Hi!
Ah, so sue me, I started a new story ^^ I've been working on this for a little while. It started with a simple idea, but quickly got muuuch more complicated. Sometimes I think my creativity is plotting against me… LOL Well, here you go, Kokuhaku!
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Kokuhaku
Chapter 1- Discovery and Defeat
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"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft
might win by fearing to attempt."
-William Shakespeare
It was time.
As Goku felt his shoes tap against the parched earth, felt the wind tear at his gi, he didn't think what he had imagined he would.
He was walking towards death…
He could feel everyone's eyes glancing questioningly towards him, but the Saiyan was certain of his decision.
What else could he do? Instant transmission was the only way….
Cell would destroy everything!
As he approached his demise once more- ironic, he had figured that he'd be used to it by now- he felt his mind had not settled on the monster before him, but on memories.
Memories of… Gohan.
Ah, yes, he distinctly recalled this conversation.
The sun was setting, its fiery light giving a final burst of radiance in protest before the inky night enveloped its outcries.
Goku and his 3-year-old son were perched within a looming pine tree, having just retreated from a fishing session.
Right, Goku recalled, he had just told Gohan of his adventures with Emperor Pilaf.
The 3-year-old allowed his golden-brown tail to hang from the scaled branch as he watched the dying sun slowly relinquish its hold on the day. Raising his naturally soft voice over the gentle stirring of the wind, he questioned, "Have you ever saw Emperor Piwaf since?"
The grown man chuckled at his son's tendency to say l's as w's; it was a common trait for the young child. Answering Gohan's question, he replied, "Nope. Not a peep!"
Gohan pondered this for a moment, before commenting, "He sounds funny. But scawy, too."
Goku laughed again- r's sometimes fell prey as well. "Why be scared, Gohan? There isn't anything to be afraid of."
"I want to be strong like you, Daddy!" Gohan reassured quickly, before his tone became more sullen. "But I don't want to fight people- I don't want to hurt anyone."
"Oh…" Goku replied in surprise. Think up a response, he quickly added, "Well Gohan, sometimes you have to fight to help people. But I can tell you one thing…"
Gohan glanced up curiously. "What?"
"I'd never make you hurt anyone."
Foot colliding with a stone, Goku felt his heart wrench as he recalled the young demi-Saiyan's beaming face. Glancing at the present Gohan, covered in dirt and blood, Goku almost grimaced- what a liar he was. He hadn't made Gohan hurt- he'd told him to kill…
But that was why he had to make this decision. Speaking of which, he had reached his decision. Grimacing slightly, he ignored the bloated android's questioning voice as he placed two fingers to his forehead in the familiar form.
He had broken his promise- this was, in a way, pay back.
But he was abandoning Gohan...
No turning back now…
Gohan raised his eyes questioningly as he saw his father walk by. What…?
Oh, no. Not that. Anything but that…
He realized, with pure terror, what Goku was going to do. The tall Saiyan was saying something- Gohan could see his mouth moving- but he turned a deaf ear.
No… Not because of his mistake…
He wouldn't…
But he would, a sinister voice inside his head responded. He would, and will, and it's all your fault.
But he promised! He promised that we'd beat him, and then we'd all come home!
Together. Come home together!
He was going to do it… He was going to save everyone- and leave again.
Again?
The word brought back a flicker of conversations, a dim picture painted with emotions and words.
"Where's my daddy!?" Young, inexperienced, 4-year-old Gohan- terrified and cold.
Piccolo's grating voice replied gruffly, "He's gone, kid."
Piccolo- Piccolo had gone. In the battle with the Saiyans.
Suddenly the emotions flipped, to an older Gohan- and a different Goku. He was a Super Saiyan…
"Gohan, go!" Goku barked angrily.
Gohan was surprised. He had never actually seen his father angry…
Deciding it was time to listen, he obeyed…
And had no clue as to whether his father was dead or alive for a whole year.
Always, Goku disappeared.
Gohan felt tears prick at his eyes as he felt his father's ki rise, preparing for the final sacrifice…
To his great surprise, a sound escaped from his mouth, a low, inaudible whisper- "No."
No… Don't disappear, again… Please!
His body seemed to be moving on its own accord, barreling forward, feet digging into the terrain as Goku turned away… Cell began to disappear, as would the Saiyan…
Goku gave a surprised yelp as something collided with him, just as he felt his body beginning to shift away- Cell vanished in a blink.
Wait- wasn't he supposed to go with him!?
Glancing down in surprise, his eyes met ebony ones, surprised ebony ones.
"Gohan…? What just happened?"
The sound of footsteps approaching signified that Goku was, indeed, still on Earth.
But Cell was… gone?
"Oh no!" Goku cried, sitting up with a jerk which sent Gohan onto his hindquarters.
"Where'd… Cell go?" Gohan asked quietly, just as shell-shocked as his father.
Piccolo, Krillin, and Yamcha arrived beside them, blinking in surprise. "Goku… How…?"
"I was about to I.T…. But…" Goku blanked, glancing at his son. "Gohan pushed me, and then Cell disappeared."
"Wait, wait. Just because Gohan pushed you, Cell kept on going but you stayed…?"
Goku shrugged in reply.
A sudden thought struck, and the full-blooded Saiyan paled. "Uh-oh…"
"What?"
"King Kai won't be happy with me next time I see him…"
Before Krillin could question further, a familiar voice broke through the air. "You bet your butt, Son Goku! Now since when do you blow up your tutors!?"
Sweatdropping, the warrior shouted, "Sorry! That's the only place I could think of!"
A loud snort was heard.
"King Kai! What just happened?" Krillin called hurriedly, in case the Kai broke the link.
"Huh- Well… Um… Goku, what were you just thinking about?"
Goku blinked before admitting, "Gohan, actually."
"And Gohan?"
"Well- I was thinking about Dad." Gohan was just as confused as his father.
King Kai was quiet for a moment, before he finally stated, "Well my guess is, since Goku didn't wish to go, his spirit alone pushed Cell along but allowed him to stay. Besides, Gohan pulled him away from the I.T., and the inertia might have kept Cell moving."
"Good idea." Goku replied simply, shrugging.
"Hmph. Now I've got to go find a new planet." The Kai growled before the link snapped.
"Well, I doubt I'll have very pleasant welcoming in heaven next time." Goku murmured, rising from the ground.
Piccolo stared down at his student vindictively. "Gohan, that was a stupid move! What if Cell had stayed? Where would we all be then, huh!?"
Goku placed a hand on the Namek's shoulder, his own attempt to pacify him. "Don't be so harsh, Piccolo! Gohan didn't do any harm! I wouldn't be here if he hadn'tve done that!"
"Hn." The Namek snorted, turning away.
"Ah, Gohan, if you hadn't done it I would've." Krillin grinned, offering a hand to the downed demi-Saiyan.
Accepting, Gohan shakily rose to his feet. "I guess it was kind of stupid… But…"
"Like I said- don't worry about it." Goku replied, jokingly punching his son on the shoulder. "And guess what! Cell's gone now! So, I guess we won after all?"
"Guess so… Sorry, Dad…" Gohan cast his eyes to the ground. "I'm the reason you had to make that choice in the first place…"
"Nonsense. It could've been anyone of us out there. Considering the circumstances, you did better than I could've ever imagined." Goku reassured.
The small group arrived at the small rock bluff that the previous fierce battles had taken place on. Vegeta, Trunks, and Tien had remained there, and nodded respectively at father and son.
Goku approached the 17-year-old Trunks, giving a slight grin. "I guess the past is changed, isn't it?"
"Goku- you really did it." The teenager smiled quietly in return.
Gohan, standing off to the side, was contemplating about dropping his ascended form. He wasn't sure- what if…
A sudden ki flickered… Gohan growled, rising to his feet.
A thin slice of light tore through the dust, piercing Trunks's chest- the ki went straight through, managing to sear through Goku's arm as well.
Both warriors gave a surprised cry, causing all of the Z fighters to twist around in surprise.
Trunks collapsed as Goku gripped his arm, the sudden blow causing him to fall to his knees.
"Dad!" Gohan cried, racing forward.
Vegeta remained still, face twisted in shock. "Trunks…"
"Well? Who did I hit?"
Everyone's blood seemed to run cold at the voice, Gohan glancing up from his father to the being.
Cell was back to his perfect form- no, stronger.
He was stronger than Gohan.
"How is that possible!? You don't have 18 anymore!" Krillin shouted angrily, glaring at the android.
"Now- Now, I realize my true meaning. With my newly acquired IT, I can destroy every planet in the universe!" Cell lowed, violet eyes gleaming with ire.
Gohan rose to fight his foe, but was beaten to the punch-literally-as Vegeta leapt into Super Saiyan, pushing through the air and slamming a fist into Cell's face.
The android didn't budge. Instead, he shoved the Super Saiyan aside, sending Vegeta crashing through a rock-face.
Leaping into the air with speed rivaling Gohan's, Cell gave a viscous grin as he quickly prepared a ki blast capable of destroying the Saiyan Prince for good.
"You killed Trunks…" Gohan murmured, and with a sudden burst of energy slammed through the air towards the Saiyan.
Would he make it…?
Could he make it!?
The demi-Saiyan ignored the pain searing through his body as Cell's deadly attack collided with him- as long as Vegeta was alright… No one else could die…
Vegeta blearily cleared the blinding light from his eyes, surprised to find someone overtop of him- protecting him…
"Gohan…?"
The demi-Saiyan didn't reply, standing shakily.
That attack had taken down his power….
Oh great, Gohan lamented, he couldn't move his arm. That was always fun.
Krillin carefully helped Goku to his feet, the Saiyan wearily clutching his injured arm- it still chose to bleed profusely.
"Is Gohan alright?" He immediately asked as he reached the edge of the rock-face.
Yamcha was fighting back the urge to race in, but knew it was futile to fight the super-android. He shakily responded, "I don't think he can move his arm…"
Goku gave a half-smile, half-grimace. "That makes two of us."
The group of warriors turned, intent on observing Earth's largest-possibly last-battle…
"Vegeta- Get out of here!" Gohan snapped, unharmed hand unconsciously gripping his immobile one.
The Saiyan Prince was slightly surprised at the feral tone in the once placid boy's voice- deciding to obey for once, he shakily stood, trying to regain his askew senses.
Cell's gloating face soon appeared through the acrid smoke, causing Gohan's face to get all the more somber.
"Well, Gohan, I think I finally have inspiration for the finale to this battle," The android grinned venomously, "and it shall be glorious."
The android carefully slid into a fighting position, heels digging into the battle-scarred dust. Gohan's eyes widened as Cell's hands fell into the familiar position…
Goku mirrored his son's expression, muttering grimly, "He's going to use a kamehameha- with that last blow…"
"That's not fair!" Krillin blurted, "He only has one arm!"
"One arm is better than none…" Yamcha growled. "And one arm's all we've got…"
"Ironic." Piccolo murmured. "Mirai Trunks mentioned that the Gohan in his timeline only had one arm, as well- and he lost. Let's hope our Gohan doesn't go the same way, huh?"
Goku ignored the nervous chatter around him, charcoal eyes leveled on his son. Gohan looked uncertain, shocked… frightened. The warriors around him jumped as he suddenly called, "King Kai!"
"What? I'm not deaf, no need to shout."
"King Kai- I need to talk to Gohan. I can't shout to him from here."
"Sure- but you owe me, Son Goku."
"Yea, I know. I'll pay you back somehow, 'k?"
"Yea, right…"
Gohan tried desperately to swallow the uneasiness collecting in his heart. I've already failed… It's hopeless…
Cell's dark features soon interrupted his insecure thoughts. "Well, Gohan, aren't you going to meet up to my challenge? Your hidden powers were entertaining, my boy…"
Hopeless… We're always hopeless, aren't we?
That doesn't mean I should give up… No, I won't! Gohan quickly shoved his hand forward, gathering all the ki he could muster. Ki was so stupid… Never there when it was needed…
"Yes, I certainly had a good fight." Cell's smirk increased as, with an exaggerated yell, he threw his hands forward, shouting, "But not good enough!"
"Gohan!" The Z fighters all cried out as one, eyes fixated on the spot. It was impossible, he'd die…
Gohan desperately to combat the enormous energy, focusing his thoughts on Trunks- his father's near-death…
Dad said we'd all come home together. We're going to come home together!
An enormous sphere of energy, incomprehensible in size, rose into the sky as the two powers collided. But Gohan's arm fell back ever so slightly… The pressure on his knees grew as his shoes dug into the terrain… He was falling back…!
"Gohan!" Goku's voice suddenly called, within Gohan's mind.
Surprised, Gohan lost his shock and cried desperately, "Dad! I'm falling back- I can't…!"
"Gohan- any power you're holding back… Let it go! If you're afraid of damaging the Earth, don't be! We can wish it all back- But if Cell destroys you, he'll only keep going… Give it your all, Gohan! Don't hold anything back!"
"Dad… But…"
"He'll kill all of us, Gohan- just do it! Finish this here and now!"
Realization seemed to strike into Gohan's soul, an icy dagger slicing through his fear. It was time…
Piccolo was frustrated, as his usual link with Gohan was severed. Perhaps it was because of the battle…
The Namek's eyes widened slightly as a small voice finally broke through the barrier. A small smirk crossed his lips- it was Gohan's voice alright.
But what was said confused him. All he heard was a meek ((We've got to let it all go…))
The voice that replied was foreign to Piccolo. It was Gohan, yet… not… It was slightly darker, and yet familiar- the voice that had been emitted from Gohan's throat when he had beaten down Cell ruthlessly. ((We're going to finish this now, Juujen. It's gone far enough.))
((We've never pushed it this far, ever. What if we can't handle it?))
((You aren't willing to die for them?))
((Yes, I-))
((Then give me your power. If you can't handle it, then I will.))
The link was severed, the blockade replaced, and the confused Namekian gave up on breaking through. Opening his eyes to the visual battle, he quickly sought out Gohan's face.
A fresh determination had struck across it, persistence gleaming in his sky blue eyes. A renewed dance of lightning glimmered across the demi-Saiyan's skin, a fresh wave of power rolling across his half of the ki orb. It was not the Gohan Piccolo knew…
Cell's eyes widened as the newly-restored warrior strode forward against the ki blast, feet tapping a steady rhythm against the rocky soil.
"Way to go, Gohan! Keep going!" Krillin cheered, restraining himself only to prevent Goku from toppling over.
Piccolo's ebony eyes gleamed brightly with curiosity. What was that Gohan that he had listened to- that seemed to be in control now?
But no matter, he growled, Gohan needed all the support possible at the moment.
Goku was first to notice a disturbing fact, however. "Cell's not falling back…"
All eyes were drawn to the android, and the Saiyan's words rang true. Although he had been forced back a few inches from initial surprise, he hadn't fallen back since. In fact, he was almost pushing Gohan back.
((Gohan, it's not enough…!)) Piccolo quickly sent, fear clutching his chest.
The foreign voice snarled back, ((You think I don't know that!?))
((Kid- Isn't there some more power you can put into it…?))
Instead of the strange Gohan, the original Gohan responded, ((We don't have any left!))
Piccolo growled, pulling away from the link.
Goku watched the battle feverishly, face slightly pale as he gripped his arm tightly. The flow of crimson blood had finally stalled, although a thin trickle still escaped- that which had already escaped laced down his arm and dripped into a small maroon puddle. Krillin glanced up occasionally with worry, but was more preoccupied by the life-and-death struggle they were witnessing.
The tall Namekian finally came to quips with himself.
Gohan would die, if this went on unaided. He had to help…!
"Piccolo, what..!?" Krillin cried as Piccolo flung himself past, ivory cape flapping idly to the ground. Vegeta, having taken a despondent sentinel on a hill above them, glanced up in slight disdain.
Goku smiled bitterly, muttering, "Well, at least one of us is risking it."
Krillin glanced up in horror as the Saiyan pulled away, taking off after his comrade. "Goku! You can't! Your arm…!"
"Idiots." Vegeta murmured, but his mind wrenched as practicality and courage battled within.
Yamcha, Tien, and Krillin watched on morosely as Goku and Piccolo continued on, nearing the destructive android.
***(A/N: This is when Gohan is talking to himself as his two forms, Juujen and Okiri. That's explained later, btw ^^)
((Dad, Piccolo! What're they doing!?)) Emotions of fear and apprehension, expressed by the 'human half' of Gohan, impressed slightly upon its counterpart.
Okiri, the 'foreign Gohan', was in complete control of Gohan's body; he felt their jaw ache as teeth clenched amazingly hard, muscles so tense within his arm that he could barely feel it anymore. ((Juujen, I can't handle this alone anymore…! If you don't-))
((I can't hurt anyone!)) Juujen interjected bitterly, defiant and foolish at the same time.
The demi-Saiyan growled morosely, muttering, ((Idiot.)) Sweat ran slick down their forehead.
***
Cell glanced back as he felt the two ki approach, violet eyes narrowing. "Don't interfere!" He shouted, sending a wave of power crashing into the duo. They tumbled backwards, creating large dents in the Earth's crust.
The Z warriors remaining on the hill snarled as their comrades were swatted aside like flies. Courage rising with their rage, Tien and Yamcha leapt forward, powering up attacks on the way. Krillin stood for a moment uncertainly.
Tossing a glance at the android and demi-Saiyan left upon the ground, he quietly whispered, "Sorry guys, to put you through this. Now it's time to end it. Even if I'm not the one to live through it…"
Shaking off this final thought, he leapt into the air, soon leveling off with Tien and Yamcha- they fired their attacks simultaneously, earning a roar of anger from Cell. Yet again, the android let out a burst of energy, fending off the assailants.
Cell finally turned back to the matter at hand, giving himself an extra boost. He gave a satisfied smirk as the fatal onslaught shifted another inch closer to the 11-year-old boy.
His smirk faded, however, as a gruff voice called "Ma-sen-ko-ha!" The voice was followed by an equally loud "Ka-me-ha-me-ha!"
Cell grunted in slight discomfort as the two attacks collided with his back. Eyes narrowing once more, he debated ending his grand finale and destroying the pesky Earthlings once and for all.
Deciding against it, he pushed the pair back once again.
***
((Dad!)) Juujen cried, staring in horror.
((You don't get it, do you!? They're willing to sacrifice their lives to help us, and your stubborn idiocy ass is preventing us from winning!)) Okiri snapped, afraid to take any concentration off the life-or-death struggle before him.
Juujen felt out his
((Well? Are you going to stand there and look stupid? You're supposed to be the intelligent one.)) The demi-Saiyan muttered irritably.
As if in reply, a blinding light enveloped the two, two frames of mind forming into one.
The renewed Gohan narrowed his eyes in concentration. ((This ends here.))
***
Vegeta watched in horror as the demi-Saiyan began to fall back. Just as quickly, however, a renewed energy seemed to fill Gohan, as he suddenly pushed against the attack.
"Gaki- are you going to win this battle- can you win this battle?"
~*~
"Leave this to us, Goku." Yamcha smiled half-heartedly, clambering to his feet.
The Saiyan glanced up in surprise, quickly shaking his head. "Gohan needs all of our help."
"Goku, Gohan needs our help, but all you're doing is killing yourself. No offense." Krillin grinned, patting the Saiyan on the shoulder.
"Gohan…" Goku glanced at the monstrous ki orb growing above them, fear growing in him for the first time. "What have I thrown you into?"
Filled with emotions, the Saiyan tossed a fist into the dirt, frustration barely vented.
Piccolo, thrown back by the most recent defensive by Cell, rose shakily to his feet. His muscles ached like no tomorrow, pain his one and only feeling. Fatigue, anger, hatred… He felt like he could collapse any moment, just lie in the dirt and die.
"This isn't all about me… No, this has nothing to do with me- this is about Gohan…" Piccolo squinted against the dust rising from the wind. "I promised him… that I wouldn't ever let anything happen to him- the boy who showed me what a true friend was…"
Goku rose beside the Namekian, murmuring as well, "…I promised that I'd never make him fight, but I forgot, and now I've broken that promise. But I also promised… that everyone would come home together…"
"…He saved my butt all the time on Namek, even with that first bout with Vegeta, and I owe him a lot…" Krillin picked up the chant.
The lone line of Z warriors struggled to place each step, bodies weak and weary. Yamcha was next to pick up the mantra. "…Goku was always there to help us, and now we've got to be there to help his son…"
"...he's shown all the power of his father, and we can't just let him die…" Tien added, last in line.
To the warrior's surprise, another voice picked it up. Vegeta. "…I always called the brat a half-breed… Now I've seen that he's more Saiyan than even I. Saiyans are not power, they are courage, Trunks and Gohan proved that… and now only we can protect Gohan, for Trunks…"
"..For my first friend…"
"...For my promise…"
"…For my debt…"
"…For Goku…"
"…For Gohan…"
The small ki blasts which had been forming within the Z warriors palms tripled, all of their heart and soul pouring into their final offensive as they rose into the air, crying in unison, "For Earth!"
Cell's ear perked at the cry, and he twisted around as a rush of ki slammed into his back, causing pain to surge through him. But the attack wasn't his final-fatal-mistake… It was turning away.
Gohan heard the heart-wrenching cry, and a surge of anger and power shifted into his hands, forcing itself against Cell's ki.
The android realized his mistake too late, as his energy was enveloped in his adversary's. Eyes growing wide, he roared in shock and anger as his body was torn apart- cell by cell…
The fallen Z warriors finally managed to clamber to their feet, to see the brilliant white attack before them dissipating steadily. Peering through the blinding light, they could make out Gohan's form, arm still raised in the single-handed Kamehameha that had ended it all. As they watched, his arm slowly fell to his side as he collapsed into the crater far below.
~Finis Chapter 1~
Well? I thought it was okay, considering it was meant to be a one-shot. By the way, here are some translations for ya (from Japanese):
Kokuhaku- Black and white, right and wrong
Okiri-came from Okibi, which means "blazing fire"
Juujen- means "gentleness"
Gaki- brat, but I think you already knew that
I'll explain Okiri and Juujen next chapter- or rather, Gohan'll explain. I hope you liked it- I'll try to update it regularly, as well as Serendipity. Review, please!