Curse of the Blood Rubies

There is a legend that has been told and retold since antiquity. It is the story of the Dragon Balls, mystical orbs scattered throughout the world. Those who find them all and chants the sacred words will be able to summon Shenron, a dragon deity with the power to grant any one wish.

Rejoice, my king.

We have pinpointed the location of the Dragon Balls.

There must be some exquisite dishes in this world I have yet to taste!

I have sampled all manner of delicacies prepared by the world's finest chefs... For the ultimate cuisine, I MUST turn to Shenron!

And when you have satisfied your appetite...

Name your heart's desire and it shall be yours!

...At this rate, I'll starve to death! I would do anything to be relieved of this piercing hunger!

Round up the remaining Dragon Balls! On the double!

You're good. I'll give you that.

Finish ME off? I think not!

The young Bulma's quest for the Dragon Balls had brought her to the doorstep of Goku. Unfortunately for both of them, Goku's Four-Star Ball was stolen by a mysterious duo!

The stolen orb being a keepsake from his late grandfather, Goku was determined to get it back. Bulma, on the other hand, required all seven Dragon Balls for motives of her own. And thus began the journey of a very unlikely pair...

Goku's Four-Star Ball was stolen by the mysterious pair. Luckily, Bulma's Two-Star Ball was still safe and sound. The quest for the remaining six Dragon Balls was now in full swing...

I give you... the Dragon Radar!

The Dragon Balls have a unique energy signature, albeit faint. This baby here can detect it!

E-Eek!

Almost outta time!

Y-Yikes! A girl!

Puar! Let's retreat for now!

...

Goku had triumphed against the shapeshifting Oolong and the master thief Yamcha. With all immediate threats quelled, Goku asked the girl he saved what she had been doing in the dangerous woodland all alone.

My name is Pansy.

I'm going to the southern isle, to see Master Roshi.

Really?! Take me with you! Pretty please!

I get him to save my people! That's what!

Where I'm from, everyone has to dig for Blood Rubies day in, day out.

Pansy told of her land's dire predicament, of its people, forced to excavate the land for Blood Rubies, and of its monstrous monarch's misuse of that wealth to sate his need for lavish cuisine...

King Gurumes was the most diabolical of despots. No forest, field, or home went unravished to create room for more mines. No heed did he pay to his suffering people.

They say King Gurumes is finding all seven of these wish-granting Dragon Balls.

Indeed. The gluttonous King Gurumes was advancing a plot of his own to acquire the Dragon Balls. And the disappearance of Goku's Four-Star Ball was in fact the handiwork of Gurumes' own henchmen. Hearing Pansy's plight, Bulma knew exactly where to look for the remaining Dragon Balls: Gurumes Kingdom. However...

Yep, yep! Colossal!

After eavesdropping on our heroes, Yamcha and Puar were now hatching their own plan to nab the Dragon Balls... With so many parties vying for an audience with Shenron, who was to be the ultimate wish winner?!

Having heard about the world's strongest fighter, Master Roshi, from their new friend Pansy, the team set out for the southern isle, hoping to meet the master himself...

Thanks so much, you guys.

Goku's group dropping their guard for but a moment was all Gurumes' lackeys needed to make off with the Three-Star Ball. Luckily for our heroes, Master Roshi swiftly repelled the enemy with his ultimate technique, the Kamehameha, protecting the Two-Star Ball.

A-Amazing! I knew Master Roshi had the power to help us!

I beg you! Please save my country!

I-I do...?

...

...

There! The Land of Gurumes!

Their destination in sight, our heroes advanced. Goku took an aerial approach atop the Flying Nimbus, a gift from Master Roshi, while Bulma and the rest pushed forward on foot. The final battle for the Dragon Balls was ready to erupt!

After penetrating Gurumes' battle-hardened forces, Goku found himself in the company of Bulma and the gang yet again, plus Yamcha. The party pressed forward, coming, at last, to the king's court...

A-Argh...! This insufferable hunger! I can't bear it a second longer!

Gaaaaaaaagh!

Grooooooargh!

No longer able to suppress his burning appetite, King Gurumes underwent a grisly transformation. At last, the man had turned into a genuine monster... a massive one at that. Along with his humanity, the leviathan had lost all reason, attacking friend and foe alike!

Aaaaaaagh!

Rrrrrrrngh

Uh oh. My attacks had no effect!

Bulma bet everything on a gamble, hurling her Two-Star Ball down the monster's maw... and chanted the sacred words to conjure forth Shenron!

State your wish.

I shall grant any one desire. You need only name it.

I... I wish for...

I...wish for...

No more Blood Rubies!

Return my country to the way it was! That's all I want!

As you wish...

In accordance with Pansy's wish the land was returned to its former state, before its natural beauty was ravaged by Gurumes's army. With King Gurumes too back to his human self, all seven Dragon Balls, including Goku's spherical heirloom, were scattered across the globe yet again...