Dragonball Z

Gohan: Protector of Earth

Disclaimer:This is a Dragonball z fanfiction. I do not own or in anyway profit from Dragonball z or any of the characters in this story. This fic centers on Gohan, and begins right after the cell games. It is an AU, and reviews are welcome and much appreciated.

Chapter 4:

Gohan disappeared from his location near the lake and suddenly reappeared on a distant planet far away from the Earth. He did not know the name of the planet but that did not really matter, in fact the planet probably didn't even have a name. There was no life on the planet, it was as barren as the planet that Gohan witnessed in his dream involving the saiyan warrior. There were no signs of life or vegetation, just a few rock formations spread across the landscape. Aside from that, there was nothing except barren wastelands and miles of darkness. It was the perfect place to train, since there was no possible way of harming any forms of life.

Gohan had asked Bulma a couple days prior if she could find a planet with no life forms and give him the coordinates of it, he did not go into any detail about why he wanted to know. Bulma was not as pushy as Chichi, she would usually respect Gohan's privacy if he was not willing to disclose his reasons for something. Nobody including the z-fighters knew he had learned the instant transmission technique; he had only mastered the technique recently. Goku had shown him the skills necessary to use the instant transmission but it took Gohan months to be able to use it as well as Goku was able to. It involved complete concentration and the ability to sense power levels from incredible distances. That's probably why Goku had stayed so long on the planet Yardrat; he did not want to leave until he had mastered this invaluable technique.

"It's time to find out what I am capable of," Gohan whispered to himself as he prepared himself.

Gohan started powering up slowly, raising his power level and achieving super saiyan one and then proceeding into the ascended level of super saiyan. Gohan then tried to power up into super saiyan three but was unable to reach the level. He tried to scream as loud as he could and force the transformation but nothing would happen. His power level was remaining stationary; he couldn't push it any higher in his current super saiyan two state.

"What am I doing wrong? I was able to do it in my dream. That's it I probably need to put myself in the same mindset I was in then."

Gohan started to envision his mother and brother being attacked by the dark shadow as he had witness from the mysterious saiyan warrior. He became enraged when he replayed that scenario in his head again and almost on cue his power level started to rise while in his super saiyan two form. His aura exploded around him as he reached inside and tried once again to pull out the super saiyan three transformation.

"Aaaaahhhhhhhhh!" Gohan screamed as he latched on to the transformation. It was incredibly painful bringing the power out from inside, far more so than it had been when he did it in the dream. It felt as if his body was going to combust as his muscles started to twitch violently and his mind started spinning. Gohan's hair started to lengthen and his facial features changed as he finally achieved the transformation. His muscles that had been twitching earlier suddenly exploded in size similar to when Broly had powered up to super saiyan.

The power given off by this form was incredible. The planet, even though smaller in size when compared to the Earth, started to shake violently under the incredible power given off, with rock debris flying in all directions. Mountains started to erode under the incredible pressure of the winds given off from Gohan's transformation. Since he had not become accustomed with the transformation, the power given off from it was raw and uncontrollable. It would take a lot of practice before he could transform into this state as easily as the first two forms of super saiyan. It would be quite a bit more difficult as well since the power given off by this transformation was far more extreme than the other two transformations.

"This power, it is amazing. Unlike anything I have ever felt before. This must be the form of super saiyan the warrior was referring to. This has to be the true form of super saiyan. There can't be anything beyond this level; my body can barely sustain this form as it is. The power I have in this state is just incredible."

After maintaining the super saiyan three form for a couple of minutes, Gohan started to tire quickly and decided to revert back to his normal base form.

'That was intense. I could barely hold it even for a couple minutes."

Gohan started to think more about the crazy dream he had just a short while ago. He started to panic at the sudden realization.

"How is this possible? If that dream was real, then the saiyan warrior must exist then or he must have existed at one time? Or was it just a dream and I transformed as a shock from it. But is that even possible? Something strange is happening to me and I know it has something to do with my saiyan heritage."

Gohan, content with his ability to transform, used instant transmission to return back to his home in Mount Paoz. After everything that had happened in the last twenty four hours, he needed to rest for a while.

The next day Gohan awoke early in the morning and headed off to Capsule Corp. He was supposed to spar with Vegeta today per there agreement but he had a different idea in mind. After the developments since their last meeting, he needed to talk to him right away. Something strange was happening to him and he needed to figure out what it was.

Gohan approached the door to the gravity chamber and quickly opened it up. He did not even bother to ask Bulma where Vegeta was since he already knew what the answer to that question would be. As Gohan entered he saw Vegeta in the corner stretching, obviously ready to get down to business.

"Are you ready brat for our fight?" Vegeta asked in his usual cocky tone.

"In a while. First I need to know something. Can you tell me about the legend of the super saiyan?"

"We had our lesson yesterday, today is meant for training. Did you fail to understand our agreement?"

"We can still train, I just need to know. I had another dream after our lesson yesterday and I think it relates to the saiyan legend. Can you just quickly tell me about it?"

Vegeta was obviously irritated but he could see how serious Gohan was. He was glad that Gohan seemed to be taking such an interest in their saiyan ancestry so he decided to answer his question.

"So you want to know about the legend of the super saiyan? I thought you already knew the basics of it. Well here is what I know about it. Over a millennium ago there was a saiyan of extraordinary power, far stronger than any other saiyan of that time. He was said to be one of the strongest fighters in the universe and was feared by all that witnessed his awesome power. This was even before he achieved the level of super saiyan though. It is said that during one of his most famous battles, he was able to break the barrier and achieve the level of super saiyan. The power was said to be so raw and awesome that it destroyed him as well as his opponent and the planet they were fighting on. Nothing is known following that point but the incredible power achieved by the super saiyan transformation lived on in legends and caused fear among all alien races that heard it. We were the most feared warrior race in existence because of the legend."

"So what was known about the legendary super saiyan? Does anybody know who he was fighting on that planet before it was destroyed?" Gohan asked inquisitively.

"Not much is known about his opponent except that he was also incredibly powerful. The legendary super saiyan was apparently losing the battle until he transformed."

"Did he have any living descendents the legendary super saiyan? What was known about his personal life before that battle?"

"It is said the royal line descended from him but that is only a theory. It was over a thousand years ago, there is not much known about him except for what I've told you. Now that's enough time on that, now are you going to get ready for the spar or should I just attack you now?"

"Just one last question Vegeta. Are we actually super saiyans? I thought there was only one level of super saiyan yet we've both gone beyond that. Are we actually super saiyans?"

"Of course we are. I have achieved the level beyond that of a super saiyan. After I become stronger than you, I will be the strongest fighter in the universe. What else do you call it when our hair color changes from black to gold, our eyes turn to the color green, and our power reaches a level that is unparalleled by any other creature in the universe?"

Gohan tried to take in what Vegeta was saying. How could they not be super saiyans? They are able to transform and increase their power as their hair turns gold. What else could it be? They were the strongest fighters in the universe; they had to be super saiyans. But in that dream, the saiyan had helped him transform into the third level; he had also predicted a future evil that would attack his family.

"Ready yourself," Gohan heard Vegeta yell from the corner of the chamber.

Before Gohan could look up he was kneed in the abdomen by Vegeta's knee.

"You have to be ready for a battle always. Never keep your head down because I never go easy on my opponent."

Vegeta continued to pummel on Gohan before he was finally able to regain his composure and started to block some of Vegeta's shots. An exchange of punches and kicks continued for some time before Vegeta came in with a round house kick. Gohan was about to get his left arm up to block the kick when he heard something.

"I have to do this, I have no choice."

Gohan froze for a moment and missed his chance to block Vegeta's kicked. It made perfect contact against Gohan's skull and knocked him hard against the wall of the gravity room causing him to fall to the ground. A new voice echoed in Gohan's head.

"But you can't beat him, he's invincible. You're going to get yourself killed."

"Then I will die with the honor of a saiyan warrior. I refuse to back down from battle; that is worse than any kind of death I may experience."

"What will I do when you're gone? What about our child?"

"You have to give him away. He does not know about our offspring yet, I'm afraid if he finds out then he will kill him. When I am gone you must leave our child out by the river and hope that someone claims him as their own."

"May you be honored in battle and may you come back victorious honorable husband of mine," the female saiyan said with tears falling down her cheeks.

"I will be victorious in the battle; I fight with the blood of a thousand generations of saiyan warriors. I cannot lose. Don't worry about me, I will return."

With that the saiyan warrior left his wife standing there with child in hand. He flew off at incredible speeds into the distance, mentally preparing to fight an enemy he knew had no chance of defeating.

"What are you doing brat? Get up and finish this fight!" Vegeta yelled at a confused Gohan.

Vegeta was standing over Gohan obviously displeased with him stopping the fight.

"I know that was not enough to knock you out, so tell me what the hell you are doing!"

Gohan stared up confusingly at Vegeta after what had been a surreal experience for him.

"I just had a dream, another one involving the legendary super saiyan."

"How could you have a dream, you weren't even asleep. We were in the middle of a fight, it's impossible."

"I know what I saw; it was the legendary super saiyan right before his last battle."

"You had a dream about the legendary super saiyan! That's why you asked me about the legend isn't it? Tell me what happened."

"It was the legendary super saiyan, he was talking to his wife before he went off to battle."

"How could you possibly know it was the legendary super saiyan? You have no idea what he even looked like."

"Because he was the same person from my last dream. He was facing off against some incredibly strong and strange opponent. The dream ended right after he transformed into a super saiyan but before the fight actually started."

Vegeta stared at Gohan, still obviously confused with the situation. He started pacing in circles not even knowing how to respond to what Gohan had just told him, it was the strangest thing Vegeta had ever heard in his life.

"Next time you have a dream I want you to come right here and tell me what happened. Don't forget a single detail about what happens."

"Ok," Gohan responded. "Are we going to continue our fight?"

"No. I'm done for the day. Come back tomorrow and we'll continue where we left off."

Vegeta then left the gravity room to the shock of Gohan. Gohan could never remember Vegeta not wanting to fight or being the first person to stop a fight. It was not in his character to do so. Gohan realized his dream must have really gotten to Vegeta for him to do something like that.

"This must be serious more serious than I thought."

Gohan left the gravity room and made his way back to his house. He called for Nimbus deciding he could use the time to think about everything that was happening. Gohan jumped on to the puffy yellow cloud and shot out into the sky. He laid back to relax and let the cloud do all the work; it would be a long ride home back to Mount Paoz.

The room of nothingness appeared around Gohan once more. He was standing in the middle of the room looking around in confusion.

"What the heck is going on? How did I end up back here again?'

"Is anybody here?" Gohan yelled at the top of his lungs.

"You had questions last time we spoke, didn't you?" a mysterious voice said behind Gohan.

Gohan quickly turned around and saw the saiyan warrior once more.

"It's you again. What is going on? Who are you?"

"I think it's time I start explaining things to you. This is not a dream what you are in right now. It is a vision."

"What do you mean a vision?

"Things you see here happened in the past or will happen in the future. The battle you saw happened in the past as well as Frieza's destruction of the saiyan race. Every event you witness here will be real in the future or was real at one point in the past.

"Well who you are then?"

"I think you already know who I am. I am the legendary super saiyan, the one from the legends Vegeta told to you. I am from the past."

"Why are you here then? Why are you here in my dreams, or visions as you say?"

"I am here to warn you about a new threat. I told you last time, if you don't get stronger everyone you love will die. I was not lying, it is the truth. The death of your mother and brother is an event that may happen in the future. I say only may happen because by knowing the future you can change it."

"What kind of threat is this, some kind of new android that's stronger than Cell?"

"This threat is not a machine; his power is too extreme to ever be replicated by any kind of science. The one you call Dr. Gero could work for a million years and never make a creature nearly as powerful as him."

"Is the danger you are talking about the same guy you fought in the last dream I had. The giant purple skinned warrior."

"I am afraid that is him. He is stronger than anything you have ever encountered before. Compared to him, Frieza was like a new born human baby. His power is that incredible."

Gohan looked at the warrior in shock from the last statement.

"That has to be an exaggeration. Nobody could be that powerful."

"You cannot underestimate him. His power is unlike anything you have ever experienced before. In your current state, you are nothing compared to him."

Gohan remained in shock at what he was hearing. He was used to people telling him that some new enemy was ultra powerful, but this was ridiculous. If this new threat was as powerful as the saiyan warrior said, what hope could he have of defeating him.

"How can I defeat him if he is as strong as you say?"

"You must train harder, that is it. You must train hard for the years to come and prepare yourself for when he arrives. You must devote yourself to increasing your strength as well as learn to control your transformations. You could barely hold the third transformation last time; you must learn to control it as you do the first transformation."

"When will this new enemy show up? How much time do I have to prepare for his arrival?"

"He will arrive in shortly over six years. The exact day of his arrival is uncertain."

"What is this guy's name? What is he exactly?"

"I cannot answer either of those, not yet at least."

"Why not? Aren't these things that I should know at least?"

"Everything I tell you is for a reason. There is a reason that I am not telling you other things. All you need to know is that you need to be aware of this threat and prepare for it. You need to become a true saiyan warrior to defeat this enemy. Continue learning about your saiyan heritage, it will be the key to everything."

Gohan couldn't believe what he was hearing. It was as if the legendary super saiyan was speaking to him in riddles. He tells him some incredible evil is coming to attack Earth but he won't even tell him what its name is.

"I have said everything that you need to know. You will not get another vision for the years to come. You may start to get visions once more when the danger nears. Until then, do as I told you to."

"But what if I can't beat him, then what will happen?"

"Do you hear yourself speak?" the saiyan responded in an angry tone.

"You are a half – saiyan warrior. Saiyan blood runs strong through your veins, with it the blood of a thousand generations of saiyan warriors. You are the son of Kakkarot the one to defeat Frieza, you are the grandson of Bardock one of the only warriors brave enough to ever challenge Frieza's dominance. A hero lies inside of you. Do you not remember what you said when you saw your brother Goten, you said you would be a hero. You said you would fight so he would not have to, so that he could live the life you wish you had. This threat is the greatest threat your planet has ever seen, you have to be a hero now more than ever."

"You are right," Gohan said to the saiyan, his spirits greatly uplifted by the rousing speech. "I have to do this, for the sake of the Earth. But tell me one last thing. Have I achieved the level of super saiyan?"

"You are not a super saiyan as you are now. You must become a super saiyan though if you are to win this battle."

"That's all I needed to know."

Gohan awoke from his sudden revelation and was standing outside of the front door to his house. By the darkness in the sky, Gohan could see hours had passed since he finished his training session with Vegeta.

"Thank you Nimbus. You may go now."

The cloud obeyed its master and flew off back into the clouds.

"I have just over six years to prepare for this threat. Well at least I have more of a warning now than when Trunks came from the future. Although this time dad, you won't be here to help me."

Gohan proudly looked up to the sky as he mentioned his father's name and walked into his home.

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