Chapter Text
It had been a day since the Zeno Expo and the anxiety regarding the upcoming Tournament of Power wouldn't subside in Gohan’s uneasy heart as he sat atop the lookout.
His father, sensing his ki, reached out to console him. Gohan flinched at the gesture, whirling to face him head on. "Dad, do you even realize what you've done? You've put the entire universe at risk for a damn tournament! People's lives are on the line, and you act like it's just another fight! How can you be so nonchalant about this?"
Goku, taken aback by Gohan's outburst, backed away to give him some space. He had never seen Gohan so resolute and furious. It was a stark reminder of how high the stakes truly were. "Look, I didn't know it would be this serious. I just wanted a good challenge. And I didn’t mean to downplay it. I just… I wanted to stay positive and not let everyone get too worried.”
But Gohan wasn't listening. His mind was overwhelmed by memories of the past, of all the times Goku's actions had endangered their world. The Cell Games, the fight with Babidi’s minions, the fight with Majin Vegeta… The memories flooded his mind like a tidal wave, and he could feel his heart racing, his breath quickening.
Suddenly, he was gasping for air, his chest tightening as panic set in. He clutched his head with his hands, trying to push the memories and the fear away, but they only seemed to intensify. "I can't take it anymore, Dad! You're so reckless, and you never think about the consequences!" Gohan's voice cracked as he struggled to maintain control, his hair flickering from yellow back to black again.
Goku watched his son, his face filled with concern. He realized that he had pushed Gohan too far this time, and he needed to make amends. "Gohan, I'm so sorry. I didn't think it would be like this. We'll figure out a way to save our universe, I promise."
But Gohan was lost in his own world of panic and despair. He sank to his knees, trembling and gasping for breath as his vision blurred. Goku rushed to his side, trying to comfort him, but Gohan couldn't hear anything over the chaos in his own mind. His panic attack was unlike anything he had experienced before, and Goku couldn't help but blame himself for pushing Gohan to this breaking point.
As the moments ticked by, Gohan's breathing gradually steadied, but he was still lost in his own thoughts. Desperately, he looked up at his father, tears in his eyes. "I just... I can't lose everything, Dad. Oh, Dende, I can't let you all down."
Piccolo knelt beside him, the Namekian concerned for Gohan's well-being too. "You're not alone in this. We'll find a way to protect our loved ones and the universe. But you need to take care of yourself first."
Gohan nodded, his tears slowly subsiding. “I’m so scared… I haven't felt like this since...since the Cell Games... I didn't think those memories would come back to bite me again… I thought it was over and done with…” He clung to his father, just as he did upon their reunion in Namek.
Goku sighed, tightening the hold on his son. "I understand, Gohan. The past can haunt us, but we'll face this together. I promise, I won't let you down, and we'll find a way to protect everyone. You're strong, and you're not alone. We'll get through this, just like we've overcome challenges in the past."
Gohan took a deep breath, his trembling subsiding as he found strength in his father's words and support. "Thanks, Dad. I needed to hear that. I’d like to sleep up here…”
Goku nodded, still holding his child close. "Of course. You can rest here on the lookout. We'll stay with you. You need your rest, and we'll figure everything out when you wake up."
Gohan managed a weak smile, feeling the reassurance from his father. He laid down on the stone tiles, trying to calm his racing thoughts, and gradually, he drifted into a deep, much-needed sleep, knowing that he had his family and friends to support him through the turbulent times ahead.