REASON
Reason transformed into prejudice is the worst form of prejudice, because reason is the only instrument for liberation from prejudice.
-Allan Bloom
Disclaimer: I don't own Dragonball Z or any of the Dragonball Z characters, they belong to Akira Toriyama. I'm not making any money off writing this stuff so to all those fanfic readers who were planning on suing me (as you do), tough luck.
Authors notes: This is the chapter that I couldn't really bring myself to cut as much out of, so as you may notice, there aren't that many changes. By the way, I'm still looking for the disk with chapter three on it. Its in my room, somewhere. For the time being you can just read the abridged version. I was planning on waiting till I found it, but it's just not happening. I'll post the full version as soon as I find it. Trust me, if you've seen my place you'd understand. I literally can't see the floor.
Chapter 4: Divide and Conquer
In the middle of a desert with the sun long gone and the horizon stretching out Gohan stopped. He stopped with such haste that Piccolo had travelled a good hundred metres before he could react and do the same.
"Do you feel that Piccolo?" Although it seemed a ridiculous question Gohan needed to know that he wasn't imagining things. It felt like his Dad and judging from his state last time Gohan had seen him Goku wasn't likely to be up and fighting.
"Sure do, but it feels like your Dad to me kid."
"That's what I thought, but it can't be. He's still healing. That power is at least a Super Saiyan."
Without further discussion the two changed their course and headed towards the strange power emanating from somewhere in the desert they were about to leave. Neither knew what they were running into, but both knew that it was serious. Gohan was probably the worst affected by the whole situation because he hated being in the dark, especially when his father was involved. That wasn't all though, there was still one thing nagging at the back of his mind, it could also be Goten. Sometimes the two were so alike and this was reflected in their power signals. At such distance and a low level it was virtually impossible to differentiate between the two. This thought didn't comfort Gohan any, his little brother was a good fighter, but still no match against something which could take down his father.
A few moments later Piccolo and Gohan quietly dropped to the ground and pushed their power levels down.
"Gohan, you can't feel anything, can you?"
Gohan faulted, "Are you kidding, Dad's power is rising by the minute." Once more Gohan felt his heart reach for his throat, why could he sense something that Piccolo couldn't?
"Yeah, but think about it. Who is he fighting? Can you even detect the slightest presence of an enemy?"
Somewhat perturbed by the unusual line of questioning Gohan tried to understand what his trainer was getting at. It was true that he could not sense a second enemy, but that could mean a number of things. Maybe it was just his father scouting the area out. Gohan had been taking his time, it was possible that Goku was looking for him or maybe just training. It wasn't unheard of for a Saiyan to make a remarkably quick recovery. Piccolo's impatience became evident and Gohan ventured and answer, "Well, no, but..."
"Then I think we can be fairly sure of what we are up against." Piccolo didn't bother to waste time listening to Gohan's alternate reasonings for the strange incident. Although he was smart, Gohan tended to be a little naive, even after all his years of experience in fighting.
Gohan didn't bother asking what Piccolo was talking about, each acknowledged the desire not to bring up memories of the androids or any past battle for that matter. Instead Gohan slightly nodded and followed Piccolo towards the power.
"Piccolo, if that's my Dad, then surely it'll be OK. If he's up to fighting then he can just go to Super Saiyan Three, then he'll be able to handle whatever this is." It was more of a question than a statement. Gohan was seeking reassurance that he wouldn't have to face the ugly truths of war again, something he never grew accustomed to. Despite his Saiyan heritage Chichi had raised a decent human child with typical humanities.
"We don't know that he's fully healed, the others may have just run out of alternatives. Besides, they took him down once..." Piccolo trailed off and indicated to Gohan to be quiet.
Gohan froze and peered at the horizon hoping to see what his trainer had, but to no avail. "What?" Piccolo shot Gohan a warning glance and he wisely shrunk back. Piccolo's brow creased with concentration. Gohan's eyes flicked about looking for what could have Piccolo so ruffled.
Without warning Piccolo's eyes snapped open and he started to yell, "Gohan, go! It's not your father, it's so..." The words were cut off by a huge blast, cracking with red electricity, that flew directly towards the pair. Piccolo leapt to block the attack shield Gohan in the process, but when the energy came closer he realised the futility of such an endeavour. Instead he accessed his years of experience and expertly manoeuvred the blast and managed to send it heavenward. Without waiting to see it disappear in the distance Piccolo returned his attention to the source of the attack, but his eyes flicked back to Gohan just to check that he was not hurt. Although Gohan had far more potential than Piccolo he did not trust the kid to look after himself at times like this. Officially, he knew he had to get Gohan back to Goku in one piece or there would be trouble, but the truth was he couldn't face the thought of losing Gohan. Gohan frowned as he listened to Piccolo's laboured breathing as he instinctively dropped to a fighting position, but he had no idea what he was meant to be defending himself from. He could still feel his father's power, but now it was very high, too high. "Piccolo, he's gone Super Saiyan Three." As unlikely as the explanation seemed, it was the only plausable rationale at the time.
"NO!" The edge on the words was unfamiliar coming from Piccolo, the callous Demon King with no fears or weaknesses.
Gohan was more surprised by Piccolo's harsh tone, something he wasn't used to when there was nobody else around. Normally, even with others around, there was a slight touch of compassion in his words even if the words themselves sounded harsh. However this time Piccolo was really worked up over something. Gohan looked at his face seeking an explanation for his strange behaviour.
"Gohan, that is not your father. I don't know who it is, but either someone is imitating his power, or I've gone completely insane."
Gohan still scanned Piccolo's face searching for answers. "Piccolo, you aren't making any sense."
"Can't you sense that emptiness? There is something missing in that power, something that you probably notice without even realising it. I don't really know what it is, but there is something in Goku's power that advertises his nature, it's in yours too. However, it's not in that power. That is not Goku."
Gohan stared at his master, in complete awe. Gohan knew that without Piccolo he would have rushed into this battle headfirst. Although he may out-power him a hundred times Piccolo always had a small edge that emerged from his scepticism and experience. Time and time again Piccolo had forced Gohan to maintain his head, to keep his wits about him in a battle rather than assume a battle was all about strength. Piccolo realised the effect Goku had had on Gohan's training. Goku had shown him to focus on getting stronger and developing iron strength will. Piccolo knew that this wasn't always what it took to win a fight, despite Goku's success rate. One day the event would arise that tactics would be all that was needed to win a war. This was not lost on Gohan and he had often wondered what effect Piccolo's influence may have had when he was fighting in the Cell games, a voice of reason calling him to end the battle while he could. Remembering this he heeded his teacher's warnings, "Then what is it?"
"I don't know, but whatever it is it just attacked us. Can you see your father doing that?"
Gohan could not fault the logic and dropped his head.
"Head up! We are in a battlefield!"
Gohan instantly returned his attention to the task at. Without warning a huge energy blast sprung into vision. Warrior instinct kicked in and Gohan cupped his hands at his side calling out the fateful chant that had ended so many fights. KA...ME...HA...ME...HA! The two blasts headed toward one another at a speed incomprehensible to most. As the energy met it began to transform, exploding outward lighting up the sky and letting out a war cry of its own. Piccolo was almost thrown back by the sudden explosion, obviously not concentrating on the clash. Gohan wondered what Piccolo had seen that was so important to draw his eyes from the struggle. Knowing that there wasn't time to concern himself with such details he spared a second to glance guiltily at his trainer knowing that he had not been fully concentrating on what he should have been. The silent apology was accepted and both returned their attention to the battle.
As Piccolo watched his student dodge the attack and felt his heart crawl up to his throat. Although he would never admit it, even to himself, Gohan meant too much to him for it to end as a result of some damned robot.
*
Darkness. Silence. Death. Goten's senses were assaulted by these three sensations. He twisted and turned through the void completely disorientated. Without warning his father's power flared up. Goten started in that direction, but found himself restrained by cold fingers wrapping about his wrists and ankles. The cold transferred from the hands to his skin, then deeper, reaching his blood and flowing with it. He could feel it approaching his heart. His desperate struggle proved ineffective as he felt the energy drain from him, all the while sensing his fathers power rise to Super Saiyan Two and continue climbing. Goten felt his extremities fall numb and the black started to swirl with blinding flashes of light, signs he knew all too well. In a final struggle he forced the last reserves of energy through his arms scorching the cold flesh that bound him so tightly and slightly warming his own flesh. With his resources depleted Goten felt himself falling, falling, falling. Goku's power was now at Super Saiyan Three. "Goten!" Goku's pained cry brought a new strength to Goten's fatigued mind and body and he headed in the direction of his father, the power signal the only thing to guide him. In the darkness Goku's power lit up the immediately surrounding area providing Goten with a beacon once he gained a close enough proximity. "Dad!" Goten called out, wondering what it was that was plaguing his father so terribly. Goku stiffened, then slowly twisted his neck to reveal a blank plane where his face should have been. "Goten." The voice was expressionless and seemed to simply vibrate from the air rather than the man that stood before Goten. Goten let out a scream then began to call out for his father knowing that he would never come.
Soft whimpers echoed through the empty room. The door cracked open and Chichi crept in to comfort her youngest son.
"Dad, no, no, no. NOOO!" Goten sat up in the bed with a start, his eyes wide open. His fear did not fade when he realised that his father's power was still at Super Saiyan Three.
"Goten dear, it's alright." Chichi adjusted her weight on the edge of the bed and took her son's head in her arms and held it to her chest. "It's OK, it was just a nightmare. Dad's fine."
Goten pushed his mother away and looked into her eyes, "No he's not. I can feel him." Goten let out a slow breath. "Mum, he's fighting."
"Goten, it's alright. You just had a bad dream. Dad's still sleeping."
"No Mum. I can feel it."
Chichi stopped for a second letting the words sink in. She knew better than to doubt Goten on such matters, but still something told her that Goku wouldn't have crept out to face some nameless enemy without even consulting the others. Needing some confirmation of Goten's claims she jumped to her feet and rushed off leaving him alone in the darkness bewildered and confused. He called out to her, but she was long gone. "There's something else Mum, something's missing." His words fell on the silent walls. Taking the opportunity provided, Goten began to concentrate further on the unusual power. Now there was no mistaking it – this power did not belong to Goku. Detaching his concentration from the unusual power he scanned the other powers in the building and found his fathers, which was still very low due to his recent run in with the enemy. Realising the implications of what he had just discovered he threw the covers off his bed and hurriedly pulled on his training clothes. Cautiously he opened his door, half expecting something to jump out at him. He quietly chided himself for his fear, but reminded himself that being careful wasn't too stupider idea considering the current circumstances. Seeing the hallway was empty he raced off to find Trunks by following his power signal.
It wasn't long before Goten found himself face to face with a wall. He could tell that Trunks was only a couple of walls away, but he couldn't find a passageway to the room itself. He contemplated breaking the wall down, but realised that this would hardly be polite in another person's house. He tossed the excuse about that this was an emergency, but decided to give one more try at finding the entrance.
In the medical sector Chichi rested her gaze on her husband. She withheld a sigh of relief for fear of waking any of the room's inhabitants. Goku's body was illuminated by the faint glow of all the medical equipment in the room and his chest rose and fell steadily. Somehow this sight didn't comfort Chichi entirely. Goten had spoken with such conviction. Needing a little more assurance she decided to get a second opinion.
"Trunks, wake up." Chichi prodded at the youth's side causing him only to stir in his sleep. Impatiently she began to shake Trunks violently and he awoke.
"Mmm, what?"
"Wake up!"
"I am awake." Trunks said his eyes still closed and his head still resting on his forearms.
"No you're not."
"Fine." Trunks took in a deep breath and laboriously lifted his head and forced his eyes open. "Chichi? What's up?"
"Can you feel Goku's power?"
Trunks's head shot up. His eyes flicked towards Goku's heart monitor expecting to find a flat line. Then the faint recognition of a powerful fighter emerged in his consciousness and his head sank a little lower and he rubbed a hand over his face. "Chichi, he-" Trunks stopped mid-sentence and Chichi could see the familiar marks of confusion set into the naturally hard lines of his face. "Chichi, we need to get the others." Not bothering to question Trunks, Chichi took a final look at Goku and hurried off to wake up, but Trunks stopped her before she left.
"Oh, and don't forget Goten. We may need Gotenks for this one."
Chichi was clearly not excited about the idea but said nothing.
As she strode down the corridor she glanced at a clock. It read 1.15. She began to wonder where Gohan was, but not allowing panic to set she decided to concentrate on one thing at a time. With that in mind she set off down the hall.
*
"Mr Mancoff, I need to know that you are absolutely sure the androids are ready. If we are going to destroy Son Goku it's going to take everything they've got. This is a once off chance. If we foul this up then we have lost. Goku will figure out the few weaknesses that ou-"
"Weaknesses? Sir, I think you underestimate what we have done here."
"No! If I've learnt one thing over these years, it's that Son Goku knows about weaknesses. He can find a weakness that the enemy themselves didn't know existed."
"Trust me, Sir, we are going to do some serious damage here."
"Is that a guess or a certainty?"
"It's certain." The slight hesitation before answering did not go unnoticed.
"Need I remind you that these robots are not replaceable, nor is the plan. It's now or never. If you aren't sure about this then I need to know about it."
Paul knew that it was not really an option. Had he actually said that he had his doubts he would probably find himself facing a very angry mob despite the fact that all of Jaques's followers had been told to meet in the park so as not to give away their point of command. "It will work Sir." Paul just hoped that Jaques didn't detect the slight crack in his voice, the sharp swallow and the uncertainty in his eyes. Trying to hide these telltale signs he began to punch various codes and instructions onto the computer. After twenty seconds he turned and looked up at his boss, "Awaiting your command."
*
A tall yet solid figure stepped into view as if from nothing. Gohan and Piccolo fixed their eyes on the opponent, but kept looking out for any other foes. There could be no debate about it now - this was an android. Although the figure looked perfectly human, there was something very wrong. His eyes were empty, his power non-existent. Instead Goku's sense of being emanated through his every pore. However, both Gohan and Piccolo knew that this conception was very wrong and dangerous. Beneath the guise this was a very serious threat. The heavy black hair was cut fairly short, but somehow managed to stir in an intangible breeze. The thing that struck Gohan the most was that nothing struck him. The android had no distinguishing characteristics, he was almost so normal it was unnatural. His clothes were simple, a black T-shirt and some baggy grey pants. His build was solid, but the muscles blended nicely with the rest of his body giving him a toned appearance, but not at all bulky. As the android balanced himself Gohan noticed the muscles tense in his legs, pressing outwards from beneath the baggy grey trousers. This alerted Gohan to the hidden strength that lay beneath the simple appearance. Neither Gohan nor Piccolo were fooled for a second, the tactic seeming so second rate they wondered if it had been an intended illusion. For a second the android and Gohan locked eyes, but neither was willing to break the gaze, almost like two children caught in a staring contest.
Suddenly, the power that had resembled Goku's turned off. There was no sign of it fading or being pushed down. It just disappeared. Each of the warriors paused for a second, dumbfound and Gohan began to flick his eyes about once more. Their concentration was broken by a war cry shooting out from behind them. Gohan spun around in enough time to catch a metal boot in his face. Recovering from the blow he leapt back and resumed his fighting stance. Piccolo swung his head back and forward trying to gain a grasp of the situation. Basically their senses were being toyed with throwing each of them severely off balance. Still, their vision was fine and it didn't take long for them to realise that there were actually two identical men standing on either side of them. The wordless agreement was settled on as Gohan locked his eyes on his original opponent as Piccolo claimed the second android.
There were no words exchanged, no threats, taunts or final offers. The android did not even seem interested in Gohan. It would just dodge attacks and use fairly simple tactics to avoid being blasted into the next dimension. This alone was enough to put Gohan out, but Piccolo was unperturbed. He noticed Gohan's hesitation and called out to him.
"Gohan, focus!"
Gohan wasn't the type that needed to be told twice. There was something very odd about this android and that made him very nervous. When Gohan was nervous he tended to keep his guard up.
As if taking some unheard cue the two twins charged up some type of attack and hurled it at their respective opponents. The sudden change of heart on the enemies' behalf confused Piccolo, but already Gohan was learning from their behaviour, knowing that if this is what defeated his father then they were going to need to have a good plan to stop them.
Gohan decided to once more take the offensive to test the limits of his opponent. While the enemy blocked his punches Gohan managed to chamber his foot for a roundhouse kick. The blow landed successfully and while his opponent was still dazed Gohan drew up closer for an uppercut. However, the android quickly regained its senses and caught Gohan off guard which meant the android was able to land several strikes of his own. Gohan quickly jumped back and found himself forced into the defensive as his opponent followed his retreat. The reactions of each proved to be fairly evenly matched as Gohan wove about and ducked the retaliations. It seemed that each of the parties involved were interesting in a swift fight as they separated for a second causing a pause in the battle. Taking full advantage of this opportunity Gohan began to power up. Sparks of electricity began to weave in his aura pulsing in time with his heartbeat. Probably realising the implications of this the android once more began to gather his power, collecting it into a huge swirling mass about twice the size of Gohan. Launching it towards Gohan with unrivalled speed it seemed to hang for a second taking advantage of its momentum, but giving Gohan a vital instant to prepare.
Had Gohan's concentration not been so fiercely undivided on the battle at hand he would have heard the desperate cries of his trainer, "Don't block it!"
Instead Gohan reached his hands out to gain control of the fiery ball. The surprise on his face was unable to be disguised when no power met his hands. Instead it penetrated Gohan's hands, worming its way through his fingertips into his bloodstream. His veins became clearly visible on him hands and arms and seconds later on his neck and face. The red energy started to glow red, showing in his veins and Gohan's muscles to tensed rapidly. Momentarily Gohan stood in the silent battlefield, all actions paused by the unusual change of events. His eyes glazed over, then his body dropped and broke out into spasms before loosening entirely.
Piccolo stared at his young student for a second, unable to comprehend the events that had just taken place. His feet left the ground as he flew to Gohans side. However, he had barely left the ground when the two twins put themselves between Piccolo and Gohan. Coming to a quick stop Piccolo glared at his opponents. The hatred that resided in his eyes barely compared to what he was feeling. Gohan was slipping away and Piccolo could feel it.
"You're mine." Piccolo's voice never wavered, but his eyes warned of destruction. Simultaneously both androids attacked Piccolo in a blur of quick strikes, none of which landed. Piccolo gained control of the battle and landed a very forceful backhand strike to one of the androids cheeks causing the android to take several steps backwards and consequently gave Piccolo a fair chance at the second android. Letting instinct take over the blocks and retaliations began to flow into a continuous blur. When the first android rejoined the battle Piccolo decided to take a different approach. His eyes flicked to his left exacting the position of Gohan. Satisfied he gave the androids a small smirk and took to the air. The androids reacted likewise, only inches behind Piccolo. By putting on an unexpected burst of speed Piccolo managed to pull a few metres away from the androids and in a single fluid movement he turned about and fired a huge beam of energy at them. Stunned the two androids dodged the attack and watched it crash into the ground below them, a very long distance from Gohan. They returned their attention to Piccolo, but found only a cloud of debris. When it finally cleared they realised that Piccolo was gone.
Down below Piccolo knew the androids were onto him, but realised the importance of his next task. He grabbed Gohan's arm and slung it over his shoulder and gripped the wrist tight. Wrapping his arm around Gohan's waist he jumped into the sky and flew off as fast as possible, hoping to lose the androids.
He hadn't had an opportunity to look Gohan over at the fight scene, but now he chanced a sideways glance. Gohan's chin rested on his chest, but his face was resting strangely, probably due to the muscles tensing and relaxing so quickly. However, in general he seemed fine. A faint hunch drew Piccolo's attention towards Gohan's hand and then he realised where the real damage was. Muscle and tendon was clearly visible and even in places he could see the bone. It was almost as if Gohan had not tried to block the attack at all, rather just stuck his hands out to take the blast. Normally Piccolo would have known that this wound in itself was not life threatening, especially to someone with Saiyan blood, but after what Gohan had told him he knew that this wound was all that was needed to take down the strongest of warriors. Not only that but he could feel Gohan's power slipping down further into a dangerous level.
All this warranted attention on Gohan caused Piccolo to miss the slight disturbance following him, not far behind.
*
"Goten! What are you doing?" Bulma found Goten wandering outside her bedroom with a blank look smeared across his face.
Goten looked at Bulma rather sheepishly. "Umm, I was looking for Trunks." He raised his eyebrows and gave her a hopeful look.
Bulma's eyes were still not fully focussed and quite frankly she wanted to return to her warm and inviting bed. She replied with a touch of impatience, but tried to disguise it. "Well you won't find him here. His room is practically on the other side of the building."
Goten wondered if Bulma knew where Trunks was. He carefully replied, "Yeah, I know, but he's still sitting with Vegeta." He knew that even Vegeta feared a tired Bulma at times.
"He is?" Bulma couldn't hide the surprise.
Goten wasn't really sure how to reply, wondering if an explanation was required. "Yeah."
The fading conversation led to a complete pause in which nothing could be heard.
The cold was beginning to bite into Bulma, aiding in the process of waking her up. With her sharp wits returning she noticed an obvious flaw in her understanding of the situation. "So what did you need Trunks for Goten?"
"I had to ask him if he felt that real-"
Light footsteps were heard approaching the corner. Out of the shadows stepped Chichi. In her haste she almost walked into the two talking in the hallway. Skidding to a halt Chichi quickly gave the two their instructions. "Bulma. Goten. Trunks needs you guys."
"Why? What happened to him?" Bulma replied, now fully woken by the fear incited by Chichi's words.
Chichi was still walking past the two when she replied "Nothing, but there's something weird going on that we all need to discuss."
"Got that right." Goten mumbled, almost resentful that his mother had taken Trunks's word over his. However he knew that she was just getting a second opinion so quickly lightened his mood.
"What was that?" Bulma asked, looking in the direction Chichi had marched.
"Nothing, I'm just talking to myself." Goten replied hurriedly, ashamed of his reaction.
Chichi looked over her shoulder impatiently, "Come on you guys. We need to find the others."
"Umm, I might stick with you Bulma." Goten said, not wanting to end up wandering through the maze known as Capsule Corporations again.
"Well, OK. Whatever you want." Bulma replied looking at Goten a little strangely.
*
Everyone was gathered in the medical section of Capsule Corporations. Juuhachigou stuck out a little as she was the only one who appeared to have just woken up. She had only just managed to open her eyes, a tough job with all the sleep glue formed in them. Her hair was bearing a remarkable resemblance to a super saiyan Vegeta's or Goku's, only shorter, as it was swept upwards in a messy and uncontrollable style. Everyone else was doing a good job of ignoring the fact that it was 2 in the morning. Juuhachigou's breath was fresh, something that everyone was about to become grateful for when she began to display the characteristics of a female woken far too early in the morning. "Well, is anyone going to talk, or did we wake up this early because someone wanted to practice android drills?" she asked, her voice dangerously calm.
Trunks looked about nervously, realising that he'd better justify his actions soon or he'd have the entire power of Earth's special forces to face. "Well, I guess you guys can all feel Goku's power flaring up in that direction," Trunks spoke while indicating out the door, "but obviously Goku is right here and I'm sure you can sense that too."
"Yeah, we know. Get to the point. Are we going or not?" Yamucha protested, his voice cracking mid-sentence. Everyone was surprised by Yamucha's forward and brave comment. Even Tien found himself thinking that Yamucha should fight this early more often.
"We are not going." All eyes turned to Goku, surprised that he was up at all.
"Dad!" Goten ran up to his father once more, but stopped himself quickly remembering how his mother had reacted last time. Instead he calmly approached Goku's bed.
"Goku, we can't wait here forever. We need to go and destroy whatever this is before it gets to Capsule Corporations." Tien said, hoping Goku would explain himself. Tien had known Goku long enough to know he would never back down on a battle unless there was a very good reason.
"But you want to meet them on your own terms, not theirs. You can't just walk straight into a trap." Goku countered.
"But we know it's a trap, so we can be careful."
"Just wait. The time will come, then we can all go at them." The emphasis was on the word 'all'. Nobody approved of the implications, but nobody dared challenge it either.
Trunks opened his mouth to speak again, but Goku got in first. "Hey, how come Gohan still isn't here?"
"He went to look for Piccolo some time ago, but he hasn't come back yet."
Goku, obviously confident in his son's ability to take care of himself, did not give this a second thought. Goten and Chichi looked at each other, considering telling Goku just how long Gohan had been, but decided against it. If Goku knew that Gohan was probably in the thick of it right now he would probably rush of to play her, something his body just wasn't capable of right now, no matter how badly his mind wanted it.
Trunks took one final look at his father before announcing that everyone should continue the conversation elsewhere so as not to disturb the injured. Nodding, Bulma led the group out of the room. Goku started to rise from the bed but Trunks gently pressed him back down. "Rest, you're not up to this fight yet." Goku gave Trunks a despairing look before letting his head drop back to the pillow.
Too many warriors, Trunks thought to himself.
*
"It's gone!" Goten's unusual outburst was rewarded with several questioning stares. Goten was unflustered, "Trunks, that power disappeared."
Ever since they had started the debate on their course of action Goten had insisted upon calling it 'that power,' refusing to believe that it was his father. Nobody could sense what he described as an emptiness, but he was adamant that there was something different about the power. Considering that Goku was in the room next to the Z-Warriors his theory was quickly accepted, but still puzzled over.
Trunks stared at the other warriors in the room. He felt strange having such an immense strength superiority over men over twice his age. They looked to him for help, rather than vice versa and this was something he feared he may never get used to.
"Normally I'd consider a disappearing power a good thing, but Gohan's still out looking for Piccolo and that worries me. There is no way it should take this long." Juuhachigou shot an apologetic look towards Videl and Chichi fearing an outburst, but none came. Trunks relaxed a little, glad to be out of the limelight. His relief was short lived.
"Trunks, we have to go find Gohan." Goten's impatience was clear, but his fear more evident. Trunks looked to the others hoping for inspiration, but his eyes soon wandered to his life-long friend. Seeing the concern in his eyes he realised that he had to do something. He opened his mouth to speak, but before the first word could escape his lips Krillen cried out.
"Piccolo! Gohan!" Bulma, Chichi and Videl began to look throughout the room, desperately seeking someone that would tell them what was going on. Instead the warriors stood with their jaws hanging open obviously concentrating on something.
Patience wearing thin Chichi yelled at her son, "Goten, what is it?" His apparent lack of hearing only succeeded in frustrating the women more. Chichi grabbed Goten by his shoulders and shook him back into reality. He looked up at his mother and paused as if unsure what to say. "Gohan is fighting Mum, so is Piccolo, but I can't sense what they are fi-." Goten stopped mid-sentence and once more each of the warriors in the room fell to a trance like state. Goten looked up at his mother once more, this time with fear in his eyes, something uncommon to such a confident young warrior.
Trunks suddenly burst out, "Gohan is coming, Piccolo too. They'll be here any minute."
Not wasting any time the group raced outside to greet Gohan and Piccolo. Each strained their necks back scanning the sky's for any approaching travellers, Goten's hesitation forgotten.
Goten leaned towards Trunks and whispered, "That's not Gohan or Piccolo."
Trunks gave Goten a blank stare.
"They've got the same emptiness that the other power had, the one that felt like Dad's."
"You're just imagining things."
"Maybe, but answer this, how did they move so quickly? One second they were miles away, then suddenly they were only a few minutes away."
Trunks looked at his friend, fearing the answer. "We'll wait and see."
Goten was obviously not very keen on this idea, but decided to say nothing until he was absolutely sure. Still he could feel the familiar powers at the back of his mind and just hoped that he was imagining that increasing discrepancy.
*
"Mike, this has gone way too far. I'm leaving now. Don't say anything OK. You're a real sweet talker, but I'm not falling for it again. I want out, if that means that I have to leave you here then that's alright with me." The confidence that came through in Trina's words was entirely faked. The thing that scared her most was that Mike would not say anything. Her rehearsed speech had come out well, but something in her told her that she didn't want it to end there. It's not love, she had told herself. I can walk away from him. Despite repeating these things over and over to herself nothing changed. She didn't want to leave Mike and was desperately hoping he would say something that would justify her staying. That was all that ate away at her, none of this had been justified. Mike had repeated the manical preachings of Jaques, but never seemed to be able to fully explain the motives.
"Trina, if I know you half as well as I think I do, you are waiting for me to justify this whole thing to you."
The words startled Trina, burning into her giving her hope. Maybe there was a reason that she hadn't heard before, maybe there was something he'd been holding back.
Mike noticed her unusual reaction, but pretended not to. "I truly believe that without a reason for all this you'll walk off right now. You've tried before, but you seem to know when enough is enough. That is why I'll let you in on the real reason both of us a here." Trina looked into Mikes eyes, seeing something she'd never seen before, or maybe just something she'd never looked to see before, sincerity. Either that or he was just giving her undue credit, trying to sweeten her up again. It was always so hard to tell. Mike continued, "It's all for you."
The simple words caused Trina to reel slightly back from Mike's grasp. She looked back at his eyes, not sure what to expect. She silently pleaded him to elaborate.
"I've never told you the real story have I?"
"I...I don't think so."
"I've seen the androids Trina. They cannot be defeated. You knew me before this, you know I believed that Son Goku would prevail over anything. Now, well, I think this could be for real."
"So you just want to be on a winning team. Well great, I'm happy sticking with the right team."
"Shhh, don't let anyone hear you talking like that, especially not tonight. Just listen to me, Jaques is going to win and when he does gain control I don't want to have opposed him. He's a megalomaniac. He is exactly what he is trying to protect the world from. The only trouble is he is a smart megalomaniac." Mike stopped abruptly and avoided Trina's stare, unsure whether or not to go on. He lowered his voice to a whisper barely audible to Trina. Throughout his speech he had spoken quietly so as not to let anyone hear his treacherous comments. However, now it seemed to him that the very air he breathed could have ears. "Dr Gero was brilliant, but this Mancoff guy, he's pure genius. I've seen a little more than I should have Trina; I've seen the plans. These two are sick and won't stop at anything and their plans prove that. If only you knew what I was talking about, then you'd understand my fears." Trina suddenly became acutely aware of the fear that was pulsing through Mike. She realised what she had failed to see all these months. He was here for entirely selfish reasons. The whole time she had kidded herself that no harm would arise from his obsession by reassuring that this proved he had passion and commitment for what he believed was right. Suddenly the man she had believed she loved faded to dust and slipped through her fingers. She had wasted all this time loving a man that did not exist. No longer did she want a justification, all she wanted was the Mike she fell in love with to come and get her out of this whole mess.
"Trina, I know you are probably thinking I did this to save my own neck. You are wrong, I did this for you. I suffered your condescending lectures and pitiful stares knowing that one day it would probably save your life. I'm not a hero Trina, I'm a coward and you know it. If there is a way I can keep you around long enough to love me as I do you that doesn't involve courage I'll take it. Trina..." For the first time in ages Mike found himself short of words. He'd been so used to repeating another mans words he felt unsure of how to use his own. "I love you."
Trina spun about and slapped Mike hard on the cheek. The sound reverberating through the icy cold air and silencing their immediate neighbours. Mike rubbed his face while Trina completed her statement with the words, "Don't you dare say that to me now."
"Why not? I mean it. I mean it more than I thought I could. You've sought the truth the whole time and when I finally tell you, this happens."
"It's not what you said, it's not even the way you said it. It's when you said it Mike." Trina found herself already being drawn back to the cause. He seemed so sincere, more so than she had ever seen him. Something in his eyes begged her to stay, the fear was still there, but he was afraid for her. Her heart told her to give it up and let herself fall into his welcoming arms. Still her mind told her that this wasn't wise, this wasn't as romantic as it seemed.
"Don't do this to me Trina. Don't make me suffer even more after I've been through so much."
"You've suffered? Do you know how many times I've sat awake at night only to fall into a troubled sleep? This entire thing is taking over my life Mike. I'm not going to let my mind be locked up just to protect my body. There's more to living than having a body."
"But what's the use of a free mind if it must float above a carcass? Trina, you're either with Jaques or you are dead. I know which I would prefer. Don't think that he is all treachery and lies simply because he is a revolutionary. Some of his ideals may be a little eccentric-"
"Eccentric?!"
"Shh, keep it down. Do you want them to slit your throat now?"
"Mike, I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees."
"Don't just stand there spitting quotations at me. Do you really mean that? When you say those words do you realise that it means your entire existence is going to end? You may sound brave, but they are only words, Trina. I know that you love living and I've found a way to guarantee you that right."
Trina's defence was breaking down. It was true that she didn't want to die. In all honesty she wasn't really breaking away from the cause because she felt it was unjust. Trina was sick of living a lie and looking for an out. "But Mike..."
"What?"
"You don't know that Jaques will win."
Mike reached out and grabbed Trina's chin, tilting it upward. She weakly resisted. "Trina, look at me." Trina looked up once more, deciding to give Mike a final chance. "He will win."
"That's not a justification."
"Maybe not, but its a reason."
Mike had given her reason to believe and reason to stay. That's all I wanted, she told herself. For a second she allowed herself to wonder why her mind did not answer, then she pushed the thoughts away and let herself be swept up by the sweet justifications of the gathering group.
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