Reda: I don't own Dragonball Z and the song "We Are the Champions" belongs to Queen.
Gohan: Oh! That song! Well, in that case...(starts singing) I've taken my bows...
Trunks: And my curtain calls...
Reda: You brought me fame and fortune and everything that goes with it.
Goku: I thank you all.
Goten: But it's been no bed of roses.
Trunks: No pleasure cruise.
Vegeta: I consider it a challenge before the whole human race.
Vee: And I ain't gonna lose.
All: And we mean to go on and on and on...
Vee and Reda: We are the Champions...my friends.
Vegeta and Goku: And we'll keep on fighting...till the end.
Pan and Gohan: We are the champions...
Goten and Trunks: We are the champions...
Vee: No time for losers...
All: Cause we are the champions...
Vee: Of the world...
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Chapter 44: Live and Love to Fight Another Day
There may always be evil in the universe, but when a great percentage is destroyed...there is always time to celebrate. Throughout the struggle, innocents have fallen, evil deeds committed, tortures commenced, humiliation distributed, lives changed forever, but most importantly: lives have been saved and good has triumphed. Ancient, created, evil destroyed by an even more ancient discovery. We may never understand how or why some events have unfolded the way they have, but at least we know good has sacrificed itself to allow a better way to surface. One warrior may give up the fight, but in the never-ending war between Good and Evil, the forces of Good shall always overcome any and all obstacles. And sometimes, sacrifices must be made for other warriors of Good to defeat the forces of Evil.
For now, the battle is over. It is time to celebrate and enjoy the championship. The warrior who lost his love of fighting will be watched closely, but if there ever comes a time when Good needs his skills, they will be used. Think of it this way: Never say never. Have faith and all will be well. When the war returns, the warrior who gave up fighting will find it impossible to resist the urge to help, for that is what he has been called to do.
But that is thinking in the future. The battle has been won, Psyfoam defeated. It is time to say goodbye to Vree and to carry on with life...celebrations included.
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As soon as Psyfoam took his last breath, Goku felt a great weight lifted from his soul. He no longer felt obligated to serve that wretched, evil creation. He was free, and he let his freedom be known with a giant sigh of relief as his back touched the cliff base behind him.
"Vegeta, it's over. Psyfoam's gone." He paused, looking up at his Saiyan friend. "I feel free."
The Prince of the Saiyans, arms crossed and all, let his face lift into a smirk. "Perfect. That Vree knows how to fight."
"Maybe one day, you'll be that powerful, Vegeta," Goku said with a sad smile.
Vegeta grunted, "I doubt it, but maybe you will; you're the one with that kind of power."
Goku was already shaking his head. "No, I've had enough fighting. I give it up; I'm going to spend more time with Chi-Chi now."
"But, Kakarot, you're a Saiyan!"
"I don't care, Vegeta, I just don't care anymore. It's over, for me as well as for Psyfoam."
Another voice broke in. "I'd have to disagree with you on that one, Goku. As Psyfoam probably told you before, 'It's never over.' He'll be back one day...maybe...unless I did a really good job when I killed him." Vree stepped up to Goku and squatted down to look him in the eye. "I know how you feel, Goku. In the future, there will be times when I'll want to just throw in the towel, but when everyone's counting on you, you can find yourself doing things you never even thought you'd do. Trust me, Goku, you can give up fighting for now, but there will come a time when you'll willing step into the war again. Everyone is a part of the War between Good and Evil, some ore so than others. And, Goku, let me tell you that with your skills and power...you just can't escape destiny. You were born to fight for Good, just as I have always been fighting. I follow my destiny and you will follow yours."
"How do you know that?" Vegeta asked just as Goku asked, "What is your destiny?"
Vree laughed, "My destiny? That's for me to know and you to find out, Goku. Vegeta, just trust me for now. You'll understand in time. O...K...It's time for me to leave now. Just remember, Goku, you can't escape destiny no matter how hard you try."
And then, in a bright, bright flash of light, Vree disappeared and Vee and Reda were found when the light streamed away. "Whoa!" Vee was the first to talk. "That...was awesome! Reda, did you see what I saw?"
The woman Saiyan blinked and looked as if she was halfway into space. "Yeah, I saw, and I seem to remember actually killing Psyfoam myself, yet it was like I was watching someone else. I don't know. I was two people or something."
"Yeah, I was me, watching Vree, but then I was Vree...doing what he did," Vee agreed. "Now...where's Pan?"
"What?" Reda asked, just now tuning back into the real world. "Pan? Vee, don't change subjects that quickly!"
The look on Vee's face was just so priceless and the annoyance in Reda's voice made Goku laugh out loud. "I guess this is normal for you two?"
Reda instantly went into a thoughtful pose while Vee got a completely confused face. Reda answered, "Well, I guess. I haven't felt this free in such a long time I don't know normal anymore."
"Huh?" Vee said, very confused. "All right, whatever. We're free from Psyfoam now. It's time to celebrate. Where is Pan?"
"Yeah...free..." Goku agreed. "Thanks you two."
Vee shook his head, as did Reda. "It wasn't us. You should've thanked Vree if anyone. I think you deserve more thanks than anything, Goku. You went through so much...I'm sorry...I just feel like you should get more thanks than any of us."
Goku smiled, "Thanks Reda."
Reda just smiled back. "It works."
Vee took on an annoyed voice. "Hey! I've been asking for five minutes here! WHERE IS PAN!!?!!!"
"Um...Vee..." He swerved around at the young girl's voice from behind. "I've been right here," Pan said with a simple grin and a wave.
Vee nearly fell backwards.
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A few days later, everyone was gathered at Capsule Corporation. Reda was in the scientific lab, arguing with Bulma over which formula would be best in certain situations. Vee was staring at the television, watching (surprisingly) a drama show, complaining loudly that there was no action. Vegeta was leaning on the back wall of the "living room," refusing to meet his brother's complaints because he wanted to see if the couple would just sort out their problems and let the subject go.
Then the doorbell rang. Vee scrambled away from the television, muttering about having to do Reda's job, and opened the door for Gohan, Videl, and Pan. "Hi, Vee. Nice to see you again," Gohan said politely, as he walked in with his wife and daughter close behind. "Is Dad here yet?"
Vee hardly heard him, his focus being entirely on the young teenager. Pan grinned at him, and Vee turned away to hide his blush. Being smart, he used Gohan's question to act as if he didn't notice the girl. "No, Goku's not here. You're the first ones," he said as he crossed his arms and went back to watching T.V.
Videl searched the room. "Where are Bulma and Reda? It's so quiet."
Suddenly, a large explosion sounded from somewhere in the back. And then both Reda and Bulma came into the room, a combination of grime and smoke on their faces, both angry at each other. "I told you that wouldn't work, but did you listen? No...You have to have your own proof because 'you never know.' Argh! It makes me sick!" Reda was shouting, throwing her hands up into the air.
Vee focused on the television, but on his face was a smile. Bulma shouted her argument back, taking absolutely no notice of the visitors. "Well, that's just it! You never can be certain of anything, especially something a minor says!"
Reda scowled, "Minor? Minor! I'm twenty-years-old, you stuck up old lady!"
"Old lady? I'll show you..." and she went on and on.
Trunks appeared and put a calm hand on Reda's shoulder, which succeeded as the Saiyan woman just ignored Bulma and turned to Gohan, Videl, and Pan. "Sorry about that. It's just...she won't accept my word because I have no evidence, but how can I have evidence if I was under Psyfoam for ten years?"
That brought complete silence, even Bulma shut up. Trunks and Reda had connected gazes for the first time, and Bulma had a quick mood swing as she felt the love in the air. "Oh...how romantic."
Vee shook his head at his friend. Pathetic. We agreed to be fighters all our lives and forget love because it just got in the way. Reda's gone, and as long as I continue to ignore Pan nothing will happen. Again, he focused on the television, but the voice of a certain young teenager changed his focus.
"Vee..." Pan was right beside him, making it impossible for him to ignore.
When the doorbell rang, Vee was the one to instantly jump up and run for it, leaving Pan on the couch. "I got it!" Saved by the bell...
He opened the door to Krillin's family, Master Roshi, and Yamcha tagging along behind. "Hey, Vee. By the way, I never got to say this until now, so...Awesome job defeating Psyfoam. You're no longer an evil stranger in my mind," Krillin said, holding out a hand.
With a sweat drop on his head, Vee shook Krillin's hand. "Yeah...that's...nice to know."
Eighteen walked in, "You better watch our daughter, Krillin. She's flirting with the boy next door."
Yamcha's voice filled the air next, "Marron, get over here now before your mom throws a mechanical fit!"
The android glared at Yamcha and then smacked Master Roshi's perverted mind away. The old turtle hermit crashed into the back wall where Vegeta was leaning. The Saiyan Prince shook his head in disgrace at the pervert. When Krillin, Yamcha, and Vee walked back into the house, Vee found himself face-to-face with a flirtatious Marron.
"Hi...Vee..." Marron said, blinking her eyelashes and reaching her hands to run her fingers through his hair.
Vee instantly ducked and pushed away from her. "Uh...no thanks, Marron..."
"Vee," the young voice of Pan said from behind.
The teenage Saiyan spun to face Pan and felt his face burn up red. This isn't fair... "Uh...sorry, girls, I got to take a little bathroom break," Vee lied, running out of the room.
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Reda could only stare at Trunks. He was not only handsome, but she could tell just by looking into his eyes that she would enjoy his personality. Huh, it would be weird to marry Vee's...nephew...Oh, Empty Space was such a strange place to not have time. Well, there's no escaping destiny. Strange. I remember telling someone that exact same thing.
Finally, she blinked and the doorbell rang. Since Vee had run away, Reda chose to break away from Trunks and open the door. She was greeted by Chi-Chi, Goku, and Goten. The strange thing about Goku was that he had a different kind of gleam in his eyes; a change when someone gives up something they really love but still tries to treat life like nothing had changed.
There's no escaping destiny.
Suddenly, Reda remembered something. "Oh my gosh! We forgot about father!"
Everyone in the room stared at her like she was crazy, except Goku, who knew exactly what she meant. "That's right! Do you think they're still alive?"
"Of course we are," a voice said from behind them.
Reda turned around and cocked her head in confusion at seeing her father, Bardock. Bulma screeched out, "Who are you?" at the same time Vegeta asked, "What are you doing still alive?"
And then Vee walked into the room with Dresco and Kerchak following; Vee took the liberty to explain. "I think I remembered right when the doorbell rang, and so I went back to Psyfoam's lair to bring them back. That place is even more desolate than before; it freaked me out!"
Reda blinked with Goku, but Goten spoke up, just now realizing who this was. "I though you were dead; that's what everyone told me."
Bardock grinned, "Psyfoam works in mysterious ways."
"I'll say; I never thought I'd meet my Saiyan grandfather."
Chi-Chi looked at Bardock, then at Goku, then at Goten. "Do Saiyans usually look exactly like their father?"
"Well...at least one child will," Bardock told her. Then he turned to Reda. "I noticed Psyfoam was defeated at last. Can I ask how?"
Gohan finally spoke up, "That's a long story...a very long story."
Trunks placed an arm across Reda and hugged her. "So, introductions are taken care of...can we get on with the celebration? I hope we have enough food."
"Is it ready yet?" Goku asked, the familiar hungry look in his eyes.
Reda laughed, "Half of it is, I think. Bulma insisted she made enough, but with three extra Saiyans at this party—especially Vee—I think it's only half ready."
"Well then get in there and cook some of your food, Reda!" Vee shouted. "And don't forget to make a lot of desserts for my sweet tooth!"
Reda pretended to ignore Vee, but broke away from Trunks and walked toward the kitchen anyway. "I hope you get sick, Vee," she said before opening the door and walking into the kitchen.
Vee crossed his arms and smirked. "All right then." Quiet fell as the teenager processed what Reda had just told him. "Hey wait a minute!" He pushed open the door and forced his way in.
As soon as the door closed behind him, the room became quiet, and the crash from the kitchen was quite audible. "Vee!" Reda shouted.
And then the two came running out, Vee out in front running from Reda, who was clutching a frying pan in her hand. Chi-Chi, Bulma, and Videl grinned as their Saiyan husbands cringed and found themselves as far from the "frying-pan-of-doom" as possible. Everyone else just laughed as Vee ran around and around the couch with Reda slowly gaining on him to make him pay for ruining her special cooking.
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All: We are the champions...my friends...and we'll keep on fighting till the end...We are the champions...We are the champions...No time for losers cause we are the champions...
Vee: Of the world...
Reda: Vee! You're not supposed to say that the last time!
Vee: Oh who cares? They get the picture...and besides...it sounds incomplete without it.
Pan: Yeah!
Reda: Oh I give up!
Vegeta: I wouldn't give up on Vee; you're to soft, Reda.
Trunks: (mumbling) Oh father...
Reda: All right! I don't care anymore! You know what, Vee? HAVE FUN!!!
Vee: But...
Reda: I've finished; this was the last chapter and I'm done.
Vee: But...what about reviewer responses...
Reda: (glares) I hate you...
Vee: I know.
Reda: Fine; then here we go:
Agent 182—I'm really glad you liked it; first reviewer. You deserve a reward but alas, I have none to give. Anyway, did you read this far??? And when are you going to finish um...Get Psycho? And...One and Two...and all the other ones you haven't finished???? (By the way, like your name; go blink182!!)
A goku fan—um...one review...nice...how far did you make it?
blue-dove7—Wow. It affected you that much? Awesome. And thanks; I work hard on originality, even though honestly, most of the ideas came from Vee (my brother).
Silvanus—Thank You! Oh, I love getting nice reviewers like you.
Arthain—Um...yeah...get a life...j/k Did you get out of your mood long enough to really check out the whole thing?
supersaiyaman—WOW! Lots of reviews from you. I'm so happy you like it so much! Makes my day all happy. Thankx.
Pieboy—I sent you to hell. Ha! I win:P And yes, pie is better than cheese; I mean, cheese is better than pie! Shit! I said it backwards. No I didn't. Wait. Oh! Screw it! Pieboy—On—A—Stick-- moron.
Jake—There! Finally finished and now it's time for the sequel! Yay! Luv u in purple (If the thing would allow color...stupid thing) LOL! Well, anyway. Luv ya.
Reda: Well, there you go people; if I have any "silent reviewers" thank you too for reading this.
Vee: What? What are silent reviewers, Reda?
Reda: They're what I call people that read, but don't review.
Vee: What? I'm confused.
Reda: Don't worry about it.
Vee: No, not about that, about the sequel. What's it going to be about?
Reda: You'll see.
Vee: Tell me tell me tell me!
Reda: Hey, I'm also going to start a story about Vee and me when we first met and had our first adventure. (I think Vree mentioned something about fighting a being a few thousand years ago...)
Vee: Oh...that...That was an awesome adventure, Reda. We went back in time, and...
Reda: SHUT UP, VEE!
Vee: Damn! Fine! You don't have to be so loud about it!
Reda: I will never get you to listen, will I?
Vee: I'm not going to answer that!
Reda: Fine! All right, people. If your interested look for the sequel "Psyfoam's Return: Legend of the Energy Crystals" and...the other story with me and Vee in it, "Untold Legends." Have a nice day.
(Connection pulled)