Authors Note: Once I got back into a typing mood I was able to get 2 whole chapters done this time. Sorry it took so long. Unfortunatly this means it might take longer for my other story to get posted especially considering I just started college so I might not be able to update for a while. Sorry for the inconvenience. REVIEW!

"talking"

thinking

:communicating through a bond or telepathically:

dream or something happening within a dream

"talking within a dream"

something written/read like a sign or a note

Disclaimer: I don't own any DBZ.

Chapter Twelve: Into the Fray

Yamako raced forward faster than the speed of sound with her grandfather trailing slightly behind. Gohan watched as Yamako sped forward with a seeming endless supply of energy at her disposal. Gohan was having a hard time keeping up even though he was the strongest being in the entire universe. Finally he decided it was time to take a break. He stopped and bent over to catch his breath as he called for Yamako to hold on for a second. Yamako came to a halt and turned around to face her grandfather.

"What's up Grandpa Gohan?"

"Nothing I just need a break. We've been going like this for a week straight aren't you tired?"

Yamako gulped slightly. She wasn't tired because she regained her energy faster than a normal Saiyan thanks to her healing ability. She could also conserve her energy while still keeping up her fast speed thanks to all the meditation she does with Piccolo. She could draw out every once of energy she had from the deepest corners of her spirit without any strain. Yamako desperately searched for a plausible answer. Then the answer came to her.

"Of course I am. But we don't have time to rest for too long. Youkai should already be on Earth. We've got to get back to help the others." Yamako stated. "They can't win without you Grandpa Gohan. We've got to get back."

Gohan sighed and lowered his head. "I know Yamako but I can't keep going like this. How is it that you can?"

Yamako thought quickly. "Grandpa Gohan that's our family out there! Your father, brother, daughter, son-in-law, and as much as you hate to admit it…Grandpa Vegeta is your family too. They could all be dead for all we know. Along with everyone else! They're all counting on us! We can't give up!"

Gohan looked up with a look of utter terror at the thought of everyone back on Earth being dead. He believed he had let his friends and family down way too many times and he wasn't about to let that happen again. Narrowing his eyes as a look of determination crossed his face he took off again with a renewed sense of determination and strength. Yamako watched him go for a moment as a cocky smirk spread across her face. She knew just what buttons to push to get to Gohan and the rest of her family. When it came to manipulating their emotions Yamako knew just where to strike.

Worked like a charm! Yamako thought confidently…and with a slight amount of arrogance.

Nodding her head slightly, the smirk still evident on her face, she took off after Gohan. Yamako soon passed him and was once again leading but this time she made sure to hide the fact that she never seemed to be tired.

SCENE CHANGE

Goten stood staring at his father's body; mouth hung open in shock. He gritted his teeth and growled as tears began to stream down his face. He clenched his fists as his body shook with new surges of power. Giving a cry the ground shook as Goten's power exploded outwards. His hair became spikier and grew down to his butt. His eyebrows disappeared and his muscles bulged. Pan and Trunks both gasped as Goten completed his Super Saiyan 3 ascension. Goten snarled as he glared at Youkai with a look of rage and hate. Giving a battle cry Goten leapt for him and launched a powerful ki blast. Youkai brought his arms forward in a block and then deflected the blast into space. Growling in annoyance Youkai charged forward and began battling with Goten. Goten's rage clouded his judgment and soon he was sent hurling backwards into the rubble of a crumbling skyscraper (the entire city had been demolished due to the battle but all of the citizens had been evacuated safely). Youkai snickered and sent a blast into the rubble on top of him.

"UNCLE GOTEN!" Pan cried as she pulled out of Trunks' embrace and took a few steps towards the pile of rubble.

Trunks gritted his teeth and growled. He gave a battle cry and charged Youkai. Trunks punched him in the back of the head and then began to fire ki blasts at him. Youkai quickly recovered and deflected all the blasts. He then leapt for Trunks and smacked him across the face causing him to be sent flying. Trunks hit the ground and slid for about 15 feet before stopping. Trunks struggled to get to his feet but was unable to do so and he fell motionless as he slipped into unconsciousness. Youkai laughed cruelly and prepared to fire a ki blast at him when suddenly Pan kicked his hand towards the sky just before he released his ki. Pan spun around and punched him squarely in the jaw before clasping her hands together and bringing them down on Youkai's back. However, just before she made contact with his back Youkai disappeared and reappeared behind her. Pan whirled around and barely managed to dodge a punch. Pan flipped backwards and faced Youkai in a fighting stance. Youkai smirked and lowered into a fighting stance as well and prepared himself for the next battle.

SCENE CHANGE

Kumori witnessed the death of Goku and Goten's ascension out of the corner of his eyes and knew that Goten would need help. He managed to destroy 14 of the 20 soldiers surrounding him but the other 6 snuck up on him and fired ki attacks at him. Kumori cried out as the blast burned his back and he plummeted to the ground. Kumori rose to his knees and tried to stand but sank back down when a sharp pain shot up through his back. Gritting his teeth he looked up when he heard a battle cry and noticed 3 of the soldiers he'd been fighting were heading right for him with their ki guns blazing. Reacting quickly Kumori rolled out of the way and leapt into a small cave created by the rubble of a fallen building before the dust settled from the ki blasts. The foot-soldiers had not seen his retreat into the small cave and thus searched the area for any sign of him. Kumori winced when he stopped rolling and grabbed his back in pain. Removing the bag from his belt he turned it upside down and allowed the senzu beans to drop into his open palm. He growled and cursed under his breath when he saw that only 2 beans remained. He knew that Goten and Trunks would both need 1 and possibly so would Pan. But if he didn't take 1 then he wouldn't be able to finish fighting the foot-soldiers and help Pan against Youkai. Kumori then came up with a solution. Breaking 1 of the beans in half he ate 1 piece and saved the other for Goten or Trunks, depending on who was in better shape. Placing the remaining 1½ beans back in the bag he tied it to his belt and dived out into the open after the bean had restored the majority of his energy. The soldiers almost instantly surrounded him and prepared to attack. Growling at the soldiers Kumori outstretched his hands and gathered his ki into his palms as he prepared his own unique attack.

"GINGA DISKS!" Kumori cried as the ki from his palms formed a vertical circle of 8 disks around him.

Kumori turned his palms towards the ground and the circle of disks re-formed around his waist. Giving a battle cry the disks flew outward and killed the 8 soldiers surrounding him. Bending over Kumori grabbed his knees for support and panted heavily. He then looked up to see how well Piccolo and Majuub were doing. Piccolo was in the middle of battling about 15 or 20 soldiers and seemed to be doing all right. Majuub was dealing with a dozen or more soldiers himself though wasn't fairing quite as well as Piccolo but was still holding his own. Just then Kumori noticed about 2 dozen more soldiers heading for both of them. Narrowing his eyes in determination Kumori once again used the Ginga Disks and created a vertical circle around him. However, this time he wanted to send them all in 1 basic direction so instead of moving his palms downwards he moved them in a circular motion keeping his palms facing forward. Kumori moved 1 of his hands up and around in front of his forehead and the other down and around in front of his stomach. Doing this motion caused the 8 disks pile onto his palms, 4 a piece. He then shot his hands forward and released the disks. They spun forward and killed 8 of the attacking soldiers then with a simple arm movement Kumori turned them slightly to the left to kill 8 of the soldiers heading for Majuub. Kumori was about to rush forward and help fight the others but a voice in his head stopped him.

:No Kumori! Majuub and I can handle these guys. Go help the others. They need you more than we do right now.: Piccolo's voice echoed in his mind.

Nodding Kumori turned around and headed for the others. As Kumori was flying by overhead he noticed Goten's battered body on the ground, half buried by debris. Quickly descending he ran over and dug him out. After pulling him out of the rubble he turned him over and looked him over. He appeared to be in pretty ruff shape. Kumori knew that Goten was going to need at least 3 beans to return him to full strength but Kumori didn't know if Trunks would need any so he saved him the half a bean. Putting the bean in Goten's mouth he forced him to swallow it. After a few moments Goten slowly opened his eyes and sat up. Goten attempted to stand but was still too weak so he wrapped his arm around Kumori's shoulders and Kumori helped him up. With his arm still around Kumori's shoulders the 2 made their way over to Trunks in order to help him. Once they got Trunks healed they were all going to help Pan fight. Kumori looked behind him and saw Piccolo continuing to hold his own against the remaining soldiers and slowly picking them off. Sighing Kumori continued to help Goten towards Trunks as he silently prayed that Yamako would be back soon with Gohan.

SCENE CHANGE

King Kai was busily attempting to convince the Supreme Kai (otherwise known as Kibitokai) to interfere and teleport Gohan and Yamako here to the Other World. However they were having a problem because the Supreme Kai could only interfere if the entire universe itself was at risk. King Kai was in the process of negotiating and trying to convince him that Youkai was a universal threat not just a threat to Earth.

"Listen Supreme Kai…do you honestly think that Youkai will stop with the Earth? With all of the most powerful being in the universe on Earth if he conquers it then nothing will stop him from taking over the rest of space."

The Supreme Kai thought over the matter heavily but was still unable to make up his mind. Youkai didn't seem to be a universal threat right now but he could very well become 1 if he managed to defeat Earth. Also on top of that Goku, Vegeta, Gohan and the other fighters of Earth had helped the Supreme Kai destroy Majin Buu over 45 years ago. Youkai was proving to be a formidable foe and the Supreme Kai owed everything to Z-Fighters. He realized this and knew what he had to do. Giving King Kai words of reassurance he teleported himself to Grand Kai's planet. Once he got there he and the Grand Kai began to combine their energies in order to teleport Gohan and Yamako to the Other World. The 2 faced each other and put their palms forward. Their eyes went blank and their hands glowed with their ki. The ki shot out and created a huge sphere of ki that shot upwards and exploded outwards blinding them all with its brilliance.

SCENE CHANGE

Gohan and Yamako flew at top speed down the Dragon's Dimensional Highway in order to get back to Earth. Gohan was feeling the effects of so much flying and not enough rest but he wasn't about to quit now. Not when the safety of his beloved family, friends, and planet were at stack. However, he knew that he wouldn't be able to maintain this pace forever.

"How much longer Yamako?" Gohan called to his granddaughter who was a few feet ahead of him.

Yamako glanced behind her only to see her grandfather out of breath and struggling to keep up with her. Yamako slowed slightly and gave Gohan a look of confidence.

"Not much farther. We can't give up now." Yamako called back before turning back forward.

Gohan nodded and narrowed his eyes in determination as he sped forward. The 2 continued to fly for another few minutes until both of them felt suddenly tingly all over and the whole area was illuminated with a bright light. The 2 shielded their eyes and when they opened them they found themselves on the Grand Kai's planet. Gohan looked around in confusion and quickly glanced at Yamako who looked just as confused as him. Yamako then looked around and noticed King Kai and all the other Kais there as well, along with the Supreme Kai.

"King Kai…wha- … How did we-" Gohan attempted to ask but couldn't finish.

"No time to explain Gohan! Right now you've got to get back to Earth! Youkai has already killed Vegeta and Goku and now he's fighting Pan!" King Kai cut him off.

"WHAT PANNY?!"

Gohan threw back his head and gave a cry as he quickly powered up. Gohan was pissed that his father and friend were dead; as much as he tried to deny it Vegeta was his friend and no 1 messes with his family or friends and lives to tell about it. Gohan was also upset that now Youkai was threatening to kill his beloved daughter. His tail automatically unwrapped and he clenched his fists tightly as his body shook with power. His black hair grew down to his shoulders and red fur spread over his enlarged muscles as his shirt mysteriously vanished. He grew fangs and his hair spiked into his Super Saiyan transformation. He stopped screaming and lowered his head. He slowly opened his eyes and they were blank. But soon his pupils reappeared and his eyes became outlined in red. Everyone gasped at the sight before them and began to cringe at Gohan's new power. Yamako watched in slight shock and amazement with her arms crossed firmly over her chest. She was upset over Goku and Vegeta's deaths but knew that they would be brought back as soon as she restored Earth's Dragon Balls. Yamako smirked at her grandfather's strength.

Whoa! Way to go Grandpa Gohan. I knew if anyone could master level 4 without moonlight it'd be you.

Gohan gave a small growl and raised 2 fingers to his forehead as he focused on King Yahma's ki. Yamako's smirk dropped and was replaced by a look of surprise and confusion.

Huh? Instant Transmission. No way! Yamako thought as she studied Gohan closely.

Gohan's eyes narrowed in concentration as he locked onto King Yahma's ki and he began to fade. Yamako gasped and quickly stepped forward and placed a hand on Gohan's shoulder just before he disappeared. They reappeared at the Earth's check-in station and Gohan quickly focused on his daughter's ki. Once he had located it he concentrated on it and almost immediately they disappeared again. The other's simply looked on wide-eyed in shock at what had just happened. They all looked at each other and a smile broke out onto their faces simultaneously.

SCENE CHANGE

Vegeta and Goku stood next to each other in the line in front of King Yahma's desk awaiting judgment. Vegeta had his arms crossed over his chest and his usual scowl plastered on his face as he listened with annoyance to Goku rambling on about how cool it would be to see King Kai again and all the warriors of the Other World. On the inside, however, Vegeta was regretting only ever telling Bulma his feelings once or the fact that he didn't get to finish his sentence before he died. He vowed that if given another chance he would finish his statement no matter what. Suddenly Vegeta's train of thought was cut off and he looked around in utter shock. Goku also stopped talking and looked around for the source of the ki he had just felt. But just as quickly as the ki had appeared it disappeared again and the 2 pureblooded Saiyan warriors were left dumbstruck at what they had just felt.

It can't be… Goku and Vegeta both thought.

They glanced at each other both wearing identical expressions on their faces. Both doubted their sanity over the ki they had just felt. There was no way they could've just sensed the ki they thought they did. It was impossible.

"Gohan…" both said simultaneously.

In a matter of seconds a huge grin broke out on Goku's face replacing his shocked expression. Vegeta's shocked expression also melted away and an actual grin broke out onto his face. Both had sensed the ki and that could only mean 1 thing…Gohan was back and headed for Earth.

Author's Note: Well it looks like hope has returned. Gohan's headed for Earth and he's able to go level 4 on command. Looks like Youkai is in for it now. He has no idea what kind of hell he has just enraged. Anyways hoped you liked the chapter. Remember to review!