~Tournament Saga~

Chapter 23 – Konkichi's Master Plan – The Power of the Shades

-Two Day's Ago-

Videl slowly sat down on a chair in her rather large kitchen while Erasa slowly circled around her. While poking her lips with a pair of scissors and debating how to go about this, the blond tried to push out as much info as she could. "So Videl, tell me again why you want to do this? I thought you always liked your hair like this."

Videl unconsciously balled her fists in anger at Gohan as she watched her friend. "I told you, I just feel like getting it cut short."

Erasa took a step back, sizing up Videl's head. "So you wont even tell me, your bestest friend since either of use could walk, why?"

Biting her lip, Videl shook her head. I don't even know why I'm doing this. That idiot only thinks about fighting!

Erasa giggled slightly, enjoying the torment she was putting her friend through. Taking out Videl's pig tails, she brushed her hair strait, getting it ready to be cut. "I guess you don't really have to tell me if you don't want to. I all ready know anyway." Videl's head shot around to her friend, to which Erasa winked. "Woman's intuition."

Videl's cheeks flushed a light red. Growling under her breath, she turned her head forward as Erasa went to work with her scissors. After a few moments of silence, Erasa continued her fun. "So he likes short hair on girls then?"

"No, he said long hair gets in the way of fighting, and other fighters could pull it." Videl's words sounded like poison to everyone, everyone except Erasa who caught a tint of sadness in her voice.

Erasa's eyes softened as she cut her friends hair. "You know, that could just be an excuse too." Videl's eyes went up to meet Erasa's with a questioning look. "What do you mean?"

"Awww, come on Videl. You've had just as many boys go after you as I have and you still can't tell when its a guys first time trying to hit on you? They're all nervous and self-conscious, its so cute!"

Videl looked at the floor for a long time before answering back. Could that be it? "Well, he's still a jerk..."

Erasa giggled again, picking up that as code for "maybe you're right". "Well, I'm done with your hair Videl!"

Videl got up off the chair as Erasa held up a large mirror for her to see herself with. "Oh Videl! I like this new look a lot!"

Videl looked into the mirror, running her fingers through her new short hair. Her voice went quiet, almost a whisper as she answered back. Her hair had been in pigtails for so long, it was strange to see herself with any other kind of hair style. "Ya...I like it too.."

Erasa giggled, taking that as code for "hopefully Gohan will like it too". Smiling the blond hugged Videl. "Ohhh! I cant wait for school now!"

-One Day Ago-

After class, Videl and Erasa meet by there lockers. Smiling brightly, Erasa hugged her friend. "Did you see the way he looked at you Videl! He loved the new hair style!"

Videl reluctantly hugged back, forcibly holding back her blush. "He didn't even say anything! He just pushed his head into one of his books." Videl crossed her hands and looked extremely angry, but Erasa picked up on how upset she was about it.

"Didn't you see his face when he saw you? He about had a heart attack! He's just shy, give him time and he'll say something about it. Trust me!"

Keeping her hands crossed, Videl glared down at the floor away from her friend grumbling something. Smiling, Erasa reached into her locker and started to put stuff away. "Anyway, I have to go home and get ready for a date tonight."

Videl happily went along with the change of topic. "Who are ya going with?" Turning to her own locker, she put away stuff as well getting ready to go home and train.

Erasa looked at herself in a tiny mirror on the inside of the locker door. "I'm going with that guy on the boxing team. His name is Max, you know, the one with brownish hair and always sits 3 rows behind us in History Class?"

Videl nodded. "Ah, ya. I know who you're talking about. Well, have fun."

Erasa smiled back. "You bet!"

-Now-

A cold sweat covered Videl as she read the text from Erasa. Her body started to shake. Gripping the boy by the collar, she lifted him to be face to face with herself. "What happened?"

The boy coughed, still struggling for air. Gohan tried to hold him up as carefully as possible, not wanting to hurt the boy more than he all ready was. "Uh, Videl, we got to get this guy to a hospital. He might have a broken rib-"

Videl's eyes never left the boys face. "Tell me where she is!" Her face was full of anger and worry.

Her grip tightened, the boy's face twisting in pain. Forcing the air through his throat, he choked out the words. "W-we were all together last night. Th...the boxing club had a p-party last night. Everyone w-was walking to that n...new pizza joint down town when they...they jumped us. Th-they all had brass knuckles or pipes...they took them all out...they let me go to deliv-deliver this..."

The boy forced up his right hand from his side, opening it. A small crumpled piece of paper spotted with blood relieved itself. Videl let the boy go, taking it from the boys hand and unfolded it.

Videl's hands shook with anger and fear as she read the note out loud. "If you want your girl back Sharpner, meet us at the construction site on the north side of town. If you're not there by 7 pm, you'll never see her again."

At that moment a green fox swiped the note from Videl's hands and finished reading it. "Signed Viper." Konkichi looked at the three students before him. After a moment of thinking, he turned to Videl. "Take Max to the hospital. I need to talk to Gohan for a while."

Videl glared in protest, her anger making her entire body shake. "Like hell I'm going to do that! Erasa's in trouble and I'm going to save her right now!"

Konkichi never flinched or backed down. "I'm asking you as a person who understands what its like to have someone you care about held captive. But unlike me and my parents, you can still save Erasa. So please do as I ask."

Videl growled, turning to the wounded Max. Taking him over her shoulder, she looked up to Konkichi. "As soon as this guys in the hospital, I'm going there. Got it!"

Konkichi nodded, then turning to Gohan as Videl walked off more or less dragging Max behind her. Gohan watched Videl walk away for a while before turning to his teacher. "So, what do you want with me?"

"This Viper guy is an ex-student of Satan Academy. We lost to them last year when we fought them, but in the individual match, Sharpner was able to beat Viper. Because he lost the match, Viper lost the chance to get a scholarship. From what I've heard, he went crazy after that and got kicked out. He's no pushover for someone like you or Videl, but this is Sharpner's fight. Anyway, follow me." Konkichi turned and at a quick pace walked back into school.

Gohan quickly followed after. Konkichi turned to face Gohan just as they got to the door to the Boxing Club. "Ready?"

Gohan blinked. "For what?"

Without answering, Konkichi opened the door and walked in. Gohan looked in, seeing that the last person there was Sharpner, who was still working out. Konkichi walked up to him and held out his hand with the note inside it. Sharpner stopped what he was doing and looked at the note. After Konkichi gestured for him to read it, Sharpner picked up the piece of paper and started to read it. Not a moment later, he dropped the note and shot towards the doorway.

Konkichi turned and yelled at Gohan. "Stop him!"

Gohan reacted, standing in front of the doorway. Sharpner tried as best as he could to push or squeeze past him, but it was to no avail. Konkichi walked up behind Sharpner and put his hand on his shoulder. "Just give me a second and then you two will go together and meet up with Videl."

Sharpner finally stopped struggling. "But, Erasa's in trouble! We have to go now!"

Konkichi looked from Sharpner to Gohan and back again. "So you're just gonna charge in head long at a crazy person who would have no troubles with killing you?"

Sharpner ground his teeth together. "I have to do something though!"

Konkichi smiled slightly. "That's why Gohan's going with you to make sure no one gets hurt."

Sharpner and Gohan both looked at their coach confused. Sharpner was the first to speak. "I know Gohan's strong, but how would he be able to make sure that we were safe? Wouldn't that be Videl's job?"

Gohan quietly looked at Konkichi while his teacher looked back at him. What's he gonna say?

Konkichi turned around and walked over to his suitcase and opened it. "Gohan is a lot stronger than Videl. And I mean a lot stronger."

Gohan could feel the sweat growing on his forehead, but for the life of himself he couldn't force himself to move. Sharpner however turned to face Gohan while continuing the the conversation with Konkichi. "You serious?"

Konkichi smiled almost evilly. "Remember that video of the Cell games I showed the class the other day?" Both of the boys nodded slowly. "Well, that part where they almost said the Delivery Boys' name and I sneezed? I just taped and recorded over the sound."

Both Gohan's and Sharpner's eyes widened. Gohan could feel his breath quicken. That means he knows it was me!

Even though it seemed impossible, the fox's smile grew even bigger. "I figured Gohan didn't want the credit for beating Cell if he hadn't claimed it already so I figured I'd respect your wishes and not let anyone know I knew."

Sharpner turned around to face Gohan and took some steps back. "YOU BEAT CELL?"

Gohan finally came back to reality, waving his hands in front of himself. "Quiet! Someone might hear you!"

Sharpner's mouth was as big as it could get, stunned that his friend was THE delivery boy. "B-b-but how! Why, I mean..."

Konkichi shuffled through his stuff in his suit case. "Gohan is the son of Goku, the guy who saved me. So that's how he's so strong. It runs in his family."

Sharpner's eyes somehow got even bigger. "You're the son of GOKU? The legendary GOKU!"

Gohan smiled nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "Well...ya I am. But please don't tell anyone, ok?"

Sharpner was to stunned to speak while Gohan just chuckled nervously. Konkichi finally found what he was looking for in his suit case and looked up to Gohan with that same evil smile. "Ready?"

-DBZ-

Videl, after dropping Max off at the hospital, quickly made her way to the location where Erasa was supposed to be being held. If even one hair is out of place on Erasa, I'll beat them within an inch of their lives! Taking the final turn, she started could see construction cite across the street from her. As she ran across the street, she noticed two other guys running towards the entrance to the cite as well. She recognized one of them as Sharpner, but the second one looked strange. He looked familiar, but she couldn't place it.

The guy had normal jean pants, a black leather jacket over a white shirt, a pair of shades on his face, and spiky hair. He looks so familiar...who is he? That hair looks so familiar...wait, Gohan?

Videl meet up with the two guys just as they arrived at the entrance to the construction site. The workers had long sense gone home, so the area was relatively quiet. Gohan smiled, waving to Videl as she ran up to him and Sharpner. "Hey Videl, ready?"

Videl just looked at this new Gohan, unable to speak. Sharpner poked Videl, bringing her back. "He sure looks weird, doesn't he?"

Videl nodded. "What happened?"

Gohan looked down at his new attire. "Well, Konkichi said that I should try this out. He said it makes me look a little tougher I guess? I don't really see the difference."

Videl blinked, still in shock. "Well, you definitely look different." Sharpner chuckled. "We'll make a man out of him yet. Now, just act like Coach Konkichi told you and everything will be fine."

"So it was Konkichi who gave you this stuff?" Videl looked questioningly at the boys.

"Well, the white shirt and pants are Sharpners. We stopped at his house before we came here. But I did get the leather jacket and sunglasses from Konkichi, ya."

Sharpner nodded. "And he told Gohan to act just like he did vs Cell, just without the strength level to kill people. Can you believe that Gohan fought vs Cell?"

Videl quickly turned to Gohan. "You told him?" Gohan chuckled nervously. "Well, no. Konkichi told him."

Sharpner started to walk into the construction site. "Well, lets get going. It's almost 7pm."

Both Videl and Gohan nodded, following after Sharpner. All their faces were serious as they made their way towards a group of people in the middle of the area.

Erasa, who had her hands and legs bound together, perked up when her three friends walked into view. She had a few scrapes on her, but nothing serious. "About time you got here! Hurry up and beat these punks so I can go home!" Videl and Sharpner were about to burst at the seems none the less, seeing their close friend bound up and hurt, but her words.

A man stood up in front of Erasa at that point. "Sharpner! I was beginning to think you weren't gonna show.." The grin was cold, but the trio didn't back down in the slightest.

Sharpner ground his teeth together. "Viper..."

Viper chuckled. "I recognize that you brought the hero Videl with you. Tch, you called the cops?"

Videl balled her fists together, her anger about to reach the tipping point. "Get ready to get the beating of a lifetime punk!"

Viper just continued to chuckle, turning to Gohan. "I don't recognize this guy, and all the guys in the boxing club besides yourself Sharpner are in the hospital."

Gohan stepped forward, his face looking like it was Cell in front of him instead of this Viper guy. He was angry, and his facial features looked as if they were in super saiyan mode. "My names Gohan, a friend of Erasa. Why don't you just give her to us and we'll just be on our way. No one needs to get hurt."

Viper and the rest of his gang behind him laughed nearly to tears. Viper slowly calmed down, waving his hand towards himself. Out of the darkness of the construction cite, more of the gang members emerged, surrounding the three. "Since I got kicked out of school, I've done pretty well with myself, wouldn't you say?"

The three backed up to one another. Gohan whispered to the others. "Our first priority should be to get Erasa. Videl, I'll handle the goons, you can fight your way to her, and Sharpner...you take on Viper. Sound good?"

Both Sharpner and Videl nodded. "Ready? Now!"

Gohan and Sharpner shot towards Viper and the few goons in front of Erasa. Viper smiled, charging in towards Sharpner, his gang following behind him. Just as thew two were going to meet, Videl jumped off Gohan's shoulders, launching herself into the air over the others. As many of the gang members looked up to Videl, Gohan moved as slowly as he could, chopping each person in the neck, knocking them out. Sharpner and Viper locked hands with each other, trying to push the other back.

Videl twisted herself midair, kicking her leg out. As she came down she kicked one of the gang members next to Erasa, and quickly punched the next. As both bodies fell to the ground, Videl quickly undid the ropes binding Erasa, freeing her.

Erasa stood up, rubbing her hands where the tight ropes had been. "Thanks Videl. I owe ya for this."

Videl smiled. "Now's not the time, I think I see more goons coming out to try and fight! Stay behind me Erasa!"

Erasa nodded. "Right." Getting behind her friend, Erasa watched as more people ran to join the fight. Videl took a deffencive stance and started to fight her way towards Gohan. Gohan at that point was trying to take out as many people who had weapons as possible, but they just kept coming. Noticing Videl had Erasa, Gohan started to fight his way towards the two. Sharpner was still locked with Viper, trying to force him back. "If you wanted to fight me, you should have just came to me! Not this round about bull shit!"

Viper grunted, trying with all his might to push Sharpner back. "I wanted you too feel how I feel. To have what's important to you take from you!" Viper lifted one of his feet off the ground and planted it into Sharpner's stomach. Sharpner gasped for air, letting go of Viper to hold his own stomach. Not waiting, Viper wound up and thrust another punch into Sharpner's face. Sharpner wheeled back, until he finally fell to the the ground, holding his wounds.

Erasa gasped as Sharpner fell to the ground. Turning to her two friends that were fending off gang members as they came at them, she pleaded. "Someone has to go help Sharpner! He needs help."

Gohan looked from Erasa to Videl. Come one Sharpner, you can win this! We have to protect Erasa.

Sharpner slowly stood up, still holding his wounds that all ready were starting to bruise. "What was that? A love tap? Please, you went crazy just cause I beat you. Learn how to take a lose with some pride!"

Sharpner charged in, dodging one of Viper's punches and pulled his fist up, landing an uppercut to Viper's face with everything he had. Viper's jaw buckled under the force of the punch as his feet left the air. As his body came crashing back down into the ground, he lost consciousness, passing out after only one punch.

Behind Sharpner, a gang member with a metal pipe snuck up behind him. No one noticed however except Erasa cause they had their own things to worry about.

Videl turned back to make sure Erasa was still ok, but she wasn't between her and Gohan. Twisting her head around quick, trying to find her, she couldn't. Panic started to take over. Did someone grab her while I wasn't looking? Where is Erasa? Where is she!

Videl, Gohan, and Sharpner all turned away from their current fights when they heard an extra loud sound of a foot hitting something. There Erasa was, landing a pretty solid kick to the face of the goon who had tried to sneak up on Sharpner.

With slightly wide eyes, they watched Erasa land and push some of her hair out of her face with a huff. When she noticed her friends looking at her, she shrugged with a devious smile. "What? You don't become best friends with Videl Satan without her teaching you something about how to fight."

Still in shock, Sharpner and Gohan turned to Videl. "Well...when Erasa started dating a lot of guys and going out a lot, I convinced her to take a few fighting lessons with me for self defense. I never thought she payed much attention though."

The four friends gathered together into the middle of a circle in the middle of what was left of Viper's gang. Back to back, the four of them looked at the situation. Erasa was the first to speak. "Hey Gohan, Sharpner, thanks for coming to get me."

Gohan twisted his head to see her and smiled. "No problem." Sharpner also smiled towards Erasa. "Of course we'd come to save you, but from the looks of that kick, did we really even need to do that?"

Videl smiled. "And here I thought you only went to those self defense lessons cause you thought the instructor was dreamy."

Erasa giggled. "Oh please. Anyway, Gohan, I'm loving the new look! What's up? You get all dressed up to save me?"

Gohan adjusted his shades. "Well, Konkichi said that if I came here with my normal cloths, they'd all die laughing before we had a chance to fight them...are my cloths really that funny looking?"

Both the girls tried there best not to laugh, but Sharpner couldn't hold it back. "Dude, you are the living and breathing definition of book nerd with your normal cloths."

Gohan chuckled. "Well, forgive me if I don't want people to be looking at me because of my muscles. If I did I'd dress like you."

"Oh ya? Well, if you got it, show it off. That's what I always say. But even you can look cool with the right cloths."

Gohan nodded, pointing to his sun glasses. "Konkichi told me that these shades had the power to make anyone cool. Ya think so?"

Sharpner started to chuckle again. "Well, even that's a little out of style, but hey. There's nothing like a classic."

At that moment, the remaining members of the gang worked up the courage and charged in towards the four. All four of them smiled, running out to meet their attackers head on.

-DBZ-

A green fox sitting on a beam in the construction site looked down at the four fighters as they finished off the last of the gang members. With a smile, he stood up. Those four really did well today. Gohan and Videl obviously are the ones that will go far, but Sharpner and Erasa aren't going to be left behind if they can do anything about it.

Jumping down, Konkichi took one last look at them before he started to walk down the street towards the setting sun, his job completed.