My Life's Stranger Than Yours

A Mysterious Opponent!? Monster In Satan City!

"So…this is the place huh?" A young male figure spoke aloud looking at the sign that greeted him. A familiar sign brandishing the face of the world's 'Savior' flashing the iconic peace sign.

"Why anyone would name a city after someone this ugly is beyond me, but that's besides the point." Looking down at a scrap of paper in his hand, the youth examined the image of a girl with short cut, black hair and a man clad in a helmet and cape. Crushing it in his hand, the young man bounded off into the city.

'I hate being a pawn, but if he's true to his word…then this is an opportunity I CAN'T pass up!'

Another day of uneventful education had ended at Orange Star High and the students were, as usual exiting en masse. In the hallways however…

"Hey Gohan!"

The hybrid in question turned to find his long-haired blonde classmate strolling up. "Hey Sharpner. What's up."

"Nothin' much. I was just wondering if you've seen the girls anywhere. I know it's standard for Videl to disappear right when class lets out these days, but this is a new thing for Erasa."

"Oh they actually left together…sort of…."

"The hell do you mean 'sort of'?"

"Well…"

[Earlier that day]

"Erasa!"

"Hmph!"

"I said I was sorry!"

"Hmph!"

The daughter of the champ could be seen practically chasing her busty, blonde friend down the halls as a pouty Erasa stomped away.

"Erasa, you know you can't outrun me!"

Finally facing her athletic friend, Erasa shot Videl a huffy glare. "Oh I don't have to outrun you Videl, since apparently you've already left me far in the dust!"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I get that you may have other friends, and I can accept you wanting to spend more time with them, but when you get a chance to go to a spa for the weekend and don't even think about asking me to tag along, excuse me for feeling a little betrayed!" Erasa crossed her arms.

A nervous bead of sweat rolled down Videl's forehead as she gave a sheepish chuckle. "Come on Erasa, it's not like I planned the trip ahead of time and chose to exclude you. I was invited by Gohan's Mom!"

"And you said she let you bring a friend, so why wasn't I at least considered?"

"Because Gohan's family is a bit inclusive and they don't really know you, so a mutual friend was just the best option."

Erasa's ire finally seemed to deflate at Videl's explanation. "Fine, I get it, but I'm still mad you didn't even offer."

"And that I haven't been spending much time with you in general lately?" Videl added.

Her irritation now resembling the fussiness of a child, Erasa huffed before snapping away from Videl, a small blush on her face. "So that is it huh?"

The spiky haired fighter wrapped her arms around her friend's neck, embracing her from the rear. "If you'll give me a chance, I'm willing to try and make it up to you after school."

"Make it up how?"

[Present]

"She didn't say where they were going, but those two are going to spend the rest of the day together."

"Okay, makes sense."

"As for me, I'm doing what I do best."

"Burning daylight at the library?"

"No, the OTHER thing I do best; Watching the city while Videl's busy." Waving Sharpner off, Gohan headed towards the rooftop staircase, leaving the blonde jock alone.

"Heh, you dork."

[Meanwhile in the city]

Videl and Erasa could be seen carrying a large amount of bags and boxes, courtesy of an afternoon at the Satan City mall. From the various stores to a sweets smorgasbord at the food court, the smile on Erasa's face told Videl that her 'apology' was accepted.

"So, how was it?" Videl grinned smugly.

"A blast I'd say. Seriously, when was the last time we just got to bust loose at the mall like this?"

"It really has been a while, hasn't it? I've spent so much time training and fighting these last few weeks…heck, if it wasn't for my trip over the weekend, I think I'd have probably forgotten how to relax."

Erasa pressed her forearm over her eyes, letting out a string of fake, hysterical, sobbing. "You poor dear. That's so tragic!"

Playfully smacking Erasa in the arm, Videl giggled. "Knock it off you drama queen!"

[]

Moments later, the pair were seated at a bench right outside the mall's lot. Despite whatever strength Videl may have, carrying this much stuff for so long was beginning to take it's toll. Unbeknownst to them, a pair of sharp, callous eyes lay on the girls from afar. "Finally. I've found you."

[]

"I know I said today was on me, but did you really need me to buy this much stuff for you to forgive me?"

"No, but hey, you offered, so I'm gonna capitalize," Erasa flashed Videl a haughty snicker before continuing. "And don't pretend that you didn't buy a lot yourself too."

"Well duh, why would I not buy anything while on a girls' day out with my best friend?"

"Your best friend? Are you talking about me?"

"Erasa!"

"Sorry, I'm kidding. But all joking aside, it really feels like we haven't spent much time together lately. Before you were just hanging with Gohan a lot, which I can't really blame you for, but recently, you've been spending all your time in another city, and when you aren't, you're back with Gohan, who's mentioned your other friend a few times."

Videl flashed her downtrodden friend an apologetic look before replying. "I never knew you felt so strongly about this. I'm sorry if you feel like I've been ignoring you, but the time I've been spending with Akane hasn't exactly been all fun and games you know."

"I take it this Akane is who you've been palling around with lately?"

"Yes, but like I said, we haven't been just hanging out for the fun of it, she's my new sparring partner."

"Sparring partner?"

Videl nodded. "You know how hard it is for me to find someone to train with besides Gohan. Well it's even rarer to find a female martial artist in our neck of the woods, especially one our age, so when Akane and I first met, we had a match and just sort of hit it off. Ever since then, she's been my go-to training partner, even beating out Gohan…although the three of us have trained together on occasion."

"I wish you'd have said so sooner. If I'd known this Akane girl was a fighter chick like you, I'd have probably been less upset. After all, it's not every day you find another girl who's a martial artist that can keep up with you, right?"

"Does that mean you're not mad anymore?"

"Get us a spa day and ask me again," Erasa winked.

"You're pushing it Erasa…" Videl warned. "But then again, another massage does sound nice. I'll see what I can do right after I get home."

Latching on to her athletic friend, Erasa cheered out, "Yay! Thanks Vi!"

"What can I say, that trip on the weekend made me a fan. As much I love knocking heads, I wouldn't mind NOT fighting for a good long while."

"You could do what I do and not fight at all."

"Ehh, no thanks."

As the two girls laughed, they failed to notice a masculine figure approaching them amidst the crowd of shoppers and patrons.

"Well, should we call it a day here?"

"Fine by me. For once, even I'm all 'mall-ed out'."

With a nod, Videl pulled out her jet capsule. As she tossed it, the small cap was quickly caught by a firm hand, preventing it from revealing itself.

"Hey, what's going on!?"

The girls came face to face with a tall, slim but sturdy young man who looked comparable in age to themselves, if not a year or two older. Garbed in a green, Eastern style uniform with strands of hair flowing aside his face, the sharp-eyed seinen smirked at the two girls earning a look of contention from Videl and a marveled gaze from Erasa.

"Oh wow…and who might you be?" asked Erasa.

"And can I have my jet capsule back?"

Without a word, the young man flicked the capsule back to Videl who dodged as it popped open, nearly flattening the two. "That was rude. What's your problem?"

"Am I correct in assuming one of you is named Videl?" the young man finally spoke.

"Who wants to know?" the girl in question asked stepping between him and her friend.

"My name…" the boy paused before clenching his fist. Through grit teeth, he continued. "My name is none of your concern. What is however…" he extended his finger in the girls' direction. "…Is the fact that you must come with me."

The duo stared in momentary shock at the boy's audacious announcement. "Excuse me?"

"You must come with me now!" the boy emphasized.

"Now you listen here-!" Videl stepped forth to and poked an accusing finger at the newcomer, but her wrist was quickly grabbed by the sharp eyed boy.

"That wasn't a request."

Attempting to get deter their assailant, Erasa in a rare showing of backbone, inserted herself between the pair. "Look here. I don't know who you think you are, but don't think just because you're kind of hot you can go around telling girls what to do, especially the strongest girl in the world."

"The strongest girl in the world?" the young man smirked. "I can think of a couple who may outclass you and one who certainly does, but if that's true, then let's settle this like 'true' martial artists and fight it out. You win, I leave. I win, you come with me."

With a sigh, Videl muttered. "I jinxed it, didn't I? Fine, but if I win, I hear you out," she corrected. "Then I will decide if I go with you or not, deal?"

With a smirk, the young man released his grip on Videl and replied. "Very well. After all, your chances of defeating me are nonexistent."

'What a smug jackass. Still…' Videl looked down at her hand, noting the ounce of pain in her wrist. 'Something tells me, this guy isn't just all talk, and my gut says this fight could get messy.' "If we're gonna do this, let's go to a place less crowded."

"Fine by me. Lead the way."

"Erasa, you should head home without me."

"No way girl! It's been forever since I've actually seen one of your fights, and what better way to rectify that than to see you flatten this jerk?"

"If you insist," she grinned.

[Meanwhile]

The Great Saiyaman followed the sound of sirens and gunfire as the police were engaged in a high-speed chase through the streets. "There's never a slow day in this city, is there?" As the half-saiyan soared past the the various skyscrapers, a lone figure observed the hero, perched atop a random smokestack, through a red scoped visor helmet.

"So he's the one the old man wants dead, is it? I can't imagine what he has against him personally, but I can say he certainly seems like someone I'd want to kill of my own volition. Using our school's technique for these cheap heroic theatrics."

The mysterious figure flipped his hair, knocking his ponytail off his shoulder. "Still, I can see why he called me in for this. I don't know who this man is, but he certainly isn't your average cosplayer. I just wish that boy would finish his task already. After all, mine's all ready for action."

A metallic hand reached into a pink shirt to pull out remote control with a large red button.

[Moments later]

The three were assembled at the base of the infamous cliffside road, Route 81. As Erasa spectated from beneath a nearby tree, Videl and the arrogant youth stared each other down, both poised to strike.

"Before we get started, do you think you can finally tell me just who the hell you are?"

At Videl's question, the boy noticeably tensed up, his open hands clenching into fists. Ignoring the question, he zipped forth throwing a swift, punch at the Satan City hero.

Videl raised her forearm blocking the strike and attempted to counter with a swinging kick that he was able to back away from. "Huh, you're quiet all of a sudden-WHOA!"

Videl swayed away from the green clad boy's follow up strike to her face. This time with more force and speed, Videl managed to land a counterstrike by kneeing him in the midsection.

Though he was staggered, the green boy powered through Videl's attack, grabbing her by the collar and tossing her onto the ground. Whilst Videl mentally recomposed herself, the green boy took a page from her book, striking with a knee drop attack. With a gasp, Videl rolled away and back onto her feet.

"Wow, this guy's pretty good, if he can keep up with Videl," commented Erasa.

'He's more than just pretty good…' Videl inwardly noted. 'He's really good. Something about fighting this guy reminds me of Ryoga…although it doesn't feel like he's as durable as him.' Videl flashed her opponent a confident smirk. 'Not to mention, I've gotten better since then. This guy should be a cake walk!'

As the green boy straightened himself out, Videl struck back, using her new friends' classic line. "An opening!" Leaping into the air, Videl struck with a diving kick that the mysterious young man raised his arms to block. His eyes widened as he noted Videl's foot beginning to glow.

'What the-?'

"Hyyyyagh!"

Surprised by the alarming amount of force, the green clad youth was once again staggered as his guard was utterly shattered.

"Go girl!"

With a victorious smirk, Videl dashed in once again, this time her kneecap glowing. "Take this pal. Hawk Arrow!"

"Grrraaaaaagh…!"

Struck dead on by Videl's finishing move, the older boy was launched a ways into the forest behind the spectating Erasa. "Whooo! Nice shot!"

Erasa stepped away from the trees as Videl remained in her defensie stance, preparing herself for any potential counterattacks. Except for the wind, everything remained silent for several short moments. Ultimately, Videl finally lowered her guard. "I guess that's that."

"And that's another win for the strongest girl in the world!" Erasa cheered. The two girls reunited double hi-fiving each other before turning back to the space where her opponent seemed to have vanished. "Still…don't you think we should go check on the guy? This road is pretty dangerous."

"I'd prefer not to…but it's the right thing to do," Videl sighed.

Videl took a single step towards the bundle of trees and froze immediately as a sharp pain emanated on her left side. Glancing aside, she could barely make out the fizzle of a yellow beam of light that had pierced through her shoulder leaving a harsh stain of blood on her shirt.

"Aagggggggh…!"

[]

"Huh…?"

En route to assist the police in their latest failed criminal bust, Saiyaman paused in the air as something, probably instinct drew his attention towards the city's outer limits.

'That's weird…I thought I just felt some sort of energy spike…and…did I hear screaming?'

Elsewhere, the mysterious helmeted figure pressed a button on his remote and in an instant, various spots in the city filled with smoke before panicked screams filled the air.

"What the…?"

Managing to witness one of the smoky explosions, Saiyaman saw a menacing drone pop out from the capsule like gas and point its pincers towards a woman and her young son who happened to be passing by.

"I'll have to worry about that later. Right now, duty calls!" nodding in affirmation, the caped wonder dove down and smashed the robot in a single stomp, earning a pair of grateful cheers from the family.

"Impressive," praised the perp. "Regardless, I've done my duty. If anything goes wrong now, it's all on that fool."

The pink clad man leapt to the base of the building he was on and lightly kicked the smokestack, knocking it over. In an impressive show of strength, he chucked the concrete tube in the direction of the city's exit before leaping atop it, surfing across the skies with a wicked smirk adorning his lips.

[]

"Videl!" Erasa shrieked as Videl clutched her arm, falling to her knees.

"Shoulder…pain…!"

"But…what happened? What was that light?"

"Hehehehehe…hahahahahahaha!" From the shadows of the trees, the green youth emerged, pointing at the two girls with a string of smoke coming from his fingertips.

"And that, foolish girl, is what happens when you're merciful to your foes." He taunted.

"How…are you…?"

[A few moments ago]

After being struck by Videl's finishing move, the young man was hurled amongst the trees before finally rolling onto his back. 'Hmmm…so she's better than the old man originally described. Guess that means it's time for me to get serious.'

Getting to his feet, the young man tiptoed to the clearing of the woods, eyeing the girls from beneath the cover. Once Videl dropped her guard, the snakelike boy pointed at her and his finger began to glow. "Dodonpa."

[]

"You cheater!" Erasa accused. "Sneak attacking is bad enough but using those same light tricks that Mr. Satan always talks about is just low!"

"Erasa…shut up…!"

"But…Videl!"

'I don't know what he did, but he can use the same kinds of moves as Gohan and the others. Still, Erasa's not wrong. This guy is a dirty fighter!'

"Hmph, I had no intention of fighting this battle to the end," the boy proclaimed. "Like I said before, you're coming with me and it's NOT a matter up for discussion." With a twisted grin, he approached the girls, Videl standing protectively in front of Erasa.

"Videl maybe you should…"

"No way. I may be down an arm, but I can still fight!"

"Let me guess, you're going to try with your legs next? Well…how can you kick what you can't catch?"

The girls flashed confused glances to their adversary until he crossed his arms and began to ascend into the air.

"What the-!?"

"He…can fly…?"

'I don't know why I'm surprised…. Maybe it's cause Akane and her friends can't fly.'

"Now you insolent wench, I'll give you one last chance to come peacefully, or else I'll have to…!"

Bwoop!

"Gah-!" CHOOM! The youth blew out a puff of smoke as the resulting explosion of Videl's ki blast left his face charred. Before he could let out his angered rebuttal, he instead let out a startled yelp as Videl, holding her injured arm chased him into the sky, headbutting him in the gut.

"Dooof…!"

Recoiling from Videl's attack, the young man was quickly launched away yet again as he was kicked in the head and knocked into a nearby pond.

"How'd you like…Eeek!" Succumbing to her wound, Videl was forced to the ground where she was quickly supported by Erasa.

"Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine. Just…grab my jet. I can set it to autopilot and have it take us home. I'll get patched up then."

While Erasa followed the directions, Videl took the moment to reflect on this last battle. Yet again she was met with some new upstart guy who had a handle on how to use ki. Unlike Ranma or Ryoga however, this guy also knew how to fly. Despite all that however, his physical fighting prowess seemed to be a step below those two, even if he did seem somewhat comparable.

There were also two questions lingering in the young fighter's mind; why did he refuse to give his name and why did he want her to go with him in the first place. Regardless, she won so it probably wouldn't matter anymore. If anything, this should be an interesting tale for Gohan.

Just as Erasa was set to uncap Videl's jet, a low rumble filled the air.

"What's that?"

The girls turned back to the water, noticing ripples appearing beneath the surface. "Tsk, guess he's back for Round 3."

"Well look on the bright side, he may be a jerk but at least it's a cute guy and not some big, ugly brute," Erasa beamed.

"I have a boyfriend, remember?"

"Just sayin'."

'She does have a point. I'd rather fight a jerk with a nice face than something like Spopovitch again. Still, I won't let him catch me off guard again, one arm or not!"

Taking the firmest stance she could in her current condition, Videl held her ground as the rumbling grew more and more intense. Suddenly, all went silent. As the girls eyed the lake in anticipation, they both shrieked in surprise when a giant, hairy fist punched through the surface.

"What the…!?"

The giant fist was quickly joined by a large body whose shadow towered over the two teens, the non-combative girl letting out a fearful yelp. Even Videl was frozen in a mix of shock and fear as the large being glared at the daughter of the champ.

"Erasa…two things."

"Huh…!?"

"One: Call Gohan. Two: YOU JINXED IT!"

[Meanwhile]

The sound of crushed metal and iron clanking could be heard as Saiyaman dispatched the last of these mysterious drones, dropping it's shattered form before the police chief. "Well, I think that's the last of them."

"Thank Kami. These things were all over the place. You've saved us again Saiyaman."

"It's no problem, though I wonder where these things came from. If it were just a few, I could understand how crooks may have managed to acquire some, but there were WAY too many for just a few backwater deals amongst the criminal underworld."

"Personally, I'm wondering where Videl was in all this. She's usually quicker to action than you," noted the chief.

"Let's just say, she's taking some much needed time off."

As soon as the words left the helmeted hero's mouth, a digitized jingle filled the air and the he subsequently pulled out a cell phone. "Speak of the devil, that's her now."

Tipping his hat, the lead officer left Saiyaman to his own as he answered his phone. "Hello?"

BMMMMMMMMMMMM…

Instead of the assuring voice of spunky young girl, Saiyaman was instead met with the concerning sound of a dial tone. "That's…that's weird. Did she bum call me?"

"Hey, what's that!?" asked a random officer.

"Oh, hey, it's Videl's jet!" noted the chief.

Sure enough Saiyaman looked up to see Videl's iconic jet coming in hot, though he immediately noted two things wrong: First, she was coming in extremely fast, much faster than necessary. Second, there was no exhaust from her plane. In fact, there was no souond of the engines either. After a moment of thought, he noted a third and final strike: as it sored overhead, he could plainly see the craft's downward trajectory.

Quickly realizing what was going on, Saiyaman blasted into the sky, chasing after the yellow jet. Grabbing the aircraft from the underside, Saiyaman held the plane in his arms before gently setting it down on a nearby rooftop.

"Videl what happened to…Erasa?"

Further confusing the colorful savior, instead of the plane's usual pilot, he was met with his buxom classmate wrapped up and gagged in some…unconventional looking bindings. Loosening the straps from across her mouth, Saiyaman was met with a frantic caling of his true name.

"Gohan!"

"Erasa, calm down! What happened!?"

"Videl's been kidnapped!"

"She…she what…!?"

Far outside Satan City, a large chimeric creature could be seen flapping through the air. Within it's massive clutches lay the famous daughter of Mr. Satan, battered, bruised and unconscious.

(A/N: Remember when I said I was taking another small hiatus after last chapter to do my HanVi Week stories? Well, I finished them, did an outline for this chapter and everything just…flowed. This chapter was surprisingly VERY easy to write, and not just because it's much shorter than my last one. I've actually played this scenario in my mind COUNTLESS times, and one of the elements featured here, I did NOT originally intend to add. On the other hand, another MAJOR element I actually alluded to back in Chapter 34 (That I think only one or two people correctly predicted). The Ranma-centric readers may have already figured out who Videl's kidnapper is, while the Dragon Ball centric readers should know who was spying on Saiyaman. Next time we get to see the latter events of Videl's fight and Gohan gets introduced to one of Ranma's greatest adversaries)