A/N-I decided to use Gohan for my first story because, like many fans, I feel like his potential has been wasted. I know it's been done but I wanted to write a story where Gohan really steps up and becomes earth's new hero. I hope you enjoy it and if you don't, please comment and let me know what I can do better.

Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ (until I find all seven dragon balls).

"Speech"

'Thought'

Chapter 1

In the peaceful mountain home of the Son family, Gohan was in his room studying. He had just finished a chapter in his math book when he decided to stretch out his cramped muscles. He glanced over at the clock and was surprised to see that it was already 4 pm.

"Wow that late already, maybe I should take a break." He said to himself. He had been studying all day without realizing it.

Feeling like he needed a change of pace, the young Saiyan got up from his desk and, exiting his bedroom, made his way to the front door.

"Mom, I'm going out for a bit." He spoke as he passed his mother, who was sitting on the living room sofa.

"Just a moment young man." The strict but loving tone of his mother replied. "Where exactly will you be going?" She questioned her son with a stern expression.

Even though Gohan was a good kid who never had much to hide, his mom always had the ability to make him feel like he was guilty of something.

"Well, I was just going to visit Mr. Piccolo for a bit if that's ok?" Replied Gohan meekly.

His mother stared at him with furrowed eyebrows for a minute and he stared back as innocently as possible. Finally, she sighed and nodded with a smile. "Oh, all right. Just don't stay out too late. Have fun, and don't get into any trouble."

"Thanks mom, I love you!" With that he ran out the door and took to the skies.

'That boy' thought Chichi. 'He's always working so hard on his studies. Even when he does take a break it's to play with aliens or men three times his age. I wish he had some people his own age to spend time with… Maybe I should enroll him in school now. Then he might meet a girl, and then they can fall in love, and get married, and give me grandbabies!'

With that happy thought for her 11-year-old son, Chichi decided that she would enroll him in school for the very next available term. With that decision in mind, she continued knitting for her new little arrival.

Break

Gohan flew through the skies above Mt. Paozu, enjoying the fresh air and beautiful scenery below. He really enjoyed being out and flying free. In a way, flying was part of who he was, just like martial arts. Not that he didn't enjoy studying too. In fact, even though most people thought that Chichi was the one driving her son to study college level material, it was actually Gohan who pushed himself so hard. He really wanted to become a great scholar and make a difference in the world. But even he needed to take a break and let loose sometimes. Which was why he was grateful his mom didn't make a big fuss about him going to see Piccolo. Confused, but grateful. It seemed like ever since dad died, His mom had been more relaxed about things like that. Either way, Gohan was smart enough not to look a gift horse in the mouth, so he just went with it.

Gohan was knocked out of his thoughts, literally, by a ki blast. The explosion caused him to fall a few feet, but he recovered fast and went immediately on the defensive. He looked around and tried to sense for any energy signatures nearby. Another blast flew toward him from below and this time he dodged, but just after getting clear of the attack, he felt a hand grab his ankle and pulled him down speedily until he crashed into the hard ground. The sudden impact left the young fighter dazed and he quickly shook himself to focus. But before he could even get up, a bright light was forming only a foot from his face. Just as the preteen was bracing for impact, the light died down to reveal the one responsible for the attack. Standing above Gohan with a smirk on his face, was Piccolo.

"Mr. Piccolo?" Gohan asked in confusion.

The Namekian extended his hand to Gohan, who accepted it, and helped him up.

"What's the big idea attacking me like that Mr. Piccolo?" Gohan asked a little heatedly.

"That was just training. Let that be a lesson to you, Gohan. Just because you're the most powerful being on the planet, doesn't mean some mediocre fighter can't get the jump on you. Always be aware of your surroundings." Piccolo finished his lecture with a tone of satisfaction. Of course, he loved Gohan like a son, but that didn't mean that it didn't feel good to take the strongest warrior alive down a peg and teach his student a lesson the hard way.

Gohan looked a little embarrassed that Piccolo had snuck up on him so easily. "Yeah, I guess you've got a point. But it's not like we have any enemies right now. I mean, the androids aren't a threat anymore, and Frieza's long gone. So, it's not like I really need to worry about… that kind of thing… right now."

The look Piccolo gave him made Gohan regret his words even before finishing them.

"Is that right?" Piccolo growled. "So, you think just because one threat is gone that another won't appear? Do you think when a threat does appear, you'll get enough time to prepare yourself to face it? Raditz came out of nowhere, and if it hadn't been for Trunks bending the laws of time and space to come and warn us, the androids would have killed us all. Make no mistake Gohan, there are always threats waiting to emerge. Never forget that."

Gohan hadn't thought of it like that before. It was true that enemies seemed to just appear out of nowhere.

'Maybe I should take my training more seriously.' In truth Gohan hadn't really been training since the Cell games. Well, not seriously anyway.

"I'm sorry Mr. Piccolo." He said, hanging his head. "I won't let it happen again."

Piccolo's face softened. "See that you don't. Now speaking of preparing, I heard from Dende that there's a tournament coming up this summer. It's supposed to be an intergalactic tournament, inviting fighters from all over the galaxy to compete. Your father and I fought in the world martial arts tournament and that helped hone our skills. The intergalactic version could do the same for you. Are you going to enter?"

Gohan got excited. An intergalactic tournament? That sounded like a lot of fun. Especially if the rest of the Z fighters were entering. He would have to convince his mom to let him enter, but since it was going to be during the summer, she might just let him. "I'll have to convince my mom but yeah, that sounds like a lot of fun!" He finally replied, causing Piccolo to smile.

"Good, then let's get training." Without further warning, Piccolo struck out at Gohan, throwing the young Saiyan off balance. Gohan quickly recovered and jumped back only to rush at Piccolo and the two began trading blows.

After several hours of training with his friend and mentor, Gohan made his way back home. This time, he stayed on the alert (he wouldn't put it past Piccolo to tail him and pull another sneak attack). Fortunately, he made it back without any problems and entered his home, ready for a bath and some sleep.

"Mom I'm home!" He yelled.

Chichi came out of the kitchen to greet him. "Oh good, I was hoping you'd be back before I fell asleep. There's something I wanted to tell you." Chichi spoke with enthusiasm, which in Gohan's experience, only happened with matters of education. "I've decided to enroll you in school! Isn't that wonderful?"

Gohan wasn't sure what to think. He wasn't opposed to the idea, but he never expected to have to go to a public school. "Um, mom. Why now? I mean… I thought the nearest school was too far to be realistic. Wait, we aren't moving, are we?" He finished slightly panicked.

"No silly boy. I know we live a bit far out and that's why we've been doing your schooling from home, but now you can fly so that isn't a problem anymore." Chichi said, clearly thinking herself brilliant for finding this solution.

"Oh yeah!" Said Gohan who, due to the Goku side of him, hadn't thought of this solution and thought his mom was a genius. "Wait, won't you be needing help with the baby? I feel like with dad gone, I should be here to help."

"Now that's very thoughtful of you son, but I won't let you make an excuse to put off your education. Your grandpa has already said he would be around more to help out, so there's no problem."

"Ok, if you're sure." He said. Then he remembered something. "Um, mom?"

"Yes dear?"

Gohan took a deep breath and plunged into it.

"IwastalkingwithPiccoloandhetoldmeaboutatournamentandbeforeyousaynotheprizemoneywillpayformycollegetuitionandthebabiescollegetuitionandIwontneglectmystudiesbecauseitwillbeinthesummerandIwillbesafeandIwouldreallyliketodoitsocanIdoitplease?" He finished out of breath.

It took Chichi a moment to decipher her son's rant. When she did, she simply said "Ok."

Gohan looked stunned "Ok? Like ok you'll think about it?" Gohan didn't know how far he could push his hopes.

"No, I mean you can participate. So long as it doesn't interfere with your studies, I don't see a problem. Besides, I think using the money for college is a great Idea."

Gohan rushed up to his mom and gave her a hug.

"Thank you so much mom! I promise I'll make you and dad proud." Shouted Gohan as he ran to take a bath.

Chichi smiled and looked at the photo of Goku, "He really is your son, Goku. I wish you were here to see him."

End chapter 1