~Book Two, Chapter Three~

"…Into Madness…"

A cool breeze blew through the tall grass, creating a verdant sea of undulating calm.  Somewhere in the distance a single bird let loose an ebullient song, somehow filling the entire meadow with the solitary melody.  His lips curved into a delighted smile – this was no canned birdsong, this was the real deal.  It's been so long since I've heard this…  It was heaven, it really was.

He breathed in deeply, lungs filling with the scent of fresh grass and wildflowers.  This was it.  He was home.  Nothing in the Universe could counterfeit the smell of Chikuu-sei.  But…  Why do I feel as if I've been away?  Came a startled thought, completely unwelcome in this tranquil sanctuary.  No, he decided, I'm not going to even think about it.  Thus decided, he simply let his mind drift out with the breeze.  No one was threatening to destroy the world, peace reigned, Cell was destroyed, and the solitude was unbreakab—

"BANZAI!" came a loud, completely unexpected cry, shattering the stillness.  It was a dream, he thought with wonder.  I wish I could have more dreams like that.  But even these thoughts were stolen from him as something hit him with all the force of a cannonball, bringing him fully into awareness.  His surroundings seemed both very familiar and very strange…

"Wakie, wakie, nii-chan!" screamed the same voice that was responsible for recalling him to reality.  But, he thought in complete bewilderment, I don't have any younger siblings!  Who…?

"Goten, do you have to wake me up by jumping on me?" he moaned, sitting up slightly and rubbing tired eyes with the back of his hand.  Goten?  I've… heard that name before, but not as a sibling!  I know that…  And how did I know this child was Goten?  Where am I? What's going on?  His mind continued to stumble and stutter to itself, and his body and mouth continued to work on their own.  Completely on its own, the body pushed a dark haired child onto the floor.  That's, that's tousan!  Cried his mind, but his mouth, again, had other ideas.

"Go tell kaasan that I'll be down soon, Goten."

"Will you train with me today?  Please???"  The child looked pleadingly up, eyes threatening to overwhelm the small face.  His mouth twitched into a smile that even his confused mind was willing to give. 

"We'll see, kiddo.  I have school, remember?"  The Body, as he was coming to think of it with slight distaste, was now out of bed and walking towards the closet.  The child pouted, but when The Body sent it a Look, it – Goten, he reminded himself vaguely – laughed and scampered out the door.

He stared vacantly into the closet, and winced slightly as The Body hummed an off-key song, picking out a simply hideous outfit from a horrendous display of similarly ugly outfits.  Do I really have such bad taste?  He asked himself.  For some reason the sea of bright colors had woken him from his state of confused apathy.  For some reason I really would rather wear black.  I don't know why, but black leather is sounding especially appealing.  For a second The Body's hand wavered for a minute, as if having second thoughts on its chosen outfit.  Yes!  He thought at it, sensing an opening for victory.  Yes, put the orange pants back.  Over there, those black slacks will work in lieu of anything half-way decent.  And here, this black turtleneck.  A little stuffy, yes, but a damn sight better than what you were going to take us out dressed in. 

With The Body dressed in something that he, The Mind, wasn't too ashamed to be seen in, they took the stairs two at a time.  The smell of his mother's famous cooking wafted up to his nose and his mouth watered.  It seems like forever since I've had mom's food!  It can't have been that long ago, and yet…  I can't help thinking it's been years.  Trying to shake off the strange feeling, he entered the kitchen with a smile.

"Kaasan!  It smells absolutely delicious."

His mother smiled happily over at him and indicated the table with a gesture from her spatula.  He started slightly, and peered closer at his mother.  She looks so oldHe thought in shock, even as The Body continued to grin and sit down.  There's gray in her hair, and lines on her face.  Kais…  She… She isn't supposed to get old.  He thought vaguely.  Mothers were supposed to be fantastic creatures that never aged, and always told you to eat your vegetables and wash your hands before you sat at the table.  The spatula cracked down on his hand.

"Go wash up."

Well, I guess some things never change.  The Body made some half-hearted attempts to get out of it, laughing even as it took them both toward the bathroom.  Once there, his eyes fell on the mirror and he froze at what he saw.  This isn't me.  He thought, everything feeling like ice.  This…  It can't be me.  I don't look anything like this.  It's too old, the face is different.  The eyes are the wrong shade.  It doesn't have a  scar across the bridge of the nose like its supposed to.  It… It's not me at all!

Suddenly The Body was under his control.  He leaned forward toward the sink, hands coming hesitantly up to the face.  What's going on?  He felt nauseous, and the room seemed to be spinning.

"Gohan?" came a concerned call from the kitchen.  "Gohan-chan?"

~*~

He was back in the field of tall green grass, the last traces of alarm fading in the stillness and simplicity of this place.  Back? He thought lazily, watching a bright robin flit through the sky.  Back from where?  I've never been here before.  He also couldn't imagine why he'd felt so scared when he first became aware of this place.  Whatever it was, it was definitely gone now, and he dismissed it from his mind entirely.

The sky was a bright blue he'd only ever seen on his home planet.  It had been such a long time since he'd been there…  A decade maybe?  But, whispered part of his mind in confusion, I'm not even a decade old at all!  But that part of him faded so quickly it might never have existed.

"Gohan!  Wake up, kid.  It's time we get going again.  If we take too long with this mission the Chief might think we failed."

"Ha, yeah right!"  After years of practice, he had finally perfected the art of the instant waking.  One instant he was asleep, the next he was fully awake and functional.  Quite a useful ability, that…  "This is a class C mission.  It hardly deserves any of our attention, let alone my attention." 

Kitten laughed lightly and shoved him in the arm.  "You're getting as big an ego as Xe."

He snorted at that and began the process of breaking camp, theatrically snubbing his partner.  They had been working together as a team for quite some time now.  Usually it was in a triad with Xe, but being that this was such an easy mission…  The only reason that they had been both sent was because there was a perfect opportunity to give him some first hand training that he couldn't get anywhere else.  Somehow his mind knew all of this, without even having to think about it.  It was just… There, in the back of his mind.  But, I don't remember having any of those conversations with the Chief… I must have, though, he continued on distractedly, because I wouldn't have such clear pictures of them in my head.  And what is remembering but recalling images of things that have happened in the past, and these obviously occurred in the fairly recent past…

He was only succeeding in giving himself a headache at this point, and his body – without the help of his mind, he was alarmed to realize – had completed it's given task of cleaning up the are they had used to spend the night.  Jet black tail swishing lazily, he looked around to see if he'd accidentally left anything.  Wait… Tail?  Since when did I have a tail?  He wanted to turn around and get a good look at it, but his body decided it had other ideas.  It rose slowly into the air, hovering about ten feet up. 

"You coming, Kitten?"

"Sure, sure." She replied distractedly, for the first time coming out where he could see her clearly.  She… wasn't exactly the way he remembered her.  It's her eyes.  He thought distractedly.  Her eyes look so much older…  And there're streaks of blue in her hair, when I distinctly remember it being completely white.  Now he was really confused, and his growing headache was not being helped any.  One doesn't suddenly show signs of aging all at once.  He scoffed.  I'm just not being observant.  Part of his mind rebelliously pointed out that he was always observant, but he quelled the thought.  At the moment he preferred being forgetful to being crazy…

Shaking his mental head to clear out the tangle of thoughts, he and Kitten soared off towards their goal.  They were going to disable the defense mechanism of this planet…  As they flew over a glossy yellow lake, he caught a glimpse of himself.   But… that's not me!  I don't look anything like this!  I don't have so many scars on my face, for one thing.  And it's too old!  The expression is so… cold.  So utterly foreign…

"Gohan?" came a concerned voice at his elbow.  "Gohan-chan?"

~*~

The grass lapped gently against his knees as he surveyed the field with impassive eyes.  Somewhere in the distance a bird whistled, and he winced away.  Stupid bird…  He snarled slightly and glared in it's direction, debating whether or not to kill it for disturbing the silence.  He knew very well this was a dream, though it wasn't the dream he usually had.  Usually there was darkness, bitter cold, and ice.  Today, for some reason, it was warm and sunny.  It was really pissing him off…

In the real world, a tiny sound alerted him to the presence of an intruder.  Before said intruder could blink an eye, he was awake, a knife at the creature's throat.  The creature whimpered in fear and pain, trying to cower away from his blade.  Wait part of him thought in alarm, you can't just kill him!  For a moment his hand wavered.  But only a moment.  Ignoring the horrified cries of his mind, his body sliced the creature's neck from ear to ear.  Perversely he felt a thrill of pleasure, and it was enough to make him sick – but only his mind. 

The Body grinned and licked blood from the blade.  "Gd'in-jin" he muttered, "figures they'd send an assassin…" 

Callously he blasted the creature into dust after wiping his blade clean on it.  Already awake now, he swept around the bare little room, picking up his pitifully few belongings.  Within seconds it looked as though no one had ever called this tiny closet home.  It was time.

"Master Leareth…" a pitiful voice squeaked from the other side of the door.  "Master Leareth, his Majesty wishes to speak with you…"

He opened the door and observed the cowering servant coldly.  "You let an assassin into my room." He stated blandly, no trace of emotion in his voice. 

He felt a trace of amusement as he watched the servant's eyes widen in alarm.  "No, mas-master, I, I didn't, master, I…" the servant continued stuttering, groveling at his feet in abject terror.  Noooo… his mind moaned with sick dread, even as his mouth curved up in a horrible, cold smile.  Please, leave him be!  What's wrong with me?  Inside his head he was miserable, sick of himself.  What was wrong with him?  The Body hesitated, then snorted and kicked the servant.

"Shut up." He said coldly.  He walked off down the hall, leaving the servant crying with relief.  He headed straight for the throne room.  It was time for another mission, and he felt his heart speed up with eagerness.  Missions meant death and destruction… 

"Leareth."

"Yes, your majesty."

"It is time."

"I know."

"No life but death."

"No death but by my hand."

"Good. You were a good investment, Gohan.  I am pleased with you."

"Thank you, your majesty."

"You are dismissed, Gohan Leareth."

"Yes, your majesty."

~*~

The grass gently laps at him, as he stares blindly ahead.  He is back in the field, and he recognizes it – and he remembers each of the times he was here before.  This time there is no comfort in this field, only confusion.  The bird inspired disgust with himself, and he shuddered in revulsion.  What had happened?  Was this who he truly was?  A cold-blooded killer?

"No, Gohan."

He started, his head shooting up towards the voice.  "Wha-?"

Before him floats a man with lavender skin and a white mohawk.  He stares, not quite certain what to do.  This is his dream, so that meant that this man was somehow brought forth from him subconscious – but where would he ever come up with a person quite like this one?  And the man's aura of power… It left him feeling as though he were in the presence of God.

The man laughed, a slight chuckle, like water on rocks.  "Oh, Gohan, you flatter me."

"Are you God?"  He could think of nothing more intelligent to say, and as the man smirked, he blushed, wishing he had said nothing at all.  The question sounded stupid, even to him.

"Actually, Gohan," the man said, dark eyes sparkling, "I am.  Kaioshin, the Supreme Kai, that is."

The poor 9 year old fell to his knees, alternately paling and flushing, completely aware that he as making a fool of himself – which made it a hundred times worse, but he couldn't do anything about it.  "What do you want with me?" he asked miserably, wondering what was happening.  It's probably punishment, he decided with trepidation.  He's here to punish me for abandoning mommy.  This decided, he let his eyes drop from the man who still floated above the grass.  He wasn't worthy of looking upon the Kaioshin.

Although he couldn't see it, Kaioshin winced.  This wasn't how it was supposed to go…  Suddenly he felt a warm hand on his head, and he stiffened.

"Gohan."  The voice sounded sad for some reason.  "Gohan, you did nothing wrong when you left home.  In fact, you have done a world of good."

His head shot up and he stared at Kaioshin, eyes wide with a mixture of emotions.  "But…"

The Kaio shook his head.  "Don't question it.  I came because you are a very important playing piece in the life of this universe, Son Gohan."  The man smiled wanly and offered him a hand up.  "You are probably more important than I in the outcome of the future.  I can only guide, after all.  You…  You have the potential to be the Savior or the Apocalypse."

He didn't know what to say.  Inside his head a thousand questions bubbled up, but the man held up a hand to forestall him.

"No, just listen.  I have been trying to call you here, to the Crossroads of Dreams for a while now.  You have been resisting." Kaioshin smiled dryly.  "It is a wonder you held as long as you did.  I finally had to resort to rendering you unconscious from pain, as that seemed the only thing able to get through to you."

Ah.  So that explained the strange burning sensations, dizziness, and pain. 

"What you just witnessed was the future.  There are far to many futures to count, and a new future is created every time any decision, no matter how small, is made.  What you saw were three core futures.  As I said, Gohan, you are an important playing piece.  I do not know why, but every single core future is guided by your decisions.  It is unprecedented, frankly.  However," he continued with a soft chuckle, "I do not have time to speculate with you.  I must explain myself, give you the warning, and get back to my duties."

His mind was churning; he could barely grasp what the Supreme Kai was saying anymore.  He… controlled the future?  Or, at least his choices did… But?

"The first future is one that will never happen.  It is what might have been had you remained on Chikuu-sei.  It is a path better left untouched, for on it is destruction of the worst sort.  There could never have been peace, and you would be left scrambling for a life.  The second future is an ideal one, though it will give you much personal pain.  It will be fraught with hardships, but you will have the strength to meet them and rise above.  Depend on your friends, Gohan, and watch for the girl with the silver locket.  This is the future that will ultimately save the universe.  The third future…  In the third future you are the Apocalypse.  This path must be avoided at all costs."  The Kai's eyes flashed as he spoke, and he could only listen to the words with horrified dread.  "On this path you will destroy life after life, and revel in it.  You shall kill those most important to you with your own two hands, and laugh as you do so.  Do not slip, Gohan, because this is the path that will catch you."

Slowly the man began to fade, until only his voice could be heard on the breeze.

"Be careful, Gohan, Savior, Apocalypse.  We believe in you, and will give you help when you need it most.  Think on the things you have seen.  You may stay here as long as you need, in the peace and solitude of this place."

Then the voice was gone, leaving only the faint whisper of wind through grass.  He let out the breath he hadn't known he was holding, and let himself collapse onto his back in the grass.  He stared blankly at the blue sky for a very long time.

~*~

"What's wrong with him?"

"Will he be alright?"

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU, DAE!  YOU BASTARD!!!  IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!  KII'AE TARRI WA'STI!"

"Kitten, calm down.  It wasn't Dae's fault.  Whatever is wrong, it is completely out of our hands.  Beside, crying blood feud is hardly appropriate."

The members of the Faceless Ones all stood crowded into Gohan's bedroom, peering down at the unconscious form, while Kitten struggled futilely in Ryl's arms, continuing to scream at Dae, who kept inching away.

"He looks kinda creepy like that…" Sassy ventured, a note of awe in her voice.  "You know, all blank and stuff.  I wonder if he's 'still there', so to speak."

"Of course he's 'still there'!"  Replied Kitten, who had managed to calm down enough to be let down, though she was unable to keep the edge of hysterical panic from her voice.  "He has to be there!  I mean, it's the kid!  That boy has a machine for a brain."

No one was willing to state the obvious – that even machines could fail.  All were hoping that Kitten was right, and all were terrified that she was wrong.  But he was just… Lying there, looking like a statue carved of ice.  He looked indisputably dead, except for the slight rise and fall of his chest.  He stared up at the ceiling without blinking, eyes blank…

"I hope he's alright…"

~*~

Kat: Ack!  Gomen!  Sorry it's taken so long!  We were working really, really hard on this (and we made it extra long, too. ^_~).  I know it's a bit cheesy, but it fits the plot: and don't worry, this is more of a sub-plot, not the focus.  I wont be making this into one of those Judgment Day stories, I promise.

Lexi: Yeah!  Those aren't very fun… What we have planned is much, much better.

Kat: *rolls eyes* Anyways, let us know if you need anything clarified.  This is coming to you without being beta-ed, so we can only hope that between the two of us we caught all the mistakes. *sweatdrop*  

Lexi: And don't worry about that last section with the faceless ones – it really doesn't matter who said what…  Oh!  And another contest! *smiles happily*  Anyone who can guess where the name "Leareth" comes from and what it means gets… Hmm… A free cameo.  (And I do mean anyone – not just the first person.  We get to decide when and how to use your name, though. ^_~)