Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Mystery Within ❯ Face in the Shadows ( Chapter 1 )

The Mystery Within

Part I - Prelude to Terror

Written by Namek Kaia

Disclaimer: I own nothing except original characters and attacks. And don't use them without my permission. You won't like the consequences.

Chapter One / Prologue

Face in the Shadows

"Kaaaah... Meeeeh... Haaaah... Meeeeeeh... HAAAAAAAA!" Gohan shouted as the massive wave of energy was released toward his target... Cell. Cell released an identical energy blast, aimed directly at Gohan. The two beams clashed between the powerful warriors with an explosion of power, each fighting against the other for a dangerous victory.

Piccolo watched nearby as Gohan fought with all his strength to push Cell's energy blast back. His blood boiled from the rage that coursed through him. He probably would have already lost control of himself if it hadn't had been for Kami's influence keeping him sane. There also seemed to be something else wrong besides the obvious, but he couldn't acknowledge what. The thought itched at the back of his mind. It was almost like he could feel another strange, yet familiar, presence… one that was definitely not human. But he quickly pushed the thought away. He had more important things to worry about, like the well being of the only people he cared about.

He stood upon the distant cliff feeling as if he had an internal itch that he couldn't scratch, and he could take it no longer. Gohan looked as if he couldn't hold up against Cell much longer. Piccolo stood only one more moment before he had made his decision. He couldn't do it… he couldn't let his friend, his only real best friend, die all alone out there against a monster like Cell. Maybe he could even make a difference. It didn't matter. He had to do what he had to do. "Hold on Gohan… I'm coming," he murmured to no one in particular. And with that, he flew off to the battle-scene in attempt to rid the universe of Cell.

*****

Gohan had finally done it. He had beaten Cell, with the help of Vegeta and, of course, his friends. The universe would be safe from evil from now on… or at least that's what they all hoped. Now, the only thing left to do was wish everyone back with the dragonballs. Everything would be right soon enough.

As the rest of the Z fighters flew off towards the Lookout, their exhausted hero in tow, Piccolo stayed behind. "That was brave, what you did," he said after a moment of silence.

"You can save your applause," Vegeta answered, wiping blood from his mouth. "Now go on, I don't need anyone's help."

"Your call," Piccolo said with his trademark smirk and flew off, leaving Vegeta alone to his thoughts.

*****

She walked through the huge forest alone, her face hidden in the shadows of her hood. She was finally going home. Her mood almost lightened at the thought of "home". Everything was always at peace there. Now that the Earth was safe, she finally had a life with no worries. Well… almost none. Eventually, she came to one of the few clearings in the forest's canopy. She stopped to look up at the planet's beautiful blue sky, because now it had an all-new meaning to her.

Suddenly she saw something shoot past the opening to the sky, with nothing but an energy trail to signify it's presence. She only saw it for a second, but that was more than enough time for her to clearly identify the object. She already knew who it was. "Piccolo..." she whispered to the forest. A slight smile began to spread across her face and she continued her journey home.