Lesson #12: Final Test

Videl quietly meditated in the campsite, feeling her chi flow throughout her entire body. When she had been separated from Gohan she had felt lonely in a way that none of the other students could help. She had made brief contact with Erasa but she had left before anybody else could see her. She was also proud to know that she was the only one who was capable of flying, a fact which could prove very useful in today's challenge.

On her own, she had survived quite well, having tracked small animals and such with her ki. Every now and again she would feel Gohan working away at something but knew better than to interfere. After all, today was the day when everyone got together for their final test. Opening her eyes, Videl decided that now was the time to prepare herself as she sensed several groups of people collaborating together in one area. Deciding to walk rather than fly, Videl began her trek through the forest towards the gathering.

"Welcome everyone," announced Bulma as the last of the students arrived. Videl blended in with the crowd, trying to spot Gohan at the front of the pack standing near Bulma. While she couldn't see him it was troubling that she couldn't sense his presence anywhere nearby either. The one major difference she did take notice of was the ominous path in between a group of trees. It could have been her imagination but she never remembered a path like that one last time she was here.

"Over the past week you have learnt how to use and manipulate chi, a skill which even I do not possess," addressed Bulma. "Now it is time for your final challenge; the path behind me has been man made by none other than Gohan. The objective of the contest is to make your way to the end of the path where you will find Gohan. There are several paths you can take and Gohan has made various chi and basic survival traps across the forest to test your abilities. Your objective is to find him and take the object which he is protecting."

"How can Gohan have set chi traps?" one of the students asked. "He didn't come to any of the lessons."

"That is because Gohan is at a level that you will be unable to comprehend, your objective remember is to get the thing which he is protecting. That means that if are unable to sneak past or trick him him, you may have to confront him head on. He will also be roaming the forest on his own; those who are to injured to continue forth will be brought back here, just send a ball of energy into the air to signify your forfeit. There are no rules; you may obtain the object with whatever means necessary with as many people you see fit."

"What's the prize that Gohan is guarding?" asked Erasa.

Bulma smiled a cheeky smile. "Two hundred thousand zeni."

That's crap loads, thought Videl as people began to murmur between one another. I could buy the best jet copter on the market and then have some left over to upgrade it to my liking. Although I can fly now, so I don't really need one. Now that I think about it, you could almost get a small house with that kind of money, a small two bedroom house. To think I would be able to afford to move out, I wouldn't have to live with my dad and all his floozies anymore.

"Without further ado, BEGIN!" shouted Bulma as Trunks and Goten fired synchronised blasts into the sky causing a loud explosion. With that signal, the students charged forth, each seeking the riches for their own purposes. Erasa looked around desperately for somebody to link up with but both Videl and Sharpner had already disappeared.

...

Bianca, Abby and a few other girls had banded together, planning on splitting the money between them. They had broken off from the main group and travelled down a side path. They ran as fast as they could, they could almost smell the money at the end of the path, and after all, how could Gohan withstand the attack of five girls who would obtain enough money for a shopping spree and a half. They came to a clearing and stopped as a ki ball exploded in front of them. They tried to back up a bit but another blast exploded from beside them. They looked around frantically, Gohan was around there somewhere but they just didn't know where. From above, Gohan had a perfect view as he used his ki blasts to push the girls right over his pitfall trap. The girls all squealed as they dropped several metres as Gohan landed next to it. He looked down the hole at the girls and smirked as they screamed insults at him. With a quick wave, Gohan walked away to find his next lot of victims.

...

Mark and Andrew sprinted along the path side by side. They had taken the path which they had thought would be the best to take and had abandoned the rest of the group. While they weren't exactly the best of friends they knew that they may have need of one another's abilities somewhere down the track, especially if they had to confront Gohan. They had heard several screams across the forest and they increased their speed. Andrew gave a yelp of surprise as his foot got caught in a simple rope trap which now hung him from his ankle several feet off the ground.

Mark looked at his partner, contemplating leaving him there, after all, every second wasted gave someone else the chance to claim the reward. Making his decision, Mark abandoned his partner and ran down the path. "You bastard," shouted Andrew just before Mark sprung another rope trap which left him in an identical situation. "Serves you right," muttered Andrew before being on the receiving end of Mark's ki blast.

...

Videl ran past what seemed like the tenth group which had fallen into a trap of some form or another. These people really are blind, she thought as she recalled some of the traps she had passed from the simple pitfall trap to some bizarre cage like objects which fell from trees. A blast erupted from the trees and only by her quick reflexes was she able to avoid it. She took a fighting stance as she looked to where the blast had come from, feeling a strong enemy concealed there, his ki too impure to be Gohan.

"I wondered when you would get here Videl," said Sharpner smoothly as he stepped out of the forest.

"What do you want Sharpner?" threatened Videl as she got into the fighting stance she had mastered in Gohan's absence.

"What do I want Videl? What I've always wanted," he said walking towards her. Videl noticed that there was something wrong with him, something unstable. "How many times have I tried to make my move only to end up on the receiving end of one of your hits? Then along comes freaking mountain boy the nerd and suddenly you run off with him. How do you think that makes me feel Videl!" he exclaimed before shooting a ki blast from close range.

Videl barely managed to dodge the blast as she rolled to the side to be greeted by Sharpner's foot. Even though she had successfully blocked the blow she had been knocked back a couple of feet. "C'mon Videl, what's the matter?" Sharpner taunted as he fired several blasts at Videl. Videl was very quickly finding herself on the defensive as she blocked and avoided the airborne attacks. Spotting an opening, Videl rushed forward and threw a punch at Sharpner's face only for Sharpner to grab her wrist as if it was nothing. Videl smirked however as she opened her palm and blasted Sharpner directly in the face. Videl tugged her arm free as she expected Sharpner's body to collapse to the ground but when he failed to move an inch she got worried.

"I thought you were better than this Videl," said Sharpner as the smoke cleared. "I guess if I defeat your father than you have no say in whether or not you go out with me; after all you need someone strong like me to protect you from dangerous mountain boys. After all, after living in the mountains Gohan is nothing more than a filthy monkey."

Videl snapped, how dare he insult Gohan like that! The man who had looked after her and taught her everything that she knew; now she was going to make her teacher proud. Summoning two glowing balls of energy in her hands she tossed them at Sharpner with all her force. The blasts spiralled around one another in a spectacular dance before exploding before it reached Sharpner creating a large pillar of smoke. Using the smoke to her advantage, Videl flew into the air where she knew she was safe.

"That was a good trick Videl," said a cold voice from behind which caused Videl to freeze in midair. Slowly she turned around only to feel Sharpner's fist embed itself within her cheek. Videl cried in pain as she dropped through the air towards the ground, only to pull up at the last second. Her feet touched the ground and she sensed out for Sharpner. Realising where he was she ducked to avoid the kick flying overhead. "Impressive Videl," Sharpner mocked as he axe kicked the ground where Videl had been not a moment earlier.

"Sharpner you don't have to do this," said Videl as she tried to get him to calm down. However this statement only seemed to infuriate him even more.

"You didn't have to continuously reject me but you did anyway. Do you know how that feels, the cold sense of rejection and then the hurtful laughs which come afterwards? Apparently I have to do this to regain my pride and once you're mine everything will go back to the way it should be!"

"It won't be like that because I'm in love with someone else," shouted Videl a little too loudly for her liking.

Sharpner took a few steps back; this had shocked him to the core. Then he came to a realisation and laughed. "You're lying. You're Videl Satan; you've never liked a man in your life."

"You're in denial Sharpner, I love Gohan and nothing you do will make me change my mind." Little did Videl know but Gohan had emerged on the scene after taking care of the last lot of people and was currently listening to the conversation hidden behind a tree.

"You're in love with that loser?" Sharpner exclaimed.

"Why do you think I spent so much time trying to figure him out? I wanted to know everything about him and now that I do there isn't a day I want to spend without him." Videl could hardly believe what she was saying but she knew it was the truth.

"NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! That's not how it's meant to be! You're meant to love me, one of the strongest guys in school not some book nerd who resides in the middle of nowhere." Frustrated Sharpner fired a large blast at Videl who could only watch as the giant ball of energy moved towards her. An explosion rang out throughout the forest and smoke billowed from the trees as the blast connected.

...

For those of you who have waited patiently for the conclusion of this story I am proud to announce that it is almost upon us. Please review and I'll try to update soon but I can't make any promises.