My Life's Stranger Than Yours
(A/N: Quick response to a couple of reviews. To the one guy who's expecting me to do Ultra Instinct in the future, sorry doc but it's not gonna happen. I have no problems using info from Super that retroactively changes what happens in DBZ (such as Potara for example), but I'm not going to include anything that was introduced in Super in this story. And to the other guy who says Ranma should've been with Ukyo, we do NOT tolerate Akane slander in this house. I'm well aware of her many faults but I'm sticking with canon pairings and while Ranma and Akane's status as a couple is admittedly shaky by the end of the series, they ARE the main focus of the story and no, Ukyo doesn't have more in common with Videl than Akane does [Okay, that one MAY be debatable, but look at the story description, it's pretty clear cut]. Akane doesn't have to be your favorite Ranma character, but if anyone's gonna complain that Ranma's not going to be paired with Shampoo, Ukyo, or Zeno forbid a girl from Dragon Ball, you're more than welcome to buzz off. With all that said, let's get going.)
Raging Rematch: A Vengeful Videl vs. Spopovitch
All eyes were on the ring as Videl stood defiantly against her larger opponent, Ranma and the girls looking on with disgust.
"Egghh…I know we had to fight literal monsters, but this guy is probably the ugliest yet," commented Ukyo.
Shampoo and Akane nodded in agreement. "No kidding," added the latter. The ridicule would be cut short by Gohan who was still in disbelief.
"To think…Baba would choose to bring HIM back…" Gohan muttered. All eyes turned to Gohan, Cologne's gaze filled with curiosity. "I take it you two have history with this one?" she asked.
"That's…putting it mildly." Gohan's eyes narrowed as he recalled the World Martial Arts Tournament…and the gruesome scene that followed.
'Wait, did they fight this guy before?' thought Akane.
[In the ring]
Videl cautiously backstepped as Spopovitch remained motionless "H-how…why…why is he here?"
"You already know about the dead being able to walk the living world for a single day, so I'll answer your second question," Baba interjected. "Believe it or not, when word got out that Goku and the others were joining that Tournament, I was actually watching, which means I also saw what happened that day," Baba began. "After the match finally ended, I couldn't help but think the big guy here would be a great fighter for my challenge so I asked King Yemma to put him on ice for me just in case that time came," Baba reminisced.
"Turns out that day would be today, for as I'm sure my servant spirit told you, I knew you'd be coming here today. That sort of comes with the Psychic-Deal Dearie," she cackled. "Once my Crystal Ball showed me you with Cologne, I couldn't help but assume that she'd taken you on as a student, so I'd figure now would be a great time for a little rematch."
Videl stood stone solid as Baba finished her explanation. "Rematch?"
"Yes. Figured I'd get a real taste of what the old mummy managed to teach you, and what better opponent to go all out on than him?"
As the spectators all eyed Spopovitch, as well as listened in on Baba's explanation, the one to first ask a follow up question was Gohan.
"Wait, why does he still have that mark on his forehead? Last I checked, it's supposed to disappear upon death." he asked pointing to the 'M'.
"Hmmm…you'd probably have to ask King Yemma himself since he's the one who gave this brute his body back, though it certainly helps add to the authenticity of this little rematch," Baba cackled.
[]
"Rematch? So they fought before?" Akane asked again.
Gohan silently nodded.
"Why do I have a feeling it goes deeper than that?" asked Cologne.
[]
Videl's fists clenched tightly as she glared at Baba. "You're a crazy, sadistic, old hag, you know that?"
"That's 'MS. Crazy Sadistic Old Crone to you dearie. Still, even with my ability to see the future, I cannot see how this fight will pan out until you two play it out yourselves…and before I forget," Baba turned towards the non-fighting spectators and pointed at Gohan. "If anyone disrupts this match in any way, not only will Videl be immediately disqualified, but I'm revoking the other girls' chance to finish this fight!" she ordered.
"So if we jump in, instead of just tagging out, it's an instant loss?" Ukyo clarified.
"Yes. Though I have faith that you girls could abide by the rules, this is mostly just in effect to discern those boys from getting any bright ideas about playing 'Hero'," Baba explained.
"Heh, no problem. Videl won't need need help for this one anyway, right Gohan?" said Ranma.
No response. "Uh Gohan-? Eep!" When Ranma turned to Gohan, the spiky-haired hero had his eyes narrowed into a deathly glare catching all of the Nerima fighters aback.
As Cologne bounced back, the younger girls could all feel a tingle rise up their spines. As long as they'd all known Gohan, he'd been an awkward but generally friendly guy. To see him looking so…intimidating, even despite knowing he's a martial artist was just off-putting.
'Is it just me…' Ukyo began.
'Or do Rice Boy look…'
'Scary?'
Taking a breath, Gohan's expression softened to an eased but still stern face before he nodded to Baba. "I understand."
"Well then…" Baba turned back to the ring. "You two may now begin!"
Spopovitch slowly sauntered towards Videl, a stone sneer on his face. Videl, contrary to her usual style hopped backwards, as if she were waiting for him to make a move. For the moment, both fighters remained stationary, staring each other down.
[]
'Huh…Videl usually throws the first punch. Wonder why she hasn't made a move yet,' thought Akane.
[]
The moment Spopovitch extended his arm, Videl instantly went on the attack, dashing forward and driving her knee into his gut. In a familiar scene, the attack seemed to have no effect as Spopovitch merely sneered. Her expression showing unease, she leapt into the air and fired off a flying kick to the face before landing back on her feet.
Spopovitch slowly turned his head back to Videl before darting in her direction and throwing a sloppy hay maker that Videl hastily ducked under. The large baldy repeated this with his opposite hand forcing Videl to roll away.
His next attack was an attempt at a grab causing Videl to dash backwards. Before long, Spopovitch got into a rhythm of attacking Videl and the agile fighter continued to dodge, not making any attempts to block or counter.
[]
"Ya know, I don't think I've actually seen Videl fight before. She's pretty fast," commented Ukyo.
"Shampoo wonder why she no fly though."
"Probably just being conservative with her energy?" guessed Akane.
'No Ms. Tendo, I don't think that's it…' Cologne thought with a critical glance.
[]
Spopovitch extended his hand, a purple glow forming around his hand. Videl shuddered as she recalled the motion. In response, she raised her hands, cupping them together sideways. As Spopovitch's hand glowed brighter, Videl winced before quickly taking to the sky.
Spopovitch pointed his hand upwards at Videl's retreating form and with a wicked smirk, fired off a purple beam of energy.
"He can do that too!?" startled Akane.
'Interesting. Now I'm even more curious about their last encounter…' thought Cologne.
"Wha-!?" Bending herself backwards, Videl was able to avoid a direct hit, though the front of her shirt was scorched. Before Videl could reorient herself, a wild holler caught her attention. Glancing down, Spopovitch charged at her head-first slamming into her midsection.
[]
"Oooh, that looked bad," winced Ukyo.
"No worries. She can take a hit."
Cologne's eyes narrowed as the battle raged on. 'I don't think her defenses are the issue.'
[]
Spopovitch grabbed Videl off his head before tossing her downwards. Though she was able to straighten out, she was still being pressured as Spopovitch fired yet another blast at her.
"Tsk…!"
As Videl flew away from the beam, Spopovitch dove for her attempting to grab her once again. Videl retreated from the burly brute and was able to rebound off the ring and launch herself over her foe's head. Quickly turning back to face him, the musclebound bruiser could only smirk as Videl stood panting but cautious.
[]
"Is it just me, or is Videl being more defensive than usual?" Commented Ranma.
"Ranma's right," Akane answered. "It makes sense to play defense when you're being bombarded, but it doesn't look like Videl's even trying to get back on the attack. She's usually a lot more offensive than this."
"I wonder…" said Cologne.
"Wonder what?"
"I'll let you know as soon as I confirm it."
[]
The grey brute stomped over to Videl who continued to retreat. It didn't take long for Videl to be forced to edge of the ring, with no place left to run, or fly.
"You know, if you weren't feeling up to this fight, you could've said something earlier and I wouldn't have made this little stipulation," Baba taunted.
'Oh shut up.'
"There's no shame in surrendering, at least if it keeps you alive."
Teeth grit, fists clenched, Videl finally approached her opponent with a raging battle-cry.
"Haaaagh-YAAAGH!"
Summoning all of her energy, Videl dashed forward and struck Spopovitch with a fist up into the chin, knocking him back. Before he could recover, Videl dove after him. Flipping in midair, she launched a barrage of kicks to his face and torso before launching a hard midair side-kick to the jaw, knocking him to the floor.
[]
"Now that's more like it!" praised Ranma.
"FINALLY! She's back in this fight!" cheered Akane.
"Guess Fly Girl still easy to taunting."
"So, if she can just keep that up, she could win this thing no problem, right?"
Cologne was about to respond but Gohan spoke first. "No."
All eyes turned to Gohan who's eyes dripped venom. "It won't be that easy."
"Well…someone's a real supportive boyfriend," snarked Ukyo.
"The boy may be right," Cologne interjected. "Look."
The young fighters watched as Spopovitch stood up. He'd taken significant damage from Videl's last attack, but he looked plenty ready to keep fighting.
"Okay, so he's durable," noted Akane. "That doesn't mean she can't beat him."
"You seem to have a lot of faith in her Ms. Tendo. Let's see how well placed it is."
As the Nerima gang watched with intrigue, Gohan watched with a seething scowl, his fists clenched.
[]
The panting Videl could only palm her face as her opponent rose back to his feet. "Great…" she sighed sarcastically.
The sadistic juggernaut only snickered as he spat out blood before zooming to Videl. Prepared for his attack, Videl darted to the side, but was sadly out sped and flew face first into Spopovitch's beefy chest.
With no time to recover, Videl was helpless as Spopovitch slammed both of his massive fists into Videl's back, planting her into the tile.
[]
"Oh no!"
"That look…very painful," Shampoo winced.
Gohan's fist began to shake as his already sharp eyes narrowed even further.
[]
In a mountainous region, a lone caped figure in a meditative pose was jarred from his mental training by a sudden wave of pressure.
'Gohan…'
[]
Rubbing her back, Videl picked herself up only to roll away as Spopovitch tried to stomp on her.
"Not this time you freak!"
Her vigor steadily returning Videl dashed back to Spopovitch, her outstretched hand glowing.
With a grin Spopovitch responded in kind with his palm glowing the familiar purple. Both combatants jumped into the air with their hands pulled back. As the approached each other, they both threw their hands out forward, their respective energies shining against each other.
"Take THIS!"
"MUAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Finally the pair collided in the air, their energies forced against each other. Summoning all the strength she could spare, Videl thrust herself harder against Spopovitch's dark light, but try as she might, she'd ultimately be outpaced. With a twisted cackle, Spopovitch poured more energy into his hand, engulfing Videl's before forming into a beam that fully overtook Videl's body, blowing her back in a fuchsia explosion.
[]
"No!" Gohan's enraged expression was hastily replaced with worry as Videl got blasted out of the sky at point blank. He and the others would breathe a sigh of relief as Videl managed to levitate herself and land safely on all fours, but it was evident Spopovitch still held the advantage.
"Geeze, what's Videl's damage?" asked Ranma.
"She just got blasted genius, what do you think her damage is!?" exclaimed Akane.
"That's not what I meant! I mean why is she fighting so lame right now?" he clarified.
"What do you mean?" asked a now calmed Akane.
"All of her movements are kinda sloppy and unfocused, not to mention they don't look like they have much impact behind them. She may have lost, but she looked MUCH better than this when she fought Ryoga."
"Ranma no think Ugly Bald man stronger than Ryoga, yes?" asked Shampoo.
"It isn't purely a matter of strength or skill," said Cologne. "It's an issue of the mind."
"The mind?"
"What Great-Grandmother mean?"
"I noticed it right before Videl first took to the air. Take a look at her now."
The scene in the ring had hardly change as Spopovitch slowly approached Videl, who instinctively hopped backwards in response. Though Videl's narrowed eyes showed determination, the rest of her body told a different story.
Only well-trained eyes would notice, but all the martial artists present were able to see the quivering in Videl's posture.
"Is she…shaking?" asked Ukyo.
"She did just get hit with Chi-Blast," commented Shampoo.
"That is true my girl, but we've already established that Videl, despite her size is a truly respectable fighter. It'd take more than a few bruise inducing hits to shake her like this. I think a more logical conclusion to be drawn here is…"
"…She's…afraid?" guessed Akane. "Of this guy?" The twinge from Gohan was all the confirmation she needed.
"What's she got to be afraid of? Sure the dude's big and ugly, but…" Ranma began
"Gohan…does this have anything to do with their first fight?" called Akane.
The young Saiyan's face changed from anger to one resembling guilt, quietly answering Akane's question. Though his solemn expression quickly changed back to a piercing glare as he watched the remainder of the battle.
"Gohan, you alright there?" Ranma hastily stood up to try and get Gohan's attention physically, but was halted by both fatigue kicking back in immediately as well as Cologne stepping in.
"Let it be Son-in-Law. Though I myself am curious as to what unfolded between them, I don't believe now is the best time to press for details."
Ranma turned from Cologne back to Gohan, and judging by his face, Ranma decided to take the Elder Amazon's word.
'What on Earth could've happened to make Videl this unnerved?'
[]
Videl jetted back into the air, her arms at her side. Throwing them forward, she launched a pair of small ki blasts at Spopovitch that were easily delflected. Cupping her hands together, she fired a larger, stronger blast that was similarly knocked away.
"Gotcha!" upping her speed, she attempted to strike at Spopovitch's gut with a double fisted 'Point-Of-Impact'. Like her blast attempts before, her fists, along with the rest of her was swatted away by Spopovitch's huge fist.
"You son of a bi-! GGHAGH!" Videl attempted to retaliate, but the moment she turned back to her nemesis, she was grabbed by the throat by the cursed berserker.
"RRRAAAAAAGH!"
Spopovitch divebombed back to the ring, Videl flailing behind him, in his grasp. With a heavy grunt, Spopovitch slammed Videl into the tile face first before tossing her to the edge.
[]
"Look really painful…" Shampoo flinched.
[]
Videl slowly sat upright, wiping blood off her forehead and shaking off the aftereffects, but was hardly given time to breathe as she was grabbed by the head and raised up.
[]
"No…"
[]
Videl was subsequently punched in the gut, forced to double over before releasing her and launching his knee in her face. As she tumbled to the floor, Spopovitch once again grabbed Videl by the neck, grasping her throat tightly.
[]
"Videl…!"
"Okay, that's going too far!" cried Ukyo.
"Shampoo no have issue killing enemy, but she no fan of how Ugly Gray Man fight fly girl."
"It's not a very tasteful style I agree, but in a real fight, the one true decider is life and death," proclaimed Cologne.
"Cologne, you were shrieking with the rest of us last chapter when Ranma almost died, don't play that calm and collected mentor crap now!" Akane scowled.
A bead of sweat fell on Cologne's head before everyone was hit with a massive surge of pressure. All eyes turned to Gohan who was violently trembling.
"Gohan…? Y-you okay bud-? GAH!" Ranma placed a hand on Gohan's shoulder but hastily pulled back as he was zapped by some unknown energy.
"Ranma/Ran-Chan!"
"You…okay?"
"I'm fine but…" Ranma's own eyes narrowed at the uncharacteristically stoic Gohan. "Something tells me Gohan's kinda pissed right now."
'He's watching his girlfriend get choked out and he can't do anything to help her, that's got to be torturous,' thought Akane.
[]
Gohan's dilemma was the least of it as Videl grasped at Spopovitch's fingers, desperately trying to pry them off her throat, but to no avail. Before all the breath was ejected from her however, Spopovitch took action once again, headbutting Videl in her bloodied spot.
"AGH-!"
Spopovitch once again continued to squeeze Videl's throat, slowly applying more pressure with each passing moment. Occasionally, he'd ease up his grip solely to headbutt Videl again before resuming his harsh squeezing. He didn't want her to pass out just yet.
With every exertion of her strength, every hit to the head, a scene from their first encounter would play out in Videl's mind. From their initial clash to Videl's head spinning kick. From Spopovitch's flight debut to getting blasted out of the sky. Every punch, every blow, every last bit of pain and misery came flooding back until it all culminated in a scene that plagued her for nearly a full year.
'I won't…let it be…like last time!' Slowly placing her hands at the side of her head, Videl managed to squeak out, "Solar…flare!"
CHEEEEUUU!
"Hrgh? GAAH!"
Dropping Videl, Spopovitch quickly shielded his eyes as Videl lightly rubbed her neck, gasping for air.
[]
Gohan let out a calming breath as Videl finally managed to escape her enemy's clutches, but his gaze never once wavered from the battlefield. Videl once again took to the sky while Spopovitch was still reeling from the Solar Flare's effects. So far, everything had gone quiet as both fighters took time to reorient themselves.
"Thank goodness she got free," relieved Akane.
"This is getting crazy…maybe one of us should take over for her?" Ukyo suggested.
"Shampoo have no problem beating Ugly Big man!" she declared.
"Probably not a good idea," Ranma interjected. "She may not be doin' too well, but somethin' tells me she ain't lookin' to surrender either."
"Just like last time…"
All eyes turned to Gohan who's angered face now looked one of despair. Light reflected off the small droplet that formed in the corner of his eye.
'Is he-'
'-crying?'
In that moment, Cologne hopped over to Gohan, a stern yet curious look on her face. "Like last time huh? Would you care to elaborate a little?"
Gohan remained silent before wiping his eye and steeling himself. "It's…not a moment we like to remember…" Gohan began. "Every fighter has lost at least one battle, but some losses…hit harder than others."
[Flashback]
In the ring of the World Tournament, the crowds were silent as Spopovitch once again stood up from a merciless onslaught by Videl. Even the Z-Fighters watching from the fighters' area were beginning to grow weary. Furious annoyance on her face, Videl leapt up and dealt a hard kick to Spopovitch's head that completely spun it around.
Even after falling down yet again, Spopvitch refused to stay down as he quickly stood up and spun his head back into place. After taking a retaliatory blow from Spopovitch, Videl ascended into the air to try and collect herself. That plan would be moot as Spopovitch too flew into the air and shot Videl with a purple Ki Wave.
From that moment on, Videl would throw attack after attack but every blow would be either deflected or shrugged off as she took much heavier shots from her larger opponent. Even through all the pain and bloodshed, Videl wouldn't surrender, even at Gohan's plea. A fatal mistake as she would ultimately be pinned to the floor, having her head stepped on.
A spectating Gohan watched the scene with a quiet fury before finally he couldn't contain his rage anymore, bursting into Super Saiyan and flying to the ring. Sadly, he wouldn't get the chance to act as Spopovitch finally tossed her out of the ring.
As Gohan rushed an unconscious Videl to the Tournament's medical wing, a single thought crossed his mind. 'I'm sorry…'
[End Flashback]
The Nerima gang all grew silent as Gohan finished his tale, Gohan himself growing agitated yet again.
"Gohan…" Akane trailed off.
"No wonder Videl hesitate to fight Bald Man…he almost kill her."
"It's understandable how a life-or-death experience can shake one's demeanor, but to affect her this much, that battle must've been quite the beatdown."
"It was…"
"Well…that does explain why she's been so off her game…but what about you?" Cologne squinted at Gohan.
"Me?"
"Throughout this whole match, you've been exuberating an aura that would make lesser folk flee like an exposed ninja. While I do imagine it's not easy to watch someone you care for get the stuff beaten out of them, I don't believe that's the only reason you've been so aggravated," Cologne guessed.
Gohan looked down at his still shaking fist before hanging his head in shame. Cologne was right, for the guilt he felt about not being able to help Videl when she really needed it was something that hung in the back of his mind for months on end…although, he couldn't help but shake the feeling that Cologne already knew that, so what was she referring to?
"Well, you wanna share with the rest of us or…?"
The moment Ranma spoke, Spopovitch finally regained his eyesight. With Videl nowhere to be found in the ring, he instantly searched upwards to find her panting in midair. With a ferocious growl, the muscled menace shot up after her in a violet burst.
'Dammit!' Videl could barely raise her guard as Spopovitch drove his fist to her midsection. Though she was able to block the attack, her defenses were utterly shattered as she was blown back off kilter. Without even a chance to save herself, Spopovitch grabbed her by the leg and began to spin around.
"Whaaaaaaaa-!"
[]
"Oh no!"
"Is he gonna throw her outta the ring!?" asked Ranma.
"No…he'll throw her alright, but he'll knock her back into the ring…!" predicted a newly seething Gohan.
"What? Why!? Why not just end the fight already!?" asked Ukyo.
"Bald man is sadist?" asked Shampoo.
"Looks like it. If what Gohan told us before is true, then the longer this battle drags on, the harder it will be for Videl to succeed, especially if she doesn't get her head on straight," commented Cologne.
'Although…I think the only way she'll be able to do that is with your help boy.'
[]
As Gohan predicted, Spopovitch tossed Videl towards the outer side of the ring before warping over to her landing spot and knocking her across the ring.
"That was fast!" Marveled Akane.
Spopovitch once again vanished to Videl's landing spot and kicked her up in the air again. Warping one more time, Spopovitch appeared above Videl and slammed his foot down into her stomach, pressing her hard back into the tile. When the smoke finally cleared, Videl was planted inside a small crater while Spopovitch stood beside her with a pleased grin on his face.
Videl quickly regained her composure and tried to pick herself up but was forced back down by Spopovitch quickly slamming his foot on her head.
"Agh…!"
Videl slowly tried to get up again, but Spopovitch once again placed his foot on her head, this time keeping it in place and applying pressure.
[]
The Nerima fighters all winced, at the scene, Ukyo averting her gaze. "Look away if you must kids, but the moment any of you step foot into that ring, this challenge is null and void."
"Then why don't you stop this thing already!" yelled Akane. "We get it okay, Videl lost the match so call it!"
"She's at a disadvantage yes, but she hasn't lost yet. Unless she either admits defeat herself or Spopovitch throws her out of the ring, this fight will play on."
His teeth all but grinding, Gohan's hair started to flow as the same malicious aura began to flow yet again. Turning away from the ring, Gohan struggled to contain the massive wave of rage and frustration that consumed him.
'Dammit…DAMMIT! It's happening again…and just like last time…I CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO STOP IT!'
[]
Videl struggled to free herself from Spopovitch's clutches yet again. The solar flare wouldn't help this time as she couldn't perform the pose in her current state. With every passing second, the pressure in her head would grow stronger and stronger.
'No…not again…I don't want to lose…like this…again!'
Memories of their first battle came flooding back. Despite her best efforts, the results ended the same; crushed under the heel of a demon-possessed brute.
'My head…everything hurts! I can't think!'
Slowly but surely, Videl's resistance started to wane as her vision began to fade away. 'Please just make this stop…'
"Unless she admits defeat herself, this fight will play on!"
Throughout this head splitting torture, Videl could barely make out what the others were saying and heard Baba's rule.
'Should I…just give it up? Maybe…if I listened to Gohan…back then…'
"Videl, you can't beat him! Stop being so stubborn and give it up or he'll kill you!"
'I…won't…make the same mistake twice…'
Shakily, Videl lifted her arm prepared to tap out.
[]
"So…I guess it is over," Cologne dismissively proclaimed. "She was a fine student. I have no regrets taking her on, but if these last couple of performances were any indication, she's really squandering my teachings."
"Well…which one of us is going after her? Ranchan would probably be best, but he can't fight anymore."
"Leave to Shampoo. This fight to find Amazon treasure, so fitting that Amazon Fighter be one to finish fight," Shampoo argued.
Ranma could only sigh as the fight reached it's peak. Gohan on the other hand, started to calm down now that the battle seemed to be nearing it's end. Though he hadn't wanted things to end like this yet again, he was at least glad that it was finally all over. Now he should probably call one of the others to grab a Senzu-.
"VIDEL, GET UP!"
All eyes turned to the resident tomboy of the group who was hollering like a madwoman. "Videl, get up dammit!"
'Akane?'
[]
Before Videl could bring her hand down, the sound of her name caught what little attention she had left.
"-del! Videl!"
'Who's voice…?'
"Videl, get up dammit!"
"A…ka…ne…?"
Managing to inch her head aside, Videl was able to see the spectators out of the corner of her eye and managed to see everyone staring at a livid looking Akane.
[]
"Come on, you're stronger than this!? You're not just going to give up now are you!? I don't know exactly what happened between you two last time but you're stronger than before aren't you!? Use that new strength to pound this freak already!"
[]
Almost instinctively, Videl began struggling against Spopovitch again, though still to seemingly no avail. At the very least, she failed to tap out and lowered her hand not in surrender, but defiance.
[]
While the girls were trying to calm Akane down, Gohan could only stare at her with a look of shock on his face. Finally turning back to the ring, the scene from the Tournament replayed in Gohan's mind, the whole ordeal. It was then, Gohan turned back to Akane with a look of realization on his face. 'I…I get it now…so that's what Ms. Cologne meant…. I made a mistake last time, it's time for me to fix it.'
Taking a breath to calm himself, Gohan stood firm and closed his eyes.
"Videl…Videl can you hear me?"
[]
"Videl?"
'That's…!' "Go…han…?"
"Good, you can hear me."
"How…?"
"I'm speaking to you telepathically. You don't have to speak, just think and listen. I don't know how much longer you can take this so I'll make it quick…starting with an apology."
"Apology…?"
"Back when you first fought Spopovitch…when the tides started to turn against you…I remember I kept telling you to give up and it's something I've secretly regretted ever since."
"But…you were right…I should've given up back then…then I wouldn't have…"
"Even so, that's no excuse for being a hypocrite. It may not have held the same stakes, but I can't tell you how many time's I've been in life threatening fights against people I KNEW I couldn't win against…then again, I was just a kid in those days," he chuckled.
"My point is no matter what happened, I should've supported you all the way through. I shouldn't have signed on to you surrendering unless you yourself thought it was the thing to do. So let me ask you this right now, do you want to give up?"
Videl continued to struggle against the insane pressure as she tried to find a concrete answer. More than anything, she wants this pain to stop. If surrender was the only way to make that happen then maybe there wouldn't be any shame in taking that route…luckily enough, surrender is NOT an option.
"No…no I don't!" Videl though sternly.
"Alright then, show this creep how much stronger you've become. After all, aren't you the daughter of the World Champion?"
"Better than that, I'm the student of an Amazon Master AND the man who killed Cell!"
"Time to show off what you've learned!"
"Right!"
[]
Gohan opened his eyes and softly exhaled only to come face to face with Ukyo and Shampoo who were staring at him with curious looks.
"Oh, he's awake again," noted Ukyo.
"Shampoo thought Rice Boy pass out from watching Fly Girl get hurt."
"I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine," Gohan chuckled.
"You certainly sound better than you did moments ago boy," noted Cologne.
Gohan nodded. "I'm not the only one." Crossing his arms, Gohan's attention turned completely back to the battlefield. Contrary to his earlier seething expression, this time Gohan wore a confident smile.
"What does that mean?" asked Ukyo.
"And what the hell are you smiling for?" Ranma added.
"Just watch."
[]
Videl once again raised her arm, extending her hand once again. This time instead of preparing to give up, a familiar glow grew in her hand, shining brighter until it engulfed her whole arm. The light slightly blinded Spopovitch, but not enough to deter him. That is until the blast extended from Videl's hand striking Spopovitch right in the eye.
"Gaaaagh…!" clutching his face, Spopovitch staggered backwards with an enraged snarl as Videl slowly got back to her feet. Her body was beyond battered, but showed no signs of the shaky hesitation from earlier. Turning back around, Videl stared her past trauma in the face before dropping into a combative stance.
"I really bit it that time, but I won't lose again. You hear me you black magic freakshow!?"
[]
All spectators sans Gohan gasped at Videl's sudden burst of vigor. Merely seconds ago she looked like she was about to have a nervous breakdown, and now she looked like she was ready to fight an entire army.
"Whoa…I guess someone got a second wind," noted Ranma.
"Was…that because of me?" asked Akane.
'Well…partially,' Gohan silently answered.
"Huh…I guess sometimes words do speak louder than actions."
The odd one out was Baba who had an eye on Gohan, though contrary to expectations, her expression was surprisingly gleeful. 'Well, there's no rule against verbal help as long as you aren't backseat fighting. I don't know what you said to her Gohan, but whatever it was, must've lit the fuse Ms. Tendo had set.'
[]
With a smug look on her face, Videl made the motion for Spopovitch to come at her, which he did in kind. His malicious aura sparking to life, he charged at Videl in a fiery, violet burst. Naturally, Videl dodged by going airborne, though unexpectedly, Spopovitch managed to stop on a dime and change his direction to go straight up, chasing after Videl.
'I'm ready for you this time!' Back flipping in the air, Videl nosedived back to Spopovitch, barely grazing his evil aura. Straightening herself out, she extended her hands out and fired a large Ki Blast, nailing Spopovitch right in the back.
[]
"Bullseye!" cheered Ukyo.
"A solid hit yes, but I can't say if it really did much damage."
[]
The smoke cleared to reveal Spopovitch with a scorch mark on his back, though looking more angry than damaged.
Charging at Videl, he attempted tp grab her again. With an impressive acrobatic display, Videl maneuvered around her foe's large limb before launching a ki-infused Kick to the face.
"Heee-YAGH!"
"GRAH-!"
Spopovitch was forced back on the air, but kept his positioning. He attempted to grab Videl again, succeeding, wrapping his arm around the back of her neck and once again spinning her around.
"Whaaaaa-!"
This time however, he would also descend as he rotated. Once he was a mere foot above the ring, he chucked Videl down into the tile before charging after her once again bathed in the violet glow.
Videl shakily picked herself up, still reeling from the earlier damage she took. Luckily, she was able to dash aside in time to avoid the massive impact.
[]
"This is bad," said Gohan.
"Would you pick a side already?"
"I have faith in her, but I am a realist," Gohan replied.
"He's right," Cologne concurred. "Videl may have gotten a second wind, but that doesn't negate the damage she's already taken. If she doesn't find a way to end this quickly, she'll lose."
"Do Fly Girl have technique strong enough to end fight?" asked Shampoo.
"We'll just have to wait and see what she comes up with."
[]
"You're not the only one," shot a panting Videl. Placing her fists by her sides, Videl's energy began to rise until she was once again bathed in a cyan glow.
"Take this!" Handspringing forward, Videl launched herself into the air before firing off a fierce divekick to the chest, knocking Spopovitch backwards. Dashing after him, she spun herself around launching a swift trio of spin-kicks towards his face, the last one being ki-charged. The first two hit, but Spopovitch was able to block the last attack in time and retaliate by punching her in the gut launching her away.
'Should've figured it still wouldn't be that easy…' Videl lamented. Though her will to keep going was still strong, her body couldn't keep up and a winded Videl was forced to take a knee as her aura died down. Shooting her a twisted sneer, Spopovitch sauntered over to the seemingly defenseless Videl.
'Dammit…what do I do now? I'm running on fumes and he's still running like a bulldozer.' Spopovitch inched closer, making Videl's mind race as she struggled to find a course of action, fast.
Worry began to set in as Spopovitch's shadow loomed over Videl's downed form. Raising both hands, Spopovitch slammed them down above Videl. "Hrrrrraaaaaagh!
Rolling forward into a slide, Videl slipped between Spopovitch's legs before springing back to her feet and cupping her hands together. 'This is the one thing I haven't tried yet, so this better work!'
[]
Gohan's eyes widened in surprise at Videl's stance. 'Is she trying that!?' Steadily, a blue ball of light started to form in her hand. 'Win or lose, this move will decide the whole thing. Go for it Videl. Show him what you're really made of!'
"That pose! Could it be…!?" Cologne started
"That's the same pose as Gohan's little brother," noted Akane.
"You have a brother?" asked Shampoo and Ukyo.
'No doubt about it, she's trying to perform the Turtle Hermit's Ultimate Technique. I guess it makes sense she'd know about it given who she hangs around, but can she really pull off such an advanced technique?'
[]
Videl stood, what little energy she had left flowing. Her blue aura sparked to life once again as the orb in between her hands shone intensely. Spopovitch once again approached her, slowly before breaking into a sprint, charging like a mad bull.
Videl pulled her hands back as Spopovitch drew closer and closer. 'I haven't gotten it to work yet, but even if I can't use the Kamehameha for real that doesn't mean I don't have an ace up my sleeve!'
His body covered in the familiar purple aura, Spopovitch leapt at Videl, his hand pulled back surging with power. Outstretching his arm, his hand glowed a dark-light as he lunged at Videl, prepared to blow her away.
Standing firm, Videl's aura flared even higher as the orb in her hands began to glow brighter and grow in size. With a spirited yell, Videl thrust her arms forward, her blue sphere colliding with Spovitch's energy.
The spectators all braced themselves as the two combatants once again clashed their powers against each other, neither one of them giving an inch. Spopovitch willed himself to dive deeper against Videl's energy sphere, but the harder he pushed, the harder she'd resist, her sphere growing in size.
Spopovitch let out a sadistic laugh as his energy seemed to overwhelm Videl's, the young fighter being forced back, skidding against the tile. Every last nerve was on fire as Videl expended every inch of energy she could muster, pouring all her power into her makeshift power-ball, making it grow larger and larger.
'No…not again! I won't lose to you…again…! I can't…I refuse!'
The resulting light shone a brilliant mix of blue and purple as the spectators shielded their eyes from the optical onslaught.
"Who's winning!?" asked Ranma.
"I don't know but…I think we'll find out soon!" said Akane.
'To think she could still produce this much chi. I guess she was holding back more than any of us realized.'
Spopovitch sneered as his energy finally seemed to be overtaking Videl's yet again as she was finally pushed to the edge of the ring, seeming to lose ground. Spopovitch raised his free hand and it began to glow, signaling a game ending move. Videl on the other hand saw this as-
'An opening!' In a swift motion, Videl pulled her hands back and thrust them forward again while shouting, "KAMEHAMEHA!"
Though she didn't get the expected beam, her energy sphere grew immensely, engulfing both her and Spopovitch before erupting in a blinding gleam. After shielding their eyes from the light, the illumination finally died down to reveal Videl standing in her firing pose, her entire body smoking.
"Videl!" Gohan called.
"Is she okay!" exclaimed Akane.
"Wait, where's the big guy?" added Ranma.
The group searched around until Cologne brought their attention upwards. "Look up there!"
Up in the sky, a large human shaped object could be seen descending at high speed.
"Is he…attacking?" asked Shampoo.
Her answer came in the form of Spopovitch falling headfirst into the ring before his body slumped over and rolled onto the ground.
"Hehehe…it still didn't work…but…it's good enough…!" Videl laughed as she dropped to the ground, panting on all fours.
Baba flew around the ring, surveying the fighters. "Well now, it seems this challenge is over, Videl wins!"
(A/N: And that as they say is that. I've been wanting to do this fight for a LONG time. I do apologize if this battle feels a bit rehash-y only with Videl winning this time. I admit, my brain kind of turned off for this one in more ways than one, but I hope I made it worth the wait. Also, I TOTALLY 100% did NOT forget that people controlled by Babidi lose his insignia upon death. [All joking aside, THAT is the kind of critiques I ask for in reviews; Letting me know when I get info wrong, or if something in the story progression feels weak. I do intend to give a REAL explanation why he has it next chapter, but for now, just roll with it]. Next time, the group finally gets to take a much- needed breather and Cologne gets to learn the location of her ancient relic.)