Thank you reviewers! (NoroLimAsfaloth, Kayla, Lucy Wood, DemonVidel, j.writer20, Gohan-Kun Shin, DBZ Chick1)
Last time…
After giving Videl a private tour of Capsule Corp, Gohan flew her home. He held her in his arms and soared through the night-sky. He was happy, but in the back of his mind he could feel the evil of Keeper creep up on him. He still had to figure out the strange dream, and he needed to train. He couldn't afford not to train. There were too many people who counted on him, and even more he had to protect.
Chapter 12: Surprises
It was three months after Gohan and Videl rediscovered each other after the incident with Gatra. Gohan was happier than he had been in a very long time. He no longer shut himself off to the rest of the world when something bothered him. It took some convincing, but Videl finally made him realise that the people around him would want to know when something was bothering him.
Gohan was deep in thought about the previous three months. It mostly consisted of training, meditating, and spending time with Videl, Gohan even tought her to fly. He walked through the halls in Capsule Corp while thinking about the progress he's made while meditating. He could now completely block out Piccolo and Dende from penetrating his mind's defences. However, he was still unsure if he would be able to block Keeper. Gohan didn't really know how powerful Keeper was mentally.
'I'll meditate a bit longer tonight. I'm close to finding the answers I want. Right now though, Vegeta is waiting for me.' He pushed his thoughts to the back of his mind as he entered the Gravity Room. Vegeta was indeed waiting for him.
It was a giant circular room. The walls were covered with reinforced metal plates; it was a shining silver colour. The control panel was right next to the door and as Gohan entered the room the prince gave an order, "Turn it up to 600 g's." Vegeta always spoke his native language when he and Gohan were alone.
"You got it!" Gohan answered as he started typing in commands. When the gravity started to rise, both Saiyans ascended to the first level.
"Now, let's train." Vegeta said before he launched himself at Gohan who took on a defensive stance.
Vegeta drew back his fist and launched it forward, only to hit Gohan's after image. Gohan appeared on Vegeta's left side and threw his own punch with his right hand. The prince blocked the strike and kicked the teenager in the side. Gohan felt a twinge of pain, but caught the offending leg. He swung the prince around and threw him into the wall. When he followed up on his attack, Vegeta surprised him with an energy blast. He easily slapped it aside, but Vegeta merely used it as a diversion.
A huge yellow ball of energy collided with Gohan's right side and sent him flying into the wall. When the smoke cleared Gohan got up, he was covered in light scratches. Vegeta stood triumphantly, arms folded across his chest, and with a big smirk plastered on his face. Gohan mirrored his facial expression and shot forward. He slammed a knee in Vegeta's stomach and followed with an elbow in the back. Vegeta quickly recovered and sent a flurry of punches and kicks at Gohan. The teenager blocked, dodged and attacked. Vegeta was really putting him through his paces.
They continued their little sparring session for five hours. When they finally finished, both of them limped into the medical bay to use the regeneration tanks. Two hours later they emerged, fully healed. The kitchen would be their next target.
ooooooooooooooooooooooo
Elsewhere...on a planet with green grass, a purple sky, and many moons, a short slim man with lavender skin and a white Mohawk, spoke to a tall, burly man with pink-red skin and long white hair. "It is time to reveal myself to him. This last bit of training is necessary for him to succeed."
"Yes master. When do you wish to leave?" The tall one asked.
"Soon."
ooooooooooooooooooooooo
After a good meal Gohan took to the skies. He flew towards the mountains to meditate. There was just no way he could do that in the city, there were simply too many distractions. One place where he could always calm his mind was near his previous home in the 439 mountain village. It was a field covered in green grass and bright yellow flowers.
When he touched down something clicked within his mind. 'That strange dream-thing I had while recovering after Gatra's attack had a field just like this one in it! Seek what you've sought before...Seek what you've sought before...Seek what you've sought before...Seek what you've sought before...Seek what you've sought before...Argh, what does it mean!' He thought with frustration as he fell backwards onto the soft grass and stared at the sky.
"Seek what you've sought before...Seek what you've sought before...Seek what you've sought before..." He said it out loud a couple of times as if it would make a difference. "Okay Gohan, what have you sought before?" He asked himself. "I've sought to protect...and that just doesn't fit. How can the fact that I want to protect help me protect."
"More than you realise." A voice behind Gohan said and he jumped into a fighting stance out of reflex. "Relax Gohan. We are not here to harm you."
There were two people standing in front of Gohan. They were unfamiliar to him, but the short one radiated authority. "Who are you?" Gohan asked as he relaxed his tensed muscles.
"This," the short man pointed to the tall one, "is my servant, Kibito. And my name is Shin, I am the Supreme Kai." He stated in a friendly manner.
Gohan wasn't really surprised. After Dende had contacted King Kai all those years ago, Gohan sometimes got this feeling that he was being watched. "So, are you the one who's been watching me?" Gohan asked with a smile.
Shin was surprised and asked incredulously, "How do you know that I've been watching you?"
"I didn't know it was you specifically, but as my mental powers grew over the years I became aware of a presence, watching me. I knew it wasn't Keeper, since the feeling I get off him is hostile, but this feeling was friendly." Gohan was now eyeing them curiously.
'Hmm, I wonder how strong he really is mentally?' Shin asked himself. 'Let's read his mind...what!' His facial expression became stunned once more. "Gohan! I cannot read your mind! You weren't kidding when you mentioned mental powers! This is incredible. You are a mere mortal and yet I cannot penetrate your mental defences. Yes, you have accomplished far more than I could have hoped for."
'I wonder if he knows about the visions I get?' Gohan thought, 'I wonder if I should tell him?'
"How much control do you have over your visions Gohan?" Shin asked.
'Guess he knows.' Gohan thought and then answered, "None really. It's more like a reflex. When danger draws near it's triggered and I get a vision. I do practice it in my meditation and I sometimes get insignificant visions during those times. It also used to be very painful when I did get the significant visions, but now I barely feel any pain. It's no more than a slight headache now."
"I want you to come with me to my planet Gohan. I have a little training planned for you." Shin stated in his calm demeanour.
"First I'd like to know something. Why couldn't we use Namek's dragonballs to bring back my parents?" the teenager asked sadly.
"Everytime the dragonballs are used negative energy is released. I was afraid that Vandrak would harvest those energies as well and be released sooner." He said and frowned before he continued, "Your mother was not pleased. I distinctly remember her hitting the Grand Kai over the head with a big black frying pan when he told her she couldn't go back to earth. Your father was able to calm her down after he explained the situation to her. Don't worry Gohan, as soon as you defeat Vandrak they can be wished back."
"So, I kept on calling him Keeper, but his real name is Vandrak? Hmm, he's the reason why mom is dead…I'll kill him." Gohan said in a deadly voice that sent shivers down both Shin and Kibito's spines.
For the first time Kibito spoke up, "You must NOT kill him."
"And why shouldn't I?" Gohan asked in confusion and a bit of anger.
"Gohan, the universe needs to remain in balance, otherwise it will collapse." Shin said as he bowed his head. Even he, the Supreme Kai, knew what an impossible task this was.
"So I have to beat him without actually killing him! How the hell am I gonna do that! Do I turn him so he's a good guy? What?" Gohan ran a hand through his hair and growled as his task just became impossible.
"There is no way you can turn Vandrak. He is the source of all evil. He plants seeds of evil in those with the potential to become evil. Some, like Vegeta, are able to rid themselves of the evil seed. Others, like Frieza, allow it to grow and eventually they reach the point of no return. Vandrak will always be evil, no matter what." Kibito said as Gohan became more depressed by the second.
"Don't let it bother you, just do what you've done before and you'll succeed. I have faith in you!" Shin said in confidence. "Now let's go."
Gohan was about to leave with Shin and Kibito, but he stopped when he sensed all the Z-fighters assemble at Capsule Corp. He also sensed Videl and even Dende. This really confused the teenager. 'Why would everyone be at Capsule Corp?' He thought and took a step away from the god before him.
"What is it Gohan?" Shin asked.
"Everyone is gathering at Capsule Corp, even Earth's Guardian. I better go see what's going on." Gohan stood there and waited for Shin's reply.
"Hmm, very well, I will come get you first thing in the morning. That will give you time to explain these events to everyone." Then Shin and Kibito disappeared.
Gohan decided flying back would take too long, so he just transported himself back to Capsule Corp.
It was six o'clock in the evening and Gohan was hungry again. He pushed his thoughts of food aside as he could sense that everyone was inside. He walked up to the door, turned the black handle, opened the door and stepped inside. He knew everyone was in the gigantic family room, so he slowly made his way there, wondering why everyone was there.
He made his way up the stairs and when he reached the family room he was confused. 'Why are the doors closed? We never close these doors.' He didn't bother to knock; he knew they could sense him, so he just walked in.
He was greeted with a huge, "SURPRISE!" emanating from every mouth in the room. At first Gohan was confused, but then he saw the banner against the roof's support beam. It read: "Happy 18th Birthday Gohan!"
The teenager was stumped, too busy worrying about everything, he had completely forgotten his own birthday. "Wow you guys! I can't believe I forgot! Thanks!" He chuckled at his own forgetfulness and walked over to the rest of the group. They each, in turn, said their congratulations and then returned to their spots.
Vegeta was the last in line, "Well Gohan, now that you're 18 you should take a woman. That girl you keep hanging around with has a feisty spirit. She'll be perfect for you." Seeing the look on Gohan's face, the prince laughed and walked towards the food tables.
Gohan blushed deep red. He was just glad that Vegeta said it in the Saiyan tongue. 'At least no one else understood what Vegeta said. I would never hear the end of it.'
"So, Gohan, what did Vegeta just say?" Came the voice Krillin. "It must've been something embarrassing to make you blush like that." Everyone was now staring at Gohan.
The oldest half-Saiyan answered the question with a stomach growl. He laughed sheepishly and said, "I guess I'm hungry." Gohan decided to ignore all questions related to what Vegeta said.
The birthday boy walked over to where the other Saiyans were already stuffing themselves. There were four tables, piled with food, standing against the apricot-coloured walls. Gohan's stomach was yearning for some food, and he had no intention of making it wait any longer.
After all the food had been consumed and the party started to die down, Gohan decided to tell them about the Supreme Kai's visit. He got everyone's attention. They all stood still listening intently at what Gohan had to say.
Vegeta and Piccolo leaned against opposite walls with their arms crossed and glanced in Gohan's direction. Krillin, 18, little Marron and Yamcha were sitting on the couch while Tien, Chiaotzu, Dende, Master Roshi, Bulma, Trunks, Goten, and Videl stood in random spots across the room.
"...so tomorrow I'll be going to the Supreme Kai's world for some training. I don't know how long it's going to take, but..." He stopped mid-sentence as he felt a slight pain creep up his spine and settle in his head. It was the familiar pain he got whenever he got a vision. Seconds later his eyes started to glow Green. He stood still, like a statue, completely oblivious to the gasps of the people who had never seen him have a vision before.
Before anyone could rush towards Gohan, Vegeta said, "No one will make a move. Stand where you are. He is having a vision."
Gohan saw himself on a planet with green grass, a purple sky and many moons. He was holding a broken sword. The timeframe switched to some time after that and Gohan was holding the same sword, yet it was whole once more.
He then saw himself face to face with another black demon in the ring of the World Martial Arts Tournament. Once more the scenery changed, this time to a barren desert. There he saw flashes of a small alien man, a red demon, two strange pink humanoids, and another black demon. He witnessed the black demon kill all but one of the pink humanoids. After that he saw the sky darken with black clouds and purple flashes of lightning. A black hole appeared in the sky and Vandrak emerged.
He said something to the black demon and then killed him as he laughed cruelly.
The vision ended and when Gohan blinked the green glow was gone. He merely muttered, "Damn."
TO BE CONTINUED...
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