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Post by Kakarot on Sept 11, 2022 17:03:24 GMT -5
In a hole in the ground that at one time was a building lay Kakarot, or to some, a long time ago, Goku. Around him, and in the darkening sky above, blasts and beams clashed and exploded in a way not dissimilar to, but markedly more destructive than, a display of fireworks. Kakarot opened one of his eyes, the other held shut by a welt that had formed from a sharp slicing elbow strike he'd received at some point in his battle with a Saiyan named Renga- the same Renga whose silhouette loomed against the vibrant overhead display of violence. Kakarot blinked the dust from his eyes and sat up, surprised by just how sore he wasn't. He clamored to his feet and floated up into the air, noting how bright the battleground was all of a sudden.
And... Green. And also blue. And coastal?
"Wait a second, why am I on a beach?"
Kakarot spun round slowly, taking in his surroundings. As far as the eye could see, there was only sand and water. The sky was mercifully clouded, and the oceans clear as crystals, at least within half a kilometer or so of shore. Kakarot drifted to the beach world's surface, his arms crossed and mind hacking at the surrealism of his predicament.
Eventually, after pinching himself twice for good measure, the Saiyan decided this place was real enough. "Dunno how I got here, but I sure wish I'd packed some shorts. Oh, and lunch!"
As he said it, Kakarot realized that not only was he already wearing a pair of swim trunks, but he also had a bento box in his hands! The Saiyan's critical mind paused as he tore through the bento box, and only returned when its contents were emptied into his stomach. He set the box down and discovered that it blinked out of reality the moment it left his grasp. In its place, Kakarot found a near-translucent gem that vibrated gently and emitted a faint blue glow. Reflected in it, he saw the place he'd been; Valhalla. A gut feeling caused him to stuff the gem into the pocket of his swim trunks.
His mind preoccupied by his inexplicably non-eucledian journey through time and space, Kakarot plopped down cross legged in the sand, rested his palms on his knees, and stared towards the horizon, waiting for... Something.
WC: 394 Color Palette: Goku Previous Chapter | Next Chapter
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Oolong
Grizzled Veteran
Posts: 617
Organization: Kelioux Scholars
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Post by Oolong on Sept 13, 2022 11:01:15 GMT -5
Grey was also on Valhalla. Luther had changed a bit over the last few years, as if a specific public opinion had reshaped him. With all the dramatics in the Saiyan Empire, one shouldn’t be surprised but it made this visit just a tad more awkward. He didn’t plan to stay long, but the once welcome as another master dried up in the face of his lacking Saiyan blood. How petty. He could fake a Saiyan pretty easily, but he’d prefer not to go there.
So he was getting done what he needed to get done, and in small haste, but as the day turned to night it was clear his stay here was going to last at least a few days, and almost out of spite he began planning a training regime for any bullheaded Saiyan who claimed to have strength.
He fell asleep still plotting, and his consciousness brought him to a beach. He looked down to his hands to be sure of who he was. All his hands were distinctively different in some way, and Grey’s wrinkled and veiny ones were an easy tell. He was an old man at the beach. Might as well dip his toes in.
He felt the presence of another, and realized this wasn’t his own dream scape but a slip into the Astral Realm. The universe was small, and whoever he met here would surely trouble his life later, but the old master ignored them for now, losing his shoes and walking to the waters edge.
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Post by Kakarot on Sept 13, 2022 18:55:04 GMT -5
location: astral realm, "planet beach" time: one bento box
As Kakarot sat in meditation, his mind drifted back to his childhood on Earth, and in particular, the year he spent working for Baba Yaga. During that time, he'd ferried a few souls to the afterlife on behalf of the All-Seeing Seer, broken and hastily repaired several crystal balls, fought off the occasional zany gaggle of goons, and, for a time, was even reunited with his grampa. It was during his tenure as Baba's workhorse that Kakarot was made aware of Korin, and it was on his way to climb the cat's tower that he'd first heard tell of an ancient warrior who lived in the middle of the ocean on a private island.
Now, a decade or so later, Kakarot gazed across the beach in awe. A wizened yet sturdy looking warrior stood in the wake of the sea, soaking his feet. "No way," Kakarot whispered in awe. "No way! This must be it!"
Kakarot leaped to his feet and, mindful of the fact he was approaching an esteemed and elderly warrior, jogged towards the old man. He waved a hand over his head and shouted, "Hey, you! Are you Master Roshi, the Turtle Hermit!? I've been meaning t' visit ya for almost twelve whole years! Heeeey! Master Roshi! Can ya hear me!?"
WC: 214/608
Color Palette: Goku
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Oolong
Grizzled Veteran
Posts: 617
Organization: Kelioux Scholars
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Post by Oolong on Sept 14, 2022 12:55:53 GMT -5
Grey could hear Kakarot over the waves, but not what he was saying until he suddenly shouted. It was desperate enough that the old man turned his head to see the wild haired Saiyan, but his continued words caused the master to scowl. He waited for the boy to reach him, his hands tucked behind his back as he watched the water lap at his feet. Only when Kakarot stopped next to him did he look up again.
”Do I look like a turtle hermit?” he asked, his back rigidly straight, his clothes well pressed, and his eyes sharp but personable. He did not have the air of a hermit, and definitely showed zero signs of anything turtle. His tabard did not have the turtle hermit insignia either. It had the insignia of the Long family, a crime organization well known only if you were, well, into crime.
”Baba banned Roshi from the astral realm,” Gray continued once he thought Kakarot made the right conclusion, while also revealing his knowledge of the man and even his older sister. ”As I understand it, he tried to use it for some…impure purposes.”
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Post by Kakarot on Sept 15, 2022 16:04:10 GMT -5
location: astral realm, "planet beach" time: one bento box
Kakarot's eyes widened; he took a single step back, holding his hands up with his palms pointed towards Grey to show his harmless intentions. As Grey spoke, Kakarot loosened up again and rubbed at the back of his head. "Oh, geeze, I'm real sorry, Mister! But... Hold on a second! You know Baba? And she's Master Roshi's sister!? She never told me about Roshi! Heck, the oldest guy I ever fought was Jackie Chun..." Kakarot cupped is chin between his index finger and thumb now, filing the wizened Martial Artist's fun facts away for future use.
"Come t' think of it, Baba never told me about the astral realm, either. Is that where we are? And you can get banned from it? Wait a sec, how d'you know Baba? Are y-" Kakarot cut himself off, and quickly offered a deep bow to the old man. "Oops! Sorry, Old Man! My name is, uhh-" Kakarot hesitated for a moment. This guy definitely seemed like an Earthling, especially if he knew Baba Yaga.
"My name is Son Goku! I was trained by Baba and Master Korin, but then I got, uh... Bored... and decided to go looking for my home world! Now I'm, uh... Wait, this isn't Other World, is it? No way, there aren't even yellow clouds here.." Goku trailed off, realizing he'd started rambling again. "Anyways, what's your name, Old Man?"
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Oolong
Grizzled Veteran
Posts: 617
Organization: Kelioux Scholars
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Post by Oolong on Sept 16, 2022 15:19:20 GMT -5
”Not normally, but Baba can be very spiteful,” Grey replied to Roshi getting banned with a teeth showing smirk. He waited for the young Saiyan to finish his ramble, nodding along in some understanding to his explanation.
”I am called the Earl. Master Grey Long,” he offered in getting, nodding his head in doing so as acknowledgement to Goku’s deeper bow. ”I studied on Earth for a time,” he offered as more explanation. ”A long time ago, but Baba is even older than she looks. If both she and Korrin trained you, you must show some kind of promise.”
Grey didn’t actually meet Baba until a decade ago, but he knew the history of Earth from more than a hundred years back when he was said to have studied there. Roshi too he mostly made acquaintance with through the Master’s Guild, but it wasn’t hard wrangling either of them into healthy conversation.
”This is the Astral Realm,” he said, pulling his hand from his wrist and gesturing around them. ”It’s like a dream world. The environment often changes based on who’s in it. Some can even learn how to control some aspects of it. Ultimately it is all in your head after all, but it pairs you with one real person with whom the energies of the universe feel is compatible to you. Compatible doesn’t have to be in a pleasant way either. Many come here looking for fights, a way to train in their sleep.”
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