Hey, it's me! Here we are again! The battle grows closer! Review! Gohan might be a little OFC here, but considering everything that he's been through, it makes sense. Plus… the origins of Dr. Gero!
Chapter 59
Gohan let out a small chuckle as he looked around. He was currently sitting in a brown office, filled with portraits and other instruments that gave Gohan a small reminder of Dumbledore's office. Then, the sound of the door opening made him turn to see Griffin walk in, walk past Gohan, and sit across from him with a smirk on his face. Gohan noticed a rather large folder near Griffin's right.
"Well, well…. Gohan Son. We meet at last. Your exploits are legendary. I've heard many great things about you, both good and bad." Griffin chuckled.
"Did Malfoy tell you that? I've delt with crap from his family for… about six years now." Gohan muttered.
"Oh, don't worry about Agustus. He may be a racist jerk, but he's estranged from his brother and the rest of his family. He's no Death Eater. You should have seen the Election of 1992. It was between me, Augustus Malfoy, and Arnold Weasley. Oh, it was close. But, I managed to pull ahead in the end. Augustus lost a lot of fire when he lost." Griffin chuckled.
"Hmph. American wizarding politics are so much more complex than the muggle politics. For the muggles, it's mainly Democrats and Republicans, but you guys… it's the Purists, the United Creatures… sheesh. You ask me, all that does is separate you even more. You ask me, the only time all Americans were united was under Washington." Gohan frowned.
"Well… that's what the First Amendment is for, isn't it? So that we can express our own opinions?" Griffin smirked.
"Well, isn't that exactly what Riddle and Cell want? To take over the world, and control everything and everyone?" Gohan smirked as he sipped the fire-whiskey in front of him.
"You've been fighting those two for several years. Shouldn't you be telling me?" Griffin chuckled.
"Point taken. You trying to prep me for the media, because I've dealt with them on more than one occasion. Now, let's talk about me as the Commander of your forces." Gohan chuckled.
"So punctual? You must understand the complications." Griffin sighed.
"Like? I've got the power, the experience, the loyalty of the Z Fighters, the brainpower, the magical skill." Gohan counted off his fingers
"You're not an American, for one." Griffin interrupted.
"Not the first time a foreigner's been in charge of an American army." Gohan countered.
"You may have fought Cell numerous times, but there are those who wonder why he's still alive." Griffin frowned.
"Hey! I thought you were my friend!" Gohan frowned.
"I'm trying to, but I was elected by the American wizards to represent them, and our national security is at risk. Bill's still getting checked out, which is why he's not here. And… I don't think you want to meet Hillary." Griffin cleared his throat nervously.
"Point taken. But, you need me and my friends, as much as I need your resources. As powerful as my friends and me are… we can't take on tens of thousands of Death Eaters, and Harry has to kill Tom Riddle himself. We can make this go both ways." Gohan chuckled.
"I'm listening." Griffin smirked.
"If we achieve victory, you're welcome to have all of the technology that they leave behind, the ships, blueprints, weapons… items that would revolutionize the world." Gohan chuckled.
"Hmmm… interesting proposal." Griffin chuckled as he sipped his firewhiskey.
"In return for command of the defense of New Youk, I will arrange for my friends, the Z Fighters to come to your aide. We keep Cell and the V Fighters off your men while they handle the foot soldiers." Gohan continued.
"War is coming, Mr. President, there is no denying it. And this isn't just between America and England, I can see that. This war will consume the world. France, Russia, Mexico, Canada… this is World War Three." Gohan said.
"What makes you so sure of that?" Griffin asked with interest.
"Because that's exactly what Riddle wants. You saw that even a few members of Congress are scared of him. He wants the whole world… no, the entire universe to fear him. But, he'll never get the chance. Cell will slice his throat." Gohan sighed.
"That so? Reminds me of the Nazis vs the Communists." Griffin chuckled.
"Cell is a psycopath. He will exploit everything and everyone he can to get what he wants." Gohan sighed.
"And that is?" Griffin asked.
"The ultimate battle, where he tests out his true power. All the way. And I'm ready for it. When that day comes… only one of us will walk away." Gohan smirked as he made a fist, which sparked purple.
"And I'm on a whole new level." Gohan smirked. Griffin's eyes widened.
"Well, Well… why is it that every time we get tabs on you, you're much more powerful than you were before?" Griffin sighed.
"That's what saiyans do." Gohan chuckled.
"There is one thing that I think we need to know, and you need to be honest with me on this, son, can I get your word on that?" Griffin asked. Gohan could tell the seriousness in Griffin's voice.
"Sure." Gohan nodded.
"Son… what's your weakness?" Griffin asked. Gohan blinked. That wasn't the first time that he heard that one before.
"Well… its not Kryptonite. It's not anything that weakens me… it's the fear that someone near me's going to get caught in the crossfire." Gohan sighed.
"I see… as President, I face the same things. Cornelius Fudge told me many things about you and Harry. It used to be all good things, and then… the last time I saw him, and Dumbledore had gone mad, rambling about how Dumbledore was claiming that you-know-who was back, and that Dumbledore was trying to claim his position. It was a UWN meeting." Griffin sighed.
"Did you really believe him?" Gohan blinked.
"Hell no. No one did. In fact, Minister Girard of France said, and I quote, "You ever speak disdainful of Albus Dumbledore in my presence, I will have you banned from the nation of France and will stick my sword through your chest!" Both men laughed as they took another gulp of the firewhiskey in front of them.
"At that, I interrupted and told Cornelius that he was being paranoid, and that he should listen to Dumbledore. Everyone agreed with me on that. Cornelius was furious. He claimed that Dumbledore had corrupted all of us and rushed out in a rage. Next I saw of him, he was sacked and in a rut." Griffin sighed.
"No wonder Fudge was so paranoid. He thought that everyone was against him." Gohan thought.
"Now… based on what I've heard, many say that you limit yourself, that is, keep yourself from killing. You can understand, that, if the war begins, there will be much of that. This restraint would be seen as a weakness by many. So, I must ask… are you willing to kill?" Griffin asked. Gohan blinked in surprise, and took a deep breath as he closed his eyes.
"Father, Piccolo, Cedric, Sirius… Dumbledore. They all could have been saved. I shouldn't have been a coward when we were fighting Nappa. I should have kept Cedric away from the cup. Sirius is dead because I got impatient and wanted to fight Cell on my own terms for once, and maybe take on the Dark Lord as well, get Fudge and Umbridge off my back while looking like the hero. And, I should have been able to smash Dumbledore's body-binding spell and stop Malfoy where he stood… It's time to stop being a baby. For once, I have the power. Now, I'm going to use it." Gohan thought. Then, he opened his eyes.
"I will kill them all." Gohan answered with complete seriousness. Griffin blinked in surprise.
"Well… I must say, I'm impressed. You will be an excellent symbol for all of America." Griffin smirked.
"Meaning?" Gohan blinked .
"I've seen what you can do. More importantly, the country… no, the entire world's seen it, wizards and muggles. Remember this?" Griffin grinned as he held up an old newspaper. Gohan blinked in surprise. On the cover was himself, when he was 11! It was from the Cell Games. The picture showed SSJ2 Gohan punching Perfect Cell in the stomach, followed by a furious kick to the side of Cell's face.
"Mysterious Blonde Child Overpowers the Maniacal Cell." Gohan read with a smirk.
"Now… you don't see that everyday." Griffin chuckled.
"Got anything else?" Gohan chuckled back.
"Yes, actually. Remember this?" Griffin frowned as he held up a slightly newer newspaper. Gohan blinked, recongnizing a younger version of himself, Harry, Fleur, Krum, and… Cedric.
"Five Triwizard Champions?" Gohan read out loud. He chuckled at the memory.
"All the ministers had a pool. I personally bet on you to win that… well, I partly won. Want to see the other articles on you?" Griffin smiled as he plopped a large pile of newspapers in front of Gohan, who sweat-dropped.
"Man… hard to believe that I've done all this stuff over the years…" Gohan sighed.
"Out of plain curiosity… is it true that you had a affair with your fellow Tri-wizard champion, Fleur Delacour?" Griffin asked with a smile. Gohan sputtered.
"Man… 4th year was crazy, don't expect me to remember everything." Gohan chuckled. Gohan wasn't going to admit that he had been knocked out by Morbius before the third challenge and sent to the graveyard.
"I see… so, anymore terms that we should go over?" Griffin asked as he wrote something on the brown parchment that Gohan finally noticed. Griffin blinked as he followed Gohan's gaze to the paper.
"Oh, this? This is the contract of our terms, the alliance of the United States and the Z Fighters. You're the representative. That's why I'm asking if there's anything else. " Griffin asked.
"Actually, there is. If we win here, I lead the Invasion of England." Gohan said, making Griffin blink in surprise.
"That's… going to be difficult." Griffin frowned.
"No, you don't understand. I want Azkaban Prison shut down, and all of the prisoners liberated." Gohan said as he glared at Griffin.
"Now that I can arrange. I've been trying to get that done for years now." Griffin smiled as he wrote that down.
"Second… Hogwarts is freed. I won't let my friends suffer anymore." Gohan added.
"Hmm…true." Griffin muttered.
"Now, I've been warned about politicians, no offense, so I have a feeling that you want more than that." Gohan frowned.
"None taken. Now, Bill and the Muggle Congressman want to know what's going on, and they want my report as soon as possible." Griffin sighed.
"That's another thing. You keep me in the loop on everything, he and no one else does a damn thing until I know about it first. I know Cell better than anyone, and no, a nuclear bomb is not going to destroy him!" Gohan glared at Griffin.
"I see… well, I'll try my best on that one. So… we have a deal?" Griffin asked as he handed Gohan a quill and the contract. Gohan frowned as he looked over the document.
"So, this army will be wizards and muggles?" Gohan asked. Griffin nodded.
"And, you'll give me command?" Gohan asked.
"Yes, but General Mark gets to give you a test, to make sure that you're what we need." Griffin frowned.
"No problem, I've never gotten less than a hundred on anything, even Umbridge's shitty exams…" Gohan muttered.
"Excellent. Considering that you've cheated death on more than one occasion, my men will like to have one such as you at the helm, even considering your age. To be so young and brilliant…" Griffin chuckled.
"Thanks, but even I have problems. Which reminds me… do you know anything about the founders of Hogwarts?" Gohan asked curiously.
"Quite a bit, actually. What do you want to know?" Griffin asked.
"Well, I know each founder had a special item. Gryffindor had his sword and the Sorting Hat, Slytherin had his locket, and Hufflepuff had her cup. Thing is… I can't figure out what item belonged to Ravenclaw." Gohan frowned.
"Well… that's odd, coming from you. But… I do know of one thing. But, it's probably nothing." Griffin frowned.
"What?" Gohan asked.
"Well… legend said that Rowena Ravenclaw had a diadem, that granted intelligence to whoever wore it. My wife told me about it, given that she was a Ravenclaw." Griffin frowned.
"Isn't a diadem a crown?" Gohan frowned. Why hadn't he heard about this? He had dated a Ravenclaw for four months, and he even been inside the Ravenclaw common room. How had he not… wait… the statue!
"Wow, I'm an idiot." Gohan muttered out loud.
"Excuse me?" Griffin frowned.
"I mean, do you know where it is?" Gohan blinked.
"No one does. It's been missing for centuries." Griffin answered.
"Hmmm… I might know someone who knows where it is." Gohan frowned, thinking of a certain Namekian.
"Why the sudden interest, may I ask?" Griffin frowned.
"Well, Riddle must want them all, right? After all, Hogwarts was like home to hi, and he's the Heir of Slytherin. He'd want to use the items to his advantage." Gohan said quickly.
"Yes, I see your point. Smart! Now, I understand that you have personal connections with Bulma Briefs, head of Capsule Corporation, and… your grandfather, Bardock, is a scientific genius with muggle and wizard technology, not to mention combining them?" Griffin asked with interest.
"Yes… why are you so interested in them?" Gohan blinked. He hadn't been able to talk to Harry or anyone else yet, so he really wasn't updated, save what Piccolo had told him after their encounter. He had felt complete shock at the news of Ron's death, but that had let Gohan figure out where Goku had gone. Gohan had told Piccolo about the Supreme Kai, getting shock from Piccolo as a result, who barely knew much at all about the Supreme Kai. Gohan had told Piccolo where he guessed that Goku had gone, causing the Namekian to take off, but not before Piccolo lead Gohan to Congress and lead him through the magical barrier. It had been great for Gohan, to see Harry and all his old friends on that balcony. He hadn't recognized the blonde girl or the one with blue hair, though. He had noticed, with some amusement, that Harry had crossed paths with Vegeta and his father again. He was sure that Harry had filled Hermione and the others in on the world of the kais, but he still had some explanations to do.
"Well, considering that the enemy has Arnold Gero working for them, we need all the scientific minds that we can find." Griffin answered, snapping Gohan out of his daze.
"Arnold… that's his name? I've always known him as Dr. Gero. Do you know anything about him?" Gohan asked with interest. Griffin smirked as he pulled out a file with Dr. Gero's face on it and opened it.
"Well, he was born in Germany, in 1907. He's a muggle, just telling you. His father was killed in World War One, when Gero was thirteen, and his mother died of heartbreak a year after. He was in an orphanage until he was eighteen, in 1925. It was always said that he had an uncanny mind from an very young age." Griffin began.
"The rise of the Nazis…" Gohan sighed.
"Gero was a huge supporter of Hitler and his ideals, and offered his mind to the Third Reich. He constructed massive war machines for the Nazis during World War Two, and was a personal correspondent to Dr. Mengle at Aschuwitz. He supposedly vanished when the Russians captured the camp. My ass… the Russians probably hired him to give them the edge over the Americans, but they had Briefs… man, he's a good man, but he refused to sell us his daughter's capsule invention. Last we heard of Gero, he was in a Soviet special unit…" Griffin continued.
"The Red Ribbon Army, which my dad smashed to pieces." Gohan finished.
"Yes. I take it that you could finish this?" Griffin smirked as he raised Gero's file.
"I could have, but it's too late for that. Gero spent all his years after that building Androids in a secret lab in the North Mountains near North City. After he built Android 19, he turned himself into an Android. He and 19 then attacked a city, and was repelled by me and the other Z Fighters. 19 was killed by Vegeta, and Gero almost got killed by Piccolo, but managed to escape. He returned to his lab and activated Androids 17 ad 18. I wasn't there, but Krillin told me how 17 betrayed his creator and smashed his head. I guess that Gero is one lucky bastard." Gohan sighed.
"Interesting… Anyway, it's going to be a shame to see the world go to hell once more." Griffin sighed.
"I agree. That's why… we need to work together. We have a deal." Gohan nodded as he signed the parchment.
"Thank you very much… Commander Gohan." Griffin smiled as he extended his hand, which Gohan shook. Then, the door opened, causing Grffin and Gohan to turn and see a young girl about Gohan's age walk through the door.
"Jenny!" Griffin sat up with a big smile on his face.
"Oh… hi dad." Jenny sighed as he gave her a hug.
"So, you're President Griffin's daughter. He's talked about you. I'm." Gohan began to say as he stood up and extended his hand.
"Gohan Son. I remember you." Jenny said as she crossed her arms.
"Wait… you've met before?" Griffin said with surprise. Gohan blinked in confusion. Where had he seen this girl before?
"Dad, you don't remember anything, do you? Remember, I was in that exchange program in my 4th year, the one with Beaubaxtons?" Jenny rolled her eyes.
"Hey… wait a minute…" Gohan blinked slowly.
"Yes, I was at the Triwizard Tournament with the Beaubaxtons. Do you want to see the uniform to prove it?" Jenny rolled her eyes.
"Ummmm… no thanks. I believe you." Gohan said nervously. If there was one thing that he knew, it was not to piss off a girl, especially a teenage girl.
"Thank god that you're alive… if I lost you too, I wouldn't know what I would do." Griffin said softly as he hugged Jenny again, making her blush.
"Dad! Not in front of him!" Jenny blushed as she pushed Griffin away. Gohan chuckled.
"I'll best be going now. I need to familiarize myself in this place anyway." Gohan said as he stood up.
"Oh! I'll be happy to show you around!" Jenny smiled as she grabbed Gohan's hand, causing him to sputter. Griffin blinked, then smiled.
"That sounds perfect. I trust that you can keep an eye on her, son?" Griffin smirked. Gohan sputtered.
"Dad, enough! Stop scaring every person I talk to!" Jenny glared.
"Yeah…" Gohan said nervously as he sweat-dropped.
"Perfect! I'll contact you when I need you." Griffin smiled as Jenny pulled a sputtering Gohan out the door. Then, he sighed as he looked at a picture on the side of his desk and picked it up. It was a black and white wizard photo of a teenage couple. The girl looked about 15, with long hair, white skin, and a smile on her face as she looked from the camera to the boy next to her, who looked about her age. He had short hair, looked well fit, and had a smiled on his face as well as he draped his arm around her shoulder. They were leaning against a tree with the Black Lake right behind them. Both teenagers were dressed in Hogwarts robes. The girl had the Ravenclaw crest on her robes, while the boy had the Gryffindor symbol.
"I'm sure that she'll get along great with Harry. After all, you were always loved by everyone. Why you picked an American bloke was beyond me." Griffin said softly as he traced his thumb over the girl's face. Then, he clenched his fist in rage. He wanted Riddle to burn for this. Whenever Jenny had asked him about her mother, he told her that she died a hero.
"Sigh… I wish you were here right now. I could really use you at the moment." Griffin sighed as he wiped his eyes.
Elsewhere…
"Focus! Put your blunt force on my wand hand!" Morgana smirked as she dodged Morbius's next spell. She was currently in a training session with Morbius, assessing his skills. Morbius was currently using two wands at once, a rare feat.
"Stop using standard spells, use the unorthodox! There's much more magic than the three Unforgiveable Curses! Sectumsempra!" Morgana hissed as he pointed her wand at the cyborg.
"Protego! Stupify!" Morbius countered, blocking Morgana's spell with the wand on his left hand and firing the stunning spell at Morgana with the other wand.
"Yes! Use your wands in sync!" Morgana hissed as she deflected the spell upwards. Then, she moved her face to the left just in time to see Morbius's tail miss her face by an inch. Morgana hissed as she blocked Morbius's next spell and leaped backwards, making a perfect landing.
"Disorient me! Break my central focus, how many times do I have to tell you?" Morgana hissed as Morbius twirled the wands in his hand so fast that they looked like red and green circles.
"You're gripping your wands too tight! Expelliarmus! Expelliarmus!" Morbius roared with shock as both his wands flew out of his hands and clattered on the ground. Then, he whirled to see jet black lightning shoot out of Morgana's hands, which smashed into the cyborg and flowed through him, causing Morbius to roar with pain and fury, feeling complete pain shoot through him, causing him to fell to his knees. He looked up to see Morgana lower her hands, causing the lightning to stop.
"You see? It does not matter what your power is, you must use full power on every opponet. No wonder Gohan Son has defeated you time and time again! What's next, Piccolo? Tienshenhan? Yamcha? Krillin? God help you… Goku?" Morgana glared at Morbius as he stood , towering above her with a glare that, if it could kill , Morgana would be a corpse.
"Ha ha ha… well said, Riddle." Morgana and Morbius turned to see a black figure clap his hands and step forward. They bowed immediately.
"My lord!" Morgana said.
"Heh. The big guy." Morbius chuckled as no other than Cell strode in front of them.
"My lord, how are you here?" Morgana asked.
"I'm not, this is just a magic representation of me, like a hologram. I'm very close to accomplishing my goal, in fact. And, those loyal to me will soon be rewarded, beyond their wildest dreams." Cell chuckled.
"You lied about Gohan Son." Morgana glared at the android.
"So I did… how'd you find out about that?" Cell chuckled.
"I saw him walk into a session of Congress and ask to be a general, on national wizarding television. America just declared war on England, by the way." Morgana glared at the android.
"Hah! I smell Potter's hand in this. Besides, the boy doesn't have the balls for this." Cell chuckled.
"Have you felt his power? It's far beyond what it was before… it even surpasses you." Morgana said.
"Hah… is that fear? Do not worry… the boy hasn't seen my ultimate form yet. And soon… I will have the ultimate weapon. One that will end this war swiftly." Cell chuckled.
"What happened to perfection?" Morbius snorted.
"That's enough from you, you has-been! You had your chance to kill the boy, and you failed. On more than one occasion! You will be replaced by the others, when they are ready." Cell glared at Morbius, who snarled.
"I did everything you asked. I infiltrated Hogwarts itself! I even knocked him out and sent him to you, before taking his place in the Triwizard Tournament and sending Harry Potter and Cedric Diggory to you!" Morbius snarled.
"Diggory was an unnecessary addition, and his death caused unwanted attention! But, enough of that. Soon, I will have what I seek, and Riddle will bowing to me, as will the rest of the world." Cell chuckled.
"Yesss…" Morbius chuckled. Morgana kept her face emotionless.
"Farewell." Then, the image of Cell faded and burst into pieces.
"Hah." Cell chuckled as he turned to look at the large black building in front of him. It stood out against the tall mountain range around it. It was a tower, large, black, and forbidding. Basically… Cell's kind of place.
"Heh, how ironic. It was made to hold your enemies, and you end up in it instead… how sad. You were legendary, only to be surpassed by Riddle… and now me." Cell chuckled as he lifted off the ground and flew towards the fortress. He stopped in front of the building and smashed the wall open, revealing a grey stone room, with an old man inside, who whirled to see Cell land in front of him.
"Gellert Grindelwald… we meet at last." Cell chuckled as his cloak fluttered around him.
"You… are not the one that I was expecting." Grindelwald said with curiosity.
"He's a bit behind, I merely figured it out faster than he did, I'd expect him soon." Cell chuckled.
"I see… what are you?" the old man asked.
"I am Cell, the ultimate wizard and the perfect being. I am far more powerful than Tom Riddle himself. Observe." Cell chuckled as two of his fingers glowed gold, and then fired a gold beam from them. An instant later, a mushroom cloud rose in the distance.
"I see… you are powerful indeed." Grindelwald said with surprise.
"I've learned a lot about you. You were legendary in your work, which I admire. You started World War Two. I've already started World War Three." Cell chuckled at the look of shock on the old man's face.
"Oh yes. The United States just declared war on England. This war will consume all of Earth, and the planets beyond our world. And… I will be a god!" Cell laughed, but stopped cold when he heard someone else laugh.
"You are a fool… you will fail, just as I did. I know what you seek…" the old man chuckled, causing Cell's eyes to light up as he grabbed the old man.
"Where is it? Tell me who has it!" Cell snarled.
"You do not know? To an expert such as yourself, I would think that it would be obvious…" Grindelwald laughed.
"You are trying my patience! Speak!" Cell hissed.
"The Elder Wand… lies with him, of course. Buried in the Earth…" Grindelwald chuckled. Cell stared at him with realization creeping over his face.
"Dumbledore." Grindelwald whispered.
"I should have known…" the android hissed.
"What will you do with me now?" the old man asked. Cell smiled.
"I'm not going to kill you. I want you to tell Riddle that I was here, and what you told me… I'm sure that he'll get the message." Cell chuckled before turning to the hole in the wall.
"You are a fool… I controlled all of Europe, and I still lost! I was a fool! The Americans and Russians will tear you apart!" the old man laughed. Cell simply smiled.
"Not likely." The, he took off into the air, vanishing into the distance in less than a minute, his destination clear in mind.
Uh oh… this is bad. War draws closer and closer… review!