A/N: Welcome to the Path of the Dragon Season One Finale! It's more or less a curtain call for everything we've been through together for the past year and a half and a little tease of things to come. The original chapter is massive! As soon as I hit 20,000 words (and still wasn't finished) I decided to split it. I'm doing some final edits to Part II, so I hope to be finished tonight. We'll see
Sorry for the long wait! I hope it's worth it.
Let's get going.
Review responses are at the end, as usual.
Opening Song:
"Mukoku" by My First Story
Toshinori jogged along the riverbank, enjoying the brisk sting of Mount Paozu's early morning air chilling his lungs. He had been jogging uphill for quite sometime now, and the shade of the coming day's darkest hour hanged still over the peaceful mountain meadows, serenading Toshi with the chirps and croaks of insects and nocturnal critters that scurried away as the skinny man jogged past them.
The musk of fresh dew on the grass and the sounds of the rushing river that ran down the mountain, teeming with life, filled Toshi's heart with a certain peace that he hadn't felt in quite some time.
Toshi smiled. It was going to be a good day today.
The pain on the lower right side of his abdomen flared up again, andhe eased it by rubbing his hand over the bandaged wound gently. Streams of perspiration streaked down Toshi's face and his breaths came out in steady puffs, and he decided that it was a good time to rest from his jog.
Huffing from the exertion, Toshinori dropped down to one knee and bent over the riverbank, and after rolling up the navy blue sleeves of his jogging jacket, he plunged his large, bony hands into the icy-cold crystalline waters and brought some back up to drink. After satiating his thirst, he brought another handful of water and splashed it over his face, cooling off.
The rushing water quickly corrected itself and in the dawning starlight, Toshi caught sight of his reflection. Something in his chest stirred.
This river and its reflection held so many memories for him.
This was the path that lead back to the old Son Farm, the Orphanage where Toshinori had been raised, so long ago that it seemed like a different lifetime, entirely.
It was the path that lead back home.
When Toshi was a little boy, the thundering river had been little more than a trickling stream. How things had changed.
Everything had changed.
In the water's reflection, Toshinori saw himself, only several decades younger. Gone were the wrinkles, the creases, the scars…
That boy who looked back up at him had bright blue eyes that shined with hope and the promise of tomorrow. In his mind's eye, Toshi could see himself, about eleven or twelve years old, running up the riverbank back towards the house where the incessant cries of the newborn had erupted…
THIRTY YEARS AGO…
Eleven-year-old Toshinori leaped onto the withered old wooden porch and dashed into Gine's room, nearly knocking over Grandpa Gohan.
"Whoa, easy there, Toshi!" Gohan said with a laugh, placing a steadying hand on Toshi's shoulder, slowing him to a stop. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in school!"
"Sorry, Grandpa! As soon as I heard that Gine had given birth, I just couldn't wait to meet him." Toshi asked giddily, tucking his jaw-length strands of golden hair behind his eyes.
Across the room, Gine was laying in bed, holding a tiny baby bundledup in blankets in her arms. Herlong black hair was matted and disheveled, and dark bags underlined her tired eyes, but she still managed to glow with radiant maternal beauty despite the long hours of labor she had just endured.
Fasha, Leek, Sugesh and four-year-old Raditz were already by her bedside, and Bardock stood over his wife on the other side of the bed, eyes glued onto the baby who looked exactly like him.
"Gine!" Toshi shouted happily, running through the tiny crowd to her bedside. His master looked up at him with a smile. "Is that him? Is it? Is it? IS IT?!"
"It sure is," Gine chuckled, turning so that Toshi could see the baby in her arms. "His name is Kakarot, but you can call him Goku."
"YES! He's finally here! Can I hold him?" Toshinori asked, eyes beaming. "Pleeeease?"
"Of course, Toshi," Gine said, handing the newborn over to him. "Here, support his head with your left hand and wrap your arm under his body with your right arm and grab him by the shoulder. That's it!"
Toshinori's eyes shined with emotion as he took the miniature version of Bardock into his arms and brought him up against his chest. The baby had Bardock's face and spiky hair, but sported Gine's kind, innocent eyes, which stared up at him curiously. His tiny, stubby fingers were gripping the brown-haired tail attached to his lower back.
"Welcome to the world, Goku," Toshi whispered to him with a smile. "I'm Toshinori. I'll be your unofficial big brother. Please, do us all a favor and grow up big and strong, okay?"
The tiny naked monkey-tailed boy stared at Toshi for a long moment, blinking in innocent confusion. After a few seconds, the baby realized that he was no longer in his mother's arms and his eyes widened and dampened with emotion.
Toshi's smile melted as Goku's lips drooped into a frown and began to tremble, his large eyes filling with tears.
"W-wait a second… Goku…" Toshi cooed gently, rocking the baby gently to get him to calm down, but his attempts were unsuccessful. "It's okay. Don't cry-"
"WAAAAAAAH!" The baby closed his eyes and burst into a loud outcry, squirming wildly in Toshi's arms. "WAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"Hold on, don't do that, Goku! You'll fall and get hurt!" Toshi begged, struggling to calm the hysterical baby. Suddenly, Goku's eyes flew open with a furiousglower and his tiny leg shot forward unexpectedly, connecting with Toshi's chin.
"Ah!" Toshi yelped.
"Toshi!" Gine gasped as the boy stumbled back. Goku's pudgy arm shot forward and caught a fistful of Toshi's golden locks, pulling on them as he continued to wail angrily.
"Ah! Goku, stop that, please!" Toshi begged, wincing with pain. "That really hurts!"
Fasha swooped forward to snatch the angry Saiyan baby away and handed him over to Bardock. Goku immediately settled down in his father's muscular arms, shooting an irritated glare at Toshi.
"HAHAHA! Little guy's already got one hell of a kick, like his old man,doesn't he?" Fasha laughed.
Bardock smirked as he rocked Goku gently.
"And he's got that red hot Saiyan temper to boot," Sugesh said proudly, swiping the side of his nose with his thumb."I'm tellin' ya, this little pipsqueek's gonna be one tough cookie when he grows up!"
"He is a Saiyan, after all," Bardock chuckled. He glanced back up at Toshi. "You okay, Toshi?"
"Yeah, I'm alright," Toshinori responded with a sheepish smile, rubbing the spot on his chin where Goku had kicked him. Goku was still glaring at him angrily from his father's arms. Toshinori's eyes sank. "I guess Goku doesn't like me very much, huh?"
"Oh no, it's not like that, sweetheart," Gine said with a smile. "Goku's just a baby. He didn't mean to hurt you on purpose; he just doesn't know what he's doing. That's why he needs us right now. So we have to be patient with him, okay? It will all be worth it in the end."
…
Toshinori sighed with a poignant smile, reliving that beautiful memory with a chuckle, one of the many that he had made growing up with Goku. Not too long after that first incident, the two had become inseparable, and unlike with his older brother Raditz, who had wanted nothing to do with either of them, Goku had actually forged a deep brotherly bond with Toshinori.
But years later, Goku's death had finished tearing the hole in Toshi's heart that had been punctured by the many losses he had suffered throughout his life – his parents, Grandpa Gohan, Bardock, Fasha and the rest of the tailless Saiyans from the orphanage. But the most painful loss by far, had been the murder of his beloved master, Gine.
By the time Goku died, Raditz was already locked away in Tartarus to await his execution, and Bulma, the only woman he'd developed feelings for but had been too scared to reveal, had been taken by his sworn rival, the arrogant Prince of Saiyans.
But even through so much loss, Gine's wise words, her encouragement, her love and her dreams had all helped Toshinori push towards his dream with a smile on his face.
The dream of a peaceful future – that is what kept Toshi moving forward. That was the reason why he clenched his fist. He was the Symbol of Peace, the shining light that this world needed. And now, Goku needed him too, more than ever.
And yet, when the moment came, Toshinori had failed once again. Raditz and Goku, as well as their wives and their children… Toshi was supposed to protect them, but he had failed them all. His smile slowly melted and his large hands closed around the grass beneath him. Toshi lowered his head.
"Master," he whispered sadly into the dawning night. "I'm so sorry. I failed you all…"
A gentle breeze picked up from the east and blew towards him, caressing Toshi's cheek and swirling around him.
"Toshinori…" a familiar voice whispered.
The remaining embers of One for All that glowed fromwithin Toshinori's weakened body sparked with brilliant golden light.
"Toshi," the kind, gentle voice repeated, much closer this time. Toshinori lifted his head up to see a distortion in his vision. A black, starry void, a vision produced by One for All, had opened out of thin air and out of it stepped a powerfully built woman with back-length raven black hair, a skin-tight dark blue body suit and a pair of yellow gloves.
Her white cape swayed majestically behind her and she moved a hand over her face to clear her wild hair out of her kind, loving eyes. Before him stood the vestige of Son Gine, a shadow of her consciousness projected from her Quirk within One for All.
"Master," Toshinori said, unable to look up at Gine's eyes.
"Come on, Toshi," she responded with a warm chuckle. "What did I say about losing that smile?And stop apologizing, please! Raditz and Goku were never your responsibility, they were mine and Bardock's. What happened to our family isn't your fault. All for One did this to us, not you."
"But I made you a promise that I'd protect them," Toshi insisted, his voice breaking and tears spilling down his cheeks. "All of them. Chi-Chi and Nao, and Gohan, Hana and Koten. But I failed. I wasn't strong enough to keep our family safe."
"But you are strong enough, Toshi, and not just physically," Gine insisted gently. "You have proven the strength of your heart a million times over already. You have touched the lives of so many people – including Gohan's. Look at how strong he's becoming, and it's thanks in part to your guidance. As for Goku, he was always a kind and happy boy. What they've done to him is unforgivable, but you can still save him, Toshinori. Underneath that mask, he is still our Goku. I felt him."
"So did I," Toshi nodded.
"So it seems that the villains' plot has been spoiled by their own hubris. There is hope for Goku yet, and even though he's hurting people right now, remember, he doesn't know what he's doing. He needs us, so be there for him, Toshinori. Be there for all of them. You've been this world's protector your entire life, but now it's time for the next generation of heroes to rise. Be their guiding light, Toshinori. Be their Symbol of Peace and Justice"
Gine's words comforted Toshi, who wiped his tears and nodded.
"I will… I'll do my best, Master," Toshi promised.
"I know you will," Gine nodded with a smile. "So chin up, okay? The world still needs All Might; especially your successor."
"Young Midoriya…" Toshi breathed. "Have you been watching him, Master?"
"I have. He's a quirky kid with a head full of funny of ideas," Gine paused to shoot him a mischievous glance. "You sure know how to pick them, don't you, Toshinori? But I've seen his heroism and his tenacity through your eyes. I know he will make a fine hero some day. Have you introduced him to Master Roshi yet?"
"Master Roshi?" Toshi asked, shaking his head. "No, not yet. I was hoping that he wouldn't need that sort of rigorous training until he's a little older."
"I recommend you start him down that path sooner rather than later," Gine said. "That boy's going to need all the help he can get, if he's going to master my Quirk."
Toshinori gasped and looked back up at Gine.
"Master your Quirk…? Then, does that mean…? Has it happened? Young Midoriya-?" He asked, stammering over his excitement.
There was a legend among the Users that he and every other previous user of One for All had yearned and prayed for – the rise of a user of One for All so powerful that he would usher in a new era of peace by wielding One for All to its full potential and inheriting every Quirk within it.
Such a Hero would become the strongest warrior in the world.
They would become The One and Only.
"That's right," Gine said happily, placing her gloved hands on her hips. "We've finally reached the singularity point. Izuku Midoriya will become the One and Only. He will begin to inherit all of the powers within One for All. As vestiges, we will guide him, but he will need training, both from you and Roshi. As the Sixth and Eighth users of One for All, you two would be better suited than anyone else to guide him in this journey."
"If that's the case," Toshinori said. "Then… It should've been Gohan. It's only appropriate that he bears your torch, Master. If only-"
Gine interrupted him with a giggle.
"Oh, Toshi. You still haven't changed, have you?" she said, shaking her head.
"Master?" Toshi looked up, raising an eyebrow.
"You still have me and our family up on a pedestal. But our Gohan is walking a different path from that of mine, Bardock or Kakarot's, and yes, even yours, Toshi. And you know what? That's a good thing. He and Izuku… those two boys are going to change the world, Toshinori. I can foresee that. So don't doubt your chosen successor. You made a wise choice in choosing someone who appreciates the great power and responsibility that you've handed down to him."
"I understand," Toshi nodded. "Thank you. I will see to it that Midoriya is properly trained. I promise."
The legendary Turtle Hermit Hero, Roshi, known by his hero name as Gran Torino, was the only other surviving user of One for All who had lived to train his successor, Son Gine, had finished training her successor, Toshinori. And now, it was young Midoriya's turn. Toshi had set a good foundation for Izuku's strength with the American Dream Plan, which had been modeled after Roshi's training, but the Turtle Hermit's training was much more harsh and grueling – and that was an understatement!
Toshinori's legs instinctively trembled at the memory of those dreaded early morning milk runs, the hundreds of miles skipping through forests, swimming through shark infested waters, clawing through mud and grime with his bare fingernails…
But Roshi's intense training had served a purpose – by the time he had mastered One for All, Toshi had been forged into an unstoppable force for good. And now it would be Izuku's turn. But Izuku wouldn't be the only one benefiting from Roshi's experience. Toshi was now walking down the same path that Roshi had in the past.
Now that Toshinori had passed on One for All to Izuku, the last embers of that great power were burning out, and one day, it would be all but extinguished. For the first time in a very long time, Toshi would need guidance as he would begin to transition into a role of a mentor, rather than a hero.
Toshi looked up from his thoughts to see Gine's skin glimmering, the telltale sign that their time would soon be over and the vestige vision would soon end. But Toshinori had one more thing to ask before their time was up. He just had to know.
"Gine?" Toshi asked. "If… When I finally lose my connection with One for All, would that mean that I won't be able to see you anymore?"
That thought secretly terrified him. His beloved master was the woman he'd come to see as his own mother. The thought that he would lose her a second time…
Gine smiled and crouched down next to him to be eye level, placing her hand on Toshi's shoulder.
"Toshi," she said. "Do you remember what I taught you all those years ago. Just because the ones we love are gone…"
"...doesn't mean they aren't with us anymore," Toshi finished thoughtfully, staring off into space. Gine nodded and pulled him into a loving motherly embrace. Toshinori wrapped his long, slender arms around his master's shoulders like a child embracing his mother for comfort.
It had been true. Even after Gine had sacrificed her life to save Toshi from All for One, her vestige – the shadow of her consciousness embedded within One for All, as well as her teachings and all of the good memories they'd shared, had remained within him to guide, support and strengthen him through his journey. It was as if she had been walking right along next to him wherever his journey took him.
That was something that nobody would ever be able to take from him.
"Always remember," Gine said, her skin glowing radiantly and her voice turning into an echo. "When you think you can't go on anymore, look inside yourself, your past, remember where you started and the people that have loved you along the way. You may not have been one of the sons I had with Bardock, but you are the son I chose, and even if we never see each other again, know that I have loved you, and I will always be with you, Toshinori…"
And with that final warm echo, the vestige of Son Gine receded and the vision ended. Toshi found himself kneeling by the riverbank once again, alone.
The morning sun was rising over Mount Paozu, parting through clouds and dispelling all shadows, bathing Toshinori and the entire mountain in its radiant warmth. The early morning darkness had been swallowed up by the bright light, and already the chirping songs of birds and the sweet aroma of waking flowers filled the air.
A wide smile stretched across Toshi's lips and he lifted his head up high to welcome the dawn of a new day.
Yes, it was going to be a good day today.
Toshi breathed in a gulp of fresh air and with newfound strength, he took off running towards the top of the mountain.
Thank you, Master Gine…
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE – SEASON ONE FINALE: PART I – LOOKING AHEAD
"...aaaand that's a wrap, everybody!" Present Mic announced, dismissing the class, screeching his radio voice through the computer screen.
For the last three weeks, he had been filling in for Mister Aizawa as Class 1A's homeroom teacher while Aizawa recovered from his injuries in a hospital. Out of an abundance of caution, the school had placed the entire student body under distance learning through a virtual classroom, until they could ensure that the students would be safe to meet in person again.
Thankfully, they had been granted permission to start going back to in person classes starting that following Monday.
"Thanks for tuning in, everyone," Mic chirped into the microphone, holding it dramatically upside down over his head, leaning back on his chair with his boots propped up on Aizawa's desk. "We're looking forward to returning to our regular scheduled program, live and in person on Monday. Till then, have a great weekend everybody! We've got a few minutes for open mics, so to sign us off, is Vice Rep Tenya Iida and the Classroom Host, Momo Yaoyorozu. Take it away, you guys!"
With that, Present Mic signed off and the students were finally able to unmute their microphones.
"Ugh, finally!" Mina yawned, rubbing her tired eyes and tossing her textbook aside, callously. "I'm so glad we'll be returning to in-person classes next week. Not having to commute is great, but not being able to hang out with anyone totally sucks!"
"You said it, Pinky!" Kaminari agreed with an exasperated sigh, his eyes circular and glazed over. He dropped his forehead down to the palms of his hands. "Ugh. I feel like I'm going crazy, stuck in my house!"
"Hey, look on the bright side, you guys," Ojiro offered with a smile. The light from outside of his plain square window poured into his empty room. "At least it was only three weeks and not two or three years!"
"Don't give them ideas, Monkey Boy!" Videl shouted through her screen, wrapping some training tape around her knuckles, preparing herself to go train after the meeting ended.
"Well, at least Hagakure's paying attention," Momo commented, spotlighting Hagakure's pink-filled room. The girl's pencil was furiously writing on her notebook.
Iida gave her a proud nod of approval.
"Thank you, Hagakure, for showing the rest of the class how a truly dedicated student of UA should act." He said.
"Hey, yeah!" Izuku said excitedly, twirling his All Might themed pencil in his fingers. "That's the idea, Toru!"
"...Hagakure?" Melissa called. "Class is over. What are you taking notes of? Hagakure?"
"Holy crap! Is that Yamcha! When did he join the meeting?!" Mina shouted.
"Yamcha? WHERE?!" Toru screamed and the next instant, an invisible, naked body rolled off the bed in the background, taking the giant stuffed bears with her. In her tumble, she hit the chair where she had propped up her school uniform, knocking over a tiny fan that had a string attached to her pencil.
"Ooh owie! Owie!" she groaned.
"Ha! I knew it!" Mina teased.
"N-nevermind," Iida sighed.
"She's been naked this whole time?!" Sato shouted in disbelief.
"So maybe stop staring at her?" Ojiro suggested rather firmly, blowing out a visible puff of steam from out of his nostrils.
"What's the difference? She's invisible," Sato shrugged.
"Unfortunately," Kaminari grumbled to himself quietly.
"Hey, you guys," Kirishima spoke up, "have you all been paying attention to the weekly press conferences from the Police Force? They're calling the attack on the school, 'The USJ Incident.'"
"Yeah," Tsu commented, rocking her baby brother to sleep in her arms. "It's so weird, seeing footage of ourselves on TV and on the newspapers like that. The Press kept asking for our names, but the school is doing a great job at keeping our identities a secret."
"It's for the best," Shoji responded quietly. "The reporters are trying to get the scoop and it's understandable, but if they publish our identities while there are villains out on the loose, it would compromise the safety of our classmates."
"Yeah, but it totally sucks that we won't get any recognition for beating back the League of Villains," Kaminari cried. "That's our origin story, dammit! And we didn't even get credit for saving the Marketplace!"
"'We' is a lot of people, don't you think, dolt-bolt?" Videl huffed.
"Hey! I helped call in the cavalry while you were getting squashed like a grape!" Denki cried defensively.
"You mean when I was kicking Spopo-bitch's ass while you ran away like a little-"
"Only a fool would crave such short-lived attention; it begets scrutiny and gives birth consternation," Tokoyami said as the purplish blue light from his candles illuminated his dark feathers.
Kaminari's eyes twitched at Tokoyami's intensity. He glanced over at Kirishima's screen. "Translation, please?"
"Uhh, yeah… He says that a lot of people got hurt that day and will be looking for heads to roll." Kirishima replied. "And speaking of that, I heard that the mayor of Utupa City is calling for Endeavor's arrest for causing so much damage to his city during his fight with that Nomu villain."
"Holding Endeavor responsible?" Shoto scoffed, lighting some evening incense with the heat of his left index finger and thumb. "That's not going to happen. That bastard's license gives him complete immunity from any damage caused while he performs his so-called Hero Work."
"Not only that," Izuku chimed in, tapping the eraser end of his pencil against his chin in thought. "Endeavor's the mallet of justice right now, hammering away at the League of Villains. He's the only one who's bringing villains back in body bags, and while the majority of the population claims to condemn it, on social media he's actually being praised for it."
"In the end, the night will always win," Tokoyami sighed.
"It's not right," Melissa said, firmly. "Even if they are terrorists, nobody should be allowed to play Judge, Jury and Executioner indiscriminately. It sets up a dangerous precedent. That kind of authority should only be derived from the consent of the governed and the rule of law, not the whims of a madman."
"Well said," Momo nodded.
"You mean like the Dragon of Namek?" Kaminari teased. "Ever since Endeavor started hunting down the League of Villains, he's practically disappeared. You don't think… that he was one of them, right?"
"No way! The Dragon is… Mhh," Melissa bit the corner of her lower lip. "He's different…"
"Ooh! Switching positions on this one, aren't we, Shield?" Kaminari continued to tease.
"Well yeah," Melissa insisted, her eyebrows furrowing earnestly. "Sure he roughs up the Yakuza and the other thugs in Namek City, but that's because there is no hero agency there to step in when the villains get out of hand. And besides, he does a lot more than just crime fighting. The Dragon Clan actually helps the community in many different ways, like providing housing for the less fortunate and restoring the Namekian Ecosystem. They need him."
"Hmph," Kaminari sat back with a crooked smirk, twirling one of his hats on the tip of his finger. "Someone sure sounds like a fangirl."
"Oh, stop it," Melissa laughed.
"Alright everyone, that's enough," Iida said, snapping his fingers. "Save that energy for your Hero Law homework. Make sure to work hard on it. I'll be expecting your papers first thing in the morning to turn them in to Mister Hizashi."
"What?!" Jiro shouted. Loud electric guitar music and drums were playing in the background from her screen and flooded the entire room as soon as she unmuted her microphone. "Sorry, Dad and the gang started jamming out in the living room, so I can't hear a thing! What's Iida saying?"
"He said his lips are starting to get chapped from kissing Present Mic's ass all the time," Bakugo grumbled, eliciting a mocking chortle from Videl, Kirishima and Kaminari.
"Kacchan!" Izuku yelled in horror. "That's rude!"
"For your information, my lips are chapped from running at high speeds without a helmet on to call for help during the USJ Incident to save your life, you cretin!" Iida responded, slicing through the air with an arm, holding a tiny tube of lip balm in his hand.
"Um… Excuse, me. Vice Rep?" Koda squeaked, catching everyone's attention. The boy was holding a rabbit in his arms, lightly stroking its fur shyly. "Erm… About Gohan…"
"If you're worried about his condition, please, don't be," Iida replied quickly with a smile. "He'll be just fine. He just needs time to rest and recover from his injuries, that's all."
"Oh, that's a relief," Koda sighed. "I've tried reaching out to him with my Anivoice, but he's not responding."
Melissa shot Izuku a quick glance, who looked away.
"Iida's right, you guys," Kirishima chimed in with a smile. "It's Gohan we're talking about here. He always bounces back from anything that knocks him down. You'll see. That man is made of steel!"
"Damn villains," Mina snarled. "What they did to his beautiful face is unforgivable! We were supposed to go dancing, dammit!"
"Todoroki and I will be going over to Endeavor's Agency to check up on him tomorrow morning," Momo said, glancing at Todoroki's screen. Shoto crossed his arms and breathed in a heavy sigh, but nodded.
"Oh, okay," Koda said, sinking back in his chair with a sigh of relief. "Tell him I said 'hi' and that I hope he feels better."
"Will do," Momo promised with a smile.
"I know it's been a very tense few weeks, to put it lightly, but I want to take a moment to tell each and every one of you that I am…" Iida trailed off and stared at the screen as his lower lip twitched with emotion. He cleared his throat and continued. "I'm so proud of the way you all took care of each other during the USJ Incident. I'm truly honored to share a classroom with you heroes.
"Don't mention it, Vice-Rep," Kirishima said with a smile and a wave.
"We're looking forward to seeing you all in person," Momo added. "Please take care of yourselves and enjoy the weekend. More importantly, stay away from reporters. The last thing we need is to say something that will put our school in an even more embarrassing position. Have a good weekend, everyone. See you all Monday morning."
After that, one by one, the students said their goodbyes and began to log off from their virtual classroom until only Iida, Momo and one final screen remained.
They stared at the final remaining student screen, which was blank, indicating that she hadn't turned her camera or her microphone on.
"Uraraka?" Momo asked, gently. "Are… are you still there? We're going to end the meeting now…"
No response.
The blank screen suddenly vanished, as Ochaco logged off quietly.
Momo sighed.
"I'm really worried about Ochaco, Tenya. It's been three weeks and she's still refusing to talk to anyone. Maybe we should go visit her?" she suggested.
"We've tried that already. Several times, in fact," Iida said, shaking his head. "Shield, Asui, Midoriya, and myself all tried visiting her, but she's just not letting anybody in, nor answering any calls. I think what she needs right now is time to gather herself. She must still be suffering stress from the USJ incident."
"I don't think it's just the USJ Incident," Momo said.
"What do you mean?" Iida asked. "What else could possibly be weighing on her mind? The essay?"
"Do I need to spell it out for you?" Momo laughed. "She's always been really attached to Son. The fact that he still hasn't woken up after all this time must be incredibly distressing, and I share her worry. I know you told the class that Gohan's alright but have you actually heard anything about his condition?"
"It's not good," Iida said, slumping back on his chair. "If he doesn't wake up soon-"
"No, please don't say it," Momo hushed him. "Let's not even dwell on that possibility. Son is strong. He's going to pull through – I know he will… won't he, Tenya?"
Iida sighed and took his glasses off, rubbing his tired eyes.
"I sure hope you're right," he whispered. He glanced back up to the screen. "Good night, Yaoyorozu."
"Good night, Iida," Momo nodded and ended the virtual meeting.
…
In Ochaco's room, the girl had closed her laptop and quietly finished her homework. Her phone buzzed a couple of times with Mina, Melissa or Tsu trying to call her, but she let the calls go to voicemail before finally shutting her phone off complete. After finishing her homework and taking a long, soothing warm bath, she had changed into her sleepwear, a plain white tanktop with pink dolphin shorts. She turned off the lights and as she tucked herself into bed, she did what she had been doing every night for the last three weeks. She reached over to her nightstand and pulled out Gohan's Scouter.
She pressed the activation button and the green lens flipped open, illuminating the cracked lens with a flickering green light. Ochaco cycled through the settings into the recordings. Most of the videos here were encrypted and locked behind a secure network that couldn't be accessed anyway because the comm feature was fried, but there were a few videos that were saved directly onto the Scouter's memory. She pressed play on a random video.
In the tiny, cracked screen, she could see Gohan, biting the corner of his lower lip, eyes furrowed in concentration as he tinkered away at something in the scouter. His entire face suddenly illuminated and he jumped up from his seat excitedly.
"Yes! It's working! I did it!" He shouted happily with that Son giggle of his. He brought the scouter in closer to inspect whatever it was he had been working on, bringing his face up close to the screen, making Ochaco's heart skipped a beat. "Alright! I'm gonna be able to help out a lot of people with this! Hey, Dende! Come check this out!"
The image froze on Gohan's excited, happy face and Ochaco smiled, brushing her thumb across the image sadly.
After a few seconds, another recording started playing.
Dende was wearing the scouter this time and his voice filled the speaker on the earpiece with the absolute worst British accent Ochaco had ever heard.
"The wild hog ravishes the poor farmer's stockpiles greedily, scrounging for delicious truffles," Dende whispered mischievously as the night-vision feed zoomed in on Gohan sneaking around the dark kitchen with a huge plate, slowly filling it with snacks.
Ochaco giggled, smiling ear to ear as Dende followed Gohan towards a hidden corner, where the boy began to stuff his face with chocolate cake. Dende zoomed into Gohan's chocolate-covered face.
"Warning, this footage is incredibly disturbing," Dende whispered with feigned disgust. "Viewer discretion is highly advised."
"Hey!" Gohan hissed playfully, noticing that he was being recorded. He placed the plate of food down and lunged towards the scouter, which shifted away in a hurry.
"No! Wait! Gohan! Time out!" Dende laughed and the video ended.
The next video was one of Ochaco's favorites. After the lights were turned off in his home, Gohan would often use the scouter's night-vision to read in the dark.
"So this was supposed to be All Might's favorite story when he was a little kid, and I was lucky enough to find a copy of it in the library. Whaaat?! I can't wait to dig into it!"
Gohan's voice whispered in an undertone in Ochaco's ear as he tucked himself into bed on his side.
Ochaco cuddled with her pillow, rolling over to her side and closing her eyes, enjoying the soothing sound of his voice. At first, hearing his voice in the scouter's recordings would send her into a sobbing, crying fit. She just missed him so much, and soon, his time would be up…
Ochaco pushed that last thought to the back of her mind and focused on the sound of his voice. It was almost like he was right there beside her, alive and well…
"The New Earth – Chapter One." Gohan's voice continued reading.
"There is a City on the other side of sadness.
A New Earth, called Otherworld.
I open my eyes and see the City of Peace, shining with the glow of happy faces and the streaks of joyful tears. It is the place where we meet, once again, the ones who came before, but fell midway along the path. It is a city of love, of second chances, and of forgiveness, where the meek and the heroic rise once again, forever more.
I open my eyes and see that there is no more death, nor mourning nor pain anymore.
I open my eyes and see a bright future in all its glory.
And should my hair turn to snow and my steps reach the end of the road – should my breath elude me and I lay down to die, I know I will rise, yes, I'll open my eyes.
There is a City on the bright side of Hope.
I open my eyes, and smile with tears.
Everything is all right, because now I am here…"
Ochaco smiled dreamily as she listened to his voice reading on, and before long, her breathing slowed and her eyes fluttered closed as she drifted off to sleep.
…
A hundred miles away in the heart of West City, Gohan's sleeping body floated, bobbing slowly up and down in the blue-green liquid of the Rejuvenation Chamber that was keeping him alive.
Vegeta stood in front of him, arms crossed, staring silently at the boy.
It was hard to believe that this dying boy was the son of one of his most powerful rivals.
Kakarot... Vegeta thought as he stared at the boy. Could it be true? Is it possible that you're still alive?
The doors behind him opened with a high-pitched whine and one of his assistants ushered a giant, muscular man into the room.
"Lord Vegeta," the Saiyan woman announced, bowing her head. "All Might is here to see the boy."
"Yes, I have eyes and can see that," Vegeta responded coarsely. "Leave us."
The assistant nodded and turned away, leaving All Might and Vegeta alone with the doctors who were quietly working at the monitors.
"Lord Vegeta, huh?" All Might asked, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms over his broad chest. His upbeat, cheerful voice was like nails that clawed away at Vegeta's ears, and the Saiyan's nose twitched with irritation.
"Yeah! What of it?" Vegeta snarled.
"No, nothing," All Might said, bringing his hands up defensively.
"Hmph. Well, if you came here for an apology, you can forget about it," Vegeta said, annoyed. "You got in the way of my Galick Gun. If I hadn't pulled back when I did, you would've been vaporized on the spot. Perhaps I should have let the two of you perish. Then I really would have become the Number One Hero! HAHAHA!"
"I was trying to save Goku," All Might responded, brushing a large hand over the bandaged wound under his blue costume. "And I'll gladly take any bullet for him. But I'm not here for that. I'm here for the boy – how is Gohan doing?"
"Tch. See for yourself," Vegeta spat. "A fine job you've done with Kakarot's son, Toshinori, I must say. He has the blood of Gods running through his veins, yet there you had him prancing around like a house kitten when you should be training him for war."
"Thanks for the advice, Number Two," All Might chuckled, placing emphasis on the title. "But I'm not here to get tangled up in philosophical arguments with you about war and peace. I'm here to take Gohan home."
Vegeta gritted his teeth, but chose to ignore the comment.
"Well, you can't," Vegeta said, instead. "I can't guarantee that he can breath on his own outside of the pod. You really want to gamble with Gohan's life? Besides, it's been three weeks. Where is his mother? Whyhasn't that useless woman shown up? She was always so damned overprotective of him."
"I… we don't know where Chi-Chi is," All Might confessed, glancing down shyly. "But we are looking for her. Look, I'll spare you the long story, because I know you don't actually give a damn about what Gohan's been through, and I'll just say that he is staying in Namek City-"
"So I've heard," Vegeta interrupted. "What a disgrace. A Saiyan from Namek – Tch! Being housed by his old kidnapper, no less. After all that Demon Clan bastard put him through, now they're the best of pals, aren't they?"
"Piccolo's turned a new leaf, it seems," All Might countered. "People can change, Vegeta. You should know this better than most. You've changed for the better, too."
"Oh, have I, now?" Vegeta smiled wickedly.
"C'mon," All Might slapped a large, heavy hand over Vegeta's shoulder, only for the Saiyan monarch to swat it off. "Would the old Vegeta be staying up late at night, watching over the son of his bitter rival fight for his life? That must mean you really do care about Young Son's life."
Vegeta was caught off guard by this and he scowled to hide the burning blush on his nose. Unable to find a snarky reply, he simply huffed and turned his attention back to the floating boy in the tank. Of course, sentimentality had nothing to do with this. Vegeta respected Gohan's strength, and such power would only go to waste if Gohan died.
That's all.
Someone like All Might would never understand.
"In any case," Vegeta huffed. "If Piccolo really cared about Gohan's well-being, he wouldn't be letting him out on those dangerous, highly illegal extracurricular activities."
All Might's eyebrows furrowed in quizzical confusion.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked. "What activities?"
"Just as I thought," Vegeta grumbled with a triumphant smirk. "So Gohan hasn't told you about his secret little adventures, prowling through the rooftops of Namek City like a little hero in the night."
All Might's inquisitive stare turned into a serious frown and he crossed his arms over his massive chest.
"Vegeta – what has Gohan gotten himself into in Namek City?"
…
Gohan's hands were a blur of motion, striking again and again at Bardock, who covered his retreat with parries and punches of his own. Gohan did his best to aim for the red blur that was Bardock's bandana. Despite his difficulty keeping up with Bardock, Gohan actually felt himself lighter and more balanced than ever before, and no doubt it was thanks, in part, to the counterbalance provided by his new tail.
He sent a flurry of jabs at Bardock's torso and then pounced forward, bringing his right fist up in a stinging uppercut, but Bardock sidestepped the swing and in one move, grappled Gohan by the back of the neck, tripped him forward and tossed him to the ground. Gohan saw the blue grass rush up at him before he tasted soil.
"Listen up and listen well, kid," Bardock said, walking up to Gohan, who was picking himself up on tired arms. "Your tail contains special glands that triggers the transformation into the Oozaru form. Unlike the Kaioken, which duplicates your base power, the Oozaru form multiplies it tenfold. Needless to say, your tail can be one of your greatest assets – but it can also be one of your greatest weaknesses."
"Kaio-!" But Gohan never got the chance to finish the transformation.
Bardock reached out and grabbed Gohan's tail, folded it in half, and squeezed down on it firmly. Gohan yelped out in pain, feeling a sharp, electric shock run up from the base of his tail and spread out to his limbs. He instantly collapsed to the ground, unable to even lift his arms to catch his fall.
"Ow!" Gohan groaned, and Bardock finally let go of his tail.
"See what I mean?" he said, dropping to his haunches next to Gohan. "So your tail's one long, furry target that your opponents can good news is that through endurance training, you can strengthen your tail to the point where it loses its sensitivity, and then it will be like having a fifth limb!But until then, your first lesson – protect your tail."
Gohan felt a sudden rush of adrenaline shoot up from the tip of his tail and course up through his spine. The next instant, there was a burst of wind through the grass behind him and he turned in time to see Goku's blue boot lancing straight toward his tail. Gohan swung a knee up and blocked the kick at the last moment, the force of their clash sending a shockwave rippling through the grassy field, sending leaf blades flying everywhere.
Goku didn't relent. Charging forward, he unleashed a furious flash of punches and kicks that Gohan struggled to keep up with.
"Kaioken Times Two!" Gohan shouted and the vibrant scarlet aura erupted around him. Immediately, his speed increased and he was able to finally keep up with his father. Gohan leaped back to put some distance between them and slammed his wrists together.
"HAAA" He shouted, unleashing a smaller, quicker ki blast, with a much more narrow beam.
But to his surprise, Goku vanished into thin air, and the blast shot out wide of its target, exploding harmlessly in the distance. With a rush of air and motion, Goku suddenly appeared next to Gohan, flying at him with a powerful kick that Gohan barely had time to block.
Goku landed from the kick and leaned down into a martial arts stance, crouching forward with both hands tucked next to his torso.
"Ha! Nice reflexes, Gohan. I almost had you!" Goku said excitedly.
That fun-loving, carefree, excited smile… that was a smile that Gohan had only seen in photographs of his father, and seeing it up close in real life, or at least as real as it could get, filled Gohan's heart with excitement and pure joy.
It was impossible to deny it - Gohan was having fun, too!
Suddenly, a glimmering sea-blue light burst to life in Goku's hands with a high-pitched whine.
"...but I'm gonna put my back into this one!" Goku said excitedly. "KAMEHAMEHAAAAA!"
To Gohan's amazement and bewilderment, Goku's version of the mighty blast took a fraction of the time it took Gohan to charge. As the blue wave surged toward him, Gohan brought his hands together over his head.
"Kaioken Masenko-HAAAAAA!" Gohan shouted. The scarlet power of the Kaioken swirled around Gohan and the golden blast of energy in his hands, turning it into an orange blaze. The two blasts clashsed at the center of the field between them with a blinding explosion. The ensuing recoil shot straight back to Gohan's arms, numbing them instantly. Just the sheer power of Goku's Kamehameha Wave was enough to push him back several feet.
Gohan dug his heels into the ground, and slid to a stop just as he felt the same chill running up from his tail, coming at him from behind.
"Spirit Canon!" Bardock shouted. A single blue orb of ki shot out from his open palm in a spiral. Gohan released his left hand from his swung it around to meet Bardock's blast.
"Dual Masenko-HAAA!" Gohan shouted and another orange blast shot out of his left hand to meet Bardock's Spirit Canon. With his energy now diverted, Goku's Kamehameha Wave surged forward, gaining ground on Gohan.
Gohan emitted a gutteral roar through clenched teeth as he felt the sheer power of the two ki blasts closing in on him like to unbreakable walls. Dad was right! Gohan thought, racking his brain for ideas. He really was putting his back into this blast! Grandpa Bardock isn't going easy either. Can't stay here, or I'll get roasted! Gotta think of something!
"Kaioken… Times Two!" Goku shouted, and immediately his Wave intensified in strength.
"Out of ideas already, kid?" Bardock shouted over the deafening roar of the ki blasts. With a mighty roar, Bardock poured even more power into his Spirit Canon blast, and it, too, barreled towards Gohan with increased speed. "C'mon! Bare your fangs, boy! Get up and fight back!"
Gohan's knees began to buckle under the intense pressure, forcing him down on one knee. The light was blinding and the heat from the blasts bathed over him. He glanced around desperately, but no matter what he did, he couldn't think of a good way out… unless…
It was a gamble, but at this point, there wasn't anything else he could think of. Gotta time this right and it might just work… Oh man! This is really,reallygonna hurt!
Gohan gathered as much as he could from his core, and prepared himself. In one move, he let go of the Dual Masenko and lifted his hands high into the sky, expelling all of the ki he could in the few seconds he still had.
"Dragon Scale!" Gohan shouted, calling upon the ki barrier at the same time. The next moment, the Kamehameha Wave and the Spirit Canon collided with Gohan in an ear-shattering explosion. The ground shook dramatically as rocks, grass, and chunks of broken earth flew in every direction.
The light produced by the collision illuminated the entire area in a blinding white blanket that flickered and whined down as the powers subsided.
"Gohan!" Goku shouted.
"Kid!" Bardock grunted, and the two Saiyans ran over to where Gohan was laying. His green gi was torn and charred and his body twitched in agony in the center of the black, smoking crater.
"Ohhh," Gohan groaned. He picked himself up weakly and flipped over onto his back as his father and grandfather arrived next to him.
"Darn, I was really hoping to see you think your way outta that one," Goku said, crouching down next to Gohan.
"Just be thankful that this is Image Training. In the real world, you'd be dead meat, kid," Bardock added with a sigh, catching his breath from the exertion.
A giggle escaped from Gohan's lips, catching the attention of Goku and Bardock. The giggle rumbled into a chuckle and then into open laughter from Gohan.
"What's so funny?" Bardock asked, as Gohan raised a shaking fist into the air. Gohan opened one bruised eye weakly at the sky.
"Scatterbeam," he said, opening his hand in a grasping motion and pulling it back.
"Huh?" Goku asked. "Scatter-"
Before either of them knew what hit them, the ki blast that Gohan had shot into the air curved around and shot straight towards the two Saiyans, catching them off guard.
"Ah!" Goku shouted in surprise.
"Dammit!" Bardock cursed as the ki blasts collided with them from behind, leaving all three Sons laying in the mud together.
The three warriors laid there, catching their breaths, staring up at the bright skies together.
"Gotcha! Hehehehe!" Gohan was still chuckling weakly. "You see, Grandpa Bardock?"
Gohan lifted his tail weakly. His tail glowed in a protective golden barrier of ki, completely safe from harm.
"Hey! Watch it!" Bardock hissed, but his frown turned into a smirk. "Well played, Kid. Lesson One, complete!"
"Attaboy, Gohan!" Goku panted with a proud smile. "Way to think outside the box!"
Gohan finally dropped his arm and his tail by his side and after a few moments of catching his breath, he slowly pushed himself up into a sitting position.
"That ki barrier you put up," Bardock said, sitting up next to him. "How did you do that?"
"Oh, my Dragon Scale move," Gohan said. "Well, actually, I got the idea from one of my friends back in UA High. I focus my ki around a certain body part and instead of releasing the energy like a blast, I compound it so that it turns into a dense shield, which dissipates the kinetic energy so that it doesn't hurt. But since the energy is being compounded instead of released, the effect can only last for a few moments, and it absolutely drains my stamina."
"It dissa-what's the what now?" Goku asked, scratching his head innocently.
"Uhh, it keeps me from getting hurt," Gohan explained with an awkward chuckle.
"Just use it when you're fighting, then," Bardock said, rising to his feet and dusting himself off. "Until then, just keep your tail tucked around your waist like this. Trust me, it looks awkward at first, but it keeps it safe and outta the way."
Gohan nodded and gently looped his tail around his waist like a belt, the way Bardock tucked his.
"That's it," Bardock nodded. "Okay, what do you two boys say we get somethin' to eat? Some grilled Giant Fish sounds pretty amazin' right now. And then afterwards, I'll teach you a couple of my ultimate moves that you can recreate using the Oozaru Quirk."
"Yeah, that sounds great," Gohan said, feeling his stomach rumble at the sound of food.
"Food!" Goku shouted happily, vanishing from the ground and appearing standing next to Bardock. "I love fishing! I'll show you how to fish using your tail, Gohan. Come on, it'll be fun!"
"Wash up, first!" Bardock ordered.
"Awww! But I'm starving here, Bardock! Besides, we're going fishing, right? I'll just skinny dip for a quick second and-"
"NOW, Kakarot."
"Ohh, fine!" Goku said, placing two fingers on his forehead and disappearing. The next instant, he reappeared in front of them, bathed and wearing a clean orange gi.
Gohan gasped as soon as he saw the move.
There was only one other place he had seen such vanishing act.
Nomu – the League of Villain's biologically engineered Anti-Symbol of Peace.
Come to think of it, Nomu could also use the Kaioken… and the Kamehameha Wave… but what does that mean? The creature was being controlled by a mask of some sort… could he be an Android that was built to mimic Saiyan powers? Or a clone, perhaps?
"Gohan," Bardock called, pulling him from his troubling thoughts. "HEY! You go and get yourself cleaned up, too!"
"Y-Yes, sir!" Gohan responded, pushing the thought to the back of his head. He would need answers, and even though he wasn't entirely sure where to find them, he had an idea where to start.
There was a reporter who had made it her life's work, chasing down the League of Villains and its predecessor, the Army of Villains for the past decade.
NHA reporter Kuri Shimamura.
…
A/N: And that's it for Part I of the Season One Finale. I hope you enjoyed it, friends!
Like I mentioned, in the outset, I'm working on editing Part II right now and should be finished either tonight or tomorrow night at the latest.
If you've read Chapter One of the prequel to this fic, "The Legend of the Dragon: The Story of Bardock and Gine," you'll no doubt recognize some of the callbacks here.
Anyways, thank you so much for your reviews, Favs and Follows! Stay tuned for Part II, coming real soon!
Onto the Review Responses:
Mayra chapter 15 . Oct 21
ANG KYOT KYOT! Fight for her heart, Gohan! Do it!
A moment of silence for Deku (/u_u\) b
Hehe! Aww, you made me feel bad for Deku! XD Thanks for your review, May! Yes, let Gohan fight for her!
Elchico 64 chapter 32 . Oct 19
OH. MAH. GOD. This arc... has so many revelations and every one of them keeps getting very interesting. And I finally could keep up the reading! This is getting much better that I expected.
Raditz, man, that is totally a Bane character! I loved it! I was expecting from him to be a villain, but no that great of a villain. Will be honest though, knowing that Koten is Tomura (which being a saiyan) is kinda... weird. Mostly because he looks tooooo old and skinny.
I didn't say anything about Gohan's death in my previous review, because I already knew he wasn't going to die lol. But you caught me by surprise seeing him as a Majin Gohan (I saw a fan-manga about it, but yours is cooler), and then the ramping Oozaru. And how beautiful was Koda (surpringly talking for Jiro), Tokoyami and Ochaco turning him back to normal, was like the final chapters of Steven Universe Future.
But the moment Toshinori tried to save Goku (HA! CALLED IT!) was even better. Then you broke my heart when Goku, after gaining conscious out of the mask, flee away thanks to Kurogiri, I too was like AllMight screaming "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO". The tears man... *sniff* geez... But I should have seen it coming.
Also Nappa, yeah, it fits. Every time he talks I have the TFS Nappa voice in my head XD. Finally we get to see Vegeta/Endeavor more often! So with Bardock, mah meeeeen, it obvious he doesnt want to be call gramps hahaha...
With Gohan training and able the control the Kaioken and Ozaru mode, he will be OP! Of course, that doesnt mean instantaneous SS4, that woul be too much haha.
Anyway, it was an awesome arc. You really have a tremendous talent within you. Dont feel scare or bad with yourself if the story isn't enough for the viewers, don't think that the way you write is bad either. That is some bullshit, you have plenty of potential!
There is no perfect author or a perfect story to be told. That simply doesn't exist. We all make mistakes. We all have to practice to write and be better.
You began to write for a reason. Even if you didn't finish none of them. You have fun doing it, right? Then keep doing it! Sure, you can rest if you need it to or start a new story if you like. But never stop. Always run. Also stay healthy, because if you die here, I'll fucking bring you back.
Anyways, that's all for now. Take care, pal!
P.S: I want it to ask you something. It will be ok If I put your Gohan (from Path of the Dragon) on a dream scene from my Gohan (Expelled from Misery)? I just want it to make the Gohanverse real XD
As a joke of course. A canon joke.
Hey, Chico! I'm so glad you enjoyed the arc, my brother! It's far from perfect, but I had a lot of fun writing it and I definitely couldn't wait to reveal some of the big revelations we saw, like Tomura's true original identity. I think his terrible fashion sense hides his muscular body, but he's actually quite athletic. Do you think resembles the Sadala Saiyans like Cabba, Caulifa and Kale? They're… erm, nevermind.
TFS Nappa gives me life. Loved their Two and a Half Saiyans short. Unkie Nappa is the GOAT! XD
And Congrats! You were the first one to figure out Nomu's true identity (the first one to post the theory, anyway). And while it was a heartbreaking thing for Toshi to be so close to saving Goku, only to lose him in the end, now that they know Goku is alive, there is hope!
And thank you for your words of encouragement! It really, really helps!
Oh, and by the way, I'm really looking forward to the next chapter of "Expelled". Including the planned multiverse joke! Haha! Thanks for your review, Chico!
Elchico 64 chapter 29 . Oct 17
Sup, Eclipse! So, Im gonna post my review here as checkpoint, to at least giving you so feedback before I get to be on date with your amazing story. Seriuosly, its goooood.
The reason I didnt write you back was because I read another updates of Xover and change my kind of fics and not the "DBZ&Something else". Plus, personal/student life in hand in that moment.
Anyway, to the topic itself. The arc is getting so much bettee that I expected. Even though you always make an effort to give every character of Class 1-A a script, interactions or even background. I was expecting to be a Gohan, Midoriya, Todoroki, Melisa and Ochaco scenes, but you prove me wrong. Which I am glad to be! You manage that, every, single, character have an escenario to jump into.
Like Tokoyami tried to help Gohan against the Ozaru, when Gohan throw a GOD DAMN DRAGON FIST, THAT WAS AWESOME. Or how Tenya did their best in his escape to inform the crisis in the USJ, like in the anime. Not to mention the great assemble of Videl and Bakugou, how the douchbag tried to heal Videl, that was great and get deep inside the character.
AND THE MASKED SAIYAN VS GOHAN. BRO, Nomu was like- was like to take awareness of his true self. If is who he is, Gohan will be not only piss, but in tears, a lot.
I already want to see Gohan going Super Saiyan, screaming like Broly. XD
Like I said. You are amazing. You are gonna go far. Some days will be dark, but at the end, you will managed to see the light. What you do while you write it will always be good as long as you take your heart on it. Take care, friend. See you soon in my chapter 3 of Expelled From Misery ;)
P.S: Imma gonna make you canon/cameo stuff in Expelled. And you can't quit. XD
Hey Chico! No worries bro! I totally understand. Life happens and it rarely gives warning, right? But I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the arc, as I mentioned above.
And I was torn between having Gohan in the Shipwreck zone with his friends (note: That's the reason why the Namekian Majins are there. Gohan was supposed to fight them) or in the Squall Zone. Ultimately, I chose the Squall, because I wanted Gohan to bond with Tokoyami and Koda – he saves them both in the Squall Zone and then later on, Koda and Tokoyami save Gohan when he's in a rampage as the Legendary Oozaru.
Thank you for believing in me always, man. It actually really, really helps, especially with everything I've got going on in real life… thanks bro!
I can't wait for that multiverse crossover of our fics man! I'm so ready for it!
Zekiel Ash chapter 32 . Oct 17
All I wanna do is see you turn into a Super Saiyan, a Super Saiyan
All I wanna be is a dad who gets to see a Super Saiyan
All I wanna do is help you turn into a Super Saiyan, a Super Saiyan
All I wanna be is a dad who gets to see a Super Saiyan
Oh I now it'll be great and I just can't wait!
To see your hair golden, spiked and glowing
If you let out your rage
Just break out of your cage
Because you are at least half Saiyan
Your power will rise like never before!
Just tap into the power deep in your core
It's waiting for you
For you to turn into a Super Saiyan, a Super Saiyan
All I wanna do is see you turn into a Super Saiyan!
I don't think I have to say anything else, that song encapsulated everything about how I feel after reading this fic so far. Honestly you've written a gem right here, it's been a lot of fun reading this, will stay tuned for the rest!
HAHAHAHA! Love it! TFS is life!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I really really really appreciate that! I think you will be happy with Part II of this Finale!;)
More excitement awaits on the next season so stay tuned!
kerrowe chapter 14 . Oct 16
I guess this means no Cell then? Both a relief and a bit of a shame.
Considering what part Cell had in Canon Gohan's life. Ha.
Though that means we probably don't have to worry about a Future Trunks and the android twins. Though I still imagine 16 for some reason.
"We may yet, Mister Frodo. We may."
-Sam ;)
Mayra chapter 7 . Oct 9
GONNNG! My heart! Kawawa naman si Ochako-chan. Wala na siyang load huhuhuhuhu! That ending was super cute d(_\\\)b
YESSS! Poor Ochaco! Send her some load, May! So she can keep talking to Gohan hehe She need unli minutes!
Thank youuuuu for your review!
Hmm chapter 32 . Oct 9
Also I can imagine Gohan teaching shoto and shinso hero poses(on the great saiyaman costume of course) and the two would be like "whaaa? Is this seriously the number 2 hero?" Lol
YESSS! I can see it now! The boys stare at Gohan in embarassment, and then Gohan levels a training building with one punch and they're all left standing with their mouths wide open.
Hmm chapter 32 . Oct 9
Their Interaction would be like:
Shinso: I can't do this, my quirk is for villains like they said unlike your powers sensei where its for superheroes
Gohan: that's not true shinso, your powers aren't for villains. You say my power are for heroes but say if I slaughter a city, will my powers still be considered for heroes? Of course not. Its not what your powers are but its how you use it
I love this interaction because it shows just how understanding Gohan is, being that his race of people were considered evil barbarians, yet so much good came out of it, like Bardock, Gine, Goku and Vegeta. Love it!
Hmm chapter 32 . Oct 9
Come on dude you can do this, don't let your hate for shinso bother you lol
Besides his character wouldn't be a douche(like in the original) because I believe Gohan would teach him that his powers aren't for evil its how you use it
Hmm chapter 32 . Oct 9
I love the tentative title
Also man, raditz is wicked, thought he would have the same character as masakox what if raditz turned good, also man so many backstories needs to happen in this fic lol
Hey, HMMM! I'll add my answer to your reviews here. Thanks for the encouragement, too! I'll do my best to flesh out the characters and I like the idea of Adult Gohan being the one who will teach the kids how to be a hero.
There's an idea I had that would include a lot of the elements you're talking about, where the Great Saiyaman, goofy as ever (basically All Might's personality) is the Class 1A teacher and even though some of the students don't like him at first, they bond and end up becoming super close to him.
It's one of those bittersweet teacher/class fics. I was thinking of combining that fic with your requested one to include a Fuyumi romance in which the all powerful Hero Teacher is actually really clumsy when it comes to love life and his students try to help him…
Not sure if I want to do that yet, but it's an idea. Thanks for your reviews, your encouragement and your insight! I really enjoy reading your thoughts, because it helps get me in the mood to write!
Mayra chapter 4 . Oct 6
Hi Kuya, I finally got around to read your story and I'm hooked on it so far. Gohan and Ochako? Yez plz d(*w*d)
I've been rooting for this ship to happen and have only seen it done in fan art. They make a cute couple for sure and the way they met was such an adorable Gohan moment 3
So I made a team sheet for you I hope you like it.
Team Code Name: The Space Heroes: Saiyaman and Uravity.
Combined Quirk attack: Shooting Stars - Saiyaman shoots out ki blasts that rain down on the target while Uravity unleashes floating rocks from above
Base: Osaka, because I bet Gohan will want Ochako to live and work near her parents
After-work hobbies: reading, arcades and floating in the clouds together
Sorry Deku, but this ship must survive *loads finger gun* at ALL cost!
Great chapters so far. Can't wait to read some more
MAYRA! Thank you so much! I can't believe you made it here! And thank you so much for the character sheet – I absolutely love it and who knows, maybe some of it makes it onto the fic! Especially the part about floating around together. I feel like that's something that Gohan and Ochaco would definitely do – float high above the clouds where nobody can bother them! Haha
And yeah, I agree, for some reason it's a bit of a rare!pair. I've seen it mostly in … well… let's just say citrusy kind of fanart! Hahaha but it's a cute couple and I've got a lot of cute fluffy moments for them to enjoy later on throughout the story. I hope you like it and ahhhh! Thanks so much for coming here and reading my fic!
NacNak chapter 32 . Oct 5
I Can't!- You!- More! I Want More! XD
Nice chapter, I can hardly wait for the next but until then, stay awesome!
This review made me smile! honestly, thanks so much for that, Nak! I'm so glad that you're enjoying the story so far. You guys make all of the effort so worth it! We have a lot of exciting stuff to get into in the coming chapters, and I can't wait for you all to read it! Thanks again for your review!
Xavier chapter 32 . Oct 5
Curious as to what will happen next! I love this story so far keep up the good work, I wonder though. If you ever plan to give Goku his concisnous back will he obtain his mortal body again? And I have a whole idea that is gonna go insane or something cause maybe something bad happened and no prs heros came to help, he creates Cell, boom cell saga moment
Yep! If Goku were to recover from the effects of the Majin Mark, he would definitely receive his mortal body back, which I might add, hasn't been aging for seven years while he's been a Majin, due to the Mark's regenerative abilities.
Gohan has a Mark, too. But it's hidden away, locked behind the mental prison that Doctor Ink Blot created when he blocked Gohan's memories as a child, and it only manifested because Yurin summoned it, but if you noticed, it was attached to the Army of Villains, not the League… feel free to theorize the implications of such a change hehe
And about the last part of your message, I think you'll be really happy to read the final arc of the next season. It will be PERFECT! ;D
Thank you so much for your review, Xavier! I'm so happy that you are enjoying the story!
Brandon Dupere chapter 32 . Oct 4
Ouf tu parles d'un truc. Je savais, depuis que tu as dit que Gine était le mentor d'All Might, que Tomura avait un lien avec Gohan, mais de l'à à être le fils de Raditz, je ne mit attendait pas. Aussi, ça va être tellement la grosse merde lorsque Buu va s'échapper de prison.
Salut Brandon ! J'ai enfin pu mettre à jour et répondre à votre avis ! Merci pour ton commentaire et oui, ce fut une révélation que j'avais hâte de partager depuis un moment déjà. Comment pensez-vous que Raditz réagirait s'il découvrait que son fils a un alter si puissant ? Et surtout, aussi, après avoir atteint le niveau de pouvoir que All for One a !
Merci beaucoup pour votre commentaire! J'apprécie vraiment, vraiment, mon frère !
JustinCase chapter 32 . Oct 3
Oh gawdammit, Majin Buu and Raditz in the same prison level. What could possibly go wrong?:D
Hmm, am curious about the breakup between Melissa's parents. Sounds like something major happened there and I wonder if it had to do with Vegeta and Bulma?
Nice bit of backstory there for Raditz, correct me if I'm wrong but does this mean he is going to be our major villain in Heroes Rising? Since the warden kept calling him "prisoner 9". Ohh and that revelation at the end? Brooo I bet shigaraki is going to target Gohan instead of Bakugo for recruitment at the summer camp.
And that scene with Ochako pissing off Vegeta was golden! Mochi is such a cute little name for her.
If I may make a suggestion since the next chapter is the finale, please take your time on it. The last couple of chapters have felt a little rushed ngl
Ohhhh yessss, Doomsday will come some day hehehe
As for the Shields, we'll explore their life and what lead up to the breakup in Season Two final arc. It will be PERFECT, trust me!
And it's funny that you should mention timing, since it took me over a month to update, but that was due to lack of motivation and time. I really hope it's worth the wait! Thanks for your review, Justin!
X3runner chapter 32 . Oct 2
I do wonder will gohan change his gear up to honor his grandpa now that he's training with him ? Would be cool to see gohan pull a Riot Javelin out of his pocket. Also with the whole raditz thing are you going to have gohans cuz in obsess over him , kinda like dabi towards Soto/endevor ? I can see how Aizawa would kinda become somewhat extra protective of gohan I mean if he saw him on nimbus it would really mess with his head do to the similarity's between gohan and his former friend. I also really dug how you had vegita still hold the wired respect he seems to have towards gohan/gohans power(potential) that he even has in super.
Hey X3! Yeah, no doubt Gohan will be making some changes, now that his original costume, the one based off of the canon Great Saiyaman costume, was obliterated in the Combat Trials.
And yes, regarding Gohan's cousin, the dynamic will be completely different from Tomura's relationship with Deku. Different, but same, if that makes sense. Round Two will be coming up soon!
Imagine this – All Might, Gohan, Izuku and Shoto standing side-by-side, face-to-face against One for All, Nomu (Goku), Tomura and Dabi… it's gonna be epic! So stay tuned!
And facts about Rad Cloud or whatever Aizawa's friend's name was. That's a good observation, actually, because his Quirk was basically Nimbus Cloud, right? Gohan and Aizawa will have a moment together in the next season.
And yeah, regarding Vegeta, as the Lord of Saiyans here with actual people, I'm sure he feels more responsibility over them, though he is one hundred percent still a jerk, but hopefully with Gohan coming to intern with him, he can help Vegeta reform and ultimately, atone.
Thanks for your reviews as always, X3! Always a pleasure to read them!
That's it for Part I, stay tuned for Part II, coming really soon!