Erasa jolted awake to the blaring alarm, a harsh reminder of the new reality she faced. After silencing the intrusive sound, she found herself lying in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Time seemed to stretch endlessly, and this monotonous routine had persisted for the past three months.
The origin of her profound despair traced back to the cataclysmic events unleashed by Buu, wreaking havoc on Earth and claiming countless lives, including her own. She vividly recalled the surreal moment when a bright pink light pierced through the ceiling, obliterating Sharpener as he hid beside her, only to be followed by an eerie void. Miraculously, she awoke amid the ruins of the same building, the once-deceased boy inexplicably alive beside her.
Videl and Gohan eventually discovered them, and in a heartfelt reunion, Videl's embrace was so intense that Erasa could barely utter a plea to be released. The revelation that Buu had been vanquished and the Dragon Balls used for their resurrection was staggering, yet it paled in comparison to the hope that flickered within Erasa—a hope that her family, who were killedduring her absence on Papaya Island, might still be alive.
Days of agonizing anticipation followed as she waited for the city officials to complete the tally of the resurrected, but her family's absence persisted, casting a shadow over her fragile optimism.
"You said everyone killed by Buu was revived?" Erasa demanded, poking a finger into the retreating Gohan. "Where are my family?"
"Maybe they weren't in Hercule City when Buu killed everyone," Videl suggested while trying to calm her friend.
Gohan called for Goku and requested that Erasa go to Dende to find her family. Goku took Erasa, along with Videl and Gohan to the lookout, and unfortunately for Erasa, the news did not improve.
She told Dende the names of her father, mother and little brother, and to her devastation, Dende told her they were resurrected.
"What are you talking about? Everyone else came back, why not them?"
Dende looked at her with, mouth agape, struggling to say what needed to be said. So Gohan had to step in.
"Erasa… where your family killed by Cell?"
"My little brother wasn't even born when Cell was killing people," Erasa responded immediately.
"Erasa," Videl frowned.
Erasa hated speaking about the Cell Games, but she had to answer Gohan's question if she wanted answers. "My mom was in Nicky Town when Cell killed everyone."
Gohan's expression turned grim at the revelation. "What about your dad and brother?"
"She was pregnant with my brother and visiting my aunt. My dad stayed in Hercule City with me when it happened."
Erasa looked around and found that Videl was the only person who was as confused as she was. When she first saw Goku at the tournament he was all smiles and cheery, but his expression was stone faced and dour.
"Dad," Gohan said.
Goku took a deep breath and sighed. "We only used the dragon balls two other times to resurrect a lot of people," Goku began. "Was your father a fighter at any World Martial Arts Tournament?"
"No, my dad's an accountant," Erasa answered.
"And he wasn't in Central City when King Piccolo tried to take over the world?"
"I don't think he was. He says he never left East City until we left for Hercule City."
"East City? Were you in East City 12 years ago?" Gohan asked in a panic.
"Yeah, we but moved to Hercule City at the beginning of Age 763," Erasa answered, her dread growing and her heart inching further toward despair.
"Was your dad in East City on November 3rd Age 762?" Gohan asked.
"I think so. That's around my Aunts birthday. My dad didn't like her so he stayed behind when we went to Nicky Town to celebrate."
"That's the day that Vegeta—" Gohan began.
"Yeah," Goku finished. "There's no easy way to say this, but your family is never coming back. The Dragon Balls can only resurrect you once."
"But my dad didn't die when the meteor hit East City. He was found in the rubble on Christmas eve. The news said it was a miracle."
"No—it may have seemed like a miracle, but your dad was killed. Nothing could have survived what happened that day."
"You're lying!" Erasa shouted, punching Goku in the chest. "You're lying!"
"I'm sorry," Goku said.
Erasa continued pounding at Goku's chest until her fists were numb, and Goku let her vent. This time she broke into tears. The weight of grief pressed down on her chest as she grappled with the devastating reality that her entire family was gone, forever out of reach. The memories of shared laughter, comforting embraces, and the warmth of familial love echoed hauntingly in her mind.
The months passed by, and gradually, the weight of Goku's truth sank in—the harsh reality that she was now truly alone. Tears streamed down her face, carving a path through the dust of sorrow that clung to her cheeks. The void left by their absence seemed insurmountable, and the crushing realization that she could never see their faces or hear their voices again bore heavily on her fragile heart. This had become her new morning routine, and its soul-crushing weight persisted with each passing day.
The bell rang, signaling the end of History class and the onset of lunch. Erasa, distancing herself from Videl, Gohan, and Sharpener, sat at the back of the class. Quietly slipping out through the room's back entrance, she retreated to a secluded space, away from prying eyes.
Gohan guided Videl to the roof, while Sharpener headed to the gym for more boxing training. Once atop the roof, frustration gripped Videl, and she let out a sigh that echoed her concern.
"How much longer is she going to be like this?" Videl exclaimed, her frustration manifesting in a forceful punch that tore through the metal fence, scattering perched birds into flight.
"Give her more time. She's going through a lot," Gohan offered, attempting to temper Videl's growing anxiety.
"I know, but... she's all alone. She won't talk to me, and I'm worried about her."
"I am too."
Videl persisted, her concern etched in each word, "Are you sure there isn't a way to bring her family back?" No matter how many times she asked, Gohan's response remained unchanged.
Videl's worry for Erasa gnawed at her with each passing day, a helpless ache in her chest. Seeing her friend navigate the depths of grief was a torment, and the powerlessness to alleviate Erasa's pain weighed heavily on Videl's shoulders.
"I'm sorry, Videl, but no. With Namek destroyed and their dragon balls gone, there's no way to bring her family back," Gohan said, pulling Videl in close and tenderly kissing the top of her forehead. "Believe me, when my dad died again, that was the one thing I wanted more than anything."
"I hate seeing her like this, Gohan. It's tearing me apart that there's nothing I can do to help her," Videl admitted, the weight of Erasa's struggle weighing heavily upon her.
"You won't lose her. Like my dad always says, things have a way of working themselves out. When she's ready to reach out to us, we'll be there for her," Gohan reassured, gently massaging Videl's back while they embraced.
Suddenly, Gohan felt an immense pressure weigh on his body that almost left him breathless. He glanced in the Lookout's direction, realising he had felt this pressure before.
"What's wrong Gohan?"
"I think he's back."
Videl still couldn't quite sense energy, so she could not feel what Gohan felt, but nonetheless she had grown to trust the half-saiyan.
"Tai?"
"Yeah. Wanna come with me to the Lookout?"
"I'd only slow you down. I'll cover for you with the teachers," Videl offered, before planting a kiss on Gohan's lips that left him blushing.
"Are you sure you don't want me to drop you off in Hercule City?" Whis asked.
"Yes, I'm sure. I know you just want an excuse to try the food," Tai replied, rolling his eyes.
"I won't pretend that's not true," Whis giggled.
"Try the food at the base of Korin's tower. The surrounding villages have great fish and deer dishes," Tai suggested, his stomach rumbling slightly.
"Sounds like you want some too."
Tai ignored the stomach rumbling and smirked as 2 of the 3 largest energy signatures on the planet were heading towards him. Then the third power level appeared right next to Tai sporting his usual grin.
"That didn't take very long," Whis began.
"What didn't take long," Goku said.
"Kakarot," Tai acknowledged. "You're not wearing your typical Gi."
Goku's current Gi was similar to his usual appearance, but this one had a blue top and yellow bottoms. "Yeah, Chi-Chi said I need to stop dressing like it's 757 and gave me this stuff"
Tai rolled his eyes and turned to face the incoming power levels. A full speed it didn't take long for Vegeta, then Gohan to show up to the Lookout.
Vegeta's smirk played across his face. "So, you've finally decided to show your face. I was starting to think you were going to run away," he taunted.
Tai, unfazed, shot back, "I'm not one to run away from anything."
Vegeta's eyes narrowed, his focus now honed on Tai. "Tell that to Bulma."
An irritated scowl crept onto Tai's face, his silence serving as an unspoken acknowledgment.
"Did you come here as her errand boy?" Tai's voice carried a disdainful edge.
Vegeta met Tai's gaze squarely, a flicker of defiance in his eyes, "Watch your mouth, Boy!" Vegeta shouted, his Saiyan pride flaring, causing Tai to instinctively take a step back. Whis, sensing the escalating tension, swiftly positioned his staff between them, seeking to defuse the situation.
Turning his attention away from Vegeta, Whis asked, "How did you know to find us here?"
Goku, ever nonchalant, chimed in, "I felt this massive pressure. But, I couldn't sense where it came from, so I wanted Dende's for help in tracking it down."
Goku circled Whis, scrutinizing the angel and absorbing every detail. "You don't look that strong," Goku remarked.
"Dad!" Gohan groaned.
"What? He doesn't," Goku defended his observation.
"Remember what Elder Supreme Kai told us. He's even stronger than Tai."
"I know, but he doesn't give off the same vibe as Tai."
Whis smiled knowingly as Tai scoffed. "That's the problem. The fact you can feel anything about me means I'm doing it wrong."
Seeking to divert attention, Tai extended his senses to the people of Earth, once again feeling the planet brimming with life. "I see you've resurrected everyone killed by Buu."
"Not really. The Dragon Balls can only bring you back once. Everyone that Cell killed is gone for good," Goku explained. Vegeta's face darkened at the reminder, and he turned his back on the group. Those he killed while under Babadi's influence were dead for good as well.
"Then it's a good thing that I stopped Buu from killing Cueball," Tai said.
Dende chose this moment to interject himself into the conversation, tapping his staff against the Lookout's tiles. "I'm sorry, Guardian; we forgot to greet you," Whis smiled.
"That's okay," Dende replied, though his eyes lingered on Tai with a mix of curiosity and wariness. "What's going on this time?"
"You'll be happy to know, I'm staying indefinitely," Tai smirked, his tone suggesting a subtle challenge.
"Awesome," Dende droned sarcastically. "But since everyone knows you're back now, you can stay down there with them and away from me."
Dende breathed a sigh of relief, as if avoiding further complications. Tai's eyes widened like saucepans, realizing he hadn't considered the possibility that Dende might not permit him to stay on the Lookout. This revelation left him with only two alternatives: Capsule Corp and Goku's place. Before Tai could voice his thoughts, Gohan chimed in, offering an unexpected solution.
"Mom will lose it if she has to cook for four Saiyans. She's already struggling with me, my dad, and Goten."
Vegeta couldn't help but find amusement in the situation, fully aware of the logistical challenges Tai must be contemplating. "I'll tell the woman to have dinner ready for one more," he chuckled, a sly grin playing on his face.
Soon after, Whis made the decision to depart for Beerus' planet, marking the end of his presence on Earth. However, Goku and Vegeta seized the opportunity to request further training from the formidable angel. Their plea was met with a swift rejection, and Whis left abruptly. Unfazed by the denial, Tai opted not to follow Vegeta to Capsule Corp, choosing instead to accompany Gohan back to Hercule City.
The familiar rush of air past his ears, the sensation of high-speed flight, was a stark contrast to the serene environment of Beerus' world. They narrowly avoided colliding with a pack of pterodactyls, their squawks providing a lively soundtrack to the journey. Despite the unexpected avian encounter, Tai relished the feeling of the Earth's open skies and the crispness of its air.
"You know you have to see her eventually, right?" Gohan shouted over the rushing wind.
"Gohan!"
"I'm just saying. Vegeta has definitely told her, and the longer you make Bulma wait, the angrier she's going to be."
"I'll deal with it as it comes," Tai replied, and those were the last words exchanged during their flight.
The pair descended into Hercule City, a place marked by its tumultuous history. This had been one of the last cities that Buu had wreaked havoc upon before transforming into Super Buu. The memory of destruction lingered, with Buu's capricious nap, allowing Hercule the time to befriend the Majin, sparing Orange Star High but leaving much of the surrounding city in ruins. Surprisingly, the buildings defended by protestors had weathered Buu's rampage relatively unscathed, standing as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of chaos.
They touched down on the rooftop where Gohan had left Videl, only to find her absent. Instead, their eyes fell upon Erasa, reclining in the rooftop garden, her gaze fixed on the drifting clouds.
Gohan approached her with a casual tone, "Hey, Erasa, don't we have physics right now?"
"I guess you'd better get going, Mr. Saiyaman," she retorted, brushing Gohan away with a dismissive gesture.
Tai couldn't help but do a double take at Erasa's flippant attitude toward Gohan, someone she had almost swooned over the last time Tai had seen her. "What's wrong with you?" he demanded.
Erasa jerked upright at the sound of Tai's voice, her assumption that the two figures in the sky were Gohan and Videl shattered. As she removed her hoodie, a curtain of unkempt, shaggy blonde hair tumbled down, framing her face, which now held lifeless, uncaring eyes. Tai sensed an unsettling change.
"Y-you. I thought you were dead too," she stammered, her surprise evident.
"Not quite. Now, answer my question," Tai demanded, his tone sharp and slicing through the tense atmosphere.
The abruptness of Tai's words prompted Erasa to sneer. "Don't either of you have better things to do than bother me?"
Tai couldn't help but challenge her, "Shouldn't you be in class with everyone else?"
Erasa shot back, unyielding, "Shouldn't you be expelled instead of trespassing?"
"I go wherever I want."
"Then go away."
Tai frowned at her response. "How is it possible you became more insufferable in my absence?"
"Were you born a jerk? Or did you have to practice?" Erasa retorted, her words laced with bitterness.
"Guys, let's relax," Gohan intervened, attempting to diffuse the escalating tension as he stepped between the two.
"Shut up, Gohan!" Erasa shouted, catching both Saiyans off guard. While Erasa had been cold and distant since her resurrection, she hadn't been overtly rude and belligerent towards Gohan until now. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she hastily pulled her hoodie up, darting into the school building, leaving an air of confusion and concern in her wake.
"Ease up on her, Tai. Her whole family was killed by Buu," Gohan interjected, his voice carrying a note of empathy.
It took Tai a few seconds to put the pieces together, his expression shifting as understanding dawned. "They'd already been resurrected."
Gohan nodded solemnly, "She's taking it badly."
Tai's mind flashed back to the day Frieza had callously taken away his parents. The vivid images resurfaced—the blood readily pouring from the gaping hole in his mother's chest, the pained expression, and the unnatural contortion of his father's neck when Frieza snapped it. He remembered screaming, then Zarbons cruel foot smashing into his face and covering his mouth, sick of hearing Tai's pained sobs and wailing.
Everything seemed emptier after that fateful day. The world lost its vibrancy, drained of all colour, and as a child, Tai was forced to navigate the shadows of his hellish life, surviving in a murky grey existence. His memories of his parents were fragmented, but the love he felt for them lingered, a poignant reminder that nothing in his life would ever be right without them.
The echoes of his own pain allowed Tai to glimpse the profound sorrow that Erasa carried within her. The loss of family left indelible marks on their souls, and he realized that, in her grief, Erasa was struggling to find her way through the murky aftermath, much like he had.
"She's in the dark. She needs light," Tai stated with a quiet certainty.
"Videl and I have tried, but she's always running away from us," Gohan confessed, a hint of frustration in his voice.
"I'm sure you'll figure something out," Tai responded optimistically.
"What makes you so sure about that?" Gohan questioned, seeking reassurance.
"Because when I was in the dark, you were my light," Tai admitted, his words carrying a deep sense of gratitude for the support Gohan had provided during his own challenging times. Not just you, but Bulma too.