Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or any said things, people, etc. of the show.

Last time:

"Those must be Babidi's henchmen, Trunks. They're trying to get his energy but he is fighting them. I don't know if they will be able to get it all in one shot like they're supposed to. If they don't, Buu won't be freed, and then he cannot be destroyed! I don't know how long the Kai can hold him."

Indeed the Kai seemed on his last dregs. The future Gohan pushed out one final wave of energy, just as the Kai was about to lose it.

"No Don't!" Gohan shouted. 'If he breaks free now, there is no hope!'

The lash of power snapped the invisible strings tracing them back to their owner. They jolted into the Supreme Kai, and he folded over and collapsed.

Complications

Cracks and chips appeared in the stadium's concrete. Waves of pure energy buffeted outward. Gohan pushed off the two adversaries. Sailing through the air, they landed hard. Eyes wide in shock, Babidi's men anxiously eyed the unusual youth. Gohan was glaring, looking about him, searching for what tried to confine him. The supreme Kai had collapsed on the ground. It was an impressive picture; the crowd was in an uproar, the Z fighters confused and on high alert. Muscles tensed; warily they looked around for the enemy. The back round was filled with screams and shouts of a fearful mass. Seeing the distraction, cowardly and dishonest, Babidi's paltry henchmen fled. If they stayed longer, surely death would await them! A strange looking humanoid creature stood in the ring facing the Saiyan. It turned its head and spotted the prone figure of the supreme Kai. With a look of anxious concern, it ran to the god's side. Trunks noted that though much larger than the supreme Kai, the unknown person was similar in looks with the Kai.

The future Gohan was agitated, calling after his former decided opponent, "What was the meaning of this?! You've exposed me, forced me to show my full power. Those two men," he gestured, and then stopped. "Where are they and do they work for you? You'd better explain quickly just who you are because this whole thing reeks of a trap."

Surprisingly deep, the creature spoke perfect English, "They are not my men. Admit I will though, that you were their bait. My name is Obito."

A shocking statement, Piccolo and Vegeta's eyes were bathed in suspicion. Probing the stranger's aura, Piccolo exercised his slight god powers. Yet the power that resonated from Kami did not sense evil.

The creature then continued, "You need know that I serve his lordship, the Supreme Kai and that the foolishness and ignorance of mortals have aided the dark this day," he said ominously.

The entire group got the distinct impression that they were the 'foolish and ignorant mortals' of which he spoke.

Away from the Z fighters, Gohan and Trunks stood in the shadows. Gohan's earlier words echoed in the mind of his younger counterpart. "…my full power…. my full power…. my full power…" Gohan eyed his future self in disgust.

"His full power revealed? Can it be I did not train at all? I'm not sure how far in the future we are, at least a few years have passed and yet I haven't gained in power at all!" Angry Gohan spoke aloud.

"It felt like…. Like you had even lost some of your power." Trunks added incredulously.

"What happened to my promise? With father gone, I swore to myself that I would protect the earth. It was my duty, to take responsibility for my grievous arrogance. Yet, it's as if I did not even spare one moment to my training."

"I think that may be because of me," Trunks spoke. "Would you have thought about such things if I had not sought aid?"

Gohan's eyebrows furled in thought, "Hmm, you maybe right. I just wanted to give up, but then you helped me change," the youth admitted. "If you hadn't shown me who I am, this is who'd I become." He gestured toward his elder self, lip curled in contempt.

"Which is why I am sincerely thankful that I did. My request of you set you on that path. It was the first step towards becoming earth's new guardian." Gratitude lilted in Trunks' voice.

It was then that they noticed the raging mass of people. "I think we got trouble Gohan. This crowd doesn't look so good, if they don't get out soon," Trunks pointed to the assembled warriors and Mirai Gohan, "things could get very ugly."

Worriedly Gohan gazed at the sea of bodies, indeed he could almost taste the hysteria.

"I know what happens when people get frightened, especially to that degree. They panic, identity is lost and becomes a mob. There is no reason in a mob, we've got to end this quickly." 'Supreme Kai, if you can hear me, get the Z fighters out of here. Or we'll have trouble!' Trunks thought fiercely, in what he hoped was a loud voice.

"What's happening?" Goten tugged his mother's skirt. ChiChi and Bulma had freed themselves from the surging crowd.

"Stay close!" Bulma admonished, tweaking the ear of her rebellious child.

STAMP! STAMP! The footfalls of many marked the struggle as people attempted to flee the stadium. Others had their sights set on Gohan, who was clearly exposed in the center ring.

Impatient, Gohan's dark eyes flashed, "Damnit, we can't go tell our comrades to fly! But the Kai won't wake—" he stopped, his face deathly pale. Curious Trunks followed his eyes and saw… Goku.

"Father?" Gohan was soft, he sounded small like a child.

Trunks noticed the odd luminescent ring above the legend Goku. "He's still dead Gohan, see the ring!"

"But..but how's this possible? This world, every things so weird." Sable locks waved as he shook his head. "I can't think on that now, we've got other stuff to worry 'bout."

Luckily, as he spoke the celestial being began to stir. Suspicious, Vegeta and Goku drew closer, the others following their lead. Piccolo's mind was still reeling in shock, 'he is the Supreme Kai…Supreme Kai…Supreme Kai….'

'Supreme Kai, we've got to leave now! Get the Z fighters out, the crowds gettin outta control!' The lavender haired man tried again.

This time he heard, Shin jerked up, his gaze locked on the stands. "Indeed I know you all have a great many questions for me," he said addressing the gathered warriors, "but I do not believe this to be the most prudent location of converse."

The din had reached an all time high, the shouts gave way to a fevered pitch. Women, men, children were getting hurt in a stampede.

"This is awful!" Videl Satan spoke, she stood next to Gohan in the ring.

"Please, let us travel to your home. Follow me." With that, Shin flew high into the air and away. 'Gohan, Trunks, come along too but follow at a discrete distance. And please be careful! I will need to explain your presence, however it will take some time.'

'Do they have to know?' Gohan thought.

'They will find out one way or another. You two are too powerful to hide.' The half-saiyans could hear his chuckle and the laughter.

Krillin and the others fled the scene, cutting clearly through the open air; course set for Capsule Corp. Ahead the figure of the Supreme Kai was in sight. To his right, the giant Obito dwarfed the slight creature. People on the ground pointed and gasped at the warriors flying high in the sky.

"Awwwww man. I'm never going to be able to finish school now."

"This is all really crazy Gohan but don't worry, I'm Videl Satan." She said with an arrogant toss of her chopped hair. "If I can fly, people will stop freaking about you so much." Gohan gave a slight sigh, shrugging his shoulders.

"How does he know where I live?" Vegeta sounded agitated and peeved.

Looking at him, Piccolo frowned, "He is The Kai. I would not worry about that."

"Come on Goten lets go!" young Trunks started off when Bulma quickly snatched his arm.

"Young man, you're not going anywhere!"

"But!" Whiney, his voice became childish.

"This isn't a game you two, you shouldn't even be involved in this." The fearsome Son mother scolded. Her screechy voice final.

With a mischievous glint, Bulma continued, "besides, were you just going to abandon your poor mothers?" With a sly look, she winked at ChiChi.

Shame faced, the adolescents averted their eyes, finding the ground very interesting.

Meanwhile…….. the Z fighters had traveled quickly and would soon reach their destination. Away from the mob, things were looking up, not all was lost, and there would be answers. It was this moment that the unthinkable happened.

Far above sea, soaring with birds Gohan and Trunks flew. It was then, that the space around them began do to strange things, the air began to warp. The expanse of space surrounding them seemed to distort itself. 'What the..' was Gohan's last thought before he was wracked with a series of spasms. Excruciating pain danced up his spine, it felt like his nerves were burning themselves out. He could barely catch Trunks' accompanying screams through the haze. His vision turned red and he was lost in a storm of agony.

Ahead, the Supreme Kai stopped dead. He could hear and feel their screams. Their pain broadcast itself aloud and mentally Shin could taste its echo. Gripping his elbows, he shouted at Obito, "We've got to get to them, somethings horribly wrong!" With that he dashed off, speeding past the astonished Z Warriors, Obito fast on his heels.

Though only the briefest time had elapsed, Trunks felt as if the pain was all he'd ever known. Their insides wrenched around and the Saiyans were unable to control themselves. Falling, their bodies accelerated constantly toward Earth. Shin reached forward neatly catching Gohan in his small grip and Obito gently cradled Trunks' shivering form. Their convulsions had lasted only a few seconds, but the pain.. 'oh the pain!' Shin felt the shadows of it, his mind recoiled and withdrew deeply. The Supreme Kai's body gave an involuntary clench at the small sample of torture.

Caught up in the in the anxiousness of the situation, Goku and the gang had followed. Seeing Gohan and Trunks caused mixed reactions. Mirai Gohan turned deathly pale and Videl gazed at him in confusion and concern. Piccolo gripped his chest tightly over his heart. Gohan was wearing the uniform Piccolo had given him all those years ago His other clawed hand reached out to the agonizing boy unconsciously, his expression tender. Eyes reeling in surprise, Vegeta gazed at his pained son. Feeling his stare, Trunks opened and met Vegeta, "Hello dad," he said before promptly passing out.

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Thank you sooooooooooooooo much for reading. And please let me remind you that, if you don't review, I won't know whether to write more. So thanks again!

missgohan