Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ and I'm not making any money off of this.
Author's notes: I'd like to thank Vegetababe for helping me out on this part. She is a wonderful writer by the way and you all should go check out her stories if you already haven't. Well peoples, here's part 8! I know it's taken me a while and I'm sorry about that. Please leave me a review. I hope you all enjoy it! Now, I'm going to take a nap. I'm tired. ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........
Stranger in the Mirror Part 8
It was dark by the time they arrived back at Capsule Corp. Vegeta got there first of course immediately busting down the front door, not caring about having to replace it eventually.
The other's touched down and slowly came up behind him careful not to get too close to the Saiyan. He was just standing there staring inside.
"Um Vegeta? What are you..." Goku began but nearly swallowed his tongue when Vegeta interrupted.
"BULMA!!" He screamed at the top of his lungs. The whole place shook and the cup of coffee that was sitting on the table, spilled all over the place. Goku grimaced biting his tongue in an attempt to not swallow it as the other's held their ears. Poor Piccilo with is extra sensitive hearing winced painfully.
"You could of at least warned us VEGETA!" Piccilo roared but Vegeta was unfazed.
Just then, Alicia came running into the kitchen skidding to a stop in front of them. They were all surprised to see her there. Especially Goku who couldn't sense her ki at all.
"Chichi? What are you doing here?" Goku asked confused. "I thought you were at home in case Gohan showed up." He said studying her shaking hands.
Alicia leaned onto the kitchen table trying to catch her breath so she could answer him. She'd been through every room without any luck and when she heard Vegeta, came running as quickly as she could. She was a nervous wreck and it showed.
Vegeta stepped up to her and sniffed her suspiciously. Alicia jumped and stepped back surprised. The others looked baffled at his behavior. Vegeta pulled back and looked miffed.
He just stood there stared at her. She couldn't help but sweat under that kind of scrutiny. Why was he staring at her like that? Did he know? She felt like some kind of specimen being studied under a microscope. He mumbled something in his Saiyan tongue and grabbed her arm a little too roughly startling her. Alicia squeaked and yanked her hand.
"Vegeta?" Goku asked laughing nervously, "What are you doing?" Vegeta hissed at Alicia and finally released her. Suddenly in front of his very eyes, Chichi's image dissolved until he could see only Alicia.
"What the?!" He growled grabbing Alicia's arm again and yanking it until it hurt her. When Alicia yelped, Goku grabbed Vegeta's hand and pried his hand away. Alicia gasped and ran behind the other z-fighters.
"I don't know what's wrong with you Vegeta, but your hurting Chichi." He said sternly gripping his hand. Vegeta winced in pain and yanked his hand away.
"Kakkorott you baka! Can't you see that she isn't Chichi?!" He spat glaring back at Alicia. All the color drained from Alicia's face as he said this. She was in trouble now. After what just happened to Bulma, Alicia had already decided that she was going to tell them but now...
No body believed Vegeta though. They all looked at him like he'd gone crazy.
"What? What are you talking about Vegeta? Of course it's Chichi!" Goku argued moving in between Alicia and Vegeta as the other's stepped away. Alicia backed up against the wall behind her and whimpered. She really wanted to run away but that would only make things worse.
"Kakkorott don't be a fool! Try and sense her ki! Go on! Try and sense it! Then you'll see that I'm right!" He shouted crossing his arms. Goku just shook his head in denial but deep down knew Vegeta was right. He felt foolish doing it with her standing right there next to him.
He tried to sense her but he couldn't. Instead, he sensed some one else! How could this be? It was impossible but he had to be sure. He reached over and placed his hand on her forehead gently. He was shocked to discover the truth. He gasped and yanked his hand away.
Alicia also gasped and nearly fell down as she leaned back against the wall. He had just read her mind! It was disorienting and she felt dizzy because she had read some of his memories too.
Goku turned away from her and sat down in a chair heavily, his own frame shaking. He looked up at her accusingly and saw her true image.
"Why?" Was all he said shaking his head. Krillin stood by him and patted his friends shoulder.
Alicia wanted to cry because she knew that she had used him. She had used them all just to satisfy her own selfish fantasy. She should have told them all the truth from the beginning instead of taking advantage of them. They were going to hate her now.
"I, I didn't mean to hurt you." She spoke softly looking at Goku with tears in her eyes. Goku got up and walked up to her holding his hand up to stop the others. Krillin, Piccilo and the others wouldn't attack but Vegeta might. They didn't understand what was going on but he did, now.
"Let me see it." He said flatly holding out his hand to her. The others watched curiously.
"Let him see what?" Chow Su wondered out loud.
"Goku? What's going on?" Krillin asked raising his eye brows.
"Yeah Goku, if she's not Chichi, who is she then?" Tien asked stepping up.
Goku didn't answer them, he was too upset. The only thing he could do was stare at Alicia and think about what all they had done together. A teenager from another world that he almost made love to?! How could he have been so blind? Why hadn't he seen it before this morning when he brought her to the hospital? It should have been so obvious! She'd been acting strange but never in his wildest dreams could he of imagined that she wasn't Chichi. Only Vegeta was able to see past her bravura. Goku wasn't't proud of that. He should have known it wasn't Chichi.
Alicia raised her hand obediently. No point in denying who she was any more. They all knew she wasn't Chichi. He knew...
Vegeta looked like he wanted to murder her.
"Where's Bulma!" He growled glaring at Alicia. If Goku hadn't been there, he probably would have beaten the answer out of her. Vegeta sure looked a lot taller and meaner up close in real life than on TV she thought backing off frightened.
Goku was annoyed at Vegeta but not angry. It's hard to get Goku really angry at anyone unless they actually hurt some one that he cared about on purpose. That's exactly what she was afraid of because what she had done did hurt all of them.
"Vegeta! She doesn't know!" Goku snapped studying the ring on her finger. He'd noticed the ring earlier but never asked her about it. He figured it was an old ring Chichi had, that she just never bothered to wear until today. Even though he knew he wouldn't be able to take it off without ripping her finger off, he gave it a gentle tug.
"It won't come off." Alicia said watching him gently tug on it. Goku sighed and released her hand.
"Try some butter." Yamcha said lounging in his chair. Everyone stared at him.
"What?" He asked sitting up.
"I bet I can get it off!" Vegeta interrupted reaching for Alicia's hand but before he could grab it, Goku pulled Alicia out of his reach.
"Your not going to be able to get it off without hurting her Vegeta!" Goku snapped blocking him. Vegeta clenched his fists and growled threateningly.
"She's responsible for everything Kakkorott! How can you be so forgiving after everything she has done?!" He shouted pointing an accusing finger at Alicia. Alicia stood behind Goku shaking.
"She isn't responsible for everything that's why!" Goku argued. Alicia was surprised he was taking up for her.
"I should have known you weren't Chichi from the beginning Alicia." He said to her apologizing and actually saying her name. That mind reading trick he did worked really good! She thought in amazement. She wondered how much he knew now and blushed at the thought. If he knew how much she liked him...
"Alicia?!" Everyone said at once staring at her and Goku. To half of the people there, she still looked like Chichi. When Goku started calling her Alicia though, that confirmed it for them all. She wasn't Chichi.
"Maybe you'd better explain to us, who you are." Piccilo stated calmly looking at Alicia.
With a gulp Alicia nodded her head and sat down in a chair trying to find her calm voice first before beginning. Goku noticing how nervous she was, pulled up a chair for himself and sat down in front of her. Tien, Chow Su, Yamcha and Krillin also sat down relieved to get off their tired feet for a while. Piccilo and Vegeta remained standing, not taking their eyes off of her for, waiting for her to turn into a monster or something.
Those two never let their guard down.
A few minutes later, after Alicia related the story to them...
Silence...
No one said a word after Alicia finished speaking. Alicia stared down at the floor and waited for an outbreak of angry protests but none came. Even Vegeta was quiet. Goku stood up bring them all to attention again.
"I think you should make another wish Alicia." Goku said. Every face in the room turned pale.
"What?! Have you forgotten that every time she's makes a wish, some one disappears?!" Yamcha screamed standing. Krillin, Tien, Chow Su had similar reactions but didn't say anything.
"Yes, I know." Goku said facing him. Yamcha's mouth dropped open.
In the corner of the room, Vegeta grunted amused. Tien and Chow Su wondered what the heck was so funny. Piccilo got up off the floor where he had been meditating and smirked at Goku.
"I'm coming in with you Goku." He said getting weird looks from the others. "If Gohan is in there, then I'm going to help get him out."
"In where?" Krillin asked rubbing his bald head. Everyone crowded in around Goku and Alicia. Vegeta shoved Tien and Chow Su aside so that he could be in front of Goku.
"I'm going in to get Bulma out! And no body better get in my way!" He growled. Tien and Chow Su backed off. Alicia suddenly felt very claustrophobic with everyone crowed around her.
"Hold on just a minute guys! What?! You want me to make another wish so that you can go inside the ring?! That's impossible! How do you even know, that's where they are?!" She cried scooting back from everyone.
Goku motioned everyone to step back. Everyone did accept Vegeta of course. Goku slowly approached her and knelt down in front of her. In a way, she did have Chichi's eyes.
"Alicia, I felt them when I read your mind." He explained tapping her ring. Alicia looked down at her ring and then back up at him.
"Oh... well, Um what kind of wish do yak want me to make?" She asked staring into his eyes. Goku blinked and looked surprised for a second. Krillin interrupted them tapping Goku on the shoulder.
"Alicia, Why don't you just wish them back here?!" He asked excitedly. Yamcha, Tien, Chow Su, and Piccilo all face faulted to the floor. Goku just smiled.
"I was going to say that Krillin but if that wish fails, than we will be able to follow IT back inside the ring, that is, if IT comes out at all." He said standing and offering a hand down to Alicia. Hesitantly she took it and with his powerful grip, pulled her off the floor. She couldn't help it as he heart skipped a beat. What a guy. After all that she did, he still is so nice to her. (sigh)
Vegeta grunted in disgust at his show tenderness.
"Just hurry up and make the stupid wish so that we can get Bulma and Kakkorott's brat back!" He barked crossing his arms. Tien and Chow Su looked at each other and nodded.
"We're going in too Goku." Tien said getting another nod from Chow Su.
"Fine. Krillin? Yamcha? Are you two going?" He asked facing them. Krillin jumped a little bit but nodded his head.
"You bet Goku! I want to get Chichi and Bulma out of there as soon as possible." Goku smiled and looked at Yamcha.
"Yamcha?"
"You can count me in Goku!" Yamcha said giving him a thumbs up though he wasn't so sure he felt up to it. No telling what they were going to encounter inside the ring.
"Great! Ok Alicia!" He announced to everyone turning to the her, "We're all ready. It's all up to you now. You can do it!" He said giving her a wink. Alicia smiled nervously at everyone and rubbed her hands together.
"Ok, are you sure you want to do this?" She asked Goku. Goku reached over and patted her shoulder.
"Yes. I'm sure. Now please Alicia. Make the wish before it's too late." Alicia nodded and closed her eyes.
"I wish for Gohan and Bulma to be returned back to us."
Back in our world...
"This is my stop." He said pushing past them as the bus came to a stop. Jason, Christina and Chichi all followed him off the bus anxtious to hear how he stopped Kharon. They got off right in front of the old man's shop. Slowly, the old man took a set of keys out of his pocket and unlocked the door to the store as the bus pulled away. Before he opened it though, he turned to Jason.
"Just promise me one thing. Don't steal anything else." Jason groaned and turned red with embarrassment.
"Hurry up Jason and go inside!" Christina screeched behind him. Chichi and the old man were already inside. He'd been standing there too busy feeling ashamed of himself to notice.
"All right! Hold your horses!" He shot back entering the shop a little hesitantly. Funny how the last time he entered this place, it didn't look so intimidating. Now, everything looked creepy. Even the cute little frazzles hanging in the window. They probably come alive when no ones around. He thought darkly.
"Hey! Don't shove me!" He protested as Christina shoved him further inside.
"Well, you weren't' moving!" Christina argued back. Chichi rolled her eyes. Those two fight as much as Vegeta and Bulma do. She thought turning away and watching the old man , as he opened the door to his office. It creaked loudly as it opened and he held the door open for them waving them inside.
"Please, come inside and sit down. We have much to talk about." He said leaving the door open for them as he disappeared inside. They all followed him inside but Jason was reluctant to trust the old guy. The old man could call the cops on them any second and have them all arrested. He also didn't like the way the place looked at night. Definitely more creepy than during the day.
"So, you want to know how I stopped him the first time?" He blurted startling everyone.
"Um yes please Mr..." She said sitting in an antique chair.
"Shankshire. Richard Shankshire." He said leaning back in his chair with his hands resting on top of his head.
Mr. Shankshire, could you please tell us how you got Kharon back into the ring? Maybe we could do it again." Chichi said as politely as she could muster. Mr. Shankshire swiveled around in his chair and grabbed something off the shelf behind him. Jason and Christina glanced at each other nervously.
"Here!" He said spinning back around, throwing an old book on top of his desk. Dust flew up everywhere making everyone cough.
"This, is my little book of magic spells. I bought this book from a witch for a pretty penny. I even sold my house to buy it." he said gravely studying the three in front of him seriously.
"Dude! That's sucks." Jason said staring at the book.
"Hey, watch your language young man!" Chichi spat viciously. Jason sneered back at her. Now she has the nerve to act like she's his mother!
"Your not my mother Chichi!" He argued sticking his tongue out immaturely.
"Oh brother..." Christina muttered shaking her head and holding her hand up over her face with embarrassment.
Chichi looked a little taken back by his comment and then looked a little sad. She missed Gohan. Oh, she was so worried about him and everyone else. If only she were there to protect them.
She felt her throat tighten up with emotion. No! Your not gonna start crying! Not here! Not now in front of these people! The sound of Mr. Shankshire clearing his throat brought her back to reality. "So, you want to know how I stopped him!" He said clearing his desk of all papers.
"Yes please Mr. Shankshire. If you would?" Chichi asked ready to get started. Mr. Shankshire paused tapping his fingers on the desk top a second and then opened the book. He flipped through a few pages before coming to a marked page. It was marked with a white flower and he picked the flower up to show to the others.
"This was part of my wife's bouquet from our wedding." He said holding it like it would crumble to dust at any second. His hand was shaking slightly with old age.
"I book marked this page just in case I ever needed it again. He said quietly setting the pressed flower down onto the desk. With a sigh, he traced his fingers over the writing in the book while adjusting his reading glasses with his other hand.
He was looking for something in particular. Something he had added on to. When he found it, he read it for a moment, moving his lips as he read mentally.
"Norahk! Norahk! Norahk!" He shouted suddenly raising his hands above his head and standing, knocking his chair over in the process
"Ahhhhh!!" Jason screeched falling over in his chair. Christina and Chichi could only stare at Mr. Shankshire as he repeated this weird chant. Suddenly, the room began to glow and everything began to shake.
"Earth quake?!" Christina screamed gripping on Chichi and Jason's arms.
"No! I don't think it's an Earth quake! Look!!" Jason shouted above the rumbling, pointing to a corner of the room.
"What is it?!" Christina cried staring at it. "It looks like some sort of portal!"
"That's gotta be what it is! He's opened up a portal to you dimention I bet Chichi!" But then as soon as he had said it, the portal disappeared and everything went back to normal.
"What?!" They all shouted staring at the spot.
"What's going on?! Where'd the portal go?!" Chichi cried looking at Mr. Shankshire.
"What happened Mr. Shankshire?! Why did it close up?!" Jason shouted still on the floor after flipping his chair over. Mr. Shankshire was staring up at the ceiling and then after a second looked back down at the three sighing loudly.
"It didn't work?!" He said perplexed.
"Why didn't it work?!" Chi asked standing up. This was their only chance! If this didn't work, than they were in trouble! Mr. Shankshire shook his head and plopped back down in his chair exhausted.
"The name, it didn't work!" He said shaking his head sadly. "He must have changed it! Damn it!" He hissed slamming the book shut.
"Please tell me!! What did he change?! What name?!" Chichi begged crawling on top of his desk and grabbing his shirt. Mr. Shankshire looked down at Chichi and calmly pried her fingers from his shirt.
"His name. He must have changed his name." He said in a daze still holding her hands with his iron grip. Chichi struggled to get her hands free.
"Hey! Let go of my hands!" She snapped getting him out of his daze. When noticed he that he was still gripping her hands, and released them. Chichi fell off the desk onto the hard floor.
"Chichi!" Christina screamed kneeling down to her. "Are you ok?"
"No! I'm not ok! How am I suppose to get back home now?! I don't suppose you have a spell in your book there to get me back home now do you?!" She shouted at Mr. Shankshire.
He shook his head sadly and looked down at Chichi. "No, I'm afraid not. The only way we can return you home, is by making another wish with the ring." He explained opening his book again and flipping through the pages. "And the ring, is in another...."
"Hey wait a second!" Jason interrupted, "I though you said his name was Kharon! That's not what you said!" Jason laughed excitedly. Mr. Shankshire wasn't amused though and pounded his fist on his desk scaring everyone.
"No! I did say his name boy! I just said it backwards! That's the way it's suppose to go!" He snapped glaring at Jason.
"Oh..." Jason squeaked backing off. "Geesh, sorry. Don't have an aneurysm." He felt like an idiot not catching that. Christina patted his shoulder comfortingly.
"Don't worry Jason, I didn't catch it either until he explained it just now."
"Wait a minute! Even if you knew what his name was, how is that suppose to help us?" Chichi asked as she began to pace the room, burning a hole in the rug.
"Haven't you ever heard of Rumpelstiltskin?" He asked her very slowly, like she had never heard of it before. Chichi was insulted.
"Of course I have! Don't be silly! I've heard it many times as a little girl, but what does that have to do with anything?!" She snapped.
Christina jumped when he mentioned Rumpelstiltskin. She loved that story! It was her favorite! She knew every fairy tale there was and even had them all memorized because her mother would tell her a different story every night.
"Um excuse me, but are you saying, that we have to figure out what his new name is before we can stop him? It could be anything! It could be another language for all we know! There has to be another way!" She asked beginning to cry.
"Calm down Christina, how hard can it be?" Jason said eyeing the old man's book. Mr. Shankshire grabbed the book and snatched it away before he could even touch it.
"No one touches this book but me!" He growled tucking it protectively beneath his arm.
"Sorry, I just wanted to..."
"Wanted to do what?! Look up a few spells? Maybe try a few of them out?! Well you wouldn't be able to handle anything from this book kid! Its far too dangerous! " Every one fell silent and stared at the old man.
"Um, ok..." Jason muttered shoving his hands into his pockets and biting his lips. This wasn't getting them any where. They had to find out what his new name was, but how were they going to do that? He thought bitterly staring at the old man.
"I guess the only thing we can do now then, is try and come up with a name and wait for Alicia to return." Christina said slipping her coat back on that had been hanging on the back of her chair.
"I suggest young lady that you ask your friend that when she returns. That is, if she returns." Mr. Shankshire said gravely stepping around his desk.
"Wha? What do you mean? Doesn't that monster need her? Why would he kill her?"
"Oh he needs her now but after he's sucked up enough energy, he will kill her. That's if he gets the chance to that is." He said.
"What do we do then until she gets here?" Jason asked but no one answered him. The only thing they could do, was wait.
"Well, I'm not gonna just sit around and wait for Alicia to show up! I'm going to do a little bit of research. Maybe, just maybe I can get lucky and come across a name no one's has ever heard of." Chichi said gathering her things and walking towards the door.
"Wait Chichi! Alicia's mom is probably worried about her! You need to go there!" Christina said catching up to her.
"Why should I go back there?! I'm not going find anything there to help us!" She barked stopping at the door and glaring at Christina. Jason came up behind Christina with an idea.
"We can search for a name on the Internet!" Christina cried for joy and hugged Jason.
"Your brilliant Jason! Hey I've got an idea! Get all of your other friends to help us look for weird and unusual names too on the Internet! That way, we'll have a better chance of finding it!" She said practically bubbling over with excitement. Chichi frowned at this.
"What's wrong Chichi? Don't you'll have the Internet back home? Jason asked her. Again, Chichi was insulted.
"Of course we have the Internet! What do you think?! Do you think we live in the dark ages or something?! We have the Internet it just, well," she paused blushing, "I've never used it before." She grumbled softly. Christina hugged Chichi and smiled at her.
"Don't worry Chichi! I'll help you!"
"Oh goodie..."
"Well then it's settled!" Mr. Shankshire announced chasing them all out of his office.
"While you three search the Internet, I'll do my own research at the library." He said locking the outside door to his store. When he was finished, he wished them good luck and left agreeing to meet up with them in the shop again, when Alicia returned.
"You guys all wonna spend the night at my place?" Jason suggested pointing down the street. "I live just a few blocks from here and that way, you can tell your folks that you just spend the night there and they wont be as mad. All though," he added looking at Chichi, "I don't know about Alicia's mother."
"Yeah, she grounded you to your room remember. I mean, she grounded Alicia to her room, and she would never have escaped out her window like you did Chichi."
Chichi didn't want to have to deal with Alicia's mother right now. She'd let Alicia deal with that when she returned. Right now, she just wanted to go back home. She planned on being long gone before then.
"I'll deal with Alicia's mother later. It's Alicia's fault I'm stuck here to begin with. I'll spend the night at your house Jason." Chichi said feeling really tired.
"Fine then. Come on girls, let's get going." He said leading the way.
To Be Continued
Author's notes: I'd like to thank Vegetababe for helping me out on this part. She is a wonderful writer by the way and you all should go check out her stories if you already haven't. Well peoples, here's part 8! I know it's taken me a while and I'm sorry about that. Please leave me a review. I hope you all enjoy it! Now, I'm going to take a nap. I'm tired. ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........
Stranger in the Mirror Part 8
It was dark by the time they arrived back at Capsule Corp. Vegeta got there first of course immediately busting down the front door, not caring about having to replace it eventually.
The other's touched down and slowly came up behind him careful not to get too close to the Saiyan. He was just standing there staring inside.
"Um Vegeta? What are you..." Goku began but nearly swallowed his tongue when Vegeta interrupted.
"BULMA!!" He screamed at the top of his lungs. The whole place shook and the cup of coffee that was sitting on the table, spilled all over the place. Goku grimaced biting his tongue in an attempt to not swallow it as the other's held their ears. Poor Piccilo with is extra sensitive hearing winced painfully.
"You could of at least warned us VEGETA!" Piccilo roared but Vegeta was unfazed.
Just then, Alicia came running into the kitchen skidding to a stop in front of them. They were all surprised to see her there. Especially Goku who couldn't sense her ki at all.
"Chichi? What are you doing here?" Goku asked confused. "I thought you were at home in case Gohan showed up." He said studying her shaking hands.
Alicia leaned onto the kitchen table trying to catch her breath so she could answer him. She'd been through every room without any luck and when she heard Vegeta, came running as quickly as she could. She was a nervous wreck and it showed.
Vegeta stepped up to her and sniffed her suspiciously. Alicia jumped and stepped back surprised. The others looked baffled at his behavior. Vegeta pulled back and looked miffed.
He just stood there stared at her. She couldn't help but sweat under that kind of scrutiny. Why was he staring at her like that? Did he know? She felt like some kind of specimen being studied under a microscope. He mumbled something in his Saiyan tongue and grabbed her arm a little too roughly startling her. Alicia squeaked and yanked her hand.
"Vegeta?" Goku asked laughing nervously, "What are you doing?" Vegeta hissed at Alicia and finally released her. Suddenly in front of his very eyes, Chichi's image dissolved until he could see only Alicia.
"What the?!" He growled grabbing Alicia's arm again and yanking it until it hurt her. When Alicia yelped, Goku grabbed Vegeta's hand and pried his hand away. Alicia gasped and ran behind the other z-fighters.
"I don't know what's wrong with you Vegeta, but your hurting Chichi." He said sternly gripping his hand. Vegeta winced in pain and yanked his hand away.
"Kakkorott you baka! Can't you see that she isn't Chichi?!" He spat glaring back at Alicia. All the color drained from Alicia's face as he said this. She was in trouble now. After what just happened to Bulma, Alicia had already decided that she was going to tell them but now...
No body believed Vegeta though. They all looked at him like he'd gone crazy.
"What? What are you talking about Vegeta? Of course it's Chichi!" Goku argued moving in between Alicia and Vegeta as the other's stepped away. Alicia backed up against the wall behind her and whimpered. She really wanted to run away but that would only make things worse.
"Kakkorott don't be a fool! Try and sense her ki! Go on! Try and sense it! Then you'll see that I'm right!" He shouted crossing his arms. Goku just shook his head in denial but deep down knew Vegeta was right. He felt foolish doing it with her standing right there next to him.
He tried to sense her but he couldn't. Instead, he sensed some one else! How could this be? It was impossible but he had to be sure. He reached over and placed his hand on her forehead gently. He was shocked to discover the truth. He gasped and yanked his hand away.
Alicia also gasped and nearly fell down as she leaned back against the wall. He had just read her mind! It was disorienting and she felt dizzy because she had read some of his memories too.
Goku turned away from her and sat down in a chair heavily, his own frame shaking. He looked up at her accusingly and saw her true image.
"Why?" Was all he said shaking his head. Krillin stood by him and patted his friends shoulder.
Alicia wanted to cry because she knew that she had used him. She had used them all just to satisfy her own selfish fantasy. She should have told them all the truth from the beginning instead of taking advantage of them. They were going to hate her now.
"I, I didn't mean to hurt you." She spoke softly looking at Goku with tears in her eyes. Goku got up and walked up to her holding his hand up to stop the others. Krillin, Piccilo and the others wouldn't attack but Vegeta might. They didn't understand what was going on but he did, now.
"Let me see it." He said flatly holding out his hand to her. The others watched curiously.
"Let him see what?" Chow Su wondered out loud.
"Goku? What's going on?" Krillin asked raising his eye brows.
"Yeah Goku, if she's not Chichi, who is she then?" Tien asked stepping up.
Goku didn't answer them, he was too upset. The only thing he could do was stare at Alicia and think about what all they had done together. A teenager from another world that he almost made love to?! How could he have been so blind? Why hadn't he seen it before this morning when he brought her to the hospital? It should have been so obvious! She'd been acting strange but never in his wildest dreams could he of imagined that she wasn't Chichi. Only Vegeta was able to see past her bravura. Goku wasn't't proud of that. He should have known it wasn't Chichi.
Alicia raised her hand obediently. No point in denying who she was any more. They all knew she wasn't Chichi. He knew...
Vegeta looked like he wanted to murder her.
"Where's Bulma!" He growled glaring at Alicia. If Goku hadn't been there, he probably would have beaten the answer out of her. Vegeta sure looked a lot taller and meaner up close in real life than on TV she thought backing off frightened.
Goku was annoyed at Vegeta but not angry. It's hard to get Goku really angry at anyone unless they actually hurt some one that he cared about on purpose. That's exactly what she was afraid of because what she had done did hurt all of them.
"Vegeta! She doesn't know!" Goku snapped studying the ring on her finger. He'd noticed the ring earlier but never asked her about it. He figured it was an old ring Chichi had, that she just never bothered to wear until today. Even though he knew he wouldn't be able to take it off without ripping her finger off, he gave it a gentle tug.
"It won't come off." Alicia said watching him gently tug on it. Goku sighed and released her hand.
"Try some butter." Yamcha said lounging in his chair. Everyone stared at him.
"What?" He asked sitting up.
"I bet I can get it off!" Vegeta interrupted reaching for Alicia's hand but before he could grab it, Goku pulled Alicia out of his reach.
"Your not going to be able to get it off without hurting her Vegeta!" Goku snapped blocking him. Vegeta clenched his fists and growled threateningly.
"She's responsible for everything Kakkorott! How can you be so forgiving after everything she has done?!" He shouted pointing an accusing finger at Alicia. Alicia stood behind Goku shaking.
"She isn't responsible for everything that's why!" Goku argued. Alicia was surprised he was taking up for her.
"I should have known you weren't Chichi from the beginning Alicia." He said to her apologizing and actually saying her name. That mind reading trick he did worked really good! She thought in amazement. She wondered how much he knew now and blushed at the thought. If he knew how much she liked him...
"Alicia?!" Everyone said at once staring at her and Goku. To half of the people there, she still looked like Chichi. When Goku started calling her Alicia though, that confirmed it for them all. She wasn't Chichi.
"Maybe you'd better explain to us, who you are." Piccilo stated calmly looking at Alicia.
With a gulp Alicia nodded her head and sat down in a chair trying to find her calm voice first before beginning. Goku noticing how nervous she was, pulled up a chair for himself and sat down in front of her. Tien, Chow Su, Yamcha and Krillin also sat down relieved to get off their tired feet for a while. Piccilo and Vegeta remained standing, not taking their eyes off of her for, waiting for her to turn into a monster or something.
Those two never let their guard down.
A few minutes later, after Alicia related the story to them...
Silence...
No one said a word after Alicia finished speaking. Alicia stared down at the floor and waited for an outbreak of angry protests but none came. Even Vegeta was quiet. Goku stood up bring them all to attention again.
"I think you should make another wish Alicia." Goku said. Every face in the room turned pale.
"What?! Have you forgotten that every time she's makes a wish, some one disappears?!" Yamcha screamed standing. Krillin, Tien, Chow Su had similar reactions but didn't say anything.
"Yes, I know." Goku said facing him. Yamcha's mouth dropped open.
In the corner of the room, Vegeta grunted amused. Tien and Chow Su wondered what the heck was so funny. Piccilo got up off the floor where he had been meditating and smirked at Goku.
"I'm coming in with you Goku." He said getting weird looks from the others. "If Gohan is in there, then I'm going to help get him out."
"In where?" Krillin asked rubbing his bald head. Everyone crowded in around Goku and Alicia. Vegeta shoved Tien and Chow Su aside so that he could be in front of Goku.
"I'm going in to get Bulma out! And no body better get in my way!" He growled. Tien and Chow Su backed off. Alicia suddenly felt very claustrophobic with everyone crowed around her.
"Hold on just a minute guys! What?! You want me to make another wish so that you can go inside the ring?! That's impossible! How do you even know, that's where they are?!" She cried scooting back from everyone.
Goku motioned everyone to step back. Everyone did accept Vegeta of course. Goku slowly approached her and knelt down in front of her. In a way, she did have Chichi's eyes.
"Alicia, I felt them when I read your mind." He explained tapping her ring. Alicia looked down at her ring and then back up at him.
"Oh... well, Um what kind of wish do yak want me to make?" She asked staring into his eyes. Goku blinked and looked surprised for a second. Krillin interrupted them tapping Goku on the shoulder.
"Alicia, Why don't you just wish them back here?!" He asked excitedly. Yamcha, Tien, Chow Su, and Piccilo all face faulted to the floor. Goku just smiled.
"I was going to say that Krillin but if that wish fails, than we will be able to follow IT back inside the ring, that is, if IT comes out at all." He said standing and offering a hand down to Alicia. Hesitantly she took it and with his powerful grip, pulled her off the floor. She couldn't help it as he heart skipped a beat. What a guy. After all that she did, he still is so nice to her. (sigh)
Vegeta grunted in disgust at his show tenderness.
"Just hurry up and make the stupid wish so that we can get Bulma and Kakkorott's brat back!" He barked crossing his arms. Tien and Chow Su looked at each other and nodded.
"We're going in too Goku." Tien said getting another nod from Chow Su.
"Fine. Krillin? Yamcha? Are you two going?" He asked facing them. Krillin jumped a little bit but nodded his head.
"You bet Goku! I want to get Chichi and Bulma out of there as soon as possible." Goku smiled and looked at Yamcha.
"Yamcha?"
"You can count me in Goku!" Yamcha said giving him a thumbs up though he wasn't so sure he felt up to it. No telling what they were going to encounter inside the ring.
"Great! Ok Alicia!" He announced to everyone turning to the her, "We're all ready. It's all up to you now. You can do it!" He said giving her a wink. Alicia smiled nervously at everyone and rubbed her hands together.
"Ok, are you sure you want to do this?" She asked Goku. Goku reached over and patted her shoulder.
"Yes. I'm sure. Now please Alicia. Make the wish before it's too late." Alicia nodded and closed her eyes.
"I wish for Gohan and Bulma to be returned back to us."
Back in our world...
"This is my stop." He said pushing past them as the bus came to a stop. Jason, Christina and Chichi all followed him off the bus anxtious to hear how he stopped Kharon. They got off right in front of the old man's shop. Slowly, the old man took a set of keys out of his pocket and unlocked the door to the store as the bus pulled away. Before he opened it though, he turned to Jason.
"Just promise me one thing. Don't steal anything else." Jason groaned and turned red with embarrassment.
"Hurry up Jason and go inside!" Christina screeched behind him. Chichi and the old man were already inside. He'd been standing there too busy feeling ashamed of himself to notice.
"All right! Hold your horses!" He shot back entering the shop a little hesitantly. Funny how the last time he entered this place, it didn't look so intimidating. Now, everything looked creepy. Even the cute little frazzles hanging in the window. They probably come alive when no ones around. He thought darkly.
"Hey! Don't shove me!" He protested as Christina shoved him further inside.
"Well, you weren't' moving!" Christina argued back. Chichi rolled her eyes. Those two fight as much as Vegeta and Bulma do. She thought turning away and watching the old man , as he opened the door to his office. It creaked loudly as it opened and he held the door open for them waving them inside.
"Please, come inside and sit down. We have much to talk about." He said leaving the door open for them as he disappeared inside. They all followed him inside but Jason was reluctant to trust the old guy. The old man could call the cops on them any second and have them all arrested. He also didn't like the way the place looked at night. Definitely more creepy than during the day.
"So, you want to know how I stopped him the first time?" He blurted startling everyone.
"Um yes please Mr..." She said sitting in an antique chair.
"Shankshire. Richard Shankshire." He said leaning back in his chair with his hands resting on top of his head.
Mr. Shankshire, could you please tell us how you got Kharon back into the ring? Maybe we could do it again." Chichi said as politely as she could muster. Mr. Shankshire swiveled around in his chair and grabbed something off the shelf behind him. Jason and Christina glanced at each other nervously.
"Here!" He said spinning back around, throwing an old book on top of his desk. Dust flew up everywhere making everyone cough.
"This, is my little book of magic spells. I bought this book from a witch for a pretty penny. I even sold my house to buy it." he said gravely studying the three in front of him seriously.
"Dude! That's sucks." Jason said staring at the book.
"Hey, watch your language young man!" Chichi spat viciously. Jason sneered back at her. Now she has the nerve to act like she's his mother!
"Your not my mother Chichi!" He argued sticking his tongue out immaturely.
"Oh brother..." Christina muttered shaking her head and holding her hand up over her face with embarrassment.
Chichi looked a little taken back by his comment and then looked a little sad. She missed Gohan. Oh, she was so worried about him and everyone else. If only she were there to protect them.
She felt her throat tighten up with emotion. No! Your not gonna start crying! Not here! Not now in front of these people! The sound of Mr. Shankshire clearing his throat brought her back to reality. "So, you want to know how I stopped him!" He said clearing his desk of all papers.
"Yes please Mr. Shankshire. If you would?" Chichi asked ready to get started. Mr. Shankshire paused tapping his fingers on the desk top a second and then opened the book. He flipped through a few pages before coming to a marked page. It was marked with a white flower and he picked the flower up to show to the others.
"This was part of my wife's bouquet from our wedding." He said holding it like it would crumble to dust at any second. His hand was shaking slightly with old age.
"I book marked this page just in case I ever needed it again. He said quietly setting the pressed flower down onto the desk. With a sigh, he traced his fingers over the writing in the book while adjusting his reading glasses with his other hand.
He was looking for something in particular. Something he had added on to. When he found it, he read it for a moment, moving his lips as he read mentally.
"Norahk! Norahk! Norahk!" He shouted suddenly raising his hands above his head and standing, knocking his chair over in the process
"Ahhhhh!!" Jason screeched falling over in his chair. Christina and Chichi could only stare at Mr. Shankshire as he repeated this weird chant. Suddenly, the room began to glow and everything began to shake.
"Earth quake?!" Christina screamed gripping on Chichi and Jason's arms.
"No! I don't think it's an Earth quake! Look!!" Jason shouted above the rumbling, pointing to a corner of the room.
"What is it?!" Christina cried staring at it. "It looks like some sort of portal!"
"That's gotta be what it is! He's opened up a portal to you dimention I bet Chichi!" But then as soon as he had said it, the portal disappeared and everything went back to normal.
"What?!" They all shouted staring at the spot.
"What's going on?! Where'd the portal go?!" Chichi cried looking at Mr. Shankshire.
"What happened Mr. Shankshire?! Why did it close up?!" Jason shouted still on the floor after flipping his chair over. Mr. Shankshire was staring up at the ceiling and then after a second looked back down at the three sighing loudly.
"It didn't work?!" He said perplexed.
"Why didn't it work?!" Chi asked standing up. This was their only chance! If this didn't work, than they were in trouble! Mr. Shankshire shook his head and plopped back down in his chair exhausted.
"The name, it didn't work!" He said shaking his head sadly. "He must have changed it! Damn it!" He hissed slamming the book shut.
"Please tell me!! What did he change?! What name?!" Chichi begged crawling on top of his desk and grabbing his shirt. Mr. Shankshire looked down at Chichi and calmly pried her fingers from his shirt.
"His name. He must have changed his name." He said in a daze still holding her hands with his iron grip. Chichi struggled to get her hands free.
"Hey! Let go of my hands!" She snapped getting him out of his daze. When noticed he that he was still gripping her hands, and released them. Chichi fell off the desk onto the hard floor.
"Chichi!" Christina screamed kneeling down to her. "Are you ok?"
"No! I'm not ok! How am I suppose to get back home now?! I don't suppose you have a spell in your book there to get me back home now do you?!" She shouted at Mr. Shankshire.
He shook his head sadly and looked down at Chichi. "No, I'm afraid not. The only way we can return you home, is by making another wish with the ring." He explained opening his book again and flipping through the pages. "And the ring, is in another...."
"Hey wait a second!" Jason interrupted, "I though you said his name was Kharon! That's not what you said!" Jason laughed excitedly. Mr. Shankshire wasn't amused though and pounded his fist on his desk scaring everyone.
"No! I did say his name boy! I just said it backwards! That's the way it's suppose to go!" He snapped glaring at Jason.
"Oh..." Jason squeaked backing off. "Geesh, sorry. Don't have an aneurysm." He felt like an idiot not catching that. Christina patted his shoulder comfortingly.
"Don't worry Jason, I didn't catch it either until he explained it just now."
"Wait a minute! Even if you knew what his name was, how is that suppose to help us?" Chichi asked as she began to pace the room, burning a hole in the rug.
"Haven't you ever heard of Rumpelstiltskin?" He asked her very slowly, like she had never heard of it before. Chichi was insulted.
"Of course I have! Don't be silly! I've heard it many times as a little girl, but what does that have to do with anything?!" She snapped.
Christina jumped when he mentioned Rumpelstiltskin. She loved that story! It was her favorite! She knew every fairy tale there was and even had them all memorized because her mother would tell her a different story every night.
"Um excuse me, but are you saying, that we have to figure out what his new name is before we can stop him? It could be anything! It could be another language for all we know! There has to be another way!" She asked beginning to cry.
"Calm down Christina, how hard can it be?" Jason said eyeing the old man's book. Mr. Shankshire grabbed the book and snatched it away before he could even touch it.
"No one touches this book but me!" He growled tucking it protectively beneath his arm.
"Sorry, I just wanted to..."
"Wanted to do what?! Look up a few spells? Maybe try a few of them out?! Well you wouldn't be able to handle anything from this book kid! Its far too dangerous! " Every one fell silent and stared at the old man.
"Um, ok..." Jason muttered shoving his hands into his pockets and biting his lips. This wasn't getting them any where. They had to find out what his new name was, but how were they going to do that? He thought bitterly staring at the old man.
"I guess the only thing we can do now then, is try and come up with a name and wait for Alicia to return." Christina said slipping her coat back on that had been hanging on the back of her chair.
"I suggest young lady that you ask your friend that when she returns. That is, if she returns." Mr. Shankshire said gravely stepping around his desk.
"Wha? What do you mean? Doesn't that monster need her? Why would he kill her?"
"Oh he needs her now but after he's sucked up enough energy, he will kill her. That's if he gets the chance to that is." He said.
"What do we do then until she gets here?" Jason asked but no one answered him. The only thing they could do, was wait.
"Well, I'm not gonna just sit around and wait for Alicia to show up! I'm going to do a little bit of research. Maybe, just maybe I can get lucky and come across a name no one's has ever heard of." Chichi said gathering her things and walking towards the door.
"Wait Chichi! Alicia's mom is probably worried about her! You need to go there!" Christina said catching up to her.
"Why should I go back there?! I'm not going find anything there to help us!" She barked stopping at the door and glaring at Christina. Jason came up behind Christina with an idea.
"We can search for a name on the Internet!" Christina cried for joy and hugged Jason.
"Your brilliant Jason! Hey I've got an idea! Get all of your other friends to help us look for weird and unusual names too on the Internet! That way, we'll have a better chance of finding it!" She said practically bubbling over with excitement. Chichi frowned at this.
"What's wrong Chichi? Don't you'll have the Internet back home? Jason asked her. Again, Chichi was insulted.
"Of course we have the Internet! What do you think?! Do you think we live in the dark ages or something?! We have the Internet it just, well," she paused blushing, "I've never used it before." She grumbled softly. Christina hugged Chichi and smiled at her.
"Don't worry Chichi! I'll help you!"
"Oh goodie..."
"Well then it's settled!" Mr. Shankshire announced chasing them all out of his office.
"While you three search the Internet, I'll do my own research at the library." He said locking the outside door to his store. When he was finished, he wished them good luck and left agreeing to meet up with them in the shop again, when Alicia returned.
"You guys all wonna spend the night at my place?" Jason suggested pointing down the street. "I live just a few blocks from here and that way, you can tell your folks that you just spend the night there and they wont be as mad. All though," he added looking at Chichi, "I don't know about Alicia's mother."
"Yeah, she grounded you to your room remember. I mean, she grounded Alicia to her room, and she would never have escaped out her window like you did Chichi."
Chichi didn't want to have to deal with Alicia's mother right now. She'd let Alicia deal with that when she returned. Right now, she just wanted to go back home. She planned on being long gone before then.
"I'll deal with Alicia's mother later. It's Alicia's fault I'm stuck here to begin with. I'll spend the night at your house Jason." Chichi said feeling really tired.
"Fine then. Come on girls, let's get going." He said leading the way.
To Be Continued