The start of the Saiyaman Saga, or at least that's what the boy Goten had accurately predicted the day to be. It had been seven years now since his arrival to the Dragon Ball world. He had got entirely used and accustomed to the world. The boy had effectively seen it all and had believed that there was nothing that could surprise him.
During the Seven years, Goten had switched from that red book that had gotten filled. He had then moved on to writing different and other necessities. Goten had started writing on paper and then hung it around the upstairs room with no care to it. It was about What-If scenarios, for example, if Frieza had aimed at Goku on Namek with his death beam instead of firing at Krillin. Every What-if Scenario he could think of, but he had focused on the Buu Saga for the most part.
The red diary book that he had at the beginning? The honest answer was that he had lost it, not necessarily lost, but it is not needed anymore. It was somewhere around the house, but Goten was just admittedly lazy to find it. He considered it lost. The red diary book was more about the emotional support needed when first being here but after a while. It had helped him come to terms with his new life. After a fat minute, Goten had found it unnecessary to keep track of the things he does.
His mind had become a diary, speaking of his mind. His brain had evolved into something that of a Supergenius. There was nothing that he couldn't do.
Right now, on his bed, as he watched Gohan prepare for his first day in Orange Star Highschool, as soon as he was gone, Trunks was expected to show up. They were to play the many games, which Goten had made sure subsequently as training so that none of Trunks's time got wasted on something dumb. In all honesty, he was excited to meet Trunks again. He was simply refreshing.
Gohan was wearing his school uniform.
"Oh boy! First day of high school!" Gohan beamed. He was excited, always cooped up in the house. He gets to meet people around his age and hopefully keep his powers under wraps.
"Have fun!" Goten said with his words of encouragement. Despite being grown mentally, he still looked up to Gohan. He was a character come to life. Remember that.
"Oh, I will," Gohan smiled back at his younger brother and ruffled his hair. He wanted to give him as many thanks as the stars in the night sky, but Gohan thought it wouldn't be enough. Thanks to him, he had become the successor his father wanted him to be. Thanks to him, his confidence was at its peak. Thanks to him, he had become even more intelligent than he ever could studying by himself.
Goten smiled back and nodded. "You better come home. I still have yet to defeat you."
They have sparred many times, and despite it being just a spar. He couldn't keep up with Gohan, Gohan with training under seven years, was now far beyond anything Goten could even perceive. He had become even more buff, but his hair remained the same when first attending his high school.
Goten was just proud of him. He had changed him so much.
"We'll see about that, you little rascal." Gohan, walking downstairs, would leave for his school after ignoring the need for his breakfast, another thing or two he picked up from Goten.
Soon after a goodbye kiss from his mother, he was gone. With absolutely nothing else to do, Goten waited and waited, and then he heard sounds from the window upstairs. It was Trunks. He was waving at Goten while smiling. Happy to see his only and best friend. Soon enough, Goten joined Trunks in an instant outside his house. No protests from Chi-Chi as she had effectively permitted him to roam around the world freely.
Well, as long as his energy can get sensed.
"Let's fight!" Goten babbled.
"You always win." Trunks whined.
"I thought your dad was helping you out with that problem." Goten wanted to add was that he had even stopped training to lessen the gap between them. Not that it mattered, he had increased his strength as much as he could training. Training for the remaining amount of time Goten had left then enjoying the peace while could; be just obnoxious. He would've thought to keep training if he was still new back then; Piccolo and Popo had expressed the importance of rest to him. And if he was that desperate, he could always meditate or image practice.
Trunks were just perimeter control whenever they sparred, enough for him to not get weaker; but not enough for him to get stronger. Trunks were just feeble than him.
"But it's not enough." Trunks complained.
"Keep training?" Goten said as if the answer was obvious and elementary.
"Your annoying." It only brought a big grin to Goten's face. Yes, he was.
Trunks were 3'0 in height, and Goten was a measly 2'9. He was just behind, but that was to get expected for someone. Who was born a year late? It seems all the training he did over the seven years did nothing to change his height.
Goten had changed his outfit from wearing Gohan's old clothes when he was a kid to wearing a gi similar to his father. The only differences were the obvious ones, but instead of dark blue, it was a black long-sleeved undershirt with black shin guards and black training shoes. No socks in them, as he preferred not to have any. There was no symbol on his outfit, as he had three masters, Gohan, Piccolo, and Mr. Popo. Logically, Goten thought it would be correct to go with Mr. Popo. But he wasn't a teacher a servant, and even if he was didn't have a symbol. In the end, going without a logo was just easier to choose.
Trunks were the same as canon; there wasn't much difference, a dark green gi, orange belt, orange wristbands, golden boots. Those were the same as Future Trunks, as Gohan sometimes said when he thought Goten wasn't listening.
Goten thought about spying on Gohan in school. It was the next best thing he could think about while Trunks thought about bringing Goten to Capsule Corp. His mother always loved the extra hand, while Trunks just wanted to play video games.
They both decided against it. For Goten, it was a waste of time. For Trunks, his father hated the idea of his son doing anything other than training. The man practically lived in the Gravity Chamber.
"You still want to fight?" Goten suggested again.
Why does this girl keep staring at me? Gohan thought. On his way to school, he had stopped some crooks. And he had even turned Super Saiyan to hide his identity somewhat. But he bumped into that same girl staring at him right now, who had wanted to know what had happened to those crooks, but he had told her he didn't see what happened and then left. That should've been enough, correct?
So why was she still on to his ass? He had done nothing.
"You know," a blonde female started talking. "Videl is the daughter of Mr. Satan."
That made his jaw-drop.
"No way!" Gohan answered a bit too loudly, enough for the class to shush him up. His face became red as he looked away.
"You're the daughter of Mr. Satan?" Gohan sought further confirmation. Instead of her answering his question, she monologued out loud.
"You know that Golden Fighter wore the same clothes you're wearing right now." Videl interrogated. Gohan chuckled nervously. Yeah, he needed an actual disguise.
Vegeta was pissed. His son had just abandoned him and left to Kakarot's abomination of a son! Truthfully, Vegeta wasn't mad about Trunks leaving, but whenever someone had mentioned Goten. It always sent him into a rage fit, in private, of course. He had to play that evil brooding prince in public.
Kakarot's son was everything that his son wasn't. Genius, Powerful, Skilled! He could go on and on. It seems Kakarot was not only better at fighting but breeding too. Vegeta had never actually fought Goten before but has come down to see spars between him and Trunks. Every time, every win made by Goten. He was learning from him, as much as he hated to admit it. Indirectly, with the tactics deployed by Trunks against him. It was shaping him to be a better fighter. Kakarot and now Gohan, and now Goten, it was infuriating! Kakarot for all his glory! Gohan for all his strength! Goten for all his intellect!
Turning the Gravity to the required number, he had started with a few light punches and kicks, but that slowly turned into an intense training match. He had imagined himself fighting against Kakarot, but whenever he thought of an opening, Kakarot seemed to have made a new defense! He couldn't tell whether Kakarot was influencing his mind somehow, or he couldn't see himself winning!
"I have to train harder!"
Goten was dodging the rapid-fire beams that Trunks was firing. Goten had given Trunks an ultimatum. If he couldn't land a single hit on him, then he would need to hand over a video game for a week. It needed to be a hit, not just touches and grazes, like an actual ki blast or a punch. The fight would last until one of them said it was enough. It just needed to be long enough to qualify as a fight. Yes, Goten could play games now. Bulma had made a console superior to any on the market. However, Gohan, despite his curiosity, chose to stay away. Goten may not ever need to study, but he still did.
In North Valley, after a pre-match bow, the beginning of the fight was an exchange of blows, every kick, every punch. Goten either had a brilliant counter, or it was a simple dodge. Goten removed blocking from his dictionary. Why close off? What you are doing is giving an opponent the chance to find a breakthrough in your defenses. It was like hiding behind a wooden table and letting a guy fire a machine gun until one bullet eventually connected. There wasn't a problem with blocking, not everyone was a genius that always had a counter to everything, but the short answer was that he didn't need it.
Goten was beating Trunks black and blue in a straight melee that he had to resort to rapid Ki fire. He hadn't even grazed him! And that was proving to be a challenge as Goten just dodged and dodged. Goten could very effortlessly send one back and knock him unconscious. But it would be too easy. Goten was training Trunks. He wasn't trying to win the fight, and the ultimatum was just motivation. He could act on it, but he did not need it. He could visit Trunk's place. The kid had a collection of games.
Goten was slowly getting closer and closer to Trunks. Each dodge brought him closer to the young boy until Trunks had memorized his movements. It was all he needed, with one last beam. Trunks zipped as the wave forced Goten to dodge once again. The son of Vegeta would deliver a karate chop as soon as Goten finished his dodge at his neck. It got intended to knock him out. Trunks knew that if he failed, then this fight was decided.
With a shout, he swiped his hand at nothing but air. Goten had used the Zanzōken. Trunks turned his head as fast as he could behind him, but in the end, he already knew he was there. The action of turning his head soon got completed. Goten merely flicked his forehead with his index finger that sent Trunks pivoting down to the bottom of the Valley. Once he reached the ground. His body had dented the Earth, making a shaped crater of himself.
It was going to be a long wait.
Gohan was having a relatively good time in high school. The same blonde from earlier named Erasa seemed to have the hots for him. He was hoping for a girlfriend. He wasn't going to lie, but he didn't think the opportunity would show so soon. He hadn't even done anything of note, but he was more brainy than the entire school put together. Gohan thought that was what made her drawn to him so instantly. She was even flirting with him too. How easy.
Now it was gym class; this was what he had dreaded the most. There was no way he could be able to conceal his powers. Even the most experts of Martial Artists can't suppress their power that much. It was like trying to get a drop of water from an ocean with your bare hands. That was an impossibility. There was no way he could do it.
"I'm doomed."
To make matters worst, it was baseball. Dende must've hated him today!
Making his way to the lockers, he had changed his clothing with a quick pace after making sure no one was watching him. He was more worried about his powers getting discovered than his actual nakedness getting seen.
"Man, where is that kid?" Sharpner said impatiently. He wanted to get this game started. He wanted all to see what a nerd Gohan was. A Dork, who was weak. He had seen his muscular frame, but can he put it to use? He was out on the field, with his team ready!
I can't wait for this game, Videl thought in her mind. She had wanted to see what this new guy was all about. He had the impression that he was a nerd, but Videl was brainy than that. He had to be the gold fighter. He might even be the fighter back at the Cell Games. As she recalled, those fighters could change their hair from black to golden. It had to be him.
There was no way he could hide his abilities in this game!
Chi-Chi could sense the fight between Goten and Trunks had reached its conclusion, with Goten being the Victor as usual. She really couldn't be surprised. What was he not good at doing? That's her boy making her proud.
Gohan was making her just as proud. Not only was he able to pick up the torch that Goku passed on to him, but he was going to school. He couldn't stay home all the time, studying and never really experiencing the world. Well, if she was being honest, the only reason why she sent Gohan to school was that he had nothing to learn any more at home. The school was just the extra credit, the Trophy after the finish line, the race. But she wouldn't let him know that. With Gohan at school, his brain would get filled to the brim with knowledge as it could get.
"If only Goku could see them now." She thought happily.
Goten had been meditating. Trunks had been sleeping, was Goten's way of saying he got knocked out. Eventually, he would awaken, probably with a sore back. How many times had he lost?
"Uh." Trunks grunted, eventually coming to his senses. Trunks then suddenly sprouts, ready as if he was waking to a storm. It then registers in his mind that he had lost. Of course, he did! Just more training for him.
"So, now do you want to come to my place and play some Videogames!" He says excitedly, removing the idea that he had lost. Trunks had not been concerned with training; he saw it as homework. He didn't feel the weight of the world on his shoulders. He had no idea how soon his powers were going to come into play to fight a certain someone.
However, Trunks might not even need it all. Gohan had trained for the past seven years. His power alone should be enough to handle Buu.
"Sure." Goten had nothing to lose.
They flew away to Capsule Corp, northwest from here with binding speeds. Goten had stopped worrying about Buu. He had done it all in preparation. Now he hoped fate would judge him in his favor. Well, if the Z-Fighters couldn't defeat Buu. They would have to convince him. He wasn't evil, just misguided, the fat version, that is.
"I'm picking the game this time, all right?" Goten concluded.
"Fine." Trunks grinned.
Bulma racked through many of her projects in her jumpsuit as she wanted to make another Invention. She was doing this not only for herself, but she wanted to test the limits of her brainpower and get even astute. Contrary to popular belief, the brain was like a muscle. You keep training it. It gets powerful. You need to focus on specific meat as you can't simply work out and expect every muscle to receive the same growth. Just like with the brain, you can only train yourself to know one specific study at a time. Eventually, as you focus on other studies, the study that you did before begins to fade.
Bulma, however, did not have those limitations. Everything she did, she remembered it all, and as she did again, was made powerful.
"Thanks to you, Goten. I've never been more motivated to learn in my entire life!" Bulma cried out.
The day she lost to Goten in chess was a wake-up call. There were other people out there smarter than she could ever hope to be. Far younger and were fine-tuning those skills. She only happened to know about Goten because he was the son of a friend who was the wife of a friend that was her greatest best friend.
BANG!
Bulma only groaned. She knew that dreaded sound anywhere; the gravity room got busted up again! Vegeta was ridiculous. But also her evil prince charming.
She wasn't the only person that was motivated. Ever since Vegeta heard about Goten's enormous strength, the man had to train even crazily than before. It only skyrocketed when Gohan started training again. She and Vegeta didn't think the boy would practice. But she should've known better than to doubt the successor of Son Goku.
Looking down at her work, she had been trying to build a Time Machine. It was a challenge, ok? But it would come in handy if she did succeed, however, and now knowing about the real dangers of Time Travel, thanks to her Future Son. It would be a last-ditch effort. If she had to admit, seven years of peace had made things stale. Frieza, Cell, King Piccolo; were the happiest days of her life! Well, she wouldn't call it the happiest days of her life, more like thrilling! Yes, that's the word.
"Now, where is that map." Bulma thought out loud.
Unlike her Future's Son Time Machine that was a one-seater, she wanted her Time Machine to be able to hold a group together. It looked more and more like a space car, if anything, not an actual "Time Machine." Hey, she liked it, and that's what mattered. It was black with the Capsule Corp logo on it. Yes, it will pay tribute to remember who the maker is. It was a delicate lady herself. To be a perfectionist, she decided to add her face to it. It wasn't capsule corp the company that made it! Much, much better.
Vegeta was laid at the bottom of his Gravity Chamber, busted from working it to death. Now he was near deceased himself. When he got done training, he had sensed his son and Kakarot's son were coming to the Capsule Corp. Damn, he didn't think his son was coming back so soon, and now he was in no condition to train him. How annoying.
"Bulma, I need assistance!" He called out. Yes, he can't move at all.
Realizing that his wife hadn't answered his calls only meant; that she couldn't hear him. He was on the top floor of the Capsule Corp house.
"Ok." Vegeta calmly replied.
He closed his eyes and went to bed. Sooner or later, Bulma would find him sooner or later, and then everything would be fine; if not, then he would have at least recovered just enough to be able to move.
Gohan was now out on the field with his schoolmates. Having been told by the gym coach that they'd be playing baseball, he knew what it was. He didn't think that he'd ever play it. He was too powerful for that game. The only way to play baseball is by having a team equally as powerful or suppressing his power. The latter was impossible.
Sharpner couldn't wait to watch this kid lose as he was getting honest with himself. He didn't hate him nor dislike him. He was just incredibly entertaining since he was fresh, and it would be funny to watch him get killed in the field.
"You can have him. I just remembered my team is full." Sharpner left no room for argument to Videl. It was his game, and he planned on winning.
"You didn't even let me choose!" Videl barked.
"Weren't you staring at brain kid today? I just gave you your chance to get closer to him." Sharpner smirked. He was very observant, but he had assumed that Videl was staring at Gohan just out of spite. New kids always had it rough when they've arrived at school incredibly late with the school grade.
"Fine." Videl reluctantly accepted, she was already trying to figure out who that gold fighter is and Gohan was either him or just a clue to finding out.
Gohan had ignored all of this. His mind was racing about what to do with his powers but in the end. He had accepted his fate. He would try not to do anything drastic on accident.
"Don't look down on him. He's smart. He can think of something, right, Gohan?" Erasa supported.
"Yes, I'll think of something." Gohan smiled.
"You're going on the right field," Videl commanded as Team Captain. It was the best she could manage for him without putting her team in jeopardy. It would also make sure he learns the game. It was so that next time when they had baseball. She wouldn't have to put him on the right field.
"You do know what it is, right?" Videl questioned.
"The field on the right? right?" Gohan said his answer that made Videl collapse to the ground comically. Well, that was what the right field was about, but she wasn't expecting a plain answer like that. A more sports answer was what she wanted.
"All right guys, to your positions!" The Coach said.
Everyone did as instructed, and Gohan moved far into the right field. As the game progressed, Gohan had caught every ball that got batted into the sky. He wasn't jumping feet into the air. He just waited until the ball was going to hit the ground, and then he caught it. Nothing out of the ordinary, right?
So Brain boy was not as bad as Sharpner. Originally, thought. Maybe next time. The next time Sharpner had to choose teams again, Sharpner will pick him, but no matter. He was the secret weapon of his team. Sharpner decided to cut in very early to bat. Two was already out, but he was going to at least make a home run before the teams switched. He was going to bat a ball that there was no way Gohan was going to catch.
Yes, we are doing well so far. Erasa was right; he wasn't bad. He was the reason the team was doing great. I can finally put Sharpner in his place! Videl giggled.
Luck would have it. Videl was going to pitch, and it was already Sharpner's turn to bat. Gohan already knew that that ball was going sky-high.
"Geez," Gohan said quietly.
"You're going to lose Sharpner." Videl declared.
"In your dreams." Sharpner shot back.
Videl pitched, and Sharpner was able to hit the ball. Gohan was for a moment surprised by the fury of Videl's pitch. Still, it was as if watching a Turtle makes its way to the sea. It was simply slow to him.
Yes, Sharpner thought in his mind. That went too well, for him but what can he say. Videl was a pretty good pitcher. It worked in his favor, ironically.
"Too easy," he thought. He ignored everyone's cheers and ran as fast as he could, even if his victory had already gotten secured.
Everyone watched the ball and at binding speeds. Gohan had caught it. He had briefly contemplated whether he should let the ball fly out of the field but changed his mind. Gohan was not about to let his team lose because he was afraid of showing off his powers. Videl was going to be on to him after this game. It was his problem. It was his game to win.
"No way!" Sharpner yelled.
"How?" Videl thought out loud.
The guy is out on third base! Gohan thought quickly. Gohan is about to get two outs in one game? Now this game is going too well for him. Gohan hadn't registered that the guy out on the third base hadn't returned because he was too in shock. Everyone was, as they witnessed, Gohan's feat.
"Third Baseman catch!" Gohan threw the ball as slow as he could. It looked like he had launched a missile. Still, the Third base guy caught it, and the runner that was on third was out.
"Let's go!" Gohan thought with a smile. He was ignoring the shocked expressions of his team and his opponents alike. It was pretty fun watching them all shocked like that.
"Wow, you're an amazing kid!" The coach said. "How did you do it?"
Gohan thought and came up with a quick response. He needed to thank Vegeta for this later as he finished his thought.
"Push-ups, sit-ups, and plenty of juice!" The best part was that he wasn't lying!
"Yeah, you must've worked hard to pull off a jump like that." The coach thought it wasn't that hard to believe. Someone with enough workouts can be able to do that. The Tenkaichi Budokai was an actual thing, no matter how much Hercule Satan would call it tricks and magic. In this timeline, Gohan never said the shoes. The Coach didn't believe it was the shoes.
Now that Sharpner was gone, the teams switched. It had been his turn to bat. Naturally, since he was new and had done so well on the right field, it had to be him.
"Brain kid, made me look a fool? I'm going to destroy him in this next pitch." Sharpner said in his mind. He was going to embarrass him as he did to himself!
"He can't be the golden fighter this morning, right?" Videl couldn't stop thinking about the jump Gohan made. It was just unreal. No one other than her dad should be able to jump that high!
"After this game, I'm going to find out, Gohan." Videl thought out loud with a mischievous smirk. She was the daughter of Mr. Satan. There was nothing she couldn't do.
"Find, who out?" Erasa cut in with a small smile.
"Nothing." Videl was quick to answer.
Goten had arrived at Trunk's home. Well, Goten would call it a mansion than a home because that's what it is. They went upstairs and started playing video games, well any, videogame, that Trunks wanted to play. Goten didn't care.
Trunks had picked out a car racing game and raced Goten to prove his superiority in this game. Yes, Goten had beaten him in this game many times, and every other play they touched together.
Trunks were secretly hoping that Goten would forget about the ultimatum that Goten had made. Trunks hadn't considered the idea that it wasn't the brightest idea to do an activity in which the demand got involved.
"Damn, why can't I beat you!" Trunks whined for what seemed like, well, all you need to know was that number of times Trunks complained was huge.
"Well, you need to understand the mechanics of the game." Goten wisely responded. To him, it wasn't a simple who drives faster than the other wins. There were factors in the game and exploited correctly. It will lead to an inevitable victory.
"I can teach it to you-"
"Save it! I don't want to learn."
And that's why you will never win, Goten thought quietly.
"I can't wait to roast you, kid." Sharpner thought out loud, but in truth, Gohan had surprised him heavily. He was a great right fielder, and he could jump very high. That had to be record-breaking, right? Are there any other Olympians that could perform a prodigious jump like that?
"But I do have to admit. I underestimated you, Gohan." Sharpner smirked.
"You sure did," Gohan smirked in agreement. He wasn't the wrong person. Once again, he was just new. He could understand that.
"Bat this!" Sharpner yelled as he threw the baseball with all his might. But after when he had thrown the ball, instant regret came upon his face as Gohan just smirked. This time around, he batted the ball away with all his might that sent it rocketing to the sky.
"Incredible." Sharpner thought with shocked eyes.
"Unreal," Videl added in her two cents.
"I told you he'd come up with something," Erasa said smiling, seemingly ignoring the impossible feat that Gohan had just pulled.
'Bizarre' Videl kept her thoughts to herself as she just sat there and stared hard at Gohan. All her theories had gotten light to them. Gohan was the golden warrior. But how was she going to prove it? That's the question? He could very well just say that he is just another powerful guy.
Gohan had caught the light of her staring. But didn't make any changes in his expression of body and face. He only kept his Pokerface. Yes, he had committed an impossible feat. Was he ashamed? No. He couldn't hide it even if he tried. If he could bust an entire Galaxy? It was like trying to hide an elephant.
If Gohan hadn't thought that her staring had been a result of his feat, he would've thought that she had a crush on him.
'Geez, I hope that didn't kill them.' Gohan thought.
Piccolo had been training hard as well. Gohan and Goten were the sizable motivational factors for his training. They were like two of his boys, crafting them from the ground up to surpass his strength. He wasn't like Vegeta that always wanted to be the top dog, the strongest Saiyan in the universe as he would proclaim. Piccolo knew that one day, he would die and that the younger generation would need to take his place and so forth. It was natural. It was life.
Piccolo also needed to make sure that any new future threats that showed up would be dealt with quickly. A happy life for his boys was what he wanted. Gohan had suffered enough, and he didn't wish Goten to follow his path.
Goten. He really couldn't say the name without feeling animosity, no matter how many times he wanted to lower his guard around the kid. There was always a looming sense of a watchful eye on him. Like a god that knows all there is to know about him. And yet still watches for simple entertainment. He really couldn't describe it yet, but that was his best summary of how he felt.
He didn't hate Goten at all. However, there was always something off about him; even Dende had sensed something off about him. Instead of the animosity he felt, Dende had felt as if he didn't belong in this world, as if he wasn't supposed to exist in the first place. Like a glitch in the matrix, a virus in the game! Piccolo and Dende equally thought that he was an abomination, in a good and yet bad sort of way.
Piccolo was in Kami's Lookout, fighting and training amongst himself. He had separated and made a clone and then proceeded to fight himself. It was a prime workout. Not only could he improve his skills this way, but it was also a force of growth. He was guaranteeing an improvement. The best way to grow was to learn from yourself after all, but Piccolo would admit that he only did this because no one else could spar with him. Goku is dead; Gohan had his studies now. Goten, while brilliant, would only be a training session than an actual spar; if Piccolo needed to, he could win easily.
Vegeta, on the other hand, had always been chasing Kakarot. And that ironically was why he was poor. It was like trying to copy how someone sang, which by the way, do not sing around Piccolo. No matter how hard you tried, it just wasn't quite the same, and Vegeta still hasn't learned this yet. His obsession had only increased ever since Goten had introduced himself.
Piccolo would admit it would be funny to watch him outdone by a kid. But he shouldn't be talking. Gohan was once better than him ever since his fight with Raditz. Back then, he would have cared about Gohan's strength, but as he is now? He was old and has understood the errors of his ways.
Piccolo fought against his clone with such fury, fully intent on beating himself. The clone seemingly knew everything himself was going to perform and vice versa. It was like looking at a mirror, but how much can it copy before it does something unexpected.
They each hadn't used Ki Blasts as it would be too risky to have a stray Ki Blast hit Kami's Lookout, so it was melee all around. Piccolo fought and fought and fought. Each time whenever he thought he had gained the upper hand, it had always been a fluke, just simply getting unlucky. Yes, you can get unlucky in fights too, a higher power level means you are superior. But that doesn't mean you win the battle. Piccolo was well-aware that if you thought wrong, you could lose. The last thing he needed to be was Frieza, and be so focused on torturing people with his attacks then killing his foes. That was why he lost, no secret there. This idea wasn't something to rely on; it was just something to consider. Rarely does this ever work; his win against Raditz back then was a once-in-a-lifetime.
After a time of fighting, neither could defeat the other. Piccolo resigned and merged with himself again, becoming whole. It was also a surreal experience, separating and then combining. It was like losing an arm and then getting it back. It felt like having an extra arm than you had.
Piccolo has used Kōsoku Idō and was right back on the Lookout. His feet touched the tiled floor. It was peaceful living up here, there was no one to bother him, and all he had to do was sleep, drink, train. Yes, as a Namekian, he only needed water to survive.
Mr. Popo was watering the garden as a faithful attendant, and Dende was doing his duty watching over the Earth. Piccolo only raised his legs into the air as he mimed the motion as if he was sitting but on air. He closed his eyes and meditated. Sleep was useless now as this also replenished his strength.
Goten had mastered this way of meditation quickly. And with encouragement from his younger brother and himself, Gohan achieved the same thing. Now, whenever they had trouble sleeping, and if they were looking for a way to train. They can use this form of meditation and rest and grow powerful simultaneously. It will increase their lifeforce in extension to their power level.
Piccolo smirked at the thought as he, too, meditated.
"Vegeta? Did you have to train this hard again?"
Bulma looked at the sleeping form of Vegeta. He was, well, sleeping. There was not much more to say than that. Other than looking at his sweaty body, which did turn her on. There was no way she could carry him. She was a delicate woman, as she would proclaim. She had one of her robots do it for her.
She had him laid on their kingsized bed upstairs! And then left him to sleep properly, he would awaken and hopefully not try to pull that stunt again! On the way down from her kingsized bed, she had run into Goten and Trunks playing games.
She wasn't one for playing games, but it was damn near annoying watching her son lose to her friend's son. When was he ever going to win? Bulma guesses she understood Vegeta a little better, but only a little bit.
Bulma made a mental note to challenge Goten to Chess whenever she found herself open again.
"Wake up!" Trunks said to Goten, who had fallen asleep. Goten had told Trunks to learn the Mechanics of the game by himself if he refused to learn it from him and Trunks accepted the challenge. Goten never said anything about himself going to sleep! He never took him seriously!
Goten either didn't hear him or just ignored him because he remained asleep, there was not much for him to do here, and all of that just made him go to sleep. It was boring beating Trunks in-game all day. A fight was where he wanted.
Goten didn't enjoy fighting, but he had learned to enjoy it. It was well all he did that gave his existence any meaning. That was the point of the dragon ball, behind all the pointless games and tech-savvy work. Fighting was the real thing, but Goten fought to survive and nothing more.
Trunks just gave up and allowed him to sleep. He went and visited his mother wherever she was by sensing her Ki.
"I guess I can see what mom has been up to with her Time Machine."
Chi-Chi was content with her life. There was nothing more she wanted to do now. She could go ahead and gather the Dragon Balls and wish back Goku, but she knew he wouldn't like that no matter how forgiving he was.
She had made herself a cup of coffee and drank it. Peacefully while going back to reading history, she had made her life all about learning and being in her feminine and yet masculine when the situation called for it, frame.
She sat on the couch as the day was starting to dim if one had not gotten focused on the sun. They would have easily missed it. But Chi-Chi has focused after all, what was there for her to do?
She just kept reading her book, not knowing she was reading a parody version of a positive Earth's history. Maybe after this, she could try the console that Goten has played numerous times. She would never let both of her sons see it. It would damage her pride as a hard-working mother repeatedly pushing her sons into the books. Well, one of her sons.
Gohan finished with his classes. Many students wouldn't leave him alone about his display during Physical Education. He kept using the same excuse. Work out!
"Full of shit!" An ordinary student told Gohan, to which Gohan just sighed. He really couldn't explain it any better than that. It was skeptical to people who have never battled aliens! Didn't they see what happened at the Cell Games?
"I'm not kidding." Gohan just ignored that student after that and went picking through his locker. He had separated the things he needed for each class. Gohan was very orderly, a trait he had picked up from Chi-Chi herself. He chose to put things in his locker then carry belongings altogether. It was very obnoxious, and while he could do it and not feel tired at all. It was better this way. He didn't need to draw unnecessary attention enough than he already has.
"Fight me then!" The student challenged him, and Gohan just stared, was he serious? It wasn't that deep that he could clear feet high in the air.
"You can't be serious." Gohan started, the student was a male, athletic body. He was taller than Gohan. Gohan was only 5'9.
"Try me." The athlete challenged again. Gohan only just ignored him, however. Gohan knew that it wouldn't do much. The athlete still threw his punch, and Gohan let it land. He wouldn't be any better if he threw a punch back. What was he trying to prove? That he's invincible? He only allowed his powers to show. He didn't have perfect Ki Control. It was simply impossible. Now he can hide it again, and no one could link him as the Golden Warrior, as long as they didn't have evidence, and how were they going to prove he had Golden Hair? Just how?
While the force of the Athletes punch did nothing to him at all, it did force his head to travel in the direction of the jab, where it was going giving the illusion that it hurt him. Gohan had sensed his opportunity at that moment.
"Ow!" Gohan cried. Now he could see why acting was so important!
"Oh, shit! Are you ok? I thought you could take a punch." The athlete said, surprised and had easily bought into his lies; if Gohan had been in a world where people didn't have Sunnydale Syndrome. He would've believed that the people in this world were slow. Since Gohan had been in a world where people have Sunnydale Syndrome, Gohan and everyone else thought it was normal for people to be that stupid. No matter how obvious it was, Gohan thought it was right, this way.
"Yeah, I'm fine, you see, I told you. I may be able to jump high and run fast, but I'm still human." Gohan corrected his thought and said half-Saiyan. But that was for him to know and no one else except for his family and close friends. It reminded him, reaching out with his Ki. He could feel that Videl, Erasa, and Sharpner were watching him.
"Yeah, you're right. I guess I got carried away but damn your head. It feels like steel. I guess I punched you too hard than I wanted to." The athlete said in pain, Gohan only nervously laughed. He was glad that the athlete wasn't that experienced in knowing how to throw a punch and did not seem to remember how hard his blow was. It didn't take much for someone to remember how hard to throw their punch. It wasn't his punch; it was Gohan's head. His head was like steel, according to him. If Gohan is focused not on suppressing his power, his entire offending hand would've come out in a gory mess. And that wouldn't have looked good, but that exactly was why he got focused on suppressing his power.
"Well, you sure did." Gohan picked out the last remaining few things he was going to need from his locker and closed it. The Lockers themselves didn't use authentic locks to prevent someone from stealing anything. The school, well, trusted people not to do anything like that. It was a prestigious school, after all. It had a good name, and Chi-Chi only made sure to send Gohan to the top of the top.
"Still, I'm sorry." The athlete said bashfully, and Gohan just played it off. Videl, Sharpner, and Erasa were still watching, sensing their Ki. He was right, and this was just a perfect opportunity to get that Videl girl off his back if she was willing to buy it.
"Don't worry about it. I'm fine." Gohan said a bit forcefully. He was hoping for this experience to end. He just wanted to get back to sparring with his little brother at home.
Gohan's time of fighting had made it hard for him to be attached to others. Especially people that weren't even close to his strength, seeing people die and having killed himself, notably Cell. All he cared for was family. And Gohan was smart enough to realize that High-school life wasn't going to last. He was here to learn, and his goals hadn't changed. But his number 1 priority was spending time with his little brother and family in general. A father's absence had taught him the importance of family time as it is.
Gohan would never blame Goku for always taking training more seriously. It was only natural for him to be the man of his family, having seen someone like Frieza. The training was a necessity than a sport. Now, looking back at it now. Gohan couldn't believe he thought things could end in peace. Things were only as peaceful as long as one had the power to back it up, something Gohan had learned from Goten.
The athlete was gone as he turned tail and left. Gohan just waited until he was out and gone from the corner. He only just said one thing to the trio hiding.
"Come out. I know you three are there." Gohan ordered.
Sure, enough the three showed up. It wasn't Sharpner by himself, different from canon. The three were so captivated by his strength the three had one thing in mind.
"Can you train us?" Videl started.
"What?" Gohan said, not believing what he had just heard. He was half-expecting them to continue to ask questions for his unimaginable strength but not ask him to train them? What would they gain from such activities like that? To do better in sports, Gohan supposed, it wasn't bad. It was an innocent reason, but something that he would probably have to decline.
"We want to get stronger, ok?" Videl said, answering his question but avoiding the reason entirely. It didn't matter. Gohan already knew what he was going to say.
"No." Gohan addressed.
"What, why?" Videl wondered. However, Gohan's answer was simple.
"While I'm sure you guys have your reasons, but I don't want to," Gohan said tightly.
"Oh, I get it. You have to travel far to go home. That's why you can't train us, right?" Erasa said, being very optimistic about the whole situation, but before Gohan could respond. Sharpner beat him to it.
"No, you idiot, if Gohan can clear over 25 feet. I'm sure he can run so fast that it would make his travels towards his home look like nothing." Sharpner was only guessing that was the case. He didn't believe Gohan was capable of that much. But he should at least be able to make it to his house, on foot then, without any form of Transportation.
"Sheesh, no need to call me an idiot. Meathead." Erasa jabbed. It was why she liked Gohan better. He wasn't aggressive, just humble and intriguing. Women always loved a mystery.
Gohan merely laughed at their antics, they were funny, but that wasn't enough to sway his thoughts. He could at the very least think about it and talk with his family. Chi-Chi was so relaxed now that she might even say yes to this idea, Goten would support him no matter what, but Chi-Chi's word was law. She was what mattered the most.
"All right, I'll think about it," Gohan concluded.
"Yes!" Erasa said in joy, while Sharpner was calm and collected. However, he gave a smile and head nod, satisfied with the choice. Now that would cement his position as a top-tier Athlete player. He would never lose to another game like that again!
Videl looked on like a hawk. It wasn't that she wasn't satisfied with the choice. It would make her stronger, maybe even more powerful than her father, but she was still trying to prove that Gohan was the golden fighter. How was training going to give her that? She didn't want anyone stealing her glory, not even her classmates.
She was going to stalk him after this.
Videl nodded with a smile to confirm that she would be ok. Out of the three, she was the most willing. She didn't want to lose her chance to get stronger.
Gohan nodded and moved on. However, Erasa asked him. "Can you take me home?" Gohan quickly responded with a no. He wanted to go home and reflect. By reflecting, he meant spar with a certain someone. The decision was up to his mother. He didn't care well. He did care enough to consider, but to be honest, Gohan only accepted because Videl was among them. Gohan needed to keep a close eye on her. She would end up dying. Hercule was the biggest liar on the planet. She would end up following in her footsteps, biting more than swallowing, leading to something unfortunate.
Now Gohan was out on the streets in Satan City, walking home. He looked both ways whenever crossing the street, watching out for any vehicle not concerned with his safety but concerned for the driver's safety. If it had been Goten here, he wouldn't care at all. At one point, he almost thought he hated Car Drivers, if only if he knew. Gohan once found himself in a dark alley. He entered it. He felt Videl's Ki behind him a while ago. Gohan really couldn't understand her.
Now in the dark alley. Gohan jumped, and in an instant, he was on the rooftop. Videl came around the corner to find Gohan only to find nothing? Where did he go? She said out loud as Gohan heard her. Videl thought for a bit and came to a logical conclusion, Gohan had cleared over 25 feet in a baseball game. He most likely jumped to the rooftops, but why? He couldn't have known she was stalking so, how? Videl looked up as Gohan was not expecting her to do that, and then she spotted him. Gohan just shrieked and fell back instinctively. Sweat covering his face, well she knew where Gohan went, that's for sure.
"Gohan! Get back down here. I have a few words to say to you!" Videl called him out, only for Gohan to ignore her. In his mind, he kept saying, please not now, no more drama! Just ignore her, and she will go away. He thought, clearly hearing her calls. Gohan hopped on his Flying Nimbus and flew to Mount Paozu, clearly done with school. It would make no difference if he uses his Flying Nimbus or not. But every last bit of energy was better than losing it unnecessarily.
Goten had been asleep was awake, to find Trunks gone and him on the couch. Well, he still hadn't claimed his reward for beating Trunks; he can always say he forgot. Closing his eyes, he reached his Ki Sensing and reached out amongst the populous of the world and felt Gohan's Ki traveling back to Mount Paozu. He wanted to know how his day in school was different in canon. Goten had summarized that the plot would be the same, but the story would be different, nothing to change the events. It was a powerful and confident Gohan. One who didn't have any insecurities or doubts about fighting. One who is a Chad now.
Goten went through the Lobby of Capsule Corp and flew out. Goten's flight was very fast, as nothing was holding him back, just the thrill of a fight. Goten had initially trained for survival, but that was before he had ever experienced a battle before, and now that he has, slowly but surely, he fell in love. Goten didn't know. Whether it was this new Saiyan Body; doing the trick, or he genuinely loved it. Goten had flown fast that he had reached Mount Paozu. The reason why Dragon Ball Characters had auras around them when using their flight was that that they were at their Top Speed. Flying was a full-body technique, and flying at your Top Speed was you, forcing all of your power out which grants you an aura. It was something Goten learned after flying around the world for fun. Sometimes, it doesn't always happen if one had great control over their Ki, but it was easier to let it flow through you and out.
Now at Mount Paozu. Goten had easily beaten Gohan there a while ago; the Flying Nimbus maximum speed was only Mach 1.5. Goten only waited at the Son Family home after entering and giving a peg to Chi-Chi. Goten then just returned outside and waited for Gohan. He was confident that on the way to Mount Paozu. He had sensed him, flying there.
###
Goten had thought, what a day. He had spent all his time preparing for the start of the Saiyaman Saga, just for it to be as any other day. There wasn't anything interesting to show for this day other than the usual spar with Gohan.
Goten was slowly starting to get more and more confident as each day went by. He could still remember when he first arrived, so scared for the future, but after making this tiny but powerful body his own. There was nothing to fear. Logically thinking things through, all they had to do was kill Babidi and convince Buu to be good if Buu was too powerful. But they didn't even need to get that far, to begin with, as long as Vegeta's insecurities do not get the best of him.
If he was getting honest, Goten was glad that he had set Vegeta off even more than he was in the original timeline. It just ensured that canon would not get changed. Once again, the events were going to be different, but the plot was relatively the same. Goten might not even have to lift a finger, here to be honest. Goten in the original didn't do much. Nothing was going to change here.
Gohan had arrived at Mount Paozu, seeing Goten there. Damn, he was already ready to kick his ass.
"Someone's jumpy today." The older brother started.
"Damn, right." Goten shot.
Gohan only smirked, but he was not going to fight like this. He had to finish his fight very quickly since he had homework. Well, Gohan thought his assignment was easy, but he wasn't about to lower his priority. He wasn't doing this for his future. While he will never give up fighting, being a scholar was still his goal.
Now, inside his home. Gohan had switched his Gi to one that resembled Piccolo. It was the same as canon. Gohan's gi was blue, while his obi, shin guards, and wrist bands were red, his shoes were martial arts material as he wore white socks.
Gohan gave Chi-Chi a peg and came out from his home. Gohan had parked the Nimbus Cloud in the house; he left it upstairs in the bedroom that he and his brother shared.
"All right, Goten, I'm ready," Gohan said with a smirk.
Goten only landed and took his stance. Goten's stance was a mixture of Mr. Popo's fighting style, Piccolo's and Gohan's. Back when he fought with Trunks, he didn't assume a stance as he was toying with the son of Vegeta but now with Gohan? It was serious. He still couldn't beat him no matter how hard he tried. Power was all that mattered. You could be the smartest, the most skilled fighter there ever was but with no strength. You were nothing.
Goten's stance was perfect. There wasn't a single mistake in his form. Goten had easily mastered Gohan's conservative and defensive fighting style and Piccolo's ways of observing and striking like a rattlesnake in the desert. Once again, Goten, with his brilliance, was just a sponge that just absorbed everything he saw. When he was an infant, he had this time to learn and adapt, and as Goten grew into age, Goten was already a master. Now all the remained was to surpass his mentor in power!
Gohan took his stance, his conservative defensive style. It got forged because he was never really the strongest fighter. And because of his desire not to hurt anyone. Ever since his will to fight had returned, it had become a wild flame that couldn't get contained. He was as strong as he could be again. Gohan had reforged his fighting style and made it the ultimate defensive power. Goten thought he was like Obi-Wan with his Soresu form. He would defend until the opponent tired out, saw an opening, or was merely stronger that there was no need to safeguard.
Goten may have three fighting styles that have been merged and can get used separately if he so wishes. Three doesn't necessarily mean better; Yoda was a fighting demon that only used Form 4 for all his fights. One just needed a single style to win.
But Goten's motto was better to have and not need than to need and not have. There was always room to learn.
The two smirked at each other. Gohan's stance was also unreadable.
They charged at each other until Goten decided to stop just a bit as Gohan threw a punch. Goten jumped back as he shot a Ki Blast. Gohan slapped it away as he charged Goten and threw punches and kicks, which Goten dodged or fired back counter-attacks as best as he could. For Gohan, it was hard to pin his brother down. He was just too small, like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Goten using his small size and seeing a Counter Attack opportunity that couldn't fail, as Gohan threw a heavy right hook. Goten dropped into a handstand that kicked Gohan sky-high with both his legs, utilizing a Kōsoku Idō. Goten was already on top of Gohan as he didn't bother trying to sledgehammer him straight to the ground. He knew he was going to counter that. Goten instead shot a Ki-Wave at him that Gohan caught with both hands and then shot at Goten back, had he been a second late. Gohan would've lost his guard to be able to hook one of Goten's blasts!
Goten barely dodged Gohan's reflection of his beam before Gohan, utilizing the moment, came and knocked the wind out of him with his kick. He had mirrored teleportation with his speed and did a backflip, kicking Goten to the ground with a nasty right boot.
Before Goten could hit the ground, he fired at the dirt with his eyes. It pushed him away from the field and back into the sky. Had the man-child had tried to use his flight, he wouldn't have been able to angle himself with flight in time. It would've been too late, and he would've hit the ground suffering damage and lowering his power level.
Gohan only clapped for his little's brother's quick thinking, had Gohan been in his shoes, he wasn't sure if he would've been able to come up with a plan that fast. The speed at which he came up with the right plans was astounding that he had to congratulate him when the situation called for it.
"That was amazing."
Goten had angled himself with flight already and took his stance once more. To show appreciation for the praise, he merely smirked. Yes, he was great.
Goten charged at Gohan, and it had become a flurry of attacks; in the shows, it was a loop of animation but now experiencing the fight himself. Each new melee attack was an advanced move or combo, in extension, from his old barrage. It was like shooting with a pistol and then moving to an Ak-47.
Gohan thought for a tiny guy. He was giving him a run for his money. Naturally, Gohan was stronger. He had more experience and a larger body with more reach and defense. It was like trying to shoot at the shield and hoping for a dent. Except the shots were coming from a Tank, and Goten was that Tank.
To a typical observer, they wouldn't see anything at all, and they probably wouldn't hear anything too. The attacks were too fast to be seen and too swift to make any sound. You really must've been a Namekian to hear their raids at all.
BOOM!
They separated, and Gohan stood tall. Goten despite his best efforts. He couldn't hide the fact that he was tired; he was breathing heavily while Gohan just stared at him with a smirk. Oh no, it's happening again, Goten thought. Every Dragon Ball fan should know that whenever someone is breathing, it is a sign that they are about to lose horribly. Goten knew that this fight was over.
Gohan charged at him again and fought his brother, slowly getting sloppy with his attacks. Goten is trying to distance himself from Gohan, but Gohan wouldn't let him go. He was like a machine gun and just kept throwing attacks that were swift and precise. To Goten, it looked like he was watching an action movie. He was eventually kicked hard towards the ground, landing harshly.
Gohan only landed towards his brother with arms crossed against his chest. Realistically, had it been Superman who kicked Goten, he would've flown across the entire world. Dragon Ball Characters could limit their attacks to only their attack potency without other effects factoring into their attacks thanks to their Ki. What could've sent someone flying across the entire world because of simply sparring could get done right next to their homes because of Ki.
Goten stood up, he was damaged, and his power level has dropped to the point where Gohan had to lower his strength to make the fight thrilling. Gohan was concealing his strength, to begin with, and now he was suppressed even more so. Gohan had to admit it was a workout not because he was getting pushed but because he was trying to conceal his strength as he fought his brother. It was a workout for his Ki Control, that is!
Goten would transform into a Super Saiyan, which he could've always done but never did so out of fear of lost control. His Ki Drain got restarted, and his power level was as well. Goten would be back to full force and would reassume his stance.
Gohan can not defeat Goten in his base form. Gohan got forced to transform into a Super Saiyan himself to battle his brother; it was still as one-sided as ever. The gap was just too huge to do anything about it. Gohan would reassume his stance, and then the two would charge at each other. Gohan was put on the back foot, as Goten kept through a barrage of attacks. Gohan just kept that smirk on his face as he could feel Goten's ki start to dwindle. If you weren't focused, you would've missed it.
Gohan was slowly pushing him back, and as Goten learned his lesson the first time around. He hopped away before he couldn't be able to do so anymore and started chanting the famed words of the Kamehameha Wave.
"Ka."
"Me."
"Ha."
"Me."
"HAAAA!"
Goten would never say this out loud, but he never thought he'd be saying those words with an actual Kamehameha Wave following through from his palms. Even after being here for seven years straight, the experience will always be surreal.
Gohan caught the Kamehameha as Goten moved quickly enough at his side. By the time Gohan got done, putting off Goten's Kamehameha Wave by shrinking the beam to nothingness. He did a knife-hand swipe at his brother's neck only to hit a Zanzōken.
"What an old trick," Gohan said out loud.
Gohan closed his eyes and waited. Thousands of Zanzōken formed around him, only for him to keep his eyes closed and his body tranquil like water. Piccolo had stressed the importance of waiting for the right time to strike, and while Gohan never really took to his style of fighting, he did take to his Principles. Finally, Gohan opened his eyes and shot out his right arm, catching Goten out of the air and causing all of his other Zanzōken to disappear.
"You see, I told you that was an old trick."
Goten just smirked and charged at him. Gohan calmly waited for his brother to reach him, but Goten decided to change his flight pattern by flying up and shooting Ki Blasts down at him.
Gohan flew after him, as Goten flew around the skies firing Ki Blast after Ki Blast. Gohan dodged them all and shot a Ki Wave at Goten. The power of the Ki Wave was so much so that any other Ki Blasts that had left the hands of Goten got destroyed; it followed Goten like a hawk. Goten knew that if the Ki Wave reached his body. The fight would be over. He had to come up with something quick.
Goten turned around and decided to do something that came to his mind. He opened his mouth and swallowed the Ki Wave whole, which surprised Gohan just enough for Goten to land his Index Finger on his forehead knocking him out. Goten had swallowed the Ki Wave and traveled towards Gohan as he did so, leading him to land a paralyzing blow. Immediately after ingurgitation the Ki Wave whole, he released a steamed breath. Now he knows what a Dragon feels like, Goten thought lightheartedly.
He had managed to lower his opponent's guard through the element of surprise and then win the fight due to simple biological weakness. The fact of the matter is that if Gohan hadn't suppressed his power level, the paralyzing blow would've had no effect. You only need to be 30% stronger than your opponent to be unbeatable; look at Vegeta versus Pui Pui.
Gohan was asleep as Goten landed beside him, he had won the sparring match, but it was not a sincere fight. If it abided actual combat, he would be dead before he could even blink.
Well, he couldn't leave him here, but he didn't want to carry him back to the house. He wasn't bored, still all that work just for Gohan to study so effortlessly? Nah, it was too soon.
Goten laid down on the soft grass and looked up towards the skies, with ki flooding his eyes. He looked up into space. It was always moments like these he wondered what the limitations of Ki are? Could he keep staring out into space, or would he eventually reach a limit on how far he could stare out?
Goten kept staring out into space. To an observer, all they would see is Goten's eyes flashing like a bright blue; he looked like someone had possessed him.
It was just like he had tested the limitations of sensing Ki, only limited by the many different realms and his power. He saw spaceships and beautiful planets, many planets. It was always a chilling thought, knowing he could blow up a world in just a blink of an eye. Imagine knowing you had the power to take everyone's life away with no time for your victims to react to it.
The Original Goten was too innocent to realize. It never fully occurred to him the power he beheld. It never fully hit him how easily he could lord over the universe. Goten could understand Frieza now, but he was still evil at the end of the day.
Gohan resurfaced again as he groggily opened his eyes. If only if he had slept on a comfortable bed then the ground. And if the sun had not shone in his eyes, he would've enjoyed his sleep much more.
"Great Job, Goten, you managed to win." He said supportively, but he and Goten both knew it was a mere spar. A yawn followed his words as he stood up. The most crucial time of the day had passed. Now it was time for homework.
"I'm going to do homework, little bro. You can help if you want." Gohan knew that his help would be an understatement. He'd most likely do his entire work for him.
"I'm going to explore," Goten said instead. When he wasn't playing games or training, that was what he did. Outside of Buu and otherwordly villains, the Earth was peaceful. All of the news channels just showcased the life of Earth. There were hardly any problems with it; the Life of Earth and Mr. Satan's heroism.
Goten had decided to go to the Land of Gurumes. It was a beautiful space to do nothing. It was a perfect opportunity with a setting sun.
With the boy's superb Ki Control, his aura was not visible at all. Goten had it hidden underneath his body. Having nothing to do but training and intellect would do that to you.
He reached Gurumes before he could even blink.
"Well, well, well, Goten finally won." Piccolo watched the fight up above from Kami's Lookout. He was surprised at his growth, Goten may not have the power to win, but his skills in battle were enormous. Gohan was skilled too, do not get the Namekian wrong, but he was not as skillful as Goten.
Piccolo didn't let his surprise show on his face. Piccolo had trained himself to be impassive, well, if the situation wasn't dire. He had enjoyed watching the boys spar from time to time. It always allowed him to know what he should teach them.
If Piccolo was being honest, there was nothing much more he could advise Goten to learn. His intellect always allowed him to improve however much he wanted. Gohan was the same way, by all accounts. But his genius in combat was not as much, so Piccolo could still instruct him whenever needed. Some people seemed to work better alone, and Piccolo understood that perfectly. He was once a lonesome wolf.
"Looks like I need to step up my training." Piccolo thought out loud.
Dende wasn't watching the Earth at the time being. Well, he couldn't watch the Earth all the damn time now, could he? Piccolo thought he'd take the liberty of observing the Earth for him.
Dende was merely watering the plants. It was Mr. Popo's job, but he was helping him out today. Being a Namekian and raised as one thought you to enjoy the simplicity of life, and that is to live, you didn't need much more than that.
Piccolo wasn't that far behind Gohan at all. Had it still been the Cell Games, he would've stood no chance. Piccolo originally wanted to meditate and do nothing more than that. He had done everything. What more could he want?
Now Piccolo was getting stronger because he wanted to keep up with his pupil. He may have surpassed him in every way, but that didn't mean he should sit back and let the next generation do their thing, like some cliché Master from an old movie.
If he could do something about it, then he will. It was times like these Piccolo wondered about the life Goku was living. It seems the man just wanted to fight until he could fight no more. Fight until he was the strongest, and even then would still fight because he enjoyed it.
"Yeah, I need to keep training." Piccolo thought out loud, repeating his thought process once more.
Piccolo began his training, imagining himself to be fighting an imaginary opponent. This opponent was just as powerful as himself, but with different skillsets. He thought about fighting Goku, the most recent and last appearance of Goku was at the Cell Games, so Piccolo used that imagery and incorporated it into his mind. He only upped the imaginary Goku's power because Piccolo is now more powerful than Goku was at the Cell Games. That Goku stands no chance against a Piccolo, who is not holding back.
"HAAAAAAAA!"
Goku was currently trying to transform into Super Saiyan 3. The transformation itself was just an increase in the utilization of Ki. It required so much energy consumption that it made Super Saiyan 2 look tame.
Goku's hair started going from black to gold to better gold, and then it was slowly sprouting outwards as his hair grew and grew. The transformation was slow because he hadn't gotten used to this power. Even after hard work, it was as if he was just starting to use this power for the first time. The feeling was exhilarating, but it was just exhausting.
Goku's face contorted into that of stress. A vein showed at the side of his head. Come on. I can do this! Goku thought.
King Kai had watched his old student surpass him again before his very eyes. He was simply incredible. Goku never seemed to stop his progress; if anything, his defeat against Cell only pushed him further. The fact was that he was never going to stop. He was going to keep shooting his power to new limits. He may very well be the most powerful being to exist! Well, in a Super Saiyan 3, that is.
Goku kept screaming and screaming. The challenge wasn't if he could complete his transformation. It was could he perfect it without destroying everything. It was that powerful, but the best Goku got so far was a crater he made on the Grand Kai's Planet.
Goku could feel the deepest parts of his power well up inside him. It was just like that time where he killed King Piccolo. He felt an ancient power coil upon every fiber of his being. It was like being struck with lightning, but instead of feeling agony. You felt rejuvenated.
The transformation was nearly complete. Whenever Goku went gold, he thought about his son Gohan, the harsh training he must've kept up after all these years. He wondered what new power he unlocked. Gohan might have achieved the same form that he has, and he might even have it better, considering he had to adapt this form to a mortal body than an undead one.
Goku then thought about Vegeta. The man had always tried to surpass him and could never be able to do it. He wasn't proud that he was stronger than Vegeta. He was merely proud of his strength. As Goku's hair reached its entire length, Goku thought this has probably become his peak strength as powerful as he could ever be. The training he would do from here on out would merely add to his strength, not unlock more stores of power. Finished was his new form, already Super Saiyan 3 was too much. What about a hypothetical Super Saiyan 4? He will die.
"Hey, Kaiō-sama, I'm done!" Goku said happily.
"Amazing, Goku! But always remember, your energy consumption in this form is too great, so it needs to get used as a last resort." The King of Worlds instructed. He had said this many times, to the point where it had become an instinct.
"I know, Kaiō-sama. I've been trying to find a way to get to remove this strain, but nothing seems to work." Goku loudly said.
"Maybe it's because the strain is a natural effect of trying to have greater use of Ki. You can't remove something natural, you know."
It had always seemed like this, but he couldn't accept a weakness. Goku didn't want this to be a last resort; he wanted this form to be his own. He wanted it to get used as if he was sparring.
Either the side effects of this form can't get removed, or he wasn't training hard enough to remove it. If the latter was true, which Goku hoped it was. The real question was how hard does his training need to become. What is hard training?
Does Goku need to be training himself to near death, which was ironic because he was already dead, or does he need to be training in a way that if he fails, he will die? Does he need to have a mentor that knows about these things?
"Man, I wish I hadn't stayed dead."
Author's note: I have checked the reviews. All I have to say is this.
WOW!
Not of all of you, of course. However, the majority are complaints about pacing. You are expecting a character with little to no screen time. And that doesn't play a high role aside from Gotenks to have a fast-paced story?
To begin. A fast-paced story is not your call to make, to be frank. I write the story. How fast or slow it is, is up to me to make. Even if I did want to make this fast-paced, you wouldn't find this fan fiction going beyond 5 to 7 chapters. I do not need to state why.
It will be a story focused on character building. You won't find whatever you're looking for here. However, if Super starts using Goten, we'll see what happens.
This chapter was a cycle between perspectives. It gets stale if I wrote the story from Goten's perspective.
Stay humble and stay safe. Merry Christmas.