Legacy of Chaos
Chapter 5
A/N: Warning. Extreme OOC moments brought to you by the makers of Mary Sue, the best gosh darn crap on the net!
"Will you catch me if I fall?"
"Of course! Don't be afraid." Videl sucked in a deep breath as she levitated above the ground, inching ever so slowly, higher and higher. "That's it! Just fly," Gohan encouraged from below. Videl looked into his eyes.
"Please don't let me die," she whispered.
Gohan sprung up in bed, panting. He wiped his forehead, trying to shake that dream away. Once he caught his breath, he checked the time. 4:45am. 'May as well get up now.' He threw the covers off and got dressed. 'What does that dream mean?' He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss. 'Videl looked so scared in the dream. She couldn't have been afraid to fly. She's done it a million times!' Shaking off the feeling, he went down to the kitchen to make himself some breakfast. To his surprise, his father was already awake.
"Hey dad," he greeted. "What are you doing awake so early? You usually get up at 6:00." Goku looked at his son seriously.
"I had…the weirdest dream just now," he admitted. "It felt so real." Gohan's jaw dropped.
"You're kidding!" he exclaimed. "I just had a weird dream too! What was yours about?"
"The Earth…" Goku replied. "It was burning. And it looked like V-" He stopped, looking back at Gohan. "Nevermind."
"No, continue."
"Well…it looked like Videl was responsible."
*Dream*
Goku was floating high above the Earth. So high, in fact, that it appeared as if he was just outside the atmosphere. The planet was half red and half blue. The red side was 'conquering' the blue. Seconds later, the entire planet was red. Goku looked to his left and saw a woman, watching with glee. She turned to him and smirked.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" she asked. "Armageddon is a place. And it was brought to Earth. Apocalypse was always here. Waiting, and gazing east." Goku gave a puzzled look just before the dream ended.
*End Dream*
Gohan's eyebrows shot up. Goku waved his hand around and grinned.
"But it was just a dream," he assured. "And besides, the girl looked kinda like Videl, but I don't think it was her. This girl had black eyes and a whole bunch of piercings. Plus, she was wearing black leather. Videl never wears that stuff." Gohan shrugged.
"Yeah, guess you're right. My dream was kinda short. All that happened was Videl floating in the air and she told me 'Don't let me die.' Weird, huh?"
"Yeah." Goku shrugged. "Probably best if we didn't look too much into it." Gohan nodded. Then something caught his attention in the window. He took a quick peek and spotted several members of the GGS club waiting for him.
"Gohan!" one screamed. "Can I have your autograph?!" Gohan groaned and slammed he window shut, closing the curtains afterwards.
"Ha, ha!" Goku chuckled. "Looks like you got some admirers."
"More like stalkers."
*~*~*~*
After deceiving the GGS members that morning, Gohan managed to get to class on time. He stumbled in class just as the bell rang.
"Hey! Gohan!" Sharpner called form his seat. "On time for a change. Congrats!" Gohan smiled weakly. To tell the truth, because of the strange dream he had, he hadn't gotten a lot of sleep. 'And all I want to do right now is punch the next person who bugs me.'
He was surprised to see Videl missing from her chair. But before he could think about where she might be, Videl herself came rushing into class.
"Sorry I was late," she apologized to Ms. Brady. "Crime."
"Why wasn't Gohan there?" Dune asked loudly, unimpressed. "Isn't it Saiyaman's job to help her?" A couple students looked at Gohan.
"What?" he yelled, getting slightly ticked off. "If I wasn't barricaded in my house by that GGS club, I'd be more help!"
"Look, it was no problem!" Videl defended. "Saiyaman's not always gonna be there. So what?" She took her seat and gave Gohan a quick smile.
Behind her, Dune frowned.
"Breaking their friendship might be tougher than I thought," she whispered very quietly.
"Hey Gohan," Erasa said quietly. "You look like you didn't sleep again. Wanna take a nap? I'll cover for you again."
"Thanks a lot, Erasa," Gohan sighed as he rested his head on his desk.
*~*~*~*
When first period ended, Pearl prepared to carry out her plan. She pulled aside some of the biggest gossips in 12th grade.
"You guys will never believe what I heard!" she squealed, trying to act like them.
"Ooh, juicy gossip!" Angela cheered. "C'mon! Out with it." Pearl looked back and forth, giving emphasis to her announcement.
"I heard this from Gohan himself," she whispered. The other girls gasped dramatically. "He said that Videl doesn't really get late because of crime-fighting." She leaned in closer. "She always late because she busy buying drugs." The others stared, stunned, then suddenly, they burst out laughing.
"That's a good one," Diana scoffed. "Videl? A drug-addict? I don't think so."
"Yeah, you said Gohan told you that one?" Angela giggled. "He's probably yanking your chain." Pearl glared at them as she growled. All of a sudden, she brightened and smiled pleasantly.
"Yeah, you guys are right," she laughed. "After all, if I told you she was late for school because she slept in from last night's activities, you wouldn't believe me." The rumour-mongers ceased their laughter at those words.
"What activities?" asked Jessica. Pearl grinned.
"I'm not supposed to tell," she said, withholding her 'information'.
"Tell us!" Justine ordered.
"Well…" She paused for effect. "She was quite busy yesterday. Let's just say she wasn't alone when she slept last night." The girls' eyes widened as their jaws hit the floor.
"You mean…" Angela stuttered.
"She slept…" Diana stammered.
"With a guy?!" Jessica shrieked.
"You didn't really think she was still a virgin, did you?" Pearl asked. They all nodded. "Guess again. And not just any guy. Why do you think Gohan is always late for school too?" The gossipers fell over, stunned beyond belief.
"Gohan and Videl?!" Jessica yelped. "I don't believe it!"
"How else do you think I got this info?" Pearl asked innocently. "He was bragging about it to some of the guys this morning." Pearl looked around suspiciously. "But whatever happens, you didn't hear this from me." With that, she trotted off, feeling satisfied that they had bought some of her BS.
*~*~*~*
"Hey, G-chan!" Videl called from down the hall. "Wait up!" Gohan stood for a moment as Videl caught up. "How's it going?"
"Pretty bad," he grumbled. "I haven't been sleeping well lately."
"That GGS club still bugging ya?" Videl smiled. "Anything I can do to help?" Gohan suddenly brightened upon remembering the suggestion Dende had given him.
"Actually there is something!" he replied. "See, Dende recommended that I pretend to have a girlfriend to scare away those freak girls. He also said pick a girl who is extremely powerful and everyone knows it." He stared at her, trying to hint at what he was really saying. Videl nodded, understanding completely.
"So what you're saying is that you want me to that girl." She smiled slyly. "I'd be honoured," she joked. Gohan released the breath he had been holding.
"Really? You're not just messing with me?"
"No, why would I be? I'd love to be the one who beats up your admirers! They've been pissing me off lately. And besides, this'll be a great way to get rid of my stalkers too." Videl latched her arm onto him. "And starting now, you're my bitch." Gohan let out a chuckle. They walked down the hall to their next class, when Videl began to notice people staring. Mostly girls glaring at her and guys glaring at Gohan.
"Psst…" She nudged Gohan in the ribs. "I think it's starting to work. Look how many people are getting jealous!" Gohan looked at them cautiously.
"Uh…Videl, I don't think they're looking at us out of jealousy." Then, out of the blue, a girl stood in their path.
"You, Videl," the girl began. "Are in violation of code #327 of the rules and regulations of the GGS club: Thou shalt not touch the blessed Gohan in any inappropriate manner. Now cease and desist this relationship you are in." Videl stared daggers at her.
"Screw you! And who the hell are you to tell me what to do?" she demanded.
"I am the president of the GGS club, Lindsay Walken. As the president, it's my duty to ensure that Gohan remains untouched and pure for as long as possible. You've broken that vow! Now remove yourself from his sight."
"Hey, knock it off!" Gohan yelled. "She's not in any violation. Besides, who are you to judge?"
"I told you, I'm the president-" Lindsay began.
"Yeah ya, we heard ya the first time!" Videl growled. "What the hell do you mean I've broken your stupid vow?" By this time, a crowd was beginning to form around the three.
"You robbed the Golden Fighter of his purity and innocence!" Lindsay accused, ignoring the circle of people around her.
"What purity?!" Gohan demanded. Lindsay gave Videl a cold stare.
"His virginity," she hissed. The two stood in silence, completely stunned.
"My…virginity?" Gohan repeated. Lindsay nodded.
"I've heard a rumour going around that you two have been together, not once, not twice, but many times. The rumour had started when an anonymous person overheard a conversation this morning between you and a few other guys, talking about last night. About how you and Videl were together." Gohan nearly choked while Videl still said nothing, though she had long since released his arm. "Fess up, slut! You were with him last night!"
"What the hell are you talking about?!" Gohan shouted. "I wasn't with anyone! I would never sleep with someone before marriage! Are you crazy?"
"Gohan, is this true?" Videl asked him quietly. "Did you tell a bunch of guys we were together?"
"No! Why would I do a stupid thing like that?!"
"He's lying!" shouted someone at random.
"I have three witnesses who say you did say those things!" Lindsay indicted. Gohan ignored her accusations and turned to Videl, who had her head turned away from him.
"Listen, Videl," he pleaded. "I would never say that. I respect our friendship for what it is. Why would I want to jeopardize it?" Videl faced him, tears brimming her eyes.
"Oh I don't know," she said, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Maybe you wanted to boost your already high celebrity status! Or maybe you simply hate the fact that my popularity rivals yours!" Gohan was stunned. How could she make such claims? Didn't she know him well enough by now? But then again, this was Videl he was talking about. Leave it to her to jump to conclusions, ignoring the facts.
"Videl, what is wrong with you?! I would never do this!" he whispered. "You of all people should know that I never asked for any of this popularity. I don't even like half the people that talk to me in the halls." He attempted to take her hand, but she roughly yanked it out of his grasp. He sighed frustrated, not in the mood to deal with this situation so early in the morning. "This is just typical!" he growled. "You never believe a word I ever say! Even though I've never lied to you before!"
"Never lied?" Videl yelled, trying to confirm his words. "You have lied to me! The whole Saiyaman thing was a lie! You lied to me about the Gold Fighter, about your life, about what really happened 7 years ago! You even lied about your father! How do I know you're not lying now?!"
"You're being ridiculous! Absolutely insane! What would you do if you knew family secrets would label you a freak? You never had to deal with it, being Daddy's little girl and all!"
"I get it now," she snarled, tears threatening to spill. "You asked me to be your 'pretend' girlfriend so when people want to verify your story, they'll get proof from little tramp herself, claiming to be your girlfriend." She shook her head slowly. "No…no, I won't let you get away with this!"
"I told you," Lindsay said rudely. "Step away from Gohan before I remove you myself." Videl whirled around and slapped Lindsay across the face, in front of the now huge crowd. She didn't wait for a reaction. She simply ran.
"Videl! Wait!" Gohan called after her. He tried to go after her, but was held back. "Let me go, you son of a-" He paused when he saw the person. "Sharpner?"
"Back off and cool down, Gohan," he warned. "Let Erasa handle this problem. She's got some evidence that's gonna clear your good name." Sharpner smiled. "Don't worry. Videl tends to over react a lot."
*~*~*~*
Videl sat on the roof of the building, crying.
"How could he…?" she whimpered. "Why…? I thought we were friends…"
"Videl?" The distressed teen spun around, quickly wiping her tears away.
"What do you want, Erasa?" she tried to demand, but it sounded more like a weak plea. Erasa looked her over, pity and sympathy for her friend clearly written all over her face. She took a seat beside Videl.
"I…saw what happened," Erasa began slowly, making sure she didn't catch Videl off guard. "You're steamed at Gohan, huh?" Videl roughly covered her face.
"Don't talk to me about him," said her muffled voice. Erasa rubbed her back gently.
"I know something that might make you feel better," she offered. "You're good at puzzles, right?" She heard a soft yes. "Well let's play 'problem solving'. I'll give you one clue and you figure the rest out. Ready?" Videl replied yes once again. "Okay." Erasa took a deep breath. "Gohan was asleep all first period." She waited for Videl to do the math. Seconds later, Videl's head shot up.
"He was?!" she yelled. She jumped to her feet and ran to the door. "Thanks, Erasa!"
"Any time!" Erasa shouted back, grinning ear to ear.
Videl was down the stairs is two seconds flat and back to the hall where she had left Gohan. It was long since empty now, save Gohan. He was still there, sitting against his locker, moping. Videl didn't hesitate as she dropped to the ground next to him and flung her arms around his neck. He was caught by surprise, but quickly recovered when he recognized her.
"I'm sorry, Gohan," she moaned into his shirt. "I'm so, so very sorry! Please forgive me!" Gohan cautiously returned to hug.
"I'm the one who should apologize," he whispered. "I was such a jerk. I guess I was a bit grumpy lately from lack of sleep." He scratched his head wanting to ask a question he was just dying to know. "Um…Videl, if you don't mind my asking, how did you suddenly figure out that I'm telling the truth?" Videl smirked.
"Erasa told me…she gave me an alibi to explain where you were this morning," Videl clarified. "She said you were asleep all first period, so you could have never told anyone…what the rumours said. " Gohan sighed.
"Thank god that's over," he muttered. "I really thought I had lost you."
"You can't get rid of me that easily," Videl laughed.
*~*~*~*
"Good job, girls!" Doom cheered, celebrating their accomplishments. They were at their house, enjoying their handiwork. "Phase two is complete! She now has arousing suspicions about him. Now we have to further those suspicions along." She raised her glass of champagne to her sisters. "Peril, nice job with the rumour starting. Crisis, good job with bringing Erasa into the scene so she could 'aid' the boy when he needed it."
"What did you do, big sister?" Crisis asked sarcastically.
"What do you mean 'What did you do?' I'm the brains of this outfit. You're the brawns, and Peril's the popular electronics wizard. When the time comes, I pull off my share of the work. So sit back and enjoy Earth's sunsets…while they last."
*~*~*~*
"So now you understand, Kaioshin?" Sukoshin asked politely.
"Absolutely," Kaioshin replied. "Should we contact the Earth's Special forces?"
"Yes, unless I am able to stop this mess in time. I've already dispatched my dream minions. They'll set subliminal messages in their subconscious to warn them of the rising evil. If they don't figure it out, then contact Dende-sama."
"Understood." He turned to the two crystal balls set before them. "I just don't understand why we can't simply go to Earth and destroy the temples. It would save us a good deal of trouble."
"We can't," Sukoshin answered. "Even though the Grand Sister is much more powerful than anything in the entire universe, her sisters' combined power equal almost that. We wouldn't stand a chance and neither would the warriors of Earth. We must do this quietly." She closed her eyes. "This is all my fault. I should have destroyed the lion statue while I had the chance. But I was just so weak and tired. I never knew my slumber would last 10 millenniums. But I have a chance to redeem myself and put an end to this horror once and for all."
*~*~*~*