A New Dawn

Zayn awoke to the muted rays of sunrise filtering through the window, painting the room in warm hues of orange. He found himself on a comfortable sofa bed in Goku's house, and for a moment, everything felt perfectly normal - just a guest in a friend's home. But then, the memories of the previous night came rushing back, making his heart rate spike. The chaotic unravelling of reality, the voice booming in his mind, and the hooded figure...Zalama. The name echoed ominously in his mind, stirring up a whirlpool of questions and uncertainties.

Zalama was a Dragon God, the creator of the Super Dragon Balls. Was it possible that the moment he'd touched the Dragon Ball, Zalama had sensed something unusual about him? A foreign presence in a world he didn't belong to? Perhaps the Dragon God was curious about his origin or had simply chosen to reveal himself due to some unknown cosmic purpose. Zayn knew he had to tread carefully; he couldn't afford to attract undue attention.

Noticing a neatly folded note on the bedside table, he picked it up. It was from Chi-Chi, informing him that she'd left some food in the kitchen. The mention of food stirred his hunger and he decided to get up and move around, shaking off the remaining vestiges of fear.

As he walked towards the kitchen, he found Goku already awake, munching on a large breakfast in preparation for his morning training. Chi-Chi, being pregnant and exhausted, was still asleep. Goku greeted him with a wide smile, yet concern lingered in his eyes.

"You alright, Zayn? You had us worried last night," Goku inquired, a genuine note of worry in his voice. Zayn debated telling Goku about Zalama, but eventually decided against it. His mind was a mess of confusion and the last thing he needed was to arouse suspicion or concern.

"Yea, I just was a bit exhausted," Zayn responded with a casual shrug, not wanting to delve into the details of his inexplicable encounter.

Zayn then changed the topic quickly, "Goku, I see you're up very early this morning, mind telling me about your daily routine?"

Upon hearing Zayn's interest, Goku, being the ever-enthusiastic person he was, invited him to join his morning training. Zayn quickly declined, aware of his human limitations. Yet, he was eager to watch Goku, his offer to observe the Saiyan's training was accepted with Goku's hearty laughter.

As the day progressed, Zayn watched Goku train, his movements embodying an indomitable spirit and relentless dedication. The experience was not only fascinating but also deeply inspiring. Despite the whirlwind of questions and fears tormenting him, Zayn felt a fleeting sense of peace watching Goku train, a small piece of normality in the grandeur and strangeness of his current reality.

Later in the day, Zayn watched Goku suddenly rise from the ground, hovering a few feet above the earth. He saw Goku's eyes twinkle as he beckoned his fluffy companion, an oddly sentient cloud that floated towards him obediently. Zayn's eyes widened with recognition as Goku called it the "Flying Nimbus".

"What's that?" Zayn asked, feigning ignorance. He was all too familiar with the Flying Nimbus, but the sight of it in reality was far more exciting than in any manga panel.

"Oh, this is the Flying Nimbus. It's a magical cloud that was given to me by Master Roshi. Only those with a pure heart can ride it." Goku said, patting the golden cloud affectionately.

"Mind if I give it a try?" Zayn asked, his curiosity piqued. He knew he had no ill-intentions, but the prospect of testing his purity was thrilling.

"Sure!" Goku agreed instantly, a warm smile spreading across his face. He floated down, and gestured Zayn to jump onto the fluffy cloud.

Taking a deep breath, Zayn leaped towards the Flying Nimbus. To his surprise, he didn't fall through. Instead, he found himself comfortably seated atop the cloud, his heart brimming with excitement.

Goku's eyes widened in surprise, his lips curling into a proud grin. "Looks like you're pure-hearted, Zayn! The Nimbus seems to like you too!"

Indeed, the Nimbus under him rumbled softly, vibrating with what Zayn could only describe as happiness. It started moving, gently at first, then picked up speed, soaring through the sky. Zayn could feel his heart race with exhilaration, the wind rushing past him, the Earth sprawling beneath him. For a moment, he felt a sense of deep connection with the Dragon Ball world, a strange yet comforting sense of belonging.

Despite this, Zayn had a small concern, he knows he is far away from being pure hearted, in fact, he had to deceive his way all the way through lying to the Brief's family about his origins and now taking advantage of Goku's innocence. However, he still harbours not an ounce of guilt, as he will do what must be done to unravel the cause of his transmigration and insure he can survive to see his next day without been wiped out the face of the earth due to android, strange body sucking mosquitoes, and pink jelly creatures, or worst would if he is in the timeline of Goku black where future Trunk's had his universe wiped out, yeah, let's not think about that.

Over time, Zayn noticed a peculiar behaviour in the Flying Nimbus. It seemed to react enthusiastically to his commands, sometimes even anticipating his wishes before he vocalized them. But what took him by surprise was when he saw the Nimbus start to expand, morphing into a significantly larger version of itself, enveloping him with its warm, fluffiness, hugging Zayn's body.

Zayn looked at Goku, his eyes wide with bewilderment. Goku too stared at the spectacle with amazement. "This is something I've never seen before. It's like... like the Nimbus is bonding with you."

There, in the vastness of the sky, Zayn felt an intense connection with the Nimbus. It was an inexplicable bond that radiated a profound sense of comfort, akin to a loyal pet responding to its master's affection.

Their descent back to the ground felt surreal. Zayn had just spent an incredible day with Goku, witnessed the legendary Flying Nimbus, and had somehow formed a mystical connection with the sentient cloud. As he looked up at the darkening sky, the stars beginning to twinkle into existence, he was filled with a sense of contentment, a calming assurance that despite the chaos, he was meant to be here.

But in the back of his mind, the memory of his encounter with Zalama still lingered, casting a shadow over his newfound joy. He decided he had to uncover the mystery of the Dragon God, tread the path of uncertainty, and embrace the adventure that lay ahead. But for now, he would revel in the peaceful silence of the night, cherishing the magical experience he'd just had.

***

In the fading light of the day, Zayn found himself engrossed in Goku's tales about the Flying Nimbus and its origins, he told Zayn that the Flying Nimbus that he owns was a fragment of a much larger cloud atop of Korin's Tower. The strange, sentient cloud with the intriguing characteristic of only permitting those of pure heart to ride it had ignited Zayn's curiosity and greed. Desiring to for a Nimbus cloud for himself. Zayn proposed a trip to Korin Tower.

Goku's eyes shone with enthusiasm at the suggestion. "That sounds like a great idea, Zayn! It's been a while since I visited Master Korin, let's go now."

"No wait Goku, let's do so tomorrow, unless you want to comeback home late to an angry wife." Zayn stated.

Goku: "Oh.. yeah, let's do that tomorrow haha"

***

Next morning

Zayn woke up and was greeted by Chi Chi in the kitchen preparing breakfast for the family, while Goku was seemingly outside, plucking vegetables out of the plot of land behind their house.

Goku and Zayn later embarked on a journey to the Korin Tower, while both riding on Goku's Flying Nimbus

As they neared the famed tower, a sight captured Zayn's attention - a gigantic, swirling mass of cloud atop the tower. It was the original Nimbus from which Goku's Nimbus had been a fragment, its majesty making Goku's Nimbus seem minuscule in comparison. Goku too squinted at the spectacle, noting, "It's acting strange. I've never seen it move like that."

As they approached closer, the Nimbus beneath Zayn began to quiver, vibrating as if resonating with the grand Nimbus above. Its size subtly increased, causing Zayn to look down in surprise.

"Whoa! Nimbus has never done this before," Goku exclaimed, eyes wide. "It seems like it's responding to the larger Nimbus. Or maybe... to you, Zayn."

Zayn felt a shiver of unease. 'Could this unusual phenomenon be related to his encounter with Zalama?' Thought Zayn, trying to decipher this situation.

Once they landed atop of the tower, Goku chatted animatedly about the Nimbus, while calling out to Korin who seems they still haven't yet seen. However, despite the light-heartedness of Goku, Zayn's mind was filled with questions about the Nimbus' peculiar behaviour. It felt like it had recognized him, bonded with him.

As they were about to head for the residence area in the tower, where the old cat Korin lived, Goku suddenly called him out "Zayn, look!"

Goku's voice was a whisper, eyes fixed upwards. Zayn followed his gaze, his breath hitching as he saw the colossal Nimbus from above the tower moving in their direction. Its grandeur and purposeful motion brought a hush upon them.

The massive Nimbus stopped directly above them; its power almost tangible. Zayn felt a strange familiarity resonate from it, mirroring the bond he had felt with Goku's Nimbus. But this was more potent, more intense, leaving him on the precipice of awe and anxiety.

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