Title: Welcome to the Afterlife, son!
Author name: Trugeta
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Akira Toriyama and Funimation. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
This story focuses on the Mirai timeline after Gohan has been killed by the Androids. It's an AU, and Reviews are welcome and appreciated.
Chapter
20: A surprising award
Last
time...
Ever
since then Gohan had never again suppressed his Saiyan side, his
instincts, the part of his being he had neglected for so long.
Finally,
after some struggle the two halves of him had come to an
understanding, and 'lived' now in equilibrium. He would not have
believed it, but his Saiyan side had had a lot to offer.
Gohan
had now full trust in his instincts, and his instincts told him that
Videl would be a worthy mate for him. And once this blasted awards
show was over he would make a move on her...
Now
the continuation...
The
'blasted' awards show, as Gohan had dubbed it, proceeded as Gohan had
expected. At first. Under the cheers of the spectators the
demi-Saiyan received his medal, naturally after a long (but
heartfelt) speech from the Grand Kai. But then something happened
which had not been expected by the son of Goku.
Originally
the winner of the Afterlife tournament would have received one year
of training with the Grand Kai, but from what he had seen in the
tournament the Grand Kai knew that Gohan had him outclassed in power
by far.
Thus
it had been time for some quick thinking, and due to his millennia
spanning experience the Grand Kai had had a spontaneous flash of
genius before the awards show.
He
had watched Gohan intently throughout the whole tournament, and the
growth in power this young man had shown assured him that the young
demi-Saiyan had such a huge potential which he had seen seldom
before.
'Alas, had he been able to unleash this potential
during his mortal existence we would not have so much work right now.
But there is still someone down on Earth who might be able to set
things right. To hope against hope is normally not becoming of a Kai,
but in this case it is all that remains.' Grand Kai mused
Due
to Gohan's show of power in the tournament the Grand Kai had decided
to allow Gohan and warriors of his choice to train in what the Kais
called the 'Density belt' of the otherworld.
The
Density belt consisted of worlds of high gravity, unexceptionally.
Their origins had been lost over time, but Grand Kai mused that the
Dai-Kaio Shin had had a hand in creating them.
Only
very few warriors had ever been allowed to train upon the worlds of
the Density belt, not because they were not inhabitable, for they
were, but because of the enormous gravity that reigned on those
worlds. And very few warriors had the power potential necessary to
train on these worlds.
Another
sign that the worlds of the Density belt had been created
specifically was the circumstance, that the degree of gravity varied
from planet to planet, making the belt the ultimate trainings ground
for exceptional warriors.
The
gravity varied from 100 G to 1000 G (except for one planet, on
which's surface a gravity of murderous 1500 G reigned), and the
training grounds which had been created for each planet were designed
to resist the monstrous strain of gravity in case of the high-gravity
planets for all eternity.
After
Grand Kais plan had been approved by the solely surviving Dai-Kaio
Shin, Grand Kai had used the help of all magic-users to accommodate
the belt-worlds to the needs of its future users.
Grand
Kai had the firm suspicion that he knew the identities of Gohan's
fellow trainings-partners, and he also knew the food-consuming
capacities of those warriors despite the fact that they were dead.
If
he was right he would have to bend the rules a tad bit in one case,
but that would not pose a problem.
After
all, due to his merits and due to the fact that he had won the
tournament Gohan could chose whoever he wanted, and thus said person
had to be accommodated to the planet.
It
was a great relief for the Grand Kai that his plan had been approved
completely, that gave him some leeway.
Now
it was time to let the cat out of the bag, and Grand Kai grinned.
Resetting his trademark sunglasses he looked into the round before
continuing with his speech.
"And now, dudes, I have an award to
assign. Gohan Son, as winner of the Afterlife tournament your prize
would have been one year of training with me. Originally."
At
hearing this, the mass of spectators looked at the Grand Kai
expectant. What was he up to now? Knowing him, something crazy, fun,
but crazy.
Grand
Kai grinned at their reaction.
"But due to the awesome power and
potential you, Gohan, displayed in the tournament you have been
deemed worthy to train in the Density belt!" he exclaimed, and the
crowd gasped. Now that was nearly unheard of!
Gohan,
on the other hand, looked dumbfounded, as did the other Z-Fighters.
Density belt? Now what was that?
Seeing
Gohan's confusion Grand Kai only grinned and launched himself into an
explanation.
"Gohan, the Density belt is a cluster of worlds
with varying gravity. The gravity varies from world to world, from
100 G to 1000 G. This makes the belt an ideal trainings ground for
warriors who have displayed the amount of power and potential you
have shown. Also, additionally you can name other warriors to
accompany you to your trainings trip to the belt. How is that?"
The
question was completely needless, for Gohan had been exalted of his
award ever since he had heard the word 'ideal trainings ground'. That
was even better than one year of training with the Grand Kai!
Gohan
smirked as he answered.
"Your honour, I am more than honoured to
receive this award." he said loud enough to be heard by all and
shook the Grand Kais hand, whereupon the Grand Kai smirked too and
answered with an "Anytime, dude."
Then
Gohan looked at the spectators and waved
"Thanks for all your
support, folks! I had a great time and I hope you had too!"
The
resulting cheers from the crowd were deafening, and Gohan's smirk
widened. Especially when his eyes fell onto a certain raven-haired
young woman. If it was possible, he would include her in the
trainings trip. Yup, that sounded like a plan. But first he wanted to
know her name and if she was interested.
After
the cheers had died down Gohan turned back to the Grand Kai, who
visibly enjoyed basking in the assemblage.
"I guess you'd like
to know who I want to take with me on the trainings trip." Gohan
said, and at seeing Grand Kais nod Gohan continued.
"Well, the
Z-Gang should be pretty obvious. Meaning my dad, Vegeta, Piccolo,
Tien, Yamcha and Chao-Tzu. Oh, and if it is possible I would like to
include another one, but I gotta ask her first. Is that okay with
you?"
Grand
Kai nodded. He had a firm suspicion as to who this other one would
be, but he kept quiet and limited him to watching how things would
unfold. Young people were always so much fun to watch.
"Of
course it is okay with me. Just tell me your final choice once you
are ready, dude."
Gohan
nodded.
"Okay, will do. And thanks."
Grand
Kai smirked.
"Anytime, dude."
Gohan
then ventured over to where the rest of the Z-Gang was standing, a
smirk on his face.
"Well guess what," he began once he had
reached them, "we are going on a training trip."
Goku,
Vegeta and Piccolo who had heard Grand Kais explanation about the
Density belt smirked, whereas the human part of the Z-Gang did not
quite know what to make of that. Then Tien spoke up.
"I assume
that has something to do with this Density belt the Grand Kai
mentioned, but we," he pointed at his fellow human team mates, "did
not hear what he said to you. Care to enlighten us?" he joked.
Gohan
smirked.
"Sure. The Density belt the Grand Kai mentioned is a
cluster of worlds with high gravity. According to him the world with
the lowest gravity has a gravity of 100 G, and the highest is 1000 G.
Perfect training grounds, I'd say."
Goku,
Vegeta and Piccolo all smirked at this, whereas the humans looked put
out.
"Yeah, sure, but not for us." Krillin said. "We won't
be able to train there, as the highest gravity setting we could
resist on Earth while using the GR was 30 G. Which means we won't be
able to use those training grounds." he concluded contritely.
Gohan
nodded thoughtfully. In all this commotion he had forgotten about
that.
"Hmm, you got a point there. I'll ask the Grand Kai what
we can do about this, but first I've got something to do. Till
later!"
As
the demi-Saiyan departed, Yamcha smirked.
"I bet I know what
he's up to." Seeing that he had the attention of the others he
brought on the punch-line, "He's going to meet the president of his
fan club!"
The
reactions coming from the others varied from smirks (yeah, Vegeta had
learned to tolerate Yamcha) to outright laughs, and Yamcha's
assessment was deemed as quite probable.
Meanwhile
Gohan had finished scanning the crowd and had found the raven-haired
young woman he had seeked. She was just getting up from her seat next
to an older man with an afro and a moustache when she noticed him.
She
graced him with a smile that could have caused riots on Earth, and
Gohan felt himself smile back involuntarily.
They
seemed to converse silently and agreed to meet in the hallway that
led to the arena. Gohan also noticed that the young woman was staring
optical daggers at the man with the afro, obviously for something he
had said. He saw her tell the man off, huff and leave. Shacking his
head in mirth he decided to leave too and proceeded towards the
meeting point.
'Hmm, taking her obvious temper into account I'd
say that she's quite the fiery one. Plus she was allowed to watch the
tournament, which means she must be a warrior or at least a fighter.
I wouldn't have thought it possible, but it seems I'm finally meeting
a girl I could really like, gauging from what I have seen, heard and
sensed of her up till now. Too bad that it couldn't have happened
when I was still alive, but one can't have everything.
Nevertheless, that should be interesting...'
TBC...
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Next time: Gohan and Videl meet face to face for the first time. And
Gohan sure as a lot of explaining to do what with all that he pulled
off in the tournament. So stay tuned for more!
As
always very special thanks to my beta Rose Vaughn, who is doing a
great job! Thx, Ash!
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Thanks
to
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