The Shadow is Cast

Part I: The mysterious hunters

Goku stared into the afternoon sun. The air was cool and clear, filled with the songs of the birds and the river as it ran its course. He stood there for a seemingly endless time, until his stomach told him it was time to eat. As Goku turned to return to the house, he caught sight of Goten as he came toward him. He held something in his hand. He couldn’t be sure yet, but Goku thought it looked awfully like a…

"Dad," Goten said as he came in hearing distance, "Look what I found."

"Is that a dragon ball?" Goku asked.

"Gohan said that this one belonged to your grandpa," Goten replied, raising the ball so Goku could clearly see the four stars.

"My grandpa’s ball?" Goku said in awe, "Where did you find it?"

"Trunks’s mom brought it to Gohan," Goten explained, "He gave it to me and told me it was your grandpa’s."

"Hmm," Goku said with a smile, "Is Bolma still here?"

"Yeah," Goten replied, "She and Trunks are eating here tonight."

" Why didn’t anyone tell me?" Goku asked, slightly hurt by being left out of the event.

"She called after you came out here," Goten answered, "Let’s go eat, it’s got to be ready by now."

"I’ll race you to the house," Goku said as he quickly headed toward his home. Goten quickly followed his father. It hadn’t been too long since the fall of Buu, and yet both Goten and Trunks had increased their abilities very quickly. It seemed like it had been a lifetime ago that Buu was reeking havoc on the earth. Now, he was a kind aid to justice and friend of Hercule.

"Nice try Goten," Goku said as he touched the house, "But maybe you should try to start quicker."

"Hey Goku," Bolma called through the nearby window, "Did Goten show you what I found?"

"He sure did," Goku replied, "Thanks Bolma."

"No problem," Bolma replied, "You’d better hurry and get in here, your food might get cold."

Goku made for the door, when he saw that Goten was looking into the distance.

"What is it?" Goku asked.

"Something’s coming," Goten replied, "I can’t tell what it is." Goku followed his son’s gaze and saw it as well. There were three, very distant figures coming toward them. They all appeared to be riding some sort of animal, although it was hard to tell from this distance.

"Can you tell what it is?" Bolma asked as she leaned out the window to try and steal a glance at what was approaching.

"No," Goku replied, "I can’t tell much about them at all, they just look to be a few people, I think people, riding on some sort of animals."

"How long till they get here?" Bolma asked.

"Looks like it’ll be maybe half an hour at most," Goku answered.

"With the way you eat," Bolma said, "I don’t doubt we’ll be ready to greet them by then."

Kerahs kicked into the sides of the wolf he was riding. It wasn’t going fast enough to suit him. Neither were the others. He was several yards in front, and the others made little effort to keep up.

"Kamir," he said commandingly, "How much farther is it?" The man riding the camel raised a device and examined the screen.

"Not far," he replied, "At this speed, we should arrive in less than an hour."

"I am growing impatient," Kerahs growled, "Why can’t you make that thing go any faster?"

"You are forgetting who the officer is here," Kamir snapped, "You are not to give any orders to humans, ork. Remember, your role is as a warrior and nothing more. You had best be thankful that someone saved your kind from extinction."

"Yes," Kerahs said unconvincingly, "I forgot." This satisfied Kamir, and the three rode on.

Between Goku, Gohan, Goten, and Trunks, ninety five percent of the prepared food was devoured within five minutes. So, the four saiya-jin and the women (Chichi, Bolma, and Videl) went outside to wait for the approaching riders.

They were in view now. Two of them rode on wolves. These two were clad in black armor baring the symbol of a red eye upon their chests. Their heads were concealed beneath black helmets. All that could be seen of their faces were the eyes, yellow and menacing. The third rode on a camel. He was dressed in a tan robe and wore a white turban, which bore a sapphire broach. They were less than one hundred yards away.

"Hello there!" Gohan called.

"Salutations," the camel rider called back.

"What brings you here?" Goku asked.

"We’re just looking for something," the camel rider replied. The three rode up and halted twenty feet from the assembled. They dismounted and stood watching.

"What are you looking for?" Goku asked, stepping toward them.

"You ask too many questions," the taller of the wolf riders hissed beneath his helmet.

"Kerahs," the camel rider snapped, "Mind your manners. We are guests. We have come in search of an item that is quite valuable to us."

"What would that be?" Goku asked, though he feared he already knew what it was all too well.

"Some refer to them as dragon balls," the camel rider replied.

"What do you want the dragon balls for?" Goku asked, his voice beginning to show that he was suspicious.

"That is none of your concern," the camel rider said, "We’re just on a little expedition to find the dragon balls. What would you need it for?"

"How do you know we even have one?" Goku asked.

"A simple device we have that can locate them," the camel rider replied. Bolma’s face revealed discontent with the man’s words. The dragon radar was far from simple.

"This dragon ball belonged to my grandfather," Goku said, "If you need it, then I must know why."

"I’m growing bored with this conversation," the one that had been called Kerahs said, raising up to reveal his full height, "What business of yours is it what we do with these orbs? We have reasons for searching for them. Now hand over the blasted thing before I take it from you."

"Kerahs!" the camel rider barked, "Stand down. You are out of line."

"This man does not have any intention of giving us what we have came for, Kamir," Kerahs replied, "Let us take it."

"That’s enough," Kamir said, unwilling to waver, "Don’t mind him, he’s very belligerent. He does not know of patience."

"If he’s such a problem," Goku said, suspicion obvious now, "Then why did you bring him with you. You seem to be the authority, so couldn’t you have just left him behind?"

"I came for this reason," Kerahs said as he raised a black handled battle-axe over his head, "Now relinquish the dragon ball or your head shall replace it."

"He was brought as protection," Kamir answered Goku’s question, "But it seems his patience has gone. It is hard to control him in this state."

"Let your frustration out then Kerahs," Goku said, "Go ahead and swing. But not too hard, I wouldn’t want to break your axe. That’s one nice looking weapon you’ve got there."

"So you wish to have my might challenge your strength?" Kerahs demanded, "You offer your head to me. So you are truly the wise one. Others would have fled only to be torn to pieces slowly and painfully."

"Kerahs," Kamir commanded, "Take your mount and return to camp. You are causing trouble."

"Let him take a swing," Goku broke in, "If he breaks the axe it’s his fault." Not waiting for a response, Kerahs swung his axe upon Goku’s neck. The force of the blow brought not even a scratch to the saiya-jin warrior. The blade ricocheted from the man’s neck, flying from its owner’s hands.

"Now," Goku said, turning his attention back to Kamir, "What do you want the dragon balls for?"

"We merely desire to gain liberation from those who would oppress us," Kamir replied, "We may be able to destroy them, but there are a great many and we do not wish to sacrifice the lives of those among us who are not ready for death."

And he spoke the truth, though he had left out many important details.

"Is it bad?" Goku asked, taking interest in the situation.

"Indeed," Kamir replied, "My people are treated as filth. No matter where we go, if it is outside of our circle we are looked upon as a plague. Yet we merely wish to spread our philosophy to those less fortunate than us. There lack of acceptance brings much turmoil and destruction between us."

"And you want to use the dragon balls to end this war?" Goku asked, a little concerned that the man may be hiding something.

"Yes," Kamir replied, "This foolish struggle for dominance has gone on quite long enough. We merely plan to wish it ended."

"Alright then," Goku said reluctantly, "I guess you can have it." He withdrew the four star ball, his grandfather’s last possession, and gave it to the man.

"Thank you," Kamir replied, "Your kindness is much appreciated. Now, Kerahs, you see? You do not have to kill everyone that crosses your path."

Kerahs merely gave a low growl and picked up his axe. He and the other black armored being returned to their mounts, as did Kamir, and they rode off into the sunset.

Written by C.A.E. Jones

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