Misconstrued

Summary: Her world had turned upside down since the day Vega, Princess of all Saiyans finally up rose against Frieza and escaped to Earth. Though now her child is six years old, growing stronger day by day, she wonders if she'll ever be able to defeat the evil tyrant. Unbeknownst to her Nappa has betrayed her and the Saiyan race to save his own life and now makes his way to lure the Saiyan Princess out into the open for Frieza to grab hold once again.

Chapter 28: From Whence it Came

Tarble flew side by side with Gohan as the two of them went off in the direction of the west 1050 area. Future Xena's frantic call had left Tarble unnerved and despite the complaints of his mother Gohan wanted to tag along to make sure they had some back up just in case. Xena had decided to stay back to look after the others, it was the first time she'd left him to do something on his own, and he knew it was because she wanted him to prove to his mother he was a big boy and could take care of himself.

They descended from the sky when they found the right area… splitting up briefly to look for the discarded time machine. Gohan quickly discovered it and they headed down for a closer look. Sounds of an engine in flight caught Gohan's attention and he looked up. "Hey I bet that's Bulma and Zee! I'll go tell them where we are!" Gohan flew off in their direction. Xena sat in the passenger seat of the two seater plane staring at the photograph she'd brought with her.

"We're in the right area it looks like. I just wish that guy would have answered his phone so we could get a better detail on the location of… whoa! Hey Gohan!" Xena sat upright as Gohan flew beside the plane and waved at them and pointed down.

"Looks like the B team found it for us. Good job, Gohan!" Bulma congratulated and took the plane down into the field. It was an interesting reuinion for the siblings… the two of them looking up at the same pod they had traveled in together with the back to back seating and circular control panel… the oval dome melted from the inside out as if something had to blast its way out… and whatever did left behind some freaky purple egg shells right on the front seat.

Xena worked quickly inside the capsule, pressing buttons trying to forward all the power to the displays so she could get a read out of the time the capsule had come… "Hmmm it seems… three… no it was four years ago that this capsule came."

"What? That's not right, you and I didn't come to the future until three years ago… the timing doesn't add up."

"So then it really is a different time machine?"

"No they're one in the same… Tarble move the moss from that panel there." Xena pointed to one of the thruster coverings. Obliging Tarble brushed it off revealing the words "Hope!"

"Yeah I see… Aunt B wrote this write before we left as a sort of good luck charm. It's in the same place as the one we have in our possession."

"Hmmm another time trip, an altered past, weird egg shells… things just keep getting weirder and weirder. I don't know what to make of it." Bulma tapped her chin in deep thought.

"Let's just put these things back in their capsules and get out of here." Xena suggested jumping down. "I'm starting to get chills.. like something's watching me."

"You feel it too huh?" Gohan said rubbing his arms. "I'm with you, I just don't feel quite right… huh?" He glanced behind Xena and slowly walked passed her. The older saiyan slowly turned her head watching him.

"What's the matter Gohan?"

"I think I see something over there." He approached and came around the large rock to see what was poking out behind it. Xena, Tarble and Bulma followed, and as they rounded the rock both Tarble and Xena gave a grimaced face while Bulma let out a sharp shrill cry.

~Master Roshi's House~

Goku lay in bed asleep Chichi tending to him diligently watching his fever and keeping him comfortable. he had been quiet for a long time and she wondered if that was a good sign or a bad sign considering the amount of sweat that was beading off him. What was going on in that thick head of his she wondered.

~Goku's Dream~

He had never met them, never seen them face to face, but Goku knew exactly who 17 and 18 were the moment they stepped through the dark threshold inside his dream. "Androids! How did you find me?"

"Easy, we just followed the sound of your whimpering." Eighteen laughed and tne two stepped into the house. Goku sat up straight out of bed ready to defend himself but Gohan and Krillin stepped in front.

"Hold it!"

"One more step and you're dead!" Gohan threatened. Goku felt a cold chill run up his back and he reached out to stop his son but the duo launched at the Androids only to quickly fail and be left broken on the floor.

Goku let out a pain filled cry and got to his feet to step toward his son… the kid's neck was broken and his insides twisted with pain and fury. "You'll pay for that!"

He attacked, but like a ghost he phased right through. Shock and confusion lined his brow and he whirled back around only to see Chichi standing toe to toe with the androids her arms held out protectively. "Stop it! Stop it right now!" She demanded her eyes determined not to give into fear despite her lack of power.

That determination did little to stop the androids from breaking her neck. Goku's insides were in a rage now and he whirled on them his fists flying over and over but he kept just phasing through them.

"Picking on a helpless sick man… you tin cans ought to be ashamed of yourselves." Vega stepped through the door like a shadow her form full super saiyan flaring like bonfire ready to strike and burn. "Why don't you pick on someone who can actually fight back?"

Goku's blood ran cold… he didn't like this.. somewhere deep inside he knew this was a dream but he didn't want to see the ending of it. He ran forward trying to stop Vega, putting his arms around her but she passed right through him. For a moment he couldn't even look in their direction, the sounds of the fight making him sick to his stomach and he turned slowly towards her his body trembling as the sounds of Vega choking rang in his ears. She looked right at him,... those dark brown nearly black eyes shooting straight through him like they always had.

"Stop it... please just stop it! NO!" When he saw those eyes go grey with death and her body limp all the pain shot straight to his heart. She fell beside the bodies of his other dead loved ones… his son, his wife, his best friend… and now Vega… Vega… his… just his! He couldn't bear it.. .couldn't stand the sight of it. He beat his fists on the ground clutching his heart and just roared with agony.

~Real Life~

Chichi jolted from her spot holding Goku down as he thrashed in his sleep from his nightmare. Yamcha came up the steps and through the door having heard the commotion and he helped her so she could force the medicine into Goku's mouth.

"Goku! Goku hold on just… just…" tears flew down her cheeks as she saw the expression on his face… as the pain subsided and the thrashing stop she just saw this look of helplessness… one she was NEVER accustomed to seeing on him. "Just get better."

~West 1050~

Bulma was freaked. Xena had never seen her so bugged out, though she couldn't really blame her. The things they had found when exploring the site of the rusted time machine were odd and disturbing. Most of all was the bug like creature Gohan had spotted behind the rock… the shedded skin… it had been downright revolting to look at and had given her the creepy crawlies.

"You alright, Aunt B?"

"Y-Yeah… I'm fine I'm just glad to get out of there. You know you could have gone back with Tarble and Gohan to Roshi's house. The Time Capsule isn't going anywhere and your mom might eventually meet up with them."

"I doubt it, mom is off training on her own. The last battle really put a dent in her ego."

"Well I'm not all that surprised… from what I understand it's the first time your mom has ever lost a fight. She's used to getting what she wants through power, and has been the strongest person on this planet for a long time. It's unfathomable that these androids suddenly not only threaten that title, but totally obliterated it the way they'd taken all of you down."

"Mmm sounds reasonable… still like Tarble I wish she wouldn't go off on her own every time she had an inner crisis. She has a habit of running away from her problems."

"She…" Bulma paused and thought about it. "You know something I actually think you're right about that. Huh.. I always figured her for the step right up and take it head on.. but she is really hesitant on anything that isn't physical. I think you just recognized one of your mother's few weaknesses."

"That may not necessarily be a good thing…"

"We interrupt this broadcast to continue coverage on the anomalies in Ginger Town." The TV radio interrupted their conversation.

"Ginger Town?" Xena turned it up her interest piquing. "Isn't that not very far from the 1050 area where we found the Time Machine?"

"You're right… whoa hey… look at that." The little TV screen flashed on a picture of a reporter amongst a large abandoned area littered with clothes which looked like the people had been sucked right out of them.

"That's… freaky… hey call Roshi's house and see if your brother and Gohan made it back, they'll want to see this." Bulma glanced up and made a sound of distress as Xena was starting to exit the plane. "What are you doing?!"

"I'm going to Ginger Town! We're not that far from the site so I can get a better look if I just go there myself."

"Are you crazy? No.. wait! XENA! Damn it!" The woman flew off blasting in the opposing direction. Bulma fumbled and turned on the speaker phone calling Roshi's house.

"Yo, Krillin here."

"Krillin! Turn on the Channel 8 news! We've got some trouble and Xena's heading straight for it! Are Tarble and Gohan back yet?"

"Huh.. whoa slow down Bulma. No they're not back yet, what's going on?" While he tried to calm Bulma down he flicked the buttons on the TV.

"We discovered some real crazy stuff when we went to investigate the time machine… and now Ginger Town is under some sort of weird attack and it's not that far from where we were just at. I tried to stop Xena from going back and looking but she blasted right out of the plane! I'm worried!"

Once Krillin got the news on and a good look at what was happening he was worried to. Just as Gohan and Tarble walked through the door even the TV crew were being attacked by some unknown force, gunshots firing off, camera feed going fuzzy or camera angles toppled over.

"My sister is headed right for that mess? I don't like it.. .I'm going after her!" Tarble turned tail to head out.

"Wait, I'll go with you!" Gohan held out a hand indicating he wanted to follow but he felt Chichi, who had come down stairs when she heard the commotion, gripped firm hands onto his shoulders.

"You most certainly will not, young man! Did you forget you have a sick father upstairs, not to mention this situation is entirely too dangerous for you."

"But mom…"

"I'm actually inclined to agree with you, Gohan." Xena spoke up from her spot on the couch. "My older self is stronger and more sure of herself, but even I think we're out of our league. We should let them do what needs to be done and stay here in case the androids show up."

"Well.. if you say so, Xena. I just wish we didn't have to sit here and wonder" Gohan admitted in defeat.

"Don't worry," Tarble assured patting his shoulder. "Once I find my sister both of us will get a quick look at the place and head back. We're curious but not suicidal."

"Good idea… remember if things get dicey, even if you can't find Xena you get your butt back here. I don't want to think of what would happen if Vega found out something happened to you two."

"Right, I'll be back!" Tarble took off blasting into the air

~Ginger Town~

Xena landed in the deserted area of Downtown Ginger Town, decorations for some sort of festival had been set up and then hastily torn down amongst the fuss. Just like on TV she found clothes of victims scattered everywhere but no bodies.. not even blood.

"Damn there's that feeling again…" Xena held her arms and shivered. She walked along the path her ears listening for any sounds of life or disturbance… she sensed movement to her left and molded to the side of the building… as the being got closer she let a small ball of energy form in her hand. She took in a breath and whirled around ready to attack and gasped in surprised when she spotted Piccolo in almost a mirror image of attack. Both froze and relaxed.

"Piccolo?!"

"Xena… What are you doing here?"

"I was nearby when I heard the news… have you figured out what's going on around here?"

"Not quite… but stay on your guard… something's here I can sense it."

"Me too.. I've been feeling it for awhile. It's down right creepy and almost.. I dunno Deja Vu." Xena admitted. Piccolo's ears twitched and Xena strained hers knowing he heard something. Closing her eyes she reached out with her senses… and finally heard it too. A sort of odd click against pavement.. and the sound of something being dragged.

Xena spotted the source coming from a dark alley… her face going pale and her inner female dialogue letting out a giant squealing "eek" as a scorpion cockroach hybrid looking thing came out dragging an innocent bystander by his collar. "What the hell is that thing?"

"Trouble… you should get out of here Xena… you'll be in danger if you stick around."

"I'm just supposed to let you fight it on your own?" She'd sensed a difference in his power but didn't know just how deep the power went. So she stood her ground beside him eying the monster… it spoke, laughing at them as he devoured his fresh prey causing the skin to melt off the bones and then become slurped up like soda from a straw. The tail was like part vacuum part scorpion stinger, piercing into the victim before sucking him til there was nothing left. The sight was revolting and caused them both to quake with disgust and shock.

"Well now… I wasn't expecting this… it's an unexpected pleasure." The creature laughed sinisterly his pink bug like eyes sharpening on their forms. "I've just added a big fattening desert onto my menu."

"Fat chance Sicko!" Xena brought up her hands ready to squash him like the bug he was. "Who the hell are you?"

"Now now... Xena, it hardly matters who I am, for you'll soon become a part of me."

"Xe-" She drifted off her hands lowering. "How do you... so you did come from the future! Who the hell sent you here in the time machine? What sicko stole it from me? TELL ME!"

"Not all secrets shall be revealed to you right away… why don't I just give you and Piccolo a taste of what's to come?"

~In the wilderness~

Vega already felt loads better. The thrust of release of her power exploding around her bring the rock crumbling down and the storm clouds to swirl and pitch from the power she exuded. The type of training she indulged in was a sort of endurance rush… these androids had a limitless supply so they couldn't be outlasted… instead she'd have to out power him but in order to do that she had to last long enough at a high enough power to sustain herself.

It was a good start, she declared and wiped the sweat from her brow. However she needed to find that new pinnacle. She was already a Super Saiyan, a plateau she had strived for all of her life and had finally achieved in the deepest reaches of space… however she could just feel it… like a itch wanting to be scratched she could feel she was just brushing the surface of what could be a big fat gold mine of power. "I need to ascend…" She declared holding her arms up.. the sleeves of her uniform ripped revealing the long smooth skin of her arms which were cut and bleeding from the flying rubble that pelted her.

"Can't you feel it too, Kakarott?" She smiled to herself calling to him from miles away. "Can't you feel my power? Can't you see the potential of higher, godly power? Don't you want it for yourself!?" She laughed flashing her teeth in a brilliant cocky smile.

As if she conjured him up out of thin air she could sense his power… and for a minute she believed she imagined it… and simply let the feel of him surround her and she hugged herself sighing out loud. "That's right Kakarott… You want it… You…" She drifted off her senses going mad as she felt the power warp and change. "No… not Kakarott… Frieza? No… Piccolo… What the hell?!"

She looked off in the direction she sensed the powers coming from. She stretched her mind tried to focus…. PIccolo was there yes.. but different, altered as if suppressed… and Xena.. the elder Xena beside him… and… what was going on why was this power level constantly changing signatures?

"What in the devil…"

Why do I suddenly feel like dancing? *Does a little jig* maybe it's because I've been getting so much done lately. At this rate I'll be able to start posting for the other fics as well… oooh which reminds me. I want to hear from the viewers. I have two other fics on hold right now "Z Reborn" and "Why Can't They" now I told myself I was gonna work on one fic at a time to make the updates faster and easier on myself, so I want to know what you guys want next. Should I start working on "Z Reborn", "Why Can't They"… or do you want the final Sequel to the "Mis-" series with "Miguided Soul" which will have Teenage Gohan and Xena right before the Buu saga.

YOU GUYS get to decide so be sure to let me know. The more votes the more likely your choice will get chosen.

Next Chapter: Confessions of Saiyan Princess