Welcome to the next chapter of my story. Now I feel bad that the last chapter was so short but I truly just had a stack of things to do. Honestly I have quite a bit to do this month as well but at least I will be able to manage getting a decent sized chapter out this time…hopefully.

Oh and I don't own dragon ball z

Chapter 22

=Satan Gym=

"The construction crew is working as fast as they can but it will take at least a few more days to rebuild the mansion." A woman told Mr. Satan over the phone.

"Can't you guys make it go a bit faster?" Mr. Satan asked already tired of his 'less than par' room.

"As I have told you before we are already putting ever man we can on the project. Anymore would only be getting in the way. And we would have been able to finish before you decided that this would be the perfect time for things to be upgraded." The woman told him with thinly veiled annoyance.

"Haaa fine just hurry up. The champ can't be the world's best without a proper night's rest. Bah ha ha!"

"…right we will do just that." The woman told him then quickly hung up.

"Tsk, darn people acting like it's a lot of work just updating all of the rooms they are working on. I mean I've even already bought all of the furniture that was lost." Mr. Satan grumbled for a few seconds as he turned the tv on.

knock Knock*

He heard a gentle nock on the room and quickly muted the tv. After all there really could only be one person it could be.

"Come in."

"Hey dad…" Videl muttered feeling a bit awkwardly.

"Videl I am glad you came!... so you have figured things out?" He asked hopeful. After all he still loved his daughter.

"Kind of… I still have questions that seem to just keep stacking up but for now I will focus on one thing at a time. So, how about we work together for right now? I will show you how to use ki while you show me what you used to be able to help out without having it." Videl offered. "I still can't imagine how someone without ki could do anything remotely helpful against it. So, this way I can find out just what he did to do so…if he was telling the truth. Honestly I don't know how much I can trust him now that I've found out that he lied to me for this long." Videl thought.

"Ummm…uh." Mr. Satan started trying to figure out what to do. "H-how about I uh…get things ready first and then I will show you. Yea that's it!" Mr. Satan told her with a cold sweat forming on his head.

"…sure…" Videl muttered already connecting various idea possibilities. Course she learned her lesson from Gohan and didn't immediately force the point this time. "So, then tell me…how exactly did you HELP kill Cell." Videl asked.

"Well…it was a tough battle that all of us were involved in. It finally came to a head at a very tense moment but then it all worked out and finally we were able to kill Cell." He told her. After all it wasn't a complete lie…he just didn't tell her the damning information.

"Really. You can't give me more information than that?" Videl asked a bit annoyed.

"I am sorry Videl. It is just hard to talk about even now. I just told the media a story that just got deeper and deeper to mask the true horrors of that time." Mr. Satan told her.

"Ok dad….I guess I understand." Videl told him clearly disappointed. "So, he is still being really evasive about this even when he admitted to me the truth. With how my dad is I doubt that he is too traumatized about ANYTHING to talk about it…but I guess it's not impossible. Still he is acting like the criminals I've watched getting interrogated do. Telling some information but still keeping it as vague as they possibly they came…there is still just too much information missing…" Videl thought but still walked away from her father's room.

"I am sorry Videl." Mr. Satan muttered under his breath. "I would love to tell you the truth but I have a feeling that you would want nothing more to do with me. That is something I just couldn't handle. I have filled the hole your mother's death has left me with various other women and money but you still are my true treasure…even if she figures out she hopefully will be happy with the prince I had her get with…and even if she doesn't want to talk to me I am sure that she would have to help me if those blond guys come trying to find me again right…maybe we should have some of the Ox army guard my mansion as well." Mr. Satan thought staring at the closed door.

Hours Later

After talking with her father Videl ended up still muddling through and sorting her thoughts even as she sat down in her chair for school to start. So much so that she found herself jumping in surprise when Erasa sat beside her. A jolt enough to make her finally noticed that the whole group was actually around her now.

"Hey girl are you ok? You usually don't react like that even when I try to sneak up on you. Not to mention you look real tired." Erasa asks concerned.

"Yea I know that the whole gang situation sucks but don't worry Mr. Satan will surely work together with you to wipe them out for good the next time they try to do something." Destiny tells her. Something she normally would refuse seeing as she could 'handle anything herself' like her dad…but at this point she just couldn't bring herself to say it.

"I am fine guys…just a new case that I am working on is taking quite a while for me to figure out. But I will get it eventually." Videl told them with a fake smile.

"Do you think this has to do with how she was questioning things during your last training?" Miara whispered.

"Ya probably, but I just still don't know what is going on in her head. I can help her train sure but that crazy detective style of hers just can't get helped by anyone." Gohan whispered with a slightly amused smile.

"And that is why your harem is even more ridiculous than those in tv shows. You are just too attracted to strong willed women just like a true Saiyan." Trunks told him only to get a jab to the side quick enough that not even Videl could register it happening.

"Would you shut up. We told him that he has to do it and dad even agreed that it was a good idea to keep our people alive." Briana told her brother with a quick glare.

"Tsk, I was just stating a fact. You know it was true." Miara grumbles.

"Yes, yes we know that you are so upset that you weren't the strongest option for the job. But hey at least I already know that who you have been lusting after would NEVER let it work out anyways. So, your weakness is saving you from a massive headache." She tells him getting a glare in return.

"Fuck you." He stated simply.

"Nope not into you like that." She told him sticking her tongue out.

"Tsk, damn woman." Miara stated in a Vegeta like way. Still he chose not to push the conversation any further. The day then passed by mostly like normal for the group. It was the same old boring lessons that made everyone nearly fall asleep. Until finally the lunch bell rang and everyone excitedly left the room.

"Hey Gohan do you mind waiting up for a minute?" Videl asked while ignoring the look that Erasa and Destiny were giving her.

"Umm sure." Gohan told her and sat back down while everyone else filtered out.

"Don't worry Gohan we will save you guys a seat." Lime told Gohan simply.

"Guess you get to hear your detective has thought of." Briana states as she walks away.

Videl stood still not saying anything until the last of their classmates filtered out of the room.

"So, what do you need Videl?"

"Umm…well you know how we were talking about how my dad doesn't have his Ki unlocked yesterday right?"

"Yea…"

"Well I talked to him after we were done trying to get him to show me how he could fight ki users without having it himself and in return I would teach him about ki. That way both of us would get stronger…but all he said was that he would 'think about it'"

"Ok so he is giving the deal thought at least." Gohan told her sweating a bit. "Damn her intelligence. Mr. Satan can hardly create a believable lie for the world. He stands no match against her!" Gohan mentally panicked.

"Yea he will. But…what if this is just an excuse to not show me anything? I mean we both already know that he has lied to the world including me. What if- What if he is lying to me about his abilities even more? I mean the more you teach me about ki the more I think any regular move without it involved would just be ineffective. I mean you have already taught me about how to boost my defense so it just seems ridiculous that someone could break through that without using ki in return." Videl explains

"…yes that does seem like a valid point. But there is always new moves and techniques to find and learn out there. You never know what truly is possible or impossible." Gohan told focusing his thoughts on namek to tell the truth.

"I guess. But I just find it hard to believe the more I think about things. Though he is the one who killed…I mean help kill Cell. Just…Just tell me the truth here. Seeing as you have a lot more knowledge about ki do you think there was truly any way that my dad could do anything to have helped in that battle?" Videl asked.

"I..I don't think that he could do anything to a ki user no." Gohan admitted.

"I knew it…but then did he really have a way to help in the battle or is he just lying to me even more?" Videl muttered to herself.

Gohan could clearly see that Videl was stressing herself out with all of this new information and questions coming to her. Something that was very understandable seeing as right now more than ever her world view has been shaken. Especially for her finding out someone she has intense respect and trust in has been lying to her face is a very heavy blow. But instead of saying anything Gohan acted impulsively and wrapped her up in a hug. An act that stunned the girl in place.

"G-gohan!" Videl cried out in surprise.

"I am sorry Videl I am sure that all of these new revelations have surely been messing with you for longer than even I have noticed. I can't change the fact that things are happening but please just know that your friends are with you whenever you need them…I am with you." Gohan told her gently brushing her hair. He then pulled back and gave her a smile. "So, don't bottle it all inside. Make sure you let us help you ok?" Gohan told her. He after all, honestly wanted to help her. After all his 'gently easing' her into the truth has drastically failed.

Meanwhile on Videl's end she had no clue that Gohan was simply using what calmed down Goten to try and sooth the situation. In fact, she wasn't even trying to figure out why Gohan was saying this. Instead she found herself blushing first out of surprise. Her blush then drastically darkened as she found herself enjoying having her hair played with. Finally her face was practically completely red as she listened to his comforting words. After enjoying the treatment for a little while she looked to Gohan with her blush still present but just couldn't get his lips out of her mind. She then slowly leaned closer to her target but quickly regained her wits and realized what she was about to do. With this in mind she turned completely red and quickly pushed off of Gohan.

"I-I-I let's go eat before the period ends y-ya." She tells him running from the room while trying to cool off. "Stupid. Stupid. Come on brain I know that this is new grounds for us but you just can't go on autopilot on me. I am not prepared for that!" Videl mentally grumbles with herself. After all most things about love was a VERY new thing for her to deal with.

_Gohan_

While Videl fled away for lunch Gohan was left suprsied for a few seconds. He then quickly thought about what he just did and found himself blushing heavily at his mistake. "Stupid Gohan! You saw a girl you care about struggling and just had to go and help her calm down. But I can't believe the first thing that came to mind was something that worked to calm down Goten when he threw a fit. And why did I just assume that Videl enjoyed having her hair stroked like Bri and Lime! Ugh, I hope she doesn't keep away from me now that we had this awkward moment…I have just started truly teaching her how to reach the next level already!" Gohan thought panicked but calmed himself down the best he could and went towards the lunch room as well. Still he ends up walking down to the cafeteria himself at a slower pace than the girl before him.

~Cafeteria~

When Gohan finally made it to where the rest of their group was he realized he really had no time to eat his normal amount. So, for once he decided to forget trying to hide his way of eating and instead tried to stuff the food into his mouth at his normal speed. Something that surprised a few of the people around them but knowing that he didn't have much time to eat the 'crazy' amount of food he had they overlooked it for the most part. Though this was partially due to even his 'slow' eating being pretty darn fast. Meanwhile Videl ate a little bit but for the most part was still lost in thought. And even though all those around them wanted to talk to either one of them but gave them a grace period seeing as they needed to finish eating and get to class with them. Only what felt like a few seconds later and the bell rang and everyone left for class.

~Classroom~

After getting into their seats the teens found that their teacher was apparently running late. Something that just as usual led to everyone chatting with their friends.

"Ok Videl so spill what is going on to make you this way? I haven't seen you go this crazy since when you started to work with the police and tried to do too much." Erasa whispered at her friend.

"Like I said I am fine I just need to think about-"

"Shh, just like you I don't like liars." Erasa told her with a glare. "I've seen you deal with murder cases with seemingly no problems. And back then you just told us 'its rough but it's part of work' with just a shrug. But yet a new case is all of a sudden messing with you after all these years."

"…honestly I don't know what to say." Videl whispered back rather stunned that Erasa of all people saw through her.

"Tsk, don't you go getting surprised about me all of a sudden. You've known me for years. I might not be as smart as you but I've got plenty of brain power to call my own. I just happen to like the social life more than school life. Now spill."

"I…Just…" *sigh* "can you at least wait till I call you later today?" Videl asks.

"Hmm…fine but if you back out you regret it." Erasa told her making Videl actually gulp in fear. After all the first time she scoffed at the blonde's threat she was treated to a marathon spree of shopping. Not even their normal mall trip could compare to the trip that felt like it practically took the whole day. The next time she did it Erasa refused to even acknowledge her until she allowed Erasa to give her a full make over. So, while the punishments she got were by no means something harmful or something she couldn't escape. She still made every effort to avoid them when she felt it was possible for the sake of her mental health. It didn't help that Erasa was her best friend that she always had a soft spot for. Something the girl knew and took advantage of to keep Videl's tendencies contained. They truly were best friends forever that tried to do what is best for each other when they could.

Later in the day

When school ended and her training was done Videl followed her promise and called Erasa. Except the girl was adamant about meeting in person. Which lead to situation she currently found herself in. Sitting in a quiet café with her friend with a milkshake in front of each of them.

"So, now that we are alone and no one can overhear us spill what has been bothering you. You know its not healthy to do this to yourself. And seeing as it's that much of a struggle I even kept Destiny from coming…but if you think she would help we can always call her." Erasa tells Videl taking a small sip. She didn't even think to involve Mel seeing as she could only assume the problem had to do with said girl's brother.

sigh* "I suppose you are right…and no as much as I don't want to have secrets…The less that know the better." Videl told her. "Now do I try to explain that my dad is a liar straight up, keep it vague enough that she can't put the pieces together, or just focus on Gohan and the new feelings I have coming up." Videl thought as she drank some of her own.

"So, you know how dad just said that he can use energy but just couldn't show it?"

"Yea because it would be too strong and all that stuff."

"Yea…but I found out that he was just telling one big lie when he said that. He can't use energy and never has been able to."

"Huh? But then why would he say that he could do it then?"

"Because he didn't want people to know the truth. He said that it would make people question what he did with cell." Videl admitted.

"I mean why? It's not like anyone can say he wasn't there. And when the camera came back he was the only one left in the area. So how would he NOT have been the one to kill Cell even if he was able to do all that?"

"It's because…because he admitted to me that the other guys there played a part in the fight as well. And a big one at that."

"Ok…"

sigh* "I hate this beating around the bush shit. He admitted to me that he didn't actually kill Cell but only helped those guys do the job." Videl admitted annoyed with herself for walking around the problem even though she hated when others did the same.

"What!?" Erasa called out for a shock before Videl grabbed her.

"Shh! I thought you were going to keep quiet." Videl growled out at the blond who stared at her surprised.

"S-sorry Videl. I just wasn't expecting THAT to be said of all things." Erasa admitted. "So you are saying that he didn't kill Cell but he did at least help them…but I do feel bad for those that didn't get any credit…I mean he even made fun of them for ages." Erasa muttered.

"Y-you believe me?" Videl asked partially surprised.

"Well yea. I've known you for years and you have never have lied to me or ANYONE before. Besides you are his daughter. Who else but you would be able to give accurate information on him?" Erasa tells her with a small smile.

"Erasa…" Videl muttered touched. Though she had to admit that she also felt a bit worried that her friend would be far to easy to trick. But she put that to the back of her mind to worry about another day. "But yea. He said he was just trying to keep the fact that super dangerous moves were out there hidden away. And the easiest way was just to say it was all fake. And he even went as far as telling the world the people that were with him were nothing but fonnies…but apparently, they all had their own part in the battle."

"Ok…I guess that makes sense. So, I guess the reason you were so stressed is because you can't stand them not getting the respect they deserve. That is so like you for wanting things to be fair and just for everyone." Erasa stated with a proud smile.

"No it's not that…"

"OH then what has been bothering you so much if it's not trying to pay back those other fighters?"

"Umm…well…with all of the weirdness that my father has been saying and doing. And the fact that he really hasn't shown any training or anything for the last few years. Basically…I am just stuck wondering if my dad even played ANY part in defeating Cell…I mean you have seen what his is like what do you think?" Videl asks actually surprising Erasa yet again.

"What!?" Erasa called out causing the few people at the restaurant to look at them strangely for the second time. "S-sorry" Erasa muttered sheepishly. "How on earth did you get it in your head that even that is a lie?"

sigh* "It's just that as much as I want to believe him the facts that have come out are all pulling against him. First when I was starting to get real good he seemed to have issues fighting me and stopped. Then joked that he was taking it easy on 'his girl' but never tried to help me again. Next whenever something else happens he manages to be MIA until its over while always having a 'reason'. He also almost never trains himself anymore stating it is in secret…even to me. And now with all of these new facts coming in what he told me…told the world is starting to crumble into tiny pieces." Videl explained. "Hell at this point if they didn't cause public terror and damage I would almost be rooting for that gang to force him to finally crack through his lies."

"I see so you are starting to question Mr. Satan but the fact that he has been your hero all of your life is making the process weigh on you. That is why you are acting so weird." Erasa states getting a nod. "Hmmm. Well the best thing for you to do is just get this situation over with. If we can find both parties of the event and talk to them at the same time surely, they will even each other out and make the real story come out. And you always know where Mr. Satan is so now we just have to find one of the golden fighters right?" Erasa asks. "Oh Videl. I love you like a sister but I have NO idea what sort of processing is going on in that head of yours. You say Mr. Satan isn't as strong as he tells the world but it is just so hard to believe. I mean I trust you more than anyone but this story must be so big that even I can't make anything out of it. No wonder that detective brain of yours is so overworked with you trying to process some world level mystery." Erasa thought. For she truly did believe Videl. It is just hard for her to imagine people being stronger the things that she has seen Mr. Satan do.

"A meeting huh. But that would mean that I need to find one of the golden fighter…" Videl muttered. "Hmm. Finding the gold fighters is surely going to be next to impossible seeing as no one has really seen them up until recently. But Gohan did say that the more you work on in the better you will be at sensing energy. Maybe he can find one of them with me. Or better yet maybe he knows one of them!" Videl thought now with at least an idea of how to solve the massive puzzle she felt she had on her hands. "That is a perfect idea thank you Erasa." Videl told her with a hug.

"Oh you are welcome." Erasa told her a bit supersized by the change but welcomed it over her friend being troubled. "…now how is it going with Gohan in those 'training' sessions." Erasa starts moving Videl away from her thoughts as a blush formed on her face.

"I-I don't know what you are talking about all we do is train."

"Yes, yes all you do is get sweaty together and come back happy." Erasa tells her amused.

"Erasa!" Videl growls out gaining the glances of the restaurant yet again.

~Secret Base~

The Crane gang were all trying to amuse themselves with various things but clearly were all quite clearly bored.

"Man I get that there are sensors all around the world that gotta be trying to find us but this is just so boring! I mean at least they could let us browse the internet or something! These reruns are getting so old." One of the members grumbles as he laid back in the chair he was in.

"It might be rather dry but we are trying to stay off all grids until we are truly ready. Having anyone find us while everyone isn't upgraded would be devastating to the master's plans. So, Master Shen has ordered us to keep inside of the building that will mask our ki while the internet is blocked to not let others find us that way." Chris told them making everyone groan.

"I get it but this is so damn boring. These egg heads could have at least gotten some GOOD shows recorded for us to watch." The man complained. After all as one could expect for a place largely focused on research. Entertainment options were largely left to be ignored and pretty much unused. A little while later and another group of the gang walks into the building talking to each other. "Tsk, just perfect the luckies are back" the man grumbles as the group mingled in to the rest.

"Oy don't complain about us being able to go outside and train! Everyone was given the opportunity to have their turn and you guys held off for a bit. Now that I am a cyborg like Mercenary Tao I feel so much stronger. But yet somehow my energy is completely hidden. It's great!" another guy states holding a ki ball in his palm. "And soon enough we will be ready to take over the world." He states with a smile crushing the ki in his hand.

After all when they were finally healed by the nano technology the people would have to quickly be trained to handle their new specs with Mercenary Tao personally making sure that they were becoming the ultimate soldiers. Though they still could not find themselves to live up to his standards the power they felt was well above twice what they started with. Still, everyone has seen the surgery site and some have even taken sneak peaks at it being performed. Something that contained many objects and sights they wish to pretend not to exist. Thus making several of the men rather hesitant to volunteer even though they have seen the results and power boost it gives. In fact those that have gone if forced to be honest would admit that the first thing they did was push all thoughts of the surgery as far back into their minds as possible.

Meanwhile in another room the doctor and Tao brothers were talking again.

"So, with that surgery we have finally worked out the kinks in the process and shouldn't have any more close accidents. Still before we put your advanced equipment in I would still like to have at least one more trial run to make sure that everything goes smoothly. We wouldn't want my greatest masterpiece to be dirtied by having a failed attachment rate after all." Doctor Stein tells them.

"Yes…we will do that. Feel free to use the pawns however you need." Shen tells him and watches as the doctor leaves. "Should we really trust him with our lives? He has been making the goons stronger but he has nearly killed at least two of them and only just managed to bring them back." He asks his brother worried.

"It is no matter. Those goons are his practice after all and the process is getting smoother it appears. Those near-death moments were on the first couple of your men and now they only have been slightly at risk. This is the price of power my dear brother. Those that are too afraid to do what they can to obtain it will watch it slip out of their hands." Tao states calmly. After all the whole reason they chose to have the gang made was to increase the doctor's success rate.

Before they brought the gang along the surgery was mostly just an idea on paper. But now that it was used on humans it has been refined to the point where it seemed it wouldn't be perfected anymore. Even if the gang themselves couldn't noticed Tao himself could. Each gang member that came out of recovery phase ended up being stronger than the last one. Something he could only equate to errors causing the tech to not preform being fixed as practice was obtained. It was the whole reason he used his precious time to train his brother's goons. Seeing the changes in person made the doctor's improvements all the clearer.

"…you are right brother." Shen states after a minute but clearly was starting to get cold feet.

"Of course I am! We must use all that is available to us to finally get what we deserve. The world will grovel at our feet." Tao tells him exciting his brother. "Well, they will grovel at my feet and maybe bow to you. I will always be the one on top after all. But I won't tell you dear brother seeing as I need you to be brave enough to go before me in case the real upgraded parts cause a new problem for the doctor. After all he was only able to create two sets of the new cyborg materials. The rest of the goons would just have to wait to be upgraded after enjoying the failed test pieces that he created. They should be happy enough that it at least boosts their feeble powers no matter what." Mercenary Tao thinks while keeping his expression neutral as normal. He truly did not care about any of the group before him. But rather could feel his excitement nearly bursting through his neutral mask as he thought of being able to defeat the sayians he has lost to so many times. Revenge truly would be sweet and nearly in his grasp. He didn't have time to have the doctor make everyone a true masterpiece. For he had a date with his destined kills.

And that is where I am going to end this chapter. As I have said before I am trying to make it so that while Mr. Satan has his crudy side that is self centered he still cares about his daughter. He is just so mucked up in his own lies and greed. But anyway as you can see the story is coming to a head with the gang. I am just hoping I can make the battle come out pretty decent. It is always tough to write battle scenes that I can see in my head just fine. Transferring that to text is rather daunting which makes me really appreciate other people's work even more to be honest.

Also for Tao I have him as the main 'enemy' of this story for now. The gang obviously will be the fodder that keeps various people occupied with all of their varied strengths. While his brother will be ultimately a bit weaker than he becomes. Something that makes sense with the way he thinks and with the way I wanna write this. For Tao would never allow anyone to share his place on the top. Even if it is his brother he had to make sure that he always had the upper edge. For everyone was just a stepping stone to his path to ultimate power no matter who they were. Ja Ne.