Disclaimer
All original content is owned by Akira Toriyama and his affiliates.
Chapter 9:
Walking away from Vegeta's room, the anger Gohan felt at Vegeta slowly gave way to sadness. He just felt defeated. Sighing, Gohan slowly descended down the stairs and over to where Bulma sat playing with Trunks. She looked up from her son, saw Gohan's depressed face, and quickly put it all together.
"I take it he won't help you, huh?" Bulma asked softly.
"Is it that obvious or did you hear us starting to yell?" a dejected Gohan said as he plopped down on the floor. Trunks crawled away from his mother and into Gohan's lap as if he had never left.
Trunks began babbling and trying to "talk" to Gohan. Gohan turned his gaze to the baby and Trunks seemed to lift Gohan's spirits a little as he couldn't help but smile at the innocence of the younger boy who began reaching for Gohan's tail. His tail swished around and into the tiny hands of the once again laughing baby.
"Yes, it's that obvious but it seems that Trunks is trying to cheer you up," Bulma replied giving a reassuring smile.
"Isn't that right, Trunks?" she cooed at the baby who returned a smile and giggle to his mother before attending to his new toy once more.
Gohan gave a little chuckle at that but could only gaze longingly at the nearby wall feeling defeated on the inside. "I'm not sure what to do now Bulma," he said after a few moments.
"I'm sorry Vegeta isn't much help right now but if you give him time, maybe he'll come around," Bulma said sighing. "I'm actually sad to see him being this way. He's pretty much given up on training and combat altogether."
"I was kind of rude to him and told him he was being a coward because Dad and I managed to get stronger than him so I guess I kind of had it coming," Gohan said sadly.
"Well, maybe a blow like that will make him come around. You do realize that being of a royal family, growing up he was basically taught that he would get everything he wanted or needed. I can't blame him for feeling his world shattering around him but at the same time he needs to man up and be that proud warrior he's always been acting as!" Bulma replied.
Gohan just listened in silence while watching Trunks enjoy himself.
"Hey, I know how to make you feel better," Bulma suddenly piped up.
"How's that?" Gohan asked looking at her puzzled.
"The best way to get to a Saiyan is through his stomach. Aren't you hungry? It is around lunch time you know!" Bulma replied cheerfully.
A small smile crept across Gohan's face as he said, "Ok, you got me there. I guess that couldn't hurt."
"Bring Trunks with you and follow me into the kitchen. I'll get his baby chair and see what we have that you can choose from. Anything you want is fine. Oh, and I'll even turn on the TV for you to watch something while you eat!" She said getting up and walking towards her giant kitchen.
Gohan picked up Trunks, who held onto his tail tightly, and followed her in. "I think he's really attached to my tail," Gohan said as he helped Bulma put Trunks in his baby high chair.
"That won't be a problem for long," Bulma said dishing out baby food and small cuts of about two pounds of chicken. "Trunks, lunch is ready."
At these words Trunks let go of Gohan's tail and reached for the food placed in front of him. "Cut up chicken, Bulma? Isn't he still a little young for that?"
"Nope and neither were you," Bulma replied as she opened her fridge to find something for Gohan to eat. "Your mom gave tips on what to feed Trunks since you were the same way. It was something about a bad biting incident when feeding you."
"Ah, I don't remember that but I guess Mom would be the best source for raising a Saiyan on Earth," Gohan replied grinning.
Bulma just replied, "Mhm" as she continued trying to find something for Gohan to eat. "That's odd I thought we had more around here to eat than this," she continued, "I guess I'll go and check the back-up fridge and freezer. Once Vegeta was living here officially, I knew I'd need to have a huge supply of food."
Walking towards the doorway she grabbed a remote off the kitchen table and flicked on a small TV sitting on the fridge. "Go ahead and pick anything from the fridge you want, I didn't see anything that I know would ease your appetite but anything is better than nothing. I'll be back in a few minutes," Bulma said turning and walking out of the kitchen.
Gohan said, "Ok!" and began looking for something to help with his now growing hunger. As he opened the fridge and looked for food, the TV channel turned from some bout of commercials on new cereals coming out called Hercule Crisps and Champ Chomps (Gohan had to chuckle at the absurdity of those new names) to the news programming.
"Welcome back to KBC News where we bring you up-to-the minute, live coverage of what is going on in the world and I'm your host Nester Brack," the newscaster said as Gohan picked out a few apples, and walked over to the sink to rinse them off.
"Our top story today begins with the incredible announcement that Hercule Satan, the world champ and Savior as many people are calling him, has received a great honor by Orange Star City," Nester Brack continued as Gohan sat down next Trunks and began eating his own food. "Orange Star City will be renamed to Satan City to honor our beloved hero, who as you all remember, just days ago saved us all from the terror of Cell!"
"If we all remember than why are you reminding us?" Gohan thought grudgingly as he chomped into his second apple.
"While the city will be changing its name for this gracious gesture to Hercule, many of the town's businesses and schools have stated that they will maintain the name "Orange Star." Hercule was asked about the changing the names of every building using Orange Star, but he has stated that while he will graciously accept the town's honor, he did not feel comfortable changing the name of everything in the city. He felt that was too much." The reporter continued.
Gohan only half listened to the reporter drone on about Hercule's accomplishments culminating to his "legendary fight" with Cell and how the world views him as the greatest mankind has ever known. Gohan was more focused on filling his belly and watching Trunks occasionally flick what looked like carrots onto the ground in disgust but completely enjoying each piece of chicken. He had to chuckle a little at the pickiness. "I do remember enjoying the meat the most myself. Vegetables weren't always my favorite either but I didn't mind carrots. Actually, didn't Dad always try to sneak a lot onto my plate? I wonder why that was?" Gohan pondered to himself.
Nester Brack continued with his report on Hercule in the background and talked about his relationship with King Furry, "While King Furry was unavailable during the ceremony in the newly named Satan City to honor our hero, he has expressed gratitude and congratulations to our champ on defending the earth from a terrible threat. However; some sources do speculate he is not very fond of Hercule Satan due to the King's lack of praise as compared with adoring fans and has fallen under harsh criticism in the past couple days. When asked whether he would consider Hercule as a potential successor to the throne if ever King Furry's family lineage was disrupted he had this to say."
Gohan was a little more curious to hear this bit since the Ox King had said King Furry did not really believe Hercule to be the world champ. Gohan looked at the TV with renewed interest as a recent interview with King Furry appeared on screen.
"While Mr. Satan has shown to be a very capable martial artist in his fight with the monster known as Cell, I cannot say if I would consider him as a successor to the throne. I'm actually not sure how this came to light as he has no relations with my lineage. But putting that aside and allowing for a future where it isn't just one family ruling over our kingdom, I would question if he is truly the right man for the job." King Furry said to what appeared to be a room full of reporters and cameramen.
One reported piped up, "Are you saying that the man who sacrificed himself, the man who has the strength to carry many bus sized vehicles, the man who defeated the world's greatest threat ever known, is not worthy of holding the title of "King" to a world that adores him for the hero he really is?"
King Furry replied, "I am not discounting his courage to take on a terrible threat to our world, but I would question if he has any knowledge in handling the politics in ruling over a kingdom. As most of you are surely aware, a lot of thought goes into what laws to pass and veto, where monetary funds go, and maintaining good relationships with the populace as a whole. It is not something for the faint of heart or for someone who has had either very little or no practice in any politics to take up the throne just like that. However; I would not be against showing him what a "day in the life of the king" is really like."
The TV returned to a view of Nester Brack who added, "Hercule Satan being put in charge does appear unlikely but it seems that criticism against the king for being a "Hercule Hater" as some of the younger adults are calling him, may be causing some political strife in the coming weeks."
Gohan had finished eating a sixth apple after listening to the news and just sighed out of disappointment. "I wish people weren't so judgmental just because one person doesn't like someone that everyone else does."
As the newscaster announced a commercial break coming on, Bulma reappeared in the kitchen with a few loaves of bread, meat, and other assorted vegetables for sandwiches.
"Sorry it took me so long Gohan," She replied in a huff as she set the ingredients on the table in front of him. "I had to dig for some of it since there wasn't a whole lot left for a starving Saiyan."
"It's alright Bulma. Thanks for letting me eat your food!" Gohan said appreciatively as he grabbed for the food he wanted.
"I hope this at least tides you over for an hour or so. I forgot that Yamcha, Oolong, and Puar stayed here after the party. Yamcha and Oolong had a few too many drinks and got themselves sick so I let them stay in the living room," Bulma stated while Gohan made a few sub sized sandwiches for his lunch.
"I thought they left like everyone else?" Gohan asked curiously.
"No, bunch of ungrateful jerks making a mess! Of course, they even went on to eat me out of house and home," Bulma continued in an exasperated tone. "Not Puar, she's alright, but I told Yamcha to get out as soon as I saw him walking around. Vegeta may be out of sorts but he seems kind of protective of me lately regardless. I was afraid Yamcha would end up in orbit if Vegeta saw him up and moving."
Gohan had to stifle a giggle in between bites knowing how Vegeta's temper was at its worst.
"But Oolong just couldn't get any better, at least until today. Puar reluctantly stayed to help care for him. I sent him and Puar off to the local grocery store earlier this morning, probably an hour before you arrived," Bulma said as she began making a smaller sandwich for herself while trying to give a few pieces of lettuce to Trunks. "I knew Puar would keep him in line and I gave them a capsule to carry everything in. That thing can hold at least a ton in weight! I wonder what's keeping them though. The storm has turned into more of a steady rain now and Puar can shape-shift into an umbrella easily."
Just as Gohan was biting into his third giant sandwich, the news returned with a flash of "Breaking News" scrolling across the bottom.
Nester Brack began speaking, "Breaking news from West City. It appears a robbery is currently in place. We now take you live to a downtown supermarket with our field team. Tella, your report?"
Immediately Gohan and Bulma snapped their attention to the TV as the view shifted to a rain filled background and a woman newscaster holding an umbrella and microphone.
"Thanks Nester," she said quickly, "We're live just outside the West City Food Stores where just minutes ago police arrived on scene. It appears that one of the hostages of this ongoing robbery tripped the store alarm to alert local authorities to the scene. There appears to be at least three known crooks holding several people, including a seemingly unconscious little pig, hostage."
Gohan dropped his sandwich and stood up instantly. "Bulma, I'm going" he replied in a commanding tone while turning around to leave.
Bulma nodded and said, "Just go out to the back area where we had the party, look to your east, and if you don't see any police sirens right away, it's only a few blocks down the road."
"You'd better transform just in case. If you want to keep your identity secret. Better to be known as the Delivery Boy for now," She said before he could leave the kitchen.
"You're right, thanks for reminding me Bulma," Gohan said. He stepped away from the table a few feet and pulling his ki from within him, transformed into his Super Saiyan state.
"Gohan, quick before you go.." Bulma added as Gohan had begun running to the doorway. He stopped and turned to look at her. "Can you will your...uh, golden tail to wrap around your waist? It might cause you more trouble as a tail than a golden belt."
Gohan looked down at his tail and saw that it had once again shown a golden color while he was a Super Saiyan. "Gosh Bulma, what would I do without you?" he said smiling and willed his tail to wrap around his waist like a belt.
"You'd be torn asunder by the paparazzi," she replied coyly. "Just come back with them in safe and sound?"
Gohan nodded, turned around, ran out towards the rainy weather, and flew off to the grocery store without much thought since it was easy to see the police lights flashing under the dark sky.
"Did you feel that brother?" Three piped up with glee as a sneer spread across his face.
"Yes, Three. I did, " Four replied with an equally unpleasant smile.
"Human!" Four shouted to Ken who standing by his motorcycle, awaiting their commands.
"Yes, Master Four?" He replied obediently and without any fear in his voice even though his feelings betrayed him.
"We are too far away. What lies in this direction?" Four spoke as he pointed to some distant rain clouds south of their location.
Ken pulled out a small electronic mapping device and began checking for an answer. Within a few seconds he responded, "It's West City, Master Four."
"West City..." Four began pondering.
"Isn't that where the Brief's Residence is?" Three asked.
"Yes! He must be paying a visit. Maybe that brat is training! Let's go see what he's really up to!" Four replied.
Three gave a wicked smile and said, "Yes! I want to know what secrets we can get out of him before our next battle! Come human, we're off! Get us into West City undetected while we hone in on Gohan!"
Ken nodded and getting on his vehicle once more, started up the engine and sped off towards West City with the two Cell Juniors in tow.
"Yo, what the heck is going on here?!" A gruff and burly man wearing a red ski mask and dark green clothes shouted.
"I know, right!" another man of thinner but still strong build said who was also sporting the same attire.
"Relax, we'll get out of this! We just need to use these people as leverage and the cops will leave us alone!" A third man of leaner but taller build than the others said also in green clothes and wearing a crimson red ski mask. He pointed his semi-automatic gun at the hostages: several shoppers and store employees who sat cowering in fear between the rows of grocery goods and checkout stations.
A couple of the employees lay bleeding and unconscious with some of their colleagues trying to care for them as best as could be done on the hard tiled floor. Among the conscious were a few apprehensive mothers and their kids, an elderly couple, Oolong, and Puar. Oolong was dazed and out of sorts with Puar tending to a large welt on his forehead.
"That was the most courageous and idiotic thing I've ever seen you do!" Puar whispered intently into Oolong's ears.
"Heh, would you believe I was trying to get a look under that pretty cashier's skirt before she smacked me under the register?" He replied still feeling a throbbing pain were she hit him. The cashier sat next to him her face red as a tomato and glaring daggers at Oolong as he said that.
"Yes, you were taught by Master Roshi all too well but your ill intent also helped get the police here before they could do any more damage!" Puar said sardonically.
"Just because I'm a cowardly skirt-chaser doesn't mean I don't care!" he retorted sharply and immediately regretted it as the pain intensified.
"Would you two shut-up!" The tallest of the robbers yelled sharply at them, "Or I might do it for you permanently!"
They did as they were told and sat on the floor in silence. He returned his attention to his fellow cohorts and said, "I know this was supposed to be easy to do and we've had a few set backs (he momentarily glared at Oolong), but we have the advantage here!" He told them.
The burly looking thug replied calming down slightly, "Well, I suppose that's true. We've got the front barricaded with heavy stuff, all back entrances are blocked shut. We got plenty of ammo, and all the cash is put neatly in the bags as planned. But how do you plan on getting out of here exactly?"
"Simple, we take a few hostages with us out the back, and leave the rest as a distraction. I had a back-up plan in case we got stuck, " he said pointing to a round object hanging off his belt.
"You guys get the attention of the cops and tell them to back off before we start filling these people with lead," he said with a sneer, "while I decide who stays and who comes with us."
The shorter thin guy spoke up, "What are you gonna do to make them comply if they don't get the message?"
"We need to set an example to shake them up and maybe the porker here will do," the tallest replied menacingly as he strolled over to Oolong while leveling his gun at Oolong's head.
Gohan dropped his aura and floated some thirty feet over the grocery store. "I think the police and reporters will have trouble spotting me in the rain but just in case I'd better keep my energy low key for now. I wonder what the best way to go in will be? I'd like to just fly in through the ceiling but that might hurt the people being held hostage..Wait! Maybe I can sneak in from the back of the store and catch them off guard!"
Scanning around the store with his eyes, he saw three policemen struggling to open a heavy door in the back of the store, near the loading area. Sighing, he thought to himself "Well, I guess I'll have to interact with a few of them. Hopefully they will recognize me from the games and won't give me too much trouble." Slowly, Gohan descended to the back of the store and landed in the employee parking lot between some of the cars. The policemen were too preoccupied trying to open the back door to hear Gohan appear a few feet behind them.
"Excuse me officers?" Gohan asked getting their attention.
They turned around immediately prepared to fight and noticing it was just some kid sighed out of relief. The leader of the group said, "You shouldn't be here young man. There are dangerous crooks inside. I'm going to have to ask you to leave the area and take cover."
"I know," Gohan said slowly walking up to them as he made his golden aura flash around his body. "That's why I'm here. I want to help. Not sure if you completely recognize me but I was one of the people fighting Cell."
They stared at Gohan for a few moments trying to understand what they were seeing and hearing before the leader said, "I'm not playing any games kid, this is serious business!" He reached to grab Gohan by the hand but Gohan had moved swiftly and stood right by the heavy door just as the leader's hands grabbed through thin air catching nothing. Completely bewildered he and his team turned to see Gohan pulling at the door and in mere seconds had begun ripping it off the hinges. Several metal locks and heavy door bolts clanged on the ground at his feet. The door completely removed from the building, he set it against the back wall of the store.
"Sorry, but I can't stand by when my friends are in trouble," Gohan said apologetically to the awe struck policemen, mouths hanging open in stunned silence at what they just saw a little kid do.
"Could you wait here in case the robbers try to run out this doorway? Thanks!" Gohan said with a quick smile as he dashed into the grocery store. The officers couldn't utter a sound if they tried. The events of the last few seconds had left them in shock so all they could do was nod slowly.
Gohan made it into the back area of the store near the cold section and heard shouts coming from the front of the store.
"Quiet all of you! I've made up my mind and unless the rest of you want to join this pig in oblivion, shut yer traps!" A loud harsh yell from one of the thugs carried into his ears. Gohan walked quickly but determinedly through the aisle in front of him and shouted back, "That's enough!"
His voice got the attention of everyone conscious in the store. As he approached the checkout area he made sure to keep his Super Saiyan aura flashing around his body and hoped to use it as a scare tactic on the robbers. They all turned to look at the sight of this blond haired boy around ten years old, all bathed in yellow light as he emerged from the back of the store. Stunned silence seemed to follow as Gohan looked around and surveyed the situation.
Finally the lead thug spoke, "I don't know where you came from kid but this is a robbery and I'm not taking orders from anyone but me." His comrades just snickered and laughed at the absurdity of this kid's courage.
Gohan stared coldly at the lead thug who was squatting down next to Oolong and Puar with his gun aimed right at Oolong's forehead. Naturally, Oolong was sweating bullets. "This is your last warning. Let my friend and these people go," Gohan said in a dangerously calm voice not much different from when he took on Cell.
"Or you'll do what-" the lead robber started to say before Gohan made his move. Faster than anyone could see he grabbed the gun out the guy's hand and threw it towards the back area of the store he had come from. In mere seconds he grabbed the lead robber by his shoulders and threw him into a neighboring pile of stacked soup cans a few feet to Gohan's left. An explosion of metal soup cans flew in various directions around the robber as he collided with them and the floor. The other two armed robbers began screaming and opened fire. They shot into the aisle just where Gohan had stood a few moments before and rained bullets through the shelves and cans of goods. Many of the hostages screamed in horror. Anticipating their reaction, Gohan moved as soon as the first guy was flying into the soup cans and appeared behind the thug closest to the front exit. It was the burly looking guy. Gohan tapped him on his back very lightly causing the thug to jump and turn around to shoot whatever just touched him. Gohan simply grabbed at each and every bullet flying out of the gun until it was completely empty. The thug kept pulling the trigger but nothing came out and finally stopped after all he heard was clicking. To his horror, Gohan had a deep scowl on his face but remained completely unharmed. Gohan held his arms out toward the thug and opening his palms, all the bullets he had caught clattered to the floor at his feet. The robber just stared in shock for another few seconds before Gohan punched him in his gut and proceeded to kick him hard against one of the checkout stations. The guy hit the station with a loud bang and a nearby rack full of candy tumbled over him and covered his body. Gohan turned his attention to the skinny-looking guy who was about ready to pee his pants.
"D..d..don't you come near me, you monster!" He stammered fearfully while slowly stepping backwards and near one of the young kids trying to stay calm. Taking notice of the hostages he got an idea and pointed the gun at the little kids and their mother.
"You might be able to block bullets for whatever reason but they can't! Come near me and I'll let them have it!" He yelled feeling triumphant. Gohan bared his teeth out of pure anger and glared intently at the thug. It freaked the thug out and was the last look he saw before Gohan fazed out of existence and connected his right fist with the guy's face. The bakery section was just behind him and upon being punched by Gohan, there was an explosion of bagels, pastries, and metal behind the now freed hostages. All the thugs were out cold and no one moved for a few moments.
The young kids and their mom who was covering them had their eyes closed when the last thug pointed his gun at them. Gohan's gentle voice made them open their eyes. "Are you guys alright?" he asked.
The kids looked up to see him staring down at them with genuine concern and nodded still feeling a little shocked after everything that just happened. Gohan squatted down to their level, smiled and said in a cheerful voice, "I'm just here to help and make sure the bad guys don't hurt you."
The kids seemed to relax and smiled back at him. "Thank you young man! I don't know who you are but I'm just glad you were here to save us!" the mother of these kids said graciously. Gohan stood up and still smiling.
"Wait, you look just like the Delivery Boy from the Cell Games!" she exclaimed and then quickly added, "Not that that name suites you because it seems kind of demeaning but I do remember you now!"
Gohan just sported his "family" grin while rubbing his hair and said "Thanks!" before walking over to the employees tending to their coworkers.
As he approached them he said, "Can I help you guys with anything? Are they going to be alright?"
One of the employees, the store manager, spoke for them all, "No, you've helped us a bunch already! But could you remove those thugs from our goods? I think they may need a hospital visit before going to jail."
Gohan nodded and said, "Sure. It's the least I can do for trashing your store." He paused and bowed while saying "I'm sorry about the mess."
"The mess is a small price to pay for living kid. No need to be so formal," the store manager replied.
Gohan smiled at him in response and walked over to check on Oolong and Puar before attending to the thugs.
"Hey are you alright Oolong?" Gohan asked the pig who was rubbing his throbbing head.
"Aside from needing some headache medicine, I'm fine Gohan. Thanks for rescuing us but how did you know we were here?" he replied.
"I was at Bulma's and we saw everything on TV," Gohan explained.
"Go ahead and help get those thugs ready for the police," Puar piped up, "I'll help Oolong out."
"Ok!" Gohan replied as he went about digging the unconscious robbers out of their respective "burial sites."
Several minutes later he had the thugs propped up against one another on the floor. With a little help from the store employees they're hands were tied behind their backs with rope in case they managed to wake up. The store manager had removed the barricades at the front door and yelled outside that all was clear for the police to enter. Moments later several heavily armed policemen entered the store but soon realized that everything was returning to normal as their eyes fell upon the unconscious crooks tied up on the floor.
"Who did all this?" the police chief inquired stepping over to look at the crooks.
The store manager pointed to Gohan who had begun carrying one of the unconscious employees towards the front doors. "He's the one who saved us all. This kid is our hero!"
Gohan blushed briefly before turning to the chief and said, "Excuse me Sir. Can we get some of these people to the hospital?"
"Right, these people need medical attention! Hey, get the medics in here pronto!" He said to his team as a couple of them ran outside shouting for the medics.
As some of the unconscious and severely injured were lifted into stretchers for the awaiting police, the newscaster began interviewing people involved and the policemen as she was allowed. Gohan tried to take his time inside the store and avoid being seen but as luck would have it, he was asked to help move some of the injured and couldn't say no to helping out. He grabbed the three crooks and brought them outside under an overhang where the store stashed its share of outdoor equipment. "I guess I can't let them get a cold or hypothermia from the rain." He thought to himself.
The officers spent some time looking through the crooks' clothes and unmasking them to figure out their identities. Upon removing the mask of the burly looking guy, they noticed a giant red mark tattooed on the back of his bald head.
One officer commented, "It seems these guys are new recruits into that Red Shark Gang."
"Excuse me, did you say the Red Shark Gang?" Tella asked with child-like enthusiasm while eavesdropping on various conversations. "As in the gang that is becoming somewhat of an underground legend in places?"
"That would be them," the officer assured her sighing.
"But why are they here? I thought they were mainly in Satan City?" she continued inquiring.
"Really can't say. This is the first I've seen of them here," he said. "Sorry to cut you off but we need to get these guys off to the hospital before we can get any more information out of them. Excuse me." He turned away and went to talk with the police chief on the matter.
Somewhat offended by being cut off so briskly she was about to chew him out when she saw Gohan easily lifting some of the people twice his size out of the store. "Now there's a story to add to an already budding gold pile!" She thought gleefully and went to interview him.
Through all the commotion at the grocery store, nobody seemed to notice three figures standing on a roof top just across the street. The two Cell Juniors and their human guide, Ken, watched as the events unfolded while seemingly hidden in the light rain and growing fog.
"This is an interesting development. It looks like that kid was here to stop a simple robbery from the Red Shark Gang," Ken said as his eyes fell over the crooks while listening to news reporter interviewing the people able to talk.
"The gang was formed in the last year or so and a high price was put on some of their members to be taken out!" he added.
"I see," Three replied somewhat amused, "Your master would be happy to hear that."
"Yes, he would but these guys seem incompetent. Robbing a shopping store during the day?" Amateurs!" Ken said with disdain in his voice.
"Shh!" Four hissed angrily to Ken and his brother, "I want to hear what they're talking about!"
Ken shut his mouth and listened so they could hear what was being said. Meanwhile, the news reporter was trying to get some answers from Gohan about the robbery as he was preparing to leave. "So, young man everyone here is saying you saved them from these crooks. How does it feel to be a hero?" Tella asked Gohan.
"Um, I just don't like to see people getting hurt," he replied feeling sheepish.
"Do you have a name? After interviewing some of these people, it sounds like you're the Delivery Boy from the Cell Games! Is that true?" Tella continued.
"I'm the boy from the Cell Games. Delivery Boy is what everyone is calling me so for now I guess that will work," Gohan said again. "Not sure if that's better or worse than the names Grandpa wanted to give me when I was born. It's getting kind of annoying!" he thought to himself.
"Really? You sure you don't go by another name?" Tella pressed on.
"Well, that's the best name for now," Gohan said really starting to feel annoyed.
Before she could continue Oolong jumped in and said in a smug tone, "It's true that he saved us but if I hadn't tripped the alarm before he arrived, no one would have known this was happening!"
"Oh, so you're the one who got the attention of the police?" Tella turned her attention to him.
"Naturally!" he replied soaking in the spotlight, "it took a little bravery from me and my poor head (he pointed to his bruise) to get the job done!"
"But Oolong, that welt is from the cashier hitting you not the robbers!" Puar chimed in.
"Stay out of this Puar!" Oolong yelled at her as he turned beet red.
"Well, maybe you shouldn't be skirt chasing!" she replied in an offended tone.
"Well, maybe you should shape shift yourself into a bee and buzz off!" he shouted at her.
"If you had shape shifted into an ogre, Gohan wouldn't have had to save us and you'd be the hero!" she shouted back.
"I can only do that for so long, why couldn't you?!" Oolong spat back at Puar.
"Because I'm better at shifting into tools and smaller beings, not big pompous jerks!" she spat at him in kind.
Everyone in the vicinity just stared in embarrassment at the drama unfolding before them.
"So, do they always do this or are they just stressed out?" Tella asked to Gohan who put his hands behind his head and smiled nervously while saying, "It's just another day in life for me!"
The Cell Juniors just stared at the scene in mild annoyance while Ken waited for their command on what to do next. Four spoke up shortly after Oolong's outburst. "Well, that was mildly amusing but I'm getting a little bored now.
"Yes! And I'm kind of annoyed that this kid would destroy us without question, but is willing to show mercy to pathetic humans like that? Why do we have to be afraid of such a weak minded brat?!" Three spat in anger.
"You're letting the cells from Frieza get the better of you! We both know what his anger can do! Four replied, "But this hasn't been a complete waste of time..." He trailed off as his eyes caught notice of something peculiar Gohan was wearing. "What's on his waist?"
Ken and Three took a closer look at Gohan and noticed his "golden belt." "It looks just like a belt," Ken replied.
"A belt wrapped around his gi using a blue sash as a "belt" already? I know he didn't wear that during our last encounter!" Four exclaimed. "That has to be his tail!"
"What?!" Three said incredulously.
"Why is him having a tail so important?" Ken asked confused.
"It seems coming here today was a good idea after all!" Four said gritting his teeth in anger but somehow still slightly amused at the recent developments.
"Ugh, this kid is already stronger than us!" Three complained. "Now we have to deal with that?"
Ken felt like he was missing something but decided to not interrupt them during their ranting. His eyes fell across the taller looking thug propped up against one of the store's walls and took note of the round object one of the cops was removing from his clothes. "Heh, I take it back. If that kid hadn't showed up, they might have pulled this off after all!" Ken said with a laugh.
"What do you mean, human?" Three asked looking like he was ready to murder Ken.
Ken pointed at the cop holding the object and said, "They brought a bomb to use as a getaway distraction. And those gas tanks sitting nearby would surely cause a big enough distraction."
Three's eyes lit up with glee at this and he smiled devilishly while asking, "How much are those thugs there worth to your Master Shen?"
Ken thought for a moment and said, "Maybe half a million zeni. And that might be pushing it."
Three smiled and said, "We'll help you haggle a better price then!"
He immediately pointed his right finger at the policeman holding the bomb and began charging up a pink death beam. Four whispered harshly, "What are you doing?! We'll be exposed if you do that!"
"Not if we leave now!" Three said out of seeming insanity and shot the laser-like beam without a second thought. Gohan had his back turned trying to calm Oolong and Puar down so he didn't see it coming, but he felt a small charge of ki just as Three fired the beam. Turning his head to see what he felt, he caught a glimpse of the beam connecting with the bomb and realized all too late what it was. The bomb erupted and being next to the gas tanks, caused the store to explode into a huge dome of fire and smoke. Before the tanks were even ruptured, the Cell Juniors and their human guide had already disappeared into a nearby alley not leaving any hint that they had been there at all.
Author's Note:
Clearly this has been a long time coming! Hopefully it was worth the wait since it was long one to write.