DBZR ½

Chapter 16: The barrier is placed...but too late?

The wind fluttered in her long white hair, cascading over her face as Cologne and Goku flew onwards, passing by many new and exciting sights, at least for her. She let out an uncharacteristic whoop of joy as they passed through a cloud bank.

"Yes! That's the way!" Goku said happily, flying rather slow to keep from causing her any undue discomfort.

"This is incredible! I feel like a young girl again! If only I knew how to do this myself..." She trailed off, still enjoying the moment.

"It's not that hard. You just have to use your energy right." The Saiyan commented.

Cologne looked down at the back of Goku's head. "Is that so? Hmm, I know of many chi techniques but none have hinted towards flight."

She could feel him shrug slightly under her. "Probably because you've never had someone strong enough think to invent it."

"There may be some truth to this." The old woman replied sagely. "There has never been someone nearly as powerful as you, even as you are now."

"Sure there is. There are several that are strong enough on your planet now."

"What?!" Cologne gasped at the back of his head, rather shocked by that.

"Yup. There are plenty on your world strong enough to fly, including Ranma." He replied over his shoulder, looking back.

Cologne was silent for a moment, and then she ventured a question. "What about my Shampoo? Is she strong enough?"

"Hmmm." He looked forward and up to the sky slightly, thinking about it. Finally he said, "Could be. Don't know yet though."

Cologne quieted, lost in her own thoughts as they flew on.

"Don't make me repeat myself kid." Vegeta growled at the pig-tailed fighter.

"I said nothing! Geez, kinda touchy." Ranma grunted in reply, crossing his arms and looking away. Vegeta harrumphed before looking away himself.

When a suitable moment had passed Ranma glanced at the Saiyan Prince and smirked slightly. "He might be a challenge..." He thought to himself, noting the proud posture, powerful build and obvious confidence. Much like himself in a way.

For his part Vegeta seemed to ignore him, but inwardly he couldn't help but be slightly curious. Normally he wouldn't bat an eye at such weaklings, especially if brought by Kakarott. But there was something different about him. He seemed...very confident, even among those who were far and away his betters. The boy seemed to have no fear, not that he could tell anyways. For that matter, neither did the boy wearing the bandanna. He'd watch them for a bit, if just to pass the time.

The Saiyan smirked slightly himself. "I just might teach them the meaning of fear..." He thought wickedly, rather enjoying that thought.

Akane looked at the odd group around them and finally sighted in on a raven-haired girl more her age. She trotted over and smiled, saying, "Hi. What's your name?"

"Uh...Videl. Videl Satan." The girl replied, a little taken aback by the direct manner, but finding it rather refreshing, compared to those in her school and in public who were too star struck by her celebrity status. She held out her hand...

And the dirty blonde girl took it in a firm grip. "Pleased to meet you. You know martial arts?" She asked, glancing at the brown 'belt' around her slender waist. She hadn't caught the it when Videl had shown off her tail for Goku, and it had re-wrapped itself afterwards.

Videl smiled confidently. "Sure do. I was trained by my father."

"Me too!" Akane beamed, feeling a connection. "Want to spar?"

Videl grinned; her new Saiyan body had been feeling a need to burn some pent up energy. "Sure, but I won't go easy."

"Heh, at least you'll try, unlike some around here..." Her veiled hint and slight gaze were both directed to Ranma, who blithely continued sitting, enjoying the time away from his father.

His fiancé sighed and turned back to Videl, who asked, "Whenever you're ready."

Akane took up her stance, already in her gi, feeling her heart rate increase in slight excitement. "Let's go."

The two girls fairly leapt at each other, excited and invigorated by the prospect of battle.

Akane lashed out with a side kick, but it barely grazed as Videl seemed to spin in midair, driving a backhand into the side of her opponents head. The dirty-blonde girl fell, but managed to break roll into a crouch, jumping up with a hard uppercut that surprised Videl and sent her flying back. The now-Saiyan girl flipped in mid-air, her foot just barely tapping the tile before she charged, hands clawed and arm held slightly back, screaming in challenge as her hair flew nearly straight behind her. Akane stood ready as Videl came at her, suddenly planting a foot and performing a high roundhouse, which Akane barely ducked.

The Saiyan continued her spin for a full three-sixty, and brought her heel down towards the tile. Akane gasped and pushed herself away just in time, rising and pushing off to send a hard elbow at her opponent, who smirked, bending slightly as a slight glow seemed to form around her body. Before Akane could do anything, Videl made a short hop, driving her right knee up into the other girls jaw, shouting, "Eagle Kick!" The knee kick drove Akane off her feet, but Videl wasn't finished. With Akane seeming to hang in mid-air the fully changed girl spun, kicking hard with her left leg, and then she spun again, sending a side kick into Akane's chest to send her flying away into a pillar before Videl had even landed, smiling slightly.

Akane fell to the tile, slightly stunned and panting. She looked up, her eyesight a bit blurry as she looked at Videl, who didn't seem to be bothered in the least. "She's good...and strong. Why...why must every girl I run into be stronger than me?!?" Akane's sight suddenly cleared as she became enraged. She could almost feel her body drawing her aura, and her strength growing, but she didn't even concentrate enough to finish the process of tapping Goten's energy as she nearly leapt up and ran forward in an almost blind charge at Videl and screaming at the top of her lungs, as mad as anything any of the Nerima crew had ever seen

"What the-" Videl managed, surprised at the sudden speed before she was suddenly sent flying by a hard punch to her jaw, Akane keeping up with her flight as she leapt up high, her dirty-blonde bangs flowing behind her and gazing dispassionately down at Videl for the barest of moments. Time seemed to slow as Akane lashed out with a kick to the other girls gut, crashing her into the tile, with Akane jumping off and back slightly. She quickly grabbed an arm and a leg, pulling and lifting the stunned Videl as she began to spin. Faster and faster she spun, her face a mask of concentration as the two seemed to become a blur before she released her opponent, sending her flying back the direction she came.

"Ok...I've had enough..." Videl grunted as she spun in mid air and quite literally flew at Akane, who gasped in surprise, losing all her internal momentum.

"What? She can fly?!?" She cried before suddenly forced to defend herself from a flurry of punches, as fast if not faster than Ranma's Chestnut Fist attack. She managed to block some, but she rocked a few times from a few blows she couldn't catch, becoming angry at herself for not being able to stop the strikes. This galvanized her and she returned the favor, swinging her toned arms as precisely and quickly as possible while trying to block at the same time. Videl had to do the same, and it became a seesaw battle as they spun several times, striking, blocking, and kicking, eyes locked on each other as they gave all, not breaking stride as everyone else watched, even Vegeta.

"Humph. This should have been over long before this." He muttered.

"They're supposed to just be sparring, not trying to kill each other." Krillin interjected

The Saiyan glared at Krillin, responding, "Try telling them that."

Shampoo watched the fight, slightly curious and concerned. The violent girl seemed to be much stronger, though she still lacked a polish and smoothness to her moves. Still, she and the pupil less eyes were clearly enjoying themselves, and not holding back much.

"How angry girl get so much stronger?" She asked herself, rubbing her chin and contemplating how she came to this strength and hoping it hadn't been in training with Ranma. Fate had reserved that right to her after all.

Ryoga watched as well, as much in awe as being love struck...which was rather normal.

"Akane...you've improved so much. Oh my sweetness, if only I could free you from your commitment..." He trailed off from his musings as images of marriage, followed by some very wild and kinky honeymoon thoughts came to him. This in turn prompted a blood spurt from his nostrils.

Again, this was rather normal.

Ranma watched out of the corner of his eye, silently evaluating Videl. "She's practiced. Pretty good form, strong style. She's better than Akane, and Shampoo." He thought, watching her motions closely, looking for holes in her attacks and motions.

Suddenly the two flew back, having driven a punch and a knee into each other and falling to their rears, looking for all intents and purposes finished.

It was a draw.

The two girls panted lightly, gazing at each other in appreciation. "You're pretty strong Akane. Not to shabby." Videl said as she caught her breath.

"You're not too bad yourself." Akane replied, panting a little longer. In truth she barely kept up. She was trying to keep from bringing out her aura in an attempt to force her body and skills to improve the hard way, but it was very difficult to not give into the temptation. The power was just so exhilarating to her, almost like a drug. Still, she knew that she had to get her body used to such power, and to improve her skills first.

"Thanks. I try." Videl smiled cutely, holding up two fingers in a V shape. Akane smiled back as Gohan walked over and taking a seat before draping an arm over Videl's shoulder.

"You did great." He said warmly, causing her to blush a little and lean into him.

Looking on both Akane and Shampoo felt twinges of jealousy that they didn't get the same kind of treatment, and they both looked to Ranma at the same time. However, they noticed their rival gaze at him and instantly turned evil glares to each other and growled slightly. Glares so evil sparks seemed to fly in midair.

For his part Ranma was oblivious to the sparks and glares. He stood up and stretched a bit, and then asked, "So when do we eat? And where can we put our stuff?"

Dende smiled slightly. "We've some rooms for you to stay in here. They're not much but I hope they'll be enough for you."

"I'm happy with anything." Ryoga replied, having managed to finally get his blood letting problem under control. He stood up, picking up his pack.

"Excellent. Mr. Popo will show you the way, and afterwards we'll have a meal for you." The Namek turned to the black being, who nodded.

"Right this way." He said, turning and heading towards the marble structure.

The Nerima folks grabbed their gear and, for whatever reason, seemed to be taking the two Nameks in stride, though they had never seen one before. Most likely the dragon killed all shock in them and they couldn't handle anymore...but it was impossible to tell.

Piccolo gazed at them as they walked in and grunted slightly. "Why do I get a bad feeling about them being here?" He asked aloud.

"They don't seem all that bad Piccolo." Gohan replied, rubbing Videls shoulder...who purred slightly in response. Her own hand was on his hip, though she was tempted to move it elsewhere.

"Regardless, I feel as if something bad is on the Earth now, and I can't place it." He sighed, deciding that Toltir had a hand in it more than anything.

"They're weaklings. Nothing I can't handle." Vegeta commented, arms still crossed as he leaned against a pillar.

"You don't really think they're going to need being handled do you? They're just here for training after all." Krillin spoke up, moving very slowly to keep from ruining his outfit. 18 stood nearby, mentally evaluating her bust size in comparison to the young Amazon and finding them equal.

"Ask if I care. If Kakarott wants to train them that's his business. I have no interest either way." Vegeta responded.

"It didn't look that way to me..." The big former monk said conspiratorially. "I saw you watching them, and smiling. You want to fight them."

In response Vegeta just glared, and then looked away, grunting. Krillin smirked triumphantly.

"Regardless, we still have our own problems to deal with." Bulma's young voice spoke up, still annoyed with Goku for leaving her child behind.

Tien swished his hair behind his head again, commenting, "Nothing we can do until that barrier is up. After that, we'll just have to come up with a solution on our own."

"What solution? You heard Shenron, he can't change us back!" Bulma shot back at Tien, who held his hands up in surrender.

Videl looked to the ground somewhat morosely. She wasn't so sure she wanted to be changed back.

Goku came out of the clouds, and they could see a near perfect copy of the Jepoc Circle islands in the middle of the ocean. Waves crashed against the new formations, while the center appeared to be calm, with only the tiniest spit of land in the center.

Cologne nodded from her perch, adjusting the small satchel she had brought. Where she carried it on her small frame was impossible to guess. "This will be perfect. It will take me a few minutes on each island to get the wards set properly."

"No problem." Goku said cheerfully as he alight the nearest island with a soft tap of boot on rock. Without a word Cologne hopped off, and began to work.

The work too nearly ten minutes each time, and Goku simply sat and watched intently as she worked. A group of birds had already begun to make their homes on the rocks, finding them to be a perfect break for them during their own travels.

Finally she finished on the last island. "These wards will protect your planet for a very long time. I'm sure your Dragon can recharge them when needed, it doesn't take much." The old midget said as she walked up to Goku, who smiled.

"Ok. Well, we should get going then." He said, standing up.

Cologne nodded. "Indeed. I would like to see how my granddaughter and Son-in-Law are doing." She hopped up onto his shoulder as he lifted two fingers to his head. With a slight blur they vanished...

...and reappeared in what would appear to be a warzone. Ryoga and Vegeta glared at each other, sparks flying, a solitary roll of bread between them and knives held at the ready. Ranma was running around the room trying to avoid Shampoo, who was trying to feed him, and Akane, who was trying to kill him for supposedly accepting it, running over Krillin several times in the process.

Videl and Gohan were downing pasta at a rate only Saiyans could handle, completely unconcerned by all around them, while Bulma ate a little slower, trying to be proper in spite of her age. Piccolo, 18, Dende and Popo just gazed on quietly. All didn't even notice Goku and Cologne, both of whom stood watching with sweat slightly rolling down the side of their heads.

They looked at each other, and they laughed slightly. "Well, things are at least somewhat normal." Goku chuckled lightly.

Moments before the barrier was in place, somewhere far away from the Lookout...

A young girl of about sixteen, but looking almost twelve sat curled up in an alley way, her red hair mussed up badly and her school outfit slightly torn and dirtied from some scuffle that had happened earlier. Her arms were wrapped around her legs, only her bright green eyes looking over her knee caps, flashing with a hidden rage that didn't show in her body. Water trickled down her face and body as a slow steady rain fell with a soft patter.

"Anger. It is all I've felt my entire life. Everything taken from me, denied me at every turn. All I have ever had was rage, rage at those people at the schools, at all those who mocked me. Shunned me because I dressed different. Because I didn't develop like them. All the popular kids, kicking me to the side, shunning me. No matter how smart I was...it was never enough." She thought to herself as she trembled slightly, some from the injuries she had taken nearly two hours earlier, but mostly from trying to contain the powerful emotions roiling within her.

"I will get my revenge. I'll show them all. I'll get better, and stronger. Strong enough to beat down everyone who held me down, who mocked me and scorned me." A small hand balled up into a fist as she mentally swore this oath.

"And so you shall." A deep voice boomed in her mind, startling her and making her jump up, her shoes splashing in a small puddle.

"Who-who's there?" She called, looking around wildly, expecting another attack. What she got was completely unexpected.

A flash of a purplish-white energy suddenly struck her from above, trailing over her wet body and surrounding her in a large bubble. She had instantly arched her back from the strike, her eyes wide and her jaw dropped in a silent cry as more and more tendrils of energy flowed over her, sparking and crackling, her ruined outfit and hair fluttering around her as the wind picked up

The alley was filled with shadows from the flashing lights, and every so often her shadow would be silhouetted showing her contorting and moving about, her hair and skirt fluttering. As the flashes grew in frequency energy bolts would lash out and strike the brick walls and metal dumpsters, and her shadow could be seen more and more often, seeming to be taller, fuller and lither...and over the crackling of the bolts, the growing howl of the wind another sound could be heard growing, first hesitantly, and then stronger and with glee and even a tinge of madness.

A sound of laughter.

To Be Continued...

I am SOOO evil...all this time waiting and I give you a cliffhanger...ah well, it's better than nothing right? -

Anyways, sorry for the delay, and just so you know, due to a bluff gone bad with Antyep, I have four more chapters to write, and he'll have a surprise for you all.

So keep watching...I've got more coming. Next time, we return to Goten and Trunks as they inevitably seem to find trouble...or maybe it finds them? And training continues at the Lookout.

BTW, would someone be so kind as to hook me up with some information, maybe an image of this Toltir god? I'd greatly appreciate it.

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RBLM1A2Tanker