Chapter 12

Happy Birthday Gohan!

Goku ran up to Nicole who had collapsed, "Are you okay?" he asked.

He then felt something slap his head "What kind of stupid question is that!" Casey demanded "Her best friend is trying to kill her father! And vice versa…how would you feel?"

Goku rubbed his head "I'm sorry I asked" he said.

Casey turned to Nicole "Nicole, do you want to see this?" she asked.

Nicole was holding her knees tightly against her chest and slightly rocking which was truly worrying Casey and she felt she may have to take drastic measures in order to calm her down. Nicole shook her head "I don't want to fight" she said "I don't want any of us to fight."

Casey nodded "Then forgive this."

She reached out and a slight flash set off on her hand, instantly Nicole collapsed against Trunks who was behind her. "What did you do?" Trunks asked.

"I put her to sleep" Casey told him "She should remain that way for at least six hours…if we're lucky Vegeta and Tristal will get off their high horses by then."

"I'm afraid that won't happen until one either knocks the other unconscious at the brink of distruction, or death" Goku replied "You know Tristal better than us…and we know Vegeta better than you. But if her determination meets his even a bit then neither will give up this fight."

Casey nodded in understanding.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Tristal dodged his blasts before disappearing and reappearing in front of him hitting him in the jaw with a fist. His head swung back and the turned back with a punch of his own. It then locked them in physical combat.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Amy looked up at the sky as clouds began to gather around, "Something's happening" she said "Something bad."

Tien nodded "We'd better get up to Kami's lookout."

Amy nodded, she cried out in surprise when Tien picked her up bridal style and began to fly off.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Kate looked up as the clouds darkened the sky, she knew immediately who it was. "Tristal" she said.

Yamcha looked along the skies "Tristal?" he asked "Tristal's doing this?"

Kate jumped up and wrapped her arms around Yamcha "Go to the lookout!" she demanded.

Yamcha knew that something was seriously wrong…so he obeyed. He immediately took off into the sky.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Piccolo watched the two fighting "Niether will give in" he stated "If they keep this up they won't have anything left to fight Cell."

Casey was pissed off beside him "She's playing with him! I can't believe this! It's like she's turned into a Saiyan!" she turned to Trunks beside her "this is your fault" she accused with a finger "You're spending too much time with you! Have you screwed her? That's it isn't it? You two did some sort of Saiyan mating dance in the full moonlight and she came out like this!"

Everyone's attention had now turned from the fight to Casey. They were all looking at her like she's grown another head or three.

"Huh?" they all asked dumbly.

Casey thought about her words "Okay maybe you didn't do that but come on! What the hell is with her!"

No one had an answer.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Tristal got Vegeta in a lock "Give it up Vegeta" she told him "You can't beat me."

"I'll beat you if it's the last thing you do!" he told her.

"You can't beat me Vegeta…let it go."

He wrestled his way out "If I can't beat you…then I won't be able to beat Cell."

She smirked "Perhaps I'm stronger than Cell…but then again I see your point…"

He dove for her and the two locked again in fight.

Suddenly out of nowhere a blast formed and whizzed by them.

The two immediately stopped and turned.

"Stop this the two of you! You're acting like two old women fighting over the last denture at the dentist!" Casey screamed "We don't have time for this! Vegeta, if your so obsessed with fighting the best then why aren't you in the time chamber training to be the best? You won't win against Tristal like this! And Tristal! Stop being such an arrogant bitch for once in your life! Have you forgotten that we need to figure out what to give to Gohan!"

Both fighters look back and forth from the girl on the ground to eachother and back "Don't make me Goku, Piccolo, and Trunks go up there!" she said.

The two made a move for one another when suddenly a screeching voice called out into the sky "VEGETA!"

Vegeta instantly cringed and turned down to see Bulma flying a few feet away in her ship with ChiChi beside her. Both of the women looked very pissed.

Goku's eyes widened when he saw the look on ChiChi's face, instantly and automatically he took several steps back.

ChiChi and Bulma flew up to Vegeta and Tristals' level before opening the front window and both stood up "What do you think you're doing?" Bulma demanded "Are you two fighting each other? Why? Why can't the two of you just work together! I'm not going to lose my life because you're heads are inflated with air!"

"That's right!" ChiChi agreed "If Gohan's dead he won't become a great scholar! You said you'd help with that Tristal! And I won't let you go back on your word!"

The two rolled their eyes before each being grabbed by the ears by Bulma and ChiChi, both cringed in pain "Are you listening to us!" Both girls demanded.

"Yes!" the two warriors replied.

Chichi and Bulma pulled back then sat back satisfied "Alright" ChiChi spoke up "Now no more trying to kill each other before killing Cell alright?"

"Yes, we have more important things to do than inflate your egos," Bulma added.

Vegeta growled "Fine, I'll let her off now, but mark my words Tristal. The moment I beat Kakkarott after the Cell games you and me will end this."

"In other words I have to wait until Goku stops kicking your ass before I start?"

Vegeta moved to hit her but Bulma instantly somehow appeared in front of him "What do you think you're doing?" she demanded "Didn't you just hear what we…"

"Silence woman!" Vegeta told her "I'm going back! Now get out of my face before I blast you!"

He then flew towards the lookout. He picked up Nicole who Trunks was holding and then continued back to the Time Chamber.

Meanwhile everyone turned to Tristal, "Well I hope this makes you happy" Piccolo told her.

She landed on the Lookout "Immensely" she replied, "Oh come on guys. You all know that he needed to be slapped around."

"Slapped you say" they all looked over to see Kate standing in front of a shocked Yamcha "More like you need to be slapped! You didn't slap him Tristal! You almost killed him! Have you completely lost what's left of your mind!"

Tristal gave her a lazy look "Simmer" she said "You need to calm down I…"

Everyone felt a flash then a dissipating power. They turned to see Casey flying away surrounded by a strong red current.

"What's wrong with her?" Tristal asked.

Piccolo landed before Tristal "She knows of your next level" he said "She believes you have betrayed her."

Tristal sighed "Great, well nothing to do but…"

"Apologize!" Kate demanded "You can't just leave it like this! She deserves an apology."

"If I hit her with everything I had she'd be dead!" Tristal turned sharply "I'm sorry that I had to hold back but, I can't exactly just let all my power out! If I do that then Cell will know, I need the element of surprise."

Amy looked shocked "So that means…that…"

Tristal nodded.

Piccolo turned "I will attempt to calm her down."

"Good luck" Tristal called "She's as stubborn as Goku at a feast."

Piccolo grunted then flew off.

Everyone then stood in a uncomfortable silence unknowing what to say or do.

"Well…" Amy spoke up "We'd better get back to…shopping for Gohan."

Kate agreed "Let's go."

Tristal stood as the two turned from her and flew off, she watched them fade in the distance. She chuckled slightly "They're so angry with me Kate forgot about her fear of heights."

"They're not angry at you" Trunks said "Only your actions."

"My actions come from me, therefore they're angry at me" Tristal replied, "But that's okay I guess. For now. I just hope they don't let it carry out to the battle against Cell. We don't need personal vendetta's in this fight."

"You're the one insinuating them!" Tien scowlded.

"I'm sorry Tien," Tristal bit back "I don't speak hypocrite."

Tien growled then dove off the Lookout.

Yamcha knew he'd never win a verbal, physical, or mental match with Tristal. So he gave her a dirty look then jumped off as well. But regretted in when a blast sent him straight to the ground.

Tristal pulled her hand back then turned to Trunks who was looking the other way "So are you two angry at me as well?" she asked.

Goku turned with a surprised look, "Angry? Me?" he asked "Naw! Of course not! I figured you did what you felt you had to. I see no reason to be angry."

She smiled at him. Goku. Always so happy. Sometimes she wished she were more like that, who wouldn't want to find the good in everything and everyone. Someone who didn't hold on to the past or memories that were filled with regret. He only remembered the happy times.

She turned to Trunks "Trunks?" she asked.

Trunks hated the thought of other's being angry at him for foolish mistakes but he found that she needed to understand there were consequences to every action. He turned with purpose "You have to understand Tristal" he said "I love you…but…but you have to learn that everything you do has a consequences. You can't keep doing this…you can't keep playing with other peoples minds and…hearts. Didn't you see Nicole?"
"I know she was upset…"

"She was broken Tristal!"

Tristal took a step back at his anger, she didn't expect that kind of reaction. "Why are you acting like this is something normal?" Trunks demanded.

Tristal turned "Isn't it?" she asked "Why am I suddenly the enemy? Because I tried to protect my friends from myself? You shouldn't be one to accuse! You did the exact same with me!"

Trunks shook his head "I don't want to argue with you Tristal. God couldn't win an argument with you. But you have to understand, there are limits to some things, and you have no regard for any of them."

He turned and flew off.

When he did, she threw her hands in the air "Great, this is perfect."

"Really?" Goku's voice sounded behind her "I think it would kind of…what do you girls say? Suck?"

Tristal turned with a sarcastic look, then shook her head. What an idiot.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

The next day…

"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Gohan! Happy Birthday to you!"

Everyone cheered and clapped as the young boy blew out his candles. "Alright!" ChiChi said "Time to cut the cake!"

"All right!" Goku cheered.

The girls rolled their eyes, Amy began handing out plates to people as Casey saved some extra plates for Goku and Gohan who were bottomless pits. Kate gathered Gohan's presents so he would be able to open them as soon as they finished eating.

"Hey Tristal can you go outside and grab the extra pop we bought!" Amy called.

There was no response.

"Tristal!"

Kate looked up and around in search of Tristal, but she was no where in sight. "Hey Casey?"
Casey looked up from her plate "Huh?" she asked.

"Did you see Tristal?" Kate asked.

"Who cares?" Casey replied coldly turning back to her plate.

Amy walked up beside Kate and sighed "She's still angry about what Tristal did. It's best to leave her alone right now."

Kate nodded "But where's Tristal? Even if her and Casey were fighting she wouldn't miss Gohan's birthday."

Amy shook her head "Don't worry about it Kate, we all know Tristal and most likely she's outside somewhere just blowing off steam, she'll be here."

Kate nodded "Yeah…alright."

X-X-X-XX-X-X-X-X-X

Tristal flew as fast as she could towards Goku's house. She looked at her watch. Late of course. Doesn't matter, all she wanted to do was with Gohan a happy birthday watch him open her present then leave. She didn't have time to deal with the girls PMSing. Cell was coming. It was a simple as that, she couldn't show her true power to either Vegeta or Casey. Not if she wanted to keep the element of surprise with Cell. Did no one understand this?

Suddenly a flash appeared in front of her. She came to a abrupt halt and held her arms up to shield the light, when she put them down she saw a man standing there "Who are you?" she demanded.

"That is not important" he replied as he got into a defensive position "I am here to fight you."

Confusion entered her mind "What?" she asked "I can't fight you."

"It is not your choice" he then dove for her.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Goku lifted his head. "What is it Goku?" ChiChi asked.

"I feel strong ki nearby" Goku said "One is defiantly Tristal…but I don't know who the other is."

"She's probably just trying to blow off some steam" Chichi assured him.

Goku nodded "Maybe…but with who?"

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

The two dove at each other punching, kicking, blocking, and blasting. Tristal disappeared before appearing behind him and slamming him to the ground with her elbow. He immediately attacked her once again throwing a blast at her, she dodged his attacks and raised her hand "Distructo Disc!" she cried as she threw it at him.

It flew passed his head but she took that moment of hesitation on his part to dive into him, they flew into the ground and continued fighting in the dirt.

Tristal flew up and formed a blast in her hand and then threw it towards the cloud. She then grabbed her whip and lashed it behind herself, the whip lashed out and wrapped around the man's neck, she turned to shock him but found him inches away from her. She gasped. He smirked.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Gohan reached for another present and ripped it open. Kate turned before flipping her cell open and beginning to dial Tristal's number, she held it to her head and listened to the rings. "Kate?"

She turned her head up to see Yamcha standing there "Huh?" she asked.

"Gohan just thanked you for your gift" he said.

"Oh!" she turned to see Gohan holding up the sword she'd gotten for him "You're welcome Gohan!"

Gohan smiled.

Kate turned back to her phone. Yamcha reached up and took the phone from her ear "She's not going to answer" he said.

Kate sighed closing her eyes tiredly "I know" she said "I…I just wish she would talk to us."

"She's probably just upset over what happened" he assured her.

"But she wouldn't let something so trivial get to her like that" Kate said "Besides if she knows we think it's her fault all she'll do is avoid us…but she wouldn't miss Gohan's birthday like this."

"Thank you Nicole!" they said turning to see Gohan holding up some kind of training machine.

"It was from me and Vegeta" Nicole smiled.

"That was so sweet Vegeta" Bulma said.

"Shut up woman!" Vegeta replied "it wasn't meant to be a gift!"

"Stop calling me woman!"

"And she defiantly wouldn't' miss an opportunity like this" Kate said.

Yamcha nodded "Well…why don't me and a few guys go out to look for her?" he asked.

Kate shook her head "I couldn't ask that of you" she told him.

"But if we don't I know you'll stay like this."

Kate sighed "But the party…"

"It'll still be here when we get back" Yamcha said "I'll go…"

She moved to protest but he was already gone. She sighed "Damn it Tristal where are you?"

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Tristal cried out as she landed against the tree and fell back to the ground. The package that was in her shirt suddenly fell out, she gasped.

Suddenly a hand reached out and grabbed her before slamming her into another tree. This continued, and before soon she was being thrown through trees. She gritted her teeth in anger, she flipped herself over and then landed on her knees. She turned her head up and glared at him, suddenly the jewel in her head began to glow blue "You" she sneered "You will meet your end for this."

A large energy ball then formed in front of her, it grew larger and larger. Yet the man did not look worried at all, he then reached into his shirt and pulled out a dagger. He then flipped it in his hand then threw it directly at her energy ball.

"Tristal!" A voice called out to her.

The man turned to see Goku flying above them. "Damn it!" he cures turning back to stop the dagger. But it was too late, it cut through the ball and then struck the jewel in her forehead. She reached up and screamed as the jewel suddenly emulated a light and suddenly exploded around them.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Meanwhile…

Trunks took a drink of his punch, he sighed looking out the window. He looked up at the others. They were all crowding the room. "Hey Trunks?"

He turned to see ChiChi standing there "Have you seen Goku?" she asked.

Trunks shook his head "Uh…no…sorry."

ChiChi sighed "He just said something about Tristal and left. He's always so concerned about everyone but himself."

"Tristal?" Trunks asked "Well then, he must've gone to find her."

Chichi smiled and nodded "Then I guess all we have to do is wait for them. Goku always comes back."

Trunks nodded "Just wait, they'll be here."