Hey everyone!!! I am so sorry for taking so long to write anything, and I know a lot of my readers are still waiting for me to get my next chap up for Gohan's Redemption, which I promise you is still under way, I just really needed something else to work on along with it and at some point in time I devised this idea. I think it is a very original story plot, and hopefully it will be a big success! I hope all my readers enjoy this piece as much as my Gohan's Redemption, which I assure all of you again I am still working on. Please enjoy!!!
Prelude – Time for Revenge
Gohan nodded seriously, accepting the offer Trunks had made for him. What Trunks had offered was for Gohan to avenge his future self, to kill those who killed him in a different time. The Cell Games were over, Gohan had avenged all who had died, he had destroyed Cell, and taken over his father's place as the protector of Earth, and as the most powerful Saiyan to ever have lived. "I will go to the future Trunks, and I will show the androids fear like they have never known." Gohan turned from Trunks and his friends and jumped into the time machine. Trunks had explained that the destination was pre-set so all that was left for Gohan to do was to activate the machine. I should be back before any of them even begin to miss me. Gohan waved to his mother, his mentor Piccolo and all the friends who had gathered around to see the young warrior off. Even Vegeta stood behind the crowd, leaning against a tree watching from the shadows as the son of his adversary went to a different time to avenge the deaths that he had stopped in this one.
Gohan sat down, closing the cap and hitting the ignition button. Well here goes nothing…hope this thing works. The time machine began to buzz with activity, small gadgets beginning to move and work, the machine hovered off the ground and began to take flight. Trunks explained that the machine needed to be up in the air as a safety protocol, if the machine were to appear in a time where a house was in the time warping spot the results could be disastrous. Gohan stared in awe, this machine had warped from the world he had grown up in, he left the time and dimension that held everything he had ever known. The machine began to travel down a tunnel, blinding blue, red and green lights flashing before his eyes. He tried to make out what he saw behind the flashing lights, but all he could see was darkness. Gohan shrugged and leaned back, trying to get comfortable. Trunks had mentioned something like this happening, but had not commented on how long it would take. Gohan decided to contemplate what he would do once he reached his destination.
"I will destroy the androids… They do not seem all that bad in my world, but in the future from what Trunks has told me, they are nothing but evil. They destroyed all who opposed them, and hunted us down for sport… One by one killing us as they saw fit for their amusement." Gohan clenched his fist in front of him, a sullen power built within him, a swirling flash emitting from his eyes. "They killed me…" Gohan let the power flow through him, his hate and anger pulsate through his body for a few more seconds before he released it, his arm lying down beside him once again. "I will have to show them what I have become…" Gohan's lips quirked up at the corner of his mouth, a smile of anticipation forming as he leaned his head back forcing himself to relax. "I will show them my power."
Gohan could hear an annoying beeping sound in the back of his head. It was trying to draw him to something, something important. Gohan shook his head, trying to shake it off, then suddenly sat bolt upright in the capsule. "W-what?" Gohan looked around with dazed eyes, then suddenly fell back down into the seat, sighing in relief. "Damn dreams…" Gohan slammed his fist down on a red button by his arm, the beeping stopping and the top of the capsule opening up slowly. "Damn annoying noise." Gohan laid still for a moment, taking a few deep breaths then reaching up and pulling himself into a sitting position. He then used the momentum to throw himself over the edge, landing with a soft rustle when his feet hit the dusty rock ground. Gohan was in a crouch, his open hand against the earth. His eyes widened in surprise as he slowly stood and took in his surroundings; the complete and absolute desolation… From the dark gray lightless sky that Trunks had described, formed from the infinite amounts of dust and ash that had been thrown into the atmosphere, to the lack of any green life around him. On the ground as far as the eye could see, all he could make out was dust and bare rock. "Trunks tried to explain this world to me… But nothing could prepare me for this." Gohan took slow careful steps; his body trembling as his mind slowly began to accept that this was the same lush green terrain, filled with trees, plants and life. "Life is to good to be destroyed for such reckless personal cause…" Gohan clenched his fist at his side, his entire body quaking with rage. Not now Gohan…not now…Trunks said to go to his house and talk with Bulma. She'll be able to tell me where the androids are since I can't sense them. Gohan walked back to the side of the ship, and after a brief search pushed a large gray button, putting the time machine into a little capsule. Gohan caught the capsule before it could hit the ground and put it into his pocket. He glanced up into the sky, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. Focus Gohan…Her Ki must still feel the same as in my time… Just focus… There! Gohan shot off into the sky, the dull gray yellow filling his heart with even more anger.
Bulma made her way around the house slowly, taking her time setting down a cup of tea for herself and scotching into the seat. God I just am not myself lately…I can't stop thinking about Trunks… Is he ok!? I mean he should be here by now! He should appear right after he leaves; he has a freaking time machine for crying out loud! Bulma shook her head viciously. The past few days had been very hard on her, she went from her normal busy, never stop working attitude, to wandering around the house aimlessly as she tried to not picture the androids slaughtering her son. Bulma brought the trembling cup to her lips and took a slow long drag from the steaming brown liquid. "I just need to relax… He'll be here, I know he… TRUNKS!" In mid sentence Bulma had heard a growing sound outside, the sound that Trunks made as he flew through the air. It has to be him! I know it! There!! Bulma heard the soft boom that Trunks made when he came to a brief stop in the door way and the air rushed and hit into the house. It is Trunks!! Bulma raced down the hall way, hearing the door open and close, she rounded the last corner, preparing to fly into his arms, then give him the lecture of a life time for making her worry. "What took you so long!? Did you succeed? Did you kill the androids…" Bulma stopped cold, all the blood draining from her face as she stared at who was in the doorway. "Oh my God…"
A slow spiteful chuckle filled the hallway, growing into out right laughter as Android 17 took one more step into the house. "What's the matter? It sounds like you're expecting company." He gestured to himself and his sister who was standing slightly behind him, a smirk on her face as she watched the fear on Bulma's grow. "And if I am not mistaken we are company… I figured that the mother of that blond haired freak would be a little nicer to her son's 'friends'." 17 chuckled as he took another step into the house.
Bulma retreated down the hall with slow steps, her whole body quaking with fear. Oh no… No… Think… Think… The safe room! Bulma turned her back and fled down the hall, echo's of evil laughter following her wake. Turning into her lab she spun around and slammed on a button beside the door, huge five feet thick titanium doors slammed down blocking the door way. That's not going to hold them for long…I got to get out of here! But where!? Bulma looked around her room hysterically, trying to find a place to hide. She spotted an air vent on the floor across the room and made a run for it. She got the grate off just as she heard the steal door being ripped from it's hinges and tossed aside like cardboard. Bulma dived into the vent without a second thought, determined to do whatever she could to survive this encounter. She was all the way inside and beginning to crawl over to her bed room, from which she could go out her window and make a break for the hanger and a jet plane, as a tight hand clasped down onto her ankle, the chuckle emanating from behind her again. No…
Gohan could feel Bulma's Ki getting closer and assumed the house he saw off in the distance to be hers. "Good I found her, now I just need to explain everything from the other time line and see if she knows where the androids are." Gohan immediately knew something was wrong as he saw half the house was caved in from a distance. What the hell is going on here!? Gohan was almost to the house and was preparing himself for the worst as he heard a blood-curdling scream from above him. Gohan stopped and shot his head into the sky, his eyes opening in horror as he could make out Android 17 holding Bulma in mid air by the throat. He could make out the words 'Lets see if she can fly like her bastard of a son' as 17 casually flung her away from him, throwing his head back and laughing as Bulma screamed falling helplessly to her death on the ground below.
"NOOO!!!" Bulma screamed as she felt the tight choking grip on her throat loosen and toss her away like garbage. She felt the air rush past her, her clothes violently thrashing around her as she made her way to her death. Good bye…Trunks…I love you…
Bulma heaved as she hit a hard force, knocking the breath out of her, but it couldn't be the ground, whatever it was it gave enough to absorb her momentum and stop her still feet from the hard earth. What the… D-did they decide to torture me more before they kill me? Bulma slowly turned her head back, afraid of seeing 17's sneering face glaring at her. But as Bulma turned her head around, and her eyes focused on the face that was looking back at her, her eyes widened and she thought perhaps she HAD died. G-G…Gohan? Bulma blinked, trying to understand what was going on. "W…G-Gohan…?" Bulma managed to gasp out. Gohan stared deeply into her eyes, giving her a soft smile he nodding once slowly. Gohan floated the last short distance to the ground and sat Bulma gently down. He began to take his arms off of her but couldn't as she threw hers around his neck.
"Gohan… I… I don't know how your here… If you're an angel made up by my imagination, or are back from the dead but…"
Gohan pushed his finger against her lips silencing her. He stared into her sad eyes, eyes that were now filled with wonderment, and felt a rage build up inside him. How this battered, hurt, beaten, but not broken women could be the same joyful soul he knew so well from his own time. "I am Gohan, Bulma…" Gohan took his hand away and gripped her trembling hand in his own. "But the only kind of angel I may be… Is an angel of vengeance." He squeezed her hand briefly and stood up, letting her hand fall as he did so. "I'll be right back." Gohan jumped into the air, spinning around as he did, and blasting off into the sky to face that which had nearly killed one of his closest friends in front of his eyes.
Gohan shot up into the sky and stopped a few feet from his foes. He could tell immediately that these two mechanical terrors were nothing like that from his time line. Their faces were only filled with hate, malice, and spite.
"Well well, look what we have here 18. Looks like another little twerp that can fly! And it seems he saved that bitch we were trying to rid ourselves of. What do you think we should do about it?" 17 asked as he turned a smile to his sister beside him. "Oh I suppose we'll just have to rip her head off after we take care of this brat kid, 17." Was 18's prompt reply as she tossed her hair over her shoulder. 17 laughed and turned back to Gohan, "Sounds like a plan to me, what do you say short fry?"
Gohan's eyes began to haze over as he listened to them talk so carelessly about killing Bulma, about killing him. These freaks… I'll show them who's going to be massacred… Gohan fueled his power through his body and erupted into Super Sayin, his golden aura a fiery light that surrounded him. "You two killed so many… You killed my friends… My family… You killed EVERYONE!" Gohan screamed his power climbing enormously, his clothes whipping around him as a strong wind forced the androids to shield their eyes.
"Looks like we got another blond on our case 18! Can't we ever get rid of these guys?" 17 yelled to his sister.
"Well there's only one way to do it." 18 answered back before she charged past him. 17, seeing what she was doing, leapt after her and followed. "And that is to exterminate them one by one!"
Gohan grinned savagely as he saw the androids coming towards him. He took a breath and crossed his arms, waiting for them to attack. It didn't take long. 18 came in high, bringing her leg around to roundhouse him across the face as 17 slid and went for his legs. Gohan, seeing this, turned himself sideways. He could see things in slow motion as he smoothly dodged their attacks, 18 moving over his head as 17 moved under him. Gohan moved faster than the androids could even imagine and split his legs, thrusting one straight up into 18's stomach and the other strait down into 17's face, forcing them both away from him. Gohan moved so fast it was a blur to the androids, but to him they were still moving in slow motion as he spun away from them and smiled.
17 covered his face in horror as blood trailed from his cut brow and smashed eye. "T-that little bastard!!" 17 charged Gohan again, sending a volley of swift punches and kicks towards the young Sayin, whom with a small little smirk on his face, and his arms still crossed, smoothly dodged each blow with no effort. After 18 caught her breath she thought would try to get the drop on the blond kid, and came in from behind. She put all her strength into one punch but was amazed as the boy in front of her just disappeared, and her momentum drove her fist right into 17's incoming face.
"What's the matter you guys!?" Gohan laughed a few feet away, his eyes shining with hate and enjoyment. "Can't you two even touch me?" He smiled fuller, and opened his arms wide. Time to end this. Gohan chuckled, "Well here I am… Come and get me."
17 rubbed his bashed in face, trying to open his one eye but failing, his anger driving him to the point of insanity. "Lets kill him!!" 17 screamed as he charged Gohan.
"Right behind you!" 18 screamed back as she followed her bother. They came in on Gohan, who now had his eyes closed; his arms still spread wide open, exposing them to their attacks, and still a small little smirk that fueled their rage further. "DIE!!!!" The androids screamed in unison slamming both their fists into Gohan's stomach, then firing off two energy blasts for good measure. The two were pushed away slowly by the force of the explosion. "We did it! We killed the little bastard!" 18 yelled to her brother. But she was interrupted as an enraged scream emerged from the fires in front of her, the explosion immediately tripled in intensity sending them both sprawling away trying to regain their balance. "What the hell!?" 18 screamed in confusion.
"I…I don't kn-ack!" 17 yelled back at her.
18 shook her head and turned to see what he had said. "What did you say!?" 18 stopped short as her eyes opened in horror. The boy was behind 17, his hair a blinding gold, and a smile on his lips as he crushed 17's throat with his arm. "17… NO!!!!" 18 screamed in horror and outrage, racing to kill the one who had ended the game that she had taken such sick pleasure in playing with her brother. Gohan saw her coming and casually tossed 17's body away, taking pleasure as he limply fell to the hard ground below.
"Now it's your turn 18…" Gohan said cruelly, catching 18's punch with ease and shattering every bone in her hand with a squeeze. Gohan smiled as 18's scream of pain filled the sky. He pulled her crushed hand behind him forcing his other fist into her stomach, silencing her as she coughed blood over his shoulder, her body quivering as she tried to breathe.
"W-who a-are you?" 18 managed to stammer out between her gasps of pain.
"I," Gohan began, smiling as he formed power into his fist, which was pushed into 18's stomach, "Am an angel of vengeance… And I'm here to kill you!" Gohan fired his blast into her as she screamed once more; but her scream was swallowed up as the explosion tore through her body and silenced her evil forever.
Bulma shielded her eyes as she looked up into the sky. She had barely made out a few of the words, and had only been able to see the fighting when they were not moving around. But she could see enough, and she heard enough, and she knew. She knew that this Gohan, back from the dead or angel, regardless, that he had done it… He had killed the androids. Bulma heard a rustling behind her and turned just in time to see Gohan toss 17's body high into the air. She gasped as a huge aura of power erupted from his outstretched hand, filling the sky with power, and exploding as it hit 17's spiraling body, incinerating him on the spot. Bulma watched Gohan smile as he watched 17's ashes blow away in the wind before he turned to face her.
Gohan released his power, dropping out of his Super Sayin form, and began to slowly make his way over to Bulma. He didn't get too far, however, before she sprinted across the field and threw her arms around the boy, sobbing quietly into his shoulder. Gohan didn't know what to do, but after a second he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and held her closely, knowing the kinds of emotion that must be flooding through her right now. All these years of pain and death, fear and desolation, watching friends die one by one, were all over. "Bulma, I'll take you back to your home." With Bulma's slight nod he scooped her up in his arms and flew quickly across the short expanse to her house, deciding from all the excitement today that it would be better if she slept. He looked around a bit, then from her instruction put her in Trunk's room since her own had been destroyed when the androids caved in the roof.
Gohan sat at the kitchen table, his head slumped down in his hands as he brooded. It had been five hours since he left Bulma in her son's bed, deciding he should get some sleep as well. But no matter how he tried he couldn't. I did it… I stopped it all. But… What am I forgetting…? I know there is something I have yet to do here before I go…Gohan jumped slightly as he felt a warm blanket get wrapped around his shoulders. He had been so involved in his thoughts that he hadn't even heard Bulma come up behind him.
"So tell me Gohan…" Bulma stopped for a second; trying to think of the exact word then shrugged and settled for, "Tell me everything." She sat down in a seat across from him at her little kitchen table. Bulma smiled comfortingly and pushed a small cup of tea identical to the one she now cradled in her hands across to Gohan.
Gohan smiled and nodded his thanks, picking up the cup and taking a small sip before setting it back down. He took a deep breath and looked Bulma in the eyes as he began the story. He told her everything, from when Trunks had first come to his time, to when Trunks came back again and they began to fight the androids. He told her how everyone was doing, smiling lightly as she blushed as he explained how her past self was acting with Vegeta. Gohan went on to tell about how Cell had come, and absorbed the androids from his time. He told her about the Rosat, and how all the Sayins had become incredibly stronger. Then he finished off with the story of the destruction of Cell by himself, and how he and Trunks had gotten together and formed this plan for Gohan to come back and finish off the androids even though Trunks himself could just as easily. At one part in the story something had clicked in Gohan's head, and he suddenly remembered what he had to do. He locked that information away in the back of his mind for later and then went on with the story.
Bulma's eyes sparkled, during the account she had leaned in farther and farther, being drawn into the story Gohan was telling, complete with gasps of surprise, smiles of enjoyment, and shrieks of fear. After the story was finished Bulma leaned back into her chair, smiling, happier than she had been in years. "I can't believe it… It's just… Just too good to be true!" Bulma leapt up from where she was sitting and began to pace around the room, unable to contain the joy and emotion she felt inside of her. "Trunks… Vegeta, Goku, you… Everyone! It's just amazing to think about!" Bulma stopped and turned to face Gohan, tears streaming down her face; but not of sadness, rather of the deepest joy and relief she had felt in her life. "I know what I'll do, since after this I certainly can't do nothing!" Bulma smiled broader as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "I'm going to get to work on designing a way to start rebuilding! Capsule Corp will live again!"
Gohan laughed hard, slapping his hand down onto the table and standing up. God… Now this is the Bulma I remember so well! "Bulma I have to go for a bit, I have something to take care of before I leave this time."
Bulma nodded, "Ok Gohan, I'll have a big meal here by the time you get back!"
Gohan smiled and walked towards the exit. "I'm looking forward to it Bulma!" He ran the rest of the way and jumped out the doorway, blasting off as he did so.
Bulma stood by the doorframe as she watched the young Sayin fly off. "Gohan…" Bulma closed her eyes and drug up memories of the past, when the Sayins had first arrived, when she had been on Namek... "Gohan… I always knew there was something special about you…" Bulma smiled and turned to go back inside.
Gohan flew over the mountains, scanning the area and his memory for what he was looking for. God, this land is in such desolation…Gohan smiled. But I know now that it will be ok, especially with people like Bulma and Trunks to care for it. Ah! Gohan stopped as he found what he was searching for. He hovered in the air staring down at a flattened mountain below him. "Gero's lab." Gohan thought about what was down there right now, under the earth, slowly growing, and in years to come what that power would do; or would have done if he or Trunks wouldn't be here. "Hello Cell." Gohan said to no one, still looking down at the mountain. "We haven't met yet in this time, and no, we never will." Gohan smiled and brought his hands above his head, forming his energy into a strong concentrated force. "Masenko-HAH!!" Gohan screamed, bringing his arms down and firing off his blast at the mountainside. The entire sky erupted in a violent golden explosion as his beam hit. After the debris had cleared Gohan went down and checked over the giant crater, making sure there was absolutely no chance of any life surviving. "Good bye." Gohan blasted off heading back towards Bulma's, finally satisfied that he had done everything for this time that he could.
That night, while Bulma and Gohan ate, they discussed plans for future developments, both enjoying the feeling of companionship unlike what they had felt for a long time. They talked long hours into the night, in fact, until the sun came up.
Gohan glanced out the window and smiled. "Bulma, it's time for me to go, but don't worry. Trunks will be here very soon, maybe even today." Bulma nodded, getting up and walking around the table to throw her arms around Gohan viciously. "Gohan… Gohan please promise you'll be back. I can't just never see you again after this!"
Gohan hugged her tightly and smiled. "Don't worry Bulma, I promise, I will return."
Gohan waved his goodbye as the time machine gently floated off into the sky and disappeared. He settled back down into his seat, getting as comfortable as possible. "Yes this time will defiantly be ok." Gohan stared out into the lights outside the machine and sighed happily. He began to think about what he would do when he got back. "I know my mother will try to convince me to study but…" Gohan sighed. "I can't…I just can't forget my training, and I can't forget my new obligation to the earth… As its protector in place of my father…" Gohan's brooding was interrupted by a faint odor that had just appeared. What is that smell… It… It almost smells like something is… Gohan's eyes widened as a spark shot from the control panel in front of him and landed at his feet. Like something is burning!! The control panel in front of him cracked slightly, electricity pulsed from the crack ruining the console further. Gohan tried to think of something to do, but as the ship shot out of the tunnel into darkness there was nothing he could do but scream as the ship spiraled through the endless vortex. "AHHH!!!" Gohan screamed again as the ship began to break up, opening his eyes to see a light begin to appear in front of him. Gohan grappled the manual flight controls, something Trunks had warned him vehemently not to touch, and tried to steer the ship into the light. I've got to hold on… I've got to survive!!!! The ship reached the light just as its hull ripped asunder and Gohan blacked out, falling, falling, never sure if he would ever stop.
The light seeped through his closed eyes, forcing Gohan into awareness. He slowly opened his eyes, the light blinding him momentarily from long period of immersed darkness. Gohan shook his head, keeping his face tilted down as his eyes began to adjust. "W-where am I?" He stood shakily on his feet, his vision clearing more, letting him take in his surroundings. He was standing in an open glade; tree's surrounding him on all ends. "What…what happened?" Gohan kicked a hard rock, and when he looked down to his horror he saw pieces of shrapnel, broken parts from the time machine that had malfunctioned in mid time warp. "Oh my God… I… I could be anywhere… Any… Time…"