Author's Note: "Special thanks to Hasan_Shopnil for the wild wish ideas! Just a heads-up though, after this point, the plot might collapse faster than a house of cards in a windstorm. So, uh... do you want chaos? Let me know!"
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As the towering form of Shenron loomed above the group, his red eyes gleamed ominously, awaiting a wish to be made. The golden light of the summoned dragon reflected off the walls of Pilaf's castle, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze.
Pilaf, practically salivating with anticipation, began to speak. "Shenron! I—"
But Goku's voice cut through the air like a blade. "Shenron, I want to be able to copy other people's techniques and abilities!"
Pilaf's jaw dropped as he turned to face Goku, furious. "No! That's not fair! This was supposed to be my moment!"
Bulma and Oolong, hiding behind a column, gasped. "What did Goku just say?" Bulma whispered.
Shenron's eyes glowed as he processed Goku's wish. "Your request to copy techniques and abilities is within my power," the dragon's deep voice boomed. "However, I cannot grant you the ability to copy innate talents or natural abilities."
Goku scratched his head, confused. "Wait… So I can copy someone's technique, but not their abilities? What's the difference?"
Shenron, ever patient despite his vast power, explained. "You may copy skills and techniques that others have learned, but natural-born talents, like strength or speed, are beyond my ability to transfer. Furthermore, all copied techniques will use ki energy as their power source."
Goku's face lit up in excitement. "So I can copy other fighters' moves and use them with my ki? Awesome!"
Pilaf, however, was beside himself. "This isn't fair! I was supposed to wish to rule the world!"
Before anyone could argue further, Shenron's eyes flashed once again. "Your wish has been granted," he said, and with that, the mighty dragon's form vanished into the seven Dragon Balls, which shot up into the sky and scattered across the Earth.
Pilaf let out a frustrated scream, stomping his feet like a child who'd just been denied candy. "You… you ruined everything!" he wailed.
But before he could continue his tantrum, something far more alarming began to happen.
The full moon had risen in the sky, casting its silvery light over the landscape. And as the moonlight touched Goku's eyes, something primal stirred within him.
Bulma noticed it first. "Uh… Goku? You don't look so good…"
Goku's body began to tremble, his pupils dilating as his muscles bulged uncontrollably.
Before anyone could react, Goku let out a terrifying roar, his body growing larger and larger. His clothes tore as his form shifted into the massive, ferocious Great Ape.
Bulma and Oolong screamed, hiding behind a crumbled pillar.
"Goku's turning into a giant monster!" Oolong shrieked.
"Yeah, no kidding!" Bulma replied, her voice shaking with fear.
The enormous Great Ape Goku towered over Pilaf's castle, his red eyes glowing with both fury and excitement. The ground shook as the giant ape stomped, and Pilaf's stronghold began to crumble under his feet.
Pilaf, Mai, and Shu ran for their lives, shouting hysterically as they barely avoided being crushed by the rampaging ape. "Retreat! Retreat!" Pilaf screamed, waving his arms wildly. "We're doomed!"
Goku, now in full Great Ape form, let out a mighty roar and swung his arms, smashing through the castle walls like they were made of paper. Every blow sent shockwaves through the ground, and soon enough, the entire castle was reduced to rubble.
Bulma and Oolong, still trembling, peeked out from their hiding spot. "Is it safe yet?" Oolong whispered, his voice quivering.
But then, to their surprise, they heard a familiar voice booming from the giant ape's mouth. "Bulma! Oolong! It's me, Goku!"
"Wha—Goku?!" Bulma exclaimed, blinking in disbelief.
Oolong's eyes were wide as saucers. "He can talk? He's a giant ape, but he can talk?!"
Goku, still in Great Ape form, knelt down and gently waved at them, a goofy grin spreading across his massive, furry face. "Don't worry! I'm in control! I have trained myself to control this form."
Bulma sighed in relief, slumping against a piece of debris. "You could've warned us, you know! I thought we were goners!"
Oolong wiped sweat from his forehead. "Yeah, no kidding! You could've turned us into pancakes with those big monkey feet of yours!"
After finishing off what remained of Pilaf's stronghold, Great Ape Goku finally transformed back into his normal form. The moon's power no longer had its hold over him, and the once-massive ape was now the small but energetic Goku they all knew and loved.
As dawn broke, Goku found Bulma and Oolong among the ruins of the castle. He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Uh, sorry about taking the wish. I didn't think about it… I just thought being able to copy techniques would be useful."
Bulma, still a little shaken, waved her hand dismissively. "It's fine. I mean, it's not like I can make my wish this year anyway. But next time, I'm getting my perfect boyfriend!"
Goku blinked in confusion. "Perfect boyfriend? You're gonna wish for that?"
Bulma huffed. "Well, it's better than world domination, isn't it?"
Oolong smirked, but wisely kept quiet.
Later, as they prepared to leave the ruined castle, Bulma looked around at the devastation. "Hey, Goku, what was that blue attack you used back in that room to break through the wall?"
"Oh, that? That was the Kamehameha," Goku said proudly, demonstrating with a small version of the iconic move. "My Grandpa Gohan taught it to me."
Bulma raised an eyebrow. "Grandpa Gohan? He taught you that? I thought it was some fancy technique you picked up from a martial arts master!"
Goku shrugged. "He's kinda both! Grandpa taught me lots of stuff. But now, thanks to Shenron, I can copy other people's techniques too!"
Oolong's eyes widened. "You mean… you could copy a technique like… turning into a bat?"
Goku laughed. "I guess so! But I think I'll stick to fighting techniques."
Bulma rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile. "Just make sure you don't go around turning into giant apes without warning us next time, okay?"
Goku grinned. "I'll try! But it's hard to keep track of everything when you're having so much fun!"
As the sun fully rose, the trio began their journey once more, the Dragon Balls now scattered across the Earth, and their adventure far from over.