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Chapter 25

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Raditz and Goku looked at the prince standing in the center of the malestrom with his head lifted towards the dark sky. His eyes closed, arcs of lightning dancing around him, thunder cracking in the distance. Their prince was home, his body bulked with power as he lifted the true tritan to the heavens in victory. It seemed like Frieza was all bark and no bite.

The weapon that Bulma had created shattered, unable to hold the excess power, and the necklace dropped to the sand at Vegeta's feet. He opened his eyes and turned towards his subjects before bending down to pick up the heirloom and put it around his neck. His face was wan and a bit broken. Even though they had won, it felt like a hollow victory. This sentiment was reflected in the face of their prince. Every single mer that died would never be replaced.

The water stopped swirling and collapsed back into the void as Vegeta walked through the swirling wall and shifted back to his mer form.

"There's nothing left for us here. It's time to return to the surface."

No words were spoken as they swam for the shore. The void in their souls left behind with the watery grave of their once proud people.

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Bulma felt a deep sadness as she stood at the threshold of the back door to the kitchen. She ached with a hollowness she'd never felt before and it caused her to lean against the frame to hold herself upright. It had been days since Vegeta, Goku, and Raditz left on their journey and she wondered if they were okay. Just as she was about to turn around and go back inside she saw a black swath of pointed hair approaching over the horizon followed by the taller forms of his companions.

Her feet moved before she could stop herself, it turned into a run as she collapsed in her prince's arms. Warmth engulfed her as he lifted her up and placed a kiss on her lips. Nothing mattered except this moment, this wonderful reunion, and she heard commotion behind her but paid it no mind.

"I didn't know what to do." She admitted. "I didn't want to think about you not coming back."

"Hush." He sighed and placed her on her feet. "None of that matters now. I'm home to stay."

Bulma gave him a watery smile as he placed the necklace back around her neck. He looked into her eyes and then looked down at his feet.

"Frieza died a coward. All that talk of power, and rage, and he let himself grow soft." He lifted up the tritan in his hand and then tapped the base on the ground. "His death was disappointing to me. However, at least all of the lives he took can now rest in peace."

"Was there anyone left?"

"No. We are the last remaining mer. My race is no more. This is my home now."

Her head tilted downward. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He placed a hand beneath her chin and their eyes met. "This is where I'm meant to be."

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Tights sighed as Raditz held her close, the sheets tangled around them. Their reunion had been hot, and wild, and long. Every part of her ached, deliciously so, and she leaned into his warmth. His muscled arm wrapped around her, her blonde hair strewn across his chest as he traced gentle patterns on her back.

"What happened?" She finally asked, breaking the silence.

"Frieza suffocated to death. It wasn't the most fitting end, but he did not have a warriors death. He did not deserve it." He growled in anger. "It seemed that once his army was taken from him he'd lost all the power he claimed to have. It was disgraceful."

"What are you going to do now?"

"Live here with you." He answered simply. "There are no more mer, and the sea is no longer my home. Sure, I'll feel the need to swim every once in a while, but the dead must be left in peace."

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Chi-Chi sighed. It was as if nothing had changed at all. Goku finished his huge meal, played a bit with Gohan, and then joined her for bed in the evening. It turned out that the battle had been of little challenge to Vegeta and he and Raditz took out the body guards. Honestly, none of that mattered, she was just happy her husband had come home to stay.

"Goku, honestly ..." She sighed as he pulled her close and chuckled a little.

"I told you not to worry, Chi-Chi." He shrugged as if it didn't matter.

"You know I'm going to. You've almost died on me at least four times before we could figure out what was wrong with you. Then, you have to leave after you finally get better. I had no idea if, or when, you'd come home." She hid her face in his broad chest and smacked it with a closed fist. "You had no idea."

"Well, I'm home now." Goku gently grabbed her fist in his hand and smoothed it out. "No more worries."

"You're going to make me old and gray before my time."

"Nah."

Goku hugged her close and turned out the light with his free hand and cast their bedroom into darkness before shutting his eyes. It felt good to be home.