Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Normal Friends from Strange Places ❯ Final Fights ( Chapter 29 )
[ P - Pre-Teen ]
The Last Chapter is coming up... first of all, thanks to Nadia Rose for her help and Hunky Gohan which can be found at Saiyan Homecoming. The Late Kyuushi, Triforce, and Lazarus belong to me. Happy reading.
Normal Friends from Strange Places
Part 26
By Maria Cline
Darkness filled the skies as onyx black feathers vanished one-by-one until only one feather was left. Triforce felt the barrier release and he went on. He knelt down picked up the solitary feather. “Kyuushi, you fought valiantly.” Triforce whispered as he kissed the feather and tucked it behind his ear.
“Are you ready to fight, Triforce?” Lazarus asked as he smirked. “Or shall I say, Yinyo?”
“We will defeat you, Lazarus!” Triforce proclaimed as he jumped high into the air. A bright glow overwhelmed his body. Long silver wings spouted out of his back, his clothes morphed into a sleek white and black outfit with long black robes with white lining. A pair of katanas appeared by his side and he held them up. “Sacred swords of healing and destruction let us avenge Kyuushi’s death!”
Bulma blinked as she looked at the two swords. “Hey! Isn’t Tri- I mean, Yinyo carrying Yajarobie’s sword?”
“I think so.” Krillian said as the warriors looked at the twin blades.
“Believe it or not, but Yajarobie’s sword is a godly weapon.” The Long-Haired Gohan said as he appeared next to the group.
They fell over and Bulma screamed, “WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?”
“Down there.” The Long-Haired Gohan said as he pointed to the arena. “What I said is true. Yajarobie’s sword is mystical. It’s what you call a healing sword. Wherever it inflicts damage is scarred forever, even Senzus can’t heal it. That’s why Vegita’s tail didn’t sprout back.”
“Wow... so that explains that battle.” Krillain muttered as he crossed his arms. “Yajarobie had an angel’s weapon and didn’t even know it!”
“Exactly.”
Yinyo’s body glowed as everyone around them felt a strange sense of zen. “I feel so balanced.” The Announcer gasped as he stepped back.
“Why do I have this sudden urge to meditate?” A random man asked as he held his head.
“I am the Angel of Balance and Unity. They call me the Zen Angel Yinyo!” Yinyo proclaimed as he raised his katanas high into the air. “Now die, Lazarus!” He exclaimed as both blades glowed with an eerie power.
“I won’t die.” Lazarus vowed as he held up his own sword glowing with a radiant power.
The two clashed with swords; Yinyo with his twin blades and Lazarus with his own broad sword. They flew high into the air swinging at each other. The Zen Angel swung fiercely with both swords and the Angel of Life held off both of them with ease.
“I can’t do it like that.” Yinyo muttered as he paused and flew back. His silver wings glowed intensely and he conjured a small dagger out of thin air. “SHADOW SNAP!” He flung the dagger to the ground and it struck Lazarus’ shadow.
Lazarus grunted as he felt snagged to the same spot in the air. “Oh, you tricky angel.” He whispered as he blasted the ground under him and forced his shadow to vanish. “Better.” Suddenly, a bright barrage of Ki blasts struck him and Lazarus held up his hands and they stopped. Lazarus took a deep breath as the audience started chanting his name again. “Yes…”
“STOP CHANTING!” Yinyo ordered, “CAN’T YOU TELL THAT LAZARUS IS EVIL?!”
“They can’t hear you.” Lazarus boasted as his wounds healed. “All they see are a group of evil monsters attacking the Angel of Life and Earth’s Champion. You, of all people, should know how narrow minded mortals tend to be. You can still join me, show these mortals true wisdom.”
Yinyo paused as he stared at him. All of a sudden, the offer temping. The harsh memories of Trey’s treatment by the cruel students in Orange Star High School were still fresh in his mind. Time and time again he’d wished he could show them the truth. Now he had the power to change things for the better, but still, he thought with Trigun in his mind and heart. And Trigun knew how his mother had suffered thanks to Launch’s ‘death’. “No.”
“No?”
“We all need darkness in our lives to counter the good.” Yinyo said, “Like life needs death to make it worthwhile. You know that.”
“Then you will join Kyuushi!” Lazarus screamed as he powered up and struck him.
Lunch clasped both hands over her mouth as she looked away. “No.” She whispered as Tien held her. Tien turned his head toward the fight and felt sick. His son was severed in half at the waist. Yinyo’s legs were lying beside his chest.
Yinyo looked up at his father and coughed up blood. His body glowed and two men appeared.
“That was one of the sickest moments of my life.” Trigun confessed as he got up.
“Tell me about it.” Trey agreed.
The audience gasped in shock. Where there once was one man, now two different men stood with third eyes on their foreheads. They were both cut up and bleeding badly, each on opposite sides.
“That’s Trey and Trigun!” Erasa gasped, “Trey goes to High School with us.”
“What kind of school is this Orange Star?” A man asked.
Lazarus glanced at the two. “You seemed to have split up.”
“You bastard! YOU KILLED KAI SHI!” Trigun boomed as he held up a huge gun and aimed it at the angel.
“WE WILL KILL YOU!” Trey screamed as he put his hands in a triangle. “TRIBEAM!”
“Ya!” The two blasted at the angel.
Lazarus held up his sword and absorbed the blasts. “Pathetic. You can’t even stick together.” He said as he ran up and grabbed the two by the chests.
“NO!” Lunch pleaded as she turned her head and wept.
“Don’t... no...” Tien whispered as he ran his hand through his wife’s hair.
“Not him too!” The Blue Gauntlet screamed as she powered up and struck the barrier. Trey was one of the few people who had actually cared for her as a friend. He didn’t care much about her father or her attitude when they were kids. “Trey! Trigun! I’m sorry!”
“STOP IT!” Saiyanman growled as his tail bristled up. “NO MORE! NO MORE!”
Trey and Trigun just smiled and said in unison, “I have no regrets.”
Lazarus smirked as a bright flash overwhelmed the three. The flash faded and all that was left was Lazarus and a strange white and black feather.
“Trey-chan?” Lunch whispered as she reached out. “Where’s my Trey-chan? Trigun-chan?”
“No...” Tien whispered as tears ran down his face. His son was gone, he could feel it. When Trey and Trigun were born he vowed that they would never know death twice. Now it felt like that promise had been shattered. “Oh god...”
“Don’t worry.” Bulma whispered as she put a hand on Tien’s shoulder. “I gathered the Dragon Balls and took them to the Lookout. We can wish them back.”
“That’s right.” Lunch smiled softly, “The Dragon Balls can fix this.”
“If we survive this.” Bardock muttered as he watched the shield collapse. He held the ring in his hands and growled. **This can’t end like that.**
Lazarus glanced over at the Blue Gauntlet and Saiyanman. “Next?”
The Blue Gauntlet wiped her face and stepped forward. Gohan grabbed her wrist. “No! I can’t lose you!” The warrior pleaded as he rolled up his mask.
“I have to fight.” The Blue Gauntlet whispered as she took off her mask. “Trey and Kyuushi died for this. We can’t just run away. I want to avenge them.” Videl explained as she held Gohan’s hand.
“I want to avenge them too, but I can’t stand the thought of losing you,” Gohan insisted “I hate this. I just wanted to live a normal life, to go to school, to be a superhero, to become a scholar and get married. If you die on that arena, I don’t know what I would do. I love you, Videl.”
“I love you too, but I can’t quit.” Videl smiled as she kissed him on the cheek. “Please, just understand my need for this.”
“I do; just please don’t die.” Gohan slowly released his grip and Videl slipped her mask on again.
She walked onto the arena and raised her head up high. “You stole my life, my father, and now two of my best friends. I won’t let you take any more.” She reached up and took off her mask to reveal her face.
Hercule’s eyes bulged and screamed, “VIDEL?!”
“The one and only.” Videl said as she heard murmurs of disbelief around her. “Let’s fight.” She screamed as her hair gained blue streaks and grew while her outfit changed into a short white dress with shorts underneath, and a pair of beautiful blue wings. Her right arm was covered in her blue gauntlet. “I AM APHRADITE! THE ANGEL OF LOVE AND HATE!”
At once, everyone gasped. “I’m s-sc-scared.” The Announcer gasped as he held his stomach.
The Z warriors held themselves as grief, fear, anger, and even some traces of hope overwhelmed them. Lunch was rocking in her chair and Tien was weeping. Bardock stared at Yamcha and said, “Yamcha, I love you.”
Yamcha just stared as his cheeks became slightly red. “I know.”
Slowly, the other warriors gawked as they turned their heads toward Bardock and Yamcha. No one know what to say or do about this startling-but-sick revelation.
“Yamcha and Bardock... that’s one couple I can’t imagine.” Bulma sighed, “No offense guys.”
“None taken, my lady.” Bardock said as he bowed his head.
Aphradite glowed intensely as her powers spiked up from the emotions around her. “I will avenge my friends!” Her huge wings spanned outward as she flew high into the air and Lazarus followed her.
Hercule gawked as he looked around and wondered, “How is that possible? Videl is an evil angel?”
Aphradite shivered as she felt the entire world supporting her foe. They felt nothing but fear and anger towards Kyuushi and the Z warriors. How could anyone be so blind? She fingered the black and white feather in her hand and tucked in into her gauntlet. “I will get you back, Trey, Kai Shi, Trigun.” She raised her hand and blue armor appeared on her body and around her wings leaving only her bright blue eyes showing.
“Nice.” Lazarus chuckled as he flew up with his sword. The Angel of Life slashed at the other angel and she blocked with her shield.
“Not so tough, are you?” Aphradite smirked as she conjured up another sword and struck at him.
“Go, Aphradite!” Suno exclaimed as she waved her hands. “You can do it!”
“You can do it, little Aphradite!” Eighter said as tears threatened to come down his face.
“You better not die before you marry my Gohan!” Chi Chi screamed praying Videl would win so her Gohan wouldn’t fight.
Aphradite and Lazarus fought equally in the sky. The Angel of Love and Hate was empowered by the pure eagerness of her friends and the world itself. The Angel of Life was empowered by the Humans chanting his name. He dropped down to the Earth and boomed, “DO NOT FEEL ANYTHING! THE ANGEL OF EMOTION FEEDS OFF OF EXTREME EMOTIONS! DO AS I SAY AND I WILL WIN!”
“That’s not possible.” Piccolo muttered, “You can’t just order people not to feel anything.”
“I am apathetic.” An audience man said as he stared out like a zombie.
“I don’t care about anything.” The audience muttered in a trance.
Piccolo and the others face faulted in disbelief.
“Oh brother.” Bardock moaned as he held his head. “What kind of man is this?!”
Aphradite blinked as she felt the emotion and her power fade away. “No...
“We have to generate as much fresh emotion as possible,” Bulma figured, “We’re still immune to Lazarus’ power. That means we need to go ballistic.” She clicked on her communicator medallion. “Vegita, I need you to do what Saiyans do best... GO APE!”
On the arena, Vegita went Super Saiyan and screamed and ranted as loud as his Saiyan lungs would allow him. Bardock and Chi Chi smirked as they jumped onto their chairs and screamed and hollered as loud as they could. Gohan and his counterpart jumped around and screamed to join in. Piccolo growled as he held his ears. He didn’t know whether he was in a stadium or a monkey house. “Go, Videl.”
The other warriors watched in fear and Krillian said to Goldheart, “Man, Saiyans sure are emotional.”
Goku nodded and started barking loudly.
Aphradite felt rage and passion from the Saiyans and the other warriors. “Thank you,” she whispered as some of her armor faded and she lunged at Lazarus.
“Lazarus. Lazarus.” The audience said in a dead tone.
“SHUT UP!” Chi Chi screamed as she jumped out of her chair and into the audience.
“Hold it!” Eighteen said as grabbed the Saiyan and held her in a chokehold. While she wanted Videl to gain as much power as possible, she didn’t want Chi Chi to accidentally kill anyone while in a berserker state.
Lazarus flung out his sword and shattered the armor. Aphradite screamed as she backed away with a wound on her stomach. “Damn it,” she growled as she put wraps over her wound and held out her hands.
“This is your last chance, Aphradite. Give up and guide the Human race and all others to the ultimate truth.” Lazarus offered. “Do you want your father back?”
Aphradite paused as she stared at him. No matter how much her father lied to her, she was still sad for him. She still remembered the times they had together before Cell. In a way, she and Gohan had more in common than most would believe; they both lost their fathers at the Cell Games. The man before her was preventing her from saving her father. She growled and blasted at the angel. “I want... I WANT YOU TO ROT IN HELL!”
Lazarus dodged the blasts and his sword glowed. “No thank you.”
The two rushed at each other and silence filled the air as a figure fell to the earth. Both Gohans gasped as they saw Aphradite lying on the ground surrounded by blue feathers. The Long-Haired Gohan growled as he watched the angel revert to Videl. Memories of his teenage Tournament haunted him. In his tournament, he’d watched Videl be beaten up by a brute. He thought nothing like that would ever happen here, but he was wrong. “VIDEL!” The two Gohans screamed.
Videl got up and felt her busted lip. Her body ached and blood fell onto the arena. “I am a warrior.” She whispered as she glanced at her father and then at her mother and uncle. Finally she gazed at her Gohan and said, “Gohan, I’m sorry.” She put both hands together powered up. Lazarus struck his sword through and she vanished, leaving only a black, white, and blue feather behind.
“No...” Suno gasped as she held Eighter. “My daughter.”
“I know...” Lunch whispered as she held Tien.
“Oh Dende... oh Dende... Gohan’s next.” Chi Chi realized as she put her hand on Goku’s head. He laid his head on her lap. Goten sat beside her.
On the arena, there was silence. Gohan tensed up as tears ran down his face. All of his life, he had watched people he loved die time and time again. They came back thanks to the Dragon Balls but he wasn’t sure if they would work on angels. He picked up the multicolored feather and a tear touched it. “You...” He whispered as he glared at the man responsible for all the pain. “you...” His mother was no longer herself, his father was a dog, and his friends were gone, thanks to him. His muscles bulged with every ounce of rage and anger flowing through him. Piccolo and the other Gohan watched in awe and horror as the demi-Saiyan powered up harder.
“Stand back.” The Long-Haired Gohan said as he pulled Piccolo and Vegita away, concerned for their safety. He had been through the power of pure rage before.
Gohan’s eyes turned blood red as his mask evaporated into the sky.
“Look! It’s Gohan! He’s a classmate!” Erasa muttered, dazed from Lazarus’ spell.
“Man, what kind of nutty school is this Orange Star place?” A man wondered.
Gohan didn’t care about his secret being revealed, he didn’t care about everyone else being scared, and he didn’t even care about his own life. There was only one thing in his mind, blood. “YOU MONSTER!!!” He screamed as metal wings sprouted from his back and his costume ripped apart. Red fur grew on his arms and chest while his hair grew long. He was wearing red armor and a tunic. “I WILL KILL YOU!!!” He roared at the sky.
“This is bad.” The Long-Haired Gohan muttered, “Damn it.” He reached into his shirt and got out a cell phone. “Hello Octavia; it’s time.”
“What are you talking about?” Vegita demanded.
“Just getting ready. Octavia’s a good friend of mine... and a relative.” The warrior commented, “You two better go to the others. It won’t be safe here. Besides Vegita, you might want to meet Octavia.”
Vegita and Piccolo glared at him and then the ground shook from Gorgandus’ power. “He’s right.” Piccolo agreed, “This will be one intense battle.”
“Fine but I won’t retreat.” Vegita said as he focused and a pair of white circles enclosed the two and vanished.
The Kai-Elect Gohan nodded as he watched the two staring at each other. Lazarus and Gorgandus were two skilled warriors and were planning their moves. Nothing was going on right now but, once they started, nothing was safe.
Vegita and Piccolo reappeared at their friends’ seats. “Where is she?” Vegita demanded as he looked around.
“Where’s who?” Krillian asked as he held his daughter.
“Right here.” A soft voice said behind them.
At once, the group looked behind them to see Firestorm sitting on a chair, smirking. Her eyes lit up and a bright light overcame her. When the flash faded, a woman appeared sitting in the chair with the same expression on her face. She had long fiery hair that flowed along her back and matching amber eyes that seemed to come out of the heart of a volcano itself. She was dressed in a short white dress that flickered in the wind and long boots that literally burned with fire. “Hello.”
“OCTAVIA?!” Ox-King gasped in shock as he ran up and felt her. “You’re... alive!”
“Nice to see you too, Oxy.” Octavia said as she smiled. “You look well... still big and strong as usual.” She walked around and stretched. “Oh... it feels so good to have arms again! I don’t mind being a cat but there’s only so much a cat can do.”
“You... know her, Grandpa?” Goten asked, wide-eyed.
Bardock was stunned at the woman’s mysterious appearance. The other warriors couldn’t help but wonder how a mechanical cat became a woman.
Octavia walked over to Goten and picked him up. “He should. My name is Octavia and I’m your grandmother.”
At once, everyone fell over in pure shock. “Mother?” Chi Chi gasped, wide-eyed.
“THAT’S SO COOL! My formerly dead grandmother was a cat!” Goten giggled as he hugged the woman.
“Okay, your family is totally weird.” Trunks said.
“HA! I knew there was something off about that cat!” Vegita boasted as he crossed his arms confident, that he wasn’t paranoid.
“Well... I really know how to build them.” Dr. Briefs said as he looked Octavia over.
“Yeah!” Master Roshi agreed as he joined in the gawking.
Octavia growled and blinded them with a pair of good small flashes of light. “I hate being looked at.” She muttered.
“Yup, she’s Chi Chi’s Mom,” Krillian agreed as he grinned.
“Totally.”
“Incredible, such mystical power.” Bardock muttered amazed.
“As much as I love this reunion we have to go to someplace safe,” Octavia instructed. “I’ll take you to Dende’s Lookout for safety.”
“Good.” Tien said as he held Lunch, “Lunch is too distraught to watch herself here. I’ll go with her.”
“All of us?” Chi Chi asked, “What about Gohan and... Gohan? I have to stay.”
“My lady, you will risk danger just staying here!” Bardock insisted, “Please, you must go!”
“I’m not leaving!” Chi Chi insisted as tears ran down her face, “Gohan needs me. Besides, if the Multiverse is going to be destroyed, where can I hide?”
Octavia smiled and gently kissed her on the cheek. “You have such fire in your spirit.”
“Look, I’ll stay too and teleport the others if anything get hairy.” Vegita promised.
“Thank you, Vegita.” Bulma said as she took his hand.
“I wanna stay!” Goten said, “I don’t want to run away!”
“Me neither.”
“It’s not running away,” Krillian said. “Look, we’re just backing off for now. If we stay here we’ll get creamed. We need to take a few strong warriors to cover our backs.”
“Forget it. We’re staying.” Trunks said as he crossed his arms.
“Okay. Fine.” Vegita said as he came up to the two from behind. He clasped his hands behind their backs and swiftly knocked them out. The two boys fell into a white hole in the floor. “They’re at the Lookout now. I just knocked them out.”
Lazarus and Goragandus still stared at each other watching and waiting. Finally Lazarus spoke, “I have to give Kyuushi credit, she trained you well. But she is still foolish.”
“What do you mean?” Gorgandus asked as he raised an eyebrow.
“Well... as you know, even an angel’s spell weakens after the angel dies. It doesn’t reverse itself but if it was used to hide something it can be revealed.” Lazarus’ eyes lit up as he smirked. “Kyuushi and Kaioshin placed a very complicated spell on your father. Not even I can detect it until after Kyuushi died. Her power fueled the spell and now, the next step of my plan will go.” He screamed as he let loose a small disk at the stadium.
“NO!” Gorgandus and Gohan exclaimed at once.
At that moment, no one can move, the disk vanished in mid air. Bardock gasped as he felt a strange cutting sensation along the astral plain. It flew straight at him and he couldn’t get away. Then, something shoved him out of the way, the warrior looked up to see Goku as a man standing in the path of the disk. “No.” Bardock whispered as he watched the astral image of his son get ripped apart. “KAKAROT!”
Everyone gasped as Goldheart collapsed onto the ground, bleeding at the side. “NO!” Chi Chi exclaimed as she cradled the dog’s head. “Someone get me a senzu!”
“Here.” Krillian reached into his pocket and shoved the bean into the dog’s mouth. “Come on, swallow it.”
The wound vanished, but the dog was still lying still. Bardock gazed down to see his son’s astral form still injured. “His soul is wounded, the senzu cannot heal it!”
“Everyone, come with me, maybe we can heal him at Dende’s.” Octavia said as she held out her hands.
**If that damn cat was really some powerful woman, that dog must be the same way. That carefree feeling, that overwhelming friendliness, that stupid way he humiliated me. No... it can’t be...** Vegita paused as he knelt down and put his hand over the dog’s head. “What did you do?”
“Anyone else wish to stay?” Octavia asked as she glanced around.
“I’ll stay too.” Piccolo volunteered, “Chi Chi, you go ahead and be with Goku.”
“Very well.” The woman reached up and everyone clasped hands.
Vegita stepped forward and said to Bardock, “Bardock, tell your son that when he get back to normal, we will have that fight! Don’t you dare let him die!”
Bardock smiled and nodded. “Yes, Lord Vegita.”
“Huh?” Bulma asked as Octavia teleported the group away.
“You knew, didn’t you?” Piccolo asked Vegita as they stood in the stands.
“Can’t hide things forever from me.” Vegita chuckled, “Kakarot... in that form... amusing.”
“Shut up and watch the fight.” Piccolo ordered as they looked down at the arena. **Gohan, don’t die on us.**
Gorgandus growled as he watched the scene. His eyes became blood red as a bright aura overwhelmed him. “THAT’S IT! YOU’RE DEAD!” All of his senses were gone and what was left of his mind was overcome by pure rage and anger. He lunged at Lazarus and bashed at him.
Lazarus dodged the blow and struck back. The two flew upward toward the sky. Gorgandus’ metal wings flashed as they flung out thousands of shards of metal at the angel. Lazarus held up his sword and blocked the shards. A few went past the sword and one struck Lazarus’ cheek. “You think I would worry about a little cut?” He asked as he felt his cheek.
“Shut up.” Gorgandus growled as he took out his Staff of Power and bashed at him again.
*****
Chi Chi felt divided as she sat on the floor with Goku’s head in her lap. Dende wiped his brow and said, “I’m sorry, but he’s wounded mentally. I can’t heal him.”
“Isn’t there anything you can do?” Chi Chi whispered as she stroked Goku’s fur.
“Just be there for him.” Octavia said, “That’s all we can do right now. It’s a matter of willpower and Goku has a lot of will.”
“Thank you.” Chi Chi whispered as she glanced at Baba and Bardock. “Can’t you guys show us what’s going on at the Tournament?”
“We’re working as hard as we can, my lady.” Bardock said as he and his teacher focused their energies on the crystal ball.
“OH NO!” Bulma screamed as she as she ran up holding a stone ball.
“What is it?” Chi Chi asked as she held Goku’s head tighter.
“The Dragon Balls are kaput!” Bulma said as she held the ball in her hand. “We had the Dragon Balls gathered up here to prevent any idiots from making wishes and they just conked out!”
Silence filled the lookout at the revelation. The Dragon Balls, the miraculous artifacts that were responsible for saving countless lives and starting the whole adventure, were inactive.
“Does that mean that Kyuushi, Videl, Trigun, and Trey won’t come back?” Goten asked as he came up and sat next to his mother.
“How can that be?” Chi Chi asked “Are you sure no one wished for anything?”
“Positive,” Mr. Popo said as he came in with another former Dragon Ball. “They just turned into stone for no reason.”
“What will we do?” Chi Chi wondered, “Goku, you have to get better, the Dragon Balls are out. What about Namek?”
“The same at Namek.” Dende said as he held his head. “Just turned into stone.”
“Lazarus did that.” Kaioshin said as he and Kibito appeared out of nowhere. “I’m sorry. Right now, we must focus on Gohan.”
“We are doing our best!” Bardock screamed as he glared at the crystal ball, “Right now, an evil angel is killing people I respect in front of me while I am helpless and now my son is wounded on the astral level and may be dying, and you just showed up and the miracle Dragon Balls have been destroyed!” He went Super Saiyan and grabbed the god by the collar. “WHY AREN’T YOU DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT?!”
“Grandpa!” Goten screamed as he tugged at his grandfather’s tail. “It’s not his fault.”
Bardock dropped out of Super Saiyan mode and looked down. “I’m sorry, I lost my temper.”
“Understandably. Don’t worry, you couldn’t hurt me if you wanted to.” Kaioshin bowed his head. The Elder Kaioshin appeared. “Elder Kaioshin, can you please show everyone what is going on at the Tournament.”
“Okay...” The old man bowed as he took out a crystal ball and waved his hand. The group gathered around the crystal ball.
Goku whined softly as he tried to open his eyes and lift his head. Chi Chi stroked his head. “Don’t worry, I’ll tell you everything good and bad. Just rest.” The dog relaxed and let out a small moan.
The group turned and looked at the globe. Gorgandus and Lazarus were still hovering face-to-face. The Angel of Knowledge and Power was breathing heavily and covered in cuts. Lazarus looked better, but he was starting to show some fatigue.
“Come on, Gohan!” Goten cheered, “You can do it!”
*****
Gorgandus breathed heavily as he watched his opponent. His power was weakening and Lazarus was still going strong. **If only Yinyo, Kyuushi, and Aphradite were with me. We could show him together.** “I won’t give up!” He screamed as he powered up and bashed at Lazarus.
Lazarus smirked as he tossed his sword up into the air. It hovered and he said, “Let’s fight with our fists. I bet that you are capable of that.”
“Okay.” Gorgandus tossed his staff to the side.
The Kai-Elect Gohan’s eyes widened as he caught the staff in his hands. “NO!” He looked up at the floating sword; his counterpart was being tricked somehow. “Gorgandus! Lazarus is fooling you! It’s a trap!”
Gorgandus didn’t listen. He cupped his hands and chanted, “KAAAMMMEEE HAMMEEE... HA!!!!” A bright white blast shot out of his and struck the warrior.
Lazarus grunted as he flung off the Ki blast. “Nice try. Why don’t you just give up?”
Images of Videl dieing appeared in his mind. “Never,” Gorgandus vowed as he powered up and struck at him again. Lazarus dodged again and kept on dodging. The fight continued as the warriors watched in horror.
Vegita tensed up as he watched the fight. “Damn it. Those two are going at it so fast I can barely keep up.”
“Tell me about it.” Piccolo agreed, “Gohan has lost all of his senses. He’s relying on pure rage to win.”
“And there’s something wrong with that?” Vegita asked as he crossed his arms. “Saiyans use rage to win battles. That is one of our secrets to power.”
“And one of the reasons you Saiyans are virtually extinct.” Piccolo growled, “When in rage, the fighter looses all senses. Yeah, he’s powerful, but a smart warrior would use lack of sense to his advantage. That’s why Lazarus wanted Gohan so mad; he knew that weakness of rage.”
Vegita blinked and then looked at the battle. “Perhaps. But he will still defeat that... freak.” The audience rose their hand toward the air. “What are they doing?” Vegita wondered and then felt trickles of energy flow from his body.
“That’s like...” Piccolo’s eyes widened.
“SPIRIT BOMB!” The two exclaimed in unison.
“But... he’s pure hearted!” Vegita insisted, “The Spirit Bomb would just bounce off.”
“Not with Gohan so filled with that powerful Saiyan rage,” Piccolo reasoned. He put his finger to his forehead and focused, **Gohan! Get control over yourself!**
The Kai-Elect Gohan heard the message but could tell that his younger and more rage-filled counterpart couldn’t listen. He focused hard and thought, **Listen to Piccolo. I know your anger, and your rage; and I know you can handle it. Please, listen to Piccolo and us.**
Gorgandus paused and felt the words in his heart. He stopped and took a deep breath.
Lazarus called back his sword. It was glowing purely with energy. “Behold the entire planet against you.” He said as flew at him with the sword in hand and slashed at him.
The angel coughed up blood as he lost power and fell to the ground. Metal shards fell out of his wings and he stared up at the sky. **What can I do?** He wondered as he felt his blood seep onto the feather. **Wait a second, feather.** The warrior went upon his knees and closed his eyes. He was dying and couldn’t be healed. His friends were gone and his parents couldn’t be changed back. There was only one way to save everything. **Kai-Elect Gohan, I need your power.**
The Kai-Elect Gohan nodded and raised his hand. **I know what you will do. Good luck.**
He focused his power and closed his eyes. Lazarus landed and said, “Praying for salvation?”
“You were good, Lazarus. You manipulated everything from the start; Mother, Father, killing my friends in front of me so you could gain their power, and you even convinced the entire Human race that you were good guy and reverted the Dragon Balls. Not anymore.” Gorgandus reverted to Gohan and gazed up into the sky.
Kai-Elect Gohan poured power into his counterpart. He knew that the angel was too injured to fight but he can still help. A column of energy circled him and he felt his friends’ souls touching his.
Lazarus’ eyes widened as he slashed at the column. Gohan winced as he focused his mind outward.
*****
The Z warriors watched the scene. “What is he doing?” Chi Chi asked as she came up with Goku in her arms. “Please don’t tell me he’s surrendering.”
“I don’t think so.” Bardock said, “He could be generating enough power to blow himself and Lazarus up.”
“And the world itself too? I doubt it.” Kaioshin said as he clenched his fists.
**I’m not.** A voice said in their minds and an image of Gohan appeared. He was being circled by cherry blossom petals and he was smiling. **I’m going to lose if I fight this way and even if I do win, that won’t bring back the others. I’m using my power and my counterpart’s power to do this.**
“Do what?” Goten asked as he came up to the image.
The image smiled and gazed upward, **To help bring Trey, Trigun, Kyuushi, and most importantly Videl back. I can do this. It’s possible. They’re not completely dead. I can send off the remains to parallel worlds and have them recover. The Dragon Balls are gone and I have to do this.**
“What about you?” Bardock asked as he reached up toward the image.
**I will go with them because it will take everything I have. I just want to tell you so you won’t worry about me.** Gohan winced and the petals scattered. **Lazarus is breaking through. It’s now or never. I love you and don’t give up! Go to the Afterworld and hide until this is safe.**
“Please be careful.” Chi Chi sobbed, “I want you to graduate High School.”
**I will. With honors even.** Gohan smiled as he looked at Suno and Lunch. **They will live again. Take care.** He took a deep breath and vanished.
“Gohan?” Chi Chi whispered as she stared at the image. Her heart pounded as she felt everything collapse around her. “NO!”
To Be Continued...
Normal Friends from Strange Places
Part 26
By Maria Cline
Darkness filled the skies as onyx black feathers vanished one-by-one until only one feather was left. Triforce felt the barrier release and he went on. He knelt down picked up the solitary feather. “Kyuushi, you fought valiantly.” Triforce whispered as he kissed the feather and tucked it behind his ear.
“Are you ready to fight, Triforce?” Lazarus asked as he smirked. “Or shall I say, Yinyo?”
“We will defeat you, Lazarus!” Triforce proclaimed as he jumped high into the air. A bright glow overwhelmed his body. Long silver wings spouted out of his back, his clothes morphed into a sleek white and black outfit with long black robes with white lining. A pair of katanas appeared by his side and he held them up. “Sacred swords of healing and destruction let us avenge Kyuushi’s death!”
Bulma blinked as she looked at the two swords. “Hey! Isn’t Tri- I mean, Yinyo carrying Yajarobie’s sword?”
“I think so.” Krillian said as the warriors looked at the twin blades.
“Believe it or not, but Yajarobie’s sword is a godly weapon.” The Long-Haired Gohan said as he appeared next to the group.
They fell over and Bulma screamed, “WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?”
“Down there.” The Long-Haired Gohan said as he pointed to the arena. “What I said is true. Yajarobie’s sword is mystical. It’s what you call a healing sword. Wherever it inflicts damage is scarred forever, even Senzus can’t heal it. That’s why Vegita’s tail didn’t sprout back.”
“Wow... so that explains that battle.” Krillain muttered as he crossed his arms. “Yajarobie had an angel’s weapon and didn’t even know it!”
“Exactly.”
Yinyo’s body glowed as everyone around them felt a strange sense of zen. “I feel so balanced.” The Announcer gasped as he stepped back.
“Why do I have this sudden urge to meditate?” A random man asked as he held his head.
“I am the Angel of Balance and Unity. They call me the Zen Angel Yinyo!” Yinyo proclaimed as he raised his katanas high into the air. “Now die, Lazarus!” He exclaimed as both blades glowed with an eerie power.
“I won’t die.” Lazarus vowed as he held up his own sword glowing with a radiant power.
The two clashed with swords; Yinyo with his twin blades and Lazarus with his own broad sword. They flew high into the air swinging at each other. The Zen Angel swung fiercely with both swords and the Angel of Life held off both of them with ease.
“I can’t do it like that.” Yinyo muttered as he paused and flew back. His silver wings glowed intensely and he conjured a small dagger out of thin air. “SHADOW SNAP!” He flung the dagger to the ground and it struck Lazarus’ shadow.
Lazarus grunted as he felt snagged to the same spot in the air. “Oh, you tricky angel.” He whispered as he blasted the ground under him and forced his shadow to vanish. “Better.” Suddenly, a bright barrage of Ki blasts struck him and Lazarus held up his hands and they stopped. Lazarus took a deep breath as the audience started chanting his name again. “Yes…”
“STOP CHANTING!” Yinyo ordered, “CAN’T YOU TELL THAT LAZARUS IS EVIL?!”
“They can’t hear you.” Lazarus boasted as his wounds healed. “All they see are a group of evil monsters attacking the Angel of Life and Earth’s Champion. You, of all people, should know how narrow minded mortals tend to be. You can still join me, show these mortals true wisdom.”
Yinyo paused as he stared at him. All of a sudden, the offer temping. The harsh memories of Trey’s treatment by the cruel students in Orange Star High School were still fresh in his mind. Time and time again he’d wished he could show them the truth. Now he had the power to change things for the better, but still, he thought with Trigun in his mind and heart. And Trigun knew how his mother had suffered thanks to Launch’s ‘death’. “No.”
“No?”
“We all need darkness in our lives to counter the good.” Yinyo said, “Like life needs death to make it worthwhile. You know that.”
“Then you will join Kyuushi!” Lazarus screamed as he powered up and struck him.
Lunch clasped both hands over her mouth as she looked away. “No.” She whispered as Tien held her. Tien turned his head toward the fight and felt sick. His son was severed in half at the waist. Yinyo’s legs were lying beside his chest.
Yinyo looked up at his father and coughed up blood. His body glowed and two men appeared.
“That was one of the sickest moments of my life.” Trigun confessed as he got up.
“Tell me about it.” Trey agreed.
The audience gasped in shock. Where there once was one man, now two different men stood with third eyes on their foreheads. They were both cut up and bleeding badly, each on opposite sides.
“That’s Trey and Trigun!” Erasa gasped, “Trey goes to High School with us.”
“What kind of school is this Orange Star?” A man asked.
Lazarus glanced at the two. “You seemed to have split up.”
“You bastard! YOU KILLED KAI SHI!” Trigun boomed as he held up a huge gun and aimed it at the angel.
“WE WILL KILL YOU!” Trey screamed as he put his hands in a triangle. “TRIBEAM!”
“Ya!” The two blasted at the angel.
Lazarus held up his sword and absorbed the blasts. “Pathetic. You can’t even stick together.” He said as he ran up and grabbed the two by the chests.
“NO!” Lunch pleaded as she turned her head and wept.
“Don’t... no...” Tien whispered as he ran his hand through his wife’s hair.
“Not him too!” The Blue Gauntlet screamed as she powered up and struck the barrier. Trey was one of the few people who had actually cared for her as a friend. He didn’t care much about her father or her attitude when they were kids. “Trey! Trigun! I’m sorry!”
“STOP IT!” Saiyanman growled as his tail bristled up. “NO MORE! NO MORE!”
Trey and Trigun just smiled and said in unison, “I have no regrets.”
Lazarus smirked as a bright flash overwhelmed the three. The flash faded and all that was left was Lazarus and a strange white and black feather.
“Trey-chan?” Lunch whispered as she reached out. “Where’s my Trey-chan? Trigun-chan?”
“No...” Tien whispered as tears ran down his face. His son was gone, he could feel it. When Trey and Trigun were born he vowed that they would never know death twice. Now it felt like that promise had been shattered. “Oh god...”
“Don’t worry.” Bulma whispered as she put a hand on Tien’s shoulder. “I gathered the Dragon Balls and took them to the Lookout. We can wish them back.”
“That’s right.” Lunch smiled softly, “The Dragon Balls can fix this.”
“If we survive this.” Bardock muttered as he watched the shield collapse. He held the ring in his hands and growled. **This can’t end like that.**
Lazarus glanced over at the Blue Gauntlet and Saiyanman. “Next?”
The Blue Gauntlet wiped her face and stepped forward. Gohan grabbed her wrist. “No! I can’t lose you!” The warrior pleaded as he rolled up his mask.
“I have to fight.” The Blue Gauntlet whispered as she took off her mask. “Trey and Kyuushi died for this. We can’t just run away. I want to avenge them.” Videl explained as she held Gohan’s hand.
“I want to avenge them too, but I can’t stand the thought of losing you,” Gohan insisted “I hate this. I just wanted to live a normal life, to go to school, to be a superhero, to become a scholar and get married. If you die on that arena, I don’t know what I would do. I love you, Videl.”
“I love you too, but I can’t quit.” Videl smiled as she kissed him on the cheek. “Please, just understand my need for this.”
“I do; just please don’t die.” Gohan slowly released his grip and Videl slipped her mask on again.
She walked onto the arena and raised her head up high. “You stole my life, my father, and now two of my best friends. I won’t let you take any more.” She reached up and took off her mask to reveal her face.
Hercule’s eyes bulged and screamed, “VIDEL?!”
“The one and only.” Videl said as she heard murmurs of disbelief around her. “Let’s fight.” She screamed as her hair gained blue streaks and grew while her outfit changed into a short white dress with shorts underneath, and a pair of beautiful blue wings. Her right arm was covered in her blue gauntlet. “I AM APHRADITE! THE ANGEL OF LOVE AND HATE!”
At once, everyone gasped. “I’m s-sc-scared.” The Announcer gasped as he held his stomach.
The Z warriors held themselves as grief, fear, anger, and even some traces of hope overwhelmed them. Lunch was rocking in her chair and Tien was weeping. Bardock stared at Yamcha and said, “Yamcha, I love you.”
Yamcha just stared as his cheeks became slightly red. “I know.”
Slowly, the other warriors gawked as they turned their heads toward Bardock and Yamcha. No one know what to say or do about this startling-but-sick revelation.
“Yamcha and Bardock... that’s one couple I can’t imagine.” Bulma sighed, “No offense guys.”
“None taken, my lady.” Bardock said as he bowed his head.
Aphradite glowed intensely as her powers spiked up from the emotions around her. “I will avenge my friends!” Her huge wings spanned outward as she flew high into the air and Lazarus followed her.
Hercule gawked as he looked around and wondered, “How is that possible? Videl is an evil angel?”
Aphradite shivered as she felt the entire world supporting her foe. They felt nothing but fear and anger towards Kyuushi and the Z warriors. How could anyone be so blind? She fingered the black and white feather in her hand and tucked in into her gauntlet. “I will get you back, Trey, Kai Shi, Trigun.” She raised her hand and blue armor appeared on her body and around her wings leaving only her bright blue eyes showing.
“Nice.” Lazarus chuckled as he flew up with his sword. The Angel of Life slashed at the other angel and she blocked with her shield.
“Not so tough, are you?” Aphradite smirked as she conjured up another sword and struck at him.
“Go, Aphradite!” Suno exclaimed as she waved her hands. “You can do it!”
“You can do it, little Aphradite!” Eighter said as tears threatened to come down his face.
“You better not die before you marry my Gohan!” Chi Chi screamed praying Videl would win so her Gohan wouldn’t fight.
Aphradite and Lazarus fought equally in the sky. The Angel of Love and Hate was empowered by the pure eagerness of her friends and the world itself. The Angel of Life was empowered by the Humans chanting his name. He dropped down to the Earth and boomed, “DO NOT FEEL ANYTHING! THE ANGEL OF EMOTION FEEDS OFF OF EXTREME EMOTIONS! DO AS I SAY AND I WILL WIN!”
“That’s not possible.” Piccolo muttered, “You can’t just order people not to feel anything.”
“I am apathetic.” An audience man said as he stared out like a zombie.
“I don’t care about anything.” The audience muttered in a trance.
Piccolo and the others face faulted in disbelief.
“Oh brother.” Bardock moaned as he held his head. “What kind of man is this?!”
Aphradite blinked as she felt the emotion and her power fade away. “No...
“We have to generate as much fresh emotion as possible,” Bulma figured, “We’re still immune to Lazarus’ power. That means we need to go ballistic.” She clicked on her communicator medallion. “Vegita, I need you to do what Saiyans do best... GO APE!”
On the arena, Vegita went Super Saiyan and screamed and ranted as loud as his Saiyan lungs would allow him. Bardock and Chi Chi smirked as they jumped onto their chairs and screamed and hollered as loud as they could. Gohan and his counterpart jumped around and screamed to join in. Piccolo growled as he held his ears. He didn’t know whether he was in a stadium or a monkey house. “Go, Videl.”
The other warriors watched in fear and Krillian said to Goldheart, “Man, Saiyans sure are emotional.”
Goku nodded and started barking loudly.
Aphradite felt rage and passion from the Saiyans and the other warriors. “Thank you,” she whispered as some of her armor faded and she lunged at Lazarus.
“Lazarus. Lazarus.” The audience said in a dead tone.
“SHUT UP!” Chi Chi screamed as she jumped out of her chair and into the audience.
“Hold it!” Eighteen said as grabbed the Saiyan and held her in a chokehold. While she wanted Videl to gain as much power as possible, she didn’t want Chi Chi to accidentally kill anyone while in a berserker state.
Lazarus flung out his sword and shattered the armor. Aphradite screamed as she backed away with a wound on her stomach. “Damn it,” she growled as she put wraps over her wound and held out her hands.
“This is your last chance, Aphradite. Give up and guide the Human race and all others to the ultimate truth.” Lazarus offered. “Do you want your father back?”
Aphradite paused as she stared at him. No matter how much her father lied to her, she was still sad for him. She still remembered the times they had together before Cell. In a way, she and Gohan had more in common than most would believe; they both lost their fathers at the Cell Games. The man before her was preventing her from saving her father. She growled and blasted at the angel. “I want... I WANT YOU TO ROT IN HELL!”
Lazarus dodged the blasts and his sword glowed. “No thank you.”
The two rushed at each other and silence filled the air as a figure fell to the earth. Both Gohans gasped as they saw Aphradite lying on the ground surrounded by blue feathers. The Long-Haired Gohan growled as he watched the angel revert to Videl. Memories of his teenage Tournament haunted him. In his tournament, he’d watched Videl be beaten up by a brute. He thought nothing like that would ever happen here, but he was wrong. “VIDEL!” The two Gohans screamed.
Videl got up and felt her busted lip. Her body ached and blood fell onto the arena. “I am a warrior.” She whispered as she glanced at her father and then at her mother and uncle. Finally she gazed at her Gohan and said, “Gohan, I’m sorry.” She put both hands together powered up. Lazarus struck his sword through and she vanished, leaving only a black, white, and blue feather behind.
“No...” Suno gasped as she held Eighter. “My daughter.”
“I know...” Lunch whispered as she held Tien.
“Oh Dende... oh Dende... Gohan’s next.” Chi Chi realized as she put her hand on Goku’s head. He laid his head on her lap. Goten sat beside her.
On the arena, there was silence. Gohan tensed up as tears ran down his face. All of his life, he had watched people he loved die time and time again. They came back thanks to the Dragon Balls but he wasn’t sure if they would work on angels. He picked up the multicolored feather and a tear touched it. “You...” He whispered as he glared at the man responsible for all the pain. “you...” His mother was no longer herself, his father was a dog, and his friends were gone, thanks to him. His muscles bulged with every ounce of rage and anger flowing through him. Piccolo and the other Gohan watched in awe and horror as the demi-Saiyan powered up harder.
“Stand back.” The Long-Haired Gohan said as he pulled Piccolo and Vegita away, concerned for their safety. He had been through the power of pure rage before.
Gohan’s eyes turned blood red as his mask evaporated into the sky.
“Look! It’s Gohan! He’s a classmate!” Erasa muttered, dazed from Lazarus’ spell.
“Man, what kind of nutty school is this Orange Star place?” A man wondered.
Gohan didn’t care about his secret being revealed, he didn’t care about everyone else being scared, and he didn’t even care about his own life. There was only one thing in his mind, blood. “YOU MONSTER!!!” He screamed as metal wings sprouted from his back and his costume ripped apart. Red fur grew on his arms and chest while his hair grew long. He was wearing red armor and a tunic. “I WILL KILL YOU!!!” He roared at the sky.
“This is bad.” The Long-Haired Gohan muttered, “Damn it.” He reached into his shirt and got out a cell phone. “Hello Octavia; it’s time.”
“What are you talking about?” Vegita demanded.
“Just getting ready. Octavia’s a good friend of mine... and a relative.” The warrior commented, “You two better go to the others. It won’t be safe here. Besides Vegita, you might want to meet Octavia.”
Vegita and Piccolo glared at him and then the ground shook from Gorgandus’ power. “He’s right.” Piccolo agreed, “This will be one intense battle.”
“Fine but I won’t retreat.” Vegita said as he focused and a pair of white circles enclosed the two and vanished.
The Kai-Elect Gohan nodded as he watched the two staring at each other. Lazarus and Gorgandus were two skilled warriors and were planning their moves. Nothing was going on right now but, once they started, nothing was safe.
Vegita and Piccolo reappeared at their friends’ seats. “Where is she?” Vegita demanded as he looked around.
“Where’s who?” Krillian asked as he held his daughter.
“Right here.” A soft voice said behind them.
At once, the group looked behind them to see Firestorm sitting on a chair, smirking. Her eyes lit up and a bright light overcame her. When the flash faded, a woman appeared sitting in the chair with the same expression on her face. She had long fiery hair that flowed along her back and matching amber eyes that seemed to come out of the heart of a volcano itself. She was dressed in a short white dress that flickered in the wind and long boots that literally burned with fire. “Hello.”
“OCTAVIA?!” Ox-King gasped in shock as he ran up and felt her. “You’re... alive!”
“Nice to see you too, Oxy.” Octavia said as she smiled. “You look well... still big and strong as usual.” She walked around and stretched. “Oh... it feels so good to have arms again! I don’t mind being a cat but there’s only so much a cat can do.”
“You... know her, Grandpa?” Goten asked, wide-eyed.
Bardock was stunned at the woman’s mysterious appearance. The other warriors couldn’t help but wonder how a mechanical cat became a woman.
Octavia walked over to Goten and picked him up. “He should. My name is Octavia and I’m your grandmother.”
At once, everyone fell over in pure shock. “Mother?” Chi Chi gasped, wide-eyed.
“THAT’S SO COOL! My formerly dead grandmother was a cat!” Goten giggled as he hugged the woman.
“Okay, your family is totally weird.” Trunks said.
“HA! I knew there was something off about that cat!” Vegita boasted as he crossed his arms confident, that he wasn’t paranoid.
“Well... I really know how to build them.” Dr. Briefs said as he looked Octavia over.
“Yeah!” Master Roshi agreed as he joined in the gawking.
Octavia growled and blinded them with a pair of good small flashes of light. “I hate being looked at.” She muttered.
“Yup, she’s Chi Chi’s Mom,” Krillian agreed as he grinned.
“Totally.”
“Incredible, such mystical power.” Bardock muttered amazed.
“As much as I love this reunion we have to go to someplace safe,” Octavia instructed. “I’ll take you to Dende’s Lookout for safety.”
“Good.” Tien said as he held Lunch, “Lunch is too distraught to watch herself here. I’ll go with her.”
“All of us?” Chi Chi asked, “What about Gohan and... Gohan? I have to stay.”
“My lady, you will risk danger just staying here!” Bardock insisted, “Please, you must go!”
“I’m not leaving!” Chi Chi insisted as tears ran down her face, “Gohan needs me. Besides, if the Multiverse is going to be destroyed, where can I hide?”
Octavia smiled and gently kissed her on the cheek. “You have such fire in your spirit.”
“Look, I’ll stay too and teleport the others if anything get hairy.” Vegita promised.
“Thank you, Vegita.” Bulma said as she took his hand.
“I wanna stay!” Goten said, “I don’t want to run away!”
“Me neither.”
“It’s not running away,” Krillian said. “Look, we’re just backing off for now. If we stay here we’ll get creamed. We need to take a few strong warriors to cover our backs.”
“Forget it. We’re staying.” Trunks said as he crossed his arms.
“Okay. Fine.” Vegita said as he came up to the two from behind. He clasped his hands behind their backs and swiftly knocked them out. The two boys fell into a white hole in the floor. “They’re at the Lookout now. I just knocked them out.”
Lazarus and Goragandus still stared at each other watching and waiting. Finally Lazarus spoke, “I have to give Kyuushi credit, she trained you well. But she is still foolish.”
“What do you mean?” Gorgandus asked as he raised an eyebrow.
“Well... as you know, even an angel’s spell weakens after the angel dies. It doesn’t reverse itself but if it was used to hide something it can be revealed.” Lazarus’ eyes lit up as he smirked. “Kyuushi and Kaioshin placed a very complicated spell on your father. Not even I can detect it until after Kyuushi died. Her power fueled the spell and now, the next step of my plan will go.” He screamed as he let loose a small disk at the stadium.
“NO!” Gorgandus and Gohan exclaimed at once.
At that moment, no one can move, the disk vanished in mid air. Bardock gasped as he felt a strange cutting sensation along the astral plain. It flew straight at him and he couldn’t get away. Then, something shoved him out of the way, the warrior looked up to see Goku as a man standing in the path of the disk. “No.” Bardock whispered as he watched the astral image of his son get ripped apart. “KAKAROT!”
Everyone gasped as Goldheart collapsed onto the ground, bleeding at the side. “NO!” Chi Chi exclaimed as she cradled the dog’s head. “Someone get me a senzu!”
“Here.” Krillian reached into his pocket and shoved the bean into the dog’s mouth. “Come on, swallow it.”
The wound vanished, but the dog was still lying still. Bardock gazed down to see his son’s astral form still injured. “His soul is wounded, the senzu cannot heal it!”
“Everyone, come with me, maybe we can heal him at Dende’s.” Octavia said as she held out her hands.
**If that damn cat was really some powerful woman, that dog must be the same way. That carefree feeling, that overwhelming friendliness, that stupid way he humiliated me. No... it can’t be...** Vegita paused as he knelt down and put his hand over the dog’s head. “What did you do?”
“Anyone else wish to stay?” Octavia asked as she glanced around.
“I’ll stay too.” Piccolo volunteered, “Chi Chi, you go ahead and be with Goku.”
“Very well.” The woman reached up and everyone clasped hands.
Vegita stepped forward and said to Bardock, “Bardock, tell your son that when he get back to normal, we will have that fight! Don’t you dare let him die!”
Bardock smiled and nodded. “Yes, Lord Vegita.”
“Huh?” Bulma asked as Octavia teleported the group away.
“You knew, didn’t you?” Piccolo asked Vegita as they stood in the stands.
“Can’t hide things forever from me.” Vegita chuckled, “Kakarot... in that form... amusing.”
“Shut up and watch the fight.” Piccolo ordered as they looked down at the arena. **Gohan, don’t die on us.**
Gorgandus growled as he watched the scene. His eyes became blood red as a bright aura overwhelmed him. “THAT’S IT! YOU’RE DEAD!” All of his senses were gone and what was left of his mind was overcome by pure rage and anger. He lunged at Lazarus and bashed at him.
Lazarus dodged the blow and struck back. The two flew upward toward the sky. Gorgandus’ metal wings flashed as they flung out thousands of shards of metal at the angel. Lazarus held up his sword and blocked the shards. A few went past the sword and one struck Lazarus’ cheek. “You think I would worry about a little cut?” He asked as he felt his cheek.
“Shut up.” Gorgandus growled as he took out his Staff of Power and bashed at him again.
*****
Chi Chi felt divided as she sat on the floor with Goku’s head in her lap. Dende wiped his brow and said, “I’m sorry, but he’s wounded mentally. I can’t heal him.”
“Isn’t there anything you can do?” Chi Chi whispered as she stroked Goku’s fur.
“Just be there for him.” Octavia said, “That’s all we can do right now. It’s a matter of willpower and Goku has a lot of will.”
“Thank you.” Chi Chi whispered as she glanced at Baba and Bardock. “Can’t you guys show us what’s going on at the Tournament?”
“We’re working as hard as we can, my lady.” Bardock said as he and his teacher focused their energies on the crystal ball.
“OH NO!” Bulma screamed as she as she ran up holding a stone ball.
“What is it?” Chi Chi asked as she held Goku’s head tighter.
“The Dragon Balls are kaput!” Bulma said as she held the ball in her hand. “We had the Dragon Balls gathered up here to prevent any idiots from making wishes and they just conked out!”
Silence filled the lookout at the revelation. The Dragon Balls, the miraculous artifacts that were responsible for saving countless lives and starting the whole adventure, were inactive.
“Does that mean that Kyuushi, Videl, Trigun, and Trey won’t come back?” Goten asked as he came up and sat next to his mother.
“How can that be?” Chi Chi asked “Are you sure no one wished for anything?”
“Positive,” Mr. Popo said as he came in with another former Dragon Ball. “They just turned into stone for no reason.”
“What will we do?” Chi Chi wondered, “Goku, you have to get better, the Dragon Balls are out. What about Namek?”
“The same at Namek.” Dende said as he held his head. “Just turned into stone.”
“Lazarus did that.” Kaioshin said as he and Kibito appeared out of nowhere. “I’m sorry. Right now, we must focus on Gohan.”
“We are doing our best!” Bardock screamed as he glared at the crystal ball, “Right now, an evil angel is killing people I respect in front of me while I am helpless and now my son is wounded on the astral level and may be dying, and you just showed up and the miracle Dragon Balls have been destroyed!” He went Super Saiyan and grabbed the god by the collar. “WHY AREN’T YOU DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT?!”
“Grandpa!” Goten screamed as he tugged at his grandfather’s tail. “It’s not his fault.”
Bardock dropped out of Super Saiyan mode and looked down. “I’m sorry, I lost my temper.”
“Understandably. Don’t worry, you couldn’t hurt me if you wanted to.” Kaioshin bowed his head. The Elder Kaioshin appeared. “Elder Kaioshin, can you please show everyone what is going on at the Tournament.”
“Okay...” The old man bowed as he took out a crystal ball and waved his hand. The group gathered around the crystal ball.
Goku whined softly as he tried to open his eyes and lift his head. Chi Chi stroked his head. “Don’t worry, I’ll tell you everything good and bad. Just rest.” The dog relaxed and let out a small moan.
The group turned and looked at the globe. Gorgandus and Lazarus were still hovering face-to-face. The Angel of Knowledge and Power was breathing heavily and covered in cuts. Lazarus looked better, but he was starting to show some fatigue.
“Come on, Gohan!” Goten cheered, “You can do it!”
*****
Gorgandus breathed heavily as he watched his opponent. His power was weakening and Lazarus was still going strong. **If only Yinyo, Kyuushi, and Aphradite were with me. We could show him together.** “I won’t give up!” He screamed as he powered up and bashed at Lazarus.
Lazarus smirked as he tossed his sword up into the air. It hovered and he said, “Let’s fight with our fists. I bet that you are capable of that.”
“Okay.” Gorgandus tossed his staff to the side.
The Kai-Elect Gohan’s eyes widened as he caught the staff in his hands. “NO!” He looked up at the floating sword; his counterpart was being tricked somehow. “Gorgandus! Lazarus is fooling you! It’s a trap!”
Gorgandus didn’t listen. He cupped his hands and chanted, “KAAAMMMEEE HAMMEEE... HA!!!!” A bright white blast shot out of his and struck the warrior.
Lazarus grunted as he flung off the Ki blast. “Nice try. Why don’t you just give up?”
Images of Videl dieing appeared in his mind. “Never,” Gorgandus vowed as he powered up and struck at him again. Lazarus dodged again and kept on dodging. The fight continued as the warriors watched in horror.
Vegita tensed up as he watched the fight. “Damn it. Those two are going at it so fast I can barely keep up.”
“Tell me about it.” Piccolo agreed, “Gohan has lost all of his senses. He’s relying on pure rage to win.”
“And there’s something wrong with that?” Vegita asked as he crossed his arms. “Saiyans use rage to win battles. That is one of our secrets to power.”
“And one of the reasons you Saiyans are virtually extinct.” Piccolo growled, “When in rage, the fighter looses all senses. Yeah, he’s powerful, but a smart warrior would use lack of sense to his advantage. That’s why Lazarus wanted Gohan so mad; he knew that weakness of rage.”
Vegita blinked and then looked at the battle. “Perhaps. But he will still defeat that... freak.” The audience rose their hand toward the air. “What are they doing?” Vegita wondered and then felt trickles of energy flow from his body.
“That’s like...” Piccolo’s eyes widened.
“SPIRIT BOMB!” The two exclaimed in unison.
“But... he’s pure hearted!” Vegita insisted, “The Spirit Bomb would just bounce off.”
“Not with Gohan so filled with that powerful Saiyan rage,” Piccolo reasoned. He put his finger to his forehead and focused, **Gohan! Get control over yourself!**
The Kai-Elect Gohan heard the message but could tell that his younger and more rage-filled counterpart couldn’t listen. He focused hard and thought, **Listen to Piccolo. I know your anger, and your rage; and I know you can handle it. Please, listen to Piccolo and us.**
Gorgandus paused and felt the words in his heart. He stopped and took a deep breath.
Lazarus called back his sword. It was glowing purely with energy. “Behold the entire planet against you.” He said as flew at him with the sword in hand and slashed at him.
The angel coughed up blood as he lost power and fell to the ground. Metal shards fell out of his wings and he stared up at the sky. **What can I do?** He wondered as he felt his blood seep onto the feather. **Wait a second, feather.** The warrior went upon his knees and closed his eyes. He was dying and couldn’t be healed. His friends were gone and his parents couldn’t be changed back. There was only one way to save everything. **Kai-Elect Gohan, I need your power.**
The Kai-Elect Gohan nodded and raised his hand. **I know what you will do. Good luck.**
He focused his power and closed his eyes. Lazarus landed and said, “Praying for salvation?”
“You were good, Lazarus. You manipulated everything from the start; Mother, Father, killing my friends in front of me so you could gain their power, and you even convinced the entire Human race that you were good guy and reverted the Dragon Balls. Not anymore.” Gorgandus reverted to Gohan and gazed up into the sky.
Kai-Elect Gohan poured power into his counterpart. He knew that the angel was too injured to fight but he can still help. A column of energy circled him and he felt his friends’ souls touching his.
Lazarus’ eyes widened as he slashed at the column. Gohan winced as he focused his mind outward.
*****
The Z warriors watched the scene. “What is he doing?” Chi Chi asked as she came up with Goku in her arms. “Please don’t tell me he’s surrendering.”
“I don’t think so.” Bardock said, “He could be generating enough power to blow himself and Lazarus up.”
“And the world itself too? I doubt it.” Kaioshin said as he clenched his fists.
**I’m not.** A voice said in their minds and an image of Gohan appeared. He was being circled by cherry blossom petals and he was smiling. **I’m going to lose if I fight this way and even if I do win, that won’t bring back the others. I’m using my power and my counterpart’s power to do this.**
“Do what?” Goten asked as he came up to the image.
The image smiled and gazed upward, **To help bring Trey, Trigun, Kyuushi, and most importantly Videl back. I can do this. It’s possible. They’re not completely dead. I can send off the remains to parallel worlds and have them recover. The Dragon Balls are gone and I have to do this.**
“What about you?” Bardock asked as he reached up toward the image.
**I will go with them because it will take everything I have. I just want to tell you so you won’t worry about me.** Gohan winced and the petals scattered. **Lazarus is breaking through. It’s now or never. I love you and don’t give up! Go to the Afterworld and hide until this is safe.**
“Please be careful.” Chi Chi sobbed, “I want you to graduate High School.”
**I will. With honors even.** Gohan smiled as he looked at Suno and Lunch. **They will live again. Take care.** He took a deep breath and vanished.
“Gohan?” Chi Chi whispered as she stared at the image. Her heart pounded as she felt everything collapse around her. “NO!”
To Be Continued...