CMG: Delighted to see me? I assume you may be. My disclaimer's in the prologue, so if you believe I am trying to steal them, only know that I do this out of pure entertainment, not for money. Now for who are pretty much finished hearing me rant, I invite you once again to…
The Fear
Chapter 2
"Trepidation?" Goku asked as his eyes jerked off the ground and looked at the Namek quizzically. "Who is he?"
"He is a man who is known to instill fear into the heart of man," Piccolo said. "He was said to have conquered the fears of many a thousand years ago when a heavy war broke out and almost wiped out humanity. However, he was defeated and said to have been sealed away inside a volcano unless…"
"Unless what?" Vegeta said bitterly.
"Unless the seal was weakened," Piccolo continued. "When Majin Buu reeked havoc, he must have weakened the seal and made it possible for Trepidation to break free, but he chose not to leave where he was at until the threat passed and make himself known again."
"Does this have any connection to Chi-chi's disappearance?" Goku said; half-hoping so that he could find her before he loses his mind.
"Probably so," Piccolo mused. "He might be using her to do something."
"He wouldn't hurt her, would he?" Goku said with a dread of venom in his voice.
"At this moment, he's not strong enough to hurt a single human, but with Chi-chi's absence, it won't be long until he can destroy a single city!" Piccolo growled.
"Dammit!" Goku hissed, angry at himself. "It's my fault!"
"Son, it's neither your fault or your absence that Chi-chi was abducted," Piccolo barked at the Earth-raised Saiya-jin. "You have to realize that he was looking for a source that will help him build up his power quickly."
"But Chi-chi's not as strong as the others," Dende said.
"It doesn't matter," Piccolo said. "As I said before, he instills fear into people and makes them feel insecure. If he isn't stopped, then all humanity will die."
"I won't stand for it!" Goku yelled as he got on his feet."Kakarot, calm down!" Vegeta hissed at the warrior.
"How can I be calm when Chi-chi's in the hands of a madman?" Goku seethed as Vegeta started to fear that they wouldn't have to wait for Trepidation to destroy humanity if Goku was going to first. His energy skyrocketed as his eyes became jaded and his hair flickered blonde.
"Son, Vegeta's right, so sit your sorry ass down right this instant!" Piccolo barked at the warrior before throwing a punch into his face. Goku went flying down to the ground clutching his nose and making sure it wasn't bleeding. His power fell from where it was moments ago from that surprise attack as he remained out of Super Saiya-jin for that moment.
"Kt…" Goku hissed as he glared at the former archrival and Kami of Earth. Piccolo knew that the Earth-raised Saiya-jin wouldn't attack him and needed that punch to calm down.
"That's better," Piccolo said. "Now we need to locate Trepidation's lair and stop him before he reaches full power."
"How are we going to do that?" Vegeta said.
"I will consult the other Kais and see if they know anything of this matter," Piccolo said. "Son, gather everyone and meet back at Kami's Lookout within three hours."
"Right," Goku said grimly before teleporting off; not bothering to waste any time.
"Kakarot's fighting himself right now," Vegeta said.
"What do you mean?" Piccolo said.
"He's starting to act more like a Saiya-jin, so watch what you say around him," Vegeta warned.
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Within a dark and dreary cavern, Chi-chi woke to a droplet of water hitting her face as she found herself chained to a wall with her wrists bound together over her head. For the first time, she felt that her very life was endanger as she heard a noise and saw a masked man before her. The mask was black as night as well as his robes as he stood before Chi-chi at about 5'6" tall. In his hands was a mysterious box that was as black as the robes that he wore.
"What's going on?" Chi-chi said, trying not to show fear.
"You are the key to world domination for you're the one that will lead me to plenty," the man spoke as he opened the box and red eyes glowed within the box. Chi-chi stared in horror as a snake came out and slithered towards her. Trying to move, the snake continued its advance as it slithered up her body.
"No! Get it off!" Chi-chi screamed. The man stood there as the snake slithered around her chest and its fangs opened as it hissed at her. In a lightening flash, the snake's teeth dug into her right shoulder as Chi-chi's scream was heard. Dark baritone laughter echoed through the caverns.
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Within three hours, the warriors were gathered. Goku, who was still worried about Chi-chi, began to show more and more irritation and isolated himself unnaturally from the others. Vegeta explained briefly to the group that Goku was on the verge of snapping and that anything could push him over the edge. Acknowledging this, they left him alone.
"Now that everyone's here," Piccolo started, "we can begin. Chi-chi was kidnapped by Trepidation and is being held captive on the island Omeus, which is located in the middle of the ocean."
"Omeus?" Tien said. "Isn't that island cursed?"
"From what the legends have stated, that was where Trepidation was sealed away a thousand years ago," Piccolo said.
"Oh man!" Krillin said. "And we have to go there to fight him?"
"What if we don't win?" Chou-su said.
"We have to or else humanity will be wiped out again and it'll be worse than what Majin Buu did," Piccolo grimaced. "Much worse."
"Yeah, but what about Goku?" Yamcha noted as Goku's head snapped in the direction that Yamcha was at. Nervously, "He's s-still o-on o-o-our side, r-right?"
"Yes, but he's been acting rather tense since Chi-chi's abduction," Piccolo noted. "Until Chi-chi's safe, you better watch what you say or you'll find yourself dead."
"Thanks for the warning," Yamcha hesitated as he looked back at Goku as the Earth-raised Saiya-jin glared at the former desert bandit.
"Daddy will be able to fight, will he?" said Goten.
"Of course, kiddo," said Gohan as he ruffled Goten's hair.
"Goten," Trunks whispered in the youngest Son's ear, "you're dad's mood is worse than mine right now. I wonder if my dad would beat yours in a matter of being angry?"
"What do you mean?" Goten shouted. "My dad maybe worried about my mommy right now, but he can still fight your dad!"
"Yeah right!" Trunks scoffed before Vegeta grabbed him by the collar.
"Trunks, now is not the time to bring up petty nonsense," Vegeta scolded his son.
"Aw, but dad…" Trunks started.
"Drop it, brat," Vegeta warned and released the purple-haired demi-Saiya-jin.
"Fine, you don't have to be a grouch about it," Trunks muttered.
"If everyone's done bickering, let's go," Piccolo said.
"Right," said the others, except Goku who remained silent. He grunted as his eyes flashed.
'If he hurt her, I swear I will make him pay with his life,' Goku thought darkly as small bolts of electricity licked his skin. No one noticed though since it was for only a brief moment, but if they did, then they had the right to be worried about the Earth-raised Saiya-jin losing whatever sanity he had within him.
CMG: Hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. Sorry there's no action yet, but things are starting to heat up. Now onto the reviewers responses:
The-Warrior-Formally-Known-As-Prince: Thank you for your support. I've been trying to get more in-depth within my writings to make the story more entertaining. That and I'm making sure I get their personalities correct with the exception of Goku's. He's got the right to be worried since he has no idea where Chi-chi's at and what's happening to her. Add a bit of Saiya-jin savagery, mix it in a bag, and you'll see how moody he is.
Gokulover4ever: Your wish is granted. Hopefully, you enjoyed this chapter.
Kinoha Chi: Ask and you shall receive answers. As Piccolo stated, Trepidation has kidnapped Chi-chi in order to get stronger. He draws his strength from making people afraid of things that make them shutter in pure terror. And I can't help but leave people in suspense. It's become a rather bad habit of mine. :D
Psy: It was revealed in this chapter what Trepidation's plans are with Chi-chi. And the name is another meaning of the word 'fear'. So, I thought that name rocked for his character since he is supposed to make people afraid of him and he feeds on fear itself. Hence Franklin D. Roosevelt's words: "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself." It kind of signifies that meaning, doesn't?
Chuquita: Aw. Now I can't kill Veggie without a perfectly good reason, can I? After all, he will play a huge role later on in the story if I let him die in the last chapter. Goku's just got some anger management problems, but he'll be fine eventually. Until then, expect him to have mood swings! :D As for Chi-chi, her fate was briefly revealed. Whether she's dead or alive will come closer to the end of the story since it's already been planned out.
super saiyan 4 chichi: Well right now, the chapters are short since I plan to make them longer as the story gets more interesting. Besides, I make them too long, then many are tempted to jump ahead. Not only that, but there's not enough action to move the story just yet. As for Chi-chi, well… you'll have to wait and see. The chapters will start to pick up in size and length soon, so please be patient. :D
For everyone else reading this story for the first time, I appreciate your reviews. In the upcoming chapters, expect more action as everything's revealed, so if you don't want to miss a chapter, then keep your eyes open and alert. Until the next chapter, ciao!