Gohan's POV:
I can't sleep again.
The nightmare is always the same. Mr. Toji, chained in darkness, his face contorted in pain as shadowy figures tear at him with claws of fire.
He calls my name, but I can't reach him. I try to run toward him, but my legs won't move. I try to scream, but no sound comes out.
I bolt upright in bed, my pajamas soaked with sweat, clutching the lightsaber hilt Mr. Toji made for me during our last roleplay, nearly two months ago. During the during two weeks, before the third week when that monster Slug came and Mr. Toji killed him.
It's nothing fancy – just a piece of metal piping wrapped in leather strips with a few buttons that don't actually do anything.
But when I channel my ki through it, just like he taught me, it creates a beam of pure energy.
"A Jedi crafts his own lightsaber," he had told me, placing it in my hands with surprising gentleness for someone wearing that intimidating black armor. "You're ready for yours now."
That was three days before Megumi got ill - 31 days before he died.
The memory hits me like a physical blow.
----------------------------
Mr. Toji is gone.
I still remember Dad coming home, his face serious. Mom knew something was wrong immediately- we hadn't told her yet. Didn't know how to really bring it up till then.
(It was more for us then Mom since she didn't really know Mr. Toji like us.)
Having decided Dad should tell mom, after the two of us accepted it a bit more (like it was possible).
"Goku?" she had asked, her voice small and worried.
Dad had looked at me, then back at Mom. "Chi-Chi, can I talk to you outside for a minute?"
I already knew- I was there after all. I saw him d- I saw... I saw Mr. Toji die...
I heard soft muffled speaking, but one thing was clearer than all.
"Yes, Chi-Chi." Dad's voice had cracked. "... the Dragon Balls can't bring him back."
--------------------------
I look at my alarm clock: 4:37 AM. Too early to get up, but I know I won't fall back asleep. I never do after the nightmare.
Instead, I slide out of bed and pull out the books I've hidden under my mattress – ancient texts about the afterlife that I borrowed from Kami's library when we visited the Lookout three days ago. I've been reading them every chance I get, searching for anything that might help.
Mr. Toji wouldn't give up if someone he cared about was suffering. He'd find a way to save them, no matter what. And that's exactly what I'm going to do.
----------------------------
My first visit to the Imperial Capital is still so vivid in my mind.
It was during those two weeks after Mr. Toji became Lord Duskborn. Dad had business with King Cold- something about learning more about Super Saiyan, and he'd finally convinced Mom to let me come along for a few days.
I was so excited I could barely sit still during the entire journey on Bulma's fastest spacecraft.
When we arrived, Mr. Toji was waiting for us at the landing pad. Even though he was wearing that intimidating Vader suit, I could tell he was happy to see us by the way he straightened up when we disembarked.
"Gohan," he had said, his mechanical voice somehow warm despite the modulator. "I was hoping you would come. There's someone I want to formally introduce you to."
He had taken me to the royal nursery where I met Megumi for the second time- the first time during the feast, but then I didn't really get a close look.
The baby looked up at me with those big violet eyes, so serious for someone so small, he was really cute.
Later that day, Mr. Toji had shown me the imperial gardens – a massive biodome filled with plants from a thousand different worlds.
"What do you think this one is?" he had asked, pointing to a strange blue flower that seemed to pulse with its own light.
It was a bit of a game we had during our trip to Namek. I liked talking about biology, science and biography- and Mr. Toji always listened to me, helped me study and made it fun.
He would pull up a picture on a tablet and ask me what it is and I would go on and on about it, and he would just listen and listen and never complain.
"I don't know," I'd admitted, studying it carefully. "But the petals look like they're designed to attract something that can see ultraviolet light. Maybe the insects on its home planet have different visual receptors than Earth insects?"
Mr. Toji had nodded, the mechanical breathing somehow conveying approval. "Excellent hypothesis. You're exactly right. This is a Luminaris from Centauri Prime. Its pollinators see primarily in the ultraviolet spectrum."
He had continued through the garden, asking my opinions on various plants.
And then, when we reached a secluded clearing, he had pulled something from his belt – a metal cylinder that looked just like a lightsaber hilt from Star Wars.
"I hear you're a fan," he had said with a playful tone, igniting a beam of white energy from the hilt. "Care to duel, young Skywalker?"
The smile I then felt bloom on my face was the biggest I had ever had.
For the next hour, we had pretended to be Jedi and Sith, with Mr. Toji showing me how to create my own ki blade and teaching me proper stance and form while staying completely in character as Darth Vader.
"Your stance is too wide, young one," he had rumbled in that deep mechanical voice. "Your opponent will exploit this weakness." Then he had gently tapped my ankle with his saber to demonstrate.
As the sun began to set, casting the garden in blue light, Mr. Toji had placed a hand on my shoulder and said in a extremely mock serious tone, "The Force is strong with this one."
I couldn't help but let out a loud laugh.
-------------------------
"Gohan? Are you studying already? It's only 7 AM."
Mom's voice pulls me from my memory. I quickly slide the afterlife texts under my math workbook as she enters my room.
"Just getting an early start," I lie, hating how easy it's becoming to deceive her.
She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. She's been watching me carefully since we got the news about Mr. Toji, probably worried about how I'm handling it.
"That's my scholar," she says, ruffling my hair. "But don't forget to eat breakfast. I made your favorite pancakes."
As I follow her to the kitchen, I notice Dad sitting at the table. He's been splitting his time between home and the Imperial Capital this week, helping with... whatever they're doing there. No one tells me much, treating me like I'm too young to understand.
"Morning, son," Dad says, his usual cheerful smile dimmed. "How'd you sleep?"
"Fine," I lie again. I don't want to worry him with my nightmares.
We eat in awkward silence until Dad announces he needs to head back to the Capital. Mom walks him outside, but I can still hear their conversation through the open window.
"Any progress?" Mom asks in a hushed tone.
Dad sighs. "No. Kami confirmed what Bardock said. The Dragon Balls can't reach where Toji is now. The gods have sealed him away for what he did."
"That poor man," Mom whispers, and I'm surprised by the genuine sadness in her voice. She'd always been polite but somewhat wary of Mr. Toji. "And that poor baby."
"Freeza's taking care of Megumi now," Dad says. "It's... strange to see. She's actually good with him."
"And what about your father? How are you handling that surprise?"
Dad's laugh sounds forced. "Bardock's... complicated. He's staying at the Capital for now. Says he owes Toji for freeing him from Hell."
Their voices fade as they move further from the house. I grip my chopsticks so hard they snap in my hand.
The Dragon Balls can't save Mr. Toji.
The gods have condemned him.
For what? For saving his son? For loving Megumi enough to challenge the gods themselves?
How is that fair? How is that just?
------------------------------
Another memory surfaces – the day Mr. Toji let me sit on his obsidian throne.
It was during my second visit to the Capital. Dad had brought me along for a diplomatic meeting, and Mr. Toji had suggested we continue our "training."
"The Emperor expects you, young Skywalker," he had announced in his Vader voice when I arrived at his quarters.
He had led me to the throne room when it was empty, explaining that Empress Freeza had given him permission to use it for our "important diplomatic training exercise."
(I doubt she would've been too happy seeing what her throne would be used for.)
Mr. Toji had even convinced Vegeta to participate (how he had managed that I have no idea till this day, I think it was Super- something, I heard Vegeta mutter once) though the Saiyan prince looked thoroughly annoyed about the whole thing.
"I am Emperor Palpatine," Vegeta had declared with surprising commitment, seated on the smaller throne beside Mr. Toji's massive one. "And you will join the Dark Side or die, young Skywalker."
Mr. Toji had stood beside him in full Vader regalia, his mechanical breathing adding perfect atmosphere to our pretend scenario.
"Father, I know there is still good in you," I had proclaimed, channeling Luke Skywalker with all the dramatic flair I could muster.
(It was so much fun...)
Bulma had been there too, holding Megumi, who watched the whole scene with fascinated eyes. Even Piccolo had been reluctantly dragged into participating after Mr. Toji convinced him it would help develop my combat training.
"I am Mace Windu," Piccolo had stated flatly, clearly having been briefed on his role. "And I... have a purple lightsaber."
The memory of Mr. Toji's mechanical laughter at Piccolo's deadpan delivery still makes me smile, even now.
The roleplay had culminated in an elaborate lightsaber duel where Vader "turned against" the Emperor to save his son. Mr. Toji had choreographed the whole thing, making sure I felt like the hero while secretly teaching me proper footwork and defensive stances.
Megumi had clapped his tiny hands from Bulma's arms, clearly delighted by the spectacle.
After we finished, Mr. Toji had gestured to his throne. "You've earned the right to sit there, young Jedi."
I had climbed onto the massive obsidian seat, feeling both silly and important as everyone playfully bowed to "Lord Gohan." Even Vegeta had given a mockingly elaborate bow that made Megumi giggle.
It was one of the best days of my life.
--------------------------
"Your form is sloppy today," Piccolo growls as I pick myself up from the ground for the third time. "Focus, Gohan!"
We're in our usual training spot, a secluded valley far enough from home that Mom won't hear the explosions. Normally, I love these sessions with Piccolo, but today I can't concentrate.
"Sorry, Mr. Piccolo," I mutter, dusting myself off.
"Don't apologize. Do better." His tone is harsh, but I can see concern in his eyes. "What's going on with you?"
"Nothing," I say, dropping into my fighting stance again. "Let's continue."
Piccolo studies me for a moment, then sighs. "We've done enough physical training for today. Let's work on meditation instead."
"No!" The word comes out sharper than I intended. "I need to get stronger. Teach me something new. Something powerful."
Piccolo's antennae twitch in surprise. "Gohan, you're not ready for advanced techniques. You're still mastering the basics."
"I am ready!" I insist, frustration building inside me. "Mr. Toji thought I was capable of more. He never treated me like a baby!"
The words hang in the air between us. Piccolo's expression softens slightly, which somehow makes me feel worse.
"Gohan," he says gently, "I know you miss him. We all do. But-"
"But what?" I challenge, feeling tears threatening. "But I should just accept that he's gone? That he's suffering in Hell while everyone just... moves on?"
"That's not what I-"
"Teach me something that will make me stronger," I demand. "Or I'll find someone who will."
Piccolo's eyes narrow. "Is that a threat?"
"It's a promise." I meet his gaze steadily, channeling what I imagine Mr. Toji would do in my position. "I'm going to save him, with or without your help."
"Gohan, you can't save Toji. Not from this. The cosmic order-"
"I don't care about the cosmic order!" My power flares involuntarily, creating a small crater beneath my feet. "The cosmic order is wrong! Mr. Toji doesn't deserve to be in Hell!"
Piccolo steps back, genuine surprise on his face. I've never raised my voice to him before.
"You're not thinking clearly," he says after a moment. "We'll continue this tomorrow when you've calmed down."
"Fine," I snap, turning away. "I'll see you tomorrow."
But as I blast off into the sky, I already know I won't be there.
--------------------------
I remember the night Mr. Toji showed me the stars from the Imperial Capital's observatory.
It was during my third visit, just before he got injured fighting Slug. The observatory was a massive dome at the top of the palace, with a ceiling that could become transparent to reveal the cosmos above.
"The view is different here than on Earth," Mr. Toji had explained, pointing out constellations I'd never seen before. "We're looking at a completely different section of the galaxy."
I had peppered him with questions about the various star systems, and he had answered each one patiently, sometimes admitting when he didn't know and suggesting we research it together later.
"Mr. Toji," I had asked during a lull in our conversation, "what happens when people die?"
The question had come from nowhere, surprising even me.
(I knew about the Dragon Balls, and since Mr. Yamcha, Mr. Tien, and Mr. Chiaotzu and the other Namekians were brought back to life, I wondered what happened to them when they were dead.)
But Mr. Toji hadn't dismissed it or given me a simplified answer like most adults- my tutors would.
"That's a complex question, Gohan," he had said, the mechanical breathing steady and thoughtful. "But there is an answer. In this universe, we know some things for certain. There is an afterlife – multiple realms of it, actually. Souls are judged based on their actions in life."
"Do you think it's fair? The judging?"
Mr. Toji had been silent for a long moment before answering. "I think... any system created by imperfect beings with power will reflect their biases. Even these ones called 'gods' aren't in my eyes real ones Gohan and therefore aren't perfect. They're just more powerful than most people."
"That doesn't seem right," I had said, frowning.
"Many things in the universe aren't right," he had replied. "But that doesn't mean we stop trying to make them better." Then, in a surprising shift, he had asked, "Can I ask you to do something for me, Gohan?"
I had nodded eagerly.
"You know that you're powerful right, Gohan? That you have a lot of potential?" he asked.
I... hesitantly nodded. Everyone says that a lot, but I myself am not sure I believe in it.
"Megumi is a special kid as you know. Real special. I don't want him to have no one that can relate to him. I want him to have friends- people that understand him. I understand him well enough, but I am his dad, and kids always want to make their dads proud- I think you understand that well enough."
Yeah I really did. I always want to make my dad proud. My dad always trusts me, never thinks I can't do something if I put my mind to it. That's why he's the best dad in the world.
Mr. Toji had placed his hand on my shoulder. "You and Megumi are already getting along pretty well, I just wish to ask you Gohan to be there for him in case that I or the others maybe can't."
I had looked at him confused, "What do you mean Mr. Toji? You are the Strongest. What do you mean in case you can't."
He was silent for a long moment as he pulled his hand away and looked into the sky. "This universe is vast Gohan. It is good to be safe."
I remained silent taking it then then nodded determinded.
"I promise," I had said solemnly.
(A promise I intend to keep.)
-------------------------
I sit alone on a cliff overlooking the ocean, watching the sunset paint the water in shades of orange and gold. My conversation with Piccolo replays in my mind, along with my father's words about the Dragon Balls being useless.
Everyone has given up on Mr. Toji. They're sad, they miss him, but they've accepted that he's gone.
I can't accept that.
I won't.
I pull the lightsaber hilt from my pocket, running my fingers over the worn leather wrapping. Mr. Toji made this for me because he believed I was ready, believed I was capable.
"Sometimes you have to break rules to do what's right," he had told me once during our roleplay. We had been pretending that Luke and Vader needed to rescue Princess Leia from a heavily guarded imperial facility.
"Everyone expects others to follow their rules, but if the rules are wrong, unjust, and you're strong enough that you can truly protect yourself against anything- then break them. That's what power is for- to be free."
I close my eyes, remembering every moment with Mr. Toji – every lesson, every game, every conversation where he treated me like my thoughts mattered.
When I open my eyes again, my decision is made.
I channel my ki into the lightsaber hilt, watching as a beam of yellow energy extends from it. Not white like Mr. Toji's, not blue like the one I used in our roleplays – but my own color, my own power.
I know what I need to do.
------------------------
Our last roleplay session happened after Mr. Toji was injured fighting Slug, after the Vader suit became necessary for his survival rather than just a costume.
I had been hesitant when he suggested we continue our tradition, worried that it might be painful for him now that the suit was no longer just pretend.
"Are you sure, Mr. Toji?" I had asked, shuffling my feet awkwardly. "We don't have to if you don't want to."
He had knelt down to my level, the mechanical breathing steady and calm. "Gohan, this mask doesn't change who I am inside. I'm still me. And I still want to play with you and Megumi."
So we had embarked on our most elaborate adventure yet – a mission to rescue Megumi from "Emperor Nappa," who had proved surprisingly enthusiastic about his villainous role.
"Mwahaha!" Nappa had boomed, holding Megumi (who was perfectly safe and giggling) in his massive arms. "You'll never defeat my army of evil minions!"
The "minions" had been palace staff who Mr. Toji had somehow convinced to participate (though they appeared very scared of Mr. Toji for some reason), armed with pillows and instructed to "fight" us as we made our way through the palace corridors.
Despite his injuries, Mr. Toji had moved with grace during our pretend battle, always making sure I had moments to shine as the hero.
When we finally "defeated" Emperor Nappa and rescued Megumi, the baby had squealed with delight, reaching for both of us.
"The Jedi Council is grateful for your service, young Skywalker," Mr. Toji had said formally, before breaking character to add, "I have something for you."
That was when he had given me the lightsaber hilt, placing it in my hands with surprising gentleness.
"A Jedi crafts his own lightsaber. You're ready for yours now," he had said. "I'm proud of you, Gohan."
Those words meant more to me than any academic award or fighting technique I'd ever mastered.
--------------------------
Back home, I move quickly and quietly. Mom is in the kitchen preparing dinner, humming softly to herself, unaware of what I'm planning.
I pack only the essentials – a change of clothes, the books on the afterlife, some food, and of course, my lightsaber hilt. On my desk, I leave a note:
Dear Mom and Dad,
Don't worry about me. I'm going to the Imperial Capital to train. I need to become stronger. Mr. Toji believed in me, and I'm not going to let him down.
I promise I'll be careful. Please don't be mad.
Love,
Gohan
I slip out my bedroom window and fly quickly to the clearing where Nappa left his spacepod "for emergencies," as he put it.
In case I needed to flee the planet (Mr. Nappa had changed a lot since we last fought. He really cares.)
Dad's forgotten about it, but Nappa showed it to me during his last visit, bragging about how fast Saiyan technology was compared to Earth's.
The pod is small and spherical, just big enough for one adult – or one determined child. I open the hatch and climb inside, studying the controls.
They're labeled in an alien language, but I remember enough from watching Nappa to figure out the basics.
As I press what I hope is the launch button, the hatch closes with a hiss. The pod rumbles to life, and suddenly I'm pressed back against the seat as it rockets upward, breaking through the atmosphere in seconds.
I clutch my lightsaber hilt for courage as Earth shrinks behind me, becoming a small blue marble and then vanishing entirely as the pod enters hyperspeed.
There's no going back now.
(Dad will follow me later, I know that, but before then I will have done what I wanted to do.)
-----------------------
The Imperial Capital is even more impressive from space than I remembered. Seven planets orbiting a massive blue star, each serving a different function in the Cold Empire.
As my pod approaches, I realize I didn't think this through completely. Of course there would be security – this is the heart of an interstellar empire.
Sure enough, two sleek patrol ships intercept me before I can get close to the throne world.
"Unidentified craft, you have entered restricted imperial space," a stern voice crackles through the pod's communication system. "Identify yourself immediately or be destroyed."
I take a deep breath and press the response button. "This is Gohan, son of Goku, friend of Lord Duskborn. I request permission to land at the Imperial Palace."
There's a pause, then: "Standby for verification."
I wait nervously, hoping they'll contact someone who knows me. After what feels like forever, the voice returns.
"Your identity is verified. State your business in the Imperial Capital."
I think quickly, remembering something Mr. Toji once said during one of our "spy mission" roleplays: "Sometimes, Gohan, the best way past a guard is to act like you absolutely belong there."
"I'm carrying an urgent message from Earth for the Empress regarding Lord Duskborn's son," I say with as much confidence as I can muster. "Megumi needs this information immediately."
Another long pause. Then: "You will be escorted to a secondary landing pad. Any deviation from your assigned course will be considered hostile action."
I breathe a sigh of relief as the patrol ships flank me, guiding my pod toward the throne world.
As we descend through the atmosphere, I marvel at the massive imperial palace below – a sprawling complex of obsidian and crystal that seems to go on forever.
My pod lands with a gentle thud on a small platform jutting from the palace's middle section. As the hatch opens, I'm greeted by six imperial guards with weapons trained on me.
"Exit slowly with your hands visible," one commands.
I comply, stepping out with my hands raised. The guards surround me immediately.
"I need to see Empress Freeza," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's about Megumi."
"The Empress is not receiving visitors," the lead guard replies coldly. "Especially not unauthorized children from Earth."
"Then take me to King Cold," I insist.
The guard's expression doesn't change. "You will be escorted to a waiting area until Sir Goku arrives. Sir Piccolo has informed us earlier of your coming, and the Golden Knight is displeased with you Sir Gohan for acting without thinking."
Oh no! Dad actually called?!
As they move to escort me away, I remember another of Mr. Toji's lessons from our explorations of the palace during my visits.
"The imperial palace has more secret passages than official corridors," he had told me with a conspiratorial wink. "Sometimes the fastest route isn't the one everyone else takes."
I spot a familiar-looking decorative panel on the wall nearby – identical to one Mr. Toji had shown me concealed a maintenance shaft.
"I'm sorry about this," I say to the guards, then channel ki into my hands and slam them against the ground.
The resulting shockwave isn't powerful enough to hurt anyone seriously, but it creates enough confusion for me to dash to the panel, press the hidden switch, and slip into the narrow passage beyond.
I hear shouts behind me as I race through the dimly lit tunnel, following the path I remember from my "spy training" with Mr. Toji. Left at the junction, right at the glowing panel, straight past the humming machinery...
The passage opens into a larger corridor that I recognize as part of the royal wing.
I've made it this far, but where exactly am I going? Where would Freeza be?
Then I try and feel- truly feel even the smallest leaks of Ki and as I do, I sense it – two potent, held back, ki signatures pulsing from somewhere below me.
One cold and precise, the other ancient and overwhelming. Freeza and King Cold, and they're training together.
I follow the energy, navigating through corridors and down staircases, occasionally ducking into alcoves to avoid patrolling guards. Finally, I reach a massive set of doors emblazoned with the Cold Dynasty emblem.
Taking a deep breath, I push them open.
----------------------
The training chamber is enormous – easily the size of ten football fields, with a ceiling so high it disappears into shadow. The walls are scorched and cracked in places, evidence of the immense power being unleashed within.
In the center of the room, Freeza and King Cold are engaged in what looks like a choreographed dance of destruction. They move with blinding speed, their forms blurring as they exchange blows that send shockwaves across the chamber.
Freeza looks different than I remember – more focused, more intense. Her white hair whips around her face as she dodges a massive energy blast from her father, retaliating with a barrage of her own.
Neither of them notices me at first, too absorbed in their training. It's only when I take a step forward that the sound of my footfall echoes in a momentary silence between attacks.
Both heads snap in my direction simultaneously. Freeza's eyes narrow in recognition.
"Kakarot's spawn," she says, her voice cold. "How did you get in here?"
Before I can answer, imperial guards burst through the doors behind me, weapons raised.
"Your Majesty! Your Highness!" the lead guard exclaims. "We apologize for the intrusion. This child infiltrated the palace through a maintenance shaft. We will remove him immediately."
King Cold raises a massive hand, silencing the guard. "Wait." His deep voice resonates throughout the chamber as he studies me with curious eyes. "You are Gohan, are you not? The son of Goku?"
I bow respectfully, remembering the protocol Mr. Toji taught me. "Yes, Your Majesty. I apologize for entering uninvited."
"And yet you did so anyway," Freeza observes, floating closer. Her violet eyes – so like Megumi's – bore into mine. "Why?"
I straighten my shoulders and meet her gaze directly. "I want to train with you. Both of you."
A stunned silence follows my declaration. Then Freeza laughs – a cold, musical sound that echoes off the walls.
"You want to train with us? A half-Saiyan child barely old enough to tie his own shoes?" She circles me slowly, her tail swishing behind her. "And why would we waste our time on such an endeavor?"
"Because I'm going to save Mr. Toji," I reply firmly. "And I need to be strong enough to break into Hell to do it."
Freeza's laughter cuts off abruptly. Her eyes narrow dangerously. "What did you say?"
"Mr. Toji is trapped in Hell because he broke cosmic laws to save Megumi," I continue, my voice growing stronger with each word.
"The Dragon Balls can't reach him. Everyone says it's impossible to save him. But Mr. Toji would never accept that if it was one of us. He'd find a way, no matter what."
I reach into my pocket and pull out the lightsaber hilt, channeling my ki into it. The yellow beam extends with a humming sound, illuminating my face in its glow.
"Mr. Toji believed in me. He taught me that sometimes you have to break rules to do what's right. And that's what I'm going to do."
King Cold's expression shifts from mild amusement to genuine interest. "Fascinating," he murmurs. "The child speaks with such conviction."
"He speaks with foolishness," Freeza counters, though something in her tone has changed. "You have no concept of what you're proposing, boy. Hell isn't simply a place you can walk into. The barriers between realms-"
"Can be broken," I interrupt. "Mr. Toji did it. And I'll find a way too."
"Toji was..." Freeza pauses, seeming to search for words. "Unique. His power was beyond anything you could hope to achieve."
"I don't care," I say, deactivating my lightsaber but keeping my stance firm. "I'll train harder than anyone ever has. I'll become stronger than anyone thinks is possible. I'll do whatever it takes."
King Cold steps forward, towering over me like a living mountain. "And why should we help you? What do we gain from this... investment?"
I look up at him, then at Freeza, my resolve unwavering. "Because deep down, you both want him back too. And I'm willing to risk everything to make that happen."
For a long moment, no one speaks. Then Freeza turns away, her voice carefully controlled. "Guards, remove this child. Call Kakarot and return him to Earth immediately."
My heart sinks. I've failed. But as the guards move toward me, King Cold raises his hand again.
"Wait," he says, studying me with new intensity. "Perhaps we should test the boy's resolve first."
Freeza looks at her father sharply. "Father, you cannot be serious. He is a child."
"A child with Saiyan blood and remarkable determination," Cold replies. He turns to me, his massive frame blocking out the light. "Very well, Gohan. I will offer you a test. If you pass, we will consider your request."
Hope surges within me. "What's the test?"
A slow smile spreads across King Cold's face. "One year- you will train with us for one year, and I want you as your father to achieve the Super Saiyan transformation."
"If you can do it, then you will not only train with us henceforth, but I will thorougly invest in your improvement. If you can not, you will be punished, and be banished from visiting the Capital for seven years."
Freeza makes a small sound of protest, but doesn't contradict her father.
Banished for seven years? That would mean I would miss a lot of time with Megumi- maybe not even see him at all, since without Mr. Toji around Megumi won't be going to Earth much if- if not at all!
Becoming... Becoming a Super Saiyan? Like... Like dad? Mr. Vegeta has been training already for a while and hasn't come close and King Cold wants me to do it in a single year?
I remain silent for a long moment as I look down at my hand holding the deactivated lightsaber.
I think of Mr. Toji, trapped in Hell because he loved his son enough to defy the gods.
I think of Megumi, growing up without his father.
I think of the promise I made under the stars.
"I accept," I say without hesitation.
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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all liked the chapter!
Do tell me how you found Gohan's POV.
I found the roleplay writing really fun, since Toji wearing the Vader Suit is all because Gohan wanted to roleplay in the first place- and well, Toji decided to give him what he wanted.
Do tell me, do you think Gohan can achieve Super Saiyan in a year?
Well, I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)