A/N- Wow! Thanks for the honest reviews! Keep them coming! I decided to update faster due to popular request. One thing that was brought up was the fact that Gohan killed this criminal. The thought process behind that is that sometimes Gohan loses control of himself. Even though Videl and Gohan have known each other for a week, Gohan still thinks of her as friend and if someone tries to kill one of his friends, we know what can happen. If I were to redo it, I would do it differently but it isn't totally out of the norm for Gohan to do that even though he is pure hearted. I bet if Freeza was a lot weaker, Gohan would have killed him when he stabbed his friend, Krillin.
"I hope you all started working on your research project over the weekend" Mr. R explained to the class walking back and forth. "Those that did start probably came to a dead end. Those that haven't started should soon as this isn't your typical research paper."
Videl sat there with a questionable look on her face. "Mr. R?" Videl asked.
"Yes Ms. Satan." Mr. R pointed towards the back.
"How do you expect us to go about this project? I did a little research over the weekend and like you said, I came to a dead end." Videl explained.
Mr. R stopped pacing in front of the class. "Well Ms. Satan, you bring up a very important point. As you well know this class is one of the most challenging classes at Orange Star. Unlike other classes where you can go online and do some quick research, you will have to go above and beyond that to get an A." He clarified. "You are some of the brightest students in Orange Star so I expect the very best."
"Just great. What does he expect us to do, go to the library? Interview people? Find King Piccolo himself?" Sharpner said sarcastically to his friends. He turned back to see Mr. R staring right at him.
"Why yes Sharpner. I do expect you to go out of your way to do this project. That includes doing research outside of the computer." Mr. R explained.
Gohan sat there slightly concerned. This project doesn't sound good. The last thing I need is for people to connect Piccolo to me. Surely that's impossible as there are no records of me Gohan thought.
The rest of the day went by without much excitement. Gohan felt that he was settling into his new school nicely. Each day, things went by smoother and he started to call Erasa, and to some extent Videl and Sharpner his friends. Thankfully there was no crime today so Gohan didn't have to come up with the bathroom excuse.
"Tomorrow we are going to use what we have learned today with your partners so be ready for a little more physical action." The PE teacher said as the students were eager to get home after a long Monday.
"Well, see you all tomorrow!" Gohan said cheerfully as he walked down the hall.
"Bye Gohan!" Erasa yelled. Gohan waved back at the group and ran upstairs. Videl, Erasa, and Sharpner stood there in their typical postures watching him go upstairs.
"Why do you think he is going upstairs?" Erasa questioned.
"He does have that dynocapsule jet so maybe he does what Videl does and takes off from the top of the building." Sharpner explained. Videl began to frown.
"He better not take my spot! Nobody else goes up there except for me" Videl said.
"Relax! I am sure you two can like share." Erasa said happily.
"Whatever" Videl muttered.
"So have you started that project Videl?" Erasa said changing the subject. Videl turned around to face Erasa. This was something she was interested in.
"I did a little research but came to a dead end like Mr. R said." Videl explained.
"Yeah, like how strange? I spent an hour on Friday seeing if there was any information online but there is like nothing." Erasa said.
"You should have asked nerd boy. I bet he already finished the project." Sharpner added.
"You really like need to stop calling him that!" Erasa said pointing her finger accusingly at Sharpner.
"It just needs to be known that Gohan is a nerd." Sharpner said.
"So what?" Erasa said.
"I'm just saying" Sharpner said casually with his arms crossed.
"Anyway, did you find anything about King Piccolo Sharpner?" Videl asked bring the conversation back on track.
"Didn't even start" Sharpner said.
"Well take a look at this" Videl said pulling out a small binder. She opened it showing a small paragraph printed out. "I found this in the police files." Sharpner and Erasa read over the small paragraph signed by Capsule Corporation about King Piccolo.
"That's it?" Sharpner asked.
"Yeah but look who it's signed by" Videl said.
"Capsule Corporation." Erasa said slowly. "How strange."
"Yeah, I am thinking of going down there and seeing if there is any more information. Perhaps Capsule Corporation has more information in their files." Videl said.
"I want to come. Maybe we will see Bulma Briefs!" Erasa said excitedly. She was practically jumping up and down.
"I doubt it but do you want to go now?" Videl asked.
"Sure." Erasa said with a smile. "Coming Sharpner?" Erasa asked.
"No thanks. I have to work on my muscles this afternoon." Sharpner said flexing his arms.
"Whatever, let's go Erasa." Videl said as they decided to split. Sharpner went on home and Erasa and Videl climb the stairs to the top of Orange Star High.
The flight was only about 15 minutes as Satan City is interconnected with the West City megalopolis. After the first five minutes usually Videl and Erasa would be having a nice conversation but not today.
Something is not right Erasa thought. "Videl, is something the matter?"
Videl sighed as she could never lie to her best friend. "You always did know when something important was on my mind Erasa." Videl said as she remembered what happened on Friday.
"Spill! I want to hear it." Erasa said.
"Well you know about the hold up at the bank on Friday?" Videl asked.
"Yeah! It was all over the news! Some of the police officers died in an explosion!" Erasa said.
"Well when I got there everything was going as planned but one of the criminals blew up the car where the police were taking cover. It scared me as I don't usually deal with people exploding things. This wasn't your typical explosion! It blew the car to bits!" Videl explained staring out the front window.
"How awful!" Erasa said genuinely.
Videl put the jet on autopilot and turned to her best friend. "I know but that isn't what is bothering me" she explained.
"You can tell me Videl. Remember we're best friends!" Erasa said giving some emotional comfort. Videl sighed.
"The guy that exploded the cop car pulled out his gun and pointed it at me. I didn't have time to react and he unloaded a clip straight at me. I was sure that I was dead but for some reason I didn't feel any bullets. It was Saiyaman. He came and rescued me somehow! Do you know how it makes me feel when I am the one needing to be rescued?" Videl asked as she was getting slightly angry.
"Even the best need help sometimes." Erasa said softly.
"Yeah well that's not all of it. Saiyaman got so angry he killed the criminal. I know the criminal is dead but it still scares me to think that I got into that situation. What if next time Saiyaman isn't there?" Videl asked.
"You did your best Videl and that is all that matters. Obviously you were meant to live else Saiyaman wouldn't have come. I would be blessed." Erasa said.
"Yeah you are right. He saved my life and I am so thankful of that but sometimes he just makes me really angry. I can't believe he took my city to patrol!" Videl said with a raised voice.
"Well I guess we should be thankful he did else you might not be here right now." Erasa said.
"I guess so." Videl said. I just wish he would stay out of my business but then again I owe my life to him. If only I knew who he really is. I wish he would just take that stupid helmet off.
"Any luck finding out who he is?" Erasa asked as if she was reading her mind.
"No, but I will!" Videl said with a slight smirk.
"You will never give up." Erasa sighed.
"You are right. How can I trust him when he has to hide himself?" Videl asked.
"Well I think you should show a little more trust as he purposely saved your life." Erasa explained.
"Yeah I guess." Videl said still not convinced. I will find you out even if it's the last thing I do!
"So have you ever been to Capsule Corp.?" Erasa asked her best friend changing the subject. The large dome was in visible distance as Videl flew straight for the landmark.
"Nope. My father hasn't even been here before. I hope they have a visitor's center." Videl said wishfully.
"I don't know if they have a visitor's center at their headquarters. I think when people visit, they usually go to their corporate headquarters in downtown West City." Erasa said.
"Well it's too late now. Either way I am curious to see their compound" Videl said as she landed in front of the large dome. Both of them got out and looked around. Videl was slightly surprised thinking there would be a ton of security but so far there was nothing. There was a long walkway up to what she thought was the front door.
Maybe I should have called first. I hope that I can find something about King Piccolo Videl thought as they got to the front door.
"May I help you?" a voice said from a speaker next to the door. Videl and Erasa were surprised.
"Hello. My friend and I are working on a school project but we both came to a dead end which leads us to Capsule Corporation. We were wondering if we can have some help." Videl said in the most professional voice she could muster.
"Your names please?" the speaker said.
"I am Videl Satan"
"And I am Erasa."
"Please come in." the voice said as the door unlocked. The two students walked in and looked around the large room. A lady who looked very professional walked in from a hallway.
"Hello, my name is Akiko." The lady said happily. "How may I help you?"
Erasa's eyes bulged out. "Wait! You are THE famous scientist Akiko" Erasa squealed.
"Well, I wouldn't go THAT far but yes I am the Akiko you have probably heard of." Akiko said.
"Wouldn't go that far? You are one of the most famous scientists in the World! You work with THE Bulma Briefs! I can't believe I am meeting you!" Erasa countered extending her arm and shaking hands with Akiko.
"Pleasure to meet you." Akiko said shaking hands with both of them. "So how may I help the crime fighter of Satan City and her friend?"
"We have a project but I have a quick question first." Videl said.
"Shoot." Akiko said.
"Why was it you that came to the front door? Isn't there a visitor's center or something like that?" Videl said.
"Well Ms. Satan, while this is the Capsule Corporations Headquarters, most employees work downtown in the Capsule Corporation towers and underground lab. Bulma lives here along with her family and a select few scientist's work here alongside Bulma." Akiko explained.
"Wow! That is incredible!" Erasa said excitedly.
Videl cleared her throat. "Yeah. So we are here because we have a research project and we came to a dead end. I was wondering if I could have access to the Capsule Corporation files in order to pursue this project." Videl said professionally.
"Sure. It would be my pleasure to help out someone as brave as you are. Might I ask what the project is on?" Akiko asked.
Before Videl could say anything the door in which they came through opened once again. Videl and Erasa turned around and both were completely surprised. Gohan stood in the doorway confused to why his two classmates were there.
"Gohan!" Erasa said surprised.
Gohan looked at her two classmates in utter shock. Oh no! What are they doing here? Gohan thought as he slowly walked in and shut the door behind him.
"You know Gohan?" Akiko asked Erasa and Videl.
Videl was taken back. What could he be doing here? Did he follow us here? Wait a sec. Akiko knows Gohan? Videl thought as her mind was racing.
"You know Akiko?" Videl asked Gohan.
"Umm." Gohan was at a loss of words. He knew that Akiko was well known. What was he suppose to say? Was he suppose to just be truthful and say that he knew Bulma very well and that he would oftentimes help her on projects?
"Well?" Videl said getting slightly irritated. What is his secret Videl thought.
"Umm, I- I sometimes help out Akiko on projects at Capsule Corp." Gohan said stuttered. Well it's partially true even though I usually help Bulma.
"But Gohan? How? That's incredible but with your smarts I wouldn't be too surprised." Erasa said.
Something is not right. How would Gohan help out Akiko when she works closely with Bulma Briefs? Is it possible that Gohan actually knows Bulma Briefs? Not even my father knows her. There is more than meets the eye with Gohan. Videl said as she looked at Gohan like a piece of meat.
Saying Gohan was nervous is an understatement. He could feel his heart pounding his chest as this was not the way to lay low in high school. Just my luck! I mean really. I should have been able to sense Videl inside before I came in because she has a higher than normal power level. Man, not training is taking its toll! Maybe Vegeta was right. Gohan's eyes bulged for a second. I forgot about Vegeta! I hope he doesn't come out of the gravity room!
"Wha- What are you guys doing here?" Gohan asked.
"Well we came to work on that project Mr. R gave us." Erasa explained. "What are you doing here Gohan?"
"Umm" Gohan was once again at a loss of words. How did they make the connection between Piccolo and Capsule Corp? It must be a coincidence. He looked over at Akiko in a desperate plea. Akiko was aware that Gohan was trying to keep himself quiet in high school. Bulma had told her that his godson was entering high school.
"He came to work with me." Akiko said.
"Gohan ! I knew I heard your voice! What can I do for my godson today?"
Erasa and Videl turned around to see who said that. There stood someone who looked just like Bulma Briefs!
Bulma you have impeccable timing Gohan thought as he began to sweat. Crap.
"OH MY GOD!" Erasa squealed.
Reviewers…
NANLIT- Thanks so much for the review! There will be a lot of "finding out" things by Videl :)
Mr. Blue22- Something like that might happen. Thanks for the suggestion!
Agent 004 Taco Cat- Thanks for the honest review. I hope my explination at the beginning may shet a little light. I think I PM'd you. I hope you like this fic more as I get further into it.
Esaria- Thanks for the review! Hope what I said at the top may shed a little light to why Gohan killed the criminal. Oh it will definitely get more interesting.
ggf31416- Perhaps or maybe it was Capsule Corp. that didn't want it to be public. I am not sure yet myself lol. It will be said in time. Whoever/whatever it was probably has a lot of power whether it be money or political.
The0Blind0Writer- Thanks so much for the suggestions. I am still not sure where I am going in this fic although somewhere.
Damex- I continued! Hope you like it!
A/N- Next chappie should be out within a week possibly sooner considering my last estimate :D The next chappie will likely be longer also.