Pan was lying on her bed when she finally felt the energy signatures of all the fighters. Oh no, I have to help them. She thought, bolted off her bed, and went for the door. But her mother, Videl, caught her by the ankle, stopping her from moving. Pan struggled against her mother, but to no avail.
Her mother had once been a fighter. She fought alongside Gohan, her husband and Pan's father, as Great Saiya Woman. She was not as powerful as her husband, but she like to help.
"No you don't young lady." Videl's soft, smooth, calm voice said. "Your father, Goku, and the others can handle it. You have homework to do. And it is due tomorrow." She carried Pan over to the white bed. She looked around Pan's room. There were two dressers both were covered in family and friends pictures. There was a picture of adult Goku hugging Gohan tightly in one arm, and in the other arm he was holding a baby Pan. Another was of Pan in her Orange and blue uniform that was given to her by Goku. She had won the Martial Arts Tournament, and Trunks was holding her hand up in the air, signifying that she was the victor. Another was of her, little Goku, Trunks and Giru. There were many more, but the one she cherished most was the one of everyone. She kept it close to her bed. It was a picture with Gohan, Piccolo, Goku, and Videl on the left. Vegeta, Bulma, Trunks, and Bula on the right. And in the middle in the front was her, Goten, Krillen, Eighteen, and Maron. Krillen was holding Maron in his arms, and Eighteen had her arm wrapped around Krillen. Goten was giving the peace sign with his fingers and a bright smile on his face. His other hand was on top of Pan's head. She was smiling also. Bulma had a hand on Vegeta's shoulder, and Vegeta had his arms crossed over his chest. Trunks and Bula were standing close, with their arms on each other's shoulders. Piccolo also had his arms crossed, and he stood next to Gohan and Videl who were smiling brightly. To the left of Piccolo was a child-like Goku, smiling bigger than anyone else was. The picture was in a gold picture frame turned toward her pillow.
A tear crept its way into her eye when she thought about Piccolo and Krillen. Piccolo had died when Earth exploded because of Bebi's wish for a new Planet Tuffel. He decided to stay on Earth to destroy the Black Star Dragon Balls. Pan recalled how torn apart her father Gohan was after Piccolo's death. Piccolo was like an uncle to him. He had trained his whole life with Piccolo, and when his father would die Piccolo was there for him every time. He loved Piccolo very much. And Krillen who was Goku's best friend, and was with Gohan most of his life, also had died. Krillen died against Super Android Seventeen. Both Goku and Gohan were devastated when they heard the news from Eighteen. Gohan became closest to Krillen when they were on planet Namek. Krillen was wished back just recently, but it still hurt Gohan and Goku to think about it.
Videl brushed Pan's hair out of her face. Oh, my dear Pan, what are you thinking about? She thought. "Well, Chi Chi made brownies. How would you like to have one? They are hot out of the oven. Let's go eat one ok?" Videl said cheerily.
Pan nodded and wiped the tear away with a smile. They both got up off the bed and walked out the door and into the kitchen.
Goku lurched forward and vanished. He appeared right in front of Niron and landed a combo of kicks into his chest. Niron stumbled backward and fell weakly. He clenched his chest in pain and then realized that the plate of armor on his chest was cracked, nearly shattered. Darn this kid! He has gotten even faster and stronger! How did he raise his power level that drastically so quickly? This brat really is unique. Too bad he is going to die today! Niron got up, brushed at his chest, and looked at Goku, unmoving. There was a stalemate in this fight now. Everything around them was tuned out, the fight between Goku's friends and Niron's men, the wind, everything. The wind blew Niron's hair wildly around his face. Sand pelted the fighters' bodies, but it stayed unnoticed. The silence was deafening to the ears of the fighters.
Goku had encountered many stalemates, each more disturbing than the last, but this time Goku was nervous. He could sense something wrong. Something was out of place. His power level is fairly low, but something is wrong. But what is it? Something is giving me the creeps about this guy. He's holding something back. He's got a trump card, I just know it. Niron's power level skyrocketed suddenly. A blazing aura lined his body. Wait, his energy level is perfectly matched to mine now! Is this what he was hiding? No. That's not it, there is something else. Goku vanished, and Niron followed. They appeared in the air matching each other blow for blow. They went at each other hoping the other would falter, but neither one did. They broke off, and landed on the ground facing each other, but at a good distance. They were both panting hard.
Goku stopped panting and gritted his teeth. No way! He matched my movements blow for blow! "All right then! I guess I have to try even harder if I'm going to beet you." Goku said and in a flash, he was a Super Saiyan Two. Goku stood there letting his energy tare through the air like a raging fire, intimidating the onlooker.
What is this child? He should be sixty, yet he looks like he is three and he has the strength of a monster! This child, this Goku, is truly an amazing individual. Niron glared at Goku. "You'd better be careful. That energy will be your downfall." Niron said.
What, my downfall? He's bluffing, he is trying to lour me off guard. He is trying to make me stop powering up… No, he's not bluffing. He means it some how… But why would he tell me? Before Goku could finish his train of thought, Niron's energy rose to match Goku's and he came at him yet again. Punching and kicking, and kicking and punching. There was no end to these attacks, and Goku could only match and block them. The two fighters were dead even. Goku was caught too off guard and he missed a kick, which knocked him to the ground. Goku got up unaffected by the blow. "Ok, let's see how you like Super Saiyan Three." Goku whispered to him self. He began to power up. His hands gripped into tight fists, his body tensed, and his energy level began to rise, along with the rocks on the ground. There was a blinding flash of light that engulfed Goku's body entirely and his hair grew in length, it was now touching the ground in a wild mess, and his laser green eyes were now sky blue. He swished his tail playfully, which was now the same color as his hair. Goku smiled smugly.
By this time, all the fighting around Goku and Niron had ceased. Everyone had sensed the power level and they were curious to see what was happening.
Niron looked angry and his power level rose to match Goku's for a third time. His body strained from the exertion. Man! If this kid keeps powering up like this, I might rip my body apart trying to keep up. I have to end this now!
"Wha..! What! No way! How is he doing this?" Goku asked himself.
"Don't you get it Goku? I lied. I have a special technique. I am able to copy and reproduce a person's power levels. Pretty handy trick, don't you think?" Niron asked vainly.
Niron vanished and barely anyone could follow his movements. Goku couldn't move, he was shocked. Niron hit Goku twice in the face and once in the stomach, then finished it off with an elbow to Goku's chest.
When Goku hit the ground, he could taste the familiar metallically warm liquid in his mouth of fresh blood. He may be able to copy it, but can he control it? That is my best chance. Goku put his hands to his side, low, about hip-high, palms facing each other. He took one-step back and braced his body. "Ka! Me!" An energy ball began to form in-between Goku's palms. "Ha! Me!" The ball of energy grew larger and larger. He held it there for a few seconds letting the ball grow and power up. Then he took a step forward and thrust his hands forward, his wrists touching, and his palms and the ball of energy facing Niron. "Haaaaa!" The energy streaked towards Niron with great speed and force.
The blue blast made contact with Niron's blocking arms. He let out a yell. He was imbedded in the rocky canyon wall in seconds. The wall exploded as his body was sent soaring through the wall and into another behind that one.
Xino stood shocked as his older brother hit the ground and did not move. His eyes were wide with fear, and his body was trembling. "No, Niron. You can't lose. Not to this Saiyan wretch." He said disbelievingly. He looked at Gohan who was smiling excitedly. "Yes, father!" He heard Gohan yell. A twisted smile snaked its way across Xino's face. He must be Goku's son. I don't see how that is possible, but never mind that. He will do perfectly! I am not sure how these Saiyans' minds work, but I am assuming that they will not kill their own children. It is a risk I will have to take… Xino slowly stepped toward Gohan from behind. Maybe you saw through my brother's abilities, but you won't see through mine. He reached Gohan and put his hands lightly on his shoulders. Gohan tried to jerk away, but he found himself unable to move.
What? I can't move! My whole body is numb! I can't even speak! Gohan panicked. He wasn't able to move, but the grip on his shoulders was so light even an infant could free itself. Then his whole body went ice cold, like he had just been dropped into a freezing lake. His mind was slowly fading to black, and his thoughts became still and calm. He felt like he was falling asleep.
"Don't worry boy, soon there will be nothing to clutter your mind." Xino whispered in a hissing, lulling voice.
The voice echoed through Gohan's head. As Gohan's eyes shut, he could see himself in a black room. He could hear Xino's voice echoing through the nothingness. He could see himself fading out of view until he fell unconscious and he had faded completely.
Goten felt something was wrong and he turned to look at Gohan. Goten saw Gohan standing there behind him. Gohan smiled to Goten and Goten returned the smile, then turned to say something to Trunks.
Gohan's smile widened when Goten turned away. Gohan allowed his body to rise off the ground and he flew over in Goku's direction, and landed next to him. Goku had dropped out of Super Saiyan Three and was back to his normal body, except for his size. He looked up at Gohan looking slightly fatigued from his attack.
"Even with my tail it is hard to maintain Super Saiyan Three." Goku said in a laugh, which concealed his thoughts. Something's not right about Gohan. I don't sense his energy right next to me. It feels like he is still back there with Goten and the others.
Anger overwhelmed Gohan's face and he created a ball of energy floating above the palm of his hand and threw it into Goku's chest. The force of the blast sent Goku colliding with another canyon wall. He had taken a direct hit from Gohan's attack. Gohan smiled and slowly walked towards Goku's position.
Goku pulled himself out of the wall. He chanced a glance at the others. They were again preoccupied in a fight. Yoshimi was against Vegeta, who wasn't fairing too well, and Goten and Trunks were against Tok. Goku pulled his attention back to Gohan. Gohan was almost right in front of him. "Gohan…" Goku said.
Gohan thrust a punch at Goku, but Goku vanished. Gohan could feel Goku reappear behind him, but he didn't move, and neither did Goku. I knew it! He turned and started a barrage of punches to Goku's stomach and chest. Goku didn't have a chance to block.
Vegeta caught a glimpse of Goku and Gohan in the corner of his eye. What is he doing? Wait, that's not Gohan's energy. That's not Gohan! Vegeta lost concentration as Yoshimi intensified his attack.
"You'd better pay attention to me Vegeta!" Said Yoshimi's soft, British accented voice.
Kakarot has to know that is not his son. Kakarot, you must fight back! You fool! Fight back! Vegeta yelled in his mind.
"He doesn't know and will not fight back as long as he thinks that is his son." Yoshimi said still fighting.
What? Can he read my thoughts? Vegeta looked startled.
"Yes Vegeta, very good. You're not a dumb as you look."
Goku hit the ground and looked up at Gohan weakly. Gohan… Goku began to have flashbacks of Gohan when he was growing up. When he fought Freiza, when he first went Super Saiyan, when they trained in the hyperbolic time chamber, when he fought Cell… The image of Gohan when he had first gone Super Saiyan Two in front of Cell, stuck in Goku's mind. I was so proud of him… The image of Super Saiyan Two Gohan was strong in Goku's mind; he could almost hear the static sound of Gohan's energy. Then the Gohan in front of him was suddenly the teenage Gohan from the Cell games tournament. "What?" Goku uttered the word. I'm losing it! Or maybe not… So far Tok and Niron have been 'masters of the mind', illusionists. He looked over at the group. The younger one that Niron called Xino is missing. Gohan's 'real' body became visible on the ground underneath the other fighters. Goku saw that the Teen Gohan was now Xino.
Xino felt himself lose the connection with Gohan. How could he? He has defeated Tok, my brother, and now me! I hope Yoshimi can get under Goku's skin. He has never failed before, whereas the rest of us have failed at least once…Xino backed off slowly. "You've beaten me."
"Huh? You're giving up?" Goku asked.
"I'm not as strong as my brother. That disguise was the only thing I had."
Xino lowered himself to the ground, and began to walk to his brothers' position. He was still down. Xino stopped, turned, and yelled, "Yoshimi! Get him!"
