DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, or Dragon Ball GT. This is a fan fiction, based off the show, but twisted to fit the plot of my own evil genius. MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! *cough*
Why Can't We?: The conclusion of the Rikku/Goku Universe. It's been 7 years since Gohan and Vegeta defeated Cell, and 7 years since Rikku's demise had been finalized. She's lived in other world with King Kai, training and making new friends. However, the comforts of death couldn't take away the homesickness and she gets a longing to see her home once again. Meanwhile on Earth things have progressed and the Z fighters prepare themselves for the upcoming Tournament not expecting that their 7 years of peace is about to uprooted.
Author's Note: Chapter 25 and the next few chapter following are going to be a bit cramped because I'll be pushing the story ahead keeping to Rikku's and Vegeta's POV. Just to give you warning! On with the FIC!
Chapter 25: The Dance, the Transformation, the other world
Trunks arrived, and the training continued. This time Rikku had an audience, everyone looking in to see how the boys progressed. Their combined power was amazing for ones so young. She wasn't half as strong as Goten when she was his age. Vegeta had trained them both well.
At the thought of the Saiyan Prince her heart fell a little. Rikku's mind became clouded jumbling and drifting slightly from reality. She wondered how he was now, and wondered if she would ever see him again. She wanted to, so badly. She wanted to tell him of his sons' progression, and the hope that gleamed in them both.
'Vegeta,' she called to him in her mind. See them, do you see your sons? They're so young, so powerful, and they're the rising hope of this planet. Be proud, like me, be proud knowing our sons are doing all that they can to protect this Earth, and to protect each other.
"That's good." Rikku motioned them to quiet their powers. Her body ached from fatigue, and her breath shortened and panted. She straightened her form sensing Piccolo's eyes on her. "Now then, it's time to learn the poses you are to perform in symmetry. Watch closely, because one false move and the fusion will fail. Can you do it?"
"Yes, Ma'am!" They said in sync making her smile. She positioned herself, stretching her arms out to the side.
"First you stand like this your arms stretched out and level, then you take three steps towards each other." she slid across the floor her arms rising over in a rainbow position. "Fu….sion" She twisted her body pointing her knee and thrusting her fists to the other side. "Watch the angle of your knee, it's very important… HA!" She stretched, her fingers pointed, and her body smooth and arched to the side. "Same goes for this leg, watch every inch of your body, and perform them in symmetry to each other."
She stands straight, at their blank faces she cocks an eyebrow. "What is it boys?"
Goten side glanced at Trunks looking for some sort of clue. Trunks stammered, "I don't think Goten knows what symmetry is, uh Ma'am."
"Oh, well, hmm I know!" She looks at Piccolo. "Piccolo and I can show you."
At the Namek's vacant expression she grinned even bigger.
~In otherworld~
Gohan trained with the sword his mind calmer now that he felt the battle between Buu and his mother disperse. Supreme Kai had said his mother was still among the living world, so he relaxed and focused his mind at the task at hand.
The sword was getting lighter, and easier to handle, but he wouldn't stop until he had perfected his technique. The blade gleamed in the light and he stretched it out slicing the air pretending it was Majin Buu. His anger boiled deep inside fueling his passion and drive.
Supreme Kai couldn't believe the progress that Gohan was making. He truly was the son of Rikku. Everything he had heard about Mother and child had been more than true. They had a power he never even dreamed possible. The golden beacon that was their super Saiyan power would be the ultimate power, and the sword the perfect weapon to help him wield it.
"I have a promising omen of this merger, Kibito."
"As do I master, it is obvious to me now that Gohan truly is our best chance at defeating the evil that is Majin Buu."
"Let us hope that his training continues to go well. The sooner he is ready, the better."
That was an experience, Rikku thought patting Piccolo on the shoulder. She had an interesting visual image of the figure her and Piccolo would have created had the Fusion been real. It made her giggle.
The boys now tried, the first round not quite what she wanted it to be. The boys squabbled a little criticizing each other over little steps. She calmed them down, and had them taking the fusion little by little, step by step. After an hour of repetitive dance, Trunks stopped and stared. "What is it Trunks?"
"I'm sorry, but this Fusion technique is lame."
"Lame? Oh boy, kid's today. Fusion technique is anything but lame. The Metamarese warriors I met in Other World are some of the strongest fighters in the universe, thanks to Fusion." Rikku said matter-o-factly.
Trunks debated in his head, then smiled. "Okay, but first can you show me how to change into Super Saiyan 3?"
Rikku jumped at Trunks' request, his young face bright and smiling and anxious. Goten joined tugging at her heart when his face, Vegeta's face, beamed at her like a bright light. "Can you show me how to do it too mom?"
The boys egged on, "Instead of wasting our time with Fusion, wouldn't Goten and I be more of a threat if we became Super Saiyan threes."
"I'm sure we could beat Majin Buu then."
Rikku's eyes narrowed. "You can't!" Her voice was firm and a little angry. Super Saiyan 3 wasn't something she wanted her son to resort to. The transformation was indeed powerful, but it was a technique that took its toll on the body. It could only be done for so long, and then it just drained you flat. "The only way you can defeat Majin Buu is by fusing together." She waited a beat, sighing. "Just trust me on this, okay?"
Trunks looked at Rikku seeing her angry and frustrated face. He turned to his brother. "Maybe, your mom is right."
"Good," Rikku offered a smile. "Let's take it from the top." Both trunks and Goten sighed their lips pouting and their eyes disappointed. Goten's face in particular tugged at her heartstrings. "They look so sad." She didn't want to go back to otherworld knowing that the last face she'll get out of Goten was a disappointed pout. "Okay," they win. "I'll show you the SSJ3 just one time."
The boys cheered, and Rikku's heart swarmed with love for them both. Just seeing their happy faces, intense, watchful and admiring, was enough to fuel her to do the transformation one last time.
"You boys have to promise me that you'll learn to fuse properly right after."
"Promise!" They shouted.
"Think about this a minute Rikku," Piccolo tried to reason. "If you do this it'll drain what time you have left."
"I'm already out of time Piccolo, and besides I want to leave knowing these boys will be intent and focused on their goal."
She took center stage and wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. "Trunks, Goten, watch closely." Rikku went super Saiyan, the power didn't seem as vibrant or strange as it did when she had first transformed. Back then it was a frightening power that threatened to consume her. Now, being a super Saiyan was as easy as breathing. "First, go Super Saiyan." She pushed her power up transforming into the next level. "Then go beyond that to a Super Saiyan 2, an ascended Saiyan." Her son had been the first to reach this true pinnacle of power. Gohan was young, powerful, and yet still hadn't reached the full extension of power she knew he was capable of. "Then…" she grunted her body screaming and telling her she couldn't handle much more. "This next power has to come deep inside! Push hard to find it!" She screamed her aura pulsating and knocking back Piccolo and the boys.
They watched the figure of Rikku blowing streams of energy at them like thick lightning bolts. The lookout began to shake and tremor at Rikku's feet as her body contorted and controlled the power inside. The blasts of energy died down as her figure solidified from the golden light and she stood before them, long hair flowing over her shoulders like rivers of gold.
The boys trembled seeing her. Their senses sporadic as they merely tapped at feeling the energy Rikku was releasing. Goten beamed, admiring her with such wide black eyes. She smiled at him and then sank to her knees her energy disappearing.
"Mommy!" Goten went to her, and Piccolo walked up concerned. She held up a hand her body trembling and her breath coming out in huge pants. Her hair turned normal, the cut black locks brushing the sweaty nape of her neck.
"Don't worry." She stammered smiling softly. "I'm alright," but Kami her body hurt. It ached and wheezed like an old man's. She stood facing the boys. "Let's continue, you boys promised me, remember."
The boys nodded, satisfied by the display. "Rikku," The old crony voice of Baba interrupted. "It's time to go."
"Already?" Rikku looked disappointed.
"That little stunt you just pulled drained the last grains of sand through your hour glass." She told her. Rikku smiled sadly and nodded understanding.
"Okay, Piccolo just take over from where we left off. I know they're not the most graceful of warriors, but they learn fast and I believe in them."
Rikku felt her pride fall as she put the boys in Piccolo's hands. She knew she couldn't stay and train them herself, but the fact that she could no longer help was still a thorn in her side. The group gathered outside with everyone else so she could say her goodbyes. Chichi cried in her arms a few minutes clutching onto her best friend. She looked past her at Seventeen and little Rika. "Take care of her, and Goten you guys."
"We will," Seventeen assured bowing his head. "You take care of yourself Rikku."
"I'll tell Gohan you guys said hi."
"No, you won't." Videl's voice suddenly spoke up. Rikku turned to her. "I know that Gohan's still alive. I'm sure of it."
"How?" Rikku asked watching the girl's eager and earnest eyes. Videl cradled her chest her eyes going far off and weepy.
"I can just feel him, beating in my heart."
Rikku smiled, and nodded. "Your devotion to him is truly admirable."
Videl blushed and smiled. "Thank you."
"Well, guess it's time for me to go."
"Wait!" Goten hesitated his hands reaching out but not quite grasping for her. She knew exactly what he wanted. She bent down gathering her son in her arms and holding him close. She took in her baby's scent tears threatening to fall.
"I'm so proud of you Goten. Always know that both your father and I will be watching you." He nodded in her chest and she kissed his hair hugging him tight one last time before setting him on his feet. "I love you Goten, take care of Chichi and the others for me okay?"
Goten sniffled wiping his nose and then nodding. "I will!"
"That's my boy." She tapped his nose and she floated in the air with Baba waving goodbye. As the Earth disappeared, and the clouds of otherworld greeted her, Rikku took the luxury of letting the first few tears fall. It was always hard to say goodbye, but she knew she left her son in capable hands. Now she prayed that the boys would learn the Fusion technique in time to take Buu on, and save the Earth.
Otherworld was a mess. Below them a line of souls packed in single file heading for King Yemma's castle. "That's sure a lot of dead folks Baba, OW!" Rikku slammed head first into Baba's Crystal ball. She cradled her head cursing and looking up at the stalled witch. "What the hell is that thing made out of? I nearly bit my tongue off. Why did you stop Baba, what's up?"
"Just second thoughts, I don't know how I feel about those boys being our last hope of survival on Earth."
Rikku knew it was a risk putting the boys as the main fight for survival, but she had her faith in them, and told Baba so. Convinced, Baba escorted Rikku into the clouds to Yemma's Palace. She cut ahead giving Baba a knowing wink and waving at the horned workers as she ran by. Yemma was at his desk, books upon books piled on his desk from countless names of dead Earthlings written on them.
She greeted King Yemma, the smile on her face a welcoming sight to her old friend. "I have a favor to ask of you, if it's not too much trouble."
"What's that?" Yemma tapped his pencil.
"Could you check and see if my son Gohan has checked in yet?"
"Do you know what you're asking?"
"I know, Earth is under siege, I wouldn't be surprise if the whole population was down here before too long."
"What?" Yemma shouted books falling from the desk. Rikku jumped back laughing nervously. She looked up at Yemma's frustrated face.
"Well, King Yemma, my son Gohan could help prevent that, but I don't know if he's still alive or not. Could you see if he's checked in… please" she put on the pouty eyes, and with a defeated sigh Yemma picked up a book and ran though it.
"No, he's not here. I think I would have remembered if your son came in through here."
"Really? He's not dead? AWESOME! WOO HOO!" Happy news greeted her ears like happy chimes and she danced in front of Yemma's desk cheering for joy. Just as she was about to leave Yemma stopped her.
"One more thing Rikku. I believe you know that Vegeta checked in awhile ago."
"Uh, yes," she turned, fully attentive. "What did you do for him?"
"Well, I had considered admitting him up here with the good souls, after all he did for the Earth the past few years, but unfortunately his current evil deeds made it impossible for me to waiver his past sins." Yemma tapped his fingers watching Rikku's face fall. "Would you like to see him?"
Yes, very much so, but Yemma had problems of his own. "Not right now, you're busy, and we have eternity." she smiled sadly. "Thank you, King Yemma."
"Anytime, Rikku."
A little rushed, but it gets the job done. I'll slow it down a bit now that Rikku's in otherworld, and this is where things will get interesting. Stay tuned!
Next Chapter: Mother and Son Reunited