Disclaimer: Okay, this really does get old. Oh well, I don't own Dragonball Z.
A/N: I'm going to go ahead and warn you all now, I am in my last two and ½ weeks of the semester to it's the dreaded -dum, dum, dum- Final Exams! So, I'll be working on those (plus a freaking 3000 word essay for Sophomore English 1102. Someone just shoot me!) instead of my stories. Sorry, but I have to keep my scholarship you know.
But hey, I've managed to write a few more stories, though most of you have already reviewed them (thank you, thank you). Do check them out if you haven't already, I'd appreciate it. I know that I bash Goku a lot, but I do like G/CC romances. They really are kind of nice, when well written. Mostly, I guess, because I like ChiChi. I actually like V/B and K/18 and Gohan/Videl romances. Those four couples are great, I love 'em.
Okay…here we go…THANK YOU to all my reviewers. I now have over 100 reviews! I'm so happy! I mean, I know it's nothing phenomenal but it still makes me happy. Thanks guys, a whole lot.
Sonar: Thank you very much, I enjoyed the comments.
MarshmellowDragon: Hehe, I hate to hear that you must compete for the use of the "Mother Nature Room". Anyway, here's the update and hope you enjoy.
Fallen Ryu: I hope you update you're fic soon with the first chapter. I bet it'll be really goon. Thanks for the review, 'till next time.
TheDBZdragon: Yeah, Goku's leaving but he's taking some people with him.
New Dye: Wow, good to be answering your questions again. #1) It's here in the first few paragraphs. A) Well, kind of but not. B) No. #2) Because this is going to be kind of like the Mirai timeline. You'll see why a little later. #3) Not yet, much later. #4) Dr. Gero will appear again in a few chapters. Promise. #5) Yes, later. #6) No. #7) Yep, plus others. #8) Just felt like it, to make things complicated and interesting I guess. #9) Nope. C-ya.
Kate: I hope I knew enough for my exam two days ago. I'm dreading the results. -eye twitch- my professor is odd. -eye twitch- Very odd.
Chan: Ask away. #1) He'll get better soon. #2) Oh Goku isn't stealing the spotlight, I promise you that. Gohan is still the second biggest char. #3) A different one. #4) Oh yeah.
Volcanic: I know, I hate leaving cliff hangers. Sorry. Oh, I share. -rolls eyes- Just my luck, eh?
Blue Seer: I love Piccolo/Gohan fics too. But yeah, I a little while Goku's gonna bite the big one, kick the bucket, give up the ghost (whichever you prefer). Thanks for the review.
Hi: glad to hear it, glad to hear it. I'll be updating a soon as I can (but no promises b/c of finals). Later.
Dragon-lady: No, no. Goku ain't my hero nor will he be in this fic. Anyway, you're good at guessing. Hehe, here's your update. Thanks
Kiko cat: I like Piccolo a lot too. Thanks for the review.
Fenix: wow, great. Glad you like it and hey, I don't like Goku either. He's a moron. Yep. Okay, thanks for the review.
Fubble: I will, I will. Thank you for the review.
AbcdefGEEWHIZ: You're welcome, I like it. And yep, a space odyssey begins. Thanks.
Randon Reviewer (aka Delta): Glad to hear it and college is a lot of fun. I didn't used to be into Greek stuff but it's actually kind of cool. Anyway, I like those things (don't know what they're called) they are so cute. Daffodil8728. Hehe, thanks for the review.
Serena: Wow, what a story. Glad you like it and hey, I like a few Sailor Moon fics myself. ("Uncontrolled" it great, lemony, but still great.) Thanks for the review.
novaselena: MY GOODNESS "Darlene" (remember that nickname?), it's about time you finally reviewed. I was waiting, and waiting, and waiting. Hehe, glad you did. See you later, 'kay. Your buddy, Daffodil.
Anonymous Mia: Happy (late) Birthday to you! Glad to here it. I love birthdays. I wonder how old you are? Don't have to answer that, just thinking out loud. (curious as a kitten). Thanks for the review.
And here is a special thanks to: ShadowWalkerNightCrawler, Gosha, Ace, Kiko Cat, MarshmellowDragon, Fallen Ryu, Belle, Green Tinkerbell, Dragon-lady, Volcanic and Kate. Thank you all SOOO much for reviewing my newby, "Exploring the Heart". I was hard at work on it for a few days instead of "Now You Know". But hey, it was a little difficult for me…it was in first person. I don't know, I just thought it gave it a little more affect. Anyway, thanks guys. You all ROCK.-
Chapter 11
Gohan walked toward where his father, the other Z-senshi and this alien called 'Flego' were seated; well, all the Z-senshi save for Piccolo who was leaning against a nearby tree. Gosh, his father had been working really hard to master Instant Transmission and it looked like he finally did it. Goku had teleported all of them probably hundreds of miles across Earth, in mere seconds. Yes, Gohan wanted very much to learn this technique.
"So go on, tell me what's happening." Goku said.
"Well, Goku, it began only a few weeks after you left." Flego said. "News of Frieza's defeat is spreading through the Galaxies like wild fire. Truly, did you kill both Frieza and his father?"
"Yes, I did." Goku said. "But what's that got to do with your problem?"
"Everything, Goku." Flego sighed tiredly, he remembered how very dense this man was. "Frieza was a tyrant, as was his father, and they controlled the better part of the Universe with an iron fist. Their treaties allowed for them to do as they pleased, when they pleased, and to whomever they pleased. Now that they are gone the treaties and troops under their command have fallen apart. It looked as though peace was finally going to erupt."
Flego looked down, then faced the various Z-Senshi. "For most of the planets it has become just that, peaceful. But with Frieza gone a new threat has risen. They are a race called Virians, and they are more advanced technologically than anything I've ever seen. They are also changelings, morphs, whichever you prefer. They can take the shape of anything and everything they kill. That's how we overlooked them for so long after they came to our planet. By the time we realized what was happening, they'd begun destroying everything."
"That's awful!" Gohan said.
"Yeah, bummer." Krillin muttered.
"So, you want our help. Is that what you're saying?" Tien asked.
"Well," Flego said. "Yes. We need it. We are not a warrior race like the Saiyans or Icejins. We are simple tradesmen, nothing more."
"Listen, we'd love to help but Earth has it's own problems. I mean, if we run off to space again what'll stop these things from attacking home?" Oolong ranted.
"Oh hush Oolong, you never went into space so what are you blubbering about!" Bulma yelled.
A young female Fotian stepped out of her group and took a seat next to Flego and the surrounding Z-senshi, she looked like she'd barely entered her teenage years. The older man turned and smiled lightly at her. "Goku, I don't believe you had the chance of meeting my granddaughter, Avena."
"Oh, no I didn't." Goku said, extending his hand. "Glad to meet you."
She took it and Goku had to fight back a wince because the contact slightly burned his hand. These people truly risked their lives coming to find him, they were very sensitive to temperature. He remembered from their trading visits to Yardrat, they would always where heavy clothes to make up for the lower temp planet.
Avena eyed the other Z-Senshi carefully, she had never been off her home planet before and was weary of new acquaintances. Plus, this was not a good time for her. She was very protective of her grandfather now that he was the only member of her family alive. What if this Goku couldn't be trusted?
"Avena is barely thirty, but has lost both her parents and younger brother to the Virian warriors." Flego said, watching the eyes of the Z-senshi cast downward. He hated to use such sympathetic methods on them, but he truly needed Goku's help. He had to do anything he could to save his people.
"Thirty, wow. You only look a little older than me." Gohan said stunned.
"How old are you?" Avena asked.
"Seven."
Avena's eyes bugged out. "No way, you look at least nineteen, even twenty!"
"Nope, just seven." Gohan said. "You guys must age slower than humans or Saiyans. Like the Nameks do, only backward."
Flego looked the boy up and down, then focused on Goku. "Is he Gohan?"
"Yep, he's my son that I told you about."
"You told them about me?" Gohan asked.
"Well yeah! Of course dummy, why wouldn't I?" Goku asked.
"Oh, nothing. I….uh. Cool." He finally said.
Flego smiled and stood, the remaining Fotians did the same. Goku looked over to the other Z-Senshi with a sly smile on his face. "So, you guys up for it?" He asked.
"Well, Goku. Where you go, I follow." Krillin said, laughing only slightly at the end. He'd wanted so much to find himself a girlfriend.
"Yeah, me too. I'll go." Yamcha said. "Hey, I've never been to space anyway. Can't let you guys have all the fun."
Goku smiled and looked down at Gohan. "And what about you?"
"Well, if mom says it's okay then I guess I'm in." He said. He waited a few minutes to look over his shoulder at Piccolo. Neither said anything, they didn't have to. Gohan knew Piccolo would go.
"Great." Goku said. "Flego, you got yourself a crew!"
"Well, I guess this means I need to make ready the ship." Mr. Briefs said to his furry comrade perched on his shoulder.
"Yeah, well, I guess we better go pack then huh?" Krillin said.
"Yep, guess so." Goku said happily. Another adventure, and this time Gohan would get to come along. How great. "Lets go home and get ready. Hey Mr. Brief!" Goku yelled.
"What?"
"How long before a ship is ready?"
"Only some minor modifications. Tomorrow evening at the latest." He said over his shoulder.
"Good. See you all tomorrow then!" Goku yelled, taking flight. "Flego, take care."
"Yes Goku, till tomorrow."
"Bye!" Gohan yelled behind him.
"WHAT!" ChiChi yelled. "You're not going to outer space again!"
Gohan bowed his head and slumped. He'd figured this much, he'd actually expected more than just yelling.
"And you!" She pointed at Goku, "You've only been home a few months. Now you want to go parading into space again, and this time with our son! Why?"
"Come on ChiChi, we have to help them or they'll all die for sure." He pleaded. "Their my friends and I have to do something. There's probably no one else who can."
"You know what," ChiChi stated in an eerily calm voice. "You are an adult and can do what you want! Go ahead and run off to Fo-Fota…wherever it is, I certainly can't stop you. But Gohan is staying here! End of discussion." She leaned against the wall and looked over her two family members, daring them to argue farther.
"B-but" Goku stammered.
"No 'buts'." She steamed.
"Let him go with us." Came the low, attention demanding voice from the corner of the room. Until that moment he could have almost of been overlooked because he'd stayed so quiet.
"Piccolo, I'm not debating this issue with you too. Gohan STAYS." ChiChi now turned her glare toward the Namekian, but he was unfazed by it.
"You should reconsider." He said plainly, intensely.
"No I won't Piccolo. He got hurt the last time he did this." She said, now with almost a pleading tone.
"I'm not arguing or 'debating' this woman, I'm telling you. He's going."
"You're his sensei Piccolo, you see this as good training. I'm his MOTHER, I see this as potential danger."
"Potential danger or not, you know he's with the world's strongest fighters. Let him do this." Piccolo said, an odd quiver of some emotion slipping through. But it went unnoticed.
"He's only seven." She said. Kami help her, she'd not argued with Piccolo in such a long time. He rarely pushed anything with her, so why this? Why now? Was this journey that important?
"Only seven, yes. But also hundreds of times stronger than nearly everyone on this planet. He's capable of taking care of himself."
"You promise me that you'll watch after him." She finally said. Why did Piccolo always do this to her? Make her give in when no one and nothing else could. "And you too!" She pointed to Goku.
"Of course I will ChiChi, I wouldn't let anything happen to him." Goku said.
ChiChi eyed Piccolo now, she'd get a vow out of him if she had to choke it out. "And you?" She asked sternly. "Do you promise?"
He was silent for a moment then nodded. "Yes."
"Say it Piccolo!"
Silence. "I promise." He said gruffly, but definitely relieved.
"Anything happens to him, ANYTHING…I'm holding you two responsible." She waved her finger at the Saiyan and Namekian warriors. She'd do worse than murder them if her baby got hurt.
"All aboard!" Yelled Krillin in a mock engineer voice. He flung his duffle bag inside and proceeded up the plank and into the large Capsule Corp. ship. A whistle of admiration passed his lips and then a "wow". Mr. Brief had really outdone himself this time.
"Yep, she's ready. Now, there should be plenty of space for all of you to live comfortably and even train separately if you want. And, uh, there's enough food to feed a whole village for a year." The gray-haired scientist turned and eyed the passengers of his ship.
Goku seemed confident enough. Gohan, located directly beside Goku's left knee, was a little less so. The tall, green one just scowled and didn't bother to associate with the rest. Krillin was poking at the portly samurai called Yajirobe with a look of slight disdain on his face. Yamcha was currently avoiding Bulma, for an unknown reason, while she did last minute check-ups for the ship. And the Saiyan Prince had mysteriously, and abruptly, left for a training bout in space. No one had even known of his departure until that very morning.
"So, everyone set?" Goku asked.
"Yeah, I guess so." Krillin muttered. "But I want to know why Yajirobe's coming along." He turned to the samurai and gawked. "What do you have that'll benefit the team?"
"Huh, I could ask you the same thing Q-Ball." He shrugged and bit into a jelly glazed donut, messing his uniform and hands up in the process.
"Ugh, you're disgusting!" Bulma shrieked from behind him, then yelled in his face. "Ever heard of a little invention called the N-a-p-k-i-n?"
He coughed and waved his hand in front of his nose. "You ever heard of a breath mint?"
Bulma growled and steamed for a minute until Gohan stepped in. "You don't have bad breath, he's just smelling all that oil." He pointed to the stains of black liquid on her overalls.
"Huh, yeah. You're right." He slapped the boy's shoulder playfully and Yajirobe just rolled his eyes and left.
"You stay tough, okay kid? Don't let them guys push you around or anything. If they do, I'll get 'em!" She laughed and winked at him.
"N'kay," He said and left to get buckled into his seat while Bulma exited the ship.
"The computer is preprogrammed with the maps and charts from the Fotian ship. You should follow directly behind them throughout the journey." The scientist faced the six wayfarers and pointed to a door near the boarding plank. "Now, that compartment contains your space suits and heat suits. The heat suits are designed for usage on the Fotian home planet. From what the aliens have told me the temperature can get as hot as 220° F, if it's the right time of the day and calendar year."
"Oh man, we'd roast." Krillin squeaked.
"No, actually, you're skin would technically melt and you're bones would be reduced to ashes within seconds." The scientist stated calmly.
"Um, sir." Gohan said, slightly shyly. "Could you not mention that part to my mom."
Laughter erupted and the scientist too smiled. "I'll keep it to myself." He said. Then he slapped his hands together and let out a huff of air. "Alright then, you should all be good to go. Good luck, safe journey."
He paused before completely exiting the ship. "And do wear your safety belts during take off, otherwise you'll be thrown about like ping-pong balls."
"Um, yeah. Sure thing." Yamcha said.
With everyone strapped in, even Piccolo (after being barraged by Gohan to do so), the take off sequence had begun. Gohan sat back comfortably. If this had been his first trip he might have been nervous, but after having done this before he was more confident. Plus, it was nice to have Piccolo trapped in the seat next to him and his father in front of him.
Two minutes and counting.
Krillin just laid back as well; he, too, having done this before. Why did he volunteer for this kind of stuff? Why did he feel that he always had to follow Goku on these crazy adventures of his? Loyalty? Who knows. It really didn't matter anyway because with Gohan going as well, Krillin felt it was almost his responsibility to follow the little powerhouse he'd grown attached to.
Besides, Krillin had always been the follower, always just a little weaker, always one step behind the stronger fighters…somehow. But he didn't mind so much anymore, he was resigned to his spot in the backseat. Besides, less pain with impact from the backseat.
Piccolo wasn't thinking of anything in particular. The seat was uncomfortable and not build for someone of his height. Good thing he didn't have to stay seated long or he'd be one troubled passenger. He hadn't planned to buckle up at all, he really felt like it was foolish for one of his strength and control. But the kid just wouldn't shut up. Piccolo was actually going to ignore him anyway until the launching sequence began. Gohan refused, even his own father's prompts, to sit down and get buckled until Piccolo did.
So, as one would have concluded, Piccolo gave in and took a seat. Ironically, he was seated next to Gohan and directly behind Son. The whole time Son's hair was bouncing with every laugh or remark the Saiyan made, sometimes even touching the Namek. The laughing and joking of the others was enough to make the Namek become so uncomfortable he was near rage.
This is going to be a long…long trip.
One minute and counting.
Everyone stopped the chatter and looked up to the screen that showed the slowly decreasing numbers. Yajirobe and Yamcha stiffened visibly and clung to the safety harnesses. Yajirobe was not the brave type however, and began resenting Korin telling him to go. He could have just left the bag of senzu beans with Goku and been back home in no time. But noooo, he just had to come along. Why was he being tortured so?
30 seconds and counting.
Gohan closed his eyes and hoped his mom wouldn't be too angry with him. He did have his workbooks and homework with him, so she couldn't yell about that. But still, he hated leaving her all alone. Well, almost alone, she did have grandpa with her. What made Gohan want to go so much anyway? He'd never really been the extremely adventurous type, not like his father. So why was this so appealing?
10...9...8...7...6...
Well, here we go again. Blast off! Goku thought and smiled to himself.
5...4...3...2...1...
The engines blared and gravity seemed to grow increasingly hard to tolerate. Goku was unfazed, Gohan and Krillin were also expecting it. Piccolo didn't show any type of anxiety or mental problem, though he too stiffened at the growing pressure. Yajirobe yelled slightly, then louder. Yamcha just shut his eyes and clinched his fists against the arm pads.
It took only a few difficult moments for the space ship to leave Earth's atmosphere, and it was soon following in the wake of the Fotian ship. The small amount of turbulence was over within minutes and the warriors were able to unbuckle and relax. Krillin was the first to break the silence.
"So, how long is it until we get there?"
Goku looked over the computer and was confused at the various beeping noises, buttons, flashing lights and screens. He rubbed the back of his head and laughed.
"I don't know. Flego said he'd traveled for weeks, so I guess it'll be about that long."
"Oh, weeks." Krillin said sadly. He'd been hoping for days.
Piccolo turned away from them and made his way through one of the corridors, he'd paid close attention to Dr. Brief's detailed summary of the ship. If he remembered correctly, the first training room should be right about…
Here. Piccolo smirked and opened the door to the darkened GR (Gravity Room). He easily activated it and sealed it off from the others. Finally, time for training and preparation. He had to be ready for whatever this Virian threat was.
His plans were interrupted momentarily when a knock came from the outside. It was possible for the GR to be opened from the outside but only in case of an emergency. Piccolo immediately grunted and wondered which of those idiots were foolish enough to interrupt his training. Well, only one was brave enough not even be scared of the prospect.
Gohan leaped into the chamber the moment the door opened, he'd needed only a few minutes to change into this training gi and now he was ready. He walked over to the computer and eyed it cautiously, then turned to Piccolo.
"How high do you think it goes?" He asked.
"The old man said 200 times Earth's gravity. Put it on five and see if you can take it." Piccolo ordered.
Gohan did just that and suddenly he became heavier. Not too much but still quite noticeable. He could probably go higher than 5 times.
"Now, attack me." Piccolo said coldly.
Gohan lowered into a fighting stance and forced a glare. He was never very good at intimidating looks though, he always managed to look cute instead of mean.
"HAYAA" He yelled and swung at Piccolo's jaw. He missed, being considerably slower than usual, and hit the ground hard after only one punch from Piccolo.
"Get up." Piccolo said, watching his student stand to his feet. "Again!" He shouted and watched Gohan lunge out at him again. But this time proved to be the same as before, one hit sent Gohan crashing to the ground.
Actually, considering Gohan had never trained under any type of gravity or weighted changes he was doing fairly well. But fairly well wouldn't win a battle.
"You hit the floor again and I'll make sure you don't get up." Piccolo growled.
"It's hard sir, I feel so heavy." Gohan whined and was rewarded with slight blow to the stomach, which he blocked hastily.
"What did you think "Gravity Room" meant brat?" Piccolo snarled. "Now, attack me." He yelled.
This went on for hours and finally Gohan could actually land a punch here and there, but mostly he just blocked Piccolo's fast attacks. Piccolo decided that Gohan was ready now for a higher setting. Ten should do it. So Piccolo upped the Gravity and Gohan strained to stay standing.
"Oh…wow." Gohan said. "That's a lot worse."
"Now, jog around this room until I tell you to stop." Piccolo said.
Gohan looked up at him bewildered. "What? Jog?"
"Do it now and stop asking questions." Piccolo snapped.
So, Gohan put one foot in front of the other and tried jogging around the room. But it was a funny sight to behold. Gohan could barely lift his feet off the ground enough to walk, so jogging wasn't even in the near future. But still he tried, looking somewhat like a bowlegged monkey in the process, and managed to make one full lap in about twenty minutes.
"That's pathetic." Piccolo said, mid punch to the air."Go faster."
Gohan grunted and lifted his legs faster than before, but his pace didn't quicken in the least. Piccolo would have laughed, he was actually having to bite his lip to keep from smiling. Gohan looked funny. Actually, he looked hilarious, and the Namek wasn't completely without a sense of humor. Albeit a very dry, bitter, and even slightly cynical sense of humor, but humor nonetheless.
Four hours and eleven laps later Gohan dropped to the floor of the GR, completely spent. Sweat matted his hair to his head and layered his little body like a second skin. He'd honestly not been put through such a training regime since before the battle with the Saiyans. Every sparring session back then seemed to be as bad as this one.
His eyes fluttered once, trying to focus on Piccolo's meditating form. Fluttered twice and he tried to rid himself of the blurry lights from above. They fluttered a third time and stayed closed. Soft snoring turned to 'sawing logs' and the Namek lost his patience.
"Gohan, get up and go to bed."
Gohan mumbled something incoherent in his sleep, but sounding dangerously close to "one more minute mommy". Piccolo snorted and went to power off the GR.
"I'm not carrying you." Piccolo said. "Get up and go to bed." He gently kicked the boy's side to wake him up but Gohan was out cold.
Muttering curses under his breath the Namek lifted the boy up and let him rest against his chest. Kami, he'd better not meet up with any of those others while carting this kid around. He'd lost too much face as it was by being practically ordered to strap himself into a seat. Though he understood now why, and was glad for it, he was still angry that he'd been manipulated into doing so.
He exited the room and walked through the corridors, recalling the explanations the scientist had given. The bedrooms should be close, very close. Turn another corner and…there they were. The hallway had door's all adjacent to one another and Piccolo chose the first door he saw. He opened it and walked in cautiously, then turned on the light. A bed, a bathroom and a small closet.
Piccolo laid Gohan down into the bed and removed the boy's shoes, both miniature versions of his own. Then he removed the white cloth around Gohan's neck, it seemed he'd be more comfortable that way. Then the Namek pulled the covers over his student and turned to leave. Facing him from the doorway was Son. Piccolo scowled immediately and slightly glared.
"I just wanted to make sure he got to bed alright. You know, just checkin' up on him." He said, then grinned slightly.
"He's fine." Piccolo grumbled, he'd wanted to just get the boy to bed without anyone noticing him.
"I see that. You trained him really hard, I bet he'll be conked out for the rest of the trip." Goku joked, but Piccolo didn't laugh…or smile. Piccolo didn't right hook him either, that was a good sign.
Grunt. "Out of the way." He said and Goku moved into the hallway. So Piccolo didn't hate the guy anymore, but that certainly didn't merit them as buddies or anything.
Piccolo found another room quickly and entered it. That stupid Saiyan was trying too hard, he was wanting too much to be his friend. Maybe it was because the rest of his family was. Or maybe it was just because Goku had never hated Piccolo to begin with. Whatever the reason, Piccolo didn't like it. He wanted right now to be alone, to meditate. He needed it.
Soft humming could be heard from behind the navigations computer. Nearly five weeks into this trip and still no sign of Fotia, Gohan wondered just how much farther they had to go. Though the trip to Namek had taken much, much longer he'd not been training the entire time that he'd been gone.
He was considerably stronger now, in fact he was much stronger than Yajirobe, Yamcha and Krilin whereas before only his emotionally driven fits had made him stronger than them. He was almost positive that if he were on Earth he would be stronger than Tien and Chautzu as well. He was up to 50 times Earth's gravity, it was hard right now but he could stand it. Eventually he will surpass even that and go farther.
He was worn out though. He'd been training more this month than ever in his life. Training for the Saiyans was a picnic compared to what he'd been doing lately. If fact, Piccolo pushed Gohan so hard it was almost desperate…almost needed. Gohan wasn't sure why Piccolo would want him to get so much stronger, but he'd definitely succeeded.
Gohan hummed now in between bites of an apple, behind the huge computer. The stars could be seen out the see-through pane of the ship and Gohan was mesmerized. He'd spent much time gazing into space lately. In fact, when he wasn't sleeping, training, or eating (which left little time anyway) he was here, staring out into the darkness.
Piccolo didn't seem so fascinated. He stood nearer the pane and watched planet after planet pass by him. The kid was strong now, bordering that of the Namekian's strength. Piccolo wanted badly for Gohan to turn Super Saiyan, he would be such an advantage if he did. Not only that, it seemed to be the logical next step for him. The boy had come about half as far as Goku did before transforming. So, not much longer now. Surely the boy would transform soon.
Another event was beginning to overshadow Gohan's training. Piccolo hadn't realized the bond he'd created with Gohan until the Gravity training. Sure, he'd been able to detect the boy's thoughts and feelings quickly enough before, but now it was like a sixth sense. Oddly, while Piccolo wouldn't normally be bothered by Gravity training, he was becoming sore and tired easier. He knew it was the boy's feelings leaking into him. So, Piccolo meditated a lot on this until one final revelation caused him to understand exactly what had happened.
It was sixteen days into the journey when it happened. It went completely unnoticed to everyone else, but Piccolo was fully aware of what it meant:
Gohan was eating with the other Z-senshi when a small amount of turbulence cause the ship to shudder. It was not uncommon, just unexpected. Yamcha had tripped and oddly enough smacked into Piccolo, who was merely getting a glass of water. Piccolo wouldn't of said so, ever, but the collision was forceful enough to cause him some pain in his right arm. Gohan, however, who'd been sitting at the table away from most anything else yelped and rubbed his right arm.
"What happened to you?" Krillin asked. Nothing had hit Gohan during the shaking. If fact, Gohan hadn't even stopped eating.
"I don't know, my arm just started hurting." Gohan said, slightly confused.
Piccolo knew then that he'd have to try much harder to disconnect himself from the boy. If he allowed for the bond to get too strong then his death (or Kami's death) would take Gohan's life as well, and visa-versa. Piccolo also knew it would be impossible to sever all ties with him, once the bond happens it never dies. But Piccolo was not educated in the ways of Nameks, he was only able to bring up small portions of Nail's memories and common knowledge. In fact, Piccolo had not even known he was creating a bond with the boy until it was too late to reverse it.
Piccolo starred out into space, concentrating more on himself that what was outside. He'd tried hard since that day to disconnect himself from Gohan. Since Piccolo was the one who'd created the bond it was impossible for him not to feel Gohan or hear his louder and more prominent thoughts, but he could keep Gohan from feeling and hearing him. That would be good, the boy would be scarred for life if any of Piccolo Sr.'s memories got filtered into his brain.
I had a hard enough time with them myself, and he's a hundred times more sensitive than me. Piccolo thought.
He was actually succeeding in disconnecting himself, it wasn't so hard once it became like second nature. He just censored everything he was thinking and feeling to the point of not letting them emit past his own mental and physical range. Namek's were different from humans in that way. They were quite in touch with their emotions (save for this particular former Demon) and could use them easily to their benefit, usually by emitting them to others they wished to either persuade or dissuade.
Piccolo, however, needed more time to get this bonding thing down pat. Gohan had seemed to hear and feel him a few times over the last two weeks, but not enough to worry about. The boy would usually shrug it off as temporary exhaustion-related insanity, nothing more. And Piccolo wanted it to stay that way, as discreet as possible. It was no one's business how he felt and what he thought, not even Gohan's.
The ship slowed down slightly as it approached a bright orange planet with two suns and three moons. Gohan leaped up and gawked at the sight. Finally, they had arrived. It became evident that disaster had stuck the planet as they neared it cautiously. Where there had once been cities there were now ruins, and where there had been people now there were make-shift graves. It was a sad sight indeed, there were no living creatures in sight that Gohan or the others could tell. Even Piccolo was silently sorrowful for the losses.
Then, the Fotian ship landed on the dirt surface of a desert like plain, but some sign of plant life could be seen in the distance. The Capsule Corp. ship landed soon after and everyone prepared to step out into the wasteland. But Krillin used a device made by Dr. Brief to determine the temperature outside the ship.
"138° F!" He yelled. "Wow, that's hot."
"You're tellin' me." Goku said.
"So, I take it were wearing the heat suits then." Yamcha said, walking toward the compartment.
The various sizes were distributed among the fighters. Gohan, being the smallest, had a suit to match his size and Piccolo, being the largest, had one that fit him too. Apparently, Dr. Brief really had thought of everything.
"All right guys, we set?" Goku asked, almost anxiously.
"Yep, lets do it." Yamcha said, pushing the "RELEASE" button for the plank.
The others met up with the Fotians outside the ship and on the soft ground. They were given hurried explanations on why the ships must be hidden with a cloaking devise. The small, radio-looking computer was attached to the side of each ship and somehow left them undetectable to any radar.
"Well, bet that comes in handy." Krillin said.
"Yes, but we must move quickly now." Flego said, already leading his group toward the north. "The Virians will probably not be out this far but there is still a chance. We must meet up with the other survivors of my village and get organized…we must form some type of plan."
"Just lead the way." Goku said, becoming only slightly more serious.
The Z-senshi followed their new comrades into a jungle, where soon they were met with tents, broken equipment laying around, various Fotian's hiding in trees or natural dens and many, many wounded men. Because like the humans Fotian sexes were easily recognizable, as the men were bigger, muscular and had higher ki signatures. The women were smaller, thinner and even a different coloring.
But the last disturbing sight to behold was heart wrenching and just plain frightening. In the far distance there was a huge factory, factory being the only word coming close to describing it, that succeeded in expelling both smoke and fire from it's oddly shaped furnace outlets. But what was so very disturbing, besides the various piles of black ash that surrounded it, was the smell of flesh in the air. It made Gohan's stomach turn more than once. And to make matters worse the ki powers inside it were large, very large compared to the Fotians and event he humans.
What have we gotten into now? Gohan though, before turning away from the building that had "Death" practically etched into it's stone. Kami help us, we're going to need it.