Chapter 22

Gear was shivering beyond control, never has he felt the temperature so cold, nor has he ever seen snow, the only reason Gear knew what the sheet of white cold fluff was, is because of the books and stories that he was told about Snow appearing in the northern and southern poles of the planet during a month of solid night time in winter. The air stung his lungs as he breathed but Gear was extremely glad that being a martial artist allowed him to control his own energy so he was protected against certain changes in temperature, but this chill was insane.

Gear looked at Xiox who was still unconscious but noticed how the older llab was looking sicklier than ever. 'I have to do something about the weather, otherwise Xiox will die before I can get him back to the bunker.' Gear thought to himself, quickly going to the ground below, Gear searched for a dry and sheltered spot, and sure enough there was a hole at the base of a tree. Quickly Gear checked the hole and saw that it was dry and a little warmer, satisfied Gear Placed Xiox down carefully and took off into the air climbing higher. 'I need to find whatever is causing the snow and stop it.'

With Tarden

Tarden looked at the weakened Lord Slug and had to hide his awe. Crossing his arms to block a punch from the Namekian Tarden absorbed the full force of the punch and was extremely heavy. 'I can't believe after all of his wounds he is still so strong.' Tarden continued to stay on the defensive learning and trying to see Lord slug's attack style meanwhile Slug was trying with the remaining strength he had left to overpower the brat, but was getting frustrated that he couldn't over whelm the kid. Jumping back Slug tried to summon some Ki only for Tarden to finally jump on the offensive. Landing a punch into Slug's gut that made the Namekian lose his breath Tarden followed up with a few more rapid punches to the Lord's face.

"You made a mistake attacking my planet slug." Tarden said when the last punch sent slug flying. Watching as the Namekian got back up fatigue evident. "Your armies were weak, while this planet has several warriors of better quality. Brothers and sisters I have fought with and against. I know the strength and hearts of each warrior, the emotions the carry with each punch."

"Shut up!" Slug shouted as loud as he could, his arm extending to reach Tarden. The attack almost reached the saiyan prince and slug pulled his arm back, but what he didn't know was Tarden allowed him to pull him. The Saiyan when he got close placed his feet into the namekian's face kicking of the green lord and flipped back onto his feet. While Slug fell down and skidded due to the force of the kick.

"You can say combat is a language I learned from birth, I can read your fists heart. I pity you Slug." Tarden said looking down at slug the disappointment evident in his eyes, igniting a fury in the Namekian's heart. Tarden's expression changed when he felt a new sudden burst of energy from Slug, the Namekian stood back onto his feet, each step cracking the ground beneath his feet, as his Ki Flared around his body. Tarden quickly flew back into the air to get some distance but his eyes widened when Slug suddenly appeared before him, barely able to raise his arms in defense from the knee coming from the enraged Namekian. "What the!" Tarden shouted as he recovered feeling the dulling pain in his arms, looking back up he saw the rage in Lord Slug's arms.

"You think you can hold back against me boy, I'm a Super Namek, I regenerate faster than the others of my race. I am the Alpha the one and only feared super Namekian! I Won't die to some saiyan brat!" Tarden's eyes widened as he felt Lord Slug dig into an unknown well of power, a secret reservoir the super Namekian some had, one last trump card. But Tarden noticed it was taking time, thinking quickly Tarden sat in a meditative stance as he reached out to borrow the strength of the planet. Letting go of all of his senses Tarden found the energy surrounding him the familiar ability he took so long to manifest was now forming into the armor at a speed Tarden has never managed before.

Slug recognized the meditative form of Tarden and started to gather all of his own energy, "If you think I will let you use that technique you got another thing coming!" The Super Namekian built the last of his strength into the attack he was about to release, "I will destroy you along with the people you wish to defend!" Flying into the Air Slug aimed his attack, the wind picking up the snow starting to pick up. "The times come, for you to die!" Slug shouted as the attack finally escaped his hands, the shockwave becoming visible due to the snow. The energy was about to collide into the Young saiyan, right when Tarden opened his eyes, watching the attack consume him.

With the South Kai

South Kai watched as the attack consumed the boy, the others waiting for the South Kai to explain what happened, but when he explained to them that Slug used the last bit of his strength to kill the boy, the warriors all had a grim look on their faces as they turned to look at their comrade Gwynn, only to see the Adult Llab collapse to his knees, in despair.

"No Tarden…Lost"

With the Llab watching the live feed from the drone.

The general populace watched in despair, children burring their faces into their parents unable to watch as many started to despair at the sight of their last hope getting consumed by the attack. Even back in the bunker there was an Erie Silence as the injured warriors and civilians alike watched the boy die.

"It's over."

"We are doomed."

"What did we expect putting our hope in a child." The people said and some of the younger less experienced adult warriors said, making ginny grit her teeth in anger and just when she was about to shout at them, her mother beat her to it.

"You are all wrong…If any can survive that attack my son can! Don't under estimate my Baby boy!" Gull's outburst shocked everyone in the bunker in silence as she struggled to watch the screen holding back her own fears as the dust started to settle. 'Come on Tarden, don't leave us'

Back to the fight

Lord Slug watched the destruction satisfied with killing the saiyan in one attack, looking up he managed to notice a small drone that seemed to be recording the fight. Realizing that whoever was watching was hoping to see the boy defeat him Slug smiled wickedly and pointed knowing the camera picked up his actions. "Your last warrior is dead… and now your next." Slug said laughing not noticing how his attack had ended and from the smoke stood said warrior, newfound lime green aura around his body his eyes gaining a greenish tint, completely unscathed by the attack.

"I was hoping you were hiding more power." Tarden said his smirk growing, and when he saw the shock look on Slug's face his smirk became a vicious smile, rising his arm before him and clinching a fist Tarden said, "I would like to go all out before I had to kill you."

South Kai's world

"incredible…" The south Kai said in awe, drawing the warrior's attention and Gwynn from his own self despair. "The boy survived." Immediately Gwynn felt relief as the other warriors shared his emotion, glad the boy survived for the sake of their comrade.

"How did he survive?" Papoi asked, as Gwynn realized the answer,

"He mastered Spirit armor." Gwynn said feeling pride in his adoptive son.

To the civilians watching.

Every household and everyone watching from around the world and in the bunker started to rejoice as they saw the boy covered in the iconic spirit armor, completely untouched. Meanwhile in the bunker people started to watch with renewed hope as Ginny comforted her mother who was now crying in relief. Gull looking over to the people who doubted her son she said, "See… My boy is to stubborn to die that way." She said gripping onto Ginny's hand, Ginny knowing that there was no doubt in her mother's heart. Looking back at the screens displaying the fight Ginny smiled softly. 'You idiot, always showing off.'

Back to the fight.

"Impossible." Slug said in shock. Then Tarden disappeared from his line of sight, looking around in a panic lord slug took a moment only to feel a presence behind him and he swung his arm back in malicious intent. What happened next made the Namekian feel something he hasn't felt in forever, Fear.

Not even attempting to block the offending limb Tarden let the arm crash into his face, but the arm never made contact as it struck the spirit armor, a visible centimeter of Green Ki separating the arm from his face. Slug's fearful face turned into anger as he backed away and kept some distance waiting for an attack.

"Was that last attack, your best." Not getting an answer Tarden scoffed, "Very well… let me show you mine." Putting his arms together and raising his leg in a familiar stance Slug saw that pose before when he fought the female saiyan. Desperate Slug tried to find a way out of the situation when he noticed the female Saiyans unconscious form in the snow. Quickly diving towards the woman Slug planned to use her as a meat shield knowing that she was most likely the boy's mother. But that was not the case as he suddenly felt all the air leave his lungs as he coughed up some blood. Looking down Tarden had cut him off and buried a fist into his gut.

"Terrible mistake." Removing his fist from the gut of Slug the Saiyan Grasped the antenna on slug's head bringing the two face to face. "You don't deserve my best." Using the antennae as leverage Tarden Slammed Slug's face into his Knee breaking his teeth. Slug couldn't even scream out in pain with his Jaw now broken. Covering his face with his hands Slug finally looked through his finger and saw Tarden have a palm extended outward. "It's time we end this… with a Big Bang!" Tarden said the Ki Building up and being enhanced by the Spirit Armor Slug watched as he was engulfed in the attack. But Slug as stubborn as he was sturdy fought back refusing to die, that was until Tarden shouted out in more effort increasing the strength of his attack. Finally overwhelming Slug slowly vaporizing the Namekian's body.

Looking up into the sky Tarden finally relaxed, releasing the hold of his spirit armor the green aura slowly leaving him and returning to the planet. Looking for his mother Tarden quickly flew to her and landed by her side, glad to see she was still alive, Tarden started to heal her wounds and after a short amount of time Tarden started to get some bruises on his arms but his mother now recovering from some of her injuries awoke. And for a moment Yami didn't register her surrounding before she finally sat up and looked around, wincing at her wounds now that Tarden stopped healing her.

"Where is slug?" Yami asked her son as he helped her stand.

"Slug is dead, I killed him."

"You what about Xiox, don't tell me he got himself killed," Tarden shook his head, "He lived, barely, let's just get everyone back together… I'm hungry." Yami let out a small laugh as the two walked over to Turles and Tarden healed some of his wound until the Saiyan awoke. All three Saiyans now looking just as badly beat up from as the other.

"So we won…and the kid our green lord… when I finish healing up you owe me a fight kid."

"If Slug kicked your butt what makes you think you can stand a chance against me."

"My son is right Turles, beside when were all done healing it will be me having that fight with my son. After all I still have to show the both of you that I am the strongest." The three Saiyans said as they continued to bicker and laugh as they made their way to the bunker. As they flew by they noticed the snow already melting again. Then Shortly after the three caught up to Gear who explained that he destroyed the terraformer and was currently carrying an unconscious but alive Xiox.

Back at the bunker Tarden was surprised to see all of the civilians cheering at his arrival and reaching out to touch their savior as the boy and the others walked by them to meet the rest of their family and getting Xiox to the doctors. Turles watched as the others reunited as a family Ginny hugging her brothers and Yami embracing her fellow mother. A small smirk appearing on his face at the sight when suddenly a few adolescent and younger Llabs went up to him and praised him on his fight. Some of the older Llabs were still nervous around him but so far no one demanded to imprison him again.

"Hey Uncle!" Turles turned in surprise to see Tarden call him out. "Come join us."

Confused Turles responded. "I'm not your uncle Kid." That was until the boy grabbed his arm and pulled him to the family. "You fought with us and almost died for us, that makes you family in my book."

"But I'm the reason your adoptive father is dead."

"And your also the reason We managed to survive so long. We haven't forgotten but we can forgive." Ginny said.

"Besides you're not the one who directly killed my father, and your no longer the same guy." Gear said.

"Just accept it Turles, your one of us now." Yami said wrapping an arm around Turles the male saiyan blushing due to the female saiyan still in her under wear. And then his eyes made eye contact with the woman he made a widow a year ago with his own invasion. Turles Watched ashamed as the woman walked up to him.

"I killed your husband… I damaged your family."

"There is nothing more in the world I would want than to be with my husband again, but if you weren't here to fight and defend us, our family wouldn't be here today…You are forgiven." Turles eyes widened in complete shock when Gull hugged him.

"I-I don't understand."

"I didn't either at first but you warm up to it eventually." Yami said to him, "But this is our family now." With that said Turles felt something he hadn't felt in a long time…belonging as he looked at the three kids and the two women who accepted him as family. Turles was going to say something when suddenly the bunker heard a loud growl. Every one turned to look at Tarden who laughed sheepishly.

"Sorry I haven't eaten since breakfast this morning and I'm starving!" this caused plenty of people to laugh as their day now free from and immediate threats. The next few hours later and people got back to their regular lives, everyone was surprised to see that in this invasion that there were no fatal casualties everyone who was injured survived. The rebuilding process won't take as long, although the rebuilding of the temple would take some time. There was however major damaged to the planets terrain, as several trees have been uprooted and destroyed, the interesting thing was that there were now several Canals of water where the Ki blast made trenches and a massive Lake where the giant crater the final battle took place in, all of the snow and ice either being absorbed by plants or pooling to make these new bodies of water. In honor of Xiox the Giant lake was named Lake Xiox. It was around night time where our heroes were back home, Yami and Gull where discussing meal plans in the house Gear and Turles were planning training routines while Tarden was found on the treetops, his favorite spot as he stars gazed, it was here where Ginny joined her adoptive brother.

"It seems no matter how many years go by I can always find you here gazing at the stars." Ginny said drawing a smile from Tarden as he patted down by his side where Ginny normally lied beside him. Joining him Ginny stared at the stars above, noticing they're as beautiful as ever. "So what's on your mind now?"

"Always curious about what goes on in my head." Tarden smirked

"Of course, normally there will be nothing but training and food on your mind, but whenever you need to think about something serious you always go here."

"I guess I'm too predictable."

"Only outside of combat, now tell me." Ginny said getting serious when the smile left Tarden's face and she saw the concern.

"I wasn't strong enough, so many people came close to dying, even me." Ginny stayed silent always waiting for Tarden to finish speaking his mind. "Yeah things relatively work out but there were to many close calls, not to mention Xiox is now crippled forever." Tarden's fist balled up as he gritted his teeth in frustration. "Maybe if I went all out from the beginning, used spirit armor to fight Garlic jr. I could have killed him and stopped Slug from regaining his youth, or helped My mother and Turles kill Slug, we could have used all of our power combined, overwhelmed him together. One massive attack that was the accumulation of all of our power. Maybe then Xiox would still be able to stand, let alone fight."

"You can't blame yourself for the things that happened, I mean even I wished I never distracted you from your fight with Garlic… I almost killed you, but somehow things worked out you overcame things like I knew you would. We will get stronger, and the next time someone comes to fight, we will end things before they begin. We can learn from this." What happened next made Ginny squeak in surprise and turned bright red, as Tarden turned to face her his face a few centimeters from her as he held her in a gentle embrace. She tried to calm down when she noticed his head was resting on her shoulders. She as faced out of her embarrassment when she felt him tense up.

"What happens if it's not enough… I can't bear to watch any of you die, not again. And Slug wasn't even fighting all out until it was too late. He was so incredibly powerful, and I know that there is an even more powerful evil out there… And it was strong enough to destroy my previous family before I was even born. What if he comes and we aren't strong enough to stop him?" Tarden held onto Ginny and Ginny realized that Tarden was truly for the first time she ever saw, afraid. Ginny held Tarden and leaned back to kiss him on the forehead.

"You will be, we are still young, we haven't even begun to scratch the surface of our maximum potential, besides even if they are stronger than us, we will find a way. I don't recall you ever backing down from a fight with someone stronger than you."

"At the time I didn't have to deal with the risk of losing you, or anyone else. All I ever wanted was to be strong enough to reunite with my family, but my family was here all along. I can't lose that." Ginny realized that despite how strong her brother was he was still a child not even 13 years old yet, seeing him this vulnerable made her feel like the older sibling.

"You won't lose anyone, we will win every time, together." Tarden nodded as he let go of his embrace much to Ginny's disappointment, as they both turned to their backs watching the stars, holding each other's hand.

"I will become strong enough to defeat anyone who tries to hurt my family, and I will one day become strong enough to travel the stars and find my father, I will become the strongest in the universe and I will make sure everyone I love and care about will not suffer. As long as I draw breath I will defend them all, that's a promise. My pride." Tarden stated speaking his oath into existence all signs of vulnerability gone.

Meanwhile in space.

One weak looking alien ran down the halls of his ship as he entered a room, sweating in fear as he realized he interrupted his masters meeting. The Screen hid the face of whoever the aliens master was speaking to as purple finger gripped the chair annoyed at being interrupted.

"We will continue this conversation later Salza, it seems one of my men has something for me, and for his sake it better be good." The being in the chair said.

"Very well My lord." With that said the communications ended and the alien who walked in flinched as the screen disappeared.

"Well this better be worth my time, your life depends on it." Freaking out the alien swallowed before speaking.

"Y-you see m-my lord; the scouts h-have reported n-negative on their findings. T-the Saiyans are no were t-to be found."

"I see, I send out several of the so called best tracks on this side of the universe to hunt down the last of a dying species and they can't even find a hint… hmm I seem to be in a terrible mood." Then faster than the alien could react a laser like Ki blast escaped his master's finger and killed him in an instant. The Chair swivel around to show a purple and white figure with a tail. It was then Emperor Cooler called in another servant. "Gather the scouts, tell them they have less than a month otherwise I will start destroying their home worlds.

"Yes sir!" The new servant shouted in fear and took off to complete his task.

"I will do what my foolish little brother should have done from the beginning and killed all of the Saiyans, now one of the survivors became a super saiyan. I must finish of the others just in case if they become said super Saiyans. Then I will find the saiyan known as Goku, thank him and then Kill him for his treachery. Then I can rule over the whole universe without sharing power with anyone." Then Cooler Emperor of the southern galaxies laughed.