We will not repeat the same mistakes
A/N: Hello! New chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ! However, I do own any new OC in this story.
Chapter 14: It's only the beginning
The fighters were all thinking, analyzing the situation in front of them. Piccolo kept a close eye on the tanks, and tried to meditate. Bulma was thinking about everything that happened but in vain, the blue haired genius couldn't reach a logical conclusion "UGHH! This is so frustrating! I don't understand how. You told us they all need to be gathered. Why now and not during the gala? It doesn't make sense. They were reunited much longer during the gala. No, something's not right."
She tried to take a cigarette but earned a glare from Vegeta and stopped. The Supreme Kai looked at her with a neutral face and excused himself. He stepped out of the room and went in direction of the regeneration tanks. He crossed a living room where he saw the high school girls sitting together but ignored their conversation. He quickly glanced at the tanks and saw indeed the two fighters. He then called his assistant "Kibito, I will stay here for the moment. Explain what I told you to our guests and let them start. Once we will start discussing the situation, I will call you back. Reach King Yemma and tell him we need a crystal ball. It's better you can see what's happening here."
On the girls' side, they were all relieved to see their classmate and his father alive. Erasa asked Videl how she knew and she told her it was a hunch. After they all recuperated and stressed out, Lime excused herself to bring water. Erasa smiled at Videl and then smirked at her "Sooo Vi… Since we have nothing better to do. Wanna tell me where you were last night?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb with me."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Erasa raised an eyebrow at her, clearly unconvinced "I woke up many times during the night and you weren't in your bed."
"I came back late and you were already asleep. And you know I jog in the morning."
"Just how late did you come back?"
"I don't remember. And what's with the interrogation?"
"Geez Vi, calm down I didn't mean. Kami what's gotten into you? I know you are stressed but still. If you wanna talk tell me, there's no need to yell."
"I don't want to talk. Just let me think."
She got up and left an astonished blonde girl and bumped into Lime on her way out "What's gotten into her?"
"Beats me. She got so defensive when I was talking with her."
Both girls looked back at the door but decided to leave her alone for the moment.
Videl found the garden and eavesdropped at the conversation. She could hear Vegeta scream at Piccolo. She noticed the Saiyan Prince was arguing that they should train or fight instead of waiting while Piccolo claimed the opposite. She quickly entered and found Chi-Chi and Bulma sitting on a couch.
"Hey, can I join?"
"Videl sweetie. Of course, come on. I was just asking Bulma about you. How are you?"
"Better. What's going on?"
Bulma sighed, keeping a solid glare at her husband "This idiot I call my husband wants to train more. We think it's foolish and we should stay on the defensive and wait."
Videl saw Vegeta frown at them "NO ONE TELLS ME WHAT TO DO."
"SHUT UP VEGETA. We're all in this mess together. If Goku and Gohan couldn't fight them, do you really think that getting your stupid ass beaten would help?"
"SHUT UP WOMAN. I am not gonna let this low class clown make a fool of me. If he lost it's because he is weak."
Everyone remained silent as the couple kept sending daggers at one another. Then, to everyone's surprise, Videl spoke "I think we should wait a little. At least until they wake up. After that, maybe they can explain the situation better and we can prepare accordingly. I don't see why you are arguing since you can train here."
Vegeta glared at her before Shin spoke up "I agree with the girl. If you wish to train more, suit yourself. But no one leaves this place. We can't afford another fighter down."
They all nodded and went their separate ways and Bulma saw Videl reaching the windows, looking at the sky. She decided to keep her alone and failed to notice the dark smirk on her face.
Back on the Supreme Kai's planet, Goku and Gohan were getting ready for their training. Kibito found them and changed their clothes to the Kai's traditional orb, claiming they had to respect the place they were in and he started to explain everything Shin told him "The Supreme Kai has informed himself on you Saiyans. You indeed are a fascinating specie with an unlimited amount of power. You already surpassed the Super Saiyan of Legends. However, there is more. An old prophecy talks about a celestial transformation that only the ones who fight selflessly can reach. But this transformation has its drawbacks since only people who regret nothing can achieve it. I surely hope that you, Goku, have no regrets, because you will train here to reach it.
You, Gohan, will have to face something else. Because of all the bitterness you sense, it will be hard for you to reach this form and, even though we know you are capable of such, we cannot afford to lose time waiting for you to make peace with yourself. You will follow me to the Sacred Mountain of the Kais to retrieve an old artefact. It is said that only the people who fight for what is right can use it, and they will be granted an exceptional power, if an authentic bond can be created.
We don't have much time but I trust the both of you. The Supreme Kai has informed me that your group of friends will wait for you to get out of the tanks to study their next move. This will give you around five hours before we are called again. Once I will send each one of you to his location, I will have to excuse myself for a moment."
The father and son duo nodded at each other before being directed to their respective spots. Goku was sent to a clearing alone, claiming it would be easier for his training if he was at peace while Gohan followed Kibito to the mountain "I will leave you here. I'm sure it will be easy for you to climb it. Remember, you are not allowed to fly, or you will find no end to the mountain and will always remain near the ground. I hope you will find what you need in yourself to form a bound with it."
"Just what exactly is this artefact?"
"You will see for yourself. Its shape can alter slightly depending on your character and reason to fight. Each universe is granted a sacred artefact, designed especially for this universe's need. However, only the Supreme Kai is allowed to reach it. I personally never saw it before with my own eyes. But with Shin's permission, you will be allowed to climb and reach it."
Gohan nodded and looked at Kibito who left. He then looked up and saw clouds concealing the end and prepared himself for the climbing.
He felt like he had been climbing for hours. It wasn't hard for him, he had a strong stamina and was barely sweating, but he started to get irritated Darn it, just how much climbing do I still need to do? Kami, I've been at it for hours. He scoffed and continued. After what felt like an eternity, he saw the summit. He quickly rushed but saw nothing. He looked again, and again, and again. Nothing. "Are you fucking kidding me? Don't tell me this idiot got the wrong mountain." He then heard what resembled a lightning bolt and looked up, noticing what looked like a box. He quickly flew upward and saw a big hammer. It was silver with a weird looking design that Gohan couldn't understand, but the handle was made of a simple metal, with no designs whatsoever. Several electric bolts were coming out of it but he could feel a warm aura emanating from it, keeping it at peace. He tried to reach it before he could feel himself electrocuted and sent back to the ground. He cursed and looked back at it, noticing a now purple aura around it; needless to say, it wasn't happy to see him. He looked at the sun to guess the time but in vain and he started focusing, trying to find a way to bound with the artefact. His meditation was cut with his father coming to get him, claiming their other selves have awoken and they teleported to Kibito, waiting for them with a crystal ball.
In CC, the tension was getting bigger. Vegeta locked himself in the GR and wouldn't even let his older son enter. The kids were starting to get irritated at all the rules and wanted to get out to play, but Bulma snapped at them and yelled. The girls quickly intervened and took the kids to play while the CC heiress was rubbing her temples, thinking. The girls were able to keep the kids distracted before Hina asked Videl to play with her, a request that was denied with a dark frowning. The younger Saiyan got chills and quickly hid behind Lime.
"Hey sweetie, what's the matter?"
"It's Videl. She's scarry."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. I wanted to play then she glared at me. I thought she was going to kill me."
Lime frowned at the comment and looked at Erasa "Don't worry. She is just tired from everything that happened. I'm sure once Gohan will wake up, she will play with you. Now, go find Goten and Trunks and see who can make the highest card castle."
Hina jumped and quickly rushed, leaving the two girls alone.
"Highest card castle? What was that?"
"I don't know. And stop laughing at me. I panicked."
"I'll try."
The girls continued laughing before they heard Krillin's voice echo in the hallways "GUYS. They're awake."
They all rushed and saw the tanks open. They were all relieved when the fighters stepped out, unscratched. They waited for them to regain their senses and Piccolo changed their clothes and they found their way to the garden. Chi-Chi rushed at them when she saw them and hugged them, tears falling, while the twins were holding their legs. However, Shin cut their reunion short and coughed, gaining everyone's attention. "I hate to stop this heartwarming reunion, but I guess we have more urgent matter to discuss here. Goku and Gohan, could you explain what happened?"
Both fighters remained quiet and Vegeta laughed at them "What? Were you this traumatized? Pff, weaklings. What are we waiting for? We should attack now."
"Enough Vegeta. We don't know the extent of their powers. Goku what happened?"
"I don't remember. It happened too fast. I barely got the time to react I found myself tackled to the ground. Everything after it is just black."
Shin raised an eyebrow and waited. He called Kibito to ask him where they found Goku and his assistant claimed that Gohan was the one they retrieved from within the ground. He told them to use the crystal ball to analyze the fighters standing and listen closely to the conversation. Kibito asked Goku and Gohan to evaluate with him while they were hearing everything.
They were all together thinking as the androids enter the room, healed. They were all reassured and continued their discussion. Tien looked at the group "I suggest we divide ourselves and search for them. We should be able to sense their presence. An aura this dark surely can't be hidden."
Goku frowned at him "NO! We have to stay here. Going there is suicide. We should wait for them to appear on their own."
Krillin looked at him "Why? They don't have a body yet. We can stop them before they escape."
"No. It's useless. We stay here on the defensive."
Everyone was surprised at the earth-raised Saiyan but stopped arguing. Piccolo looked at Mirai who nodded in agreement and glared at Shin while Tien and Krillin continued talking "Since we cannot fight them. Let's try to find a way to stop them before they escape."
"I agree. There must be something we missed."
Mirai nodded and looked at Gohan before Lime whispered in his ear "Hey. Isn't his tail missing?"
"I was just thinking about it. Wait. Hey Gohan? Where is your tail?"
"What do you mean?"
"Yeah. Was it cut during the battle?"
"I guess. It wasn't when I woke up."
The response clearly didn't convince the time traveler who kept a close eye on his best friend.
Bulma asked the girls to take the kids to play so they wouldn't distract them, but Videl claimed she preferred to stay and think with them and the CC heiress agreed, thinking they needed all the help they could get. They were all thinking before Mirai raised his head alertly and looked around him "Hey! Where is this aura coming from?"
Piccolo nodded and then eyed Shin who backed from the group, clearly talking with someone. He motioned at Mirai to follow him and found the Supreme Kai "I guess you have some explaining to do."
Shin looked at them and sighed "What I'm about to tell must remain secret. These figures aren't Gohan and Goku. We found their bodies before Videl and they were already dead. They then vanished in front of us, surely so they can keep their bodies in the Otherworld."
"WHAT? And why didn't you say anything?"
"I want to get as much answers as possible from them. Something's not right but we cannot afford to lose any intel. Kibito is observing them as we speak, analyzing them. Don't say a word. We are trying to understand the meaning of their presence without alerting Hela and Loki. If they discover we know of their infiltration, they will surely get on the offensive."
They nodded and went back to find the group. They saw the girls seated on the couches and the boys near them and they joined them.
On the Kais' planet, Goku and Gohan were keeping a close eye on their substitutes. They were trying to understand what was happening before Gohan looked at Kibito "Could you please repeat what the Supreme Kai said? The thing about the group of fighter reunited?"
"When the group of fighter resurrected is joined together, Hela gets a power boost like no other."
"No not like this. Can you repeat it as the story dictate it?"
"She should combine in one place all the strong fighters who were brought back to life using the dragon balls."
"Thanks. Something's odd."
"What is it son?"
"I don't know dad. Let me think."
They continue to look at the ball and heard Mirai ask the same question to Shin. The half-Saiyan listened closely to the analysis of his friend and mother before his father called him "Son, what's up with Videl? She seems so stressed."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I don't know, look, she is always frowning. It looks like she is ready to attack anytime now."
"That's weird. I don't know. Wait, let me hear Trunks and Bulma."
He heard Bulma repeat Shin's sentence over and over again before something struck him and Mirai at the same time. He looked in horror at the ball and then heard Mirai scream "WE HAVE TO GET SOMEONE OUT OF HERE AND FAST!"
Goku looked at his son and asked what happened. Gohan looked at him in horror and explained "We misunderstood. We thought we should only pay attention to the fighters who were brought back using a wish. We forgot about the fighters who were brought back indirectly."
"You mean… Vegeta on Namek? Trunks after Cell?"
"And 17. They were all brought back indirectly when we wished for the dead people to come back to life. And now they are all present together. In one place."
"But, I'm not there."
Kibito looked at them and spoke "This is why this substitute of you is present. They must have taken your essence."
Goku frowned "What you said is, this weird looking thing that looks like me, is my essence? But how?"
"It is possible once someone is merely alive to remove its essence and conceal it. It's the old technique that gave birth to King Yemma's ability to give the dead warriors a body after their death. But since the body is on earth, it can regain its physical properties but it will be weaker since it is missing a soul and it can't sustain much, therefore it's raw power is weaker than usual and it cannot support a strong impact. They must have used this technique to ensure you are there, this is why some characteristics are missing, such as Gohan's tail. And if that is the case, it means that they should keep you reunited much longer for the power to reach its maximum since this body is weaker than the original."
"And how can they make sure we all stay together enough?"
Gohan looked in horror at the crystal ball and his eyes widened as he said "They have a spy inside of us. But how?"
He didn't get the time to think he heard his father shout "KIBITO. We have to warn Shin and fast."
The assistant Kai nodded and talk with Shin who told them Mirai reached the same conclusion as they saw Yamcha holding Chiaotzu and leaving CC as fast as he could. But the duo barely had the time to leave that Gohan froze.
"Gohan? SON! What happened?"
The latter barely spoke they saw a wall of smoke in the crystal ball and the communication was cut short. Goku looked at Kibito "WHAT HAPPENED?"
"It seems they got attacked. I don't know what happened."
Goku cursed and heard his son whisper "It was Videl." His eyes quickly widened and he yelled "WHAT DO YOU MEAN VIDEL?"
"I DON'T KNOW DAD. I saw her eyes. They were green instead of blue and then everything exploded."
They looked at Kibito who was in deep thinking "I don't know for sure. It could have been mind control. But I can't be sure since I never heard of a control that can change a physical property. Are you sure her eyes' color changed?"
"Yes. I'm positive her eyes have a deep blue color. They certainly aren't green."
"We have to ask Shin to be sure. It could either be mind control or possession of spirit. Either ways, we are in big danger."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN MIND CONTROL OR POSSESSION OF SPIRIT! THIS FUCKING SON OF A…"
"GOHAN! Don't you dare continue this sentence. We discussed this. You have to control your anger. We cannot do mistakes anymore."
"BUT DAD!"
"NO BUTS. I already told you we have to prepare for the worst. Even if it is Videl. Right now, she should be the least of your worries. We have to train NOW! You need to retrieve the artefact."
"Indeed. There is no more time to waste." They looked in the direction of the voice and saw the Supreme Kai's appearing in front of them.
Goku quickly glared at him "What happened?"
"They escaped. We need to prepare and fast."
"That doesn't answer my question. What happened there? More importantly, why are you here? Shouldn't you stay with them to protect them?"
"It's useless now. Your lookalikes were destroyed and Hela is no longer there."
Gohan looked at him and snapped "WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO LONGER THERE? HOW CAN YOU BE THIS DULL AND LET HER ESCAPE!"
Kibito glared at him as he spoke "You watch your mouth young boy. It's no way to speak with the Supreme Kai. Master could you explain the situation?"
Shin looked at Gohan and nodded "I understand your frustration. I will explain what happened.
I am sure that you heard Mirai Trunks reaching the conclusion that the writings were misunderstood. When he said that, Chiaotzu felt a strong headache that was due to the interference of the mind control with his telekinetic powers. Since we had to get someone out fast, Yamcha took him and left, claiming he should be as far away as possible from them, to avoid endangering him. We were all looking at one another but one girl, Lime if I recall, took Mirai Trunks aside and started asking him about your lookalikes. Because of all the questions she asked, he had to tell them they were fake. Since she knew the truth, while everyone was talking, she kept a close look at you and the surroundings and she happened to look in Videl's direction and froze. We saw her reaction and quickly asked what happened and she pointed at her with horror. She was barely able to state a sentence but your blonde friend looked at her and understood and draw our attention to her eyes. She barely got the time to say out loud they were green instead of blue that Videl blasted an attack and smoke flew in the room. Vegeta quickly attacked her while Piccolo and Mirai Trunks attacked your lookalikes. They quickly got rid of them since they were mere imitations but it was already too late. We felt a tall dark figure standing behind us that looked like Loki before he disappeared. Then a dark aura left Videl and materialized in front of us before it vanished. When the smoke evaporated and we noticed their absence, I decided it was best to come back to monitor you and make sure you are prepared. Time is of the essence at the moment."
Goku frowned and looked at Shin who was clearly anxious "What now? Do we know where they are? Was someone hurt?"
"Our only hope is you. They still think you are dead. And it's better this way. We do not want our enemies to know and attack us here. I am sure that Kibito already explained what are your roles. Right now, we can only hope that chaos won't reach Earth. We don't have time to lose. Your family and friends will remain at CC. Bulma claimed she had a room prepared especially for emergencies."
They waited for him to continue before Gohan yelled "FOR KAMI'S SAKE WAS SOMEONE HURT?"
"When I left, everyone was fine. The only person knocked out was Videl after Vegeta attacked her. She took an aggressive stance and attacked him back and they entered a heated fight. After Loki vanished, the aura that was emanating from her dissipated right before Vegeta prepared an attack and she couldn't defend herself with her regular powers and was sent flying. I left before I knew what happened to her."
"Let me get this straight. You escaped? You thought 'let me come back here where it's safe and let the earthlings deal with godly powers'. Are you this much of a coward you abandoned them without protection and came back here? And the worst part is that you are telling us what happened without indifference, as if you are telling us a tale."
Kibito cut his monologue short "STOP! That is no way to speak with the Supreme Kai. You should be grateful he even told you about Hela and Loki in the first place so you can prepare. I will not let you speak to him like this. Need I remind you he was the one to grant your father a new life?"
Both Saiyans were speechless before Gohan snapped and flew. His father quickly followed him and stopped him "GOHAN! Where are you going?"
"I don't know. Anywhere but near him."
"Do you really think that's the reasonable solution son?"
"Don't you see it dad? He can't do anything right. He kept you dead and for what? To stop an attack that happened anyway? But he wants to take credits that he gave you a life while we clearly didn't need him. Hell he is even telling us to thank him because he warned us, while it should be a Kais' matter and not ours. Why should we bother if they weren't strong enough to seal them correctly? Ah don't forget that he misread the readings. And he couldn't sense a dark aura in the room near him. He didn't even think of telling the others it wasn't us there. If he at least told them it wasn't us, maybe someone would have left and none of this would have happened. And he left when things are starting to get messy so he can save himself. What kind of Kai is he? Isn't the Supreme Kai supposed to be all mighty and powerful? Why do we keep trusting him?"
What Goku did after surely shocked Gohan as he felt his father's slap all over his face "Got it out of your system? Perfect. NOW FOCUS! Now's not the time to have doubts. You are correct and there are a lot of wrong things but now, we have to try our best and stopped them. I know why you are angry but don't worry, everything can be fixed. Now calm down and go finish what you started, we need this artefact."
The half-Saiyan looked at his father, sighing and left him, making his way back to the mountain. He reached the bottom and looked at it Don't worry guys. I won't let anything happen to you. Wait for me. And with that, he started climbing.
The adults were all gathered in the living room assessing the situation. They had decided to listen to Goku and stayed on the defensive, much to a certain Saiyan Prince's dislike. Mirai had asked Shin to repeat the prediction again and he and his mother started to analyze it. Once they understood their mistake, Yamcha quickly took Chiaotzu out since he felt weakened due to the disturbance to his telekinetic powers. And then everything went south after this moment. Lime was clearly disturbed by the Gohan standing in front of her and she felt her friend being angrier than usual; sure the situation was bad but he had learned to remain calm in these situations, no? She asked her boyfriend about their friend's attitude and, after a never ending interrogation, Mirai finally snapped and blurted that he wasn't real. The brunette looked in horror at the lookalike, trying to find a way to prove he wasn't real but she didn't even understand how she happened to look at Videl while analyzing her best friend's lookalike, neither does she know how she noticed her eyes; sure she knew Videl had colored eyes, but she recalled they were more deep ocean blue and she was the one having the green eyes, not her friend. She saw the death glare Videl sent her once she pointed at her and she panicked and words failed to come out. Then Erasa understood and pointed the attention to the weird color of her eyes which quickly drew Bulma's attention, remembering the events that happened earlier in the day. But then, surely no one understood why Videl had suddenly attacked them and why she had a dark aura emanating from her. The last thing everyone knew was that Vegeta lost no time attacking her and to everyone's surprise, she fought back, and surely her training with Gohan didn't make her this strong. Piccolo and Mirai quickly struck Goku and Gohan since they knew they were fake and no one would think of attacking them, and they were more than surprised when they finished them up in one blow. They barely had the time to check on Vegeta that everyone froze; they saw a tall white figure with a white smirk. It had a dominant silhouette and they noticed him wearing a black spandex with marron and orange boots and gloves. He was wearing a red jacket with a light orange scarf and black belt holding his jacket tight. He had a weird floating blue circle behind his head and white eyes. The figure smirked again, revealing its sharp white teeth and his eyes turned red as it disappeared.
Vegeta and Videl were in a heated battle and the Saiyan Prince was starting to get irritated; he wouldn't accept that a mere human would make a mockery of him. He was so drown in the battle as he prepared his attack that he failed to notice the dark aura leaving her opponent to materialize. He then finished his signature big bang attack towards Videl who opened her eyes in horror when she saw the energy beam reach her, and the last thing she remembered was receiving the attack with all its might and she tried to stop it with her hands, but in vain and it sent her into the wall. The aura that emanated from her took a very feminine silhouette with very accentuated curves. They could see she had a peachy skin and was wearing a blue spandex with an opening above her chest and on her bellybutton. She was wearing black boots and had long green bracelet on her whole arm's length. The jacket she was wearing was cut from the front, leaving only four lengths of tissue meeting on the opening on her chest, two parts from around her neck and the other two reaching from her back, giving it the shape of an 'X'. She was wearing a coral belt that held the continuity of her jacket below her waist. She noticed her eyes had a light green color and her hair was long and white, resting on her shoulders and they saw a yellow scepter in her hand, and the same weird halo behind her head, similar to the first figure. With a devilish smile, she held Vegeta's chin with her finger so he could see her face and she left, leaving the Saiyan petrified of fear in the room.
When the fumes dissipated, and everyone was able to see clearly, they couldn't not notice Vegeta' look of horror and the girls screamed when they saw their friend on the floor, motionless. Chi-Chi rushed to her and Tien helped carry her to the hospital wing. Bulma, on the other side, went to find her husband to ask what happened. He didn't respond but they heard Shin talk "They fooled us all and escaped. My guess is Vegeta was able to sense their power."
The blue haired woman looked at him, still holding her husband into her hands "So now what?"
"We hope for the best. I think it's better I return to my planet to assess the situation. You should stay here and prepare for anything. We can't guess what their next move will be and we have to stay on alert."
"I have a room for emergencies. We'll stay there and prepare."
Shin nodded and left while everyone inhale a deep breath. Krillin looked around him and sighed "Now what? We don't know where Goku and Gohan are and even Vegeta is traumatized."
"SHUT UP WEAKLING."
"I was joking Vegeta, no need to kill me. Bulma what's this room you were talking about?"
"Ever since Trunks came back from the future, I started designing an underground room to prepare for anything. I asked him what my counterpart did in the future and I equipped accordingly. I always thought it couldn't get any worse than what he described. I never thought I'd use it, but I guess it's better we prepare it, just in case."
The group nodded and Bulma left them, reaching for the medical wing.
Tien and Chi-Chi rushed to the hospital wing and put Videl on an examination table. The Son matriarch noticed her faint pulse and quickly started to put senzu essence on bandages and tried to stitch her up. She was glad Vegeta didn't use his full power during his assault, but she wasn't sure the young fighter could get out of this alive. Tien searched for senzu beans but in vain "Nothing here. It looks like they used all the stock left here during their training. How is she holding?
"Bad. I don't know if she can make it. We need a doctor here and fast."
Tien nodded but they heard the doors slam and the high schoolers along with Bulma entered "Bulma, thank Dende you're here. We need a doctor as soon as possible."
"I already called someone. Take a sample of her blood, I will analyze it to see her type. She will need a transfusion."
Erasa intervened "No need to lose time. She's A+. We share the same type, hurry and perform the transfusion."
The CC heiress nodded and prepared everything while Chi-Chi tended to the last wounds. Once everything was set, all that was left to do was wait "All done. We can't do anything anymore except wait for the doctor. Now the rest is up to her, if she has the will to live or not."
Videl didn't want to remember when her world turned black. The first time it happened, she was barely ten and she and her mother were sitting side by side, watching on the television her father fighting the horrible monster called Cell. She remembered her mother's embrace and peaceful words while the heated battle was going on. She still had doubts, even after the fight and her dad was declared champion, that he was able to kill Cell, but he was alive and that was all that mattered to her. The second time she felt it, they had just told her that her mother had only a few days to live, shortly after they had celebrated her father's victory. She remembered the endless nights at the hospital by her side, praying to any God that she would get better. The third time was when her father came one day, devastated. She remembered this day because after he hung up from a call, he didn't agree to take her with him to the hospital. She wasn't dumb and she knew what it meant, but she still had hope; hope that disappeared once her father came back and hugged her with all his might, claiming everything will be alright. The darkness she felt this day was similar to the day of the funeral. She tried to erase this day from her memory but from this day on, she was forever grateful to Erasa that never left her side. It also was the day she decided she would do something to help people, so other innocents wouldn't have to live the same pain she had endured. She used to believe that third time's a charm and this was it, the universe got bored of her and decided to haunt someone else, or so she thought after seven years of peace of mind.
Then she met the new guy at school. An egocentric jerk who was filled with so much hatred and rage that even she was afraid. She imagined that after everything she lived, nothing would affect her anymore. She started training to direct all the sadness she felt from her mother's death, and she eventually decided to use all her training to help with the police since the crime rate had increased drastically ever since her father was proclaimed savior of the Earth. She had faced foes stronger and bigger than her but she was never afraid. She thought she didn't feel this type of emotion until she met Gohan Son. After the day he practically attacked her, on his first day of school, she didn't remember when or how her world started to change. She never imagined herself becoming friend with the same guy that resented her father to the point of actually threatening her, and she never would have believed anyone who would tell her that she will actually grow attached to him to the point of falling in love. It was a weird feeling she didn't knew she was missing, but it just felt right. But if you would have told her that the same feeling will let her live a new dark day again, never in her life would she have accepted it. Yet, it happened again. Funny how the universe didn't want her to be happy. It almost took her father away from her, then her mother, and now the potential love of her life.
The moment Piccolo told them Gohan was dead, she felt the same feeling she felt the day her father came home crying. It's funny because both time, she had just lived something wonderful and was more than happy, then shortly after, she was doomed to be sad again. She didn't remember how she arrived to their now spot, neither how she started screaming and crying. She never cried ever since her mother's funeral. She remembered waiting for him to come, with his goofy smile that he never showed except when they were alone, claiming everything will be alright, as promised. But everything after went black. She recalls the weird voices she kept hearing in her head coming back, but this time stronger. The first voice speaking in a language she couldn't understand, but then a second feminine voice took the horses and she understood. Yet she tried to resist the commands to let go and relax, but this time it was in vain, the pain she felt was excruciating and everything after went black. She could see her surroundings but couldn't control her voice and movements. She felt possessed by something that ordered her to turn and take weird figures to her friends. It couldn't be Gohan and his father, they were dead. She couldn't control what she was doing while following them, seeing them beat one another, and then she called Mirai and lied to his face. She lied to everyone when she told them she didn't believe in their death and that's how she found them. She was Videl Satan, she never lied to anybody. A part of her wanted to believe that Gohan was still alive, but she was sure it wasn't him. His tail and the bracelet Lime made him were missing, and she remembered him wearing the ring Hina made this morning, so where was it? Also, she felt him different. Sure she knew he had his anger issues but he worked on them, but even then he still had a tender look that could surprisingly appease her. She usually felt safe when he was around, but this time it was different. She knew she was in danger and she knew he was the reason, but she couldn't tell anybody. Instead, she managed, twice, to convince everyone to stay at CC and believe they were the real fighters, and she didn't even know why the voice in her head wanted that. She even recalled how she yelled at Erasa to her face and lied again; just how did this voice have access to her memory to know her daily routine to elaborate this lie. Then she remembered said voice going berserk when Mirai screamed and told that they need someone, anyone, to leave. Then Lime looked strangely at Gohan, afraid of him. Yes, that's right, please someone notice he isn't real and stop him before it was too late; but too late for what, she didn't know. But then, Lime and Erasa pointed at her, horrified. Why were they afraid of her? Was she a threat? Yes she was. She felt that way the moment this voice dominated her head and she felt herself smirking and attacking the room with a technique she didn't even knew she could do. She recalled her fight with Vegeta and how she was able to stand to him while she couldn't even lend a punch on Goten or Hina even when they were playing together. Then she felt a big weight get off of her as the voice left her body. Finally, she was free. But the universe had weird timings and clearly hated her because she barely gained her conscious back that she saw Vegeta's attack coming in her direction. She remembered barely saying Kami that she received the blow with all its might and it sent her colliding with the wall. At least now she was going to be reunited with her mother and Gohan. They were good people, there's no reason for them not to go to Heaven right? Funny how it was barely three months since she read her mother's note claiming she hoped she wouldn't see her soon. It looks like even her mother's prayers weren't answered this time.
Everything was dark around her. So this is what it feels like to be dead? It's not as bad as people claim; sure she is a bit cold but it's normal, her body was losing heat and she remembered enough basic anatomy from Mrs. Nakegami's class to understand what was happening. But then, she felt her core becoming hot again and soon, she was feeling slightly alive, as if someone was trying to keep her alive. Why? She caused all this trouble, why would someone want her to live? She was the reason everyone was attacked, why trying to save her? Worse, she lied to everyone, giving them false hope that two people they all cared about were still alive; and this surely was enough to stop everyone from salvaging the negligeable life that was left in her. But then, someone was calling her name, again and again. This was Erasa's voice? How? Was she alive? Thank Kami, maybe the voice that left her head didn't kill everyone. She relaxed at the news, hearing her name being called again but this time, it felt different, more familiar but at the same time, further. She blinked and saw a silhouette approaching her, one she longed to see in ages. She smiled and approached as the familiar face was starting to appear to her "Mom?"
The silhouette smiled at her and hugged her and Videl could feel the warm of the tears on her shoulders. So she was dead after all. On the bright side, she could see her mother again. But why was her mother this sad? She knew she died but what can she do about it.
She asked her mother who tried hardly to smile "I'm happy to see you but I'm also sad because it will be temporary."
"What you mean? Why? I want to spend time with you."
"Videl, you know the worlds of the living and the dead cannot intertwine."
"What do you mean? Am I still alive? How?"
"Only if your will to live is stronger than death's grip. You have to fight Videl. Your story cannot end now. You still have a lot of things to accomplish."
"Why? Without you and Gohan, why should I bother be alive and alone while I could be dead and with you."
"One's life isn't connected to the people around him. The world continues its natural course and only the dead are missing on it. Why would you prefer to lose the joys of the future by staying stuck in the past? You might never know what surprises await you."
"But mom, it hurts, to be alone. I can't handle it, not again. The first time almost killed me. I cannot look around me and not see Gohan and live my life in a lie, thinking that I can live my life without him, the same way I've been lying to myself for the past seven years after your death."
"Videl, I know you are strong. Do not base your life on the people around you. Believe in yourself and you can get through anything. Most importantly, believe what your heart is telling you, it can sometimes outsmart your brain. Trust what it's telling you."
"Mom why are you talking like this? And what do you mean?"
"You are the one talking like this. I am barely a piece of your imagination. Search inside your heart for the answers you are missing."
"What do you mean? What should my heart tell me? And am I alive or dead? MOM? DON'T LEAVE ME."
"Fight to stay in the world of the living Videl. Destiny has a weird way of taking actions. You still have a role to fulfill in this world. Believe in yourself. Someone will need your presence before you know it. You are needed in the living world more than I need you. I'm proud of you monkey, never forget that."
"Mom? Mom. MOM! DON'T LEAVE MOM!"
"Good bye, Videl."
She could hear her name resonate in her head, again and again. Return to the world of the living? Her name, again and again. What was that supposed to mean? Her name again. Her heart has the answers she is looking for? Her name. She wanted her heart to tell her the truth about Gohan's death, could that be it? Her name again. She couldn't think as her name was repeated many times. But that wasn't her mother's voice this time, it was Erasa's. Wait! Erasa was still alive, she couldn't leave her in a situation like this, what kind of friend would she be? But after a moment, she stopped hearing her name, and she felt herself relaxing and entering a deep sleep. No! She had to fight, her mother told her to fight to stay alive, and that was exactly what she'll be doing. She still had people who needed her.
She felt a strong headache overtaking her as she tried to open her eyes. Her vision was blurry at first but she managed to get a glimpse of her surroundings. She saw what resembles a hospital room but with heavy, more updated equipment. She remembered CC's emergency room but she noticed the serum that was attached to her hand having a weird light greenish color. A window was present, and even though the blinds were shut, she could sense it was dark. She turned around and saw Erasa sleeping next to her, her head resting on the side of the bed while holding her hand. She smiled at her best friend and noticed Lime and Bulma sleeping on chairs near the door. She tried to talk but her voice barely came out and she tried to move her hand enough to wake her friend.
"Huh? Videl! Thank Kami you're awake."
Videl felt her friend's grip tightened and her voice woke the sleeping women. They all smiled at her as she tried, in vain, to get up. Erasa smiled lightly and stopped her "You just woke up. Try and rest more. You are beaten up badly, it's best you don't move for now. The antidote Bulma gave you is starting to take effect. Plus it's already night, there's nothing else to do and everyone's asleep."
The raven girl tried to smile and closed her eyes, quickly drifting off again. The three girls sighed in relief and nodded at one another. Bulma called the doctor who had operated on her earlier to inform her of what happened and she noted her vitals on a cardboard. The important now was that she had finally woken up. Now all that was needed, was for the night to pass without complications.
A/N: fourteenth chapter done.
I don't want to drag for too long before the enemies appear. I also decided that the Supreme Kai didn't understand the readings on purpose because I felt the Z-fighters needed to do a small mistake, even if not intentionally.
Yes, no Z-sword this time, I decided to change it a little but you'll see the new modifications. Some things will stay the same as the anime, but of course with slight alterations. I hope you will like the next part of the story.
I also hope you liked Gohan's character a little bit. I want to keep an angry Gohan for now with everything that happened. It will change of course but you'll eventually see how later on and specially how it will affect his actions/decisions. I felt his anger towards Shin was normal (he did keep his father dead and endangered their friends) and I personally felt it weird during the anime that the Supreme Kai would rely on mortals to help him against Buu, so I thought why not incorporate this remark here. I don't know if it makes sense, I hope so.
I also hope you enjoyed the slight change in narration and the switch to Videl's POV. I felt like a description from her side was necessary to better understand what happened. And I also like the idea that our conscious takes the form of someone we trust blindly to guide us, that's why I thought I would use her mother. I don't know if I will make them meet or not, still thinking about it for the final chapters.
Until the next one, please reviews and comments. Also please tell me if I should develop anything more. As I said I am open to criticism. Let me know what I should arrange in the future.
I will update as soon as I can. Thank you and I will see you in the next chapter!