Earth
The morning after Gohan's return.
An unfairly handsome Gohan flew toward school with Videl cradled in his arms. Videl hadn't gone home last night; she'd stayed at the Son house and shared a room with Chi-Chi. Chi-Chi had already explained everything to Mr. Satan. Though he grumbled, he wasn't about to pick a fight with a pregnant woman.
Videl's cheeks were still pink, and she was honestly astonished Gohan could fly.
"Gohan, my dad says this is all smoke and mirrors. Are there… strings up high that I can't see pulling us along?" As she spoke, she wrapped both arms tighter around Gohan and patted around his back, searching.
No strings.
Worth noting, even holding Videl, Gohan flew upright. Flying on his stomach with her on top? Absolutely not.
"This is Sky-Dance Technique," Gohan said patiently. "You fly by controlling your ki. It's not an illusion."
He'd already decided to teach Videl how to sense and use ki.
Despite her age, she'd already topped one hundred in battle power.
"Can I really learn it?" Videl looked up at him with those clear, guileless eyes.
"Of course. Today's Friday. Tomorrow's the weekend. I'll come pick you up and teach you," Gohan said gently.
"Yes! I'll show Dad this isn't some stage trick. Hmph. He's gotten more and more full of himself these past years." Videl cheered, then muttered about her father's ballooning ego.
And just like that, Dad's little cotton-padded jacket turned into a drafty leather coat.
Friday passed without a hitch.
Gohan promised Videl he'd pick her up the next day and personally teach her to sense and use ki.
But plans never keep up with surprises.
Just as he was about to head for Videl's house the next morning, Krillin arrived.
"What? You want to turn yourself into an android?" Gohan nearly bit his tongue.
"Yeah, Gohan. Help me," Krillin said, face tight with frustration.
"What can I do?" Gohan would never refuse him. Krillin had helped the Son family more than once.
"Bulma says that 'infinite energy core' can't be found on Earth. I planned to wish for it from Shenron, but the Dragon Balls were just used. They haven't recovered yet. Bulma said if anyone has a way, it's you." Krillin stared at him, hopeful.
"Great. I don't even know what that infinite energy core looks like… That woman." Gohan rubbed his forehead.
Still, Krillin's decision hit him hard.
"Wait here. I'll make this happen." Gohan clenched his jaw and vanished with Instant Transmission.
He checked with Dende for No. 18's location.
"Rising Dragon Punch! Yes, I win again!" No. 18 bounced on her toes, delighted.
No. 17, though icy as ever, was helpless against his sister. He'd been letting her win.
After the Cell incident, the siblings hadn't caused trouble. They'd returned to the hometown they remembered and settled down.
A ripple of ki.
Gohan appeared.
"Huh? Sixteen isn't with you?" Gohan asked.
"Gohan? What are you doing here?" No. 17 countered.
From Eighteen he knew that Gohan had thrashed Cell until he spat them out. He still had the "Kill Son Goku" directive in his head, but where Gohan was concerned, he felt only gratitude.
"I need one of you to come with me," Gohan said evenly.
Whoosh.
Eighteen stepped in front of Seventeen in a blur. A light, distinct scent flooded Gohan's nose.
Smells nice, he thought before he could stop himself.
He took in the tall lines, the long legs, and well those remarkably firm
( . )( . )
"What do you want, Gohan?" Eighteen's voice was cold. No one would hurt Seventeen again if she could help it. Being taken by Dr. Gero still gnawed at her.
"What do you think? If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't have saved you. Krillin came by a while back, didn't he? I'm here about that," Gohan said, exasperated.
Eighteen flushed, coughed, and edged to the side.
"What's going on?" Seventeen asked.
"That infinite energy core can't be found on Earth," Gohan said. "I want one of you to come with me and ask someone who might know what it actually is. Don't tell me you aren't curious."
"Not curious. Let Eighteen go," Seventeen said with a faint smirk.
"What? Why me? I'm not going. You go," Eighteen shot back.
"Enough. Let's move. Quit your whining," Gohan said.
"I am not whining," Eighteen snapped.
"Well I'm not either. And why did you say I whine last time? Were you spying on me?" Gohan retorted.
"Who'd look at your little kid toy, toothpick," Eighteen sneered.
"Hmph. I'll show you what a 'toothpick' can do," Gohan ground out.
"Heh. Scaredy-cat. Bring it," Eighteen said, utterly unimpressed.
Gohan's temper flared.
Seventeen, of all people, stepped in. "You two have drifted a little off topic. Or is it that you, Gohan, want to be my brother-in-law?"
Help? This was pouring oil on the fire.
"Shut it, Seventeen. Who's marrying this little hoodlum?" Eighteen shouted.
"I wouldn't take this old lady if you begged me," Gohan yelled back.
They spoke in perfect chorus.
"Okay okay, I'm going to play my game. You two do whatever," Seventeen said, retreating with both hands raised.
"Lazuli, less talk. Are you helping or not?" Gohan's patience thinned to a thread.
"Hmph. For saving us back then, I'll help you once," Eighteen said at last, mouth hard but heart soft.
"Give me your hand," Gohan said, reaching out.
Eighteen stiffened. "What are you doing?"
"Don't get the wrong idea. Instant Transmission works best if I'm holding on," Gohan muttered.
After a hesitation, Eighteen placed her hand in his.
Her cool, boneless-soft palm startled a tiny flutter in Gohan's chest. He squeezed without thinking.
Eighteen's face went pink. "Hurry up, you little punk."
"Heh." Gohan grinned and vanished with her.
Beerus's Planet
Whis had intended to go hunt down opponents for Gohan, but he hadn't been gone long before he returned. He'd remembered he could just contact other angels through his staff. No travel required.
He reopened the projection, eager to watch Gohan get scolded again, only to see Gohan with Seventeen and Eighteen.
"Why are you asking me? Shouldn't you be bothering the Old Kai?" Whis hurriedly switched off the image.
"Whis, what were you and the Oracle Fish watching?" Gohan asked, as if he'd glimpsed something familiar.
"Ahem. Nothing at all. What brings you here?" Whis changed the subject with a smile.
"Could you take a look at the infinite energy core inside her and tell me what it really is?" Gohan said, tugging Eighteen gently forward.
He really didn't want to let go of that remarkable, cool-soft hand.
"Oh-ho-ho. Surely the Old Kai could handle this too," Whis teased.
"Hmph. That old man's a lech. Seventeen wouldn't come. I can't exactly throw this lamb to the wolf," Gohan said. He had planned to consult the Old Kai, but then he thought about how pretty Eighteen was…
So he changed course and came to Beerus's world instead.
(Old Kai: I see how it is. When there are benefits, you forget all about me.)
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