Author's note: This chapter is kinda short, and it might not be as good as the other two, but it was needed to get all of the plot taken care of. The next chapter will be a lot more interesting, one big fight scene, I promise. Please bear with me.
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Chpt. 3
In the forest just beyond the Son house, four figures stood. They stood silently, oblivious to the foul rain that fell all around, immune to its evil spell. They stood, unmoving save for their cold yellow eyes, watching as the green man in the tattered gi kicked on the door, child cradled in his arms. They watched as the shrill woman opened the door and allowed the green man to enter. They watched as the green man ran back out into the rain then turn back to the house.
They could not hear the conversation between the two they observed. They could make out the shrill woman's pipings above the rain and, just barely, the green man's rumbling reply below the thunder. They watched as the green man leaped into the sky, soaring straight up, into the storm clouds. They watched the shrill woman slam her door shut. And then they waited, knowing that their time was fast approaching.
Chi-chi leaned against the door for a moment, heart pounding. Truth be told, she had no idea what was wrong with her son, nor what she should do to help him.
In the living room, Gohan twitched as if fighting against some unseen force that was bent on holding him down. Then he moaned, "Piccolo.....no...."
Chi-chi was at his side in an instant. "Gohan? Gohan, honey, please wake up."
He did not respond. In fact, it seemed to her that he slipped deeper into unconsciousness. She looked up at the ceiling, peering at it as though she could see through it.
"Goku, where are you?"
The god knew the devil was earnest the moment he saw him. The usually composed Piccolo was almost frantic; his gi was frayed, his cape and turban were gone, and Kami didn't have to sense it to know that his younger counterpart was mentally distressed. And the god's answer to Piccolo's unspoken question only added to the fighter's agitation.
Piccolo paced the Lookout in front of Kami like a caged animal. Five steps to the right. Five steps to the left. His eyes were wild with a rage he could do nothing with. He had no adversary, he had nothing to fight, and he still had no answers.
"You know what IT is?" he snarled.
Kami looked at him patiently, willing him to calm down. The fact that Piccolo was pacing unnerved the older Namek slightly. Piccolo was usually the immovable object.
Calm was the furthest thing from Piccolo's mind. He surged forward, grabbing a handful of Kami's robe. "I don't have time for this old man! WHAT IS IT!?!"
Kami looked directly into Piccolo's eyes and ~saw~ into the warrior's soul. And he knew then what he had already suspected. IT had already attacked Piccolo and, though Kami could not tell what had been done, he could feel the dark touch of IT still lingering on the younger Namek's mind. It had shaken Piccolo more than he would admit and that worried Kami. How could Piccolo ever hope to defeat something when he would not admit that it could hurt him?
Startled by the sudden intrusion, Piccolo released his hold on Kami and returned to pacing. Five steps to the left. Five steps to the right.
"How do I fight IT?" he finally asked.
Kami frowned. "I have never known anything to be able to stop IT," he answered. He did not know why Piccolo insisted on making him repeat himself.
"I didn't ask if IT could be stopped," Piccolo snapped. "I asked how to fight IT."
"One cannot fight the rain," Kami answered.
The rain? Piccolo stopped pacing. He had thought the rain felt evil. "How do I make IT let go?"
Kami gave a slight smile. "The rain only affects those who have a high fighting level. It was designed to incapacitate the strongest fighters and leave villages defenseless. Once it wears off, it has no more effect on its victim. You just have to wait for it to wear off."
So that's what knocked me down, Piccolo thought. He was surprised by the sudden relief that washed over him at the knowledge that it did, in fact, wear off. He glowered and ignored the feeling. He still had questions that needed to be answered.
The lead figure in the woods made a gesture and the three behind him prepared to advance. It was the time their Master had designated for the attack. Those creatures, that shrill woman and the child, would not make it through the night.
In the living room of the Son house, Chi-chi sat, keeping a worried vigil over her son.
Gohan twitched, jerking more violently than he had been, then sat straight up with a shout of pure fury.
"Gohan!" Chi-chi cried, jumping to her feet.
The wild look faded from Gohan's eyes as he slowly realized where he was. Then Chi-chi had him in her arms, hugging him so tightly that it crushed the air from his lungs.
"My baby!" she said, tears forming. "You're alright!"
"Mom," Gohan's muffled protest sounded. "I can't breath."
She let him go and he looked around, confused. The last thing he really remembered was Piccolo yelling at him for drinking the rain. The rain, he suddenly realized.
"Gohan, what happened? What did that monster do to you?"
He looked at his mother. "The rain. The rain made me sick." He looked around again. "How did I get here?"
"That disgusting savage brought you home."
"Mr. Piccolo!" Gohan stood up then sat back down as a wave of dizziness washed over him. "Ooohhh," he said, holding his head until it passed. "Is he okay?"
Chi-chi's nose wrinkled in distaste. "I don't know. I kicked him out."
Gohan stood again. "Where did he go?!?"
"I don't know. Now sit down, you need to rest."
"Mom, we gotta help him!"
"Absolutely not, Gohan! I won't stand for it!"
A sharp raping at the front door cut off the argument.
"I don't see why we can't just blow the door open," complained the shortest of the four. He stood well over six feet tall.
"Because," the leader hissed, "the Master has forbidden us from entering the house." The leader knocked.
Gohan ran unsteadily to the door, hoping his mentor had returned. He threw open the door, eager face falling as he came face to face with four beings that could have come straight from a nightmare.
The smallest one was at least as tall as Piccolo, the tallest stood maybe a foot and a half taller. All four had the pallor of a corpse, a sickly bluish-white, and all four had black horns protruding from their heads. They all wore black with billowing black capes, and they all had ugly yellow eyes with blood red pupils.
"Come outside, boy," the tallest one said, voice echoing as if he were in a well.
Gohan took a step back.
"We have your friend," the tallest one spoke again, obviously the leader. "The green man."
"Mr. Piccolo?" Gohan asked, unsure. Visions of his nightmares, of Piccolo dying horribly and him not being able to do anything, came rushing back. He wished his head would clear; he felt so weak.
"That's right, boy," the leader cooed. "Why don't you come out and get him?"
Gohan took a step towards the door.
"Gohan?" Chi-chi called, coming up behind him.
Gohan took another step.
Chi-chi's eyes widened as she saw what lurked at her front door. And she knew she wouldn't be able to protect her son.
"Gohan!"
But Gohan had one foot out the door and that was all the leader need. He reached out one black clawed hand and pulled the boy into his grasp.
That was fine with Gohan, he calmly began to gather his energy. And then the wave of dizziness hit him again, forcing him to loose his concentration. Gohan's head lolled back and he went limp, close to passing out.
The leader gave a cruel chuckle. "I wouldn't try that again if I was you, boy," he crowed. "You haven't recovered from the black rain yet." Then he winked at the shrill woman.
Chi-chi screamed, helpless.
"TELL ME WHAT IT IS!!!!!" Piccolo bawled, any remaining patience gone. He had had enough of Kami leading him around in circles.
"Don't you know, Piccolo?" Kami asked, genuinely puzzled. He thought all knew of IT.
Piccolo took a step forward, murder in his eyes. Then he stopped, straightening suddenly as he felt a brief flash of power before it faded almost to nothingness.
"Gohan," he breathed, then took off, screaming towards Earth, teeth clenched, growl rumbling low in his throat. Whatever IT was, if IT hurt that kid, IT was going to pay.
"Kami?" Mr. Popo asked, stepping out from one of the palm trees that grew on the Lookout. He had learned early on to give the Demon King a wide berth when he was angry.
"I fear, Mr. Popo. that Piccolo has just gone to his death."
"But, Kami," Mr. Popo protested. "That means-"
"Yes. He has gone to my death as well."
"Oh, Kami, can he not stop it?"
"No, Mr. Popo. No one can."
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Chpt. 3
In the forest just beyond the Son house, four figures stood. They stood silently, oblivious to the foul rain that fell all around, immune to its evil spell. They stood, unmoving save for their cold yellow eyes, watching as the green man in the tattered gi kicked on the door, child cradled in his arms. They watched as the shrill woman opened the door and allowed the green man to enter. They watched as the green man ran back out into the rain then turn back to the house.
They could not hear the conversation between the two they observed. They could make out the shrill woman's pipings above the rain and, just barely, the green man's rumbling reply below the thunder. They watched as the green man leaped into the sky, soaring straight up, into the storm clouds. They watched the shrill woman slam her door shut. And then they waited, knowing that their time was fast approaching.
Chi-chi leaned against the door for a moment, heart pounding. Truth be told, she had no idea what was wrong with her son, nor what she should do to help him.
In the living room, Gohan twitched as if fighting against some unseen force that was bent on holding him down. Then he moaned, "Piccolo.....no...."
Chi-chi was at his side in an instant. "Gohan? Gohan, honey, please wake up."
He did not respond. In fact, it seemed to her that he slipped deeper into unconsciousness. She looked up at the ceiling, peering at it as though she could see through it.
"Goku, where are you?"
The god knew the devil was earnest the moment he saw him. The usually composed Piccolo was almost frantic; his gi was frayed, his cape and turban were gone, and Kami didn't have to sense it to know that his younger counterpart was mentally distressed. And the god's answer to Piccolo's unspoken question only added to the fighter's agitation.
Piccolo paced the Lookout in front of Kami like a caged animal. Five steps to the right. Five steps to the left. His eyes were wild with a rage he could do nothing with. He had no adversary, he had nothing to fight, and he still had no answers.
"You know what IT is?" he snarled.
Kami looked at him patiently, willing him to calm down. The fact that Piccolo was pacing unnerved the older Namek slightly. Piccolo was usually the immovable object.
Calm was the furthest thing from Piccolo's mind. He surged forward, grabbing a handful of Kami's robe. "I don't have time for this old man! WHAT IS IT!?!"
Kami looked directly into Piccolo's eyes and ~saw~ into the warrior's soul. And he knew then what he had already suspected. IT had already attacked Piccolo and, though Kami could not tell what had been done, he could feel the dark touch of IT still lingering on the younger Namek's mind. It had shaken Piccolo more than he would admit and that worried Kami. How could Piccolo ever hope to defeat something when he would not admit that it could hurt him?
Startled by the sudden intrusion, Piccolo released his hold on Kami and returned to pacing. Five steps to the left. Five steps to the right.
"How do I fight IT?" he finally asked.
Kami frowned. "I have never known anything to be able to stop IT," he answered. He did not know why Piccolo insisted on making him repeat himself.
"I didn't ask if IT could be stopped," Piccolo snapped. "I asked how to fight IT."
"One cannot fight the rain," Kami answered.
The rain? Piccolo stopped pacing. He had thought the rain felt evil. "How do I make IT let go?"
Kami gave a slight smile. "The rain only affects those who have a high fighting level. It was designed to incapacitate the strongest fighters and leave villages defenseless. Once it wears off, it has no more effect on its victim. You just have to wait for it to wear off."
So that's what knocked me down, Piccolo thought. He was surprised by the sudden relief that washed over him at the knowledge that it did, in fact, wear off. He glowered and ignored the feeling. He still had questions that needed to be answered.
The lead figure in the woods made a gesture and the three behind him prepared to advance. It was the time their Master had designated for the attack. Those creatures, that shrill woman and the child, would not make it through the night.
In the living room of the Son house, Chi-chi sat, keeping a worried vigil over her son.
Gohan twitched, jerking more violently than he had been, then sat straight up with a shout of pure fury.
"Gohan!" Chi-chi cried, jumping to her feet.
The wild look faded from Gohan's eyes as he slowly realized where he was. Then Chi-chi had him in her arms, hugging him so tightly that it crushed the air from his lungs.
"My baby!" she said, tears forming. "You're alright!"
"Mom," Gohan's muffled protest sounded. "I can't breath."
She let him go and he looked around, confused. The last thing he really remembered was Piccolo yelling at him for drinking the rain. The rain, he suddenly realized.
"Gohan, what happened? What did that monster do to you?"
He looked at his mother. "The rain. The rain made me sick." He looked around again. "How did I get here?"
"That disgusting savage brought you home."
"Mr. Piccolo!" Gohan stood up then sat back down as a wave of dizziness washed over him. "Ooohhh," he said, holding his head until it passed. "Is he okay?"
Chi-chi's nose wrinkled in distaste. "I don't know. I kicked him out."
Gohan stood again. "Where did he go?!?"
"I don't know. Now sit down, you need to rest."
"Mom, we gotta help him!"
"Absolutely not, Gohan! I won't stand for it!"
A sharp raping at the front door cut off the argument.
"I don't see why we can't just blow the door open," complained the shortest of the four. He stood well over six feet tall.
"Because," the leader hissed, "the Master has forbidden us from entering the house." The leader knocked.
Gohan ran unsteadily to the door, hoping his mentor had returned. He threw open the door, eager face falling as he came face to face with four beings that could have come straight from a nightmare.
The smallest one was at least as tall as Piccolo, the tallest stood maybe a foot and a half taller. All four had the pallor of a corpse, a sickly bluish-white, and all four had black horns protruding from their heads. They all wore black with billowing black capes, and they all had ugly yellow eyes with blood red pupils.
"Come outside, boy," the tallest one said, voice echoing as if he were in a well.
Gohan took a step back.
"We have your friend," the tallest one spoke again, obviously the leader. "The green man."
"Mr. Piccolo?" Gohan asked, unsure. Visions of his nightmares, of Piccolo dying horribly and him not being able to do anything, came rushing back. He wished his head would clear; he felt so weak.
"That's right, boy," the leader cooed. "Why don't you come out and get him?"
Gohan took a step towards the door.
"Gohan?" Chi-chi called, coming up behind him.
Gohan took another step.
Chi-chi's eyes widened as she saw what lurked at her front door. And she knew she wouldn't be able to protect her son.
"Gohan!"
But Gohan had one foot out the door and that was all the leader need. He reached out one black clawed hand and pulled the boy into his grasp.
That was fine with Gohan, he calmly began to gather his energy. And then the wave of dizziness hit him again, forcing him to loose his concentration. Gohan's head lolled back and he went limp, close to passing out.
The leader gave a cruel chuckle. "I wouldn't try that again if I was you, boy," he crowed. "You haven't recovered from the black rain yet." Then he winked at the shrill woman.
Chi-chi screamed, helpless.
"TELL ME WHAT IT IS!!!!!" Piccolo bawled, any remaining patience gone. He had had enough of Kami leading him around in circles.
"Don't you know, Piccolo?" Kami asked, genuinely puzzled. He thought all knew of IT.
Piccolo took a step forward, murder in his eyes. Then he stopped, straightening suddenly as he felt a brief flash of power before it faded almost to nothingness.
"Gohan," he breathed, then took off, screaming towards Earth, teeth clenched, growl rumbling low in his throat. Whatever IT was, if IT hurt that kid, IT was going to pay.
"Kami?" Mr. Popo asked, stepping out from one of the palm trees that grew on the Lookout. He had learned early on to give the Demon King a wide berth when he was angry.
"I fear, Mr. Popo. that Piccolo has just gone to his death."
"But, Kami," Mr. Popo protested. "That means-"
"Yes. He has gone to my death as well."
"Oh, Kami, can he not stop it?"
"No, Mr. Popo. No one can."