Lord Kojin looked like he was starting to grow annoyed. "If you refuse to bend a knee, then you will be punished."

He raised a hand, but instead of aiming it at Pan, he aimed it at Bata. "Perhaps the death of your friend here would help you see reason."

A ki blast erupted from his hand, but rather than move to intercept it, Pan stood there, riveted in horror and fear, as her friend was obliterated in the blast...

Pan gave a scream of fear and sat up in her bead. "BATA!"

Bolts of electricity rushed down her body and she was ascended to Super Saiyan 2 before she could register she was in her room, not in the Arena at Kojin's Monastery. She looked around, feeling tense, before it dawned on her what was going on.

"Kami... damned... nightmares!" hissed Pan in a rage, cold sweat drenching her body.

The door to her room burst open and Gohan rushed in. "Pan? Are you okay?"

Pan started at him for a moment, embarrassed, before looking away and powering down. "S-sorry... just a bad dream..."

Gohan walked over and sat down on the bed next to her. "You want to talk about it?"

Pan grumbled, "Not really..."

"Pan, tell me whats bothering you," ordered Gohan, his voice growing stern.

Videl walked into the room and stood next to the door-frame quietly.

Pan grew furious. "It was a dumb dream! It wasn't what really happened! I didn't cower and let her die! I didn't stand still! I saved Bata!"

She bowed her head and mumbled. "Even if Kojin did kill me afterwords, I still saved Bata's life... at least that time..."

Gohan put a hand on her shoulder. "Pan, its okay, I used to have nightmares like this all the time."

Pan looked up at him. "You... did?"

Gohan nodded. "All the time after I beat Cell."

"Why?" asked Pan with frustration.

Gohan frowned, he didn't like those kind of dreams anymore than Pan did. "They were always a reminder of 'what if'. What if I hadn't been strong enough to stop Cell? What if I had failed and let everyone down, let everyone die?"

Pan scowled. "I don't need a nightmare to tell me what could happen if I'm weak. In fact..."

Pan got up, grabbed her Fox Hermit gi from under her bed, and put it on. "I think I'll go train just to prove that point."

"Er... Pan... it's kind of one in the morning. You should go back to sleep," said Gohan.

"Not if I'm gonna have another nightmare like that again," muttered Pan before leaving the room.

Videl walked over to sit next to Gohan and gave a sigh. "I thought I was going to have a heart attack when she woke me with her power spike and she screamed like that."

Gohan nodded and sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "That's two days in a row now. I think we might have to start getting used to Pan waking us up like that."

"But, at least I got a question of mine answered," he continued.

"What question?" asked Videl.

"I knew how she died, but, I didn't know why," he said with a half smile.

Videl gave him an angry look. "Why the hell are you smiling about her dying?!"

Gohan blanked for a moment before he held up his hands defensively. "That's not what I meant. She died defending someone's life Videl. As much as I didn't want her to die, its relieving to know that's why she went. When I die again, if its not by old age, that's the way I'd choose to go myself."

Videl slowly nodded, her anger pacified. "I guess it wouldn't be a bad way to go."

They both looked up and at the window when they felt Pan begin to power up off in the distance.

Gohan sighed. "Well, we might as well go make some coffee, were not getting back to sleep with her training..."

Pan threw a first forward, unleashing a shock-wave infront of her. She decided to warm up in her base before pushing to Super Saiyan and Super Saiyan 2. She paused briefly, noticing a hole that had formed in the treeline of the forest she was training in. Ah crap, she had just wrecked a good chunk of the forest with that shockwave. Woops...

Pan floated into the sky and began to re-select her training ground. She wanted to get strong enough to protect the world, not ruin it in the process. She scowled as she flew. They never needed to worry about this on Terra, the world was already ruined. A pang of guilt hit her at the thought. Pan's flying began to slow as she suddenly became aware of something. She stopped over a city, looking down on it. Silently, she resumed flying, deviating from trying to find a place to train, to just flying around the world like she used to when she was a simple four year old girl. She could feel them all, every single tiny speck of ki, every person in the world. She remembered flying around Terra at Odianna's side, noting how empty the world was without people.

"This is why you're training," said Pan to herself, "Earth can't EVER end up like Terra."

Pan picked up speed, going Super Saiyan and blasting across the night's sky until she finally found a large desert. She landed and focused her ki. She still hadn't done it normally yet, ascending to Super Saiyan 2. Every time she had needed a reason, whether it had been to save dad from the Majin, to not be weak infront of Grandpa, or to desperately get Vegeta's approval. Even her nightmare had given her a reason.

The ground around her rumbled, sand kicking up and blowing around her in a cycle as her power peaked at her full strength as a normal Super Saiyan. She ground her teeth, focusing her rage. She was tempted to try to use her memories again, but, the last time she had been training by herself it had proved useless. She could NOT afford her ascending to be triggered by an event each and every time. She needed something else... but what?

She rubbed her chin in thought for a few moments before an idea dawned on her. It wasn't one she liked putting herself through, but, she had a hunch it might work. Strangely enough, it was an idea inspired by her nightmare. If she wasn't strong enough, then people she cared about would die. In a moment, she imagined her mother in Kojin's grip, imagining the bastard snapping her neck and tossing her aside...

A bolt of lightning rolled down her body, followed by another. She focused on the fake image of her mother's dead body. Her hair began to wave back and forth, her power becoming erratic and spiking up and down. Finally, she replayed the image in her mind one more time before giving a scream of rage as she ascended to Super Saiyan 2. Pan examined herself, remembering the feeling of ascending under her own will and etching it into her memory. It had left a cold feeling in her chest. She did NOT enjoy using her imagination of her mother dying to be a trigger. But, if that's what it took, then that's what it took, and there was a reason she choose to accept it.

Simply put, that image of death could become a reality very easily. All it would take would be Grandpa and Vegeta being off world training with Whis or in the time chamber when a threat appeared. The gap between those two and everyone else on the planet was beyond mind boggling. The closest to them was Mr. Buu, and either Grandpa or Vegeta could beat him with a flick of their finger with some god ki.

She began punching and kicking the air, and as she did, milestones began to fill her head.

First goal: surpass Mr. Piccolo, shouldn't take too long.

Second Goal: surpass Mr. Buu, might take awhile

Third Goal:...

She sat down on the ground, thinking to herself. What would the third goal be? There was no one between Buu and Grandpa or Vegeta in this universe. So, maybe a different kind of goal? How about Super Saiyan 3?

She thought for a moment, mulling over what she knew of the form before frowning. "Do... I even want that form?"

She had to admit, personally she didn't like the ridiculous hair, the huge weird eyebrow ridge, or the voice change. Not to mention, that form had a huge downside with its power drain. It would be a huge short term power burst, but compared to Super Saiyan Blue it...

"Hee hee, why bother with three?" said Pan aloud, a grin crossing her face.

Third Goal: Become a Saiyan God.

She nodded to herself and stood up. Why waste time with an intermediate form when she could just go for the ultimate prize? If she recalled right, Vegeta had never even learned how to go Super Saiyan 3. You didn't need that form to become a god. Just become strong enough to attract Whis's attention, bribe him with some food, and you had a first class ticket to Super Saiyan Blue.

Pan cupped her hands to her side, formed a kamehameha wave, and blew away a sand dune. She aimed a finger at another one and began to release a barrage of Death Beams...

ZIP

Pan was surprised when her Grandpa appeared out of nowhere, become a Super Saiyan, and destroyed each of the Death Beams.

"Umm... hi Grandpa," said Pan, not sure why he looked agitated.

"You know, I kinda forgot I saw you learn Freeza's move when I was in your head. Didn't seem important then," said Goku, his voice stern, "Pan, that move is a penetrating move, that could have carried on for miles and hit someone or destroyed something."

Pan winced. "Oh, woops."

Goku crossed his arms. "Not to mention, why are you even using that kind of move? It's lethal."

"So is the Kamehameha wave," Pan shot back.

Goku raised an eyebrow. "You can hold back enough with the Kamehameha, there's only one use of that kind of move, and it's not a use I approve of."

The veins on Pan's head were beginning to throb in anger. "Why are you here Grandpa? I'm trying to train, not get scolded."

Goku rubbed his eyes. "I'm here because of your training actually. Bulma called, apparently Vegeta is threatening to come out here and, to quote 'beat you unconscious', unless I got you to stop training."

Pan blanked. "Uh... why?"

"Because its almost two in the morning and people are trying to sleep," said Goku with amusement, "You probably woke up everyone in the world who can sense ki."

Pan scratched her head, feeling bashful, and powered down. "Oh..."

Goku powered down as well. "I don't really mind, but, it IS kind of early, we usually don't train at this time of day, even when there's a tournament or some big threat on the way."

"I guess I can meditate or something until everyone's up," murmured Pan.

Goku yawned and stretched. "You ought to go back to sleep. You can train better when your not tired."

Pan scowled. "I'd rather not."

"Why?" asked Goku.

"I can't fight nightmares," she murmured.

Goku studied her for a second before shrugging. "Nope, just gotta deal with em like the rest of us."

Pan raised an eyebrow. "And what do you have nightmares about?"

Goku grinned sheepishly. "Ever wondered what it would be like to get eaten by your own food? I got eaten by a hamburger in one!"

Pan fell onto her back and slapped her own forehead. "Only you Grandpa, only you."

She sat up crossed her legs, and began to float. "I'll see you in a few hours then Grandpa. I'm just gonna meditate."

Goku shrugged. "Okay, if that's what you want."

ZIP

Pan watched her Grandpa go and then gave a sigh. "Mmm, I'm gonna have to meditate for like four or five hours before everyone's up... ugh..."

WHAM

Pan gave a startled cry as something hit her back and launched her face forward into the desert's sand.

"That, grandbrat, was for waking me up in the middle of the damn night!" came Vegeta's voice.

Pan pushed herself up off the ground, spitting sand out of her mouth and turned to glare at him before mocking, "Well soooorrrryy oh mighty Prince of the Saiyans."

Vegeta glared at her. "Watch your tone with me."

Pan eyed him before glancing up into the sky. It was morning now, guess it was time to start training. She looked back down at Vegeta and smirked. What better way to start than with the Prince? Pan closed her eyes for a moment before she turned Super Saiyan 2, her grin spreading and turning wicked. She burst from the ground and swung a heavy hit at him. Vegeta caught her first easily, ascending to Super Saiyan 2 as well. Pan's eyes went wide with glee. She had been right! Vegeta would not hold back like...

WHAM

Vegeta kicked her stomach, launching her up into the air and then flew after her, kicking and punching at a pace she couldn't follow. Pan couldn't manage any kind of defense, the difference in power between their ascended forms was astronomical. Vegeta threw his arms up into the air, connected his hands, and slammed the conjoined fists into Pan's shoulder, knocking her to the ground and half-burying her in sand.

She lost her aura and power, her hair turning back to black, and laid there, cringing. Oh man, soreness, pain, everywhere.

"You know grandbrat, I wasn't actually here to train you. But, if I had to give you a rating on that stupid blatant rush at the start, it would be a one out of ten," mocked Vegeta as he landed in front of her, "You're not fast or strong enough to get away with a stunt like that."

Pan rolled her eyes. "Thanks for stating the obvious."

"Hmph, obvious? I'd say you don't know whats obvious when it stares you in the face. You're not used to that form's power or feeling at all. I dare say with that look on your face when you started, you're drunk on its power with your blatant zealotry while in it. We will not 'spar' again till next week. Get some semblance of control with that form before then, otherwise I'll end our session instantly like I did this one, are we clear?" said Vegeta.

Pan nodded slowly. "Yes sir."

Vegeta began to float in the air. "Oh, and don't wake me up in the middle of the damn night again with your training, otherwise I wash my hands of you. I don't care about your momentary bad dream hissy fits, but full fledged training at that time will not be tolerated."

Pan watched him blast off before scowling to herself. Grumpy old asshole, perfect three words for him. Still, he was right. She unburried herself and brushed as much of the sand off her gi as she could before sitting down. She took in a deep breath, let it out, and forced her way back to Super Saiyan 2. She sat there, merely doodling in the sand to pass time. She'd need to master this form just like she did the normal Super Saiyan. Though, since she wasn't dead like last time it would probably take much longer to do so. Oh well, she'd hopefully have a few years before something came up to grow her strength and control...

Goku watched as Bulma's robots began to quickly build a large structure around Earth's portal to other dimensions. "So... why are you building that again?"

"Because Son-Kun, we can't have random people getting curious and just walking into other dimensions. The only reason I didn't build it when you and the others were gone looking for Pan was so you didn't think you had gone through the wrong portal when you came home," explained Bulma.

"Oh, okay," said Goku, scratching his head.

POP

Goku gave a start when both Omni-Kings suddenly appeared midair and then landed in front of him.

The right one spoke first. "Son Goku, we've been told Pan has been brought back."

Goku nodded. "Yep, shes out training right now if you wana go see her."

The left one shoot its head. "No, were very busy at the moment, we just wanted to drop by to confirm and give a warning."

Their tone became very serious as they spoke together. "From this moment on until we say otherwise, going through the portal to other dimensions is forbidden."

Goku blinked a few times before asking, "Why?"

The right one spoke. "Were in the middle of discussing rules and regulations of dimensional travel. We just took a recess in a meeting between several hundred Omni-Kings. Since its so easy to do so now, more and more keep connecting to our group to ask whats going on, and what happened."

"Son-Kun," said the left, "They are all very mad at you. If we didn't say you were under our protection, one of them would have already come and erased you by now."

A bead of sweat rolled down Goku's face. "Oh, um, thanks..."

The right one pointed a finger at him. "Still, you are on probation Son-Kun. While you may be our friend, if you break this portal rule, we will erase you ourselves, is that clear?"

Goku nodded. "Yeah, its clear."

The left one nodded. "Good, tell your friends and family as well. Dimensional negotiations may take a few years. There are already a lot of disagreements on what kind of travel should be allowed, if at all. As such, you might not see us for awhile."

POP

With that, they two Omni-Kings disappeared without another word.

"Tsaaa, what am I supposed to do till then?" whined Goku.

"Same thing you always do?" said Bulma, "Eat, sleep, train? Except you include Pan since she's not going to school anymore?"

Goku crossed his arms and sighed, pouting a bit. "I guess..."

"Honestly Son-Kun, you should relax at home for a bit after hunting for Pan for a few months," said Bulma.

"I dunno," murmured Goku.

"What's the worse that could happen?" asked Bulma.

Gowasu, the Kaioshin of Universe 10, sat alone at his table, and sipping tea; he sighed and bowed his head as he had done at least once a day for nearly the last decade. "Zamasu..."

Far behind him, sneaking a look around the partially open door into his domain, was a blue demon woman with long white hair. She had a thin body, and wore a skin tight red suit with a rather revealing area just under her chest. Her bottom half had a black cape as part of her clothes. She studied the Kaioshin silently for a time before backing off and walking away.

She rubbed her chin in thought, speaking to herself. "Well well Towa, I think you've found yourself an ideal target. Unlike the other dimensions, he's alone, and he doesn't appear to get frequent visits by his God of Destruction."

Towa smiled a sinister smile. "Yes, yes and ideal target indeed. Perhaps I should thank the 'other' Towa for coming to me and enlightening me on time manipulation."

She scowled. "But if that bimbo thinks I'm going to get dragged into her schemes to empower her precious 'Mira' and get entangled against the Time Patrol, she's got another thing coming. I bow to no one's will, not even another version of me."

She glanced back at the Kaioshin's dwelling. "All it will take is time. I'll work him over slowly, secretly, and finally, when his guard is down, his heart darkened completely with self-doubt, when he summons his time rings, I'll make my move..."