Chapter 2
DBZ Realm
"Speech" 'Telepathy' Thought "Dream"
I slowly turned around to face the owner of the voice that addressed me, knowing already who it was.
Hovering 5 feet over the jagged fall was a chibi Gohan, who was wearing a yellow button shirt with short blue overalls and brownish shoes. He also had that untamed, long black hairstyle he had most of his childhood.
I guess I was staring at him funny, because he blushed and cocked an eyebrow when he said, "Um...are you ok?"
That snapped me out of my daze, and I tried frantically to figure out how I should react to the half-Saiyan in front of me. By the look of him, I can presume that I'm in the timeline between after Frieza and before the Androids. How the hell can I... my thought was cut off by Gohan's shy and meek attempt to break the ice.
"Um...I live really close by if you're lost and need to stay somewhere. I'm sure my mom wouldn't mind. Oh, and my name is..."
"Gohan. Thanks for the offer, but are you sure it's ok?" I interrupted, since I couldn't wait to see one of the most famous anime landmarks — Son Goku's family home.
"How did you know my name?" the half-Saiyan asked in awe and surprise, probably since I was acting so weird.
I crossed my arms and gave as best of a reassuring smile I could. "Sorry if I freaked you out. My name is Sofia and well...um...do you think you could come down onto ground so I can explain everything to you? You're really an intelligent kid, so I know you won't think I'm a loon like the majority of the philistine people around here."
At this he smiled and landed on the ground. "Sure! And don't worry, I've been through some incredible stuff in my life, so I'm very open-minded." As he said this, he walked over and sat down under the nearest shady tree. I followed him and sat next to him in the lotus position.
I went on to tell him the cliffnotes to what had happened, since I didn't want to freak him out by telling him he's a cartoon character. For the next hour he sat there and listened intently to the theories I had come up with, once in a while asking the details to one thing or saying "ah" when he agreed with something I said.
Ok, I had also made up my mind and decided that I would bend the truth a little, so I could tell him how I knew about him and answer everything he quizzed me on, without giving away the whole anime thing. It was pretty sci-fi, but better than the fantastical explanation I remembered Cyndi telling Piccolo in on of my fave fics, that managed to upset HIM, the guy who had brutally died a couple of times and didn't even complain — that I remember.
Shit, I actually felt bad for how he reacted and felt when she told him. I could never fuck up Gohan's perception of the world he lives in and the life he has. With that, I decided to stick with what I had told Gohan so far, which was technically true and valid.
After a long pause between us, the cute kid finally spoke up, reiterating the essential parts of my explanation.
"Ok. So what you're saying is that you're from another dimension that's parallel to this one...and that you were able to pass into my dimension because of your necklace, which must be a sort of key that only allows you to travel through both our dimensions...through mirrors that act like magical portals." He looked at me with a look that asked if he got it right.
"Pretty much," I replied to his silent question, which encouraged him to continue.
"And the reason you know about me and everything else is because in your dimension, you have a special device that allows you to see into the timelines of other dimensions and study their technology, people, and universe." As he finished saying this, his eyes got an excited gleam and he stood up, with what I think was his fave fact of my explanation. "And because of that device, you know what's going to happen in my timeline before it even does occur!" he excitedly stated, to which I smirked and nodded yes to.
"That's so cool! Maybe you can help us know the future so that we can prevent evil things — like Frieza from ever happening again!" He had that gleam again, so when my mind halted me from replying, I knew I wouldn't see it for a good while. I can't tell them future events... It could ruin their whole timeline, like what happened with Trunks in the Android saga! And if my other idea is correct, since GT was the last DB series, this dimension or realm probably came to be its own real existence! That's what my reflection meant when she told me to "Believe." To think, reading all those fics actually contributed to me figuring this out.
I frowned when I realized that I would have to tell this to Gohan, who already knew something was up.
"Gohan, I...can't do that. It could have serious repercussions on your dimension and timeline." The boy frowned and bowed his head in defeat. Seeing him so disappointed really bothered me. "I'm sorry."
"It's ok...I understand. But...can't you at least tell me if my dad is ok?" he pleaded.
I thought about it, and figured since it was something that had already happened, it wouldn't cause a catastrophe if I told him.
I stood up from the ground and faced him with a reassuring smile, and placed my left hand on his right shoulder. "Don't worry about him, kid. He kicked Frieza's ass and got off of Namek before it exploded."
"Really...? WOW! When is he coming back?" was his overwhelmingly joyful response, and poignant question.
"It depends...how long has he been gone?" I asked, since the answer would also help me pinpoint where exactly in the timeline I was in, and help give Gohan some solace.
"He's been gone for over a year," replied the half-Saiyan prudently.
That means it's only a little while until Trunks comes to the past with his future-altering warning. I smirked and looked into Gohan's expecting face, ready for my foreboding reply.
"He's on his way back as we speak. He'll probably get here real soon."
"AAALRIIIGHT!" was his loud shout as he jumped up and down, which managed to scare off the birds living in the trees around us, and echo off into the distance pass the rocky edge. "Well, I guess we should get home. I was supposed to go to the nearby pond and catch some fish for dinner," he said meekly after his little outburst.
"Ok, how about we just go to the pond so you can fish? I know how your mom is and I don't want you to get into trouble because of me," I remarked and crossed my arms, and leaned my weight to my right leg.
"It's just that, the fastest way to get to the pond is flying and, um...no offense, but I can't sense any ki from you. I could carry you, but we would get home really late."
"You can't sense my ki? But I thought every living thing has ki!" was my surprised reply.
"That's true... you could be cloaking it. I'm just not sure," he replied simply.
"Well, how about you teach me how to fly? If my ki is being cloaked, it should flare up when I try to fly." I wasn't sure it would work, but why not try.
"OK! Lets try it out," was his enthusiastic reply. He proceeded into giving me a 15 minute explanation of how to direct my ki and control it. He told me that I had to picture it running all through my body, and with my mental will make it bubble up as much as possible. Then when I felt like it was going to boil over, I had to will it to push me upwards.
"Lets hope I don't bust my ass," I muttered more to myself than Gohan, who simply giggled. "What's so funny?!" I said a little irritated, since I thought he was messing with me with the crash-course in flying he had given me.
"It's just, you remind me of someone I know," he said a little shyly because of my intimidating tone.
"Really...who?" I asked cocking an eyebrow in curiosity.
"You remind me of Mr. Piccolo!" he responded with a new sense of pride.
My eyes opened really wide and I think I had at least 2 sweatdrops on the sides of my head. "Yeah right!" was my scoffed remark as I turned my head away from Gohan so he wouldn't see the blush that was heating my cheeks.
"No, really! Your attitude is a lot like his, and your smart and you figure things out as fast as he does."
Just thinking about the sexy Namek made me change the subject, so I could avoid my mind's desire to think hentai in front of his old pupil. "Alright already! Could I try and fly, or are we just going to stand here!?" was my emphatic remark, which Gohan nodded meekly to and fell silent so I could concentrate.
I closed my eyes and straightened my stance, and began to envision my ki. For about 5 minutes, I felt like a dumb ass, but before I knew it, something clicked in my mind and I could feel my ki boiling up in the pit of my stomach. Then in the back of my mind, I willed my ki downwards as it felt like it was about to boil over. The next thing I knew, I couldn't feel solid ground under my feet, so I opened my eyes.
"YOU DID IT! And on your first try, WOW!" was Gohan's happy shout. Then he paused and scratched the back of his head in sudden realization. "Sofia, I didn't sense any ki from you, not even a little flare up," was the kid's confused remark.
"What the hell...are you sure?" was my baffled question.
"Maybe I'm wrong. Hey, try making a ki ball, that's a full proof way for sensing ki. Just do what you did before, but instead of willing the ki to push you upwards, command it into a tight sphere in your hand." I nodded and got back on the ground. I opened my left hand and willed my ki to come to the surface via my palm. In less than 10 seconds I had a red-hot ki sphere floating in the palm of my hand, but it was very different from what I had expected to see.
"Your ki is red...that's new," Gohan commented, and after a pause he followed up with, "...and I still didn't sense any ki."
OK, this is overwhelming. I can fly, make ki balls, and I can do this only after my first try. I didn't even have to strain I just willed it! It's like something I already knew how to do and just forgot how to do it.
In annoyance, I threw the ki ball at the nearest rock, not expecting the incredible force and speed I used to do so; the rock practically disintegrated upon exploding! "Gohan. How do you sense ki anyway?! Cuz if I can fly and throw energy balls in one try I should have ki, no matter how minuscule," I remarked a little agitated and took my cross-armed stance, waiting for an answer.
He gave me an up and down look and smiled, like he had seen that type of reaction hundreds of times. "Well...maybe since you're from another dimension I can't sense your ki. Try sensing mine to see if it's the same outcome," was his well-put answer.
"OK. How do I do that?"
He walked up and looked into my eyes, and emphatically said, "Your mind is your 6th sense. Just reach out and feel for any energy out of the ordinary. You'll know your doing it when the buzzing in the back of your head starts; it increases or decreases depending on the amount of ki someone gives off."
"Fine. I'll "free my mind" Matrix style," was my cheap try of using my fave Matrix catch phrase, which of course Gohan didn't get.
"What...?" He gave me a goofy look.
"Forget about it. I'm going to try now." I reached out like Gohan said, and in less than 2 seconds got an intense buzzing feeling all over the back of my skull. "Damn Gohan, you're seriously extra-ordinary."
"You sensed my ki? Then that means there must be another explanation. Oh...thanks," he started seriously and finished off humbly after my compliment sunk in.
"Ok, lets forget about the whole sensing thing. We should go so you can catch dinner like you were originally going to," I said and gave him a small smirk.
"Alright, the pond is only a mile from here flying, and we can walk back home." He jumped in the air and floated at least 50 feet off ground. I propelled myself by his side and we flew towards the pond. We passed over a lot of trees and hills during an incredibly sunny afternoon. I'm actually flying...and it isn't a dream. This rules!
"ALRIIIIGHT!" I shouted into the air, causing Gohan to follow my lead.
"WHOO HOO! It's amazing isn't it," he remarked.
"It really is, kid. Hey, is that it?"
I spotted a huge pond that was in the middle of dense forest. "Yeah. That's the pond." We slowed down and landed right by the edge of the nearest shore.
Well, I actually tripped and fell backwards on landing. "That was a fun trip!" I shouted at myself, which got Gohan to really laugh. I laughed a little too, and sat in the lotus position so that I wouldn't crush my backpack.
Gohan and I were at the pond for about half an hour, during which he caught 2 big-ass fish and 4 smaller ones. When he was done, we walked back to his house by following a dirt path that lead us through the dense forest to the east. I carried the 4 small fish while he carried the 2 big ones on each shoulder. After 5 minutes of silence, Gohan said, "You know, it's really nice to meet someone new. It's been a while since I hung out with someone besides mom."
"What about Piccolo? I know he can be a pain-in-the-ass loner most of the time, but he's still your friend. He hasn't visited you?" I asked and looked at him out of the corner of my right eye.
"Well...not really. I haven't seen much of him since the whole Garlic Jr. thing. He's probably looking for solitude in the Arctic," he sighed. "You know how he is...what am I saying? You probably do," he exclaimed more than said.
"I guess so," as I said this, we finally got to the valley where Gohan's house was, and as soon as we were in 30 feet near the house, I heard an ALL too familiar shout.
"GOHAN! Where have you been?! You left over an hour ago to do something that takes you less that 30 minutes to do! Were you hanging out with that smart-mouthed monster again?!" The ever-bitchy Chi-Chi hollered at a very embarrassed Gohan.
"Mom, I wasn't hanging out with Piccolo. The reason I was late was because on my way to the pond I met Sofia after saving her from a mountain lion. I guess we got a little sidetracked. Sorry..." was his quick answer, which seemed to appease his mother, for the time being.
"Well, I guess that's a valid excuse," she turned away from Gohan and directed her sight on me. "Very nice to meet you. Come on in to the house, you look like you've had a long day. By the way, I'm—'' she said extending her right hand for a shake.
I interrupted her and shook her hand, "You're Chi-Chi. No need for an introduction," I said and waited for the inevitable freak out.
"HOW DID YOU KNOW MY NAME?" was her baffled question, which Gohan answered for me. He went on and explained the whole story with an excited mind frame that only succeeded in confusing the hell out of her.
"Whatever you say, Gohan. Just as long as she's not here to fight," was all his mother could say as she rubbed her left temple from the information overload.
"Mom, could Sofia stay here tonight? She doesn't have anywhere to go."
"Of course! It's always nice to have company over." We all walked into the house, where Chi-Chi kicked into military mode. "Gohan, put the fish in the kitchen and go wash up, you haven't studied today, so I want you to go over your math for at least and hour," was the routine command.
"But mom..."
"No buts, young man. MARCH!"
"Oh ok." Gohan walked down the hallway in defeat.
For the next hour, Chi-Chi rambled on about the hardships of raising a growing half-Saiyan boy with little to no money. She also poured her heart out about always being left to fend for herself and how maddening it was to be married to the incredibly dense Goku.
"...It's like talking to a very naïve child all the time...and the worst thing is that all that fighting he does is a bad influence on Gohan." She sighed and continued, "And that monster he's always hanging around with is no role model either! I swear, I don't know what Gohan and Goku see in him!"
OK, I WAS actually feeling a morsel of sympathy for the raving pain in the ass, but I'm not letting her badmouth Piccolo in my presence.
"What they see in him is the guy who took in Gohan and trained him to be the sensible, resilient kid he is today. They also see the guy who sacrificed himself and his selfish motives to save Gohan, and who helped in the fight against Frieza," was my blunt statement to the woman. I finished off by crossing my arms and adding in a matter-of-fact tone, "If it wasn't for Piccolo, you wouldn't have your son or an excuse to complain, because you would be dead along with this planet."
Chi-Chi's expression went from offended to one of embarrassment, since my words dawned on the truth, causing her to understand my point.
"You're right...it's just so hard sometimes, you know," was her comment more than a question, to which she sounded defeated.
"Hey, sorry for being so forward. I don't have a filter," I muttered as an apology.
"Oh, it's ok. I know I can be overbearing," she said, and perked up. "How about I get us something to drink. What would you like?"
"Water is fine, thanks," I replied and got a funny look. "WHAAT?! Why are you looking at me that way?"
"You just reminded me of Piccolo," was her defense.
I scoffed in reply, "What the hell is it today! All I did was ask for water."
"OOOOOk... I'll be right back." She got up from the chair she was at in the living room and walked to the kitchen, giving me time to scowl. I was sitting in the couch next to the doorway and across from the fireplace. While she was away, Gohan came into the living room and sat down next to me. "That was really nice what you said about Piccolo... even if it was to prove my mom wrong." He gave me a coy smile.
"Well it's the truth; that's all I wanted her to realize," I replied simply.
At this time, Chi-Chi came back with a glass of lemonade and another of water. She gave Gohan the one of lemonade and handed me the other. "Thanks," I muttered and gulped the water down.
"Sofia, how about you take a nice hot shower while I get dinner ready. I have an extra nightgown you can borrow."
'So I guess I stink... sure, that would be great," was my response that got a giggle out of Gohan.
"Ok. Let me get you the nightgown and show you to the bathroom." I got up and followed Chi-Chi to her bedroom down the hall and past Gohan's room, which was to my left at the corner; the bathroom was across from Gohan's room. Chi-Chi gave me a purple nightgown that came up to my knees and had long sleeves. She then led me to the bathroom door. "There's a fresh towel on the vanity in the bathroom," she told me as I was walking through the door.
"Thanks." I shut the door and proceeded with my showering ritual. I got the shower going with hot water, and put my hair up in a bun. I reached into my backpack and got the liquid soap I had packed, and placed it on the vanity. Then I took my clothes off, folded them neatly, and put them in my backpack with everything else. I got the liquid soap and stepped under the shower spray, and relaxed as I got myself clean. When I was done, I stepped out of the shower and turned it off, and proceeded to dry myself off with the towel. Then I put the nightgown and a fresh pair of panties on. My cup size didn't show under the supposed-to-be-busty nightgown.
I looked at my reflection in the vanity mirror, and became mesmerized by how much I had changed. This was by far one of the coolest days of my life. What else could compare?
As I thought this a knock at the door made me jump. "Sofia, are you ok in there?" Chi-Chi asked from the other side.
"Yeah! I'm just combing my hair. I'll be right out."
"OK." I proceeded to undo my hair and comb it; I let it flow down my back, and I pulled out my long bangs so that they would frame my face. When I finished, I picked up my backpack and sneakers, and opened the door. I walked back down the hall and turned left, so I would be facing the kitchen entrance.
"Nice to see you cleaned up, Sofia!" said Gohan with a wise-ass tone and smile from his seat at the kitchen table.
"Oh really?! Well nice to see you out of your mama's boy clothes, Gohan," I shot back at the now blushing boy.
"Ok you two, dinner is ready," announced Chi-Chi as she placed a full banquet of fish, rice and noodles that under normal circumstances would be enough to for a group 59 people, but for a growing half-Saiyan, was a satisfying dinner.
Damn that's a lot of food! I shouted in my mind while a put my belongings next to the couch in the living room. I walked over to the table in the kitchen and sat across from Gohan. Chi-Chi handed me a plate and made a sort of gesture that said "dig in before he inhales it all," and sat down to my left with her own plate already filled. I took the hint and proceeded to put some fish and rice on my plate, leaving the noodles untouched since I knew from watching Goku pig out that noodles are a Saiyan's fave food. After dinner, Chi-Chi stayed in the kitchen washing dishes, while Gohan and I went into the living room and hung out.
"So Sofia, since you know everyone in the Z Forces, do you think anyone is cute?" was Gohan's out-of-nowhere question, which made me sweat-drop.
"Well...yeah. You and your dad are cute." At this Gohan blushed. I continued, "You two look just like your grandfather."
Gohan exclaimed wide-eyed, "Really?! You mean my real granddad? What was he like?"
"Well his name was Bardock, and he was a great warrior and a very intelligent Saiyan. He looked just like your dad does, except he was more tanned and he had a scar on his left cheek."
"Wow..." was his proud reply. "So who else do you like?" was his next question.
"I guess I like Vegeta a lot...I find him very attractive. Oh and I also really like P—'' I cut myself off when I realized what I was saying. WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING! YOU CAN'T TELL HIM YOU HAVE THE HOTS FOR PICCOLO, YOU BAKA! I berated myself and quickly changed the answer, "...P-Puar!"
"Puar?!" replied Gohan, but then got a sly look and said, "Don't you mean Piccolo?"
"Whaaat!?" I said with a huge sweatdrop on the side of my head and with a slight tint of blush on my cheeks. Very smooth, retard.
"Come on, you like him! Just admit it; you two have a lot in common," was his matter-of-fact reply.
"I don't think that's true!" I scoffed with faked indifference.
"Oh really? Tell me one thing you two don't have in common, besides the fact that he's a big green Namek who used to be evil, and maybe I'll believe you," was his taunting deal.
Ahh! What the hell! I do have a lot in common with that fine-ass Namek, except...
"I have a sense of humor," I stated in a victorious tone, and gave him a sly smirk.
"Oh yeah? Prove it!" was Gohan's challenge.
"FINE!" I looked around the room and found the perfect prop. I walked over and picked up an empty white bowl that was on the coffee table. I stuck my hair into a bun and put the bowl on my head. Then I went on my knees and waddled over to Gohan and did my best Krillin impression, "Hey man! What do you say we go and scope out the ladies. I'm sure your mom won't mind!" I made my voice sound as much as Krillin's as possible. I succeeded and Gohan fell to the floor laughing.
"You got any special requests, cuz I can impersonate anyone you throw at me," was my cocky comment.
Gohan managed to recover from his laughing fit long enough to say, "Do Vegeta!"
"Alright." I got up and took the bowl off of my head. I stood in a straight stance, and put on the Vegeta scowl. "What are YOU looking at you 3rd class BAKA! I'm the Prince Of ALL Saiyans, and you will pay for such insolence!" I finished up by crossing my arms and giving a faint irritated growl.
"Hahahaha, Oh man! That was right on the money!" he continued giggling his little ass off. "Oh-Oh, do Piccolo!"
"Ok, but he better NOT find out about this!" I told Gohan and narrowed my eyes.
"I promise I won't tell him!"
"Fine." I looked around, but didn't find what I needed. Chi-Chi walked into the room with the essential thing I was looking for.
"I brought you a pillow and a blanket so you could sleep on the couch, Sofia."
"Thanks," I said, and noticed that the blanket was white and the exact length I needed. I took the blanket from Chi-Chi and tied it around my neck. Then I put the bowl back on my head and stuck my ears out so that it would look like a turban. In full costume, I scowled and crossed my arms. Then I narrowed my eyes at Gohan, and in the most baritone voice I could, "GOHAN! Get your butt over here! You're going to train like you've never trained before! And I don't want any whining! Do you understand?!"
Gohan did a mock bow and said in between laughing, "Hehehe—yes sir, I understand!"
I continued, "GOOD! Now go get me a glass of water!" When I said this, Gohan burst into hysterical laughter.
Chi-Chi, who had stayed in the room off to the side, giggled and stated, "That is the best Piccolo I've ever seen. It was even better than the real thing."
"It really was... hahahaha, oh man!" Gohan remarked and continued to laugh holding his sides.
"If you say so."
"Well... I'm going to bed. Gohan, you can stay up a little longer, but I want you in bed by 9:30, OK?" said Chi-Chi as she got up and stretched after watching us goof around some more.
"OK mom. Goodnight!" replied Gohan. Chi-Chi smiled and walked down the hall to her bedroom.
For the next hour, Gohan and I talked about the whole Frieza thing. Well, it was Gohan who did all the talking, I just listened. After a long pause, Gohan looked out the window into the darkness outside, and said in a sighing tone, "I hope Mr. Piccolo is ok."
I gave him a small smirk and said, "Don't sweat it, kid. For all you know he'll probably visit you tomorrow. After all, he could never stay away from such a good friend."
Gohan gave me the trademark Son grin and scratched the back of his head. "You're probably right. I guess I'm going to bed now," he yawned and stretched. He got up and walked pass the corner into the hallway.
"Goodnight, Gohan," I said as I got up and started getting the couch ready.
"Oh Sofia! I almost forgot to tell you." I turned around and gave Gohan a suspicious look.
"Yeah, what?"
The little smart-ass gave me a huge grin and said while trying to contain his giggling, "Have sweet dreams about Piccolo!"
"WHY YOU...!"
"Haha, goodnight, Sofia!" he finished off by running down to his room and shutting the door.
HUMPH, Very funny!
I laid on the couch and snuggled up under the blanket. Little did I know that "sweet dreams" would be the last thing I'd be dreaming about for a long time.
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