Ok, I've been neglecting my reviewers again. So..
Sholio: You're still out there!! :c) Thanks for the review. Vegeta and Goku dynamics are not easy tasks.
Foxygalatea: Yeah, I know, it's supposed to be King Yemma, but I misspelled it at the beginning so I'm going to keep it that way for now. I may go through and do a global correction and repost the chapters sometime in the future.
Okay, on with the story!
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"W-welcome h-home??!?!!?" Vegeta stammered. "Y-you mean to tell me that this, this planet…. T-that these weak humans were Saiyans?"
"Well, Proto-Saiyans would probably be more precise. Definitely your common ancestor." Tao Kaioshin answered plainly.
"I always wondered how Saiyans and Humans could be so compatible, genetically speaking." Bulma said.
"What?" Vegeta said. "You knew?"
"Well, not all of this." Bulma answered. "But I had known that chances were pretty high that Saiyans and Humans shared a common ancestor. The ability to interbreed between species is unheard of in nature without a common ancestor. A Liger is such an example, the cross between Lions and Tigers, and even then, it can only be accomplished in a heavily controlled environment like a lab. Tigers and Lions would not naturally consider procreating with each other."
Bura walked up to stand beside her mother. "The question also arose in my mind about just how the offspring of Saiyans and Humans could be so strong. One would naturally assume that the progeny of a Saiyan and Human mating would be stronger than a human, but weaker than a Saiyan. In fact, this couldn't be further from the truth. In some cases, the children are every bit as strong, and stronger, than the Saiyan parent, and the same is the case for at least one grandson that we all know." Everyone looked at Trunks Jr.
"Wha? I'm not stronger than Dad or Granddad!: Trunks Jr. protested.
"No son, but you are almost as strong at less than half the age as I, and far less than that as your grandfather." Trunks said.
"True.." Goku said lost in thought. It's almost like two lost pieces of a puzzle came together when Humans and Saiyans began to mate."
"Very astute Goku!" Tao Kaioshin said. "That is exactly what has happened."
"Hold it right there young lady!" Jessica, who had appeared to be wandering aimlessly about, was suddenly caught up short by the voice in her head. "Did you really think that you would get to know all that The Ultimate Kai is simply by touching his hand?" Tao Kaioshin smiled down at her.
Jessica pulled her hand back as if burned, shamefully looking down at her feet for getting caught. "F-forgive me.. I was just curious and.."
"Curiosity… Yes, I gave you that didn't I? Go on back and be with your mother. And yes, you do play an important part in all of this, if that is what you wanted to know." Tao Kaioshin smiled wider.
"Yes! I knew it! Thank you sir!" Jessica mentally exclaimed as she ran back towards her mother, Abigail was extremely curious. As the girl reached her mother, everyone noted that Raditz had moved in to stand next to Abigail sometime during the last few minutes. The fact that they made an excellent looking family group did not escape anyone's thoughts.
Everyone followed the girl with their eyes and wondered what had just transpired between her and The Ultimate Kai.
For the first time in her life Jessica felt like she was part of something. Jessica's abilities, coupled with her lack of social skills with kids her own age, had left her feeling apart, alone, almost non-human in a sense. But here with these people, with Raditz, and who was this huge guy on the other side of her? Jessica looked up and caught Nappa's eye and reached her hand up towards his. Nappa looked down, blinked a few times, then smiled and reached his hand down towards hers. Jessica grabbed his hand, or more accurately, wrapped her hand around his index finger, which was all she could do given Nappa's massive mitt.
"Okay, so humans are lost Saiyans?" Vegeta said still not sure whether to believe it or not. "Why didn't you say something about this before?" Vegeta shot one of those looks at Bulma.
"Because I wasn't sure how the gargantuan pride of a certain Prince would take the news that Saiyans and Humans shared 97% of their genetic traits, and probably had a common ancestor" Bulma snapped back. "You haven't been the most approachable person in the world on matters of your heritage you know!" Vegeta seen that Bulma had her hands on her hips, and her voice had risen enough to cause every Saiyan and Namekian in the place to wince in pain, so he decided to let it drop. The Supreme Kai had reflectively started passing out ear plugs. He had learned to replicate them whenever they were needed.
"Okay! So where do we go from here? Surely this isn't the only reason you called us all here." Vegeta turned back towards The Ultimate Kai.
"No, not at all Vegeta." The Ultimate Kai waved his hand. "Here is what you are up against." A dark window opened in front of them. An image of hundreds of millions of demons, some larger than Tharsasher, and all manner of shapes and sizes came into view. They looked to be training. Well, all but the one that just ate the smaller one, he seemed to be feeding. The women in the group all gave a collective "Ewww!!" Jessica looked decidedly sick. Nappa looked down and tried to give what he thought was his best reassuring smile. "Don't worry little girl, we won't let anyone eat you."
"T-thanks." Jessica managed.
"What are they doing over there?" Kirillin said.
"Due to Tharsasher's easy defeat by Trunks Jr., Cordell has seen the need to establish a permanent conduit before attacking The Mortal Realm as a whole. That… Apparatus is what will establish that corridor." Tao Kaioshin explained. The floating image panned closer to the growing machinery.
"They are feeding people into the machine!" Pan screamed.
"Cordell has sent his demons into hell to bring the damned to him to power his corridor generator. It requires a great deal of life force to open a permanent conduit." Tao Kaioshin explained.
"Look!" Goten exclaimed as before their eyes Frieza was lifted and tossed into the machine, kicking and screaming, the machine glowed a brighter green for a few seconds.
"Dear Dendi! I know he was evil, but not even he deserved that!" Gohan said turning away.
At one time, Vegeta may have rejoiced at that sight, but now he could only feel sorry for the little tyrant. Gohan was right. No one deserved that.
"Jessica, maybe you shouldn't be watching this, you could turn…" Abigail began.
"No mama. This is important to me somehow. I must know what is going on." Jessica swept her mother's hand away.
"With this generator, and the power that he is getting from Hell, he could open that rift and make it a permanent conduit five months earlier than the cosmic alignment." Tao Kaioshin said. "The apparatus must be destroyed at all costs. And the real bad news is, it can only be destroyed from the inside."
"Couldn't I just teleport in, blast the machine, and teleport out?" Trunks asked.
"No, the barrier between the realms would bounce you off. Nothing living is supposed to be in The Demon Realm. The only way in or out for a living person is through the layers of Hell, and even that's not natural. That's how Cordell did it. That's how Trunks and Goten and the rest of their team must do it." The Ultimate Kai stated as he let the image disperse.
"The rest of his team?" Roger asked.
"Yes Roger, the rest of his team. They will train under me until they can breach the layers of Hell, enter The Demon Realm, and destroy the conduit generator." The Ultimate Kai said. "Be warned, I'm not asking for volunteers. I have chosen each member of the team because they possess specific powers and abilities. If even one of you refuses, the mission will most likely fail. More than random chance has brought you all here, to this place and time."
"Ok, who goes?" Vegeta asked a bit impatient.
"Besides Trunks and Goten, I need Gohan." The Ultimate Kai proclaimed. Gohan stepped forward only to be in pain as the lower part of his spine felt like it was on fire. The pain soon subsided. "Sorry Gohan, but you're going to need that." Tao Kaioshin gave Gohan a wan smile. Gohan stood, then over balanced, and looked back to discover that he was sporting a brand new tail.
"Thanks Ultimate Kai." Gohan gave a quick bow, wrapped his tail around his waist, and moved over towards his brother.
"Next, we will need Roger." The Ultimate Kai proclaimed.
"Wait! How long will I be gone? Me and Yambia are…." Roger started. "Will Yambia go?"
"I understand that you two are bonded mates Roger, and I hate to ask you to make this sacrifice. But it is for the good of all that this sacrifice must be made." The Ultimate Kai said.
"Roger, go ahead. I will miss you my lover, but if we don't stop this guy, everything will be lost." Yambia smiled.
"I-I don't know if I can live without you, Yambia." Roger stammered.
"Nor I without you, but we will be strong for each other, we are Saiyans." Yambia stated strongly.
Roger suddenly realized this as well. "Yes! We are Saiyans. I will return my Mate." Roger gave Yambia's hand a squeeze and walked over to where Gohan and the others were standing.
"Next, I need Piccolo." The Ultimate Kai pointed to where Piccolo and Dendi were standing.
"Huh? Why me?" Piccolo stammered, surprised at having been chosen.
"The whys will be answered in due time my friend, and you won't need that thing anymore." The Ultimate Kai gestured and Piccolo's halo disappeared.
"Wait! You can't do that!! If I'm alive, then the Black Star Dragonballs are reactivated! Someone could….." Piccolo started emphatically.
"Oh, you mean these things?" Tao Kaioshin made a circular motion with his finger and all seven of the Black Star Dragonballs phased into existence, orbiting his hand. The balls shrunk down to marble size and the powerful God caught them and held them up to Piccolo's face. Then he crushed them into powder. "I don't think these things will be causing anyone any grief any time soon."
"Thank you sir." Piccolo walked over towards Gohan and the rest.
"And last, but not least, we need Jessica." Tao Kaioshin braced himself for what he knew would be coming..
And it came.
Every woman there was up in arms. "You can't send my little girl into that kind of danger!" Abigail practically screamed. "Kai or no Kai you can't have her!"
"They're right Kai, you can't do that!" Vegeta stepped forward with Raditz and Goku, Nappa, and Bardock at his side. The already chosen members was also not pleased by this choice.
"Listen to me, all of you. The last thing in the universe I would want to do is see Jessica harmed in any way, but her telepathic abilities, as well as her other abilities, makes her essential for this mission. The rest of you rely on what you call ki energy for your strength and power. The black, the negative energy within The Demon Realm will render you blind, you will not be able to sense each other, or sense your enemies. You will not even be able to find the conduit generator, much less destroy it. You will probably be captured in a few minutes time. Without Jessica, you might as well scrub the mission, sit back and try to fight Cordell's forces full on when they arrive." The Ultimate Kai explained.
"Sounds good to me!" Nappa yelled.
"Yeah? Well picture this. If that conduit is installed, then the negative energy will pour into this dimension. And every planet that is engulfed by it that has beings with souls living upon it, becomes another demon planet for you to fight. The people on those planets will become demons, under Cordell's control. Worse, any contact you make with that energy will deplete your own energy, and if you can't escape, you become a demon under Cordell's control." The Ultimate Kai continued.
Even to Nappa, the odds of winning seemed remote. "There must be some other way than…"
"Wait." Jessica stepped up. "Everyone, I must do this. Please, I've been having dreams and nightmares about this for over a year now. Your faces are all familiar to me. The Ultimate Kai is right. It wasn't some random act of chance that has drawn us all here together and I must play my part in things, no matter how small or insignificant that part may be, or we are all doomed. I have seen this in my dreams. Mother, you must let me go with Tao Kaioshin."
"You're my little girl. If something happened to you I don't know what I'd do…" Abigail started.
"Mother, if you don't let me go, then something is going to happen to me. And to you, and to Raditz, and to everyone else we know and love." Jessica finished.
"She's a very brave little girl." Vegeta whispered to Goku. "Makes me believe that these Humans are Saiyan after all.
"Yes, she is." Goku smiled.
Abigail looked hard at her precious little girl. The girl with the spooky eyes, and the strange powers that always scared her a little. The little girl who has never been wrong about anything that Abigail could remember.
"Trust me mother." Jessica said reading her mother's feelings.
"Can I go too?" Abigail said.
"No Abigail, you have another path to follow for now." Tao Kaioshin said.
Tears were steadily streaming down Abigail's face now. "Very well. Go, and do what you must Jessica." Abigail embraced her daughter. "Please be careful!"
Abigail released her daughter. Jessica walked over to the others chosen for this mission.
"Ultimate Kai. God or no God, if you let something happen to my daughter, I will hold you personally responsible." Abigail threatened.
"Sigh.. It wouldn't be the first time my good woman." Tao Kaioshin responded. "Oh, and before I forget Vegeta, I've reset the Room of Spirit and Time so that everyone can have two more days training there, if you wish to take advantage of it. Oh, and don't break it."
Raditz moved around to Gohan and the others. "Look you guys, I'm not exactly sure what Jessica is supposed to do, but she's just a little girl. You guys take care of her for me, okay?"
"Why Raditz, you sure have changed since we first met." Gohan said with a smile. "It almost makes me want to call you Uncle."
"I would be honored if you would, Nephew. But promise me that you'll take care of Jessica." Raditz said seriously.
Goten stepped forward. "By every drop of our Saiyan blood, which as it turns out is 100%, we will protect Jessica.
"You know the ancient Saiyan Oath?" Raditz said.
Goten looked a bit lost, smiled and scratched the back of his head. "Well no, I just sorta made that up. Is there an ancient Saiyan Oath?"
"Yes, and you just took it. You know what that means according to Saiyan Law don't you?" Raditz grinned somewhat evilly.
"Ummm…. I'm afraid to ask." Roger said.
"It means that if anything happens to Jessica, Vegeta gets to execute each and everyone of you." Raditz smiled. "Well, except for the Namek I guess, he doesn't fall under Saiyan law."
"I too will join the oath to protect Jessica to the best of my ability." Piccolo smiled over at Jessica who had just walked up to them. "With my life if necessary."
Jessica looked at her team, and Raditz, and realized what was going on. "Look everyone, I'm not afraid to go."
"Brave child isn't she Raditz?" Piccolo poked the big Saiyan in the ribs with his elbow. "Might make someone a fine daughter one day."
"I think she will." Raditz replied a little red in the face.
Jessica smiled. She had seen Raditz's future, the possible future where they defeat Cordell. Raditz would indeed make a fine father to her, and her brother Bardock Jr.
All right Z-Team One, it's time to go. Tao Kaioshin announced. "Raditz, here take this." Tao Kaioshin extended his hand and in it appeared a crystal ball, about the size of a man's head. "With this, you and Abigail can look in on Jessica whenever you want."
"Thank you Ultimate Kai, we really appreciate that." Raditz said and took the crystal carefully.
"Z-Team One? What the hell does that make us Kakkarot?" Vegeta fumed.
"I don't know Vegeta, but I don't think I like it much!" Goku mirrored Vegeta's feelings.
As Tao Kaioshin and the others disappeared, the rest of the Z-Warriors was also transported back to the places they were before Tao Kaioshin's arrival. Vegeta looked at Abigail with a newfound respect. "You threatened God!" He smirked.
"Umm… Yes, I guess I did… That's not a good thing to do, is it?" Abigail said.
"It was a very Saiyan thing to do." Raditz smiled.
"Ok Mr.! It's time you explained all this Saiyan stuff to me. I'm still not sure what is going on." Abigail looked right into Raditz eyes.
"Your wish is my command Milady." Raditz bowed with great flourish. "Let's take a walk in the Gardens."