-Ha, ha! This is by far my favorite chapter in the story, and I had a ball writing it. I hope you all enjoy it, and you can stop threatening me to get it out now. One a side note, I've had quite a few people lately ask me if I had a mailing list. As of this time I don't, but I'm considering making one. I've tried to avoid it to this point, because in my two plus years of internet writing, I've already had several virus come my way that are spread through people's address books, and I'm not sure if I want to deal with that. I'll be happy to e-mail anybody who wants notice when a chapter comes out, but my suggestion would be to check my profile or the new stories in the DBZ list every weekend. I try to stay pretty consistent at updating sometime every other weekend at least. That schedule's been pretty much Swiss-cheesed over recent weeks due to problems with FF.net, and that my chapters seem to be getting longer each time out. I am going to try to get back to that now however. I also have another story I'm working on that's been soaking up some of my interest.
Disclaimer: Don't own DBZ.
Chapter 20
"Wow, I can't believe that goof actually made it all the way to the finals again," Yamcha laughed. "Well, at least old Hercule's finally going to get what's coming to him."
"Amen to that! But it's not fair, my Gohan should've gotten a chance to compete in the finals! Oh well, at the very least he should get third place. At least his friend made it into the finals, so I guess I might as well pull for him now." Chi-Chi stood up from her chair, and yelled down at the ring. "HEY RYO! AFTER YOU KICK THE STUFFING OUT OF THAT OVERBLOWN WINDBAG, DON'T BE SHY ABOUT SHARING YOUR PRIZE MONEY WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND, AND HIS LOVING MOTHER!"
Bulma sweat dropped. "Well, you can't say the woman doesn't have her priorities straight…"
"Wow lookie!" One of the fans chattered excitedly. "This should be a good match, that kid might actually give Hercule some problems!"
"Ah, who are you kidding?! Hercule's going to turn that rookie into a pretzel! I bet his thinking of ways to take that punk down right now!"
Let's see here… I can't fake the knee injury again, or they'll send the doctors back out here to check on me… Then again, if I actually fight in this match then I'll probably need the doctor's right after it's over anyway… What am I going to do?! Hercule sweat dropped as he looked over across the ring at Ryo. Does he have to keep looking at me like that?! Maybe I'll get lucky, and he'll trip over one of the cracks on the ring. That Taro freak nearly tore it in half. Hey, there's an idea! I'll protest the match due to unsafe fighting conditions! This ring isn't fit to fight in! But… That's never stopped the tournament before, and everyone will think I'm a wus… Ah damn it, there's a big pothole right behind me! Maybe if I crawl into it and hide he'll go away…
"Ryo sure doesn't seem anxious to fight with my dad does he?" Videl said, noticing how sheepish Ryo looked as he scanned his eyes over the large crowd.
"I don't think it's your dad, but something definitely seems to be bothering him," Gohan agreed, noticing the same thing.
"It has nothing to do with your father Videl," Piccolo jumped in suddenly. "If anything, it's the crowd that's making him nervous. Ryo was lucky with his first two matches. He was up against dangerous and potentially lethal opponents, so he didn't have time to worry about such minor details. Now that the danger element has been eliminated, Ryo's finally had time to notice everybody's eyes are on him, and what's on the line in this particular match. It's not an uncommon fear, I believe you humans call it stage fright. This would be a type of it I would suppose."
"That makes sense…" Gohan looked back out at the ring. "You don't think that will be a problem do you Piccolo?"
"Possibly… Actually, it may be Hercule's only chance of winning this fight, if he has any at all." Piccolo smiled as he recalled certain traits in both Ryo and Hercule's personalities. "But I'll bet you Dende's Lookout that Hercule's going to shoot off his mouth, and say something to get Ryo riled up. Once he does, Ryo will forget all about the crowd, and they'll have to pull Hercule out of a wall somewhere."
Gohan smiled at this. "I don't think Dende would appreciate you using his lookout as a gambling chip, but it'll be interesting to see if you're right."
Videl wasn't all that thrilled with the way Gohan and his mentor were talking, and she pondered the matter plaguing her mind silently to herself. Why do they sound so sure my dad's going to lose?! I mean he's a two time World Champ for Kami's sake! Not to mentioned that he defeated… No wait, that's right he didn't kill Cell… So maybe he isn't as strong as I always thought he was… But could he?… Oh dad…
Ryo sweat dropped, as he looked out at the amassed crowd. "Do they have to stand up and scream like that? I know they love Hercule and are excited and all, but jeez! They're making it really hard to pretend they're not there when they keep practically screaming here I am!"
A light flashed in Hercule's head, as he examined his opponent. True it was a dim Christmas light that flickered on and off every few seconds, but a light none the less. He almost looks scared… Yeah, that's it, he must be scared! He knows who he's in the ring with! Of course he'd be intimated by the World Champion! That's what I'll do! I'll just flex my muscles a little bit, and this kid will go running out of the arena screaming!"
Hercule roared, and struck the V-sign pose for the people in the crowd to their massive approval. "I am Hercule, World Champion! It's obvious that you're overwhelmed to be in the same ring as a legend like me kid! I'm giving you one chance to turn around and forfeit the match to me, and save yourself a lot of unnecessary embarrassment! You're out of your class, out of luck, and out of your league kid! That's the difference between you and me! I'm a real man and a true champion, while you're just some wana be punk who made it this far by the skin of his teeth! There's no logical way a scrawny runt like you can possibly even last five minutes with a world-class athlete like me, so stop pretending and save us both a lot of time! You'd just make a fool of yourself anyway Ryu, or Ry-han, whatever your name was! Face it kid, you just can't cut it with the big boys! Those amateurs you beat earlier are nothing compared to me! You did good to make it this far, but don't lead yourself on kid! There's no way you can beat me, you're too small and too weak to stand up against me!"
Ryo snapped out of his trance, and scowled Hercule's way making the champ nervous. Ryo lowered his head and smiled almost sadistically. "You know people have been telling me that all my life… I used to believe it too, but then somebody taught me how to stop listening. I would've loved nothing more then to punch them all in the face, and knock their teeth out, but I always held back though because they weren't worth the effort or the trouble I'd get into if I did. That just wasn't my style, and I never cared what they thought of me anyway… But you know what Hercule?"
"What?!" Hercule growled, almost stumbling on his words.
Ryo's brow hung low over his eyes. "This time I think I'll make an exception."
Hercule face faulted, and backed away. "Wait a second kid! This is supposed to be the part where you turn around and run away…"
Ryo smiled at this. "Well, if that was your plan, then you better go to plan 'B'. To think I really did consider backing out of this match, but you just gave me every reason in the world to stay. You know there is a difference between us, but it's much different from the bull crap you just flung at everybody. You see, I don't like to call myself a warrior, but I do have pride and respect for my friends and the people around me. You however, are just a talent-less hack, and a phony who's lied and cheated his way to the top by riding the accomplishments of somebody else!"
"What?!" Hercule sweat dropped. What is he?!… He can't possibly know about that can he?! Unless he's one of them… Oh lord, I really am in trouble!
"I'm not finished, so don't interrupt me!" Ryo barked, and Hercule complied without any further argument. "You see, unlike you I actually earned my way into the finals, while you got a free ride. Now, what are you just standing around there for, or are you afraid this scrawny little runt is going to kick your ass?!"
"Shut your mouth boy!" Hercule roared, now just as enraged as he was afraid. "No one insults Hercule! Feel the wrath of my Mega Ton! Ha!"
"Here we go folks!" The MC raved, as Hercule lunged at Ryo. "After all that verbal thrashing, the two combatants are ready to get it on! This should be a colossal encounter folks, a match for the ages, one for the Tenkaichi record books!…"
Ryo nonchalantly ducked Hercule's fist, and gave Hercule a left hook right into his gut. Hercule wheezed violently, his eyes practically bulging out of his head, as Ryo slowly removed his fist from his stomach. Hercule's back remained arched upward for another second or two, before the champ crumbled to the ground in a heap holding his battered abdomen. Ryo sweat dropped as he looked down at Hercule, wondering if he had hit him harder than he thought he had.
"Hercule's down already folks, but don't worry he should pop back up any second now…" The MC sweat dropped after he had waited ten and Hercule was still shaking on the ground, holding his gut. The crowd suddenly went silent realizing the champ may be in serious trouble.
"Um… Maybe you should start the count now?" One of the monks suggested to the MC, nudging him with his elbow.
"Oh right!" The MC said, as the image of Hercule huddle on the ground in pain set in.. "1... 2... 3..."
"Dad?!" Videl cried out in surprise, as she stared at her father sprawled out on the ring.
Ryo looked out nervously at his friends in the back, and noticed Videl looked absolutely mortified. Gohan looked a bit more on the miffed side, as he shook his fist at Ryo from over Videl's shoulder. "You call that taking it easy?!"
"I tried, I tried!" Ryo called back to him, shaking his arms in the air frantically.
"4... 5... 6.."
"Come on, get up! I didn't hit you that hard!" Ryo's pleas went unanswered. Hercule remained motionless with the exception of a slight wiggle now and then, still huddled up in a large ball on the ground.
"7... 8... What suspense fans, but I'm sure Hercule will come springing back up in a second. "9... Just a second!… 10..." The MC's jaw dropped in shock, and nearly the entire crowd was hushed into a stunned silence. "I can't believe this… Hercule is out! This match is over…"
"Oh wonderful…" Ryo groaned, a bead of sweat dripping from his forehead. "He didn't even give me a chance to throw the fight if I wanted to!"
"DAD!" Videl muttered, as she watched on in shock as several monks from the medical team brought out the stretcher. Her eyes followed the men as they rolled Hercule on to the stretcher, and hauled the World Champion… No nix that, former World Champion, away while he was still curled up into a ball holding his stomach. She looked back at Ryo in stunned fashion, and then back towards her father as they hauled him towards the doctor's office. "Oh daddy…"
The MC stumbled into the ring, and walked up beside a still stunned Ryo. The MC looked to be in total shock, as did the crowed that looked on silently as if their brains were still trying to process what their eyes had just seen at about the same rate a five-year-old computer takes to download dirty pictures off the Internet. "Well folks... Believe it or not this match is officially over, and so is the tournament. Your winner, and new Champion is Ryo!"
The crowd was silent another moment or two, as they blankly looked around at each other. Then, like most sports fans seem to do when one ban wagon loses a wheel and gets stuck on the side of the road, the fans in the audience immediately jumped on to the next wagon passing by. Ryo just happened to be driving it, as all of the sudden the fans began to cheer enthusiastically. Ryo ducked his head and blushed wishing a giant hole would open up in the ring, and suck him inside. Almost the second after the crowd began to roar, he was ambushed and surrounded by at least two dozen people, mostly reporters and Tenkaichi officials looking to grab the first comments from the mouth of the new World Martial Arts Champion. It was a full head on assault from all sides, too fast and sudden for Ryo to defend himself from. He practically froze as the thought sunk in his head that just about everyone in that building had their attention focused squarely on him, and he didn't like that thought one bit. He didn't even notice that a few shreds of the confetti being blasted all around the ring, float down and land on his head and shoulders. He his way back into reality when the reporters began to bombard him with questions.
"Congratulations Ryo! How does it feel to be crowned the new Champion of the world?"
"Tell us Ryo, what was it like to beat a former World Champion of Hercule's stature after all he's accomplished, and yet do it so convincingly?!"
"The people want to know Ryo, do you wear boxers or briefs?"
"Huh?!" Ryo gave the short balding man a funny look. Then, all of a sudden, about half a dozen flashes from cameras went off, forcing Ryo to cover his eyes. "Ah! I'm blind!"
Ryo rubbed the light out of his eyes, and tried to ignore the lame questions being thrown at him. That was until somebody finally asked him something that he had an answer for.
"So Ryo, now that you've won the Tenkaichi Budokai, what do you want to do now?"
"I… I… I want to go home…"
"Well, at least we don't have to duck our heads in the sand whenever somebody mentions Earth's champion now huh?" Krillen commented as he watched the proceedings going on the ring.
"Yeah, whatever," Eighteen smiled slightly. "Anything's better than that idiot Hercule."
"You know what, I'm kind of glad I didn't get a chance to win the tournament," Gohan decided as he watched Ryo getting swarmed by more and more reporters by the second. "I'd really rather not of had to deal with this."
"I think I'd have to agree with you," Piccolo added, with a smirk. "We should probably think of a way to get him out of there before those buzzards eat him alive."
"Ah, let him suffer a little longer," Gohan said. "He deserves it after all the hell he's put me through with Videl over the last few months. Isn't that right Videl?… Videl?"
Gohan looked over at Videl who was still looking out at the ring in a state of shock. All of a sudden, her legs began to twitch, and she moved towards the ring. "Videl where are you going?!… Well, that was stupid question. Might as well follow her."
"If you people will excuse me, I really should be going now…" Ryo laughed nervously, as he tried to push his way out of the mass of reporters. "All that fighting wore me down, and I could really use some rest…"
"Sure thing sir," one of the reporters said. "Right after we get your thoughts on winning the final match, and answer the other two dozen or so questions we have for you."
Ryo face faulted at the sound of that. "Now wait just a minute! I just won the damn thing thirty seconds ago, and you people haven't given me time to think yet! Now, let me through!"
Ryo managed to swim his way through the sea of reporters, only to immediately be swarmed by a dozen more that seemingly rose up from the ground, sticking microphones in his face and not to mention the feel of the sting of numerous flashbulbs going off in his face. Pushed to his breaking point he was poised and ready to scream, and start flinging news anchors out of the arena left and right when an unlikely hero came to his rescue.
"Alright people, back off and give the man some breathing room!" the MC ordered, as he pushed his way through the crowd. With the help of a few security monks, they pushed the reporters to the side and managed to smuggle Ryo out of there. "He'll be happy to answer your questions later, right now he needs a breather after a hard day of competition!"
"Thanks, I appreciate it," Ryo said as they distanced themselves from the ring.
"No problem kid, I know all the media attention isn't going to bliss for everybody like it was Hercule." The MC adjusted his glassed, and glared Ryo a serious look. "But they are going to expect you speak at the press conference in a few minutes. All I did was buy you some time, so be ready for it."
"Oh wonderful…" Ryo sweat dropped, but his face soon recoiled in horror when the aspect of this fully kicked in. "PRESS CONFERENCE?! You mean like on TV?… In front of millions of people?…"
"Exactly. Don't worry kid you'll do just fine."
"But I can't! You don't understand, I can't be seen on TV! I mean I… Oh boy…"
"Don't worry Ryo! It's okay to be camera shy! You'll be just fine trust me…"
"But… But… But…" Ryo stammered, as that was all he could get out before the MC walked away from him. Ryo sweat dropped again, as he let his thoughts run wild. Oh wonderful… I'm going to completely blow my cover now, I just now it! He's going to kill me… I wasn't supposed to win the damn thing anyway!
"Ryo!" The boy shook his head, and turned his head to see who was calling him and found Videl. Ryo blushed slightly, wondering just how the girl was going to receive him.
"Hey Videl… What's up?"
"Well… I just wanted to congratulate you… You're the World Champion now, and that's no small thing…"
"Thanks…" Ryo said, sounding surprised. "You mean you're not mad at me?"
"No, not at all! I was caught by surprise, but there's no reason to be mad at you…" Videl trailed off, then smiled weakly. "I guess the better man won…"
Out of the blue one of the reporters broke free from the security net, and bloodsucked his way over towards Videl and Ryo. Ryo nearly jumped, and started to look for a place to hide. That was until he realized the reporter wasn't interested in him, and stopped right in front of Videl. Ryo seized the opportunity, and snuck away to the backstage area.
"Pardon me Miss Videl, but may I ask you a question? As I understand you're actually friends with the young man who defeated your father here tonight for the championship. How do you feel about watching your father lose in the title bout tonight?"
Videl frowned at the question, but her expression brightened up after she thought about it. "Well… I'm a little disappointed of course, but I think this was the best thing that could've happened to my father. His ego's gotten way to big over the past few months, and hopefully this loss will bring him down a bit, and he'll stop letting his training habits slide."
"I see…" the reporter said, looking surprised. "Well there you have it folks. Straight from the former champ's daughter herself."
"Man, they sure didn't make this much of a fuss when I won the tournament a few years ago," Goku stated, for the most part glad with that fact after witnessing what Ryo was in the middle of suffering through.
Piccolo grunted at this. "It's disgusting isn't it? Ever since that fool Hercule won the damn thing it's all become commercial. It almost makes a guy embarrassed to take part in the Tenkaichi, let alone win it."
"Way to go champ!" Gohan jeered after Ryo snuck into the waiting room. "How does it feel?"
Ryo cringed at the word champ, then grimaced. "I feel like the prized pig at the Grundy county fair. I'm getting pampered and prodded now only to be led to the slaughter house a few hours later."
"Come on, it can't be that bad!" Gohan laughed.
"You want to bet?! They want me to give some kind of press conference now! On TV, in front of everybody! I can't do this!"
"It won't be that bad Ryo… Just ignore the cameras, and act like you were talking to one of us. Pretend like you won't be on TV at all…"
"Those are all problems in themselves, but that's not what I'm talking about!" Ryo griped, looking very nervous. "When I said I can't do this, I meant I can't do this! Look, I have people who might be watching this back home that I don't want to know that I'm here! If they find out, I'm going to have a lot of explaining to do…"
Gohan looked confused. "But Ryo… The entire tournament was televised, so if those people are watching then they already saw you."
"Well yeah, but that was down in the ring and not close up! For all they know, it was just someone who might look a little like me… If they hear me talk and see me close up on the cameras, it makes it a lot harder to stay inconspicuous!"
"Well, you do have a point there…" Gohan's face brightened, as an idea formed in is head. "Wait a second! I think I might have an idea…"
Gohan hauled Ryo off to the dressing room, and pulled some extra clothes out of his bag that his mom had packed for him incase he needed a disguise. Ryo sweat dropped as he looked in the mirror, and saw what his reflection was wearing. It wasn't much of a disguise at all… Just a pair of sunglasses, a green bandana, and a loose fitting green shirt.
"What the hell is this?! I look like a dork!"
"I don't think it looks that bad…" Gohan said, chuckling slightly. "At least they won't recognize you…"
"This looks like a bunch of crap you'd throw on when you were playing superhero as a kid," Ryo commented, as he removed the headgear, and handed that and the sunglasses back to Gohan. "You might want to save that for Halloween next year or something."
"Oh yeah right, what am I going to do with this Ryo? Throw on a cape, and call myself the great Sayaman or something?!"
"Please don't… Ah, I guess I'll just go out there as is, and hope for the best… The worst they can do is hang me when I get back home…"
"Who are you so worried about seeing you anyway?" Gohan asked curiously.
"It's a long story, maybe I'll tell you sometime," Ryo replied. "I better get going… Man, this is gona be death… I wasn't supposed to win the damn thing!"
----------
Ryo grumbled as the cheesy music began to play over the loud speakers, as he was practically forced at gunpoint to waddle up to the podium where the press conference was supposed to be held. Countless members of the media surrounded the outside of the ring circling it like piranhas waiting for the wounded monkey to fall out of the tree and into the river. I'm going to get eaten alive…
"There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home…" Ryo opened his eyes, and to his dismay the podium and reporters were all still decked out in front of him. "Damn it's not working! I knew that wasn't going to work, this is stupid, why do I bother?"
"What's going on out there?" Hercule grumbled at the commotion going on outside. The majority of the pain in his stomach had eased up, but he was still quite a bit winded.
"I assume they're beginning the post Tenkaichi festivities," the monk attending to his injury said to him. "They should be crowning the new champion any minute."
"New Champion…" Hercule chocked disappointedly. The very sound and thought of somebody else's name next to the World Champion title made every organ in his body churn disgustedly. Then he heard the sound of the fans chanting the new Champion's name, and something inside of him snapped. "There's no way! I can't let this happen!"
The monk's face recoiled with horror, as he watched Hercule sit up sharply in his bed. He rushed over to the former champion as he grimaced and doubled over from the pain still stinging violently in his abdomen. "Hercule sir, please don't make any sudden movements! You took a very hard blow to the stomach, and you need to take it easy for a while until you get your wind and strength back!"
"I'm just fine!" Hercule barked at him, ignoring the nagging pain's still stinging through this gut. "I've got to get out there! I'm not giving up my championship without a fight!"
The monk sweat dropped, as he watched Hercule charge out of the room. "But you practically already did…"
"Your attention fans! Now introducing to you our new World Champion Ryo! I'm sure he'll have a lot to say after his stunning victory over Hercule just a few minutes ago!"
Ryo's face squinted nervously, as he passed by the MC. "Actually, no really…"
"Don't be so modest!" The MC beamed, and shoved Ryo towards the podium. "Everybody here wants to hear what you have to say!"
Ryo looked at the microphones sticking out of the podium box with uncertainty, and then looked out nervously at the crowd. They were all excited and rowdy while they waited for him to give his speech, and he hadn't the damndest clue what to say. He looked over at the MC to voice his dilemma with him through his eyes.
"Don't worry about it kid!" the MC replied. "Just say the first thing that comes to mind…"
Ryo looked out at the crowd again, and figured *oh shit* wouldn't be the best way to start off this press conference. So, he decided on the one thing his mouth could manage to say. "Um… Hi…"
Luckily for Ryo, an unlikely hero would come to rescue yet again that day… Well, sort of. "Hold it right there!" Hercule growled as he cut through the crowd, and ran up to the podium. "I demand a stop to these proceedings at once!"
"Ladies and gentleman, Hercule has come out onto the stage!" The MC announced the obvious observation. "Why are you demanding a halt to these proceedings though Mr. Satan?"
"Because it's all a farce! I demand the decision of the championship match be thrown out! That kid cheated! He hit me with some sort of foreign object during our match, and that's why I was knocked out so quick!"
"You egotistical lair!" Ryo barked, suddenly finding his voice with Hercule's attack on his integrity. He swung out from behind the podium to confront his accuser, making Hercule nervous. "I am not a cheater! If anything, it sounds to me like you're a sore loser!"
"I'd never go down that easy from a normal punch!" Hercule fired back, and then addressed the audience. "This little runt knew he couldn't beat me fair and square, and that his tricks wouldn't work on me so he restored to dirty tactics! I'd like to see him prove me wrong, because I know he can't!"
"Oh yeah, let's just test that theory!" Ryo pulled back his fist as if he was going to sock Hercule right in the face. Hercule panicked, and retreated behind the cover of several reporters.
"You see how quick to anger he is, he has to be guilty! I demand that he be disqualified, and that the title be brought back to me where it belongs!"
"Look, if you have a problem with the way the last match went, then I'd be happy to give you a rematch and knock your ass right back out!"
Hercule's face recoiled with panic. "That's not ne-necessary!"
"Well, he's given you the offer Hercule," the MC said, sticking a microphone in his face. "I'm sure the fans wouldn't object to seeing two championship matches in one day!"
"Wait, wait, wait! There's no possible way! I mean, the World Title was only meant to be defended once every seven years at the Tenkaichi! You can't break tradition just like that!"
The MC sweat dropped, appearing unsure of the mighty Hercule. "I see… Well, it sounds to me like you're a little reluctant to get back in the ring with Ryo..."
"No, that's that it at all!" Hercule stammered. "It's just… He'd just cheat again, so there's no point!"
While the debate raged below, the crowd who'd stayed behind for the closing ceremonies were busy discussing the biggest wave of controversy to hit the Tenkaichi in decades. The crowd was literally split in half, half of them believing the word of their great hero was law, and felt justified in their belief that no man could beat Hercule straight up. The other half remained somewhat skeptical, and Hercule's reluctance to get back in the ring was the only evidence they needed to be so. However, only the Z-senshi watching on amongst the reporters and fans that were gathered around the ring, knew the truth for sure.
Vegeta's eyebrow rose upward. "His stupidity is still beyond belief!"
"That insolent pompous fool!" Piccolo growled angrily. "The spineless goof doesn't know how to take a defeat like a man, and has to come up with some second rate excuse to why he lost! These fools in the crowd are probably hanging on every word he says too because of his fame!"
"Well, what do you expect Piccolo?" Goku asked with a sigh. "You can't expect much more from Hercule. Just look at the way he became famous in the first place. Every accomplishment he's achieved in his life has pretty much been based around a bunch of lies, so he's gone back to his trump card."
"What the hell is he doing?!" Gohan sneered angrily at Hercule's allegations.
"I was afraid he'd do something like this…" Videl said, with a look of equal annoyance. "I'll go talk to him…"
"Yeah…" Gohan said, as Videl pushed her way towards the ring. Gohan snarled, and walked off in the other direction. "I think I'll have a little talk with him myself. There's no way he's getting away with this one!"
"Well, there you have it folks," the MC announced dejectedly. "The championship has officially been contested by Hercule, so the ceremonies will have to be postponed until an official decision can be met…"
"That's just what I wanted to hear!" Hercule said happily, and started out of the ring. "I'll be waiting in my dressing room, until the board of officials comes to their senses and brings the title back home where it belongs! With me!"
"Yeah, you can keep your stupid belt, if that's all that matters to you!" Ryo shouted after him. "I don't give a damn about that, but I've never had to cheat to beat you or anybody else!"
"Dad, hold on a second!" Videl confronted her father, as he walked out of the ring. "What do you think you're doing?! I saw that match, all fifteen seconds of it, and you lost fair and square! Why couldn't you just take it like a man, instead of pulling something like this!"
Hercule's face lit up with surprise. "Videl, how could you?! Are you accusing me of being a lair?! I can't believe it! My own daughter… I can't believe you'd show me such a lack of respect!"
"I've never had to before today dad! What you're doing is wrong! I know it's lie, and you know it's a lie! Even if you could get them to reverse the decision, how could you live with yourself knowing you got your way all because of a lie?!"
Hercule went a little pale, as those words sunk in for once, since they came from his daughter. They usually just bounced right off of him, but Hercule ignored that brief revelation and acted his normal self. Poor Videl just didn't realize yet that her father had been living high off a lie for over seven years now, and it never bothered him one little bit. Keeping his title based off of one more wouldn't faze him at all. "Well, fine then! Think that way if you want, but I won't let that keep me down! My own daughter calling me a liar… I never thought I'd see this day… Well I'll prove you wrong! You and everybody else that doubts me!"
Videl stared a hole at the back of her father's head as he stormed away from her, a muffled tear escaping from her eye. "I never thought I'd see the day I'd have to doubt you… I'm starting to believe what Gohan and all of his friends are saying is right!"
********
Hercule wiped his forehead with a white towel, as he closed the bathroom door. Good… It looks like most of the people in the crowd are buying it… I don't know what I'm going to do if they want me to fight that kid again!… Ah, don't worry about it… Take things one step at a time Hercule, and everything will be just fine…"
Hercule jumped, as he heard a knock at his door. He turned his head towards the wooden frame, and frowned. "Go away! I'm busy!"
In complete defiance of his greatness, Hercule was ignored and the door slammed open without permission. Hercule growled, and turned around to find a scrawny looking kid with black hair invade his room. "What the hell do you think you're doing kid?! This is my private dressing room, get out now!"
"I don't think so." Gohan crossed his arms over his chest. "It's time we had a little man to man Hercule…"
"Man to man?! Who the hell do you think you are you little punk?!" Hercule's eyes squinted as he thought he recognized this young man. "Wait a second… You're that kid that's been hanging around with Videl aren't you?! I thought I told you to stay away from my daughter! What was your name anyway?! Shoran or something?…"
"The name's Gohan!" Gohan barked, as he took a step closer. "That name should mean something to you!"
"Oh yeah?! And why's that?!"
"You really don't remember me do you? Well, maybe I need to reintroduce myself!" Gohan smiled wickedly, and powered up to his Super Sayian form. Hercule's eyes went wide, and he backed up against the wall.
"Hey, how did you do that?! We're not in the ring…"
"No, we're not are we? You still think it's just some light trick Hercule? I don't see any mirrors or strobe lights in here! What's the matter? You look kind of edgy."
"I don't have time to deal with this!" Hercule stammered. "I have a title in dispute here!…"
Hercule motioned to walk around the Sayian, only for Gohan to grab him by the collar of his Gi, and slam him up against the wall. "You aren't going anywhere Hercule! You're going to stand there and listen to me, you got it?!"
Hercule's face looked panicked as he found he could barely move a muscle as he struggled behind Gohan's firm grip. "Who the heck are you?!"
"You know me well Hercule… Don't you remember the Cell Games? The delivery boy as you so delightfully put it!"
Hercule's face lit up with realization. "No… You're not…"
"Exactly!" Gohan shouted, with a flare of his energy. Hercule nearly pissed in his pants during the display. "The guy who killed Cell! While you hid behind a rock, and claimed to have stomach cramps! I nearly got killed along with all of my friends trying to keep that damn monster from destroying the planet, while you were cowering in the distance! Yet, you still somehow took it upon yourself to take all the credit after the fight."
It can't be… Hercule thought to himself, as Gohan's eyes pierced through him. They disappeared after the Cell Games! I thought they were gone for good! Somehow, I always feared they'd come back, and try to take revenge on me for taking all the credit for beating Cell… What am I going to do?! This guy doesn't exactly look happy!
"Well?!" Gohan snarled, waiting for a response from Hercule. "What do you have to say for yourself?!"
"I, I, I…. Please, I didn't mean any harm by it! I mean, you guys disappeared, and somebody had to take the credit! Please, don't hurt me! I've got money, lots of it! I'll give you anything you want if you just back off!"
"Why should I negotiate with you? Look, you've put me down, humiliated my family, and taken all the credit for something my father lost his life for! I don't give a damn about the fame, and I don't give a damn about getting recognition for beating Cell! It means nothing to me! What kills me is knowing how my father and my friends gave their blood, hearts, and souls to protect this planet, and a sniveling coward who hid behind a fucking rock gets rich and famous off of it, and apparently has no conscious over it whatsoever! And now you want me to back off! Like Hell Hercule! If I was anybody else, I would've blown your ugly face off by now!"
"Look, look, I'm sorry! If you'll just let bygones be bygones, then I promise I'll tell the entire world the truth! You have my word on my honor, just please don't do anything brash!"
"You have no honor you lying rat!" Gohan seethed into Hercule's face. "You proved that seven years ago, and just a few minutes ago when you tried to screw Ryo out of what he's earned! You're a worthless coward who's tried to piggyback his way through life on what others have accomplished! The sad part about it is, you are strong for a human who can't use Ki, and you just might've had something positive to contribute to society if you actually cared about somebody other then yourself! Your daughter's contributed more to the world in the last couple of years then you have your entire pathetic life! It's a shame too, considering how she's striving to be what she thinks you are in her eyes, and half the blind world's eyes for that matter! Look, I don't give a damn about Cell. Let the world keep thinking you beat him, I don't care. I've lived with it for seven years, and I moved past it. However, the one thing I will not do is stand back, and let you screw with my friends! You know you lost that match because he was stronger then you, and you know that this cheap BS story was the only way you could possibly hang on to your stupid little title! Well, I tell you exactly what you're going to do Hercule! You're going to go out there, and tell everyone that you lied and Ryo didn't cheat to beat you! You understand me?!"
"But, but I can't do that!" Hercule practically pleaded with him. "You don't understand, that title's my life…"
"Then get a new life!" Gohan shouted with flair of his Ki, shutting Hercule up instantly. "Like your daughter for instance, or has she become just another one of your publicity props? You listen here, if you don't go out there and admit the truth, then things are going to be a hell of a lot worse for you then just losing your title! If you don't, I'm going to go out there, and tell everyone in the crowd, and everyone watching at home that you're nothing but a spineless fraud!"
"What, no way!" Hercule barked. "There's no way you can prove any of that!"
Gohan smirked, and glared Hercule dead in the eyes. "How are you going to prove me wrong? Especially after I fling you into the sun! It's your choice Hercule. Either the hard way, or the really, really hard way. I can make life miserable for you, and enjoy doing it, so I win either way."
Hercule murmured low in his throat, looking absolutely terrified. "Okay, okay I'll do it! Just let go, and I promise I'll do it!"
"I'm going to hold you to that Hercule. Don't screw with me Hercule. I'm not violent by nature, but ask anyone who knows me, and they'll all tell you that you don't want to piss me off!"
"I promise, I promise!"
"Good… And one more thing…" Gohan almost looked cocky. "Videl and I have gotten rather close over the past few months, and might even be getting closer in the near future. Either way, I'm going to be spending a lot of time with her, and I don't want you giving her a hard time about it either got me?"
Hercule frowned, despite his vicarious position. "Now wait just a minute! Admitting I lied is one thing, but Videl is a completely different story you hear me?! You better stay away from my daughter or I'll!…"
Gohan's expression didn't waver. "Or you'll what?"
Hercule's face went stiff, and he sweat dropped. His lips pursed together in a feeble manner as he squeaked out. "Then I'd… have to ask you nicely to stay away from my daughter…"
Gohan smiled evilly, and shook his head no. "It's not negotiable. You heard my demands Hercule, and unless you comply with them I'm going to make your life a living hell. You can't hide from me, so don't even think about screwing me. I'll be in the car riding your butt from behind that keeps following you, and you just can't seem to shake. I'll be waiting in the tree outside your window at night just waiting for you to fall to sleep. I'll be in every nightmare you have until the day you finally get yours. Do you understand me?!"
Gohan tossed Hercule to the sidewall of his room, and his body nearly froze where it landed. Gohan powered down, smiled, and waved toward Hercule as he headed for the door seeming much more his normal self. "You might want to get out there, time's a wasting! Have a nice rest of the day Mr. Satan!"
Startled to see a young man walking out of Hercule's dressing room, a place that not even his daughter was allowed inside of without special permission, the monk dashed inside to make sure Hercule hadn't popped a screw lose or something. He found the former champ cowering near the far corner shaking violently, and pale as if he'd just seen a ghost. He was mumbling something incoherently, forcing the monk to place his ear in front of Hercule's mouth to hear him. "Pa…Pa…Pa… Need… Pa… Pa…"
"What was that sir? I can't quite make out what you're saying."
"Pa… Pa… Pants! I need pants! Now!"
"Oh right! I'll get you a pair right away!" The monk ran all the way out into the hallway before skidding to a stop. "Wait a second… Pants?"
----------
"You can't seriously be considering Hercule's accusation is true are you?" Goku asked the MC.
"I know it sounds fishy, but I don't have a whole lot of choice. Hercule's track record has gained him a lot of pull with the Tenkaichi's board of officials. He's earned the right to be heard, and we have to take this claim seriously."
"Oh, give me a break!" Krillen grumbled. "His own daughter says he's lying for Kami's sake!"
"We realize that Krillen," the MC said, as he adjusted his glasses. "We haven't made a decision on the matter yet, so please don't go on thinking like Hercule's already gotten his way. We're considering all the possibilities, so be patient."
"I'm sorry about this Ryo…" Videl said to him, sounding somewhat humble. "I don't know why my dad does stuff like this. I guess he's so used to winning, that he just can't accept that he finally lost."
"Yeah whatever… It's not your fault Videl, no need to apologize for him," Ryo told her. "Look, I don't even really care much about winning this stupid tournament, titles or trophies. If I could I'd let your father have them all… It's just the thought of him accusing me of cheating that really sticks in my craw. It's a low blow I tell you…"
"Sticks in your craw?" Videl chuckled. "Even when you're miffed, you have to be you huh?"
A small smirk curved upward on his lips. "Who says this is me?"
Videl tried to laugh, but her emotional resolve failed her. Her expression dimmed, clearly displaying a cloud of sadness spreading over her person. Noticing this, Ryo's expression toke a bleak turn along with her. "Is something wrong Videl?"
"Yeah, something's wrong!" Videl grumbled. "I always looked up to father… Hell, at one time I thought he could do just about anything… But after seeing what's happened here today, I'm not sure what to think of him anymore… It's like I don't even know who he is. Is he the brave and unbeatable hero I grew up thinking he was, or the big phony he looks like right now…"
"He's no different then he's ever been Videl… You're just finally seeing a part of him few people know about… Despite his faults, he is still your father Videl."
"That doesn't make me feel any better…" Videl mumbled, and folded her arms across her chest.
"Look on the bright side…" A frown creased over Ryo's brow. "It could be a lot worse. You're father could be a good for nothing drunk who can't hold down a job, and forgets how old you are on your birthday the one time he actually remembers it. At least your father's taken pretty good care of you, and he does care about you in his own strange egotistical way…"
"Do I sense some sort of hostility existing between you and your father?" Videl assumed. Ryo grimaced, and rolled his eyes, this letting Videl know that he didn't really wish to discuss this matter. "That's a sore spot for you huh? Well, when you put it that way I guess you have a point… I'm still pissed off though… Say, you've had a more interesting life then you let on haven't you?"
Ryo smirked at this. "I guess you can say that… Maybe I'll tell you about it someday, but not now. You're going to have a hard enough time adjusting to Gohan's life to worry about mine."
"That's for sure…" Videl sighed. "I still want to know though."
"In due time… I won't be as interesting to you as Gohan's though. I'm sure your exchange will involve a few more intimate details than mine will."
Videl blushed, and frowned playfully. "Oh, shut up you pervert! It isn't going to be anything like that! I can't believe you'd even suggest that!"
"I didn't say anything like that, I was implying something else," Ryo said casually. "You were the one who decided to make it sexual."
"Don't play games! That's how you were hoping I'd react, and you know it!"
"Possibly, but you still brought it upon yourself."
"You are so full of crap!" Videl laughed. "Well… I think I'm going to go talk to my dad now… Maybe I can talk some sense into the big fake, if I can bare to look the man in the face that is…"
"Just keep your cool Videl, and remember that no matter what he might've done he's still your father… I wouldn't claim him, but he's still your father…"
----------
Videl took a deep breath, as she stared down her father's door. She was still seething from what she had learned earlier in the day, but she was trying to stay calm for Ryo's sake. She was doing this for him, not to take out her frustrations on her father just yet… That could wait for another time. As for now, she'd just pretend things were normal, as hard as that was going to be. Finally, she rasped her knuckles against the door, and waited impatiently for her father to open the door. "Dad! Are you still in there?! It's Videl!"
A short moment of silence past, before Hercule chose to reply. "Oh, it's you sweet pea… Come on in…"
Something in her father's voice bothered Videl, driving her to open the door and enter a step quicker then normal. She strolled inside to find her father staring in the mirror, but the former champ didn't appear to be admiring himself as he normally did when he stared at his own reflection. More like studying the image looking back at him like he wasn't sure who he was. "Dad?… What are you doing?…"
"Videl… Would you please close the door," Hercule said solemnly.
Now Videl was really worried. She hadn't heard her father sound like this since the days after her mother passed away. She did as he requested, then approached him. "Is something wrong daddy?"
"Videl… What I'm about to tell you is hard for me but…" Hercule sighed, and looked at the floor. "I'm a fraud Videl… Nothing but a fraud…"
"What do you mean?" Videl asked, trying to act dumb toward certain things. "I already know you were lying about you match with Ryo, but that doesn't make you a total fraud…"
"That's not what I mean… The last seven years… All the fame… All the money, all the publicity. It was all based on a lie… Because I took credit for something somebody else did, and made a name of myself with it…"
"What do you mean dad?" Videl asked, with a strong feeling as to what he was confessing.
"I… I mean with Cell… I didn't defeat Cell honey… In fact, I didn't even ever actually engage him in a serious battle, unless you count that pathetic ten seconds it took for him to swat me halfway to Mongolia! I hid behind the rock for the rest of the fight like a coward, and watched a group of fighters stand in between that monster and the destruction of our very planet. I was completely worthless…"
"But why?!" Videl asked him having grown serious by now. She desperately wanted to know the reasons behind why he lied about Cell since that afternoon when she found out that it wasn't actually Hercule that defeated that monster. "Why did you take the glory for something you didn't even do! All those people look up to you for that, I looked up to you for that! Why did you lie about daddy?! Why?!"
"I'm not sure why Videl…" Hercule trailed off. "I kind of got swept up in the moment I guess. After the fight, all those other fighters disappeared from the battlefield, including the kid that did most of the fighting. By the time the reporters, news crews, and everyone else came I was the only person left standing. They all assumed I had defeated Cell like I claimed I was going to do, and they all started to congratulate me and celebrate the victory before I had a chance to explain to them that I didn't actually beat Cell… With all the attention I was getting, I just couldn't turn it away, so I started to live a lie… After a while I got so caught up in it, I think I actually started to believe that I really did kill Cell. It never bothered me either… The guys who fought him never came back to claim any responsibility for the fight, so there wasn't anything there to hang over my conscious. I never felt guilty about it not once, and was even proud of a false achievement… That was about up until a few minutes ago when that boy beat me… I knew I couldn't win even before I got in the ring with him, and I was so enraged by that fact that I made up that bullshit story about him cheating to try to save my own face… Then, he came back to me…"
"Who came back to you?"
"The boy who defeated Cell, or the young man he grew up to be anyway… He told me that he didn't care about me taking the credit for killing Cell, but he wasn't going to standby and let me screw over one of his friends because I was too proud to take the loss like a man… I don't know why, but he got me thinking…"
"Boy who defeated Cell?" Videl asked curiously. "Who was this boy? The one that they showed on TV near the battle scene?"
"Yeah… I know this is going to sound strange, but that eleven-year-old kid was the one who really killed that monster… Big old powerful Hercule here couldn't touch him, but that kid took him out for good… It's kind of embarrassing really…"
Now Videl's interest was peaking like never before. She wanted to know who this kid was, and she hoped her father could at least tell her that much. She had a sinking feeling she knew what she was going to hear already… "Tell me Dad… Who was this kid's this name?"
"I don't recall really… I think it was Gohan or something like that…"
Videl's eyes grew wide as saucers, and she went numb. Her mouth opened as if to speak, but nothing came out except for a shocked moan, leaving her jaw hanging there for a good fleeting moment.
"I don't know what to do…" Hercule muttered, not even noticing his daughter's reaction. "The kid wants me to admit I lied about the other kid cheating during the match, or he's threatened to expose me…"
Videl seemed to snap back into reality, and had a quick answer for him. "Don't give him a chance to dad… You need to tell the world yourself. At the very least admit you were lying about the fight, so we can put this year's Tenkaichi to rest. You know how big of a mess this lie is going to make of things, and none of us deserve to go through that. Especially Ryo… He beat you fair and square dad… We can worry about the Cell thing later, right now first thing is first."
"I know…" Hercule said referring to both counts. "Well… I better get out there, and get this over with… It was a good run, but I'm afraid my career might be coming to an end…"
----------
"Tell us about these allegations of Hercule's that you used underhanded tactics to win the championship Ryo?" one of the reporters asked him.
Ryo frowned, and spoke into the microphone the man had shoved in front of his face. "I assure you they're completely false! I in no way cheated to beat Hercule!"
"But how can we be certain of that?" another media anchor asked. "Hercule has done so well in past tournaments it's hard to believe he'd go down after one punch."
Ryo frowned, and turned his head. "Look, I'm not answering anymore of this crap okay?!"
"Is that an admission of guilt?"
"Was that an admission that you're and idiot?! You people make me sick! A minute ago you were all kissing my ass like my shit didn't stink, and now you're all trying to railroad me because the ex-champ is a sore loser! Well I'm not putting up with this! I'll tell you what! You all can take those damn cameras and microphones, and stick them right up your…"
Before Ryo could finish threatening the media, an unexpected party burst onto the scene. "Stop everything! Hercule has returned!"
"It's Hercule everybody!" The reporters began to chime excitedly. "Maybe we can finally shed some like on this unfortunate controversy!"
"Um… Well, yeah, that's why I'm here…"
Ryo's eyes squinted low in typical anime fashion, a bead of sweat dripping down his forehead. "Great, what's he going to do now? Tell them I walk old ladies across the street just to push them in front of cars!"
"You see I ah…" Hercule began to mumble as he stared off at the massive crowd. Many in the front were reporters from various network channels around the world, and newspaper columnists. Of course very few people had left the arena from the crowd, anxious to see what was going to happen with the championship situation. Hercule hung his head, and did the unthinkable. He swallowed his pride and told the truth. "I lied about… What I mean to say is that the kid didn't cheat during our match this afternoon… I don't know why I said what I did… I was just so shocked to actually lose a fight after all these years that I guess I just overreacted to the entire situation. I apologize to all you fans for the deception, and to the champion and all the Tenkaichi officials for putting a strain on the proceedings here… I also apologize for my pathetic performance in the championship match, and I vow that by this time seven years from now I'll be poised and ready to return and reclaim my title!"
Though much of his speech was spoken in a hushed low tone, his final line was said with a passionate flair. Whether it was that fact, or his history of past heroics, the crowd seemed to buy into it and began to cheer. "Isn't that something else folks! A hero as legendary as Hercule is man enough to admit he wrongly accused his opponent of cheating in the finals, and in front of millions of people to boot! What a guy huh?!" one of the reporters exclaimed.
"What a crackpot maybe…" Killen grumbled.
"This is absurd!" Vegeta complained. "That fool just admitted he was nothing more then a lying weakling, and these ridiculous people are still cheering him!"
"Well you have to admit…" Goku said looking impressed, as he examined the crowd. "He is popular…"
"He actually admitted it!" Gohan marveled. "I can't believe it!"
"You haven't heard anything yet," Videl told him with a smile, knowing full well he was going to be shocked by what her father was about to confess next. At least she hoped he would anyway. As she expected, he wasn't having an easy time getting the words out."
"That's not all I have to say… You see, there's something I think I need to clear the air with… A few years ago I was in a battle with a monster called Cell as you all know…"
Gohan's eyes widened as he realized what Hercule might be getting at. He smiled at the thought of how after seven years of lies and deception, the truth might finally come to light in the eyes of the public. That was until he noticed something in the crowd. How hopeful and proud they all were with the man standing up there at the podium. He could almost sense the feeling of ease in some of the adults that felt like they were all safe in the presence of the great Hercule Satan, and the gleam of admiration in the eyes of the children looking on. For the last seven years, Hercule had been the greatest hero the world had ever known, and most every woman, man, and child looked up to him as such. He was the light of the world, and the model that every young aspiring youth looked to be once they reached adulthood. Now, all that was about to be squashed like a bug that gets too close to the dinner table. In mere seconds, they would all realize that everything they had looked up to, and believed in was all based on a lie from one egotistical man who couldn't resist jumping into the spotlight. Sure it was wrong for Hercule to build a life on the achievements of others, but it was also wrong to kill the hopes and dreams of so many just to ease the troubled minds of a handful of people that knew the truth. With Hercule struggling to come up with the words for his confession, Gohan decided he better act quick before the world as he knew it changed forever.
Gohan hopped up on the ring, and bounded over to Ryo who looked at him as if he knew exactly why he was up there. Gohan assumed Ryo must've been noticing the same things he had been. "We can't let him do this can we?"
"It's your call Gohan… This affects you more than anybody… If you want to stop him say the word, and we'll do it."
Gohan didn't answer right away. He looked over at Hercule who was in the middle of battling the conflicting voices of his ego and his conscious.
"It's just that um… As I said before, seven years ago I fought a monster named Cell and… I uh... I…"
"Was absolutely great wasn't he guys!" Ryo shouted out to the crowd, and patted Hercule on the back. Hercule looked back at the boy, wondering if the kid had gone out of his mind. He was even more shocked when the man he screwed the most himself came marching up to the other side of the former champ.
"Yeah, he saved the entire world that day! We can't just forget about that now can we?!"
"Yeah," Ryo added. "He might've lost here today, but we can't forget what he's accomplished in the past."
Hercule looked at Ryo confused, and then back at Gohan, his expression asking the question his mouth had yet to create the words for. Gohan smirked slightly, and nodded his head. "Go ahead Hercule… You're a lot better at being famous for killing Cell than I ever would be, and frankly I don't want the publicity. It's better off for all us if the world thinks you defeated Cell anyway."
Hercule didn't have to be told twice. He immediately threw his arm up in the air, and roared out to the crowd. "That's right! And I vow from this day on to train as hard as I can, and regain my title at the next Tenkaichi! I still have to say that I think that was just a lucky punch but…" Ryo grunted, as Hercule put him in a semi-headlock. "But with the proper training from yours truly, this kid can definitely be the next big thing in martial arts competition!"
"Wonderful…" Ryo muttered, as Hercule flashed his signature V-sign with his free hand. Ryo's nose scrounged violently when it got too close to Hercule's under arm. "Damn, doesn't he ever use deodorant?"
After a few more seconds of playing to the crowd as they cheered on their old hero with newfound faith in him, Hercule finally let go of Ryo, and started out of the ring. He stopped next to Gohan, and without looking at him closed his eyes and spoke softly. "Hey Uh… Thanks kid… I guess I owe you one for this…"
Gohan smiled at this. "I think you owe me quite a few already…"
"I think I gave you enough when I agreed not to interfere with you and my daughter… Don't push your luck kid…"
"You have a point…" Gohan watched after the former champ as he disappeared somewhere inside of the arena. That was all he really wanted anyway.
********
"It sure has been fun guys," Goku said solemnly, his head hanging low towards the ground. "But my time has just about run out… It was really good to see all of you again, and I'll really miss all of you."
"And we'll miss you too," Chi-Chi cooed, and wrapped her arms around her husband's chest. A good thirty seconds later, Goku could tell how difficult it was for her to let go just by how tightly she was holding him. Not that it was any easier for him mind you. She backed away slowly, smiling through the tears in her eyes trying not to make the situation any harder than it already was. Little Goten however, just couldn't manage the same resolve as his much wiser mother could, and looked up with a pouty expression on his face towards the father he'd known for only one day.
"Do you have to go already?"
"I'm afraid I do Goten…" Goku said with a smile. "It was a big enough stretch for them to let me visit as long as I have, and I can't dare think to prolong that gift any longer then they've already granted me."
"Maybe we could visit you sometime from where you're at?" Goten asked hopefully.
Goku laughed at this. "Maybe someday Goten, but hopefully that won't be for years and years from now until you're much, much older. But I promise I will see you again before then."
Goku gave his youngest son a hug, and once again found himself reluctant to break apart, this time from a son he hardly even knew. He set him down next to his mother, who quickly took Goten by the hand. Goku had already said his goodbyes to his friends earlier in the night, including Piccolo, Krillen, Bulma, and Yamcha. Even Vegeta said good-bye to him in his own odd way, stating how he'd just have to wait for some other time to pound Kakarrot into the ground. Maybe it was selfish of him, but he wanted to save his family for last and say his good-byes to them privately. He even suggested Gohan should bring Videl along, assuming from what he had seen so far that the girl was probably going to be part of the family some day anyway. Whatever reason, she decided to stay back, probably to give Gohan some breathing room…
Speaking of which, Goku strolled over to his oldest son, who was shaking somewhat nervously. Goku embraced his boy, who hugged him back as his father spoke into his ear. "I'm very proud of you son. You've grown up into a fine young man, and you're exactly what I expected you to be… Take care of your mother and brother for me… And Videl for your own sake."
Gohan blushed at the later of Goku's statement, and slowly loosened his hold on his father. "I will dad… I wouldn't let anything happen to any of them…"
"I know… I would like to see you take your training habits more seriously however. Remember, that if this word is ever in danger, it's going to count on you to be able to help protect it. I don't want you slipping around all over the place like you did when you were in the ring with me."
"I will dad… I promise…" Gohan's eyes widened when he felt his hands slip through this father's solid form. His arms fell down to the sides, as he stared straight into the sad smile of his father as his physical form slowly began to fade away. Goku took one last look at Gohan, and then back over at his wife and youngest child. He gave them all one final wave before crossing back over into other world.
"Good-bye my family… I love you all…"
"Bye daddy!" Goten waved back, while his mother tried not to cry as she held onto his hand. Gohan looked on sadly at the spot his father had just stood, and smiled weakly at his mother and brother.
"Well… He may be gone, but at least we got the time we did with him… If you'll excuse me, I need to go talk with Videl… I made a promise to her after all…"
----------
Gohan found Videl propped up against a tree staring out at the forest that surrounded the arena the Tenkaichi had been held in. "Right where I left you huh?"
Videl smiled up at Gohan, but her heart almost broke when she saw the gloomy look etched all over his face. "Hey Gohan… He's gone back huh?"
"Yeah… No need to dwell on it I guess… It's time to move on and concentrate on more pleasant things…" Gohan's eyes widened when he felt Videl's hand slip into his. The way her fingers wrapped around his skin so delicately, such a very soothing and comforting manner, he could almost forget that this was Videl who was doing it. Those just weren't words most people that knew her would use to describe her. Those were people who didn't know Videl on the inside however, and Gohan knew better. Gohan looked over at her, and noted the somewhat goofy smile on her face. She had never even bothered to look at him, as she seemed more interested in examining the stars that had gathered in the night sky.
"It's sure pretty out here tonight isn't it?"
"Videl… I guess I owe you an explanation for everything that's been going on lately huh?"
A sad look fell over Videl's face, and she looked towards the ground. "You don't have to if you don't want… I can understand if you don't feel like talking about it right now."
Gohan smiled at this. For once it seemed as if Videl was trying to understand his feelings on the subject, especially with having to say good-bye to his father a second time. "No Videl, I made a promise, and I intend to keep it… Besides, I'm hoping getting this off my chest will make me feel better…"
Videl's expression perked up. "What do you mean by getting it off your chest? Is it something bad?"
"Depends on how you look at it. I've been feeling bad for quite a while about keeping all this from you…" Gohan sighed. "If I should be able to trust anybody right now it should be you…"
Videl blushed, and she tried her best not to smile. Her heart almost melted at those words, something she'd been wanting to hear from him for the longest time. "Okay then… I don't care how long it takes, and we have all night… So, where do you want to start?"
"I don't know… First of all, what all do you know about me already, so I don't repeat myself?"
Videl smiled, and continued to look up into the sky. "Well, quite a bit actually. I know you're half-Sayian, an alien race not of Earth obviously, and you were trained in martial arts by another alien named Piccolo. I also found out recently that Vegeta is the prince of the Sayian race, and I know that you're the son of Goku Son a former Tenkaichi Champion in his own right."
"Well, you already know half the story, so I don't see what you're still complaining about!" Gohan laughed. "I told you most of it myself already anyway."
Videl frowned playfully, and gave him an accusing look. "Oh yeah right! You haven't told me anything!"
"Actually yes I have," Gohan smiled knowingly. "I remember telling you that I was half-alien one day, and I also remember telling you that a certain green skinned alien blew up the moon. I also told you another time that I found you hiding in the park because I could sense your energy. I told you a lot of things like that, it's not my fault that you didn't believe me at the time I told you."
Videl's face went wide with surprise, remembering all three occasions and looked at him with a confrontational smile. "Well, that doesn't count! How was I supposed to know you were telling the truth back then?! I didn't know anything about all this Ki crap and junk!"
"I still told you. I never lied once, you should pay more attention when somebody says something to you."
An evil smile spread across Videl's lips. "Oh, but I have been listening Gohan… That's how I found out that my father really didn't defeat Cell all those years ago…"
Gohan suddenly looked nervous. "You do?… How do you know that?"
"Well, first I asked Ryo if my father really did beat Cell, and he told me the answer was no but he wouldn't tell me who actually killed Cell…" Videl turned her head, and looked Gohan straight in the face. "It was actually my father himself who admitted to me who really defeated Cell…"
"Oh, he did…" Gohan sweat dropped, more from the look she was giving him then the thought she might really know that he had destroyed Cell. "Who did he tell you?…"
Videl smiled, and turned her body completely around now to face his. "Eleven years old huh?… That's amazing… But then again, you are an amazing person aren't you?"
Gohan blushed, as Videl ran her fingers across his face. He had no idea what to say next, and whatever he tried was probably going to come out as nothing more then gibberish, but he did manage a few choppy syllables. "So… You know it was…"
"You? Yes, I do…" By this time, Videl had snuck her arm around the back of his neck. "But there is one thing I'm still not quite convinced of that I need you to reiterate for me… How do you feel about me Gohan?"
"Feel about you?" Gohan muttered nervously. "Well… I think about you as a really good friend, and well…"
"Well what?…" Videl's smile broadened to a point she was showing some teeth. "Just friends now Gohan? That's not what I heard you say in the doctor's room after Spopovitch beat the living hell out of me."
Now Gohan looked absolutely horrified. "You!… You were awake?!"
"Barely, but yeah…" Videl said, moving her face up closer to his. "The problem is, I'm not sure if I heard you right, so I need you to say it again… Now what did you say Gohan?"
"I said…" Gohan stammered, feeling Videl's face inch closer to his. So close they could smell what one another had for dinner that night. "I said I love you…"
"That's what I thought… That's good… Because I love you too…" Videl barely managed to squeak out, before their lips finally reached each other's. It took a moment for them to realize just what the heck had happened, and when they did Gohan threw his free arm around her back and pulled her body just close enough so it wasn't touching his. Videl grunted, but otherwise didn't complain as she allowed her lips to sink deeper pressing harder into his, still clutching on tightly to the hand she'd taken in an innocent attempt to comfort him. After some time, they finally parted leaving a flustered Gohan to stare at a somewhat smug looking Videl.
"Is something wrong Gohan?" Videl chuckled.
"Um… Did that really just happen?"
"Yeah…" Videl replied, her cheeks flushing slightly herself. "You mean you don't know? Maybe one more will convince you…"
Videl kissed him again, this time deliberately pressing her body into his, something the boy had tried to avoid before. He tried to maintain his balance, but it was a little too late as the shock for her sudden action forced Gohan down to his but. Videl grunted and giggled into his mouth as she fell down with him, landing with a thump into his lap, her arms still latched firmly around his neck. Uncertain of what else he could do, Gohan simply held her there, and didn't even think to kiss back until about halfway through their lips original meeting. Videl seemed delighted by this, releasing an almost relieved sounding grunt. She'd been wondering if he just didn't want to kiss back, or if he just wasn't thinking about it. She also wondered as to why he kept his arms around her waist, yet kept his hand arched upward away from her back.
"Are you afraid to touch me?" Videl asked with a hard breath, after their mouths parted ways.
"No… Well, maybe a little," Gohan admitted. "I was afraid you might hit me or something if I did something you didn't like…"
"I'm not going to hit you Gohan!" Videl laughed, and ran her hand through his hair. "You are such a dork… But you're my dork."
"You know that's the sweetest thing you ever said to me," Gohan smiled. "Yet, you still managed to insult me."
"It wasn't an insult Gohan… If you're a dork then the world needs more of them… Don't ever change okay?"
"I won't if you won't… So, are you ready for me to start the story?"
"Sure…" Videl cooed, and burrowed her head against his shoulder until she positioned it comfortably, her eyes parallel to his chin. "I'll try not to distract you too much…"
Gohan smiled, and looked up towards the stars. "Well… I guess it all started when my great-grandfather Gohan, yes I was named after him, found a baby in the forest…"
End.
-Ah sweet. You know this turned out a lot better then I thought it would. For once I'm completely happy with the way one my chapters comes across. It's a lot easier to right when you're completely into the subject matter. Hmm… Somebody finally noticed I never claimed Ryo in the disclaimer line… I wonder why that is?
Preview of Chapter 21 Things are beginning to get back to normal in the DBZ world, the day after the tournament commences… For about eight hours this is when a strange man approaches Gohan, Vegeta, Ryo, and Piccolo with an offer to come aboard his spaceship and compete in a universal space tournament were some of the best fighters in the galaxy have gathered. However, the Supreme Kai seems disturbed by their arrival, even enough for him to temporally forget about Babadi and Buu! What could be so important about this Nobuki, and what exactly does he have in store for the Z-senshi and the planet Earth?
