Author's Note:
This is actually getting finished! I promise!
Disclaimer: I do not own this show.
CHAPTER SEVEN:
Warrior
Goku had walked forwards with caution, his body tense and ready for any threatening movement. His head was spinning, and he could feel his throat dry up as he approached the still form of his son. The child was lying facedown on the ground, the only movement to prove he was alive being the soft rise and fall of his chest. Goku was torn between two reactions - being incredible proud, and being horrified at a monster. A monster that really wasn't human. Goku thought he he had told Gohan, that for sure, that no one deserved to have their life ripped away from them. So why had Gohan taken that action? But Goku had seen something different in Gohan's eyes - a maniac glee that was the look of prey turned predator.
Who knew they were strong, knew their own power, and were fully confident in their control and in themselves. Who was no arrogant, but who knew they were on top of the world. The look, Goku had never seen on his son before. It was like looking at a whole new Gohan, one with many different layers, one who was running with the wolves. One who, if you threw to the wolves, would return leading the pack. Goku looked down at his son, observing the bloodstains, the scent of coppery blood staining the air around them. Goku watched as the breeze gently blew his son's gi, causing the clothes to ripple in the wind. His hair moved slowly, as if afraid of it's own power. Goku had seen the transformation.
But something was wrong.
"Hey, Krillin?" Goku asked hesitantly. The bald monk's head snapped up, gaze searching his old friend's face. Goku looked confused, and exhausted. But other than that, his expression gave nothing away. Goku had never been one to be stoic. In fact, he had almost always been incredibly easy to read. He was like an open book - no lock, the pages open wide for anyone to read and discover his thoughts. They were often simple ones, which made many people shake their heads and question if he had actually grown up. But now, Goku had closed his heart and was hiding his inner thoughts from the world. For once, the ebony haired man was deadly serious. Krillin narrowed his eyes and noticed the concern building in Goku's ebony eyes.
"Yes?" Krillin answered, stepping forwards gently. He did so, making noise as his boots hit the bloodied group, so Goku was completely aware of his presence. Krillin placed a hand on Goku's shoulder, looking his best friend in the eyes as he waited to see what Goku needed. If Goku didn't understand something, Krillin wasn't usually the first person Goku would go to. The fact that Goku did this time meant it was probably common knowledge of Earth, and since Goku hadn't exactly had the greatest educational upbringing, he was relying on the nearest, most trustworthy person. Krillin signaled to the others behind him to remain quiet while he spoke to the older Saiyan. Krillin gently put his hand on Goku's shoulder, reminding the Saiyan of his presence.
Goku drew in a shaky breath, turning to meet Krillin's eyes. So many negative emotions swam in there that Krillin was tempted to look away, but refused to - for Goku's sake. "Krillin," Goku began again, taking a deep breath. "Is it possible for there to be two of a person?" Goku asked, his eyebrows furrowing together as he turned towards the nearly completely still body of his son. "Two of a person." Goku repeated. "Like, two brains in one body? Two different people in one body, I mean." Goku struggled for the words to explain himself. "I remember Gohan reading a book about it before... like, a mental disease where there were two or more of one person in one body." Goku looked at Krillin, desperation flashing in his eyes.
"That..." Krillin swallowed, cleared his throat, and chuckled nervously. He couldn't stand seeing Goku stare at him anymore, so he chose to look at Gohan instead. "That is possible. It's a disease called the Multiple Personality Disorder. Basically, there are two or more personalities in one body. The body will often switch between the personalities. If Personality A is in control for two hours, Personality B will not know what happened during that time. The original personalities basically creates a second personality to deal with some sort of trauma. It's often found in people who have almost died at a young age, or..." Krillin's eyes widened as he trailed off, his jaw dropping. Goku dealt with a lot of flack for being stupid, but Goku's reasoning was... brilliant. "Those who have been abused." Krillin whispered the last sentence, eyes wide as he stared at the small Saiyan at his feet.
"I don't know what it is." Goku confessed. "But there was something about Gohan back there, when he was..." Goku hesitated. "Fighting Broly. Like, it looked like Gohan, but it wasn't Gohan. And it wasn't just the transformation that was throwing me off. There was something about that person that made me think... not Gohan. That was not Gohan, Krillin. That was not our Gohan. The way he carried himself, his confidence, his actions, the way he spoke, the look in his eyes... all of it screamed not Gohan. All of it, Krillin." Goku hugged his middle, falling to his knees, staring at his son's body. "That was not Gohan." he repeated softly. "And... Gohan's been fighting since he was four. He's been seeing people die, right in front of him, since he was... four or five." Goku whispered. "Then Chi-Chi... Chi-Chi..." Goku gulped, fighting the sob that rose in his throat. He threw his arms forwards, gathering his petite son in his arms and burying his face in his son's hair.
"That's trauma." Goku whispered, and Krillin was barely able to hear his best friend. From behind him, the others seemed to be working out what Goku implied. Bulma had her hands over her mouth in horror, Vegeta was actually looking shocked, all wide eyed and gaping jaw. Yamcha was actually crying, and trying to hide it, while Tien was shaking his head and trying to comfort Chiaotzu, who was actively balling. "We've broken him, Krillin." Goku whispered again, raising his head from Gohan's gi. Tears fell from his eyes, falling down his cheeks like small rivers of sorrow, on the landscape of pain. "We're all responsible. We broke him so much that he almost quite literally shattered into two, Krillin. It's all our fault." Krillin's heart broke as Goku looked up at him. Everyone was so busy assessing Gohan's condition that none of them noticed Chi-Chi slip away.
"I'm going to take care of him." Goku wiped the tears furiously off his face, gathering his ki. As he was still emotional, his flight attempt was pretty rocky. He shot into the sky at the speed of sound, unable to get complete control. Goku allowed his desires to propel him - and all he wanted now was to be alone, to be away, with his son, so he could help him. So with his small child in his arms, Goku sped off for destinations unknown. Krillin was preparing to follow when Vegeta blocked his path, preventing him from leaving. The bald monk turned to the older Saiyan with confusion written across his face. Goku was his best friend, and he was obviously unstable right now. Why shouldn't I go with him, to make sure he's okay, if nothing else? Krillin wondered.
"Leave him be." Vegeta had an odd look on his face as he stared into the sky, watching Goku's trail of ki disappear from the sky. "He needs time alone with his son. If we go now, he may explode. That would trigger Gohan." Vegeta explained. He tilted his head to the side, seeing Krillin's confused look once more. He sighed heavily, crossing his arms as he began his explanation. "If Kakarot becomes angry and lashes out, that would most likely wake Gohan from his slumber. If Gohan saw his father in an emotional and potentially violent state, he would become incredibly anxious and believe he was about to be abused. And if Kakarot's theory is correct, which I believe it is," Vegeta grudgingly admitted. "Then Gohan would become even more unstable, switching between personalities."
Krillin nodded in understanding and looked towards the horizon where Goku had disappeared. I hope wherever you and Gohan are, that you're both safe, old friend. Krillin thought wistfully. I wish I could be there with you, but I guess this really is something you need to do on your own. I wish you the best of luck, Goku. Bring Gohan back in one piece, okay? And you come home safe, too. Krillin sighed softly, before realizing something he probably should have noticed sooner. He spun around, muttering curses under his breath, as he searched for Chi-Chi. When he noticed her complete lack of presence, he snarled and screamed. "That bitch!" he shrieked. Now, Krillin rarely swore. But here, he felt like she deserved it. "She's gone!"
The other people present spun around, all expressing various degrees of frustration and fury. Unknown to everyone else, Piccolo had already snuck off and was closely following Goku. To be honest, Piccolo didn't care how hurt Goku was. He needed to find Gohan, and fast. Namekians honestly just were not given credit these days. Did the others think that Piccolo could only use his mental abilities to levitate glasses of water? It was ridiculous. Piccolo, after speaking with several of the other Namekians, had been given knowledge on how to treat several mental illnesses. Unlike medication, Piccolo could actually use his abilities to go in and correct what was wrong.
"Now, Piccolo, only use this ability if there is no other option." the elder Namekian said, gaze and voice deadly serious. "If used incorrectly, this will just make things worse. You know that young boy you have grown to care for? I sense a darkness brimming at his mind, and should it manifest fully, it will shatter him into two people. I believe the Earthlings call this the Multiple Personality Disorder, where there are two or more different people in the same body. Your boy is incredible danger - I can sense the second presence, and trust me when I saw it is not friendly. If something ever happens, and the boy splits, this is how you correct what is wrong, mend what is broken, lighten the dark..." the elder murmured. "How you piece back what is shattered."
Piccolo shook the memories off, focusing on Gohan and how fast he needed to get there. By now, he was following the sense of Goku's ki. It was strange, actually, Piccolo thought. It wasn't natural for ki to fluctuate like this. It was odd, how much Goku's ki rose and fell. It rose, like climbing up the mountain. If this were normal, Goku's ki should have levelled out by now. The Saiyan's speed decreased, and Piccolo was able to keep up. Piccolo spotted Goku in the distance, panting and grasping at his heart, a wild look in his eyes. Then, Goku's ki plummeted, and he fell, Gohan in his arms. Piccolo panicked and flew towards desperately, trying to catch Goku before he hit the ground.
But before Piccolo could complete his mission, there was a flash of golden like, and a massive rise in Gohan's ki. An explosion rose from the ground as the small boy hit it, and before Piccolo had registered anything, he was knocked out of the sky, now on his back on the ground. Gohan was standing above him, an eyebrow raised as he stared levelly at him, his face not giving away anything. Piccolo's blood ran cold at the boy's eyes. They were not ebony. They were a brilliant, electric blue. This boy leaned forwards, eyeing Piccolo. Balanced on his left hand was Goku's body. Gohan looked up at his father before shrugging and throwing the man off. The boy smirked then at Piccolo, his smile full of the knowledge that Piccolo was prey, and Gohan... Gohan was predator.
"Oh, hi." Gohan said. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Takeshi." the boy's eyes narrowed slightly, the corners of his mouth lifting up. "The other me is fond of you, you know? He was really scared when that stupid blonde guy showed up. So then I told him I'd help! And I did! Aren't you so very proud, Piccolo~san?" the boy smirked. "From what I gather, you weren't very nice to the other me. I'm actually pretty miffed about that, but because Gohan asked me to, I guess I won't kill you." the boy's smile was gone, replaced with deadly bloodlust. "I don't think I really need to say it, but... if you even lay a hand on Gohan again, and he tells me about it... you're dead."
"Now," Takeshi continued, looking behind him. "I think you need to help this guy. Goku, right? Gohan's dad. He looks pretty sick."
"Your name." Piccolo rasped. "What does it mean?" Piccolo's gaze locked onto Takeshi's, holding the electric blue eyes of someone who had borrowed his beloved student's body. Piccolo felt the hate grow in his belly, until he realized exactly what this person had said. From what it sounded like, Takeshi was nothing if not protective of Gohan. He was trying to... protect him.
"Warrior." Takeshi said softly. "Fierce. Violent. Warrior." Takeshi repeated. "And that is what I am. We have the same agenda, Piccolo - protecting Gohan." Takeshi sighed, running his hand through his thick black mane of hair. "Let's just get through the next couple weeks. Something tells me they're going to be crazy."
Deep in the mountains, Vegeta was chasing a sobbing Krillin around Dr. Gero's abandoned lab. For some reason, the stupid guy had shown up and attacked. They drove him off after destroying his android friend, and then found his lab. Of course, the stupid purple haired brat (and no, Vegeta has still not connected the dots.) showed up and attacked Gero, which allowed Gero to activate the doomsday androids - 17 and 18. And while 17 kept Vegeta and Mirai busy in combat, 18 manage to torture the location of Goku out of Krillin. The androids killed their creator, then vanished to go find Goku. Of course, Krillin had given them exact coordinates, since he could sense Goku.
Today was just not their day.
~Next time, the androids attack, and Takeshi is formally introduced to the rest of the gang. Mirai is desperately trying to pull the younger version of his mentor together, before it's too late~
daisukigohan: I'm going to be completely honest with you here... I'll update when I can, but unfortunately, it really just isn't my first priority. School is super busy, because I have my usual homework and tests, ect, but I'm also on the swim and badminton teams. I'm also getting a job, and I have Chaplain's Crew and Panoptic, (our school's diversity group) along with riding. Also, this 50+ year old lady that my dad works with owns a horse, and she needs someone to help take care of him, and ride him. That's going to be me! I'm so excited, but I have a packed schedule. I don't have too much time for writing, but hopefully I can get some work during the March Break.
nimedhel09: I'm glad you like it so much! Did I do this chapter decently?
DestinyMason: Nope, not yet and not ever. I'm not nearly "afraid" of Mr. Stick as I claim to be. ;)
Faux Fox: Yeah, I'm so glad you like it!
pir84lyf: Amen to that.
Gohanforever: Thanks! Did you like this chapter?
vishwakarmarahul735: Well, I do see your point. I do see where Love of a Brother could continue, and I see how that would work. It would be cool to continue it, and I can see why you would want me to continue it. But I will not be. I ended that fanfiction happy with my work, and I really don't see a point in continuing it. It will stay as it is. I am happy, very pleased with the ending. Now, did you like this chapter of Shattering of a Soul?
