The Promises We Keep - As The Future Repeats Today
The Sequel to A Disturbed Savior.
For those who have not read A Disturbed Savior, to understand this Story even in the least, you must read A Disturbed Savior first. If not, then w/e, have fun understanding your out of the usual Gohan and Videl
I can't and won't promise anything this time around.
It's DBZ, I obviously don't own shit.
The hopes and prayers of things to come. I've lost them all with glory. Urgent to aim for that short-lived joy, I see gold in all that lies before me - In Flames
The overseer of the Northern Quadrant just stood their with his hands folded behind his back, just staring at the pure hearted Saiyan. It had been like this ever since their encounter with the Grand Kai exactly 4 Earth weeks ago. Goku would just go off on and his own, train for short periods of time and then he would just sit with his arms and legs crossed. No one knew what went on inside that clustered head of his, and no one was really willing to ask.
All of his past training partners had basically been thrown to the side. Pikkon, Olibu, everyone. They weren't even worth his time anymore. Goku had one goal and he had to do it alone. But before he could even attempt this feat he would need a new source of energy. One never felt before by any living, breathing entity in existence. The warrior was hoping he could share this experience with all of the new people he met in the past 7 years.
So he sat there, concentrating. Focusing on every breathe he took, every bone every muscle, and then it began once again. A hot white flash surrounded him. Slowly the wind began to pick up. It got stronger with every passing second. Soon enough the the wind began fluttering around in a blazing golden fashion. His hair shot up like it always did. But he sat there still, concentrating harder than he had ever before. If he was going to do this, he needed to draw out anything and everything.
His chest went in and out as he drew in a single breathe and pushed forward again. Suddenly the violent aura surrounding him stood still around him. It was much more violent then before, but contained. Every now and then sparks flew around his body and sometimes struck the ground around him creating crevices here and there. Two locks of hair instead of one single shred of gold now flowed over his forehead in gravity defying fashion.
'It's the same thing every time Goku. What are trying to do? For sure by now you've surpassed Cell, and more than likely you've become stronger than your son. So what more is there for you to do?' Though the North Kai as he stood back and watched the same thing happen as did with the passing days.
'Ok Goku. Come on now. I can do this. There's something more to ki. There's something more to life energy that I'm not understanding. There has to be another way to push myself. I still have anger boiling up inside me, but it's not enough this time. There has to be another way to attain this, this new energy. something different. This isn't the same as first time I transformed on Namek. But what is it? How do I tap into this power?'
Goku dropped the tension in his body as he loosened up his arms and legs. Slowly he stood up and began his screamed at the top of his lungs, pushing his power past it's previous limits. The ground shook, hurricanes blew newly planted trees out of the ground, the sky became black with anger as lightning struck the ground in anger. The landscape was being destroyed by the second, warriors incapable of standing the pressure were being thrown from the strong winds. And while all this had been going on there was only one who stood there in silence watching it all play out.
The gold warrior's hair began to glow in flashes of some sort of mix of white and yellow. It did this on occasion when he would reenact this play. And for a brief second the North Kai could have sworn that through his tinted glasses that he witnessed something new. Something in his hair might have changed, but from the distance he was standing from it was impossible to be exact. And soon enough the flashes slowly came to a stop as did the screaming. The sharp winds halted
The warrior stronger than any other then did something out of the ordinary. He dropped his arms, let his legs give out as he dropped to his knees and pounded the ground in fury. He created a fissure in the world that went on for miles with a single strike.
"DAMMIT!" He cried out. "DAMMIT! DAMMIT! DAMMIT!" With each hollar he struck the ground again and again. His cries reached across the vast plains that everyone in Upper Otherworld could hear his screams. Those who were a distance away just heard it as one the Saiyan's usual battle cries as he powered up. But those close to him, like the North Kai, they knew something was wrong.
And soon this mystery of what's been wrong with Goku was suddenly becoming clear to the blue man. He walked up to his friend and put a consoling hand on his shoulder.
"I think I understand now Goku. All this anger all of the sudden. You're trying to do it again, aren't you? You think there's another transformation, don't you?" A nod of the head was the answer he received. As he expected.
"Well then, I see the problem. But I don't understand why so suddenly. You haven't done anything this tiring in years, why now? Why push yourself to exhaustion day after day for no reason? I don't-"
"You DON'T understand, do you? I'm not doing this for nothing King Kai. I'm doing this because I have to. To think that I'd stand a chance against the Grand Kai as I am now it'd be suicide. I can't just up and challenge him like I am." Those last few words sunk deep into King Kai's head. Up until now he had no idea what was going on in Goku's head. But now his motivation was clear. And something else was clear. Goku had gone completely insane.
"WHAT! ARE YOU CRAZY GOKU! YOU WANT TO FIGHT THE GRAND KAI! DO YOU HEAR YOURSELF RIGHT NOW! YOU CAN'T JUST GO AND DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT! YOU CAN GET KICKED OUT OF OTHERWORLD FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT!"
And even though his buddy was telling him the truth in as harsh a way as possible, he knew he had to keep himself calm and collect for this to get through right. Inhale then exhale.
"I have to do this King Kai. It's the only thing I can do."
"Fight the Grand Kai? That's the only thing you can do? There are other options Goku."
"NO! There aren't any options left. There's nothing more I can. This is the only thing I KNOW I'm good at. I know that if I can perfect this transformation that I can beat him."
"And then what? What happens if or when you do beat him? You'll just take your 24 hours and go to Earth? Really Goku! Think this one out beforehand! This is serious, you can't just up and do something like this without thinking it through!"
"I, I know King Kai. But I honestly don't know what else to do. And it's not like I can even get this new form down anyways. So you don't have to worry about me trying to fight him as I am. I know I'm outclassed. He is the God of God's. But this is still bothering me. You know how I am by now don't you? You should." He kept his eyes stern and serious even with his back turned to King Kai. His words were sharp and to the point. No more fooling around for this guy. It was all business, that's what it had been for a long time it seemed.
King Kai really didn't know what to do anymore. He knew that people changed over time, but in a matter of what, 6 months, if it had even been that long. Goku had changed more than just in strength. But it seemed that his naturally playful and innocent personality had been stripped from him along with his ability to laugh. A filling amount of anger had been plaguing him and it was changing who he was. And King Kai was not liking this new Goku. It's like he was acting as if he was one of those Saiyans from back in the day, before Planet Vegeta was destroyed. He was not going to stand for it any longer, this is not how it was supposed to be, he was going to have to pull out the big guns.
"Goku. I'm not going to pretend to know what you're going through, because I don't. But I have seen people going through something similar. When warrior's of great stature do reach this area they use their infinite time to get stronger and stronger. Upper Otherworld as you know is for warrior's of great deeds only, you being one of them." Goku nodded in agreement.
"But there have been those who have gained insurmountable amounts of new power while here. They became tired and bored with the competition that was left for them in this infinite afterlife. They went crazy, and mad with power. They reeked havoc and destruction upon this world. Eventually they started turning on their respective leaders at the times. This has happened to the East and West Kai before. Me and South Kai have been lucky enough to not have had a rogue warrior from our side of the galaxy."
"And what happened to them?" Came the cold reply from the Saiyan warrior.
"Their bodies were stripped from them and they were deemed unfit for Otherworld anymore. Their souls had no where left to go, so they were given the evil soul treatment."
"Their souls were recycled for better use in a new life?" Goku questioned. It more of him finishing the sentence, but he was still unsure of it. They never took much time to talk about what happened to a bad person's soul. The last he remembered talking about this subject was when Cell was defeated. The same happened with Frieza and his father as well.
"That's correct Goku." King Kai answered.
"So why are you telling me this? Do you think the same thing is going to happen to me? Is that it? You think if I don't get the day on Earth that I'll get mad and start destroying everything?" Goku turned around when he didn't hear a reply. All he saw was King Kai standing there with his arms crossed behind his back, standing as tall as a man of his stature could.
"I see. Well you don't have to worry about me King Kai. That's not going to happen. I promise."
"It is Goku! Understand what you've been doing to yourself, how far you've been pushing yourself both physically and emotionally. I know that you Saiyan's feed off of anger and it makes you stronger. But that was when you were living Goku. That was in an entirely different realm. You're in Otherworld now Goku. Everything you do and say is carefully watched over and one slip up will screw you everything you've fought for. You'll lose everything Goku! You have to take a step back and breathe for a moment. Think about what you're doing. Not just to yourself, but to those around you Goku."
Pictures are supposedly worth one thousand words. Actions supposedly speak louder than words. But that's not the case with this situation. There's nothing that King Kai could possibly do to hurt Goku, but what he was saying was hurting him far worse than any punch or kick from Frieza or Cell could ever have. He had to re-think everything he was doing, because he was going about everything all wrong and their had to be a right way to do it. He took a long and much needed deep breathe of air.
"Good Goku. Now it's time for you to think. What is it you want the most right now?"
It didn't take any time to answer this question. There was nothing in this infinite space and time that he wouldn't give to see those he loved and cared for.
"I want to see my friends and family again." Soft were his words this time. Something King Kai caught onto right away.
"Good Goku, good. You're calming down, that's good. Now stay as your are right now and close your eyes."
"I-"
"Just do it Goku. I'm your friend. I'm here to help you with your problem. Just trust me ok."
The Saiyan did as he was told and gently shut his eyes. For a moment he heard what true silence was. He couldn't even hear the beating of his own heart. It no longer pumped blood. For the first time since dying he realized his body wasn't the same as it once was. There was no more getting sick, no more getting over exhausted and not once had he actually felt cold. It was hard to come to this conclusion, but it was the truth, there was no avoiding it. Even the air he breathed was just out of habit, he didn't need it anymore.
"All right Goku. I know you've been having problems lately with this new transformation and it's not as surprising as it once was."
"Y-"
"Quiet and listen Goku." King Kai quickly shut him out. It was or his own good.
"Now Goku. Like I said earlier, you Saiyans feed off of your own anger and draw unmeasurable amounts of strength from it. It's what keeps you on the top of the fighting food chain. I've seen you take seemingly impossible leaps in strength while you were alive. It was incredible. It was unbelievable how much strong you got from the time you left my planet to the time you defeated Frieza. It was almost too good to be true. And then you did it again with the Androids and Cell. Even your son learned how to tap into his power. And it was with that anger that your planet was saved."
"But that's not how it seems to be working for you anymore, is it Goku?" The Earthling shook his head. "I didn't think so. It's different here in the afterlife Goku. I'm sure you've noticed that at least. There's something different about the air you breathe, the ground you walk on and even the food you eat. At first it doesn't even seem possible that all of this is happening. That a dead body can retain it's form and hold onto it's soul. It's like a fairy tale that some kid wrote one day for his school project."
All in all Goku couldn't disagree. He did know a little about what King Kai was talking about. Whenever he did eat while he was dead it tasted amazing. But something was off. It didn't have that same taste as compared to when Chi Chi would cook. Her cooking was full of flavor and zest as compared to the bland, just barely satisfying feeling he got when he ate in Otherworld. It's like he was just filling his stomach with a hollow mass.
"So you see Goku. Just as there are differences between life and death, there are differences between energy. This power inside of you, I feel it just as you do Goku. I've been watching and paying close attention to everything Goku. It's definitely not going to be the same as your other transformations. They were spawned from pure hate and anger. Well, there is another thing that motivates people Goku. Sadness and sorrow can sometimes be what pushes people past their limits, but that's not going to cut it. I can tell that's not going to be the correct motivator for a person like you Goku. You're different Goku. You're cut from a different stone than anyone in the entire Galaxy. So you're going to need something else to motivate you."
"So I want you to think. I want you to think Goku, what makes you happy? What makes you happier than anything in the entire world. When was the happiest moment in your life? And I want you to think outside of your fighting nature. When have you sincerely had a good time without throwing your fist at someone else's face?"
Something happy. Something that made him smile more than anything in the world. That was an easy question. His family. Chi Chi. Gohan. The son he never met, Goten. But the memories he shared with these people outside of fighting were slim. From the short list of good times he had with his family he couldn't just choose one. He always felt happy and glad on the inside when he was with them. Because that meant they were safe and there was some sort of peace around.
There was his wedding. That was much more of a show than he had ever expected. Then there was the birth of his first child, Gohan. He was so small and just, the words to describe his son at that time just couldn't be thought of. It was a perfect moment where everything in life was good. He and his wife were in good health. His father-in-law's kingdom wasn't too far away and so the grandfather was able to attend the at home birth. Truth be told, it was one of the happiest moments in Goku's life. The fact that he couldn't be there to witness the second miracle in his family was disappointing. Just thinking about it could make him shed a tear. It apparently wasn't supposed to be, and he would accept that, for now. He had to focus on the good times he did have and hopefully, the time he WILL have soon enough.
Yes, that was his new goal. He would make up for lost time in the 24 hours he hoped to gain. He could imagine it now. Meeting his son for the first time. Just thinking about it made him all tingly on the inside. He couldn't wait. He really couldn't wait, this sort of opportunity didn't just happen every day. He would get back to Earth whether he had to take it by force or not.
'Good Goku, very good. I can feel it. That power that you've been pushing for. It's right there for you to grasp and take a hold of. It just needs a little more. Keep at it Goku.'
His body trembled for a bit longer and then he felt it. A sudden rush of energy flushed over his body in a wave of ocean blue. What was this? Is this what it felt like? Is this what he was reaching for this whole time? This amazing power that he had been digging for. Was this what it was like just to touch it?
"That's it Goku. You're almost there. You've accepted what's already happened and you know you can't change the past. What's done is done, it's all just a memory now. But sometimes memories are the most important part of who we are. It is by them that we remember not to make the same mistakes. It is also from memories that we remember how we got to where we are. You see Goku, it's not always about the destination, it's about the journey. How you got there. Whether it be by choice or not, it has happened."
"And now you can take what you know and use it however you like. That rage that once consumed you, the trigger to your unbelievable strength. You can't use it anymore Goku, not for this, this power is different. It's built off of, off of..." The words just wouldn't come out. He knew what he wanted to say, but he couldn't word it so Goku could understand.
"Serenity." Goku whispered.
"Huh?"
"Serenity. It's peace of mind. It's calming. It's acceptance."
"Y-yes Goku. That's correct. Now what do you plan on doing with this acceptance? Do you think you can find your motivation and find the strength you've been looking for through a serene state of mind? You have to drop all restraints and all negative thoughts and feelings. I really think you can get to this new tra-"
"No." Goku so rudely interrupted. It confused the Kai so very much. But Goku out of no where pushed himself off the ground and started staring up to the sky.
"King Kai. I need to ask you. Consider who and what I am. But do you really think that me, a third class Saiyan warrior, born to kill and bring destruction can really rely on such an emotion as serenity? I'm trying to be honest with myself King Kai. I don't think a person like me who as you've said has relied on anger and fury to gain strength to get by can suddenly just switch to using something like having a clean and calm mind as motivation?"
"Well I-"
"Not a chance right?" His eyes never left the oceanic sky above. It was so calm and beautiful. He never really took the proper amount of time to admire the scenery around him.
"I, I didn't say that Goku."
"But you know it, don't you?" There was no denying it. It was just in Goku's nature. He was unlike any other Saiyan that had ever lived, but he still had that fighting blood running through his veins.
"Right. So how do you plan on reaching this 'new' level Goku?"
"How? I'm a Saiyan right? So I'll do it the same way as always."
"Rage? That's useless Goku! That's what you've been trying for the past 28 days! And where has that gotten you so far! No where! No where Goku!" King Kai screamed. This point had to be sunk into the Saiyan's brain. He was not going to achieve this secret power the same way he achieved it the first and second times.
"But this time is different King Kai. This time I know what I'm doing. I know why I want this strength. The real reason why I need this power. I finally know." King Kai couldn't tell if for the first time since he's been there that the sprinklers had gone off, it may have rained or if that an actual tear shed from the tall Saiyan's eye. Either way, it was incredible. He could feel it, something amazing was about to happen.
"Goku." He whispered before he was muted by a thunderous roar that rocked the Universe.
"So he's really getting worse again? Aw, that sucks."
"Tell me about it. And these last few months training really had been the best in my life. I really thought I was getting through to him too. I thought he was finally changing for the better. And then, blah!"
"Blah?"
"Yes, blah Erasa." Videl tried to explain. It had been quite the bothersome past couple of weeks. She had that they had shared a special night together and that it would mean something for their relationship, but apparently she was wrong. The closer they got to the day of the World Martial Arts Tournament, the worse his attitude became.
"So what exactly has been happening? Details Videl, details." She thought for a minute, there had been quite a few of them that stood out since that night.
"Well, take when I asked him to teach me how to fly."
"Well what happened then?"
"You really wanna know how he intended on teaching me how to fly?" Videl asked while raising an eyebrow.
"Just tell me already."
"Well, let's just say I'd have two broken ankles if it weren't for Goten and that weird cloud thing." She couldn't help but shudder at the thought of being dropped from over 500 feet in the air again. It was frightening.
"WHAT! Are you kidding me? He just dropped you from in the middle of the air and expected something to happen? Is he crazy or something?"
"Erasa. This is Gohan we're talking about. So yes, he is crazy. His reasoning was that it was how he learned to fly. Bad reason if you ask me."
"Tell me about it." Erasa rolled her eyes.
"I just did. Are you even paying attention Erasa?"
"Huh? About what?" Videl rolled her eyes this time.
"Never mind. change of subject. How do I get him back to he was before? You know, like when we were going out on dates and stuff. He wasn't acting like his usual cold self. That's how it's supposed to be." Videl prompted. Erasa was listening, but at the same time playing with the long curls she decided to keep on after they worked so well. They were just beautiful and she hoped that one day he hair would grow back to that length so she didn't have to wear a wig.
"How do you make him act like that again? You really want him back in your arms and you in his again?" Videl nodded. "Then I think I know what you gotta do."
"All right I'm listening. Now what do I have to do?" From the inside of her pockets she grabbed a pen that she most likely left in there from classes earlier in the day and poked out the palm of left hand.
"So the first thing you gotta do is put on that sexy ass blue dress you bought."
"Uh huh uh huh." Videl nodded.
"Oh but first, before you do that you gotta make sure there's no one in the house but you and Gohan." Erasa explained. She knew she had forgotten something beforehand. Can't let that happen again.
"Oh kay? Sure, right." Videl wrote the plan so far down on her hand.
"All right, so when you're sure that it's just you and him alone in the house you gotta put on your best apron. Cause momma, there's only one way to get through to that man. And that's his stomach." Videl knew that very well. She didn't need to write that one down.
"Right so when you and him have finished dinner he should at least by that point be itching to see what's under that dress of yours. But not so fast!" She waved her hands out for emphasis. She was definitely still a little kid on the inside.
"So then what? After dinner comes what?"
"After dinner? Well after comes dessert Videl." That sly smile of hers somehow found it's way into this conversation. Yup, this was about to get dirty.
"And what do you suggest for dessert? Melted Chocolate? Strawberries? Ice Cream? Whi-"
"You!"
"Heh?" Did she hear that right? "I'm sorry come again. I could have sworn I heard you say that I was dessert." Videl wanted to confirm before she deemed her friend a true idiot.
"Yup. You're going to be the final course." Erasa began to chuckle to herself as she thought of all the possibilities and all the ways this could go wrong.
"Exlpain you dolt. You know I'm not good with this kind of stuff." Videl pursed her lips and put away her pen. This was all just a joke.
"Well I gotta get going pretty soon. Me and Sharpy got a date tonight. So I'll just leave you with two little words to think about. Whipped cream."
And with that Videl could only think of one thing. Erasa was such a pervert. But God damn she was a smart pervert.
A/N: Told ya I'd be quicker. THE MOST GOKU FILLED CHAPTER I'VE EVER WRITTEN! WOOT! Hope ya liked the whole Goku and King Kai scene, it's something that needs more attention in Fan Fics. And yes, I took the Canon/Manga way with how people are dealt with when they die. Evil doers lose their bodies and their soul's get recycled. This was explained in the manga. Hope you enjoyed. Got one or two more chapter before some serious angst and moody shit begins. So get ready Mother Fuckers. I'm coming for ya!