Saiya-Man and the Legion of Super-Heroes
Chapter 11: Tragedy and Guilt
By Claudius
Garth (Livewire), Imra (Saturn Girl), Rohk (Cosmic Boy), Jo (Ultra Boy), Jaryn (Apparition) Jan (Element Lad), Ayla (Gosamyr), Pan (Saiya-Girl)
I own nothing. I credit Akira Toriyama, Jim Shooter, Dave Cockrum, and Mike Grell.
Morning had already passed as Dende-sama made one of his regular walks. This was, of course, around the wide platform of his temple in the sky. It was a repetitious day-by-day ritual, but it was an acceptable one for the Namekian. Had he, Dende-sama thought amusingly, been doing this for, what, eight years? Such a span was a short one for a long-lived creature like him, but it was hardly empty of excitement. With what he witnessed, life here on Earth was definitely more interesting than what his brethren may be experiencing at New Namek. Comparison aside, however, Dende-sama's heart ebbed at the missed absence of his home world. But he was happy in his adopted home. Here lived his closest friends, including the one whose courage and generosity gave the Namekian guardian an obligation that could never be fulfilled.
Today, Dende-sama was expecting that very friend. Soon Son Gohan would return to this century after an adventure from an age many centuries in the future. This was worth pondering for the scholarly mind of the Namekian. In that distant time, could he still be Guardian of Earth? Gohan never gave a clue to answer this question.
Suddenly, Dende-sama's senses throbbed. The gate of time was opening! Quickly he ran inside the temple, to the corridor of the time portal. The glow of the gate, the warping of reality inside it, was the sign that the walls of time were breaking up. Here comes Gohan!
Dende-sama's mouth tore open, unable to say anything. He could think many a thing about Gohan's present appearance. None of them pleasing. The young man before him was a wreck. His clothes were barely on him, hanging by the thinnest tatters. Blood frosted his entire body, which appeared to be missing a great amount of skin. Any man with this much damage would be dead. Unfortunately, Gohan was still alive.
Dropping any chance at words, Dende-sama resorted to action. Such mercy made Gohan flinch. "L-Leave me…alone," he unintentionally whispered, his voice barely making an audible tone. "I-I'm…I'm…not worth it."
Ignorance sent Dende-sama only closer. Gohan shoved him back. The force failed to take the guardian off his feet. Now was the testimony of Gohan's present strength proven! Such a weak attempt must come from an exhausted body. Only its owner gave no concern to his ailments. He had to leave. He had to die alone. No one would suffer him anymore.
Ki power surrounded Gohan, but it was very thin. He didn't care. He stepped off the balcony leading to outside. Midair, that spent energy now dried up. His consciousness also left him.
Remaining in the conscious reality that Gohan removed himself, Dende-Sama saw his friend fall off the palace. Refusing to consider any fatal future for his dear friend, Dende-sama instead flew in pursuit. Upon reaching the edge, he saw his rescue was no longer needed. A fellow Namekian now arose above the area where Gohan fell. Fortunately, he carried the injured demi-Saiya-jin in his green arms. Unlike Dende-sama, no emotions came from this Namekian's cold, reptilian face. His voice was equally cool. "Do your job, Dende."
Once Piccolo laid Gohan upon the floor, Dende-sama indeed acted his power. He pushed aside emotions that could make him pause in his work. All thought must be devoted to healing. He forced his power upon the damages scattered on Gohan's wrecked physique. There were a lot of them. It was amazing he was still alive. But such difficulty did not deter Dende-sama's task. A long time ago, Dende-sama faced death from a minion of that monster Freeza. In that scary, hopeless moment, Gohan saved his life. How could he not reciprocate such kindness?
In what felt like a very slow minute, Gohan's wounds were now gone. The dirty lacerations were now surface only. He should be well, Dende-sama considered while wiping his brow in exhaustion. All of a sudden, his legs grew weak. But he remained standing, thanks to Piccolo's supportive grip. The moment of haziness gone, Dende-sama securely kneeled over his fallen friend. All the cuts and wounds were sealed up, restoring color upon his body. But the effect stopped halfway. Gohan remained unconscious. Dende-sama placed his clawed hand on the young man's forehead. It verified the illness that kept him comatose.
"We've got to contact Goku."
A mind call was made. Piccolo didn't receive an answer, but he knew Goku would be here in seconds. Those seconds passed. Then minutes. The lack of a firm response proved a prediction. "What's taking Goku?" Even the knowledge that could explain this tardiness was unsatisfactory. It was true Gohan and Goku were not on speaking terms at present, but such estrangement would be superfluous in a situation like this! Actions of his own making would have to be done. "I will take Gohan myself."
Piccolo flew to Mt. Paouzu. He was devoid of his flowing cape, this paraphernalia wrapped around Gohan. Soon he was met in the air by Goten. Piccolo predicted the boy's horrified reaction with satisfaction. At least there was one relative of Gohan's capable of expressing concern. No doubt his mother would feel the same way, a prediction Piccolo felt with some fear.
He was correct once he landed before the Son house. Chichi stared with a face of white shock upon the 'present' Piccolo had. She was her usual self, freaking out while taking full command of the situation (as much as Piccolo could allow). As they headed for the hut where Gohan now lived in, the Namekian looked for a certain someone who should be taking interest. But Goku was not there.
Once inside the hut, Piccolo and Chichi placed Gohan on his bed. They quickly stripped the young man of his clothing remnants. A touch on the forehead revealed him to be in fever. Chichi draped her naked son with a blanket, crying (or shrieking) at Goten to get a pail of water. To this mother, any black thoughts about what caused this- some monster, the Legion, or her husband- were all before the one priority labeled Gohan.
"Thanks, Piccolo. I'll handle things from here."
Piccolo ignored the promise. "Where is Goku?"
Chichi gave no word, but Piccolo could deduce the problem. "That dolt!" he named Goku with negativity. The man was a total puzzle, and right now that was not a good thing.
But Gohan would be taken care of. Satisfied, the Namekian departed the hut.
For many hours Chichi stayed in the hut. At present she made the umpteenth removal of a handkerchief from Gohan's head, soaking it into a bowl of water, and returning it to its original place. Gohan's unconscious face was not calm in sleep, but troubled. What terrible things has he seen? Chichi suffered in thought. As far as she remembered, the times when she nursed her eldest son were few. That was a good sign for the mother, free of worry over any flaws in her son's health. Unfortunately, today was an exception.
Then came a knock at the door. Chichi left her spot for the window. Who could be calling at a time like this? A head outside the window revealed such persons. They were people she was loathed to see. Imra, Garth, Rohk, and that M'onel character were at the door, fueling the mother's rage. The nerve of those people, coming to see the damage they inflicted on her son! Chichi's enraged emotions blinded her to the fact that none of the visitors appeared to be happy, or even secure in their appearance.
"What ya doin' here?" Chichi's voice had no welcome in it.
"We wanted to see if Gohan is alright," Imra returned the heatedly-toned question with a frigid answer.
"He's okay," Chichi lied in her limits of civility. She left the window and closed it.
"We have a right to see him," Rohk declared, his left hand stretched out for a display of power.
Chichi sighed as she saw the window doors open, thanks to the latches that made it vulnerable to Cosmic Boy's magnetic assault. "Of all the nerve!" Chichi growled the indignity. "Don't ya see Gohan's sick?"
"Mother of Gohan, please understand," M'onel gave his best explanation against the immovable mother. "We want to know about Gohan's health."
"Damn right ya do!" Chichi exploded. "Ya kids nearly got my boy killed!"
"We're sorry about that," Garth spoke his case. "We've been through a tough time of our own." He clenched his fists, one of which was no longer organic.
"Ya look alright enough," growled Chichi.
"Are we?" Imra threw her point. Now she was Chichi's target.
"My son ain't."
"Neither is Ferro," Imra confessed sternly. "At least your son is alive."
Ready for another burst of loud anger, Chichi's voice cringed into silence. Suddenly, it appeared to her that whatever effected Gohan was on these kids too. With a difficult and reluctant resolve, Chichi calmed herself, though her eyes kept that vicious glare. "What happened?"
Suddenly, a child cried out M'onel's name. Goten came skipping to the group, his cherubic face the opposite of his mother's. "Are ya gonna help Gohan?"
"Goten!" Chichi's cry sent the boy to a shameful silence. Fortunately, any scolding Goten got was a head pat by the Daxamite.
"We'll try and help." M'onel smiled. His attention was then stolen, along with Imra's, to the field nearby. There was Goku. He didn't appear to be happy. In previous meetings, the Legion was always welcomed by this idol. No matter who it was, friend or stranger, Goku would welcome you. But today the man made no effort to approach, nor did that good-natured expression exist in the grim face he displayed now in a distance. Only a cold stare was what Goku gave them before going on his way. Garth, Imra, Rohk, and Gar felt queasy by it. The fact that they were in the right gave no satisfaction over the point that their idol hated them.
Rohk asked for confirmation. "So are Gohan and Goku still…"
"I wanna know what happened," Chichi sidestepped the matter for another.
As she welcomed the four Legionnaires inside Gohan's hut, Chichi was told about the tragedy. In the future, a giant being called the Sun Eater had approached Earth's system. As the name proposed, this inorganic being would swallow the sun, sending the Earth into an endless and terminal winter. Because of widespread disasters throughout the universe, only a handful of Legionnaires were present on Earth to face the threat. As Saturn Girl explained in a cool air, she, Rohk, Sensor, along with Ferro, Gohan, and Brainiac 5, were the ones that remained to fight.
"Brainy made a reactor that could destroy the Sun Eater, but in order for it to work, it had to be activated inside the Eater's core. Gohan was nominated for that job, since he was the most invulnerable. Ferro accompanied him. I was in rapport with the two of them." As she continued, Saturn Girl's voice began to lose its strength. "I…lost contact as they reached the Eater." A great weight fell on her words, hard to move on. "When I reestablished the link, only Gohan was alive…barely."
Chichi's eyes refused to view the team, feeling both remorse and anger for the Legionnaires, unable to choose which emotion. She knew about Ferro, from the many times her son mentioned (and the times he was around). He was a very important person to the team, as well as her son. This tragedy must have been harsh on them. However, what if Gohan was killed too? What right did the Legion have sending Gohan on these dangerous adventures? Then again, what right did anyone have, be it her husband, Piccolo, or anyone else?
"As soon as we found Gohan," said Garth, "We hospitalized him. After that, we had to…deal with Ferro. We didn't notice Gohan run away until it was too late."
"That don't make sense," said Chichi. "Why'd Gohan run away from gettin' treated?"
"I have a clear answer," said Imra. "I just don't want to accept it."
Realizing Imra's suggestion brought chills to Chichi. Why would Gohan want to do that? It was a sharp thing for her to even think such an incredible idea. A bit too much for this mother. "Can ya leave me alone now," Chichi covered her eyes. "I know ya kids must be feelin' awful as it is, but I gotta take all o' this…an right now it's so hard."
"No more than ours," Garth was his regular compassionate self. He looked at Imra regaining her cool demeanor. He doubted her capability to sustain it. Does she believe she sent Ferro to his death?
Gohan contorted his body upon the bed. Sweat from his head dampened the pillow, his body moistening the sheets.
Goten hung to the edge of the bed, expressing his worry for the brother he worshipped.
Chichi came back to her son, getting a new handkerchief for her son's pained brow.
"Has he been awake at all?" Garth asked.
"No," Chichi snapped. "He's in some deep sleep."
"His illness could be a psychological nature," Imra replied with action. "He might be in shock."
As Chichi reacted to this awful analysis, she saw Imra go into a trance. Gaining familiarity, Chichi realized what the girl was doing. She was entering her son's mind! The memory of Betsy Braddock materialized the danger in such things. "Quit it, girl!"
But Chichi's cries were drowned out as Saturn Girl came into a new realm. She was now in contact with Gohan. Alien thoughts pierced her head like hot spikes. But she would not leave without helping Gohan. With this permanent resolve, Imra left her physical shell and entered the astral plane. The area became flooded of images. None her own, despite their familiarity. Gohan was remembering everything before the tragedy, which meant Imra did as well. She had now become him, recalling these unknown events as if they were her own. She/he was confident. He/she knew that the Sun Eater emitted red sun energy, capable of neutralizing his/her demi-Saiya-jin powers, but she/he was ready for it. Brainy had embedded his/her clothes with a series of micro-circuitry that allowed her/his powers to exist despite a red sun. He/she could safely plant that reactor inside the Sun-Eater with no problem. It was a simple thing, she/he thought in pride.
No! Saturn Girl fought against the absorbing feelings. Those were Gohan's thoughts, not her own. But was she not also confident of Saiya-Man and Ferro's safety? She sent them into dangerous situations with the delusion of safety. She paid for this misguided trust. Now came Gohan's payment. He/she was now outside of the ship. The reactor in his/her hands. Confidence reached limits. It was maintained throughout the onslaught of sunbursts, which were all avoided. Looks like the Eater was going to be snuffed out before the sun!
Suddenly, fire surrounded his/her body. It came from nowhere (no, thought Saturn Girl, it was somewhere, but ignored by overconfidence!). Literal pain roasted his/her body. Only the reactor was spared, protected by his/her embrace. But the anti-red sun circuitry had been damaged! Agony increased, the stamina to overcome it lessened in minutes. The ability to remain conscious was equally shortened.
A drop of blackness filled all for a time. When it passed, conscious checks on the burnt arms and legs showed that he/she was barely alive. Ferro was there. He was holding the reactor.
"I have to do this, Gohan!" said Ferro, scared but resolute. "A lot of people need you more than me."
"Andrew, don't!" Gohan/Imra cried. This time Saturn Girl let go of resistance, sharing his rapport mate's protest.
Ferro walked to the space door. Saturn Girl could feel herself motionless, as Gohan failed to get to his legs. Terror and shock played upon his/her action, a fear of letting it happen again.
Let what happen again? Saturn Girl allowed question to interrupt her fears. The scene changed for a second, its depiction nevertheless noticeable. Son Goku with his arm stretched out, his hand on this giant green humanoid blimp. Ferro was now out the door.
The door shut. Goku vanished with the green blimp.
Ferro gone.
Father gone.
All his/her fault.
Saturn Girl's mind screamed. Her psychic cry became physical. She was taught to be stoic by her telepathic mentors, the better to take the strain that her powers delivered. Today, she failed. She was now back in physical world, held in the very corporeal arms of Garth. How comfortable to be in them, Imra let go of her fortitude. Quickly did she bury herself in those arms! Chichi was also giving aid. "Geez, Imra. Making mind trips always lead to trouble!" She spoke with experience.
"Look!" Rohk exploded with words from his position at the bed. Gohan was now sitting up. His fever broke! But his face showed no relief, only the scars of his recovery from a strenuous condition that still afflicted him.
"You did it!" M'onel was congratulatory.
"I did nothing," Imra snapped. "It was Gohan's doing." She was not so pleased about her success.
Goten didn't give a care who did it. "Big brother!" He bounced onto his brother's lap, expecting to see Gohan smile. What he saw was his brother's eyes light up in rage. As Goten tried to gather the meaning of this by mind, his body received the meaning. A swat from Gohan's arm sent him crashing to the wall.
"Goten!" Chichi rushed to her little son's side. Her thoughts on Gohan's behavior were shared by the male Legionnaires. Imra understood.
Gohan was sitting up, his head lowered, his hands squeezing the covers. "Get out!" a growl escaped his lips. His words were heard, but not obeyed. Now he showed his enraged glare to all, summoning his full vocal power. "All of you get out!" His resemblance to his mother was plainly depicted.
M'onel and Rohk were willing to stay where they were. But a look at Garth's shaking head gave the realization that maybe departure was for the best. Chichi had similar feelings, pulling her youngest son to his feet. Fortunately, Goten was all right, his sore feelings sustaining the true injuries. These feelings sent him out the room.
As they left, Gohan threw more words. "I never wanna see any of you ever again! I'm never coming back to your stupid future! I quit!" The last word was weakly delivered. Seeing everyone leave, Gohan then looked down at the covers and the lumpy shapes his legs created from underneath. He had to be strong. He needed no one. That was easier said than done.
The four legionnaires separated from Chichi and Goten from the hut. Now they had the real facts of what happened. Big deal. The idea of a super team had come to a tragic turn. Maybe it should have been better not to have even bothered. At least the heroes of the past had the Dragon Balls for life insurance. Ferro didn't.
"It happens," Rohk's words were optimistic, but doubt existed in them.
"Maybe I should have probed Pan's mind," Imra was now speaking aloud to herself. "Found out any clue that led to this tragedy and averted it."
"She couldn't have known." Garth turned the idea down.
But Imra wasn't listening, stuck in her own world. "Maybe we should have had M'onel with my group instead of Gohan…"
"Imra, stop this!" Garth's words, coupled with a strong hand grab on her shoulder, ended her trance.
"So you blame me for what happened too!" Imra's eyes glared ferociously at Garth. "I don't need to read your thoughts to know it!"
"Of course not!" Garth attempted firmness with understanding. "But you've gotta stop torturing yourself!"
Garth, Rohk, and M'onel could feel their brains throb with the telepathic powers Imra now projected. She had a lot on her mind. Unhealthy things.
Garth walked closer. He put his arms around her. At first resistant, Imra started to cry. Garth remained calm. Evidently he learned it from her. "There, there."
"I should have done something," Imra looked to her lover's physical comfort more than any psychic ones.
"To quote the old phrase, 'Ditto.'" Garth touched Imra's chin, lifting it for her to see him. "You're not alone in self-guilt."
Imra warmed to Garth's comfort. It was enough for her, but not to others. "Gohan too. I'm afraid for him."
"So are we all," said M'onel.
A day passed. That afternoon, Chichi repeated what she had been doing since Gohan moved out. After fixing a tray of food, she strolled to the hut. She didn't like it, but until Goku or Gohan straightened up their problems, she had no choice.
Resolutely she opened the door. To her relief, there was the strong backside of her son on the bed. There was a bad side to this, though. Before him were several servings of food left untouched. Even if Gohan had eaten one bowl of rice, his appetite showed that would not have been enough.
Chichi expressed this negligence with a suffering look. Her emotions were badly affected. It felt like a dagger remained inside her, cutting her up. At least Gohan was still in his room. She really wasn't ready to meet an empty room.
Like any mother wishing the best, Chichi sat upon the bed. "Gohan, honey," she moved her hand closer to her son's shoulder. He shrugged away. It did not pressure Chichi in the least. It was hurtful, but not intimidating. "Gohan, it's okay. If ya want t' stay there, it's okay by me."
But Gohan remained silent. Grief was never a way for open conversation.
"I'm sorry 'bout Ferro."
Finally came a voice. A cold one. "Why should you? It wasn't your responsibility."
"It weren't my responsibility t' protect y'r father, but that don't make the hurt of losin' him a small thing." Chichi went silent, realizing her mistake in reopening fresh wounds. Now any chance of kindred feeling became unlikely. The sheets grew on Gohan, hiding him further from his mother. She made an attempt to stop this, hovering closer. "Gohan…"
"Please…" Gohan's spoke with pain. "Go away."
Chichi tightened herself, hiding the hurt of this shun. She was now gone.
The blankets opened to show Gohan staring at the empty space. He held no interest to the food before him, despite the contradiction of his stomach (he would probably end up vomiting it out, he convinced himself). He gave no attention to the cleanliness of his body, although he hadn't bathed in days. His required readings and assignments for the future school semester were also ignored. Only one thing wasn't beyond his notice. Don't think of him. He had to be strong. So his mind said, despite the terrible responsibility of his existence. His dreams proved it.
His father believed himself to be a trouble-magnet. He was blaming the wrong person. After all, who let Piccolo sacrifice his own self against Nappa? Who allowed himself to be a willing toy for Yuunigata, with the matter of three different Earths at stake? Then there was what happened with Cell…
For Gohan, the answer was clear. Everyone he loved got hurt because of him. For those unaffected, it would be a matter of time before something bad fell on them. Gohan embraced that theory with his devotion. Videl. He felt the memory of Spopovitch's violence upon her, the worry, the concern, the unsheathing of his feelings in such a horrible scene. Gohan didn't want that scene repeated. Videl must not be harmed because of him. He had to do something. On the dresser was his communicator wristband. He hadn't seen Videl in days. After tonight, he would never see her again.
As night was beginning to fall, Chichi brought dinner to her son. She was going to run out of trays if this keeps up, the woman used humor to cope with her concern. She opened the door to see her son's bed empty. Her proud son was at a mirror, tying on a tie. A smile was afforded on Chichi's lips. The boy looked beautiful in his baggy dress shirt and slacks. It was good that Gohan was more comfortable in the attire than his father. But like a novelty, the glow soon vanished from Chichi. What was her son doing out? "What are ya dressin' up for?"
Gohan's eyes remained on the mirror, but he heard his mother's question. "I have a date with Videl."
"You should go out," Chichi agreed with the plan. "You haven't seen each other in a week. It would be good for ya…"
"I don't know when I'll be back," Gohan hastily cut his mother's words off.
Chichi realized her mistake. But then, her intelligence made some notice on the strange points about this sudden recovery. "Gohan, I…"
Again, Chichi's words halted. Gohan, taller than his mother, bowed for a kiss on the forehead. It was a warm one, full of the dutiful love and respect that tied mother and son. As Gohan left the hut, Chichi was very startled by the quality of that kiss. She pondered it, neutralizing any attempt to call for her departing son. By the time he was gone, Chichi came to a dark realization of that kiss. Was this more than a simple goodbye?
Videl waited at the café for the length of five minutes. The shortness of that time had no effect to her impatience. It felt like an hour. Gohan had invited her to have dinner here. She had been incredibly busy helping the police force from the Eastern capitol, which meant missing a lot of school. Will she graduate on time? The scholastic worries became trivial when she thought of Gohan. School wasn't the only thing she missed. Thankfully, that would now change.
The sense of Ki enveloping inside her senses ended the impatience. The café door opened for its present customer, Gohan. He looked nice in that blazer and tie; the bagginess of his shirt gave the illusion of a skinny person. That was a deception that the boy had played since their first meeting, hiding his true muscular strength under a wimpy facade. But today there was something different about him.
With a smile, the boy sat at the opposite side of the table to Videl's view. However, not one of his two eyes gazed at her. Gohan kept staring someplace else, almost as if in ignorance.
"You seem different," asked Videl with the suspicion that was almost a second nature to her. "Could you mind telling me what's up?"
Gohan's smile was rather smug. He calmly folded his two hands together. "Well, I fell in love with someone."
Videl just flipped her eyes, the only reaction. She must have misheard his words.
"I met someone I really like," Gohan kept his face away. Only his voice showed he still recognized Videl's presence.
Realizing with unease that she was truly hearing what she thought she was hearing, Videl's voice got a little louder. "Who?!"
Gohan shrugged off the strength of that reaction. "You wouldn't know her. I just wanted to tell you that I really like her."
Videl remained in her spot, calling on a statue's stamina, though her emotions were less stable. "But…" she slurred in a whisper, her pride forbidding the pathetic selfishness. But her heart enforcing the words, increasing them in sound. "What about me?"
"What about you?" Gohan's words were mocking. His eyes made a little dance, emphasizing to Videl the boredom her company was giving him. "With you I was just fooling."
Videl found herself unable to reply to such an admittance of betrayal. How dare Gohan smile! Didn't he realize this was hurting her?!
But Gohan continued on with the torture. "I thought it would be a good joke on your father. We both know who really won the fight with Cell, but your dad took all the glory, while…" he unpredictably came to a brief stop. His smile fell a little, but was quickly restored by a change in words. "So I thought it be some payback if I fooled around with his daughter."
"Fooled around," Videl's tone grew more accusing and venomous. Anger was the alternative to crying. How could she be so stupid!? "So I was a pawn?"
"Whatever," Gohan laid the smugness thick. "But while I was playing you along, this girl I just met really matters to me. So, I don't see the use of fooling you anymore. Sorry."
And Gohan stood up and walked away from the table. It was as simple as that. True, the boy did say sorry, though the apology was just a trick of the mouth, devoid of any concern. Videl remained seated, her eyes ready to do something. Don't do it, she conditioned herself. Her boyfriend had been lying to her, and she could not reply with tears. But the battle was lost at the beginning.
Walking across the floor, the perfect appearance of Gohan ebbed. Suddenly came a difficulty of breathing. The tie around his neck was loosened, but it had no effect. He was suffocating. The air around him had an impotent feeling; it failed to free him of this strangulation. His demeanor was a straitjacket for his emotions, but one incapable of holding it for long. The stability of his resolve, that this was all for the best, was losing all support.
A pain sharply tore into Gohan's heart. The strength of his legs seeped away. He collapsed to the floor, giving support by his knees and hands. The strain had now taken its toll. Before, Gohan could have probably composed himself on the outside, living a lousy one from within. He lived with his father's death after all. But what he had just done was too much a burden for even a demi-Saiya-jin like him to withstand. In his pain, Gohan heard his name from her voice, along with the touch of hands. That contact eased him. No, he refused in his mind, she can't. Not her.
"I'm okay…" he breathed his words. But his façade failed on his white face, which he now accidentally bared to Videl. She stopped for a moment. There was nothing scary on Gohan's expressions. Just weakness, a face ready to weep.
Wrapped with a shameless consideration of possible good luck, Videl pressed upon the hope that Gohan had been lying to her now. "Gohan, you're not alright. You've got to talk to me."
"Is there something I can do?" said a waiter among other concerned guests.
"No," Gohan gasped, getting ready to stand again. But he did so with Videl attached to him.
"It's okay," Videl joined in Gohan's wish, though with more conviction. "Can you get us a cab?"
"I don't need one!" refused Gohan in words, not in facing her.
"Please, tell me what's wrong!"
Inhibitions pressed Gohan's case. "I told you…"
"Yeah right!" Videl's tears clashed with the strengthening anger on her face. "Something happened."
Gohan was finally on his feet. Gone was that sudden emotional pain. He had to take full advantage of it. He had to leave this place, and leave Videl forever.
But Videl refused his intentions. She would not leave him until she knew what was up. "Did someone die?"
The question froze Gohan into a statue. It didn't frighten him, but he wondered about the possibilities of what Videl was giving him. It was as if a new way was discovered in handling things, one that involved honesty and Videl. But choosing it was uncertain. What of the original path that was his plan? Should he lie, or be honest? Lying was all for the best. Hurting Videl now was better than hurting her in the future. He put his first foot toward the door.
But Gohan didn't take another step. He remained in his spot, suddenly exhausted. His face looked at Videl, utterly defeated.
Gohan wept. How long he did not know. He was in pieces, every strong fiber of himself broken and useless. Everything he held back about Ferro, everything that hurt him but suppressed, was let loose. Fortunately, it was not in a place he knew. Videl had a gym to train herself in the months before the Buu incident. Although her father bought it, the place was Videl's to use. It gave her a lot of privacy. Since Buu's defeat, the place had been neglected, its training devices rendered obsolete by Gohan's method of training. But tonight had brought it to good use again.
Videl kept a cool façade throughout Gohan's breakdown. Save for seeing Gohan do the waterworks for the first time, she overall passed no judgment on him or his grim story. Ferro was dead. Now she felt guilty in pressuring Gohan. Sometimes her domineering spirit could be a problem. "Gohan, I'm…sorry."
"Why should you be?" sobbed Gohan, staring at Videl. "You didn't fail to save him."
"He saved my life, remember?" Videl gave her defense. "I have every right."
Gohan lowered his head again. "And every right to hate me."
Videl almost gasped at this shocking discovery. Did Gohan really believe himself worthy of such hatred? What the hell was he going through? "Bull, Gohan." She sat beside him, ready to throw an arm upon him.
"Don't, Videl!" Gohan shrugged himself. He wanted her arms around him, wanted her sympathy. She was accentuating emotions within him, demanding reciprocation. But he dared not. He stood up and faced the wall. "I keep letting everyone down," he growled. He threw a fist on the wall. A great hole was made on the plaster.
Videl felt a little tremble in her. Gohan could do a lot more damage in this condition. So she was relieved to see him kneel harmlessly to the floor. But his morose face had piercing eyes full of hate for no one but himself. All apprehension gone, Videl too knelt beside this wreck of a boyfriend.
"I thought…" Gohan bowed his head lower, carrying the stigma of his near-disastrous mistake. "I thought breaking up would protect you."
By now Videl didn't need an explanation. "That's a bunch of crap, Gohan. I can take care of myself!"
Gohan turned his face to her. "But Ferro…"
A palm on his cheek cut off his words. "It's stupid of you to believe you're responsible for every bad thing that happens to your friends." Videl spoke, homing in closer.
Gohan just gazed into empty space, but none of her words escaped his ears. He turned his head closer to hers.
Now it was Videl's turn to be apprehensive. "Do you wish I wasn't here right now?"
Gohan said an answer he didn't think possible for a question like that. "No. I don't."
Videl saw Gohan continue to shirk any view of her. She flung his hand upon his face, heightening her resolve. "Look at me. You've done nothing wrong! It's not your fault."
"You don't know what happened."
"I believe it enough to know you'd never fail anyone. Ferro died, but it was beyond your control. I believe you would've rescued him if you were able to. Besides, do you think Ferro wanted you to die for him?"
Gohan's vacant eyes grew fuller, his mind pointing on this unknown analysis. This was something he had not considered! But was it true? Videl seemed to believe it. That stupid girl! Being so understanding. So…kind.
Again, tears leak upon his eyes. Videl caressed his cheeks. Despite the one-and-a-half years she had known Gohan, she never saw this new side of him. Underneath the strength was a soft, gentle person very vulnerable to pain. Did Gohan's family see him like this? The Legion? Imra? Videl forced these thoughts away. It didn't matter if he gave a sob story to the entire galaxy. This side of Gohan was very new to her, and she was glad to see it. Something also new was what her boyfriend did next.
One cannot understand emotions. They are so complex. One could find a couple of possible explanations for Gohan's case. The thought of remorse, the realization that he had a second chance at something lost, the need to no longer feel anymore pain. The only sure thought was that there could not be a repeat of his actions an hour ago.
So that is why Gohan kissed Videl's neck. It was no simple peck in a date. It was something emotional, emancipated of all restraint. It was also temporary. "I'm sorry," he recoiled in shame. "That was wrong."
Videl was somber to the response she got from Gohan. "Yeah." But she didn't let go. "Now it's my turn to do something wrong."
She returned his lustful kiss with her own. Gohan's guilt vanished, or rather, was pushed into an area of denial. Now he returned the warmth. Both their faces pressed deep into the other, their lips making the real contact. Hands embraced the other in grips that could not be removed unless by force. Then something snapped inside the two of them. They looked at each other with eyes of awareness. This was their moment. The strength of their own feelings had enveloped into an unbreakable chain. They couldn't turn back. Only progress.
"Videl?" Gohan forced himself through the hesitation, despite the ashamed way his head was lowered. "Do…you want to…"
Videl's hand stopped his mouth from speaking. She gulped this frightening but undeniable path ready for them. While her eyes stared at Gohan, her hands pulled off the shoulder strings of her dress.
Gohan reciprocated this eye-link by removing his tie. As he began unbuttoning his shirt, a new wariness lingered inside him. His great strength was all too apparent, and the possibility of wild behavior meant no maintenance of self-control. That would be dangerous to Videl. But there was a solution, and it fell on something he gave her.
Chichi's nerves were shot for the next hours. She had made her last fruitless phone call, the latest failure in her search for Gohan. Now did her mind waver on the possibilities of Gohan's future, the dark ones overwhelming any good ones. 'He'll be coming home soon' did not ring a satisfying note in her thoughts. She could find no answer, no matter how much she marched through the rooms.
Goku's presence was no ease to her. He was just sitting there, silently ignoring the situation. To Chichi, he stuck out like a thorn in the butt. This annoyance reached its climax. "Just don't sit there, Goku!" she shrieked.
Goku was nonchalant. "What should I do?"
Chichi' eyeballs bulged. "Go find 'im!"
With a head shake, Goku rejected the responsibility. "It's Gohan's problem. Let 'im work it out."
At this moment, such a reply should never be made in front of Chichi. "Why ya dull-headed idiot!" she exploded with the full force. "Get off y'r wounded pride for a moment! Our boy blames 'imself f'r a friend's death."
Goku shared experience in what his son was going through, which created reluctance in his present behavior. But that quarrel Gohan gave him a week ago was still fresh, and just as formidable in keeping him from doing something. "He…he'll get over it."
Goku was stubborn, but Chichi would not break either. "Yeah, if this was the first time. But it ain't."
Goku's eyes lit up to this detail. "It ain't?"
"You moron!" The strong female voice wavered into weak sobs, the speaker falling back to a chair. "Don't ya understand? For most o' his life, our boy has this huge chip on his shoulder. Ya weren't here for seven years. An' our boy thinks that's his fault."
Goku grew more curious, unable to clarify what his wife was saying.
"Gohan blames himself for what happened wit' Cell. F'r not being able t' stop 'im from killin' you."
Now did Goku's resolve begin to waver! "Me?"
"Of course!" Chichi gave up on shouting her wishes, but the emotion remained. "Yo'r death was a very hard thing, an I…" she wavered on the target of that situation, "Gohan suffered the most. When Goten was born, Gohan thought he don't have a right t' be his brother after what he did t' you."
Goku was busy registering the core of the truth. "Gohan…blames himself…for me? But I told 'im it was no problem that I died."
The condolence failed in Chichi's view. "I gotta question ya, Goku. Gohan told me that 'fore Cell tried t' blow 'imself up, ya told 'im t' kill the monster. If Gohan killed Cell before ya died, would ya have still gone away?"
Goku's mouth was silent. Except for Goten (whose existence he had no idea of during those seven years, being cut off from Earth for that period), he didn't ponder much on his choice to remain dead, except that it seemed the right choice. But his wife's question created a new truth that was worth thinking over. The answer appeared to him, but he was hesitant to speak it.
It didn't help his case that Chichi was repeating her question. "Well? Would ya have left?"
The pressure on Goku for admittance was great. But relieving it was reluctant to him. Having made incredibly stupid decisions in the past, Goku could rest upon the fact that his decision to stay dead was done with wisdom. Was he expected to call that one a mistake too? But then there was Gohan, who always loomed in most of his mistakes. Why must everything he did end up screwing Gohan? Can't Gohan be responsible for a few of his father's problems?
No.
His face analytical for this hard question, Goku's expressions sagged into a somber one with the answer. "Yes."
"That's exactly what Gohan thinks. But ya didn't come back, did ya?"
Lurking on the truth, Goku wavered back to his original choice and the advantages with it. "But I wanted Gohan t' be happy! A lot of the crummy things that happened t' us was 'cause o' me! Stayin' away stopped that."
"But Gohan feels he's a trouble-magnet too. Thinks your leaving was punishment."
There was nowhere for Goku to go on that revelation. "I…didn't know."
"Gohan may be one of the strongest in this universe, but he can only take so much. Now with Ferro's death…"
Goku's eyes widened at the consequences of this limit. Would Gohan really do that?! He had heard enough from Chichi. His resolve was replaced by guilt. What a total jerk he was, letting his pride over a missed fight opportunity overwhelm his feelings for Gohan. He still thought his son did a bad thing, but was that any reason to chuck the whole relationship? It was now time to act. Goku made a concentration that ignored all recognizable Kis around him. He went to one Ki. It was weak. No time was made on the meaning of this. Goku just put his fingers to his forehead and vanished. Speed was his advantage for any danger affecting his son. He was now in a room flooded with red light. Even though it was not hot in the room, Goku felt a little perspired. But he was ready for whatever happened. What he wasn't ready for was seeing what Gohan and Videl were doing.
Goku absorbed the surprise, the shock, and the realization of this sight. He temporarily forgot everything else. But it soon came clear that he shouldn't be in what was a very private moment. Again he flung his two index fingers upon his forehead. His mind went to any Ki that could take him out of this place. By way of the Shunkan Idou, Goku saw and felt his surroundings change. The fatigue evaporated. Goku was in full power again. He needed all his strength to understand what he had just seen in that moment.
Gohan and Videl failed to notice the eavesdropper. Their senses were now too chaotic and scattered in their positive feelings to give any notice to any outsider besides the one in front. The only visual things that took attention were each other, the rubbing of their warm bodies, finding unexplored pleasures in their naked intimacies. Neither felt this way before. It took all their will power not to scream out their feelings of ecstasy, though grunting escaped their lips.
Then they hit the limit, or the extreme point of this feeling. It was indescribable. They broke their intimate embrace, wishing to understand what just happened. Lying on the 'bed' (actually a matt with curtain drapes as a blanket), they had no need for explaining why it happened.
Videl turned her head to Gohan's own face. He still looked grumpy. That wasn't a good sign. Not that it was Gohan's fault. Videl really felt that. Was it hers? So much for being the strongest woman, Videl sighed. Now it was her turn to feel low. Ironically, it was done sitting up, wrapping the curtain sheets she used as a blanket over her breasts. "It's okay," her ashamed face refused to face Gohan. "They say it's bad the first time. So don't…feel bad if…"
Strong arms surrounded Videl, cutting her words short. Gohan spoke happily. "You mean it gets better than this?" It was the first positive words Gohan had given her this night. The credit made her self-esteem skyrocket. She turned around and returned the embrace. Pressure caused the two to fall back onto the bed. It was a moment for laughter to spring. It was a great revelation to Gohan, who thought he would never laugh again. How could he explain it? He was happy.
The room glowed in red. This was no mood lighting, but a crystal that Brainiac 5 had given him, of which he gave it to Videl. The crystal emitted red sun radiation, weakening Gohan's Saiya-jin body to an extent that he could normally have relations with Videl without the fear of injuring her. His original motive was for Videl to use this crystal for any circumstance where he, Goku, Vejita, or anyone of Saiya-jin power became a threat. Using it for the purpose of love in its most primitive and bestial form was a new idea altogether, but who cared? Not him or Videl.
A few hours, and a repeated relation, passed through the night. Only one was left awake. Gohan studied Videl. She lay on her stomach, half of her face buried within the pillow. She looked peaceful. Gohan remembered the reason for her pleasure very well. He felt the same way. He never knew Videl like this. It was true that Gohan had knowledge about sex from his studies in science and literature (not to mention some hazy three-year old memory when he walked into his parent's bedroom), but it was not enough for the true experience here.
Oh, how he loved her! Everything of his past seemed non-existent now. Training under Piccolo, going to Namek and Limbo, fighting Cell, joining the Legion. All these past events in his life suddenly became unreal and negligible, for they lacked Videl. It was a new sense of love that Gohan felt for this girl. It was not the love he felt for Piccolo, or Goten, or his mom…and dad. Videl provided a love that felt necessary to his existence. The feeling that she was a part of him. Gohan then remembered Rahne. He had a familiar feeling with her, but it was different with Videl. Maybe it was because he understood the feelings now. He knew what love now meant.
Did this mean he forgot about Ferro? No. The thoughts of the masked Legionnaire still loomed over his memories, a painful reminder. But it no longer consumed him. Such a weird feeling: to feel such happiness during tragedy. It should feel wrong, but Gohan couldn't accept that. The memories of what he and Videl did remained fresh. Gohan was awash with joy. It felt like Ferro was not dead, that he never suffered loss. And he gained happiness through the bond he and Videl made this night. His decision was to be alone for the rest of his life, to spare others pain while avoiding it in return. That idea now appeared to be something from a different time, from a different person. Gohan never wanted to feel so withdrawn ever again. He wanted the shell to be broken forever, feeling this intimacy with her.
It was comfortable. This small room provided sanctuary from the outside world and its dangers. That was Gohan's thought, when a voice came. "Hello, Gohan."
How a voice could create such a reaction! Someone was here. Gohan stood up from the matt. Fortunately, his abrupt movements gave no awakening to his lover in the makeshift bed. He saw a figure. Gohan had to be a heartless idiot not to recognize him. "Andrew?" His vocal reaction began with a whimper, "Y-you're alive?"
Ferro gave confirmation of this by his reply. "I wanted to see you again one last time."
Gohan's smile was different from the tear streaks on his eyes. Suddenly, all the sadness returned in full power. The happy face had sunk into lamentation. "D-Don't go!"
"I can't stay."
"No," Gohan continued to whimper. "It's not fair. I should have died. Not you."
"No, Gohan." Ferro raised his hand, stopping any more protest. "Don't you understand? I didn't want you to die. You have so much to live for. Not because it's important for the time stream. You're a special person. To Videl. To me."
The words flew with little effect on Gohan. They were all lies. They had to be…No. Gohan quickly overcame the insanity of his grief that controlled him previously. There was truth to the advantage of his survival. Videl would have been sad if he died. They would never have made love if he died.
But, Gohan reasoned, that didn't mean Ferro's death was a necessary factor for him to enjoy sex with Videl. But it was necessary to save the Earth. And it was then that Gohan finally understood. Life was not so clearly cut and dry. There would be death and great sadness no matter what he did. Sad, but true.
"It was your adventures that gave my life meaning," said the ghost. "My sacrifice deserved your survival."
"I don't think I'll ever believe that."
"Just don't think it's your fault I died, okay?" Despite the mask that covered Ferro's deformed face, Gohan somehow knew that face was smiling.
"Please stay."
"Sorry," Ferro did his friend no favors by turning away. "I have to get going."
"No."
And for a moment, Ferro did turn. He took off his helmet. Gohan now saw his face. In alternate perspectives, it was the most ugly and grotesque. But for Gohan, it was Ferro's face. He loved it.
"Goodbye, Gohan."
Gohan couldn't let this happen. He darted forward.
Then everything changed. He sat up from the bed again, as if the first time didn't happen. Next to him was Videl clutching his arm with security. "It's okay, Gohan!"
His breath heavy, Gohan now realized that it was all a dream. He lay back down, placing a hand upon his forehead in relief. It was a good kind of relief.
"Another nightmare?" Videl embraced her lover, initiating a lock of her hands around his massive chest, her chin buried into his shoulder.
"No." Gohan's words were tired, but not in spirit. He felt rejuvenated, ready to face anything.
Videl was pleased. While Gohan was having his dream, she was busy fingering him. Tracing her fingertips upon his washboard abs, caressing his pectorals, picking upon one of the hard nipples. It was something to do as her mind focused on so many complex things, much of it on this man she bore everything to.
Gohan was the opposite of almost everything Videl believed in. She was a person who grew up on strength. Her father epitomized it. She had a crush on the 'gold fighter' that fought Cell. She wasn't a dainty girl like the others, instead always tough and tomboyish. When she first met Gohan, the 'nerd' was barely worth her notice. This changed when she found out he was the Great Saiya-Man. Underneath that nerdy façade was this powerful kid who could teach her a few things about strength. It was all very attractive.
But now, Videl thought, was that really why she got Gohan as a boyfriend? She could have a ripped guy in Sharpner, but she felt nothing for him besides friendship (though that was gone after he framed Gohan). What turned her to Gohan? It was probably more than just physique. Thinking further, Videl remembered that the times she liked Gohan were quiet moments. That moment he created an orb of Ki energy in front of her eyes. The patience and understanding he showed her with every failure during their training together. His presence to her injured self at the infirmary during the Bodukai. The Senzu seed he gave her to stop her pain. The kindness he gave. The gentleness he portrayed.
Videl now realized that Gohan was vulnerable. Not in power. Not in courage. Not in will. It was a weakness that couldn't be considered wrong in any form. Here was a man who could take on the most dangerous of beings without fear, but could fall apart at the loss of a friend. He had created such a huge chip on his shoulders, expecting himself to carry it on his own. What a stupid way to live! But, what a caring man to do such a thing! A man capable of great love, and deserving of it. Videl didn't love Gohan any less after this discovery. She may be nowhere near his level of power, but Videl now understood that power was not suited for this. Gohan needed her, and she would not refuse. She would stand by him as he regained the happiness he had before. He was a man worthy of her love.
Now Gohan was awake. He embraced her, kissing her face and chest. He moved on top of her again. Videl reciprocated, her hands feeling his strong back. "Love me with your gentleness," she whispered.
A final act of lovemaking later, Gohan found himself unable to sleep. It was not because of Videl's warm head lying on his pectoral, or her arm along the shoulder opposite to that. Such burdens were comfortable. His reluctance for nocturnal slumber was fear. What if sleeping meant this was a dream? What if in reality he had broken up with Videl?
Then he would do everything in his power to get her back.
The fear of fantasy subsided. Videl did feel real, the breathing within her vibrating upon him. Gohan's eye fell on what was between his chest and her arm. More like bulged out. Videl's naked breast stood out like a giant eye. That gave Gohan ideas. He remembered his company with his father's old master, Kame'sen-nin. As the guy was constantly trying to get his hands on Buruma's breasts, and failing, Mom warned her son never to do that to anyone.
But temptation was too strong for one influenced by sleep and love. Before, when Videl took off her bra in front of him, Gohan turned away in flustered reaction. Even when she pushed his face to look back at her naked front, Gohan avoided any contact with what was on her chest. Not now. His desire clashed with the ramifications. If Videl woke up, she would slap him. He would risk it. His free arm lurked closer. His fingers touched it. It was warm. It was soft. He wanted more, so he palmed it. It was as big as his hand. And Gohan felt himself in heat. Maybe he should squeeze it…
Videl snuggled closer. Gohan's lecherous arm snapped all the way to the other side. He felt ashamed at his freedom, at his lack of comeuppance. At least he had other things to feel guilty about.
Again, Gohan realized how changed he was since yesterday. But as great as his fears of unintentional harm to others was, the feelings of loneliness was greater. So much for aspirations on hermithood! The intimacy and love he shared with Videl these past hours showed that isolation was an escape, not a solution. Perhaps his being around might hurt people, but would alienation guarantee them complete safety? He shouldn't view his past failures as signs of future disasters. This was better, enjoying the company of his loved ones.
"I won't fail you, Videl." He kissed his lover's warm forehead. Such advances made his new decision harder. He would still leave Videl. But he hoped she understood enough to wait for his return to her.
A brightness came to Videl's closed eyes, so she opened them. Her senses returned to see it was now morning. Her head was pressed, not on Gohan's pectoral, but upon the mattress. Only the makeshift blanket, not a strong male hand, caressed her arm. Videl reflexively sat up, searching for Gohan, dreading the possibility of what more experienced people called the one-night-stand.
The answer was happily false. Her lover (Lover? The name awed the young woman. How things have changed!) sat at the edge of the 'bed.' His naked backside exposed to her his broad shoulders, V-shaped blades, and that stump on top of his buttocks. Next to see was his face. "You're awake," Gohan morosely said.
Videl just stared. Man, this guy was hard to make happy! "What's wrong now?"
Gohan turned his head away. "I think about what I almost did to you last night before this happened. I'd regret our not doing this."
Videl ignored the bluntness of this answer. Subtlety was not going to be a factor of his. "I'd prefer calling 'this' making love." She crawled to his back, winding her arms upon his shoulder. "Anyway, that's ancient history."
A small curve came to Gohan's lips. "However, you weren't the first I was cruel to. I was nasty to a bunch of other people. Goten..."
Videl dipped her chin upon Gohan's shoulder, her cheek connecting with his. "I'm sure they understand."
"Yes," Gohan nodded appeased. "But I'd be happier if I apologized personally to everyone here and there."
Videl uneasily realized another example. "So it's back to the future?"
"Yes."
Videl grew somber. "When will I see you again?"
At that question Gohan tensed up. Videl didn't like it. "Are you coming back?"
"I will."
"Why do I get the idea this 'coming back' ain't gonna be soon?"
Gohan sadly looked at her. "I have to do some things about this whole problem. I don't know when I'll be back. Before school starts again? Sooner? I don't know."
Videl released her hold. Gohan found the sudden lack of contact disheartening. He really did it now! "You won't wait for me?" he spoke a question which could only get the answer he wanted.
He turned to see Videl lying seductively on the 'bed'. "You better come back," she smiled, exposing herself. With this presentation, Gohan decided to give his apologies later.
Far away on a mountaintop, Goku sat with contemplation. He would use quiet and peaceful places to work on honing his Ki. Today, the atmosphere had to work its hardest for him to achieve peace in this present state of mind.
Helpful (problematic?) in this chaos was that moment he witnessed. Despite the colored light, as well as the brief length of time, Goku was able to recognize that naked backside as his son's. And he saw Videl's face sticking out of his shoulder. For all his uneven intelligence, Goku knew what his son and Videl were doing. Unfortunately, knowing that didn't give him any clear answers, only more questions. Weren't they too young to be doing that? Did Mr. Satan know?
But then he realized that they were old enough. Once he understood that, Goku came to the source of his problem. It was relieving to know Gohan wasn't in danger. Right now he was having fun. Videl must be making his sadness go away. So much for his rescue. He should be happy for his son, but he wasn't. This was because of one sad realization: Gohan really didn't need his father anymore. His son was no longer a little baby he saw being born, or the kid who could handle Cell. He was a man now. He could take care of himself, and in times when he couldn't, he had friends like Videl and the Legion to help him. They were more reliable to Gohan than his own father.
The meaning was clear. Acceptance wasn't. Sure, Gohan could always rely on his dear ol' daddy's fighting abilities and determination. But everything else? That potential was lost long ago. Goku thought much about his times with Gohan. They were so few. There should have been more than the handful of moments they had. Only, Goku understood in sad reflection, he wasn't willing to devote himself to making more of those. It was amazing how many lost chances he had. So many opportunities! All blown. If those mutants could see him now…
This was going to take a lot to get used to. But Goku will make do. Knowing his son being okay would beat the sadness he had now. At least he thought so. Intelligence wasn't Goku's strong point, after all.
Chichi continued her anxious mood, forsaking sleep until she found out her son was alright. She was tired, exhausted, but not willing to yield. Then came a knock at the door. Chichi was at in seconds. She opened it. The fulfillment of her hopes materialized with the visitor. He had to support her as she almost fainted.
"I'm sorry for worrying you."
Chichi's response was repeated. "You're alive, you're alive."
"Course I'm alive! What makes you think I wasn't?"
Chichi faced her son. There was a new look in him. He glowed. Quickly she blanked out the reason, putting all attention to her son's safety.
Gohan's sight fell on a barely opened door, the one to his brother's bedroom.
"C'mon out squirt!"
The door opened, revealing a reluctant Goten. To Gohan's surprise, his little brother was as uneasy as he was. "Sorry for making ya angry," Goten apologized in the best he could. That shot into his elder brother's heart. Fortunately, the brotherly tie they had melted any possible barrier they created. "Do you think I'll ever stay angry at my strong li'l brother?"
It took seconds for an embrace between the two sons of Goku.
"Do ya want some breakfast?" Chichi pleaded, wanting to please her son in any way.
This made Gohan's next words more difficult. "I can't. I have to leave now."
Chichi's relieved face fell back to concern. "Where ya goin'!? Not to the future!"
Gohan nodded. "I have some things to do."
Chichi was stunned. "What about Videl? What about school?"
"Videl knows," Gohan's face got brighter, an expression not lost to her mother. "And I'll be back for school. Look, I hate to do this. I never want to be the type of guy who'd drop you all for something trivial. I wouldn't be heading to the future if it wasn't important."
"Take me with you!" Goten embraced his brother's leg.
Gohan sighed. "And who'll take care of mom and dad?"
Goten understood, and sighed.
The elder son then turned to Chichi. "Mom…"
Chichi touched her son's cheek. "Just come back, 'kay?" She implored.
"I promise," Gohan responded. He walked out of the house, waving to his mother and brother. Turning around saw him spotting someone else. Dad was at a tree. He was like a statue.
Gohan felt the same way. Things were said. Things were done. How could they ever fix it? The son's only answer? He waved goodbye.
Goku shook with surprise. But then came that smile. He raised his thumb.
Unease was on him. Gohan had never been to a funeral before. He had witnessed the death of people close to him, and mourned them (and would probably continue to, Gohan's resolve had a weak moment), but he never saw any ritual commemorating their death. Not that there was no compassion to their memory. Since the dead were either disintegrated or encased in suspended animation until the Dragon Balls could be used, funerals were unnecessary. Ferro belonged to the former example, but that did not stop the Legion from making a ceremony.
As he hovered before the Legion Plaza, Gohan found the more he approached, the less he didn't like it. Part of him didn't want to come here. It showed his guilt still existed. But he had to close this tragedy and live his life, as hard as that was going to be. He already felt like he was nowhere as strong for this. He no longer felt whole thanks to that night with Videl. Leaving her was like severing parts from his own body. But there was no turning back.
Going into the main hall, Gohan saw Jo Nah was the first to meet him. He was always full of himself, naturally possessing a habit to be sarcastic or insulting to Gohan. Today was no different. "What's with the glow?"
Glow? Gohan looked at the curl on his forehead. It was still black. Transforming into a Super Saiya-jin was impossible for him, thanks to his mystic power-up. "What did you mean by that?"
Jo's hard, whiskered face began to pull a smile. A wicked one. "Had a little fun with Videl?"
The desire to be good mannered quickly vanished from Gohan's head. This was exemplified by him grabbing the front of Jo's shirt and that green bird it depicted. "How dare you make it sound like that!"
His opponent was on guard as well. "No, and you better not think it's the same with me and Jaryn," Jo glared in conviction, grabbing Gohan's arm.
Gohan released his hold. "Watch your mouth next time. I can use all my powers."
Jo continued his glare. "It wasn't enough though." Before his words could stab through Gohan, Jo sheathed it with a sad look on his proud face. "Mine wouldn't be enough either. So maybe we should stop thinking about 'what if' and think about 'it happened, live with it.'"
Gohan composed himself.
"Glad you came!" came a familiar voice. Gohan saw it was Garth. But not all was familiar with him. His left arm looked like a robot's.
Now shock came to Gohan. "What happened to your arm?"
Garth stared upon his new appendage. "Got eaten by a monster." Jo flinched at the parallels Garth's experience had with his own power origin. "But I'm okay." A careful look showed that he wasn't. Not completely. But Gohan saw Garth was able to accept his problems better. This was one hero who didn't act like a martyr.
Gohan lowered his head. "I'm sorry. I've been acting like such a jerk." Jo nodded.
"These things happen," Garth lowered his new arm. "But compared to Ferro, what I have is a broken finger-nail." No one disagreed.
The three then walked further. More Legionnaires came into his forward view, all giving Gohan a look of welcome. All were familiar, except in their clothing. Imra's change was the most dramatic. Her new Saturn Girl suit looked like a two-piece pink bathing suit connected at the midriff by a clasp shaped like the planet of her name. Gloves that stretched from her biceps and boots that lengthened to her thighs finished the…costume. Gohan had doubts about calling it so. Same with Ayla's Gosamyr costume she had boots and a one-piece bathing suit that exposed a naked backside.
Not that the males were any different. Rohk's Cosmic Boy outift was equally scantily clad. Except for boots and gloves lined with bracelets, his wardrobe consisted of bathing trunks with a flap that rose to his chest and stopped there. How was he keeping that up?
When Imra saw Gohan, she fell into his arms. It was always a special thing to see the usually stoic telepath act human.
"I'm sorry for everything."
"It's okay. We still saved the world." Gohan decided to change the subject. "Nice costume."
Imra took on a shy behavior. "We felt a change was needed. So did you."
Gohan nodded. He was in his orange Gi with a black shirt underneath the tunic. "I feel I should show my respect for dad."
"Just as long as you avoid his flaws," Imra replied.
Rohk approached with a black band. "Wear this."
"Gladly," Gohan was aware of this scrap's significance. Everyone wore it on the left arm.
The next person who came to Gohan was Pan. Her reaction to Gohan's presence was the same as Imra's. "I'm so sorry," she apologized as if everything was her fault.
"How could you be?" Gohan asked. "There was no way you could have known."
An expression of uncertainty came on Pan's face. "Right," she mouthed the word. She quickly embraced Gohan, who got a strange feeling. It felt like he was holding Videl. Come to think of it, she did look like…"
"All Legionnaires gather outside!" cried a speaker. All thoughts were quickly ended and forgotten in light of the upcoming funeral.
Outside the plaza, there stood a huge rocket. This object, once rocketed, was to symbolically commemorate Ferro's ascent to the afterlife. Chairs surrounded this object, all seated by Legionnaires. Some had also changed their garb (some with more garb than others). All wore the black band.
Jan Arrah, now in a green and blue costume, was the speaker. "We are gathered here in final memory of our fallen comrade, Andrew Nolan, Ferro. Like his mask, his disfigurement hid a noble soul. I don't think Andrew was a tragic figure. He decided to commit his life for the good of the universe, and thus he died without regret. He was the first Legionnaire to die. Probably isn't going to be the last. Not great morale for kids. But we're not kids anymore. We can't afford to be."
Imra interceded. She was calm in her voice, though one could see moisture in her eyes. "This is a dangerous job to do, and a very unrewarding one. But it's the right one. I, and you, will remember Ferro for that."
Her eyes fell on Gohan. Words materialized their meaning inside his mind. Will you do the honor?
The invitation was not welcomed. Why did she ask him? Again did Gohan rue his movements. He was going to activate the console that would send Ferro's symbol rocket to the stars. Better to keep the rocket here. Some conviction that he was still alive. And yet Gohan walked to the console. He looked at the missile for a second, than he sighed. With this resolve, his finger pressed on the tip.
"Goodbye friend," Gohan whispered. A tear came in his eye.
Gathered around a parlor, the Legionnaires shared stories about their fallen comrade. Some were funny, others were bittersweet, but all were true in respect.
"When I first met him," said Rohk recounted his reminisces. "I asked if he wore a mask to hide his identity. He said no."
"Did anyone know what he really looked like?" Ayla spoke her mind, getting an accusatory cry from her brother.
"It's alright Garth," Imra walked a stoic path. "Tell the truth, I didn't know either."
"Actually," Jan grimly interrupted. "I did."
"So did I," M'onel also had guilt on his face.
"Me too," said Gohan. "I thought it was pretty noble."
He got stares for just a moment, before they all faded into an acceptance.
"That he was," Garth poured a glass of erolisis. "Drink with me in celebration of a great hero."
One by one, Legionnaires got a glass and filled it with the liquid of their choice. There came a great closure of glass hands, a ringing echoing throughout the room. Then they all drank.
Then someone had to say it. It was a tough action to be done for any of them, and yet it was inevitable. "I think it's time we got back to work." It was said. A silence came for probably minutes, seconds. This was something not to be responded with quick precision. But it was eventually responded. The gathering was over. "Gohan," Imra gave a hand to Gohan's shoulder. "You can take a leave of absence."
With his eyes closed, a sad smile on his lips, Gohan spoke his own wish. "Actually, I want to stay here for a while, at least before school starts again. Y'know, a day ago I didn't want to come here ever again. Too much memories," Gohan opened his eyes. "But…something happened last night that told me that I can't run away from things I dread. This was Ferro's era, so I want to be here for him. That's why I want to take a leave of absence from my own time, and be here for awhile."
"That's nice to hear," Ayla's dim eyes finally caught some light in this situation. Fortunately she had a brother who knew her too well.
"So when do you think you'll return?" Rohk made a concerned question. The period timeline that separated Gohan's present from his destiny was still long, but a problem might come.
Gohan instantly thought about Videl, getting sad from the feeling. "Don't worry. I will return. I have someone waiting for me."
In the year 775, a Saiya-jin sat on a hill, looking at the starry sky. He had done it the last night, and would do it on tomorrow's night. He would wait for his son to return, even if he didn't want his father anymore.
At a mansion, a young woman sat perched on a balcony staring at the starry sky. She would wait for him to return.
In a distant future beyond 1775, a dark hooded figure watched the activities of the demi-Saiya-jin Legionnaire. Time will soon come.
To be continued
-The costumes desribed are based on the Dave Cockrum- Mike Grell designs. You shall be remembered, Dave.
-The source of this story is based on an actual Legion event in Adventure Comics#351 written by Jim Shooter. There was a Sun Eater, there was a reactor that could destroy Sun Eater, and Ferro sacrificed himself by going to its core. One difference between that story and this is that it was Superboy (Superman as a teenager) who was involved in this story, not Gohan. It was Superboy who volunteered to send the reactor into the creature, but due to his weakness to red sun energy, Ferro stepped in, sacrificing his life to save all.
Sorry for a long wait. Tell the truth, this chapter was done two years ago, but I got really lazy. Funny, I bet some new people who come to this story will think I'm basing this on the recent Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes TV series, when actually this chapter predated it by two years!
Will I continue this series? I dunno. Maybe.