Progress
The studious saiyan catches the fist of a calculating warrior with his left and throws an equally powerful punch with his right. His attack was caught as well and both saiyans interlock their fingers, pushing against each other with all their might. Their collective force caused their colorful auras to swell and swirl and the ground began to crackle and burst. The proud Vegeta sported his typical saiyan armor, red hair, and muted eyes while the scholarly Gohan was adorned with a sleeveless orange gi with blue wristbands and the clear and colorless aura of the mystics. Whis and Goku stood and silently watched from the sidelines of their ruinous training grounds.
Both pressed and pressed hard; trying as hard as they can to force the other to yield, but neither gave an inch. The proud warrior flared his aura slightly and thrust his brow forwards, butting Gohan on the nose and simultaneously spun out of his grip and landed a solid kick to the temple. The scholar flew across the empty plains and stopped himself in midair, ducking just in time to avoid an oncoming punch. Capitalizing on the opportunity, the half-saiyan spun around and landed an elbow to Vegeta's side and followed with a knee to the same location. The saiyan winced a little, but grabs Gohan's leg, throwing him into the air, firing a Galick Gun when his hands are freed. Gohan just spots the arriving purple blast and coats his left hand in a layer of ki, redirecting the blast just around him.
Just when he steadies himself, the scholar pauses, hearing a light ring behind him and he tilts his head to the right, just in time to dodge a blast from the prince. Gohan lights an orb of his own in his left and flicks it towards the godly power behind him. Vegeta casually swats the blast away, but the studious saiyan appears behind the ball and lands a right overhand punch to Vegeta's nose followed by a high knee to the same spot. The prince reels briefly and quickly grabs Gohan's leg, tossing him to the left and firing a hasty Final Flash, causing Gohan to respond in kind with a Kamehameha. The beams collide, forming a large channel in the earth between the two warriors as they poured their energy into the blast. Both sides were equally matched and neither beam was yielding to the other, however Gohan and Vegeta saw that their channels were quickly evolving into canyons and should they continue further they would likely destroy the planet. So they angled their beams upward, causing them to shoot into the sky forming a large bright column of energy and light, parting the clouds for miles.
The two warriors hover there, breathing slightly as Vegeta wiped the small beads of sweat from his brow and the drop of blood leaking from his nose. "You really have improved," the prince smirked. "Truly, I'm impressed," he crossed his arms, "a few months ago you could barely touch me in this form. And now you are forcing me to take things seriously. Care to give my blue form a try?" he punctuates with a tilt of the head and a mildly sinister grin.
Gohan inhales deeply and slowly exhales, falling into his fighting stance as he smiles, "Bring it."
"Before you continue your bout," Whis interrupts as he walks toward the two with Goku in tow, "I need you both to come here real quick.
Curious, Gohan obediently descends and lands in front of the angel as Vegeta follows in kind. Whis taps his staff and a soft green light envelopes the group. "Take a look outside," the angel encourages and the three saiyans do just that. The landscape behind them starts to reform and the deep canyon the two saiyans just form was replaced by lush, green, grass and all the hard gashes and scours in the earth reformed as well.
Once everything was returned to normal and the green light was gone, Gohan and the others stepped out and briefly inspected the grounds. "Wait," Vegeta started, "you can control time?"
"Up to three minutes tops, but no more than that," Whis replied. "I can only go back in time. Just back three minutes and no more. And if I might add," he continued, "Please conduct your training farther from the ground. I prefer not to restore your training area multiple times today. I'm not your janitor," he sighed.
"That's fine with me," Gohan says. "I'd much rather spare the earth while I kick Vegeta's butt."
"Do you know?" The warrior smirked.
"I've been getting a better hold over god ki," the scholar explained. "I'm sure I can make good use of it now and take you on," he said crossing his arms.
Vegeta leaned back and laughed heartily for a few seconds and then looked him in the eye replying, "Show me then."
"Plenty of room upstairs," Whis pointed to the skies above. The two nodded and rose into the air while Goku and the angel remained attached to the earth. "You must be very proud of your son, eh Goku?"
The grounded saiyan simply smiled as he saw Gohan's glassy clear aura light up the sky followed by Vegeta's mighty blue aura. "You can say that again," he answered.
Both watched the battle for a few moments as the two saiyans made their exchange. "Hey Whis."
"Hmm?" the angel replied.
"Chi Chi told me about Krillin recently," he started. "She and 18 were talking and I heard that Krillin is stronger than Kid Buu now." He eyed the angel with an excited smile. "Is that true?"
Whis simply smiled and looking back at the fight said, "I cannot say."
"Ahh Whis! Why are you no fun sometimes," he whined goodnaturedly.
"Because it is not my place to say since he is fighting you soon. So you will know for yourself soon enough," he answers. "However, I can tell you this." Whis beckoned him with a finger and Goku leaned in close. Cupping his mouth with his free hand, Whis whispers, "Yesterday I informed miss Bulma of his progress along with Vegeta, Trunks, and his female friend."
"Wait, why are you telling everyone else except me? Why do Bulma, Vegeta, and Trunks get to know?"
"Regardless," he continued, "Trunks and I had an agreement that he would test Krillin's mettle when he arrives, prior to your fight. As a little warm up fight. And let us just say, you ought to get Trunks involved with your training as well. He will definitely need it."
As the angel finished, Gohan and Vegeta were descending towards them, the later looking mildly disappointed while the former was beaten and bruised with blood dripping from the edge of his mouth. "Looks like I miscalculated my progress. I still can't seem to use god ki, so I still have a long way to go before I can take on Super Saiyan Blue," Gohan smiles, wincing a bit as he touches the ground. "You wouldn't happen to have any senzu beans on you, would you Dad?"
"You betcha," he grinned before pulling two green beans from the brown sack on his waist and tossing one to Gohan first and then one to Vegeta. The two ate, Gohan's injuries vanished, and his power jumped significantly as he powered up briefly and then returned to normal. Vegeta exhibited no significant changes and his power level rose only slightly after eating the medicinal bean.
"So what were you guys talking about?" the scholar queried.
"Oh, I was just asking Whis how Krillin was doing, but he won't tell me much," Goku finished glancing wryly at Whis who motioned a zip over his lips. Then, looking to the angel and then glancing toward Vegeta, Goku asked, "Hey Vegeta. What do you say we invite Trunks to train with us?"
The prince of all saiyans was taken aback by this proposal and was visibly confused by this request. Then after regaining his composure replied, "I already train him personally on a daily basis. While he has greatly improved, he is nowhere near our level. Why should we?"
The childish saiyan looked expectantly to the angel, and Whis affirms, "It would be prudent to train the young man. Who knows, he may need the extra help."
Vegeta merely stared at them mutely, not batting an eye, until he pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled through his nostrils. "I'm not even going to ask what you're playing at, but… ugh... fine! I'll bring him tomorrow. Knowing Whis, he must have some nonsense set up already."
After saying this, the prince wheels around and starts walking in the direction of his home. "Wait, are you done already?" Goku called out.
"I have no desire to fight anymore today," he replied
"But we barely got started," he called again. Vegeta merely waved halfheartedly as he continued in the opposite direction, clearly too annoyed to deal with either Goku or the angel's antics.
"Huh. That's too bad. But in that case." Goku's body is briefly engulfed in red aura and unveils his godly form. "Want to go another round Gohan?"
His son smiled rolling his eyes, settling into his stance. "I'm ready when you are, Dad."
"If I might interrupt one more time," Whis intruded as he hurried over and whispered something into the scholar's ear. His eyes widened and he nods and nods again until the angel finished relaying his message. With that done, he stood erect, looking briefly into the now descending sun, and announced, "I'm going to pay Krillin's family a visit now. I hope your training will be fruitful," he says as he slowly rises into the air.
"Thanks for the tip," Gohan called out as the angel waved and the two saiyans waved back as he flew out of sight.
Placing his hands on his hips for a moment, Goku asks, "So what tip did Whis give you?"
Smiling confidently, Gohan settled back into his stance. "Just clarifying a few things about god ki. And maybe a few new things here and there."
At that, Goku smiled determinedly and gets back into his stance. "He told you more than he told us? Now you're getting me excited."
Both saiyans stand for a minute, measuring each other. But then Gohan shuts his eyes and holds them shut. The father pauses for a moment more before powering forward, breaking the ground as he soared towards his son. Then Gohan opened his eyes. His now... dark blue eyes?
The Marron and Goten were sparring lightly on Mt Paozu while 18 sat on the sidelines, yelling words of direction and encouragement to her daughter. To be more accurate though, Goten was the one sparring VERY lightly while Marron was trying her hardest to land a clean strike. "That's right, Marron! Keep pressuring him!" her mother cheered as the early-teen swarmed the half-saiyan with jabs and crosses, ending an attempted combo with a kick of some variation.
Goten was a kind partner, pulling his punches and kicks, but not making it easy for Marron to land anything, which 18 appreciated. "Chi Chi taught him well," she mused as she warmly watched the two friends fight. Then something fascinating caught her eye. Marron threw a left hook, which missed, then swept for Goten's legs with her right heel. She caught the half-sayain's leg and he started to stumble back flailing his arms dramatically. Seeing the opportunity, she rushed the boy and threw a right cross towards his face. Goten catches the punch just inches from his nose and smiles proudly at his friend.
"Great job Marron!" he released her fist, "You're getting better and better!"
"You sure are, kiddo," 18 strolled up and patted the girl on the shoulder.
"Thanks *wheeze* Mom," her poor daughter gasped as she collapsed on the ground and lied on her back, breathing hard but smiling.
"That was quite impressive, Marron," Whis praised as he descended from the sky, lightly startling 18.
The mother grinned. "It's a little annoying that I can't sense you approaching," she grumbled goodnaturedly. "We'll need to give you a bell to wear or something."
"Sorry for startling you," the angel apologized. "I suppose I do have a knack for dropping in unexpectedly."
"That you do," 18 pointed out. "So, what brings you to our neck of the woods?"
"I thought it would be nice to say hi before I join Bulma for dinner tonight. Yesterday, we had this dish called burritos and they were most delightful!" he swooned. Marron and 18 stared blankly at the angel while Goten's mouth watered at the telling. "And tonight," Whis continued, "She promised to treat me to a new cuisine called, HAMBURGERS!" the angel sung, now spinning in a circle like a ballerina. His little dance was interrupted by a large growling noise erupting from nearby. The sound made everyone jump and look towards the source.
"Heh, heh, heh. Sorry guys," Goten apologized with his left over his stomach and his right rubbing the back of his head with an embarrassed expression on his face. "Sounds like it's time for me to eat already." His goofy smile coupled with his hair and general position really did make him look like a teenage version of Goku, which gave everyone a chuckle.
"You know Goten," Marron piped up stifling a giggle, "You really look like your dad when you stand like that."
"Do I?" the young teen cocked his head curiously.
"Yeah," she affirmed. "Has anyone told you that your hair makes you look a lot like Uncle Goku?"
Goten sighed, placing his hands in his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels. He faced the ground with an uncharacteristically sad expression. "A lot… actually. Trunks and Mai tell me that all the time."
The sudden change in Goten's mood was so drastic that it legitimately shocked everyone, surprising including Whis. For a couple moments, there was complete silence as everyone stared at the dejected Goten, looking for the right words to say. Then after a few more moments, Marron got her knees beneath her and pushed herself to stand. Then she walked to the youth, overdramatically trying look as casual as possible, holding her hands behind her back. Once facing him, she leaned over to the side, trying to look Goten in the eye. "W-well," she started tentatively as she glanced to his feet and back to his black eyes, "have you thought about getting a haircut?"
"A haircut?" he glanced up.
"Yeah," the girl affirmed as she straightened herself hand stepped in front of him. "If you don't want to look like your dad anymore, you can just get a different haircut if you like. But nothing's wrong with looking like Uncle Goku... just so you know," she quickly concluded before darting her eyes away from his black ones.
The young half-saiyan pivoted to the side and brought his left fist to his chin and the other fist to his elbow. He tilted his head down towards the ground and stood there, considering. He held this position for a little bit before turning back to the girl. "Thanks for the idea, Marron," he said with a small smile, "I'll think about it."
The young girl blushed at the boy's appreciation until an unexpected and loud noise erupted from Goten's abdomen again. The teen placed his left to his stomach again and laughed, "Sounds like I really need something to eat. I'll see you guys later," he waved as he dashed toward the ledge facing his home and flew to the tiny house in the valley.
"So how long has she had these sentiments?" the curious angel leaned toward 18 with a whisper.
"Well over a month," the mother smirked as they both looked at Marron from behind. "I've been going easy on her for now though. She is twelve after all."
"Ah," Whis responded.
The two adults stood watched the young girl for a few moments as she gazed in the direction of Goten's house.
"... Say Whis," 18 turned to the angel.
"Hmm?"
"Do you mind if I spar a few rounds with you? I'd like to see how far I've come."
"Not at all," he cordially replied. "I have a little time before dinner tonight. I can spare a round or two."
Then 18 smiled and cupped her mouth with one hand calling, "Hey, Marron" The girl turned to face them. "Whis and I are going to spar a few rounds. Care to watch?"
"Yeah" she called back as she jogged back to the two with excitement plastered over her face.
"Be sure to stand a good distance," the mother warned. "I don't want you to get hurt."
Then the girl stumbled and stepped back until she was a safe distance from the oncoming bout. "Now Marron," 18 addressed, "I want you to focus on watching the fight. Forget about watching the moves," she looked her daughter in the eye. "Just focus on seeing the moves at all, because we will be moving very fast."
Marron nodded determinedly and watched as her mother grabbed a band from her wrist, re-tied her hair into a ponytail and fell into a relaxed fighting stance. For a few moments, as with all fights, there was a calm. 18 was intently looking at Whis while he looked at her. Then all of that ended when both fighters disappeared in a flurry of kicks and punches. But everything was all blurred to the girl. She could just barely make out the pink from her mother's track and Whis was nothing but a black blur.
At every moment, it felt like the air was popping and a strong swirling gale emitted from the exchange. The girl widened her stance to steady herself so that she didn't fall down, but as soon as the fight started, it was over. Both fighters reappeared in their former places, Whis looking perfectly fine while 18's hair was in mild disarray.
"So what do you think, Whis?" the mother grinned fixing her hair.
"Quite impressive," he applauded. "I would wager that you are about as strong as that, oh what was it again?... Ah, yes, that bug-man Cell I believe it was."
"Huh… not bad for being rusty," 18 stretched her arms. "Care for another round?"
The angel glanced toward the descending sun for a moment. "I believe I can squeeze in one more before I head out," he looked back to the mother.
"Good," she grinned, "because this time, I won't be holding back." To punctuate this, she removed her tracksuit, revealing her weighted vest and removed it along with the bands on her wrists and ankles and placed them in a neat pile. "That's 300 tons now," she explained re-zipping her tracksuit, "In case you were wondering, Whis."
"Indeed," he responded.
"By the way Marron," 18 called out to the amazed early-teen, "You may want to hold onto something. You don't need to worry about watching the fight this time." Upon hearing this, she dashed behind some tall boulders and peeped her round head out from behind it. She didn't know how crazy it would get, but considering what had just transpired, it would be even crazier.
And it was. So much so that it was all she could do to keep from being carried off by the winds of each attack. Her untrained eyes couldn't see a single thing from this bout, but what she did see were hundreds and hundreds of explosions around the ground and through the air. In fact, the fight ended up channelling up into the sky forming a column-like vision looking similar to a lighthouse of sorts; a lighthouse composed of white composed of crackling air and innumerable shockwaves.
Marron clutched to her boulder like it was her lifeline, which it indeed was. The bout was so intense that the wind produced swept her off her feet and nearly launched her off of the cliff she and her mother frequented. But as insane as this fight was to the new fighter, it didn't last long, even though she felt like it lasted a life-time. As suddenly as the bout started, it ended with a final pulse of power and wind. However, as strong as her young fingers were, she lost her grip just as the gale struck her and catapulted the girl just over the cliff side.
It was a strange thing to fall, because at first, it doesn't feel as if you are falling at all, but instead like the world is getting smaller. For the first three seconds, the mountain from which she was launched grew smaller and smaller, but In spite of the knot that twisted in her stomach there was a pleasant beauty to her surroundings. For a moment, the cliffside looked clearer and the sky brighter. She could distinguish the moss that coated the rocky surface and the finer cracks and chips that ran alongside the larger cracks and chips on the rockface. In that moment, the world was beautiful, but the knot remained in her stomach and the beauty returned to horror as she hurtled down towards the ground far below, feeling the winds pick up and flow past her. In her mind, this was it; the end of her life. Her eyes zoned out as everything became a blur. She was going to die. Until she didn't that is.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of rushing fabric, then two arms caught her and slowed her descent and gently carried her off. Before Marron began to process, she felt a small solid bump as they came in contact with the ground.
"Are you okay Marron?" a concerned voice asked. The girl blinked at the familiar voice and turned and focused in on their face. It belonged to the face of a boy she knew, but something was different about it. The male teen lowered her to her feet for her to stand, but still held her shoulders. "Marron, are you okay?" he said again. She didn't say a word, but glanced down for a moment and saw the familiar orange gi that she normally saw Uncle Goku wear as well as…
"...Go-ten?"
"Yeah, it's me," he replied, "but are you okay?"
"...Yeah… I think… so."
"I'm so glad," he sighed, releasing her shoulders. "I sensed you falling after that final burst of power up there. So I rushed to catch you," he explained. However, the girl didn't listen, but simply stared wide-eyed at his carefree face.
Then a rush of trembling seized the poor girl and her legs shook beneath her. Marron continued to look at Goten. With two wobbling steps, she plunked her face into the unsuspecting boy's shoulder and wept uncontrollably with shallow and wheezing breaths. The sudden action left a momentary blush across his face, but as his friend wept, he awkwardly tentatively hugged her and let her continue her cry.
Moments later, 18 appeared with Whis following behind and landed right next to the two. "Marron!" she cried out, tears welling in her eyes, "Are you alright dear?" she reached for the girl and gently plucked her off of the teen and held her close. "I am so sorry dear," she said, "I am SO sorry." The mother choked back the tears as the girl weakly hugged her back, continuing her cry.
"I *wheeze* was *wheeze* so scared!" she managed to cough as she buried her face into her mother's shoulder. 18 held her and gently rubbed Marron's back, swaying back and forth to calm her child. She didn't say anything more after that. She had nothing more to say or do except to cry her eyes out. Her mother let one tear escape and run down her cheek before hastily brushing it away with her left palm.
As she held her child, Goten looked sheepish. He didn't know whether he should say something or leave, so he stood there and waited for something. He couldn't really identify with his friend's situations since he generally wasn't afraid of falling like that. He learned how to fly at a very young age and even if he didn't, he knew that he could survive a fall like that. So this whole situation was new for him, and he didn't really know how to react to Marron's trauma.
"What's going on? What happened?" Chi Chi called with concern as she joined the group.
"Uuummm…" Goten started, not knowing whether he should say anything or not.
"Whis and I were sparring at our usual training grounds," 18 explained. "I got carried away and just as we finished, Marron was flung off the side by the shockwave." Her eyes welled at the telling, but she looked up, refusing to let more tears escape. "Your son flew in and saved my daughter before I could get to her, and I am truly grateful," she smiled at the teen who abashedly looked away rubbing the back of his head. "I see you already got a haircut. When did that happen?"
At the mention of Goten's haircut, Marron stopped her crying and rubbed her eyes. "What? H-haircut?" she choked on the last question before shyly looking towards her friend.
"Y-yeah," he started, "I r-really liked… the idea of… getting a haircut. So I… asked Mom to c-cut.. My hair… yeah…" His response was very clumsy and awkward since this haircut was very new for him. He looked to the ground and brushed his fingers through his freshly cut hair, a few stray hairs falling out as he did so, trying to hide the mild embarrassment on his face. Then looking back up and at Marron seemed to calm down, he asked, "S-so… um… what do you think?" he punctuated with a large flashy smile to offset the tension.
Marron didn't respond, but simply looked mutely at Goten, and then she smiled slightly and let out a quiet giggle which eased everyone's worries. "Umm, M-mom," she mumbled, "you can p-put me down now. I'm-m okay."
18 smiled back at her daughter and placed her down on the ground. Her legs were still a little bit wobbly, but she steadied herself and turned to face Goten. Then with deliberate steps she walked up to Goten and looked at his hair. She smiled and giggled some more. "I like it," she said, "I think you look good with that look."
"You really think so," Goten blushed mildly rubbing the back of his head.
"Yeah," Marron affirmed.
Goten then looked down at her and smiled back. "Thanks, Marron."
Then the two gazed at each other for a minute before Chi Chi cleared her throat. "I just finished preparing dinner thirty minutes ago, so by now the food's probably gone cold. If you don't mind waiting, would you like to join us again?"
"Can we Mom," Marron turned and asked her mother. She nodded.
"Wonderful!" Chi Chi chimed. "Now if you would like deary, you can run ahead and wash your face if you'd like."
The tween self-consciously touched her cheeks with her left and nodded gratefully before stumbling off to the house with Goten in tow.
"Thank you so much, Chi Chi," 18 thanked.
"She's been through a lot," she waved off, "It was the least I could do."
18 smiled gratefully and Chi Chi smiled back as they both walked towards their home.
"I'm sorry I cannot stay," Whis explained, "but I have a dinner date with the Briefs and I'm afraid I must get going." Both 18 and Chi Chi nodded and Whis rose into the sky as he waved goodbye. After clearing the Mt Paozu, he shot off towards Capsule Corp and the two mothers walked side by side towards the little home.
As they walked, 18 hung her head rather morosely. "It was my fault that she fell," she simply declared.
Chi Chi walked closer and wrapped her left around her shoulder, pulling her close for a comforting side-hug. 18 Returned the sentiment as they walked. "Thanks."
"Least I could do."
A few minutes later, both reached the rounded house.
"Hey, Chi Chi," 18 spoke.
"Hmm?" she responded.
"I need to make a call real quick," she related. "I'll be in in a few minutes."
"That's okay," Chi Chi replied, "I'll let you know when the dinner is heated and ready."
18 nodded and stood out on the porch as she entered the capsule house.
Just then, Goku flew in with his gi all battered up and torn.
"Hiya 18!" he chimed.
"Hey Goku," 18 said. "Back for dinner?" she sarcastically asked.
"Yep!" he responded. "I never get tired of Chi Chi's cooking. And speaking of which," he excused himself and walked inside, greeting his wife with an ever cheer hello giving her a hearty hug and planting a kiss on her cheek, much to her joy.
"Huh. That's new," 18 mused then walked a few paces from the door and pulled out her cell phone and dialed a hasty number. The phone registered the number and proceeded to ring a few times. "Come on. Come on, answer the phone you idiot," she paced impatiently while brushing a stray tear that lingered from the shock. The phone continued ringing and ringing until it reached the end. "I am NOT listening to that dumb answer machine again," she hung up and quickly redialed the number. "I need to talk to you. Please answer," she pleaded to the device as it began to ring again. And again. And again. And aga- "PICK UP PHONE ALRE-"
"Hi 18."
"... ah… um… Hey… Hey 17."
"How long has it been?"
"... since?"
"Your last call."
"... I… don't remember… um… three years?"
"Four, actually."
"... Oh… I'm… I'm sorry…"
"..."
"Really… I'm sorry… so very sorry."
"... I see… "
"..."
"... Thank you 18."
"..."
"..."
"... I'm sorry 17."
"Hey, I said 'thank you' didn't I? You're good."
"Ha ha… thank you brother."
"I like that."
"Like what?"
"Being called 'brother'. It takes me back, sister."
"Hmm… me too. Hey, 17?"
"Yeah, sis?"
"Umm, can I talk to you about something?"
"Sure, what's up? Did something happen?"
"Well yes… something did happen today, but I'd like to talk about that later. Could I talk to you about that tomorrow?"
"Sure thing. It'll be my daughter's birthday tomorrow, so we will be busy all day, but we can talk in the evening after it's over."
"You have a daughter?"
"Yeah. I told you about her last time."
"Oh right. Yeah, you sent me a picture but I forgot her name. What was it again?"
"Nelena."
"That's right! It was Nelena."
"Yep. We call her Lena for short. She's turning nine tomorrow."
"Has it been that long?"
"Yeah. Time sure flies doesn't it."
"I guess so. Marron is turning thirteen in a little over a month."
"Thirteen years… wow… remember when were that old?"
"Yeah. You would hog the rope swing all the time."
"Hey I shared. On occasion."
"Yeah, after I gave you a solid kick between the legs."
"You know it's a miracle I even had kids after that. Every time I look at my daughter I ask myself, 'HOW?'"
"Sure is. Remember when we got the zipline?"
"Oh yeah. That was the funnest thing ever."
"And you refused to share even when I asked nicely."
"I thought it was a fair trade. You got the rope swing and I got the zipline. Win-win."
"It totally wasn't and you knew it."
"Why were you always such a crybaby?"
"Because you never shared any of our toys. The only reason why I… got to ride the zipline was… when I got... "
"... Dad… right?"
"... Yeah…"
"Fourteenth birthday…"
"Uh huh…"
"...I'm sorry for bringing him up, sis."
"... Don't be, that's actually why I called."
"What is why?"
"I wanted to ask you if… if you wanted, that is… to find... Dad."
Sooooo yeah… it has been a LONG time since I updated. In fact, you could say it has been over a decade! And I will see myself out. But seriously, my sincere apologies to all my readers who have patiently waited all this time. Very simply, life happened and working on my classes and are more important than writing a fanfiction. But I said I intend to finish this story, and unless something serious comes up, that is what will happen.
I actually started this chapter a month or so ago and I struggled to get it done for the last few days, so forgive me for the junky parts of this chapter. I really wanted to get back to Krillin and Beerus and have some fun with their new situation. But I wanted to give a bit of screen time to Gohan and look at his progress (hence the title). Ironically though, I didn't care much for Gohan since he isn't the focus of this fanfiction, so that section was a struggle to get through. I wanted to try to give hints to a new form, separate from the other god forms (red and blue) but similar enough that it could be an offshoot of the god forms. That was very difficult and the section I threw in with Marron falling off and being caught by Goten was very difficult because as I could not for the life of me see a situation in which 18 wouldn't take precautions or catch her first. But that aside, I had a field day with her conversation with 17, and his daughter's name, Nalena, is actually a type of gemstone. I thought since their names were originally Lapis and Lazuli, it would be cool to use a gemstone for his daughter's name.
Now if you have any ideas to share, please leave me a review. Frankly, the reviews are one, if not, the main reason I continued this story, so if you want more chapters, REAL thought out reviews with likes, dislikes, and ideas for the future are what keep me motivated. Forgive me if it sounds like I'm being unfair, but I really do love the longer reviews that tell me what you liked, disliked, and how you think it can be better. I really take those ideas into account for the future and try to implement the ones I think are likeliest to happen in a dragon ball TV show. But that aside, I hope you enjoyed this long overdue chapter and that you will toon in for the next one… when I get to it that is. God bless you all and have a happy new year. Cheers!
P.S. Even if there were things you absolutely loathe, I appreciate hearing about those too. Again, take care.