Chapter II: Gohan Goes to High School
Three years later . . .
Gohan nearly burst through the front door and called out, "Bye mom! I'll see you once class ends!" Before he could get off the ground, Gohan suddenly found himself carrying more weight. He glanced down to see his brother grasping onto his leg. Gohan laughed, "Aw, come on Goten. It's not like I'm leaving for good. I'll be back in seven hours."
"But what am I going to do until then?"
"Uh, why don't you . . . see how long you can hold your breath underwater? Then when I get back, we can have a contest!"
Goten smiled, "All right! Come back soon Gohan!" The mini clone of Goku had already detached himself from Gohan and was skipping his way to the pond.
Gohan smiled at his brother's antics. Sometimes it was scary how much he was like his father. Or perhaps it was the reverse that was scary. Gohan always did think his father was an overgrown child. With a quick power up, Gohan flew into the sky and raced towards the city.
He had thought of taking the Flying Nimbus, but decided doing the flying himself would be a lot easier and faster. The country side passed beneath him fast, and in a blur. Before long, Gohan could see the edge of the city itself. He could hardly wait to finally start. Gohan had been home schooled all his life, but now he would have the chance to study with people his own age. The thought almost made him giddy.
I have to remember to control my power here. I don't want to look like a freak. Gohan thought as he set down in an alley. There was enough time before classes started that he could grab a bite to eat. Gohan doubted any all-you-can-eat buffets were open this early. It would surprise him.
No, nothing could surprise him as much as what he learned a few days ago. Chichi had sent him to the bank to make a withdrawal for school supplies. Gohan had nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the amount in the account, and the fact it was Goku who set it up. He had taken his winnings from the World Martial Arts Tournament and put them into a bank account. After twenty years of sitting around the interest had swelled and compounded. Goku had actually gone out of his way to make sure his family was set for whatever it needed. That was his dad, always looking out for others.
Gohan now had a pocket full of what remained of the withdrawal. He wondered what restaurants were in the city.
Commotion and screaming sounded down the street. Gohan turned to see a group of armed men entering a bank, the very same bank Gohan's family used. Two of the robbers remained outside, ordering people to the ground. Several police cars showed up, and a fierce firefight ensued.
Gohan gritted his head. What are they thinking? All those people are in the way. Someone's going to get hurt, or worse! But what can I do? I don't want to reveal myself, unless . . . Gohan hadn't even finished the thought before he ducked back into an alley. Flexing his fingers, Gohan called up his power and transformed into his Super Saiyan form. No one would recognize him this way.
* * *
Videl hurdled over several people who were in her way. She rounded the corner of the building and studied the scene. Her first thought was to curse the police for letting those people get in the way. She would have to move fast to put those crooks down.
The two outside were joined by the rest of their crew. The police could no longer return fire, but the bandits continued shooting madly. All those people on the ground were screaming and crying for help. Videl couldn't take it any more. She was going in.
A flash of light. Everyone on the street blinked in surprise. In the midst of the masked bank robbers stood a tall young man with upright gold hair. Videl didn't even see where he came from. One of the robbers snapped out of his trance and lifted his gun. The gold man grabbed it and bent the barrel. He then jumped up, and did a mid air spin kick, knocking half of the group down.
One of the thieves who still stood drew a pistol and fired. Videl didn't even see the gold man move, but he was suddenly bent at an angle with his fist held up. He opened it to reveal the bullet that was fired. The crook shook in fear, and jumped into their escape van. The van started and began to move away.
The gold man held his hand up, and released a beam of light. It struck the side of the van, causing it to lift off the ground, flip, and land on the pavement on its side. Those who were left behind charged their assailant. The gold man moved so fast no one, not even Videl, could track his movements. Within seconds, the band of robbers were all down and out. Only the gold man was left standing.
Videl ran forward and stopped just behind him, "Hey, who are you!" The man turned around, looking at Videl with his pupiless blue eyes. Then he vanished. Gone, without a trance. Videl stared blankly at empty space. He had been standing right there, and she didn't even see where he moved.
Behind her, Videl could hear the talk of the witnesses; "Holy cow, did you see that?"
"That boy just took out that entire group of crooks!"
"Did anyone see that thing with his hand?"
"Hah! I got the whole thing on tape. This is incredible!"
Videl could feel she was shaking. She had never seen strength or speed like that before. Then she remembered. There was one place she had seen that before.
* * *
Erasa made a wide, excited gesture with her hands, "And then he just vanished. The guy who was filming had his camera going at a high frame rate to catch all the action, and it shows the golf fighter going up! Isn't that amazing?"
Sharpener shrugged, "So what are you saying? That he just flew off? I doubt that." He leaned over to look past Erasa, "What do you think, Videl? You were there."
Videl pushed one of her pig tails out of the way, "It was amazing. It was like something out of the Cell Games."
"Huh?" Both her friends said.
"The blonde hair, and the blue eyes. It was just like those fighters in the Cell Games, remember?"
"I think so." The short haired blonde answered, "But that was all a bunch of tricks and magic, wasn't it? You're father was the one who went all the way and beat Cell."
"Yeah," Videl fumed, "but I don't get it. Why would they just reappear all of a sudden?"
The chatter and talk of the mysterious gold fighter halted once the professor entered the classroom. He adjusted his glasses, and cleared his throat, "Good morning class. I am proud to announce a new addition today. This student received perfect scores on all his entrance exams. That means he knows how to read and write, unlike you! You would all do well to follow his example." He looked to the door, "That's your queue boy, get in here!"
The eyes of the entire class followed the young man through the door. He wore a white shirt, black vest, and reddish-orange pants. His short black hair was kept up in spikes, and he wore a nervous smile on his face. Videl had to admit to herself, he was kind of cute.
The young man spoke, "My name is Gohan. It's nice to meet you."
The classroom gave a monotonous unified welcome. The professor pointed to the rows, "You may sit where you wish, Gohan. We'll be starting right away."
"Um, ok." Gohan looked to the rows of students. There were a few empty spots, but he felt so nervous that he didn't really want to file past a whole bunch of his classmates.
"Yoo-hoo! New boy, here is a seat." Erasa stood up and pointed next to her.
"Oh, sure. Thanks." Gohan made his way up the steps, and took the seat. He looked over to Erasa; "It's a real pleasure to meet . . ." Gohan froze when he saw who was sitting next to the blonde. It was the girl who ran up behind him at the bank. Oh, shit! I hope she doesn't recognize me.
Videl frowned, "Do I know you? You look familiar."
"He was probably on a TV spelling bee." Sharpener jibed.
Erasa didn't seem to find it funny, "Oh, that's real mature, Sharpener. Ignore him. He's all brawn and no brains." Sharpener stuck his tongue out and slouched back into his chair. Erasa held a hand out, "Well, you know his name. This is the pride and joy of Orange Star High, Videl Satan."
Gohan blinked, "Satan? You're Hercule's daughter!?" Videl nodded, "Wow. That must really be something, being the daughter of a celebrity."
"Yeah, but being the friend of a celebrity's daughter is also something." Erasa didn't want Videl to suddenly snatch up all the attention.
"Gohan," Videl said, "do you know what the gold fighter was wearing when he fought off those bank robbers this morning?" Gohan shook his head, "A white shirt, a black vest, and red pants. Gee, doesn't that sound familiar?"
Crap, think Gohan. You're a genius, think of a way out of this, "Coincidence?"
Sharpener laughed, "Come on, Videl. Him? Please, you're really losing it. Te gold fighter had blonde hair, and blue eyes. Wonder boy here doesn't fit the description at all. Besides, that's the standard outfit here."
Gohan smiled, Thank you Sharpener. Videl returned to her notes, but kept glancing over at the newcomer. So Gohan's hair wasn't blonde. The people in the Cell Games could change their hair color, why couldn't he?
* * *
"Okay, boys and girls." The gym teacher waved the students closer, "Today we will be playing the great game of baseball. Captains, take turns picking your teammates. I'll serve as umpire."
Videl and Sharpener traded off picking individuals from the class. Though he didn't mind, Gohan was the last remaining. Sharpener grinned, "My team's full. You can have him."
"Oh, great." Videl seethed at the buff teenager.
Erasa stepped in, "Oh, come on. I bet he can form all kinds of strategies since he's so smart."
Sometimes Videl couldn't get over how friendly Erasa could be, "Fine. Gohan, I'm putting you in right field. You do know where that is, right?"
"Uh, on the right. Right?"
"Right." Videl moved off to the pitcher's mound as Gohan ran out into the field. The first inning got underway, and the score remained at zero for both teams. With two outs, Sharpener went up to bat. Videl couldn't help but smirk, "Ready to strike out?"
"Please." The cocky blonde answered.
Videl watched the signals from the catcher. A fastball. She cranked her arm back, and threw as hard as she could, causing her hat to fly off her head. Sharpener swung, and hit the ball high, and far. People on his team jumped up, cheering their praise for Sharpener's skill. Then silence.
Nearly thirty feet off the ground was Gohan. Arm outstretched, with the ball safely in his glove. With a quick glance he saw the runner on third had left the base. In a split second, the ball had been thrown into the third baseman's glove, knocking him over. The base coach blinked, "Um, that's three outs."
Gohan landed softly and began running to the dugout. He grinned; I think I'm really getting the hang of this game. Then he noticed the surprised and shocked looks on his classmates' faces. Oh no, I overdid it again.
The gym teacher, however, seemed nothing but pleased, "Good work Gohan. That jump had to be twenty-five feet! Great show."
"Uh, thanks. I just got some new shoes, that's all. You know, the ones with the air cushions!"
"Right, it's got to be the shoes."
Gohan sat down on the bench, but stood right back up when he was told it was his turn at the plate. He grabbed the nearest bat and headed out, "Hold on guys, I'm coming!"
Sharpener, who now stood on the mound, sneered. Time to get him back. I don't know how he caught that ball, but I'm gonna embarrass him so bad. Let's see him duck like a sissy at this head shot. Sharpener pulled back, and threw a pitch directly at Gohan. It hit.
Everyone let out a collective gasp as Gohan was struck in the temple by Sharpener's ball. Sharpener himself couldn't believe Gohan, "You idiot! Why didn't you duck like a sissy!?"
Gohan looked down at the ball, and up to the teacher, "Coach, if I'm hit by the ball then I get an automatic base, don't I?"
"Um, that's correct. Take your base, Gohan."
Gohan tossed the bat aside and jogged to first base. I get the feeling that didn't work so well. It doesn't matter; at least I didn't have to actually hit the ball. That would have really turned some heads!
* * *
The school day drew to a close, and the students gathered their things. Sharpener finally found Gohan, who he had begun to change his mind about. With the skills and thick-headedness Gohan had shown today, Sharpener thought he could make use of him, "So, Gohan, have you joined any clubs yet?"
"Uh, no I haven't."
"Great, you can join the boxing club. With a little practice you could become a great fighter." Not to mention help get us into the finals this year. I could really use a guy like him against Uba. That guy's punches are mean.
Gohan shut his locker, "Sorry, but I don't think I can join any clubs. I-"
"Have a long ride home." Erasa finished.
"Uh, yeah! That's right."
"Hey, Gohan, why don't you give me a ride home on your way out?" Erasa walked up to Gohan's side, "Or better yet, why don't we study together. I bet you could really help me out."
What does she do, follow me around? "Sorry, but my ride's a one-seater. Besides, I live a really long ways away."
"Oh? Just where do you live?"
"The . . . four-thirty-nine mountain area."
Erasa and Sharpener's eyes grew by an inch, "The four-thirty-nine area! No way, that's almost five-hundred miles. Over a five hour trip. How do you manage it?"
"Oh, just dedication I guess. I'll see you guys tomorrow!" Gohan left quickly to make sure they couldn't ask any more questions. He had really tried not to show off his power, but everyone and everything made it so hard. Not to mention all the crime in this city that just begged to be stopped. He wanted to help, but not give himself away at the same time. Everyone at his school would think he was a freak!
Gohan stopped just past another building. He couldn't believe it, but he was being followed again. This time he was certain it wasn't Erasa, as Sharpener had been hitting on her after he left. Whoever they were, they were pretty good at staying hidden. Gohan rounded the building's corner and shit up to the roof. As he reached the top, his stalker appeared. He nearly fell over when he saw it was Videl.
"Ah, crap. She's suspicious after all!"
Gohan waited until she left, and then began to fly home. Along the way, Gohan considered his predicament, I want to keep helping, but I don't want everyone to know that I'm the gold fighter. I wonder what I should do. Ah, I know! I bet Bulma could help me out. Yeah, she always has an answer to everything. I'll be sure to stop by her place before I got home.