieving the Dragon Balls won't be as easy as we thought, huh?"

"Guess not...but hey, we've come this far, right? It'd be silly to turn around now."

"True...By the way, nice work with Nyoibō back there."

"Heh, thanks, and those were some cool kicks you dished out."

"Glad you think so...To be honest, I've been itchin' to do something more proactive since we first left the beach. (Small frown) I haven't been feeling too useful beyond playing mediator and barely helping out in battle."

Goku turns to stare at his friend in disbelief as they keep inching along.

"Hey, don't say that! You've been plenty useful! Who was the one who knocked Monster Carrot and his bully men off'a their feet and kept Bulma safe when 'e used his weird magic on her? And that was just with your voice too."

"Well...I suppose that's true. I'm still working on controlling that ability, though. I almost shattered every piece of glass in Fungus Town, remember?"

"Yeah, but that's why ya practice, to avoid making those kind'a mistakes later...You bein' here's a good thing, Meli, so don't let some dumb thoughts say the opposite."

The honey-blond stares at the wild-styled blackette with surprise at his insistence.

He really doesn't want me to think bad about myself...

"Huh? What's this?"

Snapping out of her little world, Melita follows Goku's gaze to fixate on a cameo pink arrow painted on the ground...

"It's a trap, isn't it?"

Bending down for her own look, Bulma says to Yamcha,

"I dunno...It's too obvious..."

Their eyes turn upward when the boy with the monkey tail calls for their attention up ahead.

"Hey, there's another arrow over here!"

"Hm...Let's check it out."

Remembering to stay close to the wall, the sextet follows the path directed by the arrows, despite any silent whispers of suspicion telling them not to...Eventually, they come to the end of the road, literally.

"Huh? It's a dead end."

"Oooh, did'ja have to say that, Goku?"

(...Swoop, pwam)

Suddenly, a stone wall drops from the ceiling to block the way they came from!

"Oh no!"

"We're trapped!"

Panning away from the group, we check in on Mai and her leader as they observe the turnaround of luck through the monitors.

"Well...That was easy..."

"I never believed there were people that stupid..."

"It's been said that it takes all kinds, sir...So anyway, what do you want to do now?"

"I think maybe I'll have some fun with them. Ah yes, (grin) but first I'll take their Dragon Ball. Hehahahaha!"

Goku's POV

Just when my friends and I were finally getting somewhere in our search for the missing Dragon Balls, we suddenly get boxed in thanks to a wall that drops from the ceiling! Other people would be scared...but I just thought this was a lame follow-up compared to the last trap...

"Well it looks like we're stuck here."

"Wonderful! Now I ge'ta die today too!"

That seems like a bit of an overreaction...

"Hey, what's wrong? Why are ya so upset?"

Oolong looks at me like I've grown two heads, and Bulma answers,

"Because we're prisoners!"

"Oh don't worry about that. If there's a way in, there's gotta be a way out."

"...And maybe it's the way we just came."

We all turn to Melita as she presses her ear against the wall that dropped down behind us, and knocks her fist on it like it's a door.

"Hmm...Just as I thought: this wall's not as thick as the others here."

She then turns to us and says while pointing to me, Yamcha and herself,

"Which means if the three of us hit it with all we got at the same time, it should crumble like those pillars in that other trap."

"Ya really think that'll work?"

She shrugs at Oolong,

"It's the only plan I can think of that makes sense...plus anything's better than standing around panicking."

We all hum and look at one another...before nodding,

"Good point."

"Let's try it."

"Just be careful, you guys."

"Yeah, don't hurt yourselves."

So with Yamcha in the middle, Meli on his left and me on his right, the three of us position ourselves at ready to take that wall down...

"Okay. On three, we kick...One!"

"Two!"

"Three!"

"Eeeee-ya!"/"Haaaauuuh!"/"Haaaaa-ah!"

(Thwap-CRAICK-Bwm...)

And thanks to our triple crane kick, we pull the job off!

"We did it!"

Melita jumps up and down in excitement, and I join in while shouting,

"Alright!"

Yamcha says with a confident smile,

"Keh, 'course it worked. You guys had me for help."

Bulma, Puar and Oolong are happy over our success too.

"Nice one, you guys!"

"Wayda go!"

"Great, now let's get outta here."

[...Whaaaaat?!]

We turn around to see a familiar face looking down at us from...a window, I think.
His voice sounded a little funnier than I remember, so I wasn't really sure at first.

[How did you fools break through my triple-budded, double-reinforced steel-lined walls?!]

Huh?...Hey, Meli was right! This place does belong to the blue dwarf!

Grabbing a piece of the wall, she holds it up while replying,

"Uhm, you might wanna check with your construction people, because this is plain everyday stone, not steel."

[What?!...Drrrh, (glances left) Shu, remind me to send those architects a strongly-worded letter!]

Bulma then cuts in by shouting,

"I remember you! You're the jerk that messed up Melita's home in a bid to steal her grandpa's Dragon Ball!"

[You watch your mouth! I am the all-powerful Emperor Pilaf!]

"Whatever! Why should I show respect to a short-stack whose biggest accomplishment is pilfering another person's valuables?"

While those two bicker, I lean over to whisper to Meli,

"Think we can get 'im if we dive through that window?"

She giggles and whispers back,

"Uhm, we could if that was a window. That's a TV, like the one in Bulma's capsule home? He's watching us from another part of the castle."

"Ooooh...Too bad."

We tune back into the short jerk as he says to all of us,

[I know one of you is carrying the Four-Star Ball. Hand it over to me, and you will remain on the side of Pilaf.]

Bulma retorts,

"I'd rather take a side of Udon, as in, U don' get nothin'! Nyah!"

I nod in agreement with my own glare, placing a hand over the cloth bag on my hip where my Dragon Ball is hiding.

No way am I handin' over my grandpa's treasure to him.

After making a silly face at the creep, she turns to us and says,

"Come on guys, let's try another direction. This loser can't be too far away if he has the nerve to taunt us now."

On that note, we start wandering back the way we came...

[Very well. If you kids refuse to cooperate, I'll just have to do something nasty. Time for, the treatment!]

Huh? The treatment?

Suddenly, before any of us could act, a metal claw pops out of the ceiling and snatches up Bulma!

"Aaah!"

She's pulled through an opening that closes as quick as a blink...

"Oh no! He's got her!"

"Bulma!"

Though I am worried for her, I'm also a little confused by the dwarf's threat.

"Hey, wha'd he mean by, 'the treatment'?"

Oolong mutters with an odd expression,

"I, think I know," but Melita cuts in before we can start a guessing game.

"Never mind what it is! We should hurry and find that room before anything terrible happens to her!"

She then starts running ahead, forcing the rest of us to chase after her.

"Melita, come back here!"

"Wait up, sprite!"

"Melita!"

We're soon running up and down halls in an attempt to track down Bulma and that imp...

Oddly enough, no traps slow us down, which means Pilaf must be busy with whatever this treatment thing is.

I just hope he's not hurting her...

"Bulmaaa!"

"Bulma, where are you?!"

"If you can hear us, give us a shout!"

"...Uuwaa-aah!"

Suddenly, she drops out of another opening in the ceiling, landing right on top of Yamcha...

"Bulma! Are you okay?"

Shaking her head with a little moan, she then replies to an anxious Meli,

"Yeah, no worries. The 'treatment' was so laughable, a preschooler could come up with better...Oh!"

She then jumps to her feet when she realizes who she's sitting on.

"Sorry about that, Yamcha. Are you alright?"

Bulma helps him up, and for once he doesn't back up like he touched fire, instead stuttering with a really red face,

"U-U-U-Uh, y-y-y-yeah, t-t-totally, hahahaeha!"

...Still don't get it.

(Pshoooooooo)

That's when a weird-smelling gas starts spewing into the halls!

"Koff, cak-what is this?!"

"Sleeping gas!"

"Cauh, run!"

We all try to make a break for it down the halls, but no matter how far we ran, the gas just kept coming...Eventually, it all became too much, and we start dropping one by one, with me and Meli the last ones to fall.

"Koff-hauh, G-Goku, I...I c'nt-!"

"M-Me-kh, neith'r!...Auuuh..."

Everything became a big blur after that...

"G-ku...Goku, wake up!"

Next thing I know, I'm waking up to the sound of her calling for me.

"Mm-nh...Meli?"

Letting out a yawn, I sit up as my vision refocuses on her smiling at me in relief.

"Oh good, you're alright."

"Yeah, but boy am I exhausted..."

"We've got bigger problems than being tired, kid!"

We turn to Bulma, and I see her holding the cloth I use to keep my grandpa's treasure safe.

"Pilaf and his cronies took your Dragon Ball!"

"Gah! No way; I hid that!"

By this point, the others woke up from their forced nap too...

"What if that crazy little troll already used the balls to summon the dragon?!"

Meli calmly argues to our panicking friend,

"If that were true, we would've heard Lord Shenron's voice echoing through the halls right now. He's that loud."

"Huh?...Ooh, of course! I completely forgot about that observation in your book. 'The Eternal Shenron's voice echoes as infinitely as his body stretches...'"

"That's right, (looks around) and I haven't heard him since I woke up or sensed anything off."

I comment while glancing around myself,

"I guess a big dragon would be pretty hard ta miss..."

Yamcha declares as he gets to his feet,

"Then what're we sittin' around for? Let's go find that dope before he makes his wish!"

So we start running down the halls again to search for that Pilaf creep and his minions...

"Do we even know where we're goin', guys?"

Bulma replies to Oolong,

"Not really, but he can't have gotten too far ahead...Uh! Aha!"

Good luck comes back to our side once we reach the end of another path, right where the dwarf and those other two are standing. They freeze in their tracks once they catch sight of our glares, and I cry out,

"Give me back my grandpa's treasure, you jerk!"

They turn tail and run left, and Yamcha urges us on.

"Quick, after 'em!"

We make chase in the direction those three ran...but quickly meet with another problem in the form of four-no, make that five separate paths.

Aw, great...

"Uuh, now which way?"

"Whaddo you think, Goku?"

"Gee, I, I dunno..."

...But I guess someone made the choice for us, because next thing we know, we're getting pushed down one direction thanks to a runaway wall! We all cry out as we go flying into a weird colourful room, and bounce off a couple thingamajigs stuck to the floor before a big metal ball joins the chaos! We each get hit by it at least once as we bounce around some more...and my tolerance quickly reaches its tipping point.

Alright, that's it!

I try to punch it back on the next bounce...but only succeed in getting slammed into the wall...

On the bright side, at least the ball stopped.

"Goku!"

Meli sprints my way as soon as I fall to the floor, and helps me up while asking all worried,

"Are you okay? That must've really hurt..."

"Urgh, yeah, no kidding...but I'll be okay."

Yamcha calls us to attention as he and the others head for the exit.

"Come on, Goku, Melita, we're leaving!"

We hurry after him, and while we do escape that weird room, another one of those giant metal balls comes barrelling after us. I lost count over how many halls we ran down to get away...but eventually, the floor changes into a bunch of odd steps we barely manage to hop across so we could escape into another exit, leaving the ball to sink into the darkness below...

Haaah, finally...Huh?

The room we end up in is round and plain, save for a purple curtain blocking a smaller opening up ahead...

"Looks like there's a tunnel behind that curtain. It could be a way out of here, or a trap."

"What should we do?"

"I dunno..."

I hear Oolong mutter for his mom after Yamcha and Bulma's chatter...and then the curtain opens, revealing another giant metal ball!

Aw come on, seriously?!

It starts rolling towards us...and that's when Meli comes up with another good idea.

"Quick, duck to the sides!"

We hurry left or right of the path we came from, and the ball goes rolling into the narrow passage to crash into what I'm guessing is either a faraway wall or a very low floor...Either way, point for us!

"Phew! That was a close one..."

"Good thinking, Melita."

"Ha! So much for that trap."

"Don't jink it, Oolong!"

Sighing, Bulma then says,

"Now then, let's get a move on before something else happens."

...After alot more running and ducking down halls, we finally reach a big window near the back door that gives us a view of what's going on outside...And surprise, surprise, Pilaf and his minions are on the ground getting ready to activate the power of the Dragon Balls!

"Oh no, we're too late!"

"...Wait, I got it! Puar, you think you could turn into a bat, fly down there and try to steal one of those Dragon Balls?"

"Can do!"

Bulma praises Yamcha for his thinking:

"Great idea!"

Puar then uses their transformation powers to shift into a bat...or a, cat-bat, I guess...

And by no surprise to me, Bulma forces Oolong to do pretty much the same thing.

"What are you just standing there starin' for, Oolong?! Go help them, now!"

"Huh?!...Why should I?"

"Because if you don't, I'll give you a dose of 'Swee' you won't recover from!"

Meli cries out our taller friend's name in a scolding manner, and while a small part of me wanted to laugh over the silly misfortune thanks to that weird candy, even I know now's not the right time or place.

How's a forced bathroom break gonna help any?

"E-Easy now, Bulma, just settle down!...Haauh, alright!"

Oolong then transforms similarly to Puar, turning into a part-pig, part-bat creature...

"Hurry up, Oolong!"

"I am hurryin'!"

...

...

But try as hard as they did...Pilaf succeeds.

"Arise, Eternal Shenron, and hear the wish of he who summons you!"

...The seven Dragon Balls obey his call, emitting a glow even brighter than what I've seen whenever grandpa's reacted to the other six. The skies above us grow dark and stormy, just like in my dreams from the last few years.

Whoa...

"C'mon!"

Melita snaps me out of my thoughts as she takes my hand and pulls me towards a set of stairs heading for the ground below.

"We can't give up yet! Lord Shenron might be coming, but we can still stop Pilaf from making his wish!"

"Uh, right!"

Bulma and Yamcha are quick to follow us, just as determined to put the brakes on that dwarf's plan.

"Hurry, guys!"

"This is our last chance!"

We make it to Oolong and Puar's side just as one big bolt of lightning strikes the area where the Dragon Balls are sitting, forcing us all to stop and cover our eyes from the blinding light.

"Agh!"

"Aah-hh!"

"...Uh-h! Look!"

Moving my arm out of the way, I watch as the light swirls and dances back up into the air, shaping itself into the body of a gigantic beast with deep green scales, red eyes, and antler horns...The same beast from Meli's book, her dreams and mine.

Shenron...!

No POV

Panning a few yards above the area where Emperor Pilaf and the seven mythical gemstones stand/sit, he and the other eight souls associated with this small but grand adventure are stunned into silence, as the creature known as Eternal Shenron shows itself.

Their appearance is nothing short of awe-inspiring, it being a four-toed Asian Lung Dragon with deep forest green scales covering their seemingly never-ending, serpentine-like body, matching in colour to their short feathery mane and the long, whiskery feelers protruding from the sides of their long snout, the latter body part having crescent-shaped nostrils. Other features include an earth yellow belly, candy apple red eyes, and light russet brown stag-like horns.

...After a few more seconds of quiet, the dragon rumbles out a greeting to the one who brought them forth, their voice deep, beastly and a commanding masculine.

"Who, has, summoned me?"

Pilaf is shaken out of whatever fantasy he perceives as his promised future, and stutters back,

"U-Uh, that, would be me. I-I, did."

"...Reflect upon your desires, mortal, and tell me your wish...Speak."

"A-Alright then. I'm, ready."

It's at this time the more benevolent witnesses of this spectacle break out of their stupors, starting with Yamcha.

"Ah! Guys, hurry, he's about to make his wish!"

He leads the charge with Bulma as they, Goku, Melita, Oolong and Puar race across the barren dirt to where Shenron and Pilaf are.

"I can't lose my wish for a boyfriend!"

"Oi! I thought we agreed on a collaboration, ya crazy woman!"

"Shut up, Oolong; it was a slip of the tongue!"

"Hey! Less shouting and more running!"

Mai and Shu would've stopped them, but they became frozen with fear as soon as they got an eye-full of the giant dragon...

"Ah! Wait, I got it!"

Melita suddenly stops in her tracks, and positions herself in a pose that the boy with the primate tail recognizes instantly.

"Oh! The Kamehameha Wave!"

"Right on the dot, and I'm gonna use it to knock that little jerk off his feet!"

"Count me in!"

Goku hurries to the honey-blond's right, cupping his hands and setting them on his right side as Melita did her left, the pair acting as eachother's mirror...

"Kaaaaaaa-maeeeeeeee..."

"Haaaaaaa-maeeeeeeee..."

Pure white-blue energy swirls into the children's palms as they concentrate ki into their respected singular points. Their friends watch with wide, curious eyes for a short moment...before the sources of their attention unleash their strength.

"(Thrust) HAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

(POW-POW)

Two singular energy beams shoot forward from the palms of the preteens like a pair of bullets from a set of dual pistols, twirling together halfway to form a corkscrew heading straight for the unsuspecting target in the distance...

"You try my patience..."

"I'm, sorry! It's just, I've-I've never done this bef-"

(BWAM)

"Caaaaaaaauuuuuuuh!"

Pilaf is hit square on his left side, the energy delivering a shockwave of pain through every nerve, then sending him flying several yards away from the Dragon Balls and Shenron! He ultimately crashes against the stem of one of the ginormous mushroom plants growing in this dry desert region, the impact causing a small explosion that snaps the conifer-tall fungus at the base, before it topples over into several large pieces to bury the imp alive...

"Gaah-hh!"

"Emperor Pilaf!"

The imp's agents sprint over to the site, and begin hastily shifting away the mess to free him...Meanwhile, the preteens responsible for the assault drop to their knees as they pant in exhaustion from the release of power.

"Hah, hah, hah...wow. I've never used that much ki at once before..."

"Hah, haeh, me neither...but it worked."

"That was awesome, you two!"

The boy and girl look up at Yamcha's compliment as he and the other three run over to meet them with impressed smiles. They in turn form a pair of tired grins with a punctuated thumbs-up and peace symbol respectfully. Sparing a fleeting glance at the opposition, Bulma suggests,

"Now that those three are distracted, let's go make a wish."

So with Goku being piggybacked by the desert bandit, and Melita by the bluenette who first sparked this adventure, our group of six rush over to replace Pilaf in front of the activated Dragon Balls and Shenron...

"U-Uhm, hello, E-Eternal Shenron."

"Sorry, for the interruption,"

"But we would like to make a wish instead of that dwarf,"

"I-If that's okay!"

Staring down at the sextet for a few seconds that felt like minutes, the dragon then rumbles,

"It matters not who makes the wish, so long as one and only one is made. Now, speak your wish."

Taking less than half a minute to think, Bulma feels a smile of acceptance creep onto her lips as she decides,

You know what...now I'm confident enough to say 'screw wishing for a perfect boyfriend'.

Really, if it were that easy, I would've made one a long time ago.

...Besides, I know who really deserves it after all this.

"Melita, Goku?"

The tweens meet eyes with the teenage girl in confusion, and she says to them,

"You two make the wish."

"Uh!...Really?"

"Are you sure?"

"Mhm. As much as it embarrasses me to admit it, you two did most of the heavy-lifting on this adventure right up to now, including knocking that blue pudge ball off his high horse...If any of us deserve the wish, it's you guys."

Puar, Yamcha and Oolong nod in agreement, despite any possible inner sighs of egotistical despair from the latter two. The little honey-blond and blackette are left in awe...before they smile and softly drop to the ground, exhaustion forgotten. They wander a little closer to the giant dragon floating opposite, thinking aloud.

"...So do you have any ideas of what to wish for, Goku?"

"Hmmm...I dunno. I usually think better on a full stomach...Ah! Hey, that actually gives me an idea!"

He whispers his thought into Melita's waiting ear, and she nods eagerly in approval...

By this time, Pilaf's agents have finished digging him out from the fungi rubble, and he lets out a disoriented groan as his disheveled form is set to his feet.

"Aaaaooh, my head...Wait...Hh!"

He looks up, and his eyes widen comically when he sees,

Those, damn kids...Nooooo!

"Stop, theeeeeeeeem!"

He, Mai and Shu begin running over to put the breaks on their enemies' antics...but they were too late.

"Lord Shenron?"

"We've made up our minds."

"(Both) Our wish is for a grand feast big enough for all six of us standing here, to celebrate finding all seven Dragon Balls!"

...

...

The air grows silent once more, and the dragon's eyes glow in time with the dispersing stormy clouds above, revealing the clear, sparkling night sky...A single shooting star flies overhead, before descending downward to land a few feet away from the wishing party. A bright light entombs the spot for a short moment...before fading to reveal a large table of food and drinks fit for a royal court!

"Your wish has been granted."

"Aaaah..."

"Wooow!"

"Look a' tha' spread...!"

"Nice wish, you guys!"

As Bulma, Yamcha, Oolong and Puar hurry over to the expanse of sustenance waiting to be devoured, the ones who wished for it take half a minute to thank the one responsible for making their wish come true.

"Thank you, Shenron!...By the way, you're way cooler-looking in real life than in my dreams."

"Ah-yes, what he said. (Bow) Thank you, Lord Shenron."

"(Nod) You're welcome, young ones...Fare you well, and until we meet again."

With that, a neon yellow light engulfs the mythical beast as he departs from this realm. As for the seven gemstones he emerged from, they float high into the air and are swallowed by a similar light, before each one shoots outward like meteorites to far parts unknown...

"All of the Dragon Balls just, flew away..."

The honey-blond nods as she and the blackette wander over to join in the feast,

"Mhm. This was something else the unnamed author mentioned in my book. (Grabs apple) After the Eternal Shenron grants a wish, (chomp, munch) he dishipp'rs, (swallow) and the Dragon Balls go away to...well, pretty much anywhere in the world. It's different each time."

Goku pauses his consumption of a large slab of steak to ask,

"Then, that means the Dragon Ball grandpa gave me to remember him by, is gone?"

"Afraid so...but it won't be gone forever. Heehe, you could say that it and the other six balls are taking a big nap."

Bulma takes a large sip from a goblet of frosty cold juice before explaining the concept a bit more.

"You see, after a wish is granted, the Dragon Balls become inert, which means they need to recharge their power. Right now, they won't look any different from the average rock...If I remember right, the process takes about a year."

Nearly choking on some corn on the cob, Oolong exclaims,

"A whole year?!...Man, what a pain-'n-the-neck handicap, but I guess even powerful dragons need some kind'a weakness. (Sly smile) Heh, though it's more of a pain for you, isn't it, Bulma? Now you definitely won't get your whippin' boy."

"(Irritated smirk) Oh what-ever, Oolong. At least this adventure taught me that my type of man is nowhere close to yours. You're good for a laugh, but that's about it."

"Still, you admit you've grown fond of me."

"As a friend, sure...though that pretty much goes for everyone here."

The bluenette turns eyes to Yamcha as he digests a roll of bread, and Puar a bowl of ramen.

"I think we've all grown kind-of close, despite our early encounters. Wouldn't you agree, Yamcha?"

"Hm? (Swallows) Ah, y-y-yeah, s-sure."

...Oh wow. I'm actually holding a conversation with a pretty girl for once.

(Slight smile) Maybe I didn't need to make a wish after all. I just need to keep trying.

Watching the little interactions from her spot beside Goku, Melita smiles and thinks to herself while grabbing a chicken drumstick,

Looks like this adventure was a big success. I can't wait to tell grandpa and Turtle about it!

"Seize them!"

"Huh?"

Her eyes then turn to the trio on the losing end of the journey's final length, specifically, Emperor Pilaf, who's anything but thrilled to see his enemies engorging on a celebration feast.

Grrrrryyyh! I'll make them all pay, especially those two brats!

"I want their heads on stakes, you hear me?! Exterminate! Exterminate!"

Mai and Shu charge forward at his frantic and angry calls, determined to make up for the sudden turn in luck for their leader.
Their glares are enough to make Oolong panic out a suggestion with regards to a change of scenery.

"U-U-Uh, m-maybe we should take our party elsewhere, guys!"

Yamcha scoffs,

"Relax, Oolong. We can take those two easy."

He quickly changes his tone when the woman agent starts firing bullets from her machine gun.

(ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka...)

"Gah! Uuh, on second thought, maybe we should bail...!"

Out of an impulse that would've been impossible previously, the desert bandit grabs Bulma's hand to drag her along in a run.

"Oh!"

"C'mon!"

"R-Right!"

Yamcha...

Puar and Oolong are quick to join them, but Goku is hesitant due to the fact that the wished table of goodies would be left behind.

"Aww, but what about the food?"

(...Click, BOM)

"Huh?!"

The mass quantity of food and drink is suddenly gone in a puff of smoke, courtesy of a hoi-poi capsule activated by Melita. She quickly snatches it off the ground, and whirls around to grab the boy's hand so they can run after the others together.

"Okay, now let's get outta here."

"Whoa, good one!...But where'd that come from?"

"It was on the table between some fruits. I think Lord Shenron somehow knew we'd hafta am-scray after making our wish."

"Huh. Smart dragon."

They easily catch up with the two pairs of teens and shapeshifters, and the entire ensemble shifts leftward when Yamcha voices a plan of action.

"Let's head back to the front! We can escape in the hovercar!"

Bulma agrees with him, if a little uncertainly:

"Yeah, good idea!...Though that's assuming those clowns haven't wrecked it by now..."

"I know, but it's our only option at this point, so let's try and stay positive. (Glances behind him) Nobody slow down until we reach the car, okay?"

The other four nod between pants, feeling just as determined to avoid a fight if they can help it...Meanwhile, Mai and Shu slow to a stop when they realize that running after the six would be pointless in their current state.

"Mrh!...There's only a few fighters among that lot, but even then, we can't stop them on our own."

"Right. Time to call my dog police."

The dog ninja lets out a few sharp, elongated whistles, signalling dozens upon dozens of his canine troops - which are more than likely Dobermans - to stir to attention from several kennels within the palace...

Melita's POV

Guess we got too comfortable in celebrating the end of our journey...!

Though a small part of me is scared of what might happen should Pilaf and his minions actually catch us, I know I'm in safe company. Sure, Oolong, Puar and Bulma aren't much help in terms of hand-to-hand combat, but their skills are useful when the right situation comes along. Meanwhile, Yamcha and Goku can pummel any bad guys in our way, and so can I when I have an opening...

Anyway, it looked like we were able to get away scot-free, for we ran so fast that Mai and Shu couldn't stop us from reaching the front of the palace...

"Ah! We made it!"

"And the car's still in one piece!"

"Maybe we won't have to fight our way out after all!"

...

...

Notice that I used the word 'looked'.

(Grrrrrrr...)

"Huh?"

You see, while we did reach the front of the palace, something-or rather, a bunch of somethings would be waiting for us, in the form of a big pack of Dobermans!

"Uaaaaah!"

"Guard dogs?!"

I hear Yamcha mutter irritably,

"Figures it wouldn't be that easy...Alright. Bring it on!"

He then launches forward and unleashes his fighting technique known as,

"Rōgafūfūken!"

Loosely translated, his outcry means 'Wolf Fang Fist', and while I haven't said it out loud yet, I think his fighting style is interesting. He curls his fingers to form pseudo-paws, then thrusts his palms against his opponent kind-of like how a true canine swipes their paws at an enemy - or prey - when biting doesn't work. The rest of Yamcha's moves are fairly standard for the most basic martial arts, but like his signature, there's a wild quality to them. Rugged, but effective...

"Nyoibō, extend!"

Goku quickly joins in on the action, using a combination of strong kicks and his pole-arm to do his share of the work in defending everyone. His technique overall isn't too far off from Yamcha's in my opinion, but since he previously studied under a martial arts master's tutelage, there's a little more discipline and precision in each strike...

As for me, I'm staying close to Bulma, Oolong and Puar as they try to inch closer to the car. Rather than go full-on offense like the guys, I chose to employ a more defensive strategy, using my most intimidating stare and feints to scare the dogs. It's kind-of working, but rather than run away, the dogs are merely growling and taking half-steps back with each sweep of my leg before attempting to come forward, and so on and so forth.

...Our efforts get us a few feet within our getaway vehicle, but we don't get any further than that, when we're suddenly boxed in circle-style.

"Ergh, they just keep getting back up!"

"What kind of kibble is that little blue devil feeding them?!"

"Now whaddo we do?!"

"Surrender would be a good start!"

Our eyes dart over to where the front doors are, and 'big shocker', the mean-spirited emperor and his two minions have arrived. His creepy little grin sends a shiver down my spine, which only gets worse as he relishes over our paused escape.

"If you brats think you're gonna get away with dashing my dreams of world domination, you've got another thing coming! Heheheh, and I have the prefect torture trap in mind..."

Oh no, oh no, oh no...!

...Wait. There is one trick that might work.

"Now no sudden movements except forward into the castle!"

...I have to try.

I take one step forward and nothing more, then fold my hands in front of myself with a slight head dip like I'm praying.

"Hm? Hey, what do you think you're doing, little girl?"

"Meli?"

"Melita?"

Block out everyone and everything...

Focus...

Sleep...Drowsy Descant!

---

Note: Just to give you all an idea, the melody in question is similar to Jigglypuff's iconic tune. Such references of course belong to Pokemon, the main creator Satoshi Tajiri, and the companies Nintendo, Game Freak and Creatures.

---

My eyes dart back open, my vision saturated with a pink colour similar to my irises as I softly but strongly croon a soothing tune that can make even the crankiest soul relax and go to sleep. Though my viewpoint is somewhat clouded, I can still see the figures of my targets clear enough as I focus on watching their hostile ki slowly wane down to a more dormant level. It's sort-of like heat vision, but without having to wear the actual goggles.

Tha~t's it, just keep listening to my song...

I sing a few more rounds...and once I'm sure the danger is no longer present, I stop using my most special Nereid ability. I smile in victory as my vision shifts back to normal, for Pilaf, Mai, Shu and the guard dogs are now sleeping like a herd of dinosaurs.

Ha! I did it!

I turn around to see everyone's reaction to my power...only to find my friends are asleep too!

"...Oops..."

Ooh dear. I didn't think my sleeping song would work this good.

"Now whaddo I do? If this is anything like the octopus incident, no one's gonna be awake for a few hours at least...Mmmh..."

I look over at the hovercar, then back down at my friends...before letting out a sigh as I clue in full-circle to the consequences of my actions.

Guess this means I'm the designated driver...

Well, if Oolong can drive a car at his age, how hard can it be?

Shaking off my nerves, I start by walking over to Yamcha and pilfer his keys from his right pants pocket. I then climb inside the car, set the keys in the ignition, and toggle a switch that converts the car into a four-seat vehicle by stretching and opening the back to make room for the extra seats. I don't know much about cars, but according to Bulma, this is a common feature that alot of models have.

Weird that Yamcha didn't flip this earlier when we drove here...

Meh, live and learn, I guess.

"Alright. Now to get everyone inside."

Silently thanking all the training I've done with grandpa and Turtle thus far, I carefully drag and set all my friends in the hovercar one at a time. By the end of the job, I had Bulma and Yamcha sitting in the back together with Puar in the latter's lap, while Oolong and Goku were sitting with me in the front. I figured this would be the safest arrangement considering all the possible reactions that could occur if certain people were sitting too close, specifically Oolong and Bulma.

"Hah, hah...That wasn't so bad."

It's the driving part that scares me...

I readjust my own seat so I can reach the petals but still see high enough over the steering wheel, then buckle up...

"Okay, Melita. You can do this. Just remember everything you learned from watching Bulma, Oolong and Yamcha."

And whatever you do, don't, crash.

(K-chnk, vrmmm...vrooo-vroooooom)

"Whoooooooaaaaa!"

Now, starting the hovercar?

Undeniably easy.

Keeping the steering straight while also driving fast to get as far away from Pilaf's castle as possible?

Complete opposite!

"Aaayh! Gyh...okay, okay, okay...Mmmh...!"

Darn it! They make this look so simple!

...

...

The next two hours - or at least I think it was that long - would be stressful to put it politely, but somehow, I pulled it off. I managed to get far enough into the desert that there's no way the trouble trio will find us so quickly. I even found an oasis to park by; how lucky is that?

(Vwroooo-oooo-ooom...click)

Nevertheless, as soon as I shut the engine off, I lean over the driver's door and moan,

"Oh my kami, never again! I never, ever wanna drive another car ever!"

Now I understand why Oolong gets so irritable when he drives...

Still...

Shaking off the rest of my stress, I turn to cast a relieved smile at my sleeping companions.

I guess a little pressure like that can be worth it, if it keeps your friends safe.

Small Time Skip, No POV

About twenty minutes come and go since the little nymph undertook the role of getaway driver, stopping at a small slab of moisture-enriched paradise nestled within this dry ecosystem. Since then, she's been patiently waiting for her friends to wake from their unplanned nap...The first one to rouse from sleep is Goku, thanks to a combination of his sense of smell and a quarter-full stomach.

"...Mm...M-Mmh?"

Is that, roast beef?

His eyes slowly blink open, and he sits up in the middle of the front seats of Yamcha's hovercar with a big yawn while rubbing his right eye.

"Haaaauh, wha' happened? (...Looks around) Hang on. This isn't that weirdo's castle..."

"Heehee, I had a feeling you'd be the first one awake, Goku."

"Huh?"

He immediately fixes his stare to the left outside the vehicle, spotting his fellow tween sitting in front of the wished banquet atop a rock protruding from the ground.

"Melita?...What happened; how'd we get all the way out here?"

"I drove us here."

"Guh!...You drove the hovercar?"

"Uh-huh. It wasn't very fun, but I was the only one left awake after I used my song magic to put everyone to sleep. Ah-heh, sorry about that, by the way. I only wanted to get Pilaf and his goons, but..."

The boy with spiky black hair climbs out of the hovercar and wanders over to the honey-blond with a knowing smile.

"Lemme guess: your song was that powerful?"

"Aheh, y-yeah..."

"Hm...Well I dunno how I feel about havin' the fight cut short, but at least we're all out of danger. (Looks at the table) And now we can enjoy our feast in peace!"

"Heha, right!"

The two children spend the next couple minutes enjoying the food and drink they got from Eternal Shenron, and soon enough, the other four members of our small group slowly grace the conscious world again. They'd be just as surprised by the change of location, more so when they learn how it transpired...

"Man, kid, you're just one surprise after another! I still can't believe you actually knocked out Pilaf and drove us away from the castle."

Swallowing down a goblet of water, Melita replies to Yamcha,

"Well I hope I never have to do the driving part again. I don't like it and I don't think I ever will."

"Heha, yeah, that's what everybody says when they first learn how to drive. But if you do it again enough times, it'll be child's play."

"I'll, take your word for it..."

Bulma then pipes in with a question for the little nymph.

"So how long will that pudge ball and his cronies be konked out for?"

"Hmm...Hard to say. My drowsy descant can work on anyone and anything, but the time frame varies...Still, if you're all awake now, it's fair to say that Pilaf and his cohorts won't be asleep for too much longer."

"I see..."

Pausing his devouring of a bowl of teriyaki rice and vegetables, Oolong asks the big question regarding the diminutive emperor.

"Soooo what're the chances that little blue devil won't try and come after us again for ruinin' his plans?"

Everyone winces at the prospect, save for Goku who's busy filling up on what appears to be his fifth bowl of yakisoba noodles with pork...Letting out a sigh, Bulma concludes with a tired smile,

"We'll just have to cross that bridge when we get to it, or rather, when it gets to us. For now, let's be glad we got outta there before the tables turned in Pilaf's favour."

Nods are shared by the rest of the group, and they turn their focus back on whatever various foods and drink are left...Come another half-hour, the magicked feast is reduced to several piles of dishes practically licked clean, and a couple discarded cloth napkins. Flopping together against a familiar sports bag, Goku and Melita release happy sighs while grasping their stomachs.

"Aaaaah~, I can't eat another bite!"

"Haah~, me neither!...But I think you ate the most out of all of us, Goku."

"Haha, you think so?"

"I know so! I saw you eat a whole roast beef and eight big bowls of yakisoba noodles without flinching...Be honest: do you have more than one stomach?"

"Mmm...I'm pretty sure I just have the one, but if I do have more, that would explain why I get so hungry all the time."

Similar expressions of lethargic content are seen on the other four, who have more or less settled into upright lounging positions. In another twist of good luck, Yamcha manages to swallow down his phobia and sit next to Bulma against one of the few palm trees growing at this small oasis. Though tiny beads of sweat trickle down his nervous brow, a few silent deep breaths keep the desert bandit in a state of cool.

Halright, man. So far, so good.

...Actually, better than good. This is the closest I've ever been to a girl my age in a long time.

"You good, Yamcha? Letting things settle?"

He flinches, startled by Bulma's voice cutting into his self-pep talk, but manages to bop his head and mutter,

"Uhm, y-yeah. Think I just, engorged a bit more than I usually do..."

"Heh, same, but I guess that's what happens when you have an all-you-can-eat style meal. Heha-heh..."

"Hehaha..."

A half-awkward silence falls between the teens, and they simultaneously think to themselves with matching blushes dusting their cheekbones,

I am such a dork tonight.

Oolong watches the spectacle from a few feet away against another tree, feeling an amused smile creep onto his lips.

Keh, and that woman says I have love problems. Here's hopin' I don't grow up ta be half as dense as her and mister tough guy...

His attention then turns to his fellow shapeshifter, when he notices them staring intently at the skies above.

"Hm?...Wha'chya lookin' at up there, Puar?"

"Not much. Just the moon."

"The moon, huh?...So you're not worried about the possible danger that could come?"

"Mm, maybe a little, but that's why I'm watching the moon. It's soothing...Look how full it is tonight. Doesn't make you feel all warm and fuzzy?"

"Tch, I'm a pig. I'm already warm and fuzzy."

Goku perks up from his slouched state, feeling an old itch in the back of his memory banks.

"A full moon..."

Just like, that night...

"Hey. Did you guys know that a terrible monster comes out when the moon is full?"

The bluenette throws a skeptical smirk in the short blackette's direction.

"Oh, suuure, like a werewolf, perhaps? What, are we tellin' campfire stories?"

"I'm serious, Bulma! My grandpa was trampled to death by that monster."

That catches the other teen off-guard:

"What?! Son Gohan, the supreme martial arts master?! That must've been one big savage monster!"

"Yeah! It destroyed our house and crushed all of our trees."

Sounds of surprise and honest intrigue escape the listeners of this tale, who gather in a semi-circle around the storyteller as Oolong asks for more details.

"Wha'did it look like, Goku?"

"I'm not really sure. I slept through the whole thing."

"What?! How could ya sleep if a huge monster was fightin' your grandpa and wreckin' your house?"

Just what is this guy made of...?

"I dunno. The last thing I remember was grandpa warnin' me about the full moon and how I should never ever look at it."

...The metaphoric gears within the minds of the little audience come to a screeching halt at that detail.

Wha-?!

"Of course, that didn't have anything to do with the monster. Grandpa was always sayin' these really strange things, and every-...Uh?"

Goku pauses when he looks up from his thoughts, spotting the two teenagers and two shapeshifters positioned a couple feet back near the small pool of water of this oasis. He tilts his head in confusion over their newly disturbed expressions.

"What's with you guys?"

Yamcha stutters,

"O-Oh, n-nothing," while Bulma decides to rip off the proverbial band-aid with the following question.

"Hey, Goku? Can I ask you a little something?"

"Sure."

"That, night your grandfather was killed...did you happen to look at the full moon?"

"Weeeell...I think I did, just before I fell asleep. Why?"

Melita - the only soul remaining by Goku's side - isn't as freaked out by the collective realization, but does become increasingly concerned for her friend's innocence over the subject.

Could, this mean...he can-And he has no idea...Oh, Goku...

The teens are just as anxious, but more so for the safety of the people around the short blackette.

"I'm, getting a little nervous..."

"You're not the only one..."

"I had a feeling that Goku wasn't just an ordinary kid, and I...I think I was right."

"I'm at a loss here, Yamcha. How'do we find out for sure?"

The boy with the monkey tail doesn't understand the sudden shift in the atmosphere.

"Huh? How'do you find out what for sure?"

What's with everyone?...Was it something I said?...Or do they, know somethin' I don't?

The humanoid pig makes a proposal with regards to sedating this newly morbid curiousity.

"I guess we could make 'im look at the moon. Then we wouldn't have any doubts at all."

"That's, true..."

However, Bulma points out a very possible flaw in such a plan.

"But, what if he...What if he does turn into a monster? We'd end up just like his grandpa...!"

"Gyh!...Y-Yeah. That'd be alota fun..."

Yamcha gulps,

"Let's not chance it. It's far too dangerous."

Bulma nods in agreement,

"I'm with you...Goku, be very careful not to look at the moon. It's right above you!"

Her warning proves to be poorly-worded, as it only prompts the boy to look up at said space object.
The especially nervous four all yelp with fright at the same time Melita covers her eyes with a squeak...

But nothing happens.

"Huh?...Hm...I don't see what the big deal is..."

Everyone else relaxes with sighs of relief, believing that there's nothing to worry about.

"A-A-Are you okay, Goku?"

"Of course I am."

"...Phew! You had us scared there, kid."

"I knew it was just a coincidence!"

...

...

Unfortunately, this relief is premature.

(...Ba-bump)

"Kh!"

Suddenly, Goku's body stiffens with the rigidness of a two-by-four, his muscles tightening as a strange energy pulses through his veins.

Wh-Wha...What's, h'ppening...?!

Can't, m-move...!

(Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump...)

His breathing becomes increasingly haggard, a factor unmissed by his companions on top of the rest of his spontaneous behaviour.

"Uh-h! Oh no! Goku!"

"Gah-h!"

"I'd suggest we run, but I wouldn't know where!"

"Goku, stop it; this isn't funny!"

"I don't think he's joking!"

...

Unbeknownst to the panicking group, Pilaf and his cohorts have since awoken from their forced slumber, and immediately plot a course for revenge. Hurrying into one of the diminutive emperor's planes, they would fly off to track their enemies down...

"They might have gotten away from the castle, but there's no way they're out of the desert yet...You're sure they went this way, Mai?"

"Yes, sir. I took the liberty of planting a tracking chip on the car...Ah! There!"

Several yards ahead of the Pilaf Plane is the small oasis our more benevolent souls were resting at...

"Excellent! Prepare the weapons. We'll blow those kids sky-high faster than you can say-"

(Rrrrrooooooooaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh, bwoooooooosh)

"Guh!"

"Eeyaa!"

"Wh-Wh-Wha-?!"

Before either of Pilaf's lackeys could act on the order, a great wave of energy rocks the atmosphere from down below, courtesy of a certain young boy.

Heading back down below, the situation only grows more dire and frightening as Goku's physical appearance takes a serious one-eighty. Thick, bistre brown hair sprouts all over his body, while his face morphs to sport a more ape-like countenance! Gradually, his figure expands and extends past normal levels, easily ripping away the fabric that used to be his clothes...and eventually leaving behind a gargantuan 'missing link' beast almost forty feet tall!

...

...

Not a single soul in close proximity dares to breathe as they soak in the new image that is Goku.

"Hhhh...!"

"G-G-G-Go-ku...?"

"Holy crap...!"

"H-How-?!"

The giant ape-boy then lets out a roar which shakes the ground almost as badly as an earthquake, forcing the earthbound people to drop to the dirt or risk getting tossed like leaves in a fall wind.

"Haaaaa-aaaaaaagh!"

"Aaaaaaaaah!"

"Ya-aa-aa-aaiiiiiiiiih!"

"Oh-no-oh-no-oh-no-oh-no...!"

"This is it; we're done for!"

Similar thoughts run hot through the minds of the Pilaf team as they witness the spectacle from up high in their plane.

"Wh-What the hell's going on?! What did that kid do; what is he?!"

"I'm just as in the dark as you are, sire...but what I do know is that we are officially out of our league."

"I'm with Mai, sir! Let's retreat while we can!"

"...Nonsense!"

"Huh?!"

"Wha-?!"

"I don't care if the kid's a kid or a monster. He needs to learn what happens when you mess with the almighty Emperor Pilaf! We'll ram that monkey with everything we have even if it means crashing the plane!"

...Commendable though Pilaf's unwavering determination might be in other situations, Shu and Mai couldn't help but quietly question their leader's sanity this round.

"He's really lost all the screws this time, hasn't he, Mai?"

"True, but we would too if we had a one-track toolbox like his for a brain."

"What was that?"

They quickly snap their focus ahead to avoid the little humanoid's wrath.

"N-Nothing, sire!"

"S-Setting course for the target now!"

Melita's POV

Oh kami, this is bad. Really bad...!

Just when we were finally starting to relax and reflect over our big journey, something completely unexpected and terrifying decides to shake the evening up worse than everything Pilaf tried to do to us!...And the most awful part is that my new best friend is stuck in the middle of it, stuck as a giant ape-like creature bigger than any of the dinosaurs I spotted a few times on the road.

"...C'mon!"

I whirl around to face the others at Yamcha's shout, watching as he hurries to grab Bulma's hand and pull her to the hovercar.

"We gotta make a break for it now before Goku decides to flatten us!"

"Uh, right!"

Oolong and Puar scramble to join them, piling into the back seat while my teen seniors hop in the front, with Yamcha as driver. A very small part of me wants to join them...but the bigger part of me is more concerned over the state of my friend currently wailing out roars and swinging his arms at anything they can touch, the primary casualties being the weird mushroom trees...Every step he took feels like he's being taken away from me, and I don't mean physically.

Goku...

"Melita, c'mon, get in!"

"Mh!?"

I bop my head left to see my other friends urging me to follow in fleeing the scene.

"We gotta go while we can!"

"There's nothing we can do for him right now!"

"Yeah, don't be a hero, sprite!"

"Melita, come on!"

...I turn to glance at Goku again, then look down at the dropped Nyoibō...and bend down to pick it up as a new, desperate determination buries itself inside my heart.

...No. I won't!

"I won't do it!"

They all gasp at my defiance...

"You guys can run away if you have to. I won't judge...but I'll never forgive myself if I run out on a friend when they need help!"

I run over to the hovercar and hoist myself halfway over the side to grab my training bag, easily dodging Oolong and Puar's hands in their attempt to stop me from dancing with crazy.

"I'm going after him."

"What?!"

"Are you insane, sprite?! One wrong move and you're gonna get crushed into pulp!"

"I know, Oolong, and that's why I'm gonna call Kinto'un. He'll have a harder time crushing me if I'm flying and not walking."

Setting my longer bag strap over my shoulder, I then turn around to call out for the magic cloud.

"Kinto'uuun!"

...It doesn't take even half a minute before I see the big puff of yellow coming down from the distant skies, parking herself in front of me at perfect saddle-up level. And yes, like grandpa, I refer to them as a she.

"Ah! Excellent timing as always, my friend."

I climb aboard despite Bulma and Yamcha's protests.

"Melita, this is crazy! You could get hurt, or worse!"

"Don't get us wrong; we're worried about Goku too...but I don't see how much help we can be to him right now."

"That's because you're too focused on the monster...when you should be focused on who's inside the monster."

"What?"

Storing the magic pole-arm into my bag, I then turn to smile sadly at my confused friends.

"Inside that monster is a lovable goofball of a boy, who's made all our lives richer, more fun...And to see him like this, hear his inner song so, scared, frustrated, so close to caving in on itself...I can't stand by and watch him suffer, or run and hide. It's too tragic."

"Meli..."

"Scared? Y'mean, he's not ragin' out?"

"Is there something you're seeing we're not?"

Shaking my head, I turn my focus back on Goku as he lets out another big roar and continues his (thankfully) slow rampage.

"Just call it a Nereid thing for now. I need all the time I can get to catch up...Pray I'm successful."

With that, I give Kinto'un a little pat to signal her for the skies, heading on a straight diagonal course for our wayward companion...

Hang on, Goku. Help is on the way!

"We're with you, Melita!"

"Huh?"

I look down over my shoulder, only to widen my eyes at seeing my other four friends following me in the hovercar from ground-level!

"Uh! Bulma, everyone!...But I thought you were gonna take cover!"

"We were, but...you were right! After everything we've been through these last several days, it'd be pretty crummy to bail on Goku now!"

Yamcha nods,

"Yeah, it's not his fault he turned into a giant raging ape; that's on the moon!...And based on how he was acting earlier, it's clear he has no idea he can even transform in the first place."

Puar and Oolong add their own thoughts:

"All the more reason to stop him, for his own good!"

"Yeah, well, I still think this is outside the limits of a coward like me...On the other hand, if Goku keeps stompin' around at this rate, there ain't gonna be alot of places left to hide...so wha' the heck. Let's do it!"

Their courage leaves me in awe for a half a minute, before a grateful smile curves onto my face.

"...Thank you. I'm so happy you're all willing to swallow your fear. Eeheh, even you, Oolong...Alright."

I refocus my eyes in front of me as we close in on Goku's giant frame, dropping my smile for something more serious.

"I'm going to try and get as close as I can from the air. You guys approach from the bottom."

"And then what?"

"Mm...To be honest, I'm not sure. I'm mostly praying that a familiar voice or more will get Goku to stop moving long enough that I can try and reason with him."

Oolong shouts incredulously,

"That's yur whole plan?!"

I snap back,

"If you have a better one, please, feel free to share!"

"...Hauh, yu're alot braver than we are, sprite."

I choose to avoid further commentary, and wait for the next pause between arm swings before making my move. I urge Kinto'un forward, stopping several feet away from the left side of Goku's face. Sucking in a big, brave breath...I make the call.

"Heeeey!...Gokuuuu!"

It seems he heard me, for instead of carrying on with his misguided rage, he actually turns his head my direction.

"Ulp...Goku...do you know who I am?"

Unfortunately, he doesn't give me a clear answer, instead snarling at me like a wild animal and attempting to throw a fist my way!

"Wagh!"

Luckily, I had a feeling this would happen, and so did Kinto'un.
We swiftly dodge the attack, shifting backwards so we're out of reach...

I'm not giving up. I gotta keep trying!

"Goku, please, listen! You have to calm down and change back!"

I hear my other friends call from below in the hovercar,

"Snap out of it, Goku!"

"Yeah, there's no reason to get so mad!"

"Just calm down and we'll figure somethin' out!"

"Come on, Goku!"

He just lets out another grinding snarl and shakes his head, his right foot blindly stomping about in a way that could've taken out the others if Yamcha didn't yank the accelerator into reverse...

"It's no good, Meli! He doesn't wanna listen!"

I counter back to Bulma,

"No! I'm sure a deeper part of him heard us, or he would've been more aggresive!...But look at 'im."

We all watch as Goku suddenly shifts back, and his left hand reaches up to grip the side of his head as he lets out a more strained set of roars, like he's struggling...

"I dunno what this transformation is, but what I do know is that it's got too much ki for him to handle. He can't concentrate, and it's messing with his emotions and sense of self."

"And that's why you think he's raging?"

"Well how would you feel if you had all this energy you can't release because you don't even understand what it is?"

"...Pretty pissed off...and scared...Oh, poor Goku..."

I nod sadly at Bulma...just as my ears pick up on the distant sound of an engine approaching from somewhere in the sky.

Huh?

I look to my right...only to see a plane similar to the one that was on my grandpa's island a long while back...

Their identity hits me like a whiplash.

Uh! Oh no! Pilaf!

It only gets worse once the plane starts firing a fairly heavy barrage of bullets! Letting out a scream, I silently urge Kinto'un to fly every which way to try and dodge the artillery...Of course, I know I'm not the prime target, and I also know that big ape or not, Goku's alot tougher than any bullet...

Still, watching him get shot at wasn't a fun experience for me to witness, nor was it for the others down below.

"Goku!"

"Oh no!"

"So he's a big hairy ape; that's no reason to shoot 'im!"

"Melita, get outta there!"

...That's when things got really scary.

(KA-znch)

"A-hh!"

One stray bullet manages to fly too close to my right arm, and even though it'd just be a graze, the momentum scared me so bad that I flopped backwards too far, and fell right off Kinto'un!

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

A scream speeds out from my mouth, louder than the worried cries of my friends as I plummet through the air for the ground below...

Or so I believed.

(Fwump)

"Aa-hh! Agh, nh...huh?"

...Wait...This doesn't feel like, the ground-gh, or Kinto'un.

Opening my eyes, I find myself staring straight into some familiar big red irises. Gasping, I scramble to a sitting position, wincing when I feel pain in my upper arm and a trickle of blood flow from what I'm sure is a shallow wound. I grasp it...but my eyes are locked onto the one who broke my fall with his big hand.

"G...Go-ku...?"

He...He saved me...Did my scream reach him somehow?

All I get in response is a blank stare, telling me that he's not sure what to make of me or this growing situation...

(ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka...)

"Gyh!"

That's when more bullets start shooting our way, and I watch Goku's furry face redden with rage before he turns his focus on the one responsible for the unfriendly fire. He tries to take a few swings at the plane, even going as far as jumping up to try and grab it, forcing me to latch onto the nearest finger to avoid getting tossed off.

"Aaah! Aaa-aaaah!"

Curse that stupid imp! Why couldn't he just accept the loss and leave us be?!

...But after another thirty seconds, the rapid fire stops.

Huh? (Looks up) Is he giving up?

...I'd quickly learn how wrong I was, thanks to a big missile.

(Pshoo, zzzzzmmmmmm...)

"Ah! Goku, look out!"

No POV

(Zmmmm-tok, KA-BOOOOM)

Unfortunately, the missile meets its mark, exploding in a huge cloud of burning fuel against Goku's torso, the impact sending him backwards with a strangled roar! The quartet in the hovercar can only watch in horror as their overpowered friend hits the ground hard.

"...Is...Is Goku...dead?"

Yamcha had no reply for the fearful Bulma, while his companion Puar mutters Goku's name with a woeful tone...That's when Oolong remembers,

"Wait...What about Melita?!"

The other three gasp,

"She was on Goku, wasn't she?!"

"Aw crap!"

"What if-!"

The quartet jump out of the vehicle and sprint for the direction of the downed ape-monster boy, reaching the area in record time before beginning their frantic search for the little water nymph...

"Meliiiii!"

"Melita, where are you?!"

"Are ya still alive?!...And while we're on the subject, are you still alive, Goku?!"

...That's when the floating cat notices some movement coming from Goku's enclosed right hand. Curious, they hover over for a closer inspection...only to witness a familiar little hand poke out from between the much bigger fingers.

"Ah!...Melita?!"

"Mh-nyh!...P-Puar, is that you?"

"Y-Yeah, hold on a sec! (Whirls around) Everyone! I found her; she's okay!"

The other three hurry to where Puar's call came from, and relief spreads onto their faces once they meet eyes with the girl currently enclosed within the giant appendages.

"Meli...!"

"Oh thank god, you're alive...!"

"You alright, sprite?"

"Uh-huh. Goku's hand protected me from the impact...Uhm, speaking of, c-could you guys help me out?"

Bulma and Yamcha immediately take on the job of pulling the large fingers back until there's enough space for the little honey-blond to slip out into Puar and Oolong's arms...

"Uh! Melita, your arm is-"

"I-It's okay, Puar; it's only a graze...Uh! Goku!"

Melita whirls around to lock worried eyes on the beast that is her proclaimed best friend.

"He...He took the full blast, f-from that missle...Is he...?"

Tears well up as her mind drifts towards the worst possible outcome.
Bulma tries to offer some hope as she gazes over the inanimate boy turned monster.

"(Sniff) W-Well, we know that bullets don't do much above maybe a few welts or a minor burn...and, we'd probably be seeing more damage right now if the missle had...you know..."

"S-So, he could, just be unconscious?"

Yamcha offers a way to conclude the uncertainty as he wanders over to stand on the right side of the closest furry wrist.

"Well there's one way to know for sure. Giant ape or not, we can still feel for a pulse here."

The others join him, with Bulma occupying his side while Melita and Oolong carefully climb up on top of the north and south ends, leaving Puar to float near the left. They all lean down to press their ears against Goku's wrist, and listen with bated breath.

(...B-bmp...B-bmp...)

"Hh! Did you hear that?"

"I did!"

"It was faint, but-"

"He's still alive!"

"Oh thank goodness!...Hm?"

The quintet's excitement is interrupted when their ears pick up on the sound of Emperor Pilaf and his duo agents approaching.
Sadistic glee sparks in the imp's eyes as soon as they get a visual of the unconscious Goku-ape.

"Hehahaha, like I always say: the bigger they are, the harder they fall! That'll teach him not to 'monkey' with me!"

Shu and Mai each comment,

"Wow, he sure is huge...and smelly..."

"I'd hate to think what would've happened if the kid became like this inside the castle..."

Pilaf feels a shiver run down his spine over such a scenario.

"Brrrh, don't let me imagine that, Mai!...Anyway, (smirk) with him down, the rest will be easy."

Having listened to every word, every bit of the mirthfully nonchalant attitudes, Melita feels a part of her heart crackle with anger and upset.

...How dare they. How dare they!

"You, heartless, monsters!"

Eyes from both sides dart onto the honey-blond as she takes a few steps towards the Pilaf Gang, tears glistening from the corners of her glaring irises.

"How could you-Why would you do this?!...He was just a boy, a kid like me, and you shot 'im down like he was nothing but a beast! Have you no morals?!"

Pilaf sneers back,

"Ha! Who do you think you're talking to, little girl? I get my vengeance against everyone and everything, no matter who or what they are! I don't care if your friend was a kid like you, especially since currently, he's nothing more than a monster movie reject!"

He then proceeds to laugh cruelly, his minions joining him with similar chuckles.
Melita's anguish boils all the more, and she positions herself to attack, much to the mild worry of her friends.

"Hoooh boy...!"

"She's gonna do that screech again, isn't she...?!"

"Either that or the Kamehameha Wave...!"

"See, this is why ya don't tick off the gentle ones; they're always the scariest!"

(...Bwmmmm...)

"Huh?"

Suddenly, a tiny tremor shuffles through the dry dirt beside our more benevolent souls.
They slowly turn their heads left...and gasp when they see the ginormous body of their cursed friend twitch.

"Hh!"

"Oh my gosh...!"

"Is, he...?"

"Y-Yeah, I think he's-!"

Catching onto the sounds behind and in front of them, the young water nymph and the imp cast their eyes towards Goku.

"Huh?"

"Hm?...Aaaaaeeeeh!"

Pilaf lets out a yell as the ape-beast boy rises to a sitting position, and opens his eyes to the tune of an almighty roar.
The imp and his cohorts waste no time in running back to the plane they came in.

"Nnnh-step on it, Mai!"

"Y-Yes sir!"

Unfortunately for those three, they only get so far into the air before Goku's anger-clouded mind sparks up an idea for a countermeasure. He grabs the head of a giant mushroom, and throws it straight at the flying machine, tearing through its tail! The attack causes enough interference with the plane's flight pattern to force it into a nosedive, crashing into the hard desert ground dirt a few kilometers away...

Miraculously, Pilaf, Shu and Mai survive, if with several bruises, a burn or two and plenty of rips in their clothes.

"Daaaaehh-ahhh..."

"Haaaeehhh..."

"Dyh-yuuh, w-well at, least my head doesn't hurt..."

A piece of broken metal drops down on the imp's noggin, silencing him with comedic karma...

Meanwhile, back over near the oasis, our more benvolent souls continue to stare up at Goku as he shakes his fists in a gesture of victory(?).

"...Uuuuh..."

"Well, that was, e-effective..."

"N-No kidding. I almost feel sorry for that blue pudge ball..."

"Still, better him than us."

Bulma then turns to ask her fellow teen,

"But what now? Goku's obviously angrier than earlier..."

"I know. At this rate, our only safer option might be to keep our distance and wait until the moon goes down."

Oolong mutters fearfully,

"Th-That's assumin' we even live that long...Ah! Look out!"

Suddenly, a large furry hand stretches downward towards the group, and they scramble back to avoid it...

Or rather, everyone but its target.

"Aaa-hh!"

"Melita!"

The little honey-blond is easily lifted into the air, her body fully constrained by the index finger of the ape monster's right fist alone. She squirms in the tight hold, casting confused and worried eyes at the one who captured her. He in turn stares at the tiny soul with strained curiousity, a low growl rumbling through his teeth...

And despite the fear threatening to swallow her heart whole, Melita is able to see past the danger, and perceives the faint spark of humanity in Goku's large eyes.

...Now I'm sure: he's still in there. He has to be!

"G...Goku...you can, hear me, right?...That's why you picked me up? (Slight smile) You scared off Pilaf just now, not just 'cause he was annoying you...but, because you wanted to protect us...right?"

The monster boy's growling grows a few decibals louder, but he does nothing to contradict his quarry...

"It doesn't matter what you look like, or how much power you have! If you really were a monster, you would've acted more ferocious, attacked us all!...But that's just it: you're not a monster, Goku! (Worried frown) S-So please...please change back into the person we both know you are!"

Though Goku likely can't understand every word, something in the girl's tone and expression triggers a pulsing ache within his skull. Strangled outcries escape the jaws of the ape monster as he grips the side of his head with his free hand tighter than before...

Watching the spectacle from down below, our other four group members feel their hearts go out to their friends.

"Oh Meli, Goku..."

"This is getting way out of hand...!"

"We gotta get her down from there, you guys!"

"Yeah, bu' how? If we ge' too close, Goku's just gonna swat us away like we're mosquitoes."

...That's when Puar remembers,

"Wait! Yamcha, didn't you theorize a while back that Goku's weak point is his tail?"

"...Yeah! That's it, Puar!"

If we cut his tail off, it should trigger enough of a reaction to force his transformation to reverse!

...But the question is how? Unfortunately, I don't have my sword anymore.

Glancing around, Yamcha's eyes quickly lock onto a large rock protruding from the ground.

...That'll work.

He charges forward, and uses his signature fighting style to carve out a stone sword!
Pivoting a sharp left, he then breaks into another run towards the backside of the giant ape boy...

Sorry about this, Goku, but it's for your own good.

Yamcha makes a grand leap into the air once he's close enough, and swings the makeshift weapon downward in a chopping motion...But instead of cutting through the sensitive flesh, the stone sword shatters upon impact!

"Gyh!"

Oh crap!

All he can do is scramble to land atop the furry appendage and cling for dear life.
Such an action causes Goku to screech in mild pain, building upon his current frustrations...

"Hold on, Yamcha, we're coming!"

Bulma, Oolong and Puar dash over and jump onto the tail with the bandit. The extra weight forces another great roar out of the transformed monkey boy...before he goes half-limp from the pressure, a few panting growls escaping his gaped mouth...

And through the drop of aggressive noise, rises a calmer sound undetectable by the human ear.

"Huh?"

...What is that?...A melody?

...It's, coming from...

Cotton candy pink irises fixate on the chest of their giant friend.

It's coming from Goku, inside his, sprit, I think.

...Hh! Wait! Could it be-?!...That's it!

"Quick, Puar, now's our chance! Turn into a giant pair of scissors and snip off his tail!"

"Right!"

"No, wait, don't!"

The people atop the large tail dart their eyes towards Melita.

"Please don't cut off his tail!...I think I can snap him out of it!"

Bulma calls back in disbelief,

"What?! But how?!"

"I'm gonna use my song magic to get to the heart of the Goku we all know!...But if it somehow doesn't work, (glances at Yamcha) then do what you think is best."

"Melita...Mm, (nod) okay. But the second we're sure it's not working, the tail's comin' off."

"I understand...Okay."

Turning her focus back onto the face of her troubled friend, the little honey-blond sucks in a big breath to settle her nerves before softly addressing them once more.

"...Goku?...I know you're still in there. I'm gonna get you back to your old self...I promise."

Closing her eyes, Melita strains her ears to listen for the melody echoing from within Goku's spirit.

...Got it.

---

Note: The song in question is a familiar theme from DBZ, Cha-La Head Cha-La. A little early, I know, but I feel like this song speaks to Goku's character really well.

---

Opening her mouth and eyes, she begins crooning the tune, her mezzo-soprano vocals matching note for note with the dominant beat. A soft, ethereal sea green glow rings around her body and floods her sclera, almost rippling across her skin like water bouncing to a base tempo. Her friends currently clinging onto the giant primate tail are immediately transfixed.

"Oooh..."

"Whoa..."

"Unbelievable...!"

"So this is the true power of a water nymph...?"

She of course only has eyes for the soul she so desperately wishes to save, who in turn kept his focus on the little being enclosed in his hand.

...Hear me...Please, hear me, Goku...!

Rgh! Rawh-rrrh! Nrh-hh...M-Mr-li...Me-lh-t...?

(...BA-Bump)

"RWH!?"

A jolt of energy suddenly sparks within Goku's spirit, giving his true sense of self enough strength to fight back against the domineering beast. In response to the battle inside, the primate beast's outer structure is swallowed by a bright light similar to the glow of the full moon, prompting the people on his tail to jump down to safety. They scramble backwards a couple yards to give the boy-beast some room as he lets out yet another roar and shifts his footing...However, contrary to the earlier bellows, this one is more akin to a predator slowing down to rest after chasing nimble prey for too long.

(Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba, bump, ba, bump...ba...bump...gwoooooom...)

The ginormous body encased in light begins to shrink, the combined power of song and will finally sending this phenomenal transformation into reverse. Melita is quickly freed from Goku's grasp once his fingers lax, and she drops onto the safe fluffy haven of Kinto'un without flinching out of focus...

One more minute passes, and the great ape monster scare is over, leaving the unintentional cause behind in a forward-bent position. Though lacking any garments, there doesn't appear to be any injuries that go beyond haggard breathing.

"Haa-hh...ha-hh...hah, hah..."

Wha...What, happ'ned to me? What was that, power?

"Goku!"

He steals a tired glance towards his upward left, spotting Melita gently streaming downward aboard the familiar golden cloud.
She stops a few feet away, hopping to the ground before rushing over to the boy's side.

"Goku..."

"M-Meli..."

"Are you...Are you okay?"

"I...I think so...What happened...?"

"I'm, still trying to figure that out myself...You...When you, looked up at the moon, your ki skyrocketed...and you changed..."

Goku's eyebrows knit together as he attempts to wrack his muddled memory for answers.

"I, changed?...I don't understand. The, last thing I remember, was sitting on the ground and talkin' about grandpa-"

(Ba-bump)

"GH!"

He stops muttering halfway when a spike of mental energy pierces his brain, allowing a muffled recollection of the frightening recent event to flood his mind like a burst dam. Pupils dialate and widen to disturbed levels, the owner barely keeping his breathing in check as he struggles to process.

I...I-I was...I, turned into-!

"Goku...?"

B-But then...Th-That, means...!

"Goku, are you okay? What's wrong?"

"...I'm the monster..."

"What?"

Dark umber irises grow misty as they turn to meet the worried pink, the former feeling a new wave of agony, guilt and fear wash over him as he comes to a horrifying conclusion regarding his past.

"I, I was...I-I-I'm, the monster, g-grandpa told me about...That's why, h-he told me, t-t' never look, a-at the moon, because...b-because, he knew I'd, turn into somethin', that can't be controlled."

"Goku..."

"(Sniff) But I...I-That night, wh-when I looked a' the moon, for the first time...I didn't listen, and then, (...sniff) hh, 'n then...!"

Goku couldn't keep it together anymore, and launches himself at Melita for a very well-needed hug, much to her surprise.

"Uh-h!"

"I killed 'im! Hyh, I-I stomped 'im to death! Hh-I transformed, into that big ape, hh-hyh, a-and I killed him! (Sniff) If I knew-hyh!...If I knew, lookin' at the moon, w-would mean doin' that, I never would've! Hh...g-grandpa...I swear; I swear I didn't know! I wish I listened to you! I wish I never transformed! 'm sorry, grandpa! Hyh-h, I'm so sorry!"

The poor boy descends into unintelligible sobs after that tearful apology, burying his face into the girl's shoulder as he grips her tight, feeling too emotional and vulnerable to let go. By this time, the other four members of our mismatched sextet regrouped and moved to stand a respectable distance away from the heartbreaking spectacle before them. Not a one of them had anything to say in response to Goku's cries, instead forming expressions of sadness and sympathetic pity for the poor boy...

As for Melita, her own eyes shed a few tears, her heart forming crack after crack as she silently watches her friend's happy naïvety shatter under the weight of this tragic realization.

Oh, Goku...I'm so sorry...I can't even begin to imagine your pain right now...

And, I feel like this is my fault, my song's fault.

(Flash)

"Hey, Turtle?"

"Yes, little one?"

"...Why'd that whale look so sad before it swam away after my song?"

"Mm...Well, this will vary between individuals who hear it...but sometimes a Nereid's singing of an inner song will uncover secrets hidden within a troubled soul. Secrets, that they'd rather not think about too much."

"Secrets? Y'mean like, bad memories or something?...Oh...Oh, I didn't mean to make them feel bad! I just wanted to stop 'em from flooding the island."

"And your intention was good, Melita...but sometimes good intentions come with the risk of opening old wounds."

"Oh...I see...So, that's why I gotta keep practicing my singing, right?"

"That's right. Once you have better control over your power, it'll become easier to avoid consequences like this...But remember, Melita: not all consequences can be avoided, so you must also be ready to take responsibility for the moments that can't be undone."

"I understand, Turtle."

(Flash)

...It was easy to say that back then...but now...Now I truly understand Turtle's words.

...And I will take responsibility for this hurt I caused.

Blinking away another salty droplet, the young honey-blond shifts her hold on the bawling boy so she's hugging her left arm around his back, while her right hand reaches to softly pet his wild black hair. Sucking in a calming breath, she draws on her inate ability of music once again.

Goku...I'm sorry you have to live with this awful truth now...

And while I can't make it better...I can at least try to ease the pain with other memories.

Opening her mouth, Melita begins emitting a soft, wistful melody comparable to a gentle piano playing in a quiet garden setting.

---

Note: The song in question this round, is the ending theme for DB, Romantic Ageru Yo.

---

A transparent glow envelops her body as well as Goku's, the colour a soft rainbow of hues found only in the deepest, richest points of the great seas. Oblivious to the source of this shift in energy, the latter soul instead feels his focus slowly change from turmoil to, wonder and confusion as his mind is influenced to reflect on better days.

(Sniff) H-Huh?...This is...Gran'-pa...?

Memory after memory flashes before him in a gentle montage to the tune of the background melody, from fishing with his grandfather near the waterfall of their home, to the pair's early training sessions in the martial arts. All the while, Goku's mind is transfixed by the smiles his parental guardian would always give him.

Grandpa...Are you...Do y'mean, you're not, mad at me?

...Do you forgive me?

A small, sad smile of acceptance curves onto the boy's face, his eyes shedding one last tear each as he drifts to sleep.

Grandpa...thank you...I dunno, how I'll get past this...but I'll try, for you.

Sensing that her companion is no longer conscious, the water nymph ceases her song, the soft glow dissipating as quickly as it arrived.
She pulls back slightly, smiling when she sees the peaceful expression on Goku's face.

Hah, good. He's asleep...He should be okay, at least for tonight.

"Meli...?"

She looks up, meeting eyes with Bulma as the latter cautiously approaches closer to the tweens.

"Is he..."

"(Nod) Mhm, he's sleeping now. I, used another song to help him, remember the good times with his grandpa...I couldn't stand seeing him so sad, so I..."

"Mm, I gotchya. (Sad smile) Probably the right call. He'll need all the rest he can get after, tonight...And whatever he recalled, might help him reach some closure."

"That's all we can hope for...O-Oh, right, before I forget..."

Glancing over at Kinto'un, Melita then requests,

"Bulma, could you please go to my bag and grab out my big tee shirt? (Looks down) As you can see, Goku's gonna need it more than I will right now..."

"O-Oh yeah, sure, gimme a sec."

Once the bluenette has the garment in question, both girls carefully dress their sleeping friend so he's no longer showing the world his-erm, 'birthday suit'...

"There we go. Heh, not a bad look for 'im either."

"Heehe, yeah...Now all that's left is to follow our friend's example. I know sleeping outside's not ideal to you, but-"

"Hah, I know, I know; sometimes y'gotta work with what you have...Alright. Let's all find a comfy tree to sleep under."

...

Panning away from our main group as they come to grips with the aftermath, we head over to the spot where Pilaf and his most trusted cronies crashlanded earlier. Currently, the diminuitive emperor is angrily lamenting over his latest failure.

"Drrrrrrh, I can't believe those kids bested us twice in one night! Why couldn't you morons have killed them before now?"

Shu replies,

"It wasn't for a lack of trying, sire. They're craftier than they look...or maybe it was just bad luck?"

"Hmph, well luck or not, this is still all your fault! Is that clear?"

Both agents reluctantly mutter,

"Yes, sire," and Pilaf sighs,

"The only silver lining is that my castle wasn't caught up in this mess...Mmmm-nh, but I, still lost my wish!"

He lets out an outcry of frustration while stomping childishly on the dry dirt...only to catch sight of two pistols that somehow surivied the plane crash.

"(...Grin) Heh, it's not over yet."

The imp quickly snatches the weapons up and hands over one to each of his agents.

"Here, and here. (Raises a pointer finger) Now listen carefully, you two."

"Huh?"

"Hm?"

"My great-granddaddy Pilaf used to say 'there's no sense crying over your loses until you've gotten your revenge'. So let's get our revenge and let the crying begin!"

"Wow. What a guy!"

"Yeah. He must've been quite an inspiration..."

"Alright, now let's get those troublemakers!"

Mai and Shu are all for the plan, leading a charge back from where they were tossed.

"Yeah!"

"Leeeet's do it!"

...However, they stop when they realize their leader isn't running with them, and turn around to see him bolting for the other direction back to the castle.

"Hey, Emperor Pilaf!"

"Where are you going, sire?!"

"N-Never mind me, you fools! Hah, haeh, just get those pesky kids-hah, and remember the ageless words of great-grandaddy Pilaf!"

...They're of course not fooled in the least, and hurry after the emperor, deciding to finally call it a night.

Time Skip

Morning soon casts its warm rays over Diablo Desert, highlighting a calm landscape contrasting the chaos from the night before...

"Sheesh. Tha' was quite a predicament Goku managed t' get us into, huh?"

Yamcha nods to Oolong,

"I'll say. Thank goodness Melita was able to snap 'im out of it...Still..."

Bulma sighs with a sad frown,

"Now he has to live with the reality of his grandpa's death."

She recalls the innocence in Goku's tone as he told his story, and the anguish when the truth slaps him in the face...

"I could practically feel his little heart breaking last night..."

Oolong replies in a reassuring tone,

"I'm sure he'll find a way t' keep movin' forward. He just needs some time ta le' the ugly truth settle...Anyway."

Eyes turn to stare at the little pair atop Kinto'un a few yards ahead.

"Whaddo you think the deal with Goku is?"

"Deal?"

"Yeah, I mean, is 'e some kind'a space alien?...He looks normal enough. Then again, that's almost like sayin' Meli's an alien..."

Yamcha quips with a smile,

"I say they're human enough. Just with a few extra quirks," and the bluenette half-chuckles,

"As if I don't have enough friends with weird hang-ups...Not mentioning any names, of course."

At the same time those four have their chat, the duo atop the golden cloud a small distance away were having a slightly more somber heart-to-heart.

"...So how are you feeling this morning?"

"Hah, well, better than last night...but still kind'a lousy...I can't believe it took me this long to figure out grandpa's secret. I'm not mad he kept this from me, far from it...I just, wish I was smart enough to put two 'n two together...before..."

A quiet sigh of sadness escapes Goku's lips, his eyes reflecting regret.

"Maybe if I had, grandpa would be here now...and I wouldn've nearly hurt you all last night..."

Forming a sympathetic frown, Melita reaches to hold the boy's left hand with her right as a form of comfort.

"You shouldn't blame yourself, Goku. Last night, that night in the past...They were unforeseen accidents...And your grandpa likely never told the truth, because he knew you'd be too overwhelmed to fully understand at the time...That's what I sensed last night too."

"Hm?"

"It may've looked like rage...but I could see and hear past the roars. All that crazy power was scaring you, confusing you, so all you could do was thrash around looking for someone or something to help you. (...Smile) Which is why, I'm glad I could do something to help you."

"Right. You used your singin' powers to reverse my transformation, (small smile) and then reminded me of the good instead of the bad."

"Mhm...I know getting past this new chapter of grief will take time...but I want you remember two very important things. One, don't let tragedy tower over the sweeter times...And two, no matter what form you take, you will never be a monster to me...You're still you."

Humming in acknowledgement of the little honey-blond's words, the equally small blackette squeezes the hand in his, while his tail moves to gently curl around her waist.

...Thanks, Melita. I'm glad to know, that I'll always have a friend who will see me for me, no matter what.

Back over yonder, the humanoid pig changes topics, recalling the mystical objects responsible for bringing this little group together.

"So what're we gonna do now? I mean, we can't track the Dragon Balls for a whole year...Is this where we go our seperate ways?"

Bulma hums,

"I suppose so...Hoh well. At least I'll have more than enough time to come up with a new wish to replace my idea for getting a boyfriend."

I think the only reason I wanted to use the Dragon Balls was because I got sick of all the humdrum guys in the city...

Hauh, but does this mean I'm gonna have to try that silly-looking teen dating site mom recommended? How lame.

Yamcha feels similar thoughts spin through the gears of his own mind after he gently wakes Puar.

So I gotta spend another year actin' like a lunkhead every time a pretty girl comes around. Hauh, I'll never get a girlfriend!

...But after half a minute, the two teenagers turn to eachother...and form twin smiles of realization.

Hm~, or maybe not.

Goku and Melita soon reach the proximity of their friends, content smiles on their faces after their special chat.

"Hey Oolong...Hm?"

They notice that the pig has a disgruntled expression on his face.

"...Uuuh, is there something buggin' you?"

He jabs a thumb in Bulma and Yamcha's direction.

"Get a load of tweedledum and tweedledee over there."

They look over, watching as the two teens bounce around while holding eachother's hands with joyful laughs over their newly-found happiness. Puar is also seen jumping up and down, happy for their master. Goku feels a perplexed frown form at their behaviour.

"It looks like they're hearin' music. Boy, that's sure weird..."

In contrast, Melita hides a giggly smile behind her hands.

Heehee, I knew it! Good for them.

The dancing stops when Yamcha accidentally kicks Bulma's shin, causing her to wince and him to panic slightly.

"Oh! Oh, did I hurt you, Bulma? Lemme see..."

"Yeah, a little...but it's okay."

The bluenette places a hand on the other's shoulder with a sweet smile.

"I feel fine now. You protected me, remember?"

He stares at her with slight awe for the easy forgiveness, but then half-smirks confidently...

"Ahm! K-hm, I don't mean to interrupt you guys, but-uhm..."

They snap back to the others, blushing with awkward laughs as they straighten up. Bulma then speaks up on their behalf:

"I think Yamcha and I have decided that we'd like to spend a little more time together. So why don't we all go back to the city? Heh, pretty cool idea, huh?"

Goku replies with a smile,

"That sounds good, but I already have plans t'go with Meli back to her house so we can train with her grandpa like mine did. I wanna get strong."

"Oh? But you two are already the strongest kids I know. You especially, Goku."

His upturn of the mouth grows a bit sad but wise as he nods,

"Yeah, I know...but aside from the terrible thing I learned, last night taught me somethin' else. (Places hand over chest) I have all this crazy power inside me that I can't control, and that's a big problem...A big problem I can only solve if I train. Train to master this power, until it's a part of me and not against me, or the people I care about."

Oolong hums with an impressed expression,

"Wow. That's deep."

"Heheh, thanks!...I know I can do it too, (glance) especially if I have a good friend to help me along. Right, Meli?"

She nods with a bright smile,

"Right," and Bulma awws,

"Ooh, we'll miss you two! (Glance) And what about you, Oolong?"

"Well I dunno. Do y'think I look like a big city pig?"

"Are you kidding? You'll be the talk of the town, especially with your-erm, 'interesting' charm..."

The humanoid swine feels an insulted noise escape his lips.

"Oi! What's with the air quotes? If you're thinkin' about my little scheme from back in that village again, fine, I admit it, poor plannin'! It shouldn't label me for life!"

"It's not just that, though. You do act older than your age."

He hisses at the young nymph,

"Quiet, you!"

Everyone else laughs at Oolong's expense, and he lets out a sigh before saying with a half-smirk,

"Oh well, I guess I'll go. You guys need me."

Goku then suggests,

"I know! When a year goes by, let's go look for the Dragon Balls again!"

A muffled giggle escapes Bulma as she replies coyly,

"We don't need Dragon Balls anymore, Goku," turning to laugh lovingly with Yamcha again...

Seeing Oolong scoff in jealous annoyance, the boy with the monkey tail then turns to ask Melita,

"Do you understand why they're actin' like this?"

"All you need to know is that they're gonna be closer than ever. Closer than friends."

"Ooh...Ah! (Pivots) Hey, Bulma? How will I find my grandpa's Dragon Ball if you're not there with your radar? I dunno how to trace it."

"Well I'll tell ya what, kid..."

The bluenette pulls out her Dragon Radar, kneeling slightly as she presents it to the two tweens.

"How about I just give you and Meli this radar as a going-away present to remind you both of all the good times we had together?"

"Really?!"

"Oh wow, thank you!"

...Soon enough, everyone prepares to seperate in their respected groups. Yamcha activates a hoi-poi capsule to bring out his emergency plane, then turns to shake hands with both Goku and Melita.

"I guess this is goodbye, Goku. I want you to become just as strong as Master Rōshi, okay?"

"Okay!"

"You continue to grow strong too, Melita, and stick with Goku all the way."

"Mhm! I will."

Bulma muses,

"I'll never forget either of you," causing the honey-blond to playfully quirk,

"I should hope not, 'cause the second I'm able, I'm gonna send lotsa letters to you and the others in the city."

"Haha! I'm looking forward to it."

On that note, the dualing groups of four and two board their respected transports...

"Alright, Kinto'un: to Master Rōshi's, and step on it,"

"Pretty please!"

Oolong calls to the tweens as the golden yellow cloud begins to rise,

"You two go get 'em!"

"You too, Oolong!"

"Until we meet again!"

The plane closes, and Yamcha turns on the ignition...

"Alright, everyone, here we go!"

They take off without sparing another second, rising high into the air and matching speed with Kinto'un.
Both groups share one more wave goodbye, before going in seperate directions...

Zooming in on the tweens, they reflect over their grand quest.

"I never thought that life could be such a neat adventure..."

"I can't wait for the next one!"

"Me too!...And Meli?"

"Yeah?"

"...Thank you for being a friend."

Melita is taken aback slightly by the soft gratitude, but then smiles and nods,

"You too."

Both teens giggle in content, before focusing forward as they ride out of the Diablo Desert, the morning sun casting a beautiful glow over the changing landscapes as they head for the next stage in their journies...