DBNG

The End of a Generation

Earth has enjoyed an unprecedented time of peace for the first time in decades. Ever since the defeat of the evil Majin Buu, humanity has been able to prosper and flourish to new heights.

All of this was possible thanks to the brave efforts of Goku, Vegeta, and everyone else that fought hard during the struggle against Majin Buu. Now, they all live peacefully. Living their day-to-day lives among humanity.

That cycle of Peace, would end that day.

Across the vast grassy prairies, gigantic red explosions surrounded the valley. One after another, multiple blasts of red energy scattered across the continent and destroyed all that it touched. A tall, muscular figure floated high above the ground dressed in a red cloak that covered his head and body.

"Is that all you have, Guardians of Earth? I imagined a battle against 4 Saiyans would prove challenging. But can you not even stop the Storm that stands before you?" he asked.

Goku, Vegeta, and Gotenks landed together after dodging their enemy's barrage of attacks.

"Unbelievable…" panted Goku. "…how is this possible? To take all of us at once, and still have the advantage. We haven't fought like this since…"

"Kakarot, is that…?" asked Vegeta.

"I know what you're thinking. This feels exactly like his energy; the 'Legend'" answered Goku.

"But I thought Broly was dead!" stated Gotenks. "How can he be alive?"

"No…it isn't Broly. It feels like him, but this isn't the same person." Said Goku while reading his opponent's energy.

"So what do we do now? None of us at full power, let alone together can't match him. What do we do now dad?" asked Gotenks desperately.

Goku remained silent while Vegeta contemplated on the situation at hand for a moment.

"Listen, Gotenks. How much longer do you have fused?" asked Vegeta.

"About 15 minutes, I think." he replied

Vegeta let out a deep sigh as he powered down from his Super Saiyan 2 state.

"Vegeta what are you doing?" yelled Goku.

"Shut up Kakarot! Listen everyone, there isn't much time left. I think it's safe to say that this person, whoever he is, is stronger than our combined power. As for now he's only been targeting us, namely Saiyans and anyone else who has tried to protect us. He's practically ignored any and all humans who haven't gotten in his way. After he destroys us, he'll definitely go after Caelum and Zephyr…and consequently, Bulma and Chi Chi. He killed Bulla, and even Pan. So it's safe to say that he shows no remorse towards children. And he even defeated Gohan. So he's stronger than any of us individually. And lastly, he's been able to give us a hard time together….this battle, is lost."

Vegeta placed his hands on Gotenks' shoulders and looked seriously at him.

"Gotenks, I need you to hold him off for as long as you can."

"Why…?" asked Gotenks. "What're you saying dad?"

"Listen to Vegeta boys, I trust he has something planned." Said Goku.

"Kakarot and I shall go and safeguard Caelum and Zephyr. They are the last remaining Saiyans alive and they must survive at all costs. If we cannot defeat him today, then one day they shall."

"How can you be so sure father?"

"Your father and I stood up to Frieza didn't we? We stood up to Cell did we not? We defeated Buu didn't we? Do not underestimate the power of the Saiyan race. We are the dominant species."

Vegeta paused to look up at their opponent still looking down at them.

"Even if our opponent is a Saiyan, we still managed to stop one much bigger than he is. So one day we will be victorious…" Vegeta then clenched his fists. "...but not today."

"Alright, I'll hold him off for you guys. No big deal." Said Gotenks stretching his arms.

"I don't want to give you false hope Gotenks…today you will die, as will Kakarot and myself." Stated Vegeta sternly.

A brief moment of silence surrounded the 3 Saiyans.

"All three of us have died at least once by now; this is nothing new." Said Gotenks breaking the silence as he walked in front of Goku and Vegeta. "Though we have evolved from our primitive ways of life, this is what we live for."

Gotenks' energy surged around him as he clenched his fist in his palm. "I'll buy you guys the time you need."

"Gotenks…I don't need to tell you how proud Vegeta and I are of you, so…" said Goku

"Skip it father." Interrupted Gotenks. "You can tell me all about it later."

"...Right." smiled Goku. "Let's go Vegeta."

Goku placed his hand on Vegeta's shoulder and Instant Transmission'd away from the battle.

"Huh? Where did they go?" Asked the enemy. "I hope you don't plan on fighting me alone. We know what happened last time."

An enormous energy erupted all around Gotenks. Yellow flares coupled with electricity filled the area in a blaze.

"That was just a warm up, monkey! The real fight starts now! Gotenks is on the scene!"

Gotenks chased towards his opponent in what would be his final fight alive. On that day Earth's Guardians had met their match, and one by one they would fall. First Gohan, then Gotenks, and eventually, Goku and Vegeta.

13 Years Later

*Hours before the final battle between Itachi and Sasuke *

It was only a few more hours until Itachi's decided battle with Sasuke. I felt so…so helpless. To think that he only told me about his plan yesterday. I wish he could've told me sooner, so that I could be better prepared for this. But then again, I don't think I'd change my mind anyways.

Even now, he doesn't seem the least bit hesitant sitting in that chair. The look on his meditative face said it all. He's made his decision. In frustration, I turned to Madara leaning on the wall with arms crossed.

"Well? Aren't you going to stop him? He plans to sacrifice himself for Sasuke."

"Caelum, he's had this planned for many years now; and I've known about it for some time too. Nothing is going to change his mind." Answered Madara.

"I didn't expect you to disagree. You, after all, let Deidara die so easily too."

Itachi then appeared right before me. His eyes always seemed full of mystery. I could never tell what he was thinking, he always seemed like a hazy fog blocking my vision.

"Can you promise me something, Cael?" He smiled.

"Is this your dying wish?" I asked. "Your last request?"

"I need someone who I can trust. You are the closest person to me Cael; almost like a brother."

"Then you must know how I feel about this? This...this sucks, a lot!"

"I admit, this isn't the most happy of endings. Though, you have made these past few years in Akatsuki bearable. Through you, I was able to find what little happiness I could find in my life. So all I ask is a small request, can I believe in you?"

"I guess. You're like my brother too, you know."

Itachi's hand patted my head and ruffled my hair. "Protect Sasuke, and Protect Konoha." he told me.

I looked at him with a confused stare. After a moment of pondering Itachi's request, my eyebrows came together in a somber frown as I began to understand his words.

"Why the hell would I ever protect Sasuke? He's the reason for Deidara's death, and he's going to be the reason for your death too!" Itachi's hand remained tangled in my hair and his smile didn't falter as I argued my point.

"I understand that you love Konoha," I told him. "and I also understand that you love Sasuke; but why do I have to protect them? Why me?"

"Because I see more of him in you than in anyone else I've seen in my life."

Confusion returned to me once again. Why were Itachi's words always so hard to understand? "Umm, what?"

"He means the Third Hokage." Madara finally spoke while still remaining against the wall.

Itachi nodded in agreement. "That's right. You remind me of him. That's why I want to entrust Konoha and Sasuke to you."

I looked at him in awe. How could he have this much faith in me?

"Not much of a last request;" spoke Zephyr from the shadows. "especially if you're putting your faith in Cael."

I turned my head to see Zephyr as he emerged from the shadows. Zephyr had slightly long blue hair and often times had a rather serious look on his face. He was the son of Vegeta, or rather the 'Prince' of all Saiyans; namely the two of us.

"What're you doing here?" I asked him.

"You're not the only one allowed to see Itachi off before his last fight."

"Zephyr," Itachi turned his gaze to Zephyr as he called out to him. "come stand by Cael." Zephyr walked over and stood beside me. Now Itachi placed his other hand on Zephyr's head.

"I wish I could live to see what the two of you do in the future, but I have my own fate to follow. I leave this world to you. Son of Goku, and Son of Vegeta; the Next Generation."

Even Zephyr couldn't help but to be awed by Itachi's words. If Itachi had that much faith in us, then I suppose that I would to.

"We'll protect Sasuke then." I said.

"Why the hell would I protect him?" argued Zephyr.

"We will protect Konoha." i said again.

"We have no relation to that place you know?" Zephyr continued to debate my resolve, but I didn't care.

"We will bring the peace you wanted Itachi, I promise."

"Whatever."

Slowly, Itachi removed his hand from our head and down to our shoulders.

"This is the last time you'll see me. Any last requests? I'd hate to give you requests without asking for any of your own" All of a sudden, it hit me; Itachi was about to disappear from my life.

My mind went blank. All I could think of were the countless memories that I've had with Itachi, and how this would be the last of those memories.

I came here to stop Itachi from throwing his life away, I failed. Zephyr remained silent, but even I could tell that he wasn't comfortable with this. Despite that, his emotional state remained stable as he folded his arms and turned his head away from Itachi.

"Watch over us." I requested. "You watched us grow into strong Shinobi. I want you to continue watching over us grow stronger and stronger; and I want you to see the world we change."

"Of course." Replied Itachi.

Madara phased behind Zephyr and I and placed his hands on our shoulders. "Alright, we should leave Itachi now. Sasuke will be here soon, we should give him time to meditate and prepare himself. Itachi turned his back to us and returned to his chair.

Slowly, Madara began to phase the three of us back to the Akatsuki hideout.

Madara, Zephyr, and I had returned to the Akatsuki hideout's entrance. I remained motionless for a moment. I tried to gather the strength to move, but my body wouldn't listen. So I just sat on the ground, cross legged, crossing my arms, with my head hanging low.

Zephyr looked at me inquisitively. "Are you just going to sit there? How do you think Itachi would feel if all you did was just sulk over his decision?"

I remained silent for a moment. At this point, strength had returned to my body and I was able to stand up once again. I raised my head slowly and looked up at the sky. My eyebrows become firm and my eyes were full of resolve.

"I, Caelum, will create the world you wanted Itachi. Just watch."

Zephyr scoffed at my little speech. I ignored it and retained my figure.

"That's more like it, Son of Goku."