Author's note: Hello guys! Sorry for taking two years to write chapter 2! I became a Christian apologist during my time away, and on top of running a blog, I also self-published a book, and I am currently working on creating a Batman fan film that I plan to try and get into some local theaters. Recently, I decided to return to this project so that I can bring the story of Gohan Jr. to a close, and let me be the one to tell you that I have some huge plans for this story; as I told a friend recently, Gohan Jr. is about to go down the rabbit hole, and hopefully by the end of this story, you'll be satisfied with the way things end. While there isn't as much fighting going on in this chapter, things will pick up considerably in chapter 3 and beyond. Without further ado, here is chapter 2 for your reading!
Chapter 2
Landing in an alley in the middle of downtown, Saiyaman turned off his cloaking device before opening a manhole on the other side of a dumpster. Leaping down into the darkness, Saiyaman splashed down into the sewers, his presence causing the rats along the walls to scurry. As the sound of rushing and dripping water filled his ears, Saiyaman reached behind his back and pulled out his double-barreled shotgun, leaving his BFG-9000 strapped behind his back. Mounting the butt of the gun against his shoulder, Saiyaman looked down the sight for a few seconds before making his way down a pathway into the rushing darkness.
I sure hope David Loko isn't leading me on a wild goose chase; these hiding Christians have the information I need to know about how this world I'm in works.
Taking a left at the T-shaped intersection, Saiyaman made his way to a corner, which he turned; waiting for him was a large open room with pipes over his head and several different openings in the walls. Sensing a drop ahead, Saiyaman jumped into the open space of the room, water splashing around him as it came up to his hips.
If I remember correctly, NERV had a secret bunker down here in the sewers, one which I am pretty sure was abandoned long before my fight against Gendo. With any luck, these Christians are hiding out there.
Seeing a door on the left-hand corner of the opposite side of the room, Saiyaman trudged through the water and stepped up into the walkway of the door. Looking down the rat-infested corridor, Saiyaman could sense that rats covered the floor and walls of where he needed to go. Gritting his teeth, Saiyaman growled as he powered up, his golden aurora surrounding him as fire. Walking down the hallway with his weapon at the ready, the sound of a horde of scurrying rats filled his ears as he approached a corner turning right. As Saiyaman turned the corner, he noticed that he was at the top of a large pool. As Saiyaman put his double-barreled shotgun back on his back mount, he could sense a doorway about 45 feet under the water.
Time for a little swim.
Diving into the water, Saiyaman collected his bearings before swimming towards the doorway. Sensing hostile energy signals, Saiyaman whipped around to see that he was being chased by a pack of 40-foot alligators, 12 in total, that were coming from above and below. Powering up, Saiyaman fired a tennis ball-sized ball of energy at each alligator, blowing them into pieces. Saiyaman then lowered his hands as he scanned the room to see if there were anymore.
Doesn't appear to be anymore. I wonder how they got so big down here?
Turning back towards the doorway at the bottom, Saiyaman swam through it and found himself in a tunnel with a current that was blasting him in the face. Swimming through it, Saiyaman twisted and turned around several corners before he found himself swimming up into a small pool. Coming up out of the water, Saiyaman noticed that he was in a very large room that had to be the size of a couple standard hangars, and right above him was what looked like the edge of a landing pad. Floating up out of the water, Saiyaman came up over the edge to see a large group of people staring at him in horror. As Saiyman looked around at the scattered blankets, pillows, food, and other belongings, the people began screaming.
"INTRUDER! GET THE ENFORCERS OVER HERE!"
Snapping to attention, Saiyaman landed on the ground, his golden aurora blazing while several men came rushing down a ramp that descended from an upper door on the other side of the landing pad. As the men surrounded him, Saiyaman noticed that they were all armed with the same green machine guns that he used to make on a regular basis back when his weapons business was thriving.
"What is your business here, Intruder?" demanded one of the men, his eyes widened by the intimidation of Saiyaman's golden aurora and black body armor. Saiyaman looked at the gun he was holding.
"Those weapons I made look nice in your hands," said Saiyaman as he looked around at the group. The men seemed to vary in age, some older than 50 and some younger than 25, but none younger than 19. Their clothes were worn and torn, which was to be expected. One man in particular, who looked to be in his late 20s and had ragged blonde hair, lowered his weapon as his eyes lit up.
"Guys! Don't you recognize him? It's Saiyaman! He's on our side!"
Tossing his weapon to the ground, the man ran up Saiyaman and gave him a big hug. The other men lowered their weapons, sensing that there wasn't any danger. Saiyaman looked at the man hugging him, and took a step back, getting out of the hug.
"Do I know you?" asked the Darkness of Justice.
"I'm sorry! I should have remembered that you might not recognize me after 12 years; it's me, Patrick. From the Youth Group," said Patrick with a smile.
"It's impressive that you didn't get rounded up for the institutions."
"I managed to go underground before the main efforts at rounding up the Christians began. I was beginning to lose hope after all these years, but now that you're here, maybe we can make things right again!"
"Take me to your leader; he and I need to talk
"Of course!"
Patrick lead the way towards the ramp with Saiyaman in tow, and the rest of the men followed suit. After going through the doorway at the top of the ramp, Saiyaman noticed that they were passing through what looked like the remains of guards quarters, except the bunks and hallways were now filled with Christians in hiding. Patrick led Saiyaman into the main war room, which was full of tables with maps and Bibles, and men surrounding the tables. One man in particular stood out as the leader; although he was dressed in black motorcycle armor from head to toe, Saiyaman could recognize those black eyes and brown hair anywhere. As Saiyaman took the lead and walked past Patrick, the leader looked up from his Bible towards Saiyaman.
"You haven't changed much, Thomas," muttered Saiyaman.
"It is good to see you too, Saiyaman," said Thomas as he stood up and shook Saiyaman's hand.
"Who would have known that you had the strength to lead a group of people in a rebellious, underground kind of way?"
"I know! I never thought this would happen when I was growing up, but it is what it is."
"I need information about what is going on up on the surface."
"Come with me then."
Thomas led Saiyaman into a private room while everyone else stayed in the main room. After closing the door behind them, Thomas sat down on an old mattress, setting his Bible on a box that served as a nightstand. Saiyaman pulled up another box and sat on it like a chair. Sorrow creeped into Thomas' eyes as he looked down at his lap.
"So many believers got rounded up and put in those institutions; almost everyone I know is in one of them," said Thomas.
"That's what David Loko told me earlier tonight," said Saiyaman as Thomas looked up at him.
"You saw David?!"
"Yes. He was being attacked by an android. The android identified itself as Android 21, Model 105."
"Those guys are the standard ground troopers for the New World Coalition."
"The what now?"
"The New World Coalition is the One World Government; these guys take dictatorship to a whole new level. They came into existence shortly after you disappeared, and they decided in the aftermath of the last invasion from Hell that the Christians were somehow to blame for the world's armies' inability to fight off the invaders without your help. Those android 21's were created by a scientist named Woodrow Gero, a relative of the infamous Dr. Gero of the Red Ribbon Army from way back when."
"My ancestors fought Dr. Gero and his androids; I never though I would end up having to fight them one day."
"I've never seen anything beyond the standard ground troopers, but I'm sure that Gero has created all kinds of nasty killing machines behind the scenes, just waiting to try them out on something."
"What is civilian life like on the surface?"
"You don't do, say, think, or believe anything without the Coalition's approval."
"That bad, eh? How do you think the people will react to seeing me again after 12 years?"
"Some might appreciate it, but others might turn you into the androids to get a reward."
"What happens if I get caught?"
"They'll probably send you to the institutions with the rest of the Christians. I couldn't tell you about all the horror stories I've heard coming out of those places."
"I won't get caught."
"Good."
"I need to go to West City now; I need to see if my friends and family are still there."
"Alright, but before you go, I need you to do something for me."
"What is it?"
"As far as I know, Rachel from our old youth group is still out there. I was hoping you could find her before you leave town."
"I'll look into it before I turn in for the night."
"God bless you, Gohan Jr."
Saiyaman gave Thomas a stern look before turning and opening the door. As Saiyaman left the room, Thomas looked at the doorway, a look of concern on his face...
…...
After swimming back up to the top of the large room where he fought off the alligators, Saiyaman began making his way down the corridors of the sewers again. As the sounds of rats and rushing water blazed around him, Saiyaman's thoughts turned inward.
Why are you doing this for them? They follow a God that took everything from you: Your house, your money, your technology, and your woman. You don't seriously worship this being, do you?
Back in the alley, the cover to the manhole was lifted as Saiyaman crawled out of the sewers. Pressing a button on his wrist, Saiyaman's cloaking device activated before he started floating up to the top of the building next to him. Setting down on the rooftop, Saiyaman closed his eyes.
Where is Rachel's energy signature?
After searching for a few moments, Saiyaman found it. Opening his eyes, the Darkness of Justice flew off towards the middle of downtown. Landing on top of a building across from what used to be a Baptist church, Saiyaman took a knee as rain started pouring harder. Saiyaman's eyes squinted as he saw the door to the church burst open, children and young adults pouring out down the steps. Turning his head away, Saiyaman gritted his teeth as the memories of his childhood flooded into his head. Saiyaman jerked his head back around in time to see a late 20s, black-haired woman walk out the door. Dressed in blue jeans and a red halter-top that showed off her chest, Rachel looked up in Saiyaman's direction just as his cloaking device wore off. As Saiyaman slowly stood up, Rachel looked away and started walking towards an alley on the side of the church. As Rachel looked back to see if Saiyaman was still up there, she rounded the corner and ran into Saiyaman's chest. After bouncing off, Rachel looked up in horror.
"Don't scream, Rachel," muttered Saiyaman, his icy stare bearing down on Rachel.
"What are you doing here, Gohan Jr.?" asked Rachel as she brought her hand to her chest, revealing what looked like a black square in her wrist.
"What's that thing in your wrist?"
"It's the Coalition's ID chip."
"What does it do?"
"It allows us to buy and sell."
"And what happens to those who don't have this chip?"
"They go to prison, or the institutions"
Saiyaman turned his head to the side as he looked down at the ground, shock filling the eyes that remained hidden from Rachel.
Why does that sound like Revelation 13?!
Looking back up at Rachel, Saiyaman stared into Rachel's eyes, the fire of his youth returning to him as he read Rachel's eyes.
"You abandoned the Christian Faith, didn't you?" asked Saiyaman.
"Gohan..."
"What about all those nights at the mansion where we had youth group? All those Bible studies and prayer sessions, all the conversations; did it even mean anything to you?! How could you betray Thomas and Patrick like that?"
"I had to grow up and face reality, Gohan."
His eyes widening in shock, Saiyaman fought to control the feeling of helplessness that was swelling up in him. Balling up his fists, Saiyaman turned around and took a couple steps forward before stopping. Turning his head to the right without turning around, Saiyaman's eyes glared at Rachel.
"You were never a believer."
Looking back ahead of him, Saiyaman flew off into the sky as Rachel looked on, a sad look on her face as she turned towards the street...
…...
Saiyaman landed among the ruins of his mansion, and made his way through the rubble. After finding the ventilation shaft, Saiyaman hovered down to his lair, which was still partially covered with the liquid from the healing capsule. His feet squeaking on the floor, Saiyaman walked over to his super computers and set down his BFG-9000 and double-barreled shotgun across the top of one keyboard. Turning his attention to the other keyboard, Saiyaman removed the ammo straps from around his torso and set them across the top of the other keyboard.
I saw the mansion on my way here; the devices that gave me internet connection are busted. There's no point to trying to use my computers to learn anything. I might as well make myself comfortable in the closet, try to get some sleep before David Loko shows up.
Walking into the closet where his weapons and armor was, Gohan Jr. transformed back into his normal state before moving all the boxes on the ground to a corner. When Gohan Jr. came to the last box to move, he noticed that it was full of camping gear.
"I guess Fredrick forgot to make note of that in the video he left me," muttered Gohan Jr. as he took off his mask and armor, leaving him covered in his black jumpsuit as he unpacked the box. Several minutes later, Gohan Jr. found himself laying up against the wall of his closet, bundled up in his sleeping bag...
…...
The sun was beginning to set as the doors to an independent theater in West City opened up, revealing a crowd of sixth and seventh graders walking through the door towards their yellow school bus, which sat on the curb in the street. Walking out from behind the group was a 12-year-old Gohan Jr., dressed up in black cross-trainer shoes, red athletic shorts, and a red short-sleeved athletic shirt. Taking a right at the doors, Gohan Jr. started walking down the street by all the spherical and pole-shaped buildings. As he was passing an alley, the sound of screams reached his ears. Turning and looking down the Alley, Gohan Jr. didn't see anything, but he noticed that there was an alley within the alley. Running towards it, Gohan Jr. turned the corner and saw a beautiful blue-haired girl getting mugged by two middle-aged men dressed in dark colored clothes.
"LEAVE HER ALONE!" raged Gohan Jr., his teeth clenched as his power level began to rise, his blood boiling as the men turned towards him briefly.
"Get lost!" said one of them before they started snickering and tearing at the girl's clothes.
"I SAID LEAVE HER ALONE!" raged Gohan Jr. as his aurora started blazing, his hair flashing from black to gold and back. The two men turned towards Gohan Jr. in horror, their eyes wide as saucers. Gohan Jr. let loose a scream as blinding light came bursting out of him, temporarily blinding the men. When the smoke cleared, the men looked in horror as Gohan Jr. stood tall, his green eyes staring them down as his golden aurora swirled around his golden hair.
"I told you to leave her alone," barked Gohan Jr. as he moved quickly, standing before the two men before a thought could register in their brains. One of the men tried to punch Gohan Jr., but felt every bone in his hand break upon making contact. As he screamed in pain, Gohan Jr. grabbed the other man by the scruff of his shirt and chucked back towards the alley that Gohan Jr. had entered in. As that man hit the wall, Gohan Jr. turned back to the one that had punched him; grabbing him by the scruff of his shirt, Gohan Jr. pulled him close, the anger and rage filling every line on his face.
"Don't kill me man! Please don't kill me!" begged the thug.
"If you don't want to die, then you better get out of here and tell all your friends about me," growled Gohan Jr.
"Who are you?!"
"Saiyaman is back."
Saiyaman then chucked the thug at his buddy, and turned toward the girl. As the two thugs recovered and scrambled out of the alley, the girl stared into Gohan Jr.'s eyes. Dressed in yoga pants and a loose-hanging white t-shirt, the girl gave a smile.
"Thank you for saving me, Saiyaman," she glowed.
"What's your name?" asked Gohan Jr.
"Lediv."
"Well Lediv, get home safe."
Gohan Jr. flew up to the top of the building in front of him, and then towards the middle of West City. As the grounds and structure of the Capsule Corporation came into view, Gohan Jr.'s vision began to go white...
…...
A white ceiling, covered in brown splotches, filled his view, and the sound of voices reached his ears.
Why can't I move?! What's going on?
As the voices continued to blur together, his vision began to go white, the light drowning out all other sights...