Heeey there old and new readers! As most of you already know, this is the sequel to Gohan: The untold Story, (if you didn't know, go check it out first before you read this!)
I hope you guys will like it, and please review; I enjoy getting feedback and criticism (good and bad :D), so don't be shy to tell me what you think!
Oeh, and guess what? It is my eighteenth birthday today! I thought it would be nice to publish the new story on the day that starts off my 18'th year of life! Bahahaha! :D
Disclaimer: I am poor, so of course I don't own DBZ…
*ENJOY!
CHAPTER 1: SECOND CHANCES
"I have one arm, and that is all I need!" I yelled, more as a motivation to myself as for anyone else.
A silver aura surrounded me like a whirlwind as I transformed directly into my Super Saiyan four form; my right uninjured arm clenched in a stance as my damaged left arm hung loosely from my side, I hunched a bit to the left in pain.
I created a golden shield around all my exhausted friends behind me, knowing that they wouldn't survive the aftershocks of the two massive waves when they connected.
"Ka….." I started chanting, pulling only my one arm back.
"Me…." I retracted my arm back further, it resided next to my right hip now, its usual location when I did this attack. Lightning started to thunder slightly around my arm as I shot all my power towards my right hand.
"Ha…." The aura around my body enlarged three times in size, engulfing the whole area around me.
"Me…." The lightning playing around on my body was wilder than ever before; the energy that emitted from my hand lifted my bangs up, making them levitate with my other straight hair above my head. I hesitated, stretching the syllable longer as what it really should be as I pushed more power in.
"HAAAAA!" I let go of all the power I gathered in my palm, loosing myself in the frenzy of power that surged through my left upper limb.
...
"It has been fun Gohan, but unfortunately this has to end!" He yelled and pushed all the power he had left in the blast, over powering me, and due to my injuries, I couldn't match his tremendous power. I growled an agonised growl through clenched teeth as I skidded back even further. His energy flew over my blast and engulfed it more and more, almost completely taking it over.
I skidded back more, driven by the strong energy wind, until I stopped in front of the shield; the back of my feet pushing against it.
"Gohan let go of the shield!" Piccolo yelled loudly. "We will be alright, use the power you put in this thing in your blast. If my calculations are correct, it will be enough to match him again."
My eyes widened in horror and I used all the muscles in my upper thighs to take two steps forward. "I can't!" I yelled horrified and strained. "I won't! You guys mean too much to me."
"We can be wished back!" Gomih reasoned in a soft voice.
"You can't! You are already dead!"
She sighed. "Sacrifices have to be made."
"NOOOO!" I yelled and opened the vault to my hidden powers, releasing every fragment that was inside it, until it was emptied. I walked forward with the blast in my one hand, pushing the power at a higher frequency in.
My wave slowly started to eat up and swallow his red wave, my blue Kamehameha being the prominent colour in the big ball now.
"Never again you will hurt anyone… NEVER!" I yelled and my mouth opened broadly as an agonised scream escaped my lungs. I pushed everything I had and more into my wave, walking forward with it again.
"What, no!" Raphael yelled panicky. "STOP!"
My wave completely engulfed his wave and consumed his entire body. His screams got lost in the immense power surrounding every fragment of his entity. But it wasn't enough. I walked over to the faint sounds of a cough… And he pulled me down into the ground with him, his blue and orange eyes piercing my soul…
Burying me alive…
...
I woke with a start, clutching my blanket. My breathing came in gasps and I frantically looked around me, confused. Oh, it was that dream again. I ran my hand through my hair and frowned as my fingers hit the spiky wall that was my hair. Huh, I transformed in my sleep again, I noticed I was in Super Saiyan 2 form.
I jumped out of bed and went to the kitchen to get some water.
"Hey Dad." I acknowledged my father's presence as I saw the silhouette of his body faintly in the shadows.
He stepped one pace closer, his body became visible from the moonlight that streamed through the open curtains. He held his arms across his bare chest, looking at me with a frown on his face.
I grabbed a glass from the sink, not even caring if it was clean, and pouring ice cold water from the fridge in it. Just when I was about to bring it to my mouth, the glass shattered under my grasp.
"Gohan, this is the fourth time this has happened in this month." He said pointing at my hair that was still spiked up.
"Yeah, I know." I said softly. "I guess I am just stressed of something."
"About?" He did the fatherly thing and fished for more information.
I sighed annoyed. "I don't know; life…" I said in an irritated tone as I averted back to my original state, brushing the stray glass together and throwing it in the garbage before Mom could find out about it.
"Sorry." I apologized, realizing that my tone was a bit snarky.
"Maybe it has something to do with the fact that you start high school tomorrow?" He asked.
I groaned. "Don't remind me…"
Two years have passed since the whole encounter where I thought I was whisked to another dimension and came back somehow, having only a few faint memories of the whole ordeal, and the less I thought about it, the fainter it got…
"I think it would be good for you." Dad commented, sitting down on one of the kitchen stools; resting his chin on his open left palm.
"Yeah; we have to blend in with other people our age." I mimicked Mother's voice perfectly, making Dad laugh.
"You do a better Chi-Chi, than she does herself!" He complimented.
"Thanks Dad," I said with a half-smile, heading for the stairs. "I should better get tucked in, tomorrow is a big day after all."
Dad shot me a sympathetic gaze, got up from his seat and opened the front door, letting in the cold night air.
"What?" I asked as he stared at me expectantly, and then the ki's of my friends and allies flooded my mind.
'Not again,' I moaned with closed eyes and begrudgingly jumped off the steps I already climbed; rushing outside and waited for my approaching friends. Five familiar ki's rushing in my direction.
Here we go again…
Piccolo was first to arrive, followed by Vegeta, Trunks, Krillen and 18. They all landed in a straight line, alert apparent in their features.
"Gohan, what happened?! Are you all right?" Piccolo was first to speak and studied me thoroughly from head to toes, noticing nothing out of place. He stared at me with a confused expression, awaiting an answer.
I flinched. There is nothing more intimidating than one of Piccolo's stares; I swear it will send chills down the spines of even the toughest warriors.
"Well?" Piccolo started to get impatient.
Vegeta tapped his foot on the ground, causing the ground to shake a little. "The namek asked you a question, boy."
Think Gohan, think. "Uh, well, you see, uh someone broke into the h...house, and uh, I wanted to uh scare him so I transformed into a Super Saiyan. It worked! He ran away, whimpering like a baby." I put my hand behind my head, and let out a chuckle; a gesture famous in the Son-household. I crossed my fingers; I hope they buy it.
"Is that true Goku?" Piccolo asked a second opinion from my dad, clearly not buying what I was selling when I noticed his sceptical frown.
Not daring to shoot Dad a 'please help me' puppy eyes; it would give Piccolo more ammunition to know that I was lying through my teeth.
"Yeah, but boy, Gohan scared him off!" He covered my bodacious behind, convincingly, which was strange for him; he never was that good at fibbing.
I sighed a silent sigh of relief. Thanks Dad…
Vegeta grunted. "This is a waste of my time." He blasted off into the sky; flying at an incredible speed back home.
"It is always a pleasure to see you too, Vegeta." I yelled after him, resulting in me getting a private and intimate dance from his middle finger.
Trunks looked at me with a sympathetic expression. "I am sorry Gohan; you know how my father can be. Stay safe." Trunks smiled and waved goodbye.
I waved back. "Say hi to Bulma for me!"
"You sure you are all right, bro? You look a little shaken?" Krillen asked worriedlyafterVegeta and Trunks left.
I smiled. "I am fine Krillen, but I wish I could say the same for that thief." I let out a chuckle, making the lie more authentic. "You should have seen him run; it was hilarious!"
Krillen laughed. "I can imagine. But seriously Gohan, if you ever need anything, you know where to find me; your Dad here didn't make me your godfather for nothing." He did a little salute. "Willing and able."
I chuckled and returned the dorky gesture. "Sir, yes sir!" I forced a smile at Krillen. "I won't hesitate to ask you for help, buddy."
He smiled back and put his arm around Eighteen's waist. That was still strange for me to see; she was once one of my greatest enemies, and now all of a sudden she is Krillen's girlfriend and a permanent member of our group. Not that I got out much, but still, it was weird.
"Well we will be off then, it is kinda late…" Krillen said and blushed when Eighteen winked at him. Ugh, I don't even want to know.
"Yeah sure; see you!" I greeted as they retreated. I sighed softly and turned to my house again; surprised to sense Dad's ki inside. I smiled softly. He probably didn't want to risk doing something that would make Piccolo and the others more suspicious than before.
"Not so fast kid." I flinched as I heard Piccolo's 'full of authority' voice just as I begun retreating.
"Hey Mister Piccolo, I didn't know you were still here." I acknowledged; cursing myself for not being more attentive.
He nodded, "Clearly, and don't think I am buying that crap you told those morons."
I rolled my eyes at him."Piccolo please," I begged, "I am not in the mood; it is friggin 2 in the morning. I am tired and I have a horrible headacheandI have school tomorrow." It sounded like my list was everlasting.
He shrugged indifferently. "So? Your mouth still works."
"You are a leech, you know that right?" I asked rhetorically, irritation apparent in my cold voice.
"A leech that cares about you; so spill it..." It was not a request; he made it sound like a full-blown command.
I sighed; he was not going to let this go. "I have been having horrible nightmares recently…" I gave in; I never could lie to him. "Each night it gets worse and in every one of them I am the one killing you guys. I am the bad guy."
He put a hand reassuringly on my shoulder. "Those are just nightmares Gohan; you will never do anything to hurt anyone."
I gave a fake smile. "Sure…" My voice trailed off; my thoughts pausing at the vague dream about an evil me, possessed by some force, blasting planet earth into oblivion.
"There is something you are not telling me." Piccolo retorted and I snapped.
I threw his arm off my shoulder violently and glared at him. "You don't know anything! You don't know what it is like to be me! You have no right to throw around these wild untrue accusations. You. Don't. Know. Me." I spat loudly at him and stomped off back into the house.
"I am not through with you yet." Piccolo stated coolly, as if I hadn't just insulted him.
"Yeah but I am through with you!" I spat without looking back and shut the door behind me with a loud clang.
"That was harsh." Dad noted as I practically fell through the door.
I scoffed. "Of course you eavesdropped on my private conversation."
Dad frowned at me. "It isn't a private conversation, when you are yelling so loudly that everyone can hear you." He looked me over, halting at my clenched fists. "You have gotten very aggressive lately…"
"And you are very observant these days Father." I said in a mocking tone.
"Gohan, I would appreciate it if you show me a little respect. I am your father." His tone was filled with authority.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, steadying myself, and keeping myself from saying something that could have stayed.
"Sorry Dad, these nightmares are just starting to get to me." I admitted.
"What nightmares?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
I sighed. "Dad it is late; I am going to bed." I groaned, not in the mood to explain the whole spectacle to him too.
"Even if you go to bed now, you will not be able to get back to sleep and you know it."
"Ugh fine." I rolled my eyes and fell butt-first into the soft sofa; the leathery cushion curled around my behind, making my seat comfortable.
"What do you want to know?" I caved, watching his muscular frame as he plopped down next to me.
"I want to know what has been recently up with you." He started. "The last two years you were more distant and quiet than ever before." He tousled my already messy hair. "Where is the sweet little talkative body I raised?"
I got in an upright sitting position. "I am not allowed to change?" I asked in a harsh tone. "I just died, defeating freaking Cell after letting you, my own father die; of course I am going to have issues and trouble getting over it." I sat back, my arms crossed over my chest in fury.
"What are you talking about, son?" He looked at me with sympathetic eyes. "I didn't die," he paused, "recently."
"I know, I am not retarded, you are sitting in front of me without a halo." I said that more in the sense of convincing me that what I just dreamt wasn't actually real. "It is that blasted nightmare that haunts me night after night after night…" I paused, looking into Dad's kind brown eyes.
"It feels real Dad, like I really lived through it. I feel responsible for everything that happened in that dream… As if I actually did it…" I confessed the first time in two years at someone who wasn't just a wall or a stray wild-animal in the woods who was brave enough to near me.
"Tell me about it." He said, encouraging me with his genuine smile.
"Really?" I couldn't hide my surprise; I thought he was going to suggest that I see a professional to talk these things through.
He chuckled. "Well, yeah." He said slowly, as if he was offended that I didn't thought he would care.
Without further hesitation I turned my body towards my dad and placed my feet on the couch, to get more comfortable as I talked about the imagery in the dream that I have been carrying with me for almost two years.
I told my dad how the Cell Games turned out horribly, taking the lives of both of us. I told him about the years of training I underwent with Magisterial, the highest of Kai's. I spoke about Draco and me, at first hating each other, but growing into a bond as close as brothers, if not closer.
I introduced him to the guard, the twelve members that were professionals in the world of protecting others. I passionately described our adventures, and told some of the jokes I vaguely remembered my best friend, Reynard, telling with humorous dedication.
I re-told the legend of the Z-sword, the most powerful weapon in the known galaxy who allowed me to be its wielder.
And finally I told him about Raphael, I told him how he came to earth at the same time a martial arts tournament was held here on earth. I told him about Buu, and the demon king Dabura, who almost took their lives.
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I relived the vivid memory of the dream where Gomih, as seventeen-year-old was killed and how that lead to Raphael gaining enough power over me to overtake my mind…
I announced with pleasure that I managed enough strength to allow me and my evil half to be split in two, each with his own identity and personality, yet physically exact.
I told about how I released them from Buu's body, after they have been imprisoned inside the vulgar being. I spoke of the defeat of the pink monster, soon followed by the epic long awaited battle with Raphael.
I told how I was on the brink of defeat, but how my friend's and family's support gave me the power to conquer even that, and narrowly escaped deaths lingering fingers, allowing them to take the destroyer of world's instead…
"But he was still alive…" My voice trailed off, and I saw with ease that Dad was hanging on my every word. "And he took me with him, to wherever. We never reached the destination. Someone warped me from him, somehow back in time…" I smiled at my dad grimly. "And the next thing I knew, I was back at the Cell Games… The moment just before the fatal mistake in my dream was made." I hesitated, staring at a blank space on the wall in absentmindedness. "As if I were allowed a second chance…"
I shifted my gaze back to my father who was awe-struck. I stared at him, waiting eagerly for some sort of a response.
Finally his mouth opened. "Wow, son." He smiled down at me. "I don't know what to say. I am literally speechless." His eyes met mine. "Those descriptions were too vivid to be from a dream."
I smiled. "I think so too Dad!" I exclaimed, happy that someone, other than me, agreed.
"Yeah, your imagination is spectacular!" He complimented and tousled my hair before he stood up.
Huh? "You don't think it was real?" I asked with a frown.
He smiled at me again, that same irritating fatherly smile. "You should write some of that down; it will make for a great book." He walked over to the stairs and threw me a quick 'goodnight wave' before walking up to his room.
I stared at a random piece of space, not blinking. My heart's beatings and the creaks my father's footsteps made on the wooden stairs were in unison.
One step, one beat…
I heard the room of my parent's door softly creak open, if it weren't for my heightened Saiyan hearing I wouldn't have been able to detect the light sound. Itcreaked shut again and I was left in complete silence.
I sat in the quiet for a while, relishing in its beauty before a realization settled in, making nest in my mind. If my own father won't believe me, who will? How can I believe myself?
I sighed. Not that I can blame him; it must sound too far-fetched to someone who can't remember living it. If it actually happened… I reminded myself grimly.
I got up and started walking towards my bedroom, the steps also singing underneath my feet as I walked. I walked through my already open threshold and closed my door softly, pausing for just a second with my forehead leaning against the entry.
Reluctantly I let go of the grip that made me somehow feel comforted and fell on my bed. My eyes caught a glimpse of my digital clock next to my bed. The neon blue light flashed 03:30.
I aimed my head at the ceiling, staring into its darkness, but not even that made me sleepy. But just as Dad said, I didn't sleep a wink. I just kept tossing and turning the whole night, or rather early morning, until a few gleams of sunlight started to stream through the slight opening of my large square window the curtain didn't quite catch.
I rolled onto my side and placed my open palm under my cheek, getting comfortable. The feeling of drowsiness ceased my being and I smiled as I felt my mind starting to drift off into the heaven that was sleep.
"Gohan!" My mother yelled loudly from the hall, making me want to kill myself. Really? Just as I started to fall asleep?!
I hate this world…
Right on time Mother's head peeked in through my barely opened door. "Time to wake up sweetie." She said in her normal indoor voice; I was surprised that she didn't yell like she usually did.
I groaned; my eyes heavy from the lack of sleep. "Do I really have to go Mom?" I whined. "I do not feel too shabby."
A frown, holding the mixed emotions of worry and suspicion she walked over to my side and placed her hand on my forehead.
"Ha!" She exclaimed. "Nice try mister, but you are going to school."
"It might be internal Mommy." I used my most innocent voice.
She shot me her death stare; the stare that made Piccolo's seem like a rainbow entirely made out of baby Labradors.
"You are going to school." She repeated and walked over to my curtains, ripping them open violently. I cringed and blocked my eyes with my arm from the overly bright sight.
"I am smart enough to go to college, Mom!" I reasoned.
"Intellect of a college student but social skills of a rock…" She moaned under her breath, but I heard her.
"That is unfair mother; it is not my fault I was raised in this environment." I defended myself.
She crossed her arms over her chest. "So you are blaming me for your lacked development?" Her voice sounded as if she were close to tears. Ugh, she can be such a drama-queen at times.
"No mother, I am just saying that I have social skills." I calmed her down, knowing that another insult, or something that just sounded like an insult, would cause her to break down.
"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow at me and turned around, showing off her muscular arms over her chest. "Name three of your friends that aren't over 25, an alien or a dragon." She challenged.
"Trunks." I stated without any hesitation.
Mom lifted one finger from her clenched fist. "That is one." She wiggled some of her fingers. "Four more to go honey."
"Gomih." She was my twin so I saw her as one of my best friends.
Mother shook her head slowly from side to side. "Uh uh, family doesn't count."
That pretty much means I am screwed. I rolled my eyes. "Fine, I will go to school."
She walked over to me and grabbed my head between her arms, pushing it against her chest. "I will miss my little boy." She started crying. "I don't want you to leave your little nest, but it is time for you to learn how to fly."
I pulled myself loose from her almost inescapable grip and smiled up at her. "I am part Saiyan Mother; I have learned how to fly when I was four years old."
My joke caused her to smack me on the back of my head. "I was trying to build a nice moment and you ruined it!" She accused. "Now get yourself dressed and cleaned; I expect you at the table in no longer than half an hour, your Dad is making breakfast."
Hearing Mom talk about Dad made my empty stomach turn. I kind of felt betrayed by the way he reacted when I told him my deepest thoughts.
I kicked my legs off my bed and jumped up, heading toward my already opened closet. I sighed as I speculated what would be socially acceptable to wear at school. I decided on a comfortable pair of jeans and a plain greent-shirt with black sneakers.
Grabbing my backpack stuffed with books whose knowledge I have already attained, and throwing it begrudgingly over my shoulder, I walked through my door, stopped at the bathroom to wash my face and quickly brush my teeth.
I stomped down the hall, and without making eye contact with the rest of my household, I walked out the front door.
"Not so fast mister." My mother came running behind me, forcing me to look back. "Aren't you going to have breakfast with us? It is the most important meal of the day." She nagged.
"Not hungry mother." I breathed and turned around ready to jump into the her further calls, I blasted off into the sky, flying at full speed towards Hercule City; the city named after the saviour of the earth, Cell's killer.
I scoffed. It should actually be Gohan city. I cringed, no that just sounded awful.
"Wait up!" My sister's voice rang through the air.
I slowed my pace and she caught up to me. I noticed that she was wearing a pair of jean-shorts and a white comical t-shirt with a cow printed in the middle saying: 'I am utterly ridiculous.' I chuckled at that.
"So how excited are you to be joining the ranks of normal thirteen-year-olds?" She asked, flashing me her perfect array of white teeth.
"Super excited." I mimicked the stereotypical voice of a teenage girl, fluttering my eyelashes at my sister.
She laughed and playfully punched me on my arm. "I am actually." She confessed. "I think it would be nice to make friends with other girls my age." Her frown was filled with annoyance. "I am constantly surrounded by you muscle heads."
"That makes one of us." I retorted bitterly.
"Uh uh, I am not allowing this crappy negative vibes near me." She waved her hands towards me. "This is exciting!" She said convincingly.
"I guess…" I breathed.
"We're here!" She exclaimed and turned around a few times in the air, looking like a graceful dolphin doing tricks.
"That was fast." I retorted.
"Duh, we are Saiyans!" She did a dramatic pose. "Super speed baby!"
I smiled at her silly behaviour and we both decided that it would be best if we land on a deserted area, so we could walk like pedestrians into the school, without raising suspicion.
We found place which wasn't buzzing with human life and landed there, starting to walk into the direction of the school. After a few minutes we reached the school we would spend the next four of our lives in.
'Orange star High School' flaunted proudlyon the sign in bold lettering above the gate at the entrance.
"So this is it, huh?" I asked, eyeing the sign that was clearly mocking me. As if it said: "Ha-ha, you have to go to school while I stay out here doing nothing."Stupid sign. If it weren't for all the people walking about, I would have blasted it to oblivion with my ki.
"It is." Gomih squealed happily and grabbed my arm in her hand, dragging me through the entrance.
Inside, it was brightly lit, and warmer than I'd hoped. Using the directions we read at the entrance door, we found our way to the admissions office to get our class-schedules.
Our sneakers made squishy-like sounds on the laminated tiles as we walked down the hall, until we reached our destination.
The door was entirely made of glass, allowing us to see through it before we office was small; a little waiting area withpadded folding chairs, orange-flecked commercial carpet, notices and awards cluttering the walls, a bigclock ticking loudly all stared back at us.
Plants grew everywhere in large plastic pots, as if there wasn't enough greeneryoutside. The room was cut in half by a long counter, cluttered with wire baskets full of papers andbrightly coloured flyers taped to its front.
There were three desks behind the counter, one of which wasmanned by a large, red-haired woman wearing glasses.
The red-haired woman looked up, probably sensing our stared. "Can I help you?" She mouthed and we walked through the door.
"I am Gohan and this is my sister Gomih," I informed her, and saw the immediate awareness light her eyes.
"Of course," she said. She dug through a precariously stacked pile of documents on her desk till shefound the ones she was looking for.
"I have your schedules right here, and a map of the school." Shebrought several sheets to the counter to show us.
She went through our classes for us, seemed like we followed the exact same schedule, highlighting the best route to each on the map, and gave each of us a slip tohave each teacher sign, which wewere to bring back at the end of the day.
She smiled at us. "I hope you enjoy Orange star." She genuinely hoped, smiling a sincere smile.
"I am sure we will." Gomih spoke on behalf of both of us before leaving the toasty room.
"Ready for our first class?" She gushed with a broad smile on her lips as I closed the glass door behind me.
"As ready as I'll ever be." I returned the smile, lacking the high amount of enthusiasm hers held, but nevertheless, a trace of excitement lined my lips.
"Great!" She exclaimed and stared intently with squinted eyes at the piece of paper the lady at the admissions desk gave us.
"Looks like we have Mathematics first with mister Granger in room 304..." She folded the paper and placed it securely in one of the zipper-compartments in her backpack.
Using the map we were given, we slowly made our way to class 304.
The door was open and we both stared at the teacher, who was busy giving a fiery speech about discipline to the students.
I knocked on the door, just loud enough for the teacher to turn his head towards us. He was a short-ish person, looking like the stereotypical image of a professor with his pointy beard, grey hair and round glassed. He was wearing a brown tweed jacket with navy trousers and topped the ensample off with a light blue checked shirt and a red bow-tie, the combination awful.
"Ah, the son's!" He exclaimed and fidgeted with his spectacles, as if he were expecting us.
From my current view, I could see some students stretch their necks towards the door as they tried to see who stood behind it.
Mr. Granger cleared his throat before turning to the class again. "Today my young…" He hesitated, peeking at the class over his thin-framed glasses. "Scholars…" He finally finished his sentence, making a few students chuckle.
"Today we are being graced with two new class members, who actually know how to read." He turned his head toward us. "That is your cue, guys." He encouraged us to enter the class.
I hesitate for a split-second at the door, freezing on the spot. Gomih and I shared a look of nervousness before we entered the classroom together, me walking two steps ahead of her.
I scrutinized the room; it was pretty spacious. The ceiling was unusually high and there was lots of space left over in between the desks. An entire wall was taken by blackboards and the high, old-fashioned windows set at head level only to make it seem larger.
The students' desks are just standard wooden desks with a shelf underneath for books, matched with wooden chairs with metal frames. Simple and efficient.
I stopped walking when I reached the centre of the room, standing in front of the class, facing the other students.
"Oh, hi there." I flashed my most charming smile and gave a little wave, making a few guys in the class chuckle. A few statements of: "He is so gay," reached my ears, but I didn't let that bother me.
"My name is Gohan." I introduced myself and turned my head toward Gomih, expecting that she was going to speak next, but instead, she just stood still, with big petrified eyes at the other students.
"And this is my lovely sister, Gomih." I pointed to my sibling, who seemed to snap out of her frightened 'deer in headlight' trance, managing a smile at the class. "As you probably can see, if you remembered to put in your contacts today, we are twins." I joked, and was awarded with a few chuckles and smiles; especially from the girls...
"Gohan here made perfect scores on his entry exams." He smiled proudly at me. "English, math, chemistry…" His voice trailed off and he fidgeted with his glasses once more. "A few of you could learn from his example."
"Example this!" A random guy called and pulled his pants down; swaying his naked behind from side to side a few times before pulling them back up again. He must be a jock; I noticed when I spotted his football jersey.
The entire class joined in a frenzied fit of uncontrollable laughter. Gomih elbowed me softly in the side, trying to get my attention. "And I thought the woods near our house were filled with deranged animals." She whispered under her breath, making me chuckle.
"Silence!" The teacher yelled, but it didn't seem to have any effect on the other students. "You kids are an embarrassment to public school!"
The laughter ceased and the teacher turned to me and Gomih, an angry frown still embedded on his brow. "You kids may sit wherever you find an open seat." He stated and took a sip of his glass of water.
"Okay, great." Gomih made her voice heard for the first time.
I studied the class, trying to locate an open seat, but instead I notice a flash of dark hair and saw that someone was looking right into my eyes. A girl with really long straight hair that was very eye-catching smiled at me. I couldn't help but stare into her deep violet eyes and fair-skinned perfect face. Her lips were full, and her cheeks held just a hint of pinkness.
I found myself a space in the third row, fourth from the front. I saw in my peripheral view that my sister situated herself on the far side of the class, nearly at the complete back.
I took out my pencil case and a notebook out of my backpack and turned my attention to Mr. Granger who was busy erasing previous work from the blackboard.
I felt someone behind me exert a small amount of energy, clearly noticeable in a human's strength. I rolled my eyes and shifted my head about a quarter of an inch to the side, making the spit ball fly past me and land on the floor, missing its intended target entirely.
I sighed softly. Why am I not surprised?
My assaulter continued to haul little drenched paper bullets towards me, but soon gave up when he dispiritedly realised that he wasn't going to hit me; or maybe his ammunition just ran out.
I averted my attention to the teacher's boring, droning voice, explaining a lesson which I have mastered when my age was still available in a single digits, and before I knew it, my previous sleepless night caught up to me.
My eyelids slowly started to shut, burning in protest as I tried to force them to stay open; until finally they closed fully, making the teacher's voice drift away slowly and disappear…
"Dude, wake up!" An unfamiliar girly voice whispered urgently, tearing through my thoughts and bringing me back to reality. A soft touch on my shoulder alerted me and I shot up, my hand already curled tightly around the soft and feminine wrist.
My eyes met with kind blue naïve eyes, the similar colour as the sky. Her eyes were jolted wide open in fright and her eyebrows and lips quivering softly.
Her light-brown bangs blocked one of her eyes, hanging loosely like a silk curtain over her delicate features. I opened my palm quickly after I registered that there was no danger, and looked down at the girl's fair-skinned hand.
Red marks of my fingers were imprinted on her delicate wrist, turning blue at the corners. One of the bells on her charm-bracelet rang softly as she jolted her hand away quickly. Her soft blue eyes penetrated mine as she stared at me with question in her eyes.
Someone cleared their throat in a deep gruff voice. "Mister Son, what are you doing?"
My head turned instinctively at the mention of my surname. I flinched as I saw thirty, if not forty different arrays of eyes stare back at me, the same confusion in their expressions that the delicate girl with the caramel hair and soft blue eyes wore.
Mister Granger cleared his gruff voice again, making me shift my attention back to him. "Did you have a nice nap?" He directed sarcastically at me when I didn't answer him the first time.
Totally baffled by the situation and rendered nervous by all the glares of thirteen year old kids on me, I felt obligated to answer.
I shifted nervously in my seat. "I honestly don't know." I admitted slowly, not sure what was going on. "If you don't mind me asking, sir, where am I?" I asked politely in a confused tone, not remembering a where I was and how I got here.
Everyone burst into laughter, some punching their fists against the desk through the fits.
"Well mister Son, you are in math class." He said pointing at the black board full of different equations. "But if you cannot answer the next question, which I have been discussing for the past fifteen minutes, you will find yourself in detention." His voice was full of authority, making me gulp. He scribbled something, in a very messy handwriting, barely readable, on the board.
"Don't just sit there like a lost puppy, get to solving!" He ordered, snapping his fingers a few times. I reluctantly stood up, the metal legs of my chair screeching on the tiles as I shifted my seat back, just enough to get out without bumping into my desk.
I was in a classroom? But when my eyes met Gomih's raised eyebrows, I remembered that we were in school. What the hell, why did I just space out like that; my mind turning completely empty for a moment.
"Remember, detention…" The teacher crossed his arms over his chest smugly, as if knowing already that I was going to fail.
I approached the blackboard with determination, jumping gracefully up the little step that led to the board and graciously took a piece of white chalk between my thumb and forefinger. I took a step back to examine the sum and smiled; this was a piece of cake for me. I probably could have done this equation before I was properly potty trained!
I quickly jotted the answer below the question in my neat and legible writing, placing the chalk back on its resting place and clapping my hands together as I got rid of the leftover chalk on my palms.
I took a step back with my arms held smugly behind my back, giving the teacher room to examine my answer.
"That is wrong." He said in a monotone, crossing a bold 'x' over my answer. "The answer should be positive one, not negative one." He smiled deviously at me. "Detens…" He started but I interrupted him.
"No offence sir, but you are the one who is wrong." I politely stated, making the entire class gasp.
"Excuse me?" He asked, his cheeks flushing bright red.
"Yes." I affirmed and took the chalk out of his grasp, finding a clean place on the board and writing the sum over again. "See,?" I pointed to a specific place on the sum. "If you take this six over the positive turns into a negative, the simple rules of math." I declared. "And negative six divided by positive six is negative one; so 'x' is equal to negative one." I concluded.
"Class dismissed." He breathed through clenched teeth, staring at me. I fidgeted with my hands, uncomfortable under his glare.
"But sir, there is still ten minutes of glass left…" A pimply-faced girl with bleach blond hair braided into two pigtails, who sat in the first row, looked at her watch as she said this.
"Class dismissed." He repeated simply, louder than before, going to sit behind his desk, absentmindedly staring at some papers.
A boy with blond hair running past his ears was the first person who was brave enough to rise. Soon a choir of chairs scraping on the tiles, could be heard from the class as all the kids stood up, heading towards the exit with their bags over their shoulders and their books in their hands. But not a peep came from their mouths.
"Nice job nerd boy." The blond boy, who stood up first, shot me a thumbs up as he whispered this. At a total loss of what to do, I walked towards the masses of children to the door, but just before I could walk through the threshold the teacher called me back.
"Here." He said in a monotone as he tore a piece of paper off, extending it towards me. I took it hesitantly.
"Uh, thank you." I thanked him as I took the paper.
"I would expect these wisecracks from the jocks Gohan, but not from a future scholar; it speaks for itself that I am disappointed." He said as he stared at me with a disappointed gaze. "Detention is after school." He said and turned back to his desk. "That is all." He greeted, and I took that as my queue to leave.
As soon as I was out of the door, something hard hit me in my chest. "Oomph!" I exclaimed as I caught a schoolbag in my arms before it could fall.
"What was that?!" A familiar voice whispered annoyed. The halls were empty; the only sign of life was a kid who rummaged through his red locker.
My left foot suddenly turned into jelly as I took my next step towards my sister. I caught myself, using the wall as support as I leaned against it. My head started throbbing and white flashes blurred over and over in my mind, making me dizzy.
"Gomih?" I asked unsurely, not knowing if she was still there; it felt like all my senses went blank too.
"Yeah?" She asked with raised eyebrows.
"What is happening?" I whispered more to myself, leaning with all my weight against the wall, but her heightened Saiyan hearing picked it up.
"Gohan?" She asked worriedly as she looked me over.
"I must go." I muttered under my breath and flashed into a random direction, hoping it would lead to the exit. For a change luck was on my side and a bright 'exit' sign flashed before me.
Making sure that I was out of sight for unwanted spectators, I blasted into the sky, having no direction, just trying to get my disoriented thoughts in order.
After travelling about a hundred miles, I slowed down, braking abruptly in the sky, just hovering above an empty space of land. I placed my hands on the sides of my head.
"What kind of sick joke is this?" My breathing became harder as I started to hyperventilate. "Images of who I remembered as Raphael churned around at my thoughts.
"What are you planning?!" I yelled aimlessly at the sky, hoping that Raphael, if he were real, would hear me.
Silence….
"Answer me dammit!" I yelled louder, my voice on the verge of breaking, out of sheer frustration; two years have been long enough, I demand answers!
Without realizing it, I started transforming into my Super Saiyan 2 form. The maximum of this form was reached, making the planet shake a bit, so I pushed harder, remembering more complex levels of the Saiyan transformations.
I desperately hoped that my hair would grow trice in size, stopping beneath the small of my back. I wished with all my being that the familiar yet unfamiliar power would surge through my veins once again.
But it didn't, no matter how hard I pushed.
I pushed my power even harder, refusing to give in so quickly and released every fragment hidden in the extreme corners of my body. I rejoiced when I felt the transformation, but it was just out of my reach.
A sudden dizzy feeling entered my head, making me stutter through the sky as I averted back to my base form.
What is happening to me…? The last thought that ran through my head before I lost consciousness.
Helllloooooo… A voice called eagerly. Earth to Gohan… A laugh echoed through my skull. Feels weird to say that.
Who is there? I was on high alert in my mind.
Another laugh. You. He claimed in a chirpy voice.
What? I retorted out confused.
I am you… He talked again. A blurry vision of me appeared in my mind. Hey me! He greeted happily, giving me a little wave. Seeing is believing after all… He continued. So why do you still look unsure?
What is happening…? I repeated the question I have been asking for the umpteenth time this last hour.
He laughed again. I will need you to keep an open mind here… He stared me dead in the eyes with, well my eyes. What is the last thing you remember? He asked, his eyes penetrating the deepness of the inner mechanisms of my mind.
I was in class and.. I started but stopped as he stared at me with angry eyes.
No not that, the last thing you remember happening on Magisterial's realm? He gave more specifics to his question, making me flinch.
You know about Magisterial? I barely choked out the words in shock.
Of course I do. He said as if I should have found it obvious.
I took a deep breath, giving my mind the chance to untangle the barb-wire that was my current thoughts.
Okay, my mind is so open my brain might fall out any moment now... He chuckled at my joke, but didn't say anything, giving me the chance to finish.
Why am I looking at the eleven year old version of me?
He chuckled. Open mind? He asked again, to make sure.
I nodded curtly, eager to hear the reason for this madness.
I am the future version of you… He hesitated. Well, if your future continued the way it did... His voice held a major melancholy vibe.
So everything I have been dreaming about… My voice trailed off, I couldn't help but smile at the faint epic memories dancing around in my mind.
He smiled. They were not dreams. He confirmed and mimicked my smile. He turned his head askew as he stared at me with raised eyebrows. What did you think they were?
I shrugged. Epic hallucinations caused by the heat during the Cell games.
He laughed. You can't be serious, but now that you have mentioned Cell… He fished for more information.
I killed him without taking Dad with me. I confirmed what he probably wanted to know.
He smiled. Good, you did it right this time. He breathed in relief.
You are from a different time? I asked, ignoring his previous statement.
Correct. He answered curtly.
So you are the one that saved me?
He smiled broadly. Of course! He exclaimed, but it soon turned glum. I have no control in this time… It took me years of mental training just to channel some of your power to send you back in time.
I frowned. Why didn't Magisterial and the others help you?
He smiled, it wasn't a happy smile. They can't; this world consists of utter darkness and evil, Magisterial's pure and bright energy cannot trace a place like this. Remember each time that Raphael suddenly disappeared off the face of the universe, and couldn't be traced?
I nodded.
That was where he hid and devised his evil strategies. It is another dimension, similar to the world you and I once lived in, just different. Here is no hope…
He smiled as he noticed my weary expression. Oh, and sorry about that. He apologized.
About what? I asked with a frown printed on my brows.
I tried to reach you earlier, you see, I can only communicate with you through your dreams; and you were technically sleeping, but I didn't realize that you were in class.
Why didn't you do that earlier? My voice was an accusation; I didn't care in the least that he was responsible for the blank-mindedness I felt earlier. I actually felt relieved that I knew what the reason behind it was; I wasn't going mad...
It could have spared me a lot of drama and crap. I continued in the same tone.
I was occupied…
With what? A deeper frown was apparent on my features.
He smiled grimly. Why tell you when I can show you?
My head started spinning and the darkness of my mind transformed into a grey-walled chamber, smelling strongly like urine.
I groaned weakly, my head falling to the side; it felt too heavy for my shoulders. I opened my eyes, they opened like old and rusty garage doors, almost creaking agape.
My mouth felt dry and tasted sour.
The grey image blurred in front of me, so intense that I had to close my eyes again, opening them once the spinning inside my mind ceased.
I stared dead into a grey wall, rising several metres above my head. My head also resided on the same dead-coloured opposing wall.
I tried to move my limbs but I realised that they were bind together behind my back. I didn't know why, but I felt drained. It felt like all my energy left my body even though I had consumed a few healing potions, I frowned, how long have I been here?
"Raphael!" I yelled loudly in a hoarse voice; my voice cords begged me for water. I stomped my two feet that were bind together in a shiny white metal ring, hard against the brown-tiled floor; I did more damage to my feet than to the floor. A sting throbbed through my entire leg.
"So the monkey is finally awake…" A metal slicing sound echoed through the room as the door slot opened, Raphael's orange and blue eyes peering through.
I had the urge to throw a ki-blast at him, but I remembered my hands were restricted behind me.
"I am not your monkey…" My voice vibrated with anger.
He closed the slot and I heard his footsteps disappeared down the hall.
I sighed and leaned my head against the cold, soothing wall, closing my eyes, trying to sense what other presences were here, wherever this was. I opened my eyes with a frown on my brow; I couldn't sense anything…
I shook as the metal started clanging outside of the door. The large, grey door opened with a loud creak and Raphael walked in. This must have been the first time I have ever seen him dressed in casual clothing; he was wearing a blue t-shirt and a black, skinny-jean, showing off his lean legs.
He looked more like a normal teenager than a hardened evil villain I came to know.
"Miss me?" Raphael asked merrily as he hunched down next to me, his eyes at the same level as mine.
I turned my head to the other side, so I was out of his view completely, that made him chuckle. I flinched as his warm hands touched my palms. The rattling of keys from his pocket and my hands were suddenly free.
I brought them in front of my face as I clenched and unclenched my fists. The same peculiar rings that were also on my feet, rested on my wrists…
He moved over to my lower limbs, still in his hunched position as he unlocked them from each other.
His hand bind around my torn gi, the same one I wore in the fight earlier, as he lifted me up like a cat would its young.
"Ups a daisy." He said friendly as he put me down on my feet.
"Why are you suddenly so nice?" I aired my thought, making him snicker.
"If you knew what I did, you would also be in a chirpy mood." He smiled down at me, a sight I rarely saw from him.
He led me with his hand placed on the small of my back forward. "You really are freaking me out." I said with a frown.
He laughed. "Good."
He opened the door that I learned to hate. I closed my eyes as terror filled my entire being, not for me, but for them…
My ears were flooded with the annoying beeping sounds the complicated and complex machinery made, as if they were mocking me in unison.
"Please…" I wasn't the begging kind, but the plea escaped my heart and my soul, pleading that I wouldn't go through this again.
"Someone has to, so it might as well be you." He whispered, not a hint of compassion in his scarred features.
The ki-rings obstructed my use of my true power; so I was lead like a weak, sick donkey, without the ability to defend itself, to the cylinder-formed cage. They pushed me through it, my will too weak to fight for myself.
Automatic doors slid open, making a peculiar sound as a set of boots clicked on the surface of the tiles. The sound grew nearer and nearer until it was basically next to me. I scowled.
Vaughan…
"Is the machine ready yet?" He asked, his voice the living embodiment of the wicked.
The scientist character dressed in his long lab-coat locked the cage shut, shutting me inside it. All too familiar of what was about to happen, I closed my eyes and braced myself, more mentally than physically for the excruciating pain that is to come. You will get used to it, they say.
Bull!
The machine's screams intensified at the level of me wanting to rip my ears off, but my face held an unbreakable pokerface; I wasn't going to give these vile creatures the pleasure in knowing they cause me pain. The blue jolt of pure electricity galloped on the silver cage barriers until it started to poke at me.
My shirt was ripped off and lay in dismantled ash on the small space of floor below me. The pain completely consumed me, poking on my chest and driving into my flesh and bones. I clenched my teeth so hard that I was surprised that they didn't fall off. Still, I refused to show these bastards that I was in utter anguish.
"Amazing, after just one use of the machine a week ago, he seems already used to it." Vaughan stroked the pointy part of his grey short beard absentmindedly as he stared me up and down. "Good find Raphael."
"Thank you; I have had my eyes on him since I saw him six year…" Raphael gasped, as if he said something he wasn't supposed to.
Turned to him, a grimace on his face and he stopped stroking his beard. "What?" His tone sent shivers down my spine.
Raphael ignored him, staring dead-like at my transformation. Vaughan flashed in front of Raphael faster than the speed of light, making the ever so calm destroyer of worlds quiver like a cane. He curled his hand around Raphael's V-neck shirt, creating a fist over it.
He stared into his eyes, Raphael broke down; he actually started crying. "I am so sorry uncle, I should have told you, but he wasn't ready back then, he only had about a year's worth of training!"
He threw Raphael to the ground, making him land flat on his back. He crawled using his hands and feet with big widened frightened eyes until he reached a wall, where he resumed the foetal-position, hiding his face from his uncle.
"I should have let this little runt kill you." He bent down to his nephew's level, whispering it menacingly into his quivering ear. "Heavens know that if I didn't teleport you back to get healed, in the midst of a battle," He looked away, apparently disgusted, "such a disgrace!" He spat down to Raphael. "You would have died…" The words stung in the air like a bad piece of cheese.
"I… I am sorry Uncle…" Raphael sobbed out barely audible.
Vaughan turned around and walked with his cane, ruby resting magisterially at the top of it, towards the group of other people whose names I didn't bother in learning.
"What is done cannot be undone Raphael." He sighed a disappointed sigh. "Just know this," His scowl faced Raphael again, who cringed as they met. "If this boy didn't have such a strong and pure will, too powerful for me to conquer manually, you would have been fed to the wolves." His attention shifted to the scientist sitting at the contraption controlling me.
"You may complete the transformation now, Keith." He said, looking into my screaming eyes the whole time. "And boost the volt up to 50%."
The scientist frowned at his master. "But sir, that is more than twice as much as before; I am not sure his body will take that force without exploding."
Vaughan shifted his squinted eyes to Keith for just a second. "I didn't employ you to give suggestions or defy my orders," he paused, the silence hanging thickly in the air. "Or did I?" He yelled it so loudly that the poor scientist fell out of his chair, rolling onto the floor."
He shifted his glasses to their natural position. "No sir." He breathed out quietly.
Vaughan stood up straight again, lifting his nose snobily in the air. "Good; now do your job or I will dock you a day's pay."
"You don't pay me sir."
A smile so terrifying trickled onto Vaughan's lips. "Allowing you to live sweet Keith is your payment, and I don't think you would survive a day's dock."
Keith curled his hand around a crystal lever, but hesitated before pulling it, just staring at it for a few seconds. "Yes sir." He breathed and pulled the lever.
My agonised yell echoed across the room and bounced from the walls back at me. My yells intensified as my body twisted and jolted into unnatural positions, as the jolt surged through my immature body.
"Not so tough now young hybrid, are we?" He cooed.
"Go. To. Hell." I spat through my clenched teeth and alarming level of pain.
"Maybe for vacation this year…" He joked, his bastardly crooked smile the last thing I saw before the darkness completely drowned me…
I was thrown out of the memory abruptly, my eleven-year-old eyes staring sadly at me. I don't want you to relive the rest. He said slowly.
Why? I asked, eager to know what happened. What did they do to you? I asked softly.
They transform me into a demon, kill and destruction the only words in its vocabulary. He cringed. I have killed countless of galaxies and innocent people Gohan, without my consent! He yelled the words, making me flinch.
He placed his hands over his face, probably hiding the few tears I saw running down his cheeks. He gave me a forced smile. But I didn't come here to tell you that, I came here to tell you that the Raphael in your time, was also shot back through time, just like you were, due to him having physical contact with you when the shift was made; but Magisterial and the others still know about you, they did not forget.
They still remember me? I wanted to jump up and down in joy, but I retained myself, focussing on the more important matters at hand. But my family was affected and they weren't near me.
They are mortals… He explained briefly. Continue your training, Raphael and Buu will still arrive in four year's time. He smiled as he saw my worried expression. But don't fret, Shin and Kibito will arrive as well, they will brief you in at that time.
How am I going to get as strong as I used to be in just four years? I panicked. I mean it took me nearly six years to master the fourth transformation, and that was under the vigorous training of Magisterial, I can't in this short time…
He placed a finger over his lips, shushing me. You really don't think your power, all you have worked for in your entire after life would just 'poof', be gone? He laughed a silly laugh. No, you still have your powers; they are just dormant, hidden very deeply in yourself. You will fully regain it when Raphael comes at the tournament.
He smiled sheepishly at me. I am actually using your powers to communicate with you, I am not strong enough on my own for that…
I smiled warmly. Don't sweat it; what's mine is yours! I joked, making him smile. Just don't leave me hanging when Raphael arrives...
He chuckled. That is something I would not dare doing.
Good. I shot him a playful death stare. You are warned little me…
I have to go. He smiled. I sense that someone from your time is trying to contact you.
Wait! I yelled at his form starting to get transparent. He paused and stared at me.
Yes? He asked.
How will I be able to contact you?
He smiled. You can't, I will contact you. He gave me a little salute. See you.
"Gohan?!" A panicked voice yelled; I was too distraught to identify its origin.
"Gohan?!" I continued when I didn't respond.
I slowly came to and my eyelids started fluttering as they were ready to open. A sudden splash of cold water abruptly made me rise; coughing out the water I involuntarily swallowed.
"What the hell Piccolo?!" I yelled at the Namekian who stood with a relieved expression on his face above me.
"Damn, kid." He breathed. "You gave me quite a scare!" He yelled and placed his arms under my arms as he helped me to my feet. "You were unconscious for nearly an hour and you weren't responsive. Your heart beat was also dangerously low. I was just about to haul you over to Dende if the water thing didn't work!"
I pinched his cheek and ducked under the fists he threw towards me. "Look who is worried about me." I said in a high-pitched baby-like voice.
His green face turned red as he fumed. "Excuse me for caring!" He yelled and stomped as he turned around, facing the direction of the lookout.
I gave him a tight hug. "Thanks Piccolo." I said in a sincere voice. "Sorry for yelling at you last night." I apologized and he nodded as he pushed away. He placed his hand on my head and tousled my hair with a smile on his features.
"Don't sweat it kid; you were upset, you didn't mean it."
I smiled. "I am glad you know me so well."
"So what are you doing out here?" He fished. "I thought you were supposed to be in school today."
I shrugged. "Yeah…" I made the one syllable word stretch out long. "I am going to hear an earful of it when I get home…"
"Why go home?" Piccolo blasted into the sky with a smile on his green face. "We haven't sparred for quite a while you know?"
I chuckled. "You really want to take on this?" I jokingly proclaimed and waved to my body.
He threw his turban and cape to the ground; making a loud clang. He didn't say a word; he got in a fighting stance and gestured with his fingers for me to attack.
I smiled and jumped into the sky towards my first mentor; I didn't need to be invited twice…
...
...
Whooooooop! The first chapter is complete!
Hope you liked my new take, and plot on the story!
Remember to review!
Until next time…
-Wilmi