~Babidi Saga~

Chapter 16 – There is a Shield

Videl and Goten continued to shake Gohan's limp body, both fearing the worst. Trunks stood next to Vegeta as they both looked at the new enemy that called himself Darkon. Vegeta looked down at his hands, balling them in and out of fists. He was feeling the dark energy that Babidi had given him pulse through his body, and he could feel an old yearning swelling up in his stomach. I haven't felt like this in a long time...it's...refreshing.

Looking down at his son, a part of him fought against this new energy that had been introduced into his body. Vegeta grinned. "Get ready Trunks. Goten, get over here."

Goten looked up when his name was called, but looked down at Gohan, still very worried. Trunks turned to his best friend. "Come on Goten, he's one of the strongest fighters around! He'll be fine, and Dad wants our help!"

Goten continued to look down at Gohan's limp body. Videl, without really realizing what she was doing, put her hand on his shoulder. Goten looked up, holding back his tears with a sniffle. "Y-you'll take care of him...right?"

Videl nodded, taking back her hand. "Ya..."

Goten half smiled and nodded a thanks. Standing up, the small boy fazed out of view, reappearing next to Trunks. He looked at Darkon, his energy spiking as anger swelled withing him. Gritting his teeth, he growled at Darkon. "You'll pay for hurting big brother!"

Vegeta joined the boys at super saiyan, not flinching at the increase in strength. The three golden auroras starred at their new enemy.

Darkon smiled, throwing a few punches and kicks to the side, getting a feel for his new body. "Finally, finally I have a body I can call my own!" Turning to the three standing before him, he smiled evilly. "I even have some people here to test myself out on."

Vegeta huffed, controlling his anger at the insult. Trunks and Goten however did not. Trunks stepped forward, pointing his fist at his enemy. "Please, you think you can take all three of us?" Goten stepped next to his friend. "You're going down for hurting Gohan!"

Darkon laughed. "Please, Vegeta, tell these insects to fly away so the big boys can fight."

The two boys grit their teeth together, but Vegeta stepped out in front of them. "They may be small, but they have saiyan blood in their veins. There's no way they'd lose to the likes of you."

Trunks and Goten looked up at Vegeta, and then at each other. Nodding at each other, they smiled. In unison they took fighting stances. "Ready!"

Darkon took his own fighting stance. "Phh. Weaklings needing each others help to even stand a chance...no matter. I'll take you all at once!"

Trunks and Goten shot off, crossing in front of each other before fazing out of view. Darkon looked to the right, and then to the left. The two boys fazed back into view on either side of him. Darkon twisted like a top grabbing a hold of leg that Goten and Trunks had tried to kick him with. Continuing to spin, Darkon jumped up into the sky holding onto the boys before throwing them towards the ground, first Goten and then Trunks. Goten crash landed into the ground first only to have Trunks slam into him moments later. The two mini super saiyans growled, slowly standing up.

Vegeta crossed his arms in front of him. "Trunks, is that what you call a kick? You were painfully slow! Goten, you were even worse if that is possible."

The two boys nodded quietly, retaking their fighting stances. Darkon hovered mid air, grinning ever so slightly. Slowly he made his way back to the ground, holding out his hand and motioning to the boys to come. Trunks looked to Goten. "Tag?"

Goten looked to his friend and nodded, smiling. "First one who get's hit loses!" With that both boys rushed in towards Darkon, each taking their own side and launching a volley of punches at him, only for Darkon to block them. Darkon's arms looked like blurs as he skillfully blocked each and ever punch coming his way from either side, his eyes flashing back and forth from Goten to Trunks and back again.

Vegeta grumbled. "Trunks, you're punches are to wasteful! You're making to many extra movements. Goten...you're fighting is...ughh...who trained you, you're mother!"

Both boys jumped back from their target. Goten straitened up and looked at Vegeta. "Ya. Why?"

Vegeta's eyes widened slightly, not expecting his insult to actually be correct. Holding his hand to his face, he sighed. "N-never mind...just keep fighting."

Goten blinked, confused, and cocked his head to the side trying to figure out why Vegeta wanted to know if his mother trained him. Darkon, not waiting, shot towards the unsuspecting Goten.

Trunks started to run after Darkon. "Goten!" But it was to late. Just as Goten was turning to see why Trunks had called his name, Darkon's elbow connected with his jaw sending the small boy flying. Stopping on a dime, Darkon back flipped up and over Trunks who ran right under him. He could only look up as Darkon swung his leg at his back and hit him square, sending him flying right after Goten. Goten crashed into the ground followed by Trunks who landed right next to him. Both of them stood up moments later, dusting themselves off.

Trunks looked at his friend and smiled. "Looks like I won tag."

Goten stepped towards Trunks, pointing at Vegeta while pouting. "No fair. You're dad distracted me. You cheated."

Trunks crossed his arms and shook his head. "To bad. I win."

Crossing his arms and turning away, Goten continued to pout. "Cheater."

Videl blinked. Th-they're playing games? At a time like this? Looking back down at Gohan, she slid her arms under him and strained to flip him over. Once he finally flopped on his back, she whipped the snow from his face, a worried look crossing over her face. The limp body in front of her was just breathing, and every breath sounded like it was forced and strained. Looking over his body, Videl couldn't find any physical injuries of any kind, but something did catch her eye. D...does Gohan have a fur belt?

-DBZ-

Gohan opened his eyes, only to find himself in the darkness of his mind still. Slowly he sat up, looking around. It was quiet, and everyone was gone. He looked at his hand, flexing it open and closed. I-I'm not dead...at least I don't think I am...so what's going on? Shouldn't I have control over my body again?

A voice sounded out from the darkness around him. It once again was his, but it was slower. More drawn out, and it also sounded sadder. -Oh...look...he's not dead after all...looks like thing's aren't all bad...-

Gohan jumped to his feet, spinning his head around trying to find where the voice came from. "Who's there?"

-Hey...he can hear me now...well, that's nice...but maybe he doesn't want to hear me talk...oh, I'm going to bother him...hmmm-

Gohan blinked. Um...are you ok? You sound depressed.

-Oh...I'm fine. You shouldn't worry about me...-The voice emerged from the darkness. He looked just like Darkon had. Gohan fell into a fighting stance. "Are you that Darkon guy? I thought you got you're own body!"

The Gohan look-a-like shook his head. -Nah...I call myself Gray...though I'm sure you don't care...Darkon did leave and got his own body...but I'm glad he's gone...the bully always pushed me around before he got the power to fight you...he really made life worthless...-

Gohan blinked, trying to piece together what was going on. Waving his hands in front of him, he smiled nervously. Er, no no, it's nice to meet you Gray.

Gray looked up from his sad slouched position, a small light lit up in his eyes. -Y-you mean that?-

Gohan nodded slightly. Uh, ya. Sure. But could you tell me what's going on? Where did you come from?

Gray sat down indian style, resting his elbow on his knee and resting his chin on his hand. -Well...it was that seed thing.-

Gohan nodded. Ya, it was suppose to give a voice to the darkness in me or something...but I didn't know it was going to give it two.

Gray sighed. -Not exactly. It gives form to the emotions the darkness creates. And it made you both angry and depressed.-

Gohan blinked, thinking about it. It makes sense...well, about as much sense as anything does these days...but why haven't I ever seen or heard from you before?

Gray sighed again. Darkon was a bully like I said...he would always pick on me...and beat me up so he could practice...and when he started to take over your body...well, he used his power to shield me from you...forcing me to exist in here all by myself...with no one to talk to...it was lonely...

Gohan looked at the mirror copy of himself. It was the exact opposite of Darkon, but it looked just like him. I fell bad for you...er, well...myself. Man I am going crazy...Anyway...do you know a way to get out of here?

-DBZ-

Working up her courage, Videl stuck a finger out and poked at it. Gohan's tail twitched back. Videl blinked. "It...it moved..." Gulping, she reached out again and brushed her hand along the tail, feeling the fur and the warmth of the tail. Videl, forgetting about the intense battle in front of her, was entranced by the furry thing that had wrapped itself around Gohan's waist. Wide eyed, she looked up at Gohan's face, finding it still mostly lifeless, she turned back to the tail and reached out with her hand one final time. Slowly and carefully, she wrapped her fingers around the furry tail, finally grabbing onto it and squeezing.

In an instant, Gohan had shot up to a sitting position, wide eyed and yelling in pure pain. Videl, being surprised by the quick motion, fell back into the snow letting go of the tail. Gohan's eyes fluttered back to closed as he fell back to the ground. Quickly and without thinking about anything other than catching him, moved behind him and caught him, resting his head on her lap.

Gohan managed to open one eye, looking at Videl's face and finding it pale and wide eyed. "V-Videl? Did you s-see the truck that h-hit me?"

Videl could only look at him and sputter. "T-tail..."

Gohan, slowly starting to come to, blinked. "Tail?" moving himself slightly, he looked down and saw a familiar brown furry appendage looking back at him. It grew back?

Inside his head, he heard Gray talking back to him. -I-It's probably grown back because you're body just went through copying itself down and remaking itself because of the dark seed. It must have recreated your normal body to make sure the copying went correctly.-

H-how'd you know all of that?

-Well...you see you're body from the outside in...I see it from the inside out...- Gray sighed.

Gohan winced slightly, feeling almost guilty. Uh...sorry.

Gray sighed again. -It's ok...don't worry about me...you got bigger things to worry about.-

Wrapping his tail back around his waist, Gohan tried to sit back up only to wince at pain shoot through his nerves. Videl, coming back to reality, caught him again. "G-Gohan, are you ok? You look like you're in pain."

Gohan did a mental once over of himself. "I-I think I'll be fine...just kinda tired at the moment." Smiling slightly back up at Videl, he chuckled nervously. Videl looked back down at him, smiling back. After all the things that had happened so quickly, his smile was reassuring.

Both of their heads jerked up at a sonic boom exploded not far away. With Videl's help, Gohan sat up to see Vegeta standing not far away from them watching as two golden auroras were locked in a punch with a white haired version of himself.

Squinting to get a clearer view, he quietly whispered to himself. "No way...it couldn't be..." Gohan's eyes then widened when he could see who the small aurora's were. "Goten and Trunks can all ready go Super?"

Videl, who was still helping Gohan sit up, blinked turning to him. "Super? Is that what you call that strange fighting style that made their hair change?"

Gohan blinked, remembering who was behind him. "Er...uh. Ya, it's my families secret fighting style..."

-Sorry...but you're a really bad at telling lies.-

You're not helping Gray...

-I said sorry...-

Videl then turned back to the fight, looking at Trunks. "So you're related to the Briefs?"

Wide eyed, Gohan turned to Videl. "You know that Vegeta and Trunks are Briefs? How?"

-She's smart...and pretty...and a good fighter...-

G-Gray! W-what are you talking about?

-I'm part of you...you shouldn't lie to yourself...-

You know...for a depressed person, you talk a lot.

-...sorry...-

Videl pointed a finger up, recalling the event. "I met Trunks when I picked up that guy that tried to break into Capsule Corp. Bulma called him her kid, and she mentioned her husband. Those two act a lot a like from what I've seen. They cross their hands and grin the same way."

Gohan blinked twice in amazement at Videl's expert observation. Damn. She's good.

-Told...ya...-

Grumbling to himself, Gohan struggled to stand up, supporting himself on Videl. Taking the hint, Videl slowly helped him up, finally holding him up on his feet with one arm wrapped around her neck and her arms around his waist to make sure he didn't fall back down.

Vegeta turned back and huffed as the two limped up to stand just behind him. "Look who's finally up. While you've been sleeping, we've been dealing with you're little problem here." Turning back to the fight, he grinned happily. It may not have been Kakarrot, but saving his son was almost as good.

Goten and Trunks on the other hand were not as happy about the situation. Jumping back from Darkon, they both were breathing heavily, while he was simply smiling back at them. Looking at each other they nodded, turning back to him, the kids smiled. "Time for Lazer Tag! Ready Goten?" Goten nodded. "Ready!"

Trunks held both his arms out, powering up two blue energy balls in each hand. "Buster..." Goten fell into position, holding both his arms back behind him. "Ka...me...ka...me...HA!" "Cannon!" In final unison, the two thrust their arms forward, sending two blue energy waves at their enemy.

Darkon smiled. His dark energy wrapped around him. Holding both his arms out, the dark energy concentrated into a wall. The blue energies hit the darkness, stopping dead in its tracks.

Both boys opened their mouths in shock. Trunks stuttered. "H-he stopped it!" Before either could react, Darkon thrust his arms forward, deflecting both attacks back at their senders. All the two small boys could do was cross their arms in front of them before the attacks hit them, sending them flying back into a snowy mountain. Goten fell forward after hitting the hard snow, landing face first. Trunks however was securely lodged into the icy mountain. Both lost their hold on super saiyan, their hair fading back to it's normal color.

Gohan grit his teeth together. This was his problem, and his little brother and friends were trying to deal with it for him. Unconsciously, he tightened his grip around Videl, to which she turned to head to look at him. He looked angry and upset. She could tell he felt responsible for whatever was going on.

Vegeta huffed. Damn kids need more training...when I was a child, I trained daily, I didn't get to have this peaceful life... "Look's like I'll have to clean up the mess. Should be over quickly."

Gohan looked at Vegeta, wanting to say that he would fight, but his body felt totally spent. I'd only make myself look like a fool. Best let Vegeta take care of it. He seems stronger than what Cell was at, so he should be able to take care of this guy. If his strength is the same as mine Vegeta would be the only one who could stop him.

-What are you talking about...you have more energy than that bully...-

Eh? But I thought he had the same as me.

-He does...so you two would be even if you fought alone...but I'm just as strong as he is...so you gained my energy too...-

Really? And it's ok if I used it?

-Well...it is yours technically...but it still might not work..sorry...I shouldn't have brought it up...-

No no no...if I can deal with this myself, we should fight together.

-Y-you mean you...want my help?-

Er...well, ya!

-B...but what if we lose?-

We have to try, don't we? Come on, we can do it!

-I...I don't know...-

Come on...please?

Gray was caught in between a rock and a hard place. He didn't want to let himself down by not helping, but he didn't think he could really help either...Slowly, he reached out with his hand. Gohan, somehow bringing a mental picture of himself back into his mind with Gray, reached out with his own hand to shake it. The instant their hands touched, Gohan's white energy and Gray's dark energy started to blend itself around their hands, creating a bubble of the ying and yang energies before collapsing in on itself, giving off a rather large silver light from the center.

-DBZ-

Vegeta happily smiled to himself. Had Gohan kept training after Cell, this would have been harder. But since Gohan had not, his copy was only just as strong as he was. Vegeta, who had been training ever since then, smiled to himself as he realized that he had surpassed Kakarrot's son.

The two were caught in a volley of punches and kicks at each other. Neither were trying, but Vegeta could tell he was stronger. Happily, he toyed with Darkon, his smirk growing bigger as the seconds past.

Just as Vegeta was starting to fall into a groove, a blinding light lit up from behind him. Darkon and Vegeta jumped back from each other, shielding their eyes while trying to figure out what was going on.

Videl closed her eyes, away from her left where Gohan was shining. "G-Gohan!"

Goten lifted his head just high enough to see over the snow. All he could see was a silver light shining from where Gohan had been moment's before. "B-big brother..."

Trunks also lifted his head to get a better view of the silver light. Squinting, he still couldn't make out anything.

After the light had been shining from Gohan for some time, an energy wave followed. It was intense, and was shaking the entire area. Some near by snow mountains crashed down on themselves. Videl hung onto Gohan's body, which she could only tell was still in the light because she could feel him.

Darkon dug his feet into the snow, trying to hold himself in place. The energy coming off of Gohan was creating a blinding wind. Everyone's eyes were wide.

Slowly the wind died down along with the light. A body, standing straight up now, was the source of the sudden energy burst. A silver energy surrounded the body, and it was still nearly blinding. Videl looked at who she was holding onto. It was Gohan still, but something had changed. As she squinted, she could make out a very serious face on him, something she had never seen before. His hair had somehow become even spikier and it had changed to silver. He had back pointy shoes, white baggy gi pants, and blue sashes around his waist and ankles. He had a black vest with silver trim, but it didn't cover much. Videl also notices his tail had come undone from his waist and was now behind him, and it had also changed to silver.

The silver Gohan turned to Videl, smiling. His voice sounded like two Gohan's were talking at the same time. "Hey Videl. Sorry to get you involved like this. I'll make sure it ends here."

Letting go of the stunned girl, he walked up till he was next to a wide eyed Vegeta. Vegeta had thought he had sensed incredible power before...but this took the cake. White lightning was cracking around the boys body, and somehow his cloths had even changed. Somehow the Son family had found something to make them stronger than him again, but he couldn't be mad...only in awe of the power coming from this teen.

The silver Gohan looked at Darkon, but spoke to Vegeta. "This is my problem...my battle with my own darkness. I hate to steal a fight from you Vegeta, but he's mine."

Vegeta could only nod. For a second he had thought about his own fight with his inner darkness and how he had to fight it alone, though it didn't come to this extreme. When the silver Gohan took a fighting stance, Vegeta's mind was pulled away from his thoughts as he slowly flew back and out of the way.

Darkon was also wide eyed. He had thought is own power was one of the best. It reminded him of when he had forced his own dark energy with Gohan's when he had been fighting Vegeta before the spit happened. Shaking off the momentary stun, Darkon shook his head. "Who are you? You done showing off?"

The silver Gohan grinned. "My name is Grahon. And I'm just getting started."

Author's Annotations:

Well, there's chapter 16. I'll be honest with everyone. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do this saga because...well, it's been done so many other times before. There's a lot of dark Gohan's and silver saiyans out there. Hopefully I did it in a unique enough way to make it ok. I hope I don't lose readers because of reusing these ideas. Anyway, please remember to review and tell me what you think!