Disclaimer: Don't own DBZ.
Darker Essence: An Alternate Universe
Chapter One: Tainted Reunion
Krillin had been slaving over the grill for nearly two hours now. Somehow he should have figured that Gohan would eat as much as his father. Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Steaks, Brisket, you name it, it was downed by the father and son as fast as he could cook it.
"More food!" Gohan cheerfully shouted.
"Yeah!" Goku shouted, not sounding much older than his son at the moment, "More food!"
Thankfully Bulma had helped him, and after a seemingly eternity the father-son duo had finally had their fill (which was good, as they were nearly out of food). Krillin wondered how ChiChi managed it everyday. Those two were unnatural... Has to be something to do with the tail... Krillin idly thought.
"So Goku, how's married life huh?" Krillin inquired, "Seeing as you beat us all to the draw"
"Well..." Goku said, scratching his head. "It's great I guess. Having ChiChi's food everyday is great!"
Well that figured. Thinking with his stomach as usual. Krillin couldn't help but laugh, and eventually it caught with Bulma and Master Roshi.
"So have you started training Gohan yet?" Krillin asked, "Bet ya he'll be stronger than all of us one day"
That must have hit a sore point, as Goku's face warped into a childish pout, and it was Gohan that answered.
"Mommy said that I can't train with daddy and that I have to do my algebra and study hard."
Krillin was almost mortified. Algebra?! The kid was barely five years old. That struck him as cruel and unusual.
"I'm gonna be a scholar." Gohan continued, scuffing his foot shyly. "Mommy says that martial arts is a waste of time and I should get a college edu-cation.
"Wow..." Krillin whispered to Goku, "what a bummer... all that potential..."
"Yeah.." Goku managed in little more than a whine.
Meanwhile Bulma was raving all over Gohan, telling him that if he studied hard he could be a genius like her. Gohan just stared at her like she was crazy while she rambled. Krillin shook his head... Women... he never would understand them.
Goku, Krillin and Master Roshi all were relaxing in a set on lawn chairs, staring at the sky. Goku seemed content now that he was full. Bulma, Unigame and Gohan were all building a sand castle, which was turning out to be nothing more than a large lump of sand that would crumble bit by bit as a wave hit it. Regardless, they were having fun, laughing jovially, and trying to rebuild and fortify the castle before the next "evil wave attack" hit them.
"Hey... we should do this more often." Krillin said, his eyes closed almost as an afterthought.
"Yeah, it's been great seeing you guys again." Goku said.
"So Goku, how's your training been going?" Master Roshi inquired idly, "Krillin here has been training nearly nonstop... I reckon he'll be as strong as Tien before long if he keeps it up"
"Aww... shucks" Krillin said shyly, even blushing a bit.
"Well... I get a bit of training in, but ChiChi says that I can't go off training all the time... " Goku said in a puzzled manner, "She thinks it makes me a bad husband and father or something.."
"Well be ready, because next tournament, I'm gonna give you a fight worth your money Goku!" Krillin stated triumphantly, "I have a few new moves ya know!"
"We—" Goku started before he was cut off by a harsh and cruel voice.
"You're still weak short man. Even if you live until then, you'll still lose."
Everyone scrambled to their feet in shock, Bulma gave a small scream upon seeing who was hovering above them. With a flourish of white fabric blowing in the wind, clad in the same turban and tunic he was five years ago, it was none other than the green-skinned Demon King himself: Piccolo Jr. He was looking down at them, with a cold, merciless look on his face.
"And you Goku..." Piccolo harshly continued, "you're pathetic... letting some weak woman order you around... not training will make you weak... and the weak shall perish..."
"Piccolo!" Goku shouted out, his expression becoming serious, "What do you want?"
"Are you that daft human?" Piccolo said giving a wicked laugh, "Very well I'll spell it out for you. I challenge you Goku! To a final battle here and now!"
Gohan let out a small cry as he clung to a trembling Bulma's leg. Krillin had to admit he was scared himself, but he swallowed and tried to look brave. He'd be there to help Goku beat this monster.
"Oh? And what's this down here?" Piccolo asked, glancing down at Gohan,. "I wonder how loud he could scream?"
"You leave my son out of this Piccolo!" Goku shouted, his dark eyes glaring up at the green demon, "This is between you and me!"
"So you'll fight me then? Splendid." Piccolo said, a grin coming to his face, revealing a set of fanged teeth.
"If you want to fight me Piccolo, you can wait until the next tournament" Goku said defiantly.
"Well I don't feel like waiting that long Goku," Piccolo stated " so unless you want me to start picking off your friends here, let's go. Now."
"Let's fight him Goku!" Roshi said, working up some nerve. "He can't beat all three of us. Let's end this now."
"Yeah!" Krillin said, now feeling confident. After all he had lasted good amount of time against Piccolo by himself, and Goku had beaten him, if just barely. Between them and the turtle master, the self-proclaimed Demon-King wouldn't have a chance!
"Oh you're that weak Goku?" Piccolo taunted, "Half to accept help from a midget and an old man?"
Goku had no answer, and just glared up at the demon.
"Well... how about this." Piccolo said, outstretching a hand.
Everyone tensed, preparing for an attack but it wasn't what the expected. Gohan rose up into the air before Piccolo snatched him and tucked him under his arm like a piece of luggage. Gohan was crying franticly at this point, but Piccolo ignored it.
"Let him go Piccolo, now!" Goku shouted angrily, his features forming into a scowl.
"Oh I will Goku, I will." Piccolo said, a demonic grin forming on his face. "All you have to do is beat me."
"Fine Piccolo... let him go and I'll fight you!"
"Oh I'm sure you would Goku. I'm sure you would." Piccolo stated, "But it's just more fun this way."
"Picco-"
"Shut up and listen Goku" Piccolo's voice changed, becoming more harsh if possible rather than mocking, "I'm leaving now. Once I stop, you have fifteen minutes to find me, if not.. Gohan dies."
As if to emphasize his point he put a pair of sharp nails at Gohan's throat, grinning wickedly.
"Piccolo! No! Wait!" Goku shouted desperately.
"Remember, fifteen minutes Goku... or, well I hear child flesh is good to eat this time of year."
Without waiting for a response, Piccolo turned around, with a flourish of the white fabric of his cape, a fiery white-blue aura surrounded him as he blasted away with Gohan. Just like that he, and Goku's son were gone.