Yeah! Kick his dirty ass Chibi Mirai Gogeta! And tell him to put on a clean shirt while he's at it! Oh...yeah, right…glad you're enjoying the fic! Here's my next chapter folks. Goat sorry you don't like Pikkon. I hope you like the chapter anyway! Here I go....

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17 stood starring hard at Gannon. He began to chuckle darkly at his opponent. The red light just gave a deeper glow as he extended his hand. 17 was on guard as he fired a blast, slapping it away into the distance. Gannon took off from his stance leaping into the air, falling back down with both heels extended towards the ground. 17 back flipped out of harms way barely avoiding the attack. Gannon bounded after him taking chase with the speed and reflex of a cat. 17 was astounded at the speed in which this creature could move. He was large like 16 but several times faster. He landed a grand blow to his cheek sending 17 skipping back across the concrete streets. 17 rebounded as the bull like warrior continued to charged him, head down and glowing red. 17 tossed his hands out in front of him catching Gannon in an attempt to halt his charge. 17 slid backwards digging, up the ground around him slowly stopping Gannon's attack. They both struggled, grunting while jocking for supremacy. 17 landed an agile kick to Gannon's face, shooting his jaw in a reverse manner. He followed by firing a ki blast into his chops sending the large brute skyward and onto his back. 17 flipped into the air, preparing to drop old glory (knee) into his stomach. He did so, flipping off towards Pikkon. As he landed he didn't have a chance to celebrate. Gannon was already back on his feet. He clasped his hands together extending his index fingers towards his forehead.

"Dark Flare!"

17 screamed out in pain as he was almost instantly engulfed in black flames. He flew black hitting the ground hard. Pikkon's eyes lit up.

"Dark Magic!"

Gannon smiled hopping into the air positioned over the two warriors as 17 pulled himself to his feet. Gannon laughed again as he place his hands over his head. He tossed them down towards the ground sending an estranged energy blast of crimson after them. They dove in two different directions as the wave ripped the streets that stood in between the two. Pikkon fired a shot after rebounding as did 17. Gannon again placed his hands in spell form, casting a protective barrier around himself. 17 gave chase to him hopping into the air engaging in rapid paced close quarter combat with the brute Gannon. They countered each other placing similar blows into each other. Pikkon waited for his chance in battle as 17 finally got the better of Gannon, kicking him hard in the head. Gannon responded grabbing 17 by the back of the neck driving his throat into his knee, following with an elbow that send him crashing into a building. Gannon flexed his muscles in celebration.

******

"Vegeta?"

Bulma turned the corner in her lab coat with the most compassionate of stares. He turned the

TV on mute before slowly allowing his eyes to meet with those of his wife. Bulma's eyes...he loved Bulma's eyes, well when she wasn't fussing at him about something. They always seemed to calm him when he felt tense...he could be lost in those eyes. But lately they had lost their glamour. Everything had lost it's glamour. Beer pleased him that was about it. Different earth liquors too, but she would worry if he didn't say anything. The last thing he wanted was for someone to feel sorry for him. So he looked at her. Waiting for her to talk.

"I..."

She wanted to tell him she was worried about him. She wanted to say that he needed to stop being like this and go back to the cocky, pushy man she fell for so long ago. But she wouldn't say that.

"I got a new simulation for you to try if you'd like...Goku did pretty well in it."

"Maybe later Bulma..."

Bulma looked back down at the floor momentarily. Two things that worried her, when Vegeta didn't try to out do Goku, and when he started calling her Bulma too much. He hardily ever called her by her given name unless he was incredibly serious or compassionate, and he wasn't exactly rushing to take her right then and there. She wished he would...at least she'd know that some bit of life still existed in her husband. She walked over to him sitting down next to him.

"Good game...?"

Vegeta leaned on the arm of the couch giving her a simple nod. Bulma looked at him before laying her head on his shoulder, snuggling into him. He didn't say a word, and they just sat. His eyes shot open.

17....

******

"AH! That 17 is gettin' his butt whipped!"

Mr. Satan sat next his daughter in the thick grass. Sensing and using his ki was a new concept to him. He couldn't really make a ki blast...but he was almost as good as the others at sensing energy now. Videl nodded in concern.

"I know daddy...oh Gohan where are you when you're needed?"

******

17 continued to get smacked around inside the building. The workers scattered as Gannon gripped his head driving him through wall after wall inside the office. 17 placed a hand in his face firing a ki blast directly into his eye. Gannon released him holding his face in pain. 17 followed driving rapid kicks into his knee. Gannon fell to a knee as 17 drove an axe kick to the back of his head, knocking him through the floor.

"Suck on this big boy."

17 held both hands out shooting a blast down after him, exploding as it made contact. The building rocked back an fourth from the attack. 17 breathed heavy wiping the blood from his lower lip with the back of his hand. He knew Gannon wasn't dead yet...he was right as he came storming back through the ground crushing a grand punch to his under jaw, sending him back up and out the building. He floated weakly in the air as Gannon appeared above him. He swung with a double axe handle...missing completely. 17 had rolled out the way flipping upwards planting a back kick of his own to Gannon's skull. He screeched towards the planet, falling through several buildings before coming to rest in a freshly made creator. 17 landed next to Pikkon, his body scarred and bloody. He looked over at Pikkon.

"Think he's dead?"

Gannon yelled out in rage as he stood up, boiling with red energy. Pikkon smiled at 17.

"I uh....don't think so?"

17 gave a weak smile.

"Great..."

He set back into his battle stance await Gannon to emerge again.

******

Shibi stood in front of Alexial watching the battle unfold just beyond their reach. She turned looking back at her mistress.

"I could have finished this by now mistress. Would you like me to go battle for Gannon?"

Alexial shook her head.

"Be patient Shibi. The humans are much stronger than they look...not to mention those Sayains. Gannon is just a bit rusty. Allow him to fight."

Shibi turned looking back into the crystal popping her knuckles awaiting her time to fight.

******

"Whoa...17 is in deep."

Goku, Krillin, Marion and 18 stood at Roshi's island preparing to head to Capsule Corp. But the trip was postponed at the observation of Gannon's power...and 18's twin doing battle. 18 looked at Goku hard.

"We've got to go help him!"

Goku shook his head.

"Bulma called for us to be at Capsule Corp besides, one of the strongest guys I know s there with him..."

Pikkon, good to see you again my friend. Don't worry I'll be there when I can.

******

Gannon smashed 17 through another building. Slower and slower, 17 was pulling himself up from barrages and attacks. Pikkon watch anxious, he didn't know if to stand aside or help him. Pikkon flinched as 17 was thrown into the air. Gannon stood and watched before jumping backwards after him. 17's eyes went white as he was impaled through the right shoulder. Pikkon's eyes shot wide open.

******

18 clutched her fist tight, she felt the dramatic change in 17's energy. It was rapidly declining now. She looked over at Goku. He gave her a flat look. She angrily turned her head to the side as they finally teleported for Capsule Corp.

******

"17 is dying..."

Bulma lifted her head from Vegeta shoulder. His expression hadn't changed from when she walked in the room. She looked at Vegeta hard.

"What?"

"HE'S DYING!?!"

Vegeta and Bulma looked over at the trio that had just appeared. 18 ran over to Vegeta, her eyes searched his visage for truth. He didn't flinch...she knew he was telling the truth. Marion pulled at Goku's pant leg, looking up with the most purest of eyes.

"Uncle Goku...who's dying?"

He smiled quickly placing a hand on the back of her head.

"Um nobody...go play with Bra okay?"

She looked over at 18 who turned nodding to her child. She ran off calling Bra's name, blazing past Gohan.

"Hi Gohan! Bye Gohan!"

He shook his head before hurrying into the living room.

"You guys felt that?"

"I've felt this for sometime now...his power was decreasing in too rapid of a fashion. If you hurry now Kakarot you can make a difference."

18 looked at Vegeta. She grabbed him by his shirt jacking him up slightly. Again Vegeta's expression did not change. 18 lashed at him with a slight shake.

"FOR SOMETIME!?! WHY HAVEN'T YOU GONE TO HIS AID!?"

"Let him fight his own battles..."

"Vegeta! He's my brother and your friend! That should be reason enough..."

"Why should I care what happens to him? He has his own worth."

18 reared back swinging hard at him. Vegeta caught her fist still giving the same glare he always had. The others watched shocked. Krillin hopped behind Goku's leg expecting Vegeta to explode at her in fury. Instead he just released her grip. 18 shook her head at Vegeta, she was in shock at Vegeta's lack of drive for battle. She couldn't believe he was sitting there allowing this to happen. She released Vegeta. He looked at Bulma before busting in between Gohan and Goku heading into the back. Bulma naturally gave chase.

******

17 screamed out in agony as Gannon turned on his energy, causing 17 wound to rip farther in a slow manner. He laughed as he grabbed 17 by the throat pulling down hard, choking the mighty android. Pikkon turned on his power kicking Gannon in the chops.

"Enough Gannon.. your fight with 17 is over."

Gannon slowly brought his head back down facing Pikkon. Pikkon set into a fighting stance readying himself. Gannon smile as he turned on his power tossing 17 off his back, skipping him like a stone in water on the ground.

"17 you okay!?"

Pikkon didn't take his eyes off of the obstacle in front of him. 17 just laid their limp, coughing being his only vital sign. Gannon smiled darkly chuckling.

"So you want to run with Gannon?"

Gannon fired a punch down towards Pikkon. Pikkon hoped over it scaling his arm only to drop a knee in his face. Pikkon wasted no time going into a mystic dance, shooting his power to unheard limits before slapping his fist against each other sideways.

"Thunder Flash...."

Gannon stood up looking at Pikkon. Pikkon's eyes held a gleam to them. He smiled before yelling out.

"ATTACK!"

The massive flame attack scorched out of his hands engulfing Gannon in hot hell, the blast sent him back due to it's magnitude...but the monster was not bruised. Pikkon rose a curious brow (or at least the act of doing so....Pikkon has no eyebrows!) as the beast dusted himself off. Gannon crossed his finger tips muttering something under his breathe. A blue light took shape around him. Pikkon took no chances charging after 17 and taking to the air. Soon after the blue light shot out like a shock wave, consuming everything within a 5 mile radius in ice! Pikkon landed staring at the city. It was frozen thick...even the flaming wreckage (including the flames) were captivated in endless frost. Pikkon set 17 down again setting back up in a fighting stance. Gannon chuckled.

"What's wrong...to cold? That attack of yours made things a little warm, so I turned on my AC."

Pikkon didn't say a word, but yet a small hint of concern was creeping into his mind. His strongest attack was useless against the magic wielding brute. And physically he seemed inferior. Pikkon shook the thoughts out of his head, charging in with attack stamped across his mind. The two engaged sprawling into a blinding barrage of kicks and punches. The occasional counter echoed through out the mountains near by, rocking the ocean waters. Pikkon stared hard with determination written across his face, Gannon however. He was smirking. He found Pikkon to be amusing. How dare he challenge a servant of Alexial? Gannon landed a hard punch to Pikkon's jaw. Pikkon rebounded only to be countered again and soon another blow to Pikkon's jaw. Pikkon was hanging in the best he could...but he knew what was coming soon.

******

"Okay...I'm gonna go and get them!"

Goku put his finger tips on his forehead nodding to the others before teleporting away.

******

Goku appeared behind Gannon as Pikkon was getting pummeled. Goku changed into Super Sayain 3, powering up high cracking the ice around him. Gannon stopped turning to face the trumped up Sayain only to catch an energy blast to the face. Gannon spiraled back towards the ground, smashing into the ice hard. Pikkon opened a swollen eye to see a smiling Goku. He laughed as he held his ribs.

"Goku! I...knew you'd be around soon enough!"

He nodded looking to Pikkon.

"Good to see you too Pikkon. But we need to get out of here go grab 17 and get behind me."

Pikkon did what was asked of him as Gannon charged back up.

"SAYAIN!!!"

Goku smiled taunting him to come on. Gannon leapt into the air after him, Goku spun kicking him square in the mouth, he then slapped Gannon twice following with a hard kick into the ground. Pikkon floated back behind Goku astonished. Perhaps Goku could defeat Gannon...but naturally, Goku wasn't one to take selfish unnecessary risk. Pikkon placed a hand on the Sayains shoulder and the three teleported to safety before Gannon could catch sight of them. Gannon looked around peeved...he didn't know what had happened to them.

"Mistress will not be pleased by this. However I was sent to retrieve the stones, so find them I shall..."

Gannon hopped into the sky on alert flying into the distance.

******

"Mistress, Gannon will fail...please allow me to find the stones."

Alexial looked at Shibi with a smirk.

"No I have something better for you right now...my sister...."

Shibi bowed going back to her seat to focus her thoughts. Alexial nodded to her as she closed her eyes encasing herself in molten rock, allowing her energy to grow slowly...

******

Goku arrived back at Capsule Corp with a pair of damage warriors. 18 ran to Pikkon taking her brother from his shoulder. She nodded at Goku as if to say thank you, before heading into the back to give him to Bulma. Gohan and Krillin walked up to Pikkon, Gohan starring with the oddest of stares.

"So uh dad...who's the green guy?"

"Oh sorry son! This is Pikkon! Pikkon that's my son Gohan!"

Gohan bowed in the politest of manners as Pikkon acknowledged them both. Krillin scratched his head smiling.

"Hey Pikkon! Remember me!?"

Pikkon smiled placing a hand on his hip.

"How could I? How's Yamcha?"

Krillin shrugged.

"Same old, same old I guess."

Gohan looked at them raising a finger.

"Oh dad...Bulma had me running an analysis on that writing, she wanted us to take a look."

"Let's go and check it out then."

And so they did heading towards the back, still talking of times of old...they were stopped in there tracks just short of Bulma's lab by 18, she placed a finger to her lips motioning for them to come listen. They peered around the corner as Vegeta leaned against the sink and Bulma still badgering him for answers.

"Vegeta you know damn well you could have helped them! Why didn't you!?"

He didn't say a word.

"Vegeta! This isn't like you..."

He turned grabbing her arms, gripping them tight pulling her into him. He stared at her nose to nose, eyes twitching. Bulma's expression went white as he responded.

"Stop it! Stop saying I could have done something! No more you hear me!?"

She responded softly.

"But I believe you could have..."

"Well it's time you stopped. I can't help 17! I'm not good enough anymore! DO you know how hard it is to look at myself in the mirror and come to the grips with the reality of it all!? It tears me to shreds that I'm not strong enough! Stop inserting me in the role of a savior, I'm not Kakarot!....and I never will be..."

He let Bulma go looking at her. A tear seemed to appear in his eye. He jammed his forearm across his eyes rubbing with a grunt.

"The hair of your fathers stupid cat is in my eyes, now I have to go wash it out."

He took his leave in the opposite direction. Bulma looked at him shaking her head. The excuse was poor, for they both knew too well he was right by a sink...she didn't bother to say anything or follow him. He needed his space, even Vegeta needed to shed a tear from time to time. Unfortunately he'd rather do it off in seclusion where he could deny it, instead of relieving himself around his loved ones. But regardless she looked up to see the gang standing in the opposite door way, with saddened eyes. Bulma quickly narrowed her eyes.

"Problem!?"

They shook their heads filing in the lab. 18 slung her brother on to the table. Bulma rushed over to him.

"Wow he took it kind of bad. Come on we'll put him in a rejuvenation chamber."

Goku looked at Bulma blinking rapidly.

"Shouldn't Trunks be in there? I know Vegeta like to heal naturally cause it makes him twice as strong than it would with aid once he recovers. But Trunks..."

"Wants to be like his daddy. So I'll let him…"

Bulma turned her nose up as she continued to check the injured droid.

"He just better not come crying to me when he's throbbing in pain!!"

Bulma looked over at the lanky green warrior with a halo. She smiled at him.

"Well hey there Pikkon."

Pikkon bowed his head smiling back at her.

"Hello Bulma...you've been good I hope."

"You know me Bud! How's Dabura?"

"Much better. Since he regained his fighting spirit he's been much easier to deal with now that he doesn't talk about peace and love every 5 minutes."

Gohan felt left out. Everyone knew Pikkon but him...he was the only one who wasn't dead long enough to meet him during the struggles with Buu. But regardless, he want Bulma to get on with the analysis.

"Say Bulma...why don't you tell them about the writing."

"Oh right. Well the writing pretty much tells you everything there is to know about Alexial, nothing special really. But the most interesting comment was the last part. It states, 'Seek the Gemini's light, the maiden most pure amongst the artic clouds of mans dark hand.' pretty good sleuthing huh?"

"Where the hell is man's dark hand?"

"Well I figured since it said artic cloud it had to be a mountain somewhere. If Alexial was kept in an underground cave...why wouldn't her counter part be in a mountain top? You know? Heaven...Hell."

18 blinked before reiterating her self.

"Where the hell is man's dark hand?"

Bulma slapped a hand on her hip sighing.

"Jeez some people have no appreciation for good explanations. Anyway I'm not sure...I think we should start from the highest mountain top."

"Alexia is found in a cave on Mount Komu."

They all looked at Pikkon. Krillin blinked.

"How in the world do you know that Pikkon?"

"It's why I was sent down here in the first place. To tell you where to find the keys of victory."

Goku clutched his fist with excitement.

"Alright we leave tomorrow!"

They all yelped in celebration. Things were looking up after all.

"Yeah and with Goku and Pikkon on our side, we're invincible!"

Krillin danced in a circle with Bulma, liking the chances of survival...unaware of Vegeta's presence. He leaned out of sight on the wall next to the door way. His eyes sat in depression.

"Yes....who needs Vegeta?"

END OF PART XIII

Damn....that sucks doesn't it? Well please review people! Keep reading!

*Goku*

Hey it's Goku! Well we've final found a key to victory and it's in the snowy mountain tops of Komu! Apparently Alexial has a twin...

*Gohan* Hey that means she'll probably be real pretty right dad!?

*Goku* If it runs in the genes it will!

*Gohan* Sweet...

*Videl* Not like it should matter to you right GOHAN?

*Mr. Satan* Damn tootin' boy! You better not do my little sugar beat wrong or I'll...

*Gohan* Hey I'm sorry!

*Mr. Satan, Videl and Gohan begin to argue*

*Vegeta* I thought this was my fic? Why don't I get to do the previews?

*Bulma* Because you never do them in the real show!!

*Vegeta* Oh hush woman!

*Goten* Yeah and how come I haven't been written in since chapter 9!?!

*Launch* You? What happen to me? I didn't even make the roster for Dragonball Z!

*Goten* Yeah but people like Goten! Unromanticpoetess has a fic where I'm messin' around with Vegeta's sister! How's that huh!? Huh!?

*Vegeta* What! You and Jita!?! That's an out rage! I'll blow your head off you little imp!

*Vegeta and Goten start to fight calling each other names blending in with seemingly every other character from Dragonball/Z/GT*

*Goku* Well looks like everybody wants to get in on the act. Just don't miss the next exciting episode of Dragonball Z!

Maiden of the Polar Caps