Saiya-Man and the Legion of Super-Heroes
Chapter 2: The Initiation
By claudius
I don't own anything. Legion stories and characters are based on writings by Otto Binder, Jerry Siegel, Mark Waid, and Tom McCraw and drawings by Curt Swan, Al Plastino, George Papp, Jim Mooney, and Jeffrey Moy (Legion copyright owned by DC Comics). All DragonBall Z characters based on Akira Toriyama.
Reason for revision: I had to do a fix up in the years. According to a magazine, the year of the Buu Saga was 774 AD. I made a mistake with the numbers in the first version (744). I feel that the correct assortment is important to this story, which I feel is my reason for revision.
As much as Gohan tried, the events of the last two months took away all memorial attention to his encounter with the Legion.
First, Videl found out about his secret identity. She used this secret to blackmail him with the conditions that Gohan teach her how to fly and compete with her on the upcoming Tenka-ichi Budokai. This tournament attracted much of Gohan's friends and allies. Piccolo, Kuririn, Vejita, Trunks, and Goten all participated. Of a more important notice, Gohan's father Son Goku was given permission to spend the day from the other world to compete. It was a moment to treasure…
Too bad it was ruined by disaster. This came in the form of a monster known as Majin Buu. This magical creature went on a rampage, killing friends, family, and topping his destruction with blowing up the Earth. Everyone tried stopping him. Goten and Trunks fused, Gohan was permanently enhanced with a mystical power-up that gave him his ultimate potential, and Dad was resurrected. However, it took the combination of a Vejita, a good version of Buu, a little help from Mr. Satan, and the Genki Dama to destroy that evil.
The earth was saved yet again. But unlike Cell, the results had some good ramifications.
One thing was Gohan's relationship with Videl. Before she knew his identity, Gohan thought of her as a friend, but an overbearing, problematic one at that. By the time he taught her how to fly, he started to notice that there was more to her than he had previously imagined. Behind that hard attitude was a soft edge. By the time of the competition, he started to kind of like her. After Buu, he found out that she kind of liked him as well. In the weeks that followed, he felt really okay about being with her, even going on a date or two. During these dates, Gohan disclosed to Videl secrets he did not want anyone at school to know about, except her. Although Gohan still wanted to avoid his mother's ambition that he go marry Videl, it did not change the fact that he cared about her very much.
Another ramification of Buu was just as wonderful- Goku's return. His father was resurrected by the life force of the ancient Kaioshin, the old pervert responsible for giving Gohan his boosted powers. It looked like his father was here to stay. That had so many advantages to his mother and Goten, not to mention himself. Oh, how he missed him!
With such adventures, how can one NOT forget an encounter with three persons from the future?
One day at Orange High School, Gohan participated in the pool semester of his physical education class. Within a month, the boy had lost some of his insecurity of certain factors brought on by Buu. The boy was a little worried about some matters. For one thing, his secret identity was blown to the world. At the Budokai, Gohan had discarded enough facial apparel for the classmates that were present to recognize him as the Great Saiya-Man. He thought everybody would swamp him with requests and autographs. However, there seemed to have been a less amount of pressure than he originally thought. Oh, there were the usual requests for commercial advertisements and publicity appearances, but that was not really that big a problem. However, this also made him the butt for pranks and jokes, all being perpetrated by a student named Sharpner. Videl, however, vouched for Gohan. This was probably because she knew what it was like being famous. She did not think it weird that Gohan was the Great Saiya-Man. In fact, she decided to be his partner, taking the guise of the Great Saiya-man II! Gohan did not know what to make of this at first. But he soon got over it. He kind of liked the idea of them as a team.
Another problem that Gohan worried about was his present condition. Before, the kid had the luck of looking like a lanky teenager, with the transformation to the gold fighter masking this appearance. No one could distinguish him with anything weird. However, Gohan had now undergone a transformation into a Mystic warrior. The elder Kaioshin had granted the boy his full power potential. Unfortunately, that left some major consequences. Gohan's body was now physically enhanced to the point of exceeding all the brawny teenagers at school! This feature was now fully explored at PE, when swimming class was administered. The teenager practically got the attention of all his female classmates with his massively well-rounded chest, shoulders, arms, and legs. Gohan felt a little nervous at this. The girls kept looking at him. When it was time to go to the locker room, all the girls practically jumped out of the pool first so they could get a chance to see Gohan climb out of the pool. This also made Gohan a little unpopular around the similar sex. Sharpner appeared especially pissed, angry that all the girls were ignoring his muscles for that which belonged to the nerd.
Still, as said before, Gohan was beginning to tolerate the attention (liking it was another matter). At the end of one class, Gohan, his eyes blind from the water, threw his hand out for a towel. None was found. He heard Sharpener taunt about how working out his body must have resulted in neglecting his brains. Suddenly, the boy's hands finally grasped a towel. The boy rubbed his face, healing his eyes of the water. "Thank you, Videl," he asked, guessing the identity.
"I'm not Videl," said the voice. Gohan halted rubbing his face. He knew that voice! Slowly, the teenager lowered the rag from his face. Facing him was a girl he knew, but it was not Videl.
"Hi!" the blond-haired girl stoically said.
"Saturn Girl!" cried the boy in surprise. Suddenly, the memories of their last encounter came to the boy's mind. "What are you doing here!"
"Reminding you of your initiation!" smirked the blond. Unlike all the other girls, she appeared to be little interested in staring at him.
"It's today?!" cried the boy. What with everything happening, the Legion was the least in his mind. Realizing it, Gohan acted like any person who suddenly remembered a date he was supposed to make but accidentally skipped. Luckily, school was over with the end of PE.
"I'll meet you outside," Gohan replied, charging to the locker room. Quickly dressing, Gohan told Sharpner to tell Videl that he could not fly with her today. "Tell her I'm very sorry," was his final line. Sharpner smiled, saying he would. Completely dressed, Gohan got to the roof of the school, where he saw the blond heroine standing there in costume. Changing to Saiya-Man, Gohan and Saturn Girl levitated into the air. As they flew through the skies, the teenager noticed something weird about his companion. She was flying, but no register of Ki was being projected. Something mechanical must be keeping her afloat, Gohan presumed. However, there was nothing cumbersome enough to resemble a rocket pack or rocket boots.
Videl was shocked. She was among the first to get out of the pool in Gym. Like everyone else, she wanted a peek at Gohan's body. He looked so good. Getting her glance, she went to the showers. Once she got out completely clothed, Sharpner informed her that Gohan was seeing some pretty blond chick.
The girl was too stunned to listen to that jerk's negotiation that she should pay attention to a real guy. She ran to the rooftops, only to see in a distance Gohan with someone else. Someone with blond hair. It did not appear to be Gohan's dad or brother, although both had blond hair in what Gohan called a "Super Saiya-jin" phase. Transforming into her Saiya-Man II costume, Videl tried to follow the two, but it appeared that she was still too untrained in flying to get closer. Where was Gohan going, thought the young heroine, and with whom? Why did he not tell her about his change of plans?
This thought gave the girl a harsher thought: was he avoiding her? That was an awful idea, but Videl could understand it happening. She was forever bugging the boy, questioning him about his alien heritage, about joining him as a crimefighter, etc. She must have been bothering Gohan to the point of ignorance, realized the girl. She felt guilty about it; after what almost happened with Buu, Videl wanted to be closer to the boy. Guess she overdid it to the point that Gohan did not want to be close to her.
Saiya-Man II flew to the opposite direction, hoping to stop some crime. This would distract her from her problems.
At Mount Paozu, Goku was breaking firewood (with his bare hands) when he saw Chichi racing toward him with Goten and Trunks. All looked like something bad had happened.
"What's matter?" the Saiya-jin asked.
"GOHAN'S VANISHED!!!" screamed Chichi.
"What!?"
Chichi told Goten to relate the story. Trunks, however, was the one who burst out the news first.
"Me and Goten were flying around, trying to have find some adventure-"
Goten interrupted. "When me and Trunks saw Gohan flyin' with some girl-,"
"Hey, dummy," yelled Trunks, "I'm supposed to tell the story." His remark to Goten got a bash in the head by the mother.
"Maybe it's Videl," Goku passively answered.
"That's what I thought to," replied Chichi, "But th'n Goten said it was some blond. My boy, cheatin' her fiancée!" sorrowed the woman.
"Is that it?" asked Goku.
"No, no, no," Goten repeated. "Me an' Trunks saw the girl an' Gohan land near this weird bubble. Both got in, then vanished into nothin',"
"Our first-born son is gone again!" hollered Chichi with tears in her eyes. Goku tried to calm her down. "Don't panic! If there's one thing we learned from Buu, it's we can't think somebody died because he's not here," This was having no effect on poor Chichi, who decided to faint at the moment. Husband and son picked the woman up, and carried her back to the house. Goku then asked the two kids more about what happened. A question included why did Trunks and Goten not call out to Gohan?
Goten gave the answer. Trunks wanted to play spy. It was what cool fighters did, defended the son of Vejita.
Carrying his wife, Goku wondered what had happened to Gohan. He did not sense his Ki around this world. Also, the girl must have been an earthling and not Kibito. It could be that he was making too much a big thing out of what could be a little thing. He hoped so.
Gohan was astounded at what he was flying in. According to Saturn Girl, this spherical transparent device the both of them were in was called a Time bubble. This was supposed to be a time machine. Gohan had remembered seeing such devices with Mirai Trunks, but he never rode in one. Inside the bubble, Saturn Girl activated the machine. When it turned on, everything around the bubble appeared to be spinning around the boy, getting faster and faster. Gohan realized that it was not the environment, but the bubble itself that was going through the motions.
Soon the spinning reached a point of blurring the background, than everything glowed with bright light. The next to be seen was this weird vortex of light beams and stars.
This is the time vortex, a voice spoke in Gohan's head. Saturn Girl must be speaking into his mind. She seemed quite adept at doing that power while mastering the controls on the bubble.
After a few minutes of overwhelming grandeur, the vortex disappeared. Another bright light shined around everything, followed by blurs of sight. It looked to Gohan that the whole trip was reversing itself in steps. The light came back, then the blur. Soon the environment spinning around the bubble got slower and slower, revealing more of what was seen.
What was seen was not the canyon area that Gohan left. Now it was some gigantic room. Leaving the bubble, the two passed through corridors. Heading outside, Gohan saw crowds of people walking around them, people of different shapes, forms, colors, and looks. Gohan considered this with indifference. Except for the more new faces, there was little difference here than where he came from.
"Is this time travel legal?" he asked.
"Except for certain limits, it is." Saturn Girl spoke positively. "We Legionnaires have been given some limited use of the devices. We are allowed to bring someone into the future, as long as we return him to his or her past."
"Won't that still hurt time?"
"If the person knew the events that led to the future, it would be dangerous. However, we take precautions that no one gets that information."
As Saturn Girl spoke this, Gohan got to know her more. This gave our hero some inspection on what kind of person she was. She appeared as if this whole trip was just a simple walk to the park. She also appeared very unemotional, save for the smiles. She was above everything; nothing could deter her. She seemed to present this stance with Gohan like a commander controlling her troops. She expected him to follow her. Of course, to Gohan, this made her no different from the strong-minded women he knew. However, Mom, Bulma, and Videl at least showed some feeling.
Predictably, Saiya-Man followed her. He had to. If this was the 18th century, then he needed someone to guide him. When she walked, Gohan walked with her.
At one point, Saturn Girl signaled him to stop. "Before we head to the HQ, I must give you this." In her hand was some hearing aid.
"What is it?"
"Just something that will help you understand our language. Everyone speaks a lingo called Interlac. For some who don't know it, they have to use an Interlac com to decipher the large amount of alien language."
Gohan looked at this little thing with wonder. Why not? He put it on his ear.
"Now join me," Saturn Girl flew away again, with Saiya-Man following her. It was in this flight where Gohan was astounded by the sight of what stood for the city of the future. Giant building towered up to the sky. Trains flew in the air. Everyone was flying. Lights and pictures flooded the scene. This was the future!
Saturn Girl confirmed it. "Welcome to the year 1774!"
Gohan was astounded. His mind, his ears, and his eyes were all overwhelmed by this dazzling sight. His idea of the future paled to the magnitude of this (That might not have proved anything, since the only idea of a future in Gohan's mind was that dark future Mirai Trunks and Cell came from).
"I can tell you're speechless," surmised Saturn Girl. Gohan made only an open mouth and a nod. "C'mon," Saturn Girl gestured. Gohan followed. Being in the air proved no deterrence to his interest as being on the ground. What he saw was that astounding.
The two flew higher in the sky, scouring the dazzling splendor of this futuristic city. Just then, Saturn Girl stopped. She pressed her hands on her head. Something was getting her attention.
"We have to delay our trip, Saiya-Man. We got an exigency."
"A what?" asked the teenager.
"Trouble!" she defined. She pressed a button on her belt (which Gohan noticed had a clasp with an "L" and a star inscribed upon it). With that, she zoomed to the opposite direction. Without any hesitance, Saiya-Man followed. Whatever the time period, he had to help.
"Where's the trouble?" he asked.
"Over there!" pointed Saturn Girl. In her direction, Gohan was shocked. A giant ship of some kind was lodged to a building. This combination was disastrous, displaying fire and causing debris of countless sizes to fall on the crowds below.
"I'll calm the crowds. You stop the debris!" ordered Saturn Girl. Despite some apprehension of being ordered around by a stranger, Saiya-Man complied. With great speed, he did a variety of things with the debris. He destroyed them with energy blasts, grabbed them, crushed them and smashed them with his feet and fists. The results made the debris become smaller and less cumbersome.
Saiya-man looked down to see what Saturn Girl was doing. She was doing nothing, just standing below him. Strangely, he saw the crowd move in a slow and mannered trek. They looked as if they were unaware of the dangerous debris falling on them, like it was a naturally safe day. This made him realize that maybe Saturn Girl was doing something to them.
Unfortunately, this attention took the hero away from the danger. The lodged ship started exploding, causing more shrapnel to fall. Saiya-Man tried to grab some, but a great many (some large) missed his touch. One headed straight for the telepath.
"Saturn Girl! Watch out!"
Just then, that falling piece of debris exploded into pieces. More pieces around our hero were destroyed. Gohan looked and saw some colorfully costumed people doing the affects. He saw the one named Livewire throwing lightning bolts. Cosmic Boy was also present, picking up large amounts without even touching them.
Saiya-Man looked up. Miraculously, the flames from the ship were flying out of it, almost like being drained from its source. Studying it closely, Gohan saw the flames heading to a figure, which appeared in silhouette, floating in the position of the sun.
"Allow me to help!" said a booming voice from nowhere. Saiya-Man was shocked to see the owner of this advice was a twenty- foot giant! This monolith walked over to the now- extinguished ship, pulling it out of the building as if it was a toy.
Gohan was so astounded by this that he started to pay less notice to the falling debris. "Hey, you sprocking numbskull!" called a smaller but still loud voice, "Pay more attention to what you're doing!" This advice came from a flying boy almost Gohan's age, dressed in red and green garments. This person practiced what he was preaching, flying toward some of the shrapnel. In its wake, the guy exhaled a large breath which transformed into a giant wind that sent some debris to fly away from any heated positions. Despite his reservations, Gohan was intrigued at this show of power. He never saw anyone use his breath like that before.
But the kid was right about ignorance, so Saiya-Man continued his vendetta against the shrapnel. Soon, there was nothing but meager rocks and chips that fell. Nothing was harmful in that. His job done, but realizing he could be easily lost, Saiya-man headed to the ground, spotting Cosmic Boy making orders.
"Problem well in hand?" said Saiya-man to Cosmic Boy.
"Generally," the guy spoke in a shy manner. Gohan realized that whenever he was around, the kid acted weird. Must be the fact that he was some historical figure from long ago. Gohan understood that. He might have felt the same if he met his Dad's father or his great-grandfather Gohan.
At any rate, the situation appeared to be well in hand. Several giant ships hovered before the danger zone. Gohan did not know what they were. Not even Cosmic Boy calling them Medi-cars and Pyro-Nullifiers gave him much understanding. Everything looked new and strange to him. For once, he wished he could see a simple fire truck or police sky-car.
Several weird-looking people came with devices that beeped or glowed. Livewire walked into these groups, making some speeches or gestures. This kid then called for Saiya-man. The teenager obeyed this call, standing right next to him.
"Reporters," Livewire excitingly expressed. "This job was done by the Legion of Super-Heroes. We've shown you our abilities before. We hope to be a major help to the universe."
Saiya-man felt a little nervous with all this attention. He decided to make the best of it. "Y-YES, THE GREAT SAIYA-MAN WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP!"
This caused the gathering to blink or gasp, each making reactions with their varying amount of eyes and mouths. One answered to this. "So you have a Great Saiya-man impersonator on your team?"
"IMPERSONATOR!" was Saiya-man. "WHY I'M THE ONE, THE ONLY, GREAT SAIYA-MAN! He roared, doing a little dance that Livewire witnessed. The Legionnaire tried (very hard) to keep a straight face.
"Sure you are!" yelled one reporter. Some laughter exploded around the group. Gohan was then going to wow them with a new dance, when Livewire pushed him away, saying "Yeah, that's enough questions for now. We got to get going!"
"But I was going to do my dance!"
"No, you're not!" smiled Livewire. Saiya-man felt a little pissed by this maneuver. How could this guy be such a jerk!
Before Saiya-man could make this perspective permanent, Livewire moved beside him with a smile. "Please don't think too bad about what I said. You've definitely proved worthy of my respect. Those reporters don't know anything."
Saiya-Man felt better at this. By then, the duo met Saturn Girl and Cosmic Boy. Getting a better glance at them this time, Gohan noticed something he did not before; these three persons could be younger than him. Of course, this was not a major problem the boy; he had enough experience to accept that age was no limit for power, courage, and power. Goten, Trunks, his father when young, and his young self were evidence of that.
"The situation is now under control," Saturn Girl gestured to Livewire. "The building was undergoing a conditioning that was over in this hour. No one was in the building. Meanwhile, the Pyro-Nullifier Team is handling the flames while the Medi-cars are treating the injured passengers. Some are critical, but salvageable. I've told the rest of the team to return to headquarters."
How was she able to do all that, Gohan wondered, and still act so passive?
"Where we should be heading to," added Cosmic Boy. "We have an initiation to make." He said this with a respectful eye on Gohan.
Everyone than flew into the air. Following, Saiya-man was not astounded by this. Anyone who had powers automatically could fly. However, he still noticed that none of them seemed to exhibit a Ki while in the air. He was convinced that some artificial apparel was making this possible.
"So how was the last two months?" Livewire asked with interest.
"It's a long story," spoke Gohan, not realizing until he said it that these people must already know what had happened. It was an interesting thought. Everyone here might know what he might be doing in his future, which in their future, became the past…at least that was what Gohan tried to understand without confusion.
He followed this group down to this mountain. At least, it was as high as one, but it was man made. It was some sort of skyscraper. Thousands of buildings sprouted from all its sides in balconies. On the bottom of this building was a building that met the tower in width if not height. It looked like an upside-down missile.
"This is Legion Plaza," Saturn Girl presented to Gohan. Continuing downward, Saiya-man and the three Legion members landed on the roof of this building. Gohan looked around. There did not appear to be any door like the school roof in his time.
"How do we get in?"
The answer was found when Gohan saw the floor under him start to glow. The whole scene around him vanished from outside to inside. The city was gone, replaced by a large hall. He realized that this floor was a door. The podium could transport him inside.
"Can't we use a normal door?" asked Gohan.
"The HQ is full of them, but this way is the most interesting," answered the telepath.
Gohan followed the three, all the while looking around this place. The hall was full of more interesting pieces for the eye. What fascinated him the most was this giant statue that stood in the center. It was his father!
"Do you think the statue's a bit much?" Saturn Girl asked sincerely.
"N-no!" Gohan confirmed. It was so impressive to see this effigy. He remembered how no one thought much of Goku after the Cell games, an act caused by Mr. Satan's prestige. It was a great relief to him that somebody unrelated thought of his father as a hero.
In this solitary hallway, Gohan saw someone approaching. It was a mustachioed old man riding on some floating scooter. This man made a look at Gohan, displaying a sense of pride.
"So this is Saiya-Man?" the old man asked. Saturn Girl nodded, making the man smile. He held out his hand, which Gohan met with his.
"I was a fan of yours since I was a little strapling," the old man remarked. "Hope you can do some great work on this team."
"I-I hope so too," Gohan answered nervously. He never thought himself as being that revered by people.
When their hands parted, the figure flew away on his scooter.
"Congratulations, Gohan!" Saturn Girl cried, "You've met the Legion's financer, multi-trillionare R. J. Brande."
Gohan did not understand the uniqueness of this meeting. Looking at him, Saturn Girl decided to fill in the holes.
"Brande is the founder of this group. He was the reason Rohk, Garth, and myself are together. You were an inspiration to him for creating this team."
Both Livewire and Cosmic boy smiled, making Gohan realize that the "Rohk" and "Garth" Saturn Girl mentioned were actually Cosmic Boy and Livewire. "That was pretty nice of him. So how did you meet him?"
"On a trip to Earth,' Saturn Girl presented her side of the story. "I was in the same traveler's ship as Brande, Rohk, and Garth. Back then I was an accomplished telepath from the moon called Titan, a spherical object that existed near what you called Saturn. Adept with my powers, I was going to transfer to Earth. Rohk was a sports player who was trying to feed his poor family, and Garth was searching for his brother."
The story intrigued Gohan on who he might be working with. The implication of a faster space travel then he had witnessed was also interesting.
"As it was, there were assassins in the same ship, planning to kill Brande. As we all got out of the ship, my telepathic abilities detected the assassins…"
"She then yelled out a warning, giving me a chance to attack the assassins with my lightning powers," interrupted Livewire.
"My magnetic powers also helped." Added Cosmic Boy with a smirk.
Saturn Girl continued. "The assassins were stopped. R. J. Brande was grateful, but also interested. A day later, he got us all together to talk about forming a group made up of powerful beings from all over the universe. He was inspired by the adventures of Son Goku and his Z senshi, who were also a multi-universal group."
Gohan was amused. "Mr. Brande must have been very grateful."
Cosmic Boy made a sincere expression. "There's more to it than that. Brande found this Legion for very noble reasons. You see Gohan, in this future, there has to be a symbol of justice in this universe."
"A symbol?" asked Gohan.
"This may sound hokey," remarked Livewire, "But this universe needs help. Although we live under a federation known as the United Planets, our worlds are still beset by crime, wars, and corruption. As Cos says, we need a symbol. Centuries ago, a group of heroes joined together from many worlds, protecting one planet. This Earth."
Saiya-Man recognized this with pride.
Livewire continued. "Those historical legends left a legacy that the Legion hopefully will carry. In this age, we lack such heroes and togetherness. We hope to remedy that problem by creating a group that will supply that idealism and hope. If trouble occurs that threatens the system, it would be up to us to fight that source. The Legion would stand as protectors of this era like those of the past."
Silence fell. Saiya-man felt moved by that speech. Then Cosmic Boy remarked, "That is according to what Brande says."
"Hey, it's a good idea." smiled Saturn Girl.
"I was a little reluctant about joining," revealed Livewire, "But I thought this would be interesting."
"And it's a way to support my poor family," added Cosmic Boy.
Gohan was very intrigued. The more he learned, the more he liked this idea. These teenagers were willing to do something for a greater good. Gohan knew that it was not going to be an easy job. However, he admired these kids' spunk. He had never felt such spirit from anyone except his friends and his family. "I hope there will be more of us."
"To protect this solar system, this Legion is going to need more members," added Saturn Girl. "For the last month we have gotten new recruits from this system So far we are numbering twelve."
"That's a lot," said Gohan.
"Well, we had a few failures. It had to do with them not being able to display a controllable power or ability, as well as a failure of proving him or herself worthy."
"Hopefully, we'll get more people." Surmised Cosmic Boy. "This is a large universe."
"Speaking of which," interrupted Livewire, "We have a meeting to go to."
The four walked to a wall that slid open. Gohan made a stir at this. Walking forward led to a large meeting room. There were people standing or sitting, all talking to each other. This ended when they all saw who came in. Gohan felt awkward to this cast of strangers. This was made worse because some of the characters looked at him with glaring eyes, especially that red-and-green-garbed kid with the super breath. The opposite of this suspicion was the interested yellow-skinned alien with antennaes on his head. To Gohan he looked like a yellow Piccolo or Dende.
The three Legionnaires played go-betweens to introduce Gohan to these members. There was a girl in orange and purple garb. She was named Triad. To Gohan's surprise, the girl split up into three identical versions of the same girl. They all shook his hand. Gohan remembered that Piccolo could do this trick as well.
Next was a boy in scarlet and gold garb, with flowing red hair. He was Inferno. When Gohan shook hands with him, he felt heat coming out from him.
The yellow-skinned alien was next. Before Gohan could say anything, the alien blurted out that no, he was NOT a Namekian, although everyone else kept asking him that question. He was a Durlan, who can change shape. Named Chameleon, he presented this gift to the boy, first becoming a chair, a weird-looking animal, and- to Gohan's shock- himself!
More people followed. The Giant in red and blue garb was named Leviathan. Obviously, he could change his size. Another named himself Element Lad. Dressed in lavender and white, this kid created, in front of Gohan, a gem out of nothing. A girl walked like a ghost to Gohan. She called herself Apparition. The last person Gohan believed he had not acquainted himself with was that punk. He said nothing with a stone glare. When the pair shook hands, Saiya-Man felt his hand almost getting crushed. The kid's name was Ultra Boy.
To Gohan, that appeared to be it with the introductions. Cosmic Boy, however, still continued with it, showing Gohan empty space. Just then, a girl appeared out of nowhere. Dressed in purple and green, the girl was referred to as Shrinking Violet. Explaining her powers, she swiftly shrank into a tiny speck, which flew and perched herself on Gohan's finger.
Everyone got to a seat. Gohan found he was seated on a cushioned chair. It was a weird meeting place, for there was no table to sit around. The members surrounded nothing but some glass podium at everyone's feet.
For a moment no one spoke. This silence made the situation look a little awkward. Finally someone broke this: Cosmic Boy.
"Legionnaires," Cosmic Boy declared, "Today in this meeting, I wish to introduce you to a new member of whom we have real proof of his abilities. Arise, Saiya-Man."
On that day, a thousand years ago, Videl was scouring the city, finding crime to bust. Her enhanced super abilities were a major advantage in taking out the more violent and dangerous of assignments. She was happy helping people in need. However, that was the only thing keeping her from going into a depression, a problem brought on by Gohan's apparent alienation from her.
So be it. If Gohan did not want her around, why should she give a care? She was a crimefighter before she met Gohan. Her job was not solely based on a partnership. Gohan was just a bonus: great to have him around, but she was content to work without him.
The girl flew back to a vacant roof, where she hid her knapsack. This bag did not have her clothes; she was already wearing them. Pressing a button on her watch revealed this garb from hiding. What was in the bag were her school books.
Suddenly, a shadow fell upon her knapsack.
"Gohan?" Videl asked.
The person hovering over her was not Gohan. There were reasons for this, not the least being that Gohan did not have green skin or antennaes.
"Hi, Piccolo." Videl said with some stunned reaction. The guy was creepy- looking. She had already learned some information about this Namekian almost destroying the world once. She was a little afraid of him. Gohan, however, did not share that emotion. At the Budokai, she noticed Gohan's face glow with respect whenever the alien was concerned. Videl thought that unusual, until Gohan told her about how Piccolo trained him and watched over him when he was young. If he was not scared of the alien, Videl decided that she was not going to be scared either. Piccolo did, after all, save her from an energy blast administered by Buu.
The Namekian stood resolute, staring at her with cold eyes. "Have you seen Gohan?" he spoke in a straight manner.
"Nope. Haven't seen him since school ended."
"So had Goten, unfortunately,"
The last word shook Videl of any complaints. "What do you mean? Is Gohan all right?"
The Namekian looked at Videl's eyes, seeing the concern she had for him. He turned around, away from the girl. "Goten and Trunks said that Gohan vanished into thin air with some blond girl."
The mention of the latter would have hurt Videl, but the note of Gohan's disappearance was what really mattered to her. Despite her fears, she kept an optimistic tone. "Disappeared? That might not mean anything." Videl declared. "Remember when we thought he was dead, and he was actually living in Kaioshin's world? I'm sure he's okay."
Piccolo closed his eyes. He was not amused by the girl's interest with Gohan. Like before, the girl believed in Gohan's safety, with Piccolo believing the worse. Why did he resent her so?
"Look, Piccolo," Videl smiled. "We'll look for him. He'll be okay."
"I fly alone." Piccolo demanded. He flew off in the air.
Videl certainly felt repulsed at this. One had better luck moving mountains than to have this Namekian pull an emotion.
Still, she had to look for Gohan. Something bad must have happened to him. She had to find out what.
The initiation went on with nervous concern for Gohan. He was given information on the constitution, a set of rules that the Legion obeyed. Most of it was about upholding the role of a member, which meant not doing any illegal actions. Most idealistic of these laws was a prohibition of death. The Legionnaire could not kill. They could resolve a situation in any way except by death. Gohan felt a little bothered by this. It was not because of his own code: He definitely did not consider himself a killer. Rather, he believed that there were some evils that cannot be stopped without death. He remembered from Buu and Cell that there were some menaces that had to die, for the good of the universe.
However, Gohan decided to consent to the membership, but under one condition. He would help the Legion when asked, but he was not going to stay in the future indefinitely. To his relief, the Legion never thought otherwise. They understood that Gohan had a role in his past as he was hopefully going to do in this future. Having Saiya-Man stay in this century would definitely put some major holes in history. Because of this, the Legion decided to make Gohan a part-time member. He would come to every meeting and be asked to help in certain severe situations, but on the whole, he would not do a 24-7 schedule.
With that, Saiya-Man became a member of the group.
And what a group! Gohan learned about the lives and powers of some of the people next to him. All of them were from different planets. So that meant that they were all aliens from outer space. Of course, this mattered little to Gohan. He was half-alien himself.
Some of them had colorful pasts; Jan Arrah, who has the name of Element Lad, was the only survivor of his planet Trom. His power enabled him to transmute one element into another. Others had shady pasts. Ultra Boy, or Jo Nah, was a known juvenile delinquent in his planet called Rimbor. His powers were being able to switch from one power at a time. He got this without any training, nor from himself; some space dragon swallowed him and gave Jo his powers. Come to think of it, save for Saturn Girl, no one here got their powers from any training. They were either born with it, like Chameleon and Cosmic Boy, while others were granted powers by accident, like the heat-radiating Inferno, the size-enhancing Leviathan, and electricity-wielding Livewire. These origins did not limit Gohan's interest. Rather, the idea of power-by-accident was a new thing to behold. Since his own powers were natural and honed through training, Gohan wondered if this made him a weirdo. So far, no one save the first three actually spoke more than three words with him. He hoped that would change.
And that occurred after the initiation. Element Lad, Apparition, Chameleon, Leviathan, Shrinking Violet, Triad, Inferno, and the three Legionnaires he knew all huddled around the demi-Saiya-jin, speaking with congratulations, salutations, and prideful hopes of working in the future with him. At first hesitant, Saiya-Man was losing his apprehensions. This might work out after all.
Saturn Girl was ordered to bring Gohan home. The girl carried out her duties in a stoic manner, guiding Gohan back to what he now learned was the Time Institute, of which the Time Bubble was located at.
"So, what did you think?" Saturn Girl made an answer.
"A very colorful group. I hope I made the right impression."
"I think so," she corrected, "Some are very excited meeting someone from the history books."
"I guess," Gohan smirked, realizing a question that had to be asked. "Eh, Saturn Girl?"
"Yes?"
"Since this is the future, do you all know what's going to happen to me in the past?"
Saturn Girl made no expression. "If we did, would you want to know?"
"I guess not," Gohan sadly understood, "Unless it is something I can change."
Saturn Girl looked stoic. "It's a big step having a person from the past be in our group. That means one has to be careful on how that person is treated. Our future could be jeopardy if things did not happen the way they were supposed to happen."
"That sounds cruel,"
"Or kind. If you knew someone was going to die, with no escape, would you want to tell that person beforehand?"
"Maybe,"
"Meaning you would somehow act as some prophet of doom, foretelling that person's unavoidable death?"
"I guess you have a point." Gohan considered. That gave some ramifications. What if he was going to die soon? What if someone he knew was going to die soon? Would knowing beforehand be a gift, or a curse? "Then why did you invite me?"
"Because you are our hero, Gohan," Saturn Girl sincerely said. "You stand for what the Legion is supposed to be. We need you as a inspiration, as an ally."
"Even though you risk everything having me here?"
"As long as you don't know what is going to happen. To be truthful, the fact that we are asking you to join our group pretty much shows that nothing is going to happen to you in the upcoming future. Still, it's best that you don't know your future. As far as you know, it's a mystery. Best to keep it that way."
"Well, don't tell me anything." Saiya-man complied. "I've had enough of knowing something's going to happen in my future."
"Suit yourself," agreed the telepath.
By then, the duo reached the Time Institute. Inside, the two walked to a door with an electric eye. "Identification please." A speaker announced.
Saturn Girl looked into the eye. The speaker responded with "Identification received."
It was Gohan's turn. Saturn Girl told him to look into the eye as well. A shining light glared into the boy's eyes, responding with an "Identification received."
Gohan was puzzled. "How did I get through that?"
"The eye identifies the prints of your eye." Saturn Girl explained. "Since you have made the oath, you are now listed in the Legion's membership list."
Wow, Gohan thought. It took him that long for recognition!
Eventually, the two entered the room with the Time Bubble. Getting in, the two re-witnessed the same trip that occurred previously. By the time they were in the vortex, something unpredictable happened.
"Oh no," moaned Saturn Girl.
Gohan realized that was not a good sign. "What happened?" he asked nervously.
"I made an error on the time coordinates." Saturn Girl decreed. "You're trip to the future was supposed to be four hours. The same is supposed to be said for your absence in the year 774. I miscalculated."
A sweat dropped on Gohan's head. "Are we going to be lost?"
"No, we'll be able to get back to your regular time. Only the four hours will be doubled to eight!"
Gohan was really upset with that. He did not tell anyone where he was going. As a result, nobody knew where he was. The fact that he was gone for almost half the day must have fallen heavily on his family and friends. What an idiot! Everyone must be worried about him…especially Mom…and Videl.
Soon everything worked to the predictable. The vortex switched to a blur that became a spinning environment and finally a still one. Looking around, Gohan had seen that night had come. He was going to be in for it now. His only blessing was that he left on a Friday, which was not a school night.
"I apologize for this," the telepathic Legionnaire spoke with an emotion that Gohan had thought was an inability to her, "Cosmic Boy did the last trip. This is my first time."
"It's all right. Can't be helped," Gohan understood. "So same time next weekend?"
Saturn Girl made a look that restored her cool demeanor. "Sure. By then, I'll have the hang of it." She was about to leave, when she casually turned back around to face Gohan with an envelope. "I forgot this," was her reason, handing Gohan the letter. "Don't open it until you get home."
Gohan nodded. Soon the Time Bubble vanished, leaving the kid alone to think about what was going to happen.
The first sign came when Piccolo appeared from the countryside.
As Saiya-Man reached his home with his mentor, Goten, Trunks, and Goku came from two different directions. They all asked where he was and why he was gone for so long. "I'll tell you all later," was his reply.
Gohan returned home to see Chichi jumping on him with a bear hug.
"Oh, my baby!" was her first words. Then after the hug, she turned fierce, demanding an explanation, about his disappearance…about cheating on Videl. That latter one was a whopper for Gohan to react to.
As they reached home, both Trunks and Piccolo left. This left Chichi, Goku, and Goten to hear Gohan's story. He told about his meeting the three Legionnaires two months earlier, then today's reunion where he was initiated into the group. Chichi and Goten were given a reaction of disbelief. Goku was also astounded, but he somehow believed in what his son was saying, for some reason unclear to him.
Gohan told his parents that he decided to be a member of this group of future heroes. Goku appeared excited. He asked his son if there were going to be any fights. Gohan told him that since the Legion's job was to fight bad guys, and protect the universe, it was apparent that some fighting would occur.
"Can I join?" was Goku's reply.
"Sorry dad, but there's an age limiting anyone above twenty to join." Gohan answered, with his father moping. Goten then tried his chances. No, replied the older brother. There's a limit of membership to anyone below twelve. The little sibling made a similar reaction like his father.
"Besides," Gohan continued, "since I joined, I am prohibited to compete in any tournaments." This gave some face faults from father and brother. "Why not?" they asked.
"Because it devotes too much effort away from the job. What if I tire myself in a competition just when some super-space villain decides to make an appearance?"
Goku understood too well. He remembered the trouble he had fighting the Daimon Piccolo and his cohorts because he had tired himself out in a tournament. "Well, you got my consent." Gohan was glad about that. His mother, however…
"What are you thinkin' of, Gohan!" Chichi let out in full wrath. "You have your education to think about! Can you trust this…this gang!?
"They are not a gang, mom." Replied Gohan meekly. "I think some of them are being educated too. Besides, they say I can be a part-time member so I can devote time on school!"
"It will take away your attention!" the mother coldly demanded. "Besides, you have to iron things out with Videl. You have to marry her."
Gohan flipped. "I never said I was going to marry her! Also, the Legion demands that I cannot be married. They say it takes away its loyalty to the team's goal."
"Then marry, so you cannot be a member!" was Chichi's response. However, the woman realized that her son was going ahead with this idea. She suddenly cried out how her son had become a hoodlum.
Gohan was at a loss on how to make his mom understand. Dad seemed unable to help. What was he going to do?
Suddenly, he remembered the envelope Saturn Girl gave him. Seeing there was no better time, he opened it. Inside were a flat square and a piece of paper. The note said for Gohan to press the square. Doing so, the square changed into a check with another note. The boy read it.
"Hey mom, hear this!" Getting the attention, Gohan read the paper.
"Dear Gohan, your membership promises certain benefits, like a salary. With precise accuracy we have compounded an actual 774 check to cash in. A certain amount of 774-based zeni has been deposited to a 774 bank. Signed R. J. Brande."
Chichi asked what was in the check. Gohan answered that it was 500,000 zeni!
The mother's jaw dropped. "Why, with that money, we can support ourselves and still have enough for Gohan's tuition!"
"So, can I still be a member?" Gohan asked, hoping being on his mother's good side would result in her acceptance (though he was still going to be a Legionnaire whatever her choice).
"C'mon Chichi," Goku pleaded, "Let him stay."
Chichi made a pondering look. "Well, if it don't take too much attention 'way from your studies, you can.
Gohan smiled. Goku walked over to his son's shoulder. "So tell me about these kids."
"Later, dad," Gohan apologized as he got out of his seat. "First I got to explain things to Videl."
Videl flew around the countryside. So far she had seen nothing.
Then she saw Gohan flying toward him.
"Hey Videl!" Saiya-Man cried. His partner was not in the worded mood.
"Where the heck were you!" she shouted. "Did you think you could just abandon me?"
Gohan did not understand that. He remembered telling Sharpner to tell her he had other plans. Come to think of it, not telling her in person was still a nasty thing to do to Videl.
"If you thought I was bothersome to you," Videl retorted, "You could have told me!"
"I don't think you're a burden!" Gohan pleaded. "I'm sorry for avoiding you! It's just that something came up."
Hearing this, Videl decided to give Gohan a chance.
A half hour passed. Videl learned everything about Gohan's whereabouts, and what caused them. She thought this was really weird, but on the other hand, everything concerning Gohan was out of the ordinary. He reminded her of the time that blond girl came to his locker, making the impression that they were a couple. Turned out she was from the future. Videl breathed a sigh, saying that she understood.
Gohan looked deeply at Videl. "I feel bad about hurting you."
Videl looked at Gohan's eyes. She believed his apology. With a hard smile she declared that Gohan has been forgiven. "But next time," she strongly intoned, "tell me IN PERSON where you are going." She then took out her hand for him to shake. "Deal?"
Gohan smiled, grasping her hand with his own. "Deal."
Videl completed this truce with a nod. "So tell me more about this Legion."
Next time: Saiya-Man goes into action with the Legion…with mixed results.
I realize some mistakes were made in the adaptation. I forgot to mention Otto Binder, who was actually the true writer of the first Legion story in ADVENTURE COMICS #247. Incidentally, I misspelled Mort Weisinger as Wort Meisinger.
I have also decided to rename some of these characters with psydenoums of which the present version of the Legion now use. I felt using some of the original names sounded a little goofy. Livewire, Leviathan, and Apparition sound a lot better than Lightning Lad, Colossal Boy, and Phantom Girl.
Also, I wish to declaim the myth that Gohan's mystic power-up was temporary. It seems it was actually permanent. Since I don't think he lost it in Buu, this means he never lost it.
