Don't own anything!
Okay everyone, I apologize for this taking so long. I've been so busy since school ended. I went to Washington DC, and then I started camp, and lots of stuff as been going on.
I'm sad to say that this is the last chapter. I never meant it to be, but I kept on writing, and I ended up concluding this little fic! So, I have nothing else to say here, except to enjoy this last chapter! It's my longest chapter I have ever written. 10 pages long and over 6000 words isn't too bad…heh heh. I hope it holds your attention.
Please, don't mind a few typos. It's a lot to edit.
Anyway, enjoy!
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The Real Folk Blues
I only want to know what true sadness is
Sitting in muddy water
Isn't such a bad life
If it ends after the first time
Gohan stared up as Vicious came plunging down towards him. The pain from his wounded shoulder pulsed through his chest, and through the other arm. He cursed at himself for being so careless. Why him? Why did he have to do everything in his life? Did everything lead up to this one moment?
Gohan rolled over to the side as Vicious's blade came crashing down. A small blood trail followed Gohan as he dodged every attack. He had to be careful, especially with his injury. He had to stay on top of his game. A slow reaction time would be disastrous. Gohan quickly moved his head to the side as Vicious thrust his blade forward. Slightly panting, Gohan jumped to his feet, and started to run. He was in no condition for fighting.
Vicious smirked as he ran after Gohan. How long would the boy keep this up, he thought. It was only time until his energy ran out. The blood running from his arm was doing Gohan no good. Vicious had this for sure. Just a little further…
Gohan glanced behind him. Vicious was in good stabbing range. He quickly searched for something to shield himself with. His eyes darting around the room, he found one thing…
Spike's handgun.
It would have to do. Running towards it, he grabbed it in one fluid movement. Spinning around, he raised the gun, the barrel crashing with the sword. Gohan pushed Vicious back, and started to run again. Soon, he hit a wall. He turned around, the sweat clinging to his face. His chest rose and fell heavily as Vicious neared him. It was the end, for sure…
Vicious smiled as he raised his sword, "It's a shame. I thought our fight would be more interesting."
Gohan laughed a little, "Yeah," He said in a weak voice, "too bad."
"I guess this is goodbye."
"I guess."
Vicious screamed, and ran towards Gohan, his sword pointing towards Gohan's throat. One quick plunge, and Gohan would be dead…
It seems quite hopeless for our hero, doesn't it?
But you know, we all for got about one person…
He darted in front of Gohan, a shadow overcastting his body. In one quick moment, he raised his arm, the blade sinking into it. The man gritted his teeth, only letting out a whimper. He would not scream; he refused to scream. He sank to his knees as he held his forearm in his other hand. His eyes piercing into Vicious's eyes, he grabbed the slender blade, and pulled it out of his skin. Blood drizzled down his good arm as he dropped the blade in front of Vicious. He then turned his head back to his wound.
Gohan stared at the man in front of him. How…
"Vegeta," Gohan whispered, "why did you do this?"
Vegeta glared at Gohan, "It's not for you. It's for her."
"Her?"
"That blasted girl. I can't let you die."
"Videl?"
Vegeta drew in a quick breath, "Yes. Videl. I can't let her feel what I feel."
"What do you—"
"Don't ask questions!" Vegeta barked. He stood up and glared at Vicious. "Your battle is with me now. Leave the kid out of it."
Vicious smirked, "This is quite amusing. It's a two for one deal. Fun, I get to kill two people today." Vicious delicately picked up his sword, and cleaned the blood clinging to the silver. Oh, how fun this would be…
~*~
Ed stared down at a sleeping Trunks. Since they got there, Trunks's injuries had gotten a little better. He had lost a ton of blood, and the wounds were healing slowly. Ed couldn't tell if he would be able to hold on long enough to survive.
Sweat clang to Trunks's face as he struggled to breathe. His left hand gripped tightly to his shirt, almost causing him to choke himself. His face contorted in pain, he grunted as his chest rose and fell rapidly.
A worried look swept across Ed's face as she looked on helplessly. She had done everything in her power to help him. Without thinking, she grabbed his hand away from his shirt, her thumb rubbing the back of his hand.
"You'll get through this" She whispered aloud, "You have to get through this. I'll help you make it…just don't go anywhere on me." She sighed loudly. A calm look replaced the painful look on Trunks's face. It almost looked as if he were happy…
Ed looked up as the door slammed open. Spike stood in the doorway, a panicked look pasted onto his pale face. He stumbled in, his hair a disheveled mop. What happened to him? Ed thought. If she only knew…
Spike rushed past Ed, never even acknowledging her existence. He carefully placed Faye on a cot, and started to rummage through the medical cabinets. He had no clue what he was looking for, but he didn't care. He just needed something to help her…to save her.
Ed hopped down from the stool she was sitting on, and cautiously walked over to the cot Faye lay on. She gasped at Faye's unconscious state, and looked at Spike.
"Spike, what happened? Faye…what happened to her?" Ed's voice was shaky, sounding as if she were on the verge of crying.
Spike continued to carelessly throw open cabinet doors and draws, "Her throat…" He said quickly, "Damn it! There has to be something here!"
Ed nodded, even though Spike wasn't looking at her. Moving quickly, she found an oxygen mask and delicately covered Faye's nose and mouth with it. Attaching it to an oxygen machine, she started it, and let the oxygen flow into Faye's mouth and nose. Hopefully, it wasn't too late to save her.
"Spike," Ed looked at Spike, who even now, was still looking for something, "Spike, you can stop looking. I found the oxygen mask."
Spike stop abruptly, and stood up. He turned around and looked at Ed, that panicked look still shinning in his eyes.
"Here, take this," Ed took a large towel, and handed it to Spike, "hold it over her wound, and apply pressure. Maybe you can slow the bleeding."
Spike nodded silently, and traded spots with Ed. Hesitantly, he moved the towel over Faye's wound, and started to apply pressure. Damn it, what if I kill her doing this? He thought. His first impulse was to remove the towel, but he kept on applying the pressure. If it was going to save Faye, he had to do it…
"Why did you do this to me?" He said to himself quietly, "I swore I would never love another woman again, but here I am. God Faye, you have to wake up."
Ed had resumed to her original position besides Trunks's cot. Now she had two people worry about. Faye, her only sister, and Trunks…
Okay, so she hadn't known Trunks for very long, but what is there not to love about that kid?
Ed…Ed has never felt the way she did around anyone but Trunks. Those strange feelings came out of nowhere. So what if she had a tiny crush on Spike when she was younger. This was far different…
Ed shook her head, making any foreign thoughts to her disappear. What would Trunks see in her anyway? She was just a tomboy who could hack into computers. A guy would never see anything in a girl like that…
Or would he?
She wondered what Trunks was thinking. Erase that, she didn't want to know what went on in the mind of a guy. She shuddered at the thought. No, she definitely didn't want to know.
Trunks coughed a little bit, and then relaxed. Good, he was recovering. Ed let her mind wonder off to other thoughts…
Like how Gohan was probably beating Vicious's ass, and how Videl had risked everything to get to Gohan…
Speaking of the girl, where was she? Ed looked at Spike, and cleared her throat.
"Spike, where's Videl?"
"She was behind me. She's probably taking her time. I wouldn't worry about it." He said in a monotonous voice. He seemed distant, as if his mind were in another universe. Ed shrugged it off. She was probably oblivious to the fact that Spike was slowly falling in love.
Ed stopped to think. Was Spike…nah. Spike couldn't be in love with Faye. There was no way…
"How are they?"
Ed looked up and smiled softly at Videl. It was almost a sad smile, one that pities people, "Trunks is doing better, and I don't know about Faye. Spike is in charge of her."
"Oh, okay." Videl smiled softly. Faye would be okay then. Spike would take good care of her.
Videl bit her bottom lip, as if she were debating whether to say anything. The silence tore at her. It annoyed her, in a way. Silence was something that Videl could never take. She at least needed some music or something, just to break this eerie silence. She started to hum a sad tune, and then she started to sing…
…Walk, in the rain. In the rain. In the rain. I walk in the rain. In the rain. Is it right, or is it wrong? Or is it here, that I'm alone…
"Sad song," Spike said softly, his red eyes staring at Faye.
"Yeah, it is. It's funny how it fits this situation perfectly though."
Spike turned his head towards Videl, a questioning look on his face.
" It's raining fire out there right now, and Gohan is alone with Vicious. It isn't right, but it isn't wrong…and I'm just here…alone…" Videl trailed off, her voice becoming softer as she spoke, "I'm alone…"
She just wanted Gohan back. She just wanted him to stay alive…
~*~
Vegeta gritted his teeth in frustration. Where the hell was Vicious getting his strength? First he fought with Spike, and then he got the crap punched out of him by Gohan. Vicious's energy seemed never ending, much like a cyborg or android. The androids…
Vegeta frowned as old memories flooded into his head. Those damn androids. They were more like cyborgs. Number 18 had almost beaten him to death, and she was only toying with him. What an awful fight. His pride had been cut down inch by inch during that time. Vegeta had worked long and hard to try to regain it…
And now here he was, getting the crap beaten out of him again. Vegeta skillfully dodged a punch, only to be met with a foot to his stomach. Vegeta gasped while flying backwards. His head slammed against a wall as he went crashing to the ground. A small drop of blood dripped down the corner of his mouth and onto the floor as he attempted to stand up. Vicious walked over to him, and threw him back to the ground. He smiled ruefully at Vegeta, practically mocking him. Laughing softly, he threw his foot down onto Vegeta's chest, making Vegeta scream out in pain.
Vicious smiled more as his foot grinded again Vegeta's bare skin. He twisted and tightened Vegeta's skin in such a way that it would even reduce the strongest warrior to salty tears. Vegeta screamed out, his voice a mixture of pain and defeat.
He knew that he could not win…again.
~*~
Videl looked up, a shocked look in her eyes. Something wasn't right. She could feel it. Something was wrong…she had to go back…
She quickly stood up, knocking over the chair underneath her. She made her way to the door.
"Where are you going?" Spike looked at her
"Something's wrong…Gohan…"
"Stay here, it's not safe." His voice was one of full concern, something that did not come easy to this space cowboy.
"Let her go. It's not like you were ever the one to care about safety." Ed snapped at Spike. She then turned her head and looked at Videl, "Go ahead. Be careful, I want you back here alive."
Videl nodded, and left.
Spike looked at Ed with a confused look on his face, "Since when were you serious? Since when did you act like an adult?"
Ed smiled cutely at Spike, "Ed don't know!"
Spike cocked his head to the side. Talk about split personality. Ed was definitely something else.
"Why don't you go too?" Ed asked Spike as she too cocked her head to the side.
"I have to make sure Faye is okay. You know, can't have precious Faye dying now, can we?" Spike answered in a sarcastic voice.
"Ed will watch Faye-Faye. Spike goes to help Gohan." Ed said in her childish way.
Spike shook his head, "No, I have to stay."
"No, Spike goes with Videl." Ed jumped out of her seat grabbed Spike's wrist. She tried to pull him towards the door, but no matter how hard she tried, Spike just stood there. Ed folded her arms across her chest and pouted.
"Stop acting like such a little girl. You're too old for that game."
Ed stuck her tongue out at Spike.
Spike sighed, "You really want me to go?"
Ed nodded, a smile growing on her face.
"Fine, I'll go. I need a gun though."
Ed nodded again, and reached underneath Trunks's cot. She pulled out a huge metal suitcase and opened it. Inside were rows of guns. Spike looked shocked at all this.
"Where the hell did you get these?" Spike asked.
"Around." Ed shrugged, showing that she would give no other answer. Spike carefully looked through the selection, before picking up a black handgun with a red dragon painted on the hilt.
"Where did you get this dragon model?" He asked, examining the hilt of the gun.
Ed pretended that she was locking her lips with a key. She turned the imaginary key at the end of her lips, and threw it over her shoulder. Spike shrugged, realizing that it was hopeless to get answers.
"Tell Faye not to worry about me if she wakes up."
Ed nodded and smiled. Yes, Spike was in love. Wow, and she had just figured it out. There were more important matters to attend to though. People were…
She didn't even want to think about it.
~*~
Gohan pushed himself to move forward. He wouldn't let Vegeta fight in his condition. It was only time until Vegeta would lose all sense of control, and attack his enemy blindly. It happened in every battle, and this one would be no different. It was the vicious cycle Vegeta fell into—a constant battle of his pride and doing the correct thing.
Gohan almost smirked to himself. Out of all people, he shouldn't be fighting. How can you fight when your shoulder is sliced open, and movement will only make you lose blood faster? You can't, really. That's why Gohan got up—because he shouldn't be doing it; oh, he really felt like a rebel now.
He limped over to Vicious and Vegeta. Gohan would put a stop to the violence. He would not let anything happen to Vegeta. The whole situation was Gohan's fault, and Vegeta would not longer be allowed to interfere.
Gohan reached Vicious as he pulled his fist back to give Vegeta another blow to the head. Gohan grabbed Vicious's fist and twisted his hand back. Vicious opened his mouth, but no sound came. He was a man of strength, and he would not be made to be a weak fool.
"Your fight is with me, not him." Gohan said through gritted teeth.
Vicious smirked, "You are in no condition for battle. You fool, I will kill you in a second. Just let me finish him off, and we'll have our little fight…"
"NO!" Gohan screamed, "You fight me NOW! Leave him out of this! It's me you've wanted the whole time anyway. I don't know why, and I don't care." Gohan backed up, and spread his arms open, "Here I am, come and take me." He smirked at Vicious, who looked shock for a second.
I said a second. Vicious laughed at Gohan. It was such a pitiful sight. The poor kid deserved death.
"You make me laugh, kid. You look like an idiot standing there. You won't last a second in my fight. Here I come."
Vicious charged at Gohan, hitting him in the stomach. Gohan spit up a clot of blood, which landed on Vicious's face. Vicious snarled and wiped the blood off his face, a small bloodstain still remaining. He drilled Gohan to the ground. When Gohan hit the ground, Vicious pressed his foot up against Gohan's neck. Slowly, he started to crush Gohan's windpipe…
"You like this, boy? You like it that you can't win? Sorry man, this is one fight that the hero does not win. You are hopeless. You are a disappointment to me. I really thought this would be a more interesting fight. I will tell you my secret now, right before you die." Vicious paused to watch Gohan's reaction. Gohan's eyes grew wider as Vicious started to speak again, "My secret now. I draw energy from this room. Why do you think that I have barely been damaged? Before, I had Trunks hooked up to a machine that transferred all his energy to me. Because of that, any wounds inflicted upon me went from my body to his, like a chain, you could say. After Trunks left, I needed a new way to get energy. My knowledge allowed me to know that I could never get you or Vegeta into the machine. So, when I pushed you over the ledge earlier, you actually activated the room. Are you happy now that you have aided me in your own destruction?" Vicious's devious smile crept along his face. "Goodbye, Kid. Expect your friends there soon, they'll be joining you."
Gohan's eyes went wide. He struggled against Vicious's weight, but he failed to win. He wanted to warn them all. He wanted to get everyone away from the city, someplace far away where Vicious could never find them.
His windpipe was being crushed. Air…Gohan needed air…
Vicious laughed as he prepared to give Gohan the final blow. So long, farewell, I need to say goodbye…
Yes, victory was finally his…but damn, he never got to kill Spike…oh well. Spike would have to wait another day…
The giant double doors flew open as she sprinted into the room. She shortly, and placed her hands on her knees. Breathing heavily, she wiped her mouth, and looked around.
She gasped, "Gohan no!"
Vicious peered at her, "What are you doing here?"
"Let him go! He's defenseless, it would be wrong to kill him now!"
Vicious shrugged, "I'm not merciful. I'm vicious."
Videl shook her head as crystal tears started to form, "You monster…
Vicious's laugh echoed through the room, "A monster…yes." He stepped away from Gohan and held his hand out towards Videl, his palm forward. A red light came into view as energy formed in his palm, "This is a trick I learned. Maybe you've seen it before." The red energy flew from Vicious's hand, and tore its way down to Videl.
Videl stood and stared blindly at the light. It was so pretty, like Christmas lights. No worries, Christmas lights are happy lights…
"Videl, you idiot, move!"
Videl turned her head as she heard a familiar voice. Suddenly, her body jerked to the side, and the red light rushed past her…
~*~
Ed watched her computer tentatively. While Spike was at Capsule Corp. she slipped a microscopic camera into the fibers of his jacket. Now she had full access to what was going on in the warehouse.
She watched as he entered the room. The ceiling was slowly coming undone. Small cracks had started to form, since the flames had only started to reach the room. Vicious stood at the far end, Gohan laying at his feet, and Vegeta nearly unconscious a few meters away. Vicious faced his palm towards Videl, and red energy started to form in his hand. She saw the camera jerk around in frenzy, and Videl went flying to the side…
…And then the screen went blank.
"Spike?"
Ed turned around and looked at Faye. Dry blood caked her pale skin, and beads of sweat graced her face with their presence. Her clothes hugged tighter to her skin as usual, making it hard for her to even move. She groaned as she sat upright.
"Ed, where's Spike?"
Ed got up from the computer and walked next to Faye's cot, "Spike went to help Gohan. He says not to worry, he won't leave you." To tell you the truth, Ed didn't know if Spike was really coming back this time. There was no way he could have survived Vicious's attack. Spike was doomed from the beginning. Ed mentally punched herself in the face for telling him to go. Stupid, stupid stupid…
~*~
Videl's eyes went wide from shock. Spike lay on the ground motionless. Red scratches covered his whole body, as well as charcoal burns to accompany them. His eyes showed no life in them; no water, no reflection, not event he slightest movement. He was stone cold, his body a human statue. Videl rolled to the side as a piece of the ceiling broke away and came crashing to the ground. It nearly missed her. The chunk of plaster and steel sent embers showering to the floor around the area.
Gohan breathed in a mixture of smoke and air. He prayed that nothing would fall near him. The strength needed to move wasn't in him anymore. How the hell was he going to get himself out of this situation? He would be lucky to get out alive, but that didn't even really matter to him anymore. Spike—his friend—was dead, and it was his fault If Gohan had never run away ten years ago, nothing would have happened. Everything would be okay. He would have never met the Bebop, and he could have met Vicious sooner, if his life was still heading in this direction.
"Spike, thank you for saving her," Gohan whispered. He was so grateful to Spike. His sacrifice allowed Videl to live.
"Well, he came out of nowhere. No matter, though. I've been wanting to kill Spike for a long time, anyway." Vicious said, a malicious tone tinting his voice. Vicious was painting a picture; a portrait of blood and death. He had one down, and three to go. It shouldn't be so hard…
"So Videl, happy to see one dead? Who should I feast on next? Gohan, Vegeta, or you?" Vicious looked from Videl, Gohan, and Vegeta, as if he were trying to make an important decision. A smirk danced on his ghostly white face as he tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"Vicious…I'm…I'm not done with you yet."
Spike shook violently as he propped himself up with his hands and knees. Slowly and painfully, he stood up on his feet. He wobbled back and forth like a toddler first learning to walk. Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out the handgun. Spike's eyes stared intensely into Vicious's. His hand shook as he raised the gun in front of him, yet fear never showed in Spike's eyes. It was time to end it all…
Vicious gritted his teeth. Spike was supposed to be dead! Vicious hit his target head on. How could there have been a flaw in the attack? He had worked to perfect every kind of combat. How could he have gone wrong?
"Why are you still alive?"
"We haven't fought in a long time, Vicious. I've grown much stronger. You can thank Gohan for that." Spike laughed softly, satisfied that Vicious was annoyed.
"WHY WON'T YOU DIE?" Vicious screamed. He prepared to launch another attack.
Spike gritted his teeth, "BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO DIE BEFORE ME!" Spike pulled the trigger, releasing a bullet from its prison. The bullet sped though the air at an unimaginable speed. It whistled, as if the bullet actually could make a sound.
Vicious gasped, and touched the right side of his chest. Looking at his fingers, his eyes grew wide. Blood, there was blood on his fingers. It couldn't have been from his own body. Spike had to have missed. He was too injured to have an accurate shot. Vicious looked down, and watched to blood seep through his white shirt. He kneeled on the ground, one hand clutching his wound, and the other one holding him up for support.
Spike walked over to him, one shaky step at a time. It seemed like an eternity before he reached his old comrade. He almost felt guilty; he had never seen Vicious in so much pain. Spike stooped down to Vicious's level, and pointed his ring finger at Vicious.
"Bang" Spike whispered, before collapsing.
Vicious took in a huge breath of air, and fell to the ground.
"Spike?" Videl said cautiously. She walked over to Spike's side and knelt down. "Spike, are you still alive?"
"I'm—I'm here." Spike answered slowly and painfully, with his eyes shut. He felt as if he couldn't move.
"Why did you do that? You could have been killed."
"Better for me to die than you." Spike half smiled.
Videl looked shocked, "Never say that!"
"It's true. I don't really have anything to live for, anyway. My life is too face paced to do anything worthwhile. I was bound to die like this…"
Videl slapped Spike across the face. "You can't die! We need you…Faye needs you…" Videl said shakily. She covered her head as another flaming piece of the ceiling came crashing down. How was she going to fight her way out of the building with three injured men? It was impossible…
"You know, that hurt…" Spike said under his breath, Videl never heard him though. The idea of death came clearer to her as the building started to fall apart. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. When she died, Gohan would die, and then if there were an afterlife, she would see her father, along with Gohan, and everyone else. There would be no more pain and suffering. They would just be together for eternity. Yeah, maybe dying was the only way to salvation…
Videl was brought out of her thoughts as a ship came crashing through the ceiling. Videl again resolved to cover her head to protect herself from the flames.
"He's late." Spike muttered. He heard Jet's footsteps echo through the room as he came running over to him. Jet bent down and helped Jet into a sitting position.
"What the hell happened to you?"
"Same old shit…another round with Vicious."
"You ass…"
"Heh, I know, I know. Just don't give me a speech. We need to get out of here alive."
"I hear you, man." Jet said, slinging one of Spike's arms around his shoulder. For the first time, he noticed Videl standing on the opposite side of Spike.
"Who the hell are you?" He asked.
"Videl Satan…I'm with Gohan…"
"Oh, so you're the girl he always talked about."
Videl blushed lightly.
"Anyway, we need to get out of here, so go get Gohan, and meet me at the Bebop. Hurry, before this building completely collapses on us."
Videl nodded, and ran over to Gohan. She threw hi arm around her shoulders and struggled to lift him up. "Gohan, you need to help me here. I can't drag you all the way to the ship…"
Gohan opened his eyes, "Videl?"
"Gohan, you have to listen to me. Can you walk?"
"Yeah, I can walk."
"Then don't make me drag you. I'm not exactly capable of that at the moment."
Gohan nodded, and stood up straighter, "What about Vegeta?"
Videl breathed in deeply. How could she have forgotten about Vegeta?
"Hey um…Spike!"
Spike slowly turned his head, "What is it?"
"What are we going to do with Vegeta? I can't drag two men over to that ship!"
Jet and Spike turned around, and made their way over to Videl, "Okay, where is this guy?" Jet said annoyingly. Seriously, that building was going to collapse at any moment…
"Over there…I don't know if he's conscious or not…. Hey Vegeta!" Videl screamed
Vegeta slowly stood up. Thank god he can stand on his own, Videl thought. She didn't want to have to drag another person. Gohan's weight was enough for her.
"What is it?" Vegeta answered roughly. His skin was burning so much it hurt to talk. Hell, it hurt to even move.
"You seem to be able to move on your own. Hurry up, we need to get out of here before the building collapses."
Vegeta nodded, and started to move one painful step at a time. Every time he shifted his weight from one foot to another, a shock was sent through his body. His nervous system must have had a major jolt. It was sensitive to every movement, every sound, and every touch. Vegeta gritted his teeth. He would not get help. He was the mighty Prince of the Saiya-Jin, after all. He almost stumbled when he reached Videl.
"Where are we going?" He looked straight ahead, never making eye contact with Videl.
"To that ship straight ahead. Here, let me help you." Videl grabbed one of Vegeta's arms and wrapped it around her shoulders. He almost collapsed from the weight of both Gohan and Vegeta, but she had to just suck it up and do her best to walk.
"Videl, you know you can't walk with both of them." Jet said in a fatherly sort of way. He grabbed Vegeta's other arm and wrapped it around his shoulders. For him, trying to drag two men wasn't really a problem. Jet was tall and muscular enough to handle it.
"Who the hell are you? Let go of me. I am the Prince—"
"Vegeta, shut up. We know your whole story all ready. Don't burden us with it again." Videl snapped at Vegeta. She was not in the mood for his bickering about being the prince of a lost and almost extinct race of people. It annoyed her beyond end whenever he went into that type of rants.
Vegeta surprisingly said nothing back. Damn it! When did he reduce himself to listening to a woman so much younger than him? It bothered him so much…
The five of them started to make their way over to the Bebop. By this time, the ceiling was falling at a steady rate, and cracks were starting to form on the floor. The cracks were like long snakes, searching for an unfortunate victim to step on them so they could launch a deadly attack. In this case, the whole room could cave in at a moment's notice. The flames rose and fell around the group, almost caging them in a prison of fire.
Videl coughed loudly, the smoke tickling the back of her throat. The flames were growing thicker now, and they were slowly cutting off their route to the Bebop. Videl covered her mouth as she passed through another coughing fit. The room spun around her as she looked around. Suddenly, she collapsed from the weight of Gohan and Vegeta. She passed through another coughing fit. Sweat dripped off the tip of her nose as she propped herself up with her elbows and knees. The smoke had grown so much thicker that she kept on inhaling smoke instead of oxygen. It made her feel lightheaded, almost as if she were high on some sort of drug. Everything went fuzzy in a moment's time, and she could see nothing.
Gohan bent down next to her, "Videl, are you all right?"
Videl sat up on her knees and nodded. She still felt a little dizzy, but it was something she could deal with.
"You guys, come on! We don't have a lot of time! Look at these flames! They're eating at the metal frame!" Jet screamed over the loud crackling of the flames. They were rising at an alarming rate.
"Videl come on." Gohan lifted Videl to her feet. It looked like she was the one who needed help now. Gohan had somewhat recovered in a short amount of time. He had grown used to the flames all ready, and could function with the smoke. Videl, unfortunately, did not have the same tolerance as the rest of the group. She kept on coughing as they walked across the room, occasionally jumping out of the way of raging flames licking at their legs. Soon enough though, they reached the Bebop, which was luckily still in good condition. The whole group smiled, and everyone started to make a sprint to the door. It was a free ride home now.
If it was only that easy. Right in front of the door, a rafter fell from the roof, blocking the entrance to the Bebop. It was too big and too hot to move. Jet looked around wildly, trying to find another exit. It would have been helpful if he could see through the black smoke. Everything seemed to be blocked by fire. This was the worst luck he had ever had.
"SHIT! WHAT THE HELL ARE WE GOING TO DO NOW?" Spike screamed. This was not happening…this was not happening…this was not happening…
"You guys, there's an emergency exit at the back! Come on!" Gohan yelled. Jet looked at Gohan in amazement. Damn, the kid knew the Bebop better than its owner! Everyone followed Gohan through the smoke and to the back, where Gohan pushed open a rusted door. Everyone rushed inside—they were finally almost out.
Jet ran to the control room, and started the Bebop. It quickly rose, and crashed through the remainder of the ceiling.
"Where are we going Spike?"
"Capsule Corp. We need to pick up Faye and Ed."
"Okay"
~*~
Ed sat impatiently as she waited to hear news from Spike. She was so afraid that he was dead. And if Spike was dead, that meant that something horrible must have happened, and Gohan and Videl could be dead too. She wouldn't be able to lose three people in one day. It would just be too much for her.
"Ed, are you okay? You can't stay still for more than three seconds." Faye stood besides Ed, now fully recovered.
"Faye, do you think Spike is coming back? He's been gone for a long long time now…"
"Of course he is. Has Spike ever let us down?" Faye forced a smile on her face.
"Nope!" Ed smiled up at Faye.
Faye smiled back, even though she doubted her words. Spike had been gone for a long time. Something must have happened. He couldn't be dead though, he just couldn't…
Both girls looked up as the door opened. Spike and Jet were the first to emerge through the door. Ed jumped from her seat, and ran over to Spike. She looked at him for a second before tackling him with a hug.
"Spike! I missed you!" She said enthusiastically.
Spike said nothing back. He stared at Faye, who gave him a small smile. She looked different without her usual outfit on. Now she wore a blue tank top with jean shorts, her purple hair falling delicately around her face. She was something else…
"Oh, I see how it is. Spike gets all the attention around here. I put my ass on the line to save him, and I don't get a thanks?" Jet said sarcastically. He always knew Ed had some sort of attachment to Spike.
"Hi Jet!" Ed waved her hand in front of Jet's face. She was so happy that they were back. Nothing to worry about anymore! Everyone was happy!
"Ed, stop waving your hand in my face. We have to let everyone else in." Jet pushed forward to open up the entrance. Gohan, Videl, and Vegeta walked into the room.
"Gohan!"
"Hi Ed, Have you been looking after Faye and Trunks?" Gohan asked
Ed nodded, "Yup! Faye-Faye is all better now, and Trunks is better! He's just taking a nap."
"That's good to hear," Gohan turned his head back to Vegeta, "You hear that? Trunks is okay."
Vegeta folded his arms, and pushed past Gohan and Videl. He walked briskly to Trunks's cot. He looked down at his son, "Kid, wake up."
Trunks didn't respond.
"Trunks, wake up." Vegeta paused, before punching Trunks across the face. "Wake up right now!"
Trunks bolted into a sitting position, causing him to hit Vegeta in the forehead.
"Damn it! Why did you have to punch me?" Trunks yelled at Vegeta
"You wouldn't listen to me!" Vegeta screamed back
"Well, considering that I've been in critical condition, why should I listen to you right now?"
"Don't you dare get smart with me brat! If you don't shut up you will be in worst condition that you were an hour ago."
Trunks smiled at his father, "Actually, an hour ago, I was having a nice conversation with Ed. She's a nice girl, you know." Trunks flashed a smile at Ed, who involuntarily blushed.
Vegeta growled at Trunks, and stormed off. That kid was getting a major training session later, and he was going to be given a lot of pain…
Spike walked over to Faye. It felt like an eternity since he had last seen her. Thank god that she was healthy again.
"Hey Faye, you feeling better?"
Faye laughed softly, "I've seen better days. Looks like I'll survive with a nasty scar across my neck."
Spike traced the scar with his finger, "That kind of sucks. At least your alive though."
"Yeah, I guess. The only minus is that the scar makes me look ugly."
"No it doesn't."
Spike and Faye looked at each other. It was one of those awkward silences where two people realize something…
"Hey Faye, um…"
Faye looked at Spike hopefully, "Yeah?"
"No, it's nothing." Spike said quickly. His heart raced inside of him. Just admit it to her…tell her you love her, He thought. No, that was never going to happen.
"Faye, why did you ever go to the warehouse? You would never be in this position if you just stayed on the Bebop with Jet."
Faye's eye twitched, "I risked my LIFE to try to STOP you! Don't I get a 'Gee, thanks for caring Faye' or a 'Hey girl, thanks for trying to help'? Men are such idiots!" She screamed in a sarcastic tone.
"Hey, there's no need to get defensive!" Spike screamed back. They always argued…never would they end a conversation without a fight.
"I have every reason to get defensive!"
"Fine! Name one!"
Gohan gave Jet a strange look, "Are they arguing again?"
Jet sat back in a chair, "I have no idea and no opinion."
"It's their way of saying they love each other!" Ed screamed at the top of her lungs.
"WHAT!?" Faye and Spike yelled at the same time.
"No, there's no way I'd ever fall in love with a witch like her!" Spike said, pushing Faye away from him.
"Why would I ever love him?" Faye forcefully pushed Spike back. There was an amused look in her eyes as if she was enjoying the fighting. Spike returned the look, and everyone knew…
"Oh my god, they DO love each other! It's so cute!" Videl smiled brightly, "They won't even admit it! It's like high school all over again!"
Everyone laughed at Spike and Faye. This was going to be a great story ten years down the road. The two were such opposites that they were perfect for each other.
"You guys, we should get down to some serious business." Jet said, "What are we going to do now, since Vicious obviously died when the building collapsed."
"Dragonballs," Gohan stated, "We'll find the Dragonballs and wish everyone back."
"Good idea," Videl sat next to Gohan, "We should find them as soon as possible."
"Yeah, Bulma should have left the Dragon Radar around here somewhere…"
~*~
One month later
Gohan, Videl, Spike, Faye, Jet, Ed, Trunks, and Vegeta stood outside Capsule Corp. The Dragonballs sat in a circle in front of them. They glowed brilliantly, before a blinding light appeared in response to a command from Gohan. Shenlong burst from the Dragonballs, twisting and turning until he covered most of the black sky. There were murmurs of excitement within the group, since some of them had never seen the Dragonballs at work. Heck, some of them had never seen a dragon before.
"What is your wish?" Shenlong said in a deep voice that shook the sky. Ed almost jumped, and wrapped her arms around Trunks, who almost laughed at Ed's fear of the dragon.
"It's not funny!" Ed whispered, "He's scary!"
Trunks wrapped an arm around Ed, "No, he's a good dragon. I promise he won't hurt you."
Ed nodded, and turned her head back to Shenlong.
Gohan and Videl stood up at the front of the group. Gohan smiled, and wrapped his arms around Videl. Videl returned the embrace.
Gohan looked up at Shenlong.
"I—We wish…"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, that's the end! Thanks for sticking by me, and I hope you liked this chapter! Remember to review!
Now, if you want to do me a favor, I have this short story called "Red Rain" over on fictionpress.com. I'm under the penname wind6 over there, so if you could please read my short story over there I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
Until the next fic…
See you Space Cowboy…