Gohan spiraled down in darkness. He was fully aware of what his body and mind were doing and the split-second timing of that green warrior saved Videl's life. He was powerless to stop himself, locked away deep into his subconscious mind. He was cut off from himself and his powers, but was still left fully aware of the destruction and heartbreak he was causing. He screamed in anger as he fell further into his own mind...





"So," The Grand Kai spoke as he stroked his beard, "here's the plan." The three still-living kai's antennae twitched as they leaned in closer on the table. "Gather the top three greatest warriors of your camps and have them meet me at King Yemma's Palace in a day's time. That cool cat, King Yemma has granted me and those of my choosing three days of life. We'll be headin' to Earth to help those people down there until things get fixed. North Kai will stay here and crash out at my pad and oversee things up here, ya got it?"


The others nodded and scrambled to get their best fighters ready. Chaos ensued at the Grand Kai's planet as he sent the ball into motion. Soon, he'd bring the best of the best to help out down there, and it sounded like they needed all they could get!





Videl and Vegeta had been training for two days straight. He panted heavily and sweat streamed down his forehead in a torrent. His gold aura flared as he caught a powerful ki blast in his outstretched hands. Screaming, he threw the blast back at Videl. She nimbly dodged it and it exploded as it hit the ground, sending shard of rock out in all directions. Her ki hasn't started dropping yet, he thought. She's grown faster and stronger than any full-blooded human before her and she's putting up one hell of a fight! He brought his arm up as he blocked Videl's kick. Her aura glowed just as brightly as his but had gone from white to a duller silver sheen. He noticed when the change first happened weeks ago as her attacks came faster and stronger than ever before. He needed to be in super saiyan form constantly now otherwise he would've borne the brunt of the damage during the training now. Her will and spirit were strong indeed.


Vegeta attacked, sending fists flying from all directions. She kept her eyes firmly locked on him and weaved away from each attack as he did when their training first started. Her stance never wavered nor did her guard. Reassessing the situation, Vegeta jumped back and bent his knees, powered his ki higher for an all-out assault. She stood there, never taking her eyes off of him. Her hands were raised defensively and her legs were crouched down; she was ready for him. He leaped at her with his fist out, charged with ki. She jumped, avoiding the attack. Not missing a beat, Vegeta pivoted on his wrist and kicked upward. Videl flipped backward as his kick barely missed her. He was already on her as her feet touched the ground. She blocked a blow to her chest with her arms and ducked under his head butt attack that followed. She connected with a kick to his chin and followed through with a spinning knee that knocked him back. She completed her flip and landed in a defensive stance, breathing heavily. He stared at her as he wiped a bit of blood from the corner of his mouth.


"You're training is progressing well," he panted. "Now let's go further." He screamed as his golden aura flared to life. The winds picked up and Videl was forced to shield her eyes as small debris and dust swirled around her. His muscle mass increased slightly and he grew somewhat taller. His transformation complete he regarded her with a new sense of purpose. "Ready?" he asked. She nodded, and he came at her faster and stronger than before...


Videl slumped into the bathtub letting the hot water work on the soreness of her muscles. Every nerve in her body cried out in agony, but she smiled nonetheless. He had to ascend in order to keep up with her! True, he beat her down after that but it was a small victory for her. They were coming close to the halfway mark in their training and she needed every little victory she could get. She smiled, her father would hardly recognize her! She had grown a full two inches taller and the rest of her body was as toned as she thought it would ever get. She let her mind drift stretching out her ki using meditation exercises she learned from Vegeta. Minutes passed until...





Gohan fell further still deeper into the recesses of his own mind. Cut off completely from everything he despaired whether he'd ever escape this prison. Suddenly, from out of nowhere he felt a familiar presence. It was Videl, her spirit was as strong as ever! In a rush, he was consumed by the feeling. Their spirits linked for a brief second and the sensations was beyond all imaginings! "Videl!," he screamed. He raised his ki as high as he could to maintain the link, but it was gone in a flash.





"Gohan!" Videl jumped out of the tub in shock. She felt him! For the shortest of moments their spirits were linked in a way that never happened before. Not even noticing how naked she was she ran off to Vegeta's bedroom.


"Vegeta!" she yelled as she burst through the door. "I felt him! I felt Gohan!"


"Wha?" he asked sleepily. He rubbed his eyes as he grew accustomed to the darkness, then his eyes went wide!


"He's still alive," she exclaimed.


"Of course he is," Vegeta snapped, averting his eyes.


"No, you don't understand," she said walking over to him. Vegeta put the pillow over his head, thankful that the darkness covered his blushing face. "Are you even listening to me?"


Her answer came forth but she couldn't understand it due to the pillow over Vegeta's face. Exasperated, she grabbed the pillow and threw it across the room. She got right in his face and stared at him angrily. Vegeta, in vain, tried looking around her, at the ceiling, at the door, anything except right at her!


"I felt him in a way I never had before," she said. "I felt his entire being. He's trapped and he can't get out!"


"You've bonded," Vegeta replied as he turned around on the bed, pulling the covers over himself. "Congratulations, it's about time. Now...if you don't mind...PUT SOME FUCKING CLOTHES ON, OR GET OUT!"


It took her a few seconds to register his outburst, red-faced and wide-eyed she ran from his room to hers. She quickly put on her training outfit and ran back to Vegeta's room, but he wasn't there. She stretched out her senses and found him outside the compound. She left the building and walked over to where he stood. He was dressed in his blue muscle t-shirt and training pants. His arms were crossed over his chest and he stared out to the endless expanse. Meekly she walked up behind him. "Um," she began softly.


"Are you decent?" he asked harshly.


She flinched and blushed at the same time. "Yes," was her reply.


"Good. I'll bet you have some questions for me now?"


She nodded, still too embarrassed to say anything. Vegeta took the moment of silence as a yes. "You're wondering about the connection you felt with Gohan just a short time ago?"


"Yes," she replied.


"It's what we saiyans call bonding. When two spirits touch and are found compatible they bond together in a way that almost defies meaning. It is how we saiyans find our mates."


"Mates? You mean like getting married?" She started to blush a bit.


Vegeta closed his eyes and smiled. "You humans have no concept what it's like when you bond with a saiyan. Only Bulma and Chi-Chi and now you know what it feels like."


"But..." she stammered.


"Get over it," he said in a hard tone. "You've just begun the bonding process, there's more to it than connecting your spirits."


"It was just a brief second, I couldn't hold the connection."


"It will come with time. You know," he said, his smile broadening, "Bulma was the one who initially bonded with me the first time."


"How?"


He sighed, "That damn woman! Her fire was what set off the bond. I couldn't stand her! And yet, there was something about her that intrigued me. I didn't realize what was happening before it was almost too late."


"What do you mean?" she asked.


"She forced those god-awful things she calls meals down my throat every chance she got! That was another sign. And her mother! Gods, cookies and cakes everywhere! I swear I thought they were fattening me up so they could cook me later!"


"Get to the point, Vegeta."


"My point is that once the bonding process has started it grows over time. The two spirits are almost in constant contact with each other, but you don't even know it. It's a failsafe mechanism that allows one to know when the other is in danger. But that's just scratching the surface."


"I know when Gohan's been in trouble before, all I had to do was sense for his ki signature. How is that different from the bond?"


"The bond is so much more," he replied. "Take Kakarot and Chi-Chi for example. Those two, I hate to say it, are meant for each other. Kakarot is an idiot, pure and simple. Chi-Chi is the other part of him that makes him complete...if that's possible," the last he uttered under his breath. "Once the bonding is complete a transformation of sorts comes over them, heightened senses, an awareness of danger, and a feeling of indescribable completeness. This doesn't happen overnight, it takes time. The nature's of the bonding spirits need to find a stable ground to grow. It could take months or years depending on how combative the two spirits are toward each other. It took Bulma nearly a year before she was able to find that middle ground with me."


Videl smiled sarcastically, it's a wonder they bonded at all, she thought.


"I suspect Kakarot and Chi-Chi took less time, given his damnable easy-going nature," Vegeta mused.


"How do you know when and who you are going to bond with?"


"It just happens," he shrugged. "Why do people fall in love? It's a question that can't be answered. The bonding can happen at any age. Back on Vegeta, when I was young and doing my initial training several other warriors that were about Gohan's age when we fought Cell were already bonding with saiyan women. When it happens it happens, and it's for life."


"Can the bond be broken?"


"Not even death can permanently break the bond. However, for the one left alive the days can prove...troublesome. Chi-Chi would know what I speak of. Death does weaken the bond, but no more. From what I'm told the still living mate feels hollow and incomplete. However it is only temporary. When the other one goes to the spirit world the spirits are reunited once again. We saiyans haven't encountered any other races yet that have anything akin to the bond."


"So, you think Gohan and I are bonded somehow?"


"Of course," he replied. "Frankly, I'm surprised it's taken this long for it to become a reality. I thought you two would have bonded a while ago."


"But that's such a big step," she said shakily. "I don't know if I'm ready for that yet."


"It doesn't matter. You initiated the bonding process. Obviously you are ready."


"But," she stammered. He raised his hand, "Enough talk. Look, it's not a bad thing. It's the most wondrous experience you'll ever have and you will constantly be in that state for the rest of your life."


"If it's so wonderful," she countered, " then why are you so pissed off all the time?"


His right eyebrow twitched, and he flexed his arms to keep himself under control. Gods, she acts like Bulma! Gohan's gonna have his hands full with this one! "It has nothing to do with the bond," he replied evenly. "My reasons are my own, so stay out of my business."


"Sorry," she replied, stiffening a little.


He sighed in exasperation. "I don't know why I'm trying to prove this to you," he explained. She looked over at him and he appeared to be in deep thought. A few moments passed.


"Fine," he said evenly. "If this doesn't prove the power of the bond, nothing will." He stretched out his hand to her.


"What are you talking about?"


"No more questions," he said quietly. "Take my hand and open yourself up. Free your mind and relax."


She gave him a sidelong glance, not knowing what he was up to. "Hurry up," he snapped causing her to jump, "we don't have all day!" Gathering her courage she took his hand.


Vegeta's eyes closed and his face changed from his normal hardened appearance to one of pure serenity. A faint golden glow outlined his features and enveloped Videl as well. She opened her ki to him and relaxed.


Slowly at first then in a rush, her body was suffused with the power and sensations of Vegeta. It was a warm felling, a feeling of violence and chaos at first, then it gently subsided to that of completeness and happiness. Vegeta and Videl were one and he poured the sensations through her. Then she began trembling as she felt the bond between him and Bulma. She felt the wholeness of their two spirits intertwined and perfectly balanced against the other. Waves of pleasure rolled over her in time with his heartbeat. Feelings that she couldn't even begin to describe assaulted her senses. The full range of emotions struck her all at the same time, yet the sensations weren't as chaotic as she would've thought, everything was in perfect harmony. She felt their pains, their sorrows and their joys all at once. Her legs trembled and she began shaking. She could feel herself crying from the sheer shock of emotion and sensations. Gently and slowly Vegeta ended the link. Videl dropped to her knees, breathing heavily and trembling. Minutes passed before she finally regained her composure.


"That...that was...incredible!"


"Now do you see?"


She nodded, "I can't believe feelings like that could even exist! How can you concentrate with all that going between the two of you?"


"You get used to it in time," he replied. "After a while you almost don't realize it's there. Satisfied?"


"Yeah."


"Good," he said as he turned back toward the compound. "We pick up on our training tomorrow. I suggest you get some rest." He took off flying back to his room, leaving Videl there staring in wonderment at him. Her mind was awash with all the new discoveries and experiences that he tantalized her with. She wanted to know more!





18 watched Marrion play with Mr. Popo. Piccolo and Tien should be reporting back soon, she thought. Her thoughts drifted to Krillin and the others who were still under thrall to Leviathan. She looked out towards the sky, the sun was beginning to set and still no sign of Piccolo or Tien. She began to get worried. She left Marrion under Mr. Popo's care and headed into the building proper to look for Dende. Wandering the empty dark halls made her feel even lonelier than before. She found Dende in his meditation chamber but he appeared to be otherwise occupied in deep thought. She waited for several minutes at the door until he finished. He opened the door with a huge smile on his face.


"Oh!" he said somewhat startled. "Sorry, 18, I didn't see you there, but I have great news!"


"What is it?" she asked.


"I just gone done talking to King Kai. He's gathering the best warriors he can to come down here to help us, isn't that great?"


18 smiled and nodded. "We can use all the help we can get When will they arrive?"


"King Kai and the others will be here in a few hours. They'll have three days of life granted to them by King Yemma. With their help we shouldn't have any problems against our enemies."


"Have you heard from Piccolo or Tien yet?"


"Yes I have. I told them about our reinforcements and they're on their way back. Piccolo said he found their base. Tomorrow Vegeta and Videl will be done in the Room of Spirit and Time so we should all be ready to attack their base."


"I can't wait," she replied cracking her knuckles. "I owe that Leviathan creature a few hits where it counts!"


"King Kai and I will be going over several strategies to get our friends back. I know the others are just as ready to stop this menace. I also heard from Chi-Chi. They're having trouble locating the last dragonball, but she said it won't be a problem."


"Good. Thanks Dende," she said smiling.


He smiled back. "Soon all this will be over and we can get back to our lives. You should get some sleep, tomorrow is going to be a busy day."


She nodded and left. Dende raced out to the courtyard, anxiously awaiting the return of Piccolo and Tien.





"All right, settle down cats!" King Kai commanded. Pikkon, Olibu and seven other warriors quieted down as they entered King Yemma's Palace. A underling led each warrior in one at a time and when they left the presence of King Yemma their halos were removed. King Yemma's desk was stacked with the necessary paperwork for each warrior and he took out his approval stamp and got to work.


After the last warrior exited the Palace King Kai gathered them around him. "Now, you all now this is a temporary gig, right?" They all nodded. "Dende's expectin' us so let's not keep 'em waitin'. Pikkon, Olibu, you two will lead the first wave down there and we'll be right behind ya."


"Yes sir," they said in unison. The blurred to super speed and were gone.


"Three days ya hear?" The others nodded. "Let's go and give what help we can!"


"Yes sir!" the others yelled. Then they disappeared.











Next Chapter: Training comes to a close for Videl and Vegeta and the reinforcements arrive. The setup begins for the final confrontation between Earth's last defenders and their enemies...their former friends! See ya next chapter!