[1] Sometimes you have to put yourself into the characters shoes. If a random stranger shoved a knife in your hand how would you feel? I bet you would freak too. Cut the boy some slack.
[2] When I originally came up with this idea, I didn't really think about Baba or the dragonballs so I'll have to mention them but have Gohan still go to jail. _ But Kitsune! The Dragonballs fix everything! Well I'm sorry but Shenron can't help Gohan... Curses!
[3] You know not all battles have to be fought physically. And I don't aim on making characters completely and utterly idiotic. Sorry if you see this story in that light. And so far I don't really see what makes them moronic, so if anyone could point that out to me it would be highly appreciated.
So to explain their stupidity, I guess I will give you a more in depth summery.
Gohan is convicted for murder and is sentenced to life imprisonment. After spending ten years of his sentence, Gohan is let off after the corruption of the legal system is wiped out. But are there more motives behind his release? So to answer a question, the legal system is not the 'evil' of the story.
Chapter 3: Under arrest
Gohan's mind raced as he pushed past the security guard stationed outside the Capsule Corporation entrance.
"Hey kid!" the guard shouted at him trying to get his attention. However he didn't get even the smallest of reactions from the teen as he moved swiftly away. He grumbled and pulled out a walkie talkie. "Yeah I got a teenager here. He didn't stop when I asked. He seems to be making his way to the labs." There was a moments pause before a "Roger" was said in response. The guard smirked, thinking the kid would learn his lesson, before going back to work.
~~~~ ( ( Gohan ) ) ~~~~
Gohan jumped slightly as a hand was placed on his shoulder to keep him from walking. He slowly turned to see it was just the head of security.
"Oh it's just you Gohan." he said being familiar with the teen. "Sorry. New guard and all."
The rotund man smiled warmly up at Gohan. He patted him on the back before Gohan replied. "No problem." the teen said with a nervous smile which cause the smile on the guards face waver into a look of worry and curiosity.
"Something wrong son?" he asked quizzically.
"No." Gohan replied quickly. "Nothing is wrong."
"Whatever you say son." The guard said slowly glancing sternly into Gohan's eyes before letting it go.
"Is Bulma in her lab?" Gohan asked. He had automatically figured she was but he didn't want to wander around Capsule Corporation grounds searching for her.
"Yes she is." the man said with a smile. He scratched at the corner of his thick, whitening mustache as he looked down at his watch. "Well, I best get back to work. Goodbye Gohan." he said with a wave as he walked away leaving Gohan alone in the nights warm air. Gohan turned back to face his destination. He took off again at full speed toward the lab, tearing across the dark lawn.
"Hey Gohan." Bulma said as she heard the door give a hiss signaling the arrival of another person. Not looking up from her work, she gave a quick wave. "Goten is out back."
"Thanks Bulma." Gohan rushed. "But I need your help."
Bulma looked up from her work into the face of the demi-saiyan. It was red and he looked rather upset. Her eyes trailed down him looking for any immediate threat to his life that he would need her help with.
"Gohan you're bleeding." she said as her eyes rested on his hand.
"It's not my blood." he said grimly.
Bulma looked up questioningly, urging him with her eyes to sit down and tell her anything. She watched as he quickly pulled over a spare lab chair and slumped down in it. He rested his elbows on his knees and let out a long sigh. Bulma tilted her head waiting for him to begin.
"I was on my way here to pick Gohan up. I took a detour through the park and.." he stopped. His eyebrows furrowed as he looked down at the tile floor. "It was really nice. A moment of peace... But then this guy just burst through the bushes and gave me the knife before running off. My brain went into overdrive and melted down. The only thing I could think of doing was coming here. I didn't even go look for the victim."
"So let me get this straight." Bulma started looked at Gohan in surprise. "You were walking in the park minding your own business, when some freak shows up and gives you a bloody knife?"
"That sums it about right." Gohan said with a nod.
"I don't see what the big fuss is Gohan." Bulma said with a comforting smile. "If anyone comes to question you, just tell them the story of what happened."
Gohan just nodded. He had a feeling in the pit of his stomach that this wouldn't end well.
"Calm down Gohan." Bulma said in the comforting, motherly voice she had obtained since having Trunks. "Nothing is going to happen. The police know how to do their job and they won't let justice go unserved. Why don't you take Goten home and try to relax."
"Alright." Gohan mumbled getting up from his seat.
He slowly made his way from the room and toward the back lawn to find his brother.
~~~~ ( ( Elsewhere ) ) ~~~~
"What do we have here?" A man dressed in a police uniform said slowly looking down at the body of Liza. "It's been awhile since Satan City has had a murder case."
"Sir," another officer began. "How do you know this is a murder case?" he questioned.
"Look at the wrists." the first man instructed. "What to you see?"
"Well there is slight bruising." the other man said slowly.
"Exactly. Miss unknown here, fought back. And the bleeding on the back of her head suggests she was forced to the ground.
"Chief!" a voice called. "Sir. We found the weapon." he said upon reaching them.
"Alright. Get it to the lab." he instructed. "Get a name for this body as soon as you can. Take it to the morgue."
"Yes sir." the two said before departing.
The chief took one last look at the face of Liza before it disappeared behind the body bag as it was zipped closed.
~~~~ ( ( Videl ) ) ~~~~
Videl's jet copter touched down in the large front lawn of her home with a slight bang as Videl was weaving in and out of her thoughts. She sighed and hoped onto the grass. She left her jet in the yard and made her way across the lawn slowly toward the front door.
As she slowly opened the door, she peeked in hoping her father wasn't around. Pleased that he didn't appear to be waiting for her, Videl quietly stepped inside and shut the door behind her. She gets to the dinning room without running into any sign of him. The smile on her face had spread thinking she was going to get away without reporting to her father. That is until the dinning room light flicked to life and there was a clearing of a voice.
"Videl." came the stern, deep voice of her father.
"Hi daddy." Videl said slowly with a nervous grin. "What are you doing up?"
Hercule chuckled and shook his head. "Just waiting for my daughter to get home so she can tell me about the party."
"It was fun." she said before stretching and giving a fake yawn. "I'm pretty tired though. I think I'll go to bed." she finished wanting to get away from her father.
As she turned and started to make her way away from her father, she sighed when she heard him clear his throat rather obnoxiously. She turned back to face him again and waited for him to get on with it.
"Were there any boys at this party?" he asked quirking an eyebrow.
Videl rolled her eyes. "Of course dad," she stared before she was interrupted.
"You didn't tell me there would be boys!" Hercule said.
"I told you the whole class was coming. That means everyone even the guys."
"Oh." Hercule said as his eyebrows pulled together. "And did any of them attempt to get my baby."
Videl couldn't help but smile. "Oh Sharpner did of course." she began gaining a nod from her father, who knew Sharpner had no chance against him. "And then the other one." Hercule listened intently. He had heard Videl talk about Sharpner before but he was the only one she ever mentioned who tried to gain her love. "You remember Gohan don't you daddy?"
"That scrawny punk I beat in the world tournament?" Hercule questioned as his eyes narrowed.
~~~~ ( ( Flashback ) ) ~~~~
Hercule looked nervously toward the black haired teen. His opponent in the next match. The teen didn't seem at all worried about the fight. In fact, he was laughing with the others like there was some sort of inside joke. Hercule felt a clenching in his stomach when he heard the shortest one, the one with the strange black haircut, speak.
"Hercule doesn't stand a chance."
Hercule gulped and looked toward the teen to see what he would say.
The boy smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head. "He can't be all that bad can he? I mean he did win and all. He's got to prove as some sort of challenge."
The others in the group blinked a few times before they started rolling with laughter. "That's a good one Gohan." the short man said again.
Hercule cringed and looked at the group worriedly.
"H-Hey mind comin' over here and talkin' to me for a second boy?" He called out after he regained his arrogant composure.
Gohan glanced at his friends who were all grinning from ear to ear before her turned to the champ.
"Sure Mr. Satan." he said with a quick nod. He made his way over and followed Hercule farther away from the others. He sent them another glance them then turned his attention to the brawny man in front of him. "Can I help you?"
"Uh.. Listen kid, I've got an image to uphold." Hercule said. "It would look bad to be beat now, losing the last match to a mere kid. I called you over here to make you an offer." He stopped seeing the curious face of Gohan. "If you throw the match, I'll give you twice the amount of money the grand prize is. And judging by the looks of it, you could really us it."
Hercule walked Gohan work it over in his head. Earlier he had heard a woman speaking to him about winning the money so they could live. He smirked triumphantly when a smile spread across the black haired boy's face.
"Sure Mr. Satan." he said. "I'll let you win. I'll even make it look good."
Gohan turned and walked back over to his snickering friends. Hercule gulped. Surely they hadn't heard.
~~~~ ( ( … ) ) ~~~~
"And now ! The moment you've all been waiting for! It's time for the final match! On this side of the ring we have our champ, the savior of the world, Mr. Satan!" the announcer said into his microphone.
Hercule made a show as he entered the ring. He roared triumphantly like he had already won and pulled off the white cape. He threw it dramatically behind him and held out peace signs. The crowd went wild as they cheered his name lovingly.
"And in this corner, in his first year at the tournament, son of the great Son Goku, Son Gohan!"
Gohan stepped onto the ring with a sheepish smile. He waved lightly and the clapping crowds."THAT'S MY BABY BOY!" Chichi called. "KICK HIS ASS BABY!"
Hercule gulped before he remembered the deal he had made with the youth. He smirked and sunk into his stance.
"Are you ready for this son?" he asked.
"As I'll ever be."
"Fighters.. Begin!" the announcer called.
Gohan sunk into a basic form and sighed waiting for Hercule to make his move. Hercule roared and rushed toward Gohan sending what he believed was a barrage of strong punches at the teen who didn't even make a move to dodge them. They all connected making the crowd go silent before cheering.
"Do you see this folks?" the announcer questioned. "It seems not even Gohan can keep up with Mr. Satan's immense speed!"
Gohan, doing a very good acting job, fell to one knee. Breathing heavily with one eye shut in what looked to be pain, he grimaced at the older man.
"I told my mom I would win the money." he said through gritted teeth.
Hercule looked down at the teen nervously, before the boy smiled and winked. Hercule walked over to him.
"Sorry son. But no one beats the champ."
Hercule sent a kick to Gohan's jaw. As it connected, Gohan jumped a few feet in the air before crashing back down. He made a move to get up but it seemed Hercule was one step ahead. As Gohan 'struggled' to his feet, Mr. Satan sent the hardest punch he could muster toward Gohan's stomach. As it connected, Hercule heard Gohan chuckle like it tickled before he launched himself back. Flew toward the concrete, wall, the crowd gasped at the pure strength of Mr. Satan.Chichi looked shocked at her son, along with Bulma, Yamcha and Master Roshi. There was no way Hercule could win this. What was going on?
Gohan slammed himself into the concrete wall, there were cries of worry from the crowd. The wall buckled and crumbled around the teen and he feel to the soft grass. All was silent for just a moment as the announcer rushed over to the fallen boy. Gohan smiled before he reached him. He used the trick he had used when he was a little kid. Play dead. The announcer shook him, calling his name.
"It doesn't take a genius to see that boy ain't getting up. Call the match.' Hercule said from his place on the platform.
"Uh.. Ladies and gentle men, Mr. Satan has won by means of knock out. The defending champion wins!"
The crowd erupted into cheers. "Satan! Satan! Satan!"
"Hey get a stretcher over here quick!"
The monks nodded and from the sidelines, two monks appeared carrying a stretcher. As they pulled Gohan on, and ran to the building, the saw the snickering group of fighters. As they rushed the teen by, they heard them erupt in rolling laughter.
Gohan had held a thumbs up. A silent question, asking if his acting was good enough. Through their laughter, they held their thumbs up. Scaring the monks, Gohan jumped off the stretcher and walked over to his laughing friends.
Hercule stood on the stage, showering in the glory the spectators were giving him. He roared with laughter and held the golden belt high above his head, showing the world he was unbeatable.
~~~~ ( ( End Flashback ) ) ~~~~
"Yep. That's the one." Videl said simply.
"Surely you told that weakling to back off." Hercule said figuring he knew his daughter well enough. "You know the rules. And I kicked his can!"
Videl just smiled. "No." she said before getting interrupted yet again. "YOU SAID YES?" Hercule roared in question.
"Yes daddy. I said yes." Videl said turning away. "And I'm not going to listen to you and your rule. It's just you trying to get me never to date. Well it isn't going to work."
As Videl stomped away from the dinning room, Hercule grumbled angrily under his breath. No one was going to steal his baby from him. No one! Hercule cursed Gohan's name under his breath, wishing terrible things upon the boy. He was humiliated. That a scrawny punk couldn't possibly beat him, but he had to bribe the boy into letting him win. Maybe he did it on purpose so he could get more money ans he really wouldn't have won. That must have been it. And what was worse, is that the boy not only stole his money, but he now stole his daughter. He growled and pushed away from the table before storming off to his bedroom.
~~~~ ( ( Videl ) ) ~~~~
Videl threw herself into bed with a sigh. Why did her father have to be so difficult? Why couldn't he be normal? She stared up at the ceiling for moments before she closed her eyes with another sigh. She relaxed and snuggled into the sheets of her bed. Sleep soon found her, but it seemed its usual sweet embrace wouldn't be so sweet tonight.
~~~~ ( ( … ) ) ~~~~
Videl had been walking for what seemed like miles. It felt like she had been there in the dark light for ages. There was no sound here. No nothing. She had probably been walking in circles the whole time seeming as she couldn't make out what was in front of her. Videl let out a frustrated scream as she stopped her walking. She hated this. It was driving her crazy. There truly was absolutely nothing. Her scream echoed in her ears as she curled up on the ground.
"Videl."
It was only a slight whisper, but it Videl heard it clearly. She pulled her head up to frantically look around her. Where did it come from. Who said it? Who was there? Videl twisted around to look behind here. There it was. The source of the voice.
Videl felt a smile pulled at the corners of her mouth.
"Videl." it, or should she say he said in a strange monotone.
Videl got to her feet and ran over to him, but as she neared she hesitated. There was something wrong with him. His eyes sullen and flat slowly locked onto hers. The dark bags that hung under his eyes looked awkward. They looked especially dark on his pale, sickly looking skin. Even his normally gravity defying hair seemed to wilt.
"I'm sorry Videl." He said flatly.
"Sorry?" Videl questioned closing the distance. "Sorry for what Gohan?"
"I can't be there. I'm going to leave."
Videl felt chills run up her spine at the change in his voice. It was scaring her. This wasn't Gohan. It couldn't be. But if it wasn't who was he.
"What do you mean Gohan?" Videl asked in a shaky voice.
"I didn't do anything Videl." he said.
Videl noticed his hand move and along with it, her eyes trailed down to rest upon his hand. She felt herself back away from him. She was truly scared now. Clenched tight in his hand was undeniable. The blood dripped slowly down his hand to fall to the floor below. The knife, bloodied, gleamed somehow in the darkness.
"I didn't do anything." he repeated.
The knife slipped from his fingers. He slowly looked down at this wrists. She followed his eyes. From the darkness, chains appeared slowly snaking their way around the boys wrists.
He looked back up at her. "Believe me." he said before the sound of a gavel slamming down rang out in the darkness.
Videl, who's eyes traveled up into the darkness looking for the source, felt her eyes being pulled back to the Gohan copy. She gasped when she saw him being pulled away into the darkness. She reached out for him with a cry of his name. As Darkness engulfed him, she fell to her knees shaking slightly. She was alone again. Then there was a scream. Filled with anger, hate, and sadness. It caused her to jump as her heart pounded behind her ribcage painfully.
~~~~ ( ( … ) ) ~~~~
Videl twisted in her bed, before the scream jolted her from her dreams. She looked around and found herself back in her bedroom. She sighed and laid back down. As she stared at the ceiling she wondered about her dream. Videl sunk into the covers again, not wanting to go back to sleep. But it was inevitable. She was tired and as she watched the minutes tick away on her alarm clock, it only seemed to make the drowsiness worse. As she drifted off a small frown etched itself onto her tired features.
~~~~ ( ( Elsewhere ) ) ~~~~
"Sir." on officer said announcing his presence.
The Chief acknowledged him by nodding and going back to work. "Speak." he said the simple command.
"We have some new information. The victim's name was Liza Moreno. She was here spending time with here uncle. Judge Moreno. She was out with her long time boyfriend Brad Carpenter." the man said.
The chief looked up from his paperwork and scratched at his chin. "Liza Moreno." he mumbled. "Is that all?"
"No sir there is more." the officer said. "In analysis, fingerprints were found on the blade's handle."
This really got the Chief's attention. "And have you found who they belong to?" he asked quickly
"Yes sir." the officer replied quickly. "Uh.. a young man by the name of Son Gohan."
"Son Gohan huh." The chief said. "It seems Videl's opinion of the boy was wrong. All evidence points to him. Get everything ready. Well get the dirty murderer tomorrow."
"Yes sir!"
~~~~ ( ( Gohan ) ) ~~~~
"Big brother will you play with me?" Goten asked as the two boys touched down in the front lawn.
"It's late Goten." Gohan said quietly. "Maybe another time."
"You two are late!" came the call from a rather angry Chichi who stood and the entrance to their small home. Hands on her hips and a disapproving look on her face she waited for an explanation.
"S-Sorry mom. Lost track of time." Gohan said with a sheepish grin.
"Well get to bed the both of you." their angered mother said turning to enter the house.
Gohan sighed and followed closely after Goten as they disappeared inside the small dome.
~~~~ ( ( … ) ) ~~~~
Sleep avoided the black haired teen as he laid in the quiet darkness of his room. He stared up at the familiar ceiling blankly. He dared a glance at the clock. He gave an exasperated sigh and allowed himself to sink into the covers of his bed. That was until he heard a strange noise.
Looking around the room for the source, Gohan's eyes fell upon his younger brother. Tossing and Turning in his sleep, Goten would let out moans and whimpers. Gohan pushed himself out of the covers over his bed and silently made his way over to his brother's side. He knelt down at the side of his bed and lightly brushed Goten's sweaty bangs from his forehead. His brother stirred and turned again in his bed, face contorted in aggravation and pain.
"Goten. You're having a bad dream. Wake up." Gohan whispered into his brothers ear.
Goten stirred again. His eyes tiredly cracked open as he looked up into the face of his brother. Goten slurred incomprehensibly. Gohan smiled comfortingly before ruffling the little boy's hair. Goten managed to pull a grin onto his face before falling back asleep.
As Gohan made his way back to be, he couldn't help be feel a little jealous. Even if the little boy had been plagued by a nightmare, at least he could sleep. All Gohan could do was stare at the ceiling waiting.
~~~~ ( ( … ) ) ~~~~
"Boys breakfast!" Chichi called to her sleeping boys.
Gohan, having gotten no sleep last night, grumbled irritably as he pushing himself out of bed. Of course Goten at the mention of food had raced down to claim his. Gohan yawned and shuffled out of the room slowly ignoring the impatient calls of Goten to 'Get his butt down here so he could eat'.
Chichi looked up and smiled brightly at her oldest son as he emerged from the hallway. When she took a good look at him, a look of concern spread across her face.
"What's wrong dear?" she questioned. "You look sick. Are you feeling well?"
"I feel fine mom." Gohan said groggily.
"No you don't. You can't lie to your mother. Now get you butt back in bed." she demanded gently pushing.
Gohan smiled sheepishly. He did as was told and turned to make his way back to bed.
~~~~ ( (Elsewhere ) ) ~~~~
"Excuse me sir, but shouldn't we have brought more back up?" the officer asked as they flew over the country side.
"No this should be a problem me and you can handle alone Kishimoto." the chief said.
"If you say so sir." officer Kishimoto said with a shrug as he looked out the window of the jet copter.
The chief looked forward as he flew the two to there destination mulling things over in his head.
~~~~ ( ( Flashback ) ) ~~~~
As officer Kishimoto left his office the phone began to ring. The chief let a sigh escape his lips and he pulled the phone off the receiver.
"Chief of police Yasuhiru." he said formally trying to sound as polite as possible even if it came off as totally fake.
"Is it true that my niece has been murdered?" came a simple question.
"Oh. Moreno." Yasuhiru said with a sigh. "Yes. I'm afraid it is true my good friend. She was such a sweet girl too."
"Yes. She will be missed." the judge said from the other side. "Tell me. Do you know who committed this crime?"
"Well, usually I'm not supposed to give this information out, but for you.. All evidence points to a young man but the name of Gohan?"
There was silence and Yasuhiru sat in his chair waiting for a reaction.
"Listen Yasuhiru." came a slow reply after the rather long silence. "I want you to bring this man in. I want justice to be served under my rule. I'm willing to make it worth you while."
Yasuhiru contemplated the offer for a moment. He chuckled lightly before answering. "Justice will be served my good friend."
"Good to hear. The rice killer will meet his end" Moreno said from the other side before there was a click signaling Moreno had hung up.
Chief Yasuhiru slumped back in his chair. That kid was really working him a head ache. As he rubbed his temples, he let out yet another sigh. He rested his head on the desk. He could really use some sleep. But there was no time for that. This was all worth his while. The Rice Killer was worth his while.
~~~~ ( ( End Flashback ) ) ~~~~
"We're here sir." Kishimoto said pulling the chief from his thoughts.
"Right." Yasuhiru said before making the descend.
As their plane touched ground and they had casually made their way out, Chichi poked her head out the front door to see who was there. When she saw it was the police, she looked at the questioningly, opening the door a little wider. The noticed her and waved so she wouldn't shut the door.
"Ma'am. I am Chief of police. Chief Yasuhiru." he said, showing her the freshly polished badge. "Is a Son Gohan here?"
"Gohan?" Chichi questioned. "Yes he's here. Can I help you?"
"We need to see your son please." Officer Kishimoto said calmly.
Chichi looked at the before hesitantly letting them into her home. They stepped inside and saw the eyes of a curious nine year old on them. He tilted his head to the side before turning back to the mountain of food that was stacked in front of him.
"Gohan's in his room. He wasn't feeling to good this morning." Chichi said.
Yasuhiru made his way around Chichi ignoring her movements to get around him as he pushed toward the slightly ajar door. He pushed it open and saw the tired looking teen sleeping restlessly in his bed.
'Guilt.' he thought before striding forward.
Their movements obviously caught the attention of the little boy as he had made his way from the dining room and was currently looking between the legs of his mother and the officer. Goten could sense something bad about these two men. They irked him.
Yasuhiru, when at the side of Gohan's bed grimaced. He pulled the covers off the boy's sleeping form only to cause him to twist agitatedly in his bed. As if he were having a nightmare.
"Please what are you doing?" Chichi asked. "He's not feeling good, surely this isn't necessary."
Goten looked up at his mother the to the face of the man above Gohan.
"Ma'am. Believe me. This is of utmost importance." the chief said before turning back to Gohan.
"Excuse me. Son Gohan." he said loudly. "Wake up."
The teen stirred and after blinking to make his eyes adjust to the light, looked up confused into the face of Yasuhiru.
"To you feet." Yasuhiru demanded.
Gohan, confused, did as he was told and stood at the side of his bed. He looked over to his mother in question who shrugged, before he turned his attention back to Yasuhiru.
"Son Gohan, you are under arrest for the murder of Liza Moreno. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court." he said forcefully turning Gohan, pulling his arms behind him to place the handcuffs on. As he finished strapping them, Chichi let out a growl.
"How dare you accuse my son of doing something like that." she said with a scowl.
"Ma'am were are just doing our job." Officer Kishimoto said from beside her.
Chief Yasuhiru, while holding onto Gohan's forearm, pulled the still half asleep demi saiyan from the room.
"You can't do this!" Chichi roared.
They ignored her threats and calls as the pulled Gohan along. By this time the teen had woken up fully. His mind was utterly blank with shock as they escorted him to the jet copter. As he was forced into the back, and the two police seated in the front, the doors were closed and they took off.
Chichi shook her fist and ran after them as they flew away until she couldn't see them anymore. Once out of sight, Chichi fell to her knees in disbelief. Goten rushed over to here. The confusion very clear in his coal black eyes.
"Mommy what are they doing with Gohan?" he asked. "Where are they taking him?"