"Go see if he's alright, Goten." Chi-Chi was staring out the window of her kitchen, finding this room of her home to be the place she most frequently was. The woman was fiddling with her thumbs, nervous for some unknown reason as she looked at her father-in-law. He was sitting on the grass, his back facing the house, and holding his head in his hands as if he was in terrible pain. She nudged the little boy's shoulder that was by her side. "It's okay sweetie, he likes you."

Goten looked up at his mother, looking at her with wide eyes that were shimmering. "Wow, you really think so?"

Chi-Chi smiled down at him, squeezing his shoulder. "Of course, Goten! Why wouldn't he?" The boy giggled as his mom reached down to pinch his cheek, and continued his happy laughter as he ran towards the door, shutting it gently behind him. Once seeing him appear by Bardock, she cracked the window open so she could hear the conversation they were going to have.

Goten placed his tiny hand on Bardock's broad shoulder, causing him to flinch slightly at the cold touch of the child's flesh. With his head still in his palms, Bardock peaked through his fingers to see his youngest grandson with his head tilted in that usual innocent fashion. Rolling his eyes, Bardock lowered his hands to his knees and sat up straight, trying to ignore the pain in his head. "Is your mom done cooking, yet!?"

"No!" Goten giggled, taking a seat on the grass beside his grandfather, crossing his legs in the same manner. "I came out to see if you were okay! You were holding your head like it was going to fall off or something!"

Bardock narrowed his eyes, focusing on the happy face of the child. His stomach twisted suddenly when an image of Berry suddenly appeared, but he shook the memory of the boy away. "Why do you laugh so much, kid?"

The boy shrugged, grinning ear to ear. "I dunno! I just like to, I guess!" He pointed a finger at Bardock, who was still scowling. "If I didn't, I would look like you all the time!"

A smirk grew across the adult Saiyan's face before he flashed his white teeth at the young boy. "Ah, I see. You don't want to be unbelievably good looking."

Goten doubled over in laughter, holding his stomach as his head dropped down to his knees. When he was calmed down enough, the boy sat up straight and wiped a single tear away from his eye. "You're so funny, Grandpa!"

Bardock crossed his arms over his armor-plated chest, narrowing his dark orbs at the red faced child. "It wasn't a joke, kid!"

"It's okay, Grandpa!" Goten smiled reassuringly, placing his small hand once again on Bardock's tensed up arm. "You don't look so scary when you smile!" His eyes widened as if he was terrified. "Oh, gosh! You wouldn't believe how creepy Trunks' dad looks when he smiles! Yikes!"

"...Trunks? What the fuck kind of name is Trunks?" Bardock could hear the faint growl of Chi-Chi coming from the kitchen window, but as usual ignored it.

"You don't know who Trunks is?" Goten gasped, as if this was major news. "He's only my most bestest friend in the world! His mom is so rich! His dad is mean, but I like him! He's a Saiyan, like us!" The boy jabbed a finger into Bardock's arm, and it suddenly clicked.

"So Vegeta named his son Trunks, eh?" Bardock shook his head, spitting to the side in disgust. "You would think he'd name the spawn Vegeta, Jr. or something."

"Why?" Goten tilted his head, leaning it against Bardock's arm even though he snarled in protest. "That sounds like a stupid name! Even more stupider than Bardock!"

The Saiyan snorted, trying not to actually let out a laugh. He allowed Goten to remain leaned up against him, the two watching clouds dance across the afternoon sun. "Are you stronger than Vegeta's kid?"

Goten gulped, not wanting to tell his grandfather the truth but not the one to lie, either. "Well..." He sweatdropped, ignoring the way Bardock's hard eyes were looking down at him. "Trunks is a little bit stronger because he's older..."

Bardock pulled back, grabbing the boy by his small shoulders so they were face to face. "Age and strength do not go hand in hand. If the visions I've had are true, Kakarot is stronger than that fool Vegeta, and he's a few years younger."

"Kakarot?" Goten tilted his head again. "What's that?"

The older Saiyan mentally slapped himself, forgetting the new name his son went by. "Your father! Hasn't anyone told you about your father?"

"Oh!" Goten grinned widely, his cheeks rosy. "You mean the angel!? His name is Goku!"

"Yeah, Goku..." Bardock rolled his eyes, but continued. "You know, it's kind of freaky looking at you. You're definitely his kid-" he used his strong peripheral vision to see the figure of the woman in the window. "At least you know your mother isn't loose."

"Loose?" Goten laughed, and looked over his shoulder at his now fuming mom. "Mama, what does he mean by that? Does that mean you're tight or-"

"BARDOCK!"

The Saiyan was now looking over his shoulder at Chi-Chi, who was now in the center of his gaze. His usual scowl overcame his features. "WHAT!?"

"HOW WOULD YOU LIKE SOME POISON IN YOUR FOOD!?"

"I WOULD LOVE IT!" Bardock winked at Goten, lowering his voice as the young child leaned in close to hear what he had to say. "Doesn't everything she make taste like poison?"

The boy broke out in a howl, causing Chi-Chi to leave the kitchen and come at them from the door, holding her weapon of choice up high as she approached the two. "What did you just whisper to my son!?" She aimed the broom at Bardock like it was a rifle. "You're an incredibly awful influence!"

"But Mama!" Goten grinned, standing up to hug her leg. "He said you're pretty!" The boy never lied, except when it came to special situations.

"WHAT!?" The two adults shouted at the same time, and the young boy gave a wink to his grandfather, the kind of wink that Bardock knew meant 'shut-the-hell-up-I'm-saving-your-ass'. It was the type of wink Tora used many times when Bardock would get a little too sassy with Frieza.

Good-looking out kid, but why the fuck did you have to go and say that!?

Chi-Chi blinked, looking at Bardock while her cheeks suddenly turned a bright pink. "Did... Did you really say that?" She lowered her broom, no longer showing any sign of wanting to murder him.

The Saiyan scratched the back of his head. He looked at Goten, who was nodding eagerly. "...Well, I didn't say you were ugly."

The worn out woman continued to stare at her seated father-in-law, feeling a little embarrassed she was about to beat on him. Sighing in defeat, she dropped her broom completely and reached out a hand to Bardock who just looked at it with blank eyes. Rolling her eyes, Chi-Chi waved her hand in front of his face. "I'm offering you help to stand up! Your third lunch is ready, you savage."

Bardock scoffed. "I don't need your help getting up, lady." His scowl deepened when Chi-Chi's hand wasn't moving, and annoyingly gripped it. Just as he figured, she struggled to lift him up. He raised an eyebrow at the struggling female. "You having some trouble, there?"

"You moron!" Chi-Chi huffed as she tugged on his hand. "You're at least suppose to try to get up! Haven't you ever had someone offer you their hand before!?"

The Saiyan stood up abruptly, causing the woman to fall down on her butt. "Oh no, my mommy!" Goten ran to her side, glaring up at Bardock. "Why did you make her fall!?"

"Move, kid!" Bardock ordered, and Goten backed off Chi-Chi while his grandfather offered her his hand. He was getting agitated as she just stared at it, dumbfounded. "Well, grab! I'm pretty sure you started this stupid ritual!"

As soon as her hand touched Bardock's calloused one, she was lifted into the air without even trying and placed on her feet. She looked at her father-in-law in disbelief at the kind gesture he did for her, not sure what to say until he started to walk towards the house. "Hey, wait!"

He stopped, but didn't turn around due to his embarrassment for helping her. "What now?"

She walked up to him, touching the green strap of his armor while Goten slid past them into the home, ready to devour whatever his mom had prepared. "Thank you, Bardock."

"Stop," he peered over his shoulder at her, scowling but his voice was soft. "My stomach hurts when you say that."

"Oh," Chi-Chi spoke a mixture of sadness and understanding, removing her hand. A smirk grew on her face when she realized something else to say. "I bet it's because you're hungry, huh!?"

"No shit!" Bardock turned around so he was facing her, and once again ignored her growl of protest against his profanity. "What did you create this time?"

Chi-Chi beamed, holding her chin up high in defiance. "The pork chops you didn't destroy and rice!" The excited look in his eyes made her laugh wholeheartedly, as she placed a hand on his arm. "I knew you'd love that, Goku!"

The two froze when she said the wrong name, but for different reasons. Bardock took a step back to study her face, trying to see if she was sick with some strange Earth disease. Upon seeing the weird looks from her father-in-law, Chi-Chi cleared her throat, very near a verge of tears. "I-I'm sorry," she sniffled. "I just miss him so much."

She let the silent tears escape her eyes, with Bardock staring at her helplessly. He had never seen someone cry before, except for the infant Kakarot. He felt even more uncomfortable when she wrapped her arms around his torso, letting her tears soak into his armor. Caught in a sudden embrace, Bardock awkwardly patted her small back with one hand. He had seen the nurse do this to Kakarot to calm him down, so why should this situation be any different?

Feeling his touch, Chi-Chi removed her arms from him and took two steps back, regaining her composure as she wiped the last tear away from her face. She brushed herself off, standing proudly and as confidently as she did before. "You can sit at the table with Goten. I'll get your plate ready." With that, she headed towards the door.

Before he followed, Bardock scratched the back of his head, slightly confused at what just happened.

How could she be so weak and vulnerable one minute, but strong the next?

The Saiyan looked up the sky as if he could see someone standing on one of the clouds. "Well," he spoke quietly. "She is your wife after all, kid. Guess I shouldn't be surprised." He entered the delicious smelling home, the sound of a certain boy's laughter filling his ears as he shut the door behind him.

Videl began to chew on her pencil as she stared Gohan's profile, both nasty habits of hers. Her blue eyes narrowed in on him, seeing he was looking back at her through his peripherals. "Hey Erasa?" she asked the girl beside her, not taking her eyes off the boy. "Can we switch seats?"

"Huh?" Erasa looked up from her magazine she casually hid between the pages of her textbook. She looked at how her best friend was checking out the male beside her, and giggled. "Oh, okay! I get it now." The blonde winked, standing up so Videl could scoot over.

The pig-tailed girl threw her books down at her new desk, and when she saw it didn't startle Gohan she knew the guy had been watching her. "Hey!"

Now pretending, Gohan jumped and looked at her with wide eyes. "Oh, gosh! When did you switch seats?"

"Can it!" Videl rolled her eyes, scooting closer to Gohan who began to blush at the action. "I saw something weird about your so called "grandpa" and you better have a good explanation or I'm calling the zoo to let them know one of their monkeys escaped!"

Oh, crap!

Sweat began to form on Gohan's forehead, knowing full well what she must have saw but played along anyway. He looked at her as innocently as possible, mocking his brother's signature expression. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," she leaned in closer to him. If looks could kill, he'd be a dead man. "Your grandfather has a freaking tail! Care to explain that!?"

The poor boy found it hard to think with this girl so close to his face. She was literally in his thinking space! Gohan blinked his eyes for a few seconds, a sudden explanation coming to mind. "Remember how those girls earlier talked about him being a foreigner?" Videl raised an eyebrow but remained silent, egging him to continue. "Well, it's true! Where he's from, it's the fashion to wear a fake tail attached to your pants!" Gohan began to laugh, but tried his hardest to keep it from sounding nervous.

The beautiful girl eyed him suspiciously, but Erasa's giggle cut in as the blonde girl nudged her arm. "He must be from Cinnamon City! They have tails attached everywhere - their clothes, their purses, even their hair!" The girl's eyes sparkled as she looked adoringly at Gohan. "Gosh, I can't believe your grandfather not only looks young, but he keeps up with the latest fashion trends!"

"Yeah!" Gohan smiled warmly at the girl, and then at the now confused Videl. "My grandpa is from good ol' Cinnamon City!"

The girl's blue eyes searched his dark ones for any signs of lies. When she could find nothing, she sighed in defeat, turning her attention back to her textbook. Maybe she was just being too nosy, and there truly was nothing odd about his family besides for the fact, well, they were odd! "Sorry," she muttered under her breath, blushing slightly.

"What was that?" Gohan rasied an eyebrow, smiling slightly after being a little caught off guard by her apology. The girl was so much like his mother, he wasn't expected a sign of defeat!

Her unfairly sapphire colored eyes snapped back up at him, narrowed. "Oh no, buddy! I am not going to repeat myself!"

"Hey!" Gohan grinned at her, the brilliant gleam of it causing Videl to slightly feel strange. "It's okay, if I didn't know he was from Cinnamon City I would have thought he was a monkey, too!" He imitated the action of said animal, but it only caused the girl to look at him even more strangely. Turning bright red, Gohan turned away, covering the side of him that faced her with his hand.

Great! I just made an idiot out of myself and I still have two classes left with her!

A girl with long, red hair turned around to look at the embarrassed boy, smiling sweetly with her eyes dazzling. "Don't be so red in the face Gohan!" The girl smiled brightly at him, causing Gohan to sit up straighter while Videl scowled at the girl. "I think you make a cute monkey!"

"Th-Thanks, Angela." Gohan smiled in return, and the girl winked at him before facing the front again. He looked over at the still scowling Videl, and chuckled a little. "What's wrong now, Miss Satan?"

Videl leaned over to whisper in Gohan's ear again. "She's a weird one, Gohan. I wouldn't trust her if I were you."

The teen boy sarcastically gasped, raising an eyebrow as he looked at the female beside. "Videl, don't tell me you're jealous!"

The girl huffed, crossing her arms over her chest as she distanced her from him. "You know what, on second thought, two weirdos are perfect for each other!" Videl began to scribble in her notebook although the professor wasn't speaking anymore.

Gohan looked at her for a moment, silently admiring the little frustrated vein that rested on her clear forehead behind the strands of glossy black hair. Smiling to himself, he began to read the section the professor assigned when his growling stomach caused him to stop.

Ah, my lunch!

The boy happily reached down to grab the brown paper bag, prepared to silently devour whatever was left. When finding nothing but a bloody, uncooked and half eaten porkchop among the remains of the usual large sandwich and rice his mother always prepared, Gohan dropped the bag - the sound of it hitting the floor mimicking the shattering of his heart.

"You really shouldn't eat that, Grandpa! Mama told you to bring that plate to Gohan once he comes out!" Goten tugged on Bardock's pant leg, trying to make him stop. "Come on, Grandpa! You can't still be that hungry, can you!?"

Holding the fully cooked and seasoned pork chop in one hand, Bardock examined it for a moment. A part of him felt guilty for eating the poor kid's lunch on the way to finding his class, while the other half preferred raw meat. He shrugged, dropping the chop on the plate and handing it down to Goten. "I thought your little punk ass said he was out of school."

"He is!" Goten defended his word, stomping his foot on the ground while gesturing to the horde of teenagers brushing themselves past them. "He probably had to use the bathroom or something!"

Bardock crossed his arms, fiddling his fingers against it impatiently. He could sense the boy, but couldn't see him. The grandfather snarled, punching the flag pole they were standing beside, causing it to shake violently. "He's still inside the damn building! Come on, kid, let's get that slacker!" Surprising Goten, the Saiyan reached his hand down so the boy could grasp it.

"Grandpa!" Goten smiled cutely up at him, his eyes watering slightly. "This is the first time you've given me your hand!"

"Shut up!" Bardock snarled again, shaking his hand impatiently at the boy. "Isn't this your damn ritual around here, anyway?"

The child shrugged, but happily held onto his grandpa's hand as they made their way up the steps of the high school and entered the large building. "Alright, kid. I know you can't fly, but please tell me you can read a person's ki." As for that, he could easily forgive the boy. He didn't learn how to sense power levels until he was sent to Planet Plant.

"Yes!" Goten nodded, and closed his eyes for a moment to focus. When detecting the familiar power, he pointed excitedly to the left. "He's down there!"

Bardock nodded in return, it was exactly where he was sensing Gohan as well. The two made their way down the hall to find the teenager pushed against the wall by the pig-tailed girl that was flying that jet in the morning, the sight of it eerily similar to when Bardock hand him against the locker earlier. "This kid really gets himself into a lot of trouble, doesn't he?"

Ignoring his grandfather, Goten shouted loudly, waving his hand in the air frantically. "GOOOOHAAAAAN! GOHAAAAAAN!"

The two teenagers looked over to where the sound was coming from, Videl's eyes narrowing in on them while Gohan panicked. He forgot all about his promise to take Bardock to Vegeta! "I'm coming, I'm coming!" But when the boy tried taking a step forward, Videl placed her hand on his chest.

"You're not going anywhere," Videl pushed him harder against the wall. "Until you tell me why you tried stealing my lunch!"

"Are you fucking kidding me!?" Bardock shouted, eyeing his grandson in disgust. "You're really letting that girl have her way with you!? Punch her in the damn jugular and let's get the hell out of here!"

Videl raised an eyebrow, hearing the angry grandpa but keeping her eyes locked on Gohan's. "Well, are you going to do it!?"

"Do what!?" Gohan said, exasperated. Gosh, she was just as pushy as his mother!

"Punch me in the jugular!"

"What!?" Gohan shook his head, placing his hands on the girls' dainty shoulders to push her off him gently so she wouldn't know how strong he actually was. "I'm sorry, Videl! I'll see you tomorrow!" Videl reached her hand out to grab him again, but the boy was too fast as he darted past the sea of green lockers to his grandfather and brother. "Let's just get out of here before she decides to follow us!" Without hearing their response, Gohan darted out the front doors of his high school while the two just shrugged at each other and followed suit.

The girl was left alone in the hall, looking at where the trio once stood before they disappeared. She slowly touched the shoulder where the teen had touched her. It was hot to the touch, and he pulled her apart from him so easily as if she was as light as a feather.

And the craziest part was, was that it didn't even seem like he was trying.

Videl was prepared to chase after them, when the device on her wrist began to ring. "Hello?" she called into it, ready to hear the voice of one of Satan City's police officers.

"Videl! There's a situation downtown, and-"

"Say no more, I'll be right there."

"God bless you, Videl!"

This will just have to wait, Gohan.

"Capsule Corporation is right down there, guys!" Gohan pointed down at the large estate below them, Goten laughing happily in his arms. The eighteen year old glared over at Bardock who was equally returning the look. "I didn't appreciate the fact that you ate my lunch, Bardock!"

The full blooded Saiyan snorted, rolling his eyes. "I gave you that plate of food a few minutes ago, didn't I!?"

"Yeah," Gohan's glare hardened. "But the pork chop was half eaten!"

"Guys, guys, guys!" Goten pointed excitedly towards a certain figure merging from the building. "It's Trunks!"

"Hm?" Bardock's eyes narrowed in on the small lavender-haired boy who was wiping sweat off his forehead with a gym towel. "So that's Vegeta's kid?"

Purple hair? Heh, King Vegeta must be rolling over in his grave.

Sensing the higher than normal power levels, Trunks looked up at the trio levitating down to him. A huge grin crossed his face when he saw it was Gohan with Goten tucked securely in his arms. "Hi, guys!" He waved excitedly, but lowered his hand when a stranger landed just behind them with a scowl on his face similar to his father's. "Uh... Who are you?"

"Where's Vegeta?"

"Huh?" Trunks blinked, looking at Gohan for assurance this stranger was safe to be around. When the teen gave him a thumbs up, Trunks relaxed a little. "Oh, uh, my dad's in the gravity room!"

"Gravity room?" Bardock's scowl deepened. "What the hell is that?"

"Well, I believe it's a room where you can change gravity." Gohan replied, and it earned an unexpected backhand from Bardock.

"Quit your sass, boy!"

"Oh wow," Trunks nudged Goten, chuckling to himself. "This guy sounds like my dad. Who is he?"

"My grandpa!" Goten smiled proudly at his best friend. "And he's cooler than your dad! Isn't that right, Grandpa!"

"Can it, kid!"

Trunks looked the tall Saiyan over, blinking in disbelief. There was no denying the resemblance between Goten and this stranger; they had very similar hair and faces. Still, the poor kid was confused. "I thought Ox King was your grandpa?"

"He is," Gohan laughed, scratching the back of his head. "They both are. Look, I'll explain it all to you later but we need to see your dad before Bardock here explodes from his impatience."

Completely understanding a full blooded Saiyan's attitude, Trunks nodded and gestured for the trio to follow him. They entered the door of the Capsule Corps estate, prepared to head to the new and improved gravity room when a chipper blonde woman appeared in front of them, blocking the entrance. "Oh, my!" she gushed, placing her hands on her face. "Look at how much you've grown Gohan! Such a giant, handsome young man!"

Gohan blushed, scratching the back of his head. "Thanks, Mrs. Brief!"

The woman nodded politely, her eyes heading downwards to the small child by her grandson's side. "Oh, my goodness! You brought little Goten, too! Hi, cutie!" She reached down to pat the boy's head, who giggled happily while she did so. A snort coming from the back caused her to look over Gohan's shoulder at the even taller man behind him. She gasped, pushing Gohan aside. "Goku, darling! When did you come back!?"

Bardock stood still with his eye twitching as the richly dressed woman headed towards him. She wrapped her arms around him, as if she was trying to squeeze the life out of him. "Can someone get Vegeta's broad off me!?"

Trunks busted out laughing, pointing at the woman who was crying into his chest, overjoyed with the return of her daughter's best friend. "That's not my mom! That's my grandma!"

"Whoever the hell she is, get her off me!"

"Mrs. Brief!" Gohan spoke up, finished with his small bout of laughter. "That's not my dad, that's my grandfather!"

The woman pulled back suddenly, but her hands remained on his chest as she looked the disgusted man up and down. Noticing the scar on her face, the woman suddenly nodded in understanding. "Grandfather?" She flashed a brilliant smile at him, a wink going along with it. "I would've thought you were his brother! You're an absolute hunk!"

"Ugh," Bardock sneered, looking past the woman to the lavender-haired child. "Can you just take me to see Vegeta already, kid!?"

"Uh, yeah, sure!" Trunks laughed, scratching the back of his head. He waved at his grandma before motioning the trio to follow him once again. "Right this way, guys!"

Mrs. Brief watched as her grandson headed into the home, Gohan and Goten following suit. She looked up at Bardock before he brushed past her. "We sure have cute grandchildren, don't we!?"

The Saiyan looked at the blonde woman in utter disbelief. A dense female like this would never exist long in Prince, hell even King, Vegeta's presence and this one apparently lives with him. Bardock shook his head, before leaving Mrs. Brief standing alone in her front yard.

Singing to herself happily, she picked up the watering can beside her and started dancing around the yard, completely happy she finally found a grandparent who looked completely unlike so.

Are you fucking kidding me!? Another one!?

The odd group of four hardly made it even close to the gravity room when a blue-haired woman appeared in front of them, blocking their way. She had her arms crossed over her chest, and she was pouting down at her son. "Where do you think you're going, kiddo? If you think you're going to train with your father before cleaning your room, you have another thing coming!"

"Mom!" Trunks blushed, scratching the back of his head. "Come on! I don't even want to train; Gohan and his grandpa want to see him!"

"Uh... Grandpa?" Bulma looked up, her eyes settling on the stranger in the room. Unlike her mother, she didn't confuse the man for Goku due to his scowling face and small physical differences. She blinked a couple of times, and bit her bottom lip before speaking to Gohan. "Oh, wow... Is that really Goku's dad?"

"I'll tell you all about it later. It's a long story," Gohan chuckled. "You know stranger things have happened."

Bulma nodded, completely understanding what he meant after their numerous adventures they had together when he was a child. She tucked a strand of blue hair behind her ear, feeling a little awkward at the annoyed look she was getting from her best friend's father. Clasping her hands together, she smiled brightly and tried to ignore him. "How is it the Saiyaman costume working out, kiddo?"

"Ugh!" Bardock full on glared at the woman now, crossing his arms over his chest. "You made that damn thing!?"

Bulma scowled, mimicking the rude man by crossing her arms over her chest now. "Yeah, I did. And it's a damn good invention!" When he didn't reply, the woman sighed. "Well, at least I have respect. What's your name?"

"Bardock." He answered bluntly, and looked the short woman up and down. "You must be Vegeta's wench."

"Wife," Bulma corrected, glaring at him with fiery sapphire eyes as the three boys backed away from the scene. "And you better watch how you talk to me! I'm Vegeta's princess, and he'll wipe the floor with any man that tries to disrespect me!"

Gohan suppressed a laughter, remembering how many times Vegeta madly disrespected the woman who was now his wife. Heck, he still was rude to her every now and then! Still, it just goes to prove Gohan's theory of stranger things happening. "Bulma, speaking of Vegeta, can we see him already? I'd rather not have to explain my grandpa's dead body to people."

Bardock glared at his grandson, about to speak when a sudden gruff voice came from behind the spit fire of a woman. "What are you going on about, woman?" The spiky hair appeared first, followed by the familiar widow's peak and that same short stature. Seeing the two standing next to each other, it made sense to Bardock why Vegeta had chosen this woman as a mate.

She's probably the only female shorter than him!

Turning his body around so he was fully facing his former prince, Bardock smirked at the Saiyan. "Vegeta, you haven't grown since the last time I saw you!"

The prince narrowed his eyes on the owner of the familiar voice, looking the older Saiyan up and down until it clicked. "I must admit, I'm impressed!" Vegeta crossed his arms over his chest, returning the smirk. "I didn't think a low class would survive Frieza's attack! Where were you, polishing my boots in the bowels of his ship?"

"Hey, hey, hey!" Gohan laughed nervously, stepping in between the two after sensing both of their power levels beginning to rise. "No need to be like that, guys! We just came over for a friendly spar, remember? Not the real deal!"

"Shut up, boy!" The two older Saiyans said at the same time, and Gohan lowered his head in defeat as he backed away. Truth be told, he didn't want Vegeta making a fool out of his grandfather. The whole situation would be awkward for the both of them.

"A nice spar does sound nice, though." Vegeta's smirk grew as he brushed past Bulma who was sticking her tongue out at Bardock before turning around to return to her lab. "It would be quite amusing to see the father of Kakarot being beaten to a pulp. Like father, like clown." He nodded at Gohan. "You understand that perfectly, don't you Saiyaman?"

Gohan opened his mouth to speak, but closed it when he saw Trunks shaking his head. Bardock was silently relieved someone else found the whole thing ridiculous, but the scowl remained on his face. "Where to, prince of nothing?"

"Gravity room," Vegeta turned his back, starting to walk towards his place of choice. "Don't worry, Bardock, I won't change the gravity on you. I want it to be fair, after all, but I assure you it doesn't matter one bit."

Gohan gulped as he saw Bardock follow Vegeta, and picked up Trunks and Goten by the collar of their shirts before they could follow the two. "Why don't you guys go play or something? This isn't going to be pretty." When they grudgingly agreed, Gohan placed them gently on the floor and quickly chased after his grandfather, worry running deep in his heart.

Gohan stood in the corner of the dark room, chewing his nails as he watched Vegeta and Bardock put some feet between them before getting into their own fighting stances. The teenager looked at Vegeta, who holding an open hand over his head while his other arm was back by his waist. Rolling his eyes at the confident guy, Gohan looked over at his grandfather who was keeping both arms lowered with one closer to his face and two fingers extended out on each hand.

Vegeta glared at Bardock, the stances they were in taking him back to his infamous fight against Kakarot that basically changed his whole life around. There was no way in hell that clown's father was going to have that same satisfaction of seeing him defeated. Seven straight years of training, mastering both Super Saiyan and Super Saiyan two formations, and training his mind weren't all for nothing.

Bardock focused on his former prince, a strange rage boiling in his blood as he looked at him. He remembered how much shit he gave Raditz when he heard the news his son was going to be partners with Vegeta, along with his dog Nappa. His young son had somehow escaped the low-class label and found his way to be among the elite. When he focused hard enough, Bardock could still see the arrogant prince as a child. Even so young, he was brutal, cold-blooded, and had no mercy in his heart.

Not to say Bardock wasn't. But he wasn't as nearly as ruthless as Vegeta was.

There was only one way for Bardock to figure out if anything had changed. Before he could jump off his hindquarters towards Vegeta, the prince sent an unexpected ki blast his way that he dodged just in time. The light of the orb hit the steel wall behind them; the genius that was Bulma designed the gravity room in such a way that it was strong enough to withstand whatever shenanigans her husband was trying to get into it. "Still playing dirty, eh Vegeta?"

The prince scoffed, leaping up in the air until he landed directly in front of Bardock. The father of Goku sent a fist flying towards the other male, always being taught to blow the opponent away and pick up fighting naturally. Vegeta blocked the punch with the back of his forearm so his fist was covering his face, and grabbed Bardock's second punch with an open hand before he flipped him over onto his back.

Gohan gulped, seeing his grandfather on the floor already. If this was Vegeta's first fight on Earth, Bardock would definitely have a higher chance at success. Heck, he could become a Super Saiyan! Although it wasn't as special as it use to be, considering two children being able to obtain it and the fact both him, Vegeta, and his father had gone above it, there was still a slim, slim chance Bardock could have a chance. Especially if Vegeta didn't abandon his base form.

Wincing slightly, Bardock quickly got back up on his feet only to see Vegeta slightly up in the air, coming down on him hard with clenched fists in an axe-handle, knocking him back down to where he was. Gohan watched in pain as his grandfather slightly coughed up blood. "Bardock!" He called out desperately, not sure why Vegeta was going so hard on him. "Turn into a Super Saiyan!"

Giving into his own frustration, Bardock turned into the golden warrior that defeated Lord Chilled. Feeling the new and extreme power rushing through his body, Bardock stood up once more and narrowed his now green eyes on the un-amused Vegeta. "Wow, I'm so impressed!" The prince rolled his eyes, although he secretly really was impressed - he had no idea Bardock could ascend. "If you want to impress me even more, ascend even further."

"Further?" A trickle of blood ran down Bardock's forehead, but it was absorbed into his headband. "What the hell do you mean?"

"Ahh," Vegeta smirked, walking a circle around his angered punching bag. "I get it now. You're a newborn."

"Vegeta," Gohan frowned, looking at the shameless Saiyan. "Please, don't-"

"Let me show you just how unbelievably weak you truly are," Vegeta chuckled darkly, taking a step back. "As if you didn't realize it by now."

"STOP!" Gohan shouted, rushing to Bardock's side who only shoved him harshly to the side. The boy looked at him in disbelief. "Bardock, you don't understand! He's going to transform to a formation even higher than yours!

His grandfather looked at him with deadly green eyes, spitting blood down at his boots. "And how do you know this? Can you ascend beyond a Super Saiyan like this asshole is saying?"

The boy laughed nervously, raising his hands defensively in front of him. "No, no! Not at all! Just your good ol' average Super Saiyan!" Gohan looked around to find Vegeta preparing himself a few feet away, and stood next to him in a frenzy. "Please, just stop! You know he's not-" The prince snarled, and the boy was shoved a second time in a row.

Bardock's eyes widened as the Saiyan in front of him had his power level begin to skyrocket as the entire gravity room shook as if they were in the middle of an earthquake. Vegeta's now golden hair stood up slightly more, and there were bouts of energy circulating all around him as he smirked devilishly at the stunned opponent. "Tell you what, low class-" Vegeta's smirk grew at the sound of Bardock's snarl. "I'll give you one free punch, right on my face."

Obviously frustrated, Bardock sent his fist flying as hard as he could into the arrogant prince's face, but the Saiyan didn't budge an inch. Hell, it looked as if he wasn't even hit. Bardock lowered his hand slowly back to his side, feeling his heart ache as Vegeta began to laugh evilly. "Just what I thought; nothing special." Vegeta raised his fist high, but turned into his base form when he saw the look on Bardock's face. "How does it feel to have your pride taken away? To know you're not the strongest?"

Gohan frowned sadly while looking at his crushed grandfather, who slowly turned back to his base form and continued to look down at his bloodied boots without saying a word. Feeling sudden anger rush through him, the grandson pointed an angry finger Vegeta's way. "Why do you have to be a jerk all the time!? You've been in his shoes!"

Vegeta nodded, not taking his eyes off Kakarot's father. "And that's what made me stronger."

Bardock slowly raised his head to meet Vegeta's gaze. He recognized the tone in his voice; it was the same one he used on Tora when his second-in-command was feeling useless after coming close to death. A smirk grew across the Saiyan's face as he wiped some blood off his lip. "As much as I hate you, prince, I have to admit you've changed a lot." He extended his bloody hand forward, and Vegeta reluctantly shook it. "Teach me... Teach me the ascension."

Gohan gasped loudly, causing the two Saiyans to look at him in disgust at how overly-dramatic the boy was sometimes. Vegeta narrowed his eyes on the teenager, and then back at Bardock. "Why don't you train with that loser grandson of yours, first? I know he doesn't look like much, but you'd be surprised what he's capable of when he puts his mind to it."

Bardock looked over his grandson with disbelief in his eyes. "Him!?"

"Wow, Vegeta!" Gohan returned the disbelief, but smiled childish. "Gee, I never thought you'd compliment me! Thank you-"

"Shut up!" The prince snarled. "You're still trash that needs to catch up from his seven year rest! Trash trains trash, and once trash moves up, it might be worthy to train with me." Vegeta opened the door of his beloved room, motioning for the blood relatives of his rival to leave. "Now get out of my sight!"

Same asshole, bigger body.

Well, not that big.

Bardock gave Vegeta one last smirk before exiting the room, silently vowing to himself that he would surpass the prince one day no matter what he would have to go through, no matter if he was transported somewhere else and it would take years for them to meet again. Even if it meant training with the Great Saiyaman. He looked behind him at his grandson while the door shut behind him. "What the hell do you know about the second formation, kid? I thought you said you couldn't obtain it."

"Well," Gohan chuckled nervously, scratching his head. "I do, but you see, I'm a little rusty-"

"Hey."

Gohan gulped, looking up at his grandfather but slightly feeling relieved when he noticed Bardock didn't look too angry. "Y-Yeah?"

The older Saiyan sighed, placing one large hand on his grandson's shoulder. "Don't lie to me to make me feel better. I can accept defeat. Sure, it sucks a big one, but I'd rather lose with honor than have someone pity me."

The teenager nodded, understanding fully what he meant while smiling at him. "I'm sorry, Grandpa. I won't lie to you anymore."

The strange pain formed swelled up Bardock's stomach again, hearing Gohan call him 'Grandpa' for the first time since they've met. Trying hard to ignore the feeling, he motioned for the boy to follow him as the two headed towards the exit. Goten was standing by the door, at first excited to see his brother and grandfather but frowning when he saw how beaten up his grandpa looked. "Whoa, what happened, Grandpa!? You weren't even in there that long!"

Gohan shook his head at the boy, causing him to cover his mouth at his mistake. Bardock began lifting the boy up, and Goten bit him on the arm tightly. "What the fuck, you leech!" The grandfather glared down at the boy still gnawing on his arm. "Knock it off!"

"No!" Goten cried. "You're going to toss me and I'm going to die again!"

"Again?" Gohan laughed. His brother's view on things never failed to amuse him.

"You dumb kid, I'm trying to pick you up because I'm carrying you home!"

Goten's eyes lit up with delight as he looked into his grandpa's eyes. "No way!" he cheered. "You're really going to fly me home!?"

"Yes," Bardock said through gritted teeth as the child tucked himself securely under his arm while Gohan opened the door for them to leave. "But trust me, I won't make a habit out of it." Stepping outside, Bardock took flight first while Gohan smiled up at him for a moment before following, unsure of what their time together was going to bring but more than ready to see where it would take them.