Terror.

True, unimaginable, paralyzing terror swept over him.

Just seconds ago, his father was standing in front of him, shielding him from the android. But now, somehow, he was lying on his back, bleeding and reaching out for him.

He was silent as Goku rested his large, callused hand on his.

"You... can... win." he heard.

The weak, exhausted sound of his father's voice shattered his heart. The way he spoke, with such finality in his tone, it sounded like he was whithering away. Like he was falling apart even as the words left his mouth. But there must have been some bigger reason for him to do that; to use what little strength he had left to speak.

Gohan tried to think through those words, but there was so little to go on. What could he do? How could he win? He didn't have the strength to stand let alone fight.

What was he trying to say?

He slipped his hand away from Goku's, smearing blood on his palm. Carefully, he reached under his shoulders and lifted him onto his lap. Cradling his head comfortably in his arms, Gohan whispered to him.

"Goku..." he paused, fighting the urge to cry with all his heart. "Don't... don't give up."

As Goku gazed at Gohan, he tried to speak again. He knew that he needed more and he desperately wanted to give as much as he could, but despite every fiber of his being wanting to talk, he had no strength left to do so. Still, he wasn't deterred. He had one final way to express himself, and he would do it with as much energy and love as he could.

Gohan watched his father's eyes begin to fill with tears, and, instantly, his filled with them too. Seeing him cry was so unbelievable, so soul-crushing, and heartbreaking that he was convinced it was over. Despite all of Goku's strength, his courage, his goodness, and his determination, he was accepting the facts. He was accepting that he was dying and that there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Like an overflowing river, Gohan's tears spilled from his eyes and rolled quickly down his cheeks. For a moment, he thought he understood what Goku was doing: He was trying to comfort him before he died. He was saying that everything would be all right even though he knew it wouldn't.

But then, he saw the corners of Goku's mouth begin to move, and a smile spread across his face. It was a pure, honest smile, one of tenderness and care that could heal even the most broken of spirits.

Gohan looked deeply into his eyes. His father had never lied to him before, not ever, not even in the worst situations, and that smile proved he wasn't lying now; that he wasn't just comforting him. Still, he couldn't understand why he was so happy that, even as he was bleeding out, he could smile so peacefully.

What was he trying to say?

Incapable of moving, he held Goku tightly as his mind worked tirelessly to decipher what he was telling him. But he could only think so hard, and he could see that smile beginning to fade. He knew he wouldn't be conscious for very much longer and rather than waste these last precious moments thinking on his words, he quieted his mind and closed his eyes.

Wrapping him in the warmest embrace he could, Gohan rested his head atop Goku's. As he held him, the world faded away until there was nothing left but the two of them. The android. Gero. The forest. The sun. All of it was swept away by this unstoppable force, leaving them alone in an empty void. And there, he still wondered...

What was he trying to say?

Slightly opening his eyes, Gohan glimpsed around at the clear, blank nothingness that had swallowed the both of them. Without much interest in this horrifying vacuum, he chose to return his focus to Goku. He was the only thing that mattered.

A voice whispered just behind him, "Do you remember us?"

Gohan knew that voice, it was the voice of the largest figure that had haunted him during his fever; and, although it terrified him before, he thought little of it now. With his head held low, he remained like he was and refused to respond as the four figures stepped out from behind him, shuffling their way to the front of his view.

"Of course you do. You feel us every day. Your loneliness, your failures, your helplessness, your worthlessness." The figure laughed inauthentically. "We're with you in almost every moment."

Unintimidated by the being's vague mockings, Gohan scoffed. The worst thing possible had already happened. He had killed his father a second time. What more could they do to him?

"You don't scare me." he said, barely bothering to enunciate his words. "Nothing scares me anymore."

"We're not here to frighten you. Not now." the figure said, crouching down and shrinking the gap between itself and Gohan. "We're here to help you."

He lifted his head slightly, capturing only the sight of the figure's distorted long and slender legs.

"Help me?" he whispered, slightly interested. "Why? How?"

"You've always tried to fight like him. With honor, bravery, and love. You bottle us up and hide us away... You ignore the very essence of what gives you strength."

Gohan furrowed his brow, suspicious of what it was proposing.

"But you slip from time to time, and in those moments we expand your capabilities. Raise you above them."

Visions of Cell flashed in his mind. He knew exactly what he was feeling when Android 16 died; when he finally lost control and transformed into Super Saiyan 2. He remembered seeing the crumpled wires and fractured components beneath Cell's foot, and then every emotion funneled out, leaving an overwhelming, all-consuming hatred.

"Yes, you understand now." the figure exclaimed encouragingly. "It was us that helped you win. We gave you the power!"

More memories flashed before him. He remembered the feeling after his father sacrificed himself, and after Cell regenerated into an even stronger version of his perfect form. He remembered hearing Goku speak to him from the Otherworld. He believed in him, even after dying for him.

Now he was dying again, in his arms.

Gohan thought about what he'd said. The words reverberated in his mind.

You can win.

What was he trying to say?

The figure stepped forward, closing what little space remained between itself and Gohan. Its voice was hoarse, and words spewed quickly from its dark, featureless face. "It was a lie. He didn't mean it! He only said it because he wanted to comfort 'Jack' before he dies. It was for him, not you."

Gohan looked up into the soulless pit that hovered inches away from him. That irritated undertone in its voice reeked of fear, and he knew it. As it looked blankly back at him, his eyes slowly widened. He realized what his father was telling him.

"He was saying that he loves me. That he believes in me." Gohan smiled slightly, as he finally understood Goku's true message. "That, somehow, I have the strength to fight."

The figure anxiously clenched its fists, trembling at Gohan's words. It then spoke venomously, "You are worthless! Weak! Unwanted! Unlovable! Have you forgotten that?!"

"He loves me." Gohan replied distantly. "He believes in me."

"You can't push us away! You can't deny us!" it screeched, its claw-like fingers digging deeply into its palms. "You won't win without us!"

Gohan continued glaring at the figure as he gently laid Goku on the floor. And despite his injured body, he easily found his way to his feet. He understood what he was telling him, what he was always telling him: That the only thing holding him back was himself.

He stepped towards the figure, his eyes piercing through its very being. "You don't give me power!"

Pointing his finger accusingly at the increasingly misshapen beings, Gohan continued. "You steal it away from me until I lose control! And then, when I finally break, you take over! It was you that made me toy with Cell, made me forget about protecting my family and my friends! You made me sick and cruel, made me enjoy killing all those androids!"

"Well no more!" he shouted, shaking his head. "I'm done letting you control me!"

Gohan marched toward the four malignant creatures. He could see them twitch and shake as he drew nearer. Their limbs reverting from defined, complex hands into simplistic sharpened points

"You are not my strength!" he said, watching the collection of beings become more and more corrosive and volatile.

Gohan closed his eyes as they all leaped to spear him with their razor-sharp appendages.

"My father is."

He calmly reopened them, and the world was back. As he reacquainted himself with reality, he noticed that he was now positioned in front of Goku, exactly where he'd been standing just moments ago. Gohan searched for his energy and was relieved when he felt the small flame of his ki still burning. But he didn't have long.

Out in the field in front of him, he saw Eighty-three standing, smiling, with his arms crossed. He briefly glanced to the right of the android and spotted Gero lying defeatedly.

Gohan was their last line of defense, the last one left to fight for the present. Picturing his father in his mind, he prepared to charge his energy.

"Daddy... believes in me." he whispered to himself as he clenched his fists. "He believes in me."

Breathing slowly, Gohan tried tapping into his remaining ki, but his body was quick to retaliate against him. Gritting his teeth, he fought off the hot, shooting pain in his legs and ribs that threatened to pull him down at any moment.

Like a deafening alarm, his body screamed that there was nothing left, but he couldn't accept that. No matter how much pain he would have to go through, he wouldn't give up.

There has to be more. If Daddy believes in me, then there has to be more!

Pushing through the excruciating, mind-boggling pain, he tried again. He was getting further, pulling more energy out, but it wasn't enough. There was a wall there, he could feel it, and behind that wall, there was even more energy. He just needed to break through!

Unlike all the times before, he knew he had the strength to win. This wasn't the Saiyans, or Frieza, or Cell. He wasn't helpless, or a burden, or a failure. He was his father's last hope. He would break that wall if it killed him!

Shattering the barrier inside himself, Gohan began pulling out unquantifiable amounts of power. As the energy flooded into his bloody, beaten, tired body he became more sure of Goku's words.

Daddy believes in me! He always has!

He believed I could go beyond my limits! He believed I could become a Super Saiyan! He believed I could beat Cell! He believed I could save the world!

Instantly, a strong golden glow flared around Gohan, and he was a Super Saiyan. The ground began to shake beneath his feet and many small stones lying across the field began to shutter. Slowly, they began to levitate and hover in a constant bobbing motion above the ground.

He continued to reach into himself. He hadn't tapped into everything yet, not even close. He had so much more power hidden within and he was determined to prove his father right, to make him proud.

Arcs of electricity formed around him, violently lashing out and pulverizing the closest levitating stones into a fine powder. This was it, the outer edges of Super Saiyan 2, but there was nothing left in his way. The form was finally accessible.

Like a burning, raging fire, his aura expanded far beyond him. The sheer amount of energy he was harnessing lifted him from the earth. As he levitated, the sky grew dark, reluctantly giving in to the incredible power Gohan was unleashing. In a blinding display of light and heat, he roared as he ascended into a form that he never thought he'd reach again. He had reached Super Saiyan 2.

A massive wave of pride and confidence rushed over him. This was the most power he'd ever felt in his entire life. The strength he had now, even at rest, was far beyond anything he had at the Cell Games. With as much power as he was wielding, he was sure he could beat Eighty-three ten times over. But he knew this pride, and he knew the price he would pay if he fed into it. He calmed himself and brought his emotions back into check.

With complete control, Gohan calmly floated back down to Goku and placed a hand above his wound.

"I'll be back soon." he said, releasing a jolt of life-sustaining ki into his chest. "Just hold on."

His eyes lingering, Gohan struggled to leave his father. He had given him all the energy that he could handle, but it would only be enough to keep him alive for a little while longer. He hoped it was enough.

Reluctantly, he turned away and faced the android. Quickly walking toward him, Gohan caught a glimpse of Gero watching as he lay on the ground. The old man was awestruck by the incredible power radiating from his ki and watched silently as the boy approached.

Gohan skewered the android with his stare. Eighty-three was standing with his arms at his side, the smile, so visible earlier, having been long gone. Deep inside, all Gohan wanted to do was tear him apart for what he did, break him so badly that he could never hurt anyone ever again, but he refused to give in to those urges. He wanted to do what his father would do.

Gohan looked sternly at the android but did his best to control his tone. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier Eighty-three, I never wanted to say those things. I only did it so Gero could absorb your energy and give us a better chance at winning."

Eighty-three responded with a cold, focused gaze.

"I know what's happening is scary, but your fear is making you do things you'll regret. Making you hurt people you don't mean to hurt." Gohan said, nodding in Gero's direction. "So, stop. Everyone's still here, you haven't killed yet. There's still time left to fix things."

"Stop?" he said, disgusted. "I won't stop until both of you are both dead. That's the only way to save Gero. The only way this ends."

Gohan shook his head disappointedly.

If there was any sympathy he had left for Eighty-three, it was gone now. He had wasted nearly a minute of his father's life trying to convince the very person that almost killed him, and he wouldn't waste a second more.

"Fine. I'm done arguing." he spat angrily.

Lifting into the air, Gohan waited only a moment before the android began to match him. While staring each other down, the two rose higher and higher above the terrain, only stopping when they had finally matched the altitude of the surrounding clouds

Feeling out for Goku's weak, shrinking ki, Gohan still felt that tiny flame burning. The seconds were ticking and as each one passed, the odds of saving him grew smaller and smaller; he couldn't afford to let Eighty-three make the first move.

Like lightning, he swung his leg out and kicked the android back. Incredibly, Eighty-three nearly instantly recovered and closed the small distance between them. Launching his counter-attack, the android threw punch after punch, expecting to clobber his opponent into submission easily, but not even his fastest attack could clip Gohan's gi.

All it took was one over-extended punch for Gohan to capitalize on his sloppy technique. Grabbing the android's arm, he uppercut his stomach and flung him over his shoulder. Then, while trailing closely behind, he brought back his hands and focused flaming blue energy into his palms.

"KAME! HAME! HA!" he screamed, releasing the quickly formed attack as he threw his hands forward.

Although he couldn't see Eighty-three through the blinding light of the kamehameha wave, Gohan knew the blast had hit him. He could sense the android drawing out more energy to protect himself from the attack. He had him on the ropes, but the fight wasn't done yet.

Once the wave had cleared, he didn't waste a second in pressuring Eighty-three even further. Soaring towards the android, he fired a barrage of ki blasts which exploded on impact, resulting in an obscuring, round cloud of smoke. But he wasn't just aiming to blind Eighty-three, he wanted to get in close and do some lasting damage.

Looking into the sky, Gero hoped to catch a glimpse of Gohan charging toward the smoky cloud, but the blood loss made his vision too weak to determine any details. The small amount of energy he had absorbed from Eighty-three was fading quickly, luckily, there was still just enough for him to sense the two while they fought.

And to say he was baffled would have been a massive understatement. The sheer amount of confidence and control that Gohan's ki was emitting was unlike anything he'd ever felt before. Seeing the boy go from utterly hopeless to filled with vigor and strength, was like witnessing a miracle. And seeing that incredible strength still be tethered to such humility and care, he wondered how it was even possible.

Dragging his body forward with his only remaining arm, Gero began to crawl once more. He couldn't let Gohan fight this battle alone, no matter how strong or capable he was. He refused to be reduced to a helpless bystander.

Thinking of nothing except what he had to give, Gero pushed and pushed until he was finally close enough to see Goku's familiar orange gi. At long last, he was within his reach. Heaving his body forward just a bit more, he came within inches of the dying man he once considered his mortal enemy.

Staring at the peaceful expression that spanned across the saiyan's face, Gero wondered how he could have hated him for so long. If he could make someone as honest and forgiving as Gohan, how could he have wasted all these years plotting his murder?

"I know this doesn't make things right, Son Goku..." he said, lifting his arm over Goku's blood-soaked gi. "But I'm not doing this to earn your forgiveness... I'm not that naive."

Using the last drops of energy he stole from Eighty-three, and most of his own lifeforce, Gero focused all available ki into his hand and slipped his fingers into Goku's bloody wound. The sound of the flesh sizzling and cauterizing as it was burned by red, hot energy brought him some strange comfort. He had bought Gohan a little more time.

"I'm doing this for him. When this is over... I expect he'll need you more than ever." he whispered as he removed his bloodied hand and placed it on the grass.

Rolling onto his back, Gero forced the warm summer air into his synthetic lungs. Despite a total lack of energy, he knew he could still do more. He just hoped the damn thing would listen to him.

"FLYING NIMBUS!" he cried, his deep, raspy voice echoing through the open sky, garnering the attention of both Gohan and Eighty-three.

Hearing Gero's call, Gohan put some distance between himself and the android and looked toward the thin collection of trees in the field below him. The cloud had already swooped in, leaving its signature golden tail in the wake of its flight. He could see the old man struggling to get his father aboard, as he tried to lift him with only a single hand.

Turning to Eighty-three, Gohan sensed his emotions go haywire and his power level skyrocket.

"Why are you still helping him!" he screamed as if he was stabbed in the heart. "WHY WON'T YOU LISTEN!"

In an utter fit of rage, the android brought his hands back and cupped them together at his side. How could Gero do this to him? Choose these people, who had been the source of his pain for so long, over him? Well if he cared about them so much, he wouldn't have a problem dying for them, would he?

"KA!" he howled, like an animal. "ME!"

An unstable, shaking orb of purple energy materialized within his cage of fingers. His vision tunneled, leaving only his target within his view. But before he could put any more strength into his attack, he was sent spinning by a powerful kick from Gohan.

Hurriedly flying down, Gohan landed near the old man and quickly helped lift Goku onto the nimbus cloud. As the two ensured he was firmly onboard, Gero attempted to push the cloud away, and to his surprise, for a moment his hand did not phase through.

"Hurry... Get him to Korin's." he said, determined for the cloud to leave as soon as possible.

The cloud hummed back eagerly, but before it could even take off with its injured cargo, dozens of energy blasts, like bombs, began to rain from above.

Darting towards the different clusters of ki blasts, Gohan began knocking them away one by one in quick succession. In awe, Gero could only watch as the boy redirected the innumerable yellow, firey, streaking orbs of energy. He was so unbelievably fast it was like he was stopping time and deflecting each one with ease, before effortlessly moving on to the next.

It was extraordinary to witness the fields surrounding them be reduced to nothing but craters and ash, yet still be perfectly safe beneath Gohan's protective might. Even more, it was clear that the blasts were letting up, and he could push further and further ahead of them.

Using this relative moment of calm, Gero again motioned for the cloud to start its journey.

"Go, now!" he said, coughing. "Korin's!"

As the cloud shot off into the distance, Gohan noticed Eighty-three's attacks becoming more infrequent, but it wasn't because he was running out of energy; he was deliberately slowing down. Brushing off the last few attacks, he made his way up to him.

"I thought you wanted to save Gero!" Gohan yelled accusingly. "You nearly killed him!"

The android's face shook with anger and despair, but his voice was eerily calm. "You changed him. You really did."

Taken back by the disturbing sound of Eighty-three's voice, Gohan prepared for another round of fighting and lowered into his stance.

"He was willing to die to save that scum. That worthless filth who killed his son and caused him years of pain." he lamented. "I don't even know who he is anymore."

Despite the display of emotion, Gohan held his tongue. He already offered Eighty-three a chance to turn back, even after he nearly killed his father. If that wasn't enough to make him reconsider, or at least make him think about reconsidering, then nothing was.

"Maybe he chose you over me because he thinks you're stronger." Eighty-three continued, shifting into his fighting stance. "But he chose wrong. So now? I'll kill him too."

Hearing those vengeful, jaded, hate-filled words leave the android's mouth was more than enough evidence for Gohan. He had done his duty. He had tried to be merciful and kind, but it was clear that no matter what he said or did, there was no getting through. In just the past few hours alone, Eighty-three fought hard to kill him, tried to destroy a train full of innocent people, almost wiped out an entire city, crippled his own creator, and then nearly killed a father trying to protect his wounded son. He needed to be stopped.

"You won't." Gohan stated. "Because I won't let you."

Rushing forward, Eighty-three raised his right arm, preparing his first strike against Gohan, but as he threw it, it was easily redirected leaving him wide open. In two attacks he couldn't even see, he was struck across the abdomen and face. Instantly, he hunched over and the new long cut across his cheek began to ooze blood.

"And I won't let anyone else get hurt because of people like you. People who no matter how many chances they're given, still hurt others just because they can."

Tilting his head upwards, Eighty-three attempted an uppercut, but his wrist was caught far before it could reach his target's chin.

Gohan looked regretfully into the android's eyes. Earlier, he saw himself in them, he saw the little twinges of fear as they fought, he even saw a burning desire to prove his worth to the man that created him. But he fought for all the wrong reasons; he fought to kill, to destroy, to cause suffering and anguish.

Now, it was like looking into an abyss, all he saw was hatred and darkness. It was like looking into the sunken eyes of Nappa, or the soulless eyes of Frieza, or the cruel, calculating eyes of Cell.

He tightened his grip on the android's wrist, crushing it easily. "I've let it happen too many times already."

Throwing his shoulder forward, Gohan leveraged his entire body as he punched Eighty-three. Shattering the grey body armor surrounding his torso, he sent the android barreling backward uncontrollably.

Remaining where he was, Gohan began to empty his mind. Breathing calmly, he ensured that no unnecessary emotions were influencing him before cupping his hands at his side. He wanted this kamehameha to be his absolute best, with no negative feelings weighing him down or distracting him. He wanted it to represent everything he was truly capable of. Everything his father believed he could be.

"KA!" he proudly began. "ME!"

A blue dot appeared within his palms, and it swelled quickly with the impeccable strength only a Super Saiyan 2 could muster. Pulsating, the orb of energy tapped against his nurturing grasp, urging him to space his hands further apart.

"HA!" he continued triumphantly. "ME!"

Widening his hold on the kamehameha, Gohan kept his attention solely on Eighty-three as he grew more distant. He never noticed the thin, nearly transparent beams of soft blue light emanating from the glowing ball of energy under his control. He even ignored the circling sparks of electricity dancing magnificently around his body.

None of that mattered to him. All that mattered was that he made this count. That he stopped this threat here and now before he could make another mistake.

"HA!" he roared, throwing his hands forward and unleashing a mountain of energy.

Like the sun itself, the wave burned and raged as it flew forward, slicing the sky in two as it carved a straight path. Looking at it from the ground, it would have seemed like an unstoppable, all-powerful tidal wave that had jumped straight out from the pages of legend.

And from the air, it was no less impressive.

As Eighty-three attempted a recovery, he was met by the kamehameha, a dozen times his size, and was easily swept away by it. Without even a sliver of a chance of survival, the beam of energy surrounded him and disintegrated his ociterite body instantaneously.

Holding his palms out in front of him, Gohan didn't allow his shoulders to dip until he sensed Eighty-three's energy fade completely from the world. And once he felt that all-too-familiar, repulsive ki disappear permanently, he felt truly at peace. But that peace didn't last.

His mind returned to those that mattered to him, and the first person he could help was just below.

Flying down to Gero, Gohan dropped out of Super Saiyan 2 and quickly knelt to pick the old man up.

"Stop!" Gero commanded as the boy slipped his fingers underneath his upper body. "Your father, Gohan, save him! The cloud will not... make it in time!"

"Are you sure?" Gohan asked, his voice filled with concern.

"Of course, I-" the old man paused as he attempted to force more air into his lungs.

Gently gripping the boy's gash-covered forearm, he managed to continue. "I'm sure. I've run the numbers."

"I'll come back for you." Gohan said as he kneeled and held Gero's shoulder reassuringly. "I promise."

Furrowing his brow, Gero shoved him, ushering him up. "Just go!"

Now on his feet, Gohan started into a sprint and shot off into the sky. In the air, he sensed for his father's energy. What was once a small flame could now only be recognized as a few warm embers, but that was better than nothing, and it was all Gohan needed to find him.

With marginal effort, he was back to Super Saiyan 2, and he wasted no time in pursuing the nimbus. Using Goku's energy as a guide, he flew so quickly that he hardly had a moment to think before coming upon the fluffy yellow cloud and its long trailing tail.

Resting easily upon the spongy, comfortable top of the nimbus, Goku was completely still as Gohan lifted him into his arms. He was cold and pale, but Gohan had faith that everything would be all right. He needed everything to be all right.

Holding Goku closely, Gohan darted towards The Land of Korin and found himself among the pleasantly green forests and crystal clear rivers in only a handful of seconds. In the distance, he could see the tower, and he could feel that Korin was waiting for them.

Arriving at the circular top of the tower, Gohan landed haphazardly on the observation deck where Korin stood anxiously, his sauciere of senzu liquid already in hand.

"Korin!" Gohan cried, tears of happiness welling up in his eyes and a warm smile spread across his face.

"Give 'em' here, kid!" Korin replied, eagerly reaching for Goku.

Swiftly handing him off to the feline guardian, Gohan suddenly felt the strength in his legs leave him, and he did not resist. Sitting just above where Korin had laid Goku down, he lifted his head onto his lap.

"It's all right, Daddy." Gohan cooed as he caressed his father's hair. "Korin will make it all better."

Opening Goku's mouth slightly, Korin began slowly pouring in the mixture of ground senzu powder and water. Tilting the small white dish further and further until there was none left, he ensured that Goku got every drop. He looked like he needed it.

Korin sighed contemplatively as he placed the now empty sauciere on the stone floor, "With damage this bad, it's gonna be a minute before he gets up. If you want I can-"

Abruptly interrupting him, Gohan embraced the furry round cat that had saved both him and his father so many times.

"Thank you, Korin." he said sweetly. "I don't know where we'd be without you."

Returning the injured boy's hug, Korin replied. "I'm just happy you got here in time."

As the cat slowly pulled away from Gohan, he gently grabbed his hand and slipped a few senzu beans into his palm.

Closing the boy's fingers around the beans, Korin nodded, "You look rough. Better eat one too."

Looking at his closed fist, Gohan's brow curled confusedly as he was sure that Korin had just given him more than one bean.

"C'mon kid, don't look so surprised." the old cat smiled. "I know you're planning on going back for the old doctor. And I don't want you to feel even a hint of guilt for using my beans to save him."

"Korin, I-"

"You don't have to explain, Gohan." Korin said reassuringly. "But when you get him healed, I need you back here as soon as possible. Goku's gonna be pretty out of it and he'll need someone to calm him down. I'd like that to be you if possible."

Gohan nodded back affirmatively. "Okay, I'll do my best to be back soon."

After gently scooting Goku's head off of his lap, Gohan opened his hand to observe the beans. Of the three he held, one stood out from the others. It was a wider, heavier bean that, when compared to the more moderately sized two, seemed much more valuable. He avoided it when choosing the one he should eat. Instead, he settled on the smallest one available before popping it into his mouth and swallowing it whole.

The relief was almost instant as the various deep wounds and bloody cuts around his body closed. He nodded in silent satisfaction as all the discomfort and pain, that nearly stopped him when he tried to ascend, vanished.

"All right then, scram. Go help that deranged lunatic." Korin laughed, ushering the boy up and over to the edge of the tower.

Leaping into the sky, Gohan felt out for Gero's ki. Thankfully, his signature was still somewhat strong, but that was no excuse to take it easy. Tapping into the power his newly regained form provided him, he quickly made his way back to the old man.

As he neared the battleground where he had left Gero, Gohan couldn't ignore how desolate the landscape had become. Where there was once flowers, grass, shrubs, and trees, there was now only ash, coals, and smoldering divots. He knew he did his best, and that this was the price he had to pay for victory, but the severity of the destruction bothered him all the same.

Turning his attention to the sole piece of ground not burned to cinders, Gohan quickly descended and landed gracefully next to Gero. It seemed that in the time he had spent rescuing his father, the scientist had dragged himself over to one of the few unscorched trees left in the area and rested his back against it.

"You... actually came back." Gero said with a short-lived laugh that spurned into a violent fit of coughing. "I guess... I shouldn't be surprised."

Cautiously kneeling beside him, Gohan held out the large bean for the old man.

"Here Gero, it's a senzu bean. It'll heal you!" he said encouragingly.

Gero's eyes glossed over the bean for a short period before shifting back onto Gohan.

With a dismissive but empathetic sigh, Gero said, "Gohan... don't be foolish. Look at me"

Gohan winced as Gero lifted what remained of his left arm and leg. He could tell it was excruciating for him, especially since there were still fluids leaking from his stump knee. Yet, the doctor remained stoic, without so much as an indication that he was experiencing such awful pain.

"Even if your magical senzu beans did work... there's no possible way it could... regrow my limbs... or replicate the sensitive balance... of nutrients and vitamins this body needs."

Surprised by Gero's refusal, Gohan held the bean closer. He had already beaten the odds by saving his father and he was not about to give up on saving his friend.

"You don't know that." he said harshly before softening his tone. "Please Gero, I just want to help."

Unswayed by Gohan's kindness, he spoke coldly. "If you want to help me so badly, then leave."

"Leave? W-why would you want me to leave you?" Gohan asked, his voice shaking slightly. "Gero, there's still plenty of time. If you don't think senzu beans will work we can go back to your lab. You're old body's still there, we-"

"Stop." Gero said, wheezing as he struggled to fill his lungs with air. "Just-"

"No!" Gohan snapped at him, flaring his ki slightly. "I won't sit back and let you die, so don't ask me to do that!"

"You are not letting me die." Gero replied, trying to lessen the sternness in his voice. "I am choosing this."

His lips quivering, Gohan began to lose control over his energy. Sitting down next to Gero, his hair faded to black and fell into its normal resting style. He quickly dropped the senzu beans and held onto the old man's hand, trying to comfort him.

"Wh- what are you doing?" Gero grimaced. "Let go of me. Leave."

"You're my friend." Gohan said, tears already beginning to form. "I won't go."

Groaning, Gero turned to the boy. Had he just called him a friend? After the years of horror he forced this child through, did he really consider him a friend? What had he done to earn such trust? To be considered, for the first time in his life, as a friend.

Tears formed in the doctor's eyes, and this time he did not try to fight them.

"You fool..." he said, as they began to fall down his scratched, bloody cheeks. "I want you to leave... so you can be with your father. So you can be happy. Staying here will... only cause you more pain. I don't want you to endure that."

"I don't want you to be alone." Gohan replied, squeezing Gero's hand. "No one should feel like this and be left alone."

The old man gritted his teeth as he watched Gohan smile through the tears. He knew it was all a facade to hide his feelings of helplessness.

"What you did today was incredible. You overcame all your guilt, your sadness, and reached your true potential. But I can already see it... seeping back in." Gero said as he slid his hand out from underneath Gohan's and placed it on top. "I fear... that if you stay, this curious, intelligent, peace-loving boy - like my Gebo - will die. I'm afraid that if you stay, you will add me to your guilt and..."

Gero paused, swallowing painfully and gritting his teeth even further.

"And become like me." he said, closing his eyes and resting his head against the strong tree trunk. "Full of anger. Full of hate because of your failures."

Gero lifted his head and looked into Gohan's eyes. Beyond the brown, delicate surface, he saw the battle raging within. All he wanted now, was to guide Gohan away from the path that he traveled for so long.

"That is the last thing I want for you." he stated with absolute sincerity. "Now, you must... go."

Gero began to slide Gohan's hand across the dirt, motioning for him to leave.

"Reunite with your father, enjoy him. And when you are ready, when you are strong enough... destroy my lab, gather the dragon balls, and save the present."

"I'm sorry, Gero. But I can't." Gohan replied, shaking his head in denial. "Letting you die here, alone, would only make it so much worse."

Hearing Gohan refuse his request, the old man closed his eyes and let out a few frustrated sobs before regaining control of himself. He had already spilled out his heart, what more could he say to convince him?

He was suddenly pulled away from his thoughts as Gohan began to speak.

"And destroying your research would be like letting you die again. There has to be something else we can do."

Gero's eyes opened, and a new clarity suddenly hit him, like an epiphany.

"You are right." he said nodding and smiling toward the boy. "You can take my research back to the present. You can study it, you have the mind for it! And... and you could publish it under your name! Change the world for the better, just like you wanted!"

"But it should be you who publishes it." Gohan replied with intense sorrow in his voice. "The world should know what you're really like."

The scientist chuckled. "I don't need the credit, Gohan. And I don't need you to try and change my mind. I need you to be intelligent. Do you really think... the world would accept research from a monster like me?"

Gero wheezed as his breathing began to worsen. "They'd demonize it... reject it based on merit alone. They need someone kind, someone who has their best... interests at heart. They need you."

"I... I can't." Gohan said as the remaining grip he had on his emotions slipped away.

Reaching for Gohan's shoulder, Gero placed his hand gently upon it as the small warrior in front of him crumbled. He waited in silence until Gohan could look at him without sniveling.

There wasn't much time left, the old scientist knew his body was giving up on him. He could feel his muscles growing cold and stiff as the various systems controlling them burnt out. Closing his eyes, he focused on speaking properly. He always hated mincing words.

"Yes... you can." he said weakly.

Gohan sensed Gero's ki beginning to plummet and, without a second thought, he threw his arms around him.

"I'm sorry, Gero!" he cried. "It's all my fault!"

Placing his arm around the most forgiving person he had ever met, the only person who ever thought his redemption was possible, Gero let out a few final words of comfort.

"No... I chose this."

Gohan whimpered as the last echoes of Gero's ki faded, and he was left alone in the aftermath of a battle that had cost him almost everything.

All that time he spent searching the forests, the jungles, hoping for a chance to just talk with him, to show him that there was still hope. All of it was wasted as he failed to save the man he had changed for the better.

Yes, he had saved his father.

Yes, he had reached Super Saiyan 2.

But, he still failed, like always.

Was he really talking to me? Did he really believe in me?

Above him, dark, jagged fingers twisted around the tree.

If he knew who I was, he'd know he deserves better.