The Wait Is Over
A gentle breeze blew over the cliff, rustling the leaves on the trees.
Gohan stood in his fighting stance in front of a calmly standing Piccolo. The boy's body was marked by multiple cuts and bruises.
"Attack," said Piccolo.
"Haaa!" Gohan came rushing towards the taller fighter. The boy jumped up and showered a series of kicks upon Piccolo only for them to be easily evaded.
Piccolo smiled. "Too slow," he remarked before punching the boy hard on the shoulder.
Gohan fell face-down by the impact.
Piccolo frowned as Gohan struggled to stand up. "Now it's your turn to dodge!" Piccolo shouted.
With that Piccolo attacked Gohan with a series of punches. Gohan began to walk quickly backwards barely evading the attacks while Piccolo followed him.
The boy suddenly jumped above Piccolo's strikes. "Hyaaa!" An aura of energy enveloped Gohan as he crashed his fist into Piccolo's cheek.
Piccolo was taken aback, his head turned to the side.
Gohan landed on the ground, slightly scared.
Piccolo grinned before pulling back his fist. "Here's how you punch!"
Bam!
Piccolo's fist crashed into Gohan's cheekbone, sending him tumbling.
The boy tumbled to the edge of the cliff but hung on by a single hand.
Piccolo walked towards him.
"Help, Mr Piccolo," Gohan pleaded.
Piccolo merely grinned and stamped his foot upon the boy's hand causing him to fall down.
Gohan flailed helplessly for a support as he fell. He hung on to a tree branch just a dozen feet from the ground. But unluckily the branch gave way.
DHISUM!
Gohan lay supine on the earth. The boy slowly got to his knees, panting audibly. He stood up with difficulty and looked upwards. "Come on. Help me, Mr Piccolo!" he called out. "You know I can't get up from here on my own! "
But to Gohan's dismay he could see the figure of Piccolo merely turn back and walk away.
King Gai stood proudly in front of Goku. "I never thought there would one day appear a fighter who could master the Kayoken attack," he remarked.
Goku nodded. "Thanks."
King Gai looked at his wristwatch. "Well, its time you get to your spaceship for lunch. Your wife would be waiting for you," he said.
"By the way, King Gai," said Goku. "What's the date today?"
"It's 27th of October," King Gai replied.
Goku smiled. "Five months have passed in a flash. I am finding it hard to believe that this much time has passed since my arrival here."
King Gai stood thinking. "Wait, Goku. Didn't you tell me that it took you three months to get here?"
"Yup," replied Goku.
"Then I guess it's time for you to start your journey back to Earth. You need to reach there atleast a few weeks before the Saiyans arrive. That way you will get some time to get used to your planet's gravity again."
"Hmm. I see," said Goku.
...
After exchanging good-byes, Goku bid farewell to King Gai, Bubbles and Gregory. The three watched as Goku's spaceship rocketed away into space.
King Gai sighed as he saw Goku's ship disappear. "Guess I am all alone, again."
"Hoo-hoo-aa-aa-ee-ee." Bubbles, the monkey, jumped, in a way trying to say that 'I am still here.'
King Gai sighed again.
One month later... (Nine months post Raditz)
Piccolo and Gohan stood up, having just completed their prayers.
In the beginning, Piccolo had been irritated by Gohan asking leave regularly to pray. But he couldn't bring himself to stop the boy. Deep down Piccolo knew that they would surely need God's help in the upcoming fight against the Saiyans.
Before he knew it, something happened to Piccolo that he never imagined possible. Piccolo himself started to pray regularly. For the first time in his life Piccolo began to find peace in his heart and mind.
"Well, Mr Piccolo," said Gohan, battered and bruised. "Shall I sleep now?"
Piccolo closed his eyes with a scowl. "Yes."
Gohan grinned. "Thanks, Mr Piccolo." The boy lay down and was snoring a minute later, reminiscent of his father.
Piccolo went towards a tree trunk and leaned on it. Just a couple of hours of sleep was enough for Piccolo.
Two months later... (Eleven months post Raditz)
Master Roshi's island
Krillin sat, scrolling down the news on his mobile. This was a good pastime for him during his resting hours. He had trained with dedication for the past few months. He felt quite relaxed.
Master Roshi was there to keep him company. Krillin had offered the old man to train as well but Master Roshi had refused the offer.
"It's time for the younger generation to step up," the old man had said.
Of course, it was sad for Krillin to come to terms with the fact that Master Roshi had indeed retired from fighting. Such are the pains of old age and every person has to go through this phase of life... (Of course, besides those who don't live to see their old age)
Lion city
It was a normal Monday afternoon. People were going to their workplaces after the lunch break. The roads were abuzz with traffic. The ice-cream vendors were screaming their lungs out to get customers' attention when...
SPLANCK!
The tallest building of the area came crashing down with an explosion.
CRASH!
The sound of concrete shattering could be heard all over the place.
The situation quickly turned into one of generalized panic. People were running like anything. There was almost a stampede.
Smoke rose from the freshly made craters on the ground. A spherical white object lay in the centre of each of the two craters
Some minutes later the media arrived as well. Reporters surrounded the place, rapidly clicking photos.
...
"Planet Earth has arrived... Repeat... Planet Earth has arrived... Repeat..." A mechanical voice sounded.
Vegeta opened his eyes. "It's time."
To be continued...