Chapter 2: Beginnings and Good News
The night of the news of Goku's one day return, the C&K Butcher Shop did it's usual 7 pm shutdown. After the nightly cleanup. Gohan gathered the z fighter portion of the staff along with young Makoto Kino and Goten. The teen half-saiyan had wonderful news to tell those people.
"Mom, Goten, Krillin, 18, Makoto…..dad is coming back for a day," Gohan said.
At first the group stayed silent. The news began to sink in, as tears of joy fell down Chi-chi's face. Krillin couldn't help but let his joy out as his wife 18 just glared at Gohan. Goten was confused as he didn't know what to think of the situation. Makoto was flabbergasted. The teenage girl couldn't believe that someone could return from the dead after around six years.
Gohan read Makoto's pure shock and got slightly closer to her. The girl looked at her boss's oldest son, not knowing what to say to him. The girl didn't want to dash the hopes of the boy, no matter how impossible the feat that was to happen.
"How can he?" Makoto couldn't help but question.
"Goku has done many an impossible thing in his life. I just learned not to question it," Krillin interjected.
"Hmm….I'm just going to not think about it for the moment," Makoto blurted out.
"Good idea," 18 threw in, not really caring if she believed in Goku's return or not.
"I think you need to head home, you and the girls are going to need all the rest you can get. Especially after school, when you deal with Piccolo," Krillin pointed out.
"Hmm...just how tough is he?" Makoto asked.
"Well...let's just say you will be much stronger and leave it at that," Gohan stated, knowing that the senshi were going to go through a tough session with his first teacher.
Makoto left the shop on Krillin's suggestion. Chi-chi and the rest of the crew went into the cleaning, the Son Matriarch having a noticeable bounce in her step. This did not go unnoticed and it seemed to be contagious because the noseless monk also felt that positive rush of emotion as he went through his cleaning tasks. Gohan joined in the cleanup to cover for Makoto, as he too felt that positive rush of emotion. Goten grinned before he announced that he was going upstairs, looking forward to meeting the man that sired him over six years ago.
The next afternoon….
Gohan awaited his girlfriend at their usual spot at the park. Usually he would be alone, but a stern Namek named Piccolo was with him to make sure that Usagi kept her part of the deal so to speak. The other senshi were also with the two of them for likely the same reason as their soon to be Martial Arts Teacher. While they waited, Gohan looked over at his friend and tried to engage in a little small talk.
"Piccolo, I got my paperwork approved," the saiyan said.
"Ah, so the principal will let you train for the tournament," Piccolo replied.
"Yeah, it was easy once he found out who my dad is," Gohan pointed out.
"Hmph, I guess being a champion does come with some level of fame. As much as I hate it," Piccolo rebutted.
"Yeah, you don't really like crowds. Well dad never really cared for them one way or the other," Gohan explained.
As Gohan spoke with Piccolo and the girls about various things, Usagi soon made her presence felt. The girl walked up to Gohan and had her usual happy look upon her face. The emotion turned into a feeling of minor fear as she looked upon Piccolo and his usual stoic expression. She knew exactly what his appearance meant and just took a breath.
"Usagi, think of it as a new experience," Ami said in an attempt to cheer the girl up.
"This training will be necessary," Rei pointed out.
"I'm excited! I can't wait to get stronger," Makoto said with enthusiasm.
"And besides, you aren't going through it alone," Minako pointed out.
"I know, I know….." Usagi said in a sad tone.
The young girl shuffled her feet a bit as she gathered her courage. She then looked at Gohan, who smiled back at her. The young teen saiyan placed a hand on his girlfriend's shoulder and she could tell he wanted to encourage her.
"You can do this Usagi. If we can beat someone like Metallia, what's a little training," Gohan pointed out.
Usagi's heart welled up with emotion. The teenage princess nodded and couldn't help but have a huge grin as she went eye to eye with Gohan. She threw her arms around him, to which he replied by putting an arm around her. Piccolo had to clear his throat to break up the moment.
"Anytime this week you two!" Piccolo exclaimed as he wanted to get started with her training.
It was at that moment Luna appeared. The cat then illuminated the water around fountain as it began to glow. The cat then stood in front of Usagi.
"This should take all of you to the lookout. I will be with you until you have finished for the day. Then I will transport you all back here and you will go home," Luna explained.
The girls entered the portal with Piccolo and Luna. Usagi waived bye to Gohan as the light surrounded them and teleported them to their destination. Gohan smiled as he felt that this would be worthwhile for the senshi and for his girlfriend.
At Capsule Corp….
The lobby was quiet, well except for the lone receptionist, when Gohan entered the room. The woman, who appeared in her 30s, smiled at the saiyan and greeted him as she has done on many occasions. The teen waived at the woman in response.
"Is Bulma in Ms. Trudy?" Gohan asked.
"Yes Mr. Son, she's in her workshop," Trudy replied.
"Thank you," Gohan said.
Making his way through the lobby, Gohan opened a glass door. The teen ignored all the other rooms and went inside the elevator to the second floor. The teen made his way thorough the hallway until he found the room titled Workshop 3. The room was huge with white domed walls that extended to the top. A blue-tiled floor was mostly empty, not counting the desks on wheels or the metal slab fixed to the center.
Bulma, in a lab coat and casual clothing, looked at Gohan and greeted the teenager. The saiyan walked around the metal slab as he made his way to Bulma's terminal. The blue-haired woman stood up and stretched, as if she had been sitting in that office chair for hours.
"What brings you around here?" Bulma asked in a casual manner.
"Well Bulma...I have good news. About Dad and the World Tournament.." Gohan replied.
The woman listened with utmost attention as he told her about Goku's return for 24 hours and the details about his involvement in the World Tournament. Surprise was apparent at first from the Capsule Corporation CEO. The feeling was replaced with acceptance however, as she knew Goku had always found a way to make the impossible at least probable. Though a dark wizard appearing did appear to give her pause.
"Gohan, are you in any way concerned about this Babidi and Buu. What if this Buu turns out to be another Metallia. I'm not sure I want to see another event like that where people are turning on each other," Bulma pointed out.
"I hope not, maybe we can stop this Babidi before things get too out of hand," Gohan responded.
"You think he will just show up like some villain from those cheesy mangas Trunks likes to read?" Bulma questioned, changing from a serious to a bemused tone.
"Who's to say, he might just bring minions to do his dirty work while staying in the shadows. Likely less goofy and adorable than Goten's favorite movie," Gohan answered in an equally jovial manner.
Bulma giggled at Gohan's statement. Though both knew that the peace that they were in would probably be shattered in two weeks, it didn't matter. The woman couldn't help but admire what the boy she knew since age four had become. The moment would be short lived as a certain saiyan with a widow's peak hairstyle entered the room.
"Well, well, what brings you here boy," Vegeta said in his usual gruff demeanor.
"Vegeta, I was just telling Bulma about the World Tournament and the fact that Dad will be back for a day," Gohan pointed out.
"Hmph, so that clown Kakarot will be back for a day you say. Maybe I need to enter this tournament as well," Vegeta smirked.
"Let me guess, curious on how he's progressed," Gohan replied.
"But of course, though I wonder if you are going to be in it. You didn't seem too interested in it before," Vegeta threw out there.
"Actually yes, now that it's not going to be a cake walk. It would be boring to go in and just smash everyone and I wouldn't feel too good doing that to be perfectly honest. Plus I have another reason," Gohan admitted.
He proceeded to tell Vegeta about this Babidi lurking around on this planet. The prince rolled his eyes at the mention that he was a wizard. His experience with dark powers fresh in his mind, Vegeta knew that messing with such things led to more harm than good.
"I just hope he shows up. That way I can kill him before he does his little magic spells. Such a thing could be trouble,"Vegeta said.
"You know, that is actually a good idea. We need to root him out first though," Gohan said as he put his hand to his chin.
"Why you think of that, I'm going to train. You best be starting as well. I wouldn't want to squash you too badly," Vegeta taunted before walking away.
Gohan scoffed at the prince. The half-saiyan knew that it was just the way Vegeta was and he, in truth, wouldn't try to change him. As Vegeta left, Trunks entered and saw Gohan. The boy beamed as he ran up to him.
"Hey Trunks," Gohan jovially said.
"Hey Gohan!" the kid grinned at Gohan.
"I wonder what you and Dad talked about?" Trunks asked.
"Well Trunks, you know anything about the World Tournament?" Gohan answered with his own question.
"Yeah, I heard about it in my elementary school. I know a few boys who want to enter the junior division. Is Goten entering?" Trunks said.
"I guess he is, I need to ask him. He'll probably enter if you do," Gohan told the boy.
"Well...I think I'm still grounded. Since well.." Trunks shyly said as he rubbed his butt.
Gohan knew too well what he meant. A certain 'mooning' of the enemies in front of the Sailor Senshi. The teen could remember what Bulma said about a good spanking, and knew that she delivered by the way Trunks was acting. Bulma crossed her arms at her son, as she pondered letting him enter the Junior World Championship.
"Trunks...I'm going to let you enter the Tournament. Provided you don't show your behind in that manner during the event!" Bulma said, stressing the importance of her son's behavior.
"You really mean it," Trunks chirped with excitement.
Bulma nodded and the little boy leapt up into the air. After almost hitting the ceiling, the boy floated down onto the ground. He knew he almost blew his shot at something he wanted and was glad he didn't put a hole in the ceiling.
"I better go train with dad!"Trunks said as he walked over toward Vegeta's direction, marching with his chest out.
Bulma and Gohan laughed at Trunks's display. Both teen and mature woman wished they had the enthusiasm of the boy at times. Gohan said a small farewell and left Capsule Corp. on that particular bit of happiness.
Piccolo watched as the girls looked around the lookout. The five sailor senshi walked around to allow themselves to get acquainted with their surroundings. After a few moments Piccolo had the senshi line up side to side. Hand extended out, Piccolo let out a kiai and all five of them glowed white for around five to ten seconds. When the light disappeared, all of the girls were in gi's like his own purple gi with a red sash. The cape and the turban also came and the only difference was that the girls had a shirt underneath that corresponded with their senshi uniform. Usagi had white, Rei had red, Makoto had green, Minako had orange and Ami had ice blue.
The weight of these clothes were felt by the girls. Each sailor senshi struggled to walk in those outfits and Piccolo couldn't help but smirk at his handiwork. Usagi was especially amusing for him to see struggle as she seemed to be the most expressive of her anguish with her facial features and body language.
"Having a hard time!" Piccolo shouted at the young women.
"Damn it Piccolo!" responded Usagi as she fell on her butt. The blond with the odango hair rose to her feet after a great struggle.
Makoto actually attempted to throw a few punches with the added weight. Those exercises looked much more sluggish than what she would consider her usual form when she did Martial Arts. Piccolo saw this attempt by the fighter and couldn't help but have at least the smallest bit of appreciation for the Sailor Senshi of Protection. Rei saw what she was doing and tried to copy. Minako was next and the three of them seemed to have coordinated some sort of exercise despite the weighted clothing causing problems.
Ami was still struggling to walk along with Usagi. Piccolo made his way to the two girls, who he felt had not the training that the other three have. The Namek knew one way of training, and it was going to be hard.
"Come on Ami, Usagi, get your butts in gear!" shouted Piccolo like he was a drill sergeant.
After much struggle, both Usagi and Ami started throwing their own strikes. This was another sign to Piccolo of their lack of training prior to being Sailor Senshi. He couldn't believe that Usagi, the one whom him, Gohan and the cats saw with the most potential, was performing so poorly.
'Well everyone has to start somewhere. Who knows, she might benefit from going into this training,' Piccolo thought as he watched the girls struggle to their varying degrees.
The girls continued like this for about an hour before Piccolo halted the proceedings. The senshi lined up side by side as he stood silent for a few minutes. The namek then decided to break his silence.
"You lot need to improve, considerably. Makoto seems to handle the clothing the best, but not by much. I see at least three of you have done some Martial Arts training in the past. While two of you seemed like you have never thrown a proper punch in your lives. I'm going to say this to you now. If you are going to have me train you, you will give every effort you have! If I see any laziness, you can bet your ass I will be on you! This isn't going to be a picnic! You will either be stronger, or you will be gone. This is day one. Hopefully by day thirteen you will be much better, because I have special training plans for all of you. You will know these plans on day twelve and not a minute before. I wanted to use at least part of this day to see what I was working with and I tell you….we all have mountains of work ahead of us."
Piccolo took this moment to give a water to each of the senshi. The girls drank the bottled liquid happily to replace the moisture they lost to sweating so much. The namek then had the girls stand up and go through drills on how to throw proper punches. The senshi went into their striking exercises, shouting with a kiai after every strike.
After around 10 minutes, Gohan landed onto Dende's Lookout. The girls turned their attention to Gohan, but a simple look from Piccolo was enough for them to go back to their exercise. The teenager walked up to the scene and sat onto the side to watch the girls learn the basics. The exercise continued for 20 more minutes until Piccolo ordered it to stop.
"Take a break. Here in a few moments I will teach you on how to draw out your energy," Piccolo ordered.
The girls broke formation and Usagi walked over sluggishly to Gohan. The saiyan met her the rest of the way and she looked up at him, fatigue taking hold of her. Usagi sits down onto the ground and looks up to her boyfriend with a weary smile.
"I take it Piccolo's training is a bit rough," Gohan said.
"Uh huh," was the tired response.
Gohan squatted beside his girlfriend and couldn't help but smile at her. The saiyan brushed a stray hair from her face, causing her to giggle a little. Her friends took this moment to join her in sitting down, all senshi trying to catch their breath.
"Gohan, are you supposed to be training for the tournament?" Ami asked.
"I start that tomorrow and besides, the high school students are allowed to take two weeks off if they so desired. Besides. I haven't had a rest day in a while anyway," Gohan replied.
"You know I would hate to interrupt your little moment, but have you told Master Roshi about Goku coming back yet," Piccolo asked
Gohan fell onto his butt from his squatting position. The realization hit him that fast and he knew that he had better get to The House of the Turtle Hermit. The saiyan then stood up onto his feet as Usagi gave a smile to him. Gohan helped his girlfriend and the senshi back to their feet and said his farewell before he left the lookout.
"Now girls, sit down in easy pose!" Piccolo said as she sat down on his butt with his legs crossed. The senshi groaned as they copied their teacher.
Piccolo put his hands out and a small bit of energy appeared. The namek instructed the girls to let their energy out as he just did. All five of them couldn't duplicate the results right away, so Piccolo tried a method one would think alien to the normally gruff green man. He actually urged the girls to relax and let their energy flow instead of screaming at them like a drill sergeant.
After some time, Rei was the first one to let her energy out. For some reason it didn't come out as a little bit of light, but a small fireball. Piccolo wasn't surprised, given that he knew about her spiritual training at the temple. The fire however did give him pause.
"It seems that your senshi powers are mixing with your energy Rei," Piccolo pointed out.
"Thank you Master Piccolo," Rei said, not looking at him as to concentrate on her exercise.
The other four senshi stopped their attempts and looked at the success of the priestess. Annoyed, the green instructor cleared his throat at that moment.
"You know that you will get better results if you stop gawking at that fireball," Piccolo chided at the girls, causing them to snap back into meditative poses.
Gohan made his way to the island where Master Roshi lives. The boy went to the door and knocked. A chubby little man with the facial features of a pig went up to answer and couldn't help but take a look at the teenager.
"Ya know Gohan, I don't think I can ever get used to seeing you all grown up," commented the pig man named Oolong.
"Hello Oolong, how've you been," Gohan asked.
"I've been just dandy. Though sometimes spending time with the Old Timer can be a bit boring. It ain't like I'm able to fight bad guys and evil spirits like you and your girlfriend," Oolong pointed out.
"Oh c'mon Oolong, it isn't all fun and games I can assure you," Gohan replied.
"I bet it ain't," Oolong replied in a jovial manner.
A voice of said Old Man cut into the conversation like a knife.
"Who's at the door!" the man shouted.
"It's Gohan!' Oolong shouted.
"Well don't just stand there, let the boy in!" the Old Man ordered.
The pig man grumbled as he opened the door to let Gohan inside. The saiyan teen looked around, but didn't have to look far. He saw the old man watching his usual aerobics videos. Gohan knew that the old master enjoyed those video's a bit too much at times, and guessed it was probably the spandex the female fitness models would wear as it hugged their bodies.
Gohan walked over and the old man turned his attention to him. The saiyan knew that he had news to tell his father's second martial arts master, the first being the old man that the young teenager was named after.
"Hey Gohan, glad you can visit!" the Old Man said as he was genuinely happy to see Gohan.
"Yep, and I have good news to tell you Master Roshi," Gohan replied.
"Well then my boy, tell this Old Codger," Roshi responded.
"Master, Dad is going to be back from the dead for a day!" Gohan said.
"You know what kid. Knowing Goku that really don't surprise me. I bet my sister is bringing him from Other World," Roshi commented.
"Ok I had no idea Baba could do that," Gohan said honestly.
"She does that kind of stuff with permission from King Enma each time. It is a rare thing though so if I were you I would cherish every moment with him you can," Roshi said.
Gohan was touched that the old man said such a thing. The boy nodded at this statement as Roshi looked at him through his sunglasses he seemed to have on most of the time. The saiyan couldn't help but smile. However, that happiness would be short lived, because another trait of the man named Kamesennin Mutenroshi would rear it's head.
"Say Gohan, I couldn't help but hear that you have a girlfriend. I wonder if she has any friends you can introduce me to ?" Roshi asked before he started cackling.
Gohan couldn't help but feel embarrassed. The teen knew what the old master was like around young women and did not want to expose his girlfriend or her friends to his lecherous ways. The boy also did not want to curse out the old man for his question and an answer came to him.
"I guess when it happens," Gohan answered.
"Damn it boy! It's been forever since I've seen pretty ladies! Can't you grant an old man one teeny little wish!" Kamesennin replied.
"Master Roshi, I'm sure you will meet her someday," Gohan replied.
"Well I guess you're probably right," Mutenroshi lamented.
After a few moments, Gohan left the island with Oolong and Master Roshi waving bye to him. Gohan decided to go to the lookout one last time to check on the girls.
The senshi were on their feet, though all five of them were exhausted. Piccolo saw as they were struggling to move, and watched. The namek was then joined by his fellow namek Dende and the two of them watched the girls lumber toward them.
"Should I heal them?" Dende asked.
Piccolo stood stoic for a moment. The elder alien nodded and Dende instructed the girls to sit down. The women did as he said as they didn't even want to speak. Earth's guardian extended his hands and healed Usagi first. The girl felt as if her energy was renewed as she got up on her feet, the weighted clothes feeling lighter to the young woman.
Dende went to heal the other senshi one by one. The girls rose to their feet and had the same lighter feeling as Usagi. Piccolo stood up and had his students stand at attention. One clothes beam later, the ladies were back in their regular clothes.
"When you get home, I suggest you all get a bath," Piccolo said, not wanting the girls to stink out their families.
Gohan showed up and landed at that time. The man saw that the young ladies were already changed into their clothes. He went to Usagi, who ran to her boyfriend. She gave Gohan a big hug, but her stench hit his nose. The saiyan smiled as he chose to not say anything about the offensive smell of his girls sweat.
"I stink don't I Gochan," Usagi said.
"Umm…." was all that Gohan could get out before she giggled.
'It's ok, I'm getting home and taking a bath!" Usagi exclaimed.
The girls left with Luna shortly after. Gohan stuck around for a bit to talk to Piccolo and see their progress. The saiyan was curious at the results, though he knew that they wouldn't learn all of it their first day. Piccolo knew that his former student was curious and knew that he might as well tell them how the senshi were doing.
"Gohan, can I speak to you," Piccolo said.
"Sure," Gohan replied.
"I'm just going to say it, there will be a lot of work ahead. These girls are true beginners, and it's going to be a struggle," Piccolo said.
"Go on," Gohan urged.
"Well they showed some progress with the weighted clothes, and I actually managed to get one to show a spark of energy. Rei formed a weird mix of a ki and a fireball. I think the girls didn't lose their powers, but they are buried deep inside their spirits," Piccolo informed.
"Interesting," Gohan said as he put his hand on his chin.
"Yeah, and if those two cats find a way to unlock these powers this training would help them. If they don't, we might be able to bring them back without any kind of tools. Though it will take a hell of a lot of work. Especially Usagi," Piccolo added.
Gohan's eyebrow raised up at the mention of his girlfriend.
"I take it you want me to elaborate. She's going to have to get used to this training. I expected her to be a handful, but one thing is for sure. I think I wore her out too much to even cry and complain. Though when she does get used to it, I'm sure to hear her whine and moan a lot more," Piccolo said.
"Like me when you first trained me?" Gohan replied, knowing how much of a big crybaby he was when he first started.
"Heh, I doubt she'll beat you in the crybaby department," Piccolo said in dry humor.
"Hey!" Gohan exclaimed, which caused Dende to laugh.
The two nameks and the saiyan enjoyed a laugh. Laughter was common for Dende and Gohan, but for Piccolo it was truly rare. Before they knew it, it was close to dark. Gohan left the lookout and was hopeful about the future.
Usagi was at her home, in a pink pair of pajamas with white rabbits all over them. She was brushing her long, blond hair that was long since out of the usual dual bun style. Luna leapt up onto her vanity desk and sat down. The girl stopped her brushing for the moment and stroked the head of the cat. Luna closed her eyes and gave out a small 'meow' as her small head was petted.
"That bath felt good. Mr. Piccolo is way too tough of a teacher!" Usagi exclaimed.
"Just think, he could've done the approach he did to Gohan years ago. Then again the dinosaur would've probably eaten you," Luna said.
"Luna! That's so mean!" Usagi cried as she let loose a few crocodile tears.
"Perhaps, but this training with Piccolo is important. Your body must be able to handle the strength of the Ginzhouishou. There might be a time where Gohan can't help you someday," Luna pointed out.
Usagi stopped her crying and became thoughtful for a moment. Her mind couldn't help but wonder about her boyfriend and what he went through as a child. Gohan had told her several things that happened to him during childhood while training with the rough Namekian. Then a random thought came to her blonde head.
"I would like to take a trip to the country with Gochan sometime. He can protect me from the bears, sabre tooth tigers and dinosaurs," Usagi blurted out.
"Usagi….can you leave the flights of fancy for after your training. Besides, there is the looming threat of the wizard Babidi and this Majin Buu character," Luna replied.
"Luna! Can't a girl dream for once!" Usagi complained.
"I'm just saying, this wizard could be real trouble. It could be the Dark Kingdom all over again if we don't watch it," Luna said.
"I guess you're right...say do you know anything about this Majin Buu...or Babidi?" Usagi questioned.
"Babidi is new, though I've heard only stories of Majin Buu and a wizard named Bibidi. Queen Serenity told us how Majin Buu was a terror throughout the universe and how the five Kaioushin managed to subdue the creature. I just hope we can root out this Babidi before that terror awakens. I do not wish to know the power of such a creature if those stories are true," Luna said with caution in her voice.
"Well Luna, Gochan and I are on it. We'll find that wizard and beat him up!" Usagi exclaimed in confidence.
"I sure hope so. Now I think it's time for sleep," Luna said.
With that Usagi laid down in her bed, with the cat curled up close to her. Slumber took the cat and the girl to dreamland as they awaited the new day, looking forward to what it will bring.
A/N: That's it for chapter 2. Please Read, Review, Follow and Favorite.