Hi. Chapter nine is up. In this chapter, the adventure truly begins.
New gifts from the gods
As Gohan was flying around the camp, he noticed that some of the z-fighter allies, namely Bulma with the two-year-old Trunks, Yamcha, Vegeta, and Piccolo were just inside the borders of the camp, placing the transports into place. This excited Gohan as he flew down to greet them.
"Hey, look who's here." Yamcha said.
"Hey, guys." Gohan began. "It's so nice to see you here. Wait a second!" he said as he paused for a moment. "Only half-bloods can cross the border, so that means all of you are-"
"Bingo." Yamcha began. "We're all demigods like you, including yours truly. You have no idea how hard I laughed when I found out that both you and Vegeta are sons of Athena."
"Yeah. That was a shock for many of us. So who's your godly parent, Yamcha?" Gohan asked.
"Hermes, god of thieves, of course." He chuckled.
"Why am I not surprised?" Bulma began. "Alright, so most of the transports are set up for the other demigods. I'm guessing we'll be seeing you in the morning, Gohan?"
"No. I was given a quest."
"A quest? Why good for you." Bulma responded. "I was assigned one as well when I was here. Actually, I snuck out to go on a dragon ball hunt. The same one I met Goku on. In fact, it was here that I learned what they are."
"So it looks like you're spared, Kakabrat." Vegeta sneered. "I was looking forward to a good match with you. I guess now I'll have to take it out on some of our other siblings."
"So how's mom and Goten doing?" Gohan asked.
"They're fine." Bulma began. "In fact, they're here right now. I think I last saw them in transport 8."
"Okay. Thanks." Gohan said as he glanced at Vegeta. "Hey, Vegeta. Would you mind doing me a favor?"
"What is it, brat?" the saiyan prince asked.
"There's this jerk Tantalus who is coming up to the lookout to keep an eye on the campers. Nobody here really likes him, so will you throw him off of the lookout?" Gohan asked.
"I see the cruelty of our race is rubbing off on you." Vegeta smirked. "I'm impressed, so I'll do it, especially if he picks a fight with me. Just so you know, this is not because you're my half-brother!"
"If you say so. Thanks, Vegeta. Well, I'll see everyone later." Gohan said as he walked into transport 8 and saw Goten running around and he was almost knocked over. "Whoa, Goten! Energetic little guy, aren't you?" he asked as he patted his little brother's head.
"Huh? Is someone there?" Chichi asked as she walked out and saw Gohan. "Huh? Is that you, Gohan?"
"Yeah, it's me, mom." He said as he ran up to her and was almost squeezed to death.
"Thank the gods you're safe. When Piccolo told me you were here, I was absolutely frightened because of my experience when I was here in the Hermes cabin for a few years!" Chichi began. "That's why I contacted your real mother and told her that it would be wise to claim you at this time."
"Yeah. That was quite a shock when I found out that Athena was my mother." Gohan began. "You knew all along?"
"You bet!" Chichi began. "I knew since I've known Athena for many years. She's been keeping a secret about me she knows would be unwise if the others knew about it. Raising you as my own was something I would've done anyway, but it was also on her request. From what I understand, you were a gift to Goku for his heroic deeds. I hope this doesn't change anything between us."
"Of course it won't, mom." Gohan began. "I'll always be your son. By the way, I hear you're a demigod as well?"
"Yes. How do you think I was able to get into the camp tonight in the first place?" Chichi asked in response.
"True. So who's your godly parent?" Gohan asked.
"I just might tell you who my mom is later." Chichi explained. "So how do you like the camp?"
"It's not bad. I have friends here like Percy." Gohan explained.
"You mean the one from your school?" Chichi asked. Gohan nodded. "I knew it! My demigod sense is still sharp!"
"He's a son of Poseidon, and so is Tyson." The demisaiyan responded. "And do you remember Annabeth?"
"You mean that girl from six year ago?" Chichi asked. "I don't think you can forget her or her two friends."
"Yeah. She's also a child of Athena." Gohan said.
"That I knew. Hopefully, she's been keeping you out of trouble?"
"Not likely." Gohan grinned. "I have to go now, mom. I'm going on a quest in the morning and I need to prepare for it."
"I guess it can't be helped. Just come back in one piece, Gohan." Chichi said.
"I will, mom. See ya." Gohan said as he left the transport and started flying around the camp.
"Doesn't that make him a prime target for the harpies?" Bulma asked.
"No. I asked the heads of the camp to allow him to train at night." Piccolo began. "Besides, I don't think the harpies like saiyans very much."
As Gohan was flying around, he spotted Percy near the sea and flew down to meet him. "Hi, Percy. What are you doing out here?"
"I'm just thinking of what to do next." Percy began. "This is the one place I really can. What are you doing out here?"
"I'm just getting in some late night training." Gohan explained. "Oh. My friends are here and are getting everything set up for tomorrow morning. I even asked Vegeta to throw Tantalus off of the lookout and he agreed!"
"I think most of the other demigods will like that." Percy smiled as he took out the six-pack of soda he had. "Want one?" He asked.
"Sure." Gohan said as he took a soda and started hovering around while Percy sat down on the blanket he spread along the surf. They looked up and looked at some of the constellations. "They're pretty amazing sights from Earth, but it is pretty dangerous out there."
"It doesn't look that way from here." Percy responded.
"But there are some nice people out there like the Namekians."
"That's the name of Piccolo and Dende's race, right?" Percy asked. Gohan nodded. "I hope there are more like Dende than Piccolo."
"Don't worry. Most of them are. Piccolo's only the way he is due to what he saw on Earth." Gohan explained.
"He was looking at the sky and remembering some of his journeys into space when someone said "Beautiful, aren't they?"
They turned and saw a man in nylon running shorts and a marathon shirt standing next to them. Both Percy and Gohan felt something familiar about him, but they couldn't figure out what it was. "Would you mind if I sat down?" he asked. "I haven't sat down in ages."
"Uh, sure." The two surprised boys said.
"Your hospitality does you credit. Oh. Coca-Cola." He said when he noticed the remaining cans. "May I?" He sat down next to Percy, popped a soda, and took a drink. "Ah, that hits the spot. Peace and quiet at-" at that moment, his cell phone rang and he took it out. What was strange about it were that it glowed and that two green snakes were on the antenna. He looked at the LCD screen and sighed. "Would you excuse me for a sec? I have to take this." He said as he started talking into the phone. "Hello? Listen, I know-I don't care if he's chained to a giant rock with vultures flying around. If he doesn't have a tracking number, we can't track his package. A gift to humankind? Oh great you know how many of those we-Oh, never mind. Listen, just refer him to Eris in Customer service. I gotta go." With that, he hung up. "Sorry. The overnight express business is just booming. Now, as I was saying-"
"You have snakes on your phone." Percy said.
"What? Oh, they don't bite. Your friend there has a device made infamous by maniacs and he doesn't bite either. That is unless there's a full moon. Say hello, George and Martha."
"Hello, George and Martha." Came a male voice in the heads of the two demigods.
"Don't be sarcastic!" said a female voice.
"Why not?" George demanded. "I do all the real work!"
"Oh, let's not go into that again!" the jogger put his phone back in his pocket. "Now where were we? Ah, yes. Peace and quiet. Been a long time since I've gotten to relax. Ever since the telegraph-rush, rush, rush. Do you have a favorite constellation, Percy?"
"Uh, I like Hercules." Percy said.
"Why?"
"Well…because he had rotten luck. Even worse than mine. It makes me feel better."
The man chuckled. "Not because he was strong and famous and all of that?"
"No."
"You're an interesting young man. And you, Gohan?"
"I really don't have one." Gohan began. "Mostly because there are some really dangerous people out there."
"Indeed. Why do you think we stopped making deliveries into space a century ago?" the jogger asked as he looked at Percy. "And so, what now?"
"I have Demeter on line 2." Martha said.
"Not now!" The jogger said. "Just tell her to leave a message."
"She's not going to like that. The last time you put her off, all of the flowers in the floral delivery division wilted. The time when they were destroyed in that forest a few years ago doesn't count since that Turles guy can be blamed for that."
"That is one name I haven't heard in a long time." Gohan sighed.
"Just tell her I'm at a meeting. Sorry again, Percy. You were saying…"
"Who are you exactly?" Percy asked
"Haven't you guessed by now? A smart boy like you? I'm sure Gohan figured it out already."
"It wasn't hard." Gohan responded.
"Show them!" Martha began. "I haven't been at full size in months!"
"Don't listen to her! She just wants to show off!"
He took out his phone again. "Original form, please." The phone then grew into a long snake and the snakes grew full-sized and took on the form of a caduceus, the symbol of the Hermes cabin.
"You're Luke's father." Percy began. "Hermes."
"Luke's father." Hermes began. "Normally, that's not the first way people introduce me. God of thieves, yes. God of messengers and travelers, if they wish to be kind."
"God of thieves works." George said.
"Oh, don't mind George." Martha began. "He's just bitter because Hermes likes me best."
"Does not!"
"Does too!"
"Behave you two. Or I'll turn you back into a phone and set you on vibrate." Hermes warned.
"Are all your sons thieves?" Gohan asked.
"Not all. Maybe most, but not all." Hermes began. "Like your friend, Yamcha."
"That's not entirely accurate since he used to be a thief!" Gohan shouted.
"I can see why Athena is so fond of you, Gohan. You seem to remember things like that and you're very smart for someone your age. She was especially proud of you after you killed Cell." Hermes began. "To be honest, all of us thought our planet was done for after your father was killed, but then you showed up as a SS2 and finished him off." He then turned to Percy. "So what do you intend to do about the quest?"
"I-don't have permission to go."
"No indeed." Hermes began. "Will that stop you?"
"I want to go." Percy began. "I have to save Grover."
"Oh, come on!" Gohan began. "Why do you have to get permission to go on a quest? Did I need permission to train with Piccolo to fight the saiyans and go to Namek?"
"For the first one, you were kidnapped by Piccolo. For the second one, you asked your mother, or at least your adopted mother, to join that quest. Then again, you did have your mind made up." Hermes countered. "Let me tell you the story of a boy I once. A mere baby, really."
"Here we go again," George began. "Always talking about himself."
"Quiet!" Martha shouted. "Do you want to be set on vibrate?"
"Oh boy. I can already guess what this story is." Gohan began. "Is that the one when you snuck out as an infant, stole Apollo's cattle, and got away with it since you give him the lyre you invented?"
"You certainly inherited your mother's brains, Gohan." Hermes began. "But you could at least let me tell my own story! But do you understand it, Percy?
"You mean I should go anyway, even if I don't have permission?" Percy asked.
Herme's eyes twinkled. "Especially since your only opposition seems to be Tantalus, but that won't be an issue for you since he can't possibly last long without angering Vegeta. In his youth, Vegeta was known to destroy planets when he was angry, something Athena was not very proud of. Martha, may I have the first package, please?" Martha spat out a lunch box thermos with red and yellow ancient Greek scenes.
"This is a gift?" Percy asked.
"One of two." Hermes began. Go on. Pick it up. It took a while, but Percy was finally able to. "Uncap it, and you will release the winds on the four corners of the Earth to speed you on your way. Not now, please. If you must use it, only open it a tiny bit. The winds are always restless, like me. Should all four escape…ah, but I'm sure you'll be careful."
"Just like when my anger gets out of control?" Gohan asked.
"Something like that. Your anger is legendary up on Olympus." Hermes began. "And now my second gift. George?" George coughed up a little plastic bottle filled with chewable vitamins. "Don't take one unless you really need it."
"How will I know when I really need it?" Percy asked.
"When I'm all out of these?" Gohan asked as he took out a bag of senzu beans.
Hermes chuckled. "That's one way of putting it. You and your friends would be in serious trouble without those senzu beans, wouldn't you? But that's not what they're for. Nine essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids…oh, everything you'll need to be yourself again." He tossed the bottle to Percy. "Oh. And I have one more gift to deliver. Gohan, this is for you." Hermes said as he took out an upgraded version of his shield and tossed it to him. "After that creature trashed your shield today, your mother decided to send you another gift. That shield is made from the same material as the other one, but it also contains a mixture of the metal in your sword and the material that creature's claws and scales are made of. We're still trying to figure out what it is, but the Cyclopes have some ideas for the material."
"Wow! Thanks!" Gohan said as he put the shield in a capsule.
"You wouldn't happen to have a few spare capsules would you, Gohan?" Hermes asked. "Those have been extremely useful for me."
"Sure." Gohan said as he took out a few capsules and tossed them to the messenger god. "Wait. Why are you helping us?"
"Perhaps because I hope you boys can save many people on this quest, not just Percy's friend, Grover." Hermes smiled.
"Look." Percy began. "Lord Hermes, thanks for everything, but you might as well take back your gifts. Luke can't be saved. Even if I could find him…he told me he wants to tear Olympus down stone by stone. He betrayed everyone he knew and hates you especially."
"The possibility exists." Gohan began. "But it is still unlikely."
"Weren't Piccolo and Vegeta once evil as well?" Hermes asked. "Even after all they did, they were able to change." Hermes began as he gazed up at the stars. "My dear young cousin and nephew, if there's one thing I learned over the eons it's that you can't give up on your family, no matter how tempting you make it. Ares once ran into a similar problem with one of his saiyan sons when he became almost as despicable as the rest of his race-" he noticed the expression on Gohan's face. "Present company excluded, and that saiyan went on to sacrifice himself in an attempt to save his planet from Freeza. You know who that saiyan was, Gohan?" Gohan shook his head. "His name was Bardock, your father's father. It didn't matter what he did, Ares never gave up on him. You see, it doesn't matter if they hate you, embarrass you, or simply don't appreciate your genius for inventing the internet-"
"You invented the internet?" Percy asked.
"Oh boy." Gohan began. "I bet you don't like those acts ruining it, do you?" (a/n I don't think I can voice my hatred for those acts in words)
"It was my idea." Martha said.
"Rats are delicious." George said.
"It was my idea! Hermes said. "I mean the internet, not the rats. And you're right, Gohan. I am not a fan of those acts. But do you understand what I'm saying about family?"
"I-I'm not sure." Percy responded.
"I don't know if I can thanks to my father's family." Gohan said.
"You will someday. And Gohan, the only evil member of your father's family was your uncle." Hermes said as he got up. "In the meantime, I must be going."
"You have sixty calls to return." Martha said.
"And one-thousand-thirty-eight e-mails." George began. "Not including the offers for online discount ambrosia."
"It's at times like this when the delete button is very useful." Gohan smiled.
"It certainly is. And both of you have a shorter deadline than you realize to complete your quest. Your friends should be coming right about…now."
They heard Tyson and Annabeth calling their names from the sand dunes, Tyson's voice sounded a little farther away.
"I hope I packed well for you." Hermes said. "I do have some experience with travel." He snapped his fingers and four yellow duffel bags appeared before the two boys. "Waterproof, of course. And if you ask nicely, Percy's father should be able to help you reach the ship."
"Ship?" Percy asked. Hermes pointed and they saw a big cruise ship cutting across Long Island Sound.
"I can sense many evil kis in that ship." Gohan began. "That is not good since one of them is that alien from this afternoon!"
"Wait." Percy began. "I don't understand. I haven't even agreed to go!"
"I'd make up your mind in the next five minutes if I were you." Hermes advised. "That's when the harpies will come to eat you. Now, good night, cousin and nephew, and dare I say it? May the gods be with you. And one more thing. Gohan?"
"Yes?" the demisaiyan asked.
"There is a strong chance that you will encounter Cell during your quest. If and when you do, send him back to Hell for me. He killed quite a few of my children on his rampage."
"But weren't all of his victims revived with the dragon balls?" Gohan asked.
"Yes, but some of them had already been revived once by that point." Hermes began. "I think you know what that means."
"Yes." Gohan began. "I'll definitely make sure I kill him if I can." With that, the caduceus turned back into a phone as Hermes put it in his pocket and jogged off. It wasn't long before Annabeth and Tyson found them.
So that ends this part of the adventures. What will they get themselves into next? Knowing them, it can't be good. Well, until next time.
