A/N – a little longer chapter here, a little over 2 pages. I hope I'm not boring anyone, I promise lots of DBZ style action soon, in part 2.
Changing Faces
Part 1 – Searching For Her Past
Chapter 8 – The Secret of Strength
At her command, the two racers blasted off. Goten and Trunks stopped fighting to watch the race. They started equal for almost 50 meters until Videl started to pull ahead.
I don't mind teaching her this... and I am almost at Super Saiyan power level... I don't want to go beyond that. I guess I'll pace myself.
She glanced back with a glare, almost knowing he was holding back. He blinked and tapped a little more power. Again they were equal. The race wasn't long, and when one pulled ahead, the other quickly caught up, though Videl struggled more than Gohan. They reached the mountain.
Videl was winded, but Gohan merely wiped up a drop of sweat.
"A tie," he proclaimed with a grin.
"No. I win," her hair flew wildly as she rose from her knees to face him, "You weren't fully powered. You have dishonored me, and therefore you had no chance to win." She rearranged the two long strands extending from her hair.
The smile faded and was replaced by a slight blush of shame. "How did you know?"
"One of my abilities is fairly accurately sensing the power level of a creature. You have an extremely high level, much higher than mine, and yet we tied. There should have been no competition."
I underestimated her...
"But, if you knew I was going to win, why did you race me?"
"I was able to search your feelings. I knew you would teach me whatever the outcome, but I wanted to see what you would do when presented with a situation such as this. Gohan, your heart is honest and pure, but you simply do not have the mind of a warrior."
If she only knew... he thought with a plaintive gaze.
She took his silence as an apology. "So, you agree to teach me your skills?"
"Sure," he smiled, "Let's head back to Goten and Trunks first, and then we'll begin."
Within a few minutes, and after the two boys asked their questions and went back to sparring, Gohan began his lesson on controlling energy.
"It's the same energy you use to fly," he said, "Just take that energy and spread it evenly inside your arms or your legs. It's like adding extra muscle mass and power all over your body. If it's speed you want, concentrate smaller amounts of energy in specific places, such as a single hand or foot. Of course, you lose the extra strength."
He looked at Goten and Trunks. Their movements were lightning fast.
"Like them."
Videl's eyes were large as saucers, "They're so fast... You mean I can move that fast too?"
"Well in a sense, anyone can. It takes much practice to be that fast, and you have to learn the fighting techniques first. I can teach you basic movements, and then we can work on adding power or speed. It's your choice."
"I am quite skilled at the practice you call martial arts. Shall I demonstrate?"
"No no! I believe you!" The last thing he needed was another honor lecture. In a way, she reminded him of Vegeta. In a very very distant and vague way, that is.
"This is what I want you to do." Gohan held his hand, palm out, away from his body, "Use my hand as a target, and punch it without any extra power."
"Alright," she said uncertainly, as if she knew he would fall over.
She took a moment to aim, then released. Gohan's outstretched palm didn't move, unlike Videl's feet, which slid back nearly a half meter. He tear-dropped. (ya know, anime style) Her brows began to furrow in anger, so he reacted quickly.
"Good. Now I want you to concentrate on your energy within, move it to your arms, and when you can't hold it in any longer, try punching my hand again."
They stood for a few moments as Videl gathered and controlled her chi and extended it down both arms. Both Trunks and Goten stopped sparring and watched as the grass stirred beneath the two dark-haired beings. Noticeable only to Gohan, her upper body mass increased ever so slightly.
Finally, Videl's arms snapped in motion and her momentum carried Gohan back a step.
"Wow," he was truly amazed, "That was quite a punch Videl."
"Really," she wiped sweat off her brow, "That truly tired me though."
"It will until you become used to manipulating your energy like that. But really, I certainly didn't expect you to have that much control over your chi."
"I see," Videl murmured, examining her hands as if they were just replaced with a new set.
Videl propped her hands on her hips, "Well I do know a few energy attacks, although they aren't similar to Goten's fireball, or whatever you want to call it. For this attack, I use my mental energy instead."
Gohan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I don't believe I've ever heard of mental energy, only the kind I use is the energy that comes from the deepest part of your center."
"Then allow me to demonstrate."
