Disclaimer, in case it wasn't obvious. I don't own Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, or really any other property. Thank you.
The Cataylst
Act V
Chapter 75: Rebellion
Gohan:
The forest felt quiet. Training had been picking up, but his father didn't really have anyone to train with right now, outside of Krillin, Tien, and Yamcha. He was there too, but his father always seemed to go easy on him. He could tell every time they engaged as he was reminded of Piccolo, Turles, and Raditz's teachings. He was getting better at reading people, and he knew when he was being placated in training. Tien was the only one here who'd try to push him, but Gohan was kind of ahead of Tien in a lot of ways, though he wasn't sure if he'd beat him in a real fight.
Piccolo and his uncles were the ones who mostly pushed him to be what he could be. They only had months left before the Androids arrived, but Gohan was worried that they wouldn't be ready. So much was happening now that seemed to draw everyone away from what they were meant to be doing. The cloud that was hovering above their training was the fact that Piccolo was barely here anymore, and his uncles had made… mistakes.
It was so hard to see them as these monsters because of everything he saw of them. He remembered when Raditz was trying to get the Dragon Balls, and when his father died, it was him who came to their rescue first against Nappa by the end of it. Raditz had then helped them on Namek, stopping the Crusher Corps and the Ginyu Force. Then he bought them time against Frieza of all people. Here on Earth, he'd helped them stop Slug, and was there when Frieza and his family came. Then there was the fact he saved him, not just on Namek, but from Vegeta.
His uncle Turles was just as important, helping them against the Ginyus, dying trying to stop Frieza, and just as importantly, saving him from Vegeta when everyone else seemed to have just fallen off. He then saved him and his mom from the Super Nameks, before helping his father kill Slug. Everyone seemed to just turn on them. He understood why; he really did. Raditz tried to kill Bulma in a bid to get revenge on Vegeta, for a reason he didn't understand right now. But everyone knew how much Raditz and Vegeta hated each other, and everyone knew that Vegeta had constantly humiliated Raditz, and always talked down to him.
In a way, even if he didn't vocalize it, after everything Vegeta had done to him, Gohan… Gohan almost thought Bulma had betrayed them. When she decided to be with Vegeta, she decided to be with a man who tried to kill him and rule over all of them. If Turles hadn't been there… he'd be dead right now, and he knew Vegeta hadn't really changed, not at all. The problem was everyone else seemed to be blind to it.
The trees bristled for a moment at the last thought as he looked out over the forest, feeling his heartrate accelerating as he tried to just keep everything bottled up. All of his worries, all of his insights, they were painful almost at this point.
"Your uncles won't be coming here anymore. If any of them say anything to you, let me or your mother know. They're not welcome here anymore."
Those words were the biggest anchor for him. Maybe they could talk to his uncles and find out what the problem was. Maybe they could have helped them at least contain Vegeta, who was now a Super Saiyan. That alone was giving him nightmares every night. Vegeta was not their friend, and Gohan was able to see that clearly. He tried to be like his father, forgiving people… but even his father wasn't being the forgiving type.
"Gohan," his father's voice emerged behind him as he heard footsteps.
It was almost startling, but the half-saiyan turned his head to look at his father.
"Dad," he responded. "What's up?"
"Your mom wants you in bed in a few minutes," his voice picked up as he walked towards him from the light behind him. "She says you can skip out on your teachings tonight, but just this once. I told her how great your doing out there. You really put Tien and Krillin through a lot today. I'm really proud of you Gohan."
There was a sincerity that Gohan saw from his father that made him smile. Even knowing that they were running behind as far as he was concerned, Gohan knew his father cared and wanted what was best for him. There was a strangled thought in his head as he was left silent for a few moments, before nodding to his father, keeping his thoughts to himself.
"Something on your mind?" Goku asked, blinking as he awaited a response beyond his nod, which left to the crack in Gohan's armour opening up.
"It's just that… we were really making a lot of progress when we had Piccolo here," Gohan explained.
"Yea, I know, he's not able to spend as much time with us, but he is training while he's looking for Kami. It's really, really important that we find him. You know that if Kami gets hurt or dies, Piccolo could disappear too," he reminded. "I'm actually going to be helping out tonight with my instant transmission."
Kami's been missing for a long time now.
"If Piccolo can't join us again," Gohan started, his voice almost cracking with nervousness. "When he wasn't able to join before, uncle Raditz and-"
The air between him and his father immediately grew cold. Goku's features hardened, though not to anger, but instead to something which Gohan knew was resolve. It was something which he usually kept only for when he was in a fight, and Gohan could see it right now. It made him immediately feel uncomfortable, not because he thought his father was going to fight him, or even be mean, but just because he knew it meant that his request wasn't going to be fulfilled, and his father was probably disappointed to boot.
"I understand that Raditz and Turles were able to help train, but Raditz hurt a lot of people Gohan, and Turles enabled him. We went over this before. Raditz even tried to kill Bulma."
Well, why does no one care that Vegeta tried to kill me?
There was something real there for Gohan as he heard his dad talk about how much trouble his uncles had caused, but it didn't seem tempered by anything Vegeta had one? Did no one care? They needed to wish back the people Raditz… killed… and help him.
"I understand," Gohan answered, his tone genuinely defeated. "I… I just want us to beat the Androids."
Smiling again, Goku's hand reached out, ruffling his hair in response. The conversation was over, his father satisfied, even if Gohan himself was not. When his father departed, there was an unspoken assumption he'd go to bed. When his dad vanished in a blur of instant transmission, he felt himself standing there as the sun started to go down in the distance. Nervous eyes looked around the forest before he looked back towards his home. It was so frustrating not feeling like he could do anything.
Entering the home, he found his mother was standing in her robe, looking like she was about to go to sleep.
"Teeth, then bed," she said simply, her arms crossed. "We'll do your studies in the morning. Your father said that you did really well today. Which is good, because it doesn't look like there will be much training for you tomorrow."
No training tomorrow?
Gohan felt despair run through his veins as he imagined the machine killers standing over them, his father's broken body at his feet, Piccolo dead behind them, and them destroying everyone he cared about. It was mixing quickly with panic. What were they doing? He should be out there, training as hard as he could with powerful people, all of them pushing him as hard as they could, because the Androids weren't going to show mercy to anyone. They weren't going to spare anyone because they were unfeeling machines.
Trying to conceal his panic, Gohan smiled at his mother before nodding.
It only took a few minutes to get ready for bed. When he flopped down on his bed, staring at the ceiling, he couldn't sleep at all. There was too much to worry about. Even a few years ago, he had hope they could stop Frieza, he was excited when he saw his father square off against Frieza. Right now, ever since the battle at West City… Gohan felt nothing approaching hope. Everything was seen through lens' that were impossible to match. Things didn't make sense to him anymore, and they were going to be in gigantic trouble.
Maybe there was a way for him to fix this. That was the most childish thought he could have had, and even Gohan as a child realized it as he looked at his ceiling. The problem wasn't people apologizing, it was barriers which couldn't be overcome anymore. It was a lack of trust. The only problem was, Gohan did trust the people everyone else seemed not to. He knew Raditz and Turles wouldn't hurt him, and would always try to protect him. He knew that. The same was true for Piccolo, and his father.
That's what made this all the more painful and frustrating. Things were broken and they were all going to die, and the people who should be getting along weren't. They were family. Vegeta wasn't their family… and Bulma made her choice.
The last thought caused Gohan to catch himself, feeling himself almost wake up as he flinched visibly. Did he really just make that thought? He knew Bulma. But why would Bulma choose Vegeta? VEGETA over everyone else?
There had to be something he could do.
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Raditz:
Training had gone as well as expected. As per usual, Turles had beaten him badly. Part of it was just the fact that they both knew his heart wasn't in it. Melancholy and depression were the two words he'd best describe for himself. The one thing he never should have failed at… he'd… failed at. He'd traded everything for one throw of the dice, and he'd succeeded. He could have killed the woman, and Vegeta. His revenge would have been fulfilled, and he could have been killed by Kakarot afterwards. Even if Vegeta and Bulma were wished back, he'd have exercised his revenge. It would have been his message to the one who'd always treated him poorly, and then stolen the only thing he'd come to care about while on this world. His improved relationship with Kakarot, his nephew, Hell, even the Namekian and Turles, they were all things he had been willing to sacrifice for it.
And now, sitting in Saiyan armour in his bother's apartment, his huge body resting against the couch as Turles stared down at him with a mixture of disdain and irritation, Raditz couldn't help but feel one thing.
Vegeta should have killed me. He's right. I'm rotting. I am waiting for death now.
He wouldn't achieve the goal. He'd never acquire the dream of being a Super Saiyan. Raditz understood before Vegeta what was needed to change, he'd sensed it from both Kakarot and Turles as they changed… and from Vegeta.
"Why are you wasting my time? You can't even manage to put up the fight you gave Vegeta? Are you deliberately insulting me every time we go training?"
"I apologize brother," Raditz answered, his tone almost monotone and even he realized it.
"You apologize," Turles said the word with disgust. "Do you know why I keep you around, brother? Because you might be useful later. Especially since you decided to cash out all of your favours. Unless you gain more power, you aren't useful to me."
It was best just not to respond, Raditz determined. He gave his younger brother a calm stare before standing at his full height, staring down at the other Saiyan. There was no intimidation, but it was almost a dare. If he wasn't going to be kept around, that was fine, and he very much doubted that anyone would crucify Turles for killing him. If he was just pushed out of here, well, that wouldn't be the end of the world either. This planet had resources, he could survive on his own, now.
"Get out of my sight," Turles finally remarked. "Don't show back up here until…"
He paused, blinking once, as if he sensed something. It took Raditz a splinter of time before he realized what it was. His own eyes widened before he looked towards the balcony, his eyes widening in horror at what he was looking at as the door opened. Standing there in his Saiyan armour, the hole still in it from where Frieza had cut a hole through his chest, Gohan stepped into the room.
Even in his depressed state, concern immediately became his watchword. There was no way Kakarot sanctioned this, especially at this time. Looking back towards Turles, his younger brother wasn't paying attention to him at all.
"Gohan," his tone was smooth, Turles smiling to see their nephew. "Well, I'm glad to see you've decided to come here in the attire of a Saiyan Warrior. Now, as happy as I am to see you, why are you here?"
The question was something Raditz himself wanted to ask, but he felt his shame bleeding through for a few moments. The boy knew, everyone knew about what had happened. Worse than being guilty of trying to kill the boy's friend, Raditz felt worse for the fact he'd failed. His revenge would have been a lesson to anyone who knew he lived; it would have echoed past his own life. Now, his failure was that message.
The boy looked nervously at the two of them before looking at him directly.
"Why?" he asked, it was the only word to leave his mouth. Raditz waited, wondering if there was something more pointed to come. Turles's smile disappeared before he cast a look at him, as if daring him to not tell the truth.
"Honour demanded it," Raditz finally said. "Vegeta and Nappa removed… they killed the woman… they killed Violet, in front of me, despite my best efforts. I watched them kill her, and there was nothing I could do. Vegeta called it a lesson to me."
Even then, he could remember Vegeta's words reverberating through his mind as he watched the Prince preparing to kill his nephew.
"I have considered your petition to me, Raditz. I find it wanting. Clearly you need another lesson in what it is to defy Vegeta. I'll not enjoy this one as much as I did the first."
His anger touched his ki for a moment as the room rumbled, but he kept it under control.
"I lived with the misery of that humiliation for years. And I lived with the humiliation of being put down by him my whole life," Raditz scornfully remarked. "I don't regret trying to obtain my revenge. My only regret is that I failed."
There it was, the boy could see it for what it was. Raditz used deception and dishonesty as tactics in battle, he'd never deny that to anyone who knew him, but he was being honest for his nephew. Because the future should know why he'd disgraced himself, and further disgraced himself by failing. The reminder of his failure made him wish for death more than anything.
Gohan was silent at his confession, but looked down, clearly contemplating what was said before looking back at him and then at Turles.
"I understand," he said.
Raditz felt his heart skip a beat as his eyes slowly came to life, his breathing hitched as his nephew understood. If he truly did, then Raditz had done something right these last years since coming into contact with his estranged family. A shred of his pride emerged as Raditz felt himself smile, even if ironically, for the first time since he'd been left a bloody wreck by Vegeta.
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Turles:
Perfect.
Putting the time in really did work, didn't it? Ironically, the Namekian probably helped more than Turles would want to admit as well, but it didn't matter. What mattered was when on the road, who gave the directions didn't matter, what mattered was the destination. The kid learned the lessons well. The only problem was having him here, right now, was a liability. Kakarot would be upset if he found out about this little meeting. Quietly, Turles had been searching for Kakarot's power, but noticed it seemed to be moving around the planet, even to the interior levels of it. So, at least they had some time.
"Training's done for the day," Turles remarked, meaning it in more ways than one. "Besides, did your old man not tell you? You're not supposed to be hanging around us anymore."
"Yea, dad told me," Gohan said honestly. "But we need you. Both of you. I know things got out of hand, but you need to talk to dad again and make a deal. We need to train and work together."
Pragmatic, and practical, the only problem was that Turles never had a problem with the previous arrangement. He was making a plea to parties who would have been happy to see a deal happen. The kid was, well, a kid, so he didn't fully understand the situation. He understood it well enough to know that Vegeta was more at fault than Raditz. His elder brother had been clearly pushed into a corner, even Turles noticed that. What was the best spin on this, he wondered?
"Though I'm sure both Raditz and myself appreciate the sentiments, kid, I have some bad news for you. We're not the obstacles to this, your old man is. Kakarot has made it clear that he doesn't want us around for training. In fact, he doesn't even want Raditz to be there to confront he Androids. He took some offense to Saiyan traditions."
Even Turles, took some offense to how Raditz had used their traditions, and was more than upset at him at the moment for a multitude of reasons. But right now, he was wearing his public face on how to handle this situation.
Visibly upset would be the best way to describe the boy's reaction. Very obviously he'd already tried reasoning with Kakarot and hadn't gotten anywhere. But it was something beyond just that. Likely, the boy felt split between parties. It wasn't something he could empathize with, but it was something he could understand. The boy was trying to respect his father. Turles would note however, that to his recollection and knowledge, the Namekian, Raditz, and himself had been there for the boy much more than Kakarot until recent times. It wasn't so easy to pull authority over someone with mixed loyalties.
Which also explained why this conversation itself was happening.
"Playing games with Kakarot's family is a bad idea, Turles."
I'm not playing any games with Kakarot and his family. I am apart of his family, aren't I?
"…"
"The problem isn't on our end," Raditz reiterated. "But I know that speaking for myself, I will make my best attempt to help you, Gohan. When the day comes that the androids arrive, whether Kakarot wants me around or not, I will be going to South City."
Eyeing Raditz dangerously, Turles wasn't in the mood for his brother to openly state that he was going to break an agreement that Turles was involved with. Kakarot had proven himself… for the moment… of being the… being… the better warrior. Even thinking the words was painful as Turles grit his teeth momentarily.
An idea came to the fore for Turles, however.
"Besides," he offered up, stepping forward. "There might be a way for us to get what you want, kid. It might cause you a bit of trouble however. There isn't much I can do for Raditz, but maybe I can see about helping oversee your training with the others."
Gohan looked towards him with a surprised look, before looking at Raditz and then back to him.
"How?"
A slow smile emerged on Turles's face before he approached the boy, looking out over the city beyond before looking back at him.
"The first thing I need to establish, is that you're not going to rat me out anymore," Turles commented.
Fear was the first thing to come back into view as Gohan stepped back, fearing immediately reprisal. The reaction confirmed everything he already knew, but still, it wasn't something he fully held against his nephew, it was just something he wanted to correct. Turles didn't like people picking sides against him, especially such significant investments.
"Uncle Turles, with everything that was happening, I just-"
"It's understandable, Gohan," Turles said carefully. "But if you want my help, then you're going to need to work with me, we're partners. Saiyan warriors all, and we respect one another. I, for instance, held Raditz's secrets. As you should now as well. We're family, and we're a cadre."
The younger Saiyan nodded, allowing Turles to keep his smile up.
"… And we need to work together to stop the Androids," Gohan said, his voice shaken, trying to contain himself.
Fear was his motivation, at least in part. Loyalty was clearly another factor. This was all acceptable as far as Turles was concerned. Fear was useful.
"And we will," Turles confirmed. "Now, listen very carefully."
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Goku:
As soon as Goku reappeared in his home, he breathed a sigh of disbelief. No sign of Kami anywhere, and Piccolo was starting to get visibly worried. Heck, he didn't know Piccolo to be the type to hang around the Lookout, but man, by the time they were done, Piccolo was meditating up there. This was a big problem as far as Goku could see. Just what was going on? Why would Kami disappear? And if he was dead, how was Piccolo not dead too? Because right now, he hated to say it, all signs pointed to him being dead.
Strange, why're the lights on?
Goku noticed it was the middle of the night, and the lights were on? Chi-Chi was usually out like a light, and Gohan should be as well. As soon as he made it past the kitchen, where he always teleported back, he saw Chi-Chi sitting in a chair, looking extremely annoyed, with Gohan standing in the middle of the room, his head bowed down in shame in front of her. Goku immediately noted that he was wearing his Saiyan Armour? That was more than a little perturbing but… but…
When he turned his attention to the rest of the room, his other senses kicked in immediately as Goku felt the hairs raise on the back of his neck. There was a real fury building up, boiling in his blood as he saw the man who wore his face leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, wearing one of his asinine suits.
"What's going on here?" Goku asked, his tone tight.
"Gohan snuck out to go to meet with Raditz and Turles," Chi-Chi remarked, her tone barely containing how angry she sounded as well, though she did give a sympathetic glance to Turles. "Turles brought him home and made me aware of it."
The hot anger Goku felt turned to ice almost immediately. When he looked at Gohan, he felt himself feel real disappointment for the first time in his son. He'd explained to him multiple times not to do that, and then today, after they spoke again, he slipped out and did it anyway? Striding forward seriously, Goku looked at Gohan with a harsher look than he'd ever given him, before looking at Turles, and then back to Gohan.
Great, just great. What a mess this is.
"I told you not to go there," Goku said, his tone stiff. "Did I not make myself clear?"
"Dad, we need their help-"
"Room, now," Goku ordered. "We'll deal with this tomorrow, not in front of our guest…"
"You flatter me," Turles responded, smirking.
The smirk made him angry enough as it was. Everything had been going sideways since before Slug even. Ever since he'd arrived on Namek, dealing with his siblings was driving him up the wall. Raditz seemed like he was better, but he betrayed everyone, and tried to murder his friend over some spat with Vegeta. Sure, Vegeta had been a jerk, and killed someone important to Raditz… but destroying West City in a fight with Vegeta to get revenge? What was he thinking!?
Then there was Turles, who he knew better than to trust. He thought things might turn around after Slug… but then the aforementioned revenge plot happened, with him being apart of it. Heck, he was almost sure that everything Turles did had ulterior motives. Everything was a game to him on how to outplay others and rise to the top of the hierarchy. Goku didn't have a sophisticated view of the world, but the more he was around Turles, the angrier he got. And Goku used to not get angry, not until Frieza killed Krillin and Gohan. Not until he couldn't trust anyone seemingly.
Not even my own son.
That part he rapidly quieted before looking at Turles as Gohan's form disappeared out of the room, heading towards bed hopefully. Looking at Chi-Chi, she stared back at him for several moments, before getting up herself and walking towards him. Placing her hand on his shoulder as she walked past, she paused as she leaned into his ear.
"He's saved Gohan, and me," she reminded in a whisper. "And Gohan said that you need him to stop those Androids. Please work something out."
As she walked out, Goku looked over at his sibling. He wasn't even sure what to think, beyond feeling an erosion of trust. But Chi-Chi was right, and Gohan was right too. That made this all the murkier. Still, the best way he'd ever moved forward in life was by trusting people, even if he got burned.
I'm just getting burned a lot lately.
"The kid thought it was an obstacle on my end, as to why I wasn't around lately," Turles remarked. "I brought him back here, I thought it'd be more in line with your wishes."
"And you had nothing to do with him going out there? You didn't ask him?" Goku asked, looking for any signs of deception from his sibling.
"He showed up on my doorstep while Raditz and I were talking. That's all, I brought him back here after reminding myself that it's dangerous to keep him around with your attitude. After all, you nearly killed me and you were more than happy to leave our brother to die at the hands of Vegeta."
That was it. Striding over to him, Goku felt the windows rattle as he felt his ki almost rise to the surface.
"You want to do this now? Here? In my home?" Goku demanded. "You know full well why I don't want him around the two of you. Look at everything you've done."
"I saved your son," Turles recalled. "Multiple times, actually. Against the Ginyu's, Frieza, and against Slug's little Namekians. That's where I saved your wife too, if I recall."
The dead locked stare the two of them had didn't break for several moments as Goku felt himself just breathing in and out to keep calm, the cocky attitude on display was infuriating. Turles kept trying to use the few good deeds he'd acquired to excuse everything else. Attacking his friends, nearly murdering Bulma and threatening her on Namek, then there was trying to help Raditz betray everyone.
"Even the Namek thinks it's you and I, who should be the frontline. And I know your training regiment is suffering with just the humans around," Turles remarked. "You realize I don't like you much either."
"Thank you for returning Gohan," Goku said, keeping his cool. "If Piccolo can't make it, and you're not busy with Raditz, I'll consider letting you join us for training."
His brother just remained leaning against the wall before he pulled himself fully upright, staring directly back at him like a mirror.
"You're too kind, Kakarot," Turles commented. "I might just take you up on that offer, from time to time."
Turles just wanted to keep an eye on all of them, which Goku knew. But the truth was the truth. They needed to get stronger, and things had slowed down after what Raditz did. Even as the figure walked out of the room, Goku couldn't help but feel like that was the closest thing he'd done to making a deal with the Devil.
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Author's Notes:
Turles is playing Chess, and Goku's playing checkers. XD
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Reviewers:
Ultimate Savior: I would be, personally.
Instinct: Yep, I agree with that.
Red Power: Raditz is never gonna be a Super Saiyan! He's going to become Golden Raditz. Where his hair remains black, but his skin becomes gold! All kidding aside, Raditz has a premier role in the upcoming Saga.
Blades of Fury: He's about as good at making friends, as a shark is. Sharks don't have friends.
RoxaShadow: Sorry for the wait. Busy. Lol
Guest1: I'm not spoilin' nothing. Lol
Warga: He's pretty Cool.
Guest2: Thanks, lmao.
Anon: So many conflicts. There were even going to be more conflicts in my original vision for this Saga, but I scaled it back to make it… completable. Lol
Luke: I try to keep to my schedules :P
KagariAsuha: … lol
TheItchyCocoon: I think I answered by PM.
Anonymous: I disagree with just about everything in this post. But thank you for the review, I appreciate it. :)
Super Mystic Gohan: I think King Cold is old. I think that's his biggest problem. I dunno how much stronger he can get, but he will be an important character.
Guest3: Tons of things on the burner right now. There are tons of stuff upcoming, but to address one note, Bardock thinks he saw something… but the future isn't predictable anymore, not in the same way, too much damage to events. This is happening to The Catalysts as well. There is going to be lots of fun when we get to the Androids, which will be soon.
DarkFalconZ: Heh. I concur.
Guest4: I may just make Garlic Junior the strongest character in this. Oh, and I'll make Garlic Junior the main character of The Long Road. Better yet, I'm gonna have him flex on Goku, and watch Goku tuck his tail between his legs. Even better, Garlic Junior's then going to fly into space and have an awakening of mind an spirit, and supersede existence itself, and then defeat Beerus. #whatnow?
G: I don't think he is, given the circumstances. And Vegeta was a huge asshole in lots of Dragon Ball. People just want to like Vegeta because of his struggle, but he only mildly became less of an asshole until like, the Buu Saga.
NotRob: This would be one.