Author's notes: Hehehehehe I don't care if anyone doesn't like my story. I'm just rewriting this for my old reader's and the fact that I'm bored. Oh yeah and here's the dillio; I've decided to use the Sailor Moon Japanese names because the American dubbed names sound kinda corny to me now, except Rini cause I'm still not use to the whole Chibiusa thing. Sign! Just got done watching Sailor Stars and now I have a new found respect for the series; not because of the women-changing men, the lesbian-flirting every time you saw Haruka and Michiru, the constant transformations, or the whole Mamo-chan, Mamo-chan, Mamo-chan stuff, but you know, it's cool. Man, took me 3 days to download the whole series; 34 episodes. I was hoping to see new powers but ah well.
Chapter 2: Innocence Unveiled
Gohan watched as the ant-like mountains passed underneath him. Flying above the white clouds he felt free and untouchable; free from his school work and free from his usual routines as he soared above the earth. Nimbus took on a new speed with which Gohan hadn't felt, but it was exhilarating. Goku smiled as they passed over the open green lands. All was well; Gohan felt released and was truly happy.
Gohan looked up at his father, "Dad," he said, "this is great."
Goku looked down and nodded, and Gohan cherished the moment. He closed his eyes and felt the breeze, but suddenly the feel of fluff and warmth did not come from the golden cloud anymore. It was hard and cool, with a certain itchiness that Gohan could not describe. He was unable to look down or up, unable to control his senses.
"No," he said, "it can't be another..............."
Gohan opened his eyes and saw a bright light high above in the sky. He quickly shielded them from the blaring sight as he sat straight. The grass was cool, and his legs had been in the shade. Quickly he rubbed away the blots of sunlight from his eyes, and as his body began to fully function it remembered the pain from Vegeta's intense attack.
"Ahhhhhh," Gohan agonized as he hugged himself, feeling and soothing the broken bones and torn flesh in his body.
He looked around, remembering how he got there. His eyes shot left, then right, and finally rested on the place from where he descended. It was a complete mess; the trees had been torn and ripped apart by his cannonball- like descent. It was as if he came down from the sky as a meteor. He fought from fainting to search the area some more, but he couldn't keep his body up, and he let his entire form hit the grassy forest floor. The plan backfired; instead of getting killed he was just in tremendous pain. His vision began to blacken, and his eyelids grew heavy with the pressure of pain. As he began to black out, his droopy eyes caught the tiniest hint of a shadowy figure. Gohan struggled to keep his vision from blurring, focusing on the being sitting just a few yards from him.
"You're such a fool Gohan," Vegeta said, barely able to get the words out.
Vegeta was sitting, leaning on the stump of a devastated tree. His arm grappling the opposite ribcage, Vegeta struggled to simply get any oxygen.
"Why would you do such an idiotic thing like that?" he asked, only able to keep one eye open.
Gohan smiled mockingly as if the pained expression of Vegeta somehow pleased him. Even though Gohan had never liked seeing anyone in pain, even now, something in his heart told him to enjoy it.
"What are you smiling about?" he asked, disgusted.
With new zeal, Gohan was able to lift himself up from the ground; just seconds ago he was all but ready to die over.
"I asked why you did that." Vegeta said. "Do you know how much it takes out of you to summon that much energy back? I have barely enough energy to keep my eye open."
Gohan was standing on both legs; he now had one arm holding the other. "I said I wanted to die, you just weren't man enough to send all of your power. You weren't SAYIAN enough to finish me off. You're so weak. I don't want to be anywhere near you, just because I don't like you."
Gohan turned away and headed toward the outer edge of the forest, the direction opposite his home.
"Listen to me boy," Vegeta ordered as if he still had royal dominance over the half-breed, "The pain you feel now pales in comparison to what I felt during my imprisonment with Frieza. You're just a punk who can't admit the fact that his daddy is dead. Get over it, and get on with your life."
Gohan paid no attention to the scolding Vegeta as he headed away from all life. Vegeta looked at the hurting boy and couldn't help but smile and frown. Finally, there was a person other than himself with sayian blood who acted like a real sayian; not like the childish Kakarot or his ever-crying son from the future. However, it had reminded Vegeta of the old days when other, real sayians had been around him, and he remembered the arrogance most of them had that blinded their judgment. He had not known of it however, until he came to Earth and had been defeated by a third-class sayian. For the first time in his life someone other than Kakarot made him realize the danger of his peoples' arrogance.
"Watch yourself kid," Vegeta whispered as he fell into darkness.
Gohan stumbled onto the dirt road; the rocky terrain shook his already unstable walk. The many other stars had bullied the Sun into the corner as night drew close. Gohan was barely able to see during the day, it would be impossible for him to see anything now. The thick forest, however, had played a roll in his vision earlier, and Gohan was able to see better than he thought he could have. From a distance, a tiny glow reached his eyes. Gohan followed the light, not knowing what it was. As time passed he could see the light shining more brightly, and realized that it had been coming towards him as well. Gohan shielded his eyes from the high beams of the small vehicle. He stepped to the side of the road, but the vehicle still slowed to a stop. As he walked pass the small car parked in the middle of the road, he could see the womanly shape of the driver. Not giving another thought Gohan would've simply passed by, that is until the driver's door opened.
He could see a tall figure getting out, however his limited vision and the glare of the headlights made it hard for him to make out the person's complexions. Finally as the tall figure approached, Gohan spoke.
"Who's there?" he asked, still blocking off the light.
A woman came into view. She was tall, and looked very young, but she had a type of dress suit that female executives at big companies wore. Her hair was fair; long, curly, and black as his. The oddest thing about this woman to Gohan though, was her eyes. They were round and mysterious, yet comforting and sweet. Even in the darkness Gohan feared to look into them, afraid they could see into his sorrowful heart. She presented herself to Gohan very politely, and smiled as if she had found a long lost friend. However as she neared Gohan, she could see his injured body and untreated wounds.
"Oh my," she said finally. Gohan had almost lost himself in her sweet tone, "you're hurt, please, let me help you."
The woman reached over to help Gohan, but as her soft hands neared him, he swiftly turned from her and began to walk off.
"I don't need your help, I'm fine," Gohan told the woman as he trailed off. The woman could do nothing but smile back at him.
As he walked further and further away, he began to wonder why the woman hadn't followed him, and persuade him to go with her. All the experience that he had concerning the other gender told him that she was going to run up to him, demand that he go see a doctor, and if he refused she were going to grab him by a very sensitive part of his body, no a different part, and make him go. However, she did not come. Gohan wanted to turn around, wanted to see if his thoughts were correct. Still she didn't come. He finally got the strength to look back, and when he did he saw nothing in the road, just a trail of dirt left by a moving vehicle. Gohan turned around and walked off again, wondering why he had those kinds of thoughts in his mind. He shook his head, and removed the moment from his memory.
Gohan walked for sometime until the forest cleared, and now the dirt road entered a paved and modern highway. He had reached his destination: The Blue Pool. It was a gigantic lake which fed off on all the surrounding rivers. It was very dark then; Gohan was unable to see the shimmering waters like he hoped he would see, however he went there only to rest his sore body in the cool water, in peace. He began to go down towards the water, half stumbling to the shoreline. When he reached the waters edge, Gohan kneeled down and placed his finger into the water, to check how cool it was. It was at a temperate degree, comfortable enough for Gohan to relax in for hours. He went back near the road, where he was going to change out of his clothes.
"Here, a senzu bean would be much better than staying in this freezing lake."
Gohan turned to face the familiar voice. As Piccolo's form became apparent so too did a small object darting towards Gohan. The experienced young warrior caught the bullet easily, and looked at it for a while.
"Aren't you going to eat it?" Piccolo asked.
"Why should I? Once my mind forgets about this pain I would just go back to feeling another pain, a pain I'd rather not feel," Gohan revealed, uncaring if anyone else had heard it.
Gohan took the senzu bean and gulped it anyway. Instantly he felt the power rushing back into his sore muscles, the bones reinserted themselves and everything around him he could sense clearly.
"You're coming with me," Piccolo ordered as he turned away from Gohan, ready to launch at any moment.
"Teh, what makes you think I'd listen to you Piccolo?" Gohan asked like an "invincible" teenager would.
The Namekian wasn't concerned, "Because I know you want to see your father."
Gohan's surprised expression was Piccolo's cue to leave. He lifted into the air and sped off at super sonic speed, quickly followed by an interested but doubting Gohan.
"What are you up to Piccolo?"
Darkness covered the entire body of Saturn. The Sun was powerless against the extreme negative energy. The enormous castle-like ship was like an incurable virus that had entered the solar system. The ship was cloaked in darkness, not even the stars were able to distinguish the vacuum of space from the ship's outer walls. Deep inside the space-traveling fortress, a being sat in its throne room. Darkness covered the entire scope; the only light to be even seen was that of the mysterious spotlights which illuminated the bowing subordinates in front of its view. Dozens of warriors were there; many frightened to stare into the shadow.
"Now, here me."
The cold and tainted voice froze the blood of all who were in the room.
"What we seek is on that tiny blue world. Our God has led us to it, far from our own galaxy into this miserable space to find the ultimate power with which I will rule the Cosmos with."
The being's soldiers listened silently to their master's preaching.
"Once you, my brave warriors, have obtained this artifact, you will experience the most incredible pleasures offered in the mortal world. If you stay strong and head into doom for our cause, then you shall live eternally!"
The gathered minions rose to their feet, howling praises at their all-powerful master.
"Go now! Lay down all of which you have in order to obtain all that which you desire!"
The crowd yelled in zeal as their own auras shined brilliantly, then disappearing from the room in a width of a second. Only one was now left in the room with the being, one who hid in the shadows and one who did not fear to look into the eyes of death.
"Gemin," the dark being uttered, calling into the dark.
Within moments a figure appeared in front of the being's view, shrouded in its own shadow.
"Good to see you again, Zagus," the being that came from the shadow said, arms crossed like a statue.
The one called Zagus finally moved away from its shield of darkness, and he too, appeared in the light like his followers.
"If what you tell me is true, then my days as an all-powerful king will be over. I will become a true God. With that artifact I can easily dominate the entire quadrant of the universe, and soon, in the next eon, the universe itself," Zagus said calmly.
The shadowy being, known as Gemin, nodded his head.
"But," Zagus interrupted, "Why would the likes of you tell me of such a thing? Seeker of solitude, Demigod of the Blood Tear offer such a powerful enigma to his brother, the one who took our father's crown and who left you as a petty servant?"
Gemin's cool and dark posture showed the apathy he had for his brother's poetic tongue.
"Brother, do you really believe that I want your crown. I am no one's servant but God's and if I wanted I could steal that crown and your life from you, anytime."
Zagus showed no worry in his attitude.
"Now," Gemin continued, "why would I give you such information, simple, because I see the extraordinary darkness in you. Your power is unholy, unbreakable, and unmatched. I see that I am inferior to you in stature, in ability, and therefore I give you this information. If you do no good with it, then I've wasted my time on you, brother."
Gemin faded back into the shadow like a haunting ghost.
"Why would you doubt my words anyway?" he asked.
Zagus too, went back to his shadowy throne. "Our powers have never been felt in the same section of the universe since I killed father. Obviously I had concerns when you entered my fortress, into my very throne room, to tell me of such a find. And I know you too well Gemin, you have plans up those dark sleeves; what are they?"
The silence of death blew through the large, darkened expanse.
Once upon a time Gohan loved the lookout. He could never get over the fact that there was always sunshine; the day never ended. Now, as he walked behind Piccolo, he despised the never-changing brightness. It felt all too fake to him; how could a place withstand change and stay in its own little, happy area forever? It was sickening to him; everything he knew and loved had felt like they had come to an end, but this place never faded.
Piccolo led Gohan past several doors. In the past only a little of the palace had been revealed to him, because they had no time for tours back then. However, Gohan now saw exactly how the lookout was arranged; it was nothing more than endless corridors with an infinite amount of doors.
Gohan didn't care to hide his frustration. He knew Piccolo was up to something, but he was too curious to ignore it.
"Here," Piccolo said.
Both he and Gohan stopped in the middle of the corridor. Piccolo was facing a particular door. This door didn't look special at all. In fact it was exactly like all the other doors laid out in the hallway.
"What's this Piccolo," Gohan asked, his eyebrow raised to suspicion.
Piccolo grabbed the doorknob, slowly twisting it. The door made a loud creak as it slowly opened, Gohan turned away as if uninterested. As the door became wide enough for a person to enter, Gohan could feel a rush of energy encircle his entire body. He lifted into the air helplessly.
"What's happening?" Gohan asked as he floated even higher. He turned to look at Piccolo, but he was gone. Gohan felt his body being ripped to shreds. Every single muscle cramped up, and his brain felt like it was being pulled in all different directions.
"Ahhh, Pi......cc.ol...o.............."
Gohan screamed in agony as he was pulled into the room Piccolo had unlocked. He spun crazily as his mind, body, and spirit darted in all different directions through a vortex of color. The young sayian was barely able to manage himself when all of a sudden everything stopped spinning. His body felt normal, his head stopped turning, and he now stood straight in an endless gaze of white. The bright distance hypnotized him with its quiet promise of serenity.
"This is the Room of Mind and Soul," a voice said from behind Gohan. "It's similar to the Room of Spirit and Time, except the entrance is a precaution. It keeps things inside until business is finished."
Piccolo walked over to his former student, stopping by his side.
"Here is where Kami and I separated all those years ago. The rage that we had was so great that the former Guardian had to create this room just to stop the havoc we would cause."
Piccolo looked around the area, finding old memories he did not wish to find.
"We spent 20 years in here. Don't make the same mistake I did, Gohan. If you let your rage overtake you, I'll have no choice but to send you in here. Something's going to happen, and we're going to need you."
Piccolo looked down at the short super-fighter, hoping if he had gotten his message through to him.
"Dead souls don't fly with heroes in the kingdom of heaven Gohan,......GOHAN!"
"What's, happening.........to me!"
Piccolo leapt back far into the air from the ailing Gohan. The former guardian stared in horror as his one true friend lay in pain, gasping for air. Soon the fog around him began to dye into a dark red, swirling around like an unnatural twister. The images came back to Piccolo, now he knew what was happening.
"Gohan!" Piccolo yelled, as if Gohan were in a completely different world, "you let the room taste your rage, now it is manifesting into an evil being! You must fight the rage, you must push it back in!"
Gohan twisted and jerked on the ground as the red cloud grew bigger and bigger, as tall as a mountain. He couldn't hear Piccolo, his rage dulled all of his senses. The cloud quickly rose into the air, and as it swirled aimlessly, took form. Gohan's sudden pain quickly evaporated, leaving only a dulling sensation. He couldn't help but embrace the feeling; it was as if all the worries and all the emotions lifted from him. Now his heart had no cares.
"You know, I kind of like this feeling," Gohan whispered, faintly smiling.
"Damn it!" Piccolo yelled as he charged toward the enmity.
"MASENKO!!!"
Piccolo quickly launched an attack at the creature. The red demon cloud laughed furiously as the energy approached it. With little effort the rage demon grabbed the attack with its fog-like body. Piccolo stared in shock as the being devoured his ki attack, as if it were a piece of candy. After consuming the attack like a little child, the creature lifted its gaze on Piccolo, and sent into the air a hideous laugh. The dark creature's main form surrounded Gohan like an evil tornado, draining the source of anger.
"No, Gohan I can't fight your rage, you're the only one who can defeat it....!!" The dark being crashed a false limb into Piccolo, causing him to fly into the ground. As Piccolo hit the hard floor his body began to skid, like a rock over water. Gohan's rage shot another attack, sending Piccolo skidding farther and farther away.
Gohan could hear the far cries of Piccolo, but all he concentrated on was removing this horrible monster. He didn't want anyone else involved with him and his feelings; he had to take on his burden alone. He reasoned quickly; the reason for his father's death was him, and he didn't deserve such a pleasurable death. Gohan wrestled his arms free from his rage's grip. He leapt from where he had been lying down and stood on his feet. The rage demon suddenly forgot about the pebble-like Piccolo, as it now turned its attention to its host.
"How is something so ugly like you supposed to be a part of me?" Gohan asked mockingly to his own rage.
His demon let loose an incredibly hideous grin as it began toward him. Gohan jumped into a fighting stance, pleasing the demon even more. As it approached, Gohan could feel an intense energy slowly releasing from his heart, an energy he did not summon. Piccolo slowly lifted his head from the floor, struggling to keep his body going.
"What, is it, now?" Gohan felt his body being taken away from him again, only this time the feeling was greatly magnified.
Piccolo's eyes filled with fear as the entire white abyss turned into an inexorable darkness, as if day had shifted into night. Gohan's body jerked into the air as his heart attempted to free itself. Dark energy spewed out from him, contaminating the dark haven even more. The rage demon had gone into a frenzy as its red entity was consumed by the black cloud. Black haze rose high behind Gohan as his body still sent waves of dark ki. The cloud quickly took form, as how the rage had done. The dark enmity rose high above Gohan, hundreds of times the size of the rage demon. It screamed horribly as it lunged into the terrified rage demon. The black mist hit the red fog, and instantly darkness shrouded the area. A horrific screech echoed in the void as the black mist arose from its feeding; consuming the Room of Mind and Soul.
"Is that," Piccolo started, still struggling to stand, "Gohan's sorrow?"
Gohan screamed as the dark energy spewed even stronger from his body. Gohan looked up into the endless white, losing all sense of time. A small emerald floated in the air, unspoiled by the darkness. Gohan light-headedly traced its path, smiling at its simple texture. Soon Gohan could feel the cool, moist darkness consume his body, then all became black.
A thousand chilling sensations ran across his body, splashing repeatedly. Gohan slowly came back to life, still unaware of his settings. The burden of opening his eyes felt incredible powerful, but he managed. As his eyes began to focus, Gohan's mind formed an image of glowing lights overwhelmed by darkness. They were equally spaced from each other, each becoming dimmer and dimmer as the distance between him and lights grew. The rain dropped down heavily like a storm of glass beads, Gohan lifted himself onto his knees. He placed his hand on a nearby surface, a wall, and used it to balance himself. The sidewalk was unusually thin; a car drove over a puddle of rain accumulating by the sidewalk, hitting the already drenched Gohan. The night air was cool from the rain; Gohan dragged himself on the wall, heading anywhere. He could feel his body become stiff as the freezing droplets of rain fell without pity, which added more pain to his already bulging headache. As he dragged along, the strong scent of pine and rain filled the air. Gohan looked up, and found a tall tree hanging over the wall. He gathered enough energy to reach the area that the tree protected from the rain. Gohan stopped and slide down the concert barricade, resting his body again on the sidewalk.
"What is this place," he asked himself, still dizzy from his headache, "what happened to me?"
His eyes grew heavier once again, his body completely drained of power. A shadow appeared from the rainstorm, holding an umbrella and standing tall above the delirious warrior. Gohan was unable to hold his eyelids in place, and all the perception he had dulled. Before he completely blacked out he heard a distant voice, soothing and beautiful.
"I found you........"
Gohan's body shot up instantly as his brain restarted activity. He sat on a lumpy bed in a well lit room. Gohan looked down to himself; he had no shirt on and his body had been bandaged. The air smelt of old drapes and carpet cleaner; Gohan traced the bandages on his body with his finger. As he edged the end of the white wraps, his mind flashed with images and memories. Suddenly the image of Piccolo came to him, then the demon that had formed from his rage, and finally, the mysterious dark creature. He slapped his head, trying to remember more.
"Ahh, remembering I see."
Gohan did not realize at first that there had been someone else in the room. He turned in the direction of the voice. In the corner farthest from the bed, a woman stood. She had long, jade hair and a face of beauty and danger. She fixed her gaze on him, giving him a light smile. She began towards Gohan, but his body tensed and the woman could see his resistance.
"Where am I? How did I get here?" Gohan asked, staring into the dark eyes of this stranger.
She spoke back to him, unaffected by Gohan's harsh tone. "You don't remember, do you?"
Gohan didn't answer, but his expression was enough to answer for him.
"Fine," the mysterious woman said, "I will tell you."
And so, Setsuna told him everything.
"DEAD SCREAM!"
The black creature looked into the abyss above as a sphere of energy approached it. In a sudden burst the creature sent a tongue-like extremity at the falling warrior. The dark cloud easily consumed the attack as Sailor Pluto landed near the injured Piccolo.
"Pluto!" Piccolo said in surprised, "what are you doing here?"
She held her time staff out as a shield, quickly scanning the situation.
"I don't know, an intense mass of energy created a rift in my time void. I was sucked in and saw this thing, as well as felt your energy."
The dark creature turned to the two beings, shooting a spear-like object from its dark ki. Pluto grabbed her staff tightly as she prepared for the attack.
"DEAD SCREAM!" she yelled as a mass of energy shaped like a miniature planet appeared, then spinning off to stop the creature's attack.
Pluto gasped as the dark energy easily consumed her attack, gaining more mass and momentum.
"SPECIAL BEAM CANNON!!"
Piccolo sent forward a great surge of energy. The attack quickly reached the dark ki. The different powers mixed instantly, causing a great explosion that shook the hollowness. Piccolo grabbed Pluto and dashed as fast and as far away as he could from the explosion. They had dodged the initial explosion, but the heat and intensity was so great that it nullified Piccolo's grip. Pluto hit the ground hard, sliding quickly away from the impact spot of the Namekian. She finally rested on her back, and could see that the blackened space had been torn, and a giant fathom lay at the middle. A blast of hot air and a horrific scream shook her senses. The dark creature shrieked as the rip began to pull it in. The creature lifted into the air, unable to stop its ascent. Pluto saw as the being flew into the void, probably to spend the rest of its existence in an inescapable void.
"No, Gohan!!" Piccolo yelled as he regained his posture.
Pluto's vision locked onto a small figure flying into the void, the same as the creature. Piccolo summoned all the power he had in his body and dashed at unbearable speed at Gohan. Pluto couldn't believe the speed at which Piccolo was flying as she was knocked back furiously by the after burn. Gohan's body began to enter the rip; as soon as he had entered, the rip closed. Piccolo had just reached it, not knowing at first the incredible length he had gone to avoid the explosion.
"No, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Gohan sat back on the wall, his hands supporting his head. Setsuna stood near, but far enough to give him space.
"You don't remember any of this I presume," she said, already knowing the answer.
She turned and walked back to the corner she had hid at. Gohan looked as she kneeled down, grabbed an object, and stood back up.
"Then I'm guessing," she started, "you don't remember the 3 days between that time and the time I found you on the street?"
Gohan shot a glance at her, not knowing what she meant. The woman threw a bag at Gohan.
"After you had been sucked into the vortex, Piccolo and I had tried detecting your energy source," she said, throwing a bag into Gohan's lap, "Piccolo was able to sense energy farther and far better than me and with extreme accuracy too. However we weren't able to detect any trace of you at all."
She walked to the window which Gohan had not noticed as well, and gazed out into the night.
"He was a wreak, completely filled with worry, which I thought was impossible for Piccolo," she told, as if it had any importance. "We tried searching for you in the sections between time, but we couldn't find you. Mr. Popo had even suggested using those, dragon balls."
Gohan looked down at what the woman had thrown at him. It was a nicely sealed bag, which read "SUDAKO".
"It was useless, I returned to my domain, when I felt an intense power radiating from my very world, and I knew it had to be you. I contacted Piccolo, then I went off, and found you."
Setsuna's legs began to feel weak, and her body ached of pain. She stumbled back, gaining her stance only with the help of the curtain.
"Are you, alright?" Gohan asked, not really concerned, however he was thankful for this woman's help.
She stood straight again, half smiling and half struggling. "I'm fine, traveling from different dimensions like that takes a toll on a person."
"Well," Gohan said, returning his gaze away from her, "you must be a strong person."
She smiled, not knowing if it was a compliment or a statement-type question.
"Anyway, it's Piccolo's fault for bringing me there anyway. What was he thinking," Gohan revealed, slightly whispering to himself.
"Don't' be too mad at him, he felt bad enough as it was. Besides, if Piccolo had done it, it must've been for your sake."
Gohan lay back on the bed as he mused the situation. "So, I'm in your world, another dimension?"
She nodded.
"How do I get back?" he asked, gazing up at the ceiling.
"Now there is our problem; the way you entered this world is unusual. You could go back right now if you had used the portal; however you had gone through a rip in time and space. You can't return as easily now. You're trapped here until we figure out a way to get you back."
Setsuna went away from the window, and headed for the door.
"By the way," she said, "my name is Setsuna. This is a hotel so if you need anything just call the main counter. I'll be back in the morning, after you had some rest, and I left some clothes for you in the washroom."
As she reached the door, the room filled with a certain uneasy. Gohan had no idea where he was, and Setsuna had no idea if she could trust this person.
"Where was I, those three days you and Piccolo couldn't me?" Gohan asked, now holding the bag.
She turned to face him, with half a smile she answered.
"You were lying in an unknown void, where time had no power. That is why you can't remember now and why when I found you had no recollection of any of it. That is all I can say, because that is what I have concluded. As for that monster, Piccolo explained to me that it had been manifested from the room, so as soon as you and it fell into the abyss it had most definitely disappeared. Now, you must eat."
Gohan looked down at the bag of vinegar octopus. He slowly grabbed it, and taking his other hand opened the seal. In a split second the bag lifted into the air and the pieces of octopus fell into Gohan's mouth. Setsuna broke a sweat at the incredible speed the poor, dead creatures were being consumed It matched, or even surpassed that of her princess. She walked out as Gohan threw the empty bag into the trash bin.
Setsuna gazed uncaring at the blooming Cherry Blossoms. It was the first time she had gone there in a while which didn't concern any business. Her hands rested in her lap as a cool breeze passed through the park. Her thoughts went back in time as she remembered what happened between her and Piccolo; events she didn't share with Gohan.
"Piccolo, what happened here?" she asked as he returned.
Piccolo's face was cold and lifeless.
"Gohan, where'd you go," he said as he passed Pluto inattentively.
Pluto was disgusted with the way he looked. She swung her staff in front of his path, determination in her eyes.
"Piccolo, what, happened here?" she asked again.
"Gohan, he, he's gone," he whispered, "What did I do?"
Piccolo lifted his head, staring deep into Pluto's eyes. A spark suddenly triggered in his mind, as if regaining life.
"We have to find him," he said unwavering, returning to his normal self.
Piccolo took Pluto's time staff and shoved it aside, walking away from the confused senshi.
"Piccolo, who was that, and what was that creature," she asked, standing in the same spot.
The former guardian stopped in his walk, addressing the outsider.
"That was my student, Gohan......." Piccolo trailed off as he explained Gohan's whole situation to her.
"Now that I've told you, you must help me find him. You know how to navigate the space between worlds."
"Why should I help you?" Pluto interrupted suddenly.
Piccolo didn't answer, but rather listened.
"You weren't willing to help me when I came and asked for it, are you really that selfish Piccolo?" she asked, demanding an answer from him.
Piccolo smiled, catching the irate Pluto off guard.
"I'm sorry Pluto," he said, still smiling, "I would have helped you, considering our past. However, that monster with the unbelievable power you saw just then, it was the sadness of my student Gohan. I felt a power in it stronger than any I have felt. Without my guidance now he can't get rid of that type of evil. In any sense I thought you Sailor soldiers didn't appreciate outside help."
Piccolo started to walk off again, Pluto did not see any doors or gateways, and had no idea where he was headed.
"He is floating somewhere between time and space, with that rage and sorrow still in him. We have no idea where he might land."
Piccolo's face melted into a mix of concern and fear, "Where are you kid."
Setsuna's train of thought ended when she felt a warm presence by her side. The air was thin and full of nature's scent. She shook her head as the warm breath of an individual brushed her cheek.
"Hotaru!" Setsuna said in a surprised and cheerful tone as she embraced the young girl into her arms. They both laughed as they fell backwards onto the bench.
"Setsuna, I missed you!" she exclaimed as her arms held a tight grip on the older senshi's body.
"Ah, Setsuna, what are doing in the park so early?"
Setsuna saw two women approach her with smiles. They were two of her good friends, and the current guardians of Hotaru.
"Haruka, Michiru, I just wanted to relax in the city for a while. It's good to see you," she said as the two sat next to them.
"Yes, good to see you too," Haruka replied, leaning on the park bench. Michiru picked up a cherry petal from the ground, twirling it with her fingers.
"It's been good this past year, hasn't it?" she asked, not addressing anyone specific. Setsuna nodded and smiled, hoping the other outer soldiers couldn't see through her.
"Wow," Hotaru exclaimed, "there are a lot of people here today!"
"Yes, everyone is here to look at the blooming trees," Michiru informed.
"So Hotaru, you're starting high school aren't you?" Setsuna asked. Hotaru let out a big grin and nodded her head.
"Yes, I'm going to Tenth District High School with Usagi and the others," Hotaru explained. Setsuna smiled.
"Kitten," Haruka said, gazing at the morning sky, "she's been well. No new enemies have shown up since Galaxia; but..........."
Setsuna and Hotaru both looked at the other two outers. Their faces were weighed down with worry.
"I just have this feeling," she continued, "like something big is going to happen; even bigger than anything before."
Michiru placed her soft hand on Hakura's shoulder.
"That's how it always was; as time progresses so too does the power of the enemy."
Michiru's words brought back images to Setsuna.
"Time," she whispered. The other three stared at her curiously. She quickly shook her head and laughed it off.
"Don't worry about it, I'm just thinking out loud," she said nervously.
The other, older sailor soldiers glanced at her with questioning eyes, but quickly dispersed. Hotaru got up from the bench, grabbing both Setsuna and Haruka's hands.
"Come on," she instructed, "let's go see the Cherry Blossoms up close."
The four soldiers laughed as they strolled to the orchard of trees; Hotaru led the way. A great spark of life came from her, and she walked as if all life's troubles didn't affect her.
They reached the first natural row of trees, picking the prettiest to go to first. Hotaru walked to the tree's bark and placed her hands on the rug surface. She felt a warm energy flowing in the tree, and the sensation touched her. Feeling the life of the earth was like feeling the power of all creation. She turned back and faced the three accompanying her, and they all smiled at each other. As she turned back to the tree her eyes passed something very normal, but it was as if she were being pulled back to see. A young boy was standing near the edge of the path, staring up at a nearby tree. She saw that he was a tall, fairly fit young boy, however his face was turn away from her. Michiru too, saw the boy and could feel a strange sense come over her.
"That boy," she said quietly, "there's a strange aura about him."
Both Haruka and Setsuna saw the boy too, feeling a strange atmosphere around him. Haruka shook her head and dismissed any unusual thoughts. She laughed half-heartedly.
"Hotaru, you have your eyes on boys already?" Hakura asked jokingly, "I guess your time with us hasn't dulled your natural instincts."
Hotaru blushed violently as she instantly dropped her eyes away from the young boy. Both Michiru and Haruka laughed at their other counterpart. Pluto still stared at the young boy, her eyes fixed on his position.
"Gohan," she whispered.
"Did you say something Setsuna?" Michiru asked as they stopped joking.
Setsuna shook her head, "No, it's nothing."
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
All five of them turned and looked toward the direction of the scream. Dozens of park goers were being circled by some unusual characters.
"People of Earth," one said, "we have come here to take back with us a small bio-sample."
The being took out an unbelievably huge scalpel from out of nowhere. The gathered crowd screamed more intensively.
"So, whose head should we take first?" It asked. Soon the others like it took out the same type of blade, closing in on the group.
"Damnit, a new enemy already?" Hakura cursed as she and the other three ran into the deeper area of the park.
Gohan stared a little while longer at the commotion, then turned back to the blooming tree, as if his interest faded.
"URANUS CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!"
"NEPTUNE CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!"
"PLUTO CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!"
"SATURN CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!"
Gohan felt a sudden wave of energy nearby. It was a type of energy he hadn't felt before; it was different from his somehow.
"Stop right there!"
Gohan looked back at the uproar, from where the order had come. Three women and a young girl stood side by side near the group. The odd attackers looked on in curiosity.
"We can't forgive you for attacking innocent people just trying to visit these beautiful Cherry Blossoms!" said the one with the curly emerald hair.
"And for bringing new evil to our much deserved Peace, we will punish you!" promised the blonde haired one.
The group of invaders laughed at the four warriors, then disappeared.
"What, where'd they go?" Saturn asked as they all loosened their stances.
Gohan looked some more, but like before, turned back to the tree, "Behind...."
Suddenly the beings lunged from behind the Sailor soldiers. Saturn and Pluto instantly swung their weapons, taking two of the attackers out.
"WORLD SHAKING!"
Uranus shot an intense ball of energy toward a small group of enemies. The enemies laughed as they disappeared from the attack's path. Uranus cursed under her breath as her attack went screaming into the ground.
"You're losing your edge, Uranus," Neptune joked as she quickly examined the situation.
"It's been a while, I'm a little rusty," she admitted as the entire group of enemies appeared in front of them.
They all yelled as they sent a mass of energy towards the four. Saturn went ahead of the group and spun her giant glaive like a helicopter fan.
"SILENCE WALL!"
An invisible shield protected the group as the enemies' attacks bounced off harmlessly.
"Let's do it now," Pluto ordered.
"WORLD SHAKING!"
"DEEP SUBMERGE!"
"DEAD SCREAM!"
The enemy horde screamed in horror as the three attacks burst into their ranks, slowly evaporating them. Finally as the screams died and the light from the explosion faded, the four wiped the quickly garnished sweat from their foreheads. They all looked concern, especially Pluto.
"What was that all about," Neptune asked, now checking if the people were all right.
Suddenly a loud scream surged through the park. The four senshi turned to see what had happened. A woman coward on the ground as a still standing invaded held a giant blade above her.
"Must, complete, mission!"
Pluto and the others ran as fast as they could to the victim. The being sent down the blade toward the woman's neck. Suddenly a brilliant flash of blue lit the area. A tremendous power shot at the injured enemy. The enemy screamed in massive pain as it quickly disintegrated. The four senshi looked as the energy quickly faded, leaving only a scared woman on the ground. Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune ran to the group of people, checking for any injuries. Pluto stopped, and looked over to Gohan. He had his back turned to the disorderly event, walking away casually. Why couldn't I sense his presence here? Pluto thought to herself. She smiled, A little overkill, wasn't it Gohan? She ran over to the other three senshi, helping them treat the people.
Gohan reached the edge of the park, where the streets and metropolitan could be seen.
"What an odd place," he said as he strolled down the sidewalk.
I know, the chapters are a little long but oh well; I have to many ideas and don't want to be bothered with uploading. Stupid won't take my asteriks as borders for new scenes so these horizontal lines are in its place.