"Morning Kayos!" Goku chirped as he jogged back into the little campsite we'd made the night before. He grabbed a bucket of water and dunked his head inside before I could answer, leaving it there for… a bit longer than was probably safe… before finally yanking his head out and letting out a relieved sigh. "Ah, that felt good! I worked up a bit of a sweat with my morning training. You working out too?"

I nodded, doing a few more bench presses with the small log left over from our campfire the morning before. "Yeah, I either like to get a work out in early in the morning or late in the evening." Isco moved to take the log away and I got to my feet, looking my arms over. While I would never be as muscular as Goku was that didn't mean I had to settle for being a pile of flab and thus gone right back to my normal routine of a thirty minute power walk and alternating days of strength training. In this world I was in decent enough shape but hanging around the likes of Goku and Piccolo meant that I was going to need to work even harder to stay fit… if only so I could run away from danger.

After all, you didn't need to be the fastest… just not the slowest.

"Good start!" Goku said, walking over and looking me over. "But maybe you should get some workout clothes? I don't think those jeans can be all that comfortable to fight in."

"Goku, if I am fighting someone then we are already screwed because it means you and all your friends are dead."

"Aw, come on, don't be like that!" he said with a laugh, slapping me hard on the back… and using enough force to make my teeth rattle. "Its like I told Master Roshi… I bet if you put in the work you could get really strong."

"And like I said we all know our strengths and weaknesses," I told him with a smile. "You are a genius at fighting. I am a genius at scheming."

"Well I am a genius in knowing when we should get up and moving," Chichi said as she came around from the other side of the tent, stirring a pot. She'd decided to put on her old workout clothes, mumbling a bit the day before about how tight they fit which might have explained why she had gone on a run with Goku after supper. It would allow her better range of movement which I had a feeling was going to be rather important. "Come on now, I made porridge-"

Goku was instantly gone from my side and Chichi blinked as she realized the pot she'd been stirring was no longer in her hands.

"GOKU!" she roared as her husband wolfed down the contents. "That was for everyone!"

"It was?" Goku asked, mouth full. "But there is hardly anything in here!"

"With you there is never enough food!" Chichi scolded before turning to me. "Sorry Kayos-"

"its fine," I assured her. "I still have some of the capsules Bulma gave me… there is cereal in there so I'll just have that."

"You have Bulma's capsules?" Goku asked, excited. "Filled with food?"

"yes Goku and Isco has been instructed to destroy them if you try and snag them!" I snapped, knowing that the food-crazy idiot would eat everything and then ask why there wasn't more.

Sure enough the Saiyan began to laugh bashfully at that. "Aw, come on Kayos, I'm not that bad!"

"yes you are," Chichi, Isco, and I said at the same time.

Goku looked at us before returning to eating the porridge.

Chichi shared a look with me before moving to the tent and calling for Gohan, the little boy yawning as he emerged. He was dressed in training paints and a tank top, rubbing his eyes and blinking the sleep away as Chichi fussed a bit with his hair. His tail twitched back and forth, which Chichi noticed, causing her to raise an eyebrow.

"Gohan… I thought we talked about this."

"Aw, but mom…" he whined.

"No, Gohan," she said and he shot me a disgruntled look. Honestly I'd forgotten how bratty Gohan could be before Piccolo had gotten ahold of him. "And don't blame Kayos. He brought up a good point and I agree with him. So does your father."

It had happened during our supper, when I'd become worried about the chances of a full moon. It was something I needed to let Chichi know about; I understood not telling Goku, so he didn't realize he'd killed Grandpa Gohan during his rampage. But Chichi needed to know so she could make sure Gohan never harmed anyone or himself by accident. Isco had assured me that the full moon wasn't for a while but Goku had overheard me and wanted to know what was up. When questioned about why I was staring at Gohan's tail I had been forced to quickly come up with a lie. I'd mentioned that Raditz had been smart to wrap his tail around his waist, as Bulma had mentioned that Goku's tail had been rather sensitive. Chichi had stated the same was true with Gohan and clearly thinking about the horrors that would come if he caught it in a door or something, had declared that Gohan needed to begin wrapping it around his waist himself.

The little boy was NOT pleased.

"She's right, son," Goku told him as he stuck his finger into the pot, running it along the side before giving it a lick. "That tail can do a lot of great things but in a fight it is a weakness. You need to be careful with it."

"Okay," Gohan said with a sigh, carefully wrapping it around his waist like a belt.

Chichi shot her husband a dark look. "NOT that Gohan will be getting into any fights, right Goku?"

"Heheh, of course not!" Goku declared quickly. "Though he still should know how to protect himself."

"Hmmmpf," Chichi murmured simply, looking over her son one more time before moving to make more breakfast.

As the Son family ate I walked over to Isco and tapped him on the shell. "Wakey wakey."

"Oh… I was having such a lovely dream," Isco stated as he powered up. "All you annoying humans were gone and I didn't have to deal with your goo-spewing orifices."

"I'd complain but I must admit that is something that sounds rather nice not to have to deal with."

"Doesn't it?" Isco said happily. "Now then, what can I do for you?"

"Just curious how close we are to the Dragon Ball," I asked.

"Roughly about an hour or so away," Isco stated. "Though I should warn you that the forest we have now entered does not have the greatest of reputations."

"Of course it doesn't," I muttered.

"According to some of the newspaper reports I've scanned through there used to be some sort of camping resort that was popular with those that wished to see the dragon and dinosaur migrations but things have gone rather quiet. The ability to book visits has been closed down and many report that attempts to come here result in… issues. Ones that left them very scarred and frightened. And that isn't accounting for a string of disappearances…"

"I swear if we run into Jason…" I muttered. Knowing our luck we would run into him, Goku and him would fight, and eventually Jason would be on our side and transform into Uber Jason.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing," I said quickly. "So what else do you know?"

"Many things, sir, but I imagine you more concerned with the forest." Isco's 'eye' grew and than shrank before he projected out a holographic image of the forest we were in… or rather a very crude, created by a 3 year old image of the forest we were in, complete with stick figures of all of us. "Oolox Forest is noted for having many underground caves and tunnels, which is what made it so popular with the large reptiles that called it home. The Oolox Camp Ground, in fact, was partially underground so that visitors could see the dinosaurs and dragons in their natural habitat."

"Well, I think Goku can deck out a dinosaur so we should be safe."

"Deck out a what now?" Goku asked.

"A dinosaur. Apparently them and dragons like to make this forest home."

"Oh yeah, I can deal with them easily!" Goku raised up his arm and flexed.

"Except there will be no need to," Chichi stated. "Everyone knows that such creatures aren't dangerous. Worst you have to worry about is one hiding an egg in your bag… they love to trick people into taking care of their babies."

I stared at her for a long moment.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing just… surprised." I shook my head at that. "Anyhoo… Isco says we're about an hour away from the Dragon Ball."

"Wonderful!" Chichi said happily. "This might turn out rather easy! We could spend the rest of the day hiking, letting Gohan observe the fauna…"

Goku though had tilted his head, deep in thought. "Hmmm…"

"You can almost hear the squeaky gears turning in that head of his," Isco commented, floating out of reach when I tried to bat him for that comment.

"Well, if we are going to go for a hike… Gohan should have a walking stick!" Walking over to my bike (and it was mine, despite Bulma having only technically lent it to me; if she didn't want me to have it she shouldn't have let it out of her sight) he went over to one of the compartments I had set aside for him and rummaged through it a bit before pulling out a familiar red rod. "Haha!" He laughed, giving the weapon a twirl. "There you are! Gohan, come here son!"

Gohan hurried over, running with the same reckless abandon that so many children had, only to come to a stop and stare with wide eyes as his father knelt down before him.

"This is the Power Pole. Your Grandpa Gohan gave this to me when I was around your age and it helped me through a lot of troubles. And now…" he pressed the pole into Gohan's hands, "…I want you to have it."

"R-really?" Gohan whispered.

"Really," Goku confirmed only to let out a yelp when the Power Pole suddenly lengthened to three times its size, making Gohan wobble as he tried to adjust to the size difference. The boy cried out in surprised and Goku braced him before the pole then retracted to the size it had been only moments earlier, then shrunk down to a far more manageable size for him. "Heheh, sorry about that!" Goku said, embarrassed. "Yeah, that's what makes the Power Pole so special, son. It can grow to whatever size you want it to. Normally it is used to connect Korin's Tower to the Lookout but since I can fly up there now I really don't need it."

Gohan looked over the pole, sticking it out and letting out a delighted little gasp when it shot out an extra foot.

"Goku, are you sure that is safe?" Chichi asked.

"Of course it is! I'll train Gohan how to use it and it will be good for him to have something to defend himself with. At least until I can show him some really good moves!"

"You know that I don't want him spending all his day fighting," Chichi warned. "I want Gohan to become a successful businessman."

"Can't he do both?" I asked, causing the two to look at me. "I mean… nothing says he can't be a fighter and someone who works in an office."

"See, Kayos gets it!"

Chichi glowered at him. "You're only saying that because he's agreeing with you!"

"Well… yeah!" Goku said and even Chichi to pause, realizing that Goku did have a point. "Come on Chichi," he said, wrapping an arm around her, "its going to be fine. We're going to snag the Dragon Ball and then we'll walk around the forest and you can show Gohan all the animals and plants, and then after lunch I'll train with him for a bit. Then we can decide if we want to head to Capsule Corp or wait til morning."

"I… suppose you are right," she said with a small sigh before smiling slightly. "It does sound like a nice peaceful day."

It was only when I felt the roughly made stone spear touch the soft flesh of my throat that I realized those two idiots had jinxed us.

~MC~MC~MC~

Gohan wasn't really for sure what to think of the last few days.

When his daddy had told him that they were going to meet some friends of his Gohan had been excited and a little scared and then excited again. He never got to leave their home and the forest around it and his father had said that Kame House was completely different from their home… and it was! It was an island, in the middle of the ocean, with sand and grass and a turtle! One that could talk! It had been so amazing.

And then Uncle Roshi had taken him inside because some mean man who apparently didn't like his daddy had shown up and Gohan hadn't known what to do. He'd begun to cry and he hated that because he knew that he was being a baby and desperately wanted to be a big boy. Big and strong and tough like his daddy. His daddy wouldn't have cried! He would have punched whatever scared him!

Aunt Bulma had tried to keep his mind off his worry but he hadn't calmed down until his daddy had returned… but he'd been so hurt. It was like every booboo that Gohan had ever gotten had been put on him all at once! And there had been Mr. Piccolo, who looked really scary but didn't actually do anything, and Mr. Kayos who had seemed nice and had the funny robot and made sure to get him food and treats while his daddy introduced him to Uncle Krillin and Uncle Tien and Uncle Chiaotzu.

After that things had gone rather quickly. He'd been surprised after they'd returned home, expecting that either his mommy would make him stay while his daddy got to continue having a fun adventure or at least yell at them but finally let him to go. But instead she not only had agreed she'd decided to come… and it was really fun!

Now though? Now they were walking through some tunnel with a bunch of people in funny outfits pointing spears at them and Gohan had no idea what to do.

He just hoped that his mom and dad would keep him safe.

~MC~MC~MC~

'Dear lord we've been kidnapped by yuppies,' I thought to myself as we were all led through the tunnels.

At first I had been startled and terrified when I'd felt the spear touch my throat. This was the world of Dragon Ball, after all, so who knew what vile, wild, savage, monstrous beings we'd stumbled onto. Savage demons? Blood thirsty wolf men? A lost tribe of purple humans who craved flesh? With Dragon Ball you could NEVER be sure because this was the reality that had brought about the living nightmare fuels called Buu and Cell.

I had been startled and terrified.

At first.

Then I had seen their dirty Hawaiian shirts, their wide brim floppy hats, slightly torn cargo shorts, and flip flops and realized that we were being taken captive by tourists.

…yaaaaaaaay.

"Come on guys, we were just enjoying a nice camping trip!" Goku complained, hands held up in the air. I wasn't sure WHY he hadn't just wiped the floor with all of them as I could tell that their power levels were weaker than mine. But no, Goku was going along with this, allowing them to lead us all by spear point into the… well, surprisingly roomy and well-lit tunnels. Like… freakily well lit tunnels. Honestly my apartment didn't have as good lighting.

'Wait… where the hell do I even live?' I thought to myself as I walked towards the large opening at the end of the tunnel.

"Quiet!" one of our kidnappers stated. He was wearing a misprinted t-shirt that said "I'm With Stupid" in English with an arrow pointed up and had a pair of cracked binoculars dangling around his neck. "You have intruded on the sacred lands of the mighty Dragon Lord and will now answer for your crimes!"

"Now hold on!" Chichi protested. "This is a National Park, free for anyone to visit!"

"No longer!" another of our kidnappers, a middle-aged woman wearing a hideously pink shirt and boat shoes with knee-high white socks declared in an overly dramatic tone. "The Dragon Lord has corrected that injustice and returned these lands to their rightful ruler: him! You will submit to his judgment or you will face punishment." To prove her point she pressed the spear into the small of Goku's back.

"Okay, okay, take it easy!" Goku said, keeping his hands up.

"Goku…" Chichi hissed under her breath. "Why are you allowing them to do this?"

"The Dragon Ball is around here, right? Makes sense that someone named the Dragon Lord would have it. This way, rather than having to sneak around, we can just be taken right to him and see if we can have it!"

That… actually made a ton of sense, much to my own surprise.

The chamber we found ourselves guided to should have been a thing of beauty. A great natural dome with high ceilings and glittering stone that reflected the light all around us and made it feel like we were surrounded by starlight or fireflies.

Instead it was a gaudy mess thanks to the random bits of furniture thrown about, tents that had been patched and pitched, and all manner of tacky tourist souvenirs that were piled up all around us.

At the center of it all was a great Iron Throne of suitcases, upon which sat the Dragon Lord himself, surrounded by about 30 tourists/servants.

'Well, I know whose been eating all the snacks in the rest area vending machines,' I thought to myself. Though he wore a bone crown and had on a red and black half mask that looked like a dragon snout he wasn't able to cut that impressive of a figure. The rings he wore were large and gaudy and clearly costume jewelry, the necklaces he wore just a collection of ref whistles, and the red and orange and yellow abstract style shirt he wore did little hiding the man's large gut, his flabby arms, and wobbly chest. 'God his tits bounce more than most anime girls'!'

"Hommer, Wrunch," the Dragon Lord declared in a gravely voice that must have hurt his throat terribly because I could tell it was him trying to make it sound far more raspy than it actually was. He reached out and accepted from one of his attendants (a thin woman with a bit of sunscreen globbed on her nose) a 2 liter of cola that he took a long swig of before continuing. "Who have you brought to this sacred chamber?"

"We found these intruders trying to claim part of your kingdom," the man said with a bow.

"Ah, so thieves then!" The Dragon Lord declared. "Trying to stake claim to my lands!"

"We were doing no such thing!" Chichi snapped back. "We were camping… in a National Park… and then your goons came and captured us."

"As is there right! This land belongs to me! It is my right as the lord of this lands! They are my kingdom and-"

"Wait," Goku said, cutting him off, "how can this be a kingdom if you aren't a king?"

"What?"

"Well… I just mean that an Emperor has an empire and a king has a kingdom so shouldn't you have a… lorddom?"

"No. it is a kingdom!"

"But you aren't a king," Goku said again.

"Well… yes, I am not a king." The Dragon Lord shrugged. "I am not that egotistical. I merely ask for total domain over all I see, starting from this spot and expanding until it covers the entire globe. That isn't too much to ask, is it?"

"Well, a little bit?" Goku asked, tilting his head. "Me personally, all I really want is to have a good day training and spend time with my friends and family."

"HA!" The Dragon Lord declared. "You are a fool then, intruder! Friends and family… I have no need for such things! I have my subjects!" He snapped his fingers and one brought him a specter, another a shield with a crudely painted dragon on it. Both of which, unlike everything else, actually looked fancy (save for the horrible dragon drawing). "They obey me… for they know the power I wield!"

"Dad!" Gohan hissed urgently. "Isn't that-"

"It is," Goku said, staring at the specter, the head of which was the Two-Star Dragon Ball.

The Dragon Lord noticed where we were looking and chuckled. "Noticed that, did you?" He patted the specter with his hand. "This is the proof of my strength and power. I discovered this orb 3 years ago and with it I was able to dominate the wills of my subjects, to get them to obey! They know the terrible power it has!"

"It has terrible power?" the woman that had been leading us to the chamber asked, confused.

That caused the Dragon Lord to frown. "Well… yes. Of course it does! That is why you follow me, Wronch."

"I follow you because I lost the lease on my apartment," she said. "Free room and board. Have you SEEN the rent some places are demanding?"

The Dragon Lord pressed his lips together. "Well… okay, I do remember you mentioning that in the break room when we discussed our plans-"

"My car broke down and you said I could use your phone if I helped you move a few things," Hommer stated. "Huh, come to think of it… its been 9 months. I bet my wife and kids are worried about me."

"I thought we were trying out for a play," someone else said.

"I am going to be deactivated surrounded by the dumbest people on Earth," Isco bemoaned. "Which is saying a lot, considering who you normally keep us around, sir."

"ENOUGH!" The Dragon Lord bellowed. "You dare put delusions in my subjects' minds? I had been considering allowing you to join us but now you will die for your actions!" He leapt to his feet and pointed the specter at us. "Suffer the power and wrath of the Dragon Lord!"

I let out a scream.

"See! See! He knows the terror-"

"WHY ARE YOU WEARING A SPEEDO!?" I cried out, shielding my eyes. "Oh god I can still see it!" I chanced a peak and saw the Dragon Lord look down at his lime green speedo, fingering the hem slightly before tugging them up. "Oh lord above that makes it worse!"

"What does Kami have to do with that?" Goku asked, confused.

"IF HE WERE THE REAL GUARDIAN HE WOULD PROTECT US FROM THAT!"

"ENOUGH!" The Dragon Lord roared. "You will all perish by my hand for trying to steal my kingdom and my treasure."

I rubbed my eyes and focused on staring at the Dragon Lord's feet. "Listen… I don't think you've thought this through. That Dragon Ball… it did nothing to help you convince these-" 'Don't call them idiots, don't call them idiots!' "-people to be your subjects. You've convinced them to abandon their jobs, their families-"

"Oh man, I told my mom I was getting milk!" someone cried out. "I bet it spoiled by now." He lifted up a jug of… yellow slime.

'Don't call them idiots,' I mentally repeated. "You did that. On your own. You managed to bring together your group through sheer force of will. That's impressive. In fact, one could make the argument that the Dragon Ball is a crutch… and excuse for others to NOT recognize your power. That rather than point at you and admiring all you have done they will dismiss you as just the guy holding up the relic, the true source of your power." I took a step forward. "Do you want to be known as the man who raised a kingdom all on his own… or the man who has a Dragon Ball?"

The Dragon Lord looked down at his specter, letting it droop just a touch.

"…I kinda want both," he said, his subjects gripping their spears and advancing towards us.

"Fuck it. Goku!"

"Right!" he declared, falling into a defensive stance. Chichi did the same while I… well, I wasn't sure WHAT I was doing but better than sitting their scratching myself. "Isco, get Gohan someplace safe!"

"Which means I will also be someplace safe so I am fine with that, Mister Son," Isco stated, using his spindly little arms to grab Gohan and, rather easily I must admit, heave him up and fly towards the ceiling of the cave chamber.

"If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you will get!" the Dragon Lord shouted, leaping down the throne of suitcases. He was… surprising agile for a big man, I had to admit. He spun his scepter before bringing his shield up to bear. "Eliminate the threats, you wretches!"

"This is the weirdest flash mob I've ever been apart of," one of the subjects said.

"I thought it was an extreme fitness camp myself, Rowbar," a woman in a torn tropical dress declared before shrugging and rushing towards us, trying to spear Chichi in the side. She managed to grab the weapon and easily snap it in half, tossing the parts at two more of the Dragon Lord's subjects, boinking them on their heads and causing their eyes to bulge and their tongues to stick out before they fell to the ground.

"HAYA!" Goku shouted, throwing a punch that had the strength to shatter a great oak right at the Dragon Lord, the large man bringing his shield up and catching the strike. The moment Goku's fist connected though there was a muffled 'clank' and the shield pulsed before letting loose a blast of air that sent Goku skidding back. "Ow!" He whined, waving his hand. "Man, what is that shield made of anyway? That really smarted!"

"This?" the Dragon King said in a dismissive and bored tone. "I don't know. One day while I was cleaning one of the park's rest areas I discovered an undocumented tunnel that led to a cave. There I found a treasure chest and I opened it. I thought maybe I'd find something interesting like a television or a year's supply of tacos but all there was inside was this shield. According to some carvings on the rocks nearby it is the 'Shield of Countless Defense' and absorbs the blows of a foe to send them back but I never really got into Frisbee or the rules so…" He gave a helpless shrug. "I did paint this dragon on there. That makes it a bit neat." He gestured at the image of the crude looking dragon that he'd clearly painted onto it with his fingers. "Honestly I keep thinking I should get around to trading it in for a TV but you know how you plan to clean your cave but as you go about your day you get distracted and when bedtime rolls around you haven't gotten to it?"

"…oh my god," I muttered before having to duck when Hommer tried to drive a spear through my throat. "Hey! Watch it with that!"

"I am watching it. Watching as it goes to pierce your liar throat!" He went in for another attack and I leapt back, making sure to keep myself out of range. "Stand still and just die!"

"You want me to die?" I asked, realizing I might have figured out an out for all of this. 'These people are, after all, gullible fools…'

"That's right!"

"Well, why didn't you say so!" I said happily, holding out my arms. "Honestly, you really should learn how to communicate with people and let them know what you want. It helps stop misunderstandings."

That caused Hommer and Wrunch dead in their tracks, their spears dropping slightly as they considered me carefully. "Oh," Wrunch said, glancing at Hommer. "I guess we should have made that clear."

"Yeah." Hommer scratched at his chin. "Sorry about that."

"No problem, happens all the time." I gave a friendly smile. "Okay then, we can do this."

"You are very polite," Hommer stated.

"Hey, why not?" He began to rear back only for me to slap my head. "I almost forgot! I need to see your form K-450." I held out my hand.

"My… what?"

I gave the sigh I tended to use when I had just sat down for lunch and one of my employees called me just as I had peeled my apple and told me I had to come super quick because there was a customer who wanted something and they didn't want to upset them by saying 'no'. "Form K-450, intent to kill a documentarian." I gestured up at Isco. "Because this is going to be filmed and in my documentary you have to sign off on the waiver so we can use your likeness."

Wrunch frowned at that, tapping her spear against her palm. "Can't you just… blur our faces out?"

"Well, sure," I said but before they could move to attack again I added, "but that is going to be a Form B-52. Do… do you want to fill out a B-52?" I asked just like one would if their friend said, "I think we should stick live piranhas on our dicks".

"…no?" Hommer said, realizing that a B-52 might not be something he wanted to tangle with.

I sighed in relief. "Good. That's really good."

Wrunch nodded and held out her hand. "Alright, let's fill out the forms and get to killing you."

I laughed at that; gentle though, not mocking. Nothing that would set them off. A chuckle a parent might use. "I don't carry the forms WITH me. You know how big and bulky those things are? We have to submit a request for K-450 forms. You have any writing paper around here?"

"I think Sablade has a stack of it," Hommer stated.

"Great. I'll try and walk you through it."

Wrunch went to retrieve the paper only to pause. "Wait… why aren't Sicket and Clemp having to fill out those forms? They are fighting that woman!"

I glanced over at Chichi just as she did a spin kick, knocking out another one of the Dragon Lord's subjects. "Oh, its because they were grandfathered in to be allowed to do that. All very technical. I can get you the documents to prove it… you'll just need to request them using a F-2U form-"

"We're good! We're good!" the two shouted, hurrying off to get the paper.

"Oh baby, you are so talented," I murmured to myself, "and they are so DUMB!"

I looked back to where Goku was fighting the Dragon Lord and saw that unfortunately he hadn't figured out a way to get past his defenses. The man might have been a big ol' boy and have fashion sense that would make Richard Simmons scream in terror but I had to admit he knew how to use that shield. Every time Goku threw a punch the Dragon Lord managed to block it. Didn't matter if it was fast or slow either. Goku sometimes wound up for a big hard punch and the Dragon Lord would brace himself even as the shield did all the work. Other times he went for a flurry of hits, lightning quick so that his hands completely disappeared into a blur. Once more the Dragon Lord managed to block every single one. And when he did Goku would be driven back, his knuckles bruised as his own power was used against him.

"You can't defeat me," the Dragon Lord mocked. "You have no hope! I am the wall that will never break! The fortress that will never fall!" He pointed his specter at the panting Saiyan. "You will die here, intruder, and there is nothing you can-"

And that's when Gohan slammed the extending Power Pole into the top of the Dragon Lord's head, driving it a bit down into his torso before it popped back up, revealing his dazed and swirling eyes.

"Nice work, Gohan!" Goku called up to his son. "I knew if I pushed him to the right spot you'd take him out!" He turned to help Chichi only to see her standing next to a scattering of bodies, brushing her hands against one another with a little cloud of dust coming off of them.

"I think I need to begin training again if I am going to travel more with you, Goku!" she declared, doing a high kick that had my groin aching just at the sight of it. "I'm not as flexible as I was five years ago!"

Goku chuckled at that. "Hey, we'll figure out a good regiment for you!" He turned to me. "Where are your opponents, Kayos?"

"Oh, they are around but we won't need to worry about them," I said with a shrug, walking over to the Dragon Lord's knocked out form. I nudged him with my shoe, making sure he was out cold. "And to the victor go the spoils," I commented.

"Yeah!" Goku said, grabbing the Dragon Ball and passing it from hand to hand. Isco dropped down with Gohan, his father ruffling his hair before he pressed his lips together in thought. "So… like using the Power Pole?"

"yeah!" Gohan chirped. "It worked out really well!"

"I'm glad. I might have grown out of using weapons but that doesn't mean you can't use them." He reached down and grabbed the Dragon Lord's shield. "Here Gohan… why don't you have this?"

"Goku?" Chichi asked.

"You saw what it could do," he argued. "And you are always worried that Gohan might get hurt. The Power Pole means he can fight at a distance if he has to and the shield will protect him."

"Hmmm." She slowly nodded. "I like it!" She walked over and kissed Goku on the cheek. "And I like you using your head for more than fighting."

Goku blushed at that before leaning down and strapping the shield to Gohan's arm. The boy grinned only to cry out when the shield made him tilt to the left, his arm flailing about wildly as he tried to right himself. Goku finally grabbed him and steadied him, chuckling softly as he helped Gohan move the shield so it was in front of him, a bit more balanced.

"Guess we'll have to get you used to the weight!" he teased and Gohan looked at the shield, a bit unsure before his gaze hardened and he gave a firm nod.

"Well, I think we should get out of here before anyone wakes up," Chichi said. "I really don't want to have to deal with these people anymore."

"Probably should call the authorities too," I muttered. "Isco?"

"Already done, sir. They should be here within the next hour."

Goku nodded at that. "Then let's get moving. Here Kayos, why don't you hang onto the Dragon Ball, just in case?"

I didn't quite follow his logic since I was weaker than probably even Gohan, but shrugged all the same and took the Dragon Ball.

"Mmm… another has claimed me. Hopefully they will have better hygiene than the last guy."

"What the-?"

"Kayos?" Goku asked, seeing me staring intently at the Dragon Ball. "You okay?"

"Shot in the dark but you ever have one of these things… talk to you?"

Goku rubbed the back of his head, pondering that. "Not that I can say. Of course I might not have heard it…"

"You do get easily distracted," Chichi stated.

"What?" Goku exclaimed, staring at his wife. "I do not!"

"Please, you always do. Everyone knows it!" She smiled and motioned for Gohan to follow her back towards the tunnel.

"They… they do not! Come on Chichi!" Goku gave chase after his family, leaving me and Isco standing amongst our fallen foes.

"Sir?" Isco asked.

"Nothing," I muttered, the Dragon Ball silent. "Hopefully I'm just… hearing things."

I didn't need to look at Isco to know he didn't believe that either.

~MC~MC~MC~

"We brought pencils and pens, just in case!" Hommer said, coming back into the chamber, Wrunch right behind him with an entire ream of paper. "Now then…"

The two looked at their fallen companions.

"He… he tricked us!" Wrunch declared. "He tricked us and fled!" She narrowed her eyes. "That man is so dead!"

"Yes!" Hommer declared. "So… let's get that K-450 request put in so we can do just that."

Wrunch nodded and the two sat down, using the Dragon Lord's conked-out form as a table to begin their writing.