Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Ball.
Betaed by: Zim'sMostLoyalServant and my best friend.
LAST TIME ON DRAGON BALL IJ:
In the bowels of the Devil's Toilet the ordeal commanded by Baba continued. Bora faced a powerful mummy in deadly combat over a vat of acid. While the mighty warrior prevailed over the undead, his wounds necessitated resigning himself from the contest.
Next Launch took to the arena facing the dreaded Devilman Spike. While her tactics prevailed over the flappable foe, a poorly timed sneeze saw her knocked out of the running.
One fighrer remain on both sides! The next match will decide the fate of Upa, right now on Dragon Ball IJ
Chapter 21
Halo Fighter!
Did Someone Order Pilaf?
"Well lad, better get down there, no sense dragging out the climax," Baba told Goku.
"Don't worry Bora, I'll beat whatever she throws at me," Goku said to Bora. The injured warrior smiled and nodded, before wincing a bit.
"Goku," Roshi said as Goku stood up on the sill, ready to leap down to the tongues below, "Be careful out there. The Devilman has been Baba's right-hand man for more than a century, and her finisher. For him to not go last, she must have someone even stronger waiting in the wings."
Goku gave a goofy grin.
"I think you just excited him, master," Yamcha sighed.
"Not me! It might be some slimy alien," Mai shuddered.
"Whatever it is, I'll beat it up," Goku assured them, before dropping down to join Lunch on the tongues.
"Goku, so I cost us a match by showing up?" she asked him.
"Kinda, Master Roshi said it was a trick. Anyway, would you mind clearing the arena? I wanna fight now," Goku asked.
"Oh, been waiting patiently? I'm so proud of you," Lunch said, mushing his hair.
"Oh, that's adorable," an old man spoke up. They looked up to see a stout man wearing an orange and black vest over dark clothes, a white cat mask on his face and a skullcap with a red ball on top of it, standing in the mouth of the opposing demon.
"Sorry, who are you?" Lunch said, bowing a bit at the stranger.
"Well, the Tome and Turtle Guy are brother and sister, so he must be, their uncle!" Goku decided.
"…no, actually," the masked man sweatdropped.
"Behold your last obstacle, a mighty warrior from beyond the grave!" Baba declared arms raised.
"That's a ghost!?" the spectators gasped. Lunch nodded and pointed.
"I was wondering why a halo was floating over your head," she said.
"Well, all the other fighters were weirdos, so I guess another dead guy isn't that strange," Yamcha remarked as Mai hid behind him, peeking out.
"One moment, kids. Lady Baba, I have a request," the ghost said to the crone above them.
"What is it?" she shot back.
"I want to fight this lad no holds barred, a proper bit of martial arts. This narrow arena and death drop just doesn't suit that kind of fight. With your permission, might we relocate back to the outdoor arena?" the old spirit asked.
"Hmm, if both fighters agree, I suppose," Baba decided.
"Fine with me, I'd rather focus on the fight than not falling," Goku said.
"Well, this guy doesn't look like much trouble," Yamcha tried to laugh as everyone started to make their way to the door, including Bora supported by Mai.
"There is more at work than meets the eye, nothing suggests Baba Uranai would let a weakling be her champion, this ghost must be a formidable warrior," Bora said flatly.
"They're probably real creepy behind that mask," Mai fretted, flinching back from a wall carving of a demon sticking out its tongue.
"Hmm, something's familiar," Roshi said, as the last one to leave.
X X X
"Usty razzafrazzin," Launch griped as they took their places at the ringside of the outdoor arena.
"Oh, pipe down, cheap shots and bad calls are a part of the fighter's life. Be grateful Lunch was so considerate as to sneeze you back so you could watch. She said this was your adventure more than hers," Roshi admonished the blonde.
"I don't want to hear it gramps, I was robbed. The irony only makes me crankier," Launch grumbled.
"Well, you were very impressive out there. You've really made that Rocket Launch attack your own," Yamcha said next to her. That made her brighten a bit.
"Well, if you think that's impressive, I'm already cooking up a new move that'll make even Master Wrinkles here sit up and take notice," Launch preened, nose tilting up.
"Wow, hard to imagine you getting even stronger," Mai said, leaning across Yamcha to look at Launch with awe, making the blonde grin.
"Don't give her an even bigger head, you two," Roshi admonished them.
"So then, ready now?" Baba asked the old spirit and Goku. Goku gave a V sign, while the ghost gave a thumbs up.
"Then, let the final round begin!"
"Alright!" Goku cheered, assuming a stance. Only to see and hear his opponent clear his throat and bow slightly, hands pressed before his chest.
"What about the ceremonial pre-match greeting?" the old spirit asked.
"Oh, right," Goku said, returning the gesture, then the two assumed stances.
"Huh, straightlaced old guy, isn't he?" Yamcha commented.
"Well-mannered," Mai said happily.
"Heh, bet you've read books on all that etiquette stuff, eh Mai?" Launch asked.
"Oh yes! I once wanted to work in a teahouse, but then I ended up working with guns and machines instead, as there weren't any teahouses in town," Mai said.
"Well, attack," the ghost told Goku.
"Right! TAH!" Goku called out, charging. He made a jab toward his opponent, only to duck under a countering jab he barely saw coming, and then had to pull back at the last moment to keep from getting a knee to the face.
Goku got back in with a growl, punching upward toward his opponent's masked face. It connected with air, his opponent backing out of the blow. Goku's follow-up was a bad idea, he realized as soon as he did it. Sure enough, the masked man caught the fist in his palm.
Goku struggled against the grip and strength of the old man for a long moment, both grunting in effort. Finally, the old man let go, Goku nearly tripping over himself at the sudden liberty. The masked man leapt back himself, but once he hit the ground, jumped into the air; he swiftly flipped over and over through the air to land far behind Goku, then sprang from the ground to kick off at another angle as Goku twisted, trying to keep him in sight, then with another kick he zoomed toward Goku, side toward the ground. Goku tried to raise a block, but the punch broke through his guard, hammering the boy into the ground. The masked fighter skidded to a stop and turned as Goku picked himself up from the cracked tiles.
"Wow, this guy is badass," Launch said, stunned.
"It's not a gimmick fighter in the end, it's a great fighter," Yamcha realized.
"That style, it's familiar, but I've never known anyone this powerful in my life," Roshi mused.
"Hahaha! Roshi, did you think fighters stop being fighters just because they go the Other World? There exist places in the afterlife where great warriors who carry their fighting spirit into the lands beyond death can train and contend with their peers for ages on end. It's said the least fighters of those lands could conquer the land of the living singlehandedly," Baba cackled.
"And that's what Goku is up against? I'm so sorry, Mr. Bora," Mai said to Bora, who stood proudly but sweating on the inside. He didn't say anything, watching intently.
"You're strong. But I can't lose, I made a promise," Goku told his opponent.
"Commendable, but promises aren't worth much if you aren't able to keep them. Prove your word with your fists, young man," the masked man instructed.
"Right!" Goku charged at the masked man.
"No, don't be rash!" Roshi warned. The masked man easily countered the blow, sending Goku flying back, only for Goku to land and spring back even faster. With a cry, Goku landed a kick on his opponent's neck, sending him stumbling. Goku landed on the floor and watched his opponent rub his neck.
"That was a trap, Goku used his enemy's attack to gain power and speed for a counter," Roshi realized.
"Yes, but it hardly dented my champion, didn't it?" Baba smiled.
The two stood, assessing the other.
"You really are quite good, lad. What's say we make sure this doesn't end cheap, no ring outs. Just a fight until one loses or gives up?" the masked man asked.
"Sure," Goku said.
"No Goku, if he's asking for that, it must be a trick of some kind!" Yamcha warned.
"I don't think so," Roshi said. As they watched, the masked man charged Goku, and the two exchanged a flurry of jabs, punches and counters, neither of them landing a clean blow.
"This warrior is not, I think, one for cheap tricks. His power has been increasing as they fight. He's drawing this out, but not out of the eagerness Launch and Goku have. I think he's testing Goku," Roshi mused.
"How cruel! Goku didn't get a chance to study!" Mai gasped.
Back in the fight, the masked man evaded a kick from Goku and grabbed his ankle. He slammed Goku hard into the tiles, cracking them, then with the back swing hurled him up into the air.
"That's brutal," Yamcha cried.
"Get it together, Goku! Show that ghost who's dead!" Launch shook her fist as the ghost launched himself up after Goku. As Goku watched, at the apex of his sudden flight, the masked man came up next to him and kicked him down. Goku struck the ground like an asteroid, demolishing tiles and kicking up dust.
"No! It's not trickery, but Goku's out of his league!" Roshi gasped as the masked man descended knee first toward Goku.
"Fine work lad, but looks like you're not-"
Goku burst from the dust, rocketing up. The masked man got out a sound of surprise before Goku headbutted him in the stomach. Both disengaged in midair, but the masked man recovered first, landing a kick on Goku's back, only for it to pass through the dispelling illusion.
"Gotcha!" Goku yelled, coming into sight. The masked man blocked the kick meant for his face on his forearm, and swatted Goku away with a palm strike.
"Afterimage technique. And you're so young," the masked man commended him.
"Thanks!" Goku said, charging him. The old man dodged, and Goku pursued him until finally his hit connected and went through the illusion of the haloed man.
"Huh!?" Goku went, before the old man appeared and connected with his own kick. Goku went flying out of the arena and hit the main hall, denting the wall so hard he stuck for a moment before peeling off to fall to the ground.
"Would Lady Baba provide the count?" he asked.
"Bad luck, Mr. Bora, maybe you should take up some treasure hunting. One, two…" Baba cackled.
Goku stood up and leapt over the water back into the arena.
"You really are good," Goku said, breathing hard but assuming a firm stance.
"This guy might be as strong as that assassin thought he was. But we're just as tough, huh Goku?" Launch boasted.
"Ho, I thought that kick would finish this. I can only say well done," the masked ghost chortled.
"Got anything else?" Goku asked.
"Yes, actually, you may know this. Kame…" the masked man said, sliding his feet and cupping his hands.
"No way!" Yamcha and Launch said in sync.
"Hame…"
"That!" Roshi exclaimed.
"Ha!"
The Kamehameha Wave erupted from the man's hands, and Goku flickered before it, only for the wave to pass through as he dissolved.
"Again?!" The masked man said. Goku flickered into sight and punched the masked man in the gut. As the ghost folded over, his own fist lashed out, sending Goku high into the air.
"Let's try that again! Ka…" the ghost went, as Goku soared upward. Goku, for his part, cupped his hands.
"Okay then! Ka!"
"ME!
"HA!
"ME!
"HA!" the two warriors said together.
The two waves of energy burst out and collided in the air above the arena. And burst apart, sending everyone tumbling.
Baba dusted her hat off and looked around as the dust settled.
"Well, where did everyone go?" she demanded, as her ghost attendant peeked up from underground.
Mai stood up in the lake, drenched, blinking, and gasping for breath.
"I can't see, my eyes are all spotty! Oh no, this is the perfect lead-in for a lake monster to attack!" the drenched woman in orange said as Roshi surfaced next to her.
"Eeek!" Mai yelled, punching Roshi in the face.
"It's just me," Roshi said deadpan, spitting water to the side and adjusting his cracked shades.
"So it is, hit him again, girl," Baba snarked as Yamcha surfaced.
"Where's Launch and Goku?" Yamcha asked, spotting the masked man walking back into the cracked-up arena, dry and looking around. Off to the side, Launch stood up in the water, holding Goku by the back of his gi.
"Don't scare me like that!" she snapped as Goku spat out a fish from his mouth.
"Hey, I feel a bit weird," Goku said.
"Ye mean this, when'd you get a new tail?" she asked, holding the furry appendage in her palm.
"My tail! Hey guys look, my tail grew back! YAY!" Goku cheered, bounding out of Launch's grip onto the arena and bouncing on the new appendage.
"Guess it popped out from the fight's exertion?" Launch wondered.
"That doesn't make any sense," Yamcha weakly protested. Baba looked over at Yamcha.
"Boy, if you're expecting sense, you have done an impressive job of not paying attention. Tail or no tail, the fight's still on," Baba declared.
"Actually, I give up," the masked man said, making the seal of reconciliation.
"Huh!?"
"Really, how come?" Goku asked.
"That was a serious Kamehameha I fired that last time. If you were able to cancel it without getting hurt or worn out, it shows you're stronger than I could have hoped."
"Wait, are you saying you weren't fighting serious?" Goku demanded, pointing an accusing finger. The old man put his hands together and bowed.
"Apologies, Goku, but while I used more power than I had in life in this match, I had to hold back most due to the rules of the afterlife. Even for Lady Baba, the Other World will only bend so far."
"Hmph, don't expect to get your full payment for throwing in the towel, Gohan," Baba pouted.
"Gohan!?" Roshi sputtered.
"Is it over then, we won?" Bora said, stepping up to Baba.
"Where'd you pop up from? And yes, I'll do my divination. A deal is a deal, even if I'm angry with that fellow now," Baba grumbled.
"Come now, Lady Baba, you got your entertainment, so you can't say you didn't get paid in full for your services," the masked man said, reaching up and taking off his mask.
"What!?" Goku gasped, before tearing up. Under the mask was a kindly, deeply wrinkled face of a man with a thick and bushy mustache gracing it.
"It's so good to see you again, Goku," the man said.
"Grandpa!" Goku cried out, tears flowing as he knocked the man over in a tackling hug.
"I saw you in the monster's footprint! You were dead!" Goku cried into the man's chest.
"Yes, it was a bad night certainly, but what came after has been pretty good. My only hangup has been leaving you alone. You were so young, and there was so much you still had to learn," Gohan said, gently returning the hug.
"Son Gohan, to think I'd see him again," Roshi said, pulling himself out of the water and then offering a hand to Mai.
"That's really him, the legend himself?" Yamcha asked.
"Yes. Baba, were you plotting this, or is it fate?" Roshi asked. Goku was now standing next to his grandfather, seemingly trying to sum up everything that had happened since the elder's untimely death.
"And then there was Lunch and Launch, they're my sisters now," Goku said, pointing to Launch, who had stayed back in the water, watching solemnly.
"Oh, you actually found some of your blood-kin?" Gohan asked.
"I adopted them," Goku said. Gohan blinked and then laughed.
"Well, why not? If an old fart like me can take a mountain child as his grandson, why can't that kid take some pretty ladies as his sisters. Get over here, it's not a family reunion until I meetcha," Gohan said, waving Launch over.
She hesitated a moment, and then leapt from the water to stand before them.
"Ah, did you meet through the Kame School?" he asked.
"Kinda, the old perv wanted something hot around," Launch said. Gohan sighed.
"Of course he did. Still thirsty, eh master?" Gohan asked, addressing Roshi, who took that as an invite to get on the arena.
"Now, now, let's' not dwell on trifles. Good to see you doing well. I was stunned to hear a monster had killed you, you of all people," Roshi said.
"Ah, yes, about that… before I head back, I'd like to talk with you about that, master," Gohan said, as Goku introduced Gohan to the other Turtle students.
"Son Goku," Bora said, joining the group.
"Bora, we can make our wish, once Baba finds the last ball," Goku cheered. Bora looked to the halo over Gohan's head.
"Son Gohan, my family owes a great debt to yours. Son Goku, I cannot hold you to the promise you made," Bora said.
"Huh?"
"Upa died because of my failure, and I only lived because of you and your sister's fighting on my behalf. Even today, I could not even overcome the champions of this place by my own might. The wish is yours. All I ask is if you might give me the radar to seek the Dragon Balls out in a year's time. I will-"
"Now sonny, that's enough of that," Gohan barged in, standing on tip-toe to poke Bora in the chest.
"I think I crossed paths with your tribe a time or two, and I know you value honor and debts a great deal. But if your people have a great flaw, it's overthinking a gift, and that's what you're doing now. When someone gives a gift, it's not about being worthy or unworthy, it's just a question of whether you're being grateful or ungrateful for what you've received. They fought for you and your son. Don't cast shame on that by trying to be overly humble."
"But don't you wish to return from the land of the dead?" Bora asked.
"Huh? But he's already here," Goku pointed out. Gohan sighed and turned to face Goku.
"Fact is, Goku, even Baba can only call a soul back for a single day. And then it's a five year wait until next time we can come. I put in a request for Baba to see into the future if a spiky haired boy like you would ever come here. I asked about your tail, but she only saw a boy who had and would come to have a tail. Heh. Anyway, I asked to be summoned on that day, hoping it would be you. So, this is only a temporary reunion."
"Oh," Goku wilted a bit at that.
"Anyway, as much as I would like to see how the world's gotten on since I was alive and be able to take some leisurely time to catch up, a resurrection just seems improper to me. I had a good long life. Longer than most, and did many of the things I wanted. Sure, there was unfinished business, but that's just a part of life, and death. My only real concern was Goku, and he's not just thriving but he's grown the family and made friends. There's no reason to bring this old man back, especially not over a young fellow with a whole life ahead of him. At the risk of sounding hypocritical, I'd refuse that gift even if it was offered."
"I see," Bora said, bowing his head but smiling.
"Hey! Did you all want a divination or not!?" Baba snapped nearby. She had gotten off the crystal ball to stand on the ground next to it.
"Oh, right. How's this work?" Goku said, moving to stand next to her.
"Just watch. You want to know the location of the final Dragon Ball, right?" she asked.
"Oh, right! Where is it?" Goku asked, joining Baba, the others crowding behind him.
"Hush now. Ya, ya, yata, yata, yatta, yatta," Baba chanted, waving her hands toward the crystal ball.
"Hmm, it's moving? Well, no matter, there it is," Baba said, showing a light blue station wagon driving down a road.
"A car? But I thought it was supposed to have been eaten by an animal," Launch said.
"Maybe the animal's driving the car?" Goku asked.
"Well, it's in that car. I'm never wrong. And that car is about two hundred kilometers that way and steadily moving away from us," Baba told them.
"Alright, time to get the Dragon Ball," Goku said.
"I'm afraid I can't tag along for this, Goku," Gohan said.
"No problem, Lunch can back him up. We aren't going to let that ball slip away," Launch said, ripping open a pepper packet under her nose.
X X X
"But Emperor Pilaf, if we run away, how will we get our wish?" Shu asked.
Pilaf grinned back at Shu from his spot in the shotgun seat.
"Simple Shu, our spy satellite and mobile link-up showed us that horrible brat is stronger than ever! We can't hope to get the balls away from him until I devise a brilliant plan to steal them out from under his nose. Fighting him directly isn't an option until I can upgrade the machines again," Pilaf lambasted his subordinate.
Murasaki chuckled as he drove the car.
"Luckily for you, my Emperor, ninja excel equally at theft and fighting. It would be a pleasure to leave that little savage gawking in confusion with his Dragon Balls plundered."
"Still, I'm glad we're not fighting today," one of the brothers said from the back. Only to get smacked on the head.
"Don't say that out loud!"
"My ingenious radar-proof box lets us pick the time and place this struggle will be concluded. While I do hate having to wait, delayed or not, the whole world will have to endure the order of Pilaf, hahahaha!"
"But shouldn't we at least say hi to Mai?"
"I told you, that wasn't Mai. Mai's lips are redder, she has purple eyelids, and she would never wear something as bright as orange. Besides, she never checked in! So clearly, she has betrayed me to serve some other evil lord!"
"Are you sure you weren't supposed to call her?" Shu asked.
"Of course I'm sure, it would be in my day planner, "Call Mai". But it isn't, so clearly, I wasn't."
'Good thing the ninja art of whiteout is a specialty of mine,' Murasaki thought, 'Last thing I need is getting my employment terminated by the old retainer actually coming back. Nothing personal miss, the job market for evil is rough these days, and this moron pays too well while demanding so little to pass up.'
Then something slammed into the roof of the car.
"What was that!? Take evasive action!" Pilaf screamed.
"Calm down, a plane probably just hit a duck or something. One of you check it out," Murasaki ordered his brothers. One of them with a window seat grumbled as he grabbed the crank and rolled down the window. With ninja skill, he stood up on the seat and leaned up and out the window. Then practically zoomed back into his seat, eyes wide.
"Brothers, boss, idiot, we have a problem," he said dully.
"What are you EEEEK!" Murasaki demanded, before Goku's face peered down through the windshield.
"Hey, you look familiar!" Goku said, before Lunch joined him, looking in. Murasaki hit the brakes, sending the duo flying as the car skidded off the road onto the desert's sandblasted dirt.
"Emperor Pilaf, wasn't that…?" Shu gulped.
"That boy! How did he find us?!"
"And he brought his partner, too," Murasaki grit out.
Looking in the rearview mirror, Pilaf sweated, watching the two approach casually, leaving the road.
"I'll try and buy time," Pilaf decided, "You all suit up and prepare for extreme measures."
"But Emperor, they've barely practiced with the extreme measures," Shu reminded him.
"Shut up, Shu! We have no choice, now walk with me," Pilaf commanded, opening his door.
"Me? Why me!?" Shu asked.
"Because I said so, now move your fur!" Pilaf commanded.
Soon, as the ninja brothers made frantic preparations, Pilaf and Shu tried to walk cooly to meet the duo.
"Are we near Brown County now? This reminds me of Brown County," Lunch said, looking around at the desert.
"Don't know. You homesick?" Goku asked.
"Not for Brown County," Lunch said, wrinkling her nose, "I prefer greener places, where there's not a bounty on my head."
"Okay. Oh hi, can we have your Dragon Ball, please?" Goku asked as they reached Pilaf and Shu. The two villains tried to strike imposing poses, fists at their side. But Pilaf was a tad put off by the polite request.
"Ummm, no?" Pilaf answered.
"Oh, please? It's for a very heartwarming cause. To reunite a father and son torn apart by the unfairness of war!" Lunch pleaded, her eyes big and damp.
"So cute and sad! Emperor Pilaf…" Shu cried a little.
"Shu, you weak-minded fool, it's an old girl mind trick. Unfortunately for you, my evil genius mind is not so easily led astray by puppy dog eyes. Hahahaha! Your brilliant plan is no match for my own brilliance!
"Oh, you're bad guys. In that case, we can just beat you up and take it then," Lunch smiled, holding up a fist.
"So adorable, and so scary," Shu gulped, stepping back.
"Hey, now I remember, you guys were in that castle. You blew Bulma a kiss!" Goku accused, pointing at them.
"That's all you remember about the day you ruined my lifelong dreams of world domination?!" Pilaf yelled.
"Blew her a kiss?" Lunch asked, blushing a little.
"Understand, normally neither I nor my organization would stoop so low, but the Dragon Balls call for desperate measures. And I unearthed something far worse in that perverted woman," Pilaf shuddered.
"Oh yeah, Bulma said things that made you cry, so you threw her back like my grandpa would a fish that was too small," Goku laughed, reminiscing.
"Cry!? Evil overlords don't cry! How dare you besmirch the name of Pilaf! Clearly you need another helping of the Reich Pilaf, now served with exciting new seasoning!"
"Oh, better call out Launch, she'd like another fight," Lunch said, ripping open a pepper pack.
"Come forth, Murasaki Sentai!" Pilaf proclaimed, arm raised.
"Achoo! Oh, is this the place?" Launch asked. Then the side door to the station wagon burst open, with blazing white light pouring forth. A figure in black and purple armor and latex crowned by a visored purple helm with the number one as a crest landed and struck a pose.
"Number One, Purple!"
More figures landed, striking their own dramatic poses.
"Number Two, Purple!"
"Number Three, Purple!"
"Number Four, Purple!"
"Number Six, also Purple!"
"And together we are the Murasaki Sentai!" they all said together, and behind them the station wagon exploded. Shu cried out as an errant tire landed on him.
"Why did the station wagon blow up?" Pilaf asked, looking at the smoldering wreck.
"Sorry boss, an epic intro requires proper special effects, and there's nothing else around here to blow up!" Number One said, straightening his black cape over his shoulder.
"…Shouldn't you have more than one color?" Launch asked, frowning and tapping her chin.
"Purple is powerful, and we are all powerful, so purple all around!" Number Two declared, clenching a fist.
"Uh-huh. Hey Goku, aren't these the fail ninjas from Muscle Tower?" Launch asked him.
"Oh! I guess they got new outfits. Hi guys, you still evil?" Goku asked, making them all sweatdrop.
"Yes, but that's the only thing that will be same as last time, you little fool. Since last we met, we have grown in power and resources! You face the fight of your lives that will end your life!"
"Cool, you've been training," Goku said, grinning. Launch just put her hands on her hips and gave them a look.
"What's that look, blondie! You think we are beneath your contempt? Well, too bad for you, nothing is beneath us," Number Three threatened.
"So, Number Five have a cold or something?" Launch asked, looking over their numbers.
"There is no Number Five. I wanted to be Number Six because my weapon of choice is the revolver," Number Six said, brandishing his revolver.
"…Okay, so you going to come at us all at once, or what?" Launch asked.
"Fool! Facing freakish threats like you, we are not going to mess around with building action, we're going right to the tremendous climax! Brothers, summon your mounts!" Murasaki commanded, pulling back his right sleeve to reveal a futuristic-looking watch.
"Purple Bear! ARISE!" they said in tandem. Six explosions lit up behind them, and five robot bears the size of houses flew up into the air to land behind the five villains in a V formation.
"Aren't there supposed to be more animals than just bears?" Launch asked.
"Those bears don't look very tasty," Goku remarked.
"Oh, but you will be tasting soon, little cretin, the taste of defeat!" Pilaf chuckled, "Ninjas, don't bother fighting him with the bears, assemble Big Yogi!"
"Yes, Emperor Pilaf!" they said as one, leaping back and entering the bears' cockpits. Glowing purple, the mecha flew up into the sky, leaving rocket trails flying around each other until a flash of light filled the skies.
"What are they doing?"
"Making a bear out of bears, or a giant warrior," Launch told Goku.
"Actually, it's a giant warrior bear," Shu told them.
"Shu, don't spoil it!" Pilaf yelled at his subordinate.
The ground shook as the four-story-tall robot bear samurai glared down at them in its purple and black glory, eyes glowing yellow. Laughter emanated from it over speakers.
"Now you know enough, to begin to fear!" Murasaki taunted, an arm extending to point at Emperor Pilaf and Shu.
"Uh, we're over here!" Goku called, waving his hand.
"I'll do it," another voice said, and the left hand tried to point at them, only to smack into the right arm, already pointing in the wrong direction.
"Enough, assume the taunting relaxed posture like we practiced!"
The mecha crossed the arms over the chest that bore a stylized M with a bear rearing over it.
"Behold Big Yogi! Seven point two times mightier than the average bear mecha! But for the likes of you, we will skip straight to the coup de grace! Draw the Burning Sword!" Murasaki commanded. Both hands clapped together over the head.
"Big Yogi is lefthanded, I'll do it!"
"No way, it's a punishing right hand to vanquish all things good!"
"Oh, shut up! You, do it, and you be quiet. Now get it together or I'm demoting you to the legs."
"You said all limbs were equal except the head!"
"As a ninja, I am a master of deception, and what is that blonde monster doing?!"
Launch stood with feet apart, holding her right hand by the wrist with her left as she aimed a finger pistol.
"Hey Goku, watch this," she said, a ball of ki lightning on her index fingertip.
"When'd you learn that?" Goku asked, impressed.
"Yeah, when!?" Pilaf cried, stepping back.
"I looked through Korin's scroll while we had bit of downtime. This is my first field test, though. Here goes, Ki Pistol!" Launch yelled, firing off a ki blast. The blast flew past the mecha to impact the ground nearby with a modest explosion. Launch sat up from where she'd been knocked on her back.
"Not bad for a first try," Goku applauded, smiling.
"The enemy has grown in strength! Murasaki Sentai! You must destroy them now!" Pilaf commanded.
"Right arm, draw the sword!"
"See if I ever give you my last rice ball again!"
The mecha drew a massive katana from its back, which began to vibrate along the length of its blade, and then ignite in a golden flame.
"Now, behold its power and precision!" Murasaki yelled. Bending knees, the mecha stabbed the ground before it with the sword, and jerked it around in the dirt. Pulling it back, Goku jumped onto Launch's head to better see how they'd carved their own crest into the soil, complete with the rearing bear.
"Wow, you're good at drawing," Goku said.
"And now we will draw, your blood!" Murasaki chuckled as the blade was rested on the mecha's shoulder… and promptly sank into it, melting the shoulder.
"Waah! Armor breach!"
"Pull it out, quick!"
The arm jerked, slashing deeper into the mecha, almost reaching the chest.
"Idiot!"
"I panicked!"
"Well, stop panicking and do something!"
"I'll destroy the enemy with the feet flamethrowers!"
The mecha shot up into the air with rocket boots.
"Wrong button!"
"Ah, how do you steer a flying robot?! The flight course was next week!"
"Here's the stop button!"
The jets cut out, and for a moment the robot hung in the air overhead, Pilaf sweating and mouth gaping, Goku and Launch looking on in puzzlement.
Five screams overlapped as the robot fell from the sky.
"I'll engage the emergency anti-falling robot sequence! Warming up?! Why does an emergency function have a-"
WABLAM
The mecha slammed headfirst into the ground in front of Launch and Goku. Goku stepped up to the creaking upper back, the head buried in the ground, knocked on it like a door. With a grand and ominous creaking, it fell away from him, head ripping off in the ground.
Landing with a flapping booming sound, small explosions went off across Big Yogi, and the five charred sentai ran out of its severed neck, screaming. The Pilaf Gang ran off, all looking back at the explosion before taking shelter behind a boulder.
"…Well, I don't think they ran. Maybe the explosion killed them. Check, Number Six," Pilaf commanded, panting behind the boulder.
"Are we done then?" Goku asked, kneeling on top of the boulder with Launch.
"…" Pilaf pulled out a capsule and unsealed a box, which he kicked open, revealing the Dragon Ball inside.
"Thank you. Just stop being evil in the future, okay?" Goku said hopping down and plucking the ball out of the box.
"Or at least get better at it. Because that just now. That was pathetic," Launch told them.
Soon enough, the blonde turned back to blue and they flew away on a golden cloud.
"…Hahaha! Well done boss, distracting them with that fake Dragon Ball so we could escape with the real one. Brilliant," Number One, Murasaki laughed.
"…Boss?" He asked again, as Pilaf facepalmed.
X X X
"Bora, we're back!" Goku called as they flew back over Baba's palace.
"Did you have to fight?" Yamcha called as they jumped off the cloud.
"Not really, the guys who had it beat themselves up with a big metal bear," Goku said.
"…Okay," Yamcha said, looking to Lunch, who just shrugged.
"Well done Goku, I knew you could do it," Gohan said, joining the group with Master Roshi, who looked pointedly at Goku's tail before speaking.
"Your quest isn't at an end yet though, you still have to make the wish," Roshi said as they put the last ball in the same pack as the others.
"Yes, we must return to the tower and make the wish," Bora nodded.
"Well, that's as good a cue as any for me to shuffle off the mortal coil," Gohan remarked.
"What, already?" Goku whined. He rushed over to give the old man a hug, who accepted it but then held up an arm, gesturing to Lunch.
"They explained things to me. Get in here, granddaughter," he smiled.
"Oh!" Lunch said, before joining the hug. It broke apart, and Mai sniffled, hands clasped, while Yamcha wiped away a manly tear.
"Don't be sad now. It was grand to properly spar with Goku, and I got to see one of his sisters in action and see the other is pure of heart. See you all on the other side of Enma's line. Make it a good long while so you have plenty of stories to tell, and lots of stuff for me to brag to other old farts about on my grandkids and their friends! Ciao!" Son Gohan said with a raised hand, before vanishing with a pop.
"Bye Grandpa! I'll make you even prouder!" Goku said.
"Thank you, Son Gohan, for raising such an honorable hero," Bora bowed his head.
"Well, you'd better take to your cloud before something else happens, you three. We'll wait here to hear how it goes," Roshi said.
And so, the three were soon mounted on the two Flying Nimbus clouds and flew off to toward the distant Land of Korin.
"…Everyone, there's something you need to know about our Goku," Roshi said once they were out of sight.
Land of Korin:
Bora stepped off the cloud, flinching slightly. Baba's medicine was strong, and the spirits had assured him that alongside his own powerful body, he would heal quicker than normal humans with it. But still, that battle with the thing called a mummy had been eye-opening in a way more than facing Tao Paipai.
He watched as Launch dumped the Dragon Balls on the grass and arranged them in a circle by the number of stars in them. Goku patted the Four-Star ball affectionately before stepping back.
"What is next?" Bora asked.
"Call out to the eternal dragon and ask him to grant a wish," Goku instructed. Bora nodded and stepped up to the circle. Clenching his fists, Bora raised them slightly and took a deep breath.
"Eternal Dragon! I beseech you! COME FORTH AND GRANT MY WISH!" the warrior yelled, his voice echoing through the land. The balls ignited with light from within, the number of stars lost in a golden glow. Darkness swirled through the sky above, and in moments a darkness deeper than a moonless night shrouded the land. Red lightning surged from the ball circle up into the darkness. Amidst the cracking power, a shape took form, and with a final flash, there appeared a great and terrible green dragon, shrouded in dark clouds. Coiling in the air, with antlers that pierced the clouds and red eyes that looked down upon the earth and all within it.
"I am Shenron, the Eternal Dragon! Reflect upon your desires, mortals. For I shall grant a wish, but only one," his voice rumbled like thunder across the land. Bora took a breath, sweating down his neck.
"Eternal Dragon! Can you return my son, Upa, from the land of the dead to live once more!?" Bora asked.
"I can raise the dead, but only if they have died in the past year."
"It was only days ago."
"Then it can be done. But be warned! I can return a person from death once and only once. And only those struck down by mortal action and accident. Those who die to nature and age will not return; do you understand, mortal?"
"I do. I accept a second chance at life with my son with gratitude and humility."
"Then your son's return is your wish?"
"It is!"
"It is done," Shenron said, eyes glowing. A bolt of crimson lighting struck a mound of dirt marked by the cutting of a tree. The soil trembled and spilled like water, a tiny form rising to the top. With an audible gasp of air, Upa sat up, blinking dirt from his eyes.
"Your wish is granted, fare thee well," Shenron said, as Bora rushed to his son's side.
With a flash of crimson, Shenron vanished, and the glowing Dragon Balls rose into the air, the circle widening.
"Now!" Goku said, leaping into the air. As the balls flew off, he intercepted one, the blow knocking him from the air, tumbling.
"Oh!" Lunch cried out, moving near a blur to catch Goku before he hit the ground. In her arms, Goku held up the ball, the glow fading to show a pale stone ball.
"My Four-Star wasn't going to get away twice," he chuckled.
"Oh, Goku," Lunch giggled, setting him down.
X X X
"So, you don't remember much, huh?" Goku asked as they sat inside the wigwam, Bora serving them some tea.
Upa shook his head.
"I knew more, but it's like a good dream, the details fade with just a warm feeling lingering. I remember the big man let me take a shorter line that was for kids. And I eventually reached our ancestors, father. I met a lot of people who were happy and sad to see me. One was your uncle, father, I remember he was proud of you. The other was mother, she was certain of the signs. That you would bring me back somehow. She wanted me to tell you something," Upa said.
"A message from Osha?" Bora asked softly.
"Uh-huh. She said she knew you'd want to walk Red Bear's path after losing the two of us. She said to not be a fool. The dead rest in peace, but life is too precious to squander, just like youth to an elder, she said. She wants you to live until you die, father, whatever happens. And that if you find love follow it, she would love to meet another woman that could land the quiet bear of our tribe," Upa recalled.
"Hmph. Yes, that sounds like her. Excuse me," Bora said, standing and pulling the door flap aside to exit the wigwam. Upa followed after, leaving the guests to their meal.
"Father?" Upa asked, finding him staring up at the tower.
"Upa, I have done poorly by you since your mother died. And I have been a poor Guardian as well."
"No, father-"
"Yes. I should not have let you join me in such isolation when you most needed the life of the village. And you needed a father more than a teacher. I will have to reflect on how to do better. But for now, I need to focus on what I can do. Be a better Guardian. I grew complacent, as have all the elders of our people, I now think. The outside world has many perils today, and perhaps more still in the days to come. We cannot hope for isolation to shield us in the place of strength forever. When my wounds have healed, I will train harder than I ever have, and when the time is right, I will challenge the tower. I fear I will not be able to care for you in that. I will leave you in the care of better men and women than I."
"No, father! I want to grow strong too! Then you won't have to worry! You won't have to protect me, and I will be able to help you protect the people! I'll keep up!" Upa pleaded. Bora sighed.
"We shall see. I may not even be worthy of Master Korin's instruction," Bora admitted, looking back to the dizzying heights of the ancient tower.
Later:
"Really, so you'll be coming to the next Budokai?" Goku asked happily. Bora nodded, Upa by his side.
"Before the season's next turn, I plan to challenge the tower once more. Whether I reach Master Korin or not, I will strive to grow stronger, and when the time comes, I will journey to Papaya Island and test my strength against the warriors gathered there," Bora clarified.
"Oh, how wonderful! We'll be meeting up with so many friends at the next tournament. Maybe we should reserve a restaurant's private room for a party? Or rooms in a hotel so we can have a sleepover?" Lunch rambled happily.
"I'll be coming too! Goku showed me I'm not too young to start taking training seriously. And if I get strong, Father won't have to worry about me or anyone else in our land," the young boy declared.
"Nice! Well, Launch already said her goodbye, so I guess it's time to go! See you at the tournament!" Goku said, hoping on his Nimbus while Lunch got on her Marshmallow. The two locals waved as the two shot off, streaking through the sky.
Baba's Palace:
"You're serious?" Yamcha pressed. They stood by one of the pyramids, having stepped out on the luncheon in the main area that Baba was hosting.
"I am, Son Gohan came back in part to deliver that warning."
"So, Goku transforms into a monster ape when he looks at the full moon," Yamcha repeated.
"Correct, and when he was much younger and weaker, that form was able to kill Son Gohan. Even if Gohan wasn't willing to go all out against his grandson, that's no small feat. And we can only assume that dark side of him has grown in power alongside him."
"That's… scary," Yamcha gulped, sweating despite the desert heat.
"Yes. Fortunately, Goku seems to have taken his grandfather's words to heart and practically trained himself to not look at the full moon."
"And it's from his tribe, you say?"
"Well, Gohan was cagey on that. There are rules about the dead sharing knowledge with the living, so he had to be cryptic by law, or something. Apparently, some of the warriors he's met on the other side encountered Goku's people before. A tribe of vicious warriors so brutal and lacking in honor, not one of them is part of the warrior afterlife, currently. Gohan learned from them that in addition to squeezing the tail being a weakness, that if the tail is cut off, they will either turn back to normal or not be able to transform in the first place."
"Wait, Goku wished for Chichi and Bulma to have tails like his. Does that mean…?"
"That they are now what he is? Seems like. Bulma had her tail removed, so that's no worry. Chichi though, I will seek out and inform of the danger. It may just be luck that we haven't heard of a she-ape stomping about."
"And Goku? Should we tell him to get his tail removed?"
"Gohan would rather not maim the boy as just a precaution. Besides, as you saw today, his tail can grow back anyway. And Son Gohan was adamant Goku not know he killed him. It was an accident, but that's still not a burden he wants to place on the boy if given any other choice."
"Seems risky."
"Since when do we play it safe, m'boy? Anyway, I wanted you to know along with Chichi, so that if anything happens, you will know how to stop Goku," Roshi said.
"I see, thanks for your trust," Yamcha said, staring off toward the horizon.
Soon:
"So, it worked out, then," Roshi said to his current and former students. They had assembled on the outdoor arena, Baba hanging around, allegedly to make sure they didn't break anything else.
"Yeah, Upa's back and Bora's aiming to get stronger, so happy day," Launch said. Goku didn't notice her distraction, any more than he noticed her eyes lingering on his tail, after Yamcha pulled her aside earlier.
"Hmm, the next tournament is shaping up into quite the event already. Which means you have to go far beyond the performances you put in last time," Roshi declared.
"I didn't compete last time," Mai pointed out.
"All the more reason, then. You two, I expect you to apply yourselves even harder in your training, having gotten a glimpse here today at the power the world can hold. And you two, er three, now that this Red Ribbon business is settled, you can get serious about your training journey."
"No worries, old man, I'm already cooking up something that will make Goku's Kamehameha lie down and say uncle."
"Nuh-uh! I'm going to make my Kamehameha stronger too," Goku protested, before Launch lightly bopped him over the head.
"Well, I'm not one for long goodbyes. So, if there's nothing else, I may as well tag Lunch in so she can hop a cloud."
"No," Roshi ordered.
"No what?" Launch said, already pulling a pepper pack from her pocket.
"Until the next tournament, you should not use the Nimbus, or you Goku. Only in a truly dire situation, when others are at risk. Tools can make tasks easier, but they can also serve to bar you from the chances for growth all around you. So, for this journey, my advice to you as your former master is to forgo not only the Nimbus, but planes, cars, trains, boats, anything. Let your own bodies propel you across the world. Walk and run over the plains and roads. Swim the rivers and lakes, climb the mountains or go around them. Let the world itself instruct you, and be ready to learn from it to the fullest."
"Sounds fun," Goku grinned.
"I don't know about fun, squirt, but if you're doing it, I certainly can," Launch said.
"Alright then, let's start with a race out of the dessert, loser has to eat less for dinner. Bye, everybody!" Goku said, before leaping across the lake, hitting the shore and running off.
"Hey, you little…! So long, guys!" Launch said, before leaping after him and kicking up her own dust, chasing after the monkey-tailed boy.
"Hohoho, look at them go. Can't have them getting big heads after wiping out the Red Ribbon Army," Roshi mused
"Master, are we sure the Red Ribbon is gone? It was a very big organization; if any of the leaders are still at large, they could rally the remnants," Mai pointed out.
"Well, for now, let's let the King and his army worry about that. It is their job, after all. If that evil shows itself before us, we will do something, but it's not our place to fix the world by going out of our way to do someone else's job. Now, let's get flying. The mountain's been fun, but with the Red Ribbon gone, we can get back to the training as before," Roshi declared.
"Oh dear, you must be getting old to misspeak so," Baba chuckled darkly, "After all, a master practices what he preaches, you'll actually be running back to that mountain then swimming back to the island, no?"
"…Yes, exactly," Roshi said, sweating a bit.
"Huh?" Mai's jaw dropped.
"Not to worry, we'll start with a warm-up. Skipping all the way out of the desert. A one and two, a one and two…" Roshi went, skipping down the walkway from the arena.
Author's Note:
A longer chapter this week.
And thus ends the Baba arc, and Bora is set up to return for the next tournament.
Now begins a proper journey of training for our heroes. Wait awaits them in the wide world with no quest to guide them over the next years? Find out next week!
Long days and pleasant nights to you all.