Legend of the OX King
Chapter 1
Gohan sat at the edge of his bed, gripping the bedpost so hard that he splintered the old oak. His mind racing, yet muddled and still. He could sense his mother's energy as she sobbed hysterically in the next room. The energy was fading, but still there.
The boy had just relayed his father's dying message to his mother, something he should have never had to do.
"He's not coming back", he told Chi Chi through sobbing tears and clenched teeth. "Why would he choose to stay there, to leave us here? Does he not love us anymore?"
Chi Chi embraced her little man, his wracking shudders being absorbed into her tender arms. "Your father will always protect us, and he did what was best for our safety", she replied, almost not believing her own words. "We have to stay strong and we'll be together again one day. He would want us to live and grow, even without him for now. This was never your fault."
Gohan looked up at his mother, his face red. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."
The little family sat on Gohan's bed until he fell asleep, as the sun went down on their already darkened world.
"The Saiyans have done nothing but bring sadness and despair to our family!", the Ox King bellowed at his daughter. "Untold physical damage, our world turned upside-down, and now you're pregnant with that fool's child!" The great man slammed his fist on the nearby table. "And he had the nerve to have Gohan deliver the message that he wasn't coming back! What kind of father does that to his child? You weren't raised that way, and I don't want you or my grandchildren to suffer."
Gohan had never seen grandpa so upset. The jolly old man who always had a sweet treat and an even sweeter smile was now in a fit of rage. The boy cowered in his room, the door slightly ajar as he listened on.
"What do you expect me to do?" Chi Chi spat, with watering eyes. "I still love Goku, I have one loving son and now one on the way. Do you want us to just up and leave? Our friends are here, Gohan's school is here and he needs to continue his education. And when Goku comes back…"
"GOKU is NOT coming back!" The Ox King fumed. He thought for a moment, then closed his eyes, trying to calm down while rubbing his beard. "He's not coming back, dear. And even if he does, he'd just continue to put your family into danger, making them fight. This is a chance for your little one to grow up in a life without Super Saiyans, or Frieza, or fighting. Peace in the Ox Kingdom would be perfect for you!"
"Are you sure this isn't about you needing an heir, dad?" Chi Chi retorted with venom. "I chose to not live in that stuffy castle because I love my husband and my family. He grew up here and he is here with us now. I'll continue to show that we are as strong of a family as ever, even if we have to live in the middle of nowhere. I am not leaving. WE are not leaving."
The Ox King sighed, fatigue in his eyes as he came to terms with his daughter's decision. He was determined to be with her and Gohan no matter what, to be their protector. He knew that she was strong, as strong as her mother. He knew that he wasn't going to win this argument once Chi Chi dug in her heels. "I love you, and I love your sons. I'll always be there for you. I just thought this would be a good time for a new start. I didn't mean to offend, I'm just very concerned."
Gohan heard every word, his eyes wide in shock when the front door gently closed behind his grandfather. He was going to be a big brother! He thought that it would make his mother happy, but her energy continued to diminish and she looked worse and worse every day. He remembered her chastising Goku for various reasons, a strong and vibrant woman. Now she was a shell of her former self, weeping and wandering the house while rubbing her growing belly. It had been almost a month since Goku left, and he thought that things were going to start getting back to normal. Well, whatever normal was in a half-Saiyan household. He was even looking forward to his studies.
Seven months later, Gohan found himself holding his exhausted mother's hand. It had been a very long night, and with the support of everyone around, Chi Chi gave birth to a healthy baby boy, who was already looking like his father.
The Ox King and Gohan smiled proudly at Chi Chi, with Goten in her arms. But something did not feel right. The old man looked at his daughter and new grandson with a poorly-veiled sadness, almost like this was something he had seen before. He tried to hide a lonely tear as it fell to his beard, but Gohan saw it before the Ox King wiped it away. He regained his composure.
"Gohan, let's go out for a car ride", he gently offered. The boy nodded silently, and the pair left Chi Chi to rest. They had been spending more and more time together recently, just talking and bonding. Going fishing, camping, and enjoying each other's company. Gohan was grateful for the attention, and knew that it was good for his grandfather's heart, and that he meant well.
The two sat on a bench, ice cream cones in hand. The old man laughed amusingly as he looked up at Gohan's cone, with 12 scoops towering above his head.
"You have your father's appetite," he mused. Your mother always used to call me, telling me that Goku had eaten a month's worth of food in a single sitting." His face became somber, his grin slowly fading. "Do you want to be like your dad when you grow up?" he asked his grandson.
Gohan, focused on his treat, was taken back by the question. "I dunno", he replied. "I like protecting people, those I care about. And learning. I love to read and have fun."
"That's good to hear. I'm happy to know that you're growing up to be so brave. You're very special, don't stop being who you are. I…just worry about you and your mother. Losing your father is taking a huge toll on her, I just hope she can handle it. I'm proud of you both, doing so well in such hard times." He stood up, stretching his back and brushing away cone crumbs.
"We'd better pick up some diapers before heading back", the Ox King said matter-of-factly. Gohan hopped down from the bench, then felt something strange. The energy he normally felt of his mother started to shudder dramatically, like the flame of a dying candle. He faced the direction of his home, then in a burst, bolted off in flight.
"GOHAN!" the old man cried. He suddenly was hit with a wave of panic. "No…no no no no no!", he started to shout as he fumbled, frantically getting into his car and speeding down to the road to give chase.
The car screeched to a stop in front of the small house. Before he even got out of the car, the Ox King knew that something was terribly wrong. He ran through the already open doorway, and was met with the image of his grandson, cradling the lifeless body of his only daughter in his arms.
He stood, mouth agape. No…this can't happen, he thought. She wasn't that sick, she can recover! He just needs to…
Gohan sat on the floor, embracing the body that had embraced his so many times before. He looked up at the old man after he ran in, then broke as his grandfather's face twisted in agony.
"I felt…", he stuttered, barely able to breathe. "I felt her leave. I thought I could do something but…I'm…just not strong enough." He burst into a mournful sob.
His grandfather squeezed him, his enormous hand on the boy's back. "You are strong enough, son", he replied, choking back tears. "but now…"
He looked down at his daughter's lifeless face.
"We have to be even stronger. Together".
The man's bearded face went taught, mourning the loss of his daughter. His grief will have to wait. He pulled out a phone and started to dial.
"Get a car out here immediately and prepare for a royal funeral", the old man spat gruffly into the receiver. Then he looked at the two boys, who now had no one but him.
"This is enough. No more pain. No more fighting. No more death."
His neck snapped towards the still sobbing Gohan. "Pack your things. Wrap up the little one and get ready to go. Tell no one. We leave in an hour."
Gohan was sitting in the back of a vehicle, with the Ox King in front. He stared out the window, feeling numb and at a loss for words. He didn't pack much, there wasn't much he wanted to take. It had been a while since his last visit to the Ox Kingdom, but maybe a change like this will help him heal. He looked over his shoulder at the ambulance carrying his dead mother.
The Ox King looked back at his grandson, not sure what to say to comfort him. He had lost his wife, his son in law, and now his daughter. It was his responsibility to care for these boys, and he didn't know how, but he knew that he was going to do the best he could for them. For Chi Chi. For his daughter's sake. He was going to protect these boys…from everything and everyone.
As they approached the Ox Kingdom, Gohan was mesmerized by the palace, the grand buildings, and the beautiful villages that studded the vast land of his inheritance.
"Are we really going to live here, grandfather?"
"Yes. I intend to make you my heir. I'm going to teach you how to lead these people."
"But I don't even know them", Gohan replied.
"You'll learn, son." The Ox King answered. "You will find that between your studies, ruling these people with grace and dignity, and growing up, there won't be room for grief."
Gohan looked back to his mother's carriage again. "What about mother?"
The old man bit his lip. "We'll put her next to her mother, my wife. She passed away long ago. That's what she would want."
As they pulled up to the front of the palace, they were greeted by a tall man in a dark, well-cut suit and a red necktie. His face was handsome, yet eerily angular and calm, despite the light stubble and tired eyes. He stood rigid at attention as they pulled up, and greeted the Ox King with open arms as he stepped out of the car.
"My condolences, your majesty", the man enunciated. "The Great Ox Kingdom has lost one of our finest this day. What more can I do to help the royal family?"
The Ox King shook the man's outstretched hands. "Orrin, my old friend. Thank you for your kind words. These are my grandsons, Gohan and Goten." He gestured towards the boys.
"This is Orrin, by trusted advisor, and Steward of the kingdom in my absence. He keeps everything running smoothly when I'm away."
The slender man bent deeply in a bow towards Gohan, who had his baby brother in his arms. A servant woman seemingly came out of nowhere and offered to take the baby. Gohan shook his head furiously as he turned the baby away. The King saw Gohan and turned to him.
"Let her have him, son. He will be in good hands."
He reluctantly let go, then followed his grandfather and Orrin into the palace, his huge wooden doors closing behind them.
As they were walking through the halls, the Ox King proclaimed. "Orrin, I'm officially naming Gohan my heir. He will start his training and studies immediately. The funeral for his mother will be his first lesson. I trust you to get him ready and to act accordingly as the Crown Price of the Ox Kingdom."
Orrin scribbled quickly on a pad of paper. "Excellent, my Lord. I look forward to a great future with our new royal family".
The old man looked solemnly at Orrin.
"Did you take care of the special project I gave you this morning?"
"Yes sir. He is safe from them now", Orrin spoke, calmly.
The Ox King's walk started to slow. "Good. Now, Orrin. Please take Gohan to his rooms. I'm certain he will like some time to rest." He pulled out a large bottle of dark liquor.
"I will be in my chambers. Do not disturb me".
Orrin looked at the bottle, then at the king with discomfort. "You shouldn't be alone, sire…but…very well. Come, Gohan."
Gohan obediently followed the man, as the king's bedroom door slammed shut, its frame groaning in protest.