Hiya!

Yes, the lazy bum finally managed to get the first chapter done. This is the story formerly known as Serendiptiy, if you didn't notice (kind of obvious chapter title). Serendipity is totally gone now. Sorry...

But yes, this chapter is a little bit boring, mostly review. The story should start off right where the last chapter was (may even be a carbon copy, with a few characters missing). Then we will get into the new stuff (somewhere around Chapter 3).

Sorry this took so long to finish, I've been brain-dead lately and my writing hasn't exactly been up-to-par. Hopefully it isn't too horrible. So here we go... again! Hope you all enjoy!

Side note: Sabireru is translated as 'to decline; to fall' in Japanese.

Disclaimer: Me no own.

Chapter 1: Serendipity

Serendipity (ser Én dip Ét e) n: the gift of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for
Syn.: fatality, fortune, happenstance, lot, luck

I looked that up in his studying books once...

He had said it during one of our conversations, those that would take place on a quite chance occasion when we weren't running from bounty hunters or picking fights with Freeza's men.

"I guess it was kind of serendipitous, then?"

Having just finished explaining the events that had brought me to him- the events that had ended with me loathing myself and searching for an answer, any answer, among the stars or the visions which so often impeded my vision back then.

I had run away.

In a bout of sheer stupidity, I had thought at first, I had run away from my meeting with my death and that was an act that brought me an immortal label as the cowardly Saiyan- the one who fled before Freeza, hid beneath his ship, escaped to save his craven hide from the fate of his brothers. It was not that I wanted the label. How could I want that, I who spent my entire life struggling with my partners, my friends, to become someone among my peers- why would I give up my entire life for one moment of pain, for fear of something as petty as death? Death is nothing to a Saiyan.

Even my grandson has faced death.

But no, it wasn't death I fled from- it was the curse. I hated it. It did not help, it made things worse, told me to die and then, when I accepted and was standing in front of the ridiculously large orb that was going to deliver said demise, it told me to run. I thought that damn alien was playing with me, somehow. Of course, now I am rather grateful to him- maybe he's still playing with me, perhaps that scaly humanoid is sitting in Heaven right now, laughing at the great Saiyan warrior who now sits at some child's bedside with a heavy heart.

Digressing- my old mind seems to be wandering a lot lately. My thoughts are like the wind which gusts in small bursts through the wide- open window, tugging at the old writings and books that scattered my grandson's desk. Grandson who- I must focus my thoughts. Review- yes, where did it all begin? It all began...

Son Gohan appeared to me not too long ago (at least in the view of my ancient mind). He was a curious fellow, certainly- not even a fellow, a mere seven-year-old boy. He asked for my assistance in speaking to his still-living father, who appeared to reside in the North Quadrant. Seeing no harm in it, I agreed on one condition: that he would convey his story to me.

Of course, he agreed. And after the settled orders (along with a few extra quests- such as the transportation of something he called a 'dragon radar' and an object of my own device for more direct communication between father and son, so as I would not have to be used as a telephone on a regular basis) were completed I received my story. It was quite an interesting tale, coming from a midget kid born on a planet that no longer existed.

I suppose I should start with introductions. I am the Grand Kai, observer of the four Kais whom watch over the North, South, East, and West quadrants of the universe. Son Gohan is a peculiar hybrid between the more placid human race of Earth and the antagonistic Saiyan race of Vegeta. His father is Kakkarot, son of Bardock. His mother is Mao Chi-chi, daughter of the Ox King. An odd lineage, indeed.

He said that it all began before he was born, with his Saiyan grandfather- Bardock. According to my young storyteller, Freeza, a supposed tyrant I had heard of on the off occasion, had been readying his assault on the planet Vegeta when the battle-worn captain had approached him. Bardock had had all plans to die there, facing the creature that had humbled his proud race- instead, a curse beset upon him by an old victim of the Saiyans' brutality burst upon him and he found himself seeking safety in his own foe's ship. Of course, after that act of cowardice (all of his foes had ended up dead- he presumed himself the lone survivor, save his sons whom he knew to be off-planet), he could never forgive himself.

Freeza was enraged by his escape and all too glad to place a bounty on his head. Luckily for him, Saiyan blood ran through his veins- he escaped time after time, the visions of his curse driving him onward towards some incomprehensible goal.

Twenty years later, the goal appeared.

The teller of this story was three when his world was destroyed.

Kakkarot, son of Bardock, had been sent as an infant to the planet Earth on orders of clearing it. The clearing never happened, and twenty years later his ancient file was suddenly dragged up to Freeza's view. He had other things on his mind, of course, but he had a particular loathing of the 'monkeys' and was slightly intrigued by these news. With this file came an opportunity for solving another predicament he had entered lately.

He had been growing less and less fond of the Saiyan Nappa, but Vegeta insisted upon keeping his elite-class guard at his side; now was an opportunity to separate the two.

Freeza sent Vegeta to Earth. He was accompanied by Kakkarot's older brother, Raditz. Nappa was detained at a moon base near the edge of a spiraling arm of the Milky Way.

Vegeta and Raditz had orders to recruit Kakkarot- if he refused, destroy him. As soon as the lost Saiyan was recruited, destroyed, or found dead, the planet was to be destroyed. Freeza knew the planet was far too reclusive for any buyers to be interested.

As soon as Vegeta and Raditz were gone, Freeza personally murdered the Saiyan Prince's bodyguard.

This, Gohan was told by his grandfather. As for the Earthling's personal experience, the Saiyan pairing arrived a few weeks before his fourth birthday. Though both Vegeta and Raditz had thought it impossible, Kakkarot had gone quite native. He now went by the name Son Goku. He had even saved the planet multiple times, married, and settled down.

All of Earth's 'special forces,' as Gohan put it, were taken down rather quickly. These consisted of several humans and a sole Namekian. Gohan identified them as Yamcha, Krillin, Chaozu, Tien, and Piccolo- if names really matter. Raditz was killed in the scuffle, leaving Vegeta alone. Apparently Goku had been first to run in with the pair- he did not appear until the fight was finished, and all of his comrades were dead. Vegeta, in fact, had been about to destroy the three-year-old himself, but Goku deflected the blast before promptly falling unconscious from the immense expenditure of energy.

Apparently Vegeta was curious about Kakkarot and his half-breed son. He took both with him, using Raditz's pod to transport the unconscious Saiyan and sharing his own with the child, and destroyed the planet behind him. Thus ended Gohan's home.

Bardock, at this time, had heard of the mission to Earth and knew all too well of what this could do to the destiny of his son (something the curse had informed him of, even before the death of his home). Having spent twenty years as a fugitive, he was all too pleased to have something new to focus on. He raced to the base where Vegeta landed.

When he arrived, it seemed that Freeza had sentenced Gohan to death. Grandfather and son would not discover until later that Goku was handed to Vegeta as a student. Bardock removed his grandson from harm's way and escaped, destroying the facility where Gohan had been detained.

Gohan trained with his grandfather for four years. Though he had little previous training, he was able to recollect some of his father's techniques - such as flying and the use of ki attacks – and manipulate them. News of Goku's apparent treachery reached their ears off and on, but Gohan was not discouraged. He was determined to defeat his one enemy: Vegeta, destroyer of his home and his life.

Lo and behold, he received his chance. After the long stretch of training, Freeza grew tired of waiting and forced the Saiyan Prince to select a mission for himself and his protégée. Opting for a challenge, Vegeta selected Sarua, known for its powerful guardian that rivaled the power of even Freeza.

Bardock and Gohan immediately heard of this mission and it was decided that it was time. Both parties arrived, and the stage was set for the showdown that Gohan had been lusting for.

Upon his grandson's suggestion, Bardock led Goku away, while the seven-year- old began a furious brawl with his elder opponent.

Vegeta was more than surprised by this tiny opponent, and I have to admit I would have been too. He had probably assumed the boy dead and hadn't given him a second thought. Now, here he was, powerful and raging – what to make of that? Either way, Gohan took full advantage of this astonishment and swiftly gained the upper hand.

But where Gohan was full of emotion and rigorous determination, Vegeta was full of sheer experience and battle sense. After trying the few tricks he knew – grabbing the tail, attack from behind, etc. – his chance came without his meaning to. Not that he minded.

Gohan said he never quite knew what hit him. One moment he had his adversary on the floor, cautiously asking of clemency, and the next a paralyzing agony had overrun his senses. Before his mind could register, he was unconscious – when he came to, briefly, with swimming vision and a frighteningly numb body, he was in his father's arms. He was unable to say a word. Within moments he was dead.

Even in Heaven he was on the move- Freeza had arrived on Sarua. At first he had come to observe Goku, but he had then heard news of Bardock's arrival. Seeing Vegeta in his weakened state, he recalled yet another objective.

Vegeta had chosen Sarua in hopes of defeating the guardian. If he could defeat the guardian – whom had just slain the unknowing Gohan – then he was certain he could defeat Freeza. Having overhead these arrogant usurping words, the tyrant decided that it was time for the Saiyan Prince to follow in his father's footsteps.

Freeza killed him without a word. Then, turning, he killed the still- looming guardian, who happened to be an avian of gargantuan proportions. The bird was smoky black, wielding the energy of the air- and, at the moment, it was lightning. Awakened by the destruction of a small town by Vegeta, it had attacked the first thing it laid eyes upon, also known as the young Gohan. Immediately afterward it realized its mistake and offered apologies to Son Goku, who had arrived soon after to discover his dying son. While doing this, the tyrant took his opportunity and fired a ki blast through the guardian's chest. It died within seconds.

Goku and his father hid from their enemy, but were planning their attack. Both knew it was fruitless. But there was nothing left, really – Bardock's student was dead, and Goku's home and family were no longer. There was no reason to stay in the living world.

Gohan rushed through the Otherworld, first going to King Kai, the ruler of his quadrant and friend of the Earthlings that had defended their doomed home four years before. But the Kai could not offer the assistance he needed and the Hell-bound Vegeta's words were not encouraging. He came to me. I obliged. He gave me his story.

A remarkable happening occurred after the story was told and Bardock and Goku were sent on their way to planet Namek, in search of the 'Dragonballs,' mystical artifacts that could, when unified, grant three wishes.

I have, for quite awhile, been of acquaintance with the being Sarua. He is also known as the guardian of the planet Sarua- as well as the murderer of the son of Goku. Now deceased, he chose to visit, in his calmer state. No longer a storming, several-hundred-foot tall warrior, he was now a foot- tall bird of brilliant white plumage. Even Gohan did not recognize him at first.

When Sarua gave me his offer, I was quite stunned. The bird was known for his cool intelligence and calm independence. Yet now, in retribution for the murder of an innocent, he offered his life (or afterlife) and service as a servant to Son Gohan.

Of course, I could allow it- Freeza destroyed Sarua soon after Goku and Bardock departed. Sarua was no longer required as a guardian of his planet. And so, I left the choice up to the demi-Saiyan.

More than astonished and a little divided, Gohan accepted. Knowing he might be there for awhile, I offered him access to my training facilities. Not many people had a story like his- I had a feeling it was bound to get more interesting, as well.

Failure.

I guess my life circulates around that word.

Failure... All I seem to do.

I failed my planet- I let Vegeta destroy it.

I failed my grandfather- I let Vegeta win. I let Sarua kill me.

I even failed myself, losing to Vegeta.

And I failed Goten, losing to Freeza... Failed my father, dying... Failed my mother, getting sick like this...

I've failed everyone.

And I wonder if I should even wake up, because if I do, I'm bound to continue this trend. I've never done anything. Besides failing.

I did become the first Legendary, in the Otherworld, after being struck down in the middle of an almost-victorious battle with my greatest rival. Oh, how I loathed Vegeta back then. I dreamed each night of murdering him. And then, when I had him on the ground, his breath shaky and his body battered, I hesitated. I didn't want to do it. Sarua took his chance and killed me, and then all I remember was my father's disappointed stare and an immense anger even as I crossed the line of living and dead. I failed again.

Ironic that my own anger succeeded in bringing me to a level Bardock had preached about for ages.

Of course, Father got there too – Bardock told me about that when they revived me on Namek. He went Legendary while fighting Freeza, urged on by the near-death of my grandfather.

After my revival, I was sent with the Namekians Piccolo and Kami to the newly-made Earth. It was empty, its inhabitants having not been brought back yet. I was trusted to protect the planet, in case Freeza's kin decided to seek revenge upon my father by assaulting his rejuvenated home. I used a technique I had picked up on the planet Yardrat – a place Bardock had refused to go, saying he disliked other psychics – to instantly transport myself, Sarua, and my two guests to Earth.

All I had to do was guard the planet. I could do that right, couldn't I? It was only a year. Shorter, actually. The planet Namek travels around its sun faster than Earth. I had a good hold on the Super Saiyan state.

Surely I could do that right...

Piccolo and Kami fused a few days after we got home; that surprised me, I didn't think Piccolo would ever choose to give in to the old guardian's pleas. They began rejuvenating the Dragonballs, and I soon grew tired of the rather silent and tense Piccolo. He had never been pleasant to be around. I suppose if I had known him longer, if Vegeta hadn't blown our planet to smithereens, we would be more comfortable around each other. As it is, he is a stoic and uncaring individual and I avoid him as much as possible.

I spent my days wandering through the forests and deserts and various other landscapes with Sarua. Another surprise- my guardian. He's always at my shoulder, offering assistance or warnings. I don't mind him, but he seems to be another constant reminder of my faults. This bird, tiny bird, is only here because he's guilty that he killed me, who should've been paying attention in the first place.

A great surprise arrived one day, about three months into the boring ordeal of "guarding." It was late in the day. Feeling two ki marginally larger than the wildlife around them, I had approached in curiosity.

Upon arrival, I met a miniature version of my father and an older version of myself.

Myself explained, of course. The mini-Goku simply watched me with wide eyes, making me fidgety with his constant attention. He explained that he was from the future, and was indeed me- a fourteen-year-old me. Of course, I, only ten, was just a little bit surprised.

He introduced the inquisitive child as his younger brother, Goten, of the age of two and three quarters. I don't have much experience with children. Even Bardock has told me to lighten up in the past. Bardock.

To my great disdain, future-me said that he was leaving Goten in my care.

Great. All I needed. A kid.

But I had to accept. Future-me explained that future-Bardock had instructed him to do this, mentioning a bad feeling. Future-me also felt this 'bad feeling.' I had no clue what he was babbling about, but I could tell by his posture that he was dead serious and, if he thought the same way I did (more than likely), would not come back in time for a picnic. I agreed to take care of Goten. He promised to return as soon as he could.

I guess I still wait for him to come back.

Goten wasn't actually as bad as I thought. Sarua assisted as always, entertaining the child while I watched and did my best to 'lighten up.' I guess it worked, because the toddler abruptly treated me just as he had treated the future-me.

I think I might have been happy, like when I was with my grandfather. I couldn't recall the feeling. That scared me more than anything- and I relished in this 'new' feeling, savoring every moment, 'lightening up.'

Then one day, today, maybe yesterday I suppose, it all came crashing down.

It had been a habit to occasionally stop by my old house, clean things up- all the buildings had been brought back with Earth, though no one lived in them. I would simply dust a little bit and clear away any encroaching wildlife. After completing this task, I took to the air, set on returning to my brother and Sarua. A strange ache came over me, but before I could register that I felt the approaching energy.

Freeza had come.

Of course, I knew I could probably handle the tyrant my father had already defeated once. So, buoyed by thoughts of returning to Goten and ignoring the ache, I rushed forward. When I arrived, they were already out of their ship. Freeza, now kept in one piece by much gadgetry and metal, was accompanied by a taller – and more whole – being. I would realize in a few moments that it was King Cold, the tyrant's father.

Of course, I arrogantly assaulted the pair. I downed Freeza with one blow- but then that damned ache came back, and after I blindly destroyed the minions my grandfather's tormentor had brought along, King Cold took advantage of my unexplained weakness.

He snatched me, slowly crushing and only adding to the blinding pain that had now tripled. I did not feel myself drop out of Super Saiyan – all I heard was my own screams.

I unexpectedly found myself in my grandfather's arms. I only recall this because I managed to stutter surprise at his Legendary state, something he had often thought impossible for him to attain. Then I was unconscious again. Failed again.

And here I am.

I suppose I'm sick. I'm disconnected from the rest of me, strikingly clear of conscious senses, emotion. I'm not delirious, or at least I don't feel it. And here I have time to think... something I don't think I've done in quite awhile.

It would be bizarre if I died without even realizing it.

The question still stands. Shall I wake up? Shall I even try?

Yet again, those around me have been forced to make up for my failures.

I guess it's worth a shot. Surely it can't get any worse.

Isn't that what I said about guarding Earth?

Failure...

Finis

So, how was it? A fun insight into Son Gohan. Today is insight-day... In my new story, and here. Both 3 POV, except all of them are different except for Gohan. Ironic.

Don't have much time to spare, but the next chapter is in the works and I hope to have it up soon (What? I'm not crossing my fingers... Ahem...). But of course, that's what I say about everything. And last time I updated was May 10. It's now June 6th... I'm so horrible about this stuff.

Well, anyway, I can't wait to get into the new stuff so hopefully that will urge me into writing chapter two a.s.a.p. As it is, I have another story to find a title for and my life to get on with, so I will bid thee adieu. Sadly, I have no preview of chapter two as of yet... I'll get it soon, I promise!

Thanks for reading!