Conclusion

Mountains disintegrated, rivers dried up, craters opened, giant apes changed the shape of the Earth forever. The battle raged, Saiyan blood boiling, roars filling the air.

The Earth is MINE, Kakarot! the monarch screamed, lunging for the golden ape. Kakarot met him in the air in an explosion of power and speed.

No one has the right to a planet! Lashing tails and striking fists were a blur to the watching Z-warriors.

How many planets did you conquer, Kakarot?!

Too many, Vejita! I did it only to please you!

The king flew backwards staring at his general. With a shriek, Kakarot rocketed double-fisted toward Vejita's middle slamming into him with the force of a hydrogen bomb.

Vejita spiraled away, his eyes bulging, blood spewing from his mouth.

I wanted you to recognize me! Kakarot roared, lacing his fingers and driving the king into the earth with a double fist. Vejita hit the ground on his belly, air and blood forced out in a rush with the impact. He lay still while the general waited, floating, breathing hard.

Slowly, the king came up on all fours and pulled one foot under him, tail hanging limply. Finally, he pulled the other foot under him and rose unsteadily to his feet. Baring his fangs, he turned and stared up into the sky at his powerful general.

Kakarot hesitated. Sire, I have...one more transformation.

The ape king narrowed glowing red eyes. He growled, Before I destroy you and everything else on this planet, I need to know one thing.

Kakarot waited silently.

Are we the same person?

From their perch on the cliff, the four men — and Nappa — watched expectantly. Vejita stood with arms folded, frowning, the index finger of one hand tapping on the biceps of the other.

What are they saying? Goten asked.

The king wants to know if he and Vejita are the same person, Gohan said.

The prince continued to beat a tattoo on his biceps. He felt Nappa's eyes on him.

What are you staring at? he snarled and Nappa's eyes grew round.

Uh...Vejita. I think it's going to heat up and I'd like to be able to move.

Vejita pointed a finger at the giant and PWEE PWEE cut the binding rings. Nappa rubbed his wrists.

Thanks, Vejita.



Above, Kakarot took a breath before he answered. Yes. And...no.

What the hell kind of answer is that?!

It's complicated, sire. I don't know how to explain it in twenty-five words or less.

The prince snorted. Typical baka!

I lived and...died here. But I was always watching Earth. And you...he...seemed so lost. I got some otherworld help and was sent to the past and reborn. So that somehow I could change history.



In the original timeline, Frieza blew up the planet. With me gone, you were the last Saiyan, the last of our race. I needed to change that.



Kakarot was stunned. For...for you! You're a king and a king needs a kingdom. For Vejita-sei! For all the people who were destroyed by that freak!

There was dead silence for a half a beat and then the monkey king roared in laughter. You...you thought you could change history?!

I did change history. Kakarot's deep voice was deadly quiet.

The monkey king rose into the air, facing the general. The history of this planet is about to change forever, too, general. I don't need your help. We don't need a prince. And I don't need YOU!

With a scream that seemed to reach the edge of the galaxy, the king wheeled on the group watching on the ledge. With his eye on the prince, he began blasting, one ball after another, laughing as the group scattered.



You didn't do this for me, Kakarot! You did this for him!! We're not the same and we'll never be same! With his eye still on the prince, the king lunged at the group, mouth spewing fire, eyes burning lasers, palms pulsing energy.

Gohan and the others went on the defensive, dodging and meeting the king's ki with energy of their own. Kakarot watched in horror as the king went on a rampage, destroying everything in the path of his goal — the destruction of the prince.

Nappa was completely confused, and he hung out of reach, scratching his head. The sound of a roar filled his ears, and turning, looking skyward, he gasped at what he saw.

An aura was sizzling around Kakarot. With a shriek and rays of ki bursting all around his body, he stiffened, transforming before Nappa's befuddled gaze into a beautiful and deadly half-humanoid, half-monkey. Nappa gulped, sensing the power that radiated from this new creature with the thick black mane and red-furred body. Kakarot clenched his fists and with the power of a thousand jets that blew Nappa nearly a quarter-mile away, rocketed toward the out-of-control king. He slammed to a stop in front of a stunned ape-king, hovering just over his nose.

That's enough, sire, he said, his deep voice calm with the confidence that comes from unlimited power.

The king chuckled, the sound deep and animal-like. His paw came up in a flash to grab the Saiyan, but Kakarot was no longer there.

ZZHWEEE, the bottom of Kakarot's boot connected with the nape of the king's neck and the great ape spiraled down. Kakarot was on him immediately with a punch that doubled the king over and a bone-crunching kick to the ape's nose. Blood spurted out of the broken snout and the king howled, swiping the air with his paws.

Kakarot transmitted out and came in behind the king. He lifted his arm and a disk appeared, revolving over his upturned palm.

he screamed as he flung the disk at the king's lashing tail. Like a buzzsaw, the disk sliced straight through, and Kakarot watched as the king quickly shrank to human form.

Kakarot transmitted again and appeared before the king, who had fallen to all fours, sweat and blood dripping. His head was bowed, the tips of the general's black boots were right under his nose.

The king's eyes focused on the boots and he began to laugh. He threw his head back and glared at Kakarot, laughing, taking in everything about his new form.

You did it again, he rasped, choking and laughing. Once again you've surpassed me.

The king struggled to his feet, drawing his gloved hand across his bloody nose. He stared into the eerie yellow eyes of the silent Saiyan. What's this one called? Super Saiyan...what's the count now? Four?

Kakarot's gaze was level and unemotional. The king hesitated, shivering at the coldness in the gaze. The king's quick hard smile was instantly replaced with a sneer.

Did you sell your soul for this one, general? he said quietly.

It's time to end this, sire. The flat emotionless voice sent icy fingers crawling up the king's spine.

Yes it is, Kakarot. The king powered up, and with one last wipe at his bloody nose, he squared off.

It's suicide to fight me.

Yes. Well. We'll see. The king crouched, the general continued to stand with clenched fists.

Vejita's first assault was met with a calm block. The king wheeled in a tight arc with a reverse hook kick to Kakarot's back. The general's hand caught and held the king's leg. A twist of the wrist sent the king flying.

Vejita lunged again with a punch. THOOM! Block. A front kick. THOOM! Block, scoop. The king flipped away, transmitted behind Kakarot. Punch. THOOM! Block.

On the cliffside, the warriors gaped at the battle. He hasn't even moved from that spot! Trunks exclaimed in awe.

Vejita said. I hope Kakarot ends this soon.

Yah, it's pretty obvious the king isn't about to give up, Gohan said.

The king stopped mid-air, glaring, fists clenched. the light behind his eyes smoldered, but as he stared into the calm yellow eyes of his adversary, he knew he had lost. Everything. Kakarot was right. It was over. There was only one thing left to do.

The king smiled darkly and transmitted out, reappearing in front of the prince. Taken by surprise for once, the prince backed up with a gasp. He wasn't ready when the king palmed an energy ball and pressed it to his middle.

But it never reached the prince. Kakarot streaked down, hitting the king in the temple with his boot, and the bomb hit the dust with an explosion that blew away half the mountain and sent the Z fighters scattering. Enraged, Kakarot drew back and punched the king in the gut so hard that his eyes literally bulged.

Your fight is with ME! the general screamed. and punched the king in the face again and again. The king never attempted to defend himself. His body was battered left and right and thrown to the ground until at last he lay still and broken in the dust.

Kakarot's wild eyes suddenly softened and he moaned. What have I done? he whispered. He floated down to where the king lay and fropped to his knees. In an instant, Kakarot returned to his normal form.

he whispered, touching the king's face.

The king coughed and blood ran from his mouth. Go to your prince... Golden hair changed to black, green eyes to onyx. A long sigh escaped the king's lips, and then he stared at his general with sightless eyes.

It felt like he had been kneeling by the king's body for hours when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He rocked back on his heels and rubbed his eyes.



The Saiyan general rose to his feet, chin on his chest, fists clenched. Turning, he faced Vejita and was surprised to see the regal black eyes holding sympathy and something close to amusement.

There's only room for one prince of Saiyans in this universe, Kakarot.

Against his will, a smile tugged at the corners of the general's mouth. As they gazed at each other, their building power blew their black locks gently as they burst into gold.

Burial? Or cremation? the prince asked.

The absurdity of the situation finally hit the Saiyan general who started laughing until he cried, then found he was sobbing. Vejita waited patiently until Kakarot finally got himself under control.

Cremation, Vejita. It only seems fitting. He had to stifle a giggle.

Gohan, Goten, Trunks and Nappa landed softly behind the men.

Vejita and Kakarot turned and raising their palms toward the king's inert body, the power pulsed out until the corpse burst into flame and disintegrated.

Nappa began, moustache twitching, one eyebrow impossibly curled in confusion.

Nappa, why don't I try to explain this on the way home.

Goten and Gohan gasped. Dad! You're not leaving, are you?

I did what I had to do, son. Vejita-sei has been my home for the last twenty-five years. Earth will always be my home, but there's work to be done on the home planet. Besides...

He turned and looked with soft black eyes at his prince. Vejita returned the gaze with a smirk.

Kakarot inhaled sharply. Besides the new king will need some help. Right, 'Jita?

I would have made you regent,' he quoted with half a smile. Is that what you want, Kakarot?

The Saiyan general grinned. I only want to serve my king, sire.



Trunks' shoulders drooped. Looks like we're losing our fathers all in one day, guys. Goten clapped a hand on his friend's shoulder.

Vejita said. Can you bring the ship down? I don't have a tail.

Uh...sure thing, Vejita. The giant took off, still very obviously confused.

Within moments the ship was hovering nearby and Nappa guided it expertly to the ground. The platform whirred open and he stepped out onto it, waiting.

Kakarot turned to his sons and clasped both of them in his arms. There were no words left.

Vejita raised two fingers to his son, who returned the salute.

Trunks, tell your mother...

Trunks nodded and folded his arms across his body, hugging himself.

So, Vejita. You ready?

Vejita smirked at the general and marched straight for the platform.

I've been ready for this my whole life, Kakarot.

Kakarot saluted the trio on the ground one final time, the platform raised and seconds later, the ship carrying Kakarot, King Vejita and Nappa took off for Vejita-sei. They were going home.