An Audience with God? Shenron Revived!
Goku dropped out of the sky like a rock, plummeting towards the ground at an alarming speed. She was too tired to try and maneuver herself and didn't have the energy to slow her descent with a kiai but part of her didn't care. Piccolo was defeated so everything was okay now. Just before she could hit the ground, however, Nimbus swept under her with Suno riding it as she landed on it.
"You did it!" Suno cried out in excitement as she wrapped her arm around Goku before she winced in pain from moving her bloody right side. "Eeesh," she muttered as she let go of Goku, "We're pretty rough, aren't we? Let's go back to Master Korin." Then she turned to the others and gave a wave. "We'll be right back!" The others groaned in response as Suno and Goku flew off. Tenshinhan staggered over to Piccolo Daimaou's corpse and glared down at it. He drew back his foot and kicked at it, over and over. He wanted Piccolo to get up so that he could kill him and do it again and again and–
"Hey," Yamcha muttered as he put a hand on Ten's shoulder and shook him, "It's over." Ten looked over his shoulder at the other warriors. Yamcha had torn his shirt to wrap around the bloody gashes on his chest and face and Launch had torn one of her pant legs to make a sling or her broken arm. Ten sighed and shook his head.
"Yes," he said, "But Shenron is still dead." The others nodded sadly and looked down at the ground. There was no way to revive those that the demon had killed, was there? They were suddenly broken out of their solemn mood by the sound of helicopter blades and were shocked to look up and see… a news helicopter.
"Was that thing always there?" Launch asked suspiciously. Yamcha shrugged and waved at it. Launch waved as well and Ten awkwardly raised his arm towards the chopper.
OoOoOoO
Bulma was incredibly grateful that one of her capsules contained a television. Once she'd remembered it and had it connected to Roshi's cable, she'd spent hours nervously switching between flicking through channels and pacing around the house. Every channel had just been showing Emergency Broadcast screens but she had remained vigilant. She'd lucked into the station that had been broadcasting the fight against Piccolo just as he'd arrived to fight the others and had watched the fight with rapt and almost terrified attention, choking back sobs before Goku and Suno had finally arrived. They were alive! The rest of it was a haze before Piccolo was finally defeated and Goku and Suno flew off again.
"As you can see with the aid of our Eye in the Sky," a rabbit-woman newscaster was saying now, "The battle with Piccolo Daimaou is at an end. The darkest moment in recorded history has passed and we have several brave young warriors to thank for our freedom, even though our cameras were unable to see most of the final confrontation between Daimaou and that strange young girl. The fighters have declined a statement and–" Bulma shut off the TV and flopped back against the couch with a relieved sigh. It was finally over.
OoOoOoO
Korin winced as he saw Suno and Goku lying in a heap on top of the Nimbus.
"Eesh," he muttered, "You two look pretty rough." Suno chuckled at that before Korin returned with a senzu for each of them to heal their wounds and pointed his staff at Suno to fix her clothes with a magical blast.
"Thanks!" Suno said appreciatively as she looked over her new clothes, "But some of our friends were hurt pretty badly during the fighting. Could we take, like, three more senzu?" Korin shrugged and handed her three more which Suno gratefully stuffed into one of her pockets before bowing.
"So now all we have to do is gather the Dragon Balls next year, right?" Goku asked excitedly. She couldn't wait to get Krillin and Master Roshi back and to bring back everyone else Piccolo and his demons had killed.
"'Fraid not," Korin said sadly. "Piccolo Daimaou killed Shenron." Goku and Suno stared in crestfallen shock at that statement. They didn't even know that the Eternal Dragon could be killed!
"Th… th…." Goku growled between clenched teeth and balled her fists, "That's not fair!" After everything they'd done, they wouldn't be able to bring anyone back? She let out a frustrated growl between her teeth and smashed her fist through one of the pillar that held up the roof.
"Hey, hey!" Korin shouted as he threw his hands out pleadingly. "Calm down! Don't destroy my house!" Suddenly his ears perked up and he turned his attention towards the ceiling. "Really," Korin said to… no one. "You're sure about that?" Then he turned his attention back to Goku. "It looks like you might have a chance to get Shenron back after all, kiddo."
"What is it, Master Korin?" Suno asked. "Whatever it is, we'll do it!" Korin shook his head at Suno.
"Sorry, kiddo, but Goku's been requested personally." Goku and Suno blinked at that.
"Requested by whom?" Suno asked in confusion.
"God," Korin said flatly. Suno's eyes bugged out wide and Goku just shrugged.
"WHAT?!"
"Okay," Goku said. "Where do I go?"
"He lives above the tower," Korin explained. "There's a hole in the top that you can put the Power Pole into and it'll send you up to his Lookout."
"WHAT?!" Suno repeated.
"So I just go up there and talk to him and God'll bring back Shenron?" Goku asked. Korin nodded.
"That's the long and short of it. He also said something about wanting to train you."
"WHAT?!" Suno said one last time with her disbelief echoing into the open air before she threw up her hands and just gave up. This was, officially, too weird. "Well… I guess I'll be seeing you, Goku," she hugged her friend and turned to leave before Goku grabbed her shoulder.
"Wait," Goku said, "Suno… I want you to enter the next Tenkaichi Budoukai." Suno started to say something before Goku cut her off. "I wanna see how strong you can get and I wanna see how good of a fighter you can become. Promise me, Suno." Suno shrugged and smiled.
"Y'know what? Sure. I can do that." Goku grinned and pulled Suno into a great big hug before she let Suno go and watched the other girl fly off with the Nimbus. She looked back at Korin who gave her a thumbs up and jerked it towards the ceiling.
"Time's a-wastin', kiddo." Goku nodded and climbed up onto the bannister before grabbing one of the pillars and climbing up onto the roof. Sure enough, in the little golden teardrop on top of the roof there was a hole just big enough for her Power Pole. She jabbed the base of the pole down into it and looked up into the sky. She couldn't see anything up there. She took one last breath to steel her nerves and gripped the pole tight in both hands.
"Power Pole extend!"
OoOoOoO
Suno returned to the remains of King Furry's palace where the others were still waiting for her and hopped off of Nimbus with one hand in a pocket.
"You guys look like you could use a little pick-me-up," she said as she held out her open hand with the three senzu sitting in her palm. Ten, Yamcha, and Launch stared back and forth between Suno and her hand with what could only be described as incredulous skepticism. "I know, I know. Just eat 'em." Ten reluctantly took the first bean and crunched it a few times before swallowing it. The skin under his ribs fluctuated for a moment before his bruises disappeared and he gasped suddenly as there was a strange and muffled popping sound. Ten ran his hands up and down his ribs with an expression of wonderment on his face. Launch took the second bean and chewed it quickly before swallowing. Her bruises also faded away and there was another popping sound as her broken arm shot straight out and tore up the sling. She grinned as she moved and flexed her arm to test its mobility. Yamcha took the last bean and shoved it into his mouth. He quickly undid the wrapping around his chest to see that his wounds had closed up and removed the wrapping around his eye even more quickly, grinning as he held his hands up in front of his face.
"Woohoo," he crowed, "Depth perception is back!" He ran his hands over his face and chest and was surprised at what he found. "Huh. Scars are still there… Awesome!" Launch smiled and leaned against Yamcha's shoulder as she ran a finger along the scar on his cheek.
"I think they look pretty cool," she said with a tone that was almost flirting. Yamcha blushed and was thankful when Tenshinhan changed the subject.
"Suno, is it?" he asked and Suno nodded. "Where is Son Goku?" Suno chewed on her bottom lip for a moment and wondered just how much she should tell the others. She barely understood what was going on herself.
"Weeeeeeeellll…" she said slowly, "Let's just say that Goku is going to bring back Shenron and then she's going to do some special training." Yamcha and Launch grinned and gave a cheer at that while Ten frowned and folded his arms over his chest.
"I see," he said, "Tell me, how is it you became so powerful? I could sense your ki at the Budoukai, yet now you have surpassed me. And Goku is far stronger than either of us." Suno, once again, decided to give Ten a less-than-complete version of the truth.
"I received training from Master Korin, the God of Martial Arts at the top of Korin Tower." After a slight pause she added, "He's a cat." Tenshinhan only nodded and rubbed his jaw in thought.
"Then that is where I will go once Chaozu is revived. I will not accept third place!" Yamcha chuckled and gave Ten a pat on the back.
"Calm down, triclops. There'll be time for training and being all serious later. The world's saved! Let's go back to Kame House and celebrate!" Yamcha blinked before he realized that he'd destroyed his only means of transportation. He sure as hell wasn't going to make Ten carry them and he didn't think the Nimbus would let him ride it. "Uhhh…" he turned awkwardly to Suno, "Can we borrow your car?"
OoOoOoO
Goku had been soaring up and up and up into the sky for what seemed like… a while. She definitely didn't trust herself to look down and was gripping the pole with her legs as well as her hands now as the wind whipped through her hair. Finally she could see something that almost looked like the bottom of Korin's tower. As she got closer, though, Goku realized that whatever the Lookout was was way bigger than Korin's home. Her Power Pole reached up until it hit a little teardrop on the bottom that was just like the teardrop on Korin's roof. There was a ladder next to the teardrop and Goku quickly climbed onto it before she scrambled up towards the top and gasped in surprise. It was huge! There were palm trees and there was some kind of big palace thingy or a temple and… a weird man with skin as dark as coal, red lips and big white eyes. He was a little taller than Goku and wore a white turban, white pants, a red vest and red curly shoes. She walked towards him slowly and smiled.
"Hello," she said with a wave. "I'm Son Goku!"
"Greetings," he said back. "This one is called Popo." He looked Goku up and down suspiciously. "You cannot be the one who defeated Piccolo Daimaou! Korin is playing a joke on my master." Goku frowned. What a jerk!
"Well, I did," Goku said defensively. "So can I talk to God now? I need him to bring back Shenron so I can bring back my friends!" Popo brought a hand up to his mouth and chuckled.
"This one does not think so, little monkey girl! If you want to speak with God, you must get past this one." Popo brought his hands from behind his back and crossed his arms over his chest. "And this one does not believe that will happen anytime soon." Goku frowned and balled up her fists as she got into her stance.
"So you wanna fight?! Fine!" She charged at Popo with blinding speed and threw out a barrage of punches. Popo blocked every one easily before folding his arms again. "Wh-what?!" Popo's genial expression never faltered though it clashed with his mocking tone.
"You are a monument to wasted movements, little monkey," Popo told her as she attacked him again. He dodged her attacks without even seeming to move! She kicked right through him and sprang back… to see that he was gone. "You have strength but it is useless without speed." Goku charged at him before disappearing into an afterimage. Popo smiled and stuck out his fist which Goku ran right into. This guy hit as hard as Piccolo Daimaou! "You must learn to calm your heart and then you could move like lightning!" Goku growled as she rubbed at her face.
"Calm my heart, huh? Okay!" she said firmly as she walked right up to Popo and stared at him, focusing on him and copying his blank expression. He stared at her for a moment before he flicked her across the nose.
"This is not calmness," he told her, "It is just not thinking. It is stupidity." He smiled and ruffled her hair. "This one understands, though, for I can tell it is your natural state." Goku slapped his hand away and roared before she continued her attack… at nothing. He was behind her again! She threw out a kick and Popo wasn't there, either! "Look above, little monkey!" Popo called and Goku looked up to see Popo doing a handstand on a palm frond. "You see, little monkey? You cannot get past this one and God is far more powerful than I! Run along home, little monkey! It would take you years and years to defeat this one!" Goku growled and brought her hands down to her side.
"I don't have years!" she declared as she charged her energy into her hands. If she didn't defeat Popo before the year was up she wouldn't be able to bring everyone back! "Kaaaa meeeee haaaa meee…"
"That's quite enough," called an elderly voice from the temple in a somewhat stern tone. It reminded Goku a little bit of Master Roshi in a way. Goku let her hands drop as Popo hopped down from the tree and bowed low at the waist as Goku heard the clacking of a walking stick across the tile floor.
"This one apologizes most profusely, Oh God," Popo said humbly. The voice chuckled as it drew nearer and a figure stepped out from the temple.
"I've told you before, Popo, I prefer to be called–"
"Piccolo!" Goku screamed with rage as she bolted past Popo, leaving the strange man shocked as she charged towards the Demon King. He was old again and his robe was white instead of black and he had a blue cape and a walking stick but it was still…
Piccolo reached out with one finger and stopped Goku's fist.
"Please," Piccolo said, "There's no need for that. I understand that we may look quite similar but I can assure you small one that I am not Piccolo Daimaou nor is he me. Not anymore, at least." He turned to Popo as he lowered his hand. "Popo, could you fetch Shenron for me?" Popo bowed again and walked into the temple. He sighed and shook his head. "I should have known Korin wouldn't have told you the whole story, heh heh heh. The old scoundrel."
"So," Goku said awkwardly as she let her hands drop to her side, "Are you God?" This guy sure didn't seem like Piccolo. Not-Piccolo chuckled and shook his head.
"I suppose that's one way of looking at it," he said, "Although I prefer to be called 'Kami'. I'm not a God in the sense that people down there usually think of. I didn't create the world or the universe and neither did my predecessor. In fact, aside from the Dragon Balls, I can't create much of anything. I see myself as… more of a guardian." Popo returned with a tray with a shining silver lid and lifted the lid with a flourish as he presented the tray to Kami. There was a little statue of Shenron lying on the tray… and it had been smashed to bits. Kami sighed and shook his head with clear disappointment. "My, my," he said like a disappointed schoolmaster. "My other half certainly created quite the mess, didn't he?" He held his hand out towards the shattered statue and his palm and fingertips glowed as he slowly swirled his hand around with little trails of light dragging behind his hand. The pieces of Shenron glowed and began to draw themselves together as Goku watched with starry-eyed awe. When the little Shenron was all put together again, it glowed bright white and shot off the tray before it streaked down towards the world below like a shooting star. "He'll be returning to the Dragon Balls now. Normally, they'd have to wait a year for them to work again but I'm feeling generous. They're ready to be wished upon right now!"
OoOoOoO
Back at Kame House, there was a celebratory air between the seven now that the spectre of Piccolo's rule had vanished and Goku was working to bring back Shenron. Everyone was relieved and happy that the dark times were nearly over. Bulma and Yamcha clung to each other on the couch like they were magnetically charged. Launch had gotten a couple of beers from the fridge and had offered one to Ten. Judging by his reaction, it had been the first one he'd had in his entire life, which had made Launch laugh.
Suno was sitting on Roshi's beach chair and enjoying the sound of waves crashing and the sweet smell of salt air. When she got older, Suno thought, she might like to live somewhere like this. Maybe not an island in the middle of nowhere but maybe somewhere on the coast. It was as different from Jingle Village as West City had been.
There was a ping from the Dragon Radar on the coffee table and Bulma pulled her face away from Yamcha's long enough to look at it and quickly broke their embrace as she held the Radar up in the air.
"Guys," she said, "My Radar just detected the Dragon Balls! They just activated and they're all still together!" Yamcha grinned and hopped off the couch.
"Then what are we waiting for?" he asked before motioning for the others to follow him and they ran for the door. "Let's go!" They all took off into the sky with Bulma leading the way. Bulma was on her sonic discs while Suno flew on the Nimbus, Yamcha, Launch, and Puar took Suno's car, and Ten flew under his own power.
OoOoOoO
"So," Goku said as she looked up at Kami, "I'm confused. You said you weren't Piccolo 'anymore'. When did you stop being Piccolo?"
"A long time ago," Kami said before beckoning her. "Walk with me and I shall explain everything." Goku walked beside Kami and the pair walked around the Lookout with Popo trailing behind and Goku occasionally peering over the edge. It was a long way down! "Hundreds of years ago, Piccolo Daimaou and I were a singular being and a warrior of incredible power. I served as an apprentice under the 'God' before me and had wanted to take up his mantle when he died. However, there was evil in me and God must be pure of heart. So I trained and meditated intensely until I was able to expel that evil which became Piccolo Daimaou." Kami sighed and stopped for a moment to lean on his walking staff. "It is a decision," he said, "That haunts me to this day." As he continued walking, he said, "Oh and there was some business with a strange little blue man. I can't recall his name… you'll have to forgive me, it has been a few hundred years."
"Was his name Pilaf?" Goku asked curiously. That would be pretty funny! Kami laughed and shook his head.
"No," he told her, "I'm fairly certain that wasn't it."
OoOoOoO
"Shenron," Puar called out in what was becoming something of a tradition, "I summon you!" The sky turned black and Shenron appeared with a roar.
"You who have–" it began to say before it stopped suddenly. If an impossibly large magical dragon could look perplexed, this was no doubt what it would look like. Whether it was due to the fact that it was being summoned by the strange rainbow cat yet again, that it knew that it had been hours since its last summoning, or the possibility that it was aware of its own death was uncertain. "You who have gathered the seven Dragon Balls," it began again, "State your wish and I shall grant it." Bulma took out the capsules containing the bodies of Krillin, Roshi, and Chaozu and opened them carefully to let the bodies lay neatly on the ground. She didn't know what would happen to a living person inside a capsule but she was fairly certain it wasn't good. She'd have to run tests on that. There were homeless people in West City, right?
"Shenron!" Suno called out, "We wish for you to restore and revive all those who died because of Piccolo Daimaou and his children!"
"A simple matter," Shenron said with a nod of its head and a flash of its eyes. Roshi, Chaozu, and Krillin suddenly gasped and gulped in air as they sat up. Roshi put a hand at his chest as Chaozu rubbed a hand across his temple and Krillin rubbed his neck with one hand and his knee with the other.
"Were either of you in an impossibly long line?" Roshi asked.
"Yeah," Krillin nodded, "And I could hear some big guy at the end of the line screaming about his desk."
"I feel the crushing weight of my entire faith being a colossal lie," Chaozu said bluntly.
Everyone laughed.
OoOoOoO
From Namu to Giran and his fellow dragon-men to the citizens of Mabel Village to the royal guards; all over the world, those who had been laid low by Piccolo and his demonspawn suddenly found themselves returned to life… and terribly confused.
"Y'know," Mai muttered as she helped Pilaf and Shu to their feet, "I'm beginning to think that the whole 'world conquest' thing isn't entirely worth it at this point."
"Yeah," Shu agreed, "I wasn't getting a good vibe from the blood lake or the ogres." Pilaf swallowed and nodded. Maybe it was time to start doing good things.
OoOoOoO
Goku looked down at the world when Shenron was summoned. They were so high up that she could see where the black sky stopped and the blue sky began again. It was weird! Then the black sky faded away and Shenron shot off into the sky.
"I thought he was in that little statue," Goku said. "Where's he going?" Kami shrugged.
"I… do not know for certain," he admitted. "The statue isn't really Shenron, it is a phylactery that connects Shenron to this world." Goku blinked in confusion. "A phylactery is a… never mind," Kami said with a chuckle. "I suppose it does not matter."
"So," Goku said as they went back to walking, "Korin said you wanted to train me?" Kami nodded.
"Indeed. You see, Goku, I need you to stay here and train with me for three years for the next Tenkaichi Budoukai."
"Why?" Goku asked. Why did Kami care about the Budoukai?
"Because," he said gravely, "I have no doubt that is when Piccolo shall return." Goku gasped in disbelief.
"Y-you've gotta be kidding!" she objected. "I killed him! I went right through his chest!" Kami nodded with a frown stuck on his weathered face.
"I am afraid," he explained, "That in the moments before he died, Piccolo was able to create one last child, putting his own essence into its creation. That son will return at the Tenkaichi Budoukai stronger than ever and he will want revenge. You must defeat him, Son Goku. You must make sure he dies this time"
"Then I'll train with you," Goku said emphatically. "I'll do whatever it takes!" Kami nodded and smiled slightly.
"I knew you would–"
"Just one question," Goku said suddenly. "Where's the bathroom?" Popo and Kami face-faulted and Kami struggled to prop himself up with his cane.
"Down the hall," he said as he pointed back to the temple. "First door on your left." Goku ran off and Popo helped Kami to his feet.
"Kami-sama," Popo said as he dusted Kami's cloak, "If Piccolo dies then you shall as well. Is this plan wise?" Kami nodded gravely and looked out over the horizon.
"It is my duty," Kami said as his gaze drifted down to the world he was guardian over. "A duty that I have perhaps put off for far too long."
OoOoOoO
"So," Roshi said after they had all returned to Kame House and Suno relayed her story, "You say Goku has gone to receive some sort of 'special training'?" Suno nodded as Roshi gave a knowing chuckle and stroked his beard. "If she was powerful enough to defeat Piccolo Daimaou then I fear that she's already left us far in the dust."
"Jeez," Krillin muttered, "I wonder how strong she's going to get." Ten ground his teeth and marched over to the door.
"Well I for one am not going to just sit around and wait to find out!" he declared boldly before throwing open the door. "Come along, Chaozu! We're going to this 'Korin Tower' to receive the same training as Son Goku and Suno. I will not let myself be surpassed!" The pair flew out the door and Krillin, who had not been alive for even an hour, turned to Roshi.
"Could I borrow your magic carpet?" he asked. "I need to get stronger, too!" Roshi chuckled and took the carpet out from under the couch and then unfurled it and gave it a shake before handing it to Krillin who ran out the door and flew off after Tenshinhan and Chaozu.
"Hey, wait up!" Yamcha called out as he, Launch, and Puar raced out after them. Yamcha threw down a capsule that had his backup hoverboard and took off with Launch holding on tight.
"Oh no ya don't!" Bulma declared as she strapped on her sonic discs and flew out the door. "You keep those hands where I can see 'em, Launch!"
"Don't come back unless you're gonna replace my TV!" Roshi yelled after them as Suno flung open the window.
"Guys," she called out, "Guys, you have to climb the tower!" She sighed and shook her head with a smile. Upa and Bora would tell them.
"So," Roshi asked once all the others were gone, leaving only himself, Suno, and Turtle, "What will you do now?" Suno thought about that and chewed on her lip for a moment before responding.
"Y'know what?" she said. "I think I'm going back to Jingle Village." Then she smiled and bowed to Roshi. "I'll see you at the Budoukai!" Then she ran out the door, too. Roshi smiled as he watched her go before he realized that his house was basically empty for the first time in nearly five years.
"No TV," he muttered, "And I don't really feel like readin'." Roshi shrugged and began to search around his house. "Where's that dang Gamera? Think I'll go visit my sister."
OoOoOoO
Goku sat between Kami and Popo with all three in the lotus position with their eyes closed. There was a tiny bell tied to Goku's tail that jingled and jangled with the slightest movement. Kami had told her that when she could move without the bell making a sound that they could move to the next part of her training.
"I don't really like meditating," Goku muttered as she opened one eye.
"Before we can strengthen your body," Kami told her, "You must first strengthen your soul and gain control over your fiery spirit. It's a powerful weapon but it could be even more powerful if you could temper it." Goku nodded and closed her eye.
Then she opened it again.
"How long will that take?"
"As long as you make it take."