As Goku and Gray made their way up the stairs they were met with a strange room, it looked like some sort of maze. They walked around seeing which one of the hallways to go through. "Just our luck, I hate mazes,-" Gray said in disdain.
"What's a maze?" Goku asked.
"It's like a big room full of hallways, one path leads to the exit while the other." They both stopped in front of a wall "Leads to a dead end." The boys turned around checking each of the paths to try and find the right way. Only to be met with multiple dead ends, "Let's try splitting up!" Goku went one way while Gray went the other, unbeknownst to them General White was watching them through his cameras.
When Gray got close to finding the exit, the General quickly mashed a button which closed off the path turning it into another dead end. The halls seemed like they went on forever, it was like they were going in circles. Eventually, they began to tire out from all the running they were doing. "Ugh, it's like we've been walking around forever," Goku said.
Suddenly the boys heard footsteps, the room shook with each step. They got on guard only to be met with the friendly form of Android 8. "So there you two are.
"Huh? Why are you here?" Goku asked.
"It is very difficult to go to the very top floor. I will come with you." He spoke.
"Eh?! You know about this place?!" Gray questioned.
"I was once shown a map. Do not worry." #8 began to lead the way as the boys followed.
"That's nice of you! Thanks a lot!" Goku compliments.
"It is my way of thanking you for saving me."
The three walked down the seemingly endless halls, "It seems to me like you can't escape no matter how long you're in here." Goku said.
"It'd really suck if someone got lost here," Gray said.
"Hey, Eighter, is this the 5th floor?" Goku asked.
"This is between the 4th and 5th floors." He answered. "By the way what is Eighter?"
"Huh? It's you. It's kinda hard to say Android number 8 all the time, so Eighter is easier to say." He explained.
"Maybe it's just hard for you Goku, but I think the name sounds great," Gray said.
"Eighter...Eighter...I like that!" They continued walking until Eighter stopped once again. "I hear something, someone is coming, and there are many of them." Multiple RR soldiers marched up to the maze to look for their targets, only to be met with a slip'n slide courtesy of Gray freezing the floor.
Gray chuckled at his work as the soldiers piled up against the wall, "That should give em the slip, let's get going!" Eighter led them to what should've been the exit, but it led to another dead end.
"That's odd, there was no wall here before. This way you two." The three ran in the other direction as General White watched them from his screen, quickly mashing the button to close the wall from the other side.
"Not again!" Goku complained.
Eighter then noticed the wall had an open gap, "Gray stay here for a second, Goku go back from where we came! Hurry!" The boys were confused but nodded, Goku quickly made his way back, luckily Eighter's plan worked and General White tried to stop Goku by closing the wall which opened up for Gray and Eighter.
"What the?" Gray exclaimed. "The wall!"
General White cursed to himself as he tried to stop Goku from getting through but the boy was way too fast for him as he dived through the closing door. "Hey, we made it!" Goku said as the three shared a laugh. They then made their way up the next flight of stairs.
They then reached the 6th floor, "This is the 6th floor control room. The room where the old man from the village is being held." Eighter explained.
Goku and Gray nodded as they barged into the room, "Hey! Are you the boss!? Give back the village chief!" Goku directed towards General White himself.
"You did well to make it all the way here, kids." He said. "Allow me to congratulate you. You kids are quite amazing, so much that I would like you in our army."
Gray stuck his tongue out, "Who would want to work with you?!"
"General White, please stop doing bad things!" Eighter asked.
"So the traitorous, poorly constructed machine asks like a big shot. Remind me, who made you?" White said. "Who was it that brought you back to this world as a cyborg after you had died once before? Say it!"
Eighter lowered his head in shame, "You did, the Red Ribbon Army did."
"Then it's still not too late! Kill those kids for the Red Ribbon Army!" He yelled.
Eighter stared in shock, "I-I can't, I suppose I truly cannot do bad things! Please, Son Goku and Gray are very strong. So please surrender."
"Stop it, Eighter! It doesn't matter what you say to this guy!" Goku said.
"Aren't you the ones who should surrender?" White said as a pushed a red button. The floor then opened up underneath the three as they fell through it.
Goku was the first to land, luckily on his feet, only then for Gray to land on top of him, followed by Eighter falling on both of them. "Oh, are you two okay." Goku slowly rose to his feet as Gray did the same albeit a lot slower. "We fell through a trap door to the 5th floor.
"The 5th floor?" Gray said as he looked around the empty room, well not completely empty as a few bones accompanied them. Gray shivered at the sight of bones scattered. "What is this place?"
"I do not know, I only heard that the 5th floor is a mysterious room," Eighter explained.
General White laughed from above, "Kid, if you don't wanna die, then you'll do as I say! Hand over your Dragon Ball and the radar you used to look for it!"
"Hell, no! Like anybody would give you anything!" Goku yelled back.
"Hehe, I thought it would come to this." White walked towards the control pad and closed the trap door above them. "Then I'll just sit here and watch you on the monitor as you turn into a pile of bones and roll around."
"What does he mean by that?" Gray questioned.
"Son Goku, were you also collecting the Dragon Balls for a bad reason?" Eighter asked.
"No! I'm looking for them because one of them is a memento from my grandpa." Goku explained.
Eighter smiled, "That's a relief. You really are nice, Son Goku."
The room then started shaking as the wall in front of the trio opened up. They then heard some gross eating sounds and the crunch of bones, the beast responsible threw aside one of the bones right in front of the three. Shivers went down the spines of Gray and Eighter as they began stepping away, unfortunately, Eighter stepped on one of the bones which caught the attention of the monster. The monster stepped out of the shadows revealing its large pink body accompanied by yellow eyes, and a slimy green tongue.
"Kid! It's the end of the line when you're up against Buyon! Prepare to be eaten!" General White spoke from the intercom.
"We won't be eaten by this thing!" Goku said.
"S-Son Goku, Gray! I am... scared." Eighter said as he cowered in fear against the wall.
"What for? I'll take care of him with one hit!" Goku assured.
"You're quite naive, kid. No matter how good you are or what weapons you have, you stand no chance against Buyon!"
Buyon raised its tail to slam it down on Goku who easily dodged it, he then used the wall for momentum to land a punch right on Buyon's face. But the attack had no effect. "No way! My punch had no effect at all." Goku exclaimed. "Alright then, let's try a kick!" Goku sent a flying kick right to Buyon's stomach only to be bounced right off and sent straight into the wall.
"Goku! Are you alright!" Gray said as he ran over to his friend.
Goku rubbed his head in pain, "It's no good, his body is so soft and flabby--I can't use punches or kicks! That's it, one more time!" Goku jumped to try another attack however Buyon's antennae started to spark, before electrocuting Goku who screamed out in pain. Buyon eventually stopped and let Goku fall to the ground once again.
"Son Goku! Are you alright?! Please do not die!" Eighter said worryingly.
"I-I'm okay, it was nothing..." Goku said still feeling the shock. While Goku was disoriented Buyon extended its long tongue towards Goku before grabbing the boy with it and bringing him into its mouth to eat.
"GOKU!" Eighter and Gray shout out.
Eighter began to further cower in terror, but Gray got determined and faced the monster, "Let go of my friend you freak!" He brought his hands together before shouting out, "Ice-Make: Lance!" The ice lances hit their mark and they seemed to be affecting Buyon, the monster cringed its face at the small damage it received before it felt something trying to pry its mouth open from the inside.
Goku slowly forced Buyon's mouth open and hopped out once he could. "Man, that was close! Just a little bit more and I would've been swallowed! Thanks for the save, Gray!"
"Don't mention it." Gray smirks.
Buyon then began shooting more lighting from its antennas, but Goku was prepared this time and was able to dodge each attack, Gray doing the same. Buyon began to stomp forward trying to hit the two boys with its lighting. "No good, all we're doing is running away, what can we do to beat him?"
Gray tried thinking of some kind of plan and remembered how Buyon was fazed when met with his ice. While Gray was trying to put two and two together, Goku unleashed a Kamehameha right in Buyon's center, but the powerful wave just bounced right off. Goku now frustrated charges headfirst to ram Buyon with all his might, only to get bounced off once again.
"We are done for, you two," Eighter said. "There's nothing we can do..."
"Don't talk so pathetically Eighter," Gray said. "Besides, I think I've figured this guy out."
"What do you mean Gray?" Goku asked.
"None of your attacks worked, but he flinched when I hit him with my ice," Gray explained. "From the looks of it, its body is soft and flabby, meaning we have to make it hard."
"Oh yeah, I was like that when I first got to the village. But can you really freeze him?"
"Only one way to find out." Gray ran towards Buyon as he began to gather frost in his hands. Buyon shot lighting at Gray to try and stop him, but the boy was able to dodge each attack. He then leaped onto Buyon's belly. "Take this!" Gray began pouring out his magic onto Buyon as the monster slowly began to freeze.
"He's doing it!" Goku exclaimed.
Buyon however, wouldn't go down so easily, with Gray focusing on trying to freeze him, Buyon bathed the boy with the lighting from its antennae. Gray screamed out in pain but did his best to focus on freezing Buyon.
"Gray! I gotta do something!" Goku said worriedly. He then got an idea and ran towards the wall throwing a punch at it and allowing the cold air outside inside. The cold air hit Buyon causing it to stop shooting lighting, Gray smirked and unleashed his full magic power. That combined with the blizzard was more than enough to completely freeze the monster.
Gray slid off of Buyon's body and Goku came in with a flying kick that caused Buyon to crack, and then completely shatter. Goku ran towards Gray's twitching body. "Are you alright Gray?"
"I've certainly been better, but it looks like my plan worked," Gray said in pain.
"Don't worry I'll get us out of here!" Goku then jumped towards the ceiling and crashed right through it landing back into the control room. "Whew, it's nice and warm here! Power Pole, extend!" The staff extended downward and Eighter grabbed onto it while carrying Gray in his suit.
As Goku was bringing them up, General White grabbed his pistol, "Fool! Dropping your guard like that...!" He fired a few shots at the boy which did nothing but cause him to glare at the General. "What the hell, those bullets hit you, didn't they?"
"They did! And they really hurt!" Goku said in annoyance. "I'm gonna make you hurt twice as much!"
Eighter makes his way out of the hole with Gray in tow. "Thank you once again, Son Goku!"
Goku then turned to General White, "Now give back the village chief if you don't wanna get sent flying!" The General started backing up as Goku walked closer to him with each step.
"Don't get confused. For a little pipsqueak, you sure talk big!" White began removing his scarf and sweater. "If you can knock the lights out of me, General White...then just try it!"
"Alright! I'm not gonna hold back!" Goku yelled.
"Wait! It is not good for the two of you to fight anymore!" Eighter said trying to get between the two.
"Shut up!" General White said as he tossed his sweater at Eighter causing him to stumble and fall back.
"Eighter! Are you okay?" Gray panicked. "Goku take this guy out!"
"Don't worry I'll take care of him in no time flat!" Goku said.
General White threw a few punches at Goku which he easily dodged, and a light kick was enough for the General to grab his leg in pain. He then tried to distract Goku by making him look, it worked but his punch didn't even affect him. Goku responded with a punch of his own which launched White into the ceiling and back on the floor. General White slowly raised to his feet.
"Who is this kid...? He's unbelievably strong...He's some sort of monster." White thought. He then saw Goku's Tail and was able to catch him off guard and grab it. Goku was drained of his energy as the General held him by his tail. "What's the matter, kid? What happened to all that energy you had?"
"G-General White, please stop it!" Eighter pleaded.
"Shut up! You stay outta this, useless!" White snapped.
"You better put him down or you'll deal with me!" Gray said as he began to bring his hands together.
"If want him so bad, why don't you catch him!" White then began spinning Goku around before throwing him at the wall. "Heh, that should wake him up."
This angered Goku he got up and began to wallop the General surprising both Gray and Eighter. Goku went over to finish the job but Eighter grabbed his fist to stop him. "Why are you stopping me, Eighter?! It'd be best to bash this guy into a pulp!"
"But... fighting is not good. Let him get off with just this much...please." Eighter pleaded.
Goku's face softened as he listened to Eighter's words, "Alright, you're awfully nice Eighter."
The trio stared down the General as Gray spoke up, "Listen just give us the village chief and this'll all be over!"
"Very well, I give up I'll hand over the village chief." General White said as he put his hands up in surrender. He began to lead them to the cell holding the chief and opened it. "Get out, you're free to go!"
"I'm free?! You don't mean... Honestly?!" The chief questioned. He then turned towards the kids, "I did hear that it was a child, but..."
"Are you "Village Chief"?!" Goku asked.
"Indeed I am. So you really were the one who came to save me?" The chief asked. He then turned to Gray, "Huh well I'll be, is that you Gray?"
Gray sheepishly nodded his head, "Yup..."
"Honestly I can't thank you three enough, I'm sure Ur would be proud of you Gray!" Gray's head lowered as he heard the chief's praise.
Before they could all leave, General White pulled out a gun and held it to the chief's head, "Not a move, kids! Don't try anything funny! Or I'll splatter the village chief's head like an egg!"
"D-Damn it! Coward!" Goku yelled.
"Heh, the strength of this Powered Gun isn't to be taken lightly! Maybe I should try it out on something!" General White had his arm around the chief's neck as he continued to step back. "Well? There's not a single thing you can do! How do you like this situation?"
"Dammit! Doing such cowardly things!" Gray growled.
"So what do you do now, insolent children?" White smirked. "Come any closer and I'll blow his head off, just like that!"
"Don't concern yourself with me, just hurry and take care of this guy!" The chief yelled out."It doesn't matter if I die! Don't worry bout me! Just take care of him and bring peace to the village!
"But..."
"If I can sacrifice myself for the village, then I will gladly do so!"
"Really?" Goku questioned. "If that's what you want, I guess I'll do that, but..."
General White tightened his grip, "B-Bastard! I'm serious, I'll do it!"
"But didn't he say he doesn't care?!"
"B-But..! If at all possible...I would be very happy if you saved me, too..." The chief admitted.
"General White! Please stop doing these bad things!" Eighter pleaded.
"A pretty polite way of asking you have there... you damn weakling traitor!" White yelled. "But hold on a little longer, I'll take care of you soon enough! Now listen up kid if you want the chief to go, you'll do as I say!"
"Fine!" Goku growled.
"Face the other way kid!"
"The other way? What for?" Goku said as he turned around.
"Die!" General White fired the gun which seemed to pack a lot more force than a normal one. Goku was struck right on the back of his head knocking him out.
"GOKU!" Gray and Eighter yelled.
General White only laughed in triumph, "Guess not even the kid can stand up against this!" Gray ran over and tried to shake Goku awake, Eighter however glared at the General. White tried shooting another round at Gray, but Eighter shielded him and took the blow. Eighter then started walking towards the General, who threw the chief aside and tried shooting the android only to freeze at the sight of his eyes glowing in anger.
"How dare you do that to Son Goku...!" Eighter said as he raised his fist, "I will get rid of you!" He then struck the General launching him out of the tower and far away to his death. Eighter then rushed over to Goku, "Son Goku, are you okay? Are you dead?!"
"I think he's fine," Gray said in relief.
Goku slowly opened his eyes, "Just a little done in, though... But weren't you shot, too, Eighter? Are you okay?!"
"I am a cyborg. Something like that is nothing to a cyborg!" He explained. "It was you who saved me, however."
The four of them walked out of the tower back outside, Eighter decided to truly resolve things by destroying Muscle Tower, without General White and the other soldiers the village was truly free. They then made their way back to Suno's house. Once they arrived they explained everything that occurred at the tower.
"Thanks to you three, peace has returned to the village." Suno's father said. "We're truly thankful!"
"But why did you have to go through all of that for just one ball?" Yuki said.
"Oh, that's right! We never did find that Dragon Ball, did we Goku?" Gray asked as Goku nodded in agreement.
"Um, excuse me, but is this what you are looking for?" Eighter reached into his pocket before pulling out the Two-Star Ball. "This is it, correct?"
"This is it, Eighter, but where did you find it?" Goku asked.
"Once, when I went outside, I just happened to find this. But General White planned to kill all the villagers after he found the Dragon Ball... So that's why I hid it."
"Remarkable! I've really taken a liking to you!" The chief said. "How would like to live at my place!"
"What you two going to do?" Eighter asked Goku and Gray.
"I'll stay in the village for a while before I head back to my guild, what about you Goku?" Gray asked.
"I don't mind staying a little longer but after that, I need to go look for my grandpa's Dragon Ball," Goku said. "This one right here only has two stars and I need to find the one with four stars."
"I see, I would like to live with you, chief, but there's one problem." Eighter began. "There's a bomb inside me. I don't want to put anyone in danger."
"There's no reason to give up Eighter!" The chief said, "You should go see Doctor Frappe! He's a scientist who lives in the village, he should be smart enough to help you."
"He's an anti-social, so he built his lab in the mountain recesses of this village. He lives there all by himself." Yuki explained.
"I can go with them, I've gone to his house to play lots of times!" Suno said.
"The doctor is very fond of Suno, so he'll meet you for sure if she goes!" Suno's father said.
"Okay, then we'll leave first thing in the morning," Gray said.
"T-Thank you all for doing this for my sake..." Eighter said with gratitude.
Ruins of Muscle Tower
Within the remains of the tower there was one survivor, a hand reached out, and up came the battered form of Ninja Murasaki. "Those damn brats, and that TRAITOR! You'll regret having messed with Murasaki and the Red Ribbon army!"
That's a wrap. I know the Doctor Frappe stuff is technically anime filler, but I'm tying it in with something I came up with for this story. I was originally going to do it all in this chapter but I feel it would just take me longer to complete. I'll try to get the next chapter out as soon as I can, as I don't want to try to do monthly chapters.
Anyway, that's all I have, read & review, and while you're at it why not tell me some of your favorite vocal songs from the Dragon Ball series or Fairy Tail?
Cya!
