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Chapter 7: The Conclusion of Fate

Gohan followed Piccolo as they flew back to Kame House, but he had a strange feeling that they should go back to Goku. Gohan stopped and looked back at the battlefield with growing worry. He didn't know why, but he had this nagging urge to go back to his father. Piccolo stopped as well, with an annoyed look on his face.

"Gohan, what are you doing?" Piccolo asked.

"Mr. Piccolo, I think my Father is in trouble," Gohan said, looking out at the wasteland Goku and Vegeta were battling in. Piccolo flew next to Gohan and closed his eyes. Suddenly his eyes snapped open. "What's wrong?"

"Goku is in trouble, nice job Gohan, let's hurry!" Piccolo said.

Gohan nodded, and they flew as fast as they could. The ground below them so fast that Gohan couldn't catch even a small glimpse of what the landscapes below were. As they neared Goku's fading power level, Gohan heard loud screaming, which triggered an intense memory in his mind, that would haunt him forever.

...Gohan watched in horror as Raditz tripped his father, causing him to land with a mighty thud. Before Gohan could help him, Raditz began stomping on Goku's chest. His screams of agony echoed, and tears appeared at the corners of Goku's eyes. Gohan was crying himself, seeing his father in pain was incredibly hard to look at. Suddenly, Gohan felt something rising, both Goku and Raditz looked up at him and before Gohan knew it, he had head-butted Raditz dead on.

Gohan sped up, trying to brush away the memories of his father's death. As Gohan neared, he saw Goku being crushed in the hands of a giant ape. He looked around for any foolish people that might be in the area and was shocked to see Yajirobe hiding behind one of the rock formations. Gohan looked to where Goku was and was surprised to see Nappa lying there, unconscious. He didn't know what to think of seeing him again.

Gohan's attention was brought back to Goku as he cried out, this time more desperately. Gohan knew that they needed to make a plan, and fast. Gohan gathered Yajirobe and Piccolo and they all hid behind one of the rock formations.

"Before we rescue my father, we need a plan. Blindly running in won't get us anywhere," Gohan said. "Piccolo, do you have any ideas?"

"Hmm...I know. Gohan, you ki blast Vegeta to make him drop Goku, and then Yajirobe swoops in and cuts off the beast's tail. I'll distract him while Yajirobe gets in position," Piccolo said.

"That sounds good," Gohan said. He then turned to Yajirobe, who was looking at Piccolo like he was insane. "What do you think, Yajirobe?"

"You want me to get near him?! Are you insane?!" Yajirobe blurted out, fearful. Piccolo glared daggers at Yajirobe, who didn't seem to notice. "I won't do it!"

"You coward! Would you rather watch Goku die, orleast try to save his ass?! Would you rather watch Goku get squeezed to death?! Is that really what you want, Yajirobe?!" Piccolo snapped, anger blazing in his eyes. Gohan flinched back in fear. He was used to Piccolo being calm and relaxed. He didn't want to see him like this. Yajirobe looked terrified. "Get your ass into position and wait for Gohan to rescue Goku."

Yajirobe gulped, then nodded. Gohan watched as he hid behind a tall rock and kept a safe distance away from the battle. Goku's screams echoed so loud, even as Gohan tried to ignore them so that he and Piccolo could get into position. Once they were in position, Gohan formed a ki ball in his hand and threw it at Vegeta. The great ape growled and turned to Gohan, who had just jumped to the top of one of the rock towers.

"Get your hands off him!" Gohan shouted. He watched as Goku weakly smiled, hope shining in his eyes. "Put my father down!"

Vegeta glared at Gohan and dropped Goku, leaving Gohan's father barely alive. Gohan glared at Vegeta and flew at him, followed by Piccolo. Vegeta roared with fury, his red eyes piercing with malice. Gohan hestiated, nervously waiting for Yajirobe to cut off Vegeta's tail. Piccolo had a desperate look in his eyes as he glanced at him. Suddenly, Vegeta's eyes widened in agony, and he started decreasing, his fur receding, and his massive form quickly reverting back to his former size. Gohan watched, as Yajirobe fled the scene, sword in hand.