Author's Note:

Hi everyone! Again...

I'll try to update a new chapter every week. Sorry for the delay!

Disclaimer: I don't own this show! If I did, I wouldn't be sitting here writing this fanfiction... the fanfiction would be on TV!

CHAPTER TWO:

Gohan had felt only pain, only darkness as his spirit faded from the material world. He raised his head, struggling in the darkness. What is this? he wondered, pulling away from his left arm, but he wouldn't budge. His body had returned to him – he was cut and broken, blood dripping from his wounds to the floor.

He was in... a void. There was nothing here but the darkness holding his inner light back. Gohan's head spun as he tried to make sense of it all. But... this isn't anything like Dad said it was! he thought, groaning in pain. Gohan put his head down, giving in. Did I go to hell? I must have. For failing the world.

"Hush, my child... all will be right in the world." a female voice coaxed from within the void.

"All will be right?" Gohan echoed, voice full of longing. "Did... my family make it? Was Cell defeated?"

"Yes, Gohan." Erai smiled kindly, stepping to where he could see her. She was a true beauty – long, black hair, and orange eyes. Thin, without a trace of muscle. She walked up to Gohan, her flame-coloured eyes staring holes into his. "I gave Piccolo the strength he needed, for it was your desire. You can rest now, my child, your war is finally over." Erai sat down on her knees, cradling Gohan like a small child in her lap. "There is no need to fight anymore..."

"No... need... t-to fight..." Gohan mumbled, his body and mind going numb.

"Yes, my child, my dear Gohan. We just need to make sure your father is truly sorry." Erai said, stroking the black pieces of hair out of Gohan's face.

"Dad... s-sorry?"

"Gohan, Gohan... just sleep. For once in your life, you can rest easily. I will take care of it, my child, do not fret." Erai kissed his forehead as Gohan's eyes closed, his body relaxing. I will take care of it. Erai thought to herself, picking Gohan up. And we will destroy the one who had the audacity to call you his son. she walked away, the unconscious half-Saiyan child resting peacefully in her arms. Rest easy, dear Gohan...

~DBZ~

Piccolo was training with Goku in the frigid north. The mountains were covered in snow and ice, the temperature freezing far below zero degrees. Piccolo and Goku had recently relocated here – their battles near Goku and Chi-Chi's house had ended quite badly. And by "badly", we mean "Chi-Chi's frying pan" kind of badly.

Goku took a breather, staring at Piccolo in awe. The Namekian had pushed himself farther than anyone. It must be his concern for Gohan. Speaking of that, we need to hurry! Who knows what could have happened to him. Goku doubled over, coughing up blood as Piccolo kneed him in the stomach. Goku fell to the ground, dropping his Super Saiyan transformation.

"I... I need a break, Piccolo." he was breathing heavily, lying down on the ground.

"We don't have that much time, Goku!" Piccolo snapped. "We need to get stronger! Erai is coming. She'll destroy us all. We have to train!"

"I know, I know..." Goku looked up at Piccolo. He casually made a snow angel, but rolled out of the way as Piccolo's Masenko flew towards him. It exploded next to him, throwing him a couple of feet.

"Jeez, Piccolo! Watch where you're aiming that thing!"

"I was aiming." Piccolo growled. "Pay attention and start putting up a decent fight."

"We need to rest sometime." Goku argued.

"There is no rest if we're to rescue Gohan before it's too late. He's your son – don't you even care?"

"Of course I care! But we can't destroy our bodies in the process of saving him."

"You left Gohan to fight Cell alone." Piccolo grumbled. "I'll train on my own."

Goku watched in disbelief as the Namekian punched and kicked at the air, firing blasts everywhere. Geez, he's determined. Goku thought, watched with interest. I guess I never really thought about Piccolo's relationship with Gohan... I never knew Piccolo loved him so much. Piccolo has never been this.. riled up. Goku tilted his head to the side, settling down on the snowy ground.

Come to think of it, Piccolo officially joined our little band after the Saiyans came. When he fought with everyone else to stop them... when he died for Gohan. Gohan sure did change Piccolo. Goku watched Piccolo's power grow. Even more... Piccolo killed Cell! I don't think that anyone could believe it... Gohan's death shook more power from him. And he can control it!

"Done daydreaming, Goku?" Piccolo snapped, noticing the Saiyan's gaze on him. "Or are you just going to sit there and watch me all day?"

"Nah, nah, I'm coming. I was just wondering, Piccolo..."

"Wondering about what?"

"I've never seen you this determined to become stronger. I'm just curious about your relationship with Gohan." Goku flew up to his ex-enemy, floating beside him. "I've never seen you so riled up before." Goku said, with his usual carefree attitude. He didn't think much of his question.

Piccolo blinked, not having words. I... was it that obvious? I love Gohan... but I cannot show him any weakness. Piccolo eyed Goku carefully, trying to judge his motives.

~DBZ~

The Supreme Kai watched this all, eyes narrowed.

"Kibito... what do you think of this more recent development on Earth?"

"I am unsure of what you mean, master." Kibito answered in a level voice.

"Erai reappearing. She has caused much trouble... too much. She never goes out of her way to take a soul." the Kai said, looking over at his servant.

"Perhaps the boy has untapped potentials?" Kibito questioned.

"Exactly. For now, we must wait and see what happens..." Supreme Kai turned his gaze back to Gohan.

~DBZ~

"It'll be okay, Chi-Chi." Bulma patted her friend's back, glaring in the direction of the gravity room. Vegeta had been in there for hours. Now that there was a new threat and everyone was really training, Vegeta was more determined than ever to surpass Goku.

"No! My sweet little Gohan..." Chi-Chi was sobbing.

"Goku will-" Bulam tried to say.

"No! Goku is the reason my baby was in danger in the first place! I never want to talk to him again!" Chi-Chi curled protectively around her stomach. "He killed my first child, he will not touch my second one."

"Chi-Chi... you're pregnant?" Bulma demanded, astonished. Her eyes widened as her friend nodded. "That's incredible! What are you going to name your next kid?"

"I was thinking... Goten if he's a boy." Chi-Chi sniffled. "I'm not sure what I'll name her if she's a girl."

"There's always some hope in darkness, eh? Don't worry about Gohan, Chi-Chi; Goku will get him back. That's the reason he left with Piccolo in the first place."

"I know... but he's my baby boy." tears formed in Chi-Chi's eyes as she started sobbing on Bulma's shoulder, hugging her friend. "He's in danger and there's nothing I can do to help him!"

Chi-Chi does have a point. Bulma thought. There really isn't anything we can do. she looked up at the ceiling. Goku... I hope you know what you're doing.

DBZ~

Videl was sitting in her room, on her phone. She was texting Erasa and Sharpener.

((Hey guys. What's up?)) she texted quickly, waited for a response.

((nothing much. How have u been? All that fame must be crazy.)) Videl groaned at Erasa's grammar, shaking her head. She'll never learn. Videl sighed.

((videl can handle it)) Sharpener argued, posting his own message.

((I'm fine. Going to take a nap.)) Videl posted.

((kk)) Erasa texted as Videl winced.

((ttyl)) Sharpener posted.

Videl sighed as she put her phone away and fell into the cozy world of dreamland.

Videl's dream started. She looked around, wondering where she was. She was in... some sort of bedroom. It had shining wooden planks for flooring, golden walls, and cream coloured furniture. Strange place. she thought. It looks like a place for a king!

Videl glanced over at the bed, seeing movement. She approached the bed, looking down at the boy lying there. Charcoal black hair, sticking up all over the place. Kind of reminds me of a palm tree... but not quite.

The boy tossed again, curling into the covers. He's... kind of cute. Videl thought, then realized what she had just thought. She clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes widening. What?! No, no... she shook her head. Besides, he's just part of my dream. He's not real.

Videl watched as the boy's eyes widened and he sat up, staring straight at her. He had onyx black eyes. Videl's eyes widened even more as the boy had sat up, exposing his bare chest. Oh my gosh! He's, like, my age! How did a kid this young get so... ripped? she wondered.

The boy was looking at her.

"Who are you?" he asked. He had a surprisingly pleasant voice.

"I'm Videl Satan. Who are you?" Videl smirked, expecting her last name to leave some sort of awestruck expression on this boy's face. For some reason, she wanted to impress him.

"I'm Son Gohan... Satan, huh? I remember that idiot." Gohan chuckled to himself.

"Idiot?! He saved the world from Cell!" Videl protested hotly, hands her on her hips.

"He's your father, right?" Gohan had a gentle look in his eyes. "He lied to you, Videl. Hercule Satan did not defeat Cell. As I recall... he was cowering behind a boulder." Gohan shook his head.

"Wait.. you're the kid!" Videl said, shocked. "Did... you beat Cell?"

"No, I'm not sure who did. I died in the battle... I think." Gohan considered this. "I'm not dead now, so I don't know..."

"Then how are you here if you're dead? Where is this place?" Videl asked. Well, this is just a dream.

"This is no dream, child." Erai appeared in the doorway, carrying a tray full of food. "Here, darling, here is some food." Erai smiled softly as she placed the tray in front of Gohan.

"Mm! Thanks, Erai!" Gohan started digging in, cramming food into his face.

"I am Erai." the woman shook Videl's hand. Videl was shocked at how pretty she was – light peach skin, onyx black hair, fiery orange eyes.

"Videl Satan. Nice to meet you, Erai. Do you take care of Gohan?"

"I am his guardian. His father forced him to fight when he didn't want to... Son Goku committed a terrible betrayal. I am the entity that takes care of these children. In order to heal Gohan's wounds, we must spill the blood of Son Goku. Your own father needs to sharpen up is own fatherly duties, doesn't he?" Erai fixed a special glare on Videl, forcing the pre-teen to think of all the instances she had hated her father for something.

Videl was frozen, her mind in a state of confusion.

"I will take care of you, too..." Erai folded her arms around Videl, hugging her. Her power seeped into the girl, warping her memories of her father. "I will protect you, Videl. I will never ignore you. Your father is a blight, he must be eradicated from this world."

Videl didn't realize she was crying until she saw the tears fall on Erai's blouse.

"...Yes." Videl sniffled and looked up into the face of her new guardian. "He... must fall."

~DBZ~

Krillin was training with Yamcha and Tien. They had just paused for a break.

"Jeez." Krillin could feel Piccolo's power spike from all the way on the other side of the world. "I think Piccolo is stronger than Goku now."

"Yes, he is." Tien said, feeling the situation out.

"He must have been mad from grief at Gohan's death." Yamcha said, sympathy in his voice. "He has to be trying so hard to bring Gohan back from... uh, what was her name again?"

"Erai." Krillin and Tien said, both rolling their eyes and saying the name at the same time. Yamcha needed reminding all the time.

"Right, Erai. I wonder how things are going down there with Gohan?" Yamcha said.

"We can only hope that Gohan is strong enough to resist her before it's too late." Tien said.

"Otherwise we're in big trouble!" Krillin exclaimed. "If Gohan is taken by Erai, just think of all the power he might have!"

"True." Tien said, nodding. "If Erai was intelligent, she'd train Gohan to come and defeat Goku. It makes sense. Goku will truly suffer for his mistakes then."

"I wonder how Gohan will react to Piccolo." Krillin wondered out loud. "I mean, they've always had a bond. Will this come between them?"

"I doubt it." Yamcha smirked. "Those two are tighter than super glue!"

Krillin and Tien both groaned heavily.

~Everyone is preparing to face Erai, and possibly Gohan as well! Now that Videl has been taken by the evil entity, can anyone stand in Erai's way? Find out, next time!~

Yuki kun:

Thanks so much for reviewing! Don't worry, I'll definitely continue this. I'm really happy you think my work is well done... I've worked hard on this! Sorry this chapter came so late. I'll work hard to get the third one up faster!