A/N: Hey guys! I'm back!

This is something that I've had in my head ever since I discovered fanfiction. I always hated the ending of DBZ and I always wanted to write it differently. Well this is basically the impression I got from the last few episodes of the manga/anime.

This story is a three shot, and unlike my other stories, this one isn't an A/U. I tried to stick to the cannon for the first two chapters as much as possible only changing a few minor details and adding my own personal biases into them. Again, this is supposed to convey the impression I got from the end of the series, or at least how I thought it should have gone with how Akira Toriyama ended it.

Also, unlike my previous stories, this one is written in first person. I've always wanted to try writing this style, and I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to do so. This story is written from Goten's POV, as I feel like we didn't really get a chance to delve into him as a character in the end of the series. It also makes sense for what I want to write for this story.

I will post this three-shot over three weeks (one chapter a week). I still haven't completely finished the third one yet, but I should have more than enough time to finish it by the time it need to be posted two Mondays from now.

I think that's everything. Enjoy my newest short story!

"dialogue"

thoughts/mindscape

"telepathic communication"

~change in setting~

*action*

flashback

Chapter 1: A Tournament

~Mount Paoz, 439 Mountain District, Age 785~

"oomph!"

I wince in pain as I take a nasty shot to the gut from my father. I quickly send him a glare before charging back at him, fists raised. I try my best to hit him, swinging as fast and as hard as I can, but much to my annoyance, he merely laughs and dodges all of my strikes expertly, not giving any ground at all. I growl as I see the grin on his face. I know he isn't trying that hard, but he doesn't have to mock me! At least when I sparred with Gohan when I was younger he at least let me think he was trying, even though I could tell that he wasn't.

This is the scene that usually occurs though when I decide that I'm bored enough to train with my father. I know I haven't really been training that much all of these years since Majin Buu, and that he trains at least ten hours a day, but that does nothing for my wounded pride. Desperately trying to wipe off that stupid grin of his, I fake a punch to the left and try again with a right hook, throwing as much of my strength as I can into that punch.

Of course Dad sees it coming and blocks it with his forearm, that sickeningly happy grin still present on his face as he gives me another painful shot to the gut, this time in the form of a mule kick. *wince* Man you'd think I'd learn from my prior mistakes. He hit me in the exact same spot as before, and I can't help but fall to my knees grunting in pain. As I try and catch my breath, my father looks on with a slight frown, and I internally sigh. Great. Now he's going to give me a lecture of how I should be training harder, even though we haven't had a threat in the last ten years. Probably the usual talk about 'keeping in shape in times of peace' or something along those lines. Of course though it will be in the nicest way possible too so I don't get too mad.

I further groan internally when I feel Vegeta's and Bulma's kis getting closer to our house. Fantastic, now I get to hear it from Vegeta too, and he'll probably mock me further for slacking off. Although I do wonder why they are heading out here. I go over to Capsule Corps. plenty to hang out with Trunks, and Trunks comes out here when his schedule allows it, but Bulma and Vegeta haven't been here in ages! My father stops talking (like I was really listening anyways) and looks in the sky towards the west, obviously sensing what I did. I can see that smile that my family is known for start to form in his lips. That grin of his never leaves his face as I get up from the ground and the jet copter the two are flying in makes its way into our view and then lands on the lawn. I smile a little, amused. How Bulma gets Vegeta to fly with her in that contraption I'll never know.

"Hey Bulma! Vegeta!" Dad greets the duo, waving to them happily. Bulma however looks furious for reasons I don't understand, and glares at my father. I internally wince. This is gonna be ugly.

"'Hey Bulma?!' That's all you have to say Goku?!" she shouts back, clearly outraged. For once I'm just as clueless as my dad as to what is going on, but knowing Bulma, I won't have to wait long to find out what's got her upset this time. "I haven't seen you for five years Goku! Five years, and all you have to say is 'Hey Bulma?!'"

I look to my father, shocked at Bulma's accusation. Has he really not been over to see Bulma for the past five years? Sure, he goes out training with Vegeta practically every day, and sometimes they go out for weekend long trips, but I figured that he had been visiting both of them since he always leaves home to train with Vegeta. I always assumed that he goes to Capsule Corps., but apparently I was wrong. Now I understand Bulma's frustration completely. My dad my not be home a lot, but at least I get to see him every day unless he's out on one of his weekend trips, and even then, those only last three days. With my dad's past track record of getting into trouble, I wouldn't be surprised if she had thought that he had died again since I know that Vegeta never likes to talk about his training.

Dad scratches the back of his head nervously and tries his best to look innocent. I can see Vegeta rolling his eyes and I smile. I'm not the only one who can see through my father's innocent campaign. "Has it really been five years Bulma? Gosh I'm sorry, but I've been super busy."

This time I roll my eyes. Yeah, busy alright. Busy training. I can tell that Bulma is thinking the same thing, as her face doesn't seem to calm at all at my dad's explanation. "Really Goku?" she retorts. "You're so busy training that you can't even bother to call every once in a while? Every time I call Chichi you're always out training!"

Vegeta scoffs. "For crying out loud woman, he obviously is trying to keep up his strength for the next threat, which will no doubt inevitably happen." I blink, genuinely surprised. Vegeta just defended my father, something I thought he never would do in his life. But not only that, he defended him for not visiting his wife for the past five years. Before I'm able to process this further though he looks my way and scowls, which confuses me. "Unlike this pathetic excuse of a warrior who'd much rather go to concerts and parties and influence my son to do the same. I'd hate to see what would happen to this planet if something were to happen to Kakarot or me."

I roll my eyes again, used to Vegeta's banter by now. Bulma however glares heatedly at her husband. I know she doesn't like the fact that he insulted me for 'being a normal teenager' as she had once said. I would have to agree with her on that. Dad however speaks up before either of us can. "Woah Vegeta, calm down!" he frantically states, trying to placate the saiyan prince, a feat not very easily accomplished I may add. "I agree that our sons could train more, but you and I both know how easy it is to slack off in times of peace." I sigh. That doesn't really help much, but that's about as much as a defense as I'll get from my father.

Before the argument is able to escalate further, I feel another ki heading our way at a pretty quick pace. I smirk, realizing that Trunks is on his way over. Yes! Now I won't be alone in the torture! As he lands, I walk over to him and give him a fist bump. "S'up Trunks?"

"What's up Goten," He replies to me and then notices my father and his parents there too. "Hey Goku, long time no see. And hey Mom and Dad. I didn't expect you guys to be here."

I can see Bulma scowl, clearly still upset by the reason she had to come here in the first place. Unlike us who can fly using our ki, or my dad who can use instant transmission to get anywhere in a blink of an eye, Bulma has to fly in a jet copter, and while her copters are clearly top of the line, it's still a three hour ride from West City to here. It must be quite a hassle to get here, one of the reasons why she almost never comes over. "Well son, I wouldn't have had to fly all the way over here if Goku would stop by more often than once every five years!"

Much like I reacted earlier, Trunks looks at Goku surprised. He probably is trying to think of any times Dad has come to Capsule Corps recently. "Has it really been that long?" he asks, astonished.

However, before anyone can answer his inquiry, Vegeta once again cuts off the conversation with a growl. "Enough of this petty argument! The only reason I even agreed to go with you woman was to ask Kakarot a question." He turns his attention to my father. "Now is it true that you plan on entering that pathetic excuse of a tournament tomorrow?"

Dad puts on his classic grin, and I can't help but groan. Oh yeah the tournament. I forgot that's why I was out here training with Dad in the first place. Back when I was younger, I loved martial arts. I even was able to beat Trunks in the Junior Division of the 26th Tenkaichi Budokai and get my revenge from three years prior when he beat me. And I still do enjoy martial arts to a certain extent. I love sparring with Trunks, or Gohan when he's available. Heck, I've even become a sensei to my young niece, as Gohan and Videl finally let her start training.

I only really like martial arts as a sport though. Both Gohan and Trunks are the same way. They enjoy the occasional spar and both the physical and mental challenge that comes with trying to defeat your opponent. My father and Vegeta are different though. I do martial arts as an athlete. They both do them as warriors. The way they spar is completely different. They train constantly, as if they were going to war, and their spars are absolutely brutal. After a spar with my brother or best friend, I'll most likely end up with a few bruises and cuts, but those are really the extent of my injuries. After a spar with Vegeta or my dad however, I'm pretty much guaranteed to be bleeding all over with a few broken ribs and internal injuries that require the healing power of a regeneration tank that I'm thankful Bulma and her father were able to create.

That's why I was surprised when Dad told me that he was entering the next Budokai. He's a warrior, and I don't know what kind of entertainment he would get from beating a bunch of normal humans at a tournament. I figured that's why he told me to enter too, so he could have someone that can give him at least a little bit of a challenge. Getting back to conversation going on around me, I look and see that Dad obviously told Vegeta that he was and I can see Vegeta looking at my father with a calculating expression, probably wondering the same thing I am. He still hasn't told me exactly why he's entering, or why I have to enter.

"Why are you entering this tournament Kakarot?" He asks, much like I predicted.

Dad grins, and I wonder if he's actually going to reveal his true reason for going to the tournament. I listen intently for my father's answer. "I'm entering because I know another warrior that is entering as well, and he's incredibly strong."

"Peh, I'd hardly call your youngest brat incredibly strong," Vegeta mocks, and while I detest how Vegeta said it, I silently agree with him that I wouldn't be able to beat my father. At least not in the shape I'm in at the moment. He must be talking about someone else, and that really makes me curious. I know he's not talking about Gohan or Vegeta, and those are the only two that really stand a chance against Dad, so who else could it be?

"Wait, you're entering too Goten?" Trunks asks me, and I nod sadly. To tell the truth I really didn't want to enter. Dad had practically forced me to enter, even though I had a date that night! It was with the perfect girl too! Her name is Valese and she is a very attractive brunette with these really dark brown eyes. I'd had a crush on her for the past few months, but she has always had a boyfriend every time I've wanted to ask her out. That was until last week when she finally was single. I pounced on the opportunity and she had agreed to go out with me. But then Dad told me that I was entering the tournament so I could refine my skills and I was forced to cancel on Valese.

Boy did she not take that well, and let's just say that I was single again before I even got the chance to have a girlfriend.

Trunks of course knew all about my date with Valese, and had the decency to not make fun of me in front of his parents and my dad. I silently thank him for that. Eventually though, the conversation goes back to my father as he (hopefully) elaborates what he means. "No Vegeta, while Goten is strong, I'm not talking about him. This person's not actually in our group yet, but he definitely is powerful, maybe even stronger than me!"

I can't help but gape at my dad's clarification. Did he really say that this mystery person could be stronger than him? What is he talking about? The only people on this planet that come close to him are all within our group of close friends. Who could Dad possibly be talking about? He obviously believes what he's saying as he sounded very excited when he said that, more excited than I have heard him... well ever. I look around to gauge everyone else's reactions and they are all equally surprised at Dad's declaration. And I can't help but focus on his wording. He said that this person wasn't in our group yet. Is he trying to recruit a new warrior or something?

Before anyone can ask him to elaborate any further however, we are once again interrupted by yet another person's ki, approaching at a modest pace, but this time I can't help but smile. I'd recognize that ki anywhere. I look in the direction of the ki and see a tiny spark of white that grows bigger and bigger until I can make out a figure, which eventually turns into the form of a little girl. The girl lands in front of me and grins a one thousand watt smile, one that I can't help but return.

"Uncle Goten, did you see how fast I flew around the world?" She excitedly chips, clearly proud of herself. I must say that I'm proud of her too.

"I sure did Pan," I answer enthusiastically, ruffling her short black hair affectionately. This gesture causes her to giggle, and grin wider if possible. "That must have been a new record for you!"

My niece nods vehemently, and I can't help but chuckle. She is so insanely adorable, especially when excited, and I have a very hard time resisting the urge to take the girl in my arms and not let go. "Why don't you go tell Grandpa Goku about it? I'm sure he'd like to know."

"Yeah!" she agrees and then runs right over to Dad. My niece and Dad are incredibly close, and if there's one thing about Dad that I love, it's how great he is with Pan. Every time he's not training or eating he's spending time with his granddaughter. He might not make much time for me or Mom, but when it comes to Pan, he treats her very lovingly. And Pan loves him right back. She can't seem to get enough of 'Grandpa Goku' whenever she comes over to visit, which is pretty much every day.

"Grandpa!" She cheers, flying into his arms… literally. He thankfully catches her and listens to what she has to tell him. "I just flew around the world in about two hours!"

Dad grins back at her. "Really Pan? That's amazing! You are getting faster every day!"

My cute niece nods back at Dad. "Do you think I'm ready for the tournament tomorrow Grandpa?"

I can tell that both Bulma and Vegeta are shocked at that announcement by Pan, as is Trunks. I know I was too when I found out that my four year old niece was entering the tournament. I was more surprised that Gohan let his 'precious little angel' enter a martial arts tournament than the fact that she's only four and entering a martial arts tournament to begin with, but I think Videl might have coerced him. How, I don't know… and probably don't want to know.

I almost laugh out loud when Trunks states his disbelief out loud. "No way! Are you really entering the tournament Pan?"

She jumps out of Dad's arms and runs over to my best friend, a look of disbelief on her face. "Of course I am! What, do you think I can't do it?"

This time I do laugh as Trunks stumbles over his words, trying to think of something to say. "O-of course you can do it Pan," he tries to placate her, not wanting to upset the adorable little girl. "I-I just thought you'd wait until the next one."

My niece shakes her head stubbornly. "Nu Uh! Grandpa said that I could enter this one, and said that I could get pretty far too!"

After seemingly been stunned silent, Bulma finally speaks her opinion. "But Goku, there's no Junior Division this year! You mean to tell me that Pan is going to fight the adults?"

Pan, much to my amusement nods vigorously, and Dad walks over to her and places a hand on her head. "I wouldn't worry too much about Pan you guys. She can handle herself."

I silently agree with my Dad. Pan may be only four, but she has saiyan blood, and she is already stronger than everybody on the planet outside of the Z-gang, including her 'grandpa Hercule.' And as her sensei, I know that despite her age, she is incredibly talented and has great instincts when it comes to both fighting form and ki control, both traits she inherited form both of her parents. She really should have no problem qualifying and then beating anyone besides one of us. I actually look forward to seeing the reactions of everyone when this cute little girl who is probably the least intimidating person on the planet makes the tournament, and I almost chuckle out loud at the thought of the reactions of both the crowd and her opponent when she beats them.

Maybe this tournament won't be that bad after all.

I'm brought out of my amusing thoughts by Vegeta, who is actually showing a rare smile on his face, and I can't help but grin. There are only two people in the universe that can evoke such a reaction on the prince of all saiyans: my niece and his young daughter Bra. Both girls have Vegeta wrapped around their pinkies and can get him to do basically anything they want, something that never fails to impress and amuse me. Who knew that the secret weapon against the arrogant prince was a little girl? "Now that's the spirit of a true warrior! If what you say is true Kakarot then I'm going to enter! I'll prove to you that I'm superior to both this mystery warrior and you!"

My face pales at Vegeta's statement. He's entering too? Well great, now I have to worry about facing both him and my dad. My chances of at least making it to the finals just got a lot thinner, and now I have to worry about another unnecessarily brutal fight. Those fights are never that fun, even though I get the chance to go all out. The only chance I'll get to have any real fun is if I end up fighting Pan, and even then I don't really want to hurt her too badly. Perhaps I can get Gohan to join, but that's probably already a lost cause. He doesn't like attention and he likes staying undercover so he doesn't get recognized by any of his students at the university. That leaves my only option as Trunks, but he probably won't wanna join either. It doesn't hurt to ask though.

As I formulate my plan on getting Trunks to join, my Dad reacts to Vegeta's commitment to the tournament. He grins, and I suspect that he expected to get Vegeta to join the tournament by telling him about this mystery warrior. Perhaps there is no mystery warrior at all and this was just my dad's way of persuading Vegeta to join the tournament. But then I dismiss that thought, thinking back to how excited he sounded talking about this guy. Not even Dad can fake that much excitement. "That's great Vegeta!" he replies happily, probably very glad that he will get the chance to fight his rival in the ring. "Trunks, you should enter too!" he adds, much to my surprised delight. My dad just did my job for me!

Trunks looks as if he wants to protest, but before he can voice his opinion, he is cut off by Vegeta. "Great idea Kakarot! Trunks, you're joining too, or you allowance will be cut in half."

I grin widely at that while Trunks pales, speechless as to how he even got into this situation. Finally he finds his voice and immediately protests. "You can't do that!" he shouts incredulously, and much to my continued entertainment, he turns to his mother, and I can already tell what he's going to do next, making me chuckle to myself. "Mom, you can't let him do that!"

Bulma huffs in exasperation, probably at her eighteen year old son's childish behavior. "Oh hush Trunks, just enter the tournament. Goten's entering too so you can keep him company," she adds, giving me a wink. I knew there was a reason why I love Bulma. My best friend however groans and I throw my arm around him and grin.

"What's the matter Trunks?" I ask playfully. "Are you afraid that you'll lose to Pan?"

He glares at me and throws my arm off of him while everyone else laughs, even Vegeta! Wow, that's the first time that I've made him laugh in my life. Pan runs over to Trunks and grins up at him. "Yeah, I bet I could beat you Trunks," she adds, causing me to start laughing all over again. While I continue to laugh, Trunks smirks and kneels down to my niece's level.

"Just so you know Pan, if I fight you, I'm not going to go easy on you," he states, causing my adorable niece to pout cutely.

"I'll still beat you Trunks," she mumbles, looking at the ground, but she doesn't sound nearly as confident as before. At this, I try and reduce my laughter and also kneel down to my niece. I put an arm around her, pulling her into a one armed hug.

"You most certainly can Pan!" I encourage her, looking down at her giving her what I hope is a confident look. "I know you're definitely strong enough to put up a good fight. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if you were able to beat either of us." I look up at Trunks and give him a look that basically says 'don't you deny this or else' before my niece grabs my attention again by pulling on my shoulder length hair. She looks up to me with my brother's wide, onyx eyes.

"Do you really think I'm that strong Uncle Goten?" she asks me, eyes disbelieving, but hopeful that I agree. And can't help but smile softly and tighten my grip on her a little.

"Of course I do Panny! You're very strong and incredibly talented. I believe in you." I truly believe it too. She may have more natural talent than either my brother or I had when we were her age. It really would be no surprise if she were to catch either Trunks or me off guard during a match and knock one of us out of the ring.

I know I said the right thing as Pan grins up at me happily before throwing her arms around me in a hug. I quickly wrap my other arm around her and return the hug, not caring that everyone else is watching me. I feel relieved that she doesn't seem upset anymore. I truly adore my niece, probably more than anyone other than my older brother. I hate to see her even a little bit upset and do everything in my power to make her smile again when she is.

I'll admit that I see Pan more as a little sister rather than a niece. It sounds weird, I know, but I can't help it. My dad was dead for the first seven years of my life, so I didn't have my father too look up to. Thankfully though, I had an amazing big brother that took over my dad's role in my life and basically raised me as his own son. Even after Dad was brought back to life with Old Kai's sacrifice to fight Buu, Gohan was still the one that I looked up to as I would my father. While alive, Dad still wasn't around much, always off training like I mentioned earlier, but Gohan was always around for me even though he had school and had just started dating Videl.

Even now that he's married and moved out he still is there for me. I have my own room in his house and he lets me come and go as I wish, and let me say that I spend the majority of my time over there when I'm not at school, hanging out with Trunks and our other friends, or working my part time job at Mr. Satan's dojo. He said that he moved right next door to us because he loved the area, but Videl had told me once when he wasn't around that he had convinced her to move here for me, so I could come to him whenever I needed him or just wanted to visit him. I will always love my brother for everything he's done for me over the years, especially since he wasn't truly obligated to do any of it.

And Videl is just as awesome as my brother. Ever since I've known her she's always been like an older sister to me. She always was willing to help me out and play with me while Mom made Gohan study (something I still don't understand since Big Brother already knew everything they were teaching in high school before I was even born). And she never once complained when Gohan declined a date with her because he had to watch me, or when he brought me along with them to places, even when they first started dating. That is something I find incredible as I know most girls would get frustrated after a while of that, but not Videl. I think she understood the bond that Gohan and I had and respected that bond. Even these days, now that I'm practically an adult myself, she still respects that bond and is just as inviting as Gohan when it comes to their home.

So really, knowing all of this, it comes as no surprise that I see their daughter as more of a sister than what she actually is. I see my brother as a dad and Videl as practically a third mother (as I also see Bulma in a similar light). Pan brings me out of my thoughts by pulling away and giving me a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you Uncle Goten! You're the best!"

I return her gesture and give her a peck on the cheek as well. "You're welcome Panny. I love you sweetie."

She giggles and wraps her arms around my neck in another hug, resting her head on my shoulder as I hold her close. "I love you too Uncle Goten," she replies and I smile. I couldn't honestly care less that everyone if staring at me or that I will be the subject of much teasing after all of this is over. I will never be ashamed of my relationship with my niece. At the moment I am content, glad that I can do for Pan what her father has done for me my whole life. I tend to be rather protective when it comes to Pan, and I really don't want to ever see her get hurt. One thing's for sure though:

If she ever does get hurt, the perpetrator will feel my wrath, no matter who they are.