Papeera : The Elusive Saiyan

Chapter 2 : The Training Begins

A bright light shines upon little Talio's face as he holds Papeera's hand.  The two walk through the forest, until they reach a clearing. Talio turns to his friend.  "Hey Papeera, is this good enough to start my training?"

The young Saiyan looks around, and kneels to view the ground beneath them.  "You have done well Talio.  However, for the foreseeable future, your training will not be what you expect."  The young boy turns to her, interested.  "I must first teach you  how to sense energy"

Talio looks up at Papeera, confused.  "What do you mean sense energy.  That's impossible!" Papeera shakes her head, and says, "Talio.  I want you to go find a rock, and throw it as hard as you can at me.  I'm going to put this blindfold on, so I wont be able to see with my eyes.  Only your energy can tell me where you're throwing the rock."

Talio follows his trainer's request.  He began looking for a good rock, when he thought to himself, "She can't be able to sense energy. I'm going to throw 3 rocks, then sneak up behind her, and  tap her on the shoulder.  If she can somehow detect that I'm coming, then she must be telling the truth. "

The small boy snatched 3 rocks, and hurried back to the spot where Papeera told him to stand.  Without warning, he hurls 2 rocks at his friend, followed by a third.  The young Saiyan swiftly moves clear of the rocks, and turns around as Talio reaches to touch her shoulder.  

"Not bad, but I can sense you coming up behind me.  I know it sounds impossible, but this is one of the most important skills for when the Saiyans arrive.  I'm going to start easy.  I'm going to place 3 berries around this area, and I want you to try and feel them." Papeera strolls over to a tree, and picks 3 berries off of its bright green leaves.  

"Okay.  I have  placed them around this area.  Talio.  are you ready?" The young boy puts on a blindfold, and starts to panic.  "I can't see anything!  How am I supposed to find these berries?"  Papeera puts her hands on his shoulders.  "Clear your mind, and take a deep breathe.  Focus on the breeze, the sounds of your surroundings.  Feel the animals.  See the trees in your mind.  Focus on the berries."

Little Talio continues to struggle, but is determined.  "I still can't feel anything, Papeera."  She looks at him, and decides to try something different.  "Talio.  I'm going to move out into the opening, and I want you to come and find me.  Remember.  Focus.  Clear your mind."

Talio struggles once more, but soon, he was chasing Papeera around until he collapsed in exhaustion. Papeera helps him up, and together, they walk back to Talio's little hut.  Talio's mother prepares another meal of Red Space Shrimp and rice, and the three sit down and enjoy the food.  

After Everyone finished eating, Talio and Papeera disappear into Talio's room.  As Talio's mother peeks into his room, she sees the two sitting on his bed, deep in meditation.  Talio senses his mother, and reaches out.  "Mother.  I can feel your energy.  Come meditate with us.  Close your eyes.  Clear  your mind.  Focus on your surroundings."

Soon seconds turn to minutes, and minutes to hours, as the three meditate.  Talio's mother breaks the silence, after peeking at the clock on the wall.  "It's getting late.  you two should really get some sleep."  Talio begins to get ready for bed as Papeera slips out of the room to talk to his mother.  "You know, I sense a strong energy in him.  He could be the one to save your planet."

Talio's mother stares out the window.  "You know, my husband was once a great fighter.  But he was killed in a battle many years ago.  I've kept it a secret from my boy, but he should know the truth."  I just can't tell him.  I've tried on many occasions, but it's just too hard for me.  

The Saiyan Tries to comfort Talio's Mother.   "If you want, I can go talk to him.  I know it will be hard for him, but he is really strong.  He can handle it" Talio's mother hugs Papeera tightly, and begins sobbing.  "He has been struggling since his father died,  but ever since you showed up, he has been so happy."

Hearing this, she turns away, knowing she isn't meant to be on this planet, and will have to leave after defeating the incoming Saiyans.  "I hate to bring this up, but as soon as those Saiyans find me, I'm going to have to hide somewhere else."  

"Why must you leave us? My son needs a friend like you. he was always an outcast, because of his stunted learning. You are the first person we've met that hasn't bullied him for it." Talio's mother disappears into her room, as Papeera falls to her knees. "Why must my Saiyan nature get in the way of everything. First I was hidden away for being kind, then my parents sent me away. What's next. "

She slips back into Talio's room, wondering if she could ever have a normal life, or a family. Whatever the next day might bring, she will be ready. She has to be ready. Talio, his mother, and the entire planet is counting on her. She drifts off to sleep, thinking about Talio, and the fun she has had with him so far.