Piccolo came out of the small dressing room, garbed as the ringmaster. “Why do I have to wear this ludicrous getup?” he mumbled, frowning.
The Author crossed her arms and looked into his eyes, smiling. “Maybe because you’re so cute in it, Cher ami?”
“Would you ~not~ confuse me with your six-foot-five-inch tall friend, the French Kzin? This is humiliating enough as it is,” Piccolo said, raising his voice as if to emphasize his point.
The Author smiled. “You know, you’re almost as cute as Vejita when he gets angry, right now?”
Piccolo groaned. He tried pulling down the ringmaster’s jacket, which appeared at least two sizes too small for him to wear. “Remind me to kill you for this later.”
“Promises, promises….” said The Author, smiling. Like the proverbial Cheshire cat she faded, leaving behind nothing but a smile.
Grumbling, Piccolo stalked into the center of the three rings, to announce the upcoming show.
***
Goku sat by the lowest levels. He turned to Chichi. “Gosh, hon., isn’t it nice of them to go to all this trouble for my birthday?”
“Ask your husband, Goku, he’s right there,” snarled Chichi. She pointed to Vejita, glowering in the tight-fitting acrobat’s suit. He sat in the shadows by the far side of the ring. Goku just wanted to sit there and admire him all night. But, the spotlight shone down upon the ring.
Goku almost burst out laughing when he saw Piccolo in that ringmaster’s getup. He wouldn’t, because he had too much respect for his Namekian friend. Still, he looked like a small child in that outfit, grown too large for his clothing.
“I wonder if he’d like me to help him make a new one,” murmured Chichi. Goku had to grin at that. Chichi going into mommy mode again.
Goku did wonder, though; where was Gohan? For that matter, where was Trunks? This was all very odd. Shouldn’t they be here for his birthday?
***
Piccolo stepped to the microphone set up in the center ring. Goku saw him take a deep breath. Then, he began speaking.
“Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!” bellowed Piccolo, in his best ringmaster’s voice.
“What? Mister Kite?” asked Goku. Focusing his ~ki~, he started to fly down to Piccolo.
“For the benefit of Mr. Kite There will be a show tonight on trampoline.”
“But Piccolo,” said Goku, his eyes wide. “I’m Goku, remember?”
Piccolo whispered to him, “Yes, but you’re also called Kakkarotto, remember? Just bear with me on this one. The Stupid Author wrote this stuff.”
The Author faded in beside Piccolo. She shook her finger at the Namek. “Be nice,” she admonished him.
“Gosh, how did you do that?” wondered Goku.
The Author smiled. “Sore wa himitsu desu,” she told him, shaking her finger as she faded away again. The audience applauded. They must think this is all part of the show, thought Goku.
Piccolo continued, Goku hovering nearby. “The Hendersons will all be there Late of Pablo Fanques Fair–what a scene”
“Who are the Hendersons?” asked Goku. “I mean I know the Briefs, but the Hendersons?”
“It’s JUST A FANFIC!” Piccolo yelled. “Goku, sit down please! I want to finish this before I die of embarrassment!”
Goku stared at Piccolo with wide, wonder-filled eyes. “But Piccolo, you’re too strong to let a little thing like that kill you.” He grinned.
Shaking his head, Piccolo tried to continue…
“Over men and horses hoops and garters Lastly through a hogshead of real fire! In this way Mr. K. will challenge the world!”
Goku nodded. At least, he understood a Challenge. It was a fight of some sort. But what was the purpose behind it?
“The celebrated Mr. K. performs his feat on Saturday at Bishops gate.”
“Wait. Piccolo, today’s Saturday, isn’t it? But I don’t know anyone who has a gate named Bishop…”
“Goku, will you PLEASE SHUT UP AND LET ME FINISH THIS?”
“All right, Piccolo. Gosh, what a grouch…” Goku flew over to stand beside Vejita. “You know, you look really cute in that outfit”
“Kakkarotto, shut up please? I’m embarrassed enough that ~she~ made me wear this.”
“She?”
Goku felt someone tap him on the shoulder. He turned.
The Author stood there, smiling. “I thought he would look cute too,” she whispered, winking before she faded again.”
“Gosh, she keeps doing that, and it’s not even the Instant Transmission,” said Goku.
When he felt Vejita powering up, he had to turn and give him a kiss. Vejita’s brow furrowed as he frowned. Then, his expression softened as he looked into Goku’s eyes. “I never could stay too mad at you for long,” he said. “But if you do that again, I want a fight!”
“Hey, we can train later,” said Goku, winking at Vejita.
One can imagine the type of training he had in mind…..
Hercule stumbled through the door, but caught himself in time to stand by Piccolo. He, too, was in an ill-fitting ringmaster’s suit. He continued where Piccolo had left off:
“The Hendersons will dance and sing As Mr. Kite flys through the ring don’t be late”
“I’m not flying through the ring, he is,” said Goku, pointing to Vejita.
Hercule ignored the comment and went on.”Messrs. K and H assure the public Their production will be second to none And of course Henry the Horse dances the waltz!”
At this, a horse came out from the darkened entrance. Then, a second horse rode out among the rings. Upon them stood Gohan and Trunks, both dancing, and jumping from one horse to the other. A very interesting display, thought Goku. But how did they manage to get the horses to cooperate?
“Sore wa himitsu desu,” The Author whispered into Goku’s ear. He looked around, but didn’t see her. He shrugged and returned his attention to the show.
“The band begins at ten to six When Mr. K. performs his tricks without a sound. And Mr. K will demonstrate Ten summersets he’ll undertake on solid ground.”
“Hey, Piccolo and Hercule, should I do them now?” Goku shouted to the two ringmasters.
“Piccolo sent a ~ki~ blast in Goku’s direction. “Let us finish! The sooner we’re done, the sooner I’m out of this ridiculous getup!” shouted Piccolo.
“What he said,” said Hercule, pointing at Piccolo.
Gohan and Trunks were off the horses now. Hand in hand, they talked while they walked over to Goku and Vejita. Trunks showed off his engagement ring while Gohan smiled.
“Congratulations, you two!” said Goku. Chichi didn’t look too happy but hey, she still had Goten she could find a nice girl for. Not to mention Pan….
Piccolo and Hercule finished the song together… “Having been some days in preparation A splendid time is guaranteed for all And tonight Mr. Kite is topping the bill.”
They ran off to change into their mundane clothes.
“Of course I’m topping the bill! It’s my birthday!” said Goku. He saw Trunks sit down and lay his head on Gohan’s shoulder, his fingers tracing lazy circles on Gohan’s chest.
“Yup. One hell of a birthday…”
