There I laid on the sidewalk.
Darkness creeping at the corners of my vision, I could do nothing but stare at the backside of a car moving away from me. Nothing but rage-filled regret. Nothing but my failures.
I was thinking about the people I loved. I was praying that I could still, by some miracle, live. But sadly, it would take one more fatal blow for me to realize that all of this was just a figment of my imagination. Who knew it would be my last.
By my willpower, time seemed to stretch, and before I knew it, life left my eyes.
My body, a corpse for authorities to find. A story for the local news station.
To be easily forgotten and never heard of again.
Feeling laid on something soft, I found it hard to breathe.
I opened my eyes and looked around only to find that I laid on a bed. It could not be heaven; there weren't any clouds. There were instead white sheets, a pillow, and a yellow blanket. It was a deep contrast to flashing lights, unbearable pain, and the sweet release of death, the last look of my world, the night sky.
Whenever I envisioned the thought of dying, it had always been the idea that I'd die in glory and meet God. Then I'd get sent to heaven based on my favorable actions. I was a Christian, but it was hard to keep that religion. I grew knowledgeable. My faith in God was starting to decline. I did let my parents know. They never did take it seriously or did not understand what I was trying to say.
All this was not how I planned things to be.
I took a good look at my surroundings, taking it all in on how huge they were. A basket, white to green ceiling, white light, turning my head, a window that stretched around me, fitting accordingly to the roundhouse. It was looking as if I was in a comfortable home. Moving my body, I could feel how feeble it was. This body was just pitiful. My arms and legs were in sharp contrast to my once powerfully built body in my old life.
My past life.
Right before I died, I did not have any time to think. Too quick, my life flashing before me. I had to think about things that I will never be able to think of again. That being family and friends. I could feel the sadness well up inside me, tears starting to form in my eyes as I got a solid grip on my nightmarish dream.
I had been reborn.
Crying as I did, it was just too much. I being posed as a newborn, as moved to a new life and family. Essentially just about to relive life. If I had to get reincarnated, I should've received a memory wipe or been laid to rest. I did not realize how loud the noise I was making from crying because it was loud enough to attract three beings. I assumed they were to put me to care. I was a baby now, after all.
They were giants to me. I had to stop crying to look at them. They all had a sense of familiarity. Have I seen them before? It wasn't that far-fetched to say that I saw them at some point and forgotten. Already as it is, I had senses and a powerful mind that I shouldn't possess as a newborn. Was all of this going to attrition as time flew by, as I got comforted with the growth?
The Trio was a boy, a young woman, and a fat man who looked older than the two combined. The boy was wearing a traditional style Chinese Kung Fu jacket. Blue but white at the center. It gave me the impression that he was a Martial Artist or just liked wearing the coat. I wouldn't judge. I use to play dress-up when I was still a child.
The boy had spiky hair in the front but smoothed out in the back. It was well-kept and midnight black; he had a light-peach complexion of skin, black eyes. That kid was the expression of happiness; he smiled at me. I wanted to smile back.
The woman wore a yellow uniform with a purple cloth tied on the back with turquoise pants, blue military craftsmanship shoes, and with all of her hair put into a bun conjointly. She wore white Chinese hoops or earrings. She was beautiful. She was light-skinned, the same peach complexion as the boy with the same black eyes and hair. The woman had her right arm resting on her waist. Make no mistake. They had to be related. She, too, had a smile for me.
The fat man had detailed facial features and a beard. He wore an orderly attire with a black cap, horns protruding out; from opposite sides, a right to left or left to true. He had glasses, a heavy beard, long hair on the back of his neck if you focused. The hair was brown as the fat man had tanned skin. His lips were curled eyes were closed. Did I mention how big he was? Despite being plump, the man was towering over all of us. He looked to be around 6-7 feet tall. The number was probably higher than that since it was a rough estimation of what I could see laid in the basket bed.
Beaming at me as they all were, it was a magical moment for the Trio, a new member of their family.
Deciding to give a reaction, I reciprocated a smile back.
The trio smiles were rubbing off on me, and I had always been the type of person to smile when I was with the right and fun crowd. Sometimes it'd just stick to my face, like glue. But here, I felt acceptance rather than a greeting.
The woman had moved to my right side of the basket crib. She had both elbows in her arms folded, head resting on top. Jeez, the woman was incredibly close. I needed some personal space. Her eyes on me, I looked the other way. I was never good at making eye contact with strangers, and it served to hide my intelligence as a baby a bonus. She had to be my mother. What mom misses a moment like this?
The big man and the boy have moved noticeably back. It did not change how I was still receiving laughs.
"Wow, he looks a lot like my dad, grandpa!"
Being pointed at, I wondered how his dad looked like; was I that kid's little brother? Was that big man my grandpa?
"I know, Gohan, he does."
Gohan? It did not take me long to match the pieces together. My mind, going blank with horror. That big man was the Ox-King, that boy was the mighty Gohan, that woman looking at me from the right side of the basket was Chi-Chi staring at me with love.
That baby in the crib was Goten.
I was Goten.
All of this had to be a coincidence, but it was too perfect for it to be. One check shot it down hard. Nothing was out of place; It was too elaborate. I was now in the Dragon Ball Universe. A formerly fictional universe. It shouldn't be possible. It must be a dream; it has to be.
I had to fight Buu. I was going to die if I did.
"Oh, if Goku was here to see this." Chi-Chi leaned in and kissed my forehead. I felt embarrassed, but it was just what I needed to take rid myself of my shock. Goku would come and take care of everything. I should be fine. Right now, I needed to plan out my survival.
I had a seven-year time ahead of me; to get used to a new family to a new universe. I felt a great weight on my shoulders, a destiny upon me. While everyone in the room was excited for me, I was gazing into the future, the enemies I-we would have to face.
I need to get stronger.
As of now, I could do nothing. I would need to wait till I came of age, or did I? How can a newborn train, and if I did, would I be harming my growth? Maybe I shouldn't rush it and wait. But Saiyans could adapt and survive in any situation to grow stronger. It should be said even in an infantile state. Already I could see a clear for me to become more capable than the original Goten.
I can do this.
"Guys, I think he's trying to do something." The ox-king. My grandfather said. I needed to get used to this, calling them by their respective titles from my view of the family. The sooner I can adapt to this, promises far better the results. I went on to stand even as my legs felt like jelly. And I was going to hold it out for as long as I could.
It was going to be my training as I was starting right here and now. I was putting much stock on my Saiyan Genes to help me out every step of the way.
There was no point in hiding my intelligence if I had to do this daily. My family would know that this is irregular. I would need to normalize this and let my new family know that this is how Goten acts.
There was a collective gasp I welcomed. I began to walk with my jelly-like legs. It was painful, and yet this was just the starting point. This to training in five-hundred times gravity. I guess it could explain Goku's wife. Daddy was probably a secret masochist.
"Are you guys seeing what I'm seeing?" Gohan started. Man, was it that surprising? It did not feel very shock-worthy to me.
GROWL.
By the looks of my family's faces, I knew they heard it too.
"I'm hungry." And suddenly, I was thankful I had natal teeth.
I watched them collapse comically to the ground in awe. Was it a weird law this universe had? I thought it was a simple act of humor that Akira Toriyama put in place. Not the real thing.
###
"My little Goten is smart. I see you becoming a great scholar one day. Yes, you are my baby." Mommy cooed me.
At first, I wanted to eat solid food, probably a burger or pizza. But my mouth was small, and my teeth weren't durable. I chose wisely not to say anything and accept breastfeeding. Chi-Chi did taste like sweetened almond milk, so that was something. A different texture from the store-bought milk I once drank.
There was one problem with what my mom said. I wasn't looking to be a scholar. I was looking to survive. If surviving means being a fighter, then that was what I wanted to become. Besides, I'm sure many jobs out there would allow me to use my powers secretly.
Grandpa and Gohan took their time to marvel at my intelligence, praising and cuddling me. They were a little worried at how I was standing, but Chi-Chi shot it down hard, saying that I had my father's strength within me. I honestly expected Chi-Chi, I mean mom, to be the one worried about it but then again. She was the one training the Original Goten.
They had left the house to find fun when secretly allowing Chi-Chi to do her business with me. I didn't need an audience, and I'm sure Chi-Chi, I mean mother, did not need it too. I had to swallow the bile that threatened to release from my throat as I greedily accepted her milk, not realizing how hungry I was till now. Mom fed me on the couch and, once finished, patted me on the back till I burped.
Chi-Chi then tried to play with me moving to the wooden floor to do so.
"Come on, Goten, you can do this!"
I was in the middle of lining my numbers from one to five, stacking the blocks on top of each other when I chose to stop. It wasn't for my fun when I did this. I was humoring Chi-Chi. I wasn't the Goten she should've had, so I was making an effort.
"But I want to watch T.V."
I had surveyed the house to find out that there was no fun equipment, not even a computer. There was still television to watch, but I suspected it was more to know what went down in the world than really for entertainment. People did live in simplistic homes, but I couldn't imagine surviving here. What did Gohan study to promote this?
"No, Goten, this is fun." Mom said with a gentle voice.
"I already know my numbers, see? One two three four five. I can count to five." I countered, using my fingers to punctuate. I had to stop standing a while ago. My legs gave out on me.
"But you're going to be a scholar one day, and I don't want to push you too hard in the books already. Just because you're smart for your age doesn't mean you shouldn't study at all."
She had a point I couldn't argue. Me being smart at this age just meant I had to push myself harder than most, but the T.V. ...
I then remembered how fast my old life had ended. Where I died from a car crash, whereas my dreams were cut short, there was much I could've done, yet I did not try. Too busy for everything, the truth? I was lazy. I looked downwards, feeling the sadness well inside me again, and I think Chi-Chi noticed this because she took me into her arms. I could not make that same mistake again.
"There, there, Goten. I never said you couldn't watch T.V. You know I love you."
"I know, mom. I know."
###
I explored channel after channel with the remote, mom having me on her lap. These programs on T.V. weren't that different from my rock, a unique style. The soil here had a sense of freedom as if you could do anything here and get away with it. If Mr. Satan could lie his way to success, imagine what I could do. The planet felt sci-fi. There were flying vehicles. Capsules that recoil lifeless things down to take size, robots, and other not so distant future sci-fi staples, and it was all commonplace. Oh boy, if I landed in Star Wars and not here.
"Happy?"
"Yes, mom."
The Tech here was something the people of my world would kill to obtain. If I had even a piece of this stuff to my universe, the money I would gain would last till I died.
My reason for the T.V. was to help me adapt to this life, even more, for me to get a feel for what went down on a daily. At first, it was for entertainment. The buildings here were typically rounded, regularly utilizing circular or ovoid segments held overtop by a round and hollow stem. I guess round was the square of this world, for the structures they built.
In the end, I settled for watching a movie that was about a wild west. It was enjoyable, but it will never have the same taste I was so used to before. A constant reminder that I was in a world that wasn't truly mine.
These weren't the same fictional characters I had authority over. These were people now with clear intentions. I felt embarrassed to know that I took hot dates with my right hand to this verse. At least, no one knew right.
The movie soon ended, and I was about to use the remote to flip the screen. Unsurprisingly, mom stopped me by grabbing it and facing it downwards as I held on. She did this so that signal wouldn't reach the screen, given if she or I pressed buttons. I dreaded the plans I knew she had for me.
"Mom?"
"Uh-uh-uh," She waved her index at me. "Time to study again."
Though cooed, I knew I had no room to talk and knowing Chi-Chi's temper. I quietly accepted. Hey, maybe studying won't be so bad. Let's see what I can do.
Now being moved back to the wooden floor, Chi-Chi gave me a notebook to do. Upon closer examination, it was a handwriting workbook. It looked easy enough, but there was no pencil for me to use, which made sense since I don't have the hands to write, which made sense even more; why I had to do this. I still needed a pencil.
"We are going to start small, and despite what you think, I'm not going to push you too hard. You doing this at this age is already me pushing you hard enough as it is."
"So no more learning with Blocks and other baby material?"
"Well, unless you feel this is too much for you-"
"I think I can handle this."
Yeah, I should be able to handle this if my hands aren't that small for writing.
"Great! When you're finished with your work, Goten call me, ok?" She said, giving a ruffle of my Goku hair.
My writing turned out to be neat, though I wrote slow. I knew that in time, it would change, from it being by practice or naturally, the clock will tell. None of this was new to me. It was directly retraining an old skill. Me being right-handed meant Goku was right-handed. I was the spitting image, but then again, genes had their weird twists.
I wasn't looking to train with my left. Not only would there have been no point. I would slow myself down from completing this workbook. If there was a shortcut, why take the long route? All of this made me feel like a kid again. I was happy. Despite being a baby, and presenting myself as Goten. I was merry.
While before, I had every worry in the world. Here? Here I was free, free to live, free to roam. It all just felt accessible. The workbook I finished ultimately turned out to be 104 pages. While it was easy for glaring reasons, I still couldn't help but feel disappointed. It's not studying if I knew this stuff.
"I'm done!" I called out.
"Done already?"
"Mhm."
There was a noticeable pause.
"I'll come and check."
It's not as if she didn't believe me. It was more about simple shock. This time I couldn't blame her. While before, I thought they were dramatic compared to fighting a Cosmic Monster, but I was a literal talking Baby, and I'm now about to pay for it. The practical side told me it wasn't my fault. Any other idea I thought of was too stupid or would've failed someway somehow.
It was why I wanted to normalize this, and now I'm not even sure if that was a good idea at all. Maybe I was rushing it and being overeager. I didn't know anymore.
"All right, Goten, let me see it."
Picking up the big book, I show it to mom. Her eyes seemed to widen as she flipped through the pages, but whether she had more feelings to express. She did not show it on her face. Mom just handed the book back to me.
"Neat handwriting, a smart-talking baby, from a newborn, might I add. I hope you know that none of this is normal." Chi-Chi, fixating her gaze on me as she seemed to squint her eyes. I only froze up.
I gave an awkward laugh, but now as a baby, it came out like a cough. I didn't know how to respond to that. But I did not want her to know about my meta-knowledge. No one had to know, except for me.
"I don't know."
And in another universe, it would be accurate. How would the baby have known what's normal for it if it's their first life? That was what I was falling back on. I shouldn't worry too much, even if I had told her or anyone where I originated. They wouldn't believe me.
"Mhm."
I couldn't tell if it was sarcastic or genuine, and her expression looked angry. I think she was absolute. It did not spell good for me.
"But I'm serious."
Though I wasn't, I had to say it for her to buy it.
It was at this time that Gohan and the Ox-King returned from their trip. While now, I will never find out whether Chi-Chi was on to me or was busting my chops. I think it was better this way. It did make me relieved that timing!
"Where were you two?" Chi-Chi questioned, still looking angry.
"Exploring, mom," Gohan answered before looking in my direction. He started walking towards me as I looked up at him. He was the very definition of happy. His merry-go-lucky nature was rolling off of him in waves. It only made me happy glad for him.
I-I wanted to tell him about Buu, but I just couldn't. It would blow my cover, and that was only providing that Gohan believed me. I was going to need to do this the old-fashioned way and train. Meeting up with Trunks and get him to train too. When we fuse as Gotenks, we should be unstoppable.
"How you doing, Goten." He says this as he gets onto his knees and extends his arms, prompting me to stand. I try to stand even though I was still tired from my workout before. I pretty much wanted to sleep right now.
"I'm fine."
I do stand and fall into Gohan's arms; he gave me protection, he felt safe. Was it because of the idea that he was the most powerful being at the moment? Or was it because he was just my older brother, blood-related. I like to think it's the former. To me, I just took over a body that wasn't my own.
He ruffles my hair, which only makes it more unkempt. It just added on to how I look like Goku. Even if I knew that this would've been the body of a real child, I couldn't just keep alienating it away from me. I had to accept it. Every pain, every sound, every light. All through me and not a different person.
"I don't think I've told you my name. I'm Gohan."
I almost wanted to say I know, but I kept my mouth closed. The last thing I needed was to say something stupid.
"Hi, Gohan."
It was at that moment that I knew that he would be my guardian. Well, at least until I'm strong enough, unlike Gohan, I had no intentions of wanting to be a scholar. Well, maybe, to be a scientist. It will prove to be an invaluable skill with my training. If I knew my own body, I could produce astronomical results. Sure there was always Bulma, once I get to know her, and Trunks, when he comes of age. But they had lives of their own. I can't keep relying on them to help me every step of the way.
It was looking like I had to solo my experience of this verse, but it's not as if I had a choice for glaring reasons. However, I would not complain if I could do it. It just meant I took risks to ensure that my friends and family remained safe.
"You know Goten; has mom told you that you look like our dad?"
I did not care that I would need to know of my dad through a family member. Or know that I looked like him for obvious reasons. No one has told me this on their own so far till Gohan. It wasn't surprising. The fact that my family wasn't counting on me to be a talking Goten certainly didn't help on its front.
In a nutshell, it's been a long day for my family.
"I do?" I tried to play clueless, faking my curiosity as well as I could.
"Mhm." Gohan started to ruffle my hair. "He's super strong."
I'm sure he is my brother. I'm sure he is. I knew the time would come for me to see him for myself, seven years from now. I only wondered how it would play out.
"Are you strong too?" I reflected. As of now, Gohan was here, and Goku wasn't. I wanted to know more about him but not as a Multi-Dimensional Third Party God, but as a brother, a little brother.
"Yes, Goten. I'm strong too."
"Can you teach me to be strong too?"
I knew he would inevitably, but it never hurts to ensure you have what you want. As I recalled, Chi-Chi was training Goten. I can change that. Maybe, I can have them both teach me. Ideally, it should be Gohan alone but Chi-Chi despite focusing as a housewife. She had her uses. Ox-King as well, if old age hasn't gotten to him yet.
"When you're of age, little bro."
"But I can stand! See, see? Mom said that wasn't normal."
I didn't realize I've been standing for quite some time now. I felt like collapsing, but I've already put up a tough front which I knew wouldn't get me anywhere, and it was just for show. I'd rather be asleep or watching television as I fell asleep.
"Hmph."
Yeah, I didn't need to avert my gaze to know where that originated. It was from Chi-Chi.
"You're still a baby, Goten. I promise I'll train you when you're ready, ok?"
And that was what I wanted. Now that I have Gohan's word, as soon as I can walk and throw a punch. I wanted Gohan to teach me.
"No!"
And Chi-Chi will not approve of this. Now I needed to convince her. She'll thank me one day.
"C'mon, mom, I want to fight." I started, man. I sounded whiny.
"Why do you want to fight? You're just a baby!"
"I love the idea of it." I try to counter without revealing my knowledge of this verse. "I want to be able to protect myself."
It was sound reasoning, and all of my family members were fighters at one point in their lives. Surely I should be able to fight too.
"Oh, all right." Mom relented, honestly, if she said no. I would've come to her at a later date. I'm glad she was with us. She still looked angry, but mom changed into a happy expression.
"You're still going to study."
"But Mommy," I complained. "Why-"
"Unless you want me to revoke your training."
"No. Thank you for letting me fight."
"Good boy."
I just got what I wanted. I wasn't going to push my luck. Besides, studying wasn't going to be tough. I'm just relearning everything again.
I turned my attention to the Ox-King; he was my grandpa, I wanted to know him personally. Like Gohan, I didn't want to know him from a Multi-Dimensional Third Party view.
I wanted to know him as family.
First, I need to play as if I didn't know him.
"Hey, Gohan, who's that big man?" I said, tugging at his pant like a child; I needed to act a bit.
"Well, Goten, I'm your grandpa." Ox-King sparked.
"Really?"
I felt a gentle push from behind, knowing it was from Gohan. I walked up towards the Ox-King. He picked me up and extended his massive arms in the air. I've never felt small. He let me rest on his right shoulder. Well, I would've been worried if I fell from this height to the wooden floor. But I think I was strong enough to take the fall. Well, if I unlock my Ki. If I fell to the floor, would I feel anything? Gohan would probably catch me before I did reach the ground.
"Mhm."
Ox-King had found himself a seat. I climbed down, which turned into a fall onto his lap. I still felt more comfortable down than up.
"Hey, Grandpa. do you fight?" I already knew this, but I was still trying to know him for myself. For all I know, this verse could've changed. It didn't hurt to try.
"No, Goten, I do not fight." I expected as much.
"But you're huge. You have to fight."
"Pah, maybe, but being huge doesn't mean I'm a good fighter. Your dad, and now your brother is the best there is."
I almost wanted to say Vegeta or Piccolo, but this was after the Cell Saga. Piccolo was powerless to stop him and Vegeta, allowed him to reach his perfect state but somewhat redeemed himself after he helped Gohan defeat Cell.
Goku fought Perfect Cell, and Gohan defeated Super Perfect Cell. In their minds, these are the two strongest fighters ever. There was Beerus, but for all I know, I could be on the Grand Tour, and that meant Baby, who doesn't even exist yet, I think. Whatever was canon in Super may not be Canon in Grand Tour. Plus, these guys haven't seen Beerus, and I haven't seen him for real. A talking cat, crazy.
"Wow!"
It was fake excitement, which wasn't hard to make considering everything that's happened to me. I was excited, but it was a mixture of fear. There was only so much I can prepare.
"So my brother is the best fighter there is."
"Mhm."
"I want to be like my brother."
It was true, as a survivor. I already died once. I don't want to die again.
"You can do it, Goten; I believe in you."
Thanks, Grandpa. That was something I did not know I needed.
Looking around, I can see Chi-Chi in the Kitchen, probably making food or washing plates, and if not, then I don't know what she was doing. What was there to do here.
Gohan sat at the dining table studying, expected from a boy who gets marks all A's. What did he do in his free time? He couldn't have just gone to sleep, woke up, and studied again. Rinse and repeat.
At least there was television; Goku's house was uninteresting. Then again, he doesn't spend much time here, always out training. I think Chi-Chi was the same, just without the training.
Right now, I was feeling tired, and my legs were painfully jellified. But I wanted to work through the pain. I wanted to see how far I can push my limits. However, I was only a baby. I needed to watch it.
What did I want to do?
I wasn't looking to eat again. It was disgusting enough as it was to drink Chi-Chi's milk. I think I would need to ask her for an Infant Formula. That way, at least I wasn't drinking from another parent since I already had one before. But now, I think that would hurt Chi-Chi. Damn.
I could go out and explore, meet some animals. I've never had a dog before. The idea sounded exciting, or I could spend time just outside my house. That was good too.
Nah, I think I will stay here. It's too early for me to explore, and I would like to do it when I can defend myself. I wasn't looking to get eaten by a Dinosaur.
Hmm, learning about the Animals here does sound fun. There were actual dinosaurs but were they just considered Animals here? I had no clue. When I was a kid, I did take an interest in dinosaurs, mainly watching the fights. Not interested in learning the science behind it.
Of course, many of the fights involved the Tyrannosaurus Rex or a dinosaur in similar build and stature fighting. For an action, bloodthirsty, it was a happy memory. Now thrilling, now that I'd see it face to face someday. It might not be the same dinosaurs, but they looked the same and were primo. It did help to know that Akira Toriyama modeled those Dinosaurs based on what the real ones might have looked from my world.
Looking out at the window, it was still broad daylight. Not much time had passed since my arrival. It was looking to be the longest day I've ever had. I was used to my days being much faster than here. It all just felt the same, day after day after day. Now, today was a new day to me, literally.
I now knew what I wanted to do, nap.
"Grandpa, I want to sleep."
"Really?"
"Mhm."
Grandpa moved me across the room, which got me a few good glances around the house. Goku's home highlights a kitchen in the white hovel zone. There was a bedroom. And probably another, on either the opposite side of the broad piece of the tight side region. I think it connects with any event, a transcending part of the house.
I was tucked back into my basket crib, and I laid there thinking, maybe all of this could still be a dream, but one pinch reaffirmed that this was real, however, if it did turn out to be one. I would go full-on commando whenever a damned car was around.
###
Time passed when I woke up, and my mouth felt icky and gross. It wasn't morning yet. It was still the same day. The day I woke up was Goten. I had just taken a nap, a long one, by the looks of it. The day had lost a bit of light.
It still wasn't a dream.
Looking around, I was on the top floor of the roundhouse. It was where my basket crib was, where I slept. No loud stomping meant no Ox-King. Grandpa wasn't in the house. I did remember he had a land of his own, a city of his own. He was a rich man, which in turn made us rich technically.
From where I came from, I lived in an Apartment. It wasn't crappy, but it had rats and roaches. Here they had all that money, and yet my family preferred to live with simple basic needs. Maybe it was because of Chi-Chi's influence, but it was admirable. Wow.
The Ox-King, my grandpa, probably went back to his land. I didn't get to see him leave but, what would I have said to him if I did see him leave.
I would've probably just said, "bye, grandpa," and then he'd have something heartfelt to say. I wasn't one for goodbyes except for when I knew they'd be gone for a long time. Grandpa would probably be back the next day to greet us or not. It just depended on his mood or when we were in need.
I shifted around in my basket crib as I felt out my body.
I was still a baby.
But the pains and muscle tears that I once felt in my legs were gone. Have they healed? Well, there was only one way to find out, standing up in my white briefs. I tried to feel for anything amiss. There was nothing.
Incredible.
Was this Goten's Potential?
I did a slow jump in the air, a short jump. I did not want to overdo it, get too overeager, and jump high and break my legs. That would not be a great way to start my afternoon. But I felt nothing. No pain. No gain.
I gradually made my way up, jumping higher and higher till I reached my natural jump. And that almost made me touch the ceiling, grateful that I didn't. I wasn't looking to crack my head and truly become a Goku 2.0. The basket bed cushioned my fall, but it made a loud sound.
THUMP
I comically pretended to sleep thinking, either Gohan or Mom would've shown up to check on me.
There was nothing.
I wonder if I landed on the hard floor. Would there have been much difference?
It wasn't a comforting thought, and it was risky. But I felt the adrenaline course through me. I already could jump higher than any Olympic athlete; let's be real here. But that was what scared me.
What happens then, no what stops there?
More training, and I could probably wipe out an entire planet just because I wasn't paying attention.
And this was about to become Common Ground with me if I continue to train. Doing the things that I once dreamed of doing.
Like it was nothing.
It was crazy.
If I couldn't train with Gohan quite yet, and this proved to be a success. I will need to practice like this in secret. Letting myself allow my family to gawk at my inhuman feats gives me the distraction I need to keep training.
While my legs benefitted the most from the training, my whole body felt strong, more powerful. I should try hand-standing then walking. See where it gets me.
Landing on the floor after a quick jump, I proceeded to sneak around. Yeah, a good scare wouldn't hurt, and it was all in good fun too. My family would never expect me to appear. I think. And after exciting results, I wanted to show it off. No way was I going to keep it bottled up to myself.
A sane side told me I didn't need to do this. I should reveal what I've gained at the right time, not for a silly joke when my family is more prepared. Maybe, I was overthinking things. I have been talking for quite a while. No one saw it as problematic, and they've only showered me with love so far.
So far.
Screw it. I felt cringe for trying to scare now. What the hell was I trying to do? Act cool? These guys saved the world more times than I can count on my grubby little fingers. And here, I was trying to do something not very funny.
I walked away from the couch and back upstairs. All of a sudden remembering that Gohan could probably sense me too. It just meant that my prank was stupid and busted already.
I turned my focus back on what was crucial, and I decided to start hand-standing, and to no surprise, it was easy. With prolonged use, it was going to get nasty, but I was counting on it. It's not training if it's easy after all.
While doing this, I was trying to focus on how to unlock my Ki. With no real effort of focus, it was like changing directions. I could feel my Ki brimming with life within me, just waiting to get worn. Did I already have it free? Now I was jumping at the chance to use it, but the main problem was that I had no control of it. It was too unsound.
###
When I continued to hand-stand and then attempt to hand-walk, I eventually started to feel the pains seep into my arms while patrolling my bed. I knew sooner or later Chi-Chi or Gohan would come around. I didn't know when. All the time, I was resisting the idea of using Ki. But like a child lured out by a piece of candy. I couldn't rebel any further. I had to try it.
I couldn't ignore what's there.
I fell onto my legs and allowing my arms to rest a little. I then jumped with my back onto the left side of my basket bed. I surprised myself as I didn't miss my landing, landing righteously so, on to the expanding end on the basket. I sat myself down and surveyed the area.
All clear.
Now how was I going to do this?
I extended my tired arms, choosing my right as I clutched it with my left. Still, feeling the latent energy as I began to release it through my right arm. It made a sound that I didn't anticipate. It would attract the attention of my family, but the results were redeeming.
What I was looking at right now was a Ki-Ball. White in its full glory.
While I was careful in holding it, maybe a little too prudent, there was a distinctive humming sound as it floated in the palm of my right hand. You would never have believed it was dangerous if you hadn't seen it in action. It was just harmless, innocent.
I can't believe I pulled it off.
I heard noises coming from the stairs to my back. I practically felt it when the fast footsteps came into contact with the metal floor, muting their movement.
"Goten, my gosh." And that came from Chi-Chi.
Mom had a hand over her mouth, looking stunned. Gohan just looked on in awe, as if he was searching for the right words and had them, but nothing could come out of his box. Now, how was I going to start this? What should I say?
"Well, uh, Mom, Gohan," I said lamely.
"Wow, Goten, Incredible!" Gohan was quick to carry me and spin me around subconsciously, dissipating the Ki-Ball, I once had. While for now, I would never find out how to do it on my conscience. At least it ensured that nothing would blow up.
While my brother gawked at my extraordinary feat, I was glad that I didn't have to talk at all; talk my way out of this. I received a smile from mom, which helped my worry. Phew. If I can do this with no significant blowbacks. I wouldn't need to hide the fact that I was training at all.
"Mom, are you ok?" I reached out to her.
She may be smiling, but I wanted to know what she had going in that brain of hers. I didn't need to ask Gohan. He was very evident. But Chi-Chi, she was different, those types where they had a lot more to say but kept it to themselves.
"You're just looking like your dad. You first stood up and started talking, how I then tried to educate you, only for you to come back and do a grade K, handwriting, workbook, and now this. You are fascinating, son."
It was all wrong, yet it felt right, trying to save the earth but for my survival.
"I can do this too now, mom."
I jumped from Gohan's arms and landed on the metal floor. Me showing them that I could walk without much difficulty as I jumped high to punctuate. What Chi-Chi said struck my heart. I needed to show her this. I just had to.
Being engulfed with a hug, I returned it. We stayed like that for a while as Gohan, I think, was watching from behind. There was not much to say as I felt tingly inside.
Love.
"Mom?"
"Yes?"
"What if I told you I was training."
"Not shocking, Goten." It was Gohan's turn to answer. "You did jump meters high. It only fits the shoe you were training."
Right, I didn't consider it from that angle, but he was most definitely right.
"Mhm. If you want to train, you can. Just don't push yourself too hard, do it for me, ok?" She finished as I felt a hand on my head.
Well, that takes care of my problem of trying to train in secret.
"Thanks, mom!"
While I still couldn't thoroughly train with Gohan. I felt a lot better about the whole thing, feeling lighter with nothing to hide.
I jumped on my hands and proceeded to hand-stand and walk, no time to lose. But there was still a lingering question. I needed an answer too.
Was I falling for this family?
Yes, I was. Searching my feelings, it was undeniable.
I thought it would take a much longer time before. I could accept Chi-Chi, Grandpa, Gohan as part of my new life. I thought it would be impossible for me to be able to welcome them, anyone, the moment Chi-Chi gave me that hug after her earnest speech. It was clear now what I needed to do.
Earth or no, I was not going to let anything happen to this family.
Chi-Chi went off downstairs, somewhere around the house, but Gohan chose to stay. He just crouched there next to me and observed me into space, thinking about something or daydreaming.
Now, back to training, the pains in my arms were coming back to me. It was a lot cooler, though, like having an ice pack to your head over a burning sun only for the ice to melt away as it couldn't contend with the sun's might.
What would it have been like for me to fight? A battle in this verse against someone like, say, Frieza. What would I do? I've barely ever fought in my spent life. Now I would get strong here. Do I have the power to keep a fight going?
All I need to do is stay calm. Here I was thinking about fighting Frieza last time I checked. He was dead. It doesn't matter. By the time I'm done preparing. I'll be more than ready for him. I wasn't even aged, but I still felt I could be doing more. And I'm just sitting here comfortably in a home.
Yeah, I needed to stay calm.
"Gohan?"
I started getting ready to strike a conversation with my brother, well, if he was up for it. He had the experience. He had the help I needed. I don't think I could do this alone.
"Yeah, Goten."
I hesitated, almost forgetting I needed to choose my words carefully.
"When was your first real fight?"
There was a noticeable pause as Gohan began to think. Upside down, I corrected myself and began to look up to him for guidance. The pain felt irrelevant now as I wanted to know what he had to say. A pampered boy, till a battle-hardened kid, I almost smiled at the fond memories I had from watching the series. He was a character that ended up not being appreciated, going on to be a scholar rather than a fighter fans wanted him to be.
"Well, Goten, it happened when I was five." He shot a smile at me.
"We had to defend the earth against the Saiyans, Vegeta, and Nappa; those two were the strongest beings we've ever faced back then. Especially Vegeta."
It felt like a magical moment, the story coming from the actual character, the real character. Back then, a power level of 10,000 was considered crazy. Now this Gohan could probably kill them with nothing but a breath.
Now my older brother.
"We had to train to fight them, and even after all that training. I was scared, Goten."
That sounds about right. Gohan was only a kid who had the fate of the world to rest on his shoulders. Pressure to deal with coupled with the fact that it was his first real fight.
"Wow."
I said in awe. That was genuine. Despite Gohan's circumstances, he came in clutch for the victory against the Saiyans. It might not have been his actions or will. Gohan still did it.
I think this is the part where I asked the questions, not that it would have mattered if I didn't do so, but it would provide an in for how I knew certain characters like Nappa.
"Did you train by yourself?" I asked.
"No, I had a teacher. He's big and green; his name was Piccolo. He trained me. I think of him as my uncle."
"How is he green?"
"He's a Namekian. Namekians think of them as green humans. They originate from planet Namek. Why Piccolo is here and not on Namek is an interesting case."
It sure was and a long story on top of it.
"The Saiyans, are there more of them?"
"Hmm, as far as I'm concerned, there are no more Saiyans out there. Evil Saiyans, because Goten, we're Saiyans too."
"We're Saiyans?"
"Mhm. But we're not pure. We're hybrids."
I flipped over onto my hands. I tried to ignore how cool it must've looked from another view of my own. I was able to time it right.
Right now, my arms have cooled a bit. It was time to continue another grueling training. I could continue to train now while having Gohan mask my meta-knowledge through his tales.
While that, it was also making me feel better about myself. If Gohan could do all that, then I should have nothing to worry about, nothing to lose, I hope.
"Hey Gohan, you got stronger through training, right?"
"Mhm."
"Are you going to keep training?"
He seemingly looked downwards as I continued my training. I continued to walk on my hands as if they were legs. I awaited his response. It was important for my fate and the earth's fate. I wanted to push him, but it was his choice. He had right.
"No, Goten, I won't. I've always wanted to be a Scholar, and that's what I'll be. We're at peace, little brother, nothing to worry about."
I wanted to tell him that it's not true, but once again, nothing. If there's one thing you learn very early in the Dragon Ball World, there's always a greater enemy than the last. Goku, a character that got so strong that the creator had to introduce gods.
And what stops there?
"Right, Gohan. I still want you to teach me, you know."
"Of course, I will."
###
I did not want this to happen, but inevitably it did. I was overwhelmed with everything that has happened to me today that it did not cross my mind. Too busy worrying about the future.
I had to lay waste, and while at it, urinate.
I sneaked outside through the door and traveled far. Right then and, there I did it, not wanting to let Chi-Chi know. I was mentally a grown man. If I couldn't do this, I will forever live in embarrassment. Done and satisfied, I was glad it went off without a hitch, not much trouble. Exactly what I wanted.
Inescapably, a mother will notice, but I doubt Chi-Chi would want to do this. Who would want to clean up after crap?
My arms were back to being sore, and I realized. If I kept training like this, the results would prove enormous, but if I stopped training and allowed myself to heal. I would grow more powerful, but I would need to train harder, is all.
Frankly, I couldn't keep hand-training. I wanted to keep trying new methods of getting stronger. Could I use my fingers? I was afraid of breaking them.
I would've been a normal baby if it wasn't for my energy. Sure the Saiyan Biology would've changed things a bit, but I would be drastically weaker. At most, without it, I would be a supersoldier, and that's it.
I was somewhat scared of doing actual physical exercise, pushups, and the like, me being able to stand being a gamble that had worked. I could so try it for hand-to-arm training.
I felt like I was missing something, something important. As frustrating as it was, there was nothing I could do about it. It would come to me at a later date, or it won't.
Simple as that.
I think, for now, I deserve a break. I wanted to try telekinesis. It was an attractive power and very useful, one day, I will be lazy to get the remote, and I could use the force to bring it towards me. How cool would that be? And I would be training my Ki as I did it, killing two birds with one stone. Maybe, maybe then, I could then try my hand at sensing Ki. It was also an invaluable power.
Could I be able to sense Dragon Balls? Hmm.
"Mom, I'm going to try and use my energy again!"
"Ok, honey. After this, you're going back to studying, am I clear?"
"Yes, mother."
Now how was I going to go about using my telekinetic ability? The answer sounded too simple for my tastes to concentrate hard and throw one of my tiny arms out.
And it didn't show promise.
Yet maybe I was overthinking things. Often the answers to complex ideas are always the simple ones.
Around the room, I was trying to find something to test on. In the end, maybe me being too careful or not, I was guaranteed no repercussions if I took things outside. I snuck through the main door of the house again, carefully closing it; I felt the fresh air breezing through my face.
Looking at the lush green that surrounded me, I picked a leaf from a tree and focused. I threw my right hand out to mime the motion.
I received nothing.
A little too fast there, buddy.
I drew out my Ki, and as I felt the hand was unnecessary, discharged it at the tip of my index finger. It came out in a wave pattern around my finger, and then I knew what I had to do. It was on instinct like I had done this many times before.
I stared at a leaf, my energy trekking and encompassing it. I felt it out as if it was a part of me and with movement from my finger. It was plucked off from that tree and floating there in the air, looking as if the wind was making it fly.
Fantastic.
I continued to move my finger around, the leaf following wherever I pointed. My eyes were acting as the connection signal and my finger as the transmitter of what to do.
Could it be done with simply my mind? That sounded ironic.
Turning over the connection signal to my brain turned out to be effortless. My eyes were more to give me an idea and to mime the motion. Once you knew how it works. It was like turning over your controller for a new one.
Now my brain was the connection signal, and my finger remained the transmitter. To be ensured, I kept my eyes closed as I kept moving my finger around. I got an image of the leaf so vivid in my head. I might as well have kept my eyes open, but common sense told me it had been an act of my first ever telekinesis with my ki linking it.
I opened my eyes to find the results pleasing. It did move.
Trying to do it with just my head, I dropped the transmitter, my index finger down. Relinking it back to the leaf, and without really doing anything, it moved up on its own, on my subconscious.
It felt like breathing. It's not something you think about; you do.
I became hyperactively excited that I got this down, according to my memories. It was nothing to be proud of; Dragon ball Characters displayed power like nothing. What was impressive is if you could develop your Telekinesis your Psychic Powers into something prominent. Like General Blue able to freeze Goku by staring at him hard.
What came next was a series of drills on the power. I went from a single leaf to a cluster, then slicing it down into gritty little bits after more experience. I came to realize that when I first started using the ability. I had been doing it with my mind all along. I was showing it physically, as telekinesis is mental power.
I left it a mess, looking at the front yard. Would it now be a good time for me to send a blast? Hell, yeah.
I charged up a blast in the palm of my right hand naturally, taking note of the process and the sound that accompanied it. I wonder if there was a way to mute it. Aiming at the teared-up bits of leaves, I looked up at the trees that once housed them. They would grow back, I think.
I fired.
I sat there and watched as my blast ripped through the leaves with no effort, watching it disintegrate before my very eyes. It was breath-taking, eye-catching, looking at the ground. The grasses were gone. In their place stood charred black dirt.
While the leaves, I was sure of their return, the grasses not so much.
I opened the door as quietly as I could and made my way back into the house.
It was time to do a little studying and then back to practice with Ki.
###
On the hard Wooden Floor again, I was doing math.
It consisted of me having to do the basics all over again, of course. I learned how to write the number 4, then count, then writing out the letters of 4. Shapes were what followed, me having to poll the patterns and color them.
I was under the watchful eyes of Chi-Chi at least now I can show her that this was all me and that I wasn't somehow cheating. Wait, can I even cheat here?
"You know, mom. I don't need your help. I can do this on my own."
Man, I don't think I can ever get over how child-like I sounded.
"I know, son. I can't believe your this smart."
The workbook ended up being 60 pages, skimming through as fast as I can for training. I handed the workbook to my mother by my newly founded power. I told myself that I wasn't going to keep secrets, tricking myself that I wasn't showing off.
"Here, Mama."
She took it off from the air. I had to remember that I was still a baby and pulling moves like these off.
"Now you can move things with your mind?"
I nodded my head.
"When I learn how to fly, I'm going to teach it to you."
Flying was a skill that even a monkey would realize they had to learn. While Chi-Chi had her reasons and someone like Bulma did too, you never know when the reason you lived was that you could fly.
Besides, I could think of many different scenarios where flight would come in handy, not for merely saving you.
"That's cute, Goten, but I don't want to fly. I'm perfectly capable of handling myself."
I expected as much. Chi-Chi was pretty much the strongest woman on the planet. But she had to learn how to fly. It was simply another invaluable power.
"C'mon, mom. If you can fly, think about the things. You can do."
"Nuh-uh."
"Please?"
"Nope," arms crossed against her chest, mom looked uninterested.
Not even a scant ounce of her wants to attempt flying? It was a power I'm sure others would leap at if given. Chi-Chi was a real fighter before she had to know, a handy ability when told one, wait a minute.
I squinted my eyes up at her, and she looked down at me. She brought both arms down to her sides like an angry kitten.
"What I said no!"
"You're afraid of heights, aren't you, mama."
"No, that's not true!"
I smirked at her. Yeah, it was true. But not entirely the reason why she didn't want to fly. She wanted to be a housewife. Settle down with Go-, I mean, dad and live a happy life. To her, if she learned flight, it was like a spit in the face.
"Yes, mommy, you are."
"So what, if I'm afraid of heights, it doesn't change anything."
I thought about what more to say to get her to try flying, but nothing seemed to work. Her family has been flying for years, and she just stood by and watched it all. It was never the idea of living an ordinary life. No one ever gave her the push to do it. She just never found a reason to.
Honesty was the best policy right now.
I stood up and walked, resting my hands on her lap.
"Mom, I want you to fly because I care about you. I want you to be with me when I fly."
Chi-Chi looked down at me as I kept looking up at her. She was trying to find the right words to express her thoughts, but nothing would come out. Patiently, I waited. If she still chose not to fly, it was nothing to cry over. I tried. There was a quiet sigh that turned into a small smile.
Mom started caressing my right cheek.
"Fine, I'll do it. You're lucky. I love you too much."
Thank you, mom.
I hug her, and she hugs me back. I was proud. I had been able to convince her, but I wasn't proud that no one in my family had tried teaching her flight. I couldn't get mad, Gohan only trained to protect his world, and after that, he wanted to live a quiet life. Goku was more of a person that if you suggest an idea to him, he'll consider it and say it's a great idea, and if you don't. The thought won't cross him.
"You're still not afraid of heights, are you?" I pressed. I was not going to let this down. Not by a longshot.
"Hmph."
I grinned and hopped away.
"Don't be so mad. You are going to prove to me that you're not afraid of heights, right, mom?"
I practically gloated. Now I needed to put the money where my mouth is and prove to myself; that I wasn't afraid of heights. I remember going to six flags and went on one of the rides. One ride, I never rode another again. Was it because of the screaming, or was it the worry that turned into fear, the coaster taking us up and knowing what would come next as it would take us down?
"Yeah, yeah. You better be a good teacher, little boy."
We'll see about that; I couldn't be that bad at teaching. I hope. And if the technique is simple, then what was there to teach?
After waiting for mom to get occupied, I made my way to the door again. I carefully opened it, making sure there were no groans from it, realizing I forgot to close it. Good thing there weren't any dangerous predators around or any "interested" neighbors. But what could've they done against Gohan or Chi-Chi?
I stood outside, taking in the scenery again. My eyes followed what I did earlier, finding charred black dirt and the tree with no housed leaves. Despite that, it didn't detract from its beautiful scenery. But I didn't stop there.
Jumping to the round white roof, I observed, really taking it in. I saw cliffs, plains, roads, and a sea of green everywhere. Continuing the search, there it was, Grandpa Gohan's hut. I knew for sure that it was housing a certain Dragon Ball, and I've never really seen one. Maybe in the shows but palpable?
Dragon Balls made consequences; to be ignored; if it wasn't for such tools. We would've seen Dragon Ball in its credits scene. It was what kept the series going, and yet, it was what made blood and death not be much of a shock. Why weep for something you know is coming back or isn't dead. There was an afterlife.
Still, there was an actual dragon ball just forests away. One that I've never seen before with my very eyes.
Not being able to resist my curiosity, I jumped down and jumped my way to the hut, clearing ground than running or walking. It looked the same as it did in the series.
With a few amenities here and there, the place looked renewed, clean. From the entrance, I could practically hear the orange glow humming ominously. It brimmed with power, energy. There it was, the four-star dragon ball.
It was beautiful.
Using telekinesis, I brought the Dragon Ball over to me, feeling it in my tiny hands. It bored deep into my eyes, and I shook my head to lose the hypnotic trance I found myself into; it felt alive. Which did not disappoint for a living dragon created by Kami, but the Dragon Balls on its own felt alive, its entity by itself.
Walking forward, I put the dragon ball back on its resting place again, taking a last look at it before closing the doors to the hut. If I ever needed a quiet place, a place where I wouldn't get distracted, a place to rest, this is where I would find myself.
I hopped onto the roof of Grandpa Gohan's hut now instead of my home. I sat cross-legged, contemplating how I would go about flying. I knew I would have to manipulate my energy to do it, but what does that even mean?
I remember Gohan explaining how you needed to push your latent energy beneath you to levitate to fly. Not shooting off your Ki literally through your legs, though I wonder if that was possible, but just directing the flow of energy to your legs. It was like a motor or helicopter pushing air down to ascend.
Was that it? If one showed proper training with Ki, it wouldn't be just the Z-Fighters who could fly.
I stood up and kept my eyes closed. There was also the idea, I could use telekinesis on myself, and while it could work, it just wouldn't be the proper way to fly. It would be a pseudo-version of flight, but I would keep it at the back of my mind, a list of ideas to try.
I felt out my Ki, pushing the energy beneath me as I started to levitate. Slamming it even harder to move higher up into the sky, so this was levitation, but what about actual flight?
I slammed my ki towards my back while I kept it at my legs, and I started moving forward, flying. Everything felt natural from here on out, like with telekinesis, as if I had done this many times. I was flying. I felt free, the air breezing through my face as I flew across the skies but careful not to go too far out from where I lived.
It was wonderful. I did maneuvers and tricks. I felt excited, and I could go even faster than this, releasing the concentrated masses of energy from my body by powering up. With a white aura covering me, I flew faster than before. All the while, screaming.
"Ya-hoo!"
Now I needed to conquer the one fear that came with flying.
Heights.
I looked down to see I was meters up into the sky, around 40 meters from the roof of Grandpa Gohan's hut. I should be fine. I kept telling myself. As long as nothing happens with my energy, then I really should be fine.
Just like telekinesis. It felt like breathing when flying.
What was not like breathing was subconsciously looking down to know how safe you were.
I was not safe.
I was panicking.
"Ok, calm down. You can do this," I told myself repeatedly. If everyone else could do it, then I can too. No, I had to do this. It wasn't a choice here.
I flew higher and higher up, watching the ground shrink in size and then sinking, watching it expand. It was like playing with a sphere toy spreading it, and then sinking it in on itself. I felt a lot home flying over grass and trees than on concrete and road. What was there to catch me if I fell?
Eventually, I started flying even higher and even moving forward, then back to the ground as I wanted to play it safe. I still felt it was not going to be enough. It was like cooking the same recipe, then making your own, and on the spot. I was merely flying to instruction than flying unconcerned.
I had to do better than that.
I started flying with no aim but remained aware of how far I was from home. At one point, I found myself looking down at a sea of trees, then next right over the plains, and so on. I would close my eyes. Keep moving and then open them.
I was exploring the limits of Mount Paozu, getting used to the surrounding area but not on foot. I was like a hawk, and when there were birds, I'd go and greet them. They either flew away, thinking I was a predator, or stayed believing that I was one of their own and meant no harm. There were a few genuinely intelligent birds, not as if they already weren't. But brainy enough that when I try to communicate with them, they knew what I was saying, merely showing physical responses and chirps at me to show they understood.
I decided to follow two birds, curious to know where they went and so that I can master my fear of heights. They did as orderly birds, or at least I thought, was normal did. They swooped down and ate insects. While I'm pretty sure I heard from somewhere that insects gave protein. I will never eat them. The grossness and my fear of infections gave way.
After watching the Birds eat and me exploring the animals that lived here. They flapped their wings and started to move on, nearly leaving me behind to my daydreaming. As they ate, all I've seen so far around were deer, white-spotted deers that just stared at me curiously. I wasn't worried as I knew they were docile creatures at heart, and if I stayed calm and did not make a scene, everything should be fine.
Getting off the tree, I was leaning on, with my right foot tucked onto the stump of the tree. I moved quickly to the skies for those birds.
They kept moving and moving, and while it was fun seeing my fair share of animals in the wild. I didn't know my way around too well, and the house. I lived in was shrinking from view as I turned my head over my back with my two fists protruding forward.
Another time maybe? If I ever see those two again.
I powered up and flew back. The house, coming back to view. I looked down at the sea of green, really taking note of how fast I was true, but I could see it becoming a problem. If I flew too swiftly, I wouldn't be able to see. Imagine that in a fight, a punch coming too fast despite me being the stronger man.
I couldn't rely on just my eyes for information.
I stopped flying, levitating, having an idea of how to fix this problem.
Feeling my Ki, I bolster it throughout my body, seeing a familiar white aura blanketing me and then fading away. All this time, I've been using my powers like an off-and-on switch, then me keeping it on and maintaining it. My energy, being used for a specific move and area of my body. It needed to be throughout my complete form.
I started flying again, but it felt different. Regularly I would feel my body and the power coursing through me, but it was simply there and not being used, hidden. Now it felt like I have broken a dam, and water was greedily rushing through to escape. I felt energized, reborn. My body feeling amplified with unreal reactions. How have I not done this before?
Looking down at the sea of green again, I got my desired results.
It was as if someone had just put youtube on 0.25x playback speed if focused. When fixating on something, time would seem to slow down and then removing your gaze. It all felt back to routine, the traditional playback speed on youtube.
Most powers were going to be effortless, at least with Ki. They were all under the same principle, a Kamehameha Wave, simply discharging Ki with a pose, like the Galick Gun and the Final Flash. All the same. Not because I knew what it was, it was also because I was a Saiyan-Human Hybrid, just easier for me to channel Ki than it would be with a Human.
In the wise words of Vegeta, "If there's one thing I learned from this is that I am a freaking genius."
Feeling eager to test out; my newfound strength, I flew low to the ground and like a speeding bullet. I smashed my fist through rock, shattering it into pieces. I was invincible.
My speed didn't slow, moving from rocks to trees to even the ground when I found no targets that left a crater. I ended up having to stop knowing that I was disturbing wildlife.
But I wasn't done.
I started dodging trees for flight practice. The ones that did have life, a bird or a squirrel per se, only motivated me; to not fail. And when I couldn't dodge in time. Oh well. Let's hope no lives were lost.
Flying over the sea of green again, I looked down. There was no fear.
Had I conquered it?
Right now. I was calm and collected, and it felt shallow. I was counting the feats that I pulled with my Ki.
Was it right for me to have a fear of heights? Maybe I was too hard on myself? I mean, without my Ki, I would be plummeting to my death. How can anyone not be scared of that?
My main goal had been to conquer the fear of heights that came with flying. Maybe I had conquered it already, and I was only in fear of my death.
###
I was finally back to the house, looking for another way to sneak in then going through the main door again. I had been lucky so far. How ridiculous I would be to keep hoping that it doesn't run out.
I flew over the round roof though I'm not sure if it's even a roof. Then down to the narrow side area. I found a window, and it was completely shut, not a loss.
I didn't want to go through the front door of the house again. I was considering the chimney, but the latter promised fire at the bottom of my briefs. And I wasn't sure if that was even a chimney.
With no choice, I moved for the door. Only to find it locked.
Time felt slow. I was on my own.
KNOCK
KNOCK
KNOCK
As soon as the door opened, I was greeted; by a hug from Chi-Chi. She had tears in her eyes, but it looked more out of joy than actual sadness. You could tell.
"Hey, mom," I started sheepishly. I did not know what to say. Sorry for destroying trees? Sorry for flying outside without letting you know?
"I can fly now, see!" But I was still thrilled, it was still recent, and I could not resist a good showing off. I was just happy.
"Are you hurt, Goten?" Mom started to inspect me as if I was at a doctor's appointment for a physical check-up.
"Mom, I'm fine, honest."
Allowing my mom to check on me, I stared inside the house. Observing the area, it looked like a mess, out of place. She had been searching for me hard, and I felt awful. My flight got sidetracked, but it felt right. Necessary that I had to do this. It was either; that or the world ended. That was my mentality. Surprising myself how far I am willing to go for the right reasons.
It was like swallowing a pill once you got past the bitter taste. Everything made sense of what you had to do.
Author's note: I had to write it. That's all, folks. Submino out.