A/N: I appreciate all the reviews I've received and it warms my heart to see everyone still reading what I update, no matter the length of time. Thank you faithful readers! As I continue on the path of writing a novel I hope you can one day read and enjoy that too.

Q&A

CrimsontheBloodyDemonKing – Some pranks from the Juniors and Demon Duo (Goten and Trunks) on Cell, Vegeta, and possibly Piccolo? This can be arranged…

Sid89 – First of all thank you for your review. I try to keep away from Videl beating Gohan over the head (no offense to to other writers as I do enjoy those from time to time) and do something a little different. I apologize for some of the confusion as I had written Dark Blessings a long time ago and kind of went back and forth on what I wanted to do. Fortunately, I was able to drop it for a moment and then get it back together to reform the plot. That plot sort of set this one and I'm going to try and answer the confusion questions I left behind in Dark Blessings, especially with the characters, while ending this story once and for all. I'm glad that this made it to your favorites list and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story!

All – Two more chapters until Videl and Gohan reunite. Thank you for your continued reading, favorites, and reviews.

Note: This story is much darker than the original and probably a little less random. You'll see many familiar characters from Blessings but with enough new faces and places to keep the ball rolling. Enjoy.

Next scheduled update: TBD

Dark Requiem

-Dragons and Dreamscapes-

"I now order the first meeting of the Black Tails to being." Dende announced as he looked at the small select group that joined him. A hand raised near the back and the Kami of Earth sighed. "Yes Goten."

"Umm...this isn't really our first meeting is it?" the Goku-replica asked innocently.

Dende resisted the urge to rub his temples. "No Goten this isn't our first meeting. I only say that because we had momentarily disbanded and started up again, thus our first meeting. Think of it as version 2.0."

Goten blinked owlishly in confusion. "Why are we version 2.0?"

"Geez Goten you're so behind!" Trunks slapped a hand to his face in embarrassment.

"Look brat, have the other brat explain it to you later!" Vegeta growled from the corner and glared at Dende. "Get on with it green bean! I have more things to do than listen to you whine!"

"I am not-" The Namek stopped abruptly as he realized he was whining and tried to ignore the smirking saiya-jin. "Look, Videl needs our help to find the villains on Earth. Currently she has Cell looking for them."

Vegeta scoffed. "Which means she'll never find them."

"Well I won't find them if I'm here!"

Everyone looked to the back of the group where a disgruntled Cell scowled. Eyebrows raised and they all turned back to stare at Dende who chuckled, rubbing the nape of his neck. "Well I needed everyone here."

"Surrounded by idiots..."

Dende searched everyone's faces but no one seemed to fess up so he continued. "We'll split up the Earth into quadrants. Of course we have to hide this from Shin, but that shouldn't be too hard since he's busy with the preparations to hide the dragon balls."

Trunks and Goten giggled and shoved each other for interrupting Dende. "He said balls!"

"Idiots..."

The Kami of Earth looked around again before rubbing his temples. Asking the dragons for strength, he summoned a map of the Earth with his ki and pointed out the sections. "Goten and Trunks you'll take the North quadrant."

Trunks groaned while Goten bounced in excitement. "Awesome Trunks we can make a snowman!"

"Videl told me she's taking the Eastern quadrant so Cell and Vegeta will take the West."

"I'm not going with him!" Cell and Vegeta yelled together as they pointed to one another.

Dende dutifully ignored them. "Korin and Yajirobi will take the Southern quadrant while Piccolo stays with me to keep an eye on Shin's activities."

Cell and Vegeta silenced immediately, an unspoken truce between them as they crossed their arms in acceptance. Korin gave the Namek a devastated look while Piccolo looked relieved. No one wanted to go with Yajirobi. The human placed his hand on the cat's shoulder with a wide grin then quickly removed it when Korin gave him a look that literally said 'touch me and die'.

"Any questions?" Dende asked. Hands raised and he scoffed. "That was a rhetorical question. If you find anything report to either Piccolo or myself. We'll report to Videl and call everyone back with whatever she plans next. This Black Tails meeting is adjourned!"

~DR~

Bardock pressed his fingertips against the glass of the regeneration tank. The blue liquid cooled the pads of his fingers and he sighed as he allowed his palm to join in. His watched his bloodline breathe slowly, bubbles floating to the top of the enclosed tank before bursting silently. He saw the muscles on the tank's occupant's face twitch and wondered what he was dreaming about...or what nightmares Shin'en had left in his fragmented mind. He could only hope there was time to salvage it before their time was up.

"Well?"

Bardock swallowed the growl rising in his throat as he glanced at the dark Kai beside him. "Well what?"

Kazuki smirked, amused at the bite in the response, before gesturing to the tank. "How is his recovery? I assume everything is going well?"

"Of course!" Bibidi bragged, his chest puffed out even as he checked the monitors. "He is under my care after all. His energy is recovering quicker than we had hoped."

"Excellent!" the Kai exclaimed as he clapped his hands together. "When will he awaken?"

"Err..." the magician stammered, his ego beginning to leave him. "He...he won't. Not anytime soon."

The happy expression faded quickly from Kazuki's face as his eyes narrowed at the flea. "Excuse me?"

Bardock decided to step in as Bibidi quailed under the dark Kai's demanding glare lest he and Buu had to find another way to power the regeneration tank. "He won't awaken on his own. His mind was broken even before he arrived in Shin'en and if we awaken him immediately his mind will shatter completely under the firm grip Shin'en still holds. We must ease him into reality if we want him to return to us sane."

"I do not care about his sanity." Kazuki replied nonchalantly as he motioned to the tank. "I care about his power. As soon as his power returns we will awaken him. Sane or otherwise he will obey my orders. Of that there is no question."

Bardock growled and faced the Kai. "If you do that he will die!"

The saiya-jin gasped as his back slammed into the cave wall, the air rushing out of his lungs. Kazuki's burning eyes stared closely into his own, fangs bared. At this point everyone had turned to watch the power play. Even Buu had lowered his pink eyes to observe the conflict below him. Besides the low hum of the regeneration tank the cave was silent. The dark Kai gripped Bardock's neck tightly, angry eyes watching the saiya-jin's mouth jerk reflexively as he tried to suck in air.

"You will do well to remember your place Bardock!" Kazuki hissed, "Lest I decide to remind you!"

"That is enough." Nero spoke quietly, his hand gripping Kazuki's wrist tightly. "Release him."

Kazuki winced and opened his hand. Bardock slumped to the ground immediately, coughing uncontrollably as he gulped air into his lungs. The dark Kai was uneasy as he did not notice Nero move and reminded himself to be wary of this saiya-jin. "Must I teach you your place as well?"

Nero smirked slowly before releasing Kazuki's wrist. "I know my place. Do you?"

Kazuki narrowed his eyes at the saiya-jin and stared in silence before stalking away. "You have two weeks magician. If you cannot wake the boy I will do so myself!"

"Two weeks?" Bibidi squeaked and frantically began to make calculations.

"Two weeks?" Bardock growled almost pitifully as his throat was sore. To his chagrin and relief Kazuki ignored him this time. He wasn't sure Nero would intervene if the dark Kai made a second attempt at punishing him.

"Two weeks." The dark Kai growled dangerously before stalking out of the cave quaking in his fit of rage at being questioned by incompetent villains.

Nero glanced down at Bardock as he attempted to steady his breathing. "You would do well to pick your battles wisely young one for I will not always be there to mediate them."

Bardock laughed dryly under the saya-jin's cold stare. "I'll try and remember that."

~DR~

"Find the Abyer first and then follow her." Ryuujin stated firmly."Make sure no harm comes to her. Videl's overall safety is paramount. If I'm correct she will be the key to ending my mistake."

"Find the Abyer." Strath lounged on top of a building while looking straight down, watching Videl walk with her friends. "Check."

He smiled as he watched her laugh at something a blonde girl had said while the blonde boy looked devastated. It had been a very long time since he had seen a chosen Abyer. Contrary to popular belief, Abyers did not pass their powers on all willy-nilly. Those special, practically living powers chose someone at random, more than likely a female, and then she became an Abyer. Sometimes there were five or more Abyers and other times there was only one. Their powers were odd like that. It was what made the Abyer line very powerful and very, very rare.

The reason he knew was because a very, very, very long time ago he had been an Abyer bodyguard per se. Eons ago his powerful race was dying, but when they were saved by an Abyer from their long-time rivals the Kai, they vowed to protect the 'priestess' until they died. If she, dragons forbid, died before they did, they waited and found another Abyer to protect. In the end, because his race was so long-lived, they began learning the secrets the priestess' learned in order to pass it on, teaching both their people and the new Abyers. Of course that was until he showed up.

Dragons he was old.

"Follow the Abyer. Check."

Strath shook himself of his anger and sadness, standing to follow the group from the buildings. He walked casually, amused as he noticed Videl discreetly begin to look around. So the Abyer knew she was being watched, did she? It was rare for anyone to pick him up. On his best day, with hundreds of years of experience at his disposal of course, he could occasionally sneak up on Roo and Nox, though he suspected they let him. To anyone else he was practically nonexistent. For her to pick him up in the area, no matter if she saw him or not, meant she was a very special person indeed.

"Perhaps introductions are in order?" he murmured and contemplated Videl as she looked up for a moment before the blonde girl, Erasa he heard her called, brought her back into the conversation.

Strath stopped when the group did, crouching carelessly at the edge of the tall building to look down fearlessly. He leaned forward in interest as a handsome male jogged over to their group from across the street to engage them in conversation. Erasa looked positively star struck while Sharpner was trying to hide his obvious scowl. Videl gave a polite yet annoyed smile as the male continued to speak to them. It was obvious that the man was absolutely jealous at the rival to his girlfriend's affections, whether this handsome male knew it or not.

A smirk arose on the mysterious male's face at a comment from Videl and he threw his head back slightly to laugh, his ridiculously perfect hair falling from his face like some character in a romance novel. Erasa looked as if she would faint at the sight. Her boyfriend, Sharpner, rolled his eyes at her dramatics. Videl, however, gave a small sigh that was not missed by his exceptional hearing as if she couldn't understand why this handsome male was sniffing after her scent like a tomcat searching for a female in heat. As if she didn't know how beautiful and sought after she was.

Now dangling his legs from the building Strath gave in to laughter as she shot the male down politely, almost rolling off of the edge. There was teasing to be had at someone else's expense later. The laughter ended in a satisfied sigh as he watched the group below, catching the tail end of their conversation with a wide grin. "Wide eh?"

"Shit! I forgot I was supposed to meet my dad ten minutes ago!" Videl said clearly, her lie believable to her friends. "Rain check Wide?"

Strath looked at the smirking male. "Of course." Wide assured, his charm in full force. "I will be waiting for it."

Strath rolled his eyes and looked at Videl again. "Erasa? Sharpner?"

"Of course!" Erasa bubbled, latching onto Sharpner. "We're supposed to do a study group anyway, right Sharpie?"

"Yep." Sharpner responded, his grin returning in full force now that his girlfriend was paying attention to him.

Strath watched as they said their good byes and began their separate ways. He watched Wide cross the street again and smirked when he seemed to disappear into the downtown crowd. Sharpner was happily dragged off by Erasa, a stupid grin on his face. He noticed Videl walk in the opposite direction before disappearing into the crowd near an alley. Even though he couldn't see her he stayed put and leaned back on his hands. Choosing to swing his legs lazily and close his eyes he enjoyed the sunny day, the sounds below a nice white noise.

His patience was rewarded.

"I know you're here. You've been watching me for a while. Show yourself!"

"And if I was to reveal myself to her?" Strath queried.

He leaned his head back and cracked open an eye. She wasn't too far from him in a stance that spoke of aggression. It held little flaws, but those flaws were still exploitable. Videl searched the top of the building, looking every which way with a frown etched on her lovely face. A playful grin surfaced on his face as she practically stared right at him but didn't see him. If he laughed right now would she hear him? It was an interesting thought seeing as she almost pin-pointed his exact location. He was starting to like this girl.

Thoroughly amused at the wonders he was finding on Earth he relaxed the power that was shielding him from her sight. When she scanned the building again the shock on her face as he seemingly appeared from thin air made him burst into laughter once again. He was starting to like Earth too. She stared at him, both curious and cautious, as he swung his legs back onto the building and stood up. He could feel her observing him for memory and cataloging the fact that she could not feel his immense power but knew it was there. Somewhere.

Once he righted himself he smiled and waved. "Hi!"

Videl blinked at him, not expecting his cheerful attitude. She was expecting more of a fight. "Uh…hi?"

"It's a pleasure to meet you in person Videl! I have heard oh so much about you!" He wagged his eyebrows. "An Abyer in this day and age is a very rare find indeed, especially one with so much power and very little training!"

She raised an eyebrow at his antics, not sure what to make of it. He was powerful, that much she was sure of though she couldn't feel his power. Anyone who could hide in plain sight without notice had to be powerful. Even more powerful than her. If she could just figure out how to trace him she would keep an eye on him. However, Videl was positive he wasn't a threat. How she knew that she wasn't sure, but she just knew he wasn't. It was just something about him that told her and nowadays she always trusted her gut feeling.

"I'm sure that you're not any of those villains hiding on Earth." Videl began slowly, observing him again. "I don't believe you stole the Z sword either. However I'm at a disadvantage. You seem to know a lot about me but I know very little about you."

"Ah yes my apologies! Allow me to introduce myself!" Strath cleared his throat and bowed dramatically. "Lord Strathmore Juliano V'zar Leone Ricarios at your service!"

Videl stared. "What?"

"My friends call me Strathos or Strath. I prefer one of those names, but you may call me whatever one of my many names you wish." Strath grimaced. "Except Strathmore! Anything but Strathmore! No matter how many years pass, no matter whether the creature that says it is male or female, it always reminds me of my father!" Almost instantly his grin returned. "May that crusty ol' battle-hungry bastard rest in a dragon blessed peace!"

Videl sighed, trying to wrap her mind around this weird entity before her. "Look….Strath…what are you doing here?"

When Ryuujin didn't answer Strath continued to press him. "If I gain her trust?"

"Isn't it obvious?" At her raised eyebrow he decided to elaborate. "I'm here to help you. Mostly protect you, but helping you too."

She gave the powerful being an incredulous look. "Help me? Protect me?" Videl narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Why? At what price?"

"If you choose to Strath," Ryuujin finally said, "Then reveal yourself."

Strath hummed. "Well the 'why' is because my superiors enlisted my aid. The price?" A sly, dangerous glint came into his eyes and Videl felt a shiver go down her spine.

She'd seen that look before. Many times. Years ago it was a familiar friend when she looked in the mirror after a satisfying dream. Videl knew what it entailed. It was the spark of a glorious battle, the cries rushing forth from warriors on both sides as the excitement of war filled them to the brink and the drums sounded behind them. It was a prelude to a slow and torturous death, a silent killer whose blade only bore a thirst for a satisfying revenge. The one expression Videl knew for a fact would grace her face when she exacted justice 5 years too late.

Now that expression was on his.

"But," Nox added as he gave Strath a stern look. "Let her see you for who you are."

"Revenge." He expelled the word with a wistful sigh at the end, a long-time killer in search of blood and truth.

"Revenge…" Videl mimicked quietly, rolling and tasting the familiar word on her tongue before releasing it with an underlying need.

Ryuujin nodded in acceptance. "Then, if you manage to gain her trust…"

Strath gave her a serious look that spoke of age, confidence and power. "Do you trust me?"

It was a silent stare-off. Neither of them said anything. Then, Videl gave her answer. The finality that clung to the word frightened her. "Yes."

"Then there's only one thing left to do." Nox sighed, looking at his brother.

Ryuujin's gaze was more serious than both Strath and Nox had seen it in a very long time. "Train her."

Strath's trademark grin rose onto his face. "Good."

~DR~

It had been a long time since They had returned to torment him. He had been waiting for their arrival, unable to relax his guard in the event they attempted to sneak up on him like the last time. Though their power was weaker than the timeless suffering he had endured They still had a hold onto him. He knew he was powerful. He was stronger than They could ever hope to be. Yet, in this twisted place,They were the ones who held the power. They held him prisoner. In the cruel world he lived in They were king.

He had never seen their faces. Had never seen what They tormented him with. But he knew their voices, the staccato of laughter that accompanied their sick pleasures and taunts. Every slice, every stab, every shock, and every tear made the laughter bubble up from within their throats. He had learned that whether he succumbed to his silent screams or not did not matter. What he knew was his pride kept him silent, but sometimes his silence was worse than when he allowed himself to scream.

The years and years he suffered had driven him mad. They had driven him mad. He knew that before They arrived he had a life. He had a place to call home. He knew at one point he had called himself king. He used to see the faces that he deemed friend and those he deemed foe. That sometimes the beast would share with him his thoughts, his feelings, his past and his enemies. He knew that once he had a name. Those days were gone. Now he knew only the laughter They brought him and the agonizing, never ending pain.

Nowadays he only knew rage and pain. Only knew Revenge.

"You seek revenge?"

The voice was soft yet powerful. It echoed within him and shielded him with blessed silence, thrusting away the low laughter of their approaching laughter. He kept silent at first, untrusting of this new voice in the prison he lived. He wanted the gentle voice that relaxed him and the beast, soothing the aches that wore him down. This new voice was not entirely unwelcome, but it did not give him blessed silence either. He could hear Them. They were outside, banging on the shield that kept him away from Them in anger.

"Do you not wish to speak to me?"

There was a smile in the voice now, as if finding his silence amusing. He frowned, not liking the voice's expression. Who was this powerful being that dared to laugh at his distrust? He sought advice from the beast who purred in acceptance. So the beast trusted the voice? He was still skeptical but took the beast's advice. He had formed kinship with the beast that bore the punishment They gave same as him. They felt the pain as one, neither of them spared from the lasting torture, and vowed revenge against They who imprisoned and tortured them.

He did not trust himself to answer the voice, as he was never allowed to answer the other voice that came to soothe him, and was surprised that he was allowed to speak. "I will speak."

The voice seemed to smile again. "Do you seek revenge?"

"Yes."

The voice was silent once more and he thought the voice had left until it spoke again. "Why?"

He growled. Why? The voice dared to ask why? Did the voice not hear Them outside the very walls it had created? Did the voice not see him battered and bruised and mad from the torture They gave him daily? Did the voice not know that the only emotions he knew were anger and pain? Could the voice not see the aches that he felt? The scars that They left behind? Though he could not see any of the voices that came to visit he could feel his body, could feel the beast's body. They had suffered endlessly for a long, long time.

He did not reply and the voice spoke again. "Do you wish for freedom?"

He scoffed. He had once, but it was never granted. "Wishes are foolish."

The voice sounded surprised. "You do not believe in your freedom? Do you not want to escape?"

He did not answer. His answer was the same. It was foolish to think of such things. After a long silence the voice spoke again, yet this time it was curious. "And if I grant it?"

"Impossible." He replied in disbelief.

"If I did?" the voice pressed, "What would you do?"

Hope. It fluttered in his chest and he could not bring himself to crush it. "Kill."

The voice was silent. He waited impatiently for a response, waited impatiently for his freedom. To be released from these chains was an impossible dream he forced himself to throw away. Now it dangled before him on a string and this voice, this powerful being, said that it could grant it. Could grant his freedom. Would the voice do this? Would the voice release him from this torment and allow him to be free? Allow him to find and exact revenge on Them who had hounded him all this time? Give Them the pain he had felt tenfold? How he hungered for it.

Suddenly the shield was gone and the laughter returned. He screamed his rage, though it was silent. Roared at the voice's betrayal as the laughter came closer and closer, taunting him with the freedom he thought he would have. Could feel their sharp weapons trailing his skin, cutting it as They called him unworthy of his wishes and dreams, unworthy of his hopes and desires. Then power, like nothing he had felt before, crashed over him. They screamed in pain and agony, howling in fear as the power flung them far away.

He felt the shattering of chains like rain and the world crashing around him like thunder. Fear filled him too as the power enveloped him and he prepared for the worst as a strange hand that felt like claws touched his head, causing him to flinch. "If I allow this what will you do?"

He recognized the voice and hope returned again, though a part of him still stung at the voice's earlier betrayal. "Kill."

The voice sighed and the claws gently slipped away. "So be it."

For the first time in a long time he smiled.

A/N: I knew it was long and overdue, but hopefully it is well received. I know Strath's part was a little long, but it was needed, especially the part that came after it. However, you can expect some interesting developments in the next chapter. I'll try not to put too much of a gap between them this time. Until then, I hope you had a Merry Christmas and to all a very Happy New Year!