Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z, but I love to watch the show! Vegeta's my favorite!
Author's Note 12-9-10: Okay, so it's been a really long time since I started this story. Since the beginning of this story, I've been in college, been a missionary, and gone to graduate school twice. I'm still in graduate school but I hope to begin writing again on my stories and maybe find some new (and maybe even old) followers again. This story is my main one, where most of the action takes place. I will warn people who like a bad-to-the-bone Vegeta, this may not be the story for you. When I was working on this story before, I had a couple of followers who were really inflamed by the way I wrote this story. Please, I have warned you here and my author's notes continue to warn you throughout the chapters. If you come to not like the way I write the characters, please feel free to quit reading, but please don't leave me a flaming review. I do appreciate reviews and constructive criticism. If you choose to read my story, I hope you enjoy it and I hope to be updating soon. MiraiVidel
Author's Note: I'm really busy with my life right now, and as you can see, my chapters are fairly long. I will try to get at least one chapter out a week, at most, I will update every other week. I don't know how long this story will be, I have SO many ideas, it will probably be quite long. There will be something in here for everyone, no matter who your favorite character is, and expect some new (my original) characters to be brought in. Hope you enjoy!
Is There Life?
Vegeta is dead; the Z Fighters fear the same for Gohan; and Goku has returned to Other World. With only Trunks and Goten left as saiyans, will the world have to put its trust in a pair of seven and eight year old boys?
Chapter 1: Another
High above the earth, at the Lookout, Trunks and Goten continued training under Piccolo to learn the fusion technique. Begun by Goku, the training would hopefully give the two half-saiyans the ability to beat Earth's current threat, Majin Buu.
"We are not leaving until you get it right!" Piccolo was overseeing Trunks and Goten, "I will not be as soft as Goku! Now do it again!"
"But we're hungry!" Goten whined. It was almost lunchtime and they hadn't even had breakfast yet. Why was Piccolo doing this to them? He had to know saiyans couldn't fight on an empty stomach.
"So, you're hungry, are you!" Piccolo roared. Both boys nodded their heads vigorously, "Well, then GET BACK TO WORK! There will be no eating or resting until you are one person, is that clear!" Trunks and Goten gulped and carefully glanced at each other before reluctantly beginning the odd fusion dance once again.
Also at the lookout were the remaining Z Fighters and their families – Krillin, 18, and their daughter Marion; Yamcha and Puar; Oolong; Master Roshi; the Ox-King and ChiChi; Bulma; and Videl. Bulma, ChiChi, and Videl were all still in shock over the loss of the ones they loved – of the loss of Vegeta, Goku, and Gohan. However, Videl refused to believe Gohan was dead; she knew he was alive, he had to be. She could still feel his energy with her even though the other Z Fighters could not. ChiChi was hoping, praying she wouldn't lose Goten as well. Sometimes she wondered why she married Goku. However, Bulma was reacting somewhat differently, for a different reason.
She sat alone, crying, longing for Vegeta to be there. Though to the others he still appeared as the arrogant prince, she saw his soft, gentle, caring side most all the time when they were alone. "Why did he do it? Why did he have to give his life for us?" she wondered. She should have told him when she found out, but no, it was going to be a surprise after he won the World Martial Arts Tournament, or to cheer him up if Goku or Gohan managed to beat him. She moved her hand gently to rest on her stomach. They had wanted another child and now…now Vegeta was gone and she was carrying his child once again. He had been there when Trunks was born and she knew she would need him there for this child, too. She couldn't do it alone; she didn't have the strength or the energy. When she was pregnant with Trunks, she struggled to keep her ki up enough to keep going. She was sure had it not been for Vegeta giving her part of his ki, she would not have lasted against Trunks. She did not know how she was going to survive this pregnancy. ChiChi had survived Goten without Goku, but ChiChi was a martial artist, a fighter herself and was strong; Bulma's strength lied in her mind and her care for her family. She was a scientist, but nothing she could invent would replace Vegeta or help her sustain their half-saiyan child. She was weeping so hard she was shaking when Yamcha found her.
He approached her cautiously. He was looking for her to tell her Trunks and Goten were about to fuse but he found her crying and nearly in convulsions. She scared him. He had only seen her like this once before in the nearly thirty years he had known her. It had been the night Trunks was born. Vegeta had been out for a little while when Bulma had gone into labor. She was in so much pain and longed for Vegeta so much she had almost had a seizure. She had finally calmed down when Vegeta walked in the room. "Was she missing him that much now?" Yamcha wondered. Then he realized; he sensed it; he knew what was wrong. He had kept their secret once before, would he have to keep it once again? He knew she couldn't survive without Vegeta. The half-saiyan child she was carrying could kill her. "Bulma," he said softly as he gently laid his hand on her shoulder. She turned and buried her head in his chest. He had been the only other one besides Vegeta who had loved her, but even Yamcha didn't understand how much she needed Vegeta. Bulma felt safe with Yamcha, though. She knew he had sensed her unborn child and knew he would keep her secret for as long as possible.
Slowly, she lessened her crying to a soft sob. Yamcha released her and sat down next to her. He wouldn't force her to talk, he knew it wouldn't work or help. But he could be there for her and he would listen if she wanted to talk. "You won't tell anyone, will you, Yamcha?" she asked, looking at him. She knew he wouldn't, but she needed to hear it from him.
"Of course not, Bulma. You are my dearest friend. I would never betray that," Yamcha told her. He wished he knew how he could help her. If he could go to Namek, he would wish Vegeta back and solve her problem. However, he didn't know the instant transmission like Goku and since they didn't know where the new Planet Namek was, he couldn't take a space ship. All he could do was be there for her. He looked at her as she pulled her knees to her chest. "I came to tell you Trunks and Goten are about to fuse together. I thought you might want to see it and I'm sure Trunks would want you there." She looked at him, almost a blank stare. Trunks was all she had left. She doubted the half-saiyan child she was carrying would survive even if she did. It would need its father. Slowly, she got up and left to go watch Trunks. Yamcha walked with her, supporting her by putting his arm around her.
Meanwhile, at Supreme Kai's planet, Gohan continued to train with the Z Sword. Kabito had used his powers to save Gohan from the brink of death and, at Supreme Kai's wish, was brought to Other World to retrieve and train with the Z Sword. Upon returning to Other World, Goku sensed Gohan's ki and transported himself to Supreme Kai's planet. Here, Goku revealed to Gohan, Supreme Kai, and Kabito what was happening on Earth and about the Super Saiyan 3 transformation. Goku was allowed to stay and help train Gohan with the Z Sword. Gohan was welding the Z Sword wonderfully while Goku, Supreme Kai, and Kabito were looking on when suddenly Gohan stopped. "What's wrong, Gohan?" Supreme Kai asked.
"Well," Gohan said, letting the heavy Z Sword rest on the ground, "It's Vegeta. If he died then he would be here in Other World. I was wondering if, well, maybe if he could come here and help us train."
The others stood in shock at Gohan's request when Goku spoke up, "Gohan, we don't even know where in Other World he is. And there's another thing, Piccolo said Vegeta wouldn't get to keep his body because he led a selfish life where he served only himself."
Gohan couldn't believe what his father was saying. Vegeta was one of them, a Z Fighter and a saiyan. He was their friend and their prince. He died giving his life for those he loved, for them; how could that be selfish? "But he must have got to keep his body. He may have appeared selfish on the outside but on the inside he was hurting and truly cared for others. He even became a surrogate father and trained me when you died in our fight against Cell. I know it's hard to believe, but he did. He was hurt and lonely. He was the only true saiyan left. He was the prince of a fallen race. If he did get to keep his body, he'll want to be here, with us, even if he won't admit it. Supreme Kai, can't you find him?" Gohan asked.
The others stared in disbelief. Goku couldn't believe his son was talking about Vegeta. Even Supreme Kai was amazed for when he read Vegeta, Supreme Kai did not sense such a great loneliness and compassion in Vegeta, but if what Gohan said was true, Vegeta would have gotten to keep his body. "I can try, Gohan. I don't know if Vegeta got to keep his body, but I can try," Supreme Kai said and then began using his powers to try to find Vegeta in Other World, "There. You were right, Gohan. Vegeta did get to keep his body. He's just almost at King Yemma's desk. If you wish, go get him and bring him here."
Kabito was shocked at his master's words. The Supreme Kai's planet was a sacred place. It was hard enough having Goku and Gohan there and now Vegeta, the arrogant saiyan prince, was coming too. "Thank you so much, Supreme Kai. I'll fly to King Yemma's and get him," Gohan said, bowing to Supreme Kai.
"Um...Gohan," Goku said, "Would you like me just to transport you there?"
"No thanks, dad. I think it would be best if I went alone to get him," Gohan replied. Goku nodded and Gohan flew off to go get Vegeta.
"How can there be this many people waiting in line to see King Yemma," Vegeta wondered, looking behind him, "Did I fail in defeating Buu?" He had sacrificed himself to save those he loved and to pay Buu back for killing Gohan. Gohan had been like a second son to Vegeta after Kakarot died. Even with all the strength Gohan had, he couldn't defeat Buu. Vegeta sighed as he stopped forward when the line moved. Normally he would hate standing in line and would just blast his way to the front, but this time he didn't care. He was thinking of the loved ones he left behind, especially Bulma. She was just a weak human, but she was everything to him. He was still trying to figure out what was up with her. That morning she had been acting unusual and he sensed something different about her, but he couldn't figure out what. He would have thought about it more, but it was his turn to stand before King Yemma.
"Name?" King Yemma asked, not looking up. He was exhausted. Almost the entire population of Earth had been sent to Other World. He hadn't been this busy since the Planet Vegeta was destroyed nearly twenty years before.
"Vegeta, Prince of the saiyans." Normally saying those words would have brought pride to the saiyan's heart but now they just seemed like empty words.
"Vegeta?" King Yemma said, looking up surprised, "I knew Earth was under siege, but now two of its greatest fighters are here, things must be bad." Vegeta glanced to the floor. His attack hadn't worked after all and with both he and Gohan dead and Kakarot due to return to Other World shortly, the Earth would be destroyed. He and Gohan had been ascended saiyans and could not defeat Majin Buu; Trunks and Goten were only super saiyans, they didn't stand a chance. "Well, let's see where you are to go," King Yemma said, reviewing his books, "the beginning of your life suggests I send you to the HFIL, but over the past few years you've turned around. It does pose some difficulty in..."
"Vegeta," Gohan said, flying into King Yemma's, "I'm glad I'm not to late."
"Gohan," Vegeta said with dismay, "Then it's true, you did die. I had hoped I was wrong and you were alive."
"Oh, but I am. See, I don't have a halo," Gohan said, pointing above his head.
"But that's impossible," King Yemma said, "No living being can enter Other World unless they are a Kai or given permission by a Kai."
"But I did," Gohan said, turning back to Vegeta, "Supreme Kai and Kabito found me nearly dead. They transported me to Supreme Kai's planet where Kabito healed me. Then Supreme Kai had me pull a sword called the Z Sword out of a stone. This sword is supposed to be able to beat Buu. I'm training with it and dad joined us when he returned to Other World. I was wondering if you might want to join us."
"So Kakarot has returned already," Vegeta mused, "That means the boys are down there alone against Buu. How much longer will it be before you are ready to return to Earth?"
"I've already mastered the Z Sword. I just have to learn the super saiyan three transformation form dad now," Gohan braced himself for Vegeta's reaction. Vegeta had not been happy when Goku had been the first to reach super saiyan, Gohan was sure Vegeta wouldn't be happy now.
"Super saiyan them, huh? I should have known Kakarot would be the one to find the next level," Vegeta replied much calmer than usual, but even this reaction didn't surprise Gohan. He and Vegeta had been training together for the past seven years and had felt there was another level beyond ascended saiyan, they just didn't know how to reach it. "Sure, kid, I'll come. You could use some help and I'm interested in seeing the super saiyan three transformation myself." With that, Gohan and Vegeta flew off toward Supreme Kai's planet leaving King Yemma with his mouth hanging open.
"How bad is it on Earth, Gohan?" Vegeta asked as they flew to Supreme Kai's planet. He had seen his home planet, the Planet Vegeta, destroyed by Frieza just like Buu was doing to Earth now. He could not, would not watch his home be destroyed again.
"Pretty bad from what dad said. I know it has to be hard for you to watch all of this, but I have a plan that just might stop Buu. I'm just going to need yours and dad's help to do it," Gohan replied. He knew they would stand a chance if Vegeta could transform to super saiyan three and would fuse with Goku, but Gohan would have to convince them to allow themselves to be wished back. Vegeta shouldn't mind but Goku would be a challenge.
"So, you want me to work with Kakarot?" Vegeta asked the boy. He had despised Kakarot from the moment they met, but now he was beginning to find a respect for his fellow saiyan. While he didn't exactly like the idea of working with Kakarot, he didn't despise it either. At any rate, Majin Buu had to be stopped and if working with Kakarot would accomplish the job, then he would work with Kakarot.
"Don't pull that with me, Vegeta. It may work with the other Z Fighters, but not me. I know you respect my dad and you'll work with him if it will save the Earth. Please, just hear me out, I'll explain everything when we return to Supreme Kai's." With that, Gohan sped up to reach Supreme Kai's planet faster. As he increased his speed to keep up with Gohan, Vegeta wondered what the half-saiyan's plan was. Whatever it was, it had to work. With the three most powerful saiyans and warriors in the universe working together, how could they lose? Vegeta reminded himself not to get too confident, after all, isn't that why he had died in the first place? Vegeta knew in order to help Gohan he would have to be wished back. That was no problem, but would Kakarot agree? Vegeta hoped so as he and Gohan landed on Supreme Kai's planet.
"Hey, Vegeta," Goku said as he, Supreme Kai, and Kabito walked over to Gohan and Vegeta.
"Kakarot," Vegeta replied then turned to Gohan, "Alright, what's your plan?"
"I know you're anxious to defeat Buu, Vegeta, but I have to ask you to be patient. First I have a favor to ask of Supreme Kai," Gohan said as Goku and Kabito eyed him wearily, "You have the power to see what is happening on Earth, right?" (Supreme Kai nodded) "Can you allow us to see too?" Gohan knew first Vegeta had to have the right push in order to reach super saiyan three and seeing Bulma and Trunks might just do the trick.
After reading Gohan's mind to know his plan, Supreme Kai agreed. "Just close your eyes and put your hand upon my back." As the three saiyans obeyed, the events taking place on the Earth's Lookout began to appear to them.
All of the Z Fighters had gathered to watch Trunks and Goten fuse together. Tien and Chiatzu had even arrived and had been appraised to the situation on Earth below. They were just waiting on Yamcha to retrieve Bulma before beginning.
"Where's mom?" Trunks asked to no one in particular. He had just learned of Gohan's and his father's deaths. While he missed them terribly, Trunks was worried about his mom. His dad had meant a lot to her and she had been very upset when she found out about Vegeta.
"We can't wait any longer, we are running out of time," Piccolo said impatiently as Trunks looked up at him shocked. How could Piccolo talk about his mother like that; she had just lost her husband?
"There they are," Videl said as Bulma and Yamcha approached the group. Bulma was still crying and shaking, had Yamcha not been supporting her, she would have fallen to the ground.
"Is she missing me that much? Or is it something more?" Vegeta thought. He thought back to that morning when he had sensed something different about her but he couldn't place what it was. Could that be the reason why she was so upset?
All the Z Fighters stood in shock; they had never seen Bulma like this before. "Mom!" Trunks cried as he ran to Bulma. Yamcha let her slowly fall to the ground where she allowed herself to cry in front of the others, especially Trunks. She didn't care, though. She sat there, crying on Trunk's shoulder. No one knew how much she needed Vegeta.
