Capsule Corp's courtyard glimmered under the late afternoon sun, its sleek tiles reflecting the golden light as a faint hum of machinery pulsed from the labs within the towering dome. Bulma stood with her arms crossed, her blue hair tied back in a messy bun, a faint crease forming on her brow as the conversation about Krillin's transformation lingered in the air. She'd argued against it once, her voice sharp with concern, warning him that turning himself into an android went against everything she'd stood for, a violation of the human spirit she'd spent her life preserving through science; but Krillin's resolve had been a wall she couldn't breach, his stubborn grin wearing her down until she'd relented.
Krillin leaned against a nearby workbench, his cybernetic frame catching the light, a subtle whir beneath his skin as he flexed his fingers absently. "You nailed it, Goten," he said, his grin wide but tinged with something heavier, his bald head tilting as he met my gaze. "I'm an android now, full conversion; Earthlings like me hit a ceiling you Saiyans blow past, so I had to level the field against Cell somehow." His tone stayed light, almost playful, but his eyes flickered with a shadow of the agony he'd endured, the surgeries and sleepless nights lost to Bulma's operating table, a price he'd paid willingly to stand a chance.
I stayed quiet, my hands stuffed in my gi's pockets, the weight of his choice settling over me like dust after a fight. Strength ruled this world, a brutal truth I'd learned crossing into this life, and Krillin's gamble mirrored a path I might've taken too, staring down Cell with no power to call my own. "Transform or die," I thought, my jaw tightening slightly, "not much of a choice when the clock's ticking."
Bulma shifted, her frown deepening as she glanced between us, her voice cutting through the stillness. "Let's drop it, okay? Cell's gone, thanks to Goten, and that's what counts," she said, her tone firm but softening as she looked at me. "So, what's your next move, kid? You've earned a breather after that showdown."
Krillin nodded, eager to shift the mood, his grin returning full force. "Yeah, Goten, what's the plan? You've got the world at your feet now," he said, his voice lifting, trying to shake the somber air that had crept in. He hated the heaviness, the way it clung like damp clothes, and I could see him grasping for something lighter, something normal.
I exhaled, my gaze drifting to the horizon beyond West City's skyline, my voice steady as I answered. "Training, more training; that's it," I said, calm but resolute, the words carrying a weight they couldn't fully grasp. As a traveler in this universe, I knew the shadows lurking beyond Cell, threats like Majin Buu stirring in silence, Gods of Destruction who could erase galaxies with a yawn, and the untouchable might of Angels, the Grand Priest, and Zeno; Ultra Instinct Mega was a spark, but against those titans, it was a candle in a storm.
Krillin blinked, his grin faltering as he scratched his head, confusion creasing his brow. "But you smoked Cell like it was nothing," he said, his voice tinged with disbelief, leaning forward slightly. "You're stronger than anyone we've ever seen, and you're what, nine? Maybe take it easy, hit school, live a little; the Earth's safe for now, right?" He saw a kid under pressure, a boy who should be chasing games, not battles, his Saiyan blood a mystery he couldn't quite unravel.
I met his eyes, my expression unchanging, the calm masking the urgency I carried every day. "Cell's just a speck compared to what's out there," I said, my tone even, letting the truth settle between us. "Real powerhouses would crush him, and me too; I train to keep history from repeating, to hold my fate in my hands." They couldn't fathom the Gods of Destruction, their casual annihilation a distant nightmare, but I'd seen the threads of this world's tapestry, and I wouldn't let them unravel on me.
Krillin fell silent, his gaze dropping to the tiles, his cybernetic hand flexing as memories of past defeats flickered behind his eyes. He'd faced too many moments of helplessness, enemies like Frieza and Cell reducing him to a bystander, and my words stirred that old ache. "You're right," he murmured, almost to himself, "we never know what's coming next; can't stop halfway."
I nodded, a faint smile tugging at my lips as I stepped back. "Gotta head home; Mom's probably pacing by now," I said, giving them a casual wave before my body flickered, vanishing in a burst of speed that left a ripple in the air. Capsule Corp faded behind me, the city blurring into streaks of color as I streaked toward Mount Paozu, the familiar peaks rising against the sky like old friends.
Krillin watched me go, his expression hardening as he stood there, the courtyard quiet save for the distant buzz of Bulma's machines. After a long pause, he turned to her, his voice low but firm. "Bulma, I need more upgrades," he said, his eyes locking onto hers, a fire reigniting in them. "I'm still too weak; if something worse than Cell shows up, I won't be useless again." The memory of Cell's fight, his body broken and powerless, gnawed at him, a wound he refused to let fester.
Bulma hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her lab coat. "Krillin, you've already pushed so far," she said, her voice soft but edged with worry, knowing the toll it took on him, the humanity he'd traded. After a beat, she sighed, nodding reluctantly. "Fine, I'll do it; Earth needs you and Goten both."
Mount Paozu loomed ahead, its rugged slopes cradling the small house nestled at its base, smoke curling from the chimney as the scent of pine and earth filled the air. I landed lightly on the grass, the familiar creak of the porch greeting me as Chi-Chi burst out the door, her apron dusted with flour, her eyes wide with shock. "Goten! What in the world?" she cried, her voice a mix of disbelief and alarm, rushing forward to grip my shoulders. "It's been less than a week; how'd you get so tall? Are you really my little Goten?"
I grinned, scratching the back of my head, the growth spurt from two years in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber stark against her memory of me just days ago. "It's me, Mom, promise," I said, my tone sheepish but honest, meeting her gaze with a reassuring nod. "I trained in the Time Chamber to beat Cell; two years in there, that's all." No secrets with her, not when those eyes searched mine like they could see every scar I'd earned.
Chi-Chi's hands flew to her mouth, then dropped as she stepped back, taking me in, her son now half a head taller, the baby fat gone, replaced by sharp angles and a quiet strength. "The Time Chamber? That place Goku talked about up at the Lookout?" she said, her voice trembling as realization sank in, her brow furrowing with distress. "He said it's awful, harsh air, bad food; you were only seven, Goten, suffering in there for two years!" Her hands clenched her apron, tears welling as she pictured me alone, enduring what Goku and Gohan had barely handled.
I shrugged, softening my smile to ease her worry, stepping closer to rest a hand on her arm. "It wasn't so bad, really; tough, sure, but worth it," I said, my voice gentle but firm. "Cell's gone because of it; I made it count." Her love hit me like a wave, warm and fierce, and I couldn't let her drown in guilt over a choice I'd made.
Her face lit up, pride breaking through the tears as she pulled me into a tight hug, her voice thick with emotion. "My Goten, so strong; Goku and Gohan would be so proud," she said, stepping back to wipe her eyes, a determined glint replacing the sorrow. "You've earned a feast after that; I'm cooking up everything you love, right now!" She turned, bustling back inside, her steps quick with purpose, leaving me chuckling as the promise of her cooking filled the air with comfort.
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