"Eat Lead": All in the family

 

             As they walked up her driveway the rain slowly let up only sprinkling drops here and there. Gohan stared up at her house it was massive like some kind of mansion. It was in better condition than most of the city and practically brand-new.

            “Why is your house not all destroyed like the city?” He asked still staring in awe.

            “Let’s just say people tend to leave me alone…it’s in their best interest. Come on inside I’ll introduce you to my family.” They walked inside and Gohan was overwhelmed by its size he could hardly breathe.  It was just as big if not bigger than Videl’s father’s estate. “Hey! Anyone home?” She hollered up the large staircase.

            “Mom!” A ten-year-old boy yelled out as he ran downstairs with excitement.

            “Gavin, Hey baby!” She scooped him up and hugged him tightly. Gohan stared at him a moment while thinking to himself.

            ~ She must’ve been really young when she had him. ~ Just then Gohan saw two young men making their way down the stairs. One of them had short messy looking black hair with two long blue locks hanging down in front of his face. He had light brown eyes causing his facial features to pop right out. There was a vertical scar running across his right eye. He was tall probably around 6”4, and skinny but toned like a boxer. He wore a plain white shirt with a blue over shirt and kaki cargo pants. He also had that same symbol on the collarbone of his shirt just like Brook. The other man had tall spiky reddish brown hair with a long ponytail trailing behind. His eyes were lavender colored something Gohan thought strange since he’d never seen lavender colored eyes in a human before. He was well built like the other man but he was shorter and a bit bulkier. He had on a plain gray shirt with dark green cargo shorts that ended about three inches under his knee. He had a silver chain hanging from his front pocket connecting with his back pocket. Gohan again saw that symbol on the collarbone of the shirt.

            “Hey, guys,” Brook greeted them as they came down, “Gohan, these are my younger brothers Ethan,” She pointed to the man with the blue locks, “And Matt,” She pointed to the man with the strange lavender eyes, “And this is my son Gavin.” Gohan looked down at the boy who had dark brown roots in his hair but faded to a dirty blonde color at the tips. It looked scruffy and pointed every which way while hanging in his face. His eyes were an emerald green color and he had a friendly smile on his face. He wore slightly baggy blue jeans, black and white chucks, and a black sweater that contoured to his chest closely with a checkered wristband on his right wrist. Gohan saw for the fourth time that same symbol sewed into the right side of the collarbone on the sweater. It must mean something. “Everyone this is Gohan. He’s a friend of mine.” Ethan narrowed his eyes at him and looked Gohan up and down.

            “ A ‘friend’ huh? Well you keep your ‘friendly’ hands to yourself when you’re around her you got that buddy?” Ethan warned. Gohan blushed deeply and shook his head frantically.

            “N-no it’s not like that!” Gohan said nervously. Matt laughed and patted Gohan on the back.

            “Sure it isn't, that's what they all say.” Matt winked and walked off to the living room.

            “Matt we aren’t a couple!” Brook yelled out at her younger brother and pursued him with Gohan following along with Gavin and Ethan. Later that night they were all very well acquainted with each other and Gohan was more comfortable now that he knew her brothers were harmless. He explained his situation to them and they were just in as much disbelief as Brook was when she first heard his story.

            “So you’re telling me that this guy Broly will take over the planet if Brook doesn’t help you.” Matt asked with a skeptical voice.

            “Well…yeah.” Gohan answered.

            “Think about it, Uncle Matt is it so strange? I mean we have enemies that think they can take over whole cities and overthrow the government. Broly is just like them only with the world.” Gavin stated. He had always been a bright child in fact he skipped two whole grades in school because of his intelligence.

            “Well I guess it’s settled then. We’re all going to have to help you.” Ethan said and folded his arms and sat back on the couch.

            “No, I’m going and that’s all. Everyone else stays here.” Brook stated.

            “Brook, no you can’t go by yourself!” Matt protested.

            “There’s a reason why Dad told Goku about me, because I’m the most capable of the three of us. I’m fine under pressure and I don’t freeze up. If you come with me you’ll only get in the way.” Brook explained.

            “You can’t do everything on your own you know that and stop acting like you can!” Ethan exploded suddenly. The room was quiet as Brook and Ethan stared each other down.

            “Ethan…who’s going to be here to make sure Gage won’t attack Gavin?” Brook said quietly making sure to keep her anger in check. A sudden realization washed over Ethan and Matt once they heard her words they’d have to stay behind to keep an eye on Gavin. Gohan was a bit confused who exactly was Gage? And why was it so important that they keep a lookout for him? “I’m going to bed...” Brook dismissed herself and went up the stairs.

            “ Is she going to be ok?” Gohan said while watching her.   

            “She’ll be fine she’s always moody. Just leave her alone for a while and she’ll be back to her normal moody level in a few hours.” Matt remarked and took a gulp of coffee. “ Hey! Who’s up for a game of cards?” Matt held up a deck in excitement.

            After a long night of Poker and Texas Hold ’em Gohan passed out on their couch.

When he opened his eyes he found himself standing in a sunny field and there in front of him was his little brother Goten waving happily and beckoning him to and play. Gohan smiled widely and started to run for him. Videl then swooped down out of the sky and landed next to Goten.

            “Come on, Gohan don’t be a slow poke.” She called after him and laughed playfully. His spirits soared with happiness as he jogged to them. Everything was back to normal as it should be. He suddenly was shackled and chained to the ground as the sky turned a dark deep red. He heard the cackling of Broly’s voice as he saw the menacing figure creep up behind Videl and Goten. Broly snatched up Goten by his skinny neck and raised him to his face as he kicked desperately.

            “Gohan! Help me!” Goten cried out painfully. Gohan yanked and pulled on his chains, trying with all his might to release himself. He looked up just as Broly snapped Goten’s small neck swiftly and dropped his lifeless body to the ground. Gohan’s eyes welled up but he didn’t have enough time to grieve for Broly had taken a hold of Videl as well and dragged her over to Gohan kicking and screaming. He held her up by her hair in front of Gohan’s face.

            “Take a good look boy, it’s the last you’ll ever see of her.” Broly spoke with an insane satisfaction in his voice.

            “Gohan…don’t let me die…” Videl whimpered as tears slid down her face.

            “Videl...I’ll help you…I’ll—“ Gohan didn’t get to finish his sentence before Broly yanked harshly and basically ripped Videl’s head right off her body. Gohan’s lungs squeezed he couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t think, he couldn’t even bring himself to say one word. It felt as if some one had reached right into his chest and grasped onto his heart and ripped it out. All he could hear was Broly’s insane laughter echoing in his head and along with it the voices of his friends and family calling out for his help, pleading for him to rescue them as Broly slaughtered every last one of them. Gohan shut his eyes as tears flowed like rivers out of his eyes. When he opened them he found he was drowning in a sea of blood. He swam hard for the surface nearly reaching it as his hand broke through to the air above. He suddenly felt a hard tug on his leg he looked down and saw Broly dragging him down with the crazed grin on his face. Gohan struggled in the red liquid he fought with the bloodthirsty saiyin but it was no use. His fingertips were sucked back under the sea of blood and he was dragged down. He saw the light of day receding as he descended deeper. A flutter of air bubbles escaped his mouth as he opened his mouth and screamed and the blood muffled the sound. His eyes slowly shut as blood filled his lungs and all he could hear was the demonic laughter echo through his mind.

            Gohan suddenly shot up from the couch drenched in sweat with his chest heaving frantically and his heart about ready to jump out of his body. His breath was shaking and his eyes were tearing. He wanted to say that it was all a dream but he couldn’t…it was actuality. All his family and friends were gone with the exception of Trunks. He broke down and cried once he remembered Videl’s death. It was exactly how she died he stood right there, restrained, unable to help her but inches away from her as Broly murdered her horribly.

            “I’ll get you, Broly...I’ll get you…” He growled and clenched his fists so tightly blood dripped from his palms.