Chapter 7: Gene consequences
-d-b-z-
"You are weak. WEAK!" bellowed Cell, stomping on his back again and again. Gohan tried his best to shake him off and rise, but the bio-android kicked him viciously, sending him to rearrange a mountainside. "You have always been a burden. To your parents, your so-called friends and Piccolo. Your father has died twice, both times because you were weak."
"No…" whispered the hybrid, trying to stand. To his dismay, he reached his limit and dropped out of his transformation. "I…"
Turning, he beheld Cell charging a ki ball while laughing maniacally. Just before he could release it, however, a titanic wave of energy washed over the green menace, utterly wiping him out of existence.
"What…?" tried Gohan weakly, turning to find the attack's source.
At first, he thought a sneering mirror had met his gaze. He changed his mind when his doppelganger, always ascended to the second level, talked. "Gee, that was really pathetic. You could have done away with him any time. Wait; you just did."
"I was having a nightmare, wasn't I?" deduced the dominant personality wearily.
The other Gohan quirked a brow. "If that had been anything else than a rhetorical question, I would have smacked you around harder than Cell ever could."
"What are you doing here?" wondered the hybrid, still a bit dazed.
His Saiyan side mockingly rubbed his chin. "Let's see… Eating ice-cream…" he started, prompting an ice cone to appear in his hand "…admiring the interesting scenery…" he went on, indicated the empty wasteland around them, "…oh, and saving your worthless backside from a cheap nightmare you should have been able to manage by yourself," he finished dramatically.
Gohan sighed. "No, I mean how can you be here. I thought we merged."
The other Gohan shook his head. "You really think eleven years of separation can be solved in a mere instant? The first time you pushed me back was inside mom's womb. A good thing, too. She wouldn't have survived otherwise and neither would we. The merge will take many years or it might never become complete. What we did was a much needed start."
Gohan collected himself from the ground and sighed again. "Apart from wanting to show off to yourself, is there any other reason you only appeared now? It's been two months since Cell."
The other rolled his eyes. "I also suffer if we miss a good night's sleep."
"You are lying," accused Gohan. "Or rather, you are only saying half the truth."
His counterpart groaned. "Can't hide from myself," he lamented. "The urges will be starting soon. Still, it's something you have to figure out when we wake up."
Gohan frowned at that, but relented. "So, what should we do until we wake up?"
His Saiyan side considered that. "Apparently, you finished solving the problems with that little device you have been working on, before conjuring that Cell apparition. We could spend our time sniffing the flowers…" he proposed, nodding at the landscape, which failed to produce a single petal, "…or we could beat the hell out of each other," he added shrewdly.
Gohan actually smiled. "No sense wasting a perfectly good dreamscape," he admitted, powering up and attacking, his dream-bout with Cell forgotten.
-d-b-z-
Gohan entered the kitchen following a brief training session and a shower. After the first month, Bulma had decided to install a second gravity chamber for Gohan's use, placed to the main building's other side. It had been proven that while her mate and the hybrid enjoyed sparring together a lot, they still needed their privacy. Also, and while Gohan hadn't actually said so, he could only effectively train in gravity Vegeta could not yet withstand.
The hybrid raised a brow when he heard the voices of his mother and Bulma. "…and when the fringes start getting crispy, you are done. See, Bulma, fried eggs are a very simple dish," finished Chichi, removing her frying pan from the fire and turning to regard Bulma's attempt, who was trying to mimic the veteran cook.
"Hey, Chi, is this supposed to turn purple?" asked Bulma weakly. Chichi's eyes went wide at the spectacle in her friend's pan. With lightning-fast speed, she grabbed a large kitchen knife, stabbing at the concoction hard enough to pierce through the cooking utensil. "What just happened?" droned the blue-haired scientist, staring at the thing in her ruined pan that was actually writhing violently.
Chichi sighed. "It was about to attack you, dear. What exactly did you put in that pan?"
Bulma blinked. "I'm not really sure," she admitted. "Which is infuriating. I have been trying to create life for a long time." She rubbed her chin in contemplation. "I can still study this one, though."
Before she could get lost in her tangent, Gohan cleared his throat. "Hello Gohan" "Good morning, dear," they responded in stereo.
"What's on the menu except for the fried pan monster plate?" he joked.
Chichi laughed out loud while Bulma frowned, even though her eyes were also laughing. "Just you wait, buster. Soon enough I'll become a competent cook; or take over the world with my cooked mutant legions."
"You already own half the world and you could buy the other half any time," he responded, while his mother produced stacks of full plates she had wisely removed from sight during the cooking lesson. "Where's Vegeta?"
The two females shrugged. "He left our room at four o'clock saying he couldn't sleep. My guess is he's training," explained the blue-haired scientist that had produced a lab container and clippers and was trying to stuff her creation inside.
Chichi nodded. "That explains where yesterday's leftovers went," she added, discretely preparing the strong cleaning chemicals she would apply after Bulma left.
"What about you, Gohan?" inquired the not-so-stellar cook. "Did you finish figuring out your little project?"
The hybrid nodded, not wanting to talk with his mouth full. "As soon as I finish eating, I'll go complete the first two sets. I'm hoping Vegeta will help me test them."
Chichi turned to regard them. While the Ox princess had accepted the Saiyan prince was an ally, she was still leery about him spending any amount of time with her son. She could still think as a martial artist, though, and knew very well how frustrating it could get not to have anyone close to your power to train with. "What project are you talking about?"
Gohan's face beamed at that and he almost became smug. "I'm not sure if it works yet," he started, trying futilely to sound modest. "If it does, though, not only will it be a valuable training tool, it will help a lot if another threat comes our way."
His mother sighed. "Gohan, I don't think anything else…" She stopped talking when she saw her son's face darkening.
"Dad had to face threat after threat with barely any breaks. I, for one, do not believe they were all because of him," he stated harshly, his eyes daring someone to disagree. "All our major victories up to now have been lucky breaks. We would tap some new power or think some unlikely suicidal plan that somehow worked, or figure out some impossible weakness to exploit." Taking a deep breath to calm down and lighten his progressing scowl, we went on. "The next time something menacing comes our way, I will be ready." Depositing his empty plates on the sink, he turned to leave the room. "And I will crush it," he finished, barely loud enough for the others to hear.
Bulma shook her head while Chichi rubbed her temples wearily.
-d-b-z-
At first, Gohan stormed away angrily, but each step served to calm him down. Usually, he could control his feelings better, he scolded himself. Perhaps it was because his father was still refusing to return to life. Even though Gohan would visit every other day, it just wasn't the same.
His thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. The back entrance to Capsule Corp was both hidden and unimpressive. Only friends of the Briefs knew where to find it. "I'll get it," he declared loudly, reaching the door moments later. The one that greeted him was as startled by his appearance as he was by hers.
"Videl?" he exclaimed.
"Gohan!" she followed, gawking all the time.
They stayed like that for a while, not really sure what to do or say. This was the third time they saw each other in person and the other two times they had barely been civil. Gohan had acted rude and aloof while she had been both angry and ignorant. Compounding the awkwardness of the situation was the fact that none of them was used to dealing with children their age. Videl, home-schooled just as he was, would only meet other kids in the fighting ring, while Gohan's exposure was limited to his old adventure in the orphan's village and his brief rescue of Lime during the Cell crisis.
"I saw your name on TV" "Krillin told me your name," they explained at the same time.
Both of them had to suppress the urge to knock down the nearest wall with their heads. As if learning each other's name from other sources wasn't bad enough.
After a long period of silence, Gohan's Saiyan side mentally slapped himself on the forehead and decided to take point. "I see you followed my advice," he noted with grudging respect. "You have grown many times stronger."
Videl beamed at that, grateful for both the ice-breaking and the compliment. "Master Krillin said so too. I flew all the way from Kame house, you know. It's the first time I tried such a distance."
Gohan let an appreciating whistle. "That's almost half a planet away. You should be exhausted."
Videl smiled sheepishly at that. "It took me hours and I do feel a bit winded. Master Krillin said to take my time and rest before the return trip."
"So, are you just visiting, or did he give you a chore?"
"Actually, I'm supposed to pick something master Roshi ordered."
Gohan's eyes went wide. "I remember now! Follow me." Taking the lead, he started walking towards the main lab. "Bulma told me about Roshi's order. It's actually a self-powered, wireless computer and internet connection package." He frowned a bit as he thought that. "I shudder to think what the dirty old man will do with that."
Videl let a mirthful snort. "He and the pig are hopeless. Do you believe they always try to hide their dirty magazines every time I pass by?"
He laughed at that. "Don't tell me Oolong still morphs into an martial arts magazine on the top of the stack?"
"He still does," she confirmed nodding. "Of course, that doesn't hide the other magazines' spines. My dad buys these things all the time and also tries to hide them."
"Grown-ups are silly like that," agreed Gohan as they reached their destination. "Just decapsulate it and it will be ready for use," he explained, handing her a capsule. "The manual is inside, as well as a dummy's guide. And if all else fails…"
"…I can still help them out," she finished for him. "I'm good with these things." Her eyes wandered around the lab, stopping on a particular device. It looked like a single earphone with a red visor extending to cover one eye. "Is this a scouter?" she asked in awe. "Master Krillin told me about these."
Gohan nodded. "I finished this one last month. It looks exactly like a scouter, but I have added lots of extra features. It also has a far higher power threshold. Even at full power, I can't make it blow up."
Videl picked it up and fiddled with it, soon making it read her own power level. "A mere 206", she sneered, a bit annoyed.
"You are already in the top-fifty, Videl. You are also tired from the flight. I would estimate you at 250 at full power."
She proceeded to aim the device at him. "2500 and that's merely your resting power while untransformed," she observed sighing. "Are you really an alien?" she asked bluntly.
Gohan raised a brow. "Krillin told you that?"
She shook her head in response. "Krillin left a couple of things out, mainly about your father's heritage, but I filled the blanks easily. You can transform like that Vegeta guy and he's an alien."
"I'm actually only half-alien. My mother is all human, even though she is still a bit stronger than you are."
Videl sighed again, sounding defeated. "I still need loads of training."
"Don't be so gloomy. After you break the 1000 points barrier, things will get a lot easier." He hesitated a bit before resuming. "You are taking me being a half-alien very lightly."
Videl shrugged. "Even if I know you are insanely powerful, you don't look like an alien. Even transformed, you merely look exotic. For me, aliens are green and blue with lots of extra eyes and limbs."
Gohan snickered. "I have seen such kinds, but there are lots of human-like races out there."
Videl became pensive at that. "Look at you. You are my age and you have already travelled to other worlds. Do you ever miss space?"
Gohan considered that. "During the trip to Namek we were anxious and pressed for time, but I still enjoyed it. It was scary, of course, but I was also eager to face the next challenge. You never knew what would happen the next moment or who and what you would meet on the next planet. I know it sounds crazy, but it was actually fascinating. I…" I really do miss it a lot, he realized in his mind. Videl's question had revealed a yearning he could not understand. "It was nice," he finished lamely, causing Videl to throw him a questioning glance.
"Anyway, I should probably be going now," she stated hesitantly.
Gohan also seemed uneasy. They had both enjoyed their little chat after growing accustomed to each other's presence. "Do you want me to come along? It's no trouble."
Videl shook her head. "I'll be fine and you are busy. Krillin told me you actually work here." Pausing for a while, she took a deep breath. "Look, Gohan. I'm sorry for being so… well… so angry at you. If I had known about my father…"
The hybrid touched her shoulder, stopping her. "You didn't know, so that's ok. I'm sorry, too. I thought you were as stuck… I mean like your father, but I was wrong."
She bit her lip before replying. "It's all right then. We could… hang out some time if you want to."
He beamed at that. "I'd like that. I might even show you a move or two."
"Or perhaps I'll teach you one," she teased.
They parted laughing, Videl flying away while he returned to the private lab Bulma had given him.
-d-b-z-
"I heard you have been wasting your time on yet another useless toy, brat."
In response, Gohan tossed a pair of gloves to the prince, wearing his own afterwards. "I'm not even going to ask how you know that. You've been in here all day," he commented, indicating the Gravity Room around them. "I think you'll find this 'toy' far from useless, though."
Vegeta snorted, regarding the articles. The material was foreign to him, seemingly made of tiny, almost unseen, hard red marbles grafted on a black, elastic material. "In other words, you want to use me as a lab rat," he groused. Despite his words, his curiosity got the better of him and he put them on, marvelling at how comfortable they felt.
"I made them similar to Saiyan armour gloves," explained Gohan, guessing his thoughts. "The nano-bonds I used make them change size and shape freely."
"What do they do?" inquired the older Saiyan, clenching and unclenching his hands. He didn't show it, but the smirk on Gohan's face was a bit unnerving.
The younger warrior reached and set the gravity to 300 times, a notable but comfortable setting for both of them. "You'll just have to wait and see," he teased, promptly attacking.
Vegeta was anything but unprepared. Keeping his power level equal to Gohan's, he dodged the first punch, cursing when his own counter went through an after-image. His opponent appeared to his side, landing a punch and blocking a vicious spinning kick. They went on like that for a long time, trading attacks and blocking as best as they could.
When Vegeta leaped back to catch his breath, he realized to his great surprise he was barely tired. Seeing his wondering face, Gohan stopped attacking, putting on a smug smile and waiting for the prince to figure it out.
Vegeta regarded his new gloves, noting with interest they were faintly glowing. When he checked his own energy, he finally figured it out. "Part of your energy is inside me," he exclaimed. "These gloves absorb ki and transfer it to the wearer!"
In response, Gohan powered up to first Super Saiyan level, released a strong blast then powered down again. Vegeta instinctively tried to block it with his hands, knowing it was too strong for that. Then he watched in disbelief as the gloves absorbed the energy hungrily, pouring it directly in his body.
"I based it on Gero's designs," commented Gohan casually. "He might have been reckless, unstable and vengeful, but some of his ideas are awesome."
Vegeta frowned at that. "When that ridiculous android tried to drain me, I felt it right away. This time there was no warning at all", he mused.
Gohan nodded. "Gero was smart, but he wasn't a ki adept. I made sure one wouldn't notice until it's too late."
The prince frowned a bit. "Do you really intend to fight someone with these things?" he asked, his frown deepening when Gohan raised a brow. "A true Saiyan warrior depends on his own strength, not on convenient gadgets."
Gohan's eyes narrowed at that. "There is always someone stronger out there and you know it all too well. Pride is nice and all when you stand a chance, but too often the odds are overwhelming. Would you not use these gloves against Cell if you had them two months ago?" At Vegeta's pensive silence, he went on. "And anyway, we can use them as training tools for now. By preserving our energy, we can keep fighting for hours without tiring. I won't have to hold back too much, either. They compensate for our gap," he added almost ferally.
Vegeta smirked at that. "Not a bad proposition," he declared, transforming and powering up to his max. At Gohan's questioning glance, his grin became too toothy for comfort. "If I'm ever forced to use these things in real combat, I want to be sure they can take the heat."
-d-b-z-
Bulma regarded Gohan curiously. The hybrid had been typing away on his keyboard for some time now, occasionally checking a secondary monitor to his side. What caught her attention, though, was that he had just transformed into a Super Saiyan 2 without a visible reason and, more importantly, without trashing the place around them. In fact, he had kept typing without destroying his keyboard, the only indication of his concentration his narrowing brows.
"Is everything alright, Gohan?" she asked hesitantly. While Bulma had seen a basic Super Saiyan many times, she had never had the chance to observe one from so close. Even when she had asked her mate to transform, he had replied that a puny woman like her would be in danger of becoming accidentally incinerated by his aura.
Gohan jumped at her voice, 'lightly' brushing his desk's edge with a finger and leaving a hole. Swearing under his breath, he regarded Bulma, who flinched under his intense alien gaze. She settled down, however, when he noticed her uneasiness and softened his features. "I'm just multitasking, Bulma. I'm working on a new gravity chamber design, testing and monitoring the Drain Gloves and trying to suppress my power while transformed."
The older scientist raised a brow at that. "How can you both test and monitor the gloves? Vegeta would never help you test them unless you were in there with him."
The hybrid rubbed his neck sheepishly at that. "I am there with him," he explained, sighing when her brow went all the way up. "I'm also using the split form to be at two places at once."
Bulma gawked at him, her mind processing the advantages of being at two places at the same time. "Gohan, I want you to be honest with me. Is there any chance for me to be able to use the split form technique?"
The hybrid blinked, then hesitated. "You'll need to have a certain power level, especially to retain them for extended times. Tien developed the technique and could only keep himself cloned for an hour tops with his power level at around 200."
Bulma slumped at the news. "So much for that. I'm now considering asking Shenron to turn me into a Saiyan."
Gohan's eyes went wide at that. "Are you serious?"
Bulma sighed, rubbing her temples. "I might be. I hate how useless I have been since your uncle landed, kid."
Gohan frowned at that. "Hardly useless. You got us to Namek, you helped create the gravity room and you even helped with the androids."
The blue-haired scientist left her seat and started pacing. "Back when I was adventuring with your father, I was actually part of the action. He was the brawn, of course, but I was the brains. Not to mention I often had the chance to brain someone stupid enough to turn his back to me," she reminisced fondly. "After Piccolo came into play, things slowly changed. I could do nothing when Radditz took you away. On Namek, I was little more than a burden and you know it. I sat on my hands for three years, even though I could have told you where Gero's lab was had you asked," she huffed, obviously angry with herself.
"But still…" tried Gohan unsuccessfully.
She promptly interrupted him. "I also gave that remote to Krillin, not considering I was pretty much expecting him to commit cold-blooded murder. Even the upgrades I gave Android Sixteen were not enough to keep him alive."
The demi-Saiyan sighed. "You did your best, Bulma. Fighting isn't exactly your thing. Why consider it now?"
"Because of you", she snapped, shaking her head to clear it before elaborating. "Goku and even Vegeta are not exactly geniuses. They are smart during combat, but they are not like me or my father. They have become powerful by forsaking almost every other aspect of their lives. In that respect, I never regretted my path." Bulma paused to draw a breath, then went on. "But look at you! You are as smart as I am. I have seen your work, Gohan, and let me tell you I'm awed. When I suggested I'd give you a lab, I didn't expect you to be so good. And yet you are also the strongest entity on the planet. You have easily surpassed others that have wasted their lives trying to become stronger."
Gohan considered that for a while. "I didn't exactly have a choice," he added defensively.
Bulma snorted at that. "The truth is, you are gifted, Gohan. I would face the hardships you had to face to have your ability. Perhaps becoming a Saiyan is the key, or at least the first step. I'm certain such a wish is well within the dragon's power."
The hybrid sighed again. "I can't tell you what to do, but don't make such a wish lightly, Bulma."
The scientist had stopped pacing and had dared to come closer to the transformed warrior. "I know," she replied calmly. "Perhaps I'm only being silly." Taking a great chance, she touched his golden hair, fully expecting the experience to be painful. Lightning arcs danced on her hand, but she only felt a slight numbness, marvelling at the unique feel of his spiked, supercharged bangs.
Gohan stiffened at the contact. "That's dangerous," he noted, trying his best to keep his power contained.
At such a distance, she noticed that even his bone structure seemed to have changed. "If you can keep so calm while transformed, maybe I should run some tests on you. Unless you are afraid of being a lab monkey, that is," she teased.
"Pathetic human", snarled Gohan, making his best Vegeta impression and causing both of them to become reduced to hysterics.
-d-b-z-
"You are not asleep yet, brat?"
Gohan didn't bother to move-moving was painful-, lying on the grass and keeping his eyes on the faint stars on the sky. The city's lights drowned most of the starlight, but he was in no condition to fly to a better position.
"I'm surprised you are already moving, Vegeta," he stated dully. "As for me, I'm a bit too sore to fall asleep."
The other Saiyan was clearly amused. "I hate to admit it, but these gloves of yours are useful. I feel like I was half-digested by a space slug, but it's fair exchange for fifteen hours of full-powered sparring."
Gohan winced at that. If he hadn't had a clone outside the gravity room to humour his mother, Chichi would have killed him. She wouldn't have to try much at his current condition. "I feel like I'm being stabbed by a million needles," he whined. "Let's stop at eight hours next time we test these things."
Vegeta's psychotic laughter was his only answer. He let his back touch the nearby fence, involuntarily grunting at the contact. Cursing himself for his weakness, he turned his eyes to the sky, deciding to mimic Gohan. While he had spent most of his life hoping from star to star, he could understand the hybrid's fascination. Vegeta blinked at a sudden thought, then focused his gaze on the demi-Saiyan. Gohan's eyes were glazed, yet not sleepy. He kept staring ahead, right through the stars.
"Saiyans are nomadic people," he stated out of the blue, attracting Gohan's attention. "Before the Tsufrian wars, they roamed all around their planet, following migrating animal herds." The hybrid regarded him carefully, but did not interrupt. Vegeta did not often talk about their race and he was curious. "After the wars, we settled down inside the Tsufrian cities and yet our nature did not change. Most Saiyans have the need to occasionally roam and test their mettle against whatever challenge the world throws at them. It's often an unstoppable urge, starting to appear when one is close to the coming of age. We simply named it the Pilgrimage."
"Did you get this urge", asked Gohan hesitantly, for some reason dreading the answer.
Vegeta chuckled darkly. "Frieza took me under his tail when I was seven in Earth years. I've done my share of roaming and rarely did I feel it as a need." His tone sobered down afterwards. "I did go on a short Pilgrimage twice, though, both during the four years since we left Namek." His eyes turned inquisitive as he regarded Gohan. "You are close to the Saiyan coming of age, brat."
Despite himself, the younger Saiyan gulped at that. "You think so?"
Vegeta smirked. "I have heard about your father's adventures. The woman won't shut up about them. He's been quite the notorious drifter, hasn't he?" Gohan remained silent at that. "A pity. During peace times Saiyan families would go on Pilgrimages together, but it's difficult to follow Kakarot around."
"I'll keep that in mind," responded Gohan, somewhat upset.
The prince seemed amused. "While you are at it, also know that a Pilgrimage is meant to get you to confront the unknown. Someone that can circle his home planet easily, would never be content contained under the same star."
Vegeta's last grin stayed grafted in Gohan's mind long after the prince had left.
-d-b-z-
Scouter corner:
Gohan: 10,400,000
Gohan ssj: 520,000,000
Gohan ssj (powered up): 1,040,000,000
Gohan ssj2: 4,160,000,000
Gohan ssj2 (split form clone): 2,060,000,000 apiece
Vegeta: 6,800,000
Vegeta ssj (powered up): 680,000,000
Chichi (pregnancy osmosis): 350
Goten (in vivo): 400
Bulma: 6
Videl: 245
-d-b-z-
I'm glad for the warm reception after such a long silence period. This chapter is mainly foreshadowing and transitory. I could very well put an "END" here and continue with a sequel, but I despise both endings and sequels. Let's just say that part 1 is over. I know that the 'Gohan in space' concept has been done before, but it still has lots of potential. Many such stories won't even give a rudimentary reason for the trip. Between moving Chichi to Capsule Corp and the Instant transmission, Gohan won't feel too guilty about traveling a bit after Goten is born. The Cell-Buu timeskip in the original was necessary so that the series could start ending, but not so realistic. It felt as if everyone fell to a coma for seven years. Especially the way Gohan grew up was very weird. His only three occupations would have been training, studying and playing with Goten, but we know he didn't train at all (which is pretty unbelievable, especially considering Goku's last words). At the rate he's been studying, he should have already qualified for loads of PHds and other diplomas.
I will not call the Tsufrujin 'tuffles', not only because it sounds stupid but also because it ruins the fruit pun. I think 'Tsufrians' is a nice compromise.
Also, I never claimed this was a Gohan-Videl story. It might become one or they might just stay friends. There will be romance-later-, but I'm never one to focus on one genre for long, thus most of my stories are under 'general'. There will also be original characters. I know some think OCs might ruin a story, but I'm confident my characters will stay balanced. One can't make a space story without them.