Reda: I need to write more often.

Vee: What are you talking about? You write all the frigging time!

Reda: Vee, should I say "I need to TYPE more often" for you to understand me? And why are you suddenly in here? I thought you were fighting Vegeta.

Vee: Oh that! Well, I kind of defeated him and he went home. Reda, why are you smiling?

Reda: I gave his money to Goku to buy food, and now he won't ever know that it was me that took it.

Trunks: Reda...that's just wrong.

Vee: LOL!!! Now THAT was cool, Reda! (Give Reda a high-five, while Trunks just raises an eyebrow)

Trunks: What a change of attitude.

Vee: Huh?

Reda: Shhh...

Vee: What?

Reda: Nothing. Nothing.

(Pulls the connection)

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Chapter 30: De ja vu

De ja vu, according to the dictionary, means "the illusion that one has previously experienced something actually new to one." Hmm...Is it really an illusion?

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Krillin flew fast and true. Everyone needed the senzu beans; they wouldn't stay unconscious forever, but something at the back of his mind told him he had to get those senzu beans. So he was flying home as fast as he could, the wind rushing around him.

He wished he was strong enough to fight against Psyfoam, but if Goku couldn't stand up to that monster what chance did he have? How were they going to live like this? Would Goku spend years and years away from them and come to visit whenever he got a Special Request, not even a day older than when he left them? How could they live like that? At least those seven years after Cell they had known Goku was enjoying himself with King Kai and others. Now he was just gone, living in a timeless area where he followed orders from the scariest, strongest guy Krillin had ever seen. What were they going to do? Would there ever come a point where Psyfoam was defeated?

Maybe. Goku did say those two kids were actually on their side, only following Psyfoam's orders. If Goku could get as strong or stronger than Vee and Reda...Still, would that be enough? Does Psyfoam train?

Krillin's thoughts were cut short as he landed on his island and felt Pan inside. What? Did Gohan actually land here?

"Krillin! There you are! Where have you been?" His wife called as she came stomping out.

"Honey, I..." He started to say, but stopped. "Never mind that. I need the senzu beans."

She held them out, "What is going on?"

"No time. I have to..."

"Krillin!" That was most definitely Gohan's voice coming from the house.

The Saiyan hybrid walked out, his clothes soaking wet and dripping water. So, he had landed in the ocean... Pan came out behind him.

"Krillin, what happened? It appears I missed a lot. Is everyone okay? Why can't I sense Dad?"

The short man held out two hands as if blocking. "Hey, one question at a time. Answer to first question: Psyfoam appeared right after Goku won the fight against Vegeta and ruined Goku's big congratulations we had planned. Second question: No, everyone that tried to fight Psyfoam is knocked out, even Chi-Chi, and Goku was forced to go back with Psyfoam."

"Krillin...you didn't even try to fight?" Eighteen asked.

"Hey, I would've, but he sent Chi-Chi on top of me, and besides I would've been very little help fighting Psyfoam."

"Yeah, that's true," Gohan agreed. "Now I can understand why Dad fell to Psyfoam. I probably would've lost even quicker."

"How are we going to beat him?" Pan asked.

Both Gohan and Krillin shrugged, but Krillin replied, "If Reda and Vee are as powerful as Goku says they are we just might have a chance."

"But can we really trust them, Krillin? We haven't even seen them yet," Gohan pointed out.

"If Grandpa thinks we can trust them, why shouldn't we?" Pan added.

Krillin laughed, "Your daughter knows how to beat you, Gohan."

Pan smirked while Gohan rubbed the back of his head just like Goku. Eighteen interrupted them. "Listen, don't you think you should worry about getting those senzu beans over to the people who need them?"

This time it was Krillin's turn to put his hand behind his head. "Yeah, you're right. Come on, Gohan. Videl's waiting all by herself."

"Isn't Trunks over there?" Pan questioned.

Krillin thought for a moment. "Yeah, but he seemed to be in shock. I mean I haven't seen Vegeta get knocked out that quick before."

"I didn't know someone as powerful as Psyfoam existed," Gohan said. "It just seems so impossible."

"Gohan, if it's one thing I've learned, nothing is impossible." Krillin paused as all four of them sensed Goku's ki. "Come on, guys. Honey will you join us? This doesn't feel right."

As the android nodded, Gohan turned to Pan. "I know what you mean, Krillin. Pan, could you stay here for me?"

Pan shook her head. "No way. We need everyone that can fight. I've got the feeling of a big fight coming on..."

-----------------------

The wind picked up as he appeared behind his house. He stood still. He couldn't do this; he just couldn't.

Goku, you have to follow my orders. If you don't do it, I'll come down and force you.

If it weren't for Psyfoam's voice in his head he wouldn't have taken that first step. He opened the back door and walked in, his footsteps echoing. If he was lucky, everyone was still unconscious from earlier, but luck was not with him at all.

Videl found him. "Goku? What are you doing?"

Everyone must die.

It was like he was reliving his nightmare as he raised his arm and fired. Videl flew back, knocking into the wall behind her at the force of that blast. Goku couldn't tell if she was dead or not, and he didn't know what to hope for.

He continued to walk through the house until he came to a room that caught his attention. He looked in and saw Chi-Chi lying on a bed, starting to wake. He raised his hand...

Her eyes opened, "Go...ku?"

The de ja vu came to him as he gathered energy. His conscience was quiet as he looked into the horrified eyes of his wife. He held the energy still, his thoughts coming to the surface.

"Goku, did he ask you to...?" She let the question hang in the air, and he only nodded, trying to keep his hand steady. Chi-Chi did something he least expected then; she got up off the bed and walked straight in the line of fire. "Then hit me. I won't let him hurt you just because you couldn't hurt me. Shoot me, Goku."

He could only stare in shock. This wasn't how his dream went; she hadn't even suggested what she was doing now. He thought for a moment; Chi-Chi was willing to give her life just to save him from pain. Little did she know that killing her would be worse pain than any kind of physical torture, and that's exactly what Psyfoam wanted.

Goku took a deep breath, looked at the love in Chi-Chi's eyes, and closed his own. Then, his decision made, he began to call back his energy and felt it run away from his hand, returning to the flow of energy that coursed through his body. Next thing he knew, Chi-Chi was gripping him in a hug, tears of happiness and relief soaking his shirt.

"Thank you, Goku."

He opened his eyes and returned her hug. "Forget Psyfoam. His power doesn't control me to that extent; he can't make me do that. I love you too much."

Only her tears of joy replied as she clung to him in an even tighter grip.

----------------

Vee: Awe...that's so sweet.

Reda: Vee!

Vee: Ha! Ha! Ha!

Trunks: Like I said before. What a change of attitude.

Vee: Hey, now, Reda. Forget this mushy stuff and let's get ON with it.

Reda: I'm sorry if I find a way to put romance in a horror story!

Trunks: It's not that hard...

Reda: Don't tell me that. I feel special.

Trunks: But, Reda, almost every story today has romance somewhere.

Vee: What are you trying to tell her? That she's not special? What kind of boyfriend ARE you, Trunks?

Trunks: I...uh...I...

Reda: Trunks???

Trunks: Um...I'm going to go see if I can stop Goku from spending all my father's money. (Runs out)

Vee: Tsh...If I ever get a girlfriend...I won't act that jerk!

Reda: Trunks???

(Suddenly Pan walks in)

Pan: Hey guys, what's going on way back here? Why aren't you guys at the party?

Vee: I...uh...um...

Pan: Vee?

Vee: (Trying not to show anything) I'll be right back.