A Power Shared

by Exploring our Eternity

Standard begining for Gohan goes to high school. 7 years after Cell, Gohan has kept training and is stronger than ever. New threats and allies are coming out of the woodwork like termites. And that dosen't include the daughter (or 2) of a Z-fighter stalking him. And why does Gohan keep dreaming of his father in green armour fighting Frieza?

6. Chapter 6

A Power Shared Chapter 6

Here we go, Chapter 6. I don't own Dragonball Z, or any other series/movie/book/etc that I might reference in this story.

I'm so sorry about how late this chapter is, but due to a combination of my grandfather's altzimers worsening, my grandmother getting run over, studying for my drivers, my old memory stick getting completely and irreversibly corrupted by a virus and preparing to go to the South African Navy, I had no time or inspiration to write this chapter.

I'm trying to make my chapters longer, with –hopefully- better fight scenes so feedback would be nice.

"Talking"

Thinking

"TV"

"Saiya-jin" (only in Gohan Saga)

Possible Spoilers and AU story ahead.

Gohan Saga (Monday afternoon)

After the School was dismissed, Erasa –with a semi-reluctant Videl- dragged the three boys to Satan City mall. Having already seen Gohan at lunch time, their first stop was Special Forces Bar and Grill, where Martial Artists get 25% off. The group piled into one of the tables and placed their orders. True to her highly inquisitive nature, Videl began to question the Gohan about his family, while Erasa was latched onto Kome's arm again.

"Gohan you never told us you had a brother"

"Two"

"What?"

"I have two brothers, Kome and our little brother, Goten."

"Big family, huh?

"Not really, just mom and us boys."

A waitress interrupted their conversation, giving them their food.

Gohan and Kome both got the 'Son Snack', a meal dedicated to the winner of the 24th WMAT (and annual eating contest), consisting of a quarter-chicken, 300g ribs, medium portion of dumplings and large portion of chips. Erasa had the Three-Seafood salad, while Videl got a house special stir-fry and Sharpener had a SOS, or the Satan-Open-Sandwich.

Between bites of food, Sharpener said, "Kome, did you also train in martial arts?"

Before, Kome could reply, music started playing from Gohan's phone:

All day, staring at the ceiling, making

Friends with shadows on my wall.

All night, hearing voices telling me,

That I should get some sleep-

Gohan turned away from the table to answer the phone.

"Hello, this is Son Gohan."

"Oh, hi Bulma."

Videl looked at Sharpener and Erasa. She whispered, "Bulma? As in Bulma Briefs?!"

"Yes he's with me."

Sharpener nodded seriously. He motioned that he would talk when Gohan was finished.

"He'll be happy. OK we will leave now. See you soon."

Gohan put his phone away and said, "Sorry guys. That was about Kome's new arm. The prototype is ready for fitting."

Erasa looked at Kome curiously, "Why didn't they call on your phone, Kome?"

"It got ruined in the accident and I haven't had a chance to replace it yet."

That made sense to the uninformed members of the group. The twins stood up, leaving money for their food, despite the others' protests. Once they had left, Videl turned to Sharpener.

"How do you know that was Bulma Briefs, Sharpener?"

"Bulma Briefs is the head scientist of the only company in the world to have a successful robotic prosthesis line. She was an honorary member of the 2nd Generation Earth Special Forces. Son Goku, their father, was the leader of that incarnation of the team. E's dad was also a member, along with Krillin-sensei, Yamcha the Bandit and Yajirobe the Ronin," explained Sharpener.

Erasa asked, "How do you know all this, Sharpener? I thought that there was only one Earth's Special Forces group."

Sharpener looked uncomfortable, "My dad is running a special show tonight on the 3 incarnations of the Earth's Special Forces. I helped him with the research. He's going to kill me if I say anymore, so please don't ask."

The girls nodded. They stood up and started to leave.

Erasa said, "We're going to browse for dresses for the Winter Dance. Catch up with us ok, bye." And off she went, dragging Videl with her.

"Bye," called Sharpener, before realizing that the girls had left him with the bill. At least Gohan and Kome left some money for their food, he thought.

/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\

Gohan and Kome flew above the cloud level to West City. Gohan looked at his brother.

"So, Erasa?"

"What about her?"

"Do I need to tell mom that in one day you managed to get a girlfriend? Who happens to be Tien's daughter?"

"She's Tien's Daughter? Tien from my timeline didn't have a daughter, or any kids for that matter."

"I only found out about her a couple of weeks ago. Apparently Launch got hold of him years ago."

"This is Crazy Launch we're talking about, right?"

'Define 'crazy'"

"Touché"

"Apparently Tien is the only thing that Launch's sides agree on. Huh you could have a tri-polar girlfriend on your hand."

"I doubt Erasa is tri-polar, and even if she is I also have mental issues. You know the whole 'Super Saiyan rage' thing."

"I don't hear you denying the girlfriend part. So do I need to tell mom anything?"

"Do I need to tell mother about Videl Satan?"

"Oh look we're at Capsule Corp. Let's go get your arm."

Kome gave Gohan a dirty look, before following him down to the Lab area of Capsule Corp. Mrs Briefs greeted them with her usual cookie and smile, to which both accepted. They then walked into the main lab, where Dr Briefs and Bulma where waiting.

Dr Briefs looked up from his work, "Good afternoon boys. I assume that you two are here to get Kome's new arm. Oh, and Gohan, your project isn't going to finish itself."

While Gohan went over to a workstation with a hologram of various machine parts, Kome smiled at the elderly scientist, "Yes sir."

Dr Briefs said, "Now, now, Kome. There is no need to call me sir, albeit the fact that your brother insists on it. Come along now; let's get your new arm hooked up, hm?"

Kome followed the elderly scientist to the prosthetics department. On the way he passed Gohan, but he was completely engrossed in whatever project he was working on. As he walked through the corridors of Capsule Corp, he was struck once more by how different this building was to the one he lived in in his previous timeline.

Dr. Briefs gave Kome a small commentary on the CC prosthetic department, "Initially we only built the standard prosthetic limbs for a marginally lower price than everybody else, at least until my Bulma started studying Android Sixteen. After the Cell Games, she started designing new prosthetics using the technology that she reverse engineered from 16. The new ones are designed to replicate the natural weight and strength of a regular human's limb. We even, finally, figured out how to create a feasibly effective opposing thumb.

Yours, however, was a challenge. We had to make sure that it is able to endure the sheer force that your body naturally generates when you get an adrenalin rush. As you requested of Bulma on Friday, the arm will capsulate when you transform into your Super Saiya-jin forms. I can not help but wonder why you would want that. Would it not be easier to fight if you have two arms?"

Kome froze at the abruptness of the question. Once he recovered he answered. "Not really, at least not for me. I lost my left arm close to 3 years ago now. I've had to learn to adapt, and I won't be able to use a left arm in a fight with out at least a year's worth of training."

Dr. Briefs nodded, "That does make sense. Well, we can set it to capsulise when you transform. Although, where would you keep the capsule? We can worry about that at a later time. First we need to ensure that the arm actually works. Here we are."

The aged doctor lifted a metal arm off of a bench. It was a dull silver colour, with fibre optic cords linking the upper arm to the forearm, and the forearm to the hand. Each joint and 'fingertip' had a slight glow, and the thumb was built onto an intricate ball joint. At the shoulder, where the arm should connect to a body, was web of fibre optic connections.

Kome removed his shirt so as to allow easier access to his shoulder. Dr Briefs moved the arm near the damaged shoulder. The web of connections latched onto Kome's shoulder, causing him to jump. If you could see the nervous system, you would see the ends of the fibre optics connecting to the frayed nerve endings that used to control Kome's arm.

Dr Briefs stood back and said, "OK Kome. This is the prototype of your new arm. I want you to raise both arms away from your body, parallel to the ground."

Kome complied, with a slight delay for the new left arm

"Now raise your arms straight up, and then drop them, swinging them forward until they are at your sides again."

Once more there was a delay for the new arm.

"Now can you fold your elbows forward as far as possible, and straighten them again."

The arm moved smoothly, despite at the delayed pace.

The inventor looked thoughtful. "It appears that there is an interface problem that causes the delay. I'll fix it up tonight, and then you can come in for the second stage testing tomorrow. After the third stage, or the fine-tuning, we can graft the synthetic skin over it, as well as figure out where you can keep the capsule."

Kome nodded and said, "Perhaps you could surgically place the storage capsule in my shoulder. It would mean that my own muscle will protect the capsule in a fight, and I don't have to worry about losing it."

"That's a good suggestion. I'll discuss it with Bulma over next few days. That is all for now. Let's get that arm off, and then go find your brother."

Dr Briefs pressed a hidden trigger on the robotic arm, releasing it from Kome's shoulder. He replaced the arm on its bench, and led Kome back out of the lab. Once they returned to the main lab, Gohan shut his work station down and joined them, along with Bulma.

Bulma said, "Gohan, your project looks like it is nearly finished. It should be built by the time Kome's arm is finished. By the way, could you please spread the word that there is a get together this weekend?"

"We'll tell everyone. Thanks for everything Bulma, Dr. Briefs. See you tomorrow."

/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\

The brothers flew off towards their home. Within minutes, they arrived at their home. Over the years it had expanded, and Gohan would have to build onto it soon again. As usual, the moment they had landed, they were attacked by Goten.

"Big brothers! How was school? Did you hear about Uncle Krillin and Uncle Herc and the robot? Did you two train today? Can we train today? There's a show on TV about you on now Gohan. Are you going to watch it? When..."

"Stop!" Gohan put up a hand, interrupting Goten. The youngest Son froze with his mouth half open. He closed it as Kome snuck off, heading to the kitchen.

"What is this TV show about, Goten?"

Goten smiled as he thought a bit, "It's on OSC News I think. The funny man is talking about the Special Forces, and you."

"Me, me or Golden Dragon, me?"

"Golden Dragon you"

Gohan breathed out a sigh of relief, "Ok, Goten. Let's go see what the funny man is saying about your favourite super hero."

Gohan walked toward the house, with a happy half-saiya-jin latched on to his arm. Entering the living room, he was greeted by Chi-chi watching the TV, and Kome sitting at the table with a small mountain range of food. Gohan, after greeting his mother, sat down and split his attention between the food and TV.

"...Since his emergence 5 years ago, The Golden Dragon has shown that he is adept with techniques associated with past and present Special Forces members as well as some of their enemies. Most notably, he has been seen using Master Roshi's Kamehame Ha technique, the Crane style Dodon Ray, Hercule Satan's Mega- and Gigawatt punch and even The Demon King Piccolo's Masenko. Many people have expressed concerns that he is simply copying the other members. Some even go so far as to say that he is actually a face that is worn by several members of the Special Forces. Mr Pencil, what do say about this?"

"Well I can say that the Golden Dragon is a separate entity to the other members of the group, but as to his copying them? I would like to think that he is simply learning from them, rather than copying, after all, we have seen him grow over the years from an unsure preteen to the awe-inspiring adult we know today. Many will remember the vents of two years ago, when we had that meteor shower that threatened to destroy the central lands, including our own Satan City."

"Yes we can all remember that event."

"Well I can also remember him launching a dragon shaped energy attack into all of the meteors that would have harmed this city of ours."

"Well that is very true. And that was his own technique, if I recall correctly."

"Yes, it also was what I consider to be the origin of his name. We all recognize that almost every member of the Special Forces has a tattoo, representing who they are. However, Golden Dragon is the only one to ever employ his tattoo as a weapon. Why just last week, we saw his ethereal summon spiralling around his body as he flew above Satan City. I can only assume that it is also used to call the group together, as he was quickly joined by Urotsuku, Toripuru Kyói, the Otoko Hanta and an unknown man."

"I'll have to stop you there Mr Pencil, because now we have two members of the Earth's Special Forces here, in studio for an exclusive interview. People of Satan City, and around the world, I give you our very own, Mr Hercule Satan, and the Otoko Hanta himself, Piccolo!"

The in studio audience exploded into cheers and applause, while Goten, having sat down on Gohan's lap, pointed excitedly at the screen.

"Look, look! It's Mr. Piccolo and Uncle Herc!"

Gohan held his little brother down, "Yes, Squirt. It's Piccolo and Hercule. Now shhh, I want to hear what they are saying."

Goten nodded, smiling cheerfully all the while.

On screen, the two fighters had sat down. While Hercule relaxed on his chair, looking as if he was born into talk shows and life in the spotlight, Piccolo was awkwardly perched on his own chair with his back dead straight and his arms folded over his chest.

"If you don't mind, we'll start off with Piccolo; I can call you Piccolo, right?"

"Yes"

"Well, Piccolo, as I understand it, you joined the ESF close on twenty years ago, is that correct?"

"It was actually only 13 years ago. I assisted Son Goku in defeating an alien invader. After that I stuck around."

"You mean you didn't actually want to be a member?"

"Not at first, no. I am the son of the Demon King Piccolo after all. I originally only helped Goku because I wanted to beat him myself, in vengeance, but...circumstances changed me."

"What circumstances would these be? I'm sure that the Son Goku didn't force you to join or anything like that."

"No. It was a personal matter that Goku helped me to resolve during my first two years of being a 'hero'."

"Well we won't pry into personal matters on this program, I can assure you of that, Prince Piccolo.'

"Please don't call me 'Prince', my father was not a real king, and I refuse any claim to that part of my heritage."

"Forgive me if I am being presumptuous, but did you just imply that the Demon King was not really a king at all?"

"No, and he wasn't really a demon, either. He crowned himself king over 500 years ago, when he arrived on this planet. He, and I by extension, is an alien from the planet Namek."

"An alien, you say?"

"Did you think that my green skin is some sort of special effect? No. I have little knowledge of my Namekian Heritage, but what I do know is that my father was exiled from the planet some 600 earth years ago, after which he came to here."

"And that was when the first incarnation of the Special Forces was born. For those at home that do not know, the original Special Forces was made up of Master Mutaito and his two students, the Turtle Hermit and Crane Assassin. Despite there not being a World Martial Arts Tournament at the time, Master Mutaito was considered the best martial artist of his time. At the cost of his own life, he imprisoned the Demon King Piccolo for 470 years. After he was released, Son Goku defeated him in a life or death battle," supplied Mr Pencil.

Here, Hercule spoke up, "Excuse me, Mr Pencil, but I noticed that you said 'despite there not being a World Martial Arts Tournament'."

"Yes, I did."

"Well, while I became the Champ by winning the 24th WMAT, it is not the only way to determine if you are a strong martial artist. In fact, we, as a group, have made a vow that no active, public member may participate in any Tournament. Obviously, the vow is optional for our younger members, seeing as they haven't yet had the opportunity to take part the World's Biggest Martial Arts Tournament."

"Well, that is some news, now we can see how they would fight in a non life-threatening situation. Speaking of fights, earlier today Hercule was caught on camera fighting the latest threat to our planet's safety. Could you two tell us about this threat?"

Hercule sat up straight, and looked squarely at the presenter.

"My fight this morning and the fight yesterday were with a group that call themselves 'Overlords'. We do not yet know what they want, but we are actively working to find out. Both attacks so far have been by so-called Bio-mechanical Life replicas. As far as we can tell they are clones of two aliens that the 2nd Gen fought 12 years ago. If the trend continues, each attack will be greater than the pervious. I must caution every one, that if you see any person, except an ESF member, flying near your city, get to the shelter's immediately. All of our more recent enemies could easily destroy your city. But no not worry, we are all on high alert, and should another appear, we will take the fight to it. And we will BEAT THEM ALL!

At Hercule's exclamation, every body in the studio, and many people watching the show, cheered.

In the Son household, Goten jumped onto the table in one of Hercule's 'Hero' poses, with his left hand on his hip and his right pointing straight at the ceiling. It would have been far more impressive if his mouth was not over flowing with chips and his juice had not spilled down his front.

Chi-Chi looked at Gohan. Gohan nodded. He grabbed Goten by the ankle and shook the crumbs of off his little brother.

"Come on squirt, time for bed. What story tonight?"

"How Uncle Yajirobe ate Drum, please."

"OK. Let's go, before mom bans you from breakfast again."

It took Goten all of 1 minute to get under covers in his bed on the 1st floor. Gohan shook his head and followed. Kome, after getting an OK from Chi-Chi, changed the channel to movies. There was a Matrix marathon on, and he would not miss it this time!

End Author's Note:

As I said, I am joining the SA Navy the year, and as such, I will not be able to write very much, especially during the next 6-7 weeks. Please note that I am NOT abandoning this story. I have most of the arcs already planned out; I just struggle to write the transitional scenes.

I will also, in-between training and studying, be reviewing all of my old chapters, and will bulk re-update all 6 (including this one) when I post Chapter 7. Unfortunately this will probably only be in June at the earliest.

Gohan Saga: This is a slow chapter, laying the foundation for the true start of the Bio-mech saga, which will be Chapter 7 and onward. I figured if Bulma can build a working Gravity Chamber, surely she can build robotic prosthetics. I mean they are already available today, just rather expensive.

I was unsure of how the interview scene at first, but I think it went well...

I find I really enjoy writing this family bonding scene, even if they aren't your normal family.

Until next time,

EoE.