Chapter 17: The Great Pilaf Heist

The Dragon Radar beeped rhythmically as Goku, Bulma, and Oolong flew through the sky on Nimbus, their eyes locked on the small flashing dot that indicated the location of the final Dragon Ball.

"That must be Pilaf's castle up ahead," Bulma said, pointing toward the massive, ominous fortress that loomed in the distance. Its dark spires and eerie glow gave the whole place an air of mystery and danger.

Oolong gulped nervously. "That place looks like a haunted mansion… Why does every bad guy live in some creepy, abandoned castle? I just know something bad's going to happen."

"Relax, Oolong," Bulma said, shaking her head. "We've made it this far, haven't we?"

Goku, as carefree as ever, grinned. "Don't worry, if anyone tries anything, I'll take care of them!" He patted his Power Pole, ready for action.

As they approached the castle, Goku landed Nimbus behind a large cluster of trees, keeping them out of sight. "Alright, we'll sneak in quietly," he whispered, though he was clearly excited.

Bulma glanced at him. "Quietly? Since when do you do anything quietly?"

The three cautiously approached the castle, using the radar to guide them to the Dragon Balls. They managed to slip past the outer gates unnoticed and soon found themselves inside the massive building's eerie halls. Everything seemed to be going smoothly.

Too smoothly.

Unbeknownst to them, Pilaf was watching their every move from his control room, his wide grin plastered across his face. "Look at them sneaking around, thinking they're so clever! But I'm always one step ahead!"

He pressed a button on his control panel. "Mai, Shu, release the sleeping gas. It's time to put these intruders to bed."

In Goku's mind, he felt a pang of guilt as the colorless gas began to fill the chamber. He had known this would happen, but he had chosen to go through with it anyway. He wanted to appear like he had no choice, like he had been forced into making the wish. As he watched Bulma and Oolong collapse to the ground, fast asleep, Goku silently apologized to Bulma. "I'm sorry, Bulma... I knew this was coming. But I need you to think I was pushed into this," he thought, feeling conflicted as the drowsiness overtook him too.

Mai crept into the chamber, her footsteps silent as she approached the unconscious trio. "This was too easy," she muttered to herself. She carefully reached into Bulma's bag and pulled out the Dragon Balls. With a satisfied smirk, she slipped out of the room, leaving them unaware of what had just happened.

When Goku and the others finally woke up, the realization hit them like a truck.

"The Dragon Balls… they're gone!" Bulma cried, frantically searching through her bag.

Oolong groaned. "I knew it! I told you something bad would happen!"

"We have to get them back!" Goku said, springing to his feet, determined. "Let's go!"

They dashed through the castle's twisting hallways, searching for any sign of Pilaf and the Dragon Balls. But it wasn't long before Pilaf unleashed his next trick.

The ground shook beneath their feet as the sound of rumbling grew louder and louder.

"What now?!" Oolong shouted, looking around in panic.

Suddenly, massive pinballs the size of cars rolled into the hallway from both sides, crashing and bouncing off the walls as they barreled toward the group.

"Run!" Bulma screamed.

They sprinted down the hallway, dodging the enormous rolling pinballs as they chased them relentlessly. Goku, still wearing his Weighted Training Clothes, was moving slower than usual, and the balls were quickly gaining on them.

Just as one of the pinballs had them cornered, it mysteriously stopped. The walls began to shift, and before they knew it, they were trapped back in the very same room they had started in.

"No, no, no! We're back where we started!" Bulma groaned.

Goku clenched his fists. "I'm not giving up that easily!"

He stepped forward, took a deep breath, and began to charge up his energy. "Kamehame… HAAA!" The familiar blue beam of energy shot from his hands and smashed into the wall. But to everyone's disappointment, it only created a small hole—just big enough for someone Goku's size to crawl through.

"Well, that's something," Oolong muttered.

Without wasting a moment, Goku crawled through the hole, but his movements were still a bit sluggish due to the weight of his clothes.

"I'll stop using my weighted clothes for now," Goku said, stripping off the heavy garments. His body immediately felt lighter, and his speed increased dramatically.

Bulma and Oolong exchanged glances. "I guess we're staying behind," Oolong said, looking at Bulma.

"I can't fit through that hole," Bulma grumbled, but then her eyes lit up. "Wait, Oolong, you can shapeshift!"

Oolong blinked. "Oh… right! I'll turn into something small."

With a quick poof, Oolong transformed into a bat and squeezed through the hole, flapping his wings as he flew off to join Goku on the other side.

Meanwhile, in the center of the castle, Pilaf was standing before the altar, where all seven Dragon Balls were now assembled. His hands trembled with excitement as he raised them above his head.

"Finally! The moment I've been waiting for! Soon, I, Emperor Pilaf, will rule the world!"

Mai and Shu stood by his side, nodding eagerly as Pilaf began to chant the ancient words to summon Shenron, the Eternal Dragon. The sky above the castle darkened, and lightning crackled as the Dragon Balls began to glow with an otherworldly light.

Goku, now moving faster than ever without his weighted clothes, raced through the hallways, his eyes set on the glowing chamber ahead.

"We're almost there!" he shouted to Oolong, who was flying just ahead of him as a bat.

But even as they got closer, they both knew they were running out of time.

Back in the chamber, the wind howled as Shenron, the massive, golden dragon, emerged from the glowing Dragon Balls. His piercing red eyes glared down at Pilaf, awaiting his command.

Pilaf's eyes sparkled with glee. "Yes! It's finally happening!"

He cleared his throat, preparing to make his world-altering wish.

But just as the words were about to leave his mouth, Goku burst into the room.

"Stop right there!" Goku shouted, his voice echoing through the chamber.

Pilaf turned around, startled. "Wha—?! How did you get here so fast?"

Before Pilaf could react, Goku charged toward him, ready to stop whatever evil plan was about to unfold.

But it was already too late. Shenron's towering form loomed over them, his deep, thunderous voice booming through the castle.

"What is your wish?" Shenron asked, his glowing eyes fixed on Pilaf.

Time seemed to stand still as Goku and Pilaf locked eyes, both realizing they were standing on the precipice of something massive.

Goku clenched his fists, his mind racing.

What wish should he make?

The suspense filled the air as Goku took a deep breath, about to speak.