Disclaimer, in case it wasn't obvious. I don't own Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, or really any other property. Thank you.

The Long Road

Chapter 12: Exchange

"Let her go, now."

Two sets of black eyes met. It was clear that Kakarot wasn't overly pleased with his actions. The urge to comply was immense with the look Kakarot was giving him at that moment, but the very fact he was asking him to do it made him want to resist that urge. For a brief moment, Kakarot looked like a real Saiyan, determined and hostile. Gohan knew if he didn't let go in quick order, Kakarot would probably break his arm, or at least attempt to so do. Looking back down towards Chi-Chi, Gohan saw the look of repressed pain still on her features.

Carefully, he felt his fingers loosen, before letting his mother's hand slip from his grip. As soon as she pulled it free, her other hand clutched her damaged digits. A pang of guilt hit Gohan's stomach before his eyes shifted back up to Kakarot. Within a blink of an eye, his legs no longer felt the ground supporting him at all. It wasn't that anything had changed, other than the setting they were in. Where had the house gone? Where the Hell was he?

As soon as he turned his head to look at the endless sky and clouds around them, he felt Kakarot's grip tighten as a golden aura ripple around the elder Saiyan. Turning his head back, his black eyes met Goku's blue, and pain exploded in his stomach. Spit came up from Gohan's mouth as he quivered in agonizing torment, looking down as he hunched over to see Kakarot's fist imbedded in his stomach. Slowly the fist pulled back, letting Gohan's body naturally flex back into position. The damage however, was done, in more ways than one.

Scowling angrily, Gohan felt himself transform in response. The golden aura that covered him flared violently before he pulled his hand away from Goku.

It seemed like no matter what, they were always in conflict, it was almost as if there was there destiny. Perhaps they would destroy one another. Son kills father, Turles told him once that was a tradition of the Saiyans long before the war with the Tuffles. But even then, one element was left out, often, father killed son. The two remained in the air, staring one another down, braced for battle. This would be their third battle. But it was a battle Gohan still knew he could never win. His own power had not grown enough to hope to challenge and defeat Kakarot. He still couldn't beat the Namek in a straight fight.

It didn't really matter at the end of the day. This battle could be potentially lethal, and that was largely in his own direction. In their first battle, Kakarot had really only spared him because he was his... biological son. In their second battle, he'd been spared only by the virtue that he'd become a Super Saiyan, and broken down. What could save him this time? Narrowing his eyes on Kakarot, the Saiyan knew it'd be everything he could to survive.

"Firstly, this is my home, we work very hard to keep it. Don't ruin our house. Second, this is my wife Chi-Chi, you will show her respect at all times, one of the only reasons you are alive is because she helped piece you back together. Thirdly, I have a son named Goten, you are not to harm him either. Finally, if for whatever reason you are not in this house and on the Earth, you'll pay for harming any innocent people for any reason. Am I understood?"

Reasoning with Kakarot didn't even come to the fore of his mind from these very words. He'd broken one of Kakarot's precious rules, one could argue he broke two. Fight, flight, or surrender were all he knew. Flight was impossible, and surrender was too likely to lead to fatality in his mind, fearing Kakarot may finally kill him. That left only one option, fight.

Which also meant there was no reason to hold back any power, or how he felt.

"If you think you can fight me Kakarot, go ahead and try," the Commander bluffed.

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Every moment of this had been painful for Goku to see. When he'd heard the pained whimper from Chi-Chi, and felt Gohan's energy spike, he knew what must have happened. Gohan had attacked Chi-Chi, his wife. It was something that Goku had never expected to see in his life. It was something in the back of his mind when he'd first brought Gohan home, but never something he expected. As a boy, Gohan had loved Chi-Chi more than anything in the world, it was almost impossible to pull him from his mother's side. Even when Gohan had first come back to them, the only one he seemed to open up to was his mother. It was the one thing that had always given Goku hope about Gohan.

If anyone could keep him on the right path, it was Chi-Chi.

But now? Now that illusion had been broken. The monster Vegeta had told them about had come back out, someone ruthless enough to kill his own comrades without mercy. Staring at his son, he now saw the battle scarred, ruthless killer of billions staring back. But behind it all, he felt the man who was terrified. Even as Gohan's bluff was uttered, delivered superbly, Goku knew it was a front. But what did that leave him to do?

He'd been willing to hurt Chi-Chi, badly.

Now he was afraid of the consequences?

It made Goku angrier even as he thought of how ridiculous this all was. Silently, the elder Saiyan cursed Raditz. Snatching his son from him had transformed him into the mess of a man in front of him. The problem persisted that Gohan was dangerous, and now seemingly unpredictable. But Goku was beginning to try and understand how all of this happened. Not just what just happened back at his home, but what happened to Gohan his whole life. It was all there for anyone to see, the scar over his left eye alone was enough to at least begin to understand what had happened.

Slowly, Goku began to drop his guard. Maybe this could deescalate, maybe if he just slowed this down they could change things. Despite how mad he was, despite how much he wanted to even hurt Gohan at this time, more then that he wanted to save his son. The problem was he didn't understand how. In his anger before, he'd nearly killed him. Each time, he'd come to regret it. But more than that, he remembered the wreck of a man who cried, and then tried to excuse his tears.

It couldn't be true that his son was the monster he appeared to be. There had to be another way.

However, as soon as his arms came to his sides, Goku found himself hard pressed for words. What could h even say to him in response? Attacking your mother was wrong, you should be sorry? The very idea of it disgusted Goku. But what was the alternative? Beat him half to death again?

I don't even know where to begin.

"Gohan, we don't have to-"

It'd been an amateur mistake, lowering his guard when it was clear that Gohan was poised to strike at any sign of weakness. In a blur of motion, but an unexpected blur of motion, the younger Saiyan shot towards him with ruthless intent. Before he could even complete his sentence, the glowing fist of his son's slammed into his cheek, sending him flying back. Trailing backwards, Goku felt his own anger boil.

There would be no discussion until this was over. But he needed to remind himself that this couldn't be a battle to the death. No matter what transpired before, this had to be different. He would have to fight Gohan, to save Gohan.

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Immediately, predatory instincts took hold of Gohan once he'd made first contact. Kakarot had been lowering his guard, trying to look nonthreatening, likely either for a surprise attack, or to force Gohan into an early offence. There was no use in bothering with his words, as soon as they started to dribble out. It would be more of his self righteous speeches about good, and defending the people of Earth, or the universe. Worse, it could be something that was coming forward, reminding him of how doomed and cursed he was.

No matter what, he wasn't going to die here and face judgement, he would survive, and survive as long as he could. He'd just burned his last bridge, and that meant it was time to try and get out of this situation as quickly as he could. Even if he somehow got past Kakarot, there was still Vegeta and Piccolo to worry about.

There powers were not immensely far apart anymore, this meant that if he did what Piccolo had trained him, of exploiting his enemy at every opportunity, and creating those opportunities. Giving in to his fear wasn't an option anymore. The battle was here, and he had to win. A golden aura followed Gohan as he picked up on speed, raising both hands above his head in an axe handle smash, he overtook Kakarot as he flew back, before swinging his arms down. The blow collided with Kakarot's shoulder, sending the elder of the two rocketing towards the Earth.

With a great explosion of debris and dust, Kakarot smashed into the middle of a forested region, below where they had teleported.

Staring down, Gohan awaited signs of Kakarot coming back at him. The supposed 'ascended' form Piccolo had talked about hadn't reared its ugly head yet, but then again he hadn't given it time.

"Come out of there Kakarot, I know that isn't enough to kill you yet!" he shouted, forming two blasts in his hands as he did.

Lunging his arms forward, before doing so in successive waves, Gohan began to pulverize the forest floor with bolts of energy where Goku had landed. Each blast tore away chunks of the earth, before exploding, making the dust and smoke cloud below even larger. The waves didn't change Kakarot's energy signature at all.

A frustrated lip curled into a sneer as Gohan realized his attacks were largely ineffectual.

He hated Kakarot.

It wasn't something he fully understood until he realized in that moment that his doom was coming. Even inch of his being was revolted by the idea that this simple, pig headed fool was stronger than him, but not only that, that this was his father. The only thing Saiyan about him was his strength, and nothing else. Closing his eyes tightly for a moment, swallowing his fear, Gohan let his disdain take hold, feeling orange energy crackle around his arms.

Soon, muscles bulged out as he took on his 'new' ultra form. The golden aura around him flickered violently as his muscles grew larger, thickening out with each moment before making their final pushes into obscure sizes.

This was it, this was the zenith of his power. The orange electricity however, wasn't from him calling on this new stage, it was one of the most dangerous attacks Turles had ever used. Shoving his hands together tightly, Gohan formed the Kill Driver.

The halo of deathly orange energy crackled between his palms moments later.

Looking down where he felt Kakarot's energy, the resentment he'd tried his best to conceal couldn't be contained anymore. Kakarot didn't deserve to be his father. Of all the curses, of all the pain he'd been forced to endure, the greatest pain he would know was the fact that his father had been not a Saiyan at all. Everything Turles had taught him of their people, everything he'd learned of what it was to be a Saiyan, meant nothing to this soft, idiotic man. A man who made apologies for him. Apologies for things he had no reason to be ashamed of.

The only thing he need fear was death, because of the consequences of strength. To survive, to prosper, one had to resign themselves to a Hell in the life after this one. What's worse, this pathetic primitive fool flew in the face of that. He defied the very thing Gohan had lived by his whole life, the very thing that had kept him going and allowed him to survive. To this man that all meant nothing, or worse, it meant he'd killed all those people for nothing.

They died because he willed that they died, and because their deaths were necessary for his own survival, and his own gains. He'd liquidated men who refused to do their duty for the Planet Trade, and he'd have been no different if he'd refused to complete jobs. There was no shame to be found in what he did, especially for a Saiyan.

With a pained, furious howl, Gohan threw the Kill Driver straight towards Kakarot's energy signal.

A blinding flash appeared before the overwhelming force of the wave exploded outward. Waves of force and light caused Gohan to shield his eyes with his thickened arms, holding himself in the air. The explosion of energy had dimmed Kakarot's energy signal to his senses.

When the light cleared, there was a massive mushroom cloud, climbing into the sky. Miles and miles of forest had been levelled, the trees knocked over like planted sticks left to a hurricane. Floating in the air, Gohan could still feel Kakarot's power, and knew it'd not been enough. And worse, Kakarot would now know his limits, and knew his attack had been meant to kill.

It didn't take long for him to pin point where it was. Looking up and ahead, Gohan saw Kakarot now floating perhaps 10 meters away from him, his face written with an impassive, but determined appearance. Furiously scowling, Gohan shifted his stance towards Kakarot. Some surprise to Gohan was the fact that Kakarot's fighting gi was now torn and ripped, and the fact he had several cuts and scrapes. Clearly, some of his attacks had made it through.

"Gohan-"

There was a violent sneer in response, directed towards Kakarot as Gohan flexed his muscles. His rage was boiling up.

"So you think you can lecture to me because of all that strength of yours Kakarot?" Gohan snapped. "Well I'm not interested in your pathetic talk of good, or defending the Earth, or changing my ways."

The words left his mouth with drips of venom attached to it. Every word spoken made Gohan's power flare, the violent torrent of golden energy around him flickered erratically as the Saiyan closed his fists. To think, only a day ago he was going to ask this monkey to go into the hyperbolic time chamber with him.

"I was a somebody before I found myself on this wretched planet. But you already knew that, and you still won't let me leave for fear of what I'd do to all the rats out amongst the stars. You sit here with all your strength and think you can just live without having to destroy others, and you know nothing about what it is to be powerful. And now you want to force that on me as well? Why!? For all the strength I've gained, I lost a mountain more!" Gohan shouted furiously. Staring at Kakarot, Gohan started to tremble with rage while his features twisted into a hateful scowl, his voice shaking with his anger as he spoke. "Do you think you can somehow manipulate me into being what I'm not? That's what all this is to you, to mold me into who you want me to be. I won't lose what I am because some sentimental fool wants a four year old child back."

Gohan's aura flared violently as he prepared himself.

There were no words in response from Kakarot, his only response was to shift his form into a tense stance, his own aura exploding around him seconds later. Slowly, electricity began to ripple around his arms and legs as he tensed his form further, his fists closed together. When his hair started to spike upwards further, Gohan began to realize what was going on. Kakarot's power level was rising dramatically, it's climb seemingly to the heavens themselves.

This is insane.

There was a realization in the younger Saiyan of just how outclassed he was, Kakarot's power surpassed his own peak within seconds, and continued it's rise. When the older Saiyan finally cried out, Gohan felt a power he could barely grasp, a warrior with no equal. How could anything equal that kind of strength. His own arm, which had been braced for battle, slowly pulled back, no longer trembling with anger, but with fear. A shocked expression of uncertainty and anxiety was written across Gohan's face.

What had he done to deserve being sent to this planet? This planet with it's confusing rules, and terrifyingly strange inhabitants? What had he done to be born to Kakarot as his father? This place was slowly growing on him like a tumour, it was changing him, it was turning him into one of them. But he wasn't one of them. Even Vegeta had been domesticated by this bleak place. What did it offer? Did it offer a place where one could gain strength at no risk? That one could survive and live in peace, rather than survive by walking over the bodies of the vanquished and weak?

It was unnatural; Kakarot was unnatural, and he hated it.

So that's it? You don't even respect me enough to attack? You think I'm just going to surrender again.

His pride had been shredded on this planet, shredded until it was a torn rag. This battle was over, if not now, then in a few moments. For the first time, consciously, Gohan made the decision to not end the battle.

Kakarot would not conquer him, not again.

Fear transformed into anger once again as Kakarot's transformation came to an end, lowering his guard once again. This time he didn't even try to speak, Kakarot's eyes dared him to attack again. Gohan's eyebrows shoved down towards his nose, his lip curled into a sneer and his teeth clenched. An angry, almost feral noise built up in his chest as his arms began to tense, twitching several times as he tried to control himself.

Be smart, remember what the Namek taught you. I've got to keep this under control. There is no fear, there is no anger.

It was an odd paradox, his resentment for this world was paramount, but now the very things he'd learned from it helped him keep himself under control. For now, his anger receded to the back of his mind. Cold calculation came forward, he needed to distract Kakarot, it was that simple.

There were no settlements nearby, no humans to use as canon fodder to distract Kakarot. So far his words hadn't roused Kakarot either, and the other warrior was just being silent, watching him. Gohan felt his anger spiking again at the idea of Kakarot not even answering his remarks with anything other than a stare.

"You know, once I'm done here, I'm going to blow up the first city I come across. After that, I'm going to blow up the next, because I'm tired of playing your games Kakarot. Don't worry, I'll spare that brat Goten, and I'll spare Chi-Chi. But I'm through with this planet, I'm through with you. Why I was even thinking trying to get along with you, based off the request of a Namek, I'll never know," Gohan finally snapped. "I'll kill Vegeta next, but not before I kill that pathetic kid of his in front of -!"

The words were cut off as Goku appeared next to him, causing Gohan's features to dissolve from a quiet anger, to a shocked expression. Almost immediately, instinctive fear took over as he flinched, moving back from his father immediately. Sweat formed on his brow within seconds as his heart raced. The younger saiyan's breathing even heaved further as he tried to get himself back under control. Kakarot could see his fear show through.

So, I've humiliated myself in front of him yet again.

Gohan knew in that moment that he'd never surpass Kakarot, and that he'd always live at his whim. No matter what he achieved, Kakarot would already be miles ahead of him. This world would be his prison, or his grave, but either outcome was the same; his life as he knew it, before he came to Earth, was over.

When no attack came, Gohan winced furiously, realizing what was happening.

I'm not worth attacking at all to you, am I?

"You think you can just mock me, is that it Kakarot?" Gohan finally spat, having finally reigned in his fear of Kakarot.

When Kakarot didn't even answer his question, not even rebuffing it, Gohan snapped. The training he'd received from Piccolo was worth next to nothing as he felt something break in the back of his mind. The tension had been too much, the insults too great. Kakarot hadn't even had to have said a word to have insulted him profoundly.

Finally, Gohan engaged in the battle he knew he couldn't win, driven to it by a combination of anger and the last of his pride.

With a blurred motion he appeared in front of Kakarot, throwing his muscled right arm out, connecting with Kakarot's face.

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Gohan's words were so full of contempt, so full of venom. Their origin lay in his humiliations since he'd come to the world, and Goku understood that. The tension in the younger Saiyan must have been building for weeks, and that was excluding the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. All of it had come out at once, he could feel the torrent of emotions behind his son's anger and fear. What words could he say to ease the situation? There were none, nothing he said to Gohan would calm the situation as it was, it'd just lead to more venom.

Staying silent, it also seemed to result in the same anger he wanted to avoid. Powering up had been the best tool he could use to try and bring Gohan to heel, from the moment he had, his son was nearly overcome with fear several times. It was painful to watch. Personally, Goku had always seen someone who was stronger as a challenge to overcome, Gohan saw them as an impassible wall, it was why he'd never really trained until recently, and until Piccolo had finally made something of a real fighter out of him.

It was tragic that his son had come so far, but was now throwing it all away in a moment of lax control, and a moment of stupid anger, brought on by circumstances he'd made for himself. Gohan looked at war with himself, as if his fear was fighting his hatred. It was only when he started to threaten innocent people and others that Goku had decided to act by blurring into close proximity. It was an instant response, his son looked so afraid he may have died on the spot.

"You think you can just mock me, is that it Kakarot?"

It was a childish question, from a man who was having a break down. Knowing his response would be pointless, Goku just continued to star at Gohan, his eyes showing the confidence of a warrior who'd seen some of the most intense battles in the galaxy's history.

What had been unexpected, was when Gohan had lunged forward, driving his fist towards his face. When the blow landed, Goku felt his head turn, but hardly felt any pain despite Gohan's muscle mass. Their power levels were just too far apart, Gohan's energy could never hope to destabilize his own protective energies with a physical attack like that, no matter how angry.

While floating there with his head tilted to the side, Gohan's fist pushing against his cheek, it was impossible not to think that Gohan had to know this was futile. When the next blow landed on his stomach, there was only a dull ache, and the feeling of a fist planted there.

With little effort, Goku batted Gohan's fists away.

Where he expected to see Gohan anxious or afraid, instead he saw resolve. Two powerful energy fields surged through his arms, before two purple orbs appeared in his hands. It was Goku who was left in shock, it even showed on his face before Gohan unleashed the attack. The two orbs combined together when Gohan's hands clasped together, before projecting the energy violently towards him. It was the Calamity Blaster.

The world became very bright and purple, the focused energy was enough to get past his initial defences, forcing him to raise his arms to shield himself. When the blast impact happened, sparks of burning purple energy rippled over his body as the wave passed over him, blasting him back into the sky and burning away parts of his already torn fighting gi.

When his guard fell, he looked back down at Gohan now understanding what was happening. Whether he could win or not, Gohan had decided to fight him. This meant one of several things, either he'd conquered his fear, or he was so afraid that he thought his only option was to fight. It was clear that he'd have to put Gohan's aggression to rest however. Unlike their previous battles, Goku didn't want to harm Gohan.

Appearing in front of his son a few seconds later, Goku slammed his fist into Gohan's stomach once again, only this time in his ascended form. The other saiyan almost immediately collapsed over his arm, struggling to even stay conscious. The boy now half resting on his arm shivered as it tried to contain the pain, to no avail. As soon as Goku pulled his arm away, Gohan fell from the sky, falling several kilometres without any control, before hitting the ground below.

From the day he'd arrived on the Earth, Gohan had improved as a fighter, immensely. But despite all the leaps and bounds he'd made, despite all the power he'd made in his first day in the time chamber, he was still no match for an ascended Saiyan.

Appearing on the ground a short distance away from Gohan, Goku watched as the younger man tried his best to get back to his feet. For the first time in minutes, Goku spoke, his voice leaning towards a calm tone.

"It's over Gohan."

"It's not over!" Gohan shouted, his eyes lighting up with a desperate fury, and his body stepping forward with a clenched fist directed at him. "You haven't seen anything!"

The boast seemed empty, until Goku began to feel something rising in Gohan, sharply, yet he wasn't transforming.

The hidden power within was coming forward in his desperation and anger. The golden aura around Gohan burned with intensity as he seemed to lose himself in a fury driven scream. When Gohan pushed an arm down, seemingly to brace himself against the ground, Goku realized the attack was coming. There was a blur of speed, it reminded him almost of how fast Cell used to move. Unprepared to meet the attack, Goku's head snapped back as pain surged through his cheek. Gohan's fist planted in his face, sending the elder Saiyan flying back at incredible speed. Rallying, Goku shoved his power forward in force, blasting Gohan back as he followed up on his previous attack.

The two squared off against one another. The look on Gohan's face was one of such rage it was barely in motion, save for the eyes of murder which now stared at him. His son's aura was still burning brightly, the ground around him cracking and breaking away. Goku was now ready to do battle, because this was no longer as one sided as he had thought. Quietly, both fighters took on difference stances.

Slowly, Gohan edged towards him, his eyes still set on him with the intent to kill. Finally, in a flash of motion, Gohan's leg shot up, Goku barely managed a defence in time. Blocking the next kick which now stabbed towards him, Goku stepped around and ducked, just as a third kick shot over his head. Coming at Gohan from the side, Goku slammed his fist into his son's kidney. What he normally expected to send Gohan to the ground in a crumpled heap, instead just had the other Saiyan roll back to save himself from further damage.

Bouncing out of the roll, Gohan came at him again, both fists moving to strike. The first one slipped past Goku's defences, imbedding itself in his stomach, before the next one moved forward and crashed into his ribs, forcing the Ascended Saiyan down to the ground face first with a violent shove. Landing in a heap, Goku quickly moved to avoid the foot that came crashing down where he lay, intent on finishing him.

Climbing to his feet in a split second, the two squared off against one another again. But this time Goku found feel Gohan's energy building violently, from his stance, which largely resembled what he expected to see from Piccolo, he could tell a two part assault was coming. Snarling at him like a wounded animal, Gohan shot towards him, all his energy focusing in his right leg. When the leg swung up, Goku moved to block, but it shot past his arm, crashing into his face. Blood spat from Goku's mouth as he fell back, rolling several times.

This has to end now.

Goku finished his roll backwards, seeing Gohan spin once in the air, being carried through by the momentum of the kick, before putting his hands above his head. The incredibly furious look on his face told Goku this was it, all his power was going into his palms as they raised above his head. Golden-purple energy crackled in his palms and Goku knew what it was.

"Masenko!-" Gohan prepared the last part of the attack, preparing to launch his assault.

Using instant transmission, Goku appeared before Gohan, shifting his own power into his right leg, powering up a massive blow. Catching Gohan with his guard down, exposed in gathering energy for the attack, Goku cracked his foot into Gohan's face. The younger Saiyan's arms immediately fell back as his body shifted violently with the blow. Gohan's gathered energy dissipated in an instant. Goku felt Gohan's power descend to what it was naturally, back down to it's Ultra Super Saiyan level. Blood spat from Gohan's mouth, and shot from his nose, and within a few moments he turned his head back towards him, looking disoriented and confused.

Without even stopping his motion after the first kick, Goku shifted his weight, stepping down the foot which had started the assault. Throwing his other leg at Gohan in an almost mule kick, the blow smashed into Gohan's already injured face. This time his son's own energy not able to dull the force of the blow.

This time, Gohan's body was sent flying back, skidding against the ground twice before hitting the Earth with enough force to cause the ground around him to build up as he dragged through another hundred feet of ground.

Gohan's sudden burst of power had been incredible, it'd arrived like a freak storm, and left as quickly as it seemingly arrived. The fact that he'd become strong enough to challenge him even momentarily was a feat Goku hadn't expected Gohan to be capable even with training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber with Piccolo.

It wasn't hard to tell that right now, but Gohan's power had completely collapsed. There was no sign of his Super Saiyan energy even. Using instant transmission, Goku appeared in the pathway of destruction Gohan's body had left in it's wake. Looking ahead, he saw the young Saiyan, his hair now black, struggling to get up. With one hand grabbing the edge of the mound of debris he'd built up on his slide, and the other, looking in worse shape, trying to keep himself steady on the ground, Gohan was climbing barely to his feet.

It always seemed like it had to come to this. They could never just talk about things, one of them always dragged the situation over to where it was right now. They didn't trust one another. Goku was constantly worried that Gohan would go back to his old ways. In fact even during this fight, Gohan had said he would do as much. Right now Gohan's words seemed like an empty bluff. They were the words of a desperate young man trying to get a reaction.

When Gohan turned towards him, he could see the profound fear that appeared on his face. With his power gone, without even enough energy left over to transform, this was clearly over for Gohan. Trembling arms still supported him while Gohan steadied himself.

Watching his his first born son, Goku realized that he was afraid of Gohan. It wasn't the same fear Gohan clearly had towards him, but he was afraid of him all the same. There was a fear of opening up to him, a fear of how different he was. Then of course, there was the fear of rejection. It had been hard to even admit these fears were there, but they were. The pain he'd felt when Gohan decided to avoid going into the chamber with him was still tender, but at least now he was beginning to understand it. Gohan was still terrified of him.

Something had to change. More than anything throughout his life, Goku had learned that overcoming fear was the only way to confront any problem. Right now, he needed to overcome his own fears.

As soon as he stepped forward, towards Gohan, he saw the other fighter shift, trying to think of a way to escape. Sadly, Gohan didn't look as ready as he was to confront his fears.

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Breathing was ragged as Gohan managed to pull himself up. The strength he'd experienced, even if only for a minute, had been incredible. It was fuelled by his rage. With the power fleeing him, so had his rage.

I've gotta get out of here.

It was true as well. He didn't have the ability to fight back anymore. Kakarot would surely finish him this time. There weren't others around to stop him, there was no Super Saiyan recovery, and he doubted that Kakarot would be overly impressed that he was his biological son any longer. Moving one arm up briefly, Gohan wiped the blood from his lip and nose. It was a struggle to even do that. Just how the Hell was he going to save his own skin when he was this damaged?

Then, he felt Kakarot's energy, very near. For a moment he lowered his head, realizing it was over.

I'm going to die.

The thought resonated throughout his mind, before resonating throughout his body. It'd been something he'd done a million times. A desperate and weakened opponent would lay at his feet, struggling to rise. Mercy was never taken into account. His life would end in as ignominious a way as theirs, his victims. The first time he'd 'met' Kakarot, he had been offered mercy and rejected it. Since that point, his life was forfeit in such engagements.

Trembles started to move through his body. The fear he'd held since he was a boy overwhelming him, especially now that he had nothing left to defend himself. Death, the end of his life. He'd struggled so long to live, to stay alive, and for all those struggles he was now going to face his demise at the hands of the man who fathered him no less. Resentfully, Gohan even thought of it as Kakarot trying to fix his own mistakes.

When Gohan turned to see Kakarot, his heart stopped beating for a brief moment. It was terrifying to stare at one's own death, for the third time no less. All he'd done his whole life was run from this, and delay it at every opportunity. It was now clear there was no way to ever escape it. All the scars he'd earned in his desperate bid to survive suddenly felt like fresh wounds. This was the first time where some hidden burst of power hadn't saved him, or Turles. He had been forced to face down this man, and lost, even with the familiar burst of power he felt under duress.

Trying to steady himself, Gohan's trembling became worse as he stared at Kakarot, his eyes scanning him desperately, looking for where the blow would come.

It was a terrible thing to know one's fate, especially after having destroyed so many worlds with the same basic beliefs. As soon as he arrived in the next life, he'd be sent to the place of judgement. Who or what resided there he didn't know, but he knew he would be judged. A terrible place awaited him after that, a barren wasteland of loneliness and sorrow, and he would be sent there for the crime of having survived as long as he had. The lesser beings he'd killed would have their say in his fate.

But there was one saving grace to his death, a thought mixed in the midst of his anxiety and fear. Gohan no longer had to worry about being infected by whatever had infected Kakarot, he would at least die as he'd always known himself. It was painfully obvious that Vegeta and others had grown to become like Kakarot in some ways as they lived on this planet. This planet was insidious, stripping away who you were in favour of its comfortable surroundings. Gohan would at least die as he lived... trying to avoid death at all costs.

When Kakarot took a step forward, Gohan felt himself flinch instinctively, trying to get back, only to find he had nowhere to go. There was a built up mound of mud and debris at his back, and Kakarot to his front. Right now, Gohan didn't even have enough power to fly.

It was when the golden hair and blue eyes of Kakarot turned black that Gohan became confused. The disorienting feeling mixed in with his fear and Gohan almost felt himself fall back down, wanting to step back further.

"Don't come any closer," Gohan warned, able to do little else.

Ignoring him, Kakarot took another step towards him. They were at close proximity now, the older Saiyan looking at him seriously, not breaking eye contact.

"Son," Goku started, the word causing Gohan to wince. "I know you didn't mean to hurt Chi-Chi, at least I can see that now."

Chi-Chi, the woman who seemed to care about him no matter what. She'd been so mad when he learned he'd deceived her. A lie designed to save the feelings of others, ironically. Kakarot's words were almost painful, as if he'd stabbed him in the chest with a spear.

But what was most surprising at this moment, was the fact Kakarot was now talking to him, instead of attacking and finishing him off. What was going on here? There was no reason to tell him this. Was Kakarot just mocking him? There was no more reason for words.

"Gohan, I know you think I want you to somehow be like you were from when I... knew you before. The way you were as a child. I don't want that for you at all. You've made so much progress since you first came here, not just as a fighter, but as a person. I can see everything you could do with your life and I don't want you to throw it away in a moment of anger after a mistake," Kakarot started. "It's not that I want you to be something you are not Gohan, because I think I'm beginning to understand you. The only thing I want Gohan, is for you to be more than you are right now."

The words registered with Gohan's ears slowly after they were spoken. The sincere look on Kakarot's face told him he was being serious. This wasn't a game, or some kind of trick. It was almost worse than death. It was more of what this planet did to people, polluting them with these weak emotions and feelings, and for what? For a more comfortable existence?

But the most terrifying part of it was, he not only believed what his father had said, but deep down, a part of him wanted what Kakarot said. Some part of him wanted the peace this planet offered, and more than anything, more than death even, that scared him. To end up like Kakarot was a fate worse than death.

With all the strength he could summon, Gohan tried to move away from Goku, his muscles almost seizing in protest, causing him to fall back against the mound of mud and slide down it.

The patient and pity filled eyes stared down at him.

When Gohan saw Kakarot reach down towards him, his mind began to race with panic. His heart was beating rapidly, his head felt light. When Kakarot grabbed his shoulder, he wasn't even sure what to say.

"Gohan, we're going into the Time Chamber, now."

No, no not that.

A year in there with Kakarot couldn't be done. Especially now that he suspected what he did of this planet's nature, and Kakarot's nature. He couldn't keep his promise to the Namek, and he certainly didn't wish to be trapped in that place with this sentimental fool. Every fibre of his being now screamed in protest.

"No," Gohan shook his head. "No, not now. Anything but that, please."

The words came out, sounding even more pathetic than Gohan had realized. Begging for mercy was his last line of defence, even now.

A small smile appeared on Kakarot's face.

"Sorry Gohan, but I don't think it can wait," Goku paused, before continuing. "I think we've put it off long enough."

Before another word of protest could be uttered, the two of them disappeared in a blinding motion from the Instant Transmission.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

A/N: So they are finally going into the chamber, finally sorting out their differences. I really hope you guys enjoy reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Because I can't guarantee that I'll be online tonight, I'm posting this chapter at a bit of a different time.

All the same, have a good one.

Reviewers:

Ky111: Yea, it's sad it all kinda lead to this. Again. Lol

Eveline: I can't wait to post what's next! :O

low on inspiration: I hope this was good enough. :)

horacioquinter0: Another cliffhanger. I'm a bad man. Lol

No: Because not all chapters are long.

Sirius potter2: He is a weasel, locked in a desperate battle against a badger! Let this be not their final battle! XD

RAVEN: Well, he didn't win, but he put on a hell of a show.

Vegito: Yea, last chapter's ending was pretty tragic.