Chapter 15: The Master Of The Metal Soldiers

GOHAN'S P.O.V

Tania don't worry, I'll-

A sound of trees falling alarmed me. I looked down and sure enough, I was right. I begin my descent from the sky to investigate.

"I know someone's out here! If you have business with me, show yourself."

Rustling was the only sound I could hear. The wind blew in the fields as I prepared for a possible ambush.

"Gohan?" A voice speaks from behind me.

I turn around and got into a stance.

"Uhh..." A blonde guy steps from out the shadows with a perplexed look on his face. His blue eyes made me immediately recognize him.

"Oh, its just you Ren!" I calm down upon noticing him, "I thought you might've been someone else."

"It's late, what're you doing here?" Ren asks.

"Well..." I rub the back of my head, "It's complicated. But hey, what are you doing way out here? This is the mountains, you know."

"I was looking for a herb."

"Huh? What for?"

Ren seemed irritated, "It's none of your concern."

He then reached his hand out towards me as if he wanted a hand shake.

"Hey man, congratulations on getting the lead role as Prince Edward in the play."

"Thanks." I somewhat hesitate to shake his hand.

Why do I get a bad feeling about this guy sometimes?

Ren patiently waited for a handshake. He had a friendly smile on his face.

Hmm, he's always been nice to everyone... I guess I can shake his hand.

So that's what I did. Ren's grip was firm and the handshake felt as though it lasted a little longer than it should've.

"Hey, you and Tania live together, right? How's she doing? Is she doing alright?" The blonde asks immediately after releasing my hand.

REN'S P.O.V

Again, my sister was in need of medicine. Unfortunately, ever since my last break in at a hospital, they made some special and effective security mechanism that enabled me from breaking in. Thankfully, Hato knew of a area where I could find an herb that can help Satomi.

I didn't know he was actually referring to Mt. Paozu. Maybe I could check up on the two lovers? Maybe I could plan another ambush?

Well, whatever the case, the first thing I needed to do was search for the herb and somehow make it into a medicine that Satomi could drink.

Upon reaching Mt. Paozu, I took notice of someone in the sky. That person was Gohan and he was covered with blood on his backside. With further speculation, he had a determined look on his face.

What had just happened? Well, I wasn't just gonna stand here and do nothing. I needed some answers.

To catch his attention, I needed to do something loud and distracting. I decided on using a bit of ki to chop down some trees. As they fell, Gohan caught wind of it. He dropped to the ground cautiously and demanded for someone to appear in his range of sight.

Revealing myself as innocent as possible, I managed to get Gohan to exchange a few words with me before I became way too curious about the blood stains he was trying to hide.

"Hey man, congratulations on getting the lead role as Prince Edward in the play."

It took a sec, but Gohan eventually thanked me and unknowingly allowed me to witness what he just been through.

It started out with a little small talk. Tania playfully threw a pillow, Gohan stood up to defend himself, one thing led to another, Tania broke through her bedroom window thanks to Wisheater acting strange with Gohan giving chase; The next few events though, sparked my interest. In the end of it, Tania was taken away, but I don't know where that sword took her.

I asked Gohan about her, but immediately, he ignored my question and said he needed to get going somewhere. Since I was very intrigued with Tania's disappearance, I decided to hold Gohan back from trying to save her quickly.

As soon as the two of us were out of sight from one another and I collected as much herbs as I could in a short amount of time for Satomi, I used my minorikai to send in a numerous amount of ki resistant, metal soldiers. They fight back but aren't very strong. The soldiers were only made to buy some time and the only way to defeat them is to punch them through the head anyways. If attacked anywhere else, they get back up.

Now was the time to get back to Satomi, make the medicine, give it to her, and speak with Hato about Tania and Gohan.

"Have fun with those soldiers, Gohan." I say under my breath just before evacuating the area.

~~~~~

"Satomi is gonna be fine for now." I say as I take a seat on the roof of my cabin.

Hato settled himself on my shoulder.

"I told you that you can trust me. I won't do no damage to you nor your sister." He says.

"Well, not yet atleast." I reply.

Hato sighed, "So, Tania's been abducted."

"Yeah."

"You're acting nonchalant about it."

"So." My eyes land on the bird, "Why should I care?"

Hato stayed quiet for a moment before softly speaking, "Did she do something to make you pale in the face?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You seem to be in such a rush to get more herbs for Satomi. I heard what Tania said earlier through your device after that little incident in the library. You're worried about him, aren't you?"

I rolled my eyes and lay on my back with my arms supporting my head, remembering back to early on at school.

Whatever she sensed, I hope it wasn't who I think it is...

*****

"God, this school has me doing too much." I walk through the media center, trying to find a decent book so I could write a report on it for biology.

The problem is that I hate reading with a passion. It's like, just opening to the first page puts me to sleep. I just wanna grab a picture book and write a about what I see.

Shrugging then pulling out a chair, I took a seat and decided to skip the rest of biology.

A door could be heard being opened from the room. I whip my head to see who walked in and whoop-dee-doo, there she was... The one meant to play as an evil woman in the upcoming play: Tania freaking Ayame.

I roll my eyes and lean as far back on my chair as I could. Of course, the back two legs just couldn't support my weight and I slammed to the floor, hitting the back of my head.

"Urrrg!" I grab my head while shaking my feet. "This damn chair!"

"Um... Ren?"

"Hm?" I stop my actions and open my eyes to see Tania looking down at me.

"You okay?" She asks.

I rub my head a little then sit myself and the chair upright. I nod my head.

"That's good. It looked like you really hurt your head just then."

"Nah, I'm fine."

"Well, alright." Tania says before looking right and left a few times.

"Something wrong?"

"Not really. It's just, what happened to all those girls who are usually around you? Did they just suddenly stop following you?"

I sigh deeply.

Those girl are really annoying sometimes, I swear. However, the most irritable one is the one talking to me. Shouldn't she be dead?

"I don't know honestly." I mumble.

"Oh well... I guess I'll start searching for a book to write a report on."

Yeah, and then you can leave me alone.

"Alright. Good luck finding one. Take your time."

"Thanks and I will."

In seconds, Tania had walked to a different side of the room.

Another set of people entered the room as well, this time it was Videl, Sharpner, and Jeremy.

"Skipping class?" Videl stops by me.

"Yeah. Got a problem with it?" I narrow my eyes at the brunette.

Videl gave me a look, crossed her arms, and walked off.

"Nice going, Pretty Boy." Sharpner sarcastically speaks to me before going after Videl.

Jeremy stared at me, "You're so cool."

"Scram it, would you?"

"Y-Yes!" The geek agrees but only took a couple steps forward. He turned back, "Not to bother you, Ren but-"

"What is it?" I grunt.

"By chance, did you hear of the rumors?"

"What rumors?"

Jeremy looked around to see if anyone was around. When it was clear we were the only two in the area, Jeremy pushed his glasses up, took a small flashlight from his pocket and flipped the switch towards his face as if he was going to tell a horror story.

"You haven't heard of it yet? It's the story of the new SaiyaSquad heroes who has been showing up at the city last for the past few months."

Annoyed with the flashlight illuminating Jeremy's face, I snatch it away from him and turn it off, "Who cares about those guys."

"But someone said that they know the identities of the two heroes."

"Good for them then. I couldn't care less."

I already know Tania and Gohan are the ones in costumes... Of course, no one else knows this but me.

"No really!" Jeremy scans through his book bag and brings out a photo. "See? Look at this! Proof!"

Handing me the photo, it only took me less than a second to fall over my chair.

THIS ISNT THEM!

"Jeremy! This is just some little girl and boy cosplaying as the real SaiyaSquad. The real ones are much older and taller looking. These guys look like they had just graduated kindergarten!"

"Huh? Do they? I guess I didn't notice." The brown-haired guy takes the photo out of my hand and examines it, "Oh! I see what you mean. They do look a bit too young."

I wanted to smack the guy upside his head.

Really... A bit too young? Give me a break.

I stood up, grabbed a random book off the shelf, and take my leave from the airhead.

I need a vacation away from this school.

"So Gohan, do you know what the World Martial Arts Tournament is?" I overhear a female voice talking to Gohan.

A few feet ahead of me was Gohan and Videl. Not trying to have them change the subject on what they were talking about, I hid behind a high shelf of books stacked on it and eavesdropped on their conversation.

"The tournament? I've heard of it." Gohan replies, "Why do you ask?"

"Mm, it's supposed to be held in two years time. I'm thinking of competing in it again. After all, I did win the juniors division not too long ago. This time, I'll be able to compete in the Adults division since I'll be seventeen or eighteen by then." Videl speaks, "I was just hoping that those SaiyaSquad geeks will compete in it too so that I can whoop them into the next decade."

"Oh eheheh, is that so?" Gohan chuckles nervously as he sweatdropped.

I inwardly laugh myself.

Have fun trying to get Videl from changing her mind on bringing you and Tania into the arena, Gohan.

"Hold on, better yet... Since Tania knows how to fight pretty decent, maybe she can join the tournament with me. What do you think, Gohan?"

"I think she's not into that sort of thing, Videl."

Slapping Gohan playfully on the arm, Videl begins to laugh loudly.

Gohan, looking confused as ever, rubs his head, "Did I... say something funny?"

"Gohan, of course she'll compete. She's a fighter, why wouldn't she?"

"Uh well-"

"Come on, let's go ask her." Videl motions Gohan to follow her.

After they leave, I turn around only to have a fist slamming into my face, forcing me to fall against the book shelf which led that to collapse to the floor.

"What the heck...!" I rub my cheek after landing on books scattered on the floor.

"Oh my goodness! It was just you, Ren!" I see Tania right by me with her hands covering her mouth, "I'm so sorry, I thought I sensed something evil. Your back was turned towards me so I didn't know it was you. Please forgive me?"

She sensed something evil...?

My eyes widened at the realization.

Could she have... NO! She couldn't have. Did she sense Mamoru?! But that's... Not possible. Hato sealed him away! Could the seal be weakening?

Immediately, just as a crowd was forming around Tania and I, I picked myself up and ran out the media center.

Mamoru... No...

*****

"Mamoru shouldn't be able to get to you for now, Ren." Hato attempts to reassure me.

I avoid eye contact with the pigeon and say nothing.

What if... Just maybe... He was the one to abduct Tania and take Wisheater away from her. After all, Mamoru hates Thornkin and taking Wisheater and having it call him master must be some kind of goal for him. The only question that remains though is, why didn't he just abduct Gohan too?

Whatever the situation, I gotta give him the time to do as he pleases with Tania, or who he calls, "Eri". Hopefully, Gohan's still fighting those soldiers I created.

GOHAN'S P.O.V

"Kamehamehaaa!"

The ki blast flowed out my palms towards these insane amount of metal-looking soldiers. Upon collision, an explosion occurred. I flew into the sky to avoid the aftershock.

Did that do it?

After about five minutes since Ren departed, those things had suddenly showed up from out of nowhere. During that time, I had been trying to reach Tania through my instant transmission but with no luck. I have been fighting these things for about ten minutes. I tried multiple times to blast them with ki blasts, but none was working. Punching holes in their gut wasn't working either. I was running out of options.

"You'll have to do better than that."

"Huh?" I look behind me.

Again, the ki blast I had used was not effective. The soldier who had jumped into the sky, spiraled then kicked me across the cheek, causing me to collide into the mob of other soldiers on the ground.

"Gah!" I find myself surrounded by the strange beings.

Throwing myself back up, I get into a stance.

"You guys gonna tell me exactly where my girlfriend is, or am I gonna have to force the answer out of all you?!"

None spoke a word. I gritted my teeth.

Darn it... The instant transmission was suppose to lead me to Tania, but for some reason, I can't sense her. My locket is showing no signs of her in a life or death situation, but still... Where is she? That ring she had on was suppose to have some sort of transmitter that could lead me anywhere she is no matter what. Is it possible that... that she was taken somewhere so far away, there's no way of reaching her?

Tightly, I grasped my locket.

No. That can't be it. There's no place where I wouldn't be able to locate her. The only places I can't sense her is in the afterworld but I know she's still alive. So where can she be?

"Last chance! Tell me where your master took Tania!" I demand.

"Our master too does not know where Wisheater had taken your friend. All we know for sure is that Wisheater had gone to meet up with our Master's master." One of the soldiers speak up.

Your master's master?

"What do you mean by that?! If Wisheater's new master isn't your master, then who is?!"

"We've already told you enough! Prepare to be killed!" The leader of the metal soldiers prepares for an all out assault.

"Suit yourself." I begin to raise my ki, "HAAAAAAAH!"

Moments later, I sparked my super saiyan nature from within, "You guys are going down."

And when I find out who their master is, that person is going down too right after I save Tania from that guy's master.

~~~~

A/N- PHEW! That's over and done with. This chapter isn't quite as exciting as the other ones has been but trust me the next one will. It'll resume back to Tania and her world.

Also, have you guys noticed the super awesome new cover for my story? Well...

HUGE SHOUTOUT TO kakophony FOR THE AWESOME COVER!

She's soooo amazing at book covers and she's taking requests :D if you want a very beautiful cover, message her. She's really nice and will make one for you.

Anyways, please leave a comment on what you think of this chapter and maybe drop a vote too? Thanks for reading guys :) Love you.