"Amazing...!" Krillin remarked. "You'd think, after being out for a whole month she'd lose a step or two."
"But she hasn't..." stated Tein. "On the contrary, she's gained a lot more ground. I'd dare to say that perhaps, she's approached a level of strength that will more than hold her own against the Saiyans."
"Hard to believe, though..." Chi-Chi reflected. "... a Saiyan would actually train Videl... and offer to help us fight her own kind. This Celipa was a remarkable woman."
"It just goes to show..." Chiaotzu said. "No matter where you go, you cannot have evil without good."
"KAMEHAMEHA!!!" Yamcha fired the powerful energy blast at Videl, who jumped back and gathered her own energies--
"LION ROAR!!!"
--and fired her own tremendous ki blast, blocking Yamcha's Kamehameha Wave and pitting the two of them in a dangerous game of tug-of-war, not to mention impressing her friends.
"Celipa's taught Videl well..." Ran Fuan observed. "She's never been able to do THAT before."
"I remember when all she could muster were short-ranged ki blasts..." Tein reminisced. "She's certainly changed in such a short time."
"For us it's short... remember, she's been training for a whole year in the past..." Chi-Chi watched on with a smile, as Videl's Lion Roar dissipated along with Yamcha's Kamehameha Wave, and she charged forward, landing lightning fast punches and kicks as Yamcha did his best to block them all.
"... we may actually win this one..." she added confidently.
"School"
By
Ken Blackwell & Chris Waters
Two months later.
Teena continued along Snake Way, flying her fastest speeds with determination etched on her face, the nightmare with Jadoshin lingering in memory. Okay... she surmised. Judging by my calculations... I SHOULD reach the end of this god awful road. Right. About.
"NOW!" Teena skidded to a halt, dust kicking up in her wake, and a smile stretched across her face as she saw what she had been waiting for for over four months.
"The tail. End of the line. I did it!" she praised herself. Then hesitated as she stared out into the emptiness of the pinkish sky before her. "... okay. NOW what?"
Teena looked around for any signs, anything even remotely resembling any kind of residence. But there was nothing. No house, no door, no planet, no anything.
"... crap." Teena dropped down to her knees, sighing deeply. "... well... at least I know what to do the next time I want to waste four months of my life... dammit." She struck the tail end of Snake Way, thoroughly disappointed. "I came all this way for NOTHING!! I mean... C'MON HERE!!" she shouted outward. "How the hell am I supposed to meet this King Kai guy at the end of Snake Way if he doesn't even EXIST?!! How am I gonna get the training I need to save my world?! Huh?!!" Teena sighed deeply, lowering her head. "... talking to myself again..."
As Teena got to her feet, she failed to realize a glow above her head. Through the cosmic dust in the sky above, something began to gather together, forming into a spherical shape. Then the glow faded, leaving Teena in a shadow. She blinked, then looked up, seeing a small planetoid above her. "... whoa... okay, that wasn't... that wasn't there before..." She picked up her duffle bag up over her shoulder, eyes still focused on the planetoid. "... well... oh, the hell with it. This has GOTTA be it..." Taking a step back, Teena jumped towards the planetoid, flying directly at it. And all seemed normal for her as she flew towards it, until she got close enough. Then she suddenly gathered unneeded speed, getting pulled down and diving against her will like a stone towards the planetoid.
"H--whuh--?!" A supreme feat of will was enough to force Teena to land on her feet instead of her face, but was still forced to one knee. "W-what the hell--?!" she gasped. "... gravity's... the gravity here is... off-kilter?!" She slowly got back to both feet. "... that... doesn't make sense! This world is too small for... such a high gravity!!" As she contemplated the physics-defying phenomenon, an apple fell from a nearby tree, plummeting like an anvil straight towards Teena's head. She turned to catch it, and the force of the apple falling forced her to fall sideways, the apple's weight driving her down.
"AH--!! Dammit--!!" Painfully Teena pulled her hand from the apple, falling to her backside. "What is this, Bizarro World? There's no way a planet this small can have so much gravity!"
"Oook?" An animal noise suddenly sounded by Teena's head, as a small shadow loomed over her. She blinked, then turned around, facing a brown-furred chimpanzee-like animal behind her.
"..." Teena blinked once more, and slowly got down to her hands and knees. "... a monkey..." It jumped a bit in front of Teena, ooking curiously at her, and she gave pause, quickly noting that it was unaffected by the gravity. "... okay. It's a small world here so you must know. I'm here to see the Lord of Worlds. King Kai. Can you understand me?" She slowly stood up to her feet. "... or am I wasting my time again? As usual. Seems to be today's theme right now..."
The monkey ooked a bit more, then held its hands up, looking at her.
"..." Teena sighed, shaking her head. Then turned to see a dome-shaped house nearby. "Of course. It's the only house here. God, I'm a moron." Slowly, she made her way towards the house, the gravity still hindering her movements.
"Well, there's one good thing about you..." a new voice came from the house. "At least you're smarter than my last student."
Teena paused, watching a rotund, blue-skinned creature, in a black robe, a Japanese Kanji prominent on the chest, antennae sticking from his head and glasses framing his face, exit the house, standing before Teena with his hands behind him. "... you must be King Kai..." Teena remarked. "You look kingish enough."
"Except when upset. Then... I'm a King Crab!" King Kai smiled, then chuckled at his own joke.
"..." Teena cocked her head. "... uh... okay."
"... why do I always get the unfunny ones?" King Kai asked himself, looking upset as he shook his head.
"Uh... sorry, It's been a pretty boring four months flying across Snake Way," Teena explained. "I've been talking to myself for so long the voices in my head think I have mental problems."
King Kai blinked, and started to chuckle at Teena's statement. He then stopped, realizing what Teena had said. "Only four months?" He turned around, pulling something from his robe, keeping it hidden from Teena.
"Yeah..." she nodded. "I really didn't need to rest so I just flew here as fast as I could."
"Hang on a second..." King Kai interrupted. "Let's see... carry the four, divide by 2... wow, you beat the old record!"
"Yeah... Baba Uranai said there was one guy who got here in six months..." Teena struggled a little to keep standing. "Hey... what's up with this world? Gravity's set on 'high.'"
"Well you see... the planet rotates at a much faster rate than Earth would," King Kai began to explain. "Add to that the smaller size of the planet, and the gravity is much higher than Earth's. Bubbles and I are both used to it after living here for so long."
"... uh..." Teena cocked her head. "... Afterlife physics, I guess. Mercury's the same way and the gravity's a third less than on Earth." She shook her head. "Well, enough of the physics lesson. King Kai, I humbly ask to be trained by you."
"Hmm... a tall order to ask for, yes. I have trained many, but you're the first female I will have trained, just so you know. However..." King Kai paused, turning to look out at the sky, deep in thought.
"Uh, yes?" Teena asked politely. "... if there's anything I need to do in order to receive the necessary training I'm willing to--"
"I do have one requirement for training," King Kai replied, a smile on his face. "You must make me laugh. And make me laugh hard."
"That's it?" Teena blinked. "That's kind of... well... okay, I'll give it a shot. Let's see..." Teena furrowed her brow for a moment, then smiled. "Okay. I think I got one."
King Kai turned to face Teena. "Well, go on."
"Okay..." Teena brushed her hair back, and began her joke. "One day I dialed a wrong number, the other person said, 'Hello?' And I said 'Hello, could I speak to Joey?' They said, 'Uh, I don't think so, he's only two months old.' And I said, 'I'll wait.'"
King Kai blinked, then quickly moved his hands to his mouth as he snickered. It built up even more, and the Lord of Worlds couldn't contain it any longer as he fell onto his back and laughed out loud. Teena smiled in self-approval, placing her hands on her hips. "So then..." she replied, walking over to help King Kai up. "What's the verdict, sir?"
King Kai took some deep breaths before nodding. "Whoo... you're good!" he exclaimed. "A nice dry wit... subtle yet powerful sense of humor you have there, child! And when I'm done, you'll be the most famous comedienne in the entire galaxy!!"
"... Uh, I'm flattered... but I actually came here for some combat training..." Teena admitted. "Got a little problem with uninvited guests and I have to deal with them before they show up in eight months."
"Huh. OOOH, right. The Saiyans..." King Kai recalled, then shook his head. "Second time I made THAT mistake. Guess dying and being reborn hurts the memory."
"You know about the Saiyans already... good. That saves me the trouble of telling the whole story then..." Teena sat down with a loud thud. "Long story short... eight months, they show up, Earth go pop. That is, unless my friends and I can beat them."
King Kai nodded sagely. "Just like the last one here. All righty then. Let's see how you're doing. I want to see how high you can jump. Go on... give it your best."
"Jump? In this bass-ackwards gravity? Well, okay..." Teena slowly got back to her feet, dropping to a three-point stance. Then pushed herself off as hard as she could go, managing to cover 20 feet straight up before falling back down, making an indentation of the ground on her hands and knees as she hit. "Ow--!!"
"Hmm... 10 feet less than my last student. Still, not TOO bad," King Kai noted. "This will be a lot harder for the training."
"I'm ready..." Teena stood up with some degree of difficulty. "Whatever I need to do, sir, I'll be ready for it."
"All right then. Oh, first thing's first... are your clothes weighted?" queried King Kai.
"Weighted? Not really..." Teena replied. "I know Roshi's students wear them and that makes them as strong as they are. But then I never needed them. I've always been this strong. Well... as far back as I can remember, anyhow."
"Well, for the proper training, you're going to have to get stronger than you ever have before." With that, he touched Teena's clothing, and she gasped, stooping over with her eyes wide.
"A-ACK! My clothes--!!" she exclaimed, to which King Kai merely smirked.
"For this exercise you're going to have to get used to them like that," he explained, looking over his shoulder. "Bubbles, it's playtime!" And on command, the monkey ran up towards King Kai and Teena.
"... Okay..." Teena took a few deep breaths, and slowly stood upright, still struggling. "... let me guess... catch the monkey?" she joked.
"Exactly! You have to try to catch Bubbles while still in this gravity!"
"... you're serious..." Teena blinked, looking to Bubbles. "... okay... that shouldn't be too hard. I don't think. Maybe..." she stretched her arms as best she could, then hesitated. "... okay. Catch the monkey. Really. Just, catch the monkey."
"Oh, come now... don't go... APE... about this!" King Kai laughed as Bubbles skipped easily in the high gravity.
"... Uh, yeah okay..." Teena cocked her head. "Is this one of those Zen things Roshi teaches? Like 'wax on, wax off' stuff?"
King Kai shook his head. "You do want to beat the Saiyans, correct?"
"Yeah. Of course I do."
"Well, you might want to know that the gravity of my planet is equal to the old Saiyan homeworld. And Saiyan body armor also doubles as weighted clothing like yours is now. So, for you to be at LEAST equal to a Saiyan Elite in strength, you must live in the conditions of one."
"Oh... I get it..." Teena nodded. "'Know thy enemy, know thyself.' Sun Tzu, the Art of War."
"Precisely! Now, go on... Bubbles is getting a good head start..." King Kai noted with a smile, as Bubbles was already a good 25 feet away from Teena's position.
"..." Teena looked back towards Bubbles. "... crap." And she moved after him, almost stumbling to her knees as she lumbered forward after the monkey. "Urghh... that's it... I'm going on a diet... urgh... not that... It'd make a difference..."
King Kai smirked, walking towards his house. "Maybe a nap will do me good..."
---
Videl was resting after a long session, sparring with Ran Fuan and Chi-Chi; the two women took the younger on in a two-on-one confrontation that Videl had easily held her own in.
"... I can't believe how so much better you've gotten, Videl..." Ran Fuan said as she rubbed her sore shoulder.
"Yes, indeed..." nodded Chi-Chi. "It's almost hard to believe you're the daughter of Mr. Satan."
"Well... dad's still a great fighter..." Videl said. "But I know he can't compare to Teena... or Nappa and Vegeta, for that matter. I saw so much while I was in the past. I know, more than ever, what's at stake. That's why--"
"Videl..." Mr. Popo approached the three women as he spoke. "Kami wishes to speak to you, alone. If you would be so kind..."
"Huh? Well, okay..." Videl rose to her feet, looking back at Ran Fuan and Chi-Chi. "I'll be right back!" she chirped with a cute smile.
As Videl followed Mr. Popo to Kami's chambers she had a growing suspicion that, perhaps, this was about her improved skills she received from Celipa. Sure enough, as she stood to face the Guardian of the Earth, her suspicions proved correct, as he spoke to her.
"You have surpassed your friends," he said to Videl. "In this, you have also surpassed me. There is nothing more I or Mr. Popo can teach you."
"... I figured that's why you sent for me..." Videl said.
Kami nodded. "You may say your goodbyes to your friends, then return to the lower world and refine your skills until the final confrontation."
"... but it's not enough..." Videl retorted. "Kami sir, what I've learned still isn't enough! I know... the Saiyans, I've lived on their world for a year! I know all there is to know about them... and I know that the two Saiyans that're coming... Nappa and Vegeta... they're both... they're both insanely strong, Kami! I've seen them both in action! They were powerful then... and I can only imagine how strong they are now! I need MORE training!"
"But what could I..." Kami paused, then smiled. "... Perhaps there IS a way to further your training, Videl. But you will have to contemplate about it before deciding."
"What must I do?" asked Videl.
"Train with Piccolo."
"..." Videl paused, a look of shock in her eyes that quickly faded as she nodded. "Fine. Where is he?"
"Stop to consider this, first..." Kami advised. "Piccolo will not go easy on you at all. Training with him will be difficult. And very often, dangerous. And do you still wish to seek him out?"
"Yes," Videl replied without hesitation. "I'm sure he'll agree to it knowing the kind of danger Nappa and Vegeta both are."
"I pray you are right, child..." Kami sighed, then nodded. "I will tell you where Piccolo is."
Videl smiled. "Thank you, sir."
---
Southeast... across the desert at the mountain range, nearby Fire Mountain... Videl recalled Kami's directions as she flew there. For her, it was roughly a four hour flight before she arrived at the untamed wilderness. Various creatures, including dinosaurs, roamed the area, and Videl avoided the obviously carnivorous ones not because she was afraid of becoming an appetizer to them, but rather because she wished to not waste any time on the fearsome creatures; she was busy looking for an even more fearsome creature, anyhow...
Videl was too young to remember the final battle between Teena and the Dai-Mao, the Demon King Piccolo, but was four years old when she watched the finals of the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai, the fight between Teena and King Piccolo's progeny, Piccolo Jr. Even then her father scoffed, saying it was all just flashy special effects, and being Daddy's Little Girl, she believed him. Now, with the fate of the entire Earth partly in Videl's hands, she knew better, and she knew what lengths had to be taken to protect her world.
She landed to the ground, cautious scanning the surrounding vicinity for Piccolo. Where is he? Videl wondered. C'mon, a green-skinned bald guy with antennae sticking out of his head can't be THAT hard to find. Wait... that's right. I can sense ki if I concentrate. Remember what Kami and Mr. Popo taught you, girl...
Videl closed her eyes, concentrating, letting herself feel around with her mind.
Found him! Videl smiled. He's... behind me--?! She turned around, opening her eyes to see the very emerald-hued warrior she had sought, standing right in front of her.
"You're a long way from home, girl..." Piccolo muttered, looking very intimidating as he towered over Videl. "Are you lost?"
"Hardly..." Videl answered, standing her ground. "I came here to seek you out, Piccolo."
"Hah! Why do something so foolhardy?"
"I want to be trained by you."
"... Really..." Piccolo crossed his arms as he smirked. "And why would I want to train a spoiled rich girl like yourself?"
"You were a part of Kami, right? So you'd know of the Room of Spirit and Time."
"I do. What of it?"
"Because of it, I was trapped in the past for a whole year on the Saiyan homeworld. I learned a lot there. About their strengths and weaknesses. Train me, and I'll share what I know about them to you."
"Intriguing offer..." Piccolo walked around Videl, observing her. "... you've already improved much since the last time I saw you, girl. You're almost as strong as I am..."
"It's not enough..." Videl stated. "Vegeta and Nappa... the Saiyans that're coming... they're extremely powerful. Stronger than me, you, Teena, everyone else put together! But we can get stronger if we train harder, together! It'll be a long shot but I know we can do it!"
Piccolo contemplated Videl's words, then hmphed with a smirk on his face. "You drive a hard bargain... Videl, is it? I respect your shrewdness and your resolve..." Piccolo furrowed his chin, then nodded. "Very well. I accept the offer, but it would be fair to warn you..." His eyes narrowed. "I am a harsh taskmaster, not as coddling as Eighteen or Kami. You will sleep, you will eat... and you will fight with me!"
"I expect no less..." Videl replied. "I'm not afraid."
"Oh, you should be..." Piccolo smiled evilly. "... and you WILL be."
---
Twenty days later.
Hm...this is interesting. She's progressing faster than Goku ever did. I might be able to teach her a lot more than I thought. King Kai watched on as Teena continued to pursue Bubbles the Monkey on his planet, nodding, approving her rapid progress. Teena suddenly lunged forward with a yell, tackling Bubbles off his feet.
"F-FINALLY!!" Teena gasped, sitting up on her knees. "I caught him! I caught the monkey, King Kai!! N-now what?"
King Kai applauded. "Bravo, Teena! You did better than I ever thought you would have!" he stated. "Now, it's time for you to recover."
"Good idea..." Teena released Bubbles, and looked down at herself. "... I need a shower... twenty days of chasing a monkey in ten times Earth's gravity'll make ANYONE smell like a sweatsock..."
King Kai nodded. "When you're ready, meet me back out here."
"Sure..." Teena pulled off her vest, then picked up her duffle bag. "... It's okay if I use your bathroom, right? Or is there a waterfall nearby, stashed away or something?"
King Kai thought for a moment. "A waterfall... THAT'S what this place needs... but where to put it..." he pondered. "Oh, the shower's in the house."
"Right... thanks." Teena smiled, and headed inside. Shortly thereafter King Kai could hear the sounds of a shower starting up. "Mnn..." Teena sighed softly. "Perfect. Nice and hot."
King Kai shook his head. "It's been a while since someone besides myself used that shower. Heck, my last student didn't even use it."
"Ick..." Teena muttered. "Not big on hygiene, that guy?"
"Well, he was dead anyway." King Kai replied. "No real need for a shower when you're not even alive."
"Right... I guess..." Teena said. "I keep forgetting this is the afterlife and I have a free pass through it..."
"Exactly. You're actually the first person I've trained that actually was, well, LIVING." King Kai added with a chuckle.
"Not to mention the prettiest, I bet..." Teena added with a soft chuckle of her own.
"Hey, I'm a Kai, I don't think about such things!" Kai paused for a moment. "... But you're right about that." He then heard the shower turn off.
"Well... whether I'm pretty or not won't help my training..." Teena stated matter-of-factly. "I'll be out in a moment, just gonna get some clean clothes on..."
"All right, I'll go get your next training partner," Kai said, and walked off towards a section of the planet, calling out a name. "GREGORY!"
"Gregory?" Teena stepped out, wearing only a white Capsule Corp T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans, her blonde hair no longer carrying its partial braid.
King Kai smirked, pointing off into the distance to a speck... a speck that sped right towards Teena, at high speeds. Teena blinked, and stepped back. "... wait a second..." she paused, getting a better look. "... oh, you gotta be kidding me." And the blur stopped right in front of Teena, revealing the figure be a small bug-like creature, floating in mid-air.
"Sorry I'm late, King Kai..." the bug said. "Had to fly from the other side of the Snake Way."
"Aah, I see. Tell me, are your arms tired?" King Kai asked, and began to chuckle.
"Heh heh..." Teena smiled softly, turning away to roll her eyes, then turned back around to face the two otherworldly beings. "Okay... so I step up from small to smallest, here?" Teena looked over Gregory. "... What do I do with Atom Ant over here?"
"HEY! You better respect your elders, young... MMPH!" Gregory's mouth was quickly muffled by King Kai's hand.
"This is a simple exercise," Kai explained. "You simply have to hit Gregory over the head."
"Uhm... okay..." Teena blinked. "Doesn't seem too hard."
"BUT... you can't do it with your hands. With THIS!" Kai continued, pulling out a large mallet. "Here... catch, Teena!" he tossed the mallet to Teena. And quickly she caught the hammer, nearly getting yanked off her bare feet from the heaviness of the object.
"Whoa--!" Teena gasped. "... damn--!"
King Kai smirked, and spoke in a 60's voice. "... that's really heavy, man..." then started to laugh at his own joke.
"Okay... let's see how long THIS takes me..." Teena hefted up the hammer over her shoulder, staring at Gregory. "It's not a can of Raid, but it'll do."
"Catch me if you can!" Gregory taunted, zooming off now for her to persue, and Teena jumped forward, then paused.
"Wait a second. Waaaaait a second..." she smiled. "... Pac-Man."
"Pac-Who?" King Kai asked, confused.
"Watch." And Teena ran the OTHER way. And King Kai blinked, then smiled, nodding to himself. Meanwhile, Gregory smirked with a hint of confidence, looking behind him, believing Teena could not even hope to catch him.
There you are... Teena readied the hammer, seeing Gregory in her sights. Teena shouted out as she swung the hammer at the bug, and unable to dodge the huge object in time, Gregory collided with the mallet, falling flat on his face to the ground.
"Chalk one up for old school video games!" Teena proclaimed as she raised the mallet up over head, then quickly brought it down before toppling over from its immense weight. "Gah-- stupid heavy..."
King Kai smiled widely. Smart, strong...she may just surpass Goku in what I did to train him! The Kaio-ken, the Spirit Bomb... just how long will it take her to perfect the moves I taught Goku?
"Okay..." Teena looked to King Kai. "What's next?"
King Kai smirked. "I think it's time we get the advanced moves going now." he stated, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm ready, then..." Teena said. "The sooner we get this done, the sooner I can head home and kick some Saiyan tail. Literally." Teena shrugged. "You know... with, with the tails and... y'know."
King Kai chuckled a bit. "Of course, Teena. Of course."
As Teena and King Kai left, Gregory still remained lying on the ground, a leg twitching every so often as he moaned.
"... i should've just stayed dead..." he whimpered.
---
Twenty-one more days later.
"... And that was pretty much it," Yamcha finished his accounts of his training on the Lookout; he and the others had returned from there, having completed the necessary training. And the first thing he did was return to Kame House and take a long-deserved shower, then recalled what had happened to Bulma, Master Roshi, Oolong, and Turtle.
"Well, I'm glad the training worked out for you, m'boy..." Roshi said.
"Yeah... I still need to make sure my skills are razor sharp, though..." Yamcha noted. "Hopefully it'll be enough, even after what Videl's said about the Saiyans."
"It's amazing that she went through all that..." Bulma reflected. "What a remarkable girl she is..."
"Oh... guys, where's Puar?" asked Yamcha. "I haven't seen her all day and I figured she'd be the first one to welcome me back..."
"Oh... well, uh..." Bulma hesitated, not sure how to explain what had happened while Yamcha was away.
"... Did something happen to her?" Yamcha questioned, growing concerned.
"Eeeeyah, you could say that..." Oolong answered. "A couple of BIG somethings..." he chuckled lecherously, until Bulma bopped him on the head.
"She's gone through quite the dramatic change, Yamcha..." Roshi stated.
"What... kind of change?"
"... why don't you ask her?" Bulma replied, gesturing behind Yamcha.
Yamcha blinked, and turned to see a cute, petite cat-girl stand before him, dressed in a blue and tan top, white jean cut-offs, tasseled spats, and fingerless gloves, her very long grey hair tied in a triple ponytail, a familiar furred tail swayed to and fro behind her.
"... w... welcome home, Yamcha..." she greeted, her voice familiar yet different, a rose red blush to her cheeks.
"... Puar...?!" Yamcha blinked thrice in disbelief. "... what did you do to yourself?!"
"Cry-Baby Puar's all grown up!" Oolong chuckled. "In all the right spots, too! Yum!"
"Now's not the time, Oolong..." Roshi scolded.
"When is it EVER a good time to be perverted?" Bulma sighed. "Uhm, maybe we should leave them be... I'm sure they have a lot to talk about..." Dragging Oolong off, she, Roshi, and Turtle left the living room of Kame House, leaving Puar and Yamcha alone.
"..." Yamcha looked over Puar's new appearance, then sighed softly. "... you... uhm... you look great, Puar."
Puar blushed a bit redder as she looked down at her feet, smiling shyly. "... t-thank you, Yamcha..."
"Why go through all this, though?" he asked. "... it's... permanent, isn't it?"
Puar nodded. "... yes... yes it is." She closed her eyes. "... and I did it. For you... so I can be useful to you again. Just like the old days."
"Puar, I don't see how being human..." Yamcha paused, noting Puar's cat-like ears and tail. "... humanish, at least... anyhow, I don't see--" Once more he hesitated as he watched Puar's body gloss over, becoming a gleaming chromium right before his eyes.
"Achieving this state's enhanced my shapeshifting powers..." she explained. "I can assume ANY shape now... their forms, properties, strengths... Oolong may joke about how sexy I look now but inside he's so jealous..." Puar giggled, as she shifted back to flesh and blood. "He's right, in a way. 'Cry-Baby Puar' is indeed all grown up."
"But... how can you help me against the Saiyans, Puar?" queried Yamcha.
"I can protect you," Puar suggested. "I can take the form of your gi, and if something potentially harmful comes your way I'll shift to something impenetrable, like solid titanium--"
"Puar, no..." Yamcha shook his head. "I can't let you do that, Puar. It's too dangerous!"
"So... it's okay for you to put YOUR life on the line, then?!" retorted Puar. "Yamcha, we've been through a lot together! How many times have we stuck our necks out for each other? Used our skills together to gain the extra foothold on our enemies? I know the Saiyans are powerful but I don't care, dammit! This is MY world too, Yamcha! I have a right to help defend it and besides I--" she hesitated, choosing her next words carefully. "... if anything should happen to you... I'd just die..."
"..." Yamcha stopped to consider Puar's words. "... Puar... if anything should happen to YOU, I'd never be able to forgive myself. You've always been there for me, Puar. You're almost like a--"
"Stop right there..." Puar interrupted. "Don't even say it." Her voice suddenly sounded like perfect recreation of Yamcha as she continued. "'You're almost like a little sister to me.'" Puar shook her head adamantly as tears began to fall from her golden cat-like eyes, re-assuming her own voice. "That's what you were going to say, right?! Yamcha... dammit, I love you! From day one! Minute 1, SECOND 1, I loved you!! And if you said those words I swear I... I-I would drop dead! From a broken heart, right where I stand!!"
"..." Yamcha was dumbstruck, staring in disbelief at the love-stricken weeping cat-girl before him, utterly speechless.
"Yes, I want to be useful to you! Protect you, keep you safe but the whole other reason I changed species was because... I-I love you, Yamcha! As a cat I knew I would have no chance in hell but... but as this..." Puar gestured down at herself. "I risked almost certain death undergoing the transformation from cat to humanoid for you, Yamcha. I would risk so much more for you... my life, my very soul if I had to... but..." Puar turned away with a sigh, wiping her tears. "... you probably still love Bulma, don't you... it's too late for me to even try..."
"... Puar, I..." Yamcha lowered his head. "... to be truthful, I don't know. About Bulma and myself. We both thought we'd be perfect together but... we're so different... and she can be so possessive at times. I even look at another pretty girl and she'd go off on me... and if a girl looked at me, same result..."
"You can't help that, Yamcha..." Puar explained. "It's human nature. Being someone who's spent most of her life as a non-human, watching how humans act, I know better than anyone. I mean... if we were together, it'd be a 'look but don't touch' deal... other girls'd be happy to ogle you, that's fine... if you want to look at other pretty girls I'd have no problems with it, in fact I may even agree with you in your assessment."
"But in either case, no touching."
"Right!" Puar smiled. "You see... Bulma's a good person and all... but she doesn't trust you. And isn't trust important in any relationship?"
"... yes, it is..." answered Yamcha.
Puar nodded solemnly, and floated over towards Yamcha, her face close to his as she reached over to touch his face, her fingers tracing along the scar on his left cheek. "And Yamcha... I've ALWAYS trusted you."
And Puar leaned in closer, closing her eyes as her lips brushed against Yamcha's in a tender kiss.
"I've always loved you," Puar concluded with a soft, innocent smile as she pulled back from the astonished, confused Yamcha, who touched his own lips, watching Puar fly out of an open window.
And in the next room, Bulma switched off her cell phone, having planted another one in the room Puar and Yamcha were in. She had overheard everything. And she didn't know how to feel.
Betrayed.
Heartbroken.
Angry.
Anguished.
Vindicated.
But perhaps, she realized, as her tears fell freely from her eyes, what hurt most of all, was that Puar was RIGHT. She never DID trust Yamcha. And if she did lose him, the only person she would blame would be herself.
"... I'm such an idiot..." Bulma muttered softly.
---
Meanwhile...
Mai Suimono had decided. As she practiced diligently in Capsule Corp's training grounds, wearing the Weapon Battlesuit Version 1.0 and growing more and more accustomed to it as the months went by, she had decided that she would help Teena. She would help fight the Saiyans.
But in the back of her mind, she was scared. Who wouldn't be, facing off against such foes as the Saiyans? Being Weapon may not be enough. The on-board weaponry, the ki-enhancing circuitry, the photographic reflexes and built-in fighting skills.
It could all be useless.
And Mai could die. A very horrible, violent, gory death, as far as she could imagine. And unluckily for her, her imagination was quite vivid.
A part of her wondered if she should've stayed with Emperor Pilaf. But she put that wondering to rest, rationalizing that even if she did remain Pilaf's lackey, it wouldn't matter if the Saiyans won. Everyone on Earth would still die.
Besides, regardless of the fear in her heart, Mai saw this as a chance to prove to herself that she wasn't just a useless expendable extra. That she wasn't just a comedic flunky here to amuse.
She was a soldier. A fighter. Now with the adequate means to fight. No more cowering. Kowtowing. Crying.
"PHOTON WAVE!!" Mai fired off the energy blast at a target, and quickly followed it as panels opened up in her gauntlets, manifesting scythe-like blades of light. The Photon Wave stopped abruptly in front of its target, and Mai slashed the energy blast, creating a huge explosion and destroying the target, nearly the whole training grounds itself as well. And as the Weapon Battlesuit's shields held up, Mai smiled approvingly.
"I'm ready," she said with a tone of confidence that almost surprised her. "I'm SO ready.
---
Later that night.
Camp had been set up as Videl and Piccolo rested for the night after a brutal training session; Videl's clothes were slightly torn, her body bruised and scuffed. Piccolo himself didn't fare too well either, his clothes slightly worn, with bruises of his own.
"You've done well, Videl..." Piccolo complimented. "You've matched me blow for blow. I don't impress easily, girl... but even I must acknowledge your skill."
"You've gotten better too, Piccolo..." Videl replied. "If we keep this up we may just stand a chance against Nappa and Vegeta." She hesitated before asking Piccolo. "If we get through this... things'll go back to what they were, won't they?"
"... Eighteen is still my enemy..." Piccolo answered flatly. "If we can beat the Saiyans, it will be her turn next."
"It doesn't have to be that way, though..." Videl said. "I mean... compared to King Piccolo, you're... well, better... not as bad... evil, y'know?"
"... hmph..." Piccolo lowered his head.
"Everyone's scared of you, sure..." Videl continued. "But... once you get to know the real Piccolo it actually all begins to make sense..."
"..." Piccolo glared at Videl. "Shut up and go to sleep!" he shouted. "I will not make tomorrow as easy as today!"
Videl blinked at Piccolo's sudden abrasiveness, then merely smiled as she realized she reached something within the emerald warrior. "Yes sir..." she replied, then curled up into a ball as she lay on her side, drifting off to sleep.
"... little brat...!" Piccolo muttered under his breath.
---
Three months later.
"Well Teena, I must say you have impressed me with your dedication and skill." King Kai noted with a smile, as he looked to the now much stronger cybernetic heroine. "You have done so well in these nine months, that even I'M amazed by your level of skill."
Teena smiled softly; her clothes were slightly ragged from the excessive training, her hair slightly mussed up and her skin scuffed up, but it all that didn't hide the fact that she looked and felt remarkably different. "Let's just say, when it comes to my people and my world, I'll do everything I can to protect both."
King Kai nodded solemnly. "Though, you're going to need some new clothing. Unless you're hoping that the Saiyans find you too attractive to kill." he finished with a chuckle in his voice.
"I should be so lucky..." Teena said. "I still got three more months though. I'll just further refine the Kaio-Ken just in case and then I--"
King Kai suddenly stiffened, his antennae sticking straight up. "Oh no... this is NOT good!"
"... what isn't?" Teena asked. "... it's the Saiyans, isn't it?"
"Their ships must be faster in your dimension. They're just about to land on Earth!" King Kai shook his head. "This is VERY bad!"
"..." Teena's eyes narrowed. "... how much time left?"
"One more week..." King Kai calculated. "Then, they'll be on Earth."
"... crap." Teena sighed. "Okay, do you know where they're gonna land?"
"Can't tell, they're still too far away... if they were a little closer to Earth I could calculate that. However..." King Kai smiled. "I can get you help..."
"How?"
"Put a hand on my shoulder, and I'll let you telepathically communicate with someone."
"No kidding... okay, worth a shot..." Teena placed a hand on Kai's shoulder, and closed her eyes. Bulma...
"GAH!" Bulma gasped out, startled by the sudden occurrence within her head. "What... what the?"
Relax... it's me, Teena... she replied telepathically. Making an extremely extra long distance phone call over at the afterlife... uh, I didn't catch you at a bad time, did I?
"Kinda...I was...um...powdering my nose." Bulma replied, blushing red as she sat on the toilet, crossing her legs a little.
... oh... Teena sighed. "Great. Now I feel like a telemarketer. Thanks, King Kai."
"Hey, I didn't choose WHO to call." King Kai reminded.
Teena sighed softly. Sorry about the inconvenience, Bulma.. but I got some urgent news. Got a news flash about the Saiyans. They're gonna be arriving to Earth in one week!
"One week!?" Bulma exclaimed in shock. "Any idea where they're going to land at?"
No clue. That's why I'm calling you, girl. Can you check the satellites and super-genius your way to a prediction for me?
"Of course...just give me a second..." Bulma stood up, quickly flushing the toilet and pulling her pants back up. "... you can't see me, can you?"
No, just hear.. Teena sighed softly. Sorry about Big Brothering you like this, Bulma... I'll make it up to you when this is over.
"It's OK. At least it was you and not bacon boy." Bulma said, as she entered her room and switched on her laptop computer. "Now let's see what we have here..." Accessing the schematics for the surveillance satellites that Bulma had set up for the Saiyans' arrival, she pointed and clicked at the latest photo imagery. "... GOT IT! They'll be in East City within the week!"
Are the S.A.F.E. Houses up and running?
"Well... kinda..."
What do you mean, kinda?
"Well, they're up...but they haven't been tested yet." Bulma explained. "Remember you said you were going to test them..."
Crap, yeah... Teena sighed. "I forgot... I spent all this time refining the Kaio-Ken it slipped my mind..." she said to King Kai. "Not as perfect as everyone thinks, I guess."
King Kai shook his head. "How come it's always SOMETHING with someone I train?"
"I'd try to get someone to test them, but I can't find any of the others," Bulma explained.
We'll have to wing it, then... Teena thought to Bulma. Get everyone in East City into the S.A.F.E. House, and everyone else to the others too just in case... I just hope they work when the Saiyans come. I'll fly over there as fast as I can, Bulma.
"OK. Good luck Teena!" Bulma replied, just before rushing out of her room to place a call to the King.
King Kai smirked. "Quite a remarkable girl, that one..."
"One of a kind, as far as I'm concerned." Teena pulled away from King Kai and grabbed her duffle bag. "Okay. Quick change into some new clothes and I'll be ready to go..."
King Kai smiled. "Please, allow me..." he added, and raised a glowing hand in front of her, concentrating, and Teena blinked, as her clothes suddenly mended and changed... her blue jeans, black T-shirt with white sleeves, brown buckled boots, and a new denim vest manifesting about her body.
"... whoa..." Teena blinked, looking down at her new clothing. "Neat trick..." she smirked, noting the Kaio-Sama Kanji on the left breast pocket of the vest. "Complete with the brand label too, I see."
"I decided to do a reverse style with you than my last student. He had his symbol on the chest area, and mine on the back." King Kai stated. "Glad you like my... HAND... iwork." he added, then started chuckling again.
"..." Teena blinked. "Eeyah, well..." Picking up her duffle bag, Teena looked up towards Snake Way. "... let's see, if I use the Kaio-Ken while flying across Snake Way it should take me... roughly a day to get back to Earth. Good. Plenty enough time to rally the gang and prepare."
King Kai nodded. "You know, I just hope that your power truly IS unlimited, Teena. The Kaio-Ken is very powerful, so it may even wear YOU out if you're not careful."
"I managed it easily so far... don't worry..." Teena smiled at King Kai. "I'm not going to end up doing myself. I should've phrased that differently." Teena sweatdropped as she blushed a little.
King Kai nodded. "I better not hold you up then. Go on, go save the world!"
"In my mind, it's already saved. Thanks, King Kai... if I see you again... odds are I probably blew it." She saluted, then turned around, rocketing upward towards Snake Way.
King Kai nodded softly. "If we're lucky, no one will have to be wished back..."
Teena stood upon the tail of Snake Way, eyes focused towards the horizon as she took a deep breath. Then spoke a single word.
"Kaio-Ken."
Teena threw her head back, feeling the insurgence of power ripple through her body. Shivering softly from the power reverberating, she lowered her head back down, opening her eyes as she smiled.
"Time to hit warp speed," Teena remarked, and like a shot, exploded off the tail, flying like the proverbial bat out of hell towards the Checkpoint. There would be no question that she would make it time.
But fate would remain whether everything she had learned would be enough to stem the tide against the Saiyan menace.
-- TO BE CONTINUED.