Book 4: The Dissonance of The Earthling Saiyan

by Espeon804

Book 4. Humanity has proved itself a threat. Their ultimate creation backfires and becomes their worst enemy. A Bio-Android goes by the name of Cell - an insect like organism who absorbs anyone it can get to... but for what purpose? Saiyan, Human, Namekian, and Android are forced to join forces. This is indeed a dissonance. It seems that Goku is struggling with himself.

14. Time for reconsideration!

Chapter 14 Plot:

Chapter 14: "Time for reconsideration!" Seeing how everyone is being affected by his actions, Kakarot is left pondering on what to do. Knowing his son is struggling enough, he begins to fear that his own wife may just turn down a bad corner. Willing to protect the little things he has left, he pushes all jokes aside. Is it possible… that he is doing the right thing, or is this a temporary moment?

AT THE SAME TIME…

Prince Tarble finds himself in a position full of doubt and frustration. After all the events and what is yet to come, he begins to despise his past even more, using it as a way to make a great change. However… what could it mean?

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A/N: Espeon804 here with another great chapter!

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PUBLISHED ON: FEBRUARY 26, 2019!

WORDS: 24,860

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*Inhales*

OH MY GOD XENOVERSE 2 IS THE BEST THING EVER I SWEAR IT MADE ME LOVE THE CHARACTERS EVEN MORE ANDISWEARRADITZISTHEBEST!

Okay. Lemme calm down. Deep breathes, Espeon. Let's use Calm Mind. Easy…

Okay. I think I'm okay.

BUTISWEARTHATRADITZISATSUNDERE I TOLD YOU SOOOOO!

I HAVE moments when a game makes me squeal in joy.

Never thought Xenoverse would make me jump around like an idiot. PLEASE LISTEN TO ME!

STORY:

I was on Namek doing a quest. (Requested by a Saibamen. Odd.) I already defeated Gohan, Krillin, and Goku. Thought it was over.
Goku is back on his feet, and he summons the power of the Kaio Ken. Next thing I knew, the tables turned. I was getting destroyed. On top of that, I had to make sure Vegeta didn't get knocked out. He was already getting it bad. I was in a tight spot.

I never failed a quest before then. I thought it was done for.

And suddenly, Raditz, my mentor, appears. Playing the game blind, I was totally not expecting that!

He JUST FLEW IN OUTTA NOWHERE and said;

"Saiyan wrath is absolutely deadly. And you will soon find out."

His quote...!

He actually cares!

It took a lot of effort for me not to scream in joy.

He joined in the fight to help me because I was losing! (If you have Vegeta as your mentor he will say he didn't come to save you. Lol.)

What is funny is, I got knocked out not long after he appeared. He was more focused on healing me than fighting. But Goku kept coming back and knocking him away from me with each attempt. That Kaio Ken was really something!

We lost at the end, but I swear. Even if your mentor healing you is part of it all, I sweeear that Raditz is some sort of tsundere.

Too many times in the game, he was being nice to me. Then he wants to hide it. Hahaha.

"It's not like me to get all gleeful." He said to me since I was his first student.

Say that I am over-reacting. This just happened.

Raditz is underrated. But who cares? He's my favorite Saiyan. This game gave me another reason to love this character more.

He's a tsundere confirmed!

Well, here's a scary fact. In the mobile game "Dragon Ball Legends" Raditz was seething with so much rage about Vegeta betraying him, that he tapped into some terrifying dark power and started talking very savagely.

"I'll slaughter everyone! Vegeta and Nappa too!"

"LET THE BLOOD FLOW!"

Let the blow flow… Saiyan blood boils when they get excited or angry. Did Raditz perhaps give in completely yo his violent nature and mentally went Oozaru? It seemed that way.

Saiyans are scary when mad. A friendly reminder that they aren't human.

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DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN DB, DBZ, DBGT, DBZKAI, OR DBS! Akira Toriyama is the creator and can do whatever he wants with his characters. I cannot. Otherwise, I would get criticized for having everyone being OOC.

Like… I would have Vegeta wearing a tutu screaming "I LOVE PONIES!" or some stupid shiz.

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Key:

"Talking"

"Foreign Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Telepathy"

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Get Raditz as your mentor. He's actually a pretty chill guy.

And he'll kick butt for you.

-Espeon804

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- Chapter 14: Time for reconsideration! -

- LOCATION: ?

Somewhere in Space -

"How is he now?" A winged alien hands the man in the main chair a plate of food. He watches him take it before waiting patiently.

"He's fine, for now." The man responds. "His outbursts only happen when he has that dream. He can never forget that day, and so can't I. Once we see who else had survived, perhaps that will ease things down."

"What if… it makes it worse?" The alien asks, keeping his eye on the brown furry tail that moves to rest on the man's lap.

"Don't worry about that." The man pulls out a rectangular remote from behind him. It's as big as his hand. "I have this to keep things under control."

"Ah. I see." The alien nods. "So then, why are we heading there again?"

"For one.. I heard how the royal son is still alive. Another reason is.. I've heard rumors of the low-class Saiyan named Kakarot who defeated Frieza. How odd." The man frowns. "You would think the frost-demon would actually take advantage of the fact that Kakarot is a low-class warrior."

"How so?" An alien soldier asks.

"There is one thing they all share in common." The man answers. "While King Cold ruled, things were bad enough. When he handed the throne to Frieza, it got much worse. Frieza was more demanding. It got to the point we had to send even the weakest Saiyan infants off to weak planets. The concern was they wouldn't do much of anything, so Frieza decided to create a solution for that. He programmed what he called a "trigger command". A simple order repeated constantly to be engraved in the minds of developing Saiyan infants the second they are able to hear. A single word; Destroy. Once they are taken out the incubators and set in the pod, the command becomes a sentence that is constantly repeated to them as they travel through space, towards their destination."

"Wait. How long did they do it?"

"From the moment the embryos are able to hear while developing." The man answers. "Inside the incubator, aside the tubes that feed them as if they are in the womb, there is a speaker there that engraved the programming in their heads."

"He brainwashed them even during development?!"

"In some form, yes. The effects are so powerful, it is permanent. Any low-class Saiyan will go berserk if they hear it again, even if they are fully grown." He stands, and his white cape flows behind him. "It seems to have slipped Frieza's mind, then. He could had easily defeated Kakarot if he remembered that."

"Really?"

"Could had." The man says. "But I know it well enough. They even programmed it into my son, but the effects were more… drastic. We'll see. Just a few more days. I want to meet these Saiyans."

The alien grows more curious. "What is the trigger command?"

"It will only activate of you say their name along the lines." The man says. "The trigger command is;

Wake up and destroy all lifeforms."

The soldier stares at him.

"To 'wake up' triggers their violent nature." The man explains. "It wakes up their instincts, making their blood boil until it's unbearable. To 'destroy' well set them off to do just that. ''lifeforms' is the target. They only are to kill anything that is breathing."

"That means they would kill anything that is alive."

"Exactly. So that they can wipe out the planet to sell it in the future. Very effective." He says. "No Saiyan likes it."

"What if someone says it by some coincidence?"

"Not possible."

"What?"

"To avoid it accidently being triggered, it will work if the command is repeated several times."

"That makes sense." The alien says. "Now I'm interested. I want to see who this Kakarot is."

- 0000 -

Tarble remains near the edge of the Lookout. He was offered a drink a few times, but he declined. He feels more troubled with what his brother is doing. He refuses to leave for now, just to keep an eye on him.

Figuratively.

It doesn't help much that the Z-Fighters are around. Not that they are troubling, but the Saiyan finds their presence annoying. He can hear them whispering occasionally.

"I hope Raditz isn't gone too long." Tarble mutters to himself. He isn't sure on just how patient he will be. Babysitting an unconscious Saiyan was pretty much a task given to him by default. Kakarot had been out for several hours now.

And to hear his breathing change tells him the task is finally over with.

It all falls silent as Kakarot's eyes slowly open. At first, they appear blank, with no emotion, almost like he is dead. But after several seconds, they fill with fear as he sits up quickly. He looks around, calming down the second he recognizes where he is.

"I see that you are feeling better, Goku." Kami approaches him, keeping a good eye on him in case he acts out of hand again. "Did you sleep well?"

"Uh…" Kakarot looks at him, wondering why the Namekian is talking to him so casually like he never went around wreaking havoc across the Earth. "I… guess so…"

"Your brothers went off with Kauli to run an errand." Kami announces. "Vegeta is in the time chamber… and your mother went off to look for your nephew and son."

"Gohan…" Kakarot remembers now. The kid did attack him out of nowhere. What was all that about?

His heart skips a beat as horrific images flash through his head. One of them being Youzi's demonic eyes. The Saiyan grabs hold of his head as he hears his son's horrified scream as the image of a headless Dumpli crosses his mind.

Kami steps back, feeling a disturbance. It seems he decided to keep a distance.

Tarble turns to face the Saiyan. Nappa and Future Trunks stay on the sidelines, worried that Kakarot may snap again.

But, slowly, Kakarot lowers his hands. They shake lightly as his mouth opens.

There is silence, as everyone waits.

"I… I did a lot of horrible things." Kakarot finally mutters. "So much that… I don't even know what to think of myself anymore. Sure. I can't forgive the military for what they did to me… their project was twisted. They turned me into their latest lab animal project. Like those tigers… and somehow, they succeeded. They turned me into a monster. Don't get me wrong. I don't trust any human yet… with an exceptional few… maybe. Honestly… I'm confused. It's like I woke up from a very long dream."

"You're not the same." Tarble points out.

"No. I'm not. I never will be." Kakarot shudders. "I don't care if you believe me or not… but now that I think about it… that demon's energy was like some sort of addictive. Whenever I killed someone… he made it feel just as excited I get when I fight, only better. I don't know how. The influences… the more I killed, he rewarded me more… and it became a bloody pattern. Before, I thought nothing of it, because I was having fun. But now that he's gone, and I can think for myself once more… the things I did… Opa, Eighter… Bora… that mother and her child… Youzi encouraged it all and I…"

He falls silent for a few seconds.

"It wasn't until I killed that world champion guy that I realized something wasn't right. He had a kid about the same age as my own." Kakarot frowns. "This whole thing… the whole idea of psychosis, it was simply the demon playing with my head to break me down just so he can use me. Those moments everyone tried to stop me from doing those horrible things… the demon would talk to me and… and…"

He falls to his knees.

"I don't understand. I'm confused. What is even the right thing to do anymore?"

"Right or wrong…" Tarble begins. "It's all about what the majority teaches you. But with us Saiyans, feared warriors across the universe… we were ruled under Lord Frieza."

Kakarot looks at him.

"We were never good people. Never held good intentions. We always destroyed, stripped away the valuable possessions from innocents across the universe. All under Frieza's word. It seemed right. We got to fight, got paid. All in glory. Though, while it is true I was spared from living such a life… I am familiar of what Frieza's army can do. After all, they came to my planet and took everything from it. And, I retaliated. Sometimes, I wish I can forget."

"There is something we all wish we can forget." Nappa adds. "But in the end, the best we can do is use the past to make a better future."

"A better future, huh? In a world like this?" Kakarot lowers his head. "This planet was once peaceful… but now it's a living hell."

Korin sighs, not knowing what to say.

Tarble frowns. "What can I do for you?"

"Don't know." Kakarot mutters. "I think everyone is mad at me."

The younger prince smiles small. "We aren't mad at you. We are mad at the demon. You were oblivious. You haven't had a clue. This isn't entirely your fault. You pulled out of this. Now it's time we move on. Are you willing to fight?"

"Don't know." Kakarot says. "What if Youzi's influence is still inside me?"

No one knows how to answer that.

Kakarot shakes his head without a word.

Quick footsteps was a bit unexpected. Poking their head out from the palace door frame is ChiChi. The second she sees Tarble, her eyes dart around to locate someone else, no other than Kakarot. Once she sees him, she steps out. "Goku. You're okay?"

Kakarot looks at her. Recalling what she did, he doesn't even get mad. "You did exactly what I asked you to do."

"Of course I did. You trusted me." ChiChi locks her hands together, pulling them close to her chest. She is very concerned, not liking to see her husband so down. Still, she manages to wear a small smile, one that is supportive and comforting. "Sorry to hurt you so much."

"It's fine." Kakarot responds. "If you didn't do it… I might had never got outta there. I could had hurt you, you know?"

She nods before looking at the others. "Did Raditz come back, yet?"

"They have to be careful out there." Tarble reminds her. "He probably just now found the place they are looking for."

"It would take a while, huh…?" ChiChi clenches her fists. "None of this would be happening if those military people just minded their own business…! They hurt far too many people! They hurt Goku so much, that it's hurting the rest of us! He didn't deserve this! He was… just trying to be a good brother even though it wasn't right! I can't forgive them for that!"

Kakarot looks at her strangely, and slowly, he grows more alarmed as he detects the anger in her voice.

"The next time I see one of those soldiers I'll-"

"No. Stop." Kakarot cuts her off quickly, appearing worried. "Your anger… I get it. But, if you let it eat you alive… you'll be full of so much hatred… It'll change you forever. I can't let anyone else go through that. It's the worst feeling in the world.. and you can't come back from it."

ChiChi closes her mouth. Her anger fades in an instant. Was she really about to willingly kill any soldier who crossed her path, even if they had good intentions?

Is that how Kakarot felt?

Yes. It was. The Saiyan stopped her because of that.

Kakarot knows this all too well. He doesn't want her, it anyone else to feel the same dreadful things he did. Just thinking about it… it turns some gears in his mind.

He can't let it happen.

"The world Trunks - the future one - came from… It's full of hatred. So much of it. It killed people." Kakarot speaks up, sounding more determined now. "I know what it's capable of. Youzi showed me that. And now, I have a feeling Trunks' world is one that Youzi rules. After all, everyone there was insane. They lost all hope… gave in to the hatred and it made them all bitter. I can't let that happen here."

Future Trunks finds himself a bit in awe.

"I'm no hero of justice or anything. I never was. But what I do know is… this has to be stopped. I can't say I would agree with everything you guys do from here on out… but I'll work on listening first. Youzi was intense, very quick to chose things. I forgot how it feels to be able to make your own decisions."

Krillin swallows a lump he probably held in his throat the entire time. He smiles uneasy. "Goku's back…!"

ChiChi smiles. "Yeah. That's it. We can work together and fix this! They wanted to tear us apart… but it won't work!"

Kakarot nods. "I hardly remember what he said to me. But I do remember what I did. At least the worst of it. Trunks came from a time when everyone did those terrible things. For him to walk out of there sane must had took a lot of willpower."

Future Trunks rubs his head. He isn't a fan of getting so much attention.

"And, to be honest…" Kakarot frowns now. "All the things I did when I got so angry… I would had never done it at all if Youzi didn't encourage me. Every time he spoke, it sounded so convincing. I can't let him do this to anyone else. He's very, very manipulative. I can't get it out of my head… so much blood…"

ChiChi grabs his shoulders as he trembled slightly. "Goku. It's okay. He won't bother you anymore. We'll make sure of it. I knew it all along, that those horrible things you did was not your own doing. I mean, let's think about this." She turns to the others. "When he came back, he was so mentally weak, Youzi took advantage and filled him with so much anger. How he would lash out so violently was due to the demon pushing him to do it, am I right?"

"That's correct." Kami nods. "Which is why he wears the crown now. And he will keep it on."

"What?" Kakarot is confused. "Why? It's not like I'm gonna impale anyone again any time soon."

"Can we not talk about that?" Krillin grumbles.

Kami sighs. "It's because-"

"It's because you're still unpredictable." Piccolo cuts his other half off. "Just because that creature no longer has your body, doesn't mean he didn't leave you undamaged. You recovered quickly because the demon is not present to manipulate you. But, you're still haunted by what the army did to you. Not only that, you're rebellious in your own way. That crown is the only way to make sure you don't try anything foolish."

Kakarot growls. "I hate this damn thing! Can't I just take it off a li-"

"NO!" Everyone screams at him.

"Sorry, Kakarot." Tarble apologizes with a small bow. "I understand if it upsets you… but we don't know what could happen from here. I hate to say it, but I would like to be able to trust you again."

Kakarot crosses his arms irritably. "So that must mean even Raditz doesn't care."

"Raditz has always worried too much. Even when he was a kid." Nappa frowns. "You've been worrying him for these past few years. It's not that he doesn't trust you. He doesn't want you doing something that could get you killed."

"What?"

"I think you rubbed off on him." Piccolo frowns

"More like, resurfaced his old habits." Nappa corrects the Namekian. "I knew Raditz since he was a kid. Being around Frieza and growing up working for him hardened his heart. But somehow, Kakarot reverted his personality back to how he was as a kid. But, no longer a coward. He acts tough, but he's actually, well, I can't say nice. But you get the idea. I think Vegeta is the reason why he decided to distant himself from how he was."

"Well…" Kakarot says. "Frieza really did change the way Saiyans behaved, huh?"

"He sure did." Nappa says. "But you're the only one unaffected by his work, besides Kauli. I think Raditz realized this and… he wanted to protect you from ending up like that tyrant as Vegeta was heading. But then the whole demon thing happened, and you see why he's so stressed out."

Future Trunks blinks. "Wait. Father actually cares about someone?" Well, not like Raditz never did. The teen just knows his father is a bit distant.

"When you get to know him." Nappa says. "You'll realize he's not as scary as he tries to appear."

"Wait. So he's actually a nice guy?" ChiChi asks.

"Yes and no. I can't really answer." Nappa responds. "But what's clear now is, he's a bit over-protective of his youngest brother now."

"Over-protective?" Krillin echoes. "Never thought that would come from him."

ChiChi smiles. "I had the idea that those brother a had something in common besides having a bottomless pit of a stomach. That's it. I'm preparing a massive dinner tonight."

"Kakarot. Will you be fine waiting a while?" Tarble asks.

"I'll be fine. At least for now." Kakarot says. "I didn't mean to scare you. I can't say I'm sorry. It won't fix anything, I know."

Piccolo glances back at the Z-Fighters. "I doubt any of us would take your word yet."

Yamcha sighs. "I want to do something, but so far, we've done nothing."

"When the time comes." Tien says. "We'll show them we aren't just here for show."

"Then, isn't this a good time to start planning?" Piccolo asks. The Z-Fighters appear to have not thought of that.

Kakarot sighs and rubs his head a bit. He steps back when ChiChi suddenly hugged him. A bit confusing for him on why she was so quick to do it. But, he remains still.

"I was so scared that you were never coming back…" ChiChi mutters. "Even I did terrible things just to protect you and our son. You must really dislike the things I do sometimes. But it was all for the best. I'm sorry for hurting you so badly with that crown but-"

"You do realize that I still love you, right?." Kakarot mutters.

ChiChi just stares, wondering what got into him. Taking a quick look around, she notices how everyone is looking at the Saiyan like he has two heads. ChiChi can't blame them. This is surprising for even her. Kakarot would never openly say that out loud, never around other people. He rarely even says that back when they lived alone with their son.

A small smile forms on her lips.

Kakarot continues. "I've felt so much hatred. I ignored everything else, so focused on hatred. For the past few months… I felt nothing but hate, and the desire to kill. I… I forgot what I had." He lowers his head, until it rests against hers. His tail moves steadily, curling occasionally.

ChiChi rests her arms around his neck, closing her eyes to take in the moment.

Future Trunks forces himself to look at his feet. "Am I supposed to be seeing this?"

"Oh, please." Nappa looks away. "If you two are going to have a moment, do that far away from here!"

"It's far more tolerable for me." Tarble says. "Much better than Raditz with his one-night stand."

"Not around me, please!" Future Trunks begs, causing Nappa to laugh.

- 0000 -

"Ah.. ACHOO!"

Raditz rubs his nose irritably. "Tch. A piece of hair must had got me again. Seriously…"

"Maybe you should tie it back." Kauli suggests.

"And look like a Saiyan Yamcha?" Raditz grumbles.

"His hair was never… forget it." Kauli grumbles. "Look. We are almost there. You two keep an eye out. There could be some fool with intentions to shoot us down or something."

"Can't catch a break." Turles sighs. "The inhabitants are fighting us, and outside forces."

"Maybe they keep going after Earth because this entire planet is filled with crazy fools. Y'all crazy. The people who live here are crazy. Nothing but nonsense. They are just gonna come down and swoop us up and it's all done."

Turles is confused. "The hell you going on about?"

"I swear that no one on this damn planet understands me." Kauli grumbles as she grabs hold to the gun she carries.

"How can we understand you?" Turles frowns. "You've been nothing more than an annoying b-"

Kauli turns around and holds her weapon in front if his face. "Finish that sentence, and I'll shove this bitch up your ass and you'll puke it right out!"

Raditz and Turles just stare with wide eyes as she resumes her traveling, grumbling angry in a way they can't understand. It's not until she's well enough out of earshot one of them finally says something.

"She's crazy." Raditz can only comment. His brain is still trying to erase the graphic image from his head.

"That's exactly it."

They arrive in the ruins of a city, and they land in front of a gigantic building… or, at least it once was. Only parts of it still stands, such as the more studied rooms that were spared from heavy damage.

"This is the work of the Oozaru, no doubt." Raditz picks up a chunk of a wall. He points at the surface of it. "These are claw marks. He went on a nasty rampage."

"I'll take you two to where they had him." Kauli walks over the rubble. She has to jump occasionally to get around the piles of it. Though most of it is destruction, she guides her way through until they come across what appears to be the cafeteria.

"It looks like Kakarot ran through here. He didn't transform yet, which explains why this place is still standing." Raditz says. "There appears to be several rooms around here."

Kauli heads down a hallway, and they find themselves finally under a roof. If they don't look back, it would feel like they are inside an abandoned building instead of a ruins.

"This place is intact." Turles looks at his surroundings as they stop at the center of a large hall - more like a lobby of some sort.

Against the walls are several doors leading to what would be rooms if some were not destroyed. Windows against the wall are high above, lined with the damaged balcony.

Kauli heads towards a particular door. Her hand rests on the handle.

"Is that it?" Raditz asks.

Kauli nods. She opens the door, and inside is a dusty white room… the tiniest room they have ever seen. A small cage sits smack-dab in the middle.

They all freeze, taking it in.

That's it?

Raditz steps further inside the tiny room. "There's hardly enough space for five people to fit in here…"

A loud crash makes them turn around. It seems that the door had fallen from the henge. It doesn't make a difference.

Looking back, their eyes are locked on the cage that appears only big enough to hold a big dog. It's not enough room to crawl in. It seems mostly broken, and pieces of chains are littered on the floor.

"Looks like something from a cannibalistic horror movie." Kauli notes to herself. She is given strange looks from the two other Saiyans. It doesn't slow her down from any observations. She walks closer to the cage, noticing the old nuts littered on the floor. Before she could try to poke her head inside, she is lightly pushed away by Raditz.

He is unaffected by her angry glare. "I just want to see something."

Turles grows a bit curious. "What is there to see? It's just this cage in this small room."

Raditz drops to his knees and crawls inside. He grabs the bended door. He pulls it close. It won't shut, but he has a good idea on what it is like to be inside a small cage.

"You're about a foot taller than Kakarot." Turles points out. "You're going to have a stiff neck later on."

"Quiet. Let me figure this out."

Turles says nothing else, but he is s bit annoyed.

"You can hardly even stand, nor crawl around in here…" He picks up a dusty bowl. "They served the little food in this… Three whole years in this building, trapped. Six months in this tiny room, with no contact with anyone, alone with your… own thoughts… being whipped for hours everyday… even when you're trying to sleep."

Kauli frowns.

"It all makes sense now. I wouldn't last a day in here. And Kakarot, he had to endure years… what the hell? How could I… let this happen?" Raditz shakes his head. "He was already suffering from mental issues, because of the mere fact he fell on his head as an infant. Head trauma… it's nothing to brush aside. His short-term memory is terrible."

"Mental?" Kauli echoes "I thought it was because of-"

"Psychosis? That's a human condition. The doctors we had can only compare that to what a few Saiyans had. Low-class warriors… those sent off to other worlds as infants… they are left with their thoughts and only knowing nothing but to destroy. Taking them back isn't easy. All of them are disoriented. Most of them are like animals. But thankfully they can recognize their family if they met them before. They ease up after a while." Raditz frowns. "His savage temper was tamed here. But without a doubt, his is very similar to my mother's."

"Now that you mention it…" Turles is in thought.

"I'm lost here." Kauli says. "How come you don't have any… issues?"

"Low-class Saiyans have rankings too. Those born with a good power level are ranked in the top-class such as myself. So we aren't send off, but left to the foot soldiers for some time." Raditz says. "Turles is a second-class. They only sent him away because they were short on numbers. Third-class Saiyans… such as Kakarot… No one sees any use in them. They send them away, not caring if they live or die on the planet they were sent to."

Kauli frowns. "And the ones sent away end up… wicked?"

"Alright. Allow me to break this down." Raditz frowns. "You're a baby sent off with a single mission: Destroy. It's already coded in our instincts. With a full moon, the process is faster. You kill, kill some more… more… until there is nothing left. You're a child by the time you reach this point. You probably don't remember where you ship is, or maybe it stopped working. Who knows? You're isolated in an empty world… it turns you savage. Someone eventually will pick you up. You might immediately see them as another target to kill, so you attack."

"Wow. That sounds… twisted."

"Ah. When I met Kakarot as an adult… I was shocked to see he was very tame. Honestly… I was prepared to fight him if he went crazy, but instead, I was dealing with a Saiyan who acted like the creatures he was assigned to exterminate." Raditz begins to crawl out the cage.

Turles looks to Kauli. "Believe it or not, as children, no Saiyan was fond of the idea of killing a planet of its natives just to sell it. It seemed all too wrong. Many of them cried during their first purging mission."

"Including myself. As much as I hate to admit it." Raditz stands.

"What? Then how-"

"We were told to get over it." Raditz said. "After a while… well, if you kill enough innocents, it doesn't even faze you anymore. I started when I was four, like all top-class children. By the time I was nearly six, I wasn't bothered. I just did my job. Perhaps at this point, Kakarot feels the same way whenever he takes a life. At first, he hated to kill so brutally, but now he… you get the idea. We've wasted enough time talking."

They all leave the room quickly. Being inside made them uneasy.

As they head down the hall, Kauli speaks again. "Frieza wanted the Saiyans to be cold-blooded killing machines for his own benefit. He starts this by hardening the hearts of the children."

"That's basically it." Turles blinks. "How did you get that so quickly?"

"I had a similar experience. I was five when my mother died. I had to stop caring so much so that no one would kill me so easily. Once I was taken into the military, to shoot someone down doesn't hurt if you don't see them as a person."

Raditz and Turles exchange looks.

"You know… that's one of the exact reasons why our mother quit." Turles says. "She was afraid of herself. Before Raditz was born, she started to realize what a monster she was out there. She started to perform badly until she was discharged. Can't blame her."

"You see her nice and gentle side." Raditz says. "I only saw just how scary she can be only once. But we'll get to that later."

"Don't do that. I was interested." Kauli frowns.

"Yes, but I believe we aren't the only ones here." Raditz turns to a door. He punches through it and snatches it right off the frame, throwing it against the wall.

A lone soldier sits there with wide eyes. It's clear he was hiding. He holds his hands up when Raditz aims his palm towards him.

"We could get answers." Kauli says.

Raditz agrees. "Right. We shouldn't kill him yet. Maybe he'll live. Not exactly in the mood to toy with these Earthlings."

So an interview it is, then.

"Tell me where the footage of Kakarot is." Turles asks the soldier. "Let's make this nice and simple, shall we? It wouldn't be kind to bring you unnecessary pain."

The soldier just stares, appearing clueless.

"Hey." Turles frowns. "Didn't you hear me?"

"They refer to him as 'Goku' remember?" Raditz reminds his middle brother.

"Ah. Right." Turles tries again. "Listen. Where is the footage containing Goku? We don't have all day."

"Uh…" The soldier is still clueless. He is scared, he wants to talk, but he is completely lost.

"Ah. Damn. I know what it is." Raditz snorts. "This guy doesn't know Japanese. Now what?" He frowns at the soldier. "¿Hablas Español? ¡Holá! ¡Holá!" Raditz snarls before stomping on the ground. "¡Estoy hablando claro español! ¡Idiota!"

"I don't think he knows Spanish either." Turles pats his brother's back. "Not bad, though."

A loud slam makes them both jump. They look back at the soldier who is pinned against the wall hard enough for cracks to be present.

"Listen up, you pile of shit." Kauli begins, narrowing her eyes. "My friends here are looking for information about their little brother. You know, Son Goku. The one you bastards held as prisoner for three years?! If your stupid ass don't fess up right now, I'm gonna shove this gun right up your asshole and make your own shit come flying right out your mouth! Do I make myself clear?! Do you understand that?! I'm speaking plain English here!"

The soldier is trembling now. He points at the distance, towards a door that is shut right.

"Thank you." Kauli says. She snatches the soldier's gun from his belt before he could move. She spins it in her hand once. "Oh yeah. And snitches get stitches."

Turles jumps as she fires at the soldier's head twice. "What the hell? I thought we weren't doing that!"

"I know him a bit." Kauli says as she walks past them both. She clips the hi to her belt. "He has a big mouth. And now, I have two guns."

Raditz watches her keep walking. "Now I want to know what she said to him. He looked like he was about to shit himself."

"Come on, you two! I ain't got all day!" Kauli grows impatient. They hurry after her.

She slows down once she enters a cold and dark room. She stands near the entrance, finding the switch within a few seconds. Flipping it a few times does nothing. She should had expected this. "Your brother really wrecked this place. The power is non-existent here. Not even a generator would do any good with the wires messed up as it is…"

Turles crosses his arms. "Sooo. We came all the way out here for nothing?"

"The camera footage is in this room… but without power-"

"Raditz." Turles grumbles.

"Yeah, yeah." Raditz steps inside, and his right hand builds with static before he slams it against the switch.

Pink bolts jump across the wall and around the room, causing Kauli to jump and duck her head. "Hey!"

"Hold on." Raditz frowns as his eyes focus on the ceiling. "A bit too much, huh?" Relaxing his hand a bit, the bolts reduce in numbers. Wires spark once again, and pink bolts jump between them like a bridge.

Turles crosses his arms, making it clear he had seen this before. To Kauli's disbelief, lights flicker on and the screens come to life, all showing a simple blue color.

"Okay. How?" Kauli asks.

"If you know how to manipulate your energy well enough." Raditz says. "It's similar to rubbing your feet against a soft surface and getting shocked at a door knob. That's how mine works, which is why some of my attacks can leave the targets a bit stunned."

"So… electricity…?"

"Could be. Maybe plasma. Ki isn't the same all around. Vegeta can form fire and unleash it as a blazing ball."

"I… did not know that."

"Now you do." Turles says.

"Okay!" Kauli growls, pushing her hands out on the side. "Can we just get back to what we are doing please?"

"You're the one who knows how to work these computers." Turles points out. "We are waiting for you."

Kauli lowers her arms with a growl. "Shut up." She heads towards the screens, and she begins to type several commands into it. Pink static spills from the keys, and she jerks her hands back with an alarmed shout.

"Whoops." Raditz says.

"Just focus!" Kauli glares at him before resuming to her task.

Soon enough, footage begins to play. The first thing they see, is a crowd laughing at the chained up Kakarot.

"Shit…" Kauli's eyes widen. "It got that bad…?"

They see Chille entertaining the crowd, making them cheer and clap and mock the suffering Saiyan. Nomlas there… He seems to press a button.

Raditz and Turles flinch as they hear the loud cracks in the air followed by the Saiyan's screams. The footage changes, showing different days as Kauli changes the clips to see if anything changes. She was hoping it eased up, but the torture was worse than the last each time.

She freezes when she hears Chille mocking the Saiyan.

"Go ahead! Call him!" The cruel soldier continues, mentioning Raditz's name, causing them all to remain still and quiet. Kakarot seems close to crying, maybe. It's hard to tell. But his wavering voice is full of pain. He screams out until they can pick up on what he is begging for.

He's begging for Raditz.

Pleading for… his big brother.

Kauli covers her mouth at this. It's all too terrible and wrong. It's-

She forgets how to breathe the second she hears a horrifying growl no human could possibly make. She screams as the screens explode and spill with smoke. The lights burst all around then as the energy flowing through the room grows too intense. Kauli is forced to shield her head from falling glass as the room grows dark again, with the exception of the purple light flickering from the angry bolts.

Raditz's eyes are glued to the smoking monitors, with his teeth completely bare. If looks could kill, he would had wiped out an entire city, no doubt.

Quickly, he snatches the tapes from the monitors and sets them inside a box, almost tearing it by not watching his strength.

Turles turns to his brother, a bit surprised to see just how pissed he is. "Raditz… take it easy. Let's not-"

The nozzle of a huge gun pokes out from the room entrance.

Their eyes go big.

"This is for Goku, Tien, and everyone else!" An angry voice shouts.

A series of blasts is unleashed from the weapon, blowing the three from their feet. It ends abruptly as pink energy shoots right through it, destroying it.

"You just signed your own death certificate!" Raditz rises a hand, but Kauli snatches his arm and pulls it down. "You!'

"Shut up." She growls at him. Turning her attention to the attacker, she can finally see them. A woman, with dark green eyes, blonde wavy hair, with a red ribbon tied for style. Kauli asks a question. "I heard a few familiar names come out your mouth. Are you acquainted with the Z-Fighters or something?"

"What are you saying?! I know them! They're my friends!" She protests. "Years back was bad enough. Get woken up by some giant monkey and I'm buried underground! Turns out it was that long-haired freak!"

"Hey!" Raditz snarls. "Try again and I'll kill you! I'm in a very terrible mood right now!"

"Not yet." Turles says. "I think she's worth sparing. Maybe."

"I'm not afraid of you Saiyans, but you there… you changed Goku for the bad! I knew that stubborn one ever since he was a little kid! He wouldn't just agree to go with you! You must had brainwashed him or something!"

"I mean…" Raditz crosses his arms. "It was already programmed. Not like I was willing to set him straight… You- bah! Who the hell are you anyway? I don't remember Kakarot ever mentioning you!"

"The hell is a person named 'carrot'?"

"Not Carrot! Kakarot!" Raditz snaps. "Fine! Let me ask again in a way you humans would understand. His real name is 'Kakarot' but his given name is 'Goku'. Okay?"

"Goku! Yeah! That is who I'm talking about!" The woman stands quickly. "Name's Launch. Since you want to know so damn bad."

"Never heard of it." The three Saiyans say in sync.

"No surprise. People don't like to talk about me. If they forgot about me, then fine. But they'll wish they did not." Launch stands. "I was fighting to survive out here! And here you are running through this when there is nothing left! You saw what those soldiers did to him, didn't ya?! This wouldn't had happened if you never changed him!"

Kauli crosses her arms. "You know the army?"

"I'm sorta in trouble for stealing their weapons and all. I even took a tank from those suckers. Nobody likes them. I know what they really did." She says. "So are ya gonna kill me now or what? This world is already Hell. Won't make a difference…"

"She sounds crazy." Turles mutters.

"She shot us knowing it won't do anything. She is crazy." Raditz growls. "But she knows our little brother. Strange. Why did no one mention her if they know her, then?"

Kauli waves away the smoke that still fills the room. "Don't know. But I need some fresh air. You went overboard."

"Don't pin the blame on me."

"Ah…"

The three look back at the woman, who seems to be trying to fight a sneeze.

Launch rubs her nose, but it doesn't work. "Ah… ah… ACHOO!"

Her body shakes for a second, and her blonde hair turns to a dark blue.

"WHAT THE?!" The three Saiyans gawk at this.

"Her hair turned blue!" Turles blinks.

Launch looks around. "Oh, my. What happened here? Did I do this?"

"What…?" the three are lost. She sounds a lot… sweeter now.

"Did I hurt any of you?" She looks at them with concern. "Oh! You're those scary Saiyans who did bad things! But now I realize… you were only trying to help Goku, right? Maybe? Well… sorry. The other me can be bit of a mean person."

Kauli rubs her head. "I… I don't know anything anymore."

"A magic staff, a cloud you can ride on, some junk stuffed in a little capsule, and now a human who can change their hair and personality by just sneezing! What is with this place?! What sorcery does this planet even have?! What even is Earth?! Why the hell did the name a planet after dirt when it's mostly water?!"

"Are you okay?" Launch asks.

Turles sighs. "Nothing makes sense anymore."

"I think I'm starting to see why nobody talks about her." Raditz mutters.

- 0000 -

"It's Launch!" Krillin gasps.

The Earthlings all stare as Raditz drops her to the ground in front of her. They recognized her immediately, to his surprise. Now he knows it's another Human that can't be killed, since she wasn't lying about knowing the Z-Fighters.

"I sorta forgot about her…" Yamcha mutters. "I feel really bad now."

Tien blinks. "Wait. This is Launch? Why does she look so…"

"You didn't know?" Yamcha is a bit surprised. "Well… I guess you could say she has some sort of uh… split personality. Hahaha… let's make sure we keep this place dusted."

Meanwhile, the Saiyans are grouped together, watching the Humans afar. They surround Kakarot, really, waiting for his response.

Kakarot sees all the attention he is getting. "Say… uh… how did you find her in the first place?"

"She tried to turn us into swiss cheese." Kauli grumbles.

"Oh!" Kakarot's mind clicks. "So that was the other Launch! Man. Sorry about that. I've been shot at enough times. She's nothing to push aside."

"And you've known her for years?" Turles asks.

"Since I was a kid." Kakarot nods.

Nappa crosses his arms. "So… she's no alien or anything?"

"Nope. She's a Human for sure." Kakarot says.

Tarble can't believe it. "This Planet has to be the most bizarre, I am positive. These Earthlings have these odd tricks, it's not easy to keep up with them all."

ChiChi is a bit lost. "I've seen her before, but why are they making a huge deal…?"

Kakarot looks at Raditz. "It was some meeting, huh? I'm surprised you didn't kill her or… um… Raditz?"

Raditz simply looks at another direction. "I was just… thinking about something." It's all he can say. Really, he can't bring himself to look at Kakarot too long, feeling guilty.

Turles seems to notice this, shaking his head lightly. Kakarot was about to ask a question, but they hear commotion.

"We really didn't mean to, Launch! Honest!" Hearing Krillin's voice gains their attention. "It's just that we've been so busy, and you haven't visited us in so long. So much has happened and-"

"You forgot about me…?" Launch seems very sad about this. The Z-Fighters try to explain it was no intention.

Launch pauses as a strain of her hair tickles her nose. "Ah…"

"Oh, no!" They all run away and hide behind anything for shelter in an instant, leaving Nappa completely lost.

"ACHOO!"

Nappa's, ChiChi's, and Future Trunks' eyes go wide the second her hair turns blonde.

Launch stands quickly, and she draws out a giant gun from… wait. Where did the gun even come from?

"You really did forget, huh?! Well, I'll make sure you never forget again!" She begins to fire, showing the mean side of her. Tien seems to be surprised as Krillin and Yamcha cover their heads while screaming.

"Wait. So… that is normal for her?" Raditz scratches his head. "You Earthlings are freaky."

"I'm back!"

Gunfire and screaming stops. Launch turns around and looks up, seeing Gine carrying Oolong, Paur, and Chiaotzu, who all appear surprised to see a familiar face. Once she lands, the two animals hide behind her while Chiaotzu flies over to Tien.

"The hell are you?" Launch asks the Saiyan as she points her gun at her now.

Gine blinks. "I was about to ask the same. My name is Gine. I am helping out here too-"

"You must be one of those Saiyans who changed Goku!" Launch growls. "He's a monster now, thanks to you!" She fires, and Gine's two older sons seem to panic.

Gine's eyes widen, and she catches the bullet right between her fingers just before it could hit her head. This leaves Launch in disbelief. Gine simply smiles. "You have the introduction all wrong. Here." She flicks the bullet from her fingers.

It pierces right through the gun, and the bullet explodes inside, causing the nuzzle of the gun to burst, startling Launch. The weapon is dropped to the ground quickly, completely unusable.

"Let's not fight amongst ourselves. A friend of the Human warriors here is an ally to us." Gine says. "Now then, we can focus on what we need to be focused on, right?"

Kauli is interested. "Your mom is pretty kick-ass."

"Uh… thanks?" Raditz and Turles don't know how to respond. Kakarot just laughs lightly.

"She… she caught it… and sent it back…" Krillin can't believe it. He never witnessed anyone catching a bullet, and for it to be one from Launch makes it even more surprising.

ChiChi sighs. "Some way to greet someone. And I thought things can't get any crazier…"

"Mom." Raditz decides to speak up now that things had calmed down. "I see the others, but what about the kids?"

Gine shakes her head. "I didn't see them anywhere."

"WHAT?!" Raditz and ChiChi are alarmed.

Kakarot frowns. Where could his son possibly be doing right now? "I have a bad feeling about this…"

Raditz looks towards Oolong, who grips Gine's legs harder. "Didn't you have a good eye on him? It's not that hard!"

"I… it's just- AYIEEE!" Oolong shrinks, and Gine kicks him off her leg the second he held on to tightly.

Raditz marches forward and snatches Oolong from the ground. "Listen to me well, little pig! If you don't find my son within the next hour, I'm going to have roasted ham for for dinner!"

"Oh, no! Y-you don't wanna eat me pal! Trust me! I'm all grimey and icky, you'll have a terrible stomach ache, even some indigestion!" Oolong panics.

Gine sighs. "Raditz. Not now."

"Y-yeah! You should listen to your mom!" Oolong panics.

"I'm not bluffing!" Raditz gathers energy with his free hand.

"I don't wanna be in a silver platter!"

"Goo, goo. Gah, gah."

Everyone falls quiet, turning to the direction of the noise. Baby Trunks is there, sitting casually on the ground. Oolong is dropped to the ground as Raditz heads towards the baby, who stiffens.

"There he is." Turles says.

Raditz stops in front of the baby. A scorn is worn on his face as he reaches down and picks the baby up, who appears to be sweating now. The Saiyan growls lightly and sniffs the baby, and he angrily throws the baby to the ground. "YOU THINK I'M STUPID?!"

The hard fall made a puff of smoke erupt from the baby. It fades, revealing a trembling Puar.

"Shapeshifting?" Gine is impressed. "I didn't think the Earthlings has such tricks."

Kakarot crosses his arms. "I should had seen that coming."

"We are busted big time!" Oolong steps back.

Raditz snarls heavily as a pair of pink energy spheres form on his hands. "Where the hell is my son?! You better tell me right now, or you're BOTH gonna be my dinner!"

"Make a run for it, Puar!" Oolong shrieks as smoke puffs around him. He turns into a small jet that rockets off in an instant. Pair is a missle, following close behind.

"Come back here!" Raditz screams at the sky. "You think you can outrun me?! I'll kill you!"

Gine places a hand on his shoulder, making him freeze. "Raditz, sweetie. Calm down. I'm sure they didn't mean to lose him. The baby tends to disappear on his own. But I'm sure he is okay."

"Okay?! Some human could have him and probably killed him by now!"

Nappa chuckles. "I thought you didn't care about the kid."

"Shut up!'

"Hey!" Nappa growls now, not liking the rude behavior Raditz is giving him. "Don't think that just because you are a Super Saiyan doesn't mean you can give me that mouth, Raditz! You're getting ahead of yourself!"

"Father."

Raditz turns to his son's future counterpart. He seems to calm down almost immediately. "Oh. If you're still here, then that must mean the present you is still alive."

"Uh…" Future Trunks didn't think he would be seen that way.

"What about multiverse theory?" Turles huffs. "If the baby dies, it wouldn't affect the kid here at all."

"TURLES!" Everyone shouts at him.

"What? I was being honest here."

Raditz grabs his head, appearing to panic now. "Damn! What if he gets kidnapped? Or he fell into a deep ravine and hit his head? Or he fell into a river and drowned? Or the military killed him?! Or a dinosaur ate him?! OR HE WAS SENT OUTER SPACE TO DIE?!"

"Raditz! Raditz! Calm down!" Gine grabs his shoulders. Her son is breathing hard and quick. He really did lose his mind.

"Is this what parenting does to people?" Turles is more annoyed than anything. "If that's the case, then I have one more reason I would never bother raising a child."

Tarble shakes his head. "Raditz. I'm sure he is fine. Please calm down. You're about to expose yourself with your energy rising as quickly as it is."

"You wouldn't understand!" Raditz growls. "None of you would! Except Kakarot and mother! I never felt this way before! What is this?! Why am I panicking so much?! Argh! I hate being a father sometimes!"

ChiChi smiles small. "It's not easy. But I'm sure he is okay. My little Gohan was something else when he was a baby."

"That's your kid!"

Tarble sighs. "I need a break from this noise…"

Gine sits Raditz down on the ground and rubs his back.

Future Trunks looks at them awkwardly before sighing. "Despite how crazy it is here, this is far better than the life I lived."

"Oh, yeah. That's right." Turles remembers. "You lived in a twisted world. Even Karot and Tarble were affected badly from it."

Tarble frowns. "I refuse to believe I changed so much on the future. Not into some brute like Vegeta." He begins to walk away. "I am heading back down. All of you should come along, just so that we can get some air. Being up here too long isn't so pleasant."

As he jumps off, the others exchange looks before they follow.

...

Once they arrive to the ship, Gine decides to end the silence. "So. What's the plan here? All of you look like a mess, I just realized. Cell must had been a lot of trouble."

"More than that." Turles says. "But what can you say? He's constantly evolving. Trying to counter him gets more difficult."

"But for sure, we'll catch him." Raditz is confident. "Though I have to admit. We do look like shit."

Tarble nods. "Everyone get a change of clothes. With the help of ChiChi, we were able to create fighting gear for you to wear. Also, it's made of flexible material. So it would grow with if you ever decide to transform into the beast that slumbers inside of you."

"New clothes, huh?" Raditz looks at his scarf. The orange color is a dirty brown now. "I guess." He stands and enters the ship with Turles and Nappa close behind.

"Hello?!" Kauli calls them all, making them freeze. "How about I go first? Common courtesy? I'm a lady, damn it. I can't undress around you all!"

Turlrs chuckles. "You humans are weird. Saiyans had no problem changing clothes around their allies. Even if they are a girl."

"Shut up. On Earth, everyone gets some privacy. I'm not going to strip naked in front of y'all!" Kauli walks into the ship and shoves Raditz back before shutting the door.

Kakarot wasn't expecting that. "Did we… do something bad?"

"Okay then." Nappa scratches his head. "I guess we'll just wait."

Raditz shrugs as he leans against a tree. Turles crosses his arms, grumbling something under his breath.

Tarble just shakes his head.

After some time, Kauli walks back out, who apparently showered first, evident by how weighed her hair appears to be. Her clothes look rather uncomfortable. A black short-sleeved t-shirt and a pair of baggy jeans. Over her shirt is a black jacket. Clipped around her belt are her various weapons. It seems she found another pair of Nunchucks to play with.

How many weapons does she have?

"Not bad. This is pretty neat." Kauli comments as she unclips a gun, spinning it in her hand before loading it.

"Saiyans don't use weapons." Turles snorts.

"Quiet." Kauli pulls the trigger towards him. A single bullet strikes his head, and he falls back with a shout of pain. "Oops. My finger slipped."

Watching her clip the weapon back into place, Raditz decides now is the time they run for their new clothes before she tries to shoot again. "Alright. Let's get going." He walks past his brother with the general following close.

Turles sits up, pulling a crunched bullet from his forehead with a growl. He tosses it aside as he walks inside the ship.

"Bah. You're kidding." Raditz had already stripped down to his underwear. He glares at the gi provided for him. "Blue and green? I would like a damn highlighter."

"At least it's not orange." Turles reminds his brother as he checks his prosthetic arm. Surprisingly, it never rusted. He pulls a burgundy sleeve over it. "By the way, the green isn't as bright as you think. Blue stands out for you simply because it's the only primary color you can see aside yellow."

"Go ahead and remind me." Raditz grumbles. The primary color of his new attire is a light shade of blue, lighter than the blue he wore before. The secondary color - the highlights, most would call it - is a light shade of green. A green undershirt, pants, and scarf. A slightly different style.

On the other hand, Turles has a dark purple worn under the burgundy duster coat. "It looks like ChiChi designed these clothes for us after what we wore before."

"It seems so." Raditz chuckles and he looks towards Nappa. The chest portion of the armor the Saiyans wore before is slipped over the black undershirt the general wears. Primarily navy blue, then yellow at the abdomen portion. Black pants is worn, and his classic boots and gloves remain the same.

Raditz adjusts his own gloves. "Must be nice for the elites to have some chest armor. But this material we have, it looks like it could deflect weak energy blasts."

"Sorta like armor. It's even weighed. Not bad." Turles smoothes down his new duster coat. He glances at where Kakarot is.

The youngest brother slips on a silver pair of pants and long-sleeved shirt. Next, he pulls a light blue martial-arts gi over his head before trying it securely with a silver sleek belt. He checks himself out for a few seconds before a small smile appears on his face.

"Hm." Turles nods. "Raditz. It seems a new change of clothes is what our brother really needed."

"You think so? It does feel refreshing. Though I'm not so found of the green." Raditz mutters as he ties the scarf against his neck. "Maybe if the pants were blue instead of green…"

"You can't even see green." Turles points out.

"I can get a difference between green and yellow!" Raditz snaps at him before heading back outside. Turles only laughs at him as he follows.

Nappa was about to head out, but he notice a Tarble entering. "What is it?"

"Wait here." Tarble mutters.

"They sure didn't wait." Nappa points out. "I'll call them back in if you want."

Tarble's tail remains still now. "This simply won't do. No one is willing to listen, so be it. They will see soon enough. I'm done playing this silly game."

Nappa steps back to give the younger prince room to walk pass. Seeing his focused expression, and how he is in a bit of a hurry, the general can only be curious. "What are you about to do?"

"Questions can wait. Just stand guard!"

The door clicks shut. Nappa can only see his shadow moving aggressively. He half hopes Tarble isn't angry. But maybe they need him to be motivated in some way?

Within the room, the younger prince walks through. He slips off his gloves in a quick motion, and his exposed fingers graze across the surface of several different fabrics. "This simply won't do at all. I appreciate what I was offered to possess as attire, but when push comes to shove…"

A belt clanks against the tiles. Boots fall next to it in seconds, followed by a tossed top from a fighting gi.

Only a few years ago was when he was reunited with his own kind. He realizes how much times has passed… but nothing has really changed.

He remembers all too well about what he said about himself in the past;

"Like I said before. I deserve no respect from any of you. I may have been born from a royal family but… look at me. I can barely hold my own against a fight. I am a low-class warrior. My power level is a laughing matter… even Vegeta attempted to kill me just recently. The Prince of Saiyans… give me a break. Why do I keep addressing myself that way? I even lost my tail, putting even more shame upon myself…"

"Tch…" Tarble's tail twitches. "Damn it all…"

Tarble rolls his shoulders as his tails sways softly. He stands barefoot and topless, exposing the few battle scars he had obtained from the fights that should had killed him. But the most noticeable, is a healed gash near the middle of his chest, and seen on his back, a memory of when he was shot down on Namek.

Back when he shedded his tears in utter defeat and shame, knowing he stood no chance of surviving.

But, he's much stronger now. He's built stronger. His muscle mass has unmistakably grown from the few years back. He has more power, a bit more confidence, maybe? No. A lot more. He has to have it. He is sure he has it.

But still, back when they freshly landed on Earth… Vegeta.

That Vegeta…

"Look at you. Pathetic!"

"Vegeta… please don't make me do this. My body can only endure so much!"

"That is no excuse! You are a Saiyan! That's right. You will feel a lot of agony if you stay lying here like the weakling you are!"

"Gaw! That… why…?!"

"Tell me. You feel it right? The shame. You're pride has been shattered. In fact, what pride? You don't have any. Tell me! Do you feel it or not?!"

Table's can feel his fingers trying to dig into his skin. They eventually break through, and blood begins to drip.

"That's it. You're getting frustrated because you can't even get off the ground. How pitiful! You can't take a light kick."

"Forgive me for saying this but… I'm not cut out to be a warrior. Maybe I don't want to fight all the time! I'm better off repairing this pod!"

"What?! You… you have to be pulling my tail! This is some kind of joke right?! Y-you're serious?! What kind of Saiyan would turn away from fighting?!"

"V-Vegeta… please! I can explain-!"

"Explain what? That you would rather tinker with gadgets than to fight?! Never have I came across a Saiyan who would… it doesn't make sense! We are born warriors! Fighting is a part of us!"

He never understood.

"I don't even know what to do with you anymore. I should had never picked you out from that pod when I found you. I should had just let you die! I despise you. It's clear on why father exiled you. Worthless trash! Why are you even a Prince! Why are you even my brother?! A damn mess you are."

"Vegeta… this won't change my mind. So just… leave me alone!"

"Like if! You are blind to just who you are! A Saiyan Prince should how to fight! Not tinker! You're spineless! You're helpless! You bring shame! Low-class! Those low-class brothers are stronger than you, and they were pitifully weak when I first met them!"

He always did this ever since the reunited...

"So, after that beating you can stand? Shocking."

"You… Just… Can't…!"

"Well, maybe I can't. Normally, if I find someone useless to me… try to get an idea on what I do to them."

Why has it ways been this way?

"However, I should just leave you here in the gravity, and eventually, your body will collapse, and you will die. I can see your eyes. They have lost the normal content look. You can't deny it. You can feel it. The Saiyan blood rushing through your veins… I wouldn't fight it if I were you."

Tarble's lips pull back as a dangerous growl climbs out. His tail twitches again as the fur begin to rise. The keyboard that programs the gravity chamber just a little further begins to spark, and the lights in the room flickers until one bulb blows out. Electricity bounces through the walls as the keyboard bursts and begins to smoke. The loud noise startles the prince.

He is a bit confused, but as soon as his anger fades out, he understands how it happened. Hearing the flying sparks, he can only sigh. "I'll fix it later…"

He has no one to blame for the damage expect himself. But if he doesn't fix it soon, Vegeta would only irritate him about it.

Approaching the smoking keyboard, he listens to the small bolts of electricity buzzing every few seconds. "I've been fixing this ship too long…"

He's been fixing more than he had been fighting.

There is a light knock. "Prince Tarble? Is everything okay in there?" Nappa isn't too concerned. He must be more curious about the racket.

"Don't fret over this." Tarble responds irritably. His hand presses against a door. It slides open, and he steps inside a bathroom, entering the shower ahead of him.

Once he locates the knobs, he turns the hot water on. The knob squeaks with each turn as the water pressure from the shower head increases. He stops once it can turn no more, and he stands there, allowing the water to fall on his body. It begins to steam as the temperature picks up quickly.

His tail jerks as he nearly bends forward, hissing in pain. The hot water would be unbearable for any Human, who would be scrambling to turn on some cold water about now. But, Tarble doesn't bother. He takes the hot water at it's best, snatching a bar of soap from the side.

It dawns on him that he hasn't took a proper bath in years. Normally, like the others, they would just jump into a lake to rub the dirt and grime away. The shower was already built in. He's aware of the water, but the bar of soap is new to him. It's so slippery, but it smells nice.

After several minutes, he turns off the water and steps out. Feeling the walls, he grabs a towel to dry himself off.

"Everything about this planet is unbearable. Even the warriors I have to deal with. The only ones who don't give me a hard time are Nappa and Kauli. The rest are all horrible, especially Vegeta…"

Walking out, he enters the hall again, and he locates another door. He slides it open and faces it immediately, grabbing a fresh new pair of gloves as a priority before moving on to more.

Nappa is alert in an instant once the door opens again. "That was pretty quick. I thought you were…"

"Skip the compliments." Tarble holds the door open.

This was least expected. But here, it is before his eyes.

Sunlight pours inside the room as the clouds part away at last. Tarble stands firm in armor, something that has not been worn for some time. In fact, it's near identical to the sort his brother wore, only with shoulder straps are a solid and single piece as part of the base. His boots are just as grey, along with his new pair of gloves. He lacks the thigh and crotch guards. The "jumpsuit" portion that covers underneath the armor, his arms, and legs are all black. Clipped against the shoulder portion is a flowing red cape. His tail swings around his waist and tightens around it, now still as a belt.

Nappa blinks as the Tarble walks past him. "I didn't think you would go back to wearing armor… or even putting on a cape on top of that.." His eyes trace inside the training room, and they widen. "What the…?"

The entire room is clouded with smoke at this point. He sees the damage that was done.

"What did he do in here?"

As Tarble steps outside, the waiting few stop all that they are doing, just as surprised as Nappa was.

"Look. He changed, too." Kakarot notes.

"Okay… is it me or is he a new Vegeta?" Turles mutters as his first comment.

"If he is, then I'm moving to Mars." Kauli grumbles.

"He looks a lot more like him now that you mention it." Raditz agrees in a way.

Overhearing this, Tarble speaks to them a threatening tone. "I am nothing like Vegeta! Don't you dare compare me to him ever again, you twit!"

"Twit…?" Turles echoes the word. He was never called that before, it seems.

Raditz scratches his head. "Uh… Sorry Tarble-"

"It's Prince Tarble to you, thank you very much!" Tarble corrects him.

Raditz closes his mouth and bows his head. He says nothing else, sensing just how bad in a mood Tarble is.

Maybe they did forget just were they stand on rankings? But does it matter at this point? Maybe.

Nappa is the only one who always has the privilege to speak up during times like these, it seems. "What's this all about? To resort to this?"

Tarble begins to explain. "The attire this planet has to offer was tolerable for some time. But it's weak and frail. Completely useless compared to what we wore before. I'm not fond of the idea that the armor models were inspired after Frieza, but I prefer to look at it as motivation to get past expectations by gaining strength." Tarble progresses onward. "And another thing. There's another reason why I chose to wear this. I'm not some lowly weakling, and that is what those clothes portrayed. I'm not the same cowardly fool I was back in Planet Namek."

"Namek?" Turles echoes the name, not recalling what could had taken place there.

"This was before we met you." Raditz reminds him. "That's the planet the Namekians live, and where Kakarot defeated Frieza-"

"I know that. I just didn't know you met him there. Did he really change from back then?"

Tarble frowns. "Three years ago... I don't even want to remember what took place in that horrid place. Nor do I even want to think about the idiot I was back there, either."

The brothers exchange glances before turning to Nappa, but the general can only shrug.

Time has changed indeed. From the countless times things spiraled out of control… so many of them have grown in both good ways or bad. So… what sort of change is this?

Tarble tilts his head back slightly. For the first time, without having to be angry, he stands before a crowd without stumbling his words, or looking like a shy individual. He stands tall and firm, no longer appearing like someone who can easily be pushed aside.

He crosses a single arm diagonally across his chest. His cape flows with the steadily movement of the wind. "I am not the same sniveling coward I was back then! I am Prince Tarble of the Saiyan race!"

Raditz rises his head, more alert than he was before.

"Together, we will fight. And together, we will stand as victor!"

Nappa crosses a single arm in the same fashion, and not even a few seconds pass as Raditz and Turles stand from sitting and follow suit.

Kauli is confused, never seeing such a gesture before. She still stands, quickly putting the pieces together. Recognizing the stance as some form of a salute, she mocks it quickly, not wanting to appear awkward. It could use some work, but it's acceptable.

Kakarot watched from a distance, seeing how Tarble gained confidence, more than he had before. After all the hell they've been through, and what he had put them through, he moved forward, not stepping back further into the darkness in his heart.

He slowly stands, seeing his brother glancing at him. Kakarot doesn't say a word. He crosses his arm in the same fashion, surprising a few.

How long ago was it when he last did this?

It was back when he first met Nappa and Vegeta, was it?

How time has flown…

- 0000 -

By the next day, Yamcha holds his breath, trying to stay alive by not saying a single peep that the Saiyan present with them may see as an insult. Anything said that seems to attack his image results to death. At least that is assumed, and it's safer to think that way.

Vegeta turns to look at the edge of the Lookout, wearing a scorn of dissatisfaction. "What is taking so long? If they keep me waiting, I'll call it a day and take my leave. There's no worth standing in this pointless palace."

Kami shakes his head with a sigh. He would much rather have the Saiyan leave anyway. It's a miracle he didn't do any damage to the time chamber.

"You hardly ever see anything worth your time when it doesn't go your way, brother." Tarble floats to the ground and walks towards him with the others standing behind. Kakarot is absent, unfortunately.

The Saiyan simply didn't want to come. At least not yet. He said he had to make up for a few things, so he went off to search for his son.

Everyone else keeps a distance as Tarble heads towards his brother. Raditz holds on to a box tightly, watching the exchange carefully.

"So, you gained the nerve to come back to me? I thought I pushed you out of my sight a long time ago-" The second he turned to face him, Vegeta forgot the next set of words he was planning to say. It takes a few seconds for him to find some new ones, spoken with a small smirk. "You think that just because you are wearing a cape makes you any better? Please. Take it off. It suits no one like you."

"Drop the act. I know your words are hiding what you are thinking." Tarble frowns as he walks past him. "Let's just get started on what today's plan is. I'm not playing any silly games today."

Vegeta just watches, crossing his arms. 'All the sudden, he's far more confident now. What changed in him to act so serious?'

"I assume you've gotten stronger." Tarble frowns. "That means we can deal with Cell and get it over with, yes?"

"Humph. That's your idea. I am curious on just how much stronger I am. A part of me wants to run back to the chamber because I had some peace and quiet in there."

"Despite being alone with your own thoughts?"

"Unlike Kakarot, I have my ways to distract myself from that fact alone."

Gine frowns at this. It seems what he said annoyed her.

On the other hand, the mentioning of the name bothers Raditz very much. In fact, he seems angered by it, knowing the Prince is one of the reasons things went downhill. He stares at Vegeta with a threatening look. If anything, he certainly looks like the older brother about to beat down the bully that picked on his little brother.

"You better fix that look on your face." Vegeta warns him.

Raditz snarls before shoving a box into Vegeta's arms.

The prince glares at him before he look at the box. "What is this?!"

"Look inside." Raditz speaks angrily. "And maybe you will realize what a terrible prince you've been all these years!"

"As if! I'm not listening to your complaining! Allow me to remind you where you stand! You don't stand the slightest chance against me, so don't you start trying to talk to me like that like you can get away with it!"

Raditz snatches the prince's shoulder and shoves him against the wall of the palace. "You hurt my little brother, you bastard! This… all of this is YOUR fault! ALL OF IT! It started with you, I could had stopped it… but you… you….!"

"Easy with that." Kami isn't liking this to the slightest. If they do too much damage, the entire lookout might as well fall apart. Korin silently agrees, watching the exchange carefully.

Tien is surprised. "Wow. Well… this is something. Never thought I would see Raditz attack him like that."

"I think he's speaking for Goku." Krillin notes. "So, does that mean he's sorta a good guy somewhere?"

"I doubt it."

Korin tries to ease the two angry Saiyans. "Now, now you two. Let's try not to destroy the-"

Vegeta throws his head forward, heabutting Raditz against the head. The impact made Raditz stagger, and quickly, Vegeta grabs Raditz's hair by a handful and shoves his head against the wall. A sphere of energy forms over the palm of his other hand, and he aims towards his back. "You want to try that again? How about we start over? What was it that you called me again? A terrible prince? A bastard?"

The sudden attacks hogged all the attention. Some jaws hang open as all eyes stare at the scenario. It seems no one knows how to properly react.

Korin sighs. "Great…"

Kami is truly annoyed by all this. "If you are going to fight, do it far away from here. That is my only request for now."

A grunt escapes Raditz's throat as he winches in pain. 'Damn…! He really has gotten a lot stronger! I'm starting to wish I had kicked his ass back when I was surpassing him!'

Krillin gulps and steps back. "He's still making the other Saiyans look like a joke. Oh, man… how strong is this guy…?"

Piccolo rises his head from meditating. He growls lightly before trying to focus again. "Damn Saiyans…"

Vegeta finally steps back, relaxing his hand to release Raditz. He watches him fall to his hands and knees. "At least you're smart enough to not challenge me. I just had to remind you were your position is. You're nothing more than a low-class warrior. Always and forever. Remember that." He turns and walks away. "Tch. Idiot."

Raditz growls out in frustration, pounding the dirt. "Of course he won't bother! Not until it's far too late! He thinks he's so flawless! Bah!"

Tarble crosses his arms. "Vegeta had been training in there for a year. I'm sure you would had known that he gained a great deal of power, yes?"

Raditz is aware. "I know. But for him to act like he did nothing wrong…"

"It's Vegeta. What were you expect-TIIIIIIIIING…!"

Everyone is confused, stopping all actions as they stare awkwardly at Tarble. The younger prince is stiff with wide eyes and clenched teeth, clearly in pain. His entire body begins to shake and rock until he falls to the ground.

Revealed behind him is Baby Trunks, who is still holding the furry brown tail in both hands, giggling.

"Oh my god!" Kauli gasps. "The baby is okay!"

Gine grins wide. "How did he get over here?!"

"You little runt!" Raditz rushes over to the baby and snatches him from the ground, freeing Tarble's tail. He holds the baby in front of him, looking at his smiling face. "Don't you smile at me! Where the hell were you?! What if you got caught, or killed?!"

"Awwww." Turles teases his brother. "Daddy Raditz worried about his baby boy?"

"Shut the hell up." Raditz snarls. "I'll stick this runt's ass right against your nose."

"Why is everyone always making ass-threats towards me?" Turles wonders aloud.

"Because you are an ass." Kauli grumbles.

"Enough now." Gine interrupts before things could get crazier. "What matters is that the baby is safe."

Krillin appears somewhat impressed. "Isn't it ironic how Raditz was worried about a kid getting kidnapped when he did exactly that five years back?"

"Yeah. Weird, isn't it?" Yamcha wonders.

"Oh, hah, hah. Shut it." Raditz grumbles. "Though I wonder… how did you even-"

"Riiiidiiii!"

Raditz and Gine freezes as they look up.

Zhanshitao flies towards them, using his web as a parachute. He waves his front legs, but his moment is interrupted as a gust of wind sends him flying away. He screeches in fear.

Gine jumps up and catches him gently. She lands on the ground, holding the creature close to her face. She giggles as he rubs his head against face. His vibrating chirps sound almost like he is purring. "It's been so long! Look at you! So strong!"

Raditz stares at the small creature. They make eye contact, and the spider lunges from Gine's hand and to his chest, chirping happily in the same fashion. "How… where… did you find him…?"

Zhanshitao nods. He hugs the Saiyan again. "Riidiii!"

"Stop it." Raditz growls. "Stop doing that! Don't think I missed you or anything! You're just going to annoy me again!"

Zhanshitao isn't taking it. He stays where he is.

Raditz sighs. "Alright. So maybe I missed you just a little."

Gine smiles. "We just need one more to join us, and we are all set."

"Can we not talk so much and be more focused on tracking down Cell?" Piccolo finally had enough of waiting. He stands, turning towards Kami. "I'm going to the time chamber next. Whoever is coming with me better not be slacking."

Vegeta is already walking to the edge of the lookout. "While the rest of you play around with it, I'm going to have my fun."

As he dives out of sight, Tarble shakes his head. "Fun? He's going to realize there would be no fun if he can easily beat down Cell. I can care less about what the rest of you do. I'm going after him."

"Hold on." Piccolo stops the prince. "Let's think about this. Both Vegeta and Cell are far stronger than you. What good will it do for you to dive in there? Both of them could kill you easily if they wanted."

"I'm not going to die easy." Tarble mutters.

"The Namekian does have a point." Nappa says. "How about this? You and I go in the time chamber and do some training. Maybe then you can be strong enough to put an end to all this. It's just for one day."

"One day is more than enough time for Vegeta to start plotting." Tarble frowns.

"Let Raditz and his son handle this. Besides. I say this is the perfect opportunity to show what you are made of." Nappa speaks carefully, trying to convince the younger prince to improve his own strength. "Then maybe Vegeta wouldn't mess with you anymore."

"Spare me your concerns. What side are you on?" Tarble asks. It's like the general can't chose to support Vegeta or the other.

"I'm just doing my job. Making sure the both of you don't get killed." Nappa explains. "Show some spirit. I bet you're much stronger than you think. Come on."

"What about the others?"

"It's fine. You can go ahead." Gine says with a smile. Her two sons look at her like she's crazy. "We don't mind letting you two go ahead of us."

Raditz doesn't recall offering such a thing. "But I was supposed to go after- GUH!" He freezes the second Gine snatched his tail with a firm squeeze. He falls to the ground, and somehow, Gine did this all while keeping her friendly smile.

"We don't mind at all." Gine repeats. She squeezes Raditz's tail tighter, acting like it's just a normal day. "Right, Turles?"

"R-right. I was about to say that." Turles only agrees with her to avoid getting the same treatment.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow…! Mom… please… let go…" Raditz begs through clenched teeth. "Please Tarble… go ahead…"

"Alright. Fine." Tarble begins to head towards the building. "Let me assure you. When I come out, I'll be as strong… no, even stronger than Vegeta. He'll wish he had never messed with me."

"That's the motivation you need right there." Nappa nods as he stays close behind. "I'll teach you what I taught Vegeta-"

"I don't need your help."

Gine releases Raditz tail. "Hm."

Raditz slowly stands, grabbing his tail. "Looks like I've been slacking on training my tail. Though, I wonder what Tarble would do about his."

"Now what do we do?" Turles asks his mother. "It's not like we can just wait around. We might as well take action while we have the chance. Vegeta is already out there. There's no telling what he may do."

"We take action before your prince does something foolish." Piccolo announces. "Listen up. All of you. This is the plan."

The Z-Fighters aren't too pleased with those words. Krillin speaks up. "We are all ears."

"Who said he could do the planning?" Turles isn't liking it, but a look from his mother makes him step back a not. "Okay. You do you."

Piccolo nods. "Good. If we do this right, it's effective. You Humans… your role may just be useful."

Gine looks at the Z-Fighters, curious on just what they are capable of. "Well, if Kakarot says they are good fighters…"

- 0000 -

"17. You have to stay here. I know you want to fight, but Cell is too strong." Android 16 sits on the concrete floor of an abandoned building. 17 stands near the exit, with his hand gripping on the frame as he looks left and right.

"You think I can't take care of myself?" 17 glares at 16. "Stop worrying. I refuse to just stand here like some coward while that thing flies around with my sister as a part of him!"

"But if he finds you, your life will be in danger. If he has you, then everything will fall apart." 16 explains. "We can't let that happen. Let the Saiyans destroy him. As long as Cell doesn't absorb you, they still have a chance."

"But waiting here has don't nothing so far. I don't even see a single Saiyan around."

16 pauses. "I sense a presence of a powerful Saiyan."

"What? You do?" 17 unfortunately was never programmed to detect the energy of powerful fighters, so he has to rely on 16 with that. "Which one is it?"

"Hmmm…" 16 rises slowly. "It feels like… Vegeta. No, wait. It's Tarble. Incorrect, it's Goku…" He pauses, pulling 17 back. "I realize that this is actually Cell I am sensing. He has all of their power combined… if I can describe."

"It's Cell?" 17 looks straight up. The huge gap in the ceiling allows him to see the sky above. Indeed, it is Cell hovering high in the sky, but from the looks of things, the bio-android is yet to find him.

"Stay down." 16 pulls him to the floor. "He may not be able to sense our presence, but the moment he spots you, things won't end easy."

"He's persistent." 17 grumbles. "But he won't-"

"17." 16 calls him again. "If your sister was in your place, do you think she would blindly try to attack Cell knowing just how easily he took you out?"

17 pauses. A point might be made. If 18 were here, she would be all over him on just how recklessly he is acting. They both have no problem fighting, but 18 knows when things don't go well on their end.

After several seconds of a silent debate, 17 finally decides to stay hidden. But, he doesn't like it. If it helps increase the chances of Cell being killed, then playing it safe is the best way to go.

However, it seems Cell is aware of this. The way he is flying back and forth across the sky, he is looking for him. He doesn't show any signs of giving up, either.

Cell growls as he scans the ground once more. To find the other Android has became more of a chore than a task. There is limited time until another interference will arrive. Having enough of searching, he takes in a gigantic breathe before screaming towards the ground; "SEVENTEEEEEEEN! I KNOW YOU ARE HIDIIIIING! SHOW YOURSELF RIGHT NOW! THERE IS NO POINT IN TRYING TO PLAY THE INVISIBLE GAME RIGHT NOOOOW!"

16 glares at the sky as 17 steps away. "He knows we are here. He just doesn't know exactly where."

"Great." 17 grumbles. "Looks like we are stuck here. If we try to run, he'll see us without a doubt. But, this place is huge. It'll take him days to search every corner of this place."

"Right. Meaning he would have to give up at some point." 16 agrees.

Cell looks at each building before he clenches both fists. "SEVENTEEEEEN! YOU HAVE, AT MOST, TEN MINUTES TO COME OUT BEFORE YOU ARE FORCED OUT! I SAID MOST, BECAUSE IT MAY TAKE LESS TIME TO BLOW YOURSELF OUT OF HERE!"

17's eyes widen as he notices Cell forming an energy blast. "He's going to try that?!"

Cell turns at another direction and fires. A massive explosion rattles the ground as flames and dirt bursts from the struck area in an distance, destroying everything within the radius.

"He's trying to fish us out." 16 frowns. "Do not move, 17. That is what he wants you to do."

"Yeah, but what if where we stand is his next target?!"

Cell unleashes another blast at the opposite direction. Flames of destruction rise again. "COME OUT, COME OUT, WHEREVER YOU AAAARE!"

17 grips on the ground as it shakes violently again. "Damn you Cell…!"

Cell finally looks straight down, and he forms another blast. "YOU CAN'T HIDE FOREVER!"

16 prepares himself as 17 slowly stands.

A flash of gold strikes Cell like a missle. He is taken down with it out of their field of vision.

"... Huh?" The two Androids are confused now.

Meanwhile, high in the skies, Cell grunts as the fist that struck his face keeps pushing further against it. The wind whips powerfully around them as they descend towards the ground. Opening one eye, he can only shout a single word. "V-Vegeta?!"

"How about you pay more attention to your surroundings instead of blowing them up like you're a raging Oozaru?" Super Saiyan Vegeta shouts as he pulls back, watching Cell continue to fall. "Only we Saiyans can get away with that!" He kicks both feet down, and Cell is sent to the ground faster than a missle can try. He crosses his arms, waiting patiently for Cell to resurface from underneath the dirt.

Cell pulls himself out, more surprised than annoyed. "Where did you come from?"

"Over here."

He moved that quick?

He turns around, only for a first to bury into his face. He jumps back to gain a few seconds of recovery before he lunges forward, throwing a punch. Vegeta jumps over him, and the enemy only causes chunks of asphalt to burst from the ground instead. "He's gotten so fast!" He stands and swings his arm as he turns around, but the Saiyan Prince ducks before throwing a heavy punch on his stomach. Cell staggers back, gripping it as he coughs madly.

"Come on. I know you can do better than that." Vegeta crosses his arms, teasing him. "Or is Super Vegeta too much for you to handle?"

Cell gives the Saiyan an angry look before he throws a series of punches. Vegeta moves like a blur, effortlessly dodging each one. It's not until the Saiyan strikes him down to the ground that Cell realizes something isn't right. He crawls back and stands, feeling uneasy about this. The amount of power flowing through Vegeta is insane. Still, he doesn't back down. He lunges forward, attacking once again.

Vegeta moves his body around to avoid each blow. He continues to step back as the enemy steps after him to keep their distance close. Finally, he kicks his foot forward as he jumps, pushing Cell's stomach back and pushing him back across the beaten road.

Cell falls to the ground against his back. It doesn't help that the foot didn't leave his stomach. The Saiyan shoves him into the ground with both feet before jumping off.

Vegeta patiently waits for him to stand. He laughs at the spooked look on his face. "It seems you're being beaten mentally as well. That's good."

Cell lunges forward and throws a direct punch across Vegeta's face, forcing his head to turn. The enemy chuckles lightly.

It ends quickly as the Saiyan turns his head back, pushing the fist away. He rubs the bit of blood that came from his lip. "I let you have that one. Feel better?"

"What…?"

Vegeta throws an uppercut before kicking the bio-android away. As he skids away in pain, the Saiyan smirks. "Does it hurt?"

Cell struggles to his feet, glaring at the Saiyan with anger mixed with confusion, and fear. He quickly places the back of one hand against the palm of the other as he places them near his side. "Alright! You've done quite enough!"

Vegeta's smirk turns into an amused grin. "Oh? Is that my Galick Gun? That's nice. Though you got the pose all wrong. You're supposed to bend your knees for a better grounding. That is, if you don't want to fly off your feet."

The fact that the Saiyan is even going as far as correcting him on how to perform the attack is angering Cell. He's mocking him! "I know what I am doing!" He bends his knees quickly. Intense purple energy engulfs him and concentrates to his hands.

"Are you sure about that?" Vegeta crosses his arms. "It looks like to me that you are low on options."

"Quiet!" Cell jumps back and lands on higher ground. "Galick… GUUUUUN!" He thrusts his hands forward, unleashing the powerful attack.

Vegeta crosses his arms, not budging from where he stands. The light swallows him, and he is struck. A massive show of destruction causes dirt and chunks of the concrete to be sent into the air.

The distant Androids fight to stay on their feet. 17 staggers. "What are they doing out there?!"

"Analyzing…" 16 begins. He nods. "Vegeta is fighting Cell. Cell doesn't stand a chance."

"No kidding?!" 17 is shocked to hear this.

Cell lowers his hands with a satisfied smile. Once again, it is wiped clean as the dirt settles enough for him to see his attack did absolutely nothing. "Wha…?"

Vegeta rolls his neck around, cracking away the stiffness before he looks directly at the enemy. "I was considering showing you what a real Galick Gun looks like… but it may just kill you with one shot."

Cell steps back. "You're… you're mocking me!"

"Reality just shot you right now, didn't it?" Vegeta points a single finger towards Cell, with his thumb sticking out. "Bang."

A single, skinny, and blue laser-like blast is unleashed from his index finger. It strikes though Cell's left kneecap. He watches him fall to one knee in pain before firing at his shoulder. Seeing the blood ooze out, he laughs small. "Ouch. That looks nasty."

"You!" Before Cell could say anything, he is shot through the head, and he falls back.

Meanwhile, on the lookout, Kami grips his staff tightly as he observes all that is happening through the feel of their energy.

Korin sees the elder's discomfort. "What's wrong?"

"Vegeta has the advantage. He's beating Cell with no issues."

"That's good. That means that monster can be dealt with."

"No, Korin. Vegeta is toying with him." Kami frowns. "I have a bad feeling about this. If he grows too bored, he may just…"

"Which is why the others are going there." Piccolo cuts him off, meditating in the distance. "It won't be long until Vegeta realizes he got too strong. I've known Goku long enough that a Saiyan wants a challenge."

"This isn't good." Kroin frowns.

Down below, Vegeta huffs as Cell remains still. "Get up. I know that didn't kill you."

Cell sits up slowly as the wound on his head begins to heal. He stands, not knowing what to do at this point. "H-how did you get so strong in a short amount of time?! Not even any one of you Saiyans could pull that off…!"

"Oh, trust me. It's easy." Vegeta smirks. "Push-ups, sit-ups, and plenty of juice."

"Impossible! You're lying!" Cell lunges forward again, appearing slow as a slug as Vegeta dodges him again. He turns around quickly, firing a blast right out of his mouth.

Vegeta wasn't expecting that. He is struck head on.

"Arrogant Saiyan…" Cell grumbles as he finally stands straight up. The dust clears, revealing Vegeta completely unharmed. "Why are none of my attacks working?! Don't bring anymore jokes, Vegeta! Be honest! What did you do?! Some magic spell?! Borrowed someone's power?!"

"I trained all day yesterday."

The answer brings the fury back into Cell. His tail rises and slams into the ground, leaving a dent. "That doesn't make any SENSE!"

Vegeta crosses his arms, not very impressed. He appears bored with him now. "Is that all?"

"All?" Cell doesn't get to say another word as he is struck on the gut again. His entire body is now being battered by a frenzy of punches until a heavy kick sends him flying back and crashing to the ground.

"You must be at your limit. How disappointing. I never even got to use my full strength yet."

"You were holding back?!"

"It seems I didn't even need to train. Shame." Vegeta narrows his eyes. "You are becoming a waste of my time. If this is all you have to offer, then you are no better than those Androids."

Something clicks inside Cell. His eyes widen, and he raises his hands. "Hold on just a second there, Vegeta. This isn't all I have to offer."

"You say so?"

"I'm being perfectly honest!" Cell assures him. "As of now, I'm only halfway towards perfection. You remember how weak and frail I was before I absorbed 18. You noticed how powerful I became after I did. If you just let me find and take 17, then trust me. I am more than worthy of your time and effort."

"Oh? Really?" Vegeta huffs. "Tell me. This isn't some ploy just to avoid your pathetic death, is it? Or are you trying to buy time to recover? Even that won't do any good against me."

"I'm telling the truth." Cell repeats. "Once I absorb Android 17, I'll be granted my perfect form. I promise to you, Vegeta. You will find yourself using the best of your abilities against Perfect Cell."

"Sounds tempting." Vegeta admits. "But still. I don't see any Android here. You really are trying to buy time, aren't you?"

"Why do you think I was blowing things up… like a 'rampaging Oozaru' as you described? Android 17 is hiding here somewhere. He's not strong enough to beat me, which is why he is the one trying to buy time."

"Hm." Vegeta steps back. "You have an hour. That's plenty of time for you, I hope. I'll be nice enough to give you that. This better not be a waste for me. Otherwise, your death won't be painless."

"Much appreciated. You'll see soon enough." Cell grins as he steps back. "You will be in for a grand surprise. And soon enough-"

A pair of pink blasts strike Cell head on, and he is blown back.

"The hell?!" Vegeta looks up, only to see Raditz zip past him. Followed by Turles and Gine. "What the hell!"

"Go for it again, mom!" Raditz shouts as he changes the attack again. "Turles! Ready! Double….!"

"Single…!" Gine has one blast ready.

"SUNDAY!" Raditz and Gine fire, and a trio of pink deadly blasts fly towards the bio-android. Turles fires his own attack, which joins the others.

Cell guards his face, and the attacks slam on to him again. "These damn Saiyans…!"

"Again!" Raditz shouts. "Ready….!"

Vegeta appears right in front of them with crossed arms.

"Hey! You aren't the target!" Raditz growls.

"You aren't attacking Cell." Vegeta says firmly.

"Not this again…" Gine sighs. "You can't do this! I know you easily overpowered him, but if he gets the other Android, the tables will turn! You will be the one being overpowered!"

"I won't be. I'll be able to defeat him using my newfound power." Vegeta chuckles. "Then maybe all of you will stop whining so much. Speaking of whining, where is Tarble? I'm surprised he's not here annoying me as usual."

"He's with Nappa in the place you called home for a year." Raditz frowns.

"Good. That means I have one day to do what I want." Vegeta chuckles.

"It's not going to happen." Raditz narrows his eyes.

"Oh-ho? And what's going to stop me? What will you do? Attack me? You may have tried it before, but you never once had the courage to try." Vegeta begins to laugh.

Raditz growls through his teeth lightly. A glow appears from the inside of his tail. The second Vegeta noticed, the tail lashes out and strikes him across the chest, pushing him back. Raditz throws his leg forward, stroking the prince right under the chin with a high kick. He spins fast enough to be a blur, and his tail strikes Vegeta across the face, and then his head. Raditz watches him fall straight to the ground.

"How the hell?" Turles is lost. "He was a Super Saiyan, far stronger than you."

"His guard was a bit down." Raditz explains. "And He would least expect an attack to come from a tail. Now, we have less than a minute until his mind puts together what just happened."

Gine is a bit concerned that they have less time, but she has faith in her eldest son's plan.

Raditz pulls his arms up towards his chest. "Ready?!"

Turles and Gine both do the same. They keep their eye on the enemy below.

"POWER UP!"

All at once, the three Saiyans let lose their energy at the same time they begin to shout. The air around them bursts in a powerful gust, glowing upward around them as if it is their own aura.

Cell is just on his feet when he notices the Saiyan preparing for their next assault. He guards his face, taking the fired blasts head on. It pushes him back enough for the Saiyans to close the gap between them.

Turles reaches him first, but Cell is quick to stick his tail out in front of him. The Saiyan makes a 180 degree turn, changing his mind in a heartbeat.

Raditz soars past him, and he dodges the stinger before snatching it and getting a good hold of it. "I see you've grown your arm back! How many times do we have to tear your body apart until you learn?!"

"How many times will you Saiyans fight amongst yourselves until you learn?" Cell challenges Raditz before swinging his tail hard enough to send the Saiyan to the ground. He frees his tail and aims a palm towards him, only for a blast to hit the side of his face. He turns to Gine who is quick to fly out of his way before he could try to attack. "Looks like your formation is broken."

"It was just the start." Raditz stands from the hole his body created. He shakes the dirt from clinging to his hair. "And a distraction."

A distraction? The enemy looks for any possible ambushes, and his eye catches fight of a lone sword spinning his way. He leans back, avoiding the blades, but a yellow blast slams against his back. He yells out in pain and spins around. Throwing a punch at the teen from the future who had joined the fray. His hand is caught, so he pulls it back to force the teen forward.

An energy bullet strikes his arm, making him stop, resulting to the teen successfully punching him square on the face.

Kauli rushes to the scene, wielding a pair of guns. She springs forward as she constantly fires, each energy bullet hitting and bouncing off Cell, which annoys him further each time instead of hurting him.

Cell knocks Future Trunks away with an arm swing, followed by a kick. He deflects the other blasts and once she is close enough, he knocks her weapons out of her hands.

Kauli aims both of her palms right at his face, unleashing a small but effective blast at point-blank range. As she jumps back, Cell curses and covers his smoking face. "Go for it!"

"HA!" Raditz, Turles, and Future Trunks all unleash a single-handed blast at the confused enemy.

However, Cell opens a single eye in time to see this. He springs from the ground and the blasts collide against each other below him, exploding in a ball of flames. "That looks ugly"

"Not as ugly as this!" Raditz shouts from above him, his hand crackling with static. He just begins to throw his hand down when a body slams into his and knocks him away out of Cell's view point.

"Wha?" Cell tilts his head.

Raditz has his arms crossed over his face as a fist presses against it, pushing him back. "Vegeta!"

"You dare to defy me?" Vegeta asks angrily. He uses his free hand to throw a punch, but Raditz swings his body back to avoid it. Vegeta flies past and turns around quickly. They both hover a few feet apart, challenging each other with looks.

"I should had stopped listening to you the moment you exiled my little brother." Raditz frowns. "You're about to make a very lethal mistake. Your arrogance may just kill you this time."

"You only think so because you are weak as is. Are you afraid of dying?" Vegeta chuckles.

"I'm not the same Raditz as I was before, Vegeta. Trust me." Raditz narrows his eyes. "I won't let you get close to Cell. If I have to fight you to keep it that way, then I have no other choice, do I?"

Vegeta laughs at this. This entire scenario is hilarious to him, it seems. "That's nice. I hope you know that you are about to get a rude wake up call. I am far stronger than you think."

"How the hell did you not lose your mind being alone in that place?" Raditz is a bit curious now that he remembers where the prince was. "Kami told me that room is no laughing matter. A constantly changing void. Air hard to breathe, all alone for an entire year?"

"I have a strong mind. It didn't bother me." Vegeta huffs. "Unlike your youngest brother."

Raditz's eyes full with anger in an instant as he transforms into a Super Saiyan. "You mean Kakarot?! You dare to say that so casually, like it means nothing to you?! I'll make you regret the choices you made, Vegeta!"

"Then have at me." Vegeta chuckles. "I'm waiting."

Raditz snarls, and he rockets forward with a scream.

Cell hears footsteps, but he doesn't bother to turn around this time. He smiles instead. "It seems that your father is a hothead regardless of the world he is in. Must be a Saiyan thing."

Future Trunks has his sword drawn. Gine, Turles, and Kauli are close, waiting for him to make a move. The teen frowns at what he just heard. "Regardless? You've met him before, huh? Before you came to this timeline?"

"Yes. But… well, yes and no."

"What?" The four warriors are thrown off by this.

"Multiverse is a really interesting thing. I have to say, this alternate timeline here, and the one you came from, it's very shocking for me. It's like the polar opposite to the one I came from. Almost."

"How so?" The teen is still on guard.

"This may sound shocking to you, but this goes to show how bizarre and interesting timelines can be." Cell says. "I never heard of this Kauli girl until I came here. Nor did I hear of the mother of Goku… or Goku even having another brother. And from where I came from… Raditz was killed on the same day he first came to this world."

"My… father?" Future Trunks is lost. "Wait. So if he died back then, then how did you kill the me from your world? The me there should had never been born."

"He has a point there. This isn't adding up." Turles agrees.

"Ah. But the kid was." Cell teases him. "Perhaps Trunks' existence was a requirement for every timeline, maybe. Or maybe his mother has issues in the head."

"What are you saying?" Future Trunks wants him to get to the point.

"To put it bluntly; Instead of Raditz, it was Vegeta who was your father." Cell chuckles.

"WHAT?!" They are all in disbelief.

Future Trunks is frozen where he stands. Did he hear that right? Is he playing games with them? This entire timeline thing is far too confusing now. If what Cell says is true, then how many branches are there? In some other timeline, he could he a girl for all he knows!

"You know what?" Kauli places a hand on her face."Multiverse theory is a bitch."

"Yes. It is." Cell lunges forward, placing his hand against the left side of Future Trunks' head, and he slams him harshly to the ground. He keeps the pressure going to hold the Saiyan down. His tail moves around until the needle aims for his neck. "As always. There is an alternative."

"You've caused enough pain…" Future Trunks turns his head, but the back of it hits the ground now due to his forehead being pushed back. "But you won't make it far here!"

Cell snorts. "I've done it already before. I know my way around you. You're easy to read, just like your fathers are."

Just as the others take a step forward, Cell laughs.

"What can you three possibly do besides giving me annoying burns? I can kill you all so easily if I wanted to. Your efforts are pointless. But, at least you tried."

Kauli growls. "Damn it all… why can't we just kill this bug already? I swear he's a mutated roach! Roaches are so resilient, it's stupid ridiculous!"

"Finally. Someone agrees with me." Turles grumbles.

Cell moves closer, but he picks up a strange sound. He looks to his left, and he spots a yellow disk of energy flying towards him like a frisbee. He is forced to release the teenager to jump into the air to avoid being sliced in half. "Where did- what the?!"

Gine looks up, and she is quick to grab Kauli and Future Trunks before fleeing from where they stand. Turles gets the message and is quick to fly with her.

An army of yellow disc are flying his way. Cell is dodging them like he is the last kid standing in dodgeball. They slice through the air and buzz past him, sharper than knives. They leave deep gashes on the ground or slice chunks from buildings in clean cuts.

Gine lands on the ground feet away, and she drops the pair she carried. "Where is all of that coming from?"

Kauli sits up quickly. "Don't know. Don't care. It's keeping him away from the Androids if they are nearby."

"And where's Raditz?"

Turles lands near close to Gine. "Didn't Vegeta ambush him earlier?"

Meanwhile, Raditz is taking several blows to the face. Vegeta seems to be having fun inflicting pain to him.

"You can't be serious! There is no change between us in battle, you fool!" Vegeta locks his hands together, and he throws them down, but a pair of hands push them back.

Raditz misses several punches until one strikes Vegeta on the chest.

Down below, Cell continues dodging to save himself from losing any limbs. "Where is all this coming from?! It's really getting on my nerves!"

Finally, his eyes catch repeated movement from his right. They widen slightly, not expecting to see this.

Krillin stands on the roof of a tall building, forming several of the lethal discs before throwing them one after the other. "How do you like my Destructo Disks?!"

"That little pest! How did I not see him?!" Cell growls as he dodges several more. "Is he really that small?!" He finally throws his hands out, causing the disks to not be destroyed, but flying in other directions. As they being destruction to other places, Cell forms a sphere of energy over one palm as he turns towards the monk. But, a flash of orange flies past him. "Now what?!" He looks down from where it came from. "Yamcha?!"

"Krillin! Do you think you can back me up a bit more?!" Yamcha calls.

Krillin seems tired, but he nods. "I gotcha, pal!" He throws a single hand in the air. "Let's go! Destructo Disk… one more time!"

Cell looks between the two, trying to decide on what to do. It's not until the lethal disk is unleashed that he is forced to dodge again. It is followed by another, and Cell is nearly sliced this time.

Yamcha bends his right arm with his palm facing upwards. His other hand supports his elbow as his arm and fingers shake. "I'll show you what we Humans can do! Watch this!" Yellow light highlights his hand until energy gathers into a hovering ball of energy. He draws his hand back as he closes it before pointing his index and middle finger out together. "Spirit Ball!"

He throws the ball with a swing, and it flies towards Cell, who noticed it at the last second. He turns his body sideways to dodge, and a Destructo Disk flies past him at the other side.

"That's a disappointment." Kauli frowns. "And embarrassing."

Yamcha keeps the two fingers pressed. He flicks them back, and the Spirit Ball makes a sharp turn and flies back towards Cell.

"Impossible!" Cell moves his head back, and Yamcha flicks his fingers again. The ball turns and strikes Cell this time, and it comes back and does it again, and again, making his body spin as he screams out, well agitated.

Meanwhile, in the distance, Androids 17 and 16 grow more curious about what could be happening outside. 17 steps close to the exit, so 16 pulls him back.

"The Saiyan is looking for you along with Cell. You can't let them see you." 16 explains his reasons. "Let the others deal with them."

17 doesn't know how to feel about this. "Are they all fighting over me? It sounds a lot better out of context. This is insane…"

"AAAAH!" Cell is battered several more times until the ball explodes against his body. He thrashes angrily, having enough of it all. "That's it! I'm through playing games!" He begins to fly towards Yamcha. "I'm starting with you, and then the small one!"

"TRI BEAM…!"

Future Trunks' eyes widen as he picks up a great deal of increasing energy. From how it feels, he begins to question how so much could possibly be coming from a human.

Cell looks up in disbelief. "What? Tien? You too?! What is this supposed to be?!"

Tien shouts. "HAAAA!"

A gigantic burst of yellow energy is fired, and Cell reacts too slow to dodge. It strikes him directly, and he screams as he is pushed down through the ground.

"Whoa!" Future Trunks is impressed. "I never witnessed anything like that before!"

"These humans use their brains to make up for their lack of strength. And they are so well coordinated." Gine notes. "They might actually stand a chance."

"Then maybe we should join the fray to make sure he is killed." Kauli suggests. "Looks like these fighters aren't half bad. Piccolo had this well planned out."

Tien hovers high above, with his fingers and thumbs pressed against each other to form a triangle. Through the center, he watches Cell crawling out of the hole, glaring at him angrily. "This is what happens when you underestimate Humans! Take this! HAAAAAA!"

Cell braces himself, but he is pushed through the ground again. He doesn't even get the chance to stand as another wave pushes him even deeper.

"Not so much, Tien!" Krillin warns him.

"It's fine! Don't worry about me! You two focus on the plan!" Tien shouts.

"Uh… r-right!" Krillin nods as he looks to Yamcha. "Let's go!"

Yamcha nods as he jumps into the air.

The two Earthlings cup their hands to the side, a stance the observing Saiyans are too familiar with.

"Wait a second!" Future Trunks gasps. "Is that-?!"

"KAAA…. MEEEE….!" Krillin begins to charge up the attack.

"HAAA… MEEEE…!" Yamcha's appears intense.

The pair trusts their hands forward as Tien sends another wave of his attack. "HAAAAAAAAAA!"

Two intense blue blasts merge with the Tri-Beam. They fire into the crater and strike the target inside. Flashing lights and a heavy explosion erupt. Wind gusts become strong, and the warriors are forced to shield their face.

"This is incredible!" Kauli shouts over the wind.

Turles grunts. "They have a ton of tricks up their sleeves! Not bad! Not bad at all!"

- 0000 -

Kami stands at the edge of the Lookout, appearing uneasy with the power he is feeling from the earth.

"How long are you going to stand there?" Piccolo's impatient tone snaps the elder out of his thoughts. "We don't have much time."

"I'm aware." Kami mutters. "But to think you would be so willing… it's not like you at all."

"I'm aware." Piccolo echoes what Kami said before. "But if it means having a good chance against Cell, then it's better than what that thing has to bring. Don't think I am doing this because I want to."

"Right."

Korin frowns. "Once you two become one again, there will be no Dragon Balls. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Maybe the world is better off without them." Kami mutters. "But only time will tell. Perhaps the dragon will be born again when the time is right."

Korin nods as the two Namekians look at each other. "In that case… it was nice knowing you, Kami. I'll keep this place tidy for ya."

"Thank you, Korin." Kami nods. "Now then…"

"Never thought this day would come." Piccolo mutters. "But it's all part of the plan. If those fighters can keep Cell at bay long enough…"

- 0000 -

"It feels like they are really going all-out in there…"

Karot looks towards the sky, almost overwhelmed by the different types of energy he is feeling clashing in battle. After several seconds, he looks back at his surroundings before taking a bite of a chunk of cooked meat. Over a bonfire is a cooked deer held above it by a branch. On the field are a few dead soldiers. Many would think by now that they would learn to stay clear from a Saiyan's path.

But they seem disarmed, as if they were dragged out from hiding. From the looks of things, they were killed quickly.

The child gave several interviews, but none gave him any good answers. It was all a waste of time. The cage sits at the bottom of a river now. Several fish swim around or through it. Inside is the soldier with his family, drowned.

"Hey! Heeeey! Don't just leave me up here!" A familiar scolding voice shouts from above. "Gohan! Come back here!"

Karot finishes what he held in his hand before grabbing an apple from the ground. He begins to eat it as he walks to a cliffside. He looks up, frowning. "You know, it's not nice to yell at people."

"Gohan! Let me down! What are you even doing?!" Trapped above is indeed an angry woman, one every one thought was dead. Well, she certainly was until recent news said otherwise. Her shirt is caught by a sword that stabs the side of a cliff, keeping her hanging high.

It's Bulma, who is screaming mad. There seems to be no physical changes made to her at all. One may have to look closely to see what Dr. Gero might had done to her, or anyone else who worked close to her.

Gohan takes another bite out of his apple. "I was just making sure you don't try anything against us. I heard about how you came back and all, so I figured, why not stop you before you hurt someone again?"

"So, you're just going to kill me like you did the others?"

"If I have to." Karot answers honestly.

"What?! And that doesn't bother you?"

The question bothers the child, but it also angers him somewhat. He fires a small blast that is enough to loosen the sword. He watches her fall and strike a few branches on the way down, which breaks her fall. He catches his sword and places it back against his back as she hits the ground.

Bulma pushes herself to her knees and coughs out dirt before looking at him.

"I've witnessed death… since I was little. I… I don't know if I even have happy memories. They say a young child can remember the most horrifying things." Karot mutters. "I don't even remember happy things from before Uncle Raditz found my dad. All the bad things just erased it. Nothing but death and fear all around is all I remember."

Bulma doesn't seem to know what to say. The kid no longer can remember his happy life back when he was 4. But, it makes sense. At a young age, they can't remember things well if they are away from it too long.

It's why people won't remember who their parents are if the parent left them at a young age.

So basically, Karot's memories hold no peace or happiness. Not anymore. He lost that long ago.

She stares for a while, and she speaks. "You… you will recall them one day. I am sure."

Karot sighs. "You know, Bulma… Humans and Saiyans have their versions of right or wrong." His statement alerts her. "Humans think that killing is bad… but Saiyans say it is okay to do. In fact… things that Humans think bad… some are good to do for the Saiyans. Me… to be half-Human, half-Saiyan… I'm stuck between two worlds. But… I had been around Saiyans for so long, looking at how Humans behave… it is so weird. I'm so used to seeing the Saiyans take lives, when the Humans don't do it or get angry about it… I begin to think they are just scared or weak."

Bulma's eyes slightly widen. 'That's right. He's been around Saiyans longer than Humans. Memories don't stick until a child is around 2. But… as he said, so many bad things had happened, he doesn't remember his life before he met Raditz. He only has memories of being among those Saiyans…'

Karot looks at Bulma carefully. "I know that I am smart, but I don't even know what is truly right or wrong anymore. I don't even know what to believe. This war is making everyone change and lose their minds… I hate it. I just want it to end. My dad lost so much, he lost his sanity because of the military… because of what the Humans who are selfish had done. There are still good people out there…. but how can we trust anyone when we had been betrayed and deceived so many times? As for you, like me… you are very smart. But… you harmed so many people… but I had done the same. Back when I was 5 years old… I had no other choice but to take people's lives to save mine. I wanted to live to save others from dying… to stop the murdering… but it looks like it is very difficult. I'm just a 10 year old boy, after all."

His words are making Bulma uneasy. She seems to be somewhat guilty. Is she the reason that this child had to live like this?

"But… you know what? Life is never fair. I am so lost and confused. I am very intelligent… but I am still a child. I… I never had the chance to even act like one since I was taken in by the Saiyans… but… that is okay."

Bulma slowly stands. "I knew it would be so hard on you… but I'm sure you know that how the Saiyans are taking lives are wrong."

He is quit for a few seconds. "I already said… I don't know. Right or wrong… what can I believe anymore? It's confusing me everyday. It doesn't even bother me anymore. I had seen death so much, it doesn't even faze me at all like it did weeks ago… because I had to realize it will only keep going. I do have a question. What about you?"

"Huh?"

Karot doesn't look at her yet. He stares at the ground, looking at a beetle crawling about. "How many people had died… because of you? You kept my father locked away to stop him, but you only stopped his sanity… and you threw it away."

Bulma doesn't say anything.

"But… my dad had to save us. He sacrificed his merciful ways to do so… and his mind. In war, sacrifices are made. Me? I had to throw away my childhood."

Bulma is surprised when the kid lifts his head to look at him again. She was expecting him to be angry, but he looks at her with his childish eyes.

No… it isn't childish. The innocence in his eyes are long gone. Those eyes are hardened and cold… the pair that had seen death countless times. "Gohan… I…"

"That's not it." Karot says. "I realized recently… in order to survive, I also had to sacrifice… my own humanity."

Her eyes go wide quickly as the kid clenched a fist and pulls back. She is sent flying the second the fist makes contact with her jawline. She spins like a screw in the air before crashing and rolling hard on the ground, then lying still. She groans and pushes herself to her knees, wiping blood from her lip and turning her head to the child who is already walking towards her like nothing happened.

"I did a lot of thinking. You could had prevented all of this, Bulma. You're famous for being the most intelligent and richest in the planet. The military looks up to you. They would obey every order. You could had told them to leave us alone, but you trained them to fight and break us instead… more specifically, my dad." He stands over her now, and he kicks her side, sending her tumbling across the field until she stops at the other side. "In other words… this is all your fault."

She gasps and grunts as she gets on her knees again. She realizes the child could kill her easily if he wanted to. She never imagined herself being afraid of a child, but now she is.

The looks in his eyes… he is preparing himself to kill her.

"But, you know…" He shrugs as he stops, standing over her again. "... that's just a part of life. You do something bad to someone, it comes back and hits you twice as bad. Too bad. It seems even I will get the karma one day. Maybe not tomorrow. Maybe not next month, or even 3 years from now… but it will happen. That is the reality of life."

Bulma slowly tries to stand again. She is kicked on the stomach, and she falls, but a small hand grabs her hair to lift her head. She is forced to look at him.

"Do you know how many innocent children are suffering because of you? All dad wanted when he came back to this planet is to use the Dragon Balls to wish Uncle Raditz back to life. After that, he would had left the planet and you would be at peace with the rest of the world. But, no. You just had to cross him and destroy who he was. Now he's a sadistic and demon-possessed freak, and this is all your doing. There are no excuses. How does it feel… to witnessed your childhood friend lose his mind by your hand? I doubt you care anymore. Do you even care at all?"

Bulma doesn't appear to know what to say.

"What about your baby?"

She gasps.

"So. You still care? How smart of you to taunt the Saiyans knowing they have him. Did you even think this through? They have him. I will say it one more time. They. Have. Him." He ignores her shocked expression. "See, while you are running around chasing us, your son is in the ship locked away. He's already wild. Vegeta doesn't like him one bit, so maybe he will kill him. There is an alternative that is better. They are raising him… raising him to be like them. You know what else? He's already aggressive. He picked that up from them as well. He will no longer know who his mother is. All he will know is what life is like as a Saiyan. You must be okay with that… since you had been trying so hard to rid us for so long."

Bulma shoots to her feet quickly. "Stop it! Tell those freaks to keep their hands off my son-!"

WHAM!

She falls to her knees, coughing heavily. She lifts her head to look at the child who stares back with a bored look to his face. It holds slight irritation. Somehow, he appears to almost show no emotion at the same time.

Karot slightly tilts his head back. "No matter how many times you try to stand, someone will keep trying to kick you back down. You keep fighting knowing you stand no chance, so you hurt your enemies mentally, ignoring the consequences… and the effects it will have to other people. How you are alive is strange to me. My dad killed you a while ago. You should be dead."

Bulma draws out a gun from under her shirt, and she aims at the head of the child. Her hand is shaking badly as her teeth clench tight.

Karot doesn't flinch or even try to move. The near-emotionless look on his face remains. "A gun? If it didn't work on dad, what good will it be on me? It could hurt me somewhat since I am half-Human, but think about it; Even if it is an energy blaster… would you really pull the trigger?"

Bulma places her finger on the trigger. The gun still shakes badly.

"You don't want to shoot me. You're hesitating. Go ahead. Just know there's a difference between what I would do in this situation. Unlike you, I see no reason to pull punches anymore." His arm moves, and his hand aims towards the woman. "You took away the humanity I had."

He fires a blast, and it strikes Bulma head on. He watches her charred body fall to the grass as he lowers his hand. Seconds pass, and his eyes fill with surprise as the body begins to heal. "Now I see. No wonder why you are alive. You never even died."

More seconds pass, and Bulma gasps loudly, fully healed. She stares at the kid in disbelief.

"Well, I will just have to keep you still." He throws a hard punch to the ground, and he fires a blast.

The ground collapses below the woman. She screams as she falls into a hole that is 15 feet deep. She lands on her back and groans as the child stands at the edge.

Karot crouches down, and his arms rest on his lap which causes his hands to hang limp. "You can heal, but you are still weak when it comes to strength. It's your mind that is dangerous. I have to keep you down there."

Bulma growls at this. "This isn't going to stop anything! Gohan! Get me out of here!"

"Gohan?" The child shakes his head with a light chuckle. "You have no reason to address me that way. If my dad were here, he would kill you for that… and keep doing it until you can't heal no more. Scary, isn't it? You had no idea you created a monster until it was too late."

Bulma becomes uneasy as the kid grins.

"But you did, because the genius made a dumb mistake that is near impossible to fix. Maybe it is impossible. Who knows?" He laughs lightly. "It must be terrifying to know your plans keep backfiring. First it was my father, then the Androids, now it is Cell! How much more stupid can you get?! Humans make mistakes. It is what they do, and they are supposed to learn from them… but lately, they had repeated the same mistake over and over again like a bunch of idiots, and that includes you!"

"Gohan…" Bulma doesn't even know what to say. What happened to him? He's acting like… he is slowly losing himself as well.

No. He really IS. Very slowly each day, he too is driven into madness. Since he is a child, it is much worse, and much more difficult to recover from.

Wait….

On this very world… everyone is slowly being driven to insanity. Chille had completely lost his sanity his at one point. Bulma herself did… and Kakarot… he lost his recently.

Is it because of the war?

"It must make you feel bad, knowing your baby is with the Saiyans. We have the Human fighters with us to fight Cell, but who knows? We might mess with them. How do you feel about Yamcha being there?"

She gasps.

"Yes. He really is there. He is in our ship with the others working together to stop Cell. Trunks is in there, too. I saw him play with the baby now and then, but he is completely unaware that the baby is yours."

"YOU! You, SHUT UP, KID! I'm not falling for your mind games! You're just making this up to mess with me!"

Karot goes on, seeing the woman tremble. "He will find out one day. Maybe someone will tell him, or he will look at those blue eyes long enough to realize they are like yours. He already knows who the father is. Poor you, breaking his heart. He's already fragile enough, but you will break him at the worst way possible. You must be okay with that. After all, you did allow my uncle to do as he pleased with you!"

"I said, SHUT UP!"

Karot begins to laugh. He speaks in a teasing tone. "They say people would rather believe a lie than to accept the truth. The truth makes them angry. You know this is true. What's wrong? Miss Bulma is afraid to accept her own flaws~! One of of them is literally living proof~!"

She can't do anything.

The blue-haired woman slowly sinks to the ground. She sits, and she covers her face as she begins to cry.

"You're crying? Sorry. I don't feel bad, really. They call it reality… something your brain failed to comprehend lately. It finally slapped you, at least. So, enjoy it." He turns and begins to make his leave. His small laughs are heard, become more and more distant.

Bulma shakes as she holds in a sob. "Even him…. he is losing his mind, and he has no idea! Everyone is going insane… and I don't know how to stop it…!"

As the distance between them grow bigger, up in the trees, they were being watched.

A pair of glowing red eyes, with a dark and toothy grin growing wide. A sinister laugh echoes as the poisonous fog begins to wilt the leaves.

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Strength chart. Strongest to Weakest.

(Power Levels are BS, by the way.)

This chart focuses on the main people.

Note: Chart will be updated each chapter. I can't do power scaling since I clearly can't understand it like an idiot. This is simply rankings.

Prince Ve

An16 & Sem

Ad 17

RaHADISBS

Kakaoku)

SelTrunks)DVDUSB

Piccolorles

Nappa

Karan)DBShfis

nder)

Gidbsid

Prince

Ti

Chid xxisba

Kril

Ch

Bu did is queer dkdoab

Oo

Puar

… oh. Um… I'm having technical difficulties with this chart. It appears to list had been scrambled and er…

Shoot. Did Baby Trunks do this?

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A/N: Finally finished!

Well.

FUNFACT: In Xenoverse, Raditz is one of the few characters who fights mostly using his legs. He is probably the only one (by my knowledge) who abuses the AXE KICK.

Those super-high kicks, yo. He looks like he's dancing for real

Since I am a sucker for video game things, I might occasionally do a "Game Data" thing just for fun. Such as movesets, quotes, whatever comes to mind. They won't appear in every chapter, just like how TFS Shorts and Short-story bonuses arrive now and then.

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Language Translation:

Small note: I took Spanish 1 and 2, but I forgot half of what I learned. Heh. This translation may not be all the way accurate.

"¿Hablas Español? ¡Holá! ¡Holá! Estoy hablando claro español! ¡Idiota!" - "Do you speak Spanish? Hey! Hey! I am speaking clear Spanish! Idiot!"

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Possible Questions:

PQ1: Every Saiyan blacks out during their transformation into a Great Ape?

A: For this book, yes. It was never mentioned if a Saiyan is really conscious in the manga or anime, but this is a close guess.

The second Goku and Gohan started to change, they already looked angry.

As for Vegeta, he was laughing at first until he had trouble breathing. Then he started screaming and roaring and… you get the point. Vegeta in his Oozaru form hardly roared. He did most of his roaring while transforming, and seconds after until he started talking. So it must be that beastly side of him over-powering his conscious at that moment.

Take a look and a listen at Vegeta's Great Ape transformation in Dragon Ball Z Kai, or in the DBZ Ultimate Tenkaichi (game) cutscene. Vegeta in the English Dub truly sounds like he's nothing more than a beast unable to think.

Why not Z? Nothing against the OG Z. It's just that compared to Sabat's newest performances, the original isn't as intense. Of course, Z is cool with its quotes and other scenes Kai didn't have. Both shows have their pros and cons.

About the Oozaru transformation… It's not like a Super Saiyan transformation when he just screams.

It was more than screaming. He sounded like he was choking, desperately needing air. (Kai focused more on that.) And when he started screaming, it sounded like he was possibly in pain, and he was angry. it got more animalistic as it went on.

You get the point. Take a look. (Add links on to YouTube URL. Wattpad readers, the vids are below!)

Kai LINK - /watch?v=lsMixCjQWt4

Tenkaichi LINK - /watch?v=gCQSwPU_GC8

The Great Ape is my favorite transformation simply because of that. You are reminded that they are not human. It's intimidating and awesome.

Huh. Now I wonder how the script looked for the voice actors when a Saiyan is transforming...

PQ2: Raditz looks like a ballerina when he fights?

A: I just noticed he likes to fight using his legs.

Aside that, play as him in Xenoverse. The dude has this unique fighting style. It looks like he's trying to dance.

PQ3: Where is Kakarot?

A: In a place.

PQ4: So Nappa and Tarble are training now?

A: Yep.

PQ5: The Humans are finally fighting?!

A: Originally, i didn't write their parts here, but then I thought; What happens if you combine a Destructo Disk and a Spirit Ball together? How sick would that be? It wouldn't be easy to dodge both.

PQ6: No! Does Youzi have Gohan?!

A: If he did… the kid would be engulfed with that purple dog.

Instead, he is watching. Plotting.

Get your Holy Water, folks.

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Question Time:

… oh. I didn't get any new reviews on Fanfiction. :(

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Next Time:

*Insert DBZ Kai "episode preview theme" here*

Raditz: (Serious) It's me, Raditz. The oldest brother of Kakarot.

Raditz: Vegeta is proving to be a royal-pain-in-the-ass right now. He's going to kill himself and all of us at the pace he is going.

Vegeta: (Mocking) Only a coward would back down from such a challenge. You have always been and forever will be a baby! No surprise here!

Turles: (Surprised) No! He can't just-

Krillin: We can't give up now! We made it this far! Damn it!

(Tarble and Nappa emerge.)

Tarble: (Angry) No… Vegeta! You idiot! What have you done?!

Gine: I honestly can't decide which prince is worse at this point!

Raditz: Next time on; "The Dissonance of The Earthling Saiyan" Chapter 15! "Something worth protecting."

(Tarble lunges at Vegeta)

Raditz: Don't miss the update!

Wait… What is even happening anymore?!

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REVIEW! REVIEW!

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To be Continued in Chapter 15!

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Upcoming Chapters: (Read at your own risk!)

Chapter 15: "Something worth protecting." The warriors find themselves backed against a wall when things spiral out of control. All that they can do at this point is shield the best way they can, but even that proves to be a challenge! When the situation turns bad, it seems it could be the end.

But… an offer is made…?

Chapter 16: "The arrival of the unexpected! Trust your instincts!" The warriors have to make preparations to make sure they walk free with their skins. However, there is a major change in plans when they meet with what is thought to never be seen again! While everyone is thrilled, Kakarot isn't very cooperative. He's too busy trying to look into just what they welcomed in.

Chapter 17: "The monster of the night! Don't lower your guard!" What madness is this? Things should be moving smoothly, at least that is what the Saiyans believed. Unfortunately, as usual, the typical stubborn Saiyan makes things more of a burden than an easy sail. Kakarot has a good reason for this, at least he believes so. When nightfall comes, he encounters a beast that is far worse than the rampaging Great Ape! Could it be…?

Chapter 18: "Truth behind the dreadful tale! Similarities change perspective!" The retaliation comes so a halt. Kakarot begins to see a connection that opens his eyes about those around him more. Perhaps people can change. Could there possibly be a glimpse of the Saiyan who was around years back? Was this meeting fate? The real devil in this situation here… he can see it clearly now.

Chapter 19: "An alternative mindset of a genius! The Saiyan's terrifying nature!" The unexpected battle has came to and end, but time is still ticking as Cell waits patiently for the deadline to arrive. It seems the humans had a way of dealing with the threat without needed to borrow the Saiyans' power after all! Because the Human's latest threat is fully developed and ready to bring great destruction, Prince Tarble finally had enough. Seeing anger and envy begins to make him act out. His lack of hope towards the future calls out an ugly side of him when everyone once again is against his ideals!