Chapter 10: A New Beginning?

"You thought this was over? I told you I was coming back. I gave you your time to spend with friends and family. I told you I would strike, but you didn't heed my warning. This destruction is because of you Gohan." Jason said with a sinister smile.

Gohan snarled. "I can't believe you. The world is completely ruined. What was the point of this? Not even you can live here now."

Jason chuckled. "I'm a mad scientist. Key word is mad. I wanted to see if my experiment would work. I was fascinated when you and your friends brought back the dead and I wanted to see If I could do the same with science."

"And you single handedly created the zombie apocalypse all for the sake of science. I can't use the dragonballs to fix this either. Dende is dead, but he's undead too. The balls are inert thanks to you and all my friends are zombies. This is worse than Cell."

Jason nodded. "It is, but my methods work. I did raise the dead."

Gohan growled. "Yeah, but they are still dead, so you failed. Your experiment is a bust."

Jason nodded. "You aren't far from the truth. I admit this isn't what I wanted. I'm immune to this, because I took the antidote. It was the only batch I had, but it got destroyed when the zombies attacked me."

"So why don't you make another. We can't hide in this lab forever."

"I can't! The world is literally burning to death as we speak. Everything I need is mostly destroyed. It takes some hard to find items to make up this antidote. We're both going to die. Well I will. Your quick regeneration stops you from becoming one of them. You can leave this planet at any time."

Gohan sighed. "I can't just leave I have to do something."

"Then stop me Gohan. Make sure this never happens." Jason said.

"Stop you? What are you talking about?"

"You must stop me at all cost. Remember that! Don't wait for me to strike. Find me and stop me!"

Just then a horde of zombies knocked down the door and began approaching them.

"Dad? Vegeta? Piccolo? I'm so sorry." Gohan muttered as he saw his zombified family approaching. He cupped his hands to the side. "Kamehameha!"

"AGH!" Gohan screamed waking up in a cold sweat. He looked around and sighed. "It was just another bad dream. This time with zombies."

Goku and Chi Chi ran in the room.

"Gohan are you okay? The whole house was shaking!" Chi Chi yelled.

"Gohan power down." Goku said

Gohan looked up and saw that his hair was blonde. He powered down and released his super saiyan form.

"Gohan this is 5th time this month you've done this. I know its not your fault, but maybe you should try talking to us and tell us everything that happened to you. We only want to help." Goku explained with a worried look on his face.

Gohan shook his head. "I'm sorry dad its a little too painful to bring up. I don't like remembering it or speaking on it."

Chi Chi sighed. "We only want to help you Gohan. You keep screaming in your nightmares and this time you even turned super. What will happen if you blow up the house one day. Its been two months since you've gone missing. You have to talk to someone, because whatever you're doing now just isn't working."

Gohan looked down. "I know mom. Its not like I want this to happen, but I can't help it. I want to talk to you about it, but whenever I want to say something I lose my words. I just can't."

Chi Chi's face fell. "I hate seeing you like this Gohan. Is there anything we can do?"

Gohan shook his head. "No, but there is something I can do."

"No Gohan you're not leaving. I don't know why you keep insisting too. Look what happened the last time you left."

Gohan flinched a bit.

Goku looked at his wife with strict eyes. "Chi that was a low blow. He only left because we wanted some personal time so the fault lies with us."

Gohan shook his head. "No the fault is mine and I accept that. I also accept that I'm damaged. I want to heal. I want to repair myself. I tried doing that here, but it hasn't worked. I need to leave. I need to find myself. I need to go on my own journey."

"But what about your studies."

"Mom I'm not well. My studies have to take a back seat until I can get my mind right. There's no need to study if my brain is well enough to take in the information."

Chi Chi chuckled a bit. "I guess that true, but I don't want you to leave. You're only 9 years old. What if something worse happens to you this time.

"I'll be careful mom, but I need this. I could've blown the house up and injured you. You're pregnant and I'm a danger to you and my sibling. Plus the stress can't be helping at all either."

"Aww Chi Chi let him go. He needs this. I went on a few journeys as a kid. Thats how I met you."

Chi Chi smiled. "I don't want you to leave, but I can't force you to stay if its damaging you. I just want my baby boy back. If this journey will help you get some peace then I'll allow it.

Gohan ran up to both his parents and hugged them. "Thank you so much. I love you both."

"We love you too son." Goku and Chi Chi said simultaneously.

-Gohan Pov-

Its been two months since the Cell games. During the wait for the Cell games I was kept prisoner and tortured by a mad man named Jason. He was the partner to Dr. Gero. He told me the real reason behind Gero's motives and I hate to say it, but he had a valid reason to want to kill dad.

Anyway I had to deal with alot. I was finally able to break free from Jason and kill him only to learn it was a clone. The real Jason is still out there and Lime and I are the only ones who know. Well Mr. Lao knows too. I told him the next time I went to visit, but we're the only three who know. Jason said he'll give me some time before he starts with a new plan. He said this was just the beginning of the end. I think he's obsessed with me or something. I'm getting off track. Anyway after I broke free from Jason I fought and killed Cell and rescued Limes village from some very bad people. We also wished everyone back to life.

Now lets rewind a bit. The second wish on the dragonballs were used to remove the bombs from the androids. Technically they are cyborgs, but android 17 sounds better than cyborg 17. Especially in my opinion. Why am I randomly bringing this up? Well I'm about to tell you what happened to them. 18 started dating Krillin. I don't know how Krillin managed that, but congrats to him. He deserves some happiness in his life. 16 left to start his own journey. He wanted to live among nature and see the world for himself. He likes people and he finds life precious. To be an android he's more human than most people. If that makes sense. Now last but not least is 17. I actually don't know what he's up to these days. Vegeta is still training and fighting Dad whenever he can. Piccolo mainly helps Dende by training him as guardian of the earth. Yamcha picked baseball back up. Tien and Chioutzu went back to their secluded training. Trunks went back to his own time and Bulma is busy as ever with capsule corps. I think that's everyone.

It seems like everything would be peaceful, but in all honesty its not. I'm not sleeping well at all. I keep having nightmares about Jason. It would be easier to deal with if he was dead, but knowing he's out there is frightening. I've been getting in a few arguments with my mom lately too. Its hard for me to mentally recover from what I've been through while having her yell at me to study. It also doesn't help that her hormones are out of control. Why you ask? Its because she's pregnant. Dad doesn't help either. He tries to calm the situation, but most of the time it makes it worse. He also still blames himself for what happened to me, so he's a little more protective of me. So my home life hasn't been the best environment for me to recuperate. The first few nightmares I woke up screaming. Then the next few I started powering up and as you can see I turned super saiyan with this last one. Every dream I had has been about Jason and the end of the world. He always creates something or test something the leads to the destruction of life on Earth. In each dream he tells me to find him and stop him, so I think its time that I do just that.

-The next morning.-

Gohan finished packing his clothes into his suitcase. He capsulated it and put in he capsule case. "Okay I think that's everything." He walked downstairs to see his parents waiting for him.

"I thought you would wait a few days before leaving." Chi Chi said as a tear ran down her eye.

"The faster I leave the faster I can come home." Gohan said with a smile.

Chi Chi wrapped him in a long hug. When she released him Gohans face was tinged red in embarrassment. "I'll be okay mom. I'm the strongest person on the planet right now."

Goku nodded with a proud smile. "Yup you sure are. Make sure you keep up your training too. If you get in any trouble flare your ki three times and I'll appear."

Gohan nodded. "Of course. I'll see you guys later and don't worry I'll check in from time to time."

Chi Chi nodded "You better!"

"Bye!" Gohan said as he lifted himself off in the air.

After a few minutes of flying he landed in Chazke village. He knocked on a door and waited patiently.

"Coming!" He heard a voice say. The door opened and a woman who looked to be in her early thirties or late twenties opened the door. "Ah Gohan. Its good to see you. Hows my future son in law."

Gohans face turned red. "Its not like that, but I'm doing okay. How has everything been here?"

"Its been great. Can't complain now that I'm alive again. I get a second chance at life and there is no way I'm going to ruin it."

Gohan smiled. "That's good to hear. Is Lime around by any chance?"

"Oh she just left. She's heading towards dads shop now. It was good seeing you again Gohan. And don't forget you have my blessing to marry my daughter, so feel free to pop the question at any time."

Gohan blushed again as he bowed in respect. "Thank you. It was nice seeing you as well and I can't get married yet. I'm only nine."

Limes mother waved Gohan off. "You don't have to get married yet, but you can get engaged."

Gohan shook his head and waved goodbye as he left. He started walking towards the direction of the shop. In no time at all he reached the doors and walked in.

Lao turned to the door. "Welcome to my shop...Gohan? How are you doing son."

Gohan walked up to the counter. "I'm doing okay considering."

Lao nodded in understanding. "Its killing you just knowing he's out there huh?"

"Yeah it is, but the waiting game is over. I'm done waiting for him to make his next move. I'm going after him."

"So you finally told your parents huh?" Lao asked.

Gohan sighed and shook his head. "Not exactly. They know I'm having nightmares every night, but they don't know Jasons still alive. I told them I'm going on a journey to find myself."

"You told them that, because you actually plan on doing that as well. I've told you this before, but you are at a cross roads right now. You were taught not to kill even if they're evil. You've been taught to fight fair and not to give into your emotions. All of that changed when Jason got a hold of you. Now you're thinking differently and you don't know how to deal with it."

"I'm learning to deal with it though." Gohan answered. "I actually followed your logic. You said I'm not a monster, but I do have darkness. I can choose when to let that darkness out when I need to. I have to accept that I'm a darker person now. The darkness is inside of me and it will never leave. The monster within me tells me to kill people who deserve it. It tells me to show no mercy and it helps me to become cold and calculating. Its like I turn into a different person. I have the choice though. I can choose to kill or I can learn to find another way. Its not easy or simple, but I'm learning to deal with it."

Lao smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. You seem happier now than two months ago that's for sure. Maybe you're starting to get back to your old self."

Gohan smiled sadly. "I'm afraid I'll never get back to that, but I can still be a way better person than I am now."

"Thats the spirit to have young one. I wish you well on your journey. Now I don't believe you traveled all this way just to talk to me. Lime is out back."

Gohan nodded and walked out back to see Lime climbing the tree. "Hey Lime!" Gohan yelled with a wave.

"Gohan!" Lime yelled as she jumped off the tree and ran towards the young demi saiyan. She gave him a hug which Gohan returned.

"Its good to see you. Whats up?" Lime started as she let him go.

Gohan smiled. "Nothing much. Just the same old same old. How are you?"

"I'm great!" Lime said with a beaming smile. She stared Gohan in the face and frowned immediately. "Whats wrong? You came here to talk to me about something important didn't you."

Gohans face twisted in confusion. "How could you have possibly known that?"

Lime shrugged. "Intuition I guess. That and your body language gave it away."

Gohan chuckled. "You're a little too smart for your own good you know that."

"Yeah I know. So whats up? Whats so important that you had to tell me about?"

Gohan took a deep breath. "Well I'm going on a journey to better myself. I've been a little unstable lately. I need to find some peace of mind."

"So you're leaving. How long will you be gone?" Lime asked.

Gohan shrugged. "Could be as little as a few months to as long as a few years."

Limes face fell. "Years? You'll be gone that long?"

"Don't worry. I'll come back to visit when I can."

Lime held out her pinky. "Cross your heart?."

Gohan grasped her pinky with his own and shook. "And hope to die."

"I'm going to hold you to that promise Gohan." Lime said as she wrapped her arms around him again.

Gohan hugged her back, but the embrace was longer and more emotional this time. Gohan could feel his shirt becoming a little damp. He looked her in the face and wiped the tears off of her face when they pulled away from each other.

"I'm going to miss you Gohan."

Gohan nodded. "This isn't a good-bye. I'll see you again Lime. I never break my promises."

Lime nodded. "Good luck."

Gohan smiled and started floating in the air. He waved one last time before flying off. After about ten minutes of flying Gohan landed in some random spot. "No more flying for now. I need to start walking everywhere or its not really much of a journey."

He let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding in. "Well lets get started."

(Special Defense Forces- Human Enhancement Division)

"Sir we finally have the name of Jason's latest victim. We don't know what potential power he may have."

"Whats the name agent Reeves. I need information."

The man known as Reeves nodded. "His name is Son Gohan. He is the son of legendary martial arts champion Son Goku and the great Ox kings daughter Chi Chi."

"That's quite the person. He may be able to help us find Jason. Lets find him and see if he can provide some answers. Maybe he can join the team."

Agent Reeves gave a salute. "Yes sir!"

The End?

A/N: This ends the story! The first complete story I have. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Part 2 is definitely in the works since I had so much fun with it. I thought I would end it like this to give a little cliff hanger. Had to have a good set up for the next story right? Any way thanks for the views and reviews.

Thanks for reading!