Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or have any rights to it.
Neo arrived at Capsule Corp. Gohan, Videl, Bulma, Trunks, Goten, Piccolo, and Vegeta were all sitting around Tapion. They all looked up when they sensed Neo. Neo landed and sat next to Gohan, listening carefully as Tapion began his story.
"It all began when an evil group of wizards brought a statue to life. That statue became a monster known as Hirudegarn, the creature that attacked the city earlier. All hope seemed lost, until my people found a sword and two ocarinas." Tapion showed the group his sword and ocarina. "Using the ocarinas, my brother Minosha and I were able to paralyze the monster, long enough for another among to use this sword to cut him in half. However, Hirudegarn did not die, so the top half of him was sealed away within me, while the bottom half was sealed in my brother. We both understood that we were doing the right thing, so we did not object to our fate. To further ensure that Hirudegarn wouldn't return, we were sealed away, each within our own music box. The boxes were scattered to opposite ends of the universe."
"That's not fair," said Trunks. "Nobody deserves to be locked up like that!"
"We didn't like it either Trunks," replied Tapion. "The threat of Hirudegarn was far too great, and now I fear that the evil wizard, Hoy, has disposed of my brother. It was the bottom half, that attack the city."
Piccolo spoke up. "If you have the top half within you, and the bottom half is now loose, then what's stopping the top half from joining up with the bottom?"
"I can keep Hirudegarn within me as long as I'm awake, but he will most likely escape if I fall asleep."
"I might be able to help you out," said Bulma. "I've been researching the material that your enchanted music box was made of, and I might be able to replicate it."
"Are you serious?" Tapion sounded hopeful, as well as surprised.
"Yes. I could make a larger room that you could stretch your legs in, and catch up on your sleep with. It would help prevent the top half of Hirudegarn from escaping."
"That's great, thank you."
"Hold on," said Piccolo in a sobering way. "The bottom half is still out there. We'll have to deal with it as well."
Vegeta put on his characteristic smirk. "Leave that to me. I can handle it."
"Don't underestimate him Vegeta," replied Tapion. "Hirudegarn might have abilities that even I do not know of."
"Don't worry," added Gohan. "I'm sure we can handle it."
Bulma stood up. "I'll get started on your new room Tapion."
"I'll watch over the Earth from the lookout," said Piccolo as he took off.
Everyone else dispersed to do various things. Vegeta made his way back to the gravity room, while Trunks and Goten dragged Tapion into Capsule Corp. to play with one of Trunks' many toys.
Gohan, Videl, and Neo were left standing in Capsule Corp's front yard. Neither one of them had decided what they would do next.
"I guess that means we're free for the day until something comes up," said Videl.
"Hey Neo, do you want a Saiyaman outfit?" asked Gohan as he showed off his own. Videl clapped in enjoyment, while Neo simply stared at him with a twitching eye. "Hey Neo, are you checking this out?" Gohan struck a few more posses.
"That…looks great Gohan…but it's not…it's not really my thing." Neo was never a fan of the Saiyaman outfit. In fact, he actually thought it was a terrible fashion statement even though it passed as a super heroes' outfit. Mom never mentioned dad dressing up like that…I guess this is just another difference in the timelines.
"Hey Neo, I think we should tell Krillin about this situation," said Gohan.
Neo and Videl both agreed and the three of them took off for Kame House. The flight was mostly silent as neither one of them had anything to say. Each was lost in their thoughts.
Neo was thinking about this situation, and whether it ever happened in his own timeline. Mom did mention a giant monster. She said that there was a peculiar spiky haired man, who stopped the beast by playing some sort of musical instrument, and then gave Trunks his sword. Bulma from his time had late spoken of a music box, and how Glorft had destroyed it, and then killed both the monster and the spiky haired warrior. That was the same battle where his father had died.
Videl was not thinking about the current situation at all. She had recently noticed a sort of connection between Gohan and Neo. I think Gohan might know something about him. Come to think of it, they do look somewhat alike. Their faces look similar…except for the eyes and his hair…although the hair is similar. His eyes are blue…like my eyes, but different. The only eyes that match his are Eighteen's. It must be a coincidence. I doubt he's related to her, though he is a saiyan. Could he be related to Gohan?
Gohan knew that Neo was his son, but he was still trying to figure out who the mother was. Although he would never admit it, he wanted to father Neo in this timeline, or at least wanted a child that would end up like him. He hoped that Videl was the mother, and reasoned that both her and Neo's eyes were blue.
Kame House came into view within a few minutes. Krillin was standing outside, playing with Marron. Roshi was in his usual spot on a lounge chair with dirty magazine in hand.
Krillin immediately sensed the three approaching powers and looked up with a smile. "Hey you three. What's up?"
"Hi Krillin," said Gohan as he, Videl, and Neo landed.
"We have a bit of a problem," said Neo.
Krillin scratched his head and raise an eyebrow. "What kind of problem?"
"There's some sort of giant monster that may or may not appear," said Gohan. That explanation only earned a confused glance from both Krillin and Master Roshi. "Um…it's a bit complicated, but basically there's an evil wizard who's trying to unleash an evil monster, like with Babidi and Buu. He was able to successfully release to lower half of the monster, but the upper portion is sealed away within an alien named Tapion. Tapion is a good person, and he's been trying to keep the upper half locked away in him."
Krillin let out a sigh. "Just when I thought the world was safe…at least until that Glorft guy came. Anyway, do you guys think you can beat this monster?"
"I'm pretty sure we can handle the lower half at least," stated Neo. "Though it's power might increase if the two halves are joined together."
"Well…I wouldn't be worried," said Krillin as he picked Marron up. "I mean, you and Gohan were both strong enough to beat Buu, and Vegeta's gotten a lot stronger as well. I'm sure you three won't have any trouble handling this monster. By the way, does it have a name?"
"It's called Hirudegarn," said Videl.
"Hirudegarn? Well…good luck with that, I've got to change Marron's diaper now. Thanks for keeping me informed and be careful."
"Take care Krillin," said Gohan as he, Videl, and Neo took off.
Eighteen came outside a few moments later. "Who was here Krillin?"
"It was Gohan, Neo, and Videl. They came to warn us about some monster. Don't worry though, they've got it under control."
"Right…" Neo was here? I wish I could've talked to him. There's something oddly familiar about him.
Krillin tilted his head to the side. "Is something wrong Eighteen?"
She shook her head. "No. I'm fine, but you should change Marron. She's starting to stink."
Later that day, Neo was relaxing atop Kami's lookout. At the moment, there was nothing he or any of the others could do. They could only wait until the lower half of Hirudegarn showed itself. Dende was keeping an ever-vigilant eye out while Mr. Popo was watering the plants. Piccolo was meditating, his highly tuned senses primed to detect the slightest disturbance.
He sat up when he sensed his father, Gohan approaching the lookout. Father? Why's he coming here?
Piccolo's eyes opened just as Gohan touched down on the lookout. "Hello Gohan. This is a pleasant surprise."
"Hey everyone. I just wanted to tell you that Bulma's almost done making Tapion's room."
"That's great," replied Neo.
Piccolo looked between the two with a curious expression. I've noticed something about those two. They seem quite similar, though Neo has a tougher edge to him. Neo also looks up to Gohan the way Gohan used to look up to Goku.
Gohan and Neo started talking about random things that were going on in the world. Gohan was now going to college, as was Videl. They would both be in different colleges, yet each could fly and therefore commute from home and visit each other whenever they wanted.
Piccolo decided to approach them about a topic that had been on his mind for some time. Clearing his throat, he caught their attention. "Um, excuse me you two. There's something I've been meaning to ask the two of you."
"What is it Piccolo?" asked Gohan. Dende, and Mr. Popo decided to listen in as well.
"Well…I've been noticing some similarities between you two." He turned to Neo. "Forgive me if I'm wrong, but is Gohan your father?"
Dende and Mr. Popo were taken aback, but Gohan and Neo didn't seem phased at all. Gohan actually didn't seem surprised at all, since he already knew the answer to that question. He gave Neo a look that told him that he was all right with him spilling the beans, at least to these three.
Neo nodded, and then started his explanation. "I am Gohan's son, but I won't be born in this reality."
"Can you know that for sure?" asked Piccolo.
"I am sure," replied Neo. "That's because Videl is not my mother."
Everyone turned to Gohan to see what his reaction would be. Gohan looked disappointed, but there was no visible sign of discomfort.
"I understand," replied Gohan as he smiled. "Don't worry. This doesn't change anything between us. I just hope your real mother is happy in this dimension, wherever she is."
Neo smiled back. We were at her house a few hours while ago.
After that, they all talked about mundane things until the sun started setting. Gohan left, leaving Neo and Piccolo on the lookout alone. Dende had gone inside to assist Mr. Popo with various tasks.
"So Neo, who is your mother." Piccolo asked the question casually, however, he had already formed some conclusion in his head. It was something he felt could cause a problem later on should the identity of Neo's parents be revealed.
Neo turned to Piccolo with a raised eyebrow. Well…that question came out of the blue. "Why do you ask?"
"I've noted the obvious similarity between you and someone else I know. In fact, I'm surprised that nobody else has figure it out yet, or has dismissed it as coincidence."
"Who do you think I look like?"
"You're appearance closely resembles that of Seventeen, Eighteen's brother. You're bulkier than he is, but the eyes and the hairstyle make an obvious resemblance. I know that your father had to be a saiyan since there are no female saiyans left. You're Gohan's son, and to resemble Seventeen like that, there's only one possible candidate for who your mother would be."
Neo let out a sigh and decided to come clean. "Alright, I'll tell, but you already know the answer. You've been correct on every point. My mother is, in fact, Eighteen."
Piccolo nodded and smiled. "It's ironic, but I suppose the others must've forgotten about Seventeen for the most part. That's why they didn't have a clue of who you were. I can also understand why you wouldn't want anyone to know the identity of both your parents."
"They each have their own wonderful relationships in this timeline. I don't want to bring strife into any of that. Please keep this a secret."
Piccolo nodded. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe. I don't know how those two ended up together in your timeline…and I don't really want to know, but I'll still accept you as a friend."
"Thanks Piccolo."
Neo knew that he could trust Piccolo like his father could. The one thing that worried him was the semi-obvious similarity between him and his mother. Piccolo was smart and would obviously be one of the first to deduce such facts, but it would only be a matter of time before someone else decided to think on the topic and come to their own conclusion.
It's been a while since I updated this, and I'm not entirely sure hw long it'll be before it finishes. Since this is my first story, it'll be ironic if I finish it last. I hope you enjoy and review. Also, I have a picture of Neo on my profile so if you want to see what he looks like, you can go there.