Haha early chapter because I finished this in a day and a half and I can't just be responsible and wait so I can be a week ahead for the first time in months
I was just really excited for this chapter.
also my parents are away for five days and writing helps me not be super anxious
Anyway, new story cover! It'll probably make more sense at the end of the chapter than it will now. Some will probably be able to guess the thing(TM) by then too.
thewittywhy: lol thanks. And yeah I agree
I think it is about time for some flagrant disregard of canon
HeWhoShouldn'tBeNamed: thanks lol. And don't worry about it. At this point I kinda just find most of them funny. IDK how you read so far into a story you don't like the premise of lol
OnTheTidesOfEvermore: Thanks ^.^ And that's an interesting note, I didn't know that. Though I still don't think that perfectly covers it since come canon his hair goes down to his thighs, but in the baby radish flashback it looked more to be mid to lower back
Qinlongfei: Thanks ^.^
Vegeta is a very frustrating, but interesting character. I hate the things he does in Z, but man the show would not be as entertaining without him. He is far from one of my favorite characters, but you just cannot have DBZ without him
And yes, Krillin supremacy! Man Krillin would be a beloved character in any other show, but unfortunately DBZ fans are the way DBZ fans are. At least the constant Krillin hate has faded over the years. Krillin isn't my favorite character, because Piccolo exists, but he is definitely the best person in the show.
As for Orange Piccolo, I'm not really sure. I don't see any reason why not, but it's too early to say for sure. I can say that while I adore Gohan: Beast, it probably isn't gonna happen. One because it once again relies on Gohan's rage boost thing, and that's not as viable for SIGohan, and also because, reasons, that should be clear pretty soon
If we take our time,
and we stick together,
everything we do,
will go our way.
And if we try,
now and forever,
no matter what comes next,
we'll be okay.
Let's kick it up,
and show them all the things,
that we can do
Let's kick it up
Another notch tomorrow
Let's kick it up,
cause they ain't seen the last,
of me and you
Let's kick it up
Together
Together
I might have defaulted to binging Digimon in my dark room a little bit.
After the whole, conversation, Piccolo had tried to fill me in on what happened but well,
"Oh no, let me guess. He went on some news station and declared he'd have a tournament in what, like, a week?"
"…ten days."
"Right right. Called the Cell Games?"
"This is going to take some getting used to."
"Eh, this is probably the last thing I'll be able to predict so accurately anyway. There's some more stuff, like a fair bit later, but I don't remember it quite as well."
So yeah. That's a thing. And after that, it was about to be expected. I, went back home. Goku ended up meeting me there and Chichi took the constant Super Sayain thing about as well as I expected. That being not. I guess no one actually told her what a Super Sayain looked like.
It's not like we'd keep it up for long though. One way or another, just ten days. Tops.
Ten days was probably enough to binge through at least the first three seasons of Digimon. Assuming I didn't have many interruptions.
Maybe just two. Should be able to start Tamers at least though.
Still, I couldn't help but muse how the last time I'd quite literally just binged through as much Digimon in such a short amount of time was what like, late middle school? At most? By the time I got to high school I'd started branching out into other anime so it'd have to be.
I realize,
what's on the surface,
ain't picture perfect,
but that don't mean a thing.
Ok so obviously Chichi didn't let me hole up in my room the entire time. She pretty quickly interrupted me. In this case, with the excuse of grocery shopping. It was just to a small town close by, but it was still far enough that flying was the better option. Still, at this point I was close enough that walking was fine enough.
I was dressed in just jeans and a t-shirt, and a jacket. For the convenience of being able to walk through the town without being stared at, I did wrap my tail around my waist. I'd also tied up my hair so it'd be, somewhat manageable.
"Why am I going with you?" A very irritated Raditz stalked behind me, hands in his pockets as he glared off to the side.
"Because you need to be better socialized."
Raditz muttered behind me.
I looked up, hearing a scream. I sensed out and felt a small, but panicked Ki moving faster than any normal person could have.
I flew over to see a girl had fallen into a river and was being swept away under the current.
It didn't take much effort to grab her and place her on the side of the river instead.
I didn't bother to wait for a thanks before flying back to the path to continue as Raditz apparently hadn't so much as lost a stride.
Just outside of the town was a new domed building I didn't remember being there last time I'd come by.
I didn't pay it much mind as I double-checked my pockets for the grocery list. I read over the items again, which were mostly standard stuff. Plus rather obvious ingredients for a birthday cake. Great. That was a thing.
The town was mostly deserted. As were many. Cell's announcement scared a lot of people.
I have no idea where they fled to. Leaving the bigger cities was one thing, but this town was like, really remote. I can't imagine the people who lived here had an even more remote place to hide out. At least not all of them.
Course, considering the girl, I could only assume there were at least some people left.
I sensed out and sure enough, one building had people in it.
A store. How convenient.
"Now what do you need money for? The world's ending!" I walked in to see two people at the counter talking to an old man I assumed to be the owner.
"I don't know that, and neither do you. I'm running my business just the same."
"Look, we'll trade you for it. You can have free lodging in the shelter, all in exchange for your wares."
"That shelter ain't doing anyone any good. I'd just as well die in my own home rather than cornered in that cramped building."
"Why you-"
"Hey!" I glanced up as Raditz knocked on the wall, "actual paying customers over here. Getting tired of waiting."
"We'll why don't you mind your own-" the man stopped as he looked at Raditz, who I supposed looked intimidating if you didn't know him.
"I mean, what I meant to say was, this establishment is sold out. Bought out by the Burbone Family for the shelter."
"Is that what that ridiculous dome outside the city is? Yeah, I'm sure that'll protect you," Raditz snorted.
"Enough of this. I am not sold out. Why don't you just tell me what you need?"
I moved to pull out the list only for the taller interloper to start yelling again.
"What's your problem, old man?! We need this to survive! Not just us, everyone! The village is counting on you. Just give us the food and we'll be on our way."
Raditz huffed, walking up, once again catching the man's attention as Radtiz towered over him. Raditz emphasized that point by leaning over to speak.
"You're annoying. Leave. Before I make you."
The man took a step back, then another, then he was stepping around Raditz to go out the door.
Raditz straightened back up as he kept his eyes on them until they left.
"Well, I can't say I agree with your methods, but thank you for the assistance."
"Whatever. Brat, the list. Let's just get this over with."
I rolled my eyes, "he's been extra grumpy lately," I explained as I handed over the list to the man as he had outstretched his hand for it.
It seemed odd to me, but if he wanted to grab the stuff why not let him?
"Hey old man! You'll never guess what-" the doors opened to reveal the girl from earlier, "it's you! You're the kid who saved me and flew away!"
"No idea what you're talking about."
"It's true! I fell in the river and-" the girl paused and just squinted at me for a moment, "…he? Pulled me out. Then just flew away!"
Huh. Guess I must read as fairly neutral then. Neat.
"Now Lime, for the last time, don't go telling lies about newcomers."
"I'm not lying! Well not this time. Look, tell him, kid," she looked at me expecting.
I just kinda shrugged and turned back to the shelves. Unfortunately, there wasn't exactly much in terms of snack foods. Shame.
"Lime, if you're going to be here anyway, go round up everything on this list. I'm going to grab some refreshments for our guests."
"No. No, let's just get this over with," Raditz interrupted.
"I insist, as thanks for getting rid of those two."
Raditz groaned in the background.
We'd ended up outside. I sipped a glass of lemonade as the man explained what had been going on.
Apparently, Cell had come through here and killed a bunch of people. The survivors have been paranoid since, so when some rich dude came and said his shelter would protect them, they all jumped on the opportunity.
The man seemed to struggle as he chopped firewood.
I sighed, "here, let me," I stood up.
After a moment of hesitation, the man nodded.
I took the axe and chopped through a bunch of the wood. Unlike the man, I didn't exactly struggle with it.
Raditz wandered off somewhere, probably to avoid social interaction, and the man went back inside to gather up my list, sending the girl back out.
It didn't take long for me to finish and I could get back to my lemonade.
"Hey, why didn't you tell the old man I wasn't lying earlier? That was pretty mean of you."
"Didn't want to. Besides, boy who cried wolf or whatever."
The girl rolled her eyes at the notion.
I finished my glass, but before the girl could drag me into any other conversation, we could hear fireworks in the distance.
"That must be that no good shelter's grand opening," the girl glowered.
She then took my hand and began dragging me in that direction.
Joy.
I didn't stop her or anything, but like, I also didn't really want to check it out.
We got to the edge and the girl insisted on hiding in the bushes. The rich dude in question was giving some speech about the shelter.
It was completely asinine, but like, on one hand, it made those people feel better.
On the other hand, they are being completely ripped off.
Probably a net negative. Since in one possibility it does nothing and Cell kills everyone. In the other, Cell is defeated and these people lose all their money. At best it provides comfort for the next eight days.
But whatever. What could I do. I wasn't about to call the dude out on it-
Then the girl stood out and shouted about seeing Cell, very much causing a panic.
That very much was not a good thing. There was a reason you don't yell fire in a movie theater after all.
It was kinda amusing how the rich dude panicked into his little shelter and closed the doors before anyone else could make it in.
"So you're the ones inviting a panic."
I turned to see the two from earlier, each holding a gun trained on us.
I paused.
"Mr. Burbone would like to have a word with you two thugs."
"…I'm sorry are you really pointing a gun at a, what eight year old girl?"
"Hey! I'm ten!"
"Yeah that's right, now just come with us and-"
"Yeah no," I grabbed the end of the gun trained on the girl, and turned it so that the metal bent up under my hands, "you do not point guns. At children."
The man dropped the gun, scurrying back in shock before running off. The other followed suit.
Assumably they told the rich dude about it since the doors opened back up.
Welp, might as well go down there now.
The girl must have determined the safest place was near me since she followed as I strolled down.
"Oh, hey Radish. What's up?"
The man was leaning against a tree as he made his reappearance. He pointed at his scouter, "there's someone around here with a power level above two hundred in the area. That's odd for your planet so I was curious."
"Over two hundred?" I questioned. I mean, it wasn't really a lot, comparatively speaking, but like, it was odd.
Either way, the rich dude was making his way through the crowd as the girl must have been pointed out as the liar.
His furious yelling could not be any more generic, like they ripped this dude out of a cliche corrupt rich person movie.
"Yeah ok. Lying bad whatever. What kind of moron points a gun at a child?" I interrupted.
"The ones that do their jobs! And obviously not well! We got important work to do here and that little-" he paused to remember there was still a crowd, "girl, incited a panic!"
"So the solution is to point a gun?"
"Oh I'm sorry, would you prefer a stern talking to?"
I rolled my eyes at the sarcasm.
"Hey hey! Why'd you lock all those people out of your precious shelter?" The girl asked and, yeah ok. That was kinda funny.
The crowd didn't react much outside of murmuring, and while there was some protest when the rich dude ordered his men to, either grab or kill us I couldn't quite tell, but it was quelled with threats of not getting into the shelter.
Like he already did.
But as the bodyguards tried to surround us the old man from the shop interrupted.
The man insisted on fighting them alone. And while I resolved to step in if necessary could I let him.
He didn't need it however as he quickly dispatched of the guards.
Then another man stepped out and something about him, seemed, familiar. I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
Something about his singular very long and thin braid. And how he spoke…And the tailored, pink outfit…
He was obviously the one Raditz had noted at being above 200 as he was winning against the old man.
Dude pulled out a knife, or rather, turned his mechanical hand into a knife, and when he was turned to reveal the lettering on the back of his outfit reading "kill you" did I realize-
I stepped in to block off a thin beam that was aimed at the now injured old man, deflecting it upwards.
"Wait wait wait wait-" I said, laughing, "what'd you say your name was?"
The man had taken a step back, startled at my deflection of his beam, before recovering.
"Well for your information I am-"
"Mercenary Tao? You're Mercenary Tao. Please tell me you're Mercenary Tao."
"I, yes? I am," he paused, "hey kid, what's your name?"
"Gohan," I said, offering no other information. That seemed to satisfy Tao enough though.
"Who?" Raditz asked, not having moved in the slightest.
"Eh, some assassin dude who fought against dad once. He was actually stronger than him the first time."
"I used to be stronger than Kakarot…" Raditz lamented.
"I think you might be thinking of the wrong man. I don't know anyone named Kakarot, certainly not one that's crossed my path and survived."
I, didn't correct him just yet.
"Ok, right so, I don't think you understand how outclassed you are here, here let me-"
I looked around until I saw- yep that'll do. I grabbed a stick that was long enough to draw on the ground with without having to lean over too far.
"Ok so, here's a normal person," I made a line on the ground. I drew another line about an inch away and traced a connecting line back, "here's you." I drew another line, about a centimeter or so further, "here was Demon King Piccolo. Right? We agree so far? Great."
"Demon what Piccolo?" Raditz asked leaning forward.
"Don't worry about it. Anyway-" I doubled the distance, that was probably a bit of an exaggeration, but I was making a funny point, which does not require perfect accuracy, "here was my father at the 23rd World tournament." I just about tripled that distance, "here was Radish when he first showed up like, 6 years ago-ish." I pointed my thumb over at said Radish.
I walked several yards over before making another mark, "here's Radish now. And I am…" I dragged the stick behind me as I walked along. And continued walking. I walked until I had walked into the tree line.
"Have I made my point?!" I called over, "this still isn't accurate! I could go further!"
Regardless of their answer, I flew back. Raditz was scowling but didn't disagree with my statement.
"Oh come on, don't be ridiculous kid. You can just use Demon King Piccolo as a comparison point and expect anyone to take you seriously," the rich dude said. But Mercenary Tao was still focused on the third line.
"The 23rd Tourname- I'm sorry, what did you say your father's name was?"
"Hm? Oh I didn't. Son Goku."
Tao paused. Then he nodded. "Oh I see. Excuse me," he then very calmly walked past the rich dude and over to the tree line. At which point he cut down the tree with a poke to the top and a kick to the bottom.
He then threw it into the air and jumped on top, using that as his means of transportation.
"What? That's- that's so inconvenient. That's actually a thing? I thought that was a joke?"
By the time I refocused on the situation, the crowd had decided that locking them out of the shelter wasn't cool actually and the rich dude was begging for help.
"Oh for the love of-" Raditz stepped away from the tree and extended a hand, blasting a hole through the roof of the shelter.
"Wow, such protection. I'm sure Cell would have had such difficulty getting in," sarcasm dripped from his voice.
"W-w-what have you done!?"
"Proved a point. Are we done here?"
Eventually we kinda just left the old man to deal with the fallout, at his own insistence as he had handed over what we bought.
"That doesn't even make any sense. No actually though. His brother was the crane school guy. Tien and Chiaotzu were the first ones who could fly. Why didn't he just fly away? Why? Why has he chosen the worst form of transport?"
"You are really hung up on that aren't you?"
"It's, so dumb."
One thing I know,
is there's a purpose,
and like the circus,
we're hanging from the rings.
Goku, Krillin, and I had ended up going on an impromptu fishing trip. Definitely not just so Chichi can get me out of the house so she could definitely not set up a birthday party of any kind.
The distraction of Mercenary Tao showing up didn't last for long after we left and it was back to the new status quo.
I didn't really care for fishing however, so I ended up trying to sketch while the two of them reminiscing on the past.
Krillin brought up their promise to grow old together.
I frowned at my paper.
Eventually, Goku dozed off, still maintaining the Super Sayain form. Krillin glanced over at him curiously.
"Yes he is asleep," I said before any speculation could be made.
"I uh, knew that," he defended.
Then he paused, and half turned around how he was sitting.
"Hey, are you doing all right? I mean, I know the last week has been stressful, and you've seemed kinda out of it, you know?"
"I'm fine."
"Yeah, well, you know you can talk to me about anything, right? Just, totally between us."
"…I know that."
Because I did. I did trust Krillin. I did trust that he wouldn't share anything I didn't want to be shared. Even -her- letter had confirmed that, more or less.
So why couldn't I?
"Gohan, I can't know how to help if you don't tell me," his eyes were all but pleading this time.
I only looked away.
"I didn't ask for your help."
"…okay."
Let's kick it up,
and show them all the things, that we can do
Gohan's birthday was even more awkward than it usually was. There was tension in the air from the situation.
There was one exception however, in that this time Chico and Rom had been invited, and they had enough enthusiasm to cover half the people. They were more excited by me opening presents than I could ever be.
("Your hair's blonde!" Chico noted the instant she saw me.
"Yeah. It does that now.")
That didn't change the fact that when told to make a wish on the cake, the only thing that came to mind was to wish to, miraculously figure out how to beat Cell.
As the night came to a close and the two of them really should have gone home a while ago, they began whispering between themselves.
"Excuse me, Miss Chichi!" Chico spoke up, "can Goh come over to have a sleepover tonight? We think it'd be super fun!"
"Oh, well, with everything that's going on I'm not sure…" Chichi began, but Goku spoke up next.
"Well, I think it's a good idea!"
Chichi turned to him, "Goku-"
"Ah let the kids have fun, Chi. We didn't have anything planned for tomorrow anyway."
"I suppose…"
The siblings cheered and immediately ran to help me pack stuff. And were definitely overpacking for the single night trip, but aside from putting most of the clothes they pulled out away, I couldn't say much against it without being hypocritical.
As we left I grabbed the Capsule I'd hidden away all those years ago.
The flight back was pretty quick. The siblings rode on Icarus's back and I only had to match his speed.
I cut off Super Sayain the second we landed.
"Your hair's black again!"
"Yeah, it does that too."
It was, easier to forget things that were happening, here. Pigero's group was so disconnected from canon that, it was easier to disregard.
"Hey Goh," I looked up to see Pigero nodding me out of the room.
I followed.
"Look, things aren't, ideal, right now. And I know your, friend group, is often tied to these things, but, I want to make sure you're not, going to try and fight that monster."
I frowned and glared off to the side.
"…it's not like I'd really be able to do anything."
"Right. I just, don't want to worry. At least, more than the situation would already cause."
"…right."
We returned to the others and I forced my mind to focus back on their general mischief.
And that night I took the first of probably many puberty blockers.
Let's kick it up
There's not that much tomorrow.
I had slept surprisingly well that night and now come morning Ena was muttering to herself as she tried to brush through my hair.
"What, did you cut your hair with that sword of your's?"
"Yeah."
"…"
She grabbed my face and turned it towards her, "you disgust me."
I snorted at her dramatics.
She got up and started ruffling through drawers. Eventually, she found what she was looking for; a pair of scissors.
"Ena! Mama Isabella got real mad at you for cutting hair last time!" Chico chastised the older girl.
"But this is an emergency Chico! And emergency! Besides, it's not like I could make it worse."
I shrugged. She wasn't wrong. I'd need to get a proper haircut later either way.
I let her do whatever until she was satisfied. I couldn't vouch for how even it was but in terms of length at least it was a bit shorter.
Once done she put the scissors away and started braiding my hair next.
"Hey, so what's going on with that Cell monster?" Jinku asked.
I frowned, and shrugged.
"I mean, your dad's gonna fight him, right?"
"Yeah probably."
"Well, in that case, I'm sure it'll be just fine. You guys are special," Ena pulled a stray hair back behind my ear as she tied off the braid.
"I don't feel very special," I flopped back onto the bed.
"Well I don't know many kids with tails, so, that seems pretty special."
"Thanks but I don't see how a tail is going to…"
I stopped and stared at the ceiling.
I shot back up to a sitting position and I covered my mouth as I thought about the idea.
That-
That couldn't possibly work.
That'd be cheating
I mean, there was no reason it shouldn't work. I don't think.
It couldn't work.
That would just be flagrantly disregarding Canon in just about the most extreme way possible.
But at this point? Did that matter?
It couldn't work.
It couldn't be that easy.
But what if it did?
That would-
Oh that would be cheating.
Apparently, I said that last one out loud because Rom questioned it.
I shot to my feet and grabbed Chico's hands, "oh Chico, you've given me a brilliant idea!" I hugged her.
"You're, welcome?"
"Ok, I have to, talk to a few people. I'll see you guys later ok?" I was already leaving the room regardless of their answer.
Let's kick it up,
cause they ain't seen the last, of me, and you
I flew as fast as I could over to Capsule Corp. Reactivating Super as I went, instantly increasing my speed further.
Internally I mused over how the braid remained in place. Neat.
I landed and ran into the building.
"Hey Radish!"
Raditz startled but didn't bother to hide whatever it was he was doing for once.
"Hey, do you know how to do that fake moon thing?"
"The Power Ball?" He frowned.
"That's a dumb name but sure whatever."
"No, but Nappa does. I can't stand losing control over myself like that."
"Great, where Uh-"
I sensed out trying to find him, oh, actually he's close only-
"He should be outside somewhere. He came back yesterday." Raditz confirmed
"Great," I went to leave-
"Brat."
I paused, Raditz didn't turn around to face me.
"…I watched you die once this week. Do not make me do that again."
"..ok."
I could have dwelled on that, but I had other things to focus on.
I found Nappa out in one of the yards. Clover was moving through some forms. Her hair looked freshly cut, which kinda implied that she had been in the time chamber, which would make sense. I assume she'd gone in with Nappa.
I glossed over a greeting before getting to the point.
"Uh, yeah sure. I could teach you that. Why?"
"I have an idea, but I need to know that for it to work."
"What's the idea? Because I don't think the Oozaru is going to help much with Cell."
"Nope, not that, I just- it's classified until I actually know if it'll work."
"Alright fair enough."
Let's kick it up
Together
Together
"Alright, that's it. It's safe to look at as long as it's in your hand, but the second you toss it up it's activated."
I nodded, staring at the pure white orb in my hand. I then dismissed it. Don't need any misfires out here.
It'd taken about a couple of hours to learn. Nappa said it usually takes longer but blah blah, experience whatever.
"Ok! Thanks! Gotta go bye!"
I ran off before taking off into the sky.
If we take our time,
and we stick together,
everything we do,
will go our way.
I have no doubt,
this situation,
Will end and we'll enjoy,
another day.
I landed on the lookout and immediately sensed out to find Piccolo.
"Hey! Is anyone in the Time Chamber?" I asked immediately.
Piccolo raised a brow at my change in mood, "yes, Vegeta is now. Why?"
"How long til he gets out? I have an idea and I- I need time to figure it out."
"About an hour. What's your idea?"
"It's- a thing. I don't, technically know if it'll work. But like, I can't think of any reason it shouldn't. If it's possible."
"…and if it does, would it be strong enough to beat Cell?"
"If it works it'll take me so much farther."
…
Chico reached up to answer the phone. Now even Goh was taller than her. She could have sworn she got a really big growth spurt in like, a few days somehow.
Mama Isabella says she's due for a growth spurt soon but being the shortest is super annoying.
Still, she managed to answer the phone and ran through the script Mama Isabella told them to say if anyone called. She'd usually answer but she was out trying to find groceries, and that took longer these days. And she was closest to the phone this time so it was her turn to answer.
"Hi! Mama Isabella isn't home. Unfortunately due to current events, we can't take anyone new in." She said the since memorized script.
"Hello Chico, it's me."
"Oh! Miss Chichi! Hi!"
Goh's mom was nice. She could sometimes get angry, especially if Mr. Goku isn't paying attention, but most of the time she's nice around them at least.
She was one of the people Chico had to be careful around when referring to Goh though. Most people were really.
"Hey, when was Gohan going to be coming home?"
"Huh? Goh left a few hours ago. I thought, he, already went home."
"What?! No he hasn't! Goku!" She yelled off to the distance and hung up.
Chico frowned at the phone. Goh was always kinda weird but she'd been acting extra weird lately. And she just kinda rushed off after Chico mentioned her tail. Super weird.
…
I went in the Time a chamber the second I was allowed. Piccolo came in with me. I, don't really think I could have figured it out properly without him.
Unfortunately, until Piccolo could recreate the material, I was stuck wearing the spandex part of the Sayain outfit if I didn't want to shred through my outfit every time.
Small price whatever.
Regardless of any of that, I tossed the first of many, many Fake moons into the sky- er- void.
…
"Yeah, the brat was here. Wanted to ask Nappa something."
…
"It's been months and nothing has been changing."
"It- it'll work. I just need to have perfect control first."
"Your control is perfect. Both in your standard form. And Super Sayain. And turning Super Sayain after transforming. Technically you would be stronger than Cell with that. But the lack of speed makes it less than useless."
"…maybe it's something else then…maybe I have to mess with the power ball itself instead?"
…
"Yeah. Kids took off after wanting to learn something. Think he headed up to the Lookout? Seemed to be in a rush or something."
…
A single hand rose, slowly until it was fully extended.
And from it came a single blast. There was no name, or any particular amount of effort put into it.
And still, it decimated the icescapes that had grown over that night in the Time Chamber.
Instinctively, Piccolo covered his face from the debris. Then, looking back up at the destruction, he slowly nodded.
"Yeah. That'll take care of Cell alright."
He looked back only to see the Power Ball had faded, and Gohan had returned to normal, now asleep on the ground.
"Now we just have to figure out how to make it last."
He picked up his child-shaped friend and returned to the living area of the Time Chamber.
…
I woke up in the now all too familiar bed.
I still hated the Time Chamber, but necessary evils.
I scanned my memory of how I could have gotten here, to only really find a blur. Which was suspicious as I could now recall events perfectly in the transformed state.
I ran out to find Piccolo, meditating.
"Did it work?"
Piccolo glanced down at me, then gave a grin that I'm sure someone else would have found intimidating.
"It's no longer a question of if you can beat Cell. Now we just have to worry about if you can tap down your control enough in order to not accidentally take out half the solar system with him."
His words only filled me with a giddy elation.
…
We stepped out of the Time Chamber early. Oh, it was by no means perfected. But it was more than enough.
I practically skipped out in a new outfit created by Piccolo. It was just the normal Gi that I usually wore, but remade with a material similar to the Sayain uniform. It wouldn't withstand a great ape transformation, but it didn't need to.
My hair had grown back to mid-back length, which was fortunate since it left room for it to be cut down.
"Gohan! There you are," I looked over to see Goku already at the Lookout, "Chichi's been worried sick. Have you been in the time chamber this whole time?"
"Yeah, I had a really cool idea. It worked."
Goku frowned. He then crouched down so he could look me in the eyes, and stayed like that for a few moments.
"…do you think you can beat Cell?"
"Without a single doubt."
Let's kick it up,
and show them all the things,
that we can do
Let's kick it up
Another notch tomorrow
Let's kick it up,
cause they ain't seen the last,
of me and you
Let's kick it up
Together
Together
Let's kick it up,
and show them all the things,
that we can do
Let's kick it up
Another notch tomorrow
Let's kick it up,
cause they ain't seen the last,
of me and you
Let's kick it up
Together
Together
My brain just kinda went ! on my initial rewatch of DBZ when Tao showed up. Of course I was including him lol
Anyway, on a completely unrelated note, I think I've finally determined my favorite of the Digimon 02 songs
It's Let's Kick It Up
In case that wasn't clear
I even ran it by some friends to make sure it's actually a bop and I wasn't just nostalgia blind
Uh...yeah I'm pretty sure that's all that happened this chapter