Breaking Chaos
Disclaimer: I still don't own DBZ.
Chapter eight: Turning
"Here, just hang that black punching bag up over there, and then put the blue one six feet to the right." Videl instructed. "Er, wait!" Videl said, stopping Gohan just as he was about to lift the first bag. "I'll help you with the black one, it's 600 pounds!"
"No, that's alright Videl, I'll be fine." Gohan stated as he lifted up the punching bag easily, as if it hardly weighed anything at all.
"Whoa! How strong are you Gohan? You just picked that up like it was as light as a pillow!"
"I don't know." Gohan shrugged.
"Man! Even my dad struggles with that one!"
Slowly, some mild chatter in the hallway gradually became louder and louder, until it was clear that there were people standing right outside the door of the training gym.
"Hey Erasa!" Videl greeted. "Are you ready?"
"I need to change, but then I'll be back in a flash!" Erasa bubbled as she held up the feminine training gi.
"Sharpner, you can change too if you really want. Maybe Gohan will spar with you while I'm working with Erasa."
The jock looked over with wide eyes at the laid-back-looking teen male. "Are you sure?"
"I won't hurt you Sharpner, if that's what you were thinking. I find I'm quite adept at controlling my strength." Gohan answered in place of Videl.
"If you're sure, then I guess I could use the practice." Sharpener replied as he, too, left to go to one of the side rooms to change. Since he was one of Hercule's students, he had his fair share of extra clothes stored in the lockers the students were permitted to use.
"Aren't you going to change as well Gohan?"
Gohan, who was rummaging through his book bag, answered over his shoulder. "Yes, I'm looking for my clothes right now." He pulled out a bundle tied with a thin rope and then followed the path his two classmates had taken just seconds earlier.
Sharpner came back first, followed by Erasa clothed in a delicate pink and purple, and a second later, Gohan.
"That looks oddly familiar, Gohan." Videl said, remarking about his gi. "It's ringing a bell, but…eh, maybe not."
Gohan looked down at what he was wearing. Navy blue pants and top, with an orange undershirt, orange wrist sweatbands, and an orange sash tied across his middle. In other words, the uniform his own father wore, only with the colors reversed. It was Gohan's way of honoring Goku, while still making a statement that he was upset about the choice Goku made to stay dead. Opposite. Sometimes, that was how he felt about how he compared with Goku. He wasn't always fun loving and care free like his father seemed to be.
Gohan shrugged off her statement.
"Ok, well I'm going to take Erasa over there," Videl started to say as she pointed over to the far corner where a few mats were set up. "You guys can stay here and do whatever."
Gohan watched the girls walk off, and then turned back to Sharpner. "So, do you want to spar?"
"Um, yes?"
Gohan slid into a defensive stance and Sharpner followed with an offensive one. "Ready Sharp?"
"Ready as I'll ever be."
"Go!" Gohan stood his ground and waited for the attack to come. A punch was thrown at his head, but he quickly shifted his head to the left to avoid it. A punch to the other side was attempted, but Gohan just shifted his head to the opposite side again. Quite predictably, the next attack was a punch directly at his face. Gohan leaned back out of Sharpners reach, causing the blonde's momentum to make him topple forward. Gohan stepped out of the way as Sharpner started falling. The blonde landed on his right hand, followed by his left, and then quickly shoved himself back up, embarrassed at his simple mistake. Gohan slid into his defensive stance again as the two faced each other once again.
"No, no, no, Erasa. You keep depending on your right side too much. You need to…sort of center yourself ok? It's natural to favor one side, in your case your right since you're right handed, but you have to use your left side just as much as your right! Your attacks will be too predictable, and when you block, it's easier to break through your defenses on the left. Try again." Videl said as she relaxed and allowed Erasa to have a go at hitting her again.
Erasa took a deep breath, before bringing her arms up and looking for a good opening. Since Videl wasn't in any sort of defensive position, anywhere was good. She raised her right arm and made her hand into a fist and charged forward just as Videl rolled her eyes at Erasa's use of the right side yet again. Just before Erasa reached Videl though, she stopped on a dime on her right leg and spun around to catch Videl with her left.
Videl's eyes widened and she rapidly flung her arms out in a weak block. She smiled brightly at Erasa. "Great! That's exactly what I was going for!"
"Grrrrck! What are you! Sonic the hedgehog? Stop moving so fast! You could at least let me get one hit in!" Sharpner complained as he attacked and failed again. He aimed a fist at Gohan's chest…and connected. "…Ow! Ow! Ow ow ow ow OW! For the love of Bob! Do you have steel plating in your shirt?"
"No. Hey, you're the one who said you wanted to hit me!" Gohan teased.
"Well, do us all a favor and…don't let anyone hit you next time! I think I bruised my knuckles! OW!" Sharpner complained as he nursed his purpling knuckles.
"Does this mean we're done?"
"Yeah, for now G-man. But I'll get you…sometime…eventually…maybe…not."
Gohan smiled. "Let's go see how the girls are doing then, ok?"
They walked over to the lesson in progress.
"Great Erasa! Just keep switching sides! But don't make a pattern!" Videl coached as she easily blocked each of Erasa's incoming attacks. "Come on, this is getting easier by the second! You're not getting tired already, are you?
Erasa stopped her onslaught and bent down to put her hands on her knees. She let her head drop, and her short hair to flop down partially across her face. "It's been an hour Videl! I think I've had enough for today!"
"Really? It's been an hour already?" Videl turned around and found the clock on the wall. "Oh, so it really has been an hour! Time flies when you're having fun doesn't it!"
Erasa lifted her head enough to give Videl a slight glare.
Just then, they were interrupted by someone thundering down the hall towards them.
"Videl! There you are!" Hercule yelled as he barged in. "I have an important interview in two hours and I need you to change into this!" He finished, holding up what was possibly THE most offensive piece of material known to mankind. Or any other type of life form for that matter.
"Um, dad? Did your sense of style just up and…die or something?"
"What are you talking about? Hurry up and get ready! I need you to be there, the media loves family togetherness!" He tossed the 'clothing' at Videl.
Videl caught it, but quickly pinched the top of the hanger in two fingers as she held it as far away as possible. "Dad! A neon green and orange-stripped dress suit? There is no way I would ever wear something like this! If I must go to your dumb event, why can't I just wear black?"
"Because pumpkin bumpkin, the Satan's should be up on the latest styles!"
Videl gave Hercule a questioning look. "So what are you wearing?"
Hercule smiled confidently as he absently flexed his biceps.
"No…no! Dad, you can't! Not the white pimp suit! That thing is a horrid disgrace!
"No it's not Videl! Everyone say's I look very sexy in it."
Videl paled visibly. "Dad…you're my dad. Don't. Say. That. Ever. Again. It's freaky."
"What? Sexy?"
"YES! My friends are here too in case you haven't noticed!"
"Ah yes. Would you like an autograph? Except for you Goggles!"
"Oh dear. All my hopes and dreams are crushed." Gohan stated blandly. "Now excuse me while I go vomit."
Hercule gave him a confused look and then started to leave. Before he left the training gym though, he called back to Videl over his shoulder. "Remember, be ready in one hour!"
As soon as he was gone, Videl looked down at what she was supposed to wear, before throwing it violently to the floor. "I think I'll join you in your vomiting spree Gohan."
"Ah yes, there's nothing quite like a Technicolor yawn to rid you of your troubles."
"Nope. Well I guess since we're done here anyways, you guys better get going. I have to find something less putrid to wear and then go introduce that abomination dad gave me to my good friend Mr. Incinerator. Videl announced as she pointed over to where the garment lay on the ground.
Gohan glanced down at his watch. "Yeah, I have something I should do before I go home anyways."
"Really? Any…" Sharpner started and then made motions like something flying with his hand. Erasa hadn't been told yet, and he certainly wasn't going to be the one to let the cat out of the bag.
"No, I just need to see a friend about something. You'll probably know what it is sometime this week though." Gohan started towards the exit. "I'll see you guys in school tomorrow then! Bye!"
Gohan flew, just enjoying the feeling of the wind on his body as he soared through the air. All too soon he arrived at his destination. Capsule Corp. He went inside the same way as always and found Bulma lounging in the living room.
"Hey Bulma!"
Bulma quickly looked over at the entering teen. "Hey yourself Gohan! I got what you asked for."
"Where is it?"
"In the bag." She said as she pointed to a small brown paper bag sitting on a lamp table.
Gohan chuckled. "We sound like we're in a gangster movie."
Bumla repeated the conversation in her head quickly, before laughing as well, realizing what they'd said. "Yeah!"
Gohan walked to the bag, curious as to how an outfit could fit in such a little bag. Unless she had put it in a capsule of course. He peeked inside and curiously withdrew the item. "A…watch? A fireproof watch?"
"No silly! Look!" Bulma got off the couch and walked over to where Gohan was standing. "See these buttons over here? Well, I incorporated a little bit of the capsule technology into this watch. I stored two outfits in this watch, and all you have to do it hit one of these buttons and the outfit will be at your disposal in seconds!"
"Two outfits?"
"Yeah, try out the black button first."
Gohan hesitantly pressed the black button on the watch. There was a quick flash of light, and then Gohan stood there in completely different attire.
"That stuff is based on the Saiyan armor body suit stuff. It's pretty tough, so that should be excellent for really tough situations."
Gohan walked over to the full-length mirror in the corner of the room. He was wearing the same spandex-looking body suit that Vegeta wore all the time, only his was black instead of the traditional blue. There was a long green tunic over top of it, which was tied low with a black sash, and small white gloves covered his hands. It was simple, and he liked it. No crazy cape, no gaudy belt, and no weird mask. Just a simple outfit.
"Now try on the next one by clicking the black button to get out of that outfit-" Bulma instructed. A small flash lit the area and Gohan stood wearing his school clothes again. "-and try the other one on by hitting the navy blue button right next to the black one. I think you'll really like this one!"
Gohan hit the next button and the flash lit the room momentarily again. He was still standing in front of the mirror, so he looked up at himself. He smiled. It was the exact same thing as the gi he had taken up as his standard- the navy blue and orange one.
"Now this, as you can see, looks like the gi you have, but it's much tougher. This is similar to the tough material that makes up the body suit part of the Saiyan armor, but it isn't quite as sturdy. It's way tougher than any normal clothes at any rate. I figured that you would like to use this one for most situations that aren't too gritty."
"Wow! Thank you so much Bulma! These are fantastic! How can I ever repay you?"
"Silly boy, you don't need to give me anything! …Although, the occasional respite from my son would be nice…"
"I hear you Bulma!"
"Yeah, I don't remember you being that crazy at their age! Well then, I suppose you were sort of forced to mature very fast there, with all the evil aliens and androids bent on universal destruction and whatnot…" She paused. "Sorry Gohan."
Gohan waved her off. "That's alright, it's nothing. Well, I'd better get home then. I told mom I didn't know when I'd be home, but I suspect she didn't think I'd be this long."
"Hi-ya Gohan!" Trunks yelled as he entered the room as well. "Whatcha doing?"
"Your mom made me some cool outfits for me to fight crime in, and I was just getting them!"
"I'm gonna be a superhero when I grow up too! Can I see your superhero clothes?"
Gohan glanced at Bulma, who in return nodded her head.
"Yeah, sure why not? It'll only take a few seconds." Gohan first pushed the black button, then switched back, and then hit the blue button.
"Can I have some too mom?" Trunks pleaded.
"When you're older Trunks."
"Ok, see you guys later!" Gohan bade farewell. He put two fingers to his forehead and closed his eyes. In an instant, Gohan was gone.
"Trunks, since when does Gohan know instant transmission?"
"I don't know mom." He looked up at her. "I didn't even know about the gravity room he has in the woods until Goten accidentally told me yesterday. Dad always tells me that Gohan quit training and that he's a weakling now."
"Really? I thought you knew Gohan's been training since the Cell games. You're at their house often enough."
"Yeah, but he doesn't really train while I'm there. Goten and me have spars all the time, but I don't think we've ever fought Gohan."
"Well some other time when you go to the Son's, team up on him. I'm sure he'll have a good time trying to keep the both of you off of him." Bulma half smiled, half smirked at her suggestion.
"Woman!" Vegeta yelled from another room. "Why are you and the brat talking about training! You'd better not be mocking me again! Just because I don't want to end up like that other weakling brat doesn't mean there's anything wrong with training!"
"We said nothing of the sort dear." Bulma called back.
"Woman! What is this green substance in the blasted cooling device labeled 'blueberry stew'!"
"Ummm, nothing! Just don't eat it and you'll be fine!"
"Give me food then! Now!"
"Fine! Keep your shirt on!"
"Hey mom?" Trunks asked.
"Yeah?"
"What is that blueberry stuff anyways?"
"Vegetable stew that somehow got mixed with blueberry pie a couple of months ago. Why?"
Trunks wrinkled his nose. "I can hear dad eating something right now."
"Tomato head! I said do NOT eat the blueberry stew!"
Vegeta walked into the living room with the dish in hand, just as Bulma started to run to the kitchen.
"A tomato is not a vegetable." He said calmly.
Bulma smirked the evilest grin anyone had ever seen on her.
Vegeta's eyes widened at what he had just said. "Darnit! Woman!" He started to walk out again, but paused. "This crap is disgusting." He said as he pointed to the empty bowl of blueberry stew.
"I wouldn't surmise moldy stew and pie would taste good, you know." Bulma evenly replied. "Oh, and by the way, I forgot to mention this earlier, but we're going to the Son's for dinner tonight. Get ready because we're leaving in an hour."
Meanwhile, Gohan had arrived in the kitchen of his own house and was attacked by Goten as a greeting.
"Hiiii Gohan! I missed you today! Did you miss me?"
"You bet I did little squirt!" Gohan bent down to Goten's level so he could talk to him face to face. "I missed you this much!" He exclaimed, holding his arms out as far as they would stretch.
Goten held spread his arms apart as well. "Yeah, well I missed you this much times infinity!"
"Well I missed you this much times infinity infinity!"
"Well I missed you this much times-"
"Boys!" Chichi yelled, cutting Goten off. "I know you guys missed each other, but it was only a few hours! Now please start cleaning the rest of the house. Trunk's family is coming over for dinner tonight, and I've been slaving over the stove for hours already to feed all four of you Saiyans!"
"Yes mom."
"Ok mommy. I call dusting! Gohan, you have to sweep!"
"Alright." Gohan said, sounding slightly dejected. "I'll start in the living room and you can start in the dining room."
Gohan turned off the vacuum when he thought he heard a pounding sound. The sound came again, and this time it was obvious that the source was someone knocking on the door.
"I got it!" Goten screamed as he bounded to the front door.
"Gohan, will you help me carry this stuff to the table?" Chichi yelled from the kitchen.
"I'm coming." Gohan walked into the kitchen and was ordered to hold his arms out. They were immediately piled with dishes full of wonderful smelling food.
"You'd better not eat any of that on the way to the table!" Chichi warned.
"Unless I suddenly develop telekinesis, I highly doubt I'll be able to eat even one tiny morsel!" Gohan commented since his arms were so full of the food he was supposed to carry.
He carried the precariously balanced dishes to the table and set the whole load down in a pile before proceeding to spread them out. A moment later, Chichi came out with even more food. When everything was finally set, both families sat down for dinner. Bulma and Chichi both choose their portions, and then let the boys have at it. Vegeta and Gohan both ate with decent manners-Gohan having them ingrained by Chichi, and Vegeta having learned some manners of Saiyan royalty in his youth. Trunks and Goten just smashed food into their faces as fast as they could, hoping most of it made it to their mouth.
The meal was over with quick enough, and Chichi began the clean up by herself, having refused to let anyone else help that evening. Having nothing else to do at the moment, Bulma relaxed into a chair and turned on the TV. The channel that came up was that of a news station, and the anchorman and woman were very excited. They had a special guest-none other than Hercule himself, along with his daughter.
'So Hercule," The anchorwoman began. "With the World Martial Arts tournament coming up soon, how confident are you of victory?'
'Victory? HAHAHAHAHA! I am five hundred percent sure I'll win! I'm the strongest man in the world! I defeated Cell!'
'Ah, I see.' The anchorman said. 'Do you think you will at least have any competition?'
'Naw! No one can stand up to THE MAN!' Hercule loudly boasted as he flexed.
'And what about you Miss Videl? I hear you're able to enter the adult competition this year.'
'I think there will be competition for my dad this year.' Videl said as she gave an almost heated glare at Hercule, who was still flexing next to her. 'I'm no pushover myself, and I have a friend who is entering this year as well. I haven't known him for very long, but his reputation precedes him.'
'What! Who is this 'he' Videl! You'd better not be dating someone behind my back!'
Videl glared at him again. 'No dad, I'm not dating anyone. You met him remember?'
Hercule looked up at the ceiling as he pondered the question. He suddenly burst out laughing. 'HAHAHAHAHA! You mean toothpick boy? Goggles?'
'He's great!'
'Videl, you know no one can beat me! Don't embarrass yourself pumpkin bumpkin!'
'I don't need to embarrass myself, you're doing it for me.' She mumbled off to the side.
'What was that Videl?'
'Nothing!'
Bulma suddenly clicked off the TV.
"Thank you Bulma." Chichi said from the side of the room as she dried off a plate. "I think we hear enough of that man as it is already. Gohan? Are you ok?" Chichi asked worridly.
Gohan had been standing in the room and saw the whole report up until Bulma turned it off. He was looking decidedly pale.
"Gohan? What's wrong with you!" Chichi asked again.
"Hey mom? You know how I went to that girls house today?"
"Yes, and?"
"It was Videl. Hercule's daughter. I was at Hercule's house today."
Everyone turned to look at Gohan as they waited for him to continue.
"Hercule was being a jerk and he kept acting like he couldn't remember my name. He kept calling me…Goggles…"
"You mean that was you he was talking about on TV? You're entering the tournament?" Bulma yelled.
"I never said anything of the sort, but that's what Videl told her dad when he started making fun of me. I wasn't going to go through with it, but since she just announced that she had a friend entering the competition, I can't just not show up! Since so many people know about it now. It would be humiliating for her after what her dad said!"
"Absolutely not!" Chichi yelled. "I forbid you! Those competitions are dangerous! You could get hurt! Someone could kill you! You could-"
"Mom?" Gohan said, cutting her off. "You were in it, and so was…dad. He was much younger than me when he entered his first competition! Besides, I think I can take care of myself."
Chichi glowered at her first born. "If you really wish to enter, then I suppose I will permit you to." She stated through clenched teeth.
Vegeta stomped up to Gohan. "Brat, if you are entering, then I will also enter. If it's the only way to make you fight me, then so be it! I, the Prince of all Saiyans, will finally crush you! I've been training hard these past five years, and I will officially take my title as the worlds strongest when I defeat you!"
Gohan looked at Vegeta blankly. "We'll see." He stated firmly.
Ya know what? Ohio SUCKS! On Monday it was eighty degrees, and on Tuesday and Wednesday it was in the mid-seventies. And today? Well, right now it's freaking SNOWING! Go figure that out! Grrr!
Anyways, I think I'm ready to move on to the tournament now. Everyone ready? There will probably be a bit more high school stuff, just to tie everything up, and then it's off to the tourney baby!
Review responsesMarshmellow Dragon- Ah ha! So it's 26! Yeah, AP chemistry. I can't wait for May 10 when the AP test is, since we're pretty much done in that class after that! We're going to Geauga Lake (An amusement park) on the twentieth! (All twelve of us taking the class…) Whoot! Tee hee, Mr. Satan…tee hee! He's in for a shocker too!
Miroku-has-darkness- thanks again!
Sabudabu- Hee hee heeee… I can just see Hercule sweating bullets at the tourney!
Mutou Yasu-Thanks! Entertaining is what I do!
Koneko8844- Thanks for the review again!
Honey Nut Loop- Thank you! You must write the epilogue! I just read and reviewed it!
Chaosbardock- This is as fast as I can go! At least it's only been a week for this story instead of forever! I know what you mean about needing something to read. Of all the stories I'm reading, not many people seem to be updating…
Dragonwarriorkeltyr-Hi! I thought that was you! I started reading your story and I was like '0.o …is that the person I just e-mailed?' Thank you!
Coriel- This is as soon as possible! Hope you liked!
Jin Kaizer- wowie zowie! Thanks a million and a half tons! I'm glad you like this story so much! Yay!
Dotdotdotdot-You like this better than the episodes? Whoooo! Thank you much for reviewing my stories!
Hey! Unless this chapter really sucks and no one reviews, I'll surpass my first story in reviews if I get at least six! Whoo hoo! And on that note, please review! Toodlez and noodlez!