Disclaimer: see part 1
---------Love's Trials--------
The silence was an unprecedented event. Never, in the history of all the gatherings and parties at Capsule Corporation, was there complete and utter silence. Nobody in that room could think of anything to say and, even if they had something to say, no one would dare say it. They just couldn't believe that Gohan and Videl were gone, both of them taken by their enemy, Queen Milena.
The worst all of them was Chi-Chi, tears running down her cheeks as silent sobs racked her body, her only comfort found in Goku's arms wrapped around her shaking form.
My baby boy…my first son. I can't believe he's gone. This wasn't supposed to happen. Gohan was supposed to grow up a scholar, an intelligent young man who knew the ways of the world. He wasn't supposed to become a warrior as well. I never wanted the fate of the world to sit on his shoulders. It was too big a burden to sit on his gentle shoulders. But, there's no one I can blame for this. Now, all I want is for him to come back safe and sound, Chi-Chi thought sadly, all of her thoughts concentrated on her first son.
Goku sighed as he held his wife, his heart wrenching as she shook in his arms. If only he could have done something… He was supposed to protect his family from all of the dangers in the universe. What kind of father was he if he couldn't even do that? Goku felt a tear roll down his cheek at the loss of his son. He didn't know if he was ever going to get Gohan back. How could he look Chi-Chi in the eye if Gohan never came back?
So absorbed in his thought, Goku was, that he barely registered that a voice was speaking to him. Goku snapped his head in the direction of the voice, which had sounded muddled in his brain, only to see Krillin staring at him with what looked like a shimmer of hope.
"Did you say something Krillin?" Goku said, sadness in his voice. Krillin swallowed the lump in his throat at the sound of his best friend's tone. Never, in his life, had Krillin seen Goku so sad. Krillin's resolve hardened. Well, hopefully, what Krillin had to say would bring some hope back into Goku's eyes.
"Well, we don't know where Gohan is since you can't sense his ki, right? But, we do know that he's on the planet Cresilia and, with that knowledge, I was thinking that you could ask King Kai to tell us where the planet was and we could find a way to get there quickly enough to save Gohan and Videl," Krillin explained. Goku, as Krillin had wished, looked hopeful for the first time that day.
"By Kami, that's a great idea, Krillin!" Yamcha exclaimed, saying what was on everyone's mind. Goku gave a small nod in agreement, a smirk on his face.
"It's worth a shot," Goku said, mentally prepping himself to contact King Kai. Goku closed his eyes and focused all of the psychic energy that he had, which was little, into establishing a connection with the Kai of his corner of the universe. After a few seconds, Goku felt a familiar presence brush up against his mind and Goku knew that he had reached King Kai in the other world.
::Hey, King Kai? Can you hear me?:: Goku could sense the surprise emanating from King Kai's mind at Goku's contact.
::Hello Goku, is there something the matter? You sound worried,:: the Kai said, concern coloring his mental voice.
::Yes, there is something the matter that I think you can help me with. You see, King Kai…:: Goku went on to explain the story about Queen Milena and how she had captured Gohan and Videl, intending to use Videl as her sacrifice. After hearing Goku's story, King Kai sighed deeply.
::Goku, I'm afraid that there's nothing I nor any of the other kais can do to help you,:: King Kai said solemnly.
::What? What do you mean?:: Goku asked frantically, dismayed at King Kai's answer.
::Well, you see Goku, we Kais are not allowed to get involved with anything having to do with the planet Cresilia for the time being; orders from above, if you will. I have been instructed to tell you nothing about the location of the planet or anything else that might help you. This battle is Gohan's fight and Gohan's alone. No one else may help him. You are going to have to have faith in your son's ability. I'm sorry, but that's the way things are. I know it's frustrating, but you are going to have to live with the fact that you are helpless in this fight. This is Gohan's destiny; let him live it alone,:: King Kai explained to a disheartened Goku. Goku sighed mentally.
::It's ok, King Kai. I understand. Order of the Universe and all. But, thanks for telling me,:: Goku said, his disappointment clear to the Kai.
::I'm glad you understand. Take care, Goku,:: King Kai sent, wishing for the best of his student.
::You too, King Kai. Good-bye,:: Goku said, cutting off the mental link between him and the demi-god. Goku opened his eyes and looked over at his fellow comrades.
"I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do," Goku said. Everyone in the room gasped, including Piccolo.
"What do you mean?" Piccolo yelled, frustrated at Goku's answer.
"King Kai told me that he and the other kais have been instructed not to get involved with Cresilian affairs for the moment, which includes telling me the location of the planet or anything else that could help me. King Kai said that this fight is for Gohan to fight alone, that it's his destiny and we aren't allowed to interfere. He told me that we should have faith in Gohan's abilities. I guess that means that we'll have to wait this out," Goku said, paraphrasing King Kai's words.
Everyone looked dismayed at Goku's news, but knew that there was nothing they could do. Chi-Chi's tears only flowed faster at the news, Goten starting to cry as well, knowing, but hating, that there was no way from him to help his older brother, his precious "onii-chan".
In response to the news, Piccolo growled loudly before pushing himself out of the room, exiting Capsule Corporation swiftly. He needed some time to think. The idea that he couldn't do anything to help the one person he considered a son infuriating him immensely. For a good portion of Gohan's life, Piccolo protected the oldest son of Goku, watching over him even after Gohan's strength surpassed his own.
Piccolo had grown very attached to Gohan and the knowledge that Gohan was out of his protective watch made Piccolo's insides twist with fear, a fear that he had never felt before. Piccolo flew until he spotted a reclusive spot in the middle of the woods where he could be alone. Setting himself down on the ground, Piccolo fell into a sitting position, a couple of tears rolling down his face. As the tall Namek sat there, silent tears fell from his eyes and, for the first time in all of his memories, Piccolo cried.
***
Gohan sat, huddled in front of the fireplace, a thick blanket wrapped around his scantily clothed body, desperately seeking warmth. With the Ring of Hanoi around his neck, Gohan's strength and ki were stripped of his body, leaving him as helpless as a kitten. For all of his muscle, he lacked the strength to use them.
It was as if he were drugged, floating around in a haze of weakness of which there was no apparent cure. As Gohan sat there, a deep ache pierced his heart, a part of him knowing that he might never escape from Milena's clutches. While Gohan wore the slim, bronze collar, his chances of escaping were none. And, even if he did escape, he would be leaving Videl behind to get killed, knowing that Videl's death would mean his own, even with the Ring of Hanoi around his neck.
I need to find a way to get out of here that doesn't require using my strength. I need to use my brain for this one. I have to find a way…or both myself and Videl will die, Gohan thought sadly, his gaze focused on the fire in front of him, knowing that even if he were to come up with a plan, he was going to be there for quite sometime.
Oh Kami, please let me live. Please let me come up with a way to get out of here. If I don't, then the universe is lost. His heart heavy, Gohan allowed the warmth of the fire to slowly lull him to sleep, his thoughts winding down to nothing. Before he drifted off to sleep, he had one last thought, one that came from a place deep in his heart:
I love you…Videl.
TBC in the second installment of "Love's Trials": "The Judgment of the Heavens".
---------Love's Trials--------
The silence was an unprecedented event. Never, in the history of all the gatherings and parties at Capsule Corporation, was there complete and utter silence. Nobody in that room could think of anything to say and, even if they had something to say, no one would dare say it. They just couldn't believe that Gohan and Videl were gone, both of them taken by their enemy, Queen Milena.
The worst all of them was Chi-Chi, tears running down her cheeks as silent sobs racked her body, her only comfort found in Goku's arms wrapped around her shaking form.
My baby boy…my first son. I can't believe he's gone. This wasn't supposed to happen. Gohan was supposed to grow up a scholar, an intelligent young man who knew the ways of the world. He wasn't supposed to become a warrior as well. I never wanted the fate of the world to sit on his shoulders. It was too big a burden to sit on his gentle shoulders. But, there's no one I can blame for this. Now, all I want is for him to come back safe and sound, Chi-Chi thought sadly, all of her thoughts concentrated on her first son.
Goku sighed as he held his wife, his heart wrenching as she shook in his arms. If only he could have done something… He was supposed to protect his family from all of the dangers in the universe. What kind of father was he if he couldn't even do that? Goku felt a tear roll down his cheek at the loss of his son. He didn't know if he was ever going to get Gohan back. How could he look Chi-Chi in the eye if Gohan never came back?
So absorbed in his thought, Goku was, that he barely registered that a voice was speaking to him. Goku snapped his head in the direction of the voice, which had sounded muddled in his brain, only to see Krillin staring at him with what looked like a shimmer of hope.
"Did you say something Krillin?" Goku said, sadness in his voice. Krillin swallowed the lump in his throat at the sound of his best friend's tone. Never, in his life, had Krillin seen Goku so sad. Krillin's resolve hardened. Well, hopefully, what Krillin had to say would bring some hope back into Goku's eyes.
"Well, we don't know where Gohan is since you can't sense his ki, right? But, we do know that he's on the planet Cresilia and, with that knowledge, I was thinking that you could ask King Kai to tell us where the planet was and we could find a way to get there quickly enough to save Gohan and Videl," Krillin explained. Goku, as Krillin had wished, looked hopeful for the first time that day.
"By Kami, that's a great idea, Krillin!" Yamcha exclaimed, saying what was on everyone's mind. Goku gave a small nod in agreement, a smirk on his face.
"It's worth a shot," Goku said, mentally prepping himself to contact King Kai. Goku closed his eyes and focused all of the psychic energy that he had, which was little, into establishing a connection with the Kai of his corner of the universe. After a few seconds, Goku felt a familiar presence brush up against his mind and Goku knew that he had reached King Kai in the other world.
::Hey, King Kai? Can you hear me?:: Goku could sense the surprise emanating from King Kai's mind at Goku's contact.
::Hello Goku, is there something the matter? You sound worried,:: the Kai said, concern coloring his mental voice.
::Yes, there is something the matter that I think you can help me with. You see, King Kai…:: Goku went on to explain the story about Queen Milena and how she had captured Gohan and Videl, intending to use Videl as her sacrifice. After hearing Goku's story, King Kai sighed deeply.
::Goku, I'm afraid that there's nothing I nor any of the other kais can do to help you,:: King Kai said solemnly.
::What? What do you mean?:: Goku asked frantically, dismayed at King Kai's answer.
::Well, you see Goku, we Kais are not allowed to get involved with anything having to do with the planet Cresilia for the time being; orders from above, if you will. I have been instructed to tell you nothing about the location of the planet or anything else that might help you. This battle is Gohan's fight and Gohan's alone. No one else may help him. You are going to have to have faith in your son's ability. I'm sorry, but that's the way things are. I know it's frustrating, but you are going to have to live with the fact that you are helpless in this fight. This is Gohan's destiny; let him live it alone,:: King Kai explained to a disheartened Goku. Goku sighed mentally.
::It's ok, King Kai. I understand. Order of the Universe and all. But, thanks for telling me,:: Goku said, his disappointment clear to the Kai.
::I'm glad you understand. Take care, Goku,:: King Kai sent, wishing for the best of his student.
::You too, King Kai. Good-bye,:: Goku said, cutting off the mental link between him and the demi-god. Goku opened his eyes and looked over at his fellow comrades.
"I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do," Goku said. Everyone in the room gasped, including Piccolo.
"What do you mean?" Piccolo yelled, frustrated at Goku's answer.
"King Kai told me that he and the other kais have been instructed not to get involved with Cresilian affairs for the moment, which includes telling me the location of the planet or anything else that could help me. King Kai said that this fight is for Gohan to fight alone, that it's his destiny and we aren't allowed to interfere. He told me that we should have faith in Gohan's abilities. I guess that means that we'll have to wait this out," Goku said, paraphrasing King Kai's words.
Everyone looked dismayed at Goku's news, but knew that there was nothing they could do. Chi-Chi's tears only flowed faster at the news, Goten starting to cry as well, knowing, but hating, that there was no way from him to help his older brother, his precious "onii-chan".
In response to the news, Piccolo growled loudly before pushing himself out of the room, exiting Capsule Corporation swiftly. He needed some time to think. The idea that he couldn't do anything to help the one person he considered a son infuriating him immensely. For a good portion of Gohan's life, Piccolo protected the oldest son of Goku, watching over him even after Gohan's strength surpassed his own.
Piccolo had grown very attached to Gohan and the knowledge that Gohan was out of his protective watch made Piccolo's insides twist with fear, a fear that he had never felt before. Piccolo flew until he spotted a reclusive spot in the middle of the woods where he could be alone. Setting himself down on the ground, Piccolo fell into a sitting position, a couple of tears rolling down his face. As the tall Namek sat there, silent tears fell from his eyes and, for the first time in all of his memories, Piccolo cried.
***
Gohan sat, huddled in front of the fireplace, a thick blanket wrapped around his scantily clothed body, desperately seeking warmth. With the Ring of Hanoi around his neck, Gohan's strength and ki were stripped of his body, leaving him as helpless as a kitten. For all of his muscle, he lacked the strength to use them.
It was as if he were drugged, floating around in a haze of weakness of which there was no apparent cure. As Gohan sat there, a deep ache pierced his heart, a part of him knowing that he might never escape from Milena's clutches. While Gohan wore the slim, bronze collar, his chances of escaping were none. And, even if he did escape, he would be leaving Videl behind to get killed, knowing that Videl's death would mean his own, even with the Ring of Hanoi around his neck.
I need to find a way to get out of here that doesn't require using my strength. I need to use my brain for this one. I have to find a way…or both myself and Videl will die, Gohan thought sadly, his gaze focused on the fire in front of him, knowing that even if he were to come up with a plan, he was going to be there for quite sometime.
Oh Kami, please let me live. Please let me come up with a way to get out of here. If I don't, then the universe is lost. His heart heavy, Gohan allowed the warmth of the fire to slowly lull him to sleep, his thoughts winding down to nothing. Before he drifted off to sleep, he had one last thought, one that came from a place deep in his heart:
I love you…Videl.
TBC in the second installment of "Love's Trials": "The Judgment of the Heavens".