Dragon Ball: Governed
Chapter 47 - Expulsions and Replacements
Beauty sleep is considered one of the most marvelous things to experience; not just on Earth, but the entire cosmos, as it was a way to just close everything off. When you have that dream that is so good that you wish you could sleep forever, there is almost no better feeling in the world. On the opposite spectrum, the worst feeling is when someone or something interrupts that beauty sleep.
Gohan's hand comes smashing down on the morning alarm that rang for the past near 4 hours. Bits and pieces of what made up of the metal ringing alarm fell off the counter and rolled in different directions onto the floor of his room. Though he lazily turned his pillow over to bury his face onto the cool side, he was unable to go back to sleep; plus he had to pee. Groaning in aggravation, Gohan throws the covers off him and rolls his eyes over to the calendar attached to his wall.
Seeing the day friday being marked would make anyone happy, but him most of all. The weekend was coming up, but for Gohan this only meant that he still had to go to school. He had skipped enough days already and despite the fact he was a straight A student, the adolescent couldn't allow to miss anymore.
He could feel his mother's chi signal approaching him just seconds before the foot-steps toward his room became obvious. He immediately shut his eyes and started to snore loud enough to where she could faintly hear it. Though this would work on the gullible and inexperienced, Chi-Chi had dealt with her son long enough by this point to realize that he was door opens and she says, "Up, Gohan. Now." Though she seemed as if she yelled, this was merely a stern tone coming from her voice. Gohan never had to worry about his father losing his temper, but his mother was just another animal in its entirety.
Rolling over on his back, the young half-blood let out a deep sigh. "Why can't I just drop out already? I'm old enough."
"Because I said so," were Chi-Chi's final words before shutting the door. "NOW GET DRESSED! YOU'RE RUNNING LATE!"
Once the door is shut, some movement from under the covers come about before a red-headed chick props her face from underneath, brushing her thick hair into Gohan's shoulder. She was so nervous that Gohan could practically hear her heart-beat through her chest. "That was close…"
Gohan looked to the opposite of her as he rolled his eyes. "Yeah, you know the routine; get dressed and get out how you came in."
"Gohan, why can't I just meet the family already? We've been dating for six months now…"
"Fucking…" Gohan corrected as he got himself out of bed. Looking into the mirror right above his dresser, he could see the young girl's look of lust as she gazed over his chiseled body; lean and ripped with a hefty yet alluring amount of vascularity, and an eight pack? She pretty much hit the jack-pot...plus his family was super rich. What more could she ask for?
And that's exactly why the long-haired halfling ignored her as he got his clothes ready before he headed out the room to take a shower.
Gohan's school was nothing he couldn't handle. Everyone was well aware how much of a genius he was. Many didn't see the need for him to even be in school, but Chi-Chi figured it'd be best for him just to breeze through it so that he could maintain a great job as he went into adulthood. Still, though the students and administration alike didn't understand his need for being there, the students sure as hell enjoyed it. He was rather...unpredictable.
"So...right before lunch period starts, who has any questions?"
One of the students raised their hand. Snorting as he pushed his foggy classes back, the nerd asked about the possibility of intergalactic travel.
The teacher stammered for a bit before going silent. Everyone in class knew by now that aliens existed. Such was a question that had been contemplated and theorized for years before the shocking truth came about. Thanks to the president of Capsule Corporation, Bulma, many speculated that they were very close to the point of reaching intergalactic travel. Some even (those considered conspiracy theorists) believed that they had already breached this point long ago, but decided against publicizing this fact so that the rich could use it for their own selfish desires and not in hopes to aid or render knowledge to the masses - to keep them ignorant and incapable.
As history has showed time and time again, the unknown was scary for a lot of people - extraterrestrials included. Many were concerned, and rightfully so. With the first extraterrestrial tragedy that occurred all those years ago, there was no telling as to just what else was out there in the world. Creatures superior in more aspects than deemed humanely imaginable would make even the bravest of people shudder. This is why the teacher was reluctant to give a direct answer. The question itself was a topic considered in modern era as rather controversial.
The teacher cleared his throat as his mind scrambled to find an answer. However, much to his luck, the doors opened, garnering everyone else's attention.
It was easy to recognize Gohan by his unruly hair that ended damn near past his waist. A few students chuckled at the sight as this was vintage Gohan. His 2 week streak of attending class on perfect time had just been ruined. Others smiled because they knew it was going to be an interesting day, and others remained quiet, taking it as the usual. Gohan being late to class? Do birds flap their wings?
Gohan wore a white T-shirt that revealed every defined muscle and some basic denim jeans. He didn't even bother to show with a school bag - much less a clip of the school's logo to show that he indeed was a student. Regardless, Gohan was well known enough by this point in time, so he didn't need one. He made a reputation for himself; the jack of all trades, yet for some unknown reason, seemed to be a jerk.
"How nice of you to finally join us, Gohan...but I'm afraid you've got this class after lunch…" he then checked his watch. "Which is just two minutes away from now."
"Then I'll get a head start to the cafeteria." Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the chick he had at his house last week waving at him, but he didn't pay the girl any mind. The teacher told him to close the door but he was already half-way down the hall before he uttered the first word of his demanding sentence.
The senior High Schooler Gohan hoped to be able to have this day over with no problem, but a deep breath leaves his mouth as he can feel someone turning a corner just ahead of him.
A young, blonde haired man with long hair, just as tall and muscular as Gohan, wearing a green muscle shirt, shows up, chewing on bubble gum. "At school late again, huh? I wondered when you'd fuck up again. You may as well stay home the rest of the year; you know you're just going to repeat senior year."
"Maybe by doing everyone a favor and kicking your ass again will give the administration some incentive to pass me with a scholarship to boot. Beat it, Sharpner."
"That's not going to happen because last time was a fluke…" Sharpner growled. Though he was quick to anger, he calmed down and soothed his attitude with a grin. "You'll just fail a few years and be stuck here looking like a stupid, weirdo pedophile." Patting Gohan on the shoulder, he added: "Have fun with that."
Gohan grabbed Sharpner's wrist and rammed his face into the nearest locker. He didn't care that the bell rang. Students came out of the classroom and soon everyone was circling the both of them. Once Sharpner realized that people were watching, he did his best to release himself from Gohan, but his efforts were fruitless. The son of Kakarot and Chi-Chi had proven himself to be quite the anomaly his first day of school. As soon as he showed up, older female teachers noticed his superior build in comparison to all the older students, as did coaches of the various sports and other extracurricular activities they had running in the school's program. Gohan showed off in his freshman year, brining their baseball team to the Nationals, as well as their basketball team, and wrestling team. Nobody could touch him. With the ever growing love also came hate. People grew envious and once enough mouths started to yap in secret about him in disgust, Gohan had enough. It just so happened to be Sharpner that he took his suppressed frustration out on. No, Gohan didn't just put the punches on Sharpner - he embarrassed him; toying with Sharpner by having him miss every attack and showing off his Martial Arts skills in cocky fashion. Due to this fight, he could no longer be on sports teams, though he made a name for himself in other ways.
As Gohan held Sharpner against the locker, he didn't do as much as blink. He kept a firm grip, but keeping a hold on Sharpner to make sure he was unable to move felt like second nature at this point - like a cat playing with their food. Sharpner struggled and Gohan kept his cool. Everyone recognized this early on in this one-sided scuffle.
"You're so mad I can feel you forcing yourself a fever, Sharpner. Calm down; everyone will forget about me humiliating you in twenty years...maybe thirty."
"GOHAN!"
It didn't take long for a teacher to take notice of what was going on and get to the problem as soon as he saw a big circle in the hallway. He didn't need to see the 18 year old's face when he saw the crowd. He just already knew.
"PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - NOW!"
"We're running out of options here, Gohan; the smartest in our school yet you don't bother to apply yourself! What kind of nonsense is this? You were doing so well..."
"I got bored after the first semester," Gohan answered honestly. "I can do every assignment of every subject you give me in the hour and as much of an oxymoron as this may seem to you, it wore me out; stuff's just too easy." He leaned his chair back against the wall and pressed his shoe against the front of the principal's table, which didn't go unnoticed, but remain unspoken of. "I had all the time in the world for everything else with school these past few years and I even got tired of that."
"Chances are likely that how you apply yourself in High School is how you will in life. In order to be successful, compromises and sacrifices must be made, even sometimes at your own expense. How do you think your father is as successful as he is at what he does?"
Gohan shrugged. "My father isn't cut from the same cloth as anyone you've ever met or anyone you'll ever meet. He's just...different." Of course, Gohan was the only one who knew what he meant, but with the principal's ignorance regarding his blood-line, the student was already aware that he would only come to some foreign conclusion that meant that Kakarot was just a man on a mental level that very few could compare to in regards for his success at his personal profession.
"I see…" the man removed his glasses and sighed. "You weren't supposed to miss anymore days, Gohan. You weren't supposed to be late. I was going to let you slide if you bothered immersing yourself in our conversation and seemed to genuinely put in the effort in finding resolutions to your current conduct...but it appears to me that you won't be turning a new leaf anytime soon. "I'm going to have to expel you."
Gohan smiled. "That it?" Chuckling, he got up from his seat and left the room without sharing another word.
Just as he's leaving the principal's office and heading into the main office, Gohan sees a familiar face approaching him. Out of everyone in the school, this person never seemed to get on his nerves. They didn't interact much, but when they did, it was all casual. Having managed to lay down with most of the girls in this school, he never gave this one a try, much less did he give it any thought. Videl was a cut above the people in this school, much like he was and he realized that from the first time he talked to her.
"Another talk with the principal, huh, Gohan?"
"The last talk to be exact," Gohan said proudly.
"What was it this time?" She awaited an answer from Gohan, but the young man just gave her a certain look as he brought the corner of his lip in. It didn't take long for her to put two and two together after recalling a frustrated Sharpner barging in the bathroom as she was on her way to the principal's office. "Of course. That idiot."
"What are you doing here?" Gohan asked, changing topic.
"Apparently, I'm going to get scolded," Videl spoke with air quotes, "because some pervert thought he could cop a feel."
Videl was not only beautiful, but amazingly athletic and fit. He couldn't blame anyone if they wanted to lay a hand on her, but any idiot who doesn't know how to defend themselves would have to give it a second thought. Though nowhere near his level in battle, excluding Gohan, Videl was the strongest and most skilled fighter in their school.
"It's stupid that you're getting in trouble for defending yourself...again. I, the straight A student who doesn't act like the perfect machine gets expelled but the future sex offender doesn't? Tch! What a joke." This was just another reason to use for himself with his mom why school was a complete joke to him. With his smarts and unfair talents, Gohan could quite literally be anything he wanted. From his point of view, school was nothing more than a hinderance on his intrinsic ability to be a factor in modern society.
A few people gave looks at Gohan upon overhearing this, but none said anything. They knew this was his last day anyhow so none bothered.
"Yeah, tell me about it."
"But with all the self-defending and ass whoopings you've been carrying out, you ought to consider participating in the new addition of the Tenkaichi Budokai that's coming up next week."
Videl's eyes lowered. "I'd love to, but I have to study for the finals coming up. It's going to take all of my time up so focus on anything else won't do me any good. Besides, I don't want to take my dad's glory away from him. He's still in his prime."
"He may be in his prime but you're stronger than he is." Videl was beginning to question Gohan's last statement, but he wouldn't let her have the last word. "Tell ya what; you let me tutor you for exams. We'll be done preparing in less than two hours and you won't have to study again. You'll Ace it with no effort. That'll give you enough time to prepare for the tournament."
The principal came out his office and beckoned for Videl to come in. Gohan saw him over his shoulder but ignored the man. "Take me up on the offer?"
She blushed. "We'll see."
"Be at my house tomorrow evening," Gohan told her as he began to walk off.
"Why in the evening?"
"I'm sleeping in." He waved off at her. "Till then."
As she should have been, Videl was somewhat suspicious. At Gohan's house? Later than five o'clock? Oh, there was a possibility that he could try to seduce her given how he's pretty much had every single girl in the school and even a teacher or two that's been kept under wraps. Still, there was something telling her that Gohan was genuine about this. Their freshman year, Videl recalled how much of a thrill Gohan got out of wrestling and any fights that broke out during their basketball and baseball games. There was a side of him that loved to fight. Martial Arts was a passion Videl had been following ever since her mother passed away and it was something Gohan, unbeknownst to Videl, had taken notice some time ago. Maybe this was him trying to help her? She didn't know.
"Videl. In my office."
But she'd have time to think that through later.
Prince Vegeta...would be the spitting image of his father if not for the four bangs that he had. That was the only way to distinguish them two. Between his father and grandfather, the two were only able to told apart due to their height and facial hair, but it was at least somewhat different between the newest generation in comparison to the last.
Not only that, but the scar that came down his eye.
As the 18 year old munched on a piece of fruit, he walked down the corridors of one of Freeza's establishments that resided on one of the many planets he owned. Everyone within his presence bows before him, showing their utmost respect.
He didn't pay them any mind. He couldn't care less for anyone beneath him. He truly only answered to one person and one person only.
Freeza stood, looking down from his building onto the workers outside this planet. Everything was going systematically fine and well so he couldn't complain. Much to his surprise, over the years, the Saiyans had yet decided to make a move on him. Prince Vegeta, though he spent most of his time back home on Planet Vegeta and out conquering missions, did report to him before he went home from a campaign.
The metallic doors slid open and Freeza was met with a bow prior to him turning around to lay eyes on the young, growing prince.
"As usual, Prince Vegeta - an absolute success. Very conscientious of you to erase every living specimen on your assigned planets and still let the invaluable resources remain intact. I know I've asked you this some time ago, but you are cognizant of the great control it takes a Saiyan to accomplish such a feat, yes? You're a clear cut above the rest of your people."
Rising from his knee, Vegeta asks if there's any other mission he would like for him to carry out after he reports over to his father.
Kureeza enters the room alongside Raditz. "I just received a call from Vegeta's beloved mother, papi."
"How is she doing?" Vegeta asked, referring to Kuni.
"He was talking to me," Freeza reminded Vegeta, "not you." Bringing his attention to Kureeza, he asked his son how Kuni was doing.
"Splendid," Kureeza answered dryly.
"She happens to have a personal assignment of her own for Prince Vegeta," Raditz informed.
It had been a while since he had seen his mother. Vegeta, though curious to her well-being, immediately concluded that she was well and content as usual. He just missed her; that was all. Getting to business, he asks Raditz, "What assignment does she have for me?"
"This may come to a shock to all of you," Kureeza said.
"I'm listening…" Freeza sipped on his wine.
"Raditz, the stage is all yours," Kureeza took a step back and let Raditz get the limelight.
Clearing his throat, Raditz proceeded to lay all the details out on the table - details that were tried to keep buried by those loyal to King Vegeta The Third. But since they were out of the picture, what was in the dark did inevitably come to light.
"Nion admitted to us that she had bared witness to the birth of an anomaly some time ago. He was a Saiyan child, son of Paragus, colonel of the Saiyan army well over thirty years ago. He was placed in a special nursing capsule that only future promising Saiyan children had the right of being in; King Vegeta didn't like this and grew questionable of this boy's power. Turned out that this child at the time, Broly, had a power-level that eclipsed one thousand more than once when he was in the incubator. It appeared that his power fluctuated with his emotions…" Raditz's eyes glanced to Prince Vegeta. "like a certain someone we know. The King at the time didn't like the fact that there was someone stronger than his own, so he exiled the boy to an inhospitable planet called Vampa, where his father followed him. Shortly after, the signal to the ship that his father had stolen vanished. For Nion, it's been left up to speculation that they are trapped there. The climate there can be erratic, which was intentional. He sent them there to die." Though in Raditz's mind from the moment he had been told of this for the first time, he had a feeling they survived. If such a boy at such a young age wielded such power, somewhat like Prince Vegeta, then there was no doubt that he was able to defend himself and his father - if not his father - then just himself.
"My, my…" Freeza hadn't been this intrigued by a report in years. He wanted more. "Surely there is some follow up to this, yes? Any leads?" He didn't want to be left on a cliff-hanger.
"Nion decided to check on it herself," Kureeza explained. "He was projected to have the potential to become a Super Saiyan a long time ago because of his insane power. There was nothing like it ever recorded in Saiyan history. She sent in robotic scouts to examine the planet. The native creatures there are quite potent when you compare them to our soldiers' basic standards. But there is one major battle power accompanied by two more power-levels that truly stand out...one of them being able to rival the current Saiyan King himself."
"This is quite the treat!" Freeza exclaimed as his eyes lit up. "Does King Vegeta know about this?"
"He does not," Kureeza answered. "But Nion told Kuni to make sure she pulls whatever strings she can to assign Prince Vegeta a mission on Planet Vampa. If I had to guess, she wants to test Prince Vegeta - see which one is stronger. If he defeats him, then Nion and Kuni will know that he truly hasn't been wasting his time with preparing him...and they'll know who the true supposed Super Saiyan is."
Freeza just scoffed. "No matter how strong a Saiyan is, a myth is a myth. Regardless, I am rather curious as well."
"If I fail?" Vegeta asked.
"You won't," Raditz assured him. "Comparing your ages and battle power at the time of nursing, yours happened to be ten thousand...his only eclipsing one thousand a few times over. You were born superior."
"True logic," Freeza pitched in. "Common sense dictates that you ought to be able to carry out this task. However, if you do, on the off chance, happen to fail…" Freeza's eyes narrowed. "We will at least have your replacement."
Just as he thought. No matter how kindly he was treated, Prince Vegeta knew what it was about for as long as he could remember: business. He was looked as someone special, but with some competition now, he was looked as just as Freeza looked at any other Saiyan warrior: disposable.
He hoped to change that.
