Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z
Gohan: Protector of Earth
Chapter 15:
What had started out as a peaceful and entertaining tournament had taken a swift turn as a result of the last two matches. What was the common factor between the two matches? Both involved the mysterious duo of Liev and Tasids and both involved the act of them crushing their opponent. As a result of Tasids sadistic nature, Videl lay motionless on the outside of the ring, unaware of her surroundings or her injuries. The crowd was stunned and the announcer was concerned, not only for the wellbeing of Videl but for the entire tournament. Would it be safe to continue with two sadistic and evil competitors still alive in the brackets? That decision would have to wait, ultimately, as the priority at the moment was the well being of everyone's hero Videl.
Hercule Satan sat in his dressing room, lying on his couch and eating a bowl of strawberries. His inflated ego allowed him to relax in situations others would fret over. His relaxation would not continue though as he was interrupted again by the same tournament official.
"Um Mr. Satan, can I have a word with you."
"What is it? Can't you see I am preparing for my next match?"
"It is about your daughter sir."
"Oh yea, Videl is fighting now. So how did she do? What am I talking, she is my daughter; of course she won. I mean after all, I did teach her everything I know."
"Sir, your daughter lost the match."
"She lost the match, impossible! Go check again, you must have gotten your facts wrong."
"No sir, I am one hundred percent positive. But that is not the issue. She was badly injured in the match and is currently being treated. Sir, she is not in good shape."
Hercule sat upright, shocked at this sudden announcement.
"I have to see my baby, she needs me," said Hercule before running out of the dressing room as fast as he could.
A group of paramedics ran over to Videl in preparation to load her into the ambulance but were stopped by one of the competitors.
"Sir, we have to take her to the hospital. You have to get out of the way."
"You are not taking her anywhere. I will help her myself."
"You cannot do that. She needs to go to a hospital immediately. She has been severely injured in her match and requires emergency medical attention."
Gohan gently knelt over Videl and proceeded to pick her up slowly and carry her over to the waiting area. The announcer stepped in front of him before he could reach the area however.
"Sir, what are you doing? She needs to go to a hospital."
"Don't worry. I am going to give her medicine that will heal her completely. It is imperative I get it to her as quickly as possible though."
"I would like to believe you but after what just happened I would feel better if she was looked at by a doctor."
"What if I told you my father was Goku, former champion of this tournament. Would that ease your apprehension at all?"
"Goku had two sons?" After looking at Gohan for a couple seconds the announcer could tell there were definite physical similarities between the two. "Take good care of her."
"I will."
Gohan walked over to Piccolo and handed her over to him.
"Here, I will be back in a second. I just need to pay Korin a quick visit."
Gohan used the instant transmission and reappeared in front of Korin and Yagirobe a second later.
"Gohan, long time no see. What brings about this unexpected visit?"
"I need some senzu beans. It is urgent."
"Of course, that is the only reason anyone ever comes here. You people never come to say hello or ask how I am doing. All you want are my beans."
"I am sorry Korin, I would love to stay and visit but things are urgent."
"Very well, I will get you some senzu beans. I can't say no to Earth's hero."
Korin grabbed a small bag of beans and tossed them over to Gohan.
"I only have a few but I should have some more in a few days if you need them."
"Thanks but this should be more than enough. Bye Korin, Yagirobe."
Meanwhile, at the tournament, the announcer had put a temporary hold on the matches until Gohan returned. People were not so much interested in the tournament as they were in the well being of Videl. Fans sat worriedly, unsure of why a strange boy took hold of Videl and prevented her from going to the hospital. The announcer told them he was getting special medicine to treat Videl but people were still skeptical. The first round of the tournament was not yet complete yet the fans had grown to despise nearly all of the competitors. The lack of sympathy displayed throughout the tournament was too much for some people to handle. Parents were starting to regret having brought their children to this morbid event.
The tension in the crowd broke as Hercule arrived to the ring, fervidly running up to the announcer.
"Where is my daughter? What hospital did they take her to?"
"She is not in a hospital, she is being held in the waiting area."
"What! Why is she not at the hospital? I thought she needed medical treatment?"
"One of the competitors is retrieving medicine for her. I trust he will be back soon and Videl should be okay."
"What kind of medicine can just fix a person? Videl is going to a hospital if I have to carry her there myself."
Hercule ran furiously into the waiting area in pursuit of his daughter. What he saw there was even too much for him to handle. Hercule stood there, stunned and afraid, as he looked at his unconscious daughter in the hands of that ever familiar green man. A flood of memories flashed before Hercule's mind: the events of the Cell Games, how he took credit for that boy's victory, how he hid like a coward yet became the hero of the world. Did those fighter's return to take that which was most precious to him, his daughter's life? Even if that was their motive, Hercule knew there was nothing he could do. They were far superior to him in every way. For the first time since that fateful day, Hercule relented what he did. For the first time, Hercule wished he had acknowledged the true hero and savior of the world. Hercule stared in fear at the green man and his daughter, finally finding the resolve to go up to him in order to recover his daughter. Even if the man was going to kill him, he could not allow the same fate to befall his daughter. As Hercule approached the green man slowly from the side, he tried to think of the best technique that would allow at least his precious Videl to survive. Before Hercule could reach the green man, the boy from earlier appeared out of thin air in front of him. The surprise knocked Hercule on his butt and immobilized him from action. Hercule watched as the boy put a strange bean in Videl's mouth and he continued to watch for a few seconds until Videl opened her eyes and stood up by her own free will.
"What happened, what is going on?" asked Videl.
"You lost the match but luckily you are alright," said Gohan.
"I lost? I remember him holding me by the head and punching me but I can't remember anything after that."
"You fought against a superior fighter. You are lucky to be alive," said Vegeta emotionlessly.
"Videl!" yelled Hercule. Everyone looked over to see the champion sitting on his butt, trembling. "What is going on? What are you doing with those people? Did he do this to you?" said Hercule pointing to Piccolo.
Piccolo looked disgustingly to the side, choosing to not dignify that accusation with a response.
"Dad, if it were not for them, I would still be unconscious and probably dead."
"Well then, who did this to you?"
Videl turned her head and pointed over to Tasids. The fighter stood in the same place, along side Live, smiling back at Videl. His crooked and sinister smile remained the same as when he had tortured Videl just minutes earlier in the ring. This time though, he shared his glances with Gohan, expecting him to be the next of his victims.
"That pipsqueak did this to you. Well I'll kill him. Nobody hurts my baby and gets away with it."
Hercule stood up and started to walk over to Tasids until his path was blocked by Gohan.
"You can't go over there sir."
"And why the hell not? He has to pay for what he did to my baby girl."
"He will pay, but nothing will be accomplished by you getting yourself killed. If you fight him, he will kill you."
"Kid, who do you think you are talking to? I am the martial arts champion of the world, nobody can hurt me."
"This is not the time for your lies. Who do you think you are talking to?"
Hercule looked at Gohan for a second before a light bulb flashed in his head, the green man, the short guy with spiky black hair, and this kid. The kid standing before him Hercule estimated was eighteen years old. At the time of the Cell games he would have been around eleven years in age. He had to be the one.
"You are him. You are the kid that fought Cell."
"I am the person who defeated Cell. I am the person whose family and friends were defamed by you while you took credit for something you could not do."
Hercule stumbled back a couple steps and turned to look at his daughter.
"Videl, you need to stay away from these people."
"Why is that dad? Gohan is my friend, he was nice enough to train me and help me just now. His family and his friends have been nothing but nice to me. Whereas all you have done is taken credit for Gohan's accomplishment. All you are is a fake who cares about fame and money more than anything else."
"Videl, please I…"
"Save it dad. Just go back to your dressing room and relax until your next fight, I am fine now. I don't need your help."
The dejected Hercule looked at his daughter one last time before turning around. He walked slowly back to his dressing room. In what seemed like only a matter of seconds, Hercule's whole world came crashing down on him. His fear of becoming exposed as a fraud was secondary to him now. What he worried most about now was losing his daughter.
"Videl, you should go out and acknowledge the crowd. The whole tournament has been put on hold until more was discovered about your condition."
"Okay, I will walk out with you for your match."
Gohan nodded to Videl and turned to walk out to the ring, trailed behind by Videl. As soon as the crowd saw Videl, walking and seemingly okay, they erupted into a frenzy of cheers. People were no longer mourning for her but praising her recovery as a miracle from god.
"Folks, it is truly a miracle. After what can only be described as a brutal beating, Videl is now standing before us, healed from her injuries. Thank heavens she is okay."
After acknowledging the crowd, Videl walked back to the waiting area, passing by Kibito on her way. Videl chose to forget about her experience and instead focused all her attention onto Gohan's upcoming match.
"Oh thank heavens Videl is okay," said Chichi. "I don't think Gohan could have handled another tragedy in his life."
"Poor girl, lucky Gohan was there to look after her," said Bulma.
"Good thing for those senzu beans too. I don't know where any of us would be now if it were not for those beans," said Yamcha.
"Well folks, now that we know the condition of Videl, we can continue on with the tournament. In our last of the first round matches, we have newcomers Gohan and Kibito. Although a newcomer, Gohan is the son of Goku and older brother to fellow competitor Goten. Fighting must run in the genes and we will see if he can move on to the next round like his younger brother. Fighters, you may begin!"
Gohan assumed his fighting stance and stared down Kibito. Kibito was standing straight seemingly unprepared for battle. With both arms crossed and his feet together, he looked at Gohan intently.
"Are you going to fight or should I make the first move?" said Gohan.
"I would like to see how strong you really are. Transform yourself into a super saiyan."
Gohan's suspicion of Kibito rose with his last statement. Gohan still did not know much about Kibito and Shin or if they had any connection with Tasids and Liev. It did not bode well however that Kibito knew Gohan was a saiyan.
"No," responded Gohan simply.
"No? I am telling you to transform into a super saiyan, not asking you."
"I do not know what you are talking about. I am just a regular human fighter."
Kibito's patience was waning. "Fine, if you will not transform at my pleas then I will have to make you transform."
Kibito then assumed a nontraditional fighting stance with his left leg far in front of his right with his knees heavily bent. After a second of gathering his energy, Kibito charged straight at Gohan aiming a punch at his face. Gohan simply put up his hand and blocked the punch. Kibito looked in awe at the young saiyan's speed before retreating back to his position.
"So you are quicker than I thought. I will just have to fight at full force then."
Kibito once again assumed his fighting stance before flying at Gohan once more. Before reaching Gohan's position, Kibito jumped over Gohan landing behind him. Kibito then aimed a kick at Gohan's back that was once again blocked by Gohan's hand. Kibito continued to aim kick after kick at Gohan's back while Gohan continued to block them without even turning around.
"How is Gohan blocking all of those kicks? He is not even looking at the guy," said Krillen.
"His senses are so in tune that he can feel out Kibito's moves. It is amazing how much he has improved over the years, not only in strength but just in his feel for battle," said Piccolo.
"Gohan is just toying with him. You can see the frustration on the buffoon's face," said a smirking Vegeta.
"Wow, Gohan is amazing," said an awestruck Videl.
"Do you want to continue this fight or will you just give up," said Gohan.
"I will not quit until you transform in front of me!" Kibito was panting heavily but resolved to continue until he completed his objective.
"Fine, then I will just have to end this match."
Before Kibito could react, Gohan was already standing behind him. As Kibito turned to look, Gohan grabbed on to his vest and threw him down onto the grass. Kibito tried to stop before hitting the ground but the quickness of the throw prevented him from doing so. Kibito lay on the ground, defeated and dejected. Gohan walked out of the ring and back to the waiting area. Aside from Vegeta's arrogance, Gohan's demeanor in the match seemed to mirror his exactly
"You were amazing out there Gohan," said Videl.
"Yea Gohan that was so cool. You were blocking all that guy's moves without even looking at him," said Goten.
"It was nothing really. He was not that strong of a fighter."
"I don't know about that Gohan, he seemed to be moving pretty fast out there. I could barely follow him," said Krillen.
"Man, I can't wait until my dad and Gohan get to fight. That is going to be like the greatest fight ever," said an excited Trunks.
"Yes, then we will see just how much you have improved Gohan," said Vegeta.
"I can't wait. But I have another match to get through first." Gohan looked over at Tasids once again, anxious to get in the ring with him. Tasids was standing in the same position he had been in all day, staring back with the same smile. He was like a robot in that regard.
Kibito walked back to the side of Shin slowly as a result of his humiliating defeat.
"I am sorry master. I have failed you."
"Do not be so hard on yourself Kibito. You did not fail at all."
"What are you talking about master? He defeated me without becoming a super saiyan. We were not able to see his full power."
"We do not need to see him as a super saiyan. He was able to defeat you without exerting much effort at all. That tells us already how incredibly powerful he is."
"That is right master. If he is this strong now, imagine when he transforms."
"He is definitely the one we were looking for. Everything is going as planned. But now it is time for my match. I wonder how I will fare against the World Champion." Shin chuckled to himself as he turned to the arena.
Hercule was waiting in the ring by the time Shin walked to his corner. Still heartbroken over what had transpired earlier, Hercule did not care to make a grand entrance or entertain his fans. His mind was not in the match at all. He could still not forget Videl's words echoing through his mind. He had disappointed his one and only daughter. His life as he knew it was falling apart.
"Ladies and Gentlement, the first round is over and the quarterfinals are set to start. Our next match features the world champ and the relatively unknown Shin who made it this far thanks to a first round forfeit. So without any further delay, let's get this match .."
"Um, excuse me announcer," said Shin with his hand raised like a child in school.
"Uh, yes what is it. Would you like to say something before we start this match?"
"Yes, I would like to say that I cannot fight in this match. I forfeit."
The announcer looked stunned at Shin's forfeit. Already two times in the tournament had there been a forfeit, without a single punch being thrown.
"Are you sure?" asked the announcer. "You have not even fought a real match in the tournament yet."
"I am sure. Please announce to the crowd that I forfeit."
"Well ladies and gentlemen, apparently Shin has forfeited the match. The winner by default then is Hercule."
Hercule was somewhat surprised by the forfeit but did not give it much thought. He did not know who Shin was so he thought he must have been afraid to face the world champion. Normally in a situation like this Hercule would brag to the crowd but this time he just walked off quietly heading back to his dressing room. Blocking his way though was Shin, who had run to cut off his route just outside of the dressing room door.
"What do you want?" asked Hercule. "I can give you an autograph later if you want. I need to rest now for my next match."
"No it is not about that. I couldn't help but here your predicament earlier and I think I can help."
"What are you getting at?"
"Your daughter's disappointment with you combined with the fact that you took credit for somebody else's defeat of Cell. Your inability to defeat the person who made your daughter suffer so greatly in her match. I know a way for you to make up for all of your mistakes."
"How could I do that? There is no going back from what I have done or cannot do."
"But you can make up for those mistakes. Let's take a walk and I will tell you what you can do."
Hercule was intrigued by this character Shin. He followed him and listened as Shin talked. He had no idea though who he was talking to or what Shin had in store for the champ. Hercule's life, as he knew it, was about to change forever.
/
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