Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Ball Z or any of its products nor anything associated with it.

Chapter 51

The holidays had ended and the worst of winter was passed. The only places with snow left were the lofty mountains such as Mount Paozu. The group had taken to spending an excessive amount of time there much to Bulma and Gohan's annoyance. The young Saiyan wanted the large group out of his house and frankly off his mountain. The scientist and businesswoman had a different reason, however.

Shortly after the holiday, she had surprised everyone with the announcement of a series of movies being made about them and all of their adventures. Erasa was thrilled since that meant money was no longer a problem in the near future. The other humans were quick to fall into the same mindset. The Saiyans had a different viewpoint that had been cemented as the first of many reporters, directors, actors, and more tracked them down for information. Since then everyone had realized exactly how big of a headache it was going to be. As the last place to hide, without the Lookout, the gang had gathered in the mansion with the exception of the Nameks and Bulma herself.

She insisted that they just answer the questions and get it over with, but the questions never seemed to end. Even Goku had grown impatient with the pestering as they had found him in the desert training one morning. As such, the cold outside and locked-tight doors and windows forced the would-be harassers to give up quickly or get frostbite. Vegeta had even taken to sitting atop the house with a super-soaker water gun and drench anyone who dared come near the house or make too much noise.

However, today was different, Erasa and Videl had decided it was time to answer the questions, as best they could anyway. Having sent the much more irritable residents of the house away already, they revealed what they were up to. Needless to say, Yamcha, Chiaotzu, and Krillin weren't pleased as they realized what was going to happen. Miles away, the three Saiyans and Tien descended below the clouds and headed for a deserted island far from any other land, with no inhabitants.

"So, you never really did tell us how they found you of all of us?", Goku asked of the Cyclops as they landed on the beach.

The stoic human seemed to flinch ever so slightly as he hesitated. Gohan quirked an eyebrow, "I know I haven't exactly talked to you much in my life, but I thought you were some sort of badass? If I'm right, you're even stronger than Krillin now. Why are you flinching?"

"I agree with the boy, why are you scared of some weaklings? They're annoying, but they're best defense is that Bulma won't let us just blast them", Vegeta chipped in as he headed for a fruit tree he had spotted.

The other two Saiyans stared as they waited. Slowly, the muscled man began to explain, "Well, Launch sort of went nuts. Some locals in a village that we were helping recognized Chiaotzu and, well, in all the commotion a lot of dust was kicked up. Needless to say, she was not pleased."

"That makes no damn sense", Vegeta grumbled as he carried an armful of apricots and one in his hand that he was munching on around the large seed in the center.

"Well, it made her sneeze", Tien tried to explain.

Before any more could be said, the aforementioned seed was spit at an amazing speed to collide with Tien's temple as Vegeta spoke louder, "That still doesn't explain anything."

"Oh right, you've never met her. She has this odd problem that when she sneezes, her hair and personality change entirely. That just leaves another question, why was she with exactly? Last time I saw her and you at the same time was with you heading out full speed ahead, and she was determined to catch up", Goku summarized.

"She caught up", Tien stated with something resembling pride in his voice.

Goku proceeded to talk to the cyclops as Vegeta caught Gohan's eye and nodded to the nearby forest. Gohan followed the flamed haired prince until they stopped at his discretion. Vegeta closed his eyes as he seemed to listen. Satisfied that he was out of earshot of the others, he turned to the tall teen.

"I need a favor, two actually", Vegeta began.

Gohan smirked, "Aw, did the little prince piss off his mate again?"

"Cut the crap", Vegeta's rough voice was level and serious as he stared Gohan down.

Gohan nodded, "Alright, I'm all ears."

"There's something coming. Whatever this damn thing in my head is, it's growing stronger, and worse it's growing clearer. That can only mean that it's getting close. I know that my conditions have limited your own progress and I normally wouldn't care, but I need you to be ready. You're strong but you're still looking for own way. As much as I hate to admit it, you aren't at your peak yet. Your energy is still wild and mostly untamed. Sure, you have excellent control in combat but that's it. We know that these guys want energy, Dende being drained confirmed as much. Own that shit, it might keep them from targeting you right away, which would be a massive bonus for us", Vegeta lectured.

"Okay, I get that. I'll work on meditating more, probably a good thing with everyone in my damn house anyways. Now, what's the second favor?", Gohan asked.

Vegeta bit the inside of his cheek as he thought for a moment, "I need to know that you won't make the same mistakes that I have. If you see a chance to get stronger but it seems like the easy way out I want you to still take it. As long as you've earned it then power is still power no matter the route you take. Don't take on more than you've earned, more than you're capable of, but don't let your pride control every action you make."

Gohan raised his eyebrows, "That's some pretty serious life advice. Wait, is this like an uncle and nephew moment?"

"I swear, if I lose control again I'm coming for you first", Vegeta muttered as the serious moment shattered.

"Well, you won't be a threat for long then", Gohan shot back.

The elder Saiyan shook his head as he guided them back to the others for a day of light training. Without getting too serious, due to Vegeta, the four took to mostly observing one another and suggesting, or demanding corrections. It wasn't long before they had sensed out the lower power levels back on the mountain and pieced it all together.

"She tricked us", Vegeta muttered.

Tien and Gohan grunted while Goku tried to change the topic, "We got a decent day out of it though! It's warm, the sun is shining, and…"

"There's nothing else to add, Dad. We were tricked and we made the best of it. However, we aren't training hard enough to really distract me and I'm getting hungry. Anyone else?", Gohan queried.

Three head nods later and Vegeta took lead, "Let's go see the woman. If she isn't around we'll get that airheaded mother of her's."

Back on the still cold mountain sat four overwhelmed Earthlings as an overflowing room full of people stood. While it wasn't a mess of shouting and clambering it was still an endless stream of questions. At last, Videl stood from her seat by Erasa, "Alright, that's all the questions. If you need to know more then please email them to Bulma Briefs. She will compile them and let everyone know to answer them."

Surprisingly, the crowd didn't argue as they thanked the four and began to head for the door. Erasa waited till everyone was gone and turned to the others, "I know it was horrible, but at least it's done for now. Plus, it'll get everyone some money a little sooner."

"Yeah, I guess you need it after housing all of us lately. Man, having to feed three Saiyans must have been painful. Thanks though!", Yamcha rattled on as he headed for the front door.

"Yamcha", Krillin's voice chastised.

The former bandit stopped and hung his head, "Look, I'll pay them back for my part. I just don't have any cash on me."

"Good thing they take checks then since that's what I gave them. Tien at least helped hunt and fish every day. It's not like you're expected to pay for Vegeta, just yourself, you tightwad", Krillin continued.

Yamcha meekly nodded as he tossed his capsule to the ground that held his bag. Grabbing his checkbook out, he filled one out to Erasa and beat a hasty retreat. The blonde laughed weakly before turning to Krillin, "Shouldn't he be pretty rich from baseball?"

"He should but he's not. If it wasn't for Pruar then he'd stay broke. Every extra Zeni he makes is spent on either fast cars, strong drinks, or women that look an awful lot like a teenage Bulma", the ex-monk sounded almost sad.

"Really?", Videl cut in, "That would've been before I was even born. He's still crushing on a teenager that's a grown woman now?"

Krillin laughed, "Yeah, it's pretty sad, but it really is a problem. If Vegeta ever got wind of it, he'd either kill him or make him the laughing stock of the world somehow."

Wrapping up the conversation, the short bald man bid his farewells and left to gather his wife up from her brother's. The two girls shut the door behind him and let out twin sighs of relief at the nearly empty and quiet house. Erasa turned towards the raven-haired teen, "Aren't you going to Seventeen's? It's been nearly a week."

"I'm ready for some alone time and a lot of quiet. I'll go see him tomorrow", She explained.

With the fresh sense of calm, the two girls stood to head towards their rooms as the air shifted and a new power could be felt behind them. Turning quickly, they came face to face a hulking inky beast and a small cloaked figure. The hood and cloak obscured any distinguishable details about the newcomer except for the thin, frail hands with yellowed claws and covered in mottled green skin

The massive beast caught the eye more. With dead eyes and a completely bald head, it glared down at them. The arms were longer, almost like an orangutan. It's massive shoulders rose and fell with each powerful breath between its mouthful of tombstone shaped teeth, perfect for crushing. Its skin was a swirl of black and grey. It's head brushed the top of the high ceiling.

"Hello, girls", the short figure croaked out as it pulled off the hood to reveal it's elongated head with a catfish face, "My name is Babidi. I need you both to just stay calm."

Videl stood proud beside Erasa as she spoke, "Why should we, and did you seriously have your hood up just for dramatic effect? How stupid."

"Does no one appreciate theatrics any more? Whatever, it doesn't matter. If you stay calm and cooperate with me, then everyone gets to live a little longer. If not, then I'm afraid that Kada here will have to see to you, and it's been quite some time since he had a play thing", Babidi gave an empty grin as he rested an arm on the beast beside him.

Before either of the girls could reply, the others powers began to spike and climb. Gohan's and Goku's both rose as the power known as Dabura could be felt near them. Vegeta's simply disappeared. He couldn't be felt anywhere on the planet.

"You're already attacking the others, why the hell would we listen to you?", Erasa nearly demanded from the seeming weak being. Then she could sense their power, as if a curtain had been pulled aside. Babidi's was small but had an odd feel to it. Kada on the other hand was every bit as strong as a Super Saiyan.

Babidi cackled, "You can't defeat me, and no one even knows to help you. I can limit how well a power can be sensed, and right now no one can sense any of us. They'll come but they won't know what to expect. What's more, that infuriating man with the crazy hair can't just pop in and ruin this attempt. So, will you cooperate?"

Erasa glanced to Videl as they both nodded and faced forward with a palm each extended, "Kaioken!"

Two right feet slammed into Kada's head as they kicked him out the door with everything they had. Pursuing and dropping the draining technique, the two split apart once in the open air. The massive figure laid stock still before lumbering to its feet. Babidi followed outside with a yellow bubble surrounding him, "Kada, show these brats what happens to those who don't listen!"

Kada showed no signs of listening as he just stood stock still. Videl took the lead and shot down towards him, unleashing a rain of Ki blasts on her descent. Pulling up at the last moment, she almost clipped the top of the still standing form as Erasa fazed in front of the cloud of dust and threw her right arm behind her head with the left clasping her wrist.

"Masenko...ha!", she yelled as the yellow beam crashed head on into the beast. Flying back up, the two regrouped as the giant seemed unfazed by their teamwork. Videl grit her teeth while Erasa spoke up, "Do you think he doesn't want to fight?"

"I don't think that thing thinks!", Videl snapped.

"Kada! Kada, are you listening to me? I said beat those two, now do it!", Babidi screeched before taking a breath and starting again calmly, "Forget it, I'll just make you do it. Parapapa!"

A flash of dim light and the monster seemed to come to life. Babidi grinned up at the two, "Sorry, he's always messed up everytime I teleported him. It's something I just haven't been able to fix yet. It won't matter for too much longer though. Kada, kill them."

Without any visible warnings, the inky mass was in between them with a massive fist crashing down on each of them. As soon as they regained their bearings, they split up and attacked from different angles. Erasa engaged him head on, still having a slight lead thanks to Namek, while Videl preformed fly by attacks at any opening she could find.

Suddenly, one of the already massive fists grew a little as Kada grabbed Erasa out of the air and encased her torso in his one handed grasp. With the other, he formed a basic Ki blast and pointed it towards Videl. The pig tailed teen was unsure of defending herself or saving her friend so when the blast suddenly tripled in size and launched towards her she was caught head on. Blasted from the sky and dazed, she crashed to the ground in a heap. Kada wound other arm back and threw Erasa like a javelin straight for the ground faster than she could recover.

Videl groaned as she struggled back to her feet and saw Erasa doing the same a short ways away, "You think you could pull a times ten?"

Erasa hacked up dirt and spit as she nodded her head. Both girls stood straighter and went to power up as Kada launched for them again. Videl was targeted first and forced back as the monster destroyed everything between them. Erasa finished stabilizing her power and crouched down as she yelled, "Kaioken times ten!"

Ignoring the instant strained and tearing feeling, she launched forwards and sunk a fist in his back only to have it literally sink in up to her elbow. As she went to pull back, it solidified. Being drug along behind the action, she could only listen and watch as she struggled to rip free while Videl was barely surviving.

"Videl, get away!", Erasa shouted as she forced her fingers to straighten out in the slimy insides of the monster. Watching Videl narrowly slip around to the side she forced her intensified power out, "Grand Smite!"

The red cone ripped the inky mass in half and tossed the pieces forward. Cutting the energy, Erasa cradled her bruised and busted arm as her red aura began to flicker.

Far from the mountain and one sided battle, Goku was fighting to control an enraged Gohan from killing the only source of information. As Dabura appeared Vegeta collapsed with no power radiating off of him. The demon looked down at the Saiyan prince with a snarl, "I can't figure out why my master wants him so badly. In my opinion, the two of you are much more useful, but he insist that we would never be able to turn you."

Reaching down, he grabbed a fist full of the black hair and roughly lifted Vegeta while shaking him. Gohan shoved Goku aside, "What the hell did you do to him?"

"Careful now, I wouldn't want you to get all worked up and get yourself killed. My master has big plans for you", Dabura chided.

Gohan lunged forward before Goku could stop him, only to have Dabura swing Vegeta by the hair like a rope and knock him aside, "Really, I expected more. A lot of power was diverted to me for this so please do make it worthwhile."

Gohan rocketed forward again as he slid into his ascended state and began to fight the devil. Blow for blow, the two tore through the frightened city. Goku started to go after him until something caught his attention. Krillin was headed back for Mount Paozu when he had just left earlier. Then he disappeared. Goku stretched his senses out and realized that he couldn't sense Krillin, Videl, or Erasa.

"No, Gohan! We don't have time for this. Get back home, I think the girls are in trouble!", Goku ordered as he launched towards the battling duo. Entering with a solid punch, he knocked Dabura aside as lighting swarmed across his orange Gi and his hair stood on golden ends.

Gohan looked back to where Vegeta had been dropped carelessly, "He isn't going to tell us anything, so don't hesitate to kill him."

Before Goku could reply to the cold hearted reply his son was already shooting off into the afternoon sky. Facing front, he saw his red skinned enemy step out of the rubble and dust himself off, "You caught on faster than I thought you would."

"Good, maybe he'll get there in time", Goku replied calmly.

"Your son didn't seem to inherit your calmness in battle. What a shame. I wonder how far he'll fall when he sees that yellow haired woman dead at his feet", Dabura goaded as he floated back up to the same level.

Goku sunk into his stance, "That's not going to happen."

"Maybe not this time, but maybe so. Then again, when Vegeta is doing what he's told we could have him to the deed. Do you think Gohan could kill one for the other? He seems like he could, but looks can be deceiving", Dabura stated.

Goku grimaced as his son's advice suddenly didn't seem too harsh. Dabura smirked and continued, "You know, if you'd let that anger show through more often we could use you. Then you could be the one to kill her. Could Gohan kill you for her? Or Piccolo? Or Krillin? Any one of you could fall next if you aren't careful."

"Enough talk, let's have that rematch", Goku let his Ki form a vortex around him as he forced his mind to focus even as he itched to go help his family.

Gohan ripped across the countryside and up the mountain as his home came into view. Suddenly, an explosion blew dirt and debris up and caught him by surprise. Frantically searching, he spotted Krillin fighting to get from his hands and knees to his feet but with no energy coming from him. Flying in closer and faster, he spotted Videl at the end of a trench into the forest. Erasa laying on her back in the middle of the battlefield as she labored just to sit up.

Landing in front of Krillin and Kada, he fixed the beast with a glare, "So, you're the newest freak? What the hell do you have to say for this!"

"He doesn't have anything to say. Now, might I just say that it is an honor to finally meet the man who has caused me such problems. However, I need you to die now. Kada, if you will", Babidi announced as he marched off the front porch toward Krillin as he collapsed. Before Gohan could move to intercept him, a large midnight black fist was heading for his jaw.

Tilting his head aside, he flicked a hand up and forwards, "Grand Smite." The blast ripped through the beast and shoved it back as Gohan turned back towards Babidi in time to see him bury a clay jar with a pointed spout on it into his belly. Gohan rushed forward as suddenly he disappeared. A flash of color off to the side caught his attention as Babidi reappeared.

"Gohan, watch out!", Erasa's weak cry came a little too late as Gohan was sent flying forward from a sudden blast. Shaking himself off, he spotted Kada standing before him, fully healed and ready to go. Gohan sunk into his stance as he prepared to fight as a flapping sound alerted him to more company. Turning his head slightly, Gohan watched a white caped figure land beside him.

"Kada, it's getting a little crowded here, let's go", Babidi commanded. In an instant, the large beast was by it's master's side and the two were gone. Simultaneously, Dabura's power vanished while Vegeta's returned. Gohan rushed towards the house and hurried back out with the small bag of Senzu beans that he had. In moments, Goku had teleported to them and shoved the last bean into Vegeta's mouth as the nearly comatose prince slowly chewed and swallowed.

"Gohan, what happened? Why'd they leave?", Krillin asked hesitantly.

Gohan shrugged as he let Erasa tend to the minor injuries he had before she moved onto Goku, since they were short two beans, "I don't know. Maybe he didn't want to risk another follower, or if that really was the leader then maybe he didn't feel safe any longer with Piccolo here as well. Thanks by the way."

With an obvious struggle to acknowledge him without Dende's aid, Piccolo nodded his head. Erasa decided to pipe up, "Well, he said that he never acted right after teleporting and that he hadn't been able to fix it or something. It almost sounded like he made it, but it had a power reading."

"You sure? I couldn't sense any of you until after he had left", Goku asked.

"The short one, Babidi, could block it out. What happened to you though, Vegeta?", Videl asked.

"He tried to take control of me and I fought him, but even with all of this meditation all I could manage was to shut my body down really", came the dead toned reply.

"You okay? You sound a little out of it", Goku asked with concerned.

Vegeta slowly lifted his eyes up to face the others, "He wants our power. He drained mine from me. That's what he took from Krillin. That's why he had Piccolo and the others killed. He can drain it easily with that jar but it's a big risk if something happens, so he normally just siphons it off as we fight his people."

"What does he want it for?" Piccolo pressed suddenly.

Vegeta shook his head, "I don't know, I couldn't get anything else out of the link. I can tell you this though, he got a lot tonight."