After thinking about it for a bit, I came to the decision that I'm going to continue this fic, in the hope that everyone will enjoy it. So, please leave a review for what you thought about this chapter and the last.

»»—Story Start—««

Piccolo's eyes widened in surprise, "Ah-, A martial arts tournament?" He questioned to himself. "Are you sure that is what's best?"

Mr. Popo merely smiled, "Of course."

"What do you think Gohan?" Piccolo questioned in his gruff tone after a few moments of thoughtful silence.

Gohan placed his onto his chin and tilted his head while looking at his mentor. "Well, I'm not against it and if you can get everyone to go…" he led off with everyone listening. "Then sure, I'll it could be fun!" He answered with a smile, showing his pearly white teeth.

A short clap echoed the air, which came from the short Namekian himself. "Then its decided. I will telepathically contact everyone… and I mean everyone." Dende said the last part reluctantly.

"Are you sure Vegeta will accept the Invitation?" Piccolo asked gruffly with his arms crossed.

Gohan chuckled at that his question. "Please, if I'm feeling excited about this, I'm sure Vegeta will. That man lives and breathes anything fighting." The young warrior grinned that oddly reminiscent to his father's own grin.

Piccolo gave a chuckle as well, "Yes, I can agree with you on that."

"He's been training, hasn't he?" Gohan suddenly questioned.

Piccolo looked off far, staring in the direction he felt Vegeta's Ki spike. "He only just started once again eight months ago. It took time for him to find his purpose after your father died." He explained, earning a slow nod from the lounging Saiyan.

"Yeah, I guess that makes sense since Vegeta was very devoted to surpassing my father and now that he's dead, he must've felt as if someone stole that chance away from him," Gohan said, feeling as he was the one who at fault with that one. Well, technically, he was the one who was at fault for his father's death.

"Yes… that's exactly how he felt," Piccolo agreed with his pupil. Piccolo could sympathize with Vegeta, as they had similar goals when it came to surpassing Goku. And then he went and died. Both times for each of them.

"Are you going back home, Gohan?" Dende spoke up, earning the young teen's attention.

Gohan looked at him before he sighed. "I don't think that's the best decision. I'd rather think about this after we compete in the Tournament. That I way, I can at least make up my mind, and I can tell Mom. But, I can go back … just not now." Gohan shook his head.

"And that's fine," Piccolo told him. "You don't have to if you don't want to. In fact, you can stay here until the Tournament begins." He told the young Saiyan.

Gohan smiled, "Then I guess that's what I'll do." He decided.

»»—Time Skip: 3 Days—««

3 Days Later

After waiting three days, the Interstellar Martial Arts Tournament came around, and it finally arrived.

Gohan had waited patiently for the date to arrive as he just enjoyed the peace on the Lookout with Piccolo, Dende, and Mr. Popo. He had to admit, it was quite enjoyable being up there with not having to worry about family drama and such. Not only that, he wasn't being strapped into a chair while being force to read a book or fill out school papers. It was nice, peaceful and it allowed Piccolo and himself to catch up and talk more than would be able to.

Now that the date had arrived, Gohan and Piccolo stood at the edge of the Lookout, all geared up and ready to go. Only one problem…

Piccolo stood in his regular Gi and cape, which was occupied by his white and purple turban that rested on top of his head.

Gohan, however just had on his school clothes that he wore when he first came up to the Lookout upon Piccolo's request a few days ago.

"Hey… Piccolo, I'd hate to be a burden-," Gohan was going to ask, but Piccolo interrupted him.

"You want me to make you something to wear, don't you?" He asked with something akin to a fanged smile.

Gohan smiled as well, "If you would that would be great."

Piccolo grunted, "Sure kid," he smirked before he hovered his hand over Gohan wild hair and the hand glowed a bright green before Gohan was eclipsed a blaring white light.

Once the light died down, Dende, Piccolo, and Mr. Popo were able to see Gohan's get up.

Instead of wearing the school clothes in which he was wearing just moments ago, he now wore sleeveless dark blue skin tight muscle shirt along with knee length, matching color, skin tight shorts. On his feet were his signature shoes, which were the same pair Piccolo made for him and the same pair he wore when he fought against Cell.

Gohan stretched out his arm and flexed his arms slightly before he smiled up at Piccolo. "I appreciate it, Piccolo. I love it!" He gave a small grin.

Piccolo smiled before he roughly ruffled the boy's spiky and untamable hair. "Don't worry about it, kid."

Dende came up with his long, body length staff with him along with Mr. Popo right behind him. "I guess I should guess I should wish you two luck… so good luck!" Dende smiled at the two.

Gohan just gave a smile and two-fingered salute.

That caused Piccolo's eyes to widen when he saw an arterial projection to pop up from Gohan and showed Goku with his signature orange gi, grin, and everything. But what was more, was that he did the same two-fingered salute Gohan was doing.

Though he got over his show as the projection faded and he smirked heavily. 'I shouldn't be surprised… should I?' He mentally asked rhetorically as Gohan started floating upwards his salute still in place.

'I mean… he is your son… isn't he Goku?'

And with that last thought, Gohan and Piccolo both shot off into the distance with their blazing white and blue aura surrounding them.

Dende and Mr. Popo watched them disappear into the distance of the bright blue sky, "I say we did a good thing bringing Gohan here… didn't we?" Dende smiled over at his Attendant.

Said Attendant smiled right back as he stood beside his master. "Of course, this could be what Z-Warriors needed to get themselves out of their funk since the loss of Goku."

"Indeed," Dende replied, thinking the exact same.

»»—Line Break—««

As Gohan and Piccolo, both sailed through the air. "So what do you think this Interstellar Martial Arts Tournament has in store… well, you know other than us?" Gohan asked.

Piccolo grunted, "Probably nothing. The only good thing that they could bring, is actual alien life and if they do that, then there may be someone worth our time to fight." He told Gohan.

"Yeah… I can't really disagree with you there," he agreed. "I mean, me and Vegeta are two of the strongest beings the Universe. It kind of makes you wonder what else will come and challenge us in the future." He trailed off in thought.

Piccolo looked at him in mild surprise, "What do you mean?"

Gohan looked back at him and shrugged, "I'm just saying. I wonder what the next threat is going to be like. I mean, as I've said, me and Vegeta are the strongest people in the Universe if you don't count dad." He explained.

"So you don't think this time of peace will last?" The Namekian questioned seriously.

Gohan gave him a dull look as they started flying faster. "Does it ever?" he asked dryly.

"It's good to see you're being realistic about things," Piccolo nodded after a few seconds.

"Hey, it's just, when has peace ever lasted after we've beaten someone strong? I mean, every time we think we're safe, another impossibly strong opponent comes out of the woodwork." Gohan explained his reasoning.

Piccolo scoffed, but he did nod. "When you put it like that, I can see your reasoning," Piccolo spoke before a thought hit him. "Wait! If you think that peace isn't going to last… then why aren't you training vigorously?"

Gohan gave him another dull look, "My mother, remember?"

"So? You end up disobeying her anyway each time another threat comes up? So why is this time any different?" He asked the Demi-Saiyan.

Gohan looked ahead, "It's different because this time, I have a choice of how I want to act and the way I act isn't going to be out of necessity like all the other times I was forced to fight or train because of an impending threat. Now, I have a choice if I want to continue getting stronger… or settle down, go to school, make friends and all that." Gohan gave his explanation.

"Once again… when you put it like that… I guess you have a point." Piccolo gruffly agreed.

"Plus, it's out of respect for my mother as well. I don't want to out disobey her… but at the same time, I don't want to just lay back and let her make decisions for me." Gohan continued. "Especially the ones she has no right making and the ones she knows nothing about." He finished.

Piccolo gave a short laugh, "You've grown up in the past eight years." He told his pupil, who just smiled at him. "Seriously, your no longer that small little brat who cried while being chased by a dinosaur," Piccolo said, feeling very nostalgic.

"Well… constant death battles and early-life crisis can do that do a kid." Gohan said while continuing to smile.

»»—Time Skip: 1 Hour—««

After their conversation ended, they flew in silence.

And, one short hour later, they made it to the main island named Battle Island.

How original…

Once they neared, they landed in a discrete area where they were sure no would see them flying or landing. The second they landed, Gohan turned to meet Piccolo, who was looking around, making sure they weren't being watched.

"Can you sense anyone?" Gohan asked, mainly referring to Z-Warriors.

Piccolo gave him a look, "Why are you asking me?"

"I-ah, maybe it's because you're sensory abilities are better than mine? I mean, I can always turn Super Saiyan and turn everything in a ten-mile radius into rubble if you want me to actually try and sense them?" Gohan smirked.

That gave Piccolo a sweatdrop, "N-Never mind…" he muttered when he heard the 'threat.' Piccolo closed his eyes before he sent out a pulse of Ki while also leaving his senses open.

However, something small, hidden… but very powerful sparked up in his senses, but as quick as it appeared… it was gone. A bead of real sweat worked its way done the side of his face when he felt the power. It was unlike anything he'd ever felt. The only thing that came close… was Cel-,

"So, did you find anything?" Gohan questioned, unknowingly breaking Piccolo's train of thought.

The Namekian stilled his expression and decided to forget about what he sensed. At least for the time being. "Yeah, I sense Krillin, Tien, and Yamcha. However, I also sense Trunks!" Piccolo added the last part with a bit of surprise.

Gohan blinked in surprise before he grinned, "So, Trunks is back?! That's awesome! Then that also meant he beat the Androids as well!" Gohan exclaimed with a bit of enthusiasm in his voice.

'Yes… that's means he beat the Androids… but what was that power I sensed just a few seconds ago?' Piccolo thought seriously.

"C'mon, Gohan. We should go sign in." Piccolo ordered as he started walking.

Gohan jogged up to catch up, but as soon as he got to Piccolo's side, he looked up at the Namekian questioningly. "I thought we had to sign in?"

However, Piccolo shook his head negatively, "No, Dende already did it for us. He did it for everyone else as well," he explained earning an understood nod from the young Saiyan.

"Though, no sign of Vegeta. It's either he's not here yet, or he's suppressing his power." Piccolo told Gohan with his usual frown.

Gohan merely smiled at the giant, "Please, he'll be here. If anything, he'll want to test how strong I've gotten throughout two years."

"Have you?" Piccolo couldn't help but ask.

Gohan looked up thoughtfully with his hands resting against his chin, "I don't know. While I haven't trained at all, I don't feel as if my strength has decreased. But, at the same time, I can't be sure." He spoke before he added something else as an afterthought. "But, then again, I haven't powered up at all. I've kept my power suppressed for two whole years. I mean, it's practically steaming to get out."

Piccolo looked down at him with a startled expression. "You mean to tell me you haven't transformed once since you've fought Cell?" Piccolo asked incredulously. At Gohan's nod, he let out a scoff. "It wouldn't surprise me if even I could beat you now."

After hearing the disappointment in Piccolo's voice, Gohan slightly looked down, not really meeting his master's gaze. "You know I couldn't… not with mom around."

Piccolo growled before he slapped the boy across the head, "Learn some dignity for Kami's sake." Piccolo growled. "You probably don't like to fight. That's fine… but when you allow others to dictate what you do… that's despicable." He spoke with disgust in his voice, shaming Gohan even further.

However, a soft breeze hit them, which was soon followed by two feet clasping the ground. Piccolo turned, and Vegeta, the Prince of Saiyans himself land behind him with his signature scowl in place. Though, even then he looked even angrier and even disgusted.

"Vegeta?"

Said Prince looked at Gohan and shook his head. "So…" he started off, his deep voice sounding out with a mocking undertone. Somehow, Gohan knew it was solely aimed at it him. "This the Super Saiyan who surpassed me?" He continued, his voice getting sounding cocky. He spoke to Gohan as if he was a piece of trash. "This is the one who killed the most powerful threat this Universe has ever seen? A sorrowful and wimpy child?!" Vegeta exclaimed with a mocking laugh.

Gohan clenched his fists tightly, so hard that they were nearly shaking. Even then, Vegeta sensed a flicker of anger cross his face and slip of power escape the boy. So, he pressed even further.

"Stop it, Vegeta," Piccolo told the proud man in a warning tone. "Not here."

"No wonder why your father didn't want to be resurrected. He was probably too ashamed to meet the person who surpassed him in power, who was a whiny crybaby!" Vegeta laughed.

Once Gohan was about to charge forward out of anger, Vegeta continued. "Save that anger for the fight. It will be you and me in the finals, don't forget that." The shorter Prince exclaimed now openly pointing at the boy shaking boy. "So help you lose… I'll send you to otherworld where you and father will be happy to together." Vegeta threatened before he left mentor and student to their own devices as he walked another way.

As soon as Vegeta was gone, Piccolo gave a sigh as his shoulders slumped.

"He's right…" Gohan quietly said.

Piccolo looked down at him questionably, not really catching what the boy said.

"He's right… isn't he?" he asked.

The Namekian sighed, "Yes… Vegeta was right. You've been allowing others to boss you around and make decisions for you… when in all reality, you've been smart enough to make your own decisions since Frieza came to Earth." Piccolo told Gohan, who glumly nodded.

"Listen to me, Gohan," Piccolo growled. Once Gohan never responded, he growled even loudly and reached down and grabbed the boy's shirt and lifted him up to his eye level. Piccolo stared into in Gohan's saddened and startled coal black eyes. "If you don't get your shit together and quit being a little bitch, then I'm going to kill you right here," Piccolo growled even further.

Gohan straightened, now staring into he the man's eyes, "If you can't conquer yourself, then how can you conquer anything thing else?" Piccolo asked.

After few seconds passed, Piccolo gripped the boy's shirt harder, "Answer me!" he shouted.

"You can't," Gohan replied instantly.

"That's right! Now get off your ass and stop feeling sorry for yourself!" Piccolo exclaimed before he dropped Gohan onto the ground.

He looked at Gohan, who had landed on his knees. He stared at him uncaringly, before he turned and started walking away, leaving Gohan alone.

Gohan looked at his hands, 'Is that it? Is it that simple? Cant it really be that simple? Don't allow anyone to boss you around he says…buts it not that easy, Piccolo.' Gohan thought depressingly.

Suddenly, the feeling of remembrance hit him

»»—Flashback: Cell Games—««

"Yet another fighter… you could have saved."

"Gohan… you have to let go. It is not a sin to fight for the right cause."

"You have the power… I sensed it on the scanners. You have the power to destroy Cell."

"Hey, what do you say you go win this for us, so we can all go home."

"Dad, it's my fault that it's come to this. It's my fault that you're dead. If I had just finished Cell of like you had told me to do, then none of this would have happened. Just… Just like it's my fault how you're not here right now."

"I'm sorry… Gohan. I truly am."

»»—Flashback: End—««

Every single one of them put their trust into him. So, how was it fair to disappoint them? How was it fair to sit wallow in grief that his mother was causing him? How was that fair? How? How? How? How? How? How? How? How?

'It's not…' Gohan thought shakily at first. 'It's not fair… dad put his trust into me to protect Earth and everyone else… so, if I have to burden everyone's hate onto myself to do so… then that's what I'll do. Even if I couldn't protect you, dad. I can still protect mom, I can still protect Krillin and Piccolo as well… as well as Vegeta and Bulma.' Gohan thought with cold determination shining in his coal eyes.

'If even it means having everyone hate me… I'll do it… I'll always protect you all… no matter what.'