Author's Note: Well, here it is, uploaded five minutes after the last
chapter of "An Alternate Afterlife." I actually wrote this on Sunday and
the last chapter of AAA on Saturday, but the internet was down at my house.
I guess I was just motivated to write this weekend. I'm calling this
prologue, though it also includes a summary of "An Alternate Afterlife" and
some character overviews for those of you out there who don't want to read
the prequel. Take whatever meaning you want from what Gohan says and does.
He's insane. Half the time I don't know what he's thinking either, and I'm
the one writing him. This is the direct sequel to my other story, "An
Alternate Afterlife," but just read this if you want to avoid slogging
through 29,000 odd words. AAA was Cell and Goku centric, and while they are
still rather central to the plot, there are now many other main characters.
Gohan is perhaps now the most central to the plot, though like every other
character, he will not be in every chapter.
Summary
Things pretty much proceed exactly as the canon dictates up until the moment Cell arrives in front of King Enma's desk. The android successfully argues his case for why Hell isn't suitable for him, and Fortune Teller Baba likes his attitude enough that she bullies King Enma into making Cell his assistant. Goku shows up and Cell somehow ends up in the Otherworld Tournament, but quits before the final round. He and Goku become sparring partners due to a lack of other decent power levels, and somewhere along the line Cell starts liking Goku, though he thinks the saiyan is a bit of an idiot.
Meanwhile, three years later, Gohan is depressed because his mother seems to have forgotten about his father, and one day while shopping the teen demi-saiyan sees her kissing another man. Ostensibly because he wants to tell Goku about Chi-chi's 'betrayal,' but really because of his desperate loneliness, Gohan kills himself, but not before telling Piccolo to resurrect him in three month's time.
Back in Otherworld, Enma goes on vacation and leaves Cell in charge, despite the fact that Cell had been planning to go on a vacation of his own. A few hours before Enma gets back, Gohan arrives in the checking station and sees Cell, but fails to recognize him out of his armor and in an Armani suit. Cell, however, recognizes Gohan perfectly, but while he is trying to process the fact that Gohan is dead, one of the ogres realizes that Gohan has a body and hustles him off to the next flight to the Grand Kai's planet.
It is there that Gohan sees his father for the first time in three years, and Goku isn't happy about it. He berates Gohan for abandoning his family, and Gohan in return starts letting all the bitterness he held for his father leaving them. Before they get properly sorted out, Cell shows up, and Gohan finally recognizes his arch-nemesis. He loses his control, and his saiyan side promptly takes over, blasting a hole through Goku's chest so he won't interfere. Gohan (now calling himself Nione, to differentiate himself from his human side) proceeds to torture Cell in a rather gruesome fashion. Goku, however, is not truly out of commission, and manages to distract Gohan long enough to grab Cell and perform an Instant Transmission.
The problem with this is that Goku is severely power drained and doesn't have a destination in mind, so he and Cell end up in a forest and Goku promptly faints. Cell, in the meantime, is comatose, for various reasons. They are found by a patrol of the Emporium, though what that is, is not yet known. Before they are taken back to base, most of the patrol is killed by a Rebellion squad, which takes the surviving member of the patrol hostage and brings Cell and Goku back to their hidden base. There Goku wakes up to see someone who looks exactly like himself, who introduces himself as Goten, Goku's younger son. It turns out Goku's Instant Transmission moved them twenty years into the future, where Gohan cruelly presides over the galaxy.
Cell is still in a coma, but gets a visit from Bardock, Goku's father, who is in Hell but gained psychic powers shortly before his death, and tells Cell to warn Goku to stay out of things. Cell tours his mind for a while, which consists of bare-bones versions of the minds of Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, and Frieza, though all he gets to is Goku before the actual Goku gets through his mind shields and snaps him out the coma. Awakened, Cell refuses to fight Gohan, as their earlier encounter gave the demi-saiyan a hold over Cell's mind. He leaves, and Goten plans to report the recent happenings to the leader of the Rebellion, Lady Bulma.
The Characters So Far
Cell- At first appearing to have mellowed somewhat after death, it became all too clear after his resurrection that he still cares for no one and nothing. His connection to Gohan continually weighs in his mind, as his glimpse into the demi-saiyan's soul left no doubt as to the madness that lay there. His whereabouts are currently unknown.
Goku- After appearing in the future, he agreed to assist the Rebellion in defeating Gohan, who he still believes can be saved. Still forever optimistic, the saiyan's recent losses have left him somewhat subdued, and in doubt of his ability to judge people.
Gohan- After his saiyan half took over, Gohan's two sides warred for control over his body, but in the process started to mirror each other in such a way that it is almost impossible to tell one from the other. He is not yet aware of Cell's and Goku's presence in his reality, but that won't last long. He currently resides on Taros III, the capital of the Emporium.
Goten- A colonel of the Rebellion, Goten bares an uncanny resemblance to his father, but only in appearance. His powers are not yet known, but he possesses a tail and therefore the ability to transform at the sight of the full moon. His loathing for Gohan is legendary, but not his reasons.
Marron- A commander of the Rebellion, she currently serves under Goten. Despite being battle-hardened warrior, she manages to find time to keep her nails in good shape. You might as well look good while you blow your enemies' heads off their shoulders.
Krillin- Married to Android Eighteen, Krillin no longer battles but is a valued advisor to Lady Bulma. He constantly worries for his daughter, but knows his power is not sufficient to protect her.
Android Eighteen- She is married to Krillin and is the mother of Marron, but besides that not much is known.
Lady Bulma- The leader of the Rebellion.
Piccolo- The second and advisor of Gohan. Despite everything that has happened, his love for his former student remains.
Those Whose Fate Is Not Yet Determined
Vegeta
Trunks
Dende
Yamcha
Tien
Master Roshi
Chi-chi
Chao-tzu
Puar
Oolong
?
Prologue
"He looks like Goten, doesn't he, Piccolo." The namek glanced at the writhing body on the table. Blood streamed from what was left of the eyes, and trickled from the edge of the mouth. "This is not Goten, Gohan." "I know that." ((I'm not sure you do, Gohan.)) The fixated stare never left as the demi-saiyan raised his hand, and almost lazily ran it across the cheek of the figure Piccolo could no longer honestly call a person. The scream intensified, but suddenly cut off. He couldn't stop himself from closing his eyes to the still twitching body. "Goten wouldn't scream like that. He never screamed." Gohan glanced to the side, at the scientist who froze, eyes wide. "Dispose of this. It is no longer of use." He walked away. Piccolo kept his eyes closed to the horror, whether it was the corpse or the demi-saiyan before him, he didn't know.
The spiky hair was especially hard to look at. It reminded him too much of Goku, and what a mockery his legacy had become. Sometimes, it was too much to bear. Gohan was far too fond of this room. And its inhabitants.
He followed Gohan, as he always did after one of the sessions, which led them both to the room off the royal quarters. There were books; on calculus, on biology, on chemistry. A bed, too small for anyone but a child. Pictures. Memories. In the middle of the room stood Gohan. His eyes were blank. "I did another bad thing, didn't I, Mister Piccolo." "Yes, Gohan." "I'm a bad person, aren't I, Mister Piccolo? Only bad people do bad things." The room was difficult, but this. . . this was the hardest thing to take. "No, Gohan, you aren't a bad person. Everyone does bad things. It's just a mistake." "I make lots of mistakes." "Everyone does, Gohan. You aren't perfect." "Daddy never made any mistakes." "Goku made lots of mistakes, Gohan." "Yes. He left us." ((And he's never coming back.)) "Why did he leave us?" "He wanted to protect you, Gohan." "From what?" Piccolo never knew what to say to that, no matter how often the question was asked. "He didn't come back this time." ((I'm sorry Gohan. I tried to protect you. But how could I succeed where the great Goku failed?))
It was then that Gohan blinked, and turned to stare at Piccolo, or rather, past him. This wasn't part of the pattern. Piccolo felt a shudder run down his back. As horrible as it was, as long as there was a pattern, nothing could get worse. Of course, conditions couldn't improve, either, but the namek had long since acknowledged that things would never get better. The slow smile that spread across the demi-saiyan's face was the only clue Piccolo received, but it was enough. Nione was back in control. But in saying that, Piccolo was lying to himself. Nione was Gohan. There was no puppeteer pulling the strings. Gohan was himself, far more than he had been before the death of his father.
"I haven't felt that in years." In a totally unfamiliar gesture, Gohan raised a hand to where his neck met his shoulders. Repetitively running a finger back and forth, eyes closed, he whispered breathlessly, "I've forgotten. . . how clear. This feeling. . ." The demi-saiyan shuddered, but unlike Piccolo, it wasn't from a feeling of horror, but of pleasure. "He's here. My creation. . . he knows. He's afraid." Piccolo couldn't help but think whoever this creation was, he or she was very sensible. In their position, he'd be terrified.
In a continued whisper, rocking back and forth, Gohan murmured, "You're trying to run, aren't you? Don't worry, I'll find you." A giggle. "I always find my pets, no matter how long they're lost. No matter how well they hide. I always find them." The fingers digging into the demi-saiyan's neck began to draw blood, but went unnoticed. "And when I find you, we'll be able to finish what my dear father interrupted."
Piccolo sometimes wondered what others would think if they saw Gohan like this, but knew it wouldn't be good. Not that he feared for Gohan's safety; more like he feared for theirs. Gohan had never taken kindly to criticism. Luckily, most of the time Gohan was far more lucid. It would pass. It always did, though every time he couldn't help but feel sorry for Gohan's new fixation. Or in this case, an old one that seemed unfinished. How Goku could interfere, he didn't know, but the saiyan had always had a way of messing with things from beyond the grave.
Through his musings, the namek finally realized Gohan was speaking to him. "I will find my pet eventually, but that will take time. I'm not that patient. Prepare another clone." A distracted smile. "Goten is always there for me when I need him. And he'll be there forever. Just like you, Piccolo." A genuine smile this time. Piccolo smiled back. ((Whoever you are, keep on running. And never look back. For then Gohan will have you. And he will never let go.))
Summary
Things pretty much proceed exactly as the canon dictates up until the moment Cell arrives in front of King Enma's desk. The android successfully argues his case for why Hell isn't suitable for him, and Fortune Teller Baba likes his attitude enough that she bullies King Enma into making Cell his assistant. Goku shows up and Cell somehow ends up in the Otherworld Tournament, but quits before the final round. He and Goku become sparring partners due to a lack of other decent power levels, and somewhere along the line Cell starts liking Goku, though he thinks the saiyan is a bit of an idiot.
Meanwhile, three years later, Gohan is depressed because his mother seems to have forgotten about his father, and one day while shopping the teen demi-saiyan sees her kissing another man. Ostensibly because he wants to tell Goku about Chi-chi's 'betrayal,' but really because of his desperate loneliness, Gohan kills himself, but not before telling Piccolo to resurrect him in three month's time.
Back in Otherworld, Enma goes on vacation and leaves Cell in charge, despite the fact that Cell had been planning to go on a vacation of his own. A few hours before Enma gets back, Gohan arrives in the checking station and sees Cell, but fails to recognize him out of his armor and in an Armani suit. Cell, however, recognizes Gohan perfectly, but while he is trying to process the fact that Gohan is dead, one of the ogres realizes that Gohan has a body and hustles him off to the next flight to the Grand Kai's planet.
It is there that Gohan sees his father for the first time in three years, and Goku isn't happy about it. He berates Gohan for abandoning his family, and Gohan in return starts letting all the bitterness he held for his father leaving them. Before they get properly sorted out, Cell shows up, and Gohan finally recognizes his arch-nemesis. He loses his control, and his saiyan side promptly takes over, blasting a hole through Goku's chest so he won't interfere. Gohan (now calling himself Nione, to differentiate himself from his human side) proceeds to torture Cell in a rather gruesome fashion. Goku, however, is not truly out of commission, and manages to distract Gohan long enough to grab Cell and perform an Instant Transmission.
The problem with this is that Goku is severely power drained and doesn't have a destination in mind, so he and Cell end up in a forest and Goku promptly faints. Cell, in the meantime, is comatose, for various reasons. They are found by a patrol of the Emporium, though what that is, is not yet known. Before they are taken back to base, most of the patrol is killed by a Rebellion squad, which takes the surviving member of the patrol hostage and brings Cell and Goku back to their hidden base. There Goku wakes up to see someone who looks exactly like himself, who introduces himself as Goten, Goku's younger son. It turns out Goku's Instant Transmission moved them twenty years into the future, where Gohan cruelly presides over the galaxy.
Cell is still in a coma, but gets a visit from Bardock, Goku's father, who is in Hell but gained psychic powers shortly before his death, and tells Cell to warn Goku to stay out of things. Cell tours his mind for a while, which consists of bare-bones versions of the minds of Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, and Frieza, though all he gets to is Goku before the actual Goku gets through his mind shields and snaps him out the coma. Awakened, Cell refuses to fight Gohan, as their earlier encounter gave the demi-saiyan a hold over Cell's mind. He leaves, and Goten plans to report the recent happenings to the leader of the Rebellion, Lady Bulma.
The Characters So Far
Cell- At first appearing to have mellowed somewhat after death, it became all too clear after his resurrection that he still cares for no one and nothing. His connection to Gohan continually weighs in his mind, as his glimpse into the demi-saiyan's soul left no doubt as to the madness that lay there. His whereabouts are currently unknown.
Goku- After appearing in the future, he agreed to assist the Rebellion in defeating Gohan, who he still believes can be saved. Still forever optimistic, the saiyan's recent losses have left him somewhat subdued, and in doubt of his ability to judge people.
Gohan- After his saiyan half took over, Gohan's two sides warred for control over his body, but in the process started to mirror each other in such a way that it is almost impossible to tell one from the other. He is not yet aware of Cell's and Goku's presence in his reality, but that won't last long. He currently resides on Taros III, the capital of the Emporium.
Goten- A colonel of the Rebellion, Goten bares an uncanny resemblance to his father, but only in appearance. His powers are not yet known, but he possesses a tail and therefore the ability to transform at the sight of the full moon. His loathing for Gohan is legendary, but not his reasons.
Marron- A commander of the Rebellion, she currently serves under Goten. Despite being battle-hardened warrior, she manages to find time to keep her nails in good shape. You might as well look good while you blow your enemies' heads off their shoulders.
Krillin- Married to Android Eighteen, Krillin no longer battles but is a valued advisor to Lady Bulma. He constantly worries for his daughter, but knows his power is not sufficient to protect her.
Android Eighteen- She is married to Krillin and is the mother of Marron, but besides that not much is known.
Lady Bulma- The leader of the Rebellion.
Piccolo- The second and advisor of Gohan. Despite everything that has happened, his love for his former student remains.
Those Whose Fate Is Not Yet Determined
Vegeta
Trunks
Dende
Yamcha
Tien
Master Roshi
Chi-chi
Chao-tzu
Puar
Oolong
?
Prologue
"He looks like Goten, doesn't he, Piccolo." The namek glanced at the writhing body on the table. Blood streamed from what was left of the eyes, and trickled from the edge of the mouth. "This is not Goten, Gohan." "I know that." ((I'm not sure you do, Gohan.)) The fixated stare never left as the demi-saiyan raised his hand, and almost lazily ran it across the cheek of the figure Piccolo could no longer honestly call a person. The scream intensified, but suddenly cut off. He couldn't stop himself from closing his eyes to the still twitching body. "Goten wouldn't scream like that. He never screamed." Gohan glanced to the side, at the scientist who froze, eyes wide. "Dispose of this. It is no longer of use." He walked away. Piccolo kept his eyes closed to the horror, whether it was the corpse or the demi-saiyan before him, he didn't know.
The spiky hair was especially hard to look at. It reminded him too much of Goku, and what a mockery his legacy had become. Sometimes, it was too much to bear. Gohan was far too fond of this room. And its inhabitants.
He followed Gohan, as he always did after one of the sessions, which led them both to the room off the royal quarters. There were books; on calculus, on biology, on chemistry. A bed, too small for anyone but a child. Pictures. Memories. In the middle of the room stood Gohan. His eyes were blank. "I did another bad thing, didn't I, Mister Piccolo." "Yes, Gohan." "I'm a bad person, aren't I, Mister Piccolo? Only bad people do bad things." The room was difficult, but this. . . this was the hardest thing to take. "No, Gohan, you aren't a bad person. Everyone does bad things. It's just a mistake." "I make lots of mistakes." "Everyone does, Gohan. You aren't perfect." "Daddy never made any mistakes." "Goku made lots of mistakes, Gohan." "Yes. He left us." ((And he's never coming back.)) "Why did he leave us?" "He wanted to protect you, Gohan." "From what?" Piccolo never knew what to say to that, no matter how often the question was asked. "He didn't come back this time." ((I'm sorry Gohan. I tried to protect you. But how could I succeed where the great Goku failed?))
It was then that Gohan blinked, and turned to stare at Piccolo, or rather, past him. This wasn't part of the pattern. Piccolo felt a shudder run down his back. As horrible as it was, as long as there was a pattern, nothing could get worse. Of course, conditions couldn't improve, either, but the namek had long since acknowledged that things would never get better. The slow smile that spread across the demi-saiyan's face was the only clue Piccolo received, but it was enough. Nione was back in control. But in saying that, Piccolo was lying to himself. Nione was Gohan. There was no puppeteer pulling the strings. Gohan was himself, far more than he had been before the death of his father.
"I haven't felt that in years." In a totally unfamiliar gesture, Gohan raised a hand to where his neck met his shoulders. Repetitively running a finger back and forth, eyes closed, he whispered breathlessly, "I've forgotten. . . how clear. This feeling. . ." The demi-saiyan shuddered, but unlike Piccolo, it wasn't from a feeling of horror, but of pleasure. "He's here. My creation. . . he knows. He's afraid." Piccolo couldn't help but think whoever this creation was, he or she was very sensible. In their position, he'd be terrified.
In a continued whisper, rocking back and forth, Gohan murmured, "You're trying to run, aren't you? Don't worry, I'll find you." A giggle. "I always find my pets, no matter how long they're lost. No matter how well they hide. I always find them." The fingers digging into the demi-saiyan's neck began to draw blood, but went unnoticed. "And when I find you, we'll be able to finish what my dear father interrupted."
Piccolo sometimes wondered what others would think if they saw Gohan like this, but knew it wouldn't be good. Not that he feared for Gohan's safety; more like he feared for theirs. Gohan had never taken kindly to criticism. Luckily, most of the time Gohan was far more lucid. It would pass. It always did, though every time he couldn't help but feel sorry for Gohan's new fixation. Or in this case, an old one that seemed unfinished. How Goku could interfere, he didn't know, but the saiyan had always had a way of messing with things from beyond the grave.
Through his musings, the namek finally realized Gohan was speaking to him. "I will find my pet eventually, but that will take time. I'm not that patient. Prepare another clone." A distracted smile. "Goten is always there for me when I need him. And he'll be there forever. Just like you, Piccolo." A genuine smile this time. Piccolo smiled back. ((Whoever you are, keep on running. And never look back. For then Gohan will have you. And he will never let go.))