"Run…Gohan! Run!"

Petrified. Every cell in his body screamed run, but Gohan couldn't move.

His vision blurred for what seemed like hours, and when the haze lifted, it was like waking from a long dream. His eyes sobered at the sight and realization of the carnage around him. Fire consumed everything, filling the air with the acrid taste of ash. A gust of wind pushed back the smoky curtain, and that's when Gohan saw the bodies, strewn amid the rubble like lost and broken dolls. Slowly, labored gasps pierced the ringing veil in his ears.

Oh, that's why he couldn't move. Two large, meaty hands were firmly gripping his shoulders, giving some semblance of stability in this rapidly spiraling world.

"It's going to be… alright, kid. Everything… is going to be… alright."

His grip was solid steel, both comforting and reassuring the child that he was safe and at the same time, forbidding him from looking beyond, at the devastation, at the pile of bodies and his father's among them.

Slowly the haze lifted completely from Gohan's eyes, replaced by panicked realization.

"Dad? Where's my daddy?"

But All Might brought him close into an embrace. The tears that streamed down his bloodied and ashen cheeks contradicted the smile on his face.

"And you wanna know why?" All Might was sobbing as he held the tiny boy in his giant arms.

"Because I… am… here."

Chapter One – My Hero Origins

Gohan's eyes opened, waking in a cold sweat.

That dream… that vivid, almost lucid dream again. This wasn't the first time he had dreamed such a horrible thing. He shivered in his bed, his heartbeat pounding against his ears as he tried to collect himself. It's just a dream… It's just a dream.

Slowly, his breathing calmed, reality setting in.

It's just a dream...

Gohan sighed deeply, rubbing his eyes and sitting up on his bed with his back against the wall.

"Hey, little guy. You up yet?"

The bunk bed above him stirred and a tiny head hanged over the side upside down..

"Yeah, you woke me up," Goten accused, his hair hanging down comically. "Was it the nightmare again? I heard you crying… for Dad..."

Gohan stared at his little brother's face, so young and innocent yet concerned, it was almost comical. Gohan smiled and patted him gently on the cheek.

"It's just a dream. Come on, let's get you ready for school."

Goten groaned and tossed himself back up to his bed, sheltering himself under the covers.

"Hey, c'mon little guy, work with me here."

Another groan. Gohan sighed and shook his head.

"Okay but if you're late again, you'll have to explain it to Mom."

Goten sighed and tossed the covers off.

"I'm up," he raised his hands in defeat. "I'm up."

"That's a good boy. C'mon, I'll help you down," Gohan said, stretching his arms out.

"That's okay, I've got it," Goten said, climbing down on his own.

Look at you, little guy. You're growing up so fast, Gohan thought with a smile.

As he helped Goten get dressed, he passed by a framed picture. He paused for just a second to look at it as he ironed Goten's school shirt.

The picture had been taken just outside of their farm when Gohan was around two or three years old, laughing happily in the arms of his parents. His mother wore a long blue dress and his father had an olive colored work jacket and a straw hat. They looked so happy. Goten had been born nine months after his dad had died in that terrible accident seven years ago, so he never had the opportunity to experience having a dad.

That terrible accident…

"Gohan, Goten, breakfast is ready!"

Gohan gave Goten the ironed shirt and helped him button up.

"Let's go eat," Gohan said.

"Good idea, I'm starving!"

"Do you have everything you need? Homework? Bus card? Lunch money?"

Goten patted the pockets of his uniform.

"Oh, I'm missing my school badge. I think mom had it relaminated."

"Okay," Gohan said. "Go on and eat, I'll get it for you."

As Goten made his way down to the kitchen table, Gohan searched through the cabinets for Goten's badge. "Here it is," he mumbled to himself. As he pulled it out, the lanyard pulled out some folded papers that fell to the floor. Gohan sighed sadly as he picked them up.

Final Notice – Payment Due Immediately!One read in bold red letters.

The second one was more lengthy.

"Dear valued member, we regret to inform you that at this time your application for emergency personal loan has been denied-" Gohan couldn't read anymore. But the final paper broke his heart.

"Dear Mrs. Son, due to company outsourcing and reduction of staff in your department, your employment has been terminated, effective immediately." The letter had been sent two weeks ago.

"Oh, mom… why didn't you tell me?"

Gohan stuffed the letters into his pocket as he entered the kitchen.

"Radish soup again?" Goten complained.

Chi-Chi turned, looking as tired as ever in her old apron.

"I'm sorry, honey. It's all we… It's… nutritious."

"But we had radish soup last night," Goten whined, poking at the sliced radish with his spoon.

"I hear you, Goten. But not every meal can be a treat. And I made enough soup for the entire day-"

"You mean we're having this for dinner, too?!"

Chi-Chi slammed her hands against the table, making Goten jump.

"That's right, mister," she said, her voice rising to a furious growl. "This isn't a restaurant. You eat what I cook!"

She's masking her sadness with anger, Gohan noted. His mother had always been known for her short temper, but after learning that she had lost her job and that they had no way of paying their bills this month, Gohan was able to recognize the sadness and desperation hidden behind her anger.

"Hey now," Gohan intervened. "You want to grow up to be a big strong hero right? Then you have to learn to eat your vegetables. Look at Popeye, radish gives him his Quirk and you don't see him complain about it, now do you?"

"Popeye eats spinach," Goten corrected him, annoyed.

"Well there you go," Gohan said throwing his hand up. "Maybe your quirk gets activated by radish."

Goten stared at him skeptically, then his gaze lowered at the vegetable soup. "I've had radish soup before, Gohan. Nothing's ever happened."

"C'mon, stop complaining and just be grateful we're not living in the farm anymore. Back then, we had to eat Radishes raw."

"Ugh," Goten nodded, wrinkling his nose. "Okay, fine."

Chi-Chi gave Gohan a tired, thankful glance before serving him and herself.

"We ready?" Gohan said.

"Ready," Goten replied.

The two boys clasped their hands together in appreciation for the food.

"Itadakimasu," they said together.

(...)

The sun shined brightly in the cloudless sky, and the smell of a fresh, humid new morning filled the air, mixing with the low grumble of the cars and buses that dotted the streets of Musutafu. Gohan breathed it all in as he walked down the sidewalk, holding Goten's small hand as they crossed the street.

Goten was looking up at him.

"Gohan," he said, "are you thinking about the farm again?"

Gohan caught himself.

"Yeah," he admitted. Every morning he would look towards the easternmost mountain. Mount Paozu. Home. "I miss it sometimes. The fields are ripe for the harvest around this time."

"Do you think mom misses it, too?"

Gohan gave him a sad smile. "All the time, I'm sure. We had a lot of good memories up there."

"Then why don't we move back?" Goten asked innocently.

We can't. No, Goten wouldn't be able to understand.

"This is home now, kiddo," Gohan said instead, patting Goten on the head. "At least here we are… stable. You just focus on getting good grades. Here in the city, you can be anything, if you put your mind to it."

"Even a Pro Hero?" Goten asked, eyes beaming.

Gohan stared at his little brother for a moment. Like any other child, Goten had big dreams of becoming a pro hero. If Gohan was being completely honest, he did, too. But now that he was older, that dream seemed far more distant than ever before. Two major obstacles stood in their way.

The first was their mother, who for some reason abhorred Pro Heroes and forbade the two from having anything to do with them. And the second, personal obstacle was that they were both Quirkless.

"I'm sure Dad would have found a way to become a pro," Goten muttered. The light turned green for the pedestrians, playing a little tune as Gohan and Goten crossed the street. "Even though he and mom were both quirkless, too."

Gohan stayed silent, processing it all as they reached their destination. From here, the sidewalk led down to the station that would in turn, take Gohan to his school. Gohan kneeled to be at eye level with Goten, fixing his small shirt collar.

"Just remember one thing, Goten," Gohan said, smoothing the collar down. "Not all heroes wear capes. Even quirkless boys like you and I can become heroes, if we're not afraid to do what's right."

Gohan stared at his big brother.

"I don't really get what you mean, Gohan."

Gohan smiled. "When you're older, you'll understand. Hey look, there's your little friend."

Goten turned and waved at the small figure that was standing at the edge of the lake, tossing rocks into the water. "Go on," Gohan encouraged him. "Be safe and don't be late for school."

"Okay," Goten said with a smile and took off running towards his friend.

"Heyyyy, Trunks!"

Gohan watched as his little brother disappeared.

"Have fun, and learn much!" He called out, but Goten was already out of earshot. With a satisfied grin, Gohan turned and walked back home, thinking of what would ever become of the boy when he grows up.

As Gohan rounded the corner of his apartment building, he noticed a shiny red car parked right outside of his door.

That's odd. Mom didn't say she was having company over, he thought. He walked through the door and heard conversation coming from the living room. Curiously, Gohan approached quietly, when he heard the soft sounds of sobbing mixed with laughter. Gohan pressed himself against the wall and peered around the corner discreetly. Four men in expensive suits surrounded his mother. To his horror, Chi-Chi was on her knees, her forehead against the floor.

"Please," she sobbed, "Please tell Sarakin-san that I'll have a payment ready soon, I just fell behind on my bills and on top of that the factory is relocating to China."

"Ah, yeah," the man directly in front of man chuckled. "We heard about that. That's why the boss sent us straight to you before you had the chance to even think of skippin' town."

"Please," Chi-Chi begged. "With what money would I leave? I barely have enough to feed my kids-"

"Shaddup!" The man yelled. Gohan's hand balled into a fist, his blood beginning to boil. "You think Sarakin-san cares about that? Now it's time to make a payment."

"We have nothing!" Chi-Chi yelled in desperation.

The thug slammed his fist against Chi-Chi's head, his icy quirk covering his fist like a gauntlet. Chi-Chi yelped as she fell back.

"Mom!" Gohan ran and caught her. Chi-Chi groaned in pain.

"Why are you doing this? Hitting a woman who is begging for mercy! Don't you have a heart?" he yelled.

The thug cleaned his hand, completely ignoring Gohan. He and the rest of his crew got up to leave. The thug dropped a business card on the ground callously.

"You've got till the end of the day to bring Sarakin-san his money," the thug said coldly. "Sell your body if you have to, but you better have his damn money. Or else!"

Gohan's teeth gritted and his anger swelled up inside him.

"Gohan," Chi-Chi said weakly. "Don't. Please, it will only make things worse."

"Oh, mom," Gohan's pent up tears finally spilled. "Why did you feel the need to go and get a loan from those loan sharks? Why didn't you tell me you had lost your job? I could have helped you!"

Chi-Chi managed a weak smile, wiping away Gohan's tears with her thumb.

"I guess I just didn't realize how big my little Gohan really is," she said. "Please forgive your mother. I was just desperate. After losing your father, losing our farm, losing everything and having to start over in this city raising two boys alone… it's just so much… I just didn't know what to do…"

"Oh, mom," Gohan held his mother in a reassuring, comforting embrace. His eyes came to rest on the business card that the thug had dropped. He reached over and grabbed it, slipping it into his sleeve.

"Everything's going to be alright," he told her. "Everything's going to be alright. I promise."

…

Gohan leaned his head to the side against the window, and the low rumble of the train began to lull him to sleep. According to his GPS map, the loan shark, this Sarakin-san, operated in a financial center at the edge of the city, about a 30 minute ride by train.

But what was Gohan going to do once he came face to face with Sarakin? Well, he wasn't completely sure, but he was already a few minutes away. His body seemed to be moving on instinct, more so than logic. But he had to try something!

As he waited for his stop, the small screen in front of him flashed with breaking news.

"-fiery attack that has left the heart of Musutafu paralyzed," the reporter was saying. "The Sludge Villain took a young student hostage and triggered various explosions, destroying property and putting lives in danger. The Pro heroes themselves seemed unable to stop it. Just as all hope seemed lost, an unexpected hero appeared."

Gohan's eyes widened as a frail boy with messy green hair leaped out towards the sludge villain and began clawing away at it.

"His name is Izuko Midoriya. He is a quirkless boy who attends the same school as the hostage. Despite having no apparent powers, he attempted to save his friend from the slimy clutches of the sludge villain. Just as the Villain was about to retaliate, Hope arrived. All Might saved the day. The two boys were checked for injuries and released with minor scrapes and bruises. It all goes to show you that, as the old adage says, not all heroes wear capes. Reporting live from Downtown Musutafu, I'm Kuri Shimamura."

Gohan's eyes were glued to the image of the green haired boy on the screen. So a quirkless boy really can be a hero…

A soft series of tones brought him back from his thoughts.

"Now arriving at Terminal S," an automated voice said. With a sigh, Gohan got up and waited for the train doors to open.

A/N: Hi everyone, thank you for checking out the first chapter of my first DBZ/MHA Crossover. Just wanted to go over a few things with you all in this first chapter before we continue on Gohan's journey, and these details might help you decide if you want to invest your precious time in this fanfic or not. The last thing I want to do is waste your time that could be spent reading somebody else's stories.

The most important thing to not is that this story is heavily AU. When I sat down to begin pre-production of this fic, I tried so hard to incorporate the DBZ Gohan that we know and love into the world of MHA, and I just couldn't find a way to crack it, since in DBZ, Gohan's journey starts when he is a little boy, which is where his most exciting arcs happen. By the time he is in High School, he is a completely different character, in my opinion. So what ended up happening was that he would be so powerful after fighting Cell that he would be utterly unstoppable. So what could UA teach him at that point? No, what I really wanted to do with this fic is show what Gohan's journey would have looked like if he had been a part of MHA universe all along. Because of this, please take the following into consideration:

*Gohan is going to start his training from square one in this fic and we're going to watch his power manifest and grow as the story progresses. That means no Super Saiyan just yet.

*I don't want to get too much into what his "Quirk" will consist of in its entirety, as I want us all to discover its limits together with Gohan as we follow his journey, but suffice to say that it will closely resemble his DBZ Powers. And yes, this fic will treat his powers as his personal quirk, rather than life energy (ki) that can be universally taught/felt/gathered by all living things.

*Characters from DBZ will make an appearance in this fic, but I want to stress the points in the first paragraph. Every DBZ character that will cameo in this fic has been modified to fit the MHA universe. As a result, some powers have been scaled down, especially the power boosts and the planet busters. I know, this sounds extremely lame but I beg you to please give me a chance. I will do my best to not disappoint.

*This is Gohan's Hero Journey, but I'm going to weave it around MHA's storyline. Gohan isn't meant to replace Midoriya, but to compliment him. How can this be achieved? Look, stick around. I'm pretty excited for the things to come and I think you will like it, too.

*Regarding Goku... Well, at this point, all I want to say about Goku is that he is more than what we're being led to believe. Again, I don't want to spoil the plot, but pleeeease give me a chance.

*Regarding a particular ship, I have one in mind, but it's going to be a piece of the overall picture. Is it important in Gohan's life? Yes! Is it the main focus of this story? No, although it will add to the story. Who do you think it would be with? Clue: Goku would definitely love her!

That's all I have for now, my dear friends. Again, I know that this isn't exactly 100% the canonical DBZ Gohan we know and love, but I hope you will stick around at least for a few chapters to watch his development. If you're not interested, I understand and would love if you leave me a comment about why you don't like it, or any suggestions to make it better. Thank you all! Stay safe and see you on the next chapter of MHA - Saiya!