Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Blinded ❯ Learning Your Limits ( Chapter 8 )

Learning Your Limits

Bulma holding Trunks and Goten, who hadn't been the least bit disturbed by the earth quake, stepped out of Capsule Corps to take a look around. There was absolutely no damage to Capsule Corps at all. Bulma did a little dance while holding the babies. Her new earthquake shield was a success. Bulma's attention was immediately diverted when she heard two soft thumps behind her. She turned around to see that Vegeta and Piccolo had landed with Piccolo holding Gohan who didn't look any worse for wear. Dashing over to them and getting a good look at Gohan who seemed to be asleep she looked at the two older warriors and spoke.

"I take it the tranquillizers worked?"

Piccolo chuckled a little and glanced at Vegeta who was fuming before answering.

"Not before Vegeta got slammed into a cliff."

Bulma looked at Vegeta who did indeed have some extra dust and dirt on him before turning back to Piccolo.

"Ok guys why don't you put him in his room for now Piccolo he should be out for at least eight hours."

Piccolo nodded and went inside with Gohan. Vegeta and Bulma stood there for a minute and just looked at each other before Vegeta spoke.

"Make them a little stronger woman the brat almost overpowered it."

Bulma just sighed and began walking back into the house.

"Whatever Vegeta."

Vegeta humpfed to himself and took off towards the gravity room no doubt to resume his training.

Piccolo walked into the room that had been designated as Gohan's and set the unconscious boy down on the bed. In sleep Gohan's face relaxed and actually looked his age. Everyone seemed to forget just how young he was and how much of a burden he carried at his age of twelve. Piccolo vaguely remembered that Gohan's thirteenth birthday was sometime soon, shaking his head he decided to figure that out later. Piccolo just sighed to himself and assumed his usual meditative pose resolved to wait until Gohan woke up.

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You know how when your going mad your supposed to think your normal and its just everyone around you that is going mad? Well it was a little different for me, I knew I was going insane. Mom and then Goten were always the ones who kept me connected to reality. After Cell I was only clinging to those two threads, mom and Goten. Dad thought I didn't want to unleash my full power because I was afraid. Well he was right I was afraid. I had good reason to be they thought I wasn't aware of my power or of its full potential but the truth is they weren't aware of it. They didn't realize what kind of power it was. All they knew was that if I got angry enough I would power up beyond anything they imagined. They never seemed to consider why it was so powerful or what its true basis was.

Every time I gave into that anger it opened up a part of my mind that should never be opened up. Every time I tapped into that power I could feel the control over that part of my mind slipping. Anger and hatred are twins as are agony and pain all those together plus a few other scattered emotions such as helplessness and guilt are the very basis for insanity. All of that is locked up in that dark corner of my mind its no wonder it is also the key to opening that door. I don't know if everyone has that part of their mind or if it's only in me but I do know that it can and will destroy me if I don`t control it. I have tried so hard to keep that door locked but despite my best efforts it was opened time and time again.

Once it gets opened all of those emotions in my mind transform into power. What is more lethal than hatred and anger combined with power? Not much especially when you already have a significant amount of power normally. My dad could never understand something like this he has a carefree nature he doesn't seem to hold onto those types of emotions. Sure when he gets mad he can find more power within himself but it is never like mine. So he misinterpreted my power, as did everyone else even Piccolo. They thought it was either a part of my Saiyan side or just unique to me.

Always before when my power was released I retained enough control to think rationally and make the best use of it. The first time I ever totally lost control and let that part of my mind take over was with Cell. I had no control until my father died. His death and Cell's reappearance somehow shocked me back into control again. If I hadn't been in control I wouldn't have needed dad's help to finish the bastard off. I lose that power as I regain control, I still have a lot more than usual but I don't have it all. The only reason I became an Ascended Saiyan (SSJ2) is because my body was forced to. I wouldn't have reached it so soon without my other power expanding so much that my body couldn't contain it at that level. That's what the Super Saiyan levels are about it's your body changing to accommodate its new power. Anger helps to drive the body to the point where it has to change or face destruction. Dad was very close to Super Saiyan already when we were on Namek the anger over Krillin and other things just gave him the push he needed. The same as with Vegeta, except most of Vegeta's power is based on rage and anger. Vegeta's rage is less powerful because he uses it constantly. My dad hardly ever gets mad so when his anger comes out it comes with a lot of power.

I know what you're thinking. If what I am saying is true then that means I was almost as powerful as dad was at the Cell games before I ascended. That's very close to truth I was a little less powerful than my dad in Super Saiyan form but as I said before my power is different. My anger and rage are far more powerful than my dad's is. I still haven't figured out the answer to that yet but I will eventually.

The only other time I have lost total control of that dark part of my mind was today. The day we put a marker in the ground signifying mom's death. Another thread that keeps me bound to this world was cut. The only strong thread I have now is Goten. I have weaker threads Krillin, Bulma, Yamcha, and the rest of the gang. I also have two more slightly stronger thread, Trunks and Piccolo. Their threads are almost as strong as Goten's because of those three I am tied to this world in a way I welcome it but in another I loath it. It wasn't her death that made me lose it was that marker standing next to dad's signifying she was gone and he was gone and that they would never be back. It was always in the back of my mind that as long as there wasn't a marker then she wasn't really gone. So when they placed it in the ground it was all of a sudden real.

My mind didn't handle it to well. Again all of those emotions anger, hatred, agony, pain; helplessness and guilt were swirling around in my mind. I fought for control I didn't want to let that door open again. Just in case I had decided to fly to somewhere safe and headed out to the desert the sight of my first actual battle. In some corner of my mind I was aware that Piccolo and Vegeta followed me I just hoped that if anything serious happened they could stop it before it was to late. At the battle sight I touched down and I could feel my control slipping. I only had the time to growl a warning at Piccolo before my control broke.

To be honest I only have the impressions of heat, intense light, and the power that rushed through my veins, and it is a rush. Once its there you crave for it to continue it makes you feel alive like nothing before. I know I turned Super Saiyan and then ascended. I had been avoiding that since Cell, turning Super Saiyan reminded me too much of that locked door. I didn't want it opening on accident. I don't really know what happened until I felt Vegeta next to me sticking something in my neck. My first reaction was to hit him and I watched as he flew into a cliff. Then the power surging through me began to drop rapidly and I began to feel woozy and sleepy. I realized Vegeta must have stuck me with a tranquillizer and that was my last thought until now.

The state of rest between being fully asleep and being awake is a contemplative place. I have always been able to muse things through without any interruption there. Its where I realized what my power was and where it was from and why. Unfortunately something always jolts you to being awake for me this time it was my mentor's presence. As I focused on him and where he was the dream place faded away and I was truly awake.

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Piccolo opened his eyes and uncurled from his lotus position, he could tell Gohan was awake. According to Bulma he was supposed to be out for eight hours but he had only been asleep for four. Piccolo decided to start the conversation.

"How are you feeling?"

Gohan sat up on the bed eyes still closed.

"Like I was run over by a truck. What was in that tranquillizer Vegeta gave me?"

Piccolo was a little surprised he didn't think Gohan would remember that part.

"I don't know you will have to ask Bulma she gave it to him from what I heard she had originally made it to use on Vegeta."

Gohan groaned swung his legs over the bed and put his head in his hands. His voice was muffled as he spoke.

"Well whatever it was it worked. I got one major headache though and I'm hungry as hell."

Piccolo almost grinned, he should have expected that but he still had one question to ask.

"Do you remember everything Gohan?"

The boy sighed and ran his hands through his hair.

"I remember bits and pieces and up until I landed at the battle field then not much only light and heat and then, Vegeta sticking me in the neck and me sending him flying into a cliff, then after that nothing. I'm going to go get some food and check on Goten."

With that he headed out the door with his eyes still closed and Piccolo behind him. They found Bulma, Vegeta, Trunks and Goten all in the kitchen. Both Bulma and Vegeta's heads snapped up as Gohan entered with Piccolo trailing behind him the two babies just waved and giggled happily more interested in playing with each other. Bulma was shocked that Gohan was awake but it was Vegeta who spoke up first.

"Boy what are you doing awake your not supposed to be up for another four hours and why are your eyes closed?"

Gohan looked startled at the news that he was supposed to still be asleep but walking over to Goten and picking him up he just replied.

"Sorry but I am awake, and I'm also sorry for tossing you into the cliff earlier. And thanks to both you and Bulma for coming up with that tranquillizer thing."

Bulma was coming out of her shock and looked thoughtfully at Gohan before asking.

"Hey Gohan would you mind if I took a sample of your blood to see how the tranquillizer is working and how your body is reacting?"

"Sure Bulma."

Was Gohan's reply as he made faces at Goten and bent down to pick Trunks up and make faces at him too. As they both turned to go to Bulma's lab Vegeta's voice halted them in their tracks.

"Wait right there brat you never answered my question why are your eyes still closed?"

Gohan just smiled enigmatically and replied.

"Because right now I can see better when they are shut rather than when they are open."

With that comment Bulma and Gohan, with Trunks and Goten in his arms, disappeared down to the lab leaving Piccolo and Vegeta alone in the kitchen.

"What the fuck did he mean by that?"

Vegeta mumbled to himself and was surprised as Piccolo answered.

"It means he is focusing more on what he can sense its easier without the confusion of barely seeing shapes through his eyes, and I'm willing to bet he was sensing emotions as well trying to figure out what all of our reactions would be."

Vegeta cursed himself he had forgotten those big ears the Namek had twice in one day, but he snarled a response anyway.

"Well the brat better damn well be worried I don't need him going psycho again and interrupting my training. With that comment he left the kitchen to presumably train in the gravity room. Piccolo left to inform Dende of everything that happened. Mean while down in the lab Trunks and Goten were playing in a playpen while Bulma was examining Gohan's blood and having a conversation with Gohan.

"So what happened out there Gohan?"

She peered into her microscope adjusting knobs and dials. Gohan sighed as he responded.

"It all just got to me Bulma and I couldn't hold it in. That marker made it so final."

As he thought about the marker the anger he had previously was replaced by deep sadness. It was better than the anger but still unwelcome.

Bulma looked up with sympathy for a moment before turning back to the blood and her questions.

"Do you think it will happen again Gohan? It was really scary even Vegeta was worried. It was his idea to use the tranquillizer in case everything got too far out of control. We had earthquakes in all the cities around here."

Gohan shook his head he should have figured Vegeta was the one who thought of tranquillizers. The Saiyan Prince was incredibly smart sometimes.

"You know Bulma I don't think it will be that bad again. Most likely if anything happens it will be on the anniversary of when dad died, but that is in two months and I don't think I will because I just blew up now. I think I blew up so bad at mom's because I didn't get to blow up at dad's first one was because I was to busy with the dragonballs."

With that he finally opened his eyes. Piccolo was right he had been keeping his eyes closed so he could concentrate on reading the emotions of those around him to reassure himself. Bulma made an excited sound and began rapidly typing into her computer as she spoke.

"Gohan this is amazing your body neutralized the sedative in half the time predicted I based it on some of Vegeta's blood in Super Saiyan form but I'm guessing that your level was higher. This is absolutely amazing!"

She went back to her microscope and back to her computer before speaking out again.

"I don't need any more of your blood but this is going to take a while to process everything. Do you think you could take care of Trunks and Goten for me while I'm working? I know they love you and would probably enjoy playing a little outside or something. Please?"

Gohan just laughed stood up and collected Goten and Trunks out of the playpen.

"Sure Bulma you know I love taking care of these two."

With that he left the lab to go upstairs and outside. Leaving Bulma to her analysis and data gathering.

The days began to pass it had been found out that Chi Chi had written a will dated just after Goku had died stating that if anything happened to her Bulma would have legal guardianship over Gohan and Goten. With that Gohan and Goten were permanently moved into Capsule Corps. Bulma found out about Gohan's birthday but they didn't make a big deal over it at Gohan's insistence. Once again days and then months began to pass. Gohan was training with Piccolo and Vegeta again as well as working on developing his mental abilities. Goten and Trunks were both growing rapidly and Bulma had turned her attention to inventing machines to help Gohan with his studying now that he couldn`t read normal books. Bulma had insisted that he continues his studies and to be truthful Gohan hadn't protested to loudly because he knew that's what his mom would have wanted.

On the second anniversary of Goku's death Gohan went to visit his parents grave with Vegeta and Piccolo standing by. He stayed the whole day and even went into the house and cleaned off all the dust and covers on the furniture. He didn't have a blow up but there was definitely a depressed feeling to him. It lingered for a few days after but went away in the midst of Goten and Trunks baby antics.

Friday was the day Gohan reserved for his mental training strengthening his mind and working on his control. He would study and train in the morning but the afternoons he would go to his room to meditate and do various mind exercises. It was on one of these Fridays, Gohan was now thirteen and a half and Goten was a year and ten months, when Gohan decided to test his limits.

He had been experimenting with distance lately and was wondering how far his mind could reach to talk to someone. Assuming his meditative pose and clearing his mind he decided to start out small. Stretching out his senses a little bit he found Bulma.

//Hey Bulma. //

Bulma who was working in her lab looked up startled for a minute but then realized Gohan was practicing again. She had long ago gotten used to him using his mind to talk to her when he was practicing. Knowing he would hear her she spoke back in her mind.

//Oh hey Gohan you practicing again? //

//Yep Bulma talk to you later ok? //

//Sure thing kid. //

Gohan broke the connection and started looking for his next target Vegeta. Finding the Prince in the gravity room he waited a minute before contacting him.

//Hey Vegeta working out again? //

Vegeta stopped in the middle of his kata and turned expecting to see the brat in the doorway. When he failed to see Gohan there he got pissed the damn brat was talking in his head again.

//Dammit brat I told you not to mess with my head!"

Gohan's mind voice took on an injured tone.

//I'm not messing with your head Vegeta you know that. I'm just talking to you. //

Vegeta's mind voice snarled has he responded.

//I don't care what you call it brat stop doing it! Now! //

There was silence as Gohan broke the link, Vegeta was always touchy it never changed even though Gohan wasn't peeking or anything. Giving a mental shrug Gohan decided to try and reach out a little further. Spreading out his senses even more he found Piccolo by his waterfall.

//Hey Piccolo. How are you? //

Unlike the others Piccolo knew Gohan was talking in his mind so he didn't bother opening his eyes to look around.

//You know I'm fine kid you just saw me this morning. //

//I know Piccolo but its still polite to ask. //

//So what do you want kid? //

Gohan gave another mental shrug.

//Nothing really Piccolo I'm just practicing. But I'm going to go now I got some more people I got to talk to. //

//Ok kid see you tomorrow. //

After Piccolo Gohan moved on and talked to Krillin and Eighteen who were at Kame house. Eighteen was a month or two pregnant and Krillin was ecstatic. After that Gohan reached out to Chaoutzu and Tien who were currently in Tibet. Both were very eager to talk to Gohan and catch up on the latest news. The last of the Z-fighters was Yamcha who was currently in America on a baseball player trade program. When Gohan contacted him Yamcha was more than eager to talk, he missed his home and friends.

After finishing checking on all the Z-fighters and friends Gohan took a short rest and gathered his mind for the journey it was about to take. This time Gohan was going to try to reach out all the way to planet Namek. He had never tried to reach out so far before and wanted to see if he could. Slowly he aimed his senses out in the direction he knew Namek to be. At first he felt nothing not even a glimmer of a Namek mind so he stretched his senses out further and just as he was about to give up he felt a bunch of Namek minds a little ways away from him. Deciding it would be better not to scare the regulars Namek's he searched out the consciousness of the eldest Namek Muuri.

//Hello elder Muuri It's me Gohan//

To say the eldest Namek was surprised was an understatement he was absolutely shocked he knew Gohan wasn't on the planet so he had to be speaking telepathically. But that was impossible earth was too far away for that to happen. Muuri decided to ask Gohan what was happening.

//Hello Gohan. How is that you are speaking to me? I know you're not on the planet and earth is to far away for simple telepathy. //

Gohan's mind voice just chuckled in the eldest Namek's mind as the boy responded.

//Actually it is I was blinded by an enemy and my apparently latent emphatic and telepathic abilities came out. //

//That is absolutely amazing for someone as young as you Gohan. //

Muuri was definitely surprised he had never heard of someone with so many mental abilities and power being that young. He was glad it was Gohan and not somebody else who had evil in their hearts. Gohan had long ago proved himself to be a pure hearted warrior.

//I was surprised as well elder Muuri, but it happened and now I am testing its limits and I have a question to ask. Can someone with telepathy and enough power actually talk to someone in otherworld? //

Elder Muuri was puzzled as to why Gohan would want to know but answered anyway.

//There have been only two people that I know of whom did. One died immediately after because they used too much energy to get there and back. The second went insane for reasons unknown but no one has done it for over a thousand years or even attempted to because it is so dangerous. //

//But people have done it right? //

//Yes but why do you want to know? //

//Because I'm going to do it. Thanks for the information elder Muuri I will come back sometime soon. Bye for now. //

//Wait Gohan its too dangerous boy you could die. //

Elder Muuri tried to call out his warning in time but it was to late Gohan had already closed the link. Muuri shook his head he just hoped the young boy would be ok. Back at Capsule Corps Gohan was once again preparing his mind for another journey. Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly he let his mind open and his senses expand.

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