Ch.4
Back on earth, Bulma, Piccolo, Master Roshi and Vegeta stayed at Capsule Corp. So much had happened, and now they were trying to figure out the best plan for the dragonballs. Vegeta stood off to the side, pretending not to pay attention to their plans, but mildly interested all the same. The Namekian's stood below, enjoying snacks and playing mini golf, quite content to wait until it was time to return to their own planet.
"I still think we should wish Goku and Gohan back to earth first." Master Roshi stated.
"We can't wish them both back at the same time! We've been over this." Bulma replied.
"And if we wish for one back sooner than the other, we could be leaving the other in danger." Piccolo answered.
"Then what do we do? Krillin, Tien, Chiaotzu and Yamcha still need to be wished back as well." Master Roshi sighed.
"Krillin and Chiaotzu can't be wished back with our dragon." Piccolo stated. At this, everyone was silent.
"Wait, we have a yard full of Namekian's Piccolo! And didn't someone say they could make three wishes instead of one?" Bulma jumped up excitedly. Vegeta turned towards her in interest at this.
"You're right. That means, in a little less than a year's time, we could either revive one and bring Goku and Gohan back, or revive three and do that the second time around." Master Roshi answered.
"We have to bring Goku and Gohan home first. Who knows what kind of situation they may be in out there." Piccolo said.
"Not to mention, Chichi will kill us if we don't." Master Roshi answered. All three cringed as they thought of the young mother who had been in a state of rage and despair since hearing the news that her husband and child were hurt on some unknown planet.
"Then it's decided. But who do we revive first?" Bulma asked.
"We could revive Krillin. That way, the three with King Kai can maximize their training, and come home together." Master Roshi suggested.
"Alright. When the year is up, that's what we'll do!" Bulma answered.
"I couldn't help overhearing your plans." Elder Moori said from the doorway. Now that Guru had passed on, Moori had become elder of the group.
"Oh, ya is that okay?" Bulma asked.
"Well, I just wanted to let you know that Namek's dragonballs can be reused in six months time. You don't have to wait a full year." He stated simply.
"What! No way!" Bulma jumped up and cheered excitedly.
"Yes. So you should be able to make all your wishes within a year's time. And then, if you don't mind, we'd like to use the dragonballs to go to our new home."
"Of course!" Bulma answered.
"Good good." Elder Moori smiled as he returned downstairs to his people. Everyone at the table breathed a sign of relief as they now had a plan to execute.
...
Goku eased himself off the floor and back into the chair. Now that he was starting to feel better, Shelt had given him permission to do some light exercises a few times a day. He'd had so much on his mind lately that some physical exertion was just what he needed. Gohan had slowly been gaining some energy, and had been awake for longer periods during the day. They'd started talking about the events on Namek, and Goku had decided that it was time to have a serious talk with his son.
"Wow dad, you're starting to be able to do quite a few push-ups no sweat!" Gohan stated in awe. Goku smiled.
"Little by little it's coming along." He wiped his brow as he brought his chair closer to Gohan's bed.
"Listen Gohan, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about." Gohan sat up a bit straighter.
"What is it dad? What's wrong?" he asked concerned.
"Don't worry son, everything is fine. Do you remember when I told you the stories about when I was your age?" Gohan smiled at the memory.
"Of course!"
"Good. Because I need you to understand the differences between the battles I fought, and the battles you've fought." Gohan didn't understand.
"What do you mean dad?"
"I mean, the battles I fought as a child we're nowhere near as dangerous as what you've experienced Gohan. I didn't witness death and destruction the way you have. I didn't fight battles where entire planets were at stake until I was much older." Gohan nodded in understanding.
"This is about the nightmares isn't it?" He asked.
"In part. I just want to make sure you're okay son. You've had to be brave and act like an adult for a while now. But I don't expect you to be strong all the time Gohan. You're still young, and you're allowed to be." Goku smiled down at his son.
"Thanks dad. I'm okay, really. I think there was just so much going on…and so many people died…" Goku nodded.
"The Namekian's were saved. And Piccolo and Bulma made it off the planet safely. Maybe with their dragonballs, Krillin could be revived." Gohan looked up hopefully.
"You really think so dad?"
"I hope so son. I really hope so."
...
Gohan opened his eyes and stretched. Looking around, he could see that his father wasn't in the room. Smiling, he sat himself up and looked down.
The clothes he wore were quite comfortable. The shirt was stretchy and the pants were loose fitting. He flexed his muscles, and noticed that he didn't feel achy this morning. He still had a light headache, and his chest was still a tad sore, but nothing to really complain about. As he looked at the table beside him, he noticed someone had brought him breakfast.
"Breakfast time! I'm starving!". Gohan devoured the unfamiliar food with gusto. He was surprised that there was always so much food available to eat- it looked like the Yardratian's had appetites similar to a saiyan's. He had no idea what he was eating, but he knew from the few meals he'd had here that the food was really good. When every crumb had been eaten, Gohan hopped down from the bed and walked over to the window.
He could sense his father's energy in the distance. He knew his dad had brought his training outside in the last few weeks, as his strength improved. He'd asked to join, but his dad had been adamant that he was to rest, not train.
But this morning he felt great! It was time to train a little bit. He wanted to get stronger too!
"A few push-ups won't hurt." Gohan muttered as he got down onto the floor.
…
From the hall, Shelt watched as the little one finished his breakfast, and then began to exercise. He knew Goku had specifically told his son no training, but he chuckled as he watched the determination on the young boy's face. He was just like his father.
"I certainly hope you're not going to overdo it and reverse all my hard work." He said from the doorway. Gohan jumped up quickly, relaxing when he saw it was Shelt and not his father who had entered the room.
"No sir! I just felt a bit more energized this morning. I figured a few push-ups wouldn't hurt." Gohan answered while rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. Shelt laughed.
"Well now, if it is indeed a few push-ups, then you should be alright. But from what I saw, that was quite a few push-ups." Shelt answered as he cleared away Gohan's breakfast tray.
"It was nothing sir, I promise." Gohan smiled.
"Well, you know that a nice walk can also be good exercise. I think you've been cooped up in this room for quite a while now. Why don't you go get some fresh air?" Shelt was delighted to see the boy light up.
"Oh really! I'd love to!" Gohan said excitedly.
"Just don't overdo it. Okay?" Gohan nodded.
"Of course not! I'll be back soon." Gohan went to leave, but Shelt put a hand on his shoulder, halting him.
"Gohan, before you go. On our planet, clothing is kind of a special matter. Leaving without your collar or armour is not considered appropriate." Shelt walked over to the nightstand and pulled out the rest of Gohan's outfit.
"Oh. Right. Sorry." Gohan obediently dressed and smiled as he walked out the door. He'd never been outside his room before. As he looked around the main quarters, he was in awe at just how vast it was. The main quarters held the hospital, council meeting room, court room, police station, and fire station. It was also a spot where the inhabitants of Yardrat could go to hang out and chat. Gohan felt like he stood out like a sore thumb in the crowd, but he knew the only reason the inhabitants kept their distance was because of the language barrier. He smiled at everyone as he walked along, enjoying his time out of his hospital room.
When he finally got outside, Gohan breathed in a big gulp of fresh air. It felt so good to be outside. He felt a bit heavier as he walked, and he wondered if the gravity was different on this planet. It couldn't be that different, but there was a subtle change in the air.
Yardrat was such a different planet from earth! The ground was a purplish colour and the sky was a bright yellow. The Yardratians were very social people, and Gohan enjoyed watching the children play and the adults chat amongst themselves. They all wore the same outfit, but some sported blue or green skin, although the vast majority were pink. He wished he could understand their language so he could introduce himself.
Seeing a big tree not too far away, Gohan walked over and sat underneath it. It reminded him of the trees from Mount Paozu, where he lived on earth. As he imagined himself and his parents walking through the forest like he used to do when he was little, he slowly began to drift off.
...
Goku smiled as he finished his workout. His strength had really increased and he was really relieved to be able to push himself again. He wasn't back to full strength, but he was well on his way. The fresh air had helped immensely. As he returned to the main quarters, he was surprised to see Gohan sleeping underneath a big tree.
Goku walked over and sat down beside his son. His hair was starting to grow out, thank goodness. Goku had laughed and laughed when he'd seen the cut Chichi had given the boy before he headed off to Namek. The poor kid had been given a bowl cut, and it really wasn't the right cut for the saiyan child. Now his hair was getting close to his shoulders, and Goku reached out to touch it curiously. His own hair had never changed, always staying about the same length and style. It was so odd to him that his son's hair could grow so fast. Weird.
As he continued to ponder the mysteries of saiyan hair, he was suddenly jolted out of his reverie by a telepathic sound.
"It's time to wish Gohan and Goku back to earth!" He faintly heard Bulma say.
"Oh no!" Goku looked at the sleeping form of his son beside him. He wasn't strong enough to learn the instant transmission technique yet. He just had to learn it before he returned to earth. It was the only way he could be sure to always be able to keep his loved ones safe.
"I can't let them do this." Goku concentrated his mind trying to picture the earth's dragon when he remembered that they couldn't be using the earth's dragon…it hadn't been a year since the last wish! But how could they be using the dragonballs this fast?
'The Namek's! Of course. We transported the Namekian's to earth. They must be using the Namekian dragonballs.' Goku closed his eyes and tried to picture the dragon he'd seen on Namek. He tried with all his might to connect with the majestic beast.
"Porunga, please. Tell them the wish cannot be granted. Tell them we will return to earth later." Goku waited a moment in suspense. Had he succeeded? A moment later, he jumped.
"As you wish." A deep voice replied. Goku breathed a sigh of relief. He knew his friends wouldn't understand but he had to learn this technique. Scooping up his son, he returned to the main quarters.