I'm back from D.C. yawl, it was fun seeing my family again, but I'm back home in the ATL and I'm ready to continue with my story, hope I haven't kept you waiting too long. I had so much Christmas shopping to do and friends to see that I hadn't had much time to write my story. Sorry for the delay. And to the people who wrote me asking when I was going to continue writing on my GW fic. Don't worry an update is coming soon, I haven't given up on it. Enjoy this chapter and as you read here's a little question for everyone, if Dabura french kissed a woman, would she turn to stone? Hmmm….

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"AAAHHHHHHH!"

Vegeta screamed out with burning resolve as he cut through the air cocking his fist back ready to attack. Shibi smirked stepping up into a defensive stance while Vegeta bulldogged towards her. Trunks treaded up screaming to him.

"Wait! Father!"

Alexia placed a hand on the young Trunks' chest, halting him shaking her head in his general vicinity. Trunks looked forward as Vegeta was nearing the point of assault.

"Come on!"

Shibi taunted Vegeta while he was in flight Vegeta halted his attack suddenly, extending his finger tips to his face, shutting his eyes tight.

"SOLAR FLARE!"

Shibi and Gannon fasten their eyes tight from the blinding flash. Vegeta promptly kicked Shibi in the face shooting her across the terrain, soon followed by her burley counter part. Goku was shocked, so he did pay attention to others tactics in sparring secessions. Vegeta wasted no time dealing with the objective at hand, firing a ludicrous amount of energy in the opposite direction. He could hear them scream out in pain as his blasts made impact. Vegeta hit the ground quickly scooping the Buu statue by its head tentacle bolting towards the others. They looked at Vegeta as he jetted past them.

"KAKAROT HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND!?! GET THE BRATS AND RUN!"

******

"That coward! Why doesn't he stand and fight!?"

Dabura slammed his fist down on the ground as they all looked up at Yema's big screen. Old Kai shook his head.

"Actually, that's the smartest single move any of them have made all day."

Kabito Kai looked at him strange.

"I don't understand what you mean sir?"

"It's obvious nobody there is strong enough to contend with those two except Alexia. Vegeta has been the only one to realize exactly what they are up against."

"But why doesn't he at least try?"

"Open your eyes young Kai. Why waste time shooting handgun bullets at a tank when you can use them to snipe it's driver? Strategy is of the essence in a battle like this, and as far as tactics are concerned, there is none better than Vegeta."

******

They followed behind Vegeta finally stopping after gaining a good amount of distance. Vegeta tossed Goku Buu's large statue body before he looked around at them.

"Kakarot will take you all back."

They shot up as the wind kicked Vegeta's hair to the side, it sounded as if he intended to shoulder the load of battle all on his own.

"I cannot condone your actions highness, I will stay."

They turned quickly as a loud explosion crushed through the atmosphere. Vegeta twisted back looking hard at her.

"You are the last chance we have, sensing their power levels you are no match for them as you are."

"Dammit if only they didn't amp up their strength with all that magic!"

Trunks slammed his fist into his palm gripping his teeth, knowing his father was more than willing to make the noble sacrifice. Goku transformed into his level 3 status preparing to do battle.

"No I'll stay, I'm strong enough..."

"Idiot then who will take the others back!?"

Goku cringed with realization. It's always the little details isn't it?

"Highness I too have the ability to amplify my power with magic however, my magic is set forth more on a defensive level while the black magic of my sister is purely offensive but...I would stand a better chance than you I'm afraid."

Vegeta could feel their energy in the far distance closing in slowly.

"Wait!"

They all looked at Goten as he glanced around with a serious expression.

"Don't tell me you forgot about the stone me and Trunks worked our butts off to get?"

Trunks' eyes shot open as he pulled the stone out of his pants pocket. It reacted to Alexia's presence, glowing brightly in the increasingly dark sky.

"Is this one of the stones you have been searching for?"

"Yes, it will increase my abilities." She nodded.

Alright then, you all will go back. Then give Alexia that stone. Kakarot you will bring her back so she may battle these cretins."

"What about you Vegeta?"

"I'll play hide and seek for now..."

"But dad...!?"

"Be quiet Trunks! Do as I say!"

Trunks gave his father a pale look. He didn't like the chances of the Sayain Prince at all. Vegeta was about to throw himself to the wolves again, but what could Trunks do? He was after all stronger than him as well as his father. So Trunks simply placed a hand to Goku, and like that Vegeta was alone. He turned on his energy as Gannon and Shibi were in eye sight.

"Bring it you medieval freaks!! AHHHHHHH!!!"

Vegeta held out his hands again preparing to launch an attack. The planet shook along with his rage as he unloaded multiple blast in their general direction. Shibi and Gannon dodged without breaking stride. Vegeta reached back grabbing his wrist causing a large ball of energy appeared in his hand.

"BIG BANG ATTACK!!"

He quickly flung it forward. Shibi and Gannon stopped, for the ball of energy was far to huge to just avoid this time. Holding out their hands, they made an attempt to bring the attack to a screeching halt. The ball hit driving the two titans backwards as Vegeta winced with gripped teeth in an attempt to hold his slight advantage. The two warriors dug deep into the earths crust causing a creator to slowly crumble in place beneath their feet.

"WOULD YOU BOTH JUST DIE ALREADY!!?""

Vegeta pushed even harder trying to drive them into the turf. Gannon smiled as Shibi muttered a spell under her breath. Vegeta's eyes got wide as the red light around Gannon began to blaze brightly, puffing up his size. Vegeta could feel the tides shifting as Gannon became the soul contestant to Vegeta's blast, and little by little, started to win. Vegeta tossed a grand blast into the his ball of energy exploding it. The impact blew Vegeta backwards with high winds.

"Damn....did I get them?"

Vegeta took no chances flying off in the other direction to take cover from a now even stronger Gannon.

He landed, hiding amongst the jungle trees as Gannon and Shibi floated over top. He lowered his power to a minimum so not to be sensed as they searched frantically for the Sayain. Hell of a position to be in Vegeta...how can I attack them when their power level has no limits? If only I was stronger, if only I was...Kakarot. NO! I will not allow my self to become another reliance on Kakarot. I'll figure something out.

******

Yamcha flipped the channels on the large television rapidly. He was annoyed at the developments of the past few days. Vegeta's obvious depression took a toll on Bulma, and even though he was out on the battle field, Vegeta still wasn't....Vegeta. He had always had a presence when he was around, and Bulma could easily find security in it. But as of late, it was gone. It wasn't there. And as her best friend, Yamcha felt her grief too. It was strange, they all seemed to know it was there, but everyone handled it in their own way. Yamcha could feel the internal stress and strain building on his body as Bulma wearily tightened the small time compression device with her daughter sitting down next to her. Bra took the wrench from her mother and quickly tightened it with two quick Sayain powered flicks of her delicate wrist. Bulma smiled before wiping the sweat off her brow in the midst of the crowded complex.

"Thank you honey."

"Mommy?"

"Hmm?"

"Daddy's in trouble again isn't he?"

The room seemed to stop with Bra's wise suggestion. It lingered in all of their minds, but out of a room full of adults, it took an innocent child to point out the obvious. Bulma's expression was weak with worry. She knew her husbands odds...

"Honey, Daddy..."

"...will be fine if we hurry."

Alexia gracefully walked forward from the woodland area of the lab followed by Goku and the others. Mr. Satan's jaw dropped as Goku set Buu down. Turned to stone.

"BUU!?! Who did this to ya buddy!?!"

"Shibi. I can change this to normal however."

Alexia held out her hand to Trunks, beckoning for him to give her the stone. He placed it in her hands before backing away slightly. She closed her eyes as a bright white flash took over the room. They all covered their eyes awaiting the flash to die down, and when it did...Alexia had changed. The coiling leather straps of her sandals crept from her cafe to her thighs. Her long white ribbons no longer bonded to her but wafted in the air as if a gentle air current pushed then up ward. Her head bands seemed to become even more exquisite as well as the belt across her waist line. Her abs and muscles more toned and her wisdom and energy increased by great numbers. Alexia exhaled turning towards Buu. She placed a hand to his forehead, softly muttering a spell.

"Where this? What happen to bad people that hit friend?"

They all sat up with excitement as Buu looked around still puzzled to be in the midst of the ones he called friends and family. Mr. Satan hugged him sobbing out the words "Buu you're alive!"

"Of course Buu live...why think other?"

Alexia turned to Goku with a nod.

"Perhaps we should go and help Vegeta now that my power has increased?"

******

Gannon held Vegeta by the throat. Vegeta clutched to Gannon's wrist tightly trying to free himself again. Gannon successfully caught Vegeta's hiding place, flushing massive blast at him, forcing him to retreat Of course that left him in the clamping hands of Gannon. Vegeta gagged before winding up, throwing a kick into Gannon's chest. He only smiled at the Sayain prince.

"You'll...pay...for this!"

Gannon smiled at Vegeta's empty threat tossing him to the side, sending him through several idle trees before screeching to a halt in the dirt. He sat up as Gannon floated to the ground, stalking toward him. Vegeta wiped the blood from his lips before weakly coming to his feet.

"Galic Gun fire!!!!!!"

The blast surprised Gannon, knocking him back and on his back. Vegeta cocked his hands back once more. The purple energy gathering in his hands. He turned his energy back on, trembling with rage as Gannon sat back up again. Vegeta fired the blast once more, however Gannon caught this one tossing it off into space.

"Come now Sayain, I think you should take this a bit more seriously."

"You dare mock me you steroid freak!?"

"If you take it as a mock. I merely suggested you start fighting better or you'll be dead in 5 minutes..."

Vegeta sat back into his battle stance. Gannon chuckled as Shibi landed directly behind Vegeta. His eyes wondered back and forth as she spoke.

"Everyone has to die someday Sayain, don't feel bad."

Today will not be his time we have more important matters.

Shibi and Gannon looked into the sky distracted. Vegeta took advantage turning kicking Shibi in the throat. He grabbed Shibi by her long hair slinging her into Gannon before taking off to hide again. Gannon stood in a rage preparing to give chase.

GANNON! DO NOT FOLLOW THE SAYAIN!

"I apologize mistress."

concern yourself not my child.

Shibi looked up into the sky from her kneeling position next to Gannon.

"My queen, why did you order us to stop? We could have found the stone for you."

No my sister has the stone now there's no need to give chase to Vegeta. However I can feel the location of the Eternal Stone. It is time we retrieved it.

"Shall we get it for you?"

No, I will accompany you both this time Gannon. I feel Alexia will do the same for those humans she is with. Return now so we may prepare to depart.

Gannon and Shibi gave a humble bow before disappearing from the maimed jungle.

******

"They've given up!?"

Vegeta turned, slowing down from his escape before looking around. He could no longer sense their energy. Vegeta gave a wide gaze, burning with curiosity on why they gave up.

"Tell me Alexia where have they gone?"

Alexia was surprised that Vegeta had noted her presence before she had the chance to speak.

"It appears that the Eternal stone has finally begun to beckon us. It begins to call to us as soon as the four stones are absorbed. The final battle is approaching."

Vegeta looked into the distance and slowly self-doubt was creeping into the back of his mind. Vegeta suddenly needed a drink and the safety of his couch.

END OF PART XIX

*Goku*

Hey everyone it's me Goku! Well everything looks as if it will be coming to a head soon as we prepare to head to the ancient temple of Dio Choa! It seems as if the most powerful stone of them all has been there all along. The gang heads in at full strength...minus Vegeta. Poor Veg has taken to the bottle once more! Snap out of it Vegeta, looks like we're going to need you! It's a race to the final gem next time on Dragonball Z!

Early Minutes of the Darkest Hour