CMG: Read my disclaimer in the prologue. (sitting there in a comfy chair) Another day, another chapter. I assume I'm being hard not giving you answers and no action. Well, I'll tell you what. I'll give you no answers in this chapter, but there will be some action! (laughs before getting hit) Fine, fine. Without any further delays, I invite you to…
The Fear
Chapter 3
Ten warriors land on the beach of Omeus Island, surprised of its majestic beauty. If the name wasn't given to the island, then perhaps vacationers would enjoy its beauty as well; however, they would have to stay on the beach itself, due to the fact that monsters live in the woods. As the warriors walk closer to the woods, they suddenly felt Goku's chi rise; as if he was trying to warn them about something coming.
"Son, what's wrong?" Piccolo asked the Earth-raised Saiya-jin.
"Something's here!" Goku hissed. If he had a tail at that moment, it would have been lashing like crazy.
"What are you talking about?" Krillin questioned.
"Kakarot's right," Vegeta growled as he seemed to agree with the Earth-raised Saiya-jin. "Something's here."
A rustle was heard in the bushes as the warriors slide into their battle stances. Out of the bushes came several giant spider-like beings as they lunged at the warriors.
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In a dark cave, five figures stood before a holographic image displaying the warriors as they started to fight the spider-like beings.
"So it seems we have intruders," a rich baritone voice said. "Coppice, can you tell me who these warriors are?"
"Of course, Lord Trepidation," Coppice said as images display on the screen before Intrepid of the warriors names, stats, and other information.
"So, it seems that they're here to stop me and save the woman I used earlier to regain some of my power," Trepidation said. "It will all be in vain."
"Master?" a female voice said as she walked in the room. She wore a white mask over her face that had a diagonal red slash going from her left eye to her right cheek. She wore a crimson red robe with an embroidery design of flowers within the robe. Her raven hair fell past her shoulders and looked like silk itself. The woman looked shy, but seemed rather knowledgeable by the look in her eyes beneath the mask.
"What is it, Zealous?" Trepidation said.
"You should place your warriors at the different parts of the cave in order to weaken or kill the warriors approaching the fortress," Zealous said.
"Hmm, well spoken, my pet," said Trepidation as he cups her mask affectionately. "You heard her orders! Go my minions!"
"Sir!" said the others before vanishing.
"Soon, my queen, there will be nothing to stop us," Trepidation said to Zealous affectionately.
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Back on the battlefield, the warriors had their hands full fighting the spider-like monsters. Goku, who was fighting with anger mostly suddenly felt himself thrown into a wall as one of the spider creatures bit his neck. A fierce cry was heard as Vegeta transformed into an ascended Super Saiya-jin when he heard Goku's cry.
"No one takes Kakarot's life except me!" Vegeta yelled as he slammed his fist into the spider-like figure's back, killing it instantly as it went slack against Goku's body. The other spiders, seeing the savagery that Vegeta displayed, scurried away before Vegeta used a Final Flash to kill them from behind before powering down. Everyone gathered around Goku, who was at this point, growling uncontrollably at the warriors.
"Son, calm down," Piccolo said as Goku's fully red eyes landed on Piccolo and before the Namek could do anything, he was sent flying into a tree that split into two. The tree half-fell upon Piccolo's body.
"Piccolo!" Gohan cried, worried about his mentor as Piccolo got up; his cape torn and turban trashed.
"Gohan, don't get involved," Piccolo warned. "He's not acting like himself!"
"I can see that, but what else can we do?" Gohan said.
Before anyone could react, the glow in Goku's eyes faded leaving them completely blank. As though time itself slowed down, he fell to the ground with a sickening thud. It took the warriors a minute of recollection to realize that the Earth-raised Saiya-jin would not get up again.
"Daddy!" Goten cried as he rushes over and heard the shallow gasps that Goku emitted. It was mixed with a weak growl and moan as he unconsciously shivered.
"He's poisoned," Piccolo said and turned to the others. "Trunks! Goten! Go get some ground herbs! Do not go after anything close to or climbing up a tree! Gohan, go get some water! Tien, Chou-su, and Yamcha, go get some firewood! Vegeta! Help me carry Son to the nearest cave! We have to make sure that we aren't getting hunted right now so get moving!"
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Soon, a fire roared as the warriors waited patiently for Piccolo to finish the mixture as he applied it to Goku's neck. The Earth-raised Saiya-jin tensed and moaned in pain from the substance placed upon the wounded area. Piccolo hissed from the sound, for he did not like the warrior's sharp cries to his rather sensitive ears. Soon, the sounds seemed to quiet down as the other warriors sighed in relief that their fallen comrade would recover soon.
"Will he be alright?" Yamcha said; worried about Goku's health.
"It's too early to tell," Piccolo said grimly. "It depends how far the poison advanced into his system."
"I don't want daddy to die!" Goten cried. He only knew his father for six months and to lose him now would hurt the young child's feelings for the father he just got to know.
"Whatever," Vegeta said as he got up from the sitting position and stretched. "I'm going to hunt for some dinner."
"Good idea," said Tien.
"By yourself?" Gohan questioned.
"You can come if you want," Vegeta said to Goku's eldest.
"Very well," Gohan said as he got up.
"Dad, I want to go too!" said Trunks. Goten's eyes lit up as he agreed with the other kid besides himself.
"No, Trunks," Vegeta gruffly answered. "You stay here with Goten."
"Aw…" Trunks and Goten moaned in disappointment.
"Come spawn of Kakarot," Vegeta said to Gohan before they walked into the dense jungle to hunt for food.
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Darkness fell upon the jungle with the only light from the fire that burned intensely in front of the warriors. Shadows danced as two figures carrying two deer upon their backs walked towards the cave. Gohan and Vegeta threw down their offerings to be cooked in front of the fire for the other warriors to eat. After dinner, the warriors used the hides to create a makeshift blanket for Goku since he started to shiver.
"Daddy doesn't look too good," Goten commented.
"His body's fighting the poison, Goten," Piccolo said to the young Saiya-jin. "You need to have faith that he'll be able to fight it off by morning."
"I will," Goten said.
"Still, when Son recovers, we need to head straight towards the volcano," Piccolo said. "We can't afford to lose anymore time or else Trepidation will see this as an opportunity to hit us while we're down."
"I agree, but if Goku doesn't make it, then what?" Krillin said.
"He'll make it," Vegeta snarled. "If he dies, then I'll make it so that he comes back so I'll personally send him to hell myself!"
None of the other warriors chose to comment after that outburst. Soon, all of the warriors prepared for rest.
"Wait," Chou-su said. "What about keeping watch?"
"No need," Piccolo said. "I'll alert you in case something happens."
"How about setting a trap just in case," Yamcha said.
"It would be…" started Vegeta.
"A brilliant idea," Piccolo concluded before firing a blast at the ground. Looking up in the trees, his eyes shot a beam out of them that made the branch covered with leaves fall upon the hole; making it look like an illusion.
"Whoa!" Krillin said. "I never knew you could do that!"
"Well then, it's time you all rest," Piccolo said as he got into his meditation stance. The others used leaves and whatever else they could find for bed and covers except for Vegeta and Piccolo.
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Darkness was all that Goku could see as he ran through the mysterious bleakness that was void of life and filled with mystery. Up ahead of him, he saw a familiar fallen woman as he forced himself to jump towards her as though there was a cliff dividing them. Landing, he gently picked up the woman he knew as Chi-chi.
"Chi-chi, wake up," Goku pleaded sorrowfully; gently shaking her. However, she did not stir and it felt as though he was holding her corpse.
"She won't awaken," a voice spoke as Goku looked and saw a figure standing there.
"You monster! You killed her!" Goku hissed as he tried to find the anger associated with power to destroy his enemy. Yet, he was denied the capability of powering up. He wanted to kill, but found that he was powerless in this state to do it.
"And next, it'll be your turn," the figure spoke before Goku felt pain lace throughout his body when he felt his oxygen supply cut off. His neck throbbed in pain as he clutched it…
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Goku woke with a start and was breathing hard as he felt his neck sting in pain; a reminder that he had been poisoned hours earlier. Noting that everyone else was asleep and it being probably close or around two in the morning, the warrior noticed the dying embers of the fire slowly burning out. He didn't need them to see Piccolo at the cave entrance meditating as usual and keeping a lookout in case trouble approached. Hunger knawed at his stomach; reminding him that he hadn't had a decent meal since Chi-chi's disappearance, but there wasn't much for him to do at that moment.
"Son," Piccolo spoke; alert that Goku was awake as the Earth-raised Saiya-jin looked up in surprise, "I convinced the others to capsize the rest of dinner, but you'll have to reheat it over the fire."
Goku said nothing as he got out the deer and rebuilt the fire to where it was roaring with life again. Cooking the meat over an open fire, he watched it cook as his mind was plagued with the images of Chi-chi being dead and the one known as Trepidation preparing to destroy mankind. Hissing softly so that no one heard, Goku vowed to himself that he would save Chi-chi or die trying.
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As dawn greeted a new day on the island, trouble lurked outside of the cave as some wild hogs were outside the cave. Piccolo noticed that they had evaded the trap easily and growled.
"Wake up," Piccolo snapped as the warriors woke up quickly.
"Huh?" Krillin said, still half-asleep.
"We have company," Piccolo said as the warriors got up. Goku, on the other hand, remained asleep as though he didn't hear Piccolo's words.
"Why isn't Kakarot awake?" Vegeta yelled at Piccolo.
"He woke up earlier this morning and ate before going back to sleep," Piccolo said.
"Figures," Vegeta growled as one of the hogs dug its hoof into the ground and snorted.
"We're outnumbered 30 to 9," Yamcha said.
"What's the best way we can defeat all of them?" Krillin said.
"Aim for their stomachs," Goten said.
"No Goten!" Trunks challenged. "Their tails!"
"Don't even start bickering," Piccolo warned the boys. It was at that moment that five of them charged at the group. Moving fast, Goten and Trunks jumped over them as Tien and Yamcha grabbed their tusks and threw them to the ground. Vegeta and Piccolo wrestled the ones that came at them and Gohan jumped as the last one crashed into the cavern wall. The rocks deeper in the cave fell as it caused a cave-in with the still sleeping Goku now trapped inside asleep.
"Dad!" Gohan yelled, worried about his father after what happened the day before. It was at that moment that the hog impaled his back from behind. The hog removed its tusk from within Gohan and squealed in delight as it prepared to do the young man in.
"Gohan!" Krillin cried as the hog forced him into the ground.
"Die pig! Big Bang Attack!" Vegeta roared as the blast threw the hog upon Gohan backwards and instantly killed it. The other hogs squealed and charged Vegeta as he fired more blasts, but the hogs managed to evade them.
"Nngh…" Gohan moaned in pain as Tien landed next to him.
"Gohan, hang on," Tien said as he pulled out a Sensu Bean and put it into the young man's mouth. Chewing up the bean, Gohan swallowed as he felt the pain race out of his back. Able to stand again, Gohan felt better.
"Thanks Tien," Gohan said.
"Don't worry about it," Tien said as the others fared poorly against the hogs.
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Inside the cave, Goku woke up rather irritated by the noise outside and noticed that there was rocks in his way. Punching down the rocks, he walked out angrily and saw his friends fighting them. When Goku saw the blood on the back of Gohan's shirt, he growled and lunged at the hogs that had managed to take down Chou-su moments earlier. He threw them up the hill as they go crashing down into the trap that Piccolo created the night before. The hogs, seeing the angered Saiya-jin, flee as Chou-su remained still and tried to look as small as possible. Suddenly, the small fighter felt a hand touch his back and looked up to see Goku sitting there with kindness in his eyes.
"Are you alright?" Goku said calmly.
"Goku?" Chou-su questioned; half-afraid that the Saiya-jin was playing a trick on him.
"Calm down," Goku said as he looked over at Tien.
"Goku, are you feeling better now?" Tien said as he put a bean into Chou-su's mouth.
"Barely," Goku said lowly as his eyes flicker for a brief moment. "Right now, we should get going."
"Indeed," Piccolo agreed as the group prepared to leave the campsite and continue their quest.
CMG: The battles that our heroes will face will bring them one step closer to Trepidation and his men. Will our heroes be able to put a stop to his evil plans before he executes his plans for world domination? Only time will tell. For now, let me get to the reviews:
Kinoha Chi: I do have a pretty good knack at adding cliffhangers, but for a chapter like this, it's not really necessary. ;
Psy: Indeed. I guess I can trust you not to give any of the story away.
Saiyan Crazy: Welcome and thanks for reviewing. Goku won't go completely insane in the least. He will come close, but he won't go completely there since he's driven on instincts right now. And the snake has a purpose in the story. ;
super saiyan 4 chichi: Of course I'll update. If I didn't, then I would be just plain evil and you would have to draw so many unknown conclusions to if the warriors will be able to save Chi-chi or not.
Goku-lover 21: Welcome and thanks for reviewing. The story will grow more and more interesting as it continues and the fates of both of them being reunited or if they won't will show in the future.
Chuquita: Yep! Goku's pretty worried about Chi-chi, so he has the right to be worried about her life and safety. Piccolo has to watch out for everyone so Goku doesn't accidentally hurt anyone too badly. And you are right about the snake's venom doing something. What it did will be revealed later in the story.
Angel lost in Shadows: Well until he officially loses it by lashing out at everyone and everything that he holds sacred, I think he's not quite there just yet. After all, if you were thrown into a world where a love one's kidnapped and possibly dead, you'll be struggling not to lose what sanity you have left. Wait until the future chapters. :D
moon girl 16: Welcome and thanks for reviewing. I have no idea where you were at, but I'm glad you got into it before the action started. Nice idea about Chi-chi being the key to the end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it observation. Another Goku lover, ne? This should be interesting. (chuckles) Including after what he went through in this chapter.
Jessica C: Welcome and thanks for reviewing. Yeah. There aren't many left out there, so I hope you enjoy my attempt on this fic since it's my first time writing something like this. And my cliffhangers keep bringing you back for the next chapter, right? Well if not, you could always wait until the story's over and return to reading it at your own leisure. However, there won't be many in the next few since everyone will be running into Trepidation's men. So, I hope you look forward to that. And finally, I'll update either on Friday or Saturday depending on my mood since I'm usually off on the weekends currently.
reves: Welcome and thanks for reviewing. Yep. This story will keep you guessing on the plot. Don't worry though. There will be plenty more to come!
Chi-chi: Welcome and thanks for reviewing. Thanks and I hope you enjoy what's to come.
And for everyone else reviewing: I welcome your reviews and hope that you will come back next chapter for more of the adventure that'll determine whether or not they'll rescue Chi-chi and stop Trepidation. Until next Friday, I hope this sates your palate!