Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Blinded ❯ To the Edge of Darkness and Back to the Light ( Chapter 7 )

To the Edge of Darkness and Back to the Light

Once out the hospital Gohan stopped and waited till the others caught up with him. His face was absolutely blank with no expression at all. It looked as if no one was there and that the body was just a shell his spirit had left behind. Everyone was creeped out to say the least but didn't mention it. Nerves were on edge as well; everyone's senses had heightened into battle tension. No one knew what was happening with Gohan and if he ended up freaking out they wanted to be ready. Gohan's calm demeanor was unnatural and they didn't know what was going to happen next. As Bulma, Vegeta, and Piccolo caught up with Gohan who was still clutching Goten to his chest. Bulma was the first to speak.

"Gohan, you and your brother are staying at Capsule Corps with Vegeta, and me and I don't want any argument."

Gohan just nodded. Piccolo spoke up next.

"Hey kid, I'll be there too if you need me."

Again a nod was the only response. Bulma then pulled a capsule out of her pocket and threw it on the ground. Out popped a capsule car and they all got in. On the drive to Capsule Corps the silence was eerie. Both Vegeta and Piccolo's warrior instincts were screaming at them to get ready for battle, making both of them very edgy. Bulma was trying to drive and not break down crying again. And Gohan was silent still with that blank expression. Even baby Goten was quiet it seemed the baby could tell this wasn't the time to make any noise. His dark eyes just stared up at his older brother questioningly. They arrived at Capsule Corps and piled out of the car wordlessly and made their way into the house.

Bulma was trying to keep herself together as she showed Gohan where he and Goten would sleep; Piccolo had opted to stay outside. Right away Gohan went into his room, shut and locked the door. Piccolo stood outside of it for a minute then nodded to Bulma and went to meditate outside Gohan's window. Finally Bulma couldn't hold it any longer and began to cry again. Surprisingly enough Vegeta hadn't headed straight to the gravity room when they got home so Bulma latched onto him as she cried.

Meanwhile outside Piccolo was seriously worried about Gohan's silence. When his father had died the boy had shown his emotions and cried and cursed and screamed. The fact that he hadn't this time troubled Piccolo greatly. He knew Gohan hadn't even begun to get over his father's death and now his mother had died. Combine that with those slips in the happy go lucky facade Piccolo had seen really worried the Namek. He finally decided he had had enough with wondering and wanted to get some answers. Since Gohan wasn't talking he would just take a peek into his student's mind to see what was going on.

Closing his eyes he concentrated on Gohan. As soon as he found the signature he started to take a peek. All of a sudden a snarl erupted in his mind with a clear warning to back off. Piccolo was literally thrown out of Gohan's mind with the warning. Piccolo was stunned Gohan had never done that, but apparently he wasn't going to get answer from his student anytime soon. So Piccolo settled back into meditation once again with one ear cocked towards Gohan's room to alert him if anything went wrong.

Inside the house Bulma had regained control of herself and started calling all their friends to let them know what happened. Everyone was shocked. Chi Chi had been like the woman version of Goku to them. No one had ever considered that she could even die or that she would. It just wouldn't be the same without Chi Chi yelling at them and swinging her frying pan. A date was set for a funeral party where they would put up a memorial next to the one they had given Goku since neither one of them had bodies to bury. The day after tomorrow was decided upon as it would give enough time to make the monument and for everyone to get there.

In the next day and a half Gohan stayed in his room only coming out to feed, change and bathe Goten. He didn't eat no matter how hard Bulma or Piccolo tried to get him too. Piccolo stayed, usually meditating outside Gohan's window or trying to get him to eat when Gohan made his appearances outside his room. Vegeta hadn't resumed his training in the GR yet; instead he stuck like glue to Bulma and Trunks and watched Gohan with a wary eye every time he made an appearance. Bulma still had crying fits occasionally and clung close to Trunks and Vegeta. Finally the day for the mourning party came and the Z Senshi and friends began to arrive.

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Darkness. Light. Confusion. Anger. Hatred. Warmth. Love. There was no way to separate them. I couldn't seem to figure out which one it was. Emotions were overwhelming so I retreated. Back into my mind where I don't have to deal with them it was safer that way. Safer for me safer for everyone. I could hear Bulma and Piccolo talking to me. On some level I must have understood because I found myself nodding, but I had no idea what I agreed to. Then we were going into Capsule Corps. Bulma showed me a room and was talking again but I didn't care I just wanted to be alone to disappear into my mind again. In the room I suddenly registered that I still held my brother. I toyed with the notion of handing him over to Bulma but decided not to. Who knows he might disappear to. It was safer to keep him with me. I sat down on the bed cradling Goten and let my mind drift into its haven.

I don't know how much later but I felt someone trying to enter my mind so I snarled a warning and threw them out. I didn't want someone bringing me back. I let myself drift once again. Many hours later I'm sure I felt another touch on my mind and was about to snarl out a warning again but then I recognized Goten's touch. He was confused, hungry and uncomfortable in his diaper. I decided I had better take care of him. As I came out of the room I decided it would be better to tune everyone out. I didn't need to talk to people right now. Piccolo and Bulma were in the kitchen I could see them speak but I just tuned them out as I fed Goten and changed him. Vegeta was there as well; I could feel his eyes watching me waiting for me to do something. Maybe he was right to worry if I didn't have Goten then what would I have to lose? Nothing, Goten was the only thing keeping me from surrendering totally to the darkness in my mind. Who knew what would happen if I became that darkness.

Ever since dad died it has begun to creep up on me. I have been able to keep it at bay and not give in. The darkness draws me, it promises I won't feel anymore pain. I would be free from the pain and the guilt. The darkness reminds me why I am blind. It reminds me that I was punished for my mistake but that the punishment wasn't enough. That there will never be punishment enough for killing my father. Once again Goten's mind interrupts the cycle with warmth and love now that he has been fed and changed. I go back to my room to brood again. Bulma came in once to inform me that everyone would be here the day after tomorrow to pay their respects and that we would put up a memorial to mom next to dads. In the next day and a half I brooded in my room only coming out to take care of Goten.

The day of the party I felt everyone arrive. Krillin, 18, Master Roshi, and Turtle were the first to arrive. Then came Yamcha, Puar, and Oolong. Then came Tien Chaotzu (sp?) and surprisingly Lunch. Last were Dende, Yajirobe, and Corrin. Piccolo was already here same as the past couple days. As I started to slide back into my mind I felt two presences one I immediately recognized as Goten but the other puzzled me for a minute until I recognized Trunks. Both were filling my mind with their happiness and warmth. It pushed the darkness back far enough so I could think. Realizing how close I had come to losing myself and leaving Goten and Trunks. I decided that had better not happen again.

But with my come back to reality all of the pain came back as well. Mom was dead and she was gone for good. I realized the dragonballs couldn't work almost immediately. They can't revive anyone who died of natural causes. I couldn't believe mom was dead. She had always been there, especially when dad wasn't and now she was gone too. I almost slid back to the darkness to escape the pain, but once again Goten and Trunks bombarded me with warmth and happiness. Finally I felt somewhat ready to face everyone again. Holding Goten in my arms I opened the door and walked out to the party.

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As Gohan walked out with Goten everyone stopped talking. Bulma had told them about the past few days and warned them that he might not come out to see everyone. So needless to say they hadn't been expecting to see him and when they did it was quite a shock. Although Gohan had taken care of Goten the past few days he hadn't taken care of himself. He was still wearing the dirty and stained gi he had had on while sparring with Vegeta before going to his moms side, his hair was messier than usual and you could see the snarls. His skin was a pasty white tinged with gray and there were dark circles under his eyes indicating his lack of sleep. Bulma signaled furiously at people to quit staring. Once they got over their shock everyone eventually went over to Gohan to offer condolences and extend offers of help. Piccolo was relieved to see that Gohan didn't have his blank mask on anymore and decided to go talk to him. As he reached Gohan's side he realized how truly bad the kid looked but pushed that out of his mind to focus on the more immediate problem of Gohan's mental health.

"How are you feeling kid?"

Gohan sighed as his senses picked up the fact that it was Piccolo. He decided to answer Piccolo truthfully at least. When everyone else asked him how he was doing he had lied and said he was handling it, but he didn't feel like lying to Piccolo.

"I almost lost it Piccolo. The only thing that saved me was Goten and Trunks. I almost totally retreated into my mind a few hours more and I probably would have ended up catatonic or worse. But somehow the little squirts got in my head and pushed all the darkness away."

Piccolo was shocked he hadn't thought it was that bad. He thanked Dende the two babies had pulled Gohan back. Dende looked over at Piccolo for a minute with a questioning look as he heard Piccolo`s thanks. Piccolo just shook his head and Dende shrugged. Piccolo turned back to Gohan to ask him another question.

"Do you think it will happen again Gohan?"

Gohan looked thoughtful for a minute, then responded.

"I don't know Piccolo. I don't think it will as long as something else doesn't happen to someone I care about. If someone else dies or gets hurt then yeah I know it will happen again, but otherwise I don't think so. I have Goten and Trunks they keep me anchored even when they aren't in my mind. Being around them means I have something to do something to keep me here."

Just then Bulma, 18, and Lunch came over.

"Gohan, can we take Goten for a little bit?" Bulma asked.

Gohan hesitated for a minute, but then for the first time since Chi Chi died he handed Goten over to someone else, putting him in Bulma's arms. The women started walking over to where Krillin held Trunks, Bulma calling out over her shoulder to Piccolo.

"Piccolo, take him over to the food to get something to eat while we have Goten!"

Piccolo looked down at Gohan who was looking like he regretted giving Goten up. Putting a hand on Gohan's shoulder he began to steer the twelve-year-old over to the food saying.

"Let's get you something to eat kid. You can't take care of your brother if you starve yourself to death."

Gohan looked reluctant but allowed himself to be lead over to the picnic tables where Yajirobe, Vegeta, Oolong, Tien, and Chaoutzu were stuffing their faces. Sitting down he began to eat. Piccolo smiled to himself relieved that Gohan was starting to come back. Yamcha and Krillin turned on the big screen TV Bulma had brought outside and were watching a baseball game. After they finished eating Gohan and the rest of the guys except Vegeta, who propped himself against a tree, settled around the TV to watch the game. Gohan couldn't see the action but could hear it well enough to know what was happening, he wasn't really interested in the game but it helped him keep his mind busy. It was in the middle of the third inning when the baseball game cut off and a newscaster appeared.

"Sorry to interrupt this program but we have received startling information. As you know researchers have had an ongoing study to discover the identity of the mysterious group of fighters at the Cells games. We have just received a report that some of the fighters have now been identified."

Everyone except Gohan who was listening, was staring at the TV in horror they hadn't expected this to happen. Just then a picture of Yamcha from the Cell games showed up on the screen and the anchorman continued to speak.

"This man has been identified as Yamcha. Better known to some as the Bandit, he played professional baseball some year's back and was known to compete in previous Tenkaichi Boudakai's. We were unable to find him at the moment but hope to get some commentary later on."

As they spoke about him Yamcha's jaw dropped to the floor and he looked shocked. Then his faced changed to an expression of disgust as he spoke.

"Well shit, there goes my privacy."

The next photo appeared on screen, this time it was of Tien.

"This was the next fighter identified. His name is Tienshinhan (sp?). he was a previous Boudakai fighter as well and won the 22nd Boudakai over Son, Goku. Since then he seems to have disappeared but we are currently looking to locate him."

Tien looked pissed but managed to mutter, "like hell they will find me."

The next photo that came up was the one they least expected. It was a picture of Vegeta in normal form. Even Vegeta looked surprised as the newscaster continued.

"This is the last photo we have for now. We have very little information about this man but what we do know is astounding. This man is named Vegeta Briefs and is husband to Bulma Briefs of Capsule Corps. The two have a son named Trunks. Ever since he has appeared at Mrs. Brief's side this man has gained a reputation of being the most dangerous man on earth besides Hercule Satan earth's savior. We have not been able to get an interview with either Bulma Briefs or her husband, partially because no reporter will go near Mr. Briefs. That is it for now and we will let you return to your previously scheduled program after a few words from the savior of earth Mr. Satan."

The picture of the TV newscaster disappeared and Hercule appeared onscreen in front of what looked like thousands of fans. As soon as he noticed the camera on him Hercule began to speak.

"YEAHHHHHHHH! I AM THE GREATEST! THOSE PUNY FIGHTERS HAVE NOTHING ON ME WITH THEIR PITIFUL LIG--- KABOOOM!!"

The TV exploded in a shower of sparks. Everyone looked from the TV, which was now a smoking heap of plastic over to Gohan who still had his hand, raised from firing the ki blast into the TV. As one all of the Z fighters and everyone else began to clap even Bulma whose new TV had just been blown up. Putting one hand behind his head in typical Son fashion he spoke.

"Sorry bout that Bulma, I kind of got a little pissed."

Bulma sighed "That's ok kid, it was worth seeing that idiot get blown up even if its not for real."

After the news break no one felt much like watching TV anymore. Yamcha and Tien were discussing ways to avoid reporters and Krillin was talking about how he was glad they hadn't recognized him yet. Vegeta was smirking slightly because they had labeled him the most dangerous man on earth. He didn't count the mention of Hercule. Gohan had retrieved Goten and brought Trunks as well and moved all of them to sit under a tree. Goten and Trunks were gripping each other trying to play. Gohan had set them down and both were cooing and crawling around each other. Piccolo walked over and stood next to Gohan and watching the babies. Finally the time came to put up the monument to Chi Chi next to Goku's. Since Goku's was back at the Son's house by Mt. Paoz (sp?) everyone who could fly, except Gohan who was still holding Trunks and Goten, took off towards the house. Bulma, Gohan holding baby Goten and Trunks, and the rest who couldn't fly piled into Bulma's airbus to fly there.

After a little while the airbus set down on the front lawn and everybody got out. While the atmosphere at Capsule Corps had been slightly happy the mood was now somber and the air was thick with regret. Krillin and Bulma placed the marble pillar made for Chi Chi, next to the nearly identical one for Goku, in the ground. One by one everyone said a few words in remembrance except Vegeta, Gohan, and Piccolo. After everyone had gone they had a moment of silence. Then everyone gave their condolences to Gohan once more and the group began to disperse and go home. Finally everyone had left except Bulma, Vegeta, Trunks, Piccolo, Goten, and Gohan.

Vegeta had been closely observing Gohan the past couple days but especially today. Throughout the day Gohan's ki had been slowly but surely rising something none of the other fighter had noticed because it was so gradual. Although Gohan's power level was nothing to worry about now Vegeta wanted to be prepared in case Gohan lost it. With that in mind he leaned over to Bulma and whispered in her ear.

"Woman, do you have any tranquillizers?"

Bulma looked startled for a minute but then nodded. Vegeta then asked his second question.

"Are they strong enough to take down a Super Saiyan?"

Bulma once again nodded wondering what Vegeta was getting at but not wanting to disturb the silence. Once again Vegeta whispered in her ear.

"Where do you keep them? I want them handy if the brat gets out of control."

Bulma's eyes got real wide as she realized what Vegeta meant and then whispered back.

"I carry them with me along with the first aid kit just in case you lose your temper in public and start blowing things up."

Vegeta scowled at Bulma but decided other things were more important than giving the woman a piece of his mind.

"Take the little brats back home and wait for us there."

Bulma nodded, went over to Gohan and spoke softly to him for a moment. Reluctantly Gohan gave Trunks and Goten over to Bulma as he continued to stand and stare at his parent's markers. Bulma walked back and as she passed Vegeta she whispered in his ear and slipped him a small pouch full of the tranquilizer darts.

"Be careful Vegeta and I want him alive I don't care what you have to do. Under no circumstances is he allowed to die. Got it?"

Vegeta just gave her a glare as he responded.

"Whatever woman, although you might want to set up that new earthquake shield of yours."

At that Bulma's eyes went round and she hurried back to the airbus muttering under her breath about warning the cities of possible earthquakes in the next couple hours.

Bulma finally left leaving Vegeta and Piccolo alone watching Gohan. Gohan's ki was now rising a lot faster than it had the whole day if he kept it up for much longer he would turn super Saiyan. All of a sudden Gohan took off into the air immediately Piccolo and Vegeta followed staying a short distance back. Piccolo looked over at Vegeta.

"Do you have those tranquilizers handy?"

Vegeta was pissed he had forgotten about the Namek's damn ears.

"Yes."

"When do you plan on giving it to him Vegeta?"

Vegeta was irritated now he had to explain things to the damn Namek he didn't want to but knew the damn green man wouldn't leave him alone until he did.

"The boy is a Saiyan Namek I don't plan on giving him one until the last possible second."

Piccolo was pissed Gohan could do a lot of damage when he was pissed unless he was far away from people.

"What are you thinking Vegeta you know how much damage he can do just by powering up!"

Vegeta looked over at Piccolo in disgust before answering.

"Even though the brat is Saiyan he still thinks like his father haven't you noticed where he is going."

Piccolo looked down sure enough they were out in the desert areas far away from

people in fact they were almost to where they had first met up with Vegeta and Nappa.

"If the brat doesn't let loose some of that anger now what do you think will happen later when it finally blows. By waiting until the last minute the brat will have let most of it out."

Finally understanding Piccolo nodded. It would be better for Gohan if he got all of the anger out now and not somewhere where it might hurt somewhere. Up ahead Gohan descended and finally landed. Piccolo looked around and saw that they were indeed where they had first met Vegeta and Nappa. He could still see the long crater his body had made when he died along with other craters. As Piccolo and Vegeta landed a little bit away from him Gohan just looked over his shoulder and growled a sentence at them.

"Stay back and out of my way. Especially you Piccolo."

With that his ki once again began rising this time at a much faster rate than before. Beside Piccolo Vegeta immediately made the jump to Super Saiyan and Piccolo began to power up as well. The ground began to crack around Gohan his ki was rapidly rising to Super Saiyan level. All around him the ground was shaking and trembling little pieces of rocks and dirt were rising into the air drawn by the energy of the young boy a wind began to pick up ruffling his hair. Gohan's fists were clenched as he built his power up even more. With a scream, a burst of light and an explosion he turned Super Saiyan. Vegeta and Piccolo were both braced against the power Gohan was putting out but had to shield there eyes from the light and debris that came from the Gohan's transformation.

As the golden energy whipped around his body Gohan still screamed. He screamed all of the pain, anger, and guilt he felt into the sky. Below his feet the crater made by his transformation was expanding spreading rapidly from the increase of his energy. Some of the surrounding mountains and hills began to crumble more rocks and debris filled the air. Vegeta and Piccolo took to the sky so as not to get caught in Gohan's expanding energy. Piccolo was taken back by Gohan's power he knew that Gohan had it but the only time he had remotely seen it was at the Cell games. Even then it was nothing like this Gohan had always held back but it seemed like he wasn't now.

Maneuvering around in the air so that he could see Gohan from the front he was shocked. Piccolo had finally somewhat gotten use to seeing Gohan's eyes be blue all the time with that creepy emptiness. Until know Gohan had refused to transform into a Super Saiyan during sparring with him and with Vegeta no matter how hard they tried to get him too so they had never seen what his eyes would be like in that form now that he was blind. Piccolo had never expected what he saw. Gohan's eyes were pure white there seemed to be no eyes it was as if there was just pure energy there Piccolo could see little strikes of lightning going from eye socket to eye socket crackling blue against the white background.

Out of the corner of his eye Piccolo saw Vegeta power up to his maximum and pull out one of the tranquillizers. Fighting against the energy Gohan was emitting Vegeta made it to Gohan's side and quickly stuck the tranquillizer in the side of his neck. For a minute it didn't look like it was going to work as Gohan smacked Vegeta away with one hand and picked the dart out of his neck with the other. But then slowly he began to sway from side to side his hair and eyes returning to normal and the energy he had been producing disappeared as he fell face first into the ground unconscious. Piccolo floated down to his fallen student and cast a glance over to one of the only remaining cliffs as Vegeta pulled himself out of the hole he had made when Gohan tossed him away. Piccolo picked Gohan up as Vegeta walked over. The Saiyan Prince looked at the boy for a minute then turned away shouting over his shoulder at Piccolo.

"If your going to carry the brat Namek then lets get going the woman is going to want to see the boy."

With that both warriors blasted off towards Capsule Corps with Piccolo carrying the unconscious Gohan.

Back at Capsule Corps as soon as Bulma had gotten home she had activated her new earthquake shield and began calling the mayors of the surrounding cities to warn them of possible earthquakes in the next few hours. About ten minutes after she finished her calls the ground began to shake. Bulma quickly ran to where Trunks and Goten where playing in a playpen, picked them up and ran to her lab the safest building in Capsule Corps. The earthquake's all lasted a total of twenty-min coming in waves. Once the strength of the quakes peaked and the tremors after began to have less strength then she knew it was over. Briefly she spared a thought to Vegeta before going out to survey the damage knowing she was going to have keep herself busy until Vegeta and Piccolo came back with Gohan.

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