DB - Rice Bowls of Time Part I

[2021-05-28 23:53] [user]The Fallen Son[/user]: Wasteland near Sukatown. (Closed Scene for now)

Gohan was resting after a round of solo training, finally having a bit of time off to do his own thing, seeing as he had been quite busy with various administrative duties at the Frieza Force Outpost. Thankfully he hadnt been kept too busy over all, still finding time to visit his friends and future daughter in Sukatown here and there. For now though, he sat on the edge of a rocky outcropping, gazing up at the stars, just thinking a bit about his life. "I wonder if dad can see me here?" He mused out loud to himself. "Would he be ashamed of me and the things Ive done? Would he understand? Would he be proud of how far Ive come since, how Ive grown?" These were thoughts that often bothered him deep down. He might not have cared about everyone else on his Earth after their betrayal, but his father was different. He never did him any wrong after all, and gave his life to try to stop Cell.
[2021-05-28 23:58] [user]Chronoa O Clock[/user]: So much meddling.. So many timelines and crossing streams and strands.. Chronoa let her presence be felt and known before she appeared, her way of a warning instead of intruding. [color=pink]"Knock knock!"[/color]

The kai mused, small fist tapping knuckles to a boulder as she made her way around to sight, walking towards Gohan. [color=pink]"Sorry it's been a while.. There's a lot going on that required my attention. Gohan, how are you?"[/color]
[00:05] *[user]The Fallen Son[/user] snapped out of his musing upon hearing Chronoas voice, the boy rising to his feet as he turned to greet her. "Oh hello Miss Chronoa." He stated with a light smile, bowing his head in a respectful manner. "Im doing alright I guess, as well as I can be anyway. I was just doing a bit of light training." He chuckled lightly as he approached. "What brings you out here at this hour?" He questioned, cocking his head to the side.
[00:12] [user]Chronoa O Clock[/user]: [color=pink]"You do.."[/color]

Chronoa tried to keep her soft smile but there was a sorrow there, a pity and pain alike. [color=pink]"It took me a bit, but I have some answers for you, about.. what happened. Why your friends and family acted as they did, the variations that made your time so.. different."[/color] She lifted her head chin up in full kai posture. [color=pink]"But I want one thing clear. Your history, what has happened does [b]not[/b] define you. What you do with the knowledge you're about to get is what defines you Gohan. And you.. your feelings, your heart, is the proof that even though circumstances change and alter, the person themselves.. doesn't. You're no 'worse' than any other Gohan across time. Right now, you also have all the potential, okay? ..Lord Frieza did right by you."[/color]
[00:19] *[user]The Fallen Son[/user] was briefly taken aback. He knew she was looking into things, but he wasnt expecting her to show up to tell him this late in the evening. He swallowed lightly, but nodded. "I...understand. Ill try my best to handle whatever it is that I see. My relationship with Lord Frieza wont change because of it. He has done right by me, even if I have done some terrible things in his name." He frowned lightly, looking down at the ground for a moment, before looking at her once more. "I need to know though, so Ill endure whatever it is that you show me about my....past."
[00:32] [user]Chronoa O Clock[/user]: One day she would have word with Lord Frieza, but he was an ever busy mortal. Still, there was appreciation and respect there. The kai nodded and stepped over to a boulder, floating up to sit atop and gestured to the smaller ledge of boulder just below. [color=pink]"Come, sit."[/color]

That was that motherly factor in her, always nurturing. Her height could be an issue if she let it, but this left her above Gohan just enough to have a hand to his shoulder and snug him back to her if she felt he needed it. [color=pink]"It's not.. pretty. Just remember, this didn't happen because you wanted it to. You were pushed into it."[/color] Because every Gohan was a Sweet Rice Bowl to her.

Chronoa held out her hands and called down a scroll, which unfurled. She'd float it down to Gohan's sight and allow it to project much like a movie screen.. [color=pink]"The turning point for you was the Cell Games. It's going to be sped up, but I'm going to slow it at variances of.. interference. Darkness Energy will also show up to you with a black glow so you'll see people.. infected."[/color]
[00:40] *[user]The Fallen Son[/user] nodded once more as he made his way over to the smaller ledge, taking a seat. "I didnt think it would be. But...Im used to dealing with hardship. I can take it." He stated with a hint of a sad smile, before facing forward once more as she brought out the scroll, the boy fixing his gaze on it as it went into projector mode. He listened to her words, before he felt his heart drop into the pit of his stomach. "Infected?" He could feel the dread already starting to form. Surely she didnt mean what he was already beginning to think....
[00:54] [user]Chronoa O Clock[/user]: [color=pink]"Mmhmm.."[/color] She nodded, not being able to put it to voice further.

The Cell Games were at play, if one could call it that. Gohan was fighting.. but there was already a dark haze about his head. He fought hard. Upon becoming Super Saiyan Two, that haze spread into his aura and flickered, the masking about his mind growing to a pitch black where Gohan's face and head wasn't even seen as if the Darkness scratched it out. Then through various scenes and interactions, his loved ones and friends had hollow, black eyes with a shrouded haze over their own heads, over their minds. At times it spiked, darkening.. other times it lessened, so when Gohan lashed out they took the full brunt of it without understanding his side, inspiring things even worse. … Chronoa showed Gohan leaving in a stolen ship, and how something else caused some.. rip.. a rift…

Fastforward, and he returned through it since it was never mended. Then right as Gohan was purging the Earth and destroying it and everyone he had loved and who had loved him, the haze from [i]their[/i] minds and eyes left, leaving them frightful, fearful and without hate but only the pain of being destroyed by a loved one they had helped to raise… and it froze as just off in the distance stood a rather smirking, pleased Time Breaker… Towa. Chronoa stopped it on that zoom in for time capturing the culprit.

[color=pink]"There's more.."[/color] She spoke softly, to just let him process this first before continuing. Both hands settled to his shoulders in a gentle squeeze.
[01:16] [user]The Fallen Son[/user]: [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIvcgPimauQ]Scene Mood Music[/url]

Gohan stated in mute horror at what was playing out on the scroll in front of him. All this time, one of the very few things that helped him sleep at night and justify in his mind the things that he had done, was that he was betrayed and that everyone on Earth deserved what they got. But now the horrible reality was laid bare before him. They were being manipulated and not in control of themselves, himself included to a degree. They needed help, needed saving. But instead....

He continued to watch, witnessing his purge of Earth from an outside perspective, watching as he struck down every one of the remaining fighters left on Earth, before ending his own mothers life, then Bulma, then blasting West City off the face of the Earth, moving on to cleanse the rest of the planet afterwards. In his rage that day, he didnt really see those expressions of pain and fear on their face before he ended their lives, but now he could see every detail.

Though he didnt make a sound, tears began pouring from his eyes, streaking down his cheeks as a hand moved to clutch over his heart on his armor. "What have I done?" He finally muttered after a few moments, just staring straight ahead at the scroll. "They were under control and needed help...and I killed them....I killed every one of them...when they didnt truly deserve it...." He croaked out, almost losing his full composure right there. He managed to keep it together for the moment however, focusing on the face of the culprit.

"More?"
[01:28] [user]Chronoa O Clock[/user]: [color=pink]"You couldn't help them.. You couldn't help yourself. It's not that you were blind or oblivious, you were blinded by Towa. None of you deserved that. Not them. Not you."[/color] Her chin rested down to Gohan's black spikes, her arms drifting to pull him closer into a back hug. [color=pink]"Yes, more.. but it's better."[/color]

She unpaused the show, so to speak. Over to Gohan at another point in time. [color=pink]"Watch.."[/color] It was when he gained a new height, surpassing himself into Super Saiyan 3. That haze, that darkness was seen to outright be broken through and banished off of his form. [color=pink]"See that? When you gained new strengths, you were able to finally break free of Towa's influence. That's why you're wondering, questioning. You can think and see clearly now. So now, you can work on healing from what you were forced into."[/color]
[02:12] [user]The Fallen Son[/user]: "I...I need a minute...." He muttered, slowly pulling free from the Time Kais grasp. "S-Shield yourself or something please...." He muttered, glancing back at her with a pained expression, before moving off to a reasonably safe distance. She could still see him however and wouldnt have too much trouble getting to him.

[url=https://youtu.be/Ve1kDmAbNmU?t=393]Scene Mood Music Shift[/url]

His heart was hurting as he landed on another outcropping, the boy taking a few shaky steps, then taking a knee as his mind ran over everything he had just seen and learned. Though her words were true, he couldnt help but blame himself to a degree. Just how much of her influence goaded his choices? Was it his idea to willingly join Frieza after fleeing Earth? Or was that a product of her manipulation as well? And what about all the lives he had taken while working for Frieza while in that unstable mental state? How much of it was him and how much of it was her influence?

"Its still my fault. I should have been stronger willed. Then I could have maybe seen the truth and done something to help them!" He yelled at the heavens, in pain as more tears poured down his face, his power beginning to flux as the wind picked up around him. "But no, I fell under her influence, willingly went to work for one of our greatest enemies, then came back and murdered them all....and they didnt really deserve it." He stated, visions of his friends and family passing across his vision, happy moments mixing in with the things he just saw on the time scroll. "Mother....Bulma....Everyone..." He sniffed heavily, his power continuing to flux as he rose to his feet. The damn finally broke a few moments later.

With a scream of raw sorrow and anger, he transformed into a Super Saiyan, then right into Two, and finally into Three, his aura flaring as the environment around him suffered his wrath, the ground quaking and the wind roaring as he vented out his pain, those sorrowful cries echoing across the wasteland. Despite his claim that he held no love for his former family, clearly that was a lie. All those feelings of regret and sadness that he had sealed up and locked away were now broken free and laid bare with these new revelations. "[b]TOWA!!!! ILL FIND YOU AND MAKE YOU PAY! DO YOU HEAR ME??!??! YOULL PAY!!!!![/b]" He then let out another sorrow filled scream, his power shattering several nearby outcroppings as the ground below continued to quake.

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs97J2VZXuQ]Mood Shift[/url]

Soon enough, he ran out of gas however, reverting to base form and dropping down on his hands and knees, gripping the ground in his fists as he wept. "Everyone....Im sorry....Im so sorry...." He sobbed, his eyes clenched shut as continued to weep. The Time Kai could easily approach and comfort him now.
[02:27] [user]Chronoa O Clock[/user]: While Chronoa wasn't one to meddle in time itself much, this was another matter. It was as different as Conton City, this Earth, this Universe and its Time. She shielded the area around, transporting life from critter to bug to plant out of the area as fingers worked to adjust them to new areas beyond the carnage of Gohan's destructive energy. The damage and imprint to the land was still there, but with no true harm done. Land was always shifting after all.

Once Gohan had let it all out into exhaustion, she made her move. Her approach was slow and it was one of the rare times that while power wasn't needed, she could expend the energy for something just as important as strength. So her form took on a soft white glow that overtook her and her clothing, morphing and growing to that Time Unleashed form of full fledged woman beyond shortstack kai. [color=yellow]"It's alright Gohan.."[/color] her voice was still the same, but there was a golden hue to her eyes and like the rest of her, that magenta hair grew lengthy too. It was fitting with the white and golden robes that fit many an idea of Heavenly. She lowered herself to sit at his side before both arms went to just wrap about Gohan and pull him into a hug against her. [color=yellow]"They're sorry too. I'm sure of it. Don't cloud yourself with revenge though. It's not worth costing you any further."[/color] Gohan may have been a young teen.. but he was still a youth and just a boy helpless against magic when all of that happened.. so the least she could do was give him a hug there and then when he was lacking it in the past.
[02:42] *[user]The Fallen Son[/user] practically clung to her once she hugged him, the poor boy just letting it all out. It took him a few minutes before he could finally compose himself enough to speak and think properly again. "...What about my...brothers? Is she responsible for them being here too?" He finally questioned, referring to the other pair of Rice Boys he had grown close to. He remembered that she had voiced suspicion that Towa had a hand in their timelines as well after all. He sniffed, wiping his eyes and nose on the sleeve of his underarmor, before looking up at her once more, beholding her new form while he was at it.
[02:51] [user]Chronoa O Clock[/user]: [color=yellow]"..I believe so. We're all going to look into it, together. And with any luck we'll get a lock on this specific Towa to stop this from reoccurring. I can't do it without you guys though, okay? So if you don't mind.. could you ask Lord Frieza if I could occasionally borrow you? Tell him I'll make it up to him. I know you're an important member of his force."[/color] Chronoa was content to just hug him to her, letting him cling or adjust or loosen however he may need or want to do. She knew this would be a bit of an undertaking but nothing worth doing was ever easy.. [color=yellow]"I plan to talk to each of your brothers. Go through their times fully and trace the signature from yours to highlight discrepancies."[/color]
[03:04] *[user]The Fallen Son[/user] nodded firmly, eventually releasing her, rubbing his eyes again. "Second in command actually, thats how much he trusts me." He couldnt help but smile just a bit. Regardless of everything that had transpired, one fact did remain at least despite his doubts about himself and his decisions. Frieza still took the boy in and gave him a better life, and seemed to genuinely care about him. "I dont think there will be any issues. Ive been loyal and have worked very hard for him after all. He values me, so he should see that getting this dealt with is important to me as well. And Ill do my part to help my brothers too."
[03:26] [user]Chronoa O Clock[/user]: As she was released, Chronoa let her arms free Gohan too, but reached out to muss his hair. [color=yellow]"I know he does. So be honest with him, and that's all the more reason that I'm willing to barter for your time too, to show him that I value you and recognize his own. Besides.. I'm a firm believer that someone who gives the Timelost some purpose and sense of self and value should be shown proper respect and moreso.. rewarded. Acknowledgment of it can be too petty, especially from a kai at times. So it's there if he takes up the offer. Now as for you.. I have something."[/color]

Both hands came together then apart, a modern tech watch with blank screen resting in her hands until the Capsule Corp logo popped up on it. [color=yellow]"Just insert your crystal into the side here by poking this button with it and it'll absorb it, like a capsule. Trunks had these specially made. It has a number of uses from calling me to others with similar watches as long as you have their signal, and even storing outfits for various reasons… which older you would know all about."[/color] She winked.

[color=yellow]"But for your purpose it has another addition.. An alarm will go off if it detects that Towa's time signature in your vicinity. So you know to get out of there until you have the tools and knowledge to deal with her. And I imagine the others will want to help with that too. The only thing that I ask is.. while I know you're loyal to Frieza.. please, don't betray my trust by allowing this to be used for purposes against me or mine, including gathering data or otherwise abusing it. I already had incidents with Haylee.. I'm trusting you."[/color] And so Chronoa offered Gohan the white watch.
[03:43] *[user]The Fallen Son[/user] cant help but squint a bit at the mention of an older self and outfits, but shrugged it off, continuing to listen to her speak. He nodded firmly as he then took the watch, pulling his crystal out from beneath his armor and adding it to the watch. "I wont betray your trust Miss Chronoa. Its a promise. And Ill be sure to....avoid Towa for now." He sighed lightly. As tempting as it would be to face her if he came across her, he knew that it would be better to wait until the time was right so to speak. "Thank you...for showing me the truth. It hurts, but at least now I know and can move on from it...once justice has been served." He stated as he put the watch on.
[03:50] [user]Chronoa O Clock[/user]: [color=yellow]"And that's what makes you who you are, Gohan."[/color] As he put the watch on, she kissed his forehead.. only to glow white and once more be the Time Kai he knew of, short and pink. [color=pink]"I have to get going. Do you have any questions or anything before I go?"[/color]
[03:57] *[user]The Fallen Son[/user] cant help but blush just a smidge when she smooched his forehead, before pondering. He shook his head after a moment. "None for now. I just need...time to reflect on everything. Ill seek you out if I do though, or if I discover anything." He glanced off in the direction of the Frieza Force outpost. "I should probably report everything to Lord Frieza as well, further training can wait." He then smiled lightly at the time Kai once more. "Thank you again Miss Chronoa. Be safe."
[03:58] [user]Chronoa O Clock[/user]: [color=pink]"You're quite welcome! And if anyone claiming to be from the Time Patrol gives you issues for being an anomaly or some nonsense, just show them your watch. That should shush them after a proper apology. Take care Gohan!"[/color] Then in a flash of white, she was gone.