In the middle of nowhere, in a desert wasteland, the Dark Empire of Emperor Doale had quickly established his palace, and the rest of his empire. Construction, thanks to the slaves, was rapid, having at least two buildings erected in one day. Slowly but surely, the physical presence of his empire would extend into the horizon, with the palace at the center of it all.

These and various other thoughts ran through Doale's head as he stood in the north tower of his palace overlooking construction. He gazed at the legions of slaves before him. They came from various dimensions, different kingdoms and cultures scattered throughout each dimension, united by one thing; the Dark Empire. Doale had only murdered his parents a year ago and had since taken the throne from them. Already, he had expanded their empire by one dimension, conquering all of its inhabitants within a year. In every invasion, Doale had joined his forces and had murdered countless innocents by himself. It was so easy, and he loved seeing the helpless looks in their eyes before they met their fate. And the worthless slaves working under him were only helping him spread their suffering onto the people of this world. Not that they had a choice anyway.

It was so easy to murder innocent people and Doale had established that. He was even aware of the fact that he enjoyed it. So why can't I kill those two Saiyans? He wondered to himself. Their deaths were important to him. The medic said they were powerful warriors and had the ability to crush Emperor Doale and liberate the slaves. Powerful warriors, huh? Then they are somehow hypnotizing me to spare their lives! No, that didn't make sense. He didn't feel the inability to kill them came from an outside source. It was a part of Doale himself that didn't want them dead. "Perhaps if I were to see them in front of me," Doale spoke softly to himself, "maybe… maybe it would be easier for me to explain this to everyone… and myself."

*          *          *

Videl covered her face with her milky hands and sobbed into them. Her daughter Pan, wrapped an arm around Videl's shoulders. She watched the tears seep through her mothers slender fingers. Pan pulled a long strand of her black hair out from the corners of her and began crying softly, the tears rolling in little beads down her face.

"I wouldn't worry about Gohan," Bulma said softly, with a gentle tone of support. Her expression sagged showing deep sympathy. Too bad that's the most I can do, she thought silently. God if something happened to Trunks, Bra or Vegeta… She wouldn't care for sympathy; she'd want somebody to do something, to make it alright. And now all she was, was emotional support. She felt utterly useless. I, the president of Capsule Corporation, am nothing more than emotional support in a real crisis.

"Cease those impure thoughts," Kaiosama said, making a telepathic connection with her mind. "The Z Soldiers are going to retrieve the Son family, but Videl needs you here for comfort her, so she doesn't worry herself to death. Don't underestimate that ability of yours, Bulma. You've the same for Chichi so many times in the past."

Kaiosama looked away from Bulma, towards the group of Z Soldiers sitting down hunched over, in deep discussion of what to do next. He started towards them. "This is a terrible crisis indeed," Kami said to them.

"Have we heard anything from Emperor Doale?" Piccolo asked. "I'm sure he'd take them to lure us in."

"I haven't heard from him," Kami said. "But I don't want to have to wait for some kind of statement. Three lives are in danger right now. There is no time to waste. We must get them back as soon as possible."

"I don't get why the Emperor didn't just kill them on the spot," Vegeta said. "I mean, he could have, right?"

"We pray that never happens," Kami replied. "I was hoping to stay away from this topic, but I do feel it's safer for all of you to know. I'm sure most of you will remember Son Goken." Puzzled looks formed on the faces of the Z Soldiers. It's been over a decade since Goken died. They couldn't imagine what kind of a connection he'd have with this current crisis. "Kaiosama and I have been noticing some very… odd things going on." Kami paused, unsure of where to start.

"Some things about Emperor Doale," Kaiosama took over for Kami. "For example I can give is his reluctance to kill Gohan, Goten and Chichi."

"Yeah but there could be a million logical reasons behind that," Yamcha said.

"There's more," Kaiosama said. "Kami and I have sensed the energy levels and frequency Emperor Doale's body emanates. Other than a few minor differences in mentality, the energy of Emperor Doale and Son Goken are strikingly similar. And finally, I'm not sure what this has to do with Doale or Goken, but we've noticed something terrible about the underworld."

"Maybe because it's a terrible place…" Vegeta said, as if Kaiosama's statement hadn't been obvious enough.

"The Firebird is missing from the underworld," Kaiosama said. "His sentence has been passed and it was to spend eternity in the Underworld. But when checked recently, the Firebird was nowhere to be found. We don't know how long he's been missing for. We were never informed."

"Maybe Doale got him out too," Juuhachi Gou suggested, "to use him as some kind of secret weapon against us. I mean, he did get Cell and Buu out too, right?"

"It is a possibility," Kami said. "We should be careful, in case Doale is keeping the Firebird hidden. I want to avoid any confrontations at this point in time, especially since they have our friends as prisoners. This is to be an undercover operation. We sneak into Doale's palace, free out friends, and get the hell out of there. Doale has already begun construction of his Empire on Earth. They may already have powerful technological weapons so I want everyone to stay on their guard."

*          *          *

The older boy's head hung limply, medium length hair falling over part of his face. His arms were held above his head by heavy rusted chains attached to the brick wall behind him. Just then a strange feeling engulfed Doale; something he would describe as grief, but at the same time, guilt. He moved on to the woman beside the older boy. Upon seeing her delicate face so peacefully asleep despite her situation, he felt like crying.

"Who are you…?" Doale asked softly to her. "Why do you make me feel so despicable? You are nothing more than a regular human. I've killed people like you before."

"Stop this, Emperor Doale," a raspy voice said. The older boy was beginning to regain consciousness. "What do you plan to do with this planet?"

"Conquer it of course," Doale replied, trying to sound proud and powerful, but only succeeded in feeling like shallow scum. He tried to ignore his own feelings and continued, "Conquer it to add to the Dark Empire. And … and I'll kill as many people as it takes…"

"You can't mean what you're saying," Gohan said. "You sound ashamed of yourself."

"I am not ashamed of myself!" Doale said, getting excited. "I've single handedly taken this empire from my parents and have expanded it. And I haven't even reached the age of twenty one, where I officially receive the crown and all the power that comes with it! Imagine what I can do as king!"

"And what will you do until then?" Gohan asked. "Continue expanding your empire? Continue killing millions of innocent people?"

"Of course!" Doale declared. "And the only thing in my way right now is you and your Z Soldiers!"

"So you're going to begin by killing us."

"I …" Doale couldn't answer that. This mere prisoner boy, not much older than him, had outsmarted him with a question he couldn't answer.

"Tell me," Gohan said, "usually, do you take people prisoner? I mean, in all of your experience conquering worlds, you must've met with resistance. Do you usually keep those people prisoner or do you kill them?"

"I kill anyone who opposes me," Doale replied."

"You are well aware that the three of us, chained up here, are against you and everything you stand for," Gohan said, as if taunting him. "Why haven't you finished us off yet?" With the look of frustration Gohan saw on Doale's face, he knew he'd struck a nerve. Because you are Goken. You don't have what it takes in to kill innocent people. And it took us, your family, to show you that. Forget Emperor Doale and his corrupt empire. You know better than that.

"I don't know how to answer that," Doale replied. "Ever since we arrived on this planet, I've felt some kind of … guilt. I've never felt anything like it before. And technically, this place isn't any different than all the other worlds I've conquered. But every second I spend on this planet, I'm the one giving the orders to prepare our empire for the task of enslaving it. But there's a feeling I get that despises what I'm doing. I don't know. It's hard to explain."   

"Mind if I ask you something?" Gohan asked.

"Shoot."

"Does the word Firebird mean anything to you?"

"It makes me sick," Doale replied. "Even before landing on this planet, some kind of deja vous of this … Firebird plagued my mind. How do you that the Firebird would mean anything to me?"

"Just a hunch," Gohan replied.

"Do you know something I don't?" Doale asked, getting suspicious.

"I don't know anything. I can only suspect things."

Well… tell me what you suspect," Doale said. It was more of a plea than an order. "I'll settle for anything that could give me answers, or at least give me an idea of what's going on with me."

 "This is going to sound so weird to you. You sure you want to hear it?" Doale nodded in response.

"I used to have a brother," Gohan said, after taking a deep breath. Recalling the most horrific events of his life that he tried so hard to put behind him was hard. "He was possessed by a creature called the Firebird. Goken and I had a few misunderstandings between us. So being as immature as he was, he sided with the Firebird to get back at me. But the Firebird was a lot more than Goken had bargained for. Using his body and his powers, it went around murdering millions of people, destroying cities, and even nearly killing us, his own family. By the time he realized what he'd done, it was too late. To kill the Firebird, we had to kill Goken as well. And that's what we did."

Gohan's lower lip trembled and he dug his teeth into it, trying to keep himself from losing composure. "That's … really terrible," Doale said. "How old was he?"

"Six."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I don't mean to sound cold, but Gohan, how does this have anything to do with me?"

"I believe… you are the reincarnated version of Goken," Gohan replied, relieved to change the subject. "Before he crossed over to the other side, I told him that no matter where he went, we'd always be with him because blood is thicker than water. There'd always be a part of us in him. And since we came across you in the forest, I noticed you resemble him quite a lot. Not just in looks, but in your aura as well. And your hesitation to harm us is what is making me sure that you are Goken. For all I know, my theory could be complete bullshit, but at least it explains something about you."

Doale shrugged, "Well it's more than what I can come up with."

"Is it something you're willing to believe?"

"I guess. I mean it makes sense but… don't expect me to give up on my plans to conquer this planet just because I'm the reincarnated version of your brother."

"Do you even have what it takes to do it?" Gohan challenged him. "Sure you have the power. But are you that cold?"

"I've done it before, to countless other worlds. Even if what you're saying about me is true, that I really am this… Goken, this planet would only be sentimental to him. And he is dead now."

"With you around, he apparently isn't."

"I will not harm you. I don't know why, but I only know that I can't do it. Normally I would've executed you long ago with my own bare hands. Why are you taking advantage of that?"

"Because I'm saying seems to be getting through to you!" Gohan said. "You've showed me sympathy when I was telling you about Goken, and you're sitting here having a heart to heart conversation with a prisoner!"

The boy was right. What the hell am I doing here speaking to some lowlife who's gonna spend the rest of his days serving me anyway? "B…because I…" Doale couldn't think of an answer.

"Look," Gohan said, "I know you have the ability to care about people. And I think that is the true Doale showing through, not Goken. You've just been raised your entire life with corruption and selfishness; all the wrong things. It's a pity that it took Goken's sentimentality of this place to bring out the good side of Emperor Doale."

"Are you finished yet?" Doale asked. "I don't know what will happen to you, but one thing is for sure. This planet will be mine -"

KABOOM!!!

The far wall behind Doale exploded with such force, sending bricks flying every which way. The young Emperor lifted his cape and formed a force field, protecting himself, Gohan, and the unconscious Chichi and Goten from being struck by the debris. Dust clouded everything, blinding Doale, attacking his throat and lungs with it's choking thickness.

Something assaulted him. He felt two powerful arms wrap around his shoulders, and squeeze with suffocating force, taking him to the hard, cold ground.

"Don't worry Gohan," Doale heard a voice say. "We've neutralized the Emperor. Now we'll just get the three of you out of here."

"Thanks Kuririn," Gohan replied. No! Doale thought. They cannot reclaim their comrades! Doing so will mean the Saiyan force is at full power! Doale tried to resist, but the more he fought, the tighter the grip around him became.

The dust slowly settled and he could finally see his captor. It was a giant, green alien with two small tentacles coming out from above each brow. You sick green freak, there's no point in your worthless efforts. In time, I'll conquer your ugly planet too! That's what Doale would have said, but upon trying to speak, the only thing that came out of his mouth was a gasp of pain, "Ouch…"

"You'll be having quite a time there trying to conquer a planet when a single Namek warrior could take you out," the green alien said, smirking.

How did he know what I was thinking?! Doale wondered, with a look of shock developing on his face.

"Because I have telepathical powers," the green alien replied.

Holy shit, you're creepy

"I try."

"Uncle Piccolo, don't hurt him!" Gohan cried.

"And why shouldn't I?" Piccolo asked.

"Because -"

"Release the Emperor or I kill this boy!" a familiar voice said. All the Z Soldiers who were present, Vegeta, Gohan, Kuririn and Piccolo turned and saw a sight they hoped never to see again. There, standing with one arm wrapped around an unconscious Goten, was Cell, clad with the all too familiar green spotted armor and trademark man eating tail. The tail's pointed end was aimed at Goten's neck, ready to swallow him at the first sign of resistance. "Do you think I'm kidding?" Cell asked, the end of the tail opening up to show a dark abyss.

Doale felt the grip around him release suddenly, then he felt the cold hard floor again. "Ouch dammit!" he cried in a new source of pain.

"Now leave this place," Cell ordered. "And you can forget about taking this boy with you."

Doale saw Piccolo's nostrils flare up in fury, his hand clenching into a fist so hard, it drew out purple blood. Gohan put an arm on Piccolo's shoulder. "Don't worry Uncle Piccolo, nothing will happen to Goten," Gohan said, making eye contact with Doale. Doale couldn't look back at Gohan, and only stared and the ground in shame. Gohan knew just as well as he did, he didn't have what it took to bring harm to Goken's family.

Piccolo looked at Gohan as if he had gone crazy or something, but the look of certainty in Gohan's eyes couldn't be ignored and he finally gave in. "Everyone, move out," Piccolo said.

With great hesitance, the Z Soldiers, with an unconscious Chichi in Gohan's arms, flew out of the prison chambers, leaving Goten behind.

"What did Gohan mean by 'Goten will be alright'," Cell asked. "What are you planning?"

"Do not question me or any of the decisions I make," Doale said, angrily at Cell. "Don't forget, I have the power to return you to your hell." Doale walked past him and walked out of the room, cape flowing behind him. "Oh yes, and Cell. Chain the boy up. He could be of use to us in the upcoming battle with the Z Soldiers."