Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Normal Friends from Strange Places ❯ The Battle with Death ( Chapter 20 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Normal Friends From Strange Places
Part 17
By Maria Cline

The sun was high as three figures walked onto a battlefield. Trey, Videl, and Gohan tensed as they looked around. They had eaten a huge breakfast, said their goodbyes, and left.

"This is where it took place." Gohan muttered as he remembered the last time he was here. Seven years ago, he had fought Cell at this place and won, but with a great cost.

"Why did that woman choose this place?" Videl wondered as she shivered slightly. "Just thinking about this place gives me the creeps."

"Maybe, that's why she chose this place. It has many memories here, and that will make you two to get distracted." Trey figured as he looked at his watch. "We have until the eclipse and that's in twenty minutes. We better get ready."

"Right." Gohan focused and a bright white ball appeared in his hand. He flung it into the air and screamed, "Moonlight burst!"

A bright white sphere lit up the sky and Gohan transformed into a Super Saiyan and then into a giant golden ape. The golden ape looked down and shrank into his smaller but more powerful form. Gohan was dressed in a brown set of pants, long black boots, and his chest and arms were covered in red fur with red rings around his eyes, making him slightly evil. "I wish there's an easier way for me to transform." Gohan said as he crossed his arms.

"My turn." Videl said as she focused on her gauntlet and her bracelet morphed and changed into a full-body set of bright blue and black armor with a glowing heart on the chest. "Okay!"

"I'm next." Trey said as he focused and become two people. The two Treys nodded toward each other and one of them snapped his fingers. A bright light overwhelmed him and Trigun appeared.

"Way cooler than sneezing." Trigun commented as he and Trey put their hands together and merged.

Triforce appeared in his white outfit with yin-yang symbols on his belt and chest and his long silver hair and said, "I'm ready for battle."

"I didn't know you can transform by snapping your fingers," Gohan realized, "I thought you could only change by sneezing."

"I've been working on ways of changing without sneezing, snapping my fingers while concentrating works." Triforce replied as he smirked.

"So we wait?" Videl asked.

"Excuse me?" The three turned around to see a reporter and a camera man standing there. The reporter was tall with a suit and glasses with black hair. "We saw a weird ball while coming back from a story about the eclipse and we thought we should check it out; who are you?"

Gohan smirked as he stepped up.

"Oh no..." Videl and Triforce moaned as Gohan went into a bunch of poses.

"I am... the Defender of Justice, the Powerful Saiyan Ape!" Gohan roared as he went into a ballernia style pose.

Videl shrugged and posed with her hand high into the air as she created a giant heart. "And I am the lovely Blue Gauntlet!"

"And I am the Master of Swords, Triforce." Triforce said as he created a huge sword and held in his hands.

The reporter and the cameraman stared at the two. "I guess all superheroes must pose." The reporter sighed, "May I ask if your group has a name?"

"We're the Z Warriors!" Gohan said as he posed, "We defend Earth and fight for what's right! We don't fear death and no sort of threat so do not worry, for we will save lives in a hurry!"

"He's going into cheesy superhero mode again." Videl whispered to Triforce as he shook his head.

"I know... he needs to get it out of his system now." Triforce sighed.

"Saiyan Ape." Videl said as she tapped the warrior on the shoulder. "It's almost time."

"Oh right." The warrior stared at the two and said, "You better leave. There's going to be a major battle here as soon as the eclipse starts so you better leave."

"What?! And miss the story of the century?! Not a chance!" The reporter exclaimed.

Triforce got up and focused hard. "There is nothing here. You have to leave for the eclipse."

The reporter looked at his camera man and said, "There's nothing here... we better leave for the eclipse."

The two left and Triforce sighed. "That was close." He muttered.

"No matter how long I've known you... or Trey... I can never get used to watching that." Videl commented.

Gohan focused on the bright light in the sky and it exploded into nothingness. "Now we wait."

"Yeah." Triforce said as he relaxed. "We wait."

*****

Chi Chi guided the Flying Nimbus through the air and toward a tiny island that looked too small to hold a house and yet managed to. "I hope Gohan and the others are doing okay." Chi Chi said as she wrung her hands. "I made sure they had plenty to eat."

Goldheart gently nudged her in the ribs and barked.

"Yes, I know that I shouldn't worry." Chi Chi said as she rubbed the dog's head. She can see the worry and helplessness in his eyes. It was painful for her to see Goku like this. **Oh Goku, it must be worst for you and yet you still put on a brave face.**

"Mommy, what do you think will happen in Gohan's battle?" Goten asked from on Goldheart's back.

"I don't know, but I do know that your brother and his friends will win." Chi Chi said confidently, "They are the strongest team yet."

"I know, but I wanna watch." Goten muttered.

"You will. That's why we're all gathering at Master Roshi's so we can watch the entire thing." Chi Chi explained as the cloud descended and landed on the beach. "Okay, everybody off." She said as she jumped off and walked toward the house.

Goldheart stared up and whined.

"Huh?" Chi Chi paused as a faint chill tickled her skin. Everything slowly turned dark around them. "It's starting."

*****

The shadows vanished as darkness appeared around them. "The eclipse." Gohan said as he closed his fist to only leave a small opening for light. A crescent-shaped light appeared in Gohan's shadow.

Triforce and Videl stared around them as everything grew darker. "This feels ominous." Videl confessed as she shivered. "I heard that ancient civilizations called this a sign of danger."

"With Kyuushi using this as a starting point for battle, I don't blame them." Gohan said as day became night in an instant. Darkness overcame them and nothing could be seen.

The three stood together with their backs against each other as they watched the darkness fade away. Slowly, a figure appeared as the light returned. Triforce saw the woman first and said, "She's here."

Kyuushi was standing in front of Triforce. She was tall with her long black wings extending from her body. She wore long black gloves that went up to her shoulders, a black tank top with silver trimmings, long black boots with silver symbols, a short skirt with a silver chain belt and a silver circlet. "Greetings, mortals, I am Kyuushi, the Angel of Death, and I'm glad you decided to come. Most mortals would be scared of facing my kind."

"I'm ready and willing to fight to the end!" Gohan said as he grinned, "We've been training for over a month for you!"

Kyuushi smiled slightly at the warrior. "You are eager for battle. Good. That is what I expect and hope from you."

"We're ready." Videl said as she went into fighting position.

"And we have lots of questions for you." Triforce said as he held his sword.

"Of course." Kyuushi said as she smirked. "But first you had better look around."

The three looked around as the darkness faded away completely. Instead of the desert and the rocks that was an arena, there was a vast grassy meadow with trees in the distance.

"This isn't the Cell Games arena." Gohan realized in shock, "Where are we?!"

"We are in the sacred training grounds of the Next Dimension." Kyuushi explained, "I do not wish to be watched and exploited by those narrow-minded mortals."

"Hey!" Videl growled, "Humans are not 'narrow minded'!"

Kyuushi raised an eyebrow and said, "Your father managed to make those mortals believe that he was the strongest warrior on Earth and that Ki techniques are tricks."

The three looked at each other and Videl said, "Point taken."

"This place is also more stable than your planet and there is no one stupid enough to come within a thousand miles of this place. One of the perks of being the inventor of death." Kyuushi said as her wings spread out. "Now, let's begin."

*****

"Where are they?!" Chi Chi screamed in shock as she and the other Z warriors huddled around Baba's crystal ball. They were watching the three wait for battle when darkness came and they vanished. Now everyone was scared about what had happened. No one knew where their friends were and no one could do anything about it.

"I don't know! The Angel of Death must've blocked my signal!" Baba exclaimed. "Bardock, come here. Your bond with Gohan and power may help break the barrier."

"I will try." Bardock said as he sat opposite from Baba and focused on the crystal ball. "Come on crystal ball, show me all!"

*****

Kyuushi flew up into the sky and Triforce, Videl, and Gohan followed. "Okay, let's follow the plan!" Gohan ordered as he powered up and started punching Kyuushi while the other two watched.

Kyuushi dodged the blows easily and asked, "Testing me?" She vanished and reappeared behind Gohan and grabbed Gohan's head. "Remembrance!"

Gohan gasped as memories of past battles flowed into his mind. Images of warriors dieing in front of him became clear. "NO!" Gohan screamed as tears flowed down his cheeks. "I failed them all!"

"Gohan!" Videl screamed as she created a long rope and wrapped it around Kyuushi's wings. "Leave my Gohan alone!" She tightened the rope.

Kyuushi gasped as she let go of Gohan's head and grabbed the 'rope'. Videl felt the strange stinging sensation in her mind like before. She looked at Gohan and focused harder. She can't let Gohan down.

Gohan hovered in mid air as he held his sides. "No... please... make them stop. I failed them all. I failed Piccolo, Krillian, my father... I failed them all." He whispered.

"Gohan..." Triforce said as he put his hand on Gohan's forehead. "You did not fail anyone. You were a mere child who had the power of a god. No child can handle that stress, but that is the past. No one can change it. They are alive. Your father wouldn't want you to be hindered by the past."

Gohan stopped as the tears stopped flowing. He remembered the pact he made with the other Gohans. He would graduate from High School. He would find out the mystery of the supervillainesses. "I... can do it!"

"Good." Triforce said as he and Gohan looked up to see Videl straining against Kyuushi. The rope finally vanished and Kyuushi lashed out with her wings, sending Videl crashing to the ground. "My turn!" Triforce announced as he brought up his sword and slashed at Kyuushi.

The angel held up her hands and said, "Staff of Power come to me." A bright red bo staff appeared and stopped the blade.

Gohan gasped as he recognized the staff. It was his father's old staff. He knew it was used to connect the Lookout and Korin's Tower but how did she get one? "Hey! How did you get that?"

Kyuushi smirked at the warrior and replied, "The design of this staff was not as unique as you may think."

Triforce attacked with his sword and Kyuushi fended off the attacks. The two fought at a furious pace while Gohan and Videl watched, looking for a window of opportunity to attack.

*****

Bardock growled as sweat came down his forehead. He and Baba had been working endlessly to create some sort of picture for the others to see. He had to find out what happened to Gohan. Gohan was his grandson.

"Come on..." Bardock said as his eyes turned green and his hair turned gold.

Goku came up and saw the gang staring at the crystal ball. He came up behind Bardock and touched his paw on his back.

Bardock felt his mind expanding and then the crystal ball showed Triforce and Kyuushi fighting in mid air.

"You did it!" Chi Chi gushed as she hugged Bardock and then looked down to see Goku with his paw on Bardock's back. She released the warrior and smiled at her husband. **Good job, Goku.** She winked.

Chi Chi sat back down and watched the ball. Her son and Videl were hovering close by, watching Triforce and Kyuushi fight. They were still alive and well.

"Go, Triforce-chan!" Lunch cheered as she watched anxiously. "I hope he doesn't sneeze."

"Me too." Tien said anxiously.

*****

Triforce and Kyuushi fought fiercely. Triforce had the experience of two men with two different lives. Kyuushi had thousands of years of experience. Kyuushi focused as she flew out and then pointed her staff. It glowed and it expanded as she slammed the pole against the side of the warrior's head.

"Triforce!" Gohan screamed as he caught the warrior and checked his head. There was a lump on his head.

"My head..." Triforce moaned.

"Relax, pal, I got you." Gohan said as he helped Triforce to the ground. "Stay here and rest. Videl and I will make a run at her."

"Be careful." Triforce warned as he held his head. "Kyuushi is not like any other foe."

"I know." Gohan nodded as he flew up and hovered beside Videl.

"Is he okay?" Videl asked.

"He's fine, but he needs to rest." Gohan said as he looked at Kyuushi's wings. He leaned next to Videl and whispered, "Can you make bubble gum with that?"

"What?" Videl whispered back. "I think so."

"Good. Do this." Gohan whispered in Videl's ear.

"Why didn't I think of that?" Videl wondered as she focused.

Gohan flew at Kyuushi and started attacking. He dodged and ducked the bo staff while being careful not to be pointed. He remembered sparring with his father while using the Power Pole and it helped him greatly.

Videl closed her eyes and see bubble gum in her mind. **Bubble gum.** She thought as she pointed her gauntlet and giant blue bubble gum covered Kyuushi's wings.

Kyuushi screamed as she fell to the ground and growled, "Bubble gum?!"

Videl smirked as she focused on the 'bubble gum'. "It works."

Gohan ran up and started to attack the angel. "We are more prepared." He said as he did a quick kick at Kyuushi's face. Kyuushi stepped back and grabbed the 'gum'. Videl moaned as she felt Kyuushi fighting against the power.

"Oh no, you don't!" Triforce said as he ran up and started to attack as well.

*****

"Look at those two go!" Master Roshi cheered.

"Go Gohan! Go Tre- Triforce!" Chi Chi gushed as she beamed. **They are doing it. They are defeating death!**

"All right, bro!" Goten cheered as he applauded.

Goldheart looked at the crystal ball and nodded in pride.

*****

Kyuushi lay on the ground as Triforce and Gohan held her down with Videl helping out.

"You lose, Kyuushi." Triforce said as he held a knife to the angel's throat. "Give up."

Kyuushi glared up at them and said, "Not yet." She closed her eyes and a bright glow overcame her. Her very form vanished and Videl released her hold.

"Where did she go?" Videl asked.

A bright light appeared and Kyuushi came out of the light. Her wings were larger and her armor was replaced by a skin tight body suit that covered her entire body except for her face and her long hair. Over her head was a bright glowing halo.

"She killed herself!" Gohan exclaimed in shock as he, Triforce, and Videl went into defensive positions.

"No... this is my spirit form. You mortals have a physical form and a spirit form too, but I can achieve it without death." Kyuushi explained as she gestured to herself and flexed her wings. "Now, let's do it."

*****

"Gah! How did she do that?!" Chi Chi screamed as every other warrior gawked at the newly-transformed woman.

"I heard that angels did have some ability to transform in the Next Dimension." Piccolo muttered, "But I thought it was some legend."

Krillian sighed and muttered, "Why do these supervillains or supervillainesses always have some transformation up their sleeve? I mean, it worked with Vegita, Freeza, and even Cell!"

"Let's just hope that they can handle Kyuushi's new form." Tien advised as he clasped his hands together. **Come on, Trey or whoever you may be right now, you can do it.**

*****

Kyuushi expanded her wings and flew up into the sky. She took off her crown and it transformed into a small disk. "Ring of Death!" She screamed as she flung the disk at Gohan.

Gohan ducked the circle and it flung back at him. "Hey!" He screamed as he dodged again and felt the disk cut into his arm.

"It follows whoever I toss it at." Kyuushi explained as she flung herself at Triforce. The two fought as Gohan flew away from the disk.

Videl frowned as she tried to figure out a way to help Gohan. "I gotta get that glowing frisbee away from him." Her face lit up. "That's it!" She pointed her gauntlet and a giant blue dog appeared and grabbed the disk.

Gohan stopped as he watched the 'dog' hold the disk in his mouth. "Good dog." Gohan said in relief as the disk stopped glowing. "Thanks, Videl!"

"I was inspired those games Goten played with Goldheart." Videl shrugged and then the two flew at Kyuushi.

Triforce flew back and breathed deeply. He was getting tired. The battle was wearing him out more than he thought. "We gotta defeat her." He focused and a pair of metal knuckles appeared. "Here, put these on. They are titanium knuckles."

"Awesome!" Gohan said as he put them on.

Triforce and Gohan flew up and attacked Kyuushi again at once. The angel ducked the blows at super speed and then vanished and reappeared behind the two. The Staff of Power appeared in her hands again and she bashed on the two of them.

The two warriors fell and a bright blue giant mattress appeared below them. The two landed and Videl flew up to the two. "We need to think up a new plan." Videl said as she created a giant blue dome to protect them. "Why don't I hold her by the wings again? Those wings could be her main power supply."

"Good." Gohan nodded, "Triforce, I need you to disarm Kyuushi while I attack her dead on."

"Let's do this." Triforce said and the three went into position.

Kyuushi nodded once. The three had worked in uniion as a team like she hoped they would. They anticipated each other's moves and knew when to help the other. She had been forced to resort to her spirit form and she hadn't done that in over ten thousand years.

Videl screamed as a giant neon blue rope started wrapping itself around Kyuushi's long black wings. Triforce appeared and grabbed the staff while Gohan started hitting her head.

Kyuushi's head spun as she struggled to get out of the binds that held her wings. She screamed as a bright light overcame her. In a single blow, she released the staff and flung Triforce to the ground. Then, she let out a punch at Gohan's chest. The fist went into the chest and stayed there.

Gohan looked down at the fist in shock, wondering if he would die. But, he didn't feel any pain and his chest wasn't bleeding, it was rippling like a stone being tossed into the water.

"Let's see how your friends can handle fighting you." Kyuushi said as she was pulled into Gohan's body.

Videl and Triforce was stunned at the sight as the angel dove into Gohan's body and Gohan screamed as he held his chest.

"Gohan!" Videl screamed as she stood back and prayed that her Gohan was fine.

"This will be painful." Triforce predicted as Gohan started to pulse and tense. Long black wings sprouted out of his body and his pupils vanished and his eyes turned red. 'Gohan' looked up as he laughed and spread his wings out.

"You can handle fighting the Angel of Death, but can you defeat your own best friend?" Kyuushi asked from Gohan's body.

Videl shook as she watched the man that she really liked be taken by the angel. "Damn you!" Videl screamed as tears came down her cheeks. "Let Gohan go!"

"No." Kyuushi said as she flung a Ki blast at Triforce.

The warrior blocked the blast with his sword and thought, **Shit.**

*****

Chi Chi's face was filled with horror as she and the others watched Kyuushi possess her son. "No..." She whimpered, "She... Gohan..."

Goldheart came up and placed his head on Chi Chi's knees.

"This is bad." Krillian muttered, "Gohan's way stronger than Triforce and Videl. With Kyuushi possessing him... those two are unstoppable."

"No way! My Triforce-chan will stop that angel from killing him!" Lunch screamed as she held her head. "Oh... I'm so scared..."

Goten looked at Piccolo and asked, "Can't we get that lady out of Gohan?"

"I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do but hope that Triforce and Videl will get Kyuushi out soon." Piccolo said as he tensed. He was worried for his young friend. If Triforce and Videl don't defeat Gohan, they would die and yet if they did, they might kill Gohan. **You can do it.**

*****

Triforce moaned as Videl ran up and formed another dome around them. Kyuushi came up and started bashing her fists on the shield.

"Ah. I... don't... know... how much longer, I can hold this." Videl moaned, "What will we do? I can't fight against my boyfriend."

"I know. I don't like the idea of killing or even hurting Gohan myself, but Gohan would want us to defeat Kyuushi, even if it means killing him." Triforce said as he focused, "I will try to reach Gohan. I need you to... distract him. Use your gauntlet and hold him as much as you can."

Videl grimaced as she felt the dome start to flicker. "I can't fight Gohan. He's superpowerful and... I can't hurt him."

"Videl," Triforce put both hands on Videl's shoulders. "We've have had our differences in the past and we had overcome them. Now, we have to fight Gohan. He is our friend and real friends will do anything to help each other, even hurt him. This is the ultimate test, we cannot fail."

Videl nodded as she glowed blue. "You're right. I can't fail." The dome vanished and the two warriors flew up and faced their possessed friend.

"You can hide in that body but we won't ease up!" Triforce boomed as he held his sword in attack position.

"We will fight you, Kyuushi!" Videl screamed as blue versions of Piccolo, Vegita, Chi Chi, and Bardock appeared from all around and started attacking Kyuushi.

Kyuushi ducked and dodged the blows. "I can handle these." She said determined as she knocked out 'Chi Chi'.

Triforce closed his three eyes and focused on Gohan. **Gohan... can you hear me?** He asked as he focused harder. He blocked out all sounds and sensations from outside. He blocked off the sounds of Videl fighting Kyuushi in Gohan's body. He didn't want to kill Gohan, despite the Dragon Balls. The Dragon Balls could bring Gohan back, but real friends don't kill each other.

**Trey...** A faint voice was heard in his mind. **Can't... control myself.**

**I know. You have to fight it.** Triforce urged, **Use your will power.**

**I'm trying! Cut off my tail. If Oozarus get back to normal by chopping off their tails, maybe you can do that same to me.**

Triforce sighed as he remembered the last futile attempt over a month ago when Gohan first transformed. **I'll try. You just work on getting back!** Triforce opened himself back to the outside world to see Videl fighting Kyuushi hard.

Videl's head ached as the last of the 'warriors' vanished. "Okay..." She growled as she focused on Kyuushi again. "Even you would need to breathe!" Videl screamed as a small bubble circled around Kyuushi's head.

Kyuushi gasped as she bashed against the bubble. All she could see was blue around her and air was getting thin. **Keep focused.** Kyuushi thought as she closed her eyes and focused on the body to sustain itself.

"Now." Triforce flew behind the distracted possessed warrior and grabbed his tail. "Sorry, Gohan." Triforce slashed the tail off in a clean swipe and then blasted right at the stump.

Kyuushi screamed in pain as Videl released her hold. 'Gohan' fell to the ground and stared up at Triforce. "Not bad." Kyuushi said as she breathed deeply as the fur vanished and the clothes morphed into Gohan's Saiyanman outfit without the mask.

"Now, let go of Gohan." Triforce ordered as he held his sword at Kyuushi's neck.

"I don't think so." Kyuushi flipped and then grabbed Triforce's arm. "Ya!" She screamed as it broke in her grasp.

"Gah!" Triforce let go of his sword and held his arm.

"You... witch!" Videl screamed as she focused on her armor. It bulked and spikes came out of her gloves. "Get out of Gohan!"

Videl and Kyuushi fought. Despite the power loss, Kyuushi was still strong enough to handle the angry woman. She also had thousands of years of experience guiding her while Videl was still getting the hang of her gauntlet.

Kyuushi finally flipped Videl onto the ground and then slammed her before she could get up. Videl coughed up blood as she held her side.

"Do you give up?" Kyuushi asked as she looked down at Videl.

"No!" Videl spat. "I'll never give up! Warriors don't quit, especially when the ones they love are in danger!"

Kyuushi blinked and asked, "You love Gohan?"

"With all my heart." Videl said as she painfully got up. "Gohan, if you can hear me, I love you."

Kyuushi sighed as she shook her head. "Interesting." She said and then a single shot was heard and a painful sensation entered his shoulder. Videl and Kyuushi looked to see Triforce leaning against a tree with a revolver in his hand.

"Saiyanite bullets." Triforce smirked as he held his gun. "I'm sorry, Gohan."

Kyuushi stared at her shoulder and blood came out. She screamed as she collapsed onto her knees. Triforce walked toward the angel and pointed his gun at Kyuushi's forehead. "Get out of Gohan now!"

"You win." Kyuushi finally said as she closed her eyes and her form separated from Gohan's. Gohan's body morphed back to normal and Videl quickly reached into her pocket and pulled out a senzu bean.

"Here." Videl said as Gohan slowly opened his eyes and she popped the bean in.

Gohan smiled as he eat the bean and got up. "Thanks, Videl. It sure does feel great to be back in control!"

Videl went to Triforce and handed him a senzu bean. "Here."

"Thanks." Triforce ate the senzu and his arm healed. "Much better."

Kyuushi painfully got up and her form changed. Her halo vanished and her armor morphed back to its former state. "You did well. You have done what no mortal or god had done before. You've actually defeated me in battle."

Gohan took a senzu from his own pocket and said, "Need a senzu? I mean, I forgive you for taking over my body."

"The offer is kind but I cannot heal that way." Kyuushi said as she shook her head. "Only time can heal my wounds."

"Sorry." Gohan said, embarrassed, as he put away the senzu.

"Gohan..." Triforce hesitantly said, "I'm sorry for shooting you like that. But, I-"

"Hey! Don't worry! I'm okay!" Gohan said as he rubbed his chest. "You were only getting me depossessed." He gazed at Videl and said, "You know Videl, I love you too."

Videl blushed and said, "What a way for us to announce our love."

Triforce frowned at Kyuushi and said, "Now we've defeated you, we deserve some answers."

"Of course you do." Another voice said. The four looked to see two men standing at a distance. They both had purple skin and white hair with strange blue outfits and dangling earrings. One of them was short but had a strong power around him. The other was much tall and muscular. "I am the Supreme Kai, or Kaioshin as some call me. I am the God of the Universe. This is Kibito, my bodyguard."

Kibito bowed at the three. "Hello."

"Now, we will answer your questions when we go back to the mortal realm." Kaioshin said as he focused. "Stay still."

*****

The group watched and sighed in relief as they saw Kyuushi separating from Gohan. They stopped fighting and handed senzus all around. Kyuushi looked badly injured but didn't accept a senzu. Then, two strange purple men appeared and the entire group vanished.

"What happened to them now?!" Chi Chi wailed as she stared at the crystal ball.

"I don't know." Bardock muttered as the crystal ball became blank.

Then, there was a knock on the door. Goldheart snapped up his head and then started barking wildly as he ran circles around everyone.

"Easy, boy." Master Roshi chuckled as he opened the door. It was rare for him to get guests who weren't part of the Z warrior gang. His island was hidden away for only a few to really know the location.

"Hey, guys!" Gohan said as he, Triforce, Videl, Kaioshin, and Kibito carrying Kyuushi came in.

"Gohan!" Chi Chi gushed as she, Goten and Goldheart rushed up to Gohan. "You won!"

Gohan grinned as he hugged his mother and brother. "Yeah! But Triforce and Videl really helped me out!"

Tien smiled proudly as he came forward toward Triforce. "You did good, son."

Triforce smiled as he snapped his fingers. Trey appeared and said, "Thanks. It was tense for a while but I'm glad that everything turned out fine."

Videl gazed around as she watched the various warriors congratulate Gohan and Trey. Her father wasn't here to watch her greatest victory. None of her family was here to congratulate her.

"Little Videl?" Eighter asked as he came forward. He and Suno were standing in the corner. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Videl smiled as she looked down. "I'm okay for someone who just fought the Angel of Death and won."

"Good." Suno hugged her. "I don't know how the others manage to handle this on a daily basis. I don't think I could handle another battle like that."

"I'm sorry, but your daughter will fight another battle and it will be much harder than before." Kyuushi said from Kibito's arms.

"Oh! Stupid of me! Mom, guys, this is Kaioshin, he's the god of everything and that big guy is Kibito, Kaioshin's bodyguard, and the girl in his arms is Kyuushi, she was the one we were fighting." Gohan quickly introduced.

"Hello." Kaioshin said as he bowed.

The group stared at Gohan and then the newcomers. "The- Kaioshin?" Piccolo finally said in shock as he knelt down and said, "I am honored by your presence."

Kaioshin nodded toward the man and said, "I understand. You may get up." Piccolo stood up. The god looked around and put his hands behind himself as he walked. He nodded at everyone and said, "Now, you may get the answers you seek. Does anyone have any questions?"

Goten spoke up, "Ummm... where do laps go after you stand up?" At once, everyone except for Kibito and Kyuushi facefaulted.

Trunks slapped Goten on the head and asked, "What kind of question is that to ask the God of the Universe?!"

"But I've always wondered where laps go." Goten said innocently.

"Like father, like son." Krillian sighed as Goldheart nodded.

"*ahem* I meant, questions relating to the battle." Kaioshin said as he sweatdropped. **I wonder where do laps go after a person stands up.**

"My lord Kaioshin." Bardock said as he came up and knelt down at the god. "I wish to know where the dead Saiyans have been taken to."

Kaioshin sighed as he looked down. "They were taken by an evil force. A great force even more powerful than Kyuushi. Kyuushi, are you well enough to explain everything?"

"I am." Kyuushi said as she stood up and her wings spread out. "Close your eyes and open your minds and I will show you."

The group closed their eyes and then they found themselves in a black void. Kyuushi's voice came out of nowhere.

*****

Kyuushi: Once there was nothing but a void. No color, no matter, no souls, just a vast void.

Images of a figure appeared and hovered around in the void.

Kyuushi: The creator decided that five beings should decide how the universe works. First there was the Lazarus, the first angel and the first being ever made.

A white light lit up.

Kyuushi: Lazarus invented the stars and the concept of what you call 'life'. He became known as the Angel of Life.

A red light lit up.

Kyuushi: The second angel was Gorgandus. He helped invented the concept of power and Ki. He also invented to concept of knowledge and sentience. He became known as the Angel of Power and Knowledge.

A blue light lit up.

Kyuushi: The third angel was Aphadite. She invented the concept of feeling and survival instincts. She became known as the Angel of Emotion.

A yellow light lit up.

Kyuushi: The fourth angel was Yinyo. He invented the concept of balance and equality. He became known as the Angel of Balance and Unity.

Then, a gold light lit up.

Kyuushi: I was the last angel formed. I invented the concept of ending life to enable change and evolution. I became known as the Angel of Death.

The five lights circled around the creator and stars were formed and planets were molded. Alien creatures appeared and started working.

Kyuushi: Millions of years passed and we built the universe, we formed it and loved it. We created the physical universe and what you call 'The Afterlife'.

The five lights took human form and with their faces unseen, they flew around the stars. Then, five more beings with purple skin and white hair appeared and the five angels bowed.

Kyuushi: As reward for our deeds, we were given powers to compliment what we had invented. We were content with our duties. And after the universe was stable enough to run on its own, the Creator created gods, the Kaioshin to rule. We served under the Kaioshin. However, not everyone was content.

Lazarus appeared and screamed at the other figures who remained unseen.

Kyuushi: Lazarus, the first angel, was upset that we angels weren't the rulers of the Universe. He believed that since we created the universe, we should rule it. We grew concerned, but did nothing except tell him that it was the way of the creator.

Lazarus started screamed at the various gods.

Kyuushi: Thousands of years passed and Lazarus grew more and more discontent. He had rebelled and played tricks on the Kaioshins, he even once sealed one of the Kaioshins in a sword for thousands of years. The other Kaioshin and the angels tried to make Lazarus understand that what he was doing was wrong. We failed.

Images of fire and destruction filled the warriors minds as they saw Lazarus dressed in white armor with a sword and shield in hand covered in blood, laughing.

Kyuushi: L-Lazarus started going on a killing spree. First, he killed Dia Kaioshin, the Kaioshin he was serving. Then he attacked the Western Kaioshin, the Kaioshin Gorgandus was serving.

Lazarus and a warrior who looked identical to Gohan in his Super Oozaru form only with long metal wings were seen fighting. Then, Lazarus was seen over the fallen warrior.

Kyuushi: We fought Lazarus hard. But, Lazarus was far stronger than us since he was the first created and had power over life itself. Aphradite and Yinyo had also fallen in battle.

Lazarus was seen stabbing a warrior who looked like Videl only with blue wings and then a warrior who looked like Triforce only with silver wings.

Kyuushi: Then, it all came down to me and the Eastern Kaioshin and his bodyguard. We managed to free the elder Kaioshin but he was weak and old. I was the last hope.

Kyuushi and Lazarus were seen standing face to face with weapons in their hands.

Kyuushi: We fought.

Kyuushi held off Lazarus's sword.

Kyuushi: And fought.

Lazarus held off Kyuushi's staff.

Kyuushi: But it was no good. The deaths he caused had empowered me and enraged me. It had also made him stronger since he felt the lifeforce meant for the dead angels flowing through him. We were equal in power.

Kyuushi grabbed her staff and three lights appeared around her. A bright portal appeared and Kyuushi and Lazarus fought in front of it.

Kyuushi: Then, a miracle occurred. The remains of the dead angels came and created a portal of space and time with the help of the Creator itself.

Kyuushi screamed as Lazarus stabbed her but then she pushed him into the portal. It closed and the Angel of Death fainted.

Kyuushi: I managed to seal the traitor in the portal. The wounds were great on me and Lazarus had managed to manipulate my body into not being able to heal except by time itself. Fortunately, angels heal faster than gods.

*****

The group opened their eyes to see Kyuushi shaking. "And so, that is how this Kaioshin became the God of Everything and how I became the last Creation Angel. The Creator made more gods, the Kais, but they were much weaker than the originals." She took a deep breath. "And unfortunately, they would be no match for Lazarus, had he escaped."

"If this Angel of Life was seal, how did he get out?" Gohan asked stunned about the images in his mind.

Kyuushi's eyes grew dark as she glared at everyone. "The balance of life and death is flexible but it had limits. Mortals are not meant to die more than once! There were few opportunities for people to return to life but they were one in a billion shots. There were rules made to keep the dead... dead. When the Dragon first resurrected the dead, it was only a few at a time and the Universe could handle the strain. Then on Namek, you had to resurect over a hundred people." Kyuushi shook with anger as she clenched her fists. "The seal on the portal became weakened and the Angel of Life grew stronger. Fortunately, there were only a hundred relatively weak beings."

"Then, the Cell Games." Bulma whispered in shock.

"Yes, the Cell Games. Cell killed and absorbed thousands if not millions of people. He even killed some of the strongest warriors. When they came back, the energy feedback from those resurrections empowered Lazarus to the point of freeing himself from his prison. Every resurrection caused by those damn Dragon Balls makes Lazarus stronger! It was worst since some of the warriors who were resurected were stronger than most of the gods themselves!" Kyuushi wailed.

The group was stunned. They had no idea that the use of Dragon Balls to bring back the dead had caused so much chaos. They had inadvertently brought back a superpowerful villain who was the first being created.

"Wait a second." Piccolo said as he came forward. "What would happen if Goku were brought back with the Dragon Balls?"

Kyuushi sighed as she smiled slightly and gazed at Goldheart. "Lazarus would've been empowered to the point that no one could stop him. Goku was not only super powerful, but he had also channeled the energies of life itself. That, combined with the energies feedbacked to him would have made Lazarus completely immortal."

"Well..." Krillian joked as he grinned, "Lucky thing Goku decided to stay dead then!"

"It wasn't luck."

"Huh?" Everyone looked at the Angel of Death stunned.

Kyuushi sat down on the couch and explained, "When everyone except for Goku was resurrected, I came to him and explained what was going on. He felt guilty since it was his presence that had triggered everything. Goku did want to come back. He wanted to be with his family again and he didn't want to leave the androids unattended. Still, he stayed dead after I convinced him that he couldn't defeat Lazarus and there's no hope if he returned from the dead. He managed to lie about not wanting to come back and after that, I erased his memory so he would believe his own lie."

"So... Goku did want to come back right away?" Chi Chi whispered as Goldheart lay his head on her lap.

"Yes."

"I knew it!" Gohan gushed as he stood up, "Dad did make the right choice in staying dead! If he hadn't stayed dead, we would have to deal with a super powerful angel that we can't defeat!"

"Hey! After we defeat this Lazarus can we bring Daddy back?" Goten asked as he lit up.

"Perhaps." Kyuushi said as she looked down. "But Lazarus is far stronger than myself and has more powers. He has also taken it upon himself to steal the dead Saiyans souls to make himself stronger."

"Why Saiyans?" Bardock asked, "There are races stronger than Saiyans out there."

"Because Saiyans are unique. Their very souls have great power within them. Even the infants are aggressive and filled with the urge to fight while most other races don't become aggressive until they are older. Lazarus wanted to tap into their power and aggressiveness directly." Kyuushi sighed as she held her head. "That is one of the reasons that we must become stronger to defeat Lazarus."

"Wait a second, why us?" Videl spoke up, "I mean, I'm not that powerful without the gauntlet and there are other warriors out there."

"True, you do rely on the gauntlet for power and there are other warriors besides you three." Kyuushi said, "But Lazarus is super powerful and only another angel can defeat him. When angels die, they don't just get halos, they are scattered throughout the universe and become reborn. Those warriors you saw in your minds are the fallen angels and your past lives."

Everyone became shocked as they stared at Videl, Trey, and Gohan. They knew that the teenagers were powerful and special, but none of them could anticipate the truth about them.

"We were angels in a past life?" Videl repeated stunned.

"Of course." Kyuushi pointed to Gohan and said, "You were once Gorgandus the Angel of Power and Knowledge. Your current life was filled with balancing between being a super powerful warrior and a scholar." Then, Kyuushi pointed to Videl. "You were once Aphradite, the Angel of Emotion. Your heart and passion still empower you." Finally, Kyuushi pointed to Trey. "And you were once Yinyo, the Angel of Balance and Unity. Your unique split personality showed your ability to walk the fine line of order and chaos. You are your own team, so to speak." Kyuushi sighed as she gazed around. "That is why that you three must come with me to regain your lost power and memories in the Next Dimension."

"What do you mean? We gotta go to the Next Dimension so we can turn back into those fallen angels?" Gohan said confused, "How would that affect us?"

"I don't know." Kyuushi confessed, "Nothing like this has ever happened before. It could change your very soul and mind, or it could just develop into a separate personality."

"Great, just what I need, another personality to worry about." Trey muttered as he crossed his arms.

"Do we have to do that?" Videl asked. She felt like a coward, but she didn't want any chance to lose her identity. "Do we really have to lose who we are?"

"That is your decision." Kaioshin replied, "We cannot force you three to sacrifice your very souls to save the universe. We believe in free will."

"This is a big decision." Gohan agreed as he looked at his family and then his friends. "We're going to need some time to think."

"Of course." Kyuushi nodded, "We understand. But we cannot let you have too much time for time is against us."

"You have one day to make up your minds." Kaioshin said as he stared at the group. "Then, you must have an answer. Kibito, Kyuushi, we must leave."

Kyuushi stood up and the two bowed. "Wait!" Videl exclaimed as she held up her hand. "I need to know something. I saw a man who gave me a creepy feeling and his name was Adam Lazarus, was he in connection to this evil Angel of Life?"

"Adam... that is Lazarus' human form." Kyuushi replied. "And if you must know, I have a human name myself." The angel relaxed and her wings shrunk and her clothes transformed. Kyuushi transformed into Kai Shi.

"Kai Shi?!" Trey, Gohan, Yamcha, and Videl exclaimed.

Videl said, "I was going to school with the Angel of Death?! And my father's agent is the evil Angel of Life?!"

Gohan looked over at Videl and said, "Your dad meets some of the strangest people."

"I knew there was something creepy about you." Yamcha commented, "No offense."

"None taken. Most mortals, especially those who died at least once, find death 'creepy'." Kai Shi said as she adjusted her sunglasses. "I'm sorry for the deception, but I had to study you up close."

"That's okay." Gohan grinned as he held out his hand. "We'll see you tomorrow!"

"Tomorrow." Kai Shi shook his hand and gazed at Trey. "Trey, you are wise for a mortal, but that is what I should expect from the reincarnated Angel of Balance."

The two gods and the angel walked out of the door and vanished.

The group stared at the door. So much had happened and so much was revealed. Gohan, Trey, and Videl must now decide whether or not to sacrifice their identities for the chance to defeat the evil Angel of Life. So much was at stake. Gohan must cope with the sacrifice his father made so Lazarus could be defeatable. Trey must cope with the fact that the first girl he and Trigun really liked is really the Angel of Death. And Videl must figure out what to do about her father working with the evil angel. They have only twenty-four hours to decide and that decision will affect the very fate of the universe as they know it.

To Be Continued...