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Soon, Gohan was called down to the head angel's H&Q. This only happened when you were given a new assignment, or you were promoted. The top five angels were in charge of this action, in promoting one angel higher, they demoted the one that was previously the holder of that position.
Five Arch Angels were in charge of all of them. The 'big five' all had powdery white angel wings that seemed to leave a trail of glitter behind them (the five beneath them only had regular white angel wings. Wings were acquired once one reached the top 50 ranks, and they get gradually lighter from a deep gray until 10th rank is reached.). Head of council was Catriona, whom was quiet and rarely attended the meetings of promotion or assignments, since she only took time out of her schedule to attend to the Kai's or very prestigious angels. And to be prestigious usually took thousands of years to accomplish, or just an extremely bad choice on the part of the angel. The second in command was Zeal, an angel whose temper could use improvement, for he had been known to exile more than a fourth of the angels in the past four thousand years. Yet whenever Catriona was around, his temper was sliced in half, or even more, for he respected her opinion... or at least that's what he let on. Zeal was a tall and righteous angel, who meant well but acted vain, with long flowing gray hair. He was thin and usually wore a high priest robe. A golden scepter he carried around, and some say that he could read lesser minds with it. Gohan didn't like Zeal much, but was respectful to him. In all honesty, he thought the irritable angel came across as insecure. There were rumors going around that he exiled so many angels because they were becoming a threat to his power. Not that Gohan wanted any part of that power.
The other three angels were advisors to Zeal, or at least Daray and Ayla. They each were radically different, and usually only one of them attended the promotions with Zeal, and rarely did both show up, and it would have to be a severe punishment if all three arrived. They were all very busy, you see, because the big five are in charge of heaven. The lowest on the chain, number five, is even more anxious about the security of his position than Zeal. Daray, if Gohan remembered correctly, as he walked up the steps to the marble white roman style Headquarters of heaven. Daray's job was to regulate the activities of the warrior sector of other world, alongside of the north, west, east and south Kais, and he enjoyed his position greatly, being a fierce warrior when the seven battles of heaven and hell were fought. Though he was short (by human standards anyway), he was broad and well suited for fighting. He came to his rank by being captain of the war eons ago.
There was another high-ranking soldier, named Ayla, who was very charismatic yet short tempered. She was always making suggestions loudly, and always seemed to be doing something. She didn't tend to come to any meetings often, seeing as she was always doing something and spent little of her time idle. She wore her long nearly black brown hair in a tight ponytail, and her narrow cyan eyes were powerful.
The other angel Gohan had heard nearly nothing about, and it seemed no one wanted to talk about him. He was the one Gohan always wanted to know more about, because he couldn't recall for the life of him ever seeing him at a meeting of any sort, which concerned him, because no one talked of his accomplishments, and everyone seemed to have a distaste of him. Who could this angel be? Even from all his research, the most Gohan knew about him was that he was male and his race was strongly hated by most. Even his name couldn't be found.
All of his random thoughts came to a stiff halt as he walked through the entrance of headquarters. 'Okay Gohan, keep your thoughts empty...' He said to himself. He could always feel someone at the gates prodding at his mind whenever he came in. A while back Videl heard a rumor about telepath spirits guarding the entrance, reading minds to make sure there were no traitors among them. Gohan wasn't sure if this was the best way to do these things. He was sure Zeal had something to do with it. And he didn't dare block the telepath's out of his mind; because then they would probably report he had a lock on his mind. Gohan was still thumbing through law in the Angel world, and if he ever heard that these creatures were illegal, he would block all he wanted. But for now, keeping his mind clear seemed to be the safer path. It wasn't like he was out to take over Heaven. He was just a little... rebellious.
Gohan placed all blame on Videl for that.
Before he knew it, he was pushing open the doors of the summoning chamber. His stomach muscles tightened. The room was long and wide, crafted out of blue marble and tall open windows. The only one there, besides Gohan, was unfortunately Zeal. Sitting ominously atop his judges seat, looking as intimidating and nasty as he could, curling up his long pointed nose at him. Gohan had to keep from laughing as he bowed in fanned respect. Once upon a time it would have been genuine, but, once again, Videl has corrupted him. Zeal didn't seem happy about seeing him, but Gohan couldn't blame him. Here he was, the angel that probably posed the biggest threat to him at the time. He wished he could tell him not to worry... but that probably wouldn't go over to well.
Kami, he hated this system.
"So, Son Gohan, rank nine. I suppose that you are not surprised that you are here." Came the low, annoyed voice of Zeal. Gohan rose from his bow.
"Sir, I would think it a bit to early for another promotion." Gohan said in the most humble tone he could muster.
"Indeed, you are right, you are here for a new assignment."
Gohan couldn't hide the bewilderment he felt at the moment. Zeal moaned at the unprofessional way Gohan suddenly carried himself, and he quickly mended his error. Zeal waved his staff lazily in front of him, bringing up a faint hologram. It was an image of a teenager, with familiar unruly onyx hair. His eyes lacked the spark of youth, even though he looked no older than fourteen or fifteen. The youth was in the woods, his knees tucked up into his chest, his head leaning on them. The sight brought chills up Gohan's spine, he was barley able to comprehend it.
"This is a bit different from anything you've been assigned before, Gohan. It will be a miracle if you can keep him alive longer than a month, he's so suicidal. He cuts himself, he has no desire to live, because of a death in his family a couple of years ago. His family doesn't seem to notice his pain, because of their own pain. I don't even think he really knows he wants to end his life, but at this point, it's simply a matter of time. Gohan, you are to show him meaning in life in what he has, rather than what he has lost."
Gohan felt like collapsing and going into a rage of tears right then and there. Instead, he lowered his head from the familiar image in front of him, and Zeal let it disappear. His fists trembled, and for the first time since dying, let a tear slide down his face.
"Goten..." He whispered.
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"I don't understand."
"Well, I think this is the best thing that's happened to you since being up here. It'll help you let go as well." Videl replied. They were walking though Platinum Park, discussing Gohan's newest assignment. "...I think you're the only one who can pull it off. And it makes Zeal angry knowing it."
Gohan sighed. They were out of uniforms, and into more casual clothing. Walking along, through the silver branches, they actually didn't look that out of place wearing jeans. Other angels were wearing anything from a toga to leather, it was just that no one was allowed to wear black. It was frowned upon by the higher up angels (well, only Zeal, but he was infamous for attempting to set the standards in heaven). The lower angels didn't worry about following the 'standards', for they simply roamed about with little worry or responsibility. The higher angels didn't worry about angels of such low importance, either. But angels as controversial as Gohan and Videl, especially being in such a high rank, Zeal and those under him did everything possible to make them feel insufficient. It used to really get to Gohan, but after being around Videl for so long, he simply laughed it off now.
He had this desire, though, to be top angel in command. Then he would set things straight. The first thing he would do would be kick Zeal out of his office! Gohan would love to see the look on his face when that would happen. He doubted that would happen, though, because Zeal would NEVER give up his position, and so the only other one who could make that decision would be the top, Catriona. But Gohan had never even set eyes on the elusive commander....
Videl had her hair tied back into a loose bun, with a couple of braids still in her face. Wrapped around her torso was a white scrunched up tube top, and deep blue hip hugger flare jeans. Her vivid blue eyes were studying Gohan's grave face, worry setting in. She reached out one of her wings to brush against his arm.
She smiled when it gave him goose bumps, and he broke out of his daze. "What are you thinking about?" Her tone was compassionate.
Gohan looked into her eyes, not able to conjure up a completely honest smile. He was really worried about Goten, and was attempting to figure out how he was going to save his little brother. If only he could just be brought back to life... But that was out of his power. He knew then that Goten's sense of depression would be lifted, and they could all live happily ever after, until they all came to other world at their correct times.
"Gohan..." Videl laughed, reaching out her petite hand to grasp his large, strong one. "You can't change what's already happened. Even with those crazy dragon ball things you've told me about."
This time the smile was genuine. Sometimes he wondered if Videl could read his mind. A small laugh came forth. "You know how I am sometimes. I just wish I could ease their pain. Especially Goten's...."
Videl pulled Gohan in for a warm hug, and he reciprocated with an affectionate grasp and melancholy sigh. They stood like that for a moment, when Videl rose her gaze to Gohan's, just to find that his large inky eyes were still empty. She longed so dearly to see him as his old self again. But ever since the Silver Sight... Videl tightened her arms around him. She herself had nearly forgotten about her old life on Earth, because it wasn't particularly happy until she had met Gohan.
"I love you Gohan..." Videl whispered. Gohan cracked a smile, his hands playing with her hair, tugging it out of the bun.
"I love you too Videl." Gohan replied, letting go for now the worries of his family still alive and out of reach.
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Cesna: Oh, the lovely angst, oh, the foreshadowing of things to come... ::is content::
Gohan: ...Ug, I'm a stupid emotional wreck... ::sniffle::
Cesna: ADMIT IT, YOU LIKE IT!!!!
Gohan: Look at what you did to my little brother!!! ::throws a temper tantrum:: I'LL SAVE YOU GOTEN!!!!
Cesna: Remember, review or I'll kill you! :D
Gohan: She'll do it too! I've seeeeeeeen what she does when she's angry! I made her mad once, and that's how 'Bring me to Life' ended up happening! Don't let her do it!!! ::runs away::
Soon, Gohan was called down to the head angel's H&Q. This only happened when you were given a new assignment, or you were promoted. The top five angels were in charge of this action, in promoting one angel higher, they demoted the one that was previously the holder of that position.
Five Arch Angels were in charge of all of them. The 'big five' all had powdery white angel wings that seemed to leave a trail of glitter behind them (the five beneath them only had regular white angel wings. Wings were acquired once one reached the top 50 ranks, and they get gradually lighter from a deep gray until 10th rank is reached.). Head of council was Catriona, whom was quiet and rarely attended the meetings of promotion or assignments, since she only took time out of her schedule to attend to the Kai's or very prestigious angels. And to be prestigious usually took thousands of years to accomplish, or just an extremely bad choice on the part of the angel. The second in command was Zeal, an angel whose temper could use improvement, for he had been known to exile more than a fourth of the angels in the past four thousand years. Yet whenever Catriona was around, his temper was sliced in half, or even more, for he respected her opinion... or at least that's what he let on. Zeal was a tall and righteous angel, who meant well but acted vain, with long flowing gray hair. He was thin and usually wore a high priest robe. A golden scepter he carried around, and some say that he could read lesser minds with it. Gohan didn't like Zeal much, but was respectful to him. In all honesty, he thought the irritable angel came across as insecure. There were rumors going around that he exiled so many angels because they were becoming a threat to his power. Not that Gohan wanted any part of that power.
The other three angels were advisors to Zeal, or at least Daray and Ayla. They each were radically different, and usually only one of them attended the promotions with Zeal, and rarely did both show up, and it would have to be a severe punishment if all three arrived. They were all very busy, you see, because the big five are in charge of heaven. The lowest on the chain, number five, is even more anxious about the security of his position than Zeal. Daray, if Gohan remembered correctly, as he walked up the steps to the marble white roman style Headquarters of heaven. Daray's job was to regulate the activities of the warrior sector of other world, alongside of the north, west, east and south Kais, and he enjoyed his position greatly, being a fierce warrior when the seven battles of heaven and hell were fought. Though he was short (by human standards anyway), he was broad and well suited for fighting. He came to his rank by being captain of the war eons ago.
There was another high-ranking soldier, named Ayla, who was very charismatic yet short tempered. She was always making suggestions loudly, and always seemed to be doing something. She didn't tend to come to any meetings often, seeing as she was always doing something and spent little of her time idle. She wore her long nearly black brown hair in a tight ponytail, and her narrow cyan eyes were powerful.
The other angel Gohan had heard nearly nothing about, and it seemed no one wanted to talk about him. He was the one Gohan always wanted to know more about, because he couldn't recall for the life of him ever seeing him at a meeting of any sort, which concerned him, because no one talked of his accomplishments, and everyone seemed to have a distaste of him. Who could this angel be? Even from all his research, the most Gohan knew about him was that he was male and his race was strongly hated by most. Even his name couldn't be found.
All of his random thoughts came to a stiff halt as he walked through the entrance of headquarters. 'Okay Gohan, keep your thoughts empty...' He said to himself. He could always feel someone at the gates prodding at his mind whenever he came in. A while back Videl heard a rumor about telepath spirits guarding the entrance, reading minds to make sure there were no traitors among them. Gohan wasn't sure if this was the best way to do these things. He was sure Zeal had something to do with it. And he didn't dare block the telepath's out of his mind; because then they would probably report he had a lock on his mind. Gohan was still thumbing through law in the Angel world, and if he ever heard that these creatures were illegal, he would block all he wanted. But for now, keeping his mind clear seemed to be the safer path. It wasn't like he was out to take over Heaven. He was just a little... rebellious.
Gohan placed all blame on Videl for that.
Before he knew it, he was pushing open the doors of the summoning chamber. His stomach muscles tightened. The room was long and wide, crafted out of blue marble and tall open windows. The only one there, besides Gohan, was unfortunately Zeal. Sitting ominously atop his judges seat, looking as intimidating and nasty as he could, curling up his long pointed nose at him. Gohan had to keep from laughing as he bowed in fanned respect. Once upon a time it would have been genuine, but, once again, Videl has corrupted him. Zeal didn't seem happy about seeing him, but Gohan couldn't blame him. Here he was, the angel that probably posed the biggest threat to him at the time. He wished he could tell him not to worry... but that probably wouldn't go over to well.
Kami, he hated this system.
"So, Son Gohan, rank nine. I suppose that you are not surprised that you are here." Came the low, annoyed voice of Zeal. Gohan rose from his bow.
"Sir, I would think it a bit to early for another promotion." Gohan said in the most humble tone he could muster.
"Indeed, you are right, you are here for a new assignment."
Gohan couldn't hide the bewilderment he felt at the moment. Zeal moaned at the unprofessional way Gohan suddenly carried himself, and he quickly mended his error. Zeal waved his staff lazily in front of him, bringing up a faint hologram. It was an image of a teenager, with familiar unruly onyx hair. His eyes lacked the spark of youth, even though he looked no older than fourteen or fifteen. The youth was in the woods, his knees tucked up into his chest, his head leaning on them. The sight brought chills up Gohan's spine, he was barley able to comprehend it.
"This is a bit different from anything you've been assigned before, Gohan. It will be a miracle if you can keep him alive longer than a month, he's so suicidal. He cuts himself, he has no desire to live, because of a death in his family a couple of years ago. His family doesn't seem to notice his pain, because of their own pain. I don't even think he really knows he wants to end his life, but at this point, it's simply a matter of time. Gohan, you are to show him meaning in life in what he has, rather than what he has lost."
Gohan felt like collapsing and going into a rage of tears right then and there. Instead, he lowered his head from the familiar image in front of him, and Zeal let it disappear. His fists trembled, and for the first time since dying, let a tear slide down his face.
"Goten..." He whispered.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::
"I don't understand."
"Well, I think this is the best thing that's happened to you since being up here. It'll help you let go as well." Videl replied. They were walking though Platinum Park, discussing Gohan's newest assignment. "...I think you're the only one who can pull it off. And it makes Zeal angry knowing it."
Gohan sighed. They were out of uniforms, and into more casual clothing. Walking along, through the silver branches, they actually didn't look that out of place wearing jeans. Other angels were wearing anything from a toga to leather, it was just that no one was allowed to wear black. It was frowned upon by the higher up angels (well, only Zeal, but he was infamous for attempting to set the standards in heaven). The lower angels didn't worry about following the 'standards', for they simply roamed about with little worry or responsibility. The higher angels didn't worry about angels of such low importance, either. But angels as controversial as Gohan and Videl, especially being in such a high rank, Zeal and those under him did everything possible to make them feel insufficient. It used to really get to Gohan, but after being around Videl for so long, he simply laughed it off now.
He had this desire, though, to be top angel in command. Then he would set things straight. The first thing he would do would be kick Zeal out of his office! Gohan would love to see the look on his face when that would happen. He doubted that would happen, though, because Zeal would NEVER give up his position, and so the only other one who could make that decision would be the top, Catriona. But Gohan had never even set eyes on the elusive commander....
Videl had her hair tied back into a loose bun, with a couple of braids still in her face. Wrapped around her torso was a white scrunched up tube top, and deep blue hip hugger flare jeans. Her vivid blue eyes were studying Gohan's grave face, worry setting in. She reached out one of her wings to brush against his arm.
She smiled when it gave him goose bumps, and he broke out of his daze. "What are you thinking about?" Her tone was compassionate.
Gohan looked into her eyes, not able to conjure up a completely honest smile. He was really worried about Goten, and was attempting to figure out how he was going to save his little brother. If only he could just be brought back to life... But that was out of his power. He knew then that Goten's sense of depression would be lifted, and they could all live happily ever after, until they all came to other world at their correct times.
"Gohan..." Videl laughed, reaching out her petite hand to grasp his large, strong one. "You can't change what's already happened. Even with those crazy dragon ball things you've told me about."
This time the smile was genuine. Sometimes he wondered if Videl could read his mind. A small laugh came forth. "You know how I am sometimes. I just wish I could ease their pain. Especially Goten's...."
Videl pulled Gohan in for a warm hug, and he reciprocated with an affectionate grasp and melancholy sigh. They stood like that for a moment, when Videl rose her gaze to Gohan's, just to find that his large inky eyes were still empty. She longed so dearly to see him as his old self again. But ever since the Silver Sight... Videl tightened her arms around him. She herself had nearly forgotten about her old life on Earth, because it wasn't particularly happy until she had met Gohan.
"I love you Gohan..." Videl whispered. Gohan cracked a smile, his hands playing with her hair, tugging it out of the bun.
"I love you too Videl." Gohan replied, letting go for now the worries of his family still alive and out of reach.
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Cesna: Oh, the lovely angst, oh, the foreshadowing of things to come... ::is content::
Gohan: ...Ug, I'm a stupid emotional wreck... ::sniffle::
Cesna: ADMIT IT, YOU LIKE IT!!!!
Gohan: Look at what you did to my little brother!!! ::throws a temper tantrum:: I'LL SAVE YOU GOTEN!!!!
Cesna: Remember, review or I'll kill you! :D
Gohan: She'll do it too! I've seeeeeeeen what she does when she's angry! I made her mad once, and that's how 'Bring me to Life' ended up happening! Don't let her do it!!! ::runs away::