The Rising Star

It was a long time since he had seen this place, Gohan realized. The last time was a family affair. It was the same this time around, although this time the trainee was the trainer, and the father was bringing his daughter in for the training.

That was about it for the similarities. There was no looming pall of impending destruction, like when Cell was around, but the period was calm. The foe this time was imaginary, but the goal remained the same. A new super saiyan would hopefully be born within a day in Earth time. That's where the Room of Space and Time came in.

"It's so empty." Pan commented upon entering.

"That it is," Gohan replied. "But it's home."

"For a year, papa? How could you stand it?" Pan asked.

"Cell did that to you, hon. You knew you had to put more in than he did, or else all was going to be lost."

"No television?" Pan quipped upon gazing into the living quarters.

"Nothing of the sort. All you focus on here is training. That is what you wanted, wasn't it?"

"Yeah dad, but..."

"You can watch TV tomorrow." Gohan replied with a laugh.

"That's not funny!" Pan squirmed.

There were many similarities, Gohan realized, between him and his daughter the first time they both entered. Both really wanted to train, but both wanted their cake and to eat it too. For Gohan, he wanted to hit super saiyan right away. But he had to work a while to get there. It came though. And he knew that Pan had the attitude to hit super saiyan, if she'd just put her mind to it. They were similar in age when they both entered, Pan actually was coming in at a year older

than he did. Pan had the desire to become super saiyan. It was just a question on whether or not a female could do it. Even if she couldn't, she would continue to break barriers.

It was amazing, Gohan thought, the power she held already. Even WITHOUT achieving super saiyan, which told volumes about how powerful she was to begin with. Comparing at the same age, she was pound for pound much stronger than him, and miles ahead of her grandfather, Goku. She wanted to continue and maintain such ability, but she lacked direction. Gohan planned to provide it to her. Direction was something he had lost along the way as well, but he was confident he could quickly pick it back up, like finding a map. He was certain though along the way, in a day, or in a year, however you wanted to put it, that Pan would emerge a changed and more mature woman, and maybe the old schoolteacher would pick something up himself.

"Step out there. Get used to the scenery." Gohan offered. He did so himself and felt the immense tug pulling him to the ground. Aaaaah, great memories. He thought, transitioning into the platform of oblivion seamlessly.

The same couldn't be said for Pan however. Oblivious to the change in gravity, all it took was one step for her to be slammed down to the ground. "Oh my god!" she screamed.

"Watch that first step there. It's a doozy." Gohan explained post facto.

"Thanks, dad." Pan quipped. She clambered to her knees, then slowly strained her body erect and upright. "What is this place, papa?"

"It's a place that wants to see what you're made of. If you welcome the challenge, it'll challenge and sculpt you to the utmost. If you can't handle it, you will be eaten up." Gohan said as he felt the hot breeze coming in.

"It's...scary..."

"It's home, dear. Now... KA...ME..."

"Papa?"

"...HA...ME..."

"PAPA?"

--

Vegeta could no longer feel their power levels. That meant they must have entered. Vegeta had an interest in the developments going on, particularly with Pan. He saw a lot of promise in Pan. She was tenacious, a true saiyan. It was too bad, however, for he wanted to train her in the Room of Space and Time himself. But now at least, it would be better if she went in with Gohan. Not that Gohan was that great of a trainer, however. Yes, he'd lead her in the right direction, but there was only so much a part-time saiyan could impart upon an up and comer. This day would tell Vegeta what Pan was truly made of. If she was going to ascend to her utmost, she would have to work harder than even Gohan would push her. Although Pan was only 12, and would be 13 upon coming out, her moment was now.