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 48: The Unforgiven
Gohan:
These were the people he'd always been told about as a child. The brave race of warriors that most of the galaxy feared for their urge and desire to fight and kill. They were an unnatural curse upon the stars, and a curse upon an endless number of living beings. The slaughters carried out to slate their bloodthirst, and Lord Frieza's wishes, was... immense. The slaughter Turles and himself participated in was immense. It was almost mind boggling to imagine just how much damage thousands of Saiyans could do as they scattered across the galaxy. Cooler had always called ti the "Golden Era" of the organization, and given that the Saiyans were Frieza's vassals, he rose to the top of the organization, save for their father. For their service, Frieza annihilated them.
And even after the betrayal, the people he'd heard spoken of so fondly, the people he'd studied and revered, the people he'd always striven to be like, at least in his own mind... were condemned just as much as he was. Even if they tried to change their ways near the end, it was well documented in secure documents he'd read once he became a Captain, that the Saiyans, or at least some, had resisted Frieza's rule near the end of their existence.
But it was just to save themselves. It wasn't heroic, or well intentioned, or merciful. It was just to survive longer, to be the master's of their own fate, and to take credit for the havoc they wreaked, rather than letting Frieza have it. He was just like them, in his own way. Perhaps this was the curse of being a Saiyan. Only his father, Goten and perhaps Trunks would escape it-... as well as Kieko, and Pan. Vegeta and himself were the last true Saiyans, weren't they? The last two to be trained and raised at least with some semblance of what it was to be a Saiyan.
And therefore, the last two to come to Hell. Because there was no doubt Vegeta was going to join him here in this place.
Lifting into the air, his tail wrapping around his waist, Gohan slowly approached the host of Saiyans, staring out across the sea of them, as if he would recognize any of them. He didn't know any of them. The people he always thought of as his own were strangers to him. When his feet landed at the head of the host, he stood tall, staring at the last of the Saiyan Kings. Had this been ten years ago, he'd have landed and knelt before the bloodline of their rulers. But now? He'd met Vegeta, the living Vegeta. He was tired of rulers who ruled if only because of their blood, and not their merit.
Immediately several Saiyans rushed forward, their guards in place. Looking over the half dozen warriors, Gohan didn't feel overly threatened.
"I thought this place was empty," Gohan admitted. "My own private Hell would have been much worse."
The black eyes across from him stared him down as if he was an adversary, and in truth he very well could have been.
"What is you're name, boy?" Vegeta asked from behind his men, though he was shoving forward.
"My King," a large, bald headed Saiyan remarked, his thick moustache being the first thing Gohan noticed. "This could be dangerous."
"We're already dead, Nappa," the king spat back, sounding annoyed. "What does it matter if another butcher has come to kill us again? We'll die, and just be reborn. I no longer pretend to be threatened."
"I just wanted to see all of this," Gohan admitted back to the King, ignoring his question. "I spent a great deal of time looking... looking into the Saiyans."
"I suspect so," another voice cut in, a tall Saiyan with long hair walked forward. "He has a tail. The boy is a Saiyan. Though how we've not met him before I don't know."
For Gohan, it was enough to make his breath to catch as he locked his eyes onto the monster that ruined his life. It was the monster that killed his father. The same one that gave him his oldest scar. Idly, without even thinking, Gohan's hand moved up and traced down the rigid line running down the side of his temple and cheek. It was almost as if he was reliving it as the jagged hand slashed up the side of his face and knocked his eyeball out.
I was a child.
"Your crying has ruined the honour of the Saiyans enough."
All the other Saiyan's didn't matter, as Gohan stared at the smirking thing next to all of them. His uncle was the one who brought him here. The path that brought him to this very place was started when he grabbed him by the back of his neck, and threw him into the space pod. It wasn't fury he felt, but a kind of calm hatred and rage. His breathing was even, and his eyes couldn't leave the other Saiyan.
"I just got here," Gohan responded to Raditz, his eyes never leaving him.
"Just got here? Bah, that's impossible. Unless you're one of those weak Earth Saiyans-"
"Stronger than you, Raditz," Nappa cut in. "Bunch of tough little bastards, from all the souls they've sent down here. Even Frieza got killed by-"
Gohan started to walk forward, and immediately the Saiyan's raised their guards, but evaded his path. It was obvious they'd met so many superior foes down here, and understood just how weak they were. It was the same way he once thought he was the second strongest being in existence, only to run into his birth-father, and to be shown just how weak he was. They were still sensitive to their place in the universe, even after dwelling in Hell for decades?
However, the tall Saiyan didn't move aside when he got to him, though it was obvious he was walking towards him.
"Yes, but I killed my brother Kakarot well before he killed Frieza, and-"
The long haired Saiyan seemed to pause as he stared back at him. Black eyes met black, and Gohan wanted him to recognize just who he was. The two stood there in silence for perhaps a minute, maybe more, and still nothing came from his uncle.
"Do you have a staring problem or something?" the Saiyan barked back at him. "Or are you-"
"I have a problem," Gohan confirmed for him, staring back down at him. "You're a coward."
As soon as the words left his lips, he could feel the hypocrisy. How many children had he maimed or killed in the decade he burned worlds or the peoples on them? How many times had he tormented people to get what he wanted? How many times had he been the coward that Raditz was, when he split his face open? He even tried to dodge his fate coming to this miserable place... but it didn't matter right now. All that mattered was how badly he wanted to hurt this creature for what he'd done to him. How many nights, for years, did his mother and father lay away in their beds, worrying about him or grieving for their loss?
It was selfish to want his retribution like this, just as the Ogre that judged him had described him. Now that he'd been judged on it, he could almost feel an overbearing eye scrutinizing his every move, but it didn't matter. Even if it was selfish, even if it was hypocritical, this was something he'd earned. This was something Raditz deserved.
"What?!" the Saiyan barked back angrily. "You don't even know me, you-"
"I said, you're a coward. What are you going to do about it?"
Immediately there were snickers from behind.
"Someone as weak as Raditz? He's not going to do anything," one voice called out before another chimed in. "Maybe he'll defend himself by cowering."
Sneering, Raditz looked towards the others, and Gohan could already feel his uncle's power surging into his right arm. He was trying to act as if he wasn't about to strike out. It was an attempt by someone who didn't understand how ki worked. The fact the other Saiyans didn't notice Raditz attempting this sneak attack, was very telling to Gohan. They didn't understand how to detect energy levels. All of their fighting techniques were based off an understanding of body language and anticipation then? Then again, how could he criticize them?
He'd been the same way, a long time ago.
Pulling his head to one side, he avoided Raditz's palm at the last possible moment. A crimson wave of energy blasted out next to his face. The intensity of the beam was hardly a problem. It looked impressive to an outsider of course, but the truth was it was pitiful. This was the man he'd had nightmares about? Reaching out, he grabbed Raditz's wrist the moment the energy wave stopped, and twisted in a single fluid motion. The sound of bones snapping and muscles tearing was loud enough to compete with the noise the Saiyan crowd made. A shocked and horrified Raditz cried out, dropping to his knees as he reached out with his one good arm for his currently ruined one. Without an ounce of mercy, Gohan held the destroyed limb ruthlessly.
"AH! You bastard!- AGHGGH! NONONONO! No that's enough!" he pleaded, breathing heavily as he did.
With a disgusted glare, Gohan just held the arm, looking down at the man who made him, more than anyone.
"What's enough, Raditz?" Gohan asked, tightening his grip on the destroyed wrist first.
An agonized cry echoed out across the landscape as he continued to sneer. Something about all of this made him feel sick somehow, while another part was exhilarated, liberated, and in the midst of living out the wish he'd had since even before he'd been put into Paragus's tender care.
"My arm, you idiot!" he gasped. "That's enough, I yield! I yield!"
There were scoffs from the other Saiyans, but Gohan ignored them.
Without a second thought, Gohan twisted his arm further, making the dead man scream again.
What would dad think if he saw you now? What would any of them think?
The questions were levelled against him, but he didn't care. If he was already going to be stuck here for an eternity, what did anything matter?
Than why does this still feel wrong?
"Please! Please stop!" he breathed. "I beg of you, please! I was wrong, I had no idea you had this much-"
"You've ruined the honour of the Saiyans, Raditz," Gohan responded, his voice cool and unfeeling, remarking to the miserable display.
It was only then that the other Saiyan knew what was going on. His jaw dropped in shock when he stared back at him, his memory finally being brought forward. Gohan could tell, even before he spoke, that it was dawning on him.
"N-nephew?" be breathed. "I- I didn't- You have to understand-! You were-! Wait! You wouldn't!"
Forming his right arm into a fist, Gohan then let his fingers hold together into almost a blade, and pulling the arm back, preparing to strike. In a blink, he'd already struck, ignoring Raditz's protests. He gave him a taste of the pain he'd caused him. Blood jetted into the air as Raditz's face split open, his skull splitting along with it and his eyesocket cracking and collapsing. A white and red eyeball popped out of his face, dangling from his socket as he screamed for several seconds.
Part of him wanted to leave him like this for as long as he could, to somehow drink it all in. But that part was quickly silenced. The shame he was bringing on himself, even if the others didn't know, was enough to make him end it more quickly. Opening his palm, purple energy formed in the base of it, before he simply vaporized Raditz in one attack. His screams died in the light, as his essence was simply burned away.
I'll kill him again if he bothers to show his face.
"Well, you're not nearly as much of a chicken weakling," Nappa's voice observed, swallowing nervously.
"What is you're name?" Vegeta demanded again, narrowing his vision. "And what do you want?"
Turning about to face the King, Gohan narrowed his eyes on the father of the Prince. What did he really want? To not be alone? To get to know his people? To kill Raditz?
"I served under Lord Cooler for most of my life, after that long haired scum dragged me into the organization. I killed world after world for Cooler, I became a captain. I was an executive in the company as well as an officer. I was just killed and sent here. The only thing I want is to not be here anymore."
There were a few laughs at the last comment, though he was serious when he said it.
"I see," the King grumbled. "But you still haven't told me your-"
"That," a new voice cut in from above, and it was an all too familiar voice. "Is Gohan. My protege. And of course, my son."
Turning his eyes up immediately, Gohan felt himself freeze as he stared at his uncle, but more than anything he stared at the man who raised him. The man who had kept him alive was floating there. He bore responsibility for what he became as well... but he gave him a chance to live. If it weren't for him, he'd have never survived his life in space. He taught him how to survive, even if it was at the expense of almost all others.
The mood in the crowd of the Saiyans around them immediately became frightful.
"Not him again," the King whispered, but Gohan couldn't help but smile at who he was greeted with.
"Father."
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Abaddon:
A complete disaster.
The asset, Garlic junior, had failed to kill all of the Saiyans. Even now as he observed him from beyond the realm of the living or the dead, he could see it all. He could see Vegeta in a hospital bed, with his pitiful family surrounding him, and that only meant that the Saiyan was going to come back more powerful, perhaps as powerful as Son Gohan and Son Goku were. Son Goten was now more powerful as well, and it was a hollow victory, having killed Son Gohan. The Seven Dragon Balls were still in existence. The Namekians were another species he'd have to deal with, once this was all done. They defied the very laws that governed the universe. For now he had every intention of keeping the six star Dragon Ball with him however.
Why was it so hard to find good help? He could easily free Garlic from Hell, but he could never reward such active disloyalty to their partnership. In other words, the little dwarf could rot in Hell like he deserved. The new self styled "Emperor" of the Universe would find himself more than compensated for his treachery from there for an eternity. It was better than he deserved regardless. All of this had become a disgusting failure.
It wasn't that the Saiyans needed to suffer, it was that they needed to be dealt with. That was something which Garlic had clearly not followed regardless. So, the first of many experiments failed. Then there was the fact that he was highly annoyed that his options had collapsed so thoroughly. Garlic had been am ample choice, if only because he was available, and had a plan. Now who was there who could dare challenge the mistakes of creation?
"DiaoKaioshin," a voice echoed behind him in the empty void which he resided in.
Immediately his head perked up, and his eyes narrowed. That was a title he'd not heard of in so long. First to be born, after the massacre by Majin Buu, and the first to reject his position among the gods. Abaddon just grumbled in his place, slowly turning his head to acknowledge the all too familiar voice.
"You certainly are young for a Kaio, aren't you? I've always thought that when I've seen you darting around the universe. Oh that's right, you're kind are all born into your roles, aren't they?" the cat-like god remarked.
The God of Destruction and his supposed attendant.
They could travel through dimensions, even the voids inbetween them, just as he did. It was unlikely that this would be a confrontation, as Beerus at least seemed to be entertained by fighting adversaries who believed themselves his equal. Abaddon knew he wasn't his equal.
"Whis here tells me you've been a very busy little Kai, disrupting events on the Earth and making deals with demons. That is very unkai like, don't you think?"
"Don't Kais keep the universe safe?" Abaddon responded immediately.
"Not from me," Beerus observed. "In fact-"
"What Lord Beerus is attempting to do, is interrogate you as to why you wish to destroy the Earth. Gods of Creation rarely venture into Lord Beerus's realm of destruction, and hardly employs surrogates to-"
Raising his hand, Abaddoned nodded a moment later.
"I am not trying to destroy the Earth. I am attempting to restore it, and little else. A grave crime has been committed on it, and it's people, and the only way to resolve that crime, is to see it erased. The Saiyan Race now calls it... home... and they are a threat to the entire universe, including yourselves."
The God of Destruction could deal with his problem in seconds. The Saiyans were not yet strong enough to challenge the Great Destroyers. This could be the opportunity to annihilate them all. Though he doubted very much Beerus would have anything to do with it. The God was renown for his laziness.
"How very amusing, a Kaioshin believes that some pitiful refugee monkeys can harm me, the God of Destruction," Beerus commented, rolling his eyes. "I'll believe that when I see it. Frieza destroyed their home planet, and-"
"They have improved significantly however, Lord Beerus," Whis observed. "They've achieved new transformations and-"
Yawning, Beerus began to stretch already.
"I've been awake too long for this," the cat-like god said tiredly. "I think I've earned a nap."
"But Lord Beerus, you've only been awake for one day, perhaps you should first find something with which to destroy and-"
Rolling his eyes again, the cat just started to walk over the empty darkness around them.
"Perhaps the next time you wake me, it shouldn't be a track down a miserable Kaio reject-"
"I was not rejected, Lord Beerus," Abaddon commented. "I thought I needed experience, before I ever assumed such a position. However... I... the universe is always in motion, it is always changing. Destruction should know that. Things changed, and I did not assume the right of my birth."
"Your subordinate, the Supreme Kai, seems to believe that you haven't awakened, nor your comrades," Beerus remarked, stopping his walk and turning back towards him. "It is very interesting that you were the only one to awaken."
"I wasn't," Abaddon responded, looking back towards the God of Destruction.
"As always, Lord Beerus, your clever jabs and insightful enquiries, are as stimulating as always," Abaddon said, staring at Whis with a smile as he did, knowing the other God thought to say that himself. "I look forward to our next meeting."
Turning his head back towards the portal he was viewing, the Diaokaioshin who never was, just breathed calmly as he stared at the Earth. He could already see past it, and look towards other creatures in the Universe which could be his weapons, but even as he did, something seemed to be disrupting his view, especially around the Earth. It was as if space and time were warping, and the fabric of reality was as well. Suddenly, his eyes widened as he felt the rip. Where there was once one Earth in his vision, there were five, before the universe seemed to return to normal.
Well. This is certainly interesting.
It was time to play the role of defender, rather than exterminator, it would seem. Gesturing his hand, a small Namekian Kami appeared to his side, staring back at him with a blank face, as well as a short, fat attendant.
"I will be returning the two of you to the Earth, you will remember nothing of what happened here, am I understood?"
"Yes, Lord Abaddon."
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Gohan:
"Oh look, the King is afraid again. You know none of these Saiyans can transform?" Turles enquired, looking down towards Gohan. "Not one of them. An entire species down here except for those stuck on the lower levels, and only two of them ever amounted to anything."
"And I can see you are as arrogant as before," King Vegeta sneered towards Turles, before slowly lowering his head. "You may have become a Super Saiyan, Turles, but your disregard for tradition and-"
Crossing his arms, Gohan stepped back, looking at the other Saiyans before looking back to Turles.
"When I first arrived here, our dear Saiyan brothers were overjoyed to see a Super Saiyan, until they realized that even a Super Saiyan can't get them out of here. Then they just wanted to mope and whine about it. I became much less popular, once I pointed out that there is no reason for a single one of them to follow the broken, dead old King."
Chuckling, Turles then looked back to Gohan.
"So they say that I ignore traditions. This is what our race has become Gohan, scared, dead old man. All because they've found themselves at the bottom of the pecking order. It's pathetic."
The resentment in his mentor's voice was unquestionable. It was a deep contrast to what he'd been told as a child, that the Saiyans were powerful warriors to be feared. Now? Now they were huddling together in numbers to avoid clearly what they perceived as other threats. Gohan could see that before Turles even mentioned it, and Turles was obviously not travelling with the other Saiyans.
Looking towards the King, Gohan didn't necessarily see a man who was afraid of combat, but he saw someone who was tired. How many decades had he been down here? And that was just decades. What would happen after centuries? Millennium? Eons? This place was so vast he was only beginning to sense the energies from others now, and many of them were spread far and wide. Only the most vile would have ended up here.
Which means that this cadre of Saiyans, represented the biggest criminals of their species, himself among them.
"You're a Saiyan, boy," King Vegeta cut in. "All of our blood is the same. Before you judge us too harshly-"
"Here come the excuses," Turles remarked, slowly lowering himself to the ground level. Where he landed, every Saiyan below scattered. "He'll apologize for what we were now?"
"We were warriors," the King countered coolly. "Not butchers."
Even Gohan scoffed at that remark, walking past the King with little regard. Opening his hand and extending it, he grabbed his father's arm tightly and just nodded towards him. The grip was the same as the last day they'd met, and fought to the death. It was strange, this place was such a burden already for him, but the one relief was that he was looking directly at the man he'd spent most of his life with, fighting among the stars.
"We did a job," Gohan responded back to King Vegeta, not bothering to look at him. "We were butchers when we were paid to be. And don't pretend you weren't either."
Slowly, he and Turles broke their grip, before he just nodded towards his counterpart.
"We've got a lot to catch up on, you and I," Turles remarked, smirking himself. "After all, it's been years since we last met. But before that, I think our brethren here," he looked about at all of them, grinning as he did. "Would like a demonstration of what it is to be a true Saiyan."
Immediately figures began backing away in fear as Turles grinned devilishly. But it wasn't what it used to be. He'd been right before, when he told Gohan that once you spared some, you'd spare most eventually. Outside of Raditz, none of these people had done anything to harm him. Certainly they were no threat, and they were tired and broken. They were pathetic. But even so, what would destroying them again bring them all? Especially when death would simply have them be reborn within minutes? All of his own eagerness and excitement died, when Turles mentioned the slaughter.
"They may be pathetic, but they're our people," Gohan remarked. "That was something you taught me, when I was a kid, remember?"
This place had been enough to turn Turles against his own race? The years here must not have been kind. But then again, this was Hell. What part of it was meant to be kind at all.
The other Saiyan turned his eyes dangerous to Gohan, narrowing, before he clearly remembered the hierarchy of power. He didn't need to respect King Vegeta's opinion, but he did need to respect Gohan's. They were both ascended Saiyans, and certainly Turles could fight back, but it would not be a struggle, as it was when they fought back on Earth. Gohan would be the victor within a very short period of time. Looking back at Turles seriously, he implied with his eyes, not with further words, that he didn't want to slaughter the Saiyans.
"You're right, Gohan," Turles said, before turning to grin to the other Saiyans, gesturing with one hand. "Consider yourselves lucky, my son wants to see you spared today. Which means no torture or death. It's more than you worms deserve."
Beginning to walk through the crowd, Gohan saw one other figure in it as he followed Turles out of the Saiyans. Turles sneered at the figure, but Gohan could only stare, wide eyed. Turles and Kakarot, Goku, his father, looked exactly the same. This was another man who looked the same, only with a scar on his left cheek.
The man stared back at him as well, and Gohan immediately knew they were related, but the question was, how?
"It's not over yet, kid," a voice whispered in his mind, unfamiliar and rough. "There is still a lot for you to do."
It was his voice, wasn't it? Raising a brow as he finally passed him, Gohan felt something odd come over him, he couldn't explain it.
"And don't forget who Turles is, regardless of what he's done for you."
They were words Gohan was already far too aware of.
However, just as they cleared the Saiyans, Turles froze, looking into the distance, his body tensing.
"Shit, not again," he hissed. Looking past him, Gohan wondered what he-
There was a violent, raging wall of fire and dust, overtaking the entirety of the land in front of them. A great swirling storm of death. It was the inferno, the one which laid waste to everything around him before. Clearly, these came in waves, cycles, or whatever you wanted to describe.
"Not again!" several Saiyans cried out from behind.
Fuck. Here we go.
As soon as the wall hit him, Gohan felt his blood boil, and it was enough to let loose a short, agonized scream, before his body began to evaporate within it.
"AHHHHH!"
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Chi-Chi:
"Chi, I'm sure he's fine," Goku's voice cut through.
He was gone.
It was just that simple, wasn't it? Her first son, the one who was stolen from her when he was just a child, the one who came back scarred and twisted, who was beginning to pull his life together, was just gone. He was gone again. This time it wasn't some great mystery as to where he was, given that he was dead.
She remembered the first time she saw him again, almost fifteen years later? It was still raw in her mind, even with the passage of time. She was so angry that Goku had brought some bloodsoaked brute into her home, because no one else would take him in. The man in his arms looked like someone who she'd have been terrified to leave Goten with under any circumstances. The grizzly scar across his face, and the dozens of others across his body told her just how hard the life this thug had lived was. It hadn't made sense to her, why her husband had brought this blood-soaked... psychopath into her home, for medical treatment.
"His name is Gohan."
The moment she had heard her husband say his name, it'd been like someone punched her in the gut. The air was sucked out of her and she'd been crippled by it in mere seconds. Suddenly, the thuggish brute that had been brought into her home, was someone she hadn't wanted to leave. She saw his tail, and she could see the lines of resemblance to both her, and his father. Even though she'd been desperate for him to be well, even though she'd been shocked and horrified by everything that was going on, she wanted to be there for when he woke up. After all, she was going to get to see her son again, the son she'd doted over for years and held onto as if it were her lifeline.
And now, he was gone again.
Just. Gone.
Sitting in the hospital, her eyes looked over her husband as he lay in the bed. Bulma was worrying over Vegeta down the hall, and even if Chi-Chi wasn't his biggest fan, she understood just how serious it was for her and her family. Vegeta had been in surgery four times in two days, trying to repair some of the damage he'd taken in the battle. Even if he was a Saiyan, there was only so much the body could take. They got off lucky by comparison. Goku had multiple broken ribs, and they wanted him to stay in the hospital for a while until they determined what was best for him.
She thought he'd be as bright and happy as always, and he certainly tried to put on the show, but she could see what he saw.
"... Do you think he's alright?" she asked her husband again, still holding their daughter in her arms.
It was the fifth time she'd asked in the last ten minutes since her husband woke up from his exhaustion induced slumber.
"Gohan knows how to take care of himself, he'll be fine," he responded once more, before smiling back at her reassuringly.
No matter how many times she heard it, it sounded wrong.
"It's just he did a lot of bad things while working for those monsters in space, and-"
"He's fine, Chi," Goku repeated. "We'll gather the Dragon Balls as soon as we can, and bring him back."
Looking over to the girl in her arms, he smiled back at the sleeping girl, before looking back up to Chi-Chi.
"I thought you'd name her Goka or something," he remarked. "Keiko. Wow, it's going to be weird having a kid not named like me."
"Well you weren't there when she was born, and we didn't have a lot of options. It ended up being what everyone thought sounded best and-"
"Chi, I'm kidding."
"... I knew that..."
Quietly, she looked down at her sleeping girl again before looking back up to Goku. Goten was hurt as well, but not badly thankfully. He was with Trunks at that moment, doing errands in the city. She'd nearly lost him as well, but despite it all Goten was still here, and his brother was not.
When Goku woke up, it was the first time she'd felt like not just crying. Which was ridiculous, because she knew her son was coming back. But... it was that she'd lost him, again. And of course, she was worried.
"Do you know where he'll end up?" she asked her husband, looking at him sincerely. "You'll have King Kai look after him, right?"
It was almost a threat, given how she worded it and how sharp her tone became. Until her son was back, she didn't want to spare any kind of effort to help him. The idea that her son could be... could be in some kind of Hell in another life, was an unbearable thought.
He'd tired so hard to change and she loved him only as a mother could love a son. He still had so much left to do. She knew he had a daughter, one she'd never get to meet unless he came home and introduced them. It meant he had his own family, missing him. They may not even know he'd died. Why hadn't he told her? If he had a daughter and a girlfriend or wife, why hadn't he just came forward and said it?
Lowering her head a little, she awaited her husband's response.
"I'll talk to King Kai and see if he can look out for Gohan," her husband assured.
"Gohan did a lot of harm to some people, Goku. You don't think they'd-"
"Chi, Gohan saved the world three times. We know he's done some stuff, but he's-"
"My baby boy can't be in Hell, Goku," she whispered, feeling the world beginning to tingle as she started to almost sway. "He's. He's already. I."
Sitting up, wincing as he did, Goku reached out for her, taking her by the shoulders and pulling her into his embrace. He grunted a little as he did, when she and Keiko gently met his ribs. It was oddly quiet, just the three of them.
"Whatever Gohan is going through right now, I'm sure he'll be fine," Goku told her. "We're going to get him back, and this time we know how. In a year, we'll have the Dragon back, and then we can fix everything. We can fix the Earth, and we can bring Gohan back."
For some reason, Chi-Chi couldn't believe that everything was going to be fine.
In another room, they heard a surprised Bulma shout.
"Dende! Oh thank Kami!"
Goku's eyes widened as he slowly slipped his arm away from Chi-Chi.
"Dende's back?" he asked, looking amazed. "... Good! Oh man, I was worried about the little green guy!"
There was one thing that seemed left out.
After all this, they'd not seen any sign of Piccolo.
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Author's Notes:
Well, I definitely think I made some reveals this chapter.
I wouldn't bank on Whis and Beerus playing a major role in the story, but I may use them from time to time as cameo appearances for the Kais and things involving intergalactic/interdimensional/intereality stuff. Lol
I've got a lot more stuff on the burner as well. Expect Chapter 49 to be mainly focused towards Pan, I really enjoyed writing it.
Chapter 50 is taking me a while, as you guys are getting an extra large chapter to celebrate the 50th Chapter of The Long Road. Expect everyone important to be addressed, and expect scenes from past foes, vanquished, as well as the next three groups of villains to appear. I'm a bit nervous about them, as the first two villains to show up (or groups of villains) are actually going to be original characters. Because I've got some fun spoilers for everyone.
All of my Dragon Ball stories are linked. I'm finally reaching the point in one of them, of how I explain how. It's kinda crazy to me, as this stuff has been on the back burner in my brain for almost two years. I never really anticipated I'd get to use them. Originally I was going to write a connecting short-story, which was going to be called "Utopia", and it was slated to be 100,000 words. I don't have the time to write it, right now (someday!), but everything important will be explained in TLR as I get to it. The villains are very fun, at least for me to write. XD
As always, please leave a review if you like, as more reviews usually motivate me to write more! And Chapter 50 is going to be quite the behemoth, so I don't know if I can rush chapter 49 out the door as fast as I did for Chapter 48.
Also, apparently I'm now on the front page when stories are sorted by reviews, I was informed that by several people. So, I just wanna thank everyone out there whose left me a review, even if it wasn't the most pleasant in origin.
And just as I post this chapter, I found out someone made a TV tropes page for this story. Neat.
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Reviewers:
anonymous: The update has arrived. In Hell, there are ways to increase your power level, but never the base power level.
Aqua Roxas: The next saga is brewing, but we're a hella long way from any actual fighting occuring. I'd be surprised if you saw any real action until the late 50's. Chapter 56 at the earliest, but more likely things won't come to a head until chapter 58-59. I'm aiming for lots of development. So far I can tell you that a lot of focus is going to head in Pan, Goku, Vegeta, and Goten's direction, as I think they're the most needing of it. Lots of development for the villains as well.
DarkKnightShiva: Gohan is going to get to have a lot of scenes with Turles, Bardock, and myriad others during his time in Hell. Since he's going to be there for a while, expect chapters with him in Hell to be centred around his encounters with other beings down there, and learning more about himself as he is there.
Also, Broly's fate will be at least seen a little bit in Chapter 50. His fate has a big impact on not the next 3 sagas, but the one following them.
Therealwiggy94: Hopefully I won't leave you waiting too long.
Marocrache: Cuz Piccolo took her?
Perfect Carnage: There is limited interest in it. I am working actively on its next chapter, but it's also much harder to write for given its massive cast. Also, this may surprise you, but including the smaller sagas, I have... at least six sagas planned, just not all of them will be as big as the first three sagas. There may be a "seventh" if I do one that is a little more unorthodox, that I've not yet decided on. But the last saga of the story is planned, and the finish is written in stone.
Tomorrow4eva: Goku would have to know about it. :O
an9454: Expect to see Videl once more by Chapter 51!
dbzfanthefirst: One word, thanks!
Pyromania101: Answered by PM
JohnnySpectre: I wouldn't expect things to go as... smoothly... as the canon.
F: Yes, Vegeta does get enough spotlight. Compare to him any other canon character other than Goku. I am using Vegeta a fair bit in this story as well, and he's got major roles in two Sagas coming up, but I'm not going to pull punches. Vegeta is the most developed character in Dragon Ball, beyond Goku himself. As a fan of Piccolo, I can tell you, Vegeta gets a lot of spotlight.
Brograham18: I know. But Videl's got a lot left in her.
Ninjafang1331: Thanks
SuperScarface83: Story is far from over. Expect to see a fair bit of Bardock in Chapter 50, and beyond (hopefully).
Opinion: I dunno about most of what was put in there. I can say there will be Super Saiyan III in this story, I don't want to say when, and I don't want to say which characters achieve it. I can also say you may see Mystic as well. I won't go too far into it, however.
TillGeekdomCome: Awesome name, lol
Chi-Chi's role revs back up in the 50's. Though a lot of it is going to involve her interactions with Goku. She's got a lot of pain, especially after all this.
Brelic: Piccolo and Pan have a story to tell together. A lot of what they'll be doing is separate from everything else, until our next Saga.
JG76: He doesn't think Videl has potential. And having her around may impede Pan's training, sadly.
UltimateHades: Thanks!
MaxPain32: Expect to see more King Vegeta in the 50's. I really want Gohan to have a chance to meet his people, and see their existence.
KaosMoshpit: Expect to see LOTs of Pan actually. Chapter 49 in fact, is mainly about Pan. I wouldn't consider it just 'cut ins'. Tons of growth in Pan's character is coming, and its coming quick.
Guest1: More or less, yes.
DarknessRising11: There are only a very few things I am taking from Dragon Ball GT. And none of those things are Super Saiyan 4, or any of the main villains, or concepts, lol
RedHunter87: I think a Saiyan can become Super Saiyan 3 without going to the Afterlife. I think it's possible. As for base Saiyan being stronger than Frieza? They are in my story. Gohan at the start of this story is just shy of Frieza's power level, and Goku is stronger than that was.
Guest2: Couldn't post it when you asked, but its up now.
Daughter of Vegeta: Continue to be excited! Lol
Lex: Piccolo may end up in Hell, but there is a chance he won't. He's not killed any innocent people, and certainly hasn't lead a slaughter on the scale of Gohan, Frieza, Cooler, or the Saiyans. So he may sneak into the fighter's realm in the Heavens, all depends on what happens moving forward.
Guest3: I'm trying to keep quality up, so they can only come so far, lol
Courtney: I'm hoping people find it as exciting as I do. I'm pretty pleased with how things are going for Goku's development in Chapter 50 so far.
VuvuzelaHero: For the Son family, Gohan's death is traumatic for all of them. It sucks for everyone who knew Gohan, and Gohan himself, sadly.
Guest4: Videl doesn't trust Gohan, not at all. She trusts only one thing about him, which is that he'd protect Pan. She doesn't think anything bad would happen to Pan under his care. That's the extent of her trust. She's not blind, she can see how much Gohan cared about Pan.
ElvenScribbler: I'm always nervous writing Pan! It's super hard! I love her character, but I'm always terrified of making a mistake with her, and I have in the past. And one day, things will get better for Videl. She hit rock bottom last saga, even with this, it's a step up from what she experienced under Garlic.
ReadallDay: Gohan didn't want the responsibility of being her father. Videl hates Gohan, and didn't want to admit to her daughter that her father was a man she despised. Also, it would bring up the uncomfortableness of the event that created Pan.
Dead Survivor: I think this coming Saga has a small chance of going past the Broly Saga and the Garlic Saga, but only if I can pull off the villains right.
En Satsu Koku: Neither did Gohan XD
Dakota: I try not to disappoint.
Uchiha999: I feel bad for Raditz XD
Guest5: Thanks!
Morisako: I don't think its a love/hate thing. I think she feels bad for him at times, and then remembers what he did to her.
MysticTyphoon: Neat! I'm glad you're enjoying the story! I'm trying to keep regular with updates, but it's hard.
Guest6: Uhm. Chapter 16?
Feel: I feel ya?
ShadowFFD: I wouldn't expect to see Super Saiyan God.