So here is chapter 4. Still undecided about the villain at the end, but there is one more chapter after this one. Can you guess who it is?
Piccolo
Meditation was a daily routine for me, and it was one of the things in my life that I looked forward to. Floating in the lotus position in front of the waterfall I have deemed mine, I let myself relax. I would train later, and maybe rope Gohan into training with me so I can give him a piece of my mind.
That kid. I can remember when I wanted to defeat Goku, and take over the world. But because of one kid, that changed. I changed. It was for the better, yes, but it was a reminder that paths could turn unexpectedly . If I were to be sent back with the option to change anything I would do it all the same. Not that I would tell anyone that. I've jumped in front of a crippling blast for Gohan more than once, and I would do it again to keep him safe.
Back then, it didn't matter to Gohan that I was different. He didn't note the fact that I was a monster—at least what I thought I was at the time. He treated me as an actual person; well when he wasn't scared of what I might do. Even that wore off, given time. I was able to watch him grow into the fighter he is today. He may not like fighting like his father does, but he's great at it and he would help in a moment's notice if danger showed itself.
I wasn't told about Gohan yelling at Chi-Chi until much later and I couldn't help but smirk at the image of how she might react. Though, I was a bit surprised to hear about that at the time. I had a feeling that she didn't like me, but her opinion didn't matter, not like Gohan's.
Though I suppose we have warmed up to each other through the years. When Goku volunteered Gohan to fight Cell, I felt my blood boil at the idea, though I knew Gohan would do it since Goku said he could. I didn't doubt he could do it, but I felt that he wasn't given a choice. I couldn't just stand by and wait to see the outcome; I had to help somehow. Goku sacrificed himself to help, and I was willing to do the same. It didn't come to that and Gohan did, in fact, beat Cell. I was proud of him.
When that died down, I half expected Gohan to go back to studies and not want to fight anymore. I wouldn't blame him if he did, bit he surprised me by asking to keep training with him. I agreed, and then later found out that he was also training with Vegeta. That would be good for him… when we both are training Gohan, that cocky saiyan and I argue about what's best. I think the kid finds it rather amusing.
That Dabura had incredible power, and it turned me to stone so I missed a lot of what happened when Buu ate him like a cookie…after turning him into a cookie. When Vegeta announced Gohan was dead, the world spun. It was the one time that I wasn't able to help him, and I felt that I had failed him somehow.
Training Goten and Trunks was part of hoe I was trying to make it up to Gohan, but those two were more difficult to train because their mothers were around. I never had that issue with Gohan because we were out away from his mother. Thank Kami. I'm not sure how well that would have turned out.
When it came time for the kids to fight, they held strong against Buu…at least when they fused. Then Buu fell asleep. Why the kids had a hard time understanding that it gave them extra time, I had no idea. Something, however, woke him up in a slight panic that he felt that he needed to move the fight along. I was prepared to fight when Buu let out a blast—that didn't hit us. I was surprised at first, but then I saw him.
Gohan. In Gi that resembled mine. There was something…different about him and I didn't find out until later what that was. Gohan didn't waste any time on Buu and he was soon gone. He made it look so easy. He had changed so much through the years, and I was glad to be part of it.
I even sacrificed my life for him again when Frieza came back. I would do it a million times if it meant Gohan was kept safe. I knew one day I wouldn't be able to be brought back, but it would be worth it to me.
I didn't expect Babidi to return, having someone wish him back. His ally was another surprise, and I tried to ward him off. When Gohan came out of nowhere and sacrificed himself for me, I got mad at the role reversal.
The agony of losing my friend, the one I had the longest, the one someone might consider a best friend…no, family, was not something I was prepared for and I started taking it out on the enemies—starting with Babidi. I didn't notice the sky changing but I did notice a new but familiar being shortly after. Vegeta and Gohan…fused? If we weren't in the middle of a battle, I probably would have smirked at the image of Vegeta doing the fusion dance.
So yes. Gohan and I will be having a talk. I'm just glad Vegeta thought of the dragonballs to bring him back.
That kid.