Here's another one. Let's see where I go after this chapter. ;)

Chapter 22: A Trapped Essence

Everyone stood dumbfounded as they saw the man before Gohan. He smiled brightly.

"Look at you! You're huge!" Goku said with glee.

Gohan however stood with shock. He never expected to see his dad ever again. But here he was, standing in front of him.

Goku outstretched his arms with a bright smile, "Well, aren't you going to say hi?"

Gohan then came up to his father and both hugged each other. He was smiling with his eyes closed. Tears of joy left his eyes. He never in a million year suspected that he would see his dad again.

Kikyo stood from a distance still, witnessing what was transpiring at that moment, "It must be possible in this place."

She stared at Supreme Kai, "Supreme Kai, your home world exists in the realm of..."

Supreme Kai gave a nod, "If you are asking if this world is in the realm of the other world, then you are correct."

She gazed onward, "I see. So spiritual entities can travel to this world."

"It defies all logic! How did that man get here? It's not possible!" Kibito shouted with a stunned countenance.

Goku and Gohan broke apart from their reunion and Goku then looked at the landscape.

"How strange. What is this place, Gohan?"

"It's a special sanctuary, Dad. But why are you here?" Gohan asked, despite still getting over the shock of seeing his dad again.

Goku turned back around with a serious stare, "It's not going well on Earth right now. King Kai even told about a terrible power that's there now."

Gohan gritted his teeth angrily and stared at the ground, "Majin Buu..."

Goku then looked at Gohan, his eyes widened with interest, "So that's his name?"

His son gazed upward, "Yeah. He's too strong. No one can do anything. So millions of people are dying."

Goku turned with a curious glance, "Who are they?"

Gohan then turned the way his dad was looking, "That is the Supreme Kai and Kibito."

Then he smiled softly with a blush, "And that is Kikyo. My girlfriend..."

"Girlfriend? Wow! Things have changed since I last saw you," Goku acknowledged with surprise.

Gohan put his hand behind his head with a grin, "I wouldn't be where I am today if not for her."

That's when they both walked toward Kikyo, and the Kais. Kikyo still looked surprised as she took in the sight of the man who had died long ago in the past.

"Kikyo, I'd like for you to meet my dad," Gohan said happily.

She then closed her eyes and smiled with a curt bow, "It is nice to finally meet you. I have heard much about you since I met Gohan."

Goku laughed nervously, "Good things I hope."

She then gazed upward to meet his face, "Your friends and family still mourn for you. I have heard many stories from Gohan, Chichi and your friends about how you helped save the innocent."

"R-really? They still talk about that?" Goku then put his hand behind his head nervously.

That's when something occurred to Goku and he looked down in shame, "But I wasn't there when the androids attacked..."

"It's alright, dad. Besides, we stopped them eventually," Gohan said as he gave his dad a pat on the shoulder.

"I heard it was someone who stopped them," Goku then said.

Gohan smiled slightly, "It was Kikyo who helped me stop them."

His father stared curiously at Kikyo, "You did? You must be pretty strong."

Kikyo closed her eyes, "I do not possess the physical capabilities as you Gohan do. Unfortunately, the spiritual power I do have will be of no use in this fight against Majin Buu. I am afraid everything will be left to Gohan from this point forward."

Supreme Kai then stepped forward, "Had it not been for your barrier Kikyo, I don't think you and Gohan would be alive now."

Kikyo gave a small nod, "However, at my current state, my spiritual powers are at their limits."

Gohan then had a more serious countenance, "Well, from now on, I don't want you to fight."

She then gazed at him sternly, "I still may not have a choice. Even if my spiritual powers are at their limits."

His serious visage weakened somewhat, "Kikyo..."

At times, she could be stubborn to him. But that is what probably made him love her more. Because she would always try to help where it was due.

"Gohan?"

Gohan was trapped in his own thoughts regarding Kikyo and the upcoming battle. Apparently, he did not hear him.

"Hey, Gohan?"

Gohan then gazed out of thought curiously, "Yeah, dad?"

Goku then pointed toward the sword Gohan had on him, "Mind if I try it out?"

"Sure. Just be careful. it's pretty heavy," Gohan mentioned as he handed the sword to his father.

Goku then felt the weight of the sword as soon as he took hold of it from Gohan. He struggled to hold the sword with both hands.

"Man! You weren't kidding! I guess the only way to use this sword is by putting your back into it."

Then Goku had put it over his shoulder and swung it multiple times from side to side. This caused the two Kais to be surprised.

Kikyo could tell that Gohan's father was very strong indeed, given how he could manage to swing it faster than Gohan could.

Back on the Lookout, Piccolo and the others contemplated what they could do next. Do they go fight Majin Buu knowing that they don't have a chance? Then it dawned on him.

"Trunk, I've got it!" Piccolo said as the realization came to him.

Trunks glanced his way, "Got what, Piccolo?"

"You could go into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber and train to become stronger," Piccolo suggested.

Trunks then smirked, "That's a great idea! I could become stronger and beat Majin Buu!"

Piccolo shook his head, "It still will not be as easy as you imagine."

Trunks then made a look as though he was about to retort. However, that was when they came to realize that the sky was turning darker like night. Piccolo looked up stunned.

"Don't tell me someone has summoned Shenron..." Piccolo uttered.

Trunks looked up anxiously at the sky, "Could it be my mom who has called Shenron?"

"So they got all the dragon balls..." Piccolo uttered again.

With quick thinking, Piccolo then ran into the inside of the Lookout. He came back with Vegeta draped over his shoulder. Trunks and Dende gazed up curiously.

"What are you going to do, Piccolo?" Dende asked curiously.

"I am going to see if I can get Shenron to break the spell Kikyo placed on Vegeta. It's a long shot. But if Vegeta can also fight Majin Buu as well, we have nothing to lose," Piccolo concluded.

The Namekian holding Vegeta on his shoulder then glanced at Vegeta, "You owe me big time for this one, Vegeta..." He thought as he took his leave as fast as he could to where Shenron had been called with Trunks following suit.

There, before everyone, Shenron hovered with his scaly snake-like form patiently as the ones who called him to make their wishes come true.

Bulma then walked up toward the dragon, "Shenron, can you please bring back all those who had died today?"

"It shall be done," Shenron compiled as his eyes glowed a crimson red color. After a few moments, his eyes returned to their previous color tone, "Your wish has been granted. What is your next wish?"

Bulma looked up toward the dragon, unable to answer, "I wonder what we should wish for next..."

Yamcha placed his hands to his sides with a raised brow, "Maybe we should wish for Shenron to give Vegeta a personality change."

Bulma merely ignored him. That was when Theresa and Chichi walked closer toward the dragon.

"Maybe there is nothing to wish for, perhaps we can just call the dragon later?" Theresa manages to suggest despite being wowed by this dragon's appearance.

Chichi just blinked, "I guess that's another option."

"WAIT!"

They all immediately gazed up toward the sky and came to notice Trunk, Krillian and Piccolo with Vegeta seemingly on his shoulder. Piccolo then placed him on the grass before Bulma. She gasped when she came to notice the arrow protruding out of Vegeta's chest. She gasped with shock.

"That's..." Bulma trailed off, knowing very well whose arrow that was, "But... why?"

Theresa came closer to the incapacitated Vegeta, "This spiritual power... It's Kikyo's."

Chichi and Yamcha also stared at the older priestess stunned.

Piccolo glanced from the corner of his eye, "I'll explain after," he gazed up toward the dragon, "Shenron, I need you to release Vegeta from Kikyo's spell that she had placed on him."

The dragon growled, "Very well. It shall be done..."

With that, the arrow vanished from Vegeta's chest. He grunted and he opened his eyes. After he got his bearings, he immediately stood before those before him.

He looked around himself, "Wha... What..." He stopped as he came to remember what happened. It filled him with rage. The moment he had to prove himself that he was strongest. And it was by a weak woman no less. He gritted his teeth.

"Your wishes have been granted. Farewell," Shenron said as he took his leave in a brilliant display of light as the Dragon Balls dispersed into the air.

Bulma then came closer toward Vegeta, "Vegeta! What happened? Why did you do that?"

She received no answer from him. He merely ignored her.

Piccolo then turned toward Vegeta coolly, "So, do you think that you are all powerful despite allowing that wizard Babadi to control you?"

Vegeta's pride was crushed. What was left for him? To be humiliated further? Could it get any worse? He did not want to stay to find out. With that thought in mind, he immediately flew off.

Trunks was about to follow him, "Father!"

"Stop. Let him go," Piccolo began, which had caused Trunks to stop, "When he is finished venting, he should be ready to fight Majin Buu."

Theresa then went up toward Piccolo, "I know that spiritual energy anywhere. Tell me, what has happened to Kikyo and Gohan. And why did Kikyo have to use the arrow of sealing on Vegeta to seal his powers?"

Piccolo then stared down at the older woman. But then he gazed upward, "We were fighting this wizard named Babadi and his minions. Babadi was a disadvantage. Until Vegeta started to show Babadi that he was only out for himself in the battle. Vegeta's greed for power conquered him and that gave Babadi a means in which he could use his magic to control him. Then Gohan had to fight Vegeta. In the end however, Kikyo sealed Vegeta's powers to end the battle."

"But then... Why are Gohan and Kikyo not with you?" Chichi asked apprehensively.

Piccolo glanced to the side, "Gohan and Kikyo were killed by this creature called Majin Buu that Babadi controlled. We narrowly got away... Now Majin Buu is out there terrorizing the inhabitants. I'm sorry..."

As per reflex, Chichi promptly fell to the ground as she fainted. Bulma quickly went to Chichi's side to hold her up along with Yamcha.

Theresa placed her hands over her mouth with tears welling up, "No..."

The rest looked on in regret and shame due to what happened. Given the circumstances, what could any of them do now?

Back on the home of the Kai's planet, Gohan had been training nonstop. It was the same training regimen all over and Kikyo was wondering how this was supposed to work at all. Will he himself be stronger because of the sword? Or would this simply just be a fruitless effort?

"I still do not see how Gohan became stronger by simply doing this. The sword does not seem like it would be enough to stop Majin Buu even if he should master it," Kikyo concluded. She was expecting Kibito to have another outburst due to what she said. But instead, he just gave her a glare.

"Kikyo, Gohan has only just begun his training. It's not going to happen right away," Supreme Kai interjected for Kibito

She closed her eyes, "Unfortunately, we are out of time. What will this last minute preparation serve? We will need a miracle to kill Majin Buu now."

Supreme Kai said nothing and looked down with regret that they could not stop Babadi before Buu was released.

However, Goku came to have an idea that just sprung on him.

"Hey, Gohan?"

Gohan looked his way, "Yeah, dad?"

His father smirked, "How about we give that sword a real test?"

That's when Goku looked around and found a decent sized boulder. He went up to it and pulled it off the ground. Even though Kikyo saw Gohan's strength, it was surprising to see his father do the same thing. But It should not come off as a surprise that the Saiyans, as they are called, possess such impressive strength.

"Ready or not!" Goku said as he easily held the bolder, prepared to chuck it toward Gohan.

Gohan gripped his sword tightly, "Got it!"

"Here it goes!"

Goku then hucked the rock toward his son to which Gohan promptly cut in two. It left the two Kais stunned.

Kikyo lowered her head again in thought. Just how would this stop Majin Buu though? It seems that what is needed is more than mere strength just to be successful. But what could be done to stop a beast who had been created by magic?

"How about we try another approach?" Supreme Kai suggested with a smile. He raised his hand and created a block of what seemed to be metal.

Supreme Kai turned toward Goku, "Here, Goku. Catch."

Goku then took hold of the solid metal and marveled at the density. He stared that this humongous block with interest, "What is this thing?"

"It's called katchin. It is known as the hardest metal in the universe." Supreme Kai said with a confident smile.

Goku then turned around toward his son, "Okay, Gohan! Are you ready?"

Gohan gripped the sword tightly as he held it up with a smirk, "Ready when you are!"

"Here it goes!" Goku announced as he hucked it toward Gohan with vigor.

Gohan went in to swing at it but then the sword buckled and finally, it snapped in two under the pressure. He stared shaken for a split second at the now broken sword before ducking to avoid the large block of kachine that went tumbling to the ground, leaving a huge indent on the earth behind him.

Kikyo gasped at the sight. Also, it particularly disturbed the Kais who took in the sight of the sword.

Goku on the other hand just stared with some surprise that this 'legendary' Z sword could break so easily if it was supposed to make the wielder more powerful than before.

Gohan then recovered. But he was now shaken as he held the half of the sword in his hands.

"On no! Now this is a Z d-dagger!" He exclaimed as he stuttered.

"No! P-please tell me it isn't true, Kibito!" Supreme Kai yelled out startled.

"I-i-it's true! The sword snapped in half!" Kibito exclaimed shaken.

"Uh oh. This doesn't seem good. Does it? Guess that metal is called the hardest for a reason. Huh?" Goku then said with one brow up.

Supreme Kai was still shaking, "But the one who yields the Z sword is supposed to have the greatest strength in the universe!"

"Yield the sword and you cannot be rivaled! It's legend!" Kibito rehearsed shakily; as though he had rehearsed the same saying often.

Kikyo gave a small sigh, "That... is no longer the case it seems."

Gohan stared at the broken sword curiously, "Really? I guess whoever said that exaggerated a little..."

He then dropped the sword on the ground. after he looked up brightly, "Hey! There's a bright side to all of this. The sword training has made me a lot stronger and faster!"

Gohan did a few quick test jabs in the air, "See? Maybe the person who is able to handle mastering the sword gains the greatest strength in the universe! So what do you think?"

Supreme Kai gazed up hopeful, "Yes! Your power seems to have gotten stronger! And if you are this powerful, you'll be much more stronger as a super Saiyan!"

Kibito begrudgingly nodded.

But Kikyo shook her head, "No. That is not true I am afraid."

Goku turned around surprised as did the others. She caught their stares of disbelief and proceeded to continue, "I have not sensed any slightest change in your powers since you have started this, Gohan."

"So... Gohan isn't stronger than Majin Buu?" Goku asked, confused by this point.

Supreme Kai stared nervously at the priestess, "W-what? Are you saying we don't have a chance?"

"Quiet!"

That outburst caused both Supreme Kai and Kibito to jump. They all turned to see a frail looking old man.

"Hehe... Much better!" The old man said.

"Uh... Sir, we are trying to train." Goku announced to the elderly man.

"You call that training?" The elderly man asked with a chuckle.

"Who are you?" Supreme Kai asked incredulously.

"Oh? Me? Check out the hair style and my dashing looks! I am just an older version of you. Fifthteen generations to be exact!" The elderly man said with amusement.

"W-what?! Fifthteen generations?" Supreme Kai bellowed while stunned.

"There are two Supreme Kais?" Kibito questioned while being astounded.

Goku and Gohan stared at each other. Gohan merely shook his shoulders out of response.

"I sensed your presence."

They all turned to Kikyo when they heard that. Gohan then came close to her, "You mean you knew?"

She shook her head, "No. I just felt something coming from that sword," she raised her gaze to meet the elderly Kai's, "It was you. Was it not?"

"My, what a perceptive, young and beautiful woman!" The elderly Kai marveled. It seemed as though he was trying to undress her with his eyes.

When the old Kai talked about Gohan's girlfriend, it did strike a cord in him; but not in a good way. However, he ignored it.

"Anyway, you are wondering how I am still alive, are you?" The elderly Kai queried. The spectators just stared with no response.

"There was a terrible villain who sealed me away in that sword because he feared my awesome powers. He lived way back then. Though, he was not as awful as Majin Buu. But he was still pretty terrible." The elderly Kai concluded with his story.

"So you were sealed the entire time in the sword?" Supreme Kai questioned.

"Yeah. And now I have a cramp in my back!" The old Kai said as he stretched his aged back.

Goku turned back to meet his son's puzzled gaze, "I don't think he's as strong as he says he is. Do you?"

Gohan put his hand behind his head nervously, "Not really..."

"Hey! Let's put him to the test!" Goku suggested eagerly.

"Wha? Dad, I don't think-" Gohan started. But he was shushed by Goku.

Kikyo also glanced curiously at Gohan's father. What was he going to do?

"Watch." Goku said as he raised his hand and a small energy blast formed in his palm. He released it and it hit the old Kai in the face.

This shook everyone who saw the old Kai fall to the ground.

Kikyo let out a small gasp while Supreme Kai and Kibito rushed to the old Kai to fan away the smoke from his face.

"Are you alright?" Kibito called out.

The old Kai gingerly opened his eyes. In a second, he jumped up angrily, "How dare you! Babies! You are all babies in diapers! That's what you are! Trying that on me? Are you nuts!"

Goku and his son just stared with wide eyes stunned.

"But that... was just child's play..." Goku said meekly.

"Even Trunks could handle that as a toddler..." Gohan said softly.

Kikyo on the other hand, just let out a small sigh.

"All of my enemies feared me! But not because of my strength. My menacing wits and capacities is what struck terror in their hearts!" Old Kai exclaimed. All the while still being flustered.

"Capacities?" Goku repeated clueless.

"Menacing?" Gohan repeated in the same fashion.

Goku went up to the old Kai, "What do you mean?"

The old Kai crossed his arms defiantly, "I'm not gonna tell you! Give me one good reason." He stuck out his tongue.

Kikyo closed her eyes. Obviously frustrated. Here they were wasting time. Meanwhile, Majin Buu was on a rampage.

Supreme Kai on the other hand did not expect such childish response from this elder Kai.

"Hmm... Let's see." Goku rubbed his head in thought for a moment. Then he brightened, "I got it! My old master likes girl magazines! We'll get you some!"

"Seriously?" Gohan asked no one in particular.

This made Supreme Kai stand on his toes, "Goku! Please! That's very inappropriate!"

"Hpmf! I don't need those!" Then the old Kai smiled while placing his hand over top of his eyes, "With my omniscient vision, I can see girls play volleyball on the beach!"

That outburst forced the two other Kais to fall over astounded. Supreme Kai immediately regained his footing.

"You called yourself a Kai!" Supreme Kai called out.

Then Goku whispered in the old Kai's ear. Gohan could not quite make it out. Something about being a good kisser? He did not like the way that old man was looking at his girlfriend either. But he understood enough. He went up to his father and poked him on the shoulder.

"Dad, are you crazy? Who's going to kiss that old guy?" He asked.

"This is simple. But it will require some sacrifice." Goku said as he eyed Kikyo from the side with a hinting smile.

"Can you get Kikyo to do it?"

Kikyo just gave Goku a look that seemed puzzled out of response.

At that moment Gohan blew up in his father's face. His face was beat red as he became flustered.

"Dad, I am not going to ask my soon-to-be fiance to kiss that old relic!" Gohan exclaimed. But then he cooled down instantly. He never said to Kikyo about wanting to marry her. He turned to see Kikyo's narrowed eyes.

"F-Fiance?" She recited softly. Now it was her who stuttered.

Gohan then quickly recovered and gave a sincere smile. He nodded. He went forward and embraced her.

"I've been wanting to tell you. But I didn't know when was the right time." He said as he ran his hand over her back.

Kikyo was still stunned. Never in her life did she expect to have a man who wanted to marry her.

Goku just blinked as he took in the sight of affection, "You getting married... Time really has passed."

"So, what about Bulma? You think she'd do it? Is she a good kisser?" Goku asked.

Gohan let go of Kikyo nervously, "I really don't want any part in this!"

"So, is that with lipstick or without?" Goku asked the old Kai.

"With! Definitely with! But it really doesn't matter." The old Kai said with a bright smile.

"I think it's worth it if this guy's power can help us win!" Goku said excitedly.

Kikyo just sighed. This was all ridiculous. At this point, a simple kiss was worth saving the world. So she went right up to the old Kai and gave him a peck on the cheek; begrudgingly of course.

This in turn stunned Gohan, "Kikyo..."

Kikyo gave a soft smile to the old Kai, "Does this mean you can help us now?"

"Hehe! Of course I will!" The old Kai exclaimed.

"Then I am happy." She responded softly with a smile.

However, when she turned around, her expression became cold.

"Kikyo, why did you-" Gohan stopped when he caught her stare. It was clear to him that she was annoyed by all this.

"It was just a kiss to the cheek. It did not go any further than that. At least we have him helping now." She responded.

Gohan put his hand behind his head, "I guess... But..."

"Now is not the time," she said calculatedly.

That's when Goku put both of his hands on his son's shoulders, "Son, you definitely have a keeper if she's willing to make sacrifices like that!"

Kikyo merely turned her head away from them both out of embarrassment.

Gohan then blushed, "Yeah... She's a real trooper..." Was all he said as he was at loss on how to respond.

The old Kai then waved at the half Saiyan, "Now you, come here."

Gohan pointed at himself curiously, "You mean me?"

Then Kikyo came up to the old Kai, "Are the rest of us to watch while you give Gohan his training?"

"Hmm," the old Kai thought to himself for a moment, "Actually, there is another I can train."

Kikyo stared with curiosity, "Who would that be?"

The old Kai merely smiled, "You."

Goku and Gohan stared at each other at a loss for words. But then Gohan came to her side.

"Could she really become that strong?" Goku asked.

She was taken aback, "What is it that I could do?"

The Old Kai smiled, "A lot more than what you can do presently. There is spiritual power within you that has yet to be released. That is what I feel coming from you. It is much like Gohan in this regard. He also has power left untapped."

That's when Supreme Kai and Kibito stood stunned.

"Meaning, these two together with their unlocked power could possibly put an end to Majin Buu..." Supreme Kai uttered under his breath as he found this revelation miraculous.

It was then Kikyo stood firm, "I understand. Will me and Gohan be training together?" She eyed Gohan intrigued, wondering how they could train together.

However, the Old Kai shook his head, "No. Each of you will be doing your own separate training."

"Then... What am I supposed to do?" She asked expectantly.

"Your training will involve your inner self; your soul more than anything. Just like with Gohan. But yours will be different from his," Old Kai informed.

"Different? How?" Kikyo asked.

"That is for you to discover on your own," Old Kai mentioned.

"Now do you wish to be stronger to help everyone?" Old Kai asked again?

She gave a slow nod, "I am."

"Alright then. Can you come closer to me?"

She did as she was asked. He placed his palm just in front of her forehead. For some reason, it felt like a shock wave struck her in that instant. The glossiness in her eyes faded as she felt all her strength leaving her. The world before her faded. Then she began to fall to the ground.

Gohan immediately went and caught her with a distraught look on his face, "Kikyo!"

Goku and the other Kais present just made an expression that implied they were at a loss for words.

Gohan looked up to the old Kai, "What did you do to her?"

The old Kai smiled softly, "Now, she is in her own mind on her own path to greater strength. She will be fine. But she won't be done for a while. So now let's get started with your training."

Gohan gave himself a moment to think about the situation. He gave another look at Kikyo's now unconscious form. Would she be alright? Would she succeed?

Goku then patted his son on the shoulder, "Hey, I'll keep an eye on her while you and the old Kai do your training together."

His son gave an unsure smile, "Thanks, dad. Hopefully after all this, it will be worth it. And I hope that Kikyo won't have to fight."

Goku brightened, "I'm sure you'll do fine so that she won't have to."

With that, Gohan gave a nod and then followed the old Kai to the open plain to begin his own training.

Darkness... It was all she could see. Nothing else. Everything was a void. She walked aimlessly for what seemed like an eternity, wondering where she was... who she was. What was happening? Where was she going? She had no inkling whatsoever.

Then, in a flash of images before her, she could see... 'herself.'

"What... is all this?" She asked.

She turned around with narrowed eyes and saw another image... Of 'her' and this 'young man' dressed in red with silver hair on a dock in sunset. They spoke with a look of longing. Then they kissed.

While seeing this vision, she touched her lips. She could feel as though this kiss was familiar. Why?

She turned around again and another image appeared before her where she saw 'her' walking in an open field. The doppelganger that was her was about to apply rouge kept in a clam shell. However, before she could, she was attacked by the same 'young man.' Then he stepped on her doppelganger's hand. He took something and walked away, leaving this duplicate of her for dead.

Presently, Kikyo who had been watching this was wondering why she had this bottomless pit of hatred welling up inside her. Then she felt a sharp searing pain on her right shoulder. She grunted in agony and she lowered to her knees. To her surprise, and horror, she had the exact same wound as the 'one' she was watching from the vision.

She touched her 'now wounded' shoulder and felt the blood seeping out on her hand. She gazed at the blood with horror in her eyes.

Just what was going on? What was going to happen?

To Be Concluded…

As you can see, things are starting to become interesting. I wonder where I will go with this. ;)

-LindseyXZ