Gohan opened his eyes and calmly accepted that he was no longer watching Videl fight Frost. I'm in Other World. I guess that means I'm dead. Gohan stood and began walking towards the building to learn of his judgment. As Gohan entered he came across several disembodied spirits. Those must be the Red Ribbon soldiers that died today. With any luck they will be able to come back one day. After some time had passed it was his turn to stand before King Yemma.
He looked down at him and shock registered on his face. "Gohan…?" He began as he checked his book then peered at him again. "It's not your time." What? "How can that be when I'm here?" He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to find Bardock and Gine. "My grandson, we have a lot of things to talk about and not much time. Come with me." Gohan turned and bowed to King Yemma then followed his grandparents outside. "What's going on Grandpa?"
They walked into the gardens and found a table with chairs. Gine pulled a chair out for Bardock then sat. "Grandson, there's something you don't know about me. I can see into the future, even here I can. The day I met you I knew what your fate would be but I highly doubted that you would've believed me. Since the day I died I often wondered how I could change the future. Then I remembered something from my childhood when I was a boy. There was a story about a woman who could see into the future. She was known for never being wrong.
A woman came to her one day and asked about her future. The foreseer told the woman that her sister would give birth to a child that would become a super saiyan and that she would grow jealous and vindictive because every child she would ever have would be stillborn. The woman would later seduce her nephew, convince him to kill his mother and try to get her pregnant. She would become pregnant again but it would be another stillborn. In her grief and sorrow she would kill her nephew and then herself. The woman was horrified but then she had a thought.
She asked the foreseer what the child's name was. The foreseer smiled which was rare. She said that the child's name was Oribu. She thanked the foreseer and went on her way. She had convinced her sister to let her pick the name of the first born. Years passed and while the woman still suffered stillborn children she managed to have a child in the end. By that time her sister's child was seventeen years old. Do you know the meaning of this story Gohan?"
He nodded. "That the future is never set in stone, and changing something as minimal as a name can be just enough to warp it. You saw my death, didn't you?" Bardock crossed his arms. "Yes, I did. I'm glad I had just enough time to remember the restorative properties of the flower I gave you. I'd hoped that I would've had another vision right after doing that but nothing came of it. So I was worried but even though you're here it's only temporary. You have an amazing woman. You know that, don't you?"
Gohan buried his face into his hands. "She is that and so much more. I don't deserve to be with her anymore." He heard Gine sigh. "My husband told me everything he saw and I can tell you that she forgives you. Videl is smart enough, and wise enough to understand that the majority of your actions were out of your control. You were raped completely. The first thing Frost did was take away your free will and had her way with you, then she supposedly let you have free will in the worst way possible by supplanting memories of another version of yourself over your own. He told me that at one point you'd break away from your alternate's memories and continue the act. I was surprised about that.
I didn't think you had it in you to do that but thanks to Silver's tampering you have him to thank for that. Back to the point at hand Videl knew and understood. Any other person on the outside would see it as cheating. Those people are fools. To believe that a man can't be taken by force is wrong and yet she knows better. When you did regain your mind you did what you had to. Don't let it become an excuse and never do it again. Videl's willing to see past all that because she understands. Don't shy away from her, and don't be scared." She turned to Bardock and continued.
"Have you seen anything regarding his future?" Bardock's arms dropped to his sides. "I have. Let me start with the good. You and Videl are going to be happy together. The bond you two have will grow stronger starting today and will be unbreakable. By the time you return it will be too late but you need to go to Red Ribbon's Headquarters. My wife was right; part of the reason why you won was because of Silver's tampering. You'll learn more there. Frost is alive."
Gohan froze in utter bewilderment. "What?! How did-" Bardock gestured him to stop. "If I didn't know any better she's probably being fixed at this very moment using the same technology that made their soldiers what they are today. Frost will never be a problem for you. That much is certain. Videl saw to that personally. However you will meet her again. You will fight alongside her, your friends and warriors from another reality. The enemy that you'll face will take the combined strength of multiple realities to defeat and even then it's…uncertain.
I know you haven't noticed but I just regained my vision. It's why my wife pulled the chair out for me. When I saw your future a moment ago I was blinded by what happened in the end. That's never happened before. I'm sorry that I can't tell you more. This is the last time that I can help you like this; however that doesn't mean I won't be able to help in other ways. You have a good amount of time to yourself before this happens. Make the most out of it. My son is in for a big surprise, though I would be too in his case."
I've so many questions. "Grandpa, I was-" He looked down at his hand and noticed that he could see through it. He looked up at his grandparents whose expressions were neutral until Gine smiled and placed her hand atop her husbands. "Cherish her Gohan." I'm going back, I had so many questions but I know enough and I'll be prepared. "I will." Bardock slapped the table. "Oh, and I just remembered. Before that battle happens you should get in contact with every Namekian and Kai you can and distribute those flowers. By the time your enemy appears you should have over eight billion flowers to hand out so you should be okay on that front.
I can't believe I almost forgot about that. Don't forget it. We're proud of you grandson. Take great care of Videl and she'll do the same for you. Oh, and Shi'an asked me to say hi." Gohan's eyes shot open as he noticed Videl and Buu on his opposite sides. He sat up and placed his hands on Videl's shoulders. "Frost is alive!" Shock and disbelief were etched on Videl's face.
"That can't be! I practically dissected her." Gohan stood on shaky legs trying to regain some semblance of balance. He turned around and finally noticed his mom and Bulma. He bowed to them then to Buu as he levitated a bit off the ground. "I'm really sorry but I have to go right now. I have questions for Silver that need to be answered. I'll tell you everything as soon as I can. I love you mom, and thank you Bulma." He turned to Videl and extended his hand.
She accepted and they took off at full speed. "Gohan, how do you know that Frost is still alive? Does she still have some kind of hold over you?" He shook his head. "I don't think so. I still have the memories of my other self but I know which memories are mine and what belonged to the alternate. Videl I-" Videl placed a finger over his lips.
"I know, remember I forgave you. You did what you had to and it worked. I forgave you knowing that if she succeeded that no matter what you'd have no say or control. I forgave you again understanding not only what was at risk such as the planet but knowing the importance of that over my feelings. I read your letter several times and often closed my eyes visualizing you and that monster together. The pain I carry with me from the fight I had with that thing doesn't even hold a candle to the mental torment I put myself through wondering if you actually liked being with her. It made me sick. Gohan, I don't want to feel that way ever again. Understand?"
He saw her tears and nodded. "Yes." No words will ever be sufficient enough to prove how much I love you. Everything I do up until the moment I lay eyes on you for the last time will show you through action just how much I care for you. When they reached Red Ribbon's Headquarters they dived through the massive hole he made earlier and went all the way down to D15. They ran as fast as possible down the corridors until they reached the machine they used weeks earlier to travel to alternate realities and universes. The room was the same except for the note that was left taped to the machine. Gohan walked over and took it off the machine and read.
Gohan, you're an amazing individual. I mean that wholeheartedly and I don't give out compliments easily. I guess I should start out by saying that I know how you think, or at least how several versions of you think. You've been raised with a black and white morality. Almost every alternate version of you including the twisted ones has some sense of honor and nobility to them somehow. I've jumped into several realities and have tried to save not only your life but Earth from destruction so many times and have failed. If not for my wife and child I'm sure I would've become completely bitter and pessimistic.
Time and time again I would do the same thing, encourage you and create soldiers who would help and fight by your side and I would fail. Imagine doing something so many times you know what a person is going to say before they do? It seemed to be a never ending loop of failure. So one night I thought about your black and white morality and I finally understood what was wrong. Your morality was the problem. So I studied all the alternate realities and found some I thought was preferable to my cause.
I was sure without a doubt that you'd win your battles against your alternates and gain not only their memories but some of their perspective as well. In this case I won't apologize for manipulating you. It had to be done. You're intelligent but you're not hard enough on your own to do what needs to be done without someone pushing you somehow. I've seen realities where your self-doubt had been your downfall. On most of those realities you lost to Cell because of that. I could list many others but it would be redundant.
The mission the entire time besides saving your life and Earth at least once was acquiring Frost. There is an evil out there that is so strong that the morphin' grid will always exist. In case you don't understand here's the short of it. A morpher will cease function if either the strongest force for good or evil perishes. Had you ever thought why I didn't mind Videl coming with you down here? I needed a guinea pig and Videl was it. I made sure that she'd seek the power of the morphin' grid just to see how powerful she'd be with it and I must say I was surprised. If she's as strong, if not stronger than you here in this reality then imagine how powerful she would be in the same reality as that great evil?
I've done horrible things and I won't try to justify them as I've realized that it can't be done. I've watched you and everyone you know die countless times as well as the destruction of Earth just to achieve the goal of getting Frost. I'll explain her importance shortly but I want you to understand how deep this goes. As of right now I am two hundred and thirty years old. My daughter is not exactly mine as she did come from a different reality which explains the age difference. Over two hundred years ago my reality was destroyed. Doctor Gero and Brief worked together to make the machine I taped the note to.
You and your family were annihilated. I, the woman who would become my wife and Grey were all that survived as they sent us with the schematics for how to create this machine. The moment we built one I checked for the reality we came from and saw nothing but white light. I almost went mad right then and there. Gero's words played back in my head over and over. "Did you know that all this doesn't matter? Our world is an echo of the real one.
The prime world is called Toriyama. There are several events from that world that has created a near infinite amount of others. How does it feel knowing that we're odd echoes? Did you know that we're distorted or finely-tuned depending on chance?" I went to numerous realities and took control of my alternate only to kill the alternate Violet and Grey then off my alternate just so we could start anew each time I failed. After searching reality after reality I found a being that could help. He said that he would if I could bring Frost to him as proof of my worthiness.
I've done that thanks to you. I'm sure you've realized by now that your world is not the real one but just an echo which means it can be destroyed. Every reality is in danger except the prime. This evil being is wiping them out one at a time. Every one of Dr. Gero and Brief's notes regarding their theories and facts will be found in the desk's top drawer. This thing is going in a straight path. I've done the math; your world is safe for another fifty-two years.
There will come a time where we will meet again. Right now I'm looking for people who can fight alongside me to defeat this thing. Videl is without a doubt a key to winning this battle. If she were to confront it she'd become something close to a God. I've looked into the prime world recently. There is a way for you to attain Godhood. It will take some time but you should be meeting Bills soon in maybe six years or sooner. Remember that name. I will be watching.
When you become a God I will send the people I found into your reality to become Gods themselves. You may hate me for what I've done, but everything I have done and will ever do has been for the greater good. You of all people know the price of that. Until we meet again.
- Silver
Gohan handed the note over to Videl then walked over to the desk opening the top drawer. He reached inside and found two thick binders. The title of the first one was Of Prime & Echoes by Dr. Gero and the other was The Inner Workings of a Reality Displacement Machine by Dr. Briefs. The thought never crossed my mind that a person could live fully in any reality or universe they chose. These books have the answers on how it is possible. I could learn how to work these machines but end up wasting time looking for him. "Everything was set up since the very beginning."
Videl finished reading the note and set it on the desk. "Our options are limited. We don't know much about the machine yet and finding him, Violet and Grey is going to be impossible. In the end, do you trust him?" Gohan crossed his arms. "I honestly don't know. Part of me believes him completely while the other doesn't. In the end it's the warning that matters. That I do believe. For the first time in a long while the future seems a bit grim to me."
Videl held his hands. "Look at me." He did and she continued. "The future is always scary, there will be uncertainties followed by trials and tribulations. That's how it's been and always will be, until then let's focus on the here and now. Our time at Orange Star High is almost over, did you forget?" Gohan sighed. I did. "Besides the homework I missed, what's left of the school year?" Videl smiled. "The school dance."
Author's Note - The end is finally near! Other than that I guess I should respond to guest12. I understand your points but there's something you should understand. Long before Frost showed up my reviews slowed. I'll admit that while I sought out reviews before I simply go by views now instead. It's why I thank the readers for continuing to do so. When I started writing this story I had I already knew the points I wanted to hit. If I would lose readers because of it, so be it. Why would any author deliberately cripple themselves for the sake of a review I'll never know. I know I've upset some people, especially the ones that thought this would purely be Gh/Vi but if you've read this far you can kind of understand why it's not in the purest of sense. In the end this is an Alternate Reality story.
Many of them are but when it came to writing the episodes all the way up to the Interlude I wanted to make it seem as close to canon as possible with some minor cracks here there. Subtle hints throughout the story letting you know that something isn't quite right or match with what you do know or would've guessed. When I have the time I will edit the first episode and warn the readers not to read past episode eleven if they want fluff only. It's been a tiring run and it's almost over. I thank you all again for reading. I sincerely do. Epilogue is next. Peace.