Chapter Two – Gohan woke the next morning and stretched out as far as he could. A sharp sequence of knocking came rapping on his door.
"Who is it!" Gohan demanded.
"Gohan Videl's here!" Goten announced.
"Oh right! I almost forgot! Thanks Goten. Tell her I'll be down in a minute, okay?" Gohan replied.
"She's right here, Gohan! I think she's trying to peek under the crack of your door!" Goten laughed.
"SSSSHHHH!" came a sharp reply.
"She's WHAT?" Gohan freaked. He dressed quickly and opened the first hastily. Videl was standing red-faced before him.
"You don't believe I'd try something as childish as that, do you Gohan?" she wondered. She ran a finger down his chest and his face grew hotter still.
"With you, who can tell?" was all he managed to say.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" she demanded sharply.
"I mean you're unpredictable. Who can say what you can or will do next?" he replied quickly.
"Good. Now when do we get to work?" she wondered.
"Goten are you ready for another day of practice?" Gohan asked. The kid Saiyan nodded fiercely. It was all Videl could do to keep from laughing.
"It's interesting. You 2 are so much alike. Goofy and innocent in the same kind of way," she giggled.
"Huh? Ha! You never met our father. He's even worse!" Gohan laughed.
"I wish I met my dad," Goten pouted.
"Oh I see. Your father walk out on you like my mom did?" Videl guessed.
"No, he died fighting the bad guy a long time ago. But the lady Baba said she was going to bring him back from the dead for the Tournament!" Goten shouted happily.
"Bring him back from the dead? What is he talking about?" Videl had to ask.
"Goten doesn't know what he's saying half the time, do you, Goten!" Gohan replied sharply.
"Right sorry. I was only kidding," Goten said quickly. It was obvious Gohan did not want Videl learning something about his father.
That's quite all right. He knows I'll eventually find out anyway! I always do! she thought proudly. In moments they were back on the same training field they used the day before.
"Okay you 2 it's time. Summon your energy but keep it steady just like I showed you," Gohan instructed.
"Right," they both said and raised their power levels. Videl leveled off at a comfortable level thinking she was really doing something. She did not realize the amount of energy the boy next to her was putting off was enough to level a few planets in a row and more! Not have it wrong, of course. Videl could shatter a mountain with her energy. That is if she ever learned to wield it right.
"Good job, both of you. Now both of you feel your power out. It'll feel like your extending your eyesight at first. Like you're suddenly able to see in all directions at once. Extend this new sense as far as possible," Gohan coaxed. They followed his every instruction he watched them jerk visibly.
"I can see you Gohan! Only not the way I'm used to. I think I'm just feeling your power," Videl said, eyes closed tight.
"Me too!" Goten laughed excitedly.
"Good job! And on the first try too!" Gohan congratulated.
"Whoa. I didn't know you could even hold so much power. Gohan you on fire with energy! How long does it take to reach that level?" she wondered. Gohan was afraid of this exact question. He didn't want to tell her flat out that most humans could never hope to reach the level of power she was sensing. "And Goten too. He's just a kid and his power's way higher than mine! Why is that?"
"Goten's been around this type of training and fighting his whole life. He's stronger than most people ever get already just because he plays along with us. The stronger his body gets, the stronger his energy well would have to become to keep pace. The same will happen with you over time," Gohan explained.
"Really? When will I be able to fly around?" she wondered.
"Maybe by the end of today or tomorrow if we are lucky. It's very simple, really. The hard part was teaching you how to draw out your hidden power. Then teaching you how to sense that power in yourself as well as in others. Now we need to work on your control," Gohan explained.
"Control? What is that supposed to mean?" she demanded, about to explode with sudden anger.
"I mean you can't just jump into the air and expect to fly around perfectly, right? Think about it. You'll need to learn how much energy it takes to do certain tasks. This won't actually take too long now that you can sense the amount of energy you put off," Gohan told her.
"Oh. Then let's get on with it," she said suddenly, anger fading.
"Okay raise your hands and aim at something about as big as you. Okay now close your eyes and feel the object with your mind. It won't be putting off the kind of energy you can sense. Just kind of remember where it is. Etch its location in your mind. Not will your energy from your extended hand and have it engulf this object. Don't use too much or you'll just tire yourself out. (He meant that more for Videl's benefit.) Now will your energy to surround the object completely and have it lifted into the air," Gohan instructed. Videl focused and raised her hand. Gohan found himself rising slowly off the ground and spinning in wild circles. He hit the ground as something broke Videl's focus.
"What the!" she yelled. The ground began to shake under them as they sensed Goten extending mountains of energy from himself. Suddenly a mountain peak in the far distance was severed from the rest of its main body and lifted a food 300 feet straight up. Goten struggled with everything he had to sustain it.
"Amazing! Gohan look at that! Can even you do that!" she freaked in shock.
"Goten that's dangerous. You don't know enough control to sustain an effort like that!" Gohan scolded his brother. Suddenly Goten flexed his will the wrong way and the mountain peak came blasting toward them at a shocking speed.
"Lookout it's coming this way!" Videl screamed. Gohan turned to see that the peak was larger than most office buildings got. It crossed the tens (maybe even hundreds) of miles of distance in a flash and was bearing down on them before they knew hoe to react. Well everyone except Gohan. The demi-Saiyan threw both hands forward and his silver aura stormed around him more violently than Videl had ever seen before. She sensed Gohan's energy blasting higher than even Goten's by ten times at least!
"YYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" he cried. A massive beam of ki as thick as a school bus erupted from his palms and slammed into the peak that was now no more than a few hundred feet away at the most. The tons of granite exploded with tremendous force and Gohan raised a thick barrier of ki around them to keep the rocky debris from gashing his friend and brother apart. The smoke and shockwaves died down and he dropped the barrier.
"No way we're still alive!" Videl breathed in shock. She had both hands over her heart and her breathing seemed forced.
"That was too close for comfort!" Goten laughed excitedly.
"GOTEN! THIS IS NOT A GAME, LITTLE BROTHER! I TOLD YOU TO FOCUS ON SOMETHING YOUR OWN SIZE! NOT THE NEAREST MOUNTAIN WE COULD FIND! YOU BOTH COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! NEVER DO THAT AGAIN UNLESS I INSTRUCT YOU TO! HEAR ME!" Gohan erupted in more fury Videl ever seen in him before.
"I'm sorry Gohan! I got too carried away!" Goten pouted, tears dropping down his cheeks.
"No don't cry, Goten. You just have to be more careful, that's all. You and Videl could have been seriously hurt or even killed," Gohan said, softening his tone. Goten dried his eyes and nodded.
"Are you saying you could have survived having a mountain slammed into you?" Videl asked with awe.
"I have had more than that dropped on me," he smirked.
No way! He has to be bluffing! No more could have survived that if it hit them! Then again the way he blew it apart was nothing short of amazing. I wont stop until I can do that too, she thought.
"Goten are you ready to begin again? This time listen to me more closely," Gohan said. Goten nodded, still pouting.
"Could I ever learn to do what he did?" Videl wondered. "I mean with practice and care. Could I ever get strong enough to move a whole mountain?"
"I don't see why not," Gohan said honestly. He knew humans could learn to do that much. After all Krillin, Tein, and Yamcha each had enough power and control themselves to lift entire mountain ranges and blast them apart mentally with their power.
"How long does that take?" she pressed eagerly.
"Well it depends on how dedicated you are to be honest. Goten could do it now because of the environment he was raised in. I wasn't able to do what he just did until I was twice his age. And that's no lie. Goten has incredible potential," Gohan replied.
"So maybe I could do that in a few years if I really push it?" she pressed further still.
"Of course. Maybe even in a few months," Gohan admitted.
"Awesome!" she cried.
They trained for days on end after that. And not another dangerous incident like the one they witnessed that day happened again. Goten and Videl found themselves racing through the air after only a few short days of practice. Goten was obviously far faster and stronger than she was. Gohan tried to hide the fact but she wasn't a complete idiot. She knew damn well they'd either one would tear her apart in a fight. That thought brought other questions to her mind. She remembered Gohan mentioning some of his old friends and relatives entering the World Championships. If they could all do even a sliver of what Goten had done that one day when he raised an entire mountain peak, she knew she was beaten. It was all she could do to raised all the contents of a very small lake and set it back down in place. Gohan all but admitted he could raise entire cities easily.
I have to become stronger. I know now I could easily beat my father. But Gohan and his other friends are like a brick wall! No way I could become strong enough in the month and a half we have until the tournament, she realized.
"Gohan?" she pleaded one day.
"What is it, Videl?" he asked her. She landed beside a tall oak and he did the same. She watched as Goten sailed around the sky like some human parody of a jet plane.
"I'm not stupid. I know damn well either you or your brother would tear me apart in a fight. All I not right?" she challenged. She could tell he was struggling with an answer.
"You just haven't had enough time yet, Videl," he replied at long last. Soft breezes begin to blow on them soothingly as Goten shot back overheard yet again. He appeared to have been chasing a couple of winged dinosaurs.
"Everyone in my family has won the first large tournament they've ever entered for as far back as a thousand years. Even if it wasn't the actual World Championships which only began recently with my father. But now that has become to new tradition. My dad expects me to win this one. I think he even wants me to beat him. I'll be letting everyone down. And to know I don't stand a chance isn't making me feel very well at all," she said a little more sadly than she intended. She realized she was on the verge of crying and struggled to stifle her tears. Gohan noticed her eyes were tearing up anyway however. Something within him cringed.
"There might be a way," he told her at long last.
"What do you mean? I don't want you and your friends to not enter just to give me a shot at the Championship," she replied sharply.
"No. There is a place high over the Earth called Dende's Lookout. Dende being the actual Guardian of the Earth. Deep inside this sanctuary lies a room where any fighter – and yes they actually have to be a fighter – can get an entire year of training in a single day," Gohan told her.
"Are you serious? And we actually had been wasting our time here all this time? Why haven't you mentioned it before?" she demanded.
"There are rules though. Dende doesn't usually just let anyone walk into the Room of Spirit and Time to train," Gohan stated.
"Like he could stop you or Goten?" Videl laughed.
"Actually he could. Like I said, he's the Guardian of the Earth. He has divine abilities given to those who hold that station. Only those who deem themselves worthy in Dende's eyes can go to the sanctuary. And only few are allowed. My friend and I are among the very few. Dende could have us expelled from the place with but a word if he wanted to. And plus there's Piccolo who might even be stronger than I am now," Gohan laughed.
"Piccolo… You mentioned him before, I think," she replied.
"He was the first teacher I ever had. I have to warn you though. He's not like your average person. He's not from around these parts so to speak," she began.
"Can we go to this place now?" she asked, not listening.
"I suppose. Goooten! We're leaving! Come down here for a second!" Gohan shouted through his hands. Goten stopped laughing and rolling in the air, teasing a giant flying dinosaur and flew back to land beside his brother.
"Where we going, Gohan?" the kid asked innocently.
"Well you have been there before even though you might not remember. We're going to Dende's Sanctuary," Gohan answered.
"Wow! Really! That means we get to see Mr. Piccolo again!" Goten laughed eagerly, eyes gleaming.
"Then you remember the way?" Gohan asked.
"Yeah! How could I forget!" Goten laughed again.
"Then I got a job for you, Goten. Go tell Mom I'll be at the Lookout with Videl and you for the next few days. Maybe the next few weeks. Tell her it's because we want to make sure we can win the tournament and she'll not mind at all. Got that, Goten?" Gohan said.
"Yeah! After I do that can I come to the Lookout too?" he begged.
"Of course. You can train with Mr. Piccolo. Videl and I are going to try and train in another room," Gohan explained.
"Oooh… I know why! So you can get kissy and not have Mom know about it, right?" Goten laughed, giggling crazily.
"Yeah you could say that," Videl said. Gohan looked at her and she only shrugged. He laughed and turned back to his little brother.
"Can you remember all that?" he asked Goten.
"Yeah. I'll be there in a few!" Goten laughed and blasted off. Videl and Gohan rose into the air themselves and she followed his lead toward the Eastern Divide.
"We're heading toward the Land of Korin that shelters the Eastern Divide, right?" she asked him.
"Right. There lies Korin's Tower. Korin is the Lesser Guardian of Earth. He watches over the Land Of Korin and the rest of the world when Dende rests or is unable," Gohan explained. Then he went into great detail about how the Sanctuary looked and how it floated miles over the Divide. How anyone who stands upon it has their senses magnified many times fold to be able to sense most of the activity on the planet below.
"Is that the Tower?" Videl asked at long last. She was gasping for breath now, obviously nearly her limit. That had been flying for hours now. Gohan nodded when Videl suddenly gave out. He whipped around in reflex and caught her in his arms.
"Why didn't you tell me you were getting tired?" he demanded.
"I thought I could handle it," she replied groggily.
"Don't worry. I have you. Once we reach Korin's, you'll be fine," Gohan said. Since he had no reason to fly slower now, he blasted off with all his speed. He reached the Lower Lookout in a few moments after that.
"Hey Korin!" Gohan shouted.
"Gohan is that you?" came a scruffy reply. Videl watched as a short cat walking on its hind legs with the aide of a walking staff came to them. A fat older man with a mustache followed him. He dressed like one of the mountain monk-samurai she read about once. Gohan set her down on her feet but she swayed still.
"Videl's exhausted, Korin. Got any Senzu's?" Gohan wondered.
"I have a whole fresh new lot of them, my boy. Here take this bag for starters," Korin replied.
"Gohan who's the babe? Is she your girlfriend?" Yajirobi demanded.
"Yeah why?" Videl said suddenly. Gohan struggled to keep his face clear. He managed to nod in agreement.
"First Krillin gets that babe Maron and now you. What is it with you guys anyway? Must be because you're skinny," Yajirobi said.
"Yeah that must be why," Gohan said dryly.
"Yajirobi keep quiet a sec. Will ya?" the cat demanded.
"We're heading to Dende's place above, Korin," Gohan explained.
"I can see that. Who's your friend?" Korin asked. The cat gave a polite bow. Videl managed a polite bow in return. Gohan handed her something that looked like a bean or something and she just stared at it for a moment.
"This is Videl. She's training to become the World Champion," Gohan replied, a hint of pride in his tone.
"Is that so? And she'll be facing you, Goku, Piccolo, and the rest?" Korin said.
"Yeah," Gohan nodded.
"I must admit I'm not impressed with the power I sense in her, Gohan. That tournament is weeks away and I don't think that amount of time will be enough…" Korin said.
"Wait a minute! Why not? I'm not some weakling nobody, you know!" Videl replied in rage. Korin silenced her with a single sharp gaze.
"I do sense potential in you, child. But there just isn't enough time to train you. You have no way of becoming powerful enough to defeat the likes of Goku, Vegeta, or Piccolo in the short weeks available to you," Korin explained.
"Unless we use the Room of Spirit and Time," Gohan corrected.
"Ah, yes. I see. You intend to give her extra time, eh? A good plan. Do you really think Dende will allow that? He's strict with the use of it, you know. He had to bar Piccolo and Vegeta from it. What makes you think he'll make an exception for her? Last time the need was great with Cell running about. Now we live in a time of peace. I do not think Dende will allow you usage of the chamber," Korin said bluntly.
"I think he will. Dende's known Gohan since they were little kids. Like way back when Gohan went to save Namek or whatever from Frieza and to have Piccolo revived from death. He'll let them in," Yajirobi laughed.
"Wanna wager on that?" Korin laughed.
"All right then. You're on! I and 10,000 zeni says he's in," Yajirobi replied confidently.
"I'll take that bet and throw in another 30,000. Plus you have to do all chores for the next 300 years if I win," Korin nodded.
"And if I win, and I will cause you suck at this, you have to do all the chores for the next 300 years and cook all the meals," Yajirobi shot back.
"You have yourself a wager," the cat said and he shook the samurai's hand.
"Do they always act so strange?" Videl had to ask.
"They've lived alone up here for decades. I think this is how they pass their time," Gohan laughed.
"Well go on them, Gohan. See what you can do. And remind that old windbag he owes me 15,000 zeni!" Korin said.
"What now? You actually drug Dende into a bet, too?" Gohan asked, astounded.
"Yeah. It was nothing big…" Korin said. Gohan noted how he trailed off.
"What was the bet for?" he demanded.
"On who would win, Cell or your dad. Dende owes me!" Korin replied sharply.
"Your dad fought Cell, too?" Videl asked in shock. Gohan had to ignore her.
"You bet against my dad, Korin? Why would you be so stupid?" Gohan yelled.
"Well he did lose, did he not?" Korin shot back. Gohan growled in frustration and turned to acknowledge Videl.
"Yeah my dad fought Cell. And he lost. By the way you need to eat that if you want to reach the Lookout," he said. She tossed the Bean into her mouth and chewed it. Suddenly her muscles tensed and bulged as her energy streamed back up to normal. She felt great!
"Whoa!" she gasped.
"Yeah the first one's a kick," Gohan chuckled. She followed him out the side after that. It seemed they had been flying upward for hours after that when she finally saw it. It took her breath away. Despite all of Gohan's intense descriptions, she was still shocked.
"Gohan?" came a sudden call. Mr. Popo was working in the garden as they landed.
"Hey Mr. Popo. Where's Dende?" Gohan asked.
"The Throne Room of course," Mr. Popo said.
"Oh yeah. Videl, this is Mr. Popo. He's Dende's personal guard, gardener, and closest friend. Plus he used to be a genie," Gohan said. "Mr. Popo this is a close friend of mine, Videl. She's training to become to strongest fighter in the world."
"Is that so? Little lady you definitely have your work cut out for you," Mr. Popo laughed.
"Let's go see Dende," Gohan said. "Later Popo!" He waved and they were off again. Popo chuckled again at the youngsters and returned to his perpetual work.
"Dende?" Gohan probed.
"Ah, Gohan! I thought that was you I sensed coming," Dende said suddenly. He rose from his Throne and hovered to them. Videl looked shocked at the side of him.
"Videl meet Dende, the Guardian of Earth. Dende this is Videl. She's training to be the best fighter there is," Gohan introduced.
"A pleasure to meet you. Really. Rarely is my Sanctuary honored with such beauty," Dende said. He kissed her hand and bowed humbly. Videl couldn't help but blush.
If only I could program Gohan to talk like that, she thought.
"You're really the Guardian? What does that mean? Are you like a god or something?" she wondered. Dende laughed softly.
"Not at all. I am as mortal as you, my dear. True I will live for millennia. But that only comes with the job. Granted I have a few strings of control over this planet but nothing that was make me a god," Dende laughed.
"Dende we've come to ask something of you," Gohan said.
"Ah, yes. I figured you must have. Why else would you come all this way? I've known you for a long time, my friend. Ever since the days of Namek," Dende laughed again.
"What is Namek?" Videl asked at last after have hearing it a million times that very day.
"My home world. The birthplace of the Dragonballs. But that's another story. What have you come here for this day, Gohan?" Dende asked politely.
"It's actually a pretty big favor, Dende. I was wondering if Videl and I could use the Room of Spirit and Time for the next few days or so," Gohan blurted.
"Ah, I see. You know the rules about the chamber, Gohan. You were made welcome to it long ago by my predecessor even without you realizing it. I think Kami saw something in you before you were even old enough to walk. And your father and Master Roshi as well. But she has never been made welcome to it to the extend of my knowledge – which goes far indeed! – to this date," Dende said gravely.
"Is there no way I can gain access to it? I have humble enough reasons, I think," Videl blurted.
"Child, you seek to be the most powerful fighter alive. That is hardly humble. That is more than a fair bit ambitious to say the least. You have much work ahead of you. Goku, Vegeta, and even Gohan here had no shortcuts handed to them. Why should I hand you one now?" Dende replied.
"I'm not asking for a handout or a shortcut! I will do the necessary work! Mark my words I will! Gohan knows me enough to tell you that! All I'm asking is that you grant me the time not just hand me what I want," Videl said desperately. Dende chuckled then.
"Ah, child you are no older than I am and in many ways as wise. Of course you can use my chamber. And are hereby forever welcome here on my Sanctuary," Dende nodded.
"Really?" Videl laughed excitedly.
"Indeed. Gohan, be careful with this one. She very well may succeed in her ambitious dreams. I meant not to mark ambition as a crime earlier. It is quite the opposite. But you must be equally as humble as you are ambitious. Remember that, child," Dende said. He faded into the darkness of the Throne Room and returned to his meditation. Gohan and Videl left immediately after that, leaving the Guardian to his thoughts.
I sense so much potential in that one! The past Guardian's of Earth would have rung my neck if I had turned her down. But she did speak wise beyond her years. I thought only Gohan held that spark of potential! And even he has only touched its surface. Alas we shall see what 2 Akridin can do. And I pray they will be enough for any darkness that may engulf the Earth in the future…Dende contemplated.
"It's so big!" Videl gasped for air. "It's hard to stand and even harder to breath!"
"This won't be easy, Videl. I've been in here only once before. And that alone was nearly enough to break me. I'm dead serious. Make a wrong move and this place will snap you. The gravity increases the farther out you go and the temperature can change from freezing cold to blazing hot in but a flash of a thought. Sometimes drawing breath with be the hardest thing you ever faced before while being here. My own father was nearly shattered here. I never wanted to see that then or again. I think even Vegeta, Future Trunks, and Piccolo were strained to their limits here. And they are 2 of the most powerfully willed warriors I know," Gohan said gravely. Videl couldn't help but feel a sudden sense of foreboding after those serious words. A thus they began their training.
Over the space of a few days Videl found what it was like. She struggled to stand and struggled even harder to breath. Every passing and waking moment was a life and death struggle. Each pushing her will to the breaking point and beyond. Each movement strained his muscles to the limits and beyond them. She ached all the time and could never find rest. It was never comfortable. It was always far too hot or bitterly cold. Each step bit at her bare feet. She had no bed to sleep in nor any water to wash in. Each passing moment was a deeper and longer lasting eternity of torment.
At many times she wished she would just roll up and die. It tested everything that she was and made her wonder why being the best even mattered. In night she would cry out in agony and wish it to just end. But never would she let herself go. No, she told herself. Letting go and giving up were for the weak.
Gohan watched from afar. He had left her to survive in the void alone. He knew this was cruel and she very well may grow to hate him. But he knew this was the best way. Piccolo as let him loose to fend for himself in the wilderness to teach him. This was much the same for Videl. He knew she was far weaker than he or his father was when they each first entered the room. But he refused to tell her that. He knew there was fresh water and beds lying at the other end of the chamber and refused her those as well. She had to find her own way through this. It pained him to see her in agony or to hear her cry out in the blistering hot or bitingly cold nights.
Storm after storm of agony swept over Videl but she refused to let it end. She sparred with herself every waking chance. Throwing punches at an opponent that only existed in her mind. Spinning kicks at a figment of her imagination. A foe wrought of her weaknesses and her fears. An enemy feeding on her fatigue and weakening her very soul. The more used to the gravity she got, the more that seemed to slam down upon her. The only solution she had was to keep moving. To keep on surviving.
"Damn you, Gohan! You left me here to die, you bastard! Wait until I find you! Mark my words, you bastard of a traitor! This won't be the end of me! HEAR ME! When I get out of here I'll make sure you pay 10 trillion times fold! YOU HEAR ME!" she cried out in agony. The anguish of a shattered hurt. Sweat soaked her as she forced herself to move on. Hatred, rage, and ambition were all that fueled her now. How many times had she wanted to just go numb? How many times had she just begged to die?
No! Whatever god lived up there had clearly forsaken her! Torment was all she was allowed to know! Left here to rot in torment. Nothing but anguish met her here. She felt herself sink into the ultimate well of despair and for the first time in her life she cried. She fell to her knees and cried out, the pain too much. Tears flowed down her cheeks, all else forgotten!
"God end this! What did I do to have this dropped on me? Huh! Just let me die and be done with it!" she cried and pleaded. And the only one who could hear her decided he had had enough.
Then the clouds lifted and the storm around her calmed. A light shined through the darkness and a figure walked toward her. Her eyes widened in shock as she recognized the traitor. She stormed into him and pounded on his chest with everything she had. She bit, punched, tore, ripped, screamed until she had nothing left. Then she collapsed and began to cry all over again. Gohan pulled her into his arms and kissed her with every bit of passion left within him.
"I'm so very sorry, baby girl. I truly am… Please pull through this…" he begged. And he too began to cry…
Dende sensed the young girl's anguish even from afar. He understand immediately the tactic Gohan had chosen. It was a potentially wise path but not without its risks. He understood very well Videl could die from this trial. She was far too weak for the usual requirements the chambers had. He had let her pass anyway. Thinking that perhaps being an Akridin would be enough to pull her through. Anguish surged through him as he now questioned the decision he had made.
Many more days passed within the chamber before the doors would open. Dende and the entire Z-gang awaited the 2's emergence. Dende had told them all of the brave young girl from was none other than Hercule's daughter who had entered the chamber knowing the risks but not letting them stop her. Videl and Gohan emerged. Even Piccolo and Vegeta gasped as what they saw. Both warrior were hardened both physically and mentally. Gohan stood a few inches taller and his hair was growing down his back once again. Videl's hair was longer still, flowing down he back and the sides of her face. Their bodies seemed chiseled from stone now. Even Vegeta was intimidated.
"She… Survived?" Vegeta gasped.
"Of course I did. It was not easy. I only remember that I wanted to die before being pulled from that abyss," Videl admitted. Piccolo and Vegeta understood the feeling. The chamber did things like that do a person.
"You both had been in there for over the past month! It should have been decades of time in there straight…" Vegeta said.
"No, I regulated it safely. They spend no more than a few years at most. I dragged it out over the past weeks myself," Dende admitted. They talked of past battles and the excited for the tournament the next day. Videl and Gohan did not participate in that talking.
"Are you okay?" Gohan asked her. His voice was hard as stone.
"Yeah. I'm fine," she said. Then her thoughts came spilling out in a torrent. "You know I hated you in there. I really did. But part of me wouldn't let you go and that was what hurt me more. The fact you left me in there alone. As thought I were left to die! Forsaken and alone… I both loved and hated you with everything that I was. I wanted to kill you when to rose from that dark cloud. But that all melted away as soon s you held me…"
"I'm sorry Videl. But you must admit it was necessary. Wait until the others sense our power tomorrow," Gohan said.
They spent the night together in Gohan's bed. Videl didn't care what anyone think. She knew now she loved Gohan for everything he was and he loved her back. If it wasn't for him she'd still be weaker than his littler brother. Soon,
the morning would come and all would know…