The morning sunlight poured through the windows of Capsule Corp, illuminating the lab in a warm glow. Deon, now ten and brimming with untapped power, stood in the gravitational chamber he had called his sanctuary for years. Each push-up, every punch, and every controlled burst of energy had refined him beyond what any ordinary training could achieve. His body was strong, his mind sharper than ever, and his spirit alive with anticipation. Today was different—today, his sister Bulma was set to embark on her journey to find the Dragon Balls.
Deon closed his eyes, centering himself. He'd watched Bulma tirelessly pour over old maps, legends, and even some of her own inventions to track down the mystical orbs. And he knew this was a chance for adventure. Yet, despite his excitement, Deon reminded himself that he still had to stay vigilant; his family knew nothing of his true powers, and he intended to keep it that way, at least for now.
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, focusing on his surroundings. Every sensor in the lab, every gadget Bulma had crafted to monitor his progress as a "martial artist," seemed like a test he needed to pass. It was second nature now, hiding his true potential while showing just enough to seem impressive without drawing suspicion.
"Alright," he muttered to himself, scanning over his abilities in his mind.
Abilities Panel:
Telepathy: Level 3 (Mind Link)
Telekinesis: Level 3 (Kinetic Barrier)
Super-speed: Level 3 (Blink)
Super-strength: Level 3 (Power Slam)
Flight: Level 3 (Aerial Maneuvering)
Invisibility: Level 2 (Tech Cloak)
Shape-shifting: Level 2 (Mimicry)
Super durability: Level 3 (Bone Reinforcement)
Phasing: Level 2 (Phase Shift)
Super senses: Level 2 (Enhanced Awareness)
Martian Vision: Level 2 (Darkseid's Eyes)
The list reassured him. He was ready. His fingers curled into a fist, and he activated his Blink ability, a burst of speed propelling him instantly across the chamber. He reappeared near the exit, feeling the satisfying tingle of his powers responding as if they had minds of their own. Each ability had become a part of him, and he was prepared to show it to the world, starting with the first step of joining Bulma's journey.
But he would need a plan.
In the main hall, Bulma was busy packing the final essentials into a sleek, high-tech capsule bag. She glanced over as Deon strolled in, doing his best to look nonchalant. She smiled, noticing his subtle glances at her packed bag.
"You're looking eager this morning," she teased, stuffing one last gadget into the bag. "What's on your mind?"
"Nothing," he said with a shrug, though his eyes betrayed his excitement. "I just… think it's pretty cool that you're going after the Dragon Balls. You know, they say they can grant any wish, right?"
"Yep! And I'm going to find them," Bulma said confidently. "Imagine all the things I could do with a wish. Maybe even get the perfect boyfriend," she added with a wink.
Deon grinned, but his mind was focused on something far beyond her words. He took a breath, trying to sound casual.
"Maybe I could come with you?"
Bulma paused, looking at him with a mixture of surprise and amusement. "You? Really? I didn't know you were into stuff like this. Besides, it could be dangerous out there."
Deon forced a laugh. "Well, I've been training, you know, working on my martial arts. I could help keep you safe."
Bulma raised an eyebrow, giving him a playful nudge. "Alright, little brother. I didn't know you were so determined. But are you sure you're ready? This isn't just some trip to the market."
Deon straightened, trying to look as resolute as possible. "I'm ready. I won't hold you back, I promise."
Bulma studied him for a moment, then sighed, a smile spreading across her face. "Fine, you can come along. Just stay close, okay?"
Deon nodded, his heart racing with excitement. He couldn't believe it—he was finally going on an adventure. And more than that, he'd be able to test his abilities beyond the safety of the lab.
The next morning, Deon and Bulma were up before dawn, their bags packed and ready. They stepped outside, the crisp air carrying a hint of excitement and mystery as they loaded their supplies into the hovercar.
As they sped away from Capsule Corp and toward the unknown, Deon felt a thrill he hadn't experienced since his days training in secret. He sat beside Bulma, the wind whipping past as he watched the horizon blur. This was his chance to prove himself, not just as a martial artist or inventor, but as someone ready to embrace the unknown.
Several hours into the journey, they came across an unexpected obstacle—a young boy, standing in the middle of the road, clutching a giant fish over his shoulder. Bulma slammed on the brakes, bringing the hovercar to a screeching halt. Deon's eyes widened. This was no ordinary child; he could feel the boy's energy, raw and unrefined, yet powerful.
"Hey, you almost ran me over!" the boy exclaimed, dropping the fish and glaring at the hovercar.
Deon exchanged a quick glance with Bulma, who looked equally stunned. "I think we found our first adventure," he whispered with a grin.
Bulma rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile as she stepped out of the car to greet the boy. Deon followed, his senses alert. This boy, with his spiky hair and strange attire, looked like he could be as strong as he was naive. Deon couldn't help but wonder if this encounter was fate.
"Who are you?" the boy asked, eyeing them both suspiciously.
Bulma raised her hand in a friendly wave. "I'm Bulma, and this is my little brother, Deon. What's your name?"
The boy blinked, scratching his head. "I'm Goku."
Deon's excitement only grew. The stories he'd heard, the legends of warriors, and the possibilities of the Dragon Balls—it all started here. And as he looked at Goku, Deon felt a surge of determination.
This was only the beginning.