Gohan's Return

[Author Note: In case you missed it, I cast a vote that asked if we should skip Gotenks vs Buu. The readers voted to skip it, so that's what I did. There has been a lot of complaining and readers being impatient with this story so if that's what they want, then I'll give that to them. I don't care much for retelling the anime, I was just doing it so the story was paced properly like a real novel. However, I don't think you guys care about pacing. At least, that's how it seems. This does not mean that Goten, Trunks, or any other character won't have their own chapters because they will. Side characters will get chapters if it is fully original content. Sorry for the big essay. Enjoy the chapter.]

During Gohan's experience in the World of the Kais, the others mourn his 'death' alongside Vegeta's. However, with Majin Buu on the loose, there wasn't time to waste crying over the dead. 

As the Z-Fighters took refuge atop The Lookout, Mr. Popo informed Piccolo of a technique called the Fusion Dance, where two fighters of equal strength perform a ritual that allows them to fuse their bodies and multiply their strength. 

Goten and Trunks, being the two strongest remaining fighters, were chosen as candidates to face Buu using the technique. And so, the two trained with Piccolo to perfect it. 

After Buu ate everyone at The Lookout, Goten and Trunks fused together to become Gotenks. They were shocked to find that his appearance had changed. Buu had actually managed to separate the evil from his heart, but that evil took form and consumed Buu's body, creating the form known as Super Buu. Though his skin was still pink, he took on a more muscular and mature form. In addition to obtaining this mean look, Buu also received an incredible power boost.

This new boost in power was extraordinary, but its strength alone was no match for Gotenks! However, this fusion was on a strict time limit and they failed to defeat Buu before they returned to their normal selves.

Without fusion, the two boys wouldn't be able to stand a chance against him and would perish at his hands. However, unbeknownst to them, Gohan would soon be on his way to defeat Buu himself.

In the World of the Kai's, Gohan was seen sitting cross-legged across from the Elder Kai, who was still seemingly awakening his power while reading a dirty magazine. Goku was nearby, having come back knowing that Gohan's new transformation was almost complete and he wanted to see it happen firsthand. However, none of them were aware that Goten and Trunks were on the brink of death.

"So, how long until it's done?" Gohan asked the Elder Kai. 

"Hm? It's been done for about fifteen minutes. I don't know."

"Fifteen minutes? And you had me sitting here when my friends might need my help!?"

"Use that anger to your advantage, Gohan. Do that thing where your hair changes color and you should see the difference."

"Right..." Gohan said, clenching his fists while letting out a monstrous shout. Prior to having his latent power awakened, Gohan's transformation would cause waves to crash and tree branches to rustle. This time though, the pressure radiating from his body was powerful enough to create tsunamis and pull trees from the root.

Goku was mesmerized, this power was unlike anything he'd ever witnessed; even as a Super Saiyan 3, he knew that he wouldn't be able to top this, even if it didn't constantly drain his body. 

When Gohan's transformation was complete, he didn't look any different. In fact, the others weren't sure if it worked. However, the crackling lightning that coursed through his body and the overwhelming energy swelling through him let him know that he did in fact become stronger.

"He doesn't look any different, but I can sense his strength. It's way beyond that of a Super Saiyan, even his Tempered form... Incredible!" said Goku.

"Gohan, you should head to Earth immediately," Shin told him.

Gohan looked at his father and smiled sadly. This would be the last time he would ever see him, so he was savoring the moment. He approached his father, who was smiling proudly and then he embraced him.

Goku laughed, wrapping both arms around his son for what could quite possibly be the final time. "I wish I could fight you one last time, but it's probably best that you go and stop Buu as soon as possible, right?"

"Right," Gohan told him.

"You know, Gohan... Sometimes, I ask King Kai to let me check in on you guys. I see that I have another Son back on Earth. His name is Goten, right?"

"Yeah, he looks just like you. Mom says he was your parting gift; that you left a piece of yourself behind."

Goku chuckled, squeezing his eldest son. "Tell him that I'm sorry, will ya? For not being there for him. I know what it's like to grow up without meeting your parents. It's tough, but if he's anything like me, he's strong enough to get through it."

"Yeah, he is. He's even stronger than I was at his age. You know, he's already a Super Saiyan?"

"Is he really? Trunks too?" 

"Yeah. Those boys are something else."

"They're the future. It makes me happy to know that I have two sons out there who can protect our world. I have faith that you can beat Buu."

"I do too."

"I love you, Gohan. Tell Chi-Chi and Goten that I said I love them too."

"I love you too, Dad. And I will."

"Good, now go save the world. Show him what a Saiyan is made of."

Gohan released his father, getting a good look at his face so as to never forget it. Though it pained him to do so, he walked away and approached Kibito. "I'm ready," he told him.

"Hold it," said the Elder Kai. "Take these with you." He handed Gohan two earrings, the ones he was wearing.

"Earrings?" Gohan mumbled. "What's jewelry going to do for me in a fight?"

"These aren't just any earrings, you see. Snap one of these on your left ear and then have someone else wear one on their right. In doing so, the two of you will permanently fuse, multiplying your strength."

"So once I fuse with someone, there's no going back?"

"Correct, so choose wisely."

Gohan clutched the earrings tightly before shoving them into his pocket. "Alright, then. I'll use these only if I have no other choice."

Kibito grabbed Gohan by the shoulder, giving him one last moment to say goodbye to his father. Goku smiled, giving his son a thumbs up as he saw him off. Gohan mirrored his father's gesture, smiling bitterly before he and Kibito disappeared and teleported back to Earth. 

Once there, Gohan could feel Buu's energy from afar and he could tell that it had grown. "We've arrived. Good luck, Gohan." Kibito was about to leave, but Gohan stopped him.

"Hold on," Gohan said. "Remember how you changed my clothes to look like this?" he asked, pointing to the Kai uniform he was wearing. Kibito nodded.

"Can you change it to look like my dad's orange gi? I want to honor his legacy."

Kibito nodded once more. "Of course," he said before changing Gohan's outfit to an exact replica of his father's. 

"Good luck," Kibito teleported back to the World of the Kais and Gohan flew toward where he sensed Buu's energy.

The moment Gohan had touched down to Earth, Buu, Trunks, Goten, and Piccolo could sense his presence. 

"What is that?" Piccolo asked, looking around frantically.

"Is it an enemy?" Goten wondered.

"If it is, then we need to finish Buu off now!" Trunks dashed toward the pink ruffian and Goten followed suit. 

"Boys, wait!" Piccolo called out, but there was nothing he could do to stop them from charging in head first. Despite being older, wiser, and having years of experience under his belt, these children were far stronger than him. No matter how badly he wanted them to listen, he couldn't force them.

Goten and Trunks pincered Buu, attacking him with kicks and fists with such speed, that Piccolo could hardly follow. Buu's senses were far sharper, allowing him to avoid each attack as if the boys were moving in slow motion. 

Buu had grown tired of playing with the boys and he was already full from eating the others, so he simply fired a beam from his finger, impaling one of the two boys through the heart. The Super Saiyan's hair was restored to its normal color and Piccolo let out a resounding scream that resonated through the desert.

Gohan could sense that one of the energies he felt had depleted, and he could immediately feel a pit form in his stomach as he was able to pinpoint who it was. "No!" he yelled, charging forward as the lightning around his body roared. 

Piccolo was too afraid to move, watching the Saiyan's body fall. The other boy looked on with wide, tear-filled eyes, seeing his friend's life was taken away in an instant. 

Just then, Gohan had arrived, landing at the exact same time as the child's body. Simultaneously, Piccolo, Gohan, and the remaining child both screamed the boy's name.

"Goten!"

Gohan felt a rage bubbling inside of him that he hadn't felt since the day he fought Cell. If he'd just arrived a few seconds earlier, his brother could have been fighting beside him. But now, he was gone. He watched as Trunks cried over Goten, shaking his corpse in an attempt to wake him up. He then looked at Piccolo, who wore an apologetic look. Despite the Namekian not saying a word, Gohan was able to hear him say, "I'm sorry," through his eyes.

"It's okay Piccolo. There's nothing you could have done. We can wish him back with the Dragon Balls. Where's everyone else?"

"They're all dead... Even the ones who don't fight. He ate them..." Piccolo told him.

Gohan bit his lip and his body started shaking the Earth. "My mom and Videl too?"

"Yes... I'm sorry..." 

"What about Dende?"

"I haven't seen him... but he may still be alive." Piccolo was almost certain that Dende was eaten as well, but he wanted to give Gohan hope that he could bring everyone back.

"In that case..." Gohan stepped toward Buu, each time his foot touched the ground, it sounded like thunder booming through mountains. Buu laughed, taunting the boy as he got closer.

"Hmm... I see the resemblance. What was her name? Chi-Chi, I believe. Yes, she tasted the most delicious out of all of them." Buu watched as Gohan stopped just inches in front of him, smiling at the difference in height between them. Gohan looked up into Buu's eyes, just itching to eradicate him.

"So, are you going to fight me, next?" Buu asked.

"Fight you?" Gohan said.

"No, I'm going to kill you."

_______________________

Meanwhile, King Yenma was seen at his desk, looking down at the strongest warrior he could find in Hell. "I have no idea where Goku has disappeared to, which means, you are our last hope. I'm going to bend the rules and let you visit Earth for twenty-four hours. If you can defeat him, then I will make this revival permanent. Understood."

The warrior stood with his arms folded, looking up at King Yenma with a smirk. He scoffed. "You better keep your half of the deal once I beat him," said the warrior. 

"You have my word. Now go, Vegeta. Help Gohan save the Earth."