150 reviews! Thank you reviewers!


Last Time…

"You should all just run! It will make it so much more fun!" Vandrak said maliciously. "Run good men, run!"

"We will not run! The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing!" Gohan said as he began to generate his maximum power. "And I will NOT LET THAT HAPPEN!"


Chapter 19: Time and Tortures

The Earth trembled beneath Gohan's feet as he released his energy in forceful waves of power. The hard, brown, desert rock cracked and broke in pieces at the surges of energy. It lifted into the sky as Gohan created his own gravity around him.

The young warrior's eyes gained that familiar green glow once more as he used his psychic abilities. He was surprised to see that he couldn't see as far as usual and he instantly knew that Vandrak was the cause.

The other three warriors could only stare in awe as Gohan's power exceeded anything they had ever thought possible. Blue bolts of energy jumped from Gohan's body as he pushed his power even higher. A bright, white aura swirled around the brave fighter.

Vandrak stared in amazement and thought, 'I did not expect Gohan to be this powerful. No matter, I still far exceed his power! Hahaha! But, I'm sure he'll put up quite a fight. Yes, this will be FUN! Hahahaa!'

Vandrak also began his power-up. Purple bolts of energy radiated from his pulsating black aura. He had an insane grin on his face and he pushed his power until it was equal with Gohan's.

"Who do you think has the upper hand?" Goku asked to no one in particular.

"At the moment they are evenly matched." Piccolo said gruffly.

"But as proven in the past, an advantage in power isn't everything." The prince declared with confidence.

"That's for sure." Goku answered back.

"I only pray that Gohan can accomplish this impossible deed." Piccolo said with a hint of worry in his voice.

"Even if he can't, at least he will die an honourable death. We all will." Goku said as Gohan launched himself at Vandrak.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"The fight is starting!" Goten and Trunks exclaimed in perfect sync. Their voices were filled with worry and fear.

No one else on the Look-out dared to speak even a single word as they concentrated on the unfolding battle below them. Worry reflected in everyone's eyes.

Shin and Kibito had joined them on the Look-out after they revived Goku and Chi-Chi. Porunga, as if knowing about the events that would take place, kept quiet and did not request the second and third wishes immediately.

Across the universe the battle could be sensed as the two fighters clashed for the first time.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Gohan had his right fist drawn back as he speeded towards Vandrak. The demon stood still. The Mystic warrior thrust his fist forward and hit Vandrak across the jaw with a bone-shattering punch. The force was enough to send Vandrak flying, but seeing what the demon of demons was planning, Gohan followed up with an energy whip that wrapped around Vandrak.

Gohan pulled back on the whip and Vandrak was sent his way. He released the whip and charged a Kamehameha wave to cause him severe damage.

Vandrak expelled pure negative energy to break the grip of the whip and dodged the pulsating blue wave of energy. In turn he sent three beams of dark purple energy at Gohan.

'Oh, no, he can't!' Gohan thought as the future of those beams didn't please him at all. He turned around and flew towards his three allies while shouting, "GET OUT OF HERE NOW! DAD USE INSTANT TRANSMISSION!"

The sound reverberating from the dark beams of death almost completely drowned out his voice as the beams were right alongside him. He looked on in fear as the beams flew past him.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"He has three beams on his tail!" Goku yelled as they saw Gohan approach. "We have to help him!"

"No Kakarot! The beams have overtaken him! They're heading for us!" Vegeta said as he charged up, knowing that it would be futile to attempt to stop those beams. They were a lot stronger than even Vegeta's most powerful attack.

"Vegeta! Grab on!" Piccolo said as he took a hold of Goku, "Goku, Instant Transmission, NOW!"

"Right!" Goku put two fingers to his forehead as Vegeta grabbed on to the other Saiyan.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

'No.' Gohan thought as a new future made itself clear to Gohan. 'Father's technique won't work! Vandrak's blocking it!' Gohan thought in horror.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"It's not working!" Goku said in shock as the beams were about to hit them. Piccolo and Vegeta could only stare at the newly revived Saiyan and the beams in utter shock.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

As the beams were about to impact Gohan appeared between weapon and target and let out a mighty yell as a sphere of energy formed around his body. The beams hit the pulsating white force field erected by Gohan.

The purple waves of energy were starting to penetrate the shield. In what appeared to be a last cry of anguish, Gohan sent most of his power into the shield and the beams deflected into separate directions, 'safely' exploding far away from the four good men.

"Damn! I so nearly had them all! Hahahaha!" Vandrak cackled in amusement at the sight that met his eyes.

The shield around Gohan and the others vanished as the effort was no longer required. Exhausted from that last defensive technique Gohan slowly sank through the air until his feet touched solid ground. He dropped down on one knee as he panted.

"Tired all ready?" Vandrak asked evilly as he landed in front of the small group. "I bet you're wondering why you couldn't use your Instant Transmission technique, right Goku? Hahaha!"

"What are you talking about!" Goku snarled.

"Well, I blocked it. That means that you can't escape. You will die today…again! Hahahaha!" As Vandrak cackled with laughter Gohan was till trying to regain his breath and he slowly stood up.

Vegeta looked as though he was going to explode. His power rised to a significant level and he transformed to Super Saiyan 2 in his fury while shouting, "NO ONE LAUGHS AT THE PRINCE OF ALL SAIYANS!" He then charged Vandrak and kicked him in the gut.

"I'm right behind you Vegeta!" Goku yelled as he too ascended to the second level and charged at Vandrak.

"Catch your breath kid. We'll buy you some time." Piccolo said as he also charged the demon down.

'No, Vandrak is too powerful. He'll kill them!' Gohan stood up straight and flew into the fight. "He's too strong! He'll kill you! Get out of here!" He shouted.

"NEVER! I don't run from anyone!" Vegeta said as he landed another punch in Vandrak's face. The Master of Evil only continued to laugh as the punches didn't harm him even a little bit.

Vandrak expelled energy to repel the three fighters away before saying, "Gohan. Tell me, what am I going to do next?" He smirked evilly and raised his arms in the air.

Gohan saw a strange scene unfold in his future eye. He didn't know what it was or how to stop it, so he asked, "What the hell is that?"

At that precise moment strange bubbles formed around Piccolo, Vegeta, and Goku. The bubbles then came together so the three were together in one big bubble. It had a strange ripple effect that made it look as though they were under water. The three victims of this strange technique tried everything to bust out of it, but to no avail.

When his amusement and pleasure passed Vandrak answered the question, "I've sealed them in Time Bubbles. Hahahaha! Nothing in this world can harm them now, and they can't escape. I put them there because I want them to see your painful downfall! After I'm finished torturing you I will kill them! Hahahaa!"

'I can't let him win. There's too much at stake. I will not be defeated. I don't even know how or where to seal him away again. It's hopele…NO! I can't lose hope!' As Gohan was having these thoughts he remembered a certain event…

Flashback

It was two days before the World Martial Arts Tournament. Gohan decided to spend the day with Videl. They had flown to the 439 mountain area and were now walking around talking happily.

When they came to a spot Gohan found familiar they stopped and sat down. They took in the smell of fresh mountain air as the peaceful sounds of the flowing river kept a constant beat against the rocks.

"I wish it could be this peaceful all the time." Gohan said while staring at the blue sky.

Videl looked at him with worry as she saw the look he had in his eyes. It was as though he had already said goodbye to the world and was now waiting for death.

"Gohan, I know you. There's something really bothering you. What is it?" She asked gently.

"I've lost all hope." He said simply.

Videl looked shocked for a moment as she stared into his dead eyes. Then she spoke with a frown on her face, "Gohan Son. You can't lose hope. A man without hope is a man without dreams! And a man without dreams is a man who has nothing to live for! Don't you have anything to live for?" She asked as moisture began to build in her eyes.

He looked at her for a moment as though deep in thought. He frowned and the life suddenly returned to his eyes as he found his reason sitting right in front of him. He smiled and took her in his arms.

"My family is my reason…You're my reason Videl! Thanks for reminding me! Slap me across the face if I ever forget again!" He said as he gave her a slight squeeze.

"I'll do more than that!" She said as she pulled away and looked at him mischievously.

End Flashback

'I promise you Videl, I will NOT lose hope. I'll find a way to beat him, even if it costs me my life.' Gohan looked into the black abyss of Vandrak's eyes with determination.

"So, shall we begin the torture? Hahaha!" He smirked evilly.

Gohan didn't reply with words. Instead, he flung himself at Vandrak who was unprepared. A devastating blow made contact with the demon's side and a yellow liquid seeped out of the demons mouth.

"I don't believe it." Vandrak said coldly. He was being serious for the first time as he saw his own blood, "You've actually managed to draw blood. Hahahaha! Now it's my turn!" He slammed an elbow into Gohan's back and sent him crashing into the cliff he was standing on before.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Oh, Argh, I wish we could help!" Goten said as he and Trunks squirmed in their mother's tight grasps.

"Yeah, me too." Trunks said sulkily.

"Things aren't looking too good." Dende said as the blackness of the sky reached the Look-out.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Gohan slowly stood up from his spot beneath the rocks. He had a deep gash in his left arm and blood was oozing out and dripping off his fingers.

Before he could even make a single move Vandrak had struck him again. He skidded across the ground and came to a stop on his back, panting, trying to ignore the pain.

Slowly, the half-Saiyan sat up, only to be grabbed by the throat by Vandrak's long fingers. He struggled and just like last time he couldn't make him let go by plain old strength. He tried to remember what he had done the previous time, but came up short. He couldn't tap into that power again.

When his hands fell limp at his side Vandrak released him and spat, "You're pathetic! Hahaha!"

Gohan slowly opened his blurry eyes, he had dropped out of his Mystic state and was now completely at Vandrak's mercy. He tried to sit up again, but was pushed back by Vandrak's foot.

The monster stomped his foot on Gohan's chest and he cried out in agony as blood oozed from his mouth.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Damn it! He's dying!" Goku shouted as he could only watch on helplessly.

"Damn that bastard! DAMN HIM!" Vegeta yelled as he wasted his energy on trying to break out of his prison.

"There's nothing we can do. Only a miracle can save us now." Piccolo said quietly while Goku looked on in sorrow.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Gohan laid, battered and bruised, on the battle field. Convulsions racked his body as his eyes glowed green; he was having a vision…

It was not a future event like the other visions. No, it was a past event. Gohan saw the first battle of the war that had become his. The first time Vandrak was sealed away.

Thousands of warriors stood before Vandrak and his evil in an all out duel. Many fell, until a brave warrior faced him with a sword.

"This sword was created in pure positive energy! It will be your downfall." The voice of the warrior came.

"Hahaha! No pathetic sword can strike me down! You will die like your comrades! Hahaha!"

Vandrak charged the warrior and the warrior stood ready with his blade in hand. As Vandrak drew near he shouted, "Die Zogan! Hahaha!"

The warrior known as Zogan stood firm and with perfect timing he thrust the sword forward. The blade slid through Vandrak's abdomen as it drew yellow blood. Zogan released his hold on the blade and left it in Vandrak's body.

At first Vandrak smirked, then as he tried to remove the blade his smirk faltered and he looked on in horror as he could no longer move.

"You have asked for this Vandrak." Zogan said as he took a step back, "Now the Kai's will seal you away."

Twenty Kai's circled the struggling Vandrak and used their combined divine powers to seal him in the Neutral, but the sword remained in the real world…

The vision ended and Gohan blinked. He wasn't sure if what he saw was actually real. 'Zogen, he looked like…and his sword…' Thoughts overwhelmed him as he stood up without realising it.

Vandrak looked at him strangely, and then smirked as he asked, "Did you see your own demise?" Vandrak asked.

He was about to answer when the sky rumbled and another portal appeared. This one was white and expelled positive energy that battled the ferocious negative energy that was already in the Earth's atmosphere.

A familiar being emerged from that white sanctuary. It was Bardock.

The sight of his grandfather gave Gohan new hope and courage as he realised exactly what he needed to do. His grandfather descended and landed next to Gohan.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Hey! That guy looks like me!" Goku said from within the Time Bubble.

"I don't believe it!" Vegeta said surprised, "Kakarot! That is a Saiyan named Bardock. He's your father!"

"So, Bardock made it out of the Neutral alive. Good." Piccolo said.

"Can you guys tell me what's going on?" Goku asked confused.

"Later Kakarot!" Vegeta said as he turned his attention back to the others.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Gohan stared weakly at Vandrak and smirked. From the sash around his waist he pulled a single bean and ate it. His energy and physical condition were replenished.

He stared at the demon and answered his previous question, "No. I saw something completely different actually. And now I know how to defeat you."

TO BE CONTINUED…


Well that was the second to last chapter. I will post the last chapter on Saturday. Someone mentioned that they would like a sequel. I already have one planned, but it will be a couple of months before I can start it. After you've read the final chapter you'll understand why a sequel is required. I will hopefully start posting that in mid November, but I don't want to make any promises.