The Horse with No Name
Chapter Thirteen
Throwing Rocks Down
Age 780
Little Papa's Restaurant, Satan City, Earth
Goten Son is having a pretty bad time. As an overall standard of life quality, he's currently rocking a hard one out of ten, but that's not the focus of his disgruntlement. No, that's the pretty, shiny lawyer sitting in front of him. And god, Goten's lip is curling. He can feel it going but he can't do anything to stop it.
So he stuffs another bread roll into his mouth just to give it something to do.
Here they all are; him, his mother, Videl and her… fiancé (the lawyer), in this stuck-up little restaurant in the middle of downtown Satan City, preparing to tuck down into some nasty replica of Western food and talk niceties. He can't stand it –he really doesn't think he can do this, because… the guy is just too…
Well, that's just it.
Goten would love to say that he's awful or horrible, but he can't.
The guy is annoyingly decent, so much so that Goten knows that he must be fake, a slime ball. Mr. Lawyer is good-looking guy too; one of those pretty boys who undoubtedly spends double the amount of time in front of the mirror than any normal person should, hoping to best impress the world with how he styles his shiny hair. God, his suit probably cost more than Goten's entire wardrobe.
What a poser. What the hell does Videl see in him?
He would have guessed it to be the thickness of his wallet if this restaurant is anything to go by, except… she doesn't need a penny from anyone, does she? Not that Videl would stoop that low to date a guy for cash, Goten knows her better than that. She's smart and strong and doesn't need a smarmy pretty-boy lawyer with a stupid name.
What was it again? Oh, that's right. Haruto.
Another bread roll is devoured.
"Goten," his smooth voice cuts across. "Videl says that you enjoy graphic design."
Goten doesn't want to answer, and he doesn't need to because his mother beats him to it.
"Oh, it's just a hobby," she dismisses. "Goten's actually aiming higher than that."
Over the other side of the table, dressed to impress in a blue one-piece, Videl tries not to look too awkward. Any other night would have Goten thinking that she looks pretty, but today her attire just annoys him. He hates her earrings. Videl never wears earrings. Why is she wearing them now?
"Oh, I think there's nothing wrong with aiming for a career in graphic design," Haruto nonchalantly informs the group. "It's a much respected career. As they say 'without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable'."
His mother, of course, is besotted despite earlier reservations. She giggles. Giggles. "Oh, of course! I totally agree. It's just… we hope for Goten to go into the academic field, much like yourself. It's just a less risky venture for him."
"Understandable," he commiserates. "It's rough business out there –in the real world."
The snooty bastard then takes a sip of his drink. Goten hopes he chokes on it.
"Still, there's nothing wrong with going into the arts," Videl voices up. "My best friend is studying Fine Art oversees, and she's already been guaranteed an apprenticeship with a printmaker when she returns. Her commissions are earning her good money already."
"It's a bit different when you're a girl," his mother replies, amused.
"What's that supposed to mean? Didn't you used to be a fighter?"
"Years ago, years ago… But it was a different time then, and I could never really keep up with the boys."
Videl groans. "Chi-Chi…"
Goten's feeling the second-hand embarrassment, and so he helps himself to yet another bread roll.
"Videl is working in a male-dominated field," Haruto comments, "and she's making strides. I think it's about breaking that barrier."
"Absolutely," Videl agrees. "If Goten likes the arts then so what? Sure, more girls are doing it these days, but most of the more famous artists back in the olden times were guys."
"It's a respected career, you know, Mrs. Son," adds Haruto, sending Goten a wink.
Goten wants to become a boring scholar now just to spite him.
"And Goten's pretty good at it. I've seen his stuff."
Nevertheless, his mother already has her own ideas.
"I'm sure Goten will make the correct decision when it comes to it," she says cryptically, but it's obvious that this is the end of that conversation. Goten's always known that his future lies in academics; there's no point challenging that, no matter how bad he is in study.
There's a quiet beat, and everyone suddenly seems thirsty all at once. They sip at their waters, unsure of where to go next. Goten, however, revels in the discomfort. Good, he thinks, it's good because they can all see what a bad idea this all is.
"So, are you going to the World Martial Arts Tournament this year, Videl?" his mother then asks, transparent in her hope of changing the subject. "I heard your father isn't competing this year?"
"He's got stomach issues –uh, for real this time," she chortles, anxious. "The doctor has banned him from competing this time around, which is good because he's getting kinda' too old for it. I'm gonna' go, though."
"Yes, he should start acting his age a bit more," his mother agrees, "How about you? Are you competing?"
Goten, sighs, finding himself zone in and out; he'd wanted to hear Videl's answer because actually, he had wanted to go too. He'd wanted to go with his dad –it'd sounded great. They wouldn't have had to fight, only spectate, eating hotdogs and popcorn and all that good stuff. So rare is it these days that they'd spend time doing anything that isn't fighting. Well, not that it matters now, because his dad had to go and ruin by going off with that stupid kai and ruin everything.
Then fine, screw him. If his dad doesn't want to be a dad then screw him.
The teenager scrunches his napkin in his hands. He twists and churns and pulls at it until—
Cold fingers press over his. "Did you hear that, Goten?" Videl asks of him. Goten looks up to see three pairs of eyes staring at him expectantly.
He leans over the table, dropping the napkin and offering an uncomfortable sort of smile. "N-No, I didn't. What was that?"
Haruto laughs good-naturedly. "In a world of your own there, I see! I said, that you must be interested in going to the tournament, right? Videl told me that you have a family history of martial arts. I just assumed."
"Oh, I, uh, I was thinking of going but I'm not too sure now."
"Really? You're more than welcome to come along with Videl and I."
Goten cannot think of anything worse. "Maybe."
"You could invite Trunks," Videl offers.
"Um, probably not. Trunks really hates that sorta' stuff."
"Fighting?" she laughs, "With a dad like Vegeta?"
It's true. The topic is a source of tension between Trunks and his dad. Goten knows it's not his place to bring it up. If Trunks had wanted Videl to know about it already then he would have already told her, so Goten settles for a shrug and a sip of his drink.
Videl gets the message, but sends him a strange look, one which lingers as the waiter starts placing down their orders on the table.
They eat their miniscule portions at an excruciatingly normal human pace, tempting Goten to lick his place clean before delving into the kitchen and helping himself to the contents of the fridges. His mother gives him a look, the look. Sighing, he drinks another glass of water and melts into his chair. Only the promise of a second dinner by his mother prevents him from kicking up a fuss.
"So you both live on Fire Mountain?" asks Haruto with the guise of it sounding like the most interesting thing in the world. "What's that like?"
Goten pokes at the empty bread basket, only speaking when his mother nudges him. "It's fine."
"Not a lot to do round there, huh?"
"I guess not."
"He's busy with his studies mostly," his mother tells him. But it's likely the case that Videl had long ago told Haruto that Goten most definitely sneaks out of his room to hang around the neighbouring village.
Haruto hums, churning his spaghetti around and around. Goten watches, flat.
"What about you, Mrs. Son? What do you find yourself doing there?"
"Oh, me? I mostly read these days. There aren't many things for me to get up to in the castle. My father employs so many servants that I find myself unsure of what to do."
"Chi-Chi is one of those rare few who loves housework," Videl informs Haruto, smirking.
"There's nothing wrong with that," he scolds playfully.
"Videl, you're going to be married soon. Don't think you won't need to be stepping into a more traditional role. After kids, you'll find that it'll just happen naturally," Mother says as if butter wouldn't melt, as if she isn't lighting a fire right under the girl, but Goten can tell by the way Videl's clenching and unclenching her fists that a nerve has been struck. "I know you think I'm too traditional and narrow-minded, but after raising two boys, I think I know a thing or two about marriage and family."
Videl's face turns a variety of colours, but she somehow manages to keep her mouth shut.
Goten, however, doesn't.
"Maybe Videl doesn't even want kids," he says before he can stop himself.
"And why wouldn't she?"
Videl breathes hard. "Not all women want children, Chi-Chi."
"Really? Are you sure?"
"Quite."
"So you don't?"
Haruto coughs and then waves a hand towards the waiter. "Another jug of water, please, and maybe a bottle of red."
"I haven't decided," Videl replies, slowly, as though talking to a child. Goten can sense the rage simmering. Whilst they get on well usually, these arguments do come up from time to time. Fire meeting fire always results in someone getting burnt eventually. "But right now, I'm just focusing on my career."
"Oh, I know that, dear, but there's only such a small window to have kids that-"
"I'm twenty-three."
"I was nineteen when I had Goh—well, when I had my first."
Oh God.
Goten lowers his head against his empty plate, wishing for it to be over. In the background, over the bickering, he hears Haruto opening the bottle of wine and pouring it into waiting glasses.
"Kids are not on the agenda. As I told my dad, I don't plan on any until my thirties, if I have any at all. You had Goten in your late twenties, right? And look at Bulma. She's not long since had Bulla."
His mother sighs. "Bulma Briefs is a woman of odd tastes. If you consider her husband, you'll understand exactly- oh, only a little wine for me, thank you, Haruto."
Videl laughs, but it's a forced sound. "Yeah, Vegeta isn't exactly my type either." There's a smacking of her lips. "Goten, would you like to try some wine? It's sweet; I think you'd like it."
Goten lifts his head to see Haruto already pouring him a moderate serving. Before his mother comments, the lawyer says; "He's old enough to have a small taster with his meal. Give it a try, Goten."
In the dim candle-lit room, he watches as Videl takes a sip from the glass, looking all refined, talking about marriage and babies and acting not at all like herself. It pisses him off. Who the hell is this woman? What has this asshole done to her? No, he doesn't want any fancy wine, thanks. He doesn't want anything from this man.
The only thing Goten wants is to go home!
"I'm going to the bathroom."
The chair scrapes beneath him and he scurries to the toilets before he can catch any of their eyes. There, he encloses himself in a cubicle and scrolls through social media just to give his mind something to focus on. Out there, he can't breathe, he can't even look at Videl without feeling his stomach churn in fury.
This is all happening so fast. She shouldn't be marrying that poser. The guy is so clearly fake and awful, and such a douche that it's shocking to Goten that Videl's blind to it. Yet, here she is, acting all different. Goten's seen Videl mucking about in the dirt, shouting at sporting referees, bantering with the rest of them. When did that all change? When she started swapping boots for heels? When she went to university?
He groans, running a hand through his mop of hair. It's because she and that Haruto guy work together, isn't it? He probably got her the job in the first place. He'd most likely planned it for ages, undoubtedly pestered and hounded her until she agreed to go out with him. Videl's never been interested in other guys before, not since… well, not since him.
Goten thumbs at his phone for a further five minutes with the hope of cooling down. When he feels suitably calm, he leaves the bathroom only to bump headfirst into the person he'd just been trying to forget about.
"You: outside," Videl demands, pointing a finger at him.
She leads him out of a side door and into the surprising bite of evening. If she didn't look so angry at him, he'd give her his jacket.
"What's your deal, Goten?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you being so awkward?"
Goten's lip pulls up. "I'm not."
"Yes, you are. Why are you acting like a little asshole? Don't you like him? If you don't, I don't understand why, he's been nothing but nice to you all night."
"I didn't say I didn't like him!"
"You don't have to!" she snaps back. "I can see it all over your face!"
"I didn't say anything!"
"You look like you've just had your ass smacked."
"I… I… Fine, I don't like him. Are you happy?"
"No, I'm not!" she exclaims. Several other customers outside of the restaurant spare them a look, and Videl remembers herself, remembers the girly, quieter version of herself from the table. She breathes a languid stretch of breath. "Why? What has he done to offend you so much?"
"He's a poser, a total asshole… like, he sounds all fancy and posh, and…" It all floods out of him. Now she's asked, he can't withhold it. "He's clearly such a money-bags, all cash and no –no, er, no edge. He's just so gooey and friendly, and is making blinky-cute eyes at my mother to try and win her heart too. Talk about two-faced."
"Goten," she grinds out, "you're telling me you don't like him because he's… too nice?"
"Way too nice. He's fake."
"Oh my God, Goten. Are you stupid? He's acting nice to impress your mother. He wants her to like him. I didn't think I'd have to explain this to you."
"He's so obviously in love with himself," Goten continues, hard and fast, "He looks like one of those Vogue models."
"Jesus Christ."
"And he's made you like him! Look at you! You're wearing lipstick!"
"I wear lipstick to work!"
"Because he's there! You work together, right? Why are you changing for him?!"
"I don't run around in gym clothes everywhere, Goten! Sometimes, I put a little effort in, too!"
That's all well and good and all, but Goten knows that Videl isn't like this. She's a tomboy, a fighter, one of the boys. If she was doing this not for that asshole then it'd be fine, but… but she's not!
"He's clearly trying to get something from you, or change you, or –or-"
"You're fourteen years old, yet you're acting like you're five! You're just bitching about stuff that doesn't make sense –you haven't even given him a chance!" She clicks her tongue, crossing her arms over one another, hands running up and down. Even angry, Goten really does want to give her his jacket, but he doesn't make a move when her eyes turn to steel. "I don't get why you're freaking out over this."
"Who's freaking out?" he challenges, sounding obtuse.
"Well, not your mum, that's for sure. I thought she'd be the tough nut to crack, but you're the one who's kicking up the biggest fuss –more than Chi-Chi, heck, even more than my dad!"
"I don't like seeing you acting like someone you're not," he tells her. In response, she groans. Her hands slide down her cheeks, and that's when he notices her fingernails have been manicured, polished and looking as pretty as the rest of her. "I don't even know who you are even more, Videl."
It was supposed to be barbed, but the effect was weak. She just stares at him like he's grown an extra head, as if he's stupid, as if she gets something he doesn't.
"I'm an adult woman, and you're still a child. You don't know who I am, what I do, or what I want, not really, because I don't owe you any of that information, do you understand?"
No, he doesn't! "What the hell, Videl?! Don't talk down to me -I'm not some little kid! I know that you can do whatever you want. You don't need to tell me that!"
"Then stop policing me, you snot! If I want to wear lipstick, I don't owe you any reasons why! So what if I want to look nice for the man I love? So what if I want to wear a dress sometimes, or not run around looking like a teenager? Goten, people grow up, people change."
"Well, you never changed for Gohan!"
Her mouth drops, vacant, and so does his. He did not mean to say that –Goten had not meant at all to say that.
But he can't take it back now. "You… you never got girly-fied for him," he continues weakly, gesturing to her pretty dress. "You never talked about babies or… or weddings, or…"
"Goten," she breathes hard, "I was seventeen. Gohan and I… we… weren't even together that long."
His brain is screaming at him to abort. How everything keeps coming back to his brother recently… it's… it's unfair, it's painful. Goten doesn't want to talk about this, but now that it's on the table, he finds himself with little choice. "He loved you," he bites out, "you know that, right?"
"Goten," she groans yet again. "Stop it."
"Did you even love him?"
"Goten!"
"You're changing for that asshole but you wouldn't for Gohan, huh? What does that say-"
SLAP!
Of course, it doesn't hurt, well, not physically. The shock of it has his head tilted, eyes wide, breath bated.
She… she just hit him. When he turns to look at her, she looks about ready to do it again. Her hand, bright red against the evening light, wobbles up and down in anticipation. Goten really thinks she's about to do it again until it drops, flat against her side. "Grow up," she manages, ragged. "Do you just expect me to not get with anyone, Goten? Don't I get to happy? Don't I get to move on?" Her voice hitches, and she turns to push at his shoulder. "Gohan happened years ago! I—I can't keep living in the past and pretend that he controls my life because he doesn't… not like he does with you guys."
"He-He… d-"
"I want to be with Haruto. I want to move on, Goten… Don't you?"
The memory of him and Trunks sitting in Gohan's room returns, hitting him with full force, reminding him of Trunks' plea, begging him to let go, be happy. But… but…
He looks at her. She really is pretty, all shiny and special, dazzling like she's straight out of a movie. Even as she's teary and scowling at him, Goten can't help but notice.
Has this ever been about Gohan? He'd only brought that up to hurt her.
Goten recalls many a time he's caught himself staring at her, defending her from guys, thinking about her… he thinks about her a lot, and not really in a sisterly way, not in a way he knows he's supposed to.
"Videl, I really hate that guy," he says, meek. His throat constricts and he shuffles under her glare. "I… I just get so angry when I think about it, and… and I don't think it's exactly about… about my brother."
It hasn't been, not for a long while. Goten clasps at his chest, his heart hammering to get out along with the admission. Goten needs to say something -he needs to tell her the truth.
He hears her take in a breath.
"Videl, I think I like you."
"Fuck," she says on the outbreath.
"I… I think that's what it must be. I've known for a while, I think. It's ju-"
"No, you don't," she tells him. "You absolutely do not."
But he does. His stomach does flips at the sight of her, she's always beautiful to him, and any man she talks about makes him see red. Even when she mentions Gohan, it hurts, but not necessarily for the reasons one would think why.
"Don't marry that guy," he then says with a renewed energy. "Please, don't. I don't like him. I really don't. I won't like any of them."
"Oh my God."
"You're amazing, and I think I've liked you for a long while, since forever, really. Please, Videl, don't marry him."
When he reaches towards her, she slaps his hand away. "Goten, stop it. Just stop it. You're acting crazy."
"Maybe not now, but in the future… maybe we could…"
"Goten, knock it off. In no world can we… absolutely no way." There's a beat of silence, only dying because of the ambience of violin playing somewhere in the distance. As the music sings, her expression softens. "You're not thinking right, Goten. This is just a teenage crush."
"No, it's not."
"It'll fade."
"Videl…"
She takes his hands slowly, maybe with a little trepidation, as if fearful that he's about to gobble her up. But he wouldn't do that; he wouldn't ever do anything that she wouldn't want him to. "Goten, I'm really sorry but there is no way I could ever see you more than a little brother. I love you, but just not like that. You're too young –you're just a kid, a teenager. It just wouldn't ever work out."
"A teenager…" Goten mumbles.
"I'm really sorry, but I love Haruto and I'm going to marry him." She swallows the dryness aback of her throat. "He's not Gohan, no. But he's kind and wonderful and he's the person I've chosen to be with. Do you understand?"
No, he thinks bitterly, because Haruto doesn't appreciate her like he does, doesn't have a shared anguish like they do… doesn't like her like he does.
But before Goten can answer, he feels his stomach drop.
His head spins around to where he feels the chaotic energies of two men fighting in the distance, somewhere far away, probably near the lookout.
Her hands let go of his. "What is it?"
"It's my dad… and… Vegeta?"
Age 780
The Lookout, Earth
Sometime earlier…
Goku yawns, stretching back and admiring the evening's half-crescent moon. From behind, a background of twinkling stars can be seen hidden in the depths of pink and orange, hinting at another sunny day tomorrow. By this time, Goku's usually starting to get ready for bed (unless he's training somewhere specific). But today, he accepted the summoning by the Supreme Kai and is currently waiting for him, along with Vegeta and Piccolo. Dende, of course, is present, but he mostly converses with Mr. Popo as Goku and the others stand by. Piccolo occasionally joins them, and Goku can hear their voices carry all the way over to him as he sits at the edge.
Vegeta sits somewhere on the other side, away, far away, pretending that Goku, in fact, does not exist as he broodily waits for the Supreme Kai to arrive. How Piccolo had persuaded him to come, Goku has not the foggiest, but here he is, ready to take on another crisis apparently facing Earth. In the couple of weeks that have followed since becoming aware of such a crisis, Goku's learned very few things about these mysterious and unwelcome guests of Earth. The Zealties, as they're apparently known, have been spotted in sporadic places around the planet. Their motivations are unknown, which begs the question for Goku; why are they so bad if they haven't done anything yet? Nobody has been hurt, nothing has been damaged… so what's the big deal?
But whether they'd done anything wrong yet is of little worry to him, well, unless they're involved in Gohan's disappearance, which might just be a real possibility with how they're appearing and disappearing everywhere. And if they're not connected, then Goku's more than happy to help anyway… except, for a price this time. If the kais need his help again, they're going to have to help him too.
Goku wants his son back.
Another gust dissolves into the night sky, fresh from his chest, as he watches the darkness creep ever closer. The chill makes him feel even more tired, makes him yearn for his bed, and just as he's about to nod off, Goku hears his name being called, and then again, except less nicely.
"Get up, Kakarot, you slouch."
Vegeta's boot digs into his side, threatening to topple him right over the edge. Goku knows it's not an empty threat. The guy would seriously do it.
"Alright, I'm awake. I'm," another yawn takes him, "awake."
"Goku, I'm glad you were able to join us," greets Shin as they approach.
He gives an indolent wave, dragging each foot as he goes. Piccolo appears, alongside Dende and Mr. Popo. They look troubled, but say little about what they must have been speaking about. When Goku sends the guardian of Earth a smile, the latter barely strains his lips before looking anywhere else but at him.
"I do apologize. I know it's late," the kai goes on to say, "but I have had little time to spare these days, what with the most recent activity of the Zealties and the upheaval in the Sacred World of the Kais."
"Is it because of the Zealites?" Goku asks.
"Somewhat, yes," he says, looking more tired and ancient than Goku's ever seen of him. "It is a most cumbersome situation, indeed."
"Who are these Zealites? I don't understand how they're our problem," Vegeta gruffly pushes, "If they're bothering the kais then why can't they be the ones to clean up their own messes?"
"If they're on Earth then they're our problem, too, Vegeta," Piccolo snaps.
"I did not sign up to be some kind of Earth janitor, trailing after each and every idiot who dares show their face here."
"I think it may be a little more than that, Vegeta," Shin says cordially. "I believe the situation could become quite serious if we leave it unresolved."
"So, you've spotted these -what are they called, Zealites? What a stupid name. So you've spotted these Zealites going about Earth doing what, exactly?"
"We don't know."
"We… We don't know? What?! What the hell am I doing here then? Why are you wasting my time with this?"
"Calm down, you idiot," Piccolo snipes, "Do you think we want to be here, too?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, Namek, do you have some plant brethren calling out for your return back in the forest?"
"Put a sock in it, Vegeta."
"Please, let's not," Shin tries, tone soft, "I don't have long here and I'd rather not play spectator to an argument."
"Let's be respectful," Mr. Popo suggests, with Dende nodding earnestly behind. "I don't want any fighting on this lookout. It's a sacred place and must be treated as so."
"Whatever," Vegeta scoffs, "how about we just get to it then?"
"Of course." Shin spares them all a look, but spends a particularly long time focusing on Goku, as if he's the one he's truly trying to appeal. This is good, this is very good for Goku, because that just means he'll have more leverage to get what he wants. "For several weeks now, months most likely, the Earth has been visited by what we believe to be a group of individuals naming themselves; 'Zealites'. We've been unsure on their goals, especially here on a rural planet such as Earth, but we've been trying to follow their activity as it's been predominant for some time now."
Goku strokes at his chin. "Activity?"
"General appearances for the most part," he answers, "they have been observed in a variety of sacred areas, entering most impossible places and being placed when certain artefacts have found themselves missing. Few attacks have taken place, but there are some worthy of note. Three attacks happened in the Sacred World of the Kais, at least one in the Realm of the Almighty, and a few in the mortal realm."
"And these Zealites, they're here… on Earth?"
"That's correct, Goku. Or at least, we believe they're planning to do something here."
"So if there were attacks in these sacred places, how would they have gotten access inside?" Piccolo asks of him, putting forward a very reasonable question in Goku's opinion. "Wouldn't that mean they have someone on the inside?"
"Well, that certainly goes without saying. A kai must be involved."
"Then why are you dragging us into your mess?" growls Vegeta. He spits down, ignoring Mr. Popo's abject look of horror. "I have no interest in politics of any kind. I don't give a rat's ass what this gang of idiots plan on doing against the kais. Don't you have your own defenders for this?"
Shin sighs. "Realistically, you three are most likely some of the universe's greatest warriors. It's not praise. It's the truth. I would not be coming to you without good reason, you know that. I have also spoken with several deities higher than myself… they're less than interested in helping our cause, sadly."
"Higher deities?" Dende questions, "How much higher… does it go?"
Mr. Popo has the answer, surprisingly. "There are branches of deities, Dende. Much like yourself, other guardians watch over their own planets but are of no less importance than one another. This can be said for the many gods that reside out there in the multiple realms."
"Some do rank higher than others, however," continues the Supreme Kai, "and heavens, do they know it. Many of the gods… do not look too fondly upon the kais."
Goku doesn't get it. "So they won't help you, just 'cause they don't like you?"
"The history is muddy at best. It's not something I want to get into, so I'll just say that it came of little surprise that they did not want to assist us. We even have word that that one of these attacks was on a god himself, but still… nothing."
"Politics," Vegeta snorts.
"I suppose you're right," Shin sighs, "yet there's little I can do to persuade them right now." He taps at his purple lip, eyeing the group, anxious. "There has been one god who has shown a keen interest in helping, but I do not wish to encourage him. He's… he's not quite ideal for this sort of situation."
"A god?" Dende gasps, "What sort of god? More important than a kai?"
"Yes, he ranks far above the kais in importance. In fact, many of the kais fear him, and rightly so. He is a very dangerous individual indeed."
"Is he strong?" Goku asks.
"Very, most definitely stronger than anyone you would have faced before."
"Oh yeah?" Vegeta speaks up, now newly invested. "And who is this incredible individual, this god?"
Shin leans in as if with secret, breath bated, as though he doesn't even want to utter the name. "His name is Lord Beerus, God of Destruction."
The reaction from Vegeta is immediate. It's as if someone had lit a rocket right under him. He's up and shaking the kai by the front of his robes in an almost comedic fashion. "Did you say Lord Beerus?!"
"Do you know him?"
"Know him?! Of course I know him! Years ago, that maniac showed up before the King of Saiyans, threatening our existence, demonstrating incredible power rivalling nobody! Scouters exploded, people collapsed –even being in the room space as him was like having your existence being drawn out of your very body! Nobody believed us when we told them about him –and even now, I'd thought… I thought it may not have been real in the first place."
"Then I'm pleased that you understand the severity associated with his cooperation."
"We are not having that monster on this planet!"
"Is he really that bad?" Goku questions.
Apparently, that's a mistake because it looks like Vegeta is absolutely ready to throttle him into next week. "Don't you dare encourage him here! If you bring him here, Kakarot, that is the end of Earth!"
"Wah, I don't get what the big deal is."
"He's the God of Destruction," Shin says slowly, "he's a destroyer."
"Eh? What's that?"
"He does not kill his enemies, he destroys them. No reincarnation, not afterlife, nothing. That is it."
"Oh."
"Yes, oh," mocks Vegeta, "so before you get any big ideas and endanger us all by inviting our maker round for afternoon snacks, actually use that empty beach ball on your neck and think."
"But he wants to help us," tries Goku. What's the big problem with that?
Shin actually coughs at this, looking paler than a few moments ago. "Lord Beerus only has one method in how he deals with these sorts of things, and that is to, well, destroy them."
"Destroy the Zealites?"
"And Earth along with them," Piccolo finishes, putting the pieces together for Goku. The namekian raps his fingers against his arms. "So basically, if he gets involved, he's going to destroy Earth if he finds it the easiest method in eradicating the Zealites."
Shin nods. "That… is my belief, yes."
"So you're basically giving us no choice in helping you?" Vegeta grunts, brows pressed harshly. "What a mess. Where the hell are we even going to start looking for these guys?"
"Well, what locations have they been spotted in?" Dende asks.
Mr. Popo raises a finger. "Is it just Earth? How about neighbouring planets such as Mars?"
"What could they want from Earth? The dragon balls? They're the only contender I can think of," Piccolo puts forward.
As they talk, Goku finds himself listening, watching, as they share ideas. Only when his silence draws on does Shin try to involve him. "And what do you think of this, Goku?"
Feeling a little awkward, he scratches at the back of his head. "Oh, erm, I didn't agree to help you guys just yet."
"What?!"
"I mean, of course, I want to help, it's just…"
Piccolo snarls, quick to advance and grab him by the scruff. "Oh dear God, Goku, you must be joking."
"I'm not."
"Kakarot, do you have any blasted idea what you're going to enable if you don't assist them? What the hell kind of reason would you not help them for?"
The namekian chucks Goku back down with force, and then spares a glance at the other saiyan. "What reason do you think it is? It's the only thing he's been pestering about over the last six years."
Vegeta's face turns to stone impressively fast. "You're joking… What the hell, Kakarot?! You cannot use this time to barter for your dead son's soul!"
"I just want to know what happened," he replies levelly. "I'm not even saying that I want Gohan returned to me. I just want to know what happened to him. Once I know, then I can-"
"Goku," Shin says, soft, "you know about as much as I do on the matter. If I could help you more, I would…"
"We know what happened to him!" Vegeta roars, "The little coward sliced himself up and then got himself a one-way ticket to Otherworld."
It never fails to get a rise out of Goku, never ever. He turns, fists poised ready to strike out. "Gohan would never!"
"Well, he clearly did, you brain-dead dolt. We're all sick of repeating ourselves. It's not our fault that you won't listen to reason, but at least try and open your ears because I'm going to say it one last time for those in the back; Gohan is dead because he killed himself, and he's not coming back!"
"Vegeta," Mr. Popo chastises, "is there any need for such cruelty?"
"Gohan wouldn't do that! He had no reason to!"
"But the evidence suggests otherwise!" Vegeta snaps back. "Even the namek couldn't argue against that back when he was in your little camp. At least he eventually listened to sense."
"Knock it off, Vegeta," Piccolo hisses.
"No, he needs to hear this because he's endangering all of us now. If he doesn't cooperate because of something like this then he's practically inviting Beerus to destroy us."
"Vegeta's right," Shin agrees, "if Beerus feels the need to appear on Earth then everything could possibly start going south very fast."
"Then help me out, Supreme Kai," Goku implores, "I know you have connections that can at least find Gohan. We don't even know what happened to his soul. King Kai and King Yemma both haven't seen anything up there. Something must've gone wrong."
"Then he probably ended up in hell," Vegeta off-hands, testing Goku's frazzling nerves.
An urge to slap him back down to earth very nearly takes him. Between thin lips, Goku grits out; "He is not in hell."
"He's not, you're right," Shin placates, sending Vegeta a measured look. "Suicide victims don't actually end up there, it's a myth."
Vegeta snorts. "He isn't a victim. He knew what he was doing."
"Gohan didn't commit suicide!"
"Whatever the case," the Supreme Kai interrupts, parting the saiyans with tensed hands, "Gohan isn't there. I've already told you my theory on what I think happened, and you didn't like hearing it the first time, Goku, so I don't think you'll like hearing it again."
No, Goku does not want to hear that again. Years ago, when the wounds were fresher and the anguish still touched everyone, Shin had exhausted his options in trying to locate Gohan, Goku knew this. After months of digging, nothing was found. Roads ended up being dead ends, and the only sniff of what could have happened was a flimsy theory offered by the Kai himself.
Shin had suggested that Gohan had simply been reborn straight away, as is the case with souls not having lived a full life or lived a life that's neither black nor white. At first, it was a theory Goku considered possible. It'd haunted him, plagued his dreams that his son was now no more. But as time marched forward, Goku thought about it more. King Yemma would have known if Gohan had been reborn, would have seen his soul at least turn up at the check-in station –but no, he didn't know anything either.
And so, contentedly, Goku thinks that this theory is just as much hogwash as the suicide one.
"Or, you could try asking your god friends," he tries, "I'd be fine with asking Beerus if he does come by."
"You selfish idiot," Vegeta seethes, "would you sacrifice everyone else just to learn the truth? You're not the only person with children!"
"Gohan wouldn't want that, either," Piccolo inputs, cordial.
"Goku, you'd be endangering the entire planet," Dende adds, "As Guardian of Earth, I just can't support you no matter how much I, too, miss Gohan."
"And what about your other son?" Vegeta challenges, "Do you even remember that you have another one of those? I probably see the brat more often than you do! He's always moping around, feeling sorry for himself, acting like a shitty influence over my own. It's about time you start taking responsibility instead of chasing the coward traitor who left us!"
Shin gasps. "Vegeta, hold your tongue! At this rate, you're throwing rocks down!"
"No, I'm sick of it! Why do we all tip-toe around this clown when he needs to move on?" Vegeta presses forward and jabs a hard finger into the other saiyan's chest. "Gohan is dead. He's dead and not coming back no matter, and guess what –he wanted it that way, or he wouldn't have killed himself in the first place!"
Goku shoves him away. "Oh yeah, Vegeta? What would you do if it'd been Trunks who'd apparently killed himself? Would you have believed that?"
A derisive bark leaves him. "Trunks wouldn't do that –never. He isn't weak."
"And Gohan wouldn't have done it either!"
"Pah! The boy had always been soft!"
"He'd been stronger than you!"
"He'd been lazy, unfocused and soft. Physically, he'd been strong, but emotionally? Weak."
Goku bares his teeth, shoving even harder. "Be quiet! You don't know what you're even talking about!"
Vegeta grabs the oncoming wrist. "Let me tell you this, we've all been thinking it…"
"Vegeta," Piccolo growls, warning.
"Shut up, he has to learn." The wrist bends back and Goku feels himself leaning with it. "I'm doing you the nicety that none of the others will. I'll be honest here, Kakarot, I respect you enough to say it to your face because you need to hear it.
Sure, it may have been a shock to us all when we first found out about Gohan, but the more we all thought about it, the more it made sense. He'd always been soft and sensitive and far too innocent for everything he went through. The kid faced more battles and life-and-death situations than warriors triple his age, killed more people than his soft heart could handle –and that clearly caught up with him. I'll be straight with you, I respected the kid for taking it all on the chin, for his power, for a strength all his own. But that respect died along with him.
You most likely don't know this, but after your death, the kid hadn't been right then, either. Bulma called it depression, but all I saw was a kid looking half-dead, walking around, empty-eyed and meek. He'd been on the funny for a while –the namek can back me up on this- and it hadn't been until the birth of your second kid that Gohan had shown any sense of recovery. See, the one thing I'll give Gohan is that even he realized that the world must go on, and that he had to stop being a depressed layabout for the sake of Goten."
"He's right, Goku. You're messing things up with Goten," Piccolo adds, as if he's got any right to comment on either of his sons' needs.
"Don't you think I know that?" Goku hisses, drawing his hand back.
But Vegeta pulls harder. "Like I said, he'd always been soft and weak of heart, not able to cope with all the hell he'd been forced to endure. I thought he'd be alright. He'd been a saiyan. It's in our blood. But then, he proved himself a bigger disappointment than even I thought possible."
"Gohan wouldn't!"
"You brain-dead fool, accept the truth! Accept the truth so we can stop these Zealites, so we don't end up bringing a power-crazy monster like Beerus here!"
But Goku is livid. He keeps trying to snatch his arm back but it won't budge. "Bring him here; bring him here so I can ask him about Gohan myself!"
"YOU IDIOT! Would you really sacrifice us for the sake of Gohan's memory? Would you really trade your living son for your dead one?!" Vegeta roars, equally furious, "At this rate, Goten will follow in Gohan's footsteps and end up SLICING HIMSELF DEAD TOO!"
Goku feels Vegeta's nose crunch beneath his fist before registering that he'd even moved. Of course, the rebuttal comes about as quickly as expected. Goku feels something in his jaw crumble only moments later, followed by something in his side twinge when a sharp kick follows suit. He cries out, churning and pulling his other arm free, just to be yanked down into an awaiting knee.
It turns out that Vegeta had been anticipating this sort of reaction all along, possibly even aiming for such a thing.
"Stop this at once!" Mr. Popo demands of them, but it's too late.
Goku's chest is beating ten to the dozen and a fire has been lit under him. He's ready for this –he's needed this.
The Supreme Kai is as equally displeased as Mr. Popo. "Calm down! Both of you!"
"I'll knock some sense into Kakarot, it's fine," Vegeta snarls, spitting red. "It's long overdue anyway."
"We do not have time for this! The Zealites have been particularly active-"
"I'll make you eat your words, Vegeta," Goku breathes, panting hard. "I'll make you sorry."
"Knock it off, you idiots!" Piccolo shouts at the exact moment Goku blasts forward.
By the time Goku reaches Vegeta, they're both transformed into super saiyans, glowing bright against the darkness of night. Their radiance only clashes with the brutality they're both displaying, ragged as it cuts into the black with sharp juts and flashes. Whilst Vegeta has jumped straight into the ascended form, Goku's staying true to the first level, enjoying the other saiyan's frustration at the lack of meeting him level-wise.
But Goku doesn't need the second form, doesn't need to meet Vegeta there –he's already matching Vegeta in the first stage, catching each throw and dodging the other saiyan's brutish attacks, something which drives the latter crazy. It's funny how Goku's clearly the more enraged one, yet he still has such a better control over the fight.
When Vegeta goes for the low kick, Goku jumps high and uses gravity to pull himself down with the aim of a more savage strike. The impact rings out, shockwaves follow, and Goku's elbow pierces down against the back of Vegeta's neck as if it has every entitlement to be there.
There's a cry as Vegeta balks, falling down, but he doesn't stop, doesn't quit. If anything, the man's fire burns stronger and he swivels and catches Goku by his knees and brings him down too.
"Stop it!" Shin cries, "Stop this madness!"
Others are shouting too, but neither stops. In fact, soon, it escalates and they're both flying upwards, far above the lookout and into the clouds, fists flaying and flying. Wisps of cold pass them as they climb higher and higher. No shouting can be heard now, only the hush of wind as they exchange attacks, pulling and pushing in a vacuum of flurrying movements.
Goku does hear Vegeta cry out, however, when he lands a fist into the gut, impacting the prince and sending him sideways in a barrelling rapid motion. There's yet another cry when Goku flashes next to him, kicking him with twice the muster and then again and again, kicking him until a final one sends straight back down to the lookout.
A whirlwind of debris flies back, striking against Goku as an eruption of dirt, plants, concrete and all the likes explode with a bang. Still, they're not done. Vegeta courses through the smog, fist aimed true, pelting Goku across the face over and over until he's stopped forcibly. Ki ruptures out, forming into tight balls of yellow, and fly sporadically in the other saiyan's direction. Several land instantly, burning him, whilst others chasing and only kiss at him when he releases Goku from his clutches.
It's just enough time for Goku to strike him hard across the chest, backslapping him back down against the marble of the lookout once more. This time, he follows, touching down and making himself ready for the prince's next assault.
"Stop this! Stop it!" The Supreme Kai begs of them once more. "We do not have the time!"
Goku wipes the fresh streak of blood from across his forehead, and then powers up to the ascended form just to show his determination, or perhaps just to spite them all. No one can stop him now. Vegeta's gone too far this time.
"Please, you're ruining the lookout!" Mr. Popo next pleads. "Oh no, not my magnolias!"
Plants tear from the soil, spinning, curling around Goku as he powers up stronger and stronger.
"See sense, Goku!" Dende also attempts, "Gohan would not want this! You know this better than anyone!"
Vegeta barrels free from the debris, more furious than ever, teeth grit and eyes manic. He charges and actually manages a good hit, burying a fist into the orange of Goku's gi with such force that Goku nearly stumbles down to one knee. He doesn't, of course, and instead tries to use the moment to his advantage by pulling Vegeta closer, whipping him round and lodging him back into the ground.
Bones crackle under Goku's grip, dislocating fiercely as Vegeta burrows deeper into the floor. Just as Goku's about to bring Vegeta's head up again to smash it down, he feels a clawed hand wrap around his wrist.
"That's enough, damn it," Piccolo sneers. "This pitiful display, from both of you, is the true disappointment."
"Let go, Piccolo," Goku growls. Vegeta needs to learn.
"No, Goku. You let go."
Vegeta backs up, pulling his head down before slamming it back up and against the softness of Goku's nose. There's an immediate explosion of blood and Goku does, in fact, let go. For a moment, he thinks that Vegeta is going to use the moment to attack again and so readies himself, only to stop, nose in hand, and watch as the prince moves away from him.
"We're not done here!" Goku cries out from behind his palm. Piccolo pulls at him, but it's of little use. The namekian hasn't even got a fraction of his strength –none of them have. "Vegeta, I said we're not done!"
The prince turns, appearing dreadful. He's sodden in red and it drips down liberally over wounds Goku would love to inflict over and over again.
"Yes, Kakarot, we are."
He parades forward, dodging Mr. Popo and Dende, who try their best to restrain him. "Fight me!"
"Not like this," he spits, "I'm not fighting over this anymore. If you want to chase your fantasies then go ahead and do it, but I refuse to indulge it! Help or don't help the planet then, fine! Have it your way! The Earth doesn't need someone like you anymore. We'll do it ourselves."
Goku's chest depletes and he can't help the humourless laugh which follows. "All this because I just beat you? Talk about a sore loser."
Vegeta scowls; a deep and cold look, spared only for those very rare times of true dislike. Goku remembers seeing it last many, many years ago. "I just realised, fighting you… that whilst you are currently stronger than me, you're also… like Gohan was, mentally weak."
"Y-You bastard," he breathes, and just as he goes to stampede forward for the next attack, a cry follows.
At first, it doesn't register, but when the Supreme Kai, Mr. Popo and Piccolo all crowd around Dende, does he realize that something is wrong. He joins them, transforming down and kneeling beside his fallen friend.
"What is it, Dende?" Piccolo asks; "What happened? Are you alright?"
Dende looks up, pale and wide-eyed. Sweat trickles down green. "I just felt the power leave me… It disappeared… I… I…" He turns to Mr. Popo, grabbing at the genie's Nehru jacket. "The dragon balls, Mr. Popo… they're gone."
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Look, look, fellows, plot is happening! We can see PLOT! I haven't written Goten and Goku for ages and it was really, really hard to face them. The first part of the restaurant scene was written well before Christmas because it was going to be in Chapter 10, and 11... and then 12. Whoops! Well, it's here finally. As much as I feel bad for #SadBoyGoten, I think he can be a bit of a wee wanker, just like pa... just like bro. :) His feminism ideals go as far as 'girl-power' 90's brand of feminism (or Disney feminism, as I call it). Instead of having that respect for Videl's growth, he's struggling to let go. Ha. Themes. Goku, on the other hand is a mess. That's all I have to say there, oh, and please forgive all the characters' shitty opinions on suicide. They're being dumb, and it will be addressed in fic.
Oh yeah, (with talking about Videl changing for her man) I know that Videl cut her hair for Gohan, but Goten was like seven at the time. He doesn't get that, and it stretches far more in importance than that.
I had a question which I can't reply to in Reviews because it's a guest review. Sob. I was so tickled by the question that I couldn't NOT answer it, however, so here we go:"If Gohan and Rixas are going around having sex so freely is there something that prevents gods from reproducing?" No, gods can't reproduce. Gohan isn't quite there (being a god) at the moment, but he's still classed as dead/undead/however you wanna' swing it so he can't reproduce either. Also, I'd LIKE to imagine they're wearing protection. But, yeah man, love it, thanks for the Q.
Thank you as usual to Kags for beta-ing. She did it even though she's busy with all the amazing things she's got going on, including the next chapter for her fic. Also, thanks for all PMs, reviews, favs and follows! Sorry this came out a little later than usual. I'm gonna' be honest and say that I've have had a confidence wobble on it. But fear not, I have no intention in letting it die, especially as we inch ever closer to... Earth stuff. Saying that, I would kindly appreciate your thoughts on the story so far!
Next chapter, we're back to Gohan. I usually take ages to think of names for the chapters but I'm a million percent sure the next one will be called 'Momento Mori' (I'm too proud). Stay tuned!
