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She recognized the image of Pampet as it came on the screen, the one fighter Roshi easily knocked out of the ring. The image then changed to footage of a canvas arena where Pampet was facing off against a humanoid creature, like a gargoyle, with sickly-green scaly skin and rudimentary wings. In an instant the creature rammed a fist into the human fighter's face, bashing it in before hundreds of horrified spectators. Gine could tell that Pampet was dead before he hit the floor.
Then, with maniacal glee, the creature pulled out the sheet with the devil symbol on it and let if fall on Pampet's lifeless face. Then the creature flew off as pandemonium broke out among the spectators below.
The image rewound and froze on the blurred image of the creature.
"As of now, no one has been able to identify the creature, and the authorities urge citizens to please contact the police immediately if you have any information regarding who or what this monster is."
Gine starred at the image for a long moment, seething anger rising within her at gazing upon the monster that murdered her son's best friend. Her friend. She didn't notice the mug of cocoa she was holding cracked in her grip.
But still, something was off. Was that supposed to be Piccolo? If so, he didn't look like much. She had been up against warriors that looked far more intimidating than this humanoid looking thing. It must have been a minion of his at least.
"When we return, can your clothes drive you insane? You might be surprised. Stay tuned for a special report after these messages." Said the announcer, as if the previous story meant nothing. No one spoke or moved for a few seconds.
"Well, it's already begun." Said Launch, breaking the silence and saying what was now obvious.
Oolong looked frightened. "I hear flights to the southern seas look cheap this time of year." He tried to joke.
"Guys, the other fighters are in danger! We have to warn them!" Shouted Yamcha.
"We'd have trouble contacting them without the list." Roshi pointed out, his spirit as low as they had seen him. "Besides, many of them use aliases."
"But we can't stay here and do nothing!" Tien said through gritted teeth. "There's got to be some way we can help! I just feel so useless here!"
"Well, you're right that we can't stay here. We're just sitting ducks." Roshi said as he got up and walked towards the door.
"Where are you going, Master?" Gohan asked after Roshi. He turned to his former pupil, saddened.
"We have to find another place to hide. If Piccolo is indeed after everyone from the Martial Arts Society, it's only a matter of time before he finds this island. None of you will be safe here for long."
Gine turned to him and said angrily, "We can't just keep running and hiding instead of facing Piccolo head-on! If we do, more innocent people will die the longer they keep hunting for us!"
"Don't you think I know that?!" Roshi spat at her, "But we still can't stay here where they might find me if they know I'm Jacky Chun."
"HA! I knew it!" Yamcha shouted. Roshi glared at him with surprise and regret when he realized what he just said. Gine almost chuckled at that accidental slip, but not now, there were far more pressing things to worry about.
Roshi continued "We need to find another safe spot so we can stay out of their sights. And come up with a real plan instead of-"
"Annnnnnd, done!" Shouted Bulma, then everyone looked to her.
Bulma clicked the button on top of the new Dragon Ball radar. It started beeping, and Bulma's face lit up.
"It works! What'd I tell ya?! I'm a genius!" She cheered as she triumphantly held the device above her head.
"Alright!" Everyone cheered with her, even Roshi and Gine.
Bulma looked at the screen again, then beamed. "It shows the nearest Dragon Ball is about three hundred kilometers due south!"
Gine walked over to her and looked at the screen. Based on how Bulma and Kakarot described how it worked, they were on the center of the screen grid, and a flashing yellow dot at the southern end of the compass, with the distance displayed right next to it.
"Looks like it!" Gine confirmed.
"If we take the capsule jets, we could get there in no time!" Said Bulma.
"Right, then we have no time to lose!" Gine declared, she then turned to the group.
"We should all go gather the Dragon balls together. In case if we run into Piccolo or his minion, we'd have a better chance to take him on together than we do scattered. While I'm sure I can deal with him myself, I would much appreciate your help just in case. If you want to run and hide instead, I'll understand." She said, looking at each and every one present.
Gine found herself amazed that the words she was saying were actually coming from her mouth. Since when did she ever find the courage to take charge of anything?
Everyone looked around at each other, then back at Gine. Yamcha stood up and spoke first.
"We'll come with you, Gine." He said without any doubt in his voice, standing tall even on his bad leg which he seemed to not feel too concerned about.
Puar joined his side, "Me too!"
"Yeah, you're right, Gine. It's better to stand and fight than run like cowards." Tien then added with as much conviction as he could muster, Chiaotzu standing beside him and ready.
"Ya! Let's get that no-good green goblin the kick'in da schnaz he deserves! For Krillin!" Said Launch, pulling out her arsenal of machine guns.
"Yeah! My Kakarot would go! So will I!" shouted Chi-Chi, which Gine was unsure to be endeared or repulsed by. But she greatly appreciated her support, nonetheless.
"Dooooh, oh, fine!l At least I'll be better off with you than running off to the South Seas by myself!" Oolong said, reluctantly.
Gohan smiled proudly at her, and she knew already he would go too. Gine deeply appreciated that he would always support her no matter what, and he in turn had never imagined that Gine could rally the strength of all of her friends, who only days ago were total strangers to her.
Gine finally turned to Master Roshi, who hadn't said a thing yet. She looked at him expectantly, then everyone did as they waited for his answer.
Roshi stood there for a long moment, then closed his eyes mournfully. "Master Mutaito never charged into battle even if he knew he was the world's strongest... "
Gine's heart sank. She realized that despite their differences in plans of action, and despite her self-assurances about her ability to beat the strongest creature on the
planet, she couldn't be one-hundred percent sure, and Roshi could be invaluable.
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Want to read more?
The next 10+ chapters are already available on my Patreon!
By joining, you'll get:
📖 Early access to future chapters
🗳️ Polls to shape the story
🎁 Exclusive content for Patrons
🔥 Bonus scenes & content you won't find anywhere else
👀 Don't fall behind—others are already ahead!
👉 patreon.com/FanfictionTakashi
(If link doesn't show, just search on Google: FanfictionTakashi Patreon)