Chapter Four- Hydrophobia

"Sounds like Cell is trying to think of another way to escape again." The one demon guard said to the other, "Too bad they don't know it is impossible. No one can escape the Home of the Infinite Losers when they get sent here."

They both closely resembled demons. One was a light scarlet the other was a dark purple. They were leaned casually against the wall watching the people behind the bars of the prison they were guarding.

The purple one continued on as the other stood silent like stone listening,

"It's funny how villains minds work. They never can give up. As long as I am here guarding these idiots, Earth is safe."

The scarlet one eyes lit up,

"So you are the only threat to them at this moment, Tyrant?"

"Yeah. Since you are new I guess you didn't hear about the time these criminals tried to escape." Tyrant gloated.

"Enlighten me."

"Well, Cell and his little gang tried to get the best of us and…" Tyrant smiled smugly, "I took care of them. I guess that is probably why they aren't trying anything again. I gave them a pretty good beating."

"If you are there only threat, I pity them."

"Wha-"

It happened so fast the demon had no way of avoiding it. The guard punched the other guard in the neck knocking the poor guy unconscious. He slid down the wall, his eyes rolled up into his head. The other guard smiled brightly.

"I doubt you were the threat, you thickheaded old fool." He spoke, his voice altered to a more deep tone, "I seriously doubt it."

Cell and the others jumped at the sound of blow. Cell's menacing eyes alit with exhilaration, "It's here."

All the other occupants didn't seem that thrilled. They gave Cell of doubtfulness. Had this imprisonment actually go to him finally?

"What's the it?" King Cold asked glaring at the green insect like man with venom.

The air frosted over with a chill unknown to any of the villain. Even their hearts could not withstand the coldness about them. The air touched their skins like frozen fingertips.

Freesia shivered. He folded his arms across his chest and bit his lip, "Who opened a window?"

"See. That cold presence. The energy of pure evil. He is here!" Cell said with glee.

Freesia and King Cold both rolled their eyes with boredom,

"There he goes again," Freesia snarled, "off in his dream world with his imaginary friends."

But strangely they all looked outside the cage they sat in waiting. Everyone fell silent when the guard came to the bars of the prison. There was something unreal about the way he was gazing at them. He opened the door with a weird bone-like key and glared at them all,

"You have a guest."

Cell and his gang spilled out of the prison and walked out into the dim sunlight. Cell was beaming with satisfaction. I-told-you-so was written clearly across his face. The other half of the group didn't seem that happy. Although were still doubtful by what Cell claimed the person to be, they couldn't help but keep a eye opened. This eerie pain in the chest kept saying that no one would ever want to see them but hurting them was a different matter. They walked for awhile the guard behind them. They didn't pay him any mind. They just wanted to meet who ever this guy was. A tingling sensation shot down Cell's spine. Cell stopped and looked over his shoulder. His jaw dropped and his eyes enlarged.

Curious at what Cell was gapping at, Freesia, King Cold, and the Genu Force turned too. Where the guard once stood was a young man with spiked black hair and uncanny dark brown eyes that looked as if they could burn a hole through your soul. He wore a yellow tee shirt and blue jeans. The boy stood smirking at them in a unpleasant way. Although, Freesia, King Cold, and the Genu force didn't have any clue who this child was, Cell never forgot a face.

"G-g-gohan?"

Gohan expression didn't change but his face did. He shot from a good six feet to three. His face didn't change as much. The dark eyes that pieced Cell's face turned into a young child's big chocolate eyes. The outfit changed as well. Now he wore a orange and blue training outfit with long sleeves. The tiny boy's hair was the same midnight black but shaped differently to resemble a certain hero of the planet.

"Maybe this face wouldn't frighten you as much, Cell." The little boy leered, "I must admit he didn't scare me as much as Gohan did. But he is a strong boy."

Freesia eyes bulged, "That was Gohan?! He has grown that much?!"

King Cold blinked uncertainly and looked from Cell to his son and back to the small boy.

"He doesn't look so scary to me."

Cells violet eyes fell back on the small boy, "Tell me. Who is the boy whose form you hide in?"

"The child's name is not familiar to you nor with me." The creature spoke smoothly, "He only spoke of his brother's name. His name is a mystery to me."

Cell dug his nails into his palms until they bled, "That child haunts my dreams as Gohan before him. Tell me! Why does that child resemble Goku?!"

The boy shrugged simply, "Your dreams are of no concern to me."

Before Cell could counter attack with his own vile words, Freesia cut in, "What does concern you then?"

The boy's face formed the most awful smile that anyone could ever imagine. He squinted up at Cell. It was strange how he managed to look down upon Cell even when he was much shorter.

"I have heard of your reign of terror you have plunged on earth. Some more effective then others," He added nastily glaring at Freesia as if he did something wrong, "I wish to see this. I will give you a second chance. The only thing I ask in return is that you hold nothing back."

"That doesn't sound to hard." One of the Genu force members said cracking his knuckles. King Cold gave him a awful glare that sent him whimpering back into a corner.

"Yes. But there is only one problem." King Cold hissed, "Earth has recovered from our last bout of panic. It will be ready to counter attack us. But we have not changed in power at all. We just sat in a cell as our talent rotted away into nothing."

The boy smiled again. It seemed as if he thought of everything,

"I have tested one of the so called Z-fighters. He is dead. Although he might not remember what happened. I can make you about as strong as him. He will probably able to defeat you if he comes back."

"They have Dragon Balls." Freesia spat, "He will be back quickly."

"Not if he doesn't remember who killed him. The Dragon will not allow it. The only other person who saw me was a scared little boy. He will not tell anyone." The boy's eyes glinted with a sense of pride, "Now, will you do this for me?"


The terrible news of Goten trying to kill Trunks spilled out like a leaking bottle of over-due milk Piccolo was amazed by Goten speaking to him but it was not to last. Goten immediately went back to his mute self. When Chichi and Bulma found out from Piccolo they were both speechless. Goten and Trunks sat up in Goten and Gohan's room not saying a word to each other. Trunks was shocked by Goten's anger. It seemed as if it ran in the family.

"Trunks," Goten's voice came up barely a whisper, "Are you mad at me?"

Trunks didn't now what to say. True, he was kind of avoiding Goten; he wasn't angry at his best friend. But what had happened today was so hard to understand. Goten's sudden urge to spar, and then trying to kill him. It just didn't make sense.

"Trunks? Trunks?" Goten said softly.

Trunks looked over at Goten with his bright aqua eyes. They held concern for Goten deep within their sea of sapphire.

"Goten, what's with you?" Trunks hissed, "What is with change?"

Goten's face turned white. He draped his legs over the side of his bed looking at the floor guilty, "Promise not to tell a soul?"

Trunks held his breath. If he told Goten yes and this obsession got worse, how could he break Goten's heart by telling the grown ups? But saying no would this obsession in the darkness so it would keep growing.

"Goten-"

The door burst opened and Chichi walked in holding a false smile,

"Dinner's ready. Trunks, you and you're mom will be joining us. Oh and be nice, Goten. Piccolo has decided to stay with us tonight before he heads off looking for Mr. Popo."

"Why is Mister Piccolo looking for Mister Popo?" Trunks asked curiously.

"It seems that Piccolo doesn't trust Mr. Popo with the Dragon Balls. So he is going to find him." Chichi explained, "Now dinner's getting cold, boys."

Goten couldn't help but feel that everyone was watching him as he sat down at the dinner table. Chichi passed about the hot plates and laid the spicy fowl on the table. Everyone dug into the chicken hungrily after grace was said, except for Piccolo and Goten. Goten stared at the chicken uncertainly and then looked down at his plate. Trunks looked over at Goten with worry. He had just bitten into a drumstick when Goten leaned over and whispered something into his ear. Trunk's eyes widened in shock. He looked over at Goten sadly and then glared back down at his food the same way Goten had looked at his.

"What is wrong, boys?" Chichi asked, "I understand Piccolo loss of appetite but what's with you two?"

Trunks looked up and smiled. He bit into a drumstick and looked over at Goten again.

"Trunks? What is with Goten?"

"He's not hungry." Trunks replied smoothly trying to act as if this was normal.

Course, no amount of smoothing over could hide the fact that this was serious. Chichi jumped to her feet and rushed to Goten's side and placed a gently hand on his forehead.

"WHAT!" Chichi cried in shock, "GOTEN!"

Piccolo looked as if eyes were gonna fall out of his eye sockets. His voice came out shaky as if the whole world was vibrating in fear,

"A sayian not hungry?!"

Bulma clasped her hand to her mouth and suppressed a gasp, "Oh wow."

Trunks laughed a false laugh loudly, "Awe come on! It's not that bad."

Everyone ignored him as they fussed about Goten. Goten was turning red with embarrassment. Obviously, he didn't want people worry about him. Trunks battled to protect his friend but it was useless. Chichi was not going to let this one slide.

"Well, Goten." Chichi sighed, "Your temperature is normal. But that still doesn't demise the fact that something is wrong."

Goten pulled away from his mom glaring at them all. Piccolo sensed something about him. Something terrible wrong. Something more then grief. Was it…Could he actually be…afraid?

"I dun wanna die, Mr. Piccolo."

Piccolo blinked and stared hard at Goten. Goten's dark eyes were filled with hidden tears. Piccolo could see it clearly now. All this time, Goten was sparing to get stronger. He was fearing the worst fear in the world. Death.

Chichi looked at her son with grief spilling over her. She bit her lip and shook away the fear of her son's change.

"Well, I think we should get rid of something. I think it would be better that you should stop sparring for a while Goten…"

"WHAT!" Trunks cried.

Bulma sent him a deadly glare that shut him up immediately. Goten looked just as traumatized but he remained mute. Goten bowed his head holding in his anger and heartache. His love would be taken away from him. It was the only thing that had kept him going nowadays. How could his mom understand that without it he felt as though he would fall apart.

"No." Goten said quietly, "I can't."

Chichi seemed startled that Goten was taking but she hid it quickly.

"Goten, this is for your own good."

"WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MY OWN GOOD!" Goten screamed at Chichi, his cheeks drowning with his salty tears, "YOU DON'T HAVE TO SEE GOHAN DIE EVERY NIGHT!"

Bulma and Trunks back up against the opposite wall. Both were pale to see Goten this way. Piccolo stood his ground watching this with interest.

Goten stood up meeting Chichi's anger with his own. Chichi found herself slipping. Goten was so different. What happened back there? Why did it hurt Goten so?

"Goten! Don't you dare use that tone with me! I am your Mother!" Chichi shouted slamming her clenched fist on the table, "Gosh darn it! Darn you!"

Goten's glass of ice water tilted and spilled to the floor. Goten jerked back from the spilled water hastily. Everyone stared at Goten with a mix of confusion and concern on their faces.

"Goten…Y-you're afraid of w-water?" Chichi gasped.

Goten didn't reply. He stared fearfully at the steady dripping of water as it tinkled off the table on to the floor creating a small lake. Crystal-like tears formed in Goten's eyes. He rubbed them away on his sleeve and quickly pushed past everyone bursting out the kitchen back door. Trunks shot after him. When he got to the door he only saw Goten's backside taking off over the mountains,

"GOTEN!!! I'M COMING BUDDY!"

"Oh no you don't." Bulma hissed taking Trunks by the ear, "You are not going out there all alone."

Trunks yelped in pain as his mother pushed him back into the chair. Chichi fell to her knees and began weeping in sorrow. She pressed her hand against the cold puddle as her own tears joined the lake,

"Gohan. Please. You have to come back to us."

Piccolo bit his lip and crept out the back door. If no one else would get him, he would have to.


Goten flew over the endless trails of mountains trees streaming down his cheeks like flowing rivers. First his father was taken from him and then his brother. He couldn't be next. He wanted to live. Goten's clenched fist shook with his grip. Something warm trickled out from them…Goten gazed down at his palms as the his own blood filled them. His tears became more flowing at the sight of it.

"NO! NOOOOOO!" He screamed in terror.

Memories of Goten's past with his brother flashed back to him. The first time Goten was trying to walk… Gohan was there cheering him on. When Goten was first able to talk… Gohan was the first to hear. Gohan never tried to exclude him. It was funny how when Gohan got angry at him, Gohan managed to come back with playing with Goten later. He admired his brother. Gohan was more like a father then a brother to him. Even though Goku was real great, Goten never really knew him. He loved both of them so much. Goten always believed that the heavens had intended him to have either one or the other. Goten was glad they gave him Gohan. But when they took him away too, Goten lost his ability to feel.

Yes, time was important. All that time Goten has with Gohan. It seemed so short now. Why had the heavens given Gohan such a short time on earth? Why did they take Gohan away? What had Gohan called them…Angels. Yes. Well Gohan was Goten's angel. And now they had taken his Angel away.

Why was he stronger? Why couldn't he have saved Gohan. He tried but… It wasn't enough. That man's taunt's still echoed through his mind. It chilled his blood and stopped the beating of his heart. His arms grew heavy from the punches and his body began to tire. It was like hitting a steel wall. And then to watch Gohan fall over and over. It was as if his mind kept going in pace mode on Gohan's face as he fell. Gohan didn't stand a chance unconscious in the lake. Goten knew that…But he couldn't…he couldn't save him in time… Time again. it was always about time. How fast. How slow. How unreal. Gohan was really gone.

Goten could have warned Gohan about his dreams. He was just thought Gohan would laugh. Maybe he wouldn't have. Maybe it could of saved him. Yes. Goten could of saved Gohan. But that was past now. Everything was past. This was now. This was the end. This would all be gone soon…

Goten was at the lake now. The lake that had taken his Angel away. Goten stared hard down at his black emptiness. The shiny glass effect it held. How could something so beautiful have been so deadly? It was strong enough to take the life of the strongest fighter… in the world.

Goten bit his lip as the images of flashed past him. Gohan falling over and over.

The rain began to pour down on him. His clothes darkened with the heaven tear drops. His own tears spilled down his cheeks joining the rain…

'Gohan… Why? Why couldn't you beat him?'

Goten could just hear Gohan's voice over the ringing of the rain. His laughter… his scolding… his surprise. Goten held his breath and looked up the cloudy sky allowing the rain to slip down his red face.

Gohan, come back. We need you… and… I miss you…

Gohan's heart began beat faster. The taunts… 'Go save you're friend, little boy…if you can…' Goten's fist began to shake harder. He pasted them down at his sides to try and stop the shaking. Tears came more rapidly now. He could remember everything… why wouldn't it just go away?

Goten began to shake more violently. He could just see the fight below him. Just like before. It looked like a dance… Gohan was so awesome. He found it hard to worry but then the dream kept coming back. Then the one slip up…

Goten's eyes watered up. He clenched his fist tighter till his arms reached up to his chest. When he dropped them back, he let out an angry scream. His hair turned gold and his tear filled eyes turned aqua. The tears that were on his face already, evaporated into the air. Anger clouded his face as he glared down at the lake…

"YOU TOOK MY BROTHER AWAY FROM ME!!! I HATE YOU!" Goten screamed. The rain fell faster and harder. Lighting forked it's way through the clouds licking over Goten's head. Goten stood unflinching staring long and hard down at the lake. A glint formed in his eyes as he stared down at it.

"DO YOU HEAR ME?! I HATE YOU!"

Goten covered his face in his hands…over and over… Gohan's face flowed around him. The look of terror when he knew he was going to die. Gohan had always thought Gohan would protect him. Gohan was always there…Why now did he have to leave? Why did he have to go?

Goten's scream filled the canyon shaking the world with his sorrow. Over and over, he threw yellow blasts at the lake. He put all his strength into each of them. His whole purpose was to try and get Gohan out of the lake. That's what he needed to do. Get Gohan out of that darn lake.

"!!!!!"

Piccolo heard the scream. It was so loud it was unmistakable to be Goten's. He charged in the direction it came from. When he got there he saw no one. Just a huge crater in the middle of a flower filled valley. He was just about to turn when he caught sight of something orange down in the crater. He flew down to the center of it to find Goten laying face up. He was out cold the rain was licking at his face streaming down with his tears. Piccolo shook his head sadly,

"He is so confused."


To Be Continued…
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