Review Responses:
To Ushindi: To answer your question, I'll do it in order.
I think Dragon Ball Super, overall, is a soulless cash grab that hooks nostalgic fans by watering down moments from Dragon Ball Z. I do think a lot of the concepts and lore building in Super are interesting, but poorly executed. However, there are a lot of cool moments from Super that are really great. Overall, it's mediocre at best, but fails in being a true successor to Dragon Ball Z. This, guys, is my OPINION. It's not a fact.
Obviously, it's Son Gohan. He's arguably one of the most down-to-earth and selfless characters made. Only hindered by his rare hubris, self-doubt, and lack of self-credibility due to his humility.
Favorite Villian by Design- Cooler
Favorite Villain by Power Set- Super Janemba
Favorite Villain by Personality- Frieza/Cell
To jazocoti: The hype is real, my friend! I hope you can enjoy it.
That's all for now! On with the show!
Last time on Dragon Ball Z: PRIMAL, Videl had learned about techniques that could potentially tie Gohan to his alter ego. And upon leaving abruptly to follow Videl, Sharpner and Erasa witnessed Gohan's change, discovering his identity as the Great Saiyaman. Meanwhile, Gohan flew to the crime scene, only to find out that the Red Shark Gang hired an old foe of his father. What will happen next? Find out, now!
Michelle's Paradise Hotel, Hercule City, Age 774
"You've grown up to be quite a nuisance…haven't you, boy?" The cyborg assassin asked, gazing at the masked vigilante.
Saiyaman snapped, "You! What are you doing here, Tao?!"
Many of the people, despite being in danger, were very intrigued that the vigilante and the assassin knew each other.
Videl, who was still restricted by Rock's grip on her, could only watch in awe as dread filled her stomach from the name she had heard.
'D-D-Did he just said Tao?… That's Tao Pai Pai, the crazy killer mercenary that Dad warned me to stay away from! He's a dirty trickster too...but I don't see any smoke or mirrors. ...Are they even 'tricks' at this point if professional assassins can do it?' Videl began to question. 'And how the hell does Tao know Saiyaman of all people? What's going on!? I need to get out of here and save everybody!'
Tao simply smirked as he cackled.
"You know this freak, Master Tao?" Rock asked, interested in the beef Gohan and Tao seemed to have.
Tao responded condescendingly, "Oh yes, this young man and I have quite the history indeed. But that's my business. Not yours."
"Whatever, just do away with the boy scout and you'll get your cut as soon as Mr. Satan meets our demands," Rock said dismissively.
"Of course," Tao said, placing his arms behind him as he walked slowly towards Saiyaman.
Saiyaman, formulating a plan fast, decided to use an ability Piccolo taught him and spoke to Videl mentally.
(Miss Videl! Miss Videl, can you hear me?)
Videl heard the voice of Saiyaman, who was staring towards her direction. She thought she was going crazy due to the air supply in her lungs being cut in half.
'Great, now I'm hearing voices in my head! I guess I should consider therapy…'
(You're not going insane, ma'am. I'm speaking to you through our minds by a telepathic link I've created. ) Saiyaman explained, shocking Videl for a moment before shaking her head.
'...I'm not going to pretend to understand what the hell you just said to me. WHY ARE YOU IN MY HEAD!? For that matter, why are you even here!? I had them right where I want them and you-'
(-We don't have time for this, Miss Videl! Not today! We're dealing with several armed goons and an experienced mercenary who, no matter how strong you think you are, could very well end your life with a flick of his tongue! Or are you willing to risk the lives of everyone held against their will here for the sake of your own ego?)
'...Fine, you win! But we're not through with this talk, Buckethead! What do you want?'
(I got a plan to help you get out of the hold your in, and to take everybody in the Red Shark Gang out. However, you're going to have to trust me on this and close your eyes for at least three seconds the moment I cry out.)
'What!? Why would I-'
(Stop questioning me and just do it!)
'ALRIGHT! I'll do it! Just hurry it up, Saiyadork!'
Gohan snorted at the girl's snide remark as he sensed Tao approaching at surprisingly fast speeds.
'Shit, he's fast! He's moving faster than No. 20! He's nearing Future Trunks' level of speed.'
Using quick thinking, Saiyaman placed his hands outward in front of his face before screaming, "SOLAR FLARE!"
Flashing his ki, everybody was caught in a blinding flash of light that flared for three to five seconds. Tao too was caught by this and had to back away to regain his sight. The Red Sharks screamed in pain from their socks being violated by the light, Rock included.
Taking her chance, she elbowed Rock in the gut, causing him to drop his revolver. Backflipping behind the tall man, she jumped and threw a roundhouse kick to the gang leader's head, knocking him out.
"Now then," She said, turning to the rest of the visually immobilized Red Sharks with a predatory grin as she cracked her knuckles. "...Let's get to work!"
Meanwhile, Tao Pai Pai and the Great Saiyaman were trading blows on the ground. Tao rushed in with two knee lunges at Saiyaman, but the half-Saiyan blocked them with his forearms. Tao jumped into a spin kick, only for the caped vigilante to backflip out of the way, dashing in mid-air for a punch. The assassin reacted and matched Saiyaman's punch with his own before both fighters jumped away from each other.
Gohan was in shock. Sure, Gohan was suppressing a considerable amount of base power for the sake of his alter ego, but the idea that Tao's strength had even came close to that truly astounded him.
'It's like he's gotten an upgrade somehow! Who could have tinkered with his cybernetics for him to get this kind of jump in Battle Power! It's like I'm fighting the Androids or something!' Gohan thought as he faced Tao.
"Impressive, huh boy?" Tao smirked. "My boss took the liberty of installing new software that helps perfect the ability to fight and kill. He also improved the durability of my body one thousandfold. All at the simple job of making that idiot Hercule suffer, including those affiliated with him."
Saiyaman then retorted, "Me, impressed? I'm more disgusted if anything, given how despicable monsters like you exist here on Earth. Since you're talking about killing kids, now I really have to stop you!"
Saiyaman then took the same stance his father used to back when Vegeta was a threat to the planet.
Tao Pai Pai started to laugh loudly before taking his stance, speaking low enough for Gohan to hear, "That's rich coming from a snot-nosed brat who isn't even completely human."
Saiyaman gritted, cursing under his breath for Tao not only to know who he is but what he is. After three more seconds, the two jumped into the air and took their battle near the ceiling.
Videl just finished kicking the crap out of the remaining Red Shark gang member, rounding the thugs up and tying them with the rope she had got from her jetcopter.
"Ms. Videl! Over here!"
Videl turned to see the mayor's daughter next to her father, who was currently in a state of being in shock.
'Oh no! I got to help them!' Videl thought urgently.
Rushing towards the pair, the teenager was hugged tightly by the little girl.
"Miss Videl! Daddy's not moving! Is he gonna be okay?" Asked the mayor's daughter.
Biting her lip, Videl took a look at the mayor of Hercule City. The chubby man, fortunately, was still breathing. Though, he seemed a bit pale out of the fear he had of Tao. She placed her left hand's two fingers on his neck.
'Oh thank Kami! There's a pulse.'
Turning to the little girl, Videl said, "Your dad is going to be alright, Melony. He only passed out. When this is all over, We'll get him the help he needs."
The young girl, Melony, nodded as the two watched Saiyaman and Tao Pai Pai jump from the sides of the walls, clashing at the middle before hopping back.
'How!? How!? This doesn't make any sense!? This should be impossible! How can somebody like my Dad defeat Cell and he's a normal guy, yet they are people who can run faster than the eye can see, shoot light from their hands, and fly without any kind of tech!? I can barely keep up with them!' The pig-tailed girl screamed in her head, seething in confusion and envy.
Back to the two men fighting in the air, Saiyaman dodged the open-handed attacks of Tao and jabbed in the gut. Tao heaved back, coughing blood before taking his two hands together and landing a blow to Tao's back, sending him down to the ground. Before making an impact, Tao recovered from the strong hit and landed on his two feet, with Saiyaman floating down to the floor.
Tao Pai Pai breathed heavily, physically tired from the near hour-long brawl, where half-Saiyan hadn't even broken a sweat.
"It's over, Tao," Declared Saiyaman. "The Red Sharks are taken care of. And that new and improved body you have is not strong enough to last against me."
Tao then stood, looking at the tied-up gangsters with Videl and Melony tending to the Hercule City Mayor, then he looked back to Saiyaman.
"I suppose you're correct," The cyborg killer stated. "I've acquired enough information from our little sparring session to make this endeavor a while. My boss is going to very pleased, indeed."
"What are you going on about? Rock is already defeated."
"Hehehehehe! I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the same tree." Tao mocked, angering Gohan on the inside. "That foolish oaf woulsn't know to program even if he'd graduated high school. Now, I hate to cut this short but...
Tao raised his left arm, then back to Saiyaman before his hand retracted and turned into the cannon.
Pointing it right at Videl and Melony, Tao shouted, "DODONPA!"
The blast reached so fast that Videl and the little girl didn't have the time to react. Videl embraced the child, trying to at least use herself as a shield while accepting the end. However, for a split second, a figure came to their aid as the ki blast caused a great explosion, shaking the hotel.
'...Am...Am I dead? ...Momma? Are you there?'
(No...you're alive and safe.)
Videl quickly opened her eyes as she and Melony were wrapped in the protective arms of the Great Saiyaman. The crowd was starstruck as the vigilante filled with controversy had protected all of them.
Melony, seeing the friendly Great Saiyaman averted her eyes to the smoke that came from the masked hero, who was noticeably lacking his icon red cape.
"Hi there," A soft but low-toned Saiyaman greeted with his usual smile. "You two aren't hurt right now, are you?"
Melony shook her head silently, not trusting her voice. Videl simply stared at him while mentally taking notes on the physical aspects of Saiyaman.
'He saved me...again. It's the first time I've ever got this close to him. Wow...his arms are so...large and warm. They feel like...nothing can harm me. W-Wait, what's all this mushy shit coming from! I don't even know this guy! KAMI DAMN IT, ERASA! I knew I shouldn't have binged watched those soap operas with her last year!' She thought, making her cheeks turn red for a moment.
Letting the girls go, Saiyaman turned to search around for Tao, only to find one of the support pillars to the architecture of the auditorium missing with Tao's ki too far gone.
During this time, Videl stared at the back of Saiyaman, realizing that there was a hole in his armor from where the blast had hit him. A decently sized burn mark was present, even going so far as to leak a bit of blood from it.
'He's hurt! ...It's real! All of those tricks are real! I-I can't believe it… And Saiyaman took that blast for me.'
Shaking his head, Saiyaman floated up and said to the hostages, "It's okay everybody! You're now free to go!"
Thunderous cheers erupted from the former hostages, with a lot of people chanting his name.
"SAIYAMAN! SAIYAMAN! SAIYAMAN!"
The vigilante couldn't help but smile at the sight.
-Time Skip, Michelle's Paradise Hotel, Hercule City, Thirty Minutes Later-
The former hostages exited the hotel, happier than anybody who was alive currently thanks to the efforts of Videl and the Great Saiyaman. The squads of police officers came by to apprehend the unconscious crooks, including Rock.
After helping Melony be escorted to her mother and helping the mayor get settled onto a gurney to be shuttled into an ambulance truck, Videl gave a full-on report to the police chief.
Saiyaman watched from a smaller building while smiling at how everything turned out okay.
'Boy, what a day. I never thought a simple hotel ransom could go stupidly insane. Still, I'd take this over the Cell Games and Namek any day. Speaking of insane, how the heck did somebody like Tao Pai Pai get so strong? Even if I'm suppressing my Battle Power. And how does he know about my heritage? More importantly...if Rock wasn't his superior, who is?'
"MiSTER SAIYAMAN!"
Gohan looked down to see the mayor's wife, Videl, and Melony waving at him. Seeing that he was needed, Saiyaman lowered himself to the ground to the other three human earthlings.
"What do you need?"
The mayor's wife then kneeled to her daughter and said, "Go ahead, sweetie. Don't be shy."
Melony, walking over to Gohan, said, "T-Thank you for saving me, Ms. Videl, and my Daddy, Mr. Saiyaman."
Saiyaman grinned at the girl and two-figure saluted, saying, "You're welcome. I'm glad everybody made it out alright."
"I'll see to it that my husband learns of this when he wakes up. Bless you, young man. We'll never forget about what you did for our family and city." The mayor's wife said as she took her daughter's hand to leave.
Melony waved goodbye to Saiyaman and Videl, walking away with her mother to the ambulance truck holding the mayor.
Videl, turning to Saiyaman, said, "So..."
"...So?" Saiyaman asked, waiting for Videl to make out the right approach to their conversation.
"I...uh…"
Sighing Saiyaman spoke to Videl with a bit of an agitated tone from her confusing demeanor toward him.
"How about I start this off with a question of my own?" He asked before continuing. "Why?"
Videl, confused, shot a hard of confused glare.
"Why? What do you mean why?" She asked. "Speak clearly!"
Saiyaman clarified, "Why do you get so frustrated when I try to help you? Why is it so hard for you to accept the fact that I do what I do for the same reasons as you? And why do you want to know everything about me to the point where you chase me around and threaten to unmask me?"
Videl went back to glaring at the masked hero, looking at him as if he was the dumbest man alive.
"Are you that dense, or is the tin can on your head squishing your brain cells?" Videl said, insulting Gohan. "You, Buckethead, are impossible!"
"...What?"
Videl barked, "Shut it! I'm talking right now! You represent everything in life that shouldn't be possible but exists! The flying, being bulletproof, touching lights with your bare hands, and moving faster than sound! Not even my father, the strongest man on the planet, could do half of the things that you can! I don't know and it drives me crazy that I can't figure it or you out!"
Saiyaman remained quiet as he listened to Videl rant long.
"I've been at this crime-fighting gig since I was fourteen! Every jam that I've been caught in, I found a way to get out all by myself! With my own strength! And I refuse to be mocked by some random flashy upstart with crazy superpowers who decides to whisk me away from danger like I'm some helpless damsel in distress! I'm Videl Satan, damn it! I'm strong through and through!" Videl finished with a huff.
Saiyaman averted his head elsewhere, completely silent as he was lost in thought. Yes, Videl was indeed prideful. But it's obvious that she felt as if his superhero persona and the many feats he had as a martial artist and a half-Saiyan made her feel incompetent as a fighter herself. Which wasn't his intention, for he simply wanted to keep his friend safe. In fact, deep down, Gohan always admired Videl's act of heroism despite not having any sort of special abilities, which made Videl a special kind of person to him. This made lying to her or telling half-truths all the more painful. Even if it was for others and not simply himself. Perhaps, he could tell her who he was slowly through bits and pieces.
"Well!? Don't you have anything to say!?" Videl barked with her arms crossed.
Turning to Videl, Saiyaman turned his head to the small building he was standing on earlier.
He asked, "Do you mind if we talk up there? I'm not too keen on having an audience."
Videl was hesitant for a moment, but listening to Saiyaman's voice, she could tell that his tone possessed more of a softer and personal change to it. She nodded, allowing the vigilante to wrap harm arm around his neck and lift her into the air as they flew up and landed on the roof of the two-story building.
He then sat on the edge of the roof. Saiyaman patted the spot next to him, gesturing to Videl to sit next to him with a friendly smile. Sighing, she gave in and sat next to him.
Collecting his thoughts, Saiyaman started by saying, "I've never meant to make you feel less than useful, Videl. Believe it or not, I think what you do for this city without any of the powers and being the age that you are is simply inspiring. I just...I hate for something to happen and we all lose a great person."
Videl lowered her head but turned the other cheek, still not convinced at his words.
"And you expect me to believe that? Anybody could create a sentence with charisma to make themselves look like the hottest thing since sliced bread. You may have everybody else fooled with your 'perfect superhero' facade, but not me. Nobody's perfect and I was born in a day, not yesterday!"
Saiyaman sighed, shaking his head.
'This girl...There's no pleasing her. I don't understand girls at all. Not one bit. I better just tell her a tiny bit about myself.' Gohan thought.
"...I come from a background filled with violence and conflict," Saiyaman said, getting Videl's attention. "At four, I was held hostage by my own uncle, who came to get my father to join him in conquering regions across distant lands. They both come from tribes that were bred for battle and conquest. However, after an accident that resulted in a head injury and a loss of memory as a child, my father had forgotten his mission to dominate the region in which he lived. Refusing to listen to his older brother, a fight ensued which resulted in both of their deaths."
Videl was at a loss for words.
'...O-Oh my Kami!'
"That, Videl, is only a portion of my entire life, which happens to be my early life," Saiyaman explained, shocking Videl further. "I've never had a choice. I got involved in a ton of battles, many of which I bear witness to a lot of great people whom I called friends to lose their lives, fighting the good fight. Some of which were more brutal than the last. Now, finally, after all of the sacrifice and bloodshed, we finally are at peace and I come to see that the streets are filled with nasty crooks raising hell like they own the place. What makes you think that I am going to sit idly where I could make a difference for my community out there?"
The pig-tailed teenager started to feel the guilt that was in her stomach from the earlier bubble from hearing the sincerity of pain in the vigilante's voice.
" I-I believe you...I just didn't know… I'm sorry." She whispered, looking down. "To be honest… I don't hate you, Saiyaman. I just don't know you. You...you just seem-"
"-Too good to be true, right?" He finished for her.
The daughter of Mr. Satan bowed her head, feeling ashamed that Saiyaman of all people was reading her like a book. Oh, how the tables had turned for their dynamic.
"No, your viewpoint and way of thinking are valid and you have every right to have that mindset. You asked to get to know me and I had turned it down. However, I also have valid reasoning behind that. I have a family to protect. I cannot afford to have them facing the limelight. We're very humble and peaceful folks."
"Even if that's the case, I've been granted permission by the Hercule City Chief of Police to work in the field." She said before taking out her badge distributed by the Hercule City Police Department. "You, on the other hand, are an unknown super-powered vigilante that is working outside of the law. What's your excuse?"
Saiyaman then turned his head towards her, saying, "Don't have one, don't need one. Sure, I do believe that you should generally follow the law. Despite that, I don't remember there being a law that strictly forbids any person from doing the right thing. Law or not, if a person is crying out for help and I have the power to do so, there's nothing on this Earth that is going to stop me from helping that person."
Videl's piercing blue eyes widened at the guy's statement, emotionally moved by it. She finally found a person who matched her in terms of morality and conviction.
'...Wow, he's just like me.' Videl said before an idea appeared in her head.
Standing up, Videl placed her fists on her hips.
"Tell me something, Saiyaman. That blast that Tao shot at you, what was it? And I know that you know what it is. I also can tell that it's not a mere trick since it had damaged you through your armor."
"...I see, so you're finally opening your mind." He said. "That, Videl, is the result of training and conditioning your body in how to manipulate the flow of life essence from within, turning it into power."
Saiyaman, standing up, walked over to her and produced a ball of ki with his left hand.
"This is ki, or life energy," Saiyaman confirmed.
Videl moved forward, staring into the ball with a childish-like nature. Gohan was taken aback by this, as he noticed something about Videl.
'Oh wow...she has the prettiest blue eyes when she's not glaring daggers at me.' He thought before shaking his head, suppressing those weird thoughts and emotions.
"It's...beautiful," Videl said as she tried touching it. "And warm too. Everybody has this energy, right?"
Saiyaman nodded, explaining, "Every living thing, from the rocks to the sun itself has ki. However, not everybody has the same potential to harness and utilize ki. It takes a special kind of training to even bring out a person's ki, let alone use it. Either a person has to be born with that innate talent, or a person must dedicate time and effort to train themselves to be able to bring out that energy. Fortunately for me, I was born to a father who was bred for combat, so that potential was a given. I was also taught to manipulate ki at an early age, which explains my flight ability."
Gohan then dispels the ball of ki.
Videl then asked Saiyaman, "Do you think...that I'm capable of learning how to use ki like you?"
"You?" Saiyaman repeated. "With the skills, you have, most definitely. However, your mindset regarding ki and the practitioners who use ki-based techniques are what's keeping you from reaching new heights."
Videl, at first, was mentally doing backflips and a little dance out of joy. There was a way for her to fly! But then, she recalled all the times she and her father were mocking ki-based abilities and called them tricks. Ignorance at its finest.
Boy, did she feel like an idiot.
"I...uh...right." Videl acknowledged, swallowing her pride. "You're right. I wasn't right to disrespect those martial artists who used ki. Neither is my father. I just listened to him because he's the World Champ and he defeated Cell seven years ago. I don't understand why he would lie about stuff like that, but I was taught to treat those who use ki like that for so long that I was convinced it was a trick. Hell, I have a friend whose dad was the previous champion who used ki and I made fun of him. I didn't even know that he died seven years ago. ...Hindsight's making me sound like a heartless bitch."
Saiyaman nodded, mentally glad that his friend was learning from her mistakes.
"But I get it now," Videl said. "...Let's make a deal. No tricks, no plots to unmask you. Just a straightforward deal."
Saiyaman nodded again, saying, "I'm listening, Videl."
"I'm still gonna figure you out, no matter what. That's not changing by a long shot, pal. But I care about improving as a martial artist and as a crime fighter. I'll let you stick around with me as a partner. And that's only when I need assistance for stuff like bullets being flown at me or I need some heavy lifting done. In exchange, I want you to teach me how to use this kind of stuff."
Saiyaman paused for a moment, thinking about her words.
'Videl wants me to teach her!? Is she nuts!? How am I going to explain this to mom? She's gonna think that I'm probably going on secret dates or something! Not to mention she and Bulma are going to end up having a field day! And Mr. Satan might flip and blame Saiyaman for converting his daughter into a trickster and corrupting her. Ugh, why is my life so damn complicated! ...Well, at least with Videl learning ki, she could end up having a better chance at taking care of herself in fights with stronger opponents. ...You know what, I wonder how strong she'll be with ki? Hm…'
"Okay," Saiyaman, extending his hand. "I'll do it under the condition that you'll have to do everything that I say without complaints if you want to use ki."
Videl took the guy's hand with her own while smirking, saying, "You've got yourself a deal...partner."
Orange Star High School, Hercule City, Age 774
Gohan, now in his civilian attire, walked along the streets of the closed campus while the sun began to come down.
'Crap baskets! I knew I was forgetting something. I can't believe that I was thoughtless enough to drop my bag at school before flying off!' Gohan thought as he looked at the time on his watch.
"It's a good thing Erasa-san was kind enough to hold onto it while I was away."
Just then, a red capsule car pulled up right where Gohan walked. Just then, Sharpener rolled down the driver's window.
"Brains," He said in a surprisingly civil manner.
"Sharpner-san! Hey!" Gohan greeted brightly. "Is Erasa-san with you by any chance?"
Moving his head, Sharpner pointed to the blonde on the passenger side with his thumb.
"Right here, Son-kun!" Erasa chirped. "Get in, we'll drive you to the city bus stop!"
Gohan hesitated for a minute, but he ended up getting in the backseat, allowing for the three friends to go for a ride.
Erasa reached down from the seat and pulled out Gohan's messenger bag and gave it to the half-Saiyan.
"Thanks again, Erasa-san! Thanks twice you saved my skin. Mom would have blown a gasket if she found out I lost my bag."
Erasa giggled, stating, "Hey, that's what friends are for! Besides, it's the least I could do for a special guy like you."
Gohan couldn't help but laugh as he scratched his head.
Suddenly, Sharpner decided to pull over about two blocks away from the bus stop, causing Erasa to bite her lip nervously and prompting Gohan to raise an eyebrow.
"Huh? Why'd you stop, Sharpner-san? Did you get a flat tire?" Gohan questioned, sensing something off with him being quiet for most of the ride.
In fact, both Erasa and Sharpner were acting strangely in Gohan's eyes.
"Why don't you answer us a question?" Sharpner asked calmly. " Tell us, Gohan. Where did you fly off to after bailing from us earlier?"
Gohan's stomach dropped right then and there. Color began to leave his face and sweat poured on his forehead.
The hybrid stuttered, "U-uh, F-Fly? I-I'm not sure that I follow. Hehehe…"
"Gohan," Erasa followed up, saying the boy's first name in a serious but soft manner. "We know that you're Saiyaman. We followed you up to the roof of the school. You changed right in front of us and flew off after Videl."
Gohan paused for a moment. The first thing that ran in his mind was the question of "How!?", as he thought he would have sensed if somebody was nearby him. Then he thought back to the time when he had to take off.
'Crap! I was so focused on helping Videl that I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings! Ahhhh! My life is over!'
Gohan simply brought his hands to his face and sulked, saying, "...Aw, crap baskets. I'm doomed."
Erasa then turned around to face Gohan and said, "Hey, don't be like that. It's okay."
"No, it's not!" Gohan said in a strained tone, choking on his voice. "You guys probably think I'm some kind of freak or monster. I didn't mean to be this way, I just wanted to do the right thing and help people. But I didn't want any of you to think of me differently because of it."
Sharpner could see the way Gohsn looked in his front mirror. Reflecting on all that he had said about him and his dad, then what Erasa told him earlier, Sharper began to understand who Son Gohan was.
"Son-kun...I always knew that there was something unique about you and to know that you can do these amazing things for others makes me happy and proud to be your friend. You shouldn't be afraid to tell us anything." Erasa said with a sincere smile.
Sharpner remained silent, waiting for a chance to speak when necessary.
"I'm sorry for lying to you guys. I wanted to tell you, I really did. But I was told to hide my strength and I didn't want to drag you guys into my issues. Besides, some of the stuff I can do isn't very looked at fondly due to hot takes and popular opinions. I thought that if you had known, you all wouldn't want to be my friend anymore." Gohan admitted sadly.
"Ah, crap." Sharpner groan. "Look, man. I...I was going down that route when I heard, but 'Rasa smacked some sense into me and we watched the news earlier about what happened at the hotel. It made me see things differently… And I was wrong to think of you any differently from before. I even made fun of your dad, and I didn't know he passed away during the Cell Games. Ugh, what I'm trying to say, Gohan, is that I'm sorry. You're a good dude, and you deserve better."
Gohan smiled, saying, "Water under the bridge, Sharpner-san. As long as we can remain friends, I'm happy."
Watching the two boys make up brought a content smile to the bubbly blonde.
"Sure thing, man." Said Sharpner. "Hey, does Videl know about this? You being...you-know-who?"
Gohan shook his head negatively.
"That makes a whole lot of sense. From what Vi tells me, you act completely different as the Great Saiyaman than as Gohan. It's as if you're two different people." Erasa commented.
"That's the idea," Gohan stated. "I try to do so to keep her from putting two and two together. But she's got a great head over her shoulders. I can totally see her as an officer."
The three of them laughed at Gohan's comment, thinking of an older Videl wearing shades and barking orders.
"Hey guys, you didn't tell anybody about my identity, did you?"
Erasa replied, "Nope! We've been tight-lipped about your 'extracurricular' activities ever since we discovered it. We figured that you can explain some stuff to us."
Gohan nodded gratefully, saying, "I can't thank you enough for that. It's really important that this stays between us. Not just for myself, but for the sake of my family's privacy."
"Say no more, Brains. Our lips are sealed. Though, I do have to ask two things. One, when are you going to spill all of this to Videl? You know how she is with secrets and stuff. And two, how can you fly and lift buses?" Sharpner asked.
Gohan, getting out of the car, said, "Tell you guys what, I can't exactly tell you everything because it's going to drive you nuts. But how about the two of you come over to my house this weekend by yourselves and I'll try to answer your burning questions. Sounds good?"
Erasa and Sharpner glanced at each other, then nodded in agreement.
"Good," Gohan chirped. "It was nice to ride with you guys again. But I need to head back home."
"Wait, Son-kun! What about your bus? Somebody will notice you if you fly!" Erasa cried.
"Not to worry, I got my own ride… KINTO'UN!"
Suddenly, a familiar golden cloud descended from the skies, shocking the two blond(e) teens as it flew near Gohan until it stopped right next to him.
"This, guys, is the one-seater I was talking about. My Flying Nimbus Cloud, Kinto'un."
The pair was left speechless, thinking, 'W-Who is this guy?'
"Anyways, I'll catch you guys later! Thanks for everything! Bye!" Gohan said before the cloud took him back home in a golden streak of cloud dust.
The two city teens, coming out of their shock, got out of the car and watched their friend leave while riding a cloud.
"He just took a cloud back home like it was nothing! ...I can't read him at all!" Sharpner said, rubbing his forehead.
Erasa simply smiled, saying, "I think that we're in for something truly amazing. I just know it!"
With that being said, Sharpner and Erasa rode off, heading to their respective homes by the end of the day.
To Be Continued...
It has seemed that all has ended well between Gohan, Erasa, and Sharpner. Videl is now interested in the art of using ki and including Great Saiyaman as a partner. But what will come of this new dynamic? Will Videl learn who is behind the helmet of her new teacher? Find out next time on Dragon Ball Z: PRIMAL!
Author's Note: Part Two is out and about! Never thought Tao got a jump in power, did ya? Well, don't worry, this won't be the last time you'll see Mercenary Tao. He'll be more prominent in the second arc.
But let's not jump the gun here. We're actually getting into the first arc starting the next chapter.
Leave a comment if you have any questions or comments regarding this chapter or the story as a whole. I'm always open to suggestions, so my PMs are available. You guys have a blessed day! Peace!
-DarkShadowGames451