Chi-Chi looked over the edge of the cliff to the turbulent waters below while the men finished up the last of their lunch, albeit far away from one another. It sure was a long way down…and the waves looked a lot stronger than the ones in the hidden cove. Would it…would it be too much for her? She wasn't sure, she had never experienced anything like this before. And if she survived the waters, would she have enough energy to face Qinglong?

So focused was she on the upcoming challenge, she failed to notice Goku stepping up beside her, looking her over curiously. He had been wondering something since he'd come across her back on the beach and wanted to ask her before they went any further.

"Chi-Chi, why didn't you swim back to shore earlier?" She didn't look like she'd been injured but he couldn't tell with that wetsuit of hers covering everything but her hands and feet. "Is somethin' wrong?"

Absorbed in her thoughts, Chi-Chi stiffened at the sudden question.

She hadn't expected him to notice that!

She spun around hastily, bringing her hands up between them. "Don't be silly Goku. What could be wrong? Haven't ya ever wanted ta see what the bottom of the ocean floor looked like?"

"I guess so…" Goku murmured, twisting around to try and catch her eye but as soon as he did, Chi-Chi immediately looked away making him frown. Why wouldn't she look at him? Her behavior was making him suspicious.

He leaned closer, considering the best way to suss out what she was hiding, but he didn't need to try so hard. Just his proximity while wearing such a serious gaze was enough to make Chi-Chi flustered.

"W-What? What are ya lookin' at me like that for?" she demanded, taking a step back. "It ain't like I don't know how to swim! Don't be ridiculous!"

Goku's brows shot up in surprise. He had thought maybe she was injured or had a cramp. He didn't know there were people who didn't know how to swim!

"Of course I know how to swim!" Chi-Chi continued with a huff, crossing her arms and turning away with a blush, but Goku could tell she was lying.

"Chi-Chi."

Chi-Chi's gaze darted towards him and away again.

"Chi-Chi, tell the truth," he ordered, stepping closer.

Chi-Chi took another step back uneasily.

"I...I do," she muttered. She really did! It was mostly theoretical but she still knew all the techniques and strokes. It wouldn't take her long to learn it physically.

"Chi-Chi…"

"Oh!" Chi-Chi gasped, pointing behind him. "What's that?!"

When Goku turned to look she took her chance and leaped off the cliff, cannonballing straight into the water with a splash. Goodness it was just as cold as last time! And so disorienting! If she hadn't noticed the air bubbles leaking up, she might not know which direction was up!

She pulled her breathing mask up and over her face just as something large shot into the water. Chi-Chi swallowed and began making her way to the surface, knowing she couldn't out swim him. Jumping in suddenly certainly hadn't been her brightest idea but she had hoped she'd have time to prove him wrong before he followed after. As it was she hadn't even broken above the water when she felt his hand slip around her waist and haul her the rest of the way to the surface.

"Chi-Chi!" Goku snapped once they were above water. "That was dangerous!"

"I'm fine!" Chi-Chi argued, pulling her mask down so she could speak.

"You could have been hurt!"

"I managed! And I have my breathin' mask, I'll be okay."

Goku's grip on her tightened.

"Chi-Chi."

"I'm just slow! Promise! There weren't exactly alotta places to practice on Mt. Frypan but I can swim!" That wasn't entirely the truth but she couldn't turn back now. Not when she was so close!

"Please Goku," Chi-Chi begged, her eyes going wide as she tried to fight back her tears. If he made her quit now after she'd come this far she would be devastated!

"I've come this far…just let me try? Just this once? If I'm no good ya can send me back."

Goku looked away from her teary face and ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated beyond belief. It was too dangerous to take someone bad at swimming out into the ocean! Heck even he had nearly drowned one time when a storm had rolled in before he could make it back to shore…and yet…his gaze darted to Hou Yi swimming his way towards them. If they delayed this until Chi-Chi could be trained up, that meant potentially spending more time in the company of that creep…and she did have a breathing mask…and had already obtained the pearl on her own…

He sighed in defeat.

"Climb on my back. I'll—"

"I can't." Chi-Chi said, pushing away slightly, though Goku's hold on her remained firm. "I gotta make it there on my own."

Right, he'd forgotten about that.

He ran a hand down his face, hating this more and more. "Fine, but stay where I can see you."

"Thank you, Goku," Chi-Chi murmured, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek.

Goku couldn't even enjoy it, he was still so frustrated.

"If you were ready to depart, you merely needed to say so," Hou Yi chided, as he pulled up beside them. He eyed them both, feeling the tension that ran between the two. "Is everything alright?"

"Everything's fine," Goku grumbled. He didn't wanna give that guy another reason to hang around Chi-Chi.

Hou Yi looked to Chi-Chi for confirmation but she merely smiled and nodded, making him frown. He knew something was being kept from him but it would do no good to argue.

"Very well then. If we are all ready, follow me."

He turned and started swimming towards the lone boulder he had pointed out previously while Goku reluctantly released Chi-Chi. When she didn't start flailing immediately he relaxed a little, more willing to let her try now that he knew she wouldn't drown the second he let go.

Chi-Chi was slow. Very slow. Like a turtle on land, kind of slow. And the waters were stronger than she expected. She assumed, with such a combination, that she'd tire very quickly. However if anything she felt energized. Every second that brought them closer to their destination seemed to fill her with strength until she was able to keep up with the men easily, much to Goku's relief.

He smiled with pride at her once they reached the spot where the trench lay deep below the surface, making Chi-Chi blush and Hou Yi irritated.

But he refrained from taking action. He had a plan in place that would rid him of the nuisance permanently. He could afford to wait a little longer to separate the two.

"This is your last chance to turn back," Hou Yi told them. "I do not have a contraption such as yours," he added, speaking to Chi-Chi specifically, "so I will not go slow."

Chi-Chi nodded to indicate she understood and focused on pushing her ki to her limbs, only to feel a surge similar to those times she was emotional. It almost felt as if…there was more? But how could that be? Unfortunately she only had a second to wonder about it before Hou Yi dipped under the water and Goku turned to her expectantly.

Taking the hint, Chi-Chi hurried after Hou Yi, doing her best to keep up while seeing nothing but empty darkness. For the second time that day she wished she had a flashlight or even some sort of night goggles though she doubted they could even work underwater. Either way, such an endless expanse of nothing was unnerving.

She didn't know if Goku felt equally as disturbed or if he had just noticed her discomfort but he focused his ki in his palm creating a small light for them regardless and Chi-Chi swore she'd get that technique down someday even if it killed her.

Finally, when she was starting to wonder just how long Hou Yi and Goku could hold their breaths, Goku nudged her and pointed to a thin strip of light shining beneath them. She watched as Hou Yi squeezed through a crack and followed after, ending up in what could only be described as an underground pool of a cavern.

Chi-Chi pulled up to the surface cautiously, while both Hou Yi and Goku took the opportunity to take in fresh air, and noted with surprise, two women chatting with each other in a separate pool of water on the opposite end of the cavern.

Were they stuck here like Hou Yi had been?

"Oh hi!" Goku called to one, giving a wave. He pointed to himself and said, "Remember me? I flew you on my Nimbus?"

The woman took one look at him before her annoyed expression quickly morphed into anger. She hmphed and then dove under the water, flicking her long fin hard to splash them as she went.

Chi-Chi gasped and pressed her hands to her cheeks. She had always wanted to meet a mermaid!

"Aw," Goku pouted, as he watched the other one join her friend. "I guess she's still mad."

Chi-Chi wanted to know what on earth Goku had done to a mermaid to leave her with a grudge but was quickly distracted as Hou Yi placed a hand on her shoulder and directed their attention to a light blue female with pale, pupilless eyes guarding an entrance to a resort like building made of corals and clams and what she could only imagine were hardened bubbles.

How on earth had she missed that?!

"Hello!" the female greeted, "My name is Hama. Is this your first time here?"

"Not mine," Hou Yi said, stepping forward causing the greeter's face to instantly sour.

"Ah, you again."

She turned away with a hmph similar to the mermaid's, redirecting her attention to both Goku and Chi-Chi and handed them all a silver clam that fit in the size of their palms.

"Those are your day passes, it'll get you entry into our five star spa and resort and one free meal per person. Water, of course, is complimentary," she joked.

When no one laughed, Hama blushed and tried to cover it up with a cough. "Right, anyways, feel free to look around and enjoy. You're welcome to come and go as you please."

"We are?" Chi-Chi blinked confused. "Does that mean we can meet with Qinglong?"

The woman grinned, her teeth looking sharp in the low light.

"I'm afraid that will cost you extra."

"Just one pearl each, right?" Goku added, holding his up for the woman's inspection, making Hama gasp and clutch her hands to her chest.

"Oh, you have pearls? Well why didn't you say so!" She bustled them towards a side entrance that looked more like a door to a break room when compared to the grand doorway and smiled. "The VIP rooms are right through here."

Chi-Chi didn't even have a chance to thank the woman before they were shoved through and the door slammed behind them. She shared a puzzled look with Goku before her gaze drifted to the space around her, only to realize they were in the biggest biodome she had ever seen.

"Oh my," she whispered, taking in the white pillars and tall palm trees offering shade from a false sun blazing high in the sky. Hou Yi started leading them toward a more secluded looking area as Chi-Chi looked around in wonder.

This was Qinglong's home?

This was paradise!

Maybe it wasn't people getting trapped here so much as never wanting to leave? She certainly wouldn't mind hanging around for a day or two, relaxing on a beach. Huh. Maybe after this was all said and done she should take a vacation. She couldn't remember the last time she had had one.

And maybe…maybe her vacation could double for something else…like a honeymoon?

Goku watched curiously as Chi-Chi smacked her hands against her face, her cheeks turning a dark shade of red, and looked around wondering what could have caused that kind of reaction but saw nothing of note.

Girls sure were weird.

He shrugged, knowing he needed to focus, but a second glance in her direction had him smiling. She sure was cute, even if she was weird.

"Chi-Chi!"

Chi-Chi started at the sudden call, feeling her cheeks burn hotter once she realized she'd been caught indulging in another daydream. She laughed a bit awkwardly and then quickly hurried past Goku's smirking gaze, to where Hou Yi stood a ways ahead, next to a small structure slightly hidden behind two large ferns.

Stepping inside was disorienting, as it appeared to be another space much like the one they had just come from, with wide open fields and mountains that soared to the sky and a large hedge, too tall for them to see over, that stretched from one end of the space to the other.

Goku wondered if large spaces in small structures was some trick all otherworldly folk knew as his gaze settled on the lone female sitting in the center of the room, staring at some board on a table. He wouldn't let that fool him though. He could tell even from this distance that there was more to her. She gave off the same kind of energy as Xuan Wu.

"It has been some time since a mortal has deigned to come here," said the woman. Her gaze slid from the board to where they stood, lingering over each of them before she finally turned away again. "Be gone. I'm not interested in wasting my time."

"Lord Qinglong?" Chi-Chi asked, stepping forward.

Qinglong moved a piece on the board before answering. "Who else would I be mortal? There is one in your party who can verify this for you."

Right. She must be talking about Hou Yi. Then he really had been here before. "Please Lord Qinglong, we've come to take the challenge."

"Why else would you be here? Of course you wish for a challenge but why should I give you one?" Qinglong finally lifted her gaze to focus on them once more and pointed to Hou Yi. "That one has already faced his challenge. I can do no more for him." She pointed towards Goku. "This one is strong enough. What good is getting stronger when none are left on this planet capable of challenging him?" Qinglong dropped her hand and turned towards Chi-Chi. "And you…" she scoffed, crossing her arms. "No doubt you've only made it thus far because you have granted one or both these men your favors."

"EXCUSE ME?" Chi-Chi snapped. God or no, she wasn't about to just stand there and be insulted! She felt someone reach for her but knocked their hands aside as she stomped forward.

"I'll admit I've been trainin' with Goku but there's nothin' that says that ain't allowed. And ya can ask him for yourself I've earned my right to be here just as much as he has and I can prove it!" She thrust her finger towards the ground, demanding a chance to prove herself right now.

"Unless ya don't think you're capable of providin' me a worthy challenge?" She growled.

At that Qinglong finally rose to her feet, towering over the little mortal. When the girl didn't back down even then, the god placed a single finger under her chin to study her better.

Chi-Chi allowed it, still fully aware a god stood before her.

"It is true I have never had the pleasure to challenge one such as you little mortal…" Qinglong said eventually, pulling away. "But you still have much to learn…"

Was…was that it then? Had she really come all this way only to be turned back now? Chi-Chi clenched her fists, fighting back tears.

"However…I have decided I am willing to teach you this once."

Wait, what?

Startled, Chi-Chi looked up just as Qinglong cupped the back of her neck and tugged her forward, pressing a kiss to her brow and making the room disappear in a flash. When her vision finally cleared she found herself surrounded by hedges with several exits all around her like one of those mazes at the country fairs her people threw once a year.

Return and I shall grant you a second lesson but if you do not…

Chi-Chi didn't need Qinglong to finish her statement. She knew what was at stake. She looked at the identical exits and then to the sky with its false sun directly above and frowned.

"Guess I better get started."

o0o

Goku rubbed his eyes, momentarily blinded by Qinglong's light. He didn't know why gods all felt the need to blind people on a consistent basis but he sure hated when it happened. When his vision finally cleared, he wasn't surprised to find Chi-Chi gone, though he was a little disappointed. He wouldn't have interfered in Chi-Chi's challenge but he really wanted to see her in action!

Oh well. If Qinglong was giving out challenges after all, he definitely wanted a turn.

He jogged up to the god as she straightened to her full height and waved. "Hi there! I'm Goku. Can I go next?"

Qinglong frowned as she turned her attention to him.

"Another oddity, how strange. Neither of your kinds have affinities that should have allowed you to get this far…"

Goku blinked, not understanding what she meant by their "kinds".

"Well…we're here now. So does that mean I can get a challenge too?"

"Perhaps," Qinglong shrugged, tilting her head to the side. "Tell me Son Goku, what do you hope to gain by getting stronger?"

Gain? Wasn't it obvious?

"I just wanna see how far I can go," Goku told her.

"Even if you leave your adversaries in the dust?"

"That won't happen. I already know there's always gonna be somebody stronger and when I meet 'em, I wanna be ready."

"Very well."

"Alright!" Goku cheered, pumping his fist once before straightening and shutting his eyes for the impending flash. He didn't exactly want to get kissed by someone other than Chi-Chi but if he had no other choice, then he supposed he could make an exception just this once.

Except it never seemed to come. He waited to feel something, anything that might indicate he'd moved locations, but when nothing seemed to occur he opened his eyes only to be met with Qinglong's finger flicking his forehead, followed by the blinding light immediately right after.

Goku's furious "OW!" could be heard across the distance, making Qinglong smirk. Maybe that would teach him to have a little less impudence.

She turned her gaze to the remaining one of their party, curious and annoyed to be dealing with him once again.

"Like I told your friends, and you directly many times before, you have faced your challenge. There is nothing I can do for you."

Hou Yi advanced towards the god, the bitterness he once felt towards Qinglong a mere echo compared to the last time he had faced her. He could afford to let it lessen, now that Chang'e was by his side once more.

"Did you not notice, oh omniscient one?" he smirked. "Surely you recognize the soul of the woman you cursed to a hopeless existence. My Chang'e walks among the fields and mountains once again, no thanks to you."

Qinglong eyed him curiously. "You maintain your foolish beliefs I see. I have told you before that it is not my fault your lover chose what she did."

"And I have told you that my Chang'e would have never taken that deal if you had not trapped me here for a hundred years!"

"Did I not award you an equal existence to hers? The fault still lies with you."

"Of course!" Hou Yi scoffed, "Because it is foolish to doubt a pearl contains the power to conquer time!"

"And yet once again you appear before me lacking that which you dismissed. Though I suppose you are no longer qualified to seek one out."

"You need not concern yourself over my affairs any longer. Is that not the policy of your kind?"

"Careful mortal," Qinglong warned, her voice going low. "I have tolerated you longer than you deserve but even my patience grows thin."

"My apologies, Lord Qinglong," Hou Yi said with a bow that disgusted the god.

She knew he was up to something and it irritated her to no end that he would dare play out his mortal squabbles in her paradise but he was correct on one point. The actions of mortals were not the concerns of the gods. Thus she need not stand witness.

With a blinding flourish that encompassed the whole space, Qinglong vanished leaving Hou Yi as the sole occupant of the clearing.

He smiled, pleased. By her own admission he knew the god would not interfere but on the odd chance that she chose to anyway, he had wanted her gone. Now he just needed to wait a little longer and then Chang'e would be his.

o0o

Chi-Chi cursed as she fell on her butt for the seventh time. Why couldn't she leave? It felt like she was getting electrocuted every time she tried an exit but she couldn't see anything! There was some annoying buzzing sound but there was no heat, no invisible magnetic force, nothing to indicate or hint at what the hell was keeping her locked in here.

She raised herself on one knee and rubbed her rear end cursing the wetsuit she was wearing for having so little padding. It was a bit embarrassing walking around in something that clung to her so tightly, even if she could pull it off. Little good that did her if she couldn't figure out how to get out of this damn maze! And what was all that buzzing?

Focus! There had to be something she was missing but what?

She knew there was some sort of force field keeping her trapped within this space and it was clear that she was in some sort of maze…what had Qinglong said before? That if she made it out she would teach her a second lesson? That meant she needed to learn something here right? No doubt something to do with the forcefield but…what the hell was making all that damn noise?!

Chi-Chi looked around, determined to find the source but there was nothing, nothing at all. She shut her eyes tight, hoping that by cutting out her other senses she could hear where the noise was coming from. Except as she walked around the space blind, she realized the noise was everywhere, even in the center of her little cell.

Why would that be? Better yet, how could that be? She wasn't getting thrown from walking across the floor, only when she tried to leave. If it wasn't electricity…what was it?

She focused her ki on improving her senses and put her hand up to her one ear, to better listen, only to be startled when she realized the noise that she could hear around her prison was also coming from her!

"What on earth…." Chi-Chi muttered, feeling even more lost.

How could she be emitting the noise too unless….unless the force she was hearing was ki!

"That's it!" Chi-Chi grinned, relieved now that she had some direction. Goku had once told her that everyone had some ki—no matter how weak—but she had never considered the possibility that there was ki in the plants and soil all around her!

So maybe the key to getting out of this place was to somehow divert the ki away from blocking the exits. But which exit to choose? She went up to each and listened close, noting that there was one in particular that seemed…quieter than the others. Weaker.

That one!

Chi-Chi pressed her hand just to the side of the opening and shoved her energy through the hedge, hard. She might not be capable of ki blasts but she could do this much. Just as she expected, the ki she sent through was enough to disrupt the flow rendering the space silent.

She stepped through the exit with a smile.

Now…where to go from here? She knew from her Mama's stories that the best way to go through a maze was to keep one hand on the wall at all times. It might take her longer but at least she wouldn't get lost. Then again, if she really thought about it, getting lost would take more time, so slow and steady it was.

Chi-Chi placed her left hand on the wall closest to her and began walking, ignoring all the other paths until she came to a new opening along her chosen wall. She leaned in close, feeling the faint hum more than hearing it now, and sent a short burst of ki at it. When she walked through without hitting a barrier, she smiled.

That is until she hit a dead end.

"I guess it would be too easy if this actually led anywhere."

She turned to leave when something snagged her wrist.

"What the…let go!" Chi-Chi growled, yanking her arm free just as another vine snatched her ankle and sent her careening to the ground. She tore her ankle free but the vine was quickly replaced with several more before she could even get to her feet. She ripped them away only for more to latch on and then her wrists were caught and bound above her head and vines were wrapping around her mouth!

Chi-Chi screamed, panic starting to set in, as the vines began to drag her towards where they disappeared beneath the hedges.

"MGN MOU!"

Her ki burst out all around her, zapping every trailing tentacle like vine that reached for her until they withered and shriveled away almost instantly.

Heart racing, Chi-Chi stumbled to her feet and hurried to the path she'd been on, flinging herself around the corner before daring to look back to see if she was pursued. She sighed upon spotting the few remaining vines retreating back into the soil, and sunk to the ground.

That was terrifying! They were trying to bury her alive!

Chi-Chi whimpered, recalling how helpless she had felt and did her best to get her emotions under control. She had always known that death was a possibility when she started this journey but she had never felt true fear of that possibility until just now.

But…but Goku faced this kind of danger all the time. Like Piccolo or the Red Ribbon Army…Goku had been facing danger since he was a child! No doubt he would face future dangers too. If she wanted to be able to support him then she needed to get over her fear.

Chi-Chi sighed and smacked her cheeks, before climbing to her feet, still a little shaky from her recent brush with danger. But it was okay because she could do this. She would get stronger. Strong enough to protect her friends and loved ones…and strong enough to be able to stand alongside Goku when it mattered most.

For them, and for her Mama who had always longed to face these challenges herself, she would see this through to the end.

Chi-Chi took one last deep breath and then continued down the path.

o0o

Goku rubbed his eyes roughly, grumbling about jerks who felt the need to blind people when he felt—cause he sure as hell couldn't see—something take a swing at him.

He jumped back automatically with a growl. "Hey! That's not very nice!"

Goku squinted towards where he'd just been standing, making out a thick figure with…hooves? He followed the limbs up, up, up past a large human looking body to find a bull's head staring back at him.

What the heck was that thing?

He didn't have long to ponder the strange creature because as soon as he understood he was facing some sort of bull man, twenty more just like it appeared, all of whom reached into small pouches tied to their hips and pulled out various sharp and spiky weapons as they formed a circle around him.

These guys were his challenge?

Goku smirked.

This would be easy.

The nearest bull man sliced downward and Goku flipped over the attack, using its chest as a jumping point to launch himself at the adjacent attacker. He swung his fist straight into the beast's diaphragm but it was him that pulled away howling.

Goku sniffled as he examined his throbbing hand before glaring at the bull men who were examining the one's stomach curiously. What the heck were these things made of?

"Guess, I'll have to try using a weapon of my own," he muttered as he pulled out his new staff. It wasn't as fun as his power pole but he hoped its weight meant it could handle these guys.

"Here I come!" he shouted, running up at full speed. Goku jumped in the air when he was close and slugged the beast across the jaw, sending it flying into several others. But if he had thought that would do some damage, he was soon disappointed. The bull man clambored to its hooves, rubbed its jaw and then resumed its ready attack position.

Goku wiped his brow and smirked. And Qinglong claimed he was stronger than everyone else. What a load of bull that was. He snickered at his joke as he dived and rolled from an oncoming attack.

There had to be a way to take these guys out but how?

Jumping out of the way of another attack, Goku landed on the head of a nearby bull man and waited until the last second to move so they could take each other out. The blow landed while Goku ducked and dodged. He leaped over another attack and glanced back to see the damage but the bull man got up, once again unfazed.

Damn. They couldn't even damage each other? Something wasn't right about this.

He dodged another blow from a bull man wielding something long and spiky and noted the crater it made in the ground.

Well it sure wasn't strength that was the issue.

Goku somersaulted back a distance, planning to test how they handled his Kamehameha, when a brilliant flash rang out blinding him for the third time.

"Son of a bi—"

o0o

Get back! Get back! Get back!

Chi-Chi spun and ducked just as some lanky husk of a creature lunged, feeling the scrape of its claws snag against her wetsuit. She shoved it to the side and continued around the corner, with several more just like it close on her heels.

What the hell were these things?!

She just had to remove her sash before coming down here. Now look at her! Barely dodging the hordes of creepy zombies all funneling down the narrow passage.

Chi-Chi threw herself back against the hedge as the zombies swarmed past her, snatching up one that had been trampled in the rush and swung it wide, bowling the others down in one go but it was just a temporary fix. No matter what she did they just wouldn't stay down!

Well…there was one thing she hadn't tried but she didn't know how it would affect a living creature…or undead in this case.

Still, she had to try something!

Decision made, Chi-Chi slapped her palm across a lunging zombie's shriveled chest and shot a burst of ki directly to where she thought its heart might be. It crumpled to the ground as she moved on to the next, repeating her actions with each zombie that came forward until she was the only thing still standing.

She breathed a sigh of relief and then looked around.

Shoot.

Where was she again?

o0o

"Quit doin' that!" Goku griped, rubbing his eyes furiously.

He sensed the attack before it could strike and flipped back, blocking the blow, and followed through with his own punch, coincidentally hitting a spot on the creature where their ki seemed to be fluctuating oddly.

There was a roar of great pain and then a loud thud followed by a brief moment of silence.

Goku blinked several times, adjusting his eyes, and was shocked to find his attacker knocked out on the ground, their ki severely lower.

"What the…"

Had he done that?

He scratched the back of his head as he stared at the unmoving figure curiously but quickly had to dodge another incoming blow. On a hunch, Goku focused on the closest two bull men, sensing out their ki, and noticed it fluctuating in different spots. He struck quickly, first in the kneecap and the next in the left ribcage and watched both his opponents crumple to the ground like the first.

Huh. Maybe this wasn't going to be as difficult as he thought.

o0o

"Let go!" Chi-Chi growled, sending another wave of ki through her attackers. It still disturbed her that she could stun the creatures so easily just by disrupting their ki but nothing else seemed to get through to them! She dusted herself off as they all fell to the ground and turned the corner to find another opening…another opening that looked like it let out to the exit!

She did it! She actually did it!

Indeed. Are you ready for your second lesson?

Chi-Chi couldn't see Lord Qinglong but that didn't matter. She knew she was ready.

Somehow Chi-Chi could feel the god smiling at her response.

Very well.

A cool metal circlet suddenly formed on her brow, startling Chi-Chi, but then it started to get hot. Really hot! It was way worse than that time she'd touched her curler before it had had the chance to cool down! She clenched her teeth, trying to bear with the pain.

"What kind of lesson is this!" she cried, clutching her head.

Cease your resistance and find out.

Cease her resistance? Was she insane? She was barely hanging on as it was! What…what if she couldn't handle it?

What choice do you have?

Chi-Chi whimpered, unable to argue, and let go.

All at once the pain disappeared and Chi-Chi sighed in relief before finally opening her eyes to find she was in some kind of empty void.

"Your mind," Qinglong corrected, appearing beside her, now dressed in form fitting clothing.

"My mind?" Chi-Chi murmured, looking around at the vast nothingness. "What are we doing here?"

"What indeed?" Qinglong snapped her fingers, and three realistic dummies appeared before them, all somehow emitting blazing auras. She then turned sharp, humorless eyes on Chi-Chi.

"You do not belong here. This path was not made for the likes of you. You are strong, yes. A strong woman who has the strength to wed a strong man and bear him strong sons. That is your destiny. There is only so far you can go on strength and determination alone. For someone like you, who struggles to manipulate their ki, undertaking such a journey is the height of foolishness."

Chi-Chi frowned. The goddess wasn't wrong.

"I passed your test."

"You did."

With no other response, Chi-Chi pursed her lips, trying to get a read on the god but she knew it was an impossible task.

"I appreciate your advice," she said after a minute. "However, no one decides my fate but me." She raised her chin high. "I've made my choice and I intend to see it through."

Qinglong smiled and walked up to the first dummy.

"Indeed. Then you will need to learn how to negate your opponent's advantage." She pressed a point on the figure and the blazing ki suddenly ceased to exist, startling Chi-Chi.

"Now let us begin."

o0o

Goku dusted off his hands as he checked out his handiwork. All twenty of the weird bull men layed crumpled over in one way or another, none capable of moving. He was a little disappointed it was over so soon. Wasn't this supposed to be a challenge? Once he'd figured out their weakness, it had been too easy to get rid of them.

Oh well. Maybe the next one would be better.

He stretched his limbs, sensing for Chi-Chi's ki as he made his way back. It was fluctuating quite a bit but at the same time, he didn't really get the sense she was fighting.

"Weird," Goku muttered, spotting Hou Yi not too far away. What was he staring at? His gaze drifted to the dark mass on the ground.

That looked like…

"Chi-Chi!"

Goku crossed the distance in a second, shoving Hou Yi aside as he rolled Chi-Chi over to examine her. What the hell was wrong with her? Did…did she fail her test? She didn't seem like she was in danger but then why was she passed out like this?

"Chi-C—ungh!"

…

Hou Yi smirked as he watched the little runt crumple on top of Chang'e and rubbed his hand.

The boy's head had been harder than Hou Yi had anticipated but there was no way he would be getting up after the blow he had delivered. Even if by some miracle the fool lived, by the time he woke, he and Chang'e would be long gone and the whelp would be trapped there for a hundred years.

Hou Yi snatched the bag containing the boy's pearl off him and then tossed it and the whelp aside before scooping Chang'e up into his arms.

"Come beloved. It is time you and I become properly reacquainted with one another."