The Odyssey 1
In The Beginning -
Author's Note: This story is set approximately twelve years after the end of Dragonball Z. I do not consider GT as canon, and therefore ignore it here. Also, I disregard the new movies as they would only complicate the story. I will update the story weekly at minimum, and I promise to complete it. I've had a bad habit of leaving stories unfinished, but I'm trying to change! So thank you for reading and please leave a review - they do matter to me.
"Dad!" Pan screamed, jumping from her chair in shock. She had been mid sentence, when her father just vanished. One second he was there, smiling down at her with that comforting way of his, then he was gone. Videl cried out as well and ran over to where he had been.
"Gohan!" She yelled, looking around the room. Neither of them were sure what had just happened. They both knew their Gohan was a powerful man, and could likely make himself disappear without their noticing, but this was so odd.
They searched the house and yard, calling for him. Pan couldn't sense his energy anywhere, and this was worrying. Chi-Chi heard the commotion and came running, thinking the house was on fire or something. When they told her what had happened she relaxed into an annoyed grimace.
"Those damned Saiyans," She fumed, "They get the notion to run off and train or fight, and there they go. Poof! Goku is always pulling stunts like that, every time I turn around he's gone off again for who-knows how long."
Videl tried to find comfort in Chi-Chi's words, for she had been witness to more than a few of these very 'stunts' Chi-Chi was carrying on about. But dread was beginning to gnaw inside her. They continued the search, despite Chi-Chi's protestations, and came up empty.
"I'm going to Bulma's," Videl said finally, "Maybe Vegeta can sense him or something." She was feeling the tinges of panic, but was trying to keep it together for her daughter. Pan was staying strong, but it was obvious that she too was worried about her father. She was already a very powerful young woman, and had mastered many of the subtleties of ki manipulation that would allow her to detect her father's presence if he were anywhere around.
"I still think he's flown the coop to train or something," Chi-Chi said, trying to comfort them, "But I'll go with you and help." They dug out the capsule with the fastest vehicle they owned and sped away for Capsule Corporation.
When they arrived it was near nightfall. The Capsule compound was alight and buzzing with activity as they hurried into the building. When they found Bulma and told her what had happened, she was obviously on the same page as Chi-Chi, "I know Gohan is a family man now, but he is a Saiyan after all. I'm sure he'll be back soon." She said.
"I know my own husband!" Videl blurted, a little more harshly than she wanted. The women all stopped and stared at her, "I'm sorry, but I know Gohan wouldn't just fly away like that without telling us. We were in the middle of a nice conversation. I hate bothering you but please, I just want to find him." Tears were beginning to puddle in her eyes, despite her best efforts to curb them.
The two women were more somber now, and hurried down the corridors to the training area. Vegeta was in the middle of his evening workout, and stared at the troop angrily when they opened the door, after Bulma had terminated the simulator.
"What is it?" He asked, mopping a gloved hand across his sweaty face.
"Vegeta, can you sense Gohan anywhere?" Bulma asked, "He's gone missing."
Vegeta barked a sharp laugh, but came up short when he saw how worried Videl obviously was, "What do you mean, he's 'missing'?"
"He just disappeared." She said, beleaguered.
Vegeta was silent for a moment, staring off into space. After a few seconds he looked back at them, serious now, "I can't sense him at all. He's either masking his energy completely or is very far away." He scanned the faces of the women, realizing that something indeed was wrong, "Did Kakarott use instant transmission with him?"
"No," Chi-Chi said, placing her hands on her hips in disgust, "I haven't seen my husband for months!"
"Goku wasn't there, Vegeta." Videl said, staring at the ground.
Vegeta was silent for a few minutes more before finally sighing with annoyance and walking towards the exit, "I'll get dressed. I have an idea."
The seven dragonballs glowed softly in the night. They were gathered together on the deck of a large pool that framed the recreation yard of the Capsule compound. "I can't believe we're wasting a wish on the likes of this." Vegeta mumbled.
"Shut up, Vegeta!" Bulma chided, "How would you like it if I suddenly went missing? Actually, don't answer that. You probably couldn't care less!" Vegeta grunted.
Bulma walked up to the dragonballs and tossed her hands into the air. It was nerve-wracking every time she witnessed this, "Shenron! I summon you forth!"
The darkness of the sky seemed to intensify as a wind stirred and billowed the hair and clothes of those gathered. Thunder rumbled in the clouds, and lightning danced across the sky. Finally, with a burst of brilliant, golden light Shenron appeared, hurtling from the balls to loom menacing above.
"You have summoned me," The dragon roared in his deep, growling voice, "You may have one wish granted. Name it now."
"Shenron?" Videl said timidly, shaking with fear, "Can you locate my husband, Gohan?"
The dragon was silent for a long moment. The group watched intently, breath bated with anticipation. Finally, Shenron spoke, "I can locate him. Is this your wish?"
"Yes!" Videl said, feeling a surge of hope.
"Very well. He is far from here, on a planet called Mourd. I cannot tell you more, my power seems to be stopped there," He spoke that last sentence with obvious annoyance, "That is all I can say, now I have answered your wish. Farewell."
With that, the dragon vanished back into the balls, which rose spiraling into the air and with a final burst of golden light, rocketed away into the darkness. The group stood in silence for a while, digesting what little had been said.
"Mourd?" Videl spoke first, "Where is that? Why couldn't Shenron tell us more?" The small flash of hope she had felt was fast being sucked away.
"I don't know," Bulma said, thinking. She had been to space before, and was trying to recall the names of planets she had seen, "I wonder if it's close."
"Then it's hopeless." they heard Vegeta say quietly. He was standing staggered as if he had been slapped, eyes wide. He stared at the place where the dragonballs had been, seemingly unable to comprehend what had been said.
"What do you mean? Vegeta?" Bulma walked over to him and was staring at him. His look was worrying, "Vegeta, what are you talking about?"
Slowly, he looked up at them. His face was dark and drawn. He looked at Videl, "I'm sorry girl, but I'm afraid Gohan is beyond our reach now." He turned stiffly to walk back towards the housing building. Videl gasped behind him.
"Hold it!" Pan yelled, jumping in front of him, "What the hell are you saying? That's my dad!" She was standing with her arms out, blocking his path. Vegeta stared at the girl as if he didn't see her.
"What is it, Vegeta?" Bulma asked, walking over to him, "You're scaring us. Do you know that planet?"
He was silent a while longer, but finally spoke, "Come inside and sit down."
"When I was a mercenary under Frieza's control, I traveled across the galaxy, doing his dirty work," Vegeta began. The girls were all seated on a large half-moon couch on an upper floor of the Capsule housing unit. Goten had arrived, and was standing nearby. Vegeta sat in a chair in front of them, "All over the galaxy I heard frightened whispers of the planet Mourd. Even the strongest creatures, capable of laying waste to planets, feared the very name of the place. Frieza, with all his might, would never go near the sector."
They sat, staring at Vegeta as he spoke. Videl and Pan were wide-eyed with worry, fearing to hear any more but not wanting to be left in the dark. He continued, "They all said the same thing – the planet was an inescapable hell. The story was that there was some magical field around the whole world, extending even into space around it, that sapped the power from even the strongest beings. Anyone unlucky enough to find themselves within range of this field never returned. It was said that the planet is the playground of a terrible evil force, which makes those weak, stranded souls fight one another for it's sport. The whole place is a death pit."
Videl was dazed, staring wide-eyed at Vegeta. Bulma and Chi-Chi tried to comfort her, but it was doing little good. Pan was staring at Vegeta, tears in her eyes, but a grim look chiseled onto her face.
"So how did these stories get out there for you to hear them, if nobody ever escaped?" Pan demanded, blinking back her tears and hiding behind her anger, "I think it's all just a story."
Vegeta stared at her for a moment, admiring her pride and wit, "You're a true Saiyan, Pan." He said at length.
"Answer me!" She shrieked.
Vegeta took a breath, "I always thought the same thing, and had forgotten about the place until tonight. Two things make me question my judgment, however. The first is Gohan's disappearance. There were stories also of people vanishing without a trace, never to be heard from again. The traders and mercenaries who spun these tales always said they were whisked away to Mourd, but I always thought they were fools. But then the dragon said the very name of the place, and said that even his power couldn't penetrate further than the rim of the planet. All these things together have made me reconsider those foolish old tales."
Pan looked to the floor, defeat on her face. She had put most of the clues together already, since Vegeta had began. It was only for the smallest chance of hope that she pushed, and now she had to relent as well. She felt the hot tears burst free from her control and drip onto her lap.
"There has to be something we can do," Pan said at length, standing up from her seat and staring at everyone in turn, "Even if Gohan isn't on that planet, he's gone and probably in trouble. We can't just forget about him!"
"Of course not, Pan." Bulma said in a soothing tone. But she fell silent after this, unable to think of anything.
"Maybe dad can find him," Goten said. It was the first words he had spoken since he had arrived, "You know, he's got that Instant Transmission technique and all." Everyone lit up at the thought. Of course, if anyone could do anything it would be Goku!
Vegeta grunted, and then stood, "Have any of you even spoken to Kakarott lately?"
In truth, nobody had seen him for months. The last they had heard was that he was off to do some special training with Supreme Kai. Some inter-dimensional nonsense, that no one understood. Typical Goku.
"Vegeta, do you know where that planet is?" Pan asked finally.
"Not exactly. Nearly everyone said that it was in the Mulani Sector, in the Southern quadrant. Beyond that, I don't know."
"Well that's more than we knew a few minutes ago," Pan said, looking to everyone again, "We can go ourselves and try to find him. You've got spaceships here at Capsule." She said this last bit to Bulma. Everyone was silent for a few moments, thinking.
"Pan, we all want to save Gohan, but Vegeta just said that even he only has a rough guess as to where the planet is. And that might be wrong. We could be out there, going in the complete opposite direction of that world for all we know." Bulma finally said, "Maybe we should try to contact Goku, and see if he or one of the Kais can help."
"But what if we can't reach grandpa?" Pan pleaded, "We can't just leave my dad out there alone."
"We'll try to reach Goku," Videl said. It was the first she had spoken in a while as well. Her tears were dry now, and she had a harder look on her face. The worry and fear was still strong eating at her, but she had passed the initial blow, "Maybe Dende or Piccollo or someone else can get to him."
Everyone agreed that this would be the best idea. They milled around the room a while, discussing what might be done and wondering aloud amongst themselves about this bizzare and frightening event. After a time, Pan stood and walked away.
"Where are you going, Pan?" Videl asked.
"Bathroom." She answered coldly, and left the room.
Pan raced through the corridors of Capsule Corporation, checking inside doors and reading the guide signs posted occasionally. Finally getting a bearing, she flew like a bullet down towards the east elevator. It reached the bottom level soon, and she sped away, keeping an eye out for anyone who might catch her where she was unauthorized to be. At last she reached her destination, which was sealed off by two large, blue sliding doors.
There was a keypad on the wall, presumably for entering the access code. She had no clue what it might be, but it didn't matter. Placing her fingers between the cracks of the great steel doors, she pulled. The doors finally gave, sliding aside with a loud groan. Pan feared someone may have heard such a noise, so she darted into the darkness of the room beyond and shoved the doors back together.
It was pitch black inside and quiet, save for the sound of humming computers. She wondered if she could find a light switch, and if it would be wise to illuminate the place, should she discover one. Moving slowly, she felt her way deeper into the room. A few times she bumped into tables or boxes, and once she stepped on some sort of tool, which clattered away noisily. She stopped and cringed, fearing someone might call out to her. But it was quiet.
Many bumps and scrapes later, she found a computer terminal. Daring to risk the light, she booted it up. The blue glow cast from the screen poured into the room, illuminating the vast hangar around her. She searched the computer for information, checking files and folders one after another. Finally, she found what she wanted.
There was a list of all the Capsule ships docked in the bay. The list noted their age, condition, complement and several rows of numbers, which she presumed were the parameters of performance. I need a fast one, she thought as she scanned. Finally one caught her eye. It was under the heading 'Excalibur-P', and had very high numbers all around. She opened the detailed file of this one, hoping to find where it was.
"That one's a prototype." A voice said from directly over her shoulder. Pan screamed loud enough to echo throughout the entire hangar, as she jumped from her chair in shock,
"Trunks!" She screeched, seeing who had sneaked up on her, "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
Trunks was roaring with laughter, slapping his hand to his leg, "I wish you could see your face right now!"
"You bastard, I ought to kill you." Pan hissed. Her heart was racing, somewhat from the scare, and partly because she was afraid of her plan being thwarted.
"I could die happy after seeing that look." Trunks said, still chuckling.
"What are you doing here?" Pan ventured, trying to play the victim.
"This is my family's company," Trunks said lightly, "I am doing whatever I want – which I can do anywhere on these premises. The real puzzle is, why are you here, looking at the schematics of our newest, fastest ship. Are you a spy?" He lowered his tone to a mock, conspiratorial whisper on this last sentence.
Pan didn't answer right away. She knew she was caught, and figured Trunks was about to escort her back to the housing building. Dammit, she had been so close! Any other time seeing Trunks would have made her so happy, as he was her best friend, and had recently been gone for eight months on a field study for the company.
Before he left they used spend a lot of time together, him teaching her how to mechanic on hovercars and the two training together and all sorts of things. He and Goten used to be thick as thieves, but a few years ago Goten had gotten a serious girlfriend, and didn't have time for anybody. Neither Pan nor Trunks had had any real friends, and the two just clicked. It was great seeing him now, but she was so angry and disappointed that she couldn't even manage a smile in greeting.
"Jeez, you're taller," Trunks said, seemingly oblivious to her startled silence, "You're gonna catch up with me if you don't stop."
"Trunks," Pan said, ignoring his small-talk, "I need to do something very important, and I need you to let me."
Trunks took a deep breath and sighed. In an instant his grinning, joke face fell away, leaving him looking frighteningly like Vegeta in his seriousness, "I know what you're doing, Pan. And you know I can't let you."
"What do you mean, you know what I'm doing? You just got back, right?"
"I've been here all day. I saw you guys summon Shenron and heard what he said, but something told me to hang back and not join you. When you went into the house, I followed and stood outside the doorway, listening. I heard everything my father said, and I heard how you wanted to go look for Gohan. I knew you'd come here eventually, so I've been waiting."
Pan was deflated. She had never even had a chance of succeeding in her mission. As usual, Trunks was a few steps ahead of her. This was all so wrong; the entire day had been one disaster after another. Her posture sagged and her head fell.
Trunks went over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders, "Pan I know you want to save Gohan, and so do I but the chances of your plan working are so slim. Do you know how far away the Mulani sector is?"
Pan raised her head to look at Trunks. She was so upset and frustrated, she couldn't stop a tear from falling. She saw how that hurt Trunks, and shook herself free from his clasp. She walked over to the computer desk, facing away from him.
"If you ever cared a thing about me," She said, "If you ever cared a thing about my father, or my mother or any of us, please. Please help me."
Videl was sitting at the bar, talking with Chi-Chi and Bulma. They were tentatively optimistic about the prospects for Goku saving Gohan, and had managed to fall into some small-talk. Bulma was trying her hardest to cheer the two, and was currently waving her arms about like a fool, exaggerating some tall tale she had heard somewhere in an effort to get a laugh.
Goten was preparing to leave for the Lookout and see if they could help him there. Videl knew just how close Gohan and Piccollo had always been, and she took some small comfort knowing that the fearsome Namek wouldn't rest until his friend had been made safe. Vegeta had stood about awkwardly for a while, trying in his own way to show support. But when he felt he had been 'supportive' long enough he managed to disappear himself, presumably to the sanctuary of his training grounds.
Videl was just managing to laugh at Bulma's joke when they all heard the engines fire. It took a moment for anyone to register what was happening, but Bulma finally caught on and sped to the window. They were three stories up, and had a view of the hangar exit. The doors were open wide, and soon they saw the Excalibur-P rocket up through the open bay doors, and blast off into the night sky.
"Pan." Videl said, her voice a hoarse whisper. The color drained from her face as she felt her stomach fall. Pan had been absent since Vegeta told his story, saying she had to go to the bathroom. She never returned, and everyone assumed she had met Trunks and they were somewhere talking. But now it all clicked, and Videl screamed her daughter's name as she ran to the balcony.
She was in a panic, and didn't think twice about what she had to do. She had to fly. It had been years since she had flown, and knew she didn't remember how to control her ki for levitation, but it didn't matter. Her daughter was leaving. Somehow Pan had gotten on that ship and was flying into oblivion.
Videl leaped over the railing of the balcony, still screaming. She tried with all her might to recall the energy to suspend herself in midair, willing her body to comply with her terrified drive. It didn't work. She hovered shakily for a moment and dropped, hurtling towards the concrete walk below.
Somebody caught her. Strong arms held her as she thrashed, still screaming for her daughter and trying to break free to run. She had to do something, anything. That was her baby, her only child and her whole life up there in that damned ship. Whoever had caught her held firm, and Videl could barely make out the person's pleas for her to calm down.
For she was in hysterics, screaming and crying and thrashing like a wild animal in a trap, her mother's drive to protect the life of her child burning inside. Eventually, her weakened body gave out, and she fell to her knees, heaving with sobs.
"That's my baby!" She wailed between shuddering inhalations.
"It's alright, Videl. It's okay. We'll catch the ship, don't worry." Videl thought for a moment the voice belonged to Gohan; it sounded so similar. She shrieked with sobs again, thinking she was losing her mind altogether. She looked up at him through eyes blinded with tears.
"Gohan?" She stammered.
"Yeah, we'll find him too. Don't worry, it'll be okay." Videl wiped her eyes and looked again. It wasn't Gohan after all, but his little brother, Goten. His face was pained, but he tried a weak smile when she met his gaze, and another torrent of sobs took her. She collapsed into his chest and heaved. Goten tried to coo soothing words as he stroked her shoulder, but she didn't hear. Her world was fast collapsing around her and she was powerless to do anything about it.
Trunks paced back and forth on the bridge of the ship, his face drawn in anger and worry. He was cursing himself, and Pan too. What kind of hell would they be in for now, he wondered. Damn his soft spot for that girl to hell. She never said as much, but Trunks knew that if he refused to help Pan, she would resent it and hate him forever. Even if Gohan returned smiling home the next day, she'd never forgive him. He knew her well enough to believe that.
And there was no way he was going to let her go alone. The ship was just a prototype after all, he had reiterated to her several times. It may fall apart completely under the strain of such extreme speed, somewhere in the vastness of outer space. But she was as stubborn as ever, and insisted this was the only way. Once he admitted that the ship could theoretically make the journey to Mourd in under a year, she redoubled her stand.
It was, in fact, the perfect way to escape. The ship was so fast that not even a Super Saiyan could catch up with it once the main drive was engaged, and it was already stocked with provisions for a several-month test run which had been scheduled for a week from now. The systems were all green, as far as could be tested on the Capsule grounds, and all that remained to move the Excalibur from the 'P' phase to the 'T' was a successful test run.
Trunks sat down in the pilot's seat. Pan was still fastened in to the adjacent chair, a hard look of victory and determination set on her face. She truly was fearsome, Trunks thought. He looked to the holographic instrument panel, which was splayed across the front viewing window. It showed that they had already passed Jupiter, despite having left not five minutes ago. Trunks couldn't suppress a small smile when he saw that. So far, the main drive was operating exactly as it should, rocketing them through space faster than any vessel ever had.
"Pan," Trunks said after a while, "It's not too late to go back. Your mother must be devastated."
Pan said nothing, still staring fixedly at the viewing window. She was still as stone for long moments, but finally her jaw began to quiver slightly, and Trunks saw her blinking at tears. My god she's brave, Trunks thought. Reckless, foolish, and suicidal...but brave.
Still silent, Pan unfastened her harness and stood. She shot one glance at Trunks then turned and swiftly left the bridge.
It was raining. Gohan looked into the sky and watched the little droplets fall. This was the first time he had seen it rain here. There was no shortage of clouds, the thick, low wads of vapor never left the sky. The tiny, dim sun of this place was all but completely obscured by the oppressive cover, leaving the days dusky and the nights black as tar.
He would have to fight soon. In just a few hours it would be his turn to do battle in the arena. He stared out the window, wishing for what must have been the thousandth time since his arrival that he still had his abilities. Just a ki blast, or a bit of flight would be so much help. But here there was no power, and here he had to fight.
The battles were horrendous, bloody affairs more often than not. The combatants, frightened out of their wits would either charge into one another to be killed, or piss themselves trying to run away. The other day he watched aghast as a poor creature tried to climb it's way out of the deep fighting pit, before it's attacker caught it and shoved a merciless spear thrust through the beast's middle. It died slowly, keening a long, high wail of pain and despair. This place was hell.
Four weeks he had been here; a whole month. By now he was used to the routine of this life, but he was far from comfortable with the wrenching despair of the arena and the hopeless loss of his power. This was universal here, he had been told shortly after arriving and finding himself as helpless as a newborn. Some of the other combatants had explained that on this world, everyone was equal in strength. No matter how mighty one had been before, here there was naught but equality and balance.
It was terrible. He had never known it, but Gohan had been almost entirely reliant on his Saiyan power and stamina his whole life. He had never known anything else. Now, such a simple matter as running around in the arena was exhausting, his lungs aching with each heave of his chest, legs burning with exertion. Gohan had felt this kind of exhaustion before with intense training, but it used to take so very much more to bring about.
It was a complete puzzle why the powers of everyone here were absent. No one seemed to know. There were rumors and whispers, all conflicting of course. Some told him a powerful wizard ruled the entire planet and cursed everyone with weakness. Others said that a beautiful goddess reigned here, and she thrilled to the intensity of the brutal and equally pitted fighting that took place daily in the arena.
Gohan had wondered who was watching those fights. The pit itself was a deep, circular hole in the earth, with a dirt bottom. The sides were stone, smooth as glass, and very high. A few hundred feet up a shadow seemed to permanently blanket everything above, effectively preventing anyone seeing what may lie beyond.
But by far the strangest and most infuriating part of this whole, bizarre ordeal was the fact that Gohan had absolutely no idea how he got here. The last thing he remembered was standing in his library, talking with Videl and Pan. The next moment he was on this world, being escorted to his quarters by his new fellows.
He had tried to fight, and soon discovered his weakness. They were gentle with him, but firm in restraint. He demanded answers, yelled for his family, even tried to lie still as to be an even greater burden. Nothing worked, and his guards said nothing to him. They deposited him in his room and locked the door. Gohan screamed with exertion as he tried to find his ki, straining his muscles til they were sore and he gave out in a sweating heap. The next few days he saw people and aliens moving to and fro beyond his window. Different people would deposit a tray of warm food within his room via a small opening in the bottom of the door. He tried to speak with them, tried to yell and tried to plead. They said nothing.
Just when he was about to accept that he had lost his sanity entirely and this was all just some psychotic breakdown within his own mind, he had a visitor. It wasn't much of a talk, as the little green creature answered none of his questions, and reacted to none of his threats. All it did was tell him that he was on the planet Mourd, and he was now a gladiator. It told him that he would be fighting once a week, and he must fight well. He didn't have to kill his opponent, but he must defeat his foe utterly for the battle to end.
A few more days he was left alone, but eventually his door was unlocked and he was free to roam. Gohan presumed that whoever ran this place had decided that he would cause no trouble now, and that it was safe to let him go. This is when he began talking to people, and they to him. He learned that it was customary to say nothing to newcomers until they had been set free. Everyone here were fighters in the arena, some veterans of many years and others nearly as fresh as he. Many seemed somewhat friendly, but everywhere there hung a cloud of anxiety and despair.
The area the combatants were housed in was relatively small, about the size of a small village. There were the same high walls around it as in the arena, which prevented any escape. Within were several housing units, a barracks stocked with weapons which remained locked until it was time to fight, and the two warriors were led inside to arm and prepare, a warehouse stocked with food, and a bath house.
The one thing Gohan noticed right away was how calm and complacent everyone was. He spent his first few days sneaking around the village before he realized nobody cared where he went. He searched high and low for any way out, any back doors or hatches, any cracks in the wall. An old man noticed him once and laughed, "It's all been tried before, son. Every one of us has sought a way out at some point. Save your energy, there is no exit."
The man was bent and hooded, leaning in the shadow of a doorway. Gohan had jolted around swiftly, expecting trouble. The old man laughed again.
"I've got to try." Gohan said, continuing his survey of the wall.
"Suit yourself." The cloaked elder said, still chuckling.
As the rain fell around him, Gohan walked with the two guards towards the barracks. These escorts didn't live in the village, but only appeared to lead the fighters to the arena. Gohan had tried to speak with them before, but they never answered. He walked silently now, focusing on the work ahead.
So far he hadn't killed anyone in his first two fights. His first opponent was a skinny, yellow alien that smelled awful. He hadn't seen the creature around the village before, and wondered at it's appearance. The thing had been terrified in the fight, and ineptly clutched a broad sword close to it's small frame. Gohan fought that day with a trident, and managed to fend off the feeble blows of the creature and eventually knock it to the ground, finally forcing it to surrender.
The second battle was harder. A large, brutish humanoid charged at him with two clubs swinging furiously. He plainly was after blood. Gohan dodged and ducked, using the bowstaff he was equipped with as a blocking tool most often. He found that despite his weakness, his body still remembered most of his martial arts training. No longer could he move faster than the wind, or defend himself with an energy shield, but he was rather agile still, and precise in his movement. His big opponent tired of chasing him eventually, and Gohan made his move.
With a sharp thrust he drove the end of the staff hard into the man's gut, knocking the wind from him and toppling him. There was still some fight in the brute, and Gohan had to smack him several more times before he finally relented. He had stood victorious yet again, and noted that his Saiyan blood still thrilled to battle, even in his sorry state.
Today, his opponent was nowhere to be seen. Usually the two would meet at some point, as they were escorted towards the arena. Gohan didn't see anyone though, until he was already in the barracks and was handed his weapon for today. He would fight with a cruel shortsword. The guards outfitted him with the weapon and turned to stand by the exit to the village.
"We meet again." Said a familiar voice.
Gohan turned to see the same old man that had caught him looking at the wall some days ago, "You're my opponent?" He asked in disbelief.
"Never too old here, I'm afraid," the old man said, walking out of the shadows to stand by Gohan, "I may look old, but I've been fighting here for years. Don't you dare try to take it easy on me."
He was holding a bowstaff of his own, maybe the very one Gohan had used in his last fight. Something about the old man was oddly comfortable, like a grandfather or teacher. Gohan didn't want to hurt him, and only hoped that he wouldn't have to stab him to get him to relent.
"I am Cael." The elder said, still staring at the door to the arena.
"Gohan, pleased to meet you."
"You'd better be pleased to fight me, Gohan," Cael said, a sly smirk on his wrinkled face, "They don't tolerate poor fights here."
"Who?" Gohan asked, excited. This had been the first mention of any spectators he had heard.
"Who ever is watching, of course." The old man said, then laughed.
Gohan was deflated by the joke, thinking bitterly that this man reminded him somewhat of the Old Kai.
They were soon let into the arena, which despite the perpetual dark of the sky was blinding in comparison to the dark barracks. The two made their way to the separate ends of the circle and squared off. One of the guards walked into the pit a ways and raised his arm. He held for a moment then dropped it, signaling to begin.
Without a moment's hesitation, the old man rushed Gohan. His hood flew from off his head, revealing a short, spiky crop of white hair. Gohan noticed that even despite his age, the old fellow had a thick neck, and he could tell there was some muscle under the layers of the cloak. Cael hit hard, swinging the bowstaff in a long, low arc aimed at Gohan's knees.
He just managed to leap over the strike, but by the time he had his feet Cael was jabbing at him, forcing him back. Gohan blocked and dodged, still hesitant to cut the man. Cael noticed this and was plainly agitated, as he redoubled his efforts and attacked with even more ferocity. Gohan was amazed by his speed.
"Attack me!" Cael hissed, stabbing with the staff, "Put up a fight!"
"I don't want to kill you." Gohan said, swinging the little sword halfheartedly.
"Then don't kill me. Just attack." Cael continued his onslaught, and Gohan tried to fight him off. He made a few weak jabs with the sword, and was thinking about trying to chop the staff apart when Cael landed a strike to Gohan's wrist, which sent the sword flying away. The old man grinned broadly as he continued to attack.
Gohan realized now that he didn't know this man at all. He had been lulled into a false sense of ease by the charm of the old fellow, but that could have all been a ruse. Obviously Cael had survived for many years, fighting weekly and winning most, if not all, of his matches. Perhaps he killed all of his opponents? Gohan thought he just might be in real trouble.
He decided to give the man the fight he wanted, since he was no longer armed with the lethal blade. He was still a great martial artist, after all and could probably disarm an old man of a bowstaff. Dropping into a back stance, he raised his arms and beckoned. Cael grinned broadly and swung. Gohan kicked the stick aside and shot his fist towards Cael's head. He dodged it with unnerving ease, and brought the staff back around.
This time it struck Gohan hard in the ribs, but he managed to drop his elbow over it and hold. Cael jerked a few times but noticed an opportunity and let it go on the last expected tug, sending Gohan flying backwards due to overcompensating for the pull that never came. Cael charged him then, and landed a powerful kick to the chest of the already off-kilter warrior, who then spun haphazardly into the dirt.
Gohan groaned with the ache of the blow as he spat sand out of his mouth and tried to stand. Cael let him get up, and Gohan tossed the staff to the side. He very much preferred hand-to-hand fights anyway. The two squared off again and charged. Gohan noticed just how good of a fighter Cael was as they danced their battle. The old man matched him blow for blow, and was so fast! Of course this speed was a snail's pace compared to what he was used to, but in his condition, it was all Gohan could do to keep up.
As it progressed, they both began to tire. Soon they were gasping for breath, covered in a muddy sweat from the dust of the arena floor. Gohan had landed some good hits, but Cael seemed unaffected. Gohan, on the other hand was nearly finished. His ribs and chest ached terribly, and blood was obscuring his vision from a nasty cut that Cael's fist had opened over his brow. He wiped the blood away with a dirty hand and lowered into stance. This was it, he knew.
Cael ended him mercifully. With the speed of someone fresh to the fight, he jabbed twice then jumped into the air to land a kick square on Gohan's head. He saw the world darken as he fell to the earth.