Oi vey…very sorry for the lack of updates. You guys need to glomp Kakkabrat (who e-mailed me a few days ago asking if I was still alive) and LPM (who helped me write this chappie and happens to be great at writing fanfics even though she never does. *ahem* Hint hint, LPM?), because they're the ones that really got this update done.  It's just that my first year of high school has been hectic, and I haven't had the chance to write. And when I do, I somehow can't.

MG: Excuses. That's all. She really has, she just "doesn't feel like it" or is "inspired for the wrong thing".

Oh, shaddup, Go-chan. Like you've got a lot of room to talk, Mr. 'But-I'm-crippled!'.

MG: Whaaat? I know it doesn't work. That's why I'm glad I have big brown eyes—I give you the face, and you're putty in my hand. *smirks*

*glances away nervously and goes a little red* Yeah, well…I…uh…. *mumbles* I'm just a sucker for dark brown eyes, that's all…

MG: Exactly my point, sweetheart.

Eheh….erm….uh, on with the reviewer feedback…

Digi fan: Yeah, I know. I took forever.

Ghost Whisper: Sankyuu!  I don't know where you were when I started it, but you should've been here reading it! Hey, if you know of any other good Gohan-time-travel fics that aren't on FF.N, let me know, 'kay?

Android 71: Yay! Hyper person! (You know, you're acting a lot like me and my friends when we're hyper. That's scary.)

MG: *rolls eyes, then half-glares at A71* What do you think? I'm not a Jinzouningen!!

Chill, buddy. You thought for an awful long time, A71. That must've been tiring; I know it would've been for me.

MG: *gets caught in flying tackle* AIEEE!!! *thud* Hey! That's her job! *points to Ani*

Vegito: Sankyuu! I'm glad you're enjoying it!

DBZ Chick: Yay, you like my cliffy! *does Happy Hamster dance*  You want to see Gohan almost get killed, huh?  You and SSH should get together; she wants to see it happen, too.

simba-rulz: Yayness! ^^ Yeah, poor Chibi. But I couldn't resist!

Silver Warrior: Sankyuu! (And actually, it wasn't Gero that was heading back to the lab; it was Nijuichi. Gero was killed, remember?)

Kakkabrat: Thanks for e-mailing me; I needed that push. And I'm sorry I didn't get it out by the 14th like I promised. ^^;;

            MG: You have no idea how hard my mother's teaching methods are…*shudders*

            And I'm glad Gohan and Trunks promised not to eat your cookies anymore. Bad demi-Saiyans! *blows raspberry at them*

Knight's Shadow: Ack, you said something different! Yeah, I'm working on longer chapters; it seems that that's everyone's number one request.

Luna's Meow: Thing just keep getting altered, don't they? Although it's too bad Juu-chan didn't get to kill Gero. That was a cool scene. ^^

Chibi Lauryn: Yeah, it's tough to get anything done with school in the way. *sighs*  Sankyuu!

Iceman19: More action, eh? Fight scene time!

shadowphoenix:  Stole what idea? Nani? Wha'd I do?  *sweatdrops*  I've been brain-dead for two months, which is why I haven't updated. Gomen!

Aleandra Alyra Sarienna: Ooh, that's a pretty name! Yeah, I miss punctuations a lot. It's not my fault! Grammar check won't tell me! I try proofreading, I really do…

Crecy: Hi! *waves*  Yeah, that's why he changed appearance…19 bothers me too much.  Hmm, a square dance…interesting. *sticks a cowboy hat on Gohan's head* There we go.

Chris-Redfield26: Hyperness! And you're gonna do WHAT to my Go-chan?!

            MG: Stop poking me! *reads further* O_O Hurry up and update, koi!

Gozilla: Sankyuu!

Mashed Potato Master: Okies, I will get that pic to you! And dun worry, Chibi's not gonna die. I think…:) You and I need to stick together! *whips out her own indestructible frying pan*  Yeah! You want at Gohan, you gotta get through me first!

            MG: Thanks, I'm glad somebody loves me. The only reason this baka even has an indestructible frying pan is so it won't dent when she whacks me over the head. -_-;

LPM: Sankyuu for helping me. See, I told you it could be done! I just got sidetracked Friday…huh? Rabid…wombats? Thank you, Juu-chan. I think she was a liiiittle sleep-deprived.

SSH: I can't kill them off!…yet…

            MG; *growls*

            Whaaat? Wha'd I do? Ha, you were wrong! It didn't take me a month, it took me two and a half months! (I guess this is not something to be proud of, ne? ^^; Eheh…)

Well, that's all of that…hey, Go-chan!

MG: *looks up from his slice of cake*  Yeah?

*blinks, then smirks* I was going to ask you to do a disclaimer, but you seem to have chocolate frosting all over your face.

MG: *lopsided Son Grin; runs forearm across mouth* Yeah, I know. Your mom is a good cook, though! Hey minna, wish her a happy birthday—her birthday was the 14th.

Thank you, Gohan.  Anyhoo, on with the fic!

~*~

            The traditional white cape and turban reappeared on Piccolo's shoulders and head as he landed lightly at the edge of the lookout.  Mr. Popo hurried over and took his hand.  "Ah, Kami-sama!  I'm so glad you're back.  I was so worried."

            "Hey, Popo.  Listen, have you been watching everything that's been going on?  I have to find the other Jinzouningen."
            Mr. Popo nodded.  "Yes, I have.  He is going back to the laboratory, as you predicted.  We must do something before he releases the other two!"

"I realize that, Popo, but I'm more concerned with keeping Gohan—both of him—out of trouble.  It doesn't matter if he reaches the lab before us; they're probably programmed to be released anyways."  Piccolo turned and looked down at the earth far below them.  " I just wish I could pinpoint Nijuichi's location."

"You can, sir."  Piccolo looked at Mr. Popo a minute in confusion.

"How?  He doesn't have a ki signature to track"

Mr. Popo smiled knowingly.  "But young Gohan does.  You could track him, since he is currently in the Jinzouningen's possession."

Piccolo slapped his forehead.  "Now, why didn't I think of that?  Thanks, Popo.  You really are a lifesaver."  He closed his eyes a moment, focusing in search, then opened them suddenly.  "Got you," he said under his breath, then waved a final thanks to Mr. Popo and dove from the lookout, maxing his speed in only a matter of seconds.  Nijuichi was moving incredible fast, which meant that catching him would be no easy task.  Piccolo quickly located Gohan's ki as well.  He was headed for the same point, but Gohan was much further ahead and moving at a much greater speed than Piccolo could.  The Namekian cursed to himself in his native tongue—he was not going to make it in time.

A gold streak pierced through the clouds, fading slowly in the wake of its creator.  Gohan's unnatural aqua eyes scanned the landscape for any sign of his counterpart or the Jinzouningen.  His hand was clamped tightly on his throbbing shoulder, and he cursed in a hiss through gritted teeth.  The pair was nowhere in sight.

"Dammit!" he yelled aloud.  "I take my eyes off of his for one second, and look what happens!  I've been through this once before, and I sure as hell don't need it happening again!  Damn Jinzouningen…here are you, you son of a—"  He narrowed his eyes on a small red dot moving along the ground.  As he dropped altitude, he realized that the dot was Nijuichi's hat, and Nijuichi had a limp purple object tucked under one arm.  Gohan recognized that object as Chibi once he was within fifty feet of the ground, the purple his gi.  Gohan smirked and curled his hand into a tight fist at his side.  "Gotcha."

Nijuichi sped over the landscape, mere inches off the ground, his arm wrapped tightly around the demi-Saiyan boy's waist.  He was close to the lab; he glanced about frantically, his eyes darting back and forth in search of the cave-like entrance to his creator's home.  A look somewhere between relief and excitement crossed his face as he screeched to a halt and swung a hard right turn towards the hidden doors.

His free hand flew over the keypad and the thick metal doors slid open, then shut silently but tightly behind him.  He ran his arm over Gero's worktable, knocking all the various papers, tools, and parts off in the floor, and carelessly dropped Chibi's unconscious body onto the now-cleared top.  He looked around the wall.  He looked around the lab, then walked over to the numbered pods lined up against the wall.  He looked up at the ones numbered 17 and 18 and smirked.  "Looks like we're going to be working together after all, guys."

Gohan landed on the ledge outside Gero's lab and calmly walked up to the door.  He looked up at it, running his hand down the seal, then glanced at the keypad.  "Well, now," he said, taking a step back, "I could just blast the door open, but I risk hurting Chibi.  I could try cracking the code on the keypad, but that would take too long."  He let out a long sigh through his nose.  "As you always said, Dad, where there's a will, there's a way."  He hooked his fingertips on the edge of the door and pulled back with all his strength—but nothing happened.  He tried again, but to no avail.  "For all the good this is doing…" he muttered under his breath.

"Why don't you just stand aside and let a true warrior take care of it?"  Gohan glanced over his shoulder to see Vegeta standing in the entrance, arms folded, eyes fixed in his trademark glare.  Gohan snorted and went back to trying to pry the door open.

"Who invited you?"  he said roughly.

"No one had to, boy.  I sensed your power level and figured I should come see what the fuss was."

"Why did you even bother?  It's not exactly like you care what happens."

"No, but I figured that if those Jinzouningen you've got everyone so worked up about had shown up, I might as well come fight them.  If everything you've told us is true, it should prove to be a nice little bout."

Gohan gave up with the door and turned to look at Vegeta, his eyes narrowed.  "A 'nice little bout'?  You really have no idea what we're up against, do you?  Right now, things are looking a helluva lot worse that I originally predicted.  There's another one now, and he's currently got Chibi and is probably about to release the pair that decimated my world."

Vegeta shrugged.  "So it will take a bit longer than I was planning.  I don't care if there's an army of them; I'll send them all to the scrap heap.  Now stand aside so I can blast that door down."

"Did you not hear me?  That Jinzouningen has my counterpart in there!  You blast the door down, and knowing you, you'll blow up the whole lab!"

"I see no problem with that.  Now either move, or I blast you as well."

Gohan  rolled his eyes.  "Vegeta—"

"Back off, kid.  He's not going to blast anything," Piccolo said as he landed lightly behind the Saiyan Prince, shortly followed by Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, and Chaozu.  "I hope you weren't thinking of taking on all the Jinzouningen on yourself.  At any rate, I brought help."

Gohan smiled, though it was not very friendly.  "Thanks.  We're going to need it."

"Who is 'we', exactly?  Unlike you, I have the strength to destroy them by myself," Vegeta snapped.

"Uh, Gohan?  Piccolo?  I'm not sure how much help we're going to be," said Krillin rather shakily.  "I mean, didn't you say they killed us in your timeline, Gohan?"

Gohan nodded.  "Yeah, but things have changed.  They weren't even supposed to show up for another couple of weeks, and my dad should already be dead.  You guys spent the last few years training, so it shouldn't be that hard as long as we work together."  Vegeta snorted, and Gohan glared at him.  "That was part of the problem.  In my timeline, instead of taking the twins on at once, you all fought one at a time, making you easier to kill.  So as long as that doesn't happen…"  He carefully enunciated each word in the last sentence as he looked around at the group to make sure his point was made clear.

Piccolo cleared his throat.  "I believe all we need to do is get the door opened, then."  He looked over at Gohan.  "You're tried everything?"

Gohan sighed through his nose and looked up at the heavy steel doors.  "Everything I'm capable of, short of blasting this whole rock into oblivion."

"If you ask me," Vegeta said, "that doesn't sound like a bad idea.  We might as well just get rid of the whole damn lab."

"Is that your solution for everything?  Just blow it up?" Gohan yelled impatiently.

"I don't see why not.  If these Jinzouningen are really that tough, they'll survive the explosion at least long enough for me to kick them around."

"Vegeta, what is so incredibly hard for you to understand about everything I've said?!"

"Well, if you are all quite done arguing, you might want to start figuring out that you're going to do once the door is opened," said a mysterious voice behind them.  Gohan froze—he knew that voice all too well.  His eyes narrowed as eh slowly turned and found himself face-to-face with the last person he wanted to see.

"Juunanagou…" he hissed.  The raven-haired Jinzouningen smirked.

"Hello."  Juunanagou was standing against the doorframe, his arms crossed.  Behind him and beyond the open doors lay Dr. Gero's laboratory, occupied by a multitude of machines, failed of incomplete experiments, and the one other person Gohan had hoped to see: Juhachigou.  Nijuichi stood in the corner, a smirk almost identical to Juunanagou's on his face, the table he had laid the young demi-Saiyan on a few feet to his left.

Juunanagou turned to Nijuichi.  "Where's the old man, anyway?" he asked in his usual quietly self-assured tone.

"He's gone," replied Nijuichi simply.  "Transplanted his brain into a robotic body to try and cheat death.  Didn't quite work."  He smiled wolfishly.  "One-arm over there blew him to scrap metal."

"Really?"  Juhachigou raised an eyebrow in slight surprise.  "Should have known the good doctor's arrogance would be his downfall."  She brushed her hair back behind her ear.  "He thought he knew it all."

"Aw, dammit, he's dead?"  Juunanagou spat to one side with a scowl.  "I wanted to kill him myself," he grumbled.

His twin sister shrugged.  "Oh well, c'est la vie."

"Why are you all just standing around?" Vegeta snapped exasperatedly.  "They're just a couple of kids!  How dangerous could they be?!"

Juunanagou smirked at his sister.  "Did you hear that?  Shorty wants to know how dangerous we can be!"

"Should we show him?" asked Juhachigou, smirking back at him.

"Not yet," answered her brother.  "I want to ask One-arm something."  He turned to Gohan, the sneering expression still plastered on his face.  "Would your name happen to be Goku?  Nijuichi here says you have similar stats."

Gohan, who was still locked in SSJ mode, clenched his fist.  "No, it isn't," he replied through gritted teeth.  "It's Gohan. I'm Goku's son."

"Really?  Who would've though.  Doesn't surprise me, though.  You look—"

Vegeta, having lost what little patience he had, suddenly flared into Super and exploded in a flash of ki towards the Jinzouningen.  "No!  Stop!" Gohan yelled, but it was too late.  The Saiyan Prince had already taken off.

"Join your maker, you insolent brat!" he screamed, pulling back his fist to strike Juunanagou's jaw.

Juunanagou had just enough time to roll his eyes at the idiocy of the Saiyan race and hold up his hand to stop the hard right to his jaw line.  Vegeta's momentary confusion and fury at being blocked gave the Jinzouningen ample opportunity to jab his knee into the Prince's solar plexus, downing him for the time being.

"Goddammit," Snapped Juunanagou, "can't I say anything around here without being interrupted?"  He rolled his eyes again, kicking the fallen Saiyan out of his way.  "Anyway, as I was saying, you look a lot like Goku."  His voice took on a kind of mocking tone as he sneered at Gohan.  "I don't know, I kind of prefer "One-arm' over 'Gohan'."

Ki flared up from Gohan's body in anger.  "Shut up, you son of a—OOF!"

Smirking, Juunanagou withdrew his fist from Gohan's stomach and retreated back into his spot in the doorway.  "Reflex check," he hissed mockingly as the demi-Saiyan gasped for breath.

Piccolo stepped over and put his hand cautiously on Gohan's back.  "You alright?"  Gohan, who was bent slightly and had his arm wrapped tightly over his stomach, forced himself to nod.  He coughed and straightened himself as best he could.

"Yeah, just fine," he said, and almost sarcastic tone to his voice and an expression somewhere between fury and pain on his face.  He looked down at Vegeta, who was struggling to his feet, then back up at Juunanagou.  "Reflex check?  More like cheap shot.  You want a fight, I'd be more than glad to give you one."

Juunanagou shrugged.  "I've got better things to do with my time than fight an invalid," he said as he turned and walked back into the lab.

Gohan's eyes narrowed a little more, but he made no move towards the Jinzouningen.  He instead held his ground, his fist clenched tightly at his side, contemplating his next move and trying to keep his temper in check before it caused him to do something stupid.

"I guess.  There's nothing better to do around here.  Hey, Nijuichi, why did you drag that kid back here?"

"I thought it might be fun to have someone to mess with later.  I'm supposed to kill him anyways."

Juhachigou tilted her head a little.  "I thought your programming was to destroy Gohan.  Although the kid is closer to the age he's supposed to be…"

"I've explained this once," Gohan said from the doorway, "we're the same person.  You want to kill him, you'll have to get though me first."

"Is that an invitation?" Nijuichi said, slightly amused.  "Alright, then.  Let's go."  He started towards Gohan, and Gohan's muscles tensed in preparation.  In an abrupt jolt, Nijuichi launched himself at the demi-Saiyan.

Gohan drew his hand back to his side, his ki rushing into a fast-forming blue ball, then thrust it forward.  The blast grew larger as it hurdled towards Nijuichi; the Jinzouningen flung himself to the side to avoid being hit and the ball of ki slammed into the back wall of the lab.  There was a small explosion, but it was obvious that something big had been hit as bolts of electricity emerged through the clearing smoke.

Krillin's eyes widened.  "Hit the deck!" he yelled.  "This place is going up!"

No sooner were the words out of his mouth did another explosion occur a little further down the wall, shortly followed by several more—then one huge ball of fire engulfed the entire lab as everyone dove for cover.

~*~

Well, minna? What'cha think?  I know it's not that long, but I figured that I could either stop there and post tonight, or I could keep writing and wait another week.  Oh, and another reason it took so long is because I was going through all the other chappies and correcting spelling/grammatical errors I didn't catch the first time.

MG: Actually, that didn't take you that long.  You were editing about three or four chapters per sitting.

Shut up, they don't have to know that!  Ahem, anyways…actually, I don't have that much to say right now.  I hope you don't all try to kill me; I'm going to try and have the next update out by Christmas, but I can't make any promises.  (Hey, minna, if you all tell LPM you want her to help me with future chappies as well, I might get them out quicker! Hint hint…)

MG: *slaps forehead* You're just lazy, that's all.  I thought that turning 16 was supposed to bring more responsibility?

Now, my dear Go-chan, where the heck did you get that idea?

MG: Never mind.  Hey, here's a novel idea—why don't you log on so you can post this?

You know, that's not a half-bad idea. ^^; Oh, and one more thing, minna-san—I'm beginning to think I should up the rating on this.  What do you think?  It hasn't reached its bloodiest yet, but the language factor might call for an 'R'.  And thanks to everyone who read 'Fade to Black'! I'm glad you all liked it!  Ja ne, minna-san!