Author's Note: I wrote this chapter, rewrote it, and rewrote it some more, but nothing helped. I had a major writer's block, so excuse me if this sounds like crap, which I think it does. I didn't read over this that much because I got tired of looking at it, so excuse my mistakes. Um, this chapter's pretty busy and all, stuff discovered, etc . . .
WARNINGS: Sorta confusing, cliffhanger (J ), language (as usual), fighting, but nothing gory . . .
I don't own DBZ, just the made up characters, which I'm sure you all recognize by now.
II. Dark Passions
*~* Chapter Twenty Seven *~*
The 25th Tenkaichi Budokai:
The First Round- Part Two
Gohan watched helplessly as Videl struggled to keep herself in the fight. She was loosing it, he could tell, and, by the looks on his friend's faces, everyone else could too. He winced when Krillin punched her and she fell to the ground. "COME ON VIDEL!!!!" Gohan shouted. "GET UP!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!"
She got back up and began to fight again, only to fall to the ground once more. A pitying look crossed Krillin's face as he moved his leg back to kick Videl out of the ring.
Videl growled underneath her breath. I will NOT loose this!! She stayed on the ground and waited until Krillin's foot neared her. Wait . . . wait . . . NOW!
As fast as lightning, Videl's hand shot out and grabbed Krillin's foot and squeezed on it hard. He yelped in pain and began to loose his balance.
This is it Videl! Take the chance!! She yanked on Krillin's foot and rolled over, bringing Krillin down onto the ring floor with a thud. While Krillin lay there with swirls in his eyes, stunned and aching all over from the fall, Videl dragged the small man over her body . . . and pushed him out of the ring, plopping him roughly on the green grass.
Gohan was jumping up and down. "SHE WON!!!" he cried. "VIDEL WON!!!!"
Vegeta shook his head. "Short man got too confident and let her surprise him. What a weakling!" he scoffed.
"AND SATAN VIDEL HAS WON THE MATCH!!!!!!! Let's give it up for her!!!!" shouted the announcer as the crowd cheered wildly.
Videl managed to pick herself up and waved to the crowd as she limped back over to Gohan. He scooped her up in his arms. "GOOD JOB!!" he exclaimed, giving her a big kiss on the mouth.
She grinned weakly at him. "It's all in the strategy."
Krillin walked over, looking mildly embarrassed. He ignored the looks Vegeta sent him and said to Videl, "Good match. You're very talented."
"Thanks! You're not so bad yourself."
Up in the stands, Chichi was dancing on top of people's heads, pointing to Bulma, Puar, Oolong, Yamcha and the Ox King. She stuck her tongue out at them and said, "I TOLD you Videl could win!! Haha!"
"She got lucky," was all Yamcha said in reply, although he had to admit, Videl was pretty good and had to have some sort of ability to catch someone who'd been in many battles off guard the way she did.
"Alright, fans, let's get the next match under way!! We've got two newcomers- Shin and Asento. Let's give them a warm welcome as the come out!!!"
Shin watched as Asento's companion moved back and the other man moved forward. He must be the one . . . The mysterious man gave Videl and Gohan, who were currently draped all over each other, a hard, lingering look, then walked out, pushing Vegeta out of the way as he did.
The Saiyan prince looked furious and was just about to say something to the stranger when, as Shin walked past him, the purple man brought his right hand up to his chest, over his heart, and made a familiar symbol with his fingers and nodded ever so slightly. Vegeta watched, startled as he brought down his hand slowly and continued on his way.
Everyone else looked confused, but Vegeta kept replaying Shin's actions in his mind until something finally clicked. "WHO THE HELL IS THAT GUY?!" Vegeta demanded angrily.
Goku raised a brow. "What do you wanna know for?"
"That guy . . . whoever he is . . . he . . . HOW . . . I . . . JUST TELL ME HIS NAME!!"
Gohan winced. "His name is Shin. What's wrong?"
Piccolo's mouth fell open. "SHIN, you said?"
"What's up with you two?" Goku asked.
Piccolo frowned. Shin . . . impossible! If he is who I think he is, then WHY would he be at this tournament? It doesn't make sense! Unless . . . Piccolo shot a quick glance over to the two brown-haired men in the corner. Unless something's going down . . .
Vegeta turned to face the group. "He knew the-"
Kibito suddenly walked directly in front of Vegeta, shutting him up. The pink man glanced down at him, then gazed out at the ring where Shin and Asento were standing. "You'd be wise to keep your mouth shut," he grumbled so that only he could hear.
But, of course Piccolo overheard, with his super-sensitive ears and all. So when Vegeta began to protest, he said, "Shut up, Vegeta! For once, listen to someone else!"
Krillin winced. This is NOT good. M. Trunks sighed warily.
Juuhachi rolled her eyes. How juvenile . . . men!
Vegeta looked outraged and stepped around Kibito. "Don't talk to me that way, Namek! You know that I could whip your ass in a second, so don't try me! And as for the pink guy there, why should I listen to one thing he says?! I-"
Both Kibito and Piccolo looked murderous. Goku shook his head and clamped his hand over Vegeta's mouth, pulling him away from Kibito. "Chill out, Vegeta! Piccolo didn't mean anything, and I'm sure Kibito didn't either!"
Vegeta wrestled himself out of Goku's grip, muttering, "Damn Kakkarot . . ." over and over again.
Out in the ring, Shin was analyzing the situation. Although he was almost 100 percent sure that this was the man he was looking for, he had to be sure. There IS one way . . . if I loose on purpose . . . he'd have to fight the girl in the next round. It will be interesting to see what his reaction is. No need to let him see any of my powers or to draw this out then . . .
Shin glanced over at the announcer, who was waiting for them to start fighting, and said, "I'd like to concede the match."
The announcer looked surprised. "Are you sure? Once you back out, you can't . . ."
"I'm sure."
The announcer raised his mic to his mouth and spoke. "It seems . . . that Shin wants to surrender his match . . . which would, by the rules, make Asento the winner . . ."
Some people booed as Shin left the ring and joined Kibito's side. Gohan kept his eye on both of them as they went to speak in hushed toned to their hooded friend, then eyed Asento. He didn't like the way this Asento guy kept boring holes into the back of his head, nor the way he followed Videl around with his eyes.
What's going on here? This isn't some simple Tenkaichi anymore. Something more serious is going down, and I wonder what these new guys have to do with it . . . Gohan sighed heavily and pulled Videl closer to him.
She glanced up at her new boyfriend, seeing the worried look on his face. "What's wrong Gohan? You look concerned about something."
He glanced around. "I am worried. Something strange is going on here. No one is what quite what they seem, not Shin or his friends, not Asento and that other guy. And I don't like the way any of them keep staring at you all the time."
Videl smirked. "Can I help it if I'm beautiful?" Then she got a little more serious. "There seems to be a lot of string going on around here. That guy in the robes keeps looking at you and your dad."
"How can you tell? He's wearing a hood," Gohan snickered.
She elbowed him in the ribs. "You know what I mean. I can almost FEEL it. The two guys with the weird hair are looking at me, Shin's looking at EVERYONE, Vegeta's giving Kibito and Piccolo his patented death glare, and he keeps glancing over at Shin too."
"I didn't know Vegeta had three eyes. Where's the other one?"
Videl grinned. "Up his ass. But, seriously, I see what you're talking about. You're the genius around here- got any ideas?"
Gohan shook his head. "None yet. But I'll be working on it."
She hugged him tightly. "It'll be fine, I know it will. But you should try to relax- we're here to have fun!"
Gohan sighed. "I know, I know . . . sorry." Out of the corner of his eye, he was vaguely aware that the man in the dark robes was speaking to Pikkon in a low voice. Pikkon was listening very carefully, nodding the whole time. So I was right! Something IS going on! Pikkon obviously knows that guy. But from where, and why?
"Our next match is between Piccolo and Pikkon! If they'll come out . . ." The announcer waited until both green men came forward. "Well, folks, it looks as if we've got TWO green guys here today. While Pikkon is a newcomer to the tournament, Piccolo was here before and did quite a number on our ring and stadium. Let's give it up for them as they take to the ring!"
Piccolo and Pikkon entered the ring and stood across from each other. The Midorian crossed his arms over his chest and sighed. He didn't like the orders he'd received at all, but he had to do it. There was no way he could disobey the Supreme Kai. There goes my chance to fight Goku again.
"Now that both of the competitors are ready . . . FIGHT!"
Piccolo immediately attacked with a barrage of punches and kicks. Pikkon easily blocked them, turning the situation over and over in his head. I've gotta make this all look real . . . Pikkon got in a few punches and kicks, then let Piccolo's fist come into contact with his face.
Piccolo growled under his breath and kneaded Pikkon in the stomach, then punched him again, sending him flying out of the ring.
Vegeta raised an eyebrow and pushed himself off of the wall he'd been leaning on. "What the hell?! Did the Namek just beat him?! Impossible!"
Even Goku was stunned. Did Piccolo get THAT GOOD while I was gone?
Gohan glanced at Shin, who was nodding slightly. Wait a minute . . . jeez, I get it! Pikkon's working for Shin! And . . . Shin must've told the man in the robes to tell Pikkon to loose the match on purpose. But why did he want Piccolo to win? I don't get it.
Piccolo was very angry as he stalked off of the ring and back to the waiting area. Pikkon joined them shortly afterwards with a blank look on his face.
"What the HELL do you think you're playing at?!" demanded Piccolo.
Pikkon kept the neutral look. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he replied smoothly.
The Namek grabbed the other green man by the front of his shirt and pulled his feet off of the ground. "Don't give me that! I know you lost on purpose! It was way too easy to defeat you!"
Although Pikkon managed to remain expressionless, Gohan knew that Piccolo was right. He HAD thrown the match to let Piccolo win. Gohan left Videl's side and placed a hand on Piccolo's shoulder. "Calm down, Piccolo. It's okay," he said out loud. Then he muttered, "We'll talk later," under his breath.
Piccolo reluctantly let go of Pikkon and retreated to the back of the room.
Videl frowned and looked around. There is something going on here. Gohan was absolutely right. Everyone's getting upset about something or other, and the tension is so high right now. Videl took to Gohan's side and decided, just to be safe, to stay there for the rest of the matches.
"Goten? Goten? GOTEN!" Chibi Trunks hissed. "Are you awake down there?"
The bottom half of Mighty Mask shifted. "Yeah . . . what? Is it our turn yet?"
"Sure is! And we're fighting your Dad," Trunks said anxiously. "With TWO against one, we should have no trouble beating him!"
"Are you kidding, Trunks?!" Goten exclaimed. "I've seen my Dad fight Piccolo AND Krillin at the same time! We'll be toast!"
Trunks rolled his eyes. "Krillin and Piccolo are weak. Krillin lost to a girl, and Piccolo won his match because Pikkon let him- he practically said so himself! Don't be stupid, Goten!"
" . . . whatever you say, Trunks. Let's go then!"
Goku eyed Mighty Mask in suspicion as he walked past him. He looks funny . . . and I could've sworn I heard two voices coming from him once! He looked over at Piccolo, who, despite his recent run in with Pikkon, looked slightly amused.
"Goku," Piccolo whispered, "Mighty Mask is Goten and Trunks."
Goku looked startled. Goten and Trunks? "Nani? What do you mean?"
"I heard two voices coming from him just now, and I recognized on as Goten's. So the other half of him must be Trunks."
"Oh . . ." Goku chuckled. I wonder where they got that costume? "Well, I'm just going to have to separate them, hmm?"
"I guess so. This should be interesting."
Gohan shot his father a thumbs up and smiled. Goku winked back and exited the waiting area. The lower half of Might Mask seemed to be wiggling anxiously as the announcer said, "And now it's time for our next match! We've got Mighty Mask and Son Goku in the ring, two returnees to the Tenkaichi Budokai. Now that both men are ready . . . FIGHT!!"
"Now, Goten! Let's attack first!" Trunks hissed from the top of the costume.
"OKAY!!" Goten shouted a little too loudly.
Goku tried not to laugh. It WAS Goten and Trunks in there! How had they gotten that costume? And more importantly, did they actually think that they could WIN? He dodged Mighty Mask's attack, then grabbed the back of the suit and lifted the boys from the ground.
Goten began to kick his legs wildly while screaming, "HE'S GOT US!!! HE'S GOT US!!! Trunks, we're DOOMED!!!"
"Shut up, baka!" Trunks said back, trying to punch at Goku, who held him away from his body and laughed at him. "Try to kick him!"
Goten tried, but his short legs didn't get anywhere.
Goku started laughing, then reached down under the costume, pulling Goten out. He fell onto the ring floor, looking petrified. Next, Goku took off the mask and set Trunks down too.
"Aww, shoot . . ." Trunks muttered.
"What exactly do you boys think you're doing?" Goku asked, forcing back his giggles. "You two could've gotten hurt fighting us older guys!"
"We can take you!" Chibi Trunks protested and was just about to attack when the announcer said, "WAIT A MINUTE!!! YOU CAN'T FIGHT!!"
Goten and Chibi Trunks looked hurt and upset. "WHY NOT?!" they both demanded at the same time.
"You're two people AND you're underage. Sorry, boys, maybe when you get older. So, due to Mighty Mask being two UNDERAGE people, Goku automatically wins the match and will advance to the second round!"
Goku grinned, then turned to the two boys. "Now, I think I need to have a little talk with you two boys . . ."
Chibi Trunk's eyes widened. Man, we're in trouble!! He grabbed Goten's arm and took off, running out of the stadium at top speed. Maybe he won't be so angry later!
Meanwhile, almost all of the fighters were laughing as Goku returned to the waiting area. Videl couldn't believe that the two little boys had enough guts to go out there and try to fight GOKU, of all people. She just shook her head.
Vegeta flexed his muscles and gave Kibito and evil grin. I'll teach that pink idiot not to cross the Saiyan Prince! He's going to be in a world of pain when I get through with him!!
"Now, for our next match," the announcer was saying, "we've got Kibito and . . . and . . . hold on, I can't quite read his name . . . ah, yes, we've got Vegetable and Kibito up next. If both men will take the ring so we can begin . . ."
Gohan snickered behind his hands, while Videl laughed outright. Hahahahaha!! Vegetable . . . good one!!
A vein throbbed in Vegeta's forehead and shot Videl a heated glare. "Damn jackass . . . can't even read . . ." he grumbled, stalking out into the ring.
Even Kibito was grinning a bit as he joined Vegeta outside.
"Here we go, folks, the second to last match of the first round! Okay . . . FIGHT!!!!"
"There's no need for the enemy to know that there are any more Saiyans at the Tenkaichi right now," Kibito remembered Shin saying. "Let Vegeta defeat you before he powers up."
If he wants it that way . . . fine. Kibito attacked Vegeta and the two began to fight fiercely.
Gohan glanced over at Piccolo, then pulled him aside, away from all prying ears. He looked around, then whispered, "I've figured some stuff out, Piccolo. Something you might want to know."
"What is it?"
"Pikkon's working for Shin."
Piccolo looked surprised. "But . . . how did you find that out?"
"I was watching when Shin spoke to the guy in the robes, who went to speak with Pikkon. He seems more than willing to obey any orders he'd received, which, by the way, were probably to let you win the match."
"Gohan . . . do you know who Shin is?" Piccolo asked hesitantly.
"No . . . should I?"
"He's . . ." The Namek's voice lowered drastically. "The Supreme Kai."
Gohan blinked several times. " . . . wait . . . what? WHO?"
"Let me explain it like this- there are the North, South, East and West Kai's. Above them is the Grand Kai, and above all of them is the Supreme Kai. I always though that he was just a myth, because no one really saw him, but . . . there he is."
"So . . . what is he doing at the Tenkaichi?" Gohan wondered.
"I bet he found out that a Saiyan was going around purging again and decided to put a stop to it, which would explain why he's on earth in the first place. What this has to do with the Budokai, I don't know?"
Gohan thought hard. What am I missing? He shot a glance over to Videl, who was watching to match with great interest, then to the two men standing off in the corner. He's still watching Videl . . . Gohan smacked himself on the forehead.
"Duh! It's all obvious!" he muttered.
"What is?"
"Rattai must've sent some men here to get Videl, and Shin's going to try to protect her or something. Those two brown haired guy must be Saiyans."
Piccolo grinned. "With dyed and slicked-back hair so as not to be recognized."
"Right, which would tell us why Kibito interrupted Vegeta earlier when he was about to go into his 'I-am-the-mighty-Saiyan-Prince-so-fear-me' tirade." Gohan frowned. "But why doesn't Shin just come up to us and tell us what's going on? I'm sure he realizes that we're not just ordinary fighters, you know?"
Piccolo snickered. "That's easy. Do you see the way he's playing with the line-up? He got Pikkon to loose on purpose and I bet Vegeta's going to win too. He's trying to see who the strongest of all of us are, and then he'll probably approach the strongest for help separately."
"So he's assuming that we have no clue as to what's going on," Gohan mused. "And since Pikkon didn't have any form of contact with Shin, he couldn't tell the Supreme Kai anything. He couldn't risk one of us discovering his connection with Shin, so he couldn't just go up to him right now and talk to him."
"Very good. It all makes sense now, once you think about it. What I want to know is who is the guy in the robes. I've noticed him watching us, you and Goku more than anyone else."
Gohan shrugged. "I have no idea who he is, but I want to find out as much as you do."
Sudden cheering interrupted their discussion, and they returned to the group to see what had happened. Apparently, Vegeta had knocked Kibito out of the ring, and looked smug about it. Although he didn't say a word to the pink man, everyone could tell that Vegeta was basking in his latest victory.
Vegeta would've won that match anyway, Gohan observed. But I know Shin must've told Kibito to make it quick or something. We're gonna have to confront Shin and his group sooner or later, and I'd rather it be sooner.
"Well, folks, it's time for our LAST MATCH of the day!! We've got Sanme and Pear, both new to the tournament, fighting next."
Gohan eyed the man in the black robes carefully as he walked by him, then went closer to the front of the waiting area to get a better look at the match. Maybe his robes will come off during the match so I'll get to see who he is.
Videl looked a little upset that Gohan wasn't paying much attention to her when they'd just gotten together. He seemed more focused on the strangers at the tournament that anything else. Well, he and I are going to have a little talk later tonight. If he thinks he can ask me out, then keep me on display or whatever, then he has another thing coming!
It seemed all of the Z-Fighters were anxious for this match to get underway. There were two people they didn't know out in the ring, which the winners viewed as potential competition. Gohan sent Piccolo a meaningful look as the match began.
Pear attacked first and Sanme easily blocked. After a few minutes of even sparing, Sanme began to take the upper hand. It was obvious that Pear was getting desperate, and fired a huge ki blast at the other man in the ring.
Gohan's eyes widened as a thin shield of light appeared in front of Sanme, saving him front the blast. He took advantage of Pear's shock and punched him out of the ring.
"AND SANME IS THE WINNER!!!!" cried the announcer. "That ends the first round of the tournament. Congratulations to all of today's winners and good luck in the next round tomorrow!"
Sanme rejoined Shin and Kibito, and the three wandered away. The two Saiyans followed shortly after and Pikkon left too.
That just proves my theory. Now I'm sure he's working for Shin! Gohan turned to his friends. "We all need to talk. Now."
Goku frowned. "I'm hungry! Can we talk over food?" he asked hopefully.
Gohan sighed. "Sure, whatever. Come on."
*~*
The group eventually met up with Chichi, Bulma and the others and found a quiet area to sit where Goku could eat his food in peace. As he wolfed down his food, Gohan looked around in the bushes and up trees to make sure they weren't being watched or anything.
Vegeta looked ticked off. "What are you afraid of, boy? A conspiracy or something? Are we all bugged?"
Gohan shrugged his shoulders, then sat on the grass when he was sure that everything was okay. "We could be. Look, we all have to admit that some pretty strange stuff has been going on at the tournament."
Krillin nodded. "Yeah . . . so?"
Bulma glared at them all. "Maybe SOME of us don't. Remember, we were up in the stands."
Gohan briefly went over what had happened down in the waiting area. "Piccolo and I have figured some stuff out."
"Like what?" Yamcha questioned.
"For starters, Shin is the Supreme Kai," Gohan replied.
They all looked shocked.
"That's right, the Supreme Kai. It turns out that Pikkon is working for him, Shin's been toying with us for a while, making sure that all of us, particularly the fighters that he thinks are the strongest, fight against each other sooner or later. It's his way of observing us and judging us," continued Gohan.
Chichi looked at Gohan as if he were crazy. "And how did you figure all of this out?"
"I've been watching them all. It all fits. You see, I saw the guy in the robes speaking with Pikkon just before his match with Piccolo, probably to tell him that Shin wanted him to loose on purpose. That way, he would have to advance to the next round to fight against my Dad so he can observe the both of them at the same time, and against each other." Gohan paused to make sure everyone understood. "We think he's here because of Rattai. He's sent two Saiyans to the tournament, the two other strangers, Asento and Pear. This is why, Vegeta, Kibito cut you off earlier, so that you wouldn't announce that you were THE Saiyan Prince."
"Shin was probably the one who messed up his name, too," Juuhachi put in. "I'm sure they'd realize that who Vegeta was if his name was said."
Gohan looked thoughtful. "That's right! I didn't even think about that! Man, he had everything covered, didn't he? Sending out Pikkon in advance to watch over Videl, then coming here and all . . ."
Vegeta snorted. "We don't have time to sit around and marvel at Shin's amazing tactical plans. I say we go up to him and-"
"I'm sure he'll come up to us," Gohan said. "There's no need to form an alliance with Shin and get the two Saiyans suspicious about why we're acting so buddy-buddy with him all of a sudden. I'm sure Shin has a reason to keeping everything quiet, and we don't want to jeopardize anything that he may have planned that could help us in the long run, okay?"
"So you're saying that we should act as if we know nothing?" Krillin muttered.
"Right, unless he comes to one of us. Got it?"
Everyone nodded.
"Say, Vegeta," Krillin wondered, "What was up with you earlier? Why'd you get so upset at Shin?"
Vegeta looked mad again and glared at nothing. "Shin knew that sign of respect given to the members of the Saiyan royal family. Naturally I was shocked, but that was before I knew who he was." But I wonder . . . WHY did he do it?
Chichi looked around, then at the spot that had been occupied by Videl just a little while earlier, before Gohan had started to speak. Oh, no . . . "Gohan . . . where's Videl?"
"Right . . ." He looked to his right, only to see the spot where Videl was SUPPOSED to be. "Damn!"
*~*
Videl was walked back to the area where the group was when she realized that someone was following her. She'd gone to the restroom while Gohan had been peeking in and out of bushes, thinking that they wouldn't miss her if she was gone for one second. But Videl hadn't expected a long line outside of the bathroom, then hiked all the way over to the bathroom reserved for women fighters in the Tenkaichi.
Now, as she quickened her pace along the strangely empty sidewalk, she wished that she'd told someone where she was going and asked Gohan to go with her, even though he'd chosen to ignore her for part of the day.
Yes, she knew that it was a stupid move on her part, going somewhere alone, but she was tired of being followed around constantly by one of the Z0Fighters and longed for a minute of independence.
Videl almost broke out in a run, speeding around corners to loose whoever was following her. She vaguely realized that it wasn't working, that someone was still following her. Damn, damn, damn! I'm in trouble!
Suddenly someone grabbed Videl's arm, pulled her into an alley and clamped a firm hand over her mouth.
Author's Note: YES, I know I'm evil, no need to tell me that. Another cliffhanger. I couldn't resist. Sorry again for the crappy chapter. If the explanations above confused anyone, then e-mail me at tobygirl2020@yahoo.com
P.S. Notice the amount of attention placed on Asento . . . * ahem *
ADVERTISING: This time I'm doing a whole site dedicated to the wonderful world of Harry Potter fics. The address is www.fictionalley.org, and it seems that only decent authors post there, so almost anything is a good read. Check it out, it's really cool.
NEXT CHAPTER: What happened to Videl?! Gohan freaks out, Shin speaks and just WHO is the guy in the robes? (As if you all don't know.) That and more!
