This is my fist real shot at fan fiction. I've written some before but never posted it anywhere, so pleas tell me what you think. It would be very helpful. This story takes place some time between Homura's hole deal and the "Even A Worm" story line. There are some spoilers (like about Nataku, who the boys were in their past life and want happens with Homura, but it's all sort of vague.) You can read it still if you don't know what went on then, it just wont be as clear. Oh, and the reference to the monkeys was taken from the original "Journey to the West" story.
There was an unpleasant weight in the room as he surveyed the faces around him through dark eyes. As was the custom with all important meanings nowadays, the entire heavens have been called to attendance, military personnel and courtier alike. He didn't like it; bureaucrats knew nothing about reality. All they knew was what was best for them, what would keep them the most comfortable. Experience had proven that their way was not always the best way.
Kyomitsu cleared his throat and began again. "We all know something must be done. As thing stand, we are defenseless. Now that Homura is dead, there is no one left to act as the hand of Heaven and keep order in the Lower World."
All thanks to ridiculously outdated precedents. It was all well and good to say that a god couldn't kill when the most threatening thing they had to concern themselves with was a group of rowdy monkeys. Now there was so much chaos in the Lower World it was a wonder it still stood intact. Though, he mused privately, Homura had come very close to rectifying that.
"We could do nothing as one of our own nearly ripped our realm from the cosmos! This cannot be ignored. With the honorable Prince Nataku showing no signs whatsoever of recovering from his wounds, I'm forced to say that we must start our search for a new War God."
This was not a shocking concept to the group gathered together. All of them, right down to the last woman hiding behind her painted face and fan, knew where this was leading. They all knew who he was going to suggest. But appearances had to be kept, the Jade Emperor himself was present, none of them felt they could afford to look as if they had come to this conclusion themselves. Better to let the other man stab himself in the foot then get involved if they could help it.
"Because of this I have no choice but to suggest the only logical candidate for the position," Kyomitsu continued. The customary silence greeted the slight pause. "The Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Son Goku is the only possible replacement for Nataku and Homura."
Immediately a chorus of shocked gasps swept through the room, right on cue. Shock was what was expected of them, even if they didn't really feel it. The consept had been whispered threw the halls of Heaven for years. A loud buzz began to fill the chamber, protests and pseudo-concern shot at random.
"Are you mad?" one man shouted.
"Have you lost your mind?" another demanded.
"We let this man lead our army?" a woman shrieked.
"Perhaps you could explain yourself further, General Kyomitsu," Lee Taing said sharply. He was the emperor's most trusted adviser, he spoke when the Jade Emperor did not feel the need to or when matters were too trivial for search a being to be concerned with. He was regal and held considerable sway over almost everyone in Heaven. He was also the biggest prick Kyomitsu had ever met.
"Son Goku was considered for this position before--" he began but was cut off sharply.
"And did you forget what happened the last time that animal was allowed within the halls of Heaven?" A deep voice shouted. Kyomitsu tried to pinpoint the source of the question, but the many bodies of the courtiers blended together until they became one. When packed together as they were the courtiers were little more then talking heads.
Kyomitsu found the image somehow fitting.
"No," he replied. "I did not forget."
"Well neither have we! Some of us lost loved ones because of him!" one woman half shouted, half sobbed. She had been married to a former general that died during the fight with the Grate Sage. The man had been a growing favorite of Lee Taing, and so had a very bright future ahead of him and his new wife. With that man's death the woman's future had been slightly less grand.
"Last time we were unprepared for what could happen, we didn't understand fully what we were dealing with. This time we do."
"Oh good! Now we know the beast is dangerous before he bites!"
Kyomitsu tried hard to control his temper. This was one of the most important meetings of his life, he had to keep his cool. Unfortunately, the whispers and snide comments that reached his ears were making it hard.
"What is your opinion Konzeon Bosatsu?" a soft voice called out in little more than a whisper.
Immediate silence fell upon the room. It was very, very unexpected to hear the Jade Emperor himself direct a question at any one of his subjects. Lee Taing was trying, and failing, not to look as if someone had ripped the rug out from under him. He liked to think he knew exactly what the emperor would do in any situation. Obviously he had not expected this.
All eyes were now turned towards one of the high seated chairs in the room. Sitting in the chair was a very important woman. One of the few bureaucrats that didn't make Kyomitsu sick on principle, Konzeon Bosatsu instead made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. The Merciful Goddess always struck him as one who could turn the heavens upside down if she so chose to, and he didn't particularly like the thought.
She pursed her thin, painted lips together and fainned a look of deep contemplation. Her eyes had too devious a spark in them when they fell on Kyomitsu to truly be considering the question. She looked more like some sort of large cat, sizing up her next plaything.
"You wish to make The Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Son Goku, the new War God?" she asked calmly, for clarification.
"Yes," Kyomitsu said, bowing in a show of respect
She squinted one eye before closing both, leaning back in her chair and shrugging calmly. "I agree with his theory."
Another hurricane of whispers swept through the crowd. It was all Kyomitsu could do to stop his eyes from narrowing. She agreed with his theory, but not his plan of action. He could tell just much from the careful way she had worded her comment. He had the distinct impression she had given her response that way on purpose. He also has the feeling no one else noticed.
"And do you have a plan to keep another incident like the last one that creature caused from happening again?" the Emperor inquired.
Kyomitsu nodded before turning and offering another respectful bow to the man. This bow was deeper than the one given to Konzeon Bosatsu. "I believe I have a way to keep the child to control."
"Child?" Lee Taing demanded sourly. "That creature is well beyond the years of a child," he spit.
Kyomitsu shook his head, but before he could speak the Emperor began again. "Lee is correct, General. The Son Goku you speak of is over 500 years old."
"With all due respect, your eminence, he is no older than a child physically or mentally. Those 500 years he spent in confinement were in a state of stagnation. He did not grow mentally passed the moment he was imprisoned."
And he was almost certain Konzeon Bosatsu had arranged things like that on purpose.
"And how do you propose to control him?"
Here Kyomitsu almost hesitated. He wanted to watch Konzeon when he gave his answer, but there was no way he could do so without seeming rood to the Emperor. Nevertheless, he was anxious to see how she would react to his plan.
"Through Konzen. He has shown, both here in Heaven and in the Lower World, that he has the power to stop the Great Sage when he goes on rampages. I believe that with Konzen's aid we can effectively used Son Goku."
"Konzeon, your thoughts?" the emperor commanded.
Konzeon nodded. "Again, his theory is sound."
A long pause followed this comment. The Jade Emperor sat in deep thought before he looked at Kyomitsu.
"So be it. General, I give you permission to gather what troops and weapons you need. Good luck, and don't disappoint us."
And just like that the meeting was over, he'd been dismissed. People began moving forward, rather than towards the door at the back of the room, all intent on getting some sort of attention from the Emperor. All except Konzeon Bosatsu and her attendant. They moved through the crowd like fish through water and exited the room. With slightly less grace Kyomitsu followed.
"Merciful Goddess," he called, drawing her attention back to him once they were in the deserted halls.
She stopped to glance at him. Her statue was lean and shapely, the clothing covering her body doing nothing to hide anything as the cloth was so thin. Hoops of gold adorned her ears and a gold chain encircled her neck. Physically she greatly resembled her nephew, Konzen. Both had delicately sculpted faces and eyes that slanted downwards in an oddly appealing droop. Her eyes had a tendency to hold both boredom and mischief in their depths at the same time.
This woman associated with few and confided only in her attendant, a man she seemed to enjoy tormenting despite her name. Kyomitsu couldn't help but believe she'd been miss titled. The Manipulative Goddess seemed to suit her better.
"Thank you for your words of confidence, without them I'm sure the emperor would never have considered my proposal," he said humbly, bowing once again. This woman had the ability to send him right back to the powerless recruit, forced to watch as the most important events in Heaven unfolded around him, if she wanted to. His instincts said she was not to be trusted, and he'd learnt to trust his instincts.
"Oh, I'm sure he would consider it," she said simply. He didn't miss how she had once again danced around giving a real response. The Emperor would have considered it without her but he never would have agreed to it.
"My Lady, you know you nephew, Konzen, or Genjo Sanzo as he is called now, better than anyone. Will he cooperate?" he asked carefully.
Her lips curved upward in a smile he didn't particularly like as her eyes reduced to mischievous little slits. Her attendant gave her a worried, warning look, which she ignored.
"I can't say anymore then you can, General."
"If we should have to use force..."
"By all means, use it," she said calmly as she began to walk away. He watched her hips sway as she seemed to slither, rather than float as a goddess normally should, down the hall. Kyomitsu was positive she was smirking.
Alright, I went back threw here and tried to fix the mistakes up as best I could. At least Goku isn't "Sun" Goku any more…