Chapter Seventeen

"Zarah and Bra?" Goten tilted his head to the side, "Why would they do this to us?"

Trunks' blue eyes narrowed dangerously for a boy his age.

"Why don't we ask them?"

**

"Landing sequence activated," the computer announced.

"Where are we?" Ava pushed the cart away from her, her meal complete.

"My private planet I use for refueling," Dikon shrugged as he looked at all the empty carts of food with a sort of awe.

"Oh," Ava bit her lip thoughtfully.

"What's wrong, Spike?" Dikon paused as he noticed the pensive expression.

I have become weak, Ava sighed to herself resigned, for as much as she had hated him to begin with she found herself . . . She didn't wish to see him dead.

"Dikon," she bit her lip when his eyes lit up at the sound of his name, "I cannot . . . love . . . you. My mate conquered me and I chose him over many, years ago. I cannot betray him."

Dikon's green orbs became wounded as her words sank in before they became shuttered.

"We can become allies, maybe even friends if you release me and join us," Ava continued softly," I would not allow them to kill you."

Dikon's head lowered slightly, just enough to hide his eyes from her sight.

"What makes you think they can defeat me?" Dikon's mouth was hard.

"I could defeat you myself. The only reason I have allowed you to live is because you are the only one who can pilot this ship."

Ava glanced at the restraints and let a wry smile cross her face.

"These shackles could not hold me even if I were dying, unless I allowed it."

The ship plunged suddenly, effectively ending their conversation, if only for the moment.

**

Zarah came to a stop and regarded his surroundings very carefully.

"Zarah?" Bra blinked at her cousin's sudden stillness.

"Shhh," Zarah narrowed his blue eyes.

Bra frowned at him.

"What is wrong?" she demanded.

"We've been found out," Zarah took her hand.

"What?"

"It's just a feeling," Zarah started to pull his small cousin down the hallway, "You can fight, right?"

Bra's eyes lit up.

"Yeah, Daddy says it is only proper for the Princess of all Saiyans to know how to fight," Bra smiled.

"Good, then you will be of great assistance," Zarah returned her smile, "You will fight Goten."

Bra cocked her head to the side, curiously.

"Why Goten?"

"Would you rather fight your brother?" Zarah studied the hallway cautiously.

Bra shook her head.

"He is stronger than me."

"That's my point," Zarah darted from doorway to doorway with Bra in tow.

"Oh okay," Bra nodded.

"We just need to get you to your Mom and Trunks wouldn't dare do anything in front of Aunt Bulma."

"Unless I cut you off before you reach my Mom," Trunks appeared in front of them.

Zarah adopted a cold expression most associated with his father as he glanced behind them, not surprised to see Goten blocking off their escape route.

"Why did you tattle on us, Zarah?" Trunks' eyes narrowed as he too mirrored his father.

"Yeah, why would you do that?" Goten adopted a semi-confused and semi-serious look of his dad.

"Trunks Briefs!" Bra stepped forward with all her mother's glory, "If you had shared then I wouldn't have told Mommy. You leave us alone or I'll tell Daddy."

Bra crossed her arms and glared at her sibling in a pose that was as intimidating as it was recognizable.

"I don't won't you Bra, I want our dear cousin," Trunks paled slightly at her words.

"Go get Goten," Zarah whispered.

Bra glowered at her brother for a moment longer when her saiyan blood took over. She twirled around on one foot to face her opponent.

Goten watched her nervously as she took on a loose stance. His mom always told him, he shouldn't hit girls, and now one was going to fight him.

Zarah smiled, he figured that Kakarot's son would have some silly restrictions to his fighting capability. Honestly, his mother was more dangerous than some of the male fighters they knew. She had taught him to fight only to the other's capacity unless death was on the line, it was only dishonorable to fight someone who had no fighting capability.

"Shall we?" A grin crossed his face as he too dropped into a stance.

Trunks couldn't help the grin in response.

"Let's begin."

The four children paused in anticipation waiting for the unknown signal that would begin the fight. A floorboard creaked and they launched into action, proving without a doubt that saiyan blood ran in their veins.

**

"Wait a minute," 18 sat in front of Bardock, "If Vegeta forfeits the crown because Goku became a super saiyan first . . . then does that mean Goku is king?"

"No," Bardock shook his head, a slight frown at his son's alien name.

"I don't understand," 18's brow creased.

"Neither do I. What would have happened if you guys still had a home planet?" 17 sat on the arm of the chair.

"You couldn't understand. Prince Vegeta was foretold to be the next legendary super saiyan so it became a prerequisite that he ascend before he could be crowned," Bardock kept a weary eye on Sasoli who was staring at him intently.

"That's a bit harsh," 17's mouth twisted.

"If we had a planet then the Prince would have been given a set amount of time to train. Either to become a super saiyan as well or surpass Kakarot in sheer power to redeem himself in front of his people. Then they would fight and the winner would be king," Bardock sighed wearily, "though . . . these circumstances were highly unusual."

"Well, that would explain Babidi," 18 quipped.

"Yes, but there wasn't a winner to that fight," 17 pondered.

"You mean they had a rematch?" Bardock found himself on the edge of his seat.

"Yes, but they agreed to stop fighting because Majin Buu had been released," 17 nodded.

"But didn't Vegeta knock Goku out so he could face Buu alone?" 18 tilted her head.

17 nodded.

"Why would he stop a battle like that?" Bardock's frown deepened.

"Well . . . from what I heard, it was kind of Vegeta's fault that Majin Buu was set loose," 17 said almost hesitantly, not really wishing to speak ill of his brother-in-law.

"I see," Bardock was amazed, "this has never happened before."

"What do you mean Bardock?" Sasoli patted his cheek.

"What happened when Kakarot and the Prince met again?" Bardock demanded.

"I believe Goku was about to start fighting Buu when Vegeta appeared to do the same thing," 18 searched her mental files.

"Did they join forces?" Bardock's eyes flickered between 17 and 18.

"Yeah, I think they did," 17 shrugged, "Why is it important?"

"Because that means he made them equal," Bardock smiled.

**

Goku, Gohan, and Krillin paused in their tasks as four power levels rocketed up within the household. Wordlessly Goku put a finger to his forehead and disappeared.

Gohan and Krillin raced to the unknown power levels hoping against hope that the aliens were not striking again for there was one power Gohan recognized and it was his brother.

**

The alien ship settled on an equally alien planet and all was deceptively peaceful.

Dikon clenched his fists.

"You would kill me?" His voice was softly insistent.

"If I had to," Ava lifted her chin.

"Why didn't you before?" Dikon raised his head to search her eyes.

"I thought you had my daughter."

Dikon put his head down in much the same way a bull does before it charges and gores it's helpless victims.

"What makes you think they'll find you?" His voice was a quiet threat.

"I can feel them," she closed her eyes, "They are getting closer as we speak."

Dikon hit a hidden switch causing the remaining shackles to open.

"Let them come," Dikon lifted his eyes to glare at her, "I have released you from your chains but you still remain my prisoner, there is no way off this planet except on this ship which you cannot fly. Kill me if you want, at least I won't have to die as I have spent my life, alone."

Ava could do nothing but watch as Dikon stepped out of the ship.

"17 . . ." Ava whispered not knowing why she whispered as she wrapped her arms around her middle, "I need you."

**

Gohan and Krillin came to an abrupt halt as they found Goku blocking the hallway. Nervously they peeked around the saiyan to see what on Kami's green earth was going on.

What they saw was surprising.

Trunks and Zarah were locked in a fight that at first glance was vicious and brutal but a second, revealed the childish edge that made the battle all but harmless except for maybe the competition in it.

Goten and Bra was another story since you really couldn't call what they were doing fighting. Bra was trying to engage Goten in hand to hand combat but Goten was avoiding her at all costs and she wasn't quite yet skilled enough to make him fight her. Bra seemed angry that Goten wouldn't fight her and was visibly frustrated.

The two Son men stepped forward suddenly to separate the children. Goku took Trunks in one hand and Zarah in another while Gohan grabbed Goten and Bra. All four protested loudly at being interrupted and Bra started to cry making the Son men feel as if they had just ran over their puppy.

"Kids," Krillin smiled and shook his head, "They have such elaborate games."

**

18 blinked.

"Why would he promote Goku?"

17 rolled his eyes.

"Honestly 18, I think you need an upgrade, do we have to spell out everything to you?"

"Well I'm sorry I don't spend my life around saiyans like you do 17," 18 sneered at him.

"Bardock, what's this?" Sasoli reached up and touched the metal on Bardock's temple.

His eyes opened in terror as his vision fuzzed before becoming shockingly clear.

A small body lay on the ground covered in dirt and as still as a grave. There was no blood . . . but the unnatural position of the body gave away it's state.

Bardock felt a chill crawl its way up his back as if an icy finger of doom while his vision seemed to zoom in.

The spiky hair would have given her away instantly . . . as well as her tail . . . but it took her lifeless blue eyes to make it clear exactly who it was. . .

Bardock blinked as the hand fell away from his temple and the same blue eyes met his head on.

"Why is there metal on your head?" Sasoli eyes were filled with curiously and more importantly life.

End of Chapter Seventeen

AN: ::Crawls out from a pile of homework ten feet high:: Sorry! :: Pants lightly:: But I'm done now. Though testing is coming up . . . ::Pouts:: I'll try to find time to write more, sorry for the delay. Oh and if you haven't already go read Don't, it's the sequel to You've Got a Way. Oh and don't forget to review, please. Thanks to all that have reviewed and special thanks to Cat Youkai!