Disclaimer: ^L^ Sorry for the long wait!!

SHATTERED

Chapter 19 CHILD OF THE NIGHT

Byron blinked and opened his eyes. Everything looked blurry and he wondered for a moment where he was. When he saw them, everything came back. "Where am I?" he growled. "Where are you?" Piccolo asked calmly. "First tell you who you are. And where my brother is." Gohan said. Byron squinted and looked at Gohan. "Your brother?" he said. "Yes, his name is Goten, and he," " How am I supposed to know where the hell he is?" Byron asked angrily. He got up and they tensed. He dusted off his clothes. "He has thick black hair and he's about my height," "hmmm," Byron scanned Gohan's thoughts for a picture of Goten in his mind. He let out a small gasp when he realized who it was. "Your brother is gone…I'm sorry," he said. Goten flew at Byron and grabbed him by the collar. He flew with him against the wall and Byron looked down at him. "What do you mean gone?" Gohan demanded. Byron chuckled. "Let me down and I'll explain," he said. Gohan looked at Byron and then he felt an arm on his shoulder. It was Piccolo. He reluctantly let go of Byron and stepped back. "Now tell us what you know." Gohan said. Byron sighed. "Very well then," he said. He began the tale of how Goten died, and became one of them.

*~*~*~*~*~*

"What?" she said bewildered. "Yes Marina, allow me to reintroduce myself, Antonio at your service," he said bowing low. She looked at him and then to Goten. He shrugged. Antonio stepped forward and grabbed Marron in his arms. He looked at her and then kissed her. She fought him off and pushed him away. "Oh dear, he really didn't tell you the story did he?" he asked sitting down on the floor. He sat cross-legged and he rested his elbows on his knees. His head was in his hands. Marron looked closely at him and he suddenly looked up. She gasped and blushed. He chuckled a short, sweet laugh. "Sit down my dear," he said gesturing to the floor. She reluctantly went and sat next to him, but suddenly she felt no fear. She looked at him and he smiled at her. "So, do you want to hear the real story now?" he asked. She nodded. "Ok then, get ready because its one hell of a ride!" he said grinning. She gasped and looked at him. "Well, you see, it goes like this...

*~~The Story as told by Antonio~~*

I was the rich one and Byron was poor. We were both smart and well, we were very good friends. I really liked his company. He was such a good sport to talk to! We had many arguments and discussions about politics and democratia. Now, he didn't lie when he said he loved you because he really did. But the thing was, I liked you too and I had liked you before. But he didn't know. I had never told him or anyone. When he told me who he liked, I was so angry, but I said nothing. I tried to be a good friend and so I mourned silently inside. I figured that he wouldn't get you anyway because of his status. He was very poor, and I knew that your parents wouldn't want that. I was happy for a while. That was until I heard that he was talking to you. I had overheard you two chatting away as though no one would ever see. I said nothing, but I was angry, very angry.

I talked to him and he denied that he was with you. Then it happened. I was so angry that I blurted out that I had liked you. He was shocked and he left. We didn't speak for weeks. All that time he had been horsing around with you. I had locked myself up in my room. My mother convinced me to eventually come out. I reluctantly was dragged to a party to 'raise my spirits'. We met each other that night…

*~*~*~*~*~*

"My brother did not become a sick monster like you!" Gohan roared. He charged at Byron but he disappeared and reappeared at the other side of the room. "Why you…" Gohan said. Piccolo stopped him. "Listen, I do nothing wrong to you. If I didn't do that your brother would have been gone for sure!" Byron said. Gohan stared blankly at him. He didn't reply. In his mind a million things were flashing by. Piccolo watched Gohan's expression and thought about the whole situation. Vegeta stood en garde at the entrance, watching Byron thoughtfully. He masked his mind, because he had a feeling that Byron was more than he seemed. He definitely was. Byron looked at each of the fighters. A great strength surrounded each one of them. He had fought two of them before, but not the young one. He had to be on guard because he never knew when they could strike. He tried to reach out to Marron, but her mind was blocked. But wait! It wasn't her power. It couldn't be! He sensed a grim evil near. It was his once close friend. Antonio. He had come back. "Damn!" he said angrily clenching his fists. They looked at him. "What's your problem freak?" Vegeta asked. "Dear God…" Byron whispered. Antonio! The bastard had survived after all. No matter what he did he would never go away. He always would come back. "This has to end Antonio…for once and for all…" he muttered to himself. They all stared at him as though he was mad. Vegeta shook his head. Piccolo said nothing. Gohan looked at Byron. An air of helplessness surrounded him. Gohan knew there was nothing he could do. "Who's Antonio?" Piccolo asked quietly. Byron looked up with a startled expression. He couldn't have possibly heard him. They saw his lips move but they surely didn't know what he said! "How did you hear me?" Byron asked. Piccolo chuckled. "You have forever to figure that out, well, if you survive, so who is Antonio?" Piccolo asked again. Byron sighed. He knew there was no use arguing with the green one, he just wouldn't listen. "Well…Antonio…he was an old friend of mine…a very old friend…"

Sorry for the long wait!! I was a lazy bum…I also had exams….

Anyway, I wanted you to meet my friend Johnny. He's really weird cause

he's not real, but when you get to know him, he's cool.

Say hi Johnny!

J: Hey everyone…I am a very bored person…I value life…that's why I'm cynical…

^_^" Uhh….ok…well…you'll be seeing more of Johnny soon…he he he!!

J: Be cynical…it's-

Ok Johnny! That's enough sarcasm.

J: ok. Good day.

See what I have to go through!