My DBZ Adventure—Part 13
A/N: Hi! This has like one bad word in it, but it's nothing too bad. If the least bit of swearing offends you, then turn back now. You have been warned! And to those of you who aren't, I hope you enjoy the story!
Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING CONCERNED WITH DBZ SAVE FOR MY OWN CHARACTERS!! Understood? Great! And I didn't even need to show the convenient little picture of the DBZ people. You guys are so good to me! Now, on with the show!
On Nimbus, Kat, Jo, and Cassie sped toward Goku. Nimbus brought them to the Son House where Goku sat talking with Chichi.
Kat burst into the house. "Goku, Piccolo and Gohan need you. Now!" He was up in an instant. "Sorry, Chichi."
"What's going on?" Goku asked as they flew toward Gohan and Piccolo.
"Gohan just told me to tell you to go to Piccolo. Gohan's probably already there," Kat told him.
Goku nodded. "I sense Gohan, Piccolo, Jessie, and...one other. I don't know who, but I'm guessing it's the enemy. I want you girls to say out of sight, okay?"
"Okay," they all replied.
"I hope everyone's all right," Goku said. "No one's near critical, but Piccolo's been injured."
Kat bit her lip. "How bad?"
"Like I said, it's not critical, but I don't think he'll be doing anymore fighting for a while." Kat looked down and Jo put her hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, he'll be fine once I give him one of these." Goku held up a senzu bean and Kat brightened.
I looked up as I sensed Goku approach. Now maybe we can kill this thing before it really hurts somebody.
"Gohan, be careful," Piccolo warned. "He's extremely strong."
Gohan nodded. "I know. I've hardly gotten any blows in." He glanced up toward the sky. "My Dad will help. Can you fight, Piccolo?"
"I'd love to help ya, kid, but I don't even think I can stand. That monster got me pretty good." Gohan glared at the monster with narrow and dangerous eyes. "Be careful, Gohan."
"I will, Piccolo. I'll get him for you."
"Gohan!" Goku called as he came into view. "Take this!" He threw a senzu bean at Gohan and he ate it happily. "Jessie, give this to Piccolo."
I smiled and caught the bean, then handed it to Piccolo. He ate it without hesitation and got up when his strength returned.
"Oh yeah, now I'm ready for action. That monster's gonna get it now," Piccolo said, joining Gohan and Goku.
Gohan spared a glance at him. "Glad to see you back on your feet, Piccolo."
Piccolo smirked. "It's good to be back."
Again I studied the picture in my hand and looked back at the monster that was bearing his reddened teeth at my friends. It's exactly like the picture. I wish I knew more about it. I looked up as Vaul cried out its rage and charged the three warriors. I watched as they battled as hard as they could, but I realized that it wasn't going to be enough.
One by one Gohan, Piccolo, and Goku were knocked to the ground. And once they got there they didn't get back up again. All they could do was watch the monster approach, taking its sweet time.
I heard Kat, Jo, and Cassie behind me, but I knew they were safe where they were so I didn't worry too much about them. I did glance back and smiled slightly as Cassie and Kat held Jo back from joining the fight.
Thoughts raced through my mind as I desperately tried to find a way to save the fighters. Finally I just gave up and did the stupidest thing I've ever done. I called the monster's attention to myself in the hopes that the Z fighters would have time enough to recover.
"Stop!" I cried. "Stop it now! Leave them alone!"
Vaul stopped and looked at me in wonder. He looked at me, sizing me up and down. Then he turned back to the three Z fighters, deciding I was no threat. Now that just made me madder. I don't like being ignored, even if it is by a big, green, ugly monster.
"Vaul!" I screamed, flaring my red ki. "Stop right there. You leave them alone."
"You know me, little one?" he asked in a reptilian-like voice. That sent shivers down my spine. "How?"
I hid my fear as best I could from him. I just hoped that he couldn't hear my heart beating a mile a minute. "A little birdie told me."
"What?" Vaul approached me and I realized just how big he was. He looked down at me with those huge, crazy eyes. "I know you, little one," he said.
I blinked. "What?"
"Yes, I know you...a long time ago...far-off land and time. But you are significantly weaker than when we last met. I will beat you this time." With that he filled the distance between us in a second and took me by the throat, lifting me into the air. I didn't even have time to react.
"Jessie!" everyone cried.
"Kamehameha!" I heard. I saw a massive energy beam come from Gohan, but Vaul knocked it away. Gohan sank to his knees.
Cassie, Jo, and Kat came out from hiding and watched in horror as Vaul tried to choke the life out of me. And he was doing a pretty good job, too. I choked and struggled to breathe, hoping someone would help me.
I screamed as Vaul squeezed me, sending pain throughout my body. He seemed to like this and squeezed harder, making me scream louder.
Then, in a flash of light something appeared on my neck. I had no idea what it was or how it was to help me, but I thought nothing more of it when my vision blurred and dimmed.
Vaul cried out at the light, but didn't release me, much to my dismay. He looked down at what formed around my neck and a look of shock and horror crossed his face.
"Oh no, not that," he whispered. "I will be back!"
While he was talking I pounded weakly on his hand, but it did no good—I was losing consciousness fast. Finally as I was slipping into darkness he let go and I hit the ground with a thud. I just laid there, teetering on the edge of unconsciousness. I came back slightly as I felt myself being lifted into strong arms.
"Jessie?" The part of my mind that still worked recognized that Gohan. He tapped my cheek lightly. "Jessie, wake up. Jessie!" Then he shook me, brining me back to full awareness.
As I came to full awareness, I shot up out of Gohan's arms, gasping for the breath that Vaul had not let me take. I fell back into his arms and I felt him support me. Once my body decided I'd gotten enough lost air back my breathing again went back to normal. I laid quietly in Gohan's arms, dizzy and light-headed.
"Are you okay?" Gohan asked.
"I...think so," I replied as steadily as I could. My voice, along with my whole body, was shaking. "That was just...really scary. I thought I was gonna die."
Gohan shook his head and smiled at me. "We wouldn't let that happen," he chided gently.
I smiled weakly as tears stung my eyes. But I wouldn't allow myself to cry and let them know how much that had scared me. "Thanks, Gohan."
"Dad, I'm gonna take her home, okay?" Gohan asked.
"Okay, son. Be careful." Gohan nodded at his father.
"Can we go with you?" Kat asked.
Gohan nodded. "Sure. Get on Nimbus and he'll follow me." They complied. "Are you up to flying?" he asked me.
I shook my head, fearing that'd he make me. "No." I looked at him, the look on my face clearly pleading not to make me do anything.
Gohan smiled understandingly. "It's okay. I'll carry you."
I sighed in relief and rested my head on his shoulder. "Thanks, Gohan." I closed my eyes and completely relaxed, knowing in my heart that Gohan would keep my safe.
I opened my eyes when Gohan landed near his house and I realized I felt much better. I was a bit shaky but otherwise okay. Gohan looked at me and silently asked if I was all right to put on my feet. I nodded and he set me gently on the ground.
"I'm gonna go back and talk to my Dad and Piccolo," Gohan told us. "I'll be back soon." We watched him fly off.
My friends turned to me once Gohan was out of sight. "Jess, how do you know that...that thing?" Jo demanded.
"Yeah. He said he knew you," Kat recalled.
I shook my head. "I don't know how he knows me—I've never even heard of him before today."
"Then how—" Cassie started.
"I'll tell you. When we were at Master Roshi's earlier today after you guys went outside with Gohan, I found a picture of him. All we know about him is his name. I sighed. "I wish I knew more about him, though. Then maybe we could help them fight him. I dunno."
"Well, what about Dende?" Cassie asked. "I mean, he is the Guardian of the Earth. He should know something, right?"
"Good idea, Cass," I said. "Maybe we should do that."
"Why didn't I think of that?" Jo pouted. (A/N: Okay, technically you did, but...^-^ Krystan, you know what I'm talking about if you ever read this.) Suddenly she brightened. "I love Trunks, I love Trunks!"
"We know," we said in return. "We know."
"Wanna hear what happened last night?" she asked enthusiastically.
We sighed, knowing we'd hear it anyway. "Sure," we all replied.
Flashback Time...
Jo could have exploded with happiness when Trunks picked her up to fly back to Capsule Corps. They said nothing to each other on the way there, Jo slightly afraid she'd make a complete fool of herself. Normally she wouldn't even give it a second thought, but this was the man of her dreams! She didn't want to make more of an ass of herself than she already did.
It was an eternity too short for Jo when she realized they had reached their destination. Very reluctantly she let Trunks put her down. As soon as her feet touched the ground she became Trunks' shadow. That is, until he found Vegeta. Jo promptly paled at the sight of him.
Vegeta saw her. "What is she doing here?" he demanded.
"She's staying with us, Father," Trunks replied.
"For how long?"
Trunks shook his head. "For as long as she needs to."
Vegeta growled. "Fine. But just keep her out of my way." If possible Jo paled even more at that. Vegeta smirked when he saw her reaction.
Trunks turned to face Jo and felt a twinge of guilt for letting his father scare her so much. "Mother's inside if you wanna see her."
Jo nodded and quickly went inside. Outside she heard Vegeta laughing and Trunks saying, "Father..."
Jo looked around, trying to locate Bulma. She must have looked in over 20 different rooms when she finally found her.
The room Bulma was in looked to be one of her labs. Jo knocked quietly, trying not to startle her. Who knows, Bulma could be working with explosives and Jo didn't feel like being blown to bits. Only Trunks could do that to her and get away with it.
Bulma looked up from her work. When she heard the knock she knew it couldn't be Vegeta and since no one else was home...she was a little confused. She opened the door to see a girl of about 15 standing there.
"Hi," she said. "Can I help you with something?"
"Bulma?"
"Right on, kiddo. No, what do you need?"
"Actually, I was wondering if I could stay with you and your very hot son," Jo told her.
Bulma smiled. "I know he is, he's my son. Now, why don't you come with me to the kitchen so we can get some water and tell me your situation." Jo nodded and did just that.
When Jo finished telling Bulma her story, Bulma immediately agreed to let her stay. She also warned her about Vegeta.
Jo gulped. "I met him already on the way inside."
"What did he do this time? I vet he tried to scare you, didn't he? Oh, that man! I'll have to talk to him. Don't worry, he won't hurt you unless you do something to make him really mad. Even then he'll most likely just yell. He does that a lot. That's something you'll have to get used to."
"I didn't expect much less from him."
Bulma smiled. "Well, good. You know, I never did get your name."
"Jo." She took on a dreamy look and Bulma wondered why until she said," Jo Briefs." Bulma laughed and Jo covered her mouth with her hands. "Did I say that out loud?"
Bulma laughed harder. "Yes, you did," she managed to say.
Jo blushed furiously. "I'm sorry!"
Bulma, still laughing, shook her head. "Don't be. If he were older and not my son I'd say the same thing." She wiped her eyes.
"Please don't tell him!"
"Hey, don't worry. How about I show you where you can sleep. I'll give you a room close to Trunks, how about that?"
Jo's face lit up. "You would?! Oh thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!"
"Hey, not problem. Now, follow me." Bulma led the way to a hallway willed with rooms and led her to a vacant room. "The one to the right of yours is Trunks' and down the hallway a few doors," she walked three doors down on the opposite wall, "Is my room, of course, shared with Vegeta."
Jo nodded. "Thanks, Bulma."
"Hey, don't mention it. Are you any good in the kitchen, Jo?"
"Not really."
"Okay, maybe together we can work something out, huh?" Jo nodded and followed Bulma back to the kitchen.
Jo went to bed that night wishing that her friends were with her to share her joy, and hoped they were having joys of their own. Then she woke a little before it was time to go to Master Roshi's.
End Flashback
"So, I take it you dreamed of Trunks?" Cassie guessed. All the response she got was Jo's blush and turned head. "That's what I thought."
"What about you, Cass?" I asked. "How was your stay with Krillin and Rose?"
She started to respond when she realized I didn't say Android 18. "Rose?"
"Yeah. What kind of name is 18? I thought she deserved a real name," I said. "Rose fits her, I think."
"Sure," Cassie agreed. Then she smiled. "Krillin's great! We didn't really do anything, so it wasn't too exciting. I just wish 17 was here." We agreed with her.