Tasked (Pt I)

The morning of the second task, Harry awoke, made final preparations, and made his way to the Black Lake. He didn't know what he was going to be retrieving until he approached his fellow champions.

"Gabrielle! Zey took my zisteer!" Fleur wailed.

Harry blinked his shock. "What?"

Legolas sighed heavily. "They took who we would miss the most. Draco went missing this morning."

Harry frowned. Who would he miss the most? A few months ago, it would have been Ron.

Just then, Hermione sped toward him. "Harry! Have you seen Gohan?"

Harry's eyes widened. "Oh, no."

Up in the judge box, Vegeta, Piccolo, and Dumbledore were having a heated argument with the Minister and Bagman.

"You have severely crippled the school by placing the boy down there! What if the attackers from the World Cup decided to attack right now?"

"Oh, Albus, surely you overreact," Fudge said dismissively.

"Does he?" Piccolo said in a nonchalant tone. "It wasn't too long ago that the Board of Governors approved the placement of a Death Eater inside the school. It isn't too big a stretch of imagination to see the perpetrator of the attacks appearing at a time when your strongest ally is most vulnerable to attack."

Fudge shook his head. "Perhaps you should consider retirement, Dumbledore, if you insist on seeing enemies around every corner. This discussion is closed." Fudge took his seat, pointedly ignoring his old mentor.

Dumbledore shook his head sadly.

The second task proved just as boring to watch as the first one…and just as amusing for Unity members.

Since it was too dangerous to simply attempting to summon their prizes, they resorted to their alternate plan. The four champions held hands as they entered the water, chewed the gilly weed, and disappeared into the depths. They fought off Grindlylows as they attempted to accost Fleur, and made it to the victims that were tied to a merman statue by some strong seaweed rope. Freeing their people, they held on to each other's collar with their free hand and made their way back to the shore.

Working together, the task took less than thirty minutes. They emerged together, just in time to see all hell break loose.

…

…

…

…

Hermione bit her lip, anxiously waiting for her boyfriend to emerge from the water. She had a bad feeling, one of the types that cause one's hairs stand on end. A relieved sigh escaped her lips, but it was short lived as shrieks filled the air. Her eyes snapped up in horror as she watched a small army approach. Babadi had somehow discovered how to cross the wards.

Gohan struggled desperately against the power inhibitors placed on him the night before. They weren't disintegrating for him fast enough as Cell, Frieza, Cooler, the Red Demon-looking guy, and a few others approached the students. The adults stood in front, pointing their wands, each with a look of terror on their faces.

The shortest of their number smiled grimly. It was tan in color, hunch-backed, and bore some resemblance to a cockroach. It spoke in a grinding, high-pitched voice. "Find the girl. Drain the others with significant energy, and kill the useless ones."

Hermione suppressed her energy as she weaved and ducked around the crowd. She learned her lesson last time, and she was going to bide her time.

Dumbledore made his way toward the front, along with Vegeta and Piccolo. "I suggest you leave now," Dumbledore advised. "Before we are forced to unpleasant action."

The being cackled. "You're supposed to be a wizard? Pathetic. You are just a weak and frail old man! You can't threaten me!"

Vegeta turned to Dumbledore with a feral grin. "Well, you warned them." Then he plowed into Frieza. The poor, cold-hearted bastard never stood a chance, while Piccolo fought Cooler.

"Going somewhere, Cell?" Vegeta taunted as he unleashed his well-practiced Ascended Super Saiyan. The creature was taken aback for a second.

"Well, well. So you finally managed something Goku achieved several years ago. I must say…I'm not really impressed." Vegeta and Cell fought, evenly matched, as Piccolo faced both Cooler and another being he didn't recognize.

Dumbledore battled Babadi as the Red creature blasted through the crowds.

"No so fast!" Harry shouted as members of Unity stood by his side.

The Red one smirked. "Despite the numbers, the odds are still ridiculously in my favor." He spat toward Harry. Instinctively, Harry dodged, causing the spit to land on grass nearby. The tuft of grass turned to stone. Several Unity members inhaled sharply.

"AVOID HIS SPIT!" Harry shouted as he simultaneously increased his power.

"My, a spirited little one. I'll enjoy draining your power, before you die." He pulled a large, white, compass, looking thing from his belt. It had a rather ominous point on one end.

Harry smirked. "You can try, but you have to catch me, first." Harry sped away, drawing the monster away from the crowds.

Harry dodged expertly around trees as he led the Red One further away. Quite suddenly, Hagrid burst from the trees and charged it.

"Hagrid, no!"

The vile creature spat at him, striking the giant man full in the face. He watched in horror as one of his best friends turned into stone. The Red one laughed as Harry clenched his fists. "Aw, was that a friend of yours? Good."

The two charged each other, but before they collided, the Red One was struck on his blind side and ground into the dirt.

"Wondered when I'd be running into you," the being said, his voice muffled by the ground.

"Eat dirt, sleaze ball," she said, deepening her kick.

…

"Darn it!" Gohan growled in frustration as his magic and ki fought against the final tendril of magic dampening his power.

…

Lucius Malfoy backed fearfully away from two of the purple aliens. The things were grinning evilly as they lifted their palms to obliterate the blond wizard. Three powerful suddenly blasts overtook the creatures from opposite directions. It screamed its last as Lucius looked for his rescuers. His eyes widened in shock at the sight of the pale blond teenager with his palm faced outward to his left, and the twin Weasleys from his right .

"Father, get the students inside the castle!" Legolas shouted as he picked off another one of the weaker aliens. The twins followed in his aftermath, attacking any who attempted to blindside him.

Lucius blinked twice more as he began trying to locate students that hadn't made it back to the castle. He managed to kill several aliens with "Avada Kedavra," ironically alongside the Aurors who were casting the same.

"Severus," Dumbledore shouted. "Find Minerva and get the students back to the castle! Have all able bodied adults defend Hogwarts! Go!"

…

Hermione knew she had to stall the Red One until Gohan got there. She was nowhere near powerful enough to defeat him on her own. She looked at Harry, and he nodded, understanding her intent. He brought his foot down on the creature's wrist and wrestled the white thing from its grasp.

The Red One growled and tried to throw Hermione, but she increased her focus and ki into her right leg, driving him further into the dirt. The power the two had given off while struggling against one another had created a crater that was already nearly half the size of Hogwarts. Securing the device, Harry began pummeling the creature's head with his fist.

The monster growled angrily as his struggles intensified.

…

"You'll always be second to Goku," Cell cackled maniacally, hitting Vegeta's sorespot. "You're not even as strong as his runt."

Vegeta responded with a powerful kick that hit its mark.

Rising from the Hogwarts-sized crater, Cell scowled angrily. Then, he smirked. By the time Vegeta reached him, it would be too late.

Vegeta's eyes widened. "NOOO!" And he charged.

…

The Z-Fighters used their ward-bypassing charms to enter the school grounds.

"Looks like the party started without us," Eighteen said in a flat voice.

Yamcha smirked and charged straight into battle with some of the weaker opponents, Tien following in his path.

Suddenly, Eighteen became rigid, her eyes staring at an insect-shaped monster in the distance. Krillin followed her gaze. "Oh, great. Cell!" Then his eyes widened. "Oh, no! Is that—"

…

"Come on! Stupid magic! Stupid tournament!" Gohan cursed as he continued to resist the stubborn last tendril. His eyes shot up as he heard Vegeta's shout. Seeing the objects of the Super Saiyan's distress, he was filled with a sense of desperation. "VEGETA!"

…

As Vegeta reached halfway toward his target, two of them latched onto his arms and slowed him. A minute later, as Vegeta continued to make his way toward Cell, impeded and fighting them, two more latched onto his legs. The fifth sped toward Vegeta and pummeled every inch of him that it could reach.

Vegeta knew nothing but the pain, not noticing as Cell kept spawning miniature copies of himself.

…

"Twenty!" Krillin squeaked. "Twenty Cells! That's it! We're done for!"

"Twenty-one Cells, Krillin. Well, five are busy with Vegeta. That leaves nineteen. We'll team up on one. That leaves eighteen, assuming that none of the others notice us. Krillin? Krillin! Snap out of it! Come on!" She dragged her reluctant husband onto the battlefield.

…

Piccolo picked off the extra fighter when it left an opening in its defenses. After fifteen more minutes, he finally managed to defeat Cooler, finding an opening as the fool opened himself up to taunt the Namek. He heard screams in the distance.

Now what? Seeing several small, insect shaped creatures closing in on the school, he sighed in exasperation and sped after them.

…

She was hit from behind. She saw the Red One rise from the ground as three mini-Cells pulled her from the crater.

"Ugh!" Harry grunted as one of the mini-Cells tackled him to the ground and pinned him.

The Red One smirked and approached her. "Where's the book, little girl?"

"Go to hell, you satan!" She spat as she struggled, referencing his appearance.

He frowned, scratching his chin. "What's a satan? Oh, well, then you should watch as I drain the energy from your little friend."

He approached Harry and yanked the device from Harry's robes.

"Harry!"

…

"Finally!" Gohan muttered as the last restraint broke free and made his way to defeat Cell, before he spawned any more Juniors.

The tyrant grinned. "Gohan! Such a pleasure! I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show up. No sense in wasting energy in lost causes."

Wasting no time, Gohan charged up to full strength. "I don't have time for this." Then, he obliterated Cell with a single shot. He turned his attention toward Vegeta.

…

"Argh!" A skinny, raven-haired girl attacked the Red One from behind, landing punch after punch and kick after kick. After five minutes, he grinned at the panting young woman.

"I appreciate the back massage. I think I'll drain you first."

Then, he stabbed her with the device.

"NOOO!" Hermione and Harry yelled, renewing and increasing their struggles.

…

Gohan and Vegeta raced toward the castle to destroy the Juniors there.

"Vegeta! Find Hermione!" Gohan shouted as he began picking off the surrounding Miniatures.

Vegeta focused on her power level and headed in that direction.

…

"Damn," Krillin panted. It had taken all four of them, Yamcha, Tien, Eighteen, and Krillin, to down a single Junior. That fact wasn't helped by the other Cell Juniors' interference.

"One down, a million to go," Yamcha said in a feeble, wavering voice, swaying as he chose a stance.

…

Videl collapsed to the ground. Harry snarled as he struggled against the Cell. If I live through this, I'm going to have to get stronger!

"She's no use anymore," the Red One grunted. He gathered energy into his finger for a kill, only to receive a powerful kick to the back of his head, causing him to plow into the dirt.

"Why waste your power on such a small fry?" Vegeta drawled. "You're not scared of a challenge, are you?"

"Vegeta!" Hermione cried. "Avoid the white device! It drains energy!"

Vegeta smirked. "Thanks for the tip, Ruroushan. I'll take it from here."

After Gohan had taken care of the Cell around the school, he picked the Juniors off that were terrorizing the Unity members, Z-Fighters, adult wizards, and Aurors. Then, he made his way toward Hermione and Harry, a worried frown marring his features. He had felt Videl's power level drop off.

He was stopped mid-flight, something wrapping around his left ankle. "Not so fast, son of Kakarot!"

Gohan turned around, his heart rate increasing alarmingly as he turned toward a menacing scowl.

Oh, crap! What else can go wrong today?

"KAKAROT!"

…

Vegeta's eyed widened. No! Not him!

The Red One grinned. "What's wrong? Not afraid of a challenge, are you?" He cackled.

Hermione frowned. Gohan's ki is sparking strangely. I wonder what would distress him so much?

"That's Broly, isn't it," Harry asked softly.

Vegeta gritted his teeth.

…

Albus Dumbledore was out of his league, and he knew it. He was holding his own, but the alien curses Babadi directed toward him were unpredictable. Sometimes his shields protected him. Sometimes they didn't. Dumbledore was slowly losing power with each attack, his battered body finally sinking to its knees, nearly spent.

"Didn't I tell you, old geezer, that you were no match for Babadi, the supreme ruler of the universe? You have fallen, as all will fall before my greatness! Now—"

He was cut off as a disk of ki sliced his body in half.

"You were saying, you puffed up little cockroach!" A deep voice growled flatly.

Dumbledore stumbled to his feet. "I owe you a life debt, old friend."

"Don't thank me yet," Piccolo muttered, his eyes on the glowing form in the sky.

The fact that the alien wizard was in two pieces didn't manage to silence him, however. "You! How dare you accost me in such a fashion! You will pay for that, you wretched Namek! BROLY! FINISH THEM! THE REST TO ME! ALL TO ME! RETREAT!"

…

Hermione, Harry, and Vegeta heard the shout. The Juniors, all with little, scripted M on their foreheads, released their query and sped toward their master.

The Red One smirked. "I'd love to continue this discussion, but it seems my presence is required elsewhere. Enjoy your little visit with Broly." He laughed and flashed away to aid his master.

…

The minions gathered their master and flashed away, leaving Broly in their wake. The insane saiyan landed on the ground, grinning ferally as Harry, Hermione, and Vegeta raced toward the others, Harry carrying Videl.

Luna appeared out of nowhere, smiling serenely. Draco, Millicent, and Ginny appeared next, the former panting.

"Merlin, I'm glad Mother insisted I learn that hedge-trimming charm," Draco panted, then gave Ginny an awed, weirded-out look.

"Mill and I used ki while I had Draco give them a close shave," Ginny declared proudly. Vegeta smirked as the others stared. "What?"

Harry handed Videl over to Millicent. "Take her to the infirmary."

Piccolo looked pointedly at Dumbledore. "You should accompany them."

"You're right," Dumbledore said, but didn't move from his sitting position.

"Miss Weasley, conjure a stretcher for the Headmaster," Piccolo directed. Everyone then faced Broly.

"This is suicide," Vegeta muttered at the smirking, brooding giant saiyan. Trust that cutthroat bastard to be able to smirk and brood at the same time.

"Kakarot," Broly purred, staring straight at Hermione and Gohan.

"What a lovely relationship the two of you must have," Fred said, causing everyone in the area to flinch despite feeling their approach.

"So," George added. "When's the wedding?"

Broly blinked. "What?"

"Can't you feel it?" Fred continued as the others frantically tried to shush him.

"You could cut the sexual tension here with a knife."

Broly roared, his body began glowing green.

Their smiles fell from their faces at the power increase.

"Fred, George," Harry said nonchalantly. "If by some miracle you actually manage to survive this, remind me to murder you!" He finished with a snarl.

"Get in line, Bolt Boy," Vegeta growled to the twins' increasingly paling faces.

…

To say that Poppy Pomfrey was feeling harassed was quite the understatement. She and the other twenty odd healers that had been summoned to the infirmary were rushing around, frantically trying to stem blood loss, prevent shock, restore disrupted magical cores, and reduce panic. They had just managed to calm mostly everyone.

That was, until Dumbledore was hauled in on a stretcher.

Oh, yes. She would heal him, right before she killed him. Perfect timing, Albus! She snarled as her patients were worked up once again.

He was laid, to his dismay, right next to a rather subdued Cornelius Fudge.

Albus weakly shifted his head, as Ginny, Draco, and Mill accosted Madam Pomfrey to see how they could help.

"Would you like to continue our little discussion from earlier, Cornelius?"

The Minister of Magic groaned.

…

His laughter was the thing of legend. It was said that to hear Voldemort's laughter was terrifying, that to hear it was to hear Death itself. Whoever said that had never heard Broly.

His powerful lungs could be heard for hundreds of miles. A gleeful, vindictive child's giggles set to a low tenor voice, the laughter bounced off the castle walls and mountain tops, causing the ground to tremble slightly and the water to ripple.

A silent consensus was formed, each in the individual minds of the U and Z-fighters. They were screwed.

…

Peter Pettigrew trembled as the Earth shook and chaotic laughter rolled over the countryside.

"Milord," he squeaked.

The ugly baby shape that was Lord Voldemort scowled and squinted, hiding his slightly trembling hands from the coward. After all, Wormtail would fall apart if he knew his leader was afraid.

"Wormtail, calm yourself," he said evenly, "You shouldn't trouble yourself with something as insignificant as laughter." After all, it was an intimidation technique that he himself often employed.

"But milord, the ground has been shaking for nearly an hour!"

"You think I'm not aware of that? Silence! Move me to the chair, Wormtail. You…may linger if you choose." Wormtail looked up in shock. Usually, the Dark Lord would dismiss him as soon as soon as he was placed in the chair.

Voldemort was equally shocked. It was the first time he had felt anything remotely resembling sympathy.

…

Hercule Satan was having a rather rough week. After disappearing from the world's spotlight a little over several months ago, he had finally found himself in England. But with the maniacal laughter that reached his ears, he desperately wished he had stayed at home.

No. I'm doing this for Videl. My little girl. He mustered the remnants of his bravery and continued his journey. He decided to make a little trip to Surrey. His baby's last letter was telling him of a lad, a cousin of her friend. Perhaps he could get some shelter for the night.