Chapter 4: Vegetasei’s Words 

            Gohan woke up in a small cave. There was a carpet of soft, green grass. Vines hung across the walls like a curtain, with white and red flowers blooming on it. A small pool in the center held dark purple water, shimmering with a light that was not there. One hole in the wall let in an eerie light.

            The pool suddenly began to swirl. A small water tunnel spun up into the air in front of Gohan’s face and out of it came a beautiful young woman. The water splashed back into the pool and the young woman landed on the ground.

            “Hello, little Saiyan…I’ve waited long for you to arrive.” the woman said softly.

            “You’re…the voice,” Gohan said.

            “Yes,” the woman said. “I have been guiding you, but to no avail.”

            “Who exactly are you?” Gohan asked.

            “I am the spirit of Vegetasei. You are in my home within the depths of Mt. Koarna-sul, in a cave that very few have entered. Only one other Saiyan has come in here, you know…your grandfather, Bardock came here…once, long ago.”

            “Why did he come here?” Gohan inquired curiously.

            “I brought him here. Without me to lead someone here, it cannot be found. This is the Amethyst Cave, named for this pool beneath our feet. If you drink the water of the pool, you will gain a power that no other has seen. Bardock came and drank from the pool…that is how he gained his sight. If you drink this water now, there might be a way for you to complete your mission,” Vegetasei said.

            “Why was I brought here? Why didn’t you bring my father, or Vegeta, or someone else?” Gohan asked.

            “Because, little Saiyan, Goku is needed on Earth right now. There are things going on there that cannot be controlled. Vegeta is too arrogant. You were the only choice. You are the only one strong enough. It is apparent that you would be chosen…you are the only one that fate will accept.”

            “But…what about my family and friends? Do they think I’m dead?”

            “Yes…but you will return one day, Gohan. Just as soon as you complete your mission here,” Vegetasei said.

            “What do I have to do? Save Vegetasei from being destroyed by Frieza?”

            “Yes…but this will not change the past, only the future,” said Vegetasei mysteriously.

            “What do you mean?” Gohan asked.

            “Shh! I can say no more. I have already said too much. Now, I will give you one more try until I will be forced to alter things a bit. What I want you to do this time is grab Bardock as he walks up behind you and fly him to the castle. Before anyone sees you, though, you must give him this. It will let him know that you are to be trusted and then he will know what to do. Here.”

            Vegetasei reached into the pool and pulled out a pendant. It was made of a blood red ruby in the shape of a teardrop on a plain silver chain. She handed it to Gohan and he took it. He put it around his neck and thanked Vegetasei.

            “I don’t want you wasting any time. When you wake up on the ground, jump up and pull out the pendant before Bardock can pass out. He will ask where you got it: just tell him it was the one who gave him a gift back. Now go!”

            And blackness surrounded Gohan, and he was gone from the Amethyst Cave.

            Gohan was on the sand for the third time. He shot up and turned around.

            “BARDOCK, LOOK!” he shouted, and pulled off the pendant. It dangled from his hand and shone in the desert sun.

            “How…Who gave you that?” Bardock asked.

            “The one who returned your gift,” Gohan said, still trying to piece together the puzzle of those words.

            Bardock gasped.

            “Toma, go home,” he said and walked toward Gohan.

            Toma didn’t move for a moment, but then decided it better not to argue. He turned and left.

            As soon as Toma was out of sight, Bardock approached Gohan and took the pendant.

            He flipped it around and ran his finger over it, studying it closely.

            “You’re not lying,” Bardock whispered.

            “We need to go to the castle. I have to tell the King about…oh never mind, there’s no time left! Just come on, and back me up when I talk to the King!” Gohan said, pulling at Bardock and then taking to flight.

            The two arrived at the castle moments later. Gohan blasted the guards and kicked in the door, Bardock in awe behind him. The two went as fast as they could go (Bardock lagging behind a bit) and reached the glass door within a minute. Gohan broke the door and blasted the guards before they could even think to move.

            “Ouji-sama, forgive me. This boy…listen to him. He has urgent news,” Bardock said, holding his hand over his eyes in what seemed to be a salute of some kind. Gohan didn’t follow suit but only stared at the King for a moment before speaking.

            “Do not go through with the rebellion, or all of the Saiyan race, except for two, will be completely destroyed,” Gohan blurted out.

            The King, surprisingly, laughed.

            “What an imagination! Brat, you have a very vivid mind. Now stop wasting my time and leave,” the King chuckled.

            “Ouji-sama, what he says is true. He has been told and so have I. Please believe us,” Bardock said, his hand now off of his eyes.

            “Well…I’m not sure. Give me a day to think it over.”

            “No!” Gohan cried. “Frieza is coming in less than twelve hours!”

            Bardock and the King gazed at the young half-Saiyan.

            “I believe we should trust him, Ouji-sama,” Bardock said.

            “I don’t! We are going through with this rebellion! I refuse to take advice from a little brat like him!”

            The King put his hand up suddenly and blasted them both.