Author's Note:
I'm doing my best to get chapters out ASAP! Whoo! Please review to tell me how I'm doing.
Disclaimer: Still not rich, therefore, still don't own DBZ.
CHAPTER SEVEN:
"We finally found you." Goku stared at his son. He grinned the classic Son grin, scratching the back of his neck.
"Jeez, you're tall!" Goku laughed cheerfully, but even that did nothing to ease the tension in the air. "Uh, so, how have you been in the three years you've been gone, Gohan? Ooh, is that your girlfriend?" Goku grinned, wriggling his eyebrows suggestively, leaning closer to Gohan. "When is Chi-Chi gonna get her grandkids, huh? Actually, when am I, hm, Gohan?"
"Excuse me. But I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about." Gohan's face was a pure red, while Videl was just staring at them in shock. The blood drained from her face, before she got angry. Her Ki spiked, a white aura around her body.
"I'm only fourteen! What do you think I am?! You are vile and disgusting and horrible! No wonder Erai needs you DEAD!" Videl snapped, her anger rising like a tidal wave. "No way am I having kids at fourteen! I may have dreams of marrying Gohan and having children," Goku was backing away, hands up in defense. He had sweat dripping off his face, cowering under the force of Videl's glare. "But I will not be having children at fourteen! You perverted PIG!" Videl glared down at Goku. During the exchange, Goku had tripped over something, and fell head-over-heels down to the floor.
"Jeez. You picked a real firecracker, huh, Gohan?" Goku looked at his son for help. "She reminds me of," Goku gulped. "A really mad Chi-Chi!" Goku shook his head, then shrunk back to floor under Videl's gaze.
"Gohan, help!" Goku pleaded, glancing at his son. He paused in his childish behavior and stared at Gohan. There was something missing from Gohan... the spark of life that Gohan always carried, even in the direst of situations.
"Gohan?" Goku said hesitantly. His son wasn't like this – his son didn't have a mask for his emotions. His son didn't carry around so much clear anguish. His son was happy, not this... shadow that Gohan had become.
"Videl, I think he's had enough mental torment." Gohan said, voice cold and emotionless.
"Hey, Gohan, you alright?" Videl asked, noticing the cold tone in Gohan's voice.
"He claims to be my father." Gohan said bluntly. "I don't know him, though. Videl, what is going on?" he turned to Videl, seeking answers. Goku's eyes widened, realizing his son had no idea who he was.
"He's trying to trick you, Gohan." Videl walked over to her boyfriend, resting her hands on her hips and glaring at him. "He's trying to lull you into a false sense of security. When you drop your guard, he'll strike. It's a classic move, I thought you of all people would have figured it out by now. Now, come on. Once we kill these people, we can go home."
~DBZ~
Piccolo could barely hear the words being said. He was solely concentrated on Gohan. This isn't possible. Piccolo could barely hear himself. Gohan was supposed to return to us. To me. This isn't right! Piccolo narrowed his eyes, catching the end of Videl's last statement. Go home? he echoed. Isn't he already home? No, he believes his place is with Erai. So does that girl.
Piccolo didn't care much for the human girl, but Gohan concerned him more than anyone else in this whole stinking world.
I know I've done some wrong things. Piccolo directed his thoughts to the Kais, to Dende, to all of the god-like creatures that resided in the universe. But what have I done to deserve this? Why must you punish Gohan to get to me? WHY? Piccolo shook his head – he could never understand how they could take away the one precious thing to him. It just wasn't fair; it would never be fair.
"Home." he heard Gohan say, softly. Piccolo's head snapped up. The word sounded more like a question, and less like a real phrase to him. "I get the feeling that I'm already home, but... that... doesn't make sense." Gohan continued. Piccolo felt a ray of hope shine through him... until he sensed Gohan's power level.
Is... that even possible? Piccolo gasped out loud. That's outrageously... weak! Didn't he train at all in these three years?! Piccolo grinned, shaking his head in despair. Classical, Gohan. Wait a moment. Piccolo focused his gaze on Gohan's heart, feeling it pulse with power. He had developed a telepathic connection with Gohan, but something was blocking him now. The block didn't prevent him from seeing Gohan's true power, though.
Parity. A perfect harmony between races. One brutal and emotionless, the other either light or dark depending on the person, one who's life runs with emotion. he smiled wryly, laughing at the irony of it. A form Vegeta will never be able to achieve. Unlike most half-Saiyans, Gohan was born with separate human and Saiyan forms. He was never able to fuse them together – he wasn't born complete like Trunks or Goten. He was born ripped apart, and now he has found away to fuse himself, to become the truest form of the Gohan I know. I've seen this side of Gohan before, but I never imagined that it would be this powerful. How strong you've become, Gohan. You've had to do it all on your own, without anyone to guide you. Piccolo's eyes were full of pity when he gazed at the one so dear to him. I am sorry... that I wasn't there for you, Gohan. I would have willing died a thousand deaths at the hands of Cell to prevent yours. I would have done anything to spare you, Gohan. You didn't give up on me when I believed this world to be nothing but cold and despicable. You showed me that stars cannot shine without darkness. I watched you shine, Gohan, and learned how to shine myself. Now, the tables have turned. Piccolo's eyes were full of determination. I swear to you – I will get you to shine again, even if it's the last thing I do.
Piccolo lifted his gaze to meet Gohan's. As soon as both onyx eyes locked onto each other, Gohan stiffened.
Could he... possibly remember me? Piccolo was rendered speechless. How could he remember me, when he did not know his own father?
"M...Mister Piccolo?" Gohan's voice rang out, clear and true, his body shaking, forcing memories that had been destroyed back into existence.
~DBZ~
Marron, Goten, and Trunks were both at Capsule Corp, Goten and Trunks missing their fathers, and Marron missing both her parents.
"So, that huge power from before was your big brother, Goten?" Trunks asked, leaning forwards. The kids were sitting on the living room carpet, discussing the day's events.
"Yup!" Goten grinned and started bouncing up and down. "My brother is the strongest in the universe!"
"Nah, I bet my dad could take him." Trunks looked away, nose in the air. Truth be told, he wasn't sure his father could take Gohan. Trunks had watched in awe as Vegeta mastered Super Saiyan Three, and Trunks had never forgotten how his father looked.
Huge, spiky, golden hair that extended to the back of his knees. Shining, fiery blue eyes. His muscles bulged even more than before. A giant golden aura surrounding him, his Ki rocketing to huge levels. His hilarious lack of eyebrows, but the expression on his father's face had been more than enough to get Trunks to shut up and just watch.
A big, scary man had come to the house when Trunks was only two years old. Chi-Chi had come over with one-year-old Goten to have a playdate. Vegeta was out training, and this man broke into the house and scared Bulma and Chi-Chi by pulling this weird metal thing out of his coat. He aimed it at Mom, and hit a trigger. Vegeta had heard the women's screams and had caught the bullet. More men came out, determined to murder Bulma and her son, then take control of her company. Vegeta had been furious. He had beat the truth out of him, and that's when he ascended to Super Saiyan Three.
It was two years ago, but Trunks could still remember it. He was four years old now, and Goten was three. Since then, Vegeta had worked tirelessly to master Super Saiyan Three – especially since Goten's father, Goku, had already ascended and mastered the transformation.
"Nah! Vegeta isn't as cool as Gohan." Goten loyally declared.
"That's not true! I hope they fight so we can see who's stronger. You can sense Ki, right, Goten?"
"Of course!"
"Well, I sense Gohan and he's not as powerful as my dad!"
"Gohan is hiding his real power!"
"Nuh uh!"
"Yeah huh!"
"Can we play a different game now?" Marron asked. She smiled at the two boys hopefully. "Like the one we did last time! I'll be the princess, Trunks is the villain, and Goten, you're the prince!"
"I should be the prince." Trunks said, glaring at Marron. "I'm an actual heir to a throne!"
"A destroyed one, Trunks." Marron reminded him gently. "And Goten's no good at being the bad-guy. Remember the time that he let me go just because I asked nicely?"
"You have a point there. Fine! I'll be the villain then."
~DBZ~
Chi-Chi and Bulma smiled to themselves, seeing the children beginning their game.
"Gohan never played like that." Chi-Chi realized, her heart heavy. "He never got the chance to play like that. He was only four when he thrown into this mess, Bulma. Four. Could you imagine Trunks going through what Gohan did?"
"No, I couldn't." Bulma said, truthfully. "However, those boys have never experienced true hardship. Gohan saw it happen at a young age, and his personality is developed on those events alone. He learned to treasure what time he had, he learned to follow his own path, he learned compassion and that anyone can change. He learned to give second chances, he learned to never judge a book by it's cover. He learned how to learn, how to protect, and how to care, Chi-Chi. He learned how to trust, even when his trust was misplaced and he died in a battle Goku was sure he'd win." Bulma remarked. "Gohan has always been very mentally strong. Stronger than all of us, I think. He went through hell as a kid, and he never had anyone lean on." Bulma's eyes misted over. "For the most part, I watched that kid grow up. I know you hate Piccolo, Chi-Chi, but Gohan changed Piccolo forever."
"Don't even mention that green monster!" Chi-Chi cried with a passion in her voice. "He killed Goku and kidnapped Gohan! I can never forgive him for that... what mother would?"
"One who understands their relationship." Bulma put a hand on Chi-Chi's shoulder. "Piccolo was stuck in a dark place for a long time, Chi-Chi. He knew nothing but cruelty. Until a small, weak, compassionate four-year-old boy led him out. And he continues leading Piccolo on to this day. Piccolo's been training and growing strong to bring your boy back. He wants Gohan back just as much as you do, Chi-Chi. Like it or not, Piccolo is a father figure to poor Gohan."
"I still don't like him!" Chi-Chi glared at Bulma, an annoyed expression on her face. "I don't care how much Gohan loves-"
"That's just it. You couldn't care less about Gohan's happiness, and Goku couldn't care less about Gohan's life." Bulma snapped, raising an eyebrow. "Piccolo cares about both. If Goku hadn't restrained him, Piccolo would have died instead of Gohan. Piccolo always encouraged Gohan to follow his own path – Gohan can be himself around Piccolo. Gohan had to be the dedicated and obedient scholar around you, and the proud warrior around Goku. Around Piccolo, Gohan could be the sweet, shy warrior who wants to be a scholar. He isn't a scholar, he isn't a warrior. He's a bit of both, Chi-Chi. I've always wondered what Gohan would turn out like if you didn't push him so hard, and Goku didn't force him to train."
Chi-Chi was speechless. She didn't care about her baby boy's happiness? Maybe I did push him too far... but he was so obedient. guilt flooded the mother, her eyes misting over. Gohan was just trying to please me, and all I ever did was yell at him to do more. I must find my baby boy soon.
~DBZ~
Erai narrowed her eyes from her vantage point. She had kept Videl and Gohan's minds under supreme control, but not even she could prevent the memories of Piccolo from slowly returning to Gohan. Erai cursed, her hand balled into a fist. She hadn't counted on such a strong reaction from Gohan. She had expected that he would be nonchalant when seeing Piccolo.
She had misjudged the strength of their bond.
She had made one mistake. And when you were pulling a stunt like her's, one mistake could ruin all of your plans in an instant.
She had managed to prevent Videl from realizing who Hercule really was, but she couldn't stop Gohan from anything. A Saiyan mind. I've never tried to manipulate one before. It's worked so far, but only because Gohan's personality was in my favor.
Perhaps, if I can twist the memories of Piccolo, I can prevent him from realizing who Piccolo is! Then Gohan can continue to be my pawn... he will kill his father and Hercule Satan. Anyone else who gets in this way will be destroyed with a flick of his wrist.
Erai smiled cruely.
It's the perfect plan. she reasoned.
It will all be dependent on Gohan's ability to resist me. He hasn't before, but his memories are stronger than I believed. He wouldn't dare. If he does resist me, I will destroy him, Videl, and the other warriors who get in my way. After Gohan kills Son Goku and Hercule Satan, we will continue to destroy the worlds across the galaxy. The only way for the children of this universe to remain safe is to destroy all possibilities of danger existing. The only child allowed the live will be Gohan and Videl's one.
Erai cackled to herself, more than pleased with her brilliant plan.
Or perhaps Gohan and Videl will also die with their races. If I try to harm Videl, Gohan will use the Parity transformation to destroy me. I must be rid of him first. Then I shall take care of Videl. Or, perhaps, Gohan could kill the Kais for me. Those tyrants also need to be brought down, and brought down quickly. Gohan's Parity could easily take care of the North, East, South, and West Kais.
The Grand Kai will also fall to him.
And finally, the Supreme Kai and his bodyguard Kibito. Hm, I suppose we'll also have to take care of the Old Kai locked within the Z Sword as well. Perfect. My revenge will be so, so sweet.
Erai broke into an evil grin, her dark aura powering up around her. Her onyx hair moved around her heart-shaped face. She was gorgeous, thin, and lightly muscled. Her eyes were a pure orange. Her shirt exposed her collarbone, wrapping around her shoulder and extending down. It was tight, showing off her figure. It flared into a skirt, with long pieces of fabric strung out behind her, almost like a cape. She had tight shorts on, with tall, knee-high boots. All in a dark purple, of course.
Erai cackled.
I am ready for my revenge.
~DBZ~
The Supreme Kai stood on his planet, thinking long and hard about the situation of the world currently.
"This is not good. Not good at all, Master. We may have to step in." Kibito rumbled from beside his master.
"I disagree, Kibito. Gohan just recognized Piccolo, the former Guardian of Earth. Or, at least, Piccolo fused with the former Guardian of Earth." Supreme Kai said evenly. He smiled warmly. "Gohan may rebel against Erai's control. With Gohan leading the charge, we have a positive chance of defeating her. Let us just hope that Gohan is able to resist her for just a little longer..."
~Gohan just recognized Piccolo! Will Gohan be able to piece himself back together again, or will Erai win this mental battle? Find out, next time!