Ok, so I was going to make this chapter obscenely long since my motivation for DBZ is usually very low, but decided to get started on the next chapter instead of one gigantic chapter. At this point I have to ask, can anyone recommend me some really good Gohan stories, which are written just as well?
I mean, since DBZ isn't regularly releasing new material like Naruto, Pokémon, or Bleach for instance I have very little pushing me to write, aside from my own interest.
So please, if you know of any good (and Gohan can be evil to clarify) Gohan stories, please review or PM me, it is the only source of DBZ inspiration I have as of now until maybe Dragon Ball: Xenoverse comes out and I buy a PS4, so please let me know of any good stories you've come across.
Now, onto the poll, I expected things to change, but the ratio of votes is unchanged at a 2:1 ratio with #18 (who is apparently called Lazuli, with #17 being Lapis, an obvious reference to Lapis Lazuli in a similar fashion to how Toriyama names all his characters, with puns) in the lead.
I know I said I would wait 5 or 6 chapters to let the poll run its course but after 200+ votes already and no change in ratio I'm thinking I will close it whenever I release my next chapter. If, however, there is at least a 5% change in ratio (obviously, if Videl gets more votes) I will leave it open a bit more to give her a fighting chance. On the other hand, if the poll stays the same, or #18 reaches 70% on the poll, I will end the poll with #18 being the winner…
This was my original plan, but then I decided to do a search for GohanXLime stories… and there are 20 total (plus 3 completed). Then I decided to search for GX#18 and there are 45 total. GXV on the other hand has 2300. For this reason, I am thinking of doing GXL. However, seeing as the poll does seem to have #18 clearly in the lead, I have a question for all of you.
Would you like me to make a new poll being between Lime and #18? Or would you prefer a poll with all three as options?
As it stands all three girls, Videl, Lime and #18 will have a very important part in the story regardless of who is chosen.
If you all choose to let me decide (yes, that is also an option) I am more inclined to do Lime, as she has the most character for me to work with, despite being a filler character in one episode.
Parent's killed by Cell.
Grandfather is a martial artist.
Has an interesting character trait, lying a lot.
Knows Gohan was the one to beat Cell (then again, so does everyone else).
Blushed when Gohan saved her (because of where his hands were).
Stood up to those frauds building the 'shelter'.
And so on.
Lastly, onto story matters, I am taking huge creative liberty with a lot of the movies since it is almost impossible to fit most movies into the canon timeline, barring a few, (Dead Zone being one of them) and will be using a few of the movies in a way I want to, even if certain movies obviously happened sometime before Goku went Super Saiyan and some obviously after.
Another point, is that at some point I will jump forward in time, but I do have about 10-20K words of original stuff in mind before I do that skip, and possibly more if I can only GET SOME INSPIRATION.
I wholly credit this chapter to TriggerhappySOB because his story is what gave me the push to splurge most of this chapter and get started on the next. I highly recommend his story, which is a unique twist on the original GXV formula.
Once again, let me know of any good stories please.
Now onto the chapter.
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.
Disclaimer – I don't own Dragon Ball/Z/GT all I own are my original characters and plot twists.
'Talking'
"Thinking"
"Telepathy"
*expression*
Flashback
Chapter 5 – The Beginning of the End…
Gohan flew home at a reasonably quick pace, not wanting to antagonise Chi-Chi any further, given how long he had already been away from home for. Deep in thought, the young Saiyan pondered exactly how he should break the news of what he and his fellow Saiyans had come across in space.
"Really, why did Cold need to have so many kids anyway? For that matter, who was their mother?" Thought Gohan in confusion, before deciding to block out the disturbing mental images that threatened to invade his ten-year-old mind.
Gohan paused for a moment as he saw someone looking at him, also floating in the sky. A very tall man with a Mohawk and bulky green and black clothing. The man stared at Gohan with a blank expression, which Gohan returned.
The large man outstretched his hand and a bird landed in his palm. He looked at it intently and smiled as it happily ate the birdseed he held in his hand, carefully bringing his other hand up and gently stroking the top of its head with his index finger.
Gohan watched on silently, as the large man observed the bird and floated slightly closer to the figure until he was eye-level with him. The man beckoned Gohan closer and held his still clenched hand, which was now no longer stroking the bird and held his hand out, palm facing the Earth below, gesturing for Gohan to come forward.
Gohan obliged, seeing the man was not hostile and outstretched his hand, as some seed fell into it. Gohan waited patiently and soon after, another bird flew into his hand, eagerly enjoying the unexpected meal high in the air.
'Gohan, while I would also like your father to hear this, I feel it is sufficient that you hear this in his stead, no, perhaps it is better this way, so as to not cause Goku any emotional distress.' Said the man gaining Gohan's attention.
'I am a completely synthetic android created by Doctor Gero; however, I was not created without a model in mind.' Said Android Sixteen, as he poured more bird seed into Gohan's hand, seeing as a second bird had joined the first on his hand.
'It was hidden deep in my data files and heavily encrypted, but over these past few months or so I have delved deeper into my files. It would seem that Doctor Gero in fact never wanted me to kill Goku. While he assuredly held a grudge towards Goku and sought his death, he did not want so of me, rather, I was created with a special goal in mind.' Said Sixteen.
'The basis of my construction was to fulfil the image Doctor Gero had in mind. He based me on his son, a high-ranking member of the Red Ribbon Army who was felled with a bullet to his cranium.' Said Sixteen, pausing for a moment to allow Gohan to absorb this.
'In my hardware, I was wired to be gentle. Doctor Gero did this in the hope that I would not fight Goku and not be destroyed. I was also made to be superior to all his creations in strength, it is for that reason that I was even stronger than Cell in his first form. I do not say this pointlessly, if it had not been for your kind heart and bravery, I am sure I would not be here today. In the days leading up to the Cell Games, I had intended to detonate myself to kill Cell if need be, however, your power was too much for Cell and I did not need to detonate myself.' Said Sixteen, causing Gohan to look at him in surprise.
'It was only a few months ago that I realised that my bomb had been removed by Bulma and her father. At that moment, I realised that I would have been destroyed in vain and for some reason I found this disconcerting.' Sixteen continued, as he looked at the bird in his hand once again.
'I realised the meaning behind my actions shortly after the Cell Games thanks to you. I was not afraid of destruction, rather, my programming does not allow me to feel such emotions, what I did realise, is that you gave me something important. You gave me choice. As an android built for a reason, to achieve a certain goal, choice was unique to me. Through your generosity, you allowed Seventeen, Eighteen and I all a chance at life. It is thanks to you that the three of us have been able to become peaceful creatures, to be a part of this beautiful world. Through your selfless desire to protect the Earth and defeat Cell, I found meaning in my existence outside my programming.' Said Sixteen, before pausing as the bird in his hand flew in circles around his head, before flying off with the two that had previously been in Gohan's hand.
'You showed me the beauty of life. I can only hope that the sincerity of my words is felt by you. Despite what you may think of Doctor Gero and the creations he built; he was not without some compassion. I wish to say thank you for giving me an opportunity to live. While Doctor Gero gave me life, in a sense, it was you who helped me understand the true gift that this existence is; what it means to live. I also wish to say that the three of us have agreed to not cause any trouble for you, your friends or anyone, but, if you should need us, we would be happy to help.' Finished Sixteen calmly.
Gohan stared at Sixteen for a few seconds or so, before nodding with his eyes closed.
'Sixteen, thank you for telling me this, I can't say I know how you feel, I'm sure you know that better than me, however, I am glad that you are now able to see that beauty that is life.' Said Gohan, before sighing deeply and looking at the sky.
'Please allow me to tell you something, since I feel a certain kinship with you, we may be made from different material, but your heart is closer to mine than anyone else's.' Said Gohan softly.
'You see, ever since I was born, I was much like you. I had very little understanding of the world as a whole and only saw it for its beauty. My childlike naivety was strangely coupled with my fear of most things. Even though I am of Saiyan blood, I don't like fighting, unlike most full blooded Saiyans I know. When I was four, I was, ironically enough, thrust into fighting every day on from that point, in fact, even now, I will still have to fight, as much as it pains me each and every day. Like you, I too have come to understand the beauty of life. I left Seventeen and Eighteen unharmed because Android or not, they deserved a chance to live and after seeing just how evil Cell was and what he caused in his desire for power, I felt it was only fitting to give them a second chance. Both my father and I do have a habit of doing that and I only did not offer the same to Cell because I understood that he would stop at nothing, because Cell, truly wanted nothing but to test himself, regardless of innocent lives caught in the crossfire.' Said Gohan, before taking a deep breath, as he relaxed his fist which had clenched without noticing.
'Another thing is that even when we fought against the other androids, you never attacked us and even tried to beat Cell on your own. I decided that day, up on Kami's Lookout, that you deserved a chance, as when faced with evil, you sought to stop it and do good, even though you were solely programmed to kill my dad and that if Cell had gotten stronger, he would have been able to kill him, something which your programming would have agreed with. For that reason, when I fought Cell, I purposely tried to free the other androids, I decided that if you could see the light, so could they and that you would help them find it if they couldn't already.' Added Gohan, as he breathed out in relaxation.
'Truly, I do not like to hurt anyone and at the end of the day, that is why I decided to give you all a chance, along with the fact that you proved that your programming was not absolute. I am glad I was correct in my thinking. Like dad, I like to give others second chances, you however, earned yours and it was not my choice to decide the fate of you or your friends. In the same way that I was given a choice, likewise, you three deserved to have the chance to make a choice, programming aside. I never liked fighting, in fact, I never really had much of a choice to decide what I like between both my parents…but it is because of them that I have the chance to make a choice. I guess I am rambling now, but the point I am trying to make is that: you deserve the chance to make a choice. It is not the circumstances of one's birth, which is important, rather, it is what one does with the gift of life that determines who you are. You do not need to thank me for anything Sixteen, because it is you who gave yourself the right to exist. You may be built from mechanical parts, but you are just as human as me.' Said Gohan with a laugh.
'Gohan, you truly are a kind-hearted soul. Thank you for your words, they mean a great deal to me.' Said Android Sixteen, with what could only be described as a smile, one so genuine, that without knowing of his origins, one would assume Sixteen was truly human.
'As are you, and I am happy we had this conversation, however, I believe the time for me to leave is now, as my mother is waiting for me.' Said Gohan with a small smile, as he scratched the back of his head.
Sixteen nodded and moved to the side slightly, as a way of saying that Gohan could leave as he pleased. Gohan smiled, before taking off and heading home. As soon as Gohan was out of Sixteen's range, two other beings flew through the air and stopped next to him on either side.
'That boy is truly special, he has a kind heart and limitless potential, my scanners indicate that he has even more hidden power deep inside him, some of it unbeknownst even to him.' Said Sixteen.
'Sure am glad that guy is on our side, the fact that he apparently took Cell out easily in his strongest form just adds to that.' Said a masculine voice.
'Sixteen, was all that stuff you said true?' Asked a more feminine voice.
'Indeed. Sorry, I did not inform the two of you earlier; Eighteen, Seventeen, however, I never felt the need to bring it up.' Said Sixteen.
'Why tell him now, what brought the need to bring it up all of a sudden?' Asked Eighteen curiously, as she raised a delicate eyebrow in curiosity.
'My scanners are the strongest out of the three of us, given that I am completely cybernetic and not hybridised of human parts… I sense something sinister. I do not know when or where but when the time comes, Gohan must not hold back and must not lose hope, for all of us. To do so in the face of this threat will be deleterious.' Said Sixteen, furrowing his eyebrows slightly.
'Ah isn't that a shame, here I was getting comfortable with a relaxed life in the forest.' Said Seventeen with a chuckle.
'Actually that reminds me, what have you been up to lately, Lapis?' Questioned Eighteen, eyes narrowed suspiciously.
'Oh, even using my real name, Lazuli. What would the good Doctor think of you discarding that name he thought of for you?' Retorted Seventeen, revealed to actually be called Lapis.
'The good doctor had no taste in picking names. He was already two screws short before he even started modifying us, no offense Sixteen.' Replied Eighteen, also revealed to actually be called Lazuli.
'None taken, I understand that you two do not exactly have fond memories of my creator, that is, understandable.' Replied Sixteen.
'Also, you never did answer the question, Seventeen, what have you been up to these days?' Pressed Eighteen once again.
'Ah would you look at the time, I'm late, gotta go, see ya.' Said Seventeen, before flying away.
'That jerk, since when did he get all secretive anyway.' Huffed Eighteen, mildly annoyed.
'It is normal for him to be secretive. At your respective cores, you are both human. Humans naturally choose not to reveal everything.' Commented Sixteen in thought.
'And you, Sixteen? You weren't exactly forthcoming about all of that information you just told Gohan before.' Rebutted Eighteen.
'You never asked.' Said Sixteen with a small smile, before flying off as well.
'*Huff* Why do I even bother, those two.' Thought Eighteen in exasperation, as she raised both her arms up and shrugged, before shaking her head and also flying off.
-line break-
Gohan stood near the edge of the lookout, looking down at the clouds, as strange as it sounded. The words of Sixteen echoed in his head, while the information he was about to reveal clashed with it.
"Can I do it?" Thought Gohan with a frown.
Gathered behind him were all the other Z-fighters and their respective families, along with Broly and Tarble as well.
'So Gohan, what's the news you have to tell us?' Asked Goku cheerfully.
Gohan kept staring down at the ground, brows furrowed in slight apprehension.
'We have a problem.' Said Gohan flatly.
Vegeta stood there stoically, already knowing what was to be said, but kept his eyes on Gohan, wondering just how the hybrid would explain this threat.
'What kind of problem Gohan?' Asked Krillin nervously.
'Someone got to the dragon balls on Namek.' Said Gohan, causing quite a few of the people gathered to gasp in shock.
'Who?' Asked Tien sternly.
'Cooler, Frieza's brother.' Said Gohan.
'What did he wish for?' Asked Bulma.
'The same thing most bad guys wanted in the past.' Said Gohan ominously.
'Immortality.' Said Vegeta and Piccolo at the same time surprisingly.
'Exactly.' Said Gohan.
'What does that mean we have to do?' Asked Bulma fearfully.
'Survive.' Said Gohan with a clenched fist.
'What's wrong Gohan?' Asked Chi-Chi noticing Gohan looked particularly angry.
'Cooler destroyed New Namek after he made the wish!' Shouted Gohan in anger.
Chi-Chi and Bulma both gasped, while everyone else adopted a stern expression, except for Dende, who dropped to his knees in shock, his wooden staff clattering to the ground.
'The worst part is we couldn't beat him. Both Broly and I couldn't kill him. Every time we used an attack which would destroy anyone else, he was unfazed. The attacks did next to no damage to him and to make it worse, he merged with some star, which allows him to reproduce copies of himself endlessly, each one, immortal. The thing that worries me though, is that before we fled, he made his intentions very clear: To kill everyone on Earth, one by one.' Said Gohan darkly.
'So what are we supposed to do then, Goku, I'm sure you have an idea right?' Asked Yamcha uneasily.
Goku frowned before responding.
'No, I don't think so, this is why I always tried my hardest to make sure no one truly evil could get their hands on the dragon balls. I knew that if something like this happened, it wouldn't end well.' Said Goku heavily.
'Gohan any ideas?' Asked Krillin fearfully.
Gohan slowly shook his head.
'No, in fact I can't think of anything we can do, the deck has never been stacked against us this badly, an immortal enemy who can clone himself endlessly is unlike anything we have ever faced before.' Replied Gohan, clenching his fists so hard that they drew blood.
'What is the matter, Gohan?' Asked Mr. Popo.
'The worse part about all this is that it is my fault.' Said Gohan, before giving a dark chuckle, unnerving everyone.
'When we confronted Cooler on New Namek, he told us that he was already on his way to Earth when he could clone himself, but before he made the wish to become immortal. He changed his mind however.' Said Gohan, before pausing and once again chuckling darkly.
'He changed his mind when he felt my power in space after I achieved a new Super Saiyan form.' Said Gohan, shocking Vegeta at this new piece of news.
'What? A new form? Preposterous, how did you unlock another level of Super Saiyan?' Questioned Vegeta in shock.
'It is all thanks to Broly, his Legendary Super Saiyan transformation is a unique transformation, to him. It can't be matched as it is driven by his pure unadulterated rage. That being said though, there are alternate versions of a similar transformation. I discovered one…now though, I wish I hadn't. The power I found is driven by focus, I spent months dedicating all my time trying to find just how far the depths of my power can go, I felt a small amount of it back in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber when we were training for the Cell Games, but in space, I was able to grasp it, to utilise it. The power it gave me was unimaginable, it even surpassed Broly's legendary transformation…however, Cooler felt it and made sure it wouldn't end him.' Finished Gohan, before turning around to look at everyone.
'I hate to say it, but I really don't think we have a chance.' Said Gohan, sounding just as defeated as he looked, with his hunched shoulders and bowed head.
'H-how long do we have left?' Asked Krillin.
'About six more months.' Said Gohan shocking everyone.
'S-six months, that's it?' Parroted Yamcha in shock.
'Yeah. Cooler, is way worse than Frieza, he knows we can't stop him, but he decided that he would save us for last, he said he still has some loose ends he wants to take care of, although, since he is immortal, I doubt he will have any trouble. That's also why I decided to bring Tarble back with Broly and I, at the very least, I wanted him to meet his family before Cooler comes.' Said Gohan, with a heavy sigh.
When Gohan finished, there was a long and painfully awkward silence, no one had any idea what to do and their fear was building.
'W-what about if we ask Shenron to take away his immortality?' Asked Yamcha, after some thought.
'It won't work, Porunga's power is greater than Shenron's and therefore it would be beyond his power to do so.' Answered Gohan bitterly.
'So what you are saying is we have no chance?' Asked Tien, causing everyone to look at Gohan for his response.
Gohan breathed out heavily and looked down at the ground for a moment, before lifting his head up once again.
'Yes.' Said Gohan, before Vegeta disappeared in an instant and grabbed two fistfuls of his shirt and lifted him up to eye-level.
'What do you mean, yes? You are a Saiyan boy, a proud warrior, how can you just accept defeat? It isn't as though this is the first time you were faced with a foe stronger than yourself, but you didn't give up. I was there when you attacked the Ginyu force and didn't quit, even though you were much weaker than them, I was there when you fought Frieza head on, even though you were much weaker than him, I was there when you utterly defeated Cell to a point none of us could have even dreamed of. I was there, damn it, when you crushed my pride utterly, by being stronger than me at every instance! Why are you cowering now?' Shouted Vegeta.
Gohan calmly brought his right hand up and swiped upwards, backhanding Vegeta's arms off him with ease.
'None of them were immortal. You of all people should realise just what this means. Your goal was to become immortal in order to eventually beat Frieza because you knew, that Frieza would never be able to kill you and would only be able to beat you within an inch of your life, at which point your power would increase and you would repeat that as many times as you needed to until you were stronger than him. Make no mistake, Cooler is not stronger than me, in fact, he is not even stronger than you, right now. However, the fact remains, that he can produce an endless amount of copies of himself and the star he is hooked up to increases his power in a similar manner to the abilities we Saiyans have, to become immensely stronger after taking a large amount of damage. What I'm saying, is it is only a matter of time before he becomes the strongest being in the universe.' Said Gohan flatly.
'So what are we supposed to do for now then?' Asked Bulma nervously.
'*sigh* The only thing we can do, try to enjoy our life while it still lasts.' Said Gohan, before flying off the lookout.
"You're wrong kid, there is something we can do, but doing so might be just as bad as Cooler killing us all." Thought Piccolo ominously.
Once again, I know it is short, but I already have half of the next chapter done and it will be a lot longer. This chapter was needed more to set the scene of the threat and show Gohan's mindset, as well as explain why I did certain things (like bringing back Tarble and why Broly survived).
In case you skipped the top note, please let me know if you want a new poll, or if you would rather just let me choose.