AN:

I've got nothing.

You can call this a filler chapter. There might be about three or four of them. This one deals with the heavens and introduces a nameless god as well as addresses the unsaid dangers of Seiki and the Dark Dragon. More on them in later chapters.

Until then, enjoy. :)

Chapter 14: Rallying the Cosmos

Time was a strange unforgiving thing. It flowed on despite the prayers for it to stop and flowed at its own place within different places. Upon earth, a day was no more than a breath. Here, one's day could be eons, or herald a lifetime of lazing about within endless clouds. Life was just that. It wasn't a plethora or words written down or songs sung to remember one's soul. It was a blink of an eye and the spectacle of light that flashed for that brief second of time. It scarred, or inspired, and no matter what happened, one was always judged accordingly in the end.

Their heavens connected within the highest of highs, where a foretold being of unspeakable power was often praised and held higher than all. Little knew the actual truth, for the basis of hope was the belief. They let people believe what they wanted; hoping the good within would outweigh the bad. In truth, humans were fragile things created in the belief that they could teach the universe something. Their actions changed the course of time, for the good and the bad. All were aware of this, none more so than the one they deemed highest in their little realm, when in fact he was part of a much bigger picture.

Residing within a well known form, the god of this realm watched as those charged with guarding the heavens left their realms and stepped into this one. With them they brought four or more warriors to serve the ultimate purpose he would charge them with. He expected no less, though he was a little surprised to see a certain Kai join the festivities for once. Another guardian caught his attention and for once that face was pleased. It had taken a lot of pull to gather the warriors that resided behind him, but they were a part of this as well. When the final person had come through and all the gates had closed, he sat up and motioned for the earth Guardian to approach.

"I've brought them as you've asked," he greeted with a slight bow. "I'm sorry it took so long."

Stubborn people make stubborn duties. You've done well Piccolo.

"Yeah well, whatever. I need to get back before Dende shoots me."

Little ones driving him crazy? I'll have to visit soon. In the meantime, will the ones called Krillin, Tien, Yamcha, and Chou-Zu approach.

They had met the demands of time, and fell at the hands of fate. Bad things had befallen each one, which ended with time stealing them before they could leave a proper mark upon their loved ones. Yet here, time was a twisted kindhearted soul, and allowed them to stand before them in their youth. It did not change their memories, or their reluctance to take up arms again.

It pleased the god to see such people. It was they who would rule over this realm with that one, when the time finally came.

The four warriors smiled and bowed in their respects. It was Krillin, much to the surprise of the others, to step forward and voice himself on their behalf.

"You called us for something of urgency?" Krillin asked. "Is it that bad?"

Yes. I've collected you all here to tell you of something happening within the realms...

"So what's this news?" Yamcha asked. "And what are we needed for?"

The god shifted his form again, this time taking on the form of a human like deity. There was nothing to define him or give leeway to his emotions; nothing more than light that shone dimly within their surroundings. A lone hand held itself out, summoning the legendary beast known to grace earth when the dragon balls were used. Its long snake like body wove in and out of the clouds, green scale shimmering without the aid of the sun. Crimson eyes glowed and sparked the knowledge of its awareness, residing on the warriors when it settled down. Its claws cradled the source of light, shielding it from whatever sought to harm it. When the beast was calm, the god turned to another Kai grinning despite the grave matter at hand. He had good reason to smile, considering what he knew.

"King Kai?" Tien cried when he recognized who that dragon was looking at. "You're here?"

"Naturally!" he greeted. "Long time no see boys. How's life? Oh wait, the afterlife?"

"They'll be better off when they stop fighting about fighting," Piccolo muttered.

"Oh...still don't want to fight? Not that I blame you, but you might want to get a load of my sister and her guests. That MIGHT change your mind when you hear what's been going on."

Yamcha snorted a bit. "Yeah? What, someone's going to blow up the earth?"

"Not in so many words...but this involves Goku."

"Goku?" It was funny how their tune changed at the mention of that person. "Is he in trouble?"

"Actually...Vegeta's in trouble," a female voice mentioned. "If Goku doesn't get him back, all hell will break loose. Literally."

The voice that answered Yamcha was the echo of the final judgment, the strongest to be, and the definitive outcome when fate laid its hands on the table. Her voice bid all whom were within this space to quiet themselves upon their arrival. They, being who wove and dreamt and witnessed the happenings of the universe, were none other than the fates. The warriors hadn't noticed that they were here; the ones who were assigned to the realm of fate and its tapestry. The role had always been in the hands of those three harpies, but they had long since perished. The roles were waiting for the ones that understood them most within this moment of time's flow.

She whom told the final judgment appeared first dressed in the simple dark garments of what could not be changed. The known universe resided at her finger tips, and scattered itself upon her gown. Her dark mane flowed within time's endless streams and rested within the nebula spinning quietly upon her backside. Her pale skin was a contrast to the stern nature of her onyx eyes peering past them and into the future that was to be despite her bow of greetings.

Behind her flowed the very essence that was the past. As time came and left, the unknown legacies hidden within were hers to command. Her bow of greetings was an old one, one well preserved and written in the name of greeting those who were gods. She retained the very image of her past; a young woman dressed in a simple tunic of a strange reminiscent yellow. Her short hair flowed within the nostalgia that was yesteryear, a time one could see and relive if they were to look into those strange blue eyes.

The last to appear was the silence of them. She saw that which was truth, the present, and nothing more than the absolute. She was the wisdom between the nostalgia and revelation, and the answer for the now and what was interpreted as the here and now. The stone tablet that was her mind was hidden under a mane of strange sky like hues, and her eyes the blue depths of a shallow river. One could see right to the hidden waters for it hid no lie. She wore a strapless gown that fell past her feet and trailed behind her much like unchanging waters of a lake frozen in time's eyes.

All silenced themselves, save the four whom gazed upon them within their lost memories. Seeing them like this was fitting, but baffling all the same. The one whom first appeared was the one to step forward first once more. It was only then did the air tense. When she was the one to step forward, war was soon at hand.

"I've grave news," she exclaimed. "Chaos has woven its magic once more. Those whom should have remained remote have not. In this respect, Vegeta has been taken from Goku."

Krillin, once again, surprised the others with his slight gasping outburst of, "What did you SAY?"

"What about Vegeta being taken from Goku?" Yamcha asked. "Doesn't he wander off on his own?"

"Obviously you haven't been looking in on those two," the past giggled. "Otherwise, you'd know about the birth of Seiki."

"S-Seiki?"

That name brought a murmur amongst their ranks that spread its fires through all whom heard it. The god himself was quite shocked, though he had a feeling it would happen sooner or later.

Seiki has made an appearance?

"Once," the truth spoke. "A short while ago. It may have felt like a tremor, when in fact, Seiki took form."

"Seiki's appearance...means the awakening of the Gods..." Piccolo mused silently. "But...so soon?"

"His awakening was inevitable," King Kai said. "He chose his vessel long ago."

"B-but, isn't he the one who controls it? The Dark Dragon?" Yamcha cried. "Oh man...why in Goku? And what's Vegeta role in this? I thought he was to be left alone so this doesn't happen! Chi-chi, tell me there is a way to fix this!"

"We did leave him alone," the final one exclaimed. Charged with her earthen name, her gaze softened upon them as her role left her unable to grant them their sincerest wish. "But Chaos is an unpredictable thing. He gets bored quite easily. Videl and Bulma can tell you that quite well."

Thinking back on the quilt woven each day, they groaned silently to themselves. That little pest was everywhere and enjoying every upset. "If peace is present, that means he's sleeping." Bulma half sighed through a chuckle. "That's a truth even I can't fathom."

"As for Vegeta's role in this...you'll have to gaze backwards to understand now," Videl explained. "But in short terms...they've mated."

"Wait, WHAT NOW?" Tien's small outburst reflected upon the faces of the four standing before them. Well, it was a nice fat pill to choke on, but something they all had to swallow. Still, it was funny when Krillin actually fell on his butt muttering incoherently. "Mated?"

"Do you really think we should tell them the other part?" Chi-chi mused.

"They need to know," Videl said. "Otherwise..."

"They can find out LATER," Bulma exclaimed. "I think Krillin would have a seizure."

"Okay...so they're together," Yamcha mused. It still confused him, but that was life at its best. "So...Vegeta was taken by whom? And who would be stupid enough to do something like it without getting killed?"

"Well, the house of Varga is a nice candidate," a new voice exclaimed from the crowds. "And that idiot doesn't quite know what he's done."

King Kai smiled to himself as Kei made herself known. She wasn't one for dwelling for these matters, but this wasn't an ordinary occurrence. Of course being who she was, she brought company with her. King Ryoma, Vegetto, and Burdock were behind her, each one worried or angry for obvious reasons. At the moment, Burdock was contemplating his newest prize he'd ripped off of Frieza before he had to be returned. There wasn't much once could do with a tail...so he dropped it back into the depths of hell. Frieza would find it...one day.

Kei smirked at the continued baffle upon the foursome. "Don't be so shocked. You've been here long enough to know about the different jurisdictions."

"Yeah, but that didn't include a family gathering!" Krillin exclaimed. "Jeez, you can tell who belongs to whom..."

"That doesn't matter now," Ryoma said. "You don't know half of what will happen if my son is not returned. Since Seiki has chosen Goku to be a vessel, that Dark Dragon will manifest itself every time he gets angry. When the seal breaks, we are all at risk."

"Saiyans mate because we fight day in and day out," Burdock explained. "We need a mate...someone to calm us, and someone who will make us happiest when things are worst. When our mate dies, we grieve to the point of death...unless they've been killed. Then there's the whole blowing up everything. You know."

No, they didn't know. They weren't even aware it could be that severe. Kei and Kai struggled not to giggle at the paling faces. Kids knew nothing about life up here.

Piccolo shook his head. This was deeper than anyone could have imagined. "If Seiki has appeared, and taken a mate...Vegeta has to be returned. The Gods have been released with his awakening; Seiki will not hesitate to unseal the Dark Dragon if anything befalls Vegeta. Since they are leaving the earth that leaves it open to a variety of people."

"Like him." Tien grew somber when he realized the greater depth of what was happening. This wasn't a matter to be taken lightly; not when it came to him. "We have to do this...if Seiki leaves, the boundaries are open to whomever."

Which is all the more reason to prepare.

The God was right. This was the time that they needed to prepare themselves for the amount of time Seiki would not be on the earth. The warriors summoned for the purpose vowed to do just that, but there was one mind not quite that focused.

"Hey, did he just say Vegeta was his son?" Krillin mused. Yamcha nodded absently. "So then...where's his mother?"

Nimble ears on both Kais picked up on his soft question, and they couldn't resist. King Kai smirked. Kei shoved Vegetto forward. "Can't you tell that this is his mother?" she chided much to the amusement of her brother and several others. "Jeez, they look alike!"

"...wha...WHA?"

Ryoma took great pride in the one feat that took its toll on his mate. His chest seemed to grow in size, as did his ego when he took hold of Vegetto by the waist. "Hn...he gave me one hell of a son," he chuckled. "Now that my son is expecting...I suppose they'll have their hands full for real, eh?"

The highest of them looked on in laughter as Krillin's eyes rolled and sought the back of his head. Well, he would have been right considering. It was a good thing brain aneurisms didn't happen after one died. Not really anyhow.

Mmm...Yeah, no explanations. More soon.