(Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot, as always.)
Summary: Dragon balls have one purpose on Earth- to grant wishes. Some may use it for immortality, some for money and power, some eternal youth, but mostly they are used for life, but when they lack their creator, their power cannot bring people back from the dead because the dragon balls aren't even there anymore. Somehow, Vegeta breaks the rule of not staying six feet under, and you can tell it will change history. AU begins during {future?} Android Saga then branches out from there.
Chapter 6
Gohan finally sensed a pause in their movements. It was only for a brief moment, but he had felt their attacks falter. It was enough time for him to wrench his body away, only noticing too late what had happened to make their hits pause. When his teal eyes finally focused, he blinked. "V-Vegeta?"
"Who'd you expect, boy?"
Gohan couldn't help but stare at the Saiyan Prince, who merely rolled his dark eyes and turned toward the Androids, arms crossed.
. . . .
Vegeta was honestly a bit pissed. He had been flying toward Capsule Corp when he picked up the ruckus nearby. He almost chose to ignore it, but two unforgettable energies were there, and he didn't dare keep going. Of course he could have. He just decided to check out the fight, gauge his soon-to-be opponents, and see what Kakarot's brat was truly capable of. It was a win all round in his opinion.
However, he was still angry as he touched down to watch. He wasn't sure why. Maybe it was because those trash cans killed him! His anger boiled some more. He could barely believe that he was defeated by mere wires and switches. Him - Prince Vegeta - and everyone else lost to oversized computers! He hated it, and that's why his anger was so prevalent. He wanted to toss them into the junk heap where they belonged, and that was it. It wasn't the slight nag in the back of his head that he repressed.
No, not at all.
He shook his head, silencing the racket inside it. He huffed as he watched the fight above him, even though he could hardly describe it as a fight. He was well aware that Kakarot's spawn had gotten stronger; it was obvious by the Super Saiyan Transformation he was currently donning like it was nothing to achieve. Despite how the boy handled the transformation or despite the fact the transformation was his at all, he was nothing compared to the Androids. It was like he was standing still for most of it, and when he got a few solid hits in, that was pure luck. His form wasn't the greatest it could have been, his power not even close to what the machines must have been putting out.
It is all wrong! Vegeta's eyes narrowed as the fight drifted the way he predicted immediately. Gohan didn't stand a chance. Gohan wasn't enough, not enough to handle the both of them, maybe one if he was real lucky. However, both Androids would wipe the floor with him. This surprisingly made Vegeta pause, mind conflicted. For a few moments, he entertained the idea that the brat would simply - let's not beat around the bush - perish to the oversized toasters. Needless to say, he wouldn't exactly mind, or at least he thought he wouldn't have.
His head confused him, realizing that the half-breed would be more beneficial alive and making his less child-friendly thoughts quiet down. Gohan was... Vegeta gritted his teeth and crossed his arms tightly over his chest. He could barely say it in his head, and when he did, there was disgust, maybe at Kakarot's brat, maybe at himself. He didn't know.
Anyway, Gohan was the strongest person fighting for Earth right now, and while Vegeta hated to think this, Gohan was the best possible bet to destroy the Androids right now. Only at the moment though, Vegeta would see to that!
That did nothing to satisfy him, however, and it just caused him to be angrier. With his anger rising, it was only a matter of time before he snapped. He let out a scoff as the boy was batted between the two Androids. He shook his head. The toasters were toying with him, making the half-breed look weak - making Vegeta's race seem weak - in comparison. Vegeta scowled at the scene, face darkening with each passing second.
Blood exploded out of Gohan's mouth, but Vegeta did not step in yet. When Kakarot's brat's sagged just a fraction, enough that it signaled to Vegeta how exhausted he was and how the fight was draining the half-breed, that was the straw that got him moving. Vegeta flashed in front of Gohan, smashing a heel to the blonde Android's head. A rush of air from his speed had ruffled the other Android's clothes in the process. Upon appearing, Vegeta made sure to turn his back to the machines, keeping an eye on the brat, who threw himself to the side and blinked sluggishly over at him. The half-breed said his name, and it came out nearly like a whisper. It was - pathetic!
After Vegeta rolled his eyes and said his piece, "Who'd you expect, boy," he turned to the machines hovering next to each other.
The male one suddenly laughed after a small pause. "Vegeta? You actually made it?"
"What a surprise." The blonde said as she glanced him over.
Dark eyes narrowing, Vegeta stated evenly. "And you actually survived all these years. Now that's the true surprising thing."
"Why's that?" 17 smirked.
Vegeta shrugged, eyes still narrowed. "Considering that you're both just heaps of wires and poorly trained twerps, it's a surprise you lasted as long as you did... Also, shouldn't your batteries be running low?" At last, his mouth quirked up into a smirk for a second. "If not, let me fix that." The determined scowl was back as he attacked.
Immediately the Androids dodged his first attack then his next two. After the third failed hit and the twin smirks on the Androids' faces, Vegeta gritted his teeth and stopped for a moment, reaching for his KI in his body. Once he felt it, he yanked it out, but instead of drawing it out smoothly and feeling it course through his body, it tugged then trickled to his arms and legs. The rush of his Super Saiyan form did not come this time. The form he worked so hard to achieve was beyond reach. It was as if his body couldn't handle the transformation.
Vegeta's eyes widened for a fraction of a second to be replaced with anger. His fist collided with 17's face, barely grasing his cheek. He jumped to the side as 17 sent a punch, which Vegeta knew was lazy - teasing - easy. Vegeta snapped. "Put some effort into it, tin cans," he snarled, sending a kick at 18, who merely sidestepped him in the air. Vegeta twirled around for another attack, only to get his leg caught in the vicegrip of the girl Android.
"Should we put some effort into it, 18?" 17 chuckled in question, voice behind Vegeta's form.
"Maybe just some." She commented, mouth twisted evilly.
Before Vegeta could react, she yanked his leg so he rushed toward her and smashed her forehead into his. He grunted, momentarily seeing stars. Right before another attack landed, he brought up his other leg, spinning and clipping her in the side of her head. The female Android let him go without so much as a noise. However, Vegeta could only watch as he was released, and the male machine kicked him square in the back. His body lurched forward, and he growled low as they laughed. How dare they laugh at Vegeta?! He curled his fist and aimed for the closest Android, which happened to be the blonde one. It did not connect because she gracefully slid to the side, lips upward in triumph, and smashed her knee into his stomach.
All his breath left him in a rush as he doubled over for a moment. Then he flashed away, giving himself some distance from the Androids. The Androids rushed toward him in unison, and he knew he wasn't quick enough to get out of the way. However, another body collided with his as a shout of "Vegeta!" reached his ears. He and the other body flew to the side, evading the previous attacks.
For a split second, Vegeta glanced over at the form, and of course it was Kakarot's brat. He tsked, brushing past the other and slamming into the Androids. He hit them and jumped back, sending a few blasts their way. They swirled around them and darted his way. He dodged an attack from 17 just as 18 landed an attack to his shoulder. He followed his body, heading the way 18 shoved him, only to spin in a circle and kick out, using his momentum to help power his attack. The connection was as if he merely tapped them, and Vegeta growled.
17 laughed and said. "Hey Vegeta, we're putting some effort into fighting. Where's yours?"
"I'll show you effort!" Vegeta yelled as he advanced, fist hitting 17 in the face. When 17 was unaffected, Vegeta leaped back, already knowing the Android would retaliate. Then, Gohan came out of nowhere and kicked 17 back a foot. Vegeta was both annoyed and maybe - real deep down (deep deep deep down) - grateful because those knuckles didn't bust his nose all to hell.
"Ve-geta," Gohan's breath came a little strained. "Maybe we should work together-"
"No way in hell," was the Prince's instant reply as he attacked again. The Androids dodged, causing Vegeta to miss them again. He glared and went in for punch, which landed but ended up with him being shoved away, and he received a nasty remark on him being "weak." Vegeta was anything but weak. He refused to acknowledge it. He wasn't weak! He was a Super Saiyan dammit! He did not need anyone. He could beat anyone without any help whatsoever.
"Vegeta-" There was the brat trying to get him to team up with him. He would never work alongside Kakarot's spawn.
Vegeta would avenge himself, show that he was worthy of being the Prince of all Saiyans. He would show them all! He yelled out and forced his knuckles to strike 18, and a blast exploded out of his palm when he placed it level with her stomach. She drifted back some. Vegeta moved onto 17, kneeing him, well he tried and missed. His hissed through his teeth as Gohan darted into his path, knocking the Android back. Vegeta continued forward despite the brat being in his way, but Gohan went down in the air, allowing Vegeta to catch 17 with an elbow to his eye. As 17 went to the side, Gohan came back up, kicking him a second after Vegeta, who had done the same thing a moment before. Their more or less combined kick sent 17 back three and a half feet.
Just as 17 grunted, slight glare surfacing, 18 was upon them. Vegeta pushed Gohan so he could get a better shot at the female. His fist missed her head as it tilted to the side. However, Gohan had brought up his fist, and it connected because of her move to evade Vegeta's attack.
The Prince's eye twitched in annoyance, so he shoved Gohan to the side. "Get the hell out of my way brat." He moved in for another attack, which led the Androids to part in opposite directions. Vegeta kicked 17 then went to hit 18, but Gohan was already there to push her back.
Gohan was close on his right side. "Vegeta, we should work together." The boy repeated.
It irked Vegeta so much that he growled and shoved Gohan to the side as the Androids came forward again. He twirled in the air, smashing his heel into one of the Androids, and as he went for the second, Gohan was heading to defend Vegeta's left side. Instead of allowing the help, a KI blast came from his hand and hit Gohan backwards. "Back off. I don't need your help." He sent another blast at the Androids, who stopped moving and took the hit. It didn't even bother them. Vegeta clenched his hands tightly, their words threatening to drift back into his ears. No, he wasn't weak!
He was about to go for the tin cans when Gohan appeared by his side, glancing at him, serious and determined. Both Gohan's hair and eyes were lightly colored as he hovered by Vegeta's side. He opened his mouth to speak, but Vegeta beat him to it.
"Don't even think about it." He grumbled.
Gohan turned a slight glare in his direction. "Really? Even though.." It looked like he would have said more, but the Androids gazed at one another and nodded. They both sent identical blasts down toward the ground below. Gohan's eyes immediately snapped to the ground then widened at where the blasts where headed. "Trunks!"
Vegeta could only watch as the blasts sped toward the on looking figure. He knew he wouldn't be quick enough, but just as he turned to head that way. Gohan was speeding downward, going so fast that he fazed in and out of the Prince's sight. Just a second before the blasts hit, Gohan appeared, wrapping his arms around the boy, as he turned his back to the blasts. It hit him, yet still managed to briefly hit Trunks.
Vegeta stiffly directed his attention toward the Androids. All he could see was Gohan and Trunks falling to the ground below, Trunks practically unconscious. The images flashed in the back of his mind as he stared over at the smirking Androids. For a few moments, no one moved. Then Vegeta snapped. He felt his energy pull and break, rushing out. The air picked up, the air rushing around him. His clenched hands were glowing yellow, static darting around his fingertips. All the energy was so much like his Super Saiyan transformation that he almost believed he finally transformed again, but the energy was slowly disapating from his limbs.
Therefore, he used it to plow into the Androids, scattering them. He laced his hands, slamming them down into 17's head. This caused 17 to fly toward the ground. As 17 dropped, Vegeta flashed directly in 18's face and kneed her in the stomach then kicked her away. He appeared behind 17 when the male Android stopped himself, and he bashed 17 in the back. Vegeta did not stop moving as 17 tried to elbow him. He was in front of 18 again, smashing into her body so she collided with the other Android.
As soon as the Androids hit one another, Vegeta brought his hands together, and a sphere of blue began to form. The blue expanded then blasted straight into the Androids, covering them in smoke. He felt as his energy drained and his body grew heavy. "Hmph, h-how's that for effort..?" His head dropped then rose again as he fought unconsciousness. A few moments and his body sagged and started to lower itself toward the ground. When his energy disappeared, his vision darkened and went black.
. . . .
Vegeta could vaguely feel his body jostle and the thing underneath him rumbled unevenly. It wasn't like an automobile, Vegeta was sure, even his hazy mind knew that it wasn't quite like that. He eventually forced his eyes open, seeing the ground and feet moving quickly below him. After the quick glimpse, his vision disappeared and he dropped into unconsciousness once more.
He later woke up on a bed with a sheet covering him and wires hooked up to him. His dark eyes took in the room, noting it was the exact room that he had woken up in before. He was at Capsule Corp. He sat up slowly, and he made a face at his mixed feelings of being back at the house. He pulled the attachments off his body and stood up. He already made up his mind. He had to leave and train. This wasn't his house... it wasn't his family. Never was his family honestly.
Vegeta let out a small sigh in the otherwise silent room. He could not dwell on that, his brain reasoned. Therefore, Vegeta headed out, walking down the hallways, intent on leaving the building. However, his pace faltered when he reached the kitchen area. His ears picked up their conversation.
"How dare you leave me alone, Trunks! Do you know how dangerous it is to go off alone?" Bulma's voice was harsher than Vegeta remembered hearing as of late. "You could have gotten hurt."
"But what if Gohan needed help-"
"What were you planning on doing Trunks?" For a moment everything was quiet, then Bulma's voice came out soft and calm. "Trunks, sweetie, you wouldn't have been able to do anything..."
At that, Vegeta had heard enough. His son not being able to do anything - not being able to fight. Tsk. Vegeta shook his head in an attempt to not care that his so-called son was babied and on the sidelines. His son was supposed to be something. He was of not only saiyan blood, but of royal blood as well. Vegeta just shook his head again, continuing down the hallway toward the exit. It wasn't his concern. The boy wasn't exactly his now was he? No.
The Prince headed out the door, keeping an eye out for the KIs in the kitchen. Apparently Gohan was in the kitchen area as well. Hopefully he stayed there because Vegeta did not want to deal with more crap that day. Unfortunately for him, as Vegeta closed the door behind him, he sensed the three energies heading his way with Gohan's strong KI leading the way. Instead of rushing away, Vegeta simply slowed his walk.
After the front door opened and Gohan's feet headed his way, Vegeta finally turned slightly and glared over his shoulder at the approaching (older) half-breed. "This better be damn good, boy."
(Any thoughts or ideas or criticisms?)
