I don't really have anything to say about this chapter right now. Only I
hope you enjoy it and please review.
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball GT.
~
Chapter 15: Black Holes
Gohan finished talking to Piccolo and came over to Pan. She was drinking the last of her water when he did, restraining the urge to ask what had happened to Grandpa Goku. Luckily, he read her mind.
"I know you're wondering what's going on, Pan." His eyes were stern. "All that happened was your grandpa had a bad reading of something. It was probably nothing, just instinct." But Pan could see through her father just as well as she could see through Trunks. Besides, her dad was a terrible liar. Not to say he was lying of course, just neglecting the truth.
"Sure, it was probably nothing, Dad." Pan said, but she smiled and Gohan gave her a hug.
"I knew you'd understand," He said, giving her a noogie on the head.
She laughed and kissed her dad on the cheek.
"Good luck, hun. Do your best and don't give up." He gave her one last hug and sent her off to her fight.
Pan squared off with Number 18. The woman was wearing her usual; Pan didn't know how she fought in those clothes. Not that it mattered. Either way she knew this would be a good fight.
"And now! Number Eighteen versus Pan Son! You know the rules, ladies! Ready...Guard!" The host cried out, and Pan's second round began.
~
Goku rubbed his temples. He had a searing headache. Straight in between his eyes like when you have your contacts in for too long.
"Have a sensu bean, Goku, it's sure to get you back on your feet," Krillin came up to him and handed him one of the Kami blessed beans.
"Thanks Krillin, I could sure use it." Goku popped the bean in his mouth and chewed hungrily. He waited a few seconds for the magic to take effect.
"Uhhh, Krillin? Are you sure this is a sensu bean? 'Cause it's not working."
~
It was like playing tag instead of fighting. They were moving very fast, Pan's power burning faster than 18's because she wasn't as experienced. Every time one of them tried to hit the other, they would flee to another spot, rather than standing ground and fighting. 18 obviously got tired of this and threw a ki blast at Pan. Pan did her best to block it, but it scorched her nonetheless. They landed on the ground, both breathing heavily. Powering up, Pan had an aura but Number 18 didn't, probably because she was an android. Pan thought she looked rather constipated when she did that, and suppressed a giggle.
And they were off again, a kind of boring fight to the other participants. Pan grew frustrated at the lack of enthusiasm she and 18 had for this bout. Annoyance crept at her eyes, making it kind of hard to see. She glanced over at her relations. Trunks was watching their fight like a hawk.
C'mon Pan-chan. I know you can do better than that.
Pan glanced sharply over at Trunks once more. Was that Trunks in my head? Pan thought. How did he get in there?
She didn't have any more time to think about that though, because 18 had taken that moment of shock to hit her square in the face.
"Ow! Damn it!"
Pay attention, Pan!
There it was again, Trunks' voice in her head.
I'm trying to! You're distracting me! She yelled mentally back. She looked over at Trunks with a scowl. He looked shocked. His mouth was hanging open, but he closed it immediately.
Now she concentrated, okay, I've got to get this fight under control.
They were on the ground still; Pan blocking while 18 hit. Pan waited for the moment she would spring. Almost there, just a bit more, now!
Pan snuck under 18 with an upside down punch and pushed her the other way. Her arms didn't stop moving; occasionally she tried a back fist to the head, but 18 usually caught those. She kiahed every time she hit, building up her momentum. A kick here, middle knuckle punch there, and it was almost time to kick her android ass out of the ring. There it was! The moment she was waiting for.
All of a sudden she couldn't stand. She also found she couldn't see. The sun was gone, and darkness had replaced it. And it wasn't mental blackness either, it was in the sky. It was so dark Pan was sure she wouldn't be able to see her hand if she put it in front of her face. She hit the ground on her knees and clutched her head, it hurt like hell, let's just put it that way. Screams could be heard everywhere; it was the crowd. Pan realized she herself was screaming, and so was Number 18 next to her.
Almost out of instinct she wished her mom and dad were here with her. But in reality, she had no idea where they were or if they were even alright.
~
Gohan tried to see what was going on; the whole sky was black and all he could hear was people screaming. He groped around for anything, anyone. He found an arm.
"Who are you?" He said.
"It's Goku, Gohan is that you?" He had found his dad. Good.
"What the hell is going on, Dad?"
Before he could answer, about 10 feet away a ball of light appeared. The face that glowed about it was the Supreme Kai. He was standing up with the light above his head, holding it.
Another ball of light popped into the air right in front of him. Goku had conjured it. Gohan did the same. All around him, everyone else made one too. Unfortunately, with the light came talk, enough talk to make the Supreme Kai shout above everyone.
"Aye!" He shouted. All the Z fighters quieted down, but the crowd of course still screamed. "Is everyone all right?" Was the first thing he asked, and they all checked each other out, making sure no one was hurt. Gohan and Goku were standing against the wall, while Piccolo and the others were scattered around them. Bra clutched onto Trunks' shoulder, clearly afraid.
A thought about Pan rose in Gohan's head, and he panicked for a second, but remembered she was with Number 18. He also knew Videl would be alright, she was with Chi chi and both women had a clear head.
"Supreme Kai! What has happened?" This was Vegeta; he hadn't lost his cool at all, his arms were crossed and he was standing warily.
"I'm not sure, exactly, Vegeta. All I know is that it has something to do with what happened to Goku earlier." Kai stopped here.
"Could it be someone is using the Dragonballs, Kai?" Goku offered this peaceful solution.
"No, Goku, this is far more unnatural."
"How come we aren't hurting, like everyone else is?" Krillin spoke this time, a quizzical look on his face.
"You are all under my protection here, in this space. If you were to walk out into the arena you would hurt too." Kai said, his face serious.
"Pan!" Gohan said to himself. That means she is hurting along with everyone else. Krillin had the same look, he too had people out there that were hurting, not to mention his daughter, Marron. Trunks had the foreboding look on his face as well, his mom was out there too. But Gohan also had a sneaking suspicion some of the sympathy was for Pan as well.
A big boom sounded overhead and light flooded the land. Literally, it was light flowing around everyone, except it wasn't a good light. All the Z fighters turned their heads in the direction of the boom. Half the audience had been incinerated. Gohan gulped; the horrible smell of burning flesh filled the air. He almost choked. Coughs came everywhere and he thought he heard Bra's scream pierce the air.
~
Pan was terrified. 18 clutched her hand and they huddled there for what seemed like hours. When light flooded the ring they both sighed, but the sigh was quickly taken in when a boom rang out, and Pan screamed. The most grotesque odor replaced the fear of blackness and Pan and 18 looked up where the sound had originated. Smoke and ashes floated in the sky.
"Oh my god," 18 said, her voice quivering.
Pan couldn't say anything. Realizing what had happened, tears flooded her eyes as the light had flooded the stadium.
Both girls looked up and there was a black figure up in the sky like Superman. Except he was the complete opposite. He was the most horrific creature Pan had ever seen or heard of. But also, he was a complete surprise to what Pan would have thought he looked like. It was a clown. Straight out of horror films and mysteries. His striped, wide pants were black, and his shoes were the same as that of a circus clown. His shirt however, was ripped and tattered, along with the rest of his clothes. He was tall and skinny for a clown, with a grin as wide as his pants. His eyes were big and round, like a caricature. His hair stuck out on both sides of his head and he wore a top hat that was tattered too.
"What the hell," 18 said next to her.
~
Gohan and the others couldn't stop staring at the figure above them. A clown! Of all evil creatures to walk the earth, it was a damn clown! Was this a joke? Some kind of trick the management decided to play? Somehow he didn't think it was.
"Goku! Gohan! Round up the others; we must stop it before it kills everyone!" Kai yelled at them. Gohan and his dad did as told and gathered all the men. Trunks stepped forward too, but Gohan held him back.
"Hey!" He cried.
"Not this time, Trunks. You need to stay here."
"I can help, Gohan, I'm not a damn child for god's sake!" Trunks fumed, but Gohan did not let go of his shoulder.
"Trunks, I want you to watch over the girls. Especially Pan. Make sure she doesn't do anything stupid, okay?" Gohan pleaded.
"Okay, fine," Trunks looked down at his shoes.
"You're a good man, Trunks, and I know Pan knows that too. She loves you. I know she does. Please take good care of her." And with that he left Trunks pondering.
"Make sure you all concentrate on your goal, and not the blackness. If that happens, you will hurt like everyone else. Your goal is to save life, concentrate on that. Life. Let's go." Supreme Kai led the way out, almost like he was a sergeant general. It was quite a sight. Everyone was grim, they couldn't believe they were going to battle with a clown. It was preposterous. But it killed mercilessly, and you can't even excuse a clown for that.
~
Pan had regained her breath and was trying to suppress the pain. She was fighting it pretty well, for now it was only a throb. 18 had accomplished this too, but both failed to stand up. Out of nowhere, a series of flyers flew into the sky, two of them dropping like flies on the way up. They kept going to encircle the clown. She realized who they were.
"Dad! Where are you going?! Wait, I'm coming!" It was a weak yell, one only 18 heard. She tried to stand, she really did. She poured all her strength into just standing up, something she usually took for granted. But it was in vain. She just couldn't. Sadly, she watched the figures above her converse and then a black hole form near them. They stood there for what seemed like ages, then, one by one, they jumped into it, one figure going in after the clown. Then it swirled, around and around, until it was gone. All gone.
All of her hope had died away with the hole, and she fell into her own black vortex, her body sighing with relief as the hole swallowed her up into unconsciousness.
~
Surprised? Me too. I didn't imagine it to be quite this dramatic, but this is the way it came out. Don't start thinking this story is a little strange, because I know it is. But the reason I'm doing this is I want to touch on the reality of the situation. Oh, and remember, it gets worse before it gets better. ;)
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball GT.
~
Chapter 15: Black Holes
Gohan finished talking to Piccolo and came over to Pan. She was drinking the last of her water when he did, restraining the urge to ask what had happened to Grandpa Goku. Luckily, he read her mind.
"I know you're wondering what's going on, Pan." His eyes were stern. "All that happened was your grandpa had a bad reading of something. It was probably nothing, just instinct." But Pan could see through her father just as well as she could see through Trunks. Besides, her dad was a terrible liar. Not to say he was lying of course, just neglecting the truth.
"Sure, it was probably nothing, Dad." Pan said, but she smiled and Gohan gave her a hug.
"I knew you'd understand," He said, giving her a noogie on the head.
She laughed and kissed her dad on the cheek.
"Good luck, hun. Do your best and don't give up." He gave her one last hug and sent her off to her fight.
Pan squared off with Number 18. The woman was wearing her usual; Pan didn't know how she fought in those clothes. Not that it mattered. Either way she knew this would be a good fight.
"And now! Number Eighteen versus Pan Son! You know the rules, ladies! Ready...Guard!" The host cried out, and Pan's second round began.
~
Goku rubbed his temples. He had a searing headache. Straight in between his eyes like when you have your contacts in for too long.
"Have a sensu bean, Goku, it's sure to get you back on your feet," Krillin came up to him and handed him one of the Kami blessed beans.
"Thanks Krillin, I could sure use it." Goku popped the bean in his mouth and chewed hungrily. He waited a few seconds for the magic to take effect.
"Uhhh, Krillin? Are you sure this is a sensu bean? 'Cause it's not working."
~
It was like playing tag instead of fighting. They were moving very fast, Pan's power burning faster than 18's because she wasn't as experienced. Every time one of them tried to hit the other, they would flee to another spot, rather than standing ground and fighting. 18 obviously got tired of this and threw a ki blast at Pan. Pan did her best to block it, but it scorched her nonetheless. They landed on the ground, both breathing heavily. Powering up, Pan had an aura but Number 18 didn't, probably because she was an android. Pan thought she looked rather constipated when she did that, and suppressed a giggle.
And they were off again, a kind of boring fight to the other participants. Pan grew frustrated at the lack of enthusiasm she and 18 had for this bout. Annoyance crept at her eyes, making it kind of hard to see. She glanced over at her relations. Trunks was watching their fight like a hawk.
C'mon Pan-chan. I know you can do better than that.
Pan glanced sharply over at Trunks once more. Was that Trunks in my head? Pan thought. How did he get in there?
She didn't have any more time to think about that though, because 18 had taken that moment of shock to hit her square in the face.
"Ow! Damn it!"
Pay attention, Pan!
There it was again, Trunks' voice in her head.
I'm trying to! You're distracting me! She yelled mentally back. She looked over at Trunks with a scowl. He looked shocked. His mouth was hanging open, but he closed it immediately.
Now she concentrated, okay, I've got to get this fight under control.
They were on the ground still; Pan blocking while 18 hit. Pan waited for the moment she would spring. Almost there, just a bit more, now!
Pan snuck under 18 with an upside down punch and pushed her the other way. Her arms didn't stop moving; occasionally she tried a back fist to the head, but 18 usually caught those. She kiahed every time she hit, building up her momentum. A kick here, middle knuckle punch there, and it was almost time to kick her android ass out of the ring. There it was! The moment she was waiting for.
All of a sudden she couldn't stand. She also found she couldn't see. The sun was gone, and darkness had replaced it. And it wasn't mental blackness either, it was in the sky. It was so dark Pan was sure she wouldn't be able to see her hand if she put it in front of her face. She hit the ground on her knees and clutched her head, it hurt like hell, let's just put it that way. Screams could be heard everywhere; it was the crowd. Pan realized she herself was screaming, and so was Number 18 next to her.
Almost out of instinct she wished her mom and dad were here with her. But in reality, she had no idea where they were or if they were even alright.
~
Gohan tried to see what was going on; the whole sky was black and all he could hear was people screaming. He groped around for anything, anyone. He found an arm.
"Who are you?" He said.
"It's Goku, Gohan is that you?" He had found his dad. Good.
"What the hell is going on, Dad?"
Before he could answer, about 10 feet away a ball of light appeared. The face that glowed about it was the Supreme Kai. He was standing up with the light above his head, holding it.
Another ball of light popped into the air right in front of him. Goku had conjured it. Gohan did the same. All around him, everyone else made one too. Unfortunately, with the light came talk, enough talk to make the Supreme Kai shout above everyone.
"Aye!" He shouted. All the Z fighters quieted down, but the crowd of course still screamed. "Is everyone all right?" Was the first thing he asked, and they all checked each other out, making sure no one was hurt. Gohan and Goku were standing against the wall, while Piccolo and the others were scattered around them. Bra clutched onto Trunks' shoulder, clearly afraid.
A thought about Pan rose in Gohan's head, and he panicked for a second, but remembered she was with Number 18. He also knew Videl would be alright, she was with Chi chi and both women had a clear head.
"Supreme Kai! What has happened?" This was Vegeta; he hadn't lost his cool at all, his arms were crossed and he was standing warily.
"I'm not sure, exactly, Vegeta. All I know is that it has something to do with what happened to Goku earlier." Kai stopped here.
"Could it be someone is using the Dragonballs, Kai?" Goku offered this peaceful solution.
"No, Goku, this is far more unnatural."
"How come we aren't hurting, like everyone else is?" Krillin spoke this time, a quizzical look on his face.
"You are all under my protection here, in this space. If you were to walk out into the arena you would hurt too." Kai said, his face serious.
"Pan!" Gohan said to himself. That means she is hurting along with everyone else. Krillin had the same look, he too had people out there that were hurting, not to mention his daughter, Marron. Trunks had the foreboding look on his face as well, his mom was out there too. But Gohan also had a sneaking suspicion some of the sympathy was for Pan as well.
A big boom sounded overhead and light flooded the land. Literally, it was light flowing around everyone, except it wasn't a good light. All the Z fighters turned their heads in the direction of the boom. Half the audience had been incinerated. Gohan gulped; the horrible smell of burning flesh filled the air. He almost choked. Coughs came everywhere and he thought he heard Bra's scream pierce the air.
~
Pan was terrified. 18 clutched her hand and they huddled there for what seemed like hours. When light flooded the ring they both sighed, but the sigh was quickly taken in when a boom rang out, and Pan screamed. The most grotesque odor replaced the fear of blackness and Pan and 18 looked up where the sound had originated. Smoke and ashes floated in the sky.
"Oh my god," 18 said, her voice quivering.
Pan couldn't say anything. Realizing what had happened, tears flooded her eyes as the light had flooded the stadium.
Both girls looked up and there was a black figure up in the sky like Superman. Except he was the complete opposite. He was the most horrific creature Pan had ever seen or heard of. But also, he was a complete surprise to what Pan would have thought he looked like. It was a clown. Straight out of horror films and mysteries. His striped, wide pants were black, and his shoes were the same as that of a circus clown. His shirt however, was ripped and tattered, along with the rest of his clothes. He was tall and skinny for a clown, with a grin as wide as his pants. His eyes were big and round, like a caricature. His hair stuck out on both sides of his head and he wore a top hat that was tattered too.
"What the hell," 18 said next to her.
~
Gohan and the others couldn't stop staring at the figure above them. A clown! Of all evil creatures to walk the earth, it was a damn clown! Was this a joke? Some kind of trick the management decided to play? Somehow he didn't think it was.
"Goku! Gohan! Round up the others; we must stop it before it kills everyone!" Kai yelled at them. Gohan and his dad did as told and gathered all the men. Trunks stepped forward too, but Gohan held him back.
"Hey!" He cried.
"Not this time, Trunks. You need to stay here."
"I can help, Gohan, I'm not a damn child for god's sake!" Trunks fumed, but Gohan did not let go of his shoulder.
"Trunks, I want you to watch over the girls. Especially Pan. Make sure she doesn't do anything stupid, okay?" Gohan pleaded.
"Okay, fine," Trunks looked down at his shoes.
"You're a good man, Trunks, and I know Pan knows that too. She loves you. I know she does. Please take good care of her." And with that he left Trunks pondering.
"Make sure you all concentrate on your goal, and not the blackness. If that happens, you will hurt like everyone else. Your goal is to save life, concentrate on that. Life. Let's go." Supreme Kai led the way out, almost like he was a sergeant general. It was quite a sight. Everyone was grim, they couldn't believe they were going to battle with a clown. It was preposterous. But it killed mercilessly, and you can't even excuse a clown for that.
~
Pan had regained her breath and was trying to suppress the pain. She was fighting it pretty well, for now it was only a throb. 18 had accomplished this too, but both failed to stand up. Out of nowhere, a series of flyers flew into the sky, two of them dropping like flies on the way up. They kept going to encircle the clown. She realized who they were.
"Dad! Where are you going?! Wait, I'm coming!" It was a weak yell, one only 18 heard. She tried to stand, she really did. She poured all her strength into just standing up, something she usually took for granted. But it was in vain. She just couldn't. Sadly, she watched the figures above her converse and then a black hole form near them. They stood there for what seemed like ages, then, one by one, they jumped into it, one figure going in after the clown. Then it swirled, around and around, until it was gone. All gone.
All of her hope had died away with the hole, and she fell into her own black vortex, her body sighing with relief as the hole swallowed her up into unconsciousness.
~
Surprised? Me too. I didn't imagine it to be quite this dramatic, but this is the way it came out. Don't start thinking this story is a little strange, because I know it is. But the reason I'm doing this is I want to touch on the reality of the situation. Oh, and remember, it gets worse before it gets better. ;)