Goku was flying as fast as he could. He hadn't had time to revel in the bliss of Neka's presence returning to him in the Bond. They were in danger, all of them- he could feel it, not only through Neka's initial panic, but by the power level he could sense ever since he arrived back at the Lookout. That power was astounding. But there was only one. Didn't Neka say there were two coming?

And this feeling he was getting from her… the despair. It made his own heart shudder. This was him, the man she cared about, the one he could feel her thinking about for five years. He could tell that they had been fighting, could feel that she was in pain, but not just physically. People were dead… He could feel her sorrow.

"Oh no," Goku breathed, trying to go faster.

He had learned a lot from King Kai. New techniques. While training, he was excited at the prospect of impressing Neka with how much he had improved. But he also knew that he was getting stronger to defeat this new threat. King Kai had also told him a lot about the Saiyans. Even though he had learned a lot about his race from Neka, hearing it from someone other than her made it seem more real. He felt like he could understand Neka's harshness better now.

And how terrible this other Saiyan most likely was. He had tried to steel himself for this. He knew that Neka cared about him, but he had to stop him. There was no choice. However, the closer he got, the more uncertain he felt. If it hurt Neka… how could he kill this man? Could there be a possibility to resolve things without having to resort to that?

He was close now. Goku felt knots in his gut. Neka was fighting, he could feel it from the Bond and from her power signature in the air. He could also sense Krillin, Tien, and Yamcha. The lack of Chiaotzu and Piccolo's presence worried him. However, the others had improved greatly since he last saw them. Incredibly so. How had they gotten so far in just a year? Then there was another power source that he didn't recognize. Though it felt slightly suppressed, Goku could tell that it was just as strong as Neka. Who was this mysterious new person? Maybe the other Saiyan was alive after all? No, Goku could tell this one was good. There was no darkness in his signature.

Goku looked down, certain he would see them at any moment. The wasteland below looked like it had been shattered in places from explosions. He was definitely over the battleground.

"Neka," Goku breathed, spotting small figures below and flashes of light.

He dive bombed, his speed picking up.

Soon, he was able to make out the Saiyan. He had black hair that was spiked upward, and wore that shoulder pad armor Neka had arrived on Earth in. Just as Goku gathered all this, the Saiyan slammed a fist into Neka, sending her flying upward. Goku rushed forward and caught her, wrapping his arms tightly around her small frame, and for a moment he was just happy to hold her again. But he knew there were more pressing matters.

"Goku!" Neka gasped and looked up at him, her eyes wide and glistening.

"Are you okay, Neka?" Goku asked, looking her over. He saw her leg was in bad shape, the fabric ripped away and the flesh there torn and bleeding.

"I'm fine," Neka said sharply, as he expected her to, "Goku, listen to me. We have to stop him. No matter what, understand?"

"Of course we do," said Goku with a frown, "Why would-?"

"So. Kakarot is back."

Goku looked over to see the Saiyan hovering nearby, arms crossed and smirking at them.

Vegeta. The Saiyan's name was supplied to Goku from the Bond. And now that he looked at him…

The hair.. the height… the nose, the black eyes…

"Neka," Goku whispered, "He looks…"

"He's my twin, Goku," said Neka softly.

Goku felt the breath catch in his chest. It all made sense now. Of course Neka cared for this man. He was her brother! How could Goku possibly fight him? He couldn't kill Neka's brother! He just couldn't!

"Chiaotzu and Piccolo are dead, Goku," Neka continued, "We can't let anyone else die. Do you understand? We have to stop him!"

"Why didn't you tell me?" Goku asked.

"Because I knew this would happen," snapped Neka.

"Listen carefully, Kakarot," said Vegeta harshly, "I'll leave all the other rats here alone for the time being if you agree to fight me one on one."

"What?!" Neka gasped, "No!"

"Hang on, Neka," said Goku and looked at Vegeta, "Why would you do that?"

"Because I have some personal fury toward you, Kakarot," spat Vegeta, his smirk turning into a scowl, "You're the one that did this to Neka. You made her… soft. She's not even a Saiyan anymore!"

"That's not true!" Neka screamed, "Being a Saiyan is so much more than just pride, Vegeta!"

"I'll fight you," said Goku, cutting off their argument, "But if I win, you have to leave."

"You're not going to win, defect," Vegeta growled, "But if it makes you feel better, I'll agree to those terms."

"Good," Goku faced Neka, "I want you and the others to go back to Kame House."

"There is no way in hell I'm doing that," snarled Neka, "You're not fighting him alone. He'll kill you, Goku."

"No he won't," said Goku firmly, "I can beat him."

And he believed he could, and he could see that Neka felt through the Bond that he did so. She sighed heavily, looking away.

"It's just like the World Martial Arts Tournament all over again, isn't it?" she murmured, "You're so determined. Once again, you show Saiyan pride."

He saw her look toward Vegeta, who was waiting patiently, arms crossed, a scowl on his face.

"Vegeta," she flew toward him, and Goku almost reached out to her to make her stop, but he felt through the Bond she knew what she was doing.

She stopped about a foot from him, easily within striking range, but he did not lash out at her. Merely glared.

"I need you to understand something," she said, "I knew that someday you would learn about Goku. I knew that the two of you were going to fight at some point or another. But I'm asking you, as your sister, as your family," her voice cracked, just a little, but she held firm, refusing to cry, "Don't do this."

Vegeta looked her over with distain. But even still, Goku felt some hope in Neka that he would listen. It was only when he finally spoke that Goku felt her heart shatter.

"You're not my sister. Neka would never fall from her Saiyan pride so much. As soon as I'm done killing Kakarot, you're next, understand?"

Neka shut her eyes tight and backed away, shaking her head. Goku felt her pain as plain as if it were his own. The grief. The agony. And in response, Goku felt anger of his own blossom. How could Vegeta say something like that to her? She was his sister, his blood! Neka cared so much for him, and yet he just spits in her face.

But it was only when Neka turned to Goku, her back to her brother so he wouldn't see, that Goku felt himself snap.

A single tear fled from Neka's eye and down her face. She wiped it away as swiftly as she could, but Goku had still seen it.

Neka had cried… He had never seen her cry. Nothing made her cry…

Goku decided that would be his fuel for this fight. He would make Vegeta pay for making Neka cry. For hurting her so much. He couldn't get away with that. Goku wouldn't let him!

Neka went to Goku, he saw her almost reach out for him but she stopped herself. She was trying so hard to remain strong. And Goku realized through the Bond, it wasn't just for Vegeta's sake, or even Goku's. There was a third person she was trying to keep solid for.

"Listen, Goku, I won't interfere with the fight," Neka murmured, "But I'm not leaving."

"Okay," Goku knew that was the only compromise he was going to get, "I understand. But make sure you stay back."

Neka nodded, and turned, looking at her brother again, "Give us a minute," she ordered rather than asked, then looked back to Goku and beckoned him.

Vegeta grunted in response, but it appeared he was willing to wait, and remained airborne while Neka led Goku back to the ground where the others were.

"It's good to see you, Goku," said Krillin, stepping forward first. He looked pretty banged up, but for the most part, was alright, "I was sure we were mincemeat."

"You've all improved a lot," Goku said, looking over to Yamcha and Tien, "I'm sorry about Chiaotzu and Piccolo."

"It was Piccolo and Neka that trained us," said Yamcha, "I'm pretty sure if not for that, a lot more of us would be dead by now…"

"Well thanks for making sure they've been busy until I got here," said Goku, then frowned as he spotted a little figure he didn't recognize.

The boy couldn't have been more than five. He had chocolate brown eyes and a fray of black hair, its shape almost similar to his own…

Goku felt his heart skip a beat.

"Neka…" he breathed as the boy looked up at him with slight awe, "Is that…?"

"I spent five years in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber with him," said Neka softly, "We needed all the warriors we could get. He's definitely got your spirit, Goku. Gohan, this is your father."

Gohan blinked several times as he stared up a Goku then shakily held out his hand, "V-very nice to meet you G-Go- I mean… Dad."

Goku knelt down so he could look the boy in the eyes properly. He could see some of Neka's features in him, but for the most part, it was like looking into a mirror when he was a child. And with a jolt he realized the other great power source he had felt on his way here was Gohan's. The boy was almost as strong as his mother.

Incredible.

"Hey Gohan," he smiled, "I'm so glad to finally meet you. I didn't expect you to be so big. I'm sorry I couldn't be there to watch you grow."

Gohan nodded nervously, his body language stiff. Goku reached out and pulled the boy into a hug, wrapping his arms around him. His son. It was astounding. He had a son, and he could finally wrap his arms around him. He felt Gohan's body slowly soften up in the embrace and awkwardly return it. Goku backed off finally and grinned, ruffling his hair.

"I'm very proud of you for helping keep down the fort while I was away, Gohan. But I'll take things from here."

"But Mom is stronger than you, isn't she?" asked Gohan bluntly, "How are you going to face that man when he's been wiping the floor with us?"

Goku stood, still smiling, "I've been training very hard, Gohan. So don't worry about me."

He felt a spark of surprise from Neka as she looked at him. And it was at that point Goku realized it too.

He had finally surpassed her in power.

*.*.*

Neka watched as Goku left her side, as he went to face Vegeta, who was waiting there with his arms crossed, his eyes narrowed.

She always knew this day would come from the moment she realized she loved that defect. And now that it was here… she felt like her heart was going to pound out of her chest. Gohan looked up at her, then back to Goku.

"Is Dad stronger than you, Mom?" he asked softly.

"Huh?" Krillin looked at her, "Is he right?"

Tien and Yamcha were staring at her too. She swallowed. While she did know the day that her brother would fight Goku would come, she never expected Goku to get stronger than her. Not ever.

"Yeah," she said evenly, "He is."

There was a moment of shocked silence for them, then Yamcha looked over at Goku, "Then maybe we stand a chance," he said.

"I hope so," Neka breathed, "Come on, let's give them room."

They backed up, positioning up on a bluff to watch the fight below. Vegeta and Goku squared off, and Neka felt the anxiety in her building to a near breaking point. She didn't know what to feel. She didn't want this to happen. She didn't want to lose either of them.

Goku was the first to strike. He launched forward, swinging his fist to uppercut Vegeta, but her brother was fast. He dodged to the side and slammed a punch down on Goku in return, his fist catching him across the chin, sending Goku into the ground. Neka gasped tightly, but she held firm. She knew it was going to take more than that- and she felt assured through the Bond he was okay. Surprised, but okay.

He rose up, laughing a little and wiping his lip.

"I shouldn't be so shocked. You're her brother after all," he jumped up again, his speed doubled that what it was before.

Goku's punch landed this time, digging into Vegeta's gut and sending him backward, clutching his middle, eyes wide with shock and pain.

"Whoa," breathed Tien.

"Alright, Goku!" Krillin cried.

Vegeta looked up at Goku, eyes narrowing.

"You low class clown," he snarled, "How dare you?!"

When they met again, they were locked into a heated brawl that trailed across the landscape. Neka's eyes were actually having trouble keeping up.

"Th-this is amazing," said Yamcha, "That power! How did Goku get so much stronger?"

"I'm curious about that myself," said Neka, folding her arms.

She glanced down at her son to see that his eyes were flicking all over the place, following the fight with ease, his face set in seriousness. Once again, she wondered what the extent of power Gohan contained in him.

Looking back at the fight, Neka saw that despite Goku's newfound strength, he was slowly getting outpaced. It didn't take long for him to be on the ground, clothing in tatters, panting, Vegeta hovering overhead with a victorious smirk on his face.

"Is this really all you have? I should have guessed," his smirk turned into a scowl, "You're by no means worthy to be anywhere near Neka. You disgusting little rat!"

Goku looked up at him, wiping blood from a gash on his brow, "You're almost as much of a challenge as she was," he said, "But our powers aren't as far apart as hers and my own used to be. That's too bad," he laughed a little, "I was looking forward to the challenge. But you're still pretty strong."

"This isn't even my full potential," Vegeta snarled, "You stand no chance, Kakarot."

"Well," Goku got to his feet, "Time to step it up then."

Neka blinked a bit as she felt a slightly mischievous side to Goku in the Bond. He was enjoying the challenge, deep down, which made her a little proud of him, that he could still feel his Saiyan blood even when he didn't want to fight Vegeta. But he had a trick up his sleeve.

"Kaioken!" Goku cried, and a red aura swirled to life around him, and Neka felt his power level skyrocket. She blinked in astonishment as Goku rushed toward Vegeta with new speed, catching her brother completely off guard. He was sent flying off into a nearby mountain, crashing into its whole and did not reappear.

"Wow!" Krillin called, "Goku, that was amazing!"

Goku was panting as the red light faded from him.

"What technique was that?" Neka demanded, flying to his side, "Are you okay?"

He glanced at her, "Y-yeah. I'm fine. It's called Kaioken, it multiplies my speed and strength by… well, a lot," he laughed, "King Kai taught me in Other World."

"But it looks like it has physical penalties on your body," said Gohan as he came to Neka's side.

"Wow, Gohan, you can tell just from looking?" Goku asked, raising his brows at the child.

"I could sense a serious decrease in your power when the red light faded, leaving you weaker than before you used it," said Gohan, then frowned, "Eh- sorry. I'm not supposed to talk so technical, Krillin says I should try to act more like a kid."

"Then that technique is stupid," said Neka flatly, "If it leaves you weaker than before you used it!"

"I know how to control it," said Goku, "Don't worry."

There was a wild scream and Neka turned to see the mountain that Vegeta had crashed into suddenly disintegrated in a huge explosion of energy.

"Get back!" said Goku before launching into the air toward Vegeta, undaunted by his drop in power.

He and Vegeta locked back into battle, this time with Goku being bathed in that red light every so often and giving him the advantage. The fight seemed to last for hours. Neka felt her stomach in the tightest of knots, her hands in white knuckled fists. Now, with his new technique to use, Goku was the one that was slowly wearing Vegeta down.

Finally, Vegeta ripped away from the combat, hovering in the air high above them, panting, bloody, and obviously furious.

He let out a scream of rage, "This isn't supposed to be happening! I'm the Prince of all Saiyans! The ELITE! And this low class clown is- is keeping up?! No! NO! I'm done! I don't care anymore!" he tucked back his hands, a purple light appearing there, "To fucking hell with it all! I'm going to destroy this entire damned rock! THIS ENDS HERE!"

"Vegeta NO!" Neka screamed, "Stop this! For the love of God, I'm your sister! Don't you remember?! Don't you remember that we were all we had! We promised to stop Frieza TOGETHER! PLEASE!"

"SHUT UP!" Vegeta bellowed, "GATLIC GUN!"

Vegeta's power level spiked and Neka flinched as he gathered energy in his hand and shot a massive violet beam down at Goku. But he was ready for it. Goku shot up his own rocket of energy up at him, the classic kamehameha, and the two beams met in the middle, a blast exploding across the landscape that threatened to knock Neka off her feet. Such power! She couldn't believe it. How much stronger had Goku become?

For a moment, Vegeta's beam seemed to be making purchase, and Neka tensed, waiting to watch her him get consumed in fire. But that red light bathed Goku once again, and a new burst of power rolled up the line of energy, shooting it up at Vegeta so hard and fast that when it made contact, Vegeta was sent sailing up into the air. He went so far that he eventually vanished into the sky.

Neka watched the spot where her brother disappeared, heart ripped to pieces whether she was happy to see that or not.

Vegeta…

"Goku, are you okay?" Tien called.

Neka looked down and saw Goku was kneeling, panting heavily and clenching his fists. Through the Bond, she could feel he was in pain. Neka went to his side, wrapping an arm around him.

"Moron," she snapped, "You went even further with that stupid technique, didn't you?"

"I… had to," rasped Goku, "He was just too strong for only standard Kaioken. I only went times four."

"Times four?" gasped Neka, "How much can your body handle?"

"Well… King Kai said not to go over times two…" said Goku.

"Goku, you idiot!" cried Neka, tempting to punch him, but he was already pretty beat to hell as it was.

"I didn't want to have to resort to this."

They turned to see Vegeta had returned, scowling, very battered looking, armor in bits, jumpsuit ripped up, blood all over him, cuts scattered along his skin. He was glaring at them.

"To think I'd have to bring out the ape to beat a low class warrior like him," growled Vegeta, crossing his arms, "But look where we are…"

Neka's eyes widened.

"Oh no," she glanced up and saw to her horror that the moon was starting to rise in the distance, the sun on the verge of setting.

A nice full moon.

"Shit!" she spat, "Goku, get back!" she stood between her husband and brother, narrowing her eyes at the latter, "You won't be able to handle him in this form. Let me and Gohan take care of this."

"Huh?!" Goku yelped, "What are you talking about, you and Gohan?"

"Impressive, Neka, you trained the boy to control his ape form?" Vegeta asked with a smirk down at her, "You do realize what might happen to him if he attacks me."

Neka held her ground, clenching her fists, "Go ahead and transform and try it, Vegeta. It'll be two against one. You know you can't handle it!"

"I'm willing to take that risk!" spat Vegeta, scowling at her again, "I told you, Neka, I'm going to rip this rock into bits. No matter what!"

He looked up at the moon, and Neka cursed under her breath, looking down at Gohan, who was staring at his uncle with wide eyes.

"Gohan!" she snapped to get his attention.

He looked at her, "Like we practiced?" he said softly.

"Exactly," said Neka.

"Wait, Neka!" Goku grabbed her arm, "You're both going to transform?"

"We have no choice," said Neka, jerking out of his grasp, "Listen to me. You will not be able to face him in his ape form. We are the only ones that can stop him."

"You said that you would let us fight one on one, no interfering!" said Goku.

"So what if I did?!" Neka shouted, "I'm not watching you die again! Gohan, look-"

But her son was already staring up at the moon, a look of pure determination on his face.

She felt pride burst in her chest for him, then looked up herself, and felt her body begin to change its shape.

She should have expected that when Vegeta started to lose he would resort to this. She did train Gohan how to control his ape form for a reason.

But she wasn't about to let him take her home from him.

Brother or not.

Vegeta, forgive me.

And she let out a roar in her full ape form, looking forward to see Vegeta and Gohan were both transformed as well. She felt Goku's worry, but shoved it aside.

She had to do this.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:::

HOO BOY! It's been a while guys! I apologize WHOLE HEARTEDLY for making you all wait for so long. For one: I had writer's block. I really had no idea how I was going to go about this chapter, of Goku finally showing up and how to have Vegeta accurately react and how Goku would be with Gohan and blah blah blah. I also- wait for it- am getting married! Yes! Legit, IRL, for realsies, getting married in three months. So. I've been pretty preoccupied by planning and freaking out and spazzing and so forth. And, I've also been working VERY hard on my original story that I plan on trying to publish once its finished. 150 pages in, yay!

In any case. I knew I had to push myself to update some of my stories for you, my beautifully diligent readers. I love the living hell out of you guys! (Did you even know you HAD a living hell in you? Got rid of it with love. You're welcome.) So, expect updates in the other stories as well. I'm going to try to keep current with this puppy. BUT! Understand I have a wedding in May and will be gone on my honey moon until mid June. So bear with me, my pretties.

Lots of Love!

-Red