Author's Note – Zett – Hey!! Here's Chapter 3! Sorry it took a while, ahehe. But here it finally is! Oh, and thank you guys for all of you comments and constructive criticisms, they help me to become a better writer, so I hope you will continue to review! Anyhow, I have considered things, and done my best to improve the quality of my fic, so I hope you enjoy! And I'll do my best to get the next chapter out as soon as I can also, but for now, here's 3!
Chapter 3 – Wish it Wasn't True
Wow, talk about a lot of bad news. I wish you were here Dad; you'd know what to do… Gohan slowly slipped out of bed, reaching for his clothes, which were folded neatly on the counter top. After a bit more conversation, the others had left him to himself to get dressed, and had probably gone out to the kitchen to talk some more. Gohan quickly started getting dressed, his brain overflowing with questions and emotions. So, this is really happening huh? I wonder what happened to Orange Star after I was out… I hope my friends are all okay. Shin had continuously avoided any questions on the subject of the state of Orange Star City, and Gohan was getting extremely worried at the cause of his secretiveness. And he was also quiet interested to know exactly WHAT this wizard was planning to do that could result in the destruction of the universe. Shin had said something about 'unleashing a force', whatever exactly that meant. Well, Gohan thought as he pulled on his shoes and wristbands hastily, I can guarantee I'm gonna find out.
Gohan exited the room and made his way to the Lookout Point's kitchen. As he had expected, the others were gathered around the table, Mr. Popo bustling about with tea and refreshments. Dende seemed to be completely engrossed in a serious conversation with Shin, while Zoa chatted with Piccolo. Everyone looked up however as Gohan entered the room. He waved meekly and sat down on the far end near Piccolo and Zoa, waving a hand as Mr. Popo offered him some fresh baking.
Piccolo followed Gohan's movements, looking him over as he sat down. "Good, I'd say you're finally completely healed." Piccolo stated, somewhat in relief, "Shin and Zoa could use our help tomorrow morning if you're up to it." Piccolo narrowed his eyes jokingly as he made this last comment, giving Gohan a small smirk. Gohan replied with a determined light in his eyes and a wide Son grin on his face. "You'd better believe I'll be." He assured, pounding his fists seriously on the tabletop.
Zoa sighed, propping an elbow on the table and resting her chin on her hand. She tilted her glass high; knocking back whatever amount of tea had remained, shaking her head as she looked over at her brother, Shin. She put the glass back down with a small thud and raised an eyebrow skeptically as she began to speak. "I say we're wasting time. We should go tonight. The longer we wait, the more energy they'll be able to obtain."
"No!" Shin recoiled defensively, his eyes widening. "We must bide our time!! A sudden direct attack would play right into their hands. We must wait until we are all better rested. Then we can also hopefully recruit some of the other 'Z Warriors' Piccolo was speaking of."
Zoa rolled her eyes at this but didn't argue, turning back to her empty glass and examining it. Gohan watched her for a few minutes quietly as he tried to work some things out. So, whatever's going on, I have a feeling that this 'wizard' won't be the only one we'll be fighting…
"Not even close!" Zoa piped up suddenly, turning to Gohan. He frowned, giving her a confused and worried look.
"What's not even close?" Gohan asked innocently, hoping the answer wasn't what he was having a feeling it might be… "Well," Zoa offered, "We'll be fighting A LOT more than just the wizard, whether we're lucky or not."
Gohan jumped back from the table, his eyes growing twice in size as he made a gesture from Zoa to his head. "You! Y-You can read minds!?!?" He demanded, picking up the chair he had sent clattering to the ground as a result of his sudden movement. Zoa giggled at his reaction, shrugging her shoulders and grinning up at him. "Well of course I can." She replied matter-of-factly, "I mean, I'm pretty much qualified to BE a Supreme Kai."
Gohan gave her a suspicious glare as he sat back down. "Well you could of told me you were going to read my mind at least…" He retorted, blushing slightly at the entire situation. Zoa giggled again, crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair lazily. "Well, it's not like you were thinking about anything you should be embarrassed of Son Gohan…" She trailed off, giving him a devious grin and a wink. Gohan sat up straight, feeling his face turn a few shades of red. Unable to think of a good comment, he simply coughed and shook his head, hurrying to change the subject.
"SO!" He declared a little loudly, "Where'd my mom go?"
"Well, Bulma stopped by to ask how you were, and since it was getting late, we convinced her to go home for the night." Piccolo explained, adding with a tired light in his eyes, "And let me tell you, it wasn't easy."
Gohan smiled slightly and nodded, reaching out and taking the small white teapot, pouring himself a drink. "Yeah, she can get like that sometime. But only because she worries." He explained, his eyes widening suddenly as he remembered something that had been weighing on his mind for quite some time. He placed the teapot back down and turned to Shin with a somber expression, gripping his cup tightly in his hands.
"Shin, I was wondering if you could, could tell me… What happened to Orange Star City? Did you guys arrive in time to stop them? You said something about them leaving, or taking my energy somewhere. That means that they left the city, that it's all right. Right?" He inquired, studying Shin's reaction to the question to hopefully get an idea whether he answered or not. Shin let out a heavy breath and looked down at the table, glancing up at Gohan momentarily before beginning to speak.
"I-I'm sorry Gohan… But the ones who attacked you, they're heartless, driven and controlled by the evil inside of them. After they stole your energy, they, they destroyed the city… That is what drew our attention to your whereabouts so suddenly. And also why you were almost killed, considering that your energy had also been drained…" Shin shook his head, putting a hand to his forehead and studying the tabletop quietly.
Gohan sat quietly, staring blankly at nothing in particular as the news sunk in. That means… That means all my friends from school are more than likely dead… Those MONSTERS!!!! I'll get them… I'll make them PAY…
Zoa frowned as she noticed that Gohan's hands were in fists, both shaking against the table. She reached out and put a hand on his shoulder, a little taken aback as he turned to her in surprise, and she noticed the tears forming in his eyes. She didn't know what to say so she just drew her hand back, looking at him sadly and solemnly. Don't worry Gohan, we will get them…
And so the plans were made for the following day. The most powerful of the Z Fighters were to be assembled and, with Shin leading the way, taken to the wizard's spaceship where they would attempt to put an end to this whole ordeal. Gohan had decided to go home for the night, to explain things to his mother and say goodbye in the morning. And so now, he let himself fall through the air off of the Lookout Point, letting his eyes fall closed as the cool evening air rushed across his face.
I feel like I'm holding the weight of the world on my conscious… He thought, scoffing cynically as he considered this sentiment, smirking and rolling his eyes as he did so. No, that's wrong. It's apparently the whole UNIVERSE, and literally… He shook his head, slowing his speed as he advanced quickly towards the ground, shooting off in the direction of his house. I hope my mom won't hassle me too much when I get back. I've got enough to deal with right now…
Gohan touched down on the ground as he arrived, turning the door handle and walking in, looking around the kitchen as the warm light flooded him. He stepped in, shutting the door quickly behind him. "Mom! Goten! Hey, is anybody here!?" He called, frowning as he stepped inside the living room.
"Gohan!! Hey, where've you been?" Goten piped up happily from the chesterfield, his face brightening instantly as he saw his older brother. Gohan smiled at the welcome, sitting down heavily in the reclining chair and glancing momentarily at the TV, which was showing some cartoon that Goten liked to watch. "I was just up at the Lookout Point little Bro. Say, is Mom around?"
Goten nodded enthusiastically, gesturing towards the back door as he answered. "Yeah she's out in the garden. And hey, I just remembered… When mom went to see you, she was all upset and stuff. Did you get in trouble?"
Gohan chuckled slightly, getting up and heading towards the door to the back yard. "Yeah, you could say that…"
Zoa frowned as she looked at her reflection in the mirror, undoing her ponytail and running a comb through her long hair. Piccolo and Dende had offered her and Shin each a room to stay in for the night, and most of the others had already gotten ready to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a big day, that was for sure.
Zoa furrowed her eyebrows suddenly, reaching out and clutching the side of the dresser. She kept having these terrible feelings, this painful premonitions of the future… Another reason she hadn't wanted to wait to attack. Well, hopefully it would be for the best. She just hoped that Shin knew what he was doing… She put the brush down and laid down on the bed, pulling the covers up around her.
She had sensed incredible power from Gohan, enough, she believed, to make a difference. She shook her head as she rolled over, pushing her face into the pillow. But if I think he's capable of defeating them, then why do I still have such a bad feeling about this…