True Strength
By Darth Xelas
Summary
Alright, here's my second story. This fan fiction will be about the conflicts between the warriors of earth and those will attempt to invade it…you know, basic Dragon Ball Z plot. The villains and the hero's will be the same that Akira Toriyama came up with, but the way things happen and the strength of some characters will be changed. So I hope you enjoy! Now I give you True Strength.
Italicized words are thoughts.
Words in parentheses are translations or explanations.
Son Gohan, the strongest child on the planet Earth, watched in silence as his father, Son Goku, the strongest warrior (presently) that had ever lived, sparred with the ex-demon lord Piccolo, the strongest being from the now destroyed planet Namek. Their movements were swift and deadly as the two fought amongst the dense mountains surrounding them. It was truly a sight to behold, to watch two of the greatest fighters in existence go against one another…However; this was not what was on Gohan's mind.
For the past three years of his life Gohan had reluctantly become one of the defenders of Earth. It had started with the death of his father and his training with Piccolo when he was only four years of age. His father was resurrected nearly a year later to combat the saiyans known as Vegeta and Nappa. Losing many friends in the battle, including his teacher and mentor (Piccolo), Gohan along with his father's friends, Krillin and Bulma, traveled to Namek in order to revive them, his father following soon after.
After many battles with the power hungry tyrant, known as Frieza and the near extinction of the Namekian race, Gohan and the others succeeded in reviving Piccolo, along with his other half, Kami, the God of Earth, thus restoring their ability to revive the rest of their friends. It was after all that, that Gohan had lived on Earth and trained in his father's absence, seeing how he became stranded out in space after Namek's destruction. And yet…thought Gohan as he clenched his fists, I still wasn't strong enough.
Frieza, thought to be destroyed by Goku, survived not only Goku's last attack, but also the explosion of Namek. Seeking revenge on those who had humiliated him, Frieza had his body mechanically altered and along with his father, King Cold, made his way to Earth…to destroy it.
After three years of peace, the strength of the Warriors of Earth (a.k.a the Z-fighters) had slipped and faded. The only ones who had made any true progress in their training were Vegeta (now their reluctant ally) and Piccolo. Gohan, due to his own qualms about violence, had pursued his studies more than his training and had only remained in shape…he hadn't improved at all. That was a mistake.
Over powered and outmanned, Frieza and his followers landed on Earth as an unstoppable force, full of anger and ready to destroy, until they were stopped…by a warrior from the future. Single handily, the mysterious warrior had vanquished Frieza's men and with a flash of pure golden energy, a power Gohan had witnessed his father utilize on Namek, and a swing of his sword…the warrior destroyed Frieza and his father. The Earth was saved…by a mere stroke of luck.
The swordsman was later revealed as a saiyan warrior from the future, whose power surpassed that of even Vegeta (the royal prince of the entire, now extinct saiyan race), after Goku, who was within range of Earth, landed. Though they had witnessed the man's powers during his fight with Frieza, the Z-fighters didn't fully believe he was a Saiyan, until he faced off against Goku. In a flash, both warriors transformed into beings with green eyes, yellow hair and an inconceivable amount of chi…Super Saiyans…a feat that Gohan nor Vegeta had reached during their training on Earth.
After their short bout, the Saiyan relayed the news of the future to Goku…and it was because of that news that all the Z-warriors were training once again. For in 3 years, forces, only known as the Androids, were going to appear and begin the systematic destruction and enslavement of the human race on Earth. Not being average machines, the Androids had destroyed everything in the swordsman's time…including all of the Z-warriors. The swordsman also relayed one last piece of information…the death of Son Goku, by the unavoidable hands of a heart virus.
Gohan shook his head. He could see how he and the others would die in the swordsman's time…Because they had always depended on his father. Without Goku, they were leaderless and hopeless…That was proven when the saiyans had first arrived and again when Frieza had returned…For if that swordsman hadn't arrived, they would all already be dead. We were lucky, thought Gohan, us and the entire human race for that matter. Gohan brought his gaze back to the fight. Even now…my father has avoided death, seeing how that "guy" gave him an antidote for a virus that doesn't even exist! We've all survived because of luck!
Gohan's eyes narrowed as his thoughts changed from anger and frustration, into one thought of determination. No more.
Goku and Piccolo ceased their battle as they sensed Gohan's hesitation vanish.
Stepping forward, the green skinned warrior known as Piccolo addressed his student with a question. "Are you alright Gohan?"
Gohan nodded as he stood and removed the upper portion of his outfit (a fighting outfit given to him by Piccolo), exposing his chest. "From now on," said the boy as he tossed his shirt to the ground, "I will train with everything I have in order to get stronger! I will no longer rely on others to protect what I hold most dear! I will no longer be a burden!"
Piccolo, surprised by the boy's sudden change in attitude, glanced back at the boy's father, who was grinning with his arms crossed.
Raising an eyebrow, Goku asked his son a question. "What about becoming a scholar?" The boy's father smirked. "I doubt your mother will approve of what you just said."
Gohan gritted his teeth. "Who cares," he growled, causing his father's expression to grow serious. The wind began to pick up as the boy declared his reasoning. "Being a scholar will not protect my friends nor my family! A scholar couldn't defeat Nappa…Or save you from dying!" The boy pointed at Piccolo as he said this, causing the Namek to lower his head in shame. "A scholar couldn't save all the Namekians who perished on Namek," continued the boy, "nor could a scholar prevent Krillin from being killed!" Now Goku lowered his head as he remembered his best friend being blown apart and his inability to save him.
"A scholar is worthless," said Gohan, "when there are those who don't listen to logic or reasoning. No…From now on, I am Son Gohan the Saiyan warrior, son and student of the greatest fighters ever to exist and I shall make you…PROUD!!" With that declaration, the boy yelled out into the night sky and channeled his chi (energy). Instantly, a white, flame like aura erupted to life around the boy causing the wind to whip across him, Piccolo and his father, causing their clothes to whip across their bodies. The sheer force of his rising power shook the very ground, causing a slight tremor to shake the mountains around them.
Goku and Piccolo grinned as they readied themselves for battle, for a new warrior had been born. It was time to see the True Strength of Son Gohan, the Saiyan Warrior!