An hour later, King Vegeta stormed back onto the balcony, scowling. "The Tournament is cancelled," he said gruffly, causing Queen Bulma to blink at him in surprise.

"Wha- excuse me? You can't just-" she protested, but was quickly cut off.

"I can and I am," he said, and flew out into the arena, hovering over the audience. "We have a new enemy," he shouted, causing everyone to go silent in anticipation. "One even stronger than Frieza. We avenged the wrongs done to our people's past… now, it seems we're to avenge the wrongs done to our future. Prepare yourselves… soon we fight a REAL battle!" he exclaimed, and was met by cheers, which soon turned to the War Song. King Vegeta gave a nod, and flew back to the balcony. Tarble was there, sharing a look with Tanmen. The king turned his gaze to her, which she returned. "Turles, Broly, Radditz, and Saru," he said, and she gave a nod, leaving immediately to find them. Radditz arrived just as she left, and from Kakarot's stance, Vegeta could tell he hadn't confronted him yet. The king had no interest in getting involved in Kakarot's family affairs, and saw no need to bring up his displeasure with Radditz's son just now. Seconds later, Saru and Turles arrived, followed by Broly, then Tanmen, who went to stand at Bulma's side.

Vegeta began. "Dodoria," he said, causing a variety of reactions from his men. Radditz spoke first.

"Dodoria? THAT'S who the enemy is? My little sister could kick his ass," he said, confused.

"Maybe before he got ahold of dragonballs," Vegeta said sourly. "Now he's supposedly unstoppable," he said, his eyes narrowed. "We know he's coming here eventually. I don't know when, but I'm not waiting around. I want to take this fight to him, wherever the hell he is. We need a way to track his movements, and we need to get a hell of a lot stronger than we are now," he told them. He looked at Saru. "That transformation you used in your battle with Broly. How long would it take you to teach it to me?" he asked, his eyes narrowed.

Saru grunted. "Six months to a year, at least… depending on how fast you can learn," he said, frowning. "It's easier to teach it to a cub than an adult… but it can be done," he added.

Vegeta growled at that. "Six months is too long… he could be arriving any day now, for all we know," he mused.

Kakarot's eyes widened. "The Time Chamber," he said, causing all eyes to turn to him. "Papa took the cubs with him up to the Guardians' Lookout for five days, and they all came back five years older," he said, trying not to think of the fact that his mate, Chi-chi, had come back five years older as well…

Prince Tarble cocked his head. "I was under the impression that the Guardians of the Earth weren't exactly on friendly terms with us," he said.

Radditz turned his gaze to Vegeta. "Do you plan to take over the Lookout?" he asked.

King Vegeta considered it, but turned to Kakarot. "You know these Guardians better than any of us, Kakarot. See if you can convince them. If not… we will go about things another way," he said darkly. Kakarot gave him a nod. Vegeta turned to Saru. "You said this form is easier to teach to cubs? Gather your class, they'll come in with us. We'll use every edge we can get. Turles," he said, looking to the medic. "These hybrids. You've been studying them. Are they ready for this level of battle?" he asked. "Will they survive something like this Time Chamber?"

Turles grunted. "The one thing the humans did right with them, is prepare them for just this kind of thing. As far as their aging, it seems the rapid aging is set to wear off after adolescence, so they'll all come out as adults, but not really old ones, if that's what you're worried about," he said, shrugging. He smirked. "I've also solved the problem with their tails, I think I can initiate growth, which should help with their power levels," he said.

King Vegeta nodded, then turned to his brother. "The humans need to be organized if Dodoria makes his way here. They won't stand a chance, but they might have some ideas about their survival. Take the Ox King… our Ox King… with you. I need you to strengthen our position here, in case we fail. Our people survived Frieza… I won't allow us to be wiped out by one of his henchmen," he spat.

Prince Tarble nodded. "I'll need to take Meron as well. I have some ideas," he said.

King Vegeta grunted. "I leave all of that in your hands, use whatever you need. Radditz," he said, turning to the long-haired saiyan. "I want a list of every fighter capable of turning Super Saiyan by the end of the day," he said, and glanced at Kakarot. "Miniaturize, we don't need a spectacle," he said, ignoring everyone else's confused looks. Kakarot gave him a nod. "Dismissed," the king told them, and they all went their separate ways.

The sky was gray, and the air smelled like rain. Kakarot flew after Radditz, placing a hand on his arm. "Radditz… we need to talk. In the Arena," he said, and pressed his miniaturization watch, shrinking as he flew towards the ground.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Thunder clapped through the sky, and the occasional raindrop descended through the heavy air. To anyone around the now empty Arena, it seemed quiet, peaceful even.

But to the two miniaturized Saiyans standing in the middle of the arena, it was as if giant bombs of water were falling all around them. One of the Saiyans was bleeding profusely from different places…

And the other was Radditz.

The long-haired Saiyan scowled, his lip curling. "Defend yourself, Kakarot! I want to know what the hell was going through that brain-addled head of yours. Didn't you remember what it was like to be without your tail? To be separated from your own kind?! Do you hate me so much, you'd consign your own nephew to such a fate?!" he demanded, winded from the one-sided beating he'd been giving Kakarot. As much as it felt good to ram his fist into his little brother's face, he was insulted beyond belief that Kakarot refused to block a single punch.

Kakarot spat blood, but kept his eyes low. "I never intended anything bad to happen to Beet. He came to me for advice, I told him what I thought was right. You saw him, he was beside himself over what he'd done, he had to do something about the guilt-"

"Guilt he didn't have to fucking feel, Kakarot!" Radditz exclaimed, punching his brother again. "He's a Saiyan, a powerful one at that. Those people were shooting at HIM first! It would be like… a hurricane feeling guilty for destroying someone's house. He's a force of nature with a guilt trip, and instead of making him realize that, you fucking FED INTO IT!" he yelled, clasping both his fists and crashing them into the side of Kakarot's head. "FIGHT ME!"

Kakarot pulled himself back up just as a large raindrop crashed over him, temporarily washing away the mud and blood. Wading out of the mud puddle that resulted, he slowly walked back towards Radditz. His older brother's words stung him, it had been exactly what Vegeta had said to the Forest of Lies version of Grandpa Gohan all those years ago. He had tried to make Beet more like him, more like Grandpa Gohan had wanted Kakarot to be, without taking into account what Beet actually was. He wanted nothing more now than to go back and stop Beet, but what was done was done. "I'm sorry," he said softly, causing Radditz to growl in response.

"I don't care about your human fucking apologies!" Radditz said, punching Kakarot again. "You are a SAIYAN, Kakarot! It's time for you to stop trying so hard to be human, and to just be what you ARE! How do I know you won't fill any of my other cubs' heads with that crap? How do I know Snip won't end up joining the Red Ribbon Army, because of some stupid crap she learned from you? You are my brother, Kakarot, but I can't have you anywhere near my family, if you keep refusing to be one of us. I don't care how fucking strong you are, or what regard King Vegeta holds you in. He may care more about strength, but he doesn't have cubs to protect. So, decide, Kakarot. Are you a Saiyan? Or are you a human?" he demanded.

Kakarot's heart was broken. It was the Forest of Lies once again. He felt like he was facing his Grandpa all over again. What had he done to his family, because he couldn't choose between his saiyan and his human upbringing?

"Maca..." he sighed, sinking to his knees. If… if only...

Radditz scowled, stepping closer to him. "What?!" he demanded, noting the tears streaming down his brother's face now. His stomach clenched. "No…. Kakarot… you didn't..."

Kakarot raised his eyes to meet Radditz's. Radditz's eyes went cold. "You fucking bastard," he said, scowling. "Did she attack you, Kakarot? Did she challenge you? Was it an accident? Kakarot, tell me it was anything other than you killing your own little sister to save the fucking humans," he said, scowling.

Kakarot narrowed his eyes. "She would have turned on us eventually. She was starving to death. The death I gave her was more merciful."

"She was starving to death because of YOUR RULES!" Radditz accused, dodging another giant drop of rain.

"She wasn't a Saiyan anymore, Radditz!" Kakarot snarled, getting in his brother's face. "Dr. Gero killed her when he killed our fucking mother. I just did what Ruta did for mama, I gave her a better death. You know she wouldn't have been content to just eat humans… she would have to start feeding off us next, that's the monster Dr. Gero created her to be!" he defended himself, as another raindrop crashed over them, drenching them both.

Radditz narrowed his eyes. "So, you can be Saiyan enough to give one family member a proper death, but not Saiyan enough to keep from sending another one off to commit treason out of false guilt?" he asked incredulously, water dripping off his long spiky hair. "If you weren't stronger than me, I'd have killed you for what you did. As it stands, we're family, whether I like it or not. But I need to know where you stand, once and for all. What are you, Kakarot? Decide here and now, because this wishy-washy shit won't fly anymore. Are you Bardock's son? Or are you Gohan's?" he demanded.

Kakarot met his gaze. His brother was right. He'd been trying to walk in two worlds, and all it was doing was leaving a trail of suffering in his wake. He had to decide. "I'm Bardock's son," Kakarot said.

"Then fucking act like it," Radditz said, and turned away, tapping the control on his watch to make himself larger. Kakarot was drenched by yet another raindrop as he watched his brother grow tall, and fly away, leaving him alone. It was time, Kakarot thought. Time for him to stop trying to live up to Grandpa Gohan's ideals. Time for him to become the saiyan his father had trained him to be. Time for him to become the royal guard King Vegeta trusted him to be.

"I won't fail again," he said, his eyes growing hard.

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Kakarot landed at the Lookout, his eyes wide as he gazed around. He'd heard of this place from his father, and he'd been to the land directly beneath it (been banished from that land, actually), but hadn't actually been here before. Giant white tiles made up the floor of it, in the form of a large circle, and in the distance he could see a small house… or palace? It was hard to tell from here.

"I'm sorry, Goku," a familiar voice said, and he turned to see Krillin standing behind him. The short youth was looking down over the edge of the Lookout, though whether he was gazing down at the people below, or avoiding Kakarot's gaze, Kakarot could not be sure. "We never intended this to happen to Beet. We hadn't intended a lot of things. You were King Vegeta's Royal Guard, we didn't know how much we could trust you, or else we would have told you about our discovery. This burden didn't have to be placed on a child," the Guardian said sullenly.

Kakarot gazed over the edge. "It's so quiet and peaceful up here. Home is never this quiet, there's always a charge of danger and excitement in the air," he mused softly. "We must seem so brutal to you..."

"Do you ever regret your wish, Goku?" Krillin asked after a long moment.

"Never," Kakarot said instantly, not even having to think about it. When he turned to Krillin, the Guardian could see a fire in his eyes. "I would never choose to live my life, not knowing what I am, not being connected to everything that makes me whole. We're not a peaceful people, Krillin… but that doesn't mean we're evil. We're made for fighting… and fighting's a part of life, whether you accept it or not," he said, taking a step forward. "But it's time for us to start working together, if we're going to protect this planet," he said.

"You mean the enemy the time travelers warned you about?" Krillin asked. "You want to use the Hyberbolic Time Chamber," he said.

Kakarot smirked. "So you've been payin' attention. Yeah, we need to use it, and we need to bring a lot more than five people into it. Do we have your permission?" he asked.

Krillin was silent for a long moment, he seemed like he was communicating with someone in his mind, and then he spoke. "We'll let you use it on one condition," he said.

Suddenly, they heard the sound of running footsteps, and soon a girl appeared, wearing a large turtle shell. Once she got close enough, she stopped, breathing heavily. "Yes, Guardian?" she asked Krillin, though her eyes were on the tall Saiyan beside him.

Krillin smiled. "Maaya, you met King Vegeta. This is his royal guard, Kakarot. Kakarot, in exchange for unlimited use of the Time Chamber, I ask that you teach Maaya the Instant Transmission technique. She has taken over the Turtle Hermit school, and while your Earth Defense Squad is capable, you have to admit that there are certain things that Saiyan martial training lacks… and having fighters from different backgrounds, able to cooperate in times of war, can be a good thing," he said.

Kakarot was watching her carefully. There was something about this girl… "You don't mind learnin' it from a Saiyan?" he asked.

Maaya grinned up at him. "Not one bit," she said easily. At his surprised glance, she explained, "Master Tien had taught us to fear the Saiyans. But, when me and Tasha ended up in the middle of your village, we found the Saiyans to be honorable warriors, not the bloodthirsty monsters we were told about. Even your king fought me honorably in the Tournament, even though he was much stronger than me, and could have killed me on a whim. I considered joining the EDS, but my place is here, teaching the Turtle Hermit way to Earth's fighters. Your Instant Transmission technique could help us keep Earth safe."

Kakarot blinked. That's what it was… she reminded him of how he used to be. Innocent, in spite of everything. He smiled. "Okay, Maaya. It's a deal. In fact…" he turned to Krillin, "would it be okay for she and her students to join us in the Time Chamber? That way, they can all master the technique, and have more time to prepare. We want Earth's forces to be ready just in case Dodoria gets past us and makes it to Earth," he said, his expression serious once again.

Krillin seemed to think for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. We'll make the preparations. Tell your king that he can bring as many people into the Time Chamber as he wants… but that, to allow that many people, they must stay miniaturized… otherwise, the force of the training and the drain on resources may destroy it," he said.

Kakarot nodded. "That won't be a problem, and it frees us to fight as hard as we want," he said, and smirked. "This is gonna be great! I'll let King Vegeta know right away," he said, and was about to lift off, when he thought of something, and turned back to the Guardian. "And, Krillin? Can… can you keep your eye out, for Beet?" he asked somberly. "Even after..."

Krillin nodded. "I'll keep a close eye on him," he promised. The saiyan gave a single nod.

With that, Kakarot flew away.

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Radditz wrapped his arms around Launch, allowing the scent of her hair to infuse him. "I wish you were coming with us. It's going to be a glorious battle," he murmured.

Launch smirked. "And leave the planet and cubs unprotected? I don't think so," she said softly, her head resting against his chest. "Just promise me you'll come back," she said.

Radditz grunted, which Launch knew would be the only affirmation she would get. Saiyans didn't lie to themselves about what might be. That he would fight with everything he had, and do his best to be victorious, was a given. That he would survive and come home to be with her was not. She sighed. "I hate all of this, Radditz. Beet..."

"Don't," Radditz warned, a low growl in his throat. She could feel him swallow hard behind her, and somehow knew this was as difficult for him as it was for her.

"He isn't banished yet," Launch said, pushing forward. "And before he is… before we can't talk about it anymore… we need to clear the air," she said, and turned around to face him, tears in her eyes. "I don't have a tail, so you're not gonna sense what I'm feeling, so you should know now," she said.

Radditz had a sullen look on his face, but gave her a nod. "What do you want to say?" he asked, preparing himself for the worst.

"I think this whole thing is stupid. I think Beet tried to do something nice, to make up for what he did, and he's being punished for it, and I think that's wrong. I think that, to blame a boy for things he couldn't have known would happen, is wrong. And, I think banishing him, without giving him any chance to change or be better, is also wrong. I think the king's a hot-head, and should give a lot more thought than he does before making decisions, and I think it's wrong to cut off a part of someone's body just because you don't like the decisions that they made," she said, scowling.

Radditz merely looked at her. "Are you finished?" he asked.

Launch scowled. "No, I'm not," she said, and sighed, holding back a sob. "I also wanted to say… I don't blame you. Or Kakarot. Or Beet. I see this for what it is, a tragedy, one for which no one should take the blame, even though it seems my son will take blame anyway," she said sourly.

Radditz regarded her silently for a long moment. "Do you intend to leave? To go with Beet?" he asked. It wouldn't have to be asked of a saiyan woman, but Launch was human, and human women were very maternal in comparison.

Launch narrowed her eyes. "I have two young cubs, and Beet is a big boy, he can fend for himself. And, as stupid as I think all of this is… you're still my husband. I have no intention of leaving you," she said, and sighed. "When the time comes… I'll keep my thoughts to myself. We don't have to talk about it, I know the rules, and I know this hurts you just as much as it hurts me. I just… wanted you to know how I felt," she said.

Radditz pulled her close to him, nuzzling her neck. "I'm sorry..." he said softly, not saying what he was sorry for, but…

Launch ran her fingers through his spiky hair. "I know..." she murmured, and held him close, her head resting on his shoulder…

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Beet spent the trip back to Earth sitting against the bulkhead, refusing to eat or sleep. All of those people on Namek… would they have survived, if he hadn't kept his mission a secret?

Would King Vegeta have ordered the entire planet destroyed?

His father would be so ashamed of him… and his mother… what would it do to his mother?

Would he be killed for his treachery? Or worse, would he be banished? If he survived… what would he do? Where would he go?

Should he just go now?

No, he would face up to his crime, he was at least Saiyan enough to do that.

"Contemplating your fate?" Doragastu asked softly.

Beet glanced up at him. "Thought you weren't talking to me," he said morosely.

Doragastu shrugged. "Outside the city gates, there are no strangers," he said, repeating the words he'd said to Nutz not long ago.

Beet thought about that for a long moment. "But, you can't help being moon-wrong… er, half moon-wrong. But I made a choice… the wrong choice. I deserve whatever fate I have coming to me," he said, looking away.

Doragastu glanced at him. "If you are banished, do you plan to join those you tried to help?" he asked.

Beet raised an eyebrow. "Join the humans? How could I? I destroyed one of their cities, and I couldn't bring it back. I'm a pariah to all of my ancestors, human and saiyan alike. I've betrayed everyone," he said, looking down.

"I do not feel betrayed," Doragastu said softly, earning a sharp glance from Beet. "You included me, you looked beyond my appearance, to what I truly am. Regardless of the mission or its success… I now hold honor that cannot be taken away," he said, sliding his gaze back to Beet.

Beet blinked at that, then suddenly, his eyes filled with tears. "You should make sure no one hears you saying that about me… it's bad manners to talk about outcasts," he said, pressing his face into his arms, his knees pulled to his chest, so that Doragastu couldn't see him cry.

Suddenly, he felt a presence come to sit beside him, and a tail brushed against his…

Beet glanced up in surprise, his eyes meeting Doragastu's. The things he had felt from him, in that moment… as many times as Beet had mirrored Doragastu in the past, he had never realized the boy felt… that way. "But… I might be executed..." he said softly, trying to decide how he felt about it.

"And you might not," Doragastu replied.

"You would want to tie your fate to an outcast?" Beet asked incredulously, his voice little more than a whisper.

Doragastu responded by gripping his hand, his fingers twined through Beet's, and resting his head against the top of Beet's head.

Beet couldn't hold back the tears anymore, and soon his face was pressed into Doragastu's chest, as the older boy held him close, gently stroking his hair as he cried…