Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z. This is a nonprofit story.
*Yes, Goku will be back in another few chapters. Still got a few months to go in story time. Things will happen then. Some evil plot weasels left some seeds in my mind so there will be some definite AU from the way cannon works for a couple things. I'm just setting up a consistency. I now get sighs from my family when I suddenly call or text them asking for names of uncommon fruit for the PTO related bad guys. Got to stick with the themes you know!
I'm going on vacation, so there won't be a chapter for the next two weeks. This one is about twice as long as average so hopefully that helps make up for it somewhat.*
'word' = thoughts
{word} = Namekian
"word" = Saiyago
Chapter 11: Fight to Survive
Two sets of eyes watched deep into the orb in front of them.
Finally the taller of the two watchers spoke. "Sir, are you sure it was wise to allow them to find the ship?"
The shorter one nodded his head. "Yes. It was needed for them to know their species can continue as pure bloods. We almost lost them twenty years ago, we cannot afford for them to die out now."
The taller frowned. "I'm not sure what good it will do us now. We don't have the luxury of waiting for another generation and both of these two have damaged minds."
The shorter smiled a knowing smile. "There is still plenty of time for part two of the plan. As for part one, I believe it will work out just fine. They will help heal each other. The third has already shown much potential. He can help guide them to the light."
The taller looked off into the distance. "I'm still not sure how this will help us. The Saiyans became as bad as any other monster."
The shorter sighed. "Sometimes, to fight a monster, we must create monsters. We could not guide them. They had to develop on their own in order to find their true potential. When they find it, they will be ready."
The taller began to walk away. "How long do we have?"
A frown finally creased the smaller's face as he moved to follow his companion. "A decade or so, depending on how things go. I hope they will be ready."
o-o-o-o-o
It was cold and dark. Emptiness that no sound or light could penetrate. A voice, terrifying and familiar rang out. 'You are a worthless son of a monkey.' The voice's laughter echoed off nothingness. Then it was gone and he was utterly alone.
Vegeta jerked upright in his bed and looked around wildly. Whimpers came from the other bed, and the Prince got up and made his way over. Reaching down he nudged the bed's occupant awake. "Gohan. Wake up."
The boy bolted upright and stared at him with wide eyes. Waking fully he rubbed his face. "I had a nightmare again."
The Prince nodded before rising from the bed. "Me, too."
As he made his way towards the door, Vegeta turned. "Come on. We might as well do some training now that we're awake."
o-o-o-o-o
Their training was interrupted by the collision warning system blaring through the ship.
Letting out a growl, Vegeta flipped the emergency shut down on the gravity. 'This is the second time in two weeks! I had less issues in the entire time I was under Frieza's thumb.'
As they rushed out of the training room, an explosion rocked the rear of the ship, knocking them off their feet. Another soon followed.
Managing to get to the ship controls, the Prince flipped on the view screen. Several PTO space craft filled the view. "Damn it!"
He turned to the boy. "Gohan, stay as close to me as possible no matter what happens."
Gohan nodded and moved closer.
A thunk, then the screech of metal met their ears, followed by a hiss. A choking stench filled the cabin causing both occupants to start coughing. Vegeta's eyes widened in horror. 'Shit. They're gassing us.'
He heard Gohan's body hit the floor as his vision began to tunnel and go dark. Then there was nothing.
The Saiyan's body fell to the ground unceremoniously and lay still.
o-o-o-o-o
Vegeta came back to consciousness to the feel of cold metal under him. He rubbed his head in an attempt to clear the fog. Memories came rushing back and he snapped his head up, taking in his surroundings. A dim, cramped room greeted his eyes. Beings of various species lay sprawled out on the floor, chains linking their wrists together. He looked down at his own arms to find he also bore manacles.
He reached down to pull the cuff off one wrist, only to find he couldn't. Scowling he attempted to raise his chi and the cuffs sparked, then lanced him with pain. 'Damn it! Chi suppressors!'
A guard looked through the small viewing port in the door at the commotion. "Forget it. Those only come off when the Captain says they do and so far that's been never."
Vegeta scowled towards the door. "I will get out of these, and when I do all of you will pay."
Laughing, the guard returned to his position.
A small voice spoke from behind the Prince. "I don't want to be here anymore. It's to dangerous trying to find Daddy. I just want to go home."
Vegeta turned and looked to where Gohan was curled up on the floor, his own wrists bound with the cuffs. "Earth does sound inviting right now."
Sitting back beside the boy, he let out a growl. "These bastards are going to rue the day they messed with a Saiyan."
o-o-o-o-o
They spent two days crowded in the room as the ship made it's way back to it's base. Once a day the guards left water and rancid slop that the Saiyans couldn't stomach to go near.
Gohan let out a groan as they felt the ship shudder to a landing. Vegeta squeezed his shoulder to comfort him.
Loud booted steps marched down the corridor in front of their cell, only to stop. With a clang the door was thrown open and two armed guards stepped in and to the sides of the door.
Another stood surveying the beings in front of it with a sneer. "Alright you pieces of dung. It's time for you to move to your new home. Everyone out!"
All the other humanoids began to shuffle out through the door, heads hanging in defeat. Eventually only Vegeta and Gohan remained.
The guard scowled at them. "Didn't you hear me? Get moving!"
Vegeta returned his scowl to the guard. "You don't know who you're messing with."
The guard moved swiftly towards the Saiyan and rammed a fist into his gut, knocking the air out of him. "Nope. Don't know and don't care. 'S long as yous gots those shiny little bracelets you're nothing but a helpless piece of crap. Now move."
Reaching out the guard grabbed a handful of the Prince's hair and drug him from the room and off the ship.
Gohan scrambled after, trying to stay right next to Vegeta.
Vegeta was hauled roughly into a large building. Pulled down the hallway, he was flung unceremoniously at the feet of a large male.
The guard pulled himself to attention. "Heres you go, Captain Longan. This is the last of them. This one needs to learn his place though."
Captain Longan eyed the Saiyan critically. "He looks a little small and puny. Whatever. He will still be useful in the mines."
Movement caught the Captain's eye as Gohan moved closer to Vegeta. Longan gave the boy a look of disgust. "What the hell is that little thing?"
The guard reached down and grabbed Gohan by the tail, hauling him up to eye level.
Gohan went limp in his grasp. Forcing himself to hold still, the boy pretended that his tail was not trained.
Vegeta let out a growl as the Captain stepped closer. "You bastards, leave the boy alone!"
Longan delivered a swift kick to his ribs. Turning his attention back to the boy he sneered. "Looks like this one's disgusting offspring."
Kicking the Prince again, he motioned toward another guard before walking off. "Take him down to the mines."
The burly guard held Gohan out at arms length by his tail. "What about this one?"
The Captain gave a sniff of indifference. "Toss him in the midden. He's to small for the work and is of no use to us."
Vegeta lunged at the guard only to have something hard impact his head and send him reeling towards unconsciousness. 'Gohan!'
The guard let out an evil laugh as he walked down the corridors, randomly swinging the boy into the walls. He laughed harder at each impact.
Finally he stopped and opened a door. Cool night air wafted into the building. Chuckling to himself, he pulled his arm back then flung Gohan out it the night sky.
The boy tried to pull on his chi to fly, but the manacles around his wrists sparked painfully into him, preventing the action. Gohan hugged his knees to his body and put himself into a controlled spin. As the ground approached, he tucked his head in and rolled a distance before coming to a stop. Dizzy the boy sat up and waited for the world to stop spinning.
Determined, Gohan stood up and looked around for a stick to use as a weapon. He'd survived when Piccolo had dumped him in the wilderness before he knew how to use his chi, he'd survive now.
First he needed to find food and shelter. Then he'd try and think up a plan to get rid of these handcuff and free Vegeta.
o-o-o-o-o
Letting out a snarl, Vegeta spat at the guard who shoved him along the road towards the slave sleeping quarters from the mine. Another guard swung his metal pole at the Saiyan's head, knocking off his feet.
Vegeta growled at them. "I'm going to rip your damn heads off as soon as these chains are gone."
The guards laughed at him. "Then we're not likely ta ever have to worry about that, 'cause you ain't ever gettin' out of them."
Rage simmering inside him, Vegeta pushed himself to his feet. Looking up at the empty sky, he scanned for the moon. 'It's been five blasted weeks! How long does it take this planet's moon to reach the full stage? I'm going to show them real fear then.'
He glanced around at his fellow captives and sneered in disgust. They'd all given up. 'I'll never give up. This isn't even half as bad as the crap that Frieza used to do to me.'
The Prince scowled. The chains they wore lowered their strength making them weak and the job they were doing that much tougher. They'd been forced to dig in the mine, hauling out precious minerals needed to supply the PTO. He'd known that planets like this existed, but had never set foot on one of them, it not being his type of job.
So far no one had recognized him and he wasn't going to enlighten them. He didn't need them gloating over his fallen status.
He'd have his revenge on them soon enough. He had the patience and time.
On the other side of the compound, he could see a ship coming in for a landing. 'That's the only ship to land since I got here. They don't come in very often and even then, they don't stay long. Hopefully the moon changes soon. That may be the only way off this piece of rock.'
Vegeta looked out over the landscape, the concern that he'd been ignoring these last few weeks pawed at his conscious. 'I hope the boy is ok.'
o-o-o-o-o
Gohan stared out over the barren ground towards the building that he knew the Prince was kept in. He'd been watching the comings and goings for the last several weeks, trying to think up a plan. He failed to notice as the silvery light grew brighter behind him.
Sighing at his uselessness, the boy stood up and turned to go scavenge for some food.
The luminescence of the moon immediately drew his eyes. Unable to look away, he could feel his heart beat faster as something tugged on his soul. He pulled back his lips into a snarl just as his mind slid into nothingness.
The boy's body remained locked in place, staring at the glowing orb. He let out a growl as his eyes turned red and his body began to elongate and grow. His jaw stretching out to form a muzzle.
Pain lanced through his wrists as the cuff holding them became to tight, strained, then snapped. Roaring in defiance a giant ape stood where once was a boy.
Growling at the pain still lingering in his wrists, the ape turned, looking for those who had inflicted it. Seeing no one, he opened his mouth and let out a blast of chi in frustration.
Something twinged in his mind, drawing his attention towards the buildings in the distance. The ape narrowed his eyes. Those there would suffer for his pain.
Letting loose another roar, he rushed towards the structures, firing random blasts into their depths destroying any and every thing in his path.
o-o-o-o-o
An explosion rocked the quarters where the slaves were housed. Then another blast sounded nearer.
Vegeta let out a snort of disgust as most of those present began wail. Their stench became even stronger and marred with fear as a loud roar echoed through the building.
The Prince's head snapped towards the sound and his eyes grew wide for a moment. 'That roar. Could it be?'
Another roar sounded, this one very much closer. Then a furry fist came through the wall, sending the others in the room screaming in terror.
Vegeta began to laugh. A maniacal laugh as he felt the time he had been waiting for come. Those around him turned to stare at him with wide eyes, assuming he'd gone insane.
Rising to his feet, the Saiyan made his way towards the hole in the wall and the beast that lay beyond it.
Frantic hands attempted to grab him, the male he'd been forced to work with these past days trying to stop him. "Don't go out there. That beast will destroy you!"
Shoving him off, Vegeta let out another laugh. "I told them they wouldn't hold me long. It was just a matter of time. Now they will feel my wrath."
Climbing through the wall debris, he stepped out into the open air.
Other prisoners scurried after him and he was tempted to ignore their flight. A vision of a red skinned ogre flashed through the Prince's mind. He heaved a sigh.
Vegeta moved to block their path. "Stop! If you run out there you'll just draw his attention and die. If you wish to flee, move slow and against the walls."
He began to walk slowly out of the shadow of the building to where he could see the sky.
One of the others called after him. "Wait! That monster will kill you too!"
The Saiyan leveled a glare towards the speaker that had all who saw it cowering. "You're more of a monster than that boy is. He just doesn't have control of his mind."
Turning towards the glowing face of the moon, Vegeta felt the Blutz waves wash over him. He ignored the pain of the tightening manacles and felt joy as they shattered under the pressure of his growing form.
He heard as the voices that had called out for his safety began to cry out in fear and smirked to himself.
As his transformation finished, he turned his glowing red eyes towards the compound. 'Someone is going to pay with their life for what they have done to me!'
A roar off to his side drew his attention and he turned his head just in time for a furry fist to meet his nose.
Vegeta roared in pain and smacked Gohan off him. 'I must take care of the boy first. I can't have him attacking me.'
Lunging forward, the Prince grabbed both sides of the other Oozaru's head.
Clenching the fur in his hands, Vegeta narrowed his eyes at the beast. "Control yourself. Remember who you are."
The creature paused in confusion for a moment, then grabbed the arms holding him, trying to wrench them off.
Vegeta curled his lips back over his teeth in a show of dominance. "Gohan! Listen to me! Gohan!"
The ape creased his brow and squeezed tighter to the arms he was gripping, fingers digging into the flesh.
Hissing at the pain, Vegeta kept his resolve. "Gohan! You are a Saiyan warrior! You control the Oozaru, it does not control you!"
The creature paused and cocked it's head to the side. It's red eyes glared balefully.
Vegeta held his breath in anticipation. He relaxed with a great exhale as a voice rumbled from the ape in front of him. "Ve-ge-ta?"
The Saiyan let out a small chuckle as he released Gohan's head. "Yes, boy."
Removing his grip from Vegeta's arms, Oozaru Gohan looked around at the destruction around him, then turned back to the Prince with an almost sheepish look. "Did I do all this?"
Nodding his great head, Vegeta turned from the other ape. "Yes, but it's not enough. These fools need to pay."
Dropping his gaze to the ground, Gohan hunched over. "I don't want to kill anyone."
Vegeta gave out a snort of disgust. "You're letting your human emotions control you. Look at all the pain and death they have caused. By sparing them you would be the indirect cause of more anguish."
Gohan refused to look up at the Prince.
A furry hand gripped Gohan's shoulder in a firm but gentle hold as Vegeta let out a rumble. "Listen boy. I thought they killed you. I've been plotting their demise for weeks."
He laid his other hand on Gohan's head. "Remember that these are Frieza's henchmen. They deserve no mercy."
Gohan lifted his head to look at Vegeta. "I will fight to stop any of Frieza's people from hurting others."
Before Vegeta could reply, a shudder swept through both Oozaru and then they found their bodies shrinking.
Whipping his head towards the sky, the Prince found the moon dipping below the horizon at a fast rate of speed. 'Shit. This planet's satellite orbits way too fast. We'll have to take them out the old fashioned way.'
Standing up in his now naked humanoid form, Vegeta started walking swiftly towards the building. "Hurry up boy. First we need to get some clothes, then we can make sure that this place is never used again."
Gohan scurried after him.
They met little resistance as the entered the structure. It seemed most personnel had been pulled away from the area after they realized their attacks were ineffective against the rampaging ape.
Vegeta dealt with guards swiftly as they crossed paths.
Knowing they had little time before they were met by a serious force, the Prince pulled the boy into the first changing room they came across. Digging through a few lockers, he finally found something small enough and threw a bodysuit at the boy. Boots, gloves, and armor soon followed.
As the child wrestled with the clothing, Vegeta found himself suitable attire and swiftly dressed. He looked over to find Gohan finishing pulling on his armor.
He gave a satisfied grunt. "A ship landed earlier. Our best bet is to get to it and use it to get off this mudball. No one here recognized me so far so they shouldn't know who they are dealing with. We'll make this swift and devastating."
Gohan gave him a nod of determination.
o-o-o-o-o
Down one corridor then a couple turns, they met no one. The next hallway was the same. Soon they stood looking cautiously over the tarmac at the medium sized spaceship. So tantalizingly close. And yet they met no guards. Vegeta felt unease stir in his gut. "It doesn't feel right, almost like there is someone here but they are masking their chi."
He felt Gohan brush his hip as they moved. The boy's closeness showing his own trepidation. "It feels like a trap."
A voice boomed out over the area. "That's because it is little Saiyan."
Vegeta and Gohan both spun, looking for the location of the voice.
Up on the building they had just exited, a large figure stepped into view. His leonine visage was scarred and twisted in a snarl as he leapt to the ground several paces in front of the two. "Well, well, well. What do we have here. Frieza's little pet monkey, Vegeta."
The Prince let out a growl of hatred. "Rambutan. I thought Frieza banished you to an ice colony for your treachery?"
Rambutan laughed, clutching his belly. "Oh, he did. But then I made a few allies. And now that the rumor is that Frieza is gone, I've started my own little empire."
As the would be emperor took a few steps forward, Vegeta stepped in front of Gohan. Rambutan sneered at the action. "So the last of the monkeys has been breeding. So disgusting. I know the legend about your race, too, and unlike Frieza, I don't plan on allowing any of you to survive to threaten me."
Rushing forward at incredible speed, Rambutan drove a knee into Vegeta's gut, followed by a fist into his face. "You might as well give up, monkey. We both know I'm stronger than you. That's why I was one of Frieza's right hand men."
The Prince scowled and threw his own attacks at his tormentor, only to have them blocked. After several long minutes of the same results, Vegeta lashed out in anger towards Rambutan's head. "Quit toying with me!"
The lion man laughed before darting behind the Saiyan and grabbed him in a choking grasp. "As you wish."
As his air supply was cut off, Vegeta saw darkness tunneling in around his vision. Struggling he attempted to kick the being behind him to no avail. Just as the darkness threatened to take him, he felt an impact on the body behind him and the grip loosen. Twisting with all his might, he pulled himself free and staggered back, gasping for air.
As his vision cleared he saw Gohan land blow after blow to the emperor.
The boy used his smaller body and surprise to his advantage, though his attacks didn't seem to be doing much. "Leave my uncle alone!"
Still staggering from his loss of air, Vegeta could only watch in horror as Rambutan snatched the boy around the neck with one hand and pummeled him with the other.
Rambutan stood there with Gohan's small form dangling in his grip. The boy's thrashing became frantic then weakened as the grip around his throat tightened until it stilled with a small crack.
Vegeta stared with his face an unreadable mask as his charge, his boy, fell lifeless to the cold metal floor at the emperor's feet. He stood frozen for several moments.
Then something seemed to snap. Blinding white rage and despair awoke the beast in him, the need to protect, defend, avenge what was his.
Throwing his head back in a primal scream, Vegeta felt his power pour up, through, and over him, arcing forth in a display of the sun.
Teal eyes sharpened focus at his target who stared in mute horror at the transformed creature before him.
With a scream of fury, Vegeta launched himself at Rambutan, fists pounding and feet striking at speeds the lion man couldn't begin to see. Blood splattered and bones cracked and punishment was dealt to the creature who dared hurt his claimed kin.
Rambutan made a feeble attempt to defend himself, astonished at how the tables had turned so swiftly. Where before Vegeta could barely damage him, now he himself couldn't bring any reasonable defense to bear against the Prince's wrath. All he could do was scream and beg for mercy the Saiyan Prince was unwilling to ever give.
Soon, the dull thuds of flesh being struck began to change to something more damp sounding. Cries of agony slowed and went silent as life crept from the form, but still the beating continued on the unmoving body until it was unrecognizable. Only then did Vegeta stand still, hunched over and panting while blood dripped from his limbs.
Swift steps took him to the still form of Gohan. Kneeling he reached out anxiously to touch the boy, searching deep for any small spark of chi signalling life.
There. Deep down. It was very faint. He'd have to hurry.
Carefully scooping up the small form in one arm, he rushed into the building and down corridors with great speed. The layout of these bases was all similar. He knew that just down the hall was his destination, the medical ward and it's life saving regeneration tank. He hoped like hell that it was enough and the boy would live. If he didn't Vegeta was going to make it his mission to hunt down every last member of Rambutan's race and smear them across the void.
The med room was where he had expected. With swift blasts from his free hand, he dispatched all personnel he found there. Striding to the healing chamber in the center of the room, he carefully laid Gohan in it's embrace. Attaching sensors and breathing mask with practiced fingers, he closed the door and pressed the controls. As the tank filled with the blue liquid all he could do was wait.
Staring at the floating child, he came to notice his own ghosted reflection staring back at him with golden hair and teal eyes. "I did it," he whispered to himself as he reached out to touch the glass. He felt his jealousy of Kakarot's earlier transformation leave him. If he'd known before what the price was to achieve the legendary form, the emotions that fueled it, he never would have held such a deep grudge. He'd been taught and had held firm in the belief that emotional attachments were a weakness unsuitable for an elite warrior. How ironic.
He looked past his reflection. "You'd better make it boy."
A loud rumble from somewhere outside caused him to snap his head around and curse silently. The ship was leaving. Their only way off this forsaken planet.
Vegeta snarled in anger but remained by the regeneration tank. He would not leave Gohan. "I bet it's that damn Longan fleeing before I can get to him."
There would eventually be some future chance at escape and he was patient.
o-o-o-o-o
Several hours later, Gohan felt consciousness pull at him. He opened his eyes to a blue tinged world and a body that felt weightless. Focusing he moved his arm and felt like he was pushing through viscous water. He felt trapped and panic started to rise in him.
Suddenly a familiar face appeared at the glass in front of him and he calmed. 'If Vegeta is here, everything is going to be ok.'
The Prince stared at the floating child as if evaluating him before speaking. "You still need to stay in there a while longer. You're not all the way healed. I'll let you out in a bit."
Gohan nodded his head in understanding and closed his eyes to try and meditate.
Time seemed to drag on before Vegeta finally adjusted the controls on the machine and the fluid began to drain away.
As his feet finally touched the floor, Gohan felt heavy, like his body was being pulled down towards the drains. Shaking off the feeling, he reached up and pulled the mask off his face just as the door was opened.
Vegeta detached the sensors from the boys head then moved back so he could step out of the tank.
When his feet were firmly planted on the outside of the tank, the startled boy felt himself pulled into a rough and awkward hug for a moment before he was released.
Turning swiftly from the child, Vegeta looked off in the other direction. "Don't ever do that again. You almost died and we don't have dragon balls here to wish you back."
Embarrassed by the small display of affection, Gohan stared at the ground. "I had to do something. He was going to kill you."
Turning halfway to look back at the boy, Vegeta smirked. "We are both fools then. But at least that bastard is dead."
Gohan looked up at him in confusion. "How? He was almost as bad as Frieza."
The Prince gave him a cocky grin. "Simple. I ascended."
The boy stared up at him in awe. "But I thought there could only be one Super Saiyan?"
Vegeta snorted. "The legends are wrong. There is a trigger, which I found."
He regarded the child before him. "With all the training we've done over the past months, you're stronger than your father was on Namek. I'm sure with the proper motivation we could get you to ascend as well."
Gohan looked at him in wonder. "Really?" Then his face dropped into a frown. "But I'm only half Saiyan. It might not work."
Ruffling the boy's damp hair, the Prince smirked. "You'll just have to try. We just have to find the right trigger."
Vegeta moved towards the door. "Let's go find you some dry clothing then something to eat. It looks like we're going to be here a while. I still need to clean up some of the riff raff that was left behind as well."
Following swiftly after the Saiyan, Gohan couldn't help his curiosity. "So what was your trigger?"
Taking a deep breath, the Prince let it out in a sigh and responded very quietly. "I thought you died."
Gohan fell silent and stared at the Saiyan. Nodding to himself, he rushed up and grasped hold of Vegeta's hand with his own. Startled, the Prince looked down at him, but did not pull away. He squeezed the small hand gently as he led the boy down the halls.
o-o-o-o-o
Vegeta stared up at the empty sky. It had been nearly two months and another ship had yet to make an appearance. He snorted in disgust.
A small figured hopped up to land in front of him. "What's wrong, Uncle?"
The Prince leveled his gaze onto the boy. "I think those cowards that escaped in the ship warned off all the other vessels. We may be stuck here a long time."
Gohan looked out over the terrain behind them. The survivors of the mines had dug and planted fields with whatever seeds they could find, knowing that resupply was an iffy proposition. "Well at least it's peaceful here now."
Vegeta let his gaze slide over the fields. "It's a delay of the inevitable. They can try to survive for now and hope for rescue. The colony they've been whispering and dreaming about is a lost cause before it begins. There are no females here."
The boy spoke softly from beside him. "You know they do everything you tell them. If a ship comes, are you going to take them with us?"
Letting out a small laugh, Vegeta watched as people toiled in the fields. "No, I've thought long about it. I would only wish to lead my own people, now. Unfortunately that's a memory of the past."
Gohan sat down on the ground and stretched out his legs. "Everyone has been pretty nice to us since you took care of all the guards."
The Saiyan laughed again. "Of course they are nice. They are terrified of us. They've seen what we can do. They didn't even want to come close enough for us to remove their chains those weeks ago."
Frowning, the boy tucked his knees up to his chin. "So they think we are monsters."
Vegeta gave him a hard look. "Everyone in the universe thinks that Saiyans are monsters. The only exception I've seen is on Earth and I think they may just be to naive to care."
Gohan ducked his head down. "I want to go home."
A groan of exasperation passed Vegeta's lips. He knew where this was going. "Alright. That's enough moping. We have training to do."
Launching into the air, knowing the boy would follow, he took off towards the area they had designated their training ground.
Setting his feet back on the rocky ground, the Prince gathered his thoughts and concentrated. Anger flowed through him as he ascended to Super Saiyan. It had taken him most of a month to get the rage and emotions the form brought with it under control. Now he was confident that he would not go berserk and could use the form for training.
His teal eyes glanced over at the boy who had begun doing vertical push ups. Nothing he'd tried had been able to trigger the boy's ascension. It appeared they'd just have to keep trying.
o-o-o-o-o
Krillin watched as Bulma paced through the kitchen. She'd thrown herself into planning a small party for the coming weekend. The Namekian dragon balls had become active again and were ready for the next wishes. He'd joined Piccolo in gathering them the last few days. Now the orbs were waiting for summoning.
The blue haired woman was currently redoing food plans with her mother for the fifth time that day. The older woman seemed to be getting rather flustered at her daughter. "Dear, I'm sure everything is perfect the way it is. Everyone will just be happy to have their two friends back to life. Now why don't you go sit down and relax."
Bulma placed her hands on her hips. "But Mom, it's not perfect yet!"
Thinking to save the older woman from more demands, Krillin decided to sacrifice himself. Standing up he took Bulma by the arm and lead her protesting from the kitchen and into the living room.
Once he finally got her to sit on the couch, he took his own seat on the chair next to her. "So Bulma. What's the real issue. I know it's not the food."
She looked at him and took a few deep breaths. "I'm just so worried. It's been about three months since Dad lost contact with Capsule Two."
Krillin moved to sit beside her and pulled his long time friend into a hug. "I'm sure they are fine. We've seen how tough those Saiyans are."
He leaned back and sighed. "I never thought I'd actually wish to see Vegeta again, but he's what you need right now."
Bulma had gone very quiet beside him. She sat lost in her thoughts for a moment then quickly stood up. "Ok. No need to be feeling sorry for myself. I have things to do."
She smiled down at Krillin. "Thank you for being my friend. You always know just the right things to say."
As she moved towards the door, she called out behind her. "I'm going to go discuss the wording of the wishes with Moori and Dende. I'll be back in a few."
o-o-o-o-o
The day for the wishes arrived swiftly. Bulma had made herself busy and let her mother and Krillin tend to the few guests they had invited.
She sat watching through the window as everyone slowly gathered. It looked like it was time. Slowly she made her way out to stand next to Dende. With her peripheral vision, she could see the stunned looks on Roshi and Oolong's faces as she passed them. Krillin was talking with her parents just to the side of them.
Moori smiled at her. "How are you feeling this bright day?"
Bulma gave him a genuine smile. The Namekian elder had been very understanding and forgiving. His allowance of time so that the Earthlings could use the Namekian dragon balls for their wishes was more than generous. "I'm doing very well. Just a bit anxious for the wishes."
With her attention on the elder, Bulma didn't hear Yamcha and Puar arrive until the ex-bandit came up behind her and spoke. "Hey, Bulma! How's it been?"
Startled, Bulma turned to face him and anything else he'd been about to say died on his lips. He stared at the small bulge of her belly. "Y-you're pregnant? Since when?"
Bulma sighed. This was what she'd been trying to avoid. She didn't want to discuss it yet. She gave him a half smile. "It's been a little while. Anyways, it looks like it's time to summon the dragon."
Yamcha frowned at her swift change of subject but vowed to himself to talk with her after the wishes were done.
With a smile and small bow to the elder, Dende stepped forward and raised his hands over the dragon balls. {Porunga I summon you forth!}
Once again the dragon balls pulsed with light that shot into the sky and took on the great form of Porunga. "You who have summoned me, what are your three wishes?"
With a wide grin, Dende spoke. {I wish the warrior known as Tien Shinhan were alive again.}
The dragon's eyes glowed. "Your wish has been granted."
A bright light shown near the dragon balls. It dimmed to reveal the form of Tien. He stepped up to Yamcha and gave him a pat on the back. "It's good to be alive again."
Turning they waited as Dende spoke the second wish. {I wish the warrior known as Chiaotzu were alive again.}
Porunga only paused a moment. "Your wish has been granted."
Again there was a bright light and then Chiaotzu stood before them. He rushed up to his companion. "This is great. I don't ever want to die again."
Bulma looked nervously around those who were waiting. The newly revived hadn't noticed her yet and were laughing loudly together with Yamcha. She looked down at Dende. "Please do the last wish."
Another round of loud laughter erupted as Krillin, Roshi, and Oolong had joined in the banter with the three warriors. Dende's words were lost to all but those next to him and the dragon.
Porunga's eyes glowed deep red as he took a moment before answering those below. His deep voice shocked those speaking into silence. "I have spoken with them. They will return. Your wish has been granted. Farewell."
Those assembled looked at each other questioningly. Finally Mrs Briefs spoke. "What did you wish for dear?"
Bulma just smiled at her mother and pointed where a bright golden light appeared by the dragon balls as the orbs took to the sky and scattered.
As the light dimmed, those assembled let out a gasp.