I do not own DB, DBZ, DBGT or DBS all rights to the companies that own them and Akira Toriyama.
Year 769, August
Chi-Chi made it to Goten's 1st birthday, she boasted that the doctors underestimated her strength. She was slowly deteriorating in front of Gohan. Bulma would come by every few days and help out. She even offered to let them stay with her when Chi-Chi get to the stage of needing a hospital, Dende tried to heal her once but apparently his healing powers were only for physical wounds, as were Sensu beans. The disease attacking Chi-Chi was unable to be stopped, though after Dende's help it did slow the spread of it through her body, giving her a bit of a boost to be able to fight a bit longer.
By August she wasn't able to get out of bed anymore. Piccolo was around a lot more as well, they hadn't trained much over the past few months. But to know that they were surrounded by someone that was there for her and had come to respect her mother more than he did her father if the talks Gohan had overheard when Piccolo would watch over her mother while Gohan attended other matters like her baby brother who didn't understand what was going on.
It was a cool day in late August when Chi-Chi left the world. They had a small funeral with all their friends and a few officials from the Ox Kingdom, each person said something nice about Chi-Chi while Gohan just sat there holding Goten. Anyone looking would think she was trying to replicate one of Vegeta's looks as she was so lifeless and stoic, shut off. The wake was a different matter, Bulma held a private wake at her place, almost everyone from the funeral went. Gohan had put Goten down for a nap and was sitting in the lounge room trying to find the want to go out and socialise but wasn't finding it. She could hear most of the guest had gotten to the tipsy stage and were turning it into more of a party than a wake, few actually talking about her mum and instead almost all conversations were about her father and the poor Son kids. Gohan wasn't so surprised, they were mostly here for her as most of the family friends were her fathers and in some way her friends, she didn't remember her mother having much to do with anyone. Then again if it wasn't for the fact they were her father's friends they wouldn't be here either. She suddenly didn't know how to interact with them. If it wasn't about fighting or academics she really didn't know much else about the ways of the world. Wanting to leave knowing her Grandfather or Bulma would look after Goten for her she went outside and was about to take off to keep her emotions in check when the gang came up trying to comfort her. Their voices all mingled together, and she struggled to differentiate between them. She managed to get words of what seemed like 'apologies' and 'too young' and 'wish it was different.' Gohan reached her breaking point for that one, they had no reason to feel sorry.
Finally breaking her silence "You're sorry?! What do you all have to be sorry about? I spent so much time training anf fighting I could of been there for her more. Yet you all wanted me to fight, you said you needed me, and I tried to be good enough, and now you say your sorry for it?" Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew they were referring to her mother but she couldn't reason anymore, all her scattered thoughts bubbled over, "I was 4-years-old! Yet I never resented any of you. I wanted to fight as well, to protect, mum didn't want me to but I fought for the right to. But look at me now, how messed up everything is! I look out at the road and I see kids my age never knowing the fears and death I have. What more am I meant to say? You guys made me, outside of fighting or books I know nothing on how to be a kid." Everyone was stunned to silence, they knew she was right, no one was able dispute it, they were watching the loveable girl that had grown up in front of their eyes at her breaking point.
Gohan finally looked up and noticed the group around her had taken a step back, well Bulma was pulled back by Krillin as she couldn't sense Gohan's power surge but the rest could. When she saw the fear in the grown men's eyes around her and the sympathy and guilt in Bulma she wanted to flee.
Eventually it was Vegeta whom walked up to behind her placing a hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him, away from the group. Gohan calmed down enough to notice who was giving her the silent support she needed, no fear of her power, no sympathy or pity, just silent support with a ghost of a soft smile, the look in his eyes, it was then Gohan knew he was the one person who would understand. Noticing how close she was to breaking down knowing a few tears were already falling down her face Gohan took to the sky, to no place in particular just wanting to enjoying the feeling of the wind in her face. Lowering her energy as much as she could so it would be harder if one of the z-fighter tried to come after her.
Here she was the most powerful person on the planet, a 12-year-old girl, with sole custody of her 1-and-a-half-year-old brother, she was now first in line to her Grandfather's small Kingdom, set to be Queen in 9 short years at her Grandfather's encouragement. She wasn't so sure she really wanted to be Queen.
'What am I to do now?' Getting her wits about her she weighed up her options.
Well there was the 1-year-old demi-Saiyan relying on her, she has offers from Bulma and her Grandfather to stay with either of them, but Gohan didn't feel ready to leave their quiet cottage that her father built. Technically it was in the Ox-kingdoms boarders so not so far from the palace to make it hard to get there when she was needed to show, they didn't need much money to live as Bulma set up a savings account with all of Goku's tournament winnings over the years back when he came runner-up in the first Budokai, not that her father ever needed money, but it was there, along with what was left of his 1st place winnings that was in their mum's, now her, account. So at least she didn't need to work or rely on the Kingdom to support them until she was crowned even then the idea of being reliant on the kingdoms finances seemed weird to her, she would rather have it going to the people and infrastructure.
FInding some determination to not give up, flying really clears your head. She could make this work. She would raise her baby brother, she had the support behind her when she needs it. She wanted to stay where she was while learning about life outside of life or death battles. She would do it for her brother. Thinking about the small smile that Vegeta had given her before leaving had helped calm her just as much as flying had and that surprised her the most.
After flying around for hours trying to clear her head she finally turned to the direction of her Grandfathers Palace as the sun was starting to set, it had been rebuilt after Master Roshi had blown it up with the Kamehameha wave back when it was known as Fire Mountain and her Grandfather was known as a tyrant and set his castle alight trying to protect his treasures or something, back when her parents were her age. When he re-built it he kept it simple, instead of the gigantic castle that was there before, he designed it more like a large country chateau estate, still grand in the small Kingdom, with sweeping balcony's, with views of the mountains and forests and towns below, the main house had a guarded gate but the grounds leading up the hill were for anyone to use and often there would be outdoor wedding and parties and people just enjoying the gardens like a public park, Gohan didn't mind it here, it was nice, she just preferred their quiet life off in the forest.
Walking up to the gate, knowing she could just fly to the front door but wanted to do things right, you know keep security and all that. She was stopped by the guards before even saying anything. "Sorry miss, the castle isn't accepting guests right now. Due to a death in the family."
"I know sir, I just came from the funeral, it was my mothers and now I'm here to see my grandfather. He should of returned by now." Gohan responded, she could clearly see the guards didn't believe her, the Kingdom knew the Ox-Kings heir was he granddaughter but as Gohan wanted to stay out of the spotlight not many knew what she looked like.
"Sorry miss, we have strict orders, no visitors allowed. Kings orders, please leave." Just as the guards were turning to leave, Mrs Pincell, her grandfather's secretary came out of the palace looking like she was heading home, by the time she made it to the gate she noticed Gohan standing there.
"Your Majesty! What are you doing out here?" At her addressment of Gohan the Guards got nervous they had just refused entry to the Princess. Forgetting court protocol Mrs Pincell hugs Gohan giving her, her condolences.
"These new guards won't let me in." Gohan states simply.
"Oh, well if you visited more often they would know your face."
Gohan looked sheepish at the statement, it was true she had been AWOL from Kingdom duties over the months and years but considering her mum had just died and had suffered for over a year, as well as all the training and battles to protect the kingdom and the world it didn't seem that important for her to keep up appearances, the last time was a dinner during her training for the androids her mother asked her to attend as most of the guests were officals and other prominent people throughout the world, including the current world king, King Furry. "Are you off for the weekend?" Gohan tried to change the subject.
"Yes, I'm off to see my kids, they live in Orange Star City, but recently they are thinking of changing the name to honor Mr. Satan." she says in a mocking tone. Gohan liked that Mrs Pincell had a dislike of Mr Satan even though she didn't know the truth of what happened that day, she thinks.
"I didn't know you had kids."
"I've got twins, they are around your age actually, sadly I'm divorced, my kids and ex wanted to stay in the city, but I wanted a quieter life, that's when the position next to your Grandpa opened up. Anyway, I best get going, It's a long flight."
"Okay, I'll see you around, I got to find Grandfather."
"Gohan!" Both Ox-King and Goten exclaimed happy to see Gohan back, The Ox-king had been there when she left but Goten was asleep at the time and didn't like waking up and not seeing Gohan around.
"Gohan it's about time you came back, I was starting to worry, I know your upset, it's hard on all of us, but we need to talk about where you two will stay." Her grandfather started. "It goes without saying, your welcome to stay here, it will be your palace once you are crowned, but that is still a few years away."
"I know grandfather, it's just, I'm not ready to leave our home yet, together with Goten I will still come by and visit regularly for lessons and stuff. It's just... I just can't do it yet."
Once all the specifics were sorted it was late into the night, Gohan took a sleeping Goten home to their little house in the forest, putting the small replica of her father into his crib and started preparing for bed on autopilot, it was then, as she was going to say good night to her mother like she did every night that the past few days hit her hardest. There was no bringing her back. The dragon would not revive someone who died by natural causes and illness fell into that sector, for all the medical advances of this world plus all the magical ones nothing was enough to cure that. Suddenly it felt like a tonne of brick on her chest, as the tears prang to her eyes for the 2nd time that day, she held enough control to know her surroundings and could feel her power rising, she left the house as quickly as she could without making much noise, running into the forest she fell to her knees and released a strangled cry, letting her power and her pain erupt from her.
By the time she had calmed down enough to look around she was in her ascended Saiyan form it felt completely different to the first few times she transformed as she was in a different frame of mind maybe, not that she was paying attention to it, what she did notice was Vegeta off to the side, watching, waiting patiently. Looking strange as he was in normal human clothing and not his Saiyan Armour. As they looked each other in the eyes, it was one of the only times Gohan could remember seeing compassion in his eyes, in the last 6 years she had known him, he had never had that look. It was a private moment, they didn't talk, only watching each other. Eventually Vegeta came forward and sat on the scorched ground next to her, they didn't touch but it was the most comfort Gohan had ever felt from anyone in her life, giving her the calmness needed to drop out of ascended Saiyan, not even her father had made her feel this safe and understood. It could have been hours or minutes but it was the distant cries of Goten having felt the power surge and woken up that broke the silent spell between them.
"Thank you, Vegeta." Gohan said softly as she pulled herself up and made her way back home, she had someone who needed her protection she mustn't forget it.
Year 770, January
With help from Bulma and her Grandfather, Gohan and Goten found their rhythm living without Chi-Chi. Gohan helped Bulma build an external Gravity chamber with an unaffected area to be used as a play pen as well as a machine similar to the one she uses at CC to help with the cooking, though on a smaller scale that also washed the dishes once stacked on the side. Gohan was an okay cook and they had plenty of food supply it was finding the time to cook enough for a full grown and a toddler half-Saiyan as well as look after said toddler and train and keep up some light studying. How her mother did it all those years is one mystery she took to the grave.
She even programmed it with some of her mother's recipes well the ones she knew and the few that were written down, Gohan kept the list of cookable recipes to the minimum and stuck with classics she knew they both liked. And every night she would tell Goten stories of her parents and their adventures. Goten knew Gohan was his sister but she was also both the only mother and father he would know.
At least once a week Vegeta would bring a 3-year-old Trunks and while the boys played Gohan and Vegeta would spar in her gravity chamber. It seemed like his drive had left him and their spars were just a way to keep moving doing the minimum, apparently, according to Bulma it wasn't until Gohan started training again after Chi-Chi that Vegeta even did that much. Gohan was still having trouble accessing the Ascended Saiyan form for extended periods, mostly cause the power and what it did to her mentally scared her a bit, she knew she was held back by herself but didn't know how to overcome it.
One random day when Gohan went to Bulma's for a bit of tinkering and help with a wild 2-year-old replica of her father, as well as to get some more durable bras in a bigger size. She was only 12 but her body kept growing. They over heard an advert for an intergalactic martial arts contest while having lunch. This peaked Gohan's interest, she'd never gottent he chance to fight for fun like her father had. She wondered if any of the other Z-fighters would join. It appeared this was a present for some Millionaire's sons birthday, as well as a way for Mr. Satan to boast his skills some more, after he had taken all the credit from Gohan's defeat of Cell he really cashed in, not that Gohan minded that, she liked the quiet life for as long as she can, it was just his refusal of accepting all other forms of Martial Arts that has been around for centuries and degrading them to the point almost everyone believed that only his way of fighting was the only way, that's what annoyed her about him. Bulma said she would look after Goten while she was at the tournament and was going to come and watch her, and would call the other fighters and let them know.
A few days before the tournament Gohan was washing their clothing while Goten play in the dirt hunting for bugs when she noticed a very similar Ki signature come towards her. Two of them. She knew one, it was an older Trunks. The other felt like herself but different. Finishing her task, she turned to where they would be landing and saw a slightly buffer trunks with longer shoulder length hair and another man, if it wasn't for the shorter hair the scars and the missing arm it would be like looking at her father. She had to admit she would be very good looking as a man. It was something that she had been noticing lately when around grown men, that was men as attractive beings not just as people, this was very noticeable when she sparred with Vegeta, she would get flustered at his appearance and gruff voice after a spar and their clothing was ripped a lot of the time his whole upper body would be visible, these feelings were really confusing her.
When they landed they could only stare. It has been almost 3 years since she saw them last, she had grown. And since it was a rest day she was wearing a traditional light Chinese shirt with loose pants, similar to what her mother would wear, but the outfit was different colours, as it was from her mother's wardrobe, though she had never seen her wear them, she didn't feel like going out shopping unless Bulma dragged her along and as she would grow regularly her mother's wardrobe just seemed the best thing and was steadily growing into almost everything her mother had owned. With her longer hair tied up, she had let it grow out over the years but kept it relatively short to her mid shoulders. Smiling at seeing them looking much healthier made her think they defeated Cell in their time easy enough and the fact they didn't seem to have any extra scarring. As she was about to greet them a grubby mini Goku came running towards her yelling for her attention not noticing the people off to the side. He wasn't advance enough to really notice resting Ki signatures yet. Gohan could only giggle as she picked him up and placed him on her hip.
Turning towards the 2 men she finally addressed them. "Goten, say hi to some special friends of mine. This is Trunks and Gohan." Goten became very confused and angry thinking she was trying to pull a prank.
"But you are Gohan and trunks is my age. They can't be trunks and Gohan as well!" Sensing a tantrum coming she quickly tried to side-track him with the promise of lunch but for once it didn't work. As Goten was watching the 2 tall men in front of him he noticed so many similarities to his trunks and himself which confused him even more.
Not wanting a screaming toddler on her hands Gohan tried explaining. "Well they are called Trunks and Gohan but to make it less confusing let's pick new names for them, how about that?" M. Trunks and M. Gohan just watched the scene in front of them.
Gohan could tell they were trying to decide if he was her kid, her little brother or what. She had had that happen a lot in the past few months since her mum died she knew she looked older than a normal 12-year-old, so she decided to let them make their own decision on the matter as she fell into all the categories that most people assume, so she didn't mind what people thought. Talking to the duo directly asked if they would like lunch as well. Being Saiyans they would never say no to lunch.
Once inside M. Gohan asked where Chi-Chi was, while looking around the home, it was exactly how his house was before his mum had passed in his time line. Gohan responded with a short sentence, "with dad."
Trunks knew Chi-Chi died in his time when he was young, but he always thought it was from the androids.
"Was it cancer?" M. Gohan asked quietly. Gohan just nodded her head it was still a sore subject, 5 months wasn't long enough and to lose both parents in a matter of years, she tried not to think about it. So, she went about preparing lunch. He could probably understand how it felt, he also lost them around the same times she did.
"Do you want a hand?" Trunks asked.
"Nah it's all good. Have a seat it'll be ready soon. It's nothing like mum's cooking but the technology Bulma and I have created has helped me at least be able to enjoy mum's recipes and cook enough for 2 half-Saiyans and when Vegeta and Trunks come by enough to feed them too with out me being stuck in the kitchen for hours. Won't be long." Gohan turned to the counter and started punching in amounts and recipes while her prototype got to work cooking. She though she saw a shadow flash over Trunk's face as she was turning to the sink but it was so quick she dismissed it.
Goten was also at the table still thinking of names to call them and scrutinizing them very closely, for a 2-year-old he was bright for his age. Not as bright as Gohan was, he was different kind, still advanced for his age and he had great strategizing skills, mixed with a sweet and naïve personality like his father. "Gohan, I'm having trouble thinking of names for them. What are they to me?"
"Good question, well the tall one with a scar would be seen more as a big brother from a faraway land. We all share the same parents in a way. As for the one whom looks like your Trunks I would say he is more a cousin, they are from the future, you remember that story I told you last night?"
"Oh…"Both men looked amused by her description but didn't interrupt the little boys musings. Instead both ended up watching Gohan work in the kitchen. Suddenly Goten yelled "Ani" pointing to M. Gohan and "Mirai," Pointing to M. Trunks, looking very pleased with himself. Now that he had made 'awesome' names for them he was happy to sit and wait for the feed the he knew Gohan would give him. Gohan giggled at his names for them while the 2 men in question mostly just looked neutral.
Lunch was a pleasant thing, as with Saiyans there is never much talking but what talking there was, was taken up by Goten asking his new best friends all about themselves.
After lunch Goten went for a nap and it finally gave the three a chance to talk. The Mirai's told her about their fight with Cell. It took him 2 more years to show himself and that was when trunks was going to come back. But after he showed up and they were able to kill him easily, they decided to both come back and now they would actually have something to tell her. Gohan told them about the tournament in a few days, so far only her and Piccolo were defiantly coming but was sure the others would make an appearance except Vegeta, he had lost his fight. Besides his weekly spars with Gohan he really just lounged around.
"It would be nice to fight without the threat of losing the world for a change. I'm sure you two would agree. You were at it longer than I was." Gohan stated.
"Sure, sounds like fun, it would be good to see the gang again. Not that they would know who I am, maybe."
"Yeah, that's true though I'm sure they would enjoy meeting you all the same. And seeing you again Trunks."
With that M. Gohan and M. Trunks decided to stay the night.
The Mirai's shared the spare room as it had 2 single beds while Gohan went to her bedroom that she shared with Goten. She knew she could take her parents room, but it just didn't feel right yet, wearing clothing from her mum's wardrobe was one thing rearranging and sleeping in their bed and bedroom was another. Sadly, like most nights the past few years she couldn't sleep barely getting a few hours before a nightmare woke her. Trying not to wake Goten she tip toes down to the kitchen to boil the kettle. It was there that she found M. Gohan at the kitchen table staring off out the window.
"Can't sleep?" It seemed like a stupid obvious question, but she couldn't think of what else to say.
Not bothering with a light as the moon was bright enough Gohan boiled the kettle and got 2 cups down while brewing a special herbal blend Bunny Briefs got for her when she noticed the bags under her eyes one visit to Capsule Corp, it calmed her enough to be able to sleep without nightmares. She was aware the whole time of M. Gohan's eyes following her around. He still hadn't said anything the whole time until she put the mug in front of him.
"This was mum's favourite. I made one identical for her one mothers day," a small smile graced his features and Gohan decided she really liked seeing him smile.
"Guess there are a lot of overlaps in our history even with the gender difference." M. Gohan was silent again. He seemed a lot more stoic more like Vegeta than Goku but that probably came from growing up in the way he did. They managed to defeat the threat in her timeline but in his he made it to adulthood never having a break in the fighting like she was able to have now. "How do you do it? You've seen all the same horrors as me and even more. And no matter how you tried it was never enough. Yet you sit here, and you smile. Not often, but I saw it when you were looking at Goten as well as just now, and you seem so strong all the time. How do you manage with the nightmares and the loneliness?" It was out of Gohan's mouth before she realised she had said it out loud.
M. Gohan was watching this small yet strong being, she was supposed to be him only female but with so many other differences in their lives, she was over 10 years younger than him in this moment and had more power than he could only hope to unlock. They both had the power within them but only she had managed to unlock it. He had had years to come to terms with his life. After his death, he had made peace with it. Even to this day though he still only slept just enough to get by. Peaceful nights like this still unnerved him as he was so used to fighting and never resting. But how could he tell her that? That he just got used to it? Instead he tried to change the subject.
"So, how old is Goten? It's nice to see one generation with the chance to grow up without constant battles."
"He's 2 and a half, born 7 months after cell, though he was a month premature like all half-Saiyans seemed to be. Mum made it to his 1st birthday and passed a few months later. He's the reason I keep training to be more. Him and Trunks. I don't want them to have the childhood we had," She couldn't help the dry laugh that came at the thought, "or lack of one. I couldn't of stopped mum from leaving, and we tried too but dad sacrificed himself because of me and my arrogance, and like mum not even the Dragon balls can bring him back. Now Goten has to grow up without either. I at least got a chance to know them. He knows I'm his sister and that, a kind black haired lady is his mother and there're pictures of dad around that I tell stories to him about, but he slips every now and then and calls me mummy. Mostly when he's seen Trunks and Bulma together and gets jealous that Trunks has both, not that he understands that feeling fully." Gohan could feel herself getting worked up, tears springing to her eyes. "But I refuse to let him grow up how we did. He's a Son so if a problem did arise he would want to help like we did but I don't ever want him to feel it's necessary like it felt for us." Gohan paused not having talked about this before not even to Piccolo, M. Gohan kept silent knowing she wasn't finished he had kept his pain hidden over the years and nearly drowned in it, but his female counterpart obviously was struggling just as much if not more with an extra type of responsibly thrust onto her. "He has kept me here in this world. Especially after we found out about mum. If it wasn't for Goten I know I would of given up." Gohan confessed.
M. Gohan kept silent for a little longer before speaking weighing his words, "I know that feeling. Trunks was the same for me. There was a purpose, a goal I needed to achieve before I could give up. She died in my time around now. It was the main reason I wanted to come back with Trunks to this Point in the timeline. I had to see if some history was unchanged. And knowing what went through my head at that time, I wanted to make sure it wasn't going through yours. I didn't have a Goten though."
They sat at the kitchen table for what seemed like hours talking every now and then but mostly just enjoying each other's company. Around 2am Goten trotted down trying to find Gohan, he had had a bad dream. M. Gohan stepped up and gave him cuddles instead at Gohans insistence, she had to wash the cups. He was stiff at the idea of being comforting but wanted to give it a go. Might be the only chance he has at feeling like a parent.
"Have you found a love in the future now that there is peace? Being a dad suits you."
"I don't agree with that, I'm not sure I could be a father. There is peace now, but the world there, there's hardly anyone left. I don't think I'd find someone I'd want to start a family with." He wanted to say more, like he feared being a father and raising a child in the same world he and M. Trunks was raised but couldn't say it out loud, not with the sleeping toddler in his arm making him think it could be a possibility. Without words M. Gohan moved to the couch with Goten and got comfy, for some reason he didn't want to let the kid go just yet.
Gohan just watched and smiled, Goten had that affect on people, he'd even softened up Piccolo more than most noticed. "I'm heading back to bed, Piccolo will be here in a few hours bright and early like always." M. Gohan just nodded and found his eyes closing. Gohan noticed this and took a blanket off the other couch and draped it over the two and dragged herself off to sleep not fighting the effects of the tea any longer.
With morning came Piccolo barging his way in the door like usual making a bit of extra noise then was necessary as he had felt the extra signatures here and didn't trust all of them.
Gohan was working her way down the stairs to start breakfast knowing piccolo would already be here but after last night feeling okay to let him wait so she can eat and feed Goten. What she saw almost had her in stitches.
As Piccolo barged through the door the sound had M. Gohan bolting awake and sending the still sleeping Goten tumbling to the floor. Luckily being Saiyan, even halflings are made of durable stuff and this merely woke him but the looks on all 3 faces was priceless. First there was Piccolo's usual stoic face looking like he had seen a ghost looking at M. Gohan, while M. Gohan had a similar face but also with a tinge of embarrassment at being caught sleeping and cuddling a child, like he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. While Goten was rubbing his head and eyes sleepily and cutely, trying to remember why he woke up hitting the floor. No one moved for ages and once Gohan got her laughter under control M. Trunks emerged after being woken up by Gohan's laughter and joined the funny faces club of the rest of the males in her house by the sight be was greeted with.
"Who's hungry?" Only Goten answered her now he was starting to wake up, but considering the staring contest going on in the doorway Gohan wasn't surprised, at least it wasn't a hostile feeling coming from them, so Gohan proceeded to work on the usual breakfast programming larger amounts to compensate the 2 extra full-grown Hybrids. When she heard Goten was awake enough to notice the people in the room he loudly greeted Piccolo and the sound of him running and jump-hugging him and Piccolo's gentle (for piccolo at least) greeting back helped whatever spell was on M. Gohan to snapped.
Breakfast was quiet affair. Piccolo waited off to the side patiently while the Saiyans stuffed their faces. Once it was all gone Gohan proceeded to stack the dishes so the chief Machine could wash them ready for the next meal and went about pre-setting the machine ready for lunch in a few hours. Once all the Saiyans were fed Gohan went about introducing M. Gohan and Piccolo officially, though they already knew of each other.
"Well, I was going to spar with you like normal but seeing as you now have guests, I wouldn't mind sparing with them see how they go." Piccolo told the group as they were getting up from the table.
"Sounds like a plan It has been years since I sparred against Piccolo of my time I would like to see the differences as well." M. Gohan replied.
"Well that's settled, Trunks would you like to spar? We never really got a chance last time you were here. Goten you know the rules, stay near the house and keep us within eye sight but don't come too close. Deal?"
"Deal." Goten responded running out the house in his pyjamas before Gohan could stop him. Considering the confusion of guests Gohan decided to let it slide this time.
Trunks had evolved a lot since she saw him fight last, still wearing the same style outfit only this time the jacket had the sleeves ripped off, they both decided to keep it at base form, Gohan had learnt that the stronger her base form was the stronger she was as Super Saiyan, that it was a power up more than a new form, so she trained as much as she could pushing her base form. The fight was a good one, Piccolo always gave her a good fight and tried to mix it up as much as he could so she wouldn't get too used to him but fighting with someone completely different made her focus so much more, had a fighting style similar to her one but also vastly different as he had made it his own. Gohan was enjoying herself immensely, after a while Gohan got the upper hand and knocked Trunks out though only briefly. Helping him up the two observed Piccolo and M. Gohan's fight. They were both going all out, M. Gohan had powered up to his full Super Saiyan which was just below what he needed to ascend if he had the right trigger, while Piccolo was just under his full, they were moving so fast you could feel the shock waves from each punch and block, luckily they had moved to a clearing far enough away from the house so as not to direct any damage that way. The spar went on for over an hour with no definitive winner though both combatants were looking worn out, Gohan decided to call lunch halting anymore fighting.
As they were landing Gohan heard M. Gohan asking Piccolo, "how did you get so strong, even training against the Piccolo in my time he was never as strong as you, even after 10 years in other world."
"Well I don't know what differences happened between the Piccolo in your time and myself, but I guess the heads up helped a lot I spent 3 years training with a Super Saiyan Goku and Gohan and when Cell made himself known Kami and I fused, that helped I guess." It was weird talking to this older male version of his pupil they looked like they could of been siblings but felt too similar even for that sort of connection. If he thought of their energy as colours he would see both as dark blue but M. Gohan as deep royal blue while Gohan was more a sapphire. "Hey kid!" Piccolo called to Gohan who was rounding up Goten for lunch, "I'll see you tomorrow at the tournament." With nothing else said he took off.
"Same Piccolo, as abrupt as ever." M. Gohan observed while walking up to Gohan and Trunks who were heading towards the house, Goten had raced off ahead.
After lunch M. Trunks decided to head back to Capsule Corp to spend the rest of the time with his mum and dad, he had noticed they still had distance between them and was hoping to see if there was enough chemistry to have a relationship now that both of them are alive this time around.
M. Gohan wanted to stay with Gohan and Goten for as long as he could, he knew he had to go back to his time eventually but, it was the first time he had felt comfortable in his parents house in over a decade, Gohan hadn't changed anything since her mother had passed so it looked exactly how M. Gohan's mum had it before she left.
It was almost like they were a family, a little sister and brother for him, it tugged at his heart strings made him think what could of been better if he had been a better fighter, had the oppotunity to try and advance his Super Saiyan, he ascended a bit later than Gohan did, all these thoughts running around his head he never even imagined before, but didn't resent them. They had made the machine so that they could create a future that didn't suffer like his did, it just happened that in doing so he was born a girl instead. It was one of the first times in his life he felt content and actually excited for what the future would bring, maybe there was a girl in his time that could be right for him and he would get a chance to be like this.
The day of the tournament came, the Son kids decided to use IT to get to Capsule Corp as they were running behind schedule because Goten wanted to join them in the fighting and the two older hybrids had spent most of the morning trying to argue with the toddler that he was too young and could fight in the next one. Leaving them no time to fly there casually like they had planned.
Upon arriving and greeting Bulma, M. Trunks and toddler Trunks, the group headed off to the battle Island that had been created just for this occasion, apparently.
"Hey Bulma, any news on the other Z-fighters if they are going to join as well?"
"Well, Krillin and Yamcha said they would and Master Roshi had said he would be there to watch, but I'm sure it's because of all the young girls that would be in the stands. And I'm pretty sure Tien would be there too mostly cause he likes proving himself or some stuff." Bulma replied.
By the time they had signed in, the fighters had split off into the battle area. There were 8 fighting rings going all out at once, 25 fighters on each, in a battle royal style fight. The last one standing on each podium went to the semi-finals apparently. Gohan was on one podium by herself wearing a Gi matching her father, in fact all the Son kids had one on including Goten. The competition didn't seem to view her as a threat, going at each other and almost ignoring her, though the few that did try to challenge her found themselves knocked into the water very swiftly, this started gaining the attention of the other fighter on her block.
Tien, Piccolo, Krillin and Yamcha all got separate stages to fight on as did M. Gohan who had entered as Mirai while M. Trunks entered as 'Trunks' as his younger counterpart was too young to enter. With those lucky drawings it was almost certain all would make it to the semi-finals and fight each other for the top 4 positions. Sadly, Yamcha seemed to of given up the idea of fighting when he saw the 3 Saiyans and Piccolo enter and was swiftly knocked out by someone hitting the pole he was on top of daydreaming. Apparently the fighting was going on too long for the officials. Gohan had won her round and advanced so had M. Gohan, Trunks, Piccolo and Tien though the 3 other stages were being tipped sideways and the last one hanging on would be the winner. This had Krillin winning his stage as well as 2 random people who apparently were regulars at Mr. Satans Dojo.
The semi-finals were sorted soon after starting with Gohan vs. Udo, whom was 5 times the size of Gohan and resorted to taunting her about her age and gender. This fight was ended swiftly with Gohan kicking Udo's legs out from under him and spin kicking him into the water with zero effort, much to the shock of the entire stadium.
The second fight was Trunks vs. Tien. They gave a good fight flitting around the stages and sky to the amazement of the crowds, having people whisper about wires or tricks but as they could clearly see the sky above them with no roof or bars over head the rumours were ignored. Eventually Trunks got the upper hand by going Super Saiyan and knocking Tien into the water. The good sport he is ended up give Tien a hand up to the podium.
The third fight was Krillin vs. Piccolo, this one had Krillin loosing his cool and running at Piccolo sloppily. Piccolo got annoyed at the lack of fight in his opponent and after stopping Krillin from going into the water flew off, forfeiting the match to Krillin, which Krillin was okay with a win is a win in his eyes.
The fourth was M. Gohan vs. a large sumo wrestler named Doskoi, though both were respectful of each other the fight like Gohan's was over in seconds, shocking the crowd as no one expected him to get so far with only one arm. Making M. Gohan or as he called himself today 'Mirai' the winner.
The four winners then found themselves standing on a platform next to 4 shuttles. The rules were, the first to beat their intergalactic opponent (who it turned out to be just Mr. Satan's top students dressed up) in one of 4 battle worlds and make their way back to the start would be the winner and get to fight Mr. Satan for the prize money.
Getting to the small pods the finalists were shot down a tunnel, everyone watching would be tripped out by the passing scenes, Gohan was just enjoying the ride, she somehow managed to fly through space and enjoyed all the stars surrounding her ending up landing in a world made of giant toys like a toy box. Wandering around one of the balloons popped right in front of her alerting her to the presence of someone behind her. Before she could see who it was big wooden blocks were thrown at her, dodging out of the way. She was met with a short blue guy with a weird hat, who attacked her head on using magic. With a flick of his wrist the toys melted away revealing a jungle. The strange fighter doesn't say a thing only laughs creepily.
For the first time since landing Gohan feels some strange energies off into the distance and if she isn't mistaken she believes it to be the other fighters. Flying off as quickly as she can followed by the strange blue guy, she comes upon M. Gohan, Krillin and Trunks unconscious dumped in a pile.
"Oh no. Guys, come on, wake up!" she yells to them shaking them a little. She can still feel their life energy so luckily they are just unconscious, but it doesn't look good.
Looking up at the people who did this, besides the short blue guy there was also a pretty red-headed girl also with blue skin and a buff tall guy whom was also blue. Gohan starts to tremble as the, what would appear to be the leader, step out of the shadows if his power emanating from him is anything to go by.
Suddenly Tien and Yamcha show up, with out much said the two charges the assailants while Gohan stands there bordering on fear and anger. Tien in knocked out after one hit and Yamcha is soon to follow, both being kicked to the pile of fighters. Gohan noticed M. Gohan and Trunks starting to stir but doesn't have time to try and wake them quicker.
"Earth belongs to Master Bojack now," the Short blue guy says.
Gohan had enough standing around and powers up to Super Saiyan and manages to defend against the 3 Hench-people for a lot longer than the rest, till they get a few good hits in and throw her into a building making it collapse on her. As she pulls herself free she sees a giant blast coming right for her, sent by Bojack, as they had knocked the Super Saiyan out of her, she barely has the energy to deflect. Suddenly the beam is knocked away by another beam by Piccolo.
"Have a rest kid, I got this." Piccolo says with his usual bravado. Though his fight against the leader they had identified as Bojack, sadly Piccolo didn't last long, luckily Trunks had re-awakened and joined the fight so Gohan was able to catch Piccolo before he crashed. Before her eyes Trunks is held back by some invisible force before the force which looked like strings is cut by Vegeta by Trunk's sword, who had felt the disturbance and joined the fight. With Vegeta taking on Bojack, Trunks and the newly awakened fight the hench-people.
"Leave me kid, I'm sorry I couldn't do more, they need you out there." Piccolo wheezed.
"Right" Gohan replied, suddenly very determined. The world was resting on her and the other fighters and they needed help.
Gohan tried to enter the fight again, Vegeta was beaten badly Trunks was struggling as was M. Gohan. Powering up as much as she could, it wasn't her ascended form as she was still scared of what it did to her and had a sort of barrier stopping herself ascending but was just under the threshold. She appeared to be getting the upper hand against Bojack when his henchmen jump in with their string barrier attack, she could feel her power being sucked out of her to the point she is no longer Super Sayian. Out of nowhere Mr. Satan comes in crashing into one of the henchmen and knocking the barrier away, before she was able to recover though Bojack grabs her in a full body lock and starts squeezing the last of her life from her. Gohan's screams echo around the dome, the pain emitting from her awakens the fighters, though none of them have the power anymore to save her, much to their disgust, they can only watch.
Out of no where an image of Goku flits across the sky and knocks Bojack out, making him release Gohan. "Daddy..?" Gohan asks weakly, to anyone watching they would see a ghostly image of Goku carrying Gohan bridal style slowly floating towards the ground.
"Wake up Gohan, the world is depending on you. Believe in yourself,"
"I.. I'm scared..."
"Unleash your power, you control it it doesn't control you, it's the only way to save the Earth. I believe in you."
Landing softly on the ground thanks to her father. He was gone already but she knew it was him, his voice and touch is something she wouldn't believe was a dream.
It gave her the inner strength she needed. She will control it this time. She needs to. No one is going to die this time around for her to control this power. It was easier this time, her mind set was more focused than any other time she had tried to ascend.
"ARRRHHHHGGG!" She yells unlocking her power letting it overflow from her, not holding back anymore. The power that erupts from her centre shakes the battle ground. Little did she know it shook the whole planet as well. In a blinding light Gohan Ascends, her hair is raised higher than usual Super Saiyans defying gravity, a powerful aura surrounds her with electricity emanating off her body, her muscles appear more pronounced but still lithe and feminine, though her features are sterner.
Walking towards Bojack staring him down. She doesn't even flinch when his Hench-people try their energy drain technique again wrapping her in the strange strings trying to hold her in place, Gohan continues to walk towards him with a small yell the strings are severed. Gohan proceeds to kill 2 of the henchmen with a punch and a kick both Ki enhanced blowing them up on impact. The third henchmen who is in fact the woman starts backing away from Gohan in fear only to be thrown forward towards her by Bojack whom follows up with a blast that disintegrates her and continues on towards Gohan. Gohan flicking the blast out of the way with no effort, continues to stare Bojack down.
"You stupid child, I am the strongest in this universe, it might of taken me a few years to make my way to Earth, but now I'm here all thanks to your father, him blowing up the Kai's planet was just the thing I needed. I will claim it and the whole universe! Any last words before I blow you up along with the planet!?" Bojack demands though his voice and body are trembling with fear.
"This Earth is mine to protect. I will Protect it from the likes of you." Gohan replies calmly.
Bojack angry at the turn of events charges blindly at Gohan, who is standing there waiting for him to approach, she dodges his punch and follows up with one of her own straight through his stomach.
Bojack stumbling backwards keeps up with his bravado claiming he is strongest, "any last words before I kill you?!" he screams while bleeding out and struggling to stay standing.
This time as he tries to attack with an energy blast Gohan retaliates with, "Yeah the last words you'll ever hear. Ka..Me..Ha..Me..HAA!" Sending a blast back at him, the resulting explosion from the blasts rocks the world once more. Gohan charges Bojack whom sees her coming, focusing her Ki into her fist she lands a punch through his stomach once more resulting in him exploding.
Once the combined blast clears only Gohan is standing seemingly untouched. Falling out of Super Saiyan looking pleased with herself she falls to the ground exhausted. The shockwave and her screams from earlier had awakened all the other fighters, though battered and bruised they were thankful Gohan was able to come through once more. They may have been feeling obsolete at this time, but they couldn't argue they needed her, even if it did make them feel guilty to rely on someone so young.
In the aftermath only Gohan, Trunks, Krillin and Yamcha are taken to the hospital. Vegeta, M. Gohan, Tien and Piccolo should of been going but they refused. While at the hospital Master Roshi, Bulma and the kids are around all the fighters in beds, talking about how stupid it was they were in the hospital while Mr Satan claims to of saved the day once more, Goten was so scared he wouldn't let Gohan go, calling her mummy in front of everyone for the first time. Gohan didn't mind, she was the one raising him, plus she liked his cuddles. The fighters that had refused help happened to be hanging around outside the hospital on the roof listening in on the conversations though all staring at different places.
"She really is something else. More than I could be, such a different drive." M. Gohan mused out loud to no one in particular.
Piccolo and Tien grunted in response while Vegeta sat there fuming. Goku may be dead but he could have a new rival someone worthy of being his focus. This latest defeat of him re-awakened his desire to be strongest, she may be young, but he would beat her and be the strongest to protect, which he never thought would be his drive but it seemed the way she got her power, he would try it.
TBC...