Chapter two!!! Though I doubt you've been waiting for it. It wasn't until after I finished writing chapter one that I found out that fanfiction doesn't let you upload stories for three days after you've started your account. Bummer. And it still won't let me load this but I'm writing anyway. That way I can get ahead and if anyone actually likes this story they can get lots of updates. I'm planning to only write one story at a time as well so that it gets my full attention rather than writing a lot that soon get forgotten.
But don't worry SOON EVERYONE WILL KNOW THE NAME OF HONEY NUT LOOP MWUAH HA HA!!!!!!
Eh hem
So anyway on with the story
Disclaimer: don't own it, never going to happen, if I did why would the word disclaimer head this comment.
Chapter Two
Piccolo peeled his eyelids open and glared at the saiyan Prince. The Namek had sensed Vegeta's arrival and hadn't been wholly unaware of the tidal wave of insults falling on his head.
"Gohan's gone hasn't he", said Piccolo in the tone of one merely stating a fact. He began to stare straight ahead once more falling back into meditation.
Vegeta sneered down at him.
"Too right green man and guess who the Harpies sent to look for the cursed brat. And you...you are going to help me."
"And I should do that because..."
"Because you're the only one he'll listen to and you know it!" spat the saiyan sourly.
Piccolo couldn't hide a shadow of a smile. Neither of them could argue over the fact that the statement was true. Vegeta didn't need a reply to register Piccolo's assent.
"He's headed in the direction of Orange Star City. That's the damned place they're naming after the fool Satan You know, for ..." Piccolo cut him off.
"...defeating Cell. Yes I know. Having God for a friend keeps you in on the news. Well what are we waiting for? Let's get after the boy before he gets into trouble."
"More trouble? How could it be worse? My mate..." But he was cut short once more as Piccolo once again interrupted him. He knew all about the threats that Chi and Bulma used on their husbands and didn't need to hear them again (1).
"Vegeta", he chided, "You should know exactly the sort of trouble an angry Super Saiyan can get into!"
Nothing needed to be said about that. They both rose into the sky and headed after the fleeing Gohan's fading ki.
Gohan reprimanded himself on his stupidity as he shot his ki down as low as he could without actually slowing his flight. It was obvious that they weren't going to leave him to his own devices and it hadn't been long before he'd felt Vegeta's energy heading in Piccolo's direction. When Vegeta had taken flight again, he'd had a companion.
The young demi saiyan saw the lights of a city shining through the darkness a few miles ahead. Twinkling much like the unshed tears in his eyes.
"I can stop there", he thought, "They won't find me there."
It was wishful thinking. He knew they wouldn't stop hunting until they found their unwilling prey. Not even crowds could mask him from that pair when they teamed together though thankfully that rarely happened. Nevertheless he skimmed low over the countryside in the direction of the pollutant glow of neon signs.
A farmer, walking his fields in search of the fox that had taken two of his sheep and would most likely be after more, was bowled over by the Gohan's slipstream. The poor man rolled head over heals to a halt eye's bulging with shock, but he was already trying to forget the incident. It wasn't in his nature to believe in such unnatural events. He wasn't crazy. He wasn't!!!
Gohan touched down in a back alley making sure he was hidden from the view of the casual passer-by. The only one who could have seen him land was a tramp, sleeping under an old, crinkly newspaper and he was so drunk he'd have probably thought he was hallucinating. Careful to lower his ki to as far down as he could push it, Gohan stepped into the street and tried to melt inconspicuously into the public tide. Almost everyone, strangely enough, seemed to be heading the same way and so Gohan just let himself be carried along with the flow. After all he didn't really have anywhere to go.
"Damn", cursed Vegeta vehemently, as he stared down at the river of people beneath him, "How're we supposed to find the brat in that?"
"Don't worry Vegeta we'll find him. We know he's stopped and we'll know if he tries to leave using his ki. All we have to do is search the city. When we're close enough our senses will pick him up. He won't be able to hide then. Not even Gohan can make his signature vanish completely."
Piccolo glancing Vegeta's way, raised his brows (2) when he caught the Saiyan's sneer.
"Nice plan Namek. Only one problem. Do you happen to know exactly how big this city is?"
The buzz of excitement coming from the crowd was barely suppressed. Having no idea as to the cause of this phenomenon Gohan let himself be carried lazily along. Had he known though he would have been long gone without a care as to whether or not Piccolo and Vegeta found him! He'd felt their ki's approach a short while ago and knew they were searching. He was going to have to rely on safety in numbers.
Being only eleven, Gohan couldn't see over the heads of the adults surrounding. That didn't mean to say that there were no children in the crowd. They, as it turned out were having as much trouble as he was. The tide of people filled the street and there wasn't a car in sight. Gohan didn't know whether to be suspicious or not.
It wasn't long before Gohan's height was no longer a problem however. An enormous stage took up the whole of the square as the surging tide of people finally ground to a halt. The huge red, background curtains were emblazoned with the head of a person Gohan did not want to see. An arrogant, afro haired someone. The crowd was packed tight as everyone gazed in awe at the image of their saviour. There was no chance of escape. Of course being a saiyan it should have been easy for the boy to get out. And easy it would have been if it hadn't been for the fact that Vegeta and Piccolo were on his tail. He was just going to have to sit the torture out.
In the distance clock chimed nine. A neatly dressed announcer promptly walked onto the stage meticulously readjusting his tie. The very same announcer that had dared to show his face at the Cell Games. A broad grin was plastered across his face. He, for one, was having the time of his life.
"Ladies and Gentlemen", he called ecstatically into his microphone not having to work to attract anyone's attention, "It is my great pleasure and pride to announce this, the official ceremony to rename our wonderful city. And here, the jewel of this metropolis, the man we honour here today, the one you've all been waiting for. I know I have", he added from behind his hand as though confiding in the audience, "YES, IT'S MISTER SATAN HIMSELF."
The cry of 'Satan, Satan' was taken up by every member of the crowd. Even those watching the events on TV screens couldn't help but join in the soporific chant. Only one in the crowd was silence and he had every right to be.
"It is also my pleasure to announce that Mr Satan will be going on a world wide tour straight after this event. He should have left already but stayed to grace us with his presence at this magnanimous occasion, which he says, is way more important than his trip. Now the reason for the voyage is that, as could be expected, all he world leaders want to thank our great national icon in person. Now lets give it up for OUR HERO. MR SATAN!!"
It wasn't possible for the crowd to be louder. Cheering, clapping and stamping erupted as Mr Satan himself leapt, quite literally on to centre stage, where he promptly overbalanced due to the weight of his ego and collapsed onto the announcer. He was quickly on his feet again. Peace signs in the air, moronic grin unflinching.
"I'M OK FOLKS. JUsT A JOKE. HA HA HA."
The announcer obviously hadn't found it funny, from the way he lay twitching on the stage. Mr Satan nudged him with his toe and the small man lurched horribly. There wasn't much time for the mob to ponder this though as suddenly three very large and beefy men thundered on to the stage from the sides. All were dressed in the stereotypical, tight lycra with glaring adornments that you'd expect to find on wrestlers. Mr Stan charged, completely unperturbed to the rescue
"NOT TO WORRY PEOPLE. ONCE AGAIN I WILL SAVE YOU ALL THE SAME WAY I SAVED YOU ALL FROM CELL"(3), the hero declared turning his back on the warriors who stood gormlessly waiting for him to look back.
What progressed was a very obviously choreographed battle where no real punches were thrown and which seemed to consist mainly of Hercule making extravagant, yet completely ineffective moves and the three 'attackers' launching themselves backwards before they were touched.
Gohan yawned in boredom but was quickly shushed by the woman in front of him a stern look momentarily interrupting her rapture.
"I hope you've got some ideas green man. We're never gonna find the brat in this", grunted Vegeta, pretending not to care one way or another.
"So pessimistic Vegeta. If you hadn't let your feelings get the better of you'd have noticed what I have", smirked Piccolo, arms crossed as he took the opportunity to give Vegeta's pride a hearty blow.
Scowling, Vegeta followed Piccolo's unwavering gaze. His expression soon turned upside down.
"When you can't find something always look in the place you'd least expect it to be."
Neither of them took their eyes off the black spikes, a hairstyle which very few could make look natural.
Gohan didn't know how much more of this he could take. The buffoon had been talking for so long that cramp had started to inch maliciously up the demi saiyan's left leg. He longed to stretch but there was so little space in the multitude of people packed into the not insubstantial square that even a slight shift in weight led to contact with the people on either side of him. The oaf behind him kept shooting garlicky wafts of breath down his neck and in the mood he was in Gohan didn't know how long he could resist before hitting the guy.
Circling his neck aimlessly, resigned to having to spend a considerable amount of time where he was, Gohan's sensitive ears picked up the soft pad of feet somewhere behind him. At least someone was lucky enough to be able to move. Humph.
How odd? Everyone seemed to be shuffling around. Their 'saviour' hadn't finished his speech so he'd have thought they'd be frozen to the ground for some time to come. It wasn't long before he found the answer to his curiosity. He would have preferred to continue wondering.
"Gohan", growled at the familiar voice.
Gohan whirled around and fell into an offensive stance. Now he knew why everyone had been moving around. Not out of boredom but out of fear. The green Namek could have that affect on unaccustomed humans.
"Leave me alone Piccolo!"
"Friendly", muttered Vegeta, stepping out from behind Piccolo, already in his super saiyan form and looking, to Gohan, scarier than Piccolo ever could. So they wanted it that way did they.
Gohan cursed himself under his breath. How could he have thought he could hide from these two? He should have paid more attention to their energy signals. But it wasn't his fault. No one could stay awake under the soporific effects of Satan's voice.
"You've caused me a lot of trouble brat. You'll come now if you know what's good for you. Nothing gets between the Prince of Saiyan's and a meal. So are we doing this the easy way", Vegeta's eyebrows drew sharply together, "or the hard way." It was obvious which answer he preferred.
"I'm not coming Vegeta, you try and make me and I won't be held responsible for the consequences", intoned Gohan quietly, his expression like a stone slab.
Piccolo, always logical, could see that Vegeta's threats were going to get them nowhere. It was time to intervene.
"Look kid, all we want to do is help. Everyone is worried. Just talk to them. It can't hurt can it?"
The battle conflicting in Gohan was blatant to his mentor. Having spent so much time with the boy Piccolo had a clear idea of Gohan's quirks. But this time, the boy's mind wasn't going to be changed.
"No", he declared, slowly, seriously
Vegeta was not amused
"Sorry. Did we say you had a choice?"
The sneer was wiped clean off Vegeta's face on hearing Gohan's pent up anger belted out.
"I SAID NO. YOU JUST DON'T GET IT DO YOU?. NONE OF YOU DO. JUS...JUST LEAVE ME ALONE. Let me think. I..."
But even though his tirade was calming, Gohan wasn't given the chance to finish.
"HEY. HAVE SOME RESPECT OVER THERE! I'M THE GUY WHO SAVED THE WORLD", Satan called in a rather disgruntled tone from the stage at the front in the very same instant that Piccolo cried,
"No Vegeta", in a rare display of emotion. But it was too late. The Prince had already lunged towards Gohan and the demi saiyan exploding into Super saiyan danced out of the way. People went sailing through the air, scattered by the force of Gohan's pulsing power.
The boy ran forward, the crowd parting in his wake and he leapt onto the stage before turning back to face Vegeta who hovered in the air above him nursing a cheek bruised by a quick uppercut delivered Gohan had delivered as he ran. Tears started to pour down the demi-saiyan's cheeks.
"You don't understand? YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND. WHY CAN'T YOU JUST LET ME BE, EVEN FOR A LITTLE WHILE? I need to sort myself out..."
The all of a sudden Piccolo appeared as though out of nowhere beside the boy and placed a gentle hand against Gohan's jugular. There was a rapid build up of blood in Gohan's brain and before he could react, the world went black, hair fading quickly from gold to normal as slumber encroached. A level of sleep Gohan couldn't fight off. Piccolo had taken advantage of the situation whilst Gohan was preoccupied with Vegeta. The demi saiyan, controlled as he was by his emotions, hadn't felt the Namek coming.
Piccolo tenderly laid Gohan down on the stage.
"What...what do you think you're d...d...doing?" squeaked Mr Satan in a weak attempt at bravado in front of his fans. One look from Piccolo was enough to make the idiot's legs collapse beneath him and turn the man into a gibbering wreck as he cowered behind the body of the squashed looking announcer which still lay on the stage. Piccolo grunted in satisfaction.
But that wasn't to be the last interruption.
"Yeah what do you think your doing green freak. Let that boy go. Don't make me hurt you?"
The Namek frowned in shock at the source of the threat. A small girl, around Gohan's age stalked seriously onto the stage, her waist length black pigtails swinging dangerously. Looking from her to Gohan Piccolo came to a decision. Yes it would be best as long as it worked out the way he hope. A few words with Dende would have everything sorted in no time. Nodding slightly, the Namekian left Gohan, appeared to vanish as he moved off faster than the girls eyes could see.
She was shocked to stillness but only briefly before she hurried to Gohan's side, her in built need to help taking over for now. She would get answers later.
Squatting beside the spiky haired boy she stared into his face and curiously swept a stubborn lock out of his face. He looked so serious. What dreams could he be having that left him with no peace even whilst he slept.
The Saiyan and the Namek looked down from above as the humans tried to sort out the havock the two aliens had wreaked. The young girl still sat on the stage, as though oblivious to all others, with Gohan's head cradled in her lap. Vegeta was looking thoroughly peeved. Would this be enough for the two harpies? After all they'd found the boy? It had better be or the Namek would have a lot to answer for.
"And you knocked him out because?"
"Because otherwise we'd have had an angry super saiyan 2 on our hands. Think you could have handle that?"
Vegeta, eyes narrowing, chose not to answer. He would let Goku's wife kill the green man later.
"And you chose to let him go when he was in our grasp why?"
Piccolo glanced at Vegeta, unsure as to whether the blustering Saiyan Prince would understand or even could understand.
"To give him time, Vegeta, that's all. He'll be ok. Let him come to us when he's ready. That's the only way we'll get this sordid mess sorted."
(1) It can get quite repetitive sometimes don't you think, the way that everyone always uses the same ideas or a theme on them. How about some originality? I know! You don't need to tell me I'm being hypocritical but it was just a thought.
(2) He doesn't have eyebrows.
(3) No prizes for guessing who said that.
YEAH. Chapter two. Done and dusted. Well sort of. Its hard to analyse your own work so that means you'd all better review.
Guess what? When I was halfway through this chappie decided to let me start loading stories so chapter one is already up.
I would like to dedicate this chapter to Peace Lover for being my first reviewer ever woo hoo Peace Lover.
Oh look I just got another review. Yey for Honey Nut Loop (hugs everyone). Thanks...psyco dragon lover.
Anyway, please review and I'll update as soon as I can. Thanks muchos.
Honey Nut Loop
PS do you lot mind me making stupid comments. I know they can get annoying but its fun.