Author's Note: See Chapter 1.
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
"" = Character talking ( ) = Character thinking [] = Character talking telepathically
-------Love and Destiny-------
Videl's peaceful slumber had come to an end when she awoke Wednesday morning. It was two days until prom night and she would still be out of school today and tomorrow. She looked over at the alarm clock and she shook her head reluctantly.
"My sleep schedule for my body must still be in school mode. I'm still waking up early and going to bed late," she said to herself. Videl's thoughts wandered back to what had happened last night; she knew Gohan wouldn't last much longer until the day he would completely snap. Videl sensed something up on the roof and she immediately got out of bed and opened her window. Videl flew up to the roof and she saw her true love sitting on the roof, staring out into the distance. Videl floated slowly towards him and landed a few feet behind him.
"Looks like I'm not the only one whose sleep schedule is screwed up," said Videl. Gohan turned and smiled at Videl. Her heart felt like it was doing flips and she smiled back. Videl walked up to Gohan and sat next to him.
"Take a look out there, Videl," said Gohan. "I don't think I've ever shown you the sunrise from here."
"No....you haven't," replied Videl. She watched on as the sun slowly rose after each passing minute. For the next ten minutes, the two teenagers silently watched as the sun rose until the silence was broken.
"I always love seeing this every morning," began Gohan, "It makes me completely calm when I see the scenery like this. I guess it's what gives me so much energy to be able to get through a school day."
"Sometimes, I wish I could live out here," said Videl, "It seems like such a nice quiet place to live and such clean air to breathe. I don't think I'd ever grow tired of seeing scenes such as this."
Gohan stretched his arms and stood up. "I'm going to go get dressed and do some warm-up exercises, Videl. Then my father and I are going to have a little one-on-one. Wanna watch?"
"Sure!" answered Videl. "I've seen your dad fight, but I've never seen you in action when you use your full abilities."
"Well, you'll get your chance to see everything after breakfast....that is, if your eyes can keep up with us," said Gohan.
Videl giggled and stood up. She floated back down into her room window and started gathering her clothes that she would wear for today. She made her way downstairs and into the bath house, shutting the door behind her. Thirty minutes later, she emerged from the bath house cleansed and wearing fresh new clothes. She went back inside the house, carrying her old clothes and went back up to her room placing them in a bag.
"Goku! Gohan! Goten! Videl!" yelled Chi-Chi, "Breakfast is ready!"
Videl walked out of her room and started down the stairs when she saw two orange blurs, one big and one small, rush past her and into the kitchen. When Videl made it into the kitchen, she saw Goten and Goku eating like they hadn't eaten in a week. Gohan was just sitting down and starting on breakfast himself. Videl smiled at all of them and took a seat next to Gohan. She started filling her plate with food, as did Chi-Chi. Ten minutes later, everyone was full.
"Wow! Great breakfast as usual, mom!" exclaimed Gohan.
"I don't know how you do it, Chi-Chi. I'd never be able to cook like this for even one of your boys," said Videl.
"Well, it's just something I've gotten used to. Now you four go outside, while I clean up in here."
Goku, Gohan, Goten, and Videl got up from the table and walked outside. Then they flew off towards an open area in the mountains where they could spar so nothing important would be destroyed. Videl slowly descended to the ground, Goten standing right in front of her. Goten quickly became a Super Saiyan and created a barrier around him and Videl.
"This is so we don't get hurt, Videl," said Goten.
"Thanks Gote-wait a minute. Hurt? It's going to be a huge fight then, huh?" asked Videl.
"Yeah....the two strongest beings in the universe and they're going to fight. This is so exciting!"
Videl watched on as Gohan and Goku just stared at each other, each of them smirking at the other.
"Gohan....I sensed that you lost your power from Old Kai, but you should be able to go Super Saiyan again, son," said Goku.
"That's right, dad. I gathered that much information when I couldn't gather enough power to fight Vegeta in my normal form," said Gohan.
"Right....fight me at your maximum power Gohan, but...."
"But what, dad?"
Goku gave a grunt and turned into a Super Saiyan, then gave a longer grunt and powered up to a Super Saiyan 2.
"But I'll be fighting at my maximum too!" exclaimed Goku, as he clenched his fists and began his quick power up for his next ascension, "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!" The ascension was completed and Goku was now in his most powerful form....Super Saiyan 3.
Gohan looked shocked to see his father in his new form, (Damn....he powered up to that level quicker than last time!) Gohan clenched his fists and prepared himself to undergo his transformations.
"Okay dad....here goes...." said Gohan as he closed his eyes. Then he opened his eyes and gave a loud yell and his black eyes slowly turned turquoise, the hair and eyebrows on his head fading to a gold color, and the golden ki surrounding his body. Gohan gave another yell and completed his transformation to Super Saiyan 2. Gohan got into his fighting stance and prepared for anything his father might try.
Goku just stared at Gohan, dumbfounded, (How? I thought he lost his power up from the Old Kai....but that must be in his normal form. Transforming into a Super Saiyan 2 almost brought his power back to the way it was when he fought Evil Buu! This is gonna be a rough fight.)
Gohan made the first move and swung a kick right at his father. Goku dodged below it and sent his right fist at Gohan's chest. Gohan grabbed it, stopping the attack and countered with an elbow in his father's abdomen. Goku flew back a little from the impact as Gohan took control of the fight, punching his father rapidly. Goku teleported, catching Gohan off guard as the young saiyan turned to meet a fist in his face.
Goku then drove his elbow into his son's back, sending him on a one way collision course with the ground. A huge crater formed where Gohan had landed, yet he got up quickly. Gohan wiped the blood from his mouth and flew back up into the air.
"Gohan! Please be careful!" yelled Videl. Gohan looked down at her and smiled, (Man....she's worried about me....it's nice to know she cares.)
Goku looked at his son and smirked as he lowered his level to Super Saiyan 2. Gohan looked over at his father and looked at him in shock.
"Something wrong, dad?" asked Gohan.
"I just need a little rest son....I still haven't gotten used to Super Saiyan 3 yet. It takes a lot of energy out of me," said Goku.
"You wanna call it a day?"
"You want to go spend some time with your girlfriend, right?"
"Dad! Don't say that!" exclaimed Gohan as he blushed.
Goku laughed at his son and his laugh faded into a smirk, "Okay Gohan....one final test of strength with the Kamehameha and we'll call it a day."
"Okay dad!" Gohan flew backwards a little, then position himself and brought his hands back.
"HRRRRRAAAAHHHHHHH!!!" Goku yelled and he transformed back into a Super Saiyan 3. He brought his hands back as well, the two warriors mimicking each other.
"KAAAAAAAAA....MEEEEEEEEE...." said both of them as the blue ki formed between their hands. "HAAAAAAAAA....MEEEEEEEEE...." they both thrusted their hands out at each other, ready to fire what was going to be two huge ki waves.
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!" finished the two warriors, as the both fired a humongous Kamehameha wave at each other. The two beams collided and both fighters put all of their energy into each of their own wave. Goku felt himself being pushed back a little as he was losing. Gohan's face lit up and he smiled.
(This is it! I might just beat dad!) Goku, however, was not going to give in so easily and he pushed more energy into the wave, pushing Gohan's wave back to Gohan.
(No! This can't be....!) Gohan watched helplessly as his wave disappeared from his hands and he was hit by the oncoming Kamehameha. Goku stopped pushing energy out of his wave and dropped to the ground, powering down to his normal form. Gohan fell from the sky, unconscious, and hit the ground hard. Goten disabled the shield and Videl quickly ran over to Gohan.
"Oh....my....Kami...." Videl said softly as she looked at Gohan. His arms had blood running down from his shoulders down to his hands. Gohan had blood running from his eyes, mouth, chest, and his legs. The top half of Gohan's outfit had been completely shredded apart. Rips in his lower half of his outfit showed the blood coming from his legs. Videl checked for a heartbeat....there was one and it wasn't weak or slow. Videl sighed in relief....she now knew he wasn't going to leave her anytime soon.
"Gohan....is this the kind of training you endure everyday? To protect all of us here on Earth?" asked Videl. Gohan didn't say a word. He couldn't....he was out cold.
"Yeah....this is the kind of training he's been through his whole life, except it is more intense now," said Goku from behind. Surprisingly, Goten was floating in the air carrying his father. "We have to be ready in case there is a being stronger than Buu....and if we can't win, then the Earth will be destroyed again....maybe for good this time."
Videl nodded and grunted as she lifted Gohan over her shoulder and started floating up into the air with him on her back. Goten giggled and pulled out a camera he had snuck from the house and took a picture of Videl carrying Gohan. Goku laughed weakly at Goten's action as Goten put the camera away.
"I wonder what Gohan will say once he sees the picture," said Goten.
"I dunno, but I wouldn't want to stick around to find out what he might say or do if he saw that," said Goku.
Goten flew off to his house, carrying his father with him. With Goku too weak to do Instant Transmission, this was the only way to get them home.
***
Chi-Chi hummed as she washed the dishes and started on making lunch for herself, Videl, and the other three boys. She then sensed something was wrong, so she went outside and looked up to see Videl floating down with Gohan and Goten floating down with Goku. Chi-Chi sighed and shook her head.
"It's a change....the last time you and Gohan fought, Goten ended up carrying you home unconscious, Goku," stated Chi-Chi.
"Yeah....I don't understand. Gohan's mind wasn't focused on his training today. I don't know what else I can do," said Goku.
"Maybe it's time that you accept the fact that you should spar with Vegeta and just leave Gohan to his studies."
"Seven years before I came back to Earth, we tried doing that Chi-Chi but it didn't work. I'm sorry if this upsets you, but we need Gohan's help. Besides, he's always wanted to help us out and I know that he'll become stronger than me again someday."
"There's no use arguing with you, Goku, but you and Gohan need to rest now, ok?"
Goku gave a slight nod as Goten carried his father inside of the house and laid him down on his bed. Goku smiled at his younger son and patted him on the head. Goten smiled and reached for something in his pocket. He pulled it out and placed it in his father's hand. Goku observed the object in his hand.
"Goten....this is a Senzu bean. How did you get a hold of one of these?" asked Goku, as he ate the Senzu bean, swallowing it shortly after.
"I went up to Korin's Tower and got a bag full of them, so we could be prepared for anything bad that might happen, daddy," explained Goten.
Goku smiled as his wounds and blood stains disappeared from his body. Goku stood up from his bed and stretched his arms a little.
"Thanks Goten....that's just what I needed. Now....how about you and me sneak out and have a little training session. The only way that you're going to be stronger than your big brother is to train harder than him," said Goku.
"Okay!! Let me go downstairs and give him a Senzu bean too!" exclaimed Goten, his eyes filled with joy.
"When you're done, just sense my power level and fly to it. Oh....and don't tell your mother about this, ok? I don't think she'd be too happy about the fact that I ran off to train again after I came in injured like that."
"Kay!" Goten raced downstairs and quietly walked into his big brother's room. There he saw Gohan laying down on the bed, still unconscious....and next to his bed, sitting in a chair, was Videl. She held his hand in both of her hands, just staring at his face. Goten walked up to Gohan's bedside and looked up at Videl.
"What's wrong, Videl?" asked Goten.
Videl looked over at Goten and smiled a little. "I've never seen Gohan hurt this bad, physically, so it's hard for me to see him like this," she answered.
Goten took Videl's hand and place the Senzu bean in her hand. She looked at him quizzically and looked at the bean.
"That's for my brother. When he wakes up, give it to him. It'll make him feel better," said Goten.
Videl nodded, "I will, Goten. Thanks."
Goten smiled and flew out of Gohan's room through the window, off in search of his father. Gohan groaned a little and Videl quickly turned her attention towards him. Gohan began to slowly open his eyes and Videl's eyes lit up quickly. She was so glad and relieved that he was okay.
Gohan's vision was a little white and blurry at first. "Woah....am I dead? That looks like a beautiful angel staring at me," said Gohan. His vision then became clearer as he saw that it was Videl staring at him and he smiled, "Hey Videl."
"Hi Gohan....welcome back to consciousness," said Videl.
"How long was I out for?"
"About 30 minutes....I can't believe the way you and your father fought and came out like that. It seemed more like a war than a simple spar."
"Heh....that's the kind of training I've had to endure ever since I was a child. If you don't train for seven years, it's kind of hard to get back into the swing of things such as that."
"Oh....Goten told me to give this to you," Videl placed the bean in Gohan's hand. Gohan took the bean and put it in his mouth. After chewing it a few times, he swallowed it and was completely healed in a few seconds. Videl fell out of her chair and looked at Gohan in shock.
"Gohan....what....what the hell is that?! You're completely healed! How?!" asked Videl.
Gohan sat up from his bed and looked at her. "What I just ate was called a Senzu bean. It helps heal your injuries and restores some of your energy. They always come in handy when things like this happen," stated Gohan, "You took one yourself, remember?"
Videl got up from the floor and pointed a finger at Gohan's chest. "Listen to me Gohan," began Videl, "Don't you EVER scare me like that again! You had me worried to death and I even thought at some point that you could have died!"
Gohan put a finger to Videl's lips before she could continue scolding him any further. Gohan looked right into Videl's eyes before speaking.
"Listen Videl....I can take care of myself and I train like that so I can help my father protect innocent lives. I'm sorry if I scared you, but you're going to have to get it through your head that this happens to me all the time," said Gohan.
"Well....I don't like it one bit. That wasn't a spar....that looked more like a life or death battle!"
"I have to train that way so I can endure battles like that!"
"Well I have a problem with it Gohan and I don't want you to train like that!"
"You're starting to sound like my mother who used to tell me that almost 10 years ago. She wasn't able to stop me from training....what makes you think you can?"
Videl looked down at the ground, silently. Gohan pushed her chin up so her eyes met with his. He was a little stunned when he saw that Videl was crying.
"I don't know if I can, but I at least have to try. When you went off to fight Buu....that was the last time I saw you before I was killed. I don't want that to happen again...." Videl whispered softly.
Gohan wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him as she quietly sobbed in his chest.
"Shhhhhh....I'm sorry Videl. It'll be ok....it'll be ok...." said Gohan.
***
A few hours later....
Goku and Goten entered through the front door, laughing and sweating. Their laughing stopped when they stopped before a woman in front of them. Chi-Chi had her arms crossed and stood in front of the two boys.
"You could've at least told me that you two were going to train," said Chi- Chi, as she gave a small smile.
Goku smiled and hugged his wife, who immediately returned the hug. Goten walked past them and made his way upstairs to his room.
"So....where's Gohan and Videl?" asked Goku.
"A friend of Videl's called her house and asked if she and Gohan would like to go hang out with them," answered Chi-Chi.
Goku laughed, "Hopefully Gohan won't break anything in the process."
***
"You mean to tell me that you've never played this game, Gohan?" asked Sharpener.
"Honestly....no, I haven't," replied Gohan. Erasa, Sharpener, and even Videl looked at him in a stupefied manner.
Erasa sighed, "It can't be that hard to teach him how to play miniature golf. Let's just go to the first hole."
The four teenagers walked over to the first hole of the golf course.
"Now Gohan, put the ball down on any of the three mini holes," said Videl.
Gohan did as he was told and chose to put the ball on the middle hole. Erasa continued to explain the game.
"The object of the game is to put the ball in the bigger hole--" began Erasa.
"Oh?" Gohan picked up his ball and looked at it, then looked at the big hole.
"Is something wrong, Gohan?" asked Videl.
Gohan walked over to the hole and placed the ball in the hole. He then turned around and smiled at the other three teenagers.
"That wasn't so hard. So, whose turn is it now?" asked Gohan.
Sharpener and Erasa fell to the ground while Videl smacked her head and shook her head, blushing.
"And this is the same guy that scored a perfect on the entrance exams to Orange Star High?!" exclaimed Sharpener.
As Erasa and Sharpener got up, Videl walked over to the hole and picked up Gohan's ball from it. She pulled him back over to the starting point of the hole and handed Gohan his ball back. Videl set her ball down on the middle hole and hit her ball into the hole with one shot. She turned and looked up at Gohan.
"Now do you understand? You have to tap your ball into the hole in 6 shots or less using your putter. After 6 shots, you have to pick up your ball and move to the next hole. Don't ever try to hit it as hard as you can," said Videl.
"Okay....I think I got it now," said Gohan.
"I sure hope you do."
Gohan walked up to the tee and placed his ball on the middle hole. He brought his putter back a little bit and the other three teenagers thought they could finally get on with the game....until Gohan's putter hit the ball. The ball raced to the bumper that contained the little course and ricocheted backwards into the air, hitting Sharpener's private area.
Sharpener let out a yelp and fell to the ground holding his crotch and Erasa knelt beside to try and comfort him. Gohan chuckled nervously as he went over and picked up his golf ball.
"Sorry about that Sharpener," said Gohan.
"D....Damn you, Gohan," said Sharpener as he tried his best to shake off the pain.
***
Six holes later....
"Okay, we're at the seventh hole now. I'm in first, Erasa in a close second, and Gohan and Sharpener are tied for third," said Videl.
"How am I supposed to putt when I can't even walk right?" asked Sharpener.
"I said I was sorry, Sharpener. I didn't think the ball would bounce off like that," said Gohan.
"Gohan....its bad enough that I'm going to lose to the girls, but it's even worse that I might have lost one of my balls in the process," said Sharpener.
"I've lost a ball on every hole, so don't feel bad Sharpener."
Sharpener looked at Erasa and Videl, "How dense is this guy? He can't even tell when I'm talking about golf balls or testicles."
"Enough Sharpener....and Gohan, you do have a point. You have managed to knock a ball off the green in the last six holes and into the pond that is in the middle of this course," stated Videl.
"I'm really trying, Videl, but I can't seem to tap the ball softly enough," said Gohan.
Gohan placed the ball on the middle hole while Sharpener took cover behind Erasa. Gohan rested the head of his putter on the ground.
"Hold on, Gohan," said Videl, "Let me help you."
Videl walked behind Gohan and placed her hands around his so she had control of the putter. Gohan blushed as Videl's hands gently brought his hands back with the putter and she helped Gohan hit the ball. The ball went straight into the hole and Gohan smiled. Videl slowly let go of Gohan's hands and walked over to him smiling.
"See? Now THAT's how it is done, Gohan!" cheered Videl.
"Thanks for your help Videl," said Gohan, smiling. His smile made Videl look down and blush.
"Awwww....isn't that adorable?" asked Erasa.
"Yeah....I guess it is," said Sharpener.
"I'll try the next hole by myself, Videl," said Gohan, "And I'll hit it as soft as I did on the first hole."
"NO! Don't you dare, Gohan!" shouted Sharpener.
Gohan, Videl, and Erasa laughed while Sharpener's face turned red with anger.
***
Six more holes later....
After Videl, Erasa, and Sharpener took their turns, Gohan was up next. Gohan took a light tap and the ball went up into the air softly, like a chip shot, and landed in Erasa's cleavage. Gohan blushed a beet red while Sharpener walked up to Erasa.
"Let me get that for you, Erasa," said Sharpener as he reached and grabbed the ball, touching one of Erasa's breasts in the process. Erasa's whole body turned red and her knee made contact with Sharpener's crotch. Sharpener went down again, holding his crotch as Videl and Gohan laughed.
"Sharpener! You pervert!" shouted Erasa.
***
Later, at the 18th green....
"Okay....somehow me and Erasa are tied after all 18 holes," said Videl.
"Ooh! I have an idea Videl....how about we give the guys a chance to decide it?" suggested Erasa.
"Sounds good Erasa....since they're tied too, they can decide the outcome."
"If Sharpener gets a lower score than Gohan, I win. If Gohan gets a lower score than Sharpener, you win."
"This is gonna be easy," said Sharpener as he placed his ball on the spot he wanted it on. Sharpener took a putt and barely missed the hole. He walked up to his ball and tapped it to the hole, falling short of the hole- in-one. He tapped the ball again with his putter and it went in the hole this time for a score of 2 on the hole.
"Woo-hoo! Way to go, Sharpener!" cheered Erasa.
Gohan walked up to the tee and placed his ball on the middle spot. He gently tapped it and the ball bounced off of the bumper and went back into the hole.
Sharpener's jaw dropped, "No way....he made a hole-in-one by himself?!"
"Guess that means Videl wins," said Gohan.
"Yay! Thank you, Gohan!" exclaimed Videl.
"But....but....how?! He screwed up on every other hole, except the one Videl helped him on, and now he manages to beat me?" asked Sharpener.
"Let it go Sharpener," said Videl as she patted Gohan on the back. "Good job, Gohan. I knew you could do it!"
"Just wait Gohan....the next time we play, I'll be the victor," said Sharpener.
"Okay....but you might want to wear a cup the next time we play. You don't want to walk funny the whole time we're playing like you did tonight," suggested Gohan.
"Damn it...." muttered Sharpener as he gritted his teeth. Videl and Erasa burst out in laughter as the four teens put their putters back on the desk from where they had gotten them. After the four said their good-byes and see you laters, Erasa rode home with Sharpener in his car.
Gohan and Videl took off flying and headed back to Gohan's house. When they arrived, they entered through the guest room so they wouldn't wake anyone up. It was pretty late and Videl had already packed her things to go before she and Gohan went to play mini golf. The two teens then took off and flew to Mr. Satan's castle and floated outside of Videl's bedroom window. Videl opened her unlocked window and turned to Gohan.
"I had a really fun time today Gohan....thank you so much," said Videl, as she turned to get ready to enter her room.
"It was my pleasure Videl," said Gohan, "See you at prom, Friday night!"
Videl quickly turned after she entered her bedroom, wanting to see Gohan once more, but all she saw was a trail of ki. Videl sighed and shook her head.
(It sounded like his mind was preoccupied again. Poor Gohan....even when I think he's relaxed he's still battling with himself in his mind. Have it your way Gohan....because come prom night, I'll make sure that you tell me what the hell is going on with you....I promise.)
***
Gohan quietly slipped into his bedroom and got undressed, then dressed again for bed. He crawled under the covers and closed his eyes, getting ready to go to sleep.
(I can't even have fun while I'm in this state of depression, but it looks like I managed to fool them anyway. When will it end?)
Gohan quietly drifted to sleep after a mere ten minutes. Although it seemed peaceful for a moment, nightmares soon followed. They were worse than the ones from the previous nights.
Four hours later, Gohan sat up giving a little scream and gasping for air. He held his head in his hands as the sweat poured from his head. Then, he heard a knock on his door.
"Come in," said Gohan. The door opened and Chi-Chi walked in and sat down next to him.
"Another nightmare, son?" asked Chi-Chi.
"Yes....and they keep getting worse," said Gohan.
Chi-Chi stroked his hair gently, "Tell me....what happened in your nightmare?"
Gohan began to cry softly as he told her what had happened, "It was terrible mom....I saw nothing but my friends getting killed....then Videl....she was tortured the worst. I was powerless to do anything....I could do nothing but watch as she suffered until she died. Then I was killed and I woke up like this."
Chi-Chi drew her son into a hug, "Shhhhhh....its okay, Gohan. I know it felt real to you, but it was just a nightmare. Though, and this is just my opinion, but you should really tell someone about this."
Gohan looked up at his mother, "I understand....I'll tell her Friday night."
"You mean Videl?"
"Yes, and Bulma will hear our conversation so maybe she can tell everything to everyone else...."
***************************************************************************
Ladies and gentlemen....the end of Chapter 3! This took me a little less time to write than Chapter 2. Next up is Chapter 4! Ready! Go!!
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
"" = Character talking ( ) = Character thinking [] = Character talking telepathically
-------Love and Destiny-------
Videl's peaceful slumber had come to an end when she awoke Wednesday morning. It was two days until prom night and she would still be out of school today and tomorrow. She looked over at the alarm clock and she shook her head reluctantly.
"My sleep schedule for my body must still be in school mode. I'm still waking up early and going to bed late," she said to herself. Videl's thoughts wandered back to what had happened last night; she knew Gohan wouldn't last much longer until the day he would completely snap. Videl sensed something up on the roof and she immediately got out of bed and opened her window. Videl flew up to the roof and she saw her true love sitting on the roof, staring out into the distance. Videl floated slowly towards him and landed a few feet behind him.
"Looks like I'm not the only one whose sleep schedule is screwed up," said Videl. Gohan turned and smiled at Videl. Her heart felt like it was doing flips and she smiled back. Videl walked up to Gohan and sat next to him.
"Take a look out there, Videl," said Gohan. "I don't think I've ever shown you the sunrise from here."
"No....you haven't," replied Videl. She watched on as the sun slowly rose after each passing minute. For the next ten minutes, the two teenagers silently watched as the sun rose until the silence was broken.
"I always love seeing this every morning," began Gohan, "It makes me completely calm when I see the scenery like this. I guess it's what gives me so much energy to be able to get through a school day."
"Sometimes, I wish I could live out here," said Videl, "It seems like such a nice quiet place to live and such clean air to breathe. I don't think I'd ever grow tired of seeing scenes such as this."
Gohan stretched his arms and stood up. "I'm going to go get dressed and do some warm-up exercises, Videl. Then my father and I are going to have a little one-on-one. Wanna watch?"
"Sure!" answered Videl. "I've seen your dad fight, but I've never seen you in action when you use your full abilities."
"Well, you'll get your chance to see everything after breakfast....that is, if your eyes can keep up with us," said Gohan.
Videl giggled and stood up. She floated back down into her room window and started gathering her clothes that she would wear for today. She made her way downstairs and into the bath house, shutting the door behind her. Thirty minutes later, she emerged from the bath house cleansed and wearing fresh new clothes. She went back inside the house, carrying her old clothes and went back up to her room placing them in a bag.
"Goku! Gohan! Goten! Videl!" yelled Chi-Chi, "Breakfast is ready!"
Videl walked out of her room and started down the stairs when she saw two orange blurs, one big and one small, rush past her and into the kitchen. When Videl made it into the kitchen, she saw Goten and Goku eating like they hadn't eaten in a week. Gohan was just sitting down and starting on breakfast himself. Videl smiled at all of them and took a seat next to Gohan. She started filling her plate with food, as did Chi-Chi. Ten minutes later, everyone was full.
"Wow! Great breakfast as usual, mom!" exclaimed Gohan.
"I don't know how you do it, Chi-Chi. I'd never be able to cook like this for even one of your boys," said Videl.
"Well, it's just something I've gotten used to. Now you four go outside, while I clean up in here."
Goku, Gohan, Goten, and Videl got up from the table and walked outside. Then they flew off towards an open area in the mountains where they could spar so nothing important would be destroyed. Videl slowly descended to the ground, Goten standing right in front of her. Goten quickly became a Super Saiyan and created a barrier around him and Videl.
"This is so we don't get hurt, Videl," said Goten.
"Thanks Gote-wait a minute. Hurt? It's going to be a huge fight then, huh?" asked Videl.
"Yeah....the two strongest beings in the universe and they're going to fight. This is so exciting!"
Videl watched on as Gohan and Goku just stared at each other, each of them smirking at the other.
"Gohan....I sensed that you lost your power from Old Kai, but you should be able to go Super Saiyan again, son," said Goku.
"That's right, dad. I gathered that much information when I couldn't gather enough power to fight Vegeta in my normal form," said Gohan.
"Right....fight me at your maximum power Gohan, but...."
"But what, dad?"
Goku gave a grunt and turned into a Super Saiyan, then gave a longer grunt and powered up to a Super Saiyan 2.
"But I'll be fighting at my maximum too!" exclaimed Goku, as he clenched his fists and began his quick power up for his next ascension, "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!" The ascension was completed and Goku was now in his most powerful form....Super Saiyan 3.
Gohan looked shocked to see his father in his new form, (Damn....he powered up to that level quicker than last time!) Gohan clenched his fists and prepared himself to undergo his transformations.
"Okay dad....here goes...." said Gohan as he closed his eyes. Then he opened his eyes and gave a loud yell and his black eyes slowly turned turquoise, the hair and eyebrows on his head fading to a gold color, and the golden ki surrounding his body. Gohan gave another yell and completed his transformation to Super Saiyan 2. Gohan got into his fighting stance and prepared for anything his father might try.
Goku just stared at Gohan, dumbfounded, (How? I thought he lost his power up from the Old Kai....but that must be in his normal form. Transforming into a Super Saiyan 2 almost brought his power back to the way it was when he fought Evil Buu! This is gonna be a rough fight.)
Gohan made the first move and swung a kick right at his father. Goku dodged below it and sent his right fist at Gohan's chest. Gohan grabbed it, stopping the attack and countered with an elbow in his father's abdomen. Goku flew back a little from the impact as Gohan took control of the fight, punching his father rapidly. Goku teleported, catching Gohan off guard as the young saiyan turned to meet a fist in his face.
Goku then drove his elbow into his son's back, sending him on a one way collision course with the ground. A huge crater formed where Gohan had landed, yet he got up quickly. Gohan wiped the blood from his mouth and flew back up into the air.
"Gohan! Please be careful!" yelled Videl. Gohan looked down at her and smiled, (Man....she's worried about me....it's nice to know she cares.)
Goku looked at his son and smirked as he lowered his level to Super Saiyan 2. Gohan looked over at his father and looked at him in shock.
"Something wrong, dad?" asked Gohan.
"I just need a little rest son....I still haven't gotten used to Super Saiyan 3 yet. It takes a lot of energy out of me," said Goku.
"You wanna call it a day?"
"You want to go spend some time with your girlfriend, right?"
"Dad! Don't say that!" exclaimed Gohan as he blushed.
Goku laughed at his son and his laugh faded into a smirk, "Okay Gohan....one final test of strength with the Kamehameha and we'll call it a day."
"Okay dad!" Gohan flew backwards a little, then position himself and brought his hands back.
"HRRRRRAAAAHHHHHHH!!!" Goku yelled and he transformed back into a Super Saiyan 3. He brought his hands back as well, the two warriors mimicking each other.
"KAAAAAAAAA....MEEEEEEEEE...." said both of them as the blue ki formed between their hands. "HAAAAAAAAA....MEEEEEEEEE...." they both thrusted their hands out at each other, ready to fire what was going to be two huge ki waves.
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!" finished the two warriors, as the both fired a humongous Kamehameha wave at each other. The two beams collided and both fighters put all of their energy into each of their own wave. Goku felt himself being pushed back a little as he was losing. Gohan's face lit up and he smiled.
(This is it! I might just beat dad!) Goku, however, was not going to give in so easily and he pushed more energy into the wave, pushing Gohan's wave back to Gohan.
(No! This can't be....!) Gohan watched helplessly as his wave disappeared from his hands and he was hit by the oncoming Kamehameha. Goku stopped pushing energy out of his wave and dropped to the ground, powering down to his normal form. Gohan fell from the sky, unconscious, and hit the ground hard. Goten disabled the shield and Videl quickly ran over to Gohan.
"Oh....my....Kami...." Videl said softly as she looked at Gohan. His arms had blood running down from his shoulders down to his hands. Gohan had blood running from his eyes, mouth, chest, and his legs. The top half of Gohan's outfit had been completely shredded apart. Rips in his lower half of his outfit showed the blood coming from his legs. Videl checked for a heartbeat....there was one and it wasn't weak or slow. Videl sighed in relief....she now knew he wasn't going to leave her anytime soon.
"Gohan....is this the kind of training you endure everyday? To protect all of us here on Earth?" asked Videl. Gohan didn't say a word. He couldn't....he was out cold.
"Yeah....this is the kind of training he's been through his whole life, except it is more intense now," said Goku from behind. Surprisingly, Goten was floating in the air carrying his father. "We have to be ready in case there is a being stronger than Buu....and if we can't win, then the Earth will be destroyed again....maybe for good this time."
Videl nodded and grunted as she lifted Gohan over her shoulder and started floating up into the air with him on her back. Goten giggled and pulled out a camera he had snuck from the house and took a picture of Videl carrying Gohan. Goku laughed weakly at Goten's action as Goten put the camera away.
"I wonder what Gohan will say once he sees the picture," said Goten.
"I dunno, but I wouldn't want to stick around to find out what he might say or do if he saw that," said Goku.
Goten flew off to his house, carrying his father with him. With Goku too weak to do Instant Transmission, this was the only way to get them home.
***
Chi-Chi hummed as she washed the dishes and started on making lunch for herself, Videl, and the other three boys. She then sensed something was wrong, so she went outside and looked up to see Videl floating down with Gohan and Goten floating down with Goku. Chi-Chi sighed and shook her head.
"It's a change....the last time you and Gohan fought, Goten ended up carrying you home unconscious, Goku," stated Chi-Chi.
"Yeah....I don't understand. Gohan's mind wasn't focused on his training today. I don't know what else I can do," said Goku.
"Maybe it's time that you accept the fact that you should spar with Vegeta and just leave Gohan to his studies."
"Seven years before I came back to Earth, we tried doing that Chi-Chi but it didn't work. I'm sorry if this upsets you, but we need Gohan's help. Besides, he's always wanted to help us out and I know that he'll become stronger than me again someday."
"There's no use arguing with you, Goku, but you and Gohan need to rest now, ok?"
Goku gave a slight nod as Goten carried his father inside of the house and laid him down on his bed. Goku smiled at his younger son and patted him on the head. Goten smiled and reached for something in his pocket. He pulled it out and placed it in his father's hand. Goku observed the object in his hand.
"Goten....this is a Senzu bean. How did you get a hold of one of these?" asked Goku, as he ate the Senzu bean, swallowing it shortly after.
"I went up to Korin's Tower and got a bag full of them, so we could be prepared for anything bad that might happen, daddy," explained Goten.
Goku smiled as his wounds and blood stains disappeared from his body. Goku stood up from his bed and stretched his arms a little.
"Thanks Goten....that's just what I needed. Now....how about you and me sneak out and have a little training session. The only way that you're going to be stronger than your big brother is to train harder than him," said Goku.
"Okay!! Let me go downstairs and give him a Senzu bean too!" exclaimed Goten, his eyes filled with joy.
"When you're done, just sense my power level and fly to it. Oh....and don't tell your mother about this, ok? I don't think she'd be too happy about the fact that I ran off to train again after I came in injured like that."
"Kay!" Goten raced downstairs and quietly walked into his big brother's room. There he saw Gohan laying down on the bed, still unconscious....and next to his bed, sitting in a chair, was Videl. She held his hand in both of her hands, just staring at his face. Goten walked up to Gohan's bedside and looked up at Videl.
"What's wrong, Videl?" asked Goten.
Videl looked over at Goten and smiled a little. "I've never seen Gohan hurt this bad, physically, so it's hard for me to see him like this," she answered.
Goten took Videl's hand and place the Senzu bean in her hand. She looked at him quizzically and looked at the bean.
"That's for my brother. When he wakes up, give it to him. It'll make him feel better," said Goten.
Videl nodded, "I will, Goten. Thanks."
Goten smiled and flew out of Gohan's room through the window, off in search of his father. Gohan groaned a little and Videl quickly turned her attention towards him. Gohan began to slowly open his eyes and Videl's eyes lit up quickly. She was so glad and relieved that he was okay.
Gohan's vision was a little white and blurry at first. "Woah....am I dead? That looks like a beautiful angel staring at me," said Gohan. His vision then became clearer as he saw that it was Videl staring at him and he smiled, "Hey Videl."
"Hi Gohan....welcome back to consciousness," said Videl.
"How long was I out for?"
"About 30 minutes....I can't believe the way you and your father fought and came out like that. It seemed more like a war than a simple spar."
"Heh....that's the kind of training I've had to endure ever since I was a child. If you don't train for seven years, it's kind of hard to get back into the swing of things such as that."
"Oh....Goten told me to give this to you," Videl placed the bean in Gohan's hand. Gohan took the bean and put it in his mouth. After chewing it a few times, he swallowed it and was completely healed in a few seconds. Videl fell out of her chair and looked at Gohan in shock.
"Gohan....what....what the hell is that?! You're completely healed! How?!" asked Videl.
Gohan sat up from his bed and looked at her. "What I just ate was called a Senzu bean. It helps heal your injuries and restores some of your energy. They always come in handy when things like this happen," stated Gohan, "You took one yourself, remember?"
Videl got up from the floor and pointed a finger at Gohan's chest. "Listen to me Gohan," began Videl, "Don't you EVER scare me like that again! You had me worried to death and I even thought at some point that you could have died!"
Gohan put a finger to Videl's lips before she could continue scolding him any further. Gohan looked right into Videl's eyes before speaking.
"Listen Videl....I can take care of myself and I train like that so I can help my father protect innocent lives. I'm sorry if I scared you, but you're going to have to get it through your head that this happens to me all the time," said Gohan.
"Well....I don't like it one bit. That wasn't a spar....that looked more like a life or death battle!"
"I have to train that way so I can endure battles like that!"
"Well I have a problem with it Gohan and I don't want you to train like that!"
"You're starting to sound like my mother who used to tell me that almost 10 years ago. She wasn't able to stop me from training....what makes you think you can?"
Videl looked down at the ground, silently. Gohan pushed her chin up so her eyes met with his. He was a little stunned when he saw that Videl was crying.
"I don't know if I can, but I at least have to try. When you went off to fight Buu....that was the last time I saw you before I was killed. I don't want that to happen again...." Videl whispered softly.
Gohan wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him as she quietly sobbed in his chest.
"Shhhhhh....I'm sorry Videl. It'll be ok....it'll be ok...." said Gohan.
***
A few hours later....
Goku and Goten entered through the front door, laughing and sweating. Their laughing stopped when they stopped before a woman in front of them. Chi-Chi had her arms crossed and stood in front of the two boys.
"You could've at least told me that you two were going to train," said Chi- Chi, as she gave a small smile.
Goku smiled and hugged his wife, who immediately returned the hug. Goten walked past them and made his way upstairs to his room.
"So....where's Gohan and Videl?" asked Goku.
"A friend of Videl's called her house and asked if she and Gohan would like to go hang out with them," answered Chi-Chi.
Goku laughed, "Hopefully Gohan won't break anything in the process."
***
"You mean to tell me that you've never played this game, Gohan?" asked Sharpener.
"Honestly....no, I haven't," replied Gohan. Erasa, Sharpener, and even Videl looked at him in a stupefied manner.
Erasa sighed, "It can't be that hard to teach him how to play miniature golf. Let's just go to the first hole."
The four teenagers walked over to the first hole of the golf course.
"Now Gohan, put the ball down on any of the three mini holes," said Videl.
Gohan did as he was told and chose to put the ball on the middle hole. Erasa continued to explain the game.
"The object of the game is to put the ball in the bigger hole--" began Erasa.
"Oh?" Gohan picked up his ball and looked at it, then looked at the big hole.
"Is something wrong, Gohan?" asked Videl.
Gohan walked over to the hole and placed the ball in the hole. He then turned around and smiled at the other three teenagers.
"That wasn't so hard. So, whose turn is it now?" asked Gohan.
Sharpener and Erasa fell to the ground while Videl smacked her head and shook her head, blushing.
"And this is the same guy that scored a perfect on the entrance exams to Orange Star High?!" exclaimed Sharpener.
As Erasa and Sharpener got up, Videl walked over to the hole and picked up Gohan's ball from it. She pulled him back over to the starting point of the hole and handed Gohan his ball back. Videl set her ball down on the middle hole and hit her ball into the hole with one shot. She turned and looked up at Gohan.
"Now do you understand? You have to tap your ball into the hole in 6 shots or less using your putter. After 6 shots, you have to pick up your ball and move to the next hole. Don't ever try to hit it as hard as you can," said Videl.
"Okay....I think I got it now," said Gohan.
"I sure hope you do."
Gohan walked up to the tee and placed his ball on the middle hole. He brought his putter back a little bit and the other three teenagers thought they could finally get on with the game....until Gohan's putter hit the ball. The ball raced to the bumper that contained the little course and ricocheted backwards into the air, hitting Sharpener's private area.
Sharpener let out a yelp and fell to the ground holding his crotch and Erasa knelt beside to try and comfort him. Gohan chuckled nervously as he went over and picked up his golf ball.
"Sorry about that Sharpener," said Gohan.
"D....Damn you, Gohan," said Sharpener as he tried his best to shake off the pain.
***
Six holes later....
"Okay, we're at the seventh hole now. I'm in first, Erasa in a close second, and Gohan and Sharpener are tied for third," said Videl.
"How am I supposed to putt when I can't even walk right?" asked Sharpener.
"I said I was sorry, Sharpener. I didn't think the ball would bounce off like that," said Gohan.
"Gohan....its bad enough that I'm going to lose to the girls, but it's even worse that I might have lost one of my balls in the process," said Sharpener.
"I've lost a ball on every hole, so don't feel bad Sharpener."
Sharpener looked at Erasa and Videl, "How dense is this guy? He can't even tell when I'm talking about golf balls or testicles."
"Enough Sharpener....and Gohan, you do have a point. You have managed to knock a ball off the green in the last six holes and into the pond that is in the middle of this course," stated Videl.
"I'm really trying, Videl, but I can't seem to tap the ball softly enough," said Gohan.
Gohan placed the ball on the middle hole while Sharpener took cover behind Erasa. Gohan rested the head of his putter on the ground.
"Hold on, Gohan," said Videl, "Let me help you."
Videl walked behind Gohan and placed her hands around his so she had control of the putter. Gohan blushed as Videl's hands gently brought his hands back with the putter and she helped Gohan hit the ball. The ball went straight into the hole and Gohan smiled. Videl slowly let go of Gohan's hands and walked over to him smiling.
"See? Now THAT's how it is done, Gohan!" cheered Videl.
"Thanks for your help Videl," said Gohan, smiling. His smile made Videl look down and blush.
"Awwww....isn't that adorable?" asked Erasa.
"Yeah....I guess it is," said Sharpener.
"I'll try the next hole by myself, Videl," said Gohan, "And I'll hit it as soft as I did on the first hole."
"NO! Don't you dare, Gohan!" shouted Sharpener.
Gohan, Videl, and Erasa laughed while Sharpener's face turned red with anger.
***
Six more holes later....
After Videl, Erasa, and Sharpener took their turns, Gohan was up next. Gohan took a light tap and the ball went up into the air softly, like a chip shot, and landed in Erasa's cleavage. Gohan blushed a beet red while Sharpener walked up to Erasa.
"Let me get that for you, Erasa," said Sharpener as he reached and grabbed the ball, touching one of Erasa's breasts in the process. Erasa's whole body turned red and her knee made contact with Sharpener's crotch. Sharpener went down again, holding his crotch as Videl and Gohan laughed.
"Sharpener! You pervert!" shouted Erasa.
***
Later, at the 18th green....
"Okay....somehow me and Erasa are tied after all 18 holes," said Videl.
"Ooh! I have an idea Videl....how about we give the guys a chance to decide it?" suggested Erasa.
"Sounds good Erasa....since they're tied too, they can decide the outcome."
"If Sharpener gets a lower score than Gohan, I win. If Gohan gets a lower score than Sharpener, you win."
"This is gonna be easy," said Sharpener as he placed his ball on the spot he wanted it on. Sharpener took a putt and barely missed the hole. He walked up to his ball and tapped it to the hole, falling short of the hole- in-one. He tapped the ball again with his putter and it went in the hole this time for a score of 2 on the hole.
"Woo-hoo! Way to go, Sharpener!" cheered Erasa.
Gohan walked up to the tee and placed his ball on the middle spot. He gently tapped it and the ball bounced off of the bumper and went back into the hole.
Sharpener's jaw dropped, "No way....he made a hole-in-one by himself?!"
"Guess that means Videl wins," said Gohan.
"Yay! Thank you, Gohan!" exclaimed Videl.
"But....but....how?! He screwed up on every other hole, except the one Videl helped him on, and now he manages to beat me?" asked Sharpener.
"Let it go Sharpener," said Videl as she patted Gohan on the back. "Good job, Gohan. I knew you could do it!"
"Just wait Gohan....the next time we play, I'll be the victor," said Sharpener.
"Okay....but you might want to wear a cup the next time we play. You don't want to walk funny the whole time we're playing like you did tonight," suggested Gohan.
"Damn it...." muttered Sharpener as he gritted his teeth. Videl and Erasa burst out in laughter as the four teens put their putters back on the desk from where they had gotten them. After the four said their good-byes and see you laters, Erasa rode home with Sharpener in his car.
Gohan and Videl took off flying and headed back to Gohan's house. When they arrived, they entered through the guest room so they wouldn't wake anyone up. It was pretty late and Videl had already packed her things to go before she and Gohan went to play mini golf. The two teens then took off and flew to Mr. Satan's castle and floated outside of Videl's bedroom window. Videl opened her unlocked window and turned to Gohan.
"I had a really fun time today Gohan....thank you so much," said Videl, as she turned to get ready to enter her room.
"It was my pleasure Videl," said Gohan, "See you at prom, Friday night!"
Videl quickly turned after she entered her bedroom, wanting to see Gohan once more, but all she saw was a trail of ki. Videl sighed and shook her head.
(It sounded like his mind was preoccupied again. Poor Gohan....even when I think he's relaxed he's still battling with himself in his mind. Have it your way Gohan....because come prom night, I'll make sure that you tell me what the hell is going on with you....I promise.)
***
Gohan quietly slipped into his bedroom and got undressed, then dressed again for bed. He crawled under the covers and closed his eyes, getting ready to go to sleep.
(I can't even have fun while I'm in this state of depression, but it looks like I managed to fool them anyway. When will it end?)
Gohan quietly drifted to sleep after a mere ten minutes. Although it seemed peaceful for a moment, nightmares soon followed. They were worse than the ones from the previous nights.
Four hours later, Gohan sat up giving a little scream and gasping for air. He held his head in his hands as the sweat poured from his head. Then, he heard a knock on his door.
"Come in," said Gohan. The door opened and Chi-Chi walked in and sat down next to him.
"Another nightmare, son?" asked Chi-Chi.
"Yes....and they keep getting worse," said Gohan.
Chi-Chi stroked his hair gently, "Tell me....what happened in your nightmare?"
Gohan began to cry softly as he told her what had happened, "It was terrible mom....I saw nothing but my friends getting killed....then Videl....she was tortured the worst. I was powerless to do anything....I could do nothing but watch as she suffered until she died. Then I was killed and I woke up like this."
Chi-Chi drew her son into a hug, "Shhhhhh....its okay, Gohan. I know it felt real to you, but it was just a nightmare. Though, and this is just my opinion, but you should really tell someone about this."
Gohan looked up at his mother, "I understand....I'll tell her Friday night."
"You mean Videl?"
"Yes, and Bulma will hear our conversation so maybe she can tell everything to everyone else...."
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Ladies and gentlemen....the end of Chapter 3! This took me a little less time to write than Chapter 2. Next up is Chapter 4! Ready! Go!!