To Gohan's comfort, they had not flown over any other attacked villages on the way to the Cell Games arena. It must've been a weird gang ritual. Mother had often said the uneducated folk out there could be a strange bunch at times. That was all.

"Wow," 18 said with a hint of sarcasm, "so this is it. I didn't think I'd ever see it in person."

"Yup." He gave her a toothy grin. They were standing at the exact spot where Cell's ring had been. The myriad of blast marks were still here, although faded somewhat. The dawn sun cast elongated shadows across the battlefield, giving it an otherworldly feeling.

18 picked up a metal bolt. "There's no rust on this. I think it's from Android 16."

"I think so."

"How sad. He would've liked the animals at 17's park."

Gohan had not known 16 very well, so he didn't comment on that one. Instead, he ran over to a shallow crater, shallower than he remembered, and the pain in these memories weren't as deep either. "This is where I transformed into Super Saiyan Two." He pointed at a wide ravine-like landmark. "That's where Cell and I clashed kamehamehas for the last time." Then up a cliff. "Vegeta fired his distracting energy blast from there."

Amusement broadened 18's eyes. "It's like you're talking about a school play."

"It's been years."

"Yes, I see." Her fingers ran through his hair for the hundredth time today. "And where did Cell spit me out?"

Gohan's eyes shifted left and right. "I think over there, by the streaky marks."

"Was I naked?" she whispered at his ear.

A hot blush broke out as an image of her perfect body, with her legs spread, flashed before his eyes. "No, thankfully."

"Thankfully? I'm surprised, Gohan. Have you decided to turn over a new wholesome leaf?"

"All the guys were there… including my dad." He diverted away from the awkward subject: "Behind that spot is where Cell tried to blow himself up. When he returned from space more powerful that ever, he appeared a bit to the right."

"Then he killed Trunks?"

"Yeah." Gohan tried not to picture that moment.

"And after that, you clashed for the last time?"

"Pretty much," he said, almost proudly.

18's fingers lightly gripped her hip. "Alright, Gohan. I believe you. Really, I do. I only wish they didn't stop filming halfway through. I wish I could've seen the look on Cell's face when he lost."

"I actually couldn't see. There was too much light." He gently poked her arm. "And everyone would've seen you if it was filmed."

"A problem easily fixed by a haircut and colored contact lens."

People couldn't be that gullible… but they did believe Hercule Satan had defeated Cell, so Gohan didn't know what to think about that. For one, the old man on the yacht hadn't believed Hercule's story; however, the guy with the handgun and straw hat did. If anything, Gohan only wished Hercule weren't telling slanderous lies about Father. Maybe that was going to change one day. But would it be for the best?

"So," 18 said, "what do you look like when you transform again? Still have blond hair? Any taller?"

He could understand why she would want to know. "Yamcha said almost all of my hair spikes up and my aura also sparks with electricity. My face looked frightening, according to him, but I think it's just because I was angry. Other than that, I look the same."

18's eyebrow arched. "Not much of a transformation if you ask me. It sounds like you just powered up."

"Uh, I guess that's not a wrong way to put it." He took hold of her hand. "Okay, break's over. The ball is over there. Should be on a hill."

"Lead the way."

They flew up an incline at a leisurely pace several dozen feet in the air. It didn't take many minutes to find a hill shaped like two pyramids squashed together. Atop the bigger pyramid was an observatory; most fortunately, the ball wasn't inside. The radar led them to a crevice, and the three-star ball was inside. Gohan's arm was just long enough to hook it out.

18 whistled a cheer. "Two more!"

Two more indeed. Sparks danced in Gohan's stomach.

He flinched as she immediately took flight. His aura flamed, and he followed her south-east toward Central City. Rolling meadows and patchwork farmlands passed in record time. A flock of cawing black birds was their welcome to the relatively flat city. The world's capital was by far the largest, the most populated, but West City's technology was far superior. The buildings here were a mix of old, ancient, and not so new. Towering high above all, King Furry's palace was a monument from past ages.

Gohan did not sense one person with an abnormal energy level. The dragon radar, now at 25% battery, pinged the ball's location two floors below the tower's apex, close to the middle. As a uniformed guard looked up, Gohan dashed through an open window into an extravagant room with large portraits of humanoid dogs. The smell of coffee was strong along with traces of pastry.

King Furry was behind his desk. Three seconds on the grandfather clock passed before he looked up from his paperwork. He jolted straight, his pen dropping. "Ho, my, you nearly gave me a heart attack!"

Gohan brazenly spoke like Father would, "Hi, my name's Gohan. Sorry for the intrusion, but my dragon radar here shows there's a dragon ball in your desk. My friend, Lazuli, needs brain surgery, but it's too risky, so we're going to make a wish to the Eternal Dragon. I was wondering if we may have your dragon ball, please."

With hoarse chuckles, King Furry adjusted his glasses. "This is certainly a surprise to my morning routine, Gohan. First, I must say you look very familiar. I have a strong feeling that we may have met before and we've both forgotten. Have you received a royal academic award for talented school children? Are you the inventor of this dragon radar?"

18 said, "He's the boy from the Cell Games. He and his friends were really the ones who destroyed Cell, but it was mostly Gohan. The dragon ball will be fine compensation."

Thanks, 18. Gohan rubbed the back of his neck, a half-cringe half-grin pinching his cheeks.

Recognition was slow to dawn upon King Furry. His eyes unfocused. A flashback, likely. He pulled open a drawer and did not retrieve the dragon ball, instead laying a thin green folder on his desk. Inside were grainy photographs taken from the footage of the Cell Games. The first photo included all participants including Hercule and his entourage. The second was a close up Gohan's father. The third was Piccolo. The fourth was a wounded Gohan barely able to stand. His haircut had been slightly different back then but not too dissimilar, neater nowadays. The other photos were all of Cell or fighters performing energy attacks. Three photos were of the multi-form technique.

Finally, King Furry said, "Yes, yes, you are this boy. You are unmistakably Goku's son. You both have dyed your hair similarly, but that is not in my place to judge."

Gohan blurted, "You know my dad?"

"When he was a little boy, I wanted to award him with a medal for his victory against King Piccolo, but I didn't get the chance to do so. How is he?"

"He died during the battle. We've already wished him back to life before, so he's not coming back again." A decent enough explanation.

"Oh." Those bushy eyebrows creased. "This is very sad to hear. You have my deepest condolences. You have my kingdom's condolences. If there is anything we may do for—" His fur-covered fingered clicked. He pulled opened an opposite drawer, then presented the seven-star ball. "My armed forces found this on one of their bases. The balls' function is classified top secret; therefore, I ask you not to announce your wish on global television."

"We're not stupid," 18 said, stepping forward and accepting the ball. "Thank you, King Furry. We're on a tight schedule. We'll be leaving now." Faster than the king could see, she gracefully ran and dove through the window.

"Yeah, thanks a lot. Seeya." Gohan waved and followed suit.

Onward to North City, over mountainous terrain, they flew faster than they had all day. Gohan neared his limit for Super Saiyan speed, and 18 kept to his side the entire way. Either she had significantly grown in power or he had slacked beyond imagine. A combination of both, more likely.

The four-star ball was now unmoving. Gohan tracked it to the city center—a souvenir stand at a cozy-sized park. A festival was taking place. People were bumping into each other left and right. So much boisterous noise. So much laughter. Gohan had to block out all their energy signatures from his mind. Of all places, this was where the ball had ended up. Well, there was a first for everything.

Gohan and 18 waited in line behind a teenage girl with braided platinum-blonde hair. She was shorter than Gohan, much slimmer too. She wore a pain yellow dress. Her skin was pale, extremely pale, almost bluish. Anemia? When time came for her to buy something, she spoke with a over-the-top cutesy voice, "I'd love that teddy bear with the red bow tie. Oh, I'd love to have him oh so much. Oh, so so so much!"

The cashier, a middle-aged woman, smiled jovially. "Here you go, Miss. That will be twenty-five Zenni."

"Have change for fifty?" the girl chirped.

"Of course. Have a nice day."

"Same to you." The girl turned and walked off with a quick springy gait. As she passed Gohan, they exchanged eye contact. Her eyes, silvery-purple, were larger than average, similar to 18's. She was as cute as her voice. Not as sexy, however. She giggled.

Then the cashier said, "Hello, what would you like, young man?"

Gohan asked, "How much for the shiny orange ball with the red stars?"

The cashier said in a motherly voice, "It's the last one in stock, so we've increased the price to fifty Zenni. Does that sound fair?"

Realizing he had no money, Gohan asked 18, "How does that sound?"

"Fair enough," she drawled and presented a glossy black bank card to the scanner. Dot, dot, dot, the transaction was approved.

The cashier handed over the four-star dragon ball with a warm smile.

Seven out of seven.

They hurried out of the park, out through city bounds, and then flew east for thirty minutes. They didn't speak a word. They didn't look back, both too excited, too nervous, for what was about to happen. She had waited five years to rid herself of this worry. And he was going to forever change his life, all for her. This was a moment for the history books, and a valley within the mountains made for the perfect wishing spot.

18 neatly placed the seven dragons balls on pebbly ground. As Gohan opened his mouth, she said, "I saw you ogling that girl earlier." Her tone was mildly acidic.

He coughed in surprise. "I think she has anemia."

"Is that all?"

"Maybe I think she's cute. Not so sexy though."

18 stared at him for a dozen of his heartbeats. "Alright, summon the dragon. I hope you're ready."

"I am." He took a deep breath. "Eternal Dragon, by your name, I summon you! Shenron."

A/N: This chapter might get some significant reworking down the line, and Just to clarify, this story's pairing is primarily Gohan/18.