"Hey woman," Ichiro called down to Bulma as he and Hiroki hovered above her and Yajirobe. "Where's everybody else?"
"Uh…they just left," Bulma replied. "You must've missed them on the way."
Ichiro grunted and pushed Hiroki in the direction of the other two.
"Stay here with them; I'm going back to the fight."
"But Ichy…daddy said you're 'posed to take me home." Hiroki whined.
"If I have to take you all the way home, Uncle Goku would've destroyed the Androids by himself and I wouldn't get to see none of it. If you really wanna go home so badly, take yourself." Ichiro then flew back off in the direction Piccolo and the others were going.
Hiroki landed next to Bulma who was leaning against her plane watching Yajirobe play with Baby Trunks.
"I had no idea you were so good with kids, Yajirobe." Bulma stated. "Usually he starts crying when other people hold him."
"So you like your Uncle Yajirobe," He said bouncing Trunks up and down, the baby laughing and smiling the whole time. It wasn't until Baby Trunks decided to lose his bladder on Yajirobe's face did Hiroki begin to laugh.
When Trunks started crying, Bulma rose away from the plane and said, "You gave him a sour face. Poor boy, he got his feelings hurt."
"Hey, I'm the one who got all wet." Yajirobe retorted.
Bulma took Trunks from Yajirobe saying to the baby, "There, there…it's okay. He didn't mean it." Then looking around, she realized something. "Oh no, we're out of diapers Trunks. I don't have anything dry to put you in. Oh wait, Yajirobe has something."
Yajirobe looked at the scarf he was cleaning his face with and swiftly tried to hide it but Bulma easily talked him into giving it to her.
"Bulma," Hiroki asked as Bulma began to change Trunks' diaper. "Can Trunks turn into a Super Saiyan?"
"No silly," She replied. "He's just a baby. He can't do much of anything yet."
"Oh…but will he be able to go Super Saiyan when he's older? Like my age?"
"Well…I don't know. Probably not, I mean it took years for Goku to become a Super Saiyan. Maybe being half Saiyan will make Trunks' transformation twice as long."
"Oh…Bulma…is it bad to be only half Saiyan?"
"No, of course not," As Bulma began to pick Trunks up she took a look at Hiroki's earnest face and saw just how serious the question was to the boy. "Why do you ask?"
"Because Ichiro says it is. He says that 'cause I'm half Namekian I'd never be as strong as him. I don't think he likes me very much 'cause of it."
"That's not true, Hiroki. There's nothing wrong with you being half Namekian, it's what makes you special; and I'm sure your brother likes you a lot more than you think he does. He's your older brother and sometimes they're jerks to their younger brothers…but that's just the way things are sometimes."
"Oh, ok…and Bulma…please don't tell my mommy and daddy I told you this. I never tell them when Ichy's mean to me. I don't wanna get him in trouble."
"Sure thing cutie," Bulma flashed Hiroki a dazzling smile and then started to walk to her plane. "Okay Trunks," She said opening the flying car's door. "Now let's go see daddy."
"What," Yajirobe nearly yelled. "No way,"
"Yes way, why not. Vegeta wouldn't let anything happen to his little boy. We'll be just fine."
"No we won't. We'll be…dead."
"Hey, c'mon man, where's your sense of adventure? Let's do it, please, c'mon, please. And besides, Trunks needs you. Don'tcha boy,"
Reluctantly, after some very firm convincing from Bulma, Yajirobe got in the plane, but Hiroki didn't.
"Hiroki…" Bulma said in an almost asking tone. "Aren't you coming?"
"I-I can't…I mean," The boy began to stutter as he often did when he didn't know what to say. "I'm 'posed to be at home…if daddy finds out Ichy didn't take me home like he was 'posed to, he'd get in trouble and then he'll be mad at me again. I don't like it when Ichy's mad at me."
"Don't worry, Hiroki. We won't be close enough to the fight for anyone to see us so Piccolo will never know you're not at home."
Hiroki hesitated a moment but eventually got in the plane behind Bulma.
"Alright guys," She said after passing Baby Trunks to Yajirobe. "Hang on. Here we go"
Ichiro flew as fast as he could in the direction the others were once flying in but he wasn't sure if he was going the right way as he was yet to see anyone.
Stopping, he looked as far as he could in every direction.
"Where is everyone?"
A sudden extremely high, and rising, power level turned his attention northeast.
"Whoa, who's that? It-it feels like a Saiyan…it's not Uncle Goku or Gohan…but it's almost like-like I know it…"
Ichiro's curiosity got the best of him and he quickly began to fly in the direction of the power with excitement. Much like his uncle, Ichiro was anxious to meet others stronger than him and defeat them but for the owner of this strange power, all he really wanted to do was find out who it was.
Vegeta stood firmly and confidently in front of Androids 19 and 20 and the rest of the shocked Z-Fighters as he continued to charge; his hair flickering from black to gold and his eyes changing from black to blue, lightening encircling his body and rocks flying from his power.
"You-know-who joined the Super Saiyan club," Gohan said, trying to stand firm against the force of Vegeta's power. "He is on our side, right?"
Ichiro hovered above the battle ground in shock, amazement, and a certain sense of pride as he looked down at the scene of his father, now a full Super Saiyan.
"It's…it's my dad." He said aloud. "I mean…it has to be him," He said aloud as if he was almost trying to convince himself. "Who else could it be? There are only a few real Saiyans left…and that's definitely not Uncle Goku…it has to be him."
Ichiro waited to see what his father was going to do with all the power he possessed, so far he only talked. Then when he heard the older looking Android say, "You may have become a Super Saiyan but your new found power is new match for us. Demonstrate 19," he watched as the fat Android shot two blasts from his eyes at Vegeta but his father didn't move.
"Fat Freak, my dad's a Super Saiyan. Your weak blasts won't hurt him."
What Ichiro wasn't expecting was Android 19 tunneling underground and blasting Vegeta again from his blindside. He managed to get a clear shot right at Vegeta's heart.
"Father," The boy called out to Vegeta as smoke surrounded him. Everyone, except Vegeta and 19, turned their attention up to Ichiro but he was focused only on watching the smoke clear. When it did dissipate, Vegeta stood proud and unharmed in the mist. Ichiro's tension quickly went at ease.
Android 19 then ran full speed at Vegeta and flew a fist into his chin. Vegeta's head flew back and everyone thought the Android actually had a solid hit on him but then he straightened back up with a smug smile on his face.
Android 19 then jumped into the air and came down with an assault against Vegeta's face but the Saiyan didn't block any of the punches thrown. With a final head-butt to finish off his attack, Android 19 felt confident that he was going to win in the currently one-sided fight and chuckled at his leading victory.
Vegeta stepped forward with a trail of blood coming from his mouth but the smirk of arrogance still remained.
"Just as I thought," The Saiyan Prince stated. "You're nothing."
Android 19 stopped laughing and his smile was wiped away.
"Silly robot, did you really think you have a chance against a Super Saiyan like me? Your brain must be malfunctioning; fresh out of the factory with no warranty and already broken, what a pity."
Vegeta took another step forward and the Android took a step back. Then, without warning, Vegeta lashed out and kicked 19 in the stomach. His foot went so far into the Android's abdomen, you could see its imprint coming from the machine's back.
"Alright dad," Ichiro cheered. He watched in excitement as his dad then hit the Android across the face with his elbow and kicked him in almost the same instant, sending the mechanical creature flying across the ground. After that, everyone stood in awe, even the other Android.
"Man," Tien said, "Vegeta,"
As Vegeta began to walk over to the failing Android, Ichiro flew down to the rest with glee.
"Wow," He said standing beside Piccolo. "Did you see that? He's kicking that Android's butt. He is so awesome."
Piccolo did not respond to the boy's enthusiasm, instead he continued to watch the fight.
"My, my, what do we have here?" Vegeta said standing over the senseless Android. "Oh yes, the ultimate tub of lard, bucket of bolts,"
Suddenly, Android 19 jumped to his feet and tried to grab the Saiyan Prince in hopes of stealing some of his energy, but Vegeta, being much too smart for that after he'd already seen the Android absorb Goku's energy blast, quickly jumped back on his hands and kicked the Android in the gut again, this time using both feet and sending the machine flying into the sky.
Then he quickly flew off after 19 and before the Android could blink his artificial eyes, Vegeta was hovering inches away from his face.
"So," Vegeta mocked. "Are you scared yet?"
Feeling what one could only assume as anger, if a machine could feel emotion, the Android quickly began to send a barrage of punches at Vegeta's head again but this time the Saiyan dodged every one of them with ease; then, with his signature smug grin, Vegeta ended the Android's futile barrage with one powerful punch to the jaw.
"Wow," Ichiro said facing Piccolo again. "Didja see him, Captain, didja? That's my dad, right? That's Vegeta?"
"Yeah kid," Piccolo answered as he continued to watch Vegeta's fight. "That's Vegeta."
Seeing the Saiyan go head to head with the Android without breaking a sweat had Piccolo and the remaining Z-Fighters on edge. They were all rooting for him to win but at the same time they knew that Vegeta's victory would only propose more hardship for them; especially since Goku was out of commission with his late-coming heart disease coming into effect.
"I think you have and oil leak," Vegeta continued to taunt the machine. "What a bad deal, such a fragile unit."
Android 19 shot blasts from his eyes at Vegeta again and Vegeta quickly moved out of the way and flew further into the air, then he came back down on 19's head with one solid blow and sent the Android flying to the ground towards the Z-Fighters.
"Let's get out of here?" Piccolo screamed once he saw the Android was heading straight for them but Ichiro's fascination of Vegeta's quick speed and power put him in an immovable stupor. Piccolo saw the dazed look in the boy's eyes and quickly ran, grabbed him, and flew them both out of the way seconds before the Android hit.
"What's your problem kid?" Piccolo barked as he forced Ichiro to look at him.
"I'm sorry, Captain…" Ichiro said finally back to reality. "I-I just wasn't thinking."
"Well if you plan to fight with us Ichiro, I want your head on the battle field, not in Fantasy Land, understood?"
"Yes, Captain."
"Good, because if something like that happens again I'm sending you back home."
"Yes sir."
The Namek and the boy then began to watch with everyone else as Vegeta flew down into the giant crater the Android caused when he hit the ground.
"Despicable," He spat as he stood over 19. "What a useless machine." At that same time though, the great Saiyan Prince let his guard down and, almost as if sensing it, Android 19 used the opportunity to attack and took hold of both of Vegeta's wrists.
"Oh yes," The Android snickered. "I have you know…and soon, I will have all of your energy."
Android 20 stood on the other side of the crater looking at the scene and chuckling.
"Oh no," Krillin screamed.
"Dad, no," Ichiro called and was about to run into the crater to help his father but Piccolo put a hand on his shoulder and stopped him.
"No, Ichiro. Vegeta can handle this one on his own."
"But Captain-"
"Trust me, Ichiro. You'll only be getting in his way."
Unlike the others, Piccolo noticed the sure-fire look on Vegeta's face; the look of a man who refused to lose, the determined look of a true warrior.
"Do not try to escape, yes." The Android said to Vegeta. "It is useless. Until I have your energy, I will never let you go."
"Never, huh," Vegeta replied. "Let's see."
The Saiyan Prince jumped into the air and landed with his feet on Android 19's face. He then proceeded to push against the Android's face trying to force 19 to release his wrists but the machine held a tight grip against him.
"Well so far I'm impressed." Vegeta noted. "You're very true to your word…but never can be a long time Android!"
The more he talked, the harder Vegeta pushed against 19's face.
"Something wrong," He continued. "You seem like you're under a lot of pressure. Still think you can hang on long enough to still my energy?"
"I…will…never…let…you…go," Android 19 struggled to say through the force Vegeta was using to push against his face.
"Yes, that's the spirit Android. Never say die!"
Before Android 19 could comprehend the strength that Vegeta was releasing, the Saiyan pushed against the machine once more but this time he managed to pull the Android's hands off while they were still attached to his own wrists.
"Yeah," Ichiro screamed with cheer. "That's it dad! Show that monster whose boss! No one can beat a Saiyan!"
Out of everyone on the scene, Vegeta and Ichiro seemed to be the only ones enjoying the outcome of events.
Vegeta twisted off one of Android 19's hands from his wrist and took a look at its palm. A red glass sphere sat in the middle of the hand.
"So these are the devices you Androids use to rob people of their energy." Vegeta then looked up to 19 and saw him quivering in 'fear'.
"What's the matter?" He taunted. "You're the one who started this game and now you don't want to play anymore? You were enjoying yourself before…when you were sucking the life out of Kakarot."
When Vegeta started to walk towards him, Android 19 began to back away.
"So I guess it's true after all. Androids do experience fear."
Backing into the wall, Android 19 soon realized that the only escape he had from Vegeta was up and so that's where he went. He climbed hurriedly out of the crater with no hands in a futile attempt to escape the Prince.
Vegeta flew straight up into the sky and glared down at the scurrying Android.
Android 20 sought to put an end to Vegeta's attack and screamed up to him, "Enough,"
"Don't be absurd," Vegeta yelled back. "It's enough because you're losing. You've come here to destroy us. You have to finish what you've started."
Vegeta powered up some more and took aim at 19 as he pointlessly continued to dash away. Gohan, Piccolo, Tien, Krillin, and 20 were afraid and amazed by the power Vegeta possessed but Ichiro was proud of his father's power.
Vegeta's power was beginning to feel familiar to him. He wasn't sure where he felt the power since he'd never met his father before that day but the power…the intensity and might of it…there was no doubt in his mind that he felt it before.
"Here it comes," Vegeta screamed. "A little going away present for you," And then, with a maniacal laugh, Vegeta sent a powerful Big Bang Attack after Android 19.
When the blast hit the Android, Ichiro flinched at the sheer greatness of the blow and for a second he contemplated grabbing on to Piccolo's leg for protection as he often did in the past few years but instantly talked himself out of it.
"You okay, kid?" Piccolo asked as the smoke cleared and everyone stared wide eyed at what remained of the once portly Android; all that lingered was his head.
"Y-yeah, Captain, I'm okay. It just…startled me. I've never seen someone…or something…d-die-…completely destroyed. It's…incredible, isn't it?"
Ichiro didn't really like the blast as much as he tried to pretend but he didn't want Piccolo to think him weak or afraid; and it was his father's power that he'd just witnessed, shouldn't he be proud and fawning over it's might like a good son would?
"I only wish there was a junk yard nearby so we can give him a proper burial." Vegeta continued to mock over the dead Android's remains and with a sneer he left fear in the face of the remaining Android and Z-Fighters.
Hiroki stared blankly at Baby Trunks in Yajirobe's arms. He could see the resemblance in Trunks and Ichiro but they also looked different. He couldn't wait to meet the boys' father to see what the Prince looked like.
Inwardly, Hiroki somewhat knew that the Prince may be as cold as Ichiro. After all, the smaller prince definitely didn't get his anger from Katsumi or Piccolo so Vegeta had to be the one, but still Hiroki hoped that the Prince wouldn't be as mean to him as Ichiro normally was. It was one thing to have your brother pick on you, call you names, and just hate you in general, but to have an adult think you're worth nothing brings upon a completely different feeling of no self-worth.
"Wow, goodness," Bulma exclaimed drawing Yajirobe and Hiroki's attention up to a giant mushroom cloud ahead of them. "Would you look at the size of that thing, my gosh,"
"What-what is it?" Hiroki asked.
"It looks like the aftermath of an explosion." Bulma confirmed.
"An explosion…but-but…this is the way my brother went. He-he…"
At hearing the slight whimper in his voice, Bulma looked over her shoulder and saw Hiroki's watery eyes.
Feeling her motherly instincts kick in, she said reassuringly, "Don't worry. Your brother's with Goku and Piccolo, I know they won't let anything bad happen to him."
"Do ya…do ya really think so?" The boy sniffled.
"Trust me kid, I don't think. I know."
Bulma's confident reassuring put a smile back on Hiroki's face and she smiled back at him before looking forward again.
"Now then fellas, we don't want to get caught in that smoke. We better go in low."
As Bulma began to fly lower, Yajirobe whined, "Bulma let's just get the heck outta here, please."
"You coward, we're already there."
"No, turn around, it's not too late." He said grabbing onto the plane handles.
"Let go you big oaf, we're going and that's final."
As the two adults began to rock to plane, Baby Trunks woke from his soundless slumber and began crying his head off.
"Now look at what you've done, you woke the baby." Bulma screamed. "Big mouth; it's that big, burly voice of yours."
"Say what," Yajirobe yelled back. "You're out of your mind." Trunks screaming harder at the sound of his voice only made Yajirobe face the fact that it was his fault and he instantly shut up giving Bulma time to straighten the plane and continue flying towards the battle zone.