Chapter 4: The Dream

"Gohan," a low, rough voice said.

"P-piccolo?"

A tall, green, Namekian revealed himself from the shadowy area he stood in.

"Whew, it is you," Gohan said, gratefully.

"Gohan, have you been sensing any type of strange power recently?"

"Yeah I did!" Gohan said, "I was at Capsule Corp. and I was talking to Trunks when we first felt the power. Vegeta said he felt it too!! Then, on my way back, it seemed like the owner of that power was there… watching me."

"A… are you serious?" Piccolo asked.

"Mm hm," Gohan said with a nod, "I've never experienced anything so powerful nor evil."

"… Gohan… I… recently, I have been getting visions through meditation," Piccolo started.

"… what, kind of visions?" Gohan asked, dreading the response.

Piccolo looked Gohan straight in the eye, "A new evil has arrived on Earth, and he has his eyes set on revenge."

"Revenge? Against what?"

"Not what… but who," Piccolo said, looking grimly at Gohan, "Gohan… someone, or something, wants you dead."

"… this again?!" Gohan exclaimed, "It's Cell, isn't it?! Why can't he just stay dead! Why can't I live a normal life, without people trying to kill me?! I'm sick of it!! Piccolo, you of all people should know that I hate fighting… why can't Cell just… just leave me alone…"

"Gohan, I never said it was Cell… although it does seem very likely to be him," Piccolo saw the mourning in Gohan's eyes, "I don't know why he won't die… but I do know this. As the strongest person on the planet, you have the task of ridding evil from this planet. Your father did too, yet he never complained."

"Dad never had a villain constantly seeking revenge on him…" Gohan said quietly.

"I heard that. And though I agree, that's not an excuse to ignore the fact that you are this planet's protector. You are the one who will help others. So think, next time, what's more important, the well-being of yourself, or the well-being of the planet."

Gohan looked at Piccolo and knew he was right. He was supposed to protect the earth, not complain about it.

"Gohan, I'll talk to you tomorrow about this new power. Good night," Piccolo said as he flew away.

"Good-night Piccolo," Gohan said, turning around.

He walked back to his home, too weary to greet his mother who offered dinner. Instead, Gohan went to his room, shut the door, and fell onto his bed. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

That night, he had a strange dream. He was in a strange place, it was a blur. The gray and blue skies moved slowly and stiffly and looked as if they were painted. Gohan looked around and saw someone walking towards him. Gohan got into a fighting pose, ready to fight whoever it was. Shadows hid the person from view, so his appearance was a mystery.

"I'm glad you came," said a voice. It sounded exactly like Gohan's except a little lower and scratchier.

"What? Who are you? Why do you sound like… like me?" Gohan asked him.

"Heh… maybe it's because," the person stepped forward, erasing all the shadows on him, "I am you."

Gohan took a step back in shock, "But… how…?"

"Good question. A question only time can answer. Hehe, you'll see, the side you are currently on, will_not_last," the other Gohan said. An evil smile seemed to never leave his face. He was wearing the Piccolo clothes Gohan had worn during his first fight with Cell.

"What do you mean, they won't last?! Are you telling me my friends will die?!"

"Oh, so you call them friends? Hehe, very soon, you will call them enemies."

"Wh-what?"

"You'll see," he turned around and walked away, "Very soon, you will feel the excitement of darkness."

He vanished into the shadows whence he came.

"Wait!" Gohan called out, stretching out his hand.

"GOHAN!!" A voice boomed. It was a powerful, strong voice and sounded familiar. Gohan turned around and saw Cell.

"Cell!!" Gohan shouted as he jumped back. He got into a fierce fighting pose and watched Cell walk closer to him.

Cell suddenly appeared right behind him. Gohan looked back but got elbowed on the head and fell to the ground. Before he could get up, Cell smashed his foot against the back of Gohan's head, slowly making him sink deeper into the strange ground.

"AH! A-AAHH!!" Gohan cried out in pain.

Wait a minute. This has happened before… at the Cell Games! In the uncut version, this really does happen Why's it… happening… again…?

"Gohan! What's stopping you!! Give in to your anger!! Loose control!!!"

"GAH! AHH! NO… WAY… CEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!"

A burst of energy erupted out of Gohan. Violent winds broke through the strange background like a piece of glass that is slowly shattering. The area became black as black sparks of electricity ran around Gohan. Gohan opened his eyes through extreme pressure.. He was already at Super Saiyan 2, but now, he could feel something greater within him growing. A power that Gohan wanted to bring out, but also feared it.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!" Gohan yelled.

His power-up ended with an explosion. Cell's laugh was heard through the smoke the explosion had caused.

"Good… very good, you've finally come out of hiding," Cell said.

The smoke cleared, and Gohan was an even more powerful Super Saiyan. He was beyond Super Saiyan2 and though his golden spikes of hair showed the signs of a Super Saiyan, his eyes did not. They remained black and showed coldness that Gohan had never experienced before.

What… what's going on?!, Gohan thought, though his facial expression shoed no sign of confusion. What happened to me?! Why am I like this?! Why does it seem like I'm … evil…

"AH!!" Gohan yelled. He shot up from his bed and was panting heavily, as if he had just been in a furious battle, "Huff… huff… that… dream. It seemed so… so real!"

"Gohan!!" Chichi called, "Breakfast!"

"Ok mom…"