Chapter 23: Closure

Capsule Corp

Goku, Gohan, Piccolo, Vegeta, Bulma, Chi-Chi, Tien, and Yamcha sat around a table in the garden area taking time to unwind as Goku, Gohan, and Piccolo explained everything that happened.

"And then the Omni-King. Sent us back here." Gohan stated.

"I can't believe there are multiple universes." Bulma stated. "I thought time travel was enough of a mind-boggling concept."

"So what was it like being under that dark ether's influence, Goku?" Yamcha inquired.

"I felt very small. It was like I was in a room filled with almost nothing but darkness except for a small window. I could see everything that was happening out of it but I couldn't do anything about it."

"Sounds rough." Tien replied.

"It was a nightmare." Goku replied.

"Say 18, I heard you took on one of those guys by yourself? How'd you get so strong?" Krillin inquired.

"I tried to learn how to sense energy but it seems all the things Gero did to me and my brother it so I couldn't. So I went to Bulma to see if she could install something that could give me that ability. While performing the procedure she ended up discovering that she could increase my power."

"I call it Overclock mode." Bulma replied

"Overclock mode, huh. I like the sound of that." 18 replied.

"Say now that this whole ordeal is over why don't we celebrate." Bulma suggested. "I can call up Chef Porkins and have him make us a big feast."

"Actually what I'd like is to go home and have a nice home-cooked meal." Goku replied. "No offense to Chef Porkins but he can't be Chi-Chi's cooking."

"His pork dumplings were good but they needed a touch more ginger." Chi-Chi suggested.

"Tien and I should get going too. Puar and Chiaotzu are probably worried sick about us."

"Oh well. I guess we'll have to do it some other time."

Everyone said their goodbyes before going separate ways.

Mount Paozu – Son Residence

"Ah home sweet home!" Goku exclaimed as he instant transmissioned himself, Gohan, and Chi-Chi into the kitchen.

"So what would like for dinner?" Chi-Chi inquired.

"Your choice. Just as long as it has bacon."

"And plenty of it." Gohan added.

"That's my boy." Goku replied before a troubled look came over his face.

"Dad, what's wrong?"

"There's something I should probably do. Why don't you come along."

"Um, Okay."

"We'll be back in a bit, Chi-Chi."

"Be safe."

The Lookout

"Goku, I'm glad you're back and back to yourself." Dende greeted.

"I am glad as well." Mr. Popo added.

"And hello to you too Gohan."

"Hey, Dende." Gohan replied.

"I take it you know everything that's happened?" Goku inquired.

"I can see everything from up here. So yes...I just wish I could have been of some help."

"Don't worry about it." Goku replied. "I could actually use your help right now."

"With what?"

New Namek

"Every Namekian has been accounted for Elder Moori." Cargo stated.

"Good. Hopefully, this nightmare is over..."

"Warriors on guard! He's back!" A Namekian warrior exclaimed as Goku and Gohan appeared a few feet away.

"And he has Dende held captive!" Another Namekian exclaimed

"It's alright." Dende assured them. "I'm not being held captive He's not here to hurt you. We want to explain what happened."

"Are you saying you can justify what you did!?" A Namekian exclaimed.

"I bet you're just forcing him to say that."

"Now, don't be ridiculous." Elder Moori said to his people. "Does that look the face of someone who's under duress? Everyone settle down" Elder Moori. "If Elder Guru were still with us I know he'd approach this rationally."

"Thank you." Goku replied before Dende proceeded to explain everything that happened.

"And that is what happened. Goku would have never done something like that of his own free will."

"Coming from you Dende I certainly believe it." Elder Moori replied. "I think that is sufficient grounds for forgiveness."

"Thanks. Well, I guess we'll get going then."

"Actually, Goku, I think I'm gonna stay here for a bit. You can pick me up later."

"Alright, Dende. Let's get going, Gohan. That bacon isn't going to eat itself."

Two Months Later - Mount Paozu – Son Residence

Late in the night, Gohan tossed and turned in his bed, his closed eyes darted back and forth before suddenly waking up in a cold sweat as he let out a loud scream.

"Gohan, it's okay." Chi-chi declared as she and Goku entered the room.

"It's just a bad dream son." Goku said as he attempted to comfort his son.

Goku extended his hand towards Gohan in an attempt to calm him down but Gohan still in a slight daze slapped his hand away before quickly coming to his senses.

"Dad, I'm sorry..."

"It's fine, son. Was it the same nightmare?"

"Yeah..."

"Everything will be alright." Chi-Chi assured Gohan as she tucked him back in. "Try to get some sleep. Bulma's celebration party is tomorrow."

"Right..." Gohan replied as he fell back asleep.

"Another nightmare..." a worried Chi-Chi said to Goku.

"I know..."

Capsule Corp

Everyone from the Goku, Gohan, and Chi-Chi to Puar and Chiaotzu and even Dende gathered in the spacious backyard of the Briefs' as Bulma began to give a brief speech while a little toddler Trunks stood sleepily beside her.

"I'm glad everyone could make it. Our feature presentation should start soon, and the food should be done in a bit. In the meantime, there's plenty of games and activities to keep you busy."

"Piccolo, You got a minute." Goku inquired.

"Yeah."

"I need your advice."

"I'm listening."

"Ever since I was returned to normal Gohan has been having nightmares. Not every not but it happens a lot. And it's not just that he's also seemed distant. Like deep down, he's still afraid of me."

"I see. Goku, why did you decide to come back?"

"What do you mean?"

"I know you would have been able to keep your body after you died. There had to have been a part of you that wanted to stay and train in the Other World, so why did you come back?"

"You're right...There was, but then I thought about Gohan. Ever since Radditz came to Earth I haven't had much of a chance to be a father to him. We had that year together in the Hypo...Hyp...in the time chamber but all we did was train. I mean you've been more of a father figure to him than I have recently. He even chose to fight in the Cell games wearing your clothes."

"I may be his mentor, but I'll never be his father. I think what the two of you need is some time alone to reforge that bond. You mentioned the hyperbolic time chamber, right? Maybe you and Gohan spend some time in there this time focus less on training and more on just spending time together."

"Thanks, Piccolo. I'll give it a shot. You know you'd make a pretty good dad. If only you had p..."

"Hey, everyone it's on!" Krillin exclaimed.

"Sweet who's got the popcorn?" Yamcha inquired.

Everyone's attention was drawn to a large projector displaying Mr. Satan in the new named Satan City about to give a speech to a large crowd of people.

"I wonder he's gonna spin what happened this time?" Tien wondered.

"I don't know but it outta be good." Yamcha replied.

"Despite how it looked, I, Mr. Hercule Satan, did not die that day by the hands of that awful trickster in the red outfit! A little hole in the chest isn't enough to stop Mr. Satan! I merely played dead to lull that wanna be villain into a full sense of security. Then when he least expect it I came up from behind him and chopped that stupid helmet right off his face and then I finished him off with my patented megaton puuuuuuunch!"

Everyone in the area cheered except for his daughter who had a bit of a skeptical look on her face not that anyone really noticed. Meanwhile, everyone at Bulma's party, with exception of Vegeta, who let out a slight chuckle, burst out laughing.

"Oh wow that was great!" Goku exclaimed as he clutched his sides.

"That blow sure knows how to spin a good story I'll give him that." Vegeta stated.

"I haven't laughed that hard in a long time." Krillin said as he wiped tears of laughter from his eyes.

"Food! Food! Food!" The young Trunks repeatedly exclaimed as the food began rolling out from the kitchen.

"Yes, let's eat!" Goku exclaimed.

The Lookout

"Why are we here?" Gohan inquired as he and his dad landed on the lookout to an awaiting Dende and Mr. Popo.

"Lately it seems like we haven't been connecting well." Goku replied. "So I've arranged for us to spend some time in the chamber."

"More training?"

"Not this time. This time I thought we'd just focus on being father and son."

"As Guardian, I was able to make a few alterations to the inside of Hyperbolic Time Chamber." Dende stated. "I made it a bit more tolerable and also added a pond."

"So whataya say. Wanna go in?"

"Sure." Gohan replied with a smile on his.

"Then let's go." Goku replied as he took his son's hand walked towards the entrance of the time chamber. "Maaaybe we can get a little training in though."

"Yeah, I guess we can." Gohan chuckled.

And thus with the world once again at peace and bonds ready to be repaired the defenders of the Earth rest easy...for now.

A/N

I hope you enjoyed the last chapter of Strained Bond: A Hero's Fall to Darkness. I want to give a big thank to Charismatic Beauty for requesting me to write an evil Goku story. I really hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. I actually have an idea for a sequel to this which I want to get to some time in the future. Right now I'm going to focus on Azure's Revenge and Detective Gohan (I really need to show that series more attention lol.) I'm also working on my first non-Dragon Ball related fanfic. As always, Have a nice day. ~TheUltimateMystic