Chapter 8: The Wish

Goku ran over to the crater and jumped inside. "Gohan! Gohan!" He yelled as he moved rocks out the way looking for his son.

Piccolo flew over and scanned the area. He put a hand on Goku shoulder. "Stop Goku."

Goku shrugged Piccolos hand off of him. "No! I just found him. I'm not going to let him get away from me again."

"Goku you know as well as I do that Gohans ki signature is gone. Neither of us can sense him. He died with that explosion."

Tears started falling down from his eyes as the rest of the Z fighters flew over.

"I can't lose him again."

"Don't worry Goku we can wish him back with the dragonballs." Krillin said

Gokus tears stopped as he smiled. "Yeah I forgot about that. Well lets go."

Just as Goku and Piccolo jumped out of the crater a gust of wind started blowing uncontrollably blowing up dirt and dust. They heard a sinister laugh and an amazing power.

"That fool killed himself for nothing. I'm back now and I'm a lot stronger." Cells voice boomed over the land.

Every got into a stance and stared wide eyed at Cell.

Cell shot a blast through the dirt and dust aiming at Trunks. Trunks wasn't prepared and feared for the worst when the blast was headed towards him. He knew he couldn't escape it in time and even if he could he was to afraid to move. The blast struck him in the chest going cleanly through him.

Trunks hit the ground bleeding out from the hole in his chest. Vegeta's eyes widened as he saw the form of his son. 'No! No! Trunks my son! How could I let this happen to my son. He's giving up everything for me and I only ignored him. NO! I won't give up on him. There is still time to change things.' Vegeta thought.

"Cell you will pay for what you did to my son!" Vegeta yelled as he blasted into super saiyan and flew off towards the monster who tried to kill his son. Vegeta shot blast after blast at the villain to avenge his son. The rain of ki blast caused dust and dirt to surround Cell.

After a few minutes of planet shaking blasts Vegeta Finally let up on his assault. "Its finally over." Vegeta said. Cell flew out from the dust and back handed Vegeta to the ground.

"Wrong Vegeta. Its over when I say its over." Cell said with a menacing smile. "And Its over now!" Cell said as he threw a blast strong enough to kill Vegeta.

Vegeta closed his eyes and waited for the pain, but all he felt was a body on top of him. Gohan reappeared and shielded Vegeta from the blast. The blast blew Gohans arm clean off.

Gohan stood up and stared down Cell.

Cell chuckled. "Ah so you survived. Your efforts are wasted young one. You had a chance against me before, but now your arm is gone and I'm stronger than ever."

"I've become completely useless on this battlefield. I'm making a mockery of my saiyan race." Vegeta said as he sat up a bit. "I'm sorry Gohan. "

Gohan chuckled a smiled darkly. "I never thought I would hear you apologize Vegeta, but don't think this is over yet."

What Gohan said turned the heads of everyone there.

"He just got his arm blown off and he's smiling." Tien said flabbergasted.

Yamcha nodded. "Yeah and he's laughing too."

Goku looked on in worry. "Gohan? What happened to you?"

Gohan held what was left of his arm up and everyone stood amazed as it regenerated in front of their eyes. "Alot has happened over the last week and only two good things came from it. The ability to regenerate and becoming use to pain. When you blew my arm off Cell I barely felt a thing. I'm numb to pain now. Pain is part of me."

Cell backed up a bit. "What the hell? What are you?"

"I told you Cell. I'm a monster." Gohan said. " A very powerful monster." Gohan started powering up. His hair spiked up higher and one bang hanging over his face. "You haven't even seen the true depths of my power yet."

Cell was stunned as well as everyone else.

"His power is enormous." 16 said.

"I'm still stuck on the arm growing thing." Krillin stated "Did you know he could did that Piccolo?"

Piccolo frowned. "He said he obtained that in the last week. He was missing for 9 days remember?"

"Oh yeah sorry."

"So is that how you survived the explosion?" Cell asked. "You regenerated like I did?"

Gohan nodded. "Something like that. I regenerated faster than the explosion could kill me. Thats why I didn't have any scratches or bruises earlier when we were fighting."

Cell got into a stance but sweat was dripping down his face. He knew he stood no chance.

Gohan creeped towards Cell. "Have you ever experienced true fear Cell? Its the worst feeling in your life. I don't wish that on my worst enemies, so I'll make this quick."

Gohan disappeared from Cells view. Cell looked around ready to block an attack when he felt a sharp pain in his chest. Gohans fist was penetrating Cells Chest making him cough up blood. Gohan punched Cell in his stomach doubling him over. He grabbed Cell by the arm and swung him in a circle repeatedly and let him fly through the sky screaming.

Gohan cupped his hands together. "Kamehameha!" He yell releasing an enormous wave of energy in Cells direction.

The only thing that could be heard was the scream of Cell as he vanished from the face of the earth.

Gohan stopped feeding energy to the wave and powered down. He turned to his friends and family. "Its over."

Vegetas mouth was gaping. "He destroyed him like it was a walk in the park! How much power does the brat have."

"You guys should get to the lookout and wish everyone Cell killed back to life." Gohan stated.

Goku nodded. "What about you son? Aren't you coming?"

Gohan shook his head. "Don't worry I have a plan. I'll explain later. For now you guys should go to the lookout. I'll meet you there."

"But.." Goku started but Gohan cut him off. "Just go. I still need to finish putting my plan into motion."

Everyone flew off with 16 carrying 17, and Krillin carrying 18. Vegeta looked for the body of his son only to see nothing.

Gohan noticed this and decided to speak up. "Don't worry Vegeta. I took Trunks to Dende when you were in rage mode against Cell. He's alive."

Vegeta nodded in gratitude and flew off.

Piccolo was the only one remaining with Gohan.

"Piccolo..." Gohan started, but Piccolo cut him off. "I'm not leaving Gohan so just get over it."

Gohan chuckled. "I was going to tell you to grab that guy with the afro. He's part of my plan as well."

Piccolo cocked his head to the side. "How so?"

"I need him to take the credit for the defeat of Cell." Gohan explained. "The people of earth need a champion and that champion should be human. Someone that would appeal to them. Someone they can put their hope in. I don't have time for public appearances and none of us like the attention anyway. He's the best option for us."

Piccolo nodded and he and Gohan walked over to Hercule and the media crew who were knocked out since a shock-wave between Goku and Cell. Gohan lightly shook Hercule to wake him.

Hercule eyes started fluttering. "Huh? Where am I?" He saw Piccolo and Gohan starring down at him. "Ahh! Please don't hurt me! I'll do anything you ask just leave me alone!"

"Don't worry we have a proposition for you." Gohan said with a smirk.

(20 minutes Later)

Gohan and Piccolo landed on the lookout. Everyone looked suspiciously at Gohan and he put his hands up to reassure them.

"Did you make the wishes?"

Krillin shook his head. "Not yet buddy we were waiting on you."

"But before that I want to know what happen to you Gohan. You said you would explain, and I've waited long enough." Goku said.

Gohan sighed as he looked around. "I don't feel comfortable telling everything, so I'll give you the short version. About 9 or 10 days ago I went off to the northern mountains. I looked for a lab, or a sub lab. I thought Gero still had something there, so I decided to take a look. I ended up finding the lab and started looking around inside. There was a trap and I got hit with a poison dart that knocked me out. I woke up tied to a chair. I tried to power up and I tried to turn super saiyan, but I was bound with energy draining chains and ki blockers. The lab also blocked off my ki signature."

Goku nodded. "That explains why none of us could sense you."

"Yeah, but there is more." Gohan took a deep breath. "The person who kept me prisoner was a scientist named Jason. He gave me a serum that he made. It allowed my wounds to heal and my limbs to regenerate."

Trunks looked on in confusion. "Why would he do that."

Vegeta huffed. "Its obvious boy. He used him as a lab rat. He caught a saiyan as powerful as yourself captive and you became his lab monkey. Ha! How pathetic. You should be ashamed of yourself."

Piccolo narrowed his eyes at the saiyan prince. "Watch it Vegeta. You don't know..."

Gohan put his arm in front of Piccolo cutting him off. "Its okay Piccolo." Gohan took his shirt off and showed everyone the scars he had acquired.

Everyone looked on with pity or turned their head from the sight.

"I wish I was just a lab rat Vegeta, but I was more than that. I was a torture subject."

"But I thought you could heal and regenerate. Why do you have scars like that?" Tien asked.

"Well when you are tortured for hours on end the regeneration tends to take a little longer. My regeneration was working overtime for hours on end, so it makes sense." Gohan explained.

"What all did he do Gohan. I need to know, so I can understand and help you." Goku asked.

Gohan put his shirt back on. "I'd rather not go into detail. Its something I never want to remember."

Gokus face fell. "Son?"

"I can't dad! Just...just give me some time. Please."

Goku nodded. "I don't want to force you to talk if you're not ready. I'll wait until you feel comfortable enough to tell me, but at least tell me something. Anything!

Gohan nodded. "To sum it all up I was broken. The only upside was the more he tortured me, the stronger I became. My regeneration became faster the more my body was being tortured. I eventually got use to the pain to the point where it didn't even bother me. Getting my arm cut off eventually amounted to a paper cut to me. After a while I stopped screaming for him and he hated that. He left one day and came back with two people. Mr. Lao and Lime. He said he would kill one painlessly and torture the other, but I had to choose who he would torture. I chose to have Mr. Lao get tortured and have his granddaughter Lime die painlessly."

"Gohan?" Goku said, but Gohan shook his head.

"Lao ended up talking some sense into me and after his death I kind of snapped. I gave into my hate and rage and ascended past the power of a super saiyan. It was enough power for me to finally break free and save Lime before Jason could kill her."

"Where is this Jason guy now Gohan?" Yamcha asked.

"I killed him, but before he died and I asked him his reasoning behind what he did. He was crazy just like his partner Gero."

"He was Gero's partner?" Krillin yelled.

Gohan nodded. He looked over at Goku. 'I don't want to tell dad that he accidentally killed Gero's family when he was a kid. He'll be heartbroken. He already has enough going on. He doesn't need that added stress.'

Gohan turned to Piccolo. "Can you go in the building and get Lime for me. I assume Popo and Dende are still showing her around."

Piccolo nodded and walked off towards the building.

Goku took this chance to walk up to his son. "Gohan I'm sorry about what happen. Its my fault that you left in the first place. I failed to find you before the Cell games. I even went back to training to prepare for Cell instead of looking for you. I...I'm sorry Gohan."

Gohan frowned when he saw tears coming down his fathers face. 'Dad never cries. This must seriously be eating at him. He's blaming himself for something he had no control over.'

Gohan sighed. "Its not your fault dad. Its not any ones fault really. Things just happened. I know it sounds weird, but I accepted it. Whats important is to move on from this. I have to deal with the hand I'm dealt with."

Goku just nodded even though he still felt guilty. What Gohan said didn't ease him in the slightest.

After a few minutes Dende and Lime followed Piccolo out of the building.

Gohan walked up to Lime and leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Is the drive still safe on you?"

Limes cheeks tinged red a little, but she nodded in response.

"Good. Keep it on you for a little while longer."

Krillin blinked a few times to see if what he was seeing was true."Gohan she wouldn't happen to be your girl friend would it?"

"Out of all times to tease me now is definitely not the right time to Krillin." Gohan growled out making him back away.

"Sorry sorry. It was just a joke. I only wanted to lighten the mood. Kami knows we all need it right about now."

"Well I'm sorry I'm bringing the mood down. That's not my intention." Gohan said with a sigh.

"You have nothing to apologize for bro. You had a rough week. It was a life changer for you. I should try to be more sensitive towards your situation."

"That's even worse." Gohan said. "Just be your normal self around me. If you want to tease or joke then go ahead. Just don't take my threats or glares seriously. I won't actually hurt you or lose control in anger."

"This change will definitely take some getting use too." Krillin said.

Yamcha nodded. "Yeah it'll be like having another Vegeta around."

Gohan crossed his arms and pouted. "I'm not that much of a brood. Seriously don't just put me down in his ranks. That's as low as you can get."

"How dare you?" Vegeta responded. "I can hear you you know!"

"Okay enough chatter. Its time to summon the dragon." Piccolo stated.

Gohan turned to Lime. "Has Mr. Popo explained to you whats going on?"

Lime nodded. "Sort of, but its a lot to take in. I wouldn't have believed any of it if I haven't seen your transformation and flying for myself. He told me you and your friends fight evil people like Cell a lot to keep this planet and other planets safe. I really admire what you do for us. I'll always remember who the real hero's are even if the world doesn't."

Gohan smiled softly. "Thanks Lime. I hope you're ready, because I have a surprise for you."

Lime cocked her head to the side. "Whats the surprise?"

Gohan pointed up to the sky where Shenrons appearance started to form. "You'll see."

"You have summoned me from my slumber. Tell me your wishes now!" Shenron said.

Goku walked up. "Shenron can you revive..."

That was all Goku could say before Gohan ran up and slapped a hand over his mouth.

"Shenron Is it possible for you to revive everyone person who wasn't evil that died of unnatural causes since the the morning of may 12?"

Shenron growled. "Do you know what you're asking of me!"

Gohan nodded. "Yes I do. I'm sorry that you have to work so hard. We rely on you a little too much and I promise that we'll try harder in the future to lean on you less. Thank you for all your hard work Shenron. You don't know how much you really mean to us."

Shenrons face flushed a bit at the compliments. "Uhh. Thank you for the kind words. It will take a little while, but this wish is within my power to grant."

Goku turned toward his son. "Whats with the change in wish son? I thought we were going to revive all the people Cell killed."

"Well when Cell announced the Cell games the people of earth thought the end of the world was coming. I'm sure there were a lot of casualties that was caused because of that. Also I wanted to bring back someone I had killed." Gohan looked over to Lime. "I did that so Mr. Lao could come back to life."

Lime had tears coming down. "Grandpa is coming back?"

Gohan nodded. "Yes and hopefully the rest of your family as well."

Lime grabbed Gohan and buried her face in his chest while crying. She held him tight making him blush, but he wrapped his arms around her in response. Most occupants on the look out smiled at the sight.

Lime pulled back after a few minutes with a tear stained face. "Thank you so much Gohan. There is no way I could ever repay you."

"It was my fault you and Mr. Lao were in danger in the first place. I say this makes us even." Gohan answered.

"Your wish has been granted. Now tell me your second wish."

Gohan picked up Lime bridal style. "Well you guys can use the second wish however you want. I'll see you all later." He jumped off the lookout and headed towards Jasons lab.

"Gohan where are we going?" Lime asked.

"When people are wished back they usually come back in the same spot they died. We're heading back to the lab to get your grandpa."

Lime didn't want to go back to the lab, but she wanted to see her grandfather again.

Gohan hovered around the outside of the lab and saw a confused Mr. Lao not too far away. He landed in front of him gaining his attention.

"Welcome back to the world of living Mr. Lao." Gohan said with a smile.

Lao looked at Gohan. "What happened? I thought I was dead."

"Grandpa!" Lime yelled as she ran forward and wrapped her arms around him. "I'm so glad you're back!"

Lao smiled and hugged his Granddaughter tightly. "I swear I won't leave you like that again Lime."

Gohan smiled at this touching moment. "Sorry to interrupt, but if you tell me where you live I can take you home."

Lao looked down. "We can't go back. Our home is enslaved to a madman feasting on our fears of Cell."

"I killed Cell so everything should be okay now. I'm sure the whole world knows about it by now."

"Its not as simple as that. They have control over our village now. They'll rule it with an iron fist and I'm too sick to do anything about it." Lao said dishearteningly.

Gohan frowned. "Then I guess its up to me to make it right. I'll clear out your village for you. Don't you even fret about that."

Lao nodded. "Then lets get a move on."

A/N: End of the Chapter