Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Normal Friends from Strange Places ❯ Breaking Bonds ( Chapter 15 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Normal Friends from Strange Places
Chapter 13
By Maria Cline

Gohan strained against his bonds. He was on his knees with his hands and feet tied behind him with special restraints. Never before had he felt so helpless and scared. He wanted to get away while he could, but he couldn't. He wouldn't get away. The only thing he was wearing was a pair of gray shorts and his shoes. Determined with his heart racing inside his chest, he glared up at his captor and sneered, "Do your worst."

His captor smirked as he held up a pair of pistols and said, "Don't worry, this will hurt me alot more than it hurts you."

Shots and screams rang through the air. The man laughed as he fired round after round of bullets at Gohan. "Guys! Keep it down!" Chi Chi screamed as she came out of the house.

Trigun stopped his attack and said, "I'm only shooting Gohan with 22 millimeter bullets."

"I don't care, you're making too much noise. Put a silencer on it or go farther from the house!" Chi Chi growled as she stomped back into the house.

"Yes, Chi Chi." Trigun sighed as he reached into his pocket and got out a silencer. "Won't be as effective without it."

"WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING?!" Videl screamed as she came up with Goten and Goldheart. Videl was busy training in the woods when she heard gunshots and Gohan's screams.

"Therapy." Gohan and Trigun replied in perfect unison.

"I'm shooting Gohan to help him overcome his fear of guns. You know, constant exposure." Trigun replied as he slipped the silencer onto his gun.

"By shooting Gohan constantly." Videl said skeptically.

"Yeah... I think it's working." Gohan shrugged.

"And why are you tied up like that?" Goten asked as he pointed to Gohan's restraints.

"To stop him from running." Trigun said, "He's too fast for my bullets so I had Bulma rig up some restraints for him."

"And you went along with this?!" Videl asked stunned at Gohan.

"Hey, you gotta face fear if you want to be a world defender." Gohan said as he shifted slightly. "Althrough, this is kinda uncomfortable. Goten, why don't you play with Goldheart in the training area? This... this might be a little dangerous for him."

"Okay." Goten said as he took his leash and attached it to Goldheart's collar. "Come on, Goldheart."

Goldheart stared at Gohan for a moment and then followed Goten away. Videl sighed and said, "I better go and train myself. No offense, but I don't like seeing people shooting each other."

"That's okay." Gohan grinned, "Have fun!"

Videl nodded and walked away. She sighed as she went into the woods and walked to one of the clearings used for training. It had been several days since she had finished her training in the Room of Spirit and Time and since she found the mysterious bracelet. She stared at her bracelet. So far, all it did was glow and refuse to come off her wrist. It had to be powerful if it could withstand the harsh Sprit Room environment and couldn't be broken by a Super Saiyan. "I wish you come with instructions."

She walked until she saw the clearing and Goten and Goldheart playing. To a normal person, it looked like a typical boy playing with his dog. Of course the boy was anything but typical. Goten flew up and tossed the ball into the air. "Fetch, Goldheart!"

Goldheart barked as he chased the ball into the woods and came back out with ball in mouth. He walked toward Videl and lay the ball at her feet.

"No thanks. I have to train." Videl said softly as she picked up the ball and tossed it at Goten.

Goldheart whined but walked back to the hovering Goten. Goten landed and said, "Okay, let's go at it again!"

Videl smiled slightly at the sight of the boy and dog. It was a heart-touching scene that just seemed so right somehow. She jumped up and started to fly into the air. An unseen force held on to every part of her body and lifted her up. It was comforting to her because it wasn't like flying on a plane or helicopter. When she flew, it was as if she was part of the very sky itself rather than an invader. The wind flew through her recently-cut hair and she smiled. Flying had become one of the better things about knowing the Z warriors.

She looked down and paled. Walking down the path to the house was a small girl in black. Even from a distance, she can felt her strange aura. "Oh no... Kai Shi." She whispered as she landed. "Goten! Stay down, we have company!"

"The type that doesn't know about Saiyans?" Goten asked.

"The same." Videl said as she put on her hat and glasses. "I'll go and warn the others, you two better come with me."

"All right." Goten said disappointed as he attached Goldheart's leash. "Come on, boy. Time to go home."

*****

"I think you're improving. At least you didn't scream that time." Trigun commented as he loaded his gun.

"You think so?" Gohan asked hopefully.

"We do need more work." Trigun wiped his brow and breathed heavily.

"You okay? You look worn out." Gohan asked concerned. They had been working at this latest method of 'therapy' for the past three hours. He never noticed this until now but it was the longest time Trey had spent as Trigun.

"Summoning bullets out of thin air constantly takes a lot out of you." Trigun confessed.

"Guys!" Videl screamed as she landed into the yard. "Kai Shi's coming!"

"Oh no... how did she get here?!" Gohan asked as he tried to get out of his restraints.

"I don't know." Trigun said as he took out some pepper. "Okay, Trey, your turn."

"*Achoo!*" Trey sighed as he wiped his brow and put on his bandana. "About time. Better get those restraints off you." Trey said as he reached behind Gohan's back.

"Guys! You have a visitor!" Chi Chi announced.

"Too late!" Gohan gulped as he looked down at his appearance. He was tied up and only wearing a pair of shorts, Kai Shi would ask questions. "I can't be seen like this!"

"She won't." Trey said as he summoned a blanket. "Videl, get Gohan to that hammock. The restraints take too long to be released."

"Right." Videl picked up the warrior with amazing ease. "You're... you're light."

"You're getting strong." Gohan observed as Videl carried him to the hammock and lay him down. Trey quickly lay the blanket over the man's body. "You better hide before..."

"Hello, Videl." Kai Shi said as she came up. She looked over at Gohan and Trey and said, "Gohan, Trey."

"Hi." Trey said as he sweat-dropped. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at school?"

"I got let off since I passed the physical tests of that Instructor Isaiso's." Kai Shi said as she looked at Videl. "You look well for someone who is captured by evil creatures and brainwashed."

"That rumor wasn't my fault." Videl said as she took off her hat. "I just wanted to leave to do some training. You won't tell anyone about this right?"

"Who would I tell? No one would believe a goth like me." Kai Shi asked as she smiled slightly. "I am impressed by your revelations, I was afraid that you were one of those narrow-minded types who would rather die than be proven wrong about your perception of the world. The world is full of fools like these, only those who dare to think beyond the barriers cast by the few make a true difference."

Videl blinked at the speech. "Okay." Videl said as she stared at her. "So... why are you here?"

"To check up on Trey and Gohan." Kai Shi confessed as she went up to Gohan. "You look comfortable."

"Er... taking a nap, outside." Gohan lied as he grinned.

"You do need a rest." Kai Shi said as she patted Gohan on the chest. "I must leave soon, I have some... business that needs to be done."

"Okay, are you sure you don't want to stay for some tea or something to eat?" Trey asked as he took Kai Shi by the hand and led her back to the house.

"No... I'm afraid I cannot stay." Kai Shi said as she bowed her head. "My business is that urgent. Good bye, and good luck on your training."

She walked on beside the house with Trey by her side just in case she decided to go back. They passed Goten and Goldheart. The boy and his dog stopped and stared at the girl. "Hi." Goten said as he shivered slightly. Goldheart didn't make a sound as he stared up at the girl.

"This is Kai Shi, she's a classmate of mine. Kai Shi, this is Gohan's little brother, Goten, and his dog, Goldheart." Trey introduced.

"Nice to meet you." Kai Shi said as she bowed.

Goten only nodded and leaned closer to his dog. Goldheart remained silent.

Kai Shi patted Goldheart on the head and said, "Goldheart... a suitable name for you. Farewell." She walked down the path to a small air car parked in front.

"That girl scares me." Goten whispered to Trey.

"She scares me too. She has that aura." Trey confessed as he looked down at Goldheart who was watching her leave. "Scared you too, Goldheart?"

Goldheart whined slightly and then picked up ball from the ground. "We'll play again." Goten said as he took the ball from Goldheart's mouth.

Meanwhile, Videl sighed in relief as she took Gohan's blanket off. She was glad that someone believed that she hadn't turned evil, even if it was Kai Shi. There was something strange about her that couldn't be explained. She blushed as she noticed Gohan's tattered shorts and somewhat muscular body. **I... never noticed...** She thought as she looked down.

"You okay, Videl?" Gohan asked as he sat up and flipped off of the hammock only to end up falling on his face. "WHOA!"

**wump**

"Gohan!" Videl nearly giggled at the sight of Gohan being tied up with his face in the dirt. "Are you *giggle* okay?"

"Only my pride." Gohan replied as he turned his head toward the girl. "Can you help me up?"

Videl reached down and pulled him up onto his feet. "There." Videl said as Gohan balanced himself. "Better." Videl brushed off Gohan's shoulders and nodded.

"Thanks." Gohan said as he looked down at Videl and smiled at her. "You've really gotten strong!"

"I'm just glad it didn't make me look... too muscular." Videl said as she felt her arms. Her muscles did develop but they were still somewhat the same size as they had always been.

"The effects of Ki training does that... it makes the person very strong but doesn't bulk them up that much." Gohan explained, "I need to stretch my legs." He spun around on his heels but then he started to topple over. "Ack!" His long tail unwrapped itself from Gohan's waist and reached out to Videl. Before Videl could respond, Gohan fell over and took the girl with him. They landed on the ground with Videl on top of Gohan.

Videl opened her eyes to see Gohan below her. "Oh! Are you okay?" Videl asked as she tried to get up only to see Gohan's tail around her waist. "Gohan!"

"Huh?" Gohan looked to see his tail around Videl's waist. "Hey! Let go! Sorry... sometimes, when my tail would wrap itself around something else besides my waist... it just holds on." Gohan explained as the tail unwrapped itself. "Sorry."

Videl sighed as she smiled slightly. "That's okay... so... are you still afraid to get shot?"

Gohan looked to the side. "Yeah. The thought of a gun aiming at me gives me the creeps."

"Don't worry, most people are afraid of getting shot." Videl said as she gently stroked Gohan's hair. "And you are letting yourself be tied up and shot at by your best friend to get over that fear. That's bravery." She wiped away a dirt smudge on Gohan's cheek. "You are a real warrior. I just wish that I can be that way too."

"You're a warrior too." Gohan said as he gazed into Videl's blue eyes. "You really improved over the past month. You got a real heart of a warrior. You're one of the bravest people I know. And I know a lot of brave people."

"I... thanks." Videl said as she blushed.

"No problem."

"What are you two doing?!" Chi Chi screamed as she came up.

Videl and Gohan paled when they realized that Videl is still lying on top of Gohan. "It's not what you think!" Gohan and Videl exclaimed as Videl jumped off of Gohan and stood straight up.

"Honestly... can't you two wait till you're married?!" Chi Chi chided as she glared at the two. "I know that bondage is kinky, Goku and I did that for our honeymoon but don't do it here! Gohan's not even in the right position!"

"Mom! Videl and me just fall over!" Gohan said as his cheeks turned bright red.

"Sure." Trey said as he came up with an evil smirk on his face. "You two just happen to fell over, while you are tied up with only a pair of shorts and shoes on."

"Yeah!" Gohan said as he sat up. "Trey, I want out of these things." Gohan shifted in his spot as he tried to get out of his bonds.

"Okay. Okay. I'm tired anyway. Trigun's therapy sessions take a lot out of me." Trey said as he knelt down and pushed the buttons. He waited and then pushed the buttons again. "Uh oh."

"Uh oh?" Gohan repeated as he paled. "What do you mean 'uh oh'? You never said 'uh oh' before?!"

"I don't know how but... restraints are... stuck." Trey said sheepishly as he glared at the bonds. Chi Chi and Videl face-faulted and Gohan sweat-dropped at once.

"What?! How can they be stuck?!" Gohan asked as he went Super Saiyan and tried to break out but they remained on.

"I don't know." Trey said, "Bulma's the genius in these matters."

"I'll go and call Bulma." Chi Chi ran off inside the house.

"I'll get Goten. Maybe he can help." Videl said as she flew off.

"I'll keep on working on these restraints." Trey said as he kept on pushing the buttons.

"And I'll sit here." Gohan muttered as he looked up. "Oh man... why did I agree to this? I don't like being tied up!"

"It's okay. We'll figure out a way." Trey said as he pushed buttons randomly. **Come on, come on, work!** He thought.

"What happened?!" Goten asked as he, Videl, and Goldheart ran up to them.

"Gohan's stuck in these restraints." Trey explained as he grabbed a shackle. "Goten, grab the other shackle. Maybe, we can break it."

"Right!" Goten grabbed the other shackle and the two powered up and pulled.

*****

"Bulma is a good inventor. Too good." Trey muttered as he and Goten rested after their tenth try to break Gohan's restraints.

"Maybe we can pick the lock." Videl said as she went up and took out a bobby pin.

"I didn't know you could pick locks." Gohan said, surprised as Videl went behind his back.

"A little something I learned on the job." Videl said as she pushed the pin into a small keyhole. Suddenly, a jolt of energy shot through the pin and flung Videl out and she landed through a tree.

"Videl!" Gohan screamed as he tried to get up. "Are you okay?"

Videl got out of the wreckage and shoved the huge tree away. "Yeah. Only my pride is bruised."

"Will Gohan be stuck in those things forever?" Goten asked as images of an old Gohan hopping around in Bulma's restraints popped up into his mind.

"No way!" Gohan said as he grinned, "Bulma can get them off and there's always the Dragon Balls. I'll get out of these things!" Goldheart whined as he licked Gohan's face and then lay his head on his legs. "Don't worry, Goldheart, I'll be fine." Gohan said to the dog.

"I know this sounds a little paranoid, but what if some villain is responsible for this? Gohan is the strongest warrior here, if he's incapacitated we're doomed." Videl said.

"No way! It's probably some glitch!" Gohan insisted, "It's not like some supervillainess will just pop out of nowhere and start attacking."

Suddenly, Videl's watch and Trey and Gohan's earpieces turned on. *"Attention! We have a pair of strange women who are causing chaos with some strange screams!"*

"Great, were jinxed." Trey sighed as he rubbed his third eye. "I better go. Gohan's in no condition to fight."

"I'm coming too. I'm still Satan City's defender. Besides, I can fly." Videl said as she took out the capsule containing her costume.

"I wish I could come." Gohan pouted as he looked down.

"Just work on getting those things off." Trey said as he flew up. "Don't worry, Gohan, we can handle this. Goten, stay here and help your brother."

"I know... just... be careful, please." Gohan said in his most serious tone.

"We will." Videl said as she flew up along side Trey.

*****

Videl and Trey flew towards Satan City. The girl's heart pounded in her chest as she approached the city. This was the first time since she left that she returned. She glanced at Trey beside her. She was having a somewhat easier time keeping up with the stronger and more experienced fighter. "Trey, are you okay?" Videl asked as she flew closer to him.

Trey wiped his face and nodded. "I'm okay. I'm just beat." He strained harder as he focused his power.

**Oh please, we're exhausted and you know it!** Trigun chided in his mind.

"I know that." Trey grumbled, "But I have to help out. Gohan's... all tied up thanks to your 'therapy'."

**Hey! Is it my fault Bulma's inventions are faulty?**

"They aren't faulty!"

**Whatever.**

"Do you always argue with yourself?" Videl asked interrupting the fight.

"Trigun and I have a... difference in opinion." Trey confessed as he smiled slightly. He looked on and saw a pair of women on top of the building surrounded by screaming people. "There they are!"

Videl and Trey landed and Trey transformed into Trigun.

"Whoa! There's two of them!" Trigun exclaimed as he got out his rifle. The two women were dressed in strange outfits. One who looked like she was Videl's age was dressed in a white and green schoolgirl's outfit but her shirt was tied up in a way to cover only her breasts. Her long blond hair was tied up in a pair of ponytails.

The other one looked older and more mature. She was more heavy set than the teenage girl who was very thin. She had dark brown skin, bright pink hair, with a black leather jacket and pants and high heel shoes.

"Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Diva!" The one in the afro boomed in a loud voice.

"And I am Pop Star." The teenage girl giggled as she blew a kiss at Trigun.

"And we are the Duet!" The two said in unison as microphones appeared.

Trigun and Videl sweat-dropped and Videl muttered, "I with Saiyanman was here."

"Where is the cutie?" Pop Star asked as she giggled.

"He's... tied up right now." Trigun said seriously.

"Oh... let's prepare for this concert." Pop Star said as she took out her makeup case. "Can't go into a fight looking bad right?"

"Teenagers." Diva muttered as she shook her head.

*****

Gohan sighed as he leaned back against the tree. He watched the birds sing sweetly. He could sense Trigun and Videl's powers and thankfully neither one had dropped. It was all he could do right now, just hope and wait.

"If only I didn't have this stupid fear." Gohan berated himself as he closed his eyes and a tear came out. Right now, he should be with Trigun and Videl fighting with them. They needed his help. Trigun was exhausted and Videl was still too weak.

Goldheart whined slightly as he looked up from his spot on Gohan's lap.

"Yeah, I'm worried about them too." Gohan said as he smiled down at his dog. Ever since Videl and Trey left, Goldheart stayed with him for some reason. Maybe, Goldheart wanted to protect Gohan like any other dog would his master. Or maybe he just sensed that Gohan needed some company.

"Hey, Gohan." Piccolo said as he came out of the woods. Goldheart rose his head and looked at the Namekian. "Goldheart..." He nodded at the dog. Goldheart lowered his head again and Piccolo couldn't help but feel a little fuzzy inside. He knew the truth about Goldheart being Goku trapped in a body of a dog by Kaioshin as 'punishment' for killing King Kai, Gregory, and Bubbles. Although it didn't seem that much like a punishment now. Goku was safe from whoever or whatever had kidnapped the dead Saiyans and he got to be with his family again. There couldn't be a better pet for Gohan and his family than Goku himself.

"Hey, Piccolo, glad you're here!" Gohan said as he smiled at his old master. "I'm... I need some help." The teenager sat up straighter and showed his tied up hands behind his back.

"I know. Chi Chi called me." Piccolo chuckled as he came up and looked at the restraints. "Typical, Bulma's inventions always seem to cause trouble. Here, let me stand you up." Goldheart moved out of the way and Piccolo lifted Gohan to his feet.

"Thanks." Gohan said as Piccolo tugged at the restraints. "I feel so stupid. Trigun and I were working on getting rid of my fear of guns and he... thought of this."

Piccolo shook his head as he examined the locks. "Trigun is okay but he is loose cannon sometimes."

"I feel so stupid. I bet that if Dad knows about this, he'd be disappointed in me right now." Gohan chided as he looked down.

Goldheart let out a painful whine as he came up and gently nudged Gohan's leg. Piccolo saw this and said, "Goku wouldn't think so."

"How would you know?" Gohan asked as looked down to see Goldheart just sitting beside him.

"I knew Goku for a long time." Piccolo explained as he crossed his arms. "I know that you think of your father as the perfect fearless man but we both know that isn't true. Goku has his own fears to fight."

"Like shots?"

"No." Piccolo shook his head and sighed. "Goku had a fear that no one else knows. He confided it to me while we were training for the Androids. I promised him not to tell anyone but since he's dead, I think he wouldn't mind."

"What's his fear?" Gohan asked in awe. He never knew his father to have any other fear besides the one about getting shots. What could it be?

Piccolo looked over at Goldheart who nodded slightly and said, "As you know, Goku was originally Kakarot, who was sent here to destroy Earth. Kakarot bumped his head and forgot about his mission and became Goku, who defended Earth against monsters and aliens. Goku's greatest fear is that one day, he would wake up to become Kakarot again and destroy the very planet he called home."

Gohan gasped as Goldheart looked down. "Why?" Gohan asked as he looked down at his tail. "Dad's not evil and there's no way he can become evil."

"I know. But... it was part of his heritage. We believed for the longest time that Saiyans are naturally evil, they aren't, just... very aggressive. It was something he can't deny, like I can't deny being a Namekian or your mother being a Human." Piccolo explained as he reached out and gently rubbed Goldheart's head. "Goku depends on his Saiyan powers to defend Earth, but he was always afraid that his Saiyan power would overwhelm him and turn him evil."

"He trains all the time." Gohan said as he leaned back against the tree. "How can he train while being afraid of himself?"

"He knew that he had to defend Earth and he had to face his fear to do so." Piccolo said as he smirked. "Only fools have no fear. We all have fears that could cripple us if we let them. Your father wouldn't be ashamed of you right now. In fact, I'd say that he would be proud of you for taking such means for you to learn to fight your fear. Even if it's a little... unorthodox."

Gohan smiled in relief at Piccolo's words. He knew Piccolo well enough to know that he wouldn't soften things for his sake. "You really think that Dad would be proud of me?"

"I think he is." Piccolo agreed as Goldheart's tail wagged wildly. He looked up at Gohan and snickered slightly. "Although, he might laugh at your predicament right now." Piccolo added amused.

"Yeah... Dad would think this is pretty funny right now." Gohan laughed as he hopped to Piccolo. "Can you take me to Capsule Corps? Bulma should be able to take these things off me."

"Sure." Piccolo pointed at Gohan and a blue gi appeared on the man. "Better make you decent first." He picked up Gohan and held him in his arms.

"Gohan?" Goten asked as he came in with a tray in his arms. "Where are you going?"

"Off to Capsule Corps to get these things off." Gohan said as he turned his head. "Tell Mom that I'll be back as soon as I'm free."

"Okay." Goten said as he did a thumbs up and winked.

Goldheart came up to Piccolo and Gohan and looked up. "Sorry, can't carry you too." Piccolo said, "Just stay here."

Goldheart whined and Goten wrapped his arms around the dog's neck. "Don't worry, boy. I'll keep you company!" The dog turned his head and licked Goten's cheek.

"Let's go." Piccolo took off into the air and rushed to Capsule Corps.

*****

Videl and Trigun sighed as they sat and watched Pop Star put on her makeup. "I swear, this is one of the dullest supervillainess fights I ever had." Videl muttered.

"Might as well do some reading." Trigun said as he took out a magazine and unfolded one of the long pages. "Oooh... yeah... I'd love to have one of those."

Videl peeked over his shoulder and sighed in relief. What Trigun was drooling over was an antique Harley Davidson. "Men and their toys." Videl muttered as she rolled her eyes.

"All done!" Pop Star squeaked as she got up and said, "I'm ready for a song. I've got the bad boy!"

"And I've got the good girl!" Diva said as she punched her hands. "Let's do it!"

Pop Star lit up as she flew into the air and sang into her microphone. "Oh... my bad boy, you are such angel... stay with me and we can make some music..."

Trigun gasped as he stared up at the woman. She was lovely. Her very voice was radiant. He could listen to it forever.

Videl screamed, "Trigun! Snap out of it!"

"Not yet, little girlie!" Diva boomed as she jumped and crashed next to her. "Yo yo... why do you dare to fight people like me? Do you want your head bashin'? Let's go crashin', down into the mansion, and we can get some pain! YO YO YO!" She sang as she rammed her fist into Videl's face.

Videl was blasted back into the wall and she felt her face. "Ow..." Trigun was hypnotized by Pop Star's voice and she is being beaten. She glared at bracelet. "Start working, why don't you?"

"Depending on things that can't use, do that and you will be screwed!" Diva rhymed as she attacked Videl again.

*****

"I don't know how it's possible!" Bulma said as she tapped the buttons on Gohan's restraints. "They're supposed to come off!"

"You gotta think of something, the others need me." Gohan pleaded as he looked over his shoulder.

"Don't worry, Gohan, you're not the only Super Saiyan on Earth." Bulma said as she stepped back. "Vegita!" She screamed as she turned on the intercom, "Stop your training and come here in the lab!"

Vegita grumbled as he came into the lab and asked, "What do you want, Wo-" He stopped when he saw Gohan and fell over laughing. "The brat looks a little tied up!"

"Vegita!" Gohan moaned as he hopped off of the table and glared at the Saiyan, "It's not that funny!"

"What's wrong? Can't figure out how to unlock that contraption?" Vegita taunted as he got up and crossed his arms.

Piccolo sighed as he crossed his arms. "Look, Gohan can't get out of his restraints and Videl and Trey are fighting a pair of supervillainesses right now and they'll need some backup."

"And you want me to go and bail them out?" Vegita guessed as he rubbed his chin.

"Yeah! Trey's exhausted from helping me and Videl's still a little new at fighting with Ki!" Gohan explained as he tugged at his bonds. "They really need your help."

"Fine. Just because I like bailing Humans out of trouble so I can show them how powerful we Saiyans are." Vegita said as he walked out.

"I'll go with him, just in case." Piccolo grunted as he followed him. "Don't worry, Gohan, I trained Videl myself, she's tough."

"Thanks." Gohan smiled as his sensei went out the door.

"Now to get those things off!" Bulma said as she put on a welding mask and held up a blowtorch.

*****

Videl ducked another punch as she flew into the air. She sighed in relief when she saw Diva glaring up at her. **All right, I can fly and she can't.**

"Come down here and fight or be creamed like a bird against a cannon! Yo yo yo." Diva rapped.

"I don't think so!" Videl said as she got out her lasso and flung around at the supervillainess.

Diva snarled as she tugged at the rope. "You think that this will stop me, you are dead wrong! Stop trying and die! Only a weapon of the gods can stop us!" Diva screamed and shattered the rope.

"Damn it!" Videl muttered as she flew up and hid in a nearby alley. Her heart pounded as she looked up to see Trigun just standing there gazing at Pop Star. "Great, I'm alone." This was the first time in what felt like forever since she had to fight a criminal on her own. Before, there were always Saiyanman or Trigun. **Right now, I would give anything to see Gohan's stupid poses.** Videl thought. Her bracelet glowed faintly and started to reveal a new symbol.

*****

Vegita and Piccolo sped toward Satan City. "Looks like we get to show those rookies who's the hero now." Vegita laughed as he went Super Saiyan.

"Those 'rookies' are young but they can get the job done." Piccolo said confidently. "Trey's not a normal Human."

"No, he's a deranged and confused Human. He has split personalities and that's not normal." Vegita pointed out.

"And you are any different?" A faint voice whispered to Vegita's ears.

Vegita stopped and looked around. "Who's there?!" The Saiyan demanded.

Piccolo stopped as well and felt a faint shiver in the air. There was something not right around here. "Who are you?" Piccolo asked cautiously.

The air rippled around them and a tall woman in a sleek black body suit, pale skin, pure blood red eyes, and a pair of black huge wings appeared. "Greetings, Mortals, I am Kyuushi."

Piccolo gasped as he recognized the name. "Kyuushi?! The Angel of Death!"

"Angel of Death?" Vegita repeated, amazed. He didn't want to believe that there was such a woman as the Angel of Death, but the very sight of her did something to him that very few people can do. She was actually scaring him.

"That is correct. Now, be gone or suffer." Kyuushi threatened as she held out her hand.

"N-no!" Vegita screamed as he powered up even more. "I had faced death before, woman! I can face it again!"

Kyuushi gazed at him and said, "No mortal can handle death. Death is the end for mortals, you are one of the few who just 'restart,' so to speak. You have faced death before, can you face it again?" Her eyes glowed and she fired a blast at the Saiyan.

"Vegita!" Piccolo screamed as he felt himself frozen in one spot. Why was he so afraid of her? He had died before many times. Death should be something trivial to him by now.

Vegita didn't explode or evaporate. He froze in mid air as he felt the beatings Freeza did on his body. Every kick, every punch, was just as hard as the first time. "No..." Vegita gasped as he held his stomach. "I... I..."

"Mortals, no matter how powerful they are, can't handle reliving their deaths..." Kyuushi said as she crossed her arms. "All mortals who have faced death once can't face me." She snapped her fingers and Luna appeared beside her. "Moon Angel, take them back to hence they came."

"Okay, Kyuushi!" Luna said as a pair of bright white circles appeared and swallowed the two whole.

*****

"There goes that idea." Bulma said as she took off her helmet. She glared at the cuffs. They were far stronger than she had intended for them to be.

Gohan sighed as he leaned back. Bulma had been working like crazy to get the restraints off of him but it just refused. "Great. Trey and Videl are fighting without me. I can't stand by and do nothing."

"Don't worry, Gohan. Piccolo and Vegita are on their way to help out." Bulma said as she patted Gohan on the head.

Out of nowhere, Piccolo and Vegita fell and landed on the floor. They looked fine but Vegita was curled up in a fetal position while Piccolo was just staring out in thin air.

"Piccolo! Vegita!" Gohan exclaimed as he hopped toward his old sensei and bent down as much as he could. "Piccolo?"

"I'm okay." Piccolo muttered as he got up. "Sorry, the Angel of Death got in our way."

"The what?!" Bulma and Gohan exclaimed as Bulma helped Vegita to his feet.

"This 'Angel of Death' did this to Vegita?" Bulma asked as she held her husband in her arms.

"I'm fine." Vegita lied as he got up and brushed himself off. "That woman just caught me off guard."

"What did she do to you?!" Bulma screamed, "You looked like you saw a ghost..."

"Nothing... she just forced me to relive my death." Vegita said as he waved his hand. "I'm fine."

"You were in shock." Gohan observed as he looked at Vegita. "Come on, Vegita, admit it, you were scared out of your wits."

Vegita glared at him and shoved Gohan causing him to fall onto the floor. "Saiyans don't get scared."

"Only fools have no fear." Gohan commented, remembering his earlier conversation with Piccolo.

"Vegita! This is serious!" Bulma said as she helped her friend to his feet. "Gohan, are you okay?"

"Yeah." Gohan said as he hopped to a chair and sat down. "I gotta help them. They need me."

"I know. But, you gotta have faith that Videl and Trey or Trigun or whoever he is right now will pull through. I had to wait like you, because that was what all I could do." Bulma said as she gently put her hands on Gohan's broad shoulders.

"Faith." Gohan repeated as he closed his eyes. His heart slowed down slightly as he reached out with his mind. Suddenly, pain rang out in his mind. "AAAAHHH!" He screamed in horror as he heart Videl's voice crying out to her. "Videl!!!"

*****

Videl breathed heavily as she glared up at Diva. Diva had found her and the woman smirked as she punched her stomach. "Well... we found ya' at last. Ready for a pounding, Human?"

Videl got up and stared at her bracelet. Her stomach ached and her heart pounded in her chest. She looked to see Trigun walking in a straight line toward the edge of the roof. Pop Star sang as she walked off of the building and onto the air. "Oh shit." She grumbled as she looked at Diva. Trey can fly but Trigun can't. Even if the gun-toter could fly, he was in a dazed state. "Gohan... help me." She whispered as she powered up and flew at the woman. "If I'm going to die, I'll die fighting!" Videl screamed.

Diva punched Videl hard. "Then die, Fool!"

Videl landed on her back, her body ached. "Gohan." She whispered as she stared up into the sky.

*****

Trey watched helplessly as his body went numb. **Fight her, Trigun!** Trey screamed in his mind.

**I can't... so numb...** Trigun said all around him.

**Sneeze! Turn into me!**

**I... can't...**

**Videl! Gohan!** Trey screamed as he saw his body going toward the edge.

*****

Gohan shook as sweat came down his face. "Videl, Trey, fight her." Gohan said as he tossed and turned in his chair.

"Gohan! Snap out of it!" Piccolo ordered as he held Gohan down.

"Videl... Trey." Gohan gasped again.

*****

Videl groaned as she fired at weak Ki blast at Diva. Diva bounced it off and said, "That's the best you got?"

"I am only Human." Videl said as she got up. Pain wracked her body. **Gohan, Trey.**

*****

Three people trapped in their own ways; one by restraints, one by music, and one by her own limits-- All three fighting to be free. At once in harmonious unison, they cried out in their hearts and minds. **WE WON'T STOP!**

*****

Gohan's eyes blanked as he screamed. A bright golden aura flared out and Piccolo jumped back. "VIDEL! TREY!"

*****

Trey screamed in his mind as he felt power enveloping him. With a real voice, he screamed as his body enveloped him. "GOHAN! VIDEL!"

*****

Videl's bracelet transformed into a metal neon blue gauntlet. It explanded over her arm. "GOHAN! TREY!"

*****

"And so the power of three is revealed." Baba said as she watched on her crystal ball.

*****

Gohan's restraints disintegrated. Trigun transformed into Trey. Videl's body was enveloped in a blue aura.

Videl gasped as she stood up and looked down. She was now covered in neon blue armor with black symbols all over it. On her chest was a heart symbol that glowed brightly.

*****

Gohan stood up and realized his bonds were gone. "I'm free!" He exclaimed as he flew out of the lab, leaving the stunned three behind.

*****

Trey blinked as he looked down to see he was in control. "I'm me." He muttered as he flew up over the edge and glared at Pop Star. "You won't sing to me." Trey said as he took out a pair of earmuffs and put them on.

"Uh oh." Pop Star squeaked.

*****

Videl's gauntlet glowed brightly as she flew up and attacked Diva. Diva struck back. They fought for several minutes, exchanging blow for blow. Diva jumped back and rapped, "Well... looks like you got that thang workin'. I won't hold back, no I won't hold back."

She took a deep breath and screamed. Windows shattered and Videl held up her covered arm. Suddenly, a bright blue wall appeared between them.

Videl blinked as she focused harder and the wall became a soundproof bubble. "I can do anything with this weapon." Videl realized as she thought of something to attack Diva.

A giant blue ape appeared and grabbed Diva.

*****

Gohan rushed to Satan City in his Super Saiyan form. While he could transform into Saiyanman, going Super Saiyan was faster.

He arrived to see Trey holding a young blond girl in a sexy schoolgirl's outfit with his hand over her mouth. "Trey!" Gohan exclaimed as he landed.

"Go- Golden Warrior!" Trey cried out in joy. "You're free!"

"Yeah... where's Videl?" Gohan asked as he looked around.

"Right here."

Gohan and Trey looked behind them to see a woman in neon blue and black armor with Diva in a huge blue bubble. The only thing showing was her lower jaw and her short black hair. "Videl?!" The two exclaimed.

"Yeah. The gauntlet worked." Videl said as she smirked. "I'm glad you're free from those restraints."

Gohan nodded as felt his wrists. "Good to be free."

Trey tossed Pop Star toward the bubble. "Catch!" Trey said.

The blue bubble opened up briefly and caught Pop Star before she could fly away. "Okay, we finally caught a pair of supervillainesses." Videl said in relief as she stared at the two. "Who sent you?"

"I did." The three stared upward to see a strange woman hovered downward and landed on the rooftop. She had long black armor and pale white skin. Her eyes were blood red and there was a strange but oddly familiar aura around her. "I am Kyuushi, the Angel of Death."

"You must be that Angel of Death, Piccolo talked about." Gohan observed as he went into attack position. "What did you do to Vegita?"

"He was about to interfere, the narrow-minded fool." Kyuushi said as she put her hand on the bubble. "Go home, my sirens."

Videl moaned as she held her head and the bubble dispersed. "Exit stage left!" Pop Star screamed as she picked Diva up and flew away.

"Videl!" Gohan exclaimed as he came up and held her.

"She can barely keep her will steady." Kyuushi commented as she looked at the three. "I can beat the three of you instantly."

"Let's see." Trey said as he powered up and screamed, "KAMEHAME HA!" A bright beam came out of his palms and flew toward the angel.

Kyuushi flicked her wrist and the blast soared skyward. "Pathetic." She fired at Trey and the man collapsed.

"Ya!" Gohan screamed as he powered up to Super Saiyan II and attacked the angel directly. "Why did you send those supervillainesses?!" Gohan demanded as he punched the girl. "Why did you threaten all those innocent people?"

Kyuushi grabbed Gohan's wrists and answered, "I must." She shoved Gohan away and her long wings went around her. "If you wish for my answers, you must fight me to prove your willingness. I will give you time to prepare. I will give you until the Noon's sun is as dark as night. Then we shall fight where a false idol was born and an innocence was shattered."

"Huh?" Gohan asked as he tried to figure out the riddle.

"You are a smart boy, you will figure it out." Kyuushi said as she flew up and vanished.

"What happened?" Trey moaned as he got up.

"We were challenged." Videl realized as she held her head. "Why did you attack that woman like that?"

Trey looked down slightly embarrassed that he did something so brash. "I don't know. I was mad at her. She was the one responsible for this mess. I guess... I just lost it."

"Don't worry, I lost it myself." Gohan said as he looked up at the sky. "Let's head back to Capsule Corps and get everyone there."

*****

"I'm glad you finally got out of those stupid bonds." Chi Chi said as she, Bulma, Trey, Videl, Piccolo, and Vegita were in the lab talking about the development.

"Me too." Gohan said as he looked down at his wrists. "I don't know how though. I couldn't get out before, but when I tried to reach out to Videl and Trey... there was a major power rush and my bonds break."

"I felt the same thing." Trey said, "When Trigun was hypnotized by that Pop Star, I felt helpless and I tried to reach out to Videl and Gohan. I felt power and then I changed to Trey without sneezing."

"And I reached out to Gohan and Trey and my bracelet turned into a powerful gauntlet." Videl said as she held up her bracelet. It looked newer than before, and there was a heart symbol in the middle.

"That was cool, can you do it again?" Gohan asked curiously.

"I think so... but it requires a lot of concentration." Videl said as held out her hand. "Ball." A bright blue ball appeared in her hand. "I can create objects with this bracelet and I feel stronger with it."

"A chain reaction." Bulma said, "You three had somehow tapped into each other's power and caused the other to become super-powerful for a second, enough to get out of your predicaments."

"So, we have a new power up?" Gohan asked as he looked at Trey and Videl.

"Yeah. A group power up, I've never seen anything like that before in my life." Bulma admitted.

"About what?" Goten asked as he, Trunks, Dr. Briefs, and Goldheart came in the room.

"Where were you?" Chi Chi asked as Goldheart came toward her and put his head onto her lap.

"We had to get Goldheart his shots." Dr. Briefs said as he came up and gently pet the dog on the head. "I figured that while he was here, I could give him some vaccinations."

"How did he react?" Piccolo asked smirking.

The dog whined a little and Chi Chi gently stroked his fur.

"He... he didn't take it too well." Dr. Briefs said as he took out his pipe and started smoking it.

"We had to hold him down." Trunks said as he crossed his arms.

"After we chased him." Goten said as he got out a doggie treat and fed it to the dog. "I'm sorry, but it was for your own health."

Goldheart sighed as he chomped up the treat and then laid his head back onto Chi Chi's lap.

Chi Chi smiled and said, "Don't worry, Goldheart, my husband hated shots too."

Vegita huffed as he glared at the dog. They were talking about a new form of power up and now they are talking about some dog's vaccination. "Fools." He muttered.

"Hey, guys! What's up?" Yamcha asked as he, Tien, Krillian, and the other Z warriors gathered into the living room. Chi Chi's eyes widened when she noticed that Yamcha and Puar were dressed in camouflage outfits complete with berets.

"What are you wearing?" Bulma asked, shocked.

Yamcha sighed as he gestured to his outfit. "Instructor Isaiso insisted that we wear these during the month of training. You are so lucky that you don't have to go to that school right now." Yamcha said as he took off his hat and glasses.

"Actually, I think it looks cute on you." Bulma commented as she smiled at her ex-boyfriend.

"You really think so?"

"Will we get on with what we have to say?!" Vegita demanded as his Ki aura flared out around him. "We don't have time to talk about dog vaccinations or fashion!"

The group stared at the Saiyan and Piccolo said, "We do have more pressing matters. For one thing, we finally found out who or what is responsible for the supervillainess attacks."

"About time." Krillian said, relieved and yet nervous at the same time. "Who is it? An alien?"

"No, an angel." Piccolo answered, "Her name is Kyuushi, the Angel of Death. She is one of the most powerful beings in the Next Dimension and in this universe."

"Angel of death? Oh man, now I've heard everything." Yamcha moaned as he held his head. "What does one of the most powerful beings in the universe want here?"

"I don't know. There's not much known about the Angels. Most of what is known is often covered in myth and legend. I do know that the Angels have existed for a long time, even far longer than King Kai and King Yamma themselves. Kyuushi, the Angel of Death, was believed to invent the concept of death herself and had birthed King Yamma." Piccolo said as the group stared at him.

"Invented death? The next threat to the world is a woman who invented death?!" Krillian exclaimed as the blood in his body froze at the thought of facing such an adversary.

"I don't know if she wants to threaten Earth." Piccolo said, "Kyuushi isn't like Cell or Freeza. Cell and Freeza are evil. Kyuushi is... not evil, but different."

"Okay, so what can she do?" Tien asked seriously.

"She's very powerful. She beat all of us in seconds." Gohan said as he remembered the battle. "I don't know how but I think she can alter things by touch."

"She can also force people to 'relive' their deaths." Vegita added as he remembered Kyuushi's attack. "The woman believed that no mortal can handle reliving death."

"She forced Vegita to his knees in seconds." Piccolo pointed out, "So, anyone who died before doesn't have a prayer against Kyuushi."

The Z warriors gasped and then looked down. "Well... looks most of us can't fight then." Krillian said as he got out a list. "Let's see... I died twice, Piccolo... Tien... Yamcha... Vegita... Goku if he comes back..."

"I can't help." Eighteen grumbled as she looked down. "I was absorbed by Cell and that counts as death."

"So... basically the only fighters who haven't died before are Videl, Goten, Trunks, Trey, Gohan and Yajarobie." Bulma said as she wrote on a sheet of paper.

Everyone looked at Bulma funny and Yamcha said, "Yajarobie?"

Bulma crossed out Yajarobie's name. "Good point."

Videl's eyes widened as she looked at the group. "All of you died before?!"

"Defending the world is a hazardous job." Gohan explained as he rubbed the back of his head. "But we do have to fight Kyuushi. She said that we will fight when the Noon's sun is as dark as night and at the place where a false idol was born and an innocence was shattered. Any idea what that means?"

The group stared in silence. "Well... the Noon's sun being dark could be an eclipse." Bulma figured, "But what does it mean by 'false idol was born and an innocence was shattered'?"

"No idea." Krillian commented and the group became silent as they tried to think.

Goldheart got up and ran out of the room. "Goldheart! Come back, boy!" Goten exclaimed as he watched his dog ran out.

"Where is he going?" Krillian wondered and then the dog came back with a Cell action figure in his mouth.

"Hey! That's my Cell action figure!" Trunks exclaimed as he went up to Goldheart and said, "Bad dog, give that back." Goldheart whined and he dropped it onto the floor.

"Goldheart! Bad dog!" Chi Chi chided as she waved her finger at Goldheart. "Don't go around getting other people's toys!"

"Yuck. Dog drool." Trunks grumbled as he wiped his toy.

Piccolo frowned at the sight. It wasn't like Goku to do something like that to another person's property. **Unless, it has something to do with Cell.** Piccolo figured.

"Wait a second." Gohan said as he stared at the action figure. "Cell... Cell! The Cell Games Arena!" He jumped up and hugged Goldheart by the neck. "Thanks, Goldheart!"

"The Cell Games Arena?" Tien repeated, "Why there?"

"Of course!" Videl moaned, "The Cell Games Arena is where my father gained his fame for defeating Cell when that's not true! He became a false idol!"

"And I killed Cell. I had never killed anyone before. My innocence was shattered." Gohan figured as he put his hand on Goldheart's head. "The Cell Games Area must be what Kyuushi is talking about!"

"Goldheart figured it out?" Goten asked, beaming, "My doggie is the smartest in the world!"

"I don't think Goldheart really figured out the riddle." Gohan chuckled as he patted the dog's head. "I think it's a coincidence."

Goldheart didn't say anything. Instead he just looked down with sadness in his bright green eyes.

"Yeah, right. Goldheart's smarter than you think!" Goten insisted as he came up to his dog and held him. "I don't care what anyone else thinks, Goldheart's special."

"Maybe." Piccolo said as Goldheart licked Goten in gratitude.

"Okay, regardless of who thought of the answer first, we need to figure out when." Bulma got out her computer and started typing. "Based on the orbits of the sun and moon and calculate it..." Bulma typed quickly as formulas appeared on the screen. "Ah hah! The next solar eclipse at noon is in one month, two weeks, and two days from now."

"One month. We have to face the Angel of Death in one month?!" Videl screamed in horror.

"Plenty of time." Gohan said as he got up. "We can train in the Room of Spirit and Time and in the gravity chambers."

"We can do it." Trey said confidently.

"Cool! Can Goten and me fight too?" Trunks asked, "We haven't died yet."

"No!" Chi Chi and Bulma insisted as they glared at the boys.

"Why not? We're strong." Goten pouted. Goldheart whined slightly and Goten hugged the dog again.

"You're too young." Chi Chi said as she knelt down to her son. "I love you very much and you are very strong, but I don't want you to go around fighting super powerful Angels of Death!"

"That's right!" Bulma agreed, "I don't want you to get hurt." She smiled at her son. She also didn't want her son to grow up too fast like the Trunks in the alternate universe. That Trunks wanted him to lead a relatively normal life.

"And I think Kyuushi wanted to fight only me, Trey or Trigun or Triforce, and Videl." Gohan said as he grinned at Goten. "But you two can still help us train and back us up in the battle."

Chi Chi rung her hands as tears threatened to come down her face. "I don't like this." She muttered as she wiped her eyes.

"Neither do I." Tien growled as he tensed up. "You three will fight some powerful angel and I can't help because I died a couple of times!"

"Don't worry, Dad, we'll be fine. Kyuushi isn't Cell or Freeza. She's not evil." Trey said, "She's... testing us somehow. She could just kill us but she didn't."

"If she's testing us, when what is she testing us for?" Videl wondered.

"Whatever it is, we better pass because there might be more than just the Angel of Death to worry about." Gohan said as he got up with a determined look in his eyes.

*****

"I wish we didn't have to rush things." Kai Shi said as she sat down in her mediation. "These mortals could burn up."

"We are running out of time." Kaioshin said, "The Saiyans have vanished and the enemy is closing in. For all our sakes, the three must be at their strongest."

"I will make them that way, Master." Kai Shi said as she transformed into Kyuushi, "Or have them die trying."

To Be Continued...