Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Normal Friends from Strange Places ❯ Revelations ( Chapter 14 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Hi! Here's the next chapter! For that question in that last chapter, the announcer was from 'Beyblade'. You know the disclaimer.

Normal Friends from Strange Places
Part 12
By Maria Cline

Videl stared at the vast emptiness of the Room of Spirit and Time. There was no sun, no moon, not even a blue sky, just emptiness. "Wow... it is... empty in here." Videl whispered.

"You get used to it." Piccolo said as he stood by her. "Now... why don't we get started. First of all... you need to understand the basics of Ki."

"Okay..." Videl said as she sat down on the ground. "What kind of basics?"

"The type that crawl." Piccolo sat down on the ground across from the woman. "First of all, Ki is the manifestation of the combination of your physical power and mental will. Think of your body as the engine, and the power it creates is the Ki."

Videl nodded as she took her notebook and started writing. "Do we need Ki to live?"

"No... the lifeforce in your body and Ki are connected but not the same." Piccolo said, "Think of your lifeforce as fuel for the engine. When your 'fuel' is full, then your 'engine' will run at it's maximum, and your 'power' will be at it's highest. Are you getting this?"

"Yes." Videl said as she wrote on.

"Now... everyone and everything living has Ki and the potential to harness that power. You have the potential, you just need to unlock it." Piccolo held out his hands. "First... you must learn to manifest Ki. It's the first step. Now... place your hands like this and focus." He stared at his hands as he put his hands slightly apart and a small glowing ball appeared. "This is Ki. Now, you try it."

Videl nodded and held her own hands like Piccolo and focused. Sweat came down her head as she stared at her hands for what felt like forever. "It... it's not working!"

"Give it time! Don't force it out! Let it come out." Piccolo said as he drank some water.

Videl growled as she relaxed but nothing happened. Something in her tells her that it will be a very long training session.

*****

Saiyanman's heart pounded in his chest as he floated down to see a group of crooks firing guns. He gulped as he stared at the flying bullets everywhere and the screaming people. He wanted to help but his old wounds ached and he backed away. He huddled in a corner and tried to block the sounds. "Help." He whispered as he wrapped his arms around his knees.

*****

Trey and Kai Shi smiled at each other as they ate. The two were talking about various theories and about parts of Trey's life. Kai Shi remained mysterious about her own past but Trey didn't mind. "That is an interesting theory about how humanity could invent so many different types of gods and yet have similiar traits." Trey said as he drank his soda. "You are very insightful."

"So are you. Most teenage boys would be thinking of me as 'dessert' now." Kai Shi confessed as she glanced at him. "But, you are deep and very mature. I like that."

"Thanks." Trey smiled, "I... spent a good deal of my life learning self control and meditation techniques. It... broadens my perspectives. What about you?"

"I... train and meditate for a good part of my life. I'm surprised how shallow some people can be."

"Yes." Trey agreed as he smiled slightly at her.

Suddenly, he heard a faint telepathic cry of help. **Trey... anyone...**

Trey's face paled as he got up. "Oh no..." He looked at Kai Shi and said, "Sorry, but... ah... I gotta go... Gohan needs me."

"I understand. Go." Kai Shi said simply and Trey ran off.

The girl frowned and took out a cell phone. She dialed and said, "Luna, have any of my associates gone out and tested Gohan without my permission?"

*"No, Ma'am, all of them are right here."* Luna said on the other end. *"Why? You don't think it's... him do you?"*

"I pray not, Moon Angel, the fighters are not ready. Stay there, I will check this out myself." Kai Shi hung up, walked into the shadows and vanished.

*****

Trey flew through the air at super speeds. "Stupid stupid! Why did I let Gohan go off on his own?!" Trey thought frantically as he went through the air.

**Because of Kai Shi, besides, it was just a shoot-out... no supervillianess attack.** Trigun said in his mind.

"But, the last time we thought it was a simple shootout, it turned out to be a supervillianess with anti-ki bullets!" Trey said, "Gohan should have you as backup!"

**You didn't know. We can't be everywhere.** Trigun said confidently as he sat in Trey's mind. **We're only human.**

"I know." Trey sighed as he scanned out for Saiyanman's Ki. He looked down to see a group of men being arrested and then saw Gohan in his civilian outfit sitting in the shadows hugging his knees. "Gohan?" Trey asked as he landed next to the demi-Saiyan.

Gohan looked up with puffy red eyes and said, "I'm... I froze. Those robbers were firing guns and... and I just froze..."

Trey sighed as he sat next to his friend. "You were tramatized by Oakley's attack. I guess that scarred you more than you admitted. That's it, we're going home. We gotta confront this right now before the next supervillianess attacks."

"What about school?" Gohan whispered.

"You're going home sick." Trey said as he stood up and picked Gohan up. "Come on!"

The two flew off and unseen by them, a woman stepped out of the shadows and sighed in relief.

*****

Videl closed her eyes as she tried to focus again. For the past three days, she had been working constantly to make the light appear in her hands. The only times when she wouldn't focus was when she was eating, drinking, and sleeping. Piccolo watched her as always, urging her on.

"Gotta do this." Videl whispered as she thought of Gohan and Trey flying without her. She wanted to fly with them. She wanted to prove to everyone how strong she can be.

Then, a faint flicker of light appeared and started to grow. Videl gasped as she felt the ball grow and then vanished. "I... I did it?"

"Yup, you just made the first step in Ki mastery. Do it again. Make it larger."

Videl's heart beat with joy as she stared at her hands. She had actually made light appear in her hands. It wasn't an illusion, it wasn't a trick, it was her. "Right." Videl said as she started to concentrate again.

*****

After going back to school and picking up Chi Chi, the three flew back to the house, with Gohan and Chi Chi on the Nimbus.

"I'm sorry I freaked like that." Gohan said as he got off the Nimbus and stared at the house.

"Don't be, sweetheart." Chi Chi whispered as she hugged her son. "You may be the strongest warrior in the world but... but you are not invulnerable. I'll go and get some milk and cookies."

"Thanks." Gohan said as he smiled slightly.

"Milk and cookies..." Trey chuckled, "my mother, Lunch, do that for me too."

"It must be a mother thing." Gohan said as he slumped onto the ground. "What's wrong with me?"

"You were shot, you panicked. It's normal. But we have to be not normal." Trey said as he took out some pepper. "And I know the guy to help you out."

**All right! About time I get to get out!** Trigun cheered.

Trey rolled his eyes as he took off his bandana and inhaled the pepper. In a sneeze and a flash of light, Trigun appeared. "Let's do some therapy! Trigun style!" Trigun exclaimed as he took out his guns and started firing into the air.

"Gah!" Gohan screamed as he ran into the house.

**Trigun... what are you doing?** Trey asked annoyed.

"Shock therapy." Trigun replied as he put away his guns.

At that moment, if Trey had a body, he would have facefaulted.

*****

Gohan sat in his bed shaking. He knew that Trigun was his friend and would never dream to hurt him, but the sight of the guns and the sounds of the bullets got to him. He had to run; he had to hide.

Goldheart nudged the slightly jarred door with head and came in. "Hey there, boy." Gohan said as he smiled slightly at the dog. Goldheart didn't make a noise but just put his head on Gohan's lap. "What was that for? I'm a failure. I can't fight anymore."

The dog whined as he looked up.

"You don't understand." Gohan said as he put his hand on the dog's head. "You don't know what it's like to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders day in and day out. It gets to you. I feel so alone."

Goldheart whined softly and licked Gohan's hand.

"You're not alone." Chi Chi said as she came in with a huge tray with milk and chocolate cookies on it. "You have Trey and Videl and your family."

"I have to save the world. I have to be the hero my father was." Gohan said as tears came down his face. "I wish I didn't have to replace him."

"You are not Goku." Chi Chi said firmly, "And Goku wasn't the perfect hero. I knew him for a long time and he's not perfect. He got scared, he gets mad, he can be inconsiderate and forgetful but that doesn't mean I don't love him. I'm not asking you to be like Goku. Just... do the best you can." Chi Chi said as she handed Gohan a cookie.

Gohan smiled as he accepted the cookie. "Thanks... I... I just felt like it's my fault that Dad's dead and that I have to make up for it."

Goldheart whined as he snuggled up closer to Gohan.

"It's not your fault." Chi Chi said. "Don't think like that. Don't think that you have to be perfect for me. You are human after all."

"Half human." Gohan corrected.

"True...but not even Saiyans are perfect. If they are, there wouldn't be only two left in the universe." Chi Chi comforted as Gohan ate the cookies. "You do have to face that fear, for the world and for yourself."

"I... I don't know if I can. I will try." Gohan said, determined as he stood up. "Thanks, Mom, Goldheart." He walked out of the room. He saw Trigun sitting on the couch with pistol in hand. Gohan felt his heart pound harder at the sight. "Let's... do this."

*****

Videl was exhausted. She had been training virtually nonstop in using Ki. First, she had to develop light from her hands. Then, Piccolo forced her to find him with her eyes closed and wearing earmuffs. Now Piccolo had been picking her up into the air and dropping her making her fly. He had picked her up and dropped her twice so far catching her just before she fell to the ground. If that wasn't hard enough, the gravity itself would change on her, forcing her to adapt fast.

She fell through the air again. **Stop falling!** She thought as she focused downward and started slowing down. **Stop.** She prayed as she spread her body out and concentrated. Her momentum slowed and finally, she stopped. She looked down to see that she was only a foot over the ground. "I... did it!" Videl exclaimed in joy then she fell down. "Damn it!"

"Not bad... now fly up." Piccolo instructed as he watched.

Videl growled as she stood up. "I'm fine."

"Don't expect sympathy from me. Like you Humans say, no pain, no gain."

Videl closed her eyes and her outfit slowly moved. She hovered upward and kept on flying up. She looked down while keeping her concentration. She had to master her flying. "I need more power." Videl whispered. Suddenly, a faint flash of blue appeared on the green landscape. "Huh?" She wondered as she dropped from the sky. "Damn it!" She growled as she focused back up. "What was it?"

*****

Gohan's heart pounded as he saw the gun in Trigun's hand aimed at his head. He knew that Trigun couldn't hurt him with an ordinary gun. He knew that Trigun wouldn't hurt him, but he was still scared.

"Remember, these are ordinary bullets." Trigun said as he fired at the man.

The bullets flew at him and Gohan screamed and jumped out of the way.

**Any more ideas?** Trey asked.

"Hey, I'm a fighter, not a phychiatrist." Trigun said to his 'brother'. "Why don't you deal with him for a while?"

**Because, you are an expert in armed fighting.** Trey insisted, **If anyone can help Gohan, you can.**

"So, stay out of this." Trigun growled, "I may not know how to fly but I am a genius."

**Just be careful, don't push Gohan too far.**

Trigun nodded to himself and went up to Gohan. "Okay... maybe we should work at fighting off your fears another way." Trigun shoved the gun into Gohan's hands. "I'm going to teach you how to shoot."

*****

Videl's body ached as she limped into the hut and lay down on the nice soft bed. "My aching everything." She moaned as she stared at the ceiling.

"Training's hard, kid." Piccolo said as he came in. "It won't get any easier."

"I know. I will put everything I have in but... it just hurts." Videl confessed as she turned her head toward the Namekian.

"You'll get used to it." Piccolo said as he got out some food and lay next to Videl. "Now, eat up. You Humans need food."

Videl sighed as she sat up and stared at the plate. It was rice and steak again with a glass of water. "Thanks." Videl said as she started to eat.

Piccolo mediated and Videl paused in her eating and stared at the Namekian. During the intense weeks they have been spending together, they rarely spoke. Piccolo was a very private person. Videl summoned her courage and asked, "So... Piccolo... how did you meet Gohan?"

Piccolo glanced at her. "You sure you want to know?"

"Yes." Videl insisted, irritated.

Piccolo nodded and thought, **Gohan's right, she does act like Chi Chi.** "Okay, in simple terms, I killed Goku and Raddiz, kiddnapped Gohan to train for the Saiyans, and he... appealed to me and so I sacrificed my life to save him."

Videl's jaw dropped at the sentence. "What?! You kiddnaped Gohan?! But... but you are like a father to him!"

Piccolo shrugged and said, "It was a battle of wills... and I lost. Gohan has that affect on others sometimes. Any other questions?"

Videl sighed as she rubbed her head. "Okay... um... Mr. Popo said that you were the former Guardian and the former Demon. How can you be both?"

Piccolo smirked and said, "It's a long story... it all started hundreds of years ago when a baby Namekian came to Earth..."

One hour later...

Videl's eyes bulged as she stared at the Namekian. "Wait a second, you meant to tell me that you were the 'clone' of Diamo Piccolo who was the evil incarnate half of Kami who you shared a... life bond so to speak until you and Kami merged along with some warrior named Nail?"

"That's right."

Videl sighed and said, "And I thought Trey has a confusing identity."

"Not really, he just has a split personality. I'm a fusion of three men. That's different."

"Right." Videl held her head and started to rub her temples. "Okay... I am officially confused."

"That's okay, the others get confused when they try to think of who I am." Piccolo replied, "Just think of me as Piccolo the warrior and teacher."

"I can do that." Videl said as she smiled, "I... I think I'm understanding you guys... maybe." She got up slowly and went to the window and stared out over the vast nothingness. Then, a faint blue light appeared again. "Did you see that?!" Videl exclaimed.

Piccolo stood up and looked across the vast landscape. "Saw what?"

"A blue light! In the distance!" Videl pointed outward. "There was a blue light out there."

Piccolo nodded. "Okay..." He glanced at Videl curiously. The Room of Spirit and Time was his room. He would know if there was anything out there like a blue light. Was Videl hallucinating in reaction to the room?

"You don't believe me." Videl said as she stepped out. "I'm going to that blue light."

Piccolo grabbed her shoulder. "Don't be insane. You know the conditions get worse if you go far from this palace."

"I'll stay close. I... just need to go there." Videl pulled herself away and walked out of the room.

Piccolo frowned as he followed her. He was curious about this 'blue light'. What could it be? Was it just some trick of light? Or some object that he didn't know about before? Whatever it was, he had to see that Videl doesn't get killed.

*****

Gohan's heart pounded as he held the gun in his hand. He had never held a gun before in his life. He never needed to. Gohan was a martial artist and guns weren't his style. Trigun had set up a row of soda bottles along the fence for him to shoot.

Trigun stepped to the side and said, "Okay, now line the sights and shoot."

Gohan nodded and aimed his gun. Everything went silent and then the air was filled with the sound of crushed metal. Gohan looked down to see the gun in his hand had become a clump of steel and plastic. "Oops." Gohan said and Trigun facefaulted.

"Let's try this again, be more careful." Trigun said as he got out another gun and gave it to Gohan. "Now, treat this gun like a woman. Be gentle with it... caress it... enjoy it..."

Gohan's eyes widened as he stared at the man. "Uh... I never... caressed a woman before."

Trigun sighed and shook his head. "This will be one long training session."

*****

Bardock sighed as he stood on top of a mountain, staring off into space. Ever since he had that vision about his fellow Saiyans he couldn't think. Who would be reponsible for that vision? And more importantly, why? He knew what he 'saw' was real and yet he couldn't be that sure.

"It is true." Baba said as she floated down beside him. "The dead Saiyans have been abducted."

Bardock nodded at the statement. "You knew?"

"Just found out." Baba replied, "I have a few contacts in the Next Dimension."

Bardock bowed his head and asked, "What about Kakarot? Was he taken as well?"

"No. I cannot say where he was. All I can say is that if you can use your powers to the fullest, you will know all." Baba replied.

Bardock let out a sigh of relief. While he was worried about where Kakarot could be, at least he isn't with the other dead Saiyans and he can sense Kakarot out when he gets stronger. "Raddiz?"

"He was taken." Baba said, "I think it's time for you to intensify your training. You must move in with me again."

"I know." Bardock said reluctantly. He understood the need for training but he liked being with his family. They were strong and they weren't like the aliens he used to work with. Despite their troubles they laughed, played, and cared for each other like no Saiyan could. It changed him somehow, made him feel funny inside.

"You can still visit your family, but your type of training are far different from the type of training Gohan, Trey, and Videl will undergo." Baba explained as she held out her hand. "Ready?"

"Let me say goodbye first." Bardock commented, "And pack my things."

*****

Videl's feet dragged under her as she walked toward the blue light. It was getting closer but it was getting so hard. One moment, she would feel like a ton and the next, she would nearly fly up into the air. But she kept on going on.

Piccolo stared in amazement as Videl forced herself forward. Any other Human would quit at this point, but the girl was different. She pushed herself like the other Z warriors, despite the difficulties. Maybe she would make a difference in the future after all.

Videl collapsed on her knees and saw the blue light. It was sticking from the ground. "There!" The woman started digging into the ground with her bare hands. Her hands started to scratch and bleed but she kept on going. Then she pulled out a small blue bracelet. "A... bracelet."

"That's impossible!" Piccolo said as he stared at the bracelet. "How did that... trinket get in here and survive this room?"

"I don't know." Videl said as she studied it. It was smooth and thin with intricate designs in the band. She clasped it on and it fastened around her wrist. The ingrained designs glowed and transformed.

"What did you just do?!" Piccolo demanded as he grabbed the bracelet and tried to pull it off.

"I... put on the bracelet." Videl replied, "What's wrong with that?"

"We don't know where this came from!" Piccolo yelled, "In fact, for all we know, it could be cursed!"

"Cursed?" Videl repeated.

"Or magically-based. A day outside is a year in here. A year outside is a 365 in here... that bracelet must be thousands of year old." Piccolo said as he glared at the bracelet. "We're going out to ask Mr. Popo, he might know something about this." Piccolo picked up the woman and flew to the door.

*****

"Well... at least I didn't break the gun this time." Gohan said as he scratched his head nervously.

Trigun scowled as he, Goten, and Goldheart came out from behind the tree. All around the yard were bullet slugs, holes, and burn marks. The only things that weren't hit were the soda bottles. "You need to work on your aim."

"I just don't like guns." Gohan said as he dropped the gun. "And this isn't helping my fear."

"Let's see." Trigun fired at Gohan.

Gohan screamed as he flew up and hid in the trees.

"Okay, fear still not conqured." Trigun confirmed.

Gohan suddenly looked up and said, "Videl's back. She's strong... very strong. Let's go see her. Change into Trey."

"This won't make your fear go away..." Trigun reminded as he took out his pepper.

"I just want to check up on Videl. Maybe get my mind off this for a while." Gohan said as he wiped his brow.

"*ACHOO*" Trey ran his hand through his hair. "Remind me to enroll Trigun in therapy classes." Trey sighed as he looked at Gohan. "Let's go."

"Can Goldheart and me go?" Goten finally asked Trey.

"No, you two stay here." Gohan grinned as he and Trey flew up.

The two flew toward the Lookout at a relatively slow speed. "Gohan, you do have to deal with this fear." Trey said as he hovered next to Gohan. "Believe it or not you have a problem and it could kill you or someone else."

Gohan stopped flying for a moment and said, "I'm fine. I've dealt with these panic attacks when I was a kid and I managed to snap out of them. I'm fine as long as you or Trigun don't summon any guns around me."

"And how long will that last? Trigun needs to use his guns!" Trey screamed as he flew on. "Gohan, I may seem overbearing to you but only because you are my friend and you need my help."

"Let's see Videl first." Gohan said as they landed on the Lookout. They rushed to see Mr. Popo, Piccolo, and Videl standing together. Videl's outfit was dirty and torn and her short hair had grown below her shoulders.

"Hi." Videl said as she smiled at Gohan. She couldn't believe that she had spent several weeks in the room but it was only a few hours for Gohan and Trey.

"Hi... nice bracelet, is it new?" Gohan asked as he looked at the bracelet.

"No, it's very old." Mr. Popo said as he stepped forward. "Videl has found the lost gauntlet of the former Guardian of Earth, Lady Nomad."

"This isn't a gauntlet." Videl insisted as she rose her hand with the bracelet.

"Yes it is or was." Mr. Popo commented as he touched the bracelet and it glowed.

"Why was this gauntlet in the room and no one told me about it?" Piccolo asked as he crossed his arms.

"And how can it last for thousands of years in that place?" Videl added.

"I never thought I would see the gauntlet again." Mr. Popo said as he set aside his watering can. "You see, it all began thousands of years ago before Kami came to this planet. Lady Nomad was a Human with great knowlege of magic arts. She was wise and had protected Earth well. With her vast magics, she created a powerful gauntlet who's power was Earth-shattering, even by today's standards. Humans, even the Guardians, only live for a short while, for a hundred years or so. While she was dying, Lady Nomad enchanted the gauntlet and transformed it into a bracelet and then told me to take the bracelet and toss it into the Room of Spirit and Time. She didn't want the power to fall into the wrong hands. So, I tossed it inside and that was the last I saw of it until today."

"Whoa..." Gohan said wide-eyed. "Hey... how come Dad and me didn't see that bracelet in the room? Or anyone else who was training in there."

"I didn't see it myself." Piccolo confessed.

"Ah... you see, Lady Nomad had enchanted the bracelet so only the one it chose can find it and wield it outside of the room." Mr. Popo said as he tapped Videl's bracelet. "The gauntlet chose you."

Videl blushed as she stared at the bracelet. It was created and wielded by a goddess and had survived thousands of years in the a hostile place like the Room of Spirit and Time. It chose her as its wieder. "I... don't know what to say." Videl confessed as she smiled, "What does it do?"

"I..." Mr. Popo paused and added sheepishly, "I forgot."

At that moment, everyone facefaulted.

"You... you forgot how this bracelet works?!" Videl screamed as she pointed at her bracelet.

"It had been several thousand years. I had nearly forgotten the gauntlet even existed." Mr. Popo confessed, "I do know that it will reveal itself when the time is right."

"Great, so I have a super-powerful weapon and no way of turning it on." Videl sighed as she stared at her bracelet.

"Don't worry, you'll get it." Gohan said as he patted Videl on the back. "When we figure out what that bracelet does, you can really help out when we battle those supervillianesses!"

Videl smiled as she stared at her bracelet again. "Maybe... I just wish this have a set of instructions."

"That bracelet will reveal itself." Trey finally said as he came forward. "Piccolo, can you help me and Gohan, we have a problem."

Piccolo took a deep breath and said, "Well... we have a problem ourselves. We need to gather everyone and bring them here."

"What's wrong?" Dende asked concerned as he came up. "Is Bardock's vision true?"

Piccolo nodded solemly. At once, Gohan, Trey, and Videl became stunned. What has happened now? Was the person responsible for the supervillianesses going to reveal herself? "Gohan, Trey, you two and myself will go and gather as many Z warriors as possible. Also, get Chi Chi and Bulma, I have some news that concerns us all."

"What about me?" Videl asked as she stepped forward, "I can fly."

"True, but you also have a super-powerful weapon that none of us have any idea about how it works. Besides, you don't know where most of the warriors live."

"Right." Videl sighed as she sat down.

*****

The warriors were gathered quickly. Piccolo, Trey, and Gohan had no trouble in reaching everyone and getting them to the Lookout. Most of the Z warriors could fly and can carry those who can't.

Dende watched as the warriors gathered and get aquainted again.

"Is everyone here?" Piccolo asked as he stared at the group.

"I think that's everyone who's willing to come." Trey said as he looked around.

"What's going on?" Chi Chi asked worried as she stepped up.

"Wait a moment..." Gohan said as he floated up and looked around. "Where's Goten?"

"Over *huff* here!" Goten said as he flew up onto the Lookout with Goldheart over his head.

"What is that dog doing here?" Vegita huffed as he crossed his arms.

"He's part of the team too!" Goten argued as he put Goldheart down. The dog barked and licked the boy's face and then looked around at everyone.

"Doggie!" Marron squealed as she toddled over to Goldheart and hugged his neck. "Can we keep him?"

"He's my dog!" Goten scowled as he pulled Marron away from Goldheart, "We found him fair and square."

"Goten's right, sweetpea." Krillian said as he picked Marron up and held him. He looked over at Goldheart and petted him. "I didn't know you got a dog, Chi Chi."

"We found him a couple of days ago." Chi Chi replied as she sighed.

"A dog on the Lookout?" Dende asked, uncertain.

"I'm sorry but Goten insisted that we take the dog with us." Chi Chi said, "Can he stay here for the meeting?"

Dende nodded and said, "Just make sure he doesn't break anything or dig up the garden or... anything else dogs do."

"Wow... now they have a dog." Yamcha muttered as he came up and pet the dog. "Looks great."

Goldheart kept on looking around and then stared at Eighteen. He growled slightly as Eighteen came up to him.

"Huh?" Krillian said surprised as the once-friendly dog tensed up and stared at the woman. "I think he doesn't like you, Eighteen."

"I don't get along with animals." Eighteen said coldly.

"It's okay, she's nice." Bulma said calmly as she smiled.

Goldheart studied Eighteen again and barked happilly as he wagged his tail.

"See? He likes you!" Goten said as he hugged Goldheart again.

"*ahem* Now that everyone is here and knows that Chi Chi has a new dog, there's something everyone here must know." Piccolo announced as he looked around and crossed his arms. "Bardock, would you tell them what you had a vision about this morning?"

At once, everyone looked at the Saiyan and Bardock announced in a clear voice, "I had a vision of the present about the dead Saiyans vanishing from the Next Dimension."

There was silence as the group stared at Bardock. They knew how powerful and accurate his visions were but how could a dead race vanish?

Finally, Vegita spoke up, "What do you mean 'vanish'?"

"They were abducted this morning. No one knows where they are, not even King Yamma." Piccolo explained, "I was in the Next Dimension and talked to him myself. A powerful force took the dead Saiyans away."

Silence overwhelmed the Lookout as everyone stared at Piccolo and Bardock. The dead Saiyans were gone? How was it possible? The Saiyans were one of the most feared and dangerous races in the universe. They were responsible for the genocide of millions of races and worlds. Who or what would be strong enough to take an entire warrior race from the dead?

Vegita found himself nearly falling over. Who would have the nerve to take away his race? He tensed in anger as he thought of what might happen to them. True, he never really cared about his dead race since he was alive and they were not. Still, he did feel some worry about them.

"What about Dad?" Gohan finally asked as he shook, "Dad's a Saiyan, was he abducted too?" He was scared for his father. What if this mysterious force took his father and held him hostage or worst, made him evil? He couldn't stand the thought of fighting his own father to the death.

Chi Chi and everyone else held their breathes. It was bad enough that an entire dead race was kidnapped for whatever reason but if Goku was taken away too, she may just fall apart. Goldheart whimpered softly as he leaned next to Chi Chi.

"No... your father is fine." Piccolo replied, "I think. He wasn't abducted, that much I'm certain."

"Where is he?" Bardock asked as he looked down.

"He's... with Kaioshin right now." Piccolo answered truthfully, "I don't know the details but he's fine."

"He must be off training with the gods away from the other Saiyans." Chi Chi figured out as she wiped her eyes. "Thank heavens, he's okay."

"Yeah." Piccolo muttered as he looked down. He couldn't tell them the truth. There were already enough problems as it is. The dead Saiyans are gone, there were scantily-clad supervillianesses flying around, guns that could actually kill Gohan, and Videl. Gohan was just getting over the guilt of his father's death, if he knew about his father's punishment he could never forgive himself. He had to keep Goku's fate a secret.

"Okay, so what do we do?" Videl asked feeling like an outsider.

"We train and wait for anything to happen." Piccolo answered, "If most of the Saiyans are like Bardock, no offense, they would be easy to take care of."

"Of course they would be, most of the Saiyans can't go Super Saiyan like myself and the brats." Vegita boasted, "And they would follow me once they see how strong I am."

"We don't know if this mysterious force even wants to use the Saiyans to conqure the universe." Piccolo said, "They may be used as a power source or hostages. Until we know more we will have to be ready for anything."

"I understand..." Bardock sighed as he looked down, "That's why I'm going to move out of Lady Chi Chi's house to train with Baba."

"Huh? You're leaving us, Grandpa?" Goten whimpered as he looked up at his grandfather.

"Yeah, you were doing great with us." Gohan agreed. The two boys loved Bardock. While Bardock wasn't like Goku he was good to them. He would tell stories about the Saiyan life (censored for Goten's young ears) and played with them many times.

"I wish I could stay, but I want to find the Saiyans." Bardock said solemnly, "I know that you have every right to fear and hate the Saiyans as a race because of all the damage and pain we caused; I feel bad for what I did. But I still have a duty to my people and if there's any way I can use my... abilities to save them, I will."

The group stared at Bardock. "That's some speech, Bardock. I didn't know you had it in you." Yamcha said as he grinned, "Like father, like son."

"I understand." Chi Chi said as she came up to Bardock. "You are just like your son, you both want what's best for your planet." She smiled at him. "But you will visit us, right? I don't want you to be completely obsessed with training."

"I am a Saiyan, I am supposed to be completely obsessed with training. But I will try to visit." Bardock promised as he smiled slightly at his grandchildren.

"Awesome!" Goten cheered.

"Don't be a stranger." Gohan said as he held out his hand.

Bardock clasped Gohan's hand and nodded. "Train hard." He looked at Videl and said, "Videl, keep on training, you may be Human, but you have a heart of a Saiyan."

Videl blushed slightly as she looked down. She was sure that was meant as a compliment. "Thanks."

Bardock went to Trey and said, "You have great potential, use it. I'm sure that you will make a great difference in the upcoming battles."

"Right." Trey nodded.

Bardock came up to Chi Chi and said, "My lady, thank you for letting me stay at your home. I wish that I could do more for you."

"You've done plenty, thank you." Chi Chi said as she smiled at him.

Bardock looked down to see Goldheart sitting in front of him looking up. He smiled as he put his hand on the dog's head. "Take care of my family for me, Goldheart."

Goldheart barked and licked his hand.

After Bardock said his goodbyes, he flew off leaving the rest behind.

"Well... that was interesting." Krillian said as he watched the Saiyan flew off. "I wonder how much stronger he can get?"

"If he's like Goku, he'll come back super-powerful." Bulma said as she smiled, "It's a Saiyan thing."

"Yeah, that's for sure." Yamcha agreed as he remembered all the times Goku left and returned far stronger than before. "I just hope this thing with the dead Saiyans can be solved soon... I don't know if I can fight a group of Saiyans."

"You can handle them!" Puar exclaimed.

"Yeah... but I better brush up on my training just in case."

"We all better start training hard again." Krillian said as he looked at his daugther. He had slowed down on his training to help raise his baby girl, now he would have to intensify his training for his daughter's sake.

"We better get going." Tien said as he glanced around. "I better train just in case myself." He stared at Trey and said, "You be careful if you meet any of the dead Saiyans."

"You know I will, Dad." Trey said, "And so does Trigun."

Slowly, the group left, thinking of what to do about this latest development. Gohan, with Chi Chi in his arms, flew off with Goldheart in Piccolo's arms, Goten, and Trey flying behind them.

Piccolo coudn't help but wonder why he was carrying the dog in the first place. He sighed as he muttered, "I'm getting too soft."

The dog whined as he licked his face. "Cut that out!" Piccolo snarled.

Goldheart looked down almost saddened. Piccolo noticed Goldheart's green eyes. They were almost the same color as a Super Saiyan's eyes then the golden coat was almost the same color as a Super Saiyan's hair. Piccolo slowed down as he remembered what King Yamma said about Goku's punishment. Goku has been punished two days ago, around the same time Goldheart was discovered. How did Goldheart end up in the middle of the woods unscathed? And he growled at Eighteen at first before being satisfied that she wasn't evil anymore. That wasn't the way a dog was supposed to act. Yet it would have been a reaction of a man who was meeting his would have been murderer. Piccolo gazed at the dog and he stared back. Goldheart's eyes had too much intelligence in them. **It can't be.** Piccolo thought as he gawked at the dog. But it made sense. He knew of ancient gods who loved to punish mortals by turning them into animals, Kaioshin wouldn't be any different. Finally, he stopped in mid flight and asked, "Goku?"

The dog barked and nudged his nose against Piccolo's shoulder playfully.

Piccolo blinked and laughed as he hugged Goldheart briefly. The Namekian had never felt so relieved in his entire life. Goku was alive and in a dog's body, but, at least he didn't have to worry about what was happening to Goku right now. He was with his family again, as a family pet, but he was with his family. "Of course you would be like this." He chuckled, "I'm not telling Chi Chi or the others."

Goldheart barked again and his tail wagged wildly.

"Let's go home." Piccolo said as he smirked. **Goku, a dog, who would've thought?**

To Be Continued...