The Horse with No Name


WARNING: This chapter covers sexual content and gore that may (should) be disturbing.


Chapter Eighteen

The Plunge from the Precipice


Planet ?
Age 780

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Gohan's boots hit the stonework with quickening urgency, although he never breaks into a run. They slap against puddles, against stairs, against pavement and then against the throat of the man he'd been pursuing.

The man splutters, grunting when he hits the castle wall. They both stop at the dead end. "Please! No –stop! Please, I beg of you!"

Gohan bets she –the ruined corpse in the corner- had begged too, but this man hadn't spared her. He'd finished his deed, tasted the cuisine of the planet as so often these conquerors do, and then thanked her for her non-consensual time in the only way he knows how.

"Money? D-Do you want money? Women? Warriors –I have it all! Please, just –no…"

Behind his mask, Gohan's voice is warped. "The only thing you can offer me, cretin, is your absence."

The slime ball is light enough, fragile like glass beneath gloved fingers. By the throat, he rises high.

"Have mercy! Please! I d-don't want to die."

"Neither did they."

"P-Please… Please."

Gohan doesn't want to do it. He wavers momentarily, considering another path. But then he remembers the corpses outside, the girl and the countless other victims this man has hurt.

And so, Gohan tightens the hold into a squeeze, gripping until the neck cracks cleanly. Limp, the man courses back to the dirt, making a home of the graveyard he'd created in trying to take over the planet.

Disgusting.

Gohan burns the girl. She flies free as ashes whilst her murderer's corpse will forever rot; Gohan finds a justice in that, however pitiful. After that, he burns the depleted husk of the city that had been brought about by the wrath of selfish individuals, and after that, he burns the last of the conqueror's men.

It's been over two weeks since I've been home, Gohan later thinks as he sits atop a rooftop, back against the orange sky. His mask lays beside him.

Gohan watches the sky and peels his fruit, popping the segments into his mouth one-by-one. They're sweet.

There's a rift of birds calling to one another in the distance, a break in the silence of the otherwise once quiet, shadowy dusk. The planet is a beautiful one, what with its sprawling landscapes of grasslands and beaches. Perhaps, after today's massacre of its people, it can rebuild.

Gohan hopes so.

But how long will it be until warlords, conquerors, pirates and those of the like strike again? This is Gohan's eighth planet within such a short space of time. How long can he keep nipping at their heels? Gohan now has somewhat of a reputation; a shadowy figure who purges those who purge. In fact, he's famous enough that some of the warlords have come to fear him –yet they don't stop, they never stop.

He swallows the last of his fruit, wiping bloody hands against black robes and finally decides it's time to make the journey back to the estate.

The matter needs to be brought back up to Quell. Months have gone by with Gohan's idle watching, with his complicity of snail-paced politics –with Gohan's only activism being his action on these planets. No, he wants more. He'll do more.


Admittedly, the first thing Gohan does upon returning to the estate is bathe. Gohan likes baths. He isn't sure when this happened, but it's become a habit to simmer in his porcelain pool. His muscles love the burn and his mind loves the open world it can see through the enlarged windows –in fact, it's where he does some of his best thinking.

In his nakedness (except the lone, orange earring dangling from his left ear), he watches a familiar shade of dusk take the sky, much like the one that had graced the other planet, the dead one.

Sunsets are the same on every planet, he reminds himself, attempting to smoother the something musical –the something romantic- inside. Don't… get attached.

Gohan can't. If he allowed himself to wallow in every death and purge then there'd be nothing left of him, and he refuses to let himself fall to the darkness of a bottle again. Drugs… alcohol… they stagnate him and ruin his mind, even if they allow for the most desirable of escapes. But, no, Gohan is past all that.

And it's proven when he refuses the wine at dinner, and Quell is quick to appear horrified.

Stricken, he pours the white into Gohan's glass anyway. "It complements the fish!"

Wry, Gohan smirks and stabs around the white flesh. "So what were you complementing last night? I heard the cleaner clink, clink, clink all the way downstairs after emerging from your chamber."

"Do not cast jealousy because I can hold my drink better."

Something's obviously bothering him, as it is the case when the winery has been raided. Possibly, he's hit a snag in the road with his Zealite-hunt; not that he'd ever tell Gohan or Rixas as much.

Speaking of which…

"Where's Rixas?" Gohan asks, staring at the empty chair facing him.

Quell doesn't reply at first, casting his eyes low to his plate as he cuts at his fish, biding his time as if to set a tone of casualness. "He's training," he eventually replies, light.

"Then he would have invited me."

"Did you invite him when you went to train on the Planet of the Light last month?"

"How did-"

Quell clicks his tongue as brings a napkin up to his lips. "Like I do not know the Warriors of Light, Mori. Had you wanted their training then you should have asked me to arrange it for you." A devilish smile grows behind the linen of the napkin. "And if you had intended to keep the arrangement quiet… Well, now you know what you must work on."

Gohan blows air through his nose. "Eyes everywhere, huh?"

"Is my and Rixas' training not up to scratch anymore?"

"No! It's not that. Brother, we still train together, it's just…"

"Say no more, Mori. My heart can only break so many times."

"Tch, don't tease me."

Quell lets out a cruel bark. "I don't care if you've sought outside mentoring. In fact, I find it refreshing that you're rekindling the secretive nature you once credited yourself with. But, I do say, I think it has lit a fire inside Rixas, the competition has set him off a bit."

Letting the secretive comment slide, Gohan replies lowly. "We're not rivals."

"No? I can't imagine you winning as many fights as you have against him would have done much for that colossal ego of his. Perhaps your outside training has encouraged him to follow suit."

Gohan sighs.

"Do not worry, little brother. I don't see you as a threat whatsoever."

"Oh, you've eased my heart…" he deadpans, victimizing the fish languidly. Soon enough, it's a lump of bones and white mush. "My only interest in becoming stronger is to help others, not to wrestle about like maniacs until one of us can't get back up again."

"Regardless of your lovely motive, your advancement in power is new to the collective and will take time for us… for him to get used to. Let him stew in his frustration a time longer."

"R-Right."

"Don't look so depressed about it," Quell says around a mouthful of wine. "In fact, why don't you tell me of your travels? It has been some weeks since we last broke bread."

Gohan rolls his eyes upwards. "Are you going to tease me about my hero complex?"

"I just might should you bring it up."

"Well, it's not like you don't know what I've been doing." He snorts. "You could surprise us both and be a touch less condescending."

Quell laughs, curling a strand of hair back. "I will try to be less condescending if you try to be less thick-headed."

"Tch. Callousness isn't a substitute for wit, Quell."

There's another laugh, and a cooing noise. "Oh, does it get chilly up on the moral high ground, Mori? Stop acting so dour. This soft nature of yours is a phase I'd rather see the back of."

Gohan feels his cheeks go rosy with frustration. Mind changed, his wine is downed in a matter of seconds. "Millions are dying out there," he snaps, "I don't understand why you don't care. You know, a lack of compassion is even more vulgar than a profusion of tears –I just can't understand why you're so dismissive, even if you dislike the mortals.

I'd wanted to show you this after dinner but the mood is spoiled anyway. Look… Look, here, I have collected news trimmings about the latest war on Planet Helia-"

Quell bats the paper and presses it back to Gohan. "The Halien people have been slaughtering each other longer than even I can recall. No need to present me with this feeble scrap of research."

Gohan pushes the paper back. "Look. Just look at it. These are pictures from just this morning. They're warring again."

Quell doesn't even spare it a glance. "Soldiers murdering, children dying, people on the brink of death as their society collapses. Yes, yes, and all this before I've finished my dinner. Now, remove that propaganda from under my nose," he stops, "-unless you wish for me to use it as a napkin for I see no further use. You and your plights for mortal salvation, honestly."

"Quell."

Quell takes the print out of photographs and sets it a blaze with a twist of the wrist. "There. Now, let's finish our meal in peace. Care for another glass of w-"

"My evide-"

"Tch, your evidence was circumstantial at best, and your penmanship was hideous." His brother smiles much like a naughty schoolboy, but it drops upon reading Gohan's darkening expression. "Look, if we become involved-"

"If we become involved then they would have to stop tearing each other apart. Someone needs to regulate them. They've dragged a further three planets into their conflict."

"Yes, my heart bleeds for them all. Would it appease you, sweet brother, if I were to bring it up at the next meeting?"

"No." Gohan rolls his earring between his fingers awkwardly, watching as Quell pours him a top-up. "Let me go to their planet and I'll stop them myself. They're fighting over a set of dragon balls. I'm familiar with how they work. If they're left in the wrong hands then the universe could be undone."

"Oh? Dragon balls? My, my. How dangerous indeed."

"They are."

"They're not quite super dragon balls, are they? No? Then they shall receive none of my attention. The regular sort are not for us to worry about," Quell says. "The Halien people, like I earlier mentioned, have been warring for generations. It doesn't escape notice; it's monitored, noted, tracked –what have you- by individuals lesser than us. We needn't concern ourselves with mortal conflicts as lowly as theirs, dragon balls or not. Those before us dealt with the artefacts accordingly, and paid the price for it. I do not want you to concern yourself with them. Have faith that the Almighty will correct the path of the universe in time."

Gohan grits his teeth and glares at the swirl of marble adorning the ceiling. "Thousands are dying now, right now."

A hand rests against Gohan's cheek, gesturing him back down. Gold catches gold. "Thousands die every day. Millions even." His brother smiles and gives the cheek a soft tap. "You can't involve yourself in every small matter."

"Innocents are dying in the most… brutal of ways. What's the point in having this power if I can't use it?"

"How nostalgic," Quell comments with a long breath, amused, "as reassuring as it is to repeat these old as time arguments with you, Mori, I don't quite have the patience I used to for it. So, let me ask you this as I have done many a time before. If the mortals are warring then how do you expect to stop them? By asking them as sweetly as you are asking me today? Would you hide their dragon balls? Feed the children upon your lap? Do you think kindness is the answer?"

Gohan's brows press together. The smell of the wine makes his head spin. "I don't know. Maybe we could put into law a decree and tell the warlords-"

"They do not listen to reason. They fight for power."

"Maybe I can take their dragon balls-"

"What? Until they fight over something else?"

"Then I'd help them find peace-"

"And if they don't want peace?"

"They'll have peace! I'll make them have peace!"

"The leaders never want peace. They want power."

"I'll stop them. I'll make them see sense. I'll-"

"Kill them?" Quell's lip upturns and his golden gaze burns bright with amusement. "Would you interfere with mortal affairs like that? Could you do it, Mori? Could you kill them all?"

Gohan kills people every day!

"Don't patronize me! I want to help them. If getting rid of some warlords does that then I'll do it."

"Then do it," his brother allows, tone too light and still brimming with pleasure. "And then do it again and again, and again as different warlords take their respective positions and spend their days murdering the masses. I'm sure the duty will keep you busy and out of trouble until you tire with it."

"There must be something we can do!" Gohan snaps, loud -so loud that the assistant in the corner topples over with the desserts. He sends Gohan the most scathing look as a result. Ignorant, Gohan continues, "Innocents keep dying as the monsters in charge grow stronger and stronger. They harbour ki and release it upon anyone who dares defy them. They use it for evil. I can't look at it any longer, brother. I just can't."

"Then don't." Quell's enjoyment has long since drained from his features. "The mortals will do as mortals have always done. They'll war and fight and murder. It's in their very nature, as it is even in ours as higher beings. You take away their dragon balls then they'll find something else to fight over; religion, money, people. You cannot change nature. This is their will and nothing will change that no matter how much you meddle. You can't be so juvenile to think that you can correct the ways of their living when it's their very right to have such freedom."

Gohan lowers his head again. Then what can he do? He doesn't want to keep seeing so many suffer at the hands of the few.

"The reality is that our influence only stretches so far." The smile then returns. "So. Let's enjoy our dinner. You can tell me about your travels to the Planet of the Light. I have not made the journey in several decades, and I do want to visit their library there. I believe you would enjoy it, also…"

But Gohan isn't done. "We can't stop them warring."

Quell's mouth promptly shuts, and then he very slowly says; "Yes…"

"That's the nature of all living beings. We have a tribal mentality."

His brother says nothing, sipping his beverage.

"But we can lessen the damage. We can lessen their influence."

Quell lolls his head back and his blonde tail of hair follows with dramatic flair. He's smiling again. "And how do you suppose that?"

Gohan puckers his lips. He looks between his brother's devious smirk and the wine in his own hands, and then takes a long drink himself.

Something in his gut tells him to sit on this.

As the weeks pass by, Gohan finds himself spending just as much time locked up in his chambers as he does travelling around outside of the Realm of the Almighty. Quell has been occupying himself as well, doing whatever he does, and Rixas hasn't bothered with him as much as he used to –that's on him. Still, he does occasionally drop by, bringing strange snacks for them both to sample together, and once or twice, they've gone out to jog around the estate together. But mostly, Gohan has been keeping to himself and his brothers have been doing the same.

Since Quell's a stubborn bastard, Gohan's decided to take up the mantle and figure this issue out on his own. He's a god, right? He'll make the difference… he'll be the revelation if Quell won't.

So, Gohan studies. He journeys through book after book, completely swallowing up the vast collection of his personal library as if it was casual reading. He even brings out the big, daunting, dusty things he'd thrown to the back of the bookcase long ago, when he'd denounced Mori and his ways. Through these forgotten books, he learns more, he dares to read what he'd promised not to.

It comes as little surprise to find that Mori, of course, had been researching the relics (much because Quell would loathe such a thing). Pages are monstrously folded to mark pages, with one being about the Z Sword. Upon seeing it, Gohan feels a strange sense of loss.

Still, he continues and each new book feels like a dirty, naughty discovery; like he shouldn't be looking at them at all. In spite of this, he finds himself unable to stop as he consumes each of the forbidden books in a greedy fashion –the very ones Mori had been pouring himself over every night in a bid to overthrow Quell.

But Gohan doesn't want to do that. He just wants the answers to creating a world without the evil he sees every day. He scours and reads about the relics once more –but now in great detail. He reads about the remaining ones, and about those who had once used them and where he could possibly find them. Gohan reads about the curses attached, about the evil magic associated with some, about those that had been used for great evil, and those for good. He also reads… about how to destroy them.

Not only that, but he reads about ki and about the depths of its strength. Years ago, Gohan wouldn't have been able to understand any of this but to him it's now so clear. Everything reads so transparently.

He slams the largest of the books shut, dust flying high, and promises himself that with this, he'll use the knowledge for good. His training and his power will only aid others. He'll be a servant to the Almighty and the people of the universe, including the mortals –especially the mortals.

And so, Gohan vows to become more. Quell can chase Zealites and Rixas can chase power. Gohan will chase righteousness.


The path to righteousness isn't always the most exciting and Gohan knows that better than any, so he still attends the meetings with Quell when permitted. He stands, hidden, at the back like a good little brother and says nothing even when the self-centred collective find it impossible to talk about anything of value. To his credit, Quell does bring up the planetary warring as promised (in a half-hearted sort of way). There are no biters, not even the Supreme Kai, and whilst Gohan's left not surprised, he's somewhat disappointed.

It's at one of these meetings, one that is so dreadful, that he finds himself tempted to bring out some reading, that a spanner is thrown into his works.

"Lord Mori," a smooth voice from behind whispers.

Gohan doesn't respond at first, leaning over the balcony as not to react to the name. He watches the meeting commence with unfocused eyes.

"Lord Mori," it repeats just as confidently as the first time. "I know that you've been coming here for quite some time now."

He fleetingly glances towards Quell, who is talking and completely unaware that Gohan's been cornered. Finally, he turns, and then gives thanks to himself for keeping his mask on throughout the day, not only because it hides his identity, but because it hides the shock.

"Zamasu," Gohan finally says, equally as quiet.

The green-skinned kai smiles thinly. "I'm relieved that I needn't come with an introduction."

"…Shouldn't you be down there?"

Zamasu approaches the balcony edge, peering over. "The meeting is a dull affair today, don't you think?"

Gohan holds himself tall next to the kai, reminding himself that this is a slippery one. Quell has said as much and Gohan long ago made that decision for himself upon seeing him take part in the meetings. This is new territory for the god, and territory he is quick to admit not wanting to tread.

So he's blunt. "What do you want?"

"I'm just curious; that is all. I come bearing no ill will."

Sure, he doesn't.

"I'd rather you take your faux innocence elsewhere, Zamasu. I'm only here as a spectator. I have no interest in games or politics."

"Hmm… Really? I could be fooled for I heard words come from you brother's mouth that are not his. Just earlier, he brought up the warring situation on planet Helia. I thought that rather unlike Lord Quell of Revelation for I know he cares little of the mortals. I thought that it could be the silent figure upstairs, the one hidden so well in the shadows, that might be whispering his own ideas downwards."

Gohan swallows his frustration. "What a creative imagination you have."

"I also do not like the situation on Helia," Zamasu next admits, "It's messy and not in line with what I want."

"You weren't quick to bring that up when given the chance."

"No, of course not. No one plays a hand so openly unless they're an idiot." Zamasu scowls down at the occupiers of the meeting table. "Hmph… The Supreme Kai is one of those fools with his heart on his sleeve and he'll achieve nothing because of it."

"Quell said the same thing," Gohan says before he's unable to stop himself.

"Because he's competent. He must be for having your generation of Gods of Revelation live for this long."

"Famis is dead."

"That he is, but he's survived by three brothers yet to make their revelation."

"Hmm."

"And why haven't they? I've always been curious about it. My sentiments lie in Lord Quell's eagerness for you all to live on. He does seem the protective sort."

"Maybe."

"His personal quest to avenge Lord Famis is not lost on the kais. Has he never feared that they might use that against him?"

Gohan can't help himself. "Oh, but kais and gods are on the same side. Didn't you know?"

At that, Zamasu does laugh. It's a soft, wispy sound that makes him sound more like a snake than he already is. "Of course. My apologies."

Quiet takes hold for a while but Zamasu doesn't move from his spot, watching with his usual poker face as the meeting below stretches on and on. Throughout the meeting, Zamasu makes little noise, only occasionally humming to himself when someone says something not entirely in line with the general consensus of the group.

Gohan feels his shoulders droop over time and is surprised he'd been tense for so long. There's something uneasy about the kai's presence, something which makes Gohan always want to keep his eyes on him. Still, Zamasu doesn't even bat an eyelid at him. Only when the meeting breaks for a rest, Zamasu turns and considers him once more.

"I suppose I should make my return to my seat soon," he says, apologetic, as if his leaving would disappoint Gohan. It doesn't. "I'm relieved to have finally spoken to you after all this time."

Gohan can't say the feeling is mutual.

"And if you wish to have a conversation about Lord Quell's… choice topic earlier, feel free to have your servant make contact with my summoning plate. I believe our interests are most certainly aligned, Lord Mori."

"I'm not sure about that."

Zamasu makes his way towards the door, head tilted as he surveys him. "Perchance one day you will become discouraged enough with visiting attacked planets that you'll seek out true assistance, and then, then I'll be waiting."

Gohan's tongue turns to lead. He tries to retort, to say anything, but he can't.

"Good day, Lord Mori."

Gohan says nothing of his meeting with Zamasu to Quell.

In fact, Gohan says nothing of it to anyone. Nobody had really noticed the kai's disappearance and he'd slotted back into the meeting without a hitch, even managing to send Gohan a nod on his way out.

That evening, Gohan had shared a semi-tense dinner with Quell. Rixas had disappeared at the hint of them bickering about the lack of a real mention of the warring on Helia. Eventually, Quell had demanded they forget the matter and ordered them more wine, and so Cross, Quell's assistant, brought an entire bottle.

Now warm from the alcohol, he lies in bed, heavy with the burden of keeping something from Quell. It feels wrong, but Gohan knows that this is the path he must walk alone if Quell is choosing to be stubborn. He's abhorrently against mortals and cares nothing of their plights. Whatever he has to say is biased against them. In fact, Gohan considers bitterly, Quell has only been acting selfishly from the start. Everything is about finding Famis' killer –about finding the Zealites and enacting his own personal justice. How can he harp on about Gohan's simple mindedness when he only cares about himself?

Quell has no right to judge me!

He's the one acting egoistically.

Why should he get to tell Gohan what to—

Gohan breathes hard.

No.

Stop. Stop this.

"Ugh." His hands run down over his face.

I'm… I'm a horrible brother.

The god sighs, feeling lost, and hating himself for thinking so negatively about someone he loves and respects. Gohan knows when Mori –when he— had "died" it had broken Quell's heart. Mentally punishing his brother for that is just cruel.

Yet, you cannot help but think it, that voice says in the back of his head. You know to follow your gut by now.

He does, but he refuses to challenge Quell and step on his toes.

Do you really think you'll be able to avoid confronting him about this forever?

No, he doesn't.

It's inevitable.

It is.

Quell will get in the way.

It's true. Quell will but Gohan will figure that out when the time comes. He'll have Quell on his side, one way or another.


The Tournament Grounds, Earth
Age 780

The stage is left cracked and dismantled, ruined beyond repair and the centre of a rapidly emptying tournament grounds. Beyond that, the spectators are rushing amongst one another, pushing, shoving and climbing over walls to be free of whatever has happened here today. It's organized chaos, fuelled by the speakers as emergency broadcasting plays out to lead them the correct direction out. Tired, underpaid tournament workers relay the same message as they guide groups away from the unknown, blowing their whistles furiously.

Away from all that, two saiyans stand centre of the broken platform.

"That's Lord Beerus?" Goku questions, incredulous as he stares up into the sky. The pinprick outline of the supposed god tells him only one thing. "But he's… he's a kitty!"

"Keep your voice down, you idiot!" Vegeta snarls back. "You have no idea what he's capable of. He's… he's a… ugh-"

"Vegeta!"

"Get off of me, clown! I'm fine."

Goku backs off but his friend is anything but fine. Whatever had coated the Zealites' blades isn't doing Vegeta any favours. His pallor is whitening and growing clammier by the second. He barely looks able to hold himself upright. Really, it's an impressive concoction of stubbornness and will power that he's still standing.

Panting, Vegeta regards him. "Don't say anything stupid. He's coming."

Several people rush over all at once actually. As the ominous Lord Beerus glides down at his own glacial pace, Goku finds himself impossibly relieved to find both Goten and Trunks in good condition as they run towards them.

"What's going on?" Goten asks, frantic. He does look a bit charred. Perhaps the last explosion had been him after all.

Trunks follows. "Dad! Are you oka-"

"Go home," Vegeta barks, physically shooing his son. "You're only going to get in the way."

"You're hurt!"

"I'm fine, boy! Go home!"

"Dad," Goten next tries, "What were they? What's happening?"

"I'm not sure, Goten," he replies, moving to reassure him with a hand to the shoulder. Despite their recent turbulence, Goten is quick to accept his father's comfort and meets his eyes. "But maybe you both should go home to your mothers. We need you guys to hold down the fort there."

"No!" Trunks snaps, "We're not leaving until-"

"God damn it, boy! Do as you're told and go home!"

"Vegeta, they just want to help," Goku attempts. "There's no need to-"

"Stop being so soft!"

"We're not going!"

"For crying out loud, we don't want you here! You're just going to make things worse!"

Goten pulls away, equally as frustrated, if not a little scared. "We just want to know what's happening!"

"Yeah!"

"If you don't go home now then I'll make sure you eat nothing but dirt for a week!"

"G-Guys, come on…"

"Be useful, Kakarot, and tell-"

"Am I interrupting?" comes a new voice. Vegeta stiffens in an instance and his eyes glaze over as if experiencing a memory of some sort. He doesn't immediately turn, unlike Goku who decides that the only way to go forward with this is with some positivity.

In front, stands a tall and gangly individual, graced with the features of, as Goku had earlier put it, a cat. His clothes are rather bizarre, and even though it's summer, he thinks the outfit choice is strange, what with the unusual chest piece and gold accents. But who is he to judge?

"Hi there," he says to the cat, and then remembers his manners, "Thanks for your help with those guys. My name is Goku."

Lord Beerus' head tilts and he considers all of Goku, head to toe. "Hmm… You're Goku then. I know of you already. Although, upon meeting you… I have to say that I'm quite disappointed. You couldn't handle even a couple of Zealites without my help."

"Uh… yeah, I think they kinda' caught us off-guard with the smoke and the poison and stuff, heh-heh."

"I'm unsurprised a saiyan can't think beyond charging headfirst into a fight," he sighs, "You can't expect much of brutes to outthink the enemy."

Goku scratches at the back of his neck, laughing awkwardly. "A bit harsh, huh?"

Behind, he hears Trunks and Goten whisper to one another. Whatever they say is enough to snap Vegeta out of his stupor because he gathers enough energy to smack each of them across the head. "Be quiet, you little idiots! This is Lord Beerus and I don't want you disrespecting him!"

Lord Beerus hums. "I'm pleased at least one of you should recognize me." He folds his arms, considering each of them with piercing scrutiny. "Yes, I am Lord Beerus, God of Destruction, and it would suit you well to refer to me as such." He curls his clawed fingers under his chin, thinking. "For a while now, this pokey little planet has been wrenching my attention away from important duties actually worthy of my time, due to the excessive Zealite activity. For what the Zealites are interested in this backwater, I have no idea."

"Could it be the dragon balls?" Goku asks.

"Perhaps, though doubtful –and I'm not about to discuss it with you. Where is the Supreme Kai? I hear that he often loiters around here."

"Er…"

"Perhaps, you, Whis, could enlighten me… Whis?—Whis?" Pivoting on the spot, the god scours the area. "Whis?! Where are you, Whis?"

Goku doesn't hide his confusion. "You want wheat?"

"Wh-Wheat? What? No! I do not want Wheat, whomever he is. I want my colleague, Whis!"

"Why would he want wheat, Vegeta?" Goku asks, perplexed. Would that help against the Zealites?

"For God's sake, Kakarot, are you always this stupid or is today a special occasion?" Vegeta pauses, assesses and sighs. "Never mind."

"Oh, I bet he's found himself something delicious to occupy himself with. That's so very like him," Lord Beerus huffs. "He better save some for me. I am not about taking this long trip all the way here for nothing if not a tasty meal. You, saiyan-Earth man, lead me to either excellent cuisine or your Supreme Kai before I decide this waste ball would look better as rubble."

"This way, this way, Lord Beerus!" Vegeta beckons in an instant, pushing aside Goku.

"No, I'd rather have the one not at death's door." Lord Beerus grimaces and then gestures to the gawking Trunks. "You, boy, you referred to him as your father, didn't you? Don't you think you should clean this up and put it away somewhere? I'm not privy to whether or not saiyans eat their old or bury them, but I think you should hurry and organize this one's passing before the time is lost."

Vegeta lunges forward, barely able to catch himself. "Wh-What? Y-You!-"

Just in time, Goku hears the reassuring call of the Supreme Kai coming towards them. Behind, follows Piccolo looking a little worse for wear. The run-in with the Zealites have definitely taken it out of all them it seems.

"Lord Beerus!" Shin calls out upon reaching them, "I didn't expect you to be here just yet!"

"Ah, there you are. You've saved me a great deal of time, kai. I thought you would have rushed to greet me the moment I arrived but I suppose today is a day of tallying disappointments. No matter. Take me to this planet's Godly Meeting Chamber and we'll discuss its future."

"I'm really sorry; Lord Beerus… this planet doesn't have such a thing."

"What? What kind of the backwater no-place is this?"

"Supreme Kai," Goku intervenes, "Vegeta's not looking so great, could you, y'know, get Kibito to do his thing? I mean, if he's here."

Shin claps his hands. "O-Oh, of course! Trunks, could you take your father back towards the earthlings over there. Kibito is healing them in groups."

"Right," Trunks says, although he doesn't sound best pleased by the request.

"What a pitiful display," Lord Beerus comments, watching as Trunks hauls Vegeta over towards the crowds. "I thought you said these saiyans were strong."

"They are, Lord Beerus," Shin responds, "The Zealites are underhanded. To isolate the area like that… they knew what they were doing."

"Well, I wouldn't have allowed myself to get caught up in their makeshift prison, not that it mattered much. It'd been so easy to make crumble in the end."

Goku hardly thinks that's fair. They'd not realised what was even happening at the time. And on top of that, they hadn't known such a technique existed –along with that strange form-splitting thing the Zealite leader could do. But next time it'll be different, and so he goes to say as much.

"They won't-"

"Really, I don't understand your affinity with this planet and its people," Lord Beerus continues, flourishing a hand, "In fact, I'm starting to think their defeat of Majin Buu must have either been either fabricated or highly exaggerated. I'm seeing little reason in its preservation..."

"It'd been neither fabricated nor exaggerated, Lord Beerus," Shin replies slowly, suddenly sounding a touch more nervous.

Finally, Piccolo makes his presence known. "The Earth has faced many dangers-"

"You said that this planet is home to strong fighters –and exquisite food, and yet I've been offered nothing of the sort!"

Shin bumbles. "Th-Then let me take you-"

"And with Zealites littering its surface like an infestation, it would be far easier just disposing of it! There's nothing here worth keeping as you put it to me last month."

Goku finally feels the need to intervene. "Hey, wait a minute. The Earth is an amazing place with amazing people. I'm not an earthling but I'd be proud to call myself one. Even if it didn't have strong fighters, it shouldn't just be disappeared or whatever you wanna' do-"

"Disappeared?" Goten parrots from behind, tone ripe with worry. Goku had forgotten that he's here…

"Don't be ridiculous. I won't make it disappear. I'd blow it up –destroy it."

"Wh-What?"

"Dad, he doesn't really mean-"

"Be quiet, Goten," Piccolo orders, voice low.

"Lord Beerus," the Supreme Kai attempts, "Let's take this conversation somewhere more private."

"What's the point? There are no chambers or anything of godly value so I needn't waste my time touring this uncultured planet."

"We could-"

"Hush. Be quiet, saiyan." The god's beady eyes swivel in exaggerated frustration as his tail bats behind, aggressive. "The only thing you are good for now is presenting me with the artefact that had attracted the Zealites to begin with."

Goku balks. "Eh? My Power Pole?"

"Whatever relic the earthlings had put up as a prize –this, bring me this. I wish to understand the remaining relics currently in existence as to see what appeals to the Zealites."

Oh... Oh. So Lord Beerus had been tricked into thinking the Power Pole was a real relic-thing too. It turns out that Mister Satan may have done too well of a job when selling its godly properties, especially since it's not very godly at all.

Goku laughs, awkward. "Er, I'm real sorry n' all, Beerus-"

"Lord Beerus," Shin hisses.

"Er, Lord Beerus, but the Power Pole isn't a relic at all. It's special and can do pretty amazing things but I don't think it's god-like or what you think it might be."

"Don't be ridiculous!" Lord Beerus shouts out, "I heard the buffoon with the ludicrous hair sing its praises! Are you telling me that you dared to lie about something being holy?"

"That'd just been a plan to get the Zealites here. We wanted to trick-"

Shin's hands shoot up, frantic. "Goku, stop!"

But it's too late. Lord Beerus barrels forward and scoops Goku high by his gi. "Are you saying that you TRICKED ME?!"

"Eh? No?"

"Are you calling me a LIAR?"

"What? No? What are you talking about?" Goku pulls at the arm holding him up but finds it as firm as concrete. "I'd appreciate it if you put me down though."

"Do you hear this, kai?" Lord Beerus seethes. "Your Goku is nothing but a rude, blasphemous disappointment. Just for this, I should visit the World of the Kai and consider destroying them as well!"

"Erm, please let me go. This is uncomfortable now."

"Goku, shut up!" Piccolo snaps.

"Where is Whis?" Shin asks, "Perhaps we should talk to him before any hasty decisions are to be made…"

"Are you saying that I'm incapable of my job, kai?"

"If you don't let me go then I'll have to get down myself."

"No –no, Lord Beerus! I'm simply saying that-"

"First, I wake to all these magnificent stories about Earth and its amazing feats. Then, I'm told of this wondrous saiyan who could rival the best of us. Soon, these Zealites are making havoc like common garden pests and yet neither Earth nor the saiyan can do anything against them. This planet is not special, and neither is this Goku, especially since he dared to try and TRICK ME!"

"It wasn't like that!" Goten cries out, "Why aren't you listening?"

"You impertinent brat! How dare you speak to a god like th-"

But Lord Beerus doesn't get to finish his sentence. The grip on the gi is released when he soars fast into the grey of the stadium wall, Goku's leg still extended as its propelling point. Wisps of smoke course up from the ground of the incident. They interweave around the saiyan's legs like the curling of ghostly snakes.

Matching clouds of dust climb from where the god had impacted, and whilst he's not moved, they all know it's only time.

"Goku," Shin whispers, "What have you done?"

The leg lowers. "I told him to put me down."

"You… You idiot," Piccolo growls, "You've likely doomed us all!"

It isn't like the guy was budging on his opinions anyway…

"He's a jerk."

"He's going to be the jerk that massacres this planet!"

Goten grasps onto Goku's arm on reaction. His eyes, wide and frightful, make him look impossibly young and remind him of those days many years ago when they'd had to fight Buu, when everyone's expressions had been full of fear.

It won't be like that again. Goku won't let it.

Alien, android, god; whatever person he needs to face, Goku will not let down planet Earth or its people.

He powers up to super saiyan in preparation for the inevitable.

"I'll handle this, guys."


Planet ?
Age 780

With the tides of the seasons changing, Gohan's found his routine staying very much the same. Most days, he's out alone. He's trusted to come and go from the estate much like the adult he is, and on some occasions, he doesn't return for weeks at a time. Books go with him sometimes, and he can be found with a knapsack heavy of literature and journals. He's gone from library to library and spoken to a variety of individuals rich in knowledge.

Gohan knows his aim. The question now is if he has the strength to bring it to fruition.

Upon the occasion, Gohan considers Zamasu's offer, but he's done nothing of the sort to take him up on it. The man is slimy and the fact that he's been watching Gohan makes the young god even more conscientious in his next steps. He's been tempted to bring the issue up to Quell and even Rixas, but he never does. Quell has sensed nothing of the matter and whilst Rixas is a bit more in tune with Gohan emotionally, he says nothing too.

The closest had been during one of their rare meals together.

"You've become weird," Rixas had said, mouth paused over his steak.

Gohan could only laugh, point out the sauce around the idiot's chin before hoping the conversation would change.

"What are you up to?" he'd asked anyway. "It feels more like… before."

The before Mori.

Immediately, Gohan had felt disgusted and suggested the guy stick his head where the sun doesn't shine. And then, the matter had passed and neither brought it up again.

Rixas wouldn't understand, Gohan thinks, his golden gaze unfocused over the yellow pages of his map. Rixas would fight Gohan on this right now. His brother loves fighting and the rawness of what it means to live and die –he's already voiced his lack of care in helping the mortals. Whilst Quell, the racist snob that he is, doesn't want to help out of his own dissociation from them, Rixas isn't even interested in making any changes.

The map closes and is slipped into the knapsack.

Gohan is very interested, however.

He's so interested that he's visited several planets on this day alone, hunting for a particularly infamous warlord that has been going from city to city, planet to planet, destroying and pillaging. This is the last out of five planets that this individual may be on and the odds are looking to be in Gohan's favour, unfortunately.

The misfortune comes with the ever-growing mushroom cloud in the distance. It's ki-originated and gives off dark energy that makes his skin crawl.

Prior to this, Gohan had destroyed five roaming ships home to a flurry of fighters, engineers and apparent nobles. They'd all grovelled when they could, but as Gohan usually likes to make the deaths swift, he'd not heard most of them. One man begging at his feet had been most unsettling, however, and Gohan felt like he had no other choice but to let him live.

After that, Gohan hasn't been the most confident in his ideals. It all suddenly felt extraordinarily dirty despite his intentions being pure. And with sparing that one stupid soldier, his plans felt small –insignificant even.

Had Quell been right after all?

Is it a phase?

As he makes his way towards the mushroom cloud, cracks along the ground meet him, approaching him in excitement as though they've been waiting for Gohan to appear all day. There's a growl as the dirt below protests. The planet is under distress. It's only time until a slew of earthquakes are sure to follow and so he must act quickly.

So he flies. There's a bite that comes with the wind. The air is hot and wet as it rushes past his ears and even with his mask on, the humidity is too much.

Did Mori have these same ideals? Did he outgrow them? Why is Quell so dismissive of this?

He doesn't understand any of it. These are the lives of the many –of the people they're supposed to protect as gods!

Yet you tell me to sit and watch like a little kid, Quell. How do I help them this way?

Below, as he advances over the scope of the ruined city, Gohan's disgruntled to see that the species occupying this planet share a striking resemblance to earthlings. Whilst they're not uncommon-looking beings, not at all, Gohan always finds himself at odds when he visits planets occupied by these lookalikes. They make him think of a less complicated time, if it were possible, and of the feelings that came with his once mortal life. They're smothered quickly.

How can he think about himself when such a massacre is unfolding before him?

Not everything is about the collective, Quell. Sometimes, it's about others too.

But it's also hard not to listen to Quell, what with his wealth of knowledge and experience. Gohan knows better than any that he's just worried for Gohan, and for Rixas too. He just wants to protect his brothers.

So why do I want to fight him so much on this?

Fires rip throughout the buildings in a non-discriminatory fashion, swallowing up each with unmatched gluttony. They glow beyond the smoke, illuminating its victims as it cooks them.

Beyond the fires isn't much better. Debris falls, crushing many, as they try to escape the ripping of gun fire. Bullet casings bounce straight back onto the corpses. But they're not the main contributor. Above, blasts of ki flicker, exploding like fireworks all around as if to celebrate the worst party Gohan's ever been to. All around, the ki scalds and burns thousands all at once. It takes the lives of the many, many that are just trying to live.

But what kind of justice allows this to happen? Look at them –they're dying.

In the faces of these –victims- men, women and children, they all share the same look of horror as their city falls. There is screaming, shouting –crying of names and of incoherence. Some huddle in corners, clutching one another. Others seem to be praying. Meanwhile, parents shield children's eyes as they gaze upon the carnage of armoured men slaughtering the people. It's a civilization on the edge of ruin –of life as they know it at its end.

Gohan tries not to pay attention as he soars; only aiming to reach the centre of the chaos. Buildings fall around him with deafening collisions. Thousands are dying every second.

Effortlessly, he rushes through the smoke clouds and into the heart of it all.

And there it is. Fastened to the tip of the tallest tower of the city is a spaceship with no business being there. Its design looks otherworldly and clashes with the sprawling metropolis; and so it's here that Gohan knows he'll find the bastard likely to have caused this mess.

And then I'll kill him.

But since when was this the automatic answer –when had Gohan become that way?

Then, he recalls Quell's smug face when he'd teased him about his soft heart.

Then is there another way, brother? Why don't you join me, help me –save these people?

The steel of the ship rips open easily. To him, it's like tearing paper. Inside, the area is clinical and expensive-looking, and is framed by computers with screens so blinding that Gohan is immediately discomforted looking at them. This is a group with money, it seems.

The inner door crunches open when Gohan forces it.

Beyond that room, stand two guards that are far too quick to fire their guns rather than use their brains. He deals with them quickly and soon they lay, with cracked necks, staring into the abyss as Gohan heads down a thinning hallway.

Several others try to attack but he deals with them with equal speed and ferocity. Like the civilians outside, these people look much the same as earthlings if not for their elongated features. Above the bridge of beaked noses sit eyes that bulge when alerted, when frightened –and does Gohan frighten them. Some scream in terror as the bodies pile up, but Gohan's seen what they're doing outside. This is practically mercy compared to what they deserve.

Eventually, Gohan slaughters his way to the captain's quarters, a room evidenced by the sign posted above the door.

He goes to open it and pauses upon seeing the specks of red bleeding into his gloves.

In seconds, I've just killed most of this ship's workers.

Is that what you would have done, Quell? How about Rixas?

Dad wouldn't ha—

None of that.

Gohan growls and presses his head against the steel of the ship.

It's no secret that many workers aboard purging ships such as these are prisoners. They are forced here, are made to kill and steal and are as much the victims as those outside. But Gohan just massacred them.

Where is the line?

There have been a of couple times that Gohan has had these sorts of moments, ones of self-doubt. He'd linger before striking, admittedly when dealing with those bringing out… nostalgic feelings; like the earthling-lookalikes. He'd bide and wait as long as he could before finishing what he came to do.

Even if some of the people Gohan had killed are victims, they are still perpetrators on this planet, in this city –in Gohan's mind and in that of the Almighty's ways. Gohan doesn't care what Quell says about mortals having the right to kill mortals. These people need to be stopped. Outside, thousands are dying right now.

And so, he pushes the door open.

Any lack of resolution he had about killing dies there.

Gohan has seen a lot of things. He's apprehended conquerors as they pillage -rapists as they did just that, murderers covered in the red of their latest victims- but nothing as depraved as this. His heart rings heavy in his ears as he surveys the scene.

Three, no, four bodies of children lay littered about the room, eyes wide with the fresh horror of what they'd just experienced. They're nude as the day they were born.

But it's what is beyond the carnage that has Gohan reeling. There sits a man just as naked as them, smoking a drug of some kind and looking impossibly pleased with himself. Over his lap is spread a fifth child, barely hidden by a thin, dirtying blanket as the man rotates against her.

Going by the glassy nature of her eyes, she's long since gone.

But his blue –almost white- bulging eyes work just fine. One of them winks at him. "You look a bit old for me," he grunts.

Wh…What.

Gohan wants to be sick. He wants to scream and shout and kill –for the first time, he really wants to kill.

The bastard!

He can't breathe, he can't think. It's all too much. This… This vulgar piece of shit…

His mask comes off and he spits out a wad of saliva, unable to contain it. The air in the room feels light and makes the god even more nauseas.

"Oh, I might make an exception for you," the piece of shit teases in the most foul, gravelly voice Gohan's yet heard. "What pretty eyes you have."

"What have you done?!" Gohan snarls, stepping past the children. "You evil fuck!"

"How dare you? Don't you know who I am?" The man stands in all his glory. The child drops, falls and rolls, her eyes forever unblinking. "I'm Lord Frugraw, soon to be ruler of this universe and all those withi-EUGH!"

"You're a piece of shit!" Gohan insists through clenched teeth, his fist well and truly buried into the bastard's face.

Bone, tissue and other matter pulse around his hand, but it's not enough. Gohan brings it out and swings again and again, crushing and pulverizing at the flesh until it's unrecognizable. He'd long ago perished and yet the deed doesn't feel done.

Gohan can still see the children even though they're behind him. He'll forever see them.

"You fuck!" he shouts, spit-heavy.

Over the mincemeat of the body, Gohan breathes hard, shaking. His face feels wet and there's a metallic taste in his mouth definitely being something to do with the blur of red streaked across his eyelashes.

He hiccoughs, stopping.

It's the only sound aboard the ship. Everyone else is dead or has escaped, not that that matters. Gohan will track them down. No-one escapes the injustice he'd just witnessed. He'll kill everyone that's dared go against this planet and its people –and its children.

Gohan feels shame, for just outside mere moments ago, he'd wavered. The warm, immature part of him had actually wanted to not do this –not deliver justice. He'd wanted to believe that there could be another way… but there isn't.

I'll kill anyone against peace.

This is not negotiable anymore.


As the day drags on, he kills the other men and does his best to save as many civilians as possible. Many have died and the cities aren't advanced enough to deal with this many causalities. And when Gohan leaves the worst hit area, it's without much confidence. He doubts that they'll find their feet after this, not without support.

Fruit by his side, unpeeled, Gohan watches the sunset. Yet again, the planet is beautiful. It's by a lake that he has chosen to perch, resting until he deems it time to move on.

But today, there's emptiness within him, a hole created by the vile image he'd been forced to see back on the ship. Of course, Gohan knows it happens, but seeing it is something else. Never has he felt so old, so ruined after today; it's like he may never be happy again.

From behind, Gohan hears a crunching of twigs. He needn't turn around to guess –he can feel the sliminess of the individual's ki.

"Don't test me today. I'm not in the mood for it, Zamasu."

"No tests," he replies, approaching.

"And you just knew I'd be here?" Gohan asks, voice rasped, tired.

"I'm good at what I do, Lord Mori," he says lightly as he comes to a stop to Gohan's right, blocking the yellow-orange of the falling sun. It flickers, winking aggressively from behind as the kai looks over him. "You seem to have been busy today. Your mask is filthy."

"Is that you requesting I remove it? Does the blood bother you?"

Zamasu smiles. It doesn't suit him.

"Fine. I don't care anymore." Gohan rips it free and tosses it beside him, laying his identity bare for the kai to see. "You'll find my face equally filthy."

"Yes. You're quite the sight indeed."

"Are you here to mock me?"

"No. I don't at all condemn what you did." Zamasu folds his arms, looking over Gohan's shoulder and over the hills at something not there. "I loathe mortals. I don't hide that, just so you know."

"I don't care, Zamasu."

There's a huff of amusement. "You were not fond of them either before."

Gohan's breathing hitches for just a moment, and there's a rush of energy as lethargic eyes widen. They sting against the severity of the sunset. "What did you say?"

"Are you interested in talking to me now, Mori?" he asks slyly, mocking. "Do you wish to rekindle some lost memories?"

"You're tricking me."

Zamasu clicks his tongue. "I have no time for tricks. Tell me, how would I know of your exploit of the reincarnation system? All just so you could equip the powers of the saiyan people… Hmph, I thought it impossible but you actually managed it. You know, I don't know whether to be impressed or disgusted."

The god's mouth runs dry. "How do you know-?"

"Surely, you did not incapacitate yourself this much. Or is the possibility of our previous acquaintanceship unappealing?

Gohan stands, not liking Zamasu hovering over him. "Mori –I- hated kais. In fact, I'm not fond of most of them now either."

"Then we're in similar boats," Zamasu points out, "I told you that we have aligning goals, and that's because I've known of your goals since the beginning, Mori. I have been your ally for years."

"Mori would not align with you. You're as slimy as they come, Zamasu."

The kai doesn't hide his contempt. "Do not be as foolish to bite the hand that feeds you, and feed you I shall should you want it. Tch, not only have you lost your memories, but you have apparently lost your mind."

Was I really planning on going against my brother and… mortals? Ludicrous!

Manic, Gohan snaps. "I wouldn't trust you should my life depend on it."

"But you did –many, many moons ago. You did. Just before you took the poison that killed you, you spoke to me and we made the plan of uprooting Quell, of repositioning you as the head of the Gods of Revelation."

Gohan's mind runs blank momentarily and then, he remembers. There'd been someone he had been talking to over the computer that night –that night Mori had taken the pill that had inevitably turned him into Gohan.

The voice, sly, now that he thinks about it, returns in his memories

"Then I'll be waiting," the voice had said, "be sure to reach out to me upon your homecoming."

Had it really been Zamasu?

"Oh, you remember something, don't you?" Zamasu pushes, looking eager, "What is it?"

Gohan's lips pull together and he brushes a hand through his hair. Flecks of blood fall like reddened snow. "I… I'm putting this together. Be quiet."

There's an amused hum. "I have been watching you for some time –waiting- as for you to return as you once were but perhaps there'd been a miscalculation on your part."

"No kidding," Gohan spits, "Mori had no idea he was gonna' lose himself in the process."

"I don't see you lost."

The statement sends a shiver down Gohan's spine.

"Perhaps misguided, but I feel the road that you're following isn't dissimilar. Upon hearing Quell talking of the warring of Helia, I thought you'd maybe collected enough memories to continue what we'd been working towards-"

Exasperated, lost and all around exhausted, Gohan throws his hands out. "And what is that, Zamasu? What kind of ideas do you want to put in my head? That's why you're here, right? You've got something to say, huh?"

The sun has completely set now and so Zamasu's outline runs cold, making it easier for Gohan to face him properly. With no sharpness of bright, the kai's expressions should be easier to read but they're not.

"I'm here after hearing of your victory on this planet today," he replies simply, "And I'm here to remind you of our alliance."

Gohan barks a laugh, derisive. "Not so convincing."

"But it is the truth."

"Even if it were the truth, then I'd want nothing to do with a foul, wretched being that would help me be rid of my brother."

"Tch, do not try and tell me that you don't understand your previous reasons of why you would want to be rid of Quell. He stifles you completely in anything and everything you wish to accomplish. Even now, Mori, you are but his follower. Once you outstep the boundaries he has set for you, you will be a prisoner once more."

"It's different now," Gohan asserts.

Zamasu waves a hand. "Then spare him. I do not care. So long as he does not get in the way, I find his existence irrelevant. With your reincarnation achieved and research on the Super Saiyan God complete, he should not be a problem anyway."

"My what?"

"Do not tell me that you know nothing of your research of the saiyans."

"I… I do." Gohan swallows, thinking back to the mountain of stacked papers. "But I'd not seen anything about any Super Saiyan God."

Zamasu gives a tight smile. "Honestly, Mori, just what do you think this whole reincarnation palaver was all about if not for the power of the Super Saiyan God?"

Gohan sits back down on the grass, trying to comprehend it. He's not seen anything about such a thing, has he? A Super Saiyan God…

"With such power, any goal can be achieved," the kai whispers down to him, "Combined with your enhanced ki, you'd be unstoppable, and together, we'd achieve our aim, your aim."

In a flash, Gohan remembers the horror of today, of the children, of the broken people crying for their home –of the many times he's had to see this over and over.

Sardonic, the god throws his head back. "And what is my goal, Zamasu? You seem so certain that you know."

"To get rid of ki, of course."


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Okay, first of all, HUGE APOLOGIES on the delay. For those who read '32', you'd know from my ANs that I'd actually written a massive chunk of this chapter earlier -before it got deleted. Oh, oh my heart. How it hurt. This chapter was hard enough to write once, never mind twice. Of course, I also have more excuses about my lack of an update, one being that my hands are injured. Writing brings me not only the pain of getting the story on point, but also the pain of achey fingers. It's pants. Oh, and another excuse -I've just moved and had a million life things. But now I have a lot more time to devote to this so we 'good. At least this chapter is a meaty boy, eh?

Shout out to Kags for beta-ing as per usual. Big thanks, girl. She's been an angel in particular for this chapter for me and it was quite hard to pen after a break.

Next chapter is gonna' be... ooff, yeah. That's all I can say, haha. This chapter turned out a touch darker than expected hence the trigger warning. I hope the reveal at the end made a few things in ya head click. Gohan has been mentioning his growing dislike of ki for a long while now and after the horrid events of this chapter, his beliefs are finally solid enough for it to be said.

Ok, I'm checking out. Thanks so much for all the follows, reviews, favs, PMs etc. They're lush to get notified about! Please do drop me a cheeky review and let me know what you're thinking. It's just nice to hear something, ya know? :) 'Aight, bye!