Disclaimer: I do not own DB or any of its characters, be it canon or filler.
SACRED WORLD OF KAIS
It's early in the morning, but Goku and Gohan are already up in the air, sparring in their Super Saiyan forms. The Supreme Kai, the Old Kai and Kibito watches along the sidelines.
KIBITO: Those two barely slept last night. They're really serious about fighting Majin Buu.
SHIN: Do not underestimate the will of this humans, Kibito. They are our only chance to save this universe.
Goku and Gohan continues sparring, focused on each other. When suddenly they both stopp. They look at the direction of the planet Earth.
GOHAN: That ki...
GOKU: Isn't that Majin Buu? His ki is different, but I'm sure it's him... What happened to him?
Even the deities felt that surge of power.
SHIN: That ki...
KIBITO: It's pure evil and it's strong!
SHIN: What is happening on Earth? This is alarming.
The Old Kai stares back, acknowledging the enormous evil power that everyone feels.
LOOKOUT
Videl has just woken up when she felt that weird energy near her. She goes to the palace entrance, and saw the pink creature being distracted by Piccolo and the other boys.
VIDEL: Is that...
MAJIN BUU: BRING HIM OUT!
Bulma, Chi-Chi and the Ox King comes out as well, joining Videl.
BULMA: Who is that shouting?
CHI-CHI: Eh! Is that...
VIDEL: He is... He is Majin Buu!
BULMA: What?
Piccolo and the other guys are talking to the pink abomination.
CHI-CHI: What are they talking about?
BULMA: I can't understand either.
Majin Buu suddenly walks around the edge of the Lookout.
BULMA: What's he doing? Why is he walking around?
After walking, Majin Buu launches a firework of beams, throwing them all on the Earth below.
CHI-CHI: What's he done?
Piccolo talks to him some more. Suddenly, he points at Videl. Majin Buu looks at Videl.
VIDEL: Huh?
CHI-CHI: Why is he looking at you, Videl?
VIDEL: I don't know.
Piccolo takes out an hourglass out of nowhere. He puts it in front of Buu. After talking to Majin Buu, Piccolo talks to Krillin, who rushes back inside the palace.
BULMA: What is happening now?
All of them looks at the pink creature who decided to sit down in front of the hourglass.
SACRED WORLD OF KAIS
Gohan and Goku once again felt something strange about Earth. They stop sparring.
GOKU: Something weird has happened on Earth.
GOHAN: I felt it too.
The two Saiyans fly to the Supreme Kai, who seems so devastated.
GOKU: Supreme Kai, what is happening down there?
SHIN: Just now almost all the people on Earth have been killed.
GOKU: What?
GOHAN: Was the Earth destroyed already?
SHIN: No, the Earth is still intact.
Gohan's anger is starting to flare up.
GOHAN: That monster... If only I could beat him up.
OLD KAI: You probably can.
All of them look at Old Kai.
SHIN: Great Ancestor...
OLD KAI: (to Goku) I'm still not over with what you did yesterday.
Goku grimaces embarrassingly.
OLD KAI: But since we are in dire need of a solution against that Majin Buu, I will help your son unleash his potential energy.
GOKU: Potential energy?
OLD KAI: It's the energy that he has inside. I can help you unleash it. You just have to bear with me a little longer.
GOHAN: Whatever it takes!
OLD KAI: Are you sure?
The old deity gives Gohan an inquisitive look. The young Saiyan suddenly feels doubtful, but since they have no other choice, he just accepts it.
GOHAN: Yes!
OLD KAI: Good. I like your determination. Now, sit down there. You three, give us space.
All of them followed the Old Kai. The old guy then sits down in front of Gohan.
OLD KAI: Are you ready?
Gohan nods.
OLD KAI: Good. Now, clear your mind and relax yourself. Close your eyes and concentrate.
Gohan closes his eyes. The Old Kai placed his hand on Gohan's head, making Gohan bow down a little.
OLD KAI: Relax... relax...
A few minutes later, Gohan still could not make himself relax. He opens his left eye, peeking into the Old Kai. He was dumbfounded at what he saw.
GOHAN: (to himself) He's sleeping!
Truly, the old kai is sleeping, even snoring. Gohan turns his head to look to his father and the others. He feels his hair being tugged.
OLD KAI: What are you doing?
GOHAN: Eeee! I thought you are sleeping!
The Old Kai opens his eyes and looks at Gohan.
OLD KAI: I told you to relax and clear your mind, just like when you are sleeping.
GOHAN: I'm sorry...
OLD KAI: You have immense power in you, kid. But you have a problem tapping into it.
GOHAN: Huh? How did you know?
OLD KAI: I may look like an old grouch, but I'm smarter than I seem to be. Now, do as I say, and I'll help you tap into that hidden power of yours more easily.
Gohan closes his eyes, trying to concentrate. He did as he was told. He relaxed his mind, freeing it from any disturbances. His efforts started working as he finally can feel himself at peace. His concentration comes full force. He was able to relax just like when he is sleeping. His mind suddenly went blank.
LOOKOUT
Videl and the others have been waiting for the sands in the hourglass to finally fall down, just like Majin Buu who is just staring at it while sitting down. Piccolo has gone inside the palace, and Yamcha joins them and explained everything that Piccolo is planning.
CHI-CHI: That monster...
Videl looks at Chi-Chi who obviously is flaring up.
OX KING: Chi... calm down, will you?
CHI-CHI: I am not calming down!
To everyone's surprise, Chi-Chi goes to Majin Buu.
BULMA: Chi-Chi! What are you doing?
Videl looks on, worried at Chi-Chi's action. Suddenly, the mother of two slaps Buu, who seems unaffected by that hit.
CHI-CHI: You savage! How dare you kill my Gohan!
Everyone is stunned.
CHI-CHI: Hey! You look at me when I'm talking to you!
Majin Buu looks at Chi-Chi.
MAJIN BUU: Egg.
CHI-CHI: Huh?
Majin Buu's antenna lights up. It casts a beam upon Chi-Chi, turning her into an egg. Everyone is stunned, but not as much when Buu crushed the egg through his foot.
OX KING: Chi-Chi!
Videl was angered at what she sees. She clenches her fists but knowing she can't do anything she just watches on.
SACRED WORLD OF KAIS
Goku looks back at the direction of the Earth, feeling something odd.
SHIN: Goku?
GOKU: I just felt... something...
SHIN: A lot has been happening on Earth lately. You might feel a lot of strange things.
Goku looks on but is unable to decipher what is happening. He looks back at Gohan instead.
GOKU: How long do you think that ritual will take?
SHIN: I'm not sure. I haven't seen this one before.
OLD KAI: It might be for a while.
The three are surprised that the old kai answered.
GOKU: I thought you were sleeping.
OLD KAI: You really are this kid's son.
SHIN: Great Ancestor, forgive me, but is it okay for you to talk like this while you do the procedure?
OLD KAI: Oh yeah. Gohan has reached that place that will test his mental ability.
GOKU: Mental ability? I thought you're making him stronger?
OLD KAI: I am. I will be. But you see, even if I increase his power if he does not know how to unleash it, then it will be useless. So we need to solve that problem first. The power upgrade can come after. It's the easier part of this procedure.
GOKU: So... what is happening with Gohan now?
OLD KAI: He's coming to terms with himself.
GOKU: But for how long? We don't have much time.
OLD KAI: It depends on him. If he is strong mentally, then this will not take that long. I thought you believe in your son so much?
Goku looks at Gohan who sits peacefully on the ground.
GOKU: I do... I do have faith in him.
OLD KAI: Then we wait.
The old kai looks at Gohan.
OLD KAI: You are a smart kid, Gohan. Go figure yourself out.
A VERY DARK PLACE
Gohan opens his eyes and find himself in a dark place. He looks around, trying to figure out where he is.
OLD KAI: (voice over) Gohan!
Gohan looks around, trying to look at the source of the voice.
OLD KAI: (voice over) Gohan!
GOHAN: Great Old Kai! Where are you?
OLD KAI: I'm inside your mind.
GOHAN: W-Where am I?
OLD KAI: You're inside yourself.
GOHAN: (confused) Huh?
Gohan looks around again.
OLD KAI: (voice over) Gohan... what makes you scared?
GOHAN: Huh?
Suddenly, the surrounding changes. Now Gohan is outside the woods. He's riding a stroller, the one that he has when he was still a kid. He looks down and was shocked upon seeing that he was turned into a baby once again.
OLD KAI: (voice over) Is it being out of control?
Gohan's stroller is speeding down the hill. He could hear his parents come after him, screaming his name.
GOKU: Gohan!
CHI-CHI: Gohan! My baby!
The stroller runs into a slope, sending it up in the air. Gohan looks in front and is terrified upon seeing a big apple tree in front of him.
GOHAN: Aahh!
He could only scream, as he cannot make himself fly. He puts his hands in front of his face, covering his sight of the approaching apple tree and at the same time, protecting himself from the upcoming impact.
But it didn't happen. Gohan was surprised when no apple tree bumped into him. Instead, he is back to that dark place where he was earlier.
OLD KAI: (voice over) What makes you scared?
Gohan is again transported to the woods. He is in the forest of Mount Paozu. He was once again turned into a child, but much older than how he was earlier.
OLD KAI: (voice over) Is it the uncertainty of what things to come your way?
Gohan looks around, wondering how he gets to that place. For some reasons, he feels scared. He started running, until he goes around the bushes. He closes his eyes as he runs into the bushes, not knowing that on the other side is a cliff. He still runs through, and when he passes to the other side he falls into the cliff.
Again, he cannot make himself fly. He felt scared once again, and all he can do is scream. He screams anticipating the fall below, but again he was just brought back to that dark place where he was earlier.
He falls to the floor. He's panting, as if he fought so hard he lost his breath. His whole body is trembling. He feels so scared.
OLD KAI: (voice over) What makes you scared?
GOHAN: (exhausted) Stop...
Gohan is transported again to another world. This time, he is trapped in a sphere. Outside he could see his father. Goku's appearance is tattered, as if he was already fighting for a while.
GOHAN: Dad...?
Gohan noticed that he is once again a kid, and upon seeing his appearance memories started flowing through him. He sees his father grabbing the tail of a Saiyan-like figure.
GOHAN: No... No, Dad!
Gohan saw when the other Saiyan guy elbowed his father. Goku crashes on the ground. The Saiyan flies to his father, pinning him on the ground.
GOHAN: Dad! Dad!
He pounded on the hard glass-like structure. He is inside a Space Pod! He finally remembers what is about to happen.
GOHAN: (panicking) Dad! Dad! No! Dad!
He bangs to the door, as he feels like his anger is surging up. He bangs some more, and for some reasons he feels like he is about to break the pod.
OLD KAI: Are you scared to see your father die?
GOHAN: (crying) No!
He finally breaks free, but instantly the surrounding gets dark again.
GOHAN: (totally spent) Stop... Stop it, please...
He's crying, exhausted and his whole body is trembling. He is sitting down just like how he was on the Space Pod.
OLD KAI: (voice over) Or are you scared...
GOHAN: Please...
Gohan feels so weak he completely falls down to the floor.
OLD KAI: (voice over) Are you scared of losing your own life?
Gohan is transported again. The ground is green, though it seems battered because of a battle that seems to be happening for a while already. Gohan looks around, and upon seeing him transform into a child again, and upon seeing the Saiyan armour he's wearing, he kind of figured out where he is.
FRIEZA: Well then, how do you want to die?
Gohan looks up and is shocked upon seeing Frieza's second form in front of him.
GOHAN: Not you!
This time, Gohan is able to attack. He charges onto him, but Frieza is able to counter all his attacks. He attacks him as well, sending Gohan to the ground multiple times.
GOHAN: Enough of this! I beg you... Please stop!
Frieza charges in, beating Gohan very badly. Gohan tries to counter, in some moments he was able to, but Frieza proves to be stronger. In the end Frieza was able to pin him down with his foot.
GOHAN: Stop... please... stop this...
Gohan's world blacks out.
LOOKOUT
Videl founds Piccolo looking at Majin Buu.
VIDEL: Piccolo...
PICCOLO: Hmn?
VIDEL: Can I ask you something?
The Namekian does not answer.
VIDEL: Why did Majin Buu look at me earlier?
PICCOLO: I told him you want him to wait.
VIDEL: Huh? But... why would it matter? Why would I matter to him?
PICCOLO: Because you're Mr. Satan's daughter.
VIDEL: What?
PICCOLO: For some reasons, Mr. Satan was able to acquaint himself with Buu. They became friends.
VIDEL: That is...
PICCOLO: While we are looking for ways to fight and defeat Majin Buu, your father has found ways to be friends with him. As a matter of fact, Buu killed all the people on Earth, but he spared your father. It seems like he still can remember him even in this form.
VIDEL: Father...
PICCOLO: We might be the strongest fighters in this world, but your father is still the true Champion of the Earth.
VIDEL: ...Unbelievable...
Majin Buu suddenly flares up.
MAJIN BUU: I can't wait anymore!
He destroys the hourglass. Videl is so scared he hides behind Piccolo.
PICCOLO: That was not even 30 minutes! You have to wait a little longer.
Instead of answering, Buu fires an energy beam on the floor.
MAJIN BUU: I don't want to wait. COME OUT SO I CAN KILL YOU!
Piccolo is left with no choice.
PICCOLO: Okay. I'll take you to them. Follow me.
The others follow the two as they travel inside the palace.
KRILLIN: Piccolo isn't making them fight Buu in the Hyperbollic Time Chamber, is he?
DENDE: He might be.
KRILLIN: But why?
DENDE: I think he's thinking that if Gotenks wasn't able to defeat Majin Buu, then he'll just have to seal them in that room. Since it's in another dimension, Majin Buu cannot come back here.
BULMA: So what about Trunks and Goten? They'll be trapped as well.
DENDE: If that happens, we can wish them back with the dragon balls.
MASTER ROSHI: It seems like Piccolo has thought this all through.
YAMCHA: But, why is he taking him the long way to the chamber?
KRILLIN: He's buying some more time for the kids.
The group follows the two until they reached the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Piccolo and Buu went inside as the group watched outside.
BULMA: Now what?
MASTER ROSHI: We wait.
And wait is all they can do. They went outside again, hoping that the fused Saiyan kids can defeat Majin Buu.
But not long after they have gone out, they hear an explosion on one side of the Lookout.
KRILLIN: What is that?
They were able to find the source of the explosion-like sound. A pink fluid-like substance drips from what seems like a small hole.
BULMA: What is that?
MASTER ROSHI: That ki... No doubt about it!
YAMCHA: It's Majin Buu!
As the pink fluid-like substance stopped dripping, it forms into the figure Majin Buu. Everyone is stunned.
Majin Buu sees the group.
MAJIN BUU: That fight made me hungry. Now, what should I turn you into?
The groups stare at him in horror.
MAJIN BUU: Ah! Chocolates!
The group scrambles as they all tried to escape Majin Buu. Some even tries to fight, but the pink abomination proves to be too powerful for any of them. Videl saw as each one of them was turned into chocolates, until there's only her that remains.
MAJIN BUU: You...
Videl looks at Majin Buu. Tears are now flowing through her face as fear envelopes her.
MAJIN BUU: You are Satan's daughter.
Videl clenches her fists, wanting to fight but knowing she does not have a chance, her whole body just trembles in fear.
Majin Buu smiles, surprising Videl. For a while she thought he would spare her, but she wasn't able to do anything anymore as he started turning him into chocolates.
VIDEL: (on her mind) Gohan...
Everything around her turns into black.
A VERY DARK PLACE
Gohan wakes up, still on the dark room he's in. He tries his best to pull himself up, being able to sit on the floor.
OLD KAI: (voice over) What are you scared of, Gohan?
Gohan's anger activates through him. He clenches his fists.
GOHAN: I was scared because I was young! I was weak! I can't do anything but now I can! I can save the world! I can defeat Maji Buu and I'm not scared of him!
OLD KAI: (voice over) What are you scared of-
GOHAN: I'm not scared of anything!
For a moment, there was silence. Gohan thought everything has ended, that his training or whatever he's going through is finished. But then, he heard the Old Kai's voice again.
OLD KAI: (voice over) Are you sure, Gohan? Are you really not scared of anything?
GOHAN: Huh?
Gohan looks up. In an instant, he feels uncertain. He looks around, not knowing what is happening.
OLD KAI: (voice over) Your scared of something, and that fear is what prevents you into unleashing your true power.
GOHAN: Huh?
Gohan is transported again to another location. He was shocked as he recognized the place he's in. It was that place where they fought with Cell seven years ago!
But this time, he was not transformed into the younger version of him. In fact, his nine-year-old Super Saiyan self is in front of him. Since he's sitting down on the ground, he has to look up to see him.
His young self's eyes are fierce. His whole body is glowing with immense power. His face has blood and dirt all over, but it still looks calm. Yes, Gohan remembers clearly. That was him when he fought Cell!
GOKU: Gohan! What are you doing!
Gohan looks at the direction where he heard his father. There stood Goku, as well as Piccolo and the others.
GOKU: Finish him now while you still have the time!
YOUNG GOHAN: Finish him?
Gohan looks at his young self.
YOUNG GOHAN: Why would I? It's too early for that. He has to suffer more.
Gohan was stunned. The anger in his young self's face, the desire to make Cell pay. It's all in his face, his whole being. It was so scary that Gohan looks away, closing his eyes, and finally realizing what the Old Kai really wants to tell him.
He doesn't need to see the next scene. He knows all too well what it was. It's the same scene that have caused him a lot of nightmares. It was the scene that gave him all the regret that he has in his life.
GOHAN: Dad...
Gohan starts crying. He was transported back to the dark place.
GOHAN: I should have listened to you, Dad...
OLD KAI: (voice over) Now you know what you're scared of, Gohan.
Gohan looks up, as if seeing the old kai in the dark empty space.
OLD KAI: (voice over) You're afraid to unleash your full power because when you become so powerful, you lose control. And when you lose control, you lose yourself.
Gohan cries hard, not only because of the memories but also because of the frustration that he is feeling right now.
OLD KAI: (voice over) But you have no choice. That is the only way you can defeat Majin Buu. That is the only way you can save the Earth.
GOHAN: I can't... I can't do it...
OLD KAI: (voice over) Why can't you?
GOHAN: Because if I do, I might do something foolish and someone might suffer again...! My father didn't have to die. If only I have listened to him, he never needed to die. My mom shouldn't have suffered. My brother should have met my father and grew up with him... I can't go back to that...
OLD KAI: (voice over) But you have to. You have to go back.
GOHA: (shaking his head) No... no...
Suddenly, a switch flicked. In a near distance, Goku appears.
GOKU: Gohan, remember how you unleash your strength. Get angry. Think of that time you fought Cell. If you do that again, then no one can beat you.
GOHAN: But Dad...
Goku's figure changes, until he becomes Goten.
GOTEN: You were awesome! I want to be like you and be a superhero!
Gohan is dumbfounded.
GOHAN: Goten...
Goten suddenly changes into Chi-Chi.
CHI-CHI: Your father believes in you so much, that you're a good fighter. I guess I should start believing in that now, too.
GOHAN: Mom...
Gohan almost choked.
Chi-Chi's image turns back to Goku.
GOKU: You were a kid. Even grownups like me make wrong decisions sometimes. Don't blame yourself for everything.
GOHAN: Dad...
Gohan cried his heart out, pouring all the pain and guilt that he has hidden for all these years. Slowly, his crying faded. His breathing becomes more calm. His composure becomes more collected.
OLD KAI: (voice over) Are you still afraid?
Gohan looks up. Tears are still on his face, but his eyes have stopped crying. So does his heart.
GOHAN: I'm not... I'm not afraid to use that power... if it's the only way that I could save my family and friends, the people that I love.
On the outside world, the Old Kai smiles as he looks at Gohan who is still sitting in front of him, with his eyes closed and his head drooping a little.
OLD KAI: (on his mind) You finally get it.
Back to the dark place…
GOHAN: I will make mistakes, someone will suffer. But if I don't do what I have to do, then more people will suffer. Everyone will suffer. I can't take that greater risk.
OLD KAI: (voice over) Are you ready to unleash your full potential?
Gohan stands up. It's still very dark in the room, but he doesn't feel restless as he did before. He concentrates, and eventually, he can feel the power surging inside him.
The Old Kai slowly appears. He walks towards Gohan.
OLD KAI: You have so much power inside you, Gohan. You just have to have the confidence to use it.
GOHAN: I understand.
OLD KAI: Are you ready to become stronger?
Gohan looks at the Old Kai. He smiles confidently at the older being.
Back at the outside holy sphere, Gohan opens his eyes.
OLD KAI: Welcome back, Gohan.
Gohan looks at the Old Kai, with the unusual calmness and confidence in him.
GOKU: Hey, Old Kai! I'm sorry, but aren't you done yet?
Gohan looks at Goku, and the latter was shocked.
OLD KAI: We're done, just done.
GOHAN: What's the matter, Dad?
GOKU: Gotenks has run out of energy.
GOHAN: (to Old Kai) How do I turn into the mightiest warrior?
OLD KAI: Just power up just like how you do that thing you do.
GOHAN: You mean like turning into Super Saiyan?
OLD KAI: Yes. Your latent power will then be unleashed.
Gohan does as he was told. He powers up but does not turn into a Super Saiyan. An immense amount of power surged not only to him, but to the whole Sacred World of the Kais.
GOHAN: That was... (looks at Goku) That was incredible, Dad!
GOKU: You're right. You were incredible. You're not even Super Saiyan but that power is enormous. I think it even surpassed Super Saiyan 3.
SHIN: We need to take you now to Earth. Otherwise all will be lost.
KIBITO: I'll take him myself.
SHIN: Kibito, I need to be there to make sure that everything is settled.
KIBITO: We'll just get in his way. After I take him, I'll leave at once. He doesn't need assistance. He can finish everything himself.
SHIN: I understand. Take him.
GOKU: Gohan...
GOHAN: Dad?
GOKU: Thank you. You're saving the Earth once again.
GOHAN: Thank you... for believing in me, Dad.
The father and son look at each other, smiling.
GOKU: We might not see each other again. Not until you're dead. But don't make it too soon. Kill Majin Buu. You're our last hope.
GOHAN: I will, Dad. I will do everything I can.
The two embrace, not wanting to let go. But they have to. Gohan knows that, and Goku felt it as well.
KIBITO: Let's go.
Gohan goes to Kibito.
GOHAN: Bye, Dad!
Goku gives him a thumbs up, and Gohan reciprocates. Goku watches as Gohan slowly disappears.
SOMEWHERE ON EARTH
Gohan returns to Earth through Kibito.
GOHAN: Thank you so much, Kibito.
KIBITO: Defeat Majin Buu and we're even.
GOHAN: Okay... By the way, can you please change my clothes?
KIBITO: Hmn?
GOHAN: I want to fight in my father's dogi.
KIBITO: I understand. Though, the color is similar to the color of the poop of Popoluan frogs.
GOHAN: Just... do it, please.
Kibito changes Gohan's clothing into an orange gi and blue undershirt.
GOHAN: Perfect! Thank you so much.
KIBITO: I'll go now. I'll be praying for your success.
Gohan nods as Kibito slowly fades away.
GOHAN: Now, let's find Majin Buu.
Gohan flies to the direction where he feels Majin Buu's energy.
A/N: Again, I've taken creative liberty with the awakening of Gohan's powers. I appreciate the funny anime/manga version, but I wanted to give this moment to Gohan. I wanted to highlight him with this moment because that's just how it should be. For me, DBZ should have been more about Gohan, how he matured and grew up into a great fighter. It was what they were leaning towards, it seems. Until they kind of pulled it back during the final chapters as Gohan and Vegeta took the spotlight again.
Which is okay, but I guess Gohan could have been given some more importance. Since I could not do anything about it anymore, I just explored the possibility of giving Gohan a nice awakening moment. And this is what I thought of. I know it's not the best, it's not perfect. But I'm happy with how it turned out.
As I was thinking of what to do with this part, I did some research about Gohan's personality and the reason why he does not like to fight. Yes, he likes being a superhero but he's not really a fighter by heart. Then I read in some fandom wiki that Gohan does not like fighting as he does not want violence or something like that that fighting entails. So I realized, maybe that might also be the reason why he cannot get angry very easily. I mean, he can be temperamental, but not like the angry Gohan he was during his fight with Cell. So that is how this concept of Gohan's Awakening came forth.