Alert!
Before I get the chapter started I just thought I'd take the time to make a little note here. About a week ago I received an email from the author metalgearhunter letting me know he wanted to write a spinoff to ZAT:Immortal. This is we're on and I have to say that I felt really honored that someone would want to write a fanfic of my fanfic! If you get a chance, check it out and keep an open mind. I'll give him this, his story is very energetic and as long as you don't take it too seriously it's fun to read. You can find it at: (.net/s/5072448/1/ZAT_The_Immortal_Saiyan_The_Dawn_of_Skriker)
In the series of ZAT I'm writing, basically I'm the one who opened up the can of infinite possibilities so even if Hunter's story isn't canon with mine, I may well sneak some bits in later down the road. I also wanted to use this time to say that if anyone ever has any other story ideas for ZAT don't hesitate to tell me about them! The first arc, "The Immortal Saiyan", still has about 19 chapters in the works which is more than long enough to put in some cool changes, plus the entire story concept is comprised of three major arcs. For the last story arc I am going to need alternate DBZ stories to volunteer to cross into myself. (If anyone wants to start volunteering their stories feel free to, it's just going to be a LONG time before I get to that point…) Anyone else who may wish to write a parallel spinoff to ZAT I fully welcome to. Just please let me know so I can be sure to make a note of it!
OK that's it! We return you now to our regularly scheduled program.
Chapter 12: Still and SIlent
Goten and Trunks stopped abruptly in mid-flight as they turned and looked back in the direction of the tournament, "Now everyone's over there? How do they keep moving like that?"
Piccolo sensed in that direction and immediately felt something amiss. Both Goku's and Vegeta's power felt different… tainted…
All three became aware of the buildup of power emanating from the same location. The moment it was gone the entire area felt dimmer. Piccolo couldn't help but gasp as he realized what that meant coming from the tournament grounds.
Goten and Trunks just looked confused, "That's weird… why does it feel like there's a lot less power over there all of a sudden?" Trunks scratched his head.
"I don't know Trunks, but it was kind of weird the way it all just disappeared like that…" Goten too stared in that direction.
The power they were all detecting from their fathers vanished and moved once again to the other side of the planet.
Piccolo grunted hoarsely getting the boys' attention, "We need to get to the bottom of this fast! The answers are still this way! Let's go!" Piccolo flew off again at full speed. Though he didn't show it in front of the boys, an incredible sense of dread had just struck his very core.
Homing in on the location everyone had originally headed in, Piccolo sensed Krillin and Yamcha's energy pattern still close by. Descending from the air, Piccolo landed by the two of them as they just stared at each other looking somewhat dumbstruck.
"Alright what's going on? I need answers, NOW!" Piccolo demanded as he faced the two humans.
Krillin and Yamcha panicked under Piccolo's daunting presence, "Hold on a second Piccolo! We're not all too sure what just happened… One minute we were standing alongside Goku and the others and the next some red demon looking guy came out, spit on us, and turned into statues!" Krillin explained quickly.
Piccolo's expression quirked into a doubtful stare, "You were turned into statues?"
Yamcha grimaced at Piccolo's disbelieving expression, "It's the truth Piccolo, I've got the stains to prove it! We just spent the last hour out here being target practice for pigeons!"
Tired of wasting time Piccolo decided to just go along with it, "Alright you were turned into statues, what were you doing here in the first place?"
Krillin and Yamcha looked at each other and then back to Piccolo, "We were following the Supreme Kai and Goku. The Supreme Kai said he was going to need help to stop some wizard named Babidi who was trying to bring a monster called Majin Buu back to life."
Goten and Trunks looked at each other excitedly, "You hear that Trunks? He said they're after a wizard!"
"Oh yeah! This is awesome!" Trunks replied.
Piccolo grit his teeth and looked down to the clearing beyond the mountain taking notice of the entrance to the ship sticking above the loose sand, "So it that where this Babidi is hiding?"
"Yeah, I think so… That's where the guy who spit on us came from…" Yamcha crossed his arms and looked down at the ship as well, "The Supreme Kai said Babidi has powerful magic that he uses as some kind of mind control on strong evil fighters."
"Does it only work on evil fighters?" Piccolo asked darkly.
Krillin and Yamcha looked at each other incredulously, "That's all the Supreme Kai mentioned…" Yamcha scratched is head.
Krillin looked worriedly at Piccolo, "Why? What's going on Piccolo?"
Piccolo leaned a little closer to Krillin, he didn't want the boys to hear him and possibly throw them into a panic over their families, so he whispered, "Half of the spectators at the World Martial Arts Tournament were just killed a moment ago."
Krillin's eyes went wide and he took in a slight gasp at hearing the news, "But who would…"
"Krillin," Piccolo sounded stern, "I think it was Goku and Vegeta who did it…"
"THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!" Krillin yelled causing everyone to look strangely at them until Piccolo sealed his mouth tight.
"Damn it Krillin, shut up!" Piccolo quieted down once he calmed Krillin sufficiently, "That's why I need to know what this wizard is capable of. Their powers felt different… and if what the Kai mentioned is true, then it's possible that this wizard has control over them."
"Oh that's not fair at all…" Krillin mused over silently, "Goku and Vegeta could easily wipe us all out if they're under Babidi's control…"
"We don't need to worry about that right now…" Piccolo's gaze stoned over as he spoke trying to keep his emotions hidden.
"Why not?" Krillin was worried; he knew he stood no chance against the two saiyans.
Piccolo scowled "Because right now their attention is focused all on Gohan…"
"Oh… that's rough… Okay… What are we going to do?" Krillin asked composing himself quickly.
Standing up straight, Piccolo addressed the entire group, "Our job is to get inside that ship, find that wizard, and put a stop to whatever manipulation control he's using!"
"Yeah! Let's do it!" A voice from behind them shouted.
Turning around startled, Piccolo yelled, "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?"
Gohan watched as his surroundings continued to spin. He wondered where exactly the wizard was going to place them. As long as it was deserted he didn't really care. Goku and Vegeta continued to stare at him with completely void eyes. He sighed hoping things wouldn't be dragged out for very long.
"PAPARAPAPA!" The wizard's mental voice shouted over them and the world stilled.
The sun was still up in the sky, and a light breeze flew over the clearing they found themselves in. Gohan took a look around and noticed how flat this whole area appeared to be. A little ways off were a few cliff like plateaus overlooking the dusty field. The only item of interest in the area was a statue in the middle of the area. Gohan almost didn't pay any mind to it until he noticed it looked familiar. The statue stood on a tall marble pedestal with a large golden plaque. The statue itself was of the acclaimed Mister Hercule Satan, standing atop the fallen form of Cell striking a pose of victory.
Eyes widening Gohan turned around and looked back at the cliff sides surrounding their arena. Immediately the images of his friends standing atop those very same cliffs flooded into his mind. That is where they had stood the last time he had seen them all those years ago…
"Why here…?" Gohan spoke softly. The Kai was unfamiliar with the location and only looked over at Gohan confused.
A sinister laugh filled the air, "What do you think of the setting I've selected for this battle Sovereign? Or should I say, Son Gohan?" a snicker resounded from every direction, "After peering into the minds of my new minions I found this to be the very site you perished at! How does it feel to be here again; standing atop your own grave, knowing the dust and ashes blowing across this land are all that remains of your once living self? How fitting a place to meet your permanent end!"
Gohan looked around and saw the ghosts in his memories lingering from the last time he stood on these grounds. All the people he cared about were being beaten by the Cell Juniors, and Cell himself had stood just a little ways away from where he was now… mocking him. Even after he proved to be more than a match for the evil tyrant, Cell still managed to pull one last trump card.
It was just above this place where Gohan had encased the power bloated Cell and ignited him to save the earth. It had hurt… It had hurt so much… He usually blocked out the memories of the moment of his death pretty well… but standing here did bring those memories back. The pain and the knowledge that he wouldn't survive…
The Kai looked infuriated that Babidi would use such heartless tactics. He was about to shout something to the sky when Gohan's arms simply folded across his chest, "Don't think this puts me at a mental disadvantage Babidi! I got over my own death a long time ago! It was a choice I made to save everyone, and is a choice I'd make again a million times over if I had to."
"Oh the strong front, but then again, you actually think you have the advantage don't you? Your father felt it… you are a strong one yes, but your father had a surprise he wanted you to see... You don't think he'd mind if I showed you would he?" The wizard's hollow snicker resounded through the empty plateau.
Gohan looked over to Goku and Vegeta again, "What?"
The two saiyans began powering up, yelling as their golden hair flashed brighter and the spikes pointed up at straighter angles.
"Level two… wow both of you…" Gohan gave a sad smile as he sensed the power both of them were giving off.
"I'm afraid it doesn't end there!" Babidi shouted as Goku and Vegeta powered up further. The ground began to quake violently and their auras exploded with power. Gohan shielded his face watching mystified as both Saiyan's hair began to grow longer, and their facial features became more pronounced and jagged.
Eyes widening and mouth slightly agape, Gohan couldn't help but mutter, "Oh… crap…" He lowered his arms as he watched as the two long haired golden idols began to float ominously in the sky, "Level three…"
The Supreme Kai fell to the ground and quickly crawled away, his mouth quivered from the amount of power the two saiyans were giving off, "This is unreal… How is it possible that they can be that powerful?"
A shrill voice then screamed through the area, "Now my warriors… KILL THE SUPREME KAI AND THE SOVEREIGN GUARD!"
Gohan turned quickly and pointed his palm toward the Supreme Kai. His hand began to glow bright green as the Kai was encased in some kind of energy bubble, "What are you…" The bubble with the Kai in it completely vanished.
Gohan turned around to face the challenge without further distraction, but his sight was immediately greeted by a blue knee striking his face. Gohan fell back, but quickly pushed himself off the ground and began to power up, "Just enough to defend against them…" Gohan's hair flashed into a golden color and then spiked up high as he entered his second level transformation.
Goku and Vegeta were on him in an instant, Vegeta kicked from the left and Goku punched from the right. Gohan blocked both attacks with his arms, once the attacks made contact the motions entered super speed creating a speeding blur of attacks and blocks. Both Goku and Vegeta attacked Gohan relentlessly from either side but Gohan moved his defenses quickly enough to block most of the attacks.
Vegeta dropped from the fray and Gohan tried to keep track of him, but Goku slammed his fist critically into Gohan's jaw. Gohan swung around from the force of the blow bringing his leg up in the air ready to use the momentum of the attack to counter but completely stopped himself with his foot mere millimeters away from Goku's head. Goku wasted no time in grabbing Gohan by the ankle, ramming a fist into the boy's stomach and launching him up into the sky.
Gohan flared his ki to end his assent and took a deep breath. He couldn't bring himself to attack his dad while he was under the control of another… He had to keep up his defense.
As Gohan stalled a bit longer he realized he had lost track of Vegeta, "BIG BANG ATTACK!" He heard from behind. He turned around in time to see the brilliant orb just in front of him. He put his hands out in front to catch the attack and slid across the sky dragging it to a stop. Gohan was regaining control when Goku flew up from behind and swung his knee into the back of Gohan's head. His head impacted the energy ball and caused it to explode. The light radiated through the atmosphere and sent a shockwave of dust and debris miles in every direction.
The light cleared and Gohan found himself in a defensive posture slightly buried in the displaced earth. He had barely managed a defense before the brunt of the attack exploded.
Up in the sky, Goku clasped his hands at his side and started shouting, "KA ME HA ME!"
Gohan's eyes widened realizing an energy wave with that much power could destroy the earth if he dodged out of its way.
"HAAA!" The energy began its rapid decent towards him.
Gohan's stance widened and he powered up a little further, "ENERGY SHIELD!" A bubble of energy formed around his body which Goku's Kamehameha Wave impacted with a thunderous roar. Gohan put his hands together and fortified the spot Goku's beam was trying to break through at.
"Gallet Gun!" Gohan heard from the other side as Vegeta's signature attack approached. Holding out a hand to the other side of the shield, Gohan began focusing his energy throughout his entire defense. The power beam hit and Gohan immediately felt the strain. They were both a lot more powerful than he had expected them to be.
Gohan used his energy to reach into the opposing beams and started manipulating their paths like a magnet. He slowly levitated into the air, pulling Goku and Vegeta's attacks with him. The two full blooded saiyans began pumping more energy into their attacks, squeezing Gohan's shield in the middle. Gohan grunted in effort pulling the two attacks directly in the center between the two warriors.
Once he had positioned the energy where he wanted it, Gohan put two fingers to his head and disappeared. The energy waves tore through the shield without him to sustain it and impacted each other creating another huge explosion rocking the area once again. Gohan appeared just out of range of the blast however wasn't expecting Goku to follow him through the Instant Transmission and materialize with a knee embedded in Gohan's ribs. Before he could fly back from the attack Vegeta soared across the sky faster than a bolt of lightning and landed both knees on Gohan's back, crushing him against Goku's still embedded kick.
Gohan felt a crack inside his chest as he was compressed between the two saiyans. His eyes widened and he felt the blood rushing out of his mouth. The two separated from their prey and Gohan began to slowly fall when a boot to the head from Vegeta sent him directly to the ground with an earth shattering impact.
The two saiyans scanned the hole in the ground for any signs of the emergence of the blue clad boy. Gohan dislodged himself from the rock deep under the ground and gripped his chest tightly while gasping for air, "Man… I think they just broke a few ribs… What's taking so long…?" Light began filtering in from the hole above him and he realized another attack was imminent to strike.
Stabilizing his footing, Gohan put two hands to his forehead and charged his energy, "MASENKO!" He countered the energy attacks, blowing his hiding spot wide open, and caused the approaching energy beams to dissipate within his own short range burst. The intense short range blast left a glassy surface over the rocks and sand surrounding Gohan.
Now exposed, Gohan jumped back out into the air while trying to decide the best distance to keep from the two possessed saiyans. If he was too close they'd pummel him with brutal physical attacks, but if he kept too much distance they would blast him with attacks that could very easily damage the entire planet.
Gohan didn't have much time to think things through as Goku and Vegeta circled him again. He took a deep breath trying to remain focused, but the battle tactics changed so quickly he was having a hard time keeping up with the two.
Goku put two fingers against his head and disappeared. Gohan turned quickly trying to anticipate where he went, but Vegeta charged in to melee at the same moment. Gohan was barely able to block the attacks from the mighty saiyan prince. Vegeta's attacks were well thought out and vicious. Vegeta finally managed to land a blow across the left side of Gohan's face, but when he brought a knee up to continue the attack Gohan set both hands on top of Vegeta's leg, gripping him tightly, and flipped in the air to toss the warrior away from him.
Vegeta was soaring away uncontrollably when Goku appeared at Gohan's side after another teleport. Gohan had no time to react as he noticed Goku had a fully charged Kamehameha beam in his hands and released it at extremely close range, "HAAAAAA!" The energy ripped through Gohan and lifted him through the air. He felt the attack lifting him to the upper levels of the atmosphere when he finally managed to roll off of the beam.
Gohan was now burned and aching all over. He sighed knowing he had to do better than this… "That's enough… I've got no choice now… I'm sorry…"
Golden flames began building around Gohan as he charged his energy. His aura began to feed shockwaves of air through the planet's upper atmosphere as began his rapid descent.
Goku saw the brilliant glow approaching and dropped into a ready stance. Gohan was only a moment away from impact when he disappeared. Vegeta had been off to the side preparing another surprise attack when Gohan appeared in front of him and landed a fierce blow to the stomach. The resounding clang of the impact echoed for miles across the valley encasing their battle. Vegeta's eyes narrowed as his pain receptors took in the shock.
Gohan kicked Vegeta away delivered several more solid blows before turning around and firing an energy wave in the other direction. Goku saw the energy wave launch as he approached and put two fingers to his head to use Instant Transmission to dodge out of the way. As Goku teleported, Gohan met him in the midst of their dematerialized forms and landed an attack knocking him back out the other side of his teleportation gate where the first energy wave Gohan launched still impacted him.
Both saiyans seemed to recover quickly from the attacks and returned to battle together. Gohan saw their approach and summoned up more of his energy, "SUPER KAIOKEN!" Red began to swirl among the gold of his aura and as Goku and Vegeta landed their attacks the sky filled with an incredible static field darkening the sky to black. The three were still for only a fraction of a split second before bursting into unfathomable speed untraceable by eye sight. They dealt fierce blows to one another, the impact of each attack produced large enough shockwaves to crumble nearby mountains.
Goku was knocked back by a powerful strike, and Gohan continued the pursuit. He positioned himself under Goku quickly enough to kick him up into the air then had to turn fast enough to block Vegeta's punch. Gohan flared his ki to knock Vegeta back away from him and quickly gathered energy into his hands and blasted the saiyan prince to the ground.
Gohan was dealing with an incredible mental struggle. He knew he needed to use enough power to knock them out, but he continued to pull his punches not wanting to seriously hurt either of them.
Vegeta stood again and glared at the demi-saiyan in the air. Gohan prepared for the next chain of attacks when he felt Goku's power upon him again. He tried to turn around to face his father, but a boot side swiped his head and sent him reeling away. He didn't make it far before Vegeta intercepted and kicked him back the other way. Goku responded in kind with other kick. Gohan was being bounced between the two of them like some kind of sports ball. His vision was beginning to blur when he shook himself out of the attack and spread his arms out, pointing a hand out at each of them, "HAAAA!" He shouted as he released an energy attack in both direction and swept the two older saiyans away.
Gohan tried to catch his breath as blood from a gash on his forehead seeped into his eye. He could feel his body starting to protest his movements, but he had to hold out just a bit longer… "Come on Phips… you've gotta do it…"
In the depths of Babidi's space ship, the evil wizard watched his crystal ball and laughed in maniacal amusement, "Yes, YES! They have him on the ropes now! And Buu is almost at full power! How wonderful!" he watched as Goku and Vegeta pummeled Gohan between them.
"That's it, hit him that way! Now uppercut! Land that kick in his throat damn it!" Babidi ordered the two using his powers through the crystal ball.
A strong power entered Babidi's perception range causing him to look up suddenly, "SPECIAL BEAM CANNON MAKANKOSAPPO!"
Babidi screamed as the cork screw beam tore through his room and hit his crystal ball, shattering the magical talisman into millions of tiny particles of dust, "NOOO!"
Gohan was being crushed between Goku and Vegeta's knees again, his hands were outstretched towards Goku's face ready to blast his father away from him when the red glow around the two saiyans faded away.
Goku's eyes widened as he saw Gohan's hands only millimeters from his nose and glowing with power. He then noticed his own knee was buried in his son's stomach. "Oh god… Gohan!"
Gohan began to calm as he felt the taint of energy leave the two of them. They separated and he fell to his knees panting. "He did it! Oh that was close…"
Goku and Vegeta powered down from their super saiyan states, both feeling sore and tired. Goku kneeled by his son and wrapped his arms around him, beginning to understand what must have happened. "Gohan, I'm sorry! There was nothing, it was like I wasn't seeing or feeling anything since we were in the ship together."
Vegeta looked down at his hands and nodded, agreeing with Goku's statement. It had been as if he was trapped in a dark prison within his own mind.
Gohan laughed, "It wasn't you dad, you had nothing to do with what just happened." Gohan's hair became black again also as he pushed himself up to his feet. He was so happy that it was over before he really hurt either of them.
"Curse that wizard and his tricks!" Vegeta grumbled, "We need to get back there now and put an end to this once and for all!"
Gohan nodded, "Here, eat this…" Gohan reached into his pocket and pulled out a panacea cracker, "Shoot I've only got one left…" Gohan tore it into three pieces, "It'll have to do…"
"What is it?" Goku asked as he stuffed the cracker in his mouth, "It tastes pretty good!"
"I broke it into three parts, but it should still basically have similar effects to a senzu bean, just give it a second." Gohan explained. Within a moment most of their wounds had healed.
Goku noticed right away Gohan hadn't been fully healed by the portion he kept for himself, "You really should have used it heal yourself son."
Gohan smiled at his father's concern, "No way, I still have plenty of fight left, and besides I'm definitely going to need both your help." Gohan started powering up again, "It's time we fought back… Come on, let's do it!"
End Chapter
And more action is yet to come! I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to review so far, and I hope to get some more reviews also! Leave me comments, suggestions, or just drop a line and say hi! I love them all! See you all next week!