Goku goes back in time

The stars sparkled high above Mount Paozu, casting a gentle glow over the humble Son family home. The cool breeze rustled the trees, and the sounds of nature mixed with the soft humming of night insects. After dinner, Goku stretched and yawned, patting his stomach contentedly.

"That was amazing, as always," he said to Chichi.

"Glad you liked it," she replied, brushing off her apron.

Goten, still licking some sauce off his fingers, looked up at his dad with a bright smile. "Can we go out and look at the stars, Dad?"

Goku grinned. "Sure, kiddo."

The two walked out into the field behind the house, vanishing into the night like quiet silhouettes under the moonlight. Chichi soon followed them with a small tray—tea and snacks balanced carefully—humming a gentle tune before disappearing into the night to join her boys.

Inside the house, Gohan sat at the table with Videl, Erasa, and Sharpner. The mood had shifted slightly. The evening's joy and surprise had opened a door, and now curiosity came flooding in.

Erasa leaned forward, eyes twinkling. "Okay, Gohan, no more dodging. We need to talk about something."

Sharpner crossed his arms. "Yeah. We've been patient. That school report on the Red Ribbon Army made us realize a few things—and you're hiding way too much."

Videl narrowed her eyes. "And we're not just talking about the Red Ribbon Army. Goku… your dad… he was the one who destroyed them, wasn't he?"

Gohan paused, gently setting his teacup on the table. He looked at the three of them, his gaze thoughtful, and then he nodded.

"Yes," he said simply. "My dad was the one who took down the Red Ribbon Army when he was just a kid."

Erasa and Sharpner blinked in disbelief, though the pieces were clearly falling into place.

Videl leaned in. "So all the rumors are true."

"He did it almost singlehandedly," Gohan continued. "He thought they were just bullies hurting people. He didn't even realize they were such a huge organization until much later. He just kept moving forward and helping whoever he could."

Videl folded her arms. "That's insane. There were reports about him storming their headquarters and defeating dozens of operatives—including the top scientists. And he wasn't even a teenager back then?"

Gohan smiled, a touch of pride in his voice. "That sounds like my dad."

"But what about the World Martial Arts Tournament?" Sharpner asked. "He became champion at the 23rd Martial Arts Championship, right?"

Gohan nodded again. "Yeah. That's when he beat Piccolo—well, not the current one, but... his father, sort of. It's complicated."

Erasa blinked. "Excuse me. What?"

"It's a long story," Gohan said with a slight chuckle. "Let's just say the world has had its share of hidden dangers. And my dad was usually at the center of protecting it."

"So why…" Videl leaned forward, her voice firm. "Why didn't he fight Cell?"

The question hung in the air like a stone dropped into still water.

Gohan and Trunks, who had just walked back in with a plate of leftover mochi, both looked at each other. Then, to everyone's surprise, they both burst into laughter.

Videl raised an eyebrow, clearly annoyed. "What's so funny?"

Trunks tried to suppress his grin. "You had to be there."

"It's not something that makes sense from the outside," Gohan said, still smiling. "But believe me… my dad did more than anyone during that time. And when it really counted—he trusted me."

"You?" Erasa blinked. "You were what, eleven back then?"

"Yeah," Gohan said, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "And… I was the one who beat Cell."

Dead silence.

Erasa and Sharpner gawked at him.

"Hold on," Sharpner sputtered. "You beat Cell? The same Cell that destroyed whole cities and humiliated the world's armies?"

Gohan looked them directly in the eye and nodded. "Yes."

"How?!" Videl stood up, slamming her hands on the table, her voice halfway between awe and disbelief. "You're telling me that Goku—the legendary Goku—didn't beat Cell, but you did?!"

Trunks snorted, biting into his mochi. "He didn't just beat Cell. He obliterated him."

"It wasn't that simple," Gohan admitted. "We almost lost. Everyone fought—Piccolo, Vegeta, Nappa, Raditz, Krillin… even Tien and Yamcha. And it still wasn't enough."

He looked down, the warmth in his voice fading slightly.

"We were arrogant, we refused to fight together. Nappa, Raditz, Me and Vegeta we were too arrogant too see how dangerous Cell was, too absorbed in our power. Vegeta even healed Cell giving him the boost he needed and it almost cost us everything."

That quieted the room.

Erasa covered her mouth with her hand. Sharpner's expression softened. Videl looked at Gohan, the anger draining from her face.

Gohan continued, his voice low but steady. "He could've beaten Cell if he wanted to. But he thought... we needed to step up, I needed to step up. That the world needed someone else to protect it too. Not just him."

Videl sat back down slowly. "He believed in you that much."

Gohan nodded. "He always did."

For a long moment, no one spoke.

Then Sharpner exhaled. "Man. And I thought finals week was rough."

Erasa gave him a light smack on the arm. "Shut up."

Videl's eyes were locked on Gohan, her gaze unreadable. She slowly leaned back and whispered, "You really are something else, Son Gohan."

Gohan blushed slightly but didn't respond.

Trunks grinned. "You should've seen him back then. Just as Cell was trying to end everything. Gohan pushed himself, dug deep and defeated Cell." Though with a few help from everyone thought Trunks.

"You're exaggerating," Gohan muttered.

"Nope. I'm not."

Videl finally smiled, just a little. "I believe it."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while longer, the stars glinting just outside the window. A breeze rolled through the open house, carrying the faint laughter of Goku and Goten sparring in the fields under the night sky.

For the first time, Videl, Erasa, and Sharpner weren't just students chasing a school report.

They were witnesses to something legendary.

And Gohan… was no longer just a mysterious classmate.

He was a hero in plain sight.

The room fell silent for a moment after Gohan's quiet confession. Videl sat with her arms crossed, eyebrows furrowed in thought, while Sharpner and Erasa exchanged bewildered glances. The soft ticking of the wall clock and the gentle clinking of dishes being cleaned in the kitchen by Chichi were the only sounds for a moment.

Then Sharpner, ever the blunt one, leaned forward. "So, wait—you're telling us Mr. Satan didn't actually beat Cell?"

Gohan and Trunks gave each other a knowing look. Gohan exhaled slowly. "He didn't defeat Cell," he admitted, "but... he did play a part. Just not in the way people think."

"Then why let the world think he did?" Erasa asked, confused and slightly disappointed. "I mean... it was you who fought him, right?"

Videl's face was a mix of anger and embarrassment. "So all these years... my dad let everyone think he saved the world?" She stood up, hands clenched. "Do you know how long I believed him to be the strongest? How many tournaments I entered trying to follow in his footsteps? And you just... let me?"

Gohan raised his hands, calm and patient. "Videl, your dad is strong. Not in the way we are, not in the way the Z Fighters are—but he was brave. When no one else dared to step up, he did."

Trunks nodded in agreement. "He walked into that ring knowing full well that Cell could crush him in an instant. No powers, no tricks—just guts. You can't fake that kind of courage."

"But still..." Videl muttered, lowering her gaze. "The world worships him like some kind of god. And you all—Goku, Gohan, even you Trunks—just fade into the background?"

"That was the point," Gohan said softly. "After Cell... the world was terrified. Everything had changed. Monsters from space, cities destroyed, and Cell's broadcast—people needed something to believe in. Someone they could understand."

"They didn't need a man with golden hair or a glowing aura," Trunks added. "They needed a human. A symbol. Someone who could make them feel safe. And that person was Mr. Satan."

Sharpner shook his head, trying to wrap his head around it. "So you're saying... it was all for the people?"

"Yes," Gohan answered. "My dad wasn't interested in fame or recognition. He never has been. And I agreed with him. At the time, what the world needed most wasn't truth—it was hope. Even if that hope came in the form of your father, Videl."

Videl sat back down slowly, still fuming, but thinking. "He always did say it was a miracle... or that he got lucky. I thought he was just being modest."

Erasa chuckled nervously. "Well... this definitely isn't going in the school report."

Trunks laughed. "Probably for the best."

There was a brief pause as the group digested the information. The dim light of the setting sun filtered through the wooden windows, casting long shadows across the Son family home.

Gohan leaned forward a little, his voice quieter now. "I know it's hard to accept. But Mr. Satan really is a hero. Maybe not in the same way my dad was, but in his own right."

"He stood there in front of Cell when most would've run," Trunks added. "The world may never know the full story. But that's okay. We don't do this for praise."

"Exactly," Gohan said, smiling gently. "We do this because we can. Because we have the power to protect, and that means we have the responsibility to use it."

Videl looked at him, conflicted. "But why not tell the truth now? It's been years. Don't people deserve to know what really happened?"

"Maybe someday," Gohan said, thoughtful. "But right now... people need the lie more than the truth. They need a story that makes sense. And they need a hero they can reach."

"And who knows," Trunks smirked, "maybe one day you'll be the hero the world can understand."

That made Videl smile, just a little.

Just then, Chichi walked back in with a tray of fruits and hot tea, wiping her hands on her apron. "Everything alright here?"

Gohan nodded. "Yeah, Mom. We were just... talking about heroes."

Chichi raised a brow, clearly not buying it, but said nothing. She placed the tray down on the table. "Well, I hope you didn't upset Videl too much."

Videl looked at Chichi, and then at Gohan again. Her anger and embarrassment had cooled, but something inside still felt restless. Not because of betrayal—but because of perspective. The world she thought she knew had cracks in it. But the truth wasn't ugly—it was noble.

"Thanks," Videl said suddenly.

Gohan tilted his head. "For what?"

"For telling me the truth... even if it's one the world may never hear."

Awhile later

Chichi's experienced eyes caught something subtle—Videl's occasional sharp glances at Gohan, her brows furrowed ever so slightly. It wasn't anger, but it wasn't peace either. There was a storm of emotions she could tell the girl wasn't voicing.

Chichi smiled softly to herself.

She reminds me of… well, me. She set her cup down and approached the group just as Goku and Goten returned from their walk, their arms full of firewood.

"Hey Gohan," Chichi called gently. "Mind if I borrow Videl for a moment?"

"Huh?" Gohan blinked, while Videl tilted her head, puzzled.

Chichi turned to her. "You're a martial artist, right? I thought you might want to spar a little… sometimes moving helps clear the mind. Besides," she gave a knowing grin, "I did hear you say you idolized me back in the day."

Videl's eyes widened slightly, cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she avoided looking at Erasa and Sharpner.

"I-I mean… yeah, you were the first woman to make it to the Semi-Finals. It was amazing... I just didn't expect you to be the Anonymous."

"C'mon Videl," Sharpner said, nudging her. "We're dying to see your childhood idol in action."

Erasa giggled. "Don't chicken out now."

Videl rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile tugging at her lips. "Fine. But don't expect much—I'm not really in the mood to fight."

Chichi gave a gentle laugh. "Oh, it's not a fight. Just a bit of sparring between two martial artists. No pressure."

They all stepped out to the back, the open space near the forest's edge making the perfect makeshift arena. Gohan, Trunks, then Goten, and Goku who wanted to see the action sat on a wooden log, while Erasa and Sharpner leaned against the hovercraft, excited and curious.

The spar began simply—just stretches and light movement. Videl looked nervous at first, her stance tighter than usual, but Chichi kept the pace slow, almost deliberately telegraphing her moves. A quick jab here, a low sweep there, but none aimed to hurt. Each move came with a tip, a correction, a suggestion.

"Keep your hips centered."

"Don't overextend when you kick."

"Use your eyes, not your head."

Videl blinked, slowly realizing what Chichi was doing. This wasn't just sparring—it was a lesson. She was being taught by Chichi, the woman she'd studied for years in grainy tournament footage and articles. The idea almost made her forget her earlier frustrations.

From the sidelines, Erasa whispered, "She's… teaching her?"

Sharpner nodded. "Dude, Videl's barely landing a hit, and your mom's moving like it's a warmup."

Gohan smiled. "That's Mom. She's always been strong, but she cares more about family than showing off."

In the final moment of their light spar, Videl launched a fast roundhouse kick toward Chichi's head, and for a second, it looked like it might land. But Chichi leaned back ever so slightly, catching Videl's foot gently and guiding it down.

"Nice kick," she said with an encouraging nod. "You've got a good sense of timing."

Videl dropped to a knee, breathing heavily. "I lost…"

Chichi helped her up. "It wasn't about winning or losing."

But Videl shook her head. "No. I want to learn. You and Gohan… You're have so much strength, and I want to understand it—not just for me, but for the people I want to protect."

She turned to Gohan, determination lighting her eyes and then she bowed. "Train me. Both of you. Please."

Gohan's eyes widened. "Videl…"

Chichi folded her arms and grinned. "She's got the fire, I'll give her that."

Suddenly, Sharpner stood up. "Well if Videl's doing it, I'm in too. I can't just be the guy who gets shown up every time."

"Yeah!" Erasa said with a laugh, stepping forward. "I mean, I won't be as intense, but learning how to dodge a punch sounds useful, right?"

Chichi blinked. "You too?"

Trunks burst out laughing. "You're starting a school now, Chichi?"

Goten grinned. "Can I be a teacher?"

Everyone laughed.

Gohan scratched his head. "Well, I guess we can start tomorrow if you're all serious. But fair warning—it won't be easy."

Videl smiled, the weight from earlier seemingly lifted from her shoulders. "Good. I don't want it to be."

Chichi patted Videl on the back. "Alright then. Let's get some rest. Big day tomorrow."

Goku who was uncharacteristically quite just smiled.

As the sun dipped behind the mountains and the stars began to peek from the heavens, a new chapter began—not just for Gohan and Videl, but for everyone present. Under the roof of the Son family, legends and legacies were quietly being passed on in the most humble of ways—through shared meals, sparring under starlight, and the bonds forged not by power, but by trust.