Gohan was almost always awake first thing in the morning. His Sayan senses guaranteeing that he wakes up as soon as his daughter starts to fuss. This also has the added advantage of making sure that Videl gets enough sleep and gives him bonding time with his beautiful daughter. Shortly after the tournament that caused him to need to work with his power for the first time in a while, Gohan also began to find these peaceful mornings a good time to work on maintaining his current strength level and seeing if he can find a way to possibly get stronger as he goes.

Unlike the other Sayans, Gohan felt that he had hit a bit of a block with his power. And Videl was not a big supporter of 'so close to death you are almost at the counter' experiences as a way to get more powerful. So quiet mornings meditating and doing exceptionally high level Katas taught to him by Piccolo with his happy daughter cheering him on where probably the next best thing.

Today however there was a difference. Gohan was not woken by his daughter, but by the phone ringing at exactly 4:55 am. He blinked awake, listened to see if it was just his imagination, and then booked it for the closest phone to try and keep everyone else asleep. It did not work. Already he could hear the rising wails of his daughter, awoken from a restful sleep an hour before she decided she was ready; the stumbling motions of his wife, as she roused herself from a deep slumber to care for their child. And of course the sounds of Piccolo landing in the back yard ready to help in any way he was needed.

"Hello?" Gohan had to work hard to suppress the growl in his voice. If the person was calling this early it must be important after all.

"Gohan. You should be training already. Is there a good reason I can't sense your Ki working, or where you planning to be lazy today as well." The harsh tone that came out of the phone was more suited to the Vegita of ten years ago rather than the man Gohan knew was calling.

"I'm sorry father, I was not aware that I was required for training this morning. As Piccolo and I have a standard training later in the day, I was planning to do my mediations first and warm up with some Katas rather than risk waking the household." The only reason Gohan heard the responding growl that came from the phone was because of his incredibly sharp hearing. No normal person could have caught the sound, but it was not a normal sound coming from his father. It was rather worrisome.

"Well, if you are going to be useless, I will find someone else." The dial tone rang loudly in the early morning quiet. Pan was back to sleep, Videl was looking at her husband with curiosity, but it was Piccolo's eyes Gohan sought out. Both men turned in the direction of Goku's Ki.

"That, that is not normal for him, not even on a bad day. What happened between yesterday morning, and now?"

"I agree kid, something happened. And whatever it was, it has escalated far more quickly than anything else I have seen."

"Black Water Mist." Piccolo paused at that before nodding his agreement.

"Yea, other than that. Grab them and let's go. From the looks of things Vegita is already waiting. Hopefully he has some answers." Within moments the young family was bundled up and on the move.

XXX XXX

High above the clouds, in a place no normal human sets foot without help there floats the Lookout. The two regular inhabitance (Piccolo is an unofficial third) watch the world to the best of their abilities.

Today however Popo seems to be watching the warriors and not the people. One in particular.

"Mr. Popo. You seem focused on someone in particular. What do you see?" the watching Genii turned to his companion and frowned in frustration.

"Look there, what do you sense?" the normally soft spoken genii was urgent in his directing.

"It's… I was going to say Goku, but that is not how Goku has ever felt. It feels more like Vegita when he just landed and found out he was stuck. Like Turles, when he was preparing to attack."

"Yes, however it is neither of those individuals. I have known Goku since he was a child, and his presence has been unchanged for all of those long years. He was always a font of positive energy, of focus, and of merriment. Never in these past decades has he ever felt like hostile intent and raw, unhindered battle lust. I do not know what has changed, but I suspect it has something to do with the Dragon Balls, as he made a wish yesterday and this has built into a miasma of ill intent and hunger ever since."

"It looks like the others are already gathering Mr. Popo. Should we join them?"

"Yes Den. But first, contact the Kais; one of them may be able to help us."

"Would the Kai's come for a problem like this?"

"Den, they came for Majen Buu, they will come for the man who stopped him. This problem will become one for the entire universe if it is not stopped here. The Kai's will come. The only question? Will they call Beras first?"

XXX XXX

Vegita was expecting the company that had begun to gather at his home. In fact he was waiting for it. He knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that the others, all of the others, would be gathering and here was a safe as anywhere they could do so.

Krillin and 18 had already arrived, after the unexpected shift in Goku's Ki caused Krillin to wake up in a cold sweat and his family to desire a shift in location; with Master Roshi and turtle both along for the ride.

Tien was traveling, looking for new students when he brushed the edge of the miasma of power that was oozing off the recently changed Sayan. He booked it as fast as he could in the other direction, being pulled into the group by as he passed by Roshi and Krillen on their way to Capsule Corp.

Yamcha was already planning to visit when he was called by Bulma in the wee hours of the morning, warning him that something had happened to their friend and the group was gathering to see if they could solve the problem.

The last to arrive would be Gohan and Piccolo. Weather they were joined by the rest of their family remained to be seen. And Vegita was planning to be ready when they did arrive. He had scouted the area, talked with the others as they arrived, gathered all the known information, and even talked with his wife about the last time she had seen him. The timeline of the problem was one of rapid escalation and Vegita knew that it would continue unless stopped or at least distracted long enough for the others to find an answer.

Food was already pouring out at an alarming rate as the still nervous Chi Chi began to cook for the virtual army at was descending upon Bulma's home. The children had all been tucked back in together, safely out of the way but close by so that they could be checked on regularly. Goten was actively in protection mode, keeping the much younger Marron safely between himself and Trunks. They could fly her some place safe if necessary.

The delayed Half Sayan was doing the adult thing, calling in to work, arranging things with Hercule, and making sure that his family was ready for travel (moving a toddler was a big undertaking, especially one like Pan).

Then some unexpected guests arrived. Descending from the sky came a carpet, genii, and the young Kami of earth. Grave faces greeted them as they landed, as everyone knew why they were there. It takes a disaster or blessing to make the Kami leave the lookout. This was obviously not the latter. Gohan landed softly behind them. His face lined with worry and his family curled together in the carried plane he held.

Vegita wasted no time.

"The others have gathered already, you are the last to arrive. What do you know?" his voice was clipped with urgency, no time for posturing or pride in this situation. Gohan responded instantly.

"He has begun to move. I wasn't willing to get close enough to him to find out if it is with intent or if it just basic training as of yet. But he is getting closer. If you have an established timeline then I have more information for it. But if you would like my best guess-"he was cut of suddenly by Denda

"It is the dragon balls. He made a wish to fix whatever is wrong with him from the tournament of Power. Based on what Popo has told me, and what I have observed myself, the wish has essentially been exceptionally complete and fixed the damage done by the blow to the head he received in his youth. He is a full Sayan, instincts, drive to battle, and aggression. He essentially wants three things, and two of them aren't available right now." The young Kami sounded tired. "I have spoken with King Kai and this is all the available information that he has. He has already worked to get into contact with Whis and Beras. It may take a bit of time but they will be on their way as soon as possible."

"I will have Chi Chi make a deluxe cake or something. That will get their attention. It's not a perfect method but it will get their attention faster than if we follow the normal chain of command. Gohan, the kids are close by, you can take your wife and kid there, and the rest of us are in the living room. Join us when you can. I will meet you there. 18 and Bulma are also with the kids. They will be safe altogether."

"I will join you guys in a moment then." Gohan bundled up his family and hurried them into the house. Vegita turned to Denda and Popo.

"Do you have anything else? Any ideas about how to turn him back?"

"Hit him really hard?" Denda looked slightly sheepish "King Kai didn't have anything about turning him back, save for maybe the Dragon Balls." His words were greeted with a soft sigh. Vegita began to lead them into the compound looking back to make sure that he was being followed.

"Come on then. We have work to do."

XXX XXX

Goku moved across the landscape, his punches felt free, his body flowed through the motions like water over rock. Etched across his face was a smirk. He could feel the others gathering. He could feel their worry, their shock, and their fear. It was surprisingly satisfying to the Sayan warrior.

He had never delighted in this before and it was liberating!

Goku felt like he had been born anew. Soon it would be time to go say Hello. So they could greet him properly. Until then, it was training time.

XXX XXX

As the day moved to night, it became clear to everyone that Goku was Deliberate moving closer and closer to them. He was taunting them with his power, moving in ways to make them uncomfortable. And it was driving the Z fighters nuts! As dusk fell and Goku drew ever closer, Vegita decided he had had enough.

"Let's go. We have dilly dallied long enough. We need to face him now, before he gets worse."

"I agree." Gohan's voice was sharp with tension. "The others will be safe enough for now; they won't be if he decides to come here." As nods came in from all of the others there was a sharp crack and then the wall next to them was gone. Standing there was Goku, he smiled and with a voice like silk he greeted them.

"Hello everyone." The lit of his voice was upbeat but his smile was a knifes edge and his eyes where black pools that promised violence. "It's so nice to see you all. If I had known there was going to be a gathering I would have brought something." The silken tone caused the hairs on the back of Vegita's neck to stand on end. The tension in the room wound tighter and tighter; coiling ever closer to the promised battle.

And then with a riotous crack, it snapped, Vegita and Goku both powered up; Gohan following instantly, along with the other Z fighters. They blasted up into the air, heading away from the city, before settling in a quiet place marred by pervious fights. Goku's power continued to rise, forcing the others back before, with a shout of fury and joy, he ascended into blue and charged.

The first blow landed sharply against the jaw of the smaller Sayan. Faster than blinking he was backing off, easily dodging the reply.

"Poor Vegita. Starting to get slow in your advanced age?" the silken voice turned mocking to the man before him. The first blow had caused a split lip, that bleed faintly. Vegita ignored it, blasting himself into blue as Gohan Charged forward.

"Stay back boy, this is between the two of us." His clipped sentences showing how much strain he was under to try and follow the taller warrior.

"Bold words for a little prince, this won't be much of a competition. After all, I've already won." Vegita spat on the ground in front of Goku.

"Prove it."

The only reply was another knife sharp smile.

Both men moved faster than blinking, faster than thought at some points. Brief flickers of violence to the naked eye containing more blows then the others could believe. It quickly became clear that the Sayan Prince was on the defensive. He was taking more blows then he was giving, at some points of their exchanges he was simply a flurry of blocks as he worked to slow down the aggressively attacking Goku.

"That is not how Goku usually fights." Tien was matter of fact in his observation of the ever escalating exchange in front of them.

"Agreed." Krillen felt his voice crack slightly as he watched, knowing that he would barely be able to slow his best friend down if needed.

"It is all fire and aggression, none of the grace he usually exhibits when fighting." Piccolo was attentively watching the battle, his voice a rumble backed with the sounds of Ki blasts being exchanged.

Yamcha nodded in agreement. He was trembling in place at the force of the powers in front of him, but had come to stand with his friends, even at the cost of standing against another one.

It was Gohan whose comment caused them all fear. "He fights like he wants to hurt someone." He had dropped his power up but was still waiting like a coiled spring. Knowing as time passed that Vegita was losing ground, and would fall to Goku soon. Knowing he was going to have to step in, and fight his father in this ascended state. There was nothing else to say, nothing to do but watch as the proud and powerful Sayan Prince got slowly beaten down by his more powerful opponent.

The ground shuttered as Vegita plowed into it carving a furrow a kilometer long. He was slow to pick himself up, but did not ask for help. Gohan looked him in the eye and nodded. It was a moment between them, Vegita knew he wouldn't win, Gohan knew he was next; both knew it might not be enough. Then shock crossed all their faces as four people landed in the middle of the battle.

Beres had arrived.

There was none of his usual jovial nature in his eyes. Nothing but the destroyer god, challenged by a mortal man; with him stood Whis, and the Elder and Supreme Kais.

"You are going to keep fighting. I can see it. I can taste it in the air around you. There is violence singing in your veins, and joy in your eyes. I am not here to satisfy you Son Goku. But to bring forth the one who will."

"You speak like a god with cloying words, but offer nothing but false promises. There are none here who could face me save for you and Whis."

"Actually, that's not quite true." Whis's voice was as joyful as ever, his movements just as unhurried and unworried as before.

"Explain." Vegita levered himself the rest of the way up. A flicker of motion and a small green bean was tossed his way. He ate it as he stared as the newcomers. The two Kai's looked at one another, and then at the watching party. It was Elder Kai who stepped in to clarify the matter.

"Well, now, you all remember when the pink blob was wreaking havoc? And Gohan came to me to have his power unlocked? Well he won't remember, and honestly I had forgotten until Whis came to see me-" Goku Growled "Get on with it!" Elder Kai frowned at the interruption "-as I was saying before I was so RUDELY interrupted, I helped Gohan access his full power. Except that potential scared me. The amount of power that was boiling in this one mortal would have been felt throughout the depth of space and woken Beras before his time. It would have been a bomb. And uncontrollable blast of raw energy, more dangerous than Buu, the very foe he sought to stop. It would have destroyed the earth at the time; and caused insurmountable damage to our Galaxy. It was this very nature that I had been trying to stop with Buu. So… I placed a block on a large portion of his power." At this the Elder Kai paused in thought for a moment and Piccolo spoke in the ensuing silence

"What Kind of Block." Piccolo's voice was harsh, each word enunciated, and so deep in his anger that he forgot who he spoke to.

"You notice he has never gone into an ascended state at full power? Even when he was trying to? That is because of the block. He did get more powerful. But I kept a leash on the worst of it to keep things from getting worse instead of better." The answer to the question caused the last two full Sayans to flat out snarl at elder Kai. Gohan frowned as well but chose to move beyond it and address the actual reason for their arrival.

"If you're here and telling us that must mean you are here to fix it. Or at least let more out so I can do what needs to be done." At this the Elder Kai Nodded.

"That is quite right, but it will take some time. What was done before took time and it will need to be undone carefully or you could go insane."

"Go. I will keep him here for as long as you need." Vegita moved between the watchers and the still Blue Goku. He powered up as far as he was able, and took the stance he had used since he first began training. Goku smirked.

"You can try."

Beras pulled back, standing to protect the earth itself from meeting an untimely end at the hands of the clashing titans. Whis turned to Gohan, creating a dome of energy to protect elder Kai and everyone else as he worked. Gohan sat calmly before the elder Kai who began his ridiculous dance to undo what he had done.

"It will take me a bit of time to undo. You all might want to get clear."

The serious gaze of the Kai told the watching Z fighters that he was very serious about his demand. They shot back to a 'safe distance' while still being close enough to watch. Vegita launched himself at the now distracted Goku, with intent to buy time. Whis lifted his hands to maintain the barrier. And then everything was blown away.

The once craggy landscape was now flat, the rock that made up its character now dust on the wind. Beras's hands glowed with the effort he had exerted to push the exploding energy upwards, keeping the planet intact for another day. Vegita had been knocked head over heels, tumbling through the air before managing to right himself and stare in shock at the center point of the explosion. Goku's feral grin widened.

Gohan was glowing faintly. His hair was virtually white, with a teal tinge around the edges from the energy he was giving off. His eyes where a vibrant teal as well, with the pupils swallowed by the swell of power. It was not instinct, with its almost liquid feel and form. But instead crackled like SSJ2 with lightning and strength. Like Mystic, but more complete.

He surged forward as the energy wave died down. Meeting his father mid strike with a clean movement that rattled everyone around them.

"Come on dad. You know that won't be enough." The elder Sayan spoke harshly in reply.

"I had to check. You've gone soft before." Goku charged to the sky, triggering Kaioken, and ascending as far as he could before descending towards the earth like a comet bent on destruction. The others could only watch on in amazement and horror at the clash that was taking place before them.

He roared in challenge at his new opponent. Below him, a hero writhed in teal flame and lightning charged up, rising like a shooting star to match the man who made himself a god.

The clash was titanic. The sounds alone sending waves out far beyond them and into the watching warriors. The blows echoing into the descending darkness. Flashes of Ki and flickers of motion telling only fractions of the clash that was happening above.