Chapter 5: A Twisting Of Times

            Gohan woke in the Amethyst Cave once again. He looked around…everything seemed the same, but at the same time different. The flowers on the wall were withering. The grass was turning brown. The color of the pool was becoming slightly lighter. And Vegetasei, who was standing in front of him, looked somewhat older…not the youthful young woman she was before.

            “Hello, little Saiyan…although I shouldn’t call you little anymore,” Vegetasei said, her voice seeming strained and tired.

            “What?” Gohan said, but needed no answer. His voice sounded…different.

            He stood and looked down at himself.

            “Whoa!” he cried, looking down at his body.

            He was older. He was much taller (the ground never seemed so far away), he had more muscle, and his hair felt lighter. He put his hand up to ruffle it, and he realized that it was very short. He was also wearing a strange outfit…the one his father had always worn.

            “I knew you’d like to wear something your father wore…it honors him on the planet he never knew,” Vegetasei sighed.

            “Why is everything faded?” Gohan asked.

            “I’ve given you part of my youth to make you older. The other form you were in wasn’t quite doing the trick, so I had to intervene. I hope this one works better for you.”

            “I think it will. I’m ten times stronger!” Gohan said happily, laughing.

            Vegetasei laughed a little bit, but she stopped.

            “Bardock and the rest are getting ready to start the rebellion. I will transport you to where they are holding the meeting and you will speak to them. You are of age now, Gohan. They will listen if they believe you are a worthy Saiyan. They might put you into the prospect of a fight. Fight only the King. Now close your eyes. Open them only after you hear me tell you to. Close them!” Vegetasei said.

            Gohan obeyed and closed his eyes.

            ::Open them. You look silly with them closed, especially where you are::

            Gohan opened his eyes. He was standing in the middle of a large group of men. At the head of the room, the King stood proudly, apparently annoyed that he had been interrupted.

            “Who are you?” the King demanded.

            “My name is Gohan,” Gohan said. “I have come with a message. I have been told by the spirit of Vegetasei that this planet will be destroyed if the rebellion takes place. Please, do not go through with it.”

            “And who are you to tell us this?” the King asked. “Are you even fit to be a Saiyan? You have no tail!”

            The entire room burst into laughter.

            “Then I’ll have to prove myself. Who is the strongest one in here?” Gohan asked, looking around.

            “How dare you! All Saiyans should know that the King is the strongest Saiyan anywhere!” a large, bald Saiyan said.

            “Then, Ouji-sama, will you do me the honor of a small match?” Gohan asked, inclining his head slightly.

            “Fine,” the King agreed. “I’m always looking for a challenge! But no ki attacks. I don’t need to be weak for the rebellion.”

            “But we need to make a deal,” Gohan said.

            “What deal is that?” the King asked.

            “If you win, I will leave you alone to go rebel against whoever the hell you want to. But if I win…if I win, you must back down from the rebellion and let me kill Frieza.”

            The room burst into laughter.

            “You think you can kill Frieza, boy?” the bald one laughed.

            “You can decide that for yourself. If you want, all of you an attack me at once. You can even add another planet if you want,” Gohan said, mentally slapping himself afterward for being so cocky.

            “I will battle you alone,” the King said firmly.

            “Fine,” Gohan said, dropping into a battle stance.