A Father's Legacy

Son Gohan's Realization

Disclaimer: I am aware that someone else is writing a similar story, and I do want to apologize if this person feels like I took their idea, but that is nothing of the sort. I realized the previous fanfiction I was going to write would have been too illogical, even for the series standpoint, so I decided to alter it around. This is simply my idea on how the Buu Saga should have gone, I hope you guys can enjoy it. I DO NOT own any of the characters in Dragonball Z, all credit goes to Akira Toriyama.

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I fell down to the ground, my arm was scarred and broken, bleeding profusely, half my gi had been ripped off, both arms were spread out, and I was laughing, my voice hoarse from all the screaming I had been doing on the battlefield, and all the injuries I had received. I had just defeated the most vile monster to ever plague the universe, the monster known as Cell. As I lay there, I could feel the ki of my friends landing around me, and I opened my eyes weakly to look at them.

Krillin spoke up, "Hey, Gohan, buddy? Uhh, were you holding back your real power just to scare us? Cause boy it worked!"

I laughed weakly at Krillin, then I felt someone pick me up, and turned my head to look up at Yamcha

"Sorry, for the mess.." I replied weakly, before I felt the exhaustion take over, and darkness moved in around me, and still despite this, I felt extremely peaceful, unafraid at all at the fact that my vision was being encroached by the blackness, in fact, I welcomed it.

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I remembered be awoken by Dende after being healed, having some short conversation with the others before they summoned the dragon, I even told them how my dad had talked to me, though they didn't seem to believe it at the time, that is until they decided to make their second wish.

"Hey, don't I get a say in this?" the voice of Goku, my father boomed down on us.

"Goku?" Krillin spoke up, surprised that his friend was actually talking to them.

"Yeah, it's me. Listen, King Kai is letting me talk to you guys from otherworld," he gave a quick pause, then continued, "Lately, I've been wondering why the earth is always in danger, and I remembered that the guys who attacked it were after me, think about it, Frieza, Cell, the Androids."

"It's an interesting point." Tien said, pointing out the obvious

Yamcha followed up with a quick reply, "I guess, but where's going with this?" He asked hopelessly.

He spoke again, "Well, I think it would be best for the earth if I didn't come back this time, King Kai agrees with me."

"Sort of!" The former planet holding Kai spoke a little harshly.

"As a Saiyan baby, I was sent to Earth to destroy it, and though all my life I've tried to do the opposite, it's like I've been fulfilling that mission all along," He gave a short pause, and then continued, "So yeah, I'm gonna stay here now. I really don't mind, King Kai says I can get special treatment cause I saved the Earth and all, I'll be able to keep my body, and from what I hear, there's lots of interesting people to meet, it'll be fun!"

Piccolo smirked, "Another adventure," he spoke with amusement.

He spoke again, "King Kai could ask one of the other dragon's to wish him back to life, but he's agreed to show me around and keep me company. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I really appreciate your feelings towards me, but you'll have to find something else to wish for, this is my home now."

I looked down, I could imagine how much my face was turning into a cringing sadness.

"Gohan's so strong now, I have nothing left to teach him." He spoke again.

Quickly though, I cut him off, "But that doesn't mean I don't need you." I replied, sadness showing in my voice.

He spoke again, with deep words, "You all better take notes of everything that happens in your life, cause when their through, I'll wanna hear all about them. Until then, bye," and the connection was cut short there.

"Goku," Krillin spoke out quietly, and took a long look at the sky, before finally speaking up again, "You know, even though he was saying goodbye, it didn't make me sad because he was so cheery about it."

"Yeah," Yamcha spoke up, and paused, then continued, "Well, Goku's been that way ever since he was little," He continued, paused again as he seemed to be remembering something, then concluded, "He's always had that goofy smile on his face, guess that's.. just.. him."

Krillin chuckled at that comment, and Tien spoke up, "Yeah, you're right," he said, his face going into a look of remembrance as well, and he concluded, "and with each new adventure, we're always left behind."

Piccolo suddenly spoke up, "Goku always has and will be Goku," he said, looking at the sky, and continued, "He gave me a senzu bean when I was trying to kill him, even with a villain like me, he always assumed the best, nothing could take that from him," Piccolo said in conclusion.

I looked up at the sky, I could tell I was smiling, and it was my turn to say something, and so I spoke, "Dad, I know what I'll remember about you," I said, my memories flashing to the time where my father was walking toward Frieza, a blue aura surrounding him to show his power increase.

I could hear myself speaking again, "I'll remember when were up against Frieza, and knew we couldn't win, and you just walked right up to him," I paused, and then continued, "Whenever things seem tough for me, I think of you walking forward like that, and it makes me strong," I paused again, and then finally concluded my thoughts, "You've given us so much dad, thank you.. for it all."

Everyone's face turned serious, and so I knew I had to make my look serious as well. We all stood there, reflecting over our tributes to my father, and I knew one thing, I would never forget the man who had given me courage when I needed it the most.

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Gohan finally finished writing his thoughts down into his diary, he looked out the window of his house, and smiled. For the first time, it was truly peaceful on the planet, there would be no threat to bother him. He could finally live his life the way he wanted to, but then slowly, his eyes widened as he realized something. What his father said had doned on him finally.

"Gohan's so strong.. I have nothing left to teach him now."

He knew now what his father had wanted him to do, his father had wanted him to take on his role as protector of the universe. The thoughts raced through his head as he wondered about what to do with his life at this point.

"What do I do now? My dad wanted to take on his role as protector, but my mom wants me to study to become a scholar. I could study and train at the same time, but the problem is, I can only have one job, I can't afford to be a teacher and a protector, it wouldn't work out, I would miss too many days if too many threats were to come to the Earth."

Gohan slumped his head down onto the desk, the expression on his face wasn't exactly readable, then he remembered something, his mother had told him she was pregnant. He raised his head, and a determined look came into his eyes. He knew now what he would have to do, he had to carry on his father's legacy, he had to become the new protector of the universe, despite his age.

Looking out the window, he realized that the sun was setting, and he got up, and after changing into some clothing more suitable for sleeping, he climbed into bed, and pulled the covers over him. He looked out the window one last time, a smile on his face, and one final thought ran through his head.

"Don't worry, Father, I won't let you down, I'll carry on the legacy you left behind for all of us.

With that thought, the darkness closed in around his eyes again, and that night Gohan had dreams of all the good times in his life that he had spent with his father, unaware that a small smile had crept up on his face while he slept.

Author's Notes: Well, what did you guys think, did you guys enjoy the little prologue I made up? Again, I apologize if it looks like I've taken the idea from another story (which I know a good few people have read), but I've actually had this idea in my head well before I saw that story. Anyways, I hope you guys have fun reading it, and remembered please read and review! I love the feedback.