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Last time...
"The dragon radar shows five dragonballs, the two at the lookout and three new ones."
"But only one new enemy was defeated. In the last two instances only one dragonball appeared each time." Vegeta said as his curiosity took over.
"That's right." Piccolo stated.
"But...what does this mean...?"
TO BE CONTINUED...
Chapter 9: Recoveries
Bulma had listened to the conversation that had been taking place between the Saiyan and the Namek. She herself was very curious about the appearance of three dragonballs instead of the usual one dragonball. Bulma was, of course, familiar with the whole situation with Keeper. She still remembered that day Chi-Chi was killed. It had hit Gohan very hard that his mother decided to stay in other world with Goku until they could locate all the dragonballs. Gohan was about to say something when the link between him and his parents was severed. Bulma had a feeling that Gohan was going to suggest Namek's dragonballs. But, when Goku and Chi-Chi cut the link before Gohan had a chance to speak, Bulma got really worried when she saw the expression on Gohan's face. He looked sad, angry, and...betrayed. She asked him about it.
Flashback:
Gohan was in his new room at Capsule Corp reading a book about Meta Physics when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Gohan said as he continued reading. The door opened to reveal a concerned Bulma.
"Hey kiddo!" she said with a slight smile. "What are you reading?" Bulma was trying to start a conversation before she got down to the real question she had for him.
"It's a book I found in your lab. Sorry, I didn't even ask if I could take it." he said sadly. "Its Advanced Meta Physics." he added to answer her question.
"What!" Bulma said out of pure shock. "And you actually understand what you read!"
"Um...yeah. Am I not supposed to read it?" He asked unsure as Bulma looked at him with eyes the size of dinner plates.
"No, you can read it Gohan. I'm just surprised that you actually understand what you're reading. You're only 11 and already you understand stuff that most physics professors don't even understand! This is amazing! You truly are a genius! Would you like to help me on some of my designs and projects?" She asked cheerily. Gohan's face seemed to light up instantly.
"Sure! I'd love to Bulma!"
"Great! We'll start tomorrow. Oh, and Gohan? Are you alright? I mean, about what happened this morning." Bulma was finally getting to the real reason for visiting him in his room, but Gohan just frowned and stared at the floor. "Kid, you need to talk about it. Otherwise it will end up eating you away."
"I just don't get it Bulma. Why would mom and dad both not want to come back. I know it's my fault they died, bu..." He was interrupted by a very confused Bulma.
"Whoa, kid! Back up just a minute! Why do you blame yourself for their deaths?" The blue-haired scientist asked as gently as she could.
"Well, first off. Dad died because I was too slow too react. I was blinded by my own stupid emotions. When Cell aimed a blast at me, dad got in the way and died. I was just standing there getting angry, but not doing anything! The people around me got hurt and some died, and I just stood there until my father died!" he started crying and Bulma was too shocked to react. Then Gohan continued. "And the day my mom died. I knew something was gonna happen. I just didn't know where or the exact time. I should've stayed home that day. I knew and I should've stayed. But no. I'm an idiot that always makes the worst mistakes possible. It was only after she died that I somehow found the ability to get there instantly. You see Bulma? Someone always dies before I get it right. And now they don't wanna come back because I'm a worthless son. They wanna be as far away from the disappointment that I am, but that's no reason to leave Goten." Tears were still running down his face when Bulma found her voice.
"Gohan...I...hmmm. You can't blame yourself it wasn't your fault, and you're sure as hell not worthless. If it wasn't for you the earth wouldn't even be here. And as for your parents not wanting to come back. Well, Goku explained his reason. And as for Chi-Chi, well she probably just wants to spend some time with your dad untill we can recover all the dragonballs. Besides, King Kai told me that the Grand Kai, whoever that is, said that we're not allowed to use Namek's dragonballs. I'm sure Chi-Chi would've wanted to return right away if our dragonballs didn't disappear. So don't be so hard on yourself, okay? None of this is your fault." She then gave him a hug.
"Thanks Bulma. I'm kinda tired. I'll see you tomorrow." Gohan then put the book down as Bulma started to leave. She didn't want to leave Gohan like that. But she knew that if she forced the issue that he would run away or something worse. 'Besides...' she thought. '...it takes time to heal. I'll just be sure to help him. I also hope all the dragonballs resurface soon.'
End Flashback
'Well, it's almost seven years later and still only five dragonballs.' Bulma thought as she continued to listen to the conversation.
"We've already established that the dragonballs are a countdown to Keeper's release. And judging from that last enemy's pure evil energy that we sensed close to the end, three balls seem to make sense." Piccolo said as he looked deep in thought.
"Yes, but remember Namek, we don't know how much evil is needed to release that fool. And if he's been keeping an eye on Gohan then he would realise that he nearly killed his best shot of obtaining freedom. It will be a while before he strikes again." Vegeta said.
"I have not forgotten Vegeta. And Gohan never went to the third level during that battle. I wonder why..."
"Because he feels it's still too unstable. And he doesn't like it." After seeing the surprised look on Piccolo's face he continued. "He can't sustain it for long, but he's getting there. He told me that before the Cell games, Kakarot had him stay super saiyan in the hyperbolic time chamber for immense periods of time until he could stay like that permanently. He's been applying the same technique with the second level to try and control the third better. Besides, even in the second level he is at least three times more powerful than he was when facing Cell."
"That's what he also told me about a week ago. You've really become close to him, haven't you Vegeta?" Piccolo said, unable to hide his smile.
"Ghuh...whatever, Namek. Woman, I'm going to collect the dragonballs, take them to the lookout and then I'll be back." He said as he took the radar from Piccolo and headed out.
"Need any help Vegeta?"
"No, but I will take the brats with me." the two kids, who had been very quite after the whole Gohan emergency, looked up quickly. Trunks spoke first.
"Cool, you hear that Goten? We're going dragonball hunting!"
"Yay!"
"Okay." Bulma said. "But be careful. I don't want any more injured Saiyans on my hands." After that the three took off. Piccolo stayed in the medical bay. He was meditating there while waiting for Gohan's recovery.
ooooooooooooooooooooooo
Sixteen hours later Piccolo was still meditating when he felt three familiar energy signals approaching. Vegeta and the duo had succeeded in their hunt and were demanding breakfast. "Saiyans..." Piccolo muttered under his breath before he went back to his meditation.
Meanwhile in the regeneration tank Gohan twitched slightly as he was dreaming. Was he dreaming, or was it something else? Piccolo noticed the twitch, and another, and another. 'This is not supposed to happen.' Piccolo thought as he got up to get Bulma.
ooooooooooooooooooooooo
'What's going on? Where am I?' Gohan was in a very strange place. There was white everywhere and all colours would swirl by every few seconds. The scenery then changed to a forest with a thick mist surrounding it. Gohan didn't recognise it. He heard voices that sounded as if they were floating on the wind. It was everywhere, whispering to him.
"...embrace your grandfather's legacy...do not be afraid...once you do...you can overcome it...you can save them..." Then the whispers faded and the environment changed to the wasteland, Keeper's wasteland. But it wasn't the same. He wasn't actually there this time, but he could see it. Then he heard the voice of a man. "...do not dwell here...it will destroy you..." Then the scenery changed once more. It was now a beautiful green valley with yellow flowers everywhere. The man spoke again. "...seek what you've sought before...it will save you..."
Confusion settled itself on Gohan as everything around him began to dissolve. Then all the different voices began to overlap as every sentence echoed in his mind.
ooooooooooooooooooooooo
Piccolo walked fast to the kitchen, since that was where he sensed Bulma. When he got there he was greeted by three hungry Saiyans 'eating' as if there were no tomorrow. He turned to Bulma as he struggled to take his eyes of the sight that he still hadn't gotten used to. "Bulma, Gohan is twitching." Bulma turned around, a bit shocked. Vegeta stopped eating and started walking towards the medical bay. Bulma and Piccolo followed while the duo started eating Vegeta's food.
When they got there Bulma looked the brain activity monitor over and was confused at what she found. "Gohan's brain activity is strange. It's not dangerous, just not normal. It's like his mind is working overtime, even when he's unconscious." Bulma leaned down to look at the sleeping Saiyan, only to find him opening his eyes quite suddenly. "Aaahh..." She gave a little yell as the teenager startled her.
"What is it woman!"
"Gohan's awake! He's not supposed to be! There's still four hours left." Bulma said as Gohan started moving around irritably.
"Let him out." Was all Vegeta said before he left the room.
Bulma started the draining sequence to get rid of all the liquid. Then the tank opened and Gohan got up weakly. He started to get out, but fell forward, still weakened. Piccolo caught him. His body was almost completely healed, but his energy was still running really low. Just then a roaring Vegeta was heard.
"DO YOU TWO HAVE A DEATH WISH!"
"Ha ha ha. Looks like Goten and Trunks have eaten Vegeta's food again. "Gohan said weakly as he chuckled at the thought of those two running for their lives with an angry Vegeta after them.
"We better get you cleaned up. Then you need to eat something." Bulma said.
Gohan got cleaned up and fell down on his bed. It was 8:27 in the morning. He was hungry, but sleep overcame his exhausted mind. The last thing he thought about before he drifted off, was not the strange dream he had earlier, but it was about a certain girl who should've been at school at that very moment. 'School.' Gohan thought. 'I can't go back after what happened. I just hope I can see her again...Videl.' Then he was asleep.
ooooooooooooooooooooooo
Videl sat in her room at the window. The rain was pattering lightly against the glas. It was as though the weather knew how she felt...sad. She was sad because she didn't know if Gohan was still alive. As tears ran down her face all she could think about was him. She didn't even know where he lived. 'He told me that he loves me. And as soon as he is able he'll let me know. I just have to keep the faith.'
She was still recovering from the shock of the previous day. From what Gohan told her, to what happened shortly after he did. School was closed for the rest of the week for investigation. The building was left intact, but it was still being checked out, just in case the 'earthquake' had made it structurally unsound. Yes, the ignorant fools blamed the damages on an earthquake. As Videl was going through the events in her head her phone rang. She walked over to her bed, sat down, and answered her phone.
"Hello, Videl speaking."
"Hey Videl! It's Erasa! So, how are you!" The ditzy blonde asked in her usual cheery voice.
"I'm okay, how about you?"
"I'm great! Hey, I heard a rumour that the school building is gonna have to come down. Apparently it's too unstable to be left standing."
"Then where are we gonna go to school?" Videl answered, not doubting her friends words for two reasons. One: Erasa is has the ability to obtain information long before it is made public. Two: The power she felt radiating from Gohan was immense to say the least; Videl knew it wasn't light tricks as her father called it. No, it was real, and very powerful.
"I don't know yet. But I'm bound to find out soon. As soon as I do I'll let you know, kay?" She said happily.
"Okay, thanks Erasa."
"Oh! My mom is calling me. I better go! See ya Videl!"
"Bye." Videl put the phone down and laid down on her back as she stared at the ceiling. She hardly slept at all the previous night and she soon found herself drifting off to sleep.
ooooooooooooooooooooooo
"Gooooohaaaaan! Wakey, wakey! It's lunch time! Hurry up or me and Trunks are gonna eat your food." Goten shouted as he stood in the door frame.
"Yeah! And mom ordered food from Pacha's too!" Trunks exclaimed happily as he stood next to Goten. They didn't jump on him as they usually did. And the teenager was thankful for that since his body was still aching all over. 'Bulma must have told them not to jump on me.' Gohan thought with a smile as the scent of Pacha's food came wafting through the door.
Gohan groaned and got up. "Okay squirt and shorty. And thanks for not jumping on me this time."
"Mom said that you still needed a lot of rest and that we could really hurt you if we did." Trunks said.
"Yeah, you better get better soon Gohan." Goten laughed as he and Trunks ran towards the food.
Gohan looked at the clock set down on the table next to his bed. "13:25" he muttered to himself before he started walking to the kitchen. 'I'm glad Bulma got Pacha's! The food at that place is awesome! No offence to Bulma, but she's a scientist, NOT a chef. Pacha's is really expensive though. And with the amount of food four Saiyans consume...I don't even want to think about the bill. I guess it's a good thing that Bulma is the wealthiest person on the planet.' Gohan stumbled a bit and had a hard time getting to the kitchen while he was thinking about the different foods he would be eating in mere seconds. His body had never been damaged that badly before, and he could feel that the upcoming days were not going to be easy. He still didn't quite understand why he woke up four hours too early. And the dream confused him even more.
When Gohan walked into the kitchen his heart nearly stopped. "Hey! Leave some for me!" He exclaimed as the other three Saiyans were already digging in and the food was disappearing fast. Food was flying everywhere as the lavender haired kid had an eating contest with the black haired boy. Vegeta was just stuffing his face in a manner 'fit for a Saiyan prince'.
"You should've gotten here faster." Vegeta stated after he swallowed.
"My body doesn't allow that at the moment." Gohan said as he sat down and began eating.
"Your body might still be worn out, but your appetite sure isn't!" Bulma said as she watched Gohan inhaling the food like the other three were. Gohan just nodded and smiled as he ate.
"Thanks Bulma! That was great!" The teen said when all the food had been eaten. The boys chorussed a big "Yeah!", and Vegeta just grunted with a smirk to show his satisfaction.
The next week rolled by pretty fast and Gohan had made a full recovery. Or at least, his body had. Bulma was still concerned with the strange readings she got from the brain activity monitor just before he woke up in the tank. She hadn't told him about it, but it still puzzled her. Little did she know that the young half-Saiyan was also puzzled with his own mystery, one that was directly connected to her own.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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