I do not own DB, DBZ, DBGT or DBS all rights to the companies that own them and Akira Toriyama.
They had been waiting in the third level for a while now. Everyone was getting impatient.
"All the Stages look the same, this is getting boring." Gohan whined while stretching for her fight to come.
"This isn't a game, you guys need to fight together." Shin tried to tell them.
Goku jumped in, "Nah! Gohan doesn't need it. Besides, Vegeta and I got to fight our opponent alone, it would be unfair."
Shin was again speechless.
Gohan while stretching was trying to assess her power after the whole draining thing. As it was known of Saiyan's even half breeds, got a powerful boost when they are defeated. Even though she didn't get the chance to fight herself all her power was drained then restored but it didn't feel like it was higher. In fact it felt like there was something blocking it.
"Hey Shin, Babidi can boost the powers of people he controls right?" Gohan asked.
"Yes, he can force his way in but usually they let him in."
"Can he also block people from using their power?" She was curious. Why else would she be feeling incomplete.
"No, you would know if Babidi was using magic on you, besides he would want you at your fullest so he could take more from you when your beaten. At least that seems the reasoning behind all this."
"I see. You guys must of scared them away then, it doesn't look like Babidi can get someone to fight the rest of the levels." Gohan tried to change the subject.
"We should just blast this damn place. Step aside!" Vegeta was getting impatient and moved Gohan away from the center of the room holding his hand out to blast the place.
"Vegeta don't! Any blast like that could threaten waking Majin Buu." Shin complained.
"So what! The sooner he is awake the sooner we can defeat him and I can get my proper fight with Kakarot."
"Really Vegeta, is that all you can think of as soon as dad comes home?" Gohan knew Vegeta's drive came from surpassing Goku and becoming the best but there is a 'time and place' for ambition like that. It was not here.
"Honestly Vegeta, think of time and place." Piccolo added as if he read Gohan's thoughts.
Before Vegeta could respond the door for the next challenger opened. Out stepped Dabura.
"Wow your boss must be getting scared to send his best out half way through." Goku teased.
"Are you all so arrogant? You should all attack me at once, so I can give all your energy to Majin Buu." Dabura commanded in his regal tone.
Gohan didn't know what was coming over her but she would not be ignored. "Hey! It's my turn to fight."
Dabura seemed disappointed with the fact only one would attack him at a time but relented. "Fine, if you insist. I will kill you all eventually anyway. Master, I think a home field advantage might work, please take us somewhere like earth." The ship was once again changed to a wasteland that looked like earth but had the wrong colourings, almost a reddish tint to the world.
"Let's do this." Gohan said sinking into her signature stance.
Dabura attacked first, Gohan could tell he was holding back, testing the waters of her power. Gohan tried to not let him cause any damage, blocking most attacks, the few that got through didn't feel like they caused any damage, knowing she would have to end it to get Krillin back it would be best to end it as quickly as possible.
Every time Gohan upped her power and the strength of her attacks Dabura was unsurprisingly matching her. She knew he wasn't so weak and would take being Super Saiyan at least to defeat him, he wasn't a push over like the guys her father and Vegeta fought. The only problem was she was reaching what she knew would be her base forms limit but she couldn't access her Super Saiyan transformation. She thought she could feel the power still there within her but access to it had been almost cut off, it was usually so easy to access it. As a result of her trying to push the transformation her focus lapsed resulting in Dabura landing multiple attacks and sending her hurtling to the ground near the rest of the group.
As she was collecting herself off the ground she caught the end of a conversation between Vegeta and Piccolo.
"What is she doing? Is she trying to play with him?" Piccolo asked the group with a hint of disappointment in his tone.
"Looks like she is the one to be played with, where's this power she continually beats me with? She should have been Super Saiyan already and have already beaten him easily. Why hasn't she won yet?" Vegeta also added with that same mild tone of what seemed like disappointment.
Goku jumped to her defence. "Come on guy the fight just started. Give her a chance."
Gohan wasn't sure if they spoke that loud on purpose but she gritted her teeth, feeling disappointment in herself why wasn't she able to beat him easily she knew the power was in her, it was like the angrier she got the less and less of her energy she could access. Dabura continued to beat on her. Gohan tried to defend as best she could but she could feel the pain in his punches.
Goku eventually called out. "Come on Gohan! Your stronger than this!"
"Tsk. What is with her. I thought that big bafoon was supposed to heal her. She has less power now then when she fought Cell." Vegeta commented.
Dabura materialised a sword and struck Gohan back to the ground cutting her tunic so it fell to the ground around her in pieces. Struggling to get up she powered up a Ki blast and shot it at him hoping to buy some time to catch her breath.
"Gohan what's wrong?! You need to transform! There's no time to play around!" Piccolo yelled to her.
"Don't you think I've been trying?! *pant* It's gone!"
"What?!" Vegeta added. "What do you mean it's gone?!"
"What ever power or technique we use to transform to Super Saiyan is gone. I can't transform!"
"That's nonsense!. Step aside I'll finish this idiot off." Vegeta was uncommonly angry at the fact.
"No! It's still my fight!"
Just as Dabura was about to attack her again he stops mid flight and appeared to be talking quietly to himself. Next thing they know they are back on the ship and Dabura was walking to the exit. "Our fight is finished. But don't worry there is a new challenger for you coming."
"Hey! We're not finished!" Gohan tried to yell before he left.
Babidi P.O.V.
"Dabura, you were finally getting the meter moving, you better have a good reason for coming back."
"I do Master. I noticed a large amount of hostility in the short spiky haired man, I was thinking we could use their own power against them."
"My my my, yes that would be a good plan. Okay quiet down so I can focus and see what type of evil lurks in his heart." Babidi closed his eyes and focused on the powers in the room above. 2 were shining beacons of goodness the godly aura of a Kai, then there were 2 with less then shiny hearts. One had less than the other, but both could be of use. "Good catch Dabura. I'll turn the one called Vegeta first he should be the easiest, he has the most hostility in his heart. The other I'll use as a backup, he has a bit too much good in him but that spark of pure evil is still there. HAHAHAHA. Babapa-bumpa!" Babidi yelled into the crystal ball.
Gohan P.O.V.
Gohan was still staring at the door that Dabura left through, thinking about why she was unable to transform. Shin was between Piccolo and Vegeta whom were arguing, she tried to block them out, she knew it was about her.
"Why did he stop the fight so soon? What did he mean about another challenger?" Goku asked the group.
"No Idea." Shin responded. Before anyone could say any more Vegeta dropped to his knees screaming in agony. "Oh no! Vegeta fight it! Don't let him win!"
"What's happening to him?" Gohan asked worried.
"He's.. A-attacking.. me!"
"Who is Vegeta, I can't see anybody" Goku exclaims, looking around for some force.
"I should of warned you guys about this. It seems Babidi is trying to gain control of him! He manipulates any evil in a person and amplifies it gaining control of the person. You have to fight it Vegeta, don't let him win. Fight him to protect your home!"
"What? But Vegeta isn't evil! Not anymore! Come on Vegeta fight it!" Gohan begged, crouching down touching his face, hoping she could somehow pull him from the pain.
As Vegeta pulls away from her touch. "It's… N-not my home… I only wanted one thing… But I've been… t-trapped here…" Struggling within himself, screaming in agony he rises into the air turning Super Saiyan. The power coming off him shakes the ship. Gohan tries again to get close to him but Vegeta sparks red electricity from his body hitting Gohan and sending her across the room.
"Gohan! Are you okay?!" Her father asks worried.
"Yeah," she groans her heart hurting more than the physical pain from being thrown, "I'm alright." They all watch, unable to look away from the physical pain it seems Babidi is causing Vegeta, his power sky rockets and his features change, his tail steadily grows back while he is screaming. When he stops screaming he lowers to the ground on to his hands and knees panting. Tail limp it doesn't appear he has noticed it grew back but Gohan does. When he finally stands up he had the signature cursive M on his forehead he instinctively wraps his tail around his waist. If he had noticed it growing back he ignored it only having eyes on Goku.
"Vegeta… Why?" Gohan all but whispered. She felt his Ki and even when he first landed on Earth to fight them it wasn't as wrong and evil feeling as he was radiating now.
Vegeta ignored everyone in the room facing only Goku. "Kakarot, I am your next challenger. Fight me. The only reason I came today was because I was promised a good fight from you!"
"Now isn't the time Vegeta." Goku tried to reason. "I said we'd get to spar after this, you didn't have to do this." His voice took on a slightly disgusted tone as he realised he may of let Babidi take control on purpose purely for this reason. Gohan too started to think that, but didn't want it to be true.
Before more could be said they found themselves back at the WMAT in the middle of the ceremony they were trying to hold without the winners there. Lots of spectators had gone but there were still hundreds in the stands including their family and friends.
"Fight me! NOW! I am the Prince of all Saiyan's. For years you have continually knocked me down. A third class warrior like you surpassing me taking the title of strongest Saiyan. Time and time again, even in death! I will prove I am far above you. You will fight me!" Vegeta demands and when Goku refuses once more Vegeta holds his hand out to the side and powers up a blast aiming it at one of the more populated sections.
"Don't do it Vegeta!" Goku begs rushing forward to try and stop him.
To Gohan's horror he lets it go incinerating an entire section of the stands before Goku could get there.
"These peoples lives are on your head. Can you continue to live with yourself? More will die if you don't fight me!"
Goku just stood there seething in rage. When he didn't move Vegeta turned to the next most populated section powering up another Ki blast. This one was aimed at their family and friends, including his son. Gohan as quickly as she could dashed in front of them. Sadly he let it off before she was fully prepared. Throwing up a Ki barrier as wide and strong as she could, barely saving their friends. Sadly the audience to the sides weren't able to be saved as the blast expanded when it hit her shield leaving only the people withing a large circle behind her untouched. On top of saving her family she also managed to save most her friends from school.
"Bulma!" Gohan addressed the people behind her, with a tone Bulma had only heard from her a few times before. Too upset to turn and face them. "Take everyone to the lookout. Gather the Dragon Balls as quickly as you can but don't use them. Just keep them safe, it's going to get worse then this."
"Gohan, what's wrong with dad why would he do this?" A scared trunks asked. Gohan's heart started to break even more, he was a scared little boy, they didn;t know that Vegeta was being mind controlled.
"Your father isn't himself right now Trunks please understand that. Videl! You lot go with Bulma, stay safe." Finally turning around enough to look at them over her shoulder, there were at least 3 others from school along with her 3 friends she could of sworn there were more of her school mates at the tournament, she only hoped they left and weren't in the area she couldn't save. Her clothing was in tatters, only in her black body suit, riddled with holes covered in scorch marks and dried blood, to everyone they could tell she had already been fighting hard. She managed to give a sad smile that looked more like a grimace. "Thanks for being my friends. Now GO! GET OUT OF HERE!"
Her father was still trying to reason with Vegeta and both were looking more and more pissed at each other. Gohan lowered herself to the side of them but so both were in her peripherals. Not looking at either of them just straight ahead, she didn't feel strong enough to look at the monster that she thought she loved that had been a constant rock for her over the years, the man that she had been measuring all other men against, whom she thought at least cared for her back. He wasn't that man any more. She had to try and close her heart.
"I honestly thought you were stronger than this." Her voice wavering yet had venom dripping from it. "To be taken over so easily. To almost kill your own son. Where's all that pride you spew now. You're nothing like the Prince you claim to be." Her voice was quiet for only the 5 of them to hear the tone turning stony and cold the longer she spoke. She saw him flinch at her words but didn't react, addressing her father insead. "Dad? Show him no mercy."
"I can't fight him Gohan."
"Yes you will. No more innocent lives lost."
Seeing the anguish on his daughters face helped set Goku's resolve. He had noticed the soft looks and touches between the pair throughout the day, but he didn't think it was that intimate of a connection, the betrayal radiating from her showed him it was.
"Fine, I will fight you Vegeta." At that sentence Vegeta's face lit up. "Babidi! Take us somewhere secluded!" With the change of scenery and one last quick look at the pair in front of her. For a brief second she thought she saw regret flash across Vegeta's face when their eyes met but she was beyond caring now, she walked to the hatch on the ground that had opened up.
She caught the accusation that her father made and Vegeta acknowledged. He did let himself be taken over so he could have enough power to fight Goku and Goku only be damned anyone else. Shin tried to argue with them. This time it was her father the powered up a Ki blast right in the Supreme Kai's face telling him to move.
"Let them do it Shin." What ever look Gohan had on her face as she turned to address the Kai, had Shin going white and flying down the hatch behind her and Piccolo with no more arguments. Gohan paused before the hatch. Taking a few deep breaths and lowering herself down followed closely by Piccolo and Shin. When she landed she took a few moments to school her features. She had a job to do, protect them all. It's been her job since she was 10, she can't let personal feelings get in the way again when the world is at stake.
Once they had lowered down into the last level Gohan found her voice again. Determined to not let this be a betrayal but finding it hard not to. "Your turn Piccolo."
"Yeah, I..." Before he could finish the sentence Piccolo fell to the ground clutching his head. Eventually he gave a strangled cry. "No! Argghh! I. Will not. Be controlled!" He tried to say through gritted teeth.
"No! Piccolo! Come on, fight it! You're heart isn't evil. It never was!"
"Arrhhhhh. I can't stop it... Gohan... Don't let him... take me... Kill me..." Piccolo's tone was so strangled Gohan barely understood him.
"Piccolo! No! Come on! Your stronger than this. Don't let him win!" Gohan could tell Piccolo was losing the battle inside his head.
"What? How could this happen? Babidi should only have control over people with evil in their heart. Wasn't Piccolo the guardian of this planet?"
"Piccolo may of used to be evil but it's gone now. He hasn't been evil since I was a kid."
"Used to be!?"
"Well he is the reincarnation of the evil king Piccolo but with Kami and Nail's souls in him that small evil shouldn't of been found. His heart is pure! I know it!" Turning to Piccolo she saw the signature cursive M forming on his forehead. "No... Piccolo."
"So... This is the power I could possess." Piccolo mused to himself. "Gohan. Fight me. You failed before. You remember what I would do to you when you failed."
"Why Piccolo? Why did you let him do that to you?!"
"He helped me remember what it felt like. To be cold hearted. He is very convincing. I had missed it. You had made me weak minded over the years. Now fight me." The tone he was using was not a tone Gohan had ever heard from him. She imagined it as the voice of the original king Piccolo. This was not the best friend she knew. She may not have access to all her power but she would die trying to get him back.
They were transported to a wasteland not too far from her father and Vegeta's fight. She could sense them off in the distance. Piccolo attacked head on. Not giving her a chance to react. Nor was he pulling punches. He always had an advantage in technique over her when they sparred but now he had power and technique. It was like she was 5 again, training for the Saiyan's, he was not giving her a chance to respond beating her mercilessly. She tried to reason with him but the cold hard, stony look he was wearing was her only response. Gohan was losing quickly. She knew it. The more she thought about it the more she knew she would have to kill him or he would kill her. There really was no other way she could think of. How she would do it with her power capped she didn't know.
While fighting she noticed Piccolo make multiple mistakes. Mistakes that he would never normally do. Leaving openings that her Piccolo's meticulous fighting style would never allow, like it was someone else in his body. She was still struggling to keep up. As her power was, even if she got the chance to power a Kamehameha wave, she doubted it would be big enough. As she looked into his eyes she saw the struggle. 'He must be fighting Babidi's control, Kami and Nail must still be within him as well helping, not just the spirit of Evil King Piccolo. But the evil side in him was still strong it seemed.' She thought she heard him strangle out, "hurry up and kill me." But honestly hoped she hadn't.
Even though she knew she would have to eventually, she couldn't keep this up, how can she bring herself to do it. In that moment of pause she was knocked to the ground. As she struggled to get up she felt a powerful blast coming towards her and Shin yelling in the background to "look out". Closing her eyes she breathed deeply. She can't lose now. Too many people depended on her. Time seemed to slow down as she breathed deep and thought about all the people who have been there for her and were depending on her. Her baby Goten, the smart Bulma, troublemaker Trunks. The goofy yet strong Z-fighters that fit together despite being so different from each other. Her mountain of strength and wisdom Grandpa. Even her new friends Videl, Erasa and Sharpner. She thought of Piccolo, the Piccolo who taught her to be strong and encouraged her to do better, not this stranger in front of her. When she opened her eyes, she felt calm and a strange determination came over her. Her aura and power flared. Not Yellow like Super Saiyan but something more pale. Her tail changed colour to pale silver/golden as well as her eyes.
She bends her knees and powers up an attack she had only used once before against Frieza. This time moving her hands in front of her heart in a gun shape with her hands clasped and her index and middle fingers pointing up, gathering the energy needed, points her hands at Piccolo's beam looking like she was shooting a gun. The blast piercing through his Ki blast. As it disintegrated his attack it continues on hitting him in the chest, once it touched flesh she separates her hands spreading her fingers, with a final yell, it results in an internal like explosion. Once the smoke cleared it was clear there were no traces of him anywhere.
Falling to her hands and knees Gohan takes deep breaths trying to get control but the pain in her chest from the events of the last hour or so we're too much. Something in her breaks. It had been threatening to rupture when Vegeta turned but after what she was forced to just do, her heart shattered.
As they were teleported back to the ship Gohan let out a cry of anguish, so powerful even Dabura and Babidi flinched from the sound. Shin tried to console Gohan, but she just wasn't ready, no words would be able to comfort her and the atrocity she was forced to commit against her best friend since she was 4 and a half.
After a few minutes she stood up wiped her eyes and donned a steely aura. 'They will not get away with this. First they turn Vegeta against them then they have the audacity to turn my best friend against me resulting in me having to kill him. No more mercy.' She thought to herself as she lowered her self-down to the final level holding her hands in front of her heart in a gun shape once more. Landing face to face with Babidi and Dabura and pointed at them.
TBC...
This chapter though shorter than normal was hard for me to write. It took a lot of re-writing for me to be okay with it and plot ideas from gaara king of the sand to make it work. Imagining and knowing what to write is so easier than actually writing such heart wrenching scenes. I hope you enjoy it. :)