A/N – almost 3 pages this time, sorry for the waits. Just a warning, after tomorrow, I might not be updating till next week, Monday or Tuesday. Sorry for those waits too
Changing Faces
Part 2 – Choices They Make
Chapter 22 – Arrival
"So it is true," one warrior broke the stunned silence, "Men can be as powerful as women."
(a/n – ah, the irony of that last statement.)
"Yes," Gohan affirmed, "On Earth, men and women are treated equally."
Malena spoke, "We should not let the cultures of different planets interfere with our beliefs."
All nodded but Videl, who still watched his muscular form with approval. Perhaps even admiration.
"What would you call someone with... so much power," Malena asked.
Gohan stuttered. He had to choose the name carefully, as to not reveal Videl's secret. She saw none of his indecision, so he would tell her later.
"Well, we call this... the Golden Transformation. They call me the Gold Fighter in the town I attended high school in," he explained, somewhat relieved.
All the warriors repeated the title in awe; they had never felt such raw energy, it was like a fantasy come true.
To Videl, it was a dream. A real dream.
An urgent beeping interrupted the reverie and a warrior turned to the consol.
"Princess, we will arrive in the planet's orbit in approximately one click."
She smiled, "Gohan, you will soon see the place where I grew up, and the family I remember from my beginning," her face hardened, "You must not show such a great power to anyone on Pandova, unless it is of the utmost necessity."
Videl stepped close to him and spoke softly, "If anyone were to find out that you are a male, and that I have collaborated with you, the punishment would be death."
Gohan stepped down on the landing gear. He was immediately blinded by the bright sun lighting Pandova's skies. As soon as his eyes adjusted, he proceeded down the ramp and stopped just behind Videl. Distant mountains had no blanket of greenery or apparent wildlife; they were simply rock. Hills and declines washed over the open plane between the ship and the mountain, where pale brown grasses swayed in the faint breeze.
On the right side, Gohan abruptly noticed they were face to face with a very large, sheer rock wall that ascended almost forty meters. He also realized the wave-like hill pattern were houses and buildings in a large valley.
They live in the rocks! How curious! Gohan thought with that wide-eyed look he gives.
"Welcome to Pandova, Gohana," Videl said warmly.
Four chis approached the ship. One embraced Videl protectively.
"My daughter, it is so good to see you alive," her voice sounded aged, and her face revealed wrinkles of worry and time.
"Mother," she pulled back and turned to Gohan, "I would like you to meet Gohana. She will be assisting us in our war. She is very powerful. Gohana, this is my mother, Queen Matiko."
"Pleased to meet you. I have heard much of you from Videl," he said warmly.
"Videl..." her mother began hesitantly, but changed her tone instantly, "You two must be hungry and tired from your trip. Potondo, show Gohana her room."
"Go on, Gohana, I will meet you later," Videl said.
Potondo lead Gohan into an opening in the stone wall of what appeared to him as a castle or fortress. He noticed other Pandovans, mostly male, but none had a tail, except females.
Now that is odd. Videl didn't say that the guys didn't have tails. Are they Saiyans?
"It is a great pleasure to serve you, Mistress," Potondo said.
Gohan also took note that his guide was male, and he also had no tail. Potondo was dressed in reserved clothes, drab in color, and his hair was short.
"Your room," he opened the door for Gohan.
He entered and surveyed the surroundings. The room was rectangular in shape, seven meters by five meters, the ceiling low at two and a half meters. (In calculating the meter vs feet, I realized that I had no real idea of how to convert the two. I think it's three feet for almost one meter. More like I hope it is...) The door opened on the right rear of the room.
On the left side was two chairs and a desk, and further down was a bed, or rather a pallet. Gohan assumed it was comfortable as it was similar to the bed in his apartment, but his was somewhat smaller. The right side housed a metal wardrobe, a door he assumed led to a washroom, and a stand with a light. The far wall encased a window and open curtain.
"Hmm... quaint," he smirked.
Potondo motioned for him to follow. They entered the door that Gohan had correctly assumed was the washroom.
"A bath, mistress," he asked.
Gohan looked around blankly.
"Mistress? Shall I draw you a bath," he asked again.
"Oh! Sure, that sounds good," he finally said. Damn, I almost missed that one. Gotta be more careful.
The servant filled the generous tub with steaming water and prepared bathing items, after which, he left Gohan to himself. The half-saiyan took a long relaxing bath. He climbed out of the tub and toweled himself off. He began dressing when a mirror caught his eye. Gohan finished dressing and peered at his reflection.
I think I'll let my hair grow out. That might appear more feminine... Okay, that's it. I refuse to look in another mirror while I'm on this planet.
He heard someone from the other room call his name. His real name.
