READING BEDTIME STORIES

Chapter One - Prubaki Revex And The Itch

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Disclaimer: All Dragonball Z characters belong to Akira Toryiama.

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His uncomfort had all started with a little itch. It had trickled all over his scalp until eventually he just had to scratch. Throughout the course of the afternoon he continued to scratch away at the roots of his snowy hair, without even really realizing it. He also failed to notice Racoome, his only other comrade with hair, also scratching.

The blazing sun glared down, making it a constant struggle to see. He was constantly squinting his unreal orange eyes, seeing the light green sky and diamonds of light from the abnormally large sun. The gravity on this planet was overwhelming and his feet were starting to drag. Nothing tired him out more than extreme heat and the pull of unfamiliar gravity.

Eventually the point arrived where Jeice realized he was soaked to the bone with perspiration, his clothes dripping and his hair slicked with sweat. It looked as though he'd just stepped from the shower. However, the smell and dirt said otherwise. He glanced over his shoulder (to be sure Guldo was still puffing along) and was surprised to see no trail of sweat behind him in the sand. He sighed silently, realizing the sun was so unbearably hot it was drying the sand almost instantly. The sands sizzled as they met the drops, the ground burning hot.

He noted Racoome's skin was also burning. It was easiest to notice in him for his skin was of light colouration. He checked his own soaking arms and realized he was going from orange to red. He wasn't burning yet, but he probably would soon.

Jeice squinted further, his eyes hurting. "My life for a pair of shades!" he called dramatically, a theatrical tone and pose, arm shielding his eyes. He secretly adored acting.

The others chuckled until the Captain, leading far ahead, snapped a tired, "Shut up, kid."

Jeice, whose steps were tired and careless now, was a few paces behind Burter and Racoome who seemed stride for stride. Guldo was trailing along somewhere to the rear - his panting could be heard. As for Ginyu, he was as far ahead as Guldo was behind. The Captain was never amused by Jeice's attempts to lighten unpleasant situations. In fact, Jeice suspected Ginyu hated him, at least to some degree. It was hard being the young optimist, the comic relief.

As they pressed on, Jeice wished they could just fly. However, in the extreme heat, using energy in such a matter could be fatal. Walking was almost too much for them at this stage of the game.

Jeice nearly tripped over a rock, but caught his balance at the last second. That was ALL he needed - Ginyu biting his head off like a drill sergeant again. Twice was more than enough for one day - a third strike was not something he wanted. The Captain's screaming lectures and threats regarding grace and finesse were NO road trip to Fun City.

He paused after catching himself to look on and scratch his head. He glanced absently down at the rock and squinted in concentration. It wasn't a rock, he realized. He bent down and brushed away more sand. It was a tiny pyramid or temple of some sort. He unearthed a little more and saw bizarre symbols upon it. There was more to be…

He opened his mouth to call attention to the discovery, but then noticed Guldo catching up to him. He frowned, realizing he was being left behind. He didn't have the energy to shout that far at the moment and besides, the Captain might tear of strip off him for wasting time. If he called his leader's attention to a red herring…

*What the hell?* he decided in a split second, "Captain!"

Ginyu trudged on, though Racoome and Burter stopped. Jeice was certain the other could hear and was just ignoring him… "Captain!"

Ginyu stopped and roared in rage. He flew back in a flash and boxed Jeice's ears. "WHAT!?"

"Sir…" Jeice motioned, sounding dazed, to the tiny pyramid.

"You disturbed my train of leaderish thought for…" Ginyu trailed off suddenly
as he noticed the strange symbols. "…Impossible…"

Jeice started to inquire when Ginyu dropped to the ground, punching him out of the way, "OH WOW!"

The others, Guldo included, approached. "Dig!" Ginyu snapped.

Jeice stumbled to his feet and tried in vain to brush the sand off… but it was sticking to his soaking flesh, hair and clothes. He was tempted to grumble but valued his life.

"Jeice - NOW!" his boss boomed.

Jeice hit the dirt in a flash, nearly sick and still dizzy from the planet conditions, plus the mental and physical abuse. He had never been so uncomfortable and frustrated before. He had no idea what was going on, but this desert planet wasn't worth it.

Within a few moments, Ginyu had explained through blunt grunts as he dug furiously that this was no miniature temple… it continued far below the surface - at least 60-100 feet. If the Captain was correct they'd have to inform their Lord and call reinforcements to dig out the ancient temple of Prubaki Reveks (pronounced PREW-BACK-EE REV-X), where crystals more powerful than any Dragonballs were hiding.

The crystals of Prubaki Reveks, while considered a mere myth to most, were rumored to each possess an unimaginable power. The number of crystals varied, depending on what version of the myth you heard - however one variable remained constant in all versions - their location was unknown. A few cultures had a vague mention of location: hidden temple… well, a buried temple was certainly well hidden.

Several different powers were mentioned in the myths - the most commonly mentioned was the crystal of immortality, something their master would be most interested in. Lesser mentioned were the crystals of eternal youth, telepathy, telekinesis and invisibility. There were others, again, depending on whose version you listened to.

Ginyu explained all this and more as they continued to dig in the horrible heat. Jeice could almost feel the sweat evaporating off him. The feeling of his baking flesh bothered him terribly, and his arms and legs were starting to brown now, burning. His head was itching so much at this point he noticed it. However, Ginyu had slapped at Racoome and warned him to stop scratching… and he just couldn't risk that third strike.

As they continued on for confirmation that this was the real deal, Guldo stopped digging. "Captain - I figured I was seeing things while we were walking… but now I'm certain… look." Guldo had the best eyesight, always had.

Burter, the first to clue in, gasped in horror. Racoome recoiled. "AH!"

Ginyu made a face of disgust. "That's IT - we're calling for backup and getting some freakin' shovels…"

"Sick…" Jeice was barely audible.

The sand was filled with tiny camouflaged insects, always had been. Trillions of them… trillions and trillions of disgusting lice… a sea of them.

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Next Chapter: Open Sesame and the Specialists