A Hero's Time Warp

This is a mini chapter. That means I will update soon! As it is the Christmas holidays, I will definitely be doing some writing. I have written the main events of the story down to see how much I have to do; quite an amount, Eeek! But I think I'm over half way. Another reason I had to make it so short is because of what will happen next chapter wouldn't fit in right with this part of the story. Oh well, 1000 words isn't THAT short, right? Riiiiiight? The story will probably get a little darker actually, but that is when it gets to the actual good part! Sorry for the short length and please bear with me until next week! Sadly, I couldn't get this chapter Beta'd because my internet may go off this week and I wanted to put it up quickly. Sorry for any mistakes and see you soon!


Mini Chapter 14… Tien Vs Cyber

"Okay! And you may begin!"

Crowds cheered, booed and waved giant signs which would have toppled over if there were less than three people holding them up. The fun fair games were back on, despite the rain from the previous day; many people losing their valuable cash to the cons. Burgers sizzled in the kitchens, and children buzzed with excitement.

But still, nonetheless, it remained tense in the ring.

Tien stared Gohan down, and Gohan remained as silent and stoic as he had ever been in his life –well, dismissing the Cell games.

Now it would be the question of who would make the first move. Either one of them seemed as capable as one another other, but neither was moving. The younger of the two clenched his fists and stumbled backwards slightly, and Tien took this as sign of preparing to attack. So he made his move.

Tien dashed, at full speed, towards Gohan with both his curled fists at the ready. With widened eyes, the half breed felt utter surprise at the sudden attack. The child crouched down to the floor, preparing himself for the assault –with both hands wide and ready to catch either fist coming his way.

"Wooooow, folks! It looks like Cyber is going to take Tienshinhan's attack on! What a fantastic way to open the match!"

Just as the announcer had spoken to the audience, a bright, blinding light began to shine in the ring. Several people mistook it for Tien's famous Solar Flare, but even said fighter stopped mid attack. Both opponents looked up into the clear sky for the source of the light, but neither seemed to be able to find anything in the blinding sky.

Gohan stood up properly from the floor and looked around.

Tien followed suit and scanned the area.

"I think this tournament is jinxed." Tien commented.

The hybrid turned around and looked into the crowds for Trunks, but no sightings occurred. Something was up. Gohan returned back to his stance and scowled.

"We need to make this quick." The half-Saiyan spoke sternly, his eyes glistening anxiety. "If this fight doesn't end soon then I'm sure that this will become dangerous."

Tien's eyebrows rose and complete surprise washed over him. But he nodded, despite the boy's change in behaviour.

This time, there was no brief pause, or no wait for someone to attack. In fact, Tien didn't even have time to blink. Gohan had made a move with such speed and such power that he didn't know what hit him. For a moment, Tien wasn't even aware that the hit had landed. But upon looking down, he noticed the fist firmly placed in his gut and the pain suddenly seeped through his body.

It took a moment but the impact finally took effect and Tien flew across the stage and smashed into the wall opposite. The debris of the damaged wall scattered around madly and dust evaporated into the blue sky. Yet, still, the blinding light remained.

People in the crowds gasped, and their eyes bulged out of their heads. Seconds passed until cheers filled the silence, and people chanted out his alias with congratulations and happiness. The blinding light was completely forgotten, but had finally disappeared.

Gohan hadn't forgotten though.

Actually, he had run off stage before the announcer could even congratulate him.

He darted off back stage and sprinted past the remaining fighters.

Finally, he had realized everything.

Finally, he knew what to do.

Finally, he had discovered where Cell was...

"First Yamcha, then Krillin... and now Tien!"

Bulma sipped her coffee, and nodded at Roshi's words. The old man hid his anxious eyes behind his glasses but the scientist could see right through him. She felt just as concerned though. Not just because of this mysterious Cyber, but...

But...

It just didn't feel right. Nothing felt right.

Her brow furrowed and her forehead wrinkled as she glared down at the lipstick stain on the cup. Yet... was Cyber stronger than Goku? No... No... No one was stronger than Goku, right?

"BULMA!"

And speak of the devil...

"Cyber?" The blue-haired woman didn't know how to react –this boy just KO'd near enough all her friends. For someone who had just won a fight, he didn't look too happy; in fact, quite the opposite. Sweat poured down his forehead, despite asserting a lack of effort in his match against Tien, and he was pale and pasty. Bulma was almost tempted to diagnose the kid with flu!

"Y-you r-remember the Red Ribbon army right?" His breath was hitched as his chest rose up and down furiously.

Bulma suddenly felt entitled to answer him, out of pity; she supposed. "Yes, I remember. Why?" Her eyes narrowed. "Do you have something to do with them?"

"Listen, does the name 'Gero' mean anything to you?"

"Gero... As in Dr. Gero? I've heard of his name once or twice as I've flipped through some research books. Rumours say that he worked for the Red Ribbon army." Bulma paused, inhaling briefly. "Wait, is it true?"

"When was the last time you heard of him? What did it say in these research books?"

"Sheesh, what do I look like to you, kid?!" she snapped. "I haven't got the memory of a computer! I don't remember."

"...Nothing?" His eyes lost their wild excitement.

"Well," she murmured, biting her lip in apprehension. "Once, a colleague of my father mentioned that Dr. Gero often retired to the mountains after long sessions of work. By mountains, I'm sure he was referring to the ones nearest to Capsule Corps. I'm sure I have seen explosions around there..."

The boy sucked in his breath, swallowed and nodded before bidding her farewell.