The New Generation
Ch 5 End of Angst (Nuff' said)
*thump* The blackness began to recede. *thump* Consciousness returned, and with it pain. *thump* "I'm up. I'm up already." His voice sounded muffled, even to his own ears. *thump* "Stop kicking me already." Gohan was really getting annoyed.
"Are you going to get up?" The emotionless tone made even such an elemental question sound like a statement.
Gohan began to seriously consider the matter. Do I really want to get up? Especially after the way I act- *thump* "Enough!" Gohan surged to his feet intent on doing bodily harm to whoever had decided to wake him up.
"You are awake. Good."
"Who are--?" Gohan stopped himself. Blue eyes. Black hair. Looks barely older than himself. No ki signature? "You're android seventeen!"
"How observant of you." With that dead voice it was hard to tell, but Gohan thought he was being mocked. "And you would be Son Gohan. Age 12. Son of Son Goku and Son Chichi. Genetic make-up 48% saiyan 52% human. Power level variable. Proceed with caution." The android smirked slightly at this. "A direct quote from my files. Seems you're the only one the old man couldn't figure out. I thank you for killing Cell. You would not believe how disgusting he was." Seventeen's voice had begun to show some emotion as he talked. Now it hardened. "Why are you here?"
"I, uh, well, that is I didn't come here exactly. I was just running, you know?"
"What could have scared you that much?" He looked a little worried now. "Is there some new threat to earth with more power than you?"
"I wasn't scared. I was just running away from.from.well, from myself, I guess."
"You guess?"
"I was thinking of my father and it just his me. Not only was I responsible for his death, but I haven't even thought about him in over a year." Great, now I'm crying. Why did I open up to him of all people?
"That's it?" Seventeen snorted. "That's your big sob story?"
"Hey"
"Shut up and listen boy." Eighteen's twin looked angry now. "Let me tell you a real sob story. Two beings were born in a laboratory. They knew nothing but that single fact. The man who claimed to be their creator called them siblings. This they accepted, because it gave them someone to relate to. For them there were no parents, no past, not even names. All they had was each other. Then some bald midget freak comes along and steals one away from the other. Now all the one had was life, and he can't even be sure how much of himself really is alive. Get out of here saiyan. Your whining is making me sick." With that Seventeen turned on his heel and walked back to his cabin. The door slammed behind him.
Gohan thought about how immature his regrets really sounded. He'd lost his father, true, but hadn't his father decided to stay dead? He thought about everyone he had left in his life. His mother. His brother Goten. His sensei and the two unnamed newborns that would one day call him 'big brother.' Then there were all his friends.
Suddenly a new realization hit him. When his father had given his reasons for leaving, he had been sure it was just a ruse. He had truly believed his father was staying dead to get away from him. But that wasn't Goku's way. Goku had always said exactly what he was thinking without any time for reflection. Even having several frying pans worn out on his head hadn't broken him of the habit. So how could he have come up with such an intricate lie on such short notice? The answer was that he hadn't. Gohan's father had truly believed that staying dead was for the best.
Gohan smiled as he searched for his sensei's ki. His smile grew broader when he found it directly above him. "I'm fine now Piccolo," the demi- saiyan said as he floated upward. "Let's go home."
The flight back to the Son residence was a quiet one. Both Piccolo and Gohan were preoccupied with their thoughts. While Gohan turned over his newest epiphany and plotted ways to bring his newest 'friend' into the gang, Piccolo's thoughts were of a more relived nature. He was just glad that Gohan had dropped the 'Mr. Piccolo' nonsense before it could be passed on to a new generation. If he'd known what said generation would be using, he would have blown himself up right on the spot.
*****
When they found her she was dying from exposure. Chaotzu stunned her with a psychic bolt and sighed with relief before dropping from exhaustion. Tien shook his head and bent over to pick the two figures up. Throwing one over each shoulder, he began to fly back home. Hope Lunch is in her calmer form. This girl is going to need a lot of care. The master of Crane Style Kenpo wondered what such a strong, and apparently young, psychic was doing out here alone.
Chaotzu had begun the whole problem with screaming. It seems the dying girl had been sending her pain out on a psychic level and the little heir to the empire had been on the receiving end. He had insisted he wasn't under attack, but Tien had been doubtful until he saw the 'attacker'. If she survives the night. With that thought Tien put on a new burst of speed, hoping his wife was in a position to help.
*****
Yamcha put a finishing flourish at the end of his signature and handed the contract to the team owner's lawyer.
"Congratulation's Mr. Bandit." A heavyset man of middle years drawled. "What's this put yer collection at, about nine out of the fifteen major league teams?"
Yamcha just grinned while Puar napped on his shoulder.
*****
Krillin was worried. It wasn't like his master to be so serious. He hadn't even looked at Eighteen. Now he was just silently pacing his island with the former monk.
"Krillin, I've decided to make you heir to the Turtle school."
"Why Master?" The occasion seemed to require formality. "It's not like you're going anywhere, being immortal and all."
"Well, I figured I would just pass that curse on to you."
"Huh, but I thought the Phoenix died." Krillin was confused, to say the least.
"What Phoenix?"
"The one you told us made you immortal."
"Oh, that Phoenix. It never existed."
"Now I'm confused." Krillin said, looking it.
"It's really simple, actually. Me and Crane were given the gift of never dying of natural causes by Kami. I think it had something to do with my master defeating Piccolo, although the old bug never said so." Roshi looked bitter as he said this. " I'm tired Krillin, and useless. My staying around is kind of pointless with all the young fighters being so strong. The world needs someone who can train new fighters when the current group starts to die down." The old man smiled. "Just think Krillin. In a few generations you'll probably be the strongest fighter on the planet." He began to look serious. "Krillin, do you accept this responsibility?"
Krillin thought for a moment. What could he say? "Yes Master. I will take this burden." He bowed and a bright light seemed to jump from his master.
"Well, now that that's over lets get inside. My old bones can't take the cold."
Krillin looked up, startled. "Master! You're alive."
"You didn't think I'd croak right away, did you?" Roshi looked amused. "And no more of that 'master' stuff. That's no longer who I am. Just call me Bob." The old man began to walk towards the house. He looked back when he reached the door. "By the way, that was basically an adoption. Now get your ass in the house Krillin Roshi. Or should I say son." With that, the old martial artist went inside.
Krillin stood in shock for a moment before a single tear ran down his face.
A/N: What'cha think? I've decided to try and flesh out my chapters a bit, so I'll probably be adding these little flashes of the character's lives at the time of each chapter. On and off note, can anyone tell me what ( Lol ) means? I've never been able to figure it out.
Ch 5 End of Angst (Nuff' said)
*thump* The blackness began to recede. *thump* Consciousness returned, and with it pain. *thump* "I'm up. I'm up already." His voice sounded muffled, even to his own ears. *thump* "Stop kicking me already." Gohan was really getting annoyed.
"Are you going to get up?" The emotionless tone made even such an elemental question sound like a statement.
Gohan began to seriously consider the matter. Do I really want to get up? Especially after the way I act- *thump* "Enough!" Gohan surged to his feet intent on doing bodily harm to whoever had decided to wake him up.
"You are awake. Good."
"Who are--?" Gohan stopped himself. Blue eyes. Black hair. Looks barely older than himself. No ki signature? "You're android seventeen!"
"How observant of you." With that dead voice it was hard to tell, but Gohan thought he was being mocked. "And you would be Son Gohan. Age 12. Son of Son Goku and Son Chichi. Genetic make-up 48% saiyan 52% human. Power level variable. Proceed with caution." The android smirked slightly at this. "A direct quote from my files. Seems you're the only one the old man couldn't figure out. I thank you for killing Cell. You would not believe how disgusting he was." Seventeen's voice had begun to show some emotion as he talked. Now it hardened. "Why are you here?"
"I, uh, well, that is I didn't come here exactly. I was just running, you know?"
"What could have scared you that much?" He looked a little worried now. "Is there some new threat to earth with more power than you?"
"I wasn't scared. I was just running away from.from.well, from myself, I guess."
"You guess?"
"I was thinking of my father and it just his me. Not only was I responsible for his death, but I haven't even thought about him in over a year." Great, now I'm crying. Why did I open up to him of all people?
"That's it?" Seventeen snorted. "That's your big sob story?"
"Hey"
"Shut up and listen boy." Eighteen's twin looked angry now. "Let me tell you a real sob story. Two beings were born in a laboratory. They knew nothing but that single fact. The man who claimed to be their creator called them siblings. This they accepted, because it gave them someone to relate to. For them there were no parents, no past, not even names. All they had was each other. Then some bald midget freak comes along and steals one away from the other. Now all the one had was life, and he can't even be sure how much of himself really is alive. Get out of here saiyan. Your whining is making me sick." With that Seventeen turned on his heel and walked back to his cabin. The door slammed behind him.
Gohan thought about how immature his regrets really sounded. He'd lost his father, true, but hadn't his father decided to stay dead? He thought about everyone he had left in his life. His mother. His brother Goten. His sensei and the two unnamed newborns that would one day call him 'big brother.' Then there were all his friends.
Suddenly a new realization hit him. When his father had given his reasons for leaving, he had been sure it was just a ruse. He had truly believed his father was staying dead to get away from him. But that wasn't Goku's way. Goku had always said exactly what he was thinking without any time for reflection. Even having several frying pans worn out on his head hadn't broken him of the habit. So how could he have come up with such an intricate lie on such short notice? The answer was that he hadn't. Gohan's father had truly believed that staying dead was for the best.
Gohan smiled as he searched for his sensei's ki. His smile grew broader when he found it directly above him. "I'm fine now Piccolo," the demi- saiyan said as he floated upward. "Let's go home."
The flight back to the Son residence was a quiet one. Both Piccolo and Gohan were preoccupied with their thoughts. While Gohan turned over his newest epiphany and plotted ways to bring his newest 'friend' into the gang, Piccolo's thoughts were of a more relived nature. He was just glad that Gohan had dropped the 'Mr. Piccolo' nonsense before it could be passed on to a new generation. If he'd known what said generation would be using, he would have blown himself up right on the spot.
*****
When they found her she was dying from exposure. Chaotzu stunned her with a psychic bolt and sighed with relief before dropping from exhaustion. Tien shook his head and bent over to pick the two figures up. Throwing one over each shoulder, he began to fly back home. Hope Lunch is in her calmer form. This girl is going to need a lot of care. The master of Crane Style Kenpo wondered what such a strong, and apparently young, psychic was doing out here alone.
Chaotzu had begun the whole problem with screaming. It seems the dying girl had been sending her pain out on a psychic level and the little heir to the empire had been on the receiving end. He had insisted he wasn't under attack, but Tien had been doubtful until he saw the 'attacker'. If she survives the night. With that thought Tien put on a new burst of speed, hoping his wife was in a position to help.
*****
Yamcha put a finishing flourish at the end of his signature and handed the contract to the team owner's lawyer.
"Congratulation's Mr. Bandit." A heavyset man of middle years drawled. "What's this put yer collection at, about nine out of the fifteen major league teams?"
Yamcha just grinned while Puar napped on his shoulder.
*****
Krillin was worried. It wasn't like his master to be so serious. He hadn't even looked at Eighteen. Now he was just silently pacing his island with the former monk.
"Krillin, I've decided to make you heir to the Turtle school."
"Why Master?" The occasion seemed to require formality. "It's not like you're going anywhere, being immortal and all."
"Well, I figured I would just pass that curse on to you."
"Huh, but I thought the Phoenix died." Krillin was confused, to say the least.
"What Phoenix?"
"The one you told us made you immortal."
"Oh, that Phoenix. It never existed."
"Now I'm confused." Krillin said, looking it.
"It's really simple, actually. Me and Crane were given the gift of never dying of natural causes by Kami. I think it had something to do with my master defeating Piccolo, although the old bug never said so." Roshi looked bitter as he said this. " I'm tired Krillin, and useless. My staying around is kind of pointless with all the young fighters being so strong. The world needs someone who can train new fighters when the current group starts to die down." The old man smiled. "Just think Krillin. In a few generations you'll probably be the strongest fighter on the planet." He began to look serious. "Krillin, do you accept this responsibility?"
Krillin thought for a moment. What could he say? "Yes Master. I will take this burden." He bowed and a bright light seemed to jump from his master.
"Well, now that that's over lets get inside. My old bones can't take the cold."
Krillin looked up, startled. "Master! You're alive."
"You didn't think I'd croak right away, did you?" Roshi looked amused. "And no more of that 'master' stuff. That's no longer who I am. Just call me Bob." The old man began to walk towards the house. He looked back when he reached the door. "By the way, that was basically an adoption. Now get your ass in the house Krillin Roshi. Or should I say son." With that, the old martial artist went inside.
Krillin stood in shock for a moment before a single tear ran down his face.
A/N: What'cha think? I've decided to try and flesh out my chapters a bit, so I'll probably be adding these little flashes of the character's lives at the time of each chapter. On and off note, can anyone tell me what ( Lol ) means? I've never been able to figure it out.