Hello everyone! This is my rewritten version of When Two Worlds Collide. I honestly think this is sooooooo much better, and I hope you think so too. I've got all my ideas in order and I can't wait until I start writing the next chapter. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Please tell me what you think by leaving a comment/review. Thanks!
Chapter 1
Gone
The young blonde haired boy stared into the depths of the magenta-eyed being as he tried his last attempt at saving the world from the evil monster.
"Dad!" The young boy shouts to the heavens. "I don't know if I can do it!"
"Gohan, son," His father starts, trying to give him encouraging words, "You have the power to finish this. Quit doubting yourself. I don't know why you got it in your head that there's something wrong with you, 'cause there's not. Do it now son! Give it everything you've got! Save the Earth!"
Gohan looks at the green monster, known as Cell, who had been terrorizing the planet for weeks. It was time that the Earth, and the people on it, get some peace.
"I can feel you slipping!" Cell yelled to Gohan.
'Dad's right! I can do this. I have to give it everything I've got.' Gohan narrows his turquoise eyes with new determination as he reaches deep inside himself for his great power. Cell becomes distracted by one of Vegeta's blasts.
"Now's your chance! Do it!"
Once he finds the power deep within himself, he yells, releasing it all at once onto the monstrosity; Cell. Cell can't keep up with that kind of power, and soon enough, he can't even keep up with surviving. His body starts to corrode and disintegrates, while he babbles incoherently. He finally disappears and the battle was finally won; the Earth was safe, and, more importantly, Cell was gone...forever...for good this time.
Gohan falls out of super saiyin state and plummets to the rocks below. Panting, he smiles. He did it; he saved the Earth. Him, a little 11-year old boy saved the Earth. He was proud of himself, but that was nothing compared to the smile on his dads face and his ever lasting pride and trust he had in his son. As soon as the smile appeared on his fathers face, it left just as quickly because he knew what that meant; his decision was final.
Piccolo flies over to Gohan, his student as well as his first, and very best, friend, and smiles down at him. Gohan smiles right back. "You did it, kid, good job; I'm proud of you, and I know your father is too."
"Thank you...Piccolo." Gohan pants. He knew that if he didn't get enough oxygen soon, he was going to pass out.
Seconds after that the rest of the Z-Gang had crowded around the young boy; all except one. They all were smiling down at their young hero. Yamcha picks the kid up and carries him bridal style in his arms.
"For a minute there you had us all worried." Tien said jokingly.
"S-...Sorry." Gohan says; he then passes out.
"Well, we know for sure now that he's definitely Goku's kid." Tien said sarcastically.
"Ain't that the truth." Yamcha says.
"Like we didn't know before?" Krillin says while smiling.
"We should get all of them to the lookout to be healed. I know Dende has all the dragon balls ready for us." Piccolo states.
"Good idea. You want me to carry him Yamcha? You do have a broken arm after all." Tien asked.
"Nah. It's fine. Compared to Gohan I look like I was scratched by a cat. I've got him." He replied.
"I'll get Trunks." Piccolo states.
"And I'll get Android 18." Krillin says as he turns around.
Most of the group gives him a questioning glance. Vegeta on the other hand is outraged.
"No! We must destroy that metal freak before she causes anymore problems for us!" Vegeta yelled.
"But why? She didn't technically do anything wrong. She was just following her brother. Without him, she won't harm anyone." Krillin argues.
"Tch. Fine whatever, but don't expect me to help you if she goes all assassin on you again." Vegeta states as he crosses his arms over his chest and turns his back toward them. Krillin lets himself have a small victory smile.
"Alright, I guess we better go then." Tien states.
"You guys go on ahead. I'll catch up." Piccolo states.
"You sure?" Krillin asked. Piccolo nods. "Okay then. Lets get these guys to the lookout."
After the others fly away Piccolo stands in the same spot, not moving an inch. He just stares at Vegeta, trying to get his thoughts into coherent sentences.
"What do you want Namekian?" Vegeta finally asked after a long period of silence.
"What you did was very brave; jumping in like that, even though you knew you wouldn't help much. You were being selfless."
"No, I was only doing what I knew would benefit me. I can't very well live on a planet that's destroyed." Vegeta retorts.
"Hm...right. And the whole time you weren't thinking about your family?" Piccolo asked. He was met with silence. "I saw your face when Cell killed Trunks. You attacked Cell head on, even though you knew you would never win." Silence was retained once again. After another moment, Piccolo states, "Well, congratulations. You're an official hero of Earth."
"What?" Vegeta asked shocked as he turned to face Piccolo, only to find that Piccolo had already flown off to catch up with the others.
Vegeta didn't know what to do with himself. Though he would never show it, even when no one was around, that last comment Piccolo said really struck a chord. Was he really a hero of Earth? He didn't know how to feel. He was confused, but intrigued...happy and...what was that feeling...did he feel...at peace? Was he really happy and at peace? No...but he was close.
After dissecting his own feelings, he decided he had nothing better to do and went to the lookout where, surely, everyone was already.
The Lookout
Before the gang even touched the linoleum tiles of the lookout, Dende was already telling them where to lay the wounded and whisking them away so he could heal them. He started with Gohan, as he thought he was the one who needed urgent healing. Then he looked at the next person he was supposed to heal. He was surprised to see Android 18. He hesitates.
At that moment, Gohan's eyes flutter open. Dende turns to him. Gohan wasn't sure where he was, so he sat up quickly to figure it out.
"Wait! Hold on Gohan; not too quickly!" Dende said with worry lacing his voice.
Even though Dende was trying to help, he was too late and Gohan became very dizzy and disoriented. He reached out for support, a natural instinct he thought, and Dende was more than willing to give his friend help while he fully regained consciousness and awareness. Gohan closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.
"Whoa! You okay there bud?" Yamcha asked a little more than worried.
After taking another deep breath, Gohan responded with, "Yeah, I'm fine." And smiled.
Dende looks back over to 18, very weary of her.
"Uh...guys? Do you really want me to heal her?" Dende asked unsure. Even Gohan looks at her with uncertainty.
"Yes, Dende. It will be fine. If she tries to hurt anyone, I'm more than capable of handling her." Piccolo states.
"Well...okay." Dende said as he kneels down again and puts his hands over her body to begin the healing process.
After Dende was done he sat back and waited for her to wake up. Sure enough, a moment later, her eyes flutter open, just Gohan's had, and she just blinks a few times. Then, she becomes on high alert and gets into a defensive position.
"Where am I? Where's Cell?" She demanded.
"You're on the Lookout. Cell's dead." Krillin stated, taking a bold step toward her as he tried to explain.
Her eyes widen in shock. "What? Who killed him?"
"Gohan did. He killed Cell." Krillin stated.
Android 18 was baffled. "Gohan killed Cell?" She asked with eyebrows raised.
"Yup."
"Amazing...but based on my data that's not possible." 18 responded.
"Well your data's wrong." Piccolo said. "You should start relying on things other than hard cold facts."
18 looks to the ground. "What do I do now?" She asked no one in particular.
"Whatever you want. You're not a slave anymore. Do whatever...makes you happy." Gohan piped in.
"Whatever makes me...happy?" She asked confused as she looked down at the boy.
"Yeah!" Gohan chirped.
"But do keep in mind that if you do anything to hurt anyone on this planet, we will not hesitate to hunt you down and end your life." Piccolo states coldly as he stared at her.
"You're welcome to stay here for as long as you'd like; if you want." Dende says.
"Or, you're welcome at Kame house too." Krillin states.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" She asked them.
"Because you haven't done anything wrong." Gohan stated, when everyone else was confused on how to answer such a question.
"What do you mean? I tried to kill your father. You don't resent me for that?" She asked the boy.
"Of course not. You didn't kill him; in fact, you didn't kill anyone. Your brother killed doctor Gero, and the next person you tried to go after was my dad, but you didn't actually kill anyone. I think you were just going along with it for the ride. Even when Dr. Gero was dead, you still followed someone's orders; your brothers. Now you can do whatever you want; no limitations. No one's going to tell you what to do anymore, 18. No one's going to be there making sure your in place, or following orders anymore. You finally get to make decisions for yourself. We've offered you a place to stay, but the choice is all yours now." Gohan said and then smiled at her, awaiting her response.
Most of the Z-gang was shocked to hear those kinds of words come out of Gohan's mouth, but how could they expect anything less. They watched the emotions displayed on 18's face as she went through the process of making a decision. She finally comes upon one and turns back to Gohan.
"I think I'll just find my own way, thanks." She states.
Gohan smiles. "Well, if you ever need help, or want some company, you know where to find us."
She gives a small smile of thanks as she turns to walk away. She looks at every one of the Z-fighters' faces as she walks by them, lingering on Krillin's face the longest before jumping off the edge of the lookout back toward Earth.
"Well, now that that pity party is over, can we get back to business?" Vegeta asked, surprising everyone.
"Vegeta, when did you get here?" Krillin asked.
"I've been here the whole time! Nitwit. That sounds like a question Kakarot would ask." Vegeta states.
"Speaking of Goku...hurry up! Lets get this dragon summoned." Yamcha states.
Gohan smiles. "Yeah! Come on! Lets do this already! I want my dad back!" Gohan states enthusiastically.
"Oh! I'll be right back. Let me go get them." Dende says, referring to the dragon balls.
A short time later, he returns with the dragon balls and sets them in a small circle. They soon start to pulse a brilliant orange and make noises with each pulse. The clouds grow dark, as the Earth trembles with the mighty power. Krillin steps forward, ready to summon the dragon.
"By your name I summon you! Shenron!" Krillin yells up to the skies.
The dragon balls glow a brilliant orange as a big yellow streak of light shoots out from them. In no time at all, the dragon appeared. It lowered its head to make eye contact with the humans who had awoken him.
The bright light had caught the attention of Android 18. She looked back behind her to see a giant dragon in the sky. "What is that?" She asked shocked. She can't help but get closer. Before she knew it, she had made her way back to the Lookout. She hid behind a pillar.
"Who dare summons me? Speak, so that I may go back to my slumber." Shenron states.
Krillin takes another step forward. "Shenron, we wish to restore the Earth, and its people, back to the way it was before Cell started destroying it!"
"It shall be done!"Shenron states as his eyes glow red.
At that moment, people who had been previously killed on Earth had been coming back to life; it was like magic. On the Lookout, Trunk's eyes fluttered open and he sat up and looked around confused. Then he saw Shenron and he looks on with interest.
"Your wish has been granted. Speak your second wish!"
"Is it possible, Shenron, for you to wish back the being known as Goku?"
"That wish, cannot be granted. I have already wished back the being known as Goku; I cannot bring him back more than once."
Every one looked to the ground disappointed.
"Well, it was worth a shot." Krillin said, defeated.
"Hey, wait guys! Why don't we just go to New Namek and wish him back with Porunga?" Yamcha states with optimism.
"Hey, what a great idea!" Krillin says.
'Don't I get a say in this?' A voice they all know and love spoke and asked them.
"G-Goku?" Krillin asked hesitantly.
'Who else would it be silly?' Goku says with a smile.
"What's the matter Goku? Why did you stop us?" Yamcha asked.
Goku's smile disappeared. 'Guys, I wanted to say that I...I don't want to be wished back. King Kai agrees.'
"What?!" They all exclaim, surprised.
'Now hear me out. I've been doing a lot of thinking, and I've noticed that all of our enemies that attacked Earth were after me.'
"That's ridiculous!" Krillin shouts.
'Think about it guys. Freiza came to Earth looking for me. The androids were created because Dr. Gero wanted revenge for the destruction of the Red Ribbon Army, and that ultimately led to Cell wanting to destroy the Earth as well.'
"Well, that's true but-" Tien starts, but then gets interrupted.
'That's why...I've made the decision to stay dead. It's the best course of action, and King Kai agrees with me. The Earth is better off without me.'
"But the Earth needs its hero's! All of its hero's!" Gohan states.
'Gohan, son, the Earth doesn't need me anymore. Its got perfectly capable fighters now.'
"But that doesn't mean we don't need you! Your friends need you! Mom needs you! I need you..." Gohan trails off and looks at the tiled floor of the Lookout.
'The fact is Gohan, you actually don't need me anymore. You've grown into your own person who can protect the people and home that I loved. As for your mother, she'll understand Gohan. She knew that one day she would lose me.'
"But we're not ready to lose you! Not yet! Please! Come back!" Gohan says as a last ditch effort to make his father come home as tears were brimming at corners of his eyes.
'My story is finished guys. It was a good run while it lasted. Live your lives to the fullest because when you get here, I want to hear all about them. Good-bye...my friends.'
It went silent. Everyone still in shock about what had happened. They let their hero's last words sink in. Gohan had silent tears running down his cheeks as he looked back down at the tile.
"Why couldn't he have just...come back...?" Gohan whispered to himself, so quietly that Vegeta strained to hear what he had to say.
"So Goku died after all huh?" Android 18 says to herself as she sourly laughs. She looks over at Gohan. "Poor kid."
"Speak your second wish so that I may go back to my slumber."
The gang looked at each other clueless, except for Gohan and Vegeta, and they all came up with nothing to wish for; except one.
"Shenron, can you please remove the bombs from the Androids' bodies?" Krillin asks.
"What?!" 18 says in quiet surprise.
"Hmmm...it will be difficult, but it shall be done." Shenron's eyes glowed red one last time before he said, "Farewell." He disappears back into the dragon balls, and then the dragon balls fly up high into the sky and blast around the Earth; each one in a different place.
The gang stays there a moment, all completely silent, just staring at the sky. Then, Yamcha looks over to Krillin.
"Why did you wish for that man?" He asked.
"Yeah, why?" 18 quietly echos.
"Well, because the androids are still people right? So shouldn't they be able to live like normal humans as well?" Krillin asked.
"That right was taken away from them a long time ago; when Doctor Gero decided to get revenge on Goku." Piccolo states, "But they do have a second chance now. Lets just hope whatever they decide to do, it won't end up with all of us having to fight them again."
"Yeah, hopefully." Yamcha says.
"We aren't that shallow jerks! We know when we're beat! Stay off our backs!" 18 yells as she comes out from her hiding place.
"A-A-Android 18!" Krillin stutters.
18 narrows her eyes at him and says, "Oh what? Do you expect me to fall at your feet and thank you profusely? Well no thanks! Sorry, I don't kiss ass!" She looks one more time to Gohan, her eyes softening a bit, and then she flies off the edge of the Lookout again.
"Well that was...interesting." Tien states.
"Yeah. Sorry buddy, looks like 18 doesn't have a crush on you." Yamcha says.
"What?!" Krillin exclaims with a small blush creeping over his face. "Guys, I absolutely do NOT like Android 18." He states as he crosses his arms over his chest.
"Tch, yeah right. Whatever."
"Well, I think it's time I head back and grab Chiaotzu. Thanks for today everyone. It was...a blast." Tien slightly waves and takes his leave. Gohan dried the last tears over his face, but kept his head down for another minute or so.
"I think I should get going too. See ya!" Yamcha says as he too leaves. Gohan puts his head up and looks around. Thankfully no one was looking at him.
He puts a smile on his face and says "I need to get home so mom doesn't get worried."
"You sure you don't want one of us to take you home and you know...break the news to ChiChi?" Krillin asks his young friend.
"Yeah. I'm sure. It'll be fine."
"Well, okay." Krillin replied hesitantly.
"Make sure you come by here every now and then." Piccolo states as he ruffles Gohan's hair. Gohan smiles at them all before flying off the edge of the Lookout.
"Do you really think he's going to be okay?" Trunks asked them.
"The boy will be fine. I lost my father to an alien overlord when I was younger than him, and look how I turned out." Vegeta says.
"Yeah...not really the best example." Piccolo states to everyone's agreement.
"We just have to hope that if he want and needs our help and comfort, that he will just ask for it." Krillin says.
With Gohan
As Gohan grew closer to home, he was fearing more and more of what his mother will do once she finds out about his father. As he ran different scenarios in his head, his home was growing closer. He couldn't make a decision on how to tell his mother, but the decision was made for him as he touched down onto the green grass of the mountains in front of his home. As soon as his feet touched the ground, his mother burst through the door of their little mountain home and enveloped him in a hug.
"Oh Gohan! I was so worried about you! You aren't hurt are you?" Before waiting for his response, she started to look over his body for any bruises and cuts.
"I'm fine mom, but dad he's-"
"Oh, that's wonderful!" She states while giving him another hug. "You're sure?" She asks one last time while looking him in the eyes.
"Yes mom." He responds as he rolls his eyes.
"Don't you roll your eyes at me young man." ChiChi scolds. "Oh, Gohan, where's your father?" She asks while looking around for him.
He froze. His body tensed and his mind went blank. He stopped thinking, he stopped moving, and, for a minute, he stopped breathing. That was it; the topic he had been dreading all afternoon. His father.
Gohan looks down to the ground and refuses to meet his mother's eyes. As he prepared to speak, tears threatened to escape his eyes once again. He clears his throat before speaking. "Mom...dad he's...he's gone...and he's not coming back."
"What? Nonsense! Where is he really Gohan? Stop hiding things from me. Where is he?" She asked in little bit of a panic.
"Mom, dad...he had to give his own life to save the Earth. That means that he's dead mom. We tried everything we could have to get him back, but he didn't want to come back...he just didn't want to come back. I-I told him that we needed him...he still didn't listen. He just-"
Chi Chi couldn't believe her ears. She wanted to cry, but her son needed her more. He was her first priority. She cascaded him in another hug and said, "Sh, Gohan, it's okay. You don't have to tell me anymore. I understand."
"No you don't!" He yells as he breaks away from her hug. "You don't understand!"
"What do you mean I don't understand? Of course I understand! I loved him too! He was my husband! You don't think I won't miss him too?!" She yells at him.
"That's not what I'm talking about!"
"Then maybe I don't understand! Please explain to me what you're talking about!"
"I'm the reason he's dead!" Gohan screams at her. Stunned into silence, she just stares at him waiting for an explanation. "I'm the reason dad's dead, mom. I didn't listen to him...and he ended up dying. It's my fault he's gone." Gohan says.
ChiChi couldn't believe what she was hearing. Gohan thought it was his fault? That didn't sound right to her. Why was he blaming himself? "Gohan, that is ridiculous!" She sighed. "Why don't you come inside and I'll make you something to eat." She said as she grabbed her son by the shoulders and gently pushed him toward their front door.
"But-" Gohan weakly protested before giving up and letting her pull him into the house.
"Why don't you go upstairs and relax in your room until I finish dinner? I won't make you study today, but don't expect me to be so lenient tomorrow." She said as she entered the kitchen.
Gohan just did as he was told and went up to his room without saying a word. He opened his door and entered his room. He stared blankly at the wall. Then he walked over to his desk, closing the door behind him as he entered, and stared at the picture of him, his father, and his mother. He was 4 years old when the picture was taken. It was taken the day he and his father had gone to Kame house. Gohan picked up the picture and tossed it into the top drawer of his desk. Gohan walked over and plopped down onto his bed. After a minute, he shifted himself so that he was staring at the top desk drawer. He stared at it until tears started to blur his vision. Then, his body started shaking with silent sobs. He buried his face into his pillow and started crying a little louder.
He should have been happy. They should have been celebrating. After all, Cell was dead...gone...forever...for good this time. Then again, now that he thought about it, so was his father. His father was dead...gone...for good this time.
