CHAPTER 3
If you asked Goten how he is right now he would tell you that he is the happiest person in the world. First, he gets to hang out with his bestest friend in the whole wide world Trunks! Not only that, he is also at the famed World's Martial Arts Tournament and mom was going to let him participate too! They had to meet up with everyone at Capsule Corps before going to the tournament. Goten was surprised that everyone was able to fit in the plane easily.
There was Krillin, his daughter Marron and his wife Eighteen. Why she was called Eighteen Goten didn't know, maybe her parents liked numbers? He wasn't about to ask her though because she can be scary. Then there was Yamcha and his talking kitty Puar. Finally there was Oolong the pig, his grandpa the Ox king, his mom, Trunk, Bulma, Vegeta, and Mirai.
Goten knew Trunks and his family pretty much his whole life, except for Mirai. Mirai, Goten was told, came from the future years ago to warn everyone about an evil threat and to help defeat it. After defeating the threat, Mirai went back to his time to fix it and then went back to the past a year later to tell everyone he defeated the enemies in his time. Mirai before going back to his original time told everyone that it was the last time they would probably ever see him again. That was proven wrong when he appeared six months ago with a sad smile.
Goten and everyone else found out that Mirai's mom tampered with the time machine so Mirai wouldn't be able to return to his own time. She had snuck a message and a lot of his belongings in the time machine. The message said she wanted him to live in a healthy future and not a broken one. Mirai was angry at first but soon accepted his fate and actually looked forward to it when he realized he was in a time where Gohan is the same age as him. That feeling of happiness was shattered when Mirai found out about Gohan.
Goten frowned slightly. Goten knew Gohan was his older brother who died years ago from a sickness but that is about it. Gohan appeared to be a taboo topic, nobody wanted to talk about Gohan and actually no one really did until Mirai showed up. To tell the truth that is when Goten first found out he even had an older brother. His mom never mentioned it and there were no pictures of Gohan around the house.
Goten wished he could meet his brother, because no matter how much he tried to deny it he is jealous of Trunks and Mirai. Even though Mirai is only the future self of his best friend Trunks, the two acted like brothers and even called each other so. Trunks told him about how Mirai had taken him to the park and various places, how they played games, and how Mirai taught him 'super awesome amazing things'.
Now it wasn't like Mirai was ignoring Goten actually Mirai taught him some things, but Goten wanted his own big brother that is there most of the time and not some of the time. Another thing that Goten wanted was to be the center of attention just for a little bit. Goten wanted to feel that he is important and special to someone. Mirai was nice to teach him how to fly… but did he really have to teach that Satan girl too?
Mirai, Goten learned, decided to go to high school and interact with people his age. After some time Mirai decided to fight crime because he wouldn't stand by and let innocents get hurt. Mirai came up with this idea of dressing up as a superhero to hide his identity and Bulma helped by creating it. He called himself the 'Great Saiyaman' and it seemed to work. It was tough but he was able to keep his crime fighting secret…well until the Satan girl found out. Goten learned she was a crime fighter, her dad is Hercule…and to Goten that added her up to being very spoiled and demanding. When she found out Mirai's secret she blackmailed him into teaching her to fly. She blackmailed him and Mirai actually went along with it.
The Satan girl was a big, meany, poopy head not only for blackmailing Mirai but for glaring at Goten during the flying lessons. She wouldn't stop glaring until Mirai went over to Goten and suggested to him to fly slower. Mirai told Goten that the girl didn't like that Goten was progressing faster than her. Goten thought Mirai was being stupid; it wasn't his fault the girl was a slow learner and weak for that matter.
Goten was brought out of his thoughts when he heard Trunks call his name.
"Yeah Trunks?" asked Goten.
"Can you believe it? We are going to participate in the tournament!"
Goten grinned in excitement, "I know this is going to be so much fun!"
Mirai gave them a look behind his sunglasses, "Remember you two no super saiyan."
Goten and Trunks gave Mirai an innocent look and said in unison, "Yes Mommy."
Mirai just rolled his eyes and looked around. They were all standing outside the entrance to the tournament on an open sidewalk.
Trunks looked at Mirai, "So why are we just standing around and not registering?"
"We are waiting for Goten's father Goku, little brother."
Trunks turned to Goten, "What is taking your father so long?"
Goten gave Trunks a confused look and shrugged, "How should I know, I haven't met him before."
Trunks slightly winced, he forgot that this will be the first time Goten would meet his father. He gave Goten an apologetic look, "Goten I am sor.." Trunks never got to finish as Goten cut him off with a smile and a wave of dismissal.
"You don't need to apologize Trunks, you are right when you said he is taking forever."
Trunks gave a slight smile and then looked around, "I hope your father hurries Goten. Waiting is sooooo boring."
Trunks' tone made Goten giggle as he looked around himself, his mother was chatting with Bulma. Vegeta actually looked to be in a good mood today, he was only glaring at anyone who looked at him. Krillin and 18 were holding their daughters hand while talking to the others…well Krillin was, 18 was just standing their silently looking bored out of her mind. That was when Goten saw him or at least he thinks it's a him. He looked kind of green; Goten wondered if he was sick. He was tall wearing a purple gi with a red waistband and wristbands. The most noticeable thing was his long white cape and his funny towel looking hat.
Goten wondered who he was. He was under a tree not far from them. Actually he was close enough to look apart of the group but far enough no one in the group noticed him immediately. Goten saw Vegeta give the big green man with the pointed ears and long white cape a glance and a curt nod before looking elsewhere. So Vegeta knew him so who was he? Goten decided to find out.
He couldn't be that bad could he?
The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and Piccolo felt the urge to strangle someone. Why the hell was he here again? He could be training or meditating under a waterfall, but no he decided to come to the tournament and be around these…
"Hahaha," laughed Yamcha in happiness.
Piccolo twitched.
….annoying idiots.
"Hahaha isn't this great? The whole gang is getting back together!" Grinned Yamcha.
"Yeah," said Krillin as he clenched his hands in excitement, "We finally get to see Goku again!"
Piccolo was definitely wondering if that merge with Kami years ago had some unforeseen impact on his mental health. Why the hell is he willingly around these idiots? Before the merge he would have rather watched the ice caps melt than be around these buffoons. He definitely wasn't here for Goku or the tournament. He could care less about Goku and the tournament was just something to cure his boredom.
"So are you going to participate in the tournament Yamcha?" Chi-Chi the she-demon asked.
"No I gave up fighting, all I would do is embarrass myself."
Piccolo saw Vegeta give him a glance and a curt nod, which Piccolo returned. Vegeta at least acknowledged his existence. After his death Piccolo isolated himself from pretty much everyone except Dende and Mr. Popo. It wasn't hard because most of the group that was present were either afraid of him, hated his guts, or both. The only reason he ever got along with the group in the first place was because of him and Goku, Him more so than Goku. With both gone there was really no point in sticking around. Why did he have to die, the one and only person who truly cared about him and who Piccolo cared for in return.
Why did he have to die and so young too…
Piccolo was brought out of his thoughts by a tug on his cape. He glared down at the offender who looked up at him innocently.
Goku and the she-demon's son, Goten gave him a curious smile and asked, "Who are you?"
Piccolo stared at him for a brief moment before turning his attention to the side as if ignoring him, "Piccolo." Was all he said to the boy.
Piccolo wasn't surprised that Goten didn't know who he was. The brat's mother despised him and went to great lengths to make sure Goten never met Piccolo. She feared that Piccolo will 'corrupt' her little angel like he did the last. How Piccolo knew this was because she told him bluntly the day of his funeral.
*Flashback*
The sky was gloomy as it looked down at a hill where a grave laid. A small group of people were around it with tears and sadness. All of the z-gang was there with the exception of Goku. Everyone looked sad and solemn, even Vegeta looked slightly sad.
Chi-Chi was weeping in her father's arms as he patted her back gently. The giant man whispered things like, "It is going to be O.k." and "We'll get through this"; no one knew if it was towards his daughter or himself.
Piccolo stood under a tree before getting enough courage to get closer to the engraved stone. His movement caught everyone's attention, even Chi-Chi's. Chi-Chi got out of her father's arms and turned to Piccolo. Her sadness turned to anger at the sight of him.
"What the hell are YOU doing here?" She hissed in anger.
Piccolo gave her a blank look, "I am here to see Gohan."
Chi-Chi growled, "You aren't allowed here! Go away! I don't want you here!"
Piccolo glared at her, "I could care less about what you want wench."
Chi-Chi looked ready to jump him in anger but her father held her back. "Let me go so I can hit him with my frying pan! You foul demon get the hell away from here! Haven't you caused enough damage for once?"
Krillin tried to calm Chi-Chi down, "Come on Chi-Chi calm down."
"CALM DOWN!" Chi-Chi screamed causing Krillin to flinch, "You WANT me to CALM DOWN! Hell NO! That monster!" Chi-Chi looked pointedly at Piccolo, "Is the whole reason why my SON is dead!"
Almost everyone gasped at that accusation.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Piccolo asked with slightly narrowed eyes, what right does she have to accuse him of killing her son?
"Oh don't play dumb you monster! You corrupted my SON! Before he met you Gohan was a sweet little studious angel. If you didn't dig your dirty evil claws into him, he might still be alive! You brainwashed him into becoming a fighter and a hooligan like his father and look where it lead him!"
Piccolo growled.
"Chi-Chi!" Came the reprimanding tone of the Ox King, "You have gone too far! Piccolo never brainwashed Gohan, Gohan made the choice to fight on his own! He also didn't kill Gohan or cause his death; Gohan had died from that wretched heart virus. Piccolo cares just as much about Gohan as you and I do…"
Chi-Chi was stunned for a moment that her father was actually reprimanding her before bowing her head in what appeared to be regret but was actually anger.
"… Do you really want to act this way at your son's funeral?" finished the Ox King with a smile as he released his hold on his daughter, thinking that his daughter calmed down and was regretful about her actions.
Chi-Chi stood there silently before turning towards her father with her head still down.
"Well?" Asked the Ox King.
"Shut the HELL UP DAD! I am not a little girl anymore! I have the right to do anything I want with anything related to my children!" Chi-Chi yelled in anger causing her father to step back in fright.
Chi-Chi turned back to Piccolo, "And YOU! You can stay but that is it! I don't want to see you anywhere near my house you monster! I will not have you corrupt another one of my innocent angels!"
"Chi-Chi is what you said what I think you said?" asked Bulma.
Chi-Chi turned to Bulma, all anger wiped from her face, "Yes I am pregnant."
Everyone was shocked at the unexpected news.
"Wh...When…how?" asked Krillin.
Chi-Chi gave Krillin a mischievous look, "Well when a man and a woman love each other very much…"
Krillin blushed and waved his hands in front of him, "STOP! That is not what I meant."
Chi-Chi shrugged, "You were the one that asked."
A few people laughed happy that the mood was lightened.
Chi-Chi smiled again and in a soft voice said, "I am done here. Come on everyone lets all go to my house and have some food." She started walking towards her house then stopped and turned to Piccolo.
Her happy demeanor quickly turned to hate, "Remember monster stay away from me and my family." After that cold statement she smiled a brilliant smile like nothing happened and continued on her way home.
The others shortly began to follow, and not long after it were only Piccolo and the grave outside.
Piccolo read the caption on the stone softly:
Here lies Son Gohan
Beloved friend, student, son,
and grandson
May he rest in peace
Piccolo stared at the stone with a blank look. Piccolo had a feeling there was more to Gohan's death than the heart virus. He doesn't know why he has the feeling he just does. This whole situation felt wrong, like it was never supposed to happen. Piccolo frowned before letting out a barely noticeable sigh of sadness. Whether his feeling is true or not does not get rid of the fact that Gohan is dead.
Will he ever see his friend again? Gohan was the only one to make him crack a smile and feel accepted. Piccolo wondered if he will ever hear his name spoken in that stupid formal way? Will he ever hear the name…
"Mr. Piccolo?"
Piccolo stared at the stone in shock. "Wh...what?...Gohan?" Did he really hear him?
"Mr. Piccolo?" The voice repeated and the scene seemed to shatter as Piccolo was brought back to reality.
*End Flashback*
"Mr. Piccolo?" The location of the voice caused Piccolo to look down and snarl. It wasn't Gohan who said the name it was his brother Goten.
"Don't you EVER call me that." Piccolo said with a growl.
This caused Goten to back away in fright, "But why not?"
"Only one person is allowed to call me that and it is definitely not YOU."
Goten looked ready to cry at the imposing figure of Piccolo. He didn't mean to make the green man mad at him!
This is when Chi-Chi noticed that Goten was with Piccolo and her happy smile immediately turned into a scowl. She trudged over to Piccolo ready to give him a piece of her mind. How dare he interact with her child! But before she could get to him there was a noise from a couple feet behind her. She turned around to yell at whoever disrupted her but her voice got caught in her throat when she realized who it was.
She wasn't the only one who noticed someone had appeared. Everyone else noticed the presence and all of them broke into smiles at who it was. Well if you call a smirk a smile in Vegeta and Piccolo's case.
The person that appeared was none other than Goku.
Goten went to his mother's side for comfort when Goku appeared. Goten didn't know who this strange man that looked like him was. He was slightly afraid of the stranger but also confused. Why did the person look like him? Could this man be his father?
Goku smiled as he looked at everyone gathered, he really missed them. A lot of them looked to be in shock at his appearance probably wondering if what they are seeing is true, but all of them looked nonetheless happy to see him. After a few moments of silence, Goku decided to take the initiative because everyone else seemed to be in too much shock.
"Yo." He said with another smile and a wave.
That seemed to snap everyone out of their shock.
Krillin looked ready to cry, "Goku is that really you?" Goku nodded towards him.
Chi-Chi was so happy to see her husband that she was nearly in tears.
Trunks, Eighteen, Mirai, and Vegeta just stared at Goku silently. Piccolo looked at Goku then glanced at Goku's side and frowned. Everyone else was smiling at Goku.
"Well am I going to get a hello or what?" asked Goku with a smile like smirk.
At those words Krillin, Yamcha, Puar, and Oolong ran at Goku with a hug while screaming, "Goku!"
Goku just laughed as he returned the hugs, he looked over at Chi-Chi and his grin turned into a soft smile.
Chi-Chi looked back at him with her own smile, "I missed you." She said loud enough for him to hear.
"I missed you to Chi-Chi." Goku said as he stepped away from Krillin and the others to walk towards his wife. He blinked as he saw something move behind Chi-Chi's legs. Stopping, Goku bent down and tilted his head.
A head peeked out from behind Chi-Chi's legs. Goten looked at the man called Goku from behind his mother. When their eyes met Goten ducked his head behind his mother again in shyness.
"I think there is a mini me hiding behind your leg Chi-Chi." Goku said as he pointed behind her.
Goten poked his head back out, "I'm Goten."
"and I am Goku. Hi!" Goku responded back with a grin and a wave.
Goten stared blankly at Goku.
Chi-Chi looked down at her son and smiled as she stepped to the side, "Come on Goten, and Don't be shy. Say hello to your father."
Goten stared at Goku a little longer. This man is his father? He seemed to be really nice. With a sudden burst of energy Goten screamed, "Daddy!" as he ran towards Goku.
Goku smiled as he picked up Goten and spun around once before placing him on his shoulder.
Almost everyone looked at the father son moment with a smile. The only ones not smiling were 18, Vegeta, and Piccolo. 18 and Vegeta looked bored and slightly sick at the mushy seen, while Piccolo glared angrily at the ground.
Piccolo was angry because Gohan wasn't there. He had sort of hoped that when Goku came to the tournament Gohan would as well. But as he looked at Goku and the obvious lack of Gohan, Piccolo began to have that same feeling he had back at Gohan's funeral. There was a feeling that there was something really wrong with the situation. Where is Gohan? Why isn't he here? Goku wouldn't leave Gohan behind would he? No that wouldn't be like Goku, Goku would have found some way to get Gohan to come along. The only thing that Piccolo could come up with as to why Gohan is not with Goku is that Gohan never met up with Goku in the Otherworld.
Piccolo's suspicion was correct when Goku decided to open his mouth after everyone calmed down at his appearance and asked, "Where is Gohan?"
Everyone's smiles shattered at those words and a heavy sadness seemed to permeate the area. Goku laughed in nervousness as he looked at everyone's sudden shift in mood. "Uh…Guys what is going on?"
He tried to make eye contact with someone but every time he looked at someone they would avoid his gaze. Goku frowned and with a serious voice asked, "Okay what is going on."
It wasn't a question this time, Goku was demanding an answer.
Piccolo was the one who spoke up, "You really don't know."
Goku put Goten down before turning to Piccolo, "No I don't, and from everyone's reaction it is bad," Goku stared Piccolo straight in the eye, "What happened to Gohan?"
"He is dead." Piccolo stated with no emotions.
At those words, Goku's world seemed to fall apart, "Wh..What?" He fell to his knees, eyes wide as he stared at nothing. "How? When? Was it an enemy? I thought Bojack was the last evil villain to attack."
Piccolo shook his head, "It wasn't an enemy, Gohan didn't die in a battle, if that were the case he would still be with us. Your thoughts are also correct; Bojack was the last villain we faced."
Goku looked up at Piccolo from his spot on the ground, "If it wasn't an enemy then what was it?" A hand on his shoulder caused him to turn his head away from Piccolo.
The hand belonged to Krillin who had a sad bitter sweet smile on his face, "It was the heart virus Goku, Gohan got it a few months after the Bojack incident. He didn't make it."
Goku's eyes dimmed, "Gohan got the heart virus? So it is my fault Gohan is dead."
Everyone seemed shocked at Goku's words.
"Don't say that Goku it isn't your fault." Bulma said.
Goku got up and glared at Bulma. Everyone flinched not use to seeing Goku with that look on his face. "It is my fault. Gohan obviously got that heart virus from me somehow." Goku stared at the ground sadly, "I killed my own son."
"Oh for the love of Dende! Shut the hell up and get over yourself!" Goku's head snapped up at the voice, only to look in shock at the owner.
"What did you say Vegeta?" asked Goku with slightly wide eyes.
"I said to shut the hell up. It wasn't your fault that the brat died from that stupid virus. You had no control over who got it or not, so get over yourself Kakkarot! Be a true saiyan and suck it up. Your moping and self-loathing is making me sick." Vegeta said with a huff.
Goku stared at Vegeta before a grateful smile lit his face. "You are right Vegeta, I had no control over it thank you."
Vegeta just looked to the side with a snarl, "Whatever, I didn't do it for you Kakkarot. I just didn't want your moping to affect our fight. I want you at your best when I defeat you in combat."
Goku rolled his eyes, "Sure whatever you say Vegeta."
"Goku." Said Piccolo in a gruff voice.
"Yeah?"
"If…"Piccolo looked to be choosing his words carefully. "If you never knew of Gohan's death, then where is he? I would have thought he would have gone straight to you."
Goku gave Piccolo a troubled smile, "Gohan died when I was competing in the Other World Tournament. So I don't know where he is and that worries me. I would think someone in the other world, like King Kai, would have told me Gohan died. Yet no one did."
Everyone looked saddened at those words. Some couldn't believe what Goku must be going through to find out that his son is dead, and for quite some years as well.
"Ahem" The noise caused everyone to look at the source. It was Master Roshi's sister Baba.
"Yes Baba?" Asked Goku.
"I just wanted to tell you Goku that you have only 24 hours here. That is all I can do. So use it wisely."
Goku gave Baba a grateful smile, "Thank you and I will."
Baba turned to leave but paused, "Don't worry about Gohan's whereabouts Goku. Leave it to me, I'll ask around the other world and see if I can find anything. Enjoy your stay while it lasts, you may not get another chance."
Goku's smile turned more sincere, "You don't know how much that means to me."
The witch Baba, turned her head so Goku could see her small but real smile, "It is the least I could do." With those parting words she teleported away.
With one last smile where Baba used to be, Goku looked at everyone as he picked up Goten. "Why don't we go sign up for the Tournament?"
Goten grinned down at his father as he pumped his fists in the air, "YEAH! Let's go!"
Goku laughed at his youngest son's enthusiasm. Even though Gohan's death affected Goku deeply, he couldn't let it drag him down. His other son needed him now and Goku wanted to enjoy every minute he has with him. He already missed a lot of Goten's childhood, so today he is going to make it up. With these thoughts, Goku motioned everyone else to follow him to the registration area.
Goku didn't notice the green eyes from a distance stare at him sadly.
The only person out of the group that noticed was Piccolo, but when Piccolo stared at the owner of the green eyes something happened.
"Go..Gohan?" For a moment Piccolo thought he saw Gohan staring back at him, but as rubbed his eyes and looked at the person again it just turned out to be some snot nosed brown haired seven year old boy with green eyes.
"Piccolo are you coming or what?" Came the obnoxious (in Piccolo's opinion) voice of Goku.
Piccolo just huffed as he started walking with the rest of the group. He rubbed his eyes tiredly, did he actually see Gohan? And if so why?
Harry stared at Goku sadly from a distance. Harry was able to listen in to Goku and the other z-fighters talk because of his heightened hearing. Harry felt bad for causing Goku so much pain because of his death. Yet it wasn't enough for Harry to walk up to Goku and the other's and say "Here I am."
Not when the person who betrayed him is in the group. Harry is afraid that if he reveals himself that his betrayer would try to kill him again. Most likely the attempts will fail because Harry doesn't plan to die. Yet every attempt that would be made will hurt him emotionally. Even though the person betrayed him Harry couldn't help but still care for them. Harry couldn't help but laugh in slight anguish. Is it sad that he is more afraid of the person who betrayed him than Voldemort?
"Cub are you alright?"
"Yeah I am fine, I just realized how sad it is that I fear the person who betrayed me more than I do Voldemort?" Harry said this with a depressed sigh.
Remus knelt down in front of Harry, "It is not sad that you feel more fear toward them than you do Voldemort."
"But…"
"No buts Harry, if I was in your place I would feel the exact same way. I would have felt hurt, betrayed, and a little bit of fear if I realized my mom killed me."
In a remote area, a small figure is laughing hysterically as he looked into a crystal ball.
"Soon, Majin Buu will be awoken and all shall fall to his mighty power!"