"Emperor Doale is who?!" Piccolo nearly screamed, much unlike the Namek's usual character. Gohan looked around at the faces of all the others who equally shared Piccolo's expression. Gohan took a deep breath and spelled it out again slowly.

"Doale is the reincarnation of Goken," he said.

"How can you be so sure?" Kaiosama asked. "Where is the proof to this statement?"

"Isn't the similarity in their energies proof enough?" Gohan retorted. "Kaiosama, you're a spirit of the afterlife. You of all people should know that!"

"Many souls have similar energies," Kaiosama said, "just as many people have similar personalities. That doesn't mean they're the same person."

"Then how do you explain his protective tendency for us? Why can't you see that's Goken right there?"

"Goken was reincarnated," Kaiosama reminded Gohan. "He is alive now living somewhere, shelled in a different body. I will not recognize him until his soul dies and comes into the spirit world. That's why I'll never know for sure if Doale really is Goken. Don't jump to conclusions, Gohan."

As if to emphasize Kaiosama's point, the wind picked up, typical atmospheric activity especially from the height Kami's Palace was at. Gohan wandered over to the edge and looked down at the world. Kaiosama was right. There was no solid proof that Doale is actually Goken. But then how could his awkward behavior towards them suggest otherwise? Was that all Gohan had to go by to back up his gut feeling? Or was his gut feeling wrong? There were too many questions to ask, and not enough answers. The safety of the Earth was what got priority, he shouldn't be spending his time worrying about anything secondary. Gohan felt a soft cool hand rest upon his shoulder. He turned to look beside him, and standing there with a loving smile on her round face, was Chichi.

"Don't believe for a second that what Kaiosama's saying is true," she said. "Goken is your brother. You are blood related. Your mind may not be able to recognize him but your heart will." She put her other hand on his other shoulder and looked him straight in the eye. "I believe you, Gohan," she said softly. "And I believe you can do it. Get him to leave the corrupt lifestyle of Emperor Doale forever, and bring Goten and Goken back to us."

***

Thump, thump. Trunks felt his heavy booted feet contact the window sill, forming a perfect footrest as he leaned back in a padded leather swivel chair. Lavender eyes gazed out the large windows framing one side of his office of Capsule Corporations. Such a peaceful exterior contradicted the turmoil raging in his mind. His best friend, Goten, was in danger. Trunks knew the Z Soldiers were thinking of something to get Goten back, and he wanted to join them. But he knew he couldn't. The responsibility of the functioning of his mothers company rested upon his shoulders. Image that, he thought bitterly, a demi Saiyan has met a match. A daytime job… He sighed outwardly in frustration and blew a lock of purple hair away from his eyes. "Goten, hang in there buddy," he said, never taking his gaze off the sky. "You're gonna make it through this, I know you can…" But something in that didn't sound right. Saying that made him feel so helpless. And the fact that he was stranded on the sidelines didn't feel right either.

The door opened behind him. "Mr. Briefs, here are the market's stock reports from the last ten months as you've requested," a gentle feminine voice said.

"Thank you Sheila," he said flatly. The door closed behind him. Trunks spun around to have a look at the paperwork when his heart threatened to stop beating. The paper stack was a good thirty centimeters high. Analyze Capsule Corporation's monthly performance, compare it to last years progress and submit the information to Mother. The information has to be on the publisher's desk in two days so he can contact his people and start manufacturing the yearly reports. What was that Mother said about the publishing price?! Trunks ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. He took his gaze back outside the window to the sky, which sported the faint glow of stars. Then he made up his mind.

He removed the stack of papers from the desktop and pushed a button on the multi-lined telephone.

"Hello, this is the Son residence," a woman's voice rang over from the other end of the polished wooden receiver.

"Videl, this is Trunks," he said. "There's something I gotta ask you guys about."

"I would love to chat!!" she beamed, "…but I'm in the middle of preparing dinner. Would it be alright if you spoke with Gohan?"

"Yes," he replied, "could you please get him for me?"

"Sure thing," she said. Then a moment of faint noises reached the phone.

"Hey Trunks, whatcha up to?" Gohan asked cheerfully. "Aren't you supposed to be stuck behind your desk doing paper work instead of talking to your friends?"

"Yeah, I know," Trunks said, rubbing his eyes. "But this desk job is so boring it's killing me. But listen, Gohan there's something I can't stop thinking about. What's the situation with Goten?"

"Oh, Goten," came the short reply. "It's a basic plan really. We're resting for now, but are going back tomorrow to retrieve him."

"That's… it?" Trunks asked.

"Yup."

"But…"

"But what?"

"It sounds a little too simple to me. I mean… you're just gonna leave Goten there?"

"He won't be hurt," Gohan said.

"How do you know?" Trunks asked. "We don't know a whole lot about this new enemy and-"

"Let's just say I have connections on the other side," Gohan said cutting him off. "Trust me on this one, Trunks."

Why in the world would Gohan have connections on the enemy's side? "Alright," Trunks said with great hesitation. "But there's another thing I'd like to ask of you."

"What is it?"

"I…" Trunks stammered. He knew it was irresponsible for him to leave his duties but the life of his best friend was on the line. "I want to go with you guys when you get Goten back."

"I don't know if your mother would approve of that, seeing as how we have enough power to get Goten back. Besides, you have a job to do."

"I just feel like it's something I have to do," Trunks said, "it's a best friend thing, you know. Once I get my hands on that Emperor Doale I'll make sure he pays-"

"No harm of any sort will come to Doale," Gohan said firmly. "I have a feeling he's thinking seriously about joining us."

"Okay, this is getting ridiculous! Why are you so pro Emperor Doale?"

Because I think he's Goken, because he's shown me a good side, because he's saved my life on numerous occasions - too many reasons. "I had a good talk with him," Gohan replied.

"That's it?!" Trunks exclaimed. "You just… talked?! Okay, let's put our trust in some guy that's trying to take over this world."

"Look I understand your confusion, but seriously Trunks, this involves something that happened a long time ago when you were just a baby. I don't know if you'll remember but I sure as hell do. And I need you to trust me. Do you want to come save Goten with us or not?"

"Alright Gohan, I believe you. I just… I find your reasons a little too simple. Just something I'm not used to I guess."

"Don't worry. Meet us tomorrow morning at Kami's Palace. I'll explain everything to you then."

"Alright, I'll be there first thing in the morning. See you then."

And they hung up the phone.

***

Emperor Doale couldn't shake the iron grip the General had on his upper arm. Doale slammed his free shoulder against the General's torso time after time but the young Emperor was no match for his opponent's size.

"Release me at once," Doale ordered, "or I will have you executed!!"

"Under normal circumstances, I would," the General said, "but these are the orders of Emperor Buu and Cell."

"What?! Since when did they take my title and why in the world are you following their orders?!!" Doale shouted mercilessly into the General's face; and he was the only person who dared to do so.

"They have taken the T3 transporter that sends them back to hell," the General explained. "Now we have nothing to keep them under our control and have turned the tables around."

"How in the world…?"

"They've murdered our council. It was practically effortless on Cell and Buu's part to do so. Practically one snap of their fingers and the council was dead."

"Literally?!" Doale gasped.

"No! There were a few punches and kicks and – it may as well have been a snap – ah nevermind!!" the General shook his head in frustration. "The council is dead and they now have control over the Dark Empire. Cell suspected you might be a traitor because earlier, Gohan said something about you 'not hurting Goten', implying you're somewhat against what we're trying to do. Our entire goal is to destroy the Z Soldiers and Goten is one of them! That's why Cell ordered for your imprisonment."

"General," Doale said, "remember when my father appointed you to be my mentor?" The young Emperor hoped the General still had some sentimentality he could use to his advantage. "My whole life, you've been training me in the ways of the battlefield and look what I've become! You've been like a second father and a best friend to me, and this is what you do to me now? Where's the sense in all this?" Doale's brows furrowed, his suddenly large and watery eyes looking up and the General with feigned emotion. Come on show me some sign of guilt you fool so I can smash your sorry face in!

The General frowned but his intentions remained unwavering. "I'm sorry, Your Highness," he said regretfully, "but doing so would mean my death at the hands of Emperor Cell."

Ah screw the puppy dog eyes! If this guy doesn't release me … oooh, he's REALLY gonna get it! "Not doing so would guarantee death at my hands!" Doale threatened. "Do you know what it's like for me to take your life, you worthless slave? I will dig your heart from your measly chest and feast on it in front of you!! Are you listening to what I'm saying, you fucking dumb oaf??!! I WILL KILL YOU!!!"

"It would be more merciful to die by your hands than at theirs," the General replied coldly. The sound of a large metal door opening could be heard behind Doale, and the next thing he felt was his body sailing through the air like a rag doll, and then hit the stone of the cell floor. Doale got up and ran quickly to the iron door but it slammed in his face, pushing him backwards and onto the floor again. "Just be thankful Emperor Cell did not order for your execution."

***

Goten opened his heavy eyelids, seeing nothing but darkness. He could hardly tell if his eyes were opened or closed. What made him wake up? Someone was yelling from the cell opposite from his. I'm in a prison. He could tell from the smell of the moist air and fungus growing on the stone floor, but it was the large clang of the metal door that confirmed it.

Goten moved his arms, pushing himself to an upright position. It seemed like an easy task, but in the dark, it was a whole different story. It was hard to tell which way was up.

"I will kill you!"

The same voice that woke him up yelled again. Who in their right mind would dare say that to the captain of the guards and not get killed on the spot? Goten could hear heavy booted footsteps make their way outside the prison halls. Mustering up enough courage, he crawled slowly, fumbling in the dark, towards the door. If he remembered right, there was some kind of a latch at the bottom for the guards to slip meals to the prisoners. Goten could tell he reached his destination when his nose painfully came into contact with the door's iron frame. His fingers searched the cold, damp surface for something to hold onto, so he could slide the latch open – and at last, he found it. Digging his nails into a small indent, he pulled the latch open as the outside light immediately assaulted his vision, temporarily blinding him.

Goten blinked once, twice, three times even for his vision to adjust. He could see the cell opposite from his with the latch on the door open too. He cleared his throat silently and decided to try and make friends with the new prisoner. If he succeeded, at least he could have some companion ship in this time of loneliness. "Um… hello?" Goten whispered quietly. He waited for a few seconds, and when there was no response, he tried again. "Is anybody there?"

"What the hell do you want?" came an aggressive reply.

"I couldn't help but notice you coming in," he said, sounding as friendly as possible.

"I was yelling, for god sake," said the voice again.

"Is everything alright?"

"It's anything but alright."

"Maybe talking about it would help," Goten suggested. "It always works for me. What's your name?"

There was a brief pause. "It's Doale. Emperor Doale. But I guess … I guess I'm not really an Emperor anymore. Can you believe it? My own people betrayed me."

Goten nearly fell over backwards. That's Emperor Doale? He's the guy that threw me in here! He's our enemy! But why is he imprisoned?

"That blasted medic," Doale continued, spilling his frustrations, "went on and told me how they resurrected Majin Buu and Cell from the dead without my permission. Now it's cause of those two demons that I've lost my empire. I just don't understand where I went wrong!"

"Evil never pays," Goten replied simply. "Someone should have told you that a long time ago."

"What do you know?" Doale retorted. "Look at how majestic the Dark Empire has grown! People work together in unity under one ruler. The power that I wield can crush entire dimensions. If you don't call that a form of payment, then nothing is."

"Your people are unhappy," Goten said. "Your kingdom is built on the backs of slaves. They fear your men and your men fear you. And you! All you can think about is how to expand your empire; how you can get more money, power and luxury. Tell me, are you ever satisfied with what you have? Or do you live a torturous life wanting more and more?"

At first, there was no response, only a moment of silence. And then, a frustrated sigh. "All you bloody Saiyans are the same. First it's Gohan telling me I'm not really evil and shutting me up with all that useless bullshit. Now it's you shutting me up with your "evil doesn't pay" speech. Now I know why you guys are such formidable matches to anyone trying to claim this planet – you just brainwash them with your morale lectures."

"Well you did lose your power as Emperor. And it wasn't our fault either."

"Oh shut up."

The door to the prison hall burst opened. Goten could feel someone talking to him in the back of his mind. Don't worry Goten, we're here for you. It was Piccolo. Goten could hardly contain his excitement, but with the Doale sitting in the cell just across from him, he decided it'd be better if the just kept quiet.

Don't worry, Uncle Piccolo, Goten replied, I'm fine. I'm right here in the last cell at the back of the hall.

***

Gohan crept nervously behind Piccolo. His heart jumped into his chest with every step. Somewhere in here was Goten, and they could get him out safely. Piccolo was making a mental connection with him. Bring back Goten and Goken back to us. His mother's words rang in his head, and Gohan mentally nodded to himself. He was going to do just that.

"Goten!" Piccolo cried suddenly. Gohan could hear the creaking of a metal door being opened. The smell of burnt metal lingered in the air. And Gohan heard a reply.

"Uncle Piccolo." Gohan ran over to his brother, who was propped up by Piccolo, struggling to walk. His face was dirty, his hair was a disheveled mop. But that couldn't hide the relief beaming through his eyes.

"Goten are you okay?" Gohan asked, wiping away the dirt from his brother's face with his hands.

"Yeah Gohan," he replied, "but could you stop that please? It hurts."

Gohan hugged him saying, "Thank god you're okay. We were all so worried about you."

"There's someone here I think you might want to talk to," Goten said. "Emperor Doale is in that cell right there." He pointed to a nearby cell. "I think he might want to help us."

"Oh god, what am I doing?" Emperor Doale whispered to himself, hidden behind his cell door. "I swear this is going to be the end of me."