The Saiyan of Namek
Chapter 25: The Answer to Ascension
Raijin and Krillin flew to Kame House at top speed; arriving at the island hut in less than an hour, Raijin and Krillin had not exchanged a single word; Raijin had been deep in thought, he'd felt something during the Rage-Boost; something he could not quite describe.
The pair floated in the air; witnessing the ocean waters parting and crashing back together as a force of will blasted through the gleaming ocean surface, the two traced their lines of sight to the beachhead; both bearing a wide smile as they saw exactly who they needed in this time of crisis, Goku.
Raijin, Krillin and Chichi all raced down to the beach; Goku lifting his wife up into the air and span her around; both expressing their happiness for Goku's full recovery; Goku smiling wide as he turned towards Raijin and Krillin, setting his wife down and touching Raijin's and Krillin's shoulders.
"It's good to see you both" Goku spoke; his voice kind and honest as he turned away from the ocean waters and towards his friends and family.
"It's good to see you back on your feet" Raijin spoke; handing Krillin's Gi back to him; standing on Roshi's beach with no shirt.
"Ahh, Raijin; you'll catch your death of cold like that, and how did you get that burn!" Chichi scolded Raijin for walking around with no shirt; spotting the injuries he'd received from Cell.
Chichi ran back into Kame House and returned with one of Master Roshi's orange Hawaiian Shirts and some bandages; Chichi took care of Raijin's injury and dressed him while Raijin and Krillin listened to Goku.
Goku explained that he knew about what Vegeta had been planning; and that he had the exact same idea; to surpass Super Saiyan and ascend to an even high level; it would be the only way to defeat The Androids as well as Cell.
"All we need is just one day to train" Goku pointed to the sky; a big smile on his face; Raijin looking confused at Goku's apparent poor perception of time.
"Just one day? Goku, I think that Heart Virus messed with your head too" Raijin spoke, his expression one of confusion as did the sound of his vocal tone.
Krillin struggled to not laugh at the mere sight of Raijin in one of Master Roshi's shirts.
"One day is all we need; in just one day we'll get exactly one year's worth of training" Goku followed up; his smile widening.
Krillin and Master Roshi both turned to Goku with wide eyes, Roshi's sunglasses sliding down his nose and exposing his eyes; both realising what Goku was referring to.
"Goku, do you intend to use that Room? last time you nearly died" Master Roshi spluttered his words; his sunglasses nearly falling from his face.
"Yes, I do; and I'd like to take Gohan with me" Goku spoke as he dressed himself back into his orange gi and blue under-shirt; nodding to Master Roshi; turning his attention to Chichi, only to be met by the stubborn glare of his wife; Raijin fully expected Chichi to say and/or shout no or some variation of no.
"Alright… fine, take Gohan; but I want you to promise to let him study when he gets home" Chichi closed her eyes and bowed her head as she spoke, when she opened her eyes again; Chichi had a gleaming light in her eyes.
Raijin, Krillin and Roshi all stood stunned; Chichi had just allowed Gohan to train with his father.
"We're taking Vegeta and Trunks too; we'll need all of us for this fight" Goku confirmed; smiled as he turned to Krillin, "Krillin; you should stay here, I'll send Piccolo and the others here too".
"Ok, Goku; be careful… that room is dangerous" Krillin spoke; his voice carrying an honest and somewhat scared tone.
Goku put his hand on Raijin's shoulder; raising two fingers to his forehead to use Instant Transmission, Raijin found himself suddenly shifting from Kame House to the inside of a moderately-sized Transport Vehicle being driven by Yamcha while Tien, Gohan and Piccolo both stared in amazement at the mere sight of Goku.
"Daddy!" Gohan spluttered; running over and hugging his father, a sweet sight for all present within the vehicle.
Goku wore a fatherly smile; turning his line of sight to Piccolo, "Hey… Kamiccolo".
Raijin struggled to keep a mocking laugh from escaping; failing miserably and burst out with laughter.
Piccolo shot Goku a dirty look; speaking in a commanding and yet threatening tone of voice; "I may have fused with Kami, but my name is still Piccolo; never call me that again Goku!".
"Hey, calm down; I was only kidding" Goku raised his hands up to his chest; his palms facing Piccolo as he apologised.
"So, now that you're back; what do you intend to do; surpass Super Saiyan like Vegeta and Raijin?" Tien asked; his arms crossed; a sly look in his three eyes like he had something new up his sleeves for the coming fights.
"Yup, that is exactly what I intend to do; and Gohan; you're coming with me, everyone; would you all go and join Krillin, Master Roshi and Chichi back at Kame House" Goku spoke, his cheerful tone of voice always seemed to lift the spirits of everyone around him; even when the situation with The Androids and Cell was at an ever-increasing level of worry for the Z Fighters.
Gohan stood with a look of surprise; while Piccolo had already figured out Goku's plan; "you plan on using the Hyperbolic Time Chamber… don't you Goku?"
Raijin stood behind Goku; listening in on every conversation once he was stopped laughing; beginning to wonder what this Time Chamber was; but before he could ask a question; Goku took hold of both Raijin and Gohan with one hand; holding both by their left hands as he used his right to make the same sign and teleported away from Yamcha's Vehicle.
Raijin found himself standing beside Goku and Gohan again; only now in a barren wasteland; a number of rocks stuck up from the ground and no plant-life whatsoever, though Future-Trunks was present; idly sitting on a rock and apparently taking an interest in his shoes while Vegeta stood some distance away; facing the distance with an unseen expression.
"Good to see you're well again Goku" Future-Trunks gave a smile as he witnessed Goku, Gohan and Raijin arrive; "Father is just over there; he won't speak to anyone; just tells me to leave if I try to get close".
"Let me try to talk to him" Goku smiled as his feet lifted off the barren ground; floating over and landing beside Vegeta; the two almost immediately engaging in conversation
"What do you think their talking about?" Gohan asked; taking a seat on a smaller rock, the young boy had been thrown from one group to another and it must have been wearing on the child.
"No idea; I was under the impression they don't get along" Future-Trunks spoke; glancing in the direction of Goku and Vegeta, clearly wanting to know what they were talking about.
"Piccolo mentioned something called the Hyperbolic Time Chamber; and Goku mentioned only needing one day to surpass Super Saiyan, Goku must have a plan and it involves all of us" Raijin answered both questions; giving Future-Trunks and Gohan everything he knew so far.
"Must be dangerous if we're only using this Room now" Gohan muttered under his breath, Raijin looking to Gohan; picking up on the strange behavioural act Gohan just displayed; he'd never seen Gohan act this way.
"By the way… what happened over at Gero's Lab?" Raijin asked Future-Trunks.
Future-Trunks turned his line of sight away from Goku and Vegeta towards Raijin; briefly staring at the Hawaiian Shirt, "Well; Krillin and I found the Sub-Lab under the ruins of the Lab I destroyed; and what we found was quite disturbing, we found a glass capsule filled with a green liquid and inside was the beginnings of another Cell; as well as the blueprints for Androids 17 and 18, we took the blueprints and destroyed everything; including the other Cell".
Raijin gave Future-Trunks a nod; smiling in approval of his actions, "You did well; I trust the blueprints were sent to Bulma?".
Future-Trunks nodded to Raijin; "Yeah; Krillin took the plans to Bulma while I came here looking for my Father".
Raijin figured that Krillin must have rushed out of Capsule Corp to his aid back at the Amusement Park; Krillin is a good friend and ally to have in times of need.
Goku and Vegeta walked over; strangely not flying like they normally did; Vegeta wearing a proud look on his face while Goku wore a confident smile.
"Alright then; we're going to The Lookout now; time to visit the Hyperbolic Time Chamber" Goku said; holding out his left hand while his right set up his Instant Transmission.
Raijin, Gohan and Future-Trunks all took hold of Goku's hand or arm; Vegeta simply glared and grabbed hold of the shirt Raijin had borrowed from Master Roshi; Vegeta muttering into Raijin's ear, "That shirt is hideous; disgraceful for a Saiyan".
Raijin simply grinned at Goku transported everyone instantly to The Lookout; still as beautiful as it ever was, the Genie; Mr Popo stood waiting for them and was clearly already aware of their reasons for coming; speaking in his deep but mellow voice, "Please come this way; the Hyperbolic Time Chamber has already been prepared for you".
Mr Popo explained about the Time Chamber as they walked into the Temple; coming to a simple ornate wooden door with a golden handle; "Inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, one minute out here will amount to six hours, five minutes, and 15 seconds with inside; in short… one day out here is one year in there; and only two people can enter at a time… who will be first?".
"Wait, why didn't we use this to prepare for The Androids?" Raijin demanded; his amazement getting the better of him at the mere convenience of this strange room.
"I went inside when I was just a kid; I nearly died… and I didn't think you'd be able to handle it alone" Goku told Raijin; Goku's bluntness riled up Raijin's temper.
Raijin stared dumbfounded at Goku; a sudden urge to punch Goku in the face rose up within his mind; Raijin wondered if this was how Vegeta felt all the time.
"So, who is entering first?" asked Mr Popo, his hand on the gold handle; his wide, blank, staring eyes burrowing into the group as if he was staring into their very souls.
Vegeta wordlessly barged through the group; Raijin catching a brief glance at the cocky and arrogant smile Vegeta often wore, Future-Trunks following him closely behind; Mr Popo closing the door behind them.
Goku, Gohan and Raijin retreated back to the Courtyard; Goku sitting down; listening for and sensing for his friend's energies, Gohan sat by the tree's; smiling as he played with the many butterflies, and Raijin walked to the edge of The Lookout; staring out into the direction of Kame House, also trying to sense their friends.
Many hours passed, Raijin and Goku both grimaced as they both sensed a battle; Piccolo was fighting somebody; somebody who had no energy signature, "Goku; is Piccolo fighting The Androids?" Raijin asked; crossing his arms while staring out at the amazing view of the world The Lookout had.
"Yes, he is" Goku spoke his answer; Gohan also sensing Piccolo's amazing energy; his power soared to levels that were much higher than that of a Super Saiyan.
"Can Mr Piccolo win?" Gohan asked; a look of concern filling his eyes; threatening to break out into tears at any moment.
"Maybe, it depends on how powerful The Androids really are" Goku answered; his gaze lingering on Gohan and Raijin; like he expected one of them to try and jump to Piccolo's aid.
"Piccolo has a chance; Gohan, he has a chance, but he must destroy at least one of them before Cell can absorb a single Android" Raijin answered; having fought Android 17 and Cell, he knew all too well how strong Cell was; but Android 17 was another matter.
Several minutes passed; the trio of Goku, Gohan and Raijin kept sensing the conflict of powers as the battle unfold; joined by Mr Popo, a cold sweat dripped down the brow of Raijin; sensing an evil energy that felt like the powers of all his friends and some past enemies mixed together, and that power was racing towards Piccolo and The Androids.
Raijin clenched his fists as he and Mr Popo both stared out from the edge of The Lookout; looking out to where Piccolo was fighting The Androids and Cell.
"It feels like Cell is even stronger than before; it feels like the cries of countless souls" Goku spoke; everyone sensing the sinister powers of Cell even from the other side of the planet.
Raijin clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms; drawing four red beads of blood from his skin, thinking to himself that if only he'd arrived at that Park sooner, he'd have saved more people; maybe even stopped Cell.
"Raijin; I know what you're thinking; at your level you'd never have been able to defeat Cell" Goku shouted at Raijin; sending a stern look in Raijin's direction.
Raijin hadn't noticed it himself, but his body was flaring up with his normal white aura; taking a deep breath to calm himself; bowing his head to Goku as he continued to sense the developments of the battle.
Upon sensing the vanishing powers of Piccolo; Gohan let out a ferocious roar; attempting to charge to the battlefield and fight Cell himself, Goku and Raijin both hurrying over and stopping Gohan in his tracks; Gohan screaming at the top of his lungs, "LET ME GO, I'LL KILL HIM!"
"No Gohan; if you go, you'll just fall to Cell; tell me… would Piccolo want that?" Raijin spoke softly; letting Gohan hear a voice that felt the same way as he did.
Gohan turned his rage-filled eyes to Raijin; witnessing a tear fall from Raijin's right cheek; remembering that his friend Nail was part of Piccolo; and Raijin had used to think of Nail like a brother; Raijin was also a good friend and ally of Piccolo's just like any one of the Z Fighters; remembering everything made Gohan calm down; bowing his head in his guilt as tears ran down his cheeks.
Goku released his restraining grip on Gohan; leaving his son to hug with Raijin; the two shared a fondness for Piccolo, Goku stood impressed with Raijin's ability to calm Gohan down.
Goku and Raijin's gaze quickly turned back to the unfolding battle; the energy of Cell suddenly began to spike and rapidly increase; the rising power sent shockwaves throughout the world, however the shockwaves died down quickly.
"Goku; do you think Cell got one of The Androids?" Raijin muttered; his eyes widened in shock at the tremendous increase in Cell's powers.
"Yeah; he did…. Not sure which one though" Goku answered; his brow furrowing as he closed his eyes; sensing the energy of Tien at the site; Tien's own energy spiking while he began a battle with Cell; Tien's energy rising and falling with extraordinary speed.
"No, if Tien fights like this… then he'll die" Gohan shouted; kneeling by Raijin's feet; Gohan looked to his father, "Dad, can't you do something!"
Raijin turned just in time to witness Goku vanish on the spot; smiling to himself as Goku had clearly used Instant Transmission.
In only two or three minutes Goku teleported back with a still-alive Tien and Piccolo in tow, Gohan and Raijin both breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of their friends having survived the ordeal.
Given time Tien and Piccolo both rose back up to their feet; tired from their expenditure of all their energy.
Piccolo was first to speak about what had transpired during the battle; his voice low and hinted at his frustration for failing to defeat an Android.
"I engaged in battle with Android 17… I gave that bastard everything I had and still couldn't win; but Cell showed up and began talking about how 17 and 18 are part of his design; destined to join together but that big one; Android 16 fought against Cell and appeared to have killed Cell, but Cell survived and absorbed Android 17… and then he transformed".
Raijin, Goku and Gohan looked to each other; an understanding passing between them, they needed to finish their training; and fast.
A long silence was broken by the arrival of a familiar canary-yellow Hover Vehicle parking itself within the courtyard; Bulma with a briefcase in one hand; and Baby-Trunks in the other hand, "Hey everyone, why does everyone look so down?" Bulma shouted; walking over and joining the group.
Raijin hurried over; taking his son into his arms and hoisting the baby up into the sky; a bright smile on his face for the happiness of seeing his son again.
"Raijin; what are you wearing? Wait… it doesn't matter because I got everyone new clothes and gear" Bulma raised an eyebrow at the Hawaiian Shirt; dismissing it as one of Roshi's before setting down the case.
Mr Popo had long since disappeared from the Courtyard without anyone noticing; returning and calling out to everyone, "Vegeta and Trunks are coming out of the Time Chamber!".
"Finally, some good news" Piccolo muttered under his breath.
Everyone followed Mr Popo to the dimensional doorway; watching as a bright white light shone just as the door began to open; Future-Trunks walked into the hallway first; his outfit badly damaged and burnt in places; his hair having grown to shoulder-length.
Vegeta left second; his bodysuit and armour had been badly damaged too, though his hair was unchanged.
"How was the training?" Raijin asked to break the silence, smiling to the pair; eager to hear the results.
Future-Trunks was about to speak before Vegeta cut him off, "You are not to discuss our training boy; for they shall see the results for themselves".
"Yeah, I can sense it; you are much stronger now Vegeta" Goku spoke with his usual smile; his voice and eyes hinting at his excitement.
Vegeta scowled and scoffed at Goku's compliments; glaring at Gohan and Raijin with a look of blatant superiority.
"Alright'; before another fight breaks out between you two; I've made new armour for you all, and there is a surprise in the back of my vehicle for anyone whose wounded" Bulma wore a prideful smile; excited to show off the fruits of three years of her work.
While Vegeta, Future-Trunks, Goku and Gohan dressed in their new armour; preparing for a battle with Cell and their own training respectively; Bulma led Raijin, Piccolo and Tien to her Hover Vehicle; opening the backdoors to reveal a Recovery Unit almost identical to those used by the Frieza Force, the only difference being the Capsule Corp Logo.
"Bulma… how did you build this?" Raijin asked; still carrying the now-sleeping Baby-Trunks in his arms.
Bulma smiled and raised her finger to silence anyone who would interrupt her, "Remember when I treated your injuries on Namek; I helped myself to some of the tech laying around; and downloaded a load of data onto a Hard Drive; I spent the last four years trying to reverse-engineer the same Recovery Unit's Frieza had on his ship on Namek; and I finally succeeded".
Vegeta has been listening in on Bulma's explanation and even he was impressed.
"Bulma; you never cease to amaze" Tien complimented Bulma on her work; Bulma smiling and patting Tien's back in thanks.
Piccolo stared at the Recovery Unit though he had no intention of using the machine; turning to Vegeta, "Vegeta; you need to know that Cell has already absorbed one of The Androids; if you're going to fight him be careful"
Vegeta cut off Piccolo before he could finish speaking; "I don't care; with the level of power I have reached it does not matter how many Androids this Cell has absorbed; I will defeat him either way!"
Vegeta blasted off the tiled floors of the courtyard and flew off to the south.
Future-Trunks bowed his head in thanks to Piccolo and Bulma for the advice and the armour; flying off to the south in pursuit of Vegeta, their target being Cell.