Chapter 35: The Power Of Three!

Gohan's eyes slowly fluttered open as the healing effects of Dende's magic completely rejuvenated his previously battered body. But it felt more than that it was almost as the healing had not only restored his previous strength but also granted him additional power. It was a queer sensation something which the Demi-Sayian would have thought more into however the screams of his father drew his attention into the sky.

Looking up all the boy could see was the black smoke bellowing outwards in the sky, Gohan knew his father was up their due to the fact he could feel his Ki in the mist of the smoke. It was then that Gohan felt a much darker presence near him but a somewhat a familiar Ki that haunted his nightmares ever since it had murdered his second teacher master Roshi on Earth. As Gohan lay on the hard rocky ground of the planet namek to his right stood the tormentor of his nightmares.

The man was his very own grand-father the Sayian Bardock who had come to Earth with the sole purpose of kidnapping Gohan and using the young boy to fight in a war the Demi-Sayian knew nothing about. The fear of actually looking at the man who's appearance was almost identical to his fathers other than the fact he had scar's covering his face and a stump were his right should have been was immediate. Gohan didn't even dare breath for a few seconds as he was frozen in a state of shook.

It was after a few moments that anger took over the young boy as he stared at the man who was currently looking away at something else. It had quickly occurred to the Demi-Sayian that he was staring at the man who was responsible for all the deaths of his friends on Earth. The man that forced him out of his quite peaceful life and into a life of battle. The responsibility of everything bad that happened in the young boy's life was down to his grandfather even Raditz his villainous uncle had only come to Earth on Bardock's orders.

Gohan was no longer scared of Bardock anymore he knew what he had to do...

Jumping back on to his feet the young boy charged at his foe gathering energy in his clenched right fist as he moved the Demi-Sayian literally flew as he delivered a right handed punch to the older Sayian's left cheek. The effects were immediate.

Blood and several teeth shot out of Bardock's mouth as he was sent flying though the air before smashing against a boulder which immediately crumpled and collapsed around him. The Sayian was in a state of utter shook not only had his grandson caught him off guard but the strength and speed of the boy was unreal. The older Sayian had only seen a blurred movement before he got sent flying though the air and the impact of Gohan's attack had broken his left cheek. Looking up the Sayian say his grandson white aura wash around him as the boy took purposeful strides towards him.

Fear gripped at Bardocks heart as he realisation hit him. The boy that not to long ago he sought to capture and contain in order to use to destroy the tyrant Friezia had not only surpassed him but was also moving towards him with the intent to finish his life once and for all. A pang of fear burst out in Bardock's chest as he felt his life slowly draw to an end and in a sickening twist of fact the Sayian discovered that this feeling of utter helplessness was what each and everyone of his millions of victims had felt just before he had ended their lives.

"Gohan" Bardock said weakly barley containing a stutter as he spoke.

The Older Sayian didn't know what to say, what could he say? That he changed? Not really he had still committed the deeds he had done in the past and it was only just recently made his change of attitude but even then Bardock hadn't actually done anything to atone for his sin's in fact the boy's actions to kill him would be entirely justified.

The boy stopped just in front of the Sayian his small young eyes staring down at the tormentor of his nightmares the destroyer of his perfect life and Gohan surprisingly stopped feeling angry instead he felt pity for the grandfather that he hardly knew. After a breath seconds hesitation Gohan began to speak.

"I could kill you right now if I wanted to" It was a simple statement but the meaning behind it was powerful almost as if Gohan was finally accepting the power that had been granted to him and the responsibilities that came with it. Unlike many in the universe the boy actually had enough strength to make a difference to change the fact of others around him in one simple action and one of these actions was if he now killed his grandfather for all the evil deeds he had committed or did he show mercy and let him live.

"I know" Bardock replied simply staring up at his grandson's eyes with a mixture of fear and pride. "And you have every right to I have done some terrible things in my time"

"And are you sorry?" Gohan asked seriously as if the answer to this question was the most important thing in the world.

Bardock the older Sayian looked up at the young boy and was utterly perplexed by the boy's question. At first the older Sayian considered the fact that the boy may just being naïve in thinking that an apology would make everything better. But when looking into Gohan's eyes Bardock saw a maturity that went well beyond the boy's years a maturity that had been forged by watching people he cared about die in front of him and having to go to battle at such a young venerable age like many other Sayian child before him. It was as this moment that Bardock realised the true meaning of the question being asked to him. Gohan didn't want an apology the young boy wanted to know if his grandfather truly regretted what he had done in the past and if he was willing to change.

It was apparent to the Sayian that he had been gifted wrapped a chance to survive and all he had to do was say yes to a relatively simple question. It was so ease ridiculously show and a year ago Bardock would have said yes instantly and then would have just binded his time until the opportunity would have arisen were he could kill the fool that spared him. But now things were differen't the Sayian actually thought about his answer before he spoke. Gohan, Bardock had decided deserved the truth .

"I don't know" The Sayian said gruffly as he stared his grandson straight in the eyes. "Something's in my past I regret others I don't it just depends on the situation I was in at the time. But if you want to know if I am ever going to change then my answer is I simple don't know i couldn't honestly tell you."

The Sayian watched as Gohan stared down at him with contemplation before the boy raised his hands above his head and gathered a ball of energy to the palms of his hands. It was as good as sign as any to Bardock to signal his end was near.

"I'm sorry" Gohan said as he continued to gather energy for his Masenko attack. "But I can't risk someone like you hurting someone else in the future"

Tut, A soft but somewhat powerful grip wrapped itself around Gohan's right wrist causing the Demi-Sayian to turn his head slightly to look up into the face of his mentor Piccolo. The Namek's expression was it's normal stoic as his eyes latched onto Gohan's own smaller.

"Your making a mistake" Piccolo said simple as he released the young boy's wrist from his grip and crossed his arms over his chest.

The young boy extinguished the ball of energy from the palms of his hands as he stared up at the man he respected more than anyone else in his young life.

"What do you mean? He's evil we kill evil right?" Gohan asked softly utterly confused.

Piccolo's eyes darted over to the battle still raging between Goku and Turles before he replied to the young boy's question.

"In my teachings you are right to eliminate your foe as quickly as possible and make sure they are no longer a threat. But in your fathers believe everyone deserves a second chance and you should spare those who are willing to take it and though I may disagree with this belief on many occasions if it wasn't for the fact that Goku believed in it is why I am still here now. Goku knew I could changed and he gave me every chance to do so even though it would have been much easier to kill me and for that I am forever thankful. Now I want you to take part of my belief and your fathers and take that with you for the rest of your life. It's easy to just defeat your enemy what's hard is to see the potential for good your opponent may have and decide if they are able to achieve it or not. The choice is yours Gohan I won't interfere in the fate you chose for your grandfather again. I just wanted you to be aware of the consequences of your actions." Piccolo's voice was calm and emotionless as he spoke the Namek's eyes still set on the battle before him.

Turning around away from his teacher the young boy stared down at his Grandfather and saw that the man had made no attempt to attack him while he was talking to Piccolo even though the Sayian was perfectly capable to in the condition he was in. Bardock had excepted his fate and had not made any attempt to defend himself against Gohan which the Demi-Sayian knew would probably be the case in the past. It was a small change but it was a change none the less and that made it clear to the young boy that their was at least some potential that his grandfather could change for the better. But that wasn't the only thing to consider. Was it right to spare a man who would have killed anyone else in the same position in the past without a second thought? But on the other side of the coin was did it make it right to kill a man who had killed innocent's in the past but never would do so again? It was a tough call to make.

Taking a deep breath Gohan looked his grandfather right in the man's eyes before asking one final question.

"Do you intend to hurt or kill an innocent person ever again?"

Bardock was silent for a second as he considered his answer before the man replied honestly.

"No, I don't see any reason to hurt anyone who dose not deserve it ever again"

~DBZ~

Screaming in agony as the beam of energy began to break apart his Sayian armour Goku instinctively spun to his left in order to evade the attack. However the Sayian from Earth was not fast enough to avoid taking a hit on his left side causing the beam of energy to connect against his left shoulder opening up a gash which bleed hot red blood down the young martial artist arm.

"Dam that hurt" Goku muttered under his breath as he felt the warm hot red liquid run down his heavily cut back.

"Raaahhhhaaa" Turles yelled animalistic as he fired a barrage of mouth beams towards his opponent.

Without thinking Goku began to dodge the beams of energy that threatened to end the fight once and for all the Sayian from Earth had quickly realised that another direct hit would cause more damage than he could probably overcome. It was during this helpless situation were all he could do was dodge the attacks being sent his way when the Sayian felt the roaring inferno that was his son's powerful Ki sky rocket and directed at none other than Bardock Goku's own father.

"Dam" Goku breathed heavily as he just barley dodge another incoming beam the Sayian's momentary distraction nearly costing his his life. "What's Gohan doing? He mustn't know that his grand father is on our side now."

But their was nothing that the young Sayian could do with the impending boom he would face if he even tried to interfere with his son's actions. One wrong move and Goku would be hit. One thing however kept Goku from worrying too much about his son's actions the fact the Sayian could sense his old adversary's Piccolo energy alive and well was a big comfort.

"Piccolo will look out for Gohan. I know he will" Goku thought confidently.

Instead of merely dodging the next beam sent his way Goku veered off to the right before rushing down towards his attack the young Sayian kept changing the direction of his flight in order to avoid the beams that followed his path. It was during this exchange that Goku noticed how Turles right eye was squinted in concentration as it kept track of his movements. However Turles left eye was tightly closed up and the swelling around the eye lid suggested it would not be opening for a while if ever again. What also peaked the martial artist interest was also how much his opponent was relying on his sight I order to track his movement unlike a warrior trained in the art of Ki control who would be able to track his movement's almost instantly just with the keen sixth sense.

"Hmm this gives me an idea to end this fight without anyone else getting hurt" Goku thought to himself as he remembered his earlier times of his training with Master Roshi way back when he wasn't spiritually trained in the art of Ki sensing.

Goku and Krillin both stood hands at their sides on the beach outside their Master's house as the Turtle hermit began one of the few martial art lessons he provided before their trip to their first world martial arts tournament. Launch currently in her blue haired happy persona sat on the stairs just outside the bright pink house situated in the middle of the small island which had been the four of their home for the past few months.

Roshi cane in hand stood still the waves of the sea wetting the back of his heels and his sandals as it swept onto the soft golden brown sand of the beach.

"The two of you have done well in your training I must admit your progress has been remarkable and I must congratulate the two of you" The old Master said his words calmly showing no external emotions.

Krillin and Goku both smiled at eachother throwing their hands up into the air in unison high fiving eachother before the young monk and more worldly of the two tried to get his somewhat less intelligent friend to perform a hand shake.

"However!" Marster Roshi snapped quickly drawing his students attention to him. "You still have a lot to learn about fighting! Now what I am about to show you I do not agree with you using them at the martial arts tournament. You could easily cripple or kill an opponent and I do not believe that either of you will need to take such extremes in order to get far in the tournament. However I want you to learn how to defend yourself against such attack's in case your opponents show less restraint and also their maybe a time in a life and death situation that you may have resort to the techniques I have to show you in order to survive."

"What is it Master!" Krillin and Goku yelled in unison. One in the search of knowledge the other wanting to see the extreme fighting style for himself.

Dropping into a basic fighting stance Roshi stared at his students as the sun bounced off his black tinted sun glassed causing as sudden light gleam to appear on the rim.

"Are you sure your ready to experience the three deadly rules of fighting!" Master Roshi asked calmly.

"Yeah" Goku and Krillin cried I unison pumping their fists in the air.

It was at this moment when his students were distracted with enthusiasm that the turtle hermit chose to strike. Lunging forward the old martial went for his strongest student Goku throwing two fingers forward the old Master poked his two extended fingers into his students eye causing the young black haired boy to yell out in shook and pain.

"Rule one: If you can't see ! You can't fight!" The Master declared before turning to the currently shocked Krillin and elbowing the young Monk in the chest directly in the wind pipe.

"Ghhh" Krillin gasped as all the air of his lungs left the young boy instantly causing him to fall to his knees gasping his stomach in pain as he tried to regain air.

"Rule 2: If you can't breath ! You can't fight! and Rule 3:" The Turtle hermit yelled as he spun round his attention back on Goku who was still clutching hands to his eyes in pain. In one sharp quick motion the old man smashed his foot up into the middle of the young boys groin causing the young Sayian to cry out in pain as he was floored instantly. "If you can't walk ! You can't fight"

With that the old Master turned on his heels and walked away from his students his arms folded behind his back as he looked up into the sky.

Back in the present time Goku smiled to himself as he remembered his old master's teachings though they didn't apply as much now that he was able to sense Ki and mainly faced Ki sensing opponents the Sayian still remembered the pain they caused and how utterly helpless he was when he could no longer see and was blind to the world.

"I've only got one shot at this" Goku muttered himself as he gathered up his energy knowing that one false step or one moment lack of concentration could allow his aura to rip his body apart. "Kao-ken times fifteen!"

Blood, that was the first thing Goku noticed about his new heightened sense's caused by increases in the technique he had now become overly reliant on in order to get himself out of trouble. The Sayian could feel each and every blood vessel in his body budge outwards as his heart worked over time to get the oxalated blood around his body to screaming muscles that had tripled in sized in an attempt to contain the huge burst of power that swelled within Goku's body threatening to cause an internal combustion. The Martial artist knew immediately that he had finally pushed the Kao-Ken technique too far his body simple not strong enough to deal with the stress the new power put on it and his heart was struggling to keep up. The longer Goku stayed at the heightened level the more and more likely it was that he would suffer a heart attack.

"Dam better make this quick" Goku groaned as he shot forward diving past several more mouth beams sent his way courtesy of the enraged Turles.

His breathing laboured his heart pounding against his chest due to the stress upon his body as the Sayian gathered energy in his right fist as he drew closer and closer to his target Turles left eye.

"I've only got one chance at this" Goku moaned clutching his left had against his chest as he moved swiftly to throw his right hand forward releasing the beam of energy forward. The beam smashed into the Ozaru's left eye explodeing on contact causeing smoke to bellow outwards in the air. Turles screamed in pain as he feel backward onto the hard soil of Nameks Earth.

Pain whirled though Turles body as he withered on the floor clutching at his bleeding left eye socket. The Sayian was in complete agony screaming in pain and frustration at the lose of his sight.

"Fucking Barstard!" Turles roared saliva spraying out of his mouth as he yelled.

"Grraaa" Goku moaned as he flopped to the Earth bellow him blood seeping from his open mouth as both his hands clutched his heart the roaring red aura that was once around him had diminished along with his power level that was rapidly dropping. "I'm dying" The thought crept into Goku's mind just as his legs abandoned him and caused him to slam to the floor. The Sayian's chest was roaring in pain as he struggled to breath his vision went in and out of focus before he blacked out completely.

"Gooood dam it" Turles roared as he finally managed to jump back onto his feet drawing his huge paws from his face in the process revealing one swollen right eye and one bloody hole which used to be his left completely vaporised by Goku's attack. The Ozaru was blinded but he was not beaten yet. The Sayian ability to adapt was the key in the great apes ability to keep fighting though he had lost his vision Turles other senses heighted and with his great sense of smell he could sniff out the presence of his opponent just several yards away. "I'm going to kill you" Turles roared as he stomp over towards Goku's body.

~DBAT~

"Get up dad get up" Gohan cried as he watched the monstrous Turles stomp his way over towards the collapsed form of his father Goku. "Mr Piccolo we have to help my dad now!"

The Namek who had been facing the complete opposite direction as if he was focusing on something else off into the distance immediately spun round at his students cries looked at the prone body of Goku and then turned his face away in order to hide the small scowl that crossed his face.

"Their's nothing we can do Gohan" Piccolo said slowly keeping his voice emotionless as he spoke. "Your father's heart has stopped beating"

Tear's began to flood out of the small boys eyes as he process the news that his father was now dead yet again taken away from him just as they had started to draw more closely together. But one small glimmer of hope sprang into the Demi-Sayian's mind in the form of a giant orange sphere and the two Nameks Dende and Moori who stood near the broken body of the Sayian King Vegeta who was breathing softly just a few meters away.

"We need to get the Dragonballs with them we can bring my dad back to life just like last time" Gohan sobbed wiping tears from his eyes as he spoke.

"I'm sorry, but that won't work Gohan" Moori said quietly drawing all eyes baring Piccolos who was still looking off into the distance focusing on something. "The Dragonball's will not bring someone back to life who has died of natural causes. If what Piccolo say's is true and your father has indeed died of a heart attack then theirs no way we can bring him back to life. I'm sorry your father was a good man"

Pain shot though Gohan's chest as if he had just been stabbed the young boy feel down onto his knees as tears flowed freely from his eyes as the realisation that his father the great man that had protected his entire life was dead... But it couldn't be true the Demi-Sayian couldn't except it their must be away to bring his father back. A strong hand gripped the boy's shoulder and as Gohan looked up expecting to see Piccolo his mentor looking down on him he saw the scared faced of his grandfather... Bardock.

"Their is a way to bring your father back everyone in the planet trade organisation were taught simple first aid techniques. One of these were to restart a heart if it has stopped the only problem is it takes time to work and it will do no good if I am distracted by Turles trying to kill me and Kakarott. So i'll make you a deal. You distract Turles long enough i'll get you dad... my son back"

A look of determination spread across Gohan's face and without a seconds hesitation a white hot aura surrounded the boy before he shot out of Bardocks grip and up towards the great ape that was closing in on his fathers body.

Bardock allowed himself a brief smile before he too rushed towards not Turles but Goku's body.

Piccolo didn't move the Namek stood still as he continued to stare off towards the distance as if he was watching a battle taking place hundreds of miles away.

"Aren't you going to help Gohan and his grandfather save Goku" Dende asked staring up at his taller fellow Namek.

"No" Piccolo said plainly before diverting his attention away from where he had been focusing on towards Dende then towards the mangled body of Vegeta. "That healing ability that you used on us can you use it on him."

Dende stunned turned his head away from Piccolo and looked at the ground as he spoke.

"I could... but I can't he's.."

"That man's heart is full of evil" Moori finished off the younger Namek's sentence. "He is one of the men that lead to the destruction of our people why would you even suggest helping a monster like him out!"

The Elder yelled the last of what he said and sent daggers at Piccolo.

Piccolo turned his gaze on the older and smaller Namek and snarled revealing the fangs of his teeth as he growled.

"Because Gohan won't be able to stop Turles, Even if Bardock manages to bring Goku back from the death I'm pretty sure he will be in no condition to do any fighting and even if Dende can heal Goku their are still a much bigger threats out their more powerful than we can ever possible imagine and we can do with Vegeta for that battle." Piccolo said sternly though his face took a dark expression just as he turned again to stare at the spot in the distance which he had been staring at for the last five minutes. "I know you have been keeping track of the fight too Moori"

Dende turned confused at what Piccolo was saying only to see the old elder of his village bow his head sadly fresh tears forming at his eyes.

"Yes... I have It seems even the combined powers of Guru and Nail was not enough to destroy that tyrant Friezia. I'm sorry that their lives will soon be drawn to a close" Moori said solemnly.

Dende turned his gaze to the floor as tears began to glisten in his eyes.

"It seems that the strength of two Namek's even combined were not enough to defeat Friezia. We can only imagine how big the well of power he has it will be almost impossible for us to defeat him. Even with me, Goku's, Gohan's and even Vegeta's strength I doubt we would be any match at all against Frieza's strength. I sensed him during his battle with Guru and Nail and I could tell he was suppressing his strength their is just no way to tell how strong he actually is but from the glimpses I got I know he is more powerful for us to contained with." Piccolo said gruffly.

"Then what are we going to do" Dende said sadly looking up at Piccolo.

"Your going to heal Vegeta so he can finish off Turles before that manic can kill Gohan. Then make sure to convince him to keep the Dragonballs safe while I'm gone. If Friezia gets to you before I do make sure he doesn't get to use them to make his wish" Piccolo replied back bluntly.

"Ok" Dende said turning towards Vegeta before saying. "But were are you going?"

Before Piccolo could say anything Moori cut in to give Dende his answer.

"He's going to find Guru and Nail so he can fuse with them"

Piccolo turned away and stared again in the direction of Nail's/Guru's slowly decreasing power.

"Do you if you three fuse it will be enough to defeat Friezia?" Dende asked.

"I don't know but how much Nail's and Guru's strength increased when they combined together was amazing and if I can get an increases in power by combining with both of them then maybe i'll have the chance to defeat Friezia." Piccolo spoke calmly turning his hands into fists before taking off into the air leaving Moori and Dende alone with only Vegeta for company. 1

Hay everyone long time. :) I hope you enjoyied this chapter I had a hard time writing it but I think it's got the basic message across. Anyways I want to inform you of my plan for this story. I am going to finish the saga and then I am going to go back though this story again and re-read it all in order to correct spelling mistakes and make sure it all flows properly I will also be adding power levels on to each chapter because I know it's popular with everyone and I would like to do it. I just haven't had time to do it and I think it would be easier if I read it all again so I can work out where every ones strength is :P.

Anyways till the next one guys thank you so much for your constant support and I hope you like this story.

Regards

Dragonballat