Chapter 4; The World Will End Next Year, Just Act Normal

Gohan was a very happy guy to see the least while he was flying to the lookout. It was almost enough to forget he was heading to discuss a possible threat to the universe. Granted it wasn't like Videl had confessed her undying love to him, but her display of affection to him was a great start indeed. Yes, he was ready to admit he definitely had a thing for her.

"Now let's not get carried away Gohan. We're just friends after all. It's not like she feels the same way."

"Are you kidding!? She was all over you earlier! Then she giggled like one of those giddy bimbos when you complimented her SCENT! Have you forgotten that this is the tough, anti-boy, tomboy known as Videl Satan!?"

"..."

"What? You're giving me the silent treatment now? Well as long as you're half Saiyan, I'll be right here for the rest of your life buddy! You better learn how to invent mental earplugs. I'm gonna be on your tail until you DIE!"

"..."

"Little princess."

His Saiyan side was mercifully silent for the rest of trip. With the distraction of Videl Satan out of his mind, he focused on the dilemma at hand. What was that strange energy he and most of the Z gang had felt? Did it mean that Earth was in danger again? Was another maniacal, power-hungry foe on the rise? Could they ever go more than a few years without some weirdo coming out of the woodwork? That last question was probably pushing it, but Gohan had a feeling they wouldn't like the answers to the brewing situation in front of them.

He made it to the lookout in less than an hour and found the gang already gathered together. They were all waiting in the courtyard by the gardens. All of them had a serious expression on their face. It definitely wasn't a social call.

"Hey guys! I'm not late am I?"

"Hey Gohan!" Krillin greeted him. "No, we all haven't been here long. In fact, Dende is still inside, getting details from King Kai." The formerly bald monk pointed with his thumb to the entrance of the lookout palace.

"Oh, I see."

"So Gohan, how did it go with that girl?" Yamcha questioned obnoxiously. He was successful in eliciting the response he desired. He grinned as Gohan shot him a death glare and turned a lovely shade of red.

"Shut up Yamcha! It's not like that!"

"Alright! Easy tiger. It's just a joke."

"It's not funny." Gohan turned away while glowering.

"Whoa! Wait a second! Gohan was talking to a girl? This I have to hear!" The former monk was grinning from ear to ear.

"Come on guys! We're just classmates. She's a fighter too so she was interested in how I became so good." Gohan was getting exasperated now.

"Oh, a fighter eh? Sounds like a good match already!" This was met by a collective chuckle from all the other gang. Only Vegeta wasn't amused.

"Will you shut up already?"

"As much as this is amusing, I agree," Dende said as he walked up to the group. "Time to get down to business. King Kai will speak to us all directly. I have already been informed due to regulations concerning my guardian status. I can tell you that this isn't good at all." His mouth was in a grim line as said this.

"No it is not," agreed King Kai. "You are all gathered here due to the strange energy you all felt. I am going to explain whose energy it was and what this means for you and nearly everyone in existence. The energy belongs to an individual by the name of Neeros. Neeros is a fallen Kai of unimaginable power. It is the closest one can imagine to being omnipotent. His powers are truly monstrous.

"What!?" exclaimed Vegeta as it got his attention.

"I'm glad you're listening Vegeta. It's no joke. He is probably the only being to have reached a power level that is nearly immeasurable.

"So how exactly does it concern us?" asked Piccolo.

"I must explain the origins of Neeros and how it applies to now for it to make sense. Neeros didn't always have such monstrous power. He was always exceptionally strong and was humble in his strength in the beginning. It was because of his strength and humility that he was chosen to be the protector of the Land of Kais and the cosmos. It was a job he took on eagerly and he trained rigorously to always be worthy of such a momentous task. He trained so well that his strength could never be competed with. Many challenged him and none were victorious.

Unfortunately, his strength began to get to his head. He began to feel like he was unbeatable. One day, an opponent of great power challenged him. He was the typical villain that aspired to take over everything and everyone. Thankfully, Neeros defeated him. However, the fight was a close one. It left Neeros shaken, for no one had ever been so difficult for him to defeat. He began to take an unhealthy training regiment. He ate only when on the verge of starvation. He slept only when he passed out from exhaustion. He would recover and his strength would have increased by an extraordinary amount, then he would repeat the process again. Month by month, his powers grew. Year by year, he kept up this training. We one day managed to persuade him that he had become so strong that he could take on a more relaxed schedule. We feared that despite how great his powers were becoming the tax on his health would be the end of him. He indeed began to slow down as the evidence of his improvement eased his paranoia.

We thought that was the end of it and that our old Neeros had come back. We were wrong. The manifold increase in power took what humility he had gained from his nearly losing. He flaunted it endlessly. He gloried in his power and nearly worshiped himself. One day, just for his own satisfaction, he decided to power up fully for the rush of it. At first we simply were annoyed at his vanity, but soon the stress of all his outpouring energy became dangerous. The very planet and even surrounding planets were in danger of literally breaking apart. He literally cracked the sky as he began to strain the very border of our dimension. We shouted for him to stop and look at what he was doing. He indeed looked and was frightened at what he was doing. We simply left him off with a warning and assumed he had learned his lesson. His own vanity and pride had blinded him more than we could know.

His own power scared him at first. Then it gave him sick satisfaction that he alone had the power to wipe out the entire universe. He became angry with us for daring to 'dictate' what he could do with his own power. As an act of defiance he murdered five Kais then deemed himself a god. He set out to do exactly what he had we had warned him not to do. As he gathered the power it would take, we knew we had to act quickly. The Kai over every quadrant, including myself bound him temporarily with all of our strength. Then the Supreme Kai cast a sealing spell on him. We saw it as a fitting punishment to seal him away within the border of our dimension. As the final touch for his punishment we took away his need for food or water. This way he could never die as long as no one killed him. He would be damned to his own personal hell, knowing that for all his great power, he would be stuck in his prison for all eternity."

"This is all well and good, but how in blazes are we feeling him if he is stuck in this prison between dimensions?" Vegeta asked crankily.

"Unfortunately, we ourselves were arrogant when we sealed him away. It is possible for someone or a group of people to gather enough energy to crack the seal of one dimension temporarily. Those in HFIL had figured this out and had hatched an escape plan. Thankfully, Goku and the rest of our fighters prevented such an event from happening. Unfortunately, they had already opened the temporary crack in their dimension. We ignored it at first, but to our horror, we discovered that Neeros had taken advantage of it. His seal had weakened, because it is tied to all other seals. That's how it is strong enough to contain him. Since the seal on HFIL is so close, it weakened his seal enough for him to make a small hole. Now that the hole is opened, it is too late. He is either going to break the barrier or we can undo it for him. Since the latter would foolish, we are letting him do it himself as we bide our time."

"So that's where we come in?" asked Gohan.

"Yes Gohan. We need to use this time as a means to prepare for the calamity that is coming as we speak. It will take an entire year for him to completely destroy his seal. Do not grow confidant because you have so much time. The chances of a year being an adequate amount of time are slim at best."

"Then what are we supposed to do?" asked Tien.

"Do whatever you can to train and maintain your usual routines. We do not want to raise a panic so it is imperative that you keep this information to yourselves. We are preparing our fighters in Other World as we speak. When they're training is complete, we will summon you to our dimension for your training." He let the information sink for a moment. "I just want you to know that this is a grave situation not only because of Neeros, but because of what will happen after he escapes. When he breaks his seal, it will set of a chain reaction that will destroy all barriers between worlds. You know the immediate implications of this. There are some old friends waiting in HFIL who would be eager to cause some chaos upon escape. However, as time progresses, without a means of separating the dimensions, they will eventually blur into one. When that happens, all that remains will be a void of nothingness. There is no telling what will immediately happen to every living creature in the universe. However, we can promise that everyone will eventually die with nothing to sustain life in the void. We cannot let this happen." This left everyone listening speechless. "I bid everyone farewell and good luck."

A heavy silence filled the air as the realization of just how dire the situation was sank in. Everyone could only wear a look of perplexity as they pondered over it.

"There's no need to mince words," Vegeta finally spoke. "Everyone will continue their own training regiment and daily routines just as the old Kai says. If anyone hasn't used the Time Chamber to it's maximum capacity, I recommend you finish up. We'll all need it." Vegeta's solemn attitude stunned everyone. It wasn't like the arrogant prince to be so serious and direct without the usual bravado. "Don't get the wrong impression. It would be an embarrassment to the Prince of Saiyans if those who would fight alongside him didn't try their hardest as I will surely be trying mine." His signature cocky grin was painted on his face. "Hell will freeze over before I let some freak destroy me and everything around me." With that, he blasted off to Capsule Corporation. There was no doubt the first thing he would be doing would be to hit the GR.

"Vegeta is right. Now isn't the time to plunge into the depths of despair. " Piccolo looked around at everybody as he spoke. "This isn't the first time a dire situation has popped up. I'd like it very much if we don't let it be the last." Everyone nodded at this and went their separate ways.

"I'm going to have to tell my mom somehow." Gohan wondered how he was going to get away with the necessary training that was required of him. "She's going to have to find out eventually before I get spirited away. Now isn't the right time though."

It was nearly time for dinner when Gohan arrived at his house. Gohan could smell the delicious food cooking in the kitchen as he walked into the door.

"Oh! You're home just in time. Did you have fun with your friends?" She turned and greeted him as she was stirring some soup.

"Yeah, I had a pretty good time. Just a mandatory group project, but it's fun to hang out." He didn't like lying, but this wasn't the best time to discuss the discovery of another threat to the universe. He could just picture the shrieking it would induce. Then she would be nothing but paranoid for the remainder of the whole year. Yes, she would need to be sitting down for 'the talk'.

"That's good. Why don't you call your brother and help set the table? Put some bowls out too. We're having soup with our dinner

"Sure thing mom. Hey Goten!" Gohan rounded up his brother and they set the table. They sat and relaxed for the rest of the evening, as they let Chichi's scrumptious cooking settle in their content stomachs.

"By the way Gohan, a girl called here earlier," said Chichi as she stacked dishes in the sink. He perked up at the new information. "She said her name was Videl and she was a classmate."

"Really? What did she want?" Gohan tried to contain himself as he registered the news.

"Oh, she wanted to talk to you, but you weren't home. She wanted to know if you wanted to hang out with her and some of your friends this weekend. I told her that I would let you know. You know, I'm not fond of girls calling boys, but she seemed nice enough. She wouldn't happen to be that girl who was upset about you not being more open would she?" Gohan immediately turned red.

"Uh, well, yes."

"I recommend you take her up on her offer. You don't get invited to many social events. Also, I think she has a bit of a crush on you." Gohan started coughing as he was swallowing his beverage.

"What makes you think that?" Gohan managed to get out albeit raspy. He pounded his chest trying to get the liquid down.

"Gohan, what have I told your about your manners?" Chichi frowned, oblivious that she had caused him to nearly choke. "Anyway, I can tell you that I wouldn't be so interested in a boy this much unless I at least had a bit of a crush on him. She sounds a bit stubborn and probably doesn't even realize it yet."

"You're probably just thinking about it too much mom. But, I guess I can hang out this weekend. It's still early enough, so I'll call her back."

"Okay, but could you finish these dishes first? It's only fair since I cook and wash the breakfast dishes. It'll still be early enough."

"Alright mom." He quickly (as quickly as possible) washed the mountain of pots, pans, and dinner dishes in the sink. As soon as he was done he stared at the phone, building up the nerve to call Videl back. He felt a mixture of guilt and nervousness. "I should be doing more important things. Training should be my top priority right now! What am I doing? Well, it's not like I goof off all the time. Considering the circumstances maybe I should enjoy myself a little bit. Okay, no big deal. Just call her up and say 'I'd like to hangout! Thanks for inviting me!' Why am I so nervous? She already called me." He finally dialed in the call back number Chichi had left for him.

"Hello?" Came a male voice on the other end.

"This is Gohan. I'm a friend of Videl. She called earlier about something?"

"Ah yes. I'll get her right away." Gohan waited for a moment.

"Hello?" Came Videl's voice.

"Hey. You called about inviting me to hang out?"

"Oh yeah. Me, Erasa, and Sharpner are going to head to the mall then watch movies at my place. How about it?"

"Sure, that sounds great!"

"Alright then! I'll see you at school. Then we're all hanging out on Saturday."

"Great! By the way, who answered the phone earlier?"

"Oh, that was Chad, our butler."

"Oh yeah, don't know why I didn't think about that. I mean you ARE pretty rich and everything. Silly me." She giggled on the other line.

"I have to agree with Gohan. You are pretty silly, but it's okay. I think we can put up with it."

"Gee, thanks. Okay, I've got to go. See you."

"Okay, bye."

Gohan exhaled deeply as he put the phone back on the charger. There was no harm done and the bombs hadn't dropped, a good sign. His mother was peering from around the corner. She quickly went back to her room before her son noticed her.

"It won't be long now. And did I here him say she was RICH? Gohan better keep his eye on this one." She was unaware or perhaps had merely forgotten in the moment, that Gohan could sense exactly where she was and here most of what she was saying. He shook his head in humor at his mother's shamelessness. Since Videl was a girl who wasn't a bimbo, she already had approval. Her having money only sealed the deal. He predicted the gushing over marriage and grandchildren would start any day.

"Hmmm, conceiving a few would be pretty fun."

"Not if I cut off your 'conceiving tool' buddy."

"Have you forgotten that 'tool' belongs to you?"

"..."

"The silent treatment again eh?"

"Why can't you just shut up?"

"I'm you idiot! You shut me up!"

"Oh yeah...oops."

Gohan shook his head as the strange conversation in his head ended. For the past few months, a separate personality that somehow was under his control had made it's home in his head. It's own personality was so strong that he forgot he could control it most of the time.

"Maybe Vegeta would know something about it if know one else does." He decided to go to bed early that night.

Meanwhile in Other World, two fighters sparred rather intensely. Shockwaves rocked the air as they clashed at speeds faster than untrained eyes could see. One of the fighters, dressed in a familiar orange gi appeared. He tauntingly beckoned his green sparring partner to make the next move. Pikkon flew towards Goku, intending to engage in midair hand-to-hand. His punch appeared to go straight into Goku's face and right through the back of his head. The after image faded from view, leaving Pikkon stunned for a moment.

"Over here!" Goku's left foot crashed into Pikkon's face almost as soon as he spoke. His confusion didn't give him enough time to defend against the Saiyan. He managed to recover midflight but feigned hurt as Goku flew towards him to follow up his attack. As soon as Goku drew near, Pikkon shot a ki blast at close range. Goku could only bring up his arms to his face and lightly shield himself with his ki. A small explosion engulfed Goku, but did no harm to him. Pikkon took advantage of the smoke cover to charge up a stronger ki attack. He raised both hands behind his head then aimed them at Goku. A large blast streamed from his hands towars the figure shrouded in smoke. The clearing smoke prevented him from seeing it coming until it was very close. There was only time to bring both hands up to block the incoming attack.

"Pikkon has your boy pinned down Northy!"

"Shut up! It isn't over yet!" The shameless Kais used each sparring match as a contest. Goku always gained the upper hand in every match, and much to King Kai's chagrin, West Kai would never admit defeat.

"Hiyaah!" Goku yelled as he built up power. His hands glowed blue as he prepared to deflect the large ball of ki. Soon an even larger ki blast erupted from Goku's hands, sending Pikkon's attack into the sky. They both watched as the large beam crashed into a small floating planet. A large explosion lit up the sky and thundered for miles, causing every training fighter to stop and look at the source of noise.

"Whoa! Those two sure are getting hot to trot!" The Grand Kai watched the fight, very impressed. The Supreme Kai looked on with a frown.

"It still won't be enough." The Grand Kai frowned at the pessimistic comment and continued watching the spar. Pikkon had taken off the weights he wore and Goku had turned into a Super Saiyan.

"This is bad if they aren't ready, even at this level, how much would it take? You guys better turn up the heat or we're all in for it.

Back on Earth, a teenage semi-Saiyan trained many miles from his house. Going to bed early proved to be a futile option as he could only toss and turn. Since sleep seemed to be such a foreign task, training was all too happy to oblige as an alternative. He had too much to lose to allow himself to sleep. The nightmare of seven years ago had brought all the memories coming back to him. The mistakes he had made that day had caused him the loss of a father. If the final hoorah was fast approaching, hell would freeze over before he allowed himself to lose everything over anything less than his dead body. He trained hard for an hour then trained even harder tot he point of exhaustion. He passed out and slept peacefully until morning. It was going to be fun explaining his injuries to Chichi in the morning.

Author's Note: Thanks for the bit of positive feedback even though this story is fairly new. I appreciate that a lot of you seem to be enjoying this. Things are a bit busy lately, what with me becoming an uncle recently. I'll try to put out a chapter every week, but no later than every other week. Thanks again!