(AN: *smiles although she looks tired* Sorry about incorrect grammar and spelling in chapter six. I haven't gotten a lot of sleep these past few days. I'll try harder on this chapter to keep it gramatically correct. Warning, this chapter has tons and tons of cursing in it (mostly by Rayne). *brightens as she reads the reviews* Oh, Jacks, in Chapter One I explain that the androids murdered Videl, Chi-Chi and Juchachigou. I'll explain about Rayne being chosen in this chapter, (kinda, she basically just scares Krillin out of his wits), and more in later chapters about her and the Sleepers. Also a note to Jevana: Be happy. Be very happy. Gohan kicks @$$ in this chapter! Oh, and all of you asking if it's T/P and G/B? *looks nervous* Well, I'm not the world's best romance writer, so please don't get mad if they end up not getting together. *cringes* They might, they might not. This story has a mind of its own. *scowls* I wasn't going to kill Willis, gosh darnit, he HAD to be an idiot and piss off the guards. *looks mildly annoyed, but brightens as the thought gives her another idea to add into the story* Well, ja ne!)
Chapter Seven: The Price You Pay For The Things You Do
Goten mentally smacked himself as he followed Bulma towards the room where his father lay. Why had he blown up at Bra like that? He frowned glumly. He knew why. Because he was a ticking timebomb with all his controlled emotions and Bra had set him off. He wanted to apologize to Trunks's sister, but knew he would probably only make things worse. Sighing to himself, he stuck his hands into his jean pockets. He was really having a crappy day.
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"Damn, and the day was actually looking better," Krillin groaned as he was dragged along by three guards. Rayne was ahead of him, being dragged by her good arm by Morris, who was cursing darkly under his breath.
"I know," Rayne said glumly, then abruptly brightened. "But at least now I'll get to say Nathan Hale's speech!" Krillin grinned weakly.
"I'm afraid I don't know who Nathan Hale is," he admitted, ignoring the glares from the guards. Rayne's eyes widened in outrage.
"You don't?" she said, staring at him in shock. "He's one of the bravest Americans that ever lived! During the Revolutionary War, he was a spy for the Americans and pretended to be a salesman or something in a British camp. Then they caught him and sentenced him to be hung. Just before he was executed, he made a speech that a British officer copied down. The copy was found later by the Americans. His speech was really honorable-" Her words were cut off by a savage growl from Morris.
"Shut up, rebel!" he snarled, glaring furiously at him. Rayne rolled her eyes.
"Take a chill pill, Morris," she replied calmly. Krillin snorted.
"Chill pill?" he repeated, chuckling. Out of the corner of his eyes, the monk saw one of the guards' lips twitch in a small smile.
"It's an American saying," replied Rayne, grinning. "It basically means calm down, hold your horses-" Krillin stopped her with a groan.
"No more American sayings!" he whined. "They're impossible to understand!" Rayne pouted, but went silent.
"Finally someone shuts her up," grumbled Morris.
"Shut up Morris," Rayne said, smirking at his enraged look. "What? I didn't do anything! I'm not going to say another word! Do you hear me? I'm going to be as quiet as a lamb!"
"Bull," Krillin muttered under his breath, but no one heard him.
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Bra slowed her step so that Pan and Trunks had to pass her. They did so with worried looks in her direction, but didn't comment because of the look on her face. As the other four continued on, Bra walked slowly along, her thoughts dark and furious. She couldn't believe the nerve of Son Goten. That-that jerk! She clenched her fists in exasperation. He was just a hard-headed baka, even worse than his father! And he was being selfish, thinking only of himself. Trunks, Pan, and Bra herself were grieving too. Bra and her brother had lost their father, and Pan had lost her mother and grandmother, and practically lost her grandfather. She bowed her head in anger. If he didn't apologize soon, she would make him apologize. Or he would face the consequences.
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Gohan circled the prison, feeling frustration mount. Where was everyone? A sudden movement caught his eye. Staring carefully, the general could tell it was Spyri and Behan, fighting eight guards. Gohan smirked. Now the actual fun began. Powering up to SSJ, he was upon the eight guards before friend or foe could react.
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Though Rayne knew she was deep inside the prison's building, she thought she could hear the sounds of screams and guns going off. She raised an eyebrow at Krillin.
"Which side do you think is winning?" she questioned the monk, a knowing smirk on her face. He grinned back.
"The most deserving side, of course," Krillin said chuckling.
"Silence!" Morris barked. "It will be the happiest moment of my life when you two hang from the gallows!" Krillin and Rayne stared at each other, then simultaneously began to speak in sing-song voices.
"There once was a girl who was called many names
And waking the Sleepers was her claim to fame
She was captured by Morris the Dumb
And he declared that at dawn she and Krillin the monk would be hung
Oh la de la de, to be hung, to be hung
Such was the order given by Morris the Dumb
La de da do da de, Krillin and Rayne would be hung
If the way was found for Morris the Dumb
Morris the Dumb, Morris the Dumb
The only way to kill his enemies was to have them hung-"
Morris screamed in rage and twisted Rayne's arm savagely, cutting her words off.
"Little bitch," he seethed, then glared at one of the guards who was muffling his laughter. Krillin saw it was the same guard who had been smiling before. "Is something funny, soldier?" The guard looked startled.
"No sir, I was just thinking how bad of poets these two are," he said, his face smoothing into a blank look.
"Hey!" Krillin protested. "I'm not a bad poet!" Rayne rolled her eyes.
"Face it, monk," she said, smirking, "you suck at poetry."
"Stop saying that!" argued Krillin, looking slightly miffed. "You're worse than I am-"
"Am not!" Rayne interrupted.
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!" The guards simply shook their heads and continued to drag the bickering duo to their doom.
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"Hey," Goten said suddenly, jerking Bulma from her own unpleasant thoughts even darker than her daughter's. His strained face was now filled with confusion. "Where's Puar?" Bulma blinked and looked around. The azure floating feline was nowhere to be seen.
"She's probably gone to look for either Cloud, Storm, Ikara, or Krill," the blue-haired doctor commented, shrugging. Goten nodded, and resumed his unhappy pose as they continued to walk down the halls towards their grim destination.
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Gohan grinned at Spyri and Behan as he kicked the charred bodies of the guards out of the way, powering down from SSJ.
"Ready to go into the final stage, soldiers?" he questioned, a slightly cheerful tone to his voice. Soon this would be over, and he wouldn't have to worry about anyone else being killed. Both saluted him sharply.
"There's been a change of plans," Gohan said, somber once more. "Trotsky, Willis, Indy, and Capra won't being joining us in the final attack." The two grinning soldiers abruptly stopped smiling.
"Injured, sir?" Spyri asked, his bright blue eyes clouded with worry. Gohan stared directly into the Swiss's eyes before replying.
"Trotsky is being cared for by Marron." The sentence was filled with hidden meanings, and Spyri quickly caught on.
"Oh shit," he muttered as realization struck Behan and she clenched her fists in sorrow. "Let's go kill those bloody bastards." Gohan nodded. They would do exactly that.
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Pan bit her lip as they continued down the hallways. How far away was her grandfather's room? Now the fear and dark thoughts were beginning to creep into her mind, nagging at her and making her cringe. Out of the corners of her eyes she saw Trunks frown briefly at something, but he was off in his own thoughts too. Sticking her trembling hands into her jean pockets, she tried to push back the waves of fear that ran their fingers through her thoughts.
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Rayne and Krillin blinked in confusion at the scene that lay before them.
"What the hell?" Rayne finally said out loud, blinking in surprise. "That's just....... stupid." Morris frowned with annoyance at her words.
"It isn't stupid," he insisted. Rayne rolled her eyes.
"Whatever," she mumbled, staring around the room. The white room was completely empty of anything but the tall gallows that towered in the middle of the room. "It looks freaking retarded. A white room with a single object in it? Couldn't you have been more original? Maybe painted the walls with scenes from an actual hanging, with people gathered all around and glaring at you? It'd be so much cooler looking." Krillin nodded in agreement.
"Well, you won't be seeing anything in a moment or so, so it doesn't matter, does it?" growled Morris, pulling two black hoods from his pockets. Rayne once again rolled her eyes.
"Big deal," she snorted. "Black hoods to cover our heads with. Real SCARY-" Her words were cut off as Morris jammed one of the hoods over her head. Ignoring her muffled profanity, Morris smiled in delight.
"I've been wanting to do that for ages," he said, actually sounding happy.
"Wonderful," replied the monk sarcastically. "Can we get on with it, please?" Morris smirked.
"What, no last words?" he questioned, his tone equally dry. Now it was Krillin's turn to roll his eyes.
"You didn't give her any last words," he commented, nodding towards the still cursing hooded girl. Morris looked thoughtful.
"I suppose I should let her speak, though that means I'd have to shut her up again." A delighted smirk crossed the traitor's face. "What am I saying? Get to shut her up again?" He ripped off the hood, and her obscenities stopped in an instant.
"You fu- Wait," she said, blinking in confusion. "Why'd you do that?"
"Last words," Morris told her, his tone cheerful. Rayne stared at him oddly for a moment. Then a smug, knowing smile crossed her face, and Krillin stared at the girl suspiciously. Did she know something he didn't?
"My last words? Hmm...... Let me think," Rayne said, cocking her head to the side thoughtfully. Then a proud smile crossed her face. "I've got it! Go to hell, you bloody b-" Morris slapped her across the face before she could finish.
"Any OTHER last words that do not include cursing?" Rayne thought for a moment.
"How about one swear word in it?" Krillin was surprised at her cheerful tone of voice.
"No."
"Darn, you suck."
"Weeper, this is your last chance-"
"I've got it!" Rayne looked triumphant. Morris and Krillin both watched carefully as she opened her mouth to speak her last words.
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Gohan smiled with satisfaction at the tiny ki locator on his wrist. That thing was more useful than a watch. He looked up at Behan and Spyri, who stood at attention.
"I've located Sirec. You can continue with the plan." Both saluted him sharply and hurried off to complete their mission. Gohan smirked as he powered up to SSJ2. Now to kill the asshole who had captured Rayne. Without further delay he flew at the cement floor, knowing of the underground room that Rayne was in. He crashed through the cement, heading towards Rayne and her captor.
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"Almost there," Bulma said, checking her watch. Nowhere near the time that Gohan and the others would be coming back. She had a bad feeling in her gut, the one she always got when they came home with casualties. It was the feeling she had felt that day twenty years before when nearly half the World's Saviors had been killed. But who was dead? She pushed the thought aside. It wasn't Gohan or Rayne, that she was sure. Gohan wouldn't let Rayne get killed, and no one but an android could kill Gohan. And all the androids had been accounted for, attacking places in different places far from Jinzohen Prison.
"How much longer?" asked Goten, jerking her thoughts back to reality.
"A few more minutes," she replied patiently, checking her watch again. "Just a few."
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Rayne beamed as her words echoed through the room.
"You can't kill me, jerk. Just try it. I'm destined for a greater death than any hanging could give me. I am one of the Chosen, and you are too low of scum to kill a Chosen such as I."
"What the hell?" Krillin and Morris demanded at the same time. Rayne smiled gleefully. She liked confusing the hell out of people. It was fun.
"I am one of the Chosen," she repeated patiently. "It's all in the prophecy. I am She Who Cries, the Chosen who wakes the Dreamers from their decades-long sleep, and am destined to help the Last Prince and do my duty to protect the earth from assholes like the androids." She paused, frowning. "Oops, I swore." She shrugged. "Whatever." Krillin and Morris both looked blank.
"You're insane," Morris finally declared, and forced the hood over her head again. Rayne scowled, all happiness gone, and began to curse again with every swear word she knew. She even used some made-up ones that sounded good.
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As the second hood was jammed over the monk's head, but he barely noticed, too busy wondering what the girl had been talking about. Chosen? She Who Cries? Last Prince? What the heck was she thinking? Rough hands forced Krillin to stumble forward blindly. He was guided towards an unknown destination, but his mind knew where his feet led him. To the gallows.
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Rayne was shoved onto a higher surface than before, and something circled her neck, biting her skin. She winced as the object- a rope, most likely- began to squeeze her blood veins. That hurt like hell. From outside the darkness the hood created she heard someone saying something in a muffled voice. Concentrating, she could understand the words.
"-Just hurry and kill the bitch first, then the monk. Got it, soldiers?" Through her hood, Rayne rolled her eyes. Morris. Would the idiot ever learn? He couldn't kill her. She smirked beneath the hood. He'd soon learn that. And soon he'd pay. Because everyone had a price to pay for the things they did.
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Gohan crashed through the final floor of cement and hovered in the room of his destination. Four of the occupants of the room stared at him in shock, while the other hooded two stood at the gallows, blissfully unaware of him.
"One of those people wouldn't happen to be Rayne Sirec, would it, fellows?" he asked calmly, assessing the situation. One of the soliders, the one he recognized as Dean Morris, was posed to push one of the hooded people to his or her death. Morris gulped.
"Shit," he muttered weakly, and moved to push the person. Gohan's eyes narrowed at the man's action. Killing the person wouldn't do at all.
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Then suddenly Rayne's amusement was cut short as someone shoved her hard in the back. She stumbled forward, gasping as the rope bit even more. Her feet staggered forward to meet- air. Rayne froze for a moment, long enough to mutter one last curse word before she fell. Then the rope was cutting off everything. Her breathing, her blood, her thoughts, her very living presence was being choked from her........
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Gohan grabbed the twitching person by the shoulders and yanked the rope from his or her neck. The person lay limp in his hands, and for a moment Gohan wondered if the few seconds dangling from the gallows had killed the hooded person. He had forgotten how weak humans were. This wasn't good. This wasn't good at all.
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Bulma turned the corner, feeling something clutch at her heart. At the end of the hallway was the room where Son Goku, Last of the Saiya-jinn, lay. She paused for a moment.
"His room is a couple doors down the left," she said, and felt slightly amused at how detached her voice sounded to her own ears. Like hell she was detached. This was Goku, after all.
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Pan felt an unknown apprehension clutch at her, and she shuddered, taking an unconscious step away from the hallway.
"Pan," someone said softly. Pan blinked, and turned to look at who was speaking. Concerned blue eyes stared back. Oh, yes. Trunks. She had forgotten about him. "It's going to be okay." She slightly calmed when he took her hand, soothed by the warmth radiating from his skin.
"Is it really?" she questioned, her voice suddenly weak and full of fear. Trunks looked grave.
"I hope so," he said grimly, then led Son Pan towards the room where her grandfather lay.
(AN: *looks extremely proud* There, finished with the next chapter. And a horrible cliffhanger at that! *chuckles* Well, y'all, the story is now 28 pages long. And I've decided to do something. On my 100th review of this story, I'm going to cook up such a cliffhanger such as no one has ever imagined! *tries to look evil, but fails horribly* Well, gotta work on the next chapter so Jacks doesn't lose interest and to keep Jevana happy with her Gohan kicking butt. Adios! Chao! Adieu! (Look, I learned French!) Ja ne! ~AC)
Chapter Seven: The Price You Pay For The Things You Do
Goten mentally smacked himself as he followed Bulma towards the room where his father lay. Why had he blown up at Bra like that? He frowned glumly. He knew why. Because he was a ticking timebomb with all his controlled emotions and Bra had set him off. He wanted to apologize to Trunks's sister, but knew he would probably only make things worse. Sighing to himself, he stuck his hands into his jean pockets. He was really having a crappy day.
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"Damn, and the day was actually looking better," Krillin groaned as he was dragged along by three guards. Rayne was ahead of him, being dragged by her good arm by Morris, who was cursing darkly under his breath.
"I know," Rayne said glumly, then abruptly brightened. "But at least now I'll get to say Nathan Hale's speech!" Krillin grinned weakly.
"I'm afraid I don't know who Nathan Hale is," he admitted, ignoring the glares from the guards. Rayne's eyes widened in outrage.
"You don't?" she said, staring at him in shock. "He's one of the bravest Americans that ever lived! During the Revolutionary War, he was a spy for the Americans and pretended to be a salesman or something in a British camp. Then they caught him and sentenced him to be hung. Just before he was executed, he made a speech that a British officer copied down. The copy was found later by the Americans. His speech was really honorable-" Her words were cut off by a savage growl from Morris.
"Shut up, rebel!" he snarled, glaring furiously at him. Rayne rolled her eyes.
"Take a chill pill, Morris," she replied calmly. Krillin snorted.
"Chill pill?" he repeated, chuckling. Out of the corner of his eyes, the monk saw one of the guards' lips twitch in a small smile.
"It's an American saying," replied Rayne, grinning. "It basically means calm down, hold your horses-" Krillin stopped her with a groan.
"No more American sayings!" he whined. "They're impossible to understand!" Rayne pouted, but went silent.
"Finally someone shuts her up," grumbled Morris.
"Shut up Morris," Rayne said, smirking at his enraged look. "What? I didn't do anything! I'm not going to say another word! Do you hear me? I'm going to be as quiet as a lamb!"
"Bull," Krillin muttered under his breath, but no one heard him.
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Bra slowed her step so that Pan and Trunks had to pass her. They did so with worried looks in her direction, but didn't comment because of the look on her face. As the other four continued on, Bra walked slowly along, her thoughts dark and furious. She couldn't believe the nerve of Son Goten. That-that jerk! She clenched her fists in exasperation. He was just a hard-headed baka, even worse than his father! And he was being selfish, thinking only of himself. Trunks, Pan, and Bra herself were grieving too. Bra and her brother had lost their father, and Pan had lost her mother and grandmother, and practically lost her grandfather. She bowed her head in anger. If he didn't apologize soon, she would make him apologize. Or he would face the consequences.
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Gohan circled the prison, feeling frustration mount. Where was everyone? A sudden movement caught his eye. Staring carefully, the general could tell it was Spyri and Behan, fighting eight guards. Gohan smirked. Now the actual fun began. Powering up to SSJ, he was upon the eight guards before friend or foe could react.
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Though Rayne knew she was deep inside the prison's building, she thought she could hear the sounds of screams and guns going off. She raised an eyebrow at Krillin.
"Which side do you think is winning?" she questioned the monk, a knowing smirk on her face. He grinned back.
"The most deserving side, of course," Krillin said chuckling.
"Silence!" Morris barked. "It will be the happiest moment of my life when you two hang from the gallows!" Krillin and Rayne stared at each other, then simultaneously began to speak in sing-song voices.
"There once was a girl who was called many names
And waking the Sleepers was her claim to fame
She was captured by Morris the Dumb
And he declared that at dawn she and Krillin the monk would be hung
Oh la de la de, to be hung, to be hung
Such was the order given by Morris the Dumb
La de da do da de, Krillin and Rayne would be hung
If the way was found for Morris the Dumb
Morris the Dumb, Morris the Dumb
The only way to kill his enemies was to have them hung-"
Morris screamed in rage and twisted Rayne's arm savagely, cutting her words off.
"Little bitch," he seethed, then glared at one of the guards who was muffling his laughter. Krillin saw it was the same guard who had been smiling before. "Is something funny, soldier?" The guard looked startled.
"No sir, I was just thinking how bad of poets these two are," he said, his face smoothing into a blank look.
"Hey!" Krillin protested. "I'm not a bad poet!" Rayne rolled her eyes.
"Face it, monk," she said, smirking, "you suck at poetry."
"Stop saying that!" argued Krillin, looking slightly miffed. "You're worse than I am-"
"Am not!" Rayne interrupted.
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!" The guards simply shook their heads and continued to drag the bickering duo to their doom.
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"Hey," Goten said suddenly, jerking Bulma from her own unpleasant thoughts even darker than her daughter's. His strained face was now filled with confusion. "Where's Puar?" Bulma blinked and looked around. The azure floating feline was nowhere to be seen.
"She's probably gone to look for either Cloud, Storm, Ikara, or Krill," the blue-haired doctor commented, shrugging. Goten nodded, and resumed his unhappy pose as they continued to walk down the halls towards their grim destination.
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Gohan grinned at Spyri and Behan as he kicked the charred bodies of the guards out of the way, powering down from SSJ.
"Ready to go into the final stage, soldiers?" he questioned, a slightly cheerful tone to his voice. Soon this would be over, and he wouldn't have to worry about anyone else being killed. Both saluted him sharply.
"There's been a change of plans," Gohan said, somber once more. "Trotsky, Willis, Indy, and Capra won't being joining us in the final attack." The two grinning soldiers abruptly stopped smiling.
"Injured, sir?" Spyri asked, his bright blue eyes clouded with worry. Gohan stared directly into the Swiss's eyes before replying.
"Trotsky is being cared for by Marron." The sentence was filled with hidden meanings, and Spyri quickly caught on.
"Oh shit," he muttered as realization struck Behan and she clenched her fists in sorrow. "Let's go kill those bloody bastards." Gohan nodded. They would do exactly that.
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Pan bit her lip as they continued down the hallways. How far away was her grandfather's room? Now the fear and dark thoughts were beginning to creep into her mind, nagging at her and making her cringe. Out of the corners of her eyes she saw Trunks frown briefly at something, but he was off in his own thoughts too. Sticking her trembling hands into her jean pockets, she tried to push back the waves of fear that ran their fingers through her thoughts.
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Rayne and Krillin blinked in confusion at the scene that lay before them.
"What the hell?" Rayne finally said out loud, blinking in surprise. "That's just....... stupid." Morris frowned with annoyance at her words.
"It isn't stupid," he insisted. Rayne rolled her eyes.
"Whatever," she mumbled, staring around the room. The white room was completely empty of anything but the tall gallows that towered in the middle of the room. "It looks freaking retarded. A white room with a single object in it? Couldn't you have been more original? Maybe painted the walls with scenes from an actual hanging, with people gathered all around and glaring at you? It'd be so much cooler looking." Krillin nodded in agreement.
"Well, you won't be seeing anything in a moment or so, so it doesn't matter, does it?" growled Morris, pulling two black hoods from his pockets. Rayne once again rolled her eyes.
"Big deal," she snorted. "Black hoods to cover our heads with. Real SCARY-" Her words were cut off as Morris jammed one of the hoods over her head. Ignoring her muffled profanity, Morris smiled in delight.
"I've been wanting to do that for ages," he said, actually sounding happy.
"Wonderful," replied the monk sarcastically. "Can we get on with it, please?" Morris smirked.
"What, no last words?" he questioned, his tone equally dry. Now it was Krillin's turn to roll his eyes.
"You didn't give her any last words," he commented, nodding towards the still cursing hooded girl. Morris looked thoughtful.
"I suppose I should let her speak, though that means I'd have to shut her up again." A delighted smirk crossed the traitor's face. "What am I saying? Get to shut her up again?" He ripped off the hood, and her obscenities stopped in an instant.
"You fu- Wait," she said, blinking in confusion. "Why'd you do that?"
"Last words," Morris told her, his tone cheerful. Rayne stared at him oddly for a moment. Then a smug, knowing smile crossed her face, and Krillin stared at the girl suspiciously. Did she know something he didn't?
"My last words? Hmm...... Let me think," Rayne said, cocking her head to the side thoughtfully. Then a proud smile crossed her face. "I've got it! Go to hell, you bloody b-" Morris slapped her across the face before she could finish.
"Any OTHER last words that do not include cursing?" Rayne thought for a moment.
"How about one swear word in it?" Krillin was surprised at her cheerful tone of voice.
"No."
"Darn, you suck."
"Weeper, this is your last chance-"
"I've got it!" Rayne looked triumphant. Morris and Krillin both watched carefully as she opened her mouth to speak her last words.
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Gohan smiled with satisfaction at the tiny ki locator on his wrist. That thing was more useful than a watch. He looked up at Behan and Spyri, who stood at attention.
"I've located Sirec. You can continue with the plan." Both saluted him sharply and hurried off to complete their mission. Gohan smirked as he powered up to SSJ2. Now to kill the asshole who had captured Rayne. Without further delay he flew at the cement floor, knowing of the underground room that Rayne was in. He crashed through the cement, heading towards Rayne and her captor.
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"Almost there," Bulma said, checking her watch. Nowhere near the time that Gohan and the others would be coming back. She had a bad feeling in her gut, the one she always got when they came home with casualties. It was the feeling she had felt that day twenty years before when nearly half the World's Saviors had been killed. But who was dead? She pushed the thought aside. It wasn't Gohan or Rayne, that she was sure. Gohan wouldn't let Rayne get killed, and no one but an android could kill Gohan. And all the androids had been accounted for, attacking places in different places far from Jinzohen Prison.
"How much longer?" asked Goten, jerking her thoughts back to reality.
"A few more minutes," she replied patiently, checking her watch again. "Just a few."
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Rayne beamed as her words echoed through the room.
"You can't kill me, jerk. Just try it. I'm destined for a greater death than any hanging could give me. I am one of the Chosen, and you are too low of scum to kill a Chosen such as I."
"What the hell?" Krillin and Morris demanded at the same time. Rayne smiled gleefully. She liked confusing the hell out of people. It was fun.
"I am one of the Chosen," she repeated patiently. "It's all in the prophecy. I am She Who Cries, the Chosen who wakes the Dreamers from their decades-long sleep, and am destined to help the Last Prince and do my duty to protect the earth from assholes like the androids." She paused, frowning. "Oops, I swore." She shrugged. "Whatever." Krillin and Morris both looked blank.
"You're insane," Morris finally declared, and forced the hood over her head again. Rayne scowled, all happiness gone, and began to curse again with every swear word she knew. She even used some made-up ones that sounded good.
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As the second hood was jammed over the monk's head, but he barely noticed, too busy wondering what the girl had been talking about. Chosen? She Who Cries? Last Prince? What the heck was she thinking? Rough hands forced Krillin to stumble forward blindly. He was guided towards an unknown destination, but his mind knew where his feet led him. To the gallows.
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Rayne was shoved onto a higher surface than before, and something circled her neck, biting her skin. She winced as the object- a rope, most likely- began to squeeze her blood veins. That hurt like hell. From outside the darkness the hood created she heard someone saying something in a muffled voice. Concentrating, she could understand the words.
"-Just hurry and kill the bitch first, then the monk. Got it, soldiers?" Through her hood, Rayne rolled her eyes. Morris. Would the idiot ever learn? He couldn't kill her. She smirked beneath the hood. He'd soon learn that. And soon he'd pay. Because everyone had a price to pay for the things they did.
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Gohan crashed through the final floor of cement and hovered in the room of his destination. Four of the occupants of the room stared at him in shock, while the other hooded two stood at the gallows, blissfully unaware of him.
"One of those people wouldn't happen to be Rayne Sirec, would it, fellows?" he asked calmly, assessing the situation. One of the soliders, the one he recognized as Dean Morris, was posed to push one of the hooded people to his or her death. Morris gulped.
"Shit," he muttered weakly, and moved to push the person. Gohan's eyes narrowed at the man's action. Killing the person wouldn't do at all.
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Then suddenly Rayne's amusement was cut short as someone shoved her hard in the back. She stumbled forward, gasping as the rope bit even more. Her feet staggered forward to meet- air. Rayne froze for a moment, long enough to mutter one last curse word before she fell. Then the rope was cutting off everything. Her breathing, her blood, her thoughts, her very living presence was being choked from her........
****************************************************************************************************************
Gohan grabbed the twitching person by the shoulders and yanked the rope from his or her neck. The person lay limp in his hands, and for a moment Gohan wondered if the few seconds dangling from the gallows had killed the hooded person. He had forgotten how weak humans were. This wasn't good. This wasn't good at all.
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Bulma turned the corner, feeling something clutch at her heart. At the end of the hallway was the room where Son Goku, Last of the Saiya-jinn, lay. She paused for a moment.
"His room is a couple doors down the left," she said, and felt slightly amused at how detached her voice sounded to her own ears. Like hell she was detached. This was Goku, after all.
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Pan felt an unknown apprehension clutch at her, and she shuddered, taking an unconscious step away from the hallway.
"Pan," someone said softly. Pan blinked, and turned to look at who was speaking. Concerned blue eyes stared back. Oh, yes. Trunks. She had forgotten about him. "It's going to be okay." She slightly calmed when he took her hand, soothed by the warmth radiating from his skin.
"Is it really?" she questioned, her voice suddenly weak and full of fear. Trunks looked grave.
"I hope so," he said grimly, then led Son Pan towards the room where her grandfather lay.
(AN: *looks extremely proud* There, finished with the next chapter. And a horrible cliffhanger at that! *chuckles* Well, y'all, the story is now 28 pages long. And I've decided to do something. On my 100th review of this story, I'm going to cook up such a cliffhanger such as no one has ever imagined! *tries to look evil, but fails horribly* Well, gotta work on the next chapter so Jacks doesn't lose interest and to keep Jevana happy with her Gohan kicking butt. Adios! Chao! Adieu! (Look, I learned French!) Ja ne! ~AC)